cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evidence for mild deviation from power-law distribution of electrons in relativistic shocks: GRB 090902B

Many previous studies have determined that the long lasting emission at X-ray, optical and radio wavelengths from gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), called the afterglow, is likely produced by the external forward shock model. In this model, the GRB jet interacts with the circum-stellar medium and drives a shock that heats the medium, which radiates via synchrotron emission. In this work, we carried out a detailed analysis of the late time afterglow data of GRB 090902B using a very careful accounting of the Inverse Compton losses. We find that in the context of the external forward shock model, the only viable option to explain the X-ray and optical data of GRB 090920B is to have the electron energy distribution deviate from a power-law shape and exhibit some slight curvature immediately downstream of the shock front (we explored other models that rely on a single power-law assumption, but they all fail to explain the observations). We find the fraction of the energy of shocked plasma in magnetic field to be ∼10 −6 using late time afterglow data, which is consistent with the value obtained using early gamma-ray data. Studies like the present one might be able to provide a link between GRB afterglow modelling and numerical simulations of particle acceleration in collisionless shocks. We also provide detailed calculations for the early (10 3 s) high-energy (>100 MeV) emission and confirm that it is consistent with origin in the external forward shock. We investigated the possibility that the ∼10 keV excess observed in the spectrum during the prompt phase also has its origin in the external shock and found the answer to be negative.
Language Choice & Global Learning Networks

How can other languages be used in conjunction with English to further intercultural and multilingual learning when teachers and students participate in computer-based global learning networks? Two portraits are presented of multilingual activities in the Orillas and I*EARN learning networks, and are discussed as examples of the principal modalities of communication employed in networking projects between distant classes. Next, an important historical precedent --the social controversy which accompanied the introduction of telephone technology at the end of the last century-- is examined in terms of its implications for language choice in contemporary classroom telecomputing projects. Finally, recommendations are offered to guide decision making concerning the role of language choice in promoting collaborative critical inquiry.
Numerical simulation of capillary plasma flow generated by high-current pulsed power

Abstract Pulsed plasma discharge in the interior region of electrothermal–chemical gun is numerically investigated with the one-dimensional time-dependent mathematical modeling that includes the Joule heating of plasma column and the mass ablation of bore wall. Sonic boundary condition is utilized because flow is expected to be choked at the bore exit. In the evaluation of thermodynamic and transport properties, plasma state is assumed to be in local thermal equilibrium due to high pressure and is found to be weakly nonideal. The computational results show that capillary plasma flow at the bore exit is partially ionized high temperature and high pressure discharge. Many predicted data including arc resistance, energy deposition, and bore wall mass ablation are favorably compared with the measurements on total 8 shots of gun firings with different levels of energy deposition ranging from 5.3 to 47 kJ. Temporal evolution of pressure shows transient effect in the calculations but the effect is minimal compared to the significant transient effect in the pressure measurements. However, maximum pressure is in good agreement with measured data.
Asian and Siberian ginseng as a potential modulator of immune function: an in vitro cytokine study using mouse macrophages.

Abstract Background: Ginseng is a widely used herbal product in China, other Asian countries, and in the Unites States. There is a traditional belief that ginseng stimulates immune functions. In this study, the innate effects of Asian and Siberian ginsengs on cytokines and chemokines produced by cultured macrophages were examined. Materials and methods: The effects of Asian and Siberian ginseng on cytokines and chemokines produced by cultured macrophages were examined. Mouse macrophages (J774A.1) were incubated with Asian or Siberian ginseng at varying concentrations (1, 10, 100, and 1000 μg/ml) for 24 h and then harvested for RNA isolation. The expression levels of IL-1β, IL-12, TNF-α, MIP-1 α, and MIP-2 mRNA were measured by quantitative PCR. Results: Our data showed that Asian ginseng induced a statistically significant increase in IL-12 expression at both mRNA and protein levels. However, the minor twofold increase is probably biologically insignificant. No significant increase of IL-12 by Siberian ginseng was observed at any dose level studied. No significant change in IL-1β, IL-15, TNF-α, or MIP-1α mRNA was observed by either Asian or Siberian ginseng treatment. Conclusions: Our data showed statistically significant differential regulation of IL-12 by Asian ginseng. Siberian ginseng did not show a statistically significant increase. We conclude that both Asian ginseng and Siberian ginseng cannot significantly stimulate innate macrophage immune functions that influence cellular immune responses. Therefore, contrary to the popular belief, Asian and Siberian ginseng may not stimulate immune function.
Signs of neuropathic pain depend on signals from injured nerve fibers in a rat model.

Abstract The present study was undertaken to determine the role of injured fibers in the development of neuropathic pain using our earlier established rat model. Our model was produced by placing tight ligatures to the L5 or both L6 spinal nerves on one side in the rat. These rats showed long-lasting behavioral signs of mechanical allodynia and heat hyperalgesia. Using the uniqueness of our model, 3 specific questions are being asked concerning the initiation and maintenance of behavioral signs for neuropathic pain. The results of behavioral tests performed after various surgical manipulations suggest that: (1) peripheral nerve injury itself is the critical factor for the development of behavioral signs of neuropathic pain; (2) signs of neuropathic pain appear only when injury occurs at a part of the peripheral nerve distal to the dorsal root ganglion; and (3) signals (either electrical or chemical) entering the spinal cord from the injured fibers or the dorsal root ganglion cells play a critical role for both initiation and maintenance of the neuropathic pain state.
Prognosis of level V malignant melanoma

Level V melanomas have been reported to have a poor prognosis, but in-depth analyses of prognostic factors and treatment have not been reported. From 1952 through 1982, 41 patients presented with primary Clark's Level V melanomas. There were 23 patients who presented with clinical Stage I disease and 18 with Stage II. Among Stage I patients, 9 were treated by wide excision alone and 13 underwent wide excision plus prophylactic regional lymph node dissection (RLND); 8 of 13 patients had histologically positive nodes. Twelve Stage II patients were treated by wide excision and RLND (including three hemipelvectomies), and four refused surgery. The 5-year survival was 52%. For Stage I patients, survival was 62% and disease-free survival (DFS) 28% at 5 years; 6 of 10 recurrences were local or regional only. Prophylactic RLND reduced the incidence of recurrence but did not appear to influence survival rates. Among 14 evaluable Stage II patients, overall survival was 60% and DFS 42% at 3 years; of 4 patients who subsequently had a recurrence, 3 had distant metastases. All seven patients with distant metastases at the time of first recurrence died of disease within 14 months (median, 4 months) of detection of metastatic disease. Primary melanomas of the foot (11 patients) and trunk (4 patients) appeared to have a worse prognosis than other sites. Ulceration (seen in 21 patients) did not appear to significantly influence outcome. These data suggest that most patients with Level V melanoma present with clinically localized disease. Prophylactic RLND did not significantly affect overall survival. The invasiveness of these deep tumors appears to reduce the influence of other factors, including primary site, sex, race, and ulceration. The prognosis of patients with Level V melanoma, even with clinically or histologically positive lymph nodes, is not hopeless, and these patients should be treated aggressively.
DISSENSION IN THE RANKS: OFFICER RESISTANCE TO COMMUNITY POLICING, CYNICISM, AND SUPPORT FOR THE ORGANIZATION

ABSTRACT The research reported here explores the issue of officer resistance to community oriented policing. Much has been written about the current move to a community oriented philosophy of policing which presents anecdotal evidence that some officers are dissatisfied with contemporary reforms. Building on Neiderhoffer's conception of officer cynicism as a product of dissatisfaction, this research tests whether officers who share their agency's policing philosophy are less cynical than those who disagree with the agency philosophy. Data from a survey of officers in a Southwestern Ohio suburban city are used to test for links between officer commitment to community policing, satisfaction with their current jobs, and levels of cynicism. Policy implications of the findings are briefly discussed.
Partial restoration of mutant enzyme homeostasis in three distinct lysosomal storage disease cell lines by altering calcium homeostasis.

A lysosomal storage disease (LSD) results from deficient lysosomal enzyme activity, thus the substrate of the mutant enzyme accumulates in the lysosome, leading to pathology. In many but not all LSDs, the clinically most important mutations compromise the cellular folding of the enzyme, subjecting it to endoplasmic reticulum–associated degradation instead of proper folding and lysosomal trafficking. A small molecule that restores partial mutant enzyme folding, trafficking, and activity would be highly desirable, particularly if one molecule could ameliorate multiple distinct LSDs by virtue of its mechanism of action. Inhibition of L-type Ca2+ channels, using either diltiazem or verapamil—both US Food and Drug Administration–approved hypertension drugs—partially restores N370S and L444P glucocerebrosidase homeostasis in Gaucher patient–derived fibroblasts; the latter mutation is associated with refractory neuropathic disease. Diltiazem structure-activity studies suggest that it is its Ca2+ channel blocker activity that enhances the capacity of the endoplasmic reticulum to fold misfolding-prone proteins, likely by modest up-regulation of a subset of molecular chaperones, including BiP and Hsp40. Importantly, diltiazem and verapamil also partially restore mutant enzyme homeostasis in two other distinct LSDs involving enzymes essential for glycoprotein and heparan sulfate degradation, namely α-mannosidosis and type IIIA mucopolysaccharidosis, respectively. Manipulation of calcium homeostasis may represent a general strategy to restore protein homeostasis in multiple LSDs. However, further efforts are required to demonstrate clinical utility and safety.
Antigen Retrieval on Ultrathin Cryosections

We have studied two different monoclonal antibodies that behave poorly for the immunocytochemical localization of caveolin-1 and caveolin-2 in paraformaldehyde fixed tissue. Treatment of tissue sections with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) led to enhanced immunocytochemical detection of antigens with each of these antibodies. In this study, we have focused on the use of SDS for antigen retrieval using ultrathin cryosections. Herein, we show that SDS treatment can be applied to ultrathin cryosections without deleterious effects and can be used for high-resolution immunofluorescence detection of caveolin-1 and -2.
Active Region Flare Rates and 8.6 mm Brightness Temperatures

The relationship between the flaring rates and 8.6 mm brightness temperatures of active regions has been analyzed. We find that as the 8.6 mm brightness temperature of an active region increases, a larger proportion of the energy released by the region in the form of flares is contained in progressively larger flares. At all temperatures subflares are the most frequent event. At intermediate and high temperatures about 10% of the events are flares of importance 1 or larger with flares of importance 2 or larger contributing an increasing fraction of these events as the brightness temperature increases.
A Note on the Hole Theory of Diffusion

The activation energy ${Q}_{x}$ for diffusion in a dilute metallic solution cannot be less than the activation energy ${Q}_{0}$ for self-diffusion, if the solute atoms can move only through the medium of "holes" which diffuse to them from the solvent lattice, displace them, and leave in another direction. Since the experiments show that generally ${Q}_{x}l{Q}_{0}$ an alternative mechanism is required. Solute atoms which are not so firmly bound in the lattice as are solvent atoms will tend to trap holes to form solute-hole molecules. These molecules can move as units through the dense solvent lattice by cycles of inversion and re-orientation. This mechanism yields for the diffusion constant the value $D={A}^{*} \mathrm{exp} [\ensuremath{-}\frac{(W+S)}{\mathrm{RT}}],$ where $W$ is the energy required to form a hole adjacent to a solute atom, and $S$ is the activation energy for re-orientation or inversion of a solute-hole molecule. ${Q}_{x}(\ensuremath{\equiv}W+S)$ may be much smaller than either ${Q}_{0}$ or the binding energy of the solvent. ${A}^{*}$ should be significantly less than the corresponding $A$ for self-diffusion. Both these predictions are in accord with the data. The same considerations should apply also to diffusion in liquids.
Organization structure as a factor in innovation: A review of the literature

There are several approaches to the organization of an activity. Some of the better known methods are by function, project or a matrix. Each of these methods is investigated in terms of its effect on innovation. Some of the advantages and disadvantages of each are discussed. All discussion is carefully supported by reference to current literature.
Changing Fossilized Pronunciation

This article describes an approach for dealing with the pronunciation of advanced ESL learners who may be relatively fluent but who remain quite inaccurate. Their pronunciation is often thought of as being "fossilized" (Selinker 1972), highly resistant to change. The specific group for which this approach was designed is somewhat unique: foreign professionals, many of whom have been in Englishspeaking environments for years. Nonetheless, the general framework and the method involved are applicable in many contexts. For such fossilized learners, traditional pronunciation methods are often ineffective. A successful, somewhat unorthodox teaching program that draws on research from several disciplines is outlined.
First order reliability method for time-variant problems using series expansions

Time-variant reliability is often evaluated by Rice's formula combined with the First Order Reliability Method (FORM). To improve the accuracy and efficiency of the Rice/FORM method, this work develops a new simulation method with the first order approximation and series expansions. The approximation maps the general stochastic process of the response into a Gaussian process, whose samples are then generated by the Expansion Optimal Linear Estimation if the response is stationary or by the Orthogonal Series Expansion if the response is non-stationary. As the computational cost largely comes from estimating the covariance of the response at expansion points, a cheaper surrogate model of the covariance is built and allows for significant reduction in computational cost. In addition to its superior accuracy and efficiency over the Rice/FORM method, the proposed method can also produce the failure rate and probability of failure with respect to time for a given period of time within only one reliability analysis.
Salvage of ischemic myocardium with simplified and even delayed coronary sinus retroperfusion

Background. Despite the proven efficacy of pressure-controlled intermittent coronary sinus obstruction (PICSO) and synchronized retrograde perfusion (SRP) in salvaging ischemic myocardium, wide application of these coronary sinus (CS) retroperfusion techniques has been limited by concerns about their safety and complexity and in particular the need for repeated occlusion of the CS with a balloon. To address these concerns a simplified retroperfusion technique (SR) was developed that continuously infuses superior vena caval blood at 7 mL/min into the CS catheter without balloon occlusion. Methods. Thirty pigs underwent 90 minutes of ischemia imposed by snaring the two largest diagonal branches of the left anterior descending artery and were randomized to one of five treatment groups: One group received no retroperfusion (control). Three groups had immediate (Im) institution of PICSO, SRP, or SR. In a final group, an initial 60 minutes of ischemia was followed by 30 minutes of delayed SR with superior vena caval blood. All animals were then placed on cardiopulmonary bypass and, after a 60-minute cardioplegic arrest, the coronary artery obstructions were removed, to simulate surgical revascularization. This was followed by 3 hours of reperfusion. The area of myocardium at risk and the area of infarction were determined by methylene blue and triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining with planimetric quantification. Results. Results are reported as mean ± standard deviation. The area of the left ventricle at risk for infarction was similar in all the treatment groups and represented 22.3% ± 4.1% of the left ventricular mass. The area of infarction after 3 hours of reperfusion was 48.5% ± 11.0% for the control group, 26.8% ± 7.3% for Im-PICSO, 24.9% ± 4.8% for Im-SRP, 22.4% ± 6.6% for Im-SR, and 27.7% ± 7.2% for delayed SR ( p p Conclusions. The simplified retroperfusion technique is as effective as PICSO and SRP in salvaging ischemic myocardium, but is considerably simpler. The simplified retroperfusion technique is inherently safer because of the lower CS pressures imposed by low flows and the lack of CS balloon obstruction. The efficacy of delayed SR has profound implications on possible mechanisms of ischemic myocardial salvage. Further investigation is warranted.
Nonisothermal Superconducting Bolometer: Theory of Operation*

A new principle of operation for superconducting bolometers is described. The bolometer is so constructed that heat transfer to a reservoir at a temperature below the superconducting transition temperature can occur only by conduction along the length of the bolometer. Under these conditions, it is possible to maintain a stable state in which the center of the bolometer strip is in the normal state and at a relatively high temperature while both ends are superconducting. This condition is maintained by passing a small heating current through the bolometer. Incident radiation will change the heat balance so as to increase the length of the central normal region, thereby increasing its electrical resistance. A theory of operation based on this principle is presented to demonstrate the extent to which the problems usually encountered in the use of superconducting bolometers can be avoided. The predicted very small noise-equivalent power and the short thermal time constant of the device should make it particularly suitable as a detector of far-infrared radiation.
Polyethylene glycol hydrogel polymer sealant for closure of sutureless sclerotomies: a histologic study

Purpose To evaluate a polyethylene glycol–based hydrogel bandage for its ability to secure sutureless pars plana vitrectomy sclerotomies. Design Laboratory investigation. Methods Twenty-gauge (20-G) and twenty-three gauge (23-G) sclerotomies were constructed in human cadaveric eyes. A total of 24 sclerotomies were constructed in 6 eyes. Four sclerotomies per eye were constructed. Two were straight 20-G incisions, of which 1 was sutured and 1 was covered with the bandage. The other 2 were 23-G beveled incisions, of which 1 was left bare and the other was closed with the hydrogel bandage. India ink was applied over the sclerotomy sites while the intraocular pressure (IOP) was varied. The presence of India ink particles along incisions was evaluated by histologic analysis. Results The hydrogel bandage prevented the entry of ink particles in all covered incisions after IOP modulation and incision manipulation. One 20-G sutured incision showed partial ink ingress. Four uncovered 23-G incisions showed the presence of ink within the inner aspect of the incisions ( P = .0455 relative to 23-G sealed incisions). Twenty-two out of 24 incisions were evaluated, as 2 incisions could not be identified on histologic analysis. Conclusions The use of a hydrogel bandage to close sutureless sclerotomies is a practical alternative to sutures. Closure of sutureless sclerotomies may reduce the entry of ocular surface fluid into these incisions as well as prevent leakage of intraocular fluid in the immediate postoperative period. Incision closure may reduce the incidence of postoperative endophthalmitis and hypotony in sutureless vitreous surgery.
The management of factor XI deficiency

Summary. Factor XI deficiency leads to a more variable bleeding tendency than haemophilia A or B. Although severely deficient individuals are likely to bleed excessively especially after surgery in areas of the body with increased fibrinolysis, there is evidence that some partially deficient individuals are at risk of excessive bleeding. This will entail careful planning for surgery. Several therapeutic modalities are available which include fresh frozen plasma, factor XI concentrates, fibrin glue, antifibrinolytic drugs and desmopressin. The advantages and risks of these are considered. Factor XI concentrate may be indicated for procedures with a significant risk of bleeding especially in younger patients with severe deficiency, but its use in older patients has been associated with thrombotic phenomena. If fresh frozen plasma is to be used, it is preferable to obtain one of the virally inactivated products. Fibrin glue is a useful treatment which deserves further study.
Effects of cationic substitutions on delayed rectifier current in type I vestibular hair cells.

The resting potassium current (I KI ) in gerbil dissociated type I vestibular hair cells has been characterized under various ionic conditions in whole cell voltage-clamp. When all K+ in the patch electrode solution was replaced with Na+, (Na+) in or Cs+, (Cs+) in , large inward currents were evoked in response to voltage steps between −90 and −50 mV. Activation of these currents could be described by a Hodgkin-Huxley-type kinetic scheme, the order of best fit increasing with depolarization. Above ∼−40 mV currents became outward and inactivated with a monoexponential time course. Membrane resistance was inversely correlated with external K+ concentration. With (Na+) in , currents were eliminated when K+ was removed from the external solution or following extracellular perfusion of 4-aminopyridine, indicating that currents flowed through I KI channels. Also, reduction of K+ entry through manipulation of membrane potential reduced the magnitude of the outward current. Under symmetrical Cs+, 0 K+ conditions I KI is highly permeable to Cs+. However, inward currents were reduced when small amounts of external K+ were added. Higher concentrations of K+ resulted in larger currents indicating an anomalous mole fraction effect in mixtures of external Cs+ and K+.
Assessment of relationship between nutrition and growth in pediatric hemodialysis patients.

Objective Nutrition and growth are important outcome indicators in pediatric (Ped) hemodialysis (HD) patients. We hypothesized that there is a discrepancy among traditional measures of nutrition, and that adequate nutrition may not reliably predict growth. Methods We assessed longitudinal nutrition and growth parameters in 14 Ped HD patients over 1 year. Their age at the end of the study was 15.9 ± 0.6 years, SEM. Results For the entire cohort over 1 year, serum albumin (Alb) was 4.3 ± 0.0 g/dL, and the normalized protein catabolic rate (nPCR) was 1.0 ± 0.0 (correlation, 0.33; P Conclusion We conclude that the relationship between Alb and nPCR is weak in individual patients, and that adequate nutrition does not reliably predict growth in Ped HD patients.
Safety of the nation's blood supply

Transfusion-transmitted AIDS continues to remain a very small part of the current AIDS epidemic in the United States, but questions regarding the safety of the blood supply abound. Transfusion-associated AIDS (TAAIDS) represents only about 3% of the total AIDS cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). According to the CDC, 1,833 adult TA-AIDS cases were reported through September 19, 1988 (I). In the same period, 73,394 cases of AIDS had been reported to the CDC. While representing only a small part of the epidemic, TA-AIDS has raised concerns about the safety of our nation's blood supply. It is important to provide factual information about AIDS and the blood supply to patients, donors, and medical professionals. We are dealing with a moving target and with ongoing procedural changes that have positively affected the safety of the blood supply. Figure 1 summarizes donor strategies to protect the blood supply. First, we know a great deal about paid versus volunteer donors, with respect to transfusion-associated hepatitis. It is well accepted that conversion to an all volunteer donor base has had a significant positive effect on the reduction of posttransfusion hepatitis. Fortunately, paid donor blood has been all but totally eliminated from the United States blood supply.
Lithium dissociates haloperidol-induced behavioral supersensitivity from reduced dopac increase in rat striatum

Abstract Chronic lithium administration prevents both haloperidol-induced dopaminergic behavioral supersensitivity and increased tritiated neuroleptic binding to dopamine (DA) receptors in rat corpus striatum. Since chronic haloperidol treatment also induces tolerance to the activating effects of the drug on striatal DA synthesis, the ability of lithium to block neurochemical tolerance development was investigated. Whereas lithium treatment significantly (P
Abrogation of resistance to the reinduction of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis by pertussigen

Abstract Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis is an autoimmune disease initiated by an injection of myelin basic protein in complete Freund's adjuvant. Lewis rats which have recovered from the initial episode of hindquarter paralysis are resistant for at least 6 months to disease reinduction by basic protein-complete Freund's adjuvant, although specific antigen-reactive cells are detectable in convalescent rats. Resistance cannot be attributed to the activity of the adjuvant alone. In contrast, clinical disease could be reinduced by a secondary challenge with spinal cord homogenate and pertussigen (“lymphocytosis promoting factor” of Bordetella pertussis ). Disease could also be reinduced by a simultaneous secondary challenge with basic protein-complete Freund's adjuvant along with pertussigen. Vascular permeability increases in the spinal cord paralleled disease induction or reinduction. No definite conclusions can be drawn concerning the mechanism by which pertussigen promotes disease reinduction in convalescent rats.
A Novel β-Lactam Antibiotic Activates Tumor Cell Apoptotic Program by Inducing DNA Damage

Many of the anticancer drugs in current use are toxic and thus limited in their efficacy. It therefore becomes essential to develop novel chemotherapeutic agents with lower levels of toxicity. The β-lactam antibiotics have been used for many years to treat bacterial infections with limited or no toxicity. Until now, it has never been shown that β-lactams could kill tumor cells. Here, for the first time, we have discovered and characterized the apoptosis-inducing properties of a family of novel β-lactam antibiotics against human leukemia, breast, prostate, and head-and-neck cancer cells. We found that one particular lead compound (lactam 1) with anN-methylthio group was able to induce DNA damage and inhibit DNA replication in Jurkat T cells within a 2-h treatment. This was followed by p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase activation, S phase arrest, and apoptotic cell death. p38 was found to be a central player in β-lactam-induced apoptosis and resided downstream of DNA damage but upstream of caspase activation. Accompanying caspase-8 activation was cleavage of the pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family protein Bid, and release of the mitochondrial cytochrome c. This was also associated with activation of caspase-9 and -3. Analogs of lactam 1 in which the N-methylthio group was replaced with other organothio chains exhibited progressive decreased potencies to induce DNA damage, p38 kinase activation, S phase arrest, and apoptosis, demonstrating requirement of the N-methylthio group. Because of the ease of synthesis and structural manipulation, we believe these β-lactams may have the potential to be developed into anticancer agents.
Outreach and Identity Development: New Perspectives on College Student Persistence

College student persistence continues to pose challenges for higher education institutions, despite over 40 years of research. Although persistence is studied from many different angles, the majority of studies examining the causes of and cures for students' departure from college reflect the importance of engagement in the higher education environment. An innovative type of engagement is involving college students in high school outreach. This article reports on a study involving 19 college students who participated in a National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded project intended to increase the enrollment and persistence of engineering students, specifically examining how engaging in outreach activities developed participants' views of themselves as engineers. We found that outreach activities incorporated several types of engagement and that participants engaged in outreach began to develop a professional engineering identity, both of which are linked to college student persistence. The study's implicati...
Consumer Tax Production Quota Buyouts and Negative Compensation: Producers' Dilemma

In some cases, production quota buyouts can be paid for through consumer taxes. Using a simplified two-period model, we show that producers can never gain from a consumer tax buyout even if the compensation is based on an inflated quota value. The higher the quota value used as the basis of compensation, the greater is the overall producer loss from the buyout. This producer loss within a two-period model buyout is called “negative producer compensation”.
Librarians and Instructors Developing Student Learning Outcomes: Using Frameworks to Lead the Process

Purpose – The purpose of this paper if to design a workshop that effectively facilitates the collaborative revision of student learning outcomes based on current research relating to competencies in information literacy (IL). Design/methodology/approach – This case study describes collaborations between librarians and writing instructors throughout an eight-week workshop. The workshop focused on using the results of assessments to revise learning outcomes and restructure instruction practices to help students in the areas they struggle with the most. Three significant frameworks, including threshold concepts, backward design and decoding the disciplines, were used to facilitate effective discussion and revise learning outcomes. Findings – The structure of the workshop based on three key frameworks stimulated innovation, fostered collegiality, prompted future collaborative opportunities and garnered buy-in for the importance and implementation of IL initiatives. This collaboration served as a pilot worksho...
The Role of Diabatic Heating, Torques and Stabilities in Forcing the Radial-Vertical Circulation within Cyclones Part II: Case Study of Extratropical and Tropical Cyclones

Utilizing Eliassen's concepts, the forcing of the isentropic azimuthally-averaged mass-weighted radial-vertical circulation by diabatic heating and torques within an extratropical cyclone and a typhoon was studied through numerical simulations based on the linear diagnostic equation derived previously. The structure of the forcing associated with diabatic heating and torques was determined from quasi-Lagrangian diagnostic analyses of actual case studies. The two cyclones studied were the Ohio extratropical cyclone of 25-27 January 1978 and typhoon Nancy of 18-23 September 1979. The Ohio cyclone, which formed over the Gulf Coast and moved through Ohio and eastern Michigan, was one of the most intense storms with blizzard conditions to ever occur in this region. Typhoon Nancy which occurred over the South China Sea during the FGGE year was selected since relatively high quality assimilated data were available. Within the Ohio cyclone, the dominant internal processes forcing the mean circulation with embedded relatively strong hydrodynamic stability were the pressure torque associated with baroclinic (asymmetric) structure and the horizontal eddy angular momentum transport associated with the typical S-shaped thermal and wind structures of self-development. Within typhoon Nancy, the dominant internal process forcing the mean circulation with embedded weak hydrodynamic stability was the latent heat release. This analysis shows that the simulated azimuthally-averaged mass-weighted radial motions within these two cyclones agree quite well with the “ observed≓ azimuthally-averaged mass-weighted radial motions. This isentropic numerical study also provides insight into the relatively important internal forcing processes and the trade off between forcing and stability within both extratropical and tropical cyclones.
Feasibility of energy harvesting techniques for wearable medical devices.

Wearable devices are arguably one of the most rapidly growing technologies in the computing and health care industry. These systems provide improved means of monitoring health status of humans in real-time. In order to cope with continuous sensing and transmission of biological and health status data, it is desirable to move towards energy autonomous systems that can charge batteries using passive, ambient energy. This not only ensures uninterrupted data capturing, but could also eliminate the need to frequently remove, replace, and recharge batteries. To this end, energy harvesting is a promising area that can lead to extremely power-efficient portable medical devices. This paper presents an experimental prototype to study the feasibility of harvesting two energy sources, solar and thermoelectric energy, in the context of wearable devices. Preliminary results show that such devices can be powered by transducing ambient energy that constantly surrounds us. I. INTRODUCTION Rapid technological advancements in several underlying areas of ubiquitous computing, such as sensors, microcontrollers, and I/O, have led to the emergence and growth of wearable medical devices. The energy consumption of these devices continues to decrease every year with reduction in feature size (1-3). With this decrease in power consumption and increase in the interest of energy harvesting in the research community, the way portable devices have been traditionally powered can be reevaluated (4). Energy Harvesting is the process of taking the ambient, passive energy that surrounds us all of the time and putting it to use by transducing it into electrical energy. The energy source can be light from the sun or indoor lighting, from differences in temperature across a material, from small vibrations of materials or movement of a magnet in an electric field, or even from the abundant RF signals in ambient air. The arena for energy harvesting is already vast, and new ways to harvest different types of energy are gaining significant interest within the research community. Energy harvesting is appealing for many reasons. If the need to recharge and replace batteries can be eliminated, thereby physically removing or interacting with the battery, wireless sensors can be installed anywhere, one time, and never touched again. It is also a cost efficient method as it uses energy that would have been wasted anyway. Furthermore, it is seemingly appropriate for wearable medical devices because these devices are often small and require little energy, on the scale of micro- and milliwatts, even during data acquisition and transmission cycles (5).
Kinetics and mechanism of electro-oxidative polymerization of m-cresol on Pt electrode catalysed by trimethylamine

Abstract The kinetics and mechanism of electropolymerization of m -cresol (mC) on Pt electrode catalysed by trimethylamine (TMA) has been studied in acetonitrile. The rate of polymerization shows first order dependences on monomer concentration and current and fractional order on [TMA] at lower current densities; at higher current densities, the rate is independent of current density. A suitable mechanism has been proposed and a rate equation is derived to explain the observed features. Rotating disc studies reveal that, at low current densities, the rate of polymerization is charge-controlled but, at high current densities, it is diffusion-controlled. Conditions for obtaining selective products with high current efficiency have been established. Factors limiting film thickness have been identified.
Schistosoma mansoni: analysis of the kinetics of death of parasitic organisms by employing attrition of cercariae as a model.

Abstract An analysis is presented of the attrition kinetics of elements (subjects, people, parasites, machines) from their “normal” state with special reference to the death of Schistosoma mansoni cercariae in various solutions (environments). This includes construction of life tables, calculation of median lifetimes, displaying hazard function plots, and comparing the effects of different chemical agents on longevity by using deaths as entries in contingency tables. The equivalence between comparing two complete life tables and the analysis of a 2 × k contingency table is used. Partitioning the contingency table permits one to look for both local and general differences between two life tables (survival functions). A new and more practical form of the hazard function is derived. Smoother plots appear to be associated with solutions that give longest median cercarial survival. Additional relationships of these graphs to cercarial life are discussed, and potential uses of the hazard function in evaluating other aspects of biology are mentioned.
Maffeo Vegio and the prelude to juridical humanism

(1985). Maffeo Vegio and the prelude to juridical humanism. The Journal of Legal History: Vol. 6, No. 2, pp. 179-193.
Delayed and Hidden Variables Interactions in Gene Regulatory Networks

Reverse Engineering of Gene Regulatory Networks (GRN), i.e. Finding appropriate mathematical models to understand complex cellular systems, can be used in disease diagnosis, treatment, and drug design. There are fundamental gaps in the construction of GRN with regard to modeling of hidden/delayed interactions. Addressing these deficiencies is critical to understanding complex intracellular processes and enabling full use of the vast and ever-growing amount of available genomic data. Current modeling strategies either ignore or oversimplify time delays resulted from transcription and translation processes during gene expression. In addition, many research works do not account hidden variables such as transcription factors, repressors, small metabolites, DNA, microRNA species that regulate themselves and other genes but are not readily detectable on micro array experiments. To capture the effect of these parameters, in this paper, we utilize our developed Partially Connected Artificial Neural Networks with Evolvable Topology (PANNET) to find a more comprehensive model of GRN by considering the effects of unknown hidden variables and different time delays. This method is innovative, since the structure of the network has memory and internal states, which can model the unknown hidden variables and time delays. We furthermore use a new evolutionary optimization based on variable-length Genetic Algorithm (GA) to find a sparse structure of PANNET to predict the gene expression levels accurately. Finally we demonstrate the capability of PANNET in constructing GRN, including the effect of different delays and unknown hidden variables through modeling of E. Coli SOS inducible DNA repair system.
Localization of glyoxylic acid-induced histofluorescence in surgically isolated medial basal hypothalamus of the rat

Examination of glyoxylic acid-induced catecholamine histofluorescence in the hypothalamic median eminence of adult male rats revealed a linear pattern of fine varicosities coursing through the ependymal and fibrous zones, suggestive of juxtaposition to tanycytes. In order to determine the origin of these terminals, adult rats were subjected to complete isolation of the medial basal hypothalamus, using a small Halasz-Pupp knife. As rapidly as 24h after this “deafferentation” degenerative axon profiles were observed dorsal, as well as anterior and lateral, to the knife track. Occasionally at three days postoperatively, and routinely by seven days after surgery, fine-sized new fibres were seen passing through the knife wound. The linear profiles of varicosities observed in the normal median eminence remained traceable in the experimental preparations; the site of origin for these terminals therefore appears to be neurons of the arcuate (A12) and rostral periventricular (A14) regions. The results also indicate that fibres innervating the isolated area are capable of morphologically demonstrable new growth. The observations bear functional implications in assessing endocrine regulation following MBH isolation of the type used in this study.
Evaluating the Fisher effect in long-term cross-country averages

Abstract This article uses long-term cross-country data to examine the Fisher hypothesis that nominal interest rates respond point-for-point to changes in the expected inflation rate. The analysis employs bounded-influence estimation to limit the effects of hyperinflation countries such as Brazil and Peru. Contrary to the results in Duck (1993) , the present evidence does not support a full Fisher effect. By extending the empirical model to account for cross-country differences in sovereign risk, we find evidence consistent with the idea that interest rates fail to fully adjust to inflation due to variation in the implicit liquidity premium on financial assets.
Introduction to the Special Edition on Psychology of Religion at Rice University

This brief paper introduces the special edition of Pastoral Psychology on the psychology of religion at Rice University.
Talus movement in the high equatorial andes: A synthesis of ten years of data

The surficial movement of debris was monitored on a talus cone in the Venezuelan Andes for about a decade. The talus surface was classified into three textures (blocks, pebbles, sand). Painted stones were placed along four transects perpendicular to the slope; many markers (≈ 36%) were lost, mostly in pebble and sand areas, owing to burial. Mean stone movement decreased downslope, being much lower on the talus base (33.8 cm) than on the lines above (157.9, 239.9 and 107.8 cm). Tracers on blocks shifted a shorter distance (36.9 cm) than those on either pebbles (152.3 cm) or sand (225.1 cm). A regression showed that annual movement rates on 46 plots were inversely correlated with mean particle size (r=−0.878). An ANOVA indicated that the difference in rates between textures was more significant than that found between slope positions. Markers below outcrops also moved less than those on open talus. A line painted on the rockwall at the talus apex showed alternate periods of debris erosion and accretion, with an overall drop of 22.2 mm of the talus surface during a period of 11.5 years. Rates of debris movement vary substantially between talus textures because these are affected by different transport processes. Mean rates of debris movement remained essentially erratic during the study period, showing no consistent trends through time. Le mouvement superficiel des debris de roche a ete suivi sur un cene d'eboulis des Andes du Venezuela pendant environ une decennie. La surface de l'eboulis a ete classee selon trois textures a savoir des blocs, des cailloux et des sables. Des pierres peintes ont ete placees selon quatre transects perpendiculaires a la pente; de nombreuses marques (±36%) ont ete perdues par enfouissement, principalement dans les classes granulometriques des cailloux et des sables. Le mouvement moyen des pierres diminue vers le bas de la pente et est beaucoup plus faible a la base du talus (33,8 cm) que sur les lignes situees en contrehaut (157,9; 239,9 et 107,8 cm). Les blocs se sont deplaces d'une distance moins importante (36,9 cm) que les cailloux (152,3 cm) ou les sables (225,1 cm). Une regression a montre que la vitesse de mouvement annuel en 46 endroits etait inversement correlee avec la taille moyenne (r =−0,878). Un test (Anova) indique que les differences de vitesse entre les differentes textures sont plus significatives que celles qui existent entre les differentes positions sur la pente. Des marques placees sous des affleurements se deplacent moins vite que sur un talus ouvert. Une ligne peinte sur la paroi rocheuse de l'apex du talus a montre des periodes alternantes d'erosion et d'accumulation avec une erosion totale de 22,2 mm de la surface en 11,5 ans. Les vitesses de mouvement des dCbris varient d'une manikre substantielle suivant les textures parce que les processus de transport sont differents. Les vitesses moyennes de deplacernent des dCbris sont restCes essentiellement erratiques pendant la pCriode d'ktude, et n'ont montre aucune tendance d'acceleration ou de ralentissement au cours du temps.
Interferon-inducible transmembrane proteins of the innate immune response act as membrane organizers by influencing clathrin and v-ATPase localization and function

The innate response interferon-inducible transmembrane (Ifitm) proteins have been characterized as influencing proliferation, signaling complexes and restricting virus infections. Treatment of cells lacking these proteins (IfitmDel) with IFN-β resulted in the loss of clathrin from membrane compartments and the inhibition of clathrin-mediated phagocytosis, suggesting a molecular interaction between clathrin and Ifitm proteins. The pH of endosomes of IfitmDel cells, with or without IFN activation, was neutralized, suggesting the function of the vacular ATPase proton pumps in such cells was compromised. Co-immunoprecipitation of Ifitm3 with Atp6v0b demonstrated a direct interaction between the Ifitm proteins and the v-ATPase. These data suggest that the Ifitm proteins help stabilize v-ATPase complexes in cellular membranes which, in turn, facilitates the appropriate subcellular localization of clathrin.
The species-specificity and structure of abalone sperm lysin

Abstract Abalone sperm lysin is a 16 kDa protein that creates a hole in the egg vitelline envelope (VE) to allow the sperm to fuse with the egg. Purified lysin exhibits quantitative species-specificity in the dissolution of isolated VE. The molecular basis for this specificity has been studied by sequencing lysin cDNA and by solving the lysin crystal structure. In the deduced amino acid sequences of lysins of seven species of California abalones 50% of the positions are invariant. The most highly variable and strictly species-specific region is the amino-terminal domain of residues 2-12. The crystal structure of lysin reveals a highly α-helical protein with a novel fold. Two tracks of basic amino acids run the length of the molecule. A hydrophobic patch of 11 residues lies on the opposite surface from the basic tracks. The species-specific domain of positions 2-12 extends away from the helical core. Mapping the species-variable positions onto the lysin structure indicates regions which could be involved in species-specific molecular recognition.