cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Powering E-Learning In the New Millennium: An Overview of E-Learning and Enabling Technology

In today's new economy characterized by industrial change, globalization, increased intensive competition, knowledge sharing and transfer, and information technology revolution, traditional classroom education or training does not always satisfy all the needs of the new world of lifelong learning. Learning is shifting from instructor-centered to learner-centered, and is undertaken anywhere, from classrooms to homes and offices. E-Learning, referring to learning via the Internet, provides people with a flexible and personalized way to learn. It offers learning-on-demand opportunities and reduces learning cost. This paper describes the demands for e-Learning and related research, and presents a variety of enabling technologies that can facilitate the design and implementation of e-Learning systems. Armed with the advanced information and communication technologies, e-Learning is having a far-reaching impact on learning in the new millennium.
Kenneth Iverson: Notation and Thinking

This chapter discusses notation in mathematics and computer science theory, and how notation can affect our thinking. Kenneth Iverson’s APL programming language is introduced as an example, and critiques are given of notation by famous mathematicians and physicists.
Optical Fiber Methods for Autoclave and Epoxy Cure Monitoring

The fabrication process of recently developed advanced technology hybrid structures has placed a demand on methods to monitor the state of cure of resins and epoxies commonly used in composite materials. Such monitoring allows in-situ process control insuring homogeneous structural integrity. Furthermore, fabrication costs can be reduced by avoiding the need to over cure“ the composite specimens. Existing techniques such as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), optical spectroscopy, and dielectric spectroscopy lack the in-situ capabilities required to monitor localized cure state. Other methods, including ultrasonic wave monitoring, are absolute in nature, require frequent calibration, and involve complex measurement systems for monitoring localized cure state [1–3]. We propose to expand upon a principle recently suggested by M. A. Afromowitz, in which optical waveguides made out of the hybrid resin material itself are embedded within the specimen to be monitored [4]. Such implementation exploits some of the advantages of fiber optic sensing techniques, while avoiding the incorporation of “foreign materials” which might cause inhomogeneities in the composite structure.
Foreword to the Special Issue on Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS) Early on Orbit Performance

The papers in this special section examine the orbit performance pf the Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS), a constellation of eight satellites that were successfully launched on December 15, 2016 into low earth orbit. Each satellite carries a four-channel bistatic radar receiver that measures GPS signals scattered by the earth surface. Global Navigation Satellite System Reflectometry (GNSS-R) techniques are used to retrieve near surface wind speed over ocean and soil moisture over land. The measurements are unique in several respects, most notably in their ability to penetrate through high levels of precipitation, made possible by the low frequency at which GPS operates, and in the frequent revisit time and complete sampling of the diurnal cycle, made possible by the large number of satellites in a low inclination orbit. Engineering commissioning of the constellation was successfully completed in March 2017. Since then, CYGNSS science data products have been continuously produced.
Acute Metabolomic Changes after Implantation of a Left Ventricular Assist Device

Purpose Implantation of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is associated with a significant change in cardiac output for patients with severe heart failure. We hypothesized that this abrupt change circulatory flow would be associated with acute metabolic changes related to tissue oxygen delivery. Methods We enrolled 32 patients in a prospective observational cohort study undergoing elective LVAD placement at the University of Colorado from 2013 to 2017 and collected blood immediately before surgery and 24 hours post-operatively and performed clinical follow up for a minimum of 1 year. We performed UHPLC-MS based metabolomics to quantify 24 metabolites with heavy isotope labelled standards and measured an additional 91,413 features with a minimum signal to noise ratio of 3 and minimum relative ion intensity of 1000. We performed the statistical analysis with JMP v14 and for the metabolomics analysis we report false discovery rate corrected p values. Results Subsequent heart transplantation significantly increased survival in patients undergoing elective LVAD placement (Table 1). After surgery, we noted significant changes in patients’ metabolomic profile with glutamate decreasing and kynurenine and leucine/isoleucine increasing. We also identified 6941 out of 91,413 features with an FDR corrected p value less 0.05 that were significantly different between the pre-surgery and post-surgery samples (Figure 1) Conclusion LVAD placement resulted in significant metabolomic changes after 24 hours. Subsequent analyses have the potential to identify metabolomic profiles that predict clinical outcomes or guide therapies.
Descriptive complexity and revealed preference theory

Abstract This paper formalizes revealed preference theory using the notion of Ramsey eliminability in logic, and shows how the language required to state a revealed preference axiom for some choice theory is closely connected with the computational tractability of testing that theory. The connection is made through results in descriptive complexity theory, a relatively new field in finite model theory. It is shown that checking whether observed choices of players in normal form games are Nash rationalizable is an NP-complete problem. This also means that there does not exist an analogue (in a precise sense) of the Strong Axiom of Revealed Preference for Nash equilibrium.
Team-building: Developing Teamwork Skills in College Students Using Experiential Activities in a Classroom Setting

This paper provides a systematic team-building training to fill a knowledge hole and a skills gap as well as prepare college students for better employability and future career success. The team-bu...
Climate Change as an Involuntary Exposure: A Comparative Risk Perception Study from Six Countries across the Global Development Gradient.

Climate change has been referred to as an involuntary exposure, meaning people do not voluntarily put themselves at risk for climate-related ill health or reduced standard of living. The purpose of this study is to examine people’s risk perceptions and related beliefs regarding (1) the likelihood of different risks occurring at different times and places and (2) collective (government) responsibility and personal efficacy in dealing with climate change, as well as (3) explore the ways in which climate risk may be amplified when posed against individual health and well-being. Previous research on this topic has largely focused on one community or one nation state, and so a unique characteristic of this study is the comparison between six different city (country) sites by their development and national wealth. Here, we collected 401 surveys from Phoenix (USA), Brisbane (Australia), Wellington (New Zealand), Shanghai (China), Viti Levu (Fiji), and Mexico City (Mexico). Results suggest that the hyperopia effect characterized the sample from each study site but was more pronounced in developed sites, suggesting that the more developed sites employ a broader perspective when approaching ways to mitigate their risk against climate-related health and well-being impacts.
NINETEEN – MULTIPLE INTEGRATION

Publisher Summary This chapter provides an overview of the integration of functions of several variables. It discusses how the notion of the definite integral can be extended to functions of several variables. The chapter discusses the double integral of a function of two variables and the triple integral of a function of three variables. It presents the calculation of double integrals and describes the various methods used in their calculation. The chapter discusses how to evaluate double integrals of functions in the form z = f(r, θ), where r and θ denote the polar coordinates of a point in the plane. As with double integrals, triple integrals can be written as iterated or repeated integrals. The chapter discusses the triple integral over a more general region S assuming that S is bounded. It discusses how triple integrals can be written using cylindrical and spherical coordinates.
Geosocial Factors Associated With Adherence to Statin Medications

Background: Individual patient characteristics, social determinants, and geographic access may be associated with patients engaging in appropriate health behaviors. Objective: To assess the relatio...
Development of Protective Factors for Reducing Juvenile Reoffending: A Strengths-Based Approach to Risk Assessment:

This study described the development of the Protective Factors for Reducing Juvenile Reoffending (PFRJR), a strengths-based measure to assess responsivity, guide case management, and potentially pr...
Violence or Its De-legitimization? Conflicting Views from the Hindu World

This chapter discusses the conceptions of war and peace as illustrated in the epic Mahābhārata and a recent Nepali lyrical play, Aśvatthāmā. It uses the play as a lens to interpret the epic, whose central narrative tells of a mutually destructive and apocalyptic battle between the two opposing groups led by the cousin brothers Pāṇḍavas and Kauravas descended from an ancient king. After discussing how the play advocates for peace, the chapter sets these two texts in conversation with each other, presenting the play as interrogating and subverting the epic’s ideology of the righteous war (dharma-yuddha) as masterminded by the god Krṣṇa—the war that was supposedly fought for the restoration of dharma (generally translated as “righteousness,” “right code of conduct,” “truth” and “order”) but that also used, as the characters themselves argue, all kinds of deceits and trickeries not worthy of dharma. It also reflects on the question of how in the epic, as in much of Hindu religious literature, the righteous violence is condoned for the sake of dharma which is understood to be complex, subtle and in its most ideal and absolute form (like non-violence) unattainable.
Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Propane to Propylene with Soft Oxidants via Heterogeneous Catalysis

Oxidative dehydrogenation of propane to propylene can be achieved using conventional, oxygen-assisted dehydrogenation of propane (O2–ODHP) or via the use of soft oxidants, such as CO2, N2O, S-conta...
Circular planar electrical networks, Split systems, and Phylogenetic networks.

We study a new invariant of circular planar electrical networks, well known to phylogeneticists: the circular split system. We use our invariant to answer some open questions about levels of complexity of networks and their related Kalmanson metrics. The key to our analysis is the realization that certain matrices arising from weighted split systems are studied in another guise: the Kron reductions of Laplacian matrices of planar electrical networks. Specifically we show that a response matrix of a circular planar electrical network corresponds to a unique resistance metric obeying the Kalmanson condition, and thus a unique weighted circular split system. Our results allow interchange of methods: phylogenetic reconstruction using theorems about electrical networks, and circuit reconstruction using phylogenetic techniques.
Rare Case of 6 cm Right Atrial Myxoma in Patient with Synchronous Endometrial Adenocarcinoma

Primary cardiac tumors are extremely rare. Cardiac myxomas most frequently appear in the left atrium. In this article, we present a case of an asymptomatic 6 cm right atrial mass in a patient undergoing staging for endometrial cancer. The mass was resected, and final pathology was consistent with cardiac myxoma.
Toward Common Content: An Analysis of Online College and University Collecting Policies

Collecting policies have been advocated as tools to help archivists build stronger collections. The model proposed by Faye Phillips in 1984 is the most detailed framework for collecting policies in the archival literature. This paper presents the results of a pilot study of the collecting policies of college and university archives available online to investigate whether a consensus has been reached about the content of these documents. Future studies of this kind for other types of archives could facilitate the identification, refinement, and dissemination of professional best practice and standards for collecting policies.
Electron Stimulated Desorption (ESD) of Ammonia on TiO2(110): The Influence of Substrate Defect Structure

Electron stimulated processes for NH3 adsorbed on rutile TiO2(110) have been studied by means of XPS and mass — resolved ESDIAD (electron stimulated desorption angular ion distribution). We have used three differently prepared TiO2 surfaces to study the influence of the substrate defect structure on the interaction with NH3: a stoichiometric nearly perfect surface, a high — temperature annealed slightly oxygen deficient surface and a sputtered highly oxygen deficient surface. In the limit of a stoichiometric surface, electron irradiation induces the desorption of NH3 molecules. When the highly oxygen deficient TiO2 surface is used as substrate, both desorption and electron stimulated dissociation of NH3 take place with atomic nitrogen the final product of the dissociation process. These measurements provide direct evidence for the role of surface defects of an oxide substrate in electron stimulated reaction pathways.
Computers, Software Engineering, and Digital Devices

DIGITAL DEVICES Logic Elements . IC Logic Family Operation and Characteristics Gregory L. Moss . Logic Gates (IC) Peter Graham . Bistable Devices Richard S. Sandige and Lynne A. Slivovsky . Optical Devices H.S. Hinton Memory Devices . Integrated Circuits (RAM, ROM) W. David Pricer . Magnetic Tape Peter A. Lee . Magneto-Optical Disk Data Storage M. Mansuripur Logical Devices . Combinational Networks and Switching Algebra Franco P. Preparata . Logic Circuits Richard S. Sandige and Albert A. Liddicoat . Registers and Their Applications B.R. Bannister, D.G. Whitehead, and James M. Gilbert . Programmable Arrays George A. Constantinides . Arithmetic Logic Units Bill D. Carroll . Programmable Logic Albert A. Liddicoat and Lynne A. Slivovsky Microprocessors . Practical Microprocessors John Staudhammer . Applications Phillip J. Windley and James F. Frenzel Displays . Light-Emitting Diodes James E. Morris . Liquid-Crystal Displays James E. Morris . Plasma Displays Larry F. Weber Data Acquisition Dhammika Kurumbalapitiya Testing . Digital IC Testing Michaela Serra . Design for Test Bulent I. Dervisoglu COMPUTER ENGINEERING Organization . Number Systems Richard F. Tinder . Computer Arithmetic S.N. Yanushkevich . Architecture Carl Hamacher, Zvonko Vranesic, and Safwat Zaky . Microprogramming Jacques Raymond Programming . Assembly Language James M. Feldman and Edward W. Czeck . High-Level Languages Ted G. Lewis . Data Types and Data Structures Johannes J. Martin . The Use of Hardware Description Languages in Computer Design Michael D. Clietti Input and Output Solomon Sherr Secure Electronic Commerce Mostafa Hashem Sherif Software Engineering . Tools and Techniques Carl A. Argila . Software Testing Paul C. Jorgensen Computer Graphics Nan C. Schaller and Evelyn P. Rozanski Computer Networks Matthew N.O. Sadiku and Cajetan M. Akujuobi Fault Tolerance Barry W. Johnson Knowledge Engineering . Databases M. Abdelguerfi and R. Eskicioglu . Rule-Based Expert Systems Jay Liebowitz Parallel Processors . Parallel Processors Tse-yun Feng and Miro Kraetzl . Parallel Computing Young Choon Lee and Albert Y. Zomaya Operating Systems Raphael Finkel Computer and Communications Security J. Arlin Cooper and Anna M. Johnston Computer Reliability Chris G. Guy MATHEMATICS, SYMBOLS, AND PHYSICAL CONSTANTS Introduction Ronald J. Tallarida . Greek Alphabet . International System of Units (SI) . Conversion Constants and Multipliers . Physical Constants . Symbols and Terminology for Physical and Chemical Quantities . Credits . Probability for Electrical and Computer Engineers Charles W. Therrien INDEX
Pile Design in Rock

The chapter begins with the description of rock coring and logging, in that, it defines rock joints, joint set, joint filler materials, rock joint types, core loss information, fractured zones, drill water return information, water color, joint roughness, joint alteration, joint filler material, joint stains, and so on. Further, the chapter discusses the oriented rock coring in which a knife is installed in the core barrel to create a mark in the rock core. This mark is known as the scribe mark. The driller finds the North direction using a compass. Then the driller places the knife along the North direction. The line connecting the knife point (point A) and the center of the core will be the North-South line (line AN).
Can MRI biomarkers at 3 T identify low-risk ductal carcinoma in situ? ☆,☆☆

Abstract Objective The objective was to explore whether 3-T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can identify low-risk ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Methods Dynamic contrast-enhanced and diffusion-weighted (DWI) MRI features of 36 DCIS lesions [8 low risk, Van Nuys Pathologic Classification (VNPC) 1; 28 high risk, VNPC 2/3] were reviewed. An MRI model that best identified low-risk DCIS was determined using multivariate logistic regression. Results Low-risk DCIS exhibited different DWI properties [i.e., higher contrast-to-noise ratio ( P =.02) and lower normalized apparent diffusion coefficients ( P =.04)] than high-risk DCIS. A model combining these DWI features provided best performance (area under receiver operating characteristic curve=0.86). Conclusions DWI may help identify DCIS lesions requiring less therapy.
The Anti-Inflammatory Actions of Auricular Point Acupressure for Chronic Low Back Pain

Background. Auricular point acupressure (APA) is a promising treatment for pain management. Few studies have investigated the physiological mechanisms of APA analgesics. Method. In this pilot randomized clinical trial (RCT), a 4-week APA treatment was used to manage chronic low back pain (CLBP). Sixty-one participants were randomized into a real APA group (n = 32) or a sham APA group (n = 29). Blood samples, pain intensity, and physical function were collected at baseline and after 4 weeks of treatment. Results. Subjects in the real APA group reported a 56% reduction of pain intensity and a 26% improvement in physical function. Serum blood samples showed (1) a decrease in IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, and calcitonin gene-related peptide [CGRP] and (2) an increase in IL-4. In contrast, subjects in the sham APA group (1) reported a 9% reduction in pain and a 2% improvement in physical function and (2) exhibited minimal changes of inflammatory cytokines and neuropeptides. Statistically significant differences in IL-4 and CGRP expression between the real and sham APA groups were verified. Conclusion. These findings suggest that APA treatment affects pain intensity through modulation of the immune system, as reflected by APA-induced changes in serum inflammatory cytokine and neuropeptide levels.
Optional Times and Associated Concepts

Let (Ω, ℱ; ℱ(t), t∈Iel) be a filtered measurable space. If I does not have a last element, extend I to I∪{+ ∞}, where + ∪ is a new element ordered after every element of I, and define ℱ(+ ∞) as any sub σ algebra of ℱ containing ⋎t<+∞ℱ(t). The choice of ℱ(+∞) within these limits is usually irrelevant. If I has a last element, that element will be denoted by +∞ in this section. The most common choices of I are the set ℤ+ (discrete parameter case) and the set ℝ+ (continuous parameter case). The index set I is thought of as representing a set of time points, and ℱ(t) then represents the class of events up to time t. The problems of defining what is meant by a random time T corresponding to the arrival time of an event whose arrival is determined by preceding events and of defining the class ℱ(T) of preceding events are solved by the following definitions.
Electromagnetic modulation of biological processes

Abstract Ca-uptake by embryonal chick tibia in short-term culture is herewith used as an empirical model to probe the coupling of electromagnetic signals with biological processes. Tibiae from 8- to 10-day-old chick embryos were incubated 60 to 120 minutes in media of given composition at 37.5±0.5°C in the presence of 45Ca, either inside or outside a very low frequency pulsating electromagnetic field. Ca-uptake by the chick tibia rudiment was best determined by 45Ca counting in aliquots of the culture medium. The field produced an increase in Ca-uptake only in the presence of sufficient quantities of bicarbonate, which was also the most effective of the ions to bring about Ca-uptake outside the field (bicarbonate > phosphate > chloride > acetate). Pharmacologic agents, as ethanol, Mg2+, and NaF, stimulated the positive effect of the field on Ca-uptake, but only in the presence of bicarbonate. The magnitude of the effect was also dependent on the characteristics of the induced electromagnetic signal, whereby the dose-response curves had peaks at certain signal amplitudes. No molecular mechanisms have been as yet identified for the observed electromagnetic effects. However, because of the passivity of non-living systems, it is clearly the Ca-uptake by living tissue that is being modified by the pulsating electromagnetic field. Probable candidates in the electromagnetic coupling that results in an increased Ca-uptake may have to be found in the membrane processes of active ion transport and related phenomena.
Low frequency stimulation decreases seizure activity in a mutation model of epilepsy

Summary Purpose: To investigate brain electrical activity in Q54 mice that display spontaneous seizures because of a gain-of-function mutation of the Scn2a sodium channel gene, and to evaluate the efficacy of low frequency deep brain stimulation (DBS) for seizure frequency reduction. Methods: Electroencephalography (EEG), electromyography (EMG), and hippocampal deep electrodes were implanted into Q54 mice expressing an epileptic phenotype (n = 6). Chronic six channel recordings (wideband, 0.1–300 Hz) were stored 24 h a day for more than 12 days. Low frequency stimulation (LFS) (3 Hz, square wave, biphasic, 100 μs, 400 μA) was applied to the ventral hippocampal commissure (VHC) in alternating 5 min cycles (on or off) 24 h a day for a period of 4 days. Results: LFS (3 Hz) resulted in a significant reduction in seizure frequency and duration (21% and 35%, p < 0.05), when applied to the VHC of epileptic Q54 mice (n = 6). Seizure frequency was not directly affected by stimulation state (“on” vs. “off”). Conclusion: LFS applied at a frequency of 3 Hz significantly reduced seizure frequency and duration in the Q54 model. Furthermore, the reduction of seizure frequency and duration by LFS was not immediate but had a delayed and lasting effect, supporting complex, indirect mechanisms of action.
Litter production in forests of the world

Publisher Summary In this chapter, the litter production in forests of the world is discussed. The study of quantitative aspects of litter–fall is an important part of forest ecology, dealing with a major pathway for both energy and nutrient transfer in ecosystem. This chapter collates the available data on the quantity of litter produced by forests in different parts of the world. It demonstrates the importance of litter–fall in the nutrient cycle of the forest, and the significance in soil development is investigated in the types of forest humus layer. Harvest methods are used to commercially utilize litter. The various sources, selection criteria, arrangement, and presentation of data are provided. The annual production of leaf and total litter by forests of the world are tabulated. The detailed litter separation components, percentage of non–leaf litter in different climates, understory litter, mineral material, and organic material are also described. Major factors affecting litter–fall are evergreen gymnosperms and deciduous angiosperms, and the environment. The proposed treatments for litter–fall are also discussed. The seasonal litter–fall of in forests is graphically represented and the dry weight of standing crops of leaves on an annual production basis is tabulated.
Property Manager Designations and Apartment Rent

This paper examines the effect of professional designations on apartment rent. The real estate market is characterized by information asymmetries between landlords and tenants. Information may be t...
Optical comb frequencies stabilization and super mode noise suppression of harmonically modelocked semiconductor ring laser using a single etalon

Using an intracavity Pound-Drever-Hall technique, simultaneous optical frequency comb stabilization within /spl plusmn/3 MHz range and supermode phase noise suppression were demonstrated for a 10 GHz harmonically modelocked semiconductor ring laser resulting in timing jitter of 63.5 fs integrated from 10 Hz to 10 MHz.
Van Douwen’s problem on 0-dimensional images of ordered compacta

A compact 0-dimensional space has a To-separating rank 1 family of clopen sets iff it is the continuous image of a compact 0-dimensional linearly ordered space. The claim and conjecture below were made by E. K. van Douwen. It will be shown that the claim is true and the conjecture is false. (Also see [P].) Translated into the language of Boolean algebras, this solves Problem 1 in [KM]: any subalgebra of an interval algebra is isomorphic to a pseudo-tree algebra. A family of sets is rank 1 if any two of its members are comparable or disjoint. A family of subsets of a set X is To-separating if for any two distinct points of X, there is a member of the family containing one of these points but not the other point. Claim ([D]). If a compact space has a To-separating rank 1 family of clopen sets, then it is the continuous image of a compact 0-dimensional linearly ordered space. It is unknown whether van Douwen ever wrote down a proof of his claim. Conjecture ([D]). For 0-dimensional spaces the converse of the above claim is false. A dendron D is a continuum such that for any distinct x and y in D there exists d E D such that x and y are in different components of D {d}. A family of subsets of a set is cross-free if any two of its members are comparable or disjoint or their union is X. Lemma 1 ([MW]). A Hausdorff space X can be embedded into a dendron iff X possesses a cross-free closed subbase. Lemma 2 ([B] and [C]). Every dendron is the continuous image of a linearly ordered continuum. Theorem 1. Van Douwen's claim is true. Proof. Let T be a To-separating rank 1 family of clopen sets in the space X and T' be the family of all complements of members of T. Since T is rank 1, it is easy to see that S = T UT' is cross free. In addition S is a family of clopen sets that separates Received by the editors November 12, 1995. 1991 Mathematics Subject Classification. Primary 54D70, 54F05; Secondary 06A05, 54C05, 54D30, 54F50.
H3M - A Rapidly Deployable Architecture with QoS Provisioning for Wireless Networks

Future wireless networks will have to be based on highly mobile systems that are self-organizing, rapidly deployable, heterogeneous, and will not rely on expensive infrastructure. Since these networks will be called upon to support real-time interactive multimedia traffic, they must be able to provide their users with adequate quality of service (QoS) guarantees. In addition, we want to consider networks with highly dynamic resource requirements, such as QoS, by multiple,dynamically changing groups. The architecture and protocol is based upon a protocol called DRAMA.[4-8]. We have taken the kernel of DRAMA - operating CSMA/CD in a metropolitan area and multichannel load balancing ^O and created a new architecture suitable to a highly mobile environment. We refer to it as the Hierarchical Heterogeneous Highly Mobile network (H 3 M, for short). As the name short). As the name suggests, the H 3 M network consists of a hierarchy of heterogeneous hosts distributed over a geographical area and linked together in a wireless communication system. At the bottom level of the hierarchy we have a cluster architecture whose connectivity and management activities are assumed by a mobile base station (MBS). In turn, the MBSs are organized into a virtual network, essentially emulating a local area network like structure. The protocol for arbitrating as to who sends what on what frequency at what time is based on a combination of TDMA and CSMA/CD frames and frequency allocations to a cluster of nodes that allows for dynamic bandwidth allocation and which supports multicasting. Simulation and analysis have shown that H 3 M is robust, scales well and provides much higher throughput than other protocols, while supporting the same degree of host mobility. Importantly, H 3 M turns out to be well suited for handling on-demand multimedia communications in a heterogeneous, highly mobile environment. Multicasting is supported with minimal overhead.
Molecular Measurement of T Cell Receptor Excision Circles

This chapter provides protocols necessary for quantifying human, mouse, and nonhuman primate signal joint T cell receptor excision circles (sjTRECs) produced during T cell receptor alpha (TCRA) gene rearrangement. These non-replicated episomal circles of DNA are generated by the recombination process used to produce antigen-specific T cell receptors. The number of sjTRECs per mg of thymus tissue or per 100,000 lysed cells has been shown to be a molecular marker of thymopoiesis and naive T cells. This technology is beneficial to investigators interested in quantitating the level of naive T cell production occurring under various circumstances in a variety of systems, and complements traditional phenotypic analyses of thymopoiesis. This chapter specifically describes procedures required for rapid detection and quantitation of sjTRECs in thymus tissue or isolated cells using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The sjTREC assay system comprises species-specific forward and reverse primers for amplification of a unique site on the T cell receptor δ (TCRD) sjTREC, a fluorescently labeled (FAM/ZEN/IABkFQ) species-specific real-time probe, and a species-specific sjTREC DNA plasmid standard for quantitation.
Synchronization of phase-coupled oscillators with plastic coupling strength

In this article we study synchronization of systems of homogeneous phase-coupled oscillators with plastic coupling strengths and arbitrary underlying topology. The dynamics of a coupling strength between two oscillators is governed by the phase difference between these oscillators. We show that such systems are gradient and always achieve frequency synchronization. Moreover, for these systems we provide sufficient stability and instability conditions that are based on results from algebraic graph theory. For a special case when underlying topology is a tree, we formulate a criterion of stability for equilibria. Several examples are used to demonstrate variety of equilibria the system has, and to illustrate differences in behavior of systems with constant and plastic coupling strengths.
Immobilized Glucose Oxidase Used to Measure Glucose in Serum

We report an analytical system in which glucose oxidase immobilized on controlled-pore glass is used. The immobilized glucose oxidase was packed in a column that was part of a continuous-flow system. Oxygen depletion of the buffer was measured with a Clark-type electrode, and the resulting data were stored on tape and then evaluated with a PDP-12 computer. The relative advantages of several measurement approaches are given: ( a ) an endpoint method for prediluted sample, ( b ) an endpoint method for discrete, undiluted 9-µl samples, and ( c ) a maximum reaction rate measurement with discrete, undiluted samples. Catalase and mutarotase interferences were considered and found insignificant under the conditions chosen. The effects of protein, fluoride, and oxalate were determined. The column can be re-used for at least 1000 samples. Useful storage life of the immobilized glucose oxidase preparation, measured at intervals during a year, exceeded one year at room temperature.
Faculty Roles: Dilemmas for the Future of Nursing Education

Methods Literature review and analysis. Findings Recent reports emphasized the need for the development of nursing classroom education that is more rigorous and coordinated with clinical experiences. Faculty roles in research universities in nursing have increased the number of clinical and part-time faculties, and have increased the requirements for funded research for tenure-track faculty over the last decade. These changes have led to various groups of faculty with different roles and responsibilities, some of whom teach a great deal and others who teach very little. Conclusions This article reviews the development of these faculty roles and reviews the dilemmas that they present for the future of nursing education.
Effects of tenotomy on muscles reinnervated by a foreign nerve.

Abstract Tenotomy of the rat soleus (SOL) and gastrocnemius (MG) muscles produces a central degeneration in slow fatigue-resistant fibers, but not in similar fibers of muscles in the extensor and peroneal compartments. To investigate the part that innervation plays in rendering a particular fiber type in a particular muscle susceptible to this degeneration, the SOL, extensor digitorum longus (EDL), and MG muscles were experimentally reinnervated by foreign nerves and tenotomized. When the SOL was reinnervated by the common peroneal nerve, slow fatigue-resistant fibers showed lesions, but when the EDL was reinnervated by the nerve to the SOL, no lesions were found after tenotomy. When the MG was reinnervated by the nerve to the SOL, slow fatigue-resistant fibers that had differentiated in regions normally occupied almost entirely by fast fatigable fibers showed characteristic lesions. These results show that the failure of tenotomy to produce lesions in the EDL is not due to the nature of its innervation and that a fiber type not normally susceptible to the degenerative change will become susceptible when transformed to the slow fatigueresistant type.
Societal Reaction and Career Deviance: A Critical Analysis

(1971). Societal Reaction and Career Deviance: A Critical Analysis. The Sociological Quarterly: Vol. 12, No. 2, pp. 204-218.
Comparison of Dietary Intake Methods with Young Children

To select a valid method for obtaining dietary intake of preschool children, food intake of 17 children (8 in daycare programs and 9 in home care) was measured for three days. Each day, home caregivers and daycare staff were asked to recall what the child had eaten during the previous 24 hours. After the third day, the Willett Food Frequency Questionnaire was administered to assess intake during the preceding seven days, which included the three days of measured foods. There were no significant differences between means from measured and recalled intake. Although the children's gender and care status (daycare versus home care) made no difference in measured intake, there were significant differences in recalled intake for energy and percent of calories from saturated fat. In this study the questionnaire did not provide an accurate assessment of measured intake and could not replace the dietary recall.
Mercury induced cardiovascular abnormalities in the chicken

Juvenile chickens were either chronically exposed to 300 microgram/ml of Hg in the drinking water (chronic dosage--CD) or acutely exposed to either 3 mg of Hg/kg body wt (acute low dosage--ALD) or 12 mg of Hg/kg body wt (acute high dosage--AHD) administered intramuscularly for five consecutive days. Only the CD and AHD treatments retarded normal growth. Relative heart weights were increased by the CD treatment, decreased by the AHD treatment, and remained unchanged during the ALD treatment. Relative aorta weights were increased by the CD treatment but decreased by the AHD treatment. ECG analyses revealed a consistent decrease in the amplitude of the R-S and T waves with the greatest effects present in the acute (ALD and AHD) treatments. Histological examination revealed that Hg caused myocardial histopathological changes characterized as a myocarditis with polymorphonuclear and lymphocytic infiltration and fatty degeneration. It is concluded tha Hg causes cardiovascular disturbances in chickens even when administered at levels which do not inhibit normal growth.
Studies on plasma factor I. Fractionation and characteristics

Abstract 1. 1. The Clearing Factor obtained from blood after injection of heparin was fractionated and purified to a high specific activity. 2. 2. The methods which were employed involved adsorption and fractional elutions, and gradient density fractionations. 3. 3. Studies were made on stabilizers and inhibitors of the enzyme. 4. 4. The assay procedure was refined and employed under standardized conditions on all fractions.
Nitric oxide enhances experimental wound healing in diabetes

Background: Diabetes is characterized by a nitric oxide deficiency at the wound site. This study investigated whether exogenous nitric oxide supplementation with the nitric oxide donor molsidomine (N-ethoxycarbomyl-3-morpholinyl-sidnonimine) could reverse the impaired healing in diabetes. Methods: Wound healing was studied by creating a dorsal skin incision with subcutaneous polyvinyl alcohol sponge implantation in diabetic and non-diabetic rats. Half of each group was treated with molsidomine. Collagen metabolism was assessed by wound breaking strength, hydroxyproline (OHP) content, RNA expression for collagen type I and III, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2 activity in wound sponges. Wound fluid, plasma and urinary nitric oxide metabolite levels, and the number of inflammatory cells were assessed. Results: OHP content and wound breaking strength were significantly increased by molsidomine. MMP-2 activity in wound fluid was decreased in diabetes and upregulated by nitric oxide donors. The impaired inflammatory reaction in diabetes was unaffected by nitric oxide donor treatment and ex vivo nitric oxide synthesis was no different between wound macrophages from control and diabetic animals, suggesting that the nitric oxide deficiency in the wound is due to a smaller inflammatory reaction in diabetes. Conclusion: The nitric oxide donor molsidomine can at least partially reverse impaired healing associated with diabetes. © 2002 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd
Voices of African American, Caucasian, and Hispanic Surrogates on the Burdens of End-of-Life Decision Making

Background End-of-life decisions are frequently made by patients’ surrogates. Race and ethnicity may affect such decision making. Few studies have described how different racial/ethnic groups experience end-of-life surrogate decision making.
Experimental Infection of Guinea Pigs with Varicella-Zoster Virus

Weanling guinea pigs are susceptible to infection with varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Animals inoculated intranasally or subcutaneously with VZV grown in fetal guinea pig tissue culture shed virus from the nasopharynx and seroconverted to VZV. Viremia occurred in some animals. Animal-to-animal transmission of VZV was observed. Infection of weanling guinea pigs with VZV should allow assessment of the pathophysiology of viral infection in immunocompetent and specifically immunologically modified animals.
Impact of an Assessment Course on Teacher Candidates' Assessment Literacy.

Understanding effective and appropriate techniques for assessing student learning has never been as critical and political as is it is today. Accurate assessment methodologies employed in public schools are vital to the interpretation of student achievement data through which school effectiveness is being measured. Although there is a need, research has shown that preservice teachers are not receiving adequate training in their teacher preparation courses. The authors of this study examined the assessment literacy of teacher candidates before and after completing a required assessment course in their teacher preparation program. Teacher candidates (N = 190) were asked to complete the Assessment Literacy Inventory as a pretest measure and posttest measure. Findings revealed that certain aspects of assessment literacy were present before the course, but also that exposure to the course potentially increased assessment literacy in some areas. Implications for researchers and practitioners are included.
The structure of poly(di-n-propylsilylenemethylene)

Abstract The structure of poly(di- n -propylsilylenemethylene) (PDPrSM) has been studied by X-ray diffraction, electron diffraction and molecular modeling. The fiber X-ray data and the electron diffraction pattern of single crystals show that PDPrSM has triclinic symmetry with unit cell parameters a=10.52 A , b=8.66 A , c=4.86 A , α =78.4°, β =100.0° and γ =98.2°. The fiber repeat, 4.86 A, indicates an all- gauche conformation in the main chain, giving a 4 1 helical structure. Ab initio and semi-empirical energy calculations show that with attachment of n -alkyl side chains an all- gauche conformation for the main chain gives the lowest energy. This is in contrast to the unsubstituted polymer, poly(silaethylene), which has a minimum energy for the all- trans conformation. The all- gauche conformation of the main chain of PDPrSM relieves the steric hindrance between side chains found in the all- trans conformation.
A two stage respirable aerosol sampler using nuclepore filters in series

Abstract Respirable and nonrespirable particles are separately collected from the atmosphere in a size selective sampler consisting of two Nuclepore niters in series. The first filter has pore diameters of 12 μm and collects, to a close approximation, the nonrespirable fraction as defined by the ACGIH criteria. The second filter has pore diameters of 0.2 μm and collects the respirable fraction. Experimental measurements of the efficiency of the 12-μm filter are found to be in good agreement with theoretical predictions based on calculated particle trajectories in a flow field that satisfies the Navier-Stokes equations. Atmospheric samples were collected using both the techniques of series filtration and of virtual impaction. A mass and elemental analysis of the aerosol deposits using gravimetric and X-ray fluorescence techniques demonstrated that the results from the two types of sampler are comparable. Filter loading as great as 90 μg/cm2 was investigated and found to produce no change in filter performance as measured by the location of the 50% cutpoint.
Uniform Distribution of Species in Fuel Cells Using a Multiple Flow Bifurcation Design

This paper presents the results obtained from the study about flow distribution in maintaining uniformity of flow fields in fuel cells. Three novel flow distribution designs on bipolar plates are proposed for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). The flow distributors have multiple levels of bifurcations to split a flow into sub-streams of equal flow rates. There are three types of bifurcation structure proposed and studied, which are the 90° tee-type, rounded-type and slanted-type. Experiments were carried out to test the velocities of flows from the multiple channels after bifurcations, and the flow uniformity on the bipolar plate is estimated and studied. Overall evaluation of flow uniformity in the three designs was conducted. The rounded-type bifurcation structure showed the best flow uniformity. After experimental verification of the uniform flow distribution in the novel design, three PEM fuel cell was fabricated which adopted the novel flow fields. From the experimental test and comparison under dry fuel and air condition, it is found that the PEMFC with new flow field can have a better performance. Thorough experimental investigation is planned for the future study.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Benjamin Franklin: the first physiatrist?

Abstract Gnatz SM. Benjamin Franklin: the first physiatrist? Benjamin Franklin would have been an excellent physiatrist. In this short address, I explore the qualities that Franklin possessed in the medical realm. Several ways in which we can emulate some of his traits to become better physiatrists are proposed.
Measurement Issues in Cross-National Research

Substantive inference from cross-national studies have important implications for theory (e.g., because they reveal insights into generalizability and boundary conditions) and managerial practice (e.g., because they offer guidelines to MNC managers). However, few empirical studies attend to measurement issues involved in cross-national research, and still fewer recognize the risk of inferential errors that are likely to occur by overlooking measurement issues. We discuss four measurement issues, namely (1) standardized versus unstandardized coefficients, (2) the impact of measurement error and unequal reliability, (3) the overall error rate and simultaneous analysis and (4) construct equivalence. Using illustrate examples we demonstrate the nature of each of these problems, the likely impact they can have on substantive conclusions, and approaches for tackling these problems. Additionally, we reanalyze a recently published three-nation study by Dubinsky, Michaels, Kotabe, Lim and Moon [1992] to clarify these measurement concerns, highlight a methodological approach, and delineate the extent and severity of inferential errors. Our reanalysis shows that the interactive effects of these measurement issues are pervasive, complex and unpredictable. We close with implications for cross-national research in general.
Extrasynaptic Glutamate Receptor Activation as Cellular Bases for Dynamic Range Compression in Pyramidal Neurons

Repetitive synaptic stimulation overcomes the ability of astrocytic processes to clear glutamate from the extracellular space, allowing some dendritic segments to become submerged in a pool of glutamate. This dynamic arrangement activates extrasynaptic NMDA receptors located on dendritic shafts. We used voltage-sensitive and calcium-sensitive dyes to probe dendritic function in this glutamate-rich location. An excess of glutamate in the extrasynaptic space was achieved either by repetitive synaptic stimulation or by glutamate iontophoresis onto the dendrites of pyramidal neurons. Two successive activations of synaptic inputs produced a typical NMDA spike, whereas five successive synaptic inputs produced characteristic plateau potentials, reminiscent of cortical UP states. While NMDA spikes were coupled with brief calcium transients highly restricted to the glutamate input site, the dendritic plateau potentials were accompanied by calcium influx along the entire dendritic branch. Once initiated, the glutamate-mediated dendritic plateau potentials could not be interrupted by negative voltage pulses. Activation of extrasynaptic NMDA receptors in cellular compartments void of spines is sufficient to initiate and support plateau potentials. The only requirement for sustained depolarizing events is a surplus of free glutamate near a group of extrasynaptic receptors. Highly nonlinear dendritic spikes (plateau potentials) are summed in a highly sublinear fashion at the soma, revealing the cellular bases of signal compression in cortical circuits. Extrasynaptic NMDA receptors provide pyramidal neurons with a function analogous to a dynamic range compression in audio engineering. They limit or reduce the volume of “loud sounds” (i.e. strong glut. inputs) and amplify “quiet sounds” (i.e. glutamatergic inputs that barely cross the dendritic threshold for local spike initiation). Our data also explain why consecutive cortical UP states have uniform amplitudes in a given neuron.