cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of an Animated Classroom Story Embedded in Online Discussion on Helping Mathematics Teachers Learn to Notice

Rich-media representations of teaching using animated cartoons can be effective at stimulating teachers' discussion about practice and hence help them learn productively from one another about their profession. Our research aims to design web-based interactive rich-media virtual settings for teachers to learn to do the practice of teaching. For that purpose, we seek a set of operational design principles that could be used to optimally exploit web-based interactive rich-media technologies. By operational design principles, we mean guidelines that facilitate decision making in the creation of learning conditions. In this article, we report on a study of the effect of embedded animated clips of instructional practice in online interactive forum/chat to support teachers in learning to notice and interpret critical events of classroom interactions. The study showed that both novice and experienced teachers actively participated in discussion and effectively noticed important events of teaching practice. The m...
Adolescent smoking and volume of exposure to various forms of media

Summary Objective To assess the association between adolescent smoking and volume of exposure to various forms of media after controlling for multiple relevant covariates. Methods A survey of all adolescents at a large suburban high school assessed: (1) current smoking and susceptibility to future smoking; (2) volume of exposure to various media; and (3) covariates related to smoking. Multivariate logistic regression models assessed relationships between each of the independent variables (media exposures) and the two smoking outcomes after controlling for covariates. Results Of the 1138 respondents, 19% ( n =216) reported current smoking. Forty percent ( n =342) of the non-smokers ( n =922) were susceptible to future smoking. Students reported exposure to an average of 8.6 (standard deviation 5.1)h of media daily, including 2.6h of music. Those with high exposure to films and music were more likely to be smokers ( P trend =0.036 and P trend P trend Conclusion Exposure to films and music are associated with smoking, but only the relationship between music exposure and smoking persists after rigorous covariate control. Exposure to books is associated with lower odds of smoking.
The ratio of type II collagen breakdown to synthesis and its relationship with the progression of knee osteoarthritis

Summary Objective To examine whether the baseline ratio of a type II collagen breakdown marker to a synthesis marker, or the level of these markers individually, is associated with the likelihood of knee osteoarthritis (OA) progression between baseline and 18 months. Methods Participants were recruited from community sources and had knee OA. Blood was drawn at baseline. Collagen synthesis was measured by commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) assay that detects c-propeptide of type II procollagen (CPII). Serum markers of collagenase cleavage of cartilage type II collagen [C2C epitope (COL2-3/4Clong mono) and C1,2C epitope (COL2-3/4Cshort)] were also assayed. Knee radiographs (semi-flexed with fluoro confirmation) were obtained at baseline and 18 months. OA progression was examined using worsening of joint space grade and worsening of Kellgren/Lawrence grade. The relationship between baseline serum markers and subsequent progression was analyzed from logistic regression. Results Baseline levels of these markers, considered individually, were not associated with a change in the odds of progression. Belonging to the low synthesis tertile was associated with a greater likelihood of progression, approaching significance (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.86, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.96, 3.63). A greater C2C:CPII ratio and C1,2C:CPII ratio were each associated with an increase in the odds of joint space grade progression, which approached significance (e.g., adjusted OR of C2C:CPII ratio was 3.15, 95% CI 0.91, 10.85). Conclusion While the degradation markers individually, considered as continuous variables, did not predict OA progression, belonging to the lower synthesis marker tertile and greater degradation/synthesis marker ratios were associated with an elevation in the odds of progression albeit not achieving significance.
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS: THE VIEWS OF CITY COUNCIL AND SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS

This paper explores the attitudes regarding affirmative action of 112 members of city councils and school boards in twelve American cities. In-depth interviews with these officials reveal widespread support for affirmative action policies generally and for more moderate approaches to affirmative action in particular. Our analysis suggests that more aggressive forms of affirmative action—establishing quotas in hiring and setasides when awarding contracts—are especially opposed by conservatives and those in high prestige occupations and by school board members who are wary of giving priority to social justice over securing highly qualified teachers. Our analysis also suggests that extensive support for more moderate forms of affirmative action—giving preference to qualified minority candidates, requiring minority participation by companies that do business with the city, training and mentoring persons from disadvantaged groups, and taking extraordinary steps to recruit blacks and women into public offices—is rooted in concerns about morality and justice.
The remote access astronomy project: an example of a university/high school cooperative effort

Abstract The Remote Access Astronomy Project is a unique computerized telescope and data distribution system that has the potential to change the way astronomical, earth science and physics concepts are taught to high school and undergraduate students. The project uses high resolution astronomical and earth resource images and image processing techniques that appeal to the natural curiosity young people have about space and astronomy as well as taking advantage of the familiarity of video imagery. In addition, particularly at the secondary school level, it serves as a forum for low cost and rapid distribution of curriculum materials among teachers and as an educational network between high schools and between high schools and universities. By using a combination of high performance, low cost microcomputers, high resolution interactive graphics, high speed modem technology and data compression techniques, the project can break down the traditional learning boundaries in a classroom and allow students and teachers access to a much richer environment that is, in a sense, a classroom without walls. The graphics resolution achieved is near photographic at 1024 × 768 pixels allowing us to have in the classroom a system that only five years ago would have cost roughly 25–50 K$ but can be utilized for less than $2500 today. The system is currently undergoing testing at the undergraduate level at UCSB, at a number of California high schools and a junior high. The project is supported by the University of California, The National Science Foundation's Center for Particle Astrophysics and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
Instrumental interferences in X‐ray fluorescence analysis of thin samples

A method is described for correcting X-ray fluorescence spectra for the presence of instrumental interference peaks. The method applies particularly to the analysis of samples which are not infinitely thick. The intensities of coherently and incoherently scattered exciter radiation are used to determine the variable intensity of the interference peaks.
Purkinje cell dysfunction and loss in a knock-in mouse model of Huntington disease.

Huntington Disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant neurological disorder characterized by motor, psychiatric and cognitive disturbances. Recent evidence indicates that the viability and function of cerebellar Purkinje cells (PCs) are compromised in an aggressive mouse model of HD. Here we investigate whether this is also the case in the HdhQ200 knock-in mouse model of HD. Using quantitative-real time-PCR and immunofluorescence, we observed a loss of the PC marker and calcium buffer calbindin in 50 week-old symptomatic mice. Reductions were also observed in parvalbumin and glutamic acid decarboxylase protein expression, most markedly in the molecular cell layer. Stereological analysis revealed an overall reduction in the PC population in HdhQ200/Q200 mice by nearly 40%, and loose patch electrophysiology of remaining PCs indicated a reduction in firing rate in HD mice compared to control littermates. Taken together, these data demonstrate that PC survival and function are compromised in a mouse model of adult-onset HD and suggest that further experiments should investigate the contribution of PC death and dysfunction to HD-associated motor impairment.
STUDENT VOICES IN THE TRANSFER PROCESS: DO WE HEAR THEM? DO WE LISTEN?

The “baby boomer echo” is increasing the number of traditional age students attending higher education, yet funding from both state and federal is remaining constant. In order to provide a higher education future for all who desire it, fiscal resources must be even more carefully allocated. Improving the transfer process from community colleges to four‐year colleges and universities will conserve our fiscal and our human resources and provide a higher education for more of our citizens. Statistics alone will not improve the transfer process; the voices of students experiencing this process must also be heard. A Fall 1994 cohort group of students transferring from Colorado's 15 community colleges to Colorado State University (CSU) was identified. Within this Fall 1994 cohort, two groups of students were formed based on their earned grade point average (GPA) at CSV at the end of Fall 1995 semester: students who achieved a 3.25 GPA or better and students who were placed on academic probation. The focus group...
Electrooptic System Components For Phased Array Radar Applications

In this paper the functional system aspects of a phased array system are discussed. Certain areas within a radar system can use optical processing techniques to gain advantages in processing speed, and a reduction in size, weight, and power. In one case in particular optical techniques will become an enabling technology.
Isolated arthroscopic partial meniscectomy: Functional radiographic evaluation at five years

Fifty patients who underwent isolated arthroscopic par tial meniscectomy with a minimum followup of 5 years were analyzed retrospectively. To analyze the factors associated with a satisfactory or an unsatisfactory clin ical result, we looked at the patient's age, duration of symptoms, type of meniscal lesion, and articular carti lage abnormalities. The patients were graded with a functional knee score (Lysholm-Gillquist), and activity level before surgery and at followup was determined. The data also included radiographic evaluation of 29 of the 50 patients. Tibiofemoral alignment was measured, and osteoarthritic changes were graded and correlated with the type of meniscal abnormality and functional result.Eighty-two percent of our patients had satisfactory knee function, and the activity level was maintained. The factors associated with a satisfactory result after a partial meniscectomy included age less than 40 years, symptoms less than 12 months duration, type of tear, and chondromalacia less than grad...
Quantitative method for the determination of iso-fludelone (KOS-1803) in human plasma by LC-MS/MS

Epothilones are relatively new tubulin-poison anticancer drugs. Iso-fludelone (KOS-1803) is a synthetic third generation epothilone drug discovered at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and currently in phase I clinical trials. We report an LC-MS/MS assay for the sensitive, accurate and precise quantitation of iso-fludelone in 0.2mL of human plasma. Validation was performed according to FDA guidance. The assay comprised of KOS-1724 as the internal standard and an MTBE liquid-liquid extraction with a water wash step. Separation was achieved with an YMC-Pack ODS-AQ column and an isocratic mobile phase of 0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile and water (70:30, v/v) at 0.3mL/min for 4min. Chromatographic separation was followed by electrospray, positive-mode ionization tandem mass spectrometric detection in the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. The assay was linear from 0.1 to 300ng/mL and was accurate (-9.41 to -7.07%) and precise (1.03-13.7%) which fulfilled FDA criteria for validation. Recovery from plasma was 73.9-79.7% and ion suppression was negligible (-22.8 to -31.3%). Plasma freeze-thaw stability (99.97-105.7%), stability for 11 months at -80°C (94.93-107.9%), and stability for 6h at room temperature (94.75-105.5%) were all acceptable. This assay is currently being applied to quantitate iso-fludelone in clinical samples.
Attitudes Towards Male Homosexuality, Bisexuality, and the Down Low Lifestyle: Demographic Differences and HIV Implications

This study offers an introduction to the Down Low lifestyle and an examination of possible attitude differences towards the related topics of male homosexuality and bisexuality. The Down Low is a lifestyle predominately practiced by young, urban African American men who have sex with other men and women, yet do not identify as gay or bisexual. Participants' (n = 146) attitudes were measured using subscales of the Components of Attitudes Towards Homosexuality scale and an original measure created specifically for measuring attitudes towards male bisexuality and the Down Low. Results suggests that age, ethnicity, and gender greatly influence attitudes towards homosexuality, bisexuality, and the Down Low, with younger, female, and Caucasian individuals having more positive attitudes towards these lifestyles.
Reasons Why Herbal Users Do or Do Not Tell Their Physicians about Their Use: A Survey of Adult Ohio Residents

Background: Several studies have reported lack of patient-physician communication regarding herbal use. However, reasons for this lack of communication are not well understood. Objective: To determine, explore, and identify reasons for lack of patient-physician communication about herbal use. Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, a systematic sample of 1,000 adult Ohio residents was surveyed through a 29 item questionnaire. Survey items were adapted from earlier instruments evaluating complementary and alternative use. Descriptive and univariate statistics were run using SPSS version 10.0. Results: Of 210 usable responses, almost half (47.6%) of the participants reported that they were either currently using herbal products or had used them in the past, with 1 in 16 using herbal products daily. Forty-eight percent of these respondents indicated that they had never had a discussion with their physician about using herbal medicines. A similar percentage (45%) of individuals using herbal agents had not told their physicians about any of the products they used. The top 3 reasons for informing physicians of herbal use were that the physician needs to be aware of all of the products used, the physician may know whether herbals work, and the physician understands the interactions of herbals with prescribed drugs. The main reason that patients did not supply the information was that the physician did not ask them about it. Conclusions: Many patients do not inform their physicians about their use of herbal products unless asked. Physicians and other healthcare providers should therefore integrate inquiry about herbal product use as part of medication history.
The Au-Pb-Sn ternary system

Abstract Thermal analysis, metallography, microhardness and X-ray techniques have been used to determine the AuSn-Pb-Sn partial-ternary system. A ternary quasiperitectic reaction, liquid + AuSn/aiPb + AuSn2, occurs at 275°C. A second ternary quasiperitectic reaction, liquid + AuSn2/aiPb + AuSn4, occurs at 208°C and is followed by a ternary eutectic reaction, liquid/aiPb + Sn + AuSn4, at 177°C.
Economics in Context

Academic departmentalization has limited the dimensionality and thus the richness of analysis in the social sciences. The author examines the case of a modern economics as an example. He reviews the ideas of Williamson (2000), who cites the limits of scope in the New Institutional Economics; Buchanan, who lays bare the ethical foundations of political economy in his constitutional economics; and Adam Smith, whose moral philosophy reflects a fully dimensional analysis. The author cites examples of how modern economic analysis can be enhanced by a reintegration with the other social sciences.
Effect of adrenalectomy on hyperglycemic responses of fed and fasted rats to catecholamines.

SummaryAdrenalectomy in rats has been shown to enhance the hyperglycemic response mediated by the β-receptor (isoproterenol in the fasted rat) but not that mediated by the α-receptor (norepinephrine in the fed rat). The enhanced β-effect is apparently the result of a greater depletion of muscle glycogen. Hyperglycemic responses to epinephrine in fasted animals are enhanced in the lower dose range and depressed at higher doses. This is explained in terms of the effect of epinephrine on both α- and β-receptors. The importance of using both fed and fasted rats and dose-response curves rather than single doses in assessing the effects of adrenalectomy is demonstrated.
Visualizing the structure of the World Wide Web in 3D hyperbolic space

We visualize the structure of sections of the World Wide Web by constructing graphical representations in 3D hyperbolic space. The felicitous property that hyperbolic space has “more room” than Euclidean space allows more information to be seen amid less clutter, and motion by hyperbolic isometries provides for mathematically elegant navigation. The 3D graphical representations, available in the WebOOGL or VRML file formats, contain link anchors which point to the original pages on the Web itself. We use the Geomview/WebOOGL 3D Web browser as an interface between the 3D representation and the actual documents on the Web. The Web is just one example of a hierarchical tree structure with links “back up the tree” i.e. a directed graph which contains cycles. Our information visualization techniques are appropriate for other types of directed graphs with cycles, such as filesystems with symbolic links.
Need for a new pion–nucleon partial wave analysis in the N*(1440) resonance region

Existing determinations of the masses, widths and decay modes of low-lying excited states of the nucleon, as compiled in the Review of Particle Physics, are determined from energy-independent partial wave analyses of pion-nucleon scattering data. For the N*(1440) and most other resonances under 2 GeV, the analyses cited are the Karlsruhe-Helsinki, Carnegie Mellon-Berkeley and Kent State analyses, the latter of which used the elastic amplitudes from the other two. The data included in these analyses were published before 1980. Other analyses, notably the recent ones from George Washington University and the Pittsburgh-Argonne group, are not used for averages, fits, limits, etc. Complete sets of measurements (differential cross sections, analyzing powers and spin rotation parameters) have been measured in the N*(1440) resonance region since 1980, culminating in the Crystal Ball program at BNL to measure all-neutral final states (charge exchange, multiple π0 final states, η production near threshold and inverse photoproduction). An overview of these data is presented and the case is made for a revitalized partial wave analysis effort
The Ohio Sky Survey and other radio surveys

Abstract Section I indicates the importance of astronomical surveys and comments on some of the earliest radio surveys. Section II describes the Ohio Sky Survey which totals over 19,000 radio sources at 1415 MHz. Methods of observation, data reduction and analyses of reliability and completeness are considered. Section III discusses the special Ohio sources with centimeter-enhanced (CE) spectra, including ones of the BL Lac type such as OJ287 and ones with high redshift such as OH471 and OQ172. Section IV relates the Ohio survey to other surveys, including data on other large surveys such as the Cambridge and Parkes surveys. Source counts are considered and statistics presented on the numbers of radio sources, identifications and radio astronomers. The last section, V, treats source nomenclature and the need for a single perpetual epoch.
An efficient illuminance-reflectance nonlinear video stream enhancement model

An efficient real-time video stream enhancement algorithm based on illuminance-reflectance model is proposed for improving the visual quality of digital video streams captured under insufficient and/or non-uniform lighting conditions. The paper presents computational methods for estimation of scene illuminance and reflectance, adaptive dynamic range compression of illuminance, and adaptive enhancement for mid-tone frequency components. This algorithm is an effective and efficient technique for image enhancement with relatively simple computational procedures, which makes real-time enhancement of digital videos successfully realized. It also demonstrates strong robustness and high image quality when compared to other techniques.
Five ways to evaluate

A classical (Laplace) integral is considered that is usually evaluated via complex variables. However, four different ways to evaluate the integral are presented using only real variables. The methods used span a wide range of areas in mathematics including differential equations, Laplace transform, and advanced calculus. The methods used are employed to evaluate some general integrals.
Evidence for a non-cosmogenic implanted 14C component in lunar samples

Abstract Experiments to determine if the presence could be confirmed of excess 14 C implantation in lunar soils and a rock surface sample were undertaken. Stepwise HF etchings of near-surface lunar soil 73221, collected from 0 to 0.5 cm depth and surface soil 10084, and a sample of surface scrapings from rock 68815 released appreciable amounts of 14 C. Considering the amount of material dissolved, we find that the amounts of 14 C released are significantly in excess of the amounts that would be necessary for both galactic and solar cosmic-ray-produced 14 C, even for the very surface. Further, there is an excess of 14 C released compared to deeper samples of rock and soil, based on our analyses of subsurface soils (73241 and 73261) from the same trench location of 73221, and earlier studies of 14 C in rock 68815[1]. Based on the observed release pattern of 14 C, we estimate that the excess 14 C in the lunar surficial samples may be released from depths of up to several microns. We conclude that this is an implanted solar component.
Rank transform statistics with censored data

Abstract A method for estimating the ranks of the underlying uncensored observations in a censored data set is proposed. The derived ranks are used to extend the use of the rank transform method to the censored matched pairs and the censored k-sample problems. The derived procedure for the censored matched pairs problem is new and consists of performing a paired-t test on the defined ranks. The procedure for the k-sample problem consists of performing a one-way ANOVA F-test on the derived ranks. This is essentially identical to a statistic proposed by Peto and Peto (1972). The asymptotic power of this procedure is derived and multiple comparison procedures based on it are proposed. The robustness of this test and multiple comparison procedures to departures from the assumption of equal censoring distributions is also established.
Aortic stenosis in noncardiac surgery: underappreciated in more ways than one?

Although large epidemiologic studies run the risk that “data dredging” will lead to a variety of spurious associations, the discovery of new information requires that new ideas, usually derived either from clinical judgment or newly recognized epidemiologic associations, be subjected to scrutiny in subsequent, formal studies. Unless investigators are perpetually curious and open minded, new discoveries are impossible. A second reason for missing a truly important association is if the risk factor of interest is underdiagnosed. By mistakenly classifying affected patients as being unaffected by the risk factor, there will always be bias toward the “null,” that is, a truly significant association will be deemed less strong than it really is and potentially may be inappropriately dismissed as unimportant. Third, the assessment of characteristics that affect risk or prognosis is based on widely accepted principles of epidemiology and statistics, which are designed primarily to identify either commonly occurring characteristics with modest relative risks or unusual characteristics with very large relative risks. Simply speaking, to achieve statistical significance in a formal analysis, enough patients must have the characteristic, of whom enough must develop the outcome of interest at a rate that is sufficiently higher than the rate in those without the risk factor. The more common the risk factor, the more likely it is that there will be sufficient “power” to avoid beta error, that is, to miss a truly significant association. An uncommon risk factor with a modest relative risk will be hard to identify and to confirm.
Synthesis and Applications of Biologically Relevant Glycopeptides

Glycosylation is a post- or co-translational modification of proteins that has extensive biological significance [1, 2, 3]. In general, protein function is influenced by the covalent attachment of an oligosaccharide to its surface. Altered protein glycosylation patterns often modify intercellular recognition processes, through modulation of protein-protein or protein-carbohydrate interactions [4]. Moreover, glycosylation increases peptide hydrophilicity, resulting in increased aqueous solubility and altered clearance properties versus the peptide alone [5]. Glycosylation may also play a role in protein folding, as well as functioning as an inducer of protein secondary structure [6]. As such, the fields of glycobiology and carbohydrate chemistry offer a myriad of research opportunities in the biological arena.
Structural characterization of quinoxaline homopolymers and quinoxaline/ether sulfone copolymers by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry.

Polyphenylquinoxalines (PPQs) are prepared from self-polymerizable quinoxaline monomers that carry fluorine, hydroxyaryl (ArOH), and phenyl substituents. In basic media, these monomers self-polymerize via a series of nucleophilic aromatic substitution reactions (SNAr), in which aromatic enolates (ArO- nucleophiles) attack the electrophilic carbons bearing F leaving groups to effect fluoride displacement. Polyphenylquinoxaline/polyethersulfone (PPQ/PES) copolymers are synthesized similarly by combining self-polymerizable quinoxaline monomers with a 1:1 molar mixture of 4,4‘-dichlorodiphenyl sulfone and bisphenol A. The MALDI mass spectra of the polymers reveal that the major products up to ∼15 000 Da molecular mass are homo- or copolymeric macrocycles. Linear byproducts are also observed, arising from nucleophilic ring opening of already formed macrocycles. Oligomers containing at least one PPQ unit readily protonate upon MALDI, whereas PES homopolymers require alkali metal ion addition to become detectabl...
Polarizing and reflective coatings based on half-wave layer pairs.

The majority of the layers of a multilayer optical coating typically have optical thicknesses equal to one quarter of the appropriate wavelength of radiation. Replacing this constraint with the stipulation that a pair of adjacent layers should have a total optical thickness of one half of a wavelength introduces a significant new component of design flexibility while having a minimal impact upon the desired optical properties of the film. Taking a matrix approach, we derive a general expression for the reflectance of a periodic thin-film structure that is based on layers of two different materials of arbitrary thickness. This result is applied to highly reflective coatings at normal incidence and to off-normal polarizing coatings. Specific results involving HfO2/SiO2 films and TiO2/SiO2 films are displayed. We discuss how the thickness of the high-index layers may be reduced to increase damage thresholds. We also show a mirror design that is effective not only at λ = 1.06 µm but also at the frequency-doubled wavelength.
Earthquake Analysis of Arch Dams: Factors to Be Considered

The factors that significantly influence the three-dimensional analysis of arch dams are identified: the semiunbounded size of the reservoir and foundation-rock domains, dam-water interaction, wave absorption at the reservoir boundary, water compressibility, dam–foundation rock interaction, and spatial variations in ground motion at the dam-rock interface. Through a series of example analyses of actual dams, it is demonstrated that (1) by neglecting water compressibility, the stresses may be significantly underestimated for some dams or overestimated for others; (2) by neglecting foundation-rock mass and damping, the stresses may be overestimated by a factor of 2 to 3; and (3) spatial variations in ground motion, typically ignored in dam engineering practice, can have profound influence on the earthquake-induced stresses in the dam. This influence obviously depends on the degree to which ground motion varies spatially along the dam-rock interface. For the same dam, this influence would differ from one ear...
Parenting Stress, Social Support, and Mother-Child Interactions in Families of Multiple and Singleton Preterm Toddlers

The study investigated family support as a buffer of stress in 153 mothers and preterm toddlers. Data were collected regarding maternal depressive symptoms, parenting stress, and family support; infant health; and videotaped mother-child interactions. Although more parenting stress related to less optimal child play, only information support functioned as a protective factor. Information support predicted positive play under high, but not low, maternal stress. Mothers of multiples reported more parenting stress than mothers of singletons.
The contribution of public libraries to countries' economic productivity: a path analysis

This empirical investigation examines the causal relationship between public libraries, literacy level, and economic productivity measured by gross domestic product per capita using path analysis. It is hypothesized that public libraries along with school libraries contribute to countries' literacy levels which in turn contribute to economic productivity. Cross‐country data were gathered from a number of sources including the Statistical Abstract of the World and Unesco's Statistical Yearbook. The results show that the path coefficients of public libraries and literacy levels are statistically significant at the 0.05 and 0.0001 levels respectively, strongly confirming the hypothesis. This study demonstrates that public libraries contribute to economic productivity through their various literacy programs and argues that cutting financial support for public libraries as practiced by many municipal governments is a short‐sighted policy and will adversely affect economic productivity of countries in the long run.
Frontier Tales: The Narrative Contruction of Cultural Borders in Twentieth-Century California

Maclntyre sought to raise a series of crucial questions in an address before the Eighty-First Annual Meeting of the Eastern Division of the American Philosophical Association. What is the best way to evaluate two competing languages, conceptual schemes, or cultural approaches to being in the world? May conceptual schemes or theoretical languages be so radically different as to be fully incommensurable, that is, incapable of intertranslation or meaningful comparison?2 Maclntyre, drawing upon the example of the sixteenthcentury Zuni Indian and Spanish colonial frontier, contended that some languages or conceptual schemes might well be partially untranslatable, but this did not necessarily preclude commensurability. His remarks suggest additional questions, namely, what does constitute a frontier situation? What is involved in the symbolic differentiation of one conceptual scheme, one interpretive group—one culture—from another? We might recognize here the familiar problem of boundary construction, the social process of creating a common group identity that marks it as different from others.3
New Results on Path Approximation

In this paper we give bounds on the complexity of some algorithms for approximating 2-D and 3-D polygonal paths with the infinite beam measure of error. While the time/space complexities of the algorithms known for other error measures are well understood, path approximation with infinite beam measure seems to be harder due to the complexity of some geometric structures that arise in the known approaches. Our results answer some open problems left in previous work. We also present a more careful analysis of the time complexity of the general iterative algorithm for infinite beam measure and show that it could perform much better in practice than in the worst case. We then propose a new approach for path approximation that consists of a breadth first traversal of the path approximation graph, without constructing the graph. This approach can be applied to any error criterion in any constant dimension. The running time of the new algorithm depends on the size of the output: if the optimal approximating path has m vertices, the algorithm performs F(m) iterations rather than n–1 in the previous approaches, where F(m) \le n–1 is the number of vertices of the path approximation graph that can be reached with at most m–2 edges. This is the first output sensitive path approximation algorithm.
A comparison of a pilot study to the main research thesis on pulse palpation in acute cardiac patients.

Resume Une etude-pilote et sa these majeure ont donne des resultats differents au Veteran's Hospital de Portland, Oregon. Le but de l'experience etait d'examiner la difference entre la palpation du pouls par l'infirmiere et les traces electrocardiographiques, qui faisaient office de temoin pour verifier la precision de cette activite traditionnelle de l'infirmiere. L'etude principale etendait le nombre des palpations des observations radiales temporales et apicales de l'etude-pilote jusqu'a inclure les sites femoraux et pedieux. Les resultats de la these majeure comportaient un moyen methodologique de determination de l'etendue normale des variations de la frequences du pouls. L'etude principale a revele que les frequences du pouls radial et du pouls temporal relevees par les infirmieres etaient extremement precises et qu'il etait egalement sur de recueillir des observations de chaque cote du corps; l'etude-pilote avait fait supposer qu'une discordance etait possible. La these majeure trouvait une difference significative a P =0,01 entre les pouls pris par les infirmieres et les resultats de l'appareil; elle excluait le pouls pedieux comme estimation sure de la frequence et du rythme. L'etude-pilote n'a pas revele de problemes evidents quant a l'estimation des arythmies par les infirmieres. L'auscultation du choc apical n'etait pas un probleme dans la these majeure, mais l'etude-pilote a revele des difficultes d'execution chez 70 p. 100 des patients. Les raisons de la discordance entre les deux etudes sont supposees etre la consequence de differences entre les caracteristiques des deux groupes de sujets, surtout parce que la these majeurs avait exclu les veterans d'un certain âge. L'intervalle d'un an entre l'etude-pilote et la these proprement dite avait modifie les variables de temps, de lieu et de personne. L'etude-pilote, plus souple, aurait du servir a fournir des alternatives pour une recolte de donnees plus precise. Des recommandations ont ete deduites de la discussion afin d'ameliorer le schema de recherches en matiere de nursing.
Matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors and cancer

The matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family plays an integral role in both normal and pathological connective tissue remodeling. The accelerated local turnover of the extracellular matrix is often found in tumour cell invasion and metastasis. The development of MMP inhibitors thus offers a promising strategy to modulate metastasis. This review describes developments in MMP inhibitor research and patents related to cancer since 1998.
The nervous mechanism controlling pigment aggregation in Fundulus melanophores

Abstract 1. 1. The mechanism of nervous control of melanin movements in melanophores was studied, using the isolated split tail-fin preparation of the killifish, Fundulus heteroclitus. 2. 2. A single electrical shock to nerves caused moderate pigment aggregation in a melanophore. The response was not of the all-or-none type, suggesting that more than two nerve fibers control pigment aggregation in the cell. 3. 3. The presence of antidromic responses was confirmed, indicating that some nerves which have synaptic contact with one melanophore extend peripherally to control more distal melanophores. 4. 4. Behavior of the transmitter was studied by changing various parameters of the stimulating pulses. The results are discussed in relation to the possible mode of innervation of melanophores.
Inhaled benzene reduces aspects of cell-mediated tumor surveillance in mice

Benzene is a potent bone marrow toxicant with particular activity against lymphocytes. Despite the recognized effects of benzene on lymphocyte populations, few data exist concerning the effects of benzene on in vivo immune responses. We have been conducting a series of studies concerning the effects of inhaled benzene on murine cell-mediated immune responses. The studies in this report involve the interaction of inhaled benzene with some of those cell-mediated immune responses associated with tumor surveillance. Exposures to 100 ppm benzene (5 days/week X 20 weeks) induced lethal tumor growth in 9/10 C57Bl/6 mice inoculated with 10(4) viable PYB6 tumor cells. Lethal tumor incidences in air controls and mice exposed to lower benzene concentrations were 3/10 or less. Exposures to 100 ppm benzene (5 days/week X 4 weeks) also reduced the tumor lytic abilities of cytotoxic T lymphocytes as determined by 51Cr-release assays. In addition, splenocytes taken from mice exposed to 10 or 100 ppm benzene (5 days/week X 4 weeks) exhibited delays in peak mixed leukocyte responses. Coculture experiments demonstrated that these delays were not due to an induction of suppressor cell activity by benzene. There were no alterations in the relative percentages of B cells, T cells, or T-cell subsets among splenocytes from animals exposed to any concentration of benzene tested. These results demonstrate that inhaled benzene can inhibit some of the processes associated with tumor surveillance, and that this inhibition is due, at least in part, to impairments of the functional abilities of some of the cells responsible for tumor surveillance.
FACTORS AFFECTING THE RELATIVE PERFORMANCE OF TRAFFIC RESPONSIVE AND TIME-OF-DAY TRAFFIC SIGNAL CONTROL

This paper investigates whether vehicle detectors in a computerized traffic control system provide better information on network traffic demands for control purposes than could be obtained from historical average data. Tests were performed on data from Washington, D.C., Toronto, and Fort Wayne. These tests showed that the vehicle detectors and the associated predictor algorithm could give only slightly better results than historical average data. Sensitivity calculations showed also that the network MOE's were nearly the same when the traffic signal timing was optimized for the actual volumes in the network as when it was optimized for substantially different network volumes unless saturation resulted at one or more intersections. The combination of results indicates that it is unlikely that a traffic responsive system will perform better than a well designed time-of-day traffic signal system.
Small, stupid, and scalable: secure computing with faerieplay

How can Agnes trust a computation C occurring at Boris's computer? In particular, how can Agnes can trust that C is occurring without Boris even being able to observe its internal state? One way is for Agnes to house C in a strong tamper-protected secure coprocessor at Boris's site. However, this approach is not scalable: neither in terms of computation - once C gets larger than the coprocessor, it becomes vulnerable to Boris again - nor in terms of cost. In this paper, we report on our Faerieplay project: rather than worrying about the limited size of a secure coprocessor, we try to make it as small as possible, with limited RAM and CPU. We start with the Fairplay work of Malkhi et al on implementing Yao's blinded-circuit solution to secure multiparty computation with software - this permits Agnes to trust C, but is too inefficient for all but small C. We then use our own prior work on using trusted third parties for practical Private Information Retrieval to design and prototype tiny trusted third parties (TTTPs) that substantially reduce the overhead involved in blind circuit evaluation.
Spinoza on power

Spinoza's concept of ‘power’ finds expression in every major topic of which he treats. Some of the ways to the understanding of that concept are: the metaphysical, the genetic, and the political. I. Metaphysically, Spinoza distinguishes power from force or energy and defines it as the ability of a system to survive. The most interesting application of this definition is to that system, man, for whom survival means realization of his essence, achievement of understanding. II. The depth and generality of Spinoza's concept of power can be appreciated more clearly if we refer to its sources in (1) the classical analysis of ‘virtue’ beginning with Plato, (2) the traditional theological ponderings on the nature of God, and (3) the method and presuppositions of physical science. III. At the metaphysical level of analysis, power and liberty are shown to be all but synonymous. Spinoza's analysis of political power undermines previous authoritarian, hierarchical, and elitist theories of government and ends with a p...
Quasilinear saturation of the kinetic ion mixing mode

The linear and quasilinear theories of the ion mixing mode are discussed in the electrostatic limit. The source of free energy for the instability is the ion temperature gradient. The parameter relevant to this calculation is ηi=(d ln Ti/dr)/(d ln n/dr). Generally, this mode has a phase velocity comparable to the ion thermal velocity and there exist values of ηi that yield maximum growth. By using a time‐asymptotic formalism, we are able to discuss the quasilinear saturation of this mode. Short wavelength modes saturate at small amplitudes, ‖eφ1/Ti‖2 ≤(ηi−ηc)/ηc, where ηc is the value of ηi at marginal stability, and the saturated state is stable against further perturbations. Long wavelength modes also saturate, though the saturation is of the ‘‘hard’’ type: the saturated state itself is unstable. When saturation occurs, it is caused by reduced inverse ion Landau damping brought about both by the nonlinear frequency shift and by quasilinear modifications to the ion distribution function.
Mastic: a Mediterranean luxury product

Mastic is a resin produced by plants that grow only on the southern part of the Aegean island of Chios. Its cultivation and commerce were regulated by the rulers of Chios to assure substantial profits on this valuable commodity. Mastic is an example of a Mediterranean product that was in great demand in both Islamic and Christian societies. Yet its particular utility and the reasons for its long-lasting prestige are not easily understood beyond generalizations about its culinary, medical and cosmetic uses. The article concludes with a discussion of Columbus, who erroneously believed he had found mastic in the New World.
Cardiac transplantation in children and adolescents

Between June 1984 and October 1986, we evaluated 22 children for possiblecardiac transplantation at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center. Four children died awaiting donor organs. Fifteen children received transplants; eight had cardiomyopathy, and seven had congenital heart disease. One child received a heterotopic transplant because of extremely high pulmonary vascular resistance. Immunosuppressive therapy consisted of 4 to 40 mg/kg/d cyclosporine and 0.2 to 0.5 mg/kg/d prednisone. Rejection was detected by the presence of myocyte necrosis in surveillance endomyocardial biopsy specimens. There were one intraoperative and three early deaths, two from infection and one rejection. The 11 survivors are observed from a few weeks to more than 2 years after transplantation, and all are in excellent clinical health and participate in age-appropriate activities. These data corroborate the experience of other institutions that cardiac transplantation is a valid treatment in children.
Discovery and investigation of O-xylosylation in engineered proteins containing a (GGGGS)n linker.

Protein engineering is a powerful tool for designing or modifying therapeutic proteins for enhanced efficacy, greater safety, reduced immunogenicity, and better delivery. GGGGS [(G4S)n] linkers are commonly used when engineering a protein, because of their flexibility and resistance to proteases. However, post-translational modifications (PTMs) can occur at the Ser residue in these linkers. Here, we report, for the first time, the occurrence of O-xylosylation at the serine residue in (G4S)n>2 linkers. The O-xylosylation was discovered as a result of molecular mass determination, peptide mapping analysis, and MS/MS sequencing. Our investigation showed that (i) O-xylosylation is a common PTM for (G4S)n>2 linkers; (ii) GSG is the motif for O-xylosylation; and (iii) the total amount of xylosylation per linker increases as the number of GSG motifs in the linker increases. Our investigation has also shown that the O-xylosylation level is clone-dependent, to a certain degree, but the xylosylation level varies co...
Are you using the right approximate nearest neighbor algorithm

Many computer vision tasks such as large-scale image retrieval and nearest-neighbor classification perform similarity searches using Approximate Nearest Neighbor (ANN) indexes. These applications rely on the quality of ANN retrieval for success. Popular indexing methods for ANN queries include forests of kd-trees (KDT) and hierarchical k-means (HKM). The dominance of these two methods has led to implementations in many popular computer vision tool kits, perhaps leading some to assume that ANN indexing is a solved problem. This paper introduces a new method, the Proximity Forest, which is based on a forest of randomized metric trees. We present evidence that forests of metric trees significantly outperform KDT and HKM when evaluated on real-world data, controlling for dimensionality, data set size, distance function, and the number of neighbors returned by the query. Randomized metric trees are simple to implement, are generic in regards to the chosen distance function, and can be applied to a wider class of data representations.
Total body and regional bone mineral by dual-photon absorptiometry in metabolic bone disease.

Dual-photon absorptiometry (153Gd) was used to measure bone mineral of the total body and major anatomical areas. Patients with osteoporosis (♂=11, ♀=18) and with renal osteodystrophy (n=17) were significantly below (20%) normal females (n=72) and males (n=13) at most sites. In the osteoporotic patients, but not the renal patients, there was preferential osteopenia of the spine. Bone loss in all anatomical areas became evident after the menopause with an annual loss rate of about 0.7%.