cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Theology of Struggle: Critiques of Church and Society in the Philippines (1970s-1990s)

This article explores writing and scholarship on the theology of struggle developed by Protestants and Catholics in the Philippines during the 1970s-90s. Its focus is on popular writing—including pamphlets, liturgical resources, newsletters, magazines, newspaper articles, conference briefings, songs, popular education and workshop modules, and recorded talks—as well as scholarly arguments that articulate the biblical, theological, and ethical components of the theology of struggle as understood by Christians who were immersed in Philippine people’s movements for sovereignty and democracy. These materials were produced by Christians who were directly involved in the everyday struggles of the poor. At the same time, the theology of struggle also projects a “sacramental” vision and collective commitment towards a new social order where the suffering of the masses is met with eschatological, proleptic justice—the new heaven and the new earth, where old things have passed away and the new creation has come. It is within the struggle against those who deal unjustly that spirituality becomes a “sacrament”—a point and a place in time where God is encountered and where God’s redeeming love and grace for the world is experienced.
Topical Retinoids and Acne

Topical retinoids are well-established as the first-line and foundational treatment for acne. Topical retinoids used in the treatment of acne include all-trans retinoic acid (tretinoin), adapalene, tazarotene, and the emerging fourth-generation topical retinoid trifarotene. Retinoids encompass the family of natural and synthetic vitamin A derivatives which exert their effects through binding to retinoid receptors within the cellular nucleus leading to a multitude of downstream effects including keratinocyte differentiation and proliferation, cytokine signaling, and embryonic development. In the treatment of acne, retinoids aid in decreasing follicular keratinization and keratinocyte cohesiveness, thus reducing follicular occlusion and comedone formation. More importantly, numerous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of topical retinoids in treating post-acne sequelae such as atrophic scarring and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Responding in a Pandemic: Student Nurse Educator Mentorships, the Other Side of Blackboard

Background: Nurse educators who are novice often express the need for improved preparation in the educator role. Problem: With the growth of online programs, one area of concern is the need for educators who are prepared to teach online. Approach: A mentorship for online teaching was developed to give student nurse educators the opportunity to develop educator competencies in the online environment. The process, benefits, challenges, and key points for the success of the mentorship are discussed. Outcomes: Since Spring 2016, 89 nurse educator graduate students have completed the mentorship. Their confidence related to the educator role in an online environment was enhanced, and they took great pride in serving as professional role models to the undergraduate nursing students. Conclusions: The mentorship option provides improved educator role preparation for nursing education graduate students who will teach online. It also provides informal mentorship as well as an unexpected perceived value in higher education to students in undergraduate nursing program.
Knowledge Organization Systems: A Network for AI with Helping Interdisciplinary Vocabulary Engineering

Knowledge Organization Systems (KOS) as networks of knowledge have the potential to inform AI operations. This paper explores natural language processing and machine learning in the context of KOS ...
A New Look: Dismissal Rates in Federal Civil Cases

In the wake of Twombly and Iqbal, a number of studies have been conducted to determine the decisions' effects on dismissal practice in federal civil cases. However, those studies have tended to code whole cases rather than claims -- leading to the ambiguous coding category of “mixed” dismissals and to problems in characterizing the nature of the dispute -- and have failed to distinguish between legal sufficiency and factual sufficiency, potentially masking important detail about the effects of the pleadings changes. This paper begins to fill in that detail. I compiled an original dataset of district court opinions and coded each claim -- rather than whole case -- subject to an adjudicated Rule 12(b)(6) motion. For each claim, I also determined whether the court resolved the motion on grounds of legal or factual sufficiency. This methodology opened an unprecedented level of granularity in the data. The data reveal statistically significant increases in the dismissal rate overall and in a number of subsets of claims. I also find an increase in the relative prevalence and efficacy of factual-insufficiency arguments for dismissal. Perhaps surprisingly, I find a decrease in the relative prevalence and efficacy of legal-insufficiency arguments for dismissal. These data and insights on the rationales of dismissals are new to the literature and suggest that Twombly and Iqbal are affecting both movant strategy and judicial reasoning.
Effects of dimethyl sulphoxide and heparin on stretch-activated ATP release by bladder urothelial cells from patients with interstitial cystitis.

Objective To determine whether dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) and heparin reduce the greater stretch-activated ATP release in interstitial cystitis (IC), as ATP serves as a nocio-neurotransmitter in the bladder, and thus explain their beneficial effects in patients with IC (a disease characterized by hypersensory bladder symptoms). Materials and methods Bladder epithelia in IC release more ATP in response to stretch than do control samples. Both DMSO and heparin are used intravesically to treat IC; such agents can modulate urothelial function because they directly contact bladder urothelium. Biopsies taken from patients with IC and from control subjects were grown in primary cultures using established cell-culture techniques. Cultured urothelial cells were stretched with the Flexcell device (Flexcell International Corp., McKeesport, PA, USA) and supernatant ATP was measured, using a luciferin-luciferase assay. DMSO (0.1%, 0.5% and 1%) or heparin (50, 200, 800 and 1600 U) was added to the cells at the start of the stretch experiments and the ATP released into the supernatant measured. Cell viability was also determined using Trypan Blue staining. Results IC cells released significantly more ATP in response to stretch than did control cells. This increased release of ATP by stretched IC cells was significantly blocked by adding DMSO or heparin at all concentrations used. Heparin appeared to have a greater dose-dependent effect on ATP release than did DMSO. Conclusions These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that the urothelium provides sensory input via ATP release and that this process is increased in IC. Furthermore, stretch-activated ATP release was blocked by adding DMSO and heparin, both intravesical agents commonly used to treat the symptoms of IC. This study supports the notion that purinergic-targeted therapy is warranted in treating IC. Further studies are needed to determine the mechanisms of increased ATP release by IC urothelial cells.
A TRACE FORMULA FOR HANKEL OPERATORS

We show that if G is an operator valued analytic function in the open right half plane such that the Hankel operator HG with symbol G is of trace-class, then G has continuous extension to the imaginary axis, G(∞) := lim r→∞ r∈R G(r) exists in the trace-class norm, and tr(HG) = 1 2 tr(G(0) −G(∞)).
Influence of dietary cholesterol and cholic acid on liver carbohydrate metabolism enzymes in rats.

The effects of dietary cholesterol and cholic acid on the activity of several carbohydrate metabolism enzymes were examined in the liver or adipose tissue of rats. The activity of liver and adipose tissue glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and NADP-malic enzyme, the activity of liver glucokinase, pyruvate kinase, phosphogluco- mutase and NADP-isocitrate dehydrogenase and the rate of in vitro liver cholestero- genesis were determined. Cholesterol-cholic acid feeding significantly depressed the activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and NADP-malic enzyme in the liver but not in the adipose tissue. Liver glucokinase was also depressed, but to a lesser degree. Liver pyruvate kinase was depressed only during the first few days of the feeding. The depression in the activity of these enzymes was inversely correlated with an increase in the concentration of liver cholesterol. Unlike liver enzymes which were depressed only after 2 to 3 days of cholesterol-cholic acid feeding, liver cholesterogenesis was severely depressed within the first day of the feeding. These observations suggest that liver enzyme depression is probably related to certain metabolic changes secondary to elevation of liver cholesterol or expansion of bile acid pool. Feeding of cholic acid has effects on liver enzymes similar to the feeding of cholesterol. The study shows that dietary cholesterol plays a role in the control of several hepatic carbohydrate metabo lism enzymes probably through some mechanism secondary to elevation in the concen tration of liver cholesterol or expansion of bile acid pool. J. Nutr. 103: 93-101, 1973. Dietary cholesterol and cholic acid sup- gested carbohydrates or the processes of plementation has been shown to depress hpogenesis. In this study, experiments were the activity of liver glucokinase, glucose-6- conducted to examine the response of cer- phosphate dehydrogenase and NADP-malic tain liver enzymes following cholesterol and enzyme in rats ( 1). Glucokinase is an im- cholic acid feeding, portant enzyme for the phosphorylation of glucose in the liver and this reaction prob- METHOD, ably is the primary rate-limiting step in the Experimental diet and animals. Rats of utilization of glucose (2-5). In the rat, the the Holtzman strain were used for all ex- activity of this enzyme has been shown to periments in this study. Rats were indi- be correlated with glucose tolerance (6). vidually housed in stainless steel cages at a Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and constant room temperature of 24Â°.Food NADP-malic enzyme are important in pro- and water were provided for ad libitum viding reduced nicotinamide adenine di- consumption in all experiments. Individual nucleotide phosphate (NADPH) for lipo- body weight and food consumption were genesis (7-10). The activity of these two recorded. The basal diet contained 25% enzymes is correlated with the rate of lipo- Received for pllbucation June 12.1972.
Interactions with PDZ Proteins Are Required for L-Type Calcium Channels to Activate cAMP Response Element-Binding Protein-Dependent Gene Expression

After brief periods of heightened stimulation, calcium entry through L-type calcium channels leads to activation of the transcription factor cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) and CRE-dependent transcription. Many of the details surrounding the mechanism by which L-type calcium channels are privileged in signaling to CREB, to the exclusion of other calcium entry pathways, has remained unclear. We hypothesized that the PDZ interaction sequence contained within the last four amino acids of the calcium channel α1C (CaV1.2) subunit [Val-Ser-Asn-Leu (VSNL)] is critical for L-type calcium channels (LTCs) to interact with the signaling machinery that triggers activity-dependent gene expression. To disrupt this interaction, hippocampal CA3–CA1 pyramidal neurons were transfected with DNA encoding for enhanced green fluorescent protein tethered to VSNL (EGFP-VSNL). EGFP-VSNL significantly attenuated L-type calcium channel-induced CREB phosphorylation and CRE-dependent transcription, although somatic calcium concentrations after stimulation remained unchanged. The effect of EGFP-VSNL was specific to the actions of L-type calcium channels, because CREB signaling after NMDA receptor stimulation remained intact. The importance of the PDZ interaction sequence was verified using dihydropyridine (DHP)-insensitive α1C subunits. Neurons transfected with α1C lacking the terminal five amino acids (DHP–LTCnoPDZ) exhibited attenuated CREB responses in comparison with cells expressing the full-length subunit (DHP–LTC). Collectively, these data suggest that localized calcium responses, regulated by interactions with PDZ domain proteins, are necessary for L-type calcium channels to effectively activate CREB and CRE-mediated gene expression.
Charges and measures

In Chapter 4 we introduced the concept of σ-algebra of sets to capture the properties of events in probability theory. We used the traditional terminology of referring to sets belonging to such a σ-algebra as measurable sets. While we have good pedagogical reasons for introducing the material in this order, it is not obvious what a σ-algebra has to do with measurement of anything. In this chapter we hope to remedy this omission. Historically, mathematicians were interested in generalizing the notions of length, area, and volume. The most useful generalization of these concepts is the notion of a measure. In its abstract form a measure is a set function with additivity properties that reflect the properties of length, area, and volume. A set function is an extended real function defined on a collection of subsets of an underlying measurable space. (We also impose the restriction that a measure assumes at most one of the values ∞ and —∞.) In this chapter we consider set functions that have some of the properties ascribed to area. The main property is additivity. The area of two regions that do not overlap is the sum of their areas. A charge is any nonnegative set function that is additive in this sense. A measure is a charge that is countably additive. That is, the area of a sequence of disjoint regions is the infinite series of their areas. A probability measure is a measure that assigns measure one to the entire space. Charges and measures are intimately entwined with integration, which we take up in Chapter 11. But here we study them in their own right.
S100 Blood Concentrations in Children Subjected to Cardiopulmonary By-Pass

S100 is a member of a family of calcium-binding proteins present primarily in nervous tissue, where it is mainly concentrated in glial cells (1)(2). Although the role of this protein in brain function and disease has not yet been conclusively elucidated, it has been ascertained that the appearance of this protein constituent of neural cells in biological fluids is a reliable indicator of active cell damage in the nervous system in different pathological conditions (3)(4)(5)(6). Open heart surgery is known to be associated with brain cell injury. It was diagnosed previously using rather crude psychometric tests and clinical observations in seemingly healthy patients (7), and measurements of S100 in the blood have recently been successfully used to monitor cerebral damage after cardiac surgery (8)(9)(10). The present study is aimed at investigating the potential use of measurements of S100 in the blood to monitor possible cerebral distress during extracorporeal circulation in children (0–9 years), when hemodynamic adaptive phenomena in the brain show peculiarities linked to the age of the patient (11). The data presented indicate significantly higher blood concentrations of this nervous tissue constituent during cardiopulmonary by-pass (CPB), together with a direct relationship with the duration of CPB. Blood samples were taken from 13 patients (6 males and 7 females), ages from <1 year to 9 years (two patients <1 year of age, one 1 year of age, six 3 years of age, one 4 years of age, one 5 years of age, and two 9 years of age), with no preexisting neurological disorders or other co-morbidities, who were undergoing cardiac …
Bioprinting for cancer research

Bioprinting offers the ability to create highly complex 3D architectures with living cells. This cutting-edge technique has significantly gained popularity and applicability in several fields. Bioprinting methods have been developed to effectively and rapidly pattern living cells, biological macromolecules, and biomaterials. These technologies hold great potential for applications in cancer research. Bioprinted cancer models represent a significant improvement over previous 2D models by mimicking 3D complexity and facilitating physiologically relevant cell–cell and cell–matrix interactions. Here we review bioprinting methods based on inkjet, microextrusion, and laser technologies and compare 3D cancer models with 2D cancer models. We discuss bioprinted models that mimic the tumor microenvironment, providing a platform for deeper understanding of cancer pathology, anticancer drug screening, and cancer treatment development.
Religion and Female Educational Attainment

The paper reviews the literature on the education, gender, and religion nexuses and identifies plausible hypotheses that religion adversely affects female education. The link between major religions and female educational attainment is examined using the Barro-Lee data set for a sample of 97 countries. The estimates include control variables for colonial heritage, urbanization, labor force participation, and young adult mortality. The estimates show powerful negative links between female educational attainment and the proportion of ethnoreligions, Hindu, and Muslim adherents in a country, with similar results for the gender gap. The paper offers some interpretative thoughts and research agendas.
Getting to Peacekeeping in Principal Rivalries: Anticipating an Israel-Syria Peace Treaty

Through the prism of principal rivalries, this article analyzes the barriers to and opportunities for an Israel-Syria agreement and requirements for an Israel-Syria peace treaty. Empirical work on rivalries focuses mainly on origins, characteristics, and capabilities, with little investigation of principal rivalry termination, the role of peace agreements in interrupting rivalries, or the particular challenges confronting intermediaries in intensely competitive and hostile conflicts. Ending rivalries requires sustained engagement and flexible intervenors. Current proposals for multiphased peacekeeping and verification arrangements fall short. A hybrid peacekeeping model, advanced to address this deficiency, accounts for a rapidly changing military environment, maximizes confidence-building momentum, provides redundancy, attracts U.S. support and participation, and generates regional support for the peace process. By participating in a hybrid regime on the Golan Heights, the United States can conserve reso...
CUBA'S EMERGING SELF-EMPLOYED ENTREPRENEURS: RECENT DEVELOPMENTS AND PROSPECTS FOR THE FUTURE

This paper examines the evolution of Cuba's self-employed entrepreneurs since the sector became an officially-recognized alternative to State sector employment in 2010. Despite the expansion of authorized self-employment activities and the implementation of gradual economic reforms to "update" the country's socialist economic model since 2010, Cuba's emerging self-employed entrepreneurs still face a series of constraints and limitations, such as an onerous tax system, underdeveloped banking and financial sectors, lack of access to organized input markets and a still hostile business climate that hinder their ability to expand and contribute to the country's economic growth.
An improved search algorithm for the design of multiplierless FIR filters with powers-of-two coefficients

An improved algorithm is presented for the discrete optimization of finite-impulse-response (FIR) digital filter coefficients which are represented by a canonic signed-digit (CSD) code, i.e., numbers representable as sums or differences of powers-of-two. The proposed search algorithm allocates an extra nonzero digit in the CSD code to the larger coefficients to compensate for the very nonuniform nature of the CSD coefficient distribution. This results in a small increase in the filter complexity; however, the improvement in the frequency response is substantial. The coefficient optimization is performed in two stages. The first stage searches for an optimum scale factor and the second stage consists of a local bivariate search in the neighborhood of the scaled and rounded coefficients. >
Actual Eyring Models for Thixotropy and Shear-Thinning: Experimental Validation and Application to EHD

The Eyring sinh law is presently the most well-accepted model for shear-thinning of EHD lubricants at high pressure. It was, however, not accepted for this purpose by Eyring, who found it to be of only limited usefulness for thixotropy. Then, it is extremely important that these models receive a critical review using data obtained by modern methods to evaluate the actual Eyring models and show how they differ from the model in use today. Data from high-pressure viscometers were used to validate the actual Eyring models. The Ree-Eyring model for shear-thinning obeys time-temperature-pressure superposition. A film thickness calculation shows it to suffer from the same anomalous behavior in sliding contact as does the sinh law.
Could N-terminal pro-BNP peptide be a useful marker for prediction of cardiac arrests in hemodialysis patients?

To the Editor: We read with interest the article by Ostermann. They reported cardiac arrests in the dialysis unit are relatively rare events but carry a poor prognosis. The incidence of cardiac disease in dialysis patients was reported as very high, but there has been few markers to predict the cardiovascular mortality or arrhythmic events. Recently, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) has become important diagnostic tools for assessing cardiac dysfunctions. Although not extensively studied in dialysis patients, some authors studied the relationship between cardiovascular mortality and NT-pro-BNP levels. Wang et al. reported that NT-pro-BNP was an important risk predictor of cardiovascular congestion, mortality, and adverse cardiovascular outcomes in chronic peritoneal dialysis patients, and Satyan et al. demonstrated that NT-pro-BNP level strongly correlated with left ventricular systolic dysfunction and was associated more strongly with mortality than cardiac troponin T level in asymptomatic hemodialysis patients. Furthermore, some authors showed that raised NT-pro-BNP levels predicted occurrence of symptomatic ventricular arrhythmias. Because cardiovascular disease is the main cause of morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing hemodialysis, NT-pro-BNP, a biological marker of left ventricular dysfunction, might enable us to identify high-risk asymptomatic early hemodialyzed patients, leading to aggressive evaluation of cardiac dysfunctions and appropriate, targeted therapeutic intervention.
The Helium Contents of Metallic Meteorites

The He3 and He4 concentrations were measured in 53 samples taken from 34 different metallic meteorites. Two meteorites were identified, Deep Springs and Clark County, that have considerably higher helium concentrations than any previously measured. The hexahedrites Edmonton and Braunau probably have the lowest He3/He4 ratio yet found, with the possible exception of selected samples from Washington County. The exposure ages relative to Grant were estimated for 25 of the meteorites. The estimates for the 3 oldest are: Deep Springs, 1550; Pinon, 1140; and Clark County, 1050 m.y. The lowest age found in this study was 40 m.y. for Monahans. The helium concentrations in the meteorites of low nickel content are lower than those in the medium octahedrites. The hexahedrites, as a class, have especially low helium concentrations and low ratios, but this study did reveal two hexahedrites, Iredell and Cedartown, that have higher helium concentrations and normal ratios. It is suggested that the anomalous helium concentrations of the hexahedrites are attributable to the presence of a small concentration of background helium that contains little, if any, He3.
Assembly of the Photosystem II Oxygen-evolving Complex Is Inhibited in psbA Site-directed Mutants of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii ASPARTATE 170 OF THE D1 POLYPEPTIDE

Photosystem II catalyzes the photooxidation of water to molecular oxygen, providing electrons to the photosynthetic electron transfer chain. The D1 and D2 chloroplast-encoded reaction center polypeptides bind cofactors essential for Photosystem II function. Transformation of the chloroplast genome of the eukaryotic green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii has allowed us to engineer site-directed mutants in which aspartate residue 170 of D1 is replaced by histidine (D170H), asparagine (D170N), threonine (D170T), or proline (D170P). Mutants D170T and D170P are completely deficient in oxygen evolution, but retain normal (D170T) or 50% (D170P) levels of Photosystem II reaction centers. D170H and D170N accumulate wild-type levels of PSII centers, yet evolve oxygen at rates approximately 45% and 15% those of control cells, respectively. Kinetic analysis of chlorophyll fluorescence in the mutants reveals a specific defect in electron donation to the reaction center. Measurements of oxygen flash yields in D170H show, however, that those reaction centers capable of evolving oxygen function normally. We conclude that aspartate residue 170 of the D1 polypeptide plays a critical role in the initial binding of manganese as the functional chloroplast oxygen-evolving complex is assembled.
Ultrasonography: highly accuracy technique for preoperative localization of parathyroid adenoma

Objectives/Hypothesis: This study evaluates the accuracy of ultrasonography in guided unilateral parathyroidectomy to treat primary hyperparathyroidism. Study Design: Retrospective study. Methods: Two hundred fifty-three patients with primary hyperparathyroidism underwent preoperative ultrasonography. Two groups were defined. Group 1 included the patients in whom the preoperative cervical ultrasound localized one abnormal parathyroid gland; these patients underwent unilateral surgical exploration of the neck under local anesthesia. Group 2 included the patients who had a bilateral neck exploration under general anesthesia when the preoperative examination was equivocal or failed to localize the lesion, when concomitant thyroid pathology indicated thyroidectomy, and when justified by the surgical findings. Results: Sensitivity and positive predictive value of ultrasonography in detecting abnormal parathyroid gland were 96% and 98%, respectively. Cervical ultrasound correctly identified, 96% and 85% of abnormal glands in groups 1 and 2, respectively. The presence of thyroid nodular disease did not affect ultrasonographic accuracy. Sonographic examination decreased the operative time of parathyroidectomy to an average of 15 minutes. Mediastinal and retroesophageal localizations of abnormal parathyroid gland adversely affected the accuracy of the ultrasound. No cervical hematoma was noted. Transient recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy occurred in four patients. Twenty-three patients required postoperative calcium supplementation for 2 to 4 months, and all were normocalcemic at follow-up. Conclusions: Cervical ultrasound is a reliable preoperative exploration allowing parathyroidectomy via unilateral approach under local anesthesia.
Patterning the Peripheral Retina of the Fly: Decoding a Gradient

The peripheral regions of the fly eye show a number of specializations. First, immediately interior to the circumscribing head capsule and completely encircling the rest of the eye lies a thick band of pigment cells (pigment rim; PR). Second, in the dorsal periphery of the eye directly interior to the PR lie the dorsal rim (DR) ommatidia that are specialized polarized light detectors. The equivalent position in the ventral eye is occupied by standard ommatidia. Third, ommatidia characteristically project mechanosensory hairs above their lenses, but in the most peripheral rows (including the DR) the ommatidia are bald. Wingless secreted from the head capsule appears to organize all these peripheral specializations. Higher Wg levels induce PR, intermediate levels induce DR, and lower levels induce baldness. The predisposition of dorsal cells to generate DR ommatidia appears to be endowed by the exclusive dorsal expression of Iroquois genes.
Investigation of impedance and radiation properties of dual-frequency choke-loaded monopole antennas

The impedance, resonant frequency, and radiation pattern of a choke-loaded monopole antenna are investigated. The dependence of these characteristics on the position, length, and radius of the choke is presented, with the results allowing the design of a dual-frequency radiating structure. Experimental measurements are also given to verify the accuracy of the simulation results.
Auditory startle response of hippocampectomized rats.

Abstract Rats with ablation of the hippocampus or of the neocortex overlying the hippocampus, and unoperated controls, were presented with 10 intense (112 dB) auditory stimuli on each of four successive days. The hippocampectomized animals exhibited, throughout, more vigorous skeletal-motor startle responses than either control group. All rats were well handled and tested 10 weeks after surgery.
Interferometric observations of the temperature structure in water cooled or heated from above

Abstract Controlled laboratory experiments were performed in a water tank to study energy transfer during cooling and radiant reheating of water from above. Accurate instantaneous temperature measurements were obtained using a Mach-Zehnder interferometer which did not disturb the temperature, radiation, and flow fields. The buoyancy induced flow field was visualized by employing an electro-chemical dye production technique. Cooling of initially uniform layer of water and stratification-cooling-restratification were studied. The experimental observation during cooling of an initially uniform temperature column of water indicated intermittent free convection near the surface. The phenomenon was characterized by randomly descending cooler plumes penetrating 10 to 25 cm into the warmer underlying region. The cooling rate had a decisive influence on the frequency and intensity of the descending parcels of water. For lower cooling rates the colder water usually descended in a form of sheets. Observations during cooling of initially stratified water showed that buoyancy driven convection occurred near the surface. The motion had an initial regular roll pattern, but as the cooling continued the roll pattern in the convective (mixed) layer deteriorated into motion similar to that observed during cooling of an initially uniform temperature layer of water. When the water was restratified by radiant heating, the circulation in the convective layer was suppressed, and the temperature profiles obtained were similar to those observed in a fluid during free convection between two solid parallel walls.
Infectious disease: Do steroids benefit patients with bacterial meningitis?

Bacterial meningitis causes substantial neurological morbidity and mortality worldwide. The use of corticosteroids as adjunctive therapy to antibiotics has been studied in clinical trials and debated for decades. A new meta-analysis attempts to reconcile some of the disparate findings from trials in this field.
Infusing Mobile Technology into Undergraduate Courses for Effective Learning

Abstract The number of courses higher education institutions are offering online, blended, or web-enhanced traditional classroom setting, continues to grow exponentially. At the same time, there is an upsurge of mobile technology that has multiple capabilities to support different instructional strategies. Among all adult groups, undergraduate students’ use of mobile technology in everyday life is relatively highest. This paper identifies the impact of infusing mobile technology in undergraduate course instruction for effective and quality learning. The paper also discusses the benefits of using mobile technology in undergraduate students’ learning process.
Quantizing gauge theories: Non-classical field configurations, broken symmetries and gauge copies

Abstract The quantization of non-Abelian gauge theories around arbitrary field configurations is considered. We find that the functional integral may be consistently expanded about any field which is sufficiently close to a constrained minimum. A unified treatment of gauge fixing, zero modes and constraints is presented in detail. All problems associated with gauge copies and similar double-counting phenomena are formally removed by further restrictions placed on the space of fluctuations; these restrictions have no effect on the perturbative expansion about a given field.
Assessing BSW Student Direct Practice Skill Using Standardized Clients and Self-Efficacy Theory

Entering and exiting BSW students were compared on self-efficacy and on direct practice skill performance with a standardized client. Self-efficacy was tested as a predictor and as a mediator of skill performance. Ordinary least squares hierarchical regression found BSW education to be predictive of higher skill and higher self-efficacy. After controlling for BSW education, self-efficacy negatively predicted direct practice skill, and mediation was not supported as hypothesized. This study suggests caution in the use of self-efficacy as an outcome measure, advances the use of standardized clients for assessment, and affirms the need for the development of valid and reliable instruments for assessment of direct practice skill in social work education.
Micro texturing of silicon using pulsed N(2)-laser and formation mechanism.

A low-cost pulsed N2-laser has been used to successfully demonstrate the formation of self-organized conical microtexture in Si. The process is demonstrated in vacuum environment to avoid the use of SF6 gas and sulfur incorporation. The microtexture is formed with an average structure height of ∼15 um, base diameter ∼10 μm, and tip-to-tip separation ∼8 μm. Energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy of individual conelike structure shows that the material remains free from impurity incorporation. We have shown that the laser-induced-damage-related absorption can be successfully restored after an hour annealing at 1000 °C, making the material an ideal candidate for photovoltaic and other photonic applications.
COMPOSITIONALLY GRADED MATERIALS WITH CRACKS NORMAL TO THE ELASTIC GRADIENT

Abstract Mixed-mode crack tip deformations and fracture parameters in glass-filled epoxy beams with cracks normal to the elastic gradient are studied. Crack tip fields are optically measured for different crack locations in the elastic gradient when subjected to symmetric pure bending. A companion finite element model is developed and validated by the measurements. The numerical model is then used to examine the influence of the elastic gradient on crack location by evaluating stress intensity factor, mode-mixity and energy release rate. For certain crack locations, computed stress intensity factors and energy release rates in the graded material exceed that of the bimaterial counterpart. However, when reconciled with measured critical values of the fracture parameters, graded beams show consistently better performance for all crack locations in the graded region. Crack kinking due to compositional gradients are examined and are successfully compared with the vanishing KII criterion based on a locally homogeneous material behavior.
Dynamic Reorganization of Digit Representations in Somatosensory Cortex of Nonhuman Primates after Spinal Cord Injury

Somatosensory cortices of adult primates reactivate over time after sensory loss. The time course and the neural mechanisms underlying the cortical reactivation are not well understood. Here we report that longitudinal high-resolution functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies on anesthetized squirrel monkeys revealed dynamic reorganizations of digit activations in area 3b, within 2 months after severely disrupting afferent inputs by dorsal column section. We found that digit regions in which inputs were severely disrupted exhibited fMRI tactile responses. Reorganization was characterized by an early moving away phase and a late returning phase, as indicated by spatial shifts of individual digit activation centers in relation to the pre-lesion activation sites. Subsequent optical imaging studies confirmed fMRI activations, and dense microelectrode penetrations identified weak neuronal activity at the reactivated sites. Activation zones detected by fMRI and optical imaging were significantly larger in input-deprived than normal input single-digit regions and were larger than regions defined by neuronal spiking activity. This study captures the dynamic reorganization of digit representations after dorsal column lesions and reveals differences between functional imaging and microelectrode recording maps. Our observations suggest that subthreshold activity plays an important role in the reactivation of deafferented cortex and could promote behavioral recovery.
An Improved Chiral Stationary Phase for the Chromatographic Separation of Underivatized Naproxen Enantiomers

Abstract A mechanistic rationalization of the ability of a recently developed chiral stationary phase (CSP) to separate the enantiomers of underivatized naproxen (as well as a number of other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) suggested that an analog of this CSP containing a shortened tether might afford greater enantioselectivity. This is indeed die case. A separation factor of 2.93 obtained at room temperature with this CSP is the greatest enantioselectivity reported to date for the differential complexation of naproxen enantiomers by a synthetic selector.
LEARNING TO TROUBLESHOOT : MULTISTRATEGY LEARNING OF DIAGNOSTIC KNOWLEDGE FOR A REAL-WORLD PROBLEM-SOLVING TASK

Abstract This article presents a computational model of the learning of diagnostic knowledge, based on observations of human operators engaged in real-world troubleshooting tasks. We present a model of problem solving and learning in which the reasoner introspects about its own performance on the problem-solving task, identifies what it needs to learn to improve its performance, formulates learning goals to acquire the required knowledge, and pursues its learning goals using multiple learning strategies.The model is implemented in a computer system which provides a case study based on observations of troubleshooting operators and protocol analysis of the data gathered in the test area of an operational electronics manufacturing plant. The model not only addresses issues in human learning, but, in addition, is computationally justified os a uniform, extensible framework for multistrategy learning.
The Bayesian learning model of expectations as a solution to the Lucas critique: Some empirical evidence

One of the major problems with the traditional approach to policy analysis is the Lucas critique, i.e. that the parameters of a traditional structural model are policy-invariant. The Bayesian learning model fulfills the need for a model of expectations that is conditional upon policy so that the parameters change when there is a policy change. The hypothesis that the Bayesian learning model allows us to to conduct conditional policy analysis without suffering from the Lucas critique is evaluated using both historical data and simulations. It is demonstrated that the Bayesian learning model provides a coherent framework within which forward-looking expectations can be modeled and conditional policy analysis can be conducted without suffering from the parameter invariance problems exposed by Lucas.
Wepner, S. B., Strickland, D. S., & Quatroche, D. J. (Eds.). (2014). The Administration and Supervision of Reading Programs (5th ed.). New York, NY: Teachers College Press. 244 pp.

Wepner, Strickland, and Quatroche take on an important and challenging task: to assist school-based personnel in their design and oversight of reading programs. The titles they select for the four ...
Improved image-processing techniques for multiple-angle x-ray bone densitometry

A method utilizing digital dual-energy substraction x-ray radiography for measuring calcium densities localized to the cortical and cancellous regions of bone cross sections is described. The method is proposed as a technique for studying calcium loss in femurs of rats used in experiments modeling the temporal of osteoporosis. The densitometry data obtained for a rat leg consists of six x-ray projection images acquired at 30 degree(s) angular intervals about the bone axis by an intensifying screen/CCD camera imaging system. Images of bone cross sections are reconstructed by application of a maximum entropy algorithm constrained by the six projection images. The observed density data are further discriminated into cortical, cancellous and external regions on the basis of reference levels found on image density histograms.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A Rapid Method for Measuring Protease Activity in Milk Using Radiolabeled Casein

Abstract A rapid means to detect the presence of protease activity in raw milk could be useful in predicting keeping ability of products made from that milk. A 30-min assay has been developed and compared with three other methods of detecting protease. Casein, [methyl- 14 C]-methylated- α was purchased from a radioisotope supplier. Concentrations of substrate from 2 to 20 nCi gave counts per minute, which increased linearly when counted with the Charm analyzer. There was not a significant difference in counting times of 10, 20, or 30min. A mixture of sodium acetate and acetic acid precipitated nonhydrolyzed substrate with an efficiency of 97%. Comparison of the [ 14 C] casein assay, a casein fluorescein isothiocyanate assay, trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid procedure, and the Hull procedure using protease from psychrotrophic bacteria revealed that the [ 14 C] casein and casein fluorescein isothiocyanate methods were roughly equivalent and that the radiometric procedure was 10 times more sensitive than the trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid assay. The radiometric procedure was approximately 10 4 times more sensitive than the Hull procedure. The [ 14 C] casein and casein fluorescein isothiocyanate methods were similar in time required, about 30min, while the trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid assay and Hull method required about 1h plus reagent preparation time. The [ 14 C] casein procedure was most expensive per test; the other three were cheaper and similar to each other in cost.
Leukocyte Rolling on P-Selectin: A Three-Dimensional Numerical Study of the Effect of Cytoplasmic Viscosity

Rolling leukocytes deform and show a large area of contact with endothelium under physiological flow conditions. We studied the effect of cytoplasmic viscosity on leukocyte rolling using our three-dimensional numerical algorithm that treats leukocyte as a compound droplet in which the core phase (nucleus) and the shell phase (cytoplasm) are viscoelastic fluids. The algorithm includes the mechanical properties of the cell cortex by cortical tension and considers leukocyte microvilli that deform viscoelastically and form viscous tethers at supercritical force. Stochastic binding kinetics describes binding of adhesion molecules. The leukocyte cytoplasmic viscosity plays a critical role in leukocyte rolling on an adhesive substrate. High-viscosity cells are characterized by high mean rolling velocities, increased temporal fluctuations in the instantaneous velocity, and a high probability for detachment from the substrate. A decrease in the rolling velocity, drag, and torque with the formation of a large, flat contact area in low-viscosity cells leads to a dramatic decrease in the bond force and stable rolling. Using values of viscosity consistent with step aspiration studies of human neutrophils (5-30 Pa·s), our computational model predicts the velocities and shape changes of rolling leukocytes as observed in vitro and in vivo.
Steady-state single cell model simulations of photoacclimation in a vertically mixed layer: implications for biological tracer studies and primary productivity

Abstract A numerical single-cell photoacclimation–diffusion model was constructed and used to develop criteria regarding the use of individual phytoplankton cells as tracers for vertical mixing and to illustrate how rates of vertical mixing might affect phytoplankton physiology. Both first-order and logistic representations of photoacclimation kinetics were used. Steady state was assumed for simplicity and to provide a starting point for further investigations. The modeled variance and higher moments (within a phytoplankton population) of a generic photoacclimative parameter all show trends, which are diagnostic of mixing rates and/or boundary effects. This allowed the establishment of criteria by which frequency distributions of phytoplankton physiological properties (e.g., cell fluorescence) might be used as indicators of vertical mixing. The same model can be used to predict the effects of vertical mixing on phytoplankton productivity and growth. Application of the model to both photosynthesis and carbon to chlorophyll ratios suggested that a combination of vertical mixing and hysteresis (as represented in the logistic model of photoacclimation) in acclimation kinetics can enhance specific growth rates of phytoplankton. This enhanced growth occurred as a result of mixing-induced variation in carbon to chlorophyll ratios and is in contrast to chlorophyll-specific productivity, which was maximal at low mixing rates. Differential rates of photoacclimation to upward vs. downward shifts in irradiance, may enable phytoplankton cells to better survive in a turbulent environment.
Development of 30 μm pitch Cu/Ni/SnAg micro-bump-bonded chip-on-chip (COC) interconnects

In this study, the assembly processes and reliability performance of interconnects with 30 μm pitch Cu/Ni/SnAg joints are evaluated, Plasma was treated on the both upper and lower chips before bonding, then fine gap control bonding process was applied to minimize the solder squeezing phenomenon which causes the adjacent joints bridged. Two kinds of underfills were used to fill the gap of around 20 urn between the upper and lower chips Pre-conditioning test and Temperature cycling test (TCT) (−55°C≃425°C) for 5,000 cycles was performed on the chip-on-chip (COC) interconnects. The characteristics of micro joints with different underfills were investigated during the reliability test. The results of electrical test and microstructure analysis of the micro-bump interconnects showed that the micro joints were well-bonded in such kind of method. Fine gap filling capability of the selected underfill materials was also confirmed. The higher filler content and viscosity may cause the void issue during the encapsulation process. The major failure modes were found after the failure analysis. One is crack occurred at the center of the joint which relate to underfill's capability, another is void formation in the joint which relate to volume shrinkage of the inter-metallic-compound (IMC) transformation from the remained solder. The micro bump assembly technology was established, quality check methods were demonstrated and the failure modes for the bonded-micro-joint with different underfills were investigated at this study.