cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Insights of nurses about assault in hospital-based emergency departments

PURPOSE: To explore contributing factors, consequences, and solutions to the assault of nurses working in U.S. hospital emergency departments. This preliminary study targeted emergency nurses whose risk for assault was significantly greater than many other workers. Exploring nurses' opinions about factors they believe contribute to assault provides important information for designing acceptable preventive measures. DESIGN: In this descriptive study, an ecological, occupational-health framework was used which integrates personal, organizational, and societal influences. The six components of the framework were personal factors, workplace factors, environmental factors, assault injuries, solutions, and effects of workplace violence. METHOD: Four focus groups were used comprised of 22 RNs employed in emergency departments in one large metropolitan area in the United States. Half the nurses had been physically assaulted at work. FINDINGS: Fourteen themes emerged: nurse attitude, vulnerability, security, administrative issues, assault reporting, safety training, beyond control, societal changes, types of patients, geographic location, pervasiveness of anger, previous assault experiences, effects and possible solutions. Personal, workplace, and environmental factors all contribute to assault. Verbal and physical assaults are common and affect nurses' personal and professional lives. CONCLUSIONS: Assault-related injuries are preventable. Only physical injuries are treated; all employees who have been verbally or physically assaulted should be referred for post-incident debriefing. Hospital managers should implement violence-prevention programs. The ecological, occupational health framework is useful for identifying factors that contribute to assault. Language: en
Gender Expression as a Reflection of Identity Reformation in Couple Partners Following Disclosure of Male-to-Female Transsexualism

ABSTRACT This qualitative study examined gender expression as a reflection of identity reformation in male-to-female transsexual persons and their nontranssexual female partners following the disclosure of transsexualism in relationships that were established as man-woman. Each partner in 17 couples participated in individual interviews. The gender expression of each couple partner evolved as male-to-female persons progressed in their male-to-female transition. Three themes related to male-to-female gender expression emerged as the couples reformed their identities and relationships: (a) phases: exploration/experimentation, adolescence, and maturation; (b) (re)gendering as women: behavior and interactions; and (c) visual congruence: dual/single presentation and sex reassignment surgery.
Holy Dissent: Jewish and Christian Mystics in Eastern Europe, edited by Glenn Dynner

Holy Dissent: Jewish and Christian Mystics in Eastern Europe, edited by Glenn Dynner, Detroit, Wayne State University Press, 2011, ix + 406 pp., US$44.95, ISBN 978-0-8143-3517-8. Based largely on r...
Configuration Interaction in Simple Atomic Systems

The ground-state wave functions of the helium, lithium, and beryllium atoms were approximated by a superposition of configurations with expansion lengths ranging from 35 for helium to 55 for beryllium. The discrepancies in the total energy are 0.014 ev for helium, 0.026 ev for lithium, and 0.17 ev for beryllium. A 19-configuration function was also applied to the lowest $^{3}S$ state of helium, with a resulting accuracy of 0.0005 ev. The calculations were also made on all the isoelectronic series of ions through $Z=8$, the discrepancy remaining of the same order of magnitude but increasing with increasing $Z$. A lower bound to the electron affinity of lithium is set at 0.4773 ev, with the most probable value, obtained by extrapolating the isoelectronic series, being placed at 0.62 ev.
A Determination of the High Altitude Latitude Dependence in Cosmic-Ray Neutron Intensity

High altitude flights have been made with balloon-borne neutron-detecting equipment at 30.4\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}N and 54.7\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}N geomagnetic latitudes. A maximum neutron density was found at an absorption depth of 110 g/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ at 30.4\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}N and 100 g/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ at 54.7\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}N. The maximum neutron density at 54.7\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}N is approximately 2.9 times as great as the maximum neutron density measured at 30.4\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}N. The total integrated neutron density at 54.7\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}N is approximately 2.4 times as large as that at 30.4\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}N. These results indicate a greater latitude effect for neutron densities than for total ionization, but less than for primary particles, thus corroborating present theories of neutron formation.
Simultaneous determination of ticarcillin and clavulanate in rabbit serum and tissue cage fluid by liquid chromatography

A gradient elution HPLC method with a wavelength switch technique was developed to simultaneously analyze the beta-lactam ticarcillin and the beta-lactamase inhibitor clavulanate in rabbit serum and tissue cage fluid (TCF). A C18 reversed-phase column with a programmable UV detector changing the wavelength from 218 to 254 nm at 9 min was used for chromatographic separation. The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile, phosphate buffer and tetrabutylammonium hydrogen sulfate by following a gradient elution program at a flow-rate of 1 ml/min. Sample processing was carried out with liquid-liquid extraction. Good linearity, recoveries, precision and accuracy were obtained. The ranges of the standard curves were 1-100 microg/ml for ticarcillin, and 0.2-20 microg/ml for clavulanate. This assay has been successfully applied to analyze ticarcillin and clavulanate in rabbit serum and tissue cage fluid samples from a pharmacokinetic study.
Pretreatment with a competitive NMDA antagonist D-CPPene attenuates focal cerebral infarction and brain swelling in awake rats.

The purpose of the study was to assess effects of the competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist D-(E)-4-(3-phosphonoprop-2-enyl)piperazine-2-carboxylic acid (D-CPPene) upon focal cerebral infarction and brain oedema in the rat. Focal cerebral ischaemia was produced by permanent occlusion of the middle cerebral artery under halothane anaesthesia. The anaesthetic gas was discontinued immediately after the occlusion and the rats were killed 24 hours later. Cerebral infarction and brain swelling were each assessed on the frozen brain sections at 8 predetermined coronal planes. Pretreatment with D-CPPene (4.5mg/kg i.v. followed by continuous infusion at 3mg/kg/h until sacrifice) 15 minutes prior to MCA occlusion, significantly reduced the volume of infarction in the cerebral hemisphere by 29% (p<0.05). Brain swelling, obtained by subtracting the nonischaemic hemispheric volume from the ischaemic hemispheric volume, was significantly reduced with D-CPPene treatment and the mean reduction in swelling (34% less than the controls: p<0.001) proportionately similar to the decrease in infarct volume in the same animals. These data indicate that systemic administration of the competitive NMDA receptor antagonist D-CPPene has neuroprotective effects against ischaemic brain damage, and the reduction in brain swelling occurs in parallel with the reduction in ischaemic damage.
Synchronization and storage models for multimedia objects

A technique is presented for the formal specification and modeling of multimedia composition with respect to intermedia timing. The proposed model is based on the logic of temporal intervals and timed Petri nets. A strategy is evinced for constructing a database schema to facilitate data storage and retrieval of media elements based on the temporal relationship established by the proposed modeling tool. An algorithm which allows the retrieval of media elements from the constructed database in a manner which preserves the temporal requirements of the initial specification is presented. Using the proposed model, the synchronization requirements of complex structures of temporally related objects can be easily specified. >
Adaptive solution of partial differential equations in multiwavelet bases

We construct multiresolution representations of derivative and exponential operators with linear boundary conditions in multiwavelet bases and use them to develop a simple, adaptive scheme for the solution of nonlinear, time-dependent partial differential equations. The emphasis on hierarchical representations of functions on intervals helps to address issues of both high-order approximation and efficient application of integral operators, and the lack of regularity of multiwavelets does not preclude their use in representing differential operators. Comparisons with finite difference, finite element, and spectral element methods are presented, as are numerical examples with the heat equation and Burgers' equation.
Iterative Source and Relay Precoder Design for Non-Regenerative MIMO Cognitive Relay Systems

The problem of joint precoder design for the source and relay nodes of a cooperative cognitive radio (CR) system is investigated. We consider a non-regenerative relaying secondary CR system with underlay spectrum sharing methodology with the primary users. Based on an expression for the achievable throughput of secondary system, we develop an optimization problem to maximize the throughput subject to power constraints at the secondary source and relay, and an interference power constraint at the primary due to secondary source and relay transmission. First, we derive the structure of each of the relay and source precoding matrices separately assuming the other is known. Then, we propose an iterative technique to jointly design the source and relay precoding matrices. The results are also extended to the case where the direct source-destination link is available. Through simulation, we demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed approach in improving the achievable throughput, and compare its performance with that of numerical optimization, source only precoding, relay only precoding, and a naive amplify-and-forward method.
Restraining CML by adhesives

Comment on Pelletier et al, page [2163][1] Pelletier and colleagues report that the lack of the adhesion molecules P-selectin and ICAM-1 accelerates the development of BCR/ABL-induced CML-like disease in mice. The data have important implications for understanding as well as treating CML.
Temperature and Vitamin Requirements of the Domestic Fowl

Abstract The basic vitamin requirements of the bird must be more clearly established before the true effects of temperature can accurately be measured. Although the literature reveals progress, the knowledge gained (as in many other fields of scientific investigation) is spotty, contradictory, vague, and intriguing, providing a basis for further planned comprehensive investigation. A review of literature leads to some general conclusions on the effects of temperature on vitamin requirements. 1) Feed consumption regulates vitamin intake, and feed consumption is closely moderated by environmental temperature, both high or low and to a varied extent. 2) Factors involved in management, growth, egg production, light, etc. are very influential interactions. 3) High evnironmental temperature and subsequent heat stress will result in altered availability and utilization of specific nutrients. 4) There are factors regulating nutrient intake that relate to utilization, such as energy-protein ratio, management, age of bird, and genetic composition of the bird. 5) Care and treatment of feed, age, storage conditions, pelleting, and characteristics of the ingredients are important influences.
Two-dimensional Ising correlations: Convergence of the scaling limit

In this paper we will establish formulas for the correlations of the two-dimensional Ising model in the absence of a magnetic field and prove the convergence of the scaling limit from above and below the critical temperature. The theoretical developments which lead up to our results begin with Onsager’s calculation of the free energy for this model in a classic 1944 paper [52). Statistical mechanics in the infinite-volume limit is expected to exhibit phase transitions through nonanalytic behavior in thermodynamic quantities; the Onsager formula for the free energy as a function of temperature was the first explicit example of such behavior. In a sequel to Onsager’s paper, Kaufman [34] simplified the analysis by emphasizing the role of the spin representations of the orthogonal group; Kaufman and Onsager [35] subsequently used this idea to study the short-range order. By 1949 Onsager [53] knew the formula for the spontaneous magnetization, and Yang gave an independent derivation of this result in 1952 [74]. In [28] Kac and Ward and later in [32] Kasteleyn pioneered a combinatorial attack on the Ising model. Montroll, Potts, and Ward [49] used this method to give formulas for the correlations as Pfaffians. The size of the Pfaffians in these formulas grows with the separation of the sites in the correlations and the asymtotic behavior at large separation (clustering) is far from evident. To go beyond the spontaneous magnetization in the analysis of the clustering of correlations, corrections to the Szego formula were devised. This problem has a long history, and we mention in connection with the Ising model the fundamental papers by Wu [72] and by Kadanoff (291 in 1966, and by Cheng and Wu in 1967 [ 131, and refer the reader to the book by McCoy and Wu [40] for further details up to 1972. In Fisher [ 181 and Kadanoff [30] a notion of scaling for statistical systems near a critical point was proposed. To understand the scaling limit for the
Tissue culture bilayer models to study attachment and invasion of bacterial pathogens

A tissue culture bilayer system has been developed as a model to study the mechanisms of attachment and invasion involved in bacterial pathogenesis. The model, incorporating epithelial and endothelial cell layers separated by a microporous membrane, makes it possible to observe and quantify the passage of bacteria through the multiple layers and to study the mechanisms by which they make this passage. The model is adaptable to a variety of microbial pathogens in that any physiologically relevant eucaryotic cells can be substituted for the component layers. Examining a variety of strains ofNeisseria meningitidis we found marked differences in their ability to pass through the bilayer with ranges between 80% and <0.01% of the inoculum passing through within a 3-hour period. These differences may correlate with differences in virulence. More recently in a model developed to study the pathogenesis of lower respiratory pathogens we found that while passage ofMycobacterium avium through the bilayer differed little from strain to strain, there was a 10–40 fold difference inStreptococcus pneumoniae passage between strains causing hemorrhagic disease and strains causing pneumonia. The human cell composition and reproducibility of these systems give them advantages over animal and primary organ culture models. Additionally, their added multiple layer complexity allowing cell-to-cell communication makes them more realistic human tissue models than standard cell monolayers.
Thermal and mechanical characterization of NASA High Displacement Actuators for satellite instrumentation

NASA's High Displacement Actuators (HDAs) are being examined for several potential aerospace applications. In order to determine if these HDAs are suitable for these applications, the strain must be determined as a function of applied voltage and stress over the range of temperature required for the environment of space. Additionally, the variability between HDAs of the same design must be determined to establish their performance average and standard deviation. Towards this end, a matched set of rectangular HDAs were fabricated and characterize to determine their on-center displacement. These actuators were run at a 1 Hz frequency using peak-to-peak voltages from 100 to 800 volts with a maximum negative voltage of -150 volts. The test temperature ranged from -101 to 66 degrees C at 28 degrees C intervals. Loads ranging form 50g to 1450g were line loaded on center to observe the effects of strain on displacement. After preliminary characterization, these HDAs were incorporated into a prototype linear motor drive system for satellite instrumentation. This paper describes the fabrication, test methodology and the resulting performance of these HDAs as well as the linear piezo motor.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Malondialdehyde, modified lipoproteins, and atherosclerosis.

It is likely that identification of the mechanisms releasing malondialdehyde and other peroxidative decomposition products in the arterial wall will provide new insights into the sequence of biochemical and cellular events in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and ultimately may lead to development of strategies for the intervention and reduction of the incidence of atherosclerotic events.
Limit-point criterion for singular linear Dirac differential systems

The deficiency index problem of a singular linear Dirac differential system is studied in this paper. Several criterion are presented under which the linear Dirac systems are in the limit-point case or the strong limit-point case. Some of results extensively generalize and improve the previous results obtained by Krall, Hinton and Shaw. Moreover, as a corollary of our results, the Levinson-type criteria for Dirac systems is obtained.
Social tag prediction

In this paper, we look at the "social tag prediction" problem. Given a set of objects, and a set of tags applied to those objects by users, can we predict whether a given tag could/should be applied to a particular object? We investigated this question using one of the largest crawls of the social bookmarking system del.icio.us gathered to date. For URLs in del.icio.us, we predicted tags based on page text, anchor text, surrounding hosts, and other tags applied to the URL. We found an entropy-based metric which captures the generality of a particular tag and informs an analysis of how well that tag can be predicted. We also found that tag-based association rules can produce very high-precision predictions as well as giving deeper understanding into the relationships between tags. Our results have implications for both the study of tagging systems as potential information retrieval tools, and for the design of such systems.
Stresses around Pressure Tunnels with Semi-permeable Liners

The liner of a pressure tunnel needs to be designed such that it can withstand the loads from the ground, the internal pressure, and minimize the development of significant pore pressures at the liner-ground interface. Pore pressures behind the liner reduce the effective stresses in the ground immediately in contact with the liner and can ultimately produce loss of support from the ground. Deformations and loads of the liner are intimately connected to the interplay that exists between liner, ground, and pore pressures in the ground. A closed-form analytical solution has been derived that accounts for the inter-relation between liner, ground, and pore pressures. Elastic response of the liner and ground, and plane strain conditions at any cross-section of the tunnel are assumed. The solution shows that stresses in the ground depend on the following dimensionless factors: relative stiffness of the ground and liner, ground Poisson’s ratio, surface slope angle, coefficient of earth pressure at rest, relative tunnel depth, and magnitude of the pore pressure behind the liner relative to the internal pressure. The minimum ground effective tangential stresses at the ground-liner interface increase with the relative stiffness of the liner, with the coefficient of earth pressure at rest, and with tunnel depth. They decrease with increasing surface slope angle and pore pressures behind the liner. As leakage through the liner increases, the pore pressures in the ground increase. This results in a decrease of effective radial and tangential stresses in the ground while displacements and loads of the liner are relatively less affected.
Spatial learning and physical activity contribute to the induction of fibroblast growth factor: neural substrates for increased cognition associated with exercise

New evidence indicates that neural activity regulates the expression of trophic factors in the brain but regulation of these molecules by select aspects of behaviour remains solely a fascinating possibility. We report that following training in the Morris water maze, a spatial memory task, the hippocampus and cerebellum of learning rats exhibited an increase in basic fibroblast growth factor messenger RNA. Basic fibroblast growth factor messenger RNA levels were higher during the learning of the task and decreased once asymptotic performance was reached, suggesting an involvement of basic fibroblast growth factor in learning/memory. An active control group, which exercised for the same time as the learning group but the spatial learning component of the task was minimized, exhibited a minor increase in basic fibroblast growth factor messenger RNA. The intensification of the physical activity component of the task by massed or intensive training resulted in greater increases in basic fibroblast growth factor messenger RNA for both learning and yoked groups, but levels of basic fibroblast growth factor messenger RNA in the learning group remained higher than yoked only in the cerebellum. Changes in basic fibroblast growth factor were accompanied by an increase in astrocyte density in the hippocampus in agreement with described roles of basic fibroblast growth factor in astrocyte proliferation/reactivity. Results suggest that learning potentiates the effects of physical activity on trophic factor induction in select brain regions. Trophic factor involvement in behaviour may provide a molecular basis for the enhanced cognitive function associated with active lifestyles, and guide development of strategies to improve rehabilitation and successful ageing.
A novel random PWM technique with minimum computational overhead and constant sampling frequency for high-volume, low-cost applications

A novel random PWM technique for three-phase voltage-source inverters, characterized by a minimum computational overhead, a variable switching frequency, and a constant sampling frequency, is presented. The technique is based on two strategies: (1) the so-called arithmetic PWM (APWM), which yields the same switching patterns as the classic space-vector modulation, but with minimized computational effort, and (2) randomization of switching periods by variations of the delay of switching cycles with respect to corresponding sampling cycles. Simplicity of the technique, named a variable-delay random PWM (VDRPWM) method, allows its implementation in cheap, low-end processors. It makes the VDRPWM the best choke for high-volume low-cost applications, such as domestic and automotive AC drives and AC UPSs. The random aspect of the technique has a mitigating effect on the acoustic and electromagnetic noise emitted by the drive. This feature has been confirmed by experimental investigation of a 40-hp induction motor drive employing the VDRPWM.
AMOEBACIDAL EFFECTS OF SERUM FROM THE AMERICAN ALLIGATOR (ALLIGATOR MISSISSIPPIENSIS)

Treatment of axenic Naegleria gruberi cultures with alligator serum resulted in time-dependent amoebacidal activity, with measurable activity at 5 min and maximal activity occurring at 20 min. The amoebacidal activity was concentration dependent, with measurable activity at 25% serum, whereas treatment of amoebas with undiluted serum resulted in only 16% survival. The efficacy was dependent on the concentration of amoebas, with higher survival rates at high amoeba densities and lower survival rates at low amoeba densities. The amoeba-killing effects of alligator serum were broad in spectrum because the serum was effective against 3 strains of Naegleria species tested and 4 Acanthamoeba species, which have been reported to be resistant to human serum complement–mediated lysis. The amoebacidal effects of alligator serum were temperature dependent, with optimal activity at 15–30 C and a decrease in activity below 15 C and above 30 C. The amoebacidal activity of alligator serum was heat labile and protease se...
Queue Monitoring: A Delay Jitter Management Policy

This paper describes queue monitoring, a policy for managing the effect of delay jitter on audio and video in computer-based conferences. By observing delay jitter over time, this policy dynamically adjusts display latency in order to support low-latency conferences with an acceptable gap rate. Queue monitoring is evaluated by comparing it with two other policies in an empirical study of a computer-based conferencing system. Our results show that queue monitoring performs well under a variety of observed network loads.
Lingual distribution of the human glossopharyngeal nerve

Conclusion: Nineteenth century anatomical descriptions of the anterior distribution of cranial nerve (CN) IX on the dorsal tongue are contrary to current concepts. By employing Sihler's stain, we demonstrated that, in fact, CN IX projects more anteriorly than the posterior third of the tongue. This may explain why some patients whose chorda tympani branch of CN VII has been severed during middle ear surgery continue to have taste function in sectors of the anterior two-thirds of the tongue. Objective: To assess the anatomical distribution of CN IX on the lingual dorsum. Materials and methods: Three human cadaver tongues were microdissected following staining with Sihler's stain, a procedure that renders most of the tongue tissue translucent while counterstaining nerves. CN IX nerve branches were visually tracked within the tongue's dorsum. Results: Branches of CN IX were observed that extended anteriorly beyond the sulcus terminalis and the circumvallate papillae, with extensions occurring along the later...
The Security Risk and Protection of Distribution Automation System

This paper focused on the distribution automation system of information security risk in the secondary system，analyzed distribution automation system function，structure , communication and common information security protection method，proposed security reinforcement suggestions of distribution automation system, and made the next step clearly in the research direction.
NKCC activity restores muscle water during hyperosmotic challenge independent of insulin, ERK, and p38 MAPK

In isosmotic conditions, insulin stimulation of PI 3-K/Akt and p38 MAPK pathways in skeletal muscle inhibits Na+-K+-2Cl− cotransporter (NKCC) activity induced by the ERK1,2 MAPK pathway. Whether th...
Two-dimensional turbulence on the surface of a sphere

Large-scale atmospheric flow shares certain attributes with two-dimensional turbulence. In this paper, we study the effect of spherical geometry on two-dimensional turbulence. Energy transfer is multi-component in spherical geometry in contrast to energy transfer among triads of wave vectors in Cartesian geometry. It follows that energy transfer is more local in spherical than in Cartesian geometry. Enstrophy transfer to higher wavenumbers in spherical geometry is less than enstrophy transfer to higher wavenumbers in Cartesian geometry. Since both energy and enstrophy are inviscid constants of motion, the back transfer of energy is also less in spherical than in Cartesian geometry. Therefore, with a finite viscosity, enstrophy decays more slowly in spherical geometry than in Cartesian geometry. Here these conjectures are tested numerically by spectral methods. The numerical results agree well with the conjectures.
CFCs: A larger greenhouse role

The extreme sensitivity of the atmosphere to human intervention is demonstrated by new evidence of the rapidly expanding role of chlorofluorocarbons in greenhouse warming. A new study indicates that CFCs, present in just a few parts per billion in the atmosphere, are responsible for fully a quarter of greenhouse warming over the last decade, more than previously estimated. Projections suggest that if CFC production had not declined after 1974 the compounds would today be the largest single trace gas cause of climate change, responsible for nearly as much eventual warming as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide combined.
The Infrared Spectrum of Brucite [Mg(OH) 2 ]*

The infrared spectrum of single crystals of brucite [Mg(OH)2] has been examined under high resolving power between 2 and 3μ. It contains at least 16 bands most of which are shown to be OH stretching frequencies and which exhibit a variety of polarization properties. It follows that the unit cell of brucite must be much larger than had been previously assumed and that the positions of the hydrogen atoms have been incorrectly assigned from x-ray data.
Influence of Patient Preferences on the Cost-Effectiveness of Screening for Lynch Syndrome

This cost-utility analysis reports on the effect of quality of life on the value of screening all new patients with colorectal cancer for Lynch syndrome.
Heterogeneous chloroacetylation of chitosan powder in the presence of sodium bicarbonate

Because of the importance of the chloroacetyl group to carbohydrate synthesis, the objective of this work is to disclose a method that has been found useful for the heterogeneous chloroacetylation of chitosan powder in which sodium bicarbonate is used as the base for the neutralization of the acid byproduct. A series of reactions were conducted to determine the more optimal conditions under which to perform acylation. The three varied aspects of the reaction were the acylating reagent (chloroacetyl chloride and chloroacetic anhydride), the solvent (methylene chloride and N,N-dimethylformamide), and the temperature (0 or 44 °C). According to Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), the chitosan powder being refluxed in methylene chloride in the presence of chloroacetic anhydride constituted the best conditions. By incorporating these conditions and increasing the amount of the base, we obtained a chloroacetylated chitosan powder that, characterized by FTIR, solid-state cross-polarity/magic-angle spinning 13C NMR, and elemental analysis, had degrees of N- and O-chloroacetylation of 0.32 and 0.15, respectively. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 39: 4174–4181, 2001
Using Technology to Spark Reform in Preservice Education

Preservice education is in the midst of a long-awaited and muchneeded renewal, spurred by reform at the national, state, and local levels and the availability of funds to jump-start curricular restructuring. Since 1999, more than 400 demonstration projects have been awarded under the federal government’s Preparing Tomorrow’s Teachers to Use Technology Initiative. San Diego State University’s Learning Through CyberApprenticeship (LTCA), part of the first cohort of grantees, is built around a simple but challenging premise: to establish and grow a “best practices” structure that calls for preservice teachers enrolled in our “stand-alone” technology course (EdTec 470) to work directly with technologically skilled teachers in the field— creating instructional units or lessons for immediate classroom use. This article illustrates how LTCA and EdTec 470 reflect the new look of preservice education in California.
Silicon growth cones map silicon retina

We demonstrate the first fully hardware implementation of retinotopic self-organization, from photon transduction to neural map formation. A silicon retina transduces patterned illumination into correlated spike trains that drive a population of silicon growth cones to automatically wire a topographic mapping by migrating toward sources of a diffusible guidance cue that is released by postsynaptic spikes. We varied the pattern of illumination to steer growth cones projected by different retinal ganglion cell types to self-organize segregated or coordinated retinotopic maps.
Characterization of {M8[S2CC(CN)2]6}4-, where M=CuI and AgI, homocubane clusters by -plasma desorption mass spectrometry

Abstract The molecular weights of homocubane clusters, [M8L6]4− where M=CuI and AgI, containing 1,1-dicyano-ethylene-2,2-dithiolate ligands have been determined by 252 Cf -plasma desorption mass spectrometry. In addition to the expected parent ion, an unexpected pentaanionic cluster also was observed for both metal systems. These studies affirm the versatility of 252 Cf -PDMS for providing a rapid verification of the purity and formulation of high nuclearity cluster compounds.
Muscle fatigue analysis in young adults at different MVC levels using EMG metrics

Spectral parameters such as the mean and median frequencies have been documented to be reliable outcome variables for the assessment of muscle fatigue. The objective of this paper is to examine young subjects' surface electromyography (EMG) signals at different levels of maximum voluntary contractions (MVC) and to analyze spectral shifts in mean and median frequencies (MNF, MDF). In this study, continuous stream of EMG data sets from lower extremity muscles are used to characterize muscular fatigue from minimum to maximum MVC level. EMG data were recorded from the biceps brachii muscles during isometric contraction at constant torque levels using automated dynamometer. EMG metrics such as MNF, MDF, root mean square (RMS), and rectified root mean square (RRMS) were computed to assess muscle fatigue patterns.
Operational Solution of A-C Machines

In this paper the complete solution of a polyphase machine is developed using the 2-reaction theory, and applications are made quantitatively to a particular machine, showing the application of the solution under several conditions.
A new criterion to diagnose wide-complex tachycardia: The quest for a simple, efficient diagnostic marker

Wide complex tachycardia (WCT) is a rhythm disturbance with a heart rate 100 beats/min and QRS duration 120 ms. An accurate and timely diagnosis of the underlying rhythm is crucial because the most common cause of WCT is ventricular tachycardia, and inappropriate treatment can lead to devastating consequences. The differential diagnosis of WCT includes supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) with pre-existing or functional bundle branch block (BBB), pre-excitation, drug- and electrolyte-induced QRS widening, and ventricular tachycardia. 1,2 A bewildering number of electrocardiographic (ECG) criteria and other stepwise algorithms have been described for the differential diagnosis of regular WCTs. ECG guidelines using QRS morphology, QRS duration, QRS axis, atrioventricular dissociation, fusion beats, absence of precordial RS complex, QRS concordance, presence of initial R wave in lead aVR, and estimation of initial and terminal ventricular activation velocity ratio (vi/vt) have been reported with varying degrees of sensitivity and specificity. 3-6 Most of the existing morphologic criteria favoring ventricular tachycardia have been noted to be present in a substantial number of patients with intraventricular conduction defect (IVCD) during sinus rhythm as described by Alberca et al. 7 The algorithms are complex, use multiple steps, and often require expert judgment and are still prone to errors. In this edition of the Journal, Pava et al 8 propose a new simple criterion to discriminate VT from SVT in patients with WCT. They analyzed 218 wide complex tachycardia
Scattering from 3-dimensional discontinuities in microwave transmission lines

A material body with complex constitutive parameter values mu and epsilon located in a stripline, partially filling it, represents a 3-D scattering problem. This problem is solved by the reaction method, yielding the configuration's scattering parameters. An approach is presented in which the scattered fields are expanded in terms of the empty stripline eigenmodes, which are calculated numerically using the finite-element method. These basis modes are then coupled in the volume of the material discontinuity by an application of the reciprocity theorem. An iterative procedure then enables the determination of mu and epsilon from the measured values of the S-parameters. >
Chaos/Complexity Science and Second Language Acquisition

There are many striking similarities between the new science of chaos/complex-ity and second language acquisition (SLA) Chaos/complexity scientists studycomplex nonlinear systems They are interested in how disorder gives way toorder, of how complexity arises in nature 'To some physicists chaos is a scienceof process rather than state, of becoming rather than being' (Gleick 1987 5) Itwill be argued that the study of dynamic, complex nonlinear systems ismeaningful in SLA as well Although the new science of chaos/complexityhas been hailed as a major breakthrough in the physical sciences, some believeits impact on the more human disciplines will be as immense ( Waldrop 1992)This belief will be affirmed by demonstrating how the study of complexnonlinear systems casts several enduring SLA conundrums in a new lightINTRODUCTIONScience exists to explain the fundamental order underlying nature The mostvalued explanations have taken the form of cause and effect linkages Forexample, Isaac Newton was able to find a cause for the movement of the starsin his simple laws of motion and theory of gravity Faith in science to accountfor such a deterministic universe inspired French mathematician Pierre Simonde Laplace to claim that if scientists knew the positions and velocities of all theparticles in the universe, they would be able to predict the future for all time(Hall 1993)Two major developments in the twentieth century have laid rest to suchclaims The first was Heisenberg's uncertainty principle, introduced intoquantum physics to describe the limits to which anything at the quantumlevel could be known for certain Laplace's claim rested on the condition thatscientists be able to measure the position and velocities of all particles in theuniverse Hei sen berg demonstrated that at the quantum or subatomic levelscientists can ascertain either the position or the momentum of a particle, butnot both simultaneously, making prediction impossibleThe second development discrediting Laplace's claim came more recentlywith the discovery of another kind of unpredictability in nature—the unpre-dictability which accompanies much larger, more complex, nonlinear systemsFor instance, it is well known that such global phenomena as the weather donot lend themselves to trustworthy forecasts, not at least at the proximate, locallevel It had always been assumed, however, that such forecasts wouldultimately be possible when meteorology or the instruments employed in its
Weighting for Adequacy (Commentary)

A report released in June by the Thomas B. Fordham Institute sheds much-needed light on a problem that has been largely overlooked in the debates over school finance: funding inequities between schools rather than districts. ("Call for ‘Weighted’ Student Funding Gets Bipartisan Stamp of Approval," July 12, 2006.)
The Effect of Stone Content, Size, and Shape on the Engineering Properties of a Compacted Silty Clay

Large samples of a homogeneous silty clay (CL) of glacial origin and crushed limestone aggregate were obtained to study the compaction characteristics of clay-stone mixtures containing varying proportions of aggregate. Three size gradations of limestone aggregate (#10–#4 sieve, #4–1/2 in., and 1/2 in–3/4 in.) were each admixed with dried clay in 10 percent by weight increments from 10–80 percent. Limestone aggregate, subrounded in an abrasion apparatus, was mixed with the same clay in similar proportions to study the effect of stone shape. The clay-stone mixtures were then compacted by standard Proctor method to determine maximum dry density, optimum moisture content, and void ratio of each mix. Additionally, permeability and unconfined compressive strength tests were conducted on mixtures compacted to a minimum of 95 percent maximum dry density and at ±2 percent optimum water content. Results show that there is an increase in maximum dry density and a corresponding decrease in void ratio as the stone content of a clay-aggregate mixture increases to 60–70 percent by weight regardless of stone size or shape. Permeability is generally not affected for up to 50 percent stone content, but increases 4 to 5 orders of magnitude between 50–70 percent stone. Unconfined compressive strength generally decreases with increasing stone content and stone size. The study shows that the addition of small size stone in small proportions can help improve the density of compacted silty clays without appreciably affecting other properties.
Salen Promoted Enantioselective Nazarov Cyclizations of Activated and Unactivated Dienones

A novel class of chiral 5,5'-di(2,4,6-trialkyl)aryl salen-metal complexes have been developed and shown to catalyze highly enantioselective Nazarov cyclization reactions, giving rise to cyclopentenoids in 90:10-98:2 er. Significantly, the catalysts also promote, for the first time, highly enantioselective Nazarov reactions of "unactivated" dienones, producing hydrindenone products having in place three contiguous chiral centers.
Abstract 4355: Use of MnSOD tet on transgenic mice as a model for evaluating irradiation protection and mitigation

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) is a mitochondrial enzyme responsible for the dismutation or reduction of superoxide produced by cellular respiration. Absence of MnSOD is lethal two to three days after birth. Following irradiation there is an increase in superoxide production which combined with nitric oxide can result in the formation of the highly reactive radical peroxynitrite. Increased expression of MnSOD in a cell increases survival by the reduction of superoxide produced following irradiation. Decreased MnSOD production has resulted in decreased survival following irradiation. To better understand the role of MnSOD in cellular respiration as well as protecting the cell from irradiation damage, we have developed a MnSOD tet on mouse which has no MnSOD activity. In the absence of doxycycline the homozygous MnSOD tet on mouse does not survive past 2 or 3 days after birth. If doxycycline (2 µg/ml) is added to the water of heterozygous mothers, the MnSOD tet on mice develop normally and are fertile as long as they remain on the doxycycline treated water. Long term bone marrow cultures (LTBMCs) were established from homozygous MnSOD tet on mice, heterozygous tet on mice and control C57BL/6J mice. The cultures from the control mice had more hematopoietic cell activity than the MnSOD tet on cultures. To determine when the MnSOD gene is turned on after addition of doxocycline, bone marrow stromal cell lines were developed from the LTBMCs were incubated in 1 µg doxocycline/ml media for time points up to 24 hr, RNA was extracted and RT-PCR for the MnSOD transgene was performed. By 12 hours there was an increase in MnSOD RNA expression in the MnSOD tet on cells. Removal of the doxycycline resulted in a decrease in MnSOD RNA by 1 hr in the MnSOD tet on cells as well as the heteroxyzous cells. This mouse model will be useful for testing new compounds for radiation protection and mitigation. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4355. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-4355
Trophic control of fishless ponds by tiger salamander larvae

We examined the extent to which predation by larval tiger salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum nebulosum) affected lower trophic levels in fishless ponds in montane eastcentral Arizona. An enclosure experiment manipulating salamander densities showed that effects associated with larval presence can cascade downward through three trophic levels in environments of low complexity. Enclosures with larvae contained comparatively lower herbivorous zooplankton biomasses and densities, higher chlorophyll a concentrations, and lower orthophosphate levels than those without larvae. Relative frequency of zooplankton species also varied significantly among enclosure treatments. Cyclopoid copepod frequencies were higher in treatments with salamanders than without, while ostracods were found only in treatments without salamanders. Salamander presence negatively affected cladoceran abundance and influenced cladoceran species composition. Proportions of both Ceriodaphnia quadrangula and Simocephalus vetulus were significantly greater in treatments without salamanders than in treatments with salamanders. Although Daphnia pulex frequencies were similar in enclosures with cladocerans across treatments, individuals were on average larger and biomasses were greater in enclosures without salamanders than they were in enclosures with salamanders. Trophic interactions analyzed from our survey of 14 ponds, however, were most often uncorrelated, and the few top-down effects exerted by salamanders were limited to contiguous trophic links below them. Densities of only one zooplankter, ostracods, and two taxa of macroinvertebrates, Baetis spp. mayflies and odonate larvae, were negatively related to salamander density. In contrast, benthic chironomid densities correlated positively with salamander density. However, in the two salamander-free ponds surveyed, we observed a distinct pattern of alternating responses of trophic levels that paralleled those in enclosure treatments without salamanders. Although modulating factors operate in ponds to complicate salamander impacts, salamanders have discernible direct and indirect effects on pond trophic webs.
Inactivation of the small GTPase Rho disrupts cellular attachment and induces adhesion-dependent and adhesion-independent apoptosis.

Rho small GTPases regulate a variety of cellular signaling pathways involved in cell growth and transformation. In this study, we examined potential roles for Rho in adhesion-dependent and -independent pathways regulating apoptosis. Rho GTPases are specifically inactivated by exoenzyme C3 (C3) of Clostridium botulinum. Using a novel Sindbis virus-based gene expression system, we created a double subgenomic recombinant (dsSIN:C3) capable of expressing active C3 in intact cells. Infection of L929 fibroblasts with dsSIN:C3 caused essentially complete ADP-ribosylation of intracellular Rho within 1 h. dsSIN:C3-infected cells also became rounded within 1 – 2 h and detached by 5 h post-infection. Infection of L929 in suspension with dsSIN:C3 disrupted the ability for normal cellular attachment and spreading. Infection of primary cell explants of chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEF) and rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RSM) with dsSIN:C3 caused cytoskeletal effects similar to those seen in L929. We also observed that C3 markedly decreased the basal phosphorylation state of focal adhesion kinase (FAK). Most intriguingly, we found that dsSIN-based expression of C3 or loss of function mutants of Rho could each induce apoptosis and, in RSM, this effect was observed to be adhesion-independent. Rho GTPases, therefore, appear to regulate signal pathways that are required for cell survival and growth that are separate from, but likely overlap with, Rho-dependent pathways involved in cellular adhesion.
North Carolina's preparation for gaining the benefits and meeting the requirements of national health care reform

Passage and signing of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) have not ended the debate about the best way to guarantee access to affordable health care. While the debate continues, the responsibilities of US states to implement the provisions of the ACA remain a reality, pending congressional action or court decisions to the contrary.