Data-logging: effects on practical science

Abstract This paper describes an investigation into the processes and effects of using electronic data-logging in practical science. A pilot study of classical laboratory work in schools was compared with similar tasks performed with data-logging systems. A more detailed exploration of pupils' performance was then conducted through an extensive series of observations in a range of secondary schools. The results reinforce previous indications of the potential benefits of data-logging, but such benefits must be viewed in the curriculum context of the type of measurement activity and the pedagogical context of teaching and learning objectives. The paper concludes with a discussion of the latter issues.     

Differences in risk factors for being either a hepatitis B carrier or anti-hepatitis C+ in a hepatoma-hyperendemic area in rural Taiwan

This is a study of the differences in the risk factors for being either hepatitis B surface antigen positive [HBsAg(+)] or antibody to hepatitis C virus positive [Anti-HCV(+)] in A-Lein, a rural area in southern Taiwan, an area which also has a high hepatoma mortality rate. Three hundred eighty-five patients age > or =40 years participated in hepatoma screening at the A-Lein Community Health Center during 1995. Those who were HBsAg(-) and anti-HCV(-) or had coinfection of HBsAg(+) and anti-HCV(+) were excluded, leaving 293 patients: 109 HBsAg(+) and 184 anti-HCV(+). The anti-HCV(+) patients had a lower socioeconomic status (as defined by level of education and type of occupation) and were older than HBsAg(+) patients (P < 0.05). Those with higher alanine aminotransferase levels (ALT) also had a higher anti-HCV(+) to HBsAg(+) odds ratio (OR), and a dose response relationship was found, P < 0.0001. Anti-HCV(+) patients were more likely than HBsAg(+) patients to have a spouse who shared the infection, OR = 5.11; 95% CI, 2.30-11.28. Anti-HCV(+) patients were more likely than HBsAg(+) patients to have had blood transfusions (OR = 2.66; 95% CI, 1.20-5.89), frequent medical injections (OR = 2.64; 95% CI, 1.62-4.31), or injections by non-licensed medical providers (OR = 1.91; 95% CI, 1.18-3.09). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the significant factors for anti-HCV(+) patients vs. HBsAg(+) patients are drinking habit (OR = 3.45; 95% CI, 1.02-11.60), age (OR = 6.33; 95% CI, 2.93-13.68), and frequent medical injections (OR = 2.88; 95% CI, 1.65-5.03). The transmission of hepatitis C in A-Lein is closely related to low socioeconomic status, age, alcohol abuse, spouses being anti-HCV(+), and frequent medical injections, especially from non-licensed medical providers, including both pharmacists and those with no medical licensing whatsoever. These nonlicensed medical providers sometimes reuse needles to save money, which is a likely route of infection.     

Inhibitory effects of centrally administered somatostatin on the adrenal zona glomerulosa in male rats

Segmental zoster paresis (SZP) is the focal, asymmetrical neurogenic weakness which may occur in a limb affected by cutaneous zoster. We have summarized the features of this syndrome, based on a retrospective review of 8 personal and 96 published cases. Limb SZP becomes apparent in at least 3-5% of patients with cutaneous zoster, who are usually over the age of sixty and weak proximally (C5,6,7 or L2,3,4 innervated muscles). Functional motor recovery occurs in about 75% of cases, generally by 1-2 years. Limb weakness is probably due to a lesion of the ventral nerve root, in close proximity to the initiating dorsal ganglionitis. The electrodiagnostic findings, scarce in the literature, typically consist of absent compound sensory nerve action potentials in the involved limb, with less frequent reduction or loss of compound muscle action potentials. Fibrillations and positive sharp waves become detectable within 1-4 months in limb and related paraspinal muscles, decreasing or disappearing later. In addition to this radiculopathy, peripheral nerves may also occasionally become involved, manifest as mononeuropathies of the median, ulnar, long thoracic, recurrent laryngeal, and phrenic nerves. The zoster infection or consequent inflammatory response appears able to affect motor axons distally as well as proximally.     

Hepatic and pancreatic effects of polyenoylphosphatidylcholine in rats with alloxan-induced diabetes

In neonatally allylestrenol treated animals in adult age a single benzpyrene treatment significantly decreases the female and significantly increases the male rat's sexual activity. Three month old females display the negative sexual behavioral effect of neonatal allylestrenol treatment less than the six month old ones. The benzpyrene treatment in adult age decreases the sexual activity of male rats. The experiments call the attention to the modifying effect of perinatal steroid treatments to similar exposure in adult age.     

Composition of lithium aluminoborosilicate glass and abrasive

The properties of glasses of the lithium-aluminoborosilicate system were investigated, namely, the density, spreadability, thermal expansion, and nature of crystallized phases at various temperatures. A crystal-optical analysis was conducted. The glasses were used to prepare abrasive compositions. Their strength properties were studied as a function of the composition of the glass binder and the regime of heat treatment.Translated from Steklo i Keramika, No. 3, pp. 27–30, March, 1996.     

Prospects for evolution to the target integrated broadbandcommunications network

This paper summarises the consolidated results of the collaborative research carried out within the workpackage `Evolution prospects and framework' (EPF) of the Project RACE 1044: IBC development and implementation strategies. The workpackage has provided pointers to the most suitable paths for evolution towards the target IBC (integrated broadband communications) reference configuration based on detailed analysis of the relevant demand-cost models. The work carried out within the workpackage is described and an overview given of the results achieved and of their exploitation within and outside the RACE community     

Cost-benefit analysis of power system reliability: two utility casestudies

There is an emerging recognition that utility investments and other decisions that affect electric service reliability should be explicitly evaluated on the basis of their cost and benefit implications. A cost-benefit approach that quantifies the reliability benefits of alternatives in terms of the reduction in costs resulting from unserved energy enables the evaluation of generation and transmission capacity additions on a consistent, economic basis. This approach has been applied to two utility case studies. In a case study for Pacific Gas and Electric Company, it was used to evaluate three options for maintaining reliability in a major load center-two involving local generation, and the third, a new 230 kV transmission connection. In a case study for Duke Power Company, the approach was used to evaluate alternative designs for proposed additions to a transmission station. This paper describes the methodology and presents the two utility studies     

Evaluation of Textile Bobbins Drying Processes: Experimental and Modelling Studies

Drying of textile bobbins was carried out on two kinds of laboratory-scale dryers: in a cross circulation drying rig, atmospheric pressure heating air is used, while in the through circulation drying apparatus, the heating air is pressurized before the drying process takes place. In both cases, a bobbin was fitted with seven thermocouples, placed in a plane normal to the bobbin axis but at different radial distances, in order to provide temperature data during the drying process. In cross circulation drying, plots of temperature against time indicated the presence of two moving fronts, one starting from inside the bobbin, another from the outside, while in through circulation drying, similar plots showed the presence of an evaporation front, moving from inside the bobbin to the outside. In both canes, numerical models were developed to simulate the drying processes.