Restructuring Programming Instruction in the Computer Information Systems Curriculum: One Department\u27s Approach

The rationale for and details of one Computer Information Systems (CIS) department\u27s plans for a drastic restructuring of the CIS curriculum are presented. The proposed approach is compared with current and developing model curricula for both computer science (CS) and computer information systems programs. The new curriculum\u27s approach to information systems construction is characterized by delivering training in the use of fourth generation development tools, the assembly of software components, event-driven programming and client/server practices. The development tools, the programming environment and the client interface are all equipped with a graphical user interface (GUI)

Deletion of Tsc2 in nociceptors reduces target innervation, ion channel expression, and sensitivity to heat

AbstractThe mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) is known to regulate cellular growth pathways, and its genetic activation is sufficient to enhance regenerative axon growth following injury to the central or peripheral nervous systems. However, excess mTORC1 activation may promote innervation defects, and mTORC1 activity mediates injury-induced hypersensitivity, reducing enthusiasm for the pathway as a therapeutic target. While mTORC1 activity is required for full expression of some pain modalities, the effects of pathway activation on nociceptor phenotypes and sensory behaviors are currently unknown. To address this, we genetically activated mTORC1 in mouse peripheral sensory neurons by conditional deletion of its negative regulator Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 2 (Tsc2). Consistent with the well-known role of mTORC1 in regulating cell size, soma size and axon diameter of C-nociceptors were increased in Tsc2-deleted mice. Glabrous skin and spinal cord innervation by C-fiber neurons were also disrupted. Transcriptional profiling of nociceptors enriched by fluorescence-associated cell sorting (FACS) revealed downregulation of multiple classes of ion channels as well as reduced expression of markers for peptidergic nociceptors in Tsc2-deleted mice. In addition to these changes in innervation and gene expression, Tsc2-deleted mice exhibited reduced noxious heat sensitivity and decreased injury-induced cold hypersensitivity, but normal baseline sensitivity to cold and mechanical stimuli. Together, these data show that excess mTORC1 activity in sensory neurons produces changes in gene expression, neuron morphology and sensory behavior.</jats:p

Optimal, reliable estimation of quantum states

Accurately inferring the state of a quantum device from the results of measurements is a crucial task in building quantum information processing hardware. The predominant state estimation procedure, maximum likelihood estimation (MLE), generally reports an estimate with zero eigenvalues. These cannot be justified. Furthermore, the MLE estimate is incompatible with error bars, so conclusions drawn from it are suspect. I propose an alternative procedure, Bayesian mean estimation (BME). BME never yields zero eigenvalues, its eigenvalues provide a bound on their own uncertainties, and it is the most accurate procedure possible. I show how to implement BME numerically, and how to obtain natural error bars that are compatible with the estimate. Finally, I briefly discuss the differences between Bayesian and frequentist estimation techniques.Comment: RevTeX; 14 pages, 2 embedded figures. Comments enthusiastically welcomed

4f-hybridization effect on the magnetism of Nd2PdSi3, an anomalous magnetic compound

Among the members of the series R2PdSi3 (R= Rare-earths), the magnetic behavior of the Nd compound is interesting in some respects. This compound is considered to order ferromagnetically (below 16 K), unlike other members of this series which order antiferromagnetically. In addition, magnetic ordering temperature (To) is significantly enhanced with respect to de Gennes scaled value. In order to understand the magnetism of this compound better, we have investigated the magnetic behavior in detail (under external pressure as well) and also of its solid solutions based on substitutions at Nd and at Si sites, viz., on the series, Nd(2-x)(Y,La)(x)PdSi(3-y)Ge(y) (x, y= 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, and 1.2) by bulk measurements. The results overall establish that Nd2PdSi3 orders ferromagnetically below 16 K, but antiferromagnetic component seems to set in at very low temperatures. Notably, there is a significant suppression of To for Y and Ge substitutions, compared to La substitution, for a given magnitude of unit-cell volume change, however qualitatively correlating with the separation between the layers of Nd and Pd-Si(Ge). On the basis of this observation, we conclude that 4f(Nd) hybridization plays a major role on the magnetism of the former solid solutions. To our knowledge, this work serves as a rare demonstration of 4f-hybridization effects on the magnetism of a Nd-based intermetallic compound.Comment: PRB November 2011 (accepted

Magnetic susceptibilities, specific heat, and crystal structure of four S = 3/2, three-dimensional antiferromagnets

The zero-field, ac magnetic susceptibilities of single crystals of four S=3/2 trigonal salts containing the tris(1,2-diaminoethane)chromium(III) cation, [Cr(en)3]3+, and heat-capacity measurements on one of them, [Na(OH2)6][Cr(en)3]2Cl7, are reported. The crystal structures of two of them, [Na(OH2)6][Cr(en3]2Cl7 and [Na(OH)2)6][Cr(en)3]2Br6Cl, have been determined. They both belong to the trigonal P3¯cl space group, with a=11.513(2), c=15.566(6) Å; Z=2; and a=11.740(5), c=16.008(9) Å; Z=2, respectively, and contain discrete octahedral hexaquasodium (i) cations. The salt [K(OH2)6][Cr(en)3]2Cl7 appears to be isomorphous with its sodium analog, and [Cr(en)3]Cl3·3H2O belongs to the same space group. The magnetic measurements on the four salts extend over the temperature interval 60 mK to 4.2 K, and antiferromagnetic ordering is found in all of them. The zero-field-splitting energy is of the same order of magnitude as the magnetic exchange energy. The susceptibility data have been fitted with the parameters 2D/kB=-0.091(8) K, g?=1.994, g¿=1.988, and zJ/kB=-0.061(2) K for [Cr(en)3]Cl3·3H2O; 2D/kB=-0.058(8) K, g?=2.01, g¿=2.00, and zJ/kB=-0.068(4) K for [Na(OH2)6][Cr(en)3]2Cl7; 2D/kB =-0.060(8) K, g?=1.993, g¿=1.951, and zJ/kB=-0.046(4) K for [K(OH2)6][Cr(en)3]2Cl7; and 2D/kB=+0.064(8) K, g?=2.001, g¿=1.991, and zJ/kB=-0.066(4) K for [Na(OH2)6][Cr(en)3]2Br6Cl, where longitudinal (¿) and transverse (¿) refer to the unique threefold crystallographic axis. The ordering temperatures are 0.124(5), 0.116(5), 0.093(5), and 0.112(5) K, respectively. The easy axis for the chloride compounds lies parallel to the longitudinal axis, whereas the easy axis for the bromide lies in the transverse plane. Heat-capacity measurements on [Na(OH2)6][Cr(en)3]2Cl7 confirm that magnetic ordering takes place at 0.112(5) K. The heat-capacity curve and magnetic entropy calculations agree with the three-dimensional character of the ordering of an S=3/2, effective bcc magnetic lattice

Solving spin quantum-master equations with matrix continued-fraction methods: application to superparamagnets

We implement continued-fraction techniques to solve exactly quantum master equations for a spin with arbitrary S coupled to a (bosonic) thermal bath. The full spin density matrix is obtained, so that along with relaxation and thermoactivation, coherent dynamics is included (precession, tunnel, etc.). The method is applied to study isotropic spins and spins in a bistable anisotropy potential (superparamagnets). We present examples of static response, the dynamical susceptibility including the contribution of the different relaxation modes, and of spin resonance in transverse fields.Comment: Resubmitted to J. Phys. A: Math. Gen. Some rewriting here and there. Discussion on positivity in App.D3 at request of one refere

Human eosinophil-airway smooth muscle cell interactions.

Eosinophils are present throughout the airway wall of asthmatics. The nature of the interaction between human airway smooth muscle cells (ASMC) and eosinophils was investigated in this study. We demonstrated, using light microscopy, that freshly isolated eosinophils from healthy donors rapidly attach to ASMC in vitro. Numbers of attached eosinophils were highest at 2 h, falling to 50% of maximum by 20 h. Eosinophil attachment at 2 h was reduced to 72% of control by anti-VCAM-1, and to 74% at 20 h by anti-ICAM-1. Pre-treatment of ASMC for 24h with TNF-alpha, 10 nM, significantly increased eosinophil adhesion to 149 and 157% of control after 2 and 20 h. These results provide evidence that eosinophil interactions with ASMC involve VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 and are modulated by TNF-alpha