The Rhetoric of Documentation: Two Approaches

In an attempt to clarify how a beginner who has not yet mastered a software program is to learn to use word processing programs, this thesis examines two examples, WordPerfect and W.W. Norton\u27s TEXTRA from the standpoint of their documentation. Software developers have adopted conflicting rhetorical strategies in their documentation: some have sought clear instruction via a rule-based rhetoric with a reliance on jargon-free standard English, and others have pursued an inferential rhetoric. These two strategies parallel two models in modern communications theory: a decoding model and an inferential model. WordPerfect seems to follow a decoding (rule-based) approach and TEXTRA seems to follow an inferential approach. An examination of the rhetorical environment of the documentation is a useful strategy for determining the complexity of the program and the complexity of learning how to use it

High resolution studies of the origins of polyatomic ions in inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry

Common polyatomic ions (NO+, H2O +, ArN+, etc.) in inductively coupled plasma - mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) are identified using high mass resolution and studied using gas kinetic temperatures (Tgas) determined from a dissociation reaction approach. Methods for making accurate mass measurements, confirming ion identifications, and correcting for mass bias are discussed. The effects of sampler and skimmer cone composition and extraction voltage on polyatomic ion formation are also explored. Neutral species densities at several locations in the extraction interface are estimated and the corresponding effects of the Tgas value are calculated. The results provide information about the origins of background ions and indicate possible locations for their formation or removal;A joint experimental and computational approach is used on N2H + and a COHx+ series. Novel calculations are performed to determine the energies and partition functions of the ions. These values are combined with experimental data to evaluate a Tgas value for the proposed reaction. The examination of N2H + and HCO+ lead to a calculated Tgas of 4550 to 4900 K. The evaluation of H2CO+ leads to a much lower Tgas (\u3c1000 to 2000 K). Finally, the dissociation of H3CO+ generates a Tgas value between those from the other HxCO+ ions studied here. All of these calculated Tgas values correspond to formation of extra polyatomic ion in the interface or extraction region. The calculations reveal the existence of isomers such as HCO+ and COH+, and H2CO+ and HCOH+, which complicate the interpretation of results;Chromium polyatomic ions in ICP-MS are studied, including CrOH +, CrO2+, CrO2H+, CrO2H2+, CrO3+, CrO3H+, and CrO3H2 +. Accurate m/z measurements are made of these previously unidentified ions. Ion identities are confirmed using isotope ratios. The prevalence of these species is found to be independent of the oxidation state of chromium introduced into the ICP. Elements surrounding chromium on the periodic table are also studied. Results indicate that chromium is unique in its polyatomic ion formation. Finally, dissociation constants are evaluated to determine a Tgas for these chromium ions that is thought to describe the location of ion formation in the ICP-MS device

A Student\u27s Reflections on Service: What Is Service? Why Serve?

There is an old story about an ancient Greek philosopher named Thales. According to this tale, Thales was looking to the stars as he walked about Athens, attempting to answer certain troubling philosophical questions. He became so engaged in thought that he didn\u27t even notice the well he was approaching. Needless to say, Thales. one of the most brilliant of ancient Greek philosophers. fell into the well and became the butt of many Athenian jokes. His head was so lost in the clouds, some said, that he didn\u27t even notice the world around him

The Misgivings of a Pop Culture Enthusiast: On the intersection of philosophy and entertainment

In recent years, dozens of books on philosophy and popular culture have been published. These books have been subjected to a number of criticisms in a number of venues—including other popular philosophy venues. In this paper, I will examine several versions of the criticism that such endeavors are frivolous entertainment. I will argue that, though most of these criticisms do not stand up to scrutiny, they nevertheless express a legitimate worry about the intercourse of philosophy and entertainment. This, I contend, is a criticism the ‘philosophy and popular culture’ genre must live with—and one that cannot easily be dismissed

Systemic dizocilpine (MK-801) facilitates performance in opposition to response bias

Previous research has established that dopamine signals are crucial in orienting behavior to reward. Less is known, however, about the psychopharmacology of task performance under small-reward conditions as compared to large-reward conditions. The current study examined the effects of the noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-receptor antagonist dizocilpine (MK-801) on reaction time (RT) in a nose-poke task with rats completing an asymmetric reward schedule. In all trials, the rats were required to poke their nose in either the left or the right peripheral hole immediately adjacent to the centre hole when the corresponding light was illuminated. Depending on the stimulus-reward mapping, however, one position was associated with a large reward, while the alternative position was associated with a small reward. Correct performance was required in every trial; if the rat did not make a correct response within 20 s, the trial was aborted, and the same stimulus was presented again on the next trial. In this way, the rat was forced to perform the same visuo-spatial discrimination task under different reward conditions. Reaction times (ms) were faster for large-reward trials than for small-reward trials, replicating previous findings. At a dosage of MK-801 (0.04 mg/kg), there was no significant influence of on RT in large-reward trials. In contrast, the same dosage of MK-801 in small-reward trials produced a decrease in RT as compared to the control condition, implying an improvement of performance. Below 0.04 mg/kg of MK-801, a steady decrease of RT in small-trials was seen as a function of dosage. Above 0.04 mg/kg of MK-801, the majority of rats failed to perform the task at all, whereas the rats that did manage to perform the criterion of 80 correct trials in a session showed no difference in RT between large- and small-reward trials. These data indicate that the systemic administration of a relatively small dosage of MK-801 facilitates performance when reward is small. It is suggested that the facilitation may be due to the reinforcement of mechanisms that work in opposition to response bias. As a corollary, the study provides a useful paradigm to study the voluntary control of unavoidable action

Environmental Isocyanate-Induced Asthma: Morphologic and Pathogenetic Aspects of an Increasing Occupational Disease

Occupational diseases affect more and more people every year. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), in 2000 an estimated amount of at least 160 million people became ill as a result of occupational-related hazards or injuries. Globally, occupational deaths, diseases and injuries account for an estimated loss of 4% of the Gross Domestic Product. Important substances that are related to occupational diseases are isocyanates and their products. These substances, which are used in a lot of different industrial processes, are not only toxic and irritant, but also allergenic. Although the exposure to higher concentrations could be monitored and restricted by technical means, very low concentrations are difficult to monitor and may, over time, lead to allergic reactions in some workers, ending in an occupational disease. In order to prevent the people from sickening, the mechanisms underlying the disease, by patho-physiological and genetical means, have to be known and understood so that high risk groups and early signs in the development of an allergic reaction could be detected before the exposure to isocyanates leads to an occupational disease. Therefore, this paper reviews the so far known facts concerning the patho-physiologic appearance and mechanisms of isocyanate-associated toxic reactions and possible genetic involvement that might trigger the allergic reactions

Impulsive fluidization of bi-disperse mixture in an expanding volume

Thesis (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 1994.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 84-85).by Michael Giles Wisnewski.M.S

Heidegger, Arthur Fine, and the Natural Ontological Attitude

In this paper I argue that Arthur Fine and Martin Heidegger present responses to the dispute between realism and antirealism that are remarkably close in character. Both claim that this dispute arises from a failure to take seriously our everyday experience of things in the world. I argue that it is useful to note the similarity between Fine and Heidegger for two distinct reasons: 1) their view provides a viable alternative to the current realist/antirealist dispute–an alternative that has not been given its due, and 2) it allows us to build a bridge between two seemingly distinct traditions

Cytokeratin Autoantibodies: Useful Serologic Markers for Toluene Diisocyanate-Induced Asthma

To evaluate the clinical significance of autoantibodies to three major epithelial cytokeratins (CK) - CK8, CK18, and CK19 - we compared 66 patients with toluene diisocyanate (TDI)-induced asthma (group I) with three control groups: 169 asymptomatic exposed subjects (group II), 64 patients with allergic asthma (group III), and 123 unexposed healthy subjects (group IV). Serum IgG, specific for human recombinant CKs, were measured by ELISA (enzyme linked immunosorbent assay), and ELISA inhibition tests were performed. The existence of these antibodies was confirmed by IgG immunoblot analysis. Anti-TDI-HSA (human serum albumin) IgE and IgG antibodies were measured by ELISA in the same set of the patients. The prevalence of CK8, CK18, and CK19 auotantibodies in group I was significantly higher than in the other three groups. Results of the ELISA inhibition test showed significant inhibition with the addition of three CKs in a dose-dependent manner. No significant association was found between CK autoantibodies and the prevalence of anti-TDI-HSA IgG and IgE antibodies. These results suggest that autoantibodies to CK18 and CK19 can be used as serologic markers for identifying patients with TDI-induced asthma among exposed workers

Examining the Relationship between Intersection Density and the Priorities of those Traveling the Intersection

An intersection without a traffic light could be a potentially dangerous place to travel through depending on the mindsets of the of the travelers within it. When travelers are traversing an intersection, they generally have one of two different mindsets that influence the actions they do. One mindset they could have is being focused on saving time as they travel the intersection, causing them to take actions that speed them through while the other is being focused on one’s own safety and taking actions that follow the rules of the intersection to keep themselves and others around them out of accidents. Which mindset a traveler has as they travel through the intersection depends largely on how full the intersection is with other cars and pedestrians. This thesis creates an agent-based model to simulate an intersection found on Monroe Ave. on the Oregon State University campus. This model is then used in a series of tests that fills the model with various numbers of agents to test how the intersection runs under various intersection densities. Data is recorded from each test and fitted onto line graphs which are then compared to each other to look for the approximate density where the mindset of a traveler should switch from being focused on saving time to being focused on personal safety. A conclusion was reached after testing the model under five different density levels and comparing the line graphs from the data gathered from those tests to look for the ideal behavior that the target density would have exhibited. Key Words: intersection, agent-based modeling system, intersection simulatio