cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
When Diversity and Dollars Collide: Challenges for Higher Education

The challenges of meeting the needs of diverse students have long been recognized in higher education. As many institutions wrestle with austere budgets, however, diversity programs are struggling to maintain their effectiveness amidst financial rescissions. This climate of austerity coincides with demographic predictions for an increasingly diverse student body. This article outlines the challenges and offers ideas for institutions to enhance learning for contemporary students, even in the midst of fiscal challenges. These ideas go beyond the simple prioritization of diversity programs to propose ideas for institutional transformation to meet the needs of a diverse student body.
Factors affecting sensory input in the cat: Modification of evoked auditory potentials by reticular formation

Abstract 1. 1. Peripherally evoked potentials at most sites in the auditory pathway in unanesthetized, unrestrained cats were lower in amplitude during both high voltage slow and low voltage fast sleep than during drowsiness or relaxed wakefulness. However, only during LVF sleep was the potential at dorsal cochlear nucleus reduced. 2. 2. Changes in recording sites and intensity of the auditory stimulus influenced the responsiveness of potentials to the change in level of wakefulness. 3. 3. Reticular-auditory interaction varied with behavioral state, sites of stimulation and recording and intensities of the interacting stimuli. 4. 4. In the drowsy state stimulation of reticular formation consistantly reduced the amplitude of response to click. 5. 5. During sleep a threshold stimulus to reticular formation either did not change or enhance auditory potentials while a suprathreshold stimulus reduced them. 6. 6. Effects were shown to be independant of middle ear muscle contraction.
The “Ethics of Social Ideas” Versus The “Ethics of Marketing Social Ideas”

Can the public make a distinction between the “ethics of social ideas” versus the “ethics of marketing social ideas”? This question was empirically assessed via a survey research design. The evidence strongly suggests that individuals cannot totally separate the social idea from the marketing technique used to promote the idea. Also it was found that some social issues are more likely to foster strong ethical concerns than others. The implications of this research are discussed.
The occurrence and geochemistry of arsenic in groundwaters of the Newark basin of Pennsylvania

Abstract Elevated As concentrations in groundwater in the eastern United States have been recognized predominantly in the accretionary geologic terranes of northern New England. A retrospective examination of more than 18,000 existing groundwater samples from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) Drinking Water and Sampling Information System database indicates that elevated groundwater As concentrations occur throughout the northern half of the Piedmont Province of Pennsylvania. Chemical analyses of 53 samples collected in 2005 from drinking water wells in this area all had detectable As, and 23% of these samples contained elevated (>133 nmol/L or >10 μg/L) concentrations of As. Elevated concentrations of As in the groundwater samples were most common in the Mesozoic sedimentary strata composed of sandstone and red mudstone with interbedded gray shale, and gray to black siltstone and shale. Arsenic was typically not elevated in groundwater of diabase intrusions of the Newark Basin or in crystalline and calcareous aquifers to the north of the Newark Basin. Geochemical parameters such as pH and oxidation–reduction potential can indicate mobility mechanisms of As in some regions. In this area, measured groundwater conditions were predominantly oxidizing (Eh > +50 mV), and more than 85% of samples contained arsenate as the dominant As species. Variations in pH were strongly correlated to the As concentration, with highest As concentrations observed at pH values greater than 6.4. The original source of As is most likely the black and gray shales that contain some arsenian pyrite with groundwater concentrations likely to be controlled by adsorption/desorption reactions with Fe oxides in the red mudstone aquifer materials.
Impact of cloud-borne aerosol representation on aerosol direct and indirect effects

Aerosol particles attached to cloud droplets are much more likely to be removed from the atmosphere and are much less efficient at scattering sunlight than if unattached. Models used to estimate direct and indirect effects of aerosols employ a variety of representations of such cloud-borne particles. Here we use a global aerosol model with a relatively complete treatment of cloud-borne particles to estimate the sensitivity of simulated aerosol, cloud and radiation fields to various approximations to the representation of cloud-borne particles. We find that neglecting transport of cloud-borne particles introduces little error, but that diagnosing cloud-borne particles produces global mean biases of 20% and local errors of up to 40% for aerosol, droplet number, and direct and indirect radiative forcing. Aerosol number, aerosol optical depth and droplet number are significantly underestimated in regions and seasons where and when wet removal is primarily by stratiform rather than convective clouds (polar regions during winter), but direct and indirect effects are less biased because of the limited sunlight there and then. A treatment that predicts the total mass concentration of cloud-borne particles for each mode yields smaller errors and runs 20% faster than the complete treatment. The errors are much smaller than current estimates of uncertainty in direct and indirect effects of aerosols, which suggests that the treatment of cloud-borne aerosol is not a significant source of uncertainty in estimates of direct and indirect effects.
Analysis of nonylphenol and nonylphenol ethoxylates in environmental samples by mixed-mode high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray mass spectrometry

A new method is described based on mixed-mode high-performance liquid chromatography with electrospray mass spectrometry detection for comprehensive quantitative analysis of nonylphenol (NP) and nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEOs) in wastewater and sediment. Efficient separation, reduced band broadening, and high sensitivity were achieved by employing a methanol-water gradient on a mixed-solvent gel filtration column designed for MS interfacing. Quantitative accuracy and precision of the method were improved by the use of custom-synthesized [13C6]NPEO analogs as isotope-dilution surrogate standards. Method detection limits for NP and individual NPEOs ranged from I to 55 pg injected on column.
A brief review of microbial arsenate respiration

In this review, we summarize the important recent findings relating to arsenate respiration by bacteria. A brief discussion of freshwater arsenic cycling is provided, with attention placed on the microbial contributions to this cycle. The basic evidence for microbial growth on arsenate is presented for studies with both consortia and isolates, followed by a summary of the physiology and phytogeny of four arsenate-respiring bacteria: Chrysiogenes arsenatis strain BAL-1T, Desulfotomaculum auripigmentum strain OREX-4, Sulfurospirillum arsenophilus strain MIT-13, and S. barnesii strain SES-3. Drawing on biochemical studies of the arsenate reductasefrom S. barnesii strain SES-3, a preliminary model for growth on arsenate is proposed. We conclude with a discussion of the importance of microbial arsenate reduction in the environment.
A descriptive study of social development in family groups of rats ( Rattus norvegicus )

The social interactions of three family groups of rats (Rattus norvegicus) were observed daily when the litters were 25–32, 60–67, and 79–86 days old. In contrast to similar recent studies, fathers were present in these families. The data were analyzed to isolate the development of patterns of behavior specific to different age-sex classes. These data indicate frequent interactions between adult males and their young and suggest that the role of adult males in socialization of young deserves further attention.
Asymmetric transition states of allylation reaction: an ab initio molecular orbital study

Abstract An ab initio MO study of the allylation of α-methoxypropanal by allylboronic acid has been carried out. The calculated most stable transition state arrangement was found to be similar to that proposed by Cornforth. The Felkin–Anh orientation was found to be less stable than the Cornforth-like arrangement at the B3LYP/6-31G* level of theory in the six-membered cyclic transition state.
Sexual dysfunction: The potential of stem cell therapy for Peyronie disease

Stem-cell therapy has the potential to regenerate tissue and cure disease—an approach preferable to many current treatments that simply mitigate symptoms. Currently, there is no approved medical therapy for Peyronie disease; a recent study suggests stem cells could provide an intriguing treatment option for this difficult-to-treat tissue defect.
Majorana fermion determinants

Abstract We show how to define the one-loop effective action for Majorana fermions coupled to external scalar and vector fields, and for Weyl fermions with Majorana mass terms. A new solution of the Wess-Zumino consistency conditions is thereby obtained, which vanishes automatically for subgroups in which the representation of the gauge group generators is real.
Rethinking Family Power

The family power literature, in its macro-level focus on marital decision making, has emphasized the kind of family power that is generally conferred on men and is based on extrafamilial roles and performance. Women, by virtue of their intrafamilial roles as kinkeepers and nurturers, are more deeply, extensively, and enduringly embedded in the family; yet the power that accrues to them as the lynchpins of family cohesion and socialization has received little attention. A micro-level analysis of family power reveals that women's positions in the family power structure rest not on the horizontal marital tie but rather are derived from the more complex, significant, and dynamic power of the intergenerational bond.
DNA damage-induced programmed cell death: Potential roles in germ cell development

The detection of DNA damage is necessary to protect against proliferation of potentially harmful cells and often results in cell cycle arrest and programmed cell death. Key components of DNA damage signaling networks include ATM, CHK2, p53, and Bax. Mutations in these damage signaling systems are linked to tumorigenesis and developmental abnormalities. Expression of some of these genes in primordial germ cells (PGCs) argues that PGCs may utilize DNA damage-induced signaling mechanisms to select against germ cells that are genetically defective, thus maintaining the integrity of the germline. This paper summarizes the roles of these DNA damage signaling molecules and addresses their potential involvement in germ cell development.
Grayscale resolution of LCD displays: 8 bits vs. 11 bits

This paper presents a few results of an initial study to compare softcopy displays with 8 bits contrast resolution with those of 11 bits contrast resolution. Particular interest was paid to failure to detect subtle objects and appearance of artifacts like false contours as a result of improper quantization. Objects like squares, discs and Gaussian nodules were simulated at different amplitudes on uniform backgrounds. Another approach was to place simple objects like disks and Gaussian objects into a clinical image. The study concluded that indeed subtle objects can be missed and artifacts such as false contours can occur, dependent on signal amplitude and noise. A comprehensive observer study is under development to confirm and refine these results.
The Ability of a Bacteriocin of Streptococcus bovis HC5 (bovicin HC5) to Inhibit Clostridium aminophilum, An Obligate Amino Acid Fermenting Bacterium from the Rumen

Abstract Ruminant nutritionists have used antibiotics to inhibit Gram-positive bacteria and alter the end products of ruminal fermentation, but this practice has been criticized. Many Gram-positive ruminal bacteria can be inhibited by bacteriocins, but bacteriocin resistance can circumvent this inhibition. C. aminophilum is a detrimental ruminal bacterium that produces large amounts of ammonia, and it becomes highly resistant to the antibiotic, monensin, and at least one naturally occurring bacteriocin (butyrivibriocin JL5). C. aminophilum, was inhibited by Streptococcus bovis HC5, a bacterium that produces bovicin HC5, but not S. bovis JB1, a non-bacteriocin producing strain. Co-culture experiments indicated that the inhibition persisted for at least six transfers. When C. aminophilum F was inoculated (5% v/v) into culture broth that had increasing amounts of semi-purified bovicin HC5, growth and ammonia production were only observed if the concentration was less than 12.5 activity units (AU)/mL. C. aminophilum F cultures treated with 10 AU/mL of bovicin HC5, grew, but the growth rate was noticeably slower, and there was a pronounced lag before growth and ammonia production were observed. Cultures that were transferred successively (7 times) with 10 AU/mL bovicin HC5 tolerated 4-fold more bovicin HC5 than untreated controls, but growth was never observed if bovicin HC5 was ≥50 AU/mL. Bovicin HC5 caused an efflux of potassium from C. aminophilum F, but the efflux rate was at least 8 times slower than S. bovis JB1. If the pH was decreased from 6.5 to 5.5 with HCl, the efflux rate was at least 6-fold faster. Given the fact that the European Union has already proposed a ban on feed antibiotics, bovicin HC5 could be an alternative. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.
The zinc metabolism of the amphibian lens.

Abstract The amphibian lens contains a substantial amount of Zn; about 10 −4 mol/kg tissue water. The levels in the “nuclear” and “cortical” zones of the lens appear to be similar. Most of the Zn is bound in an inexchangeable form; only 5–8% can exchange with external 65 Zn. Interference with metabolism (with CN and iodoacetate) or ion regulation (with Na-free solutions or ouabain) had no effect on the levels of lenticular Zn. Incubation with EDTA or following freezing and thawing the tissue also had no significant effect on the metal levels in the lens (a small effect however cannot be excluded). Zn was accumulated by the lens when the external concentration of the metal was greater than about 10 −6 m . Uptake of 65 Zn occurred slowly and had not reached saturation after 4 hr. At 2·5 × 10 −6 m 65 Zn was taken up more rapidly than 109 Cd or 203 Hg but at 2·5 × 10 −4 m the Hg was taken up faster. Accumulated 65 Zn, as well as 109 Cd and 203 Hg, was lost from the lens during incubation in Ringer solution but even after 3 hr about 50% was still retained in the tissue. Accumulation of 65 Zn 2+ was reduced in the presence of Cd 2+ and nearly abolished by La 3+ but was unchanged by an SH blocker (NEM), Ca 2+ or Mg 2+ . The initial efflux of 65 Zn was increased in the presence of EDTA and La 3+ but was unchanged by NEM, Cd 2+ or Cu 2+ . The exchangeable Zn appears to be associated with the peripheral regions of the lens as significant accumulation was not observed in decapsulated lenses. Uptake of Zn 2+ (and Cd 2+ ) occurred more rapidly from the posterior than the anterior side of the lens.
Alkali ternary heterostructure GICs: A new class of graphite intercalation compounds

Abstract We have prepared a stable, two-phase compound containing KCsC 16 and KC 8 by exposing CsC 24 to liquid potassium at 70 °C. X-ray diffraction studies confirm that the KCsC 16 is an ideal heterostructure GIC with the stacking sequence…CKCCsCKCCs…, an in-plane structure that is (2 × 2)R0°, a c -axis correlation range of ∼350 A and an in-plane correlation range of ∼140 A . The basal spacing of the heterostructure c -axis unit is d H = 11.27 A . Thus, to within experimental error, d H = d KC 8 + d CsC 8 = 5.34 A . We present evidence that a similar heterostructure compound, RbKC 16 , with d H = 11.00 A has also been prepared. These new compounds are physical realizations of an ideal heterostructure because their layers are atomically flat, epitaxial, exhibit long-range correlations in both the c -axis and a -axis directions, and exhibit no interdiffusion at the layer interfaces.
Effects of chronic dietary hexachlorobenzene exposure on the reproductive performance and survivability of mink and European ferrets

Feeding adult mink and European ferrets diets that contained 1, 5, or 25 mg/kg added hexachlorobenzene (HCB) resulted in reduced reproductive performance as indicated by decreased litter size, increased percentage of stillbirths, increased kit mortality, and decreased early kit growth. Diets treated with 125 or 625 mg/kg HCB were lethal to the adults of both species. In general, the mink were more sensitive to the toxic effects of HCB than were ferrets.
Polyunsaturated and Monounsaturated Fatty Acids in the Diet to Prevent Coronary Heart Disease via Cholesterol Reduction

For over 30 years the American Heart Association recommended to limit the fat intake to 30 energy % (E%) of total calories with 10 E% derived from polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), 10 E% from monoun
Surgical management of massive atrial size mismatch in heart transplantation

We describe a surgical technique that we successfully used in a case involving severe size mismatch between the recipient's atrial remnants and the donor heart atria. Complete recipient left atrial excision, extensive pulmonary vein mobilization, and plication of the right atrial remnant achieved this goal.
Disk diffusion susceptibility tests with norfloxacin: confirmation of proposed interpretive criteria.

One hundred and eighty three clinical isolates of aerobic bacteria were tested against norfloxacin by both agar dilution (WHO-ICS) and disk diffusion test procedures (standardized FDA single disk test). Two experimental 10μg norfloxacin disks were studied. Results were analyzed in terms of recently recommended breakpoints for clinical susceptibility (MIC ⩽ 16μg/ml, zone diameter ⩾ 17 mm) and resistance (MIC ⩾ 32μg/ml, zone diameter ⩽ 12 mm). Excellent correlation was demonstrated by statistical analysis between paired MIC and zone size values (average value for each MIC; r=−0.9782). An MIC of 16μg/ml was found to correlate with a zone of 10.4 mm. Application of the recommended zone size breakpoints resulted in prediction of 177 isolates as being susceptible while six (3.3 %) were predicted to be either intermediate or resistant. The findings of this study validate the earlier recommendations stated above.
A fast supercritical extraction technique for aerogel fabrication

Abstract Aerogels are a class of ceramic materials fabricated from a sol–gel procedure followed by a carefully controlled solvent evacuation. This fabrication results in a porous nanostructure that is approximately 90–99% air by volume. The intricate pore structure of an aerogel results in remarkable properties. This paper describes a novel rapid supercritical extraction technique for fabricating aerogel monoliths. The technique uses a temperature controlled hydraulic hot press and a metal mold to contain and heat the precursors for a tetramethoxysilane-derived (TMOS) aerogel to supercritical state. During heating, the sol gels, strengthens, and ages. After a short soak at the supercritical state, the hot press restraining force is released and the supercritical gases are evacuated without causing damage to the silica nanostructure. Using a TMOS-based recipe (TMOS:MeOH:H 2 O:NH 4 OH with a molar ratio of 1.0:12.0:4.0:3.7 × 10 −3 ), cylindrical silica aerogel monoliths have been fabricated as large as 22 mm in diameter and 17 mm high in a 5 h process. The thermo-physical properties are comparable to those of aerogels made using conventional techniques with bulk densities of 0.066 g cm −3 , BET surface areas of 320 m 2 g −1 , thermal conductivities of 30–40 mW K −1 and optical transmittance rates of 80–90% in the near-infrared.
Evaluating erosion control performance of crimped straw mulch in comparison with RECPs on simulated highway roadsides

The objective of this study is to compare the crimped straw mulch with commercial, manufactured products on erosion control performance of (1) sediment loss and (2) vegetation establishment. Artificial rainfall was used to evaluate erosion control materials on two different slopes (2H:1V and 3H:1V). Two soil types (clay and sand) were tested. Four weight applications (2⋅24, 4⋅49, 6⋅73, and 8⋅98 metric tons ha−1) of crimped straw mulch were tested; and the vegetation establishment was tested on small greenhouse trays. The results show that sediment loss decreased with increasing weight of crimped straw mulch. On 3H:1V slopes, all rates of the crimped straw mulch could protect the soil surface either equal to or better than the proprietary products. For 2H:1V slopes, heavier applications of crimped straw mulch were able to reach the protection level of a manufactured product. Vegetation density testing yielded inconsistent results with no clear trend, which is likely because of the small test trays, the lac...
Resistance to paraquat in a mammalian cell line.

Paraquat-resistant variants were isolated in Chinese hamster ovary (CEO) cells by stepwise increases in paraquat concentrations. Three series of selective experiments gave variants which appeared to be using one or several different mechanisms of resistance. In all variants tested (PQ-1, PQ-2, PQ-3, PQ-2X and PQ-3X of series 1), radioactively labeled paraquat was taken up by the cells. These variants exhibited no unusual resistance to either oxygen or radiation, nor were increases found in the activities of free-radical scavenging enzymes. They had extra DNA (3–12%) and an unusual acrocentric marker chromosome which was common to all of the variants but never observed in the parental cells. Double minutes were observed in 29% of metaphases of the PQ-3 variant. One of the resistant lines exhibited evidence of an intrinsic chromosomal instability, a phenotype that could conceivably facilitate gene amplification. Selection series 2 and 3 were designed to further evaluate gene amplification as a mechanism of resistance. These variants exhibited high frequencies (40–100%) of tetraploidy or hypotetraploidy with loss of chromosomes and varying frequencies of double minutes (10–75% of metaphases). In two of the variants the same marker chromosome which was observed in the series 1 variants was seen. Two other lines exhibited a variant of this marker, incorporating it into a metacentric chromosome. It may be that gene amplification facilitates resistance to paraquat and that both stable and unstable methods of amplifying genes are used.
Fault-secure algorithms for multiple-processor systems

In this paper we describe techniques for achieving fault secureness with low cost in multiple processor7 systems. In order to do this we consider the relationshipsN between algorithms, parallel architectures, and fault tolerance. The concept of fault-secure algorithms, described in this paper, involves the application of the ideas of fault tolerance at the system level to high-performance multiple-processor algorithms to make the results of the computation reliable. Algorithms are classified into broad classes called paradigms which are determined exclusively by the communication patterns of the processors. Fault-secure techniques are presented for three powerful paradigms: the multiplex, the recursive combination, and the multiplex-demultiplex paradigms. The basic idea used in the design of fault-tolerant algorithms is that the algorithms operate on encoded input data and produce encoded output data such that the over-head in time and number of processors is not high. This technique is distinguished by three characteristics: the encoding of the data used by the algorithm, the re-design of the algorithm to operate on the encoded data, and the distribution of the computation steps in the algorithm among the computation units.
In vitro Binding of Tetracyclines to Calcium

SINCE antibiotics of the tetracycline series were first demonstrated to localize and persist in vivo specifically in newly proliferated bone and in certain areas of calcified cartilage1, it appears to have been generally accepted that these antibiotics do in fact bind to calcium ions in at least crystal-seeded nucleation sites on collagen fibrils and in other physiologically ‘available’ calcium-impregnated protein matrices. Nevertheless, some little controversy seems to have arisen recently owing both to the presence of diffuse though minimal localization of tetracycline fluorescence in non-growing skeletal areas2 and, as cited in the original communications, the apparent, often transient, localization of these drugs in certain grossly non-calcified soft tissues.
Organization of Poultry Record Farms in Corn Belt States

Abstract Purdue University has reported to this Association from time to time the results of its farm poultry demonstrations. Briefly stated, these demonstrations have consisted in the securing of poultry flock records monthly from a number of general purpose Indiana farms; in quarterly visits to these farms by an extension poultryman to advise in their poultry work; and in the holding of neighborhood meetings on these farms that such farms might be real demonstrations for the community. This work, began in 1915, has been most successful and is still being carried on. Experience, however, has brought out several possible objections to this project, perhaps the chief criticism being that notenough people or communities are reached. Also, as the records from these farms have been sent direct from the farms to the Purdue Poultry Department, the county agents have felt no great responsibility for the success of such work. Methods of extension …
Scalable Shared Memory Parallel Programming: Will One Size Fit All?

In recent years, there has been much emphasis on improving the productivity of high-end parallel programmers. Efforts to design very large-scale platforms have focused on global address space machines that are capable of concurrently executing many thousands of threads. As a result, new higher level shared memory programming models have been proposed that are intended to reduce the programming effort and directly exploit the capabilities of such systems.
Changes in the composition of volatile compounds and in microbiological and physicochemical parameters during pastırma processing.

Abstract Changes in the composition of volatile compounds and in microbiological and physicochemical parameters of pastirma (Turkish dry-cured meat product) were studied during traditional processing. The pH value increased during the last stages of processing. While a w values decreased throughout processing, TBARS and NPN levels increased regularly depending on the processing time. The microbiological analyses showed that Gram positive-catalase positive cocci were predominant microorganisms in pastirma. A total of forty eight volatile compounds were tentatively identified during pastirma processing, including esters, aliphatic hydrocarbons, sulphur-containing compounds, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, aromatic hydrocarbons, terpenes and furans. Aldehydes reached their maximum level at the end of second drying. Among aldehydes, hexanal was the major component. In the final product, aromatic hydrocarbons had become the dominant chemical compounds.
Analysis and design of binary gratings for broadband, infrared, low-reflectivity surfaces

A design technique for multi-level binary optic structures that exhibit very low broadband reflectivity at oblique incidence is developed. The multi-level binary grating structures are equivalent to multi-layer thin film antireflection coating systems synthesized by the step-down inhomogeneous film technique. The design is shown to produce reflectivity of less than a few percentage points over a broadband optical spectra and over a wide range of the angles of incidence for unpolarized light. Designs for minimum reflection for unpolarized light are obtained for a two, three, and four-level binary system over a specified light wavelength range and angle of incidence. It is shown that three or four level systems are sufficient to produce very low reflectivity. It is also shown that the grating spacing does not have to be less than half the light wavelength to achieve this low broadband reflectivity.
MMP induced by Gr-1+ cells are crucial for recruitment of Th cells into the airways.

Th2 lymphocytes deliver essential signals for induction of asthmatic airway inflammation. We previously found that airway antigen challenge induces recruitment of Gr-1 + neutrophils prior to the recruitment of Th2 cells. We examined, therefore, whether Gr-1 + cells contribute to the development of Th2-dependent airway inflammation. Systemic depletion of Gr-1 + cells using the RB6-8C5 monoclonal antibody reduced Th2 cell recruitment following intranasal antigen challenge. The levels of both matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and the tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) mRNA were up-regulated in the lungs of mice 12 h after intranasal antigen challenge. Up-regulation of TIMP-1 was independent of Gr-1 + cells, whereas upregulation of MMP-9 RNA and total gelatinolytic activity were dramatically reduced in mice depleted of Gr-1 + cells. At 24 h after challenge, total lung collagenolytic activity was also upregulated, in a Gr-1 + cell-dependent fashion. Systemic inhibition of MMP-8 and MMP-9 reduced the airway recruitment of Th cells, resulting in significantly reduced eosinophilic inflammation. These data suggest that antigen challenge via the airway activates Gr-1 + cells and consequently MMPs to facilitate the recruitment of Th cells in the airway inflammatory response.
Immigration and equity home bias

Abstract Why do investors hold such large positions in domestic equity when there are gains to be made from international diversification? This equity home bias puzzle has received considerable attention in the literature, with asymmetric information on domestic and foreign assets (whether by individual choice or by market imperfection) emerging as the most plausible explanation. What happens when we consider a subset of investors whose information sets are closer to investors in foreign countries? I assess the relationship between immigration and equity home bias and find that inward migration is positively correlated with increased foreign equity positions and reduced home bias. Looking across income groups, outward migration reduces home bias for relatively rich countries, but may actually increase home bias when migration occurs to or from a developing country. These results suggest that immigration generates a positive externality of increased information flows for developed countries, but not for developing nations. The effects of immigration on investment are strongest within the Euro-Zone, suggesting that this positive externality of immigration is largest when barriers to portfolio diversification (such as currency risk) are lowest.
Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor, depression, and antidepressant medications: meta-analyses and implications.

Background Converging lines of evidence implicate the neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the pathophysiology of major depression. Recent studies have begun to explore the relationship between serum BDNF and depression. Methods We conducted meta-analyses of 11 studies examining differences in serum BDNF content between depressed and nondepressed subjects ( N = 748), and eight studies comparing pre- and post-antidepressant treatment serum BDNF content ( N = 220). Results The meta-analysis revealed strong evidence that BDNF levels were lower in depressed subjects than healthy control subjects ( p −8 ). Similarly, the second meta-analysis found significantly higher BDNF levels after antidepressant treatment ( p = .003). There was no evidence of publication bias in the first ( p = .376) or second ( p = .571) meta-analysis and no evidence that either meta-analysis was unduly influenced by any one study. Conclusions These findings provide strong evidence to suggest that serum BDNF levels are abnormally low in patients suffering from major depressive disorder and that the BDNF levels are elevated following a course of antidepressant treatment. Although the relationship of our findings to pathophysiology of depression and the mechanism of drug action remains to be determined, the measure may have potential use as a biomarker for psychiatric disorders or as a predictor of antidepressant efficacy.
Prevention of leg length discrepancy in young children with pauciarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis by treatment with intraarticular steroids

Objective To determine if intraarticular (IA) injection of triamcinolone hexacetonide (steroids) used early in the course of pauciarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (pauci JRA) is associated with less leg length discrepancy (LLD) or thigh circumference discrepancy (TCD). Methods Children with pauci JRA who had asymmetric lower-extremity arthritis diagnosed before age 7 years in Seattle, Washington (WA; n = 16) and in Chapel Hill and Durham, North Carolina (NC; n = 14) were retrospectively identified. WA children were given IA steroids within 2 months of diagnosis; the injections were repeated if synovitis recurred in the same joint or in a different joint. These children were compared with NC children who were not treated with IA steroids. Thigh circumference was measured at 10 cm above the patella, and leg length was measured from the anterior superior iliac spine to the mid-medial malleolus, by a single observer. LLD and TCD are reported as the percentage of difference between leg measurements in each subject. Results The WA and NC subjects had comparable disease severity and duration of followup (in months). Twelve WA children had subsequent IA steroid injections (mean 3.25 injections per child over mean ± SD 42 ± 11 months). The WA subjects had significantly less LLD (P = 0.005, by Student's 2-sided t-test) and prescriptions for shoe lifts (P = 0.002, by Fisher's 2-sided exact test). There was not a significant difference in TCD between the 2 groups (P = 0.139, by Student's 2-sided t-test). Similar findings were obtained when the analysis was limited to children with monarticular knee arthritis. Conclusion Early and continued use of IA steroids may be associated with less LLD in young children with pauci JRA. This may indicate decreased duration of synovitis.
An analysis of spindle ultrastructure during anaphase of micronuclear division in Tetrahymena

Mitotic micronuclei were isolated from Tetrahymena thermophila and data on spindle ultrastructure were obtained from serial, transverse sections. Comparison of data from nuclei at meta- and early anaphase with data from nuclei at late anaphase showed that during anaphase, sister kinetochores move from the equator to the spindle poles, but kinetochore translocation occurs without any apparent change in either the number or length of kinetochore microtubules. This unprecedented result is ascribed significance with regard to the mechanism of kinetochore transport since there are only a limited number of ways that result could be achieved. The organization of the peripheral sheath changes during anaphase as evidenced by gaps in the sheath at late anaphase. Numerous kinetochore and non-kinetochore microtubules are located in polar regions of the spindle at late anaphase, whereas those regions contained only peripherally arranged microtubules at earlier stages. Tracking of individual kinetochore microtubules in late anaphase nuclei showed that some of them appeared to become incorporated into the peripheral sheath near the pole. At early and late anaphase, crossbridges connect adjacent microtubules throughout the spindle poleward to the kinetochores, as well as in the interzone.
Overcoming One‐Party Dominance: How Contextual Politics and West Virginia Helped Put George Bush in the White House

In West Virginia it is often said that coal is king. If so, the Democratic Party and organized labor serve as its princess. West Virginia had voted Republican in presidential contests on only three occasions since 1932. If there ever was a one-party state, West Virginia was it. Yet in 2000, Republican George Bush won the state, thus securing five electoral votes—one more than his eventual margin of victory. This article looks at how this victory came about in light of scholarly questions about how national campaigns select issues on which to campaign in targeted states and how a dominant party can be overcome through such efforts. We propose an answer to these questions that is rooted in the contextual theory of electoral politics and test this theory against qualitative data taken from local and national media and quantitative data in the form of county level election returns.
From syncitium to regulated pump: a cardiac muscle cellular update

The primary purpose of this article is to present a basic overview of some key teaching concepts that should be considered for inclusion in an six- to eight-lecture introductory block on the regula...
Astrophysics: Cosmic lens reveals spinning black hole.

The power of a cosmic lens to magnify and split the light from a distant, mass-accreting giant black hole into four components has allowed researchers to measure the black hole's spin. See Letter p.207 This paper reports the direct measurement of the spin of a supermassive black hole at a cosmologically significant distance. New observations of the reflection-dominated spectrum of quadruply lensed quasar more than 6 billion light years away at z = 0.658, together with an analysis of archival X-ray data, show that it is rotating rapidly. Much of its radiation comes from a compact region within three or fewer gravitational radii from the black hole. The spin of a black hole provides a record of its co-evolution with its host galaxy through cosmic time, and these new data indicate that this black hole — like those observed previously at z > 2 — grew by coherent accretion rather than in a chaotic manner.
Mechanism of Salmonella typhimurium Histidinol Dehydrogenase: Kinetic Isotope Effects and pH Profiles†

l-Histidinol dehydrogenase catalyzes the biosynthetic oxidation of l-histidinol to l-histidine with sequential reduction of two molecules of NAD. Previous isotope exchange results had suggested that the oxidation of histidinol to the intermediate histidinaldehyde occurred 2−3-fold more rapidly than overall catalysis. In this work, we present kinetic isotope effects (KIE) studies at pH 9.0 and at pH 6.7 with stereospecifically mono- and dideuterated histidinols. The data at pH 9.0 support minimal participation of the first hydride transfer and substantial participation of the second hydride transfer in the overall rate limitation. Stopped-flow experiments with protiated histidinol revealed a small burst of NADH production with stoichiometry of 0.12 per subunit, and 0.25 per subunit with dideuterated histidinol, indicating that the overall first half-reaction was not significantly faster than the second reaction sequence. Results from kcat and kcat/KM titrations with histidinol, NAD, and the alternative sub...
AUV reactive planning: deepest point

Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV) capable of adapting their mission planning in response to sensor data have applicability in a variety of applications. For example, to find the source of a chemical in a fluid environment, an AUV could search a region until it detects the chemical plume, then steer the vehicle based on real-time chemical detections and flow information to maneuver the vehicle toward the odor source. Behavior based planning (BBP) is a reactive mission planning approach that is ideally suited for such applications. This article reviews behavior based planning, describes an example BBP designed to locate the deepest location within a test area, and includes results from in-water experiments on a REMUS AUV. This experiment was a test exercise in preparation for the use of BBP on a REMUS class vehicle to trace chemical plumes to their source.
Rapid changes in connexin-43 in response to genotoxic stress stabilize cell-cell communication in corneal endothelium.

The corneal endothelium (CE) is a monolayer of neural crest–derived cells that is essential for corneal transparency. Located at the posterior surface of the cornea, the CE separates the cornea from the aqueous humor, relying on cell–cell junctions to control corneal hydration. The CE is a fragile cell layer that is vulnerable to the effects of intraocular surgery, systemic and ocular disease, and topical drugs.1,2 In addition, endogenous oxidative stress appears to play a significant role in the degeneration of CE with age3,4 and in Fuchs' dystrophy.5,6 Human CE does not regenerate in vivo, so existing cells must compensate for cell loss to maintain the pump and barrier functions required for corneal homeostasis. It is clear that surviving cells respond to CE cell loss by spreading to cover the posterior corneal surface. This spreading is associated with thinning of the cell layer,7 but the full range of physiological responses of the CE to cell loss has not been characterized. CE function is dependent on the cell–cell junctions, which maintain the integrity of this monolayer. The goal of the present study was to examine how CE cells mediate these junctions in response to genotoxic stressors. Gap junctions are intercellular channels composed primarily of the connexin family of proteins. These channels provide rapid intercellular transfer of small signaling molecules, such as nucleotides, inositol trisphosphate (IP3), glutathione, and Ca2+ between connected cells.8 Such gap junction intercellular communications (GJIC) function in the maintenance of tissue homeostasis and influence cellular survival and death in response to oxidative stress,9–11 metabolic stress,9,12 ischemia reperfusion injury,13,14 and genotoxic stress.9,15 Connexins may also mediate cell survival by GJIC-independent mechanisms in addition to functions associated with gap junctions.16 With a half-life of 1.5 to 5 hours, connexin proteins respond rapidly to physiologic changes by altering gap junction coupling between cells. The Cx43 C terminus contains 14 documented phosphorylation sites,17 and different phosphorylated species of Cx43 can be distinguished experimentally by SDS-PAGE. Aggregation of Cx43 into functional gap junction plaques, opening of the junctional pores, and Cx43 degradation have all been linked to site-specific phosphorylation of the Cx43 protein.18 Given the pervasive role of connexins in the maintenance of cell and tissue homeostasis, we hypothesized that exogenous genotoxic stress would alter homeostasis-regulating proteins such as Cx43 in the CE. Previously, we reported DNA damage in goat CE after brief doses of the DNA interstrand cross-linking agent mitomycin C (MMC) during procedures emulating photorefractive keratectomy.19 In this study, we identified specific changes that occur in Cx43 and in GJIC in CE as a result of genotoxic stress induced by exposures such as MMC. Determining how CE cells respond to various stressors may provide opportunities for CE protection and preservation.
Robust H∞ Filter Design for Affine Fuzzy Systems

This paper investigates the problem of robust H∞ filtering for nonlinear systems, which are described by affine fuzzy parts with norm-bounded uncertainties. The system outputs have been chosen as premise variables, which can guarantee the plant and the filter always switch to the same region. By using a piecewise Lyapunov function and adding slack matrix variables, a fuzzy-basis-dependent H∞ filter design method is obtained in the formulation of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs), which can be efficiently solved numerically. Compared with the existing results, the proposed method needs less LMI constraints and leads to less conservatism. Finally, numerical examples illustrate the effectiveness of the new results.
One-sided intervals for at least p of m observations from a normal population on each of r future occasions

In environmental monitoring, one must often use background data obtained before an installation begins operation to produce prediction intervals for future sets of m observations to be taken on each of r future occasions spanning the anticipated lifetime of the installation. A future observation falling outside of its interval will be taken as evidence of a change in the process being monitored; one would like to control the overall risk of false detection of change while maintaining an adequate sensitivity to real changes. Toward this end, the procedure of Fertig and Mann (1977) is extended to produce simultaneous prediction intervals for at least p of m observations to be obtained on each of r future occasions. Tables with superior choices of p for selected m, r, and background sample size are provided; these choices of p provide the best power given the other parameters, where power is defined in terms of the chance of quick detection of a future shift in the process being monitored.
Negative-viscosity lattice gases

A new irreversible collision rule is introduced for lattice-gas automata. The rule maximizes the flux of momentum in the direction of the local momentum gradient, yielding a negative shear viscosity. Numerical results in 2D show that the negative viscosity leads to the spontaneous ordering of the velocity field, with vorticity resolvable down to one lattice-link length. The new rule may be used in conjunction with previously proposed collision rules to yield a positive shear viscosity lower than the previous rules provide. In particular, Poiseuille flow tests demonstrate a decrease in viscosity by more than a factor of 2.
Constrained Communities: Black Cleveland's Experience with World War II Public Housing

The World War II - era housing shortage in Cleveland, Ohio was severe, and particularly so for African Americans. Black Clevelanders encountered discrimination in the private housing market and race-based tenanting policies in the city's public and so-called temporary war housing. As a result of racial discrimination— which was not only government-sanctioned but actually encouraged by the conversion of properties to multi-family occupancy with Home Owners Loan Corporation funding—African Americans faced substandard housing conditions that led to the further deterioration of housing stock in Cleveland's traditional "ghetto" section, Cedar-Central,—and in an adjacent neighborhood, Hough. However, race—based planning by the city's housing officials did have one beneficial, if unintended consequence. By siting one temporary war housing project on the southeastern outskirts of the city, adjacent to a preexisting semi-rural black enclave, the Cleveland Metropolitan Housing Authority helped to enable subsequent African American migration into Southeast Cleveland, which became the city's preeminent black middleclass stronghold in the postwar decades. The understudied World War II era thus holds the key to understanding subsequent patterns of black population expansion in Cleveland after the war, and also helps to explain the divergent fortunes of middle- and working-class African Americans there.