cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Interview with Eric Trist, Father of the Sociotechnical Systems Approach

William M. Fox interviews Eric Trist, eminent scholar and social scientist, who was a founder and chairman of the Tavistock Institute in London. Trist recounts the foundation of the institute as an...
Nucleation and growth in microcellular materials: Supercritical CO2 as foaming agent

Bubble growth is a phenomenon encountered in several commercially important processes. A mathematical model presented here describes the growth of bubbles during phase separation of an initially homogeneous polymer-supercritical fluid mixture, triggered by a sudden pressure drop at constant temperature. It is a modification of the viscoelastic model of Arefmanesh and Advani (1991) in which the polymer is treated as a single relaxation-time Maxwell fluid. Since properties of the polymer-fluid mixture vary with the amount of fluid absorbed in the polymer (as a function of fluid pressure), the model needs to be used evaluating system properties as functions of temperature and pressure. The viscosity of polymer/fluid mixture, density of the mixture, diffusivity of CO[sub 2] in the mixture, and relaxation time for poly(methyl methacrylate) swollen by supercritical carbon dioxide are, therefore, predicted as functions of CO[sub 2] pressure and temperature using appropriate model equations at each step of the bubble growth simulation. The model predicts well the trends in equilibrium cell size vs. saturation pressure and temperature. Depending on the characteristics of the cellular structure, polymeric foams can be used for applications ranging from simple lightweight insulation to biomedical and nuclear applications.
Scheduling Technical services staff at the reference desk

Summary New reference desk staffing configurations are required as reference service evolves from locating in-library resources to using and teaching the use of electronic resources. The tangible and intangible benefits achieved by scheduling technical services staff to assist at the reference desk are discussed. Intangible benefits include improved library service due to technical services staff expertise, and greater flexibility for reference desk staffing. The reference staff can also learn more about the automated library system and current processing initiatives from their technical services colleagues. Technical services staff benefits from seeing the results of their work in a public services setting and experiencing the satisfaction of helping users locate needed information. A stronger sense of library service is instilled in the “back room.” Technical services staff will also enjoy more challenge, opportunity, and variety in their work. Some tangible benefits realized at the University of Minnes...
Family Human Capital and Impoverished Firm Performance: Evidence from Impoverished Indian Slums

Employing resource-based theory, we address the family’s provision of human capital to firms within the family by examining the impact of family human capital breadth (heterogeneity) and depth (bus...
Finite block-length achievable rates for queuing timing channels

The exponential server timing channel is known to be the simplest, and in some sense canonical, queuing timing channel. The capacity of this infinite-memory channel is known. Here, we discuss practical finite-length restrictions on the codewords and attempt to understand the maximal rate that can be achieved for a target error probability. By using Markov chain analysis, we prove a lower bound on the maximal channel coding rate achievable at blocklength n and error probability Є . The bound is approximated by C — n−1/2 σQ ( Є ) where Q denotes the Q-function and σ2 is the asymptotic variance of the underlying Markov chain. A closed form expression for σ2 is given.
Wavelength-dependent measurement of contrast in NIR and extended NIR spectral range (650-1600 nm) in phantoms

In order to identify the optimal imaging conditions for the highest contrast in biological tissue, we explored the optical contrast of a phantom as a function of depth and wavelengths of excitation. Our customized optical hardware featured a scanning microscope, and imaging spectrographs equipped with silicon and InGaAs CCD diode array detectors allowed directed comparison of the intensity of NIR (650-900 nm) and exNIR (1000-1600 nm) light transmitted through a phantom (milk). We demonstrated that the contrast depends on the phantom thickness and the wavelength. At low depths (less than 3 mm) NIR light provides the best contrast while exNIR light shows significantly higher contrast in phantoms thicker than 4.5 mm. Our results suggest that distinguishing biological features in deep tissue may benefit from the application of the exNIR for in vivo.
One size does not fit all: why universal decolonization strategies to prevent methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization and infection in adult intensive care units may be inappropriate for neonatal intensive care units

The REDUCE MRSA Trial (Randomized Evaluation of Decolonization vs Universal Clearance to Eliminate Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus), a large multicenter, randomized controlled trial in adult intensive care units (ICUs), found universal decolonization to be more effective than surveillance and isolation procedures with or without targeted decolonization for reducing rates of MRSA-positive clinical cultures. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention subsequently published protocols for implementing universal decolonization in ICUs based on the trial's methods. Caution should be exercised before widely adopting these procedures in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), particularly strategies that involve bathing with chlorhexidine and mupirocin application due to the potential for adverse events in their unique patient population, especially preterm infants. Large multicenter trials in the NICUs are needed to evaluate the efficacy, short- and long-term safety, and cost effectiveness of these strategies prior to their widespread implementation.
Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis of fatty acid profiles of Antarctic and non-Antarctic yeasts

The fatty acid profiles of Antarctic (n = 7) and non-Antarctic yeasts (n = 7) grown at different temperatures were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The Antarctic yeasts were enriched in oleic 18:1 (20-60 %), linoleic 18:2 (20-50 %) and linolenic 18:3 (5-40 %) acids with lesser amounts of palmitic 16:0 (<15 %) and palmitoleic 16:1 (<10 %) acids. The non-Antarctic yeasts (n = 4) were enriched in 18:1 (20-55 %, with R. mucilaginosa at 75-80 %) and 18:2 (10-40 %) with lesser amounts of 16:0 (<20 %), 16:1 (<20 %) and stearic 18:0 (<10 %) acids. By contrast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains (n = 3) were enriched in 16:1 (30-50 %) and 18:1 (20-40 %) with lesser amounts of 16:0 (10-25 %) and 18:0 (5-10 %) acids. Principal component analysis grouped the yeasts into three clusters, one belonging to the S. cerevisiae strains (enriched in 16:0, 16:1 and 18:1), one to the other non-Antarctic yeasts (enriched in 18:1 and 18:2) and the third to the Antarctic yeasts (enriched in 18:2 and 18:3).
Differentiation of small round blue cell tumors using Raman spectroscopy

Abstract Purpose Small round blue cell tumors (SRBCTs) are aggressive undifferentiated embryonal tumors, including neuroblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. They share similar histologic features. Additional studies such as immunohistochemistry and molecular techniques are required to differentiate them. There is no widely available tool for real-time diagnosis. Raman spectroscopy is an analytical technique with potential for quick and accurate diagnosis of tumors in near real-time. Methods Fresh or banked frozen tissue samples from SRBCTs were processed for routine pathology and Raman spectroscopy. Raman results were correlated with the final pathology diagnosis. Results The data set was composed of 480 spectra from 32 samples, including 179 neuroblastoma, 37 Ewing sarcoma, 164 rhabdomyosarcoma, and 100 non-Hodgkin lymphoma spectra. Discriminant function analysis showed that a combination of 18 peaks could accurately identify 94% of spectra. At the tissue level, all tumors were correctly identified. Only 10 peaks were needed to classify all tissues with 100% accuracy. Spectral-level classification with this model was 87.9%. Conclusion Raman spectroscopy is an accurate technique for quickly and accurately differentiating SRBCTs. It could diagnose these specimens and provide a single, easy to use test for near real-time diagnosis.
Adaptation Effects on the Apparent ‘Squareness’ of Square-Wave Gratings

Adaptation to a 9 cycles deg−1 sine wave makes the apparent brightness profile of a 3 cycles deg−1 square wave look less ‘square’ even when it does not look like that of a sine wave. Adaptation to a 3 cycles deg−1 sine wave has no noticeable effect. Hypotheses based on ‘excitation patterns’ across spatial-frequency-selective channels can account for these results; it is not clear whether variations in local light adaptation can also account for them.
Cloning and sequencing of cDNAs encoding for a novel copper-specific metallothionein and two cadmium-inducible metallothioneins from the blue crab Callinectes sapidus.

Abstract Metallothioneins (MTs) are cysteine-rich metal-binding proteins found in micro-organisms, plants and all invertebrate and vertebrate animals. Unicellular eukaryotes such as yeast have a copper-MT whose synthesis is induced by a copper-activated transcription factor. Most higher organisms have two major cadmium/zinc MT isoforms, whose synthesis is controlled by a zinc-activated transcription factor. The blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, has two cadmium-inducible isoforms, CdMT-I and CdMT-II, and a third isoform, CuMT-II, which is induced by copper, but not by cadmium. The cDNA sequence of the copper-specific MT, along with those of the two CdMTs, was determined utilizing 3′ and 5′ rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). CuMT-II cDNA encodes a 63 amino acid protein containing 21 cysteine residues. CdMT-I and CdMT-II cDNA encode a 58 and 57 amino acid protein, respectively, each with 18 cysteines. Molecular phylogeny analysis shows that the CdMT isoforms cluster with other crustacean CdMTs, whereas the copper-specific MT is more closely related to mollusk MTs. CuMT-II shows considerable homology to a copper-specific, non-cadmium inducible, MT from the snail, Helix pomatia. The presence of copper-specific MTs in mollusks and crustaceans, both of which are dependent on hemocyanin for oxygen transport, suggests that CuMT-II is involved in copper homeostasis associated with the synthesis and degradation of hemocyanin.
Effects of melittin on lipid-protein interactions in sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes.

To investigate the physical mechanism by which melittin inhibits Ca-adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activity in sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) membranes, we have used electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy to probe the effect of melittin on lipid-protein interactions in SR. Previous studies have shown that melittin substantially restricts the rotational mobility of the Ca-ATPase but only slightly decreases the average lipid hydrocarbon chain fluidity in SR. Therefore, in the present study, we ask whether melittin has a preferential effect on Ca-ATPase boundary lipids, i.e., the annular shell of motionally restricted lipid that surrounds the protein. Paramagnetic derivatives of stearic acid and phosphatidylcholine, spin-labeled at C-14, were incorporated into SR membranes. The electronic paramagnetic resonance spectra of these probes contained two components, corresponding to motionally restricted and motionally fluid lipids, that were analyzed by spectral subtraction. The addition of increasing amounts of melittin, to the level of 10 mol melittin/mol Ca-ATPase, progressively increased the fraction of restricted lipids and increased the hyperfine splitting of both components in the composite spectra, indicating that melittin decreases the hydrocarbon chain rotational mobility for both the fluid and restricted populations of lipids. No further effects were observed above a level of 10 mol melittin/mol Ca-ATPase. In the spectra from control and melittin-containing samples, the fraction of restricted lipids decreased significantly with increasing temperature. The effect of melittin was similar to that of decreased temperature, i.e., each spectrum obtained in the presence of melittin (10:1) was nearly identical to the spectrum obtained without melittin at a temperature approximately 5 degrees C lower. The results suggest that the principal effect of melittin on SR membranes is to induce protein aggregation and this in turn, augmented by direct binding of melittin to the lipid, is responsible for the observed decreases in lipid mobility. Protein aggregation is concluded to be the main cause of inactivation of the Ca-ATPase by melittin, with possible modulation also by the decrease in mobility of the boundary layer lipids.
Photoionization cross sections: Present status and future needs

Abstract The existing experimental data situation for photoionization cross sections of ground-state atoms, excited states and positive ions is reviewed. The ability of theory to predict these cross sections is also discussed. The likely progress for the near future is presented.
Comparison of crustal velocity profiles determined by seismic refraction and teleseismic methods

Abstract Recently, two diverse seismic techniques were applied independently to the study of the crustal structure of the Cumberland Plateau, eastern Tennessee. One involved a reinterpretation of a refraction experiment performed in 1965 by the U.S. Geological Survey, consisting of two 400 km long, reversed refraction lines. The other entailed the inversion of broadband teleseismic P waveforms recorded at a single three-component broadband station, RSCP, located at the intersection of the two refraction profiles. A comparison of the two sets of velocity profiles revealed many similarities and some significant differences. Both sets of velocity models consist of three major crustal layers: (1) an upper crust (Vp = 6.1–6.4 km/s) down to about 17 km, (2) a mid-crust (Vp = 6.7–6.9 km/s) between 17 and 40 km depth, (3) a lower crust (Vp = 7.2–7.4 km/s) from 40 to 51 km depth. The refraction models have linear transition zones up to 11 km thick at the base of each layer, whereas the teleseismic models have more irregular transition zones at the base of the mid- and lower crust. The differences in the results of these studies are attributed to the differing frequency bandwidths of the data sets; the predominant sensitivity of the teleseismic data to shear velocities, compared to compressional velocities for the refraction data; and the different analysis procedures involved in each method. Nevertheless, the similarities indicate that the teleseismic waveform method with broadband data is capable of retreiving comparable crustal information as the Cumberland Plateau refraction survey. In addition, it provides the kind of complementary information required to constrain the composition of the continental lower crust and uppermost mantle.
Concentration of [16α-125I]iodoestradiol in human ovarian tumors in vivo and correlation with estrogen receptor content

The gamma emitting estrogen [16α-125I]iodoestradiol was administered to 11 patients with ovarian cancer and 1 patient with endometrial cancer. At specific times after the administration of the tracer, portions of the tumor and of control tissues, fat and muscle, were removed and counted. The amount of radioactivity in these tissues was compared to the cytosolic estrogen receptor content of the tumor, measured by Sephadex LH-20 gel filtration, in biopsy specimens taken before the injection of the tracer. There was a strong correlation (p<0.005) between the estrogen receptor concentration in the biopsied tumor and the amount of radioactivity in the tumor. There was no correlation between the isotope in the muscle and the tumor receptor, nor between the radioactivity in the tumor and that in fat or muscle. As would be expected for a steroid receptor mediated process, the bulk of the total tissue radioactivity was present in the nuclear compartment of the tumors. This pattern was not observed in the muscle. Furthermore, the nuclear radioactivity in the tumors was positively correlated with the cytosolic estrogen receptor content. These experiments demonstrate that under in vivo conditions this gamma emitting estrogen is concentrated in tumors in a manner that is dependent upon the estrogen receptor. It was also found that the concentrations of radioactivity in the blood were high, producing low tumor to blood ratios. The blood level of isotope was not due to the presence of the unmetabolized steroid, which disappeared from blood rapidly, but was caused by circulating metabolites of the injected steroid. Since the concentration of the isotope in the tumor was dependent upon the estrogen receptor level, it would appear from these experiments that it is theoretically possible to use such compounds to image and monitor tumors that contain estrogen receptors. However, rapid metabolism would seem to preclude the use of 16α-iodoestradiol itself for this purpose. These studies point to the possibility that the synthesis of analogs of 16α-iodoestradiol, sterically protected against inactivation by rapid metabolism, may lead to a radiopharmaceutical agent that would be useful for imaging and monitoring estrogen receptor containing tumors.
Homology-based modeling of the Erwinia amylovora type III secretion chaperone DspF used to identify amino acids required for virulence and interaction with the effector DspE.

The structure of DspF, a type III secretion system (T3SS) chaperone required for virulence of the fruit tree pathogen Erwinia amylovora, was modeled based on predicted structural homology to characterized T3SS chaperones. This model guided the selection of 11 amino acid residues that were individually mutated to alanine via site-directed mutagenesis. Each mutant was assessed for its effect on virulence complementation, dimerization and interaction with the N-terminal chaperone-binding site of DspE. Four amino acid residues were identified that did not complement the virulence defect of a dspF knockout mutant, and three of these residues were required for interaction with the N-terminus of DspE. This study supports the significance of the predicted β-sheet helix-binding groove in DspF chaperone function.
Isolated erythroglycans have a high-affinity interaction with wheat germ agglutinin but are poorly accessible in situ

Abstract The sugar and cell specifies of wheat germ agglutinin have been studied extensively. In particular, it is well established that wheat germ agglutinin will interact with highly sialylated glycoconjugates of the type carried by the erythrocyte glycoprotein, glycophorin (Adair, w.L. and Kornfeld, S. (1974) J. Biol. Chem. 249, 4696–4704). We have found that polylactosamines isolated from adult and fetal erythrocytes can have a high-affinity interaction with immobilized wheat germ agglutinin. In fact, this interaction is much stronger than the sialic acid-dependent interaction. Using flow microfluorimetry in conjunction with various serological and enzymatic pretreatments, we have measured the extent to which polylactosamines contribute to wheat germ agglutinin binding. We have found that most of the neuraminidase-resistant receptors on erythrocytes are polylactosamine in nature. However, this residual binding of wheat germ agglutinin to neuraminidase-treated erythrocytes is of much lower apparent affinity that the sialic acid-dependent interaction. The lower reactivity of polylactosamines at the erythrocyte surface suggests that these large glycans are actually poorly accessible.
Mutations in the Temperate Phage P22 and Lysogeny in Salmonella.

Abstract All the clear-plaque forming mutants of phage P22 can be classified into three groups; c1,c2, and c3. The corresponding mutations occur at three adjacent loci within a small region of the phage linkage map. In mixed infection with a virulent mutant of the c2 type, phage c1, which lysogenizes very little or not at all by itself, lysogenizes as well as the wild type temperate phage. The early development of clones giving rise to lysogenic bacteria through the c1–c2 interaction has been studied. The significance of these interactions to an understanding of the processes leading to lysogeny is discussed.
CD uniformity dependence on CAR PEB process and its improvement for EUVL mask fabrication

In this work, we analyzed resist CD uniformity on 6025 substrates in terms of resist PEB sensitivity, PEB time, temperature variation during ramp up, hotplate vacuum and the application of a chill plate. We found that the resist PEB sensitivity, PEB time and the final temperature were the most important factors. By selecting low PEB sensitive resist and optimizing the bake conditions, the CD uniformity was greatly improved. The temperature profile of the hotplate configuration used for this study will be discussed along with the CD uniformity obtained using this hotplate under various conditions.
NF-κB2 is required for the establishment of central tolerance through an Aire-dependent pathway

NF-kappaB2-deficient mice have impaired T and B cell responses. We found, however, that in these mice there was severe infiltration of lymphocytes into multiple organs and increased activity of autoantibodies to peripheral tissue antigens in a manner similar to that of autoimmune regulator-deficient (Aire-deficient) mice. We further demonstrated that NF-kappaB2 was required for thymic Aire gene transcriptional regulation. The Nfkb2(-/-) thymus had distinct cortical and medullar structures, but reduced Aire and target gene expression of peripheral tissue antigens. Engraftment of Nfkb2(-/-) thymic stroma to nude mice recapitulated the autoimmune phenotype of the native Nfkb2(-/-) mice, confirming a key defect in central tolerance. Lymphotoxin beta receptor (LTbetaR) ligation-induced Aire gene expression was also largely abolished in the absence of NF-kappaB2. Thus NF-kappaB2 downstream of LTbetaR plays an important role in the regulation of central tolerance in an Aire-dependent manner.
Long Term Studies Comparing the Efficacy of Cell-Free Versus Cell-Associated HVT Vaccines Against Marek’s Disease

Abstract In long-term field trials lasting approximately 12 months attempts were made to determine whether the cell-free HVT vaccine was as effective in reducing MD losses as the cell-associated HVT vaccine. Four trials were conducted in which flocks were vaccinated with either the cell-free or the cell-associated HVT vaccine. The cell-free HVT vaccine was as safe and effective in preventing MD as the cell-associated HVT vaccine. Although there were some losses due to MD in all flocks, there were also losses due to lymphoid leukosis, multiple hemangioma, liposarcoma or coccidiosis. Egg production was essentially the same in flocks vaccinated with the cell-free HVT vaccine as in those vaccinated with the cell-associated HVT vaccine.
Dental Implant Biomaterials

Synthetic materials for surgical implant devices have evolved from the early metallic systems to a variety of material combinations and composites. Current biomaterial and biomechanical properties provide relatively optimal stable bone and soft tissue interfaces and simplified restorative treatments. Further improvements in existing systems require a continuation of the multidisciplinary approach to laboratory, experimental animal, and human clinical research.
Characterization of the Vaginal Microbiota of Ewes and Cows Reveals a Unique Microbiota with Low Levels of Lactobacilli and Near-Neutral pH

Although a number of common reproductive disorders in livestock involve bacterial infection, very little is known about their normal vaginal microbiota. Therefore, we sought to determine the species composition of sheep and cattle vaginal microbiota. Twenty Rambouillet ewes and twenty crossbred cows varying in age and reproductive status were sampled by ectocervicovaginal lavage. We amplified and sequenced the V3-V4 region of the 16S ribosomal RNA contents yielding a total of 907,667 high-quality reads. Good's Coverage estimates indicated that we obtained data on 98 +/- 0.01 % of the total microbial genera present in each sample. Cow and ewe vaginal microbiota displayed few differences. Cow microbiota exhibited greater (P ≤ 0.05) α-diversity compared to the ewe microbiota. Both livestock species differed (P ≤ 0.05) from all previously reported vaginal communities. While bacteria were numerically dominant, Archaea were detected in 95% of cow and ewe samples, mainly of the order Desulfurococcales. Both ewes and cows were predominately colonized by the bacterial phyla Bacteroidetes, Fusobacteria, and Proteobacteria. The most abundant genera were Aggregatibacter spp., and Streptobacillus spp. Lactobacillus ssp. were detected in 80% of ewe and 90% of cow samples, but only at very low abundances. Bacteria previously described from culture-based studies as common to the cow and ewe vaginal tract, except for Escherichia, were variably present, and only in low abundance. Ewe and cow pH differed (P ≤ 0.05), with means (+/- standard deviation) of 6.7 +/- 0.38 and 7.3 +/- 0.63, respectively. In conclusion, 16S rRNA sequencing of cow and ewe vaginal ectocervicovaginal lavages showed that cow and ewe vaginal microbiota differ from culture-led results, revealing a microbiota distinct from previously described vaginal ecosystems.
Behavior of life-shortening genes in genetic mosaics of Drosophila melanogaster.

Abstract Genetic mosaics of two life-shortening (adult lethal) genes in Drosophila melanogaster were analyzed with respect to the localization and extent of external tissues which exhibited the lfie-shortening genotype. It was hoped by this method to localize the site of action of each gene. For one mutant, AL 2, no correlation was found between the site of the adult lethal genotype and the adult life span of the mosaic fly. However, there was a direct correlation between the total amount of tissue exhibiting the adult lethal genotype and length of adult life. For the other mutant, Al 4, a more direct correlation could be made between location of adult lethal tissue and a shortened adult life span. Its focus was oriented toward the cephalic region. Like AL 2, it exhibited a direct correlation between total adult lethal tissue and length of adult life. The importance of this method of genetic analysis for the understanding of the action of life-shortening genes is disccused.
Spatiotemporal variability of wet atmospheric nitrogen deposition to the Neuse River estuary, North Carolina

Excessive nitrogen (N) loading to N-sensitive waters such as the Neuse River estuary (North Carolina) has been shown to promote changes in microbial and algal community composition and function (harmful algal blooms), hypoxia and anoxia, and fish kills. Previous studies have estimated that wet atmospheric deposition of nitrogen (WAD-N), as deposition of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN: NO - 3 , NH 3 /NH + 4 ) and dissolved organic nitrogen, may contribute at least 15% of the total externally supplied or new N flux to the coastal waters of North Carolina. In a 3-yr study from June 1996 to June 1999, we calculated the weekly wet deposition of inorganic and organic N at eleven sites on a northwest-southeast transect in the watershed. The annual mean total (wet DIN + wet organics) WAD-N flux for the Neuse River watershed was calculated to be 956 mg N/m 2 /yr (15 026 Mg N/yr). Seasonally, the spring (March-May) and summer (June August) months contain the highest total weekly N deposition; this pattern appears to be driven by N concentration in precipitation. There is also spatial variability in WAD-N deposition; in general, the upper portion of the watershed receives the lowest annual deposition and the middle portion of the watershed receives the highest deposition. Based on a range of watershed N retention and in-stream riverine processing values, we estimate that this flux contributes approximately 24% of the total new N flux to the estuary.
Orbital xanthoma in a 9-month-old infant

Abstract PURPOSE: To report a case of orbital xanthoma in a 9-month-old female. METHODS: A 9-month-old female presented with a mass in the superior temporal left orbit since birth. Clinically, a dermoid cyst was suspected. RESULTS: The orbital tumor was removed through an incision in the upper eyelid crease. Pathologic diagnosis was orbital xanthoma. CONCLUSION: Orbital xanthoma should be added to the differential diagnosis of orbital tumors in children.
De-Unionization and Macro Performance: What Freeman and Medoff Didn’t Do

Most, if not all, unions have monopoly power, which they can use to raise wages above competitive levels.-Freeman and Medoff (1984: 6) The inequality of bargaining power between employees who do not possess full freedom of association or actual liberty of contract and employers who are organized in the corporate or other forms of ownership association substantially burdens and affects the flow of commerce, and tends to aggravate recurrent business depressions, by depressing wage rates and the purchasing power of wage earners in industry and by preventing the stabilization of competitive wage rates and working conditions within and between industries.-Preamble to the Wagner Act of 1935
Single-Sex Education: New Perspectives and Evidence on a Continuing Controversy

The number of single-sex schools in the United States has climbed steadily in recent years, despite a lack of consensus that such schools lead to academic or psychological outcomes superior to those of coeducational schools. In this introduction to the first part of a special issue on the topic, we review the history of single-sex education in the U.S. and factors that have led to its recent rise. We then review ideological and methodological controversies in the field. Finally, we summarize the eight empirical studies that appear in the issue, highlighting the contributions of each paper to a body of work that we hope will inform educational practice and policy.
Promotion of a Subdominant CD8 T Cell Response during Murine Gammaherpesvirus 68 Infection in the Absence of CD4 T Cell Help

CD8 and CD4 T cells are each critically important for immune control of murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (γHV68) infection. In immunocompetent mice, acute γHV68 infection results in lifelong latency, but in the absence of CD4 T cell help, mice succumb to viral recrudescence and disease. However, the requirements for CD4 T cell help in the generation and maintenance of antiviral CD8 T cell responses are incompletely understood, and it is unclear whether there are epitope-specific differences in the requirement of CD8 T cells for CD4 help. In this report, we characterized the CD8 T cell response to γHV68 in major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II(-/-) mice, which lack CD4 T cells, or after antibody-mediated depletion of CD4 T cells. All antiviral CD8 T cells exhibited marked upregulation of surface expression of the inhibitory receptor programmed death-1 (PD-1), but surprisingly, while the immunodominant memory response appeared to be functionally impaired, helpless CD8 T cells of a subdominant specificity had increased numbers and enhanced functionality. Thus, we demonstrate differential requirements for CD4 help in the antiviral CD8 T cell response to a latent gammaherpesvirus. Importance: γHV68 is a mouse pathogen closely related to the oncogenic human γHVs, which infect a majority of the world's population. Reactivation of these viruses from latency can lead to complications, disease, and even death. CD4 T cells are required for complete immune control of long-term infection, in part by providing key signals to dendritic cells that in turn instruct optimal antiviral CD8 T cell responses. We have investigated multiple virus-specific CD8 T cell responses during infection and identified a subdominant CD8 T cell response that is numerically and functionally enhanced in the absence of CD4 T cell help. This occurs in spite of high surface expression of an inhibitory receptor and in contrast to the immunodominant response, which is impaired. Our data suggest that signals from CD4 T cells are important in maintaining the CD8 T cell hierarchy during γHV infections.
Vom statistischen Werkzeug zur Glaubensfrage

Wahrend Arthur Bailey fur die Versicherungsbranche den „Vorschlaghammer“ der Kredibilitat in das Bayes-Theorem ubersetzte, fuhrte der Statistikboom nach dem Krieg dazu, dass der schlechte Ruf der Methode besser wurde: Aus einem mausgrauen Werkzeug, das nur zur Losung praktischer Probleme diente, wurde eine alles umfassende Philosophie in grandiosem Technicolor, wenn nicht gar eine Religion.
Cyclophilin A-induced alterations of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 CA protein in vitro.

Cyclophilin A (CyP A), a cellular chaperone with cis-trans prolyl isomerase activity, is required for postassembly events in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) replication. The requirement for CyP A maps to sequences in the capsid (CA) domain of the structural precursor, Gag. To determine the effects of interaction with CyP A on capsid (CA) protein structure, the binding interaction was investigated in vitro, using recombinant HIV-1 CA protein (which forms oligomers in solution) and human CyP A. The CA and CyP A proteins interacted to form a complex which was detected predominantly as a heterodimer on sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gels. Complex formation exhibited a pH optimum of 5. The CA protein in the complex was exclusively in a conformation whereby the N terminus was blocked to Edman degradation. This finding was unexpected since CyP A binds to the central region of the CA protein (residues 85 to 93). Examination of CA protein incubated with CyP A for alterations in structure indicated that CyP A preferentially interacted with the subpopulation of trypsin-susceptible subunits in the oligomers and significantly reduced their sensitivity to proteolysis. Like CA-CyP A complex formation, conversion to trypsin resistance also exhibited a pH optimum of 5. Both complex formation and the changes in tryptic susceptibility were only partially inhibited by cyclosporin A (CsA). This appeared to be due to a CA subpopulation able to bind CyP A despite the presence of CsA. Our results identify specific tryptic sites both proximal and distal to the CyP A binding region that are altered by CyP A binding and/or by CyP A's prolyl isomerase activity. Comparison with the X-ray structure of a complex containing CyP A bound to an amino-terminal fragment of the CA protein (CA1-151) (T.R. Gamble et al., Cell 87:1285-1294, 1996) indicates that the tryptic sites that become inaccessible are among the same residues that lose a significant amount of accessible surface area through CA-CA subunit contacts made in the presence of CyP A.
Wideband multiple target tracking

We propose a new scheme involving autoregressive parameter estimation and pattern classification with maximum likelihood (ML) direction of arrival (DOA) estimation to track multiple targets moving in the far-field. The targets are sources of wideband signals which impinge on a uniform linear array of passive sensors. These wideband signals are modeled as vector autoregressive (AR) models so that the spectral densities of the targets are characterized by a finite number of parameters. Defining each target as a 'class', we use ML estimates of AR parameters and DOA as components to form a feature vector for a particular class. A Bayes classifier is employed to decide which DOA estimate should be associated with which target. Target tracking is achieved by the combined process of spectral density estimation, estimation of DOA and classification at regular time intervals. Experimental results illustrate performance of the proposed method. >
Volumetric analysis of the pre-frontal regions: findings in aging and schizophrenia.

Frontal lobe dysfunction is thought to be involved in schizophrenia and age-associated cognitive decline. Frontal lobe volume changes have been investigated in these conditions using MRI, but results have been inconsistent. Few volumetric MRI protocols exist that divide the pre-frontal cortex into its sub-regions. In the present article, we describe a new method, which allows assessment of the superior, middle and inferior frontal gyrus, as well as the orbitofrontal and cingulate regions. The method uses multiple planes to help guide the anatomical decisions and combines this with a geometric approach utilizing readily apparent anatomical landmarks. Using this protocol, the frontal lobe volumes in young healthy subjects were contrasted with those of young schizophrenic patients and Ž. elderly healthy subjects nine male subjects per group . The results showed that the method could be reproduced Ž. with high reliability r 0.880.99 . Schizophrenic as well as old subjects had specific significant reductions in the icc superior frontal gyrus and orbitofrontal regions compared with the young group. However, old and schizophrenic subjects did not differ from each another. No volume differences were observed in the other three regions assessed. Whether or not these volume reductions reflect a common pathological process remains to be investigated in future studies. 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Progress toward eliminating Haemophilus influenzae type b disease among infants and children--United States, 1987-1997.

Abstract [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Progress toward eliminating Haemophilus influenzae type b disease among infants and children—United States, 1987–1997. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 1998;47:993-998.]
Interactions of drugs and amphiphiles with membranes: modulation of lipid bilayer elastic properties by changes in acyl chain unsaturation and protonation

Poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) alter the function of many membrane proteins, whereas monounsatured fatty acids generally are inert. We previously showed that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) at pH 7 decreases the bilayer stiffness, consistent with an amphiphile-induced increase in elasticity, but not with a negative change in curvature; oleic acid (OA) was inert (Bruno, Koeppe and Andersen, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 2007, 104, 9638-9643). To further explore how PUFAs and other amphiphiles may alter lipid bilayer properties, and thus membrane protein function, we examined how changes in acyl chain unsaturation and head group charge and size alter bilayer properties, as sensed by bilayer-spanning gramicidin A (gA) channels of different lengths. Compared to DHA, the neutral DHA-methyl ester has reduced effects on bilayer properties and 1-palmitoyl-2-docosahexaenoyl-phosphatidylcholine (PDPC) forms bilayers that are softer than dioleoylphosphatidylcholine (DOPC). The changes in channel function are larger for the short gA channels, indicating that changes in elasticity dominate over changes in curvature. We altered the fatty acid protonation by titration: docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is more potent at pH 9 (relative to pH 7) and is inert at pH 4; OA, which was inert at pH 7, becomes a potent modifier of bilayer properties at pH 9. At both pH 7 and 9, DHA and OA produced larger changes in the lifetimes of the short gA channels, demonstrating that they increase lipid bilayer elasticity when deprotonated—though OA promotes the formation of inverted hexagonal phases at pH 7. The positively charged oleylamine (OAm), which has a small head-group and therefore should be a negative curvature promoter, inhibited gA channel function with similar reductions in the lifetimes of the short and long gA channels, indicating a curvature-dominated effect. Monitoring the single-channel conductance, we find that the negatively charged fatty acids increase the conductance by increasing the local negative charge around the channel, whereas the positively charged OAm has no effect. These results suggest that deprotonated fatty acids increase bilayer elasticity by reversibly adsorbing at the bilayer/solution interface.
Metastatic breast cancer to the lower eyelid.

OBJECTIVES To present a case of metastatic breast cancer to the lower eyelid and to review the literature.regarding the epidemiology and clinical features of cutaneous metastases to the eyelid. METHODS Case report describing a 68-year-old female with metastatic breast cancer to the lower eyelid. RESULTS Biopsy of the lower eyelid lesion revealed histopathologic features consistent with metastatic mucinous adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSION Cutaneous metastases to the eyelid are rare however should be in the differential diagnosis of patients with solitary nodules, ulceration, and skin changes involving the eyelid.
Classification of real moduli spaces over genus 2 curves

We classify, in terms of simple algebraic equations, the fixed point sets of the moduli space of stable bundles over genus 2 curves with anti-holomorphic involutions.
What we have learned.

This special issue celebrates the fortieth anniversary of the Journal of Child Language by presenting reflections on the past and future of research on child language acquisition. In the spirit of this celebration, I review informally the major principles we have identified, the ideas we have rejected, and some of the crucial issues remaining to be explored. Beginning with the positive findings, we can sort the principles we have confirmed into four categories: learning principles, processing principles, neurolinguistic principles, and social interaction principles.
Correlation Between Shear Punch and Tensile Data for Neutron-Irradiated Aluminum Alloys

As part of a study to determine the potential for using aluminum alloys as structural components in accelerators used to produce tritium, tensile specimens and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) disks of two aluminum alloys in two tempers were irradiated with neutrons from spallation reactions in the Los Alamos Spallation Radiation Effects Facility (LASREF) at the Los Alamos Meson Physics Facility (LAMPF) at 90 to 120 C to a fluence of {approximately} 4 {times} 10{sup 20} n/cm{sup 2}. Tensile and shear punch tests were performed on the irradiated alloys as well as on a similar unirradiated control matrix with a larger number of specimens, and a correlation between shear and tensile properties was developed for the unirradiated alloys and the irradiated alloys. Comparison of the correlations for the unirradiated and irradiated alloys showed that small differences in the correlations existed, however for purposes of estimation of uniaxial tensile properties, either correlation was found to be adequate.
Expression of tumor suppressive microRNA-34a is associated with a reduced risk of bladder cancer recurrence.

Bladder cancer is the fourth most common cancer among men in the United States and more than half of patients experience recurrences within 5 years after initial diagnosis. Additional clinically informative and actionable biomarkers of the recurrent bladder cancer phenotypes are needed to improve screening and molecular therapeutic approaches for recurrence prevention. MicroRNA-34a (miR-34a) is a short noncoding regulatory RNA with tumor suppressive attributes. We leveraged our unique, large, population-based prognostic study of bladder cancer in New Hampshire, United States to evaluate miR-34a expression levels in individual tumor cells to assess prognostic value. We collected detailed exposure and medical history data, as well as tumor tissue specimens from bladder patients and followed them long-term for recurrence, progression and survival. Fluorescence-based in situ hybridization assays were performed on urothelial carcinoma tissue specimens (n = 229). A larger proportion of the nonmuscle invasive tumors had high levels of miR-34a within the carcinoma cells compared to those tumors that were muscle invasive. Patients with high miR-34a levels in their baseline nonmuscle invasive tumors experienced lower risks of recurrence (adjusted hazard ratio 0.57, 95% confidence interval 0.34-0.93). Consistent with these observations, we demonstrated a functional tumor suppressive role for miR-34a in cultured urothelial cells, including reduced matrigel invasion and growth in soft agar. Our results highlight the need for further clinical studies of miR-34a as a guide for recurrence screening and as a possible candidate therapeutic target in the bladder.
AutoLoop: automated action selection in the "observe-analyze-act" loop for storage systems

Enterprise applications typically depend on guaranteed performance from the storage subsystem, lest they fail. However, changes in the workload characteristics, component failures, load surges, are unlikely to result in guaranteed performance for the applications. Given that widespread access protocols and scheduling policies are largely best-effort, the problem of meeting performance goals on a shared system is a very difficult one, and currently accomplished by human administrators, using a 24 /spl times/ 7 observe-analyze-act (OAA) loop. AutoLoop is an OAA automation framework that uses a combination of self-refining models and constrained optimization techniques. This paper gives an overview of the automation process, and focuses on the analyze aspect of the loop that selects the corrective action. The process of action selection today is "black magic" - human administrators use their years of experience and coarse-grained heuristics to select along a spectrum of actions ranging from short-term tuning (such as throttling of workloads) to long-term modifications (such as migration of data among the available resources). AUTOLOOP is the first-of-a-kind within storage systems that formalizes the task of action selection as a machine-executable constraint solving problem. AUTOLOOP exhaustively searches the solution-space of corrective actions, uses skyline analysis to short-list a subset of low-cost high-benefit actions, and selects the optimal set of actions along with a schedule to invoke them. The action selection takes into account the cost of action invocation, the expected benefit, the current and future workload needs, the overall load pattern on the system, and the application-level service level objectives (SLOs).
A world in balance.

The objectives of this paper are to define the scope of global population growth within the uncompromising everyday realities of technology economies and politics and to demonstrate the intimate between the human population problem and the increasing problem of Natures destruction. It is hoped that the human species will come to its sense in time to create an adequate standard of living of all of its members in peace and environmental balance. The number of people the world can support is considered in terms of 1) the provision for a standard of living adequate for everyones health and wellbeing 2) consideration for wildlife and nature and 3) reliance on existing levels of technology and politics. Standards of living are suggested for the affluent and the austere. The focus on the discussion is on standards of living global carrying capacity the imperatives of population control and respect for nature humans versus wildlife and the need for a universal declaration of respect for nature. Carrying capacity is determined by total land area cultivated land area forest land area cereals (grain) and wood. Use per capita of each of the 5 essentials is determined for the affluent or austere standard of living. An affluent standard means that world population would be limited to 2 billion which is 50% of the current population. An austere standard of living means a limit of 3 billion or 33% less than the existing population. The unfortunate reality is that todays total population of 4.5 billion is increasing at an annual rate of 1.9% and is not expected to level off until it has increased 3 times. This population growth occurs at the expense of wildlife. Of the total terrestrial animal biomass humans constitute 4% and domestic livestock 15% which in 40 years will reach a combined 40% and lead to more species extinction. One species of bird or mammal will become extinct for each increase of 220 million people which happens every 3 years. The solution is a radical stop reversal and stabilization of population to achieve one which is lower than todays 4.5 billion.