cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Alpha Alchemy: Diversifying Without Diluting Alpha

Managers are often evaluated and selected on the basis of their portfolio’s stand-alone risk and return properties. This is too narrowly focused. The basics of mean-variance optimization tells us that covariance and the relationship of a security’s returns within the context of the overall portfolio is important. We illustrate how the basics of portfolio construction with individual securities also applies to building a portfolio of managers. First, we show the statistical properties of different asset classes, as more and more managers are used to get exposure to the asset class. Depending on the asset class, tracking error, relative skewness, and relative excess kurtosis improve at different rates. This is important for considering how many managers may be necessary to get exposure to an asset class. We then illustrate an optimization method of combining the managers. Although the managers, on their own, may not have statistically positive alphas, they can be combined in a way to improve the likelihood that the portfolio of managers has a statistically positive alpha. The optimization method is not a substitute for traditional due diligence. It is just one additional tool useful for manager selection and portfolio construction. TOPICS:Wealth management, portfolio construction, manager selection Key Findings • Combining managers can reduce tracking error, but the relationship between tracking error reduction and manager addition depends on the asset class. Specifically, it depends on the average tracking error and average correlation of excess returns within an asset class. • A slightly modified Sharpe ratio is equivalent to a t-value. An information ratio (with Jensen’s alpha in the numerator) can also be interpreted as t-value. Maximizing these ratios is equivalent to maximizing confidence that the excess return or alpha will be positive. • Individual managers with no or even negative alpha can be combined to give positive alpha.
Teacher Wage Penalty and Decrease in Teacher Quality: Evidence from Career-Changers:

This paper examines the relation between teacher pay and teacher quality through the career dynamics of teachers and non-teachers. I find that public school teachers earn considerably less than the...
Abstract A32: Selective inhibition of AuroraA by LY3295668 erbumine in neuroblastoma models induces apoptosis through a combination of S-phase DNA damage and mitotic arrest

Aurora kinase A (AuroraA) is a serine/threonine protein kinase critical for centrosome maturation, mitotic spindle formation, and spindle checkpoint activation. Aberrant expression of AuroraA promotes tumor initiation and disease progression, making it a promising therapeutic target in several cancer types. However, recent clinical trials of purported selective AuroraA inhibitors failed due to lack of efficacy and/or hematologic toxicity, likely due to concurrent inhibition of Aurora kinase B (AuroraB). Selective AuroraA inhibition leads to mitotic arrest and apoptosis, while AuroraB inhibition causes persistent DNA endoreduplication and polyploidy leading to genomic instability. LY3295668 erbumine (LY3295668) is a selective AuroraA inhibitor with preclinical activity in multiple models of cancer including neuroblastoma (NBL). High-risk NBL, a devastating pediatric cancer with few effective treatment options, is mainly stratified by MYCN amplification status. In NBL, AuroraA stabilizes N-MYC post-transcriptionally; moreover, AuroraA also controls N-MYC-dependent transcription during S-phase. Here, we evaluated LY3295668 in multiple NBL cell lines and in vivo mouse models where treatment resulted in apoptosis and tumor regressions, respectively. We compared LY3295668 to alisertib (a dual AuroraA/B inhibitor) in multiple cell-based assays that differentiate AuroraA activity from that of AuroraB and showed that LY3295668 has a distinct pharmacologic profile from alisertib. In addition, we determined the mechanism of action for LY3295668 includes DNA damage prior to mitotic block. Our results further support that AuroraA controls MYC-dependent transcription in S-phase and selective inhibition of AuroraA with LY3295668 promotes transcription-replication conflicts leading to DNA damage. In addition to AuroraA-mediated mitotic arrest, this DNA damage may contribute to the hypersensitivity of MYC-driven tumors such as NBL. In summary, LY3295668 is a selective AuroraA inhibitor with a dual mechanism of action in NBL involving DNA damage in S-phase and a cell cycle block in mitosis. These combined activities contribute to sensitivity of preclinical NBL models. Citation Format: Michele Dowless, Jill Kremer, Caitlin Lowery, Xueqian Gong, Joseph Klahn, Jennifer Stephens, Yu-Hua Hui, Wayne Blosser, Ricardo Martinez, Jian Du, Louis Stancato. Selective inhibition of AuroraA by LY3295668 erbumine in neuroblastoma models induces apoptosis through a combination of S-phase DNA damage and mitotic arrest [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on the Advances in Pediatric Cancer Research; 2019 Sep 17-20; Montreal, QC, Canada. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(14 Suppl):Abstract nr A32.
Positive Psychosocial Factors and Cognitive Decline in Ethnically Diverse Older Adults.

Objectives: Previous cross-sectional studies have documented associations between positive psychosocial factors, such as self-efficacy and emotional support, and late-life cognition. Further, the magnitudes of concurrent associations may differ across racial and ethnic groups that differ in Alzheimer’s disease risk. The goals of this longitudinal study were to characterize prospective associations between positive psychosocial factors and cognitive decline and explicitly test for differential impact across race and ethnicity. Methods: 578 older adults (42% non-Hispanic Black, 31% non-Hispanic White, and 28% Hispanic) in the Washington Heights-Inwood Columbia Aging Project completed cognitive and psychosocial measures from the NIH Toolbox and standard neuropsychological tests over 2.4 years. Latent difference scores were used to model associations between positive psychosocial factors and cognitive decline controlling for baseline cognition, sociodemographics, depressive symptoms, physical health, and other positive psychosocial factors. Multiple-group modeling was used to test interactions between the positive psychosocial factors and race/ethnicity. Results: Higher NIH Toolbox Friendship scores predicted less episodic memory decline. One standard deviation increase in friendship corresponded to 6 fewer years of memory aging. This association did not significantly differ across racial/ethnic groups. Conclusions: This longitudinal study provides support for the potential importance of friendships for subsequent episodic memory trajectories among older adults from three ethnic groups. Further study into culturally informed interventions is needed to investigate whether and how friend networks may be targeted to promote cognitive health in late life.
Comb-Locked Cavity-Ringdown Spectroscopy for Molecular Transition Frequency Measurements below 1×10 12 Relative Uncertainty

We describe highly accurate molecular line positions determined by a recently developed comb-locked cavity ring-down spectrometer. Molecular transition frequencies near 1.6 μm are determined with relative total uncertainties below 1 × 10−12 (200 Hz absolute uncertainty).
Gate-tunable near-field heat transfer (Conference Presentation)

Within the last two decades, it has been theoretically shown and experimentally measured that the radiative heat transfer between bodies in the near-field significantly exceeds the blackbody limit. This enhancement in heat transfer arises from evanescent surface waves, for example surface plasmon and surface phonon polaritons, that can tunnel between bodies at different temperatures. This result holds promise for applications in nano-imaging and lithography, thermophotovoltaics, nanoscale refrigeration and thermal circuitry. Although significant progress has been made in near-field heat transfer using passive materials, such as plasmonic metals and polar dielectrics, realizing actively tunable near-field heat transfer modules is of fundamental importance for controlling the photon heat flux. In this talk, analogously to its electronic counterpart, the metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) capacitor, we propose a thermal switching mechanism based on accumulation and depletion of charge carriers in an ultra-thin plasmonic film, via application of external bias. In our proposed configuration, the plasmonic film is placed on top of a polaritonic dielectric material that provides a surface phonon polariton thermal channel, while also ensuring electrical insulation for application of large electric fields. The variation of carrier density in the plasmonic film enables the control of the surface plasmon polariton thermal channel. We show that the interaction of the surface plasmonic mode with the surface phonon polariton significantly enhances the net heat transfer. We study SiC as the oxide and explore three classes of gate-tunable plasmonic materials: transparent conductive oxides, doped semiconductors, and graphene, and theoretically predict contrast ratios as high as 225%.
Wildfires increasingly impact western US fluvial networks

Wildfires are increasing globally in frequency, severity, and extent, but their impact on fluvial networks, and the resources they provide, remains unclear. We combine remote sensing of burn perimeter and severity, in-situ water quality monitoring, and longitudinal modeling to create the first large-scale, long-term estimates of stream+river length impacted by wildfire for the western US. We find that wildfires directly impact ~6% of the total stream+river length between 1984 and 2014, increasing at a rate of 342 km/year. When longitudinal propagation of water quality impacts is included, we estimate that wildfires affect ~11% of the total stream+river length. Our results indicate that wildfire activity is one of the largest drivers of aquatic impairment, though it is not routinely reported by regulatory agencies, as wildfire impacts on fluvial networks remain unconstrained. We identify key actions to address this knowledge gap and better understand the growing threat to fluvial networks, water security, and public health risks. The authors investigate the impacts of wildfires on fluvial networks in the western US. They find that wildfires directly impacted ~6% of the total stream length between 1984 and 2014. When longitudinal propagation was included, they estimate that wildfires affected ~11% of the total stream length.
Psychological impairments in individuals with history of ankle sprain: a systematic review.

Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) can be used to assess and monitor psychological health following musculoskeletal injury. Studies have reported decreased psychological health after lateral ankle sp...
Foliar Application of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles Suppresses Fusarium Wilt Development on Chrysanthemum

Micronutrients applied as nanoparticles of metal oxides have shown efficacy in vegetable and other crops for improving yield and reducing Fusarium diseases, but their role in ornamental crop management has not been investigated. In 2017, 2018, and 2020, nanoparticles of CuO, Mn2O3, or ZnO were foliarly applied at 500 μg/mL (0.6 mg/plant) to chrysanthemum transplants and planted in potting soil noninfested or infested with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. chrysanthemi. An untreated control and a commercial fungicide, Fludioxonil, was also included. Chrysanthemums treated with nanoscale CuO had a 55, 30, and 32% reduction in disease severity ratings compared to untreated plants in 2017, 2018, and 2020, respectively. Specifically, the average dry biomass for the three years was reduced 22% by disease, but treatment with nanoscale CuO led to a 23% increase when compared to controls. Similar trends with plant height were observed. Horticultural quality was improved 28% with nano CuO and was equal to the fungicide. Nanoscale Mn2O3 and the fungicide did not consistently reduce disease ratings or increase dry biomass each year. Nanoscale ZnO was ineffective. Nanoscale CuO-treated plants had 24 to 48% more Cu/g tissue than controls (P < 0.001). These findings agree with past reports on food crops where single applications of nanoscale CuO improved plant health, growth, and yield and could offer significant impacts for managing plant diseases on ornamentals.
Impacts of the respecting the circle of life teen pregnancy prevention program on risk and protective factors for early substance use among native American youth

Abstract Background Early substance use disproportionately impacts Native American (Native) youth and increases their risk for future abuse and dependence. The literature urges for interventions to move beyond focusing on single risk behaviors (e.g. substance use) and instead have capacity to improve health risk behaviors co-occuring during adolescence, particularly among Native populations for whom few evidence-based interventions (EBI) exist. We evaluated the effectiveness of the Respecting the Circle of Life program (RCL) on risk and protective factors for early substance use. RCL is a culturally tailored EBI shown to improve sexual health outcomes among Native youth. Methods We conducted secondary analyses of data collected through a community-based randomized controlled trial of RCL evaluated among Native youth (ages 11–19) residing on a rural reservation between 2015–2020 (N = 534, 47.4 % male). We used linear regression, controlling for baseline age and sex, to test between study group differences in outcomes at 3-, 9-, and 12-month post-intervention. Models were stratified by sex and age (11−12, 13−14, and 15+ years of age) to examine differences within these subgroups. Results Youth receiving RCL reported lower intention to use substances through 12-months follow-up (p = 0.006). Statistically significant improvements were also observed across peer, parent, and sexual partner risk and protective factors to delay substance use initiation, with notable differences among boys and participants ages 13−14. Conclusions RCL is a primary prevention, skills-based program effective in preventing risks for substance use. This evaluation underscores the value in developing programs that influence concurrent adolescent risk behaviors, especially for Native communities who endure multiple health disparities.
Working for Justice: A Handbook of Prison Education and Activism

Contributors: David Coogan, Craig Lee Engstrom, Jeralyn Faris, Stephen John Hartnett, Edward A. Hinck, Shelly Schaefer Hinck, Bryan J. McCann, Nikki H. Nichols, Eleanor Novek, Brittany L. Peterson, Jonathan Shailor, Rachel A. Smith, Derrick L. Williams, Lesley A. Withers, Jennifer K. Wood, and Bill Yousman.
Discordance between IgA B cell precursors and the secretion of IgA antibody to bacterial polysaccharides.

B cell precursors of IgA antibody forms cells (AFC) with specificity for antigenic determinants common in the mouse environment originate in Peyer’s patches (PP) and migrate, via lymphatic ducts of the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) to mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), and via the systemic circulation to distal mucosal secretory sites, to differentiate to IgA producing cells. It is thought that the commitment of B cell precursors to IgA production may be due to the effect of the PP microenvironment on the B cells (1,2), and the frequency of distribution of these precursors of IgA AFC show a relationship to the lymphoid tissue site in which the B cells differentiate (2–4). The mechanisms involved in the IgA cell cycle in the distal tissues and the signals triggering the differentiation of precursor B cells into IgA AFC remains less than clear. The regulation of IgA production by GALT T cells is well documented (2,5,6), and generation of IgA plaque-forming cells (PFC) to bacterial polysaccharides (Ps) is clearly T cell-dependent (TD) (2). However, the role of T cells in the IgA precursor cycle and the T cell contribution to IgA systemic antibody (Ab) to bacterial Ps have only been partly clarified (2,3,7,8).
NOSOCOMIAL INFECTION WITH ECHOVIRUS TYPE II IN HANDICAPPED AND PREMATURE INFANTS

This report describes an outbreak of nosocomial infections due to echovirus type 11 among premature and/or handicapped infants in an intensive care unit. Four patients became ill within a short period of time and echovirus 11 was recovered from several of their specimens. The illnesses were clinically suggestive of bacterial sepsis and/or bacterial meningitis. Each of the four infants who became ill was in an isolette for a period of from 20 to 54 days before onset of illness. Three of the four patients became ill within 24 hours of one another which suggested a common exposure at nearly the same time. No index case could be identified, but it appears that this outbreak of enteroviral infections was due to inadequate hand washing by personnel. The outbreak was halted by removing the infants to an infectious disease unit and by closing the involved unit to new admissions for seven days.
Cortical plaque-like structures identify ribosome-containing domains in the Mauthner cell axon

The hypothesis that ribosomes are present, but may have a restricted distribution, in the Mauthner (M) axon was evaluated in isolated M-cell axoplasm after (1) staining with YOYO-1 and (2) inspection by electron spectroscopic imaging (ESI) of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) phosphorus (P). Discrete periaxoplasmic plaques, identified by their ribonuclease- sensitive fluorescence, were located circumferentially at the surface boundary of isolated axoplasm and distributed longitudinally at random intervals. Conditions that destabilized plaques, and surface blotting of plaques onto a coverslip, revealed that fluorescent puncta were probably a significant source of plaque fluorescence. Fluorescent puncta were also distributed in a delimited volume of axoplasm, subjacent to the plaque. The notably higher density of F-actin in the latter region suggested that the actin cytoskeleton may govern the spatial distribution of puncta in subcortical axoplasm. Some fluorescent plaques were superficial to the cortical F-actin layer, whereas others formed inclusions within the F-actin layer; however, plaques did not appear to contain F-actin. Periaxoplasmic plaques were also identified in ordinary myelinated axons. ESI, in which rRNA emits bright signals in the phosphorus (P) spectral line against a low- contrast background, showed that isolated axoplasm contained characteristic 25 nm P signals, which were associated or in direct contact with a pleiomorphic structural matrix, located at the surface boundary. Polyribosomal P signals were also distributed in peripheral axoplasm below the matrix. The concept of a distinct polyribosome- populated domain, distributed intermittently in the cortical zone of the axon is described. This domain is spatially defined by a plaque- like periaxoplasmic structural matrix, and a confluent volume of subcortical axoplasm integrated through an actin cytoskeleton.
Latticed Structures: State-of-the-Art Report

A comprehensive review is presented of current practice regarding shell-like structures composed of a network of elements in the form of grids, domes, hypars, and other shapes. The review provides a general overview of all the important aspects of a latticed structure and emphasizes the characteristics common to all latticed structures rather than treating each form as a unique topic. The report begins with a background history and architectural form. Several shapes and member arrangements are illustrated by existing structures. The report continues with examination of various methods of analysis and stability determination. In addition to general descriptions, tables are included which catalogue the existing methods and show where they are applicable. References are made to an extensive bibliography where more detailed information on specific topics can be obtained. The report concludes with two sections on design and construction. Several important factors, which are unique to latticed structures, are considered.
A time-based analysis of changing consumer values in India

Purpose – This paper aims to document changes in values of young Indian consumers over a 10-year period from 2004 to 2014. Given increases in per-capita income and living standards and, particularly, the tremendous increase in exposure to global products and ideals via media advertising, and greater one-to-one interaction with Americans and other English-speaking people from individualistic cultures (India has over 250 million Internet users who communicate in the English language), it was proposed that young Indian consumers would adopt values associated with self-enhancement and individualism, forsaking self-transcendence-related ideals such as benevolence and universalism. Design/methodology/approach – Data pertaining to the Rokeach value scale (RVS) were collected in New Delhi in 2004 and 2014 and tested using MANOVA. Findings – The results strongly support the contentions, save a couple of surprises. Implications of this dramatic change in values in a relatively short period are discussed from a mark...
The Nature of Physical Education Programming for the Mentally Retarded and Physically Handicapped

(1974). The Nature of Physical Education Programming for the Mentally Retarded and Physically Handicapped. Journal of Health, Physical Education, Recreation: Vol. 45, No. 2, pp. 89-92.
Spectral subtraction of robot motion noise for improved event detection in tactile acceleration signals

New robots for teleoperation and autonomous manipulation are increasingly being equipped with high-bandwidth accelerometers for measuring the transient vibrational cues that occur during contact with objects. Unfortunately, the robot's own internal mechanisms often generate significant high-frequency accelerations, which we term ego-vibrations. This paper presents an approach to characterizing and removing these signals from acceleration measurements. We adapt the audio processing technique of spectral subtraction over short time windows to remove the noise that is estimated to occur at the robot's present joint velocities. Implementation for the wrist roll and gripper joints on a Willow Garage PR2 robot demonstrates that spectral subtraction significantly increases signal-to-noise ratio, which should improve vibrotactile event detection in both teleoperation and autonomous robotics.
e-Assessment for Learning in Higher Education: Is it a wolf in sheep's clothing?

As an extensive body of research demonstrates, Assessment for Learning (AfL) practices can have a significant impact on student achievement in the schooling sector and over the last decade these practices have gained currency in higher education settings. Digital technologies are increasingly being embedded into university programmes, therefore it is important that the issue of quality learning as socio-political engagement in online higher education settings be carefully examined. In this article the authors, a group of pre-service teacher educators who work with students undertaking initial teacher training, explore key discourses that underpin the application of AfL in higher education digital contexts – eAfL (e-Assessment for Learning). In particular, we critique discourses of ‘learnification’, ‘responsibilisation’ and ‘performativity’ in relation to eAfL. We pose possibilities to be considered for the development of robust practices that promote agency and engage with students’ funds of knowledge, as the socially and culturally located knowledge, skills and dispositions that learners bring to higher education contexts.Charteris et al. e-Assessment for Learning (eAfL) in higher education: is it a wolf in sheep’s clothing?
The Symptoms of Resource Scarcity Judgments of Food and Finances Influence Preferences for Potential Partners

Male preferences for female body weight follow a consistent cross-cultural pattern such that in cultures with scarce resources, heavier women are preferred, whereas in cultures with abundant resources, thinner women are preferred. We offer a social-cognitive account for these findings based on the individual experience of resource scarcity. In four studies (N=1,176), we explored the possibility that this cross-cultural relationship emerges at the individual level; that is, we investigated whether situational feelings of resource scarcity predict personal preferences within a single culture. We operationalized intraindividual resource scarcity through feelings of financial and caloric dissatisfaction. Accordingly, we hypothesized-and found-that men who feel either poor or hungry prefer heavier women than men who feel rich or full. We discuss these findings in terms of how patterns of cross-cultural norms may be evinced at the individual level through an implicit psychological mechanism.
Cell-Based metrics improve the detection of gene-gene interactions using multifactor dimensionality reduction

Multifactor Dimensionality Reduction (MDR) is a widely-used data-mining method for detecting and interpreting epistatic effects that do not display significant main effects. MDR produces a reduced-dimensionality representation of a dataset which classifies multi-locus genotypes into either high- or low-risk groups. The weighted fraction of cases and controls correctly labelled by this classification, the balanced accuracy, is typically used as a metric to select the best or most-fit model. We propose two new metrics for MDR to use in evaluating models, Variance and Fisher, and compare those metrics to two previously-used MDR metrics, Balanced Accuracy and Normalized Mutual Information. We find that the proposed metrics consistently outperform the existing metrics across a variety of scenarios.
Federal education efforts to promote occupant protection.

(1984). Federal Education Efforts to Promote Occupant Protection. Health Education: Vol. 15, No. 5, pp. 33-34.
Output Feedback and Bursts: Overcoming Uncertainty in Asynchronous Sequential Machines

Abstract The conditions under which output feedback controllers can overcome uncertainty in asynchronous sequential machines are broadened by the utilization of bursts - outbursts produced by asynchronous sequential machines during transitions. This note presents a framework for the design of output feedback controllers that utilize bursts to control asynchronous sequential machines with critical races. Necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of such controllers are presented in terms of a numerical matrix derived from available data. The framework is based on a new class of generalized realizations introduced here.
Mechanical equilibrium of thick, hollow, liquid membrane cylinders

The mechanical equilibrium of bilayer membrane cylinders is analyzed. The analysis is motivated by the observation that mechanically formed membrane strands (tethers) can support significant axial loads and that the tether radius varies inversely with the axial force. Previously, thin shell theory has been used to analyze the tether formation process, but this approach is inadequate for describing and predicting the equilibrium state of the tether itself. In the present work the membrane is modeled as two adjacent, thick, anisotropic liquid shells. The analysis predicts an inverse relationship between axial force and tether radius, which is consistent with experimental observation. The area expansivity modulus and bending stiffness of the tether membrane are calculated using previously measured values of tether radii. These calculated values are consistent with values of membrane properties measured previously. Application of the analysis to precise measurements of the relationship between tether radius and axial force will provide a novel method for determining the mechanical properties of biomembrane.
Individual- and Neighborhood-Level Characteristics Associated with Support of In-Pharmacy Vaccination among ESAP-Registered Pharmacies: Pharmacists’ Role in Reducing Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Influenza Vaccinations in New York City

New York State (NYS) passed legislation authorizing pharmacists to administer immunizations in 2008. Racial/socioeconomic disparities persist in vaccination rates and vaccine-preventable diseases such as influenza. Many NYS pharmacies participate in the Expanded Syringe Access Program (ESAP), which allows provision of non-prescription syringes to help prevent transmission of HIV, and are uniquely positioned to offer vaccination services to low-income communities. To understand individual and neighborhood characteristics of pharmacy staff support for in-pharmacy vaccination, we combined census tract data with baseline pharmacy data from the Pharmacies as Resources Making Links to Community Services (PHARM-Link) study among ESAP-registered pharmacies. The sample consists of 437 pharmacists, non-pharmacist owners, and technicians enrolled from 103 eligible New York City pharmacies. Using multilevel analysis, pharmacy staff who expressed support of in-pharmacy vaccination services were 69% more likely to support in-pharmacy HIV testing services (OR, 1.69; 95% CI 1.39–2.04). While pharmacy staff who worked in neighborhoods with a high percent of minority residents were less likely to express support of in-pharmacy vaccination, those in neighborhoods with a high percent of foreign-born residents were marginally more likely to express support of in-pharmacy vaccination. While educational campaigns around the importance of vaccination access may be needed among some pharmacy staff and minority community residents, we have provided evidence supporting scale-up of vaccination efforts in pharmacies located in foreign-born/immigrant communities which has potential to reduce disparities in vaccination rates and preventable influenza-related mortality.
Uptake of glycine-I-14C into the actomyosin and collagen fractions of developing chick muscle.

Abstract The level of glycine- i - 14 C was determined in the blood and in the nonprotein glycine, in the collagen fraction and the actomyosin fraction of muscle tissue of 14-day chick embryos and of freshly hatched chicks. The initial rate of incorporation of the tracer into the collagen fraction shows a lag period and remains significantly lower than the incorporation rate into the actomyosin in spite of the similarity in the accumulation rates of the two protein fractions. Possible interpretations of these differences are discussed.
The Transnational Beginnings of West German Zeitgeschichte in the 1950s

The study of Zeitgeschichte, or contemporary history, was not an invention of the postwar era. But it was in the wake of the Second World War that it carved out a space in the historical professions of the United States, Great Britain and, most pronouncedly, West Germany. In each country, it came with similar definitions: in West Germany as “the era of those living, and its scholarly treatment by academics”; in the United States as “the period of the last generation or two”; and in Britain as “Europe in the twentieth century” or “the histories of yesterday which are being written today.” Such definitions contained a generational component and left contemporary history open to continuous rejuvenation. Yet during the postwar decades, the above definitions steered interest clearly toward the history of National Socialism, the Second World War, and foreign policy of the 1920s and 1930s. The horrific cost in human lives of Nazi racial and anti-Semitic policies gave an instant relevance to all aspects of Germany's past. The German grip on much of Europe had made National Socialism an integral component in the history of formerly occupied countries, and the Allied struggle to defeat Nazism added yet more countries to the list of those that had seen their histories become entangled with that of Germany. Hence, the academic writing of German contemporary history was never an exclusively German affair. Scholars outside Germany, especially in Great Britain and the United States, were part of the endeavor from the outset. Their involvement was facilitated by the fact that the Western Allies had captured an enormous quantity of German records and archives at the end of the war, part of which would become available to historians over the course of the 1950s and 1960s.
Different granule cell populations innervate superficial and deep regions of the external plexiform layer in rat olfactory bulb.

Studies on the morphological organization of the main olfactory bulb have indicated that there are subpopulations of granule cells with different dendritic patterns in the external plexiform layer (EPL). Small, extracellular injections of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) were made iontophoretically into superficial and deep parts of the EPL and the granule cell layer (GCL) in adult rats. Superficial EPL injections principally labeled superficial granule cell somata, whereas deep EPL injections labeled both superficial and deep granule cell somata. Injections in the superficial GCL labeled granule cell dendritic processes extending across the entire EPL. However, deep GCL injections labeled few granule cell dendrites in the superficial EPL, but labeled many such processes in the deep EPL. These results were the same in material processed with the Hanker-Yates procedure, where the morphology of individual neurons could be studied, and in the more sensitive tetramethyl benzidineprocedure. Serial reconstructions of individual granule cells were made from both HRP and Golgi-Kopsch material. The distal dendrites of deep granule cells reached only as far as the deep EPL, where they branched extensively and had many dendritic spines. The dendrites of superficial granule cells, however, reached the most superficial part of the EPL where they ramified most extensively. The superficial granule cells typically had a higher spine density in the superficial part of the EPL than in the deep part. On the basis of these results, we conclude that the superficial granule cells predominantly innervate the superficial EPL and that the deep granule cells exclusively innervate the deep EPL. Granule cells are believed to exert inhibitory influences on the bulbar output neurons, the mitral and tufted cells, through reciprocal dendrodendritic synapses. Since the secondary dendrites of the tufted cells ramify in the superficial EPL and the dendrites of most mitral cells ramify in deep EPL, the superficial and deep granule cells may preferentially modulate the responses of tufted and mitral cells, respectively.
Effectiveness of a Media Campaign to Reduce Traffic Crashes Involving Young Drivers

This article describes the evaluation of a 4-1/2-month multimedia traffic-safety campaign that targeted young drivers in northeastern Tennessee. Discussion groups with teenagers provided the basis for public-service announcements (TV, radio, and billboard), which were developed specifically for this intervention. To determine the impact on crash frequencies among drivers 16-19 years old, baseline, intervention, and follow-up crash data were obtained from statistics maintained by the state. A time-series analysis of these data indicated that during the intervention period, there was a 21.6% decrease in crashes for which 16-19-year-old drivers were at fault, whereas a control location in southeastern Tennessee exhibited no significant change.
RESPONSE OF GUARD CELLS TO TEMPERATURE AT DIFFERENT CONCENTRATIONS OF CARBON DIOXIDE IN VICIA FABA L.

Summary One of the least understood areas in guard cell movements remains the effect of CO2, particularly its effect on isolated guard cells. In this study the reactions of guard cells in both isolated epidermal strips and intact leaf sections from Vicia faba have been observed in a variety of temperatures and CO2 concentrations in both light and darkness. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that stomatal aperture in the isolated guard cell is the result of two temperature-dependent systems. A decrease in aperture consistently observed at 30 to 35°C in the light reflects the transition from one system to the other. The low temperature system appears consistent with the chemiosmotic hypothesis of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase regulation of malate. It demonstrates some sensitivity to CO2 between 25 and 35 °C, resulting in a shift in optimum aperture to slightly higher temperatures. The high temperature system shows no apparent sensitivity to CO2. Stomata from intact leaf sections showed a considerable decrease in aperture as the CO2 concentration increased from 0 to 60 μl 1−1. The stomatal response threshold to CO2 appears to be at least as low as 60μ1 1−1 and centred in the mesophyll tissue. All observable CO2 responses in both strips and leaf sections disappeared at temperatures in excess of 35 °C in the light.
Toxicity of high dimethyl sulfoxide concentrations in rat heart freezing.

Summary When hearts from rats were frozen with 15% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) to −20°C and thawed, 80% resumed mechanical activity when the DMSO was washed out. Hearts treated similarly, except that the DMSO was 30%, failed to recover in all cases 8 except one. Hearts treated with 30% DMSO did not freeze. None of the hearts from animals pretreated for 4 days before the experiment with 2.0 mg per day of cortisone acetate and then cooled to −20°C with 30% DMSO resumed mechanical activity after warming. However, the cortisone did reduce edema formation in the hearts to 17% of that formed in hearts from untreated rats. The results demonstrate that 30% DMSO is toxic in rat heart preparations, in contrast to previous reports of the lack of toxicity of similar concentrations in other tissues.
Pilot Performance, Strategy, and Workload While Executing Approaches at Steep Angles and With Lower Landing Minima

OBJECTIVE: We examined the willingness and ability of general aviation pilots to execute steep approaches in low-visibility conditions into nontowered airports. BACKGROUND: Executing steep approaches in poor weather is required for a proposed Small Aircraft Transportation System (SATS) that consists of small aircraft flying direct routes to a network of regional airports. METHOD: Across two experiments, 17 pilots rated for Instrument Flight Rules at George Mason University or Virginia Tech flew a Cessna 172R simulator into Blacksburg, Virginia. Pilots were familiarized with the simulator and asked to fly approaches with either a 200- or 400-foot ceiling (at approach angles of 3 degrees, 5 degrees, and 7 degrees in the first experiment, 3 degrees and 6 degrees in the second). Pilots rated subjective workload and the simulator recorded flight parameters for each set of approaches. RESULTS: Approaches with a 5 degree approach angle produced safe landings with minimal deviations from normal descent control configurations and were rated as having a moderate level of workload. Approaches with 6 degree and 7 degree approach angles produced safe landings but high workload ratings. Pilots reduced power to control the speed of descent and flew the aircraft slightly above the glide path to gain time to control the landing. CONCLUSION: Although the 6 degree and 7 degree approaches may not be practical for routine approaches, they may be achievable in the event of an emergency. APPLICATION: Further work using other aircraft flying under a wider variety of conditions is needed before implementing SATS-type flights into airports intended to supplant or complement commercial operations in larger airports. Language: en
Quantifying error in the radiative forcing of the first aerosol indirect effect

[1] Anthropogenic aerosol plays a major role in the Earth's radiation budget, particularly via effects on clouds. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change lists the uncertainty in aerosol modification of cloud albedo as the largest unknown in the radiative forcing of climate change. Common measures of aerosol effects on clouds, Aerosol-Cloud Interaction (ACI = −∂lnre/∂lnα, where re is drop size and α aerosol burden), cover an enormous range and, as these measures are now being used as parameterizations in global-scale models, this has large implications for radiative forcing. We quantify the relationship between radiative forcing and changes in ACI over the range of values found in the literature. Depending on anthropogenic aerosol perturbation, radiative forcing ranges from −3 to −10 W m−2 for each 0.05 increment in ACI. Narrowing uncertainty in measures of ACI to an accuracy of 0.05 would place estimated cloud radiative forcing on a sounder footing.
MOLECULAR AND ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE IN THE METAL‐TO‐LIGAND CHARGE‐TRANSFER EXCITED STATES OF D6 TRANSITION‐METAL COMPLEXES IN SOLUTION

The ground and metal-to-ligand (MLCT) excited electronic states of the complexes Os(bpy)/sub n/(P/sub 2/)/sub 3-n//sup 2 +/ (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, P/sub 2/ = cis-(C/sub 6/H/sub 5/)/sub 2/PCH=CHP(C/sub 6/H/sub 5/)/sub 2/; n = 1-3) have been studied by resonance Raman spectroscopy, time-resolved resonance Raman spectroscopy, and emission spectroscopy. The time-resolved resonance Raman evidence confirms that the charge-transfer electron density is localized in the lowest ..pi..* orbital of one bpy ligand rather than delocalized over the ..pi..* orbitals of all of the available bpy ligands on the vibrational time scale. The amount of charge transferred from the metal to bpy ..pi..* in the MLCT state has been determined. Application of Badger's rule to the Raman data and Franck-Condon analysis of the emission data lead to two independent determinations of average bond length displacements in the MLCT state. The two approaches yield displacement values that agree within 0.001-0.003 A for the three complexes studied, suggesting that it may be possible to determine excited-state structures in solution with a precision silimar to that of a good X-ray crystal structure. Analysis of time-resolved resonance Raman and emission data for Ru(pby)/sub 3//sup 2 +/, Ru(bpy)/sub 2/(en)/sup 2 +/, and fac-Re(bpy)(CO)/sub 3/Cl by these methods yields resultsmore » in agreement with the osmium data. The results suggest a general prescription for the determination of the molecular and electronic structures of electronically excited states in solution. 40 references, 6 figures, 4 tables.« less
DNA vaccines: developing new strategies to enhance immune responses

We have focused our research on understanding the basic biology of and developing novel therapeutic and prophylactic DNA vaccines. We have among others three distinct primary areas of interest which include: 1. Enhancing in vivo delivery and transfection of DNA vaccine vectors 2. Improving DNA vaccine construct immunogenicity 3. Using molecular adjuvants to modulate and skew immune responses. Key to the immunogenicity of DNA vaccines is the presentation of expressed antigen to antigen-presenting cells. To improve expression and presentation of antigen, we have investigated various immunization methods with current focus on a combination of intramuscular injection and electroporation. To improve our vaccine constructs, we also employed methods such as RNA/codon optimization and antigen consensus to enhance expression and cellular/humoral cross-reactivity, respectively. Our lab also researches the potential of various molecular adjuvants to skew Th1/Th2 responses, enhance cellular/humoral responses, and improve protection in various animal models. Through improving our understanding of basic immunology as it is related to DNA vaccine technology, our goal is to develop the technology to the point of utility for human and animal health.
Production of iota toxin by Clostridium spiroforme: a requirement for divalent cations.

Abstract The effects of divalent cations (Ca 2+ , Co 2+ and Zn 2+ ) on the production of iota toxin by Clistridium spiroforme were studied. Toxin production had an absolute requirement for one or more cations in the range 1–5 mM. Using bispecific antisera, we showed that production of both the components of the toxin (i a and i b ) were enhanced by divalent cations added to brain-heart infusion supplemented with peptone and glucose.
Myocardial Depression During Diplococcus pneumoniae Infection in Monkeys

SummaryThis report describes the extent to which 108D. pneumoniae organisms, administered iv, caused changes in heart rate, body temperature, and myocardial contractility in five of six conscious, chair-restrained mature rhesus monkeys. Within 16 hr after pneumococcal infection, hyperthermia, tachycardia, and decreased cardiac contractility were observed. All parameters returned to relatively normal levels 4 days postinfection. It is unknown why myocardial depression occurred coincident with febrile response and tachycardia.We gratefully acknowledge the technical assistance of Robert Baker, Keith Bond, and Steve Kinzer. Gratitude is also expressed to Dr. Alan Rowberg for statistical analysis, Mrs. Phebe Summers for medical illustrations, Mr. Wallace Fee for providing cultured organisms, and Mr. Dennis Leatherman for bacteremia analysis.
Mechanisms of calcium channel modulation by β-adrenergic agents and dihydropyridine calcium agonists

Cardiac calcium channel activity is markedly increased by beta-adrenergic agents or calcium agonists such as Bay K 8644. The molecular mechanisms underlying these important modulatory effects have been studied with patch clamp techniques by several groups. This paper presents new experiments and reviews published evidence from fluctuation analysis of whole cell calcium current and unitary recordings of single calcium channel activity. Two different factors underlie the enhancement of calcium channel activity seen with beta-stimulation or cyclic AMP: (1) increased availability of calcium channels, expressed in whole cell recordings as an increase in the number of functional channels and in single channel recordings as an increase in the proportion of non-blank sweeps. (2) changes in opening probability, due to alteration of the fast kinetics of channel opening and closing. Both factors contribute to the beta-adrenergic enhancement in frog, rat, and guinea-pig ventricular cells although their quantitative importance is somewhat variable. Unlike beta-adrenergic agents, calcium agonists such as Bay K 8644 promote a mode of channel gating that is characterized by long openings and short closings, seen only rarely in control or with beta-stimulation.
On solutions for global Stein optimization problems with applications

Abstract This paper investigates generalized Stein estimation under spherically symmetric distributions. We reconsider important results on possible improvements over the best invariant estimator by shrinkage estimators through a successful analytic technique via a global optimization problem. Specifically, minimaxity of the James–Stein estimators for p-variate shift models with p⩾4 and general spherically symmetric distributions is instructively demonstrated. In addition, we derive a robustness result for the (formal) Bayes estimators of Stein (Ann. Statist. 9 (1981)) by showing that they continue to be minimax for certain non-normal distributions.
A simplified spherical harmonics approximated-radiation transport model for three-dimensional (3D) photon migration in small volume tissues

We derived simplified spherical harmonics approximated-radiation transport equations in 3-D. We solved the P3 approximated-transport equations using FE methods. We observed the developed model can improve diffusion approximation solutions in transport-like homogeneous or heterogeneous medium.
Toward curvilinear metamaterials based on silver-filled alumina templates [Invited]

The method of fabrication of bulk three-dimensional curvilinear metamaterials based on metallic nanowires grown in porous alumina membranes was developed. Morphologically, fabricated structures resemble those earlier proposed for the design of an optical cloak and a hyperlens. Feasibility and flexibility of the suggested technological platform paws the road to engineering novel curvilinear hyperbolic metamaterials via inexpensive non-lithographic routes.