cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Immigration, Refugees, and Vermont

In this chapter, I explore the patterns of migration into Vermont both historically and in the present moment. I begin by looking at Vermont’s longer history with migration since its modern history as a settler state. I focus in particular on the impact of European and especially French-Canadian movement into the region. I also look at the much more recent history of international immigration—primarily Latinx labor and refugee resettlement—in the state. In the second part of this chapter, I turn to refugee resettlement and offer an overview of how and where in the state of Vermont refugee resettlement has been attempted. Next, I describe the backgrounds and contexts of the various refugee groups in the state and how these particularities have shaped their outcomes. In the final part of the chapter, I explore attitudes toward refugees in Vermont as revealed through a set of opinion polls I have conducted over the past five years with the general public across the state.
A Critical Analysis of the Baṭn (esoteric meaning) Theory in Tafsīr al-Mīzān, with Regard to Tafsīr al-Furqān

The commentators and traditionists have long focused on the theory that Qur’ān has multiple Buṭūn (esoteric meanings). Most of the commentators believe that the Baṭn can be revealed by the exegetical narrations. Therefore, in interpreting Qur’ān, they have referred to narrations to express these Buṭūn . In their commentaries on some of the Qur’ānic verses, the contemporary Shiite commentators have referred to the Buṭūn of the verses based on the available narrations and have mentioned different types of Buṭūn and Ta'wīl s (Hermeneutic Interpretation). There were some fundamental and practical disagreements among commentators about these narrations as well. This study investigates the Baṭn theory in Tafsīr al-Mīzān with regard to Tafsīr al-Furqān .
Chronic Exposure to Cadmium Induces Differential Methylation in Mice Spermatozoa

Cadmium exposure is ubiquitous and has been linked to diseases including cancers and reproductive defects. Since cadmium is nonmutagenic, it is thought to exert its gene dysregulatory effects through epigenetic reprogramming. Several studies have implicated germline exposure to cadmium in developmental reprogramming. However, most of these studies have focused on maternal exposure, while the impact on sperm fertility and disease susceptibility has received less attention. In this study, we used reduced representation bisulfite sequencing to comprehensively investigate the impact of chronic cadmium exposure on mouse spermatozoa DNA methylation. Adult male C57BL/J6 mice were provided water with or without cadmium chloride for 9 weeks. Sperm, testes, liver, and kidney tissues were collected at the end of the treatment period. Cadmium exposure was confirmed through gene expression analysis of metallothionein-1 and 2, 2 well-known cadmium-induced genes. Analysis of sperm DNA methylation changes revealed 1788 differentially methylated sites present at regulatory regions in sperm of mice exposed to cadmium compared with vehicle (control) mice. Furthermore, most of these differential methylation changes positively correlated with changes in gene expression at both the transcription initiation stage as well as the splicing levels. Interestingly, the genes targeted by cadmium exposure are involved in several critical developmental processes. Our results present a comprehensive analysis of the sperm methylome in response to chronic cadmium exposure. These data, therefore, highlight a foundational framework to study gene expression patterns that may affect fertility in the exposed individual as well as their offspring, through paternal inheritance.
Electronic Health Records as Biased Tools or Tools Against Bias: A Conceptual Model

Policy Points Electronic health records (EHRs) are subject to the implicit bias of their designers, which risks perpetuating and amplifying that bias over time and across users. If left unchecked, the bias in the design of EHRs and the subsequent bias in EHR information will lead to disparities in clinical, organizational, and policy outcomes. Electronic health records can instead be designed to challenge the implicit bias of their users, but that is unlikely to happen unless incentivized through innovative policy. Context Health care delivery is now inextricably linked to the use of electronic health records (EHRs), which exert considerable influence over providers, patients, and organizations. Methods This article offers a conceptual model showing how the design and subsequent use of EHRs can be subject to bias and can either encode and perpetuate systemic racism or be used to challenge it. Using structuration theory, the model demonstrates how a social structure, like an EHR, creates a cyclical relationship between the environment and people, either advancing or undermining important social values. Findings The model illustrates how the implicit bias of individuals, both developers and end-user clinical providers, influence the platform and its associated information. Biased information can then lead to inequitable outcomes in clinical care, organizational decisions, and public policy. The biased information also influences subsequent users, amplifying their own implicit biases and potentially compounding the level of bias in the information itself. The conceptual model is used to explain how this concern is fundamentally a matter of quality. Relying on the Donabedian model, it explains how elements of the EHR design (structure), use (process), and the ends for which it is used (outcome) can first be used to evaluate where bias may become embedded in the system itself, but then also identify opportunities to resist and actively challenge bias. Conclusions Our conceptual model may be able to redefine and improve the value of technology to health by modifying EHRs to support more equitable data that can be used for better patient care and public policy. For EHRs to do this, further work is needed to develop measures that assess bias in structure, process, and outcome, as well as policies to persuade vendors and health systems to prioritize systemic equity as a core goal of EHRs.
The Science of Animal Behavior and Welfare: Challenges, Opportunities, and Global Perspective.

Animal welfare science is a relatively new scientific discipline, evolving mostly from within veterinary medicine over the latter half of the twentieth century into an independent specialty in its own right. Originally, the field of study was heavily focused on animal behavior (ethology), but it has emerged into a truly multi- and inter-disciplinary science, encompassing such sciences as behavior, physiology, pathology, health, immunology, endocrinology, and neuroscience, and influenced by personal and societal ethics. The first academic organization devoted to the scientific study of animal welfare was established in 1966 as the society for veterinary ethology (SVE), demonstrating its veterinary roots by being then affiliated with the British Veterinary Association. The world’s first Professor of Animal Welfare was appointed 20 years later at the University of Cambridge’s Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, and in 1991, the SVE became the International Society for Applied Ethology, in recognition of its geographical spread and its evolution from veterinary medicine. Over the last quarter of a century, there has been further expansion of the field and now animal welfare science is represented in many universities’ veterinary medicine and animal science departments across the world. Animal welfare science has become part of the core curriculum for many veterinary degrees, is a recognized specialty qualification within the veterinary professions of Europe, USA, and Australia and courses in animal welfare science as a stand-alone discipline are offered worldwide at Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate degree levels. Within research, there have been similar patterns of expansion and a spread from a heavy focus on farm animal welfare to the welfare of zoo, laboratory, and companion animals and the impacts of humans on wildlife. There continue to be studies that compare the welfare of populations within systems, but there is also more attention given to gaining in-depth knowledge of the welfare of individual animals, knowing that populations are not homogenous and that individuals within the same system may be experiencing quite different welfare states. We not only continue to use “traditional” welfare indicators but also work to develop novel indicators for use in experimental settings or in the field. As our fundamental knowledge base increases, we look for increasing application and we respond to challenges that arise from our own research questions and findings and from societal needs. In this paper, I will focus on a number of the areas that I see represent Grand Challenges within our discipline.
Homological invariants of local rings

In this paper R is a commutative noetherian local ring with unit element 1 and M is its maximal ideal. Let K be the residue field R/M and let {t1,t2 ,…, tn) be a minimal system of generators for M. By a complex R we mean an R-algebra* obtained by the adjunction of the variables T1 . . ., Tp of degree 1 which kill t1 ,…, tp . The main purpose of this paper is, among other things, to construct an R-algebra resolution of the field K, so that we can investigate the relationship between the homology algebra H (R ) and the homological invariants of R such as the algebra TorR (K, K) and the Betti numbers Bp = dimk TorR (K, K) of the local ring R. The relationship was initially studied by Serre [5].
Detection of Metastatic Prostate Cancer Using a Splice Variant-specific Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay for Human Glandular Kallikrein

We developed a highly sensitive splice variant-specific reverse transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR) assay for human glandular kallikrein (hK2) mRNA and tested its ability to detect metastatic disease in men with clinically localized prostate cancer. An RT-PCR assay using primers spanning intron IV and including a significant portion of the 3' untranslated region of the hKLK2 gene, with maximum nonhomology to both hK1 and hK3, was developed. The limit of detection of the assay was five copies of hK2 cDNA and one LNCaP cell in 10(9) lymphoblasts. RT-PCR-hK2 was performed on preoperative peripheral blood specimens from 228 consecutive radical prostatectomy patients as well as 7 metastatic prostate cancer patients and 14 healthy men without prostate cancer. This new RT-PCR-hK2 assay amplifies two distinct fragments. The larger fragment (hK2-U) is approximately 680 bp in length and corresponds to the amplified product of a previously reported splice variant in the splice donor site of intron IV in the hKLK2 gene. The smaller fragment (hK2-L) is approximately 643 bp in length and corresponds to the amplified product of the native hK2 mRNA. Whereas the RT-PCR-hK2-L assay was positive in 71% of our patients with metastatic prostate cancer, 14% of healthy control men also tested positive. By univariate (P = 0.028) and multivariate (P = 0.0269) analysis, which controlled for preoperative PSA, clinical stage, and biopsy Gleason score, RT-PCR-hK2-L status added prognostic information to the prediction of lymph node-positive disease. We have developed a new RT-PCR assay which demonstrates a high sensitivity for detecting hK2 mRNA. Preoperative RT-PCR-hK2-L status helps predict pathological lymph node positivity in patients with clinically localized prostate cancer.
US EPA's IRIS pilot program : Establishing IRIS as a centralized, peer-reviewed data base with agency consensus

The US EPA's Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) contains Agency consensus scientific positions and quantitative values on cancer and noncancer health effects that may result from lifetime oral or inhalation exposure to specific chemical substances in the environment. Combined with specific exposure assessment information, the summary health information in IRIS may be used as a source in evaluating potential public health risks from environmental contaminants. IRIS is available to the public via EPA's Internet server at http://www.epa.gov/iris. Originally developed for internal EPA use, IRIS usage has broadened since being made publicly available in 1988 to include the private and public sectors nationally and internationally. Up to 1995, IRIS summaries were generated from within various EPA Offices and Regions and reviewed by Agency Workgroups, one for cancer and one for noncancer endpoints, before entry onto IRIS. In response to the increasing usage and recognition of IRIS and suggestions for improvement, an IRIS Pilot program was initiated in 1995. The purpose of the Pilot was 3-fold: To improve efficiency in getting information on to IRIS; to improve documentation for the positions reported in IRIS summaries, including applying new methodologies and guidance; and to improve opportunity for public input including external peer review. A new infrastructure was put in place, consisting of a cross-Agency team of 'Chemical Managers', a Pilot Program Manager, and a set of Agency 'Consensus Reviewers'. Cancer and noncancer assessments were prepared in an integrated fashion for Pilot chemical substances, documented in 'Toxicological Reviews' and derivative IRIS summaries. Public input was emphasized via an initial data call and rigorous external peer review. A final step was Agency-wide consensus review by senior staff scientists representing EPA's Offices and Regions. EPA's experience with the Pilot is forming the basis for designing operational aspects of the long-term IRIS program.
Reaching out to complexity.

Although many chemists are no strangers to complicated molecular structures, they are less familiar with complex systems and emergent phenomena. Bruce C. Gibb suggests that teamwork is the best way forward for tackling these subjects, and considers how university departments are changing to promote collaboration.
Disturbance of delayed match-to-sample in macaques by tetanization of anterior commissure versus limbic system or basal ganglia

Three pig-tailed macaques were trained to select (“match”) from a pair of colored images that which they had seen (“sample”) and responded to 5–15 s previously. The anterior commissure (AC) and/or its radiation, various loci in basal ganglia, hippocampal formation and “control” areas, (splenium of corpus callosum, precentral gyrus, insular cortex), totalling 40 loci, were each tetanized for 4 s during presentation of the “sample” image, during the delay period, or when the monkey was required to select the “matching” image. For several loci in the hippocampal formation tetanization at any phase of the task reduced “matching” to chance levels and gave evidence of electrical after-discharge; but other comparable hippocampal loci had little or no effect. Response to “sample” or “match” stimuli were absent during tetanization of basal ganglia or anterior commissure. When finally made, upon cessation of tetanization, responses were equally correct for basal ganglia and “control” sites, but for AC were at chance levels.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF ANTIBODIES TO PENICILLIN IN RABBITS

A method for the production of antibodies specifically directed against penicillin is described. The inability of this antibody to significantly reduce the antibiotic activity of penicillin is noted. Evidence to show the variability of specificities of various sera, some directed for the most part against the side chain, others against the nucleus is presented. Studies on serum fractions separated electrophorectically indicate that the antibody migrates in the fast γ-globulin and β-globulin fractions and requires dextran or albumin to effect agglutination. The inability of penicilloic acid, an hydrolysis product of penicillin to provoke antibody formation despite its ability to inhibit the antibody is shown and the implications of this observations are discussed.
Mathematical models and logic for the computer control of batch retorts: Conduction-heated foods

Abstract A computer program was developed to implement a mathematical model to control on-line batch retort operations for conduction-heated foods. The model is based on a numeric solution for heat transfer in cylindrical cans. The heat transfer equation was solved using a numeric method with a variable grid. Integrated lethality values are calculated assuming first-order kinetics for microbial inactivation, taking into account the cumulative lethality of the heating and cooling period. The program adjusts process time automatically to compensate for any unexpected variation in retort temperature, and was validated using processes reported in the literature. The computational speed of the numeric method described could be applied to other calculation-intensive simulations.
Protein-dependent splicing of a group I intron in ribonucleoprotein particles and soluble fractions

The group I intron in the Neurospora mitochondrial large rRNA gene is not self-splicing in vitro. Here, we show that this intron can be spliced from 35S pre-rRNA in RNPs or from deproteinized 35S pre-rRNA or in vitro transcripts by a soluble activity that is present in mitochondrial lysates and can be released from RNPs. Splicing occurs by the same guanosine-initiated transesterification mechanism characteristic of self-splicing group I introns, but is absolutely dependent upon proteins that are presumably required for correct folding of the pre-rRNA. The soluble splicing activity is not simply associated with large subunit ribosomal proteins. Nuclear mutant cyt18-1, which is defective in splicing a number of group I introns in vivo, is grossly deficient in the soluble splicing activity. Our results suggest that the cyt18 gene encodes or regulates a component of an activity that functions in splicing group I introns in Neurospora mitochondria.
Estimating Wal-Mart's Impacts in Maryland: A Test of Identification Strategies and Endogeneity Tests

In this paper, I estimate the impact of Wal-Mart on labor markets in Maryland. My goal is to compare estimation techniques that incorporate corrections for endogeneity of Wal-Mart's entrance and those that test for and fail to reject exogeneity in Wal-Mart's entrance decision. The instrumental variable approaches I test include those offered by Basker and Neumark et al., and a new test introduced in this paper. I also explain why differences in choice of sample time and location may lead to different findings as to the impact of Wal-Mart. I find that there is weak evidence of endogeneity in Wal-Mart's entrance decision, but that the bias is opposite of that anticipated by most researchers. Most interestingly, there are no significant differences across instrumental variable techniques employed in the literature. As for Wal-Mart in Maryland, that exposure to Wal-Mart leads to lower retail employment (from zero to 414 retail jobs), but significantly higher retail wages (as much as $1.95 per hour) at the county level. I also find that exposure to Wal-Mart has no effect on aggregate labor markets, though aggregate wages are positively affected, although the impact is very small (roughly $160 per year). I recommend that Maryland adopt a policy neutral approach to Wal-Mart.
Photoperiodic differences in a forebrain nucleus involved in vocal plasticity: enkephalin immunoreactivity reveals volumetric variation in song nucleus lMAN but not NIf in male European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris).

Seasonal variation in the volume of various song control nuclei in many passerine species remains one of the best examples of naturally occurring adult neuroplasticity among vertebrates. The lateral portion of the magnocellular nucleus of the anterior nidopallium (lMAN) is a song nucleus that is important for song learning and seems to be critical for inducing variability in the song structure that is later pruned via a feedback process to produce adult crystallized song. To date, lMAN has not been shown to exhibit seasonal changes in volume, probably because it is difficult to resolve the boundaries of lMAN when employing histological methods based on Nissl staining. Here, lMANcore volumes were examined in intact photostimulated (i.e., breeding), castrated photostimulated and photorefractory (i.e., nonbreeding) male starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) to investigate the degree of seasonal variation in brain morphology. We present data demonstrating that the volumes of the total MAN and lMANcore delineated by enkephalin immunoreactivity are greater in photostimulated male starlings as compared to photorefractory males. Moreover, two other regions associated with the song system that have not been investigated previously in the context of seasonal plasticity namely (i) the medial portion of MAN (mMAN), and (ii) the nucleus interfacialis (NIf) did not display significant volumetric variation. We propose that greater lMANcore volumes are associated with the increase in vocal plasticity that is generally observed prior to production of stereotyped song. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 70: 751–763, 2010
Shortening the process of determining postvoid residual.

Following surgery to restore continence the excretory function of the bladder is usually assessed by determining a postvoid residual volume [1].The residual urine can be estimated in several ways, most commonly; urethral catheterization, bladder ultrasonography and suprapubic catheterization [2]. Transurethral catheterization is considered the gold standard. Because this methodology is often very time-consuming and labor-intensive, a more expedient manner was sought: rather then waiting for the bladder to fill physiologically, a retrograde filling was performed, to reduce the filling time. Retrograde filling through gravity has been shown to predict postoperative voiding efficiency after operation for incontinence [3].
Structure of the Phospholamban/Ca2+-ATPase Complex in Lipid Bilayers by Hybrid Solid-State NMR Methods

Sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) and phospholamban (PLN) form a 116 kDa membrane protein complex that transports Ca2+ from the cytosol into the SR of cardiomyocytes. Owing to their importance for cardiac muscle function, PLN and SERCA have been targeted in therapeutic studies aimed at relieving heart failure. PLN consists of a transmembrane helix (domain Ib and II, residue 23-52) connected to a cytoplasmic region (domain Ia, residue 1-16) by a short loop (residue 17-22). Domain Ia is in a conformational equilibrium between an unfolded, solvent-accessible R state and a helical, membrane-associated T state. Despite the wealth of structural information about PLN (from NMR) and SERCA (from X-ray crystallography), there is still no high resolution structure of the SERCA/PLN complex.Here, we co-reconstituted SERCA and PLN into native-like lipid bilayers under fully functional conditions and utilized hybrid solid-state NMR methods to characterize the SERCA/PLN complex. Magic angle spinning (MAS) NMR was used to determine the complete secondary structure of PLN. Paramagnetic relaxation enhancement (PRE) experiments, utilizing nitroxide spin labels covalently attached to SERCA and to the bilayer lipids, provided multiple inter-protein distances. Membrane topology was determined by oriented NMR in aligned bicelles. Finally, these restraints were implemented into XPLOR-NIH to determine the structure of R and T states of PLN in complex with SERCA. Our results show that the transmembrane domain is helical between residues 23-50 and binds to SERCA at a ∼40° tilt angle with respect to the membrane bilayer. Domain Ia interacts with the cytoplasmic region of SERCA in an extended, unfolded conformation (R state) while still remaining in equilibrium with the membrane-attached helical T state. These studies show the application of hybrid solid-state NMR methods for large membrane protein complexes in lipid bilayers.
Synthesis and Characterization of Zirconium Tungstate Ultra-Thin Fibers

This study reports an innovative method of electrospinning followed by pyrolysis to synthesize zirconium tungstate (ZrW2O8), a material with negative coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), in ultrathin fiber form. Morphologies and microstructures of the as-electrospun precursor fibers, the heat-treated intermediate fibers, and the final ZrW2O8 ultrathin fibers were characterized.
The network structure of big business in Taiwan

This paper takes a network approach to understanding ownership patterns and director interlocks in Taiwan. In particular, this paper analyzes ties among Taiwan’s top 200 publicly listed companies in 1990 and 2000. The speed of change in Taiwan’s economic organization during the period has been striking. Not only have the identities of many of Taiwan’s largest firms changed, there seems to have been a substantial pruning and thinning of director ties over time and also a substantial transformation of the ownership network. What continuity remains appears to be largely a consequence of business group membership, and the strength of those ties appears to be considerable. Overall, this research finds that Taiwan’s financial sector has been quite central to the island’s big business network, that business groups are an extremely important category for understanding patterns of ownership ties, and that most director interlocks in Taiwan appear to cross industry boundaries rather than occur within them.
Complementary uses of ecological and biochemical genetic data in identifying and conserving salmon populations

Abstract This paper addresses the need to define distinct population segments within species of salmonid fishes. The paper focuses on identifying the smallest detectable population with unique sets of characters (i.e. a ‘species’ under the phylogenetic species concept); such units require identification before any subsequent groupings under which individual populations may ultimately be managed. Stream distance measurements between populations fail to identify ancestral discontinuities and are therefore excluded as a basis for estimating relationships. The requirement for genetic information in distinguishing populations has been met through characters reflecting ancestral lineages (including adequate biochemical genetic surveys and congruent meristic information), and those reflecting local adaptations (such as timings of migration and spawning, and distinct temperature tolerances). These different types of genetic information form complementary data sets for distinguishing populations because they reflect different evolutionary processes and time scales. Within distinct ancestral groupings defined by biochemical genetic data may exist adaptively distinct populations that cannot be distinguished in the absence of life history and ecological information. Examples are summarized in which a logical process has been applied for distinguishing populations; this includes an initial survey that focuses on identifying ancestral groupings followed by a systematic search for adaptive distinctions within these groupings.
Predictors of HIV testing among Latinos in Baltimore City.

To better understand access to HIV testing and prevention services experienced by Latinos, we evaluated data compiled through Baltimore City Health Department HIV outreach efforts in 2008. Of 6,443 clients served, Latinos were more likely male, young, and less-educated than non-Latinos. A greater proportion of Latinos had never been tested for HIV compared to non-Latinos (63% vs. 20%, P 8th grade education (AOR 2.4, 95% CI 1.60, 3.60) were associated with accessing HIV testing in the past. Increasing age, identifying as gay or bisexual, history of sexually-transmitted disease, and injection drug use were also associated with reporting prior HIV testing. HIV prevention services for Latinos should expand to reach those who are younger, heterosexual, of lower educational level, and female.
Learning rules to predict rodent carcinogenicity of non-genotoxic chemicals

The results of short-term assays (induction of chromosomal aberrations and sister-chromatid exchanges, oncogenic transformations and cellular toxicity) together with MTD (maximum tolerated dose) values and physical chemical properties of non-genotoxic (i.e. Salmonella non-mutagens) carcinogens and non-carcinogens were submitted to RL, an inductive learning program. RL was able to learn rules that correctly predicted between 70 and 80% of non-genotoxic chemicals. This is a marked improvement over current predictions using only the results of short-term assays and exceeds the predictions of human experts that used the whole spectrum of acute and subchronic toxicity results as well as human knowledge and intuition.
Polymyositis presenting with panniculitis

Although microscopic areas of panniculitis may frequently occur in patients with dermatomyositis and polymyositis, large, clinically obvious plaques are unusual. We report a patient with polytnyositis who initially had panniculitis of the thigh. Histologically, a lobular lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate was present in the subcutis.
The Zodiacal Light and the Gegenschein as Phenomena of the Earth's Atmosphere

A quantitative atmospheric theory of the zodiacal light and the gegenschein is developed. Neutral particles sprayed out in all directions from the earth's atmosphere are ionized at 50,000 to 70,000 km levels by the ultra-violet light of the sun. Because of the wabble of the earth's magnetic field with the rotation of the earth ions near the equatorial plane stay for some time at these high levels to form a ring around the earth, ions at high latitudes fall quickly back to the earth to give aurorae. The gravitational magnetic drift of the ions forces the ion ring into a long oval stretching out away from the sun to ${10}^{6}$ km. The pressure of the sunlight warps the oval into the plane of the ecliptic and makes the ions stream out like a comet's tail. The ions are fluorescent; they absorb the sun's ultra-violet light and emit a part of the absorbed energy as visible light. The oval ring is the zodiacal light; the comet tail ion stream is the gegenschein. The zodiacal cones in December are somewhat to the south of the cones in June; the evening cone is south and north of the morning cone in March and September, respectively. These theoretical inferences are in qualitative accord with observation. The theory suggests that the spectrum of the zodiacal light and the gegenschein be different from that of sunlight.Quantitative estimates lead to a low ion density in the zodiacal ring, less than ${10}^{3}$ ions \ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{} ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ and to a rate of escape of the terrestrial atmosphere of ${10}^{6}$ particles \ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{} ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$ \ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{} ${\mathrm{sec}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ or ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}6}$ of the entire atmosphere in ${10}^{6}$ years. These are perhaps under-estimates. The theory indicates that helium escapes more rapidly than the other gases because of its lightness and higher ionization potential. This may account for the small amount of helium in the atmosphere, which is regarded as being surprisingly low in the face of the estimated large rate of supply from the earth.Variations in the zodiacal light, from the observations of Jones in 1853-1855 and of more recent observers, are shown to occur usually during magnetic storms. Similarly Barnard's observations of the variations in the gegenschein fall in with magnetic disturbances, although more data are needed to establish the connection clearly. The variations are in accord with the atmospheric theory.
Reliability of Differential PCR for the Detection of EGFR and MDM2 Gene Amplification in DNA Extracted from FFPE Glioma Tissue

A series of 43 human gliomas, consisting of 30 glioblastomas, 7 anaplastic astrocytomas, 3 low grade astrocytomas, 2 ependymomas, and 1 oligodendroglioma, was studied for amplification of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and mouse double minute 2 (MDM2) genes. DNA extracted from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections was analyzed by differential PCR and the results were compared with slot blot examination of DNA extracted from frozen tissue from the same neoplasms. Twelve glioblastomas (40%) showed amplification of the EGFR gene, and overexpression of EGFR was evident in each of these tumors as indicated by the immunoperoxidase technique. Two of the tumors with EGFR gene amplification also revealed amplification of the MDM2 gene, while one additional glioblastoma revealed MDM2 amplification only. A 100% concordance in the detection of amplification was observed between differential PCR and slot blot analysis; consequently, these results indicate that differential PCR using DNA extracted from archival tissue sections is a reliable method of demonstrating gene amplifications in glial tumors.
Probability and repeatibility: One particle diffusion

Many multiphase flow systems involve complex geometry and/or chaotic flows. For this reason, exact solutions to initial value problems (giving, for example, the exact initial positions of all bubbles flowing in a system) contain both too much information and too little information, in a sense that will be made clear. For many purposes, flow details (such as ripples on bubbles) can be neglected, or their overall effect need be considered. Information about such details is extraneous. For some systems, the boundary conditions and initial conditions cannot be controlled sufficiently to allow repeatable experiments. A correct detailed prediction for such a system cannot be made because the initial and boundary conditions cannot be specified. Moreover, predictions for such a system cannot be compared in detail to the experiment. Consequently, predictions for averages have become the standard for complex flow systems. In this paper, the averaging process is elucidated for situations where the flow is simple. The central concept is the evolution of an appropriate probability density function. The evolution (rate of change) of the probability density function is studied for linear, logistic, and Lorenz dynamics. We build the concepts and solutions toward the problem of turbulent dispersion of particles. The effect of uncertainty in the initial conditions, and the dispersion by random flow is described for the evolution of a swarm of particles.
Assets and child well-being in developing countries: A research review

Abstract The impact of assets on child well-being in developing countries has received considerable attention in the last decade. Increased recognition of the critical role played by assets in enhancing children's well-being has spurred efforts to study the relationship between assets and a range of outcomes for children. This chapter reviews current studies (i.e., conducted within the past 10 years) that explore the relationship between asset ownership and a range of outcomes. The studies we have included in this review illustrate the impact that assets can have on children's outcomes in the area of health, education, and child labor. Overall, the studies reviewed show that asset ownership improves children's health conditions, advance schooling outcomes, and decrease incidence of child labor. Further research on the asset effects for child outcomes can inform progressive asset-building initiatives that will provide impetus for programs and policies to enhance household well-being in developing countries.
Zeolite-based organized molecular assemblies. photophysical characterization and documentation of donor oxidation upon photosensitized charge separation.

An organized molecular assembly composed of two ruthenium polypyridine complexes, Ru(bpy)2(bpz)2+ and Ru(bpy)2(H2O)22+ (where bpy = 2, 2‘-bipyridine and bpz = 2, 2‘-bipyrazine), has been prepared in adjacent supercages of Y-zeolite. This material has been characterized by diffuse reflectance, electronic absorption, electronic emission, and resonance Raman (RR) spectroscopy, as well as lifetime measurements. The spectral results confirm the identity of the entrapped complexes and resonance Raman measurements show that the relative concentrations of the two complexes within the zeolite particles are identical. A dramatic decrease in emission intensity observed for the adjacent cage assembly, relative to that observed for an appropriate reference material composed of a mixture of zeolite particles containing the separated complexes, indicates strong interaction between the adjacent complexes which provides an additional nonradiative decay pathway. The excited state lifetime measurements implicate a very shor...
Parathyroid hormone stimulates bone resorption via a Na–Ca exchange mechanism

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) stimulates the release of calcium from bone and is thought to initiate its action by a direct effect on the plasma membrane of bone cells. Although specific membrane receptors for PTH have not yet been identified in bone, they have been characterized in kidney, and PTH does stimulate production of cyclic AMP in bone. However, the mechanism by which PTH causes the release of Ca from bone is not understood. We have determined that several agents that alter ion transport across biological membranes inhibit PTH-stimulated bone resorption in vitro. These agents include ouabain, veratridine and certain monovalent cation ionophores, which transport monovalent cations selectively. The inhibition of bone resorption is dose dependent and reversible within the first 24 h of treatment. All these compounds would be expected to increase intracellular sodium concentration in bone cells. Also, we find that decreasing the extracellular Na+ concentration prevents PTH-stimulated resorption. Therefore, we propose that PTH acts on bone to stimulate Ca release by means of a Na-Ca exchange mechanism. Decreasing the Na gradient across the bone cell plasma membrane would prevent the Na-Ca exchange and thus inhibit the physiological response to PTH.
Effects of frictional ion heating and soft-electron precipitation on high-latitude F-region upflows

Observed ionospheric F-region upflows associated with convection-driven frictional ion heating and soft electron precipitation at high latitudes are modeled with a dynamic ionospheric fluid code. Precipitating soft (≤ 1 keV) auroral electrons are effective in rapidly enhancing the F-region ionization and electron temperature, which leads to a strong upward plasma expansion. It is shown, for example, that an electron flux of 1 erg cm−2s−1 with a characteristic energy of 150 eV can produce a 109cm−2s−1 O+ outflow at altitudes of 700–800 km. The more widely-recognized convection ion heating is indicated to be significant but somewhat smaller effects on the upflows. We have performed comparisons with published HILAT and DE-2 observations. Using a latitudinal distribution of ionospheric flux tubes with “inputs” of the observed average precipitating electron energies, energy fluxes and convection drift velocities, we find satisfactory agreement with latitudinal profiles of ion upflow velocities, densities, fluxes, and ion and electron temperatures. Therefore, we suggest that the combined effects of soft electron precipitation and frictional ion heating may be identified as the principal drivers of these upflows.
Oral health and use of dental services among Hispanics

Objectives This study examined factors related to oral health and dental service use among Mexican-Americans, Cuban-Americans, and Puerto Ricans from the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1982-84 (HHANES). Methods Categorical measures of oral health were created: (1) perceived oral health status, (2) evaluated oral health status, (3) decayed permanent teeth, (4) teeth missing due to caries, (5) total permanent teeth present, and (6) periodontal classification. The effects of acculturation, education, dental insurance, and perceived condition of teeth and gums on dental service use in the past two and five years were examined using logistic regression. All analyses were performed separately for each of the three samples using SAS-callable SUDDAN. Results Dental insurance and education were the most important factors in determining use of dental cleanings and use of dental care. For Mexican-Americans, Cuban-Americans, and Puerto Ricans, acculturation was a factor in determining use of dental care in the past five years. Conclusions While dental insurance and education appear to be the most important factors for determining both use of dental cleaning services and use of dental care in all three samples, acculturation also had some impact for determining use of dental care.
Optimal scheduling for disconnected cooperation

We consider a distributed environment consisting of n processors that need to perform t tasks. We assume that communication is initially unavailable and that processors begin work in isolation. At some unknown point of time an unknown collection of processors may establish communication. Before processors begin communication they execute tasks in the order given by their schedules. Our goal is to schedule work of isolated processors so that when communication is established for the first time, the number of redundantly executed tasks is controlled. We quantify worst case redundancy as a function of processor advancements through their schedules.In this work we refine and simplify an extant deterministic construction for schedules with n n t, and we develop a new analysis of its waste. The new analysis shows that for any pair of schedules, the number of redundant tasks can be controlled for the entire range of t tasks. Our new result is asymptotically optimal: the tails of these schedules are within a 1 + O(n-¼) factor of the lower bound. We also present two new deterministic constructions one for t n n, and the other for t n n3/2, which substantially improve pairwise waste for all prefixes of length t/√n, and offer near optimal waste for the tails of the schedules. Finally, we present bounds for waste of any collection of k n 2 processors for both deterministic and randomized constructions.
Transient Decay of Longitudinal Magnetization in Heterogeneous Spin Systems under Selective Saturation. IV. Reformulation of the Spin-Bath-Model Equations by the Redfield-Provotorov Theory

Abstract Alternative formulations to the conventional Bloch equations for the RF saturation of the solid component in heterogeneous spin systems according to a spin-bath model are derived using the concept of spin temperature as suggested by Redfield and Provotorov. These formulations and the resulting equations derived by the projection-operator technique provide an analytical and explicit solution to the general problem of solid saturation under continuous RF irradiation. Using the Provotorov theory, a set of generalized (non-Markovian) equations of motions is derived. The solutions to these generalized equations approach those of the conventional Bloch formulation at one extreme when the applied RF is weak and the Redfield formulation at another when the applied RF is strong. In short, this development provides a simple alternative which removes the restriction of the lineshape function used to represent the solid component; the latter is well known to be non-Lorentzian, contrary to the tacit assumption made in the conventional Bloch formulation. Experimental verification of the generalized theory is provided by transient and steady-state longitudinal magnetization data acquired from cross-linked bovine serum albumin under selective saturation by continuous off-resonance RF irradiation.
The ecology of cirratulid mudballs on the Oman margin, northwest Arabian Sea

Mudball-building cirratulid polychaetes have been described previously only from the southern California margin. During a study of oxygen minimum-zone benthos in fall 1994, we observed dense aggregations of agglutinated mudballs at 840 to 875 m on the Oman margin in the northwest Arabian Sea. These were inhabited, and probably constructed, by a cirratulid polychaete species in the genus Monticellina. The mudballs were cigar-shaped, 4.5 to 25 mm long, and positioned vertically so as to protrude several millimeters above the sediment–water interface. Total mudball densities were ∼16 000 m−2. Occupied mudballs occurred at densities of 2 112 m−2; 89% were in the uppermost 2 cm of sediment, and no occupied mudballs were found below 10 cm. Organisms other than the cirratulid were present on 1.7% of the mudballs examined, and included epizoic polychaetes, agglutinated and calcareous Foraminifera. Various polychaetes, a nemertean and nematodes were found inside tests. Mudball abundance exhibited positive associations with densities of several paraonid polychaete species, and with densities of burrowing and subsurface-deposit-feeding polychaetes. Negative associations were observed between mudballs and three tube-building taxa (two polychaetes and an amphipod). Mudball-inhabiting cirratulids are abundant in at least two low-oxygen, margin settings. We expect further sampling of bathyal environments to yield additional systems in which cirratulid mudballs are common. Such observations are valuable because mudballs appear to represent a significant source of heterogeneity that can influence macrofaunal community structure in deep-sea sediments.
An empirical solution for tsunami run-up on compound slopes

Deterministic numerical models for tsunami inundation provide the most accurate means for estimating tsunami run-up when the bathymetry/topography and water-level time history at the seaward boundary are well known. However, it is often the case that there is uncertainty in both the bathymetry/topography and water level at the seaward boundary. For these reasons, empirical solutions for tsunami run-up may be preferred because the run-up can be computed quickly allowing a probabilistic estimate the tsunami run-up risk. In this paper, an empirical solution for tsunami run-up is developed based on an analytic solution and calibrated using a Boussinesq wave model for plane-sloped and compound-sloped cases, including the effects of bottom friction, wave breaking, and the slope of the inundated land area. The new relation is a function of the tsunami wave amplitude at a specific water depth (100 m) to provide clear guidance for practical application, and of two values of the surf-similarity parameter to account for a compound slope. The model comprises three equations for three regions: breaking, transition, and non-breaking. The model predictions are compared with survey data from the 2011 Tohoku tsunami in Japan without recalibration. The new equation provides reasonable estimates of run-up height and is generally conservative.
Uncoupled Phosphorylation and Activation in Bacterial Chemotaxis THE 2.3 Å STRUCTURE OF AN ASPARTATE TO LYSINE MUTANT AT POSITION 13 OF CheY

An aspartate to lysine mutation at position 13 of the chemotaxis regulatory protein CheY causes a constitutive tumbly phenotype when expressed at high copy number in vivo even though the mutant protein is not phosphorylatable. These properties suggest that the D13K mutant adopts the active, signaling conformation of CheY independent of phosphorylation, so knowledge of its structure could explain the activation mechanism of CheY. The x-ray crystallographic structure of the CheY D13K mutant has been solved and refined at 2.3 A resolution to an R-factor of 14.3%. The mutant molecule shows no significant differences in backbone conformation when compared with the wild-type, Mg2+-free structure, but there are localized changes within the active site. The side chain of lysine 13 blocks access to the active site, whereas its epsilon -amino group has no bonding interactions with other groups in the region. Also in the active site, the bond between lysine 109 and aspartate 57 is weakened, and the solvent structure is perturbed. Although the D13K mutant has the inactive conformation in the crystalline form, rearrangements in the active site appear to weaken the overall structure of that region, potentially creating a metastable state of the molecule. If a conformational change is required for signaling by CheY D13K, then it most likely proceeds dynamically, in solution.