cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Coronary vascular smooth muscle function in E. coli endotoxemia in dogs

The purpose of this study was to determine whether intrinsic contraction-relaxation properties of coronary arteries are altered during acute gram-negative endotoxemia. Coronary vascular smooth muscle (VSM) was evaluated in vitro using large and small left circumflex coronary ring preparations isolated from dogs 4 h after administration of either saline (control; C) or 1.5 mg/kg Escherichia coli endotoxin (ET). ET dogs exhibited marked systemic hypotension and cardiovascular depression throughout the 4-h in vivo phase of the study accompanied by reduction in total left ventricular myocardial blood flow. Isolated coronary vessels were stretched to the apex of the length-contractile tension curve; no differences were observed in length-active or length-passive tension (vessel compliance) relationships between C and ET vessels. Isometric contractions produced by K+ and prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) were similar in C and ET coronary arteries. VSM relaxant responses to nitroprusside (NP; 10(-10) to 10(-4) M) were also similar in C and ET vessels. In contrast to the apparent lack of effect of ET on directly acting VSM agents, relaxation responses to the endothelial-dependent vasodilator acetylcholine (ACh) were significantly less in ET vessels. Impaired vasodilator response to ACh was not improved by in vivo treatment with the combination antioxidant therapy of allopurinol, superoxide dismutase, and catalase. We conclude that both depolarization (K+) and receptor (PGF2 alpha)-mediated contractile mechanisms, as well as basal cGMP (NP)-mediated vasodilator mechanisms, remained functional in coronary vasculature during acute endotoxemia. Inhibition of ACh-mediated relaxation in ET vessels suggests altered endothelial-dependent vasodilation in coronary arteries during endotoxemia, but this change did not seem to be associated causally with oxygen free radicals.
The static bubble point pressure model for cryogenic screen channel liquid acquisition devices

Abstract Inside a propellant tank in microgravity, surface tension forces dominate, and porous screen channel liquid acquisition devices (LADs) are required to separate fluid phases and ensure vapor free liquid flow out of the tank to the transfer line en route to an in-space engine. Maximum bubble point pressure (based on Adamson and Gast, 1997), or the breakdown point, is the primary performance parameter characterizing the LAD. This paper presents a robust empirical equation based off of 45 years of experimental data which models the bubble point pressure in both room temperature as well as cryogenic liquids. The seven parameters which affect the bubble point pressure include the surface tension (liquid type), contact angle, screen pore diameter, liquid temperature, degree of subcooling, and pressurant gas type and temperature. Decreasing temperature increases bubble point pressure due to increased surface tension and screen pore shrinkage. Higher bubble points are always obtained using a non-condensable pressurant gas over a condensable gas. Pressurizing and subcooling the interface adds margin in bubble point whereas elevating the temperature of the pressurant gas acts as a degradation factor. The mean absolute error between 5224 data points and new model is 2.75% of the experimental data across the full range of thermodynamic conditions.
AsianCrit Perspective on Social Studies

Abstract Despite an extensive body of curriculum research on inclusion and representation of historically marginalized groups, Asian Americans and their perspectives have received relatively little attention in and of themselves in curriculum studies. Although some progress has been made in curricular treatment of historically marginalized groups, Asian Americans are still almost absent from official school knowledge, and when they appear they are generally misrepresented. This article introduces Asian critical race theory (AsianCrit) as relevant to curriculum studies, and explicates how AsianCrit can be a theoretical, methodological framework to research and transform curricular treatment of Asian Americans. In doing so, this article seeks to address the lack of curriculum research on Asian Americans as well as the limited curricular inclusion of Asian Americans and their experiences.
Classification of Orbital Vascular Anomalies

Vascular lesions of the orbit comprise a significant portion of orbital pathology, accounting for 7 % in one review of 4000 orbital lesions [1]. A straightforward and functional classification of orbital vascular anomalies is important to aid clinicians in diagnosing these lesions and in planning treatment.
The Integration Of Computing Technology Into Undergraduate Mathematics Classes

This study investigated different calculus professorsâ€™ conceptions about mathematics and mathematical learning, calculus teaching with or without the use of computing technology, and the experiences in which those conceptions were grounded. Six college professors were purposefully selected and studied. The results showed the professorsâ€™ perceptions of the effects of technology use on pedagogy and studentsâ€™ learning; their perceptions of barriers and challenges to the adoption and use of technology for teaching and learning calculus; and their experience, knowledge, and motivation for adopting instructional technology that made unique and significant contributions to explaining faculty use of technology for teaching and learning calculus. Some professors were categorically opposed to the use of computing technology in calculus, but others envisioned that computing technology could play a multitude of roles in their calculus classrooms. The more that the calculus professors wanted to focus on real-world applications and wanted students to apply calculus concepts in their academic disciplines, the more they were concerned about their own ability to facilitate such learning and the need to integrate computing technology into calculus. The more that the calculus professors focused on procedural understanding in mathematics and on teacher-centered lessons, the more they were concerned about students misusing computing technology and failing to develop a proper understanding of calculus concepts.
Why would I smile

“Why won’t you smile?” I asked my patient after several weeks of treating his psychotic symptoms. Although he reported an improvement in his mood and feeling more upbeat compared with when he was admitted, he never smiled. His answer was profound: “Look at my teeth. I barely have any left, and whatever is left looks gross. Why would I smile?” Dental …
Long period SHn

abstract The theory of Cagniard applied to the model of a point source of torque in a layer overlying and welded to a half-space of higher velocity has been used to approximate satisfactorily observed long-period SH n wave forms recorded from regional shallow earthquakes in California. The model assumed is consistent with a crustal thickness of about 20 km in extreme western central California. An effective source time duration of about 10 secs appears reasonable for the earthquakes considered in the magnitude range of 5 to 5.5
Activation of CB 2 receptor system restores cognitive capacity and hippocampal Sox2 expression in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by neuroinflammation, extensive deposits of amyloid-β aggregates, and loss of memory and cognitive abilities. The brains of patients with AD show increased expression of cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2) receptors and glial markers. CB2 receptors act as a negative feedback regulator; when activated by a CB2 agonist, they can help limit the extent of the neuroinflammatory response and the subsequent development of neuronal damage in the central nervous system. In a double transgenic APP/PS1 mice model of AD, we evaluated the effect of MDA7, a CB2 agonist, on several neuropathological conditions of AD including amyloid deposition, inflammatory reaction, Sox2 (sex-determining region Y-box 2) expression, and spatial memory. Activation of microglia CB2 receptors by MDA7 suppressed neuroinflammation, demonstrated by decreased immunosignal of Iba1 in the hippocampal CA1 and dentate gyrus (DG) areas, promoted clearance of amyloid plaques in the DG area, restored Sox2 expression, and promoted recovery of the neuronal synaptic plasticity in hippocampal CA1. In addition, treatment with MDA7 improved the behavioral performance in the Morris water maze in APP/PS1mice. Collectively, these findings suggest that MDA7 has a potential therapeutic effect in the setting of AD.
Drug Testing Methods

The challenge in drug testing is to have a reliable, reproducible, and economical test that can be used to make critical decisions about peoples’ lives. The choice of which material to test is often a matter of which specimen is accessible and how people feel about how the sample is obtained. Testing methods depend on whether laboratory equipment is available and how well the methodology holds up to legal challenge. A concern expressed by some is that “any test with less than 100% accuracy is likely to produce a high percentage of false positives” (1). To date, there is no evidence that this is a valid concern with the testing procedures currently in place.
SHErrLoc: A Static Holistic Error Locator

We introduce a general way to locate programmer mistakes that are detected by static analyses. The program analysis is expressed in a general constraint language that is powerful enough to model type checking, information flow analysis, dataflow analysis, and points-to analysis. Mistakes in program analysis result in unsatisfiable constraints. Given an unsatisfiable system of constraints, both satisfiable and unsatisfiable constraints are analyzed to identify the program expressions most likely to be the cause of unsatisfiability. The likelihood of different error explanations is evaluated under the assumption that the programmer’s code is mostly correct, so the simplest explanations are chosen, following Bayesian principles. For analyses that rely on programmer-stated assumptions, the diagnosis also identifies assumptions likely to have been omitted. The new error diagnosis approach has been implemented as a tool called SHErrLoc, which is applied to three very different program analyses, such as type inference for a highly expressive type system implemented by the Glasgow Haskell Compiler—including type classes, Generalized Algebraic Data Types (GADTs), and type families. The effectiveness of the approach is evaluated using previously collected programs containing errors. The results show that when compared to existing compilers and other tools, SHErrLoc consistently identifies the location of programmer errors significantly more accurately, without any language-specific heuristics.
Brain reactivity to visual food stimuli after moderate-intensity exercise in children.

Exercise may play a role in moderating eating behaviors. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of an acute bout of exercise on neural responses to visual food stimuli in children ages 8–11 years. We hypothesized that acute exercise would result in reduced activity in reward areas of the brain. Using a randomized cross-over design, 26 healthy weight children completed two separate laboratory conditions (exercise; sedentary). During the exercise condition, each participant completed a 30-min bout of exercise at moderate-intensity (~ 67% HR maximum) on a motor-driven treadmill. During the sedentary session, participants sat continuously for 30 min. Neural responses to high- and low-calorie pictures of food were determined immediately following each condition using functional magnetic resonance imaging. There was a significant exercise condition*stimulus-type (high- vs. low-calorie pictures) interaction in the left hippocampus and right medial temporal lobe (p < 0.05). Main effects of exercise condition were observed in the left posterior central gyrus (reduced activation after exercise) (p < 0.05) and the right anterior insula (greater activation after exercise) (p < 0.05). The left hippocampus, right medial temporal lobe, left posterior central gyrus, and right anterior insula appear to be activated by visual food stimuli differently following an acute bout of exercise compared to a non-exercise sedentary session in 8–11 year-old children. Specifically, an acute bout of exercise results in greater activation to high-calorie and reduced activation to low-calorie pictures of food in both the left hippocampus and right medial temporal lobe. This study shows that response to external food cues can be altered by exercise and understanding this mechanism will inform the development of future interventions aimed at altering energy intake in children.
Fuel for Life: A Literature Review of Nutrition Education and Assessment Among Older Adults Living at Home:

Nutrition is often considered the foundation of health and an important indicator of well-being. Older adults living in the community are particularly at high risk of poor nutrition due to social i...
Navigating the Unexpected Realities of Big Data Transfers in a Cloud-based World

The emergence of big data has created new challenges for researchers transmitting big data sets across campus networks to local (HPC) cloud resources, or over wide area networks to public cloud services. Unlike conventional HPC systems where the network is carefully architected (e.g., a high speed local interconnect, or a wide area connection between Data Transfer Nodes), today's big data communication often occurs over shared network infrastructures with many external and uncontrolled factors influencing performance.This paper describes our efforts to understand and characterize the performance of various big data transfer tools such as rclone, cyberduck, and other provider-specific CLI tools when moving data to/from public and private cloud resources. We analyze the various parameter settings available on each of these tools and their impact on performance. Our experimental results give insights into the performance of cloud providers and transfer tools, and provide guidance for parameter settings when using cloud transfer tools. We also explore performance when coming from HPC DTN nodes as well as researcher machines located deep in the campus network, and show that emerging SDN approaches such as the VIP Lanes system can deliver excellent performance even from researchers' machines.
Dynamics of Systems of Particles

In this chapter, we continue the process of extending several results pertaining to a single particle to a system of particles. We start by defining the linear momentum, angular momenta, and kinetic energy for a system of particles. Next, we introduce a new concept, the center of mass C of a system of particles. A discussion of the conservation of kinematical quantities follows, which we illustrate with two detailed examples.
Glutamyl transfer ribonucleic acid synthetase of Escherichia coli. I. Purification and properties.

Glutamyl transfer ribonucleic acid synthetase from Escherichia coli has been purified to near homogeneity. The enzyme has a molecular weight of 102,000 and contains two dissimilar subunits. The larger one (molecular weight 56,000) catalyzes the acylation of tRNA g lu with glutamate and also the ATP-PPi exchange reaction. This reaction shows an absolute requirement for tRNA g lu. The smaller subunit (molecular weight 46,000) has no detectable enzymatic activity, but protects the catalytically active subunit against heat inactivation.
Events and Their Descriptions: Some Considerations

Events presumably are not linguistic entities; like trees and molecules, events can be talked about, referred to, and described but they are not themselves statements, sentences, descriptions, or any other kind of linguistic units. Nor are events propositions; propositions are supposed to be abstract entities, whereas events are spatio-temporally bounded particulars. Events and relations between events would exist even if there were no humans, or language, to describe them; there still would be earthquakes, collisions of particles, and expansions of metals caused by rising temperatures.
Taking Plea Bargaining Seriously: Reforming Pre-Sentence Reports after Padilla v. Kentucky

This essay proposes two reforms to the pre-sentence report (PSR) in light of increasing recognition that plea bargaining, not trial, is the major decision point in criminal prosecutions. PSRs are important to plea bargaining and sentencing because they contain the critical information that will be used in imposing a sentence. The sentence will sometimes be mandated by the criminal record and other information in the PSR; for example, a record may mean that there is a mandatory minumum sentence, or that probation is unavailable. In most other cases, the sentence will be highly influenced by the contents of the PSR. Given the importance of the PSR, in a rationally designed system, the PSR would be available before critical decisions about the case are made. Yet, under current practice, the PSR is generally not prepared or available until after entry of a guilty plea. This means that all parties are pleading in the dark – they can be surprised by a mandatory or presumptive sentence based on ignorance or misunderstanding of the defendant's criminal record or other important, pre-existing facts. While deferring preparation of the PSR until after disposition might have made sense in an era when many cases went to trial, it is unacceptable when virtually all cases are pleaded. Accordingly, PSRs should be prepared in advance of pleas, so that all parties can make a deal knowing the facts that reveal what the bargain actually means.This essay also suggests that, in accordance with existing law, PSRs should identify collateral consequences and other legal restrictions which are not nominally part of the criminal sentence, in order to provide a guide for a defendant's conduct (18 U.S.C. 3563(d)), and to establish the defendant's post-release financial condition for purposes of calculating restitution and fines. (Fed. R. Crim. P. 32(D)(2)(A)(ii).).
Potent and Readily Accessible Bistramide A Analogues through Diverted Total Synthesis

A diverted total synthesis effort is described that is designed to prepare potent cytotoxins based on the actin-binding natural product bistramide A. The major focus of this study is the preparation of analogues that contain oxygenation at the C29 position, which is necessary for a key reaction in the sequence but is not present in the natural product. This process showed that C29 ketone analogues are accessed more readily and show similar potency compared to the natural product. The ability to incorporate C29 oxygenation and to replace a secondary alcohol by a primary alcohol allowed for the development of a more convergent approach that provides a potent analogue in just eight steps in its longest linear sequence.
General Conditions to Realize Exceptional Points of Degeneracy and Applications

We explore the emergence of exceptional points of degeneracy (EPDs) that denote a coalescence of multiple eigenmodes in coupled-mode structures. We establish the general conditions that lead to observing EPDs of different orders in various coupled systems, either uniform (non-periodic) or periodic. EPDs can be found in lossless systems as well as in systems with gain-loss balance. Also, we provide examples of potential applications of structures with EPDs that help improve the performance of devices, like sensors, oscillators, etc., at microwave and optical frequencies.
Multi-Die Polylithic Integration Enabled by Heterogeneous Interconnect Stitching Technology (HIST)

In this paper, a multi-die polylithic integration approach using Heterogeneous Interconnect Stitching Technology (HIST) is explored for low-loss, high-density, and low-energy electronic systems. In the HIST approach, stitch-chips, which are either active or passive, are used for such signal pathways between assembled ‘anchor chips,’ while surface-embedded chips utilize 3D face-to-face electrical interconnections. Fine-pitch and multi-height Compressible MicroInterconnects (CMIs) are used to provide low-loss and mechanically robust interfaces between the anchor chips and the stitch-chips as well as the surface-embedded chips. Electrical measurements of the assembled chips are reported and demonstrate robust interconnection. EM simulations show that low-loss signal interconnection (< −0.4 dB) can be achieved by using 90 μm tall CMIs and 500 μm long channels on quartz stitch-chips.
There's an App for That: Using Geosocial Networking Apps to Access Young Black Gay, Bisexual, and other MSM at Risk for HIV.

Purpose:Young black gay, bisexual, and other MSM (YBMSM) that carry a disproportionate HIV burden in the US Geosocial networking applications (GSN apps) are environments that may increase HIV risk ...
Coupled cluster study of the partial charge of hydrogen in HnX molecules in s and p block: Relationship with electronegativity

Abstract Bader analysis of HnX was performed using densities generated by second-order one electron Douglas-Kroll-Hess (DKH) Hamiltonian RCCSD(T)//aug-cc-pVTZ level of theory for the 2p, 3p and 4p subshells, and by DKH Hamiltonian RCCSD(T)//aug-cc-pVTZ-PP for the 5p and 6p subshells. The partial charges of hydrogen atoms are closely related to the original definition of electronegativity. Direct computational results of hydrogen partial charges were tabulated in a table and compared to the Pauling electronegativity scale as well as other electronegativity scales. A strong correlation between these different scales and the computational results for hydrogen partial charges was found.
Analytical solutions for diffusive mass transport from a sphere, considering a surface flux boundary condition

The use of mass transport theory as a tool to help guide performance analysis of nuclear waste repositories was pioneered by the seminal works of Pigford et al. and Chamre et al. at the University of California-Berkeley and by Neretnieks at the Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden. Here, analytical solutions to the unsteady diffusion equation in spherical geometry are presented for uniform and composite porous media. In this case, a Neumann (prescribed flux) boundary condition is assumed as opposed to a Dirichlet (prescribed concentration) boundary condition used in previously published derivations. For radionuclides that have very high solubility under a given set of geochemical conditions, such as {sup 99}Tc and {sup 79}Se under oxidizing conditions, a prescribed flux boundary condition is more appropriate.
Correction to: 5-HTTLPR and Gender Moderate Changes in Negative Affect Responses to Tryptophan Infusion.

After the publication of original article, the Editor was notified by Duke University that they have determined the authorship to be incomplete. Consequently, Dr. Edward Suarez has been added as a co-author to this article to represent his contribution to the conception and design of the work and acquisition of the data.
Radical Ideas: The Road to Conquering Supraventricular Tachycardia

Since its description in 1867, the treatment of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) was rudimentary at best until the introduction of digitalis glycosides and quinidine and subsequently the beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and other drugs. In this chapter, the author discusses the introduction of open heart surgery, followed by catheter ablation with D/C shocks and subsequently radiofrequency catheter ablation that assured permanent cure of this recurrent malady and the pioneers behind these spectacular developments. As an example, the author provides the stories of three of his patients, their suffering with PSVT and ultimate cure with surgery and radiofrequency ablation.
Ambient Light Regulates Retinal Dopamine Signaling and Myopia Susceptibility.

Purpose Exposure to high-intensity or outdoor lighting has been shown to decrease the severity of myopia in both human epidemiological studies and animal models. Currently, it is not fully understood how light interacts with visual signaling to impact myopia. Previous work performed in the mouse retina has demonstrated that functional rod photoreceptors are needed to develop experimentally-induced myopia, alluding to an essential role for rod signaling in refractive development. Methods To determine whether dim rod-dominated illuminance levels influence myopia susceptibility, we housed male C57BL/6J mice under 12:12 light/dark cycles with scotopic (1.6 × 10-3 candela/m2), mesopic (1.6 × 101 cd/m2), or photopic (4.7 × 103 cd/m2) lighting from post-natal day 23 (P23) to P38. Half the mice received monocular exposure to -10 diopter (D) lens defocus from P28-38. Molecular assays to measure expression and content of DA-related genes and protein were conducted to determine how illuminance and lens defocus alter dopamine (DA) synthesis, storage, uptake, and degradation and affect myopia susceptibility in mice. Results We found that mice exposed to either scotopic or photopic lighting developed significantly less severe myopic refractive shifts (lens treated eye minus contralateral eye; -1.62 ± 0.37D and -1.74 ± 0.44D, respectively) than mice exposed to mesopic lighting (-3.61 ± 0.50D; P < 0.005). The 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid /DA ratio, indicating DA activity, was highest under photopic light regardless of lens defocus treatment (controls: 0.09 ± 0.011 pg/mg, lens defocus: 0.08 ± 0.008 pg/mg). Conclusions Lens defocus interacted with ambient conditions to differentially alter myopia susceptibility and DA-related genes and proteins. Collectively, these results show that scotopic and photopic lighting protect against lens-induced myopia, potentially indicating that a broad range of light levels are important in refractive development.
Degradation of Substituted Phenols by Immobilized Bacteria

Bacteria can degrade a wide range of toxic chemicals. Our goal is to harness this ability to remove chemical toxins from polluted waters. A promising method for water treatment involves the use of immobilized microbial cells. For example, immobilized bacteria have been used to remove pollutants such as phenol and benzene from water. Here we report results of studies of the degradation of substituted phenols by immobilized bacterial cells.
The Impact of Timing of Antibiotics on Outcomes in Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objectives: We sought to systematically review and meta-analyze the available data on the association between timing of antibiotic administration and mortality in severe sepsis and septic shock. Data Sources: A comprehensive search criteria was performed using a predefined protocol. Study Selection: Inclusion criteria: adult patients with severe sepsis or septic shock, reported time to antibiotic administration in relation to emergency department triage and/or shock recognition, and mortality. Exclusion criteria: immunosuppressed populations, review article, editorial, or nonhuman studies. Data Extraction: Two reviewers screened abstracts with a third reviewer arbitrating. The effect of time to antibiotic administration on mortality was based on current guideline recommendations: 1) administration within 3 hours of emergency department triage and 2) administration within 1 hour of severe sepsis/septic shock recognition. Odds ratios were calculated using a random effect model. The primary outcome was mortality. Data Synthesis: A total of 1,123 publications were identified and 11 were included in the analysis. Among the 11 included studies, 16,178 patients were evaluable for antibiotic administration from emergency department triage. Patients who received antibiotics more than 3 hours after emergency department triage (< 3 hr reference) had a pooled odds ratio for mortality of 1.16 (0.92–1.46; p = 0.21). A total of 11,017 patients were evaluable for antibiotic administration from severe sepsis/septic shock recognition. Patients who received antibiotics more than 1 hour after severe sepsis/shock recognition (< 1 hr reference) had a pooled odds ratio for mortality of 1.46 (0.89–2.40; p = 0.13). There was no increased mortality in the pooled odds ratios for each hourly delay from less than 1 to more than 5 hours in antibiotic administration from severe sepsis/shock recognition. Conclusion: Using the available pooled data, we found no significant mortality benefit of administering antibiotics within 3 hours of emergency department triage or within 1 hour of shock recognition in severe sepsis and septic shock. These results suggest that currently recommended timing metrics as measures of quality of care are not supported by the available evidence. (Crit Care Med 2015; XX:00–00)
Risk Factors Associated with Proactive and Reactive Aggression in a Child Psychiatric Inpatient Sample

Proactive and reactive aggression represent distinct functions of aggression that are associated with different risk factors, including individual and contextual characteristics. However, more research evaluating the interactive effects of risk factors is needed. The current study evaluated whether corporal punishment moderated the influence of neighborhood problems and anger coping on proactive and reactive aggression in a child psychiatric inpatient sample of 6 to 13 year olds (n = 151). Findings were compared across child- and caregiver-reports of aggression. Consistent with expectations, anger coping was more strongly associated with reactive aggression than proactive aggression across informants. In contrast, perceived neighborhood problems were only associated with child-reports of proactive aggression, with corporal punishment moderating this association. Specifically, the association between neighborhood problems and proactive aggression was only evident at high levels of corporal punishment. Treatment implications and future directions are discussed.
A Simple Model of Fads and Cascading Failures on Sparse Switching Networks

The origin of large but rare cascades that are triggered by small initial shocks is a problem that manifests itself in social and natural phenomena as diverse as cultural fads and business innovations (1–5), social movements and revolutions (6–8), and even cascading failures in large infrastructure networks (9–11). Here we present a possible explanation of such cascades in terms of a network of interacting agents whose decisions are determined by the actions of their neighbors. We identify conditions under which the network is susceptible to very rare, but very large cascades and explain why such cascades may be difficult to anticipate in practice.
Trends in the Family Income Distribution by Race/Ethnicity and Income Source, 1988–2009

The recent dramatic rise in U.S. income inequality has prompted a great deal of research on trends in overall family income and changes in sources of family income, especially among the highest income earners. However, less is known about changes in sources of income among the bottom 99% or about racial/ethnic differences in those trends. The present research contributes to the literatures on income trends and racial economic inequality by using family-level data from the 1988-2009 Current Population Survey to examine changes in overall family income and the proportion of income coming from employment, property/assets, and transfers across five different levels of family income for white-, black, and Hispanic-headed families. We find that at all income levels above the 25th percentile, employment income is by far the largest contributor to family income for all racial/ethnic groups. Employment income trended upward over the period in both real dollars and as a percentage of total family income. In this respect, white, black and Hispanic families are remarkably similar. The racial gap in total family income has remained fairly stable over the period, but this trend conceals a narrowing of racial differences in property income, mostly as a function of the decline in property income among whites, a widening of racial differences in transfer income among the bottom 25%, and a widening of racial differences in employment income, particularly at the top of the family income distribution. Income accrued from wealth is a very small component of overall family income for all three racial groups, even for the highest-income families (top 1%).
Escherichia coli Rep DNA helicase and error‐prone DNA polymerase IV interact physically and functionally

Escherichia coli DNA polymerase IV, encoded by the dinB gene, is a member of the Y family of specialized DNA polymerases. Pol IV is capable of synthesizing past DNA lesions and may help to restart stalled replication forks. However, Pol IV is error-prone, contributing to both DNA damage-induced and stress-induced (adaptive) mutations. Here we demonstrate that Pol IV interacts in vitro with Rep DNA helicase and that this interaction enhances Rep's helicase activity. In addition, Pol IV polymerase activity is stimulated by interacting with Rep, and Pol IV β clamp-binding motif appears to be required for this stimulation. However, neither Rep's helicase activity nor its ability to bind DNA is required for it to stimulate Pol IV's polymerase activity. The interaction between Rep and Pol IV is biologically significant in vivo as Rep enhances Pol IV's mutagenic activity in stationary-phase cells. These data indicate a new role for Rep in contributing to Pol IV-dependent adaptive mutation. This functional interaction also provides new insight into how the cell might control or target Pol IV's mutagenic activity.
Microfluidics: an emerging technology for food and health science

Microfluidics is an emerging technology with the potential to streamline workflows and processes in the food and health sciences. Because of extreme miniaturization, less reagent consumption and more efficient sample-to-answer protocols are not only attainable but in many cases demonstrated. In this article, we present some key examples of relevant research at the Micro/Nano Fluidics Fundamentals Focus (MF3) Center that has direct applications in food, environmental, and physiological health monitoring.
Crawling peg and the real exchange rate

Abstract This paper describes the crawling/galloping peg as a reaction function to international reserves shocks, aimed at restoring a desired level of reserves. The estimation of devaluation rules for Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay in the 1970's reveal well defined and systematic characteristics. For example, facing an outflow of reserves, the authorities devalued at a higher rate than the inflation differential between domestic and foreign prices, affecting directly the real exchange rate. That reaction was more than proportional to the changes in reserves, and it was pursued almost exclusively in periods of low reserves.
Contributions of calcium-dependent and calcium-independent mechanisms to presynaptic inhibition at a cerebellar synapse

Activation of either adenosine A1 receptors or GABAB receptors inhibits many excitatory synapses in the mammalian brain. However, the extent to which different mechanisms contribute to such synaptic modulation is unclear. We examined the manner in which activation of adenosine A1 receptors and GABAB receptors modulates synaptic strength at the granule cell to Purkinje cell synapse in rat cerebellar slices. Optical determination of presynaptic calcium influx revealed that presynaptic calcium channels were modulated by 2-chloroadenosine (2CA) and baclofen, agonists of the adenosine A1 receptor and the GABAB receptor, respectively. 2CA and baclofen differentially affected three classes of calcium channels without altering the shape of the presynaptic volley, suggesting that changes in presynaptic waveform do not contribute significantly to synaptic modulation. 2CA affected neither the amplitude nor the frequency of spontaneous miniature postsynaptic currents, whereas baclofen reduced the frequency by approximately 40% without affecting the amplitude. In addition, 2CA and baclofen do not change either fiber excitability or presynaptic residual calcium. Taken together, our data indicate that activation of the adenosine A1 receptor reduces synaptic strength by modulating presynaptic calcium channels. Baclofen modulates presynaptic calcium channels as well but also affects release processes downstream from calcium entry.
An Efficient Multistep Stochastic Approximation Algorithm

This paper presents an efficient and easily implemented stochastic approximation algorithm. The procedure is based on the reprocessing of input data for several steps (iterations) of the algorithm and is especially suited to the case where the input data are expensive to obtain. We show that this multistep algorithm has the usual a.s. convergence property of the standard Robbins-Monro algorithm. We also present some preliminary results on choosing the optimal number of steps for use in such data reprocessing and ilustrate the results with two numerical studies.
Internet Attacks: A Policy Framework for Rules of Engagement

Information technology is redefining national security and the use of force by state and nonstate actors. The use of force over the Internet warrants analysis given recent terrorist attacks. At the same time that information technology empowers states and their commercial enterprises, information technology makes infrastructures supported by computer systems increasingly accessible, interdependent, and more vulnerable to malicious attack. The Computer Security Institute and the FBI jointly estimate that financial losses attributed to malicious attack amounted to $378 million in 2000. International Law clearly permits a state to respond in self-defense when attacked by another state through the Internet, however, such attacks may not always rise to the scope, duration, and intensity threshold of an armed attack that may justify a use of force in self-defense. This paper presents a policy framework to analyze the rules of engagement for Internet attacks. We describe the state of Internet security, incentives for asymmetric warfare, and the development of international law for conflict management and armed conflict. We focus on options for future rules of engagement specific to Information Warfare. We conclude with four policy recommendations for Internet attack rules of engagement: (1) the U.S. should pursue international definitions of "force" and "armed attack" in the Information Warfare context; (2) the U.S. should pursue international cooperation for the joint investigation and prosecution of Internet attacks; (3) the U.S. must balance offensive opportunities against defensive vulnerabilities; and (4) the U.S. should prepare strategic plans now rather than making policy decisions in real-time during an Internet attack.
A predicate-calculus based language for semantic databases

The author proposes a nonprocedural language for semantic databases in general and for the semantic binary model in particular. The foundation of the language is a database interpretation of a first-order predicate calculus. The calculus is enriched with second-order constructs for aggregation (statistical functions), specification of transactions, parameterized query forms, and other uses. The language is called SD-Calculus (Semantic Database Calculus). Of special interest is the use of this language for specification of bulk transactions, including generation of sets of new abstract objects. Implementation of the language is discussed. >
Distribution of sedimentary structures in the Amazon subaqueous delta

Abstract The nature and spatial relationships of sedimentary structures in the Amazon subaqueous delta are determined from radiographs of widely distributed sediment cores, and are contrasted with observations of sedimentary structures from other major deltas. Five distinct facies are identified in modern (accumulated within the past 100 y) Amazon sediments, including: (a) physically stratified sand, (b) interbedded mud and sand, (c) proximal-shelf sandy silt, (d) faintly laminated mud, and (e) mottled mud. In the outer topset and foreset regions of the delta, organic-rich laminae are observed in cores from several of these facies. Physical sedimentary structures are preserved in the landward portion of the topset region ( 100 years) variations of sedimentary structures are observed in piston cores. Thick (>1 m) sandy-silt beds are present in proximal areas below 3 m depth in the seabed, and could have formed as a result of lateral migration of the proximal-shelf sandy-silt facies.
Prosthetic gods: The posthuman threat of self-service technology

Computer-facilitated self-service technologies (SSTs) have become ubiquitous in today’s consumer-focused world. Yet, few human–computer interactions elicit such dramatically polarizing emotional reactions from users as those involving SSTs. ATMs, pay-at-the-pump gas stations, and self-scanning retail registers tend to produce both passionate supporters and critics. While negative comments often center on unpleasant personal user experiences, the actual “abuse” related to such systems is really much deeper and more complex. SSTs carry with them a number of potentially insidious consequences, including the exploitation of consumers as uncompensated temporary workers; the sacrifice of our inherent humanity to delegate both skills and cognition to electronic helpers; and the enabling of a new type of posthuman consumer identity, where each transaction is completed by a cyborg entity constructed of the human on one side and the electronic mechanism on the other. As a result, we may ultimately lose the boundary between the human and the machine.
Transition metal ion complexes of thiosemicarbazones derived from 2-acetylpyridine. Part 4. The 3-piperidinyl derivative

Metal ion complexes of the thiosemicarbazone, 3-piperidinyl-3-thiocarboxylic acid-2-[1-(2-pyridyl)ethylidene]hydrazide (HLpip) have been prepared and spectrally characterized. HLpip coordinates both as the deprotonated ligand (i.e., pyridylN, azomethineN, and thione sulphur) and the neutral ligand (i.e., pyridylN and azomethineN) with the sulphur possibly weakly coordinating in [Ni(HLpip)2](BF4)2. All three preparative cobalt(II) salts yielded cobalt(III) cationic complexes. The nickel(II) and copper(II) chloride salts gave [M(Lpip)Cl] solids while complexes involving the neutral ligand were prepared with the corresponding bromide salts. Significant differences in the spectral properties of the various complexes are observed when compared to other thiosemicarbazones prepared from 2-acetylpyridine.
Millennial‐scale fluctuations in subtropical northwestern Atlantic surface ocean hydrography during the mid‐Pleistocene

[1] We use planktonic foraminiferal (Globigerinoides sacculifer and Neogloboquadrina dutertrei) δ18O records from subtropical North Atlantic Site 1056 to reconstruct millennial-scale changes in sea surface hydrography during marine isotope stages (MIS) 10 through 12 (∼340–440 ka). The difference in the δ18O records provides a measure of the thermal gradient from the mixed layer to the seasonal thermocline (ΔTml-tc), which we use to constrain upper ocean stratification and infer northward ocean heat transport. Late Holocene G. sacculifer and N. dutertrei δ18O values place controls on how the foraminifera record recent ocean conditions at Site 1056. In the down core record we find extreme excursions toward G. sacculifer δ18O maxima and ΔTml-tc minima throughout the entire time interval. These cold events have a similar amplitude throughout but are more frequent during the glacial than the interglacial intervals. During interglacial MIS 11 the excursions provide evidence for repeated cooling of the sea surface contributing to existing evidence for relative climate instability during interglacial intervals. During MIS 10, millennial-scale variability in the subtropical record is very similar to that observed in the subpolar North Atlantic at Site 980, perhaps related to a common forcing such as a large Northern Hemisphere ice sheet. Within the limitation of the age models the cold events of MIS 11 are almost synchronous with benthic foraminiferal δ13C minima at subtropical North Atlantic Site 1063, which suggests a general surface to deep ocean link via thermohaline circulation during this interval of time.
Target-nontarget similarity modulates stimulus-driven control in visual search

The literature contains conflicting results concerning whether an irrelevant featural singleton (an item unique with respect to a feature such as color or brightness) can control attention in a stimulus-driven manner. The present study explores whether target-nontarget similarity influences stimulus-driven shifts of attention to a distractor. An experiment evaluated whether manipulating target-nontarget similarity by varying orientation would modulate distraction by an irrelevant feature (a bright singleton). We found that increasing target-nontarget similarity resulted in a decreased impact of a uniquely bright object on visual search. This method of manipulating the target-nontarget similarity independent of the salience of a distracting feature suggests that the extent to which visual attention is stimulus-driven depends on the target-nontarget similarity.
Force Control under Auditory Feedback: Effector Differences and Audiomotor Memory

Audiomotor integration is a basic form of sensorimotor control for regulating vocal pitch and vocal loudness, but its contribution to general motor control has only been studied minimally. In this paper, auditory feedback for prolonged force control was investigated by comparing manual and oral force generation and testing short-term audiomotor memory for these effectors. Ten healthy volunteers between the ages of 20 and 30 years old were recruited. The participants produced continuous force for 30 sec. with the lip or finger to match auditory targets. In the feedback condition, when auditory feedback was provided for 30 sec., lip force was more variable than finger force. In the memory condition, the force output of both effectors remained stable for approximately 4 sec. after feedback removal, followed by significant decay. A longer short-term memory capacity could facilitate encoding of motor memories for tasks having acoustic goals. The results demonstrate that "audiomotor" integration was effective for sustaining forces, and that audiomotor force memory is comparable to reports of visuomotor force memory.
Viewpoint Time for computer science to grow up

As the computer science field has evolved, so should the methods for disseminating computing research results.
The Companion Animal Bonding Scale: Internal Consistency and Factor Structure When Administered by Telephone

The performance of the 8-item Companion Animal Bonding Scale as a self-report behavioral measure of the human-animal relationship when administered as part of a telephone interview is described. For 784 respondents Cronbach alpha for internal consistency was .74 and the SPSS for Windows Principal Components factor analysis of its internal structure yielded two factors which accounted for 55% of the scale's variance. These results are similar to the scale's Cronbach alpha of .82 and the first two of the three factors which accounted for 56% of the variance when the scale was included in a written questionnaire.