cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ROSAT PSPC Observations of 27 Near-Main-Sequence B Stars

In this paper, we report on ROSAT Position Sensitive Proportional Counter (PSPC) observations of 27 near-main-sequence B stars made with unprecedented sensitivity. Contrary to the results of previous surveys, it is found that 75% of the sample stars are X-ray sources, albeit most at modest levels. The X-ray luminosities of the program stars range from 5.6 × 1027 up to 2.2 × 1032 ergs s-1. We find that LX/LBol decreases abruptly beyond about B0 and stabilizes at LX/LBol ≈ 10-8.5 by about B2, with seven nondetections at B2 and later. For the B0 and B1 stars, our modeling suggests that wind attenuation of the X-ray photons is significant, so that the emitted X-ray luminosity, corrected for this attenuation, actually exceeds 10-7LBol in some cases. Presumably, this situation is even more severe for O stars; thus, the well-known LX/LBol ≈ 10-7 law simply may be an artifact of the neglect of wind attenuation. The ROSAT PSPC observations of most of the B stars are very soft, with the notable exception of τ Sco (B0 V). The wind emission measure filling factors that we find for the very early B stars are rather large (roughly 0.1-1). This could be brought into line with theoretical calculations of the line-force instability, wind-shock mechanism if the mass-loss rates of these stars are a few times higher than theory currently predicts. However, the X-rays from stars later than B2 require filling factors greater than unity and thus cannot be produced by any radiation-driven wind-shock mechanism because there is simply not enough wind material to produce the observed X-rays. It is possible that mid- to late-B stars represent some kind of transition to, or hybrid of, wind and coronal X-ray mechanisms.
Hypothalamic center influencing the release of LH in the cockerel.

Abstract Lesions destroying the posterior part of the tuberal nucleus or the tracts from it to the posterior part of the anterior median eminence affected the interstitial cells of cockerel testes and inhibited comb growth. Lesions elsewhere in the ventral hypothalamus did not prevent comb growth. Lesions in the dorsal anterior part of the hypothalamus appeared to stimulate comb growth.
A study to examine the determinants of job satisfaction for professional accountants in Tanzania

This study examines the level of job satisfaction and the influence of co-workers, pay, promotion, supervision, the work itself, age, and gender on the job satisfaction of Tanzanian Certified Public Accountants (Tanzanian CPAs). Results showed that most Tanzanian CPAs are satisfied with their jobs but are unhappy with pay and promotion. Results also showed that co-workers, pay, promotion, supervision, and work itself have significant influence on the job satisfaction of Tanzanian CPAs, while their age and gender have not. The implication of these results is that co-workers, pay, promotion, supervision, and the work itself are predictors of job satisfaction of Tanzanian CPAs. Therefore, Tanzanian managers must actively promote those factors in the workplace in order to foster better job performance. For future studies, the use of broader sociological and cross-cultural variables is recommended in order to identify additional variables that are vital in creating an appealing workplace for Tanzanian CPAs.
Load-bearing natural fiber composite cellular beams and panels

Natural fiber composites, or biocomposites, have recently gained much attention due to their low cost, environmental friendliness, and their potential to compete with glass-fiber composites. The reported study demonstrates that biocomposites can be used for load-bearing components by improving their structural efficiency through cellular material arrangements. Laboratory-scale periodic cellular beams and plates were made from industrial hemp and flax fibers with unsaturated polyester resin. Material and structural performance was experimentally assessed and compared with results from short-fiber composite micro-mechanics models and sandwich analyses. Short-term analytical evaluation of full-scale cellular biocomposite components indicates that they can compete with components made from conventional materials.
Integrated parallel reception, excitation, and shimming (iPRES)

Purpose: To develop a new concept for a hardware platform that enables integrated parallel reception, excitation, and shimming. Theory: This concept uses a single coil array rather than separate arrays for parallel excitation/reception and B0 shimming. It relies on a novel design that allows a radiofrequency current (for excitation/reception) and a direct current (for B0 shimming) to coexist independently in the same coil. Methods: Proof-of-concept B0 shimming experiments were performed with a two-coil array in a phantom, whereas B0 shimming simulations were performed with a 48-coil array in the human brain. Results: Our experiments show that individually optimized direct currents applied in each coil can reduce the B0 root-mean-square error by 62–81% and minimize distortions in echo-planar images. The simulations show that dynamic shimming with the 48-coil integrated parallel reception, excitation, and shimming array can reduce the B0 root-mean-square error in the prefrontal and temporal regions by 66–79% as compared with static second-order spherical harmonic shimming and by 12–23% as compared with dynamic shimming with a 48-coil conventional shim array. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate the feasibility of the integrated parallel reception, excitation, and shimming concept to perform parallel excitation/reception and B0 shimming with a unified coil system as well as its promise for in vivo applications.
The neuronal basis of behavior in Tritonia. I. Functional organization of the central nervous system.

An account is presented of the brain (paired cerebral, pleural, and pedal ganglia) of the nudibranch mollusc Tritonia diomedia. The major efferent nerve fibers are related to their nerve cell bodies and their functional roles identified as far as possible. The channels of sesory input relating to some of these neurons are given so as to provide an overall view of the organization of the brain. A standardized system of abbreviation and notation for the central ganglia, nerve trunks, and gaint somata is proposed. The system of references is intended to provide a guide to the location in the ganglia of many of the smaller neurons of which the functional attributes are known, but which cannot be consistently recognized on visual criteria alone. A system of rectangular coordinates is proposed which is applied to the natural outline of the ganglia. In addition, a system of cell notation is described which is independent of the co-ordinates used to define the position of the cell on the grid. Cell which by reason of their size, pigmentation, characteristic location and physiological attributes are consistently recognizable from animal to animal are numbered. Two principles were followed in numbering cells; (i) the series begins at unity in each ganglion; (ii) cell homologues in opposite ganglia are given the same number, but distinguished by prefixing the abbreviation for the ganglion in which they occur. It is considered that the system will facilitate the exchange of information between workers on the same species, and also benefit the comparison of neural organization of behavior in closely related forms. The brain is organized in an almost exactly bilaterally symmetrical manner. There are a few bilateral neural pathways, but the major functional routes are ipsilateral. A few motorneurons, which are uniquely identifiable anatomically, cause unique, discrete movements. Others are in small groups sharing overlapping or similar functions.
Matching topographic structures in stereo vision

Abstract Stereo vision is important in determining three-dimensional positions of the visible surfaces in images. Most existing stereo matching methods involve matching low-level image features such as edges. A stereo matching technique based on matching high-level image features is described in this paper. The high-level image features extracted are topographic structures, arc segments and region segments. Matching results in stereo images are also discussed.
Simulation and experimental results for a planar strip dipole over PEC and ferrite nanoparticle composite ground planes

Summary form only given. An important antenna design goal is to have a dipole-like antenna operating close to a metallic groundplane (structure or platform). Unfortunately, the characteristics such as radiation resistance and bandwidth reduce dramatically as the antenna approaches closely to the ground plane. However, if the antenna could be matched even to the low radiation resistance, the gain increases as the antenna gets closer to the ground plane assuming low antenna ohmic losses. For low-loss ferrite nanoparticle composite backed ground planes, completely opposite behavior occurs in that the radiation resistance and bandwidth increase as the dipole moves closer. In the practical world an antenna should include a matching circuit to prevent serious mismatch loss to circumvent lower realized gain that would result for the unmatched case. In this paper the geometry of a low-loss ferrite nanoparticle composite backed ground plane is optimized for a planar strip dipole. The radiation resistance, gain, VSWR (Voltage Standing Wave Ratio), and bandwidth are investigated for this magnetodielectric based antenna. Results are given for simulations involving the antenna in free space and at various heights over a PEC and over a low-loss ferrite nanoparticle composite medium. It is found that the radiation resistance and bandwidth are similar for the dipole in free space and at a height of .25λ over a PEC ground plane. As the dipole is lowered closer to the ground plane, the radiation resistance and bandwidth both reduce and the gain improves. Bandwidth is defined between the VSWR = 2.0 upper and lower frequencies with the antenna matched to the radiation resistance at the center frequency. The same planar strip dipole was modeled with simulation software over a finite size PEC ground plane inserted with a thin layer of specially formulated isotropic magnetic nanoparticle composite with low-loss characteristics. Experimental measurements were also obtained in an anechoic chamber and agreed with simulation results. Impedance, VSWR, gain, and bandwidth results will be presented for both the simulation modeling and the experimental measurements. It was found that all of the performance characteristics were greatly improved by utilizing the magnetic nanoparticle composite. This innovative and breakthrough ferrite nanocomposites backed antenna design will allow antennas to be very conformal to metallic groundplanes (vehicles and airborne platforms).
Microbiology: Life on leaves.

The surface of plant leaves — the phyllosphere — is home to many microbes. A 'community proteogenomics' approach offers a fresh look at what it takes to survive and thrive in this unique habitat.
Polarized light imaging with a handheld camera

Polarized light imaging can facilitate clinical mapping of skin cancer margins and can potentially guide clinical excision. A real-time hand-held polarized-light system was built to image skin lesions in the clinic. The system consisted of two 8-bit CCD cameras (Camera 1 and Camera 2) mounted on the camera assembly and illuminated the patient’s skin. Light was polarized parallel to the source-patient-camera plane. The light, reflected from the patient, was collected with an objective lens mounted on the beam splitter and divided into a horizontal (H) and vertical (V) component. The H component was collected by Camera 1, and the V component was collected by Camera 2. A new image was generated based on the polarization ratio (H - V)(H + V) and displayed. This image was sensitive to the superficial skin layer and some early clinical examples are presented. A web version of this paper is available at the following web site: optics.sgu.ru/SFM/2002/internet/Jessica/.
Recovery and subsequent recurrence in patients with recurrent major depressive disorder.

In contrast to “remission” from an episode of major depressive disorder (MDD), for which there is general agreement in the literature, the optimal definition of “recovery” from MDD is uncertain. Previous definitions of recovery have used inconsistent thresholds for symptom severity and duration of wellness. To address the effects of duration and degree of recovery from an episode of MDD on recurrence risk, and the impact of maintenance antidepressant treatment on recurrence, we analyzed 258 patients from a randomized, double-blind study of outpatients with recurrent MDD. All patients had responded to 8½ months of venlafaxine extended release and were subsequently randomized to receive venlafaxine ER or placebo during 2 consecutive 12-month maintenance phases. Four definitions of recovery were used to evaluate recovery rates and time to recurrence: (1) 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D17) total score ≤3 with duration ≥120 days; (2) HAM-D17 ≤3 with duration ≥56 days; (3) HAM-D17 ≤7 with duration ≥120 days; and (4) HAM-D17 ≤7 with duration ≥56 days. Recovery definitions using lower symptom severity and longer duration thresholds produced lower rates of recurrence. Patients on placebo were more likely to have a recurrence than patients on venlafaxine ER, with hazard ratio (HR) ranging from 2.5 among patients who recovered by the most relaxed criteria (definition 4), to 5.3 among patients who recovered by the most stringent criteria (definition 1). We conclude that protection against recurrence derives from the degree and duration of recovery, particularly for patients maintained on antidepressant medication.
The assessment of school bullying: using theory to inform practice

This article examines the conceptual basis for and methods used to assess school bullying, including the core bullying behavior elements of repetition, intentionality, and power differential and instruments needed to foster comparability across studies and to improve the precision of intervention capacity. Common bully self-report procedures (Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire, Olweus, 2004; Reynolds Bully Victimization Scale, Reynolds, 2003; The Bully Surveys, Swearer, 2001) are examined for the thoroughness with which they assess these core elements that distinguish bullying from other forms of peer victimization. It is concluded that bullying assessment can be enhanced by systematically including all core bully behaviors, more thoroughly examining sources of power differential between bullies and victims, and giving more attention to the dynamic nature of the bullying process.
Exploring older adolescents’ and young adults’ attitudes regarding male hormonal contraception: applications for clinical practice

Male hormonal contraceptive methods (HCM) are in Phase I clinical trials in the USA. International studies report that adults have positive attitudes regarding male HCM but little is known about US minority young peoples’ attitudes—a population that experiences high unintended pregnancy rates. Thirty urban African American young persons [50% males; mean age = 18.8 (SD = 2.5)] participated in semi-structured interviews to explore attitudes regarding male HCM. Data were independently analysed by two researchers according to qualitative research methodology including transcript coding for content categorization of codes performance of content analysis for theme development and corroboration of findings by a third researcher. The data revealed five major themes that can facilitate and/or hinder male HCM adoption: (1) impact of reversing roles in HCM use; (2) men’s lack of involvement in health care; (3) men’s reliability to use HCM effectively; (4) perceived responsibility of men who use HCM; and (5) men’s apprehension to use new medicines. Overall participants had positive impressions about male HCM (67% male; 67% female) and female partner trust of males’ use was high (85%) as were males’ intentions (60%). Findings provide a foundation for clinical interventions including: (1) increasing males’ involvement in reproductive health; (2) helping males to overcome apprehensions about male HCM safety; and (3) standardizing male HCM education in the clinical setting. Future research efforts should examine whether study findings hold for other populations. (authors)
The determination of human serum albumin by its specific binding ofthe anionicdye, 2-(4′-hydroxybenzeneazo)-benzoic acid

Abstract A method of improved sensitivity and reliability is described for the direct determination of human serum albumin using the anionic dye, 2-(4′-hydroxybenzeneazo)-benzoic acid. Some important factors of the albumin-dye reaction are discussed. A pH 6.2 phosphate buffer system has several advantages over a pH 5 acetate buffer system; the quality of the dye should be established; temperature control is necessary; and careful attention should be given to the choice of a human albumin product as a reference standard, for which only human mercaptalbumm or human albumin-Fraction V can be recommended.
Aromatization of androstenedione by induced polycystic ovaries in the rat

Aromatization of androstenedione by induced polycystic ovaries in the rat is described. Large polycystic ovaries were induced in 5 out of 14 hypothyroid rats treated with human chorionic gonadotropin for 20 days. The total in vitro conversion of (7alpha-tritium)-androstenedione to estrone by these cystic ovaries was more than 50% greater and conversion to estradiol-17beta more than 40% greater than similarly treated noncystic ovaries with an even greater increase over any of the other treatment groups. These results support a major role for estrogen in the experimental induction of ovarian cysts and explain the capability of estrogen antagonists to inhibit cyst development.
Prenatal diagnosis of lissencephaly

We report two cases of prenatal detection of lissencephaly by high-resolution ultrasound. The first case studied was referred for high-risk obstetrical management and serial antenatal ultrasounds because of a family history of lissencephaly in an unresolved chromosomal abnormality. Diagnosis of a smooth gyral pattern consistent with lissencephaly was made at 32 weeks' gestation. The second case was referred for prenatal ultrasound because of a size versus dates discrepancy. The ultrasound examination showed a smooth gyral pattern at 31.5 weeks. In light of this ultrasound finding, a fetal blood sample was obtained and a chromosomal abnormality reported, confirming the diagnosis. To our knowledge, these cases represent the first report of the sonographic prenatal diagnosis of cerebral agyria or lissencephaly.
Fracture mechanics of composites with residual stresses, imperfect interfaces, and traction-loaded cracks

By partitioning the total stresses in a damaged composite into either mechanical and residual stresses or into initial and perturbation stresses, it was possible to derive two exact results for the energy release rate due to crack growth. These general results automatically include the effects of residual stresses, traction-loaded cracks, and imperfect interfaces. These effects are normally not needed in the fracture mechanics of homogeneous materials, but they are commonly needed for the fracture mechanics of composites. The general results were used to consider mode I fracture in composites, fracture and thermal cracking for two-phase, isotropic composites, and interfacial fracture in the microbond and single-fiber, pull-out tests. The analysis of interfacial fracture illustrates the importance of including friction effects in the energy release rate and not as part of the toughness of the composite. Many composite damage modes consist of a series of events instead of stable crack propagation. A new analysis method, referred to as finite fracture mechanics, is proposed which predicts that the next event occurs when the total energy released by that event exceeds some critical value or toughness for that type of event. A finite fracture mechanics model for microcracking that can correlate the results from many laminates is described.
Hemodynamic adaptation to orthostatic stress after orthotopic heart transplantation.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of orthostatic stress on cardiovascular stability in heart transplant recipients early and late after transplantation and in healthy controls. Background: After transplantation, cardiac reinnervation is heterogeneous, with reports of sympathetic reinnervation after 5 months and parasympathetic reinnervation after 2 to 3 years. Methods: Sixteen heart transplant recipients early (less than 5 months) after transplantation, 17 recipients late (1 year or more) after transplantation, and 16 matched healthy controls were subjected to 45 minutes of passive upright tilt, with the following variables measured before, during, and after the procedure: cardiac output, heart rate, stroke volume, mean arterial pressure, systemic vascular resistance, and plasma norepinephrine. Results: At rest, heart rate ( p p =0.003) were higher, and stroke volume was lower ( p p =0.028); drop in stroke volume was three times more among controls than among those in either transplantation group ( p p Conclusion: With the exception of heart rate, patterns of hemodynamic response to orthostatic stress after transplantation remain consistent over time and differ from controls. Among transplant recipients, higher mean arterial pressure mitigates the force of gravity and prevents drops in stroke volume. Clinicians may anticipate that transplant recipients will tolerate postural maneuvers well. Later after transplantation, however, orthostatic tolerance is associated with increased norepinephrine release, consistent with enhanced sympathoactivation.
A generalized computational formulation and model for transport and stoichiometry of multivalent weak analytes in Capillary Electrophoresis techniques

A generalized mathematical and computational model for various Capillary Electrophoresis (CE) techniques is presented. Accurate analysis of these electrokinetic phenomena can only be performed when the chemical interaction of the analytes with the system are taken into consideration. It should also be taken into consideration that majority of constituents in the electrolyte systems are weak, multivalent analytes, which have complex stoichiometric behavior intricately linked with the local transport phenomena. A generalized formulation to couple the association/dissociation stoichiometry of weak analyte with transport phenomena is presented along with a broad, fundamental treatment of macroscopic transport phenomena that will render common approximations like absence of bulk flow, a priori assumption of pH and conductivity, etc., redundant. Novel domain decomposition based Multi-Block Finite Volume scheme is developed and implemented. These formulations and strategy constitute the core of the microfluidics module of MEMS software Intellisuite/sup /spl reg// being developed by Corning Intellisense.
Devolution and stewardship in Zimbabwe's CAMPFIRE programme

Zimbabwe's CAMPFIRE programme is widely regarded as one of Africa's most successful contemporary conservation initiatives. It permits the residents of communal lands—basically poor, black people—to share in the benefits generated by wildlife utilization on those lands. Despite its achievements the programme still faces fundamental challenges. In particular the development strategies of households in CAMPFIRE areas are focusing on land uses that are incompatible with wildlife—population in-migration, the extension of cropping and increased livestock numbers. To a significant degree these problems arise because CAMPFIRE has only been able to devolve authority over natural resources from the central government to rural district councils. If the programme is to be effective then a further devolution of authority is required so that producer communities, those who live directly beside wildlife, are given full control of the natural resources on their lands. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Impact of the numbers of observations and calibration parameters on equifinality, model performance, and output and parameter uncertainty

The level of model complexity that can be effectively supported by available information has long been a subject of many studies in hydrologic modelling. In particular, distributed parameter models tend to be regarded as overparameterized because of numerous parameters used to describe spatially heterogeneous hydrologic processes. However, it is not clear how parameters and observations influence the degree of overparameterization, equifinality of parameter values, and uncertainty. This study investigated the impact of the numbers of observations and parameters on calibration quality including equifinality among calibrated parameter values, model performance, and output/parameter uncertainty using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool model. In the experiments, the number of observations was increased by expanding the calibration period or by including measurements made at inner points of a watershed. Similarly, additional calibration parameters were included in the order of their sensitivity. Then, unique sets of parameters were calibrated with the same objective function, optimization algorithm, and stopping criteria but different numbers of observations. The calibration quality was quantified with statistics calculated based on the ‘behavioural’ parameter sets, identified using 1% and 5% cut-off thresholds in a generalized likelihood uncertainty estimation framework. The study demonstrated that equifinality, model performance, and output/parameter uncertainty were responsive to the numbers of observations and calibration parameters; however, the relationship between the numbers, equifinality, and uncertainty was not always conclusive. Model performance improved with increased numbers of calibration parameters and observations, and substantial equifinality did neither necessarily mean bad model performance nor large uncertainty in the model outputs and parameters. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cellular kinetics of murine lung: model system to determine basis for radioprotection with keratinocyte growth factor.

Abstract Purpose Normal tissue toxicity remains a dose limitation for cancer radiotherapy and chemoradiotherapy. Growth factors offer a novel means of mitigating normal tissue radiotoxicity. In particular, keratinocyte growth factor (rHuKGF), whose proliferative activity is restricted to epithelial cells, holds promise on the basis of the findings of preclinical models of epithelial cytoprotection and the clinical developments to date. We report the radioprotection of murine lung by an increase in tissue cellularity after rHuKGF-induced proliferation. Methods and materials Flow cytometric and image analysis techniques after bromodeoxyuridine labeling were used to estimate proliferative parameters. Our specialized analytical methods measure not only labeling indexes, but also the durations of S and G 2 +M phases, potential doubling times, and the net cell production rate. Image analysis techniques were used to identify the specific cell types that were proliferating (type II pneumocytes). Results Lung labeling index control values (0.5%) rose to a maximum (5.5%) at 3 days after intratracheal rHuKGF, returning to normal by Day 7. The potential doubling time fell from 66 days to 4.4 days. The net cell production rate rose from a control value of 1%/d to >15%/d by Day 3. This resulted in a nearly twofold increase in alveolar epithelial cellularity, which remained significantly elevated on Day 7. Saline-treated control animals exhibited no significant changes in the proliferative parameter values or cellularity. On the basis of these data, mice were irradiated, solely to the thorax, with ranges of single doses of 250 kVp X-rays 7 days after either intratracheal administration of 5 mg/kg rHuKGF or phospate-buffered saline. This interval was chosen because the proliferative response of the type II cells was finished but the cellularity of the lung remained increased. Pretreatment with rHuKGF extended the latent period before onset of pneumonitis after all radiation doses. rHuKGF treatment 7 days before thoracic irradiation significantly protected against pneumonitis (median effective dose 13.7 Gy, 95% confidence limit 13.4–14.0) compared with the control pretreatment with phosphate-buffered saline (median effective dose 12.8 Gy, 95% confidence limit 12.6–13.1). Conclusion The data showed that an increase in tissue cellularity, caused by rHuKGF treatment before irradiation, protected the lung from damage due to pneumonitis.
Exploring meaning-making with adolescents ‘left behind’ by migration

This paper focuses on a population that has received little attention in migration and in youth-related research: those ‘left behind’ when parents migrate to the United States in search of a better life for their families. Findings presented here are drawn from two sets of workshops with Mayan youth participants in the Southern Quiche region of Guatemala who have been directly (one or both parents have migrated) or indirectly (friends, relatives or neighbors have migrated) affected by migration. Through participatory action research processes, we have found that youth report parents’ departures in search of a better life for the family while also describing their yearning for them to return. Most viewed the United States as a discriminatory place where life is treacherous, including for their own family members. Despite this, they reported deep desires to migrate there. We discuss these findings in light of the direct and indirect messages that youth receive from their teachers who often discourage their ...
A model for rod ricochet

A model to predict the ballistic ricochet of rod penetrators is presented. The model is based on the premise that the phenomenology of ricochet is one where the impacting rod feeds into a plastic hinge located at the rod/ target interface, and is thus diverted from a penetrating trajectory. The model is offered in both a full and simple form. The full form of the model arises from the simultaneous solution of a series of six algebraic equations that constitute the momentum-flux/force and moment balances upon the plastic hinge, subject to various material and kinematic constraints. This full model is not solvable in closed form, but rather by way of algorithm. The simple form of the model, by contrast, dispenses with the moment balance and makes several simplifying kinematic assumptions that permit the ricochet criterion to be expressed as a closed-form inequality. Such a simplified form is along the lines of, and thus directly comparable to, several prior ricochet models in the literature. Compared against 24 ballistic tests, comprising two separate ricochet studies, the current model (in both forms) shows an improved ability to predict the ballistic ricochet of impacting rod projectiles. The simple form of the current ricochet model actually proved the best predictor of the ballistic data. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Early childhood care and education: effects on ethnic and racial gaps in school readiness.

Summary The authors examine black, white, and Hispanic children’s differing experiences in early childhood care and education and explore links between these experiences and racial and ethnic gaps in school readiness. Children who attend center care or preschool programs enter school more ready to learn, but both the share of children enrolled in these programs and the quality of care they receive differ by race and ethnicity. Black children are more likely to attend preschool than white children, but may experience lower-quality care. Hispanic children are much less likely than white children to attend preschool. The types of preschool that children attend also differ. Both black and Hispanic children are more likely than white children to attend Head Start. Public funding of early childhood care and education, particularly Head Start, is already reducing ethnic and racial gaps in preschool attendance. The authors consider whether further increases in enrollment and improvements in quality would reduce school readiness gaps. They conclude that incremental changes in enrollment or quality will do little to narrow gaps. But substantial increases in Hispanic and black children’s enrollment in preschool, alone or in combination with increases in preschool quality, have the potential to decrease school readiness gaps. Boosting enrollment of Hispanic children may be especially beneficial given their current low rates of enrollment. Policies that target low-income families (who are more likely to be black or Hispanic) also look promising. For example, making preschool enrollment universal for three- and four- year-old children in poverty and increasing the quality of care could close up to 20 percent of the blackwhite school readiness gap and up to 36 percent of the Hispanic-white gap.
Substitution of Noncash Payment Instruments for Cash in Europe

The substitution of noncash (check, giro, and credit and debit card) payments for cash transactions is difficult to gauge because there are no data series on the actual value or volume of cash transactions in any country. However, determining the degree of cash substitution is important because it will negatively affect the central banks' and governments' seigniorage revenue. We utilise a novel method for approximating the volume of cash transactions using public information on currency stocks and noncash payments. Applying this method, we estimate how cash has been substituted by other payment instruments in 10 European countries. We also provide a forecast of future cash use by country. We find that the trend in cash substitution across countries is quite similar. However, the countries themselves are at significantly different stages of this substitution process. The spread of debit and credit card payments has been the key factor behind the substitution away from cash as use of e-cash innovation is still in its infancy. Country-specific differences in the substitution process are largely explained by differences in the level of implementation of each country's card payment technology.
MATERNAL DOMINANCE RANK AND AGE AFFECT OFFSPRING SEX RATIO IN PIGTAIL MACAQUES

This study tested some predictions of the local-resource-competition hypothesis and localresource-enhancement hypothesis of sex-biased maternal investment in a population of pigtail macaques (Macaca nemestrina leonina). Offspring sex ratios in high- and lowranking matrilines were biased in opposite directions as predicted. Sex ratio in the middleranking matriline was female biased similar to the high-ranking matrilines but became increasingly male biased with maternal age, similar to the low-ranking matrilines. Interbirth intervals following surviving daughters were longer than those following sons, irrespective of rank, suggesting that daughters were more costly to rear than sons. Infant mortality was not significantly different for sons and daughters. The findings of this study are consistent with some, but not all, of the predictions of local-resource-competition and local-resourceenhancement hypotheses and suggest that middle-ranking mothers have specific investment strategies that change in relation to their age.
Regulation of expression of uropathogenic Escherichia coli nonfimbrial adhesin TosA by PapB homolog TosR in conjunction with H-NS and Lrp

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a major burden to human health. The overwhelming majority of UTIs are caused by uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) strains. Unlike some pathogens, UPEC strains do not have a fixed core set of virulence and fitness factors but do have a variety of adhesins and regulatory pathways. One such UPEC adhesin is the nonfimbrial adhesin TosA, which mediates adherence to the epithelium of the upper urinary tract. The tos operon is AT rich, resides on pathogenicity island aspV, and is not expressed under laboratory conditions. Because of this, we hypothesized that tosA expression is silenced by H-NS. Lrp, based on its prominent function in the regulation of other adhesins, is also hypothesized to contribute to tos operon regulation. Using a variety of in vitro techniques, we mapped both the tos operon promoter and TosR binding sites. We have now identified TosR as a dual regulator of the tos operon, which could control the tos operon in association with H-NS and Lrp. H-NS is a negative regulator of the tos operon, and Lrp positively regulates the tos operon. Exogenous leucine also inhibits Lrp-mediated tos operon positive regulation. In addition, TosR binds to the pap operon, which encodes another important UPEC adhesin, P fimbria. Induction of TosR synthesis reduces production of P fimbria. These studies advance our knowledge of regulation of adhesin expression associated with uropathogen colonization of a host.
Refugee education in countries of first asylum: Breaking open the black box of pre-resettlement experiences

The number of refugees who have fled across international borders due to conflict and persecution is at the highest level in recorded history. The vast majority of these refugees find exile in low-income countries neighboring their countries of origin. The refugee children who are resettled to North America, Europe, and Australia arrive with previous educational experiences in these countries of first asylum. This article examines these pre-resettlement educational experiences of refugee children, which to date have constituted a ‘black box’ in their post-resettlement education. Analysis is of data from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, key informant interviews in 14 countries of first asylum, and ethnographic fieldwork and interviews in four countries. The article argues that contemporary conditions of conflict usefully inform conceptual understanding of refugee education globally, including the types of schools that refugees access in countries of first asylum and their rates of access....
More Thoughts about Names in Nursing Colleges, Schools, Divisions, Departments, and Journals

This essay addresses the names used for nursing academic units and journals. Discussion focuses on questions about nursing (or nursology) as a health profession and the redundancy of combining the term, nursing, with terms about health used by many colleges, schools, divisions, and departments, as well as by some journals.
THE DUAL ROLE OF SELECTION AND EVOLUTIONARY HISTORY AS REFLECTED IN GENETIC CORRELATIONS.

The patterns of genetic correlations between a series of eye and antenna characters were compared among two sets of spring-dwelling and cave-dwelling populations of Gammarus minus. The two sets of populations originate from different drainages and represent two separate invasions of cave habitats from surface-dwelling populations. Matrix correlations, using permutation tests, indicated significant correlations both between populations in the same basin and from the same habitat. The technique of biplot, which allows for the simultaneous consideration of relationships between different genetic correlations and different populations, was used to further analyze the correlation structure. A rank-3 biplot indicated that spring and cave populations were largely differentiated by eye-antennal correlations, whereas basins were differentiated by both eye-antennal and antennal-antennal correlations. Eye-antennal correlations, which are likely to be subject to selection, were most similar within habitats, which are likely to have similar selective regimes.
Urban rejection of the vernacular: The SVS undone

In Raleigh, North Carolina, a Southern U.S. city, five decades of in-migration of technology-sector workers from outside the South has resulted in large-scale contact between the local Southern dialect and non-Southern dialects. This paper investigates the speed and magnitude of the reversal of the Southern Vowel Shift (SVS) with respect to the five front vowels, using Trudgill's (1998) model of dialect contact as a framework. The data consist of conversational interviews with 59 white-collar Raleigh natives representing three generations, the first generation having reached adulthood before large-scale contact. Acoustic analysis shows that all vowels shift away from their Southern variants across apparent time. The leveling of SVS variants begins within the first generation to grow up after large-scale contact began, and contrary to predictions, this generation does not show wide inter- or intraspeaker variability. Previous studies of dialect contact and new dialect formation suggest that leveling of regional dialect features and the establishment of stable linguistic norms occurs more quickly when children have regular contact with one another. Dialect contact in Raleigh has occurred primarily within the middle and upper classes, the members of which are densely connected by virtue of schools and heavy economic segregation in neighborhood residence.
The Human Factors Issues in Information Security: What are They and Do They Matter?:

The information technology field has been increasingly plagued by threats to the security of information systems, networks, and communication media. The solutions to these problems have primarily focused on the techniques to more closely safeguard networks (i.e. firewalls) with similar efforts being put into assessing the vulnerabilities of the hardware and software aspects of the systems. With the exception of discussions into more creative password selection, discussion pertaining to the role of the user, can play in reducing the risk of human error and thus promoting system security has been extremely limited. This lecture will present an overview of information security issues impacted by human interaction that may or may not play a role in promoting system security. Understanding that information systems are in fact composed of hardware and software components which must be addressed using traditional information security protocol, this lecture will provide an understanding of the possible risk that ...
Field Experiences Using iPads: Impact of Experience on Preservice Teachers’ Beliefs

The purpose of this phenomenological case study was to investigate the lived experiences of preservice music teachers using iPads to engage secondary general music students in creating and performing music during field teaching experiences. Two questions guided this research study: (a) What are these preservice teachers’ perceptions of their experiences using iPads to create music and to teach? (b) How do these experiences influence their perceptions of the technology’s effectiveness as a teaching tool? Data were reflections of nine preservice teachers collected over 5 weeks. The essence of the experience was the preservice teachers’ struggle to resolve tensions that emerged while using technology to create and teach music. Tensions caused some to examine cherished beliefs and practices and influenced their development of TPACK (technological pedagogical and content knowledge). Three themes support the essence: (a) tensions, (b) innovation and adaptation, and (c) influence of experiences on perceptions of...
Regulation of RhoA activation and cytoskeletal organization by acetylation

Rho GTPases regulate cell motility in a large part through control of actin cytoskeletal organization. The activation state of Rho proteins is regulated by a wide variety of guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) and GTPase activating proteins that are differentially expressed among cell types and disease states. The RhoA specific GEF neuroepithelial transforming gene 1 (Net1) is highly expressed in many cancer cells and stimulates cell motility, invasion and cell spreading in response to a variety of ligands. A key feature of Net1 proteins is that they are sequestered in the nucleus in the absence of a motility stimulus. We have recently found that accumulation of the Net1A isoform outside the nucleus, which is the primary Net1 isoform controlling cell motility, is regulated by its acetylation status. Here, we describe acetylation as a novel mechanism of RhoGEF regulation in cell motility that can be targeted in cancer and metastasis.
SkfB Abstracts a Hydrogen Atom from Cα on SkfA To Initiate Thioether Cross-Link Formation

Sulfur to α-carbon thioether-containing peptides (sactipeptides) are ribosomally synthesized post-translationally modified peptides with bacteriocidal activities. The thioether cross-link, which is required for biological activity, is installed by a member of the radical S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM) superfamily in the peptide substrate. Herein, we show that the radical SAM enzyme, SkfB, utilizes the 5′-deoxyadenosyl radical generated from the reductive cleavage of SAM to abstract a hydrogen atom from the α-carbon of the amino acid at position 12 in the substrate, SkfA, to initiate the installation of a thioether cross-link. The insights from this work can be applied to all radical SAM sactipeptide maturases.
Perspective: The Potential Role of Essential Amino Acids and the Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1 (mTORC1) Pathway in the Pathogenesis of Child Stunting

Stunting is the best summary measure of chronic malnutrition in children. Approximately one-quarter of children under age 5 worldwide are stunted. Lipid-based or micronutrient supplementation has little to no impact in reducing stunting, which suggests that other critical dietary nutrients are missing. A dietary pattern of poor-quality protein is associated with stunting. Stunted children have significantly lower circulating essential amino acids than do nonstunted children. Inadequate dietary intakes of essential amino acids could adversely affect growth, because amino acids are required for synthesis of proteins. The master growth regulation pathway, the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) pathway, is exquisitely sensitive to amino acid availability. mTORC1 integrates cues such as nutrients, growth factors, oxygen, and energy to regulate growth of bone, skeletal muscle, nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, hematopoietic cells, immune effector cells, organ size, and whole-body energy balance. mTORC1 represses protein and lipid synthesis and cell and organismal growth when amino acids are deficient. Over the past 4 decades, the main paradigm for child nutrition in developing countries has been micronutrient malnutrition, with relatively less attention paid to protein. In this Perspective, we present the view that essential amino acids and the mTORC1 pathway play a key role in child growth. The current assumption that total dietary protein intake is adequate for growth among most children in developing countries needs re-evaluation.