Whither the urban diaspora? The spatial redistribution of Latino origin groups in metropolitan America since 1990.

Our research advances what is known about the urban portion of the Latino diaspora, focusing on the extent to which Hispanic country-of-origin groups have spread throughout metropolitan America. Analyzing 1990-2010 census data for the seven largest origin groups, we find that all seven have become more evenly dispersed across metro areas, with group shares declining in primary gateways and increasing in other types of destinations. At the same time, Dominicans and Cubans remain highly concentrated in New York and Miami, respectively, and certain pairs of groups (e.g., Mexicans and Dominicans) continue to inhabit different metropolises despite a modest trend toward convergent settlement among most pairs. All groups have experienced some growth in exposure to ethnoracial diversity, particularly in primary gateway settings. However, Mexicans are less exposed than any other origin group to African Americans. The variation in our results by group attests to the delicate balance between the forces driving spatial concentration and dispersion. We conclude that multiple diasporas are underway rather than a single, uniform one. This pattern has relevance both for diversity within local Hispanic communities and for relations between Hispanics and other panethnic populations, most notably Whites and Blacks.

Solamente Mexicanos? Patterns and sources of Hispanic diversity in U.S. metropolitan areas.

Rapid Hispanic growth has been a major source of increasing ethnoracial diversity in the United States. However, diversity within the Hispanic population is frequently obscured by the tendency to lump all Latinos together. Our study examines Hispanic diversity at the local level, drawing insights from the Mexican dominance, Caribbean-centric settlement, spatial assimilation, and economic opportunity perspectives. Measures of the magnitude and structure of Hispanic origin-group diversity during the 1990-2010 period are constructed for 363 metropolitan areas based on each area's shares of Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Cubans, Dominicans, Salvadorans, Guatemalans, Colombians, and 'others'. We find that diversity magnitude varies markedly across metropolitan Hispanic populations. Although the most diverse metro areas lack a majority origin group, Mexicans often constitute a majority or plurality of local Latinos. Diversity levels and structures have remained relatively stable over time. In both 1990 and 2010, metro areas with more diverse, multigroup Hispanic communities are distinguished by their larger size, smaller proportion of Hispanics, location farther from Mexico and closer to the Caribbean, and greater odds of being a military hub. They also exhibit higher rates of housing construction and lower rates of agricultural and manufacturing employment. We use weighted data to show that Dominican metro dwellers experience the highest Hispanic diversity while the average Mexican lives in an area where four-fifths of all Latinos are Mexican. Overall, our results provide primary support for the Mexican dominance perspective but some support for the other three perspectives as well.

State-level changes in US racial and ethnic diversity, 1980 to 2015: A universal trend?

Background: Few studies have examined long-term changes in ethnoracial diversity for US states despite the potential social, economic, and political ramifications of such changes at the state level. Objective: We describe shifts in diversity magnitude and structure from 1980 through 2015 to determine if states are following a universal upward path. Methods: Decennial census data for 1980-2010 and American Community Survey data for 2015 are used to compute entropy index (E) and Simpson index (S) measures of diversity magnitude based on five panethnic populations. A typology characterizes the racial-ethnic structure of states. Results: While initial diversity level and subsequent pace of change vary widely, every state has increased in diversity magnitude since 1980. A dramatic decline in the number of predominantly White states has been accompanied by the rise of states with multigroup structures that include Hispanics. These diverse states are concentrated along the coasts and across the southern tier of the nation. Differences in panethnic population growth (especially rapid Hispanic and Asian growth coupled with white stability) drive the diversification trend. Conclusions: The diversity hierarchy among states has remained relatively stable over the past 35 years in the face of universal gains in diversity magnitude and the increasing heterogeneity of racial-ethnic structures. Contribution: We document ethnoracial diversity patterns at an understudied geographic scale where diversity may have important consequences across a range of institutional domains.

Ultrastable laser with average fractional frequency drift rate below 5 × 10⁻¹9/s.

Cryogenic single-crystal optical cavities have the potential to provide high dimensional stability. We have investigated the long-term performance of an ultrastable laser system that is stabilized to a single-crystal silicon cavity operated at 124 K. Utilizing a frequency comb, the laser is compared to a hydrogen maser that is referenced to a primary caesium fountain standard and to the 87Sr optical lattice clock at Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB). With fractional frequency instabilities of σ(y)(τ)≤2×10(-16) for averaging times of τ=60 s to 1000 s and σ(y)(1 d)≤2×10(-15) the stability of this laser, without any aid from an atomic reference, surpasses the best known microwave standards for short averaging times and is competitive with the best known hydrogen masers for longer times of 1 day. The comparison of modeled thermal response of the cavity with measured data indicates an average fractional frequency drift below 5×10(-19)/s, which we do not expect to be a fundamental limit.

Investigation of the diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within the undergraduate student population within the Department of Animal Science at Iowa State University.

Iowa State University (ISU) provides resources for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEI-B) to provide students with a comfortable academic home regardless of their demographics or prior experiences. The objective of this study was to investigate undergraduate students' DEI-B perspectives in the Department of Animal Science at ISU. One survey instrument was developed containing 14 questions that covered demographics, feelings of inclusion, comfort-seeking tools, and ways to improve DEI-B. Answer choices were either multiple choice, 1 to 5 sliding scale, or a specified text sliding scale. Eligible participants were undergraduate students enrolled in Animal or Dairy Science (n = 974). Demographics and comfort-seeking tools will be presented descriptively. Inclusion at the start and after 2 yr were compared using six different linear models. A variable was deemed significant if the P-value was ≤ 0.05. A total of 383 students (88% of total respondents) completed 50% or more of the inclusion questions. Seniors had the highest response rate. More students reported coming from a rural background. Primary species of interest was companion animals. There were no observed differences in feelings of inclusion in classes, with peers, or with faculty for hometown, admission type, ethnic group, and first generation when students started (P ≥ 0.067). There was a difference for primary species of interest (P ≤ 0.011) and with female students feeling less included (P ≤ 0.039). There were no observed differences after 2 yr in classes, with peers, or with faculty for classification year, admission type, or first generation (P ≥ 0.088). Suburban students felt the least included in classes compared to rural and urban students (P ≤ 0.036). Female students felt less included in all three categories (P ≤ 0.017). The majority of students reported having companion animal experience but almost half reported having no experience with livestock prior to ISU. A total of 51% of students said they never considered transferring to another major and 48% indicated that they plan to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. A total of 75% of students felt inclusion could be improved by creating more hands-on opportunities and 60% suggested the department provide more study space. In conclusion, the Department of Animal Science at ISU has some effective inclusion practices but needs to evolve and improve in its DEI-B practices for the undergraduate student population.

A newly synthesized 17-epi-NeuroProtectin D1/17-epi-Protectin D1: Authentication and functional regulation of Inflammation-Resolution.

The production of specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) during the resolution phase in the inflammatory milieu is key to orchestrating the resolution of the acute inflammatory response. 17-epi-neuroprotectin D1/17-epi-protectin D1 (17-epi-NPD1/17-epi-PD1: 10R,17R-dihydroxy-4Z,7Z,11E,13E,15Z,19Z-docosahexaenoic acid) is an SPM of the protectin family, biosynthesized from docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), that exhibits both potent anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective functions. Here, we carried out a new commercial-scale synthesis of 17-epi-NPD1/17-epi-PD1 that enabled the authentication and confirmation of its potent bioactions in vivo and determination of its ability to activate human leukocyte phagocytosis. We provide evidence that this new synthetic 17-epi-NPD1/17-epi-PD1 statistically significantly increases human macrophage uptake of E. coli in vitro and confirm that it limits neutrophilic infiltration in vivo in a murine model of peritonitis. The physical properties of the new synthetic 17-epi-NPD1/17-epi-PD1, namely its ultra-violet absorbance, chromatography, and tandem mass spectrometry fragmentation pattern, matched those of the originally synthesized 17-epi-NPD1/17-epi-PD1. In addition, we verified the structure and complete stereochemical assignment of this new synthetic 17-epi-NPD1/17-epi-PD1 using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Together, these results authenticate this 17-epi-NPD1/17-epi-PD1 for its structure and potent pro-resolving functions.

A New E-Series Resolvin: RvE4 Stereochemistry and Function in Efferocytosis of Inflammation-Resolution.

The resolution of the acute inflammatory response is governed by phagocytes actively clearing apoptotic cells and pathogens. Biosynthesis of the specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) is pivotal in the resolution of inflammation via their roles in innate immune cells. Resolvin E4 (RvE4: 5S,15S-dihydroxy-eicosapentaenoic acid) is a newly uncovered member of the E-series resolvins biosynthesized from eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) recently elucidated in physiologic hypoxia. This new resolvin was termed RvE4 given its ability to increase efferocytosis of apoptotic cells by macrophages. Herein, we report on the total organic synthesis of RvE4 confirming its unique structure, complete stereochemistry assignment and function. This synthetic RvE4 matched the physical properties of biogenic RvE4 material, i.e. ultra-violet (UV) absorbance, chromatographic behavior, and tandem mass spectrometry (MS2) fragmentation, as well as bioactivity. We confirmed RvE4 potent responses with human M2 macrophage efferocytosis of human apoptotic neutrophils and senescent red blood cells. Together, these results provide direct evidence for the assignment of the complete stereochemistry of RvE4 as 5S,15S-dihydroxy-6E,8Z,11Z,13E,17Z-eicosapentaenoic acid and its bioactions in human phagocyte response.

Testing ultrafast mode-locking at microhertz relative optical linewidth.

We report new limits on the phase coherence of the ultrafast mode-locking process in an octave-spanning Ti:sapphire comb.We find that the mode-locking mechanism correlates optical phase across a full optical octave with less than 2.5 microHZ relative linewidth. This result is at least two orders of magnitude below recent predictions for quantum-limited individual comb-mode linewidths, verifying that the mode-locking mechanism strongly correlates quantum noise across the comb spectrum.

Pilot study of bevacizumab in combination with docetaxel and cyclophosphamide as adjuvant treatment for patients with early stage HER-2 negative breast cancer, including analysis of candidate circulating markers of cardiac toxicity: ICORG 08-10 trial.

BACKGROUND: Combining bevacizumab and chemotherapy produced superior response rates compared with chemotherapy alone in metastatic breast cancer. As bevacizumab may cause hypertension (HTN) and increase the risk of cardiac failure, we performed a pilot study to evaluate the feasibility and toxicity of a non-anthracycline-containing combination of docetaxel with cyclophosphamide and bevacizumab in early stage breast cancer patients. METHODS: Treatment consisted of four 3-weekly cycles of docetaxel and cyclophosphamide (75/600 mg/m2). Bevacizumab was administered 15 mg/kg intravenously on day 1, and then every 3 weeks to a total of 18 cycles of treatment. Serum biomarker concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), cardiac troponin-I (cTnI), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and placental growth factor (PlGF) were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 62 patients at baseline and whilst on treatment to determine their utility as biomarkers of cardiotoxicity, indicated by left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). RESULTS: A total of 106 patients were accrued in nine sites. Median follow up was 65 months (1-72 months). Seventeen protocol-defined relapse events were observed, accounting for an overall disease-free survival (DFS) rate of 84%. The DFS rates for hormone receptor positive (HR+) and triple-negative (TN) patients were 95% versus 43%, respectively. The median time to relapse was 25 (12-54) months in TN patients versus 38 (22-71) months in HR+ patients. There have been 13 deaths related to breast cancer . The overall survival (OS) rate was 88%. The 5-year OS rate in HR+ versus TN was 95% versus 57%. None of the measured biomarkers predicted the development of cardiotoxicity. CONCLUSIONS: We observed a low relapse rate in node-positive, HR+ patients; however, results in TN breast cancer were less encouraging. Given the negative results of three large phase III trials, it is unlikely that this approach will be investigated further. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00911716.

Acoustic characterization of panel materials under simulated ocean conditions using a parametric array source.

A technique for evaluating the underwater acoustic performance of panels under simulated ocean conditions in a laboratory test facility is described. The method uses a parametric array as a source of sound within a test vessel capable of simulating ocean depths down to 700 m and water temperatures from 2 to 35 degrees C. The reflection loss and transmission loss of the test panel may be determined at frequencies from a few kilohertz to 50 kHz. The use of the parametric array enables wideband measurements to be undertaken with short-duration pulses and reduces the effects of diffraction from the panel edges. An acoustic filter is used to truncate the array in order to provide a source-free measurement region and to simplify the measurement process. The difficulties of establishing a parametric array in the confined space of the vessel are outlined, and the experimental procedures adopted are described. The techniques were validated by undertaking measurements on two test objects that have predictable behavior. The potential of the technique is also illustrated with experimental results for test panels for hydrostatic pressures up to 2.8 MPa. An extensive discussion of the measurement limitations is included.

The Spatial Diffusion of Racial and Ethnic Diversity Across U.S. Counties.

Although increasing racial and ethnic diversity is a demographic trend with society-wide implications, it has advanced farther in some parts of the United States than others. Our research seeks to understand this unevenness at the local level. Drawing on 1980-2010 census data, we use an innovative spatial analytic approach to examine the spread or diffusion of diversity across counties in the 48 contiguous states. Three perspectives-locational persistence, spatial assimilation, and institutional hub-offer different expectations about the nature of the diffusion process. The perspectives are evaluated by mapping changes in the magnitude and structure of diversity and by tracing county transitions between types of diversity clusters. We document considerable stability in diversity patterns over a 30-year period, consistent with the logic of locational persistence. But support is also found for the spatial assimilation and institutional hub models in the form of cluster-type transitions that reflect contagious diffusion and hierarchical diffusion, respectively.

Quality of life of lumbar stenosis-treated patients in whom the X STOP interspinous device was implanted.

OBJECT: This study was conducted to compare the quality of life (QOL) in patients with neurogenic intermittent claudication (NIC) secondary to lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). Using the 36-Item Short Form (SF-36) questionnaire, the authors compared the results obtained in patients treated with the X STOP Interspinous Process Decompression (IPD) System with those obtained in patients who underwent nonoperative therapies. METHODS: Patients with LSS were enrolled in a prospective 2-year multicenter study and randomized either to the X STOP or nonoperative group. The SF-36 survey was used to assess the QOL before treatment and at 6 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years posttreatment. An analysis of variance was used to compare individual pre- and posttreatment mean SF-36 domain scores between the two groups and within each treatment group. At all posttreatment time points, the authors observed the following: (1) mean domain scores in X STOP-treated patients were significantly greater than those in patients treated nonoperatively, with the exception of the mean General Health (GH), Role Emotional, and Mental Component Summary scores at 2 years; and (2) mean posttreatment domain scores documented in X STOP-treated patients were significantly greater than mean pretreatment scores, with the exception of mean GH scores at 6, 12, and 24 months. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrate that the X STOP device is significantly more effective than nonoperative therapy in improving the QOL in patients with LSS. The results are comparable with those reported in other studies involving traditional decompressive techniques for LSS and suggest that the X STOP implant can provide an effective treatment compared with nonoperative and conventional surgical therapies.

Realizing exactly solvable SU(N) magnets with thermal atoms.

We show that n thermal fermionic alkaline-earth-metal atoms in a flat-bottom trap allow one to robustly implement a spin model displaying two symmetries: the S n symmetry that permutes atoms occupying different vibrational levels of the trap and the SU(N) symmetry associated with N nuclear spin states. The symmetries make the model exactly solvable, which, in turn, enables the analytic study of dynamical processes such as spin diffusion in this SU(N) system. We also show how to use this system to generate entangled states that allow for Heisenberg-limited metrology. This highly symmetric spin model should be experimentally realizable even when the vibrational levels are occupied according to a high-temperature thermal or an arbitrary nonthermal distribution.

Pig cells that lack the gene for alpha1-3 galactosyltransferase express low levels of the gal antigen.

BACKGROUND: The major antigen recognized on pig tissue by primate antibodies is a terminal galalpha1-3gal carbohydrate structure (gal antigen) present on glycolipids and glycoproteins. The production of animals from somatic cells allows for the inactivation of specific genes. It is anticipated that the complete inactivation of the gene encoding alpha1-3 galactosyltransferase, the enzyme that synthesizes the galalpha1-3gal linkage, will result in loss of that antigen from pig organs and tissue and will provide a survival benefit in pig-to-primate xenotransplants. METHODS: Positive-negative selection was used to produce fetal-pig fibroblasts that were a heterozygous knockout (+/-) of the alpha1-3 galactosyltransferase gene. Nuclear transfer of these cells generated pig embryos and live born pigs with the appropriate genotype. Using a novel selection method with cells from (+/-) embryos, we produced homozygous (-/-) fetal-pig fibroblast cells. RESULTS: Southern blot analysis of the alpha1-3 galactosyltransferase gene showed that we had produced (+/-) pig embryos, (+/-) live born pigs, and (-/-) pig-fetal fibroblast cells. Fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) analysis with some, but not all, mouse anti-gal monoclonal antibodies and sensitized human serum showed that (-/-) cells still synthesized the gal antigen at 1 to 2% of the level of control heterozygous cells. CONCLUSIONS: Fetal-pig fibroblasts homozygous for the knockout of the alpha1-3 galactosyltransferase gene appear to express low but detectable levels of the gal antigen.

Skin graft survival in genetically identical cloned pigs.

Nuclear transfer technology allows for the reprogramming of somatic cells, and the production of embryonic stem cells and animals that are genetically identical in terms of nuclear DNA to the parental somatic cell. It is assumed that these products of nuclear transfer technology will be immunologically compatible to each other in spite of the fact that there are data that show differences in the expression patterns and phenotypes between animals produced by nuclear transfer. We have produced a series of cloned pigs from embryonic fibroblasts. Microsatellite analysis was used to confirm that the clones were genetically identical. Skin transplants were performed to assess immunological reactivity. Skin transplants between genetically identical cloned pigs were accepted, whereas third party grafts were rejected. Histological analysis of the grafts showed edema and mononuclear cell infiltrates in the recipient's skin in rejected grafts and not in grafts that were accepted. Our data supports the notion that genetically identical cloned pigs are immunologically compatible.

Suppression of collisional shifts in a strongly interacting lattice clock.

Optical lattice clocks with extremely stable frequency are possible when many atoms are interrogated simultaneously, but this precision may come at the cost of systematic inaccuracy resulting from atomic interactions. Density-dependent frequency shifts can occur even in a clock that uses fermionic atoms if they are subject to inhomogeneous optical excitation. However, sufficiently strong interactions can suppress collisional shifts in lattice sites containing more than one atom. We demonstrated the effectiveness of this approach with a strontium lattice clock by reducing both the collisional frequency shift and its uncertainty to the level of 10(-17). This result eliminates the compromise between precision and accuracy in a many-particle system; both will continue to improve as the number of particles increases.

Precision measurement of fermionic collisions using an 87Sr optical lattice clock with 1 x 10(-16) inaccuracy.

We describe recent progress on the JILA Sr optical frequency standard, which has a systematic uncertainty at the 10(¿16) fractional frequency level. The dominant contributions to the systematic error are from blackbody radiation shifts and collisional shifts. We discuss the blackbody radiation shift and propose measurements and experimental protocols that should reduce its systematic contribution. We discuss how collisional frequency shifts can arise in an optical lattice clock employing fermionic atoms, and experimentally demonstrate how the uncertainty in this density-dependent correction to the clock frequency is reduced.