LETS get real: constraints on the development of Local Exchange Trading Schemes

Local Exchange Trading Schemes (LETS) are widely promoted as a new tool for local economic development, but until recently the focus has been on their alleged ‘potential’ rather than the realities of their operation. This paper assesses the practical economic role of LETS by examining the amount of trading conducted, and demonstrates that both the volume of trading and the value of the trades are very low. Drawing on an intensive case study of the first UK LETS created explicitly as part of a local authority’s anti-poverty strategy, explanations for the low levels of participation are suggested, and significant structural constraints on the development of LETS are identified

Hematology as Related to Diving Characteristics of Elaphe obsoleta, Nerodia erythrogaster, Nerodia Fasciata and Nerodia rhombifera

The diving capabilities of Nerodia erythrogaster flavigaster and Nerodia fasciata confluens were investigated and the results were compared with similar studies on Nerodia rhombifera rhombifera and Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta (Baeyens et al., 1978). In addition, morphological and hematological parameters contributing to underwater survival were examined. The duration of underwater survival for N. erythrogaster and N. fasciata was approximately one hour with no difference between the species. The lung volumes of the two species were also similar but were significantly less than lung volumes reported for E. obsoleta. There were no significant differences in hemoglobin concentration, red blood cell count or hematocrit between N. rhombifera, N. erythrogaster, N. fasciata, and E. obsoleta. Based on similarities in underwater tolerance, lung morphology and hematology, Nerodia more closely resembles the terrestrial E. obsoleta than those reptiles specifically adapted to an underwater existance

Implications of Heavy Top

Lecture at 23 ITEP Winter School. Manifestations of heavy top at low energies (K- and B-mesons) and high energies (Z and W physics) are discussedComment: 12 pages; ps file can be found at http://venus.itep.ru/preprints/1995/95046.ps.g

Indicators of replicative damage in equine tendon fibroblast monolayers

<p>Background: Superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) injuries of horses usually follow cumulative matrix microdamage; it is not known why the reparative abilities of tendon fibroblasts are overwhelmed or subverted. Relevant in vitro studies of this process require fibroblasts not already responding to stresses caused by the cell culture protocols. We investigated indicators of replicative damage in SDFT fibroblast monolayers, effects of this on their reparative ability, and measures that can be taken to reduce it.</p> <p>Results: We found significant evidence of replicative stress, initially observing consistently large numbers of binucleate (BN) cells. A more variable but prominent feature was the presence of numerous gammaH2AX (γH2AX) puncta in nuclei, this being a histone protein that is phosphorylated in response to DNA double-stranded breaks (DSBs). Enrichment for injury detection and cell cycle arrest factors (p53 (ser15) and p21) occurred most frequently in BN cells; however, their numbers did not correlate with DNA damage levels and it is likely that the two processes have different causative mechanisms. Such remarkable levels of injury and binucleation are usually associated with irradiation, or treatment with cytoskeletal-disrupting agents.</p> <p>Both DSBs and BN cells were greatest in subconfluent (replicating) monolayers. The DNA-damaged cells co-expressed the replication markers TPX2/repp86 and centromere protein F. Once damaged in the early stages of culture establishment, fibroblasts continued to express DNA breaks with each replicative cycle. However, significant levels of cell death were not measured, suggesting that DNA repair was occurring. Comet assays showed that DNA repair was delayed in proportion to levels of genotoxic stress.</p> <p>Conclusions: Researchers using tendon fibroblast monolayers should assess their “health” using γH2AX labelling. Continued use of early passage cultures expressing initially high levels of γH2AX puncta should be avoided for mechanistic studies and ex-vivo therapeutic applications, as this will not be resolved with further replicative cycling. Low density cell culture should be avoided as it enriches for both DNA damage and mitotic defects (polyploidy). As monolayers differing only slightly in baseline DNA damage levels showed markedly variable responses to a further injury, studies of effects of various stressors on tendon cells must be very carefully controlled.</p&gt

Mechanisms of superconductivity investigated by nuclear radiation

Investigation focused on the behavior of superconducting magnet and its constituent materials during and after exposure to nuclear radiation. The results will indicate the feasibility of their use in diverse applications and various environments

Twin Peaks: The Effect of Terrorism and Financial Shocks on Short-Run Fluctuations in the Risk Premium for 10-year Corporate Bonds

From the 1950s to the present, the risk premium for 10-year corporate bonds vis-à-vis government bonds has gradually increased. While this long-run upward trend in the corporate bond risk premium is relatively stable, short run movements in the risk premium exhibit significant variation. Certain periods are particularly volatile, with fluctuations in the risk premium reaching a magnitude of 100 basis points within the span of one year. In the majority of these cases, sharp changes in the risk premium occur subsequent to shocks related to political uncertainty and/or financial market uncertainty. This study examines the influence of financial and political shocks on the short run variability in the risk premium for 10-year corporate bonds from 1998 to the present. The analysis is conducted by controlling for prior month data, monetary policy, and shocks occurring between April 1998 and April 2005 in a multivariate model. The results indicate that financial and political shocks are significant in explaining short-run variations in the corporate bond risk premium