cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 276: Angiotensin AT1 Receptor Blockade Reverses Age-Related Changes in Myocardial Energy Metabolism and Increases Mitochondrial Biogenesis

Aging and mitochondrial function have been closely linked. We recently reported the identification of a mitochondrial angiotensin system. We hypothesized that angiotensin AT1 receptor blockade would increase energy production and mitochondrial biogenesis and reduce oxidative stress in aging hearts. We used Magnetic resonance spectroscopy to measure cardiac energy metabolism and function in young (20 wks old), aged (150 wks old) mice at baseline and after 4 weeks of losartan (50 mg/kg/day). For mitobiogenesis, qPCR was used to calculate CytB (mitochondrial gene)/GAPDH (nuclear gene) ratio and to measure mito-survival genes Sirt1, Sirt3, Nampt, and PGC-1α. Cardiomyocyte mitochondria from young, aged and treated mice were examined with electron microscopy. The expression of nitrotyrosine was quantified by immunohistochemistry. Older animals hearts (n=9) exhibited increase in LV mass (103±9 mg versus 120±8 mg, young (n=8) versus old (n=9), P<0.002). The mean cardiac PCr/ATP was reduced in older animals (1.5±0.2) than that of young mice (2.0±0.3, P<0.0004). Losartan abolished the LV mass increase in older animals (109±11 mg vs 101±7 mg, young versus old, P<0.1) and improved the impaired energy metabolism of the older hearts increasing the PCr/ATP ratios towards those observed in younger animals (1.94±0.01 vs 1.87±0.4, control versus old, P<0.7). Losartan increased EF in older animals (56±5% vs 63±5%, old versus old treated, P<0.01). Losartan increased mitobiogenesis in the hearts of treated young and old mice (3.8+2.5 folds, P<0.02 and 4.3+ 0.9 folds, P<0.0001). Mito-survival genes in the heart were not increased but PGC-1α was up-regulated by 2.8+1.6-fold, P<0.05 and 7+ 1.9-fold, P<0.001 in young and old treated mice. Electron micrograph analysis revealed that aging was associated with swollen cardiac mitochondria and disrupted cristae, which were reversed by Losartan. Losartan in older animals significantly reduced oxidative damage as evidenced by less Nitrotyrosine staining score in cardiomyocytes (2.5±0.5 vs. 1.3±0.4, old versus old treated, P<0.0009). Our results indicate that Losartan in aging increased mitobiogenesis, reduced oxidative stress, improved energy production and restored cardiac function to the healthy young adult level.
Cultural exploration of attack vector preferences for self-identified attackers

The examination of digital events through the prism of a quantitatively represented cultural framework allows for a new perspective on existing cyber security issues and events. When the cultural framework is applied to a large set of data, simple statistical analysis can be applied, allowing the researchers to quantify, characterize, and model specific aspects of human behavior.
4.03 – Sensitization and Habituation: Invertebrate

Invertebrates have been used extensively as simple model systems for the study of the mechanisms underlying learning and memory at the network, cellular, and molecular levels. In Aplysia and several other invertebrates, the two most characteristic forms of nonassociative learning, habituation and sensitization, rely on modifications of early afferent neurons and their synapses onto target cells. Whereas habituation is primarily attributed to activity-dependent synaptic depression, sensitization is often attributed to the facilitatory actions of neuromodulators, such as serotonin. This chapter reviews some of this progress with a particular emphasis on mechanisms of habituation and sensitization in the marine mollusc Aplysia.
Disrupted engagement of networks supporting hot and cold cognition in remitted major depressive disorder.

Background Major depressive disorder (MDD) is characterized by dysfunction in cognitive and emotional systems. However, the neural network correlates of cognitive control (cold cognition) and emotion processing (hot cognition) during the remitted state of MDD (rMDD) remain unclear and not fully probed, which has important implications for identifying intermediate phenotypes of depression risk.
Gene Therapy for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Therapeutic Transgenes

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a disease with a poorly understood etiology. There are a wide variety of abnormalities present, including mitochondrial dysfunction, glutamate excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, astrogliosis and microgliosis, loss of innervation of neuromuscular junctions, and death of motor neurons. However, the relative contribution of these factors to disease initiation and progression is unclear at best, making it difficult to know which one or ones to focus on. Therefore, a wide variety of approaches have been investigated to treat this disorder, including gene therapy, cell therapy, and novel drugs. This chapter will focus on the therapeutic transgenes that have been studied to date. These transgenes range from those that address a single abnormality, such as apoptosis, to those that are expected to treat several defects simultaneously. While this range of approaches has demonstrated some improvement in the ALS phenotype in animal models, none has become the silver bullet that will halt ALS in its tracks.
Memory: Computational Models

Computational models of memory can be divided into three classes that differ in their level of realism and commitment to explaining cognitive versus neural data: formal or mathematical models, connectionist models, and biophysical models. Computational models of working memory at all three levels are reviewed, but similar developments are taking place in the study of many types of memory and many different brain regions. Although each of these approaches is valid in its own right, the fact that recent models are attempting to bridge levels of description is a very promising development.
Ethical audit: Should it concern health promoters? What can they do?

AbstractOver recent years, those implementing health promotion have become increasingly aware of the moral problems often inherent within their activities. This paper provides a rationale for concern with ethics being a key feature in health promoters' thinking and planning. It suggests use of a framework for the ‘ethical audit’ of health promotion which may help those implementing activity to steer a morally acceptable course between pragmatic necessity and fundamental values. The framework is described and applied to a specific example. Finally, the paper suggests that, while there is some potential for the resolution of difficulties within this and similar ‘tools’, there is also a need for caution. The nature of moral problems suggests that definitive solutions may not always (or perhaps ever) be possible.
Raman and Nuclear Resonant Spectroscopy in Geosciences

This chapter critically examines the technical and scientific aspects of vibrational spectroscopy using Raman and nuclear resonance spectroscopy excited with synchrotron radiation (both synchrotron Mossbauer spectroscopy and nuclear resonant inelastic x-ray scattering). These techniques each carry unique, complementary capabilities that permit the study of vibrational, electronic, elastic, and/or thermodynamic properties of planetary materials under a wide range of thermodynamic conditions.
Polymer Genome: A Data-Powered Polymer Informatics Platform for Property Predictions

The recent successes of the Materials Genome Initiative have opened up new opportunities for data-centric informatics approaches in several subfields of materials research, including in polymer science and engineering. Polymers, being inexpensive and possessing a broad range of tunable properties, are widespread in many technological applications. The vast chemical and morphological complexity of polymers though gives rise to challenges in the rational discovery of new materials for specific applications. The nascent field of polymer informatics seeks to provide tools and pathways for accelerated property prediction (and materials design) via surrogate machine learning models built on reliable past data. We have carefully accumulated a data set of organic polymers whose properties were obtained either computationally (bandgap, dielectric constant, refractive index, and atomization energy) or experimentally (glass transition temperature, solubility parameter, and density). A fingerprinting scheme that capt...
Design and Experimental Verification of a High-Voltage Series-Stacked GaN eHEMT Module for Electric Vehicle Applications

A gallium nitride (GaN) power switching module with extended rated voltage is proposed for electric vehicle power conditioning system. Limited breakdown voltage of GaN high-electron-mobility transistors (HEMTs) hinders their usage in high-voltage applications. The presented GaN module is composed of two series-stacked enhancement-mode HEMTs for the purpose of duplicating the breakdown voltage. An integrated series-switch driver (SSD) is used to drive the stacked eHEMTs. The SSD provides adequate gate charge for both HEMTs in the module, and guarantees balanced voltage sharing between the devices during the switching transitions and steady state. The operation principle of the module is described thoroughly, and an analytical model has been derived considering parasitic inductances. Simulation analysis is carried out to study the performance of the SSD in various conditions. Also, the effect of variation in the SSD parameters on the gate–source voltage oscillation is investigated. Finally, an experimental setup of a bidirectional boost converter with two 1.3-kV GaN eHEMT modules is developed and tested under various scenarios. Moreover, a loss comparison between the proposed 1.3-kV GaN module and a 1.2-kV SiC MOSFET is carried out. The simulation and experimental results show that the developed GaN eHEMT module has satisfying dynamic and static performance with less than 10% voltage mismatch during the steady-state period for all scenarios. Also, the GaN module proved to have 35%–55% lower power loss (for different switching frequencies) compared to the SiC MOSFET counterpart.
The effects of age and cognitive load on peripheral-detection performance

Age-related declines in both peripheral vision and cognitive resources could contribute to the increased crash risk of older drivers. However, it is unclear whether increases in age and cognitive load result in equal detriments to detection rates across all peripheral target eccentricities (general interference effect) or whether these detriments become greater with increasing eccentricity (tunnel effect). In the current study we investigated the effects of age and cognitive load on the detection of peripheral motorcycle targets (at 5°-30° eccentricity) in static images of intersections. We used a dual-task paradigm in which cognitive load was manipulated without changing the complexity of the central (foveal) visual stimulus. Each image was displayed briefly (250 ms) to prevent eye movements. When no cognitive load was present, age resulted in a tunnel effect; however, when cognitive load was high, age resulted in a general interference effect. These findings suggest that tunnel and general interference effects can co-occur and that the predominant effect varies with the level of demand placed on participants' resources. High cognitive load had a general interference effect in both age groups, but the effect attenuated at large target eccentricities (opposite of a tunnel effect). Low cognitive load had a general interference effect in the older but not the younger group, impairing detection of motorcycle targets even at 5° eccentricity, which could present an imminent collision risk in real driving.
Increased rates of knee arthroplasty and cost of patients with meniscal tears treated with arthroscopic partial meniscectomy versus non-operative management

The purpose of this study was to determine the cost of arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM), one of the most common surgeries performed by orthopaedic surgeons, and the associated rate of progression to knee arthroplasty (KA) compared to patients treated non-operatively after diagnosis of meniscal tear. Utilizing data mining software (PearlDiver, Colorado Springs, CO), a national insurance database of approximately 23.5 million orthopaedic patients was queried for patients diagnosed with a meniscal tear. Patients were classified by treatment: non-operative and arthroscopic partial meniscectomy and were followed after initial diagnosis for cost and progression to knee arthroplasty. There were 176,407 subjects in the non-op group and 114,194 subjects in the arthroscopic partial meniscectomy group. Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy generated more cost than non-operative ($3842.57 versus $411.05, P < 0.001). Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy demonstrated greater propensity to need future knee arthroplasty (11.4% at 676 days) than those treated non-operatively (9.5% at 402 days) (P < 0.001). Female patients demonstrated a higher rate of progression to knee arthroplasty in the arthroscopic partial meniscectomy and non-operative groups (P < 0.001). Compared to non-operative treatment for meniscal tears, arthroscopic partial meniscectomy is more expensive and does not appear to decrease the rate of progression to knee arthroplasty. Patients undergoing arthroscopic partial meniscectomy yielded on average a delay of only 9 months (274 days) before undergoing knee arthroplasty. Female patients experienced a significantly higher rate of progression to knee arthroplasty. The authors recognize the limitations of this type of study including its retrospective nature, reliance upon accurate coding and billing information, and the inability to determine whether symptoms including mechanical locking played a role in the decision to perform an APM. IV.
Managing Biologics Perioperatively

Approximately 60% of patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) [1, 2] and 30% with ulcerative colitis (UC) [3] will undergo a major abdominal operation during their disease course. Since the advent of biologic therapy with the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approval of infliximab in 1998, biologics have gained an important foothold in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) [4]. Thus, an ever-increasing number of patients are undergoing surgical consultation at the time of biologic exposure. At that time, patients often have a loss of response to biologic therapy, with poor relief of symptoms, increasing disease severity, worsening nutrition, and the addition of concurrent immunomodulators and/or corticosteroids in an attempt to bridge them to surgery. Therefore, whether it’s the biologic agents themselves or increased disease severity that increases postoperative morbidity remains difficult to discern. Regardless, it is imperative that surgeons have an increased understanding of the perioperative optimization of biologics in order to more closely work with both their patients and gastroenterologists to optimize outcomes (Table 7.1).
Heart rate variability and inflammatory markers in neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy

To examine heart rate variability (HRV) and inflammatory markers as predictors for neurological injury in neonates undergoing therapeutic hypothermia for hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). We hypothesized that HRV would differentiate between infants with no/mild injury and infants with moderate/severe injury observed on MRI. Because HRV can be associated with the inflammatory cascade, cytokine concentrations were compared with the severity of brain injury indicated by MRI. Further, we studied the effect of temperature, sex, and mechanical ventilation on HRV. HRV was prospectively collected on neonates with HIE using spectral analysis for low and high frequency components (n = 16). A subset (n = 10) of neonates had serum available for inflammatory cytokine analysis obtained during cooling. Neonates were stratified into no/mild or moderate/severe injury based on MRI obtained after rewarming. Differences in HRV were identified; lower low frequency power predicted more injury on MRI. Additionally, in neonates with HIE after cooling procedure, HRV differed by gender. Elevated RANTES (CCL5) and decreased GM-CSF (Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor) at 96 hours predicted less severe injury. In this small study, HRV differs between no/mild and moderate/severe injury in neonates with HIE. With further study, this may aid the clinician in real-time decision making. HRV differs by gender. Finally, inflammatory biomarkers may help elucidate the pathophysiology of HIE.
Peri-procedural Management of Implanted Spinal Cord Stimulators in Patients Undergoing Radiofrequency Ablation: A Case Report and Manufacturer-Specific Recommendations.

Introduction Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and spinal cord stimulation (SCS) are 2 common modalities used in management of various pain conditions. RFA generates heat and an electromagnetic field that can theoretically interfere with the functionality and longevity of the SCS device. This is problematic for patients who need RFA and have previously undergone implantation of an SCS device. Case description We present a case highlighting the safe use of bipolar RFA in a patient who had previously undergone implantation of a cervical SCS device. Discussion We also present device-specific industry guidelines and recommendations for performing RFA in patients following SCS device implantation.
Love is Historically, Institutionally, and Societally Constructed: Using Intersectionality to Examine Racial Issues of Power and Privilege in Queer Relationships

How does interracial attraction expose power dynamics within both heterosexual and queer relationships in accordance with historical and institutional infringements on civil rights? With my research paper, I aim to unpack the power dynamics, present and historically constructed, within white-person of color relationships, as well as the desires for whiteness, cisheteronormativity, and assimilation inherent in them due to hegemonic, normative systems of superiority and dependency. I will use American court cases to demonstrate institutional infringements on queerness as well as scholarly articles which support my point that whiteness infiltrates every aspect of life including relationships and the dynamics which form them, with a specific focus on visibility.
Metrology and Inspection: Challenges and Solutions for Emerging Technology Nodes

Multiple, simultaneous trends emerging in semiconductor device technology pose challenges both in engineering manufacturable processes and with developing efficient, fast metrology and inspection solutions with improved sensitivity for process control. For instance, both memory and logic use 3D structures now-manufacturers no longer deal with simple planar structures but must monitor sidewall thickness, conformality, and repeatability of deposition and etch processes to engineer complex shape profiles, deep trenches, and contact holes with excellent uniformity. Material complexity also continues to increase significantly; for example, the metal gates of today can consist of up to 6 or more layers (most of which are only a few nm thick), compared to a single layer of thick polysilicon several nodes back. In addition, the process and metrology budgets for most processes continue to shrink along with particle and defect sizes of relevance. All these factors result in increased metrology techniques used to monitor IC manufacturing today. This paper presents an overview of these techniques, covering some of the challenges and solutions in metrology and inspection for emerging technology nodes.
3.07 – Copper Enzymes

This chapter overviews copper metalloproteins involved in dioxygen or nitrogen oxide processing, emphasizing the description of the wide array of active-site copper nuclearity and coordination observed in Nature. These include the dinuclear O2-carrier hemocyanin and related monooxygenase tyrosinase, the latter being responsible for o-quinone production from phenols. Monooxygenases with uncoupled dicopper active sites effect important neurotransmitter or neuropeptide hormone biosyntheses. Mononuclear copper oxidases reduce dioxygen to hydrogen peroxide and these include galactose oxidase and amine oxidase, which possess active-site redox-active cofactors taking part in their chemistry. Multicopper oxidases facilitate substrate one-electron oxidations that are coupled to four-electron dioxygen reduction to water; the latter occurs at a tricopper center. Cytochrome c oxidase is a mitochondrial proton pump facilitating four-electron four-proton O2 reduction at a heme–copper active site. The bimetallic copper–zinc superoxide dismutase detoxifies by shuttling between reduction and oxidation of its substrate. Nitrogen oxide-processing copper metalloenzymes play important roles especially in bacterial denitrification. Nitrite reductase catalyzes the reduction of nitrite to nitric oxide using type 1 and type 2 copper ions, while nitrous oxide reductase converts nitrous oxide to dinitrogen at an active site with a novel tetranuclear copper–sulfide cluster.
Contending with History: World War II in Contemporary Eurasian Politics — Introduction to Scholarly Contributions

Fighting over history is in season again in Eastern Europe. This year’s 75th anniversary of the end of World War II served as a particularly easy catalyst for revisionism. The year began ominously ...
Using thoracic ultrasonography to investigate the impact of antibiotic therapy on the health and performance of preweaned dairy calves

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) continues to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality of preweaned dairy calves. Costs associated with this condition include drug and labor costs as well as loss of animal productivity. Recent use of clinical scoring systems and thoracic ultrasonography allows for the diagnosis of different BRD subtypes including upper respiratory tract infection, clinical pneumonia, and subclinical pneumonia. Previously, the impact of antibiotic therapy has not been evaluated on these different BRD subtypes. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the impact of antibiotic therapy on the health and performance of preweaned dairy calves affected by different BRD subtypes.
Environmental testing of high-actuator-count MEMS deformable mirrors for space-based applications

Coronagraph instruments on future space telescopes will rely on deformable mirrors to create high contrast images for the direct detection of exoplanets. As part of the NASA Exoplanet Explorations Program’s coronagraph technology development efforts, two sets of Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) deformable mirrors manufactured by Boston Micromachines Corporation were exposed to vibration and thermal cycles representative of launch conditions. The first set of mirrors were 952-actuator Kilo-DMs that successfully demonstrated 100% actuator survival and achieved ~1e- 8 contrast after the environmental test. The second round used an engineering-grade 2048-actuator deformable mirror on which few changes were identified after the environmental test. However, each actuator that changed behavior was flagged as anomalous beforehand or was directly adjacent to a defective actuator. From this result, we hypothesized that typical actuators on a science grade deformable mirror are robust to environmental testing. A third set of 2048-actuator deformable mirrors have been procured for a planned test to characterize the deformable mirrors using interferometric measurements, contrast results on a new in-air coronagraph testbed, and infrared microscopy on the internal structure of the MEMS devices.
Is There a Glass Cliff in Municipal Management? Examining the Hiring and Departure of Women City Managers

Women are underrepresented in public sector leadership, including the field of city management. There are several explanations for what might prevent women from achieving gender parity in city management. We examine one such explanation - a “glass cliff” phenomenon whereby councils are more likely to hire women as city managers during crises, potentially setting women up for failure in the profession. Using original observational data on city managers in Florida, we test whether municipalities are more likely to hire women during times of fiscal stress and whether women are more likely than men to leave the position if municipal finances do not improve. Our results show that increasing budget deficits are associated with municipalities hiring women managers. Post-appointment, a lack of improvement in the deficit condition is associated with a higher probability of women, but not men, leaving the position. This suggests that a glass cliff in city management may be one important factor that prevents women from advancing within the field.
COMMENTARY ON “STRUCTURE BREAKING/MAKING PROPERTY OF ACEFYLLINE PIPERAZINE IN AQUEOUS, AQUEOUS METHANOL, AND AQUEOUS ETHYLENE GLYCOL SYSTEMS”

A polemic is given concerning the volumetric properties for acefylline piperazine dissolved in water reported in the published paper by Masood and coworkers. The authors′ measured densities and apparent molar volumes are not consistent with values given in a published follow-up study.
Premalignant Conditions of the Lip Actinic Cheilitis

Actinic cheilitis (AC), also referred to as actinic cheilosis, actinic keratosis of the lips, and solar elastosis, is a degenerative change of the labial vermilion. It is considered to be a potentially malignant change related to chronic sun exposure that represents a spectrum of histopathologic variables. Actinic refers to the effect that radiant energy can produce chemical changes on tissue, and cheilitis refers to inflammation of the lip. AC is similar in pathophysiology and appearance to its counterpart of the skin, actinic keratosis.
Is the evidence from racial bias shooting task studies a smoking gun? Results from a meta-analysis

Abstract The longstanding issue of extrajudicial police shootings of racial and ethnic minority members has received unprecedented interest from the general public in the past year. To better understand this issue, researchers have examined racial shooter biases in the laboratory for more than a decade; however, shooter biases have been operationalized in multiple ways in previous studies with mixed results within and across measures. We meta-analyzed 42 studies, investigating five operationalizations of shooter biases (reaction time with/without a gun, false alarms, shooting sensitivity, and shooting threshold) and relevant moderators (e.g., racial prejudice, state level gun laws). Our results indicated that relative to White targets, participants were quicker to shoot armed Black targets ( d av = −.13, 95% CI [−.19, −.06]), slower to not shoot unarmed Black targets ( d av = .11, 95% CI [.05, .18), and more likely to have a liberal shooting threshold for Black targets ( d av = −.19, 95% CI [−.37, −.01]). In addition, we found that in states with permissive (vs. restrictive) gun laws, the false alarm rate for shooting Black targets was higher and the shooting threshold for shooting Black targets was lower than for White targets. These results help provide critical insight into the psychology of race-based shooter decisions, which may have practical implications for intervention (e.g., training police officers) and prevention of the loss of life of racial and ethnic minorities.
Usability: turning technologies into tools

1. The Usability Challenge 2. Design for Usability: Crafting a Strategy for the Design of a New Generation of Xerox Copiers 3. An Approach to Designing Effective Systems 4. Skill-Based Design: Productivity, Learning, and Organization Effectiveness 5. Scandinavian Design: On Participation and Skill 6. Work at the Interface: Advanced Manufacturing Technology and Job Design 7. Enacting Design for the Workplace
The effect of colloid and crystalloid preloading on thromboelastography prior to Cesarean delivery.

Purpose: Fluid preloading with colloids reduces hypotension after spinal anesthesia for Cesarean delivery more effectively than crystalloids. However, the effects of fluid preloading regimens on coagulation in pregnant patients remain unresolved. The aim of this study was to compare the effects on coagulation of fluid preloading with 6% hydroxyethyl starch (HES) and lactated Ringer’s (LR) solution using thromboelastography (TEG) with kaolin-activated whole blood in healthy pregnant patients prior to spinal anesthesia for Cesarean delivery. Methods: After obtaining Ethics committee approval, 30 parturients were prospectively randomized prior to spinal anesthesia for elective Cesarean delivery to receive fluid preloading with either 1500 mL LR or 500 mL 6% HES over 30 min. Thromboelastography was performed immediately prior to and after fluid preloading. Standard TEG parameters were analyzed in terms of r time (min), k time (min), α angle (degrees) and maximum amplitude (mm). Results: Group HES had statistically significant longer reaction times (r) and clot formation times (k) after fluid loading compared to baseline values (P < 0.05 respectively), although these post-fluid loading TEG parameters remained within a normal reference range. No significant differences in TEG values were seen after preloading within the LR group. Conclusion: Fluid preloading with 500 mL 6% HES in healthy parturients produced mild coagulation effects, as measured with TEG, prior to spinal anesthesia for Cesarean delivery. No significant effects on coagulation with TEG were observed following preloading with 1500 mL LR.
Factors that Influence Faculty Actions: A Study on Faculty Responses to Academic Dishonesty

Persistent academic dishonesty has perplexed researchers who focus their studies on why students cheat. There are limited studies regarding the faculty perspective of this issue. This study explores factors that influence faculty action when faced with dishonesty or evidence of dishonesty. A questionnaire consisting of thirty-five items was sent to all 242 faculty members of a mid-size state university in the United States . The results of the study indicated that a majority of the respondents agree that dishonesty is a major problem, and they agreed that it is critical to take proactive measures to deter dishonesty; however, the respondents did not agree on whether the judicial process is fair and impartial. A majority of the respondents stated that they would comply with the institution's honesty policy, but 82.9% indicated that it was difficult to compile evidence or proof of misconduct. Other results indicated that the amount of time required to pursue suspected incidents appeared to deter faculty from taking actions.
Multicast 1+1 protection: The case for simple network coding

We discuss how the idea of unicast 1+1 protection can be efficiently extended to protect multicast connections in optical backbone networks. Particularly, we show how to achieve instantaneous failure recovery and cost efficiency by allowing intermediate nodes to merge their incoming flows by a simple network code, i.e., logical OR operation. Under simple network coding, the problem of minimum cost multicast 1+1 protection is formulated as a 2-connectivity problem. In order to solve this problem, an optimal ILP and three efficient heuristic algorithms are proposed. Simulation results on real-world networks show that the average cost of our best heuristic algorithm is only 2.6 % higher compared to the optimal ILP solution.
Influence of Lime and Phosphate on Nodulation of Soil-Grown Trifolium subterraneum L. by Indigenous Rhizobium trifolii.

Previous research had identified four serogroups of Rhizobium trifolii indigenous to the acidic Abiqua soil (fine, mixed, mesic Cumulic Ultic Haploxeroll). Nodulation of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) by two of the serogroups, 6 and 36, was differentially influenced by an application of CaCO3 which raised the pH of the soil from 5.0 to 6.5. These studies were designed to characterize this phenomenon more comprehensively. Liming the soil with either CaCO3, Ca(OH)2, MgO, or K2CO3 significantly (P = 0.05) increased the percent nodule occupancy by serogroup 36, whereas the percent nodule occupancy by serogroup 6 was decreased, but the decrease was significant (P = 0.05) only after application of either CaCO3 or Ca(OH)2. Application of KH2PO4 (25 mg of P kg of soil−1), which did not change soil pH, also significantly (P = 0.05) increased the percent nodule occupancy by serogroup 36. Application of KH2PO4 in combination with Ca(OH)2 produced the same increase in nodule occupancy by serogroup 36 as did individual application of the two materials. Soil populations of serogroup 36 consistently, and in the majority of cases significantly (P = 0.05), outnumbered those of serogroup 6 before planting and after harvest regardless of soil treatment or the outcome of nodulation. Soil chemical and plant analyses provided no evidence that liming was simulating phosphate addition by increasing the availability and subsequent uptake of soil Pi by the subclover plants. Liming did, however, result in a significant transformation (30 to 50 mg of P kg of soil−1) of Pi from the residual soil Pi fraction into an NaOH-extractable organic P fraction during the preplant equilibration period.
How Social Movements Change (or Fail to Change) the Constitution: The Case of the New Departure

This essay explores how social movements change - and fail to change - the positive law of the U.S. Constitution. Although judges often insist that listening to social movements is inconsistent with the judicial role, history shows that social movements do change constitutional doctrine, although not always as they intend. Social movements have two basic strategies for influencing constitutional interpretation. First, they can exert influence on the major political parties who control the system of judicial appointments. Influencing judicial appointments increases the chances that the movement's constitutional claims will receive a sympathetic ear. Instead of convincing existing judges, this strategy attempts to replace older judges with newer ones more likely to share elements of the movement's basic outlook and ideology. Second, social movements can attempt to change public opinion, and especially elite opinion. This strategy attempts to convince judges already on the bench by appealing to the values they share with other relatively affluent, educated legal elites. Appeals to elite opinion are risky, however, because they encourage populist reprisals and counter mobilizations led by political entrepreneurs. Without sustained popular support, social movement victories may not prove lasting. The article applies this analysis to the New Departure, a period immediately following the ratification of the Fourteenth Amendment when the movement for woman suffrage attempted to persuade judges and politicians that the Fourteenth Amendment gave women the right to vote. The New Departure failed because it was not able to adopt either of the two strategies described above. The case of the New Departure suggests that social movements are most likely to receive protection from the federal judiciary when they are already influential in the political process.
Alternate class I MHC antigen processing is inhibited by Toll-like receptor signaling pathogen-associated molecular patterns: Mycobacterium tuberculosis 19-kDa lipoprotein, CpG DNA, and lipopolysaccharide.

Pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) signal through Toll-like receptors (TLRs) to activate immune responses, but prolonged exposure to PAMPs from Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and other pathogens inhibits class II MHC (MHC-II) expression and Ag processing, which may allow MTB to evade CD4(+) T cell immunity. Alternate class I MHC (MHC-I) processing allows macrophages to present Ags from MTB and other bacteria to CD8(+) T cells, but the effect of PAMPs on this processing pathway is unknown. In our studies, MTB and TLR-signaling PAMPs, MTB 19-kDa lipoprotein, CpG DNA, and LPS, inhibited alternate MHC-I processing of latex-conjugated Ag by IFN-gamma-activated macrophages. Inhibition was dependent on TLR-2 for MTB 19-kDa lipoprotein (but not whole MTB or the other PAMPs); inhibition was dependent on myeloid differentiation factor 88 for MTB and all of the individual PAMPs. Inhibition of MHC-II and alternate MHC-I processing was delayed, appearing after 16 h of PAMP exposure, as would occur in chronically infected macrophages. Despite inhibition of alternate MHC-I Ag processing, there was no inhibition of MHC-I expression, MHC-I-restricted presentation of exogenous peptide or conventional MHC-I processing of cytosolic Ag. MTB 19-kDa lipoprotein and other PAMPs inhibited phagosome maturation and phagosome Ag degradation in a myeloid differentiation factor 88-dependent manner; this may limit availability of peptides to bind MHC-I. By inhibiting both MHC-II and alternate MHC-I Ag processing, pathogens that establish prolonged infection of macrophages (>16 h), e.g., MTB, may immunologically silence macrophages and evade surveillance by both CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells, promoting chronic infection.
TGFβ1 inhibits IL-33-mediated mast cell activation: a role for genetic background (HYP3P.408)

IL-33 is a recently discovered cytokine that functions as an alarmin member of the IL-1 family that plays a critical role in Th2 responses and mast cell activation. Numerous recent studies have demonstrated IL-33-mediated function via the T1/ST2 receptor on mast cells to elicit cytokine production and adhesion, as well as enhancing IgE-mediated degranulation. However, because of reported pro- and anti-inflammatory effects, the role of IL-33 in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases is not completely understood. In this study, we found that TGFβ1 suppresses IL-33-mediated production of TNFα, IL-6 and MCP-1, and reduces T1/ST2 receptor expression on mast cells. These responses were concentration-dependent. Consistent with our previous work, we found that bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMC) from 129/Sv mice were more resistant to TGFβ1 treatment than C57BL/6 BMMC. We propose that TGFβ1 regulates mast cell homeostasis, and that this feedback suppression may be dependent on genetic context, predisposing some individuals to atopic disease.
Comparison of water manometry to 2 commercial electronic pressure monitors for central venous pressure measurement in horses.

Background: Central venous pressure (CVP) customarily has been measured in veterinary patients with water manometry. However, many institutions are now using stallside electronic monitors in both anesthesia and intensive care units for many aspects of patient monitoring. Hypothesis: Electronic stall side monitoring devices will agree with water manometry for measurement of CVP in horses. Animals: Ten healthy adult horses from the university research herd. Methods: Central venous catheters were placed routinely, and measurements were obtained in triplicate with each of the 3 methods every 12 hours for 3 days. Data were analyzed by a Lin concordance correlation coefficient and modified Bland-Altman limits of agreement, with all devices compared pairwise.Results: Compared with water manometry, agreement (bias) of the Passport was -1.94cmH2O (95% limits of agreement, -8.54 to 4.66cmH2O) and of the Medtronic was -1.83cmH2O (95% limits of agreement, -8.60 to 4.94cmH2O). When compared with the Passport, agreement of the data obtained with the Medtronic was 0.27cmH2O (95% limits of agreement, -4.39 to 4.93cmH2O). Conclusions and Clinical Importance: These data show that both electronic monitors systematically provide measurements that are approximately 2cmH2O lower than water manometry, but differences between the 2 electronic devices are small enough (< 0.5cmH2O) to be considered clinically unimportant. This discrepancy should be taken into account when interpreting data obtained with these monitoring devices. © 2011 by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
The Politics of Water: Urban Protest, Gender, and Power in Monterrey, Mexico

The Politics of Water: Urban Protest, Gender, and Power in Monterrey, Mexico. Vivienne Bennett. Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1995. $49.95 hardcover, $19.95 paperback.
Estrogen and bone: Insights from estrogen-resistant, aromatase-deficient, and normal men

Findings from estrogen-resistant and aromatase-deficient men have provided important insights into the role of estrogen in the male skeleton during growth. Importantly, as reported elsewhere in this issue, these data also suggested dose-response relationships between estrogen and bone turnover. In addition, studies in these unusual patients have stimulated research on defining the role of estrogen in regulating bone metabolism in normal adult and aging men, providing further insights into estrogen regulation of bone metabolism not only in men, but also in women.
"Movement" in work status after pain facility treatment.

Study Design. This was a randomized prospective follow-up study of pain facility treatment of chronic pain patients with low back pain, with return to work and work capacity as the outcome measures. Objectives. To determine if after pain facility treatment chronic pain patients move in and out of work and in their work capacity; to determine the patterns of movement; and to determine the post-pain facility treatment follow-up sampling time points that would maximize the number of chronic pain patients correctly classified according to their final work capacity status. Summary of Background Data. Past research and empiric observation have indicated that chronic pain patients may move after pain facility treatment in and out of work and in their job work capacity. Such movement can affect the results of outcome studies. Methods. Two hundred thirty-six consecutive chronic pain patients who fit study selection criteria were followed up at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, and 30 months after pain facility treatment for determination of work and work capacity treatment for determination of work and work capacity status and separated according to the pattern of movement. Stepwise discriminant analysis was used to answer the study objectives. Movement in and out of work for these chronic pain patients also was compared with the US general population. Results. Chronic pain patients demonstrated eight work and four work capacity movement patterns. The 24- and 1-month time points predicted final work status correctly for 97.0% and 77.0% of the chronic pain patients, respectively, whereas the most significant predictor for correct work capacity status was the 24-month point. The annual percentage change in employment status for these chronic pain patients was more than in the US general population. Conclusions. Because chronic pain patients move in and out of employment and for work capacity status after pain facility treatment, future outcome studies using these measures will have to consider carefully the impact of movement on their results.
In-reactor oxidation of zircaloy-4 under low water vapor pressures

Abstract Complementary in- and ex-reactor oxidation tests have been performed to evaluate the oxidation and hydrogen absorption performance of Zircaloy-4 (Zr-4) under relatively low partial pressures (300 and 1000 Pa) of water vapor at specified test temperatures (330 and 370 °C). Data from these tests will be used to support the fabrication of components intended for isotope-producing targets and provide information regarding the temperature and pressure dependence of oxidation and hydrogen absorption of Zr-4 over the specified range of test conditions. Comparisons between in- and ex-reactor test results were performed to evaluate the influence of irradiation.
Molecular interactions of kerogen moieties with Na-montmorillonite: An experimental and modeling study

Abstract Evaluating the nature of binding of kerogen with clays and other minerals in oil shale is of critical importance for developing improved processes for extraction of oil from oil shale. The kerogen structure is complex, and we have identified three important kerogen moieties with structures similar to those identified in oil shale. Three moieties (pyridine, heptylamine and quinaldine) which are liquid in room temperature are chosen for the interaction study with Na-montmorillonite. Here, we report the results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and molecular dynamics simulation of the mixture of Na-montmorillonite with the moieties. Results from XRD are used to find the d-spacing of the clay interlayer with the maximum number of intercalated kerogen moieties into the clay interlayer for construction of representative clay-moiety models. Our FTIR and molecular dynamics simulation results indicate that there are significant non-bonded interactions of Na-montmorillonite with pyridine and heptylamine. No significant interaction of Na-montmorillonite with quinaldine was observed. Simulations indicate that the nonbonded interactions observed experimentally through shifts in IR bands are primarily electrostatic in nature. Identifying the nature of the interactions is important for future design of methodologies for economical and environmentally safe oil extraction from oil shale through cession of kerogen from minerals.
Peptidyl-glycine α-amidating monooxygenase is present in islet secretory granules of the anglerfish, Lophius americanus

Abstract Anglerfish islet secretory granules have been examined for the presence of an enzyme which could perform C-terminal amidation of glucagon-like peptide II and possibly anglerfish peptide Y. Using [125I] d -Tyr-Val-Gly as substrate, a peptidyl-glycine α-amidating monooxygenase (PAM) was detected in islet secretory granule lysates. The enzyme is active between pH 6.0 and 8.5 and exhibits maximal activity near pH 7.0. The islet PAM requires Cu2+, ascorbate, and molecular oxygen for activity. Other divalent metal ions and redox cofactors were tested and found to be inactive in the assay. Even though added Cu2+ and ascorbate are required for detecting islet PAM activity, when these factors were incubated with substrate in the absence of secretory granule lysate, no activity was observed. It was also found that the addition of higher than optimal concentrations of either Cu2+ or ascorbate inhibited amidating activity. The results demonstrate that a PAM is present in secretory granules of anglerfish islet tissue. The characteristics of the islet PAM are similar to those of PAMs identified and characterized in other tissues which produce bioactive C-terminally amidated peptides.
An Indirect Techinique Utilizing The Lattice Approach and Superposition for Computing Switching Surges

A new technique has been developed for analyzing switching transients on distributed power systems that is based on the principle of superposition. The main advantage of the new technique is in economy of computer execution time. A linear system must be assumed but frequency dependent parameters which result in multi-velocity waves can be included. The program that is based on the new technique utilizes step responses, that can be computed using existing programs or analog devices, to compute the desired transient responses. Because of the economy of the technique it is well suited for use in determining either the maximum transient voltage or the statistical distribution of peak transient voltages. The technique has been verified on both single-and three-phase test systems.