cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Simultaneous determination of total homocysteine, cysteine, cysteinylglycine, and glutathione in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography: application to studies of oxidative stress.

A sensitive, reproducible, and robust high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method has been validated for simultaneously determining total concentrations of the aminothiols homocysteine, cysteine, cysteinylglycine, and glutathione in human plasma. Plasma aminothiols are reduced via incubation with tris-(2-carboxyethyl)-phosphine hydrochloride, followed by protein precipitation with trichloroacetic acid and derivatization with ammonium-7-fluorobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole-4-sulfonic acid. Separation of aminothiols and the internal standard mercaptopropionylglycine is achieved using reversed-phase HPLC conditions and fluorescence detection. Excellent linearity is observed for all analytes over their respective concentration ranges with correlation coefficients (r) > 0.99. The intra- and inter-day precision and accuracy were within ±10%. This method utilizes an internal standard, employs phosphate buffered saline-based standards and quality controls, and demonstrates excellent plasma recovery and improved sensitivity. This assay is well suited for high-throughput quantitative determination of aminothiols in clinical studies, and is currently being used to support investigations of oxidative stress in patients with chronic kidney disease.
Worst case behavior of the Dinic algorithm

Many m-flow phase algorithms use the Dinic algorithm to generate an acyclic network in the iirst phase, and then solve the maximal flow problem in such a network in the second phase. This process is then repeated until the maximum value flow is found in the original network. In this paper a class of networks is presented where the Dinic algorithm always attains it's worst ca8e bound. The Dinic algorithm requires (n - 1) network generations, where n is the number of nodes in the original network for finding the maximum value flow in the original network.
Cost Efficient Erasure Coding Based Routing in Delay Tolerant Networks

Routing in delay tolerant networks (DTNs) in which most of the nodes are mobile and intermittently connected is a challenging problem because of unpredictable node movements and lack of knowledge of future node connections. To ensure reliability against failures and increase the success rate of delivery, erasure coding technique is used to route messages in DTNs. In this paper, we study how the cost of erasure coding based routing protocols can be reduced. Specifically, we analyze the effects of different spraying algorithms, right parameter selection and splitting spraying phase on the cost of message delivery. We also perform simulations to evaluate the proposed approaches and demonstrate that the cost of erasure coding based routing can be reduced considerably with the proposed strategies while maintaining the delivery rate and delay objectives.
Insertion and Coordination Reactions of Titanium(IV) Metallocene Zwitterions

Reaction of the titanium borate zwitterion complex (η5-C5Me4SiMe2NtBu)Ti(η3-CH3(CH)3CH2B(C6F5)3) (1) with carbon monoxide results in the formation of the novel titanium−acyl borate complex (η5-C5Me4SiMe2NtBu)Ti(η3-CH3(CH)3CH2COB(C6F5)3) (2). Addition of 1 equiv of PMe3 to 1 results in the loss of B(C6F5)3 to give (η5-C5Me4SiMe2NtBu)Ti(1,3-pentadiene) and Me3P·B(C6F5)3. Addition of (CH3)3CN⋮C to 1 results in the formation of the isocyanide adduct (η5-C5Me4SiMe2NtBu)Ti(CNC(CH3)3)(η3-C5H8B(C6F5)3) (3). The X-ray crystal structures of 2 and 3 were determined.
Intra-cavity cryogenic optical refrigeration using high power vertical external-cavity surface- emitting lasers (VECSELs)

A 7% Yb:YLF crystal is laser cooled to 131 ± 1 K from room temperature by placing it inside the external cavity of a high power InGaAs/GaAs VECSEL operating at 1020 nm with 0.15 nm linewidth. This is the lowest temperature achieved in the intracavity geometry to date and presents major progress towards realizing an all-solid-state compact optical cryocooler.
Intensity measurement of automotive headlamps using a photometric vision system

Requirements for automotive head lamp luminous intensity tests are introduced. The rationale for developing a non-goniometric photometric test system is discussed. The design of the Ford photometric vision system (FPVS) is presented, including hardware, software, calibration, and system use. Directional intensity plots and regulatory test results obtained from the system are compared to corresponding results obtained from a Ford goniometric test system. Sources of error for the vision system and goniometer are discussed. Directions for new work are identified.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Polyethylene terephthalate structural studies

The absorption intensity of a given infrared absorption band, in the infrared spectrum of an oriented polymer is composed of an orientation and a structural factor. A method is discussed, using polarized infrared radiation, which will measure the contribution of each. The ethylene glycol linkage of the polyethylene terephthalate molecule may exist in either of two forms. These forms are rotational isomers. The trans form of the molecule is the extended form, the gauche form is the relaxed form. The amorphous regions of polyethylene terephthalate films have been found to contain both of these isomers. Polymer orientation is summarized in terms of transition moment types. Orientation parameters characteristic of polyethylene terephthalate films are defined.
Increasing Population Hybridity by Restricting Self- Incompatibility Alleles in Red Clover Populations

Current red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) breeding methods for quantitative traits consist almost entirely of recurrent phenotypic selection. In many species, improved cultivars have been achieved through hybrid breeding methods, especially for highly nonadditive traits. Hybrid methods have previously been studied and developed in red clover; inbreeding depression was a hindrance to the utility of these breeding systems. In other forage legumes, population hybrids have been proposed as a way to achieve 50% hybrid seed while eliminating problems associated with inbreeding. This study proposes using gametophytic self-incompatibility S-locus in red clover to achieve population hybrids with 75% interpopulation hybrid seed; this would be accomplished by restricting S-alleles to three per population. To test this concept, fi ve S-allele restricted populations were developed. These fi ve restricted populations were randomly mated with a unrestricted population using bumble bees (Bombus impatiens Cresson) in fi ve separate screened enclosures. Halfsib seed was harvested off plants for paternity testing. On average, 75% of the progeny of the fi ve S-allele restricted population plants were hybrids, while 48% of the progeny of the unrestricted population plants were hybrids. Observed hybridity corresponded almost perfectly with expected hybridity. This study demonstrates the feasibility of increasing hybridity by restricting S-alleles within red clover populations.
Leucine Regulates Translation Initiation of Protein Synthesis in Skeletal Muscle after Exercise

High-performance physical activity and postexercise recovery lead to significant changes in amino acid and protein metabolism in skeletal muscle. Central to these changes is an increase in the metabolism of the BCAA leucine. During exercise, muscle protein synthesis decreases together with a net increase in protein degradation and stimulation of BCAA oxidation. The decrease in protein synthesis is associated with inhibition of translation initiation factors 4E and 4G and ribosomal protein S6 under regulatory controls of intracellular insulin signaling and leucine concentrations. BCAA oxidation increases through activation of the branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase (BCKDH). BCKDH activity increases with exercise, reducing plasma and intracellular leucine concentrations. After exercise, recovery of muscle protein synthesis requires dietary protein or BCAA to increase tissue levels of leucine in order to release the inhibition of the initiation factor 4 complex through activation of the protein kinase mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Leucine's effect on mTOR is synergistic with insulin via the phosphoinositol 3-kinase signaling pathway. Together, insulin and leucine allow skeletal muscle to coordinate protein synthesis with physiological state and dietary intake.
Research on alcohol and adolescent brain development: opportunities and future directions

In the past 15 years, both human and animal studies have advanced our understanding of the effects of adolescent alcohol exposure on behavioral and neural development, particularly in the areas of the ontogeny of initial sensitivity and tolerance to alcohol, the consequences of adolescent alcohol exposure on subsequent drinking patterns, as well as cognitive and neural function. Despite these advances, there are still substantial gaps in our understanding of whether heavy adolescent drinking interferes with normal brain development at the cellular and molecular level, and if so, how these changes may translate into patterns of brain connectivity that result in the emergence of alcohol use disorders. This article discusses our current knowledge of the cellular and molecular brain changes that stem from heavy alcohol exposure, including binge patterns, during adolescence. Progress has been made in linking the behavioral effects of adolescent drinking to underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms. However, it is suggested that future research on the etiology and consequences of adolescent drinking use an integrative approach to this problem by combining multiple levels, including genetic, cellular and molecular, systems (neuroimaging), and behavioral, with an emphasis on integrating the different levels of analysis.
Antenna technology: Past, present and future

The evolution of antenna technology is reviewed, from the days of Marconi to the present. Various periods over which antenna technology has been revitalized are reviewed, and the various antenna configurations developed during those periods are summarized along with some of their respective key characteristics. The history starts at the beginning of the 20th century and the respective technologies developed in the decades that follow are identified. Individuals that played a key role, especially during the early stages of antenna technology, are identified. Future trends and needs are speculated. Key technologies that will contribute to future advancements are identified and will be presented at the conference.
Production-Theoretic input Price Indices and the Measurement of Real Aggregate input Use

Index number theory, and the theory of price indices in particular, tends to run in terms of arithmetic properties. Such questions as whether a particular index satisfies a chain property or a reversal test are well discussed and relatively well understood. Important as such properties and such discussions are, however, they are only one side of the index number story. The other side lies in what I shall term the economic theory of index numbers: What are we trying to measure? What would we do if we had all the information possible? What, if anything, are we attempting to approximate with the index numbers computed in practice?
Neurobiology of HIV

The importance of HIV cognitive impairment, including HIV associated dementia (HAD) and minor cognitive/motor disorder, has continued in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Despite the relative efficacy of HAART in controlling HIV disease, there is no treatment which specifically targets the cause of HAD nor promotes neuronal protection from the effects of the virus. Much work has been done to elucidate the complex signalling pathways, effects of virus and viral proteins, and dysregulation of endogenous targets which lead to HIV associated neurotoxicity, but the concise mechanism remains elusive. It is widely accepted that the majority of viral replication in the brain occurs in monocyte derived macrophages (MDM) and microglia, and immune activation of these cells, along with astrocytic cells, may be the most important cause of neurotoxicity in the central nervous system (CNS). Additional complications arise when co-factors such as drug use, age related neuropathology, and other viruses are present. Further exploration of the molecular mechanisms leading to HIV neurotoxicity and neurodegeneration may reveal targets for prophylactic neuroprotective or other CNS-specific drugs. Given the variable success of the current HAART drugs against virus in the CNS, such therapies would greatly benefit the HIV infected population as they live longer and more productive lives.
Cell Surface Engineering with Edible Protein Nanoshells

Natural protein (silk fibroin) nanoshells are assembled on the surface of Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast cells without compromising their viability. The nanoshells facilitate initial protection of the cells and allow them to function in encapsulated state for some time period, afterwards being completely biodegraded and consumed by the cells. In contrast to a traditional methanol treatment, the gentle ionic treatment suggested here stabilizes the shell silk fibroin structure but does not compromise the viability of the cells, as indicated by the fast response of the encapsulated cells, with an immediate activation by the inducer molecules. Extremely high viability rates (up to 97%) and preserved activity of encapsulated cells are facilitated by cytocompatibility of the natural proteins and the formation of highly porous shells in contrast to traditional polyelectrolyte-based materials. Moreover, in a high contrast to traditional synthetic shells, the silk proteins are biodegradable and can be consumed by cells at a later stage of growth, thus releasing the cells from their temporary protective capsules. These on-demand encapsulated cells can be considered a valuable platform for biocompatible and biodegradable cell encapsulation, controlled cell protection in a synthetic environment, transfer to a device environment, and cell implantation followed by biodegradation and consumption of protective protein shells.
Short-Term Effects of Occupational Stressors on Daily Mood and Health Complaints

This article related daily changes in 2 job conditions, workload and social interaction with co-workers and supervisors, to daily mood and health complaints. Fifty-two air traffic controllers (ATCs) completed measures of subjective well-being and perceived job conditions on 3 consecutive days; objective indicators of daily workload (air traffic volume and visibility at the airport) were also obtained. The results indicate that increases in job stressors are associated with a same-day deterioration in physical and psychological well-being. On days in which workload was perceived to be high, ATCs reported more health complaints and moods that were more negative and less positive. On days in which there was greater air traffic volume (objectively measured), ATCs reported moods that were more negative. On days in which interactions with co-workers and supervisors were described as more distressing, ATCs reported moods that were more negative and less positive.
Possible future trade-offs between agriculture, energy production, and biodiversity conservation in North Dakota

In this study, we describe a spatially explicit scenario analysis of global change effects on the potential future trade-offs and conflicts between agriculture, energy generation, and grassland and wetland conservation in North Dakota (ND), USA. Integrated scenarios combining global policy, oil security, and climate change were applied to North Dakota using a spatial multi-criteria analysis shell. Spatial data describing climate changes and grassland, wetland, cropland, and energy distributions were used to characterize the geographical environment. The final multi-criteria framework examined the potential trade-offs between climate change, agricultural expansion, and energy generation resulting from global change scenarios on one hand, and the current footprint of wetlands and grasslands for six regions of ND that capture the major climate gradients and differences in land use. The results suggest that the tension between regional climate changes that may limit agricultural expansion, and global changes in food and energy security and commodity prices that favor agricultural expansion, may focus a zone of potential pressure on grasslands and wetland conversion in central ND and the Prairie Pothole Region. The balance between conservation programs, commodity prices, and land parcel productivity may determine grassland conversion, while wetland outcomes may almost totally depend upon regional climate change.
Methadone Safety: A Clinical Practice Guideline From the American Pain Society and College on Problems of Drug Dependence, in Collaboration With the Heart Rhythm Society

Methadone is used for the treatment of opioid addiction and for treatment of chronic pain. The safety of methadone has been called into question by data indicating a large increase in the number of methadone-associated overdose deaths in recent years that has occurred in parallel with a dramatic rise in the use of methadone for chronic pain. The American Pain Society and the Col- lege on Problems of Drug Dependence, in collaboration with the Heart Rhythm Society, commis- sioned an interdisciplinary expert panel to develop a clinical practice guideline on safer prescribing of methadone for treatment of opioid addiction and chronic pain. As part of the guideline develop- ment process, the American Pain Society commissioned a systematic review of various aspects related
Age Differences in STDs, Sexual Behaviors, and Correlates of Risky Sex Among Sexually Experienced Adolescent African-American Females

Objective To explore age differences in factors associated with positive sexually transmitted diseases (STD) status among a sample of African-American adolescent females. Methods Data were collected via ACASI from 701 African-American adolescent females (14–20 years) seeking services at reproductive health clinics. Adolescents provided self-collected vaginal swabs assayed using NAAT to assess the prevalence of three STDs. Results Younger adolescents (14–17 years) had significantly higher rates of STDs than older adolescents (18–20 years), but older adolescents had significantly higher levels of STD-associated risk behavior. In controlled analysis, having a casual sex partner was the only variable significantly associated with a positive STD test for younger adolescents, and prior history of STD and higher impulsivity were significantly associated with testing STD positive among older adolescents. Conclusions These findings suggest that developmentally tailored STD/HIV prevention interventions are needed for younger and older subgroups of adolescent females to help reduce their risk of infection.
Functional constraints of the acquisition of the passive: toward a model of the competence to perform

Although passive constructions occur infrequently in the linguistic environment (Brown 1973), English speaking children productively use well-formed passives in their early speech (Bowerman 1983). Further, children have been shown to be sensitive to the relationship between discourse focus and the passive, in that they produce passives far more often when a non-actor is the focus of the discourse (Turner & Rommetveit 1967), and are more likely to accurately interpret passive sentences when attention has been oriented to the object of an action (Strohner & Nelson 1974). However, children are much more likely to produce a passive with prototypically transitive action verbs, and are much less likely to do so when the object argument is a location or goal (Maratsos et al. 1985; Pinker et al. 1987). In two experiments, children (3 to 11 years) and adults described intransitive, prototypically transitive, and non-prototypically transitive scenes presented in an animated film in response to a probe about one or ...
Determinants of US passenger car weight

After a precipitous drop from 1976–1982, the weight of US passenger cars has grown steadily. This article examines multiple conflicting influences on vehicle weight in two categories: technological changes that reduce vehicle weight and improvements in functionality that, ceteris paribus, add to vehicle weight. The widespread adoption of unibody construction, lightweight materials and smaller engines has been offset by growth in vehicle size and feature content. The best estimates from this work indicate that new features and functionality would have added at least 250 kg (550 lbs) to the weight of the average new car between 1975 and 2009, if not for offsetting improvements in technology. Over the same period, it is estimated that alternative materials, more weight-efficient vehicle architectures and reduced engine sizes have taken 790 kg (1700 lbs) out of the weight of the average car. These observable influences do not explain the full extent of the drop and subsequent growth in weight, suggesting that substantial non-observed technological improvements were made from 1976–1982 and that unobserved improvements in areas such as crashworthiness and NVH have added substantially to vehicle weight in the past two decades.
When a rose is a rose in speech but a tulip in writing

We report the pattern of performance on language tasks by a neurologically impaired patient, RCM, who makes semantic errors in writing to dictation and in written naming, but makes very few errors at all (and no semantic errors) in spoken naming, oral reading, or spontaneous speech. RCM also shows a significant effect of concreteness on spelling accuracy and other features of so-called "deep dysgraphia." However, it is shown that, unlike previously reported patients described as deep dysgraphic, RCM has intact semantic processing but impairment in accessing lexical-orthographic representations, at least for the items tested. These results demonstrate that the collection of features labelled as "deep dysgraphia" can arise from damage to different cognitive processes. Detailed analyses of RCM's performance across lexical tasks, at two different time periods of recovery, provide evidence that lexical orthographic representations can be either directly activated by lexical semantic representations, or activated by the interaction of lexical semantic and sublexical information from phonology-to-orthography conversion mechanisms.
MPI-LIT

Prokaryotic protein–protein interactions are underrepresented in currently available databases. Here, we describe a ‘gold standard’ dataset (MPI-LIT) focusing on microbial binary protein–protein interactions and associated experimental evidence that we have manually curated from 813 abstracts and full texts that were selected from an initial set of 36 852 abstracts. The MPI-LIT dataset comprises 1237 experimental descriptions that describe a non-redundant set of 746 interactions of which 659 (88%) are not reported in public databases. To estimate the curation quality, we compared our dataset with a union of microbial interaction data from IntAct, DIP, BIND and MINT. Among common abstracts, we achieve a sensitivity of up to 66% for interactions and 75% for experimental methods. Compared with these other datasets, MPI-LIT has the lowest fraction of interaction experiments per abstract (0.9) and the highest coverage of strains (92) and scientific articles (813). We compared methods that evaluate functional interactions among proteins (such as genomic context or co-expression) which are implemented in the STRING database. Most of these methods discriminate well between functionally relevant protein interactions (MPI-LIT) and high-throughput data. Availability: http://www.jcvi.org/mpidb/interaction.php?dbsource=MPI-LIT. Contact: raja@jcvi.org Supplementary information:Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Theory of a self-pumped phase conjugator with two coupled interaction regions

We present a plane-wave analysis of a recently demonstrated self-pumped phase conjugator. This device uses four-wave mixing to produce the phase-conjugate replica of an incident optical wave. All the waves are derived from the single incident wave: there are no externally supplied pumping beams. We consider the case of four-wave mixing in two interaction regions coupled by simple reflection. We calculate the phase-conjugate reflectivity as a function of coupling strength, taking into account imperfect coupling between the two interaction regions, and show that there is a threshold coupling strength below which the reflectivity is zero and above which the reflectivity is multiple valued. We also compute the coupling strength per unit length for a photorefractive crystal of barium titanate.
The Electronic and Magnetic Structure of Fe-based Bulk Amorphous Metals: An Ab-initio Approach

We applied the locally self-consistent multiple scattering (LSMS) method to the study Fe-based bulk amorphous metals. The LSMS method is an order-N approach to the electronic structure calculation for solid state materials based on density functional theory and local density approximation. Using LSMS method, we performed electronic structure calculations for the supercell samples generated by ab-initio molecular dynamics simulation. The equilibrium atomic volume and the bulk modulus are calculated based on the energy versus volume curve. The magnetic moment distribution in the samples is determined for both collinear and noncollinear cases. A comparison with the experimental results is also made.
Influence of oxygen diffusion through capping layers of low work function metal gate electrodes

This letter evaluates Ru and W capping layers for MoTa metal gate electrodes in MOS capacitor applications. The authors report that the oxygen diffusion from the capping layer plays an important role in determining the MoTa alloy effective work function value on SiO/sub 2/. A MoTa alloy metal gate with Ru capping exhibits stable effective work function up to 900/spl deg/C annealing but is not stable with W capping. Auger electron spectroscopy and Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy analyses show minimal oxygen diffusion into MoTa gate stacks with Ru capping while severe oxygen diffusion into the gate is observed with W capping metal after 900/spl deg/C annealing. Current-voltage analysis also demonstrates different barrier heights of MoTa on SiO/sub 2/ with Ru or W capping layer after 900/spl deg/C annealing, confirming the effective work function value change.
Power and Current Pulsations of an Induction Motor Connected to a Reciprocating Compressor

The influence of a periodic pulsating torque variation on a polyphase induction motor is described. A calculation method is outlined to predict the current, power, and torque pulsation along with the effect on power factor, slip, and efficiency. The calculation method is compared with tests and a digital solution of the differential motor equations.
Examining the Use of the M-FAST with Criminal Defendants Incompetent to Stand Trial

The Miller Forensic Assessment of Symptoms Test (M-FAST) was developed to provide evaluators with a brief, reliable, and valid screen for malingered mental illness. This study examined the initial validity of the M-FAST in a sample of 50 criminal defendants found incompetent to stand trial because of a mental illness. The M-FAST total score and items were compared with the Structured Interview of Reported Symptoms (SIRS) and the fake-bad indicators of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2). Results indicated good evidence of construct and criterion validity, demonstrated by t tests, receiver operating characteristics analysis, and high correlations between the M-FAST, SIRS, and the fake-bad indices on the MMPI-2. Tentative cut scores for the M-FAST total score and scales were examined and demonstrated high utility with the sample of criminal defendants incompetent to stand trial.
The New Fungal Opportunists Are Coming

Frequent and prolonged exposure of immunocompromised patients to a variety of environmental conditions has resulted in the recognition of infections with new fungal opportunists. Infections with fungi such as Fusarium species, Paecilomyces lilacinus, Acremonium species, Trichosporon beigelii, Blastoschizomyces capitatus, Malassezia furfur, Penicillium marneffei, Scedosporium prolificans, and other dematiaceous species have become significant problems in the treatment of immunocompromised hosts. This discussion addresses several issues of pathogenesis, epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment with regard to these new opportunists, through a review of both general and specific concepts. The growing need for training in clinical mycology is also summarized.
Nanocomposite film prepared by depositing xylan on cellulose nanowhiskers matrix

Novel bionanocomposite films have been prepared by depositing xylan onto cellulose nanowhiskers through a pH adjustment. Analysis of strength properties, water vapour transmission, transparency, surface morphology and thermal decomposition showed the enhancement of film performance. This provides a new green route to the utilization of biomass for sustainable biomaterials production.
On multi-hop routing for energy efficiency

We compare two multi-hop routing schemes: the first maximizes the minimum lifetime of the nodes; the second minimizes total energy consumption. We consider both the transmission energy and circuit energy spent in transmission, as well as the receiver energy. The comparison reveals that multihop routing is preferred by the first scheme when the ratio of transmission energy to circuit energy is low and by the second scheme when this ratio is high. In order to balance the load, the first scheme limits the range of multi-hop routing.
Use of Geometric Morphometrics to Differentiate Gila (Cyprinidae) within the Upper Colorado River Basin

Abstract Video images of 215 adult Gila robusta and 148 endangered Gila cypha were collected from May 1991–October 1992 at eight Colorado River basin localities (seven upper basins and one lower basin). The two species were sympatric at five of these locations; G. robusta was absent at one site, whereas G. cypha was missing at two others. Saggital views of each individual were videotaped and 25 morphological points (15 anatomical landmarks and 10 helping points) identified. Bookstein shape coordinates were calculated from Cartesian coordinates of these landmarks and points, whereas centroid size was used as a measure of body size. Shape differences were evaluated among populations of each species using MANOVA and canonical variates analysis. In G. cypha, variation encompassed three aspects: nuchal hump (most pronounced in Grand Canyon forms), relative head size (larger in Cataract Canyon forms), and caudal peduncle dimensions (shorter with a tapering depth in Cataract Canyon forms but longer and uniformly...
The Hologenome Concept: Helpful or Hollow?

With the increasing appreciation for the crucial roles that microbial symbionts play in the development and fitness of plant and animal hosts, there has been a recent push to interpret evolution through the lens of the “hologenome”—the collective genomic content of a host and its microbiome. But how symbionts evolve and, particularly, whether they undergo natural selection to benefit hosts are complex issues that are associated with several misconceptions about evolutionary processes in host-associated microbial communities. Microorganisms can have intimate, ancient, and/or mutualistic associations with hosts without having undergone natural selection to benefit hosts. Likewise, observing host-specific microbial community composition or greater community similarity among more closely related hosts does not imply that symbionts have coevolved with hosts, let alone that they have evolved for the benefit of the host. Although selection at the level of the symbiotic community, or hologenome, occurs in some cases, it should not be accepted as the null hypothesis for explaining features of host–symbiont associations.
Interactions of an intact proteoglycan and its fragments with basic homopolypeptides in dilute aqueous solution.

Abstract The interactions between a proteoglycan and cationic polypeptides have been investigated by the use of circular-dichroism spectroscopy. The interaction produces an induced conformational change for poly(l-arginine) and poly(l-lysine), similar to the effects previously reported for mucopolysaccharide–polypeptide mixtures. For bovine nasal septum proteoglycan, the interactions are similar to those for chondroitin 4-sulphate, which comprises approximately 63% of the total polysaccharide. The results also suggest that the interactions produce a conformational change in the protein core. Similar studies for the Smith-degradation product show that the protein core can adopt a substantial α-helical content and is capable of interactions with poly-(l-arginine). The interactions for chondroitin sulphate `doublets' are significantly different from those for the separated chains, indicating that the arrangement of the polysaccharide side chains in pairs (and larger groups) along the protein backbone contributes to the interaction properties of the intact proteoglycan.
Planar Strength of Restrained Beam Columns

A theoretical method that describes the planar, elastic-plastic behavior of a beam-column loaded at the ends and along the length is described. The theory considers the three important parameters: residual stresses, geometrical imperfections and nonlinear end-restraints. A computer program using finite difference technique has been developed to obtain numerical results. Several numerical results are presented to show the influence of the three parameters mentioned on the maximum strength of I-section columns and beam-columns.
Currents in renal stone research.

Current theories of renal stone formation are reviewed, together with the resulting proposals for treatment, with emphasis on the idiopathic, recurrent formation of calcium oxalate stones. Factors influencing the initiation and development of stones are discussed.
On the uniqueness of some girth eight algebraically defined graphs

Let F be a field. For a polynomial f ? F x , y , we define a bipartite graph ? F ( f ) with vertex partition P ? L , P = F 3 = L , and ( p 1 , p 2 , p 3 ) ? P is adjacent to l 1 , l 2 , l 3 ? L if and only if p 2 + l 2 = p 1 l 1 and p 3 + l 3 = f ( p 1 , l 1 ) . It is known that the graph ? F ( x y 2 ) has no cycles of length less than eight. The main result of this paper is that ? F ( x y 2 ) is the only graph ? F ( f ) with this property when F is an algebraically closed field of characteristic zero; i.e.?over such a field F , every graph ? F ( f ) with no cycles of length less than eight is isomorphic to ? F ( x y 2 ) . We also prove related uniqueness results for some polynomials f over infinite families of finite fields.
Keynote: Bioelectronics

Nature is a great analog and digital circuit designer. She has innovated circuits in the biochemical, biomechanical, and bioelectronic domains that operate very robustly with highly imprecise parts, and with incredibly low levels of power. This talk will discuss how analog, RF, and bio-inspired circuits and architectures have led to, and are leading to, novel systems for ultra-low-power biomedical applications. Examples from systems for cochlear-implants for the deaf, brain-machine interfaces for the blind and paralyzed, and in bio-molecular circuits for systems biology and synthetic biology will be presented.
NF-kappa B and GTP cyclohydrolase regulate cytokine-induced nitric oxide production by cardiac myocytes.

We previously reported that interleukin-1 beta (IL-1) alone stimulated nitric oxide (NO) production by neonatal rat cardiac myocytes (CM) in culture. The present studies were undertaken to explore ...
An Autonomous Underwater Vehicle as a Spacecraft Attitude Control Simulator

In this paper we present a mathematical model of an experimental autonomous underwater vehicle actuated by internal reaction wheels. Assuming coincident centers of mass and buoyancy we develop two nonlinear attitude control laws; one through potential shaping and the other through backstepping. We then show, through numerical simulation, successful attitude stabilization using each of the control laws for an autonomous underwater vehicle with non-coincident centers of mass and buoyancy, viscous rotor damping, and motor torque saturation. From the numerical simulations, we develop physical limitations on the autonomous underwater vehicle to ensure successful stabilization of a given attitude control maneuver. We show experimental approaches to identify physical parameters and we present preliminary experimental results.
Commentary on the new Guide to Clinical Preventive Services.

The long-awaited recommendations from the US Preventive Services Task Force are useful, but too narrow. Some suggested modifications.
Photoelectric Emission Studies from Crystalline Silicon at 266 NM

Three different photoelectric regimes are observed in the interaction of 15 ps, 266 nm laser pulses with crystalline silicon samples versus light fluence. A superposition of linear and quadratic photoionization is followed by a space charge limited regime up to the critical fluence $$F_{th}^{4w}$$ for the surface amorphization where highly nonlinear ion emission is observed. Ion and electron emissions become equal in magnitude at a fluence $$\sim\;F_{th}^{4w}$$ . The absence of observable thermionic effects indicates that thermal equilibrium of the electron-hole plasma and the lattice is reached during the laser pulse duration.
Emotional States Caused by Organic Diseases

(1966). Emotional States Caused by Organic Diseases. Postgraduate Medicine: Vol. 39, No. 6, pp. 621-630.
Natural History and Staging of Prostate Cancer

The natural history and staging of prostatic cancer, directly or indirectly, involve natural expectancy of the host, malignant potential of the tumor, extent of the tumor, and response of the tumor to treatment. Discussion of these topics is followed by a description of the systems of clinical staging of the disease.
Long-Term Follow-up of Patients with Achalasia Treated by Myotomy and Partial Fundoplication

The purpose of this paper is to examine the long-term results of patients with achalasia who have been treated by Heller myotomy combined with a single-layer noncircumferential anterior fundoplication.
Venous Reflux in Patients with Skin Changes Associated with Chronic Venous Insufficiency

Chronic venous insufficiency /CVI/ leads to skin changes including lipodermatosclerosis, atrophy blauche and ulceration.The underlying causes of CVI are incompetence of superficial, deep and perforating veins. /PV/. Previously, venographic study was needed to determine the pattern of obstruction and insufficiency.
Natural Law Liberalism: Understanding Liberalism: A Broader Vision

The discussion in the first part of this book leads to the conclusion that, in a variety of ways, contemporary liberal theory provides an inadequate foundation for a public philosophy. The question in Part II is whether our dissatisfaction with contemporary liberalism should lead us to abandon liberalism entirely. I want to reject that proposal because there is so much in liberalism that is desirable and essential to an adequate public philosophy. While liberalism, like all forms of government, has its weaknesses, on the whole, properly understood, we should value its substantial contribution to our political well-being. The question is how to understand it properly. My argument is that it is best understood in the form of what I will call natural law liberalism. In this chapter, I want to examine what liberalism is and to identify its core principles. In the next chapter, I will describe natural law and its various forms, indicating the particular form that I consider the best foundation for a public philosophy, and demonstrate that there are substantial resources for valuing liberty in the classical natural law tradition. In the following chapter, I will discuss the relationship between liberalism and natural law – so often one of hostility – and try to show why, if each is properly understood, they should be fundamentally harmonious. UNDERSTANDINGS OF LIBERALISM The term “liberal” today, as it always has, describes both a political philosophy and a political program.
Pharmacologic Stress Gastropathy Prophylaxis May Not Be Necessary in At-Risk Surgical Trauma ICU Patients Tolerating Enteral Nutrition

Objective:Stress gastropathy is a rare complication of the intensive care unit stay with high morbidity and mortality. There are data that support the concept that patients tolerating enteral nutri...
Coupled Chemistry-Climate Effects from 2050 Projected Aviation Emissions

Abstract. Analyses of the climate effects of 2050 aviation emissions have been conducted with two coupled Chemistry Climate Models (CCMs) including experiments with coupled ocean models. The baseline 2050 aviation emissions scenario projects emissions ~ 5 times those in 2006. Simulations suggest a corresponding growth in the climate impact of aviation by 2050. Positive radiative forcing from contrails reaches +80 mWm−2. Enhanced upper tropospheric and lower stratospheric ozone (O3) due to aviation nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions causes a radiative forcing of +60 mWm−2. Changes in methane (CH4) lifetime induced by aviation are estimated to cause −25 mWm−2 of radiative forcing in 2050. Simulations indicate that moderate changes in water vapor emissions from changes in combustion efficiency will not have significant forcing. Non-linear effects due to particles (black carbon and sulfur) included in these calculations suggest an important role for black carbon (BC) in increasing contrail cirrus ice crystal number, leading to net warming. Sulfur emissions brighten clouds and provide a net cooling, but this is dependent on uncertain background sulfur levels. Thus alternative aviation fuels with reduced sulfur and BC may alter the future climate impact of aviation, but the sign is dependent on specific processes represented and the background state. Regional perturbations due to contrail and particulate emissions may result in statistically significant regional surface temperature changes in coupled model simulations in areas near or adjacent to flight corridors, but significant signals only emerge after 20–50 years of simulation. Many regions with high regional aviation forcing do not experience net surface temperature changes because of advective rather than radiative driving of temperatures. Surface temperature signals are not significant globally even in long coupled simulations. Short-lived non-uniform aviation forcing will thus affect climate differently than uniform forcing in the coupled climate system.
Manipulating Protein–Protein Interactions in Nonribosomal Peptide Synthetase Type II Peptidyl Carrier Proteins

In an effort to elucidate and engineer interactions in type II nonribosomal peptide synthetases, we analyzed biomolecular recognition between the essential peptidyl carrier proteins and adenylation domains using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, molecular dynamics, and mutational studies. Three peptidyl carrier proteins, PigG, PltL, and RedO, in addition to their cognate adenylation domains, PigI, PltF, and RedM, were investigated for their cross-species activity. Of the three peptidyl carrier proteins, only PigG showed substantial cross-pathway activity. Characterization of the novel NMR solution structure of holo-PigG and molecular dynamics simulations of holo-PltL and holo-PigG revealed differences in structures and dynamics of these carrier proteins. NMR titration experiments revealed perturbations of the chemical shifts of the loop 1 residues of these peptidyl carrier proteins upon their interaction with the adenylation domain. These experiments revealed a key region for the protein–prot...
Bondholder Wealth Effects in Joint Ventures and Strategic Alliances Around the World

This paper examines the bondholder wealth effects in international collaborations in the form of joint ventures and strategic alliances. Based on a sample of 3,070 Joint venture and strategic alliance event-firm observations from 2009 to 2015, we find positive and significant abnormal returns for bondholders. The average three-month abnormal bond return is 1.53% for foreign participants and 1.38% for U.S. participants. We focus on the wealth effects for the foreign bondholders and find that country level governance and national culture are dominant drivers of bondholder gain. Results of various robustness tests and subsample analyses confirm the main findings. Additionally, we find little evidence for a wealth transfer between stockholders and bondholders of the foreign participants. However, when a joint venture or strategic alliance leads to a loss for the participant, it is likely to be shared between the bondholders and stockholders.
Defining the role of lymphadenectomy for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: An eight institution study of 695 patients from the U.S. Neuroendocrine Tumor Study Group.

212Background: Preoperative factors that reliably predict lymph node (LN) metastases in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PanNETs) are unclear. The number of LNs needed to accurately stage PanNETs ...
Family Perspectives on Integrated Employment for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

Families are essential partners in efforts to elevate the employment outcomes of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). We examined the employment-related expectations, preferences, and concerns of 673 parents and other family members of adults with IDD. Participants prioritized paid integrated employment over sheltered options, and such perspectives were strongly associated with the recent employment status of their family member with IDD. In addition, they valued qualitative dimensions of a potential workplace (e.g., personal satisfaction, social interaction opportunities) more highly than prevailing employment metrics (e.g., rate of pay, hours per week, benefits). Multiple factors informed the views of parents and other family members regarding integrated employment and the extent to which their family member with IDD had been employed previously in the community. We offer recommendations for research, practice, and systems change efforts aimed at raising expectations for and ac...
Profiling of lymphoma from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue

Abstract Molecular profiling of lymphoma samples has contributed enormously to our understanding of disease biology leading to detailed descriptions of diagnostic categories. These studies have also helped the field to recognize different subtypes of disease, different diseases that share similar cellular pathway perturbations, different immune responses, and different prognostic groups. While nearly all of these discoveries were made using unfixed, snap-frozen materials, with few exceptions, clinical biopsy materials are comprised of formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues. Here, we describe the impact of molecular profiling on the field of lymphoma, the challenges associated with using FFPE tissues for downstream molecular diagnostic testing, the various molecular profiling techniques, and also provide an example of the clinical application of a molecular profiling test of lymphoma using FFPE tissues.