cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identification and analysis of glycoinositol phospholipid anchors in membrane proteins.

Publisher Summary This chapter highlights the criteria (identification and analysis) to demonstrate the presence of a glycoinositol phospholipid in a protein of interest. Some of the glycoinositol phospholipid anchors identified include trypanosome variant surface glycoproteins (VSG), decay accelerating factor (DAF), Thy-1, and G2 acetylcholinesterase (AChE). All appear to reside on the extracellular face of the cell plasma membrane. In most cases, the identification has been based on their susceptibility to release from the cell surface by purified bacterial phosphatidylinositol- specific phospholipase C (PIPLC). Cleavage of anchored proteins with exogenous PIPLC has been achieved in a variety of culture media or isotonic buffers. The loss of anchored Thy-1 antigen from the cells is monitored by flow cytometry. In all anchored proteins, the inositol phospholipid is the only nonionic detergent-binding domain. Cleavage of the anchor by PIPLC removes the hydrophobic diacylglycerol or alkylacylglycerol and generates a hydrophilic protein that retains the glycan portion of the anchor. Two procedures most widely employed to demonstrate the loss of detergent-binding capacity following incubation with PIPLC include phase partitioning with Triton X-114 and nondenaturing poly acrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE).
Is triclosan harming your microbiome

Antibacterial soaps were originally used only in hospitals, but since the 1990s, their use has expanded into households. Antimicrobial chemicals are now found in many soaps, wipes, hand gels, cutting boards, detergents, cosmetics, and toothpastes, as well as toys and plastics. One of the most common antibacterials, triclosan [5-chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenol], is found in ∼75% of antibacterial soaps ( 1 ). In 2008, it was detected in ∼75% of urine samples in the United States ( 2 ). There are concerns that triclosan use contributes to the development of antibiotic resistance and may adversely affect human health. Partial bans exist in the European Union and the U.S. state of Minnesota ( 3 , 4 ). However, recent studies exploring triclosan's effect on the microbiome have given conflicting results.
Why the Transplant Doesn’t Work

We lack an economic theory of the public non-market economy. Profiting from this void, market advocates have imposed the assumptions and axioms of neoclassical economics wholesale on the public sector. There are severe, tangible consequences to this colonization, which has drastically undermined government’s ability to produce desired and intended results.
Multi-Objective Reinforcement Learning for Cognitive Radio-Based Satellite Communications

Previous research on cognitive radios has addressed the performance of various machine-learning and optimization techniques for decision making of terrestrial link properties. In this paper, we present our recent investigations with respect to reinforcement learning that potentially can be employed by future cognitive radios installed onboard satellite communications systems specifically tasked with radio resource management. This work analyzes the performance of learning, reasoning, and decision making while considering multiple objectives for time-varying communications channels, as well as different cross-layer requirements. Based on the urgent demand for increased bandwidth, which is being addressed by the next generation of high-throughput satellites, the performance of cognitive radio is assessed considering links between a geostationary satellite and a fixed ground station operating at Ka-band (26 GHz). Simulation results show multiple objective performance improvements of more than 3.5 times for clear sky conditions and 6.8 times for rain conditions.
Tin✻Can archæology

The original questions of archaeology have been mostly answered. In the wake of this grand accomplishment, archaeology developed a number of tools. These tools can now be used to investigate the very recent past. For this study, we need to draw upon the ideas of people usually not cited in archaeology, including artists, documentary film makers, and urban designers. We have a chance to uncover the history of the inarticulate, and to contribute toward an understanding of man’s present relationship to the man-made world.
Latinas’ heritage language as a source of resiliency: impact on academic achievement in STEM fields

This article highlights how the preservation of heritage languages is essential in the construction of three Georgia Latina participants’ cultural identities and the creation of support networks that allow them to develop resiliency and achieve academically. We conceptualize resiliency as a strategy developed by the Latina participants using contextually mitigating factors during their STEM education. The findings presented in this manuscript are part of a larger, ongoing study of Latina resiliency and their paths to success in STEM fields in two states: Georgia and Texas. Following James Spradley’s guidelines, data were collected via three separate semi-structured interviews with each participant. Intrinsic, multiple case studies were used to find both commonalities and differences, as well as to deepen our understanding of the role of the participants’ heritage language in their development of resiliency in each particular case. The findings presented here were not part of a preconceived research hypothesis, but rather a theme that emerged while analyzing data collected in the state of Georgia. Georgia is not home to a long-established Hispanic/Latino population, but rather is part of the New Latino Diaspora (Wortham, Murillo and Hamann in Education in the new Latino diaspora: policy and the politics of identity. Ablex Publishing, New York, 2002), and therefore local natives do not necessarily perceive Latino immigrants and the Spanish language either as long-standing or permanent features of the state. In fact, in response to the growing diversity of the state during the past generation, Georgia has implemented multiple educational policies hostile toward immigrants and linguistic diversity (Beck and Allexsaht-Snider in Education in the new Latino diaspora: policy and the politics of identity. Ablex Press, Westport, 2002). Our findings suggest that the Latina participants’ heritage languages allow them to engage in cultural traditions, encouraged by their families, that are central to their heritage and identity and, thereby provide a medium for the development of the resiliency they need for academic success. The Spanish language allows them to maintain communication with their families and communities, enabling them to participate in a set of interactions and relationships. These, in turn, form the support networks needed to enact resilience in overcoming obstacles to pursuing their interest in STEM—an interest seen by society as incongruous with their gender and ethnicity.
Fertilizer Formulation and Method of Application Influence Bedding Plant Growth and Nitrogen Leaching in Urban Landscapes

Abstract Two experiments were conducted to evaluate fertilizer formulation, method of application, and frequency of application on growth of landscape bedding plants and nitrogen (N) leaching. In the first experiment, ‘Peppermint Cooler’ vinca (Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don ‘Peppermint Cooler’), ‘Bonanza Yellow’ marigold (Tagetes patula L. ‘Bonanza Yellow’), and ‘Hawaii Blue’ ageratum (Ageratum houstonianum Mill. ‘Hawaii Blue’) were planted in raised beds. Four inorganic fertilizer formulations used included 13N–5.6P–10.9K (13–13–13) and 15N–0P–12.6K (15–0–15) granular water soluble (GWS) fertilizers, Osmocote 14N–6.0P–11.6K (14–14–14) (3 to 4 month release) controlled-release fertilizer (CRF), and Osmocote 17N–3.0P–10.1K (17–7–12) (12 to 14 month release) CRF. Each fertilizer was applied at a rate of 4.9 g N/m2 (1 lb N/1000 ft2) either incorporated into the top 10.2 cm (4 in) pre-plant or topdressed postplant. Additional treatments included an industry practice of incorporating 13N–5.6P–10.9K (13–13–13...
Plant Products in Compounded Diets Are Effectively Utilized by American Alligator, Alligator mississippiensis

Growth performance of American alligators fed a plant‐based diet was measured in a 10‐mo feeding trial. Hatchling alligators (192 in total) received one of three dietary treatments: a 56% crude protein (CP) commercial diet fed for 3 mo followed by a 50% CP commercial diet fed for 7 mo (56/50); a 56% CP diet fed for 3 mo followed by an experimental 45% digestible‐protein (DP), plant‐based diet fed for 7 mo (56/45); or a 45% DP diet fed for 10 mo (45/45). Final mean length and weight (L/W) of alligators fed 45/45 were lower (P 0.05) from L/W of alligators fed 56/50 or 45/45. Also, the range of growth responses among animals in all treatment groups showed that some better‐performing individuals fed 45/45 or 56/45 grew as large as animals fed 56/50. Results indicated that the American alligator can effectively utilize plant products in a compounded diet, and additional research on optimizing the use of selected plant products in alligator feeds is warranted.
An Examination of Student Retention at a 2-Year College Through Structural Equation Modeling:

The purpose of this study was to develop a retention model specific to the 2-year college environment using factors not typically combined with the study of student retention. The study operational...
Extrinsic Tryptophans as NMR Probes of Allosteric Coupling in Membrane Proteins: Application to the A2A Adenosine Receptor

Tryptophan indole 15N–1H signals are well separated in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of proteins. Assignment of the indole 15N–1H signals therefore enables one to obtain site-specific information on complex proteins in supramacromolecular systems, even when extensive assignment of backbone 15N–1H resonances is challenging. Here we exploit the unique indole 15N–1H chemical shift by introducing extrinsic tryptophan reporter residues at judiciously chosen locations in a membrane protein for increased coverage of structure and function by NMR. We demonstrate this approach with three variants of the human A2A adenosine receptor (A2AAR), a class A G protein-coupled receptor, each containing a single extrinsic tryptophan near the receptor intracellular surface, in helix V, VI, or VII, respectively. We show that the native A2AAR global protein fold and ligand binding activity are preserved in these A2AAR variants. The indole 15N–1H signals from the extrinsic tryptophan reporter residues show different ...
Conditions and consequences of language choice: a linguistic inquiry using ABMs

In this paper we implement an agent-based model using RePast Simphony 2.0 to explore constraints placed on language choice in multilingual situations. Efforts to explain why language A is used in context (i) and language B is used in context (ii) have met with very little success in traditional linguistic research. By creating an artificial society, we are able to disentangle the complex interplay of linguistic, psychological and socioeconomic variables involved in these language contact phenomena and to pinpoint underlying regularities in language choice. We introduce an indicator of language choice that we coin the LINgUini index, based on a standard economic measure of income inequality known as the Gini index (Gini 1912). We additionally define an Accumulated LINgUini Coefficient (ALC) as a measure of observed linguistic inequality, analogous to wealth inequality measured by the Gini index. The LINgUini focuses on the primary process by which linguistic knowledge is acquired and/or reinforced, while the ALC measures the resulting language distribution.
A Survey of Boundary Integral Equation Methods for the Numerical Solution of Laplace’s Equation in Three Dimensions

The principal reformulations of Laplace’s equation as boundary integral equations (BIEs) are described, together with results on their solvability and the regularity of their solutions. The numerical methods for solving BIEs are categorized, based on whether the method uses local or global approximating functions, whether the method is of collocation or Galerkin type, and whether the equation being solved is defined on a region whose boundary is smooth or only piecewise smooth. Some of the major ideas in the mathematical analysis of these numerical methods are outlined. Certain problems are associated with all numerical methods for boundary integral equations. Principal among these are numerical integration and the iterative solution of linear systems of equations. The research literature for these topics as they arise in solving BIEs is reviewed, and some of the major ideas are discussed.
Protocol of a randomised controlled trial in cardiac surgical patients with endothelial dysfunction aimed to prevent postoperative acute kidney injury by administering nitric oxide gas

Introduction Postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication in cardiac surgery. Levels of intravascular haemolysis are strongly associated with postoperative AKI and with prolonged (>90 min) use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Ferrous plasma haemoglobin released into the circulation acts as a scavenger of nitric oxide (NO) produced by endothelial cells. Consequently, the vascular bioavailability of NO is reduced, leading to vasoconstriction and impaired renal function. In patients with cardiovascular risk factors, the endothelium is dysfunctional and cannot replenish the NO deficit. A previous clinical study in young cardiac surgical patients with rheumatic fever, without evidence of endothelial dysfunction, showed that supplementation of NO gas decreases AKI by converting ferrous plasma haemoglobin to ferric methaemoglobin, thus preserving vascular NO. In this current trial, we hypothesised that 24 hours administration of NO gas will reduce AKI following CPB in patients with endothelial dysfunction. Methods This is a single-centre, randomised (1:1) controlled, parallel-arm superiority trial that includes patients with endothelial dysfunction, stable kidney function and who are undergoing cardiac surgery procedures with an expected CPB duration >90 min. After randomisation, 80 parts per million (ppm) NO (intervention group) or 80 ppm nitrogen (N2, control group) are added to the gas mixture. Test gases (N2 or NO) are delivered during CPB and for 24 hours after surgery. The primary study outcome is the occurrence of AKI among study groups. Key secondary outcomes include AKI severity, occurrence of renal replacement therapy, major adverse kidney events at 6 weeks after surgery and mortality. We are recruiting 250 patients, allowing detection of a 35% AKI relative risk reduction, assuming a two-sided error of 0.05. Ethics and dissemination The Partners Human Research Committee approved this trial. Recruitment began in February 2017. Dissemination plans include presentations at scientific conferences, scientific publications and advertising flyers and posters at Massachusetts General Hospital. Trial registration number NCT02836899.
A Network-based approach for Quantifying the Resilience and Vulnerability of HIV-1 Native Glycan Shield

The dense arrangement of N-glycans masking antigenic surfaces on the HIV-1 envelope (Env) protein acts as a shield from the adaptive immune system. The molecular complexity of glycan modifications and their inherent dynamic heterogeneity on a protein surface make experimental studies of glycoprotein structures a challenge. Here we have integrated a high-throughput atomistic modeling with graph-theory based method to capture the native glycan shield topological network and identify concerted behavior of these glycans. This is the first time that a complete computational model of an HIV-1 Env trimeric SOSIP structure has been generated with a native glycosylation pattern including both oligomannose and complex glycans, thus obtaining results which are immunologically more relevant. Important global and local feature differences due to the native-like glycosylation pattern have been identified, that stem from the charged sialic acid tips, fucose rings at the base, and different branching patterns of the complex glycans. Analyses of network attributes have aided in detailed description of the shield in a biological context. We have also derived a measure to quantify the shielding effect based on the number of glycan heavy atoms encountered over the antigenic protein surface that can define regions of relative vulnerability and resilience on the shield, and can be harnessed for potential immunogen design.
Innovations in the Science and Practice of Decision Analysis: The Role of Management Science

In this paper, we reflect on research in decision analysis that has appeared in Management Science and its impact on decision analysis practice and applications. We consider professional applicatio...
Two Weeks of Remote Ischemic Conditioning Improves Brachial Artery Flow Mediated Dilation in Chronic Stroke Survivors

In this study, we report that 2 wk of remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) improves brachial artery flow-mediated dilation in chronic stroke survivors. Because poor cardiovascular health puts stroke ...
Role of grain boundaries in the dielectric behavior of graphite

Abstract Electric-polarization-causing carrier-atom interaction occurs in graphite at grain boundaries, as indicated by the electric permittivity (the main dielectric property) being linearly related to the reciprocal of the grain size. A smaller grain size increases the permittivity by increasing the fraction of carriers that participate in the polarization and by facilitating the carrier hopping from one grain boundary to an adjacent one during polarization. The linearity further means that the strength of the carrier-atom interaction is independent of the grain size. Specifically, the relative permittivity (2 kHz) of isotropic graphite increases from 380 to 5100 with decreasing grain size (coke raw material particle size) from 12 to 1 μm. The fraction of carriers that participate in the polarization (≤7.8 × 10−11) also decreases with increasing grain size, but is less sensitive to and less well-correlated with the grain size than the permittivity. Extrapolation of the abovementioned linear curve to infinite grain size gives relative permittivity 69 (corresponding to the fraction of carriers that participate 1 × 10−11). These two values are much smaller than those for finite grain sizes, indicating that the permittivity and participating carriers are essentially completely due to the carrier-atom interaction at the grain boundaries. The grain size influences the resistivity slightly.
A mortality risk score for heart transplants after contemporary ventricular assist device bridging.

BACKGROUND We sought to derive a risk score for 1-year mortality following orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) in patients bridged with a contemporary centrifugal left ventricular assist device (LVAD). METHODS Adult patients (≥18 years) in the United Network for Organ Sharing database undergoing OHT between 2010 and 2019 who were bridged with a HeartWare or HeartMate III device were included. Derivation and validation cohorts were randomly assigned with a 2:1 ratio. Threshold analysis and multivariable logistic regression were utilized to obtain adjusted odds ratios for 1-year post-OHT mortality. A risk score was generated using these adjusted odds ratios in the derivation cohort and the predictive performance of the composite index was evaluated in the validation set. RESULTS A total of 3434 patients were identified. In the derivation cohort, the mean age was 53.5 ± 12.1 years and 1758 (76.8%) were male; 1789 (78.1%) were bridged with a HeartWare device. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that recipient age ≥50 years, bilirubin level ≥2.4 mg/dl, ischemic time ≥4 h, and preoperative hemodialysis predicted 1-year post-transplant mortality. Stratification into risk groups in the validation cohort revealed significant differences in postoperative renal failure, stroke, and short-term mortality. One-year post-transplant mortality was 5%, 6.7%, and 14.8% in the low-, moderate-, and high-risk categories, respectively (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS Among patients bridged to OHT with newer generation centrifugal LVADs, older age, increasing bilirubin, longer ischemic time, and pre-OHT dialysis independently predicted post-transplant mortality. The composite risk score based on these factors may assist in patient selection and prognostication in those supported with contemporary LVADs.
The Spectacular Aspect of Contemporary Health Care

While advances in modern medicine since the introduction of Medicare have in many ways been riveting from a technological, political and sociological standpoint, each new period of change has brought with it a divisiveness that has forced individuals to decide whether the system’s latest step is spectacular in its success or failure. Even as the provision of medicine continues to improve, such a lack of unity has taken its toll on the health care industry, bringing with it a host of sociological and ethical issues that often prevent modern breakthroughs from reaching the greatest number of people. For the Affordable Care Act’s trillion-dollar gamble to succeed in its attempt to improve the nation’s health and well being, it is up to the individual citizen to help shoulder the burden. This perspective compares such historical moments with today’s current climate of health care reform in an attempt to underscore the importance of individual participation.
School Building Administrator Reports of Screening Practices Across Academic, Behavioral, and Health Domains:

Research conducted to date provides a limited understanding of the landscape of school-based screening practices across academic, behavioral, and health domains, thus providing an impetus for the c...
Mapping 216 Perforator Flaps Using Highly Portable Tablet-Based Color Doppler Ultrasound (PT-CDU).

Background The first reports of using color Doppler ultrasound for evaluation of the microvasculature were in the 1990s. Despite the early reports of its efficacy, color Doppler ultrasound did not achieve popularity nor general usage in part due to the cumbersome size, cost and poor resolution. This is the first study to demonstrate the potential utility of a new, highly portable, tablet-based color Doppler ultrasound (PT-CDU) system for imaging perforator flaps. Methods The deep inferior epigastric artery (DIEP), lateral arm (LA), anterolateral thigh (ALT), thoracodorsal artery (TDAP), and the medial sural artery (MSAP) perforator flaps were imaged within classic topographic landmarks to visualize and measure variables related to perforator flap anatomy. The Philips Lumify L12–4 linear array probe attached to the Samsung Galaxy Tab A tablet was the system used for all examinations. Results A total of 216 flaps were scanned in 50 healthy adult volunteers: 44 DIEP, 44 LA, 40 ALT, 48 TDAP, and 40 MSAP. Precise anatomic information regarding perforator size, number, and location was obtained. Overall, the percent of flaps having at least 1 perforator within the specified topographical landmarks was 89% for the DIEP, 84.1% for the LA, 72.5% for the ALT, 50% for the TDAP, and 30% for the MSAP (p = 2.272e-09). The percent of patients having an asymmetry (right versus left) in the number of perforators was 72.7% (ALT), 65% (DIEP), 59.1% (LA), 41.7% (TDAP), and 30% (MSAP) (p = 0.0351). Conclusions Portable, tablet-based color Doppler ultrasound offers high-resolution images of perforators and represents a facile technology that may be of interest to microsurgeons in the planning of perforator flaps. Variations in vascular anatomy were well-demonstrated. This surgeon-driven imaging technology may represent an excellent alternative to other imaging modalities.
Trading Up: Is Section 337 the New ATS?

There is a crisis in international human rights law. In a series of cases, the Supreme Court has drastically reduced the Alien Tort Statute’s utility as a vehicle for transnational justice, effectively ending a remarkable four-decade string of human rights litigation under the statute. Since 1980, private plaintiffs have filed hundreds of ATS suits in federal courts seeking to hold a rogue’s gallery of international despots, torturers, mass murderers, and their corporate accomplices accountable for violations of international law. But ATS suits proved controversial. The Court’s hamstringing of the ATS was driven largely by concerns over assertions of extraterritorial jurisdiction by private parties that might embroil the U.S. in sensitive foreign policy disputes. As internationally minded social justice activists and scholars mourn the ATS’s demise, they are avidly seeking a replacement. Many increasingly look to state law and state courts as a vehicle for transnational redress. Yet, state law is even more problematic than the ATS as a vehicle for asserting extraterritorial jurisdiction over overseas misconduct and potentially threatens U.S. foreign policy. There is a better option, at least for corporate misconduct, which accounts for the vast majority of the ATS suits. Long overlooked as a remedial tool for extraterritorial violations, Section 337 unfair competition actions in the International Trade Commission (ITC) are well-suited to hold corporations accountable for supply chain abuses. Under Section 337 the ITC has the power to block the importation of goods produced abroad using a broad range of unfair methods and practices. Section 337 is also better positioned than state law remedies to withstand the criticisms that felled the ATS. Its use of in rem jurisdiction and focus on imports avoids the extraterritorial concerns raised by the ATS and other judicial remedies. In addition, the ITC offers an underappreciated hybrid model of private and public enforcement, which mitigates concerns that its decisions will undermine U.S. foreign policy. Expanded use of Section 337 to address misconduct abroad may be particularly attractive to American policymakers in our current circumstances. A new presidential administration is struggling to address unfair trade practices that harm domestic industries and workers while avoiding the damaging economic fall-out from the Trump trade wars. The ITC presents a ready-made tool to level the playing field for American industries, helping our economy recover from the current economic crisis while advancing human rights and environmental justice.
The Composition and Structure of the Carbohydrate of Pineapple Stem Bromelain

Abstract Two major components of pineapple bromelain, purified to electrophoretical homogeneity, appeared to have the same oligosaccharide group consisting of d-glucosamine, d-mannose, d-xylose, and l-fucose in ratios of 2:2:1:1. By exhaustive proteolysis of the bromelains, glycopeptides containing only Asx, Glx, and Ser were obtained. Periodate oxidation, methylation, and glycosidase digestion showed that the oligosaccharide chain has a highly branched structure in which all the neutral sugars are in nonreducing terminal positions and both N-acetyl-d-glucosamine residues occur in internal positions.
A gradient estimate for solutions of the heat equation. II

The author obtains an estimate for the spatial gradient of solutions of the heat equation, subject to a homogeneous Neumann boundary condition, in terms of the gradient of the initial data. The proof is accomplished via the maximum principle; the main assumption is that the sufficiently smooth boundary be convex.
Reduced spin measurement back-action for a phase sensitivity ten times beyond the standard quantum limit

The phase of a collection of spins is measured with a sensitivity ten times beyond the limit set by the quantum noise of an unentangled ensemble of 87Rb atoms. A cavity-enhanced probe of an optical cycling transition is employed to mitigate back-action associated with state-changing transitions induced by the probe.
Magnetic properties of oxygen-depleted YBa2Cu3O7-y single crystals.

Magnetic properties and flux pinning of oxygen-deficient ${\mathrm{YBa}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}$${\mathrm{O}}_{7\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathit{y}}$ single crystals have been studied. The superconducting transition temperature and inductive critical current density decrease as the level of oxygen depletion increases. No obvious enhancement in the pinning strength was found in the oxygen-depleted ${\mathrm{YBa}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}$${\mathrm{O}}_{7\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathit{y}}$ system for the applied field along the c axis. We attribute this absence of enhanced pinning to the mismatch of the oxygen vacancy size with the superconducting coherence length over the entire superconducting regime.
Leakage of a light-activated base: Effect of dentin bonding agents

This study investigated the sealing properties of Cavalite light-activated base material in conjunction with various dentin bonding agents. Thirty extracted molars were selected and cleaned. Slot preparations with standard dimensions were made. The prepared cavities were filled with Cavalite material after application of the dentin bonding agents Gluma, Prisma Universal Bond, Scotchbond 2, and Tenure. Samples were thermocycled for 180 cycles between 3° C and 60° C, then immersed in 0.05% crystal violet solution for 2 hours. The samples were embedded in clear casting resin, sectioned, and examined with a light microscope. Results indicated that Cavalite material used alone, without a dentin bonding agent, allowed the greatest degree of dye penetration. Cavalite material with Tenure bonding agent had the lowest degree of leakage. Cavalite material used with Scotchbond 2, Gluma, or Prisma Universal Bond bonding agents allowed an intermediate degree of dye penetration. According to an analysis of variance, however, there was no statistical difference in the effects of Tenure, Scotchbond 2, and Gluma bonding agents.
Competition as a barrier to establishment of a native perennial grass (Elymus elymoides) in alien annual grass (Bromus tectorum) communities

The alien grass Bromus tectorum dominates stable annual-plant communities that have replaced native shrub-perennial grass communities over much of the semi-arid western United States. We conducted field competition experiments between B. tectorum and a native grass, Elymus elymoides, on two sites to determine the effects of B. tectorum competition on perennial grasses, and the role of B. tectorum competition in the stability of B. tectorum-dominated communities. B. tectorum competition acting on seedling-stage E. elymoides plants greatly reduced first-year relative growth rates and biomass which, in turn, reduced second-year survival, biomass, and flowering. However, B. tectorum competition acting on older E. elymoides plants had much less effect, which may help to explain why intact perennial-plant communities are resistant to B. tectorum invasion. At the drier site, direct effects of B. tectorum competition were less, but competition and drier habitat combined to produce greater E. elymoides mortality.
Evaluation of effectiveness in mutant strains of Rhizobium by acetylene reduction relative to other criteria of N2 fixation.

The feasibility of the acetylene reduction technique for evaluation of comparative effectiveness inRhizobium was tested inR. leguminosarum, R. trifolii, andR. meliloti with strains which were closely related but differed widely in effectiveness. Several variables in sampling and handling of nodules were found to introduce significant error into this sensitive assay. Freezing of nodules destroyed all reducing activity. Removal of nodules from the roots, storage of detached nodules for several hours before assay, and the dry-wet condition of nodules during assay contributed to lowered ethylene production. The time pattern of appearance, increase, and decline of acetylene reducing activity paralleled that of leghemoglobin content in effective pea nodules assayed at different stages of development. In a comparison of strains from all 3 species, there was generally good agreement between the rate of acetylene reduction (assayed at a stage of peak activity for effective nodules only) and plant dry weight, plant nitrogen, or visual ratings of effectiveness. Several exceptional mutants which were rated as partly effective on the basis of nodule type or leghemoglobin content showed little acetylene reduction or N2 fixation. Suitability of the acetylene assay for strain comparison and the question of units of comparison with other criteria of N2 fixation are considered.
Presumed activation of herpetic keratouveitis after Argon laser peripheral iridotomy.

Abstract PURPOSE: To describe presumed activation of herpetic keratouveitis after argon laser peripheral iridotomy. METHOD: Case report. RESULTS: A 68-year-old man developed chronic, unilateral, anterior uveitis associated with decreased corneal sensation, focal keratitis, and increased intraocular pressure after argon laser peripheral iridotomy. Treatment with oral acyclovir and discontinuation of topical latanoprost resulted in prompt and continued control of both the intraocular inflammation and pressure. CONCLUSION: Herpetic keratouveitis may occur after argon laser iridotomy, and it should be considered when postoperative inflammation persists despite appropriate use of topical corticosteroids, particularly in patients with a history of herpetic eye disease.
The American Venous Forum and the lessons learned from the battle of Thermopolae.

f m s R a a a a n a n o For 18 of the past 20 years, I have sat in the audience and listened to every American Venous Forum (AVF) Presidential Address. The majority of the addresses were well written, thoughtful, inspiring, and captivating. As a member sitting in the audience, I listened intently, hoping to glean some pearls of wisdom from the men and women who had the privilege of being president of this great organization. I asked myself if given the opportunity, what would I say when standing at this podium? I have asked myself this question countless times this year and had difficulty deciding on a topic. A presidential address is the one time in an academician’s or practitioner’s career where a presentation is not based on one’s personal research. No data were gathered, no statistical analysis occurred, and the validity of my conclusions cannot be debated based on the flaws of my scientific design. A presidential address is the one time where you can share your life’s experiences and openly discuss personal perspectives. I therefore spoke to previous past presidents and asked them how they chose their topics. One past president from the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) told me to write my conclusions first and work backward. The AVF past presidents told me to discuss my passions in life and share this with the audience. I therefore asked myself what are my passions in life? The answer I gave myself was that I am passionate about my wife and children, I love resident education, I love golf and the NY Giants despite their poor performance this year, I love my cultural heritage, and I love the American Venous Forum. I did not think an exposition on my family, resident education, golf, or football would make a good presenta-
Exploring the Usability of Open Source Network Forensic Tools

Network forensics tools are an important class of tool used by network administrators to monitor network performance and by forensics investigators to understand network compromises. Many of the available tools are open source, created and maintained by a community of volunteer developers and freely available to users. Despite their importance, there is little research on the use and usability of such tools. In this paper, we report the results of a small interview study of users of open source network forensics tools. We identify both the benefits and challenges of such tools, and additional unmet design needs. Additionally, we summarize a heuristic evaluation of one very popular tool, Wireshark, to further illustrate the usability challenges of network forensics tools.
Toward Improving Fracture Toughness of Particle-Reinforced Polymer Matrix Composites

Experimental results have shown that polymer composites that have high fracture toughness tend to have high fatigue wear resistance. The work of fracture found in nacre (mother of pearl) is several orders of magnitude larger than the ceramic (aragonite) it is made of. The organic protein layers in the composite play a significant role in the mechanical response of nacre to stress. In this study, we hope to understand if an energy absorbing interphase similar to that found in nacre could have potential for toughening traditional, glass-particle-reinforced polymer composites. A multi-scale finite element model (FEM) has been developed to study the interaction between the crack and the reinforced particles. In this model, crack nucleation and propagation and the effect of particle/matrix/interphase material properties can all be characterized by the cohesive element and its traction-separation behavior. Loss of load carrying capacity begins when local deformation reaches a certain value, leading to the degradation of the material. Completely degraded elements form a traction-free crack surface. The most important advantage of this methodology for modeling fracture behavior is that macroscopic fracture criteria are not needed. 3-point bending macro-scale FEM serves to calibrate the deformation gradient of the study zone in front of the crack tip. A microscopic unit cell model was used to simulate the crack propagation. Three types of interphase were compared: (1) matrix and particle bonded without interphase, (2) matrix and particle bonded with silane interphase, and (3) matrix and particle bonded with beta-peptide (highly stretchable) interphase. Results show that the stress distribution around the filler and the bulk mechanical properties of the composite can be affected by changes in interfacial properties. Particle-reinforced polymer composites with a more compliant and stretchable interphase (e.g. beta-peptide) will help absorb local strain energy while remaining intact, allowing less damage within the matrix. This type of interphase decreases crack propagation speed and results in an increase of fracture toughness.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
“It's Like... You Discover a New Sense of Being” Involved Fathering as an Evoker of Adult Development

This qualitative study of forty men from a wide range of family contexts examines the relationships between fathering and men's early adult development. Through assuming responsibility for fatherin...
The socialist regime: The intellectual origin of the images

Abstract Every phenomenon exists in several dimensions. It has several ontological attributes, so to speak, which provide opportunities for a variety of interpretations. The Bolshevik Revolution and the Soviet regime could be an example. At the beginning of Soviet history the revolution was seen as the beginning of a worldwide revolution opening an era of liberation for workers all over the world. As the Soviet regime solidified its position, the hope for worldwide revolution faded. In the new context, observers, especially outside Russia, looked at the regime from a different perspective. For them it represented the country's national interests, and its socialist slogans should not be taken at face value. Some believed post-revolutionary Russia was similar to post-revolutionary France and was experiencing its “Thermidor.” Others assumed the revolution showed Russia as a “Eurasian” state where all ethnic/religious groups lived in “symbiosis.” Finally, some assumed the Soviet regime would lead to the transformation of the human species and the human conquest of cosmos. This transition from one image to another does not mean that one illusion, one “wrong” image, follows another. It also does not mean the very notion of true meaning is meaningless simply because no reality exists as a fixed entity, and one could therefore “construct” any type of reality. It simply means that there are many attributes of the revolution, which are revealed in the course of time.
Benefits and Challenges Encountered by Working Students

The purpose of this study was to determine both the positive and negative aspects of work experiences impacting hospitality students while completing their academic degrees. A nationwide sample of senior-level hospitality students and hospitality graduates from 31 leading programs participated in this survey research. The students and graduates identified their educational experiences and common types of work experiences, as well as the impact of these experiences on their academic performance, advancement expectations, and career preparation. Statistically significant differences were found between students and graduates, providing a foundation for understanding overall work experiences and the benefits and challenges faced by students.
Steady Shear and Step Changes in Shear Stimulate Endothelium via Independent Mechanisms—Superposition of Transient and Sustained Nitric Oxide Production

Abstract We propose that fluid shear presents two distinct stimuli to endothelium—the rate of change of flow and flow itself, to which cells sense and respond via independent mechanochemical transduction pathways. We demonstrate that nitric oxide production occurs by two independent mechanisms; a G protein-dependent transient burst stimulated by rapid changes in flow, and a G protein-independent sustained production under steady or smoothly transitioned flow. The novel use of step, ramp, and impulse flow in this study to stimulate nitric oxide production allows the isolation of these individual production events. Impulse flow activates only the G protein-dependent transient burst, which ramp flow fails to stimulate yielding only the sustained response. Step flow, which contains both a rapid increase and a steady flow component, stimulates both pathways, with the response of the superposition of the transient burst and sustained production.
l-DOPA administration to neonate chicks: Effects on behavior and levels of brain biogenic amines

Nachweis, dass bei Kuken die i.v. Injektion vonl-Dopa (100 mg/kg) eine sofortige Uberaktivitat herbeifuhrt. Nach 10 min wurde im Gehirn eine Verminderung des Serotoningehaltes (14%) und eine Erhohung des Dopamingehaltes (12fach) festgestellt, wahrend Adrenalin, Noradrenalin und Histamin unverandert blieben.
Correlates of trabecular and cortical volumetric bone mineral density at the femoral neck and lumbar spine: the osteoporotic fractures in men study (MrOS).

The objective of this cross-sectional analysis was to examine the correlates of trabecular and cortical volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) in 3670 community-dwelling men, mean age 73.6 ± 5.9 years. vBMD was measured by quantitative computed tomography (QCT) and areal BMD by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Demographic, historical, and lifestyle information was obtained by interview, and height, weight, and neuromuscular function were determined by examination. To express the strength of the associations, percent differences (95% confidence interval) were calculated from multivariable linear regression models using the formula 100 (β × unit/mean BMD). Units for continuous variables were chosen to approximate 1 standard deviation (SD). The multivariable linear regression models predicted 15%, 21%, and 20% of the overall variance in trabecular and cortical vBMD of the femoral neck and vBMD of the lumbar spine, respectively. Diabetes was associated with a 16.5% greater trabecular vBMD at the femoral neck and 11% at the lumbar spine but less than 2% for cortical vBMD. For femoral neck trabecular vBMD, the strongest negative correlates were past smoking (-9%), fracture history (-15%), kidney stones (-7%), corticosteroids (-11%), and insulin therapy (-26%). For cortical vBMD, the strongest negative correlate was use of thyroid medication (-2.8%). The strongest negative correlates for lumbar spine trabecular vBMD were fracture history (-5%), antiandrogen use (-19%), height (-8%), and thiazoliainedione use (-22%). Bioavailable estradiol and testosterone levels were positively related and sex hormone-binding globulin was negatively related to trabecular vBMD of the spine. There was no relationship between sex hormones and femoral neck trabecular vBMD. Our conclusion is that correlates of trabecular vBMD and cortical vBMD appear to differ in older men.
The impact of diabetes on arterial reconstructions for multilevel arterial occlusive disease.

Abstract Purpose: Critical limb ischemia due to multilevel arterial occlusive disease often may be treated with an inflow procedure alone; however, a subset patients require a subsequent infrainguinal revascularization for persistence of their symptoms. As diabetic patients typically exhibit a pattern of extensive distal arterial disease, we sought to determine if the presence of diabetes mellitus altered the need for an outflow procedure after inflow bypass. Methods: A total of 504 patients undergoing inflow bypass for occlusive disease and lower extremity ischemia between 1990 and 1998 were entered prospectively into a computerized vascular registry. Inflow bypass procedures performed were as follows: aortofemoral (370; 73%), axillofemoral (56; 11%), femorofemoral (81; 16%). Of these patients, 79 required subsequent outflow bypass for unresolved ischemic symptoms. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the effects of diabetes and multiple other risk factors on the need for an additional outflow procedure. Results: The indications for surgery were limb salvage (78%) and disabling claudication (22%). Overall morbidity was 17.7% (hematoma, 3.8%; wound infection, 2.5%; graft occlusion, 1.3%; myocardial infarction, 2.5%; acute renal failure,1.3%; pulmonary failure, 2.5%; pneumonia, 3.8%). Overall mortality was 0%. Diabetic patients comprised a greater proportion of the total number of patients requiring inflow bypass (301 of 504) as well as a greater proportion of patients requiring inflow and outflow procedures (47 of 79). Diabetes was determined not to be an independent risk factor for the need for multiple revascularization procedures by multiple logistic regression analysis ( P >0.10). Conclusion: Although patients with diabetes are predisposed to the development of distal arterial occlusive disease, in this study the subgroup of diabetic patients who present with aortoiliac occlusive disease were no more likely than patients without diabetes to require multiple levels of revascularization. These findings provide little rationale for simultaneous inflow and outflow procedures based on the presence of diabetes alone.
Reproducibility of quantitative two-dimensional echocardiography

Abstract In order to assess reproducibility of quantitative planimetry, three physicians trained in two-dimensional echocardiography performed five successive studies on one another over 2 weeks (30 total studies). Then each physician traced each study (90 total tracings) for left ventricular and atrial volumes and ejection fraction by means of a modification of Simpson's rule, and left ventricular mass and average wall thickness by means of a truncated ellipsoid formula. Calculation of intertechnician variability, intertracer variability, and 95% confidence limits showed that measurements of volumes were less reproducible than measurements of ejection fraction, average wall thickness, and mass. Mean intertracer variability of 15% exceeded mean intertechnician variability of 11%; this disparity was magnified in the subject who was technically difficult to image. Ninety-five percent confidence limits were: ejection fraction ± 7%, average wall thickness ± 9%, left ventricular mass ± 12%, left ventricular end-diastolic volume ± 11%, stroke volume ± 14%, left ventricular end-systolic volume ± 15%, and left atrial volume ± 19%. Reproducible planimetry data can be obtained in normal hearts with the use of a protocol for quantitative imaging and planimetry.
Notes on the Ceropegiae (Asclepiadaceae) of Ethiopia

The following 4 species and 1 subspecies are described as new: Ceropegia recurvata, C. microgaster, C. erergotana, C.burgeri and Huernia macrocarpa subsp. harerghensis; one variety of Ceropegia stenoloba is elevated to a full species: C. moyalensis and 2 species transferred from Angolluma to Pachycymbium: P. gilbertii and P. semitubisora.