cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Retroactivity controls the temporal dynamics of gene transcription.

Just like in many engineering systems, impedance-like effects, called retroactivity, arise at the interconnection of biomolecular circuits, leading to unexpected changes in a circuit’s behavior. In this paper, we provide a combined experimental and theoretical study to characterize the effects of retroactivity on the temporal dynamics of a gene transcription module in vivo. The response of the module to an inducer was measured both in isolation and when the module was connected to downstream clients. The connected module, when compared to the isolated module, responded selectively to the introduction of the inducer versus its withdrawal. Specifically, a “sign-sensitive delay” appeared, in which the connected module displayed a time delay in the response to induction and anticipation in the response to de-induction. The extent of these effects can be made larger by increasing the amounts of downstream clients and/or their binding affinity to the output protein of the module. Our experimental results and ma...
Tortilla Soup: directed by María Ripoll, with screenplay by Hui-Ling Wang, Ang Lee and James Schamus (earlier screenplay), and Ramón Menéndez, Tom Musca, and Vera Blasi. Produced by John Bard Manulis. New York, NY: Samuel Goldwyn Films, 2001

Tortilla Soup follows the intriguing lives of Martin Naranjo (Hector Elizondo)—a talented chef and restaurant owner—and his three daughters, who, although grown still live with their father in thei...
Comparison of attraction of wing traps and cotton trap plots baited with male boll weevils for overwintered weevils

Once the male boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis Boheman, was found to produce an aggregating pheromone that attracts both male and female weevils (Keller et al. 1964, Bradley et al. 1968, Cross et al. 1969), a variety of traps was devised to make use of these male weevils to capture boll weevils. The present study was made to determine whether 3×5-ft plots of early planted cotton baited with laboratory-reared virgin male boll weevils were as attractive to overwintered boll weevils as wing traps baited with virgin male boll weevils. If the cotton plots were effective and did not require excessive maintenance, they might be substituted for the wing traps in boll weevil survey and control programs.
PSMA-targeted stably linked "dendrimer-glutamate urea-methotrexate" as a prostate cancer therapeutic.

One of the important criteria for achieving efficient nanoparticle-based targeted drug delivery is that the drug is not prematurely released at off-target sites. Here we report the preclinical evaluation of a serum-stable dendrimer-based drug conjugate capable of actively targeting into prostate cancer (PC) cells, delivered through the prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA). Multiple molecules of PSMA-binding small molecule glutamate urea (GLA; targeting agent) and the drug methotrexate (MTX) were conjugated to generation 5 PAMAM dendrimer (G5) through Cu-free “click” chemistry. The GLA was conjugated through a stable amide bond, and the MTX was conjugated either through ester (Es)- or amide (Am)-coupling, to generate G5-GLAm-(Es)MTXn and G5-GLAm-(Am)MTXn, respectively. In serum-containing medium, free MTX was slowly released from “G5-GLAm-(Es)MTXn”, with ∼8% MTX released from the dendrimer in 72 h, whereas the MTX on G5-GLAm-(Am)MTXn was completely stable. The G5-GLAm-(Am)MTXn bound and internalized i...
Additional Evidence for the Validity of the Employer Attitudes Toward Blind Employees Scale

Negative employer attitudes have traditionally been considered one of the major barriers to employment faced by people who are blind or visually impaired. Recent research suggests this continues to...
PD-L1 Detection in Tumors Using [64Cu]Atezolizumab with PET

The programmed death protein 1 (PD-1) and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) pair is a major immune checkpoint pathway exploited by cancer cells to develop and maintain immune tolerance. With recent approvals of anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-L1 therapeutic antibodies, there is an urgent need for noninvasive detection methods to quantify dynamic PD-L1 expression in tumors and to evaluate the tumor response to immune modulation therapies. To address this need, we assessed [64Cu]atezolizumab for the detection of PD-L1 expression in tumors. Atezolizumab (MPDL3208A) is a humanized, human and mouse cross-reactive, therapeutic PD-L1 antibody that is being investigated in several cancers. Atezolizumab was conjugated with DOTAGA and radiolabeled with copper-64. The resulting [64Cu]atezolizumab was assessed for in vitro and in vivo specificity in multiple cell lines and tumors of variable PD-L1 expression. We performed PET-CT imaging, biodistribution, and blocking studies in NSG mice bearing tumors with constitutive PD-L1 e...
Green IT and use of private cloud computing in South Africa

Information Technology (IT) is at the heart of every successful modern business. IT is so pervasive, that energy efficiency through the implementation of green IT has moved to center stage for many companies in their pursuit of helping make a difference for the environment. This paper provides an overview on the importance of implementing green IT, the significant and growing role of IT and data centers in the world's consumption of electric energy and carbon footprint, and the significance of using “lessons learned” and best practice approaches for implementing green IT. Green IT is an ideal way for most companies to make a significant step in the green direction for several reasons. First, IT is continually being refreshed as a matter of company policy in order for the company to remain competitive. That refresh cycle is similar to the refresh cycle for our company owned laptops, i.e. every three or four years. Thus, even for a moderately sized company, servers and data storage are continually being replaced. Replacing the IT equipment and upgrading the application architecture with energy efficient systems such as virtual servers, virtual data storage, and efficient application and database structures, can easily reduce IT power consumption for the replaced equipment by 50 percent. A second compelling reason to move to green IT is that virtual server and virtual data storage technology are methods to allow you to reduce equipment and system management costs for your data center. Include private cloud computing for most of your test / development systems and the savings are even greater. So data center green technology is based around a very solid business case without even considering the savings due to reduction in energy costs. Green IT, Green data centers, and the use of cloud computing for energy efficiency are hot-topics, worldwide. IDC forecasts that for every $1 spent on hardware, power and cooling will consume $1 by 2012. This paper describes power issues at data centers in South Africa based on the author's recent experience. The solutions to these power issues include virtualization of servers and data storage. Cloud computing has become the ultimate way to virtualize IT resources and to save energy. Case study benefits of using private clouds, especially for test and development systems, at companies in South Africa are described.
Feasibility of eliciting the H reflex in the masseter muscle in patients under general anesthesia

Abstract Objective To explore the feasibility of eliciting the brainstem H reflex in the masseter muscle in patients under general anesthesia. Methods We electrically stimulated the masseteric nerve, a branch of the trigeminal nerve, and recorded ipsilateral masseteric and temporalis muscle responses. We tested eight patients who presented with trigeminal neuralgia; one patient had a temporal bone tumor and one patient had a brainstem arteriovenous malformation. All responses were elicited when patients were under general anesthesia and before the initiation of surgery. Results The H reflex in the masseter muscle was reliably elicited in 70% of the patients. The reflexes met the usual criteria for the H reflex because they were elicited below the threshold of the direct M response, and their amplitudes decreased when the M response increased with stronger stimuli. The mean onset latencies of the masseter H reflex and the M response were 5.4 ± 1.3 ms and 2.6 ± 0.6 ms, respectively. Conclusions In the present study, we provide evidence of the feasibility of eliciting the H reflex in the masseter muscles of patients under general anesthesia. Significance The H reflex of the masseter muscle may represent a new method available for intraoperative monitoring. Specifically, this method may be important for the monitoring of brainstem functional integrity, particularly in the midbrain and mid-pons, in addition to the trigeminal nerve path.
The scope of neurology of critical illness.

Abstract Critical illness increases the probability of a neurologic complication. There are many reasons to consult a neurologist in a critically ill patient and most often it is altered alertness with no intuitive plausible explanation. Other common clinical neurologic problems facing the intensive care specialist and consulting neurologist in everyday decisions are coma following prolonged cardiovascular surgery, newly perceived motor asymmetry, seizures or other abnormal movements, and generalized muscle weakness. Assessment of long-term neurologic prognosis is another frequent reason for consultation and often to seek additional information about the patient's critical condition by the attending intensivist. Generally speaking, consultations in medical or surgical ICU's may have a varying catalog of complexity and may involve close management of major acute brain injury. This chapter introduces the main principles and scope of this field. Being able to do these consults effectively–often urgent and at any hour of the day–requires a good knowledge of general intensive care and surgical procedures. An argument can be made to involve neurointensivists or neurohospitalists in these complicated consults.
SM protein Munc18-2 facilitates transition of Syntaxin 11-mediated lipid mixing to complete fusion for T-lymphocyte cytotoxicity

The atypical lipid-anchored Syntaxin 11 (STX11) and its binding partner, the Sec/Munc (SM) protein Munc18-2, facilitate cytolytic granule release by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and natural killer (NK) cells. Patients carrying mutations in these genes develop familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, a primary immunodeficiency characterized by impaired lytic granule exocytosis. However, whether a SNARE such as STX11, which lacks a transmembrane domain, can support membrane fusion in vivo is uncertain, as is the precise role of Munc18-2 during lytic granule exocytosis. Here, using a reconstituted "flipped" cell-cell fusion assay, we show that lipid-anchored STX11 and its cognate SNARE proteins mainly support exchange of lipids but not cytoplasmic content between cells, resembling hemifusion. Strikingly, complete fusion is stimulated by addition of wild-type Munc18-2 to the assay, but not of Munc18-2 mutants with abnormal STX11 binding. Our data reveal that Munc18-2 is not just a chaperone of STX11 but also directly contributes to complete membrane merging by promoting SNARE complex assembly. These results further support the concept that SM proteins in general are part of the core fusion machinery. This fusion mechanism likely contributes to other cell-type-specific exocytic processes such as platelet secretion.
Nab2 maintains thymus cellularity with aging and stress

Thymic cellularity is influenced by a variety of biological and environmental factors, such as age and stress; however, little is known about the molecular genetic mechanisms that regulate this process. Immediate early genes of the Early growth response (Egr) family have critical roles in immune function and response to environmental stress. The transcription factors, Egr1, Egr2 and Egr3, play roles in the thymus and in peripheral T-cell activation. Nab2, which binds Egrs 1, 2, and 3 as a co-regulator of transcription, also regulates peripheral T-cell activation. However, a role for Nab2 in the thymus has not been reported. Using Nab2-deficient (KO) mice we found that male Nab2KO mice have reduced thymus size and decreased numbers of thymocytes, compared with age-matched wildtype (WT) mice. Furthermore, the number of thymocytes in Nab2KO males decreases more rapidly with age. This effect is sex-dependent as female Nab2KO mice show neither reduced thymocyte numbers nor accelerated thymocyte loss with age, compared to female WT littermates. Since stress induces expression of Nab2 and the Egrs, we examined whether loss of Nab2 alters stress-induced decrease in thymic cellularity. Restraint stress induced a significant decrease in thymic cellularity in Nab2KO and WT mice, with significant changes in the thymocyte subset populations only in the Nab2KO mice. Stress reduced the percentage of DP cells by half and increased the percentage of CD4SP and CD8SP cells by roughly three-fold in Nab2KO mice. These findings indicate a requirement for Nab2 in maintaining thymocyte number in male mice with age and in response to stress.
Food Insecurity and Mental Health Status: A Global Analysis of 149 Countries.

Introduction This study sought to determine the association of individual-level food insecurity (FI) with mental health status across all global regions. Methods Cross-sectional data were analyzed in 2016 from the 2014 Gallup World Poll, a series of globally implemented, nationally representative surveys. FI was assessed using the Food Insecurity Experience Scale Survey Module for Individuals, an eight-question psychometric scale reporting individuals' experiences of FI. Individual-level composite indices of mental health, the Negative Experience Index and Positive Experience Index (0–100 scale), were calculated based on responses to five questions of respondents' recent negative and positive experiences, respectively, associated with depression and mental distress. Results The prevalence of any FI ranged from 18.3% in East Asia to 76.1% in Sub-Saharan Africa. In global analyses (149 countries) using adjusted multiple regression analyses, FI was associated in a dose–response fashion with poorer scores on the mental health indices (coefficient [95% CI]: Negative Experience Index: mild FI, 10.4 [9.5, 11.2]; moderate FI, 17.7 [16.4, 19.0]; severe FI, 24.5 [22.7, 26.3]; Positive Experience Index: mild FI, –8.3 [–9.3, –7.4]; moderate FI, –12.6 [–13.8, –11.3]; severe FI, –16.2 [–17.9, –14.5]). Within-region analyses (11 regions) consistently demonstrated the same trends. Conclusions FI is associated with poorer mental health and specific psychosocial stressors across global regions independent of SES. The numerous pathways via which FI may contribute to common mental disorders, and the broad social implications of FI linked to cultural norms and self-efficacy, may contribute to the cross-cultural consistency of the findings.
Intentional outdoor tanning in the United States: Results from the 2015 Summer ConsumerStyles survey

There is limited literature about adults in the United States who usually or always spend time outdoors for the purpose of developing a tan, defined as intentional outdoor tanning. Using data from the 2015 Summer ConsumerStyles, an online cross-sectional survey weighted to the US adult population (n=4,127), we performed unadjusted and adjusted multivariable logistic regressions to examine the associations between demographic characteristics, behaviors, and belief factors related to skin cancer risk and intentional outdoor tanning. Nearly 10% of the study population intentionally tanned outdoors. Outdoor tanning was more prevalent among women (11.4%), non-Hispanic white individuals (11.5%), those aged 18-29years (14.1%), those without a high school diploma (12.7%), and those in the northeast United States (13.2%). The adjusted odds of outdoor tanning were significantly higher among women than men (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.51, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.12-2.04); those with a history of indoor tanning or recent sunburn than those without (AOR 2.61, CI 1.94-3.51; AOR 1.96, CI 1.46-2.63, respectively); those who agreed they looked better with a tan than those who did not (AOR 6.69, CI 3.62-12.35); and those who did not try to protect their skin from the sun when outdoors than those who did (AOR 2.17, CI 1.56-3.04). Adults who engaged in other risky behaviors that expose a person to ultraviolet (UV) radiation were more likely to tan outdoors, further increasing their risk of skin cancer. These findings may guide potential interventions to reduce UV exposure from outdoor tanning.
The Role of the IACUC in the Design and Conduct of Animal Experiments that Contribute to Translational Success

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUCs) have a mandated role under the Animal Welfare Act and under Public Health Service Policy to assure the ethical and humane use of research animals in experiments conducted in the United States. The IACUC by virtue of its mandated functions is well positioned to help nurture an institutional culture of optimized animal use since this Committee is often responsible in large part for the culture of animal use that evolves within an institution. In addition to fostering a culture of humane care for research animals and a culture of working with the concepts of the 3Rs (refinement, reduction, replacement), the IACUC can help foster a culture of optimized animal use that encourages high quality reproducible studies that contribute to translational success. In part this is achieved when the IACUC is successful in encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration early and often within the animal use community it serves. Unfortunately in some instances the institutional research community may envisage the IACUC as a bureaucratic burden, regulatory necessity, and compliance tool more than a group that enhances the methodology and quality of animal experiments. A well-functioning IACUC should strive to nurture an institutional culture that places value in enhancing the scientific quality of research to help assure the reproducibility of animal studies and translational success of animal models. This is integral to both high quality science as well as excellence in the supporting animal care and use.
Corporate Venturing: Implications in a Globalized Environment

Strategy and business management continue to evolve and change in the face of rapidly evolving business environment, but there appears to be a need for improved management techniques. Disruptive innovation, fast follower strategies, and blue ocean techniques have been discussed at length within both the academic and market-oriented publications, but there are alternative options available to innovative and creative management professionals. Adhocracy, and the concept underpinning this idea—the requirement of businesses and management teams to respond dynamically to changes in the business environment, is a reality in the globalized competitive landscape. That said, in order to develop coherent and logical strategies to achieve sustainable advantages it is necessary that the organization have reliable information from which to base decisions. Accounting professionals, specifically management accountants embedded within various aspects of the organization, are uniquely positioned to take advantage of these requirements. Organizations and management professionals need quality information to make quality business decisions, and this where accounting professionals who are able to effectively leverage technology can add significant value to the organization. Innovative thinking, creativity, and the ability to effectively use technology to make better business decisions are very possibly the competitive advantage of the twenty-first century. Management professionals must take note, and be sure to utilize the information available to better navigate the business landscape in a globally competitive and dynamic business environment.
Validation of the Sexual Desire Inventory for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer adults.

The Sexual Desire Inventory (SDI; Spector, Carey, & Steinberg, 1996) is one of the most popular scales used to measure dyadic and solitary sexual desire. Research on sexual desire has primarily focused on heterosexual cisgender experiences, and the SDI has not been validated in lesbian, gay, bisexua
Orientation Process for Newly Credentialed Athletic Trainers in the Transition to Practice

Context: Orientation is an important part of socialization and transition to practice, yet the orientation process for newly credentialed athletic trainers (ATs) is unknown. Objective: To determi...
Multiple comparisons with the mean

Multiple Comparisons with the Mean (MCM), also known as Analysis of Means (ANOM), compares within-treatment means to the grand mean so as to identify treatments with means significantly different from the grand mean. Due to the relative difficulty of exact MCM probabilistic computations, MCM has not been applied much in practice except in the quality assurance setting in which controlled experiments with variance-balanced designs can be conducted. Recently, the health industry has shown an interest in MCM. Since data from health care providers tend to have simple but unbalanced designs, we investigate the feasibility of performing essentially exact MCM probabilistic computations for such designs in this chapter. We find that, for small number of treatments, an algorithm involving complex variable integration is required. However, for moderate to large number of treatments, two simple approximations seem adequate.
An Exploratory Correlational Study in the Use of Mobile Technology Among Adult Kidney Transplant Recipients

Introduction:Rapidly growing use of mobile technology provides a platform for self-management of care support for those with chronic conditions. Few studies have explored the characteristics or acc...
Building Simulation Exercise Capacity in Latin America to Manage Public Health Emergencies

Simulation exercises, whether discussion- or operations-based, are an essential component of public health emergency preparedness and response—so much so that the ability to conduct exercises is in...
Ethics of Belief

No better introduction to Ducasse’s views on religion can be found than his lively correspondence with Dickinson S. Miller on the ethics of belief in which both men used William James’ work as a point of departure. Accordingly, in this chapter, we shall reproduce and comment on this correspondence between old friends, and in the next chapter Ducasse’s ethics of belief will be placed in the context of his philosophy of religion as a whole.
Holistic prediction of enantioselectivity in asymmetric catalysis

When faced with unfamiliar reaction space, synthetic chemists typically apply the reported conditions (reagents, catalyst, solvent and additives) of a successful reaction to a desired, closely related reaction using a new substrate type. Unfortunately, this approach often fails owing to subtle differences in reaction requirements. Consequently, an important goal in synthetic chemistry is the ability to transfer chemical observations quantitatively from one reaction to another. Here we present a holistic, data-driven workflow for deriving statistical models of one set of reactions that can be used to predict out-of-sample reactions. As a validating case study, we combined published enantioselectivity datasets that employ 1,1′-bi-2-naphthol (BINOL)-derived chiral phosphoric acids for a range of nucleophilic addition reactions to imines and developed statistical models. These models reveal the general interactions that impart asymmetric induction and allow the quantitative transfer of this information to new reaction components. This technique creates opportunities for translating comprehensive reaction analysis to diverse chemical space, streamlining both catalyst and reaction development. A workflow for deriving statistical models of one set of reactions that can be used to predict related reactions is presented, facilitating catalyst and enantioselective reaction development.
Next-Generation Sequencing

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is a powerful technology that allows for high-throughput multiplex sequencing. This chapter reviews the key steps in NGS wet lab and dry lab processing. The library preparation process prepares the substrates to be sequenced through nucleic acid isolation, fragmentation, isolation, end repair, adapter ligation, size selection, and target enrichment. Several types of sequencers exist, with sequencing by ligation, synthesis, or direct analysis, and are grouped into short-read and long-read sequencing approaches. The informatics process proceeds through base calling, demultiplexing, generation of FASTQ files, sequence assembly, variant calling, variant filtering, and variant annotation. Finally, we review the flow and storage of sequencing data and the clinical applications of NGS in the care of patients.
The International Tribunal for the Prosecution of Foreign Fighters Responsible for Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law Committed in the Territory of the Syrian Arab Republic Since 2011

The Syrian Civil War is an interesting case in geopolitics if one looks at the evolution of foreign fighters. What began as a demonstration in a southern village of Syria transformed into one of the most devastating conflicts of the twenty-first century. The war brought new challenges to the world as a consequence of this now almost decade-long civil war. Myriad challenges are all too apparent: refugees, terrorism, and reconstruction, among them. The focus of this thesis is on foreign fighters, which I define as those involved in foreign terrorist organizations who continually challenge international law. Prior to the Syrian civil war, foreign fighters did not have extensive support. That came only with the temporary successes of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and other radical extremists during their zenith from 2014 to 2016. Today, the problem that needs to be resolved worldwide is how to handle the return of every foreign fighter as they return to their original homes. No corner of the globe is exempt since recruitment of these foreign fighters reached throughout six continents. Thousands of men and women joined ISIS, and now many will return home following the failure of the self-proclaimed caliphate. ISIS declared its caliphate in 2014, but even before then it used horrendous tactics to recruit new members and seize territory and power; indeed, other Islamic extremist groups pursued similar activities. Many of the crimes committed during the Syrian civil war—rape, massacre, ethnic cleansing, and genocide—were carried out by members recruited into these groups. That begs the questions: Will the world bring justice to the victims of this war? Can anything be done? If there is no court to hold accountable these violators of international law and international human rights, what recourse is there for holding these fighters accountable for actions that have ravaged and prolonged a conflict resulting in millions of displaced people and more than a half a million dead? This thesis aims to answer the following question: What is the most viable option for holding foreign fighters accountable when it is determined that they violated international law during the Syrian civil war? My research suggests that a new international tribunal is required, one that can hold foreign fighters in the Syrian civil war accountable for their actions. Most domestic laws stop short, deciding instead to charge a foreign fighter with membership in a terrorism organization when he/she attempts to return home. Many entities and governments point to international courts as the most viable option for rendering judgment. However, I identify several hurdles in that path, which I discuss. In sum, my research efforts lead me to a more viable approach: establishing an international tribunal through the United National Security Council. To this end, I offer specific suggestions to bring this realistic option to fruition.
Charles Edward Smith: Coccidioidomycologist and public health leader.

Although Charles Edward Smith did not discover coccidioidomycosis, he defined the disease through his infatigueable studies of the epidemiology, clinical findings, and immunology of this infection....
Sleep and motivated behaviors, from physiology to pathology

We continuously experience conflicts between the drive to pursue goals and the need for sleep. Both are vital but mutually exclusive, and individuals need to carefully coordinate them to maximize their fitness. While circadian and homeostatic processes regulate the timing and duration of sleep, motivational drives can modulate and suppress sleep, and adaptive sleeplessness has been documented in several species. The capacity to forgo sleep for extended periods of time to engage in motivated behaviors is intriguing, and much has yet to be determined regarding the precise neuronal underpinnings underlying this process. Here, we will review the current understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms underlying the intersection between sleep and competing needs. We will also discuss the pathological association between dysregulation of motivational circuits and sleep/wake disturbances. We will focus on studies using traditional and nontraditional animal models, including studies in the lab and in the wild.
The Reciprocal Effects of Language Proficiency and Depression among Low Income Latinx Youth.

Objective: Extant research associates language with essential social and emotional processes. Although the risk for depression among Latinx youth in the United States is well documented, the link b...
Cytomegalovirus Pneumonia and Enteritis in an Immunocompetent 18-year-old Male

A previously healthy 18-year old male presented with two months of fatigue and generalized malaise with ten pounds unintentional weight loss. For the preceding two weeks, he developed dyspnea with cough, hemoptysis, nausea, vomiting and drenching night sweats. He is sexually active with females only and did have travel to Central America in the previous eight months. The initial workup included testing for autoimmune disorders, infectious processes, and malignancy. Pertinent positives included an elevated bilirubin (1.5), CRP (35 mg/L), CMV IgG (3.31), IgM (>4), and CMV PCR (1853 copies/mL). HIV …
Nutrient additions have direct and indirect effects on biocrust biomass in a long-term Chihuahuan Desert grassland experiment

Abstract Anthropogenic activities have greatly affected some of the global biogeochemical cycles, including the nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) cycles. This alteration of nutrients has significantly impacted ecosystems around the globe. Arid ecosystems may be particularly vulnerable to changes in nutrient availability, in addition to their frequent limitation by water availability. We conducted a nutrient-fertilization experiment with an emphasis on the cover of biological soil crusts (biocrusts) in the Chihuahuan Desert. We manipulated N, P, and Potassium (K) in a full-factorial design. We visually estimated biocrust cover and fluorometrically measured chlorophyll a as an index of biocrust abundance. We found that there were significant interaction effects of N*P and N*K as well as significant main effects of N and P on chlorophyll a. Results from a path analysis suggest that both N and P had direct positive effects on aboveground vascular plant production and direct negative effects on chlorophyll a. There were also indirect negative effects on biocrust cover and chlorophyll a by vascular plant cover. Overall, nutrient additions had a direct positive effect on vascular plant cover, which in turn had a negative impact on biocrust cover. This indicates a possible mechanism for inter-taxon competition under conditions of increased nutrient availability.
The RSI Potpourri

The medications you use for intubation should be carefully chosen. Not all drugs are right for all situations. Understanding the onset, side effects, and metabolism of your RSI meds will assure you choose wisely every time.
Eyes on the Prize: Improved Biological Surface Registration via Forward Propagation

Many algorithms for surface registration risk producing significant errors if surfaces are significantly nonisometric. Manifold learning has been shown to be effective at improving registration quality, using information from an entire collection of surfaces to correct issues present in pairwise registrations. These methods, however, are not robust to changes in the collection of surfaces, or do not produce accurate registrations at a resolution high enough for subsequent downstream analysis. We propose a novel algorithm for efficiently registering such collections given initial correspondences with varying degrees of accuracy. By combining the initial information with recent developments in manifold learning, we employ a simple metric condition to construct a measure on the space of correspondences between any pair of shapes in our collection, which we then use to distill soft correspondences. We demonstrate that this measure can improve correspondence accuracy between feature points compared to currently employed, less robust methods on a diverse dataset of surfaces from evolutionary biology. We then show how our methods can be used, in combination with recent sampling and interpolation methods, to compute accurate and consistent homeomorphisms between surfaces.
The Unreasonable Case for a Reasonable Compensation Standard in the Public Company Context: Why it is Unreasonable to Insist on Reasonableness

There is no question that corporate executives are well paid. But does high executive compensation mean excessive or unreasonable compensation? And if so, what is the solution to curbing the problem of excessive executive pay? More specifically, should the Internal Revenue Code be used as a means for regulating the actions of public companies?This Article briefly explores these issues. In Part I, this Article provides a narrative of the excessive compensation debate. Without drawing a conclusion as to whether executive compensation is reasonably set or excessive in nature, Part I summarizes the history of public outrage surrounding executive pay. Part I also provides a short discussion of the arguments on each side of the debate. Part II of this Article analyzes Section 162(a)(1) of the Code, which provides for the deduction for a reasonable allowance for compensation. This Part explores the history behind Section 162(a)(1) and how the provision has been interpreted to apply only to compensation paid by private, closely held companies. Part II concludes by determining that the deduction for reasonable compensation allowed under Section 162(a)(1) is different than a deduction only for reasonable compensation and that there is no basis for judging the reasonableness of compensation in the public company context. Part III discusses prior tax legislation enacted in an attempt to control executive pay by setting forth objective standards of reasonableness in the public company context. In addition, Part III summarizes the literature that shows that each attempt to limit executive compensation not only failed to achieve its goal, but also may have led to executives of public corporations receiving larger pay packages. Part IV critiques a recent law review piece which argues that, not only should the Code be used as an instrument to regulate executive compensation, but that the Service should use the vague language of Section 162(a)(1) to achieve this goal. The Article concludes by urging Congress to refrain from using the tax laws to further regulate behavior in this area.
Application of CXCR4-specific agents in the imaging of osteosarcoma

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the expression of CXCR4in osteosarcoma noninvasively,and further explore the role of CXCR4-specific agents in imaging of osteosarcoma as well as its early detection.METHODS:Peptide based CXCR4imaging agents was synthesized and labeled with near-infrared dye for in vitro cell binding studies on osteosarcoma cell line SOSP-9607and it was transplanted to nude mice to establish an xenograft model by means of subcutaneous injection(s.c.).In vivo optical imaging studies were carried out seven days later.The expression of CXCR4in the luminous tissue was detected by immunochemistry.RESULTS:Cell binding studies demonstrated those agents bound to the human osteosarcoma cells SOSP-9607.Near infrared optical imaging demonstrated those agents could be used to detect osteosarcoma at early and late stages of the disease in mice.Immunochemistry staining demonstrated that CXCR4was positive in the luminous tissue.CONCLUSION:We can image osteosarcoma in both early and late disease stages using this molecular imaging agent that specific targets to chemokine receptor CXCR4,and it is surely of paramount in diagnosis and prognosis of osteosarcoma.
Infinitesimal Shape-Similarity for Characterization and Control of Bearing-Only Multirobot Formations

When organizing robots into formations, the interplay between the underlying network topology of the team and the sensing and communication modalities available to the individual robots has a fundamental effect on what types of formations are possible. The purpose of this article is to characterize the available motions of formations in which relative angles between robots equipped with bearing-only sensors are maintained. First, infinitesimal shape-similarity, a property of frameworks for which maintaining certain angles between robots ensures that the formation is invariant to translation, rotation, and uniform scaling, is examined; the shape-similarity matrix is redeveloped, and results on its nullspace are presented. Second, triangulations, a class of frameworks, are shown to be infinitesimally shape-similar. Finally, the coupling between network topology and robot capabilities is examined through the design of a decentralized heterogeneous formation-control strategy for a class of triangulations in which all robots are equipped with bearing-only sensors and a single robot can measure distances; the formation-control strategy is demonstrated on a team of differential-drive robots.
Healthcare disparities in vascular surgery: A critical review.

Abstract Health disparities in vascular surgical care have existed for decades. Persons categorized as Black undergo a nearly twofold greater risk-adjusted rate of leg amputations. Persons categorized as Black, Latinx, and women have hemodialysis initiated via autogenous fistula less often than male persons categorized as White. Persons categorized as Black, Latino, Latina, or Latinx, and women are less likely to undergo carotid endarterectomy for symptomatic carotid stenosis and repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms. New approaches are needed to address these disparities. We suggest surgeons use data to identify groups that would most benefit from medical care and then partner with community organizations or individuals to create lasting health benefits. Surgeons alone cannot rectify the structural inequalities present in American society. However, all surgeons should contribute to ensuring that all people have access to high-quality vascular surgical care.
Rhinoplasty Sizers

Templates and sizers are used as tools to assist in the design and construction of both structural and artistic works. These templates and sizers are used frequently in the field of aesthetic and reconstructive surgery. The use of a template to assist with construction of cartilage grafts in rhinoplasty allows the surgeon to sculpt by replicating the template model. Templates and sizers are useful and advantageous tools in the rhinoplasty operation.
The Birth and Death of Smallpox

Since the beginning of human existence, the evolution of disease has closely followed the evolution of culture. A complex feedback relationship exists between humans and the pathogenic organisms in their environment. Disease has been a powerful selective force, acting on human biology as well as culture. By the same token, human behaviors have been selective agents in disease evolution because cultural practices influence exposure to and transmission of all infectious diseases. Smallpox is an excellent example of these interactions for several reasons. Its related high mortality rate imposes selection pressure on human biology, Its effect on culture and history is virtually immeasurable, The role of smallpox in decimating American Indian populations during conquest is one example of this effect (McNeill, 1976:209). Because smallpox is a uniquely human disease, the variola virus is viable only in the human organism, making it very sensitive to characteristics of human biology and behavior. Finally, its eradication graphically illustrates the power of human practices to be selective agents in the evolution of disease.
Size and Weight Relationships for the Golden Crab, Chaceon fenneri, and the Red Crab, Chaceon quinquedens, from the Eastern Gulf of Mexico

Carapace length, carapace width, and weight relationships are discussed for the golden crab, Chaceon fenneri, and the red crab, Chaceon quinquedens, from the eastern Gulf of Mexico. Males of both species were significantly larger than females in comparisons of means of all measured parameters. Relationships between carapace length and carapace width, carapace length and weight, and carapace width and weight were similar between Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico populations for both species.
Cellular binding of 3H-cytochalasin B.

The binding of tritium-labelled cytochalasin B (3H-CB) to a variety of mammalian cells was investigated. Binding studies revealed near-equilibrium binding of 3H-CB within 5 to 10 minutes, but the equilibrium level was influenced by 3H-CB concentration. Binding kinetics revealed strong temperature dependence. Rapid release of up to 70% of cell-bound 3H-CB molecules occurred when cells were washed and returned to fresh medium without CB. The remaining 30% of cell-bound 3H-CB molecules dissociated more slowly. Equilibrium binding studies on a variety of diploid, heteroploid and transformed cells treated with 1 μg/ml 3H-CB revealed between 1.7 X 107 to 5.3 X 1073H-CB binding sites per cell. Cellular binding of 3H-CB was not affected by inhibition of cellular energy metabolism, RNA or protein synthesis. Modification of the cell surface by proteases, neuraminidase, hyaluronidase, ribonuclease, or occupation of cell surface saccharide residues by a variety of plant lectins did not significantly alter the pattern of 3H-CB binding. Surface pressure measurements on CB-treated lipid monolayers indicated that CB can interact with lipid molecules. The partition of CB in hydrophobic lipid regions of cell membrane systems as a possible mechanism of cellular binding of CB is discussed. Fractionation of 3H-CB-treated cells revealed binding of 3H-CB to both the plasma membrane and by intracellular membranes.
Effects of Acculturation and Access on Recreation Participation Among Latinos

Latinos’ utilization of natural environments in urban areas is affected by a myriad of factors, including acculturation levels and access to natural environments. This study examined the differences in access to natural environments and acculturation levels among Latinos residing in two urban communities and explored the determinants of recreation participation in natural environments. Questionnaires were randomly distributed to 392 Latino households. Descriptive statistics, parametric tests, multiple linear regressions, and binary logistic regressions were utilized in the analyses. Significant differences were found between Latinos residing in the two communities in terms of demographics, acculturation, and access to natural environments, which impacted their frequency of participation in various recreational activities. A major finding of this study was that access to natural environments significantly increases the likelihood of recreation participation. Future interventions may need to focus on increa...
Nonreciprocity and One-Way Topological Transitions in Hyperbolic Metamaterials

Control of the electromagnetic waves in nano-scale structured materials is crucial to the development of next generation photonic circuits and devices. In this context, hyperbolic metamaterials, where elliptical isofrequency surfaces are morphed into surfaces with exotic hyperbolic topologies when the structure parameters are tuned, have shown unprecedented control over light propagation and interaction. Here we show that such topological transitions can be even more unusual when the hyperbolic metamaterial is endowed with nonreciprocity. Judicious design of metamaterials with reduced spatial symmetries, together with the breaking of time-reversal symmetry through magnetization, is shown to result in nonreciprocal dispersion and one-way topological phase transitions in hyperbolic metamaterials.
Measuring career-development volunteerism: Guttman scale analysis using Red Cross volunteers

Volunteers increasingly seek career development over altruistic goals. Studes of volunteers have emphasized professional development, experience, and training; but potentially suffer from reliability and other measurement error. This study presents a new Gullman scale, developed from a survey of 1349 Red Cross volunteers. With a reproducibility coefficient of .93, it displays a high level of reliability. Conforming to the requirements of a scaling model, it has a scalability coefficient of .72. Overall, the scale is a valid model of career development. This Guttman scale could help tie volunteerism into broader theories of behavior, and aid in design and evaluation of programs which more effectively attract volunteers.
The Echoes of Slavery: Recognizing the Racist Origins of the Agricultural and Domestic Worker Exclusion from the National Labor Relations Act.

During the New Deal era, the exclusion of agricultural and domestic employees was well-understood as a race-neutral proxy for excluding blacks from statutory benefits and protections made available to most whites. Remarkably, one of these New Deal era exclusions remains on the books. Despite its racist origins, Section 152(3) of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) still excludes agricultural and domestic workers, completely unaltered after 75 years.This article demonstrates why the NLRA’s agricultural and domestic worker exclusion should be considered a racially discriminatory statute motivated by racial animus. Although most historians have concluded correctly that the exclusion was a concession to southern racism, legal scholars have thus far not reached this conclusion. It is crucial that this law be identified correctly as racist and unjust to provide a rationale for its abolition and to remedy, finally, the ongoing injury it continues to cause to millions of agricultural and domestic workers. A review of the social and political context of the New Deal and the deployment of the same exclusion in related statutes, such as the Social Security Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act, shows how and why the NLRA’s exclusion should be deemed racially discriminatory.Having established that the statute is racially discriminatory, this article makes the case for why Section 152(3) should be considered unconstitutional or repealed. While historical evidence permits us to strip away the law’s race-neutral aura, this article demonstrates how current constitutional standards make the invalidation of such a law difficult. The requirement of proof of discriminatory intent makes it difficult to prove that a racially discriminatory law violates the Equal Protection Clause. While this difficulty is not insurmountable, it raises the troubling possibility that a manifestly racist law might not be found unconstitutional. To ensure that such racism is not perpetuated, the article also explores a strategy favoring legislative repeal of the law.