cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID-19 in solid organ transplant recipients.

Solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients are at high risk for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Studies suggest that early intervention with monoclonal antibody (MAB) treatment directed against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein may reduce the risk of emergency department visits or hospitalization for COVID-19, especially in high-risk patients. Herein we describe our single-center experience of 93 SOT (50 kidney, 17 liver, 11 lung, 9 heart and 6 dual-organ) recipients with mild to moderate COVID-19 who were treated with bamlanivimab or casirivimab-imdevimab per Emergency Use Authorization guidelines. Median age of recipients was 55 (IQR 44-63) years and 41% were diabetic. Median time from transplant to MAB was 64 (IQR 24-122) months and median time from onset of COVID-19 symptoms to the infusion was 6 (IQR 4-7) days. All patients had a minimum 30 days of study follow up. The 30-day hospitalization rate for COVID-19 directed therapy was 8.7%. Infusion-related adverse events were rare and generally mild. Biopsy-proven organ rejection occurred in 2 patients and there were no graft losses or deaths. A comparator group of 72 SOT recipients diagnosed with COVID-19 who were eligible but did not receive MAB treatment had a higher 30-day hospitalization rate for COVID-19 directed therapy (15.3%), although this difference was not statistically significant, after adjustment for age [OR 0.49 (95% CI 0.18-1.32), p = 0.16]. Our experience suggests that MAB treatment, with respect to the available MAB formulations and circulating viral variants present during our study period, may provide favorable outcomes for mild to moderate COVID-19 in SOT recipients. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
“Could Have Chosen Otherwise Under Identical Conditions”: An Evolutionary Perspective on Free Will

Using an evolutionary perspective, this article examines the cogency of the libertarian formulation of free will—that is, that individuals have free will if they “could have acted or chosen otherwise under identical conditions.” The article argues that by representing the agent as a disembodied self acting and choosing in logical rather than in contextualized, lived-in space, the libertarian formulation misconstrues human willing in ways that invite a host of philosophical problems that persist to the present day. This article indicts the Platonic penchant for theoretical explanations consisting of necessary and sufficient conditions that capture the “essence” of terms, while discounting “naturalistic” ones that depict organisms navigating their environments in ways promoting their reproduction and survival. Securing naturalist-based correctives of neuroevolutionary phenomena like “free will” may represent a growth industry for scholars interested in remedying the kinds of problems generated by traditiona...
A Hybrid Global Optimization Approach for Solving MINLP Models in Product Design

Abstract This paper presents a hybrid global optimization approach for solving product design (specifically solvent design) problems modeled by mixed integer nonlinear programming (MINLP). The strategy incorporates a variant of the Outer Approximation mathematical programming algorithm and a soft computing global optimization approach (namely simulated annealing). The suggested approach is not provably globally optimal. However, computational experience with benchmark examples and solvent design MINLP models indicate strongly that the approach gives near globally optimal solutions.
The Impacts of Virtual Experiences on People’s Travel Intentions

As a virtual revolution in emerging media environments, it is believed that the 3D virtual world environment of Second Life will gain more attention and become more pervasive as a new marketing tool in business and tourism industries. The purpose of this study is to investigate flow theory in understanding the impacts of virtual experiences of Second Life on people’s travel intentions. Undergraduate college students at Clemson University were chosen as participants and data was collected in April, 2009, entailing 42 usable surveys. The study results demonstrated that the antecedents of flow and flow experiences in 3D virtual destinations positively associated with people’s intentions to take an actual trip. By engaging in a virtual tourism destination site and experiencing enhanced flow, customers can develop consideration and awareness in their potential destination choice. More systematic research is needed to investigate the virtual experience and its effects on the traveler’s decision making process.
A new space vector modulation strategy for common mode voltage reduction [in PWM invertors]

In this paper, the impact of the inverter modulation strategy on common mode conducted emissions is addressed. Whereas typically passive filter designs are used to mitigate the common mode current produced by the inverter, active filtering is proven to greatly reduce common mode conducted emissions due to the modulation of the power converter. A new space vector modulation strategy is presented for common mode EMI reduction in three- and four-phase DC/AC power converters.
Concomitant percutaneous coronary intervention and transcatheter aortic valve replacement: safe and feasible replacement alternative approaches in high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis and coronary artery disease.

Objective Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is performed as a stand-alone procedure in patients that are not suitable for surgical aortic valve replacement. However, a significant proportion of patients with severe aortic stenosis have coexisting coronary artery disease (CAD). We report concomitant TAVR and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) as a single procedure in such patients. Methods Three patients with severe aortic stenosis and CAD that were high risk for conventional surgery had concomitant alternative approach TAVR and PCI performed. Two patients had PCI and stent placement immediately after the deployment of the transapical transcatheter aortic valve, and one patient had a coronary artery stent placed just prior to the deployment of the transaortic transcatheter aortic valve. Results Two male patients and one female (age range 68–91 years) had 100% procedural success with resolution of symptoms and zero residual stenosis. There were no complications related to neurologic events, worsening renal function, or myocardial infarction. In-hospital and 30-day mortality was zero. All three patients were discharged home with a median hospital stay of eight days. Conclusions In our small series of patients presented we demonstrate that PCI and TAVR performed concurrently in the hybrid operating room is a feasible option in patients undergoing TAVR with coexisting CAD. Furthermore, we propose this single-stage approach in such high-risk patients as it decreases the number of procedures performed and may theoretically lower cost and hospital stay. doi: 10.1111/jocs.12176 (J Card Surg 2013;28:481–483)
Diabetes and Osteoporotic Fractures The Role of the Diabetes Educator

The purpose of this article is to present information that will assist the diabetes educator in screening patients with diabetes for risk of osteoporosis and fracture, to offer appropriate treatment options for patients, and to identify potential referrals to other providers for patients with diabetes and increased risk of fracture.
Feelings of power in a corporate society

One aspect of the well-being of individuals in society is the extent to which they feel that they have the power to affect their well-being within the society. Coleman (1973b) specifies such a feeling of power as a function of the ability to control events in those arenas of action which are of high interest to the individual. In advanced societies, control of resources has shifted into the hands of corporate actors so that those arenas of action which are of interest to corporate actors are dominatd by corporate actors rather than individual persons. The following proposition can therefore be deduced: persons interested in the arenas of action of interest to corporate actors will have lower feelings of power over their well-being than will persons predominantly interested in arenas of action of little or no interest to corporate actors. Using a national probability sample of households in the United States, this proposition is assessed both directly and after controlling for confounding influences of exogenous concepts. The proposition can be rejected as erroneous unless respondent differences in socioeconomic states are controlled. Respondent differences in major demographic characteristics do not greatly affect the proposition.
Enhancement of natural killer cell activity of aged mice by modified arabinoxylan rice bran (MGN‐3/Biobran)

The present study is aimed to examine the possibility of enhancement of natural killer (NK) cell activity in aged C57BL/6 and C3H mice using MGN-3, a modified arabinoxylan from rice bran. Intraperitoneal injection of MGN-3 (10 mg kg - 1 per day) caused a remarkable increase in the peritoneal NK activity as early as 2 days (35.2 lytic units), and the level remained elevated through day 14. The control aged mice had a level of 5.8 lytic units. Enhancement in NK activity was associated with an increase in both the binding capacity of NK cells to tumour targets and in the granular content as measured by BLT-esterase activity. Treatment did not alter the percentage of peritoneal NK cells. Data showed that peritoneal macrophages inhibit NK activity. In conclusion, MGN-3 enhances murine NK activity of aged mice and may be useful for enhancing NK function in aged humans.
Shiga toxin: expression, distribution, and its role in the environment.

In this review, we highlight recent work that has increased our understanding of the production and distribution of Shiga toxin in the environment. Specifically, we review studies that offer an expanded view of environmental reservoirs for Shiga toxin producing microbes in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. We then relate the abundance of Shiga toxin in the environment to work that demonstrates that the genetic mechanisms underlying the production of Shiga toxin genes are modified and embellished beyond the classical microbial gene regulatory paradigms in a manner that apparently “fine tunes” the trigger to modulate the amount of toxin produced. Last, we highlight several recent studies examining microbe/protist interactions that postulate an answer to the outstanding question of why microbes might harbor and express Shiga toxin genes in the environment.
Promoting teacher adoption of physical activity breaks in the classroom: findings of the Central Texas CATCH Middle School Project.

BACKGROUND Research suggests that physical activity breaks (ABs) during class increase students' physical activity levels and provide an academic benefit. This study evaluates a 3-year intervention aimed at encouraging teacher AB use. METHODS Thirty central Texas middle schools were assigned to 1 of 3 conditions: training-only (Basic), training plus facilitator support (Basic Plus), and training/facilitator support and a social marketing campaign (Basic Plus SM). Teachers completed surveys at end of years 2 (N = 1039) and 3 (N = 831) to assess exposure to program, self-efficacy, and frequency of AB use. RESULTS At end of year 3, teachers in facilitator-supported conditions reported increased exposure, self-efficacy, and use compared to Basic condition. Only 43.2% of teachers in the Basic condition reported receiving training in ABs compared to 84.2% and 90.6% in the Basic Plus and Basic Plus SM conditions, respectively. Additionally, a greater percentage of teachers in the facilitator-support conditions reported conducting ABs weekly (Basic = 23.3%, Basic Plus = 34.4%, Basic Plus SM = 38.7%, at year 3; p < .001). CONCLUSIONS Despite perceived barriers, including fear that ABs will detract from instructional time, the intervention was successful in having a core group of teachers implement them weekly. More research is needed to increase the percentage of teachers implementing ABs regularly.
Effect of a High Level of Dietary Iodine on Resistance of Broilers to Mycoplasma synoviae

Abstract In each of 2 trials, 2560 broiler chicks of equal numbers of each sex were housed in a controlled environment house. The house provided 2 chambers of 16 pens each, and chicks were housed 80 per pen on litter with the sexes in separate pens. Birds in 8 pens in each chamber were supplied with diets formulated to be adequate in iodine (I 1 ) and birds in 8 pens in each chamber were fed the I1 diet supplemented with 500 p.p.m. iodine (I501) for the 22- to 57-day-old period. When the chickens were 31 days old in Trial 1 or 30 days old in Trial 2, those birds in one of the chambers were aerosol exposed to a broth culture of Mycoplasma synoviae (Ms.). Growth, feed, mortality, serum iodine and serum Ms. antibody data were obtained. Carcass condemnation data was obtained at the processing plant at 60 days of age. Mycoplasma synoviae-exposed chickens had significantly lower body weight gain than unexposed controls. These results agree with those in a previous report. Male chickens on the I501 diet had significantly less body weight gain than the comparable males on the I1 diet in 3 of 4 treatment groups, but the I501 diet did not affect body weight gain for the female birds. Neither feed conversion, mortality, nor processing plant condemnation was affected by the I501 dietary treatment. Birds on the I501 diet had serum iodine concentration equal to that reported to be effective in disinfecting water.
Three amino acids in the D2 dopamine receptor regulate selective ligand function and affinity.

The D2 dopamine receptor is an important therapeutic target for the treatment of psychotic, agitated, and abnormal behavioral states. To better understand the specific interactions of subtype-selective ligands with dopamine receptor subtypes, seven ligands with high selectivity (>120-fold) for the D4 subtype of dopamine receptor were tested on wild-type and mutant D2 receptors. Five of the selective ligands were observed to have 21-fold to 293-fold increases in D2 receptor affinity when three non-conserved amino acids in TM2 and TM3 were mutated to the corresponding D4 amino acids. The two ligands with the greatest improvement in affinity for the D2 mutant receptor [i.e., 3-{[4-(4-iodophenyl) piperazin-1-yl]methyl}-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine (L-750,667) and 1-[4-iodobenzyl]-4-[N-(3-isopropoxy-2-pyridinyl)-N-methyl]-aminopiperidine (RBI-257)] were investigated in functional assays. Consistent with their higher affinity for the mutant than for the wild-type receptor, concentrations of L-750,667 or RBI-257 that produced large reductions in the potency of quinpirole’s functional response in the mutant did not significantly reduce quinpirole’s functional response in the wild-type D2 receptor. In contrast to RBI-257 which is an antagonist at all receptors, L-750,667 is a partial agonist at the wild-type D2 but an antagonist at both the mutant D2 and wild-type D4 receptors. Our study demonstrates for the first time that the TM2/3 microdomain of the D2 dopamine receptor not only regulates the selective affinity of ligands, but in selected cases can also regulate their function. Utilizing a new docking technique that incorporates receptor backbone flexibility, the three non-conserved amino acids that encompass the TM2/3 microdomain were found to account in large part for the differences in intermolecular steric contacts between the ligands and receptors. Consistent with the experimental data, this model illustrates the interactions between a variety of subtype-selective ligands and the wild-type D2, mutant D2, or wild-type D4 receptors.
Economic consequences of workplace injuries and illnesses: lost earnings and benefit adequacy.

BACKGROUND: This is the first study based on individual data to estimate earnings lost from virtually all reported workplace injuries and illnesses in a state. METHODS: We estimated lost earnings from workplace injuries and illnesses occurring in Wisconsin in 1989-90, using workers' compensation data and 6 years of unemployment insurance wage data. We used regression techniques to estimate losses relative to a comparison group. RESULTS: The average present value of losses projected 10 years past the observed period is over $8,000 per injury. Women lose a greater proportion of their preinjury earnings than do men. Replacement of after-tax projected losses averages 64% for men and 50% for women. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, workers with compensated injuries and illnesses experienced discounted pre-tax losses projected to total over $530,000,000 (1994 dollars), with about 60% of after-tax losses replaced by workers' compensation. Generally, groups losing over eight weeks' work received workers' compensation benefits covering less than 40% of their losses. Language: en
Circle of Least Confusion of a Spherical Reflector

A simple, tractable equation is provided for determining the size and location of the circle of least confusion of a concave spherical reflector. This method is exact for the object at infinity and with wave effects neglected. Designers of large radius Arecibo-like telescopes, both radio and optical, with symmetrical, spherical primaries should find the method useful. The mathematical results are valid for apertures with an angle of incidence up to 45°. Comparisons of the location of the disk of least confusion with longitudinal spherical aberration and the radius of the disk with transverse spherical aberration are presented.
Colorful thoughts about colorful displays

Borgia et al. (2007) critique several points of our recent paper on bowerbird color pattern evolution (Endler et al. 2005). I agree with some of their specific points, but the issues they critique were among our more minor and speculative ones. There also appears to have been some misunderstanding regarding our complex analysis. Borgia et al. (2007) criticized us for not using character state reconstruction and also suggest that the high evolutionary lability of displays within and among lineages limits the use of character state reconstruction. We could not use ancestor state recon-
Fundamental reference data for understanding analytical plasmas—what's missing

Abstract Several areas where fundamental reference data are still needed for the utilization of quantitative atomic and molecular spectroscopy in studying anlytical plasmas are outlined. Possible remedies are proposed for provision of these quantities so that chemists might better design new analytical applications of plasmas. In addition, a general recommendation is made that better funded collaboration amongst analytical and physical chemists would yield large dividends in understanding analytical plasmas, thus, enhancing the facility with which these devices are employed.
Model of Self-Induced Strong Interactions

It is postulated that the theory of self-induced strong interactions possesses an infinite-momentum limit. This limit is defined and its consequences are examined. It is found that some important simplifications occur if the limit exists. The limiting form of the theory is shown to have Galilean invariance with respect to motions transverse to the direction in which the momentum is infinite.
Service discovery in agent-based pervasive computing environments

Directory based service discovery mechanisms are unsuitable for ad-hoc m-commerce environments. Working towards finding an alternate mechanism, we developed Allia: a peer-to-peer caching based and policy-driven agent-service discovery framework that facilitates cross-platform service discovery in ad-hoc environments. Our approach achieves a high degree of flexibility in adapting itself to changes in ad-hoc environments and is devoid of common problems associated with structured compound formation in mobile commerce environments. Device capabilities and limitations, user preferences regarding device usage, application specifics with respect to mobile commerce are factors that our framework adapts to. We have described our initial implementation of Allia over ThinkPads and iPAQs by extending the LEAP Agent Platform and using Bluetooth as the underlying network protocol. In addition, we evaluated Allia's performance by running simulations of our protocol in Glomosim simulator. We also compared our framework against a structured compound-based architecture.
Scale Factor Accuracy and Stability in an Open Loop Fiber Optic Gyroscope

To date, the most sensitive and accurate passive optical gyroscopes have been phase reading interferometers with optical outputs of the form I = I0 (1 + cos ϕtot), where ϕtot is the non-reciprocal phase shift due to all sources. Ideally, the phase shift has only two components: 2ϕs, the Sagnac phase shift (proportional to the rotation rate), and ϕdither, which is introduced by a transducer to facilitate the measurement. In the gyroscope we report here, ϕdither is applied to a "minimum configuration" gyroscope and creates an ac output of the form
Integrated slanted microneedle-LED array for optogenetics

This paper presents a three-dimensional (3-D) flexible micro light emitting diode (μ-LED) array for selective optical stimulation of cortical neurons. The array integrated individually addressable μ-LED chips with slanted polymer-based microneedle waveguides to allow precise light delivery to multiple cortical layers simultaneously. A droplet backside exposure method was developed to monolithically fabricate slanted microneedles on a single polymer platform. A wafer-level assembly technique was demonstrated, which permits large-scale, high-density system integration. The electrical, optical, thermal, and mechanical properties of the 3-D slanted microneedle-LED array were characterized experimentally.
δ-Opioid Receptors and Inflammatory Cytokines in Hypoxia: Differential Regulation Between Glial and Neuron-Like Cells

Emerging evidence suggests that the δ-opioid receptor (DOR) is neuroprotective against hypoxic stress. Since inflammatory factors play an important role in hypoxic injury, we sought to determine if DOR modulates cellular inflammatory process in hypoxia. Since astrocytes produce inflammatory cytokines and play a major role in inflammatory response to hypoxia, we exposed cultured rat astrocytes to severe hypoxia (0.1 % O2) for 3–6 h to examine if DOR activation altered hypoxia-induced expression of proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) along with cell viability. To examine a differential DOR-mediated modulation between glial and neuron-like cells, we also conducted the same experiments in differentiated PC-12 cells. We found that hypoxia reduced cell viability in both astrocytes and PC-12 cells, and DOR activation with UFP-512 (5 μM) effectively protected both the cells against hypoxic insult. Hypoxia markedly increased TNF-α levels in the astrocytes (p < 0.05); however, the same hypoxic stress reduced TNF-α levels in the PC-12 cells. Exogenous addition of TNF-α to the culture media further worsened the hypoxia-induced damage in PC-12 cells. Hypoxia increased the DOR-expression in astrocytes but not in PC-12 cells. DOR-activation reversed the hypoxia-induced changes in TNF-α levels in both the cells. In contrast, the IL-1β levels did not significantly alter in astrocytes and PC-12 cells when exposed to the same hypoxic conditions or following DOR activation. Our novel data suggest that DOR activation inhibits TNF-α mediated inflammatory processes following exposure to severe hypoxia with a differential regulation between glial vs. neuron-like cells.
Chance without Credence

AbstractIt is a standard view that the concept of chance is inextricably related to the technical concept of credence. One influential version of this view is that the chance role is specified by (...
The Synthesis of Hadacidin: Sodium Cyanoborohydride Reduction of α-Oximinoic Acids

Abstract The natural product Hadacidin (N-formyl-N-hydroxy-glycine) has been isolated from various fungi and was found to inhibit the growth of bacteria, tumor cells, and plant and animal tissue1. Specifically, the drug has been shown to be an inhibitor of adenylosuccinate synthetase, consequently blocking purine synthesis de novo as well as purine salvage via either the purine nucleoside cycle or hypoxanthine salvage. Due to this inhibitory activity hadacidin was studied as a chemotherapeutic agent; however, it was found to be only weakly active against various carcinomas2 and therefore has not been made commercially available. There is a current resurgence of interest in the drug due to its ability to affect the growth and development of various organs and organisms in a very specific manner3. This communication presents a simple and rapid synthetic route to the naturally occurring antibiotic, that may find general applicability in the synthesis of a variety of N-hydroxylated amino acid compounds which ...
A methodology for mapping forest latent heat flux densities using remote sensing

Surface temperatures and reflectances of an upper elevation Sierran mixed conifer forest were monitored using the Thematic Mapper Simulator sensor during the summer of 1985 in order to explore the possibility of using remote sensing to determine the distribution of solar energy on forested watersheds. The results show that the method is capable of quantifying the relative energy allocation relationships between the two cover types defined in the study. It is noted that the method also has the potential to map forest latent heat flux densities.
Choices, situations, and happiness

Abstract This article explores some conceptual issues in the study of well-being using the traditional economic approach of inferring preferences solely from choice behavior. We argue that choice behavior alone can never reveal which situations make people better off, even with unlimited data and under the maintained hypothesis of 100% rational choice. Ancillary assumptions or additional forms of data such as happiness measures are always needed. With such ancillary assumptions and additional data, however, the use of revealed preference to study well-being can be significantly improved, so that the choices people make can jointly identify preferences, mistakes, and well-being.
CYP1B1 knockdown does not alter synergistic developmental toxicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are contaminants increasing in the environment largely due to burning of fossil fuels. Our previous work identified a synergistic toxicity interaction in zebrafish embryos occurring when PAHs that are agonists for the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) co-occur with PAHs that are CYP1A inhibitors. This toxicity is mediated by the AHR2, and morpholino knockdown of CYP1A exacerbated toxicity. This study tested two hypotheses: (1) in the absence of functional CYP1A, metabolism of PAHs is shunted towards CYP1B1, which has been shown in mammals to produce more reactive metabolites of PAHs; alternatively, (2) CYP1B1 serves a protective role similar to CYP1A. We used a morpholino approach to knockdown CYP1B1 alone and in co-knockdown with CYP1A to determine whether we could alter deformities caused by synergistic toxicity of PAHs. CYP1B1 knockdown was not different from non-injected controls; nor were CYP1B1+CYP1A co-knockdown deformities different from CYP1A knockdown alone. These data suggest that CYP1B1 is not a significant factor in causing synergistic toxicity of PAHs, nor, in contrast to CYP1A, in providing protection.
Therapeutic effects of plasmid coded mutated major peanut allergen Arah2 for peanut allergy

Abstract Rationale We previously found that immunization with plasmid DNA encoding Arah 2, one of the major peanut allergies, induced anaphylaxis in mice following re-exposure to peanut protein. We hypothesized that the plasmid DNA encoding engineered (mutated) Arah2 (pmAra h2) may be effective and safe for treating peanut allergy in this model. Methods Peanut allergic mice (C3H/HeJ, n=5/group) were treated intranasally (i.n.)or rectally (rt) with naked pmArah2 or pmArah2 mixed with lipofectamine (pmAra h2-lipo), or mock DNA 3 weeks following the initial peanut sensitization for total 3 times at two week intervals. Three weeks following the last treatment, mice were challenged with peanut. IgE levels 1day prior to challenge, anaphylactic symptom scores following challenge and cytokine production by splenocytes of challenged mice were determined. Results IgE levels were significantly lower in both i.n. and r.t. naked pmArah2-treated and the rt. pmAra h2-lipo-treated groups than the mock DNA-treated groups (p Conclusions Plasmid DNA encoding only one of the mutated peanut allergens, mAra h2 is effective in preventing peanut induced anaphylaxis. This approach might be a potential novel immunotherapy for peanut allergy.
Influence of Temperature and Salt Addends on Vapor Equilibration of Headspace

SUMMARY The effects and interrelationships of time, temperature, and solute concentration on the vapor space equilibration of a dilute ester system is described. The results, which are of interest to those engaged in gas chromatographic headspace analysis or in sniff-test methodology, show that dilute solutions behave in a predictable manner, even though the data do not fit the Clausius-Clapeyron equation.
Can integrative bargaining last

M ost members of the public would characterize labor-management relations in the United States today as too adversarial. On the whole, they view labor relations simply as strikes, protracted negotiations over wages, and arms-length relationships. In bargaining theory terms; unions and employers engage in distributive bargaining: formal negotiations over a fixed set of issues between parties with clearly conflicting goals often occurring within a relationship characterized by considerable distrust. Calls for greater labor-management cooperation abound in the media. Political leaders, observers concerned about the competitiveness of the U.S. economy, and participants in the labor relations process are among those urging more cooperation between labor and management. Both the recent and earlier history of labor management relations tell us that temporary episodes of cooperation can and do occur. However, longer lasting cooperation-what can be termed truly integrative bargaining, where the parties restructure the employment relationship to focus on their joint or common interests-is harder to achieve. While the center of gravity of collective bargaining in the United States has historically been more at arms-length or distributive than integrative, there have been periods when more cooperative or integrative processes emerged. These periods, such as during World War II, in the early 1960s and again in the first half of the 1980s, were times when strong external pressures or threats required the parties to put aside confrontational tactics and focus on their common interest in meeting the external threat. However, when such pressures subsided in the past, the parties invariably returned to their mor~ traditional adversarial relationships. A reversion again can be expected to occur unless the parties use the crisis period to make fundamental changes in the underlying structure of the relationships that align their basic or long-term interests more closely, and put in place styles of management or interaction that build and sustain mutual trust. This will require broadening of traditional labor-management relationships. It will be necessary to shift the focus from formal contract negotiations and grievance handling to an organizational strategy based on employment continuity, information sharing, problem solving, and participation. Moreover, these principles must rest on a joint commitment of
Modularized battery management for large lithium ion cells

Abstract A modular electronic battery management system (BMS) is described along with important features for protecting and optimizing the performance of large lithium ion (LiIon) battery packs. Of particular interest is the use of a much improved cell equalization system that can increase or decrease individual cell voltages. Experimental results are included for a pack of six series connected 60 Ah (amp-hour) LiIon cells.
Preterm premature rupture of membranes: Aggressive tocolysis versus expectant management

The objective of our study is to determine whether aggressive tocolysis in patients with preterm premature rupture of membranes between 24 and 34 weeks gestation improves neonatal outcome. Patients with documented preterm premature rupture of membranes between 24 and 34 weeks gestation were prospectively randomized to group I, aggressive tocolysis with intravenous magnesium sulfate, or to group II, no tocolysis. The lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio was determined upon hospital admission and every 48-96 hours until delivery. Both groups received weekly steroids and antibiotics pending culture results and were promptly delivered when chorioamnionitis, fetal stress, or an Lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio of > or = 2.0 occurred. The study group involved 145 patients. No statistically significant differences between groups I (n = 78) and II (n = 67) were observed regarding demographic characteristics, gestational age at enrollment or at delivery, latency, development of clinical chorioamnionitis, birth weight, number of days in neonatal intensive care unit, days on oxygen or ventilatory support, frequency of hyaline membrane disease, necrotizing enterocolitis, intraventricular hemorrhage, neonatal sepsis, or neonatal mortality. Our data suggest that tocolysis in patients with preterm premature rupture of membranes does not significantly improve perinatal outcome.
Thermodynamics of transfer of hydrochloric acid from water to aqueous glucose at 25°C

Enthalpies of transfer of HCl from water to aqueous glucose were determined calorimetrically at 25°C at several mixed solvent compositions ranging up to glucose mole fraction X3=0.0624 (40 wt. %). These were combined with free energies of transfer calculated from emf measurements to yield entropies of transfer, and all properties are compared with those observed for HCl and NaCl transfer to other aqueous nonelectrolyte mixed solvents.
New compounds: Mannich bases from 1,2-diphenylindolizine--N-substituted cyclohexylaminomethyl derivatives.

Seven new Mannich bases, involving N-substituted cyclohexylamines and 1,2-diphenylindolizine, have been synthesized as potential biologically active compounds.
Variable temperature infrared study of copper sulfate pentahydrate dehydration

Abstract Copper sulfate pentahydrate dehydration is studied by using variable temperature diffuse reflection infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (VT-DRIFTS). In a static environment, dehydration proceeds sequentially from the pentahydrate to the trihydrate and then to the monohydrate. When helium purge is employed while heating samples, the monohydrate is formed directly from the pentahydrate. Infrared spectral features show that in a static environment, lattice water molecules are involved in coordinated motions, which are absent when purge is employed. Differences between crystal structures obtained in the static and purge environments are explained by equilibrium processes that depend on local water vapor concentration and lattice water environments.
Alfred Werner's Theory of Acids, Bases, and Hydrolysis

(1973). Alfred Werner's Theory of Acids, Bases, and Hydrolysis. Ambix: Vol. 20, No. 1, pp. 53-66.
Angiogenesis and Lymphangiogenesis—Implications for Corneal Immunity

It is now widely acknowledged that vasculogenesis and immunogenic inflammation are intricately related in many tissues. However, less understood is to what extent blood (heme) angiogenesis (HA) and lymphangiogenesis (LG) are differentially regulated, and in turn contribute potentially to different aspects of adaptive immunity generated to corneal antigens. Herein, we will provide a brief synopsis of relevant work in this field by focusing particularly on the differential regulation of immunity by these two distinct vasculogenic processes in the cornea, illustrating that in spite of significant redundancies in the mechanisms that induce these vascular processes in the cornea, there are also important distinctions in what aspects of immunity are promoted by them.
Effects of Planning Aids and Presentation Media on Performance and Affective Responses in Strategic Decision-Making

The Dialectical Inquiry System DIS and the Devil's Advocate DA have been recommended as strategic decision-making aids and as improvements on the traditional expert E approach in which strategic decisions are based on preliminary analyses and proposals by staff experts. Previous research on the effects of the DIS and DA has produced conflicting results. In the present study, subjects produced alternative strategies and recommendations for a company described in a case. They were given the E, DA, or DIS treatment either in written form or via videotape. In addition, some were assigned to a control C group and received no planning assistance. The results showed that the written DA, the videotape DI, and the videotape E treatment caused subjects to generate fewer functional area alternatives than the C subjects. Further, the subjects receiving the written DA generated more strategic alternatives than those receiving the written DIS or E. The DA also reduced the effects of an "expert report" on subjects' final recommendations while the DIS did not. Subjects given the DA and DIS reported greater satisfaction with the process than those given the E.
The interaction between water and the polar head in inverted phosphatidylcholine micelles. A 2H and 31P relaxation study.

Abstract 2 H and 31 P spin-lattice relaxation times ( T 1 ) were studied for invented egg phosphatidylcholine micelles in CCl 4 as functions of 2 H 2 O concentration. When the 2 H 2 O/phosphatidylcholine mole ratio changed from 1.0 to 18.0, T 1 of 31 P increased by about 2.6 fold, whereas T 1 of 2 H increased by about 50 fold. A quantitative analysis of the deuterium T 1 data showed that there is only one water molecule tightly bound to the polar head, and it is in rapid exchange with the rest of the water molecules. The activation energy for the deuterium T 1 was 7.1 ± 0.8 kcal/mol (30 ± 3 kJ/mol), and was independent of the 2 H 2 O concentration.
Interatomic potentials for atomistic simulations of the Ti-Al system

Semiempirical interatomic potentials have been developed for Al, $\ensuremath{\alpha}\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{Ti},$ and $\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{TiAl}$ within the embedded atom method (EAM) formalism by fitting to a large database of experimental as well as ab initio data. The ab initio calculations were performed by the linearized augmented plane wave (LAPW) method within the density functional theory to obtain the equations of state for a number of crystal structures of the Ti-Al system. Some of the calculated LAPW energies were used for fitting the potentials while others for examining their quality. The potentials correctly predict the equilibrium crystal structures of the phases and accurately reproduce their basic lattice properties. The potentials are applied to calculate the energies of point defects, surfaces, and planar faults in the equilibrium structures. Unlike earlier EAM potentials for the Ti-Al system, the proposed potentials provide a reasonable description of the lattice thermal expansion, demonstrating their usefulness for molecular-dynamics and Monte Carlo simulations at high temperatures. The energy along the tetragonal deformation path (Bain transformation) in $\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{TiAl}$ calculated with the EAM potential is in fairly good agreement with LAPW calculations. Equilibrium point defect concentrations in $\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{TiAl}$ are studied using the EAM potential. It is found that antisite defects strongly dominate over vacancies at all compositions around stoichiometry, indicating that $\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{TiAl}$ is an antisite disorder compound, in agreement with experimental data.
Resistive training maintains bone mineral density in postmenopausal women.

We examined the effects of a total body resistive training program (RT) on total and regional bone mineral density (BMD) in older women. Twenty-seven healthy postmenopausal women (mean age 62 ± 1 years) participated in a strength training program three times/week for 16 weeks. Strength was assessed before and after training by either one or three repetition maximum (1RM and 3RM) tests. Both upper and lower body strength significantly increased by 36–65% and 32–98%, respectively, after training. There was a small but significant decrease in body weight and body mass index after training (P < 0.05), with no change in the waist-to-hip ratio. BMD, assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, did not change over the duration of the training period in the anterioposterior spine (L2–L4), femoral neck, Ward's triangle, and greater trochanter. BMD of the total body, lateral spine (B2–B4), and the regions of the radius (1/3 radius and ultradistal radius) also did not fall in subsets of these women. Muscular strength of both the leg and chest press were significantly associated with L2–L4, femoral neck, Ward's triangle, and greater trochanter BMD (range r = 0.57–0.84, all P < 0.005). Markers of bone turnover, namely, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, and urinary aminoterminal cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen did not change significantly. In conclusion, a resistive training program maintains BMD and improves muscular strength in healthy, older women. This may be important in preventing the negative health outcomes associated with the age-related loss of bone density.
Detection of Nitrogen and Neon in the X-ray Spectrum of GP Com with XMM/Newton

We report on X-ray spectroscopic observations with XMM/Newton of the ultra-compact, double white dwarf binary, GP Com. With the Reflection Grating Spectrometers (RGS) we detect the L(alpha) and L(beta) lines of hydrogen-like nitrogen (N VII) and neon (Ne X), as well as the helium-like triplets (N VI and Ne IX) of these same elements. All the emission lines are unresolved. These are the first detections of X-ray emission lines from a double-degenerate, AM CVn system. We detect the resonance (r) and intercombination (i) lines of the N VI triplet, but not the forbidden (f) line. The implied line ratios for N VI, R = f/i less than 0.3, and G = (f + i ) / r approx. = 1, combined with the strong resonance line are consistent with a dense, collision-dominated plasma. Both the RGS and EPIC/MOS spectra are well fit by emission horn an optically thin thermal plasma with an emission measure (EM) is a member of (kT/6.5 keV)(sup 0.8) (model cevmkl in XSPEC). Helium, nitrogen, oxygen and neon are required to adequately model the spectrum, however, the inclusion of sulphur and iron further improves the fit, suggesting these elements may also be present at low abundance. We confirm in the X-rays the under- abundance of both carbon and oxygen relative to nitrogen, first deduced from optical spectroscopy by Marsh et al. The average X-ray luminosity of approx. = 3 x 10(exp 30) ergs/s implies a mass accretion rate dot-m approx. = 9 x 10(exp -13) solar mass/yr. The implied temperature and density of the emitting plasma, combined with the presence of narrow emission lines and the low dot-m value, are consistent with production of the X-ray emission in an optically thin boundary layer just above the surface of the white dwarf.
TH‐C‐17A‐09: Direct Visualization and Monitoring of Medical Radiation Beams in Air

Purpose: Radiation therapy errors are rare but potentially catastrophic. Recent fatal incidents could have been avoided by utilizing real-time methods of monitoring delivery of radiation during treatment. However, few existing methods are practical enough to be used routinely. The study presents the first experimental demonstration of a novel non-perturbing method of monitoring radiation therapy through the phenomena of air scintillation. Methods: Monitoring of radiation delivery was devised by leveraging the phenomena of nitrogen excitation in air by ionizing radiation. The excitation induced weak luminescence in the 300–400 nm range, a process called air scintillation. An electron-multiplication charge-coupled device camera (f/0.95 lens; 440 nm shortpass) was set-up in a clinical treatment vault and was used to capture air scintillation images of kilovoltage and megavoltage beams. Monte Carlo simulations were performed to determine the correlation of radiation dose to air scintillation. Results: Megavoltage beams from a Varian Clinac 21EX and kilovoltage beams from an orthovoltage unit (50 kVp, 30 mA) were visualized with a relatively short exposure time (10 s). Cherenkov luminescence produced in a plastic transparent phantom did not interfere with detection of air scintillation. The image intensity displayed an inverse intensity falloff (r2 = 0.89) along the central axis and was proportional to dose rate (r2 = 0.9998). As beam energy increased, the divergence of the imaged beam decreased. Last, air scintillation was visualized during a simulated total skin irradiation electron treatment. Conclusion: Air scintillation can be clinically detected to monitor a radiation beam in an inexpensive and non-perturbing manner. This new method is advantageous in monitoring for gross delivery and uniquely capable of wide area in a single acquisition, such as the case for online verification of total body / skin / lymphoid irradiation treatments.
Gallium nitrate suppresses lupus in MRL/lpr mice

Gallium (Ga) nitrate, a drug which prevents a variety of experimental autoimmune diseases, was investigated in a murine model of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In one experiment, female MRL/Mp lpr/lpr (MRL/lpr) mice were randomized into 2 groups of 6: 1) vehicle (trisodium citrate) and 2) Ga. Subcutaneous injections began at 3 weeks of age and continued weekly until the mice were euthanized a week after the thirteenth injection. The loading dose of Ga (calculated as elemental Ga) was 45 mg/kg, followed by 15 mg/kg/week. In another experiment (n = 18) with 3 males and 3 females per group, mice received 1) vehicle, 2) Ga x 1 (one 45 mg/kg dose), and 3) Ga x 13. In the experiment with 12 mice, axillary lymph nodes from Ga-treated mice were significantly smaller than those from vehicle-treated mice (91+/-42 and 360+/-358 mg respectively, mean+/-SD), and spleens as well as lymph nodes from the former showed significantly less lymphoid infiltrate. In the experiment with 18 mice, prescapular lymph nodes weighed 312+/-98, 217+/-52, and 42+/-34 mg, and spleens weighed 732+/-492, 409+/-164, and 192+/-93 mg in the groups which received vehicle, Ga x 1, and Ga x 13 respectively. Control mice had significantly more lymphoid infiltrates in the lungs, spleen, and lymph nodes and, unlike Ga x 13 mice, exhibited glomerulitis and renal vasculitis. Within groups, females developed more severe disease than males. The Ga x 13 group had increased percentages of CD4-bearing and CD8-bearing lymphocytes in lymph nodes and increased CD4-bearing lymphocytes in the spleen, with an increased proliferative response to mitogen stimulation in vitro in lymph nodes, although not in the spleen. The Ga x 13 group also gained less weight and developed osteosclerosis. Although preliminary, our findings suggest that clinical trials with Ga in SLE are merited.