cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Surgical Techniques for the Reconstruction of Medial Collateral Ligament and Posteromedial Corner Injuries of the Knee: A Systematic Review

Purpose To systematically review reconstruction techniques of the medial collateral ligament (MCL) and associated medial structures of the knee (e.g., posterior oblique ligament). Methods A systematic review of Medline/PubMed Database (1966 to November 2013), reference list scanning and citation searches of included articles, and manual searches of high-impact journals (2000 to July 2013) and conference proceedings (2009 to July 2013) were performed to identify publications describing MCL reconstruction techniques of the knee. Exclusion criteria included (1) MCL primary repair techniques or advancement procedures, (2) lack of clear description of MCL reconstruction technique, (3) animal models, (4) nonrelevant study design, (5) and foreign language articles without available translation. Results After review of 4,600 references, 25 publications with 359 of 388 patients (92.5%) were isolated for analysis, including 18 single-bundle MCL and 10 double-bundle reconstruction techniques. Only 2 techniques were classified as anatomic reconstructions, and clinical and objective outcomes (n = 28; 100% Conclusions This systematic review demonstrated that numerous medial reconstruction techniques have been used in the treatment of isolated and combined medial knee injuries in the existent literature. Many variations exist among reconstruction techniques and may differ by graft choices, method of fixation, number of bundles, tensioning protocol, and degree of anatomic restoration of medial and posteromedial corner knee restraints. Further studies are required to better ascertain the comparative clinical outcomes with anatomic, non-anatomic, and tendon transfer techniques for medial knee reconstruction. Level of Evidence Level IV, systematic review of level IV studies and surgical techniques.
Solomon Stoddard's theories of persuasion

After setting in proper perspective the nature and extent of the influence of the Reverend Solomon Stoddard, the author attempts to show that in major degree Stoddard's influence depended upon his theories and practice of persuasion. To accomplish his persuasive goal of promoting increased religious devotion—under control of the Church, Stoddard applied an integrated pattern of persuasion: he evoked the aid of civil authorities, urged New Englanders to reform, swept the people into the churches by changes in admission policies, exerted greater control over individuals and churches by means of reforms of liturgy and church organization, and—most important to students of speech—practiced and taught to other ministers his techniques for inducing conversion.
Charge-density-wave-gap formation in the two-dimensional Holstein model at half-filling

We use a combination of quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) methods and analytic continuation techniques to study the formation of charge-density-wave (CDW) gaps at half-filling in the two-dimensional Holstein model. From QMC data for the dressed unequal-time Green's function G(\ensuremath{\tau},p) we calculate the real frequency spectral function A(\ensuremath{\omega},p) for different temperatures T, electron-phonon coupling constants g, phonon frequencies ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\omega}}}_{0}$, and spatial lattice sizes N. We also compute the spectral functions by approximate diagrammatic methods and find these results to be in good qualitative agreement with the QMC results. We discuss attempts to get quantitative agreement for a range of T and ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\omega}}}_{0}$ by using a single renormalized vertex g\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{} in place of g, an approach that proved useful in previous studies of the Hubbard model. Finally, comparisons are made with previous estimates of the CDW transition temperature based on measurements of static correlation functions and susceptibilities.
Water-responsive laryngeal receptors in the dog are not specialized endings.

Abstract The primary purpose of this study was to ascertain whether laryngeal receptors activated by water are specialized endings or whether they also respond to other stimuli, such as pressure, temperature and laryngeal motion as they occur during the breathing cycle. In 35 anesthetized mongrel dogs, breathing spontaneously through a lower cervical tracheostomy, water and other test solutions at approximately 37°C were injected into the functionally isolated larynx with a small catheter. Of the 130 receptors studied, none of the cold receptors (N = 13) responded to water, whereas approximately 60% of all laryngeal mechanoreceptors (72 of 117) responded with either a short delay, short duration or a long delay, long duration response. In general the former pattern of response was exhibited by nonrespiratory-modulated receptors, whereas the latter was typical of respiratory- modulated receptors. The specific nature of the stimulus (hypotonicity or lack of chloride ion) of the water response was further studied in 53 receptors with isoosmotic solutions of dextrose and sodium gluconate. The long delay, long duration response was dependent on a decreased osmolality, while the short delay, short duration response was dependent on the lack of chloride ion of the test solutions. All water-responsive receptors tested (N = 17) were blocked within 50 sec by topically applied 2% lidocaine and thus presumed to be superficial. However, 10 receptors which did not respond to water were also blocked within 50 sec, suggesting that not all superficial receptors are stimulated by water. Based on these observations, we propose that changes in osmolality or ionic composition of the laryngeal surface liquid could play an important role in modifying reflexes involved in the maintenance of upper airway patency.
Low-Frequency Electrochemical Impedance for Measuring Corrosion of Epoxy-Coated Reinforcing Steel in Concrete

Abstract The electrochemical impedance of a system consisting of partially disbonded epoxy-coated reinforcing steel in concrete has been modeled. The system is assumed to incorporate crevices under...
Integrin αvPromoter Activity in Keratinocytes

Background. During reepithelialization keratinocytes show increased expression of the integrin subunit α v . We have investigated the promoter region of the α v integrin subunit to learn more about its regulation. Methods. The promoter region of the human integrin α v gene was cloned into a luciferase reporter vector. Deletional mutants were created using PCR. Computerized sequence analysis was performed using the Wisconsin Package. Gel-shift analysis was performed using keratinocyte nuclear extracts and oligonucleotides spanning the regions of interest. Results. Deletion from -522 bp to -235 resulted in no discernible effect on promoter activity. In contrast deletion of the next 22 bp, which included a putative ets binding site, reduced activity by approximately half. Further deletion to -139 bp essentially abolished promoter activity. Computer searching of this region of the integrin α v promoter revealed two tandemly repeated motifs, TCCTCCTCC, that had previously been implicated in the function of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) promoter. Comparison of the α v integrin promoter to the EGFR promoter revealed an area of high homology in this region. Gel-shift analysis revealed binding of a single-strand specific DNA binding protein to single-stranded oligos comprising these motifs, but no binding of factors to the doublestranded oligo containing the ets binding site. Conclusions. In keratinocytes α v integrin expression is controlled by a region of the promoter with high homology to the epidermal growth factor receptor promoter. This region binds single-strand specific DNA binding proteins that are likely to be important in controlling transcription.
CT colonography: surveillance in patients with a history of colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. It is also a disease that is preventable if precursor adenomatous polys are removed. Once a diagnosis of colorectal cancer is made, surgical resection is the only means of cure. The ability to resect colorectal cancer for cure is largely dependent upon the stage of tumor at presentation. Once a patient has been treated for colorectal cancer with surgery and in some cases neo-adjuvant or adjuvant therapy, they will present for follow-up. Surveillance is performed on these patients in order to detect local recurrence that if detected early can be surgically resected for cure. Surveillance also allows detection of distant metastatic disease that may in some cases also be cured with resection. Finally, surveillance of the remaining colon is important to detect the development of new or metachronous adenomatoid polyps that if left in place could develop into new colon cancers. Imaging can play a part in patient surveillance to detect recurrent disease at extracolonic sites as well as the development of new colonic lesions. CT colonography is a promising tool for surveillance in patients with a history of colorectal cancer.
A comparative study of ethanol, hypoglycemia, hypoxia and neurotrophic factor interactions with fetal rat hippocampal neurons: a multi-factor in vitro model for developmental ethanol effects

Abstract Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is characterized by numerous central nervous system anomalies, with the hippocampus being particularly vulnerable to developmental ethanol exposure. In addition to direct ethanol neurotoxicity, other conditions resulting from maternal ethanol consumption, such as hypoglycemia and hypoxia, may also contribute to FAS. The present study used a tissue culture system to model multiple conditions which may relate to in vivo FAS, and assessed their relative neurotoxicity with MTT assays. Gestational day 18 rat hippocampal cultures were exposed to varying ethanol concentrations, glucose withdrawal-induced hypoglycemic (gwHG, 16 h) or acute hypoxic (aHP, 2 h) conditions alone, as well as to co-treatments with ethanol and gwHG or aHP. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) have previously been shown to ameliorate ethanol-, hypoglycemia- and hypoxia-induced neurotoxicity. Therefore, their neuroprotective potential, along with ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), was examined. Neuronal viability was reduced dose-dependently by ethanol, alone or with hypoglycemia or hypoxia. Ethanol+gwHG or aHP was not uniformly additive. NGF treatment provided the most extensive neuroprotection, being effective against ethanol (200 and 400 mg/dl), gwHG, and aHP, alone and combined. BDNF afforded similar protection, but not against ethanol+gwHG. CNTF protected only against aHP. CNTF+BDNF, previously shown to act synergistically, protected against ethanol+aHP up to 800 mg/dl ethanol, but not, paradoxically, against ethanol alone, gwHG, or ethanol+gwHG, all conditions BDNF alone protected against. This study demonstrated that several neurotrophic factors are capable of mitigating neurotoxicity associated with ethanol, hypoglycemia and hypoxia.
Central Governing Incapacity and the Weakness of Political Parties: Russian Democracy in Disarray

Political parties can be an important mechanism by which to better integrate states in the developing world. Despite this, in Russia parties continue to penetrate provincial politics only weakly and thus do not help to integrate the state and enhance its abilities to govern in the periphery by extension. Drawing on evidence of weak central-state capacity to govern in the Russian provinces and correspondingly weak political party penetration, emergent political and economic actors have little interest in building political parties and increasing state integration and capacity as a result. The article concludes with a discussion of the implications of the argument and analysis for the future of Russian political and economic development. M ore than ten years after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia continues to enjoy flickering developmental success. Despite the declarations of Russia's second popularly elected president, Vladimir Putin, and his institutional innovations designed to strengthen the Russian state and push reform further, it is unclear that he yet possesses the institutional weaponry with which to accomplish these formidable tasks. Putin quickly diagnosed one of Russia's clear afflictions-a weakly integrated state-and he has put forward a variety of institutional cures. He has, however, so far ignored an important, but often overlooked factor that contributes to Russia's weak integration-the underdevelopment of its party system in the provinces. The article is divided into four sections. Part one briefly discusses Putin's attempts to reintegrate the Russian state. This section makes a case for the importance of political parties as sources of political integration and centralstate capacity to exert its authority beyond the Kremlin. Part two presents empirical evidence showing the degree to which the Russian state is poorly integrated (as manifested by the center's faltering abilities to implement policy in the regions during the 1990s) and the corresponding weak penetration of Russian political parties into regional politics. Part three presents some competing explanations for party weakness in Russia and argues that emergent political and economic actors have little interest in building political parties and in increasing state integration and centralAUTHOR'S NOTE: This article was prepared with generous support from the Smith Richardson Foundation. The author would like to thank Sheri Berman, Philip Roeder, and one anonymous reviewer for especially useful comments on earlier versions of this paper. The author also thanks Karen Dawisha for referring this piece to Publius: TheJorunal of Federalism and Michael Pagano for putting this special issue together.
On the more-for-less paradoxical situations in linear programs: A parametric optimization approach

Abstract A curious property called the more(same)-for-less (MFL) phenomenon is associated with some classical transportation problems (CTP) described as follows: Given an optimal solution, is it possible to find a lower (or equivalent) cost solution by shipping more total goods under the restriction that we ship at least the same amount from each origin and to each destination and all shipment costs are non-negative? Although MFL in CTP is not a rare event, it can also occur in TP with mixed constraints and in general LP. The existing literature has demonstrated the practicality and value of identifying cases where the paradoxical situation exists for these three problems. However, each problem is treated differently, after solving the nominal optimization problem, and finding the optimal amount of MFL is left to trial and error. This paper proposes a prior approach using a right-hand-side (RHS) parametric formulation of the nominal problem to identify and resolve the paradoxical situation in systematic a...
Synchronizing programs using macromedia director plug-ins: an example from the field of developmental psychopathology.

Synchronizing the display of a stimulus with physiological recording or subjects’ behavioral responses is crucial for acquiring valid measures of performance. This article describes a technique for integrating the presentation of stimuli, behavior reports, and physiological data employing Macromedia Director and a standard biometric program using an example from the field of developmental psychopathology. Our experience has been that the use of this technique is effective in creating complex protocols for research. Although the temporal accuracy available from this particular method is adequate for some experiments, it is not suited for investigations requiring single millisecond accuracy. Considerations and suggestions for utilizing this and similar techniques for integrating data collection and stimuli presentation are discussed.
Optimal Solution of Linear Inequalities with Applications to Pattern Recognition

An algorithm for the optimal solution of consistent and inconsistent linear inequalities is presented, where the optimality criterion is the maximization of the number of constraints satisfied. In the terminology of pattern recognition, the algorithm finds a linear decision function which minimizes the number of patterns misclassified. The algorithm is developed as a nonenumerative search procedure based on several new results established in this paper. Bounds on the search are also developed and the method is experimentally evaluated and shown to be computationally superior to other techniques for finding minimum-error solutions.
Multiple Orofacial Indices in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by significant speech and swallowing problems resulting from upper and lower motor neuron loss. Weakness...
Spatial summation of foveal increments and decrements

Abstract Foveal spatial summation was investigated in light-adapted subjects. Stimuli were luminance increments or decrements of two 1.5′ square targets separated by 2.5′ to 15′. Stimuli included increment-increment, decrement-decrement, decrement-increment and increment-decrement. For a separation of 2.5′, increment-increment combinations were detected most easily. At a separation of 7.5′, increment-decrements were most readily detected. At the 15′ separation all stimulus combinations were equally detectable. While perfect spatial summation was not found at any separation, summation was most efficient at the smallest separation. Inhibitory effects, which were inferred from the greater sensitivity to increment-decrements at 7.5′, were large even at 2.5′. A model based on excitation and inhibition was proposed to explain the observed interactions including the inhibition. It postulates two complementary channels, one that sums quanta-over a small region of the retina and another that compares the quantum sums at two small regions and signals their difference. The model also explains inhibition phenomena observed between increments and decrements separated by time or by wavelength.
Secular strain and earthquakes near Denver

About 1600 earthquakes of Richter magnitude 0.7–5.3 have occurred in NE Denver since April 24, 1962. These events have a normal frequency vs magnitude distribution (b is about 0.8) and therefore cannot be considered to have reduced the probability of the future occurrence of a larger event. This report describes (1) certain gross features of the active zone, (2) a source mechanism for the largest event to date, and (3) the strain variations, at a point in the active zone, since November 1967.
Baseline neurocognitive profiles differentiate abstainers and non-abstainers in a cocaine clinical trial

Previous studies have shown that cocaine users have higher levels of impulsivity and impaired decision making; however few have examined these factors as predictors of treatment success. We obtained baseline neurocognitive measures from 75 cocaine-dependent individuals participating in a 12-week clinical trial targeting impulsivity with behavioral therapies and pharmacotherapy. Subjects treated with citalopram (versus placebo) had higher cocaine abstinence rates compared to placebo-treated subjects (Moeller et al., 2007). The aim of this secondary analysis study was to determine whether profiles of performance on neurocognitive measures administered at baseline discriminated among patients who achieved abstinence and those who did not. Subjects completed the Immediate and Delayed Memory Task (IMT/DMT), Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11), and Iowa Gambling Task (IGT). Profile analysis results showed different patterns of performance on these baseline measures as a function of outcome. Compared with non-abstinent participants, abstinent subjects had higher scores on the BIS-11 Non-Planning subscale and better performance on the IGT. Profile differences for the two outcome groups did not vary as a function of treatment condition. Results suggest that cocaine dependent patients entering treatment with higher impulsivity and less impaired decision-making abilities may respond favorably to targeted behavioral interventions. Neurocognitive profiles may be useful in understanding population heterogeneity and predicting differential outcomes in subgroups of cocaine abusers.
Searching for Earth Analogs Around the Nearest Stars: The Disk Age-Metallicity Relation and the Age Distribution in the Solar Neighborhood

The chemical composition of Earth's atmosphere has undergone substantial evolution over the course of its history. It is possible, even likely, that terrestrial planets in other planetary systems have undergone similar changes; consequently, the age distribution of nearby stars is an important consideration in designing surveys for Earth analogs. Valenti & Fischer provide age and metallicity estimates for 1039 FGK dwarfs in the solar neighborhood. Using the Hipparcos catalog as a reference to calibrate potential biases, we have extracted volume-limited samples of nearby stars from the Valenti-Fischer data set. Unlike other recent investigations, our analysis shows clear evidence for an age-metallicity relation in the local disk, albeit with substantial dispersion at any epoch. The mean metallicity increases from ~-0.3 dex at a look-back time of ~10 Gyr to ~+0.15 dex at the present day. Supplementing the Valenti-Fischer measurements with literature metallicity data to give a complete volume-limited sample, the age distribution of nearby FGK dwarfs is broadly consistent with a uniform star-formation rate over the history of the Galactic disk. In striking contrast, most stars known to have (gas giant) planetary companions are younger than 5 Gyr; however, stars with planetary companions within 0.4 AU have a significantly flatter age distribution, indicating that those systems are stable on timescales of many gigayears. Several of the older, lower metallicity host stars have enhanced [α/Fe] ratios, implying membership of the thick disk. If the frequency of terrestrial planets is also correlated with stellar metallicity, then the median age of such planetary system is likely to be ~3 Gyr. We discuss the implications of this hypothesis in designing searches for Earth analogs among the nearby stars.
New corneal findings in human T-cell lymphotrophic virus type 1 infection.

Abstract PURPOSE: Human T-cell lymphotrophic virus type 1 is a RNA retrovirus that primarily affects CD4+ T-cells. Human T-cell lymphotrophic virus type 1 infection is the established cause of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma, an aggressive malignancy of CD4+ T-cells, and two nonneoplastic conditions: human T-cell lymphotrophic virus type 1–associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis and human T-cell lymphotrophic virus type 1 uveitis. Other reported ophthalmic manifestations of human T-cell lymphotrophic virus type 1 infection include lymphomatous and leukemic infiltrates in the eye and ocular adnexa in patients with adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma, retinal pigmentary degeneration, and neuro-ophthalmic disorders in patients with human T-cell lymphotrophic virus type 1–associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis and keratoconjunctivitis sicca, episcleritis, and sclerouveitis in asymptomatic human T-cell lymphotrophic virus type 1 carriers. This report describes the ocular findings in three Jamaican patients with human T-cell lymphotrophic virus type 1 infection and adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma. METHODS: The clinical records of three patients with human T-cell lymphotrophic virus type 1 infection and adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma examined at the National Eye Institute were reviewed. Each patient had one or more complete ophthalmic evaluations. RESULTS: All three patients had corneal abnormalities, including corneal haze and central opacities with thinning; bilateral immunoprotein keratopathy; and peripheral corneal thinning, scarring, and neovascularization. All three patients had elevated serum immunoglobulin levels. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that the novel corneal findings in these patients are most likely a consequence of the hypergammaglobulinemia induced by the human T-cell lymphotrophic virus type 1 infection or the T-cell malignancy.
Self-assembled monolayer of organic iodine on a Au surface for attachment of redox-active metal clusters.

The attachment of a bifunctional iodo-organo-phosphinate compound to gold (Au) surfaces via chemisorption of the iodine atom is described and used to chelate a redox-active metal cluster via the phosphinate group. XPS, AFM, and electrochemical measurements show that (4-iodo-phenyl)phenyl phosphinic acid (IPPA) forms a tightly bound self-assembled monolayer (SAM) on Au surfaces. The surface coverage of an IPPA monolayer on Au was quantified by an electrochemical method and found to be 0.40 ± 0.03 nmol/cm2, roughly corresponding to 0.4 monolayers. We show that the Au/IPPA SAM, but not the underivatized Au, adsorbs Mn4O4(Ph2PO2)6 from solution by a phosphinate exchange reaction to yield Au/IPPA/Mn4O4(Ph2PO2)5 SAM. The resulting SAM is firmly bound and not removed by sonication, as confirmed by manganese XPS (Mn 2p1/2) and by AFM. Electrochemistry confirms that Mn4O4(Ph2PO2)6 is anchored on the Au/IPPA surface and that redox chemistry can be mediated between the electrode and the surface-attached complex. Mn4...
Near resonance charge transfer from a laser excited donor state

A laser induced charge transfer from Na(3p) to hydrogen-ions at different kinetic energies has been studied. An enhancement factor of about 90% in the production rate of Lyman-α radiation has been demonstrated to occur only with H+ and Na(3p) atoms reaction; no enhancement was observed with either H2+ or H3+ ions. Absolute cross-section for the production of Lyman-α radiation during the collision of H+, H2+ and H3+ ions and Na(3p) and Na(3s) atoms have been measured in the energy range 1–600eV. The charge exchange reactions involving hydrogen-ions and Na(3p) atoms created by two different methods have also been compared.
Energy Storage in Ultrathin Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

The power output of hydrogen fuel cells quickly decreases to zero if the fuel supply is interrupted. We demonstrate thin film solid oxide fuel cells with nanostructured vanadium oxide anodes that generate power for significantly longer time than reference porous platinum anode thin film solid oxide fuel cells when the fuel supply is interrupted. The charge storage mechanism was investigated quantitatively with likely identified contributions from the oxidation of the vanadium oxide anode, its hydrogen storage properties, and different oxygen concentration at the electrodes. Fuel cells capable of storing charge even for short periods of time could contribute to ultraminiaturization of power sources for mobile energy.
The Signal Transduction Pathway Underlying Ion Channel Gene Regulation by Sp1-c-Jun Interactions *

During neuronal differentiation, an exquisitely controlled program of signal transduction events takes place, leading to the temporally and spatially regulated expression of genes associated with the differentiated phenotype. A critical class of genes involved in this phenomenon is that made up of genes encoding neurotransmitter-gated ion channels that play a central role in signal generation and propagation within the nervous system. We used the well established PC12 cell line to investigate the molecular details underlying the expression of the neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor class of ion channels. Neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells can be induced by nerve growth factor, leading to an increase in neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor gene expression. Nerve growth factor initiates several signal transduction cascades. Here, we show that the Ras-dependent mitogen-activated protein kinase and phosphoinositide 3-kinase pathways are critical for the nerve growth factor-mediated increase in the transcriptional activity of a neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor gene promoter. In addition, we show that a component of the Ras-dependent mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, nerve growth factor-inducible c-Jun, exerts its effects on receptor gene promoter activity most likely through protein-protein interactions with Sp1. Finally, we demonstrate that the target for nerve growth factor signaling is an Sp1-binding site within the neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor gene promoter.
A 0.5 MW quasi-optical gyrotron experiment

Summary form only given. The quasi-optical gyrotron is under development at the US Naval Research Laboratory as a source for fusion plasma heating. Early experiments with a 24-A, 75-kV electron gun produced output powers up to 150 kW and efficiencies up to 12%. Single-mode operation was observed at powers up to 125 kW despite the resonator being highly overmoded. One drawback of this experiment was the use of a resonator with relatively low output coupling (necessitated by the low electron beam power), resulting in a resonator with comparable output and ohmic losses. The ohmic losses can be reduced to a small fraction of the total resonator losses through the combined use of a higher-power electron beam and a resonator with larger output coupling. Such an experiment has been assembled and began producing data in June, 1989. The high-power electron gun has been run at voltages up to 106 kV and currents up 54 A, which produced 515 kW of power at approximately 120 GHz. The output efficiency peak of 15.4% occurred at an electron gun voltage of 88 kV and current of 16 A. corresponding to 220 kW of output power
Does Assessment Kill Student Creativity

Abstract Does assessment kill creativity? In this article, creativity is defined and discussed and an overview of creativity and motivational research is provided to describe how assessment practices can influence students' creativity. Recommendations for protecting creativity when assessing students also are provided.
What is the role of interleukin 10 in polymicrobial sepsis: anti-inflammatory agent or immunosuppressant?

Background: Controversy exists concerning the role of interleukin 10 (IL-10) in sepsis. When IL-10 is used in models of endotoxemia, it appears to protect (by anti-inflammatory effects), whereas in models of polymicrobial sepsis it seems to be deleterious (by immunosuppression?). However, little direct evidence for such an immunosuppressive role is available for polymicrobial sepsis. Thus the aim of this study was to determine whether IL-10 contributes to lymphocyte immunosuppression in a model of cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) and whether neutralization of IL-10 has any salutary effects on survival after sepsis. Methods: To assess the former, polymicrobial sepsis was induced in male C57BL/6J wild-type (+/+) and C57BL/6J-IL-10 knockout(–/–) mice by CLP. Splenocytes were harvested 24 hours later and stimulated with concanavalin A to assess their proliferative capacity and their ability to release the Th1 lymphokines interleukin 2 and interferon gamma (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, nanograms/millilter). To further verify the immunosuppressive role of IL-10, splenocytes were obtained from male C3H/HeN mice 24 hours after CLP and then stimulated in the presence or absence of anti-IL-10 monoclonal antibody (Mab, 4 μg/mL). To assess the in vivo effects of IL-10 neutralization on survival after CLP, C3H/HeN mice (16 per group) were given 250 μg of anti-IL-10 Mab (intraperitoneally) either immediately after CLP (before the initiation of the hyperdynamic phase) or 12 hours after CLP (the beginning of the hypodynamic state). Control mice were given nonspecific rat immunoglobulin G. Results: These data indicate that IL-10 deficiency (–/–) prevents the depression of the proliferative capacity and Th1 lymphokine production after sepsis. Analysis of the interleukin 2–interferon gamma production patterns and proliferative capacity in lymphocytes treated with anti-IL-10 Mab confirmed the role of IL-10 in suppressing lymphocyte responsiveness in CLP. Interestingly, however, only delayed administration (12 hours after CLP) of anti-IL-10 markedly increased survival of mice (Fisher's exact test, P < .05). Conclusion: The results not only illustrate IL-10's role in septic immune dysfunction but document that anti-IL-10 administration beyond the initial proinflammatory hyperdynamic state of polymicrobial sepsis improves survival of animals subjected to sepsis. (Surgery 1999;126:378-83.)
Analytic description of noise-induced phase synchronization

We study the phase synchronization of a noisy bistable system with an external dichotomic signal of either periodic or Markovian character. Using a generic two-state model, a basic paradigm of stochastic resonance, we analytically prove the occurrence of noise-induced frequency and effective phase locking characterized by a plateau of the mean output switching rate and a minimum of the phase difference diffusivity, respectively. The first phenomenon characterizes the entrainment of the mean output frequency by periodic and even by aperiodic switching events. The second one constitutes a much more comprehensive effect: The average duration of phase locking episodes between input and output, which is connected with the phase difference diffusion coefficient, increases enormously for optimally selected noise, thus justifying the notion of effective phase-synchronization.
Plant Growth Regulation Society of America 2006 Annual Meeting Summary

The 33 Annual Meeting of the Plant Growth Regulation Society of America (PGRSA) was held from July 9–13 at the Hilton Quebec, in Quebec City. Over 100 scientists from 10 different countries presented 34 oral presentations and 33 posters. Abstracts were published in the conference agenda as well as on-line on the PGRSA webpage (see Annual Meeting at http://www.griffin.peachnet.edu/ pgrsa/homepage.shtml). The PGRSA has evolved into a unique and specialized group that includes a well-balanced number of scientists from university, government and industry backgrounds. The Annual Conference routinely covers a wide range of issues pertaining to both fundamental and applied research in plant growth regulation. Due to the interaction of these three scientific groups, presentations often focus on short and medium-term benefits to the horticultural sector, with a smaller number of presentations addressing longer-term research projects. Attention is often drawn to practical application of plant growth regulators and plant growth regulatory techniques due to industry participation. The 2006 meeting included preand post-conference tours, a keynote address, four symposia featuring invited speakers, contributed oral presentations, a poster session and an Industry Update session to highlight advances in commercial research and product development. In the keynote address, Dr. Andre Gosselin, past Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and Food Science at Laval University (Quebec City) and current Professor at the Horticultural Research Center (CRH), opened the conference with insight on how to effectively foster industry-government-university research ties. Dr. Gosselin recounted difficulties and benefits from such relationships. He elaborated on past successes at Laval that hinged on patience, practicality and willingness by all to work in the best interests of developing mutually beneficial projects. Such collaboration led to the creation of the Envirotron research center, a private-public success story that is home to the CRH on the Laval University campus. This research center continues to be a centerpiece for horticultural research in Quebec and has produced dozens of PhD and M.Sc graduates since its creation in 1993. The four invited-speakers symposia were held on PGR-Producing Microorganisms (moderator: Dr. Jeff Received: 1 November 2006; accepted: 2 November 2006; Online publication: 20 February 2007 *Corresponding author; e-mail: jnorrie@acadian.ca J Plant Growth Regul (2007) 26:78–87 DOI: 10.1007/s00344-006-0125-3
Selective memory improvement and impairment in temporal lobectomy for epilepsy

Reexamination of 23 patients 1 year after elective anterior temporal lobectomy for intractable complex partial (psychomotor) seizures showed a reduction in certain memory functions combined with an improvement in others. Both improvement and impairment in selective memory functions were related to the degree of postoperative seizure reduction as well as to the side of the remaining temporal lobe. The results imply that uncontrolled seizures interfered with the memory functions of the temporal lobe contralateral to the epileptogenic focus.
Processing anomalous anaphors

Previous researchers have demonstrated that readers may engage in shallow, or incomplete, processing when the semantic overlap between current information and previously encountered information is high. The present study investigated whether these effects would occur during processing of unambiguous noun phrase anaphors, for which there was only a single possible antecedent. Participants read passages containing anaphors that were correct, incorrect but highly related, or incorrect and low-related, with respect to previously encountered information. The time required to process the anaphor was a function of the goodness of fit between the anaphor and the antecedent; anaphors that were incorrect but highly related to the antecedent were processed more quickly than those that were incorrect and low-related. This occurred regardless of the distance between the anaphor and the antecedent. However, reading times results from a spillover sentence indicated that readers subsequently validated the anaphor against the information in memory, resulting in continued processing difficulty for both the incorrect-high- and –low-related anaphor conditions. The results are consistent with a three-stage comprehension model in which information is activated, integrated on the basis of its goodness of fit with the contents of working memory, and then validated against information in long-term memory.
Diagnosis and Office Management of Headaches in Children

The headaches associated with muscle-contraction (tension) mi graine, increased intracranial pressure and occipital neuralgia have a reasonably typical clinical profile. The optimal out patient diagnostic evaluation of the child with headaches includes a thorough history and physical examination, and a skull x-ray. Radioactive brain scan, cervical spine x-rays, lumbar puncture, and psychiatric consultation are reserved for selected patients. Recommendations for therapy, based on the type of headache includes alleviation of family and environmental stresses, pro phylactic anticonvulsant medication and rarely Methysergide.
Motion and deformation of liquid drops, and the rheology of dilute emulsions in simple shear flow

Abstract The steady and transient deformation of a drop that is immersed in an ambient simple shear flow is studied in the limit of Stokes flow. The flow is examined as a function of the viscosity ratio λ between the drop and the suspending fluid, and the capillary number Ca. The motion of the drop is considered in an unbounded fluid and in proximity to a bounding plane wall. The problem is formulated in terms of the boundary integral method and is solved using a boundary element numerical procedure. The results provide information on the shape of stationary and transient deformed drops for a wide range of λ and Ca. The streamlines inside and outside deformed drops are analyzed and are shown to exhibit different patterns depending on λ and to a lesser degree on Ca. The kinematics of the flow on the surface of the drop is studied including the travel time of interfacial markers and the straining motion of interfacial patches. The stationary drop shapes are used to compute the effective stress tensor of a dilute emulsion of drops in shearing motion. It is found that a dilute emulsion behaves like an elastic, shear-thinning medium, for all values of λ. The effect of a plane wall is examined with reference to the time-scales of drop deforamation and migration away from the wall. The computed migration velocities are compared with those predicted by available asymptotic theories and experimental data and some differences are identified and discussed.
The quantum radiative transfer equation: quantum damping, Kirchoff's Law, and the approach to equilibrium of photons in a quantum plasma

Abstract A method is presented based on the theory of quantum damping, for deriving a self-consistent but approximate form of the quantum transport for photons interacting with a fully ionized electron plasma. Specifically, we propose in this paper a technique for approximately including the effects of a background plasma on a photon distribution function by replacing the influence of the plasma degrees of freedom with quantum fluctuation and damping terms in the radiation transport equation. We consider the Markov limit where the electron relaxation time scale is short compared to the photon relaxation time scale. The result is a quantum Langevin equation for the photon number operator; the quantum radiative transfer equation. A dissipation term appears which is the imaginary part of the dielectric function for an electron gas undergoing electron scattering due to emission and absorption of photons. It depends only on the initial state of the plasma. A quantum noise operator also appears as a result of spontaneous emission of photons from the electron plasma. The thermal expectation value of this noise operator yields the emissivity which is exactly of the form of the Kirchoff–Planck relation. This non-zero thermal expectation value is a direct consequence of a fluctuation–dissipation relation. The fluctuations of the quantum noise operator yield the deviations from the Kirchoff–Planck relation. Using the quantum radiative transfer equation, transient fluctuations in the photon number are computed.
Comment on 'Improved airbreathing launch vehicle performance with the use of rocket propulsion'

R 1 shows that using rocket propulsion can improve the payload of an airbreathing single-stage-toorbit vehicle. The study considered only the performance of the vehicle in terms of propellant mass. It showed, with a detailed analysis of the performance of the airbreathing and rocket propulsion systems, how using the rocket can reduce the propellant mass by first using the rocket concurrently with the airbreather for a period and then using the rocket alone. The purpose of this comment is to point out that other ("nonperformance") aspects of the problem can influence the results of trade studies that attempt to show when the rocket should be turned on. The first influence that was not included in the study is propellant density. At a mixture ratio of 6.0, typical for hydrogen/oxygen rockets, the rocket propellant has a bulk density over five times as great as that of the hydrogen fuel for the airbreather. The tanks for the propellant are therefore smaller and lighter for the same propellant mass. For reusable vehicles, the structure and thermal protection surrounding the tanks varies with the tank volume. The drag also varies with the tank volume, which is an important factor for airbreathing vehicles. The second effect that was not included in the study is changing the trajectory to an optimum rocket trajectory after turning on the rocket. The rocket does not need air and does not want drag. After the rocket is turned on, the optimum trajectory is usually higher than the trajectory that would be optimum for the airbreather. A third effect that was not included in the study is the effect on the optimum size of the airbreathing engine. The mass of the airbreathing engine is significant for vehicles of the type considered, and reductions in this mass can be helpful. If the airbreathing engine is used alone to a high velocity, the optimum size tends to be large because the vehicle needs acceleration at the high velocity. If the rocket is turned on earlier, the optimum size of the airbreathing engine will probably be reduced. The study correctly concluded that using the rocket can increase the performance of an airbreathing vehicle. The effects that were not considered only accentuate the conclusion. All of the effects discussed have the same effect: lowering the optimum velocity at which the rocket is turned on. The optimum value for this velocity depends on the vehicle design, but it may be in the range of 5 to 6 km/s.
Nutritive value of chicory and English plantain forage

Forage production in midsummer is a challenge for graziers in the northeastern USA. Domesticated cultivars of chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) and English plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) are available in the USA as perennial herbs for pastures. These species have been touted as having good summer production and relatively high nutritive value. We conducted two field-plot experiments at Rock Springs, PA, during 1997 to 2001 to evaluate the nutritive value of chicory and plantain under clipping 'Grasslands Puna', 'Lacerta', and 'Forage Feast' chicory and 'Ceres Tonic' and 'Grasslands Lancelot' grazing plantain were sown in field plots in May 1997 and 1999 and harvested multiple times in 1998 (Exp. 1) and 2000 (Exp. 2). Herbage from three harvests in 1998 and two harvests in 2000 was analyzed for in vitro true digestibility (IVTD); neutral detergent fiber (NDF); and the minerals P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Cu, B, and Zn. Averaged for cultivars, chicory had 11% higher (P < 0.05) IVTD and 6 to 20% lower (P < 0.05) NDF than plantain. Concentrations of all minerals, except for Ca, were 17 to 48% higher (P < 0.05) in chicory than in plantain. There were few meaningful differences in nutritive value among cultivars within chicory or plantain. Chicory and plantain are of relatively high nutritive value and could enhance the nutritional profile of mixed species pastures. The nutritive value benefits, however, must be balanced against the lack of persistence of chicory and plantain.
Photocatalysis of chloroform decomposition by the hexachlororuthenate(IV) ion

Dissolved hexachlororuthenate(IV) effectively catalyzes the photodecomposition of chloroform to hydrogen chloride and phosgene under near-UV (λ > 345 nm) irradiation, whereby RuCl62− is not itself photocatalytically active, but is photochemically transformed into a species that is active, possibly RuCl5(CHCl3)−. Conversion to a photoactive species during irradiation is consistent with the acceleration of the decomposition rate during the early stages and with the apparent inverse dependence of the decomposition rate on the initial concentration of RuCl62−. The displacement of Cl− by CHCl3 in the coordination sphere to create the photoactive species is consistent with the retardation of photodecomposition by both Cl− and H2O. The much smaller photodecomposition rate in CDCl3 suggests that C–H bond dissociation occurs during the primary photochemical event, which is also consistent with the presence of a CHCl3 molecule in the first coordination sphere.
Broadcast Indecency and the Suppression of Free Speech: In the Case of Howard Stern

(1997). Broadcast Indecency and the Suppression of Free Speech: In the Case of Howard Stern. Free Speech Yearbook: Vol. 35, No. 1, pp. 136-143.