cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Plasmonic Response of Light-Activated, Nano-Gold Doped Polymers

Incorporation of metallic nanoparticles (NPs) in polymer matrix has been used to enhance and control dissolution and release of drugs, for targeted drug delivery, as antimicrobial agents, localized heat sources, and for unique optoelectronic applications. Gold NPs in particular exhibit a plasmonic response that has been utilized for photothermal energy conversion. Because plasmonic nanoparticles typically exhibit a plasmon resonance frequency similar to the visible light spectrum, they present as good candidates for direct photothermal conversion with enhanced solar thermal efficiency in these wavelengths. In our work, we have incorporated ∼3-nm-diameter colloidal gold (Auc) NPs into electrospun polyethylene glycol (PEG) fibers to utilize the nanoparticle plasmonic response for localized heating and melting of the polymer to release medical treatment. Auc and Auc in PEG (PEG+Auc) both exhibited a minimum reflectivity at 522 nm or approximately green wavelengths of light under ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy. PEG+Auc ES fibers revealed a blue shift in minimum reflectivity at 504 nm. UV-Vis spectra were used to calculate the theoretical efficiency enhancement of PEG+Auc versus PEG alone, finding an approximate increase of 10 % under broad spectrum white light interrogation, and ∼14 % when illuminated with green light. Auc enhanced polymers were ES directly onto resistance temperature detectors and interrogated with green laser light so that temperature change could be recorded. Results showed a maximum increase of 8.9 °C. To further understand how gold nanomaterials effect the complex optical properties of our materials, spectroscopic ellipsometry was used. Using spectroscopic ellipsometry and modeling with CompleteEASE® software, the complex optical constants of our materials were determined. The complex optical constant n (index of refraction) provided us with optical density properties related to light wavelength divided by velocity, and k (extinction coefficient) was used to show the absorptive properties of the materials.
Costs Associated With a 90-Day Episode of Care After Single-Level Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion

Background Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) is a commonly performed surgical procedure for the management of degenerative lumbar spine pathologic entities. Despite an increasing number of ALIFs performed nationally, to the best of our knowledge, no study has evaluated the costs associated with the 90-day episode of care postoperatively. Methods The 2007–2016 Humana Administrative Claims data set, a national database of commercial and Medicare Advantage (MA) beneficiaries, was queried using Current Procedural Terminology code 22558 for patients who had undergone single-level ALIF. The 90-day costs were defined using the following categories: facility, surgeon, anesthesia, other hospitalization costs and services, radiology, office visits, physical therapy/rehabilitation, emergency department visits, and readmissions. Results A total of 365 ALIF procedures (MA, n = 244; commercial, n = 121) were included in the analysis. The average 90-day cost of single-level ALIF was $25,568 and $51,741 for the MA and commercial enrollees, respectively. The major proportion of 90-day costs was attributable to facility reimbursement (74%–76%), followed by surgeon costs (9%–11%). Postacute care (i.e., office visits and physical therapy/rehabilitation) was not a major driver of the 90-day costs, consisting of only 0.7%–1.3% of the total 90-day reimbursement. Of patients who had required readmission, the costs of the readmission increased the average 90-day costs by 65%–66%. Conclusions Facility costs were the major drivers of a stipulated 90-day reimbursement for patients undergoing single-level ALIF. Health policy makers and providers can use these data to better understand the distribution of costs in a stipulated bundled-payment model for ALIFs and allow them to identify areas in which cost reduction strategies can be performed.
Fatal Transdermal Fentanyl Patch Overdose in a Child.

A previously healthy three-year-old girl was brought into the emergency department by ambulance after being found unresponsive with a family member's fentanyl patch found adherent to her lower back. A head CT scan showed global cerebral edema and the patient progressed to brain death. An initial standard urine drug screen was negative for opiates, however, subsequent specific urine assay testing was found to be positive for fentanyl and norfentanyl. This case highlights the dangers of not properly disposing of used fentanyl patches as they may still contain enough fentanyl to cause respiratory failure and subsequent unintentional death in children. Prescribing physicians and pediatricians should advise care providers that fentanyl patches should be carefully stored, monitored, and disposed of properly in order to prevent accidental exposure to the pediatric population. Furthermore, synthetic opiates such as fentanyl will not read as positive on routine urine drug screens and will require specific urine assays.
World Terrestrial Ecosystems

Abstract As the source providing units for several goods and services required for human survival (e.g. food, fuel, fiber, water provision and purification, etc.) ecosystems must be sustainably managed. This will require a globally comprehensive and detailed understanding of the distribution of ecosystems on Earth. While there have been several attempts to partition the planet into large ecologically meaningful areas (ecoregions), a high spatial resolution map of Earth's terrestrial ecosystems at the on-the-ground occurrences (patch) level has heretofore been lacking. A new, high resolution (250 m) map of data-derived World Terrestrial Ecosystems is characterized, and its utility for assessing policy-mandated ecosystem conservation targets is described.
A Novel Model-Free Actor-Critic Reinforcement Learning Approach for Dynamic Target Tracking

Addressing the trajectory tracking problem of a mobile robot in tracking a dynamic target is still one of the challenging problems in the field of robotics. In this paper, we address the position tracking problem of a mobile robot where it is supposed to track the position of a mobile target whose dynamics is unknown a priori. This problem is even more challenging when the dynamics of the mobile robot is also assumed to be unknown, which is indeed a realistic assumption. Most of the trajectory tracking solutions proposed in the literature in the field of mobile robotics are either focused on algorithms that rely on mathematical models of the robots or driven by a overwhelming degree of computational complexity. This paper proposes a model-free actor-critic reinforcement learning strategy to determine appropriate actuator commands for the robot to track the position of the target. We emphasize that mathematical models of both mobile robot and the target are not required in the current approach. Moreover, Bellman’s principle of optimality is utilized to minimize the energy required for the robot to track the target. The performance of the proposed actor-critic reinforcement learning approach is backed by a set of computer experiments with various complexities using a virtual circular-shaped mobile robot and a point target modeled by an integrator.
Rape as a weapon in genocide and wars: Enquiring the problems of women’s witnessing rape

This paper seeks to better understand rape as a weapon in genocide and wars, the myriads contributing factors to creating ignorance to rape as a weapon in genocide, other forms of sexual violations, and circumstances that prevent women from witnessing rape acts of genocide violence. Drawing from the feminist perspectives of rape and women's sexual violence theorization, Derrida's accounts of truth and witness, and women as an improper mythic being-tainted witness, this paper shows that the current global gender inequality discrimination perpetuates the practice of rape as a weapon of genocide and wars as well as a repudiation for women's witnessing rape and sexual violations. As this situation of women rape survivors' desertions are not only happened in the Rwanda genocide and witnessing rapes for rape victims and survivors are equally challenging, this paper serves an alternative to support women's witnessing rapes and prevent rape the weapon of war to reoccur in the future. Further, Derrida's considerations on law should extend the notions of witnessing beyond the traditional European juridical tradition that excludes literature from legal exercise of witnessing as literature is regarded as mostly only fiction upbrings witnessing through literature as secret testimony is a useful interpretation on women's witnessing rape. Deciphering Derrida's description of witnessing through literature, this paper also recommends that women's writing literature can be an effective way for women to testify independently of the various gendered political disciplining gazes that hold them back from giving testimonies and then gain liberations.
Topical Therapy II: Retinoids, Immunomuodulators, and Others/Ultraviolet Therapy for Psoriasis

Total-body ultraviolet therapy (UV) for moderate-to-severe psoriasis consists of narrowband and broadband-UVB, psoralen plus UVA (PUVA—where psoralen can be ingested orally or applied topically), inpatient phototherapy (i.e. Goeckerman Therapy, Ingram therapy), non-office-based phototherapy (i.e. use of commercial sunlamps/sunbeds or home UVB for psoriasis treatment, heliotherapy, climatotherapy), and combined UVB/PUVA with retinoid or biologic agents. For each type of UV therapy discussed in this chapter, essential information regarding dosage and administration, efficacy (including comparator data if available), short-term side effects, and long-term photocarcinogenic risks are discussed. A well-balanced understanding of the advantages and drawbacks of each photo-therapeutic option can help phototherapy practitioners optimize clinical outcomes as well as enhance the quality of life for patients affected by this chronic skin condition.
Parasocial cues: The ubiquity of parasocial relationships on Twitch

This study analyzed Twitch chat messages for verbal indicators of the presence of parasocial relationships. Unlike traditional parasocial research, this study employed natural language processing t...
Visualization and quantification of pancreatic tumor stroma in fresh tissue via ultraviolet surface excitation

Significance: The study has confirmed the feasibility of using ultraviolet (UV) excitation to visualize and quantify desmoplasia in fresh tumor tissue of pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) in an orthotopic xenograft mouse model, which provides a useful imaging platform to evaluate acute therapeutic responses. Aim: Stromal network of collagen prominent in PDAC tumors is examined by imaging fresh tissue samples stained with histological dyes. Fluorescence signals are color-transferred to mimic Masson’s trichrome staining. Approach: Murine tumor samples were stained with Hoechst, eosin, and rhodamine B and excited at 275-nm. Fluorescence signals in the visible spectrum were captured by a CMOS color camera with high contrast and resolution at whole-tumor slice field of view. Results: Fluorescence imaging using UV excitation is capable of visualizing collagen deposition in PDAC tumors. Both fluorescence and histology data showed collagen content of up to 30%. The collagen modulation effect due to photodynamic priming treatment was observed showing 13% of collagen reduction. Necrosis area is visible and perfusion imaging using Texas Red dextran is feasible. Conclusions: The study demonstrates collagen visualization in fresh PDAC tumor samples using UV excitation. This imaging platform also provides quantitative stromal information from fiber analysis and visibility of necrosis and perfusion, suitable for therapeutic response assessment of photodynamic therapy.
Probabilistic self-learning framework for low-dose CT denoising

PURPOSE Despite the indispensable role of x-ray computed tomography (CT) in diagnostic medicine, the associated harmful ionizing radiation dose is a major concern, as it may cause genetic diseases and cancer. Decreasing patients' exposure can reduce the radiation dose and hence the related risks, but it would inevitably induce higher quantum noise. Supervised deep learning techniques have been used to train deep neural networks for denoising low-dose CT (LDCT) images, but the success of such strategies requires massive sets of pixel-level paired LDCT and normal-dose CT (NDCT) images, which are rarely available in real clinical practice. Our purpose is to mitigate the data scarcity problem for deep learning-based LDCT denoising. METHODS To solve this problem, we devised a shift-invariant property-based neural network that uses only the LDCT images to characterize both the inherent pixel correlations and the noise distribution, shaping into our probabilistic self-learning (PSL) framework. The AAPM Low-dose CT Challenge dataset was used to train the network. Both simulated datasets and real dataset were employed to test the denoising performance as well as the model generalizability. The performance was compared to a conventional method (total variation (TV)-based), a popular self-learning method (noise2void (N2V)), and a well-known unsupervised learning method (CycleGAN) by using both qualitative visual inspection and quantitative metrics including peak signal-noise-ratio (PSNR), structural similarity index (SSIM) and contrast-to-noise-ratio (CNR). The standard deviations (STD) of selected flat regions were also calculated for comparison. RESULTS The PSL method can improve the averaged PSNR/SSIM values from 27.61/0.5939 (LDCT) to 30.50/0.6797. By contrast, the averaged PSNR/SSIM values were 31.49/0.7284 (TV), 29.43/0.6699 (N2V), and 29.79/0.6992 (CycleGAN). The averaged STDs of selected flat regions were calculated to be 132.3 HU (LDCT), 25.77 HU (TV), 19.95 HU (N2V), 75.06 HU (CycleGAN), 60.62 HU (PSL) and 57.28 HU (NDCT). As for the low-contrast lesion detectability quantification, the CNR were calculated to be 0.202 (LDCT), 0.356 (TV), 0.372 (N2V), 0.383 (CycleGAN), 0.399 (PSL), and 0.359 (NDCT). By visual inspection, we observed that the proposed PSL method can deliver a noise-suppressed and detail-preserved image, while the TV-based method would lead to the blocky artifact, the N2V method would produce over-smoothed structures and CT value biased effect, and the CycleGAN method would generate slightly noisy results with inaccurate CT values. We also verified the generalizability of the PSL method, which exhibited superior denoising performance among various testing datasets with different data distribution shifts. CONCLUSIONS A deep learning-based convolutional neural network can be trained without paired datasets. Qualitatively visual inspection showed the proposed PSL method can achieve superior denoising performance than all the competitors, despite that the employed quantitative metrics in terms of PSNR, SSIM and CNR did not always show consistently better values.
MRI Assessment of Sacroiliitis With High-Resolution Protocol:

Background: Sacroiliac (SI) joint subchondral resorption on high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be an early sign of the development of sacroiliitis. At our institution, high-resolu...
CpG Island Arrays: An Application toward Deciphering Epigenetic Signatures of Breast Cancer

CpG island hypermethylation is a frequent epigenetic event in cancer. We have recently developed an array-based method, called differential methylation hybridization (DMH), allowing for a genome-wide screening of CpG island hypermethylation in breast cancer cell lines (T. H-M. Huang et al., Hum. Mol. Genet., 8: 459-470, 1999). In the present study, DMH was applied to screen 28 paired primary breast tumor and normal samples and to determine whether patterns of specific epigenetic alterations correlate with pathological parameters in the patients analyzed. Amplicons, representing a pool of methylated CpG DNA derived from these samples, were used as hybridization probes in an array panel containing 1104 CpG island tags. Close to 9% of these tags exhibited extensive hypermethylation in the majority of breast tumors relative to their normal controls, whereas others had little or no detectable changes. Pattern analysis in a subset of CpG island tags revealed that CpG island hypermethylation is associated with histological grades of breast tumors. Poorly differentiated tumors appeared to exhibit more hypermethylated CpG islands than their moderately or well-differentiated counterparts (P = 0.041). This early finding lays the groundwork for a population-based DMH study and demonstrates the need to develop a database for examining large-scale methylation data and for associating specific epigenetic signatures with clinical parameters in breast cancer.
Reorganization of ice sheet flow patterns in Arctic Canada and the mid-Pleistocene transition.

[1] Evidence for the evolution of Laurentide Ice Sheet (LIS) basal thermal regime patterns during successive glaciations is poorly preserved in the geologic record. Here we explore a new approach to constrain the distribution of cold-based ice across central Baffin Island in the eastern Canadian Arctic over many glacial-interglacial cycles by combining till geochemistry and cosmogenic radionuclide (CRN) data. Parts of the landscaped with geomorphic evidence for limited glacial erosion are covered by till characterized by high chemical index of alteration (CIA) values and CRN concentrations requiring complicated burial-exposure histories. Till from regions scoured by glacial erosion have CIA values indistinguishable from local bedrock and CRN concentrations that can be explained by simple exposure following deglaciation. CRN modeling results based on these constraints suggest that the weathered tills were deposited by 1.9 to 1.2 Ma, and by that time the fiorded Baffin Island coastline must have developed close to its modern configuration as piracy of ice flow by the most efficient fiord systems resulted in a major shift in the basal thermal regime across the northeastern LIS. The resultant concentration of ice flow in fewer outlet systems may help explain the cause of the mid-Pleistocene transition from 41- to 100-kyr glacial cycles.
KL-]PI-0E+E- AS A PROBE OF CP VIOLATION

We point out that the decay mode K/sub L/..--> pi../sup 0/e/sup +/e/sup -/ is predominantly CP violating in the standard model and is expected to occur with a branching ratio of several parts in 10/sup 12/. The decay should be sensitive to direct ..delta..S = 1 CP violation. Analysis of the Dalitz plot may enable the CP-violating nature of the process to be confirmed.
CHEN RANKS AND RESONANCE

Abstract The Chen groups of a group G are the lower central series quotients of the maximal metabelian quotient of G. Under certain conditions, we relate the ranks of the Chen groups to the first resonance variety of G, a jump locus for the cohomology of G. In the case where G is the fundamental group of the complement of a complex hyperplane arrangement, our results positively resolve Suciu's Chen ranks conjecture. We obtain explicit formulas for the Chen ranks of a number of groups of broad interest, including pure Artin groups associated to Coxeter groups, and the group of basis-conjugating automorphisms of a finitely generated free group.
Infection following knee arthroscopy

Arthroscopy of the knee is not a risk-free procedure. Although rare, numerous complications have been reported in the literature. Fortunately, infection is a rare complication following arthroscopy, which, when treated, usually results in a benign outcome. We present the first reported case of Candida albicans infection following routine arthroscopy of the knee, which eventually resulted in a knee fusion. A review of infections that can occur after knee arthroscopy and their treatment is also presented. This and other potential complications should be considered when performing knee arthroscopy.
Biopolymer Polyelectrolyte Complex Nanocomposites for Bone Tissue Engineering

Recent studies have shown that its necessary for synthetic matrix to provide similar mechanical response as cell’s host environment in the body for desired tissue growth [1,2]. Osteoblast cells reside in the rigid matrix made of collagen fibers and hydroxyapatite crystals. Therefore for the growth of proper functional bone tissue, its utmost necessary that scaffolds provide mechanical response similar to bone matrix. Bone also serves as a mechanical support to the body. Thus scaffolds used for bone tissue engineering should also provide adequate mechanical support to prevent collapse of the neonatal tissue. The mechanical response of scaffolds decreases significantly as porosity increases. The porosity of scaffold around 90% has been considered optimal for tissue engineering. At such high porosity, the mechanical strength and elastic modulus decreases significantly. Various polymers both of synthetic and biological origin have been investigated as a material for scaffold [3]. Synthetic polymers are biodegradable, biocompatible, and can be easily formed into different shapes and sizes. However, hydrophobicity, lack of functional groups and release of acidic products on degradation are causes of concern. Biopolymers such as collagen, chitin, chitosan etc. promote cell adhesion, proliferation and differentiation, and evoke minimal foreign body reaction on implantation [4]. But, they have inadequate mechanical properties for bone regeneration and tend to loose structural integrity under wet and body fluid conditions. The quest for scaffold materials which, not only promote cell adhesion, proliferation and differentiation but also have adequate mechanical strength to support bone tissue growth is still on. In the current work, we discuss the synthesis and characterizations of nanocomposites based on biopolymers and hydroxyapatite. The biopolymers used are chitosan and polygalacturonic acid. These two biopolymers are biocompatible, biodegradable and electrostatically complementary to each other. We have also investigated the molecular mechanics involved in their mechanical behavior. Their in vitro response have been investigated by seeding human Osteoblast cells and studying their adhesion, proliferation and differentiation. Synthesis and characterizations of nanostructured fibers based on chitosan and polygalacturonic acid will also be discussed here.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Use of WuScope for Exchange of Endotracheal Tube in a Patient With Difficult Airway

Objective To describe a method for the exchange of a defective endotracheal tube using the WuScope in patients with difficult airways who cannot tolerate interrupted ventilation. Study Design Case report. Methods Detailed description of proposed modality for the endotracheal tube exchange. Results Exchanging a defective endotracheal tube in patients with a “difficult airway” and compromised oxygenation can be a challenging task. Performing fiberoptic visualization with the WuScope and using a “double intubation” technique may be an acceptable method for endotracheal tube exchange in some clinical situations. Conclusion By using our technique the exchange of an endotracheal tube in a patient with a difficult airway may be achieved without interrupting the ventilation.
Involvement of host cell tyrosine phosphorylation in the invasion of HEp-2 cells by Bartonella bacilliformis.

We have provided evidence that exposure of human cells to protein kinase inhibitors results in decreased invasion of these cells by Bartonella bacilliformis in a dose-dependent manner. Preincubation of human laryngeal epithelial cells in the presence of genistein, a tyrosine protein kinase inhibitor, decreased the invasion of these cells by B. bacilliformis significantly. Further, exposure of normal human umbilical vein endothelial cells to staurosporine, a potent inhibitor of protein kinase C and some tyrosine protein kinases, resulted in a considerable reduction in the number of organisms internalized by these cells. Moreover, Bartonella infection of HEp-2 cells induced tyrosine phosphorylation of several Triton X-100 soluble proteins with approximate molecular masses of 243, 215 179, 172 (doublet), 160, 145 and 110 kDa that were absent or reduced in the presence of genistein in cells after 1 h of infection. Exposure of HEp-2 cell monolayers to anti-α5 and anti-β1 chain integrin monoclonal antibodies resulted in a moderate decrease in the invasion of these cells, suggesting a possible role of α5β1 integrins in the uptake of Bartonella into nucleated cells.
Optical constants of germanium by ellipsometry

Abstract From a series of ellipsometric measurements on cleaved germanium surfaces, a solution is found for all of the optical parameters of both the substrate and the surface film as n2=5.46 ± 0.10, k2=1.75 ± 0.14 and n1=1.639 ± 0.012 at λ=5461 A .
Precordial Steering Wheel: A Fortunate Accident

Abstract Background: Myocardial ischemia has been associated with motor vehicle collisions (MVCs). However, we were unable to find reported cases of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) leading to ventricular tachyarhythmia and subsequent MVC. In such patients, decisions regarding antiplatelet and antithrombotic therapy need to balance the risk of ongoing myocardial ischemia and hemorrhage. Objectives: To describe a case of STEMI and ventricular fibrillation (VF) associated with a head-on MVC, and to describe the management decisions involved in the care of such a patient. Case report: A 47-year-old man presented to the Emergency Department after a single-car head-on collision with a wall at high speed. He had a facial degloving injury as well as right-sided flail chest. An electrocardiogram demonstrated ST-segment elevation in the inferior and anterior leads. Due to the patient's significant traumatic injuries, he underwent a rapid trauma evaluation and was transferred for emergent cardiac catheterization, which demonstrated evidence of plaque rupture in the right coronary artery (RCA). Flow distal to the lesion was preserved, so stent implantation was initially deferred out of concern for hemorrhage secondary to the aggressive antiplatelet and antithrombotic regimen requisite with stent implantation. The patient then went into VF in the cardiac catheterization laboratory, and repeat angiography demonstrated an occluded RCA, and the patient underwent successful stent implantation. Conclusion: The management of STEMI in the setting of trauma is complex. Pharmacologic agents used in STEMI increase the risk of bleeding, and management must balance the risk of prolonged ischemia with the risk of hemorrhage.
A permeability estimate in 56 Ma crust at ODP Hole 642E, Vøring Plateau Norwegian Sea

Abstract Temperature measurements made in Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Hole 642E are used to estimate bulk crustal permeability. Hole 642E is located on the Voring Plateau near the transition between oceanic and continental crust on a volcanically rifted margin. A temperature–depth profile measured 20 yr after the hole was drilled indicates fluid flowing from the basement, up the Hole and into the ocean. This flow regime suggests that the basement is naturally over pressured with respect to hydrostatic. We estimate the up-hole flow rate to be approximately 6–11 m h − 1 . This flow rate, coupled with an estimated minimum differential overpressure of 13–20 kPa, and an estimated aquifer thickness of 100 m, yields a bulk permeability of 10 − 13 m 2 . This result suggests that fluid flow through basement may be an important component of passive margin hydrology.
Discrepancy measures for item fit analysis in item response theory

Item response theory (IRT) models are commonly used in educational and psychological testing to assess the (latent) ability of examinees and the effectiveness of the test items in measuring this underlying trait. The focus of this paper is on the assessment of item fit for unidimensional IRT models for dichotomous items using a Bayesian method. This paper will illustrate and compare the effectiveness of several discrepancy measures, used within the posterior predictive model check procedure, in detecting misfitted items. The effectiveness of the different discrepancy measures are illustrated in a simulation study using artificially altered simulated data. Using the best discrepancy measure among those studied, this method was applied to real data coming from a mathematics placement exam.
Reducing Rockfall Risk in Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park preserves some of the world's most spectacular geological scenery, including icons such as Half Dome and El Capitan. The glacially sculpted granite walls of Yosemite Valley attract 4 million visitors a year, but rockfalls from these cliffs pose substantial hazards (Figure 1).
Continuously tunable ir lidar with applications to remote measurements of SO(2) and CH(4).

Remote atmospheric measurements of SO2 and CH4 were performed using a differential absorption lidar with a continuously tunable LiNbO3 parametric oscillator and amplifier source in the 1.4–4.0-μm region. A comparison of injected gas concentration in a remotely located sample chamber showed excellent agreement with a SO2 detection sensitivity of 0.9 ppm-km. An ambient level measurement of methane at the 1.66-μm overtone transition gave 3.9 ± 0.7 ppm Performance predictions indicate an order of magnitude gain in sensitivity is possible with recently demonstrated tunable source improvements. The wide tuning range capability allows the measurement of numerous other pollutant molecules in the 1.4–4.0-μm region.
Radiographic evidence of tin uptake by human tooth structure

Abstract Extracted human teeth with approximal caries have been treated with topical applications of distilled water, sodium and stannous fluoride solutions, with radiographs taken before and after treatment under standard conditions for position, exposure, and film processing. Treatment with distilled water or 4% sodium fluoride solution produced no changes in the radiographic appearance of carious lesions in treated teeth. Treatment with 8% stannous fluoride solution resulted in increases in radiopacity of carious lesions so treated, indicating deposition of tin in or on carious tooth structure. This increase in radiopacity of carious lesions may be related to the high number of reversals in diagnosis of caries reported in clinical trials of stannous fluoride.
Leaf dynamics and profitability in wild strawberries.

Leaf dynamics and carbon gain were evaluated for two species of wild strawberry, Fragaria virginiana and F. vesca. Five populations on sites representing a gradient of successional regrowth near Ithaca, N.Y., U.S.A., were studied for two or three years each. A computer-based model of plant growth and CO2 exchange combined field studies of leaf biomass dynamics with previously-determined gas exchange rates to estimate carbon balances of leaves and whole plants in different environments.Leaves were produced throughout the growing season, although there was usually a decline in rate of leaf-production in mid-summer. Leaves produced in late spring had the largest area and longest lifespan (except for overwintering leaves produced in the fall). Specific Leaf Weight (SLW) varied little with time of leaf production, but differed greatly among populations; SLW increased with amount of light received in each habitat. The population in the most open habitat had the least seasonal variation in all leaf characters. F. vesca produced lighter, longer-lived leaves than F. virginiana.Simulations showed that age had the largest effect on leaf carbon gain in high-light environments; water stress and temperature had lesser effects. Leaf carbon gain in lowlight environments was relatively unaffected by age and environmental factors other than light. Leaves in high-light environments had the greatest lifetime profit and the greatest ratio of profit to cost. Increasing lifespan by 1/3 increased profit by 80% in low-light leaves and 50% in high-light leaves. Increasing the number of days during which the leaf had the potential to exhibit high photosynthetic rate in response to high light led to little change in profit of low-light leaves while increasing profit of high-light leaves by 49%.
HSV-1 strain McKrae is more neuroinvasive than HSV-1 KOS after corneal or vaginal inoculation in mice

Strains of HSV-1 have been noted to vary in their pathogenesis. We compared the replication of strains KOS and McKrae in mice by two routes of infection, ocular and vaginal. Peripheral replication of KOS was similar (cornea) or attenuated over time (vagina) compared with McKrae; however, McKrae replicated in the nervous system to significantly higher levels than KOS after inoculation by either route. Host genetic background strongly influenced the capacity for virus entry into the nervous system from the vagina. KOS and McKrae replicated equivalently after intracranial inoculation, indicating that McKrae's pathogenic phenotype is linked to neuroinvasiveness rather than neurovirulence.
Probing interfacial dynamics and mechanics using submerged particle microrheology. II. Experiment

A non-contact microrheological technique to probe the mechanics of the air/water interface is explored. Polystyrene spheres dissolved in water are trapped with an optical tweezer near the free surface of water, allowing the response functions of the particles to be measured as a function of the distance from the air/water interface. These measurements show that at the surface, the imaginary part of the response function increases by approximately 30% from the Stokes value measured in the bulk. As the particle is moved away from the surface via an optical trap, the response function returns to the bulk value. The method is tested by comparing the response function of particles near a rigid wall to the theory developed by Faxen. A newly developed hydrodynamic theory is used to explain the results at the free interface through a calculation of the linear response function as a function of depth. These results show a range of sensitivity that can be utilized to study the microrheology of a Langmuir monolayer without distorting its structure.
NACHSCHRIFT EINES FREUNDES: KANT, LITHUANIA, AND THE PRAXIS OF ENLIGHTENMENT

Along with providing a translation into English of the last text Immanuel Kant published during his lifetime, Nachschrift eines Freundes, this essay provides a historical account of the context surrounding the writing and publishing of this postscript as well as the German-Lithuanian and Lithuanian-German dictionary that contains it. In addition, this essay discusses the intellectual-historical significance of Kant’s essay as a political intervention in the name of Lithuanians, their language, and their culture. Nachschrift eines Freundes demonstrates Kant practicing some of the theoretical Enlightenment tenets that his philosophy espouses.
The Transition From High School to Postsecondary Education for Students with Learning Disabilities: A Survey of College Service Coordinators

Federal legislation requires that students with disabilities receive services to assist them in the transition from high school to postsecondary life. Transition services must address students' understanding of their disability, learning strengths and weaknesses, career decision—making skills, and preparation for the increased demands of postsecondary education. This study surveyed coordinators of special services for students with disabilities at 74 colleges and universities in New York state. Respondents provided their perceptions of how well the students they served had been prepared by the transition services they had received in high school. Overall, little satisfaction with transition services was expressed. Respondents were most satisfied with high schools' provision of updated evaluations for students prior to enrollment in college, and they rated students' preparation for self-advocacy as the greatest weakness of current transition services.
Cytokine-Induced Monocyte Characteristics in SLE

Monocytes in SLE have been described as having aberrant behavior in a number of assays. We examined gene expression and used a genome-wide approach to study the posttranslational histone mark, H4 acetylation, to examine epigenetic changes in SLE monocytes. We compared SLE monocyte gene expression and H4 acetylation with three types of cytokine-treated monocytes to understand which cytokine effects predominated in SLE monocytes. We found that gamma-interferon and alpha-interferon both replicated a broad range of the gene expression changes seen in SLE monocytes. H4 acetylation in SLE monocytes was overall higher than in controls and there was less correlation of H4ac with cytokine-treated cells than when gene expression was compared. A set of chemokine genes had downregulated expression and H4ac. Therefore, there are significant clusters of aberrantly expressed genes in SLE which are strongly associated with altered H4ac, suggesting that these cells have experienced durable changes to their epigenome.
Molecular insights into the pleiotropic effects of plasma on ex vivo-expanded T cells using DNA-microarray analysis.

Objective Immunotherapy with ex vivo–expanded T cells depends on a large supply of biologically active cells. Understanding the effects of culture parameters is essential for improving cell expansion and efficacy. We used DNA-microarray and flow-cytometric analysis coupled with functional assays to investigate mechanistic aspects of plasma supplementation in ex vivo T-cell expansion. Methods The effect of plasma supplementation on 18 primary T-cell cultures over a 15-day expansion was investigated. Transcriptional analysis of 5 samples was done with time points every 2 to 3 days throughout the 15-day expansion. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis was used to confirm selected microarray data. The expression of granzyme A and vimentin were analyzed using intracellular flow cytometry. T-cell functionality was assessed using a mixed leukocyte reaction (MLR). Results We show that the increased expansion of plasma-supplemented cultures of primary human T cells is mostly due to increased cell survival. T cells from plasma-supplemented cultures show higher expression of immunoglobulin genes, integrins, and genes of cytotoxic granules, suggesting a possible enhanced immune function. This was confirmed using a mixed leukocyte reaction and intracellular granzyme-A measurements. A distinct gene expression pattern was correlated to viability differences between plasma-supplemented and serum-free cultures. Ontological analysis of genes in this pattern suggests that the decreased viability of serum-free cultures correlates with higher expression of actin-cytoskeleton and lipid-metabolism genes. Vimentin was found to be expressed higher in serum-free cultures. Conclusions These results indicate that the observed decreased cytotoxicity of T cells cultured in serum-free media may be due to increased oxidative stress and cytoskeleton degrada tion.
Pressure fluctuations resulting from shock interactions.

Abstract High levels of pressure fluctuation have been observed on surfaces beneath shock waves in turbulent flow. These levels contribute substantially to the buffet loadings experienced by aircraft and space vehicles in transonic and supersonic flight. It has usually been suggested that these fluctuations are associated with an oscillating shock phenomenon. However, it is shown here that the interaction between the turbulence and a shock is sufficient to account for the observed fluctuating pressure field. Computations have been performed following the methods of Ribner [2], but explicitly including the near-field pressure terms. It has been found that, for instance, the interaction of turbulence of intensity 0·05 with a typical separation shock at Mach = 2·0 will generate a near-field noise level of 164 dB. The contribution of shock motion, due to turbulence, to surface pressure fluctuations has been studied. The interaction between shocks and sound has been studied following Moore [3]. The predicted magnification of incident sound behind the shock (4·5 dB for a Mach = 2·0 separation shock) is probably sufficient to account for the suggested sensitivity of an oscillating shock to wind tunnel noise.
Evaluation of mouthguards for the prevention of orofacial injuries during United States Army basic military training

Beginning in January 2000, all individuals participating in basic military training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, were issued boil-and-bite mouthguards. From January 2000 to March 2001, trainees were required to wear mouthguards only for a single activity, pugil stick training. After March 2001, mouthguards were required for four activities including pugil stick training, unarmed combat, rifle/bayonet training, and the confidence/obstacle course. Dentists systematically tracked trainees who reported to the dental clinic with orofacial injuries during three periods: January 2000-March 2001 (phase 1), April-September 2001 (phase 2) and September 2002-June 2003 (phase 3). Orofacial injury rates were 3.35, 1.89 and 1.91 cases/10,000 person-years in phases 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The overall risk of an orofacial injury was 1.76 (95% confidence interval = 1.03-3.02) times higher in phase 1 compared with the combined phases 2 and 3 (P = 0.006). Thus, orofacial injury rates were lower when mouthguards were required for four training activities as opposed to one training activity. Mouthguards are now required at all five Army basic training sites when trainees are performing any of the four training activities.
Dynamics of the formation, sustainment and destruction of transport barriers in magnetically contained fusion plasmas*

The formation of transport barriers in fusion plasmas is studied through examination of mechanisms which can stabilize plasma turbulence and, thereby, reduce turbulence-driven transport. These include the effects of E?B velocity shear, negative central magnetic shear and the Shafranov shift. Transport barriers formed at the plasma edge and in the plasma core are considered, as well as the formation of multiple barriers. The access conditions for barrier formation are examined, particularly by considering local conditions compared to global parameters. Processes that can destroy transport barriers, such as magnetohydrodynamic instabilities, are described. Plasmas with high confinement and good plasma stability then require effective control of plasma profiles and transport. Efforts towards real-time control of transport barriers are described.
Predicting future variability of dissolved inorganic carbon in the ocean

Abstract Estimates were made for the future uptake of excess CO 2 across the air/sea interface. If CO 2 emissions continue to rise as predicted in a moderate growth scenario, surface ocean inorganic carbon concentrations could rise as much as 400 μmol kg −1 (20%) over the next 300 years. Increases in CO 2 uptake of this magnitude may have a significant impact on the surface ocean ecosystem. Furthermore, these high atmospheric and surface ocean concentrations of CO 2 will significantly reduce the effectiveness of CO 2 ocean storage, particularly for shallow depth discharges.
Effect of a Child's Physical Attractiveness on Verbal Scoring of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (Revised) and Personality Attributions

Abstract This investigation explored possible examiner bias in scoring the verbal subtests of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children—Revised (WISC-R) due to facial attractiveness of the child. Male (n = 42) and female (n = 42) undergraduate students were trained to specific WISC-R scoring criteria. In a test condition, students were provided with a protocol that included a school record, photograph, and a tape-recorded response by a child; each student derived scores for the verbal subtests of the WISC-R. No main effect for Attractiveness or Sex X Attractiveness interactions were found. Nonetheless, students differentially attributed positive characteristics to attractive versus unattractive children (Adjective Ratings, ps < .001).
Modeling mood variation associated with smoking: an application of a heterogeneous mixed-effects model for analysis of ecological momentary assessment (EMA) data.

Aims Mixed models are used increasingly for analysis of ecological momentary assessment (EMA) data. The variance parameters of the random effects, which indicate the degree of heterogeneity in the population of subjects, are considered usually to be homogeneous across subjects. Modeling these variances can shed light on interesting hypotheses in substance abuse research. Design We describe how these variances can be modeled in terms of covariates to examine the covariate effects on between-subjects variation, focusing on positive and negative mood and the degree to which these moods change as a function of smoking. Setting The data are drawn from an EMA study of adolescent smoking. Participants Participants were 234 adolescents, either in 9th or 10th grades, who provided EMA mood reports from both random prompts and following smoking events. Measurements We focused on two mood outcomes: measures of the subject's negative and positive affect and several covariates: gender, grade, negative mood regulation and smoking level. Findings and conclusions Following smoking, adolescents experienced higher positive affect and lower negative affect than they did at random, non-smoking times. Our analyses also indicated an increased consistency of subjective mood responses as smoking experience increased and a diminishing of mood change.
Changes in Patterns of Sexual Harassment in the U.S. Military: A Comparison of the 1988 and 1995 DoD Surveys

This article compares results from the 1988 DoD Survey of Sex Roles and the 1995 Sexual Harassment Survey and assesses the impact of changes within the DoD and heightened awareness brought about by increased publicity surrounding sexual harassment. Responses are evaluated in terms of individual and environmental harassment. The first is defined as more personalized behavior that includes actual or attempted rape, assault, pressure for sexual favors or dates, sexual touching or cornering, and sexual letters or phone calls. Environmental harassment is more generalized and includes sexual teasing and jokes, suggestive looks and gestures, and sexual whistles, calls, and hoots. The data document a slight decline in the prevalence of perceived sexual harassment in the military since 1988. However, respondents, especially women, continue to indicate a substantial amount of harassment, which is still perpetrated primarily by other military members and coworkers, despite the 1995 survey results indicating that 98 ...
Effects of cognitive strategy and exercise setting on running performance, perceived exertion, affect, and satisfaction ☆

Abstract Objective : To investigate the effects of cognitive strategies, exercise setting, and participants’ gender on performance, perceived exertion, affect, and satisfaction in recreational runners. Methods : A 3×2×2 mixed experimental design with Exercise Setting (i.e., treadmill, indoor track, and outdoor route) as a within-groups independent variable and Cognitive Strategy (association vs. dissociation) and Gender as between-groups factors. Dependent measures were performance time, Ratings of Perceived Exertion (RPE), Exercise-Induced Feeling Inventory (EFI) scores, and course satisfaction following a 5 km run. Results and conclusions : Strong effects were found for Exercise Setting. The treadmill setting was rated as least satisfying, while resulting in the highest RPE and slowest performance time. Alternately, the outdoor route resulted in the highest levels of positive engagement, revitalization, tranquillity, and course satisfaction, while also yielding the lowest levels of physical exhaustion and RPE. There were no overall differences in RPE or course satisfaction between the Cognitive Strategies; however, the association group ran faster and experienced lower levels of tranquillity than the dissociation group. The only statistically significant difference found for Gender was that males ran faster than females.