cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
How Big is Too Big? An Analysis of Morbidly Obese Heart Donors in the UNOS Database

Purpose As the population becomes increasingly obese, so does the pool of potential organ donors. However, many centers are hesitant to accept hearts from morbidly obese donors, limiting the donor pool. We hypothesized that utilization of hearts from obese donors would not impact recipient outcomes. . Methods Single-organ first-time adult heart transplants from 2003 to 2017 were evaluated from the UNOS database and stratified by donor BMI ≥ 40 (morbid obesity). Univariate analysis compared characteristics and short-term outcomes between groups. Kaplan-Meier analysis evaluated long-term survival. Cox regression assessed the risk-adjusted impact of donor obesity on mortality. Sensitivity analyses evaluated donor BMI cutoffs of 30, 35, and 45. Results A total of 26,532 transplants were evaluated, of which 939 (3.5%) had donors with BMI ≥ 40. Transplants from morbidly obese donors increased over time (2.2% in 2003, 5.3% in 2017). Obese donors were more likely to have diabetes (10.4% vs. 3.1%) and hypertension (33.3% vs. 14.8%, p 130% of recipient). Short-term outcomes were similar, including primary graft dysfunction (1.7% vs. 2.7%, p=0.06), pacemaker need (3.8% vs. 3.3%, p=0.34), dialysis requirement (9.4% vs. 10.0%, p=0.34) and one year survival (10.6% vs. 10.7%, p=0.93). Unadjusted survival was equivalent for those with morbidly obese donors (Log-rank p=0.67), and obesity did not impact survival in risk adjusted analysis (Table). Sensitivity analyses for donor BMI ≥ 30, 35, or 45 and analysis of BMI as a continuous variable demonstrated similar results. Conclusion We demonstrate donor obesity did not impact post-transplant outcomes. Evaluation of hearts from morbidly obese donors has the potential to expand the critically low donor pool.
Uncertain Requirements in the Design Selection Problem

The problem of identifying a specific design or architecture that satisfies all the system requirements is complex. This problem is further complicated in the presence of uncertainty and risk. When a requirement is subject to uncertainty, there are a number of approaches available to systems engineers, each of which has its own pros and cons. Classical robust optimization is an attractive approach in optimization under uncertainty, as it selects a design with the best performance when the worst-case scenario occurs. In this framework, uncertainty is described deterministically through uncertainty sets. The specification of these sets directly impacts characteristics of the robust counterpart problem and quality of the robust solution. In particular, depending on the specifications of the uncertainty sets, there can be a significant chance that the robust formulation becomes infeasible, i.e., no architecture satisfies all the system requirements, while the model is feasible with high probability when the uncertainty in requirements is modeled probabilistically. This paper investigates the effect of uncertainties on the feasibility of the design selection problem and introduces a novel measure of infeasibility.
Conformationally Constrained Analogues of Diacylglycerol. 12.1 Ultrapotent Protein Kinase C Ligands Based on a Chiral 4,4-Disubstituted Heptono-1,4-lactone Template

Conformationally constrained analogues of diacylglycerol (DAG) built on a 5-[(acyloxy)methyl]-5-(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydro-2-furanone template (1, Chart 1) were shown previously to bind tightly to protein kinase Cα (PK-Cα) in a stereospecific manner. These compounds, however, racemized readily through rapid acyl migration and lost biological potency. In order to circumvent this problem, the “reversed ester” analogues were designed as a new set of PK-C ligands. This reversal of the ester function produced some new DAG mimetics that are embedded in a C-4 doubly-branched heptono-1,4-lactone template. The reversed ester analogues were impervious to racemization, and their chemically distinct branches facilitated the enantiospecific syntheses of all targets. Compound 2, the simplest reversed ester analogue of 1 (Chart 1), exhibited a 3.5-fold reduction in binding affinity toward PK-Cα which we attributed to the loss of a stabilizing gauche interaction that caused the ester branch in 2 to be more disordered than...
Getting to 'Yes' When Acquiring Firms in Human Capital Intensive Industries: Medium of Exchange, Diversification Strategy, and Impasse

Human capital often cannot be acquired in efficient factor markets due to asymmetric information or bundling with other assets. Accordingly, many acquisitions take place in human capital intensive industries. However, such transactions may be more prone to impasse since asymmetric information is also a dilemma for buyers. This study (n=714) explores the impact of target industry human capital intensity on the probability of reaching an agreement. Such transactions were found to have a higher probability of closing unless: 1) buyers fail to offer contingent payment; or 2) buyers are pursuing related diversification. These findings have implications for diversification theory and resource-based theory.
Circumnavigating the causal pairing problem with hylomorphism and the integrated information theory of consciousness

The causal pairing problem allegedly renders nonphysical minds causally impotent. This article demonstrates how a dualist view I call neo-Thomistic hylomorphism can circumnavigate the causal pairing problem. After explicating the problem and hylomorphism, I provide an account of causal pairing that appeals to a foundational tenet of hylomorphism. Subsequently, I suggest that a prominent view of consciousness in theoretical neuroscience—the integrated information theory—can learn from hylomorphism and likewise account for causal pairing.
Does annealing improve the interlayer adhesion and structural integrity of FFF 3D printed PEEK lumbar spinal cages

Abstract Polyaryletheretherketone (PEEK) has been commonly used for interbody fusion devices because of its biocompatibility, radiolucency, durability, and strength. Although the technology of PEEK Additive Manufacturing (AM) is rapidly developing, post-processing techniques of 3D printed PEEK remain poorly understood. AM of PEEK has been challenging because of its high melt temperature (over 340 °C) and requires specialized equipment which was not commercially available until recently. A lumbar fusion cage design, used in ASTM interlaboratory studies, was 3D printed with a medical grade PEEK filament via Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) under two different print speeds. PEEK cages were then annealed above the PEEK's glass transition temperature, at 200 °C or 300 °C. AM cages were CT scanned to determine the porosity before and after annealing. Mechanical tests were conducted on cages according to ASTM F2077 (ASTM F2077, 2014). SEM images helped to evaluate the cages' surface morphology before and after heat treatment. It was observed that annealing did not produce markedly better mechanical properties at either temperature, however, it had an effect on the cages’ mechanical properties at lower printing speed under all loading conditions. Although the structure of the pores changed after annealing, annealing conditions examined here as a post-processing method were not able to decrease the undesired porosity formed during the 3D printing process or change the failure mechanism, which is due interlayer debonding.
Plasma High-Resolution Metabolomics Differentiates Adults with Normal Weight Obesity from Lean Individuals.

OBJECTIVE This study explored underlying metabolism-related dysfunction by examining metabolomic profiles in adults categorized as lean, as having normal weight obesity (NWO), or as having overweight/obesity. METHODS Participants (N = 179) had fasting plasma analyzed by liquid chromatography and high-resolution mass spectrometry for high-resolution metabolomics. Body composition was assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. NWO was defined as BMI 30% for women and > 23% for men. Differentiating metabolomic features were determined by using linear regression models and likelihood ratio tests with false discovery rate correction. Mummichog was used for pathway and network analyses. RESULTS A total of 222 metabolites significantly differed between the groups at a false discovery rate of q = 0.2. Linoleic acid, β-alanine, histidine, and aspartate/asparagine metabolism pathways were significantly enriched (all P < 0.01) by metabolites that were similarly upregulated in the NWO and overweight/obesity groups compared with the lean group. A module analysis linked branched-chain amino acids and amino acid metabolites as elevated in the NWO and overweight/obesity groups compared with the lean group (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Metabolomic profiles of individuals with NWO reflected similar metabolic disruption as those of individuals with overweight/obesity. High-resolution metabolomics may help identify people at risk for developing obesity-related disease, despite normal BMI.
On the weak solutions to a 3D stochastic Cahn–Hilliard–Navier–Stokes model

We study in this article a stochastic version of a coupled Cahn–Hilliard–Navier–Stokes model in a two- or three-dimensional bounded domain. The model consists of the Navier–Stokes equations for the velocity, coupled with an Cahn–Hilliard model for the order (phase) parameter. We prove the existence of a probabilistic weak solution. The proof relies on a Galerkin approximation as well as some compactness results. In the two-dimensional case, we also derive the uniqueness of the weak solutions.
Polymer Precursor Derived LixPON Electrolytes: Toward Li–S Batteries

Efforts to develop polymer precursor electrolytes that offer properties anticipated to be similar or superior to (lithium phosphorus oxynitride, LiPON) glasses are reported. Such precursors offer t...
Chapter 8 – Seamlessness

Publisher Summary This chapter examines seamlessness and its experiences that can enable users to be immersed so they embrace new experiences. One can create seamless experiences by creating an environment that leads users to suspend their sense of disbelief, no longer comparing their actions to a defined pattern, and experience a direct connection between their actions and the objects and operations of the system. Seamless experiences are those in which users are cognitively and emotionally immersed so that they embrace these new experiences and rapidly progress to skilled practice. Seamlessness is one of the necessary characteristics of the NUI. An interface with obvious discontinuity or one that breaks the user's sense of connection to the objects and her own behavior cannot be a NUI. While any interface can become seamless with practice, NUIs are designed to migrate the user quickly and to enjoy skilled practice. Making seamlessness is a goal of the design on the path to the NUI. We have outlined several techniques to design a seamless interface. However, perception of seamlessness is in the hands of the user, so seamlessness must be tested with the users.
Breath-Enhanced Jet Nebulizer for Continuous Infusion Aerosol Delivery During Mechanical Ventilation: In Vitro Comparison to Vibrating Mesh

Background: Inhaled albuterol and prostacyclin continuous infusion aerosol delivery during mechanical ventilation (MV) evolved as a popular off-label treatment for refractory asthma and severe respiratory failure with pulmonary arterial hypertension and arterial hypoxemia. Initial protocols used a sidestream jet nebulizer (JN) and, more recently, a vibrating mesh nebulizer (VMN). Breath-enhanced (BE) JN has potential advantages. This study compared aerosol delivery of BEJN to VMN during continuous infusion. Methods: 4 samples of BEJN i-VENT (InspiRx, Somerset NJ) and VMN Solo (Aerogen, Galway Ireland) were used in rotation during testing. Using infusion pump flows between 1.5 - 12 mL/h, radiolabeled saline was infused into nebulizers during MV of a test lung. Four breathing patterns with 2 L/min bias flow, 5 cm H2O PEEP and duty cycles (DC, % inspiratory time) ranging from 0.12 - 0.33 were tested. The VMN was placed on the dry (inlet) side of an F&P MR850 heated humidifier (run at 37°C to achieve temperature prior to all tests). The BEJN, placed on the wet (outlet) side, was operated by an air flow meter at 3.5 L/min. Test runs for each DC and humidifier placement were conducted for 1 h, after which radioactivity collected on a filter (Inhaled Mass, IM) at the test lung’s airway opening was measured by gamma scintigraphy and expressed as a percentage delivery rate of the radioactivity initially placed in the infusion syringe per hour (IM%/h). Humidifier retention of aerosol was also measured. Results: IM%/h vs infusion pump flow regression for VMN (y = 0.45x, R2 = 0.29) and BEJN (y = 0.61x, R2 = 0.93) showed greater scatter for VMN due to failures (Figure). At 10-12 mL/h, some VMNs did not keep pace with infusion rate, accumulated excess solution and failed to nebulize. Otherwise, IM%/h for both BEJN and VMN tended to plateau between 10-12 mL/h. The VMN dry side placement deposited 14.7%/h in the humidifier versus 0.2%/h for BEJN wet side placement. Conclusions: Our data demonstrate that continuous infusion aerosol delivery rate, IM%/h of the i-VENT breath-enhanced JN, which can be utilized for continuous albuterol and prostacyclin aerosol delivery during MV, is more consistent than VMN, suggesting that: (1) predictable dose delivery can be achieved with a breath-enhanced JN, (2) BEJN is more reliable than VMN, (3) 10 mL/h infusion flow is a practical maximum for both devices, and (4) BEJN avoids humidifier contamination.
The Virtue of Piety in Medical Practice

Following the Introduction, the second section of this essay lays out Tom Cavanaugh’s helpful and convincing account of the enduring significance of the Hippocratic Oath in terms of how it responds to the problem of iatrogenic harm. The third section discusses something underemphasized in Cavanaugh’s account, namely, the key role of the virtue of piety within the Oath and the profession it establishes, and argues that this virtue should be regarded as integral to an authentic Hippocratic ethic. The fourth and final section briefly examines the connection between medicine and philosophy, focusing on how both should be seen as wisdom-seeking ways of life, and shows the relevance of this for regarding the virtue of piety as the key virtue of medical practice.
A comparison of rule-based and model predictive controller-based power management strategies for fuel cell/battery hybrid vehicles considering degradation

Abstract Traditional power management systems for hybrid vehicles often focus on the optimization of one particular cost factor, such as fuel consumption, under specific driving scenarios. The cost factor is usually based on the beginning-of-life performance of system components. Typically, such strategies do not account for the degradation of the different components of the system over their lifetimes. This study incorporates the effect of fuel cell and battery degradation within their cost factors and investigates the impact of different power management strategies on fuel cell/battery loads and thus on the operating cost over the vehicle's lifetime. A simple rule-based power management system was compared with a model predictive controller (MPC) based system under a connected vehicle scenario (where the future vehicle speed is known a priori within a short time horizon). The combined cost factor consists of hydrogen consumption and the degradation of both the fuel cell stack and the battery. The results show that the rule-based power management system actually performs better and achieves lower lifetime cost compared to the MPC system even though the latter contains more information about the drive cycle. This result is explained by examining the changing dynamics of the three cost factors over the vehicle's lifetime. These findings reveal that a limited knowledge of traffic information might not be as useful for the power management of certain fuel cell/battery hybrid vehicles when degradation is taken into consideration, and a simple tuned rule-based controller is adequate to minimize the lifetime cost.
Engineering Data Management through a Relational Database Management System

So far, most of the software developed for engineering applications were all program oriented rather than data oriented. Though Database Management System (DBMS) is widely used in commercial and business environment, it has hardly made any significant in-roads into engineering environment for engineering data. Use of the Relational Database Management System for the engineering data is discussed with the description of the Relational Database Management System.
Comparison of Janus kinase inhibitors to block the type I interferon pathway in human skeletal muscle cells

The family of Janus kinases (JAK1, JAK2, JAK3, TYK2) mediate signal transduction from cytokine receptors by phosphorylation and activation of intracellular signaling pathways and transcription factors. Small molecule antagonists of JAKs (Jakinibs) have been developed with varying selectivity for the use in malignancies and immune regulation. There is growing recognition of the effectiveness of jakinibs in autoimmunity of the skeletal muscle called myositis, but which of these drugs is most effective is unknown. We have assayed a library of 48 jakinibs for their ability to inhibit the JAK1/TYK2-dependent type I interferon (IFN) - major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I pathway using human skeletal muscle cells genome-engineered to fuse a pro-luminescent HiBiT peptide to endogenous MHC class I. The most effective compounds were upadacitinib (JAK1/2 inhibitor, FDA approved) and deucravacitinib (TYK2 inhibitor, phase III). These active jakinibs warrant further clinical evaluation to show their safety and efficacy in patients. Graphical Abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=155 SRC="FIGDIR/small/430317v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (69K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1be9551org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@13d1882org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1414fborg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@6d8780_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG
Associations of retention on buprenorphine for opioid use disorder with patient characteristics and models of care in the primary care setting.

Abstract Introduction Buprenorphine, a medication for opioid use disorder (OUD), can be administered within primary care; however, little is known about characteristics associated with retention on buprenorphine in these settings. This study examines patient correlates of buprenorphine retention and whether an integrated, interdisciplinary treatment model (buprenorphine and behavioral health) is associated with higher odds of buprenorphine retention than a primarily medication-only treatment model. Methods Electronic health record data from adult patients with an OUD, ≥1 buprenorphine order and ≥1 visit to either of two primary care clinics between 9/2/2014–6/27/2018 were extracted (N = 494 patients). Two research team members reviewed the medication start and stop dates for each buprenorphine order and classified as retained (≥6 months of orders) or not retained ( Results Of the study sample, 53% had ≥6 months of buprenorphine orders. Almost two times higher odds of retention were found among patients with ≥1 psychiatric comorbidity (versus none) and among those with buprenorphine orders in the post- versus pre-period. Conclusions An integrated, interdisciplinary model of OUD treatment was associated with ≥6 months of buprenorphine orders among our study population. Continued research is needed in real-world primary care settings to understand the impact of OUD treatment models on patient outcomes. A more nuanced examination of the associations between psychiatric diagnoses and buprenorphine treatment retention is warranted.
Modernity in black and white: art and image, race and identity in Brazil, 1890–1945: by Rafael Cardoso, New York, Cambridge University Press, 2021, xix+263pp, $49.99 (hardcover), ISBN 978-1108481908.

As soon as I began reading Modernity in Black and White by Rafael Cardoso, I had a sinking feeling. I sensed that there must have been some mix-up. Had I agreed haphazardly to this review? Had ERS ...
Oversampling Multi-Variable Control for Soft-Switching Solid-State Transformer

This paper presents two oversampling based control methods for a multiport low-inertia current-source soft-switching solid-state transformer (S4T). The traditional duty cycle or model predictive control calculates the reference currents and the duty cycle for each port, requiring accurate model prediction and sophisticated control design to balance the input and output power on a per cycle basis. To reduce the computational burden and enable the use of a simpler and more cost-effective microcontroller, two oversampling based control methods are proposed. This type of control exhibits unusual properties, such as unequal switching frequencies at individual ports and across the high frequency transformer. The proposed methods can be extended to cover more ports, simply by adding states in the state machine, thus demonstrating multi-variable control. These methods show promise in the implementation of control for very low-cost multiport converter systems.
Production of Arachidonic Acid Metabolites by Alveolar Macrophages Treated with Asbestos

Early pathogenic events at the alveolar level following inhalation of asbestos fibers have been investigated with animal models (Brody et al. 1981; Warheit et al. 1984). These studies showed that the majority of fibers, small enough to reach the gas-exchange surface of the lung, deposit predominantly at alveolar duct bifurcations (Brody and Roe 1983). This is followed by macrophage migration to these sites of initial deposition, and these cells contribute to the development of a measurable anatomic lesion which persists for at least one month (Warheit et al. 1984; Brody and Hill 1982). Thus, cells such as macrophages, with the capacity to secrete potent inflammatory products (Rouzer et al. 1982; Kouzan et al. 1985) are in an anatomic location which may be critical in mediating the progression of asbestos-induced lung disease.
Elements of a Systematic Procedure for the Derivation of Macroscale Conservation Equations for Multiphase Flow in Porous Media

The framework for development of conservation equations and constitutive relations describing the flow of two fluids in a porous medium from a macroscale perspective is provided. Theorems are employed that allow global integral equations to be localized at the porous medium scale. This is a more general approach than the traditional averaging of microscale point equations. Conservation equations for mass, momentum, energy and entropy for phases, interfaces, and common lines are obtained to provide a full description of two-phase flow in porous media. The entropy inequality is developed for the three-phase system. Because of interactions among the system components (i.e. phases, interfaces, and common lines), a single entropy inequality for the entire system, rather than inequalities for each phase, interface, and common line is employed in developing the constitutive theory. The macroscale internal energy is postulated to depend thermodynamically on the extensive properties of the system, and is then decomposed to provide energy dependences for each of the system components. These decomposed forms, along with the entropy inequality, lead to the conservation equations with constitutive approximations included. Final closure of the system of equations requires a variational analysis of the mechanical behavior of the subscale geometric structure. The resulting equations show that capillary pressure is a function of interphase area per unit volume as well as saturation. The equations currently used to model multiphase flow are shown to be very restricted forms of the more general equations.
Antimicrobial prescribing in the USA for adult acute pharyngitis in relation to treatment guidelines.

Rationale, aims and objectives American College of Physicians (ACP) published guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of acute pharyngitis in adults in 2001. The objective of this study is to characterize antibiotic prescribing patterns in the USA for acute pharyngitis and evaluate concordance with the 2001 ACP pharyngitis treatment guidelines. Methods Patients aged ≥18 years identified with acute pharyngitis via diagnosis codes (ICD-9 CM) were identified from data collected annually (1996–2006) by the National Center for Health Statistics and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. Total US office visits for acute pharyngitis were estimated. Logistic regression was performed to determine whether antibiotic prescribing was associated with the publishing of the ACP guidelines. Results A total of 3791 office visits met study criteria. We extrapolated 78.0 million visits for acute pharyngitis from 1996 to 2006. Antibiotics were prescribed in 62.6% of cases and 7.5% of cases received ACP-recommended antibiotics. There was a significant decrease in the rate of antibiotic prescriptions from 66.5% to 59.1% after publication of ACP guidelines. Univariate analysis showed that antibiotic prescribing decreased by 27% (OR = 0.73, 95% CI 0.55–0.95, P = 0.021). Multivariate analyses confirmed this finding (OR = 0.72, 95% CI 0.56–0.94, P = 0.014). The prescribing of ACP-recommended antibiotics did not significantly change (8.5% to 6.6%, P = 0.519). Conclusions Publishing of ACP guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of pharyngitis was associated with a decrease in the overall prescribing of antibiotics but not the prescribing of ACP-recommended antibiotics.
Mechanisms of topoisomerase I inhibition by anticancer drugs

Topoisomerase I (top1) is a validated target for cancer chemotherapy (1-3) since its identification as the sole target of camptothecin (4). The sodium salt of camptothecin was found to be clinically active but its use was discontinued in the 70’s because of severe side effects and lack of understanding of the drug’s mechanism of action (5). The finding in 1985 that camptothecin specifically poisons top1 has generated great interest to find water-soluble, more efficacious and less toxic analogues of camptothecin.
Estimating present and future fuel consumption impacts of higher speed limits

This is the 100th anniversary of the American car. It has dramatically changed in form over the last 100 years, and it will and must change in the future. The recent years of abundant gasoline at low prices has resulted in reversing of initiatives that had been taken to help conserve energy resources. One of these initiatives is the highway speed limits. While the public consensus is now for higher speed limits it should be understood that lower speed limits represent part of the best policy if future generations are to continue to enjoy the personal vehicle.
Enzyme-catalyzed transesterification of lipids in methyl acetate using a methanol tolerant lipase from Proteus mirabilis (583.5)

Recombinant lipase catalyzed biodiesel production has the potential to be more economically efficient than traditional acid and/or base catalyzed methods. Enzyme catalysis may require smaller loads, lower temperatures, less time and can be repeated if immobilized enzymes are utilized. However, many lipases expressed in E.coli are found in inclusion bodies, making recombinant production difficult. Further, often they are denatured in the methanol, the most common acyl acceptor. Lipase from Proteus mirabilis is naturally soluble in E.coli and has previously been mutated for methanol tolerance. These "dieselzymes" have not been previously characterized or optimized in reactions using alternate acyl acceptors. Mutated “dieselzymes” have been expressed in E.coli using the pET28 bacterial expression vector, purified using immobilized metal affinity chromatography and characterized for transesterification activity in reactions using methyl acetate, p-nitrophenyl palmitate, and synthetic triacylglycerides at vary...
Hypoxia tolerance variance between swimming and resting striped bass Morone saxatilis.

Individual striped bass Morone saxatilis were each exposed in random order to aquatic hypoxia (10% air saturation) either while swimming at 50% of their estimated critical swimming speed (Ucrit ) or while at rest until they lost equilibrium. Individuals were always less tolerant of hypoxia when swimming (P < 0.01); the average fish was over five times more tolerant to the same hypoxia exposure when not swimming. There was no relationship between an individual's rank order of hypoxia tolerance (HT) under the two flow regimes, suggesting that different factors determine an individual's HT when at rest than when swimming.
Fidelity in the Field: Developing Infrastructure and Fine‐Tuning Measurement

As a few have recently highlighted (Beidas & Kendall, 2010; Herschell, Kolko, Baumann, & Davis, 2010) evidence based treatment (EBT) implementation within behavioral health is difficult, in part, because it often requires therapists to change their behavior. They have to learn a new skill set that often requires learning new information and inhibiting old, familiar ways. Teaching therapists to be flexible but not change the treatment too much “in such a way that it moves beyond its evidence base” (Mazzucchelli & Sanders, 2010, p. 5) is critically important, but is often easier said than done. This requires therapists to know when to deviate and when the deviation is too much (cf Kendall, Gosch, Furr & Sood, 2008), which requires knowledge of the existing treatment as well as its theoretical base and research support. It also requires that therapists are linked into a larger network so that they can remain informed of changes in the treatment and its research. The notion of “flexibility within fidelity” (Kendall & Beidas, 2007) is important because we can be sure that adopters of an innovation, like EBTs, will change them (Rogers, 2003). Encouraging flexibly where it is appropriate (and often necessary) as well as identifying when flexible fidelity turns into drift is critical to the success of EBT implementation. Inherent in Mazzucchelli and Sanders’ (2010) recommendations; flexible fidelity also seems to require developing sufficient infrastructure to support implementation and refining the measurement of fidelity in the field.
Geometric and electronic structures of the Ni(I) and methyl-Ni(III) intermediates of methyl-coenzyme M reductase.

Methyl-coenzyme M reductase (MCR) catalyzes the terminal step in the formation of biological methane from methyl-coenzyme M (Me-SCoM) and coenzyme B (CoBSH). The active site in MCR contains a Ni−F430 cofactor, which can exist in different oxidation states. The catalytic mechanism of methane formation has remained elusive despite intense spectroscopic and theoretical investigations. On the basis of spectroscopic and crystallographic data, the first step of the mechanism is proposed to involve a nucleophilic attack of the NiI active state (MCRred1) on Me-SCoM to form a NiIII−methyl intermediate, while computational studies indicate that the first step involves the attack of NiI on the sulfur of Me-SCoM, forming a CH3• radical and a NiII−thiolate species. In this study, a combination of Ni K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopic (XAS) studies and density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been performed on the NiI (MCRred1), NiII (MCRred1−silent), and NiIII−methyl (MCRMe) states of MCR to elucidate the ...
Learning in Diversities of Structures of Social Practice: Accounting for How, Why and Where People Learn Science

This paper outlines a theoretical framework intended to provide a more ecological and holistic accounting of how, why and where people learn in relation to constructs of human difference – race, class
Serum albumin acts as a shuttle to enhance cholesterol efflux from cells

An important mechanism contributing to cell cholesterol efflux is aqueous transfer in which cholesterol diffuses from cells into the aqueous phase and becomes incorporated into an acceptor particle. Some compounds can enhance diffusion by acting as shuttles transferring cholesterol to cholesterol acceptors, which act as cholesterol sinks. We have examined whether particles in serum can enhance cholesterol efflux by acting as shuttles. This task was accomplished by incubating radiolabeled J774 cells with increasing concentrations of lipoprotein-depleted sera (LPDS) or components present in serum as shuttles and a constant amount of LDL, small unilamellar vesicles, or red blood cells (RBC) as sinks. Synergistic efflux was measured as the difference in fractional efflux in excess of that predicted by the addition of the individual efflux values of sink and shuttle alone. Synergistic efflux was obtained when LPDS was incubated with cells and LDL. When different components of LPDS were used as shuttles, albumin produced synergistic efflux, while apoA-I did not. A synergistic effect was also obtained when RBC was used as the sink and albumin as shuttle. The previously observed negative association of albumin with coronary artery disease might be linked to reduced cholesterol shuttling that would occur when serum albumin levels are low.
Stochastic simulations of the tetracycline operon

The tetracycline operon is a self-regulated system. It is found naturally in bacteria where it confers resistance to antibiotic tetracycline. Because of the performance of the molecular elements of the tetracycline operon, these elements are widely used as parts of synthetic gene networks where the protein production can be efficiently turned on and off in response to the presence or the absence of tetracycline. In this paper, we investigate the dynamics of the tetracycline operon. To this end, we develop a mathematical model guided by experimental findings. Our model consists of biochemical reactions that capture the biomolecular interactions of this intriguing system. Having in mind that small biological systems are subjects to stochasticity, we use a stochastic algorithm to simulate the tetracycline operon behavior. A sensitivity analysis of two critical parameters embodied this system is also performed providing a useful understanding of the function of this system. Simulations generate a timeline of biomolecular events that confer resistance to bacteria against tetracycline. We monitor the amounts of intracellular TetR2 and TetA proteins, the two important regulatory and resistance molecules, as a function of intrecellular tetracycline. We find that lack of one of the promoters of the tetracycline operon has no influence on the total behavior of this system inferring that this promoter is not essential for Escherichia coli. Sensitivity analysis with respect to the binding strength of tetracycline to repressor and of repressor to operators suggests that these two parameters play a predominant role in the behavior of the system. The results of the simulations agree well with experimental observations such as tight repression, fast gene expression, induction with tetracycline, and small intracellular TetR2 amounts. Computer simulations of the tetracycline operon afford augmented insight into the interplay between its molecular components. They provide useful explanations of how the components and their interactions have evolved to best serve bacteria carrying this operon. Therefore, simulations may assist in designing novel gene network architectures consisting of tetracycline operon components.
The anticoagulation factor protein S and its relative, Gas6, are ligands for the Tyro 3/Axl family of receptor tyrosine kinases

We report the identification of ligands for Tyro 3 (alternatively called Sky, rse, brt, or tif) and Axl (alternatively, Ark or UFO), members of a previously orphan family of receptor-like tyrosine kinases. These ligands correspond to protein S, a protease regulator that is a potent anticoagulant, and Gas6, a protein related to protein S but lacking any known function. Our results are reminiscent of recent findings that the procoagulant thrombin, a protease that drives clot formation by cleaving fibrinogen to form fibrin, also binds and activates intracellular signaling via a G protein-coupled cell surface receptor. Proteases and protease regulators that also activate specific cell surface receptors may serve to integrate coagulation with associated cellular responses required for tissue repair and growth, as well as to coordinate protease cascades and associated cellular responses in other systems, such as those involved in growth and remodeling of the nervous system.
Generalized Falling-Raster/Folded-Spectrum Relationship

The conventional falling-raster/folded-spectrum relationship is shown to be a special case of a more general mapping of a 1-D signal and its spectrum into two dimensions. The well-known falling-raster/folded-spectrum relationship [1,2] allows the full two-dimensional (2-D) parallel processing capabilities of a coherent optical spectrum analyzer to be applied to the spectrum analysis of time waveforms of extremely large (106) time-bandwidth product. The basic relationship has been exploited with considerable success in space-integrating, time-integrating, and hybrid space- and time-integrating optical processors. We show here that the conventional falling-raster/folded-spectrum relationship is a special case of a more general mapping of a 1-D signal and its spectrum into two dimensions. This generalized relationship can also be exploited for optical implementation. The conventional falling raster recording format is shown in Fig. 1. The numbers indicate the order in which the lines are recorded. The fall angle 0 is given by 0 = tan-1( NW ) , (1) where I NI is the number of raster lines and W and H are the raster width and height, identified in the figure. The generalized falling raster is obtained by allowing the fall angle to assume more general values given by = tan-1( NW where ' (2) where M and N are relatively prime nonzero integers. A total of 'MI + I NI - 1 raster lines is recorded in a raster of width W and height H. As illustrated in the example of Fig. 2, the raster record is laid down modulo-W in the horizontal direction and modulo-H in the vertical direction. Thus, if the raster line disappears at the right margin it reappears at the left; if it disappears at the bottom it reappears at the top. The conventional falling raster corresponds to the case where I MI = 1.
Importance of national plans for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia

Policy makers have a growing interest in Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, which is seen as the main health and social care challenge of the 21st century. The best way to manage dementia at a country level is by developing national plans, comparable to nationwide management of HIV/AIDS or diabetes. This has been done in a limited number of countries, like Australia, South Korea, France, UK and USA. There are some commonalities in the current plans and we have put those together as a learning experience. The value of these plans can increase when they are monitored and evaluated.
Intentions to remain employed in child welfare: The role of human caring, self-efficacy beliefs, and professional organizational culture

Abstract This study reflects the national concern about high employee turnover rates in child welfare (CW). Personal and organizational factors contributing to CW employee's intentions to remain employed in CW were studied as an alternative to more traditional studies of employee burnout and turnover . New measures of intent to remain employed in CW, human caring, self-efficacy beliefs, and professional organizational culture were developed and administered to all CW staff in two states ( n = 941). Reliability estimates for the new measures ranged from .79 to .92. Core findings supported relationships hypothesized among the measures and identified human caring as an important, new variable linked to CW employees' intentions to remain employed in CW. In two discriminant function analyses, the human caring variable was the most heavily weighted variable in linear combinations of the study variables that differentiated extreme intent to remain employed groups (upper and lower quartiles). The measure of self-efficacy beliefs about capabilities to accomplish work tasks was positively and more strongly related to human caring than to professional organizational culture. Explanations of the core findings are provided and implications for theory development, education and practice in CW, and future research are discussed.
Sc Sc Bonding in the New Ternary Phosphide ScNiP

Abstract The new phosphide ScNip can be synthesized by arc-melting of ScP and Ni, or by arc-melting of Sc with NiP. The lattice constants, as obtained from the bulk sample, area=6.3343(8) A,b=3.7375(7) A,c=7.0917(8), andV=167.89(4) A3. ScNiP crystallizes in the Co2Si structure type. Although one might assign the trivalent state to Sc, corresponding to a formal ionic formula of Sc3+Ni±0P3−, the structure of ScNiP contains Sc–Sc bonds and shows weak metallic properties, as expected based on extended Huckel calculations.
Concentrations of benzo(a)pyrene in the sediments of six western United States lakes

Sections of sediment cores from 6 western United States lakes were analyzed for benzo(a)pyrene by thin layer chromatography (TLC) fluorescence and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS). The highest concentration, 305 μg kg−1 dry weight, was found in a Los Angeles reservoir. The concentrations of benzo(a)pyrene in the sediment from all the lakes were found to be lower than expected when compared to other values reported in the literature.
Phenotype, genotype and cytokine production in acute leukemia involving progenitors of dendritic Langerhans' cells

To date no hematopoietic progenitors of dendritic Langerhans' cells (DLC), which represent an highly efficient class of antigen presenting cells, have been identified or the cytokines they elaborate have been defined. Here we describe an acute leukemia patient whose blasts (90-96% in peripheral blood and bone marrow) had a phenotype consistent with putative progenitors of DLC. The patient was treated with ara-C and VP-16 but did not achieve remission. The blasts had lobulated nuclei, no cytoplasmic vacuolation or Auer rods and were weakly positive for acid phosphatase and non-specific esterase and negative for PAS, granzyme A, dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV, ATPase/ADPase and lysozyme production. The blasts were positive for CD1a, CD4, CD16, CD35, HLADR, HLADQ, CD11b, CD11c, CD14, CD33, CD34, CD11a, CD71, CD19, CD25, IL-2R beta and negative for CD2, CD7, CD8, CD10, CD22, CD56, CD57, surface or cytoplasmic CD3, TCR delta and TCR beta, HTLV-1p19 and P-glycoprotein. On liquid culture with or without 5 x 10(-9) M 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) for 3 days, the blasts formed aggregates of proliferating and elongating cells on the wall of the flasks with a decline in CD34, numerous dendritic processes appeared on the cells and there was strong positivity for ATPase/ADPase, but no other changes in phenotype. No macrophages were observed, indicating derivation from separate DLCs. Cytogenetic analysis showed chromosomal abnormalities and electron microscopy showed Birbeck granules. Southern blotting of DNA showed rearrangement of one allele for both JH and TCR beta but no HTLV-1 related sequences. Culture supernatants from blasts cultured with or without TPA showed the production of large amounts of IL-8, IL-6, TNF-alpha, MIP-1 alpha, IL-10 and interferon gamma and modest amounts of IL-1 alpha, GM-CSF and stem cell factor. The presence not only of CD1a, HLADR, HLADQ and many other characteristics including Birbeck granules, but also differentiation along the lines of DLC with appearance of dendritic processes on the cells and expression of ATPase/ADPase activity, indicate that the leukemic blasts in our patient represented a leukemic counterpart of normal progenitors of DLC and the leukemia a new entity which could possibly be classified as AML-M8. Lastly, many pro-inflammatory cytokines produced by DLC could contribute to inflammation and IL-10 to immunosuppression.
N,N'-bis(substituted phenyl)-1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic-1,2:4,5-diimides

The preparation of N,N'-bis(substituted phenyl)-1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic-1,2:4,5-di-imides by the reaction of 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic-1,2:4,5-dianhydride (1) with aryl-amines and with aryl isocyanates is described. Correlations are made between the properties of these diimides and the nature and position of the substituents in the phenyl ring. The condensation of dianhydride 1 with diisocyanates yields polymers varying from soft elastomers to tough films, depending upon the amount of imide structure in the polymer chain.
Serial dilution via surface energy trap-assisted magnetic droplet manipulation

This paper demonstrates a facile method of generating precise serial dilutions in the form of droplets on an open surface platform. The method relies on the use of surface energy traps (SETs), etched areas of high surface energy on a Teflon coated glass substrate, to assist in the magnetic manipulation of droplets to meter and dispense liquid of defined volumes for the preparation of serial dilutions. The volume of the dispensed liquid can be precisely controlled by the size of the SETs, facilitating generation of concentration profiles of high linearity. We have applied this approach to the generation of serial dilutions of antibiotics for anti-microbial susceptibility testing (AST).
Convergent formal syntheses of (+/-)-brussonol and (+/-)-abrotanone via an intramolecular Marson-type cyclization.

The formal convergent syntheses of both (±)-brussonol and (±)-abrotanone are reported. The key step involved the diastereoselective capture of an in situ generated oxocarbenium cation via an intramolecular Friedel−Crafts/Marson-type cyclization.
Infrared and far-infrared spectra of solid oxamic acid, deutero-oxamic acid and their salts

Abstract The i.r. and far-i.r. room temperature spectra of oxamic acid, deutero-oxamic acid, sodium oxamate, sodium deutero-oxamate, potassium-, barium-, and copper(II) oxamates, and potassium bis(oxamato)cuprate(II) are reported. The group vibrations of oxamic acid, sodium oxamate, and potassium bis(oxamato)cuprate(II) are assigned and discussed. A normal coordinate analysis of oxamic acid and oxamide is presented and a discussion of the similarities is given. The spectral evidence indicates that oxamic acid does not exist as the zwitterion in the solid state.
Prison gang integration and inmate violence

Abstract Purpose Gang membership has been linked in a number of prior studies with inmate misconduct; known gang members are more prone than non-gang members to act violently behind bars. Theories of intergroup conflict suggest, however, there is reason to expect that broader within-prison gang dynamics, not just gang membership alone, are associated with the incidence of violence. Methods We collected data on inmates from a large southern state and estimated multilevel models of inmate-on-inmate violence. Included in our models were a variety of common individual-level correlates of violent misconduct, among them gang membership. Substantive prison-level correlates included the percentage of gang members and “gang integration,” the latter being a measure of gang heterogeneity. Results We found a modest association between both gang variables and inmate-on-inmate violence, with gang integration being the most significant of the two. Conclusions Gang membership is an important correlate of inmate violence, but attention to broader prison gang dynamics is clearly necessary. We discuss the implications of this finding for theories of inmate violence.