cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
There are differences in knee stability based on lateral extra-articular augmentation technique alongside anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

The purpose of the current study is to systematically review and network meta-analyze the current evidence in the literature to ascertain if there is a superior lateral extra-articular augmentation technique in conjunction with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACL.R) with respect to knee stability, re-rupture rates and functional outcomes. The literature search was performed based on the PRISMA guidelines. Cohort studies comparing ACL.R to ACL.R + lateral extra-articular augmentation were included. Lateral extra-articular techniques included were anterolateral ligament reconstruction (ALL.R), Cocker-Arnold, Lemaire, Losee, Maraccaci, and McIntosh. Clinical outcomes were compared between ACL.R alone and the different lateral extra-articular augmentation techniques using a frequentist approach to network meta-analysis, with statistical analysis performed using R. The treatment options were ranked using the P-Score. Twenty-eight studies with a total of 2990 patients were included. ACL.R + Cocker-Arnold technique had the highest P-Score for ACL re-ruptures and residual pivot-shift. ACL.R + Cocker-Arnold, Lemaire, and ALL.R all significantly reduced the rate of ACL re-rupture, and residual pivot-shift, compared to ACL.R alone. There was no significant difference between any of the lateral extra-articular augmentation techniques and ACL.R alone. ALL.R had the highest P-Score for return to play, and return to play at pre-injury level. This study established that ACL.R + Cocker-Arnold, Lemaire and ALL.R resulted in significantly lower ipsilateral ACL re-ruptures, as well as reduced pivot-shift, compared to ACL.R alone. Whereas, the other lateral extra-articular augmentation techniques did not reduce pivot-shift and re-rupture. Additionally, functional outcomes and return to play were comparable between those who underwent ACL.R and lateral extra-articular augmentation and ACL.R alone. III.
Design of the in situ nanoprobe beamline at the Advanced Photon Source

We will present the design for the In-Situ Nanoprobe (ISN) beamline that is being developed as part of the Upgrade of the APS storage ring with an MBA magnetic lattice. The ISN will provide large working distance of 60 mm for in-situ and operando environments, and a small spot of 20 nm (25 keV) for imaging materials with small defects and functional components. To achieve both long working distance and small spot size, Kirkpatrick-Baez mirrors will be used as nanofocusing optics. The major contrast mechanisms will be XRF imaging for chemical characterization ptychography for transmission imaging with sub-10 nm resolution. Auxiliary diffraction capabilities will allow monitoring of phase change during in-situ studies. To achieve the demagnification required to achieve small spot sizes, the ISN instrument will be placed at a distance of 220 m from the x-ray source, in a satellite building outside the APS storage ring. The ISN will provide hard x-rays with photon energy between 4.8 keV and 30 keV, enabling access to the absorption edges of to most elements in the periodic system. The MBA lattice and insertion devices, coupled with the high reflectivity of the K-B mirror system, provide a very high coherent flux of above 4*1012 Ph/s at 5 keV, and 6*1012 Ph/s at 30 keV. This allows hierarchical imaging of large samples with very small spot size, as well as multidimensional imaging, such as 3D imaging and temperature change, or 2D imaging with change of several environmental parameters. The ISN will provide flow of fluids, gases, and variable temperature.
A source fragmentation approach to interacting quantum field theory

A corollary to the Reeh-Schlieder theorem is proved: that the time-ordered Vacuum Expectation Values and the S-matrix of a regularized Lagrangian quantum theory can be approximated by a local operator that uses nonlinear functionals of a locally supported source function. The use of operator-valued nonlinear functionals of the source effectively introduces many abstract fragments of the source to give a top-down construction of interacting quantum fields, in contrast to a bottom-up blocking and scaling construction.
Application of Nanosecond and Microsecond Pulsed Electric Fields for Increased Lipid Recovery from Microalga Chlorella Protothecoides

Global warming, energy security, and increasing energy demand motivate renewable energy research.1, 2 Algal-based biodiesel can provide direct fuel substitutes for transportation and heating while significantly reducing land-use demands.2 However, low lipid extraction efficiencies and prohibitive costs prevent large-scale industrialization of algal biodiesel.1 Various cell disruption methods have been employed to enhance lipid extraction efficiency. The cell disruption methods of bead beating, French press, wet milling, and sonication were shown to increase lipid yield in $\mathrm{C}$ , protothecoides by 13.2, 9.8, 8.8, and 5.1 % respectively.1 Recent studies have used microsecond $(\mu \mathrm{s})$ pulsed electric fields (PEFs) ranging from 2 - 45 kV/cm to enhance micro algae lipid extraction.2 However, to our knowledge, no studies have considered the impact of pulse duration on extraction.
Mitigating Dualism and Exploiting the Interplay of Policy-Social Capital

The centripetal forces of agglomeration, reflected among others in the structure of the economy and the nature of interrelations among regions (interregional multipliers), limit the effectiveness of spatial policies. Meanwhile, the importance of social capital is revealed from the MSE survey. Social planners could improve the design of policies by understanding the perceptions and aspirations of MSEs to make any measures more compatible with the prevailing social capital.
Design of a Unipolar Ultrasonic Pulser Generator and Receiver for Applications to Quantitative NDE

We recently developed and tested a prototype ultrasonic nondestructive test instrument that produces unipolar stress pulses in pulse-echo mode. The use of unipolar pulses instead of bipolar pulses offers significant increases in bandwidth[1]. This new instrument should be useful in material processing, characterization and flaw detection and sizing applications over a range of flaw radii which are not accessible using conventional pulse/echo equipment[2].
Codon-optimized fluorescent mTFP and mCherry for microscopic visualization and genetic counterselection of streptococci and enterococci

Despite the powerful potential of fluorescent proteins for labeling bacteria, their use has been limited in multi-species oral biofilm models. Fermentative metabolism by streptococcal species that initiate biofilm colonization results in an acidic, reduced microenvironment that may limit the activities of some fluorescent proteins which are influenced by pH and oxygen availability. The need to reliably distinguish morphologically similar strains within biofilms was the impetus for this work. Teal fluorescent protein (mTFP1) and red fluorescent protein (mCherry) were chosen because their fluorescent properties made them promising candidates. Since tRNA availability has been implicated in efficient translation of sufficient quantities of protein for maximum fluorescence, a streptococcal codon optimization approach was used. DNA was synthesized to encode either protein using codons most frequently used in streptococci; each coding region was preceded by an engineered ribosomal binding site and restriction sites for cloning a promoter. Plasmids carrying this synthesized DNA under control of the Streptococcus mutans lactate dehydrogenase promoter conferred fluorescence to nine representative streptococcal and two Enterococcus faecalis strains. Further characterization in Streptococcus gordonii showed that mTFP1 and mCherry expressions could be detected in cells grown planktonically, in biofilms, or in colonies on agar when expressed on an extrachromosomal plasmid or in single copy integrated into the chromosome. This latter property facilitated counterselection of chromosomal mutations demonstrating value for bacterial strain construction. Fluorescent and non-fluorescent bacteria were distinguishable at acidic pH. These codon-optimized versions of mTFP1 and mCherry have promising potential for use in multiple experimental applications.
Vitamin E levels in human atherosclerotic plaque: the influence of risk factors

Abstract Recent studies suggest that vitamin E may be an important preventative factor in the development and progression of atherosclerosis. In order to more clearly define the role of vitamin E in atherosclerosis, we measured vitamin E, conjugated dienes, and lipid flurochromes, as well as cholesterol, triglycerides and phospholipid in arterial and venous tissue of 83 patients. Serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels were significantly higher ( P P = 0.013) and hypertension ( P = 0.049) compared to those without these risk factors. Diabetes was the only risk factor associated with significantly increased ( P = 0.005) levels of vitamin E when only data from atherosclerotic arterial tissue (AAA, POD, AIOD) were analyzed. These preliminary data provide additional evidence of altered vitamin E metabolism and free radical processes in the tissues of patients with various manifestations of atherosclerosis.
Cost‐Effective Sintered Reaction‐Bonded Silicon Nitride for Structural Ceramics

Sintered silicon nitride has many superior properties; however, for most applications these materials are too expensive to compete with metal parts. Sintered reaction-bonded silicon nitride (SRBSN) is more economical, with raw materials costs <20% those of comparable high- purity materials, making it competitive with metal parts. Conventional processing of SRBSN requires long nitridation times and a two-step firing process. Microwave (MW) heating reduces the reaction times and is performed in a one-step process, thereby simplifying the operation. The mechanical properties of the MW-SRBSN are not equal to those from the higher-cost powders, but are appropriate for a number of applications at lower temperatures and stress levels. At ambient temperature, typical strength, toughness (K{sub Ic} and hardness values are 480 MPa, 4.8 MPa{radical}m, and 14 GPa, respectively.
The Nyquist theorem for cellular sheaves

We develop a unified sampling theory based on sheaves and show that the Shannon-Nyquist theorem is a cohomological consequence of an exact sequence of sheaves. Our theory indicates that there are additional cohomological obstructions for higher-dimensional sampling problems. Using these obstructions, we also present conditions for perfect reconstruction of piecewise linear functions on graphs, a collection of non-bandlimited functions on topologically nontrivial domains.
The association of spatial T wave axis deviation with incident coronary events. The ARIC cohort

Although current evidence suggests that the spatial T wave axis captures important information about ventricular repolarization abnormalities, there are only a few and discordant epidemiologic studies addressing the ability of the spatial T wave axis to predict coronary heart disease (CHD) occurrence. This prospective study analyzed data from 12,256 middle-aged African American and white men and women, from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study (ARIC). Following a standardized protocol, resting standard 12-lead, 10-second electrocardiograms were digitized and analyzed with the Marquette GE program. The median follow-up time was 12.1 years; incident coronary heart disease comprised fatal and non-fatal CHD events. The incidence rate of CHD was 4.26, 4.18, 4.28 and 5.62 per 1000 person-years respectively, across the spatial T wave axis quartiles. Among women for every 10 degrees increase in the spatial T wave axis deviation, there was an estimated increase in the risk of CHD of 1.16 (95% CI 1.04–1.28). After adjustment for age, height, weight, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, QRS axis and minor T wave abnormalities, this hazard rate ratio for women fell to 1.03 (0.92–1.14). The corresponding crude and adjusted hazard ratios for men were 1.05 (95% CI 0.96–1.15) and 0.95 (0.86–1.04) respectively. In conclusion, this prospective, population-based, bi-ethnic study of men and women free of coronary heart disease at baseline shows that spatial T wave axis deviation is not associated with incident coronary events during long-term follow up. It is doubtful that spatial T wave axis deviation would add benefit in the prediction of CHD events above and beyond the current traditional risk factors.
Culture and the Development of Children's Action: A Theory of Human Development

Developmental and Nondevelopmental Orientations in Psychology, and Their Contexts. Basic Assumptions Underlying Psychological Research. Crossroads of the Deductive and Inductive Lines of Knowledge Construction in Psychology. Theoretical Bases for a Theory of "Bounded Indeterminacy" of Development. The Theoretical System. Actions in Culturally Organized Contexts: Settings of Mealtimes. Cultural Regulation and the Development of Children's Actions at Mealtimes. Cultural Autoregulation of the Self: Semiotic Mediation of the Intrapsychological Realm. Conclusions: "Bounded Variability" in Human Psychological Development, and the Methodology for Its Study. References. Index.
Hydrolysis of Zeaxanthin Esters by Carboxyl Ester Lipase during Digestion Facilitates Micellarization and Uptake of the Xanthophyll by Caco-2 Human Intestinal Cells

Zeaxanthin (Zea) and lutein are the only dietary carotenoids that accumulate in the macular region of the retina and lens. It was proposed that these carotenoids protect these tissues against photooxidative damage. Few plant foods are enriched in Zea, and information about the bioavailability of Zea from these foods and its accumulation in ocular tissues is limited. The amounts of free Zea and its mono- and diesters were measured for several plant foods that have relatively high concentrations of this xanthophyll. Wolfberry had the greatest concentration of Zea with a diester that accounts for 95% of the total. Free, mono-, and diesters of Zea were present in orange and red peppers, whereas only Zea monoesters were detected in squash. Zea esters were partially hydrolyzed by carboxyl ester lipase (CEL) during simulated digestion. The efficiency of micellarization was dependent on speciation with combined means of free Zea, Zea monoesters, Zea diesters from the digested foods of 81 +/- 8, 44 +/- 5, and 11 +/- 4%, respectively. When exposed to micelles generated during digestion of the test foods, Zea uptake by Caco-2 cells was proportional to the medium content (11-14%). Free Zea was the most abundant form in Caco-2 cells, although Zea monoesters also were detected (<8 +/- 0.7% vs. free Zea). CEL enhanced Zea uptake from micelles (12.3-fold; P < 0.05) by hydrolyzing Zea esters. After cell uptake, concentrations of free and monoesterified Zea remained relatively stable. These data suggest that dietary Zea esters are hydrolyzed by CEL during the small intestinal phase of digestion and that this conversion enhances Zea bioavailability.
Canine Status Epilepticus: A Translational Platform for Human Therapeutic Trials

Convulsive HSE affects an estimated 152,000 persons and causes 42,000 deaths each year in the USA (DeLorenzo, 2006). Treatment of human status epilepticus (HSE) is based on studies performed more than two decades ago using drugs developed 10 to 50 years or more before the studies. Successful treatment rates were only 67% with lorazepam and 44% with phenytoin (Treiman DM et al., 1998). These drugs now form the basis of the international HSE treatment guidelines (Kalviainen, 2007). A major barrier to the development of new drugs for HSE is providing enough pre-clinical evidence of safety and efficacy to justify the of conduct human studies. Results from studies performed in small animals with experimental SE may not be sufficient to convince trial sponsors to proceed with development of drugs in humans. Further, the available drugs for HSE were initially developed for chronic treatment of epilepsy, and only used for HSE after intravenous preparations became available. The mechanisms driving HSE may differ from the triggers of isolated seizures, and the best drugs for chronic epilepsy may not be the best choices to abort HSE. During the 2007 London Colloquium on SE, it became clear that many agents tested in small animal SE models had the potentially significant advantages over current agents. One of many of these is NS 1209, which is very effective in a model of status epilepticus but is not being developed for human use (Pitkanen A et al., 2007). However, many of these are not candidates for chronic epilepsy therapy, thus they will not proceed to clinical development. This led us to consider using CSE as a translational platform. The small animal (rodent) SE models have two shortcomings, which make it difficult to apply results to treating HSE. First, none of the models have counterparts in the human condition; they are usually induced by chemicals or electrical kindling (Sloviter RS et al., 2007). Secondly, scaling doses from rodents to humans involves a body size difference of more than 4000 fold and scaling is not linear (Leppik IE, 1998). This enormous difference may lead to substantial errors in selecting doses for humans. Clearly a test species having naturally occurring SE similar to humans and closer in terms of pharmacokinetic characteristics would be very useful.
Investigating Vulnerability and Reporting Behavior for Consumer Fraud Victimization: Opportunity as a Social Aspect of Age

This study investigates vulnerability and reporting behavior for victimization by consumer fraud. Because socialization may increase the amount of contacts with others, contributing to greater opportunities for victimization, we predict that people who socialize more often may increase their likelihood of victimization. Greater levels of socialization are also predicted to increase the likelihood of official reporting behavior for consumer fraud victimization because victims may depend on others for guidance in official reporting. The authors found support for the first prediction, but not the second. Although socialization does increase the likelihood of victimization, the authors found it to have no effect on official reporting behavior. These findings shed some light on the disparity between self-reports and official reports of victimization by consumer fraud.
Sometimes a great motion: the application of transient electric birefringence to the study of macromolecular structure

First described in the late 1800s, the phenomenon of electric birefringence is becoming increasingly useful as a probe of the solution conformations of proteins and nucleic acids. The birefringence response to a transient electric field is a sensitive indicator of the rotational motions (and hence the physical dimensions) of macromolecules in solution. Recent advances, both in instrumentation and in the efficient production of high-quality biopolymers, have dramatically increased the sensitivity and range of applicability of the method.
A clinical evaluation of a radiopaque material in the restoration of anterior and posterior teeth

For this study, 90 restorations of Adaptic or Radiopaque Adaptic composite resins were assessed for two years to determine the preferred material for Class I and Class IV restorations on incisors and permanent and deciduous molars. The clinical performances of Adaptic and Radiopaque Adaptic restorative materials are compared according to their properties of retention, marginal integrity, and color change. The advantage of radiopacity in Class I and Class IV restorations of anterior and posterior teeth is discussed.
On the Optimum Use of Incarceration for Crime Control

In recent years serious attention has been given to the potential of imprisonment to reduce crime by "general deterrence," which discourages criminal behavior in the general population through the threat of punishment and by "incapacitation," which involves physically separating criminals from the rest of society. Also of fundamental importance to the use of prison is evidence that suggests that the imprisonment rates prisoners per capita in the U.S. fluctuates only within very narrow limits. This apparent constraint suggests the need for an overall framework for reducing crime that best uses the limited resource, man-years of imprisonment. In this paper we develop a model that estimates total crime rate as a function of imprisonment policies, incorporating estimates of deterrent and incapacitative effects. Using imprisonment rate as a constraint, we develop an optimization framework to minimize crime rate and use it to explore implications of alternative incarceration policies. An illustrative example, using data from 1970, is provided.
Isolation of the cDNA and characterization of mRNA expression of ribosomal protein S19 from the soft-shell clam, Mya arenaria

Abstract Ribosomal proteins contribute to the regulation and activity of ribosomes, and hence, the translational activity of the cell. Aberrant expression of ribosomal proteins has been linked to certain pathological conditions such as neoplasms. We have isolated and characterized a cDNA for the ribosomal protein (rp) S19 from a marine bivalve, the soft-shell clam ( Mya arenaria ), and we have examined its pattern of mRNA expression in the ovary and testis. The S19 cDNA contains a 450 nucleotide (nt) open reading frame (ORF), flanked by 89 nt and 26 nt of 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions, respectively. Probes synthesized from the S19 cDNA recognize a single transcript of approximately 550 nt in four different tissues. The predicted amino acid sequence from the ORF exhibits 58% identity with human and rat S19. Southern analysis of genomic DNA suggests that M . arenaria may have multiple copies of S19 , a feature that is more similar to vertebrate than invertebrate rp genes. Expression of S19 mRNA in both ovary and testis was elevated throughout gametogenesis until after spawning, when a decrease in S19 message was observed. A comparison of S19 mRNA levels in post-spawn animals revealed a trend of elevated expression in ovaries and testes affected by a gonadal neoplasm, indicating that S19 may be a useful molecular marker for the pathological condition.
Conceptualizations, measurement, and effects of prenatal maternal stress on birth outcomes

This article analyzes the conceptual and methodological approaches which have been used to investigate effects of prenatal maternal stress on birth outcomes and highlights the major findings of this research. By viewing the most widely used operational definitions of prenatal stress in a broader theoretical framework, it can be seen that most studies have failed to conceptualize stress reliably. This, in addition to common methodological and design flaws which are described in the article, has produced equivocal findings about the role of stress in adverse birth outcomes such as preterm delivery and low birth weight. Recent studies using more powerful, multidimensional approaches to stress definition and measurement provide more definitive evidence and suggest some precise effects. Implications and strategies for future research are presented.
Noise Effects In A Staring Mosaic Sensor Mounted On A Moving Platform

A mosaic sensor on a moving platform staring at a fixed location sees a background motion on all detectors except the one at the stabilized location. This relative motion between the footprint and the structured background produces a noise factor in the system which can be comparable to the other noise sources. The effects in a surveillance sensor in low-altitude orbit is shown and a method of displaying a time history of the signal-to-noise ratio is demonstrated.
Quadrupole effects in the elastic scattering of 10B, 11B, and 12C by 27Al

Abstract Differences in the elastic differential cross section for 10,11 B + 27 Al at 50 MeV and 12 C + 27 Al at 55 MeV at back angles are attributed to expected quadrupole terms in the elastic scattering potentials. The theoretical results presented are based on a microscopic model.
Decision-Rules and Individual Values in Constitutional Choice

Once a political community has decided which of its members are to participate directly in the making of collective policy, an important question remains: “How many of them must agree before a policy is imposed on the community?” Only if participation is limited to one man does this question become trivial. And this choice of decision-rules may seem only a little less important than the choice of rules in a world so largely governed by committees, councils, conventions, and legislatures. This paper is about the consequences of these rules for individual values.Both the oral and written traditions of political theory have generally confined the search for optimal (or “best”) decision-rules to three alternatives. The rule of consensus tells us that all direct participants must agree on a policy which is to be imposed. Majority-rule tells us that more than half must concur in a policy if it is to be imposed. And the rule of individual initiative (as we may call it), holds that a policy is imposed when any single participant approves of it. These three decision-rules—“everyone,” “most of us,” and “anyone”—are terribly important, but they cannot be said to exhaust the available alternatives.The list of alternatives is just as long as a committee's roster. Only for a committee of three would ‘consensus,’ ‘majority’ and ‘individual initiative’ exhaust the possibilities. In a committee of n members, we have n possible rules. Let the decision-rule be a minimum number of individuals (k) required to impose a policy.
Role of Fish Distribution on Estimates of Standing Crop in a Cooling Reservoir

Abstract Estimates of fish standing crop from coves in Keowee Reservoir, South Carolina, were obtained in May and August for 3 consecutive years. Estimates were significantly higher in May than in August for most of the major species of fish collected, suggesting that considerable numbers of fish had migrated from the coves by August. This change in fish distribution may have resulted from the operation of a 2,580-megawatt nuclear power plant which altered reservoir stratification. Because fish distribution is sensitive to conditions of reservoir stratification, and because power plants often alter reservoir stratification, annual cove sampling in August may not be sufficient to produce comparable estimates of fish standing crop on which to assess the impact of power plant operations on fish populations. Comparable estimates of fish standing crop can probably be obtained from cooling reservoirs by collecting annual samples at similar water temperatures and concentrations of dissolved oxygen.
A Case Study of Gravity Waves–Convective Storms Interaction: 9 May 1979

An analysis is presented of a series of severe storms which occurred in the north central United States on 9 May 1979 and whose spatial distribution and movement correlate well with observed gravity waves. Two gravity wave trains of 2.1-3 mb amplitude, 2.5-3.3 h period and 240-265 km horizontal wavelength were isolated through power spectra analysis and cross-correlation techniques applied to National Weather Service barograph traces. The wave trains propagated in the 200 deg direction, which coincided with the jet axis, with a phase velocity of 20-30 m/s and within a 300 km wide band. The storms were identified on enhanced infrared GOES satellite pictures with the help of radar summaries. These convective systems initially developed in Nebraska and propagated north-northeast at 25 m/s, revealing wave-like characteristics with a separation of 300-400 km. The convective systems were closely linked to the observed wave trains with cell intensity, height and associated rainfall maximized at the wave ridge. One of the two wave trains developed in regions of weak or no convection and appeared to initiate more intense convective clusters downstream from the point of origin. It is shown that the characteristics of the wave trains are consistent with those of gravity waves generated in a region of strong vertical shear associated with the jet. It is suggested that the wave trains continue to extract energy from the basic state all along their track through critical level interaction.
A framework for national tourism marketing

Abstract Marketing an entire country is a difficult task. As products, countries are complex entities with many dimensions. However, in order to do an effective job of attracting tourists, it is important for a nation to use marketing tools to develop an image and communicate with its target markets. This paper provides a general framework.
Stochastic optimal therapy for enhanced immune response.

Therapeutic enhancement of humoral immune response to microbial attack is addressed as the stochastic optimal control of a dynamic system. Without therapy, the modeled immune response depends upon the initial concentration of pathogens in a simulated attack. Immune response can be augmented by agents that kill the pathogen directly, that stimulate the production of plasma cells or antibodies, or that enhance organ health. Using a generic mathematical model of immune response to the infection (i.e., of the dynamic state of the system), previous papers demonstrated optimal (open-loop) and neighboring-optimal (closed-loop) control solutions that defeat the pathogen and preserve organ health, given initial conditions that otherwise would be lethal [Optimal Contr. Appl. Methods 23 (2002) 91, Bioinformatics 18 (2002) 1227] . Therapies based on separate and combined application of the agents were derived by minimizing a quadratic cost function that weighted both system response and drug usage, providing implicit control over harmful side effects. Here, we focus on the effects that corrupted or incomplete measurements of the dynamic state may have on neighboring-optimal feedback control. Imperfect measurements degrade the precision of feedback adjustments to therapy; however, optimal state estimation allows the feedback strategy to be implemented with incomplete measurements and minimizes the expected effects of measurement error. Complete observability of the perturbed state for this four state example is provided by measurement of four of the six possible pairs of two variables, either set of three variables, or all four variables. The inclusion of state estimation extends the applicability of optimal control theory for developing new therapeutic protocols to enhance immune response.
W2(μ-H)2Cl4(μ-dppm)2: the bulk synthesis of a bridging hydride

Abstract The synthesis of the ditungsten species W2(μ-H)2Cl4(μ-dppm)2 marks the first bulk preparation of a bridging hydride W(III–III) species. The compound retains the characteristic edge-sharing bioctahedral (ESBO) geometry with a W W bond distance of 2.3918(7)A. Although several Group VI ESBO complesxes have been prepared, only two with bridging hydride groups, W2(μ-H)2Cl4(μ-dppm)2 and W2(μ-H)2(μ-O2CC6H5)2 Cl2(P(C6H5)3)2, have been reported to date. The complex W2(μ-H)2Cl4(μ-dppm)2 has been characterized with31P1H,1H NMR, UV-vis, and IR spectroscopic techniques. A singlet is observed in the31P1H NMR spectra of W2(μ-H)2Cl4(μ-dppm)2 at δ = 20.464 ppm with JP−W = 126Hz and the IR spectra includes the tungsten-hydride symmetric stretch at 1602 cm−1.
Vascular Access Nursing Standards of Care, and Strategies in the Prevention of Infection: A Primer on Central Venous Catheters (Part 2 of a 3-Part Series)

Abstract The use of vascular access devices is an inherent component of health care today. The varied situations calling for these devices include: the administration of antibiotics, fluids, pain medications, blood and blood products, and parenteral nutrition; hemodynamic monitoring; and blood sampling. Although these devices are common in the health care environment, they are not without risks. The most common life-threatening complication associated with central venous catheters is infection. Catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) is caused by colonization of the catheter, contamination of the catheter hub or infusate, and/or contamination of the catheter from the skin of the patient or health care worker. The health care worker, such as the vascular access nurse, can affect CRBSI rates by implementing the most current technologies; maintaining current knowledge related to intravenous therapy; implementing, and maintaining aseptic technique; and incorporating the standards, guidelines, and preventive strategies associated with vascular access nursing. This article provides an overview of central venous catheters (CVCs), the issue of CRBSI and CVCs, practice and technologies developed to prevent or decrease infections, current standards and guidelines, and preventive strategies.
Response to intervention with older students with reading difficulties

Addressing the literacy needs of secondary school students involves efforts to raise the achievement levels of all students and to address specifically the needs of struggling readers. One approach to this problem is to consider the application of a Response to Intervention (RTI) model with older students. We describe an approach to enhanced literacy instruction for middle school students that includes the essential components of any RTI model: universal screening, progress monitoring, and multi-tiered instructional service delivery. We use screening and progress-monitoring tools specifically tied to state accountability tests and a multi-tiered instructional framework that addresses the literacy needs of all middle school students, including struggling readers. Presently a large-scale, multi-site randomized trial is under way to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of this RTI model for middle school students.
Mechanisms of Cancer-Induced Thrombosis in Cancer

Substantial epidemiologic, laboratory, pathologic and clinical evidence supports the historic association between activation of blood coagulation and progression of cancer. The increased risk for venous thromboembolism(VTE) in cancer has been considered an epiphenomenon. However, recent studies from several laboratories have linked more closely malignanttransformation (oncogenesis), tumor angiogenesis and metastasis to the generation of clotting intermediates(e.g. tissue factor [TF], factor Xa and thrombin),clotting or platelet function inhibitors (e.g. COX-2) or fibrinolysis inhibitors (e.g. plasminogen activator inhibitor, type 1 [PAI-1]). Furthermore, TF, Xa and thrombin may induce important tumor cell signaling cascades in a clotting-dependent and/or clotting independent manner (e.g. thru engagement of protease-activated receptors [PARs]). Targeting blood clotting reactions in cancer may provide a unique approach to cancer treatment.
INTERLEUKIN 2(IL2) AND MACROPHAGE ACTIVATION FACTOR (MAF) PRODUCTION BY NEWBORN LYMPHOCYTES

The neonate (NB) is susceptible to severe infection with intracellular pathogens such as Toxoplasma gondii (T), resistance to which is mediated by lymphokine (MAF) induced macrophage (Mφ) activation. We have previously reported decreased production of MAF by NB lymphocytes from cord and peripheral blood, decreased responsiveness of newborn Mφ to newborn but not to adult MAF, and that MAF appears to be γ-interferon. Since γ-interferon production is IL2 dependent, we assayed IL2 production by Con A stimulated cord and adult blood mononuclear cells (MC). MC supernatants were assayed for IL2 by measuring 3H-thymidine incorporation by an IL2 dependent CTLL cell line. Although lymphocyte transformation was comparable (Adult = 37822 ± 5795, NB = 38418 ± 2105 cpm, n=11), NB lymphocytes produced more IL2 (Adult= 543 ± 126, NB = 2414 ± 631 units/ml, n = 11, p < 0.005). In contrast, NB sups did not inhibit replication of T in Mφ (T per vacuole at 20h-control = 5.0 ± .3, + NB sups = 4.2 ± .3, NS) whereas adult sups did (T/vacuole = 2.9 ± .2, p < 0.05, n = 3). Unstimulated cord and adult MC did not release IL2 or MAF. These results suggest a disassociation between IL2 production and release of MAF by cord lymphocytes, which may contribute to the NB's susceptibility to infections with intracellular pathogens.
Treatment of mice with monosodium, glutamate does not inhibit a subsequent response to gold thioglucose

Neonatal mice were injected with monosodium glutamate (MSG) followed 10 days later by treatment with gold thioglucose (GTG). Weight gain, food consumption and body lipid determinations were made. Results indicated that pretreatment with MSG does not block subsequent response to GTG and the resulting changes are similar to those induced by GTG alone.
Characterization of proton coupled electron transfer in a biomimetic oxomanganese complex: Evaluation of the DFT B3LYP level of theory

The capabilities and limitations of the Becke-3-Lee−Yang−Parr (B3LYP) density functional theory (DFT) for modeling proton coupled electron transfer (PCET) in the mixed-valence oxomanganese complex [(bpy)2MnIII(μ-O)2MnIV(bpy)2]3+ (1; bpy = 2,2′-bipyridyl) are analyzed. Complex 1 serves as a prototypical synthetic model for studies of redox processes analogous to those responsible for water oxidation in the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) of photosystem II (PSII). DFT B3LYP free energy calculations of redox potentials and pKa’s are obtained according to the thermodynamic cycle formalism applied in conjunction with a continuum solvation model. We find that the pKa’s of the oxo-ligands depend strongly on the oxidation states of the complex, changing by approximately 10 pH units (i.e., from pH ∼ 2 to pH ∼ 12) upon III,IV → III,III reduction of complex 1. These computational results are consistent with the experimental pKa’s determined by solution magnetic susceptibility and near-IR spectroscopy as well as with t...
Histopathologic Study of Eyes After Iodine I 125 Episcleral Plaque Irradiation for Uveal Melanoma

Objectives: To describe the histopathologic findings attributable to irradiation in eyes with uveal malignant melanoma treated with iodine I 125 brachytherapy and to compare these findings with those reviewed in a previous study that compared histopathologic findings in eyes enucleated after proton beam teletherapy with those seen in eyes in a nonirradiated control group. Methods: The slides from 22 eyes with uveal melanoma that had undergone enucleation after the administration of 125 I brachytherapy were studied. The histopathologic features of the tumor and the retina were graded. Results were compared with findings from a previously reported group of 47 proton beam-treated eyes and its control group. Results: Patient age, time between irradiation and enucleation, and ciliary body involvement were similar for the 125 I brachytherapy-treated group and the proton beamtreated group and its control group. This allows comparison of the histopathologic findings. Comparing the 125 I brachytherapy- and proton beam-treated groups, most histopathologic features were similar with nominally statistically significant differences only for cell type, number of mitotic figures, and fibrous metaplasia of the retinal pigment epithelium adjacent to the tumor. Conclusions: Irradiation of uveal melanoma induces changes in the tumor and in the surrounding retina. Brachytherapy and charged particle therapy are the 2 principal methods of irradiation. This study demonstrates that similar changes are produced by 125 I plaque irradiation and proton beam irradiation.
Iodoolefinic polypropionate building blocks from vinyl silanes with control of geometry by solvent and by neighboring group participation

Abstract Iododesilylation of trisubstituted ( Z )-silyl olefins proceeds with retention of geometry in hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) but, for unhindered cases, with inversion of geometry in DMSO. When an acyloxy substituent is positioned to participate in the reaction, the protocol consistently leads to inversion of geometry.
The effects of l-thyroxine and dexamethasone on steroid dynamics in male cynomologous monkeys

Abstract Male cynomologous monkeys (M. fascicularis) were infused with [3H]androgens, [14C]estrogens and [3H]cortisol before and after the administration of l-thyroxine, (l-T4) 150 μg/day for 6 wk, dexamethasone 8 mg every 8 h for 3 doses and dexamethasone 1.0 mg/day for 8 days. Blood samples were obtained before each of the infusions and analyzed for endogenous T, A, E1, E2 and F concentrations, % free T and % free E2, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and cortisol binding globulin (CBG) capacity. When l-T4 was being administered, T4 and triiodothyronine (T3) concentrations were also measured. Blood samples were obtained during the infusions and analyzed for radioactivity as testosterone (T), androstenedione (A), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), estradiol (E1), estrone (E2), and cortisol (F). All urine was collected for 96 h and an aliquot of the pooled urine was analyzed for radioactivity as estrone and estradiol glucuronide. The administration of l-T4 for 6 wk to 3 monkeys resulted in a marked rise in T4 and T3 levels, from 4.8 ± 0.4 μg/dl to 24.8 ± 0.8 μg/dl and from 136 ± 6 to 515 ± 71 ng/dl, respectively. MCRT, MCRE2 and MCRE1 did not change, but MCRA values increased slightly and MCRF increased 2–3-fold. [ϱ]T,E2 did not change but [ϱ]BMA,E1 showed a slight but significant increase. The inter-conversions between the androgens and between the estrogens were not altered. There was a 2–3-fold increase in SHBG and a decrease in %FT but no change in %FE2 or CBG. The concentrations of T, A and DHT rose but there was no trend in the levels of the estrogens. The administration of dexamethasone 8 mg every 8 h for 3 doses or 1 mg/day for 8 days caused no changes in the MCRs for T, A, E1 and E2 but did not cause a significant decrease in MCRF. Measurement of splanchnic and peripheral tissue extractions before and after acute dexamethasone administration in 1 monkey showed that the decrease in MCRF was the result of a marked decrease, 11-2%, in splanchnic extraction of F. The extractions of T and E2 were relatively unaffected. The concentrations of T and F fell but E2 remained the same. % FT and % FE2 rose slightly and the concentrations of SHBG and CBG were unchanged. The androgen interconversions and estrogen interconversions were not affected but [ϱ]BMT,E2 and [ϱ]BMA,E1 showed slight decreases. The changes in steroid dynamics as a result of l-T4 are caused in part by increases in SHBG and tissue blood flow which for T and E2 act as opposing forces to maintain their dynamics relatively normal, but for A, E1 and especially F the effects of increases in tissue blood flow are dominat. Dexamethasone, acutely and chronically, decreases T and F concentration, but only MCRF is decreased. The decrease in MCRF is associated with a marked decrease in the hepatic extractions of F. Peripheral aromatization is decreased by both treatments, but more so by the longer treatment.
Diffusion-limited reaction rate theory for two-dimensional systems

The Noyes and Smoluchowski diffusion-limited reaction rate theories are proved to be equivalent on a lattice. The Noyes theory is analysed and used to predict the kinetics of the two-dimensional irreversible reaction A + B $\rightarrow$ P. Only condensed phase reactions with molecules of A and B undergoing Brownian motion (diffusion) are discussed. For comparison, all calculations are done in both two and three dimensions. The two-dimensional rate function k$\_N$(t) in the equation $d\[A]/dt = d[B]/dt = -k\_N(t)[A\]\[B\]$ asymptotically goes to zero as ($\ln$ t)$^{-1}$ as t increases; the asymptotic expansion of k$\_N$(t) is derived from the expansion for the first-return probability in a random walk on a square lattice. The theoretical rate function is determined as a function of the probability $\alpha$ of reaction given an encounter. Although k$\_N$(t) is not significantly different from 'empirical' rate functions in a Monte Carlo simulation of a two-dimensional chemical reaction, it does differ from the rate function in a two-dimensional fluorescence quenching experiment.
Can counterfactuals save mental causation

(1995). Can counterfactuals save mental causation? Australasian Journal of Philosophy: Vol. 73, No. 1, pp. 71-90.
Irrealism and error in ethics

Common sense moral thinking and discourse proceed on the assumption that error in moral judgment is possible. Often enough, our critical stances toward our own moral judgments and the moral judgments of others presuppose that mistakes were made. Moral realists have a clear and straightforward explanation of this phenomenon. According to moral realism, there are moral facts whose existence and nature is largely independent of our beliefs and other attitudes, as well as independent of human conventions, agreements, the outcomes of bargains and so forth. On this view, moral judgments purport to desclibe moral facts, and a moral judgment is true just in case it corresponds to the facts. Moral error, then, occurs when a moral judgment fails to correspond to the facts. For the irrealist, who rejects the idea that there are such independent moral facts, things are not as clear and sU'aightforward, and some realists have argued that in the end ixxealism is not able to adequately explain the possibility of at least some types of moral error. This is the basic complaint behind what I shall call the argument O'om moral error an argument that represents a persistent and serious challenge to the irrealist, and will be the focus of this paper. My ultimate aim here is to defend ha'ealism against this m'gmnent. But since the argument has never, to my knowledge, been the subject of extensive scrutiny, at least in ethics, we will fhst need to provide an explicit Ii~rrnulation of the argument. This is the task of the first part of the paper (w167 1-6) which will involve clearing away certain potential misunderstandings of the argument and working our way toward a formulation of the argument in its strongest version. Doing so will be illuminating for what it reveals about a defensible form of irrealism in ethics since I maintain that the argument reveals an important insight about what I call our "critical practices' that the irrealist should acknowledge. I shall argue (w167 -8) that although defenders of standard, reductive versions of hxealism can mount a plausible enough defense in response to the argument from moral error, the insight this argument provides about our critical practices leads the in'ealist in the direction of a non-reductive foxan of in'ealism in ethics. In w 9,
Challenges of infrared reflective spectroscopy of solid-phase explosives and chemicals on surfaces

Reliable active and passive hyperspectral imaging and detection of explosives and solid-phase chemical residue on surfaces remains a challenge and an active area of research. Both methods rely on reference libraries for material identification, but in many cases the reference spectra are either not available or do not sufficiently resemble the instrumental signals of light reflected, scattered, or emitted from real-world objects. We describe a physics-based model using the complex dielectric constant to explain what is often thought of as anomalous behavior of scattered or nonspecular signatures encountered in active and passive sensing of explosives or chemicals on surfaces and show modeling and experimental results for RDX.