cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A hybrid polygonal element method for fracture mechanics analysis of resistance spot welds containing porosity

Abstract A hybrid polygonal element (HPE) method is presented in this study for evaluating the effects of micro-porosity on the fracture behavior of resistance spot welds. The HPE method uses an arbitrarily shaped n -sided polygonal grid to characterize porosity distribution in a weld nugget. Compared with traditional finite element methods, HPE method possesses a number of unique features and advantages, such as mesh simplicity, computational efficiency, and easiness in performing parametric studies. Randomly distributed porosity in a resistance spot weld can be directly modeled using this method. The interactions between porosity and the main crack around the periphery of a weld nugget can be easily quantified. This is of particular importance for aluminum resistance spot welds as the automotive industries strive to produce light-weight vehicles by using more and more aluminum alloys. To demonstrate its effectiveness, HPE method was applied to carry out a series of fracture mechanics analyses for aluminum spot welds with various distributions of micro-porosity. Both lap shear and lap tension specimens were analyzed. The analysis results shed light on the effects of porosity on the fatigue strength of aluminum spot welds.
Health is Better at Serum 25(OH)D Above 30ng/mL

Abstract There is clear evidence of health benefit in studies raising serum 25(OH)D in the range of 20–50 ng/mL. However, the results have not been consistent. The likely reasons include the intrinsic smallness of nutrient effects, as well as failure of trial designers to give adequate attention to starting vitamin D status and to adequacy of dose. Similarly, systematic reviews have also usually failed to use dose or starting level as criteria for study inclusion. The result is null studies, on the one hand, and, on the other, meta-analytic aggregate effects that are artifactually minimized. At a more fundamental level, the issue with vitamin D (as with most nutrients) is not the demonstration of efficacy but the defining of intake. Randomized controlled trials are poorly suited to answer such a quantitative question. Alternative approaches to defining nutrient requirements based on physiological grounds are needed (and possible). Alternatively, requirements can be based on a calculus of harm, recognizing that any selected level carries two risks: possible benefits foregone and possible harm risked. The decision should be for the nutrient status level that minimizes those inescapable risks. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled ‘Vitamin D workshop’.
Effects of altervalent cation doping on electrical conductivity of platinized titania

Abstract Electrical conductivity measurements of pure and doped platinized titania were conducted to obtain a qualitative estimate of alterations of the Fermi energy level of electrons of the carrier upon doping. It is established that, under any environment, the specific electrical conductivity of TiO 2 doped with cations of higher valence (Sb 5+ , Ta 5+ , W 6+ ) is significantly higher than that of undoped or equal valence (Ge 4+ )-doped TiO 2 which, in turn, is higher than that of lower valence (Mg 2+ )-doped TiO 2 . The activation energy of electron conduction follows the opposite trend. Differences in electrical conductivity are a function of temperature and of the environment in which the sample exists. Electrical conductivity was found to decrease in the order: H 2 > CO > vacuum.
Nd: Laser induced absorption in semiconductors and aqueous PrCl3 and NdCl3

The insertion of a multi-photon absorber within a laser cavity has practical importance in providing stabilised laser amplitude and variable pulse duration. We report the relative non-linear absorption coefficients of semiconductors Si, CdSe, CdTe, and GaAs at 1.064μm using a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. The measurements on Si were carried out from 77 to 450° K, and the results confirm a stepwise process giving rise to induced absorption. The effects of the spatial and temporal distributions of the laser emission on the absolute non-linear coefficient values are briefly discussed. Preliminary observation of stepwise multi-photon absorption in aqueous PrCl3 and NdCl3 measured with a pulsed Nd:glass laser is also reported. The possibility of using a combination of inducible and saturable absorbers, placed within the laser cavity, as a means of providing laser intensities confined to a narrow range centred about a pre-set intensity, is raised.
Curriculum content from critical incidents

Summary The aim of this study was the creation of a medical school curriculum which meets the needs of students, teachers, and community. The method for collecting data was the Critical Incident Technique (CIT). Using appropriate modifications in questions and format, responses were sought from the medical school staff and students, all alumni of the medical school, members of the state medical society, nursing and technical personnel of the school's three teaching hospitals, and patients at each of these hospitals. Each respondent was asked to recall as many incidents as possible in which he observed a doctor do (or fail to do) something which was critical to the care of a patient. From 2,739 individuals there were 942 responses. These yielded 2,181 critical incidents which, in turn, were dissected into 5,657 critical behaviours. These behaviours were catalogued in rank order under the following headings: (1) wisdom in deciding on appropriate care; (2) diagnostic acumen; (3) responsibility as a doctor; (4) effectiveness of doctor-patient relationship; (5) physical examination skill; (6) medical education; (7) test technique and understanding; (8) judgment and skill in implementing care; (9) competence of continuing care; (10) history-taking competence. Each behaviour was reviewed by a committee of teachers which gave an opinion as to whether it was an essential competence for a medical school graduate. The resulting list constitutes a core curriculum for the medical school.
P09 Therapeutic potential of NOSH-aspirin, a dual nitric oxide- and hydrogen sulfide-donating hybrid in colon cancer

Colorectal cancer is one of the major causes of cancer deaths worldwide. In patients with advanced disease, the efficacy of currently available treatments is limited. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in general and aspirin (ASA) in particular are prototypical chemopreventive agents. However, the use of NSAIDs is limited by their significant toxicity (gastrointestinal, renal, and cardiovascular). In our search for a “better NSAID”, we have developed NOSH-aspirin for the treatment of colon cancer. The notion that a modified NSAID maybe used to treat cancer is radical. NOSH-aspirin (NBS-1120) is a hybrid molecule that releases nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S), two gasotransmitters of physiological relevance. NOSH-aspirin is the first NSAID-based agent that is active against colon cancer in the nano-molar range, is devoid of gastrointestinal and cellular toxicity, preferentially affects cancer cells compared to normal cells, and has a pleotropic mechanism of action. In vitro, NOSH-aspirin inhibited the growth of HT-29, HCT 15, and SW480 human colon cancer cell lines with IC 50 values of 48 ± 3, 50 ± 5, and 60 ± 4 nM at 24 h, respectively. The corresponding IC 50 for aspirin in all 3 cell lines was > 5,000,000 nM. This represents an enhanced potency of > 80,000-fold in the 3 cell lines at 24 h. Using HT-29 colon cancer cells, NOSH-aspirin had IC 50 s for cell growth inhibition of 20 nM at 48 h and 8 nM at 72 h. The corresponding values for aspirin were, 2,500,000 nM and 2,000,000 nM, respectively. This represents potency enhancements of ∼125–000-fold and ∼250,000-fold. Although highly potent, NOSH-aspirin was without any cytotoxicity as determined by lactate dehydrogenase release. Inhibiting NO and H 2 S release from NOSH-aspirin, increased the IC 50 for cell growth inhibition to ∼800,000 nM at 24 h. NOSH-aspirin had a synergistic effect with 5-flurouracil (5-FU), in HT-29 cells its IC 50 for cell growth inhibition at 24 h went down from 50 nM to 4 nM in presence of sub-toxic levels of 5-FU. Mechanistically, NOSH-aspirin dose-dependently induced apoptosis; inhibited proliferation; caused a G 0 /G 1 cell cycle block; increased reactive oxygen species (ROS); inhibited NF-#kappa B, regulating it by reciprocal S-nitrosylation and S-sulfhydration; and inhibited cytokine-induced NOS2 expression. In vivo, using a xenograft model of colon cancer, NOSH-aspirin dose-dependently reduced the growth of established tumors, reduced proliferation, induced apoptosis, reduced NF-#kappa B, and induced ROS. NOSH-aspirin also exhibited potent anti-inflammatory properties, inhibiting both cyclo-oxygense (COX)-1 and COX-2, thus reducing prostaglandin (PG) E 2 levels in a carrageenan-induced rat paw edema model. In conclusion, NOSH-aspirin is a promising candidate against cancer modulating key parameters that regulate cellular mass.
Characteristics and Capacity of VDL Mode 2, 3, and 4 Subnetworks

In the current National Airspace System (NAS), voice communications for Air Traffic Services (ATS) are transmitted by analog VHF radios. Aeronautical Operational Communications (AOC) use a character-oriented system operating in the VHF band known as Aircraft CommunicationsAddressing and Reporting System (ACARS). These radios are neither capable of supporting the growth in air traffic expected in the near future, nor are they capable of enabling new services under development. Three bit-oriented digital VHF radios, VDL Modes 2, 3, and 4, have been proposed as solutions to frequency congestion in the aeronautical VHF band. In this paper each mode is investigated through simulations which explore their individual characteristics under variable loads. The three modes are also tested in realistic terminal and en route domain scenarios. The capacity of each mode is estimated based on the subnetwork delays specified in the standards. The results indicate that VDL Mode 2 can support the highest traffic load, but cannot provide deterministic delays for critical applications. Mode 3 supports the least load due to large downlink delays, but provides the required mechanisms for critical information transfer. Mode 4 has a marginally higher capacity than Mode 3 with similar prioritization capabilities.
Status of Cardiovascular Issues Related to Space Flight: implications for Future Research Directions

Compromised cardiovascular performance, occurrence of serious cardiac dysrhythmias, cardiac atrophy, orthostatic intolerance, reduced aerobic capacity, operational impacts of regular physical exercise, and space radiation are risks of space flight to the cardiovascular system identified in the 2007 NASA Human Integrated Research Program. An evidence-based approach to identify the research priorities needed to resolve those cardiovascular risks that could most likely compromise the successful completion of extended-duration space missions is presented. Based on data obtained from astronauts who have flown in space, there is no compelling experimental evidence to support significant occurrence of autonomic or vascular dysfunction, cardiac dysrhythmias, or manifestation of asymptomatic cardiovascular disease. The operational impact of prolonged daily exercise and space radiation needs to be defined. In contrast, data from the literature support the notion that the highest probability of occurrence and operational impact with space flight involving cardiovascular risks to astronaut health, safety and operational performance are reduced orthostatic tolerance and aerobic capacity, the resource cost of effective countermeasures, and the potential effects of space radiation. Future research should focus on these challenges.
Alteration of ultraviolet-induced mutagenesis in yeast through molecular modulation of the REV3 and REV7 gene expression.

Abstract DNA damage can lead to mutations during replication. The damage-induced mutagenesis pathway is an important mechanism that fixes DNA lesions into mutations. DNA polymerase ζ (Polζ), formed by Rev3 and Rev7 protein complex, and Rev1 are components of the damage-induced mutagenesis pathway. Since mutagenesis is an important factor during the initiation and progression of human cancer, we postulate that this mutagenesis pathway may provide an inhibiting target for cancer prevention and therapy. In this study, we tested if UV-induced mutagenesis can be altered by molecular modulation of Rev3 enzyme levels using the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a eukaryotic model system. Reducing the REV3 expression in yeast cells through molecular techniques was employed to mimic Polζ inhibition. Lower levels of Polζ significantly decreased UV-induced mutation frequency, thus achieving inhibition of mutagenesis. In contrast, elevating the Polζ level by enhanced expression of both REV3 and REV7 genes led to a ∼3-fold increase in UV-induced mutagenesis as determined by the arg4-17 mutation reversion assays. In vivo, UV lesion bypass by Polζ requires the Rev1 protein. Even overexpression of Polζ could not alleviate the defective UV mutagenesis in the rev1 mutant cells. These observations provide evidence that the mutagenesis pathway could be used as a target for inhibiting damage-induced mutations.
An Introduction to the Journal of Enterprise Transformation

Today's large and complex enterprises face the critical challenges of increasing competitiveness, reducing costs, and improving overall effectiveness. They invest billions of dollars every year in ...
Performances of IEEE 802.15.4 and its high rate extensions for body sensor networks

The 2360–2400 MHz frequency band has been proposed for the medical use of body sensor networks. This paper investigates the performance of IEEE 802.15.4 and its high rate extensions (to 500 kbps and 2 Mbps) in this new band. Two receiver structures, namely correlation and hard decision receivers are evaluated based on a number of performance metrics including BER, spectrum efficiency, throughput, and interference. The results show that the IEEE 802.15.4, with lowered transmit power, is suitable for most medical body sensor network applications, though higher rate extensions are necessary for some particular applications.
Experimental Analysis of Sexual Behavior of the Deermouse Peromyscus Maniculatus Gambeli

Ejaculation in the deermouse Peromyscus maniculatus gambeli was preceded by a sequence of brief penile penetrations (intromissions). In the sexually rested male the number of intromissions preceding the first ejaculation averaged 7 to 8. Each intromission was preceded by a short "bout" of running in which the male pursued the female. Following ejaculation the male failed to mount or investigate the female for the next 6 or 7 minutes. This "refractory period" was terminated when the male achieved another sequence of intromissions and ejaculated again. Males were considered sexually satiated after 30 minutes elapsed without any more ejaculations. Using this criterion it was found that from 3 to 6 ejaculations precede sexual satiation. The refractory periods became progressively longer following each successive ejaculation. If, following satiation, the female was removed and a different female was placed in the test area, all the males achieved additional intromissions and 8 out of 10 ejaculated. When the original mating partner was removed and then returned none of the males achieved ejaculation. This failure to achieve ejaculation with the original female was not due to changes in the condition of the female as a result of copulatory stimulation. Satiated males achieved additional ejaculations with females that had copulated with a different male just prior to the test just as frequently as they did with fresh females that had not copulated for 14 days. The condition of the female as affected by copulatory stimulation did influence other measures of the male's mating performance. These effects were seen most clearly in sexually rested males. The number of intromissions achieved prior to the first and the second ejaculation was greater with females that had received copulatory stimulation just prior to the test than it was with fresh females that had not copulated for 14 days. The time delay between intromissions was longer with fresh females. When males were allowed to achieve their first ejaculation with a fresh female and their second with the same female, there was no change in the number of intromissions from the first to the second ejaculation. This is in contrast to findings with the rat and hamster, in which species a decrease in intromission frequency occurs after the first ejaculation. The current study of the deermouse indicated that if the condition of the female was held constant by testing a male with a fresh female for the first ejaculation and another fresh female for the second ejaculation, a decrease in intromission frequency occurred. On the basis of these results it was concluded that: (i) sexual satiation in the male deermouse is, in part at least, specific to the particular female mating partner, and (2) changes in the condition of the female as a result of copulatory stimulation can have major effects on the "measure of male sexual performance".
The auto-oxidation of tetrahydrobiopterin

The product of the aerobic oxidation of tetrahydrobiopterin, quinonoid dihydrobiopterin, is unstable and rapidly rearranges to form a 7,8-dihydropteridine. Kaufman [Kaufman, S. (1967) J. Biol. Chem. 242, 3934-3943] identified the stable product produced in 0.1 M phosphate pH 6.8, as 7,8-dihydrobiopterin. However, Armarego et al. [Armarego, W. L. F., Randles, D. and Taguchi, H. (1983) Eur. J. Biochem. 135 393-403] questioned this assignment because they found that the dihydroxypropyl group on C-6 was eliminated and 7,8-dihydropterin was the predominant product when the aerobic oxidation was performed in 0.1 M Tris pH 7.6. In the present study we demonstrate that the rearrangement of the unstable quinonoid dihydrobiopterin results in a mixture of these two 7,8-dihydropteridines at neutral pH, 25 degrees C. Furthermore, we find that the loss or retention of the alkyl side-chain is not solely dependent on the pH of the reaction mixture, as was previously assumed by Armarego et al., but rather is strongly influenced by the temperature and the type of buffer. In addition, we describe a new method for quantifying the relative amounts of these two 7,8-dihydropteridines in mixtures of unknown concentrations. This method relies on multicomponent analysis of second derivative spectra and results in values which agree with the concentrations determined directly by HPLC.
Rationale Synthese kovalent gebundener organisch‐anorganischer Hybdridverbindungen

Kovalent uber organische Einheiten mit delokalisiertem π-Elektronensystem verbundene Polyoxometallat(POM)-Hybridmaterialien haben zunehmendes Interesse geweckt. Diese Hybride wurden traditionell durch das nicht kontrollierbare Verknupfen von Clustern synthetisiert, das Ergebnis war jedoch nicht vorhersagbar. Jetzt lassen sich solche Hybride durch etablierte organische Reaktionen herstellen, bei denen mit organischen Gruppen funktionalisierte POM-Cluster als Bausteine eingesetzt werden. In diesem Kurzaufsatz werden einige aktuelle Fortschritte bei der Synthese von Hybriden vorgestellt, in denen organische und anorganische Einheiten uber Imidobrucken verknupft sind.
Efficacy of certain quinolines as pharmacological antagonists in botulinum neurotoxin poisoning

Abstract Various 4- and 8-aminoquinolines, which are effective antimalarial agents, were examined as potential pretreatment compounds for prolongation of the time to 50% block of nerve-elicited muscle twitches in isolated mouse diaphragms exposed to botulinum type A neurotoxin. The 4-aminoquinolines (chloroquine, amodiaquine) and quinacrine, an acridine derivative similar to chloroquine, prolonged the time required for botulinum type A neurotoxin to block neuromuscular transmission by more than 3-fold; 8-aminoquinolines (primaquine and WR242511) had no antibotulinum type A neurotoxin activity. Pyrimethamine, an antimalarial drug lacking the quinoline ring structure, was also ineffective. Rank order potencies based on equimolar effective concentrations for the test compounds were quinacrine > amodiaquine > chloroquine > quinine or quinidine. Maximum protection from botulinum type A neurotoxin-induced neuro-muscular block was achieved when muscles were exposed to drug prior to or simultaneously with the toxin. A delay of more than 20 min abolished the protective ability of the antimalarial agents, presumably owing to the release of the toxin from endosomes in quantities sufficient to initiate neuromuscular block. All of the test compounds except quinine and quinidine depressed muscle contractions when concentrations exceeded 20 μM. In addition, amodiaquine at 50 μM induced muscle contracture. A combination of agents at low concentrations that act at different steps of botulinum type A neurotoxin poisoning potentiated the prolongation of time to 50% block in an approximately additive fashion. Thus N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine (2 μM) and quinacrine (5 μM), when administered in combination, produced up to a 4-fold increase in time to 50% block. A similar level of protection with quinacrine alone required a 4-fold increase in the aminoquinoline concentration. Although the mechanism of protection by these antimalarial agents is probably through the raising of endosomal pH, the possibility that some of these drugs could also act by inhibiting toxin-induced channel formation cannot be ruled out.
Oxidative DNA damage in tissues of English sole (Parophrys vetulus) exposed to nitrofurantoin.

Abstract Juvenile English sole were exposed intramuscularly to nitrofurantoin (NF) and the levels of 8-hydroxy-2′deoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG) in liver, kidney and blood were determined using reversed-phase HPLC with electrochemical detection. Identification and quantitation of the 8-OH-dG in the samples was accomplished by comparison with standard 8-OH-dG, which was characterized by UV spectroscopy and fast-atom bombardment mass spectrometry. The levels of hepatic 8-OH-dG increased ( r 2 = 0.59, P = 0.015) with the dose of NF (0.10 – 10 mg NF/kg fish). In kidney and blood, however, the levels of 8-OH-dG were significantly higher than controls only at the highest dose tested. The level of binding in liver ranged from 0.37 to 0.76 fmol 8-OH-dG/μg DNA. The levels of hepatic 8-OH-dG reached a maximum (approx. 1 fmol 8-OH-dG/μg DNA) between 1 and 3 days after exposure, followed by a decrease to control levels (approx. 0.25 fmol 8-OH-dG/μg DNA) at 5 days post-exposure. These data demonstrate the first direct evidence for the formation of oxidized DNA bases resulting from the metabolism of a nitroaromatic compound by fish.
Affective processing in overwhelmed individuals: Strategic and task considerations

Previous research suggests that emotionally overwhelmed individuals (high affect intensity, intermediate attention to emotions, low clarity of emotions) attempt to counteract the influence of affective information. In five studies (ns=129, 177, 119, 339, 261), the current research found that task performance in overwhelmed individuals varied by current arousal and by whether affective influence occurred on evaluative versus non-evaluative tasks. Overwhelmed high current arousal participants exhibited decreased affective influence on evaluative tasks but increased affective influence on non-evaluative tasks. These results are consistent with the effects of active suppression of affective information, including ironic effects of monitoring for affective information. In contrast, overwhelmed low current arousal participants exhibited increased affective influence on evaluative tasks but decreased affective influence on non-evaluative tasks. These results are consistent with attentional avoidance of affective...
Bacterial chemotaxis as a simple model for a sensory system

Abstract Bacteria have a rudimentary memory and a system for interpreting responses to positive and negative stimuli. The biochemical pathways of this system may have close analogies to the behavioral mechanisms of higher species.
Plasma angiotensin, serum 'angiotensinase activity', and blood pressure response during angiotensin II amide infusions in normal volunteers.

Des doses croissantes d'angiotensine II amide furent injectees a des volontaires normaux. La reponse de la pression arterielle fut en relation directe avec le log de la dose de peptide injectee, avec la concentration serique en sodium et avec l'activite serique «angiotensinase», mais en relation inverse avec l'augmentation de la concentration plasmatique en angiotensine. Ces resultats suggerent que la reponse de pression est determinee, au moins en partie, par le «turnover» du peptide au niveau des recepteurs et qu'a ce niveau angiotensinase influence le «turnover» et la concentration plasmatique du peptide.
Local Fiscal Stress in Sub‐Saharan Africa: The Kenyan Example

Abstract This article identifies the fiscal weaknesses of local government in Africa, with concentration of the fiscal stress that is endemic to their condition. It then examines Kenya, as a case study in sub‐Saharan Africa. It continues to focus down on three Kenyan cities—Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu, and identifies their six major revenue sources: land based revenues, regulatory revenues, income‐based taxes, service revenues, user charges, and government grants. Although some of the data is problematic, it is possible to determine several reasons for local fiscal stress. These reasons include limited access to stable financial resources, unstable national economic performance, centralized governmental control, mixed results of decentralization, and institutional and managerial weaknesses, including corruption in the collection and use of resources. Four recommendations are advanced to help these local governments: the development of local credit systems, the use of non‐governmental organizations, the c...
Computing nuclear magnetic resonance chemical shielding in large systems via multipole shielding polarizabilities

Abstract Whereas ab initio methods are feasible for computational evaluation of chemical shielding parameters in small molecules or molecular fragments, a simpler method is demonstrated for the evaluation of the relative effects of shielding due to electrostatic interactions, such as those which may arise from both inter- and intra-residue interactions in proteins and other biomolecules. The shielding of a small molecule or molecular fragment is expanded in a multipole power series, and the terms of the series may be evaluated by contemporary ab initio methods. The convergence behavior of this expansion using fluorobenzene is shown as a prototypical molecule, and we conclude that the first three multipole polarizability terms are important, but that hyperpolarizability shielding corrections are negligible.
A Multiplatform Study of I/O Behavior on Petascale Supercomputers

We examine the I/O behavior of thousands of supercomputing applications "in the wild," by analyzing the Darshan logs of over a million jobs representing a combined total of six years of I/O behavior across three leading high-performance computing platforms. We mined these logs to analyze the I/O behavior of applications across all their runs on a platform; the evolution of an application's I/O behavior across time, and across platforms; and the I/O behavior of a platform's entire workload. Our analysis techniques can help developers and platform owners improve I/O performance and I/O system utilization, by quickly identifying underperforming applications and offering early intervention to save system resources. We summarize our observations regarding how jobs perform I/O and the throughput they attain in practice.
Endothelial lipase and cholesterol metabolism

Endothelial lipase (EL), a new member of the lipase gene family, was recently cloned and has a significant role in plasma high-density lipoprotein levels (HDL). EL has a highly similar molecular homology to lipoprotein lipase and hepatic lipase. It is synthesized by endothelial cells and functions at the cell surface. EL primarily has phospholipase AI activity. Animals that overexpress EL showed decreased HDL cholesterol levels and those that lack EL show elevated levels of HDL cholesterol. The expression is highly regulated by cytokines and physical forces. These data suggest that EL may play a significant role in atherosclerosis.
Improving the scientific foundations for estimating health risks from the Fukushima incident

Two articles in PNAS document the estimated release magnitude and distribution of cesium (Cs)-137 from the nuclear power facility incident in Fukushima (1, 2). These papers provide a step forward in developing improved characterizations of the range of environmental contamination of Cs-137 along with an improved framework for estimating exposures to environmental receptors, including forests, agriculture, wildlife, and humans. Cs-137 is the γ- and β-ray–emitting contaminant of primary concern because of the amount released and its 33-y half-life.
The State of Statistical Process Control as We Proceed into the 21st Century

(2000). The State of Statistical Process Control as We Proceed into the 21st Century. Journal of the American Statistical Association: Vol. 95, No. 451, pp. 992-998.
913 IMMUNE COMPLEXES IN SLIPPED CAPITAL FEMORAL EPIPHYSIS

Serum, synovial fluid, and synovial biopsy material were examined in 9 patients with slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE), in 7 controls, and in 3 patients with acute toxic synovitis (ATS) for the presence of immune complexes (IC), immunoglobulins, and complement components. The serum was assayed for IC by the Raji cell indirect fluorescent method and by the Clq binding assay (Clq-BA). Total hemolytic complement (CH100), C3, and C4 were quantitated by radial diffusion, and quantitative immunoglobulins (IgG,A, and M) were measured by laser nephelometry. Biopsies of the synovium and the junction of the femoral neck and articular cartilage were studied by light microscopy and direct immunofluorescence. IC in the synovial fluid were demonstrated in 6 of 7 SCFE patients by Raji cell method and 5 of 7 by Clq-BA, in 3 of 3 ATS patients by Raji cell method and Clq-BA, and in 1 control by Raji cell method, but not by Clq-BA. Fluorescent staining for deposition of immunoglobulins and complement on synovial tissue was negative in all study cases. All serum immunologic parameters(IgG, IgA, IgM, C3, C4, and CH100) were normal in patients with SCFE, and IC were not detected in SCFE patients' serum by either the Raji cell method or Clq-BA. However, the serum from 1 of 3 ATS patients had IC by Raji cell method. Immunoglobulins and complement of the synovial fluid were comparable in all 3 groups(SCFE, ATS, and control). This preliminary data suggest that immune complexes may play a pathologic role in SCFE and ATS.
Realism in Laboratory Simulation: Myth or Method?

By asking the question "What is it that makes an experiment 'realistic' ?" we seek to recast previous discussions focused on "realism versus artificiality." It is suggested that relationships between variables may vary under different experimental conditions. The degree of realism is used as a means of identifying experimental characteristics. This analysis of the concept of realism provides a meaningful alternative for future synthesis of small group research, both field and laboratory. Characteristics of a research method labeled "realistic simulation" are also identified. T here is increasing interest in laboratory simulation by sociologists.1 A wide range of research efforts have been categorized as "simulations" which on the surface appear to have little similarity. Some researchers have restricted their efforts to computer programming, e.g., simulation of voting behavior and other social processes.2 Efforts also have been made to combine the use of computers and human subjects in a variety of *Revision of a paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Sociological Association, Chicago, Illinois, September 1965. Financial support for this research was provided by United States Air Force Grant #AF-AFOSR-572-65, monitored by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research of the Office of Aero Space Research. 1 It is of special interest that a recent introductory methods text includes a chapter on simulation; see Bernard S. Phillips, Social Research: Strategy and Tactics (New York: The Macmillan Co., 1966), pp. 145-152. 2 Ithiel De Sola Pool and Robert Anderson, "The Simulmatics Project," Simulation in Social Science, (ed.) Harold Guetzkow (Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, 1962), pp. 70-81. Three such papers were presented at the annual meeting of the American Sociological Association, September 1965, Chicago, Illinois, in a section entitled "Three Models Simulating Work and its Discontents": Raymond Breton, "Output Norms and Productive Behavior In Non-Cooperative Work Groups" (Johns Hopkins University); R. R. RiHi and C. P. Fair, "Simulating the Behavioral Consequences of Changes In Organizational Systems" (IBM, Armonk); and John T. Gullahorn and Jeanne E. Gullahorn, "Computer Simulation of Role Conflict Resolution" (Michigan State University). This content downloaded from 157.55.39.163 on Wed, 21 Sep 2016 04:50:40 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms
Control of hyperbolic PDE systems with actuator dynamics

In this paper we consider a boundary control problem for a class of hyperbolic PDEs that arise in the design and control of thermal fluid systems. We include the effects of actuator dynamics and show how one may formulate the problem so that the input operator is bounded. We prove that the system is well-posed in standard Hilbert spaces and present a rigorous numerical scheme for approximating control laws. Numerical results are given to illustrate the ideas.
PERSISTENT CURRENTS AT FIELDS ABOVE 23T

Experimental studies made on organic conducting salts of the composition α-(BEDT-TTF)2MHg(SCN)4 (where M = K, Tl and Rb) indicate that they exhibit persistent currents at magnetic fields exceeding 23T. The presence of currents cannot be explained by the quantum Hall effect, while superconductivity seems unlikely. All indications point towards a new type of dissipationless current flow involving relative gradients in the pinning of a CDW and quantized orbital magnetism.
Increasing retention and success of students of color at research‐extensive universities

The number of students of color transferring to and completing degrees at four-year, non-research-extensive universities continues to increase. However, research-extensive universities struggle with recruiting and retaining students of color. This chapter discusses one initiative developed by a research-extensive university focused on increasing success and graduation rates of students of color.
A 330nA energy-harvesting charger with battery management for solar and thermoelectric energy harvesting

Harvesting energy from ambient energy sources such as solar and thermal gradients is one solution to address the dramatic increase in energy consumption of personal electronics. In this paper, an ultra low quiescent current charger and battery management IC that can efficiently extract energy from solar panels and thermoelectric generators to charge batteries and super capacitors is presented. While previous works on energy harvesting [1–5] report efficient DC-DC converters to extract the energy from the harvester, not all of them provide complete battery management functionality for various chemistries. Also, maximum power point tracking (MPPT) which is critical in energy harvesting applications is not provided in some of the published work. In this paper, a charger and battery management IC with 330nA quiescent current is presented. The IC can cold start from 330mV and 5μW of input power. The charger achieves efficiency greater than 80% at single cell solar voltages of 0.5V. A low quiescent current battery management architecture involving sampled circuits, sub regulated rails and clock gating is demonstrated.
Preschool Children's Conceptions of Disabilities: The Salience of Disability in Children's Ideas About Others

This research investigates the ways in which preschool children conceptualize different disabilities. Subjects were 46 children, 3 to 6 years of age, enrolled in inclusive preschool programs. Children were interviewed to learn their ideas about physical and sensory disabilities and Down syndrome, and to assess the salience of disability in their responses to photographs of unfamiliar children. Results revealed that most children were aware of physical disability, half of the children were aware of sensory disabilities, and no children expressed an awareness of Down syndrome. Children were sensitive to the effects of a physical disability on a child's motor performance, but were less aware of the consequences of other disabilities. These results have important implications for understanding typically developing children's reactions to, and ideas about, their classmates with disabilities in inclusive settings.
DDT effects on certain ATP related systems in the peripheral nervous system of the lobster Homarus americanus

Abstract Effects of DDT (1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis-(p-chlorophenyl) ethane) on various ATP utilizing enzymes in the lobster peripheral nerve were studied. On the basis of inhibition by ouabain and DDT, four classes of ATPase enzymes were recognized. They are: (1) ATPase activity that is sensitive to both ouabain and DDT inhibition, or Type A, (2) ATPase activity that is sensitive to DDT inhibition only, or Type B, (3) ATPase activity that is sensitive to ouabain only, and (4) ATPase activity that is not sensitive to either ouabain or DDT. The Type A ATPase is considered to be a part of the total (Na+K+) ATPase enzyme associated with the electrogenic pump. The Type B ATPase consisted of an uncharacterized Na+, K+, and Mg2+ stimulated ATPase and includes also a small portion of Mg2+ stimulated ATPase. Ca2+ stimulated ATPase activity was also detected but was not significantly affected by DDT. Proteins with actomyosin-like properties were also recognized to be present, though this superprecipitation process was only slightly affected by DDT. Other systems studied include the transfer of (γ-32P) ATP to endogenous proteins and added histone in the presence and absence of c-AMP. DDT generally stimulated the process of 32P incorporation, while it inhibited a portion of the specific c-AMP dependent protein kinase activity. It was concluded from these studies that DDT has a potential to inhibit or otherwise interfere with a variety of enzymatic reactions that utilize ATP as a substrate. Of these systems, the Type B ATPase bore overall resemblance to the possible target for DDT.
A statistical appraisal of disproportional versus proportional microbial source tracking libraries

Library-based microbial source tracking (MST) can assist in reducing or eliminating fecal pollution in waters by predicting sources of fecal-associated bacteria. Library-based MST relies on an assembly of genetic or phenotypic "fingerprints" from pollution-indicative bacteria cultivated from known sources to compare with and identify fingerprints of unknown origin. The success of the library-based approach depends on how well each source candidate is represented in the library and which statistical algorithm or matching criterion is used to match unknowns. Because known source libraries are often built based on convenience or cost, some library sources may contain more representation than others. Depending on the statistical algorithm or matching criteria, predictions may become severely biased toward classifying unknowns into the library's dominant source category. We examined prediction bias for four of the most commonly used statistical matching algorithms in library-based MST when applied to disproportionately-represented known source libraries; maximum similarity (MS), average similarity (AS), discriminant analyses (DA), and k-means nearest neighbor (k-NN). MS was particularly sensitive to disproportionate source representation. AS and DA were more robust. k-NN provided a compromise between correct prediction and sensitivity to disproportional libraries including increased matching success and stability that should be considered when matching to disproportionally-represented libraries.
Sex-specific alternative splicing of RNA from the transformer gene results from sequence-dependent splice site blockage

Abstract Sex-specific alternative splicing of RNA from the Drosophila transformer gene involves competition between two 3′ splice sites. In the absence of Sex-lethal activity (as in males), only one site functions; in the presence of Sex-lethal activity (as in females), both sites function. Information for sex-specific splice site choice is contained within the intron itself. Deletions of the splice site used in males lead to Sex-lethal -independent use of the otherwise female-specific site. The relative amounts of unspliced and spliced RNA derived from these mutant genes do not change with changes in Sex-lethal activity. Specific nucleotide changes in the non-sex-specific splice site do not affect splicing activity but eliminate Sex-lethal -induced regulation. A deletion removing material between the two splice sites does not eliminate sex-specific regulation, while a deletion of the female splice site leads to a female-specific increase in unspliced RNA. These results are consistent with a model in which female-specific factors block the function of the non-sex-specific 3′ splice site.
Substrate-assisted antibody catalysis

A new strategy in transition-state analog design is demonstrated to elicit catalytic antibodies. The strategy is based on substrate-assisted antibody catalysis and utilizes analogs designed to mimic the transition-state for intramolecular catalysis and thereby favor antibodies that can recruit catalytic groups from substrate. The hydrolysis of the benzoyl ester of cocaine provides an illustration. The benzoyl ester of cocaine is distant from the protonated nitrogen in the stable chair conformer but proximate in the strained boat form. An antibody stabilizing the boat form and approximating ester and amine could catalyze ester hydrolysis. To mimic the transition-state for the intramolecular catalysis, we synthesized a cocaine analog that replaces this ester with a methylenephenylphosphinate bridge to the tropane nitrogen. This bridged analog elicited 85 cocaine esterases out of 450 anti-analog antibodies–a performance markedly superior to that of a simple phosphonate ester-based analog with an identical tether. The correspondence of the analog to a “high energy” conformer eliminated product inhibition. For certain polyfunctional targets, substrate assistance can be an effective strategy for eliciting catalytic antibodies.
NPC1 late endosomes contain elevated levels of non-esterified (‘free’) fatty acids and an abnormally glycosylated form of the NPC2 protein

NPC (Niemann-Pick type C) disease is a rare lipidosis characterized by the accumulation of LDL (low-density lipoprotein)-derived non-esterified cholesterol in the E/L (endosomal/lysosomal) system. The gene products that are responsible for the two NPC complementation groups are distinct and dissimilar, yet their cellular and disease phenotypes are virtually indistinguishable. To investigate the relationship between NPC1 and NPC2 and their potential role in NPC disease pathogenesis, we have developed a method for the rapid and efficient isolation of late endocytic vesicles from mouse liver by magnetic chromatography. Late endosomes from Wt (wild-type) and NPC1 mice were found to differ not only in their cholesterol and sphingomyelin content, as expected, but also in their non-esterified ('free') fatty acid content, with NPC1 vesicles showing an approx. 7-fold increase in non-esterified fatty acid levels compared with Wt vesicles. Furthermore, we show that the NPC2 protein is in an incompletely deglycosylated form in NPC1 late endosomes by a mechanism that is specific to the NPC2 protein and not a global aberration of protein glycosylation/deglycosylation or trafficking, since NPC2 secreted from NPC1 cells is indistinguishable from that secreted from Wt cells. Also, a greater proportion of the normally soluble cellular NPC2 protein partitions with detergent-insoluble late endosomal internal membrane domains in NPC1 vesicles. In addition, we show that, although a small amount of the NPC2 protein associates with these membranes in Wt vesicles, this localization becomes much more pronounced in NPC1 vesicles. These results suggest that the function of the NPC2 protein may be compromised as well in NPC1 endosomes, which might explain the paradoxical phenotypic similarities of the two NPC disease complementation groups.
SUGGESTION REGARDING GEMEINSCHAFT, INNER CREATION, AND ROLE-TAKING (EMPATHY) : I. DAVID BAKAN ON "EPISTEMOLOGICAL LONELINESS"

of two kinds of role-taking (empathy)-(a) an intuitional kind associated with Rorschachian inner creation (movement responsivity ) , with feeling, and with experience in its Eslebnis sense, and (b) an injere~ziial kind associated with Rorschachian rationality (form responsivity), with prediction, and with experience in its Erfahrung sense (Stark, 1968a), and (3) suggested that "drama" clusters with the former, i.e., with intuitional role-taking, inner creation, feeling, and Erlebnzs (Stark, 1968b). In this paper, I should like to begin to suggest the same about Ferdinand Toennies' concept of Gemeinschaft, i.e., that it too clusters with intuitional roletaking, inner creation, feeling, and Erlebnis (and Gesellschaft with inferential role-taking, rationality, prediction, and Erfahrung). I say "begin" because the suggestion will be presented in three parts, each a separate paper. The firsr (this one) deals with what David Bakan (1956, 1967) means by "a philosophy of epistemological loneliness." Specifically, it relates his interpretation of British Empiricism to Toennies' Gemeinschaft-Gerellrchaft distinction--or more precisely, it interprets his interpretation in terms of Toennies' distinction. The second part deals with Bakan's Dr~ality of Hz(man Existence (1966) treating it as a variation on Toennies' theme. The third and last part deals with Toennies' Community and Society (Gemeinschaft r~nd Gesellschaft), relating it to earlier macerials in the series. Although in these three papers I shall be referring only to Gemeinschaft, what I say about it is intended to apply as well to the concepts that John McKinney and Charles Loornis (Toennies, 1963) relate to Gemeinschaft-Emile Durkheim's "mechanical sol,darity," Charles Horton Cooley's "primary group," Robert Redfield's "folk society," Howard Becker's "sacred societies" ("folk" and "prescribed"), Pitirim Sorokin's "familistic relationship," Max Weber's "?uertsational," "affektz~ell," and "traditional" orientations, and Talcott Parsons' pattern
A cobalt-59 nuclear magnetic resonance reagent for the determination of hydrogen/deuterium ratios

The very large chemical shift range provided by 59Co-n.m.r. yields different lines for each of the nineteen species in the series of complexes ranging from Co(NH3)3+6 through Co(ND3)3+6. At equilibrium, the relative intensities of these lines provide a direct determination of the isotope composition of the solvent with respect to proton-deuterium ratios. Because the problem of extracting the isotope composition from the spectrum of as many as nineteen lines is heavily overdetermined, this technique provides a convenient and accurate means for determining isotopic composition over the whole isotope concentration range.
Designing Environments for Developmental Care

The environment of care has been recognized as an important factor in the healing process for centuries. This is true for all individuals but none more so than newborn infants, for whom the hospital is not only a place of healing but also where an extraordinary and unique period of growth and development must occur-it cannot wait until after the infant is well and discharged home. This article describes the optimal environment for developmental care in the neonatal intensive care unit.