cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Temperature dependence of electron-phonon interactions in vanadium

First-principles calculations were used to study the Fermi surface of body-centered cubic vanadium at elevated temperatures. Supercell calculations accounted for effects of thermal atom displacements on band energies, and band unfolding was used to project the spectral weight of the electron states into the Brillouin zone of a standard bcc unit cell. An electronic topological transition (ETT, or Lifshitz transition) occurred near the $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}$ point with increasing temperature, but the large thermal smearings from the atomic disorder and the Fermi-Dirac distribution reduced the effect of this ETT on the electron-phonon interactions. The phonon dispersions showed thermal stiffening of their Kohn anomalies near the $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}$ point and of the longitudinal N phonon mode. In general the effects of the ETT were overcome by the thermal smearing of the Fermi surface that reduces the spanning vector densities for anomalous phonon modes.
Epidemiological analysis of norovirus outbreak in a primary school in Guangzhou in 2013

Objective To investigate the epidemic characteristics of an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis caused by norovirus so as to provide basis for formulating prevention and control strategies.Methods The epidemiological investigation method was used to analyze an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis caused by norovirus in a primary school in Guangzhou in 2013.Clinical manifestations and laboratory examination were also considered.Results An outbreak of acute gastroenteritis occurred in a primary school from December 23 to December 26 in 2013,including 107 pupils,with an attack rate of 9.18％.The main clinical symptoms were vomiting(95.33％,102/107),fever(46.73％,50/107),and diarrhea(27.10％,29/107),which were all mild symptoms.Having lunch and having a rest in hosting facilities outside school was the risk factor of the outbreak (OR=3.215,95％CI:1.150-8.987,x2=5.107,P＜0.05).G Ⅱ positive was detected in 7 out of 12 stool samples from acute gastroenteritis patients.Conclusions Having lunch and having a rest in hosting facilities outside school is the risk factor of this norovirus outbreak.The governmental departments of education and health should pay more attention to the supervision and management of hosting facilities outside school. Key words: Gastroenteritis; Norovirus; Outbreak
Is landscape surface

The concept of surface, associated with landscape urbanism, has been used to constitute the abstract, horizontal urban plane connecting elements and structures of cities. However, surface has less ...
Export market orientation, marketing capabilities and export performance of SMEs in an emerging market: a resource-based approach

Companies in emerging markets have found that exporting is the most popular mode of entry in international business. However, popularity does not necessarily equate to successful export performance...
Irradiation-induced swelling of pure chromium with 5 MeV Fe ions in the temperature range 450–650 °C

Abstract A surface coating using pure chromium has been proposed to increase the accident tolerance of Zircaloy cladding in pressurized water reactors. However, there is not much irradiation experience with Cr alloys and especially pure Cr. In the present study, pure chromium was irradiated with 5 MeV Fe ions to 50 peak dpa (displacements per atom) at temperatures of 450, 500, 550, 600 and 650 °C. Then irradiation at the peak swelling temperature of 550 °C was conducted to 50, 100, 150 peak dpa. Swelling at 50 dpa was observed over the entire temperature range studied, 450–650 °C, but appeared to be decreasing strongly at the temperature boundaries of the experiment. After an initial transient of rapid swelling, chromium was observed to swell at a rate of ~0.03–0.04%/dpa (up to 120 local dpa), which is much lower than pure Fe at 0.2%/dpa. This low swelling rate was found to be relatively insensitive to dpa rate, which varied by a factor of ~2 over the depth of data collection. Swelling was observed to begin quickly with an incubation period less than 10 dpa. Self-organization in the form of void ordering was observed to be developing at 50 dpa, becoming better defined with increasing dose. The void alignment direction is determined to be the 〈111〉 axial direction.
Optimization of catheter placement for convection-enhanced delivery to brain tumors

Background: Recent trends suggest that physicians will diagnose thousands of children in the United States with a brain or central nervous system tumor in 2020. Malignant brain tumors are difficult to treat, with low life expectancy rates in children and adults. Convection-enhanced delivery (CED) shows promise for the treatment of brain tumors, yet remains in clinical trials despite being developed more than 20 years ago. To advance CED to standard of care status and help improve survival rates, this study group developed a quantitative computer simulation model to determine and optimize therapy distribution in brain tumors based on the catheter infusion locations for CED. Methods: The simulations resulted in the identification of four infusion reference locations, which were used to conduct an optimization study to identify the optimal locations for CED. Patient-specific T1-weighted images and diffusion-weighted images provided information regarding tumor shape and size and the approximate rate at which therapy distributes at spatial locations within the tumor. Using the images, the researchers in this study developed a model which allowed the calculation of therapy distribution within the tumor while considering its permeability, porosity, and interstitial fluid pressure characteristics. We divided the tumor into regions and calculated distribution for four infusion locations per region. Using the location from each region with the highest volume distribution allowed our study group to conduct the response surface optimization. Results: Twelve optimal locations emerged from the optimization with volume percentage distributions ranging from 7.92% to 9.09%, compared to 2.87% to 6.32% coverage for non-optimal locations. This optimization method improved distribution from 27.80% to 45.95%, which may improve therapeutic value. Conclusions: Catheter placement appears to influence volume therapy distribution percentages. The selection of the highest percentages per region may provide optimal therapy for the entire tumor region.
Effects of sleep deprivation on endothelial function in adult humans: a systematic review

Sleep deprivation is highly prevalent and is associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Age-related alterations in sleep and chronobiology may exaggerate CVD susceptibility in older individuals. The mechanisms responsible for the association between sleep deprivation and CVD are not fully understood, but endothelial dysfunction may play a central role. Our objective was to conduct a systematic literature review to evaluate the evidence on the effects of sleep deprivation on endothelial function (EF). This review adhered to the PRISMA guidelines and was pre-registered with PROSPERO (#CRD42020192485, 07/24/2020). We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library for articles published through May 1, 2020. Eligibility criteria included publication in English and use of well-established EF methodologies in adult humans. Two investigators independently performed the literature search, study selection, data extraction, risk-of-bias assessment, and qualitative data synthesis. Out of 3571 articles identified, 24 articles were included in the systematic review. Main findings include the following: (1) shorter sleep duration is associated with lower macrovascular EF; (2) not sleeping 7-9 h/night is linked with impaired microvascular EF; (3) sleep restriction impairs micro- and macrovascular EF; (4) acute total sleep deprivation impairs micro- and macrovascular EF but data on macrovascular EF are less consistent; and (5) shift work impairs macrovascular EF. In conclusion, sleep deprivation impairs EF, which may explain the link between insufficient sleep and CVD. Future investigations should fully elucidate the underlying mechanisms and develop strategies to combat the adverse endothelial effects of sleep deprivation across the lifespan.
The Illusory Standard of Imminence in the International Law of Self-Defense: The Killing of Qassim Soleimani

The crisis year 2020 began with the dramatic Reaper drone attack by the U.S. on the cars carrying Iranian General Qassim Soleimani. As the hash tag “World War III” trended on Twitter, scholars, government officials, and lawmakers took up the question of whether the attack was lawful. Most pointed to the international law of self-defense and said if the facts were as the Trump administration alleged, the killings were lawful. Many cited a purported rule permitting armed force against imminent threats or dangers. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Soleimani was plotting just such future attacks on U. S. interests. The only problem is that there is no right to attack in such circumstances. The United Nations Charter, which regulates the inter-state use of force, does not use the term “imminent” or any variation on it. The Charter prohibits all use of force by member states in their international relations, unless the UN Security Council provides authorization or “an armed attack occurs”. This article challenges the long tradition of reading a right to attack when alleging imminent threats or dangers. The analysis will meet resistance, given the long acceptance that imminence is part of Charter Article 51. The law, however, is plain. Imminence forms no part of Article 51, and the negative consequences of believing that it does can be seen graphically throughout a year of unprecedented developments from the coronavirus pandemic to wide exposure of structural racism, to climate change and insurrection. All of these crises are linked to the killing of Soleimani and disregard of fundamental legal norms, none more important than the prohibition of armed force.
An Analysis of the Land Use Structure Change and Driving Mechanism in Liaoning Province

Based on the land change data of 1996-2009,this paper analyzes the evolution of land use structure in Liaoning Province by using the structure information entropy,and finds that in Liaoning Province the construction land is on the rise and the farmland is on the decline,with the cultivated land and grassland decreasing significantly.Then,the principal component analysis is applied to explore the driving factors of land use structure change in Liaoning Province.The findings indicate that the social-economic factors driving Liaoning’s land use structure change mainly include population,economy and urbanization.Aiming at rationalizing the land use structure in Liaoning Province,some corresponding policy recommendations are finally made.
Identification of factors impacting on the transmission and mortality of COVID-19

This paper proposes a dynamic infectious disease model for COVID-19 daily counts data and estimate the model using the Langevinized EnKF algorithm, which is scalable for large-scale spatio-temporal data, converges to the right filtering distribution, and is thus suitable for performing statistical inference and quantifying uncertainty for the underlying dynamic system. Under the framework of the proposed dynamic infectious disease model, we tested the impact of temperature, precipitation, state emergency order and stay home order on the spread of COVID-19 based on the United States county-wise daily counts data. Our numerical results show that warm and humid weather can significantly slow the spread of COVID-19, and the state emergency and stay home orders also help to slow it. This finding provides guidance and support to future policies or acts for mitigating the community transmission and lowering the mortality rate of COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Journal of Applied Statistics is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Global Connections: Politics, Exchange, and Social Life in World History

Introduction to Volume 2 Part VI. 1500-1700: The Early Modern World: 1. New empires in Asia and the Middle East 2. Russia, Central Eurasia, China, Japan: centralization and commercialization 3. The Americas and Africa in the era of conquest and enslavement 4. Crossroads on the edges of Eurasia: Europe and Southeast Asia, 1500-1800 Part VII. 1700-1850: Revolution and Reform: 5. Expansion, reform, and communication in the agrarian empires of Asia 6. The first industrial revolution and the origins of international inequality 7. The age of revolution Part VIII. 1850-1914: Energy and Empire: 8. The second industrial revolution 9. States and social movements 10. Nationalism and anti-colonialism Part IX. 1914-50: Wars and Revolution: 11. The Great War and world revolutions, 1914-21 12. Twentieth-century social revolutions, 1922-39 13. World War II and the collapse of empires, 1931-50 Part X. 1950-2000: Global Threats and Promises: 14. Cold wars and hot wars: economic boom and slowdown, 1950-85 15. Decolonization 16. Global connections and disturbances, 1980 onwards Conclusion.
Immunomodulation by Cyclophosphamide and its Effect on Eradication of Established Tumors

The antitumor effect of cyclophosphamide (CY) was attributed originally to the tumoricidal effect of its metabolites.1,2 However, several studies have demonstrated that the effectiveness of CY therapy can be facilitated in the presence of antitumor immunity. In these studies, an increase in the effectiveness of CY therapy was demonstrated in the presence of antitumor immunity developed by preimmunizing the tumor bearers3–5 or by adoptively transferring immunity with lymphoid cells.6–8 Several mechanisms have been suggested for the potentiation of the effectiveness of chemotherapy by antitumor immunity. Accordingly, the drug might do the following: (a) reduce the tumor burden to a level whereby the existent host antitumor immunity can eliminate the remaining tumor cells;3 (b) slow tumor growth long enough to allow a potent host antitumor response;3 (c) render residual tumor cells more susceptible to immune lysis;9 (d) render residual tumor cells more immunogenic, thus providing a superior stimulation for the development of host antitumor immunity;10,11 (e) act as an immunomodulator of the antitumor response.12–15
Organization and Plasticity in Multisensory Integration: Early and Late Experience Affects Its Governing Principles

Neurons in the midbrain superior colliculus (SC) have the ability to integrate information from different senses to profoundly increase their sensitivity to external events. This not only enhances an organism's ability to detect and localize these events, but to program appropriate motor responses to them. The survival value of this process of multisensory integration is self-evident, and its physiological and behavioral manifestations have been studied extensively in adult and developing cats and monkeys. These studies have revealed, that contrary to expectations based on some developmental theories this process is not present in the newborn's brain. The data show that is acquired only gradually during postnatal life as a consequence of at least two factors: the maturation of cooperative interactions between association cortex and the SC, and extensive experience with cross-modal cues. Using these factors, the brain is able to craft the underlying neural circuits and the fundamental principles that govern multisensory integration so that they are adapted to the ecological circumstances in which they will be used.
A novel DNA helicase from calf thymus.

Abstract We report the purification and characterization of a novel DNA helicase from calf thymus tissue. This enzyme partially copurifies with DNA polymerase epsilon* through many of the chromatographic procedures used to isolate it. The enzyme contains an intrinsic DNA-dependent ATPase activity. It can displace short oligonucleotides annealed to long single stranded substrates, in an ATP-dependent reaction. Use of this assay indicates that the DNA helicase translocates in a 3' to 5' direction with respect to the substrate strand to which it is bound. Maximal efficiency of displacement is accomplished by hydrolysis of (d)ATP as cofactor, however, (d)CTP can also be utilized resulting in a 5-fold decrease in the level of displacement. Displacement activity is enhanced by the presence of saturating amounts of Escherichia coli single stranded DNA-binding protein, not affected by the presence of phage T4 gene 32 protein, and inhibited by human replication factor A. The DNA helicase has a molecular mass of approximately 104 kDa as measured by denaturing gel electrophoresis, and an S value of 5.4 obtained from glycerol gradient sedimentation. Direct [alpha-32P]ATP cross-linking labels a protein of molecular mass approximately 105 kDa, providing further evidence that this polypeptide contains the helicase active site. In view of the differences in the properties of this helicase from four others recently identified in calf and designated A through D, we propose the name helicase E.
Quantitative proteomics identification of potential protein biomarkers of early recovery after kidney transplant (591.5)

The Targeted Urine Proteome Assay (TUPA) was developed to quantify biomarker proteins in urine. TUPA uses scheduled multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) to interrogate 200 proteins based on two “light” and two “heavy”, stable isotope labeled tryptic peptides/protein. TUPA monitors >1,600 transitions and uses up to 8 data points (2 transitions/peptide) to determine the actual level of expression of each protein. To comprehensively interrogate the urine proteome, a multi-proteomics workflow utilizing two “bottom up” mass spectrometric-based approaches, iTRAQ and Label Free Quantitation, were complemented by Difference Fluorescence Gel Electrophoresis analyses of intact urine proteins from kidney transplant recipients who received a deceased donor kidney. Based on the serum creatinine fall in the first week after surgery, recipients were classified into immediate (IGF) and delayed graft function (DGF). The results of these assays provided a list of potential urine biomarkers. The TUPA assay was then used to co...
Capacity analysis of interlaced clustering in a distributed antenna system

Low signal strength and high interference lead to significantly reduced data-rates at the cell edge. With rising demand for spectrum and systems moving closer to universal frequency reuse, the problem has become more pronounced. Techniques like Fractional Frequency Reuse boost the edgeuser performance at the cost of the spectral efficiency and are therefore sub-optimal. In this paper we investigate interlaced clustering as a solution to the edge user problem for a general distributed cellular transmission system, and explore a multicell Distributed Antenna System as a particular example. In interlaced clustering, different parts of the spectrum use coverage patterns that are spatially shifted (by less than a cell size) replicas of each other. An information theoretic analysis is presented to characterize the proportional fairness boundary point of the achievable rate region. In the process, the joint resource allocation problem is formulated and shown to be convex. As opposed to using interior point methods which are relatively slower, the current paper proposes a novel gradientsearch algorithm to solve the resource allocation problem. It is demonstrated that fractional frequency reuse can in fact be represented as a special (albeit sub-optimal) case of interlaced clustering. Simulation results show that interlaced clustering can boost the edge-user rates by a factor of 2 with negligible degradation of rates in the cell interior. Results also show that interlaced clustering outperforms the edge-user rates achieved with fractional frequency reuse by a factor of 1∶5. The theoretical results are validated by comparing performance to a practical proportional fairness scheduler.
Diagnostic options for early identification and management of interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome.

Summary Aims: The aims of this article were to discuss options for diagnosing interstitial cystitis (IC), to compare approaches and to encourage early diagnosis of this disorder in the primary care setting. Methods: Experts discussed the tools available to diagnose IC and the advantages and disadvantages of each approach. Treatment options, both pharmacological and non-pharmacological, were also discussed. The importance of patient follow-up was emphasised. Results: Diagnostic options for IC include a thorough history and physical examination, laboratory evaluations, symptom screening tools, cystoscopy with hydrodistention, bladder biopsy, potassium sensitivity testing, intravesical anaesthetic challenges, urodynamics and urinary markers. Treatment options include oral and intravesical medications, dietary modification and physical therapy. Patient follow-up can be an opportunity to educate and empower patients to participate in their treatment. Discussion: A thorough patient history, physical examination and laboratory evaluations are keys to the diagnosis of IC. Optional diagnostic approaches may help increase physician confidence in prescribing therapy for this disorder. Multimodal therapy with an emphasis on patient education can help ensure success in treating IC. Conclusion: Understanding the options available to diagnose IC may result in earlier identification and treatment for some patients.
Target rules for public choice economies on tree networks and in Euclidean spaces

We consider the problem of choosing the location of a public facility either (a) on a tree network or (b) in a Euclidean space. (a) (1996) characterize the class of target rules on a tree network by Pareto efficiency and population-monotonicity. Using Vohra's (1999) characterization of rules that satisfy Pareto efficiency and replacement-domination, we give a short proof of the previous characterization and show that it also holds on the domain of symmetric preferences. (b) The result obtained for model (a) proves to be crucial for the analysis of the problem of choosing the location of a public facility in a Euclidean space. Our main result is the characterization of the class of coordinatewise target rules by unanimity, strategy-proofness, and either replacement-domination or population-monotonicity.
The Rise of Hypercompetition in the US Manufacturing Sector, 1950 to 2002

Recent theoretical work has posited that many industries have become hypercompetitive, characterized by volatile or transient competitive advantage. This study documents the spread of hypercompetition in the US manufacturing sector from 1950 to 2002. In so doing, the study provides careful definition of different types of competition, offers specific constructs to measure types of competition within industries, and estimates these constructs. We find a monotonic shift towards more temporary advantages as well as indicators of increasing structural instability. These results indicate a shift towards hypercompetition in most manufacturing industries, with acceleration in this transition around 1980. These findings are consistent with theoretical work about the decreasing sustainability of competitive advantage and they suggest that the field of strategy must develop new approaches for winning with a series of unsustainable advantages.
Acridine orange fluorochrome in the study of normal and malignant epithelium of the uterine cervix.

Abstract In a study of 2,000 consecutive smears (1,967 apparently well women), 0.7 per cent of “positive” cytological findings by each method (AO and Papanicolaou) were confirmed by tissue diagnoses. The cytological accuracy of the AO method was established by comparison with the Papanicolaou method and tissue diagnoses. The value of additional cytotopochemical criteria (RNA and DNA) for identification of abnormal cells was confirmed. Diagnostic criteria for the AO classification were defined. More morphological and cytochemical details were encountered in cells classified as AO Class II (Papanicolaou Class I) on identical smears. A larger group of AO Class III (Papanicolaou Class II) was encountered. Cytological diagnoses by both methods in Classes IV and V were almost identical and recorded data by both techniques correlated well.
Osteochondral autologous transplantation was more effective than microfracture for osteochondritis dissecans in children younger than eighteen years.

Question: In children with osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) injuries ofthe knee, is osteochondral autologous transplantation (OAT) more effective than microfracture? Design: Randomized (allocation concealment unclear), blinded (assessor of magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] findings) controlled trial with 4-year follow-up. Setting: A university hospital in Kaunas, Lithuania. Patients: 50 children < 18 years of age (mean age, 14.3 y; 56% boys) with a single International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) grade 3 to 4 OCD lesion between 2 and 4 cm 2 in a stable knee were included. All patients had not improved after 6 months of conservative treatment. 47 patients (94%) completed follow-up. Intervention: Patients were allocated to OAT (n = 25) or microfracture (n = 25). For all patients, residual fibrotic tissue of subchondral bone was removed from the defect. For the OAT procedure, the donor transplant was harvested with a larger (0.1-mm) cylinder and the lesion was carved out with a smaller cylinder. 5 and 6-mm plugs from the lateral or medial margin of the femoral trochlea were placed at the same level as the healthy cartilage, as close together as possible. The joint trough was moved through a full range of movement to check for stable and correct placement of the plugs. For the microfracture procedure, an arthroscopic awl made multiple holes (2 to 4 mm wide) in the exposed subchondral bone plate, as close together as possible. Patients in both groups received prophylactic antibiotics at the time of surgery and at 6 and 12 hours after surgery and followed an identical rehabilitation program with the goal of full weight-bearing by 6 weeks. Main outcome measures: The outcomes of interest were ICRS repair grade score (score range: 1 = excellent, 2 = good, 3 = fair, and 4 = poor), return to preinjury activity level, and MRI evaluation. Main results: Both the OAT and microfracture groups improved in ICRS scores from baseline. More patients in the OAT group maintained excellent or good results than did patients in the microfracture group, but the differences were not significant (Table). More patients in the OAT group achieved the preinjury activity level than did patients in the microfracture group (Table). At 18.2 months after surgery, MRI showed excellent or good repairs in more patients who received OAT than in patients who received microfracture (Table). Conclusion: In children with OCD injuries of the knee, OAT was superior to microfracture repair.
A Joint GSFC/DMA Project for Improving the Model of the Earth’s Gravitational Field

The U.S. Defense Mapping Agency and the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center with the aid of other organizations such as The Ohio State University are cooperating in a joint effort to determine a significantly improved degree 360 spherical harmonic model representing the Earth’s gravitational potential. This new model will be of immediate use in defining a geoid undulation model that will be the basis for an enhanced WGS84 geoid.
Comparison of lymphoid neoplasm classification. A blinded study between a community and an academic setting.

The revised European-American classification of lymphoid neoplasms has been reported as reproducible among expert pathologists and feasible in a community setting. We evaluated the reproducibility of lymphoid neoplasm diagnoses between a community and an academic center. We subtyped 188 lymphoid neoplasms using revised European-American classification criteria. Clinical findings, histologic or cytologic preparations, paraffin-section immunostains, and flow
Interrelationships among platelet responses: studies on the burst in proton liberation, lactate production, and oxygen uptake during platelet aggregation and Ca2+ secretion

Abstract The interrelationships between several functional and metabolic platelet responses to physiologic stimuli have been studied in gel-filtered platelets by continuous and simultaneous registration of shape change, aggregation, Ca 24 secretion, oxygen uptake, and proton liberation. At various rates of aerobic and anaerobic energy metabolism. proton liberation quantitatively paralleled the production of lactate. However, immediately following thrombin addition, a lactate-unrelated burst in proton liberation became apparent, which correlated with acid hydrolase secretion but not with dense granule or α-granule secretion, ATP-hydrolysis, or hydrolysis of membrane constituents. Following platelet stimulation with a low dose of thrombin (0.1 U • ml–1), a specific order of cellular responses was recorded: (1) onset of shape change; (2) acceleration of lactate-related proton liberation; (3) onset of aggregation; (4) onset of Ca 24 secretion; and (5) a minor increase in oxygen uptake. Stimulation with a high dose of thrombin (5 U • ml–1) initiated (1) onset of shape change; (2) onset of aggregation, Ca2+ secretion, and lactate-unrelated proton liberation; (3) acceleration of mitochondrial respiration; and (4) start of arachidonate oxygenation. Maximal arachidonate oxygenation was found at 5 U • ml–1 of thrombin and could be inhibited completely without affecting Ca 24 secretion or aggregation. At 0.1 U • ml–1 of thrombin, arachidonate oxygenation was hardly detectable, but when inhibited, Ca 24 secretion (velocity and extent) and aggregation were greatly impaired and became detectable only after a time delay 2–3-fold that of uninhibited suspensions. The results suggest that glyco(geno)lytic but not oxidative ATP production supports aggregation and Ca2+ secretion. They demonstrate that thrombin-induced aggregation precedes Ca 24 secretion and therefore is independent of products secreted from the dense granules.
Towards the Understanding of the Process of Sintering

Although the methods of integration of materials by sintering, have been used since the early history of humanity, the actual understanding of the process involved came only in the last four decades. As in the most human endeavors, the art preceded theory.
Calcium/Calmodulin Stimulates the Autophosphorylation of Elongation Factor 2 Kinase on Thr-348 and Ser-500 To Regulate Its Activity and Calcium Dependence

Eukaryotic elongation factor 2 kinase (eEF-2K) is an atypical protein kinase regulated by Ca2+ and calmodulin (CaM). Its only known substrate is eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF-2), whose phosphorylation by eEF-2K impedes global protein synthesis. To date, the mechanism of eEF-2K autophosphorylation has not been fully elucidated. To investigate the mechanism of autophosphorylation, human eEF-2K was coexpressed with λ-phosphatase and purified from bacteria in a three-step protocol using a CaM affinity column. Purified eEF-2K was induced to autophosphorylate by incubation with Ca2+/CaM in the presence of MgATP. Analyzing tryptic or chymotryptic peptides by mass spectrometry monitored the autophosphorylation over 0–180 min. The following five major autophosphorylation sites were identified: Thr-348, Thr-353, Ser-445, Ser-474, and Ser-500. In the presence of Ca2+/CaM, robust phosphorylation of Thr-348 occurs within seconds of addition of MgATP. Mutagenesis studies suggest that phosphorylation of Thr-348 is...
Product Regulation and Stock Prices: The Case of the US Food and Drug Administration

This study focuses on the stock market effects associated with the announcements of product approvals, denials and recalls by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the impact of product approvals on research and development expenditures (R&D) and forecasts of earnings by Value Line. When the FDA announces approvals, the shareholder wealth of affected firms increases significantly. The announcements of denials and recalls by the FDA are associated with stock price declines. The stock price impact of recalls is dependent on whether the firm voluntarily withdraws a product or if the withdrawal is mandated by the FDA. Specifically, voluntary recalls are not associated with a change in stockholder wealth, while FDA mandated recalls are associated with decreases in stock price. In addition, we find that partial product recalls have a smaller impact than total recalls. An examination of the effects on competitors' stock price reveals losses when the FDA announces an approval or a recall, but no imt for ...
COCAINE USE AND VIOLENT ARREST: A REGRESSION MODEL WITH MICRO-LEVEL FACTORS

ABSTRACT A positive relationship between cocaine use and violence is assumed in American social and political discourse. We examined that relationship with data on arrestees in 23 urban areas from the NIJ Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring (ADAM) program. Logistic regression revealed that cocaine use actually decreases the probability of a violent arrest. This negative relationship held across gender and race lines, net of the effects of individual demographic characteristics and criminal history. While the strength of the relationship did not differ across race, a significantly stronger relationship between cocaine use and non-violent arrest was observed for female arrestees. Our findings substantiate a link between cocaine use and nonviolent economic crime.
Intracellular glutathione and cytotoxicity of platinum complexes.

Although there have been a number of reports correlating cellular GSH levels with cytotoxicity of platinum agents, none has examined the relationship between GSH concentrations and cytotoxicity. In this study, using a highly specific HPLC method for measuring GSH and expressing GSH as concentration and also per cell number, we evaluated the correlation between GSH levels and the cytotoxicity to five agents in ten human tumor cell lines. The five platinum agents included the platinum(II) complexes cisplatin, carboplatin and oxaliplatin and platinum(IV) complexes iproplatin and tetraplatin. The correlation between intracellular GSH concentration and cytotoxicity was highly significant only for iproplatin (P=0.002) followed by tetraplatin, which demonstrated a trend toward statistical significance (P=0.06). Cytotoxicity of the other platinum complexes showed no relation to GSH concentration, cisplatin itself showing aP-value of 0.09. In contrast, the GSH levels normalized to cell number showed a statistically significant correlation with the cytotoxicity of four of the five platinum agents, the exception being carboplatin; the strongest correlation observed was that for iproplatin and tetraplatin. Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity in these cell lines showed no correlation with cytotoxicity of any of the platinum complexes. Our results, from the analyses of both GSH concentration as well as GSH per cell number, suggest a significantly higher interaction between GSH and iproplatin compared with the other platinum agents. Moreover, our data suggest that relationships between cytotoxicity and GSH levels on a per-cell basis may not persist when differences in cell volume are taken into account.
Simplified equivalent circuit of a corona electrode capacitively coupled to a 60 Hz high-voltage source

Abstract Directly and capacitively coupled point-to-plane a.c. corona electrodes were investigated. It is shown that for a directly coupled electrode the corona current during the negative voltage cycloe exceeds that during the positive cycle. For a capacitively coupled electrode both currents are equal due to a voltage bias developed on the coupling capacitor. Simplified equivalent circuites for both configurations are suggested.
Urinary incontinence: a treatise on gender, sexuality, and culture

Attitudes toward older adults with incontinence vary significantly between societies and cultures. Intangible consequences arising from such attitudes may exert enormous psychosocial strain on affected older adults, caregivers, family members, and social networks. Health providers should consider psychologic, gender based,and sociocultural differences in formulating efficient screening and therapeutic strategies for older adults who have UI.
AMBIENT SULFATE MEASUREMENTS ON ALLEGHENY MOUNTAIN AND THE QUESTION OF ATMOSPHERIC SULFATE IN THE NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES

An experimental study is described in which atmospheric aerosol measurements at Allegheny Mountain in southwestern Pennsylvania were used to search for interrelationships of SO/sub 4/(-), percentage SO/sub 2/-SO/sub 4/(-) conversion, meteorological properties, rainfall, visibility, light scattering, SO/sub 2/, aerosol mass, H(+), NO/sub 3/, various trace elements, and rainfall H(+) and SO/sub 4/(-). The selected woodland location is in the area of maximum SO/sub 4/(-) concentration in the northestern U.S. The results obtained show that aerosol H(+) and SO/sub 4/(-) were uniquely correlated with each other and with light scattering, that the light scattering was entirely attributable to SO/sub 4/(-), and that SO/sub 2/ is evidently not related to any other parameter. It is concluded that the SO/sub 4/(-) at Allegheny Mountain stemmed from transport, with or without SO/sub 2/ oxidation, from westward nonurban sources of some kind that were sources of very little else in the aerosol.
Effect of boron doping on the mechanical properties of ordered Ni–Mo alloys

Abstract HASTELLOY B-2 alloy was found to exhibit environmental embrittlement when tested in air and hydrogen at ambient temperature after atomic ordering introduced by a heat treatment at 700 °C for 24 h. Molybdenum in the HASTELLOY B-2 alloy was probably reactive enough to dissociate water vapor in air to generate atomic hydrogen, resulting in hydrogen embrittlement. The percentage of transgranular fracture increased as the test environment changed from hydrogen gas to moist air or water vapor, and vacuum or oxygen. With the addition of 100 wt ppm B, the environmental embrittlement was completely eliminated, with the tensile properties independent of both test environment and strain rate. The fracture mode remained the same, i.e. ductile dimpling, after B-doping when tested in different environments. The immunity of the B-doped B2 alloy to environmental sensitivity remained even after long-term heat treatment. Auger analysis does not detect any boron segregation at the grain boundaries. The mechanism of boron doping in eliminating the environmental embrittlement in the Ni–Mo alloy is apparently different from that in many L1 2 -type alloys such as Ni 3 Al and Ni 3 Si.
Glycerol metabolism in experimental malnutrition during lactation

Abstract Malnutrition during lactation could affect glycerol metabolism. This possibility was studied in the rat. The model used consisted of allocating an excessive number of pups (14–16) to dams from the day of birth onward. A marked stunting occurred from Day 2 until Day 21 of life. Alterations in enzymes of glycerol metabolism and its phosphorylated intermediates were apparent, mainly during the second half of lactation. Hepatic, mitochondrial α-glycerophosphate oxidase (GPO) was most severely affected, declining to about one-tenth of the control values at 21 days of life. The same enzyme, in the brain, was reduced to a lesser extent. Brain, muscle, and liver cytosolic α-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (GPD) was also lower in rats 12 days and older that had been underfed. At the end of the 3-week lactating period, brain α-glycerophosphate (α-GP) was elevated. Changes in α-GP of other organs were less marked. Glycerol kinase (GK) was equally diminished in brain and liver, late in lactation. Hence, nutritional deprivation reduces liver capacity to use glycerol as an energy source. Alterations in stores of phosphorylated glycerol derivatives can alter glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis, further handicapping glucose homeostasis.
How to Develop an Information Technology Strategy

There can be no doubt that information technology (IT) has emerged as a major force in determining success or failure in the business world. Even if one sets aside for the moment the notion that IT could possibly contribute to real competitive advantage, the most cursory reviews still reveal that information systems are a way of life in nearly every facet of business.
Durability of effects of exenatide treatment on glycemic control, body weight, systolic blood pressure, C-reactive protein, and triglyceride concentrations.

Objective: To determine (1) whether long-term treatment with exenatide is associated with reductions in C-reactive protein (CRP), systolic blood pressure (BP), and triglyceride concentrations in ad...
Quadratically convergent techniques in linearly constrained optimization

Methods for the solution of linearly constrained optimization of a nonlinear objective function are presented and compared. The methods of Fletcher-Reeves, Fletcher, and Powell are used to generate search directions in the decision variable space. Generalized Kuhn-Tucker conditions are presented and used to check for a local minimum.
Genetic markers of ovarian follicle number and menopause in women of multiple ethnicities

Oocyte loss has a significant impact on fertility and somatic health. Yet, we know little about factors that impact this process. We sought to identify genetic variants associated with ovarian reserve (oocyte number as measured by antral follicle count, AFC). Based on recently published genome-wide scans that identified loci associated with age of menopause, we also sought to test our hypothesis that follicle number and menopausal age share underlying genetic associations. We analyzed menopause-related variants for association with follicle number in an independent population of approximately 450 reproductive-aged women of European and African ancestry; these women were assessed for AFC, anthropometric, clinical, and lifestyle factors. One SNP strongly associated with later menopausal age in Caucasian women (+1.07 ± 0.11 years) in previous work was also associated with higher follicle counts in Caucasians (+2.79 ± 1.67 follicles) in our study. This variant is within the Minichromosome Maintenance Complex Component 8 (MCM8) gene, which we found was expressed within oocytes in follicles of the human ovary. In genome-wide scans of AFC, we also identified one marginally genome-wide and several nominally significant SNPs within several other genes associated with follicle number in both ethnic groups. Further, there were overlapping variants associated with multiple ovarian reserve markers (AFC, serum hormone levels, menopausal age). This study provides the first evidence for direct genetic associations underlying both follicle number and menopause and identifies novel candidate genes. Genetic variants associated with ovarian reserve may facilitate discovery of genetic markers to predict reproductive health and lifespan in women.
CUL1 regulates TOC1 protein stability in the Arabidopsis circadian clock.

*Summary The circadian clock is the endogenous timer that coordinates physiological processes with daily and seasonal environmental changes. In Arabidopsis thaliana, establishment of the circadian period relies on targeted degradation of TIMING OF CAB EXPRESSION 1 (TOC1) by the 26S proteasome. ZEITLUPE (ZTL) is the F-box protein that associates with the SCF (Skp/Cullin/F-box) E3 ubiquitin ligase that is responsible for marking TOC1 for turnover. CULLIN1 (CUL1) is a core component of SCF complexes and is involved in multiple signaling pathways. To assess the contribution of CUL1-containing SCF complexes to signaling within the plant oscillator, circadian rhythms were examined in the recessive, temperature-sensitive CUL1 allele axr6-3. The activity of CUL1 in this mutant declines progressively with increasing ambient temperature, resulting in more severe defects in CUL1-dependent activities at elevated temperature. Examination of circadian rhythms in axr6-3 revealed circadian phenotypes comparable to those observed in ztl null mutants; namely, lengthened circadian period, altered expression of core oscillator genes, and limited degradation of TOC1. In addition, treatment of seedlings with exogenous auxin did not alter TOC1 stability. These results demonstrate that CUL1 is required for TOC1 degradation and further suggest that this protein is the functional cullin for the SCF ZTL complex.
Compatibility of Sampling and Laboratory Procedures Evaluated for the 1985 Three-Ship Intercomparison Study on Lake Erie

Abstract To update the information concerning data intercomparability from Great Lakes monitoring programs, a three-ship laboratory comparison was conducted on the central basin (mid-lake) of Lake Erie in August 1985, in which eight water quality parameters were measured. Participating were ships operated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Ohio State University, and Environment Canada. Two separate comparison studies were conducted, the first to identify that portion of variability due to analytical variability (AV), and the second to assess the overall variability (OV) in whole-ship operations, including water sampling procedures at two depths, epilimnion and hypolimnion. In general, differences in mean levels were due primarily to laboratory procedures, with significant differences occurring between at least one pair of laboratories for every parameter. For all parameters, except chloride and nitrate plus nitrite, these differences ranged from 30 to nearly 100 percent of the mean in the water layer with the lower concentration and from 12 to 95 percent in the layer with higher concentration. The results for some parameters were overly precise for one or more laboratories, which led to differences as small as 3 to 6 percent of the mean being significant (nitrate plus nitrite and chloride). However, large laboratory differences were observed for soluble reactive silica even though laboratory precision was high. These results are discussed in view of the quality assurance program of the EPA laboratory, the August 1985 monitoring of central basin stations by the three agencies, and the magnitude of changes in total phosphorus in Lake Erie over time. It is concluded that, although at least one laboratory exhibited precision better than that of the 1985 monitoring program, the differences between laboratories estimated from the intercomparison study are large enough to be of practical significance and thus careful consideration is necessary before combining results from monitoring programs of the different agencies.
A method for reducing motion induced errors in T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging.

It is known that motion of an object imaged by magnetic resonance imaging leads to errors and artifacts in the image. This effect is especially important when a pulse sequence with long echo time (T E ) and long T R is used to provide T 2‐weighted images. We have modified the usual spin‐warp imaging pulse sequence in a way which greatly reduces the severity of such errors. The method was tested on both a moving phantom and a living rabbit. The pulsing of the scanner was gated in synchrony to the motion of the phantom; two pulses per mechanical cycle were used to create a special situation which served to verify the validity of a theoretical analysis of the loss of signal with echo time. Under such conditions it was shown that the conventional method led to a progressive loss of signal with increasing T E while the new method gave a pure exponential decay of signal in accordance with the known T 2 of the sample. When either the phantom or the animal was scanned without gating, the new pulse sequence showed far less artifacts attributable to motion. The potential application of the technique to improved quantitative imaging of the abdomen in clinical situations is discussed.