cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Very Early Cytomegalovirus Infection After Renal Transplantation: A Single-Center 20-Year Perspective.

Background Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection risk in the first month after transplantation is felt to be minimal; however, the epidemiology has not been specifically investigated, particularly in the modern era of potent immunosuppressive regimens and universal CMV prophylaxis. Objective The aim of this study was to describe the incidence of and risk factors associated with CMV occurring less than 30 days after transplant and evaluate the effect of very early CMV on outcomes. Methods Retrospective, single-center study of adult renal transplant (RTX) recipients between January 1, 1994 and December 31, 2014. Results A total of 5225 patients who received a renal transplant in the study time period were reviewed for the presence of CMV infection occurring less than 30 days after transplant. Of these, only 14 patients demonstrated this finding for an overall incidence of 0.27%. Half of these patients were considered to be at heightened risk due to being a recipient of a non-primary transplant or on chronic immunosuppression. This left seven patients without known risk factors for very early CMV to evaluate. In this group, time from transplant to CMV infection was 13.5 ± 7 days. The majority (57.1%, n = 4) were high-risk serostatus (CMV D+/R-) and occurred in the valganciclovir era (71.4%, n = 5). Lymphocyte-depleting induction predominated (57.1%, n = 4). Average cold ischemic time (CIT) was 19.7 ± 7.7 hours. Three patients had post-operative complications, two required exploratory-laparotomy for hemorrhage. When evaluating outcomes, 43% (n = 3) had subsequent episodes of CMV infection, 28.6% (n = 2) developed rejection, and 28.6% (n = 2) died. Outcomes between patients with CMV infection less than 30 days and those with CMV infection more than 30 days after transplant were not significantly different. Conclusions In our review of over 5000 kidney transplants, the incidence of CMV infection in the first 30 days after renal transplant is 0.2%. Notable common patient characteristics include hemorrhage requiring re-operation and prolonged CIT. Outcomes were similar to CMV occurring more than 30 days after transplant. This study should provide the clinician with some reassurance; despite potent immunosuppressive therapy, CMV infection in the first 30 days is unlikely.
High-Resolution Manometry Diagnosis of Ineffective Esophageal Motility Is Associated with Higher Reflux Burden

Ineffective esophageal motility (IEM) is the most commonly diagnosed abnormality on high-resolution manometry (HRM). However, the clinical significance of IEM and associated reflux burden remains unclear. Our primary aim was to compare reflux patterns between IEM versus normal motility on HRM. HRM and reflux studies in patients with IEM and normal motility were retrospectively reviewed. Esophageal pressure topography parameters, reflux variables, and patient-reported outcome questionnaires were explored. A total of 239 patients with IEM were explored. Of these, 146 underwent reflux monitoring. Additionally, 100 patients with normal HRM all of whom had undergone reflux monitoring were included. IEM patients were more likely to have an abnormal number of reflux events compared to normal (22.7% vs. 9.0%, p < 0.01). Including only off-proton pump inhibitor (PPI) testing, IEM patients had higher mean total acid exposure time (AET) and total reflux events compared to normal motility (p = 0.02). Within IEM patients, higher AET modestly correlated with increased percentage of impaired swallows. Increased reflux events modestly correlated with higher impaired swallows and decreased lower esophageal sphincter (LES) resting pressure. Reflux burden increased with higher esophagogastric junction (EGJ) subtype, driven mostly by subtype III, although there was no difference in the distribution of EGJ subtypes between the IEM and normal HRM cohorts. Patients with HRM diagnosis of IEM may be more prone to acid reflux while off-PPI and non-acid reflux while on-PPI. Reflux burden appears to be worse in IEM patients who have lower resting LES pressure, higher EGJ subtype, or higher percentage of impaired swallows.
The path from trade to right-wing populism in Europe

Abstract Studies that focus on individual-level determinants of support for right-wing populist candidates and parties find little evidence that trade-induced economic hardship is important. By contrast, research that analyzes aggregate data often comes to the opposite conclusion: regions that are highly exposed to trade are more supportive of populist parties and candidates than other regions. To address these contradictory findings, we argue that import shocks engender a broad-based response at the regional level, beyond those whose economic interests are immediately and directly affected, and that this reaction is mediated through xenophobic beliefs about immigrants. Using individual-level data from the eighth wave of the European Social Survey (2016), regional import shock data for nine European countries and causal mediation analysis, we explore how imports affect support for right-wing populists in Europe. Our findings have important implications for understanding the relationship between individual- and contextual-level factors and support for the far right.
Visual Experience-Dependent Oscillations and Underlying Circuit Connectivity Changes Are Impaired in Fmr1 KO Mice

Fragile X syndrome (FX), the most common inherited form of autism and intellectual disability, is a condition associated with visual perceptual learning deficits. We recently discovered that perceptual experience can encode visual familiarity via persistent low-frequency oscillations in the mouse primary visual cortex (V1). Here, we combine this paradigm with a multifaceted experimental approach to identify neurophysiological impairments of these oscillations in FX mice. Extracellular recordings reveal shorter durations, lower power, and lower frequencies of peak oscillatory activity in FX mice. Directed information analysis of extracellularly recorded spikes reveals differences in functional connectivity from multiple layers in FX mice after the perceptual experience. Channelrhodopsin-2 assisted circuit mapping (CRACM) reveals increased synaptic strength from L5 pyramidal onto L4 fast-spiking cells after experience in wild-type (WT), but not FX, mice. These results suggest differential encoding of visual stimulus familiarity in FX via persistent oscillations and identify circuit connections that may underlie these changes.
155 – Ultrasound Examination of the Aortic Arch in Stroke

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the technical aspects of the use of transesophageal echocardiography for the detection of proximal aortic atheromas. The transesophageal approach provides unique advantages in the ultrasound examination of the aorta. The proximity of the esophagus to the vessel and the absence of interposed structures along most of their course allow for the acquisition of high quality images that could not be achieved with a transthoracic approach. The presence of large or complicated atheromas in the proximal portion of the aorta is an independent risk factor for ischemic stroke in patients over 60 years of age. Its importance may be even greater in cases of unexplained is a reliable and accurate method for the visualization of such atheromas and provides semiquantitative information that can be used for risk stratification. The existence of cofactors that may increase the embolic risk, as well as the best therapeutic and preventive measures in patients with aortic atheromas, need to be investigated in prospective randomized clinical trials.
3 – Huffman Coding

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses a popular algorithm coding called the “Huffman coding algorithm.” It provides the procedure for building Huffman codes when the probability model for the source is known, then a procedure for building codes when the source statistics are unknown. The chapter also describes few techniques for code design that are in sense similar to Huffman coding approach. David Huffman as part of a class assignment developed the Huffman coding algorithm. Huffman codes are prefix codes and are optimum for a set of probabilities. The Huffman code is based on two observations. First, in an optimum code, symbols that occur more frequently (have a higher probability of occurrence) have shorter codewords than symbols that occur less frequently. Second, in an optimum code, the two symbols that occur least frequently have the same length. The Huffman procedure is obtained by adding a simple requirement to these two observations. This requirement is that the codewords corresponding to the two lowest probability symbols differ only in the last bit.
Regulation of polyribosome formation and protein synthesis in the uterus. Isolation of cytoplasmic ribonucleoprotein particles and the principal properties of the cell-free protein-synthesizing system.

1. Three procedures for isolating ribonucleoprotein particles from the cytoplasmic fraction of rat-uterus homogenates are described. By procedure 1, ribonucleoprotein particles were isolated in the presence of 5mm-Mg 2+ and 25mm-K + , and the postmitochondrial supernatant fraction was made to 1·3% (w/v) in potassium deoxycholate. About 50% of the RNA and protein of the microsomal fraction was recovered in the monomeric ribosomes isolated. By procedure 2, ribonucleoprotein particles were isolated in the presence of 10mm-Mg 2+ and 0·1m-K + , and in the absence of detergent. The ribosomes obtained were primarily polymeric, but recovery of microsomal RNA and protein was only 32%. By procedure 3, ribonucleoprotein particles were isolated according to procedure 1 but without the use of detergent. A mixture of polymeric and monomeric ribosomes was obtained, and the recovery of microsomal RNA and protein was about 60%. 2. Uterine polymeric and monomeric ribosomes, isolated by procedure 3 and designated ‘polyribosomal preparation’, were examined for protein-synthesizing capabilities. The principal properties of the cell-free protein-synthesizing system containing the polyribosomal preparation are described. The efficiency of amino acid incorporation in the complete system incubated for 30min. and containing the polyribosomal preparation was found to be either 2·5 molecules of [ 14 C]leucine or 2·2 molecules of [ 14 C]-valine incorporated/ribosome. Assay of the preparation in the complete cell-free system containing 10mm-sodium fluoride indicated that 40% of the incorporation activity is a result of initiation of new polypeptide chains and 60% is due to completion of previously existing chains. Monomeric ribosomes obtained by various treatments of the polyribosomal preparation with sodium fluoride, ribonuclease and potassium deoxycholate had decreased incorporation activity in the cell-free system. However, monomeric ribosomes obtained by treatment with sodium fluoride only had an incorporation activity 50% greater than that of monomers obtained by treatment with ribonuclease only. 3. The results indicate that uterine polymeric and monomeric ribosomes are sites of amino acid incorporation in vivo and in vitro . It is concluded that most polymeric and monomeric ribosomes occurring in the cytoplasmic fraction of the uterus are free and unattached to membranes, and that the polyribosomes are relatively unstable.
Value of intravascular ultrasound in the interventional therapy of left main coronary stenosis

Objective To evaluate the clinical application value of intravascular ultrasound(IVUS) in the treatment of left main coronary stenosis. Methods Sixty-three patients with left main coronary stenosis were identified by IVUS to evaluate the plaque characteristics and the severity of the stenosis. According to the severity of the stenosis,the patients were divided into percutaneous coronary intervention ( PCI) group (IVUS=50% ) (n = 33 ) and control group (IVUS < 50% ) (n = 30). The group of PCI was treated by PCI. The control group was treated by routine therapeutic agents. The profiles of plaques and stenosis were described. The complications were recorded by follow-up visits. Results More soft and eccentric plaques were found in PCI group. After one year follow up,cardiac events (angina) occurred in 4 cases (12. 1% ) in PCI group. In control group, cardiac events ocurred in 18 patients (60. 0%), including 6 cases of angina, 5 case of paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia,3 cases of myocardial infarction (confirmed by IVUS,showing that the left main coronary artery was responsible for the event), 3 cases of frequent premature ventricular contraction and 1 case of sudden death. There was a significant difference in the occurrence rate of cardiac events between PCI group and non-PCI group (x2 = 13. 81 ,P <0.01). Conclusion IVUS is useful for the identification and treatment guidance. Intervention therapy produces good prognosis in patients with IVUS-identified left main coronary stenosis by more than 50% of the area. Key words: Intravascular ultrasound; Coronary artery disease; Interventional therapy; Left main coronary stenosis
Softening of the chronic hemi-section spinal cord injury scar parallels dysregulation of cellular and extracellular matrix content.

Regeneration following spinal cord injury (SCI) is challenging in part due to the modified tissue composition and organization of the resulting glial and fibrotic scar regions. Inhibitory cell types and biochemical cues present in the scar have received attention as therapeutic targets to promote regeneration. However, altered Young's modulus of the scar as a readout for potential impeding factors for regeneration are not as well-defined, especially in vivo. Although the decreased Young's modulus of surrounding tissue at acute stages post-injury is known, the causation and outcomes at chronic time points remain largely understudied and controversial, which motivates this work. This study assessed the glial and fibrotic scar tissue's Young's modulus and composition (scar morphometry, cell identity, extracellular matrix (ECM) makeup) that contribute to the tissue's stiffness. The spatial Young's modulus of a chronic (~18-wks, post-injury) hemi-section, including the glial and fibrotic regions, were significantly less than naive tissue (~200 Pa; p < 0.0001). The chronic scar contained cystic cavities dispersed in areas of dense nuclei packing. Abundant CNS cell types such as astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and neurons were dysregulated in the scar, while epithelial markers such as vimentin were upregulated. The key ECM components in the CNS, namely sulfated proteoglycans (sPGs), were significantly downregulated following injury with concomitant upregulation of unsulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and hyaluronic acid (HA), likely altering the foundational ECM network that contributes to tissue stiffness. Our results reveal the Young's modulus of the chronic SCI scar as well as quantification of contributing elastic components that can provide a foundation for future study into their role in tissue repair and regeneration.
The secret life of pet Instagram accounts: Joy, resistance, and commodification in the Internet’s cute economy:

A popular sentiment is that the Internet is for cute animal photos, but little has explored the visual cultures of pets and social media. The relationship between pets and social media is particula...
The expanding spectrum of NFIB‐associated phenotypes in a diverse patient population—A report of two new patients

NFIB (Nuclear Factor I B) haploinsufficiency has recently been identified as a cause of intellectual disability and macrocephaly. Here we describe two patients with pathogenic variants in NFIB. The first is a 6-year-old Latino male with developmental delays, mild hypotonia, facial anomalies, and brain magnetic resonance imaging findings comprising mild thinning of the corpus callosum, with more marked thinning of the splenium and blunting of the rostrum and cavum septum pellucidum. Exome sequencing identified a previously described de novo variant in NFIB, c.265C>T, predicting p.Arg89Ter. The second is a 5-year-old Latino male with developmental delays, hypotonia, dysmorphic features, a preauricular tag and pit, a small ventricular septal defect, and brain magnetic resonance imaging findings including a dysmorphic corpus callosum and a small posterior fossa. A single nucleotide polymorphism microarray identified a 92 kb interstitial deletion at 9p23 including several exons of NFIB and no other known genes. Our two patients add to the knowledge of this rare condition through our addition of new brain MRI findings and dysmorphic features. Additionally, these are the first known Latino patients to be described with NFIB haploinsufficiency, expanding our understanding of the associated facial features in diverse populations. Further data are needed to determine genotype-phenotype relationships for NFIB.
Measurements drive progress in directed evolution for precise engineering of biological systems.

Abstract Precise engineering of biological systems requires quantitative, high-throughput measurements, exemplified by progress in directed evolution. New approaches allow high-throughput measurements of phenotypes and their corresponding genotypes. When integrated into directed evolution, these quantitative approaches enable the precise engineering of biological function. At the same time, the increasingly routine availability of large, high-quality data sets supports the integration of machine learning with directed evolution. Together, these advances herald striking capabilities for engineering biology.
Mechanisms of triazole resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus

The ubiquitous fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus is the primary cause of opportunistic mould infections in humans. Aspergilli disseminate via asexual conidia passively travelling through air currents to germinate within a broad range of environs, wherever suitable nutrients are found. Though the average human inhales hundreds of conidia daily, A. fumigatus invasive infections primarily affect the immunocompromised. At-risk individuals can develop often fatal invasive disease for which therapeutic options are limited. Regrettably, the global insurgence of isolates resistant to the triazoles, the frontline antifungal class used in medicine and agriculture to control A. fumigatus, is complicating the treatment of patients. Triazole antifungal resistance in A. fumigatus has become recognized as a global, yet poorly comprehended, problem. Due to a multitude of factors, the magnitude of resistant infections and their contribution to treatment outcomes are likely underestimated. Current studies suggest that human drug-resistant infections can be either environmentally acquired or de novo host selected during patient therapy. While much concerning development of resistance is yet unknown, recent investigations have revealed assorted underlying mechanisms enabling triazole resistance within individual clinical and environmental isolates. This review will provide an overview of triazole resistance as it is currently understood, as well as highlight some of the prominent biological mechanisms associated with clinical and environmental resistance to triazoles in A. fumigatus.
A developmental stage specific network approach for studying dynamic transcription factor-microRNA co-regulation during craniofacial development.

Craniofacial development is regulated through dynamic and complex mechanisms that involve various signaling cascades and gene regulations. Disruption of such regulations may result in craniofacial birth defects. Here, we propose the first developmental stage-specific network approach by integrating two critical regulators, transcription factor (TF) and microRNA (miRNA), to study their co-regulation during craniofacial development. Specifically, we used TFs, miRNAs, and non-TF genes to form Feed-forward Loops (FFLs) using genomic data covering mouse embryonic days E10.5 to E14.5. We identified key novel regulators (TFs: Foxm1, Hif1a, Zbtb16, Myog, Myod1, and Tcf7, and miRNAs: miR-340-5p and miR-129-5p) and target genes (Col1a1, Sgms2, and Slc8a3) whose expression changed in a developmental stage-dependent manner. We found Wnt-FoxO-Hippo pathway (from E10.5 to E11.5), tissue remodeling (from E12.5 to E13.5), and miR-129-5p-mediated Col1a1 regulation (from E10.5 to E14.5) might play crucial roles in craniofacial development. Enrichment analyses further suggested their functions. Our experiments validated the regulatory roles of miR-340-5p and Foxm1 in Wnt-FoxO-Hippo subnetwork, as well as the role of miR-129-5p in the miR-129-5p-Col1a1 subnetwork. Thus, our study helps understand comprehensive regulatory mechanisms for craniofacial development.
Super-machines or sub-humans: Mental models and trust in intelligent autonomous systems

Abstract Intelligent autonomous systems surpass human-information processing capabilities, potentially mitigating cognitive workload imposed by tasking and micromanagement of systems, and afford the use of advanced algorithms, machine learning, and big data to enhance decision-making. This functionality can support teamworking activities, but also introduces new human factor challenges; these include the complexity of systems functioning, needs for teamwork on top of taskwork, stress resulting from cognitive overload, uncertainty, and loss of decision-making authority. The chapter explores the idea that the operator's mental model for the IAS may be a critical influence on trust. The mental model allows for prediction and explanation of outcomes, and exerts a major influence on team processes. Machine speech can be used to build trust and help humans to understand the machine's intentions and team support. System design and training may be tailored to accommodate or remediate the individual operator's attitudes and biases regarding intelligent systems.
Prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and cognitive development in infancy and toddlerhood.

Abstract Background/Objective Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have neurobehavioral toxicity in experimental studies. Evidence on associations between prenatal PFAS exposure and child's cognitive development is inconsistent partly due to differences in assessment time points and tools. We examined associations of prenatal maternal serum PFAS concentrations with child's cognitive development assessed at multiple time points in infancy and toddlerhood. Methods We included 140 mother-child pairs from MARBLES ( M arkers of A utism R isk in B abies – L earning E arly S igns), a longitudinal cohort of children with a first degree relative who was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder followed from birth. Study children's cognitive development was assessed at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months of age using the Mullen Scales of Early Learning (MSEL) which provides an overall Early Learning Composite (normative mean of 100 and SD of 15) and four subscales (i.e., fine motor, visual reception, receptive language, and expressive language abilities; normative mean of 50 and SD of 10). Nine PFAS were quantified in maternal serum collected during pregnancy. We examined associations of log 2-transformed prenatal maternal serum PFAS concentrations with the MSEL Composite and each of the subscale scores at each time point as well as longitudinal changes in the scores over the four time points. We also classified trajectories into low- and high-score groups and fit Poisson regression models to estimate associations expressed as relative risks (RR). Results Among six PFAS detected in more than 60% of the samples, prenatal maternal serum perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) was inversely associated with child's Composite score at 24 months (β = −5.22, 95% CI: −8.27, −2.17) and 36 months of age (β = −5.18, 95% CI: −9.46, −0.91), while other five PFAS were not strongly associated with Composite score at any time points. When assessing longitudinal changes in the scores over the four time points, PFOA was associated with trajectories having a negative slope for Composite scores and all four subscales. When examining trajectories of the scores between low- and high-score groups, PFOA was associated with having lower and/or decreasing Composite scores (RR = 1.49, 95% CI: 1.09, 2.03). Conclusions Prenatal PFOA appears to adversely affect child's cognitive development in toddlerhood in this study population. Because a large fraction of MARBLES children is at risk for atypical development, population-based studies are needed to confirm our findings.
Contributions of lipopolysaccharide and the type IVB secretion system to Coxiella burnetii vaccine efficacy and reactogenicity.

Coxiella burnetii is the bacterial causative agent of the zoonosis Q fever. The current human Q fever vaccine, Q-VAX®, is a fixed, whole cell vaccine (WCV) licensed solely for use in Australia. C. burnetii WCV administration is associated with a dermal hypersensitivity reaction in people with pre-existing immunity to C. burnetii, limiting wider use. Consequently, a less reactogenic vaccine is needed. Here, we investigated contributions of the C. burnetii Dot/Icm type IVB secretion system (T4BSS) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in protection and reactogenicity of fixed WCVs. A 32.5 kb region containing 23 dot/icm genes was deleted in the virulent Nine Mile phase I (NMI) strain and the resulting mutant was evaluated in guinea pig models of C. burnetii infection, vaccination-challenge, and post-vaccination hypersensitivity. The NMI ∆dot/icm strain was avirulent, protective as a WCV against a robust C. burnetii challenge, and displayed potentially altered reactogenicity compared to NMI. Nine Mile phase II (NMII) strains of C. burnetii that produce rough LPS, were similarly tested. NMI was significantly more protective than NMII as a WCV; however, both vaccines exhibited similar reactogenicity. Collectively, our results indicate that, like phase I LPS, the T4BSS is required for full virulence by C. burnetii. Conversely, unlike phase I LPS, the T4BSS is not required for vaccine-induced protection. LPS length does not appear to contribute to reactogenicity while the T4BSS may contribute to this response. NMI ∆dot/icm represents an avirulent phase I strain with full vaccine efficacy, illustrating the potential of genetically modified C. burnetii as improved WCVs.
Utility of IOLMaster 700 Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography in Detecting Macular Disease for Preoperative Cataract Surgery Patients.

Purpose To assess the efficacy of IOLMaster 700 (IOLM) biometer swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) in detecting macular pathology before cataract surgery and to compare IOLM SS-OCT characteristics of foveal pathology with a widely used spectral-domain OCT (SD-OCT) system. Patients and methods Retrospective analysis of 1156 consecutive eyes with IOLMaster 700 SS-OCT undergoing cataract surgery from January to June 2017 was performed. Approximately a third of these eyes (327 eyes) also had a SD-OCT scan performed previously. A single reviewer assessed each SS-OCT scan and identified them as "normal" or "abnormal." SS-OCT sensitivity and specificity in identifying foveal pathology was assessed using findings on Spectralis SD-OCT scans as the gold standard. Results Of 327 eyes with both IOLM SS-OCT and Spectralis SD-OCT scans, 121 eyes (37.0%) had abnormal SS-OCT scans. Of these 121 eyes, SD-OCT scans confirmed pathology in 104 eyes (86.0%). Of the remaining 206 eyes graded to have normal SS-OCT scans, 84 eyes (40.8%) had normal SD-OCT scans, and 122 eyes (59.2%) had pathologic findings on SD-OCT scans. For each pathologic condition, subtle but definitive differences existed in the appearance of the IOLM SS-OCT and SD-OCT images. Conclusion Using a normal or abnormal Spectralis SD-OCT scan as confirmation of absence or presence of foveal pathology respectively, we found a high positive predictive value (86.0%) of an abnormal IOLM SS-OCT scan and a high specificity (83.2%) but low sensitivity (46.0%) and negative predictive value (40.8%) of a normal-appearing SS-OCT scan. These results suggest that an abnormal IOLM SS-OCT scan in an eye without known pathology is a strong indicator of an abnormal macula and should prompt further evaluation of the retina to identify pathology prior to cataract surgery. Importantly, IOLM SS-OCT scans do not detect all macular pathology and cannot be used as a screening test for identifying macular pathology.
FSLIC’s Acquisition Process

In the remainder of this report we describe and analyze FSLIC’s resolution methodology and the application of this methodology during the 1988 calendar year. In this Chapter we analyze the competitive bidding and negotiation process used by FSLIC. The methods used to evaluate the bids and to compare them with the option to liquidate are evaluated in Chapter 5. Empirical analysis of the results of the 1988 resolution process are then presented in Chapter 6.
Democratic Distributive Justice

Acknowledgements 1. Democracy and economic justice Part I. Unequal Property and Individualism in Liberal Theory: 2. The underlying logic of liberal property theory 3. Unequal property and its premise in Locke's theory 4. Unequal property and individualism, Kant to Rawls Part II. Egalitarian Property and Justice as Dueness: 5. Whose property is it, anyway? 6. The social nature of economic actors and forms of equal dueness 7. Policy reflections: the effect of an egalitarian regime on economic growth Part III. Egalitarian Property and the Ethics of Economic Community: 8. Deriving equality from community 9. The dimension of community in capital-based market systems: between consumers and producers 10. Endogenous preferences and economic community 11. The dimension of community in capital-based market systems: between capital and labour 12. The right to an equal share of part of national income Part IV. Democracy and Economic Justice 13. Democratic distributive justice 14. Democracy and economic rights Conclusions References Index.
Microstructural Relationship in the Damage Evolution Process of an Az61 Magnesium Alloy

The damage evolution process of magnesium AZ61 alloy under monotonic tensile loading conditions is investigated. Specimens that have been subjected to interrupted tensile loading were examined under optical microscopy to quantify the number density of cracked intermetallic particles as a function of applied strain. Digital image analysis of the optical images was employed to automatically quantify damage by separating cracked from non-cracked particles. Lastly, an internal state variable damage model was shown to adequately capture the experimentally-observed damage of intermetallic particles in the magnesium AZ61 alloy.
The mRNAs encoding the two angiotensin-converting isozymes are transcribed from the same gene by a tissue-specific choice of alternative transcription initiation sites.

Abstract The two tissue-specific isozymes of angiotensin-converting enzyme are encoded by two mRNAs. The 5-kilobase pulmonary mRNA (mRNAP) and the 2.5-kilobase testicular mRNA (mRNAT) have identical sequences near their 3'-ends, whereas each has a unique sequence toward its 5'-end. Here we report that the two mRNAs originate from the same gene by initiation of transcription at two alternative sites. We have isolated a rabbit genomic clone which encodes these mRNAs. The sequence organization of the genome is such that the unique sequence of mRNAP precedes that of mRNAT, which in turn precedes the sequence common to both species. For generation of mRNAP, the mRNAT-specific sequence is eliminated as an intron from the primary transcript by splicing. Transcription of mRNAT, on the other hand, initiates within this intron at the middle of the gene. The exact initiation sites of mRNAT and mRNAP have been determined by DNA sequencing; DNA, oligonucleotide, and antisense RNA protection assays; and primer extension assays. Analyses of the sequence upstream of the transcription initiation sites revealed the presence of putative binding sites of several known transcription factors including SP-1, AP-2, and IID.
Blunted growth hormone responses to clonidine in adolescent girls with early anorexia nervosa: Evidence for an early hypothalamic defect

Abstract We studied growth hormone (GH) levels in 14 adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN), 12–20 years of age. All had amenorrhea and the duration of symptoms ranged from 2–24 months. There was no difference in unstimulated GH between the girls with AN and endocrinologically normal girls. However, the GH response to the α-adrenergic agent clonidine was blunted (
Benign cementoblastoma. A clinicopathologic evaluation.

Abstract The benign cementoblastoma is a neoplasm of cementum which has an unlimited growth potential. A review of the world literature reveals eight reported cases, and a clinicopathologic study of these eight previously reported cases and our two new cases suggests that this lesion is more common than previously thought but that it is not commonly recognized by clinicians. This clinicopathologic study suggests that the radiographic appearance of the lesion is pathognomonic and consists of a radiopaque mass surrounded by a thin radiolucent line. This mass is inseparable, radiologically, from the tooth root and is attached to it. Microscopic evaluation suggests that the lesion enlarges by peripheral growth, with the center of the neoplasm being more calcified and inactive than the periphery.
Use of eugenol and rosin as feedstocks for biobased epoxy resins and study of curing and performance properties

In this study, an epoxy based on eugenol and an anhydride curing agent based on rosin were prepared. Curing of the eugenol epoxy with a commercial anhydride curing agent and with the rosin-derived anhydride curing agent was studied. For comparison, a commercial bisphenol A type epoxy, DER353, was also selected in the curing study. The syntheses of the eugenol epoxy and rosin anhydride were investigated and the chemical structures of the products and intermediates were characterized using 1H NMR and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies. Non-isothermal curing of the eugenol epoxy with hexahydrophthalic anhydride and the rosin-derived maleopimaric acid was studied using differential scanning calorimetry. Thermomechanical properties and thermal stability of the cured epoxy resins were evaluated using dynamic mechanical analysis and thermogravimetric analysis, respectively. Addition of 2-ethyl-4-methylimidazole as catalyst greatly decreased the curing temperature and promoted the completion of cure reactions. The results suggest that the eugenol epoxy and the bisphenol A type epoxy have similar reactivity, dynamic mechanical properties and thermal stability. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Preliminary Evaluation of Computer Aided Instruction in Historic Interiors

A computer-aided instruction (CAI) software package was developed for a History of Interiors course using Macintosh (512K) and all upgrades. The purpose of this study was to test the CAI during development in order to determine whether to continue the project. The first four discs, which are comparable to chapters of a book, divided the material into Ancient Times, Middle Ages, European Renaissance, and Emerging America. These discs were presented to two different college classes: a history of interiors class with 12 students and a liberal education class with 20 students (the control group). The students in each course did the exercises on all four discs and took an examination on both the disc material and similar non-disc material. This provided a 2times2 experimental design with Repeated Measures ANOVA (RMA) used for statistical analysis. The results indicate that while both groups improved their scores between the pre-and post-test, the history of interiors class showed significantly greater improvement in their scores.
Electrical conductivity of nanocrystalline ceria and zirconia thin films

Abstract The results of studies of the preparation, structure and electrical conductivity of ZrO 2 :16% Y and CeO 2 thin films are presented. Dense films with grain size controlled in the region of 1–400 nm have been obtained on monocrystalline sapphire and polycrystalline Al 2 O 3 substrates using a polymeric precursor spin coating method. The electrical conductivity of nanocrystalline thin films has been studied as a function of oxygen activity and temperature and correlated with the microstructure. Nanocrystalline specimens are characterized by enhanced electrical conductivity and different stoichiometry compared with microcrystalline material.
The Impact of Accidents on Firms’ Reputation for Social Performance:

Drawing on the literatures of industrial crises, corporate reputation, and stakeholder theory, this article is an empirical investigation into the impact that accident characteristics have on the corporate reputation for social performance of the firms involved. The main findings are the following: First, environmental damage does have an impact on the reputational scores for social performance, whereas damage to human life, surprisingly, does not. Second, the complexity of an accident plays a role in the reevaluation of the social performance reputational scores. Third, industry executives and analysts differ in their reputational reevaluations of accidents with respect to the complexity of the event. The article concludes with a discussion of the implications of these findings.
System Dynamics: Portraying Bounded Rationality

Abstract This paper examines the linkages between system dynamics and the Carnegie School in their treatment of human decision making. It is argued that the structure of system dynamics models implicitly assumes bounded rationality in decision making and that recognition of this assumption would aid system dynamicists in model construction and in communication with other social science disciplines. The paper begins by examining Simon's ‘principle of bounded rationality’ which draws attention to the cognitive limitations on the information gathering and processing powers of human decision makers. Forrester's ‘Market Growth Model’ is used to illustrate the central theme that system dynamics models are portrayals of bounded rationality. Close examination of the model formulation reveals decision functions involving simple rules of thumb and limited information content. Finally, there is a discussion of the implications of Carnegie philosophy for system dynamics as it affects communication, model structuring, model analysis and future research.
The treatment of Sjögren's syndrome patients with pilocarpine-tablets.

Therapeutic progress in Sjogren's syndrome has lagged behind our recognition and understanding of clinical manifestations and disease pathogenesis. Past treatment of sicca symptoms with immunosuppressives has been unsuccessful. The use of secretagogues (e.g. pilocarpine-HCl) to stimulate flow from exocrine glands represents a novel approach that has dramatically altered our management strategy for Sjogren's syndrome. Clinical studies with pilocarpine (Salagen) tablets in the United States have demonstrated significant subjective and objective benefit for xerostomia and related oral symptoms at doses of 20 mg/day or more. Symptomatic relief of xerophthalmia and other xeroses due to Sjogren's syndrome may also occur. Data from human and animal models suggest that regular use of pilocarpine may not only improve patient quality of life but potentially prevent complications as well. Better methods of patient selection for therapy are needed since clinical response to pilocarpine cannot be predicted based on the duration of patient symptoms.
Selective impairment of song learning following lesions of a forebrain nucleus in the juvenile zebra finch

Area X, a large sexually dimorphic nucleus in the avian ventral forebrain, is part of a highly discrete system of interconnected nuclei that have been implicated in either song learning or adult song production. Previously, this nucleus has been included in the song system because of its substantial connections with other vocal control nuclei, and because its volume is positively correlated with the capacity for song. In order to directly assess the role of Area X in song behavior, this nucleus was bilaterally lesioned in both juvenile and adult zebra finches, using ibotenic acid. We report here that lesioning Area X disrupts normal song development in juvenile birds, but does not affect the production of stereotyped song by adult birds. Although juvenile-lesioned birds were consistently judged as being in earlier stages of vocal development than age-matched controls, they continued to produce normal song-like vocalizations. Thus, unlike the lateral magnocellular nucleus of the anterior neostriatum, another avian forebrain nucleus implicated in song learning, Area X does not seem to be necessary for sustaining production of juvenile song. Rather, the behavioral results suggest Area X is important for either the acquisition of a song model or the improvement of song through vocal practice.
γ-Secretase activity is dispensable for mesenchyme-to-epithelium transition but required for podocyte and proximal tubule formation in developing mouse kidney

Notch signaling is involved in pronephros development in Xenopus and in glomerulogenesis in mice. However, owing to early lethality in mice deficient for some Notch pathway genes and functional redundancy for others, a role for Notch signaling during early stages of metanephric development has not been defined. Using an antibody specific to the N-terminal end ofγ -secretase-cleaved Notch1, we found evidence for Notch1 activation in the comma and S-shaped bodies of the mouse metanephros. We therefore cultured mouse metanephroi in the presence of a γ-secretase inhibitor, N-S-phenyl-glycine-t-butyl ester (DAPT), to block Notch signaling. We observed slightly reduced ureteric bud branching but normal mesenchymal condensation and expression of markers indicating that mesenchyme induction had occurred. However, fewer renal epithelial structures were observed, with a severe deficiency in proximal tubules and glomerular podocytes, which are derived from cells in which activated Notch1 is normally present. Distal tubules were present but in reduced numbers, and this was accompanied by an increase in intervening, non-epithelial cells. After a transient 3-day exposure to DAPT, proximal tubules expanded, but podocyte differentiation failed to recover after removal of DAPT. These observations suggest that γ-secretase activity, probably through activation of Notch, is required for maintaining a competent progenitor pool as well as for determining the proximal tubule and podocyte fates.
The morphology and crystallography of Ferrous lath martensite. Studies of Fe-20%Ni-5%Mn—III. Surface relief, the shape strain and related features

Abstract Surface relief features associated with single laths and groups of laths of martensite formed in an Fe-20Ni-5Mn alloy were studied by optical, interference and scanning electron microscopy. Unlike ferrous martensites with a plate morphology, the formation of lath martensite gives rise to extensive accommodation distortion both within the martensite and in the adjacent austenite. The regions of accommodation strain in the austenite may enhance the formation of other lath variants. Because of accommodation strains and, in addition, the small intrinsic lath size (typically only 0.3 μm wide) refined measurements of the martensite shape strain proved to be difficult. Nevertheless, the same sense of the shape deformation was found for both isolated laths or groups of laths in a packet having the same habit plane variant and the results obtained suggest that the majority of the shear component of the martensite shape strain is along the width rather than the long dimension of the laths. Shape strain magnitudes as large as m = 0.33 were estimated, in marked contrast to values m = 0.21 usually observed for plate-like martensite in iron alloys and steels. The present results and experimental conditions do not preclude even higher values of the shape strain magnitude for lath martensite. It is inferred that the rather high shape strain associated with lath martensite may underly the observed extensive accommodation strain and intrinsic morphology of the laths (as contrasted to plates).
Electron Microprobe Characterization of the Stoichiometry and Homogeneity of Mixed-Crystal Semiconductor Materials:

A general scheme is described which simplifies the characterization of mixed-crystal semiconductor materials. The scheme is illustrated through the analysis of (Hg1-xCdx)Te samples. Electron microprobe analyses are made at several random points on the material. A plot of the cadmium Lα x-ray intensity vs the mercury Lα x-ray intensity is compared to a stoichiometry line. The scatter of points is a measure of the homogeneity of the material while the correlation of the points with the stoichiometry line indicates the presence of off-stoichiometry material. The stoichiometry line can be theoretically determined or can be obtained using well characterized standard samples. The scheme can best be used on systems which have large composition variations and therefore supplements electrical and x-ray crystallographic methods which are sensitive to minor variations in electrical properties or crystallographic orientations.
How low is too low? Use of cluster analysis to define low levels of mercaptopurine metabolites.

Background To group patients receiving treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) according to their oral mercaptopurine (6-MP) metabolite levels and to establish cut-off points to screen for potential poor clinical outcome. Procedure Methodological study using 6-MP metabolite levels from 48 adolescent ALL patients enrolled in a multicenter adherence study. Cluster analysis was the primary analytical technique. We used two validation methods (a split-sampling and a simulation technique) for validating the results. Results Four clusters were retained in our initial analysis using our first group of patients (n = 27). Three clusters (labeled 1, 2, and 4) exhibited the expected negative correlation between the two metabolites, that is, “high” values of one were associated with “low” values of the other. One cluster (labeled 3) had “low” levels for both TGN and MMP. Five of the 27 adolescents had their 6-MP “held” during the study. Post-hoc examination of the results revealed that all five grouped in Cluster 3 during the time that their medications were stopped, but grouped in other clusters at other times. The median ANC was highest in Cluster 3, consistent with low therapeutic drug levels. Parameters were reproducible with both validation methods. Values below the respective 75th centile for both TGN and MMP in Cluster 3 for the complete sample (n = 48) are suggested as representing a potentially higher risk for relapse. Conclusions This study provides an objective method for identifying patients at risk for treatment failure due to suboptimal 6-MP therapy; the clinical significance of this approach should be examined in future studies. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Neutrino oscillations in strong gravitational fields

Neutrino oscillations in the presence of strong gravitational fields are studied. We look at very high energy neutrinos (\ensuremath{\sim}1 TeV) emanating from active galactic nuclei (AGN). It is observed that spin flavor resonant transitions of such neutrinos may occur in the vicinity of AGN due to gravitational effects and due to the presence of a large magnetic field (\ensuremath{\sim}1 T). A point to note is that matter effects (normal MSW transitions) become negligible in comparison to gravitational effects in our scenario.