cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intelirel's Transition to E-Business: Optimizing the Combination of Electronic Data Exchange and the Internet

Intelirel is a U.S. based multinational corporation that produces a variety of items with apparel as one of the business divisions. This case provides an overview of Intelirel's transition to electronic business (e-business) of its apparel division. The company introduced the Electronic Data Exchange (EDI) technologies in the mid-1980s. Before starting the implementation of e-business technologies in the late-1990s, the company conducted extensive surveys to assess the attractiveness and convertibility of its various market segments. The analysis of the surveys indicated that a strategic imperative for the company is to optimally combine EDI and the Internet so as to reap the benefits of both technologies.
Sorption and desorption of fipronil in midwestern soils.

Fipronil, {5-amino-1-[2,6-dichloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-4-[(trifluoromethyl)sulfinyl]-1H-pyrazole-3-carbonitrile} is commonly applied to soil to protect structures against termite infestations. The fate and bioavailability of fipronil in soil is dependent upon the variability of sorption processes and will differ from soil to soil. Adsorption of fipronil to three Nebraska soils with varying organic matter (OM) content was determined. At the concentrations tested (0.025, 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mg L−1), adsorption curves showed constant partitioning of fipronil to the soil matrices (r2 = 0.998 − 0.999). Calculated organic carbon partitioning coefficients (Koc) ranged from 244 to 628 with an average Koc of 396. Reported Kd and Kf values increased with increasing organic matter content. Desorption hysteresis was observed as fipronil has a propensity to stay in the adsorbed state. After five soil washes with 0.003 M CaCl2, ~30% of adsorbed fipronil residues were desorbed. Reported Koc values for fipronil suggests that it has intermediate mobility in the field collected soils utilized in this study.
Options for PPS Space Segment Accuracy Enhancement

Recent advances in wide-area differential GPS and dual-frequency receiver technology have made dramatic accuracy improvements feasible for Precise Positioning Service (PPS) users. Through a set of distinct upgrades to the GPS control segment, signal-in-space (SIS) accuracy can be reduced to well under 1 m. Combined with optional user equipment upgrades, SIS error reduction makes submeter positioning accuracy achievable without the additional data link and reference receiver(s) generally required for differential systems. This paper focuses on the effectiveness of several SIS accuracy enhancement concepts. Results of parametric satellite monitoring experiments are used to divide control segment enhancements into subcategories based upon satellite monitoring accuracy and drift error characteristics. This parametric approach provides a framework for further comparisons of the various complementary and competing concepts under consideration. User-related errors such as multipath and atmospheric delays are also discussed to place SIS accuracy in the context of the overall PPS system.
Are joint ventures positive sum games? The relative effects of cooperative and noncooperative behavior

Are joint ventures (JVs) characterized mainly by cooperative behavior or noncooperative behavior? In this research, we address this question by examining the interrelationship between the values created for two partners when they announce a JV. We argue that, on average, if cooperative behavior and common benefits are more influential than noncooperative behavior and private benefits, there will be a positive association between the values created for the two partners. Conversely, if private benefits and noncooperative behavior are more influential, there will be a negative association as partners derive value at the expense of each other rather than by creating new opportunities through the JV. Using a sample of 344 JVs we find evidence of a positive association between the values created for the two partners after controlling for various factors. This suggests that the stock market perceives JVs to be positive sum games rather than zero sum games, and that value creation in JVs is mainly attributable to synergies rather than appropriation of resources. Our analysis also reveals other conditions under which cooperative behavior and noncooperative behavior become dominant, such as the strength of the resources of the two partners, product market competition, and JV experience. Copyright  2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Solubilization and partial purification from mouse sperm membranes of the specific binding activity for 3-quinuclidinyl benzilate, a potent inhibitor of the zona pellucida-induced acrosome reaction.

3-Quinuclidinyl benzilate (QNB), a potent antagonist of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, has been demonstrated to inhibit specifically the zona pellucida (ZP)-inducud acrosome reaction (AR) in mouse sperm (Florman and Storey, 1982; Dev Biol 91:121–130). In this study we describe the solubilization and partial purification of the mouse sperm QNB binding activity which may represent a component of the putative receptor complex for ZP on the sperm plasma membrane. Sperm membranes were isolated from cell homogenates of washed, capacitated, epididymal mouse sperm. Scatchard plots of QNB binding to these membranes indicated a single class of binding sites with KD = 7.2 nM and Bmax = 8700 sites/cell. These binding characteristics are similar to those seen with QNB binding to whole cells (Florman and Storey, 1982, J Androl 3:157–164). Sperm membranes were solubilized using 1% digitonin/0.2% cholate, and the resultant detergent-soluble fraction possessed QNB binding activity similar to that of intact membranes. The detergent-soluble fraction maintained intact ZP receptor(s)–G protein coupling in that treatment of this fraction with either ZP or mastoparan resulted in a 35% or 65% increase in specific GTPγS binding, respectively. The solubilized membrane preparation was fractionated by gel permeation HPLC. A majority of specific QNB binding activity was confined to one HPLC fraction. Analysis of this fraction by SDS–PAGE revealed a complex of approximately 5 proteins unique to this fraction. The most prominent protein had a Mr of 72 kDa, which is within the Mr range for muscarinic receptors. A protein with Mr = 41 kDa was also present within this fraction. Subsequent pertussis toxin (PTX)-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation of this fraction revealed this protein to be the α subunit of the Gi class of G proteins. Although the QNB binding activity could not be positively identified, we propose that it is contained in one or more of the proteins unique to this fraction and that these proteins, including Gi, may act as part of a sperm receptor complex for the ZP. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Eating Frequency is Associated With Energy Intake but Not Obesity in Midlife Women

Midlife women tend to gain weight with age, thus increasing risk of chronic disease. The purpose of this study was to examine associations between overweight/obesity and behavioral factors, including eating frequency, in a cross-sectional national sample of midlife women (n = 1,099) (mean age = 49.7 years, and BMI = 27.7 kg/m²). Eating behaviors and food and nutrient intakes were based on a mailed 1-day food record. BMI was calculated from self-reported height and weight, and level of physical activity was assessed by self-reported questionnaire. After exclusion of low-energy reporters (32% of sample), eating frequency was not associated with overweight/obesity (P > 0.05) and was not different between BMI groups (normal, 5.21 ± 1.79; overweight, 5.16 ± 1.74; obese, 5.12 ± 1.68, P = 0.769). Adjusted logistic regression showed that eating frequency, snacking frequency, breakfast consumption, eating after 10 PM and consuming meals with children or other adults were not significantly associated with overweight/obesity. Total energy intake increased as eating frequency increased in all BMI groups, however, obese women had greater energy intake compared to normal weight women who consumed the same number of meals and snacks. Intake of fruit and vegetables, whole grains, dietary fiber, dairy, and added sugars also increased as eating frequency increased. While eating frequency was not associated with overweight/obesity, it was associated with energy intake. Thus, addressing total energy intake rather than eating frequency may be more appropriate to prevent weight gain among midlife women.
Pyrimidine nucleotide synthesis in the normal and hypertrophying rat heart. Relative importance of the de novo and "salvage" pathways.

Radioactive orotic acid incorporation into RNA (de novo pathway of pyrimidine nucleotide synthesis) was considerably lower for rat heart than for rat liver in vivo and in vitro. 3H uridine ("salvage" pathway) was incorporated into heart RNA to a greater extent than 3H orotic acid, and the labeling with uridine in the heart exceeded that in the liver. Extracts of heart showed little enzymatic conversion of orotic acid to pyrimidine nucleotides in the presence of ATP and ribose-5-phosphate, a condition under which there was good activity in other tissues such as the liver, spleen, and kidney. Addition of phosphoribosylpyrophosphate (PRPP) markedly enhanced orotic acid conversion though it still remained less for heart than for other tissues. These findings indicated that PRPP synthetase activity was low in the heart. Uridine kinase activity in the heart was similar to that in the liver. Uridine kinase appeared to be rate limiting in the "salvage" pathway. Aortic constriction produced an increase in uridine kinase activity at 24 hours with a peak at 2 to 6 days (50 to 60% stimulation) after operation, while uridylate kinase, uridine phosphorylase, and orotidine monophosphate pyrophosphorylase activities remained unchanged. The "salvage" pathway appears to play an important role in pyrimidine nucleotide synthesis in the heart, and uridine kinase may be regulatory in this pathway during cardiac hypertrophy.
Structure and activity of the photosystem II manganese-stabilizing protein: role of the conserved disulfide bond.

The 33-kDa manganese-stabilizing protein (MSP) of Photosystem II (PS II) maintains the functional stability of the Mn cluster in the enzyme’s active site. This protein has been shown to possess characteristics similar to those of the intrinsically disordered, or natively unfolded proteins [Lydakis-Simantiris et al. (1999b) Biochemistry 38: 404–414]. Alternately it was proposed that MSP should be classified as a molten globule, based in part on the hypothesis that its lone disulfide bridge is necessary for structural stability and function in solution [Shutova et al. (2000) FEBS Lett. 467: 137–140]. A site-directed mutant MSP (C28A,C51A) that eliminates the disulfide bond reconstitutes O2 evolution activity and binds to MSP-free PS II preparations at wild-type levels [Betts et al. (1996) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1274: 135–142]. This mutant was further characterized by incubation at 90 °C to determine the effect of loss of the disulfide bridge on MSP thermostability and solution structure. After heating at 90 °C for 20 min, C28A,C51A MSP was still able to bind to PS II preparations at molar stoichiometries similar to those of WT MSP and reconstitute O2 evolution activity. A fraction of the protein aggregates upon heating, but after resolubilization, it regains the ability to bind to PS II and reconstitute O2 evolution activity. Characterization of the solution structure of C28A,C51A MSP, using CD spectroscopy, UV absorption spectroscopy, and gel filtration chromatography, revealed that the mutant has a more disordered solution structure than WT MSP. The disulfide bond is therefore unnecessary for MSP function and the intrinsically disordered characteristics of MSP are not dependent on its presence. However, the disulfide bond does play a role in the solution structure of MSP in vivo, as evidenced by the lability of a C20S MSP mutation in Synechocystis 6803 [Burnap et al. (1994) Biochemistry 33: 13712–13718].
Authenticity and Power.

Teaching behaviors prized by students as evidence of responsiveness—particularly making full disclosure of our agendas and having our words and actions be consistent—often bring us up against the contradictions and realities of power.
Boveri and the Early Days of Genetics

PROF. R. C. PUNNETT'S informative and charming account of “Early Days of Genetics”1 ends with a statement which for the sake of historical justice requires comment. In answer to the question why the discoverers of linkage “managed to miss the tie-up of linkage phenomena with the chromosomes”, Punnett says: “The answer is Boveri. We were deeply impressed by his paper ‘On the individuality of the chromosomes’ and felt that any tampering with them by way of breakage and recombination was forbidden.”
A Simple Preparation of N-Phosphorylated Lysine and Arginine

Abstract An improved specific synthesis of N-e-phospholysine is described. Phosphorylation under basic conditions of the copper chelate of L-lysine with phosphorus oxychloride and subsequent removal of the copper ion affords N-e-phospholysine as the sole phosphorylated product. Similar treatment of L-arginine yields N-ω-phosphoarginine as the sole product which is identical to that produced enzymatically.
Techniques for particle identification and energy measurement of helium ions in the intermediate energy range

Abstract Techniques used in the particle identification and energy measurement of helium ions with several hundred MeV of kinetic energy are described. In a two arm array, magnetic rigidity, specific ionization, and time-of-flight measurements were employed in the forward arm, while time-of-flight, specific ionization and total energy measurements were employed in the recoil arm. Very clean particle identification was obtained for hydrogen and helium isotopes.
Polyelectrolyte Desorption and Exchange Dynamics near the Sharp Adsorption Transition: Weakly Charged Chains

This paper examines the desorption and self-exchange dynamics of polyelectrolyte chains on an oppositely charged surface, in the limit of weak charge, such that the polymer is readily displaced by added ions. The model system adhering to this physically limiting behavior is poly[(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] [PDMAEMA] adsorbing on silica from aqueous solution at elevated pH. Desorption kinetics follow expectations: a single-exponential decay consistent with a first-order desorption model, with an activation energy for chain removal that adheres reasonably to the Muthukumar treatment and quantitatively to the Dobrynin−Rubinstein model. Self-exchange kinetics, however, present a surprise: They are quantitatively identical to desorption, with the exchange process being completely controlled by chain release from the surface. The single-exponential form for self-exchange is atypical, and the quantitative similarity with desorption suggests that, with weakly charged chains, approximately 3−5 segment−sur...
The structuring of interpersonal relations in schizophrenic adolescents: A decentering analysis of Thematic Apperception Test stories

This study tested the hypothesis that schizophrenics employ more developmentally immature levels of decentering in their structuring of interpersonal relations. A 9-point scale of interpersonal decentering, developed originally by Feffer, was applied to Thematic Appercetion Test stories produced by schizophrenic adolescents and a control group of psychiatrically disturbed patients equivalent in age and intellectual functioning. Results provided convincing support for the hypothesis tested and suggest the theoretical utility of viewing interpersonal deficit in schizophrenia from a cognitive-developmental perspective.
Experiences of IIT research institute in operating a computerized retrieval system for searching a variety of data bases

Abstract The Computer Search Center (CSC) at IIT Research Institute (IITRI) provides information from computer-readable data bases to users in industry, government and universities. The center was designed to meet user needs by providing a variety of services from multiple data bases with minimal restrictions and a high degree of flexibility. A new modular machine-independent PL/1 software system was developed for handling virtually any bibliographic-type data base. CSC programs have run at nine different computer facilities with different: hardware, computer models, versions of OS, peripherals, and releases of the PL/1 compiler. All data bases are converted by preprocessors to a standard IITRI format which employs a directory and character string type of file structure. User oriented profile features include: full free form Boolean logic with any degree of nesting; search terms may be any data element on a data base; search terms may be single words, multi-word terms, phrases, or term fragments; full truncation capabilities; optional sort by author, citation number, or weight; and optional printing of output on 5 × 8 cards, multilith masters, paper, or tape. User aids were developed for each data base to assist in profile development and monitoring. They include: search manuals, truncation guides, term frequency list and KLIC indexes. Research is conducted and statistics maintained to study, monitor, and improve Center components including data bases, user satisfaction, systems, personnel functions and services. The many advantages of computerized retrieval, which are the raison d'etre for the center, include: coverage, thoroughness, consistency, interdisciplinariness, recall, speed, regularity, timeliness, file preparation and cost effectiveness.
Synthesis of large zeolite X crystals

Abstract Large crystals of zeolite X with diameters up to 340 μm have been synthesized from gels with the composition 4.76Na 2 O : 1.0Al 2 O 3 : 3.5SiO 2 : 454H 2 O : 5–8.5TEA. The syntheses were conducted using aqueous slurries of Cab-O-Sil M-5 or Aerosil 200 fumed silica, and sodium aluminate solutions containing triethanolamine made with sodium hydroxide and aluminum wire or sodium aluminate powder.
Using peptidic inhibitors to systematically probe the S1' site of caspase-3 and caspase-7.

Fifteen ketone-containing peptides were designed, synthesized, and used to probe the effect of substitution at the P1‘ position on caspase-3 and -7 inhibition. Even with the large bias of Ac-Asp-Gl...
Empirical approaches to understanding technology transfer

Technology transfer has received considerable attention from both practitioners and academicians over the past few years, yet little progress has been made towards establishing a solid conceptual framework for the topic based on empirical evidence. This article reviews the limited amount of multivariate empirical literature on ‘transfer processes in technological change’ existing, discusses the major findings, and suggests directions for future research.
Snoring, daytime sleepiness, and incident cardiovascular disease in the health, aging, and body composition study.

Objectives To examine the association between snoring and incident cardiovascular disease (CVD). Design settings and participants This is a prospective study in which community dwelling older adults were evaluated at baseline, and followed up for an average of 9.9 years. Measurements Data on snoring, daytime sleepiness, as well as demographic and clinical characteristics of study participants was collected at baseline, and participants were followed up every six months for an average of 9.9 years. Based on snoring and sleepiness status, 4 groups of participants were created: (1) No Snoring, No Sleepiness; (2) No Snoring, Sleepiness; (3) Snoring, No Sleepiness; (4) Snoring, Sleepiness. Incident CVD was defined as a diagnosis of myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, or congestive heart failure that resulted in overnight hospitalization during the follow-up period. Cox proportional hazard was used to estimate the risk of incident cardiovascular disease during follow-up by baseline snoring and sleepiness status. Results A total of 2,320 participants with a mean age of 73.6 (2.9) years at baseline were included in the analysis. Fifty-two percent were women, and 58% were white. A total of 543 participants developed CVD events during the follow-up period. Participants who reported snoring associated with daytime sleepiness had significantly increased hazard ratio for CVD events (HR = 1.46 [1.03-2.08], P = 0.035) after adjusting for demographic and clinical confounding factors. Conclusion The results suggest that self-reported snoring and daytime sleepiness status are associated with an increased risk of future cardiovascular disease among older adults.
The influence of the muscle fiber pennation angle and innervation zone on the identification of neuromuscular fatigue during cycle ergometry

Abstract The purpose of the present investigation was to compare the electromyographic (EMG) responses and the estimated physical working capacity at the fatigue threshold (PWC FT ) values recorded from electrode arrangements placed: (1) parallel to the muscle fiber pennation angle (MFPA), (2) parallel to the long axis of the femur, and (3) over the innervation zone (IZ) during incremental cycle ergometry. Thirteen college-aged males and females (mean age±SD=22.4±3.4years) performed an incremental test to exhaustion on a cycle ergometer. A linear electrode array was utilized to determine the MFPA and location of the IZ of the vastus lateralis (VL). For determination of the PWC FT values, EMG signals were recorded from three bipolar electrode arrangements at different locations over the VL. The results of a one-way repeated measures ANOVA indicated there were no significant ( p FT values among the electrode arrangements (parallel to the MFPA=190±36W; parallel to the long axis of the femur=194±40W; and over the IZ=199±51W) or the EMG amplitude and MPF values at the common power outputs. There were also significant correlations ( r =0.75–0.91) among the three electrode arrangements for PWC FT values. These findings suggested that the PWC FT , like absolute EMG amplitude and MPF, is robust to the influence of electrode placement over the IZ as well as the orientation with respect to the MFPA during cycle ergometry.
Crash avoidance potential of four passenger vehicle technologies

OBJECTIVES: The objective was to update estimates of maximum potential crash reductions in the United States associated with each of four crash avoidance technologies: side view assist, forward collision warning/mitigation, lane departure warning/prevention, and adaptive headlights. Compared with previous estimates (Farmer, 2008), estimates in this study attempted to account for known limitations of current systems. METHODS: Crash records were extracted from the 2004-08 files of the National Automotive Sampling System General Estimates System (NASS GES) and the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). Crash descriptors such as vehicle damage location, road characteristics, time of day, and precrash maneuvers were reviewed to determine whether the information or action provided by each technology potentially could have prevented or mitigated the crash. RESULTS: Of the four crash avoidance technologies, forward collision warning/mitigation had the greatest potential for preventing crashes of any severity; the technology is potentially applicable to 1.2 million crashes in the United States each year, including 66,000 serious and moderate injury crashes and 879 fatal crashes. Lane departure warning/prevention systems appeared relevant to 179,000 crashes per year. Side view assist and adaptive headlights could prevent 395,000 and 142,000 crashes per year, respectively. Lane departure warning/prevention was relevant to the most fatal crashes, up to 7500 fatal crashes per year. A combination of all four current technologies potentially could prevent or mitigate (without double counting) up to 1,866,000 crashes each year, including 149,000 serious and moderate injury crashes and 10,238 fatal crashes. If forward collision warning were extended to detect objects, pedestrians, and bicyclists, it would be relevant to an additional 3868 unique fatal crashes. CONCLUSIONS: There is great potential effectiveness for vehicle-based crash avoidance systems. However, it is yet to be determined how drivers will interact with the systems. The actual effectiveness of these systems will not be known until sufficient real-world experience has been gained. Language: en
Mechanisms of the Crayfish Tail Flick

THE escape reaction of the crayfish consists of a rapid backward swimming movement brought about by powerful flexion of the abdomen. In the course of a primarily anatomical re-investigation (as yet unpublished) of the musculature responsible for this flexion in the crayfish Procambarus clarki, it was observed that some 40 percent of the cross-sectional area of the main flexor musculature is contributed by three muscles which both arise and insert largely or entirely dorsal to the intersegmental hinge. These are the central, transverse and dorso-lateral muscles, in the terminology of Daniel1. The expected “direct” action of such muscles would be extension rather than flexion; that so large a proportion of the flexor musculature is apparently “indirect” in its action was considered to be of a sufficiently general physiological interest to be presented separately from the main body of the work.
Optical lattice site manipulation by vortex phase singularities

We present a method for manipulating individual sites in an optical lattice which enables the creation of defects within otherwise periodic light patterns. The modified optical lattice is created by interference of plane waves and spiral phase waves. Spiral phase modulation and the optical vortices that result are well suited for addressing single rows of fringes in the lattice owing to the localized wrap of the phase front. The size and shape of local fringes can be tuned or dynamically split and recombined by controlling the relative phase of the incident waves.
Cytochalasin D inhibits actin polymerization and induces depolymerization of actin filaments formed during platelet shape change

Cytochalasins, a class of fungal metabolites, affect a wide variety of motile functions of eukaryotic cells1–3. Recently, several laboratories have shown that cytochalasins inhibit actin polymerization in vitro, presumably by binding with high affinity to growing ends of actin nuclei and filaments (F-actin), and preventing addition of monomers (G-actin) to these sites4–8. Cytochalasins have also been reported, in certain conditions, to induce depolymerization of actin filaments in vitro6. However, correlations of these effects of cytochalasins on actin polymerization in vivo have been limited to electron microscopic studies. Recently, Morris and Tannenbaum reported that there was no net depolymerization of actin in spreading fibroblasts treated with cytochalasin D, despite the well known morpho-logical effects of the drug on these cells9. Here, we describe results indicating that cytochalasin D can inhibit the rapid polymerization of actin in human platelets after thrombin stimulation and induce rapid depolymerization of filamentous actin in Stimulated platelets. Both of these effects correlate with observed changes in platelet shape.
Effect of a Few Dominant Specular Reflectors Target Model Upon Target Detection

Some data indicate that aircraft targets viewed from certain aspects are well modeled as consisting of a few specular reflectors. The effect of a simplified form of this target model upon radar detection performance for two different waveforms has been analyzed. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) required for detection as a function of waveform bandwidth for a conventional-single-channel waveform and for a four-channel frequency diversity waveform is evaluated. It is shown that for either waveform there is an optimum bandwidth to minimize the SNR required for detection. In addition, the single-channel minimum is less than the four-channel minimum. The best performance occurs for the single-channel waveform when the waveform bandwidth just resolves the individual reflectors. For typical targets, this bandwidth is of the order of 35 to 75 MHz. It is also shown that only a 0.8-dB loss relative to this minimum is incurred when using a four-channel narrow bandwidth waveform.
The Carboxyl-terminal Hydrophobic Residues of Apolipoprotein A-I Affect Its Rate of Phospholipid Binding and Its Association with High Density Lipoprotein

We performed a series of mutations in the human apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) gene designed to alter specific amino acid residues and domains implicated in lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activation or lipid binding. We used the mutant apoA-I forms to establish nine stable cell lines, and developed strategies for the large scale production and purification of the mutated apoA-I proteins from conditioned media. HDL and dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine binding assays using the variant apoA-I forms have shown that replacement of specific carboxyl-terminal hydrophobic residues Leu222, Phe225, and Phe229 with lysines, as well as replacement of Leu211, Leu214, Leu218, and Leu219 with valines, diminished the ability of apoA-I to bind to HDL and to lyse dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine liposomes. The findings indicate that Leu222, and Phe225, Phe229 located in the putative random coil region, and Leu211, Leu214, Leu218, and Leu219 located in the putative helix 8, are important for lipid binding. In contrast, substitutions of alanines for specific charged residues in putative helices 7, 8, or 9 as well as various point mutations in other regions of apoA-I, did not affect the ability of the variant apoA-I forms to bind to HDL or to lyse dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine liposomes. Cross-linking experiments confirmed that the carboxyl-terminal domain of apoA-I participates in the self-association of the protein, as demonstrated by the inability of the carboxyl-terminal deletion mutants delta185-243 and delta209-243 to form higher order aggregates in solution. Lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase analysis, using reconstituted HDL particles prepared by the sodium cholate dialysis method, has shown that mutants (Pro165-->Ala,Gln172-->Glu) (Leu211-->Val,Leu214-->Val, Leu218-->Val,Leu219-->Val), Leu222-->Lys,Phe225-->Lys, Phe229-->Lys) and delta209-243 reduced LCAT activation (38-68%). Mutant (Glu191-->Ala,His193-->Ala,Lys195-->Ala) enhanced LCAT activation (131%), and mutant (Ala152-->Leu, Leu159-->Trp) exhibited normal LCAT activation as compared with the wild type proapoA-I and plasma apoA-I forms [corrected]. The apparent catalytic efficiency (Vmax(app)/Km(app)) of the apoA-I mutants ranged from 17.8 to 107.2% of the control and was the result of variations in both the Km and the Vmax in the different mutants. These findings indicate that putative helices 6 and 7, and the carboxyl-terminal helices 8 and 9 contribute to the optimum activation of lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase. In addition to their use in the present study, the variant apoA-I forms generated will serve as valuable reagents for the identification of the domains and residues of apoA-I involved in binding the scavenger receptor BI, and facilitating cholesterol efflux from cells as well as aid in the structural analysis of apoA-I.
Anisotropic solutions of methylol cellulose

Interpretation des variations de chiralite de l'helice cholesterique de l'hydroxymethyl cellulose observees precedemment par les auteurs par les differences de degre de substitution dans un meme echantillon
Much to Do about Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae: Why Supplementing Surveillance May Be the Key to Stopping Spread

(See the article by Thaden et al, on pages 978–983.) It is critical to the future of public health to understand the burden of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) so that we can effectively target efforts to limit potential spread. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) classifies CRE as 1 of 3 “urgent” antibiotic resistance threats to public health because of the high mortality associated with CRE infection and its rapid dissemination in the United States. What is the current burden of CRE disease? We can glean a snapshot of the national epidemiology of CRE from the CDC’s national surveillance. Rapid geographic spread is evident in the CDC’s national map of CRE, which indicates that all but 3 states now have identified CRE. Incidence by facility type, procedure, device, and organism all have considerable variation, providing preliminary indications where future prevention efforts might best be focused. The 2013 CRE Vital Signs states that 3.9% of short-stay acute care hospitals and 17.8% of long-term acute care hospitals have identified cases of CRE infection among those with catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) or central line–associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI). The CDC also reported that 10% of Klebsiella species in intensive care unit (ICU) CLABSIs, ICU CAUTIs, and surgical site infections after colon surgery or coronary artery bypass grafting in 2011 were carbapenem resistant. Although CRE have been reported in most states, it is increasingly clear that wide regional variation exists, from regions of hyperendemicity, such as parts of New York City, to regions apparently free of CRE, such as Maine.
Rapid Toluidine Blue Stain for Mohs' Micrographic Surgery

Background Toluidine blue is a useful stain for detecting basal cell carcinoma during Mohs' micrographic surgery. Objective To demonstrate the efficacy of alkalinization on the toluidine blue stain. Methods A 1% aqueous toluidine blue–1% aqueous sodium borate solution was used to stain microscope slides for basal cell carcinoma during Mohs' micrographic surgery. Results Total toluidine blue staining time was reduced to less than 2.5 minutes, without compromising the quality of the stain. Conclusions The rapid toluidine blue stain reduces staining time while maintaining staining quality, including the advantages specific to the toluidine blue stain. MICHAEL M. TODD, MD, JAMES W. LEE, HT(ASCP), AND VICTOR J. MARKS, MD, HAVE INDICATED NO SIGNIFICANT INTEREST WITH COMMERCIAL SUPPORTERS.
Inspection of Spray on Foam Insulation (SOFI) Using Microwave and Millimeter Wave Synthetic Aperture Focusing and Holography

The Space Shuttle Columbia's catastrophic failure is thought to have been caused by a dislodged piece of external tank spray on foam insulation (SOFI) striking and significantly damaging the left wing of the orbiter, which may have been due to a flawed section of SOFI. Microwave and millimeter wave nondestructive evaluation (NDE) methods have shown great potential detecting anomalies in SOFI such as small air voids using a horn and lens in a (real) focused configuration. Synthetic focusing methods may also be used to detect air voids in SOFI and may additionally offer the ability to locate the defect in three dimensions. To this end, two different methods were investigated; namely, frequency domain synthetic aperture focusing technique (FD-SAFT) and wide-band microwave holography. To illustrate the performance of these methods they were applied to two different SOFI samples. The results of these investigations demonstrate the capabilities of these methods for SOFI inspection.
A model of moisture-induced plasticization of crunchy snacks based on fermi' distribution function

The irregular force-deformation relationships of commerical cheese balls and Zwiebacks at nine levels of water activity in the range 0.11–0.85 were recorded with a computer-interfaced Universal testing machine. They were characterized by two empirical stiffness parameters, the force at 10 and 20% deformation, and two jaggedness measures, the apparent fractal dimension of the normalized force-deformation curve and the mean magnitude of its power spectrum. The plots of all four parameters versus the water activity had a stable region followed by a substantial drop at a characteristic water activity level, of the kind expected when a material undergoes a glass transition. The phenomenon over the entire experimental water activity range, could be described by a model whose mathematical formal is a slightly modified version of Fermi' distribution function that is P(aw) = Ps/{1 + exp[(aw — awcp)]/bp} + cp where P(aw) is any of the stiffness or jaggedness parameters, Ps and cp constants whose sum is the magnitude of the parameter when the material is in the dry state (cp is the residual level after plasticization), awcp is a characteristic water activity level representing the region where the major textural changes take place, and bp a constant representing the steepness of the relationship at the transition region.
Some Lexical Aspects of Cape Muslim Afrikaans

It is a relatively well known fact that Cape Muslim Afrikaans has its own distinctive pronunciations which at times differ sharply with that of Standard Afrikaans. What is not so well known, is that apart from its core vocabulary, which is derived from Dutch, Cape Muslim Afrikaans also has a distinctive lexical inventory, created to essentially extend the limitations of the nineteenth century Cape Afrikaans. This essay looks at some aspects of that inventory. Retained within this distinctive lexical inventory are many lexical units which were discarded from Standard Afrikaans during the process of standardization. Cape Muslim Afrikaans also inherited some of its unique lexical units from the Malayo-Polynesian languages of the slave ancestors of the Cape Muslim community. While its vocabulary was further extended by borrowings from the languages of contact, English and French. Lexical items from Arabic came into its lexicon as a result of the translation of Arabic theological and theo-philosophical tracts into the Afrikaans mother tongue of this community. This essay looks at how the lexical inventory of Cape Muslim Afrikaans was disseminated and perpetuated in the Cape Muslim community. It looks at the role of the literary tradition of Arabic-Afrikaans and the Islamic religious education system at the Cape in this regard. Of particular interest are the changes which occur in the orthoepic nature and syntactical function of inherited and borrowed lexical units, by the affixing of lexical or grammatical morphemes, so that these units conform to the acoustic nature of Cape Muslim Afrikaans. The creation of composites and neologisms are also explored, while lists of inherited lexical units, with etymological origin, and more complex lexical items are provided. Keywords: cape muslim afrikaans, lexical aspects, core vocabulary, inherited and borrowed items, standard afrikaans, arabic afrikaans, arabic orthography, dutch, english, creolization, slave languages, religious education, neologisms, syntactical function, pronunciation, idioms and expressions
Update on Preventive Therapy (Prophylaxis) for Hereditary Angioedema

Both prophylactic and acute treatment of hereditary angioedema have been revolutionized in the past decade. Effective prophylactic treatment has long been provided by the group of attenuated androgens and antifibrinolytic agents, but their use has been attended by side effects. Plasma derived C1 inhibitor has been added to the group of agents effective in prophylaxis and a group of agents, discussed elsewhere in this volume, has been added to the armamentarium for acute therapy.
Understanding Open Source Software through Software Archaeology: The Case of Nethack

In this study open source software was examined from an archaeological perspective. The objective: to explore the evolution of a long-lived open source project with the intention of learning how code evolution has progressed over time. This investigation provides a case study of Nethack, an enormously popular open source game that has been in development for more than a decade. The Goal Question Metric approach was employed to derive measurement goals for the evaluation of open source software (OSS) evolution in Nethack. According to Lehman?s laws, the incremental growth size of successive releases tends to decline during the active life of an evolving program. Our results demonstrate that the evolution patterns observed for Nethack do not consistently conform to Lehman?s laws. The growth in Nethack?s tarball distribution size, as well as lines of code, exhibited a linear increase in growth in this investigation. Additionally, Lehman?s laws dictate that the complexity of a system will increase as it ages. Interestingly, in Nethack, the McCabe cyclomatic complexity was found to decrease with successive releases while the Halstead complexity increased. These results suggest that while the structure complexity of Nethack declined with successive releases, the complexity of calculational logic increased. These findings raise questions concerning the evolution of other OSS applications.
Detecting SNPs-disease associations using Bayesian networks

Epistatic interactions play a significant role in improving pathogenesis, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of complex human diseases. A recent study in automatic detection of epistatic interactions showed that Markov Blanket-based methods are capable of finding SNPs (single-nucleotide polymorphism) that have a strong association with common diseases and of reducing false positives when the number of instances is large. Unfortunately, a typical SNP dataset consists of very limited number of examples, where current methods including Markov Blanket-based methods perform poorly. To address small sample problems, we propose a Bayesian network-based approach to detect epistatic interactions. The proposed method also employs a Branch-and-Bound technique for learning. We apply the proposed method to simulated datasets based on four disease models and a real dataset. Experimental results show that our method significantly outperforms Markov Blanket-based methods and other commonly-used methods, especially when the number of samples is small.
Controlling Opportunistic and Anti-Competitive IntellectualProperty Litigation

It is useful to think of intellectual property (IP) law both as a system of property rights that promotes the production of valuable information and as a system of government regulation that unintentionally promotes socially harmful rent-seeking. This Article analyzes methods of controlling rent-seeking costs associated with opportunistic and anti-competitive IP lawsuits. My thinking is guided to some extent by the analysis of procedural measures for controlling frivolous litigation, and analysis of antitrust reforms designed to control strategic abuse of antitrust law. These analogies lead me to focus on pre-trial and post-trial control measures that reduce the credibility of weak IP lawsuits. I conclude that intellectual property courts show some awareness of the value of fee-shifting and summary judgment as tools for controlling opportunistic and anti-competitive lawsuits. Courts display less awareness of the need to restrict preliminary injunctions or encourage declaratory judgments as control measures. Antitrust suits have only a limited role in deterring the most egregious anti-competitive conduct. Besides attacking the credibility of weak lawsuits, it is probably desirable to eliminate the threat of some kinds of IP lawsuits entirely. This could be accomplished by eliminating or restricting IP rights such as business method patents, trade dress protection of product configuration and design, and copyright protection of art reproductions. In other words, it may be desirable to curtail the "standing" of parties who own IP rights that generate a substantial threat of opportunistic or anti-competitive litigation with little corresponding benefit in terms of productive incentives.
Long-term results of weekly/daily cisplatin-based chemoradiation for locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal.

BACKGROUND Weekly or daily cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-based chemoradiation was evaluated for patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the anal canal treated at a single institution over a 20-year period. METHODS A retrospective, single-institution analysis was conducted of patients receiving concurrent 5-FU/cisplatin and radiotherapy for locally advanced SCC from 1989 to 2009. Endpoints included clinical complete response rate, local recurrence rate, colostomy-free survival, disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival, and treatment-related toxicity. RESULTS A total of 197 patients were evaluable. The majority had American Joint Committee on Cancer stage II (41%) or stage III (46%) disease; most were T2 (44%) or T3 (27%); bulky nodal disease (N2-N3) was noted in 24% of patients. Patients received weekly (20 mg/m2) or daily (4 mg/m2) cisplatin during radiotherapy. Median radiation dose was 55 Gy. Clinical complete response was observed in 185 patients (94%). After a median follow-up of 8.6 years, local recurrence rate was 11%. Sixteen patients (8%) developed distant metastases. The 5-year DFS was 81%, the 5-year overall survival was 86%, and the 5-year colostomy-free survival was 88%. By univariate analysis, N-stage was a poor prognostic indicator for 5-year DFS (P = .02, 95% confidence interval = 1.17-2.01) and distant metastases (P = .046, 95% confidence interval = 1.09-2.13). Increased T-stage correlated with the necessity for salvage surgery (P = .01). CONCLUSIONS The combination of weekly/daily cisplatin and 5-FU–based chemotherapy with concurrent radiotherapy is an effective regimen, and our long-term results indicate that cisplatin is an alternative to mitomycin C and may be considered for the treatment of locally advanced SCC of the anal canal. Cancer 2013;119:3769–3775. © 2013 American Cancer Society.
Surface-Exposed Proteins of Ehrlichia chaffeensis

The surface proteins of Ehrlichia chaffeensis provide an important interface for pathogen-host interactions. To investigate the surface proteins of E. chaffeensis, membrane-impermeable, cleavable Sulfo-NHS-SS-Biotin was used to label intact bacteria. The biotinylated bacterial surface proteins were isolated by streptavidin-agarose affinity purification. The affinity-captured proteins were separated by electrophoresis, and five relatively abundant protein bands containing immunoreactive proteins were subjected to capillary-liquid chromatography-nanospray tandem mass spectrometry analysis. Nineteen out of 22 OMP-1/P28 family proteins, including P28 (which previously was shown to be surface exposed), were detected in E. chaffeensis cultured in human monocytic leukemia THP-1 cells. For the first time, with the exception of P28 and P28-1, 17 OMP-1/P28 family proteins were demonstrated to be expressed at the protein level. The surface exposure of OMP-1A and OMP-1N was verified by immunofluorescence microscopy. OMP-1B was undetectable either by surface biotinylation or by Western blotting of the whole bacterial lysate, suggesting that it is not expressed by E. chaffeensis cultured in THP-1 cells. Additional E. chaffeensis surface proteins detected were OMP85, hypothetical protein ECH_0525 (here named Esp73), immunodominant surface protein gp47, and 11 other proteins. The identification of E. chaffeensis surface-exposed proteins provides novel insights into the E. chaffeensis surface and lays the foundation for rational studies on pathogen-host interactions and vaccine development.
Prevalence of G6PD deficiency and knowledge of diagnosis in a sample of previously unscreened Lebanese males: clinical implications.

The incidence of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency in Lebanon is estimated at 10 per 1000 in men and 0.4 per 1000 in women. A community-based cluster sampling survey was conducted in 15 villages in all areas in Lebanon. The survey found 36 cases of G6PD deficiency among 3000 men aged 14 years and above, yielding a cumulative incidence rate of 12 per 1000. Of those 36 cases, 28 (77.8%) knew of their problem since they had already suffered at least one severe anaemia crisis in their childhood following the ingestion of raw green fava beans. The remaining 22.2% were not aware at all of their defect. These findings confirm that G6PD is a common genetic problem in Lebanon. The efficiency of early screening programmes in terms of preventing severe, at times potentially lethal, haemolytic crises is currently being investigated.