cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Formation of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) from reaction of monochloramine: a new disinfection by-product

Studies have been conducted specifically to investigate the hypothesis that N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) can be produced by reactions involving monochloramine. Experiments were conducted using dimethylamine (DMA) as a model precursor. NDMA was formed from the reaction between DMA and monochloramine indicating that it should be considered a potential disinfection by-product. The formation of NDMA increased with increased monochloramine concentration and showed maximum in yield when DMA was varied at fixed monochloramine concentrations. The mass spectra of the NDMA formed from DMA and 15N isotope labeled monochloramine (15NH2Cl) showed that the source of one of the nitrogen atoms in the nitroso group in NDMA was from monochloramine. Addition of 0.05 and 0.5 mM of preformed monochloramine to a secondarily treated wastewater at pH 7.2 also resulted in the formation of 3.6 and 111 ng/L of NDMA, respectively, showing that this is indeed an environmentally relevant NDMA formation pathway. The proposed NDMA formation mechanism consists of (i) the formation of 1,1-dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) intermediate from the reaction of DMA with monochloramine followed by, (ii) the oxidation of UDMH by monochloramine to NDMA, and (iii) the reversible chlorine transfer reaction between monochloramine and DMA which is parallel to (i). We conclude that reactions involving monochloramine in addition to classical nitrosation reactions are potentially important pathways for NDMA formation.
Temporal and spatial analysis of cartilage proteoglycan core protein gene expression during limb development by in situ hybridization

As limb mesenchymal cells differentiate into chondrocytes they initiate the synthesis of a cartilage-specific sulfated proteoglycan, cartilage-characteristic type II collagen, and other cartilage-specific proteins. In the present study, in situ hybridization with a 32P-labeled cloned cDNA probe complementary to mRNA encoding the core protein of cartilage proteoglycan has been used to visualize and localize the accumulation of cartilage proteoglycan core protein mRNA sequences during development of the chick limb bud in vivo. When the probe was hybridized to sections through 7-day (stage 32) limbs, an intense hybridization signal was observed over the well-differentiated cartilage rudiments of the limb, while no signal above background was observed over nonchondrogenic tissues including muscle, loose connective tissue, and epidermis. At early stages of limb development, an accumulation of silver grains representing hybridizable core protein mRNA first became detectable in the proximal central core of the limb where the prechondrogenic condensation of mesenchymal cells that characterizes the onset of cartilage differentiation was occurring. In fact, the pattern of silver grain accumulation closely followed the pattern of mesenchymal cell condensation, and no hybridizable core protein mRNA sequences were detectable in the limb bud prior to condensation. Cartilage-characteristic type II collagen mRNA was colocalized with core protein mRNA in the condensing central core of the limb suggesting that the genes for these two major constituents of cartilage matrix are coordinately regulated at the onset of chondrogenesis. Furthermore, the appearance of hybridizable core protein mRNA was closely followed by the appearance of the protein for which it codes as detected by immunohistochemical staining with monospecific antibody. These observations support the hypothesis that at the initial stages of limb chondrogenesis core protein gene expression is controlled primarily at the transcriptional level.
Asthenospheric flow and asymmetry of the East Pacific Rise, MELT area

[1] Although the Pacific and Nazca plates share the East Pacific Rise (EPR) as a boundary, they exhibit many differing characteristics. The Pacific plate subsides more slowly and has more seamounts than the Nazca plate. Both the seismic and magnetotelluric components of the Mantle ELectromagnetic and Tomography Experiment (MELT) found pronounced asymmetry in mantle structure across the spreading axis near 17°S. The Pacific (west) side has lower S-wave velocities, exhibits greater shear wave splitting, and is more electrically conductive than the Nazca (east) side. These results suggest asymmetric mantle flow and melt distribution beneath the EPR. To better understand the causes for these asymmetric properties, we construct numerical models of melting and mantle flow beneath a midocean ridge migrating to the west over a fixed mantle. Although the ridge is migrating to the west, the migration has little effect on the upwelling rates, requiring a separate mechanism to create the asymmetry. Models that produce asymmetric melting with a temperature anomaly require large (>100°C) excess temperatures and may not be consistent with the observed subsidence and crustal thickness. A possible mechanism for creating asymmetry without a temperature anomaly is across-axis asthenospheric flow, possibly driven by pressures created by upwelling beneath the Pacific Superswell to the west. Pressure-driven asthenospheric flow follows the base of the lithosphere, extending the upwelling region to the west as it follows the thinning lithosphere toward the axis, and shutting off melting as it crosses the axis and encounters an increasingly thick lithosphere to the east.
Vapor deposition during cigarette smoke inhalation in a subject-specific human airway model

Abstract Validated computer simulation results of vapor deposition from inhaled cigarette smoke are helpful to assess potential health effects of conventional and so-called less-harmful tobacco products. In this paper, the depositions of four critical tobacco-smoke vapors, i.e., acrolein, 1,3-butadiene, acetaldehyde and CO, in a subject-specific human airway model from mouth to generation G9 under different inhalation conditions have been simulated. The results show that vapor deposition is strongly influenced by its property values as well as inhalation waveform, i.e., puffing behavior. As almost insoluble species in the mucus layer, the deposition of butadiene vapor and CO is very low in the upper airways. The remaining vapors may penetrate further and deposit in deeper lung regions. As medium-to-high soluble vapors, acrolein and acetaldehyde have very high deposition values in the human upper airways from mouth to generation G9. The deposition result for steady matching flow (where the average flow rate between mean and peak values was taken) is a good conservative estimate of the actual deposition fraction under transient normal inhalation condition. However, the vapor transport delay may largely reduce the vapor deposition for transient puffing. A correction factor has been proposed, considering vapor transport delay, in order to calculate efficiently actual deposition fraction values under transient puffing condition. Furthermore, the effect of different puffing waveforms for conventional cigarettes and PREPs (potential reduced exposure products) on smoke vapor deposition has been discussed as well. Finally, a set of deposition correlations have been developed to estimate the deposition of acrolein and acetaldehyde vapors in different segments of the human upper airways under both puffing and normal inhalation (i.e., post-puffing) conditions.
Data-based Fault Identification and Accommodation in the Control of Sampled-Data Particulate Processes

Abstract This study deals with the problem of actuator fault identification and accommodation in particulate processes with discretely sampled measurements. The methodology involves reducing the infinite-dimensional system describing the particulate process to obtain a finite-dimensional model that captures the process dominant dynamics. A state feedback controller is designed based on the reduced-order model, and a zero-order hold, inter-sample model predictor is used to compensate for the discrete availability of measurements. The inter-sample model predictor is updated at each sampling time once the actual measurements become available. The location and magnitude of the actuator faults are estimated at each sampling time by solving a moving-horizon least-squares optimization problem online. The closed-loop stability properties of the sampled-data system are explicitly characterized in terms of the sampling period, the controller design parameters, and the actuator effectiveness (absence or extent of malfunction), which are subsequently used in the fault accommodation approach that maintains closed-loop stability after a fault occurs. The ability of the proposed methodology to identify and handle simultaneous and consecutive, as well as full and partial faults, are illustrated using a simulated model of a non-isothermal continuous crystallizer.
Potential Vorticity Diagnosis of the Severe Convective Regime. Part IV: Comparison with Modeling Simulations of the Moore Tornado Outbreak

Abstract A potential vorticity (PV) diagnostic framework is used to explore the sensitivity of the 3 May 1999 Oklahoma City tornado outbreak to the strength of a particular PV anomaly proximate to the geographical region experiencing the tornado outbreak. The results derived from the balanced PV diagnosis agree broadly with those obtained previously in a numerical simulation of the same event, while offering additional insight into the nature of the sensitivity. Similar to the findings of other cases, the balanced diagnosis demonstrates that intensifying (removing) the PV anomaly of interest increases (decreases) the balanced CAPE over the southwestern portion of the outbreak region, reduces (increases) the storm-relative helicity, and increases (reduces) ascent. The latter finding, coupled with the results of the modeling study, demonstrates that intensifying a PV anomaly proximate to an outbreak environment can increase the likelihood that more widespread and possibly less tornadic convection will ensue...
‘We Will Never Leave.’ The Reale Accademia d’Italia and the Invention of a Fascist Africanism

At the beginning of November 1938 the Reale Accademia d’Italia, the official cultural institution of the Italian Fascist regime, organized a conference on Africa. Mussolini himself had chosen the theme for the conference and major Italian political figures, such as De Vecchi and Balbo, delivered papers, together with French, English and German politicians and scholars. The conference, organized in the same year of Hitler’s visit to Italy and of the introduction of the new racial laws, could have offered the cultural justification for a foreign policy alternative to the German turn taken by the regime. Only Mussolini’s last minute decision not to attend transformed the Convegno Volta on Africa from a potential alternative foreign policy into a forum where the dissenting voices within the regime voiced their opposition to German style racism.
Statistical criteria for establishing a truly false consensus effect

Abstract The false consensus effect is defined as an egoistic bias to overestimate the degree to which others are like us. The criterion for establishing its existence is a positive correlation across subjects (within items) between their own endorsements of a behavior or attitude item and their estimates of the endorsement frequency in a specified group of which they are a member. The effect is labeled “false” on the grounds that because there is an actual endorsement rate in the group, systematic deviations from it in the direction of the subject's own response supposedly cannot result from accurate estimation procedures. “Not everyone can be right.” If providing such an estimate is viewed as a problem of predicting a binomial probability or proportion, however, use of own response in a way that leads to higher estimates for endorsers than for nonendorsers is a rational statistical procedure. A sample of one endorsement is different from a sample of one rejection, and different samples should lead to different inferences about a population value. While a sample of n = 1 is small (in this context, for estimating a binomial probability), it is not a biased sample unless it is chosen in a way that it systematically overestimates or underestimates; for example, the fact that some members of a group are more politically liberal than others does not mean that a single person from it yields a biased sample of the liberalism of that group, even if that person is oneself. Both a regression and a Bayesian analysis require that an endorser make an estimate that is larger than that of a nonendorser. Because the precise differences in estimates can be determined from either model, “falsity” depends on the consistency of the estimates with these models or with a reasonable modification of these models when other bases of prediction are introduced. Judges can either overweight or underweight their own responses. Moreover, overweighting occurs only if subjects weight their own response more than that of another—randomly chosen—person in the group whose response is known to them. Providing subjects with such a response and determining whether or not they weight it less than their own in their estimations is crucial to concluding whether or not the consensus effect is false.
Academic Achievement Following Childhood Brain Disease Implications for the Concept of Learning Disabilities

The present study examined three hypotheses regarding the consequences of early brain damage for academic achievement: First, early brain insults will have a negative impact on achievement, even in children with normal intelligence. Second, underachievement in these children will be at least partially independent of IQ (i.e., not fully accounted for by a lowering of IQ within the average range). Third, normally intelligent children with histories of brain insult will also manifest selective cognitive dysfunctions. To test these hypotheses, we compared two groups of children who had recovered from Haemophilus influenzae type b meningitis. The "complicated" group consisted of children who, as a consequence of having sustained neurologic complications during their illness, were more likely to have had brain insults. Children in the "uncomplicated" group did not have complications with their illness and were regarded as having escaped significant central nervous system (CNS) pathology. Only children with normal hearing and a prorated Full Scale IQ of at least 80 (WISC-R) were considered. Group differences on the Wide Range Achievement Test-Revised were consistent with the first two hypotheses. Although the two groups had similar Verbal IQs, the complicated group also had a lower mean Performance IQ and performed less well on perceptually demanding neuropsychological tasks. Findings suggest that learning disabilities may have selective, brain-related cognitive antecedents; but they challenge the practice of using IQ criteria for clinical diagnosis.
Applications of large eddy simulations in nuclear field

Abstract This paper presents the use of large eddy simulations for calculating turbulent flows in the nuclear field. It focuses on the knowledge of temperature or pressure fluctuations, required to address issues such as thermal fatigue or vibrations. The different subgrid models used and their integration in the commercial CFD software Star-CD are described. A representative set of applications performed – validation and industrial cases – in the last 15 years is presented. The flow configurations are mainly tee junctions, but also cross-flows over obstacles and shear layers, with water, sodium and gas as fluids. The comparison with experimental results highlights the good behavior of large eddy simulations, in terms of averaged fields, amplitude and frequency of fluctuations. However, this benefit requires very fine grid modelings, notably for the heat transfer at wall, and limits the application to small domains. The paper stresses on the high importance of the upstream boundary conditions. Finally, the last section summaries the state of art and the future needs for developments.
Antifungal amphiphilic aminoglycoside K20: bioactivities and mechanism of action.

K20 is a novel amphiphilic antifungal aminoglycoside that is synthetically derived from the antibiotic kanamycin A. Reported here are investigations of K20’s antimicrobial activities, cytotoxicity, and fungicidal mechanism of action. In vitro growth inhibitory activities against a variety of human and plant pathogenic yeasts, filamentous fungi, and bacteria were determined using microbroth dilution assays and time-kill curve analyses, and hemolytic and animal cell cytotoxic activities were determined. Effects on Cryptococcus neoformans H-99 infectivity were determined with a preventive murine lung infection model. The antifungal mechanism of action was studied using intact fungal cells, yeast lipid mutants, and small unilamellar lipid vesicles. K20 exhibited broad-spectrum in vitro antifungal activities but not antibacterial activities. Pulmonary, single dose-administration of K20 reduced C. neoformans lung infection rates 4-fold compared to controls. Hemolysis and half-maximal cytotoxicities of mammalian cells occurred at concentrations that were 10 to 32-fold higher than fungicidal MICs. With fluorescein isothiocyanate, 20 to 25 mg/L K20 caused staining of >95% of C. neoformans and Fusarium graminearum cells and at 31.3 mg/L caused rapid leakage (30 to 80% in 15 min) of calcein from preloaded small unilamellar lipid vesicles. K20 appears to be a broad-spectrum fungicide, capable of reducing the infectivity of C. neoformans, and exhibits low hemolytic activity and mammalian cell toxicity. It perturbs the plasma membrane by mechanisms that are lipid modulated. K20 is a novel amphiphilic aminoglycoside amenable to scalable production and a potential lead antifungal for therapeutic and crop protection applications.
Fluorescence imaging system: application for the assessment of vegetation stresses

As a part of an ongoing laser induced fluorescence (LIF) project, out laboratories have developed a fluorescence imaging system (FIS) to acquire fluorescence images at wavelengths centered at 450 nm, 550 nm, 680 nm, and 740 nm. The system consists of ultraviolet (UV) fluorescent lamps as an exciting source, automated filter wheel, and charge coupled device (CCD) camera. The automated filter wheel and CD camera are controlled by a microcomputer via a computer interface,a nd digital images are captured. The FIS is capable of capturing steady state fluorescence and chlorophyll fluorescence induction images. Experimental studies were conducted to demonstrate the utility of the FIS. One such study included experiments to observe the effects of ethylenediurea (EDU) in soybean leaves with FIS. Five different concentrations of EDU were sued to establish a doe-response relationship. Although visual effects of EDU treatment were not apparent, the intensities of the fluorescence images of the plant leaves varied depending on the EDU concentration, the location on the leaf surface and the emission wavelength. EDU appeared mainly to affect the photosynthetic apparatus causing non-uniform increases in red and far-red fluorescence. Ratio images of red-green and blue/far-red were found to be sensitive indicators in detecting EDU effects. A ratio of fluorescence induction to steady state fluorescence had a curvilinear relationship with EDU-dosage. Such kinetic measurements can be used to assess photosynthetic activity in response to a range of chemical and environmental stresses. This study demonstrates that FIS is an excellent tool to detect stress symptoms before the onset of visible injury. It will enhance our understanding of the interactions among photosynthetic activity, vegetative stresses and fluorescence responses. Characterization of steady state fluorescence patterns in leaves is of significant value in our LIF research studies, and images taken with FIS greatly complement non-imaging fluorescence measurements by finding the spatial distribution of fluorescence in leaves.
Substantial Evidence: When is a Single Trial Sufficient for Approval and Promotion?

The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act provides FDA and sponsors with a statutory definition of “substantial evidence.” Most often drug effectiveness is established through the conduct of two adequate and well-controlled clinical trials (AWCTs), but there are situations where effectiveness can be sufficiently established through the conduct of a single AWCT. Some of these situations were detailed in FDA’s 1998 guidance document, but there remains some uncertainty for sponsors in determining what cases might merit a single AWCT to meet the substantial evidence standard (depending on indication, drug class, etc). This article is meant as an aid for drug development teams, and regulatory professionals in particular, to navigate successfully through such questions of substantial evidence. We review some of the prerequisites and hurdles for drug approval based on FDA interpretation of substantial evidence standards. Finally, we will provide some suggestions to sponsors, in the context of case examples demonstrating FDA’s interpretation of substantial evidence to support promotional claims.
A Flow-Based Centrality Measure through Resistance Distances in Smart-Grid Networks

We propose methods to estimate centrality in Smart-Grid Networks (SGNs) from the view of a flow-based approach. In several network categories, centrality metrics, such as degree, closeness and betweenness, have provided ways to investigate the importance or weakness of components. These well-known metrics utilize either non-global or shortest-path information. We mention several observations which try to use these metrics into a vulnerability measure of SGNs. For this, we stress that using a proper metric, which captures the core network characteristic, is important to induce a correct network analysis. This proper metric changes with network categories. In contrast to data networks, SGNs possess a fundamentally different property that comes from electricity distributions and this requires us to include a multi-path consideration. About this issue, we explain the feasibility of flow-based analysis and suggest to utilize an effective resistance as a distance measure. This allows us to propose new centrality metrics utilizable in SGNs. In several power grid test-beds, our metrics are tested and the differences from using current centrality metrics are compared. These results indicate that SGNs are more scale-free than the estimation from currently used metrics and provide the reason for cascading failure phenomena observed in SGNs. Additionally, we show that the multi-path effect becomes more severe with a network size increment.
Artificial intelligence implications for information retrieval

Overall, the field of information retrieval is already more aware than many other fields of the relevance of artificial intelligence (AI) [1-6]. Nonetheless there remain exciting applications of artificial intelligence that have been so far overlooked. In this paper we will point out some of the ways artificial intelligence might influence the field of information retrieval. We will then examine one application in more detail to discover the kind of technical problems involved in its fruitful exploitation.Before proceeding, it is important to interject a note of caution. While the promise of artificial intelligence is indeed bright, the time of complete fulfillment of its promise is a long way off. Of course, some of the expected contributions are shorter term than others. However, the more difficult problems will fall only after a good deal of basic research is accomplished. Artificial intelligence researchers have, in the past, been culpable of what can most charitably be described as over-optimism [7,8]. This naivete on the part of even the most respected of researchers stemmed from the profound subtleties underlying intelligent behavior. The problem is compounded by the fact that some of the most difficult of intelligent behavior (i.e. common sense) seems intuitively easy.
Lattice Virasoro algebra and corner transfer matrices in the Baxter eight-vertex model.

A lattice Virasoro algebra is constructed for the Baxter eight-vertex model. The operator L/sub 0/ is obtained from the logarithm of the corner transfer matrix and is given by the first moment of the XYZ spin-chain Hamiltonian. The algebra is valid even when the Hamiltonian includes a mass term, in which case it represents lattice coordinate transformations which distinguish between even and odd sublattices. We apply the quantum inverse scattering method to demonstrate that the Virasoro algebra follows from the Yang-Baxter relations.
Unusual electrophysiological findings in X-linked dominant Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

X-linked Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMTX) is the second most common form of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. Variable histopathological and nerve conduction velocity (NCV) results have suggested either a primary demyelinating or axonal polyneuropathy. We identified five individuals across three generations in a family with CMTX associated with a mutation in the gene coding for connexin 32. All individuals were studied by clinical neurological examination, DNA analysis, and nerve conduction studies. The proband (1174/KD) also underwent a sural nerve biopsy. As expected, all the affected males were more clinically affected than the females. All affected males and obligate female carriers exhibited some electrophysiological characteristics of demyelination. However, striking heterogeneity of nerve conduction velocities was seen. This family shows that CMTX is a heterogeneous and distinctly nonuniform demyelinating polyneuropathy, the severity of which varies with sex and age. Such electrophysiological variability is unique among hereditary neuropathies.
The effect of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus on uncontrolled hemorrhage in a rodent model.

Abstract Objective: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an independent risk factor for higher morbidity and mortality rates from trauma. We tested the null hypothesis that there would be no difference in the hemorrhage volumes and hemodynamic responses to uncontrolled hemorrhage between Zucker Diabetic Fat rats (ZDF) and euglycemic Sprague–Dawley rats (SD). Methods: Twenty-four adult male rats (12 ZDF and 12 SD) were anesthetized with althesin via the intraperitoneal route. The femoral artery was cannulated by cut-down to monitor the heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and to obtain blood samples for blood gas analysis. Twelve rats (6 ZDF and 6 SD) underwent uncontrolled hemorrhage by 50% tail amputation. Twelve rats (6 ZDF and 6 SD) served as non-hemorrhage controls. The HR, MAP, lactate (LAC), glucose levels (GL) and cumulative hemorrhage volume (CHV) were measured pre-hemorrhage and then every 15 min post-hemorrhage for 120 min. Data were reported as mean ± S.E.M. Group comparisons were analyzed by ANOVA with repeated values; post hoc testing by Bonferroni (all tests were two-tailed, alpha = 0.05). Results: Pre-hemorrhage the SD and ZDF were evenly matched for LAC, HR and MAP. CHV (cm 3 /100 g) was significantly ( p = 0.008) greater in the ZDF (1.49 ± 0.12) as compared to the SD (0.38 ± 0.11). The ZDF had significantly ( p Conclusion: DM as compared to non-DM rats suffered a greater blood loss with a more severe lactic acidosis after a comparable uncontrolled vascular injury.
Why not nephrology? A survey of US internal medicine subspecialty fellows.

Background There is a decreased interest in nephrology such that the number of trainees likely will not meet the upcoming workforce demands posed by the projected number of patients with kidney disease. We conducted a survey of US internal medicine subspecialty fellows in fields other than nephrology to determine why they did not choose nephrology. Methods A web-based survey with multiple choice, yes/no, and open-ended questions was sent in summer 2011 to trainees reached through internal medicine subspecialty program directors. Results 714 fellows responded to the survey (11% response rate). All non-nephrology internal medicine subspecialties were represented, and 90% of respondents were from university-based programs. Of the respondents, 31% indicated that nephrology was the most difficult physiology course taught in medical school, and 26% had considered nephrology as a career choice. Nearly one-fourth of the respondents said they would have considered nephrology if the field had higher income or the subject were taught well during medical school and residency training. The top reasons for not choosing nephrology were the belief that patients with end-stage renal disease were too complicated, the lack of a mentor, and that there were insufficient procedures in nephrology. Conclusions Most non-nephrology internal medicine subspecialty fellows never considered nephrology as a career choice. A significant proportion were dissuaded by factors such as the challenges of the patient population, lack of role models, lack of procedures, and perceived difficulty of the subject matter. Addressing these factors will require the concerted effort of nephrologists throughout the training community.
Nondestructive Evaluation of the Strength of Eggs by Holography

Abstract The feasibility of employing holographic interferometry to determine and compare the strengths of egg shells without breaking the egg is discussed. The necessary experimental set up is described and the theory to determine the mechanical deformation from the results is outlined. Experimental results are presented for three eggs of known order of shell strengths, 7.9, 9.4, and 10.4% shell (dry shell/fresh whole egg); fewer horizontal fringes occurred with increasing percent of shell. Mechanical deformations of these shells against vertical base loads of 113.5 and 303.0 g were determined, and fewer fringes appeared with the heavier load. Finally, the effect of temperature variations at 20 C, 30 C, and 40 C on one of the shells was studied. It is found that the number of fringes increased as the temperature was increased, indicating a decrease in the strength of the egg shell with increasing temperature.
Incidence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events associated with sirolimus use after liver transplantation

Abstract Background Sirolimus (SRL) is an immunosuppressant often used in liver transplantation (LT) to mitigate renal insufficiency associated with calcineurin inhibitors. Sirolimus can cause hyperlipidemia, but its association with coronary artery disease (CAD) and cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs) is unclear. The purpose of this study was to assess the risk of CAD and CVAs with the use of SRL in LT recipients. Methods We retrospectively reviewed all of our LT recipients from 2000 to 2011. Patients with multiorgan transplant, multiple liver transplants, everolimus therapy, or survival Results In group 1, there were 6 CAD and 2 CVA events; in group 2, 27 CAD and 16 CVA events; and in group 3, 10 CAD and 2 CVA events. The event-free survival for CAD/CVA at 1, 3, and 5 years was 100%, 98.1%, and 97.2% respectively for group 1; 99.7%, 98.4%, and 96.1% for group 2; and 92.3%, 92.3%, and 85.6% for group 3. On an unadjusted basis, compared with group 2, there was no difference in CAD/CVA rates in group 1 (hazard ratio [HR] 0.92; not significant), but there was an increase in group 3 (HR 2.94; P = .0019). However, on multivariate analysis, only age at transplantation (HR 1.06; P = .001) and diabetes before transplantation ( P = .011) were associated with increased CAD/CVA risk. Conclusions Our analysis showed that patients receiving SRL after LT had no increased risk of CAD/CVA events compared with patients maintained on a calcineurin inhibitor. The risk of CAD/CVA should not be a factor in avoiding SRL.
Usefulness of a CACA repeat polymorphism in genotype assignments in Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy

RFLP analysis in Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy (D/BMD) has been limited by the lack of informative marker loci at the 3′ end of the dystrophin gene. Recently a CACA repeat polymorphism was described in the 3′ untranslated end of the dystrophin gene which we have found helpful in genotype assignments of D/BMD families when an RFLP approach is required. The CACA repeat marker has 2 common alleles (1 and 2) that are easily visualized by a nonradioactive PCR method followed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. We present 2 families which demonstrate the use of this polymorphism. Since 35–50% of females are heterozygous, this locus is a useful marker in RFLP analysis of D/BMD families. © Wiley-Liss, Inc.
New applications of high-temperature solution calorimetry III. Enthalpies of formation of Mn2B, MnB, and MnB2☆

Abstract The enthalpies of formation of three manganese borides have been measured by solution calorimetry in liquid copper at 1386 K. The following results are reported: αH f ( 1 3 Mn 2 B) = − (31.7±2.0)kJ ·mol −1 , αH f ( 1 2 MnB) = − (35.8±2.4)kJ ·mol −1 , and αH f ( 1 2 MnB 2 ) = − (21.1±3.4)kJ ·mol −1 . The value for MnB 2 is only a preliminary one. We have also measured: (a) the enthalpies of mixing of { x B B(s) + (1 − x B )Cu(l)} (up to x B ≈ 0.015) at 1381 K, and (b) the enthalpies of solution of Mn(s) in Cu(l) at the same temperature. Comparisons between the enthalpies of solution of {(1 − x Mn )B + x Mn Mn} in Cu with the corresponding values for Mn in Cu and for B in Cu show evidence of strong chemical interaction between dissolved manganese and boron. This is interpreted to indicate extensive formation of a B a Mn b complex. The stoichiometry of this complex is not known. However, it tends to dissociate at higher a b = (1 − x Mn ) x Mn ratios.
LYSOZYME CONTENT OF HUMAN MILK.

LYSOZYME has been detected in the milk of donkey, mare, bitch, sow and cow1,2. In order to investigate the possible biological significance of lysozyme an investigation is planned here to compare physical, chemical and physiological characteristics of the lysozymes isolated from bovine and human milk. Although several workers1–4 have reported the presence of lysozyme in human milk and colostrum, not much work has been done to obtain information on the quantitative amounts of the enzyme in this milk. In the work recorded here lysozyme contents of a large number of bovine and human milk samples were determined. In an earlier publication2 the lysozyme content of bovine milk was reported to vary between 0.0 and 260.0 µg with an average of 13 µg of the enzyme activity per 100 ml. of milk, using egg-white lysozyme (Difco) as the standard. This report deals with the lysozyme content of human milk and colostrum, and the effect of storage and heat on the enzyme.
A framework for designing strategy content controls

Strategic control has recently been recognized to serve two purposes – to ensure that strategy is implemented as planned and to shape strategy content during implementation. While there are many analytical tools available for designing strategic controls that ensure strategy implementation, there are no comparable tools available for designing strategic controls that shape strategy content during implementation. This paper develops a framework for designing strategic controls that shape strategy content during implementation. The paper also illustrates the framework through brief case examples.
Type 1 Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor Induces Multimerization of Plasma Vitronectin A SUGGESTED MECHANISM FOR THE GENERATION OF THE TISSUE FORM OF VITRONECTIN IN VIVO

The conformation and degree of multimerization of vitronectin (Vn) appears to be of critical importance for its functions, but little is known about the underlying mechanisms that control Vn multimerization. We report that Vn secreted by cultured hepatoma cells is present as a mixture of monomeric and multimeric forms. A single protein of Mr 45,000 co-purified with hepatoma cell-derived Vn, which was immunologically identified as type 1 plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1). The possibility that PAI-1 may modulate Vn multimerization was investigated. The addition of active PAI-1 to unfractionated plasma containing Vn monomers resulted in the formation of covalently and noncovalently associated Vn multimers and expression of conformationally sensitive epitopes. In contrast, inactive forms of PAI-1 did not efficiently induce Vn multimerization and conformational change. Gel filtration analysis revealed that Vn remained multimeric after dissociation from PAI-1. Vn multimers were also assembled using purified monomeric Vn and PAI-1, suggesting that a plasma cofactor was not required to induce Vn multimerization. This study provides insights into physiological mechanism responsible for the generation of homomultimeric Vn, a multimeric form of Vn that is not in complex with other proteins and which expresses a functional repertoire distinct from that of plasma Vn.
The Statistical Interpretation of Predictions with Disaggregate Demand Models

This paper discusses an element of forecasting with disaggregate demand models that has received little attention so far; namely, the extent to which the accuracy of the final prediction depends on the accuracy of the calibration process. The paper introduces a numerical technique to evaluate approximate confidence intervals for the expected number of people using a transportation facility and approximate prediction intervals for the actual usage. It is shown that, unless the magnitude of the variance of the estimated parameters is considerably small, the predictions that result may be biased and the resulting confidence intervals, inaccurate. The degree of accuracy that can be obtained with different parameter variances is illustrated numerically for the binary probit model.
Complement and contrast material reactors

Patients showing systemic reactions to intravascular contrast media and patients receiving contrast media without reaction have significantly different mean values (p is less than 0.05) for functionally determined serum C1-esterase inhibitor (C1 INH) and total hemolytic complement (CH50). The lower concentration of these components in reactors appears in baseline serum samples (as well as after injection), and suggests that many anaphylactoid reactions to contrast media are conditioned by earlier complement consumption, and result directly from contrast-induced activation of complement, and other activation system components in the presence of inhibitor depression.
Cost leadership strategy and experience curves

Investing in cost leadership by rapidly riding down the experience curve is a common way to establish a firm's competitive advantage. Its success depends, in part, on the factors that underlie the experience curve. In this paper we make the distinction between cost declines that occur at any point in time and cost declines that may occur over time. This leads us to consider a revised experience concept in which the dynamic interrelationship between a firm's production rate, cumulative production and unit cost is explicitly considered. We provide a detailed analysis of various scale-learning relationships and their strategic implications for establishing competitive advantage through an investment in cost leadership. We also prove analytically that such investment should take place only in the presence of learning.
The effect of lidocaine on atrioventricular and intraventricular conduction in man.

Abstract Atrioventricular and intraventricular conduction were studied in 10 patients with arrhythmias before and after rapid administration of lidocaine (1 to 2 mg/kg by direct intravenous injection). Standard electrocardiographic lead II and catheter recordings of His bundle electrograms (H) were obtained. Recordings were made at varied heart rates, utilizing atrial pacing. P wave to H (P-H) interval was used as a measure of atrioventricular conduction. H to onset of the Q wave (H-Q), and H to the terminal deflection of the QRS complex (H-S) were used as measures of intraventricular conduction. After administration of lidocaine, P-H intervals were essentially unchanged in 4 patients, slightly decreased in 4 and slightly increased in 2 patients. H-Q intervals remained constant in all patients and at all rates both before and after lidocaine. H-S intervals were unchanged in 6 patients and increased in 4 patients by 8 to 18 msec (4 to 18 percent of total H-S interval). Thus, lidocaine in therapeutic doses had a minimal effect on atrioventricular and intraventricular conduction. This is in contrast to quinidine and procainamide, which may prolong atrioventricular and intraventricular conduction.
Structuring interorganizational cooperation: the role of economic integration in strategic alliances

This study addresses a new dimension that describes interdependence between alliance members, namely, economic integration–the extent to which resources contributed by different alliance members and subsequent operations using these resources are effectively blended into an alliance's value chain to the point where if one member withdraws, the remaining member(s) suffer great loss. We posit that economic integration has a linear positive effect on alliance stability but a curvilinear (diminished) effect on alliance profitability. Moreover, when economic integration is stronger, other dyadic variables such as interparty trust, joint governance and procedural justice will have a greater effect on alliance performance. Analysis of 198 cross-cultural strategic alliances in an emerging market generally supports these propositions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sexual behaviour and paternity in three captive groups of rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta)

Abstract Each offspring born into three captive groups of rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) during the spring of 1981 was assigned (1) a most probable behavioural father and (2) a subset of all possible behavioural fathers, on the basis of intensive observations of sexual activity during the 1980 fall breeding season. These predictions were then compared with true paternity determined by electrophoretic and serological analyses of polymorphic blood proteins of mothers, infants, and all adult and subadult males. Coincidence between the assignments of paternity based upon behavioural and biochemical data occurred no more frequently than chance would allow. Furthermore, there were no significant relationships between biochemical and behavioural rankings of overall reproductive success. It was concluded that conventional estimates of sexual activity during the breeding season are not a reliable indicator of true paternity and relative reproductive success in rhesus macaques.
Recent experience with ultrasonic tissue characterization

The current effort in the research laboratory at Stanford University Medical Center attempts tissue characterization using the parameter of cyclic variation of integrated ultrasonic backscatter (CVIBS). This parameter is available using prototype equipment that concentrates on the relative change in ultrasonic backscatter rather than the absolute level of backscatter measured. The interobserver reproducibility is quite good. The magnitude of CVIBS is greater in the posterior wall than in the septum generally. There is a weak association of aging with the magnitude of CVIBS. Measurement of CVIBS in patients with uncomplicated pressure overload hypertrophy and those with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy shows values in the posterior wall to be similar for all groups; however, the values for the septum were significantly smaller in patients in both hypertrophy groups compared with normal subjects. Studies in human cardiac allografts for the recognition of acute rejection have been carried out using CVIBS. A decrease in the magnitude of this parameter during rejection, compared to the baseline level, was characteristically seen. Return to prerejection levels was not invariably seen. Among the different systems for ultrasonic tissue characterization, the current system using CVIBS has been successful in specific studies.
Enzymatic changes in the rhizosphere of loblolly pine exposed to ozone and acid rain

Abstract The effects of ozone (O 3 ) and simulated acidic rain (SAR) on the activity of selected soil enzymes in the rhizosphere of loblolly pine were evaluated. The seedlings (Family 24.4) were exposed to 0, 80, 160, 240, or 320 nl O 3 1 −1 at SAR pH treatments of 5.3, 4.3, or 3.3 for 11 weeks. Dehydrogenase and acid phosphatase activities were linearly ( P = 0.01) inhibited by increasing acidity. The influence of O 3 and pH on changes of soil dehydrogenase and acid phosphatase activity were independent of each other. Changes in arylsulfatase activity were dependent on the specific combination of SAR pH and the O 3 concentration.
Softassign versus Softmax: Benchmarks in Combinatorial Optimization

A new technique, termed soft assign, is applied for the first time to two classic combinatorial optimization problems, the traveling salesman problem and graph partitioning. Soft assign, which has emerged from the recurrent neural network/statistical physics framework, enforces two-way (assignment) constraints without the use of penalty terms in the energy functions. The soft assign can also be generalized from two-way winner-take-all constraints to multiple membership constraints which are required for graph partitioning. The soft assign technique is compared to the softmax (Potts glass). Within the statistical physics framework, softmax and a penalty term has been a widely used method for enforcing the two-way constraints common within many combinatorial optimization problems. The benchmarks present evidence that soft assign has clear advantages in accuracy, speed, parallelizability and algorithmic simplicity over softmax and a penalty term in optimization problems with two-way constraints.
Pre-Columbian Philosophies

The indigenous peoples of what is now called “Latin America” enjoy long and rich traditions of philosophical inquiry dating back centuries before being characterized by their European “discoverers” as “primitives” incapable of or unmotivated to think philosophically. Pre-Columbian societies contained individuals who reflected critically and systematically upon the nature of reality, human existence, knowledge, right conduct, and goodness; individuals who puzzled over questions like “How should humans act?,” “What can humans know?,” and “What can humans hope for?” This chapter focuses upon the philosophies of Andean and Aztec societies, the two most prominent indigenous philosophies flourishing during the period of contact (i.e., of mutual encounter, interaction, exchange, and conflict between Europeans and indigenous
Convergence theorems for intermediate problems. II

General convergence theorems are established for the lower part of the intermediate operator spectra arising in lower bound methods of Aronszajn type.Convergence of the T*T method is considered in detail, as are constructions that allow perturbations that are nonclosable in the underlying Hilbert space. Problems with essential spectra are admitted, as is the use of infinite rank projections capable of displacing essential spectra. These last features are necessary for a theory applicable to Schrodinger operators corresponding to atomic systems.
The solution properties of supersaturated sodium triphosphate forms I and II

Sodium triphosphate Form II is easily supersaturated while Form I is difficult to supersaturate. Stability of these supersaturated solutions can be expressed kinetically.