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Showing papers by "University of Western Ontario published in 1996"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that the benefit of cholesterol-lowering therapy extends to the majority of patients with coronary disease who have average cholesterol levels and was also greater in patients with higher pretreatment levels of LDL cholesterol.
Abstract: Background In patients with high cholesterol levels, lowering the cholesterol level reduces the risk of coronary events, but the effect of lowering cholesterol levels in the majority of patients with coronary disease, who have average levels, is less clear. Methods In a double-blind trial lasting five years, we administered either 40 mg of pravastatin per day or placebo to 4159 patients (3583 men and 576 women) with myocardial infarction who had plasma total cholesterol levels below 240 mg per deciliter (mean, 209) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels of 115 to 174 mg per deciliter (mean, 139). The primary end point was a fatal coronary event or a nonfatal myocardial infarction. Results The frequency of the primary end point was 10.2 percent in the pravastatin group and 13.2 percent in the placebo group, an absolute difference of 3 percentage points and a 24 percent reduction in risk (95 percent confidence interval, 9 to 36 percent; P = 0.003). Coronary bypass surgery was needed in 7.5 per...

7,272 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A new discussion of the complex branches of W, an asymptotic expansion valid for all branches, an efficient numerical procedure for evaluating the function to arbitrary precision, and a method for the symbolic integration of expressions containing W are presented.
Abstract: The LambertW function is defined to be the multivalued inverse of the functionw →we w . It has many applications in pure and applied mathematics, some of which are briefly described here. We present a new discussion of the complex branches ofW, an asymptotic expansion valid for all branches, an efficient numerical procedure for evaluating the function to arbitrary precision, and a method for the symbolic integration of expressions containingW.

5,591 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The S transform is shown to have some desirable characteristics that are absent in the continuous wavelet transform, and provides frequency-dependent resolution while maintaining a direct relationship with the Fourier spectrum.
Abstract: The S transform, which is introduced in the present correspondence, is an extension of the ideas of the continuous wavelet transform (CWT) and is based on a moving and scalable localizing Gaussian window. It is shown to have some desirable characteristics that are absent in the continuous wavelet transform. The S transform is unique in that it provides frequency-dependent resolution while maintaining a direct relationship with the Fourier spectrum. These advantages of the S transform are due to the fact that the modulating sinusoids are fixed with respect to the time axis, whereas the localizing scalable Gaussian window dilates and translates.

2,752 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Although some empirical questions remain at issue, the overall results strongly support the continued use of the scales in substantive research.

2,749 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a theoretical model is proposed that links strong environmental management to improved perceived future financial performance, as measured by stock market performance, and the linkage to firm performance is tested empirically using financial event methodology and archival data of firm-level environmental and financial performance.
Abstract: Environmental management has the potential to play a pivotal role in the financial performance of the firm. Many individuals suggest that profitability is hurt by the higher production costs of environmental management initiatives, while others cite anecdotal evidence of increased profitability. A theoretical model is proposed that links strong environmental management to improved perceived future financial performance, as measured by stock market performance. The linkage to firm performance is tested empirically using financial event methodology and archival data of firm-level environmental and financial performance. Significant positive returns were measured for strong environmental management as indicated by environmental performance awards, and significant negative returns were measured for weak environmental management as indicated by environmental crises. The implicit financial market valuation of these events also was estimated. Cross-sectional analysis of the environmental award events revealed differences for first-time awards and between industries. First-time award announcements were associated with greater increases in market valuation, although smaller increases were observed for firms in environmentally dirty industries, possibly indicative of market skepticism. This linkage between environmental management and financial performance can be used by both researchers and practitioners as one measure of the benefits experienced by industry leaders, and as one criterion against which to measure investment alternatives.

2,468 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors developed a model of electoral competition in which citizens choose whether or not to run as candidates, and the equilibrium number of candidates depends negatively on the cost of running and positively on the benefits of winning.
Abstract: The authors develop a model of electoral competition in which citizens choose whether or not to run as candidates. A winner implements her favorite policy. The equilibrium number of candidates depends negatively on the cost of running and positively on the benefits of winning. For some parameter values, all equilibria under plurality rule have exactly two candidates, whose positions are distinct. Two-candidate elections are more likely under plurality rule than under a runoff system. The candidates' positions are less differentiated under a runoff system. There exist equilibria under both systems in which some candidates have no chance of winning.

1,234 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Monthly infusions of pamidronate provide significant protection against skeletal complications and improve the quality of life of patients with stage III multiple myeloma.
Abstract: Background Skeletal complications are a major clinical manifestation of multiple myeloma. These complications are caused by soluble factors that stimulate osteoclasts to resorb bone. Bisphosphonates such as pamidronate inhibit osteoclastic activity and reduce bone resorption. Methods Patients with stage III multiple myeloma and at least one lytic lesion received either placebo or pamidronate (90 mg) as a four-hour intravenous infusion given every four weeks for nine cycles in addition to antimyeloma therapy. The patients were stratified according to whether they were receiving first-line (stratum 1) or second-line (stratum 2) antimyeloma chemotherapy at entry into the study. Skeletal events (pathologic fracture, irradiation of or surgery on bone, and spinal cord compression), hypercalcemia (symptoms or a serum calcium concentration >12 mg per deciliter [3.0 mmol per liter]), bone pain, analgesic-drug use, performance status, and quality of life were assessed monthly. Results Among 392 treated patients, th...

1,024 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: MMF is associated with a significantly lower rate of treatment failure compared with AZA during the first 6 months after renal transplantation and produces a clinically important reduction in the incidence, severity, and treatment of acute graft rejection.
Abstract: Mycopehenolate mofetil (MMF) is a powerful immunosuppressant that inhibits the proliferation of T and B lymphocytes by blocking the enzyme inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase. MMF has been shown to prevent acute graft rejection in animal experiments and may have an important role in clinical renal transplantation. We conducted a prospective, double-blind, multi-center trial to compare the efficacy and safety of MMF and azathioprine within standard immunosuppressive regimen for patients receiving a first or second cadaveric renal graft. A total of 503 patients were randomized to groups receiving MMF 3 g (n=164), MMF 2 g (n=173), or azathioprine (AZA) 100-150 mg (n=166) daily. All were treated simultaneously with equivalent doses of cyclosporine and oral corticosteroids and followed for 12 months. The primary endpoint was treatment failure, defined as the occurrence of biopsy-proven graft rejection, graft loss, patient death, or discontinuation of the study drug during the first 6 months after transplantation. Treatment failure occurred in 50.% of patients in the AZA group by 6 months after transplantation, compared with 34.8% in the MMF 3g group (P=0.0045) and 38.2 % in the MMF 2g group (P=0.0287). Biopsy-proven rejection occurred in 15.9% of patients in the MMF 3 g group and 19.7% in the MMF2 g group, compared with 35.5% in the AZA group. Rejection of histologic severity grade II or more developed in 6.1 %, 10.4% and 19.9% of patients in the MMF 3 g, MMF 2 g, and AZA groups, respectively. Patients receiving MMF required less frequent and less intensive treatment for acute rejection: 24.4% of patients on MMF 3 g and 31.0% on MMF 2 g were tested for acute rejection, compared with 47.5% on AZA. Only 4.9% on MMF 3 g and 8.8% on MMF 2 g required antilymphocyte antibodies for treatment of severe or steroid-resistant rejection, compared with 15.4% of the patients on AZA. At 1 year after transplantation, graft survival in the MMF groups was marginally superior to that in the AZA group, although this difference was not statistically significant. Gastrointestinal toxicity and tissue-invasive cytomegalovirus infection were more common in the MMF 3 g group. Noncutaneous malignancies occurred in six patients on MMF 3 g, three patients on MMF 2 g, and four patients on AZA. Lymphoproliferative disorders occurred in two patients per MMF group, compared with one patient receiving AZA. MMF appears to be an important advance in prophylaxis following renal transplantation. It is associated with a significantly lower rate of treatment failure compared with AZA during the first 6 months after renal transplantation and produces a clinically important reduction in the incidence, severity, and treatment of acute graft rejection. These differences persist throughout the first year of follow-up. Clinical benefit was greatest with a dose of MMF 3 g/day, but gastrointestinal effects, invasive cytomegalovirus infection, and malignancies were slightly more common at that dose. The appropriate dose may lie between 2 g and 3 g per day and may require individualization depending on clinical course or other factors.

1,010 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The authors found that psychically close countries are more easily understood than distant ones; and offer more familiar operating environments; however, the psychic distance paradox is that operations in these countries are not necessarily easy to manage, because assumptions of similarity can prevent executives from learning about critical differences.
Abstract: Companies tend to begin their internationalization process in countries that are ‘psychically’ close. Researchers describe the sequence of entry that firms follow and the mode of entry they choose. They suggest that psychically close countries are more easily understood than distant ones; and offer more familiar operating environments. Although not prescriptive, an unstated conclusion can be drawn linking sequence of entry to performance. Evidence from thirty-two Canadian retail companies shows that only seven (22%) were functioning successfully in the United States. The psychic distance paradox is that operations in psychically close countries are not necessarily easy to manage, because assumptions of similarity can prevent executives from learning about critical differences. Moreover, empirical evidence from 271 CEOs confirms greater cultural differences between Canada and the U.S. than assumed previously. Modifications are suggested to improve the psychic distance concept.

957 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The genetic and environmental etiology of the five-factor model of personality as measured by the revised NEO Personality Inventory was assessed using 123 pairs of identical twins and 127 pairs of fraternal twins.
Abstract: The genetic and environmental etiology of the five-factor model of personality as measured by the revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-R) was assessed using 123 pairs of identical twins and 127 pairs of fraternal twins. Broad genetic influence on the five dimensions of Neuroticism, Extraversion, Openness, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness was estimated at 41%, 53%, 61%, 41%, and 44%, respectively. The facet scales also showed substantial heritability, although for several facets the genetic influence was largely nonadditive. The influence of the environment was consistent across all dimensions and facets. Shared environmental influences accounted for a negligible proportion of the variance in most scales, whereas nonshared environmental influences accounted for the majority of the environmental variance in all scales.

826 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The authors showed that Revised NEO-PI scales are not simple-structured but do approximate the normative 5-factor structure, however, goodness-of-fit indices were not high.
Abstract: Despite the empirical robustness of the 5-factor model of personality, recent confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) of NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI) data suggest they do not fit the hypothesized model. In a replication study of 229 adults, a series ofCFAs showed that Revised NEO-PI scales are not simple-structured but do approximate the normative 5-factor structure. CFA goodness-of-fit indices, however, were not high. Comparability analyses showed that no more than 5 factors were replicable, which calls into question some assumptions underlying the use of CFA. An alternative method that uses targeted rotation was presented and illustrated with data from Chinese and Japanese versions of the Revised NEO-PI that clearly replicated the 5-factor structure.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results support genetic epidemiological evidence that several genes interact epistatically to determine heritable susceptibility in multiple sclerosis.
Abstract: The aetiology of multiple sclerosis (MS) is uncertain. There is strong circumstantial evidence to indicate it is an autoimmune complex trait. Risks for first degree relatives are increased some 20 fold over the general population. Twin studies have shown monozygotic concordance rates of 25-30% compared to 4% for dizygotic twins and siblings. Studies of adoptees and half sibs show that familial risk is determined by genes, but environmental factors strongly influence observed geographic differences. Studies of candidate genes have been largely unrewarding. We report a genome search using 257 microsatellite markers with average spacing of 15.2 cM in 100 sibling pairs (Table 1, data set 1 - DS1). A locus of lambda>3 was excluded from 88% of the genome. Five loci with maximum lod scores (MLS) of >1 were identified on chromosomes 2, 3, 5, 11 and X. Two additional data sets containing 44 (Table 1, DS2) and 78 sib pairs (Table 1, DS3) respectively, were used to further evaluate the HLA region on 6p21 and a locus on chromosome 5 with an MLS of 4.24. Markers within 6p21 gave MLS of 0.65 (non-significant, NS). However, D6S461, just outside the HLA region, showed significant evidence for linkage disequilibrium by the transmission disequilibrium test (TDT), in all three data sets (for DS1 chi2 = 10.8, adjusted P < 0.01)(DS2 and DS3 chi2 = 10.9, P < 0.0005), suggesting a modest susceptibility locus in this region. On chromosome 5p results from all three data sets (222 sib pairs) yielded a multipoint MLS of 1.6. The results support genetic epidemiological evidence that several genes interact epistatically to determine heritable susceptibility.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: OPN seems to be the mineralized tissue protein most likely to function in the inhibition of HA formation, possibly by preventing phase separation in tissue fluids of high supersaturation.
Abstract: Many proteins found in mineralized tissues have been proposed to function as regulators of the mineralization process, either as nucleators or inhibitors of hydroxyapatite (HA) formation. We have studied the HA-nucleating and HA-inhibiting properties of proteins from bone [osteocalcin (OC), osteopontin (OPN), osteonectin (ON) and bone sialoprotein (BSP)], dentine [phosphophoryn (DPP)] and calcified cartilage [chondrocalcin (CC)] over a wide range of concentrations. Nucleation of HA was studied with a steady-state agarose gel system at sub-threshold [Ca] x [PO4] product. BSP and DPP exhibited nucleation activity at minimum concentrations of 0.3 microgram/ml (9 nM) and 10 micrograms/ml (67 nM) respectively. OC, OPN, ON and CC all lacked nucleation activity at concentrations up to 100 micrograms/ml. Inhibition of HA formation de novo was studied with calcium phosphate solutions buffered by autotitration. OPN was found to be a potent inhibitor of HA formation [IC50 = 0.32 microgram/ml (0.01 microM)] whereas OC was of lower potency [IC50 = 6.1 micrograms/ml (1.1 microM)]; BSP, ON and CC all lacked inhibitory activity at concentrations up to 10 micrograms/ml. The effect of OPN on HA formation de novo is mainly to inhibit crystal growth, whereas OC delays nucleation. These findings are consistent with the view that BSP and DPP may play roles in the initiation of mineralization in bone and dentine respectively. OPN seems to be the mineralized tissue protein most likely to function in the inhibition of HA formation, possibly by preventing phase separation in tissue fluids of high supersaturation.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors describe the systems that operate in five leading industrial countries -Germany, Japan, France, USA and UK -to establish two basic principles of good corporate governance and show how they are applied in each country.
Abstract: This study describes in turn the systems that operate in five leading industrial countries - Germany, Japan, France, the USA and the UK. It establishes two basic principles of good corporate governance and shows how they are applied in each country - indicating where methods vary and how most countries fall short of the ideal. The book concludes by highlighting the UK's strengths and weaknesses, and calls for a thorough overhaul of policy.

Journal ArticleDOI
01 Mar 1996-Pain
TL;DR: The CAS has fulfilled the first two criteria for a pain measure (psychophysical properties and discriminant validity), it is ethical to proceed with the formal definitive test for construct validity, in which children from various clinical populations use the CAS scale to assess their own pain.
Abstract: A new instrument was designed to provide a practical clinical measure for assessing children's pain intensity and pain affect. The pocket size measure includes a Coloured Analogue Scale (CAS) to assess intensity and a facial affective scale to assess the aversive component of pain. Both scales have numerical ratings on the back, so that the person administering it can quickly note the numbers that represent a child's pain. This study was conducted to determine the validity of the new instrument by evaluating the psychophysical properties of the intensity scale and by evaluating the discriminant validity of the intensity and affective scales. Since visual analogue scales (VAS) are valid and reliable measures for assessing children's pain, children's ability to use the new analog scale was compared with their performance on a VAS. Children's ability to rate pain affect using an affective scale, in which the 9 faces on a Facial Affective Scale (FAS) are presented in an ordered sequence from least to most distressed, was compared to their performance on the original FAS, in which the same faces were presented in a random order. Using a parallel groups design, 104 children (5-16 years; 60 female, 44 male; 51 healthy and 53 with recurrent headaches) were randomized into two groups: CAS or VAS. Children used the assigned scale to complete a calibration task, in which they rated the sizes of 7 circles varying in area (491, 804, 1385, 2923, 3848, 5675 and 7854 mm2). The psychophysical function relating perceived circle size to actual physical size was determined for the CAS and VAS. Children's CAS and VAS responses on the calibration task yielded similar mathematical relationships: psi cas = 0.035I0.87, psi vas = 0.027I0.89, where psi = perceived magnitude and I = stimulus intensity. The R2 values were 0.921 and 0.922 for the CAS and VAS groups, respectively. Analyses of covariance revealed no significant differences in the characteristics of these relationships, i.e., R2, slope, or y intercept, by scale type. Children used the same scale to complete the Children's Pain Inventory (CPI), in which they rated the intensity and affect of 16 painful events (varying in nature and extent of tissue damage). Children's CAS and VAS responses on the CPI were similar. Analyses of covariance indicated that there were no differences in either intensity or affective ratings by scale type. However, the mean number of painful events experienced by children increased significantly with age (P = 0.0001). Intensity ratings decreased significantly with age (P = 0.002), but affective ratings did not vary with age. The new instrument has equivalent psychometric properties to a 165 mm VAS. However, the CAS was rated as easier to administer and score than the VAS, so it may be more practical for routine clinical use. Since the CAS has fulfilled the first two criteria for a pain measure (psychophysical properties and discriminant validity), it is ethical to proceed with the formal definitive test for construct validity, in which children from various clinical populations use the CAS scale to assess their own pain.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This work proposes a scheme applicable to all species that distinguishes different classes of genes, provides a single name for all genes of a given function and greatly facilitates comparative studies.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the imprecise Dirichlet model is proposed for multinomial data in cases where there is no prior information and the probabilities are expressed in terms of posterior upper and lower probabilities.
Abstract: A new method is proposed for making inferences from multinomial data in cases where there is no prior information. A paradigm is the problem of predicting the colour of the next marble to be drawn from a bag whose contents are (initially) completely unknown. In such problems we may be unable to formulate a sample space because we do not know what outcomes are possible. This suggests an invariance principle : inferences based on observations should not depend on the sample space in which the observations and future events of interest are represented. Objective Bayesian methods do not satisfy this principle. This paper describes a statistical model, called the imprecise Dirichlet model, for drawing coherent inferences from multinomial data. Inferences are expressed in terms of posterior upper and lower probabilities. The probabilities are initially vacuous, reflecting prior ignorance, but they become more precise as the number of observations increases. This model does satisfy the invariance principle. Two sets of data are analysed in detail. In the first example one red marble is observed in six drawings from a bag. Inferences from the imprecise Dirichlet model are compared with objective Bayesian and frequentist inferences. The second example is an analysis of data from medical trials which compared two treatments for cardiorespiratory failure in newborn babies. There are two problems : to draw conclusions about which treatment is more effective and to decide when the randomized trials should be terminated. This example shows how the imprecise Dirichlet model can be used to analyse data in the form of a contingency table.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Evidence of anticancer properties of orange juice and indicate that citrus flavonoids are effective inhibitors of human breast cancer cell proliferation in vitro are provided, especially when paired with quercetin, which is widely distributed in other foods.
Abstract: Two citrus flavonoids, hesperetin and naringenin, found in oranges and grapefruit, respectively, and four noncitrus flavonoids, baicalein, galangin, genistein, and quercetin, were tested singly and in one‐to‐one combinations for their effects on proliferation and growth of a human breast carcinoma cell line, MDA‐MB‐435. The concentration at which cell proliferation was inhibited by 50% (IC50), based on incorporation of [3H]thymidine, varied from 5.9 to 140 μg/ml for the single flavonoids, with the most potent being baicalein. IC50 values for the one‐to‐one combinations ranged from 4.7 μg/ml (quercetin + hesperetin, quercetin + naringenin) to 22.5 μxglml (naringenin + hesperetin). All the flavonoids showed low cytotoxicity (>500 μg/ml for 50% cell death). Naringenin is present in grapefruit mainly as its glycosylated form, naringin. These compounds, as well as grapefruit and orange juice concentrates, were tested for their ability to inhibit development of mammary tumors induced by 7,12‐dimethylbe...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors proposed three means (channels) of overcoming location-based disadvantages of Japanese joint ventures in Southeast and East Asia, and found that partnering with local firms (the first channel) can be a primary strategy for accessing local knowledge and improving JV performance.
Abstract: Foreign firms in host country environments frequently face location-based disadvantages. This study proposes three means (channels) of overcoming local knowledge disadvantages. Based on a sample of 558 Japanese joint ventures (JVs) located in Southeast and East Asia, we find that partnering with local firms (the first channel) can be a primary strategy for accessing local knowledge and improving JV performance. JV experience in the host country (the second channel) also mitigates local knowledge disadvantages and leads to increased JV performance. The third channel, the foreign parent's host country experience, leads to increased performance in the absence of a local partner. However, when a JV is formed with a local partner, increased parent experience in the host country leads to decreased performance suggesting that the need for a local partner declines as parent experience in a host country increases.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The concept of identity capital as discussed by the authors is derived from this framework, depicting how individuals can negotiate life passages in an increasingly individualistic, complex, and chaotic world, by framing the culture-identity link with concepts representing three social-structural periods at three levels of analysis.



Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Theoretical literature on the economics of technology has emphasized the effects on technological trajectories of positive feedbacks as mentioned in this paper, and the presence of increasing returns to adoptions can force all but one technology from the market.
Abstract: Theoretical literature on the economics of technology has emphasized the effects on technological trajectories of positive feedbacks. In a competition among technologies that all perform a similar function, the presence of increasing returns to adoptions can force all but one technology from the market. Furthermore, the victor need not be the superior technology. This paper provides an empirical study of one technological competition which illuminates this theoretical work. It uses theoretical results to explain why chemical control of agricultural pests remains the dominant technology in spite of many claims that it is inferior to its main competitor, integrated pest management. Copyright 1996 by Royal Economic Society.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Approaches that have been attempted in the development of 3-D ultrasound imaging such as3-D B-mode, color Doppler, and power doppler systems are reviewed.
Abstract: The development of 3-D ultrasound imaging is a way to address the disadvantages of conventional ultrasound imaging. In this article the authors review approaches that have been attempted in the development of 3-D ultrasound imaging such as 3-D B-mode, color Doppler, and power Doppler systems. Acquisition, reconstruction, and rendering techniques for 3-D imaging are discussed, as well as applications and limitations.

Journal ArticleDOI
01 Aug 1996-Brain
TL;DR: In this paper, intravenous immunoglobulin (IvIg) 0.4 g per kg body weight or a placebo treatment on 5 consecutive days in a double-blind, cross-over trial was used for CIDP patients.
Abstract: Thirty patients with definite or probable chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) of chronic progressive (16 patients) or relapsing (14 patients) course were randomly assigned to receive intravenous immunoglobulin (IvIg) 0.4 g per kg body weight or a placebo treatment on 5 consecutive days in a double-blind, cross-over trial. Neurological function was monitored by serial quantitative assessments [neurological disability score (NDS); clinical grade (CG) and grip strength (GS) measurements] and by electrophysiological studies before and after each treatment period. Twenty-five patients completed both treatment periods. A comparison of the observed changes in clinical outcome measures revealed statistically significant differences in favour of IvIg, with (mean +/- SD) improvements in NDS by 24.4 +/- 5.4 points (P < 0.002) in CG by 1 +/- 0.3 points (P < 0.001) in GS by +6.3 +/- 1.7 kg (P < 0.005), whereas scores were unchanged or worse with placebo. A secondary two-groups analysis of the first trial period included all 30 patients; 16 patients had been randomly assigned to IvIg and 14 to placebo treatments. Again significant differences in favour of IvIg were observed in all the clinical end-points: improvement in NDS was 35.6 +/- 25 points (P < 0.0001), in CG it was 1.3 +/- 1.9 points (P < 0.002) and in GS +9.8 +/- 7.7 kg (P < 0.001), whereas all scores worsened with placebo. Of the 30 patients, 19 (63%) improved with IvIg treatments; nine out of 16 patients (56%) with chronic progressive CIDP, and 10 out of 14 patients (71%) with relapsing CIDP (differences were not statistically significant). A placebo response was seen in five patients. Comparison of paired electrophysiological measurements before and 4 weeks after IvIg treatments revealed statistically significant improvements in the summed motor conduction velocities (sigma MCV; P < -0.0001) and in the summed compound muscle action potentials (CMAP) evoked with proximal stimulation (sigma proximal CMAP, P < 0.03) of median, ulnar, peroneal and tibial nerves. Eight of nine IvIg responders with chronic progressive CIDP improved gradually to normal function with a single 5 day course of IvIg; in five of these, small doses of prednisone were prescribed during follow-up. In 10 IvIg responders with relapsing CIDP, improvements lasted a median 6 weeks (range 3-22 weeks) and was reproducible with open label treatments. All 10 patients have been maintained and stabilized with IvIg pulse therapy of 1 g per kg body weight or less, given as a single infusion prior to the expected relapse. A beneficial response to IvIg was found to be most likely in patients with acute relapse or with disease of one year or less. Patients with predominantly sensory signs did not improve.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a method for the determination of the quantum yield of hydroxyl radical production in heterogeneous systems has been developed, based on measurements of •OH radical generation rates and the photon flux absorbed by TiO2 suspensions.
Abstract: The generation of hydroxyl (•OH) radicals plays a key role in the heterogeneous photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants in aqueous suspensions of TiO2. The quantum yield of this process is thus an important parameter; however, it is not easy to measure in a particulate system arising from problems caused by light scattering from the particles. In this work, a reliable method for the determination of the quantum yield of hydroxyl radical production in heterogeneous systems has been developed, based on measurements of •OH radical generation rates and the photon flux absorbed by TiO2 suspensions. In this procedure, a modified integrating sphere method was used to determine the true fraction of light absorbed by TiO2 suspensions. A ferrioxalate chemical actinometer was used to measure the incident photon flux. As a check on the quantum yield method, good agreement with known literature values was obtained for quantum yield measurements of the photochemical generation of the p-benzosemiquinone (BQ•-) ...

Journal ArticleDOI
01 Sep 1996-Immunity
TL;DR: The early differentiation of naive diabetogenic T cells into the Th2 subset is dependent upon CD28 signaling and extends the understanding of the importance of Th1/Th2 balance in the regulation of this spontaneous autoimmune disease.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In patients with treatment-resistant chronic regional pain of soft-tissue or musculoskeletal origin, nine weeks of oral morphine in doses up to 120 mg daily may confer analgesic benefit with a low risk of addiction but is unlikely to yield psychological or functional improvement.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is shown that a shared environment does not account for familial risk in MS and that maternal effects have no demonstrable effect on familial risk, consistent with a polygenic hypothesis.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors show that in the absence of appreciable chemical weathering, extreme abrasion followed by hydraulic sorting has not produced mature sediments such as quartz arenites and clay-mineral-rich muds.
Abstract: Comminution in the glaciers that debouch into Guys Bight Basin, followed by selective sorting in the fluvial system, has had little effect on the bulk composition, or on the mineralogy, of the basin sands and muds. Most striking are the feldspar contents, and the feldspar-quartz ratios in sands and muds, both of which remain similar to those of average bedrock. The feldspar contents of sands and muds range from 48 to 52% feldspar whereas average bedrock contains 51·7% feldspar. Feldspar-quartz ratios average 1·58:1 in bedrock and 1·54:1, 1·66:1 and 1·69:1 in the medium to coarse sands, fine sands and muds, respectively, indicating minimal feldspar enrichment in the fine-grained sediments. In the absence of appreciable chemical weathering, extreme abrasion followed by hydraulic sorting has not produced mature sediments such as quartz arenites and clay-mineral-rich muds. There is, however, some chemical differentiation. Preferential accumulation of mafic minerals in fine sands and muds is reflected in bulk compositions by higher abundances of MgO, FeO and TiO2, and in the mineralogy by enrichment of biotite in the fine grades. Bulk compositional studies focused solely on muds and mudstones will result in an overestimate of the mafic contribution from source rocks. This work shows that bulk compositional studies of sediments and sedimentary rocks should include all available granulometric grades.