bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Medical Expenditure Measures in the Health and Retirement Study
Authors: Goldman Dana P , Zissimopoulos Julie , Lu Yang 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
This paper reviews out-of-pocket (OOP) medical expenditure measures collected in the Health and Retirement Study (HRS). Medical expenditures are an important cost of poor health. Medical expenditure measures are important for understanding retirement decisions, financial preparation for retirement, and predicting the consequences of health care reform, particularly Medicare reform. Despite the comprehensiveness of the HRS, there are always limitations to what can be learned from population interviews. To assess the quality of current HRS measures of OOP spending, we compare various measures of OOP spending across survey waves to the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) and Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS), two surveys that expend considerable resources on measuring both OOP spending and total medical expenditures. Such comparisons make it possible to identify potential bias in the HRS data and to improve HRS measures of OOP. We find that the HRS produces good quality and useful data on OOP spending.
Economic Measurement in the Health and Retirement Study
Authors: Venti Steven 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
The Health and Retirement Study (HRS) is widely use for research on the well-being of the elderly. This paper assesses the quality of economic and financial variables in the HRS. I find the coverage is comprehensive and the quality of the data is uniformly high. Thus the HRS has earned its position as the most widely used data source for research on retirement, saving adequacy, pension policy and a host of other aging-related topics. I identify two general areas that continue to merit special attention. The first is measurement error, particularly errors arising from item non-response and from inaccurate respondent reports of the ownership and level of assets. The second is the quality of the pension data. Where appropriate, I make suggestions for improving economic measures in the HRS.
Pharmacological regulation of neutrophil activity and apoptosis
Authors: Jančinová Viera , Perečko Tomáš , Nosáľ Radomir , Mihalová Danica , Bauerová Katarína , Drabiková Katarína 
Published: April 2011

Pharmacological regulation of neutrophil activity and apoptosis
Novel strategies of antiinflammatory therapy are based upon pharmacological agents capable to enhance the resolution - i.e. the termination of the beneficial inflammation before it may turn into an adverse chronic stage. In contrast to the current therapy, which antagonises the formation of proinflammatory mediators, the "proresolving" therapy promotes natural antiinflammatory processes. It is likely that several drugs and phytochemicals would act in this way, but this point has not been investigated and thus might be totally overlooked. In this paper, effects of curcumin (diferuloylmethane) were analysed, considering the ability of this natural compound to affect resolution of inflammation through modulation of its important inputs - activity and apoptosis of neutrophils. The presented data indicate that, besides its well-known ability to suppress mechanisms engaged at the onset and progression of inflammation, curcumin could support resolution of inflammation through decreased activity and enhanced apoptosis of neutrophils. This substance decreased the formation of oxidants in neutrophils, both under in vitro conditions and after oral administration to arthritic rats. Moreover, curcumin accelerated spontaneous apoptosis of neutrophils, as indicated by increased externalisation of phosphatidylserine, by intercalation of propidium iodide and by enhanced activity of the executioner caspase-3.
Modulation of metabolic activity of phagocytes by antihistamines
Authors: Lojek Antonin , Číž Milan , Pekarová Michaela , Ambrožová Gabriela , Vašíček Ondřej , Moravcová Jana , Kubala Lukáš , Drábiková Katarína , Jančinová Viera , Perečko Tomáš , Pečivová Jana , Mačičková Tatiana , Nosáľ Radomír 
Published: April 2011

Modulation of metabolic activity of phagocytes by antihistaminesThe purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of H1-antihistamines of the 1stgeneration (antazoline, bromadryl, brompheniramine, dithiaden, cyclizine, chlorcyclizine, chlorpheniramine, clemastine) and the 2ndgeneration (acrivastine, ketotifen, and loratadine) on the respiratory burst of phagocytes. Reactive oxygen species generation in neutrophils isolated from rat blood was measured using luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence. Changes in nitrite formation and iNOS protein expression by RAW 264.7 macrophages were analysed using Griess reaction and Western blotting. The antioxidative properties of drugs in cell-free systems were detected spectrophotometrically, luminometrically, fluorimetrically, and amperometrically. The majority of the H1-antihistamines tested (bromadryl, brompheniramine, chlorcyclizine, chlorpheniramine, clemastine, dithiaden, and ketotifen) exhibited a significant inhibitory effect on the chemiluminescence activity of phagocytes. H1-antihistamines did not show significant scavenging properties against superoxide anion and hydroxyl radical, thus this could not contribute to the inhibition of chemiluminescence. H1-antihistamines had a different ability to modulate nitric oxide production by LPS-stimulated macrophages. Bromadryl, clemastine, and dithiaden were the most effective since they inhibited iNOS expression, which was followed by a significant reduction in nitrite levels. H1-antihistamines had no scavenging activity against nitric oxide. It can be concluded that the effects observed in the H1-antihistamines tested are not mediated exclusively via H1-receptor pathway or by direct antioxidative properties. Based on our results, antihistamines not interfering with the microbicidal mechanisms of leukocytes (antazoline, acrivastine and cyclizine) could be used preferentially in infections. Other antihistamines should be used, under pathological conditions accompanied by the overproduction of reactive oxygen species.
Design and numerical analyses of the planar grating coupler
Authors: Struk P. , Pustelny T. 
Published: April 2011

Design and numerical analyses of the planar grating couplerThe paper presents the results of numerical analyses of the structures of integrated optics in the form of planar waveguides made of materials with high values of the refractive indexn= 2.00 and with an input-output system in the form of Bragg grating couplers. The numerical investigations were carried out by using the FDTD method (Finite Difference Time Domain method).
Influence of active admixtures onto tellurite glass refractive index
Authors: Reben M. , Wasylak J. , Jaglarz J. 
Published: April 2011

Influence of active admixtures onto tellurite glass refractive indexThe goal of this work was to investigate the influence of rare earth ions such as Tm3+, Yb3+on physico-chemical properies of tellurite glass from the TeO2-WO3-PbO-PbF2-Na2O system. The thermal characteristic of tellurite glass Tm3+, Yb3+doped have been presented. The effect of the glass crystallization on thermal stability of the glass and crystallizing phases formed upon heat treatment were investigated by DTA/DSC/, XRD methods. The spectral dependence of ellipsometric angles of the tellurite glass samples, have been studied. The influence of ions of rare earth elements, i.e. Tm3+and Yb3+, onto changes of refractive index of glass P1 (without RE admixture) were examined. The optical measurements were conducted on Woollam M2000 spectroscopic ellipsometer, in spectral range of 190-1700 nm.
Stability analysis of a discrete-time system with a variable-, fractional-order controller
Authors: Ostalczyk P. 
Published: April 2011

Stability analysis of a discrete-time system with a variable-, fractional-order controllerVariable, fractional-order backward difference is a generalisation of commonly known difference or sum. Equations with these differences can be used to describe a variable-, fractional order digital control strategies. One should mention, that classical tools such as a state-space description and discrete transfer function cannot be used in the analysis and synthesis of such a type of systems. Equations describing a closed-loop system are proposed. They contain square matrices imitating the action of matrices in the system polynomial matrix description. This paper focuses on the stability analysis of a closed-loop SISO linear system with a controller described by the equations mentioned. A stability condition based on a transient denominator matrix condition number is proposed. Investigations are supported by two numerical examples.
An analysis of the dynamics of a launcher-missile system on a moveable base
Authors: Dziopa Z. , Krzysztofik I. , Koruba Z. 
Published: April 2011

An analysis of the dynamics of a launcher-missile system on a moveable base
The analysis focuses on the dynamics of a hypothetical anti-aircraft system during the missile launch. The results of the computer simulation of motion of the launcher-missile system are represented graphically. The diagrams provide information about the range of kinematic excitations acting on the opto-electro-mechanical coordinator of the target in a self-guided missile.
Quantum analysis of the Cosserat media with application to paramagnetic resonance
Authors: Sikoń M. 
Published: April 2011

Quantum analysis of the Cosserat media with application to paramagnetic resonance
This work is a continuation of the investigation which first results were presented in the Bulletin of the Polish Academy of Sciences: Technical Sciences in 2009. In the work the Cosserat medium is defined there, where inter-atomic actions have non-central nature. Non-central potential energy is introduced. As regards the Schrödinger equation the energetic state of the atom is described in the field of the quantum mechanics. The analysis is carried out on the base of mechanical and magnetic properties of the atom. The obtained solution is applied to write the resonance condition in the EPR spectrometer. The spectra, obtained for a loaded hydrated copper sulfate, were interpreted from the point of view of the presented theory and experimental parameters of the Cosserat medium were written.
Des économies émergentes ou des marchés émergents : le développement économique avec ou sans la démocratie
Authors: Thiébault Jean-Louis 
Published: April 2011

Résumé Cet article propose une analyse politique comparative des pays émergents. Il montre que les performances économiques de ces pays ont conduit à un renforcement de la démocratie chez la plupart d’entre eux. Mais cette réussite n’a pas été réalisée partout. Des pays émergents autoritaires ou « semi-autoritaires » ont également réalisé des performances économiques, mais n’ont pas souhaité la mise en œuvre d’une réforme politique conduisant à la démocratie. Le maintien d’une pratique autoritaire plus ou moins rigoureuse est considéré comme essentiel pour la sauvegarde d’une forte croissance économique permettant au pays de profiter d’une plus grande prospérité et d’une plus grande stabilité.
Les défis de la consolidation dans les nouvelles démocraties
Authors: Alexander Gerard 
Published: April 2011

Résumé La troisième vague de démocratisation s’est achevée au milieu des années 1990. Dans les quinze années qui ont suivi, on a assisté à relativement peu de progrès de la démocratisation et à une certaine régression de l’autoritarisme. Que peut nous apprendre cette période au sujet des bases des régimes démocratiques et autoritaires ? À l’évidence, elle suggère que les transitions démocratiques et la stabilité ne sont pas le résultat des “effets d’émulation internationale” ou d’autres facteurs hautement contingents. En revanche, les cultures politiques et les structures socio-économiques nationales constituent les deux facteurs les plus pertinents pour expliquer la complexité de l’évolution des régimes qui caractérise notre monde. Malheureusement, les démocraties de la troisième vague sont touchées de manière disproportionnée par quatre types de défis à la consolidation démocratique : la polarisation politique, les structures étatiques écrasantes dans certains cas, les États faibles dans d’autres cas, et dans une moindre mesure, les politiques étrangères favorables à l’autoritarisme de la Chine et de la Russie.
La démocratie en Amérique latine
Authors: Ducatenzeiler Graciela , Itzcovitz Victoria 
Published: April 2011

Résumé C’est à partir des années 1980 que l’Amérique latine, après un XXe siècle plutôt turbulent, se réconcilie avec la démocratie. On assiste à l’apparition d’un mouvement singulier et notable qui se fera rapidement connaître comme celui des nouvelles gauches latino-américaines. Cependant, les formes politiques adoptées en Argentine, en Bolivie, au Brésil, au Chili, en Équateur, en Uruguay et au Venezuela demeurent très différentes. Dans cet article, nous traçons un panorama des « gauches » latino-américaines et leurs relations avec la démocratie républicaine. Nous analysons particulièrement le cas argentin tout en débattant de l’utilité du concept pour caractériser ce phénomène politique.
Physiological Characterization of Hatchery-Origin Juvenile SteelheadOncorhynchus mykissAdopting Divergent Life-History Strategies
Authors: Hanson Kyle C. , Gale William L. , Simpson William G. , Kennedy Benjamen M. , Ostrand Kenneth G. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractSmoltification by juvenile Pacific salmonids has been described as a developmental conflict whereby individuals face several life-history decisions. Smoltification occurs as a result of interactions between organismal condition and environmental cues, although some fish may forgo ocean migration and remain in freshwater streams for some time (residualize). We compared the physiological profiles of steelhead that were actively migrating to the ocean (migratory fish) and those that remained in fresh water (residuals) for at least a period of between 2 wk and 3 mo after release from a hatchery facility. In addition, we investigated the physiological characterization of residuals that further differentiated into precocial freshwater residents or parr that will either precocially mature in fresh water or migrate to the ocean in the future. Residuals had higher condition factors and gonadosomatic index than migratory fish and were characterized as less prepared for saltwater due to low levels of gill Na+,K+-ATPase activity and Na+,K+-ATPase α1b-subunit expression. Residuals tended to be males with the highest condition factors. Sex-specific differences are probably reflective of male fish adopting an alternative life-history strategy foregoing outmigration as a result of condition at the time of release. Collection of residuals throughout the fall suggested that residual hatchery fish further diversify into precocially mature fish that will presumably attempt to spawn without ever migrating to the ocean or into parr that will precocially mature or migrate in a future year.
Participation of the Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products in Efferocytosis
Authors: Friggeri Arnaud , Banerjee Sami , Biswas Subrata , de Freitas Andressa , Liu Gang , Bierhaus Angelika , Abraham Edward 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
Clearance of apoptotic cells by macrophages and other phagocytic cells, called efferocytosis, is a central process in the resolution of inflammation. Although the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) has been shown to participate in a variety of acute and chronic inflammatory processes in the lungs and other organs, a role for RAGE in efferocytosis has not been reported. In the present studies, we examined the potential involvement of RAGE in efferocytosis. Macrophages from transgenic RAGE−/− mice showed a decreased ability to engulf apoptotic neutrophils and thymocytes. Pretreatment of RAGE+/+ macrophages with advanced glycation end products, which competitively bind to RAGE, or Abs against RAGE diminished phagocytosis of apoptotic cells. Overexpression of RAGE in human embryonic kidney 293 cells resulted in an increased ability to engulf apoptotic cells. Furthermore, we found that incubation with soluble RAGE enhances phagocytosis of apoptotic cells by both RAGE+/+ and RAGE−/− macrophages. Direct binding of RAGE to phosphatidylserine (PS), an “eat me” signal highly expressed on apoptotic cells, was shown by using solid-phase ELISA. The ability of RAGE to bind to PS on apoptotic cells was confirmed in an adhesion assay. Decreased uptake of apoptotic neutrophils by macrophages was found under in vivo conditions in the lungs and peritoneal cavity of RAGE−/− mice. These results demonstrate a novel role for RAGE in which it is able to enhance efferocytosis through binding to PS on apoptotic cells.
Tryptophan Transport in Human Fibroblast Cells—A Functional Characterization
Authors: Vumma Ravi , Johansson Jessica , Lewander Tommy , Venizelos Nikolaos 
Published: April 2011

There are indications that serotonergic neurotransmission is disturbed in several psychiatric disorders. One explanation may be disturbed transport of tryptophan (precursor for serotonin synthesis) across cell membranes. Human fibroblast cells offer an advantageous model to study the transport of amino acids across cell membranes, since they are easy to propagate and the environmental factors can be controlled. The aim of this study was to functionally characterize tryptophan transport and to identify the main transporters of tryptophan in fibroblast cell lines from healthy controls. Tryptophan kinetic parameters ( Vmax and Km) at low and high concentrations were measured in fibroblasts using the cluster tray method. Uptake of 3H (5)-L-tryptophan at different concentrations in the presence and absence of excess concentrations of inhibitors or combinations of inhibitors of amino acid transporters were also measured. Tryptophan transport at high concentration (0.5 mM) had low affinity and high Vmax and the LAT1 isoform of system-L was responsible for approximately 40% of the total uptake of tryptophan. In comparison, tryptophan transport at low concentration (50 nM) had higher affinity, lower Vmax and approximately 80% of tryptophan uptake was transported by system-L with LAT1 as the major isoform. The uptake of tryptophan at the low concentration was mainly sodium (Na+) dependent, while uptake at high substrate concentration was mainly Na+ independent. A series of different transporter inhibitors had varying inhibitory effects on tryptophan uptake. This study indicates that tryptophan is transported by multiple transporters that are active at different substrate concentrations in human fibroblast cells. The tryptophan transport trough system-L was mainly facilitated by the LAT1 isoform, at both low and high substrate concentrations of tryptophan.
Effectiveness of a Protocol for the Prevention of Hemodialysis Venous Catheter-Related Infections
Authors: Cornacchiari Marina , Heidempergher Marco , Stasi Antonia , Baroli Ambrogio , Bertoncini Lucio , Turri Corrado , Bellotti Nicoletta , Guastoni Carlo 
Published: April 2011

Purpose Infections are a major complication of the use of hemodialysis central venous catheters. In our study we evaluated the efficacy of the hemodialysis central venous catheter protocol management adopted in our center, through a retrospective analysis of all hemodialysis central venous catheters inserted over a period of 6 years. Methods Seventy-three tunneled central venous catheters and 75 temporary central venous catheters were inserted in our center from 2003 to 2008 in 148 patients. Results During the follow-up we observed 30 infective events (16 assessed as bacteremias, 14 subcutaneous tunnel or exit site infections) with a rate of 0.65/1,000 days of central venous catheter implantation. Conclusions Our experience confirms, in a 72-month follow-up, the importance of careful central venous catheter management as a crucial feature in reducing the incidence of infective events in patients with central venous catheters in dialytic treatment.
PREVI‐Lima’s Time: Positioning Proyecto Experimental de Vivienda in Peru’s Modern Project
Authors: Kahatt Sharif S 
Published: April 2011

AbstractLaunched in 1968, the PREVI‐Lima housing competition brought informal urbanisation to the attention of architects worldwide. The competition brief required the design of low‐rise, high‐density expandable homes, grouped in neighbourhoods. Here Sharif S Kahatt puts PREVI’s experimental project within the social, political and theoretical context of the time. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Elemental: A Do Tank
Authors: Aravena Alejandro 
Published: April 2011

AbstractAlejandro Aravena has gained international honours and awards for his pioneering work at Elemental. An independent practice with a ‘social conscience’, Elemental seeks to deliver greater equality for urban dwellers and improve the quality of people's lives. It has formed key partnerships with Universidad Catolica de Chile (Chile's Catholic University) and the Chilean oil company, COPEC. Here Aravena describes some of the works that have informed Elemental's strategy: from its first housing project in Iquique in northern Chile to a sustainable masterplan with Arup for the coastal town of Constitución in the wake of the Chilean earthquake. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Governing Change: The Metropolitan Revolution in Latin America
Authors: Burdett Ricky , Kaasa Adam 
Published: April 2011

AbstractIn 21st‐century Latin America, cities are taking the lead. With the greatest populations and economic output concentrated in large‐scale metropolises, there is a real sense that the largest cities are outgrowing their national contexts. In many cases, power has been devolved at a municipal level. This has enabled mayors to implement infrastructural and transport projects. As Ricky Burdett and Adam Kaasa highlight in their discussion of two particular initiatives in São Paulo and Mexico City, it has also opened the way for innovative new community projects. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Olympic Games and the Production of the Public Realm: Mexico City 1968 and Rio de Janeiro 2016
Authors: Canales Fernanda 
Published: April 2011

AbstractFor Brazil, which is currently the world's eighth largest economy and is tipped to become the fifth, the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2016 represent a unique opportunity. Fernanda Canales looks at Rio de Janeiro 2016 in light of Mexico City 1968, and considers how the Games should provide an occasion for both urban regeneration and also recasting the city's often previously conflicting image for an international audience. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Articulating the Broken City and Society
Authors: Mario Jáuregui Jorge 
Published: April 2011

AbstractJorge Mario Jáuregui of Metrópolis Projetos Urbanos (MPU) has been responsible for more than 20 projects for the Favela‐Barrio (slum‐to‐neighbourhood) Programme implemented by the Rio de Janeiro city government, and two large‐scale urban redevelopment projects for President Lula's PAC (Growth Acceleration Programme). Here Jáuregui describes the strategies behind his work and specifically the transformation of public space that was undertaken at the Complexo de Manguinhos in northern Rio as part of the PAC scheme. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Formalisation: An Interview with Hernando de Soto
Authors: Laurie Angus 
Published: April 2011

AbstractThe Peruvian economist Hernando de Soto is internationally renowned for his writings on the informal economy. Through his work as the President of the Institute for Liberty and Democracy (ILD) in Lima, he has effectively advocated the creation of a legal system to help the poor access property rights. In his latest book, The Amazon is not Avatar, he makes a significant shift away from the problems caused by massive urban migrations to cities to focusing on the benefits of property and business rights for resource‐rich indigenous communities in the Amazon. Angus Laurie interviews De Soto on his current thinking and highlights why he has had such an important influence on social housing in Latin America. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.