bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Polygenic inheritance of breast cancer: Implications for design of association studies
Authors: Antoniou Antonis C. , Easton Douglas F. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractSusceptibility to breast cancer is likely to be the result of susceptibility alleles in many different genes. In particular, one segregation analysis of breast cancer suggested that disease susceptibility in noncarriers of BRCA1/2 mutations may be explicable in terms of a polygenic model, with large numbers of susceptibility polymorphisms acting multiplicatively on risk. We considered the implications for such a model on the design of association studies to detect susceptibility polymorphisms, in particular the efficacy of utilizing cases with a family history of the disease, together with unrelated controls. Relative to a standard case‐control association study with cases unselected for family history, the sample size required to detect a common disease susceptibility allele was typically reduced by more than twofold if cases with an affected first‐degree relative were selected, and by more than fourfold if cases with two affected first‐degree relatives were utilized. The relative efficiency obtained by using familial cases was greater for rarer alleles. Analysis of extended families indicated that the power was most dependent on the immediate (first‐degree) family history. Bilateral cases may offer a similar gain in power to cases with two affected first‐degree relatives. In contrast to the strong effect of family history, varying the ages at diagnosis of the cases across the range of 35–65 years did not strongly affect the power to detect association. These results indicate that association studies based on cases with a strong family history, identified for example through cancer genetics clinics, may be substantially more efficient than population‐based studies. Genet Epidemiol 25: 190–202, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Electronic structure and electrical properties of interfaces between metals and π‐conjugated molecular films
Authors: Kahn Antoine , Koch Norbert , Gao Weiying 
Published: October 2003

AbstractThe field of organic thin films and devices is progressing at an extremely rapid pace. Organic–metal and organic–organic interfaces play crucial roles in charge injection into, and transport through, these devices. Their electronic structure, chemical properties, and electrical behavior must be fully characterized and understood if the engineering and control of organic devices are to reach the levels obtained for inorganic semiconductor devices. This article provides an extensive, although admittedly nonexhaustive, review of experimental work done in our group on the electronic structure and electrical properties of interfaces between films of π‐conjugated molecular films and metals. It introduces several mechanisms currently believed to affect the formation of metal–organic interface barriers. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 41: 2529–2548, 2003
Electronic study of FeTi, CoTi, and NiTi alloys: bulk, surfaces, and interfaces
Authors: Kellou A. , Nabi Z. , Tadjer A. , Amrane N. , Fenineche N. , Aourag H. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractThe full‐potential linearized augmented plane waves (FP‐LAPW) method within the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) is applied to determine the electronic properties of the equiatomic alloys B2‐MTi (M = Fe, Co, Ni). Detailed analysis is devoted to the NiTi austenic, premartensic, and martensic phases. The martensic transformation (MT) occurs from the austenic B2 (CsCl structure) to the monoclinic B19' phase upon cooling. Spin‐polarized slab calculations are carried out to study the FeTi(001), CoTi(001), and NiTi(001) surfaces and the FeTi/CoTi, FeTi/NiTi, and CoTi/NiTi interfaces. The stability mechanism of the interface is related to the calculated ideal work of adhesion. The corresponding electronic structure and local magnetic moments of the surface, sub‐surface, and central layers are also given. (© 2003 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Context rules
Authors: Bressler Steven L. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractIt is proposed that cortical activity is normally coordinated across synaptically connected areas and that this coordination supports cognitive coherence relations. This view is consistent with the NMDA- hypoactivity hypothesis of the target article in regarding disorganization symptoms in schizophrenia as arising from disruption of normal interareal coordination. This disruption may produce abnormal contextual effects in the cortex that lead to anomalous cognitive coherence relations.
Olive green or chestnut brown?
Authors: Kuehni Rolf G. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractReflectance and spectral power functions are poor predictors of color experiences. Only in completely relativized conditions (single observer, non-metameric set of stimuli, and single set of viewing conditions) is the relationship close. Variation in reflectance of Munsell chips experienced by color-normal observers as having a unique green hue encompasses approximately sixty percent of the complete range of hues falling under the category “green”; and in recent determinations of unique hues, ranges of yellow and green as well as green and blue unique hues overlap.
NMDA synapses can bias competition between object representations and mediate attentional selection
Authors: Raffone Antonino , Murre Jaap M. J. , Wolters Gezinus 
Published: October 2003

AbstractPhillips & Silverstein emphasize the gain-control properties of NMDA synapses in cognitive coordination. We endorse their view and suggest that NMDA synapses play a crucial role in biased attentional competition and (visual) working memory. Our simulations show that NMDA synapses can control the storage rate of visual objects. We discuss specific predictions of our model about cognitive effects of NMDA-antagonists and schizophrenia.
Simple stochastic birth and death models of genome evolution: was there enough time for us to evolve?
Authors: Karev Georgy P. , Wolf Yuri I. , Koonin Eugene V. 
Published: October 2003

Abstract
Motivation: The distributions of many genome-associated quantities, including the membership of paralogous gene families can be approximated with power laws. We are interested in developing mathematical models of genome evolution that adequately account for the shape of these distributions and describe the evolutionary dynamics of their formation.
Results: We show that simple stochastic models of genome evolution lead to power-law asymptotics of protein domain family size distribution. These models, called Birth, Death and Innovation Models (BDIM), represent a special class of balanced birth-and-death processes, in which domain duplication and deletion rates are asymptotically equal up to the second order. The simplest, linear BDIM shows an excellent fit to the observed distributions of domain family size in diverse prokaryotic and eukaryotic genomes. However, the stochastic version of the linear BDIM explored here predicts that the actual size of large paralogous families is reached on an unrealistically long timescale. We show that introduction of non-linearity, which might be interpreted as interaction of a particular order between individual family members, allows the model to achieve genome evolution rates that are much better compatible with the current estimates of the rates of individual duplication/loss events.
Therapists' Benefits from Conducting Psychotherapy: The Case of Social Workers
Authors: Lazar Amnon , Guttmann Joseph 
Published: October 2003

Objective: This study examines social workers' benefits from conducting psychotherapy Method: The Therapist's Psychological Benefit Questionnaire (TPBQ), which includes six dimensions of benefits, was administered to 114 clinical social workers. Results: Participants were found to benefit most from Vocational Benefits and Self-Improvement, followed by Narcissistic Gains and Improved Relationships. Benefits related to Object Relations were ranked third, and those related to Fulfillment of Needs were ranked last. These results are discussed in light of the various theoretical-qualitative descriptions of therapists' gains from psychotherapy. Also discussed are the rankings of specific items included in the different dimensions. Conclusions: The participants are clearly not “selfless givers,” thereby confirming the claim of many theoreticians that therapists benefit psychologically from their helping role.
Patients’ Perceptions of Quality of Life After Treatment for Early Prostate Cancer
Authors: Clark Jack A. , Inui Thomas S. , Silliman Rebecca A. , Bokhour Barbara G. , Krasnow Steven H. , Robinson Richard A. , Spaulding Monica , Talcott James A. 
Published: October 2003

Purpose: Treatment for early prostate cancer produces problematic physical side effects, but prior studies have found little influence on patients’ perceived health status. We examined psychosocial outcomes of treatment for early prostate cancer. Patients and Methods: Patients with previously treated prostate cancer and a reference group of men with a normal prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level and no history of prostate cancer completed questionnaires. Innovative scales assessed behavioral consequences of urinary dysfunction, sexuality, health worry, PSA concern, perceived cancer control, treatment decision making, decision regret, and cancer-related outlook. Urinary, bowel, and sexual dysfunction were assessed with symptom indexes; health status was assessed by the Physical and Mental Summaries of the Short Form (SF-12) Health Survey. Results: Compared with men without prostate cancer, prostate cancer patients reported greater urinary, bowel, and sexual dysfunction, but similar health status. They reported worse problems of urinary control, sexual intimacy and confidence, and masculinity, and greater PSA concern. Perceptions of cancer control and treatment decisions were positive, but varied by treatment: prostatectomy patients indicated the highest and observation patients indicated the lowest cancer control. Bowel and sexual dysfunction were associated with poorer sexual intimacy, masculinity, and perceived cancer control; masculinity and PSA concern were associated with greater confidence in treatment choice; and diminished sexual intimacy and less interest in PSA were associated with greater regret. Conclusion: The lack of change in global measures of health status after treatment for early prostate cancer obscures important influences in men’s lives; cancer diagnosis and treatment complications may result in complex outcomes. Aggressive treatment may confer confidence in cancer control, yet be countered by diminished intimate relationships and masculinity, which accompany sexual dysfunction.
The aerodynamics of avian take-off from direct pressure measurements in Canada geese (Branta canadensis)
Authors: Usherwood James R. , Hedrick Tyson L. , Biewener Andrew A. 
Published: October 2003

SUMMARYDirect pressure measurements using electronic differential pressure transducers along bird wings provide insight into the aerodynamics of these dynamically varying aerofoils. Acceleration-compensated pressures were measured at five sites distributed proximally to distally from the tertials to the primaries along the wings of Canada geese. During take-off flight,ventral-to-dorsal pressure is maintained at the proximal wing section throughout the wingstroke cycle, whereas pressure sense is reversed at the primaries during upstroke. The distal sites experience double pressure peaks during the downstroke. These observations suggest that tertials provide weight-support throughout the wingbeat, that the wingtip provides thrust during upstroke and that the kinetic energy of the rapidly flapping wings may be dissipated via retarding aerodynamic forces (resulting in aerodynamic work) at the end of downstroke.
Burrow surveillance in fiddler crabs II. The sensory cues
Authors: Hemmi Jan M. , Zeil J. 
Published: October 2003

SUMMARY
Using crab-like dummies, we have shown previously that fiddler crabs[Uca vomeris (McNeill)] defend their burrows against intruders in a burrow-centred frame of reference. The crabs respond whenever an intruder approaches to within a certain distance of the burrow entrance, and this distance is independent of the approach direction. We show here that the crabs combine information from the path integration system on the location of their invisible burrow and visual information on the retinal position of an intruder to make this allocentric judgement. Excluding all alternative visual cues, we propose that the crabs employ a small set of matched visual filters to determine the relationship between a crab-like object and the invisible burrow. To account for the constantly varying distance between the crabs and their burrows, the state of the path integrator may select the appropriate one of these retinal `warning zones'. We have shown before that burrow-owning fiddler crabs are extremely responsive to potential burrow snatchers, which we simulated with crab-like dummies moving across the substratum towards the burrow of residents. The crab's decision to respond to these dummies depends mainly on the spatial arrangement between itself, its burrow and the approaching dummy. The most important factor predicting response probability is the dummy's distance from the crab's burrow: the crabs are more likely to respond the closer the dummy approaches the burrow. The dummy-burrow distance not only determines the overall response probability but also the timing of burrow defence responses (i.e. when the crabs decide to react). Most interestingly, this response distance is independent of the dummy's direction of approach to the burrow. In addition, the crabs respond earlier to a dummy approaching their burrow if they themselves are further away from it,indicating that knowledge of their own distance from the burrow has an influence on their decision to respond. These results raise a number of interesting issues, which are the focus of this paper, regarding the cues and the information used by the crabs in burrow surveillance.
A fair deal for care in older age? Public attitudes towards the funding of long-term care
Authors: Deeming Chris , Keen Justin 
Published: October 2003

English
The government has made nursing care in England and Wales free, while continuing to means-test personal care. This policy contrasts with the recommendation for free personal care made by the Royal Commission on Long-term Care in 1999. This article reports on a survey of attitudes towards financing care in old age from a representative sample of men and women in England aged 25 years and over. The majority of people feel that the state should finance care for older people. The article discusses the extent to which this is consistent with the government’s position and the competing notions of equity that recent debate entails.
The Greater London Authority: problems of strategy integration
Authors: West Karen , Scanlon Kath , Thornley Andy , Rydin Yvonne 
Published: October 2003

English
The Act that established the Greater London Authority (GLA) incorporated many of New Labour’s aspirations for modern governance. Among those aspirations was the notion of policy integration, or ‘joining up’. The Mayor of Greater London was required to develop a number of strategies, broadly in the planning and environmental policy domains, and to ensure that those strategies meshed into a coherent overall strategy for promoting London’s economic, social and environmental well-being. How would this work in practice, given the need for coordination between the GLA and a number of related functional bodies, and given the political imperative for the GLA to make an impact quickly? Through our analysis of the strategy development and integration efforts of the GLA in its first nine months, we have gleaned new insights into the highly complex and difficult process of policy integration. We argue that the high aspirations of the Act for policy integration have not been met, policy integration instead being narrowly interpreted as the coordination of strategies to the Mayor’s political agenda. Finally, we reflect on the likelihood of the GLA, as currently constituted, evolving to meet the functional requirement of policy integration.
Patient-Reported Outcome Measures for Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients With Psoriasis
Authors: Pérez-Chada Lourdes M. , Hopkins Zachary H. , Balak Deepak M. W. , Rashid Sarem , Creadore Andrew , Chu Brian , Villa Camila , Woodbury Michael J. , Armstrong April W. , Strand Vibeke , Gottlieb Alice B. , Merola Joseph F. , Barbieri John S. 
Published: January 2024

ImportanceMultiple patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) for health-related quality of life (HRQL) exist for patients with psoriasis. Evidence for the content validity and other measurement properties of these PROMs is critical to determine which HRQL PROMs could be recommended for use.ObjectiveTo systematically review the validity of HRQL-focused PROMs used in patients with psoriasis.Evidence ReviewUsing PubMed and Embase, full-text articles published in English or Spanish on development or validation studies for psoriasis-specific, dermatology-specific, or generic HRQL PROMs were included. Development studies included original development studies, even if not studied in psoriasis patients per Consensus-Based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) recommendations. If a study included multiple diagnoses, more than 50% of patients had to have psoriasis or psoriasis-specific subgroup analyses available. Data extraction and analysis followed the COSMIN guidelines. Two independent reviewers extracted and analyzed the data, including PROM characteristics, quality of measurement properties (structural validity, internal consistency, cross-cultural validity, reliability, measurement error, criterion validity, construct validity, and responsiveness), and level of evidence. PROMs were classified into 3 levels of recommendations: (1) PROM recommended for use; (2) PROM requires further validation; and (3) PROM not recommended for use.FindingsOverall, 97 articles were identified for extraction. This included 19 psoriasis-specific, 8 skin-specific, and 6 generic PROMs. According to COSMIN standards, most measures identified received a B recommendation for use, indicating their potential but requiring further validation. Only the Rasch reduced version of the Impact of Psoriasis Questionnaire (IPSO-11 Rasch) received an A recommendation for use given that it had sufficient content validity, structural validity, and internal consistency.Conclusions and RelevanceThis study identified a significant lack of information concerning the quality of HRQL measures in psoriasis. This gap in knowledge can be attributed to the fact that traditional measures were developed using validation criteria that differ from the current standards in use. Consequently, additional validation studies in accordance with contemporary standards will be useful in aiding researchers and clinicians in determining the most suitable measure for assessing HRQL in patients with psoriasis.
Assessing the Ambulatory Surgery Center Volume-Outcome Association
Authors: Jain Siddharth , Rosenbaum Paul R. , Reiter Joseph G. , Ramadan Omar I. , Hill Alexander S. , Silber Jeffrey H. , Fleisher Lee A. 
Published: January 2024

ImportanceIn surgical patients, it is well known that higher hospital procedure volume is associated with better outcomes. To our knowledge, this volume-outcome association has not been studied in ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) in the US.ObjectiveTo determine if low-volume ASCs have a higher rate of revisits after surgery, particularly among patients with multimorbidity.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis matched case-control study used Medicare claims data and analyzed surgeries performed during 2018 and 2019 at ASCs. The study examined 2328 ASCs performing common ambulatory procedures and analyzed 4751 patients with a revisit within 7 days of surgery (defined to be either 1 of 4735 revisits or 1 of 16 deaths without a revisit). These cases were each closely matched to 5 control patients without revisits (23 755 controls). Data were analyzed from January 1, 2018, through December 31, 2019.Main Outcomes and MeasuresSeven-day revisit in patients (cases) compared with the matched patients without the outcome (controls) in ASCs with low volume (less than 50 procedures over 2 years) vs higher volume (50 or more procedures).ResultsPatients at a low-volume ASC had a higher odds of a 7-day revisit vs patients who had their surgery at a higher-volume ASC (odds ratio [OR], 1.21; 95% CI, 1.09-1.36; P = .001). The odds of revisit for patients with multimorbidity were higher at low-volume ASCs when compared with higher-volume ASCs (OR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.27-1.94; P &amp;lt; .001). Among patients with multimorbidity in low-volume ASCs, for those who underwent orthopedic procedures, the odds of revisit were 84% higher (OR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.36-2.50; P &amp;lt; .001) vs higher-volume centers, and for those who underwent general surgery or other procedures, the odds of revisit were 36% higher (OR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.01-1.83; P = .05) vs a higher-volume center. The findings were not statistically significant for patients without multimorbidity.Conclusions and RelevanceIn this observational study, the surgical volume of an ASC was an important indicator of patient outcomes. Older patients with multimorbidity should discuss with their surgeon the optimal location of their care.
Systematic evaluation of spatial resolution and gamma criteria for quality assurance with detector arrays in stereotactic radiosurgery
Authors: Stedem Ann‐Kathrin , Tutty Mark , Chofor Ndimofor , Langhans Marco , Kleefeld Christoph , Schönfeld Andreas A. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractPurposeTo characterize detector array spacing and gamma index for quality assurance (QA) of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) deliveries. Use the Nyquist theorem to determine the required detector spacing in SRS fields, and find optimal gamma indices to detect MLC errors using the SRS MapCHECK, ArcCHECK, and a portal imaging device (EPID).MethodsThe required detector spacing was determined via Fourier analysis of small radiation fields and profiles of typical SRS treatment plans. The clinical impact of MLC errors of 0.5, 1, and 2 mm was evaluated. Global gamma (low‐dose threshold 10%) was evaluated for the three detector systems using various combinations of the distance to agreement and the dose difference.ResultsWhile MLC errors only slightly affected mean dose to PTV and a 2 mm thick surrounding structure (PTV_2 mm), significant PTV underdose incurred with increase in maximum dose to PTV_2 mm. Gamma indices with highest sensitivity to the introduced errors at 95% tolerance level for plans on target volumes of 3.2 cm3 (plan 3 cc) and 35.02 cm3 (plan 35 cc) were 2%/1 mm for the SRS MapCHECK and 2%/3 mm for the ArcCHECK, with 3%/1 mm (plan 3cc) and 2%/1 mm (plan 35cc) for the EPID. Drops in passing rates for a 2 mm MLC error were (46.2%, 41.6%) for the SRS MapCHECK and (12.2%, 4.2%) for the ArcCHECK for plan 3cc and plan 35cc, respectively. For Portal Dose, values were 4.5% (plan 3cc) and 7% (plan 35cc). The Nyquist frequency of two SRS dose distributions lie between 0.26 and 0.1 mm−1, corresponding to detector spacings of 1.9 and 5 mm. Evaluation of SRS MapCHECK data with doubled detector density indicates that increased detector density may reduce the system's sensitivity to errors, necessitating a tighter gamma index.ConclusionsThe present results give insight on the performance of detector arrays and gamma indices for the investigated detectors during SRS QA.