cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
INHIBITION OF ANTERIOR PITUITARY GONADOTROPINS AND OXYTOCIN BY EXTRACTS OF LITHOSPERMUM RUDER ALE1

In vitro and in vivo assays of spray-dried and lyophilized cold water extracts of overground plant material and of rhizomes of Lithospermum ruderale are reported. The weight increase in chick testes was used as the end-point for LH and FSH assays and the depression of blood pressure in fowl was employed to measure oxytocin activity. The activity of both anterior pituitary LH and of oxytocin was inhibited after in vitro mixture for one or two hours at room temperature with lithosperm. The data suggest, however, that different substances may inhibit the two hormones. Rhizome extracts were consistantly more potent than the overground plant preparations. In vivo inactivation of LH and FSH also was observed in cockerels when the hormone and lithosperm were administered subcutaneously at different sites. More lithosperm was needed to inhibit FSH action than that of LH. Rhizome extracts also were more potent in vivo than were the overground plant extracts. Extracts which were stored for several months retain inh...
The Aging‐Disease Dichotomy Is Alive, but Is It Well?

“To draw a distinction between disease and normal aging is to separate the undefined from the undefineable.”
Infrared spectral studies of various metal polyacrylates

A new process for the production of high surface area, high reactivity ceramic oxide powders involves the bonding of metal cations to polymeric polyacrylate chains. This process results in the formation of a gelatinous metal polyacrylate precipitate which can be easily removed from the mother liquor, and then calcined to form a high density ceramic oxide. Using FTIR spectroscopy, the nature of the structural arrangements has been studied for metal complexes in the yttrium, lanthanum, aluminum, cerium, copper, and iron polyacrylates. Interpretation of the infrared spectra indicates that two types of metal complex formation occur in these precipitates, involving bidentate or bridging interactions. The type that is observed for a particular metal ion is dependent on its metal ion size.
Abstract B101: NFAT regulates a gene expression program associated with invasiveness and poor prognosis in colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. In order to understand the regulatory mechanisms underlying poor prognosis in colorectal cancer, we analyzed fourteen human colorectal cancer microarray data sets and identified co-expressed modules using network analysis. We next filtered these modules using gene expression data from a mouse model of metastatic colon cancer, narrowing down to a candidate metastasis-related module, and identified NFAT as its potential transcriptional regulator. The NFAT family and their identified targets were found to be upregulated in human colorectal cancer patients. Analysis of NFAT family members expression in mouse and human microarray datasets, revealed NFATc1 to be differentially expressed between metastatic and non-metastatic, and between disease progression and no disease progression, respectively. We found that high NFATc1 expression correlated with significantly increased invasion (p<0.0001) and migration (p<0.005) in mouse colon cancer cells. We show that RNAi- based knockdown of NFATc1 and functional inhibition by the calcineurin inhibitor FK506 resulted in downregulation of predicted NFAT target genes from the metastatic module and decreased cancer cell invasiveness. Finally, we showed that the expression of NFAT target genes was significantly correlated with both disease-specific and disease-free survival in Stage II and III colorectal cancer patients. Our studies suggest a role for NFATs in colon cancer cell invasion and a potential application for the NFAT driven program as a biologically anchored prognostic gene expression signature. Citation Format: Manish K. Tripathi, Shinji Mima, Zhiao Shi, Naresh Prodduturi, Zhu Jing, Kristen K. Ciombor, Xi Chen, Natasha Deane, Robert D. Beauchamp, Bing Zhang. NFAT regulates a gene expression program associated with invasiveness and poor prognosis in colorectal cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Tumor Invasion and Metastasis; Jan 20-23, 2013; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(3 Suppl):Abstract nr B101.
Low-energy electron diffraction and auger electron spectroscopy study of the oxidation of Ti {0001} at room temperature

The reaction of a clean Ti (0001) surface with oxygen gas at low pressure and room temperature has been studied with low-energy electron diffraction (LEED) and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). At low exposures (about 1 Langmuir) ap(2×2) superstructure is observed which gradually converts to 1×1 at high exposures (about 100 Langmuirs). The LEED spectra confirm that the final 1×1 structure is different from that of clean Ti (0001), while the AES spectra indicate that the final oxide is probably TiO, not TiO2. The plausibility of this indication is discussed.
'Paedocannibal' morph barred tiger salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum mavortium) from eastern South Dakota

Abstract We report characteristics of a previously unknown population of Ambystoma tigrinum mavortium (barred tiger salamander) from eastern South Dakota, a location that extends the formerly known range of this subspecies about 150 km north. This population contains paedotypic animals and a small percentage of cannibal morphs. At least one cannibal morph was paedotypic. The vomerine tooth hypertrophy characteristic of cannibal morphs described here differs from the cannibal morph A. t. tigrinum from nearby (about 160 km) northwestern Iowa; in particular the pair of caudolateral tooth ridges has smaller teeth in individuals from the A. t. mavortium population. The study wetland is located near the convergence of four recognized (pending revision) tiger salamander subspecies (A. t. diaboli and A. t. melanosticum in addition to A. t. mavortium and A. t. tigrinum), making it an excellent region to examine subspecific morphological features in light of shared ecological factors. We suggest creating a formal n...
A Range-Frequency Explanation of Shifting Reference Points in Risky Decision Making

Abstract An integration of range-frequency theory, a theory of psychophysical judgment, and prospect theory, a theory of choice behavior under risk, is proposed. A critical assumption of prospect theory is that the reference point, which helps govern the riskiness of choice behavior, is modeled after Helson′s (1964) adaptation level notion. It is proposed that range-frequency theory provides a better representation of the reference point and, thus, can be used to understand with greater precision the judgment of outcomes as gains or losses and the perceived riskiness of subsequent decisions. A computer-based decision task was performed using 199 graduate and undergraduate students. Hypotheses concerning range and frequency effects on the reference point were fully supported. The judgment hypotheses were generally supported under gains, but received inconsistent support under losses. Range and frequency effects on choice were consistent with predictions under both gains and losses with one exception. Implications of this work for previous and future research involving prospect theory are discussed.
Preparation of transparent pea protein gels: a comparison of isolation procedures

Summary Two commercially viable procedures for the preparation of protein fractions from pea flour are described and discussed. These fractions form thermally induced transparent gels at acid pH and are composed of the globulins, vicilin and legumin, identified by electrophoresis and differential scanning calorimetry. The gels have clarities that allow their use as vegetarian substitutes for gelatin and additionally show thermal stabilities suitable for applications in hot products. The influence of other food ingredients (salt, sugar and vegetable oil) on gel clarity is also investigated.
Patient compliance with bronchodilator therapy in asthma

Abstract Asthma is a common disease caused by inflammation of the airways and characterized by cough, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and wheezing. Recommended daily therapy for moderately severe asthma includes an inhaled anti-inflammatory medication together with an inhaled beta 2 -agonist bronchodilator for acute symptoms. Beta-adrenergic receptor agonists given by inhalation—in particular, agonists selective for beta 2 -receptors in the airways—are a safe and effective method for control of asthma symptoms. However, not all patients can take inhalation therapy, some because of difficulties in handling the metered-dose inhaler, others because of impatience or lack of discipline. For those patients unable or unwilling to comply with inhalation therapy, the administration of an oral bronchodilator, such as theophylline, or an oral beta 2 -agonist, such as albuterol, may be helpful. The sustained-release formulation of albuterol may be given on a twice-daily basis; this improves patient compliance while providing prolonged bronchodilation and symptom control. This is particularly useful for children and the elderly or for patients whose active schedules do not permit frequent dosing during the day.
Bose-Einstein Condensation of Excitons

This note discusses the question as to whether quasi-particles, such as excitons, i.e., nonlocalized excited states of solids, can fulfill necessary conditions for a Bose-Einstein condensation, and whether such condensation can be observed. Although uncertainties of present data on excitons preclude precise numerical predictions, it is concluded that under certain experimentally attainable circumstances excitons fulfill the necessary conditions, i.e., condensation is possible. Ways of detecting the condensation are considered, and a specific experiment is proposed.
Primary payer status is associated with the use of nerve block placement for ambulatory orthopedic surgery.

Introduction—Although more than 30 million patients in the United States undergo ambulatory surgery each year, it remains unclear what percentage of these patients receive a perioperative nerve block. We reviewed data from the 2006 National Survey of Ambulatory Surgery (NSAS) to determine the demographic, socioeconomic, geographic, and clinical factors associated with the likelihood of nerve block placement for ambulatory orthopedic surgery. The primary outcome of interest was the association between primary method of payment and likelihood of nerve block placement. Additionally, we examined the association between type of surgical procedures, patient demographics, and hospital characteristics with the likelihood of receiving a nerve block.
A discrete adaptive guidance system for a roving vehicle

An adaptive guidance technique which provides a self-correcting path following capability in an environment sensitive semi-autonomous roving robot is described. A real-time maneuver planning function performs tradeoffs between speed, magnitude of expected deviations and accelerations to best satisfy the design goals of vehicle safety and reliability, subsystem autonomy, performance accuracy and operational efficiency. The appropriate combination of maneuver parameters is selected through an iterative process using knowledge of vehicle performance characteristics, environmental model updates and vehicle state.
A brief history of Great Basin pikas

Aim Within the past few decades, seven of the 25 historically described populations of American pikas (Ochotona princeps) in the Great Basin of arid western North America appear to have become extinct. In this paper, the prehistoric record for pikas in the Great Basin is used to place these losses in deeper historical context. Location The Great Basin, or area of internal drainage, of the western United States. Methods The location, elevation, and age of all reported prehistoric Great Basin specimens of American pikas were extracted from the literature. Elevations of extinct pika populations were arrayed through time, and latitudes and longitudes of those populations used to determine changing distances of those populations from the nearest extant populations. Results The average elevation of now-extinct Great Basin pika populations during the late Wisconsinan (c. 40,000–10,000 radiocarbon years ago) and early Holocene (c. 10,000–7500 years ago) was 1750 m. During the hot and dry middle Holocene (c. 7500–4500 years ago), the average elevation of these populations rose 435 m, to 2168 m. All prehistorically known late Holocene (c. 4500–200 years ago) populations in the Great Basin are from mountain ranges that currently support populations of this animal, but historic period losses have caused the average elevation of pika populations to rise an additional 152 m. The total elevational increase, from the late Wisconsinan and early Holocene to today, has been 783 m. As lower elevation pika populations were lost, their distribution increasingly came to resemble its modern form. During the late Wisconsinan, now-extinct pika populations were located an average of 170 km from the nearest extant population. By the late Holocene, this distance had declined to 30 km. Main conclusions Prehistoric alterations in the distribution of pika population in the Great Basin were driven by climate change and attendant impacts on vegetation. Today, Great Basin pikas contend with both climate change and anthropogenic impacts and thus may be on the brink of extinction.
Blood and marrow transplantation: a perspective from the University of Minnesota

On the occasion of the first meeting of the Robert A. Good Immunology Society in June of 2006, I was asked to provide a perspective on the history and progress of the field of bone marrow transplantation. I was honored to provide this perspective at that meeting and subsequently in this manuscript. This review has a strong University of Minnesota bias, as Minneapolis is a place where important roots in this field were developed. Minnesota is also where I have spent my career in this field learning the excitement of laboratory research beginning as a medical student under Bob Good and Carlos Martinez in 1960, and clinical research in pediatrics under Bill Krivit and Mark Nesbit beginning in 1970. This review is dedicated to two of my recently deceased mentors: Bob Good was a pioneer in so many ways and a true giant in immunology and blood and marrow transplantation. Bill Krivit taught me a great deal about genetic diseases and the critical role of compassion and understanding patients and their families in dealing with fatal illness and new treatments such as bone marrow transplantation that are often risky and themselves may result in suffering and death. My affection for Bob Good and Bill Krivit is unending.
On the derivation of the transport equation for swelling porous materials with finite deformation

Abstract Deriving a physically meaningful transport equation for porous swelling materials that undergo finite deformations depends largely on our ability to relate thermodynamically defined variables to physically interpretable quantities. This article presents a novel and judicious choice of independent variables for the solid phase that clarifies the relationship between thermodynamically defined pressure and actual physical stress. Furthermore, it elucidates and simplifies the derivation of the transport equation previously investigated by [P.P. Singh, J.H. Cushman, D.E. Maier, Multiscale fluid transport theory for swelling biopolymers, Chemical Engineering Science 58(11) (2003) 2409–2419], while continuing to capture the important features. With this choice of variables, the assumptions and derivation of the transport equation are clarified. It is then shown how this framework can be used to derive a transport equation used to model swelling polymers. The result is compared with another transport equation derived using the Flory–Huggins theory.
Interpreting Meta-Analyses of Genome-Wide Association Studies

Meta-analysis is an increasingly popular tool for combining multiple genome-wide association studies in a single analysis to identify associations with small effect sizes. The effect sizes between studies in a meta-analysis may differ and these differences, or heterogeneity, can be caused by many factors. If heterogeneity is observed in the results of a meta-analysis, interpreting the cause of heterogeneity is important because the correct interpretation can lead to a better understanding of the disease and a more effective design of a replication study. However, interpreting heterogeneous results is difficult. The standard approach of examining the association p-values of the studies does not effectively predict if the effect exists in each study. In this paper, we propose a framework facilitating the interpretation of the results of a meta-analysis. Our framework is based on a new statistic representing the posterior probability that the effect exists in each study, which is estimated utilizing cross-study information. Simulations and application to the real data show that our framework can effectively segregate the studies predicted to have an effect, the studies predicted to not have an effect, and the ambiguous studies that are underpowered. In addition to helping interpretation, the new framework also allows us to develop a new association testing procedure taking into account the existence of effect.
The Quality of Recent Pacific Sociological Association (PSA) Meetings: Location, Session Quality and Institutional Change

Employing data (n = 734) collected from those having attended the Pacific Sociological Association (PSA) annual meetings held in San Diego, California (2012) and Reno, Nevada (2013), we test whether session quality and host-city satisfaction are positively associated with how respondents rated the overall quality of the meetings. A majority (54 %) of respondents reported the quality of the meetings highly (“Above Average” or “Excellent”), and suggestive of the importance of conference location, this declined from 64 % in 2012 to 41 % in 2013. Controlling for individual characteristics and institutional affiliation, regression results intimate that both host-city satisfaction and session quality are positively associated with how respondents rated the overall quality of the meetings. And they suggest that the former is somewhat more important than the latter for explaining variation in meeting quality. A final stage of our analysis (n = 205) finds that attendees’ evaluations of changes in how the 2013 PSA meetings were developed and organized are positively associated with meeting quality without diminishing the independent effects of session or location quality. We discuss implications of these results for future PSA meetings, as well as for research investigating how to improve the quality of regional academic conferences more generally.
Bandwidth efficient coding for fading channels: code construction and performance analysis

The authors apply a general method of bounding the event error probability of TCM (trellis-coded modulation) schemes to fading channels and use the effective length and the minimum-squared-product distance to replace the minimum-free-squared-Euclidean distance as code design parameters for Rayleigh and Rician fading channels with a substantial multipath component. They present 8-PSK (phase-shift-keying) trellis codes specifically constructed for fading channels that outperform equivalent codes designed for the AWGN (additive white Gaussian noise) channel when v>or=5. For quasiregular trellis codes there exists an efficient algorithm for evaluating event error probability, and numerical results which demonstrate the importance of the effective length as a code design parameter for fading channels with or without side information have been obtained. This is consistent with the case for binary signaling, where the Hamming distance remains the best code design parameter for fading channels. The authors show that the use of Reed-Solomon block codes with expanded signal sets becomes interesting only for large value of E/sub s//N/sub 0/, where they begin to outperform trellis codes. >
Understanding the epidemiology, natural history, and key pathways involved in prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer accounts for about 25% of all the newly diagnosed cancers in American men and was projected to cause >28 000 deaths in 2008. Black men are disproportionately affected; their incidence rate is about 1.6 times greater than the rate for white men. As the population ages, the number of new cases per year is expected to increase by >60% and reach 300 000 by 2015. This high incidence, coupled with the protracted onset of the disease, makes PCa a particularly appropriate candidate for prevention and early intervention strategies. Potential disease precursors, particularly high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia, might help identify men at high risk of developing PCa. Dihydrotestosterone, a product converted from testosterone by 5α-reductases, plays an important role in normal prostate growth and in the development of PCa. The 5α-reductase levels, particularly type 1, appear to increase during the disease course of prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia and PCa, with greater expression occurring as the disease progresses. Therefore, the inhibition of 5α-reductase could potentially reduce the risk of PCa development, slow or prevent disease progression, and/or treat existing disease. A substantial research effort has recently focused on understanding the pathways involved in the disease's emergence and progression, particularly the 5α-reductase pathway.
Instructing Educators in the Use of Assistive Technology Listening Devices in the Classroom.

The present study will present Kemp’s design in the classroom setting for students with hearing impairments. Based on his model, the researcher will design various instructional methods of how to teach students with hearing aids in the school, focusing on the instruction of English to America K-12 students. The study will also include a list of assistive technology devices that can be used by students with hearing problems. Assistive technology listening derives have already played an important role in students’ learning environments. Improvements and developments have been made in using hearing aids and FM systems in the classroom, particularly for those with hearing impairments. Taking the improvement into account researcher argues that assistive technology listening devices play an essential role between teachers and students in learning environments by giving both sides opportunities access information that otherwise would be unavailable.
Cell polarity: Squaring the circle

Recent studies have found that Drosophila gene products required for zonula adherens formation in the ectoderm are also involved in the asymmetric cell division of the neuroblast. The results illustrate the reiterated use of groups of proteins to dictate cell polarity in epithelial and non-epithelial cells.
Affinity flow fractionation of cells via transient interactions with asymmetric molecular patterns

Flow fractionation of cells using physical fields to achieve lateral displacement finds wide applications, but its extension to surface molecule-specific separation requires labeling. Here we demonstrate affinity flow fractionation (AFF) where weak, short-range interactions with asymmetric molecular patterns laterally displace cells in a continuous, label-free process. We show that AFF can directly draw neutrophils out of a continuously flowing stream of blood with an unprecedented 400,000-fold depletion of red blood cells, with the sorted cells being highly viable, unactivated, and functionally intact. The lack of background erythrocytes enabled the use of AFF for direct enumeration of neutrophils by a downstream detector, which could distinguish the activation state of neutrophils in blood. The compatibility of AFF with capillary microfluidics and its ability to directly separate cells with high purity and minimal sample preparation will facilitate the design of simple and portable devices for point-of-care diagnostics and quick, cost-effective laboratory analysis.
A Web-based archive of systematic review data

Systematic reviews have become increasingly critical to informing healthcare policy; however, they remain a timeconsuming and labor-intensive activity. The extraction of data from constituent studies comprises a significant portion of this effort, an activity which is often needlessly duplicated, such as when attempting to update a previously conducted review or in reviews of overlapping topics. In order to address these inefficiencies, and to improve the speed and quality of healthcare policy- and decisionmaking, we have initiated the development of the Systematic Review Data Repository, an open collaborative Webbased repository of systematic review data. As envisioned, this resource would serve as both a central archive and data extraction tool, shared among and freely accessible to organizations producing systematic reviews worldwide. A suite of easy-to-use software tools with a Web frontend would enable researchers to seamlessly search for and incorporate previously deposited data into their own reviews, as well as contribute their own. In developing this resource, we identified a number of technical and non-technical challenges, as well as devised a number of potential solutions, including proposals for systems and software tools to assure data quality, stratify and control user access effectively and flexibly accommodate all manner of study data, as well as means by which to govern and foster adoption of this new resource. Herein we provide an account of the rationale and development of the Systematic Review Data Repository thus far, as well as outline its future trajectory.
Association of Mouse Major Histocompatibility and Rauscher Murine Leukaemia Virus Envelope Glycoprotein Antigens on Leukaemia Cells and their Recognition by Syngeneic Virus‐Immune‐Cytotoxic T‐Lymphocytes

Physical association was measured between MLV gp70, the envelope glycoprotein of Rauscher murine leukaemia virus (R-MLV), and serologically defined H-2 antigens on the surface of R-MLV transformed C57BL/6 (H-2DbKb) mouse leukaemia cells (RBL-5A). Capping and patching with antisera against H-2Db caused specific co-capping and co-patching of R-MLV gp70 antigens as seen by fluorescence microscopy. Despite the physical proximity of R-MLV gp70 and H-2Db antigens, high titre alphaR-MLV gp70 sera had no effect in blocking syngeneic T-lymphocyte mediated cytolysis of RBL-2A cells whereas alphaH-2Db sera were effective.
Characteristics of Patients With Familial Versus Sporadic Prostate Cancer

Purpose: There are conflicting reports concerning whether prostate cancer in families with multiple affected members has different clinical and pathological features than sporadic cases. In our study we compared the clinical characteristics, pathological outcomes and the 7-year biochemical progression-free rate in patients with apparent sporadic prostate cancer, affected sibling pairs, families with multiple affected members and families meeting the Johns Hopkins criteria for hereditary prostate cancer.Materials and Methods: From 1983 to 2003, 3,478 men underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy by a single surgeon (WJC). Of these men 1,186 reported family history status. We compared age at surgery, prostate specific antigen at diagnosis, pathological tumor stage, Gleason score, tumor characteristics and 7-year biochemical progression-free survival rates in the groups using chi-square, 1-way ANOVA or Cox proportional hazards regression analysis.Results: The 7-year biochemical progression-free survival rat...
Sexual Stage Development of Uromyces appendiculatus and Its Potential Use for Disease Resistance Screening of Phaseolus vulgaris.

ABSTRACT In June 1989, pycnia and aecia of the bean rust pathogen were observed in eastern Colorado on volunteer plants of pinto bean cvs. UI 114 and UI 126 that grew from seed that remained in the field after harvest the previous season. Harvested aeciospores were viable and produced typical reddish-brown uredinia on unifoliolate leaves of UI 114 seedlings in the greenhouse. Evidence of bean rust overwintering has been confirmed in 10 years from 1989 to 2002 in eastern Colorado and the surrounding region. Overwintering conditions were reproduced at Fort Collins, CO in fall 1992 and spring 1993. Debris treatments had significantly higher disease incidence on stems, total number of lesions on stems, disease incidence on leaves, and total number of lesions on leaves of plants of pinto cvs. UI 114 and Olathe than plants without debris. Bean leaves of both cultivars had significantly higher disease incidence than stems. There also was an increased incidence of aecial infection for UI 114 seedlings that germin...
An Assessment of the Compliance and Utility of a Home Exercise DVD for Caregivers of Children and Adolescents With Brachial Plexus Palsy: A Pilot Study

Objective To investigate the impact of a video-based educational resource on home exercise compliance among caregivers of children with neonatal brachial plexus palsy (NBPP). Design Retrospective analysis of self-reported caregiver home exercise habits and resultant shoulder range of motion (ROM) and biceps power in patients with NBPP. Setting Home-based exercise program. Participants Adult caregivers of children with NBPP followed up through the Brachial Plexus Program at the University of Michigan (N = 83 surveyed initially, with N=37 completing the final survey). Methods Caregivers completed surveys before and approximately 3, 6, and 12 months (times A, B, and C, respectively) after receiving the "Home Exercise Therapy Program for Brachial Plexus Palsy" digital video disk (DVD). A retrospective analysis of shoulder ROM and biceps power of patients was completed as representative of arm function during the study. Main Outcome Measurements Surveys assessed home exercise compliance, resources used to guide exercises, and caregiver confidence in the correctness of exercises being performed. Functional outcomes analyzed include biceps strength and shoulder active and passive ROM. Results Home exercise compliance increased from 74% initially to 96% at time A ( P P P = .016). Use of the DVD to guide home exercise decreased from 69% at time A to 57% at time B and C ( P = .026). After receiving the DVD, exercise frequency and caregiver confidence increased. Although some measures of shoulder active ROM and biceps power improved during the course of the study, there was no consistent statistically significant relationship between increased caregiver confidence and functional outcomes. No causal relationship exists between DVD content and functional status at this time. Conclusions As the first formal evaluation of a video-based resource guiding exercise therapy for children with NBPP, we suggest that this population may be receptive to alternative media and may benefit from dynamic modeling of home exercises.
The Supreme Court of Canada and the Right to Bargain Collectively: The Implications of the Health Services and Support case in Canada and Beyond

In June 2007, the Supreme Court of Canada expressly overruled 20 years of jurisprudence that interpreted the freedom of association as excluding collective bargaining. This about-face by the Supreme Court was unexpected. What gave rise to this remarkable decision and what does it portend for the role of the courts in labour relations in Canada and beyond? The recent successes before courts have led some observers to suggest that it may now be a propitious time for a coordinated and proactive litigation strategy to vindicate labour's collective rights. This article offers some preliminary answers to these broader questions and issues by focussing on the Supreme Court's decision in the Health Services and Support case. © Industrial Law Society; all rights reserved.
Parapharyngeal space tumors: another consideration for otalgia and temporomandibular disorders.

Background Parapharyngeal space (PPS) tumors are rare, accounting for 0.5% of all head and neck neoplasms. PPS tumors are difficult to diagnose due to limited presenting signs and symptoms and because of their location deep within the neck. Methods and Results A 60-year-old woman presented with complaints of otalgia, which appeared to be consistent with a temporomandibular disorder (TMD). Due to disproportionate symptoms, an MRI of the temporomandibular joints was ordered. The MRI revealed a mass within the PPS, which was later diagnosed as a mucoepidermoid carcinoma. A literature search failed to reveal otalgia, and facial pain, thought to be related to a TMD, as the primary presenting symptoms of a PPS neoplasm. Conclusion Patients presenting with disproportionate signs and symptoms of a TMD should be evaluated with advanced imaging to rule out occult pathology. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2013
Predictive Control of Voltage and Current in a Fuel Cell–Ultracapacitor Hybrid

This paper presents a system integration and control strategy for managing power transients on a Nexa polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (FC) with the assistance of an ultracapacitor (UC) module. The two degrees of freedom provided by the use of two dc/dc converters enable the independent low-level control of dc bus voltage and the current split between the FC and UC. The supervisory-level control objectives are to respond to rapid variations in load while minimizing damaging fluctuations in FC current and maintaining the UC charge (or voltage) within allowable bounds. The use of a model predictive control approach which optimally balances the distribution of power between the FC and UC while satisfying the constraints is shown to be an effective method for meeting the supervisory-level objectives. The results are confirmed in experiments.
Vitamin D and Cancer Incidence in the Harvard Cohorts

Since the hypothesis that vitamin D reduces the risk of some cancers was initiated in 1980, this hypothesis has been studied in the Harvard cohort studies, including the Nurses' Health Study (NHS), the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (HPFS), and the Physicians' Health Study (PHS). Three approaches have been used, the study of circulating 25(OH)vitamin D (25(OH)D) level, of dietary and supplementary intake, and of predicted 25(OH)D. These cohorts strongly support an inverse association with colorectal cancer, because this association has been viewed in both the NHS and HPFS cohorts, for cancers and adenomas, and for plasma, diet, and predicted 25(OH)D analyses. In the NHS, about a 30% reduction in risk was observed for breast cancer comparing the highest with lowest quintiles of 25(OH)D levels. Vitamin D intake also was associated with a lower risk of pancreatic cancer in both men and women, but studies of plasma or predicted 25(OH)D level or dietary intake have generally not been supportive of a major role of vitamin D status in middle-age or elderly men on prostate cancer risk. Results from the HPFS also suggest that the poor vitamin D status generally in African-Americans contributes to their higher incidence and mortality from various malignancies.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy versus Usual Clinical Care for Youth Depression: An Initial Test of Transportability to Community Clinics and Clinicians.

Community clinic therapists were randomized to (a) brief training and supervision in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for youth depression or (b) usual care (UC). The therapists treated 57 youths (56% girls), ages 8-15, of whom 33% were Caucasian, 26% were African American, and 26% were Latino/Latina. Most youths were from low-income families and all had Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.; American Psychiatric Association, 1994) depressive disorders (plus multiple comorbidities). All youths were randomized to CBT or UC and treated until normal termination. Session coding showed more use of CBT by CBT therapists and more psychodynamic and family approaches by UC therapists. At posttreatment, depression symptom measures were at subclinical levels, and 75% of youths had no remaining depressive disorder, but CBT and UC groups did not differ on these outcomes. However, compared with UC, CBT was (a) briefer (24 vs. 39 weeks), (b) superior in parent-rated therapeutic alliance, (c) less likely to require additional services (including all psychotropics combined and depression medication in particular), and (d) less costly. The findings showed advantages for CBT in parent engagement, reduced use of medication and other services, overall cost, and possibly speed of improvement--a hypothesis that warrants testing in future research.
Mixed Valency at the Nearly Delocalized Limit: Fundamentals and Forecast (Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 5/2009)

The cover picture shows a Class II/III mixed-valence system, {[Ru3O(OAc)6(CO)(pyridine)]2–pyrazine}–1, which undergoes picosecond intramolecular electron transfer (right). In nearly delocalized mixed-valence complexes, rates of ET depend highly on solvent dynamics. Freezing of the solution causes a localized-to-delocalized transition, and rates of ET increase. We find that, for Class II/III mixed-valence complexes, solvent dynamical parameters control rates of ET and tend to localize otherwise delocalized electronic states. Details are presented in the Microreview by C. P. Kubiak et al. on p. 585 ff.
Investigation of Governance Mechanisms for Crowdsourcing Initiatives

Crowdsourcing has increasingly become a recognized sourcing mechanism for problem-solving in organizations by outsourcing the problem to an undefined entity or the ‘crowd’. While the phenomenon of crowdsourcing is not new, it has gained considerable attention in practice due to new crowdsourcing opportunities that have been enabled by new social networking and web 2.0 technologies. While crowdsourcing initiatives provide several benefits for the participants involved, it also poses several novel challenges to effectively manage the crowd. Drawing from the governance mechanisms in the open source literature, we develop an analysis framework to examine the governance mechanisms implemented in three different crowdsourcing initiatives and their impact on the outcome of the initiative.
Akute perioperative Störungen der Nierenfunktion

Die zunehmende Lebenserwartung in den Industrienationen lasst die Zahl der Krankenhausbehandlungen alter und hoch betagter Menschen steigen. Immer haufiger werden auch komplexe Operationen bei diesen Patienten durchgefuhrt. Nierenfunktionsstorungen in der perioperativen Situation sind mit einer erheblichen Morbiditats- und Letalitatsrate verbunden. Eine akute Nierenschadigung, im neueren Sprachgebrauch eine „acute kidney injury“ (AKI), ist bei kritisch kranken Patienten nahezu immer Bestandteil eines Multiorgandysfunktionssyndroms (MODS). Die Behandlungsstrategie sollte sich am Grad der Organfunktionsstorung orientieren. Meist ist aber das Stadium der Funktionsstorung nicht bekannt, und so wird oft das therapeutisch nutzbare Intervall verpasst. Nahezu regelhaft findet bei allen Patienten die gleiche Therapie Anwendung: Flussigkeitszufuhr und Diuretikumgabe – haufig unter der Vorstellung: „Die Nieren mussen gespult werden!“. Eine vereinheitlichende Klassifikation des Kontinuums der Nierenfunktionsstorungen anhand der RIFLE-Kriterien („risk, injury, failure, loss, endstage kidney disease“) kann helfen, Fruhphasen der Nierenfunktionsstorung zu erkennen, um entsprechend therapeutisch reagieren zu konnen, und den Einsatz konservativer Behandlungsstrategien kritisch zu hinterfragen bzw. zu optimieren.
Work-life policy implementation: Breaking down or creating barriers to inclusiveness?

Although many employers have adopted policies to supportthe integration of work with personal and family life, expected positive gains are not always real-ized. One reason for this gap is that practitioners and researchers often overlook how variation in policy implementation and use by different employee stake-holder groups fosters a culture of inclusiveness. We discuss four ways in which work-life policies are implemented (the level of supervisor support for use, universality of availability, negotiability, and quality of communication) and show how these affect the degree to which policies are seen as promoting inclusion or exclusion.These implementation attributes affect whether an adopted policy is perceived to fulfill work-life needs and act to signal the organization's support for individual differences in work identities and life circumstances. Implications for HR practitioners are discussed. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Warfarin Pharmacogenetics A Rising Tide for Its Clinical Value

Warfarin has been in clinical use for nearly 60 years, and in 2010 there were over 25 million prescriptions for warfarin in the U.S. While warfarin is highly efficacious, it has a narrow therapeutic window to achieve desired anticoagulation without excess risk of bleeding. Anticoagulation status is monitored with the International Normalized Ratio (INR), where the most common target INR is 2 to 3. Not only does warfarin exhibit a narrow therapeutic index, but there can be 10 to 20-fold differences in the warfarin dose required to achieve target INR. Thus the early period after warfarin therapy initiation requires frequent INR monitoring to determine the proper dose for the patient, is often associated with multiple dose adjustments, and many patients experience prolonged periods of over- or underanticoagulation while the appropriate dose is identified. These challenges lead warfarin to be a leading cause of emergency room visits and hospitalizations for an adverse drug reaction, and lead to significant underuse of the drug in patients for whom it is strongly indicated, particularly those with atrial fibrillation. 1 The difficulties associated with warfarin use led to great enthusiasm for the new oral anticoagulants. Dabigatran and rivaroxaban were approved in the last 18 months, yet they have made only a small dent in the market share for oral anticoagulants, with warfarin remaining the predominant anticoagulant used clinically. For example, in the first year of use in the US, approximately 1.1 million dabigratran prescriptions were dispensed, in contrast to the 25 million per year for warfarin. 2 Reasons for the lack of uptake may include recent concerns about excess bleeding risk with dabigatran, 2 lack of reversibility of the anticoagulation, twice daily dosing, challenges with dosing in renally impaired patients, bothersome adverse effects (particularly gastrointestinal adverse effects with dabigatran), cost, among others. Overall, these new agents have not been widely embraced in the manner anticipated, suggesting that warfarin will remain the mainstay of oral anticoagulant therapy for the foreseeable future. Thus there remains a need to identify ways to more safely and effectively utilize warfarin. That genetic polymorphisms might influence the variability in warfarin dose requirements was first recognized in 1999, and since then there has been a vast body of literature
Design and implementation of the POWER5 microprocessor

POWER5 offers significantly increased performance over previous POWER designs by incorporating simultaneous multithreading, an enhanced memory subsystem, and extensive RAS and power management support. The 276M transistor processor is implemented in 130nm silicon-on-insulator technology with 8-level of Cu metallization and operates at >1.5 GHz.
Warfarin plus Aspirin after Myocardial Infarction or the Acute Coronary Syndrome: Meta-Analysis with Estimates of Risk and Benefit

Study Selection: Randomized trials comparing intensive warfarin therapy (international normalized ratio > 2.0) plus aspirin with aspirin alone after the acute coronary syndrome. Data Extraction: Two reviewers independently selected studies and extracted data on study design; quality; and clinical outcomes, including myocardial infarction, stroke, revascularization, death, and major and minor bleeding. Rate ratios for outcomes were calculated and pooled by using the method of DerSimonian and Laird. Data Synthesis: Ten trials involving a total of 5938 patients (11 334 patient-years) met the study criteria. Compared with aspirin alone, warfarin plus aspirin was associated with a decrease in the annual rate of myocardial infarction (0.022 vs. 0.041; rate ratio, 0.56 [95% CI, 0.46 to 0.69]), ischemic stroke (0.004 vs. 0.008; rate ratio, 0.46 [CI, 0.27 to 0.77]), and revascularization (0.115 vs. 0.135; rate ratio, 0.80 [CI, 0.67 to 0.95]). Warfarin was associated with an increase in major bleeding (0.015 vs. 0.006; rate ratio, 2.5 [CI, 1.7 to 3.7]). Mortality did not differ. Limitations: Two large studies provided most of the data. Studies did not include coronary stenting, and results should not be applied to patients with stents. Relative risk reductions may not be consistent across risk groups. Conclusions: For patients with the acute coronary syndrome who are at low or intermediate risk for bleeding, the cardiovascular benefits of warfarin outweigh the bleeding risks.
Cylindrical Wing-Body Configurations for Space-Limited Applications

shown to exist in the a-range UAT < a < 4° for OCAT = 0°, 1°, and 2° also would exist for other intermediate OLAT-values. It is hard to visualize any flow phenomenon that would invalidate this assumption. On the other hand, the local slopes used at a = OCAT in obtaining the original fairing imply that dCm/daAT = dCm/da; i.e., the transition movement derivative is assumed to be zero, dxTR/da = 0, contrary to experimental evidence.*1 Carpet-plotting the data3 also for the other blowing rates gives the results shown in Fig. 4. At all blowing rates the destabilizing effect of asymmetric blowing is largest at small angles of attack near VLAT = 0. One notices with some concern that the Cm(a)-slope is negative for zero blowing rate, contrary to the measured effect of "free" asymmetric transition on a smooth solid model.2 The reason for this anomaly is the "breathing" through the porous skin. It has been found that a porous skin model has substantially less CNaL than a solid model,6'7 an effect that can be visualized to result from reduced streamline displacement due to in-flow through the high pressure side of the porous skin model. Here, in the case of the asymmetric porous skin configurations for OLAT = 1° and u.AT = 2°, this would mean that the porous skin side is less effective in displacing the freestream and, as a consequence, a loss of leesideto-windward-side pressure differential results. The associated gain in aft body normal force explains the statically stabilizing effect of asymmetric porous skin geometry shown in Fig. 4 for c, = o. The incremental effects of blowing" on the static stability derivative C^ at a = 0, obtained from Fig. 4 for XTR(Q)/ = 0.93, are shown in Fig. 5. Also shown are the data for the other aft body asymmetric blowing configuration tested, i.e., XTR(Q)/ = 0.80. The results indicate that the destabilizing effect of asymmetric aft body blowing increases linearly with the blowing rate, and that the effect decreases in magnitude when the mean transition point, XTR(Q)/l, moves forward towards the center of gravity, XCG/l = 0.60, all in agreement with the theoretical and experimental results shown in Ref. 2.