cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reproductive goals and achieved fertility: A fifteen-year perspective

A measure of underlying family size preference obtained for a sample of Detroit married women in 1962 is related to their fertility over a 15-year follow-up period. The data represent completed fertility. The I-scale preference measure used differs from the conventional single-valued statement of number of children wanted; it is a more fine-grained measure reflecting the respondent’s utility for children as evidenced by her entire preference order. The scales are found to be consistently predictive of fertility over the 15-year prospective period, net of a number of other variables usually associated with differential fertility. The results for the just-married sample, in which preferences and expectations are not confounded with the number of children already born, are particularly striking, with underlying preference much better than expected family size as a predictor of fertility over the entire reproductive cycle. The question of prediction for continuous and discontinuous marriages is discussed.
Linear systems analysis of the Limulus retina.

The remarkable sensitivity of the Limulus eye to moving patterns can be explained by the dynamics of the neural mechanisms that transduce light to the firing of nerve impulses. The excitatory generator potential results from the superposition of small discrete potentials triggered by photon absorptions. This mechanism specifies both the frequency response to time-varying stimuli and the spectral properties of the intrinsic noise. The response to higher frequencies is enhanced by two inhibitory synaptic mechanisms; self-inhibition that is local to photoreceptors, and lateral inhibition that depends on the activity in neighboring photoreceptors. Analysis of these mechanisms yields a mathematical model that accounts for both the deterministic and the stochastic components in the spike train.
Role of shape-memory alloy reinforcements on strain evolution in lead- free solder joints

Microelectronic solder joints are exposed to aggressive thermomechanical cycling (TMC) during service, resulting in strain localization near solder/bond-pad interfaces, which eventually leads to low-cycle fatigue (LCF) failure of the joint. In order to mitigate these strain concentrations, a “smart solder” reinforced with a martensitic NiTi-based shape-memory alloy (SMA) has been proposed before. In the present work, the role of NiTi particles on strain evolution in composite solders was studied using a combination of experimental and numerical means. Finite element modeling showed that NiTi pariculate reinforcements can reduce inelastic strain levels in the solder via shape recovery associated with the B19′ → B2 transformation. In situ TMC studies in the scanning electron microscope (SEM), in conjunction with strain analysis via digital image correlation (DIC), showed evidence of reverse deformation in the solder commensurate with the NiTi phase transformation, demonstrating the conceptual viability of the smart solder approach. The SEM-DIC experiments also suggested that the presence of particulates mitigates shear localization, which is commonly observed in monolithic solder joints close to joint/bond-pad interfaces. Finally, TMC experiments on monolithic solder and NiTi/solder single-fiber composite joints highlighted the beneficial effect of shape-memory transformation in reducing inelastic strain range of solders.
A method for reducing dispersion in convective difference schemes

Difference schemes that can be implemented through the fractional time step technique of Marchuk are amenable to an expedient which may be termed ''a method of zero average phase error''. The method involves a linear combination of forward and backward time steps. It is applied to a second-order approximation and compared with a fourth order approximation. There is a substantial reduction in dispersion.
Further study of CD31 protein and messenger ribonucleic acid expression in human cerebral vascular malformations.

OBJECTIVE In a previous study, we documented lower levels of immunoexpression of platelet endothelial cell (EC) adhesion molecule (CD31) in paraffin sections of cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs), compared with arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) or normal brain tissue. We hypothesized that down-regulation of CD31 in CCMs might represent a distinctive phenotypic feature of ECs in this disease. To confirm this hypothesis, we further examined both protein and messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression of CD31, using immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization analyses, in fresh-frozen specimens of CCMs, AVMs, and control brain tissue. METHODS Fresh-frozen sections of four AVMs, five CCMs, and four control brain tissue specimens obtained from surgical resections were immunohistochemically stained with antibodies to von Willebrand factor and two distinct epitopes of CD31. In two AVMs, four CCMs, and three control brain tissue samples from the aforementioned group, the expression of CD31 mRNA was also examined by using in situ hybridization. Large (>100-microm) and small (<100-microm) vessels were counted and assessed for protein and mRNA expression. RESULTS In all tissues, ECs in the majority of vessels were immunopositive for CD31 with two distinct antibodies. CD31 mRNA was expressed in some but not all vessels in AVMs, CCMs, and control brain tissue. There were no statistically significant differences in CD31 protein or mRNA expression in CCMs, AVMs, and control brain tissue. CONCLUSION The expression of CD31 in CCMs can be underestimated in paraffin sections. There does not seem to be a unique phenotypic differentiation of CD31 expression in ECs of CCMs or AVMs, compared with control brain tissue.
Scanning tunneling microscopic imaging of electrostatically immobilized nucleic acids: the influence of self-assembled monolayer structure on the binding of plasmid DNA to gold surfaces

Alkanethiols self-assemble into monolayers on gold surfaces. It has been shown that gold surfaces derivatized with two-carbon, bifunctional alkanethiols differentially adsorb DNA. Gold surfaces modified with either 2-(N,N-dimethylamino)ethanethiol or 2-aminoethanethiol immobilized DNA at solution pH's where the amino end groups are protonated. The cationic layer holds the DNA in place by ion-pairing with the negatively-charged phosphate groups on the DNA backbone. This ion-pairing is sufficiently strong to resist changes in the DNA's location and conformation induced by the scanning tunneling microscope (STM) tip. With these chemically modified surfaces, the reliable and reproducible imaging of DNA is possible. When the length of the alkane spacer is increased to eleven carbons, the observed affinities for radiolabeled DNA are comparable to that observed for the two carbon spacer. However, clearly resolved STM images of DNA immobilized on 11-(N,N'-dimethylamino)- undecanethiol-modified gold have not been obtainable. We hypothesize that images of immobilized DNA are not observed because of the interaction of the scanning probe with the self-assembled alkanethiol monolayer.
The degradation of ferroelectric properties of PZT thin films due to plasma damage

Abstract The degradation of ferroelectric properties of PZT films due to plasma damage were investigated. Hysteresis loop and leakage current of PZT films were measured before and after plasma exposure and plasma etching. The damage related defects equivalent to positive charge and neutral traps were introduced into PZT films. Recovery of the plasma damage required annealing at 550°C. The influence of deposition damage of SiO2 using TEOS-O3 also was investigated.
Strange Bedfellows: My Life and Hard Times in a Speech Communication Department.

The treatment of oral interpretation as communication has led to some unfortunate theoretical positions. The problem, however, lies not with the concept of communication, but with notions of performance that have nothing to do with that concept.
The Potential of Survivorship Care Plans in Primary Care Follow-up of Minority Breast Cancer Patients

BACKGROUND When the clinical care of minority breast cancer survivors is transferred from oncology settings to primary care, quality of care may be compromised if their primary care providers do not have adequate cancer treatment records and follow-up care guidelines. Survivorship care plans (SCPs) given to survivors before they transition to primary care settings are designed to improve the transfer of this information. This study examined these issues in a sample of minority breast cancer survivors.
Assessment of lower extremity muscle power in functionally-limited elders.

Background and aims: The purpose of this study was to assess the reliability and concurrent validity of a new methodology to evaluate lower extremity muscle power in older, functionally limited men and women. Methods: A cross sectional evaluation was performed on 58 older men (n=27) and women (n=31) (74.2±0.9 years). Knee and hip (leg press) and knee extensor power were evaluated on pneumatic and isokinetic resistance equipment. Incremental single attempt power (IP) testing utilized a s ingle attempt at attaining maximum power at each of six external resistances and was compared to multiple attempt pneumatic power (MP) testing determined by the highest of 5 attempts at achieving maximum power at two set resistances and also with power determined by isokinetic dynamometry. Results: Leg press extension MP yielded significantly greater power than IP at both low (mean=225.3±11.85 and 183.9±11.52 watts respectively, p<0.001) and high (mean=249.7±15.25 and 201.7±13.18 watts respectively, p<0.001) external resistances. Knee extension MP also produced significantly greater power when compared to IP at low (mean=82.4±4.45 and 69.7±4.28 watts respectively, p<0.001) and high (mean=93.7±6.3 and 83.2±5.93 watts respectively, p<0.001) external resistances. MP testing exhibited excellent reliability at both low (leg press extension: Intra Class Correlation (ICC)=0.93, knee extension: ICC=0.87) and high (Leg press extension: ICC=0.85, Knee Extension: ICC=0.91) external resistances. MP knee extension at 70% 1 RM also showed good agreement with average isokinetic power (R2=0.636). Conclusions: These findings support the reliability and concurrent validity of MP for the evaluation of muscle power in older individuals.
Eliciting, capturing and tagging spontaneous facialaffect in autism spectrum disorder

The emergence of novel affective technologies such as wearable interventions for individuals who have difficulties with social-emotional communication requires reliable, real-time processing of spontaneous expressions. This paper describes a novel wearable camera and a systematic methodology to elicit, capture and tag natural, yet experimentally controlled face videos in dyadic conversations. The MIT-Groden-Autism corpus is the first corpus of naturally-evoked facial expressions of individuals with and without Autism Spectrum Dis-orders (ASD), a growing population who have difficulties with social-emotion communication. It is also the largest in number and duration of the videos, and represents affective-cognitive states that extend beyond the basic emotions. We highlight the machine vision challenges inherent in processing such a corpus, including pose changes and pathological affective displays.
629 Prognostic factors for organ preservation in patients with advanced laryngeal cancer

The effectiveness of induction chemotherapy combined with radiation therapy as an organ preservation treatment strategy would be enhanced by improved methods to select for patients with a high likelihood of success. Detailed analyses of prognostic factors for chemotherapy response and ultimate organ preservation were undertaken in 166 patients randomized to 3 cycles of cisplatin/5-FU and definitive radiation (66–76 Gy). Overall tumor size and histologic pattern of growth were significant predictors of complete response after chemotherapy. Successful organ preservation was significantly associated with T class, performance status, and p53 overexpression. In patients with supraglottic cancers treated surgically, disease-free and overall survival were significantly associated with histologic growth pattern. Organ preservation after chemotherapy and radiation was predicted by performance status, prior tracheostomy and chemotherapy response. Until better molecular markers of chemo/radio sensitivity are available to optimize patient selection for organ preservation, histologic response to induction chemothcrapy appears most reliable.
Age-dependent DNA methylation changes in the ITGAL (CD11a) promoter.

Abstract DNA methylation patterns change with age in a complex fashion, typically with an overall decrease in genomic deoxymethylcytosine (dmC) content, but with local increases in some promoters that contain GC-rich sequences known as CpG islands. While the consequences of age-dependent CpG island methylation have recently been studied in organs such as the colon, less is known about the functional significance of the progressive hypomethylation of promoters lacking CpG islands, and the significance of age-dependent changes in T cell DNA methylation is completely unexplored. We asked if age-dependent DNA hypomethylation might contribute to overexpression of the T cell ITGAL gene, which encodes CD11a, a subunit of LFA-1. CD11a mRNA increased with age as well as with experimentally induced DNA hypomethylation. This increase correlated with hypomethylation of sequences flanking the ITGAL promoter in vitro and in aging. ‘Patch’ methylation of the region suppressed promoter function. DNA methyltransferases 1 and 3a also decreased with aging. These results indicate that hypomethylation of regions flanking the ITGAL promoter may increase CD11a expression, and suggest that age-dependent hypomethylation of promoters lacking CpG islands, perhaps due to decreased DNA methyltransferase expression, may be one mechanism contributing to increased T cell gene expression with aging.
CRISPR Associated Diversity within a Population of Sulfolobus islandicus

Background Predator-prey models for virus-host interactions predict that viruses will cause oscillations of microbial host densities due to an arms race between resistance and virulence. A new form of microbial resistance, CRISPRs (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) are a rapidly evolving, sequence-specific immunity mechanism in which a short piece of invading viral DNA is inserted into the host's chromosome, thereby rendering the host resistant to further infection. Few studies have linked this form of resistance to population dynamics in natural microbial populations. Methodology/Principal Findings We examined sequence diversity in 39 strains of the archeaon Sulfolobus islandicus from a single, isolated hot spring from Kamchatka, Russia to determine the effects of CRISPR immunity on microbial population dynamics. First, multiple housekeeping genetic markers identify a large clonal group of identical genotypes coexisting with a diverse set of rare genotypes. Second, the sequence-specific CRISPR spacer arrays split the large group of isolates into two very different groups and reveal extensive diversity and no evidence for dominance of a single clone within the population. Conclusions/Significance The evenness of resistance genotypes found within this population of S. islandicus is indicative of a lack of strain dominance, in contrast to the prediction for a resistant strain in a simple predator-prey interaction. Based on evidence for the independent acquisition of resistant sequences, we hypothesize that CRISPR mediated clonal interference between resistant strains promotes and maintains diversity in this natural population.
On mechanisms by which a soft neutron spectrum may induce accelerated embrittlement

Abstract Both low displacement rates and softened neutron spectrum favor survival of a higher fraction of point defects per displacement for producing micro-structural changes leading to hardening and embrittlement. Low displacement rate results in low bulk recombination rate. A high thermal to fast neutron flux ratio results in a large fraction of point defects produced in small cascades from (n,γ) and (n,α) reactions. Defects from such cascades generally avoid in-cascade recombination, while most of the defects created in large cascades produced by fast neutrons are lost to in-cascade recombination. Thus thermal neutrons produce more available defects per unit displacement dose. It is argued that the spectral effect may dominate the accelerated embrittlement observed in ferritic steels at the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) pressure vessel location. The rate effect is expected to be a secondary factor at temperatures as low as 50°C, where the HFIR data were obtained. Our analysis suggests generally that components subject to neutron environments with high thermal-to-fast ratios and irradiated at low temperatures may be subject to accelerated radiation effects.
Management of monoamine oxidase inhibitor-treated patients in the emergency and critical care setting

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are the most effective treatment for some forms of depression. Unfortunately, these agents cause many adverse reactions and interact with a number of other drug...
A level set simulation of dendritic solidification with combined features of front-tracking and fixed-domain methods

A method combining features of front-tracking methods and fixed-domain methods is presented to model dendritic solidification of pure materials. To explicitly track the interface growth and shape of the solidifying crystals, a front-tracking approach based on the level set method is implemented. To easily model the heat and momentum transport, a fixed-domain method is implemented assuming a diffused freezing front where the liquid fraction is defined in terms of the level set function. The fixed-domain approach, by avoiding the explicit application of essential boundary conditions on the freezing front, leads to an energy conserving methodology that is not sensitive to the mesh size. To compute the freezing front morphology, an extended Stefan condition is considered. Applications to several classical Stefan problems and two- and three-dimensional crystal growth of pure materials in an undercooled melt including the effects of melt flow are considered. The computed results agree very well with available analytical solutions as well as with results obtained using front-tracking techniques and the phase-field method.
Maternal Perceptions of Early Intervention Services A Scale for Assessing Family-Focused Intervention

A questionnaire was constructed, consisting of 45 items, that assessed the degree to which mothers received a number of family intervention services. The questionnaire was completed by a national sample of 503 mothers who had children with handicaps in early intervention programs. A factor analysis of questionnaire responses indicated that the items assessed five independent components of family-focused intervention, including systems engagement, child information, family instructional activities, personal-family assistance, and resource assistance. Results from the factor analysis were used to construct the Family-Focused Intervention Scale (FFIS), consisting of 40 items and five subscales. Cronbach's alpha indicated that each of the subscales was reliable. Comparisons among groups of mothers suggested that the FFIS was sensitive to variations in the level of family intervention services.
Partial cavity flows. Part 2. Cavities forming on test objects with spanwise variation

Partial cavitation forming on the vertex of a wedge and on the leading edge of a stationary hydrofoil was experimentally examined. The geometry of these test objects varied in the spanwise direction (i.e. three-dimensional test objects). Closed cavities formed on these test objects. The interface of the closed cavities curved smoothly to form a re-entrant jet at the cavity terminus, and the re-entrant flow was directed spanwise, thus preventing its impingement on the cavity interface. The cavity shape and the pressure gradients near the closure of the closed cavities were qualitatively similar to those predicted with the two-dimensional free-streamline theory. These cavities had a steady, laminar flow reattachment. The flow around the closed cavity was largely irrotational.
Dyspnea Self-Management in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Moderating Effects of Depressed Mood

The effects of three versions of a dyspnea self-management program on depressed mood and the moderating effects of baseline depression risk on improvements in dyspnea severity, exercise performance, and physical and social functioning were examined over a 2-month period in 100 patients with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). All three versions of the dyspnea self-management programs, which differed in the amount of supervised exercise (no sessions or four or 24 sessions), equally and significantly improved depressed mood. Subjects at high risk for depression at study entry who received 24 sessions had greater reduction in dyspnea than those who received four sessions or no sessions. Patients with COPD at high risk for depression are likely to achieve greater relief of dyspnea with self-management programs that include more intensive supervised exercise.
POSTFUNDOPLICATION COMPLICATIONS : Prevention and Management

The 1990s brought two major changes to the long-term management of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) have greatly improved the ability of the gastroenterologist to treat GERD and its complications with medical therapy. In the same period, the introduction of the laparoscopic approach has created a revolution in the surgical management of this disease. Successful relief of symptoms can be achieved in 90% of patients with either approach when used appropriately. As new information has been integrated, the basic approach to the surgical management of GERD, including the indications, contraindications, preoperative evaluation, and even the surgical procedures themselves, has changed from the prelaparoscopic era. Nowhere in medicine is the old phrase, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," more accurate than in the area of antireflux surgery. Management of postfundoplication problems begins by preventing complications from occurring. 9,37,40 First, many surgical failures are worse after than before surgery. Postoperative problems, such as dysphagia, bloating, or other symptoms associated with vagal nerve injury, may be quite severe, perhaps disabling. Second, the success rates of repeat operations decrease to the 75% to 85% range with high morbidity and mortality, even in expert hands. Surgical failures are more likely to occur in patients with complicated GERD, gastric motility disorders, or esophageal motility disorders. Additionally, the extensive scarring from the first operation, makes the performance of repeat operations much more technically challenging. The prevention of complications after antireflux surgery can be divided into three important areas: (1) patient selection, (2) selection of the surgery, and (3) selection of the surgeon.
Flavored-little-cigar and flavored-cigarette use among U.S. middle and high school students.

Purpose: Flavors can mask the harshness and taste of tobacco, making flavored tobacco products appealing to youth. We assessed the prevalence and correlates of flavored-little-cigar and flavoredcigarette use among U.S. middle and high school students in 2011. Methods: Data were obtained from the 2011 National Youth Tobacco Survey, a nationally representative school-based survey of U.S. students in grades 6e12. National estimates of current flavored-little-cigar use, flavored-cigarette use, and combined use of either product were calculated overall and among current smokers by respondent characteristics, including sex, race/ ethnicity, school level, and grade. Additionally, intention to quit tobacco and smoking frequency were assessed by flavored product use. Results: The overall prevalence of current use was 4.2% for flavored cigarettes, 3.3% for flavored little cigars, and 6.3% for either product. Among current cigar smokers, 35.9% reported using flavored little cigars, and among current cigarette smokers, 35.4% reported using flavored cigarettes. Among current cigar or cigarette smokers, 42.4% reported using flavored little cigars or flavored cigarettes. Flavored product use among current smokers was higher among non-Hispanic whites than among blacks and Hispanics, higher among high school students than middle school students, and increased with grade. Among cigar smokers, prevalence of no intention to quit tobacco was higher among flavored-little-cigar users (59.7%) than nonusers (49.3%). Conclusions: More than two fifths of U.S. middle and high school smokers report using flavored little cigars or flavored cigarettes, and disparities in the use of these products exist across subpopulations. Efforts are needed to reduce flavored tobacco product use among youth.
Biocompatibility of polyglycidol with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Polyglycidol (PGly), a hyperbranched water-soluble polyether with numerous terminal hydroxyl groups, has structural similarities with polyethylene glycol. Our laboratory is exploring drug delivery using hyperbranched PGly-cytokines conjugates. Using human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and a tumor derived human B cell line, HBL-1; various PGly concentrations were tested for cytotoxicity. Our data indicated that hyperbranched PGly was similar in toxicity to PEG 8000, a commercial polymer. It was concluded that hyperbranched PGly did not exhibit significant cytotoxicity and showed promise for use as a biocompatible polymer. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Characteristics and utility of nuclear‐encoded large‐subunit ribosomal gene sequences in phylogenetic studies of red algae

SUMMARY Primer sequences are described for amplifying and sequencing a large fragment (approximately 2500 b.p.) of the nuclear-encoded large-subunit ribosomal RNA gene (LSU) from red algae. In comparison to RuBisCo large-subunit gene (rbcL) and nuclear-encoded small-subunit ribosomal RNA gene (SSU) sequence data, LSU sequence data was intermediate in the number of phylogenetically informative positions and sequence divergence. Parsimony analysis of LSU sequences for 16 Gelidiales species resolved some nodes unresolved in rbcL and SSU parsimony trees. An analysis of LSU sequences from 13 species of red algae classified in 11 orders suggests that this gene may be useful in studies of higher-level relationships of red algae.
How can statistical approaches enhance transdisciplinary study of drug misuse prevention

Application of statistical techniques in transdisciplinary research includes statistical model selection and model specification. This paper presents statistical models used in drug misuse prevention research. The historical roots of these models are discussed to illustrate the numerous disciplines from which different techniques originated. Single and multilevel approaches are described to illustrate methods of synthesizing perspectives from different scientific arenas. Using single-level approaches in transdisciplinary research, these models can easily incorporate broader theoretical considerations and more integrated hypotheses by representing each discipline with a set of variables. Simultaneous testing of every set of variables obtained from different disciplines may provide more comparable results to identify critical factors associated with substance-use behavior. Using multilevel approaches, more powerful syntheses across disciplines can be achieved by representing each discipline at a different level.
Genetic Influences on the Dynamics of Pain and Affect in Fibromyalgia

Objective The purpose of the present investigation was to determine if variation in the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) and mu-opioid receptor (OPRM1) genes is associated with pain-related positive affective regulation in fibromyalgia (FM).
Mirage of Health in the Era of Biomedicalization: Evaluating Change in the Threshold of Illness, 1972–1996

Pooling National Health Interview Survey 1972–1996 data, this study examines whether the threshold of health is rising, such that individuals are more likely to report poor health based on weaker symptoms. The results suggest that those with some form of disability report poor health more often today than they did in the past. Yet the results also reveal a pattern more complex than a simple rising-threshold story. For one, the results suggest a non-linear trend: the conditional reporting of poor health grew steadily until 1983, as expected, but declined thereafter. The results also point to mechanisms not regularly considered in the current debate. Much of the increase, such as it is, has been due to trends in educational attainment, rather than changes in the organization or practice of medicine. Meanwhile, the post-1983 deceleration and reversal has been due, in large part, to population aging. Implications are discussed with respect to the centrality of education in shaping the meaning of and demand for health, as well as the double-edged nature of contemporary medicalization.
Surface labeling of thyrocytes isolated by a new method combining enzymatic digestion and percoll gradient centrifugation.

Abstract Thyrocytes were isolated from porcine thyroid glands using a new method entailing two-step collagenase digestion and Percoll gradient centrifugation. Good yield and a high percentage of viabile thyrocytes free from other contaminating cells was achieved. Proteins present on the surface of thyroid cell plasma membranes were then specifically labeled using Iodogen and 125 I − . Membrane lysates were separated by electrophoresis on 10% polyacrylamide gel, under reducing and nonreducing conditions, followed by autoradiography. When the gels were stained with silver nitrate some 30 bands were visualized in both the presence and absence of reductant. Only 9 bands were found to be labeled under nonreducing conditions and 12 in the presence of reductant. Two bands involved in the thyrotropin receptor structure— M r = 66,000 and M r = 70,000, respectively—were visualized in the absence of reductant. Upon reduction the M r 66,000 band was retained and a new band ( M r = 33,000) was seen. The mild enzymatic treatment used in isolating thyrocytes and the lack of contamination with other cells allowed the consistent labeling of exposed plasma membrane components by the Iodogen method such that the orientation of thyrotropin receptor components in the plasma membrane could be deduced.
Managing the costs of informational privacy: bundling as a strategy in the individual health insurance market

Advances in genetic testing and data mining technologies have increased the availability of genetic information to insurance companies and insureds (applicants and policy holders) in the individual health insurance market (IHIM). Regulators, concerned that insurance companies will use this information to discriminate against applicants who have a genetic risk factor but who are still healthy, have implemented genetic privacy legislation in at least 18 states. However, in previous work we have demonstrated that such legislation will have unintended consequences-it will reduce consumer participation in the market without making those remaining better off. This paper identifies a mechanism, a bundling strategy, that insurance companies may implement in this regulatory environment to restore (or maximize) consumer participation in the market and to discourage such discrimination among insureds. This problem is examined through simulation modeling. The results will have significant implications for policy designs implemented by insurance companies, for legislation implemented by industry regulators, and therefore, for the insurability of the individuals that rely on this market for health insurance coverage.
What does it mean to be a Rational Decision Maker

Research on the psychology of decision making has historically relied on the principles of rational choice theory to provide a normative standard. For the most part, empirical research has documented deviations from this normative standard, with debate often centered on just how costly to individuals these deviations are. This paper challenges several normative features of the rational choice model. It suggests that âmaximizingâ (of utility, expected value, satisfaction) is often not the appropriate normative goal. It suggests that the value of decision outcomes cannot be assessed independent of the decision contexts that give rise to them (i.e., that the value of outcomes is not âpath independent.â). And it suggests that the relation between the magnitude of an outcome (or a psychological characteristic) and its value is often non-monotonic. I argue that the honorific ârationalâ should be based on the substantive and not the formal properties of decisions â that an adequate theory of rational decision making should consider the way in which decisions enable people to live good, meaningful, and satisfying lives. And understood in this way, the hallmark of rationality is wise judgment.
The Bitcoin: The Currency of the Future, Fuel of Terror

Technological advances have created a new economic order, where international transactions can be made at the click of a button. Although most cryptocurrencies were created as a product of innovation in line with technological advances and with good intentions in mind, the use of such technologies by malicious users is not a nuanced concept. The Bitcoin, operating in the cyber realm, has created a currency that can surpass institutions and eliminate transparency, providing a perfect agency for anonymous transactions. As governments grow concerned about taxation and their lack of control over the currency, the Bitcoin also poses serious means of funding illicit activities and terrorist organizations. To what extent can the Bitcoin develop and morph into a serious currency utilized to finance terrorism?
Feminismos viajantes: da mulher/corpo à cidadania de gênero

A autora traca as trajetorias globais de discursos e teorias feministas nas suas viagens do Norte ao Sul, usando o desenvolvimento historico do SOS Corpo em Recife como estudo de caso. Ela sugere que em momentos historicos particulares as feministas brasileiras se apropriaram seletivamente de concepcoes tais como, no inicio, “mulheres” e, mais tarde, “genero”, – vindas da Europa e dos Estados Unidos, transformando-as no processo de atuacao em relacao a outros atores no seu proprio campo politico-institucional, e articulando-as a construcoes discursivas locais. Esse processo inovador, porem, ocorreu no contexto de relacoes globais de poder que colocaram obstaculos no caminho de viagens discursivas de volta do Sul ao Norte, deslocando as relacoes entre movimentos feministas diferentemente situados. Abstract The author traces the global trajectories of feminist theories and discourses as they travel from North to South, using the historical development of SOS Corpo in Recife as a case study. At particular historical moments, she argues, Brazilian feminists selectively appropriated conceptions – such as, initially, “women” and, later, “gender” – from Europe and the United States, transforming them in the process of engaging with other actors in their own political-institutional field, and linking them to local discursive constructions. This process of innovation, however, occurred within the context of global power relations which put obstacles in the way of discursive return journeys from South to North, dis-locating the relations among differently situated feminist movements.
Screening of Mechanical Complications of Dilated Pulmonary Artery Related to the Risk for Sudden Cardiac Death in Patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension by Transthoracic Echocardiography.

Background In patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), the mechanical complications of pulmonary artery (PA) enlargement are related to sudden cardiac death (SCD). The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of PA enlargement, the correlation of main PA (MPA) diameter with other echocardiographic parameters, and the role of transthoracic echocardiography in screening for such complications. Methods Among 298 patients who were followed for PAH, patients with PA enlargement (>40 mm) by transthoracic echocardiography were consecutively enrolled in a prospective manner. The presence of left main and airway compression, PA dissection, or PA thrombus was determined with cardiac computed tomography. Results Forty-six patients (15.4%; mean age, 49 ± 14 years; 32.6% men) with dilated MPAs were enrolled. Mechanical complications were present in 16 patients (34.8%). Those with complications had more dilated MPAs compared with patients without (mean PA diameter, 55.6 ± 12.2 vs 46.7 ± 4.3 mm; P = .012). Other echocardiographic parameters of the right heart, such as right ventricular systolic pressure, showed no differences ( P > .05 for all). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for MPA diameter was 0.750 (95% CI, 0.577–0.923; P = .009), with the highest sensitivity and specificity values for the presence of complications being 85.7% and 58.6%, respectively, according to an MPA diameter of 46.5 mm. Conclusions Mechanical complications related to sudden cardiac death in patients with PAH with dilated PAs are common. The overall performance of transthoracic echocardiography as a screening tool for predicting such complications appears reasonable. Given the burden of sudden cardiac death, measurement of PA diameter should be routinely included over the course of follow-up, especially in patients with PAH.
Microstructural Development in Ion Beam Assisted Evaporation of Ni, Co and Fe Films

The development of microstructure in metal films deposited by ion-assisted evaporation has been studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Films of Ni, Co, and Fe of about 350 to 500 nm thickness were deposited by electron beam evaporation with concurrent argon ion bombardment during growth. Films grown at high ion/atom ratios develop compressive stress as revealed by lattice dilatation. The trends in grain size, orientation, and shape as a function of ion bombardment are documented by TEM.
The food of the sea star Pycnopodia helianthoides (Brandt) in Prince William Sound, Alaska

Abstract Pycnopodia helianthoides (Brandt) feeds on small organisms, primarily mollusks, in Prince William Sound, Alaska. Throughout the year the percentage of P. helianthoides with prey in their stomachs ranged between 44–100 percent. During the winter and early spring, the number of prey items found in the stomachs was reduced.
Characteristics of the blood pressure lowering action of renin inhibition and comparison with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition.

Mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) was 100 +/- 4 mmHg in a group (n = 3) of conscious sodium-deficient dogs. A 3-day infusion of the renin inhibitor isovaleryl -His-Pro-Phe-His-Sta-Leu-Phe-NH2 (SCRIP) lowered MAP to an average of 79 +/- 4 mmHg. Termination of the infusion resulted in a prompt rise in MAP to 100 +/- 5 mmHg but plasma renin activity (PRA), which was 22 +/- 2 ng angiotensin (Ang) l/ml per h before the infusion, recovered only to 5 +/- 1 ng Ang l/ml per h during the same time (4 h after infusion). In other experiments in sodium-deficient dogs, a direct comparison was made between inhibition of PRA and the reduction of blood pressure. Over the dose range 0.1-2 micrograms/kg per min, PRA was inhibited in a dose-related manner, but MAP was not reduced. At dose levels beginning an order of magnitude higher (e.g. 20-160 g/kg per min), PRA was completely inhibited and there was a dose-related fall in MAP. These data suggest that there is no correlation between inhibition of PRA and the reduction in blood pressure in chronically sodium-deficient dogs. In other studies comparing renin inhibition with angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition, there was evidence for greater efficacy of ACE inhibition in conscious sodium-deficient dogs, but no evidence of any difference in one-kidney, one clip hypertensive dogs.
Field Assessment of Quality: Release–Recapture of Mass-Reared Mediterranean Fruit Flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) of Different Sizes

In each of three field releases, a higher percentage of large, mass-reared, sterile Mediterranean fruit flies, Ceratitis capitata , was recaptured than either medium-sized or small flies, with large flies tending to be caught over a longer time period than small flies. Larger flies had a higher emergence rate and percent flight ability. Also, larger flies were significantly longer lived than smaller flies when deprived of food and water in laboratory quality control tests.
Lymphocytic infiltrates of the conjunctiva and orbit: immunohistochemical staining of 16 cases

The authors have performed frozen section immunologic stains on 16 cases of ocular lymphocytic infiltrates and correlated the results with clinical and histologic findings. Their cases included inflammatory pseudotumor (3), reactive lymphoid hyperplasia (3), atypical lymphocytic infiltrate (9), and small cleaved cell lymphoma (1). Seven of the nine cases with an atypical lymphocytic infiltrate expressed one immunoglobulin light chain, while only one of six considered reactive on histologic evaluation had immunologic results suggestive of a neoplastic B cell proliferation. The case of follicular small cleaved cell lymphoma expressed B lineage antigens but did not express immunoglobulin; this patient died of disseminated lymphoma two years after conjunctival involvement. Percentages and subset ratios of T lymphocytes were quantitated and showed similar results in reactive and neoplastic lesions. There is no apparent difference in clinical presentation or follow-up information between patients with reactive lesions and those having an atypical lymphocytic infiltrate with monotypic immunoglobulin.
Hierarchical copula regression models for areal data

Abstract Regression analysis for spatially aggregated data is common in a number of fields, including public health, ecology, and econometrics. Often, the goal of such an analysis is to quantify the relationship between an outcome of interest and one or more covariates. The mixed model with proper conditional autoregressive (CAR) spatial random effects is commonly used to model such data but suffers serious drawbacks. First, an analyst must interpret covariate effects conditionally although marginal effects may be of interest. Second, the dependence parameter of the proper CAR model has an intuitive conditional interpretation, but the parameter’s marginal interpretation is complicated and counterintuitive; specifically, spatial units with a similar number of neighbors have different marginal correlations. To overcome these two drawbacks, we propose a copula-based hierarchical model with covariance selection. Our approach allows for unbiased estimation of marginal parameters and thus an intuitive marginal interpretation. The covariance-selection copula’s single dependence parameter is the first-order correlation. This provides a dependence structure having intuitive conditional and marginal interpretations. We develop a computational framework that permits efficient frequentist inference for our model, even for large datasets. We evaluate the small- and large-sample performance of our method under simulated conditions, and apply our procedure to a widely studied Slovenia stomach cancer dataset.
Inventory of Beijing Olympic Games: Value for the Hi-tech Olympics from National Strategy

This paper offers a new point of view to review Hi-tech Olympics through the implementation process,which should be the national strategic value for Hi-tech Olympics.Hi-tech Olympics is based on national scientific and technological development and innovation in the social construction of scientific and technological innovation:it is engineering of the Aggregation and Diffusion based on Olympic strategy;by the comparison of different economic system,it discusses the content and concept of the Olympic Games with Chinese characteristics.
Autoregressive integrated moving average model and circle distribution analysis of stroke mortality in Tianjin

To develop a model for forecasting the mortality of stroke in Tianjin,China.The time series of stroke mortality from 1999 Jan.to 2006 Dec.in Tianjin city were subjected.Circle distribution analysis was used to verify the trend of time concentration.Multiple seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average model [ARIMA (p,d,q) (P,D,Q)s],based on model identification,estimation and verification of parameter,and analysis of the fitting of model,was established.Most of the deaths from stroke occurred in January and had a cycle of 12 months.An AR/MA model (0,1,0)×(0,1,1)12 was established(1-B)(1-B12) lnxt=0.001+(1-0.537 B12)et.Conclusion: ARIMA & Circle Distribution analysis is an important tool for stroke mortality analysis.Potentially it has a high practical value on the surveillance,forecasting and prevention of stroke mortality. Key words: Stroke; Mortality; Time Series; Auto regressive integrated moving average model; Circle distribution
Assessment of infant mental development: Tetchy and Wayward approaches.

An examination of the problem and values of infant testing is presented in light of the history of infant testing. Some approaches to the intellectual assessment of infants are also provided with special emphasis on procedures obtained from the Piagetian-derived testing movement.
Structure of Teacher Education

This chapter defines the structure of teacher education and offers a sampling of how teacher education programmes are organized in over 50 nations around the world. Individual country profiles include information about selected nations’ cultural, economic and political systems as well as teacher education programme types. The work also examines how teacher education is organized internally within universities (University of Bergen, Norway) and how external governing bodies (i.e., Houston, TX, USA) may authorize multiple teacher education providers, each offerings its own version of teacher education, and each reflecting its own unique structure. The work conclusively shows that the structure of education is not only shaped by history and culture, but increasingly dictated by politics as multiple countries’ profiles repeatedly demonstrate.
Ways of Studying the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality

Psychology is far from a unified discipline. There are strongly differing opinions on how it is to be defined. One consequence of this diversity is methodological pluralism. Methodological pluralism includes the descriptive fact that different schools of psychology favor different research methods as well as the philosophical position that psychology cannot and ought not be defined in terms of a single methodology assumed appropriate for all investigations. Thus, while some would argue for the experimental method combined with the quantitative assessment of change in measured variables as the gold standard for research in religion and spirituality, this position must be balanced by a consideration of a wide variety of other methods used in the study of religion and spirituality. These include quasi-experimental methods when participants cannot be randomly assigned to treatment groups and ethnographic and participant observation often focused on qualitative assessments. The psychological study of religion and spirituality has always been identified with questionnaires and scales designed to measure particular phenomena of interest. Phenomenological studies are of descriptive value in their own right, as well as providing means to operationalize and measure reports of religious and spiritual experiences. Advances in neurophysiological imaging techniques are providing a rich database for correlating brain states with the report of religious and spiritual experiences. Finally, survey research allows the placing of religious and spiritual phenomena within a normative cultural context. A commitment to methodological pluralism assures that both religion and spirituality can be studied in ways appropriate to the richness and diversity that these terms connate.