cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Are children competent to make decisions about their own deaths

Attorneys, philosophers, bioethicists and health care professionals have vigorously debated how much state control there should be over an individual's or family's decision to discontinue life-sustaining treatment. Where treatment of a minor is involved, the debate becomes even more complex. The purposes of this study were to identify cases involving the withdrawal of Life-sustaining treatment in children, to describe the legal response to, and the management of, these cases, to examine variables that influence decision making, and to determine what legal-ethical standards are used and how they are applied. In addition, the author reviewed the literature on children's understanding of death and competence to participate in treatment decision making and applied those findings to argue for greater involvement of children in decision making related to the use of life-sustaining treatment. Language: en
A Review and Analysis of the Policy-Capturing Methodology in Organizational Research: Guidelines for Research and Practice

Policy-capturing has been employed extensively in the past to examine how organizational decision makers use the information available to them when making evaluative judgments. The purpose of this article is to provide researchers with guidelines for enhancing the reliability and validity of their studies. More specifically, the authors identify issues researchers may want to consider when designing such studies and offer suggestions for effectively addressing them. They draw on a review of 37 articles from 5 major journals to identify “best practice” and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of alternative approaches to resolving the various issues. The key issues are (a) the realism of the approach and its effect on both internal and external validity, (b) the limits of the full factorial design, (c) the need for orthogonal cues, (d) sample size and statistical power, and (e) the assessment of reliability. The analysis also includes comparisons with conjoint analysis, a similar methodology used in th...
A family with hereditary angioedema and multiple immunologic disorders

A 58-year-old man with end-stage renal disease treated with long-term ambulatory peritoneal dialysis gave a history of hereditary angioedema. Results of testing of his serum for antinuclear antibody were strongly positive, and a titer of 1:2,560 for antiribosomal antibody was documented. Three of his six children reported multiple medical problems, including episodic swelling, discoid lupus, and arthritis. An indepth study of this kindred showed a number of associated immunologic disturbances. Three children had decreased C1 esterase inhibitor and decreased C4 levels. T cell enumeration revealed low proportions of suppressor cells in these three children as well as in another unaffected child. Serum IgM level was low in the propositus, and IgG level was also decreased in one of the affected children. HLA typing failed to show a clear association of class I or class II antigens with hereditary angioedema. Family members tested did not demonstrate anti-SS-A, anti-SS-B, antinuclear antibody, anti-double-stranded DNA, anti-Sm, or anti-ribonuclear protein antibodies.
Optimal paricalcitol starting dose for parathyroid hormone suppression in secondary hyperparathyroidism

Optimal paricalcitol starting dose for parathyroid hormone suppression in secondary hyperparathyroidism
Cholesterol-Modulated Lipid−Peptide Communication in Fluid Bilayers

Cholesterol has been found to influence the relative effectiveness of channel (c-gA) and nonchannel (nc-gA) forms of gramicidin A in inducing the clustering of like phospholipid monomers of exchangeable dimers derived from 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphoethanolamine and from 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphoethanolamine (i.e., 1 and 2, respectively) in fluid bilayers. Thus, when cholesterol concentrations were increased in vesicles made from equimolar mixtures of 1 and 2 containing 9 mol % nc-gA, a decrease in the preference for like phospholipids to become nearest neighbors was observed. In sharp contrast, for analogous membranes that contained c-gA, the introduction of cholesterol resulted in a significant increase in nearest-neighbor recognition, similar to what was found in the absence of the peptide. A model that accounts for this behavior and the biological implications of these findings are briefly discussed.
Cardiovascular genetic medicine: genomic assessment of prognosis and diagnosis in patients with cardiomyopathy and heart failure.

In the last half century, epidemiologic studies and basic science investigations revealed that hypertension (Kannel et al., Ann Intern Med 55:33–50, 1961), hyperlipidemia (Dawber et al., Am J Public Health Nations Health 49:1349–1356, 1959), diabetes (Kannel et al., Am J Cardiol 34(1):29–34, 1974), smoking (Dawber et al., Am J Public Health Nations Health 49:1349–1356, 1959), and inflammation (Rossmann et al., Exp Gerontol 43(3):229–237, 2008) posed increased risk for cardiovascular disease. These associations served both as risk factors and offered insight into disease pathophysiology. Currently, it is increasingly appreciated that polygenic factors may also play a role as etiologic or risk factors (Chakravarti and Little, Nature 421(6921):412–414, 2003; Dorn and Molkentin, Circulation 109(2):150–158, 2004). Recent technologic advances in genomic screening make the search for these factors possible, and robust technologies are now available for both entire genome screening for expression or single nucleotide polymorphisms. In this paper, we review the basic principles of gene expression and molecular signature analysis in the context of potential clinical applications of transcriptomics.
The Long and Short of Asking Questions about Income, Wealth, and Labor Supply

Abstract Economic characteristics of households are an important component of their socioeconomic environment. However, they are often given short shrift in surveys because survey designers believe that other measures of socioeconomic status (e.g., education) render them redundant, respondents will not answer such questions truthfully, and they may lead some potential respondents to drop out of the survey altogether. We argue that the conventional wisdom regarding survey questions on economic characteristics is wrong. We explain the conceptual distinctions among various economic measures, summarize survey methods that maximize data quality, and present recommendations of specific sets of questions that gather the needed data.
Global‐scale analyses of chemical ecology and population genetics in the invasive Argentine ant

Ants are some of the most abundant and ecologically successful terrestrial organisms, and invasive ants rank among the most damaging invasive species. The Argentine ant is a particularly well-studied invader, in part because of the extreme social structure of introduced populations, known as unicoloniality. Unicolonial ants form geographically vast supercolonies, within which territorial behaviour and intraspecific aggression are absent. Because the extreme social structure of introduced populations arises from the widespread acceptance of conspecifics, understanding how this colonymate recognition occurs is key to explaining their success as invaders. Here, we present analyses of Argentine ant recognition cues (cuticular hydrocarbons) and population genetic characteristics from 25 sites across four continents and the Hawaiian Islands. By examining both hydrocarbon profiles and microsatellite genotypes in the same individual ants, we show that native and introduced populations differ in several respects. Both individual workers and groups of nestmates in the introduced range possess less diverse chemical profiles than ants in the native range. As previous studies have reported, we also find that introduced populations possess much lower levels of genetic diversity than populations in the native range. Interestingly, the largest supercolonies on several continents are strikingly similar to each other, suggesting that they arose from a shared introduction pathway. This high similarity suggests that these geographically far-flung ants may still recognize and accept each other as colonymates, thus representing distant nodes of a single, widely distributed supercolony. These findings shed light on the behaviour and sociality of these unicolonial invaders, and pose new questions about the history and origins of introduced populations.
ATP-dependent nucleosome unwrapping catalyzed by human RAD51

Double-strand breaks (DSB) occur in chromatin following replication fork collapse and chemical or physical damage [Symington and Gautier (Double-strand break end resection and repair pathway choice. Annu. Rev. Genet. 2011;45:247-271.)] and may be repaired by homologous recombination (HR) and non-homologous end-joining. Nucleosomes are the fundamental units of chromatin and must be remodeled during DSB repair by HR [Andrews and Luger (Nucleosome structure(s) and stability: variations on a theme. Annu. Rev. Biophys. 2011;40:99-117.)]. Physical initiation of HR requires RAD51, which forms a nucleoprotein filament (NPF) that catalyzes homologous pairing and strand exchange (recombinase) between DNAs that ultimately bridges the DSB gap [San Filippo, Sung and Klein. (Mechanism of eukaryotic HR. Annu. Rev. Biochem. 2008;77:229-257.)]. RAD51 forms an NPF on single-stranded DNA and double-stranded DNA (dsDNA). Although the single-stranded DNA NPF is essential for recombinase initiation, the role of the dsDNA NPF is less clear. Here, we demonstrate that the human RAD51 (HsRAD51) dsDNA NPF disassembles nucleosomes by unwrapping the DNA from the core histones. HsRAD51 that has been constitutively or biochemically activated for recombinase functions displays significantly reduced nucleosome disassembly activity. These results suggest that HsRAD51 can perform ATP hydrolysis-dependent nucleosome disassembly in addition to its recombinase functions.
Entering the Century of the Environment: A New Social Contract for Science

As the magnitude of human impacts on the ecological systems of the planet becomes apparent, there is increased realization of the intimate connections between these systems and human health, the economy, social justice, and national security. The concept of what constitutes “the environment” is changing rapidly. Urgent and unprecedented environmental and social changes challenge scientists to define a new social contract. This contract represents a commitment on the part of all scientists to devote their energies and talents to the most pressing problems of the day, in proportion to their importance, in exchange for public funding. The new and unmet needs of society include more comprehensive information, understanding, and technologies for society to move toward a more sustainable biosphere—one which is ecologically sound, economically feasible, and socially just. New fundamental research, faster and more effective transmission of new and existing knowledge to policy- and decision-makers, and better communication of this knowledge to the public will all be required to meet this challenge.
Glioblastoma Cell Enrichment Is Critical for Analysis of Phosphorylated Drug Targets and Proteomic–Genomic Correlations

The quality of cancer genomic and proteomic data relies upon the quality of the clinical specimens examined. Here, we show that data derived from non-microdissected glioblastoma multiforme tumor tissue is either masked or not accurate, producing correlations between genomic and proteomic data that lead to false classifications for therapeutic stratification. We analyzed the level of 133 key signaling proteins and phosphoproteins in laser capture microdissected (LCM) primary tumors from a study set of tissues used for the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) profiling efforts, comparing the results to tissue-matched, nontumor cell-enriched lysates from adjacent sections. Among the analytes, 44%, including targets for clinically important inhibitors, such as phosphorylated mTOR, AKT, STAT1, VEGFR2, or BCL2, differed between matched tumor cell-enriched and nonenriched specimens (even in tumor sections with 90% tumor cell content). While total EGFR protein levels were higher in tumors with EGFR mutations, regardless of tumor cell enrichment, EGFR phosphorylation was increased only in LCM-enriched tumor specimens carrying EGFR mutations. Phosphorylated and total PTEN, which is highly expressed in normal brain, was reduced only in LCM-enriched tumor specimens with either PTEN mutation or loss in PTEN copy number, with no differences observed in non-microdissected samples. These results were confirmed in an independent, non-microdissected, publicly available protein data set from the TCGA database. Our findings highlight the necessity for careful upfront cellular enrichment in biospecimens that form the basis for targeted therapy selection and for molecular characterization efforts such as TCGA.
Transient lunar events - Possible causes

IN a recent communication1, E. J. Flamm and R. E. Lingenfelter discussed the nature of luminescence and of lunar bright spots. They found that of nineteen reported bright spots in the region of Aristarchus, most occurred during years when the sunspot numbers were low, and they stated: “Clearly the 19 events are negatively correlated with solar activity”. The Moon possesses only a negligible magnetic field and the particle flux at the Moon is, as pointed out by Flamm and Lingenfelter, too small by orders of magnitude to excite fluorescence, no matter whether flares, the solar wind, or cosmic-ray flux is invoked. A ‘negative’ correlation with sunspot number, if interpreted as a negative (or inverse) correlation with solar activity generally, implies a connexion with magnetic phenomena just as surely as a positive or direct correlation and would be just as hard to explain.
Selective and transient expression of a native chondroitin sulfate epitope in Deiters' cells, pillar cells, and the developing tectorial membrane

The tectorial membrane (TM) is an acellular connective tissue overlying the sensory hair cells of the organ of Corti. Association of the tectorial membrane with the stereocilia of the sensory hair cells is necessary for proper auditory function. During development, the mature tectorial membrane is thought to arise by fusion of a "major" and "minor" tectorial membrane (Lim, Hear Res 1986;22:117-146). Several proteins and glycoconjugates have been detected in the developing TM; however, the specific molecules which mediate fusion of the two components of the TM have not been identified. In the present study, a novel monoclonal antibody (TC2) that recognizes a native epitope on glycosaminoglycans enriched in chondroitin-4-sulfate revealed a transient and restricted expression in the developing gerbil TM. The localization patterns suggest that Deiters' and pillar cells secrete a TC2-positive matrix prior to birth that later becomes incorporated into the marginal band and superior layer (cover net) of the TM. The developmental timecourse and patterns of TC2 reactivity suggest that this molecule may play a critical role in the fusion of the minor TM with the major TM.
A mechanical theory for crystallization of a rigid solid in a liquid melt; melting-freezing waves

Crystals of solid helium in their melt exhibit a phenomenon generally not found in other materials: oscillations of the solid-liquid interface in which atoms of the solid move only when they melt and enter the liquid. Such melting-freezing waves were predicted by Andreev & Parshin [AP] in 1978 and exhibited experimentally1 by Keshishev, Parshin, & Babkin [KPB] in 1979.
A Mechanistic Approach to Understanding the Factors Affecting Drug Absorption: A Review of Fundamentals

This article provides an overview of the patient-specific and drug-specific variables that can affect drug absorption following oral product administration. The oral absorption of any chemical entity reflects a complex spectrum of events. Factors influencing product bioavailability include drug solubility, permeability, and the rate of in vivo dissolution. In this regard, the Biopharmaceutics Classification System has proven to be an important tool for predicting compounds likely to be associated with bioavailability problems. It also helps in identifying those factors that may alter the rate and extent of drug absorption. Product bioavailability can also be markedly influenced by patient attributes such as the integrity of the gastrointestinal tract, physiological status, site of drug absorption, membrane transporters, presystemic drug metabolism (intrinsic variables), and extrinsic variables such as the effect of food or concomitant medication. Through an awareness of a drug's physicochemical properties and the physiological processes affecting drug absorption, the skilled pharmaceutical scientist can develop formulations that will maximize product availability. By appreciating the potential impact of patient physiological status, phenotype, age, gender, and lifestyle, dosing regimens can be tailored to better meet the needs of the individual patient.
Single pulse vibrational Raman scattering by a broadband KrF excimer laser in a hydrogen–air flame

Spontaneous vibrational Raman scattering (VRS) is produced by a broadband excimer laser at 248 nm (KrF) in a H(2)-air flame and VRS spectra are recorded for lean, stoichiometric, and rich flames. Except at very lean flame conditions, laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) processes interfere with VRS Stokes lines from H(2), H(2)O, and O(2). No interference is found for the N(2) Stokes and N(2) anti-Stokes lines. In a stoichiometric H(2)/air flame, single-pulse measurements of N(2) concentration and temperature (by the VRS Stokes to anti-Stokes ratio) have relative standard deviation of 7.7 and 10%, respectively. These single pulse measurement errors compare well with photon statistics calculations using measured Raman cross sections.
The photochemistry of thymine in frozen aqueous solution: trimeric and minor dimeric products.

Early work identified three compounds, namely the c,s cyclobutane dimer, the so-called (6-4) photoproduct (5-hydroxy-6-4′-(5-methylpyrimidin-2′-one)-5,6-dihydrothymine) and a trimer hydrate, as products formed upon UV irradiation of thymine in frozen aqueous solution. More recent work has shown that an (α-4) product, namely α-4′-(5′-methylpyrimidine-2′-one)-thymine, is a likely product formed under these reaction conditions. During a thorough reinvestigation of the photochemistry of Thy in ice at −78.5°C, we found that a variety of other products could be detected. In addition to the c,s dimer, the other three known cyclobutane dimers, namely the c,a, t,s and t,a forms, are produced, although in considerably smaller amounts. The so-called “spore product” of thymine (5,6-dihydro-5-(α-thyminyl)thymine) is likewise formed. Two other dimers have been identified as minor products; one of these has been determined to be 5-(thymin-3-yl)-5,6-dihydrothymine and the other has been tentatively assigned to be a (5-4) adduct (6-hydroxy-5-4′-(5-methylpyrimidin-2′-one)-5,6-dihydrothymine). Compounds with the behavior expected of true trimeric compounds have been isolated via HPLC and characterized by mass spectrometry and photochemical behavior. One of these materials, putatively containing an oxetane ring, decomposes thermally to a secondary trimeric product that is then converted into the known trimer hydrate.
Nature of Chalk Heath Soils

DR. R. M. S. PERRIN'S article on chalk heath soils1 does not fully explain the occurrences of these formations. His suggestion, that the chalk heaths may be formed on deposits of wind-blown loess-like material over flint pavements, perhaps in the Bronze Age, does not apply to Lullington Heath; for this area, in addition to being a fine example of chalk heath, shows also a very fine example of Celtic field patterns and has been illustrated under the name of Fore Down, Lullington2. It is probable that cultivation continued there during the Roman era, for the Britons in Sussex were not driven out or massacred by the Saxons until the third and fourth centuries A.D. Furthermore, traces of human influence are not confined merely to the field patterns; the lumps of iron slag seem to be relics of iron smelting about two thousand years ago, and the sandy patches seem to be relics of military training about fifteen years ago, for remains of the sandbags could be seen until recently.
Real‐Time GPS Network Monitors Bayou Corne Sinkhole Event

In August 2012 a sinkhole developed in the swampy marshland near the rural community of Bayou Corne in Assumption Parish (i.e., county), Louisiana. The area was evacuated, and some residents have still not been able to return. The sinkhole—which now measures about 450 meters wide and is continuing to grow—is being monitored by multiple systems, including four rapid-response GPS continuously operating reference stations (CORS) called CORS911. The real-time data provided by this system are used by scientists and decision makers to help ensure public safety.
An evaluation of valence models of motivation to pursue various post high school alternatives

Abstract Within-subjects analyses were used to evaluate the ability of a valence model of motivation to predict the post high school plans of 493 students. Valence models including only existence, relatedness, and growth outcomes ( C.P. Alderfer, Existence, relatedness, and growth: Human needs in organizational settings. New York: The Free Press, 1972 ) were compared with a valence model including all three types of outcomes. In addition, predictions based on ΣVI model and predictions based only on instrumentalities were compared. The use of growth outcomes alone resulted in the best prediction of post high school plans, and multiplying instrumentalities by valences yielded approximately the same predictions as did the use of instrumentalities alone. In addition, there was evidence that predictions based on the valence model were less accurate than predictions which included measures of academic achievement and parental income as well as valences.
Orbital Hematoma Secondary to Frontal Sinusitis

A 30-year-old woman had an orbital hematoma with frontal sinusitis. This complication of infection in the paranasal sinuses has not been previously described, but is explainable in anatomic terms. On computed tomographic scanning, the degree of enhancement with contrast infusion was striking and may aid in future diagnosis of this condition.
A Critical Role for the RelA Subunit of Nuclear Factor κB in Regulation of Multiple Immune-response Genes and in Fas-induced Cell Death

Binding sites for the nuclear factor (NF)-κB transcription factor have been identified within control regions of many genes involved in inflammatory and immune responses. Such κB sites are often found adjacent to those of interferon (IFN)-γ–inducible transcription factors, suggesting a requirement for multiple signaling pathways for gene regulation. Using fibroblasts from RelA (p65)-deficient mice generated by gene targeting, we have investigated the role of this subunit of NF-κB in gene activation by microbial lipopolysaccharide, tumor necrosis factor α, and in possible synergism with the IFN-γ–signaling pathway. Our results indicate not only that RelA is required for activation of key genes involved in adaptive (acquired) immune responses, including major histocompatibility complex class I, CD40, and the Fas death receptor, but also that both NF-κB–inducing signals and IFN-γ are necessary for maximal activation. In contrast, neutrophil-specific chemokine genes KC and MIP-2, which can function as nonspecific mediators in innate immune responses, were strongly induced by RelA in the absence of IFN-γ. Our results show that RelA plays a critical role in activation of immune system genes in response to nonspecific stimuli and demonstrate a novel proapoptotic function for this protein in Fas-induced cell death.
Mutations in cytochrome b that affect kinetics of the electron transfer reactions at center N in the yeast cytochrome bc1 complex.

Abstract We have examined the pre-steady-state kinetics and thermodynamic properties of the b hemes in variants of the yeast cytochrome bc1 complex that have mutations in the quinone reductase site (center N). Trp-30 is a highly conserved residue, forming a hydrogen bond with the propionate on the high potential b heme (bH heme). The substitution by a cysteine (W30C) lowers the redox potential of the heme and an apparent consequence is a lower rate of electron transfer between quinol and heme at center N. Leu-198 is also in close proximity to the bH heme and a L198F mutation alters the spectral properties of the heme but has only minor effects on its redox properties or the electron transfer kinetics at center N. Substitution of Met-221 by glutamine or glutamate results in the loss of a hydrophobic interaction that stabilizes the quinone ligands. Ser-20 and Gln-22 form a hydrogen-bonding network that includes His-202, one of the carbonyl groups of the ubiquinone ring, and an active-site water. A S20T mutation has long-range structural effects on center P and thermodynamic effects on both b hemes. The other mutations (M221E, M221Q, Q22E and Q22T) do not affect the ubiquinol oxidation kinetics at center P, but do modify the electron transfer reactions at center N to various extents. The pre-steady reduction kinetics suggest that these mutations alter the binding of quinone ligands at center N, possibly by widening the binding pocket and thus increasing the distance between the substrate and the bH heme. These results show that one can distinguish between the contribution of structural and thermodynamic factors to center N function.
Pornography as a Source of Sex Information for University Students

A recent Newsweek poll indicated that a majority of American adults think that pornography serves as a source of information about sex (2). The Commission on Obscenity and Pornography reported results of several similar studies in 1970 (3). Hyman defended pornography partly on the basis of its value as a medium of sex education (1). This study was done to examine whether pornography has played any role in the sex education of a sample of students attending a large midwestern state university. A brief questionnaire regarding pornography as a source of sex information was completed by 32 students (14 women and 18 men, aged 18 through 23 yr.) enrolled in two sections of a course which is part of the general s tu les core at this university. Respondents were asked to rank seven sources of information for the extent to which they had obtained their knowledge about sex from that source. Pornography was ranked seventh out of seven sources by the women and sixth by the men. One male student ranked it f i s t and two ranked it second (both ranked peers first). Table 1 contains the mean ranks for al l seven sources.
Partial Characterization of FSH Suppressing Activity (Folliculostatin) in Porcine Follicular Fluid Using the Metestrous Rat as an in vivo Bioassay Model

Porcine folliculsr fluid can suppress serum FSH in the sham operated or acutely ovariectomized metestrous female rat (Marder Csal., 1977). The active factor, called folliculostatin, was located in the resensase. but not in the filtrate, of follicular fluid filtered through an Amicon PM-b membrane, suggesting a molecular weight of� 10,000. Fluid from small (1-2 mm), medium (3-5 mm) and large (6-12 mm) follicles all contained FSH suppressing activity. When compared by a two-dose factorial assay, fluid from large follicles contained a lower concentration than fluid from follicles of the two smaller sizes. The ative factor was shown to be nonsteroidal, srypsin sensitive and heat stablest 60#{176}C for 20 mm; it was inactivated after heat treatment at 800 C for 30 mm. The molecular weighs range and the sensitivity to proteolysis and to high temperature are characteristics similar to those of inhibin from the testis.
Timing of development of adjacent-level ossification after anterior cervical arthrodesis with plates

Abstract Background Context Although the prevalence and severity of adjacent-level ossification development after anterior cervical plating has previously been described, there are no investigations regarding the timing of ossification development. Purpose To determine the timing of adjacent-level ossification development and maturation and discern any differences in ossification development for patients who have a plate-to-disc distance (PDD) that is Study Design/Setting Retrospective study. Patient Sample One-hundred twelve visible cranial or caudal adjacent discs in 62 patients, with a minimum of 24 months follow-up, were assessed. Among them, 40 had a minimum of 36 months follow-up after surgery (range, 36–91 months). Outcome Measures Grading system of adjacent-level ossification. Methods The PDD was measured on the postoperative lateral X-ray film and was used to divide the adjacent disc spaces into two groups. The first group had a PDD 5 mm. The presence and severity of ossification were assessed at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively and then annually and recorded into 4 grades: grade 0 (none) to grade 3 (complete bridging). We determined whether discs with no or mild (grade 1) ossification at a given follow-up period progressed to advanced (grade 2 or 3) by 24 months and the last follow-up (mean, 48.5 months). Results Adjacent levels with even mild ossification by 3, 6, or 12 months had a high likelihood (87.5%, 62.5%, and 37.5%, respectively) of progression to advanced ossification by 24 months. The absence of ossification in the early postoperative period was no guarantee of avoiding ossification; 23.5% and 14.9% of those with no ossification at 3 and 6 months, respectively, progressed to advanced ossification by 24 months. On the other hand, only 1.8% of those with no ossification at 12 months progressed to advanced ossification. None of the 80 levels with no or grade 1 ossification at 24 months went on to advanced ossification by the last follow-up (mean, 48.5 months). The occurrence of ossification was significantly increased for levels with a PDD 5 mm (45.5%, 20/44). Of 28 cases with advanced ossification, 24 (78%) developed in levels with a PDD Conclusions We conclude that any adjacent-level ossification within the first 12 months postoperatively has a substantial likelihood of progression to advanced ossification by 24 months. However, those with no ossification at 12 or 24 months or mild ossification at 24 months are very unlikely to progress to advanced ossification.
Facile synthesis of both enantiomers of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6-pentafluoro-α-methoxybenzeneacetic acid in high optical purity☆

Abstract Both the ( R ) and the ( S ) enantiomers of perfluorophenyl- O -methylmandelic acid, 6R and 6S , have been synthesized in high overall yield and optical purity by an application of the Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation scheme.
Adaptive guidance and control for autonomous launch vehicles

Adaptive guidance technology is developed to expand the potential of adaptive control when applied to autonomous launch systems. Pseudo-control hedging is applied to implement a fully integrated approach to direct adaptive guidance and control. For rocket powered vehicles, a recoverable failure generally leads to a reduction in total control authority. Pseudo-control hedging was developed to prevent the adaptive law from "seeing" and adapting to select vehicle input characteristics such as actuator position and rate limits and linear input dynamics. In this work, a previously developed adaptive inner-loop provides fault tolerance using an inverting control system design augmented with a neural net. An adaptive outer-loop is introduced that provides closed-loop guidance for reference trajectory tracking. The outer-loop adapts to force perturbations, the inner-loop to moment perturbations. The outer-loop is hedged to prevent adaptation to inner-loop dynamics. The hedge also enables adaptation at control limits, and eliminates the need for time-scale separation of inner and outer-loop dynamics, which is important for abort scenarios. The paper develops the methodology for adaptive trajectory following and control. Numerical simulation results in representative failure scenarios for the X-33 reusable launch vehicle demonstrator are presented. A brief summary of an autonomous guidance and control system appropriate for future reusable launch vehicles is given. The components developed are applied in such an architecture.
Geographic web usage estimation by monitoring DNS caches

DNS is one of the most actively used distributed databases on earth, accessed by millions of people every day to transparently convert host names into IP addresses and vice versa. In order to improve their performance, DNS servers also keep temporary records of all requested domain names in their cache. While most of the DNS servers are configured to be used by their local users only, there still exist many DNS servers that respond to public queries. Querying these DNS servers reveals the recently visited domains. Exploiting the geographically distributed nature of DNS, one can gather usage statistics ranging from a single DNS server to global scale. In particular, this enables collecting statistics about geographic differences in web browsing behavior between different regions of a country or the world. In this paper, we present methods to identify these public DNS servers, discuss how to effectively crawl them, and describe our algorithm to extract usage estimations from the crawl data. We also evaluate our estimation algorithm using extensive simulations, and finally use our algorithms to crawl 150 U.S. universities for various domains, and explore the effects of location and time on the access rate of these domains.
The burden of sepsis-associated mortality in the United States from 1999 to 2005: an analysis of multiple-cause-of-death data

Sepsis is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. The National Center for Health Statistics' multiple-cause-of-death (MCOD) dataset is a large, publicly available, population-based source of information on disease burden in the United States. We have analysed MCOD data from 1999 to 2005 to investigate trends, assess disparities and provide population-based estimates of sepsis-associated mortality during this period. Sepsis-associated deaths occurring in the United States from 1999 to 2005 were identified in MCOD data using International Classification of Disease, 10th Revision (ICD-10) codes. Population-based mortality rates were calculated using bridged-race population estimates from the National Center for Health Statistics. Comparisons across age, sex and racial/ethnic groups were achieved by calculating mortality rate ratios. From 1999 to 2005 there were 16,948,482 deaths in the United States. Of these, 1,017,616 were associated with sepsis (6.0% of all deaths). The age-adjusted rate of sepsis-associated mortality was 50.37 deaths per 100,000 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 50.28 to 50.47). There were significant disparities in sepsis-associated mortality in race/ethnicity and sex groups (P < 0.0001). After controlling for age, Asians were less likely than whites to experience sepsis-related death (rate ratio (RR) = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.77 to 0.78), while Blacks (RR = 2.24, 95% CI = 2.23 to 2.24), American Indians/Alaska Natives (RR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.24 to 1.25) and Hispanics (RR = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.13 to 1.14) were more likely than whites to experience sepsis-related death. Men were at increased risk for sepsis-associated death in all race/ethnicity categories (RR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.27 to 1.28), but the degree of increased susceptibility associated with being male differed among racial/ethnic groups (P < 0.0001). Although crude sepsis-associated mortality increased by 0.67% per year during the study period (P < 0.0001), the age-adjusted mortality rate decreased by 0.18% per year (P < 0.01). The rapid rise in sepsis mortality seen in previous decades has slowed, but population ageing continues to drive the growth of sepsis-associated mortality in the United States. Disparities in sepsis-associated mortality mirror those previously reported for sepsis incidence. Sepsis in Asians, Hispanics and American Indian/Alaska Natives should be studied separately because aggregate measures may obscure important differences among these groups.
Second Language Acquisition and the Younger Learner: Childs Play? edited by PHILP, JENEFER, RHONDA OLIVER, & ALISON MACKEY

The article reviews the book "Second Language Acquisition and the Younger Learner: Childs Play?" edited by Jenefer Philp, Rhonda Oliver, and Alison Mackey.
Oxygen delivery and uptake relationships in patients with aortic stenosis.

Previous studies have reported finding supply-dependent O2 uptake (VO2) in patients with the adult respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis, chronic obstructive lung disease, sleep apnea, and other cardiopulmonary diseases. A common element among these diverse conditions is the potential to reduce systemic O2 delivery (QO2 = cardiac output.arterial O2 content). The aim of the present study was to determine whether patients with aortic stenosis also exhibit increases in VO2 when O2 delivery is increased after valvuloplasty. Fifty-six patients were studied while breathing room air in the supine position. Expired gases for determination of O2 uptake (VO2 [measured]), cardiac output (thermodilution), arterial and mixed venous blood gases, and hemodynamic measurements were obtained immediately before and within 30 min after aortic valvuloplasty. After valvuloplasty, VO2 (measured) increased from 3.03 +/- 0.51 to 3.24 +/- 0.62 ml/min/kg (p < 0.0001). However, O2 extraction ratio did not change from baseline levels (32.16 +/- 10.1%) after valvuloplasty (32.21 +/- 8.25%, p = not significant). These results could have occurred only if O2 delivery had also increased. Accordingly, Fick-derived Q and corresponding QO2 (Fick) both increased significantly, suggesting the presence of O2 supply-dependent VO2. However, neither Q (thermodilution) nor QO2 (thermodilution) changed significantly, and regression of VO2 (measured) against QO2 (thermodilution) failed to detect a relationship. We conclude that patients with aortic stenosis exhibit increases in O2 delivery and uptake after valvuloplasty, although this may or may not reflect covert tissue hypoxia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Western Bantu Expansion

Linguistic studies are now advanced enough to allow us to sketch how Central Africa was settled by farmers who spoke western Bantu languages. From the second millenium B.C. onward, yarn-growers with neolithic tools spread in the rain-forests of the Cameroons. By adapting repeatedly to different environments they expanded over the whole forest area and also over the savannas and woodlands further south. These people were in search of optimal environments, quite willing to move to settle in favoured locales. Although they multiplied there, their expansion over such huge areas meant that their settlements remained very thinly scattered over Central Africa.A thickening of settlement would only occur when new crops – the banana in the rain-forest, cereals in more open lands – allowed farmers to settle in most places. Iron-smelting was less important here than these new crops. These induced further population growth, densities rose and movements in search of the best unknown lands ceased. If the first settlement had only moderately inconvenienced the autochthones, the thickening of population led in time to their absorption, dependence on villagers, or emigration in search of ever-decreasing empty areas.
Roles of Reactive Oxygen Species and Heme Oxygenase-1 in Modulation of Alveolar Macrophage-Mediated Pulmonary Immune Responses to Listeria monocytogenes by Diesel Exhaust Particles

Diesel exhaust particles (DEP) have been shown to suppress alveolar macrophage (AM)-mediated pulmonary immune responses to Listeria monocytogenes in vivo. In this study, effects of DEP-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) and heme oxygenase (HO)-1 on AM-mediated immune responses to L. monocytogenes were investigated. Brown Norway rats were intratracheally inoculated with 100,000 L. monocytogenes, and AM were isolated at 7 days post-infection. Exposure to DEP or their organic extract (eDEP), but not the washed DEP (wDEP) or carbon black, increased intracellular ROS and HO-1 expression in AM. Induction of ROS and HO-1 by eDEP was partially reversed by alpha-naphthoflavone, a cytochrome P450 1A1 inhibitor, and totally blocked by N-acetylcysteine. In addition, exposure to eDEP, but not wDEP, inhibited lipopolysacchride-stimulated secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-12 (IL-12), but augmented production of IL-10 by AM. Kinetic studies showed that modulation of cytokines by eDEP was preceded by ROS and HO-1 induction. Furthermore, pretreatment of AM with superoxide dismutase (SOD) or zinc protoporphrin IX (Znpp), which attenuated eDEP-induced HO-1 expression/activity, substantially inhibited eDEP effect on IL-10. Finally, direct stimulation with pyrogallol (PYR), a superoxide donor, upregulated HO-1 and IL-10 but decreased secretion of IL-12 in L. monocytogenes-infected AM. These results show that DEP, through eDEP-mediated ROS, induce HO-1 expression and IL-10 production and at the same time inhibit AM production of TNF-alpha and IL-12 to dampen the host immune responses. The results also suggest that HO-1 may play an important role in regulating production of IL-10 by DEP-exposed and L. monocytogenes-infected AM.
Integration of authentication and mobility management in third generation and WLAN data networks

The successful deployment of wireless local area networks (WLAN) for high speed data transmission and cellular systems for wide coverage and global roaming has emerged to be a complementary platform for wireless data communications. In order to fully exploit potentials in 3G/WLAN integration, authentication of roaming users crossing different networks, must be coupled with mobility management, which is a challenging, yet not resolved issue. The focus of this paper is on state-of-art solutions to Wi-Fi and cellular networks based on IP infrastructure. Moreover, we introduce a new authentication architecture for fast authentication during inter-networking handoff and large-scale heterogeneous networks. We show that the new architecture can reduce authentication latency significantly and be adaptive to user mobility and traffic. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Financial Risk Tolerance of Chinese-American Families

This chapter investigates the factors that affect financial risk tolerance of Chinese American households. Research on the economic well-being of Chinese American households is extremely limited. Few national datasets differentiate Chinese Americans from other race/ethnicity groups. For this study, a survey of Chinese American households residing in Midwestern states was conducted. The results showed that about 80.5 % of the sample households expressed a willingness to take at least some financial risks. Factors that have an impact on financial risk tolerance of Chinese American households included gender, non-financial assets, income, and investment time horizon. Chinese Americans represents a small but fast-growing population in the USA. More research should be done to better serve the financial needs of this group.
Comparisons of measures of interclass correlations : The general case of unequal group size

A problem often encountered in epidemiology is the evaluation of the validity of a short questionnaire for diet or physical activity administered to large numbers of subjects, where the gold standard is a diet record or physical activity diary. It is well known that random measurement error can attenuate the interclass correlation coefficient (validity coefficient) between these two variables. Several authors have proposed a de-attenuated (or corrected) correlation coefficient which is an estimate of the true correlation between the two variables after removing the effect of random measurement error. By true correlation we mean the correlation between the questionnaire and the mean of a large or 'infinite' number of diaries (representing the truth). In this paper the authors propose three methods (two ad hoc methods, the pairwise and weighted sib-mean estimators, and the maximum likelihood with confidence limits computed using the Wald statistic and profile likelihood approaches) to estimate the true correlation between a single questionnaire and the mean of an infinite number of follow-up diaries, in the general case where an unequal number of diaries are available for each individual. A simulation study is done under the assumption that the measured variables are normally distributed. Under the null hypothesis of no correlation between the questionnaires and the diaries, all methods had negligible biases. In cases closer to what is usually seen in practice (true correlation between 0.4 and 0.6), the degree of bias and coverage probability depends heavily on the reliability (intraclass correlation) of the diaries. The maximum likelihood estimator with confidence intervals computed by the profile likelihood approach, while not systematically outperforming the other methods, is shown to be the best of the three proposed approaches.
Understanding State Rulemaking Processes: Developing Fracking Rules in Colorado, New York, and Ohio

Regulation of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) is managed at the state level, and policy differs from state to state. This study investigates the state rulemaking processes regarding the issue of fracking and the participation of stakeholders in the process. The authors focus on the creation of fracking policy by providing case studies of three states: Colorado, New York, and Ohio. Data from interviews with rule makers and stakeholders is used to assess how the process compares in these three states and why fracking regulations may differ.
Efficiency of Home Care Notes for an Economic Approach to Resource Allocation

Home-delivered health-related services are not valued for themselves but are, rather, highly customized inputs that can be used in the production of several alternative “commodities” ultimately dem...
Enhanced fluorescence transduction properties of metallic nanocavity arrays

We studied fluorescence enhancement of molecular species bound within metallic nanocavities. These nanostructures possess a number of desirable properties for real-time microarrays, such as localization of excitation light within the nanocavities, strong isolation from fluorescence produced by unbound species, and an apparent increase in fluorescence yield for bound species. Experimental measurements show nearly a factor of two increase in excitation intensity within the nanocavities, and factor of six increase in yield. A simple electromagnetic model of a dipole within a nanocavity shows an increase in radiative output consistent with our yield estimates, and also verifies the strong fluorescence isolation from species lying outside the nanocavity.
A derivation of a phase field model with fluid properties

Abstract We extend the basic phase field model to physical problems in which fluid properties, such as velocity, pressure and density variations, are incorporated along with heat properties within the context of a unified and consistent derivation. One thereby obtains a system of parabolic differential equations with the variables temperature, phase, fluid velocity, density and pressure. The constants in the equations can be related to a rate constant and to equilibrium values in the pure phases.
Catching Falling Stars: A Human Resource Response to Social Capital's Detrimental Effect of Information Overload on Star Employees

Because star employees are more visible and productive, they are likely to be sought out by others and develop an information advantage through their abundant social capital. However, not all of the information effects of stardom are beneficial. We theorize that stars' robust social capital may produce an unintended side effect of information overload. We highlight the role of human resource management in minimizing the effects of information overload for stars, and we discuss avenues for future research.