cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Word Onset Gating and Linguistic Context in Spoken Word Recognition by Young and Elderly Adults

Young and elderly adults heard recorded words that increased in word-onset duration ("gated" words). Without context, both age groups could recognize spoken words after hearing only 50% to 60% of word onset information. When these words were embedded in sentence contexts, subjects required only 20% to 30% of word onset for recognition. An analysis of pre-recognition responses was used to examine use of linguistic context by both age groups to produce correct word recognition in the absence of a complete, or completely processed, acoustic input.
Lifetimes of the B̃ state of CH3I and CD3I using femtosecond resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization

Abstract Lifetimes of the vibrationless levels of theB state of CH 3 I and CD 3 I have been measured using a tunable deep UV (≈200 nm) femtosecond source. The lifetimes of the predissociated states are 1.38±0.20 and 1.84±0.13 ps, respectively. These values are compared with those obtained by indirect measurements which are described in terms of the multidimensional character of the reaction coordinate.
A framework for evaluating remote diagnostics investment decisions for semiconductor equipment suppliers

With advances in information technology, service activities for expensive equipment used in semiconductor manufacturing can be performed from a remote location. This capability is called remote diagnostics (RD). Currently, there are intense development efforts in the semiconductor industry for implementing RD in wafer fabrication facilities to reduce maintenance and capital costs and improve productivity. In this paper, we develop a queueing-location model to analyze the capacity and location problem of after sales service providers, considering the effects of RD technology. Our model optimizes the location, capacity and the type of service centers while taking congestion effects into consideration. We solve this model using a simulation optimization approach in which we use a genetic algorithm to search the solution space. We demonstrate how our methodology can be used in strategic investment planning regarding the adoption of RD technology and service center siting through a realistic case study.
Down-regulation of melanocortin receptor signaling mediated by the amino terminus of Agouti protein in Xenopus melanophores.

Agouti protein and Agouti-related protein (Agrp) regulate pigmentation and body weight, respectively, by antagonizing melanocortin receptor signaling. A carboxyl-terminal fragment of Agouti protein, Ser73-Cys131, is sufficient for melanocortin receptor antagonism, but Western blot analysis of skin extracts reveals that the electrophoretic mobility of native Agouti protein corresponds to the mature full-length form, His23-Cys131. To investigate the potential role of the amino-terminal residues, we compared the function of full-length and carboxyl-terminal fragments of Agrp and Agouti protein in a sensitive bioassay based on pigment dispersion in Xenopusmelanophores. We find that carboxyl-terminal Agouti protein, and all forms of Agrp tested, act solely by competitive antagonism of melanocortin action. However, full-length Agouti protein acts by an additional mechanism that is time- and temperature-dependent, depresses maximal levels of pigment dispersion, and is therefore likely to be mediated by receptor down-regulation. Apparent down-regulation is not observed for a mixture of amino-terminal and carboxyl-terminal fragments. We propose that the phenotypic effects of Agouti in vivo represent a bipartite mechanism: competitive antagonism of agonist binding by the carboxyl-terminal portion of Agouti protein and down-regulation of melanocortin receptor signaling by an unknown mechanism that requires residues in the amino terminus of the Agouti protein.
Voltammetric heparin-selective electrode based on thin liquid membrane with conducting polymer-modified solid support.

A novel, solid-supported voltammetric ion-selective electrode to detect anticoagulant/antithrombotic heparin at polarizable poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) membrane/water interfaces was developed. An ∼3−4.5-μm-thick PVC membrane plasticized with 2-nitrophenyl octyl ether was supported on a gold electrode modified with a poly(3-octylthiophene) (POT) film as an ion-to-electron transducer. Charge transport through the PVC-covered POT film is electrochemically reversible, as demonstrated by cyclic voltammetry with nonpolarizable membrane/water interfaces. In addition to the fast charge transport, adequate redox capacity of the POT film and a small ohmic potential drop in the thin PVC membrane enable ion transfer voltammetry at polarizable macroscopic membrane/water interfaces in a standard three-electrode cell. Reversible ClO4- transfer at the interfaces coupled with oxidation of a neutral POT film was examined by cyclic voltammetry to determine the distribution of the applied potential to the two polarizable inte...
Postmortem skeletal lesions

Postmortem bone alterations are very frequent and can raise the issue of their nature (antemortem, perimortem or postmortem defects). The aim of this work is to study various aspects of defects which were not assessed as perimortem trauma, from a series of 50 defects examined, resulting from 24 forensic cases. This study emphasizes the variability of size, shape and number of postmortem defects. Usually the diagnosis of antemortem defects is helped by a careful examination of some characteristics as the edges of the defects, the areas of discoloration of the edges and of the whole bone. Elsewhere it appears very difficult to know the true nature (antemortem, postmortem, or perimortem alterations) of the bone.
Accuracy of Stress Myocardial Perfusion Imaging to Diagnose Coronary Artery Disease in End Stage Liver Disease Patients

Patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD) who also have underlying coronary artery disease (CAD) may be at increased risk for undergoing hemodynamically challenging orthotopic liver transplantation. Noninvasive single-photon emission computed tomographic (SPECT) imaging is often used to determine whether a patient with ESLD has unsuspected CAD. The objective of this study was to determine the accuracy of SPECT imaging for detection of CAD in patients with ESLD. Patients with ESLD who underwent coronary angiography and SPECT imaging before orthotopic liver transplantation were analyzed retrospectively. The predictive accuracy of clinical risk factors was calculated and compared to the results of SPECT imaging. There were 473 SPECT imaging studies. Adenosine SPECT imaging had a sensitivity of 62%, specificity of 82%, positive predictive value of 30%, and negative predictive value of 95% for diagnosing severe CAD. Regadenoson SPECT imaging had a sensitivity of 35%, specificity of 88%, positive predictive value of 23%, and negative predictive value of 93% for diagnosing severe CAD. The accuracy of a standard risk factor analysis showed no statistical difference in predicting CAD compared with adenosine (sensitivity McNemar's p = 0.48, specificity McNemar's p = 1.00) or regadenoson (sensitivity McNemar's p = 0.77, specificity McNemar's p = 1.00) SPECT studies. In conclusion, the 2 pharmaceutical agents had low sensitivity but high specificity for diagnosing CAD. However, because the sensitivity of the test is low, the chances of missing patients with ESLD with CAD is high, making SPECT imaging an inaccurate screening test. A standard risk factor analysis as a predictor for CAD in patients with ESLD is less expensive, has no radiation exposure, and is as accurate as SPECT imaging.
Writing Together, Learning Together: Teacher Development through Community Service Learning.

In this study, community service learning is incorporated into a graduate-level English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) teacher preparation course. Focusing on a writing project participants completed with English Learners (ELs) as part of the service-learning project, we explored the impact of the project on: (1) teachers’ understanding of ESL teaching; and (2) their development of reflective practices throughout the process. The findings of this study indicated that all participants enhanced their understanding of ELs, the writing process, and their roles as facilitators. Comparing participants’ reflection over time, we found that the majority of participants’ reflective statements fell into descriptive (40%) and dialogic (26%) reflections. Further, participants’ levels of ESL teaching experiences did not seem to correlate with their levels of reflection. Implications for better incorporating community service learning projects into teacher education courses to enhance teachers’ knowledge development and ref...
King Alfonso XI in Lope’s Amor, pleito y desafío: A Practical and Just Model of Kingship in a Time of Moral Ambiguity

In his little—studied play Amor, pleito y desafio , Lope de Vega returns to the Spain of Alfonso XI, "El Justiciero," and presents his audiences with a king who eschews absolutist paradigms and embraces a casuistic stance on justice and truth. He and the other characters are set loose in a world that showcases their agency, yet they experience a lingering nostalgia for a more structured existence. Indeed, nostalgia accompanies them on the Renaissance journey from determinism to responsibility and agency. Even as characters choose, negotiate, and judge throughout the play, there is a palpable longing for the external validation of secure ontologies and epistemologies, for an objective source of "truth."
Deployable Reflector Configurations

Both the theoretical reasons for considering a non-circular format for the Large Deployable Reflector, and a potentially realizable concept for such a device, are discussed. The optimum systems for diffraction limited telescopes with incoherent detection have either a single filled aperture, or two such apertures as an interferometer to synthesize a larger aperture. For a single aperture of limited area, a reflector in the form of a slot can be used to give increased angular resolution. It is shown how a 20 x 8 meter telescope can be configured to fit the Space Shuttle bay, and deployed with relatively simple operations. The relationship between the sunshield design and the inclination of the orbit is discussed. The possible use of the LDR as a basic module to permit the construction of supergiant space telescopes and interferometers both for IR/submm studies and for the entire ultraviolet through mm wave spectral region is discussed.
The Relationship of Body Size to Participation and Success in a Fruits and Vegetables Intervention among Low-income Women

We examined participation and dietary change among women participants in a community-based nutrition education program, to determine whether intervention results differed by participant body size. Four dietary indicators (daily servings of fruits and vegetables, total calories, calories from fat, and Healthy Eating Index score) were assessed from 24-h recalls taken before, immediately after, and 4 months after a seven-session nutritional education program, from 156 African-American women age 20–50, in Washington, D.C. public housing. Knowledge, attitudes and practices related to nutritional behavior change were collected at three timepoints as well. Random effect models were used to examine dietary patterns, and compare change by body size and class attendance. Results showed that obese women (BMI ≥ 30) had more psychosocial barriers to dietary change and poorer baseline diets, but stronger program attendance. Post-intervention, both groups consumed approximately 250 fewer calories and 2.5% fewer calories from fat. At follow-up, non-obese women consumed significantly fewer calories; obese women consumed significantly fewer calories from fat, and showed significant improvement in HEI. Given the prevalence of obesity in low resource communities, nutritional interventions should tailor strategies to participant body size and related psychosocial needs.
Some thoughts on peer review of computing materials

It is well known that over the past decade and a half social and behavioral scientists have become heavy users of computation facilities for a variety of purposes, chiefly in data-management and measurement analyses, in statistical analysis, both descriptive and inferential, and more recently in data and process simulations. At the same time, most social scientists have been, and many will continue to be, amateurs in computational practice. In addition, the types of computation which they need (or at least, have used) are often repetitive; relative to the total volume of use by social scientists there has been little demand for computational novelty.
Prenatal care in cocaine-exposed pregnancies

Abstract Objective: To examine the effect of prenatal care with and without drug rehabilitation on perinatal outcome in cocaine-using women. Methods: Cocaine-exposed pregnancies of 905 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative women were frequency matched (ratio 6:1) and compared with 150 nonusers. Cocaine subgroups consisted of 278 women who received prenatal care and drug rehabilitation (“comprehensive care”), 206 women who received prenatal care only, and 421 who received neither. Maternal and fetal complications, drug screening, and attendance were recorded. Pregnancy rates and HIV seroconversion were determined over the year following delivery. Results: The groups were similar in age, race, education and poverty level. Linear trends of increasing incidence of maternal complications were seen across the four groups. Comparing nonusers with cocaine users, the odds ratios, with 95% confidence intervals were: 28.0 (4.2, 103.2) for both anemia and weight under 100 lb; 2.4 (1.8, 5.0) for urinary tract infections; 15 (4.6, 36.1) for syphilis; and 11.2 (4.0, 35.8) for other sexually transmitted diseases. Perinatal outcome measures were similar for nonusers and “comprehensive care” groups but significantly worse for the other two groups. Four maternal deaths and two myocardial infarctions occurred with no care. Positive toxicology at delivery was 1.5 and 4.3 times more likely for the two groups without drug treatment, than for “comprehensive care.” Congenital anomalies and HIV seroconversion increased in cocaine users. Repeat pregnancy was less likely and more often drug free with “comprehensive care.” Conclusion: “Comprehensive care” of the cocaine-using gravida increases the likelihood of carrying to term, having fewer complications, being drug free at delivery, and having fewer exposed repeat pregnancies.
Landmark detection in the chest and registration of lung surfaces with an application to nodule registration.

We developed an automated system for registering computed tomography (CT) images of the chest temporally. Our system detects anatomical landmarks, in particular, the trachea, sternum and spine, using an attenuation-based template matching approach. It computes the optimal rigid-body transformation that aligns the corresponding landmarks in two CT scans of the same patient. This transformation then provides an initial registration of the lung surfaces segmented from the two scans. The initial surface alignment is refined step by step in an iterative closest-point (ICP) process. To establish the correspondence of lung surface points, Elias' nearest neighbor algorithm was adopted. Our method improves the processing time of the original ICP algorithm from O(kn log n )t o O(kn), where k is the number of iterations and n the number of surface points. The surface transformation is applied to align nodules in the initial CT scan with nodules in the follow-up scan. For 56 out of 58 nodules in the initial CT scans of 10 patients, nodule correspondences in the follow-up scans are established correctly. Our methods can therefore potentially facilitate the radiologist's evaluation of pulmonary nodules on chest CT for interval growth.  2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Natural history of sensory function after herpes zoster

Abstract The natural history of sensory function in the first 6 months after herpes zoster (HZ) was determined in a cohort of 94 subjects at elevated risk for developing post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN). All four visits included ratings of pain and sensory symptoms, mapping areas of altered sensation and allodynia, and quantitative thermal and mechanical sensory testing. The last three visits included the capsaicin response test. Sensory thresholds in distant control skin were stable. Mirror-image skin was persistently hyperesthetic to warming and mechanical stimuli and hyperalgesic to heat compared to distant control skin. HZ skin showed deficits in all thermal modalities. Sensory recovery was limited and selective. Allodynia area and severity, hyperalgesia to von Frey hair, and cold detection threshold improved, but deficits to warmth and heat pain did not. Capsaicin on HZ skin significantly aggravated pain and allodynia in the majority of subjects at 6–8 weeks after HZ onset. At study entry, eventual PHN subjects had significantly more impairment in detecting warmth and cold, a larger area of altered sensation, a larger area of allodynia, and more severe allodynia. The results support the study hypothesis that severity of initial injury predicts PHN, especially impaired cold sensation in HZ skin. The hypothesis that PHN develops because of a failure to recover normal neural function was not supported. Sensory recovery proceeded at the same rate in eventual pain-free and eventual PHN subjects and is not a requirement for pain resolution. Early interventions that reduce neural injury or enhance recovery should be of benefit.
Nb-Cr alloy coatings produced by ion-beam-assisted deposition

Abstract Nb-Cr alloy coatings were deposited onto 316L stainless steel using a dual-crucible electron beam evaporation source, together with simultaneous bombardment by 250 eV argon ions. Through control of alloy composition and the atomic ratio [Ar + ]/[Nb+Cr], a dense and column-free coating was obtained. This coating contained 50 at.% Cr and was deposited under the bombardment of 250 eV Ar + at an ion-to-metal-atom ratio of 0.68. All of the coated samples showed better corrosion behavior than did the uncoated samples. Overall, the Nb-30% Cr coating appears to be the most corrosion resistant and behaves similarly to pure niobium.
Ectopic Ureterocele: Clinical Application of Classification Based on Renal Unit Jeopardy

ABSTRACTPurpose: The Churchill classification system grades the ectopic ureterocele based on the number of renal units in jeopardy. We apply this system to our experience to help predict response to initial surgical intervention.Materials and Methods: All cases of ectopic ureterocele diagnosed at our institution between 1990 and 2000 were retrospectively reviewed and categorized using the Churchill classification system. Initial surgical procedure and subsequent outcomes were analyzed.Results: A total of 53 patients were identified, of whom 42% had only upper pole involvement (grade I), 40% ipsilateral upper and lower pole involvement (grade II) and 19% bilateral renal involvement (grade III). Endoscopic incision was definitive in 56% of grade I, 20% of grade II and no grade III ureteroceles. An upper tract approach was definitive in 85% of grade I, 45% of grade II and no grade III ureteroceles. An initial lower tract procedure was successful in 80% of grade II and 100% of grade III ureteroceles. Overall ...
Information Systems as an Academic Discipline

The purpose of this paper was to organize and present some of my thoughts, based on my experiences in developing the new IS academic discipline, with the objective of helping others to think about these issues. I often am asked why it happened the way it did. I provided the basis for my response. I am also asked what will happen in the future. I am an optimist, so my views are biased toward a favorable outcome. I explained the basis for my concerns and the basis for my optimism. I concluded with some prescriptions for things that need to be done to secure the future of the academic field.
Determination of theoretical plates in gel permeation chromatography by using polydisperse materials (polymers)

The need for an improved method of expressing performance of GPC columns and operating conditions is discussed. It is shown that theoretical plates can be calculated from chromatograms of high molecular weight materials (polymers) if the curve widths are normalized for polydispersity. The resulting value N, where N = 16d2(v/W)2, is a useful measure of the real plate count afforded by the columns to polymers and is useful for comparison purposes. Since N does not provide absolute data on separation, it is better to use formulas for resolution and fractionation when such data are needed.
Assessment of the HR baroreflex in human subjects using parametric system identification

Quantitative assessment of the coupling between arterial blood pressure (ABP) and heart rate (HR) is discussed. Traditionally, the HR baroreflex has been studied directly by controlling sensed ABP independent of HR changes. A method is presented that, by combining broadband stimulation and parametric system identification, makes it possible to assess baroreceptor function without disturbing the normal closed-loop function of the cardiovascular system. Preliminary results suggest that the methodology can detect changes in baroreceptor sensitivity in response to the administration of atropine and propanolol. >
Keeping Adults Behind: Adult Literacy Education in the Age of Official Reading Regimes

The Partnership for Reading (PFR) in the United States has recently thrown its hat into the ring of adult literacy research and practice. Its information about adult literacy comes, almost entirely, from the National Reading Panel's (NRP) data on children. Building its case from the NRP data, the PFR advocates for a narrow, school-based conception of reading, excluding from its recommendations several aspects of literacy development that have been determined by many adult educators, scholars, and practitioners to be vital for the successful development of competent readers and writers. In short, the PFR produces, legitimates, and disseminates knowledge that supports truths about adult literacy development that are either seriously flawed or need considerable contextualization. At stake in confronting and disrupting the hegemony of the PFR is no less than the pedagogical capacity to imagine and put into practice adult literacy initiatives that go beyond the strict confines of a federalized body of “official” and “scientifically proven” knowledge. As a challenge to the PFR's official knowledge, the author discusses two successful adult literacy initiatives that involve what he calls a critical integrative literacy—that is, a strategy of literacy development that merges the technical and contextual in the service of social change and individual power.
c‐Jun regulates cell cycle progression and apoptosis by distinct mechanisms

c-Jun is a component of the transcription factor AP-1, which is activated by a wide variety of extracellular stimuli. The regulation of c-Jun is complex and involves both increases in the levels of c-Jun protein as well as phosphorylation of specific serines (63 and 73) by Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). We have used fibroblasts derived from c-Jun null embryos to define the role of c-Jun in two separate processes: cell growth and apoptosis. We show that in fibroblasts, c-Jun is required for progression through the G1 phase of the cell cycle; c-Jun-mediated G1 progression occurs by a mechanism that involves direct transcriptional control of the cyclin D1 gene, establishing a molecular link between growth factor signaling and cell cycle regulators. In addition, c-Jun protects cells from UV-induced cell death and cooperates with NF-kappaB to prevent apoptosis induced by tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha). c-Jun mediated G1 progression is independent of phosphorylation of serines 63/73; however, protection from apoptosis in response to UV, a potent inducer of JNK/SAP kinase activity, requires serines 63/73. The results reveal critical roles for c-Jun in two different cellular processes and show that different extracellular stimuli can target c-Jun by distinct biochemical mechanisms.
Adaptive locomotor behavior in larval zebrafish.

In this study we report that larval zebrafish display adaptive locomotor output that can be driven by unexpected visual feedback. We develop a new assay that addresses visuomotor integration in restrained larval zebrafish. The assay involves a closed loop environment in which the visual feedback a larva receives depends on its own motor output in a way that resembles freely swimming conditions. The experimenter can control the gain of this closed feedback loop, so that following a given motor output the larva experiences more or less visual feedback depending on whether the gain is high or low. We show that increases and decreases in this gain setting result in adaptive changes in behavior that lead to a generalized decrease or increase of motor output, respectively. Our behavioral analysis shows that both the duration and tail beat frequency of individual swim bouts can be modified, as well as the frequency with which bouts are elicited. These changes can be implemented rapidly, following an exposure to a new gain of just 175 ms. In addition, modifications in some behavioral parameters accumulate over tens of seconds and effects last for at least 30 seconds from trial to trial. These results suggest that larvae establish an internal representation of the visual feedback expected from a given motor output and that the behavioral modifications are driven by an error signal that arises from the discrepancy between this expectation and the actual visual feedback. The assay we develop presents a unique possibility for studying visuomotor integration using imaging techniques available in the larval zebrafish.
Substitution of Filter Paper for Crucibles in the in Vitro Rumen True Digestibility Determination

Abstract Filtration of the residue from the in vitro rumen true digestibility determination was attempted on filter paper. In the first experiment, comparisons were between in vitro true and apparent digestibility and between filter paper and sinter glass crucibles. There were significant (P A second experiment, consisting of a series of in vitro true digestibilities with concurrent blank fermentations, was conducted. When the estimates using filter paper were corrected for the blank fermentations, they were not significantly different from those with crucibles. The results suggest that filter paper can be substituted for crucibles in the estimation of in vitro rumen true digestibility provided a blank fermentation is conducted concurrently.
Cefotaxime and desacetyl cefotaxime kinetics in renal impairment

Cefotaxime and desacetyl cefotaxime kinetics after a single, 1 gm intravenous dose were evaluated in five groups of subjects: group I, normal creatinine clearance (CLCR >90 ml/min); group II, mild renal insufficiency (CLCR 30 to 89 ml/min); group III, moderate renal insufficiency (CLCR 16 to 29 ml/min); group IV, severe renal insufficiency (CLCR 4 to 15 ml/min); and group V, end-stage renal disease requiring maintenance hemodialysis (CLCR <6 ml/min). The steady-state volume of distribution (Vss) ranged from 10% to 55% of body weight but was not related to CLCR. The terminal t½ values of cefotaxime and desacetyl cefotaxime were 0.79 and 0.70, 1.09 and 3.95, 1.55 and 5.65, 2.54 and 14.23, and 1.63 and 23.15 hours in groups I to V, respectively. There were no significant changes in Vss or t½ after multiple dosing, but there were significant correlations between CLCR and cefotaxime total body clearance, cefotaxime and desacetyl cefotaxime renal clearance, and cefotaxime nonrenal clearance. Dosage regimens for the use of cefotaxime in patients with renal impairment are proposed. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1985) 38, 31–36; doi:10.1038/clpt.1985.130
Cowpea weevil flights to a point source of female sex pheromone: analyses of flight tracks at three wind speeds

. Two-day-old male cowpea weevils, Callosobruchus maculatus, fly upwind to a point source of female sex pheromone at three wind speeds. All beetles initiating flight along the pheromone plume make contact with the pheromone source. Analysis of digitized flight tracks indicates that C. maculatus males respond similarly to moths tested at several wind speeds. Beetles' mean net upwind speeds and speeds along their track are similar (P > 0.05) across wind speeds, whereas airspeeds increase (P 0.05) at the wind speeds employed. The frequency of these counterturns across the wind line is almost constant regardless of wind speed, and there is little variation between individuals. The upwind flight tracks are more directly upwind than those typically seen for male moths flying upwind toward sex pheromone sources. Male moths typically produce a bimodal distribution of track angles to the left and right of the windline, whereas C. maculatus males' track angles are centred about 0°. Preliminary examination of two other beetle species indicates that they fly upwind in a similar fashion.
Subpicosecond radiolysis by means of terawatt laser wakefield accelerator

A novel subpicosecond pulse radiolysis experimental system has been developed in Terawatt Ultrafast High Field Facility (TUHFF) at Argonne National Laboratory. TUHFF houses a 20 TW Ti:sapphire laser system that generates 2.5 nC sub-picosecond pulses of 4-25 MeV electrons at 10 Hz using laser wakefield acceleration. The system has been optimized for chemical studies. The subpicosecond electron pulses were used to generate hydrated electrons in pulse radiolysis of liquid water. Preliminary transient absorption spectroscopy data with picosecond resolution is presented.
Sibship size, birth order and risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and infectious mononucleosis: a nationwide study in Sweden

Background The aetiology of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remains enigmatic in endemic and non-endemic areas. Early-life infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) may predispose to NPC development, whereas delayed primary infection with EBV may cause infectious mononucleosis (IM). Methods We used Swedish population and health registers to investigate whether potential indicators of early EBV infection, such as birth order, sibship size, maternal age and paternal age, are related to the subsequent risks for NPC and IM. We conducted two nested case-control studies, one for each health outcome, based on 251 NPC case patients, 11 314 IM case patients and five population control subjects per case matched by birth year and sex. We used conditional logistic regression modelling to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for NPC and IM. Results The multivariate-adjusted ORs of developing NPC increased with number of siblings; the ORs associated with having one, two and three or more siblings, compared with none, were 1.59 (95% CI ¼ 0.97, 2.62), 1.94 (95% CI ¼ 1.17, 3.22), and 2.03 (95% CI ¼ 1.23, 3.35), respectively (Ptrend ¼ 0.006). This increased risk of NPC was explained mainly by having older rather than younger siblings. In contrast, lower risks of IM were observed among individuals with an increasing number of older siblings, younger siblings and total siblings. Conclusions Early-life social environment, possibly related to EBV infection, contributes to NPC pathogenesis in non-endemic areas. This hypothesis is further supported by the clearly contrasting findings between NPC and IM.
The Role of Advertising in the Market Process: A Survey

The positive role played by advertising in the market process has been largely ignored by academic economists. It is only recently, since the modern economic revolution, that economists have realized the benefits of advertising and have joined the research agenda developed by researchers in marketing and other business fields. The present survey details the literature that examines the role played by advertising in lowering the ‘full price’ to consumers which allows consumers to maximize utility and allows the producers/retailers to maximize profits. The review begins with the seminal article by Stigler in 1960 which develops a (now famous) theory of the economics of information. Nelson's characteristics of goods and services are surveyed along with the extensions of other economists to the classification frameworks of Nelson and Porter. The survey follows the development of the theory of advertising in economics to the present day, and provides recent theoretical advances as well as empirical tests of th...
MeshUp: Self-organizing mesh-based topologies for next generation radio access networks

The phenomenal growth in wireless technologies has brought about a slew of new services. Incumbent with the new technology is the challenge of providing flexible, reconfigurable, self-organizing architectures which are capable of catering to the dynamics of the network, while providing cost-effective solutions for the service providers. In this paper, we focus on mesh-based multi-hop access network architectures for next generation radio access networks. Using short, high bandwidth optical wireless links to interconnect the various network elements, we propose a non-hierarchical, multi-hop access network framework. We study two generic family of mesh-based topologies: GPeterNet, a graph theoretic framework, and FraNtiC, a fractal geometric architecture, for arbitrary access network deployments. The performance of these topologies is analyzed in terms of different system metrics - topological robustness and reliability, system costs and network exposure due to failure conditions. Our analysis shows that a combination of different mesh-based multi-hop access topologies, coupled with emerging wireless backhaul technologies, can cater carrier-class services for next generation radio access networks, providing significant advantages over existing access technologies.
Systematic protection mechanism design

This work describes an attempt to systematically design a hardware resource protection mechanism when given the requirements of a particular language as a target. The design process is formalized as a structured walk through the multidimensional computer design space towards a hypothetical class of optimal machines. Each step in this walk involves a change in the distribution of work between the compiler and run-time system but no change in the source language semantics. The starting point for this walk is the result of a semantic analysis of the language to be implemented; typically, this produces a very high level machine where the compiler, if any, is trivial. The walk ends when no changes result in a net improvement. This does not guarantee that the result is even locally optimal, since the changes tried depend on the ingenuity and persistence of the designer.This design approach has been used to arrive at a practical, general purpose protection mechanism oriented towards the needs of the Ada language (preliminary version). This architecture was evaluated by comparing it with the PDP-11/45. For the purpose of this comparison, the protection mechanism was incorporated into a partially specified PDP-11 like instruction set. The number of bits making up the processor state and the number of operations involved in address computation were evaluated. On this basis, the result appears to be competitive and worth further investigation.
Satisfaction Among Current Doctoral Students in Special Education

Despite the growing demand for professionals with doctoral degrees in special education, doctoral programs are not producing enough graduates to fulfill this need. Although large attrition rates exist in doctoral study across discipline, very little is known about the attrition or satisfaction of doctoral students in special education. This article reports the results of a nationwide satisfaction survey of 619 students from 78 doctoral programs. Findings indicate that students appear generally satisfied with their programs. However, areas of concern include program structure, overall workload, and quality of preparation in research. Implications for doctoral programs are presented.
Role of Connexin 43 in Helicobacter pylori VacA-Induced Cell Death

Helicobacter pylori colonizes the human stomach and confers an increased risk for the development of peptic ulceration, noncardia gastric adenocarcinoma, and gastric lymphoma. A secreted H. pylori toxin, VacA, can cause multiple alterations in gastric epithelial cells, including cell death. In this study, we sought to identify host cell factors that are required for VacA-induced cell death. To do this, we analyzed gene trap and short hairpin RNA (shRNA) libraries in AZ-521 human gastric epithelial cells and selected for VacA-resistant clones. Among the VacA-resistant clones, we identified multiple gene trap library clones and an shRNA library clone with disrupted expression of connexin 43 (Cx43) (also known as gap junction protein alpha 1 [GJA1]). Further experiments with Cx43-specific shRNAs confirmed that a reduction in Cx43 expression results in resistance to VacA-induced cell death. Immunofluorescence microscopy experiments indicated that VacA did not colocalize with Cx43. We detected production of the Cx43 protein in AZ-521 cells but not in AGS, HeLa, or RK-13 cells, and correspondingly, AZ-521 cells were the most susceptible to VacA-induced cell death. When Cx43 was expressed in HeLa cells, the cells became more susceptible to VacA. These results indicate that Cx43 is a host cell constituent that contributes to VacA-induced cell death and that variation among cell types in susceptibility to VacA-induced cell death is attributable at least in part to cell type-specific differences in Cx43 production.
Did 9/11 affect Hispanic‐Americans' self‐employment entry and exit decisions?

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of the tragic events of 9/11 on the self‐employment entry/exit decisions of native‐born Hispanics.Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses the difference‐in‐differences approach with native Whites as the control group. The dynamics of entry and exit decisions are examined using data from 1999‐2003 CPS‐ORG.Findings – The estimates reveal a negative impact of 9/11 on Hispanics' self‐employment entry decisions, which is mainly the result of less entry from the wage sector, and it has increased Hispanics' self‐employment exit, which is mainly the result of increased exit to the wage sector.Research limitations/implications – The results suggest that native Hispanics may have experienced increased job opportunities in the wake of 9/11 and hence became less likely to be “pushed” into self‐employment and more likely to be “pulled” out of self‐employment. The improved labor market opportunities stem from government increased sanctions against undocu...
Ductility Evaluation of As-Hydrided and Hydride Reoriented Zircaloy-4 Cladding under Simulated Dry-Storage Condition

Pre-storage drying-transfer operations and early stage storage expose cladding to higher temperatures and much higher pressure-induced tensile hoop stresses relative to normal operation in-reactor and pool storage under these conditions. Radial hydrides precipitate during cooling and could provide an additional embrittlement mechanism as the cladding temperature decreases below the ductile-to-brittle transition temperature. To simulate this behavior, unirradiated Zircaloy-4 samples were hydrided by a gas charging method to levels that encompass the range of hydrogen concentrations observed in current used fuel. Mechanical testing was carried out by the ring compression test (RCT) method at various temperatures to evaluate the sample’s ductility for both as-hydrided and post-hydride reorientation treated specimens. As-hydrided samples with higher hydrogen concentration (>800 ppm) resulted in lower strain before fracture and reduced maximum load. Increasing RCT temperatures resulted in increased ductility of the as-hydrided cladding. A systematic radial hydride treatment was conducted at various pressures and temperatures for the hydrided samples with H content around 200 ppm. Following the radial hydride treatment, RCTs on the hydride reoriented samples were conducted and exhibited lower ductility compared to as-hydrided samples.
Psychological Well-Being and Social Support Among Elders Employed as Lay Helpers

Impacts on lay helpers of participation in part-time work supporting rural elders with severe mental illness were explored in a group of 17 older adults employed in a demonstration project. Self-rated well-being and social support were assessed over 1 year. Ratings of autonomy and positive relations with others varied over 1 year. Perceptions of the amount of social support provided showed a trend toward improvement at 1 year. Results are considered in the context of role theory and illustrated with an ethnographic case study of the service environment. The lay helper role is a form of productive engagement through paid caregiving, with potential to supplement rural mental health service systems while supporting elders' needs for meaningful civic engagement.
Project Mountain Valley Sunshine : Progress in science and technology

Abstract In order to improve the cloud seeding reaction, the basic processes in cloud microphysics and dynamics were critically examined. The disadvantage of the large temperature dependence in heterogeneous ice nucleation, as well as the advantage of there being almost no temperature dependence of strong coolants in homogeneous ice nucleation, was pointed out. A new horizontal seeding method using liquid carbon dioxide has been devised to maximize the effects of seeding, and simple devices for airborne and ground mobile applications were developed and tested in supercooled fogs and low-lying stratus clouds. Seeding tests revealed the development of vertical motions of the seeded plume and associated wind, the effective mixing of the plume with the surrounding supercooled fog and cloud volume, the resultant development of large crystals and their fall, the enlargement of the initial opening, the associated snowfall and its effects on traffic, and the accompanying optical effects. The developed ground mobi...
Transfer of urea, sodium, and chloride across the perfused human placenta.

Abstract Clearance indices (clearance of experimental material: clearance of antipyrine CI) across the perfused human placenta were determined for urea, sodium, and Chloride. The selected materials are of relatively small molecular weight and are water soluble. Clearance of urea was determined under conditions of net transfer and of exchange and no difference was detected. Sodium and chloride clearances were measured as exchange rates. The CI were: urea, 0.32 and 0.38 (toward fetus and mother,respectively); sodium, 0.28; and chloride, 0.41 (measured toward the fetus). Recalculation of data as the diffusion limitation (L D ) facilitat8d comparison with data in the literature on the monkey, rabbit, and sheep. L D for urea was comparable ameng the four species whereas the sheep placenta differed, sharply limiting the diffusion of sodium and chloride. The discrepancy in the sheep between urea and sodium indicates that the low transter rate of the latter cannot be explained by the "thickness" of the syndesmochorial placenta, as is often stated. Inferences concerning nitrogen metabolism in the fetus have been derived by others from data on transplacental urea gradients and urea clearances. Available data in the human are incomplete but are consistent with amino acids providing approximately 10% of fetal energy needs, with glucose serving as the predominant substrate. (Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 141:677, 1981.)
Mental Health: The Inclusive Church Resource. Jean Vanier and John Swinton

In this diminutive volume, Vanier and Swinton lay the groundwork for churches that are seeking to become more welcoming of individuals with mental health issues. The first half of the book presents...
The Complexity of Offshoring: A Comparative Study of Mexican Maquiladora Plants and Indian Outsourcing Offices from an Institutional-Prospect Theory Perspective

To improve our understanding of offshoring and how it is evolving, salient ideas from both institutional and prospect theories are utilized to build a more descriptive model of how decisions are made to (re)direct foreign investment into offshored activities. Careful examinations of the offshoring programs in India and Mexico reveal that they took different investment trajectories during the past decade that can be aptly explained by this integrative model. The primary information used to measure the population trends of offshoring firms in India and Mexico comes from proprietary data sources for each country that issue annual reports on the number of operators in their respective offshoring sectors, that is, services and manufacturing.
The New Continuity of Interest Regs: Issues Resolved and Issues Raised

Temporary regulations issued by the Service and Treasury in January 1998 concluded that the continuity of shareholder interest (COI) requirement was not met with respect to stock of a target corporation that was redeemed (or subject to an extraordinary distribution) before, and in connection with, a reorganization. After receiving various comments concerning the restrictive nature of the temporary regulations, final regulations were issued in August 2000. Contrary to the temporary regulations, the final regulations use a section 356 "boot" analysis to determine if the consideration used in the redemption or distribution affect COI. Several new problems are raised by the final COI regulations. Certain prereorganization redemptions involving shareholders of a target corporation can implicate section 356, even though the consideration is furnished by the target corporation. Also, nonqualified preferred stock of the acquiring corporation, received by a target shareholder before a reorganization (in addition to a hypothetical receipt of common stock in the acquiring corporation), would be considered "boot" under section 356 and, presumably, would not count towards satisfying the COI requirement. Additional guidance with respect to these issues is needed.
The Influence of Individual Variation upon Nitrogen Metabolism Studies with Poultry

Abstract The following factors must be considered when deciding upon the procedure best adapted to an estimation of the relative values of nitrogenous compounds from various sources for poultry feeding: 1. The anatomical structure of fowls is such that a direct determination of the coefficient of digestibility of crude protein cannot be made 2. Operating on fowls in such a way as to permit the separate collection of urine and feces puts the birds in an unnatural state, with the result that observations made on them may not be wholly reliable. 3. The utilization of protein for growth may or may not be comparable with its value for maintenance. 4. In applying the method of Thomas1 to poultry, the restraint necessarily placed upon the experimental subjects may affect the reliability of the results secured. Here arises the question of the effect of muscular activity upon the digestion of food. Does the . . .
Do European Auditors Make Decisions that Reflect Harmony: The Impact of Country and Culture

This research summarizes the data in seven previously published articles examining auditor perceptions on independence, confidentiality, materiality estimates, and underreporting and/or premature sign-off in a European setting. Our sample includes approximately 300 auditors from: Denmark, France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom; of these auditors, approximately 70 (30) percent are at the manager or partner (senior) levels. While the proponents of mutual recognition of accounting principles and auditing standards across borders assume a level of uniformity in their application, our research finds the existence of a significant level of variation which is often associated with country-specific characteristics. The results in these studies provide a unique insight into the beliefs of Western European auditors.