cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Digital Tool to Improve Patient Recruitment and Retention in Clinical Trials in Rural Colombia—A Preliminary Investigation for Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Research at Programa de Estudio y Control de Enfermedades Tropicales (PECET)

Programa de Estudio y Control de Enfermedades Tropicales (PECET) is a multidisciplinary tropical medicine research group based at the University of Antioquia, Colombia. PECET is currently conducting clinical trials in the treatment of Cutaneous Leishmaniosis (CL) in rural Colombia, using the OpenMRS database (an open source health record). Like many research groups in the developing world, PECET has encountered challenges recruiting and retaining study patients. This paper investigates the potential use of mobile digital tools to assist PECET with recruitment and retention of patients in clinical trials. We will explore how a ‘pre-screening’ digital tool and ‘patient messaging’ tool might generate value for patients, community health workers, and PECET staff to improve patient recruitment and retention and ultimately result in more efficient and effective clinical trials. This paper is a preliminary study, and the recommendations therein will provide the foundation for further investigation, development, and iteration of these digital tools in the future.
De-colonizing the political ontology of Kantian ethics: A quantum perspective:

This article explores the relevance of ontological assumptions for justifications of agency and ethics. It critiques Kantian ethics for being based upon an ontological imaginary that starts from th...
Influence of strain and chemical substitution on the magnetic anisotropy of antiferromagnetic Cr 2 O 3 : An ab-initio study

The influence of the mechanical strain and chemical substitution on the magnetic anisotropy energy (MAE) of ${\mathrm{Cr}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ is studied using first-principles calculations. Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction contributes substantially to MAE by inducing spin canting when the antiferromagnetic order parameter is not aligned with the hexagonal axis. Nearly cubic crystal field results in a very small MAE in pure ${\mathrm{Cr}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ at zero strain, which is incorrectly predicted to be negative (in-plane) on account of spin canting. The MAE is strongly modified by epitaxial strain, which tunes the crystal-field splitting of the ${t}_{2g}$ triplet. The contribution from magnetic dipolar interaction is very small at any strain. The effects of cation (Al, Ti, V, Co, Fe, Nb, Zr, Mo) and anion (B) substitutions on MAE are examined. Al increases MAE thanks to the local lattice deformation. In contrast, the electronic configuration of V and Nb strongly promotes easy-plane anisotropy, while other transition-metal dopants have only a moderate effect on MAE. Substitution of oxygen by boron, which has been reported to increase the N\'eel temperature, has a weak effect on MAE, whose sign depends on the charge state of B. The electric field applied along the (0001) axis has a weak second-order effect on the MAE.
Household and Child Food Insecurity and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Lower-Income Adolescents Aged 12 - 17 Years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007 - 2016

Objective Household food insecurity is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in low-income adults, but research on these associations among adolescents is inconsistent. This study investigates whether household and child food insecurity is associated with CVD risk factors in lower-income adolescents. Design Cross-sectional. Multivariable linear regression assessed the association between household and child food security and CVD risk factors. Household and child food security was measured using the United States Food Security Survey Module. The analyses were adjusted for adolescent's age, sex, race/ethnicity, smoking status, physical activity, and sedentary time, as well as household income and the head-of-household's education and marital status. Setting United States. Participants The sample was comprised of 2876 adolescents, aged 12-17 years, with household incomes at or below 300% federal poverty line from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) cycles 2007-2016. Results The weighted prevalence of household food insecurity in the analytic sample was 33.4% and the weighted prevalence of child food insecurity was 17.4%. After multivariable adjustment, there were no significant associations between household and child food insecurity and BMI-for-age Z-score, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, HDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, fasting triglycerides, fasting LDL cholesterol, and fasting plasma glucose. Conclusions Despite observed associations in adults, household food insecurity was not associated with CVD risk factors in a national sample of lower-income adolescents. Child food insecurity was also not associated with CVD risk factors. More research should be conducted to confirm these associations.
Context in Models of Human-Machine Systems

All human-machine systems models represent context. This paper proposes a theory of context through which models may be usefully related and integrated for design. The paper presents examples of context representation in various models, describes an application to developing models for the Crew Activity Tracking System (CATS), and advances context as a foundation for integrated design of complex dynamic systems.
Automated and hand-coded measurement of deliberative quality in online policy discussions

A number of research projects are now underway to assess how IT tools and deliberative techniques could enhance public input into government at all levels. The success of such projects depends to an important degree on objective measurement of the quality of discussion under different utilizations of tools and techniques. This paper explores the value of two techniques for determining the quality of policy discussion in the context of federal agency rulemaking: a human-coded technique and a technique involving statistical bootstrapping of natural language processing data. The hand-coded technique utilizes counts of verbal behaviors that are indicative of intellectual engagement. This includes such behaviors as raising questions, disagreeing, and introducing new topics. The automated technique develops a measure of sophistication of reasoning based on significant co-occurrence of concepts in participants' speech. Such co-occurrence clarifies the network of conceptual relations utilized by participants. The more connections participants make between policy-relevant concepts, the more sophisticated their speech should be. Data consist of discussion of the federal rulemaking issue of network neutrality regulation by a sample of 53 volunteers. Correlations and ordinary least squares regression find that the conceptual connection and hand-coded measures, despite being qualitatively quite different, significantly predict each other and several other measures of sophistication, including two indicators of network neutrality knowledge and sophistication of views of government.
The Experimental and Theoretical Basis for Studying Collisional Disruption in the Solar System

Collisional catastrophic disruption has played a major role in shaping the population of asteroids and Kuiper belt objects over solar system history. This process continues to the present time and is responsible for launching fragments on their trip from the asteroid belt or the Kuiper belt to the inner solar system and Earth where they manifest themselves as meteors, comets and Near-Earth asteroids. This chapter describes our understanding of the collisional. disruption process resulting from laboratory impact experiments, numerical models for extrapolating laboratory results to asteroid sized bodies and simulations of the collisional evolution of small body populations. Included are numerical recipes for calculating the outcome of energetic collisions between bodies of arbitrary size that can be used to model collisional fragmentation processes.
Isolation of enterovirus and reovirus from sewage and treated effluents in selected Puerto Rican communities

Sewage treatment plant effluents were surveyed for viral contributions to gastroenteritis outbreaks in Puerto Rico. Of the 15 sewage treatment plants studied, all discharged their effluents upstream from water treatment plant intakes. No base-line data on the degree of viral challenge to these sewage treatment plants or the subsequent reduction of viruses before discharge existed. Enterovirus counts were generally much higher than those found in the continental United States. At four plants, viruses in the incoming sewage exceeded 100,000 PFU/liter, and one of these, a trickling filter plant, was discharging 24,000 PFU/liter to receiving waters. Virus identification showed that more than 80% of the enterovirus isolates were coxsackievirus B5. These overwhelming viral numbers pointed to defects in the sewage treatment processes. Without reasonable barriers to protect receiving waters, several of the downstream communities were using raw waters that posed extraordinary demands on the ability of their water treatment plants to supply virologically safe drinking water.
Inflationary bias of the Federal Reserve System: A bureaucratic perspective

Abstract The Federal Reserve System does not receive a budget from Congress, but instead, finances its operation from interest payments on its government security portfolio. This peculiar financing arrangement provides the foundation for a bureaucratic model of Federal Reserve official behavior. The empirical section tests the bureaucratic model by analysing the Fed's expenditure record since 1947 and its policy actions during periods of ‘constitutional’ revision.
Training, transfer, and retention of three-dimensional spatial memory in virtual environments

Human orientation requires one to remember and visualize spatial arrangements of landmarks from different perspectives. Astronauts have reported difficulties remembering relationships between environmental landmarks when imagined in arbitrary 3D orientations. The present study investigated the effects of strategy training on humans' 1) ability to infer their orientation from landmarks presented ahead and below, 2) performance when subsequently learning a different array, and 3) retention of configurational knowledge over time. On the first experiment day, 24 subjects were tested in a virtual cubic chamber in which a picture of an animal was drawn on each wall. Through trial-by-trial exposures, they had to memorize the spatial relationships among the six pictures around them and learn to predict the direction to a specific picture when facing any view direction, and in any roll orientation. Half of the subjects ("strategy group") were taught methods for remembering picture groupings, while the remainder received no such training ("control group"). After learning one picture array, the procedure was repeated in a second. Accuracy (% correct) and response time learning curves were measured. Performance for the second array and configurational memory of both arrays were also retested 1, 7, and 30 days later. Results showed that subjects "learned how to learn" this generic 3D spatial memory task regardless of their relative orientation to the environment, that ability and configurational knowledge was retained for at least a month, that figure rotation ability and field independence correlate with performance, and that teaching subjects specific strategies in advance significantly improves performance. Training astronauts to perform a similar generic 3D spatial memory task, and suggesting strategies in advance, may help them orient in three dimensions.
The Merciful State

This article challenges the view, most recently articulated by Dan Markel, that merciful mitigation of punishment by state actors is contrary to principles of retributivism, equality, and democracy. In addition to providing a theoretical response to these arguments, the article points out that our justice system is (and should be) riddled with mercy, and when mercy is given out of equity, relationships of allegiance, peace-making, or compassion, it may ground and confirm responsibility and community - not undermine them. Concluding that a theoretical challenge to mercy fails, the article examines many instances of clemency and pardon to begin a more contextual, case-based look at when mercy is appropriate and when it is not.
Separation in habitat use and phylogenetic influence on habitat use among fishes in diverse temperate stream communities

The investigation of habitat use and its relationship to phylogeny among co-occurring species provides knowledge of ecological and evolutionary parameters important for the structuring and maintenance of communities. Among communities of benthic, riffle dwelling stream fishes in the Duck River, TN, USA, we tested for interspecific separations in habitat use (i.e., based on flow velocity, substrate composition, depth, and spatial position of occurrence) to elucidate processes influential in maintaining community structure. Furthermore, we incorporated phylogeny to test for influence of evolutionary history on patterns of contemporary habitat use. Multivariate analyses recovered two significant species clusters among communities, suggesting that separations in habitat use occurred between groups of species rather than among all individual species. Phylogenetic relationships among species did not significantly correlate with species habitat use; however, we recovered patterns of displacement in habitat use among the most closely related taxa. Our results suggest that group separations in habitat use, and displacement in habitat use between close phylogenetic relatives, can help explain how communities are structured and maintained. These findings are important for understanding ecological community organization, and we demonstrate the value of examining contemporary ecological relationships in the light of evolutionary relationships.
Common obstacles to the daily functioning of pediatric traumatically brain injured patients: perceptions of caregivers and psychologists.

Common difficulties encountered by patients with pediatric traumatic brain injuries (referred to hereafter as pediatric TBI patients) were identified, and the congruence between caregiver and professional perceptions of these problems was examined. Forty-seven caregivers identified 118 obstacles experienced in the care of their pediatric TBI patients. Another sample of 46 caregivers cross-validated these problems by rating each for its frequency and difficulty. Items were tank ordered by their composite score, a derived measure obtained for each item by cross-multiplying the frequency and difficulty ratings. Twenty psychologists who work with pediatric TBI patients also rated each of the 118 problem situations. A modest correlation (tau = .28, p < .001) between the two groups' rank orders of the problem situations, although significant, suggests that there are discrepancies between caregiver and professional perceptions of problem situations. Items perceived as most common and difficult by caregivers often received far lower ratings by psychologists and vice versa. The results suggest that carefully evaluating individual patient concerns may contribute to more efficient use of professional resources and improved patient education and follow-up care.
Families in Poverty: Those Who Maltreat Their Infants and Toddlers and Those Who Do Not

ABSTRACT Children in poverty are at increased risk of maltreatment (Sedlak, 1997), but not all children living in poverty are maltreated. Identifying the differences between families who maltreat and those who do not is imperative to helping families in need. This paper presents findings from a research study looking at correlates of maltreatment and how they are related to poverty for our most vulnerable of children, infants and toddlers. It is reported that significant differences exist between families who live in poverty that maltreat their children and those who do not. Important practice and policy implications are discussed.
Bounded solutions of families of systems of differential equations and their approximations

The paper considers the problem of finding a bounded solution of a one-parametric family of systems of ordinary differential equations. Using the parametrization method, the author proves necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of a unique solution of the problem considered that is bounded on the whole axis in terms of a two-sided, infinite block-band matrix composed with respect to integrals over intervals of length h > 0 of the matrix of the system of differential equations. Also, the author constructs a family of two-point boundary-value problems on a finite interval that approximates the problem of finding the bounded solution and finds an interconnection between the correct solvability of the initial and approximating problems.
Lipase-mediated production of defensive toxins in the marine mollusc Oxynoe olivacea

Metabolites related to caulerpenyne (1), a toxic sesquiterpene featured by two enol-acetate residues, play a major role in the chemical defence of both algae of the genus Caulerpa and a few molluscs of the order Sacoglossa. Here we report the direct evidence that cell-free preparations of Oxynoe olivacea, a Mediterranean sacoglossan, transform efficiently the algal metabolite 1 to oxytoxin-2 (3), the main defensive metabolite of the mollusc. The process implies two distinct hydrolytic activities, here named LIP-1 and LIP-2, able to operate either hydrolysis of the acetyl residue at C-1 or concerted elimination of the acetyl groups at C-4 and C-13. Incubation experiments with tissue homogenates of O. olivacea or with commercially available lipases suggest a two-step mechanism that involves, in vitro, an unstable metabolite characterized as preoxytoxin-2 (4). The course of the entire process can be easily monitored by reverse phase HPLC/ESI-MS, as well as by NMR measurements, which provides direct evidence of the enzymatic mechanism leading to the formation of this last compound (4). In agreement with the literature, both fresh and frozen tissues of Mediterranean Caulerpa prolifera also have the capability to transform 1 into aldehydic derivatives, namely oxytoxin-1 (2) and oxytoxin-2 (3), through hydrolysis of the acetyl groups. However, differently from experiments with mollusc homogenates, the conversion is not complete and caulerpenyne (1) can be detected in the algal suspension for a few hours. HPLC/ESI-MS monitoring of this transformation suggests that the hydrolytic route involves different activities in the mollusc and seaweed.
Basic fibroblast growth factor inhibits cell proliferation in cultured avian inner ear sensory epithelia.

Postembryonic production of inner ear hair cells occurs after insult in nonmammalian vertebrates. Recent studies suggest that the fibroblast family of growth factors may play a role in stimulating cell proliferation in mature inner ear sensory epithelium. Effects of acidic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-1) and basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) were tested on progenitor cell division in cultured auditory and vestibular sensory epithelia taken from posthatch chickens. The effects of heparin, a glycosaminoglycan that often potentiates the effects of the FGFs, were also assessed. Tritiated-thymidine autoradiographic techniques and 5-bromo-2;-deoxyuridine (BrdU) immunocytochemistry were used to identify cells synthesizing DNA. The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate (dUTP)-biotin nick-end-label (TUNEL) method was used to identify apoptotic cells. TUNEL and overall counts of sensory epithelial cell density were used to assess possible cytotoxic effects of the growth factors. FGF-2 inhibited DNA synthesis in vestibular and auditory sensory epithelia and was not cytotoxic at the concentrations employed. FGF-1 did not significantly alter sensory epithelial cell proliferation. Heparin by itself inhibited DNA synthesis in the vestibular sensory epithelia and failed to potentiate the effects of FGF-1 or FGF-2. Heparin was not cytotoxic at the concentrations employed. Results presented here suggest that FGF-2 may be involved in inhibiting cell proliferation or stimulating precursor cell differentiation in avian inner ear sensory epithelia.
Parallelism by hierarchy of GPST inversion algorithm for elastic wave equation

The Generalized Pulse-Spectrum Technique (GPST) is a versatile and efficient iterative numerical algorithm for solving multi-parameter inverse problems of a system of nonlinear partial differential equations. Here parallelism is introduced into the hierarchy of GPST to further improve its efficiency for solving the multi-parameter inverse problems with a large number of unknown parameters in some geophysical applications. Its implementation is quite easy and it achieves large speedup with almost no communication overhead even on a single-processor computer. Effectively, this parallelism in GPST reduces the computational effort for solving any multi-parameter inverse problem approximately to that of the corresponding single-parameter inverse problem. A simple computational complexity analysis is performed for the parallel structured GPST to estimate its speedup. At the present, the feasibility and capability of the parallel structure GPST are only tested in a limited sense by performing numerical simulations for a three-parameter and two-dimensional inverse problem of the isotropic linear elastic wave equation on a single-processor computer sequentially. It is found that the parallel structured GPST is not only as robust as the standard GPST but also shows a speedup per iteration close to its estimated value.
Distributed Departments: A New Approach to Protecting the Vitality of Small Programs

The Texas Electronic Coalition for Physics was established in 2000 as a means of demonstrating that by linking together, small programs can maintain their vitality in higher education. Using Interactive Television, the Internet, telephones, faxes, and other electronic media, five physics programs scattered across the state of Texas formed a distributed physics department. In addition to jointly offering lecture courses, the group (i) established procedures for operating as a unified entity, (ii) encouraged research regardless of location, (iii) provided a locus for professional camaraderie, (iv) created a distance-based advanced physics laboratory course, and (v) developed assessment tools for measuring success in a distance environment. Through these, the coalition demonstrated that a distributed department can carry out all of the functions associated with a traditional department.
Oxalate ions and calcium oxalate crystal-induced up-regulation of osteopontin and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in renal fibroblasts.

OBJECTIVE To examine the responses of renal fibroblasts to high oxalate (Ox) and calcium Ox (CaOx) crystals, as the latter are found in the renal interstitium of patients with primary or enteric hyperoxaluria, and in animals with experimental CaOx nephrolithiasis, and are associated with tubulointerstitial inflammation (TI). TI might begin with the production of chemoattractants by the renal epithelial cells exposed to high Ox and/or CaOx crystals; as Ox levels are also high in the renal interstitium and crystal deposition in nephrolithiasis might start in the interstitium, we hypothesized that renal fibroblasts might also be involved in the development of TI. MATERIALS AND METHODS We exposed renal fibroblast cells of line NRK 49F in vitro to Ox ions (500 µmol/L) or CaOx monohydrate crystals (67 µg/cm2). We assessed the production of osteopontin and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and expression of their mRNA, in the cells. We also determined the cellular malondialdehyde content as a marker of reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced lipid peroxidation, and Trypan blue staining and the release of lactate dehydrogenase as markers of injury. RESULTS Similar to renal epithelial cells, renal fibroblasts were stimulated by exposure to Ox and CaOx crystals. They showed signs of injury and ROS-induced lipid peroxidation. The mRNA expression and production of osteopontin and MCP-1 increased significantly. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that fibroblasts respond to high Ox and CaOx crystals by up-regulating specific pathways producing pro-inflammatory conditions. Migration of monocytes/macrophages to sites of interstitial crystal deposits can lead to localized interstitial inflammation and fibrosis.
Spin-flip probability for 7.6 MeV neutrons scattered inelastically (Q = −2.23 MeV) by a sulfur target

Abstract The spin-flip probability for 7.6 MeV (ΔE = 0.250 MeV) neutrons scattered inelastically (Q = −2.23 MeV) from naturally occuring sulfur has been measured at scattering angles between 40° and 160° using a γ-correlated neutron time-of-flight method. The scattering by the natural sulfur target was assumed to be characteristic of 32S. The results of the measurement were compared with an incoherent sum of statistical compound-nucleus (CN) and direct-interaction (DI) contributions. The DI contributions were obtained using either a DWBA calculation or the coupled-channel (CC) formalism. Neither combination of CN plus DI contributions reproduced the experimental spin-flip probability angular distribution which was peaked near 110° with a maximum value of 0.33 ± 0.08.
Monte-Carlo simulation of photophoresis of submicron aerosol particles

Abstract New calculations of the photophoretic force are presented for a spherical particle that may be coated with a volatile concentric spherical shell. The distribution of heat sources within the particle was obtained from an extension of the electromagnetic model of a concentric sphere of Aden and Kerker. The calculation for heat conduction within the sphere utilized a Monte Carlo technique. The nun momentum and energy transport at the particle surface was obtained in the “free molecule” regime. Computations were carried out mainly for particles at the nucleation mode (0.022 μm radius) and the accumulation mode (0.16 μm radius) of Eastern United States haze for conditions corresponding to the upper atmosphere. The photophoretic force was frequently much greater than the gravitational force and, in some cases, it was negative. Indeed, negative photophoresis for smoke, desert dust and soot coated with dirty ice might account for levitation of such particles with subsequent transport in the atmosphere ov...
Effects of Cation Concentration on Montmorillonite Clay Aggregation Rates Measured by Light Extinction

Aggregation rates and fractal dimension of montmorillonite clay suspensions for Ca2+, Mg2+ or K+ cation concentrations in the range of 0.2 to 800 mM was determined from light extinction measurements
Temperature Dependence of Electron Mean Free Path in Molybdenum from Ultrasonic Measurements

The electronic contribution to the attenuation of sound waves is dependent on the product a = ql, q being the phonon wave number and l the electron mean free path.1 For ql » 1, the attenuation parameter \(\frac{\alpha }{\nu }\) ν being the phonon frequency, is independent of ql. In general, the attenuation at arbitrary ql can be expressed in the form $$\frac{\alpha }{\nu } = \mathop {\lim }\limits_{q\ell \to \infty } \left( {\frac{\alpha }{\nu }} \right){\text{ }}P\left( {q\ell } \right)$$ (1) where P(ql) tends to unity for large ql.
Future directions of palliative surgery

AbstractPalliation has been increasingly recognized as an integral component of surgical practice for surgeons of all specialties. As the field of surgery evolves, so too will the role of palliation within the surgical specialties. This will be related to newer technologies, surgical and non-surgical, educational mandates, and how palliation is viewed by practitioners as well as patients. In addition, as evidence-based medicine gains more prominence, there will be expanded research opportunities for surgeons. Finally, the true interdisciplinary nature of palliative care needs the involvement of surgeons. Importantly, the evolution of palliative surgery will come to represent care for all that are suffering, not only those facing immanent death. This will have special import for surgeons who are called upon to manage problems in both chronic and emergent scenarios.
Genetic Analysis of Vibrio cholerae Monolayer Formation Reveals a Key Role for ΔΨ in the Transition to Permanent Attachment

A bacterial monolayer biofilm is a collection of cells attached to a surface but not to each other. Monolayer formation is initiated when a bacterial cell forms a transient attachment to a surface. While some transient attachments are broken, others transition into the permanent attachments that define a monolayer biofilm. In this work, we describe the results of a large-scale, microscopy-based genetic screen for Vibrio cholerae mutants that are defective in formation of a monolayer biofilm. This screen identified mutations that alter both transient and permanent attachment. Transient attachment was somewhat slower in the absence of flagellar motility. However, flagellar mutants eventually formed a robust monolayer. In contrast, in the absence of the flagellar motor, monolayer formation was severely impaired. A number of proteins that modulate the V. cholerae ion motive force were also found to affect the transition from transient to permanent attachment. Using chemicals that dissipate various components of the ion motive force, we discovered that dissipation of the membrane potential (DeltaPsi) completely blocks the transition from transient to permanent attachment. We propose that as a bacterium approaches a surface, the interaction of the flagellum with the surface leads to transient hyperpolarization of the bacterial cell membrane. This, in turn, initiates the transition to permanent attachment.
Cost‐effectiveness analysis of lapatinib in HER‐2–positive advanced breast cancer

BACKGROUND: A recent clinical trial demonstrated that the addition of lapatinib to capecitabine in the treatment of HER-2–positive advanced breast cancer (ABC) significantly increases median time to progression. The objective of the current analysis was to assess the cost-effectiveness of this therapy from the US societal perspective. METHODS: A Markov model comprising 4 health states (stable disease, respond-to-therapy, disease progression, and death) was developed to estimate the projected-lifetime clinical and economic implications of this therapy. The model used Monte Carlo simulation to imitate the clinical course of a typical patient with ABC and updated with response rates and major adverse effects. Transition probabilities were estimated based on the results from the EGF100151 and EGF20002 clinical trials of lapatinib. Health state utilities, direct and indirect costs of the therapy, major adverse events, laboratory tests, and costs of disease progression were obtained from published sources. The model used a 3% discount rate and reported in 2007 US dollars. RESULTS: Over a lifetime, the addition of lapatinib to capecitabine as combination therapy was estimated to cost an additional $19,630, with an expected gain of 0.12 quality-adjusted life years (QALY) or an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of $166,113 per QALY gained. The 95% confidence limits of the ICER ranged from $158,000 to $215,000/QALY. A cost-effectiveness acceptability curve indicated less than 1% probability that the ICER would be lower than $100,000/QALY. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with commonly accepted willingness-to-pay thresholds in oncology treatment, the addition of lapatinib to capecitabine is not clearly cost-effective; and most likely to result in an ICER somewhat higher than the societal willingness-to-pay threshold limits. Cancer 2009. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Geochemical aspects of some accumulation models for primary magmas

The compositions of primary magmas depend to some degree on the dynamic processes occurring in the partially molten region of the mantle. The compositional dependence is estimated for three models which assume either accumulation from a migmatized source region or accumulation entirely by the interstitial flow of magma. Accumulation from a migmatised region results in magmas with higher concentrations of incompatible elements than does batch melting, whereas accumulation by interstitial flow results in magmas with lower concentrations of these elements. The concentrations of refractory elements are almost independent of both the accumulation process and the degree of partial melting and are therefore usefull for the identification of primary magmas.
Decomposed LT Codes for Cooperative Relay Communications

Forward error correction (FEC) is commonly adopted in cooperative relay communications to ensure link-layer communication reliability. Among those schemes, rateless fountain codes, such as Luby Transform (LT) codes, are favorable for their low complexity and rate adaptability to channel fading dynamics. However, the cooperative transmission schemes based on primitive fountain codes induce either heavy computation cost or large end-to-end latency. To address these issues, we explore decomposed LT (DLT) codes, which comprise of two layers of random encoding but only a single layer of decoding. By implementing the two layers of encoding at the source and the relay(s) respectively, the cooperative system can ensure communication reliability on both source-relay and relay-destination links with reduced computation cost and latency. In this work, we first develop a general decomposition technique for the DLT code construction. Based on this, we further propose a hybrid decomposition algorithm tailored for LT codes with robust Soliton distribution (RSD). The resultant hybrid DLT (h-DLT) codes facilitate flexible computation cost allocation. The h-DLT codes based cooperative relay communication protocol is then developed and analyzed in terms of the transmission latency and energy consumption.
Kant on the normativity of taste: The role of aesthetic ideas

For Kant, the form of a subject's experience of an object provides the normative basis for an aesthetic judgement about it. In other words, if the subject's experience of an object has certain structural properties, then Kant thinks she can legitimately judge that the object is beautiful—and that it is beautiful for everyone. My goal in this paper is to provide a new account of how this ‘subjective universalism’ is supposed to work. In doing so, I appeal to Kant's notions of an aesthetic idea and an aesthetic attribute, and the connection that Kant makes between an object's expression of rational and the normativity of aesthetic judgements about it.
Quo Vadis? Suggestions for future corporate governance research

In this paper I first review the basic tenets of agency theory and theory of managerial capitalism as well as some of the major research in these areas then suggest for areas for future research that go beyond the extant empirical work. First, I suggest that it would be useful to reconsider the basic nature of the agency relationship, taking into account that while equity holders can be considered the principal, the board of directors may be more realistically in need of agent-like controls. Second, the complementary or supplementary nature of the monitoring/incentive alignment relationship has been shown theoretically but the empirical evidence is equivocal and needs future investigation. Third, there has been very limited research on the construct validity of archival measures of the sort used in agency theory. This requires the use of methodologies outside those of the more conventional type used in agency theory (i.e., from economics and finance). Finally, agency theory development would profit greatly by more extensive use of research methods such as laboratory studies and survey methodology and the integration of concepts such as personality and control processes.
Tessellation and g-tessellation of circulants, Q6, and Qt6

Abstract Let C ⊆ R n be a pointed cone generated by rational vectors. A subset H of integral vectors in C is said to be a Hilbert basis for C if all integer vectors in C can be expressed as nonnegative integer combinations of vectors in H . A tessellation of C is a partition of C into unimodular subcones whose generators are from H . The existence of such a tessellation has consequences similar to Caratheodory's theorem in linear algebra. It is an open question whether such a tessellation exists for all C . In this paper we show that tessellation (or its generalization) exists for cones generated by circulant matrices, Q 6 , and Q t 6 .
TGF-β and fibrosis

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) isoforms are multifunctional cytokines that play a central role in wound healing and in tissue repair. TGF-beta is found in all tissues, but is particularly abundant in bone, lung, kidney and placental tissue. TGF-beta is produced by many but not all parenchymal cell types, and is also produced or released by infiltrating cells such as lymphocytes, monocytes/macrophages, and platelets. Following wounding or inflammation, all these cells are potential sources of TGF-beta. In general, the release and activation of TGF-beta stimulates the production of various extracellular matrix proteins and inhibits the degradation of these matrix proteins, although exceptions to these principles abound. These actions of TGF-beta contribute to tissue repair, which under ideal circumstances leads to the restoration of normal tissue architecture and may involve a component of tissue fibrosis. In many diseases, excessive TGF-beta contributes to a pathologic excess of tissue fibrosis that compromises normal organ function, a topic that has been the subject of numerous reviews [1-3]. In the following chapter, we will discuss the role of TGF-beta in tissue fibrosis, with particular emphasis on renal fibrosis.
Management of HCV Infection and Liver Transplantation

A major challenge facing liver transplant recipients and their physicians is recurrence of hepatitis C virus infection following otherwise technically successful liver transplantation. Recurrent infection leads to diminished graft and patient survival. Although a number or predictors of severe recurrence have been identified, no definitive strategy has been developed to prevent recurrence. Generally the tempo of hepatitis C recurrence is gauged by serial liver biopsies with the decision to intervene with antiviral therapy based on local philosophy and expertise. Treating hepatitis C in this population has a number of major challenges including diminished patient tolerance for side-effects as well as managing the patient's immunesuppression. However sustained viral responses are possible with the potential to reduce the impact of recurrent hepatitis on the graft. However recurrent hepatitis C virus infection will remain the most frequent form of recurrent disease in liver transplant programs for the foreseeable future.
Species-dependent effects of adenosine receptor agonists on contractile responses of vas deferens to ATP.

1 Experiments were carried out to examine the postjunctional actions of adenosine receptor agonists on the smooth muscle of the vas deferens of the guinea-pig and rabbit. 2 Although they produced neither contraction nor relaxation by themselves, adenosine analogues enhanced contractions of the guinea-pig vas deferens induced by 10 μm ATP. The rank order of potency was N6-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA) > 5′-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA) > adenosine > CGS 21680. Dose–response curves for NECA were shifted to the right by the nonselective adenosine receptor antagonist 8(p-sulphophenyl)theophylline (8-SPT; 100 μm) and by the selective A1-receptor antagonist 1,3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine (DPCPX; 1 m m). 3 In the rabbit vas deferens, contractions induced by ATP (1 m m) were inhibited rather than facilitated by NECA. Neither CPA, R(–)-N6-(2-phenyl isopropyl)-adenosine (R-PIA) nor CGS 21680 had any effect. 4 The results indicate that the smooth muscle of the guinea-pig vas deferens expresses facilitatory adenosine A1 receptors but not adenosine A2 receptors. In contrast, in rabbit there are postjunctional inhibitory adenosine A2A receptors but not adenosine A1 receptors.
Effects of radio transmitters on the behavior of Red-headed Woodpeckers

ABSTRACT. Previous studies have revealed that radio-transmitters may affect bird behaviors, including feeding rates, foraging behavior, vigilance, and preening behavior. In addition, depending on the method of attachment, transmitters can potentially affect the ability of cavity-nesting birds to use cavities. Our objective was to evaluate effects of transmitters on the behavior of and use of cavities byRed-headedWoodpeckers (Melanerpes erythrocephalus). Using backpack harnesses, we attached 2.1-g transmitter packages that averaged 3.1% of body weight (range = 2.5–3.6%) to Red-headed Woodpeckers. We observed both radio-tagged (N = 23) and nonradio-tagged (N = 28) woodpeckers and determined the percentage of time spent engaged in each of five behaviors: flight, foraging, perching, preening, and territorial behavior. We found no difference between the two groups in the percentage of time engaged in each behavior. In addition, we found that transmitters had no apparent effect on use of cavities for roosting by radio-tagged woodpeckers (N = 25).We conclude that backpack transmitters weighing less than 3.6% of body weight had no impact on either their behavior or their ability to use cavities.
Self-Monitoring, Impression Management, and Interpersonal Evaluations

Abstract The hypothesis explored was that high self-monitors' evaluations of others would be more strongly influenced by the evaluative context and by strategic behavior in the target of evaluation than would those of low self-monitors. Public or private evaluations were given of able-bodied or handicapped job applicants who acted in a spontaneous or ingratiating manner. Results of an ANOVA suggested that self-monitoring was related to patterns of evaluations but not precisely as predicted. High self-monitors were consistent across evaluative contexts in rating a spontaneous applicant more positively than an ingratiating one. Low self-monitors were more variable across contexts: They evaluated the spontaneous applicant more positively than the ingratiator in private evaluations but reversed this pattern in public evaluations. Both high and low self-monitors evaluated the handicapped applicant more positively than they did the able-bodied applicant.
Service utilization and associated direct costs for bipolar disorder in 2004: an analysis in managed care.

Abstract Background Bipolar disorder is a chronic and costly condition. This analysis examines health care costs associated with bipolar disorder in 2004 and contrasts them with those for depression, a better understood mental illness. Methods Health care costs associated with bipolar disorder and non-bipolar depression were determined using private payer administrative claims. Individuals having 2 claims with a primary ICD-9-CM code for bipolar disorder or depression were categorized as bipolar disorder or non-bipolar depression patients, respectively. Comparisons between patient groups were adjusted for demographic differences and comorbid diagnoses. Results On average, bipolar patients (n = 6072) used significantly more psychiatric resources per person than depression patients (n = 60,643), and had more mean psychiatric hospital days, psychiatric and medical emergency room visits, and psychiatric office visits (p Limitations Patients were categorized based on diagnostic codes in administrative claims data, which may not always be accurate. Results may not generalize beyond private payer populations in the US. Conclusions Bipolar disorder is associated with significantly greater per-patient total annual health care costs than non-bipolar depression, as well as significantly greater psychiatric costs. Bipolar disorder, a chronic condition often suboptimally treated, may represent a good target for disease-management programs.
Effects of Subordinate Likeability and Balanced Scorecard Format on Permformance-Related Judgments

Previous appraisal research has found that subordinate manager likeability biases appraisal related judgments (Cardy and Dobbins, 1986; Tsui and Barry, 1986; Turban et al., 1990). We investigate whether the format and structure of the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) moderates subordinate likeability bias on evaluators' performance-related judgments (overall performance rating, strength of conviction in rating, and bonus money allocation). Following Lipe and Saltario (2002), we characterize the evaluation of subordinate managers using a multidimensional performance measurement system as a cognitively difficult task. We hypothesize that, in comparison to when a BSC format is not used, use of a BSC format fosters a 'divide-and-conquer' approach by evaluators and that the structure of the BSC will guide the application of this approach, which, in turn, is expected to mitigate the influence of subordinate likeability on evaluators' performance-related judgments. Unexpectedly, we find that the biasing effect of subordinate manager likeability on performance-related judgments is not moderated by the format and structure of the BSC. We also provide supplemental mediation analysis which demonstrates that likeability has a direct effect on bonus allocations in addition to the indirect effect it conveys through improved overall performance ratings.
Stromal PRs Mediate Induction of 17β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 2 Expression in Human Endometrial Epithelium: A Paracrine Mechanism for Inactivation Of E2

Progesterone stimulates the expression of 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) type 2, which catalyzes the conversion of the potent estrogen, E2, to an inactive form, estrone, in epithelial cells of human endometrial tissue. Various effects of progesterone on uterine epithelium have recently been shown to be mediated by stromal PRs in mice. We describe herein a critical paracrine mechanism whereby progesterone induction of 17β-HSD type 2 enzyme activity, transcript levels, and promoter activity in human endometrial epithelial cells are mediated primarily by PR in endometrial stromal cells. Medium conditioned with progestin-pretreated human endometrial stromal cells robustly increased 17β-HSD type 2 enzyme activity (2-fold) and mRNA levels (13.2-fold) in Ishikawa malignant endometrial epithelial cells. In contrast, direct progestin treatment of Ishikawa epithelial cells gave rise to much smaller increases in enzyme activity (1.2-fold) and mRNA levels (4-fold). These results suggest that progesterone- dep...
Alkaline phosphatase and carbonic anhydrase activity associated with arm regeneration in the seastarAsterias forbesi

A sharp increase in alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity occurred 7 d after arm autotomy inAsterias forbesi. This activity remained elevated at 20 d post-autotomy, during which time active ossicle-calcification was occurring. By 60 d post-autotomy, AP activity had returned to the level of non-regenerating individuals. Conversely, carbonic anhydrase (CA) activity exhibited no initial change in response to arm autotomy. By Day 60 a 50% increase in CA activity was observed. AP is localized in the outer membranes and associated microvilli of the coelomic epithelium and is not associated directly with the tissues involved in calcification. CA activity was highest in the tissues containing the ossicles, but was also present in the non-calcifying tube feet. These data suggest that inA. forbesi AP is involved in cell division and differentiation associated with wound-healing and the initiation of the regeneration process, and that CA may facilitate the ongoing maturation process, of newly formed ossicles.
Optical phase-conjugate resonators, bistabilities, and applications

Recent work on phase conjugate resonators and their bistabilities and applications is reviewed. Emphasis is given to resonators involving degenerate four-wave mixing and those involving Brillouin enhanced four-wave mixing.