cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Problem With Composite End Points in Cardiovascular Studies: The Story of Major Adverse Cardiac Events and Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Objectives Our purpose was to evaluate the heterogeneity and validity of composite end points, major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in particular, in cardiology research. Background The term MACE is a commonly used end point for cardiovascular research. By definition, MACE is a composite of clinical events and usually includes end points reflecting safety and effectiveness . There is no standard definition for MACE, as individual outcomes used to make this composite end point vary by study. This inconsistency calls into question whether use of MACE in cardiology research is of value. Methods We conducted a 2-phase literature review on the use of MACE as a composite end point: 1) studies that have compared use of bare-metal versus drug-eluting stents; and 2) studies published in the Journal in calendar year 2006. We subsequently tested 3 different definitions of MACE during 1-year of follow-up among 6,922 patients in the DEScover registry who received at least 1 drug-eluting stent. Results The review identified substantial heterogeneity in the study-specific individual outcomes used to define MACE. Markedly different results were observed for selected patient subsets of acute myocardial infarction (MI) (vs. no MI) and multilesion stenting (vs. single-lesion stenting) according to the various definitions of MACE. Conclusions Varying definitions of composite end points, such as MACE, can lead to substantially different results and conclusions. Therefore, the term MACE, in particular, should not be used, and when composite study end points are desired, researchers should focus separately on safety and effectiveness outcomes, and construct separate composite end points to match these different clinical goals.
Social funds as an instrument of social protection : an analysis of lending trends - FY2000-2007

The review's objective is to assess the evolution of the social funds portfolio, with a specific focus on the fiscal years 2000 to 2007, and the portfolio's role in the implementation of the Social Protection Sector Strategy (SPSS). Lending trends, the evolution of the social funds model, and future implications of the review's major findings are also discussed. During the FY2000-07 period, there was a diversification of social fund goals. The most common trend has been to increase the role of social funds in governments' decentralization processes, by shifting more responsibility for managing local level investments and providing more direct training and capacity building for overseeing these investments to local governments. In some instances, the community management of resources deepened, with community contracting leading to grassroots-level participatory planning and a search for social capital outcomes (e.g. Romania, Senegal and Argentina). In some cases, divergent and even conflicting goals developed.
Acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors promote stable neurite outgrowth and neuronal differentiation in cultures of PC12 cells

Acidic (aFGF) and basic (bFGF) fibroblast growth factors are well-characterized peptide hormones that have potent angiogenic activity and that are mitogenic for a variety of cell types. The present findings demonstrate that FGFs can reproduce the entire spectrum of rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cell responses previously shown to be elicited by NGF. These include responses that are rapid (cell flattening, enhanced phosphorylation of tyrosine hydroxylase) or delayed (neurite outgrowth, induction of phosphorylated MAP 1.2, regulation of NILE and Thy-1 glycoproteins, cessation of mitosis, elevation of AChE activity), as well as responses that have been shown to be either transcription-independent (neurite regeneration, promotion of survival) or transcription-dependent (priming, regulation of NILE and Thy-1 glycoproteins, elevation of AChE activity). The only responses for which the FGFs and NGF consistently showed quantitative differences were in the rates for neurite initiation and elongation in serum-containing medium. Thus, while all 3 factors promoted the formation of stable neurites, the network of outgrowth elicited by NGF at any given time of treatment was always of greater density. Togari et al. (1985) have previously reported that bFGF can initiate transient neurite formation in PC12 cell cultures. The present observations describe a variety of additional actions of bFGF on a neuronal cell line, and demonstrate that aFGF is capable of mimicking many, if not all, of these actions. These observations thus extend the range of actions that aFGF and bFGF may potentially exert on nerve cells, either during their development, repair, or maintenance. In addition, this work suggests that the PC12 cell line may serve as a useful model system with which to study the mechanism of action of FGFs on neurons. Since all 3 factors appear capable of eliciting the same wide spectrum of responses, molecular events specifically associated with FGFs and NGF in PC12 cells may prove illuminating of the causal steps involved in neuronal differentiation.
To Tweet or Not To Tweet: An Exploratory Study of Meeting Professionals’ Attitudes Toward Applying Social Media for Meeting Sessions

Social media has developed into a very important business tool and provides a direct channel for customers to express their opinions. The meeting industry has also adopted social media to communicate in real time with meeting organizers, presenters, meeting attendees, and exhibitors. This article examines meeting industry professionals’ perceptions of social media—which, for this study, includes Twitter and Facebook—as a part of meeting functions. Using the analysis of variance technique, this study measures the impact of key demographic and psychographic factors on meeting professionals’ attitudes toward social media and discusses the similarities and differences in those attitudes among different categories of meeting professionals.
JC polyoma virus and kidney disease

To the Editor: In a recent article, Divers et al.1 describe the interaction between apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1) genotypes and JC viruria, and their relationship with nondiabetic nephropathy in African Americans. The authors found that in African Americans with two APOL1 risk alleles, the prevalence of kidney disease was lower for those with JC viruria compared with those without JC viruria. In a cohort of 282 renal transplant recipients (80% white, 239 JC negative and 43 JC positive), we found that isolated JC viruria, without JC or BK viremia, was associated with protection from acute renal allograft rejection (13.8% for JC− vs. 2.3% for JC+, P=0.04). Kaplan–Meier analysis for acute rejection–free survival was also favorable for JC+ compared with that for JC− (log-rank P=0.05) recipients. There was no difference for death-censored graft survival (P=0.6) or patient survival (P=0.1). JC+ recipients tended to be less likely to be coinfected with BK virus (7% for JC+ vs. 14.2% for JC−, P=0.2). Divers et al.,1 and an accompanying editorial by Kopp2 speculate that JC virus may protect against other polyomaviruses that are associated with kidney disease or it may alter cellular function rendering the kidney less susceptible to damage. Our findings support their speculations for the protective role of isolated JC viruria and expand the implications to the kidney transplant population in addition to the African-American population.
Evaluating Soil Quality-Soil Redistribution Relationship on Terraces and Steep Hillslope

Soil redistribution from tillage and water erosion have the potential to modify the spatial patterns of soil quality on terraced and steep cultivated hillslopes. However, few studies have investigated this relationship. Our objectives were to quantify soil quality parameters along terraced and steep hillslopes and determine the relationship between soil redistribution from tillage erosion and water erosion on soil quality parameters in the Chinese Loess Plateau. Soil quality indicators, i.e., soil organic matter (OM), available P, N, bulk density (D-b), and clay and silt contents were measured at 5-m intervals on a terraced field and at 10-m intervals on a steep cultivated hillslope in a down slope transect. Soil redistribution rates from tillage and overland flow were obtained by Cs-137 technique integrated with a tillage erosion prediction model (TEP). Water erosion was the primary cause for the overall decline in soil quality on the steep cultivated hillslope while tillage erosion had a comparable contribution to overall level in soil quality on the terraced hillslope. Soil movement by tillage controlled the spatial patterns in OM, N, and P on both terraced and steep cultivated hillslopes. Selective removal of finer particles by water erosion caused a linear decrease in clay content of 0.02% m(-1) and corresponding increase in silt content of 0.04% m(-1) downslope on the steep cultivated hillslope. The impact of tillage erosion on OM, N, and P on the steep cultivated hillslope can be assessed using the change in adjacent slope gradients (X) through a soil quality-topography regression model, Y = aX + b.
An lntegrated Growth and Analysis System for In-Situ XAS Studies of Metal- Semiconductor Interactions

A UHV system for in-situ studies of metal-semiconductor interactions has been designed and assembled at North Carolina State University and recently installed and tested at the NSLS. The UHV system consists of interconnected deposition and analysis chambers, each of which is capable of maintaining a base pressure of approximately 1 x 10 -10 Torr. Up to three materials can be co-deposited on 25 mm wafers by electron-beam evaporation. Substrate temperature can be controlled in the range 30-900 °C during deposition, and the growth process may be monitored with RHEED. The deposited materials and their reaction products can be studied in-Situ with a variety of technique: XAFS, AES, XPS, UPS and ARXPS/UPS. We describe the capabilities of the system and present our first EXAFS results on the stabilization of Co + 2 Si films co-deposited on Si 0.8 Ge 0.2 alloys. Preliminary results indicate that Co + 2Si forms a stable film on Si 0.8 Ge 0.2 with a CoSi 2 -like reaction path. As is the case with CO/Si 0.8 Ge 0.2 , silicide formation is complete at 700 °C. However, the Co+2Si/Si 0.8 Ge 0.2 system does not undergo a Cosi → CoSi 2 transition when annealed at 500-700 °C, and exhibits only weak CoSi features in this temperature range.
A prospective, controlled assessment of factors influencing acceptance of screening colonoscopy

A prospective, controlled assessment of factors influencing acceptance of screening colonoscopy
A Population‐Based Survey of the Social and Personal Impact of Headache

SYNOPSIS To explore the social and personal impact of headache, we contributed questions on serious headache to a population-based telephone survey on health in Kentucky. A total of 647 persons aged 20 and older was assessed for serious headache. Migraine without aura was distinguished from non-migraine headache using a modification of the 1988 IHS criteria. The 12-month period prevalence for all serious headaches was 13.4%; for migraine, it was 8.5%. Demographically, there was a higher proportion of headache sufferers in the low income bracket (<$10,000/year) and a higher proportion of women reporting migraines. Of those with serious headaches, 73.6% stated that headaches adversely affected their lifestyle in at least one way. Migraineurs reported significantly more interference in family relations, work attendance, and work efficiency than non-migraineurs. Women said their family relationships and work productivity were impacted significantly more often than men. Of those reporting disability, 46.8% said they take only non-prescription medications. We conclude there is a significant number of serious headache sufferers in Kentucky who experience social as well as vocational impairment as a result of their illness. Further research is recommended to evaluate the extent of interpersonal and personal disability and to identify barriers to adequate health care for headache sufferers.
Pharmacologic advances in the systemic treatment of itch.

: Itch is propagated by complex mechanisms located both peripherally and within the central nervous system. For decades, novel treatments of itch have been slow to emerge, with the majority of focus on antagonism of histamine. Recently, with a new understanding of the pathophysiology of itch transmission, new treatment strategies have been elucidated. Opiate receptor antagonists, antidepressants, antiepileptics, and thalidomide are currently available therapeutic options that have benefited many patients with variegated sources of itch. In addition, research focused on the neuromediators of itch transmission has led to the development of novel targets for itch reduction and great potential for future therapies.
Shared Execution for Efficiently Testing Product Lines

A software product line (SPL) is a family of related programs, each of which is uniquely defined by a combination of features. Testing an SPL requires running each of its programs, which may be computationally expensive as the number of programs in an SPL is potentially exponential in the number of features. It is also wasteful since instructions common to many programs must be repeatedly executed, rather than just once. To reduce this waste, we propose the idea of shared execution, which runs instructions just once for a set of programs until a variable read yields multiple values, causing execution to branch for each value until a common execution point that allows shared execution to resume. Experiments show that shared execution can be faster than conventionally running each program from start to finish, despite its overhead.
Diastolic stress echocardiography: A novel noninvasive diagnostic test for diastolic dysfunction using supine bicycle exercise Doppler echocardiography

Left ventricular filling pressures can be estimated reliably by combining mitral inflow early diastolic velocity (E) and annulus velocity (E′). An increased E/E′ ratio reflects elevated filling pressures and may be useful in assessing an abnormal increase in filling pressures for patients with diastolic dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of supine bicycle exercise Doppler echocardiography for assessing left ventricular diastolic pressure during exercise. Mitral inflow and septal mitral annulus velocities were measured at rest and during supine bicycle exercise (25-W 3-minute increments) in 45 patients (19 men; mean age, 59 years) referred for evaluation of exertional dyspnea. None had echocardiographic or electrocardiographic evidence of myocardial ischemia with exercise. Patients were classified according to E/E′ ratio at rest: 26 had E/E′ ≤ 10 at rest (group 1) and 19 had E/E′ > 10 (group 2). For group 1, 17 had no increase in E/E′ during exercise (group 1A) and 9 did (group 1B). For group 2, E/E′ did not increase during exercise. Despite different responses of E/E′, there was no significant difference in changes of mitral inflow indices (E, A, E/A, deceleration time) between groups. Although the percentage of dyspnea as a primary reason for stopping exercise was similar for the groups, exercise duration was significantly shorter for groups 1B (7.2 ± 2.5 minutes) and 2 (7.1 ± 3.3 minutes) than in group 1A (10.4 ± 3.7 minutes, P = .0129). Diastolic stress echocardiography using a supine bicycle is technically feasible for demonstrating changes in E/E′ (filling pressure) with exercise. Our preliminary results suggest the hemodynamic consequences of exercise-induced increase in diastolic filling pressure can be demonstrated noninvasively with exercise Doppler echocardiography.
Transitional cell carcinoma of renal pelvis Rare occurrence in young male

Transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis was encountered in a twenty-one-year-old white man. Review of the literature shows this tumor to be rare in individuals less than thirty years of age.
Collapsing glomerulopathy as a complication of interferon therapy for hepatitis C infection.

We present the case of a patient with chronic hepatitis C and diabetes, who rapidly progressed to end stage renal disease upon initiation of IFNα therapy for his HCV infection. A kidney biopsy revealed advanced collapsing glomerulopathy.
Francis Schiller (1909-2003).

(2004). Francis Schiller (1909-2003) Journal of the History of the Neurosciences: Vol. 13, No. 4, pp. 353-357.
Targeting Interventions: Moderators of the Effects of Expressive Writing and Assertiveness Training on the Adjustment of International University Students

Acculturative stress is a common experience for international students and is associated with psychological and physical problems. In a previous study (Tavakoli et al. Journal of Counseling Psychology 56:590-596, 2009), the authors reported that two stress reduction interventions—expressive writing (EW) and assertiveness training (AT)—had limited overall benefits among international students at an American University. The current analyses of data from that study investigated whether individual differences moderated the effects of EW and AT. Results indicate that greater acculturative stress at baseline predicted greater improvement from both interventions. Additionally, women benefited more from AT than EW, except that EW improved women’s physical symptoms. Men benefited more from EW than AT. Students with limited emotional awareness and expression tended to benefit from both interventions. Finally, nation of origin cultural differences generally did not predict outcomes. It is concluded that the benefits of EW and AT can be enhanced by targeting these interventions to specific subgroups of international students.
The relationship between antidiuretic hormone and plasma or urine osmolalities during water restriction test and hypertonic saline loading test in normal children--a change in the apparent tubular response to AVP during these two tests.

We present here the results of water restriction test (WRT) and hypertonic saline loading test (HSLT) in normal children. Maximal urine osmolality during WRT (W-Umax; 1040±154mOsm/kg) may be age-dependent (W-Umax=812+23age, r=0.52, p<0.05), although maximal arginine vasopressin (AVP) levels during WRT did not show any correlation with age. The relationship between plasma osmolality (Posm) and AVP during HSLT in children (AVP=0.31(Posm-277)) was similar to that in normal adults. A plateau urine osmolality during HSLT (H-Umax) was 713±109mOsm/kg. It did not increase with age. AVP levels 3 h after the infusion did not correlate with age. Minimal AVP and Posm values (about 6pg/ml, 295mOsm/kg, respectively) for creating H-Umax apparently existed during HSLT. The minimal AVP value (about 6pg/ml) for H-Umax (during HSLT) was higher than the AVP levels (2.41±1.37pg/ml) at W-Umax (during WRT). W-Umax (1040±154mOsm/kg) was significantly higher than H-Umax (713±109 mOsm/kg). Judging from the above comparison of AVP and Uosm (W, H-Umax) at the plateau state of WRT and HSLT in normal children, a change in the apparent tubular response to AVP may be one of the important factors to maintain circulatory volume (CV).
Bank Preferences and Government Security Yields

Introduction, 283. — I. The portfolio manager's preference for current income and capital gains, 284. — II. Bank preferences and market yields, 289. — III. The values of zi and b derived from market yields, 292. — IV. The values of zj and b derived from a present value analysis, 294. — Conclusion, 301. — Appendix, 301.
Cross-subsidization in the telephone industry: Empirical evidence from the pre-divestiture era

Abstract A cost function for local exchange companies (LECs) is estimated using 1980 data for 37 LECs operating in the state of New York, with, as outputs, the annual numbers of local and toll calls. The computation of the 1980 price/marginal cost ratios for local and toll services suggests that, for many of these LECs. toll service did indeed subsidize local service prior to the divestiture of the Bell System in 1984. and that the larger the shares of toll calls and business users, the stronger the extent of this cross-subsidization. Quasi-optimal Rumsey prices are computed under a range of feasible price elasticities of demand for local and toll calls. Ramsey pricing would lead to a total net increase in consumer surplus ranging from $5 million to $21 million, representing the balance between significant losses for local users and significant gains for loll users. While the results provide overall support for the shifts in cost burden from toll to local service, which have taken place during the 1980s, they also suggest that these shifts may have been inappropriate for rural exchanges with few toll calls and few business users. In these exchanges, local service may now be subsidizing toll service to a much larger extent than in the past.
Three-jet final states in Z 0 decay for heavy quarks

We study the influence of quark masses on the values of average sphericity S and average thrust T for Z/sup 0/ boson decay into three jets in the standard model. We find that for quark masses (m/sub q/) greater than approx.10 GeV the average values and may be significantly altered from their values for massless quarks previously obtained in the literature.
Ligand-lnduced conformations of rat brain hexokinase: Effects of glucose-6-phosphate and inorganic phosphate

Abstract Binding of glucose-6- P induces conformational change in rat brain hexokinase (ATP: d -hexose 6-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.1) as indicated by decreased susceptibility to digestion by chymotrypsin and an increased sedimentation coefficient on sucrose density gradients. These effects are competitively reversed by P i , as are solubilization (of the mitochondrial form of hexokinase) and inhibition by glucose-6- P . Thus, the observed conformational changes are likely to be directly related to the effect of these ligands on catalytic activity and the interaction of the hexokinase with the mitochondrial membrane. Both glucose-6- P and P i stabilize the enzyme against heat inactivation; this effect, as well as the effect of glucose-6- P on inactivation by chymotrypsin, have been used to estimate the dissociation constants for the complexes of hexokinase with glucose-6- P and P i ; the values are 7–8 μ m , and 0.25 m m , respectively. These observations are consistent with a model in which brain hexokinase may exist in two distinct conformations, rapidly and reversibly interconvertible. The effect of glucose-6- P and P i are explained by highly preferential binding to one or the other of these conformations.
Properties of mammalian cells transformed by temperature-sensitive mutants of avian sarcoma virus.

Abstract Fibroblasts from European field vole (Microtus agrestis) and from normal rat kidney (NRK) have been infected by avian sarcoma virus mutants which are temperature-sensitive for the maintenance of transformation. These cells are transformed at 33°C, but show normal cell characteristics in morphology, colony formation in agar, saturation density, sugar uptake and membrane proteins at 39°C and 40°C, the nonpermissive temperatures. Ts mutant virus was rescued from most of the ts transformed cell lines. NRK cells infected by avian sarcoma virus ts mutants and kept at the nonpermissive temperature can be transformed by wild-type avian sarcoma virus. The susceptibility of the temperature-sensitive NRK lines to this transformation is higher than the susceptibility of uninfected NRK at either permissive or nonpermissive temperature.
Dirac-Fock calculations of photoelectron angular distributions of the outer s shells of the noble gases

Dirac-Fock calculations for the photoionization of Ne $2s$, Ar $3s$, Kr $4s$, and Xe $5s$ have been performed in pure $j\ensuremath{-}j$ coupling. The asymmetry parameter $\ensuremath{\beta}$, which characterizes the photoelectron angular distribution, is found to deviate from $\ensuremath{\beta}=2$ owing to the anisotropic spin-orbit interaction. It is found that the deviation increases with increasing $Z$ owing to the increase in the spin-orbit force. The influence of exchange is also examined and its energy dependence discussed.
Light-scattering and specific refractive increment behavior of amylose and dextran in methyl sulfoxide-water

Abstract Light-scattering measurements on polysaccharides in methyl sulfoxide or methyl sulfoxide-water are most reliable when made on a dialyzed solution-solvent system and when proper technique is used to remove the “micro gel” that seems unavoidably present when dried polysaccharide is dissolved in solvent. Discrepancies in published molecular weight-intrinsic viscosity relationships for amylose in methyl sulfoxide appear to be caused in part by differences the preparation and treatment of samples and possibly by differences in botanical source. The specific refractive increment of dextran is not a linear function of solvent composition in methyl sulfoxide-water. Measurements at osmotic equilibrium indicate that, over a moderate range of composition in methyl sulfoxide-water, dextran preferentially associates with about 2.5 molecules of water per glucopyranosyl residue of the polymer. Effects of long-term storage, sample treatment, and botanical source upon the specific rotation of amylose are examined.
Size dependence of mechanical properties of gold at the micron scale in the absence of strain gradients

Classical laws of mechanics hold that mechanical properties are independent of sample size; however, results of experiments and molecular dynamics simulations indicate that crystals exhibit strong size effects at the sub-micron scale. In experimental studies, the size effect can be explained by strain gradients. Atomistic simulations suggest that the yield strength depends on the size even without strain gradients and scales with the sample size through a power relationship. We address these different approaches to the size dependence of mechanical properties. Results of uniaxial compression experiments on gold at the sub-micron scale, without stress/strain gradients, are presented here. Freestanding Au cylinders are created by two unique fabrication processes and subsequently compressed in the Nanoindenter with a flat punch. Compressive stress, strain, and stiffness of the pillars are determined. Test results indicate a significant flow stress increase, up to several GPa. These high strengths appear to be controlled by dislocation starvation, unique to small crystals.
Endovascular treatment of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms.

Objective This study assessed the role of multibranched stent grafts for thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) repair. Methods Self-expanding covered stents were used to connect the caudally directed cuffs of an aortic stent graft with the visceral branches of a TAAA in 22 patients (16 men, 6 women) with a mean age of 76 ± 7 years. All patients were unfit for open repair, and nine had undergone prior aortic surgery. Customized aortic stent grafts were inserted through surgically exposed femoral (n = 16) or iliac (n = 6) arteries. Covered stents were inserted through surgically exposed brachial arteries. Spinal catheters were used for cerebrospinal fluid pressure drainage in 22 patients and for and spinal anesthesia in 11. Results All 22 stent grafts and all 81 branches were deployed successfully. Aortic coverage as a percentage of subclavian-to-bifurcation distance was 69% ± 20%. Mean contrast volume was 203 mL, mean blood loss was 714 mL, and mean hospital stay was 10.9 days. Two patients (9.1%) died perioperatively: one from guidewire injury to a renal arterial branch and the other from a medication error. Serious or potentially serious complications occurred in 9 of 22 patients (41%). There was no paraplegia, renal failure, stroke, or myocardial infarction among the 20 surviving patients. Two patients (9.1%) underwent successful reintervention: one for localized intimal disruption and the other for aortic dissection, type I endoleak, and stenosis of the superior mesenteric artery. One patient has a type II endoleak. Follow-up is >1 month in 19 patients, >6 months in 12, and >12 months in 8. One branch (renal artery) occluded for a 98.75% branch patency rate at 1 month. The other 80 branches remain patent. There are no signs of stent graft migration, component separation, or fracture. Conclusions Multibranched stent graft implantation eliminates aneurysm flow, preserves visceral perfusion, and avoids many of the physiologic stresses associated with other forms of repair. The results support an expanded role for this technique in the treatment of TAAA.
Associations between State Economic and Health Systems Capacities and Service Use by Children with Special Health Care Needs

To examine the relationship between measures of state economic, political, health services, and Title V capacity and individual level measures of the well-being of CSHCN. We selected five measures of Title V capacity from the Title V Information System and 13 state capacity measures from a variety of data sources, and eight indicators of intermediate health outcomes from the National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs. To assess the associations between Title V capacity and health services outcomes, we used stepwise regression to identify significant capacity measures while accounting for the survey design and clustering of observations by state. To assess the associations between economic, political and health systems capacity and health outcomes we fit weighted logistic regression models for each outcome, using a stepwise procedure to reduce the models. Using statistically significant capacity measures from the stepwise models, we fit reduced random effects logistic regression models to account for clustering of observations by state. Few measures of Title V and state capacity were associated with health services outcomes. For health systems measures, a higher percentage of uninsured children was associated with decreased odds of receipt of early intervention services, decreased odds of receipt of professional care coordination, and increased odds of delayed or missed care. Parents in states with higher per capita Medicaid expenditures on children were more likely to report receipt of special education services. Only two state capacity measures were associated explicitly with Title V: states with higher generalist physician to population ratios were associated with a greater likelihood of parent report of having heard of Title V and states with higher per capita gross state product were less likely to be associated with a report of using Title V services, conditional on having heard of Title V. The state level measure of family participation in Title V governance was negatively associated with receipt of care coordination and having used Title V services. The measures of state economic, political, health systems, and Title V capacity that we have analyzed are only weakly associated with the well-being of children with special health care needs. If Congress and other policymakers increase the expectations of the states in assuring that the needs of CSHCN and their families are addressed, it is essential to be cognizant of the capacities of the states to undertake that role.
Non-invasive molecular and functional imaging of cytosine deaminase and uracil phosphoribosyltransferase fused with red fluorescence protein

Introduction. Increased expression of cytosine deaminase (CD) and uracil phosphoribosyltransferase (UPRT) may improve the antitumoral effect of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC), and thereby enhance the potential of gene-directed enzyme prodrug therapy. For the applicability of gene-directed enzyme prodrug therapy in a clinical setting, it is essential to be able to monitor the transgene expression and function in vivo. Thus, we developed a preclinical tumor model to investigate the feasibility of using magnetic resonance spectroscopy and optical imaging to measure non-invasively CD and UPRT expression and function. Materials and methods. Expression vectors of CD or CD/UPRT fused to monomeric DsRed (mDsRed) were constructed and rat prostate carcinoma (R3327-AT) cell lines stably expressing either CD/mDsRed or CD/UPRT/mDsRed were generated. The expression of the fusion proteins was evaluated by flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy, and Western blot analysis. The function of the fusion pr...
Vocal Communications and the Maintenance of Population Specific Songs in a Contact Zone

Bird song has been hypothesized to play a role in several important aspects of the biology of songbirds, including the generation of taxonomic diversity by speciation; however, the role that song plays in speciation within this group may be dependent upon the ability of populations to maintain population specific songs or calls in the face of gene flow and external cultural influences. Here, in an exploratory study, we construct a spatially explicit model of population movement to examine the consequences of secondary contact of populations singing distinct songs. We concentrate on two broad questions: 1) will population specific songs be maintained in a contact zone or will they be replaced by shared song, and 2) what spatial patterns in the distribution of songs may result from contact? We examine the effects of multiple factors including song-based mating preferences and movement probabilities, oblique versus paternal learning of song, and both cultural and genetic mutations. We find a variety of conditions under which population specific songs can be maintained, particularly when females have preferences for their population specific songs, and we document many distinct patterns of song distribution within the contact zone, including clines, banding, and mosaics.
Double-strand-break-induced homologous recombination in mammalian cells

In mammalian cells, the repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) occurs by both homologous and non-homologous mechanisms. Indirect evidence, including that from gene targeting and random integration experiments, had suggested that non-homologous mechanisms were significantly more frequent than homologous ones. However, more recent experiments indicate that homologous recombination is also a prominent DSB repair pathway. These experiments show that mammalian cells use homologous sequences located at multiple positions throughout the genome to repair a DSB. However, template preference appears to be biased, with the sister chromatid being preferred by 2–3 orders of magnitude over a homologous or heterologous chromosome. The outcome of homologous recombination in mammalian cells is predominantly gene conversion that is not associated with crossing-over. The preference for the sister chromatid and the bias against crossing-over seen in mitotic mammalian cells may have developed in order to reduce the potential for genome alterations that could occur when other homologous repair templates are utilized. In attempts to understand further the mechanism of homologous recombination, the proteins that promote this process are beginning to be identified. To date, four mammalian proteins have been demonstrated conclusively to be involved in DSB repair by homologous recombination: Rad54 , XRCC2, XRCC3 and BRCAI. This paper summarizes results from a number of recent studies.
Estimation of Response Probabilities From Augmented Retrospective Observations

Abstract When augmented by suitable auxiliary information, retrospective data can identify response probabilities. The auxiliary information may take the form of data on marginal distributions or appropriate structural assumptions. When a combination of retrospective observation and auxiliary information suffices in principle to identify response probabilities, practical use of this fact requires that statistically sound and computationally tractable estimation methods be available. This article analyzes the problem of identification and presents the needed estimators.
An ion-binding model for ionic surfactant adsorption at aqueous-fluid interfaces

Abstract A simple ion-binding model is presented to quantify the equilibrium adsorption of ionic surfactants at aqueous-fluid interfaces. The proposed model adopts a triple layer structure for the interface: a plane of adsorbed surfactants (interface plane), a plane of partially dehydrated, contact-bound counterions (inner Helmholtz plane), and a plane of hydrated counterions (outer Helmholtz plane). An analytic expression for the surface tension is obtained as a function of the physicochemical parameters of the system. It generalizes the classical results of J.T. Davies and E.K. Rideal (Interfacial Phenomena, Academic Press, New York, 1963) as well as those, more recent, of R.P. Borwankar and D.T. Wasan (Chem. Eng. Sci., 1 (1986) 199). In the ion-binding model, the surface tension depends on the electrocapacitance in the layers closest to the interface and the distances between them, in addition to the surface charges on the planes. For the limiting case of a moderate concentration of surfactant, asymptotic formulae for the surface tension are derived. On a semilogarithmic graph of surface tension versus surfactant concentration in the presence of background electrolyte, the asymptotic slope approaches - kT (M t ), where k is Boltzmann's constant, T is temperature, and (M t ) is the surface concentration of total sites, M t , available for surfactant headgroups in the interface, the parentheses indicating concentration. In the case of no salt added, the asymptotic slope is −2 kT (M t ). The asymptotic formulae also establish the influence on the surface tension of the equilibrium constants and the lateral interaction parameter, ω, in Frumkin's isotherm. The ion-binding model results are in good agreement with the surface and interfacial tension data for sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). Agreement with measured ξ-potentials is also found for SDS at the air-water boundary.
Work in progress: Teaching game design and robotics together: A natural marriage of computing and engineering design in a first-year engineering course

The increased dependence on computer programming in engineering has made it essential for engineering students to learn about programming throughout their undergraduate education. In the same vein, computing students benefit when given an opportunity to learn more about engineering design and systematic thinking. This paper discusses how one college embedded computing and engineering into a combined first-year introductory course. The course fuses computing and engineering using game design and robotics as an offering for both cohorts of students to work together in a multidisciplinary environment. Over the course of the semester, students learn introductory computing and engineering design concepts by designing games and robots using informatics tools to solve design challenges. Interdisciplinary teams consisting of computing and engineering students work together to prototype a game design idea and then bring that idea to life using robots as part of their final project.
Vulnerability to insomnia: the role of familial aggregation.

Abstract Background The goal of this study was to determine the degree of familial aggregation in vulnerability to stress-related sleep disturbance among siblings. One approach to investigating a potential “familial” predisposition to sleep disturbance is to examine the relationship between siblings on a standard measure of vulnerability to stress-related sleep disturbance. Design Cross-sectional data on insomnia, vulnerability to stress-related sleep disturbance, sleepiness, habitual sleep, and additional demographic variables was collected separately from pairs of biological siblings. Data were collected during a 15–20 min phone assessment. Participants Interviews on a total of 62 individuals (31 sibling pairs) were completed. A total of 8 individuals and their respective siblings were excluded after meeting conservative criteria for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth edition (DSM-IV)-based insomnia. The mean age of the sample was 51.1 ± 12.1 years (range 18–70) and habitual nightly total sleep time averaged 6.91 ± 1.42 h/night. Results Individuals completed the Ford Insomnia Response to Stress Test (FIRST), a standardized measure of individual vulnerability to stress-induced sleep disturbance. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was r = 0.61, df = 23, p = 0.001 for the relationship between siblings in FIRST scores. This indicated that 37.2% of the variance in vulnerability to stress-related sleep disturbance can be accounted for by familial aggregation. This relationship remained after controlling for potential confounds including age, gender, shift schedule, and psychiatric history. Conclusions Our data support the notion that vulnerability to stress-related sleep disturbance has a strong familial aggregation. Additional studies are needed to determine the genetic or environmental origins of this relationship and its underlying biological substrates.
Characterization and properties of the phosphomannan from Hansenula hostii NRRL Y-2448.

Abstract The phosphorylated mannan produced in good yield from glucose by the bisexual diploid yeast, Hansenula holstii NRRL Y-2448, appears to be the first significantly phosphorylated polysaccharide to be obtained from a yeast or a nonpathogen. Isolated as the potassium salt, this water-soluble polysaccharide derivative has constituents in the proportion, d -mannose:phosphorus:potassium::5:1:1. The product has [α]D25 + 103 ° (in 0.1 M potassium chloride), MN (reducing power) 103,000 ± 10,000, MW (light scattering) of the order of 16 × 106, S20, w = 44, and an unusually homogeneous molecular distribution for an unfractionated, native polymer. The single titration equivalence-point of the polyacid at pH 7.2 indicates a phosphodiester structure. Weak acid liberates secondary hydrogen ions and causes molecular degradation; dilute alkali appears to cause no structural change. Aqueous solutions show exceptional resistance to microbial attack. The brilliantly clear aqueous solutions have properties characteristic of a plastic, thixotropic, polyelectrolyte. The viscosity-concentration curve shows a viscosity maximum of 2500 cp. at 1.5% polysaccharide concentration and a minimum of 1700 cp. at 3%. At suitable concentrations of phosphomannan and borax, complexing and cross-linking occur; the presence of potassium chloride augments these effects.
Short photoperiods induce fructan accumulation and tuberous root development in Dahlia seedlings

Summary • The effect is reported here of photoperiod on fructan accumulation in the tuberous roots of Dahlia sp. cv. Sunny Rose seedlings. • Growth parameters were measured of shoots and roots on glasshouse-grown dahlia seedlings subjected to either short day (SD) or long day (LD; 4 h night photoperiod interruption) light regimes. The carbohydrate concentrations of tuberous roots was analysed by high performance anion exchange chromatography. • Total plant dry weight was unaffected by photoperiod. The LD treatment inhibited tuberous root development but increased shoot dry weight. Tuberous root tissue of SD seedlings showed a 156% increase in total fructan (inulin) concentration compared with LD tuberous root tissue, which had higher reducing sugar concentrations than SD tuberous roots. A wide range of oligomers increased during the SD treatment. • Sucrose appears to be the regulating factor in fructan metabolism in dahlia. Photoperiod is a valuable tool for studying fuctan metabolism in vivo, as it provides a nondestructive means of regulating sucrose partitioning.
An ab initio molecular orbital study of SiH2 + F2→SiH2F2

Abstract The insertion of SiH 2 into F 2 has been studied with MP2, CCD, CISD and QCISD. For fluorine approaching syn to the silicon lone pair, the complex is 2.5 kcal/mol below reactants and the insertion barrier is 0.5 kcal/mol above reactants at QCISD/6-31G * ; for the anti approach, there is no barrier (only a broad plateau) and insertion proceeds with inversion at silicon. With RQCISD, both pathways go directly to SiH 2 F 2 , but with RMP2 and RCCD, there are several structures in the SiH 2 F-F region of the surface that are artifacts of the level of theory.
Colorectal tumors within an urban minority population in New York City.

BACKGROUND Data on gender- and age-specific predisposition to colorectal tumors and colorectal tumor location and stage among the urban minority population in Northeastern United States is limited.
The loss-averse newsvendor game

Abstract This paper extends the standard newsvendor problem based upon risk neutrality to a game setting where multiple newsvendors with loss aversion preferences are competing for inventory from a risk-neutral supplier. We show that if the supplier allocates the total demand among the newsvendors proportional to their order quantities, then there exists a unique Nash equilibrium order quantity in this newsvendor game. We also find that while the demand-stealing effect increases the total order quantity of the newsvendors, the loss aversion effect decreases the newsvendors’ total order quantity and if strong enough, may lead to a lower total inventory level of the decentralized supply chain than that of an integrated supply chain.
SOIL‐SLOPE RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN A DRAINAGE BASIN

The relationship between soil properties and slope profile form varies over space, both within a given slope profile as material is moved downslope, and also between slope profiles located in different parts of a drainage basin. Variations in soil texture and horizon thickness on a slope are related to site location with respect to the junction, which separates net erosion on the upper slope from net deposition on the lower slope. Canonical correlations between batteries of soil and slope variates indicate soil-slope relations within a drainage basin are a function of valley size, depth of channel incision, intensity of erosion on the crestal convexity, and the development of a floodplain at the slope base.
Transmission of plant viruses by dodder

MECHANICS OF VIRUS TRANSMISSION BY DODDER In 1940 Bennett discovered that a virus could be transmitted from an infected to a healthy plant through a bridging dodder that was parasitizing both plants. Since then numerous workers have shown that many viruses are transmissible. The subject has been reviewed by Mooi-Bok (1949), Sibilia (1951), Bawden (1956, 1964), and Fulton (1964). Transmission probably involves an association of dodder and host cells, and directional movement of nutrients. It has long been known that dodder haustoria establish cellular connections with the host plant. Thoday (1911) found that the protoplasts of dodder and host phloem cells are in close association but do not appear to fuse. Bennett (1944b) hypothesized that dodder acquires viruses with the food materials from the phloem of the host. His studies of dodder stems inoculated with beet curly-top virus or with cucumber mosaic virus indicated that after entering the dodder a virus moves more rapidly toward growing points than in the opposite direction. He suggested that yellows-type viruses move from the phloem of the dodder into the phloem of the healthy host by temporary reversals of phloem nutrient flow and that mosaic-type viruses move from the parenchyma of the haustorium to that of the host through plasmodesmatal strands or from possible naked protoplasmic connections of dodder and host, as well as through the phloem. Bennett (1956) proposed that the above idea of temporary-reversalof-flow fits well with the theory that materials in the phloem move ". . . by mass flow of liquid content of the phloem from the regions of carbohydrate supply toward regions of food utilization." Cochran (1946) found that consistent transmission of tobacco mosaic virus could be achieved only by pruning the dodder and shading the healthy host while keeping the infected host in bright light; Bennett (1956) suggested that this forced a temporary reversal of phloem nutrient flow. Canova (1955) observed that Cuscuta epithymum Murr. acquired beet-yellows virus but did not transmit it, and Bennett (1960) found the same to be true for C. californica Hooker &