cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Life Stressors and Barriers to Timely Prenatal Care for Women with High-Risk Pregnancies Residing in Rural and Nonrural Areas

Abstract Purpose To identify the contribution of life stressors and barriers to the untimely initiation of prenatal care for women with high-risk pregnancies living in rural and nonrural areas. Methods Data collected in 10 U.S. states by the 2006–2008 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) were used (n = 34,161). Data were weighted to reflect the PRAMS complex survey design. Separate logistic regression models derived adjusted odds ratios for untimely prenatal care initiation based on several life stressors and barriers. Results Women with high-risk pregnancies living in rural areas were more likely to report late initiation of prenatal care (17.5% vs. 14.6%). The most frequently reported life stressors were the same for both cohorts: Moving, having a very sick family member, arguing more than usual with their partners, and having bills they could not pay. The most frequently cited barriers were also the same for both groups: Not having enough money or insurance for health care visits and not being able to get an appointment when they wanted one. Having two or more barriers increased the risk of late prenatal care initiation by 2.85-fold for rural women and 2.01-fold for nonrural women. Conclusion To increase timely prenatal care initiation, preconception interventions are needed that address common life stressors and barriers shared by women living in rural and nonrural areas.
Identification of Three Novel Toxoplasma Gondii Rhoptry Proteins

The rhoptries are key secretory organelles from apicomplexan parasites that contain proteins involved in invasion and modulation of the host cell. Some rhoptry proteins are restricted to the posterior bulb (ROPs) and others to the anterior neck (RONs). As many rhoptry proteins have been shown to be key players in Toxoplasma invasion and virulence, it is important to identify, understand and characterise the biological function of the components of the rhoptries. In this report, we identified putative novel rhoptry genes by identifying Toxoplasma genes with similar cyclical expression profiles as known rhoptry protein encoding genes. Using this approach we identified two new rhoptry bulb (ROP47 and ROP48) and one new rhoptry neck protein (RON12). ROP47 is secreted and traffics to the host cell nucleus, RON12 was not detected at the moving junction during invasion. Deletion of ROP47 or ROP48 in a type II strain did not show major influence in in vitro growth or virulence in mice.
Weighing risk: the Expert Committee's recommendations in practice

In 2005, an expert committee was convened on behalf of the American Medical Association, the Health Resources and Service Administration, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to update the previous recommendations on the evaluation and treatment of childhood obesity. Fifteen national health care organizations, which served children, participated in writing these recommendations. This article reviews recommendations on assessment of BMI, nutrition and activity, and obesity-related comorbidities. Principles of obesity prevention and treatment are discussed and high-risk eating and activity behaviors are addressed. Prevention and treatment of obesity are reviewed as set in the context of the Medical Home using the principles of the chronic disease model. The stepwise approach to obesity treatment and prevention is reviewed along with specific evidence-based/informed strategies. The skills needed to implement the recommendations, such as integration of the care team, roles and training, links to the health care system, connection to the community, and the role of the subspecialist, are discussed.
Temperature-dependent development and survival of Podisus maculiventris (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae): implications for mass rearing and biological control

The spined soldier bug, Podisus maculiventris (Say), is a generalist predator that can control >75 insect pests in various agroecosystems. Despite valuable results from the previous studies, thermal development and survival of P. maculiventris over a wide range of temperatures had not been elucidated completely. This study was conducted to investigate the stage-specific development and survival of P. maculiventris at eight constant temperatures (13.2, 18.4, 21.7, 23.7, 27.2, 32.7, 35.2, and 40.6 °C) covering the entire thermal range for P. maculiventris development. Completion of egg development was observed at 13.2–32.7 °C, whereas nymphs successfully developed into adults at 18.4–32.7 °C. Survival model using log-normal equations showed bell-shape patterns for all stages, and temperatures resulting in highest survival of P. maculiventris were 19.9, 24.3, and 24.5 °C for egg, nymph, and egg to adult, respectively. Developmental rates at the eight temperatures were fitted with a nonlinear Briere model, which estimated optimal temperatures for development as 31.2, 30.6, and 30.6 °C for egg, nymph, and egg to adult, respectively. Operative thermal ranges (i.e., in-between the lower and upper developmental thresholds) were estimated to be 8.9–35.2, 12.8–35.2, and 12.7–35.2 °C for egg, nymph, and egg to adult, respectively. In a linear model, the lower thresholds were 10.9, 13.1, and 13.0 °C for egg, nymph, and egg to adult, respectively. Findings herein provide comprehensive data and explanations on optimal temperature and thermal requirement for P. maculiventris, which can be used to optimize environmental condition in mass rearing and predicting phenology of P. maculiventris in the field.
A comparison of hospital policies for measles, mumps, and rubella infection control in Los Angeles County, 1989 and 1992

Abstract Background: A survey was conducted in 1992 in Los Angeles County, California, to assess changes since an earlier survey in 1989 in the numbers of acute care hospitals that had established policies on measles, mumps, and rubella infection control and the extent to which these policies were implemented. Methods: A questionnaire inquiring about measles, mumps, and rubella infection control was sent to ICPs of 133 acute care hospitals in Los Angeles County. The results were compared with those of a similar survey conducted in 1989. The increase in the number of hospitals with such policies between 1989 and 1992 was analyzed. Results: In 1989, 29 (28%), 9 (9%), and 65 (64%) of the 102 respondent hospitals had measles, mumps, and rubella infection control policies, respectively. Larger proportions of the 95 respondent hospitals in 1992 had measles (56, 59%), mumps (15, 16%), and rubella (69, 73%) infection control policies. Conclusions: The number of hospitals with infection control policies for measles, mumps, and rubella increased from 1989 to 1992. Efficiency and scope of such policies varied, however, and could be improved by making the policies mandatory, requiring written documentation of employee immunity, and extending policies to cover all employees. The most dramatic increase was in the number of hospitals with infection control policies for measles; this increase may have been caused by the 1987 to 1989 measles epidemic in Los Angeles County, by increased awareness of the Immunization Practices Advisory Committee recommendations, or by increased sensitivity to the issue of infection control triggered by the 1989 survey.
Low-threshold oxide stripe GaAs/GaAlAs lasers grown by MOCVD

MOCVD-grown insulator defined stripe GaAs/GaAlAs lasers with stripe widths of 6, 10, 20 and 150 μm have been characterised. Uniform CW threshold currents as low as 45 mA, differential quantum efficiencies as high as 74%, and kink-free power levels as high as 20 mW/facet have been obtained in 160 μm long, 6 μm stripe lasers. The internal differential quantum efficiency measured from our 6 μm stripe lasers approaches one. Single longitudinal mode operation of these lasers has also been observed.
‘I may say wetback but I really mean mojado’: migration and translation in Ramón ‘Tianguis’ Pérez's Diary of an Undocumented Immigrant

Strict divisions in the Mexican and United States nation-state model emphasize the dividing functions rather than connecting purposes of their borders. Similarly, discursive boundaries in mainstream thinking, doing, and reception of translation also conceal continuities between an original and its translation. Each border crossing creates acute divisions of identity for migrating individuals and for translated literary texts. My essay argues that Dick Reavis' translation Diary of an Undocumented Immigrant of Ramon ‘Tianguis’ Perez's Diario de un mojado enacts an undocumented identity within a transborder nexus of migration and translation. The appellatives ‘mojado’ and ‘wetback’ are my entry points. Each of the essay's four sections foregrounds a facet of the transborder nexus. After discussing the borderland space of Perez's original and translation at extra-textual dimensions of audience and book-market formats, I offer a socio-etymological biography of the ‘mojado’/‘wetback’ pairing to anchor them in h...
Using Implementation Checklists to Reinforce the Use of Child-Focused Intervention Strategies.

Sonja was preparing for her visit to the Hillcrest Child Development Center to see Nolan, a 3-year-old little boy on an individualized education program (IEP). Nolan attended Hillcrest full-time an...
Creative Thinking: Processes, Strategies, and Knowledge

Creative achievements are the basis for progress in our world. Although creative achievement is influenced by many variables, the basis for creativity is held to lie in the generation of high-quality, original, and elegant solutions to complex, novel, ill-defined problems. In the present effort, we examine the cognitive capacities that make creative problem-solving possible. We argue that creative problem-solving depends on the effective execution of a set of complex cognitive processes. Effective execution of these processes is, in turn, held to depend on the strategies employed in process execution and the knowledge being used in problem-solving. The implications of these observations for improving creative thinking are discussed.
Essential closed surfaces in bounded 3-manifolds

A question dating back to Waldhausen [10] and discussed in various contexts by Thurston (see [9]) is the problem of the extent to which irreducible 3-manifolds with infinite fundamental group must contain surface groups. To state our results precisely, it is convenient to make the definition that a map i: S 9<M of a closed, orientable connected surface S is essential if it is injective at the level of fundamental groups and the group i*rr1 (S) cannot be conjugated into a subgroup 7rr(coM) of -rr(M), where &oM is a component of OM. This latter condition is equivalent to the statement that the image of the surface S cannot be freely homotoped into OM. One of the main results of this paper is the following:
Efficacy and safety tests of six automated devices for root canal instrumentation.

it was the purpose of this study to lost the efficacy and safety of automated devices for root canal instrumentation. Instruments tested were Giromatic with (a) barbed broaches and Hedstrom files, and (b) RISPI files; Dynatrak with Unifiles; Canal Finder System with K-files and modified Hedstrom files; Cavi-Endo with K-files and diamond-coated instruments; Endostar 5 with K-files; and MM sonic 3000 with (a) RISPI files, and (b) Sonic Shapers. Transparent plastic models with simulated root canals of various widths and shapes were used. The canals were enlarged by 0.2 mm at their apices and the instrumentation time-was recorded. Complications during instrumentation were also recorded. With regard to efficacy, 3 devices stood out among the instruments tested: Giromatic with RISPI files, the Canal Finder System, and the MM Sonic 3000. With the Canal Finder System and the MM Sonic 3000 the tests were completed without complications. It was concluded that automated devices for endodontic treatment are now available that are both efficient and remarkably safe.
Connected component labeling for binary images on a reconfigurable mesh architecture

Abstract We show how some existing component labeling algorithms for binary images could be speeded up by using the reconfigurable mesh architecture. Two algorithms are presented, the first one uses the ability of the reconfigurable mesh to perform certain operations in constant time, and the second one uses a bottom-up divide-and-conquer strategy. Both these algorithms have run times that are logarithmic functions of the image size.
A cell population balance model describing positive feedback loop expression dynamics

Biological systems are inherently heterogeneous in the sense that cellular content is unevenly distributed amongst the cells of the population. In this work, we develop a cell population balance-modeling framework, which integrates biological detail at the single-cell level to accurately predict the dynamics of the distribution of cellular properties at the cell population level. The developed cell population balance model describes the dynamics of the distribution of lac operon expression levels amongst the cells of a cell population. Detailed numerical simulations elucidate the influence of key operating and molecular parameters on the phenotype of the cell population both transiently and at steady state. The system was found to exhibit bistability for a certain region of the parameter space. Moreover, due to the autocatalytic nature of the lac operon network, increase in the extracellular inducer concentration or slower growth led to higher average expression levels with a simultaneous spreading of the distribution of expression levels. Asymmetric partitioning and sharp division thresholds led to bimodal distributions both transiently and at steady state. These results are explained on the basis of the interplay between the specific genetic architecture and various division and partitioning mechanisms. Thus, the presented model offers a unique insight into systems with positive feedback features that can be utilized for rigorous strain development and control of the underlying cell population dynamics.
547: Multifetal pregnancy reduction to singleton reduces the risk of small for gestational age neonates in comparison to twins

FOR GESTATIONAL AGE NEONATES IN COMPARISON TO TWINS LAUREN FERRARA, MANISHA GANDHI, CHRISTIAN LITTON, VICTORIA BELOGOLOVKIN, JACQUELINE KAMRATH, E. CLAIR MCCLURG, ERIN MOSHIER, KEITH EDDLEMAN, JOANNE STONE, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, , New York, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Department of Community and Preventive Medicine, New York, New York OBJECTIVE: Multiple gestations have been shown to have an increased risk of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). There has also been data to suggest that multifetal pregnancy reduction(MPR) is associated with IUGR. We sought out to determine if MPR reduces the risk of small for gestational age (SGA), defined as actual birthweight less that 10th percentile, in comparison to twin gestations who have undergone MPR as well as those who have had not had a reduction. STUDY DESIGN: We retrospectively identified all patients who had undergone MPR to either a singleton or twin gestation from an established MPR database and compared them to twin gestations extracted from our ultrasound database. Demographics including age, race, ART and cvs were collected. Birthweights were collected and categorized as less than 10th percentile based on gestational age and gender as described by Alexander et al. RESULTS: Complete data was available on 260 MPR singletons, 413 MPR twins, and 257 non-reduced twins. Reducing to a singleton gestation was associated with a statistically significant decrease small for gestational age neonates. CONCLUSION: Small for gestational age infants have a variety of clinical problems beginning at birth even if born at term. Reduction to a singleton gestation significantly decreases the likelihood of a small for gestational age infant when comparing not only to MPR twins but also to those who have not undergone this type of procedure. This should be an essential part of counseling patients who are considering this procedure.
Stress in early life inhibits neurogenesis in adulthood

Both structure and function of the hippocampus are altered by stress: by increasing levels of corticosteroids, stress causes atrophy of CA3 pyramidal cell dendrites, inhibits adult neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus, and impairs hippocampus-dependent learning. A recent study shows that adverse experience limited to early life, specifically removal of rat pups from their mother for three hours each day, decreases production of new granule neurons in adulthood through a corticosteroid-dependent mechanism. This finding suggests that stress in early life could permanently impair hippocampus-dependent learning and memory and increase susceptibility to depression by inhibiting adult neurogenesis in the hippocampus.
Coherent Optical Signal Processing in High-Confinement Fibers

Multiple-pump parametric processing in silica and non-silica fibers represents the basis of coherent, band mapping technology. Recent results demonstrating distant channel and band mapping from visible to infrared optical range are outlined.
Qualitative Analysis of Precipitates by Graphite Filter Methods

In many chemical processes there is a need to quickly identify unexpected precipitates in a solution. If x-ray fluorescence equipment is available, the precipitates can be collected by a Millipore filter and easily analyzed qualitatively. When an x-ray fluorescence spectrometer is not available, or the suspected elements are not amenable to the technique, the methods described here are helpful.
Up-regulation of Glutamate–Cysteine Ligase Gene Expression by Butylated Hydroxytoluene Is Mediated by Transcription Factor AP-1

Abstract Several regulatory elements, including AP-1 and NF-κB, are present in the 5′ flanking region of the human glutamatex–cysteine ligase (EC 6.3.2.2, γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase) catalytic subunit (GLCLC) gene. In this study, we investigated the role of redox-sensitive transcription factors in the regulation of GLCLC gene expression in LLC-PK1 cells that were exposed to the antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). Exposure of LLC-PK1 cells to 100 μM BHT induced expression of transcription factor AP-1, as demonstrated by an electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Peak AP-1 induction occurred after 3 h of incubation with BHT. BHT increased luciferase gene expression in cells that were transfected with a luciferase reporter vector containing an AP-1 element upstream of a SV40 promoter. Northern analysis showed that transcription of GLCLC gene in cells after incubation with BHT was increased 30% compared with control cells. Cellular glutathione concentrations were also significantly increased in cells exposed to BHT. In contrast, exposure of LLC-PK1 cells to 100 μM BHT did not alter expression of the transcription factor NF-κB. These results show that induction of transcription factor AP-1 by BHT is involved in transactivation of GLCLC gene expression.
Effects of Immunomodulatory Cytokines on the Presentation of Tumor-Associated Antigens by Epidermal Langerhans Cells

The recognition and presentation of tumor-associated antigens by cutaneous antigen-presenting cells (APC) may play an important role in the establishment of effective defense mechanisms against newly emerging tumors in the skin. Recent data demonstrate the ability of I-A + epidermal cells (Langerhans cells) to present tumor-associated antigens for the induction of protective tumor immunity and elicitation of delayed-type hypersensitivity against the murine spindle cell tumor, S1509a. Furthermore, the local cytokine microenvironment in the vicinity of a cutaneous neoplasm may regulate the ability of resident epidermal APC to initiate and/or to elicit protective immunity against incipient cutaneous neoplasms. This article summarizes the effects of granulocyte-macrophage/colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interleukin-lα (IL-lα), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ), and interferon-γ (IFNγ) on the modulation of antigen presentation by epidermal APC. Our data indicate that these cytokines significantly and differentially modify the ability of epidermal cells to present tumor-associated antigens and that their effects differ with regard to induction of primary immunity (sensitization) or elicitation of secondary immune responses.
Farcical Process, Fictional Product: Thackeray's Theatrics in Lovel the Widower

Although long slighted by critics, Lovel the Widower should be recognized as the most overtly theatrical work we have from one of the nineteenth century's most theatrical writers. Adapted for the Cornhill Magazine from Thackeray's failed drama, The Wolves and the Lamb, Lovel is narrated by a character who calls himself the “Chorus of the Play” and tells the story of a governess who must hide the fact that she was once an actress. Thackeray published the story to keep the Cornhill's readers entertained while he began work on his last completed novel, The Adventures of Philip. As a piece of occasional journalism, Lovel therefore shares a closer kinship with Thackeray's other periodical writings and Christmas books than it does with his mature novels. Not destined to be the newly-launched Cornhill's chief fictional attraction (that honor went to Trollope's Framley Parsonage), Lovel actually functioned in the magazine as the literary equivalent of a theatrical comic afterpiece.
Post-Fire Mechanical Properties and Hardness of 5083 and 6082 Aluminum Alloys

Aluminum alloys are being increasingly used in lightweight transportation applications such as naval vessels and passenger rail. The primary aluminum alloys considered are Al-Mg (5xxx) and Al-Mg-Si (6xxx) due to their mechanical strength, corrosion resistance, and weldability. A major concern in the use of aluminum alloys for lightweight structural applications is fire exposure. Aluminum mechanical properties begin to significantly degrade at temperatures above 300°C. After fire exposure, structural integrity will be governed by the residual, post-fire strength of the aluminum. However, scarce data is available regarding the post-fire mechanical response.The post-fire mechanical properties were characterized for several aluminum alloys: 5083-H116, 6082-T651 plate, and 6082-T6 extrusion. The alloys were exposed to elevated temperatures in a furnace to simulate a fire environment. Tension tests were performed to determine the mechanical response of the alloys. Vickers hardness measurements were also performed on specimens exposed for varying durations and temperatures to quantify the time and temperature-dependent behavior. The observed behaviors were explained in relation to the microstructural strengthening mechanisms for each alloy. Correlations were developed between the mechanical properties and Vickers hardness indentations.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Cellular immunotherapy and cancer.

Abstract Recent data indicate that cellular immune responses can produce an anticancer effect. Two types of cellular immune responses appear to be clinically relevant: antigen specific immunity mediated by T cells that recognize tumor-associated peptide antigen expressed on surface HLA class I or class II molecules, and antigen nonspecific immune responses mediated by natural killer (NK) cells that are activated by the failure to recognize cognate “self” HLA class I molecules. The graft-versus-tumor effect of allogeneic transplants using HLA-matched donors is mediated by antigen-specific T cells, while allogeneic transplantation using HLA mismatched donors can also lead to donor NK cells with potent antitumor activity. HLA mismatched haplo-identical transplants can exert a powerful antileukemia effect based on expansion of antigen nonspecific donor NK cells, but slow recovery of donor T cells is associated with a profound immune deficiency and increased opportunistic infections that limit the overall clinical success of this type of transplant maneuver. The focus for most immunologic maneuvers designed to enhance the graft-versus-tumor effect has been on strategies to expand or enhance the activity of antigen-specific donor T cells that recognize host tumor cells. In the case of hematologic malignancies, the activity of donor T cells against tumor cells is regulated by dendritic cells, which can augment or inhibit cellular immune responses. Future successes in enhancing the patients’ own cellular immune responses to cancer will likely be based on activation of T cells by the appropriate dendritic cell subset and, in the case of tumors that have down-regulated HLA class I expression, by activated NK cells.
Acquisition performance of various QPSK carrier tracking loops

The frequency and phase acquisition performance of three quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) carrier tracking loops, the MAP estimation loop, the Costas crossover loop, and the generalized Costas loop, is described. Acquisition time and probability of acquisition as a function of both loop signal-to-noise ratio and frequency offset to loop bandwidth ratio are obtained via computer simulations for type II and III loops. It is shown that the MAP loop, which results in the smallest squaring loss for all signal-to-noise ratios, is sometimes outperformed by the other two loops in terms of acquisition time and acquisition probability. >
Rate regions for the separated two-way relay channel

A two-way relay channel in which two users communicate with each other over a relay terminal is considered. In particular, a ldquoseparatedrdquo two-way relay channel, in which the users do not receive each other's signals is studied. Various achievable schemes are proposed and corresponding achievable rate regions are characterized. Specifically, a combination of partial decode-and-forward and compress-and-forward schemes is proposed. In addition, compress-and-forward relaying with two layered quantization, in which one of the users receive a better description of the relay received signal is studied. Extension of these achievable schemes to the Gaussian separated two-way relay channel is presented. It is shown that the compress-and-forward scheme achieves rates within half bit of the capacity region in the Gaussian setting. Numerical results are also presented for comparison of the proposed achievable schemes in the Gaussian case.
Overbooking Increases Patient Access at East Carolina University's Student Health Services Clinic

The health-care clinic presented in this study experienced significant numbers of patients who failed to arrive for their scheduled appointments (no-shows). The cost of reducing patient access at this clinic because of no-shows is estimated to exceed $400,000 annually. An interdisciplinary quality-improvement team developed a novel health-care overbooking model that includes the effects of employee burnout. This model estimates the nonlinear nature of the costs associated with medical-provider burnout caused by overbooked appointments that exceed clinic capacity. Several key East Carolina University clinical staff members had been skeptical about the value of overbooking. The model was instrumental in convincing them that implementing an overbooking process would benefit patients and the organization. The clinic, which subsequently implemented such a process, attributes a savings of $95,000 per semester to the initiative.
Disrupted hair follicle activity in cattle grazing endophyte-infected tall fescue in the summer insulates core body temperatures1

ABSTRACT Two experiments were conducted to characterize and evaluate rough hair-coats of cattle grazing endophyte (Neotyphodium coenophialum)-infected tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum) during the summer and their effect on body temperature. In Exp. 1, hair was clipped in bleached areas over the rumps of 5 steers grazing endophyte-infected fescue in the summer to determine percentages in 5 length intervals for hair emerged during decreasing day lengths (fall and winter) and those emerged during increasing day lengths (spring and summer). In Exp. 2, rectal temperature data from 7 grazing experiments were compiled to compare linear relationships between rectal temperature and both ambient temperature and temperature-humidity indices, and between cattle with rough, transitional (i.e., some hair shedding), and sleek hair-coats. Frequency distributions of hair-length intervals in Exp. 1 differed (P 20 mm; however, 80% of the hairs were emerged during long day lengths rather than short day lengths. For Exp. 2, linear increases in rectal temperatures as mean ambient temperature and temperature-humidity indices increased were greater for cattle with rough and transitional hair coats than for cattle with sleek hair coats. From these experiments, it was concluded that rough hair coats on cattle grazing endophyte-infected tall fescue are composed predominately of hair emerged during long-day lengths in the late spring and summer. Growing to excessive hair-lengths, these rough hair coats insulate elevated core body temperature to intensify hyperthermia triggered by ergot alkaloid-induced vasoconstriction.
On linearization of nonlinear singularity perturbed systems

This note considers external (feedback) linearization of nonlinear singularly perturbed systems. When more accurate representation of some dynamic systems is taken into account. The necessary condition for linearization may be violated. In these cases the slow manifold theory is shown to provide a practical tool for solving this problem. Furthermore, for a class of systems with fast actuators, direct application of present methodology in the literature is shown to be valid provided the linear equivalent system contains fast dynamics as well.
The emerging role of botulinum toxin in the treatment of temporomandibular disorders

The objective of this review was to discuss the emerging role of botulinum toxin in the treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMD), to review the current literature, recent clinical trials, as well as preliminary data from our own clinical study, and to formulate an algorithm for the work-up and treatment of TMD.
Bricks, Beer and Shoes: Indirect Purchaser Standing in the European Union and the United States

Mature antitrust regimes typically prioritize two main enforcement goals: deterrence and compensation of those injured by anti-competitive conduct. The simultaneous pursuit of these goals, however, creates difficulties for policymakers and enforcers that seek to strike a balance between public and private enforcement. Public enforcement is seen as the optimal means for achieving deterrence, through the imposition of high fines and (in some jurisdictions) individual sanctions. On the other hand, public enforcement in its current form does little to compensate businesses and individuals that incur injury as a result of anti-competitive conduct. Antitrust regulators on both sides of the Atlantic generally agree that private enforcement is the mechanism best placed to pursue the compensation objective. This short paper, therefore, seeks to explore the issue of indirect purchaser standing to pursue private damages actions and to contribute to the current discussion by comparing the treatment of indirect purchasers in the United States and European Union.
Two sibs with brachyolmia type Hobaek: Five year follow‐up through puberty

A brother and a sister affected with brachyolmia (short trunk) are reported. Their radiological findings are compatible with brachyolmia, Hobaek type, which is characterized by platyspondyly, horizontal acetabular roof, short femoral neck, and vertical “mixed lucent and dense” striation pattern in the metaphyses of large long bones. Despite normal birth weight and length, the platyspondyly is present at infancy, but clinically the condition may not be noticeable until late childhood or early puberty, when stunted growth becomes apparent. Beyond puberty, the patients are short in stature, mainly due to a short trunk with decrease upper and lower body segment ratio. Brachyolmia type Hobaek is a relatively benign condition. It may cause a mild and nonspecific backache that usually is not debilitating. The inheritance mode is apparently autosomal recessive. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
PEST INFORMATION MARKETS AND INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT

tension agent, by attending extension or other Regev et al. conclude that these unregulated local meetings, or by talking directly to the parmarkets will not yield an optimal allocation of ticipant. Thus, participation by a producer inresources. Information provided to one agricul- creases the information available to nonparticitural producer may be readily applied by another pating producers with regard to optimal timing producer at zero marginal input cost. In an un- and application of pesticides. regulated market, this positive external effect is Pest information possesses joint-impact charnot considered in the selling price of the informa- acteristics and is also characterized by asymmetion. Thus, in evaluating pest information pro- try. Participants' information affects nonparticigrams, the benefits received from them may be pants utility, but nonparticipants' actions do not understated. As a result, increased attention is affect participants' utility. This assumption is being placed on accounting for this external ef- reasonable for a given season if it is assumed that fect (Smith). This paper investigates the market intraseasonal pest migration between fields is for pest information and discusses whether regu- negligible. However, in terms of an interseasonal lated markets would be more efficient than would perspective, a pesticide management program by unregulated markets. one producer may affect pest population dynamIn the first section, pest information charac- ics or resistance for the region as a whole (Hueth teristics are investigated in order to determine and Regev). Information in this case exhibits a the effects of this input on production. This in- symmetrical joint effect. formation will be useful to producers who em- Pest information obtained by nonparticipants ploy the information (participants), as well as from participants is not directly related to a nonthose who receive a positive external effect participant's production process. The informa(nonparticipants) from the participating produc- tion may not be a perfect substitute for data that ers. Given the characteristics of pest informa- nonparticipants would have obtained if they were tion, a model is then developed to account for participants, and nonparticipants may discount pest information and risk preference in a pro- the available information from participants in ducer's decision function. The final section their utility function. Less discounting results in summarizes the results and explores the implica- greater substitution and degree of jointness. Pest tions of unregulated versus regulated markets for information is also an optional joint-impact pest information, commodity in that the cost of not using it is zero.
Hyperpolarized [1-13C]dehydroascorbate MR spectroscopy in a murine model of prostate cancer: comparison with 18F-FDG PET.

Reduction and oxidation (redox) chemistry is increasingly implicated in cancer pathogenesis. To interrogate the redox status of prostate tumors noninvasively, we developed hyperpolarized [1-13C]dehydroascorbate (13C-DHA), the oxidized form of vitamin C, as an MR probe. In a model of transgenic adenocarcinoma of the mouse prostate (TRAMP), increased reduction of hyperpolarized 13C-DHA to vitamin C was observed in tumor, as compared with normal prostate and surrounding benign tissue. We hypothesized that this difference was due to higher concentrations of glutathione and increased transport of hyperpolarized 13C-DHA via the glucose transporters (GLUT1, GLUT3, and GLUT4) in TRAMP tumor. To test these hypotheses, hyperpolarized 13C-DHA MR spectroscopy (MRS) and 18F-FDG PET were applied as complementary technologies in the TRAMP model. Methods: Late-stage TRAMP tumors (>4 cm3) were studied at similar time points (MR studies conducted
CCA-LISI: On Designing A CCA Parallel Sparse Linear Solver Interface

Sparse linear solvers account for much of the execution time in many high-performance computing (HPC) applications, and not every solver works on all problems. Hence choosing a suitable solver is crucial step for an efficient application. Unfortunately, the best solver cannot be determined during the application development. Experiments on finding best suitable solver require a plug and play mechanism. This work is part of the common component architecture (CCA) effort on designing a common interface among various parallel high performance linear solver libraries, hence componenizing them and enabling dynamical switching. The implementation of this interface provides a CCA toolkit and is reusable under CCA-compliant framework such as Ccaffeine.
Liver transplantation at the millennium. Past, present, and future.

Transplantation is one of the greatest achievements of modern medicine. In ad 2000, liver transplantation is well established as the definitive treatment for irreversible acute and chronic liver disease, and progress continues both in scientific investigation and in clinical practice. The care of liver transplant patients, once the domain of transplant centers, has more recently been integrated into the community-based practice of medicine. The two major challenges currently facing liver transplantation are the large and increasing disparity between the numbers of available cadaver donor organs and of qualified patients listed and waiting for transplantation and the management of recurrent disease after liver transplantation, particularly recurrent chronic hepatitis C. Future issues concerning liver transplantation will probably center on the effective use of available cadaver donor organs, including re-evaluation of selection criteria to strike a balance between medical need and the chance of a successful outcome, and on the development of new technologies to expand liver transplantation, such as cadaver split-liver transplantation, adult-to-adult living related and unrelated liver transplantation, xenotransplantation, hepatocyte transplantation, and liver-directed gene therapy. This article reviews the chronology of liver transplantation, presents the current status of transplantation, and offers speculation regarding the future directions of liver transplantation.
A visual programming language for spatial modelling in GIS

An integration between a visual programming environment and GIS has been developed to create and run spatial models. The visual programming environment provides graphical objects to create flowchart-like models of spatial phenomena using GIS data. The integrated system is object-oriented and designed to lessen the technical burdens of GIS programming. The system capabilities are demonstrated using a hydrological model example, and the model execution speed is compared with an equivalent model implementation in a traditional raster-based modelling system.
The High Water-Holding Capacity of Petrocalcic Horizons

Petrocalcic soil horizons occur in most arid and semiarid ecosystems around the world, often within the plant rooting zone. Little is known, however, about the water-holding characteristic of soils indurated with CaCO 3 . We conducted a replicated experiment to define the soil-water release curve (SWRC) for a range ofpetrocalcic horizon materials. Samples from both plugged and laminar zones of two Stage V petrocalcic horizons in southern New Mexico were characterized. Wetter soil-water potentials were measured using a pressure plate; more negative potentials (down to less than < - 10 MPa) were measured using a chilled mirror water activity meter. Measured SWRC data were fitted to the van Genuchten equation. The SWRC methods used were found to be both reliable and repeatable. Plant-available water-holding capacity (AWHC) for desert species (with wilting point set at -4.0 MPa) ranged from 0.26 m 3 m -3 in plugged zones to 0.06 m 3 m -3 in some laminar zones in contrast to about 0.07 m 3 m -3 in the loamy sand parent material. Correlation analyses across morphologies of AWHC and soil properties resulted in significant statistical relationships only with bulk density and porosity. The AWHC and CaCO 3 content, however, were significantly negatively correlated within the laminar and positively correlated within the plugged petrocalcic horizon morphologies. Cementation by CaCO 3 dramatically alters the water-holding characteristics of soils and understanding these horizons is crucial to understand patterns of soil water in desert systems throughout the world.
Functional Genomics Reveals an Essential and Specific Role for Stat1 in Protection of the Central Nervous System following Herpes Simplex Virus Corneal Infection

Innate immune deficiencies result in a spectrum of severe clinical outcomes following infection. In particular, there is a strong association between loss of the signal transducer and activator of transcription (Stat) pathway, breach of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), and virus-induced neuropathology. The gene signatures that characterize resistance, disease, and mortality in the virus-infected nervous system have not been defined. Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is commonly associated with encephalitis in humans, and humans and mice lacking Stat1 display increased susceptibility to HSV central nervous system (CNS) infections. In this study, two HSV-1 strains were used, KOS (wild type [WT]), and Δvhs, an avirulent recombinant lacking the virion host shutoff (vhs) function. In addition, two mouse strains were used: strain 129 (control) and a Stat1-deficient (Stat1(-/-)) strain. Using combinations of these virus and mouse strains, we established a model of infection resulting in three different outcomes: viral clearance without neurological disease (Δvhs infection of control mice), neurological disease followed by viral clearance (Δvhs infection of Stat1(-/-) mice and WT infection of control mice), or neurological disease followed by death (WT infection of Stat1(-/-) mice). Through the use of functional genomics on the infected brain stems, we determined gene signatures that were representative of the three infection outcomes. We demonstrated a pathological signature in the brain stem of Stat1-deficient mice characterized by upregulation of transcripts encoding chemokine receptors, inflammatory markers, neutrophil chemoattractants, leukocyte adhesion proteins, and matrix metalloproteases. Additionally, there was a greater than 100-fold increase in the inflammatory markers interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and IL-6. Consistent with this gene signature, we demonstrated profound CNS inflammation with a concomitant lethal breach of the BBB. Taken together, our results indicated an essential role for normal Stat1-dependent signaling in mediating a nonpathological immune response to viral CNS infection.
Effect of maternal dietary restriction on fetal growth and placental transfer of alpha-amino isobutyric acid in rats.

Maternal net weight gain, plasma clearance, and placental and fetal accumulation of I.V. administered 14C-alpha amino isobutyric acid (AIB) on day 20 of gestation were measured in pregnant rats: 1) fed ad libitum throughout gestation (Control), 2) fed 50% of the normal daily food intake during the last week of gestation (catabolic phase), and 3) fed 50% of the normal daily food intake throughout gestation. Dietary restriction during the catabolic phase only resulted in a loss of 54% of the net maternal weight gained during the first two weeks of gestation, while dietary restriction throughout gestation resulted in a net loss of 5.4% of the dams prepregnant weight. Both dietary regimens caused significant growth retardation of the fetus. Maternal plasma clearance of AIB was rapid and occurred at the same rate in all three groups. Placental accumulation and transfer of AIB to the fetus was reduced relative to the controls only in dams fed the restricted diet throughout gestation. Fetal to placental AIB concentration ratios were similar for each group indicting no difference in ability of placentas to release amino acid into the fetal circulation. The results indicate that mechanisms other than reduced nutrient transfer may be responsible for fetal growth retardation induced by maternal malnutrition during the catabolic phase of pregnancy only.
Transportable, modular, high security vault utilizing pin connections

A rapid deployment access delay system (RAPADS) has been designed to provide high security protection of valued assets. The author presents the RAPADS concept, design, fabrication, and construction. The system or vault is transportable, is modular, and utilizes a pin connection design. Individual panels are attached together to construct the vault. The pin connection allows for quick assembly and disassembly, and makes it possible to construct vaults of various sizes to meet a specific application. Because of the unique pin connection and overlapping joint arrangement, a sequence of assembly steps is required to assemble the vault. As a result, once the door is closed and locked, all pin connections are concealed and inaccessible. This provides a high level of protection in that no one panel or connection is vulnerable. >
Amino-acid limitation induces transcription from the human C/EBPβ gene via an enhancer activity located downstream of the protein coding sequence

For animals, dietary protein is critical for the nutrition of the organism and, at the cellular level, protein nutrition translates into amino acid availability. Amino acid deprivation triggers the AAR (amino acid response) pathway, which causes enhanced transcription from specific target genes. The present results show that C/EBPbeta (CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein beta) mRNA and protein content were increased following the deprivation of HepG2 human hepatoma cells of a single amino acid. Although there was a modest increase in mRNA half-life following histidine limitation, the primary mechanism for the elevated steady-state mRNA was increased transcription. Transient transfection documented that C/EBPbeta genomic fragments containing the 8451 bp 5' upstream of the transcription start site did not contain amino-acid-responsive elements. However, deletion analysis of the genomic region located 3' downstream of the protein coding sequence revealed that a 93 bp fragment contained an amino-acid-responsive activity that functioned as an enhancer. Exogenous expression of ATF4 (activating transcription factor 4), known to activate other genes through amino acid response elements, caused increased transcription from reporter constructs containing the C/EBPbeta enhancer in cells maintained in complete amino acid medium. Chromatin immunoprecipitation demonstrated that RNA polymerase II is bound at the C/EBPbeta promoter and at the 93 bp regulatory region in vivo, whereas ATF4 binds to the enhancer region only. Immediately following amino acid removal, the kinetics of binding for ATF4, ATF3, and C/EBPbeta itself to the 93 bp regulatory region were similar to those observed for the amino-acid-responsive asparagine synthetase gene. Collectively the findings show that expression of C/EBPbeta, which contributes to the regulation of amino-acid-responsive genes, is itself controlled by amino acid availability through transcription.
Identifying and measuring quality in a software requirements specification

Numerous treatises exist that define appropriate qualities that should be exhibited by a well written software requirements specification (SRS). In most cases these are vaguely defined. The paper explores thoroughly the concept of quality in an SRS and defines attributes that contribute to that quality. Techniques for measuring these attributes are suggested. >