cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Long-Term Survivors of Pancreatic Cancer: A California Population-Based Study.

ObjectivesPancreatic cancer continues to carry a poor prognosis with survival rates that have had minimal improvement over the past 4 decades. We report a population-based, comprehensive analysis of long-term survivors of pancreatic adenocarcinoma diagnosed in the diverse population of California.Me
Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids attenuate inflammatory activation and alter differentiation in human adipocytes.

Abstract Background: Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, specifically the fish-oil-derived eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), have been proposed as inflammation-resolving agents via their effects on adipose tissue. Objective: We proposed to determine the effects of EPA and DHA on human adipocyte differentiation and inflammatory activation in vitro. Methods: Primary human subcutaneous adipocytes from lean and obese subjects were treated with 100 μM EPA and/or DHA throughout differentiation (differentiation studies) or for 72 h postdifferentiation (inflammatory studies). THP-1 monocytes were added to adipocyte wells for co-culture experiments. Subcutaneous and visceral adipose explants from obese subjects were treated for 72 h with EPA and DHA. Oil Red O staining was performed on live cells. Cells were collected for mRNA analysis by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and media were collected for protein quantification by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Incubation with EPA and/or DHA attenuated inflammatory response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and monocyte co-culture with reduction in post-LPS mRNA expression and protein levels of IL6, CCL2 and CX3CL1. Expression of inflammatory genes was also reduced in the endogenous inflammatory response in obese adipose. Both DHA and EPA reduced lipid droplet formation and lipogenic gene expression without alteration in expression of adipogenic genes or adiponectin secretion. Conclusions: EPA and DHA attenuate inflammatory activation of in vitro human adipocytes and reduce lipogenesis.
A randomized phase II neoadjuvant trial in patients with stages II-III and inflammatory breast cancer.

3515 Background: Complete pathologic response (CR) following neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) is achieved in only a third of patients, although the CR rate doubles in those with HER2 over-expressing (+) tumors. Therefore, more efficient regimens as well as better predictors of outcome are needed. Objectives: To assess the feasibility and efficacy (defined by CR rate) of a novel regimen in comparison to standard therapy in the neoadjuvant setting; to assess the feasibility of sequential tissue procurement and to identify molecular predictors of CR with emphasis on markers of receptor/signal transduction pathways and their feedback loops. Methods: Patients with stages II-III HER- breast cancer are randomized on a prospective phase II trial to receive 6 cycles of docetaxel 75 mg/m2, doxorubicin 50 mg/m2, cyclophosphamide 500 mg/m2 (TAC, arm A) versus doxorubicin 60 mg/m2, cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m2 given every 2 weeks x 4, followed by 3 weekly doses of carboplatin (AUC 2) and paclitaxel albumin-bound 100 mg/m2 given every 4 weeks x 3 cycles (ACAC; arm B). A separate stratum of patients with HER2 + tumors are included in this trial and they receive ACAC and 12 weekly doses of trastuzumab given during the administration of carboplatin and paclitaxel albumin-bound (ACAC-T, arm C). Core biopsies of the untreated primary breast tumor are performed prior to treatment and mid-therapy, and tumor is also procured at completion from the definitive surgical specimens. Fresh frozen, formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded, and ethanol preserved tumor and adjacent stromal tissues are procured for extraction of RNA and protein analysis, allowing assessment of protein and gene expression patterns. The immunohistochemically targeted proteins include ER, PR, HER2, EGFR, p-Stat3, p-AKT, p-Src, Survivin, p21, p27, Ki67. Results: Twenty seven patients received at least one cycle of therapy (41 were screened, but due to upstaging or other eigilibility problems only 30 have or are about to receive treatment). For the 27 patients median age is 50 years (range-31-69); 13 patients presented with stage II and 14 with stage III disease (6 patients were enrolled with inflammatory breast cancer); 29% of tumors are HER2 +. Pre-treatment biopsies were successfully procured from all, and 70% of study-required mid-treatment biopsies were performed. So far, no study-limiting toxicities have been observed on either arm: grade 4 hematologic toxicities were seen on arm A (n:5); B (n:4); and C:(n:4 cases). There were no grade 2 or greater neurotoxicities. All 5 evaluable patients treated on Arm C were found to have either CR (n:3), or minimal microscopic residual disease. Conclusion: The study design is feasible, and the novel regimen is active. Scheduled comparative analysis of toxicities, CR rate, and assessment of biological markers in the first 35 patients who will have undergone definitive surgery will be presented.
Time-dependent saddle-node bifurcation: Breaking time and the point of no return in a non-autonomous model of critical transitions.

Abstract There is a growing awareness that catastrophic phenomena in biology and medicine can be mathematically represented in terms of saddle–node bifurcations. In particular, the term “tipping”, or critical transition has in recent years entered the discourse of the general public in relation to ecology, medicine, and public health. The saddle–node bifurcation and its associated theory of catastrophe as put forth by Thom and Zeeman has seen applications in a wide range of fields including molecular biophysics, mesoscopic physics, and climate science. In this paper, we investigate a simple model of a non-autonomous system with a time-dependent parameter p ( τ ) and its corresponding “dynamic” (time-dependent) saddle–node bifurcation by the modern theory of non-autonomous dynamical systems. We show that the actual point of no return for a system undergoing tipping can be significantly delayed in comparison to the breaking time τ ˆ at which the corresponding autonomous system with a time-independent parameter p a = p ( τ ˆ ) undergoes a bifurcation. A dimensionless parameter α = λ p 0 3 V − 2 is introduced, in which λ is the curvature of the autonomous saddle–node bifurcation according to parameter p ( τ ) , which has an initial value of p 0 and a constant rate of change V . We find that the breaking time τ ˆ is always less than the actual point of no return τ ∗ after which the critical transition is irreversible; specifically, the relation τ ∗ − τ ˆ ≃ 2 . 338 ( λ V ) − 1 3 is analytically obtained. For a system with a small λ V , there exists a significant window of opportunity ( τ ˆ , τ ∗ ) during which rapid reversal of the environment can save the system from catastrophe.
Challenges in globalizing the Taj Mahal- Impact on regional economy

The Taj has stood steadfast, an indomitable symbol of India’s cultural heritage, over years of evolution and subsequent modernization of our country. Over the generations, it has only gained popularity, not only adding to the country’s glory but also becoming a major earner of revenue for the Indian government. Even though it has earned itself a coveted spot amongst the seven wonders of the world, the need to consider the further effective globalization of the Taj, its challenges and consequences, is more necessary than we like to think. The challenges to the globalization of Taj largely include the upkeep of its surroundings, the tourism facilities that are available, and the preservation of the other tourist attractions around the Taj. A preliminary bird’s eye view of the historical city of Agra, home to this monument, amongst many others, displays the connection that exists between these largely forgotten heritage sites, and the Taj Mahal. There is also need for consideration of the further development of the booming business in handicrafts which display Mughal craftsmanship of the days of yore, and the erosive effect of rapid construction of structures, on the ecological health of the city. In addition to the above, the recent spat in the number of industrial units in the area, and the lack of any world-class facilities, amongst others, also present major challenges to the task of bringing the Taj closer to the global audience. While the paper seeks to lay down the need, and the hurdles that exist in catapulting the monument to a higher position, globally, yet, the paper also lineally presents the efforts that have been made till present, to overcome each of the identified challenges. While advertisements, cleanliness drives, greater facilities for tourists, the stricter procedure for the public, and the popularised public interest litigation of the Taj Trapezium case, have gone a long way in securing a global platform for the Taj, much still needs to be done to significantly achieve the same. The paper seeks to discuss many varied and unique solutions to the issue at hand, while closely reminding the reader the impact the same will have on the regional economy of the area. The paper hence, seeks to successfully establish the relation of micro-commerce of the region of Agra, with the varied solutions that could be adopted to bring about further globalisation of the Taj, the vista of opportunities that will subsequently open up for employment in the region, and the positive impact on the overall economic development of the country.
Breast cancer plus adjuvant chemotherapy- related cognitive impairment: a case study.

ABSTRACTBreast cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI), a frequent concomitant of cancer diagnosis and management, has been difficult to measure objectively. This study longitudinally investigat...
COVID-19, flattening the curve, and Benford's law

For many countries attempting to control the fast-rising number of coronavirus cases and deaths, the race is on to "flatten the curve," since the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has taken on pandemic proportions. In the absence of significant control interventions, the curve could be steep, with the number of COVID-19 cases growing exponentially. In fact, this level of proliferation may already be happening, since the number of patients infected in Italy closely follows an exponential trend. Thus, we propose a test. When the numbers are taken from an exponential distribution, it has been demonstrated that they automatically follow Benford's Law (BL). As a result, if the current control interventions are successful and we flatten the curve (i.e., we slow the rate below an exponential growth rate), then the number of infections or deaths will not obey BL. For this reason, BL may be useful for assessing the effects of the current control interventions and may be able to answer the question, "How flat is flat enough?" In this study, we used an epidemic growth model in the presence of interventions to describe the potential for a flattened curve, and then investigated whether the epidemic growth model followed BL for ten selected countries with a relatively high mortality rate. Among these countries, South Korea showed a particularly high degree of control intervention. Although all of the countries have aggressively fought the epidemic, our analysis shows that all countries except for Japan satisfied BL, indicating the growth rates of COVID-19 were close to an exponential trend. Based on the simulation table in this study, BL test shows that the data from Japan is incorrect.
El uso de Términos Etnicos en la Literatura de Ciencias Sociales del Perú

Un estudio de la literatura de Ciencias Sociales del Peru revela el uso de un buen numero de terminos etnicos que hacen referencia a varios grupos que forman la poblacion heterogenea del Peru. Un examen mas minucioso del uso de estos terminos practicado por los cientificos sociales (tanto peruano como extranjeros) muestra poco acuerdo en su significado. Tal situacion es general y no una excepcion en la ciencia social: Se puede pensar en los usos variados de algunos terminos como "clase", "raza" o "casta", en la literatura sociologica norteamericana. Sin embargo, no debemos dejarlo de lado sin haber dado la debida importancia a algunas preguntas que esta selva terminologica ocasiona.
Association of Job Expectations Among High School Students With Early Death During Adulthood.

Importance Deaths from self-injury are increasing. Understanding the sources of risk is important for prevention and treatment. Objective To estimate the risks of suicide and drug poisoning deaths among adult men whose adolescent occupational expectations were not met in adulthood. Design, setting, and participants This cohort study included a sample of men interviewed as part of the High School and Beyond study, a nationally representative study of US high school sophomores and seniors in 1980, who were interviewed every 2 years through 1986; those who were sophomores in 1980 were reinterviewed in 1992. Men who survived to 1992 and reported occupational expectations were included in the present study. Death records prior to 2018 were linked to mortality databases and released in 2019. Data analysis was conducted from May to October 2020. Exposure Occupational expectations. Main outcomes and measures Survival or death by suicide, drug poisoning, chronic liver disease, heart disease, cancer, or some other cause, categorized from International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision and Tenth Revision codes. Competing risk Fine-Gray survival models regressed cause of death on adolescent occupational expectations and covariates. Results The 11 680 men in the High School and Beyond cohort study had a median (interquartile range) age of 29 (28-30) years in 1992, when the analysis of their future mortality began. Most men survived until 2015 (11 060 [weighted percentage, 95.0%]). Reported causes of death were suicide (60 [weighted percentage, 0.5%]), drug poisoning (40 [weighted percentage, 0.4%]), chronic liver disease (20 [weighted percentage, 0.2%]), heart disease (130 [weighted percentage, 1.0%]), cancer (100 [weighted percentage, 1.0%]), and other (280 [weighted percentage, 2.0%]). Subhazard ratios for death by suicide and drug poisoning were 2.91 (95% CI, 1.07-7.88; P = .04) and 2.62 (95% CI, 1.15-5.94; P = .02) times higher, respectively, among those who in 1980 expected to hold a subbaccalaureate occupation that later declined in labor market share compared with those with professional occupational expectations. The actual job held by men did not attenuate the hazards of deaths from suicide and drug poisoning. Conclusions and relevance In this cohort study, men whose occupational expectations were not met because of labor market declines were at a higher risk of death from suicide or drug poisoning than men with different occupational expectations. Interventions to mitigate labor market changes should account for individuals' expectational ideals.
Protecting the Rights of People with Disabilities

One in four Americans — a diverse group of 61 million people — experience some form of disability (Okoro, 2018). On average, people with disabilities experience significant disparities in education, employment, poverty, access to health care, food security, housing, transportation, and exposure to crime and domestic violence (Pendo & Iezzoni, 2019). Intersections with demographic characteristics such as race, ethnicity, gender, and LGBT status, may intensify certain inequities. For example, women with disability experience greater disparities in income, education, and employment (Nosek, 2016), and members of under-served racial and ethnic groups with disabilities experience greater disparities in health status and access to health care (Yee et al., 2016). These longstanding inequities are compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic and by governmental and private responses that discriminate on the basis of disability. Legal protections of people with disabilities are governed by two key federal laws: the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (“Section 504” or “Rehabilitation Act”). Together, these laws ensure that people with disabilities have equal opportunities in employment, in state and local services and programs, and to goods and services. The broad reach of these laws impacts a host of issues raised by the COVID-19 pandemic. Enforcing agencies have provided COVID-19-specific guidance on the application of the laws in health care and in employment. However, gaps in protections as well as widespread lack of knowledge of and noncompliance with the ADA and the Rehabilitation Act limit their impact. Recommendations include: continued enforcement of the laws; clear and current agency guidance on how to comply with the laws; education about the requirements of the laws, especially in health care settings; and improved data collection and reporting.
RF Coupling Suppression Circuit for Simultaneous Transmit and Receive Systems

Wireless technology is growing at a fast rate to accommodate the expanding user demands. Currently the radio frequency (RF) spectrum is highly congested and more susceptible to signal fratricide and interference. Therefore, full duplexing techniques are required to enhance the access to the spectrum. Simultaneous Transmit and receive systems (STAR), also known as in-band full duplex systems, are gaining higher attention due to their capability to double spectral efficiency. However, successful implementation of STAR systems requires significant isolation between the transmit and receive signals to reduce self-interference (SI) signal. To minimize this self-interference, front-end coupling cancellation circuits are employed in STAR system. In this paper, an RF coupling suppression circuit is presented based on a hybrid finite impulse response filter (FIR) and resonator architecture. Notably, this newly developed FIR-resonator circuit achieves >30dB cancellation across a >1.5:1 bandwidth.
Adaptive Estimation in Multivariate Response Regression with Hidden Variables

This paper studies the estimation of the coefficient matrix $\Ttheta$ in multivariate regression with hidden variables, $Y = (\Ttheta)^TX + (B^*)^TZ + E$, where $Y$ is a $m$-dimensional response vector, $X$ is a $p$-dimensional vector of observable features, $Z$ represents a $K$-dimensional vector of unobserved hidden variables, possibly correlated with $X$, and $E$ is an independent error. The number of hidden variables $K$ is unknown and both $m$ and $p$ are allowed but not required to grow with the sample size $n$. Since only $Y$ and $X$ are observable, we provide necessary conditions for the identifiability of $\Ttheta$. The same set of conditions are shown to be sufficient when the error $E$ is homoscedastic. Our identifiability proof is constructive and leads to a novel and computationally efficient estimation algorithm, called HIVE. The first step of the algorithm is to estimate the best linear prediction of $Y$ given $X$ in which the unknown coefficient matrix exhibits an additive decomposition of $\Ttheta$ and a dense matrix originated from the correlation between $X$ and the hidden variable $Z$. Under the row sparsity assumption on $\Ttheta$, we propose to minimize a penalized least squares loss by regularizing $\Ttheta$ via a group-lasso penalty and regularizing the dense matrix via a multivariate ridge penalty. Non-asymptotic deviation bounds of the in-sample prediction error are established. Our second step is to estimate the row space of $B^*$ by leveraging the covariance structure of the residual vector from the first step. In the last step, we remove the effect of hidden variable by projecting $Y$ onto the complement of the estimated row space of $B^*$. Non-asymptotic error bounds of our final estimator are established. The model identifiability, parameter estimation and statistical guarantees are further extended to the setting with heteroscedastic errors.
Adult Bilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis

Patients with bilateral vocal fold paralysis (BVFP) typically present with signs and symptoms of airway compromise due to glottic obstruction. While the most common etiology of BVFP in the adult population is iatrogenic surgical injury to the injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerves (RLNs), the differential diagnosis is broad and includes malignancy, neurologic, and idiopathic etiologies. Management is dictated by the degree of airway compromise and prognosis for recovery of neural function. We describe etiologies and treatment options for BVFP in the adult population. Multiple management strategies for BVFP have been described and are evolving. Tracheotomy is often employed initially while return of vocal fold mobility is awaited. Other short-term temporizing treatments, such as suture lateralization and laryngeal botulinum toxin injection, have been developed and can potentially allow patients to avoid tracheotomy. When mobility does not return after an appropriate observation period, permanent treatment options such as cordotomy and medial arytenoidectomy may be considered. These procedures improve ventilation by expanding the glottic airway and typically result in some loss of voice quality. Promising experimental treatments include laryngeal reinnervation and laryngeal pacing. Etiologies of BVFP are numerous and management is often dictated by prognosis for recovery of vocal fold mobility. Both temporizing and permanent treatment options for improving ventilation have been developed. Experimental treatments such as reinnervation and laryngeal pacing are promising and may offer the best combined voice and airway outcomes.
Investigation of Raman Spectroscopic Signatures with Multivariate Statistics: An Approach for Cataloguing Microbial Biosignatures

Spectroscopic instruments are increasingly being implemented in the search for extraterrestrial life. However, microstructural spectral analyses of alien environments could prove difficult without ...
Bacterial Enteric Infections Among Older Adults in the United States: Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network, 1996–2012

Abstract Background: A growing segment of the population—adults aged ≥65 years—is more susceptible than younger adults to certain enteric (including foodborne) infections and experience more severe disease. Materials and Methods: Using data on laboratory-confirmed infections from the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet), we describe trends in the incidence of Campylobacter spp., Escherichia coli O157, Listeria monocytogenes, and nontyphoidal Salmonella infections in adults aged ≥65 years over time and by age group and sex. We used data from FoodNet and other sources to estimate the total number of illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths in the United States caused by these infections each year using a statistical model to adjust for underdiagnosis (taking into account medical care-seeking, stool sample submission, laboratory practices, and test sensitivity). Results: From 1996 to 2012, 4 pathogens caused 21,405 laboratory-confirmed infections among older adults residing in the FoodNet ...
Officers' Latrine at Fort Larned and Inferences On Status

Analysis of artifacts from a Fort Lamed, Kansas, officer's latrine indicates that the socio-economic status of persons depositing the material culture can be ascertained. In this case, status is de...
Nutrient-enhanced decomposition of plant biomass in a freshwater wetland

We studied soil decomposition in a Panicum hemitomon (Schultes)-dominated freshwater marsh located in southeastern Louisiana that was unambiguously changed by secondarily-treated municipal wastewater effluent. We used four approaches to evaluate how belowground biomass decomposition rates vary under different nutrient regimes in this marsh. The results of laboratory experiments demonstrated how nutrient enrichment enhanced the loss of soil or plant organic matter by 50%, and increased gas production. An experiment demonstrated that nitrogen, not phosphorus, limited decomposition. Cellulose decomposition at the field site was higher in the flowfield of the introduced secondarily treated sewage water, and the quality of the substrate (% N or % P) was directly related to the decomposition rates. We therefore rejected the null hypothesis that nutrient enrichment had no effect on the decomposition rates of these organic soils. In response to nutrient enrichment, plants respond through biomechanical or structural adaptations that alter the labile characteristics of plant tissue. These adaptations eventually change litter type and quality (where the marsh survives) as the % N content of plant tissue rises and is followed by even higher decomposition rates of the litter produced, creating a positive feedback loop. Marsh fragmentation will increase as a result. The assumptions and conditions underlying the use of unconstrained wastewater flow within natural wetlands, rather than controlled treatment within the confines of constructed wetlands, are revealed in the loss of previously sequestered carbon, habitat, public use, and other societal benefits.
Exploiting Sequential Learning to Estimate Establishment-Level Productivity Dynamics and Decision Rules

This paper develops a sequential learning estimator of production functions and productivity dynamics for unbalanced establishment panels. Extending an idea from the literature on dynamic industry models, establishments are uncertain about their own idiosyncratic productivities and update productivity beliefs using information revealed by their production experience. The estimator relies on the structure of this iterative learning process and thereby avoids placing any restriction on establishment strategic behavior. Consequently, the estimator is suitable for comparative studies of the behavioral sources of technological change across all types of industry. Estimation of productivity dynamics and of behavioral decision rules are separated into recursive stages. Using sequential learning estimates of productivity beliefs from the first stage, decision rules for exit, investment, and innovation effort can be estimated in a second stage. A test application with four Chilean industries confirms that the estimator produces plausible estimates with small standard errors. Decision rule estimates show that productivity beliefs affect investment and exit hazards in the expected direction.
How Fast Do Economics Converge

The conventional approach to estimating how fast economics converge examines the cross-economy relationship between the growth rate of per-capita output over some time period and its initial level. This approach produces consistent estimates only under highly restrictive assumptions, which are violated by the data. The paper develops an alternative approach that produces consistent estimates under weak assumptions. This approach yields estimates substantially larger than those reported in the literature and also sufficiently large to be broadly consistent with the predictions of neoclassical growth theory.
Cloned and expressed rat Ca2+-sensing receptor: Differential cooperative responses to calcium and magnesium

We have stably expressed cDNA for the rat brain Ca2+-sensing receptor in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Stimulation of phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis and arachidonic acid (AA) release displayed markedly cooperative responses to Ca2+ with Hill coefficients of 4-5. Both phosphatidylinositol and AA responses were not detected below a threshold of 1.5 mM Ca2+. Mg2+ behaved as a partial agonist with only half the maximal inositol phosphate and AA responses displayed by Ca2+ and with a more shallow concentration-response slope. The potency of Mg2+ in augmenting inositol phosphate and AA responses, in the presence of 1.5 mM Ca2+, implies that serum Mg2+ concentrations attained in clinical conditions will influence the Ca2+-sensing receptor.
Conference committee participation and party loyalty

The CC has reemerged as a topic of analysis in recent years. The leading theory contends that the CC is an ex post guarantor of committee power. Support for this theory is allegedly shown by the “domination” of conference committees by legislators with original jurisdiction. This evidence, however, assumes preference homogeneity. Our alternative theory contends that the CC is a low-cost negotiating institution headed by the presiding officers and used to achieve stability on important legislation. Conference committees attenuate outlying committee positions in order to facilitate bicameral agreement and enhance the exchange value of Congress. Conferees are chosen because of their record of majority-party loyalty not preference intransigence. If this view is correct, the interests of conferees will be more closely aligned with the leadership then they are with committee chairmen.
Regulation of haeme oxygenase‐1 for treatment of neuroinflammation and brain disorders

Injury to the CNS elicits a host defense reaction that utilizes astrocytes, microglia, neurons and oligodendrocytes. Neuroinflammation is a major host defense mechanism designed to restore normal structure and function after CNS insult, but like other forms of inflammation, chronic neuroinflammation may contribute to pathogenesis. The inducible haeme oxygenase isoform, haeme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), is a phase 2 enzyme upregulated in response to electrophilic xenobiotics, oxidative stress, cellular injury and disease. There is emerging evidence that HO-1 expression helps mediate the resolution of inflammation, including neuroinflammation. Whether this is solely because of the catabolism of haeme or includes additional mechanisms is unclear. This review provides a brief background on the molecular biology and biochemistry of haeme oxygenases and the actions of haeme, bilirubin, iron and carbon monoxide in the CNS. It then presents our current state of knowledge regarding HO-1 expression in the CNS, regulation of HO-1 induction in neural cells and discusses the prospect of pharmacological manipulation of HO-1 as therapy for CNS disorders. Because of recognized species and cellular differences in HO-1 regulation, a major objective of this review is to draw attention to areas where gaps exist in the experimental record regarding regulation of HO-1 in neural cells. The results indicate the HO-1 system to be an important therapeutic target in CNS disorders, but our understanding of HO-1 expression in human neural cells is severely lacking.
Structural stability of Li1-xNi0.85Co0.15O2 and Li1-xNi0.85Co0.12Al0.03O2 cathodes at elevated temperatures

Layered LiNi 0.85 Co 0.15 O 2 and LiNi 0.85 Co 0.12 Al 0.03 O 2 oxides have been synthesized by a gel method and a hydroxide precursor method. The LiNi 0.85 Co 0.12 Al 0.03 O 2 oxide prepared by the hydroxide precursor route exhibits a reversible capacity of around 170 mAh/g with excellent cyclability. With an objective to evaluate the structural stability of nickel-based layered oxides, the variations in the lattice parameters of charged Li 1-x Ni 0.85 Co 0.15 O 2 and Li 1-x Ni 0.85 Co 0.12 Al 0.03 O 2 cathodes with temperature have been investigated. The change in lattice parameters have been monitored by (i) heating the charged cathodes at various temperatures in air after the first charge and after 20 cycles, (ii) heating at various temperatures the cycled coin cells in the charged state without opening, and (iii) cycling the cells at various temperatures. The experiments reveal a decrease in the c/a ratio with increasing temperature (T > 50°C) due to a migration of the nickel ions from the nickel planes to the lithium planes. The change in the c/a ratio is more pronounced during the initial number of cycles and it becomes less pronounced as the cathodes are cycled.
The social norms of birth cohorts and adolescent marijuana use in the United States, 1976–2007

Aims Studies of the relationship between social norms and marijuana use have generally focused on individual attitudes, leaving the influence of larger societal‐level attitudes unknown. The present study investigated societal‐level disapproval of marijuana use defined by birth cohort or by time‐period. Design Combined analysis of nationally representative annual surveys of secondary school students in the United States conducted from 1976 to 2007 as part of the Monitoring the Future study. Setting In‐school surveys completed by adolescents in the United States. Participants A total of 986 003 adolescents in grades 8, 10 and 12. Measurements Main predictors included the percentage of students who disapproved of marijuana in each birth cohort and time‐period. Multi‐level models with individuals clustered in time‐periods of observation and birth cohorts were modeled, with past‐year marijuana use as the outcome. Findings Results indicated a significant and strong effect of birth cohort disapproval of marijuana use in predicting individual risk of marijuana use, after controlling for individual‐level disapproval, perceived norms towards marijuana and other characteristics. Compared to birth cohorts in which most (87-90.9%) adolescents disapproved of marijuana use, odds of marijuana use were 3.53 times higher in cohorts where fewer than half (42-46.9%) disapproved (99% confidence interval: 2.75, 4.53). Conclusions Individuals in birth cohorts that are more disapproving of marijuana use are less likely to use, independent of their personal attitudes towards marijuana use. Social norms and attitudes regarding marijuana use cluster in birth cohorts, and this clustering has a direct effect on marijuana use even after controlling for individual attitudes and perceptions of norms.
Examining the IFSPs of Rural, Low-income Families: Are They Reflective of Family Concerns?

Abstract Individualized family service plans (IFSPs) should reflect the concerns and priorities of the families for which the plan is written. Families with low incomes that live in rural areas may have unique concerns and priorities due to their financial circumstances and where they live. In this study, qualitative methods were used to examine the concerns of five rural, low-income families of young children with disabilities and the content of their IFSP documents. The families identified three categories of concerns: parenting a child with a disability, health issues of the child, and family issues. The families' IFSP documents primarily addressed concerns related to parenting a child with a disability. Findings from this study suggest a potential disconnect between family-identified concerns and family outcomes and supports outlined on the IFSP.
Hirschi’s Reconceptualization of Self-Control: Is Truth Truly the Daughter of Time? Evidence from Eleven Cultures

Abstract Purpose The conceptualization and measurement of self-control remains a debated topic, in criminology as well as other social and behavioral sciences. The current study compared the relationships between the Grasmick and colleagues (1993) self-control scale and the redefined self-control measure by Hirschi (2004) on measures of deviance in samples of adolescents. Methods Anonymous, self-report data were collected from over N = 16,000 middle and late adolescents in China, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Japan, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, and the United States. Results Based on latent constructs with items parcels in an SEM framework, multi-group tests were used to examine both the relative predictive utility of each self-control measure on deviance and the extent to which these relationships varied across cultures. Both scales appear to tap into self-control; however, findings provide evidence that the Grasmick et al. measure explains more variance. These links did not vary across cultural contexts. Conclusions Hirschi provocatively suggested that the truth is the daughter of time; yet, we find that the measure developed by Grasmick and colleagues, the most widely used scale, retains greater explanatory power, and does so in an invariant manner across all eleven developmental contexts examined.
The decision-making process of us food and drug administration advisory committees on switches from prescription to over-the-counter status: A comparative case study

Abstract Background: The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and FDA advisory committees have been under increasing scrutiny as a result of media attention to safety concerns. Objective: This article compares the decision-making process of the FDA's Nonprescription Drugs Advisory Committee (NDAC) in 3 cases of a proposed switch from prescription to over-the-counter (OTC) status involving a nicotine replacement therapy product, 2 statins, and an emergency oral contraceptive. Methods: This comparative case study reviewed written transcripts and slides from 4 NDAC committee meetings and a digital video disc recording of a later meeting held to reconsider one of the proposed switches. The focus was on the committee's discussion and deliberation processes. Content analysis and iterative coding were used to assess the level of participation by committee members and the extent to which committee discussion adhered to both the key draft list questions provided by the FDA and the published DeLap criteria for switches from prescription to OTC status. Other major themes and discussion topics were identified, and the voting process was analyzed. Results: In the absence of clearly defined meeting procedures, the advisory committees developed their own procedural standards. There were major differences between meetings in terms of the extent of discussion of the key draft list questions and adherence to the DeLap principles, discussion of other themes and topics, and voting methods. In each case, at least 1 major topic of discussion was not directly related to safety, efficacy, or self-use. Additional identified themes were the public health significance of a switch to OTC status, costs, and access. Conclusions: Variability in processes created discrepancies in the decision-making criteria used by the NDAC committees. There is a need to establish structured procedures to achieve an optimal level of uniformity and transparency in advisory committee processes.
Attachment and response of human fibroblast and breast cancer cells to three dimensional silicon microstructures of different geometries.

The paper reports the development of three dimensional (3-D) silicon microstructures and the utilization of these microenvironments for discriminating between normal fibroblast (HS68) and breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231). These devices consist of arrays of microchambers connected with channels and were fabricated using a single-mask, single-isotropic-etch process. The behavior and response of normal fibroblast and breast cancer cells, two key cell types in human breast tumor microenvironments, were explored in terms of adhesion and growth in these artificial 3-D microenvironments having curved sidewalls. Breast cancer cells formed stable adhesions with the curved sidewalls however fibroblasts stretched and elongated their cytoskeleton and actin filaments inside the microchambers. Statistical analysis revealed that fibroblast cells grew on both flat silicon surfaces and inside the microchambers regardless of microchamber depth. However, the localization of breast cancer cells in these same substrates was dependent on the microchamber depth. After 72 h in culture, the ratio of the number of breast cancer cells on flat surfaces compared to breast cancer cells inside the microchambers was significantly decreased within the deeper microchambers; for microchambers having depths 88 μm less than 5% of the breast cancer cells grew on the flat surfaces. This behavior was sustained for 120 h, the longest time point examined. The results suggest that certain 3-D silicon microstructures have potential application as a tool to detect breast cancer cells and also as a platform for separating normal fibroblasts from breast cancer cells for cancer diagnosis applications.
The timing of microsurgical reconstruction in lower extremity trauma

The timing of post traumatic microsurgical lower extremity reconstruction was defined by Godina in 1986, with recommendations for flap coverage of Gustillo grade IIIb/c fractures within 72 hours of injury. Godina's study showed the highest risk of infection and flap loss in the delayed period (72 hours-90 days). Subsequent authors have also cited lower rates of flap loss and infection when repair was performed "early". However, the definition of "early" remains ambiguous. We hypothesized that definitive debridement with optimal dressing care, meticulous microsurgical treatment planning, and vessel anastomoses outside of the zone of injury would allow for delayed reconstruction with high success rates. A retrospective review of 14 lower extremity reconstructions with free flaps was undertaken over a 4-year period. All patients underwent reconstruction in the delayed (>72 hours) period. There were no flap losses and one case of late osteomyelitis. We conclude that lower extremity reconstruction can be performed safely and effectively in the "delayed" period to allow for wound debridement, stabilization of other injuries, and transfer to a microsurgical facility.
On the finite element analysis of fatigue crack closure—1. Basic modeling issues

Abstract A model for the elastic-plastic finite element simulation of fatigue crack growth and crack closure is presented and evaluated. Results show that careful attention must be given to a series of critical decisions about mesh and model design if the analysis is to be reliable. Of particular concern is the mesh refinement along the crack line and the extent of crack growth beyond initial crack lengths or notch sizes. Possible criteria which would insure valid results are suggested. The choice of a crack advance scheme is considered, and several possible schemes are shown to give similar but not identical results. A particular scheme is endorsed for its stability and economy. Crack opening stresses determined by the finite element method are shown to be consistent with a number of simple analytical models, giving special attention to the effects of stress ratio and maximum stress.
PES marketplace development at the local scale: The Eugene Water and Electric Board as a local watershed services marketplace driver

Abstract Payments for ecosystems services (PES) is increasingly recognized as a way to protect and enhance ecosystems by linking beneficiaries and providers through various payment options and voluntary supply arrangements. The concept of the local marketplace, which uses a non-commodity, expanded view of the PES marketplace, has significant potential for non-fungible PES such as watershed services. Water utilities can be key drivers in development of such marketplaces as they are prominent actors in communities and watersheds, and they are typically strategically situated between PES purchasers and potential providers. This article explores the potential for local PES marketplaces and the role of water utilities in their development through a case study of the Voluntary Incentives Program (VIP), a PES initiative under development by the Eugene Water and Electric Board (EWEB) in Eugene, Oregon. Using a mixed method research approach to explore institutional and social acceptability issues, findings suggest strong support for the program, and for EWEB's role among providers and purchasers. Implications include, among other things, the significant potential for water utilities to act as local marketplace drivers and the importance of carefully designing local PES programs to meet local marketplace needs and support.
Optimal Wasteload Allocation Procedure for Achieving Dissolved Oxygen Water Quality Objectives. I: Sensitivity Analysis

A method is presented to compute sensitivities of in-stream dissolved oxygen (DO) with respect to perturbations in the load vector and the reaction coefficients that make up the eutrophication cycle. It is shown that the \Idirect sensitivity method\N, i.e., the repetitive solution of the direct problem, produces the desired information, however at a large computational cost. The utilization of the \Iadjoint sensitivity method\N proves to be a much more efficient way to compute these sensitivities as large subsets of the sensitivity information domain can be easily extracted with just a few runs. It is found that for the given problem setup, in-stream DO is most sensitive to ammonia, effluent DO, algae, and carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand (CBOD) loads. Additionally, the computed sensitivities vary considerably in their general trend over the simulation time. Sensitivities also are computed with respect to the reaction coefficients (26 total) that govern the interdependency of all constituents. Sediment oxygen demand proves to be the coefficient with the highest influence that is three orders of magnitude higher than the next set of coefficients comprised of reaeration, CBOD degradation, nitrification, and denitrification. All other coefficients have a negligible influence on DO concentrations. Computations are carried out using a two-dimensional model formulation applied to a long rectangular channel with varying width and slope and periodic but unsteady flow conditions.
The Story of an Outlier: … A Case Study of One Young Deaf Child and His Journey Towards Early Mathematical Competence

The purpose of this study was to examine the story behind one young deaf child who demonstrated exceptional early mathematical competence and the individual and family characteristics that might have contributed to his success. As an outlier, this child achieved a score on a test of early mathematical ability that was two standard deviations higher than the next highest score. Using qualitative methodology, this study examines factors that may have contributed to this child's early mathematical success including family, home, and individual learning behaviours such as engagement, resilience, curiosity, and challenge seeking. Findings indicate that there is value to examining the story behind outlier scores and that multiple factors are likely to contribute to success.
Scholartracking: the Ethics and Politics of Studying "Others" in the Work of Sam D. Gill

What was I to do about the cold, hard fact that I and my teachers before me had manipulated cultural materials beyond the constraints of my sources to make them fit my views, my theories?.... I suspected ... that this incident reflects Western man's way of being in the world-colonist and imperialist, arrogant and insensitive, professing great humane causes but accomplishing the opposite. I began to fear that this tiny incident in my academic practice characterized not only my work but also the work of my profession and my cultural and intellectual heritage. Not wanting to face this way of spending ... my life, the research and reflections that have become this book were self-examination in the service of self-justification: my efforts to rationalize why I am doing with my life what I am.
Telecommunications evolution and inequities of current tax policies: A case analysis for New Jersey

Abstract Telecommunications technologies, services and regulatory policies have been on a rapid spiral of evolution in recent years. However, state policies on taxation of telecommunications services and service providers and the systems of compensation of local governments for the use of public resources by cable television and telecommunications companies, have not kept pace with this rapid change. This paper examines the case of the State of New Jersey. It provides a baseline profile of revenues, taxes and user fees of telecommunications service providers for 1999 through 2005. The paper illustrates the effect of convergence and discusses the need for updating tax policies.