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Infectious disease (ID) cohorts are key to advancing public health surveillance, public policies, and pandemic responses. Unfortunately, ID cohorts often lack funding to store and share clinical-epidemiological (CE) data and high-dimensional laboratory (HDL) data long term, which is evident when the link between these data elements is not kept up to date. This becomes particularly apparent when smaller cohorts fail to successfully address the initial scientific objectives due to limited case numbers, which also limits the potential to pool these studies to monitor long-term cross-disease interactions within and across populations. CE data from 9 arbovirus (arthropod-borne viruses) cohorts in Latin America were retrospectively harmonized using the Maelstrom Research methodology and standardized to Clinical Data Interchange Standards Consortium (CDISC). We created a harmonized and standardized meta-cohort that contains CE and HDL data from 9 arbovirus studies from Latin America. To facilitate advancements in cross-population inference and reuse of cohort data, the Reconciliation of Cohort Data for Infectious Diseases (ReCoDID) Consortium harmonized and standardized CE and HDL from 9 arbovirus cohorts into 1 meta-cohort. Interested parties will be able to access data dictionaries that include information on variables across the data sets via Bio Studies. After consultation with each cohort, linked harmonized and curated human cohort data (CE and HDL) will be made accessible through the European Genome-phenome Archive platform to data users after their requests are evaluated by the ReCoDID Data Access Committee. This meta-cohort can facilitate various joint research projects (eg, on immunological interactions between sequential flavivirus infections and for the evaluation of potential biomarkers for severe arboviral disease).

Purpose: This paper aims to understand the debate about what constitutes good education in the Netherlands. The meaning of the concept of democracy in these public debates is divergent and rather diffuse. If teachers, citizens, advisory councils, and the Dutch government agree that democracy ought to be anchored in future education, we first and foremost need to understand its meaning within these current debates. Approach: In this study we conducted a frame analysis of eleven key documents from three relevant domains. The diagnostic frame shows that on the whole the authors of these documents view 'neoliberalism' and a 'culture of measurement' as undermining forces in education. Findings: The prognostic frame shows that all authors frame democracy as a prognosis, but with four different meanings: 1) democracy as organizational structure, 2) democracy as governmental policy, 2) democracy as knowledge and skill, and 4) democracy as a practice. We argue that these can be interpreted as four dimensions of a democratic solution, constructed as a response to neoliberal tendencies in Dutch education

This study aimed to determine the incidence of post-chikungunya chronic rheumatism (pCHIK-CR) and its impact on quality of life (QoL) and chronic fatigue in adults seven years after the 2014–2015 CHIKV outbreak in Piedecuesta, Colombia. We evaluated 78 adults (median age: 30 years, IQR: 21.0; women 60.3%) with confirmed CHIKV infection. In 2022, participants underwent a GALS examination and completed surveys on disability, stiffness, health status, and fatigue. A rheumatologist evaluated patients who reported arthralgia, morning stiffness, and abnormal GALS examination. Chronic fatigue was defined as fatigue persisting for over six months. Seven years after infection, 14.1% of participants were classified as pCHIK-CR cases, 41.0% as having non-inflammatory pain, likely degenerative (NIP-LD), and 44.9% without rheumatic disease (Wo-RM). Patients with pCHIK-CR and NIP-LD exhibited significantly worse QoL compared to Wo-RM cases. Chronic fatigue prevalence increased from 8.6% in Wo-RM patients to 25.0% in NIP-LD and 54.6% in pCHIK-CR cases. This study implemented a comprehensive clinical assessment to objectively estimate and characterize the incidence of chronic rheumatological disease attributed to CHIKV infection. One in seven cases with CHIKV infection develops pCHIK-CR, which impacts both QoL and chronic fatigue. This study contributes to understanding the burden of these arboviruses in the medium term.

El presente artículo tiene como finalidad analizar la figura del peritaje ambiental como herramienta probatoria vinculante a las actuales dinámicas del derecho procesal colombiano como un medio para poder garantizar la sostenibilidad del Estado. Es a partir de esto que se puede comprender que la misma, como un medio de prueba se aleja de la clásica concepción que existe sobre los meros aspectos técnicos que trae consigo un peritaje sobre esta área. Lo anterior debido principalmente a que las bases sobre las que se cimienta el peritaje ambiental son multidisciplinarias y su enfoque busca precisamente primar la sostenibilidad sobre cualquier aspecto, esto debido a que la prueba permite allegar aspectos conexos y transversales al medio ambiente, de manera que le otorgaría a un operador de justicia la información suficiente para que su fallo sea lo menos gravoso posible al entorno, el ambiente y todos los demás elementos que componen la sociedad. Por lo tanto, se llegó a la conclusión que el peritaje ambiental si resulta en un medio idóneo para poder efectivizar la sostenibilidad no solo del medio ambiente en sí, sino también de las propias decisiones judiciales del Estado colombiano.

A partir de la promulgación de la Constitución política de 1991, Colombia atravesó una serie de cambios en sus fundamentos como Estado, pues pasó de ser un Estado de derecho a uno social y democrático de derecho. Tal aseveración instauró la dignidad humana como principal pilar de toda actuación realizada dentro del aparato estatal. Esto permitió la ampliación y el reconocimiento de multiplicidad de derechos, así como de los elementos esenciales que constituían a Colombia. No obstante, tal situación no ha sido totalmente definida y clara para los pueblos indígenas, pues ha sido la Corte Constitucional, mediante su propia jurisprudencia, la que ha ido enmarcando la evolución de los derechos que tales comunidades tienen de cara a la consulta previa, ampliando y creando reglas y subreglas sobre las maneras en que este derecho opera. El problema que se plantea es el siguiente: ¿de qué manera la Corte Constitucional ha amparado los derechos de las comunidades indígenas y los pueblos tribales dentro del Estado colombiano, respecto del reconocimiento de la consulta previa? La principal respuesta permitió determinar que, al desarrollar su marco jurídico, el alto tribunal ha sido la salvaguardia no solo de las comunidades indígenas, sino también de la operatividad de la consulta previa.

The 2015-17 Zika virus (ZIKV) epidemic in the Americas subsided faster than expected and evolving population immunity was postulated to be the main reason. Herd immunization is suggested to occur around 60-70% seroprevalence, depending on demographic density and climate suitability. However, herd immunity was only documented for a few cities in South America, meaning a substantial portion of the population might still be vulnerable to a future Zika virus outbreak. The aim of our study was to determine the vulnerability of populations to ZIKV by comparing the environmental suitability of ZIKV transmission to the observed seroprevalence, based on published studies. Using a systematic search, we collected seroprevalence and geospatial data for 119 unique locations from 37 studies. Extracting the environmental suitability at each location and converting to a hypothetical expected seroprevalence, we were able to determine the discrepancy between observed and expected. This discrepancy is an indicator of vulnerability and divided into three categories: high risk, low risk, and very low risk. The vulnerability was used to evaluate the level of risk that each location still has for a ZIKV outbreak to occur. Of the 119 unique locations, 69 locations (58%) fell within the high risk category, 47 locations (39%) fell within the low risk category, and 3 locations (3%) fell within the very low risk category. The considerable heterogeneity between environmental suitability and seroprevalence potentially leaves a large population vulnerable to future infection. Vulnerability seems to be especially pronounced at the fringes of the environmental suitability for ZIKV (e.g. Sao Paulo, Brazil). The discrepancies between observed and expected seroprevalence raise the question: "why did the ZIKV epidemic stop with large populations unaffected?". This lack of understanding also highlights that future ZIKV outbreaks currently cannot be predicted with confidence.

Background: Saliva samples may be an easier, faster, safer, and cost-saving alternative to NPS samples, and can be self-collected by the patient. Whether SARS-CoV-2 RT-qPCR in saliva is more accurate than in nasopharyngeal swaps (NPS) is uncertain. We evaluated the accuracy of the RT-qPCR in both types of samples, assuming both approaches were imperfect. Methods: We assessed the limit of detection (LoD) of RT-qPCR in each type of sample. We collected paired NPS and saliva samples and tested them using the Berlin Protocol to detect SARS-CoV-2 envelope protein (E). We used a Bayesian latent class analysis (BLCA) to estimate the sensitivity and specificity of each test, while accounting for their conditional dependence. Results: The LoD were 10 copies/mL in saliva and 100 copies/mL in NPS. Paired samples of saliva and NPS were collected in 412 participants. Out of 68 infected cases, 14 were positive only in saliva. RT-qPCR sensitivity ranged from 82.7 % (95 % CrI: 54.8, 94.8) in NPS to 84.5 % (50.9, 96.5) in saliva. Corresponding specificities were 99.1 % (95 % CrI: 95.3, 99.8) and 98.4 %(95 % CrI: 92.8, 99.7). Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 RT-qPCR test in saliva specimens has a similar or better accuracy than RT-qPCR test in NPS. Saliva specimens may be ideal for surveillance in general population, particularly in children, and in healthcare or other personnel in need of serial testing.

En la contratación estatal en Colombia los desafíos del legislador consisten en evitar y controlar la corrupción en las diferentes entidades de orden nacional, departamental y municipal; por lo anterior, el funcionario público tiene un papel importante en proceder de conformidad a las leyes, decretos y dar cumplimiento a los principios de la contratación. El presente trabajo aborda el estudio del uso indebido de la información privilegiada por parte de los funcionarios públicos con ocasión a su función de contratar con particulares a través de las diferentes modalidades de contratación establecidas por la Ley 80 del 1993, es así que a través de un método inductivo-hermenéutico con enfoque cualitativo se logró determinar la responsabilidad que le asiste a los funcionarios públicos cuando hacen uso indebido de información privilegiada al interior de la contratación pública. Siendo la principal conclusión de este ejercicio académico, que las entidades estatales deben implementar políticas públicas de gobierno corporativo y sensibilizar al funcionario de las consecuencias de las responsabilidades en materia: penal, laboral, disciplinario y civil por sus acciones del uso indebido de información privilegiada en la contratación estatal explicado desde distintas fuentes jurídicas.

Introducción: El presente artículo indaga acerca de la posibilidad de regular el contrato de maternidad subrogada desde una perspectiva de la relación laboral que puede existir entre la madre gestante y los padres adoptantes. De manera que se tiene como objetivo de investigación analizar la aplicación del fuero de maternidad en los contratos de maternidad subrogada, así como esbozar la existencia de una relación de carácter laboral. Investigación que se ejecutó mediante una Metodología correlacional, descriptiva y explicativa. Sobre las cuales los principales resultados obtenidos fueron, por una parte, la multiplicidad de relaciones laborales posibles en el contrato de maternidad subrogada y por otra parte el fuero de maternidad, que debe ser aplicado de manera total y parcial, dependiendo de la madre gestante o la madre adoptiva. Finalmente, las principales conclusiones permiten establecer que existen tres formas o modalidades de relación laboral de manera que al no encontrarse una regulación fuerte sobre la materia pueden presentarse vicisitudes en su aplicación futura

This paper outlines the results of a research study aiming to analyse the prevailing standard of probability in relation to both evidence and context as means of proof in simulation proceedings in Colombian civil law. The fundamental contribution of this research study is to prioritise the logical-valuative judgements made by the judge when analysing the context circumstantial evidence in court ruling on simulated legal transactions. The question to be addressed, by means of a basic legal, analytical, systematic and hermeneutic methodology, is the following: Does context evidence constitute a limit to the standards of circumstantial evidence in decisions on simulation proceedings? The paper concludes that, although it does not constitute a valuation limit, it does allow the development of the prevailing probability standard with respect to simulation.

Regular class attendance has traditionally been seen as a positive contributor to academic success in higher education. However, progress in educational technologies, evolving learning styles, and self-directed learning have given rise to a debate on the role of physical presence of students in class. This study aimed to analyse the impact of class attendance on academic performance. For this, class attendance was daily registered across multiple geography courses in various universities over five academic years. Results showed that the average class attendance was 67.6%, although a decline in class attendance as courses progressed was observed. Despite this, only a relatively low proportion of students failed their subject (16.8%). Nevertheless, statistical analysis showed significant differences in final grades between students with high and low attendance. Generally, students with above-average attendance were prone to earn an above-average final grade, and vice versa. Therefore, it could be established that class attendance was an indicator of academic success, while significant levels of absenteeism could work as indicators of worse academic performance. Recognizing the importance of in-person attendance is crucial, but addressing forthcoming challenges is equally important. Future research should explore the use of emerging technologies and learning styles to foster more suitable learning environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Spanish region of Extremadura represents a paradigmatic case within the European Union because above 30% of its territory (41,634 km2) is protected by international, national or regional figures of protection. In addition, many of these protected areas are connected between them through the so-called Armorican Arch of Cáceres which crosses the region from SE to NW as if it were a natural corridor of quartzite ridges. The main goal of this study was to identify tourist resources in this natural corridor aimed at the design of tourist routes that can suppose an opportunity of touristic development in this territory characterized by a low population density. For doing that, we have followed these methodological steps: [1] geographical delimitation of the Armorican Arch of Cáceres, [2] socio-economic analysis of the municipalities and [3] identification of the natural protected sites crossed by this corridor, [4] compilation of information on fauna and flora as well as geological and cultural aspects, and [5] design of tourist routes. This corridor passes by 52 municipalities, 7 counties, 3 provinces and 2 countries and connects the La Siberia Biosphere Reserve with the Naturtejo Geopark in Portugal passing by the Villuercas, Ibores, Jara Geopark, the Monfragüe National Park (also Biosphere Reserve), the Canchos de Ramiro y Ladronera Special Protection Area for Birds and the International Tagus River Biosphere Reserve. We have identified 81 remarkable tourist resources: 37 natural protected sites, 30 sites of geological interest and 14 medieval castles as well as the presence of fossils and valuable species of flora and fauna (some of them are endangered). By using this information we have designed three thematic tourist routes: birdwatching, medieval castles and geological sites.

El presente artículo realiza un estudio de tipo conceptual al principio de equilibrio y economía contractual desde una óptica meramente jurisprudencial y normativa. El fin mismo del escrito permite comprender la composición y papel del esquema principialistico que tiene la contratación Estatal dentro del Estado colombiano y cuando a razón del quebranto de los principios de equilibrio y economía del contrato, pueden verse afectados los intereses generales y particulares de aquellos inmersos en el negocio jurídico. De forma que el análisis permite expresar casos concretos donde el desequilibrio del contrato lleva a la generación de la teoría de la imprevisión y el hecho del príncipe y posteriormente llevar tales situaciones al margen litigioso de los estrados judiciales por temas de controversias contractuales.

Mediterranean areas will likely undergo climate shifts in the near future that modify the water resources for vegetation. However, in some regions of southwestern Spain, such as Extremadura, the impact of different future scenarios on the water resources for vegetation has not been studied extensively. This study focused on the quantification and spatial distribution of water resources for vegetation covers in Extremadura and analyzed the impact of future climate change scenarios on those water resources. For this, five downscaled global climate models from Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 6 (CMIP6) were used in four future periods (from 2021 to 2100) following two Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP-2.45 and SSP-5.85). These projections were compared with a historical baseline period (1970–2000) to obtain the variation of water resources. The results showed decreases in the water resources for all the scenarios and periods analyzed compared to those observed in the historical baseline period. The smallest decreases were noted over 2041–2060 for SSP2-4.5, with almost 74% of the region decreasing between 15 and 18% (with an average of 16.4%). The greatest decreases were over 2081–2100 for SSP5-8.5, in which 90% of the region displayed water resource declines of greater than 50%. In this last situation, the three more widespread vegetation covers (agrosilvopastoral systems of dehesas, grasslands, and crops) underwent similar declines of around 55% of their water resources (from ≈203 to ≈93 mm), while the fourth widely spread vegetation cover, forests, declined by 49% (from ≈261 to ≈133 mm). If any of these future projections occur, the decline in water resources could modify the forest composition and structure of these water-dependent ecosystems, compromising their maintenance and ecological, cultural, and economic functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Pensamiento Americano is the property of Corporacion Universitaria Americana and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose: This paper aims to understand the debate about what constitutes good education in the Netherlands. The meaning of the concept of democracy in these public debates is divergent and rather diffuse. If teachers, citizens, advisory councils, and the Dutch government agree that democracy ought to be anchored in future education, we first and foremost need to understand its meaning within these current debates. Approach: In this study we conducted a frame analysis of eleven key documents from three relevant domains. The diagnostic frame shows that on the whole the authors of these documents view ‘neoliberalism’ and a ‘culture of measurement’ as undermining forces in education. Findings: The prognostic frame shows that all authors frame democracy as a prognosis, but with four different meanings: 1) democracy as organizational structure, 2) democracy as governmental policy, 2) democracy as knowledge and skill, and 4) democracy as a practice. We argue that these can be interpreted as four dimensions of a democratic solution, constructed as a response to neoliberal tendencies in Dutch education

ABSTRACT The drawing of maps of soil quality at a large scale is increasingly being more useful to land planners and stakeholders. Nevertheless, it involves different methodological steps from the description of soil profiles in the field until the regional mapping of integrative soil quality index (IQI) values. The development of proper scoring functions is a paramount task for the calculation of these IQI values since every parameter needs to be standardized accordingly and weighting factors are usually estimated by multivariate techniques. The main goal of this study was to map soil quality in the Spanish region of Extremadura (commonly known by its rangelands called dehesas). To do that, i) we gathered information from 194 soil profiles described throughout the region, ii) we calculated the weighting factors of ten meaningful parameters used as indicators by using multivariate techniques (Principal Component Analysis, PCA; and Analytic Hierarchy Process, AHP), and iii) we developed standard scoring functions (SSFs) that represent the singularity of every variable (less is better, more is better). We established upper and lower limits for standardizing the values of each indicator properly. Regarding weighting factors, soil texture was highlighted by the PCA and nutrients by the AHP. Once IQI values were calculated, two regional maps of soil quality were drawn by using interpolation methods (ordinary kriging). The IQI maps showed remarkable spatial differences in soil quality presumably induced by land management. We conclude this methodology could be useful and we encourage other colleagues to test its effectiveness in places where soil data are available.

Population based serological surveys are the gold-standard to quantify dengue (DENV) transmission. The purpose of this study was to estimate the age-specific seroprevalence and the force of infection of DENV in an endemic area of Colombia. Between July and October 2014, we conducted a household based cross-sectional survey among 1.037 individuals aged 2 to 40 years living in 40 randomly selected locations in urban Piedecuesta, Santander, Colombia. In addition, we also enrolled 246 indviduals living in rural "veredas". Participants were asked to answer a questionnaire that included demographic, socioeconomic and environmental questions and to provide a 5 ml blood sample. Sera were tested using the IgG indirect ELISA (Panbio) kit to determine past DENV infection. The overall DENV seroprevalence was 70% (95% CI = 67%-71%), but was significantly higher in urban (81%, 95% CI = 78%-83%) as compared to rural (21%, 95% CI = 17%-27%) locations. Age was a major predictor of seropositivity, consistent with endemic circulation of the virus. Using catalytic models we estimated that on average, 12% (95%CI = 11%-13%) of susceptible individuals living in the city are infected by DENV each year. Beyond age, the only predictor of seropositivity in urban locations was prior history of dengue diagnosed by a physician (aPR 1.15, 95% CI = 0.98-1.35). Among participants living in rural settings, those that reported traveling outside of their vereda were more likely to be seropositive (aPR 3.60, 95%CI = 1.54-8.42) as well as those who were born outside of Santander department (aPR = 2.77, 95%CI = 1.20-6.37). These results are consistent with long term endemic circulation of DENV in Piedecuesta, with large heterogeneities between urban and rural areas located just a few kilometers apart. Design of DENV control interventions, including vaccination, will need to consider this fine scale spatial heterogeneity.

Hydrological processes were investigated since the year 2000 in a semiarid rangeland with disperse cover of evergreen holm oaks. In this article results are presented on the spatial variation of rainfall in the catchment using a network of 6 raingauges. Results are also presented on soil water dynamics, which were studied under different vegetation covers and varying soil depths. Furthermore, the temporal variation of runoff generation in the basin outlet is reviewed, taking into account different timescales. The following results can be highlighted: Spatial variation of rainfall in the catchment at annual or monthly scale was low. However, large dispersion exists in the case of individual rainstorms, when the differences between the 6 raingauges varied strongly, both for daily values as well as maximum intensities. Events with high spatial variation are presumably related with small, localized storms, particularly those of high intensity and short duration, and those showing low variation are probably of frontal origin. Soil moisture presented seasonal patterns clearly dependent on factors such as rainfall or evapotranspirative demand. Spatial distribution of soil moisture was mainly affected by physiographic terrain characteristics and vegetation covers. Generally, in dry hydrological years, soil moisture was lower beneath than beyond the tree canopies, while the opposite was observed in wet years. Dry situations increase the intensity and duration of soil water deficits, enhance the evaporative demand and increment water storage capacity by covers. Channel flow in dehesas depends highly on the antecedent moisture conditions and particularly on the water content of the sediment-filled valley bottoms. If these areas become saturated, high amounts of runoff are produced during rainfall events. Under high intensity rainstorms Hortonian overland flow is rapidly generated on hillslopes producing a quick channel response. Interannual runoff variation is very high, the more frequent low rainfall years provoke very low total water flow, contrasting with less frequent years of above average rainfall, which are the ones producing high total runoff. It can be concluded that the hydrological dynamics in Mediterranean rangelands with a disperse tree cover are complex, both regarding soil water and catchment runoff, being highly variable in time. Future changes in land use or climate could affect notably the hydrological dynamics of the catchment, and hence similar upland basins. For example, a notable increase of tree cover would reduce water availability of pasture plants, particularly during dry years. A decrease of annual rainfall amounts and/or increased drought intensities, as a consequence of climate change, would enlarge periods of soil moisture deficit for pasture plants, as well as a reduction of runoff.

The 2015–17 Zika virus (ZIKV) epidemic in the Americas subsided faster than expected and evolving population immunity was postulated to be the main reason. Herd immunization is suggested to occur around 60–70% seroprevalence, depending on demographic density and climate suitability. However, herd immunity was only documented for a few cities in South America, meaning a substantial portion of the population might still be vulnerable to a future Zika virus outbreak. The aim of our study was to determine the vulnerability of populations to ZIKV by comparing the environmental suitability of ZIKV transmission to the observed seroprevalence, based on published studies. Using a systematic search, we collected seroprevalence and geospatial data for 119 unique locations from 37 studies. Extracting the environmental suitability at each location and converting to a hypothetical expected seroprevalence, we were able to determine the discrepancy between observed and expected. This discrepancy is an indicator of vulnerability and divided into three categories: high risk, low risk, and very low risk. The vulnerability was used to evaluate the level of risk that each location still has for a ZIKV outbreak to occur. Of the 119 unique locations, 69 locations (58%) fell within the high risk category, 47 locations (39%) fell within the low risk category, and 3 locations (3%) fell within the very low risk category. The considerable heterogeneity between environmental suitability and seroprevalence potentially leaves a large population vulnerable to future infection. Vulnerability seems to be especially pronounced at the fringes of the environmental suitability for ZIKV (e.g. Sao Paulo, Brazil). The discrepancies between observed and expected seroprevalence raise the question: "why did the ZIKV epidemic stop with large populations unaffected?". This lack of understanding also highlights that future ZIKV outbreaks currently cannot be predicted with confidence. Author summary: After the ZIKV epidemic in the Americas, it remains unclear if and when a resurgence of the ZIKV could occur. We used publicly available data on environmental suitability of transmission as well as seroprevalence data to estimate future vulnerability to ZIKV outbreaks. Our results show a considerable discrepancy between the observed seroprevalence, from past exposure to the virus on one hand, and the environmental suitability, which raised the question why the epidemic subsided before reaching the expected herd immunization threshold in many locations. This lack of understanding also highlights that future ZIKV outbreaks currently cannot be predicted with confidence. Although we cannot provide an answer to the question why the epidemic subsided when it did, we present a better quantification and geospatial mapping of the potential vulnerability to future outbreaks, which will be crucial for decision makers to prepare for future outbreaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista del Instituto Colombiano de Derecho Procesal is the property of Instituto Colombiano de Derecho Procesal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)