cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
News Media Coverage of Trans Fat: Health Risks and Policy Responses

Prior research indicates that the news media play a critical role in transmitting information to the public about the most pressing public health problems, and framing attributions about who in society is responsible for solving these problems. In this article, we use content analysis methods to study the agenda-setting and framing functions of the news media in shaping perceptions about the health risks posed by trans fat in the U.S. diet. A census of news stories focusing on trans fat was collected from the two largest circulation U.S. newspapers and three major television networks from 1998 to 2008 (N = 156). The content of news coverage was analyzed using a 23-item instrument. Findings indicated that the news media served an important agenda-setting role in educating the public about the presence of trans fat in the U.S. diet and describing the health risks these foods pose. In addition, results indicate that news media coverage framed attributions of responsibility for solving the problem of trans fa...
Deformation instabilities in a thin plastic film on an elastic substrate due to strain mismatch

Abstract A model is constructed of a thin film of a rigid-plastic material bonded to a linear elastic substrate subject to a state of mismatch strain between the two materials. The purpose of the study is to investigate the existence of deformation localization in the film that is periodic along the direction of the bi-material interface. Bifurcation phenomena could be a possible precursor to debonding phenomena. The conditions necessary for these undulations to appear are given by a bifurcation equation which relates the internal film stress to the relative stiffness of the substrate and the thickness of the film.
Ischemic colitis: spectrum of disease and outcome.

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to identify risk factors, clinical characteristics, and outcome of patients with colon ischemia. Methods A 10-year (1992-2002) retrospective study was undertaken. Patients were identified from computerized hospital discharge information. Patient variables were entered into a computerized database and analyzed. Results One hundred twenty-nine patients were identified. The mean age was 66 years (range, 29-98 years); 47% were male. Forty-three patients (33%) had chronic renal failure; 73 patients (57%) were receiving vasoactive drugs, and 72 patients (56%) had atherosclerosis. Fifty-four of 129 patients (42%) had ischemic colitis in-hospital. Fifty-six of 129 patients (43%) had melena; 49 of 56 patients (88%) survived. Forty-three of 129 patients (33%) had an acute abdomen; 22 of 43 patients (51%) died. Seventy of 129 patients (54%) were treated nonoperatively initially; the condition of 17 of 70 patients (24%) required surgery. Of 76 patients who were treated operatively, 31 patients (41%) died. Eleven patients at operation had ischemia without colon infarction or perforation; 5 of these patients (45%) died. The overall mortality rate was 29% (37/129 patients). Conclusion Ischemic colitis is associated with chronic renal failure and atherosclerosis. Patients commonly have an acute abdomen. The absence of colonic infarction does not ensure a favorable outcome. Patients who are felt to be candidates for nonoperative therapy have significant mortality rates. Mortality rates remain high, despite treatment.
Efficacy of Tympanomastoid Surgery for Control of Infection in Active Chronic Otitis Media

The efficacy of surgery in controlling infection in 272 tympanomastoidectomy procedures for chronic otitis media (COM) was assessed by means of a four-point rating scale that incorporated both symptoms and signs, such as the presence or absence of otorrhea and granulation tissue. Of the 272 procedures, 170 were performed for COM with cholesteatoma and 102 were for active COM with granulation tissue but no cholesteatoma. Forty-seven percent were primary procedures, and 53% were revisions. Minimum follow-up was 12 months for all cases, with a mean of 30 months. Adequate control of infection occurred in 248 (91%) of the 272 cases. Of the 24 cases (9%) that developed persistent infection, 10 were controlled with a combination of oral and topical antibiotics and/or delayed skin grafting in the office. Thus overall satisfactory control of infection was achieved in 258 of 272 cases (95%). The outcome was influenced by the diagnostic category of COM: COM with cholesteatoma did significantly better than COM with granulation tissue (P = 0.02). The outcome was not influenced by the following variables: primary versus revision surgery, canal wall-up versus canal wall-down surgery, and extent of disease. The results suggest that active COM with granulation tissue may be more difficult to control than COM with cholesteatoma.
Singular surfaces in anisotropic fluids

Abstract Using a relatively simple theory of anisotropic fluids, we explore the possibility of obtaining solutions which possess finite discontinuities on a surface. Examples of such singularities have been brought out by earlier researches. We obtain general conditions for the existence of such surfaces, indicating that they are very likely to be material surfaces.
Techniques of Vasectomy

Vasectomy remains a safe and effective method of contraception for men. Many variations in surgical technique currently are used by surgeons in the United States, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. Regardless of the surgical method used, the most important factor for successful vasectomy remains the experience and skill of the surgeon. The amount of evidence-based literature on the rationale for the different techniques for vasectomy remains limited. Careful study and innovation of vasectomy techniques will ensure that the most commonly performed urologic surgical procedure remain an excellent form of contraception in the future.
Performance Characteristics of White, Black, and Hispanic Major League Baseball Players: 1955-1984

This study provides a general description of the social characteristics of the 1955, 1965, 1975, and 1984 rosters along with an analysis of the performance differentials of the three major racial/ethnic categories--white, black, and Hispanic-participating in major league baseball. Comparisons, contrasts, and syntheses with previously collected and analyzed data are made. Special attention is focused upon Hispanics since they have been relatively neglected in the sociology of sport literature. The findings reveal that black (particularly) and Hispanic performances are superior to whites and support the marginality hypothesis.
Evaluation of a deep-UV bilayer resist for sub-half micron lithography

A chemically amplified silicon-containing resist has been formulated and evaluated as a thin imaging layer in a positive tone deep UV (DUV) bilayer scheme. The key component is a silicon-containing polymer which has been characterized by GPC, UV, and dissolution rate studies. Dose and focus latitudes were determined for 0.4 and 0.5 micrometers patterns exposed on a SVGL Micrascan I step and scan system and on KrF excimer laser steppers. The dose latitude on a GCA (0.35 NA) excimer was found to be 20% for 0.4 micrometers features and about 30% for 0.5 micrometers features (+/- 10% CD variation). Focus latitude was at least 2 micrometers for 0.5 micrometers patterns. Wafer to wafer LW uniformity as well as within water uniformity is shown. Typical processing involves 5 - 10 mJ/cm2 exposure doses, employing a 90 degree(s)C post-expose bake (PEB) and a 60 sec 0.21 N TMAH develop. The dependence of linewidth upon PEB was found to be about 13 nm per degree C for 0.5 micrometers features. Pattern transfer into the hardbaked i-line resist underlayer was done in an MLR chamber on an AME 5000. A low pressure etch is preferred to eliminate residue but this can lead to a higher non-uniformity across the wafer. Sidewall roughness was prevalent and this could be partially attributed to `feet' on the silicon-containing imaging layer.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A tail with a leading role in megakaryocytes: the glycoprotein Ib

Comment on Kanaji et al, page [3161][1] Megakaryocytes possess a unique internal programming that allows an evolving response to a cytokine, thrombopoietin (TPO), including cellular expansion followed by polyploidization and maturation. The study of this lineage has been greatly aided by analysis
NEW ROLES FOR MARRIAGE IN URBAN AFRICA: KINSHIP NETWORKS AND THE LABOR MARKET IN KENYA

Abstract This paper explores new roles that traditionally rural kinship networks organized around the marriage institution might play in improving labor market outcomes in urban Africa. Using new data from Kisumu, Kenya, and controlling for selection into marriage, we find that marriage significantly increases employment levels and incomes in our sample of migrants. At the same time, marriage increases the remittances that migrants send to the extended family, consistent with the view that the benefits of the network come with additional social obligations. These obligations appear to be borne disproportionately by high-ability individuals, who consequently defer marriage. The negative selection into marriage that we uncover has consequences for the future viability of the urban networks, with implications for long-term growth and distribution in this economy.
Rerandomization Inference on Regression and Shift Effects: Computationally Feasible Methods

Abstract An idea due to Quade (1973) is used to develop a method that reduces the computational load for rerandomization inferences in certain situations, and, for experiments carried out with a sufficiently small reference set of randomizations, makes computations entirely feasible. Consider an experimental design for N units for which an experimental plan E is to be chosen randomly from a set of K plans. Plan E will assign treatment dosage dE,u to unit u with postulated additive effect δdE,u reflected in the observation zu . Rerandomization inferences are to be carried out by means of “pivotal” statistics te,E (z) = [bE (z) - be (z)]/[1 - be (d E )], where z and d E are observation and dosage vectors and be ([mdot]) is the regression (slope) onto d e , the dosages under plan e (∈ ). (a) The P value of a test of the hypotheses δ = Δ versus δ > Δ is essentially the proportion of te,E (z) values, e ∈ , that are at most Δ. (b) If t (l),E (z) is the lth largest of the te,E (z)'s, e ∈ , then a (L - l)/K confi...
Concept of autoimmunity following spinal cord injury: Possible roles for T lymphocytes in the traumatized central nervous system

The effect of immunological activation on the neuropathologic sequelae and neurologic outcome from spinal cord injury is unclear. Similar to models of neuroinflammatory disease (e.g., experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis; EAE), injury to the spinal cord precipitates the activation of resident microglia and the recruitment of circulating inflammatory cells (e.g., macrophages and lymphocytes). In EAE, these cells are known to cause tissue damage and loss of neurological function via autoimmune reactions to myelin proteins. The role these cells play in the pathology of traumatic injury to the spinal cord has not been clarified. In this review, data are presented that indicate that T cells isolated from spinal-injured rats are capable of causing neurologic deficits and histopathologic changes similar to EAE when injected intravenously into naive animals. These data are consistent with the concept of trauma-induced autoimmune reactions. However, disease transfer was only possible when T cells were obtained from animals at 1 week post-injury. Thus, the encephalitogenic T-cell repertoire appears to be rapidly regulated. It is possible that trauma-induced autoimmunity evolves into a mechanism by which the autoreactive repertoire regulates ongoing central nervous system (CNS) immunologic responses. Similar immunoregulatory networks have been proposed in EAE and are discussed here in the context of CNS trauma and neurodegenerative disease.
Can Recent Long-Term Investors Recover from Their 2000–2009 Stock Losses?

This article examines the impact of the “Lost Decade”of stock returns (2000–2009) on the projected performance of recent long-term stock investors. While that decade impacted everyone who remained invested during those years, it is particularly devastating to the future performance of investors who began investing in stocks around 2000 and plan to remain invested for periods lasting up to another 30 years. Recovery from the “Lost Decade” depends not only upon both future market returns and the investment horizon, but also upon how an investor defines recovery. While recovery to a rate of return most investors seem to expect from stocks is possible, an examination of the likely probabilities of future rates of return indicate that the chances are small in most cases. As always, luck plays a role, and a limited analysis of differing starting dates reveals how final wealth can be affected by small temporal changes.
Interleukin-17A is not expressed by CD207(+) cells in Langerhans cell histiocytosis lesions.

Interleukin-17 (IL-17A) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that has recently been implicated in pathogenesis of Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH), a potentially fatal disease characterized by lesions including CD207+ (langerin +) histiocytes. However, in this study we were unable to identify IL-17A gene expression in Langerhans cell lesions, and plasma levels of IL-17A did not correlate with disease activity. Therefore, this study does not support a central role for IL-17A in LCH pathogenesis.
PHOTOSYNTHESIS‐IRRADIANCE RELATIONSHIPS IN PHYTOPLANKTON FROM THE PHYSICALLY STABLE WATER COLUMN OF A PERENNIALLY ICE‐COVERED LAKE (LAKE BONNEY, ANTARCTICA)1

The perennially ice-covered lakes of Antarctica have hydrodynamically stable water columns with a number of vertically distinct phytoplankton populations. We examined the photosynthesis-irradiance characteristics of phytoplankton from four depths of Lake Bonney to determine their physiological condition relative to vertical gradients in irradiance and temperature. All populations studied showed evidence of extreme shade adaptation, including low Ik values (15–45 μE · m−2· s−1) and extremely low maximal photosynthetic rates (PBm less than 0.3 μg C ·μg chl a−1· h−1). Photosynthetic rates were controlled by temperature as well as light variations with depth. Lake Bonney has an inverted temperature profile within the trophogenic zone that increased from 0° C at the ice-water interface to 6° C from 10 to 18 m. Deeper phytoplankton (10 m and 17 m) were found to have photosynthetic capacities (PBm) and efficiences (α) three to five times higher than those at the ice-water interface. However, Q10 values were only ca. 2 for PBm (no temperature dependence was evident for α), suggesting that a simple temperature response cannot explain all the differences between populations. Lake Bonney phytoplankton (primarily cryptophytes and chlorophytes) had photosynthetic characteristics similar to diatoms from other physically stable environments (e.g. sea ice, benthos) and may be ecologically analogous to multiple deep chlorophyll maxima.
Glucocorticoids Enhance CD163 Expression in Placental Hofbauer Cells

Periplacental levels of glucocorticoid (GC) peak at parturition, and synthetic GC is administered to women at risk for preterm delivery. However, little is known concerning cell-type-specific effects of GC in placenta. Hofbauer cells (HBCs) are fetal macrophages that are located adjacent to fetal capillaries in placenta. The goal of the current study was to determine whether GC treatment altered HBC gene expression and function. Western blotting and flow cytometry revealed CD163 and folate receptor-β (FR-β), markers of antiinflammatory M2 macrophages, were specifically expressed by primary cultures of HBCs immunopurified from human term placentas. GC receptor mRNA and protein levels were higher in HBCs compared with placental fibroblasts. Treatment of HBCs with cortisol or dexamethasone (DEX) markedly and specifically enhanced CD163 protein and mRNA levels, whereas expression of FR-β and CD68 were largely unresponsive to GC treatment. DEX treatment also increased hemoglobin uptake by HBCs, evidence of enhanced HBC function. The level of CD163 mRNA, but not FR-β or CD68 mRNA, was stimulated in placental explant cultures by DEX treatment, and increased CD163/FR-β and CD163/CD68 mRNA ratios sensitively reflected the response to GC. Maternal GC administration was associated with increased CD163/FR-β and CD163/CD68 mRNA ratios in placentas from women with spontaneous preterm birth. In conclusion, in vitro studies indicated that GC treatment specifically up-regulated CD163 expression in HBCs and enhanced HBC function. In addition, the observed alterations in patterns of expression of macrophage marker genes associated with maternal GC administration suggest that HBCs are in vivo targets of GC action.
High-risk pools--merely a stopgap reform.

To provide interim relief for the least-healthy Americans, the Affordable Care Act established a program of temporary high-risk insurance pools. Enrollment has been low, highlighting the need for broad-based sharing of risk and sufficient government financial support.
Chronic imipramine treatment downregulates IR1-imidazoline receptors in rat brainstem

One subtype of imidazoline receptors (IR1) is similar to alpha 2-adrenoceptors (alpha 2 AR) based on their high affinity for clonidine and related imidazoline compounds. On the other hand, IR1 possess low affinity for norepinephrine (NE) and other catecholamines. Imidazoline receptors have also been found to be over-expressed in plasma membranes from platelets and brain tissues of depressed patients. Over-expression of IR1 in platelet membranes of depressed patients became normalized after various antidepressant treatment to the patients. Herein, the prototypic antidepressant, imipramine (IMI), has been studied in regard to its treatment effects on [125I]p-iodoclonidine binding to both alpha 2 AR and IR1 in rat brainstem membranes. No effects of chronic IMI treatment were found on brainstem alpha 2 AR binding sites (Bmax and/or KD parameters unchanged) after 25 days of daily injections (i.p. IMI 20 mg/kg/day). However, IMI induced a decrease in the density (Bmax measured under NE mask) of brainstem IR1 sites, with no change in KD. Downregulation of IR1 sites was dose-dependent (minimal effective dose of i.p. IMI was 10 mg/kg/day) and time-dependent (> 16 days of treatment). These results implicate brainstem IR1 in the chronic effects of antidepressants.
Texture Development and Formability of Strip Cast 17% Cr Ferritic Stainless Steel

In order to optimize the formability of ferritic stainless steel (FSS), control of the crystallographic texture is essential. In the present work, texture development of cast strips with different initial solidification structure during rolling and subsequent annealing and the formability of final sheets were investigated. Fully equi-axed and columnar grained cast strips of Fe17%Cr FSS were fabricated by a pilot twin-roll strip caster. The equi-axed and columnar grained bars cut from a conventional continuous cast slab were used as comparable specimens. It was shown that in the cold rolled and annealed sheet of fully equi-axed cast strip, uniform and strong γ-fiber recrystallization texture was formed and {001}‹110› component was almost eliminated. By contrast, the recrystallization texture in the conventional sheets with equi-axed and columnar initial solidification structures exhibited typical shift towards high-index {334}‹483›, which led to a reduced r-value as compared to that of the equi-axed cast strip. The final annealed sheet of fully columnar cast strip, however, showed weaker γ-fiber recrystallization texture and lower r-value than those of conventional sheets. It is, therefore, believed that twin-roll strip casting can improve the formability of 17% Cr FSS only under the pre-condition that appropriate solidification structure is obtained.
A Direct Role for Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein in Activation of 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl Coenzyme A Reductase Gene

In earlier studies the DNA site required for sterol regulation of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase was shown to be distinct from the classic sterol regulatory element (SRE-1) of the low density lipoprotein receptor gene (Osborne, T. F. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 13947-13951). However, oxysterol-resistant cells that continuously overproduce one of the sterol regulatory element binding proteins in the nucleus result in high unregulated expression of both genes (Yang, J., Brown, M. S., Ho, Y. K., and Goldstein, J. L.(1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270, 12152-12161) suggesting a direct role for the SREBPs in the activation of the reductase gene. In the present studies we demonstrate that SREBP-1 binds to two adjacent sites within the previously identified sterol regulatory element of the reductase gene even though there is only limited homology with the SRE-1 of the receptor. We also show that SREBP-1 specifically activates the reductase promoter in transient DNA transfection studies in HepG2 cells and that mutations which eliminate sterol regulation and SREBP-1 binding also abolish transient activation by SREBP-1. Although specific, the magnitude of the activation observed is considerably lower than for the low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor analyzed in parallel, suggesting there is an additional protein required for activation of the reductase promoter that is limiting in the transient assay. SREBP also binds to two additional sites in the reductase promoter which probably play an auxiliary role in expression. When the DNA sequence within the sites are aligned with each other and with the LDL receptor SRE-1, a consensus half-site is revealed 5′-PyCAPy-3′. The LDL receptor element contains two half-sites oriented as a direct repeat spaced by one nucleotide. The SREBP proteins are special members of the basic-helix-loop-helix-zipper (bHLHZip) family of DNA binding proteins since they bind the classic palindromic E-box site as well as the direct repeat SRE-1 element. The SREBP binding sites in both the reductase and those recently identified in other sterol regulated promoters appear to contain a half-site with considerable divergence in the flanking residues. Here we also show that a 22-amino acid domain located immediately adjacent to the basic domain of the bHLHZip region is required for SREBP to efficiently recognize divergent sites in the reductase and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA synthase promoters but, interestingly, this domain is not required for efficient binding to the LDL direct repeat SRE-1 or to a palindromic high-affinity E-box element.
Profit-earning facility location

We consider opening facilities in order to gain a profit. We are given a set of demand points, and we must open some set of facilities such that every demand may be satisfied from a local facility and the total profit gained in this process is maximized. This contrasts with previous work on facility location and k-center problems, where opening a facility incurred a cost. The profit gained by opening a facility is a function of the amount of demand the facility satisfies. We model the dependence of profit on demand by creating many different possible facilities at each location, each of which provides a certain profit if opened and requires at least a certain amount of demand in order to open. Our model captures problem instances where profits may be positive or negative, and also instances where it is not necessary to satisfy every demand. Our algorithms provide the optimum total profit, while stretching the definition of locality by a constant and violating the required demands by a constant. We prove that without this stretch, the problem becomes NP-Hard to approximate.
Effect of Sediment Copper on the Distribution of Benthic Macroinvertebrates in the Keweenaw Waterway

Benthic macroinvertebrates, sediment copper, and sediment particle size were examined in two areas of the Keweenaw Waterway. The north area is downdrift from deposits of copper tailings. South area sediment averaged 27% silt and clay and north area sediment 66%. South area sediment had an average copper content of 33 mg/kg and north area sediment 589 mg/kg. The number of invertebrates was 4.3 times greater in the south than the north. The average number of taxa at south stations was 20 and at north stations 8. Mollusks, mayflies, and crustaceans were common in the south but rare or absent in the north. Hexagenia was the most abundant animal in the south. A single individual was found in the north, at the only north station with low sediment copper. Three north stations with sediment particle size similar to south stations had the same restricted fauna of chironomids and oligochaetes as that found at other north stations. Equitability and Shannon-Wiener diversity values for most north stations did not indicate pollution because of the extremely low, and thus, even numbers of individuals collected in all taxa. Twenty-six taxa were common to both areas. Four taxa, found only in the north, were represented by five individuals. Twenty-five taxa, found only in the south, were represented by 1,007 individuals. The likely cause of the reduced invertebrate fauna in the north area is high levels of sediment copper.
Experimental and statistical analysis of surface charge, aggregation and adsorption behaviors of surface-functionalized titanium dioxide nanoparticles in aquatic system

One hundred and fifty nanometers sized anatase titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) have been functionalized with the –CH3, –NH2, –SH, –OH, –COOH, and –SO3H terminal groups. Surface charge, aggregation, and adsorption behaviors of the functionalized NPs in aquatic phase have been investigated by a set of experiments following the full factorial design. The dependence of surface charge, suspension size, and surface adsorption upon the various factors (including surface chemistry of NPs, the pH value, and ionic strength of an aqueous solution) has been studied with the statistical methods such as multiple linear regressions and multiple comparison tests. The surface functional group on the TiO2 NPs affects the characteristics in the simulated aquatic environment. The correlations among the characteristics of NPs have also been investigated by obtaining Pearson’s correlation coefficient. The hydrodynamic size is negatively correlated with the absolute value of zeta potential, and positively correlated with the ionic strength. In the NaCl solution, the charge screening effect is responsible for the aggregation. In the CaCl2 solution, the charge screening effect is dominant mechanism for aggregation at a low salt concentration. In contrast, the interaction between Ca2+ ions and the specific functional group plays a significant role at a high salt concentration. The adsorption efficiency of humic acid decreases with an increase in the pH value, whereas increases with an increase in the ionic strength. The adsorption efficiency is positively correlated with the zeta potential. The statistical analysis methods and the results have implications in assessment of potential environmental risks posed by engineered nanoparticles.
Effect of foot orthoses on tibialis posterior activation in persons with pes planus.

ABSTRACTKULIG, K., J. M. BURNFIELD, S. REISCHL, S. MAIS REQUEJO, C. E. BLANCO, and D. B. THORDARSON. Effect of Foot Orthoses on Tibialis Posterior Activation in Persons with Pes Planus. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., Vol. 37, No. 1, pp. 24-29, 2005.Purpose:To examine the influence of footwear on tibialis
Changes in social behavior and brain catecholamines during the development of ascorbate deficiency in Guinea pigs.

Abstract Behavioral patterns of pairs of guinea pigs were recorded in 15-min observation sessions on alternate days during a 6-day baseline phase and a 21- to 25-day period following the introduction of an ascorbate-free diet. Ascorbate-deficient animals were compared to two pair-fed control groups. During the last 5 days of the experiment, marked reductions in frequency and/or cumulative duration of active behaviors (e.g. locomotion, rearing, social grooming) were observed in the ascorbate- deficient group, while duration of inactivity in proximity to the test partner increased greatly. The decline in probability of locomotion was greater at long temporal lags (> 15 sec) after locomotion of the test partner than at short lags. Evidence of behavioral changes began to appear after 9–13 days on the ascorbate-free diet. Assays of brain tissue after sacrifice on the last day of the experiment revealed significant reductions in concentrations of ascorbate and norepinephrine. Some behavioral measures were highly correlated with brain ascorbate but not with brain norepinephrine, suggesting that other transmitter systems are involved in mediating the behavioral changes. The results also suggest the value of measurement of social behavior in assessing the behavioral effects of dietary or other treatments.
A normalized Schur-Cohn stability test for the delta-operator-based polynomials

The author previously (1997) proposed two delta-operator-based stability tests, or more generally zero location tests. Those tests establish two families of such tests, each spanning from the discrete-time to the continuous-time with the delta operator providing smooth transitions between the two domains. In this paper a third family is proposed. Specifically, the normalized Schur-Cohn test in the discrete-time domain is transformed into the delta-operator domain resulting in a new delta-operator test. The limit of this new test as the sampling interval vanishes is shown to be the Pham-Le Breton test (1991) in the continuous-time domain. Its relationships with the well-known Routh test and others are studied. A numerical example shows the advantage of the new test for fast sampling.
Mesenchymal tumors associated with hypoglycemia: case report and review of the literature.

Hypoglycemia secondary to malignant tumors is rare. Mesenchymal tumors of nonpancreatic origin are the most common tumors associated with the hypoglycemia syndrome, and the clinical features of 115 reported cases are reviewed. The major anatomic distributions of the tumors are thoracic (30%), abdominal (65%), and uncommon locations (<5%). Approximately 50% of the tumors were resectable (59 patients), and in 60% the surgical procedure was curative. In the remaining 40% local recurrence predominated related to site of tumor and presence of contiguous organ invasion. The application of multimodality adjuvant therapy for hypoglycemia associated mesenchymal tumors should be based on an understanding of the natural history of the tumor. Cancer 44:785-790, 1979.
Predominance of two-armed spirals.

A physical process accounts for the origin and widespread occurrence of two-armed spiral patterns with a high degree of symmetry extending from the nucleus to the outermost part of a galaxy. Self-gravitating systems, starting from a wide variety of initial conditions, settle down into twofold symmetries through a sequence of forms that were identified in numerical experiments. Twofold symmetries rarely develop directly. Instead, the systems pass through a sequence of more complicated shapes. The computer experiments and the sequence leading to twofold symmetries are described. At the end of this process, a two-armed spiral density wave with a 'grand design' has been set up in the galaxy, and the stage has been set for some mechanism, such as that of Lin and Shu (1971), to take over to assure a long lifetime for the pattern.
Altered intracellular calcium in fibroblasts from patients with cystic fibrosis and heterozygotes.

Summary: The importance of intracellular calcium (Ca) in secretion and transmembrane ion movement led us to study Ca in cells from patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) which is a lethal genetic exocrinopathy. Skin fibroblasts from patients with CF, obligate heterozygotes (HZ), and age- and sex-matched controls (C) were used in matched pair experiments measuring 45Ca exchange into and efflux from the cells over time. CF cell lines and HZ cell lines exhibit increased 45Ca exchange when compared with their respective controls (P < 0.005). The magnitude of this difference (approximately 30%) is not reduced when cells are washed with lanthanum chloride after the exchange period. This difference is likely attributable to an altered capacity of one or more of the intracellular Ca sequestering organelles. Further evidence for this explanation was seen in 46Ca efflux experiments in which CF cells retained a higher percent of their initial 0-time 45Ca than did C cells late in the efflux period (P < 0.05). The finding of an altered Ca pool size in both CF and particularly HZ cells suggests that altered Ca metabolism is related to the basic gene defect in CF. Speculation: Increased intracellular Ca in CF cells, while necessarily secondary to the basic gene defect, may influence cellular metabolism sufficiently to be a basis for many events in the pathogenesis of the disease. The presence of the Ca pool size alteration in cells from obligate heterozygotes is evidence that this phenomenon is closely related to the basic gene defect.
Electron-Nuclear Double Resonance of the Self-Trapped Hole in Ca F 2 and Ba F 2

The results of an electron-nuclear double-resonance (ENDOR) study of the ${V}_{K}$ center (self-trapped hole) in Ca${\mathrm{F}}_{2}$ and Ba${\mathrm{F}}_{2}$ are reported. In addition to reporting the ENDOR hyperfine constants, some interesting features of ENDOR spectra due to the glide-reflection symmetry of the fluorite lattice are discussed. Also, the large ${\mathrm{Ba}}^{++}$ion produces effects on the fluorine hyperfine constants that are not observed in the ENDOR spectra of the ${V}_{K}$ center in Ca${\mathrm{F}}_{2}$, LiF, or NaF.
The rapid determination of urinary titratable acid and ammonium and evaluation of freezing as a method of preservation

Summary A semi-automatic titrimetric method for rapid determination of urinary net acid concentration is presented and its reproducibility evaluated in the present paper. No significant change was found in urine stored at −20° up to 30 days.
Relationship between steady-state pharmacokinetics and hemodynamic effects of inhaled isobutyl nitrite in conscious rats

Our objective was to examine the pharmacokinetic/hemodynamic properties of inhaled isobutyl nitrite (ISBN) in rats. ISBN is one of the volatile organic nitrites that has been used primarily as a drug of abuse. Recent studies indicate, however, that these compounds may be superior to organic nitrates for cardiovascular use because they do not produce vascular tolerance. Rats inhaled ISBN over an exposure range of 20 to 1200 ppm for 1 hour. The effects of ISBN on blood pressure and heart rate were determined and blood concentrations of ISBN were analyzed with use of gas chromatography. Apparent steady-state blood levels of ISBN were achieved during inhalation and were linear with exposure concentration (blood concentration: 0.05 to 3.5 μM: exposure concentration: 23 to 1177 ppm; r2=0.92). Inhaled ISBN caused rapid, dose-dependent, and parallel reductions in systolic and diastolie pressure, while heart rate increased maximally to 22%. A sigmoid Emax model could describe the mean arterial pressure effect of inhaled ISBN (Emax=55%; EC50=0.51 μM). After inhalation, blood pressure and heart rate quickly returned to baseline, without any withdrawal rebound effect. Inhaled ISBN produced a rapid onset of action on heart rate and blood pressure, and these effects were sustained over 60 minutes of exposure. Abrupt drug withdrawal did not lead to hemodynamic rebound. The blood pressure effects were related to ISBN blood concentration by the sigmoid Emax model. These results provide new information on the pharmacokinetic pharmacodynamic relationship of a representative nitrite inhalant.
A two sample ordered alternative test for means and variances

A two sample test of likelihood ratio type is proposed, assuming normal distribution theory, for testing the hypothesis that two samples come from identical normal populations versus the alternative that the populations are normal but vary in mean value and variance with one population having a smaller mean and smaller variance than the other. The small sample and large sample distribution of the proposed statistic are derived assuming normality. Some computations are presented which show the speed of convergence of small sample critical values to their asymptotic counterparts. Comparisons of local power of the proposed test are made with several potential competing tests. Asymptotics for the test statistic are derived when underlying distributions are not necessarily normal.
NEUROBLASTOMA IN A PATIENT WITH COFFIN-SIRIS SYNDROME

We report the case of an 8-year-old boy with the phenotypic features of Coffin-Siris syndrome diffuse hypertrichosis, flat occiput, scant scalp hair, flat supraorbital arch, triangular eyebrows, horizontal palpebral fissure, anteverted nares, triangular philtrum, coarse lips, high-arched palate, micrognathia, low set and dorsaly rotated ears, short neck, wide thorax, widely set nipples, transverse palmar crease, psychomotor delay, urinary malformations (paraurethral diverticulum, hypoplasia of left kidney associated with vesicoureteral reflux grade 3-4), bilateral inguinal hernia, and dorsolumbar kyphoscoliosis. In the follow-up he presented a retroperitoneal neuroblastoma. Although this type of tumor has been referred to develop in several genetic and mutimalformative syndromes, it seems that present association has not been previously reported.
Dirac-bracket structure in multidimensional mode conversion

Abstract The intersection of two (2n − 1)-dimensional dispersion manifolds D a and D b in the 2n-dimensional ray phase space P yields a (2n − 2)-dimensional conversion manifold M ≡ D a ∩ D b that naturally possesses a Dirac-bracket structure that is inherited from the canonical Poisson bracket on ray phase space. The canonical symplectic two-form Ω ≡ Ω∥ + Ω⊥, defined on the 2n-dimensional tangent plane T z 0 P ≡ T z 0 M ⊕ ( T z 0 M ) ⊥ , can thus be decomposed into the Dirac two-form Ω∥ on the (2n − 2)-dimensional tangent plane T z 0 M at a conversion point z 0 ∈ M , and the symplectic two-form Ω⊥ on its orthogonal 2-dimensional complement ( T z 0 M ) ⊥ . These two symplectic two-forms are introduced in our analysis of multidimensional mode conversion, where their respective geometrical roles are defined. We note that since the Dirac-bracket structure Ω∥ vanishes identically when n = 1, it represents a new structure in multidimensional (n > 1) mode conversion theory.
Beating the diffraction limit using a 3D nanowires metamaterials nanolens

Super-resolution imaging using a three-dimensional metamaterials nanolens has been recently reported [B. D. F. Casse et al. Appl. Phys. Lett. 96, 023114 (2010)]. This nanolens, consisting of bulk gold nanowires embedded in alumina template, can transport with low-loss object details down to λ/4 (λ, wavelength) length scales, over significant distances of the order of 6λ. Here, we present validation of the super-resolution imaging by the nanolens through extensive control experiments. We also analytically show that the nanowire array medium supports a quasi transverse electromagnetic mode (TEM) with flat isofrequency contours, which is a requirement for super-resolution imaging. We numerically compute the optical transfer function to quantify the imaging quality of the lens and show that the theoretical resolution of this nanolens is λ/5. Additionally, we demonstrate the broadband nature of the lens in the spectral region 1510 nm to 1580 nm. Finally, imaging of a large object (~ 52λ in diameter), with subwavelength features, is presented.
Using Power: An Exploration of Control Work in the Sport Marriage

Drawing from long-term ethnographic research, this article provides valuable insight into the power and control processes that emerge from the work/family issues of professional athletes and their wives. It exam- ines from the wives' perspective how these husbands engage in the interre- lated processes of gender work and "control work" in their marital relationships and how wives respond. The "spoiled athlete syndrome" is introduced and discussed within the context of a typology of control work. As processes of learning, cultivating, and exerting control, this syndrome begins with early male, sport, and power-control socialization and continues through occupational socialization. This article seeks to explore the possible consequences and implications of such "control management" by husbands who have learned to define the male self and sport involvement as aspects of a hegemonic masculinity and how such definitions affect their wives and mar- riages. Keywords: control work; spoiled athlete syndrome; sport marriage. Power and control processes permeate all human relationships. Such processes are typically reflected in the everyday interactions of family members and marital partners. With the exception of feminist scholars, social scientists have given comparatively little attention to the nature of power and control processes in these intimate relationships. As a prime example of what I view as the career-dominated marriage , the sport marriage provides an opportunity to examine closely such power and control patterns and to explore the impact on the men and women involved. This article offers rare insight from the perspective of the wives of profes- sional athletes into the ways in which their husbands socially construct their mascu- linity and use power and control in their marriages as a result of their occupation. The term gender work is used herein to identify a physical, a behavioral, an interactional, or a self-presentational process of "doing gender" (West and Zimmerman 1987). Applying this meaning of gender work, I further develop a concept I refer to as control work (Ortiz 2002) to examine the wives' subjective and experiential interpretation of their husbands' gender work and control work in
From Mickey Mouse to Max and Cheese: enhancing user experience for the family market

Providing experiences for families have become increasingly important for many organisations in recent years. These increases may be due, in part, to the fact that more families are seeking opportunities together, and because many organisations are attempting to appeal to more customers and increase their revenue in economically challenging times. The purpose of this study was to develop a framework of family accessibility that can be used to meet families’ needs and facilitate enjoyable experiences for all family members in a variety of settings. A collective case study was conducted that examined Disney, IKEA and Max and Cheese. Multiple sources of data were obtained from each organisation. Using the main themes and overall theme that emerged from the data, a family accessibility conceptual framework was developed. This framework has important implications for businesses that are looking for innovative ways to facilitate enjoyable family experiences and increase satisfaction of family customers.
Sex-specific influences of vasopressin on human social communication

Arginine vasopressin (AVP) and related peptides affect social behaviors in numerous species, but AVP influences on human social functions have not yet been established. Here, we describe how intranasal AVP administration differentially affects social communication in men and women, and we propose a mechanism through which it may exert those influences. In men, AVP stimulates agonistic facial motor patterns in response to the faces of unfamiliar men and decreases perceptions of the friendliness of those faces. In contrast, in women, AVP stimulates affiliative facial motor patterns in response to the faces of unfamiliar women and increases perceptions of the friendliness of those faces. AVP also affected autonomic responsiveness to threatening faces and increased anxiety, which may underlie both communication patterns by promoting different social strategies in stressful contexts in men and women.
A comparison of soil quality indexing methods for vegetable production systems in Northern California

Abstract Consultants, farm advisors, resource conservationists, and other land managers may benefit from decision tools that help identify the most sustainable management practices. Indices of soil quality (SQIs) can provide this service. Various methods were tested for choosing a minimum data set (MDS), transforming the indicators, and calculating indices using data from alternative vegetable production systems being evaluated near Davis, California. The MDS components were chosen using expert opinion (EO) or principal components analysis (PCA) as a data reduction technique. Multiple regressions of the MDS indicators (as independent variables) against indicators representing management goals (as iterative dependent variables) showed no significant differences between the EO and PCA selection techniques in their abilities to explain variability within each sustainable management goal. Linear and non-linear scoring techniques were also compared for MDS indicators. The non-linear scoring method was determined to be more representative of system function than the linear method. Finally, indicator scores were combined using either an additive index, a weighted additive index, or a decision support system. For almost all indexing combinations, the organic system received significantly higher SQI values than the low input or conventional treatments. The efficacy of the indices was tested by comparisons with individual indicators, variables representative of management goals, and another multivariate technique for decision making that used all available data rather than a subset (MDS). Comparison with the comprehensive multivariate technique showed results similar to all of the indexing combinations except the additive and weighted indices using the linearly scored, EO-selected MDS. This suggests that a small number of carefully chosen soil quality indicators, when used in a simple, non-linearly scored index, can adequately provide information needed for selection of best management practices.
Rethinking health systems strengthening: key systems thinking tools and strategies for transformational change

While reaching consensus on future plans to address current global health challenges is far from easy, there is broad agreement that reductionist approaches that suggest a limited set of targeted interventions to improve health around the world are inadequate. We argue that a comprehensive systems perspective should guide health practice, education, research and policy. We propose key 'systems thinking' tools and strategies that have the potential for transformational change in health systems. Three overarching themes span these tools and strategies: collaboration across disciplines, sectors and organizations; ongoing, iterative learning; and transformational leadership. The proposed tools and strategies in this paper can be applied, in varying degrees, to every organization within health systems, from families and communities to national ministries of health. While our categorization is necessarily incomplete, this initial effort will provide a valuable contribution to the health systems strengthening debate, as the need for a more systemic, rigorous perspective in health has never been greater.