cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Predictors of in-hospital mortality and acute myocardial infarction in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Abstract Background Despite the widespread availability of plasmapheresis as a therapy, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. There is a paucity of data on the predictors of poor clinical outcome in this population. Acute myocardial infarction is a recognized complication of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. Little is known about the magnitude of this problem, its risk factors, and its influence on mortality in patients hospitalized with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. Methods We used the 2001-2010 Nationwide Inpatient Sample database to identify patients aged ≥18 years with the diagnosis of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (International Classification of Diseases, 9 th Revision, Clinical Modification [ICD-9-CM] code 446.6) who also received therapeutic plasmapheresis (ICD-9-CM code 99.71) during the hospitalization. Patients with acute myocardial infarction were identified using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Clinical Classification Software code 100. Stepwise logistic regression was used to determine independent predictors of in-hospital mortality and acute myocardial infarction in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura patients. Results Among the 4032 patients (mean age 47.5 years, 67.7% women, and 36.9% white) with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura who also underwent plasmapheresis, in-hospital mortality was 11.1%. Independent predictors of increased in-hospital mortality were older age (odds ratio [OR] 1.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02-1.04; P P = .003), acute renal failure (OR 2.75; 95% CI, 2.11-3.58; P P = .004), acute cerebrovascular disease (OR 2.68; 95% CI, 1.87-3.85; P P P P P = .007), known coronary artery disease (OR 2.59; 95% CI, 1.76-3.81; P P Conclusion In this large national database, patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura had an in-hospital mortality rate of 11.1% and an acute myocardial infarction rate of 5.7%. Predictors of in-hospital mortality were older age, acute myocardial infarction, acute renal failure, congestive heart failure, acute cerebrovascular disease, cancer, and sepsis. Predictors of acute myocardial infarction were older age, smoking, known coronary artery disease, and congestive heart failure.
Electromigration: A review

The aggressive scaling planned for integrated circuits is placing more demands on the materials, processes and designs. The circuits must be reliable and electromigration is a key reliability issue. Because many of the factors that contribute to electromigration are not completely understood, manufacturers must proceed cautiously. In this article electromigration is reviewed from the prospective of the reliability engineer, focusing on those areas of greatest applicability to the manufacturing environment. First, the fundamental physics of electromigration are examined to provide a basis for understanding the factors that affect the lifetimes under the various test conditions. Then, empirical data concerning the impact on reliability of metal stripe geometry, structure and composition are reviewed. The care necessary to make fast, wafer-level tests an important process control tool is discussed. It is shown that pulsed-dc and ac waveforms can provide longer lifetimes than predicted previously, providing some relaxation of current density requirements for higher circuit densities. An understanding of these phenomena is necessary for the reliability engineer to assess today's and tomorrow's integrated circuits.
Delineation of a Threefold Relationship Among Communication Input Variables, Identity Gaps, and Depressive Symptoms

In order to delineate a threefold relationship among communication variables, identity problems, and depressive symptoms, a structural equation model involving sequential relationships from communication competence, communication apprehension, and assertiveness to personal-relational, personal-enacted, and enacted-relational identity gaps to depressive symptoms was estimated with a sample of 475 participants. In the estimation, communication competence and communication apprehension significantly predicted all three identity gaps. However, assertiveness significantly predicted only an enacted-relational identity gap. Then, all three identity gaps had significant effects on depressive symptoms. In the analysis checking mediation effects of the identity gaps between the communication variables and depressive symptoms, the three identity gaps significantly mediated effects of the communication variables on depressive symptoms, suggesting that the identity gaps are a necessary linker conveying effects of comm...
Effect of vitamin C supplementation on lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein, and triglyceride concentrations

Plasma ascorbic acid (AA) frequently is positively correlated with high-density-lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and inversely related to total cholesterol concentration. To determine if vitamin C intake can alter cholesterol concentration, we examined the effect of vitamin C supplementation (1 g/d) on lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels in 138 subjects, aged 20 to 65 years, who completed an 8-month randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Individuals with higher levels of plasma AA (> 80 mumol/L for men and > 90 mumol/L for women), HDL cholesterol (> 1.4 mmol/L for men and > 1.7 mmol/L for women), and total cholesterol (> 6.7 mmol/L) were excluded from this trial. We observed no overall effect of supplementation on plasma concentrations of HDL, LDL, or total cholesterol, apolipoprotein (apo) B, or triglyceride. We did observe a marginally significant (P < 0.10) increase of 1.9 mumol/L (5.3 mg/dL) in apo A-I concentration with supplementation and a significant (P < 0.05) difference of 0.10 mmol/L (3.8 mg/dL) in HDL cholesterol concentration between vitamin C and placebo treatment in a nonrandomized subgroup of individuals (n = 43) and a baseline plasma AA level less than 55 mumol/L. Although the apo A-I concentration increase was only marginally significant with supplementation, change in plasma AA concentration was significantly (P < 0.05) correlated with change in apo A-I concentration in the entire sample. The overall results of this trial were negative, but our data do not allow us to rule out the possibility that vitamin C supplementation might increase HDL cholesterol or apo A-I concentrations among individuals with lower plasma AA levels.
Molecular cloning and DNA sequence analysis of Escherichia coli priA, the gene encoding the primosomal protein replication factor Y.

Abstract Escherichia coli replication factor Y (protein n') functions in the assembly of a mobile multiprotein replication-priming complex called the primosome. Although the role of factor Y in primosome assembly during replication in vitro of bacteriophage phi X174 and plasmid pBR322 DNA is clear, its role in E. coli chromosomal replication is not. To address this issue, the gene for factor Y has been cloned molecularly and its DNA sequence has been determined. The cloned fragment of DNA contained an open reading frame capable of encoding a polypeptide of 81.7 kDa. This open reading frame contains amino acid sequences identical to 13 N-terminal amino acids of purified factor Y, as well as to a 10-amino acid internal sequence (from a cyanogen bromide fragment) as determined by gas-phase microsequencing. Expression of the polypeptide encoded by this open reading frame using a bacteriophage T7 transient expression system resulted in the accumulation of a polypeptide with an apparent molecular mass of 78 kDa that comigrated with bona fide factor Y during SDS/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Soluble extracts made from cells overexpressing the product of the putative factor Y open reading frame showed a 2000-fold increase in factor Y activity during bacteriophage phi X174 complementary-strand DNA synthesis in vitro when compared to control extracts. The gene encoding factor Y, which maps to 88.5 min on the E. coli chromosome, has been designated primosome A (priA).
Noninvasive Doppler Tissue Measurement of Pulmonary Artery Compliance in Children with Pulmonary Hypertension

Background We have shown previously that input impedance of the pulmonary vasculature provides a comprehensive characterization of right ventricular afterload by including compliance. However, impedance-based compliance assessment requires invasive measurements. Here, we develop and validate a noninvasive method to measure pulmonary artery (PA) compliance using ultrasound color M-mode (CMM) Doppler tissue imaging (DTI). Methods Dynamic compliance (C dyn ) of the PA was obtained from CMM DTI and continuous wave Doppler measurement of the tricuspid regurgitant velocity. C dyn was calculated as: [(D s − D d )/(D d × P s )] × 10 4 ; where D s = systolic diameter, D d = diastolic diameter, and P s = systolic pressure. The method was validated both in vitro and in 13 patients in the catheterization laboratory, and then tested on 27 pediatric patients with pulmonary hypertension, with comparison with 10 age-matched control subjects. C dyn was also measured in an additional 13 patients undergoing reactivity studies. Results Instantaneous diameter measured using CMM DTI agreed well with intravascular ultrasound measurements in the in vitro models. Clinically, C dyn calculated by CMM DTI agreed with C dyn calculated using invasive techniques (23.4 ± 16.8 vs 29.1 ± 20.6%/100 mm Hg; P = not significant). Patients with pulmonary hypertension had significantly lower peak wall velocity values and lower C dyn values than control subjects ( P dyn values followed an exponentially decaying relationship with PA pressure, indicating the nonlinear stress–strain behavior of these arteries. Reactivity in C dyn agreed with reactivity measured using impedance techniques. Conclusion The C dyn method provides a noninvasive means of assessing PA compliance and should be useful as an additional measure of vascular reactivity subsequent to pulmonary vascular resistance in patients with pulmonary hypertension.
Differences in the Spending of Husbands and Wives on Products Used by Only One Spouse

This paper investigates the spending by spouses in categories in which only one spouse uses the products purchased (e.g., personal electronics, apparel, personal hobbies, massages, tennis lessons). Spouses in these situations assume one of two purchasing roles: "self-purchasing spouse" or "purchaser for one's spouse." We propose that the spending of self-purchasing spouses is unrelated to household category budget constraints while the spending of husbands or wives purchasing for their spouses will be subject to category budget constraints. Our research supports these propositions and illustrates the importance of studying spending by individual spouses. Our results are useful for marketers targeting spouses in categories in which only one spouse uses the products purchased.
Intensive Care of the Adult Patient With Congenital Heart Disease

Prevalence of congenital heart disease in the adult population has increased out of proportion to that of the pediatric population as survival has improved, and adult congenital heart disease patients make up a growing percentage of pediatric and adult cardiac intensive care unit admissions. These patients often develop complex multiorgan system disease as a result of long-standing altered cardiac physiology, and many require reoperation during adulthood. Practitioners who care for these patients in the cardiac intensive care unit must have a strong working knowledge of the pathophysiology of complex congenital heart disease, and a full team of specialists must be available to assist in the care of these patients. This chapter will review some of the common multiorgan system effects of long-standing congenital heart disease (eg, renal and hepatic dysfunction, coagulation abnormalities, arrhythmias) as well as some of the unique cardiopulmonary physiology of this patient population.
Reactivation of Irradiated Bacteriophage by Transfer of Self-Reproducing Units.

In this article, Luria reported that several phages killed by ultraviolet light, then put into the same cell, can often revive themselves and produce normal progeny. He noted that if specific genes were intentionally damaged, through exchanges with another phage they can reconstitute as a normal, undamaged phage. Luria interpreted this as an instance of genetic recombination. This article would be followed by a more formal and detailed presentation of the subject in "Genetics" in 1949.
Increasing stability for the diffusion equation

We study the phenomenon of increasing stability of the diffusion and absorption coefficients in the diffusion equation. We derive some bounds which can be viewed as evidence of increasing stability when the frequency is growing. These bounds hold under a priori assumptions on the diffusion and absorption coefficients.
Comparison of advanced propulsion concepts for deep space exploration.

Equations and charts are presented that permit rapid estimation of propulsion-system performance requirements for some typical deep-space missions. A number of advanced propulsion concepts for which performance estimates are available are compared with respect to their capability for flyby, rendezvous, and roundtrip planetary missions. Based on these estimates, the gas-core nuclear fission rocket and the pulsed fusion rocket yield the fastest trip times to the near planets. For round trips to Jupiter and beyond, the controlled fusion rocket shows progressively superior capabilities. Several propulsion concepts based on use of impinging laser beams are found to be noncompetitive with the other advanced concepts for deep space missions. Requirements for attainment of interstellar distances within a human lifetime are found to be some orders of magnitude beyond the capabilities of any propulsion concepts for which performance estimates are now possible.
HAND MANIPULATION TRAINING IN HAPTIC VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENTS

Continuing advances in virtual reality (VR) technology with respect to the new addition of force and touch feedbacks have enhanced VR realism and led to the development of many useful and accessible VR systems. One of the emerging research fields is in rehabilitation training. This paper introduces a virtual reality-based hand manipulation training system with three applications: virtual writing, virtual painting and virtual dialing. The system is mainly for training hand movement precision, speed, force, and direction control. A haptic device — PHANTOM Premium 1.0 is used to give the user immediate force feedbacks to feel immersed in the virtual environment during the training session. A new collision detection method is developed for accurate and rapid calculation of the interaction between the haptic and virtual environments. The implementation performances are calculated and given to the user in real time. The practicing results are also saved for evaluation and supervision by the specialist.
Personality traits of drama school students

(1940). Personality traits of drama school students. Quarterly Journal of Speech: Vol. 26, No. 4, pp. 564-575.
A mid-winter census of American bald eagles in the Chesapeake Bay region, 1962

Results of a 1962 mid-winter census of the American bald eagle,Haliaeetus leucocephalus, present in the greater Chesapeake Bay region are reported. Ground observations supplemented by some aerial coverage located 200 eagles of which 24 per cent were immature birds. Previous attempts to estimate eagle abundance through nest surveys in the region are reviewed. Though this census offers the most complete estimate of eagle abundance in this region at any one time, similar counts coupled with nesting success studies should be conducted on an annual basis for several years to fully understand the true status of this species in this area.
A Molecular Biomarker for Disruption of Crustacean Molting: The N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase mRNA in the Epidermis of the Fiddler Crab

Several environmentally persistent chemicals have been found to be capable of disrupting crustacean molting. Considering the importance of molting in the life of crustaceans, there is a need to develop a molecular biomarker that can reflect the disrupting effects of contaminants on ecdysteroid signaling in crustaceans. N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase (NAG) is a chitinolytic enzyme found in crustacean epidermis. The results of the present investigation show that the transcription of NAG gene in the epidermis of the fiddler crab, Uca pugilator, is inducible by the molting hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone, which validates the use of NAG mRNA as a biomarker for molt-disrupting effects of xenobiotics.
Levels of LH in the sera and pituitaries of female lambs following ovariectomy and administration of estrogen.

The concentration of LH in sera and pituitaries was determined by radioimmunoassay in 21 female lambs after ovariectomy and/ or administration of estradiol 17β (E2). At 5- days-of-age lambs were divided to form four groups. Lambs of Group C were controls, Group 0 were ovariectomized, Group E were implanted subcutaneously with E2 and Group OE were ovariectomized and given E2. The lambs were bled daily by venipuncture for 25 days after birth and then on alternate days until 44 days when they were killed. The LH in the serum of lambs in Group C and 0 began to increase to a level detectable by the assay when the lambs were 12 days of age. LH in the serum of Group C increased to 2-4 ng/ml when the lambs were 21–24– days-of-age but did not rise thereafter. Lambs of Group 0 had a sharp rise in LH in the serum beginning at day 12 which continued to day 44. The rise in LH in the serum of individual lambs of both Group C and 0 was not continuous from day to day as there were numerous cases of declining levels from ...
Phase-Field Modeling of Microstructure Formation of Polycrystalline Materials in Various Cooling Conditions

This paper presents a discontinuous finite element computational framework for the numerical solution to the phase-field equations during the solidification of polycrystalline materials. An important feature of the discontinuous method is that the continuity across the elements within the calculation domain is only weakly enforced, rather than rigorously enforced as done in conventional finite element method. The mathematical formulation and computational implementation are briefly described. Numerical simulations are conducted to study the interactions between the grains and the nuclei that are initially located close to or away from the boundary of the bulk grain. The phase-field evolutions during solidification in various cooling conditions are presented. Results indicate the dependence of grain growth behavior and its interface morphology on the undercooling temperature suppressed to the liquid pool. And this dependence is not so much related to the distance between the grain and nuclei.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Tmp21-I, a vesicular trafficking protein, is differentially expressed during induction of the ureter and metanephros.

Purpose: To identify genes participating in the reciprocal induction of the metanephros and ureter.Materials and Methods: Embryonic day 14 Sprague-Dawley rat kidneys and ureters were microdissected into differentiating mesenchyme, ureteric buds, and extrarenal ureter and prepared for RT/PCR differential display. Differentially displayed cDNAs were reamplified, cloned, and sequenced. Expression was verified in the embryonic, newborn or adult kidneys by Northern blot hybridization or RT/PCR using sequence specific primers. A newborn rat kidney cDNA library was prepared and screened with probes of interest. Positive clones were screened, sequenced and compared to the GenBank/EMBL databases. A rabbit polyclonal antibody was raised to a synthetic peptide of the Tmp21-I protein and was used for immunohistochemistry.Results: From the cDNAs differentially displayed by the ureteric buds cDNA B11, is 254 bp in length. The gene for B11 is expressed in adult and newborn kidneys as two transcripts (3.4 kb and 1.3 kb)....
Soft-object technology for flexible machining systems (FMS)

Individual manufacturing sites are expected to become more demand-driven than plan-driven. Manufacturing industries are faced with the challenge of responding more rapidly to changing markets and evolving business opportunities. Focus of factory-floor information systems is on the operation of production equipment and the control of processes. There is no direct or regular communication with design and engineering systems. As a result, upstream information systems are unaware of factory-floor information details, such as the status of work-in-progress; records of past process performance; availability of appropriate tools, labor, and materials. Middle-level information systems, known as manufacturing execution systems, bridge this critical information gap between upstream and downstream activities.
Treating Pain in Patients with Drug-dependence Problems

Copyrighted Material, used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons Limited. For personal use only, must not be reproduced or shared with third parties. Anyone wishing to reproduce this content in whole or in part, in print or in electronic format, should contact digitalrightsuk@wiley.com Browse the ABC series at www.wiley.com ### Overview Reasonably one can be concerned in patients with known drug dependence that their dependence will interfere with pain treatment, particularly treatment of pain with opioids. Concerns centre mainly on fears of addiction relapse when patients are given addictive drugs in the medical setting, but there may also be issues with drug interactions, with dosing for active users or with drug seeking for recreational use. Drug dependence does not preclude using addictive drugs during medical treatment of pain, but it does introduce several complications that must be considered when treating these patients. The acute pain, pain at the end of life and chronic pain situations are different, and are treated as separate entities in this chapter. The chapter focuses on dependence during chronic pain treatment, since this is where most of the complexities of concurrent pain and substance dependence arise. Much effort has been placed towards developing uniform criteria and descriptors for addiction, so that it becomes a recognised …
The present status of treatment of pulmonary sarcoidosis: a house divided.

For over 25 years, glucocorticoids have been the chief agents used in the treatment of pulmonary sarcoidosis. Most authorities agree that such treatment is effective, but much controversy exists about the indications for administration. Presented herein is a method of treatment using an alternate-day regimen of administration of prednisone; this approach is based on a synthesis of personal experience and findings in the literature.
Lang, Ranier, A Plea for Language Planning in Papua New Guinea

Papuo-Novgvineo estas lingve la plej komplika lando de la mondo. Tamen, kontraste kun la ceteraj landoj de la Tria Mondo, tute mankas nacia lingvo-politiko. Lang pledas por nacia lingvo-planado. La angla estas la oficiala lingvo, kaj Tok Pisin (eks-pigin-angla) kaj Hiri Motu (parte kreoliginta formo de unu etna lingvo, disvastigita en la nacia polico) estas la naciaj lingvoj. Estas multaj etnaj lingvoj, el kiuj multaj jam cedis al la tri cefaj. La koloniismo alportis la socilingvistikajn sangojn, kiuj estigis tiujn tri. Oni nun pritraktas la anglan kiel tute necesan al la ekonomia modernigo kaj progreso, sed cu vere? Cu okcidehta lingvo estas vere necesa al la modernigo? La japanoj, la tajoj, la irananoj ne tiel pensas, kaj la kresko de la svahilia en la Orienta Afriko montras, ke ec en antauaj britaj kolonioj, la angla ne devas resti.La uzo de la angla en Papuo-Novgvineo igas ceremonia, sajna afero. Oni uzas gin sen kompreni gin. Jugistoj, ekzemple, administras legojn per anglaj vortoj, kiujn ili mem ne komprenas, kaj la popolo suferas. La angla en Papuo-Novgvineo estas ne plu toler-inda lukso.La lingvo Tok Pisin enpenetras la antauan Papuon, kie antaue regis la Hiri Motu. Sed samtempe gi disigas. Antaue sendependa lingvo, kun propraj reguloj kontrastaj al la anglaj, gi nun pli-malpli igas nenorma dialekto de la angla. Samtempe la angla pli kaj pli disigas de la europa normo, kiun retenis la eksterlandanoj (australianoj) dum la kolonia epoko. Cu la lingvo Tok Pisin, do, estas kaj restos tauga lingva perilo de la nacia idento? Eble pro tio, la parolantoj de la pli tipe melanezia Hiri Motu dubas.La recenzatan raporton verkis eksterlandano, germano. La insulo ja estis germana kolonio. Lia referajo estas percepta, spite de la manko de atento al la problemo de la disigo de la Tok Pisin. Papuo-Novgvineo, kiel parto de la Tria Mondo, povas kaj lerni de kaj instrui al tiu mondo. Urgas lingvaj decidoj en tiu lingve plej komplika lando.
Role of axons in the regulation of P0 biosynthesis by Schwann cells.

The role of axons in the expression of the major myelin glycoprotein, PO, has been investigated using neuron/Schwann cell cultures. These cultures were either nonmyelinating or myelinating due to growth in defined medium or in medium containing serum and chick embryo extract, respectively. The neurons and Schwann cells used in the studies were derived from embryonic day 15 rat dorsal root ganglia (DRG), and the Schwann cells from these ganglia are shown not to synthesize appreciable levels of Po prior to growth in culture. Myelinating cultures of Schwann cells and neurons grown together for 18–21 days synthesize Po that is readily identified by immunoblotting. The nonmyelinating cultures, which do not assemble basal lamina, also synthesize Po that is detectable by either [3H]mannose precursor incorporation or by immunoblotting. The steady-state level of Po in the nonmyelinating cultures is less than that of the myelinating cultures, and the Po that is synthesized by the former appears to be catabolized shortly after its biosynthesis. Since nonmyelinating Schwann cells synthesize Po when in contact with neurites in vitro, we have examined the ability of such nonmyelinating cells to express the glycoprotein in vivo. Very little steady-state Po is detected in immunoblots of the adult rat cervical sympathetic trunk (CST), a nerve in which approximately 99% of the axons are nonmyelinated. Similarly, the amounts of [3H]mannose and [3H]amino acids that are incorporated into newly synthesized Po are much lower in the CST than in the adult sciatic nerve. The Schwann cells of the CST are induced to synthesize myelin after growth in serum-containing medium with embryonic DRG neurites that are devoid of endogenous Schwann cells due to prior treatment with an antimitotic agent. Immunoblot analysis of these cultures reveals a level of Po that is comparable to that of myelinating DRG Schwann cell/neuron cultures. These data indicate that DRG neurites supply a signal that can initiate the synthesis of Po in the absence of basal lamina and myelination. Furthermore, this signal may be reduced or altered in the CST.
Interictal 12-lead electrocardiography in patients with epilepsy

Interictal electrocardiographic predictors of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) are unknown. This study was designed to identify the unique features of the interictal 12-lead electrocardiogram (EKG) in patients with epileptic seizures. We conducted a retrospective chart review of adult patients below the age of 65 admitted to our epilepsy monitoring unit. Using EEG telemetry data, we classified patients as having nonepileptic seizures (NESs), probable epilepsy (PE), or definite epilepsy (DE) and analyzed 12-lead EKGs obtained on admission. Patients with NESs were assigned as the control group. We included patients taking antipsychotic and/or antidepressant medications but excluded patients with medical conditions or taking other medications that would otherwise confound EKG measurements. Out of the 1007 charts reviewed, 195 patients were included in our analysis, and extensive subgroup analyses were performed. We found that patients with definite localization-related epilepsy displayed a significantly longer average PR interval (162.1 ms) than patients with NESs (148.8 ms). This effect was pronounced in female patients and did not vary with the number of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) prescribed. In contrast to previous studies, mean QTc intervals were not significantly different between DE (428 ms) and NESs (422.6 ms). However, within females, this difference reached statistical significance (DE: 434.6 ms, NESs: 424.6 ms). Antiepileptic drug polytherapy was associated with a significantly lower QTc interval (416 ms in patients on 4-6 drugs and 436.4 ms in patients on 0-1 drugs). Levetiracetam was the most commonly used AED and was associated with the longest average PR (163 ms) and QTc (432 ms) intervals. The mean QRS axis displayed a significant leftward shift in patients with localization-related epilepsy (35.6° versus 54.3° in patients with NESs) and also in female patients with DE (42.1° versus 55.4° in female patients with NESs). No differences were observed between patients with left versus right hemisphere seizure foci. Overall, these findings may reflect cardiac structural changes and/or alterations in autonomic tone that deserve closer study. Further, longer-term prospective studies are required to understand how these electrocardiographic signatures may predict sudden unexpected death in epilepsy.
Selective suppression and excitation of solid-state NMR resonances based on quadrupole coupling constants

The dependence of the (Rotor Assisted Population Transfer) RAPT enhancement on offset frequency for nuclei experiencing different quadrupolar couplings has been exploited to design two new spectral editing schemes, pi/2-RAPT and RAPT-pi-RAPT, for the selective excitation or suppression, respectively, of nuclei with large quadrupolar couplings. Both approaches are demonstrated on the 87 Rb spectrum of Rb(2)SO(4), which contains two resonances with C(q) values of 2.6 and 5.3 MHz. The conditions for optimal selectivity are discussed. Combining pi/2-RAPT with the RIACT MQ-MAS experiment it is also demonstrated how a pure absorption mode triple quantum MQ-MAS spectrum devoid of narrow resonances can be obtained.
Relaxation of the stressed plasma sheet boundary layer

Observations indicate that the plasma sheet boundary layer (PSBL) becomes stressed during active times resulting in enhanced plasma flows, intense wave activity, and its minimum spatial width becoming on the order of the ion Larmor radius. We present simulations showing that the Electron-Ion-Hybrid (EIH) instability plays a key role during of the nonlinear relaxation of such a stressed PSBL. The EIH is a long wavelength mode (kyLE ∼1, where ky is the perpendicular wavelength and LE the gradient scale size), its spectrum is broadband (extending from below the lower hybrid frequency to the electron plasma frequency), and its onset can generate substantial perpendicular ion acceleration and anomalous viscosity leading to particle mixing across the PSBL.
Paradigms, Power, and PR in New York City: Assessing Two School Accountability Implementation Efforts

This policy study critically compares two different efforts to implement an accountability system in the New York City public schools. In 1971, the New York City Board of Education contracted with the Educational Testing Service (ETS), which created a lengthy accountability plan for the district. Fitful maneuvers to execute the ETS plan fizzled out by 1978. Roughly three decades later, New York City educational leaders publicly championed school accountability as a chief goal. By 2003, formal accountability system planning had commenced; in 2007, an accountability system went fully operational, with New York City public schools receiving a published letter grade that ranged from A-F. This study demonstrates how the maturation of a national education policy paradigm (standards-based school accountability) coalesced with several contextual factors (money, power, principals, and public relations) to enable successful system implementation in the 2000s. Importantly, this work also demonstrates how African-American community representatives and leaders in New York City contributed to the nascent movement for accountability in the 1970s, yet the voices of underrepresented and underserved populations were largely absent in the 2000s implementation effort. Finally, events in both eras illustrate how educational accountability can play an important symbolic role by transmitting political messages.
Extended laying interval of ultimate eggs of the Eastern Bluebird

Abstract. Proximately, clutch size is determined by the termination of the sequential pattern of egg formation and laying. Egg laying is difficult to study, and documentation of detailed patterns is scarce. We used archived video recordings of the Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) to contrast the times of day of laying with variability in egg-laying intervals. Ultimate eggs were laid over a significantly longer interval than previous eggs. The extended interval over which the ultimate egg is laid could be a symptom of physiological constraints in the formation of the ultimate egg, extra resources provided to compensate the ultimate egg, and/or a late egg may become the ultimate egg because being late prevents further ovulation.
Prevention of Gastroduodenal Injury Induced by Chromic Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drug Therapy

The fact that nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) damage the gastroduodenal mucosa is now accepted as NSAID use has been associated with a disproportionately high frequency of upper gastrointestinal bleeding and perforation of gastric and duodenal ulcers. More than 10% of patients receiving NSAIDs chronically will have a gastric ulcer on any given day; a point prevalence of ulcer disease 5–10 times higher than in patients who are not taking NSAIDs. Endoscopic studies comparing the effect of acute administration of NSAIDs on the gastroduodenal mucosa in normal volunteers have failed to predict which NSAIDs would be safest when administered chronically. All of the newer NSAIDs appear to be similar in their propensity to cause chronic mucosal damage, including peptic ulceration. Recent studies have suggested that in those starting NSAID therapy, prophylactic cotreatment with H 2 -receptor antagonists or sucralfate has minimal or no effect on preventing the development of 11iSAID-induced gastric ulcers, although duodenal ulcers may be reduced. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug-induced gastric ulcers are also not prevented by drug formulations, that prevent or markedly reduce the amount of active NSAID in the stomach. Cotreatment with the synthetic prostaglandin misoprostol was associated with a marked reduction in gastric ulcer development in patients with osteoarthritis receiving NSAIDs chronically, suggesting that prevention of prostaglandin generation in the gastric mucosa may play a pivotal role in NSAID-induced gastric ulcers.
Knowledge representation and the dimensions of a multi-model relationship

The exchange of data between different models in a multi-simulation environment is about the exchange of information from within the context of two separate worldviews. This amounts to knowledge (information in context). To represent this knowledge, in any of a number of different ways (meta-data, ontological reference, frames, etc.) there must be a method to bridge the gap between what the worldview of origination can represent and what the worldview of destination can receive. This requires some understanding of the dimensions of difference between the two worldviews. As each separate model is the product of a different perspective by the model?s developer, each individual model will have a different worldview. Understanding what these differences are, and viewing them in light of the requirements for conceptual interoperability will contribute a great teal to the knowledge that must be captured for meaningful exchange.
Practical improvements to autocovariance least-squares

Identifying disturbance covariances from data is a critical step in estimator design and controller performance monitoring. Here, the autocovariance least-squares (ALS) method for this identification is examined. For large industrial models with poorly observable states, the process noise covariance is high dimensional and the optimization problem is poorly conditioned. Also, weighting the least-squares problem with the identity matrix does not provide minimum variance estimates. Here, ALS method to resolve these two challenges is modified. Poorly observable states using the singular value decomposition (SVD) of the observability matrix is identified and removed, thus decreasing the computational time. Using a new feasible-generalized least-squares estimator that approximates the optimal weighting from data, the variance of the estimates is significantly reduced. The new approach on industrial data sets provided by Praxair is successfully demonstrated. The disturbance model identified by the ALS method produces an estimator that performs optimally over a year-long period. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 61: 1840–1855, 2015
Log-ratio current for beam position monitoring

The logarithmic ratio of the signal amplitudes from beam-position probe-electrodes provides a normalized real-time analog signal that is more linear in beam displacement than other signal-processing techniques for circular cross-section, beam-position monitors. The authors describe work being done to develop a log-ratio circuit using an inexpensive, commercially available, logarithmic-response, integrated-circuit RF-amplifier. The circuit uses two amplifiers in a log (A)-log (B)=log (A/B) configuration to provide the logarithmic ratio of the two RF input signals from the probe. The output is a real-time analog signal proportional to beam displacement. >
Feasibility of a home‐based versus classroom‐based nutrition intervention to reduce obesity and type 2 diabetes in Latino youth

Objectives. The objectives of this pilot study were to compare the dietary, physiological and metabolic effects of 12-week modified carbohydrate nutrition intervention when disseminated in an indiv...
Doing Poverty: Learning Outcomes among Students Participating in the Community Action Poverty Simulation Program

This article discusses an application of the Lewinian/Kolb experiential learning model in the context of undergraduate participation in the Missouri Community Action Poverty Simulation (CAPS) program. CAPS is designed to simulate common, everyday experiences among people living in poverty as participants take on the roles of family members working to make ends meet. The creators of CAPS emphasize that "CAPS is not a game" but "a unique tool that community action agencies are able to use to educate everyone, from policy makers to community leaders, about the day to day realities of life with a shortage of money and an abundance of stress." The authors facilitated the CAPS program with two large groups of undergraduate students enrolled in sociology, gerontology, and psychology courses at a medium-sized private college in south-central Pennsylvania. The analysis examines the experiential learning outcomes of the students as they reflect on their participation in the simulation. Following participation in CAPS, the students demonstrated an increased awareness of the material conditions of everyday life among families living in poverty.
Who Watches the Watchmen?: Evaluating Judicial Performance in the American States

Scholars and human resource practitioners agree that effective performance appraisal systems have clear objectives, reliable and valid appraisal methodology, separation of personal judgments from job-based performance assessments, acceptance by employees, and leadership commitment. Using data from state reports, surveys, case histories, personal interviews, and judicial performance appraisal studies, this article juxtaposes judicial performance evaluation (JPE) and the criteria for effective appraisal systems to address the question of whether judicial independence can be preserved when judges’ performance is systematically evaluated by multiple raters. The authors conclude that JPE is an effective performance appraisal tool that can satisfy the need for accountability to the public while protecting judicial independence.
Receptor-activating autoantibodies and disease: preeclampsia and beyond.

The research reviewed in this article provides examples of autoantibody-mediated receptor activation that likely contributes to disease. The classic example is Graves’ hyperthyroidism, in which autoantibodies activate the thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor resulting in overproduction of thyroid hormones. Other compelling examples come from the cardiovascular literature and include agonistic autoantibodies targeting the cardiac β1-adrenergic receptor, which are associated with dilated cardiomyopathy. Autoantibodies capable of activating α1-adrenergic receptors are associated with refractory hypertension and cardiomyopathy. A prominent example is preeclampsia, a hypertensive disease of pregnancy, characterized by the presence of autoantibodies that activate the major angiotensin receptor, AT1. AT1 receptor-activating autoantibodies are also observed in kidney transplant recipients suffering from severe vascular rejection and malignant hypertension. AT1 receptor-activating autoantibodies and antibodies tha...
Convergence in National Income Distributions

Previous studies have drawn attention to cross-national convergence across a wide range of topics. In this study, I test for convergence in a new empirical setting, examining the degree to which national income distributions have become more similar to one another over time. Using the Standardized World Income Inequality Database, I construct a set of samples that vary in longitudinal and cross-sectional coverage during the 1965–2005 period. The results show that national income distributions have converged substantially since the 1970s. Moreover, the rise in inequality among Eastern European nations during the early 1990s accounts for only about 30 percent of all convergence during the sample period. Additional analyses suggest that globalization may be playing an important role in homogenizing inequality levels. Finally, a decomposition of the convergence trend shows that income distributions are drawing closer together both between and within world regions. Overall, convergence is the product of (a) inequality levels rising among egalitarian societies; and (b) inequality levels declining in stratified nations, indicating a trend toward moderate levels of inequality from both directions.
Capping for Remediation of Contaminated Sediments

The historical release of contaminants into the environment has generated a legacy of contaminated sites throughout the world. For years, the sediments in water bodies adjoining these pollution sources served as sinks for contaminants, particularly hydrophobic organic compounds (HOCs) and heavy metals. Many of these original sources have been eliminated, but the sediments that formerly served as a pollutant sink now serve as sources of contamination and residual environmental risk. Assessment and remediation of these contaminated sediment sites have been the subject of much scientific analysis, public debate and technological innovation (NRC, 2001).There are few economically viable options for management of contaminated sediments. Capping sediments with a layer of clean material is one of few alternatives with a proven record of success for sediment remediation. This chapter is intended to describe the tools and techniques that are applicable for 55 assessment, design, implementation and monitoring of capping as a remedy for contaminated sediment sites.
Section Three of the Defense of Marriage Act: Deciding, Democracy, and the Constitution

This article examines Section 3 of DOMA, which answers the question of who decides whether, when, and to what extent same-sex marriages created in an American state or elsewhere will be recognized by the federal government. Five layers of policy controversy are implicated in the DOMA debate, and additionally, there are three levels or sites of politics in DOMA, due to the fact that it is a creature of legislative creation. DOMA has been subject to constitutional criticism, but those arguments fail under constitutional and conflict of laws analysis. The continued viability of DOMA lies with popular sovereignty and constitutional consensus, not judicial order. DOMA makes a significant contribution to protecting the sovereign body of the United States, the people, by maintaining the important balance in federalism. The people, not the courts, must decide the issue of same-sex marriage.
Exploring Variations Within Situational Couple Violence and Comparisons With Coercive Controlling Violence and No Violence/No Control

We examined variations within situational couple violence among 23 divorcing mothers and compared them with mothers with coercive controlling violence and no violence/no control. Situational couple violence had great variability in frequency and severity of violence, fear, harassment, and protective strategies. In some cases, situational couple violence was frequent and severe and resembled coercive controlling violence in its consequences. The dynamics of fear and harassment in situational couple violence and in the divorce process in general warrant attention. Finally, mothers reported mental health symptoms that did not differ by group, which is likely due to the stresses of divorce.
Factors Associated with Insect Resistance in Sweetpotatoes

An unidentified factor in the root periderm of some sweetpotatoes was an effective deterrent to injury by wireworms ( Conoderus spp.) , by Diabrotica spp., and by larvae of Systena elongata (F.). The presence of larval antibiotic or non preference factors in the inner portion of some roots was demonstrated, but these were not clearly related to resistance. The amount of injury by these insects as well as by the sweetpotato flea beetle Chaetocnema confinis Crotch, and by a grub, Plectris aliena Chapin, was influenced only slightly, if at all, by the time and depth of root enlargement, by the sugar, carotene, and dry matter content, by latex flow, or by the flesh p H.
An Analysis of Second-Order Interaction in Multidimensional Contingency Tables:

As attribute analysis in marketing becomes more complex, one finds a shifting need for more complex statistical techniques when evaluating data. A shift from examining simple cause and effect relationships to a need for understanding more complicated relationships has brought emphasis to new or little used multivariate techniques. One such technique which seems to have been overlooked is a chi-square technique for analyzing three-dimensional contingency tables. When observations are of three attributes with each attribute having but two classes, the independence of each attribute may be tested by chi-square analysis. This unique procedure was first explored by Bartlett in 1935 [1]. Since Bartlett's early address to the utilization of chi-square for testing independence of dichotomous attributes of a multidimensional contingency table, only a few authors [2, 4-7] have made mention of this seemingly forgotten but useful tool. Essentially a test of the independence of attributes presented in a 2 x 2 x 2 contingency table is a test of second-order interaction among the three dichotomous attributes. A test for second-order interaction among three attributes where one or more of the attributes is polytomous, such as presented in 2 x 2 x 3 or 2 x 4 x 3 contingency tables, is also possible [4, pp. 300-1; 5, p. 105]. A 2 x 2 x 2 table which can be spatially depicted as a three-dimensional contingency table can be subjected to testing for significance of interaction between two classifications for any of the three partitionable 2 x 2 tables. However, when all three attributes are to be considered simultaneously, a test for significant second-order interaction must be undertaken [6]. Such an examination of data provides information about possible relationships among the three attributes not otherwise detectable. It is feasible to find a significant