cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chronic nicotine treatment differentially modifies acute nicotine and alcohol actions on GABAA and glutamate receptors in hippocampal brain slices

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Tobacco and alcohol are often co-abused producing interactive effects in the brain. Although nicotine enhances memory while ethanol impairs it, variable cognitive changes have been reported from concomitant use. This study was designed to determine how nicotine and alcohol interact at synaptic sites to modulate neuronal processes. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Acute effects of nicotine, ethanol, and both drugs on synaptic excitatory glutamatergic and inhibitory GABAergic transmission were measured using whole-cell recording in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons from brain slices of mice on control or nicotine-containing diets. KEY RESULTS Acute nicotine (50 nM) enhanced both GABAergic and glutamatergic synaptic transmission; potentiated GABAA receptor currents via activation of α7* and α4β2* nAChRs, and increased N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) and α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA) receptor currents through α7* receptors. While ethanol (80 mM) also increased GABAA currents, it inhibited NMDA currents. Although ethanol had no effect on AMPA currents, it blocked nicotine-induced increases in NMDA and AMPA currents. Following chronic nicotine treatment, acute nicotine or ethanol did not affect NMDA currents, while the effects of GABAergic responses were not altered. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Acute ethanol ingestion selectively attenuated nicotine enhancement of excitatory glutamatergic NMDA and AMPA receptor function, suggesting an overall reduction in excitatory output from the hippocampus. It also indicated that ethanol could decrease the beneficial effects of nicotine on memory performance. In addition, chronic nicotine treatment produced tolerance to the effects of nicotine and cross-tolerance to the effects of ethanol on glutamatergic activity, leading to a potential increase in the use of these drugs.
Knight, Walter D.: The Knight Shift

The sections in this article are 1 Introduction—How to Find a Thesis 2 Searching for a Resonance 3 A Theory to Match the Experiment 4 The Nucleus as a Noninvasive Structural Probe 5 Analysis of Electronic and Geometrical Structures 6 Phase Transitions, Lattice Dynamics, and Quadrupole Coupling 7 Spin-Reversing Scattering and Superconductivity 8 The Penultimate Shrink—Traveling in Lilliput 9 Biographical Sketch
Quantum Attacks on ECDLP-Based Cryptosystems

In this chapter we shall first study the elliptic curve discrete logarithm problem (ECDLP) and the classical solutions to ECDLP, and then we shall discuss some of the most popular ECDLP-based cryptographic systems for which there is no efficient cryptanalytic algorithm. Finally, we shall introduce some quantum algorithms for attacking both the ECDLP problem and the ECDLP-based cryptographic systems.
Responses to Abiotic Conditions

Insects are a dominant group of organisms found in virtually all terrestrial, freshwater, and near-coastal marine habitats, including many of the harshest ecosystems on the globe (e.g., deserts, hot springs, and tundra), but individual species have more restricted ranges of occurrence. All ecosystems experience climatic fluctuation and periodic disturbances that affect the survival of organisms in the community. Furthermore, anthropogenic changes in habitat conditions increase the range of conditions to which organisms must respond. This chapter summarizes insect responses to variable habitat conditions, especially gradients in climate, soil, and chemical conditions. This study focuses on physiological and behavioral characteristics that affect individual responses to variable abiotic conditions. The chapter briefly describes the physical template, surviving variable abiotic conditions, factors affecting dispersal behavior, and so on. Insects are affected by abiotic conditions that reflect latitudinal gradients in temperature and moisture, as modified by circulation patterns and mountain ranges. At the global scale, latitudinal patterns of temperature and precipitation produce bands of tropical rainforests along the equatorial convergence zone (where warming air rises and condenses moisture), deserts, and moist boreal forests.
Ionic Currents and Spontaneous Firing in Neurons Isolated from the Cerebellar Nuclei

Neurons of the cerebellar nuclei fire spontaneous action potentials both in vitro , with synaptic transmission blocked, and in vivo , in resting animals, despite ongoing inhibition from spontaneously active Purkinje neurons. We have studied the intrinsic currents of cerebellar nuclear neurons isolated from the mouse, with an interest in understanding how these currents generate spontaneous activity in the absence of synaptic input as well as how they allow firing to continue during basal levels of inhibition. Current-clamped isolated neurons fired regularly (∼20 Hz), with shallow interspike hyperpolarizations (approximately −60 mV), much like neurons in more intact preparations. The spontaneous firing frequency lay in the middle of the dynamic range of the neurons and could be modulated up or down with small current injections. During step or action potential waveform voltage-clamp commands, the primary current active at interspike potentials was a tetrodotoxin-insensitive (TTX), cesium-insensitive, voltage-independent, cationic flux carried mainly by sodium ions. Although small, this cation current could depolarize neurons above threshold voltages. Voltage- and current-clamp recordings suggested a high level of inactivation of the TTX-sensitive transient sodium currents that supported action potentials. Blocking calcium currents terminated firing by preventing repolarization to normal interspike potentials, suggesting a significant role for K(Ca) currents. Potassium currents that flowed during action potential waveform voltage commands had high activation thresholds and were sensitive to 1 mmTEA. We propose that, after the decay of high-threshold potassium currents, the tonic cation current contributes strongly to the depolarization of neurons above threshold, thus maintaining the cycle of firing.
Reactor Neutrino Physics -- An Update

We review the status and the results of reactor neutrino experiments. Long baseline oscillation experiments at Palo Verde and Chooz have provided limits for the oscillation parameters while the recently proposed Kamland experiment at a baseline of more than 100km is now in the planning stage. We also describe the status of neutrino magnetic moment experiments at reactors.
Effect of estrogen on vaginal blood flow in ewes

Abstract Using thermal techniques, we demonstrated a marked stimulatory effect of estrogen on vaginal blood flow. One milligram of estrone intramuscularly caused: (1) a reduction in the temperature difference (ΔT) between vagina and aortic blood, (2) a shortened "equilibration" time of this ΔT following blood cooling by a drink of water, (3) an increase in the thermal homogeneity of the vagina, and (4) an increased thermal conductance of the vaginal wall. The onset of this hyperemic response occurred about one hour after injection of estrone.
Modelling and analysis for control of induction plasma deposition

A low order nonlinear dynamic model (LOM) of the induction plasma deposition (IPD) process has been developed and analysed to obtain insight into the design of an appropriate feedback control structure.
Change Detection from Heterogeneous Data Sources

In real business, taking the right action at the right time is critical to success. As the first step, detecting the sign of changes in the business situation is an important technical challenge. In this chapter, we focus on change detection technologies, including the tasks of outlier detection and change-point detection. In particular, we focus on how to handle the heterogeneous and dynamic natures that are common features of the data in service businesses. We describe an approach of singular spectrum transformation for change-point detection for heterogeneous data. We also introduce a novel technique of proximity-based outlier detection to handle the dynamic nature of the data. Using real-world sensor data, we demonstrate the utility of the proposed methods.
Lijphart, Lakatos, and Consociationalism

Arend Lijphart's 1969 article on consociational democracy was a compelling critique of prevailing theories of democratic stability and the launching pad for one of the most widely regarded research programs in contemporary comparative politics. However, Lijphart and others who adopted consociational approaches encountered severe logical, theoretical, and empirical criticisms of their work. The success of the program and its apparent imperviousness to many of these attacks has been remarkable. Lijphart s primary response was to abandon standard norms of social science in favor of an “impressionistic” approach that protected the attractiveness and wide applicability of the theory at the cost of precision and scholarly rigor. The overall trajectory of the consociationalist research program is explained with reference to a shift from early- to late-Lakatosian commitments—from insisting on corroboration for one's theories through repeated encounters with evidence to a late-Lakatosian stance that expects the political and rhetorical skills of scholars operating on behalf of their research program to be more significant than evidence or theoretical coherence.
Investigation of Size Effect on the Emissivity of Thin Films

The size effect on the emissivity of thin films is analyzed via a direct method based on Maxwell’s equations combined with fluctuational electrodynamics. Traditional indirect approaches involve computation of absorption, and the emissivity is then predicted by invoking Kirchhoff’s law. The direct method employed in this work does not require Kirchhoff’s law. Instead, Kirchhoff’s law emerges naturally from the mathematical model. Simulation results reveal that the emissivity of metal films increase above bulk values as the film thickness decreases. This counterintuitive behavior is due to the extraneous contributions of waves experiencing multiple reflections within the thin layer, which are usually internally absorbed for metallic bulks. Conversely, for dielectrics, the emissivity of films decreases as the film thickness decreases due to a loss of source volume. The critical thickness above which no size effect is observed for metals is about a hundred of nanometers, while it is as large as a few centimeters for dielectrics. Finally, a simple approximate expression is suggested for evaluating the critical thickness; this expression can be used as a quick reference to determine if the size effect on the emissivity of thin films should be considered.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Cylindrical β-Sheet Peptide Assemblies

Recent reports have shown that cyclic peptides composed of an even number of alternating d- and l-amino acids can adopt flat, disklike conformations and stack through backbone−backbone hydrogen-bonding to form extended nanotubular structures. The present work details a general strategy for limiting this self-assembly process through backbone alkylation, giving rise to cylindrical β-sheet peptide dimers. Scope and limitations of dimerization are examined through NMR, FT-IR, mass spectral, and X-ray crystallographic studies of 20 cyclic peptides varying in ring size, location and identity of backbone alkyl substituents, and amino acid composition. The cyclic peptides are shown to self-assemble both in solution and in the solid state through the expected antiparallel β-sheet hydrogen-bonding network. While solution dimerization by cyclic octapeptides appears general, peptides with alternative smaller or larger ring sizes fail to self-associate. Formation of cylindrical β-sheet ensembles is found to tolerate ...
Propagation of Sound in a Bose-Einstein Condensate

Sound propagation has been studied in a magnetically trapped dilute Bose-Einstein condensate. Localized excitations were induced by suddenly modifying the trapping potential using the optical dipole force of a focused laser beam. The resulting propagation of sound was observed using a novel technique, rapid sequencing of nondestructive phase-contrast images. The speed of sound was determined as a function of density and found to be consistent with Bogoliubov theory. This method may generally be used to observe high-lying modes and perhaps second sound.
Numerical study of nanofluid infusion in deformable tissues for hyperthermia cancer treatments

Direct infusion by means of needles is one of the widely used methods for the delivery of nanoparticles in tumors for hyperthermia cancer treatments. During an infusion process, infusion-induced deformation can substantially affect the dispersion of the nanoparticles injected in a biological tissue. In this study, a poroelastic model is developed to investigate fluid transport and flow-induced tissue deformation in a tumor during an infusion process. A surface tracking technique is employed to predict the shape of nanofluid spreading after injection. The model is then used to simulate the formation of backflow and the change of tissue porosity due to the deformation. Specifically, we quantify the influence of the backflow on the spreading shape of the nanofluid and its dependence on injection parameters such as infusion rates, needle diameters, and tumor elastic properties. It is found that backflow is an important factor causing an irregular distribution of the nanofluid injected in a tumor. A higher infusion rate, larger needle diameter, and lower elastic modulus yield a longer backflow length and cause a more irregular spreading shape of the nanofluid. The infusion-induced tissue deformation also leads to a pore swelling and an increase of the porosity in the vicinity of the needle tip and the needle outer surface. It is anticipated that the increased pore size may facilitate the particle penetration in a tumor. To achieve a controlled heat generation, the injection parameters should be selected judiciously with the consideration of tumor sizes, tumor properties, and thresholds at which tumors break under the infusion pressure.
A boundary value problem with a periodic nonlinearity

Soit g:R→R une fonction continue et periodique de periode T>0 et soit h∈L 1 (0,Π). On considere le probleme d'existence pour le probleme aux limites de Picard−u''−u+g(u)=h, u(0)=0=u(Π)
Thermodynamic properties of surface carbon on ruthenium

Abstract The thermodynamic properties of surface carbon on alumina-supported ruthenium have been determined from measurements of the Boudouard equilibrium in the temperature range from 525 to 675 K. The results indicate that the enthalpy of surface-carbon formation on Ru is positive relative to graphite and insensitive to the fractional coverage with carbon. Measurements of the chemical reactivity of surface carbon towards hydrogen indicate that the high-enthalpy carbon forms methane at relatively low temperatures (275 K).
On reduction of graphs and Markov chain models

This paper introduces a new method for reducing large directed graphs to simpler graphs with fewer nodes. The reduction is carried out through node and edge aggregation, where the simpler graph is representative of the original large graph. Representativeness is measured using a metric defined herein, which is motivated by thermodynamic free energy and vector quantization problems in the data compression literature. The resulting aggregation scheme is largely based on the maximum entropy principle. The proposed algorithm is general in the sense that it can accommodate a large class of functions for characterizing distance between the nodes. As a special case, we show that this method applies to the Markov chain model-reduction problem, providing a soft-clustering approach that enables better aggregation of state-transition matrices than existing methods. Simulation results are provided to illustrate the theoretical results.
Exercise training guidelines for the elderly.

The capacity of older men and women to adapt to increased levels of physical activity is preserved, even in the most elderly. Aerobic exercise results in improvements in functional capacity and reduced risk of developing Type II diabetes in the elderly. High-intensity resistance training (above 60% of the one repetition maximum) has been demonstrated to cause large increases in strength in the elderly. In addition, resistance training result in significant increases in muscle size in elderly men and women. Resistance training has also been shown to significantly increase energy requirements and insulin action of the elderly. Purpose: We have recently demonstrated that resistance training has a positive effect on multiple risk factors for osteoporotic fracture in previously sedentary postmenopausal women. Methods: Because the sedentary lifestyle of a long-term care facility may exacerbate losses of muscle function, we have applied this same training program to frail, institutionalized elderly men and women. Results: In a population of 100 nursing home residents, a randomly assigned high-intensity strength-training program resulted in significant gains in strength and functional status. In addition, spontaneous activity, measured by activity monitors, increased significantly in those participating in the exercise program whereas there was no change in the sedentary control group. Before the strength training intervention, the relationship of whole body potassium and leg strength was seen to be relatively weak (r 2 = 0.29, P < 0.001), indicating that in the very old, muscle mass is an important but not the only determining factor of functional status. Conclusions: Thus, exercise may minimize or reverse the syndrome of physical frailty, which is so prevalent among the most elderly. Because of their low functional status and high incidence of chronic disease, there is no segment of the population that can benefit more from exercise than the elderly.
Suppurative corneal ulceration following herpetic keratitis

Microbial suppurative keratitis occurred on 50 occasions in 40 patients with previous herpetic corneal disease. Gram-positive cocci were the most commonly isolated organisms; 40% were due to staphylococci. Predisposing conditions included an epithelial defect, previous corneal graft, and prolonged antiviral and steroid use. Vision was sub-sequently reduced to less than 6/60 in 45% of the patients.
Extent of relational stigmatization of lesbians and their children by heterosexual college students.

Abstract Within the judicial and clinical communities, the stigmatization of children with lesbian mothers is often seen as inevitable. Even lesbian mothers themselves often impose secrecy upon their children based on fears that stigmatization will occur. In two studies, college students were asked to indicate how willing they would be to enter into relationships with lesbians and their children. Relational stigma was greater toward lesbians than their children and acceptance decreased as relational closeness increased. However, between 80 and 100 percent of students were willing to be acquaintances, friends, or best friends with children of lesbians. Although there were no sex differences in acceptance of lesbians, women were more willing to engage in relationships with children of lesbians than were men. Persons who believed that homosexuality was caused by environmental factors were less willing than persons with other beliefs to date or marry the child of a lesbian.
A new look at Markov random field (MRF) model-based MR image analysis

Pixel intensities of MR images reconstructed by Fourier Transform and Projection methods have been proved to be spatially asymptotically independent (S.A.I.) and to have exponential correlation coefficient (E.C.C.). Based on S.A.I. and E.C.C., the MR image has been proved to be embedded in an MRF with respect to a proper neighborhood system. Further, the MR image is proved to be modeled by a Finite Normal Mixture (FNM) with an MRF as its prior. A unified Expectation-Maximization (EM) algorithm is presented for performing image segmentation. S.A.I., E.C.C. and Markovianity provide means for selecting the order of neighborhood systems and the values of clique potentials. The use of the 3rd-order neighborhood system and the correlation coefficient-based assignments of clique potentials strike an optimal trade-off between good accuracy and sufficient simplicity in image segmentation.
Intraoperative periprosthetic fractures associated with metacarpophalangeal joint arthroplasty.

Purpose To assess the incidence of and identify risk factors for intraoperative periprosthetic fractures during primary and revision metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint arthroplasty. Methods Through our institutional Joint Registry Database, we identified 818 MCP joint arthroplasties performed in 285 patients from 1998 to 2012, including 690 primary arthroplasties and 128 revision arthroplasties. Primary diagnoses included inflammatory arthritis (667), osteoarthritis (75), and posttraumatic arthritis (76). Periprosthetic fractures were identified through review of medical records. Results Intraoperative periprosthetic fractures occurred in 23 (3%) fingers (21 patients), including 19 primary and 4 revision arthroplasties. Twelve fractures required stabilization, 4 required only bone grafting, and 1 required both. The fractures occurred during broaching (12), implantation (10), or prior implant removal (1). Diabetes mellitus (DM), younger age, pyrocarbon implant insertion, and cementless fixation increased risk for intraoperative fracture. In particular, DM and the use of pyrocarbon implants significantly increased fracture risk. At 4 years (range, 1.3–10.2 y) average follow-up, no patient with intraoperative fracture had developed a subsequent fracture compared with 3 postoperative fractures in patients without intraoperative fractures. All fractures had healed by the time of the last follow-up. The 2- and 5-year implant survival rates were 96% and 80% in those with intraoperative fractures, respectively, which was not significantly different from those without an intraoperative fracture. When comparing patients with an intraoperative fracture with those without, there was an increased risk of postoperative MCP joint instability defined as implant dislocation. Patients with intraoperative fractures still had noteworthy improvements in their postoperative pain levels and pinch strengths. Conclusions Intraoperative fractures occurred in 3% of MCP joint arthroplasties, including 3% of primary and 3% of revision arthroplasties. Increased risk for fracture was associated with the use of pyrocarbon implants, cementless fixation, and DM. Although these fractures did not appear to adversely affect implant survival, they were associated with increased risk of postoperative instability. Type of study/level of evidence Prognostic III.
Decarboxylation of ferulic acid to 4-vinylguaiacol by Bacillus pumilus in aqueous-organic solvent two-phase systems

Abstract Whole cells of Bacillus pumilus were used to catalyze the decarboxylation of ferulic acid to vinylguaiacol in aqueous 0.1 m phosphate pH 6.8 buffer-organic solvent two-phase systems. Highest biotransformation yields were obtained when hydrocarbons such as n pentane, n -hexane, n -heptane, and n -octane were used as organic phases. The optimal volume ratio of buffer to organic solvent was 1.0. Fedbatch and lower incubation temperature strategies were explored to enhance the synthesis of vinylguaiacol by reducing substrate inhibition. Maximum productivity (1.52 g l −1 h −1 ) of vinylguaiacol was obtained in a fedbatch operation at 37°C where ferulic acid concentrations were maintained between 2–7 g l −1 . The highest level (9.6 g l −1 ) of vinylguaiacol with a productivity of 0.96 g l −1 h −1 was obtained in a whole cell reaction at 25°C in a phosphate buffer:hexane two-phase system.
DETECTING FIRE AND GRAZING PATTERNS IN TALLGRASS PRAIRIE USING SPECTRAL MIXTURE ANALYSIS

Global grasslands are typically under management practices (such as fire and grazing) that alter nutrient cycling, ecosystem composition, and distribution of organic matter from the unmanaged condition. We evaluated landscape-level response to fire and grazing treatments in the Konza Tallgrass Prairie Research Natural Area, Kansas, using spectral mixture analysis of Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) data acquired 31 August 1990. Spectral mixture analysis derives the fractional abundances of spectrally unique components in the landscape. The reflectance spectra of these components are called endmembers. Endmember fractions values were compared against ground values of live biomass, current standing dead biomass, and litter for 12 watersheds. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed on 37 watersheds with known burning and grazing histories for each of the remote sensing variables. Seven endmembers were selected from the AVIRIS data using a manual endmember selection method: nonphotosynthetic vege- tation (NPV), soil, rock, shade, and three green vegetation endmembers (GV1, GV2, and GV3). Each vegetation endmember correlated differently to biomass measurements and revealed unique relationships to management treatments. From regressions, ANOVAs, and image analysis, these three endmembers were inferred to represent canopy vertical structure or leaf area index (LAI), greenness, and fractional cover of grass, respectively. There was a stronger relationship between the sum of GV1 and GV3 fractions and live grass biomass values than there was with the (unsummed) individual fractions. In an ANOVA, the sum separated both burn and grazing treatments as well as the treatment interaction. The NPV fraction was strongly correlated with ground measurements of litter and standing dead biomass, and significantly separated burn treatments. The soil fraction differentiated grazing treatments, and analysis of the soil fraction image revealed a spatial coherence of grazing patterns along drainages. Similar analyses were perfomed on the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), a commonly used two-band index computed from red and near- infrared reflectance. NDVI, shown in previous studies to estimate the fraction of photo- synthetically active radiation absorbed by green vegetation (FPAR), was a poor indicator of canopy biomass, but it successfully separated fire treatments. Broad-scale assessment of the state and structure of managed grassland systems requires the identification of several indicator variables. Spectral mixture analysis, unlike NDVI, not only separated treatments but also allowed for the identification of five remotely sensible factors affected by the management treatments, namely, vertical structure, percentage cover or patchiness, greenness, and distribution of soil and litter.
Blurring of the Retinal Image and Contrast Thresholds in the Fovea

Under carefully controlled experimental conditions, the contrast thresholds of visibility at the fovea of a point light source for a white background having a luminance of about 12 mL were determined for various degrees of out-of-focus images. Compared to the threshold for sharp imagery, the threshold was markedly increased with increase in blur of the retinal image. The mean results of three observers showed that this increase was about 10 times for an image of white light out of focus by 1 diopter, and this threshold increased as the square of the dioptric power of the out-of-focus imagery. The results have implications in visual-search procedures.An equation, based upon (1) retinal response to a uniform luminous density in the blurred image, (2) a minimal effective angular size of the blur disk size, and (3) an asymmetry factor probably related to the character of the spherical aberration and possibly to the Stiles-Crawford phenomenon, was derived and was found to describe the data adequately. Two exposure times (1/2 sec and 1/5000 sec) and three different spectral distributions of the light from the point sources gave essentially the same results. For three subjects the minimal angular size of the blur disk was of the order of 7 to 8 min of arc in diam. This minimal size may be partially accounted for by spherical aberration but a physiologic area effect also may be present.
Reconfigurable mesh filters for terahertz modulation

A new scheme for terahertz modulation based on reconfigurable mesh filters is presented. Compared to existing terahertz modulator solutions, reconfigurable mesh filters have the promise of significant enhancement in modulation index over a broad range of terahertz frequencies.
Florida's dual enrollment initiative: How state policy influences community colleges' service to underrepresented youth

This chapter presents an overview of Florida's Accelerated Mechanism Program, identifies challenges that resulted from shifting intentions behind dual enrollment policies, and shows how evolving state policy has influenced the strategies used by one college to successfully enroll underserved students and support their transition to college.
Interference- and noise-adjusted principal component analysis for hyperspectral image compression

Hyperspectral images have high spectral resolution that enables accurate object classification. But its vast data volume brings about problems in data transmission and data storage. How to reduce the data volume while keeping the important information for the following data analysis is a challenging task. Principal Components Analysis (PCA) is a typical method for data compression, which re-arranges image information into the first several principal component images in terms of variance. But we know variance is not a good criterion to rank images. Instead, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is a more reasonable criterion, and the resulting PCA is called noise adjusted PCA (NAPCA). We also know that interference is a very serious problem in hyperspectral images, and have proposed signal-to-interference-plus-noise (SINR) as a ranking criterion. The resulting PCA is referred to as interference and noise adjusted PCA (INAPCA). In this paper, we will investigate the NAPCA and INAPCA to hyperspectral image compression. The focus is the analysis of their impacts on the following data exploitation (such as detection and classification). It is expected that using NAPCA and INAPCA higher detection and classification rates can be achieved with a comparable or higher compression ratio, compared to PCA-based compression.
Carpenter-Coustan criteria compared with the national diabetes data group thresholds for gestational diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE:To examine perinatal outcomes in women who would meet the diagnostic criteria for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) according to the Carpenter and Coustan but not by the National Diabetes Data Group (NDDG) thresholds.METHODS:This is a retrospective cohort study of women screened for GDM
DOES LVAD INFLOW CANNULA POSITION CONTRIBUTE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF PUMP THROMBOSIS REQUIRING DEVICE EXCHANGE

Pump thrombosis requiring device exchange is a dreaded complication after implantation of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD). Sub-optimal inflow cannula (IC) positioning at the time of implant or changes in IC position due to weight gain or ventricular remodeling may lead to non-laminar flow.
Adsorption of methylene blue as a descriptor of C–S–H nanostructure

Abstract The adsorption of methylene blue (MB) on C–S–H surfaces (C/S ratios 0.60–1.80) and its dependence on C–S–H nanostructure was investigated. UV–VIS spectroscopy was used to obtain the adsorption–desorption isotherms at 23 °C, 35 °C and 50 °C. The character of the UV–VIS spectra and the nature of the C–S–H–MB interaction are discussed. Several sorption models including those due to Langmuir, Harkins–Jura, Halsey, Henderson, and Freundlich are fitted to the data using a non-linear multiple-regression method. Factors influencing the sorption of MB by C–S–H are discussed. The results demonstrated that the adsorption of MB molecules on C–S–H strongly depends on the nanostructural characteristics of C–S–H.
TRANSIENT STRESSES IN BIMODAL COMPACTS DURING SINTERING

Abstract A method is described and used to evaluate the transient stresses in a sintering compact of ZnO containing a hard, dense dispersion of SiC. A hard second phase can severely limit densification rates by generating a mean hydrostatic stress, σh, which opposes the compressive sintering stress of the matrix. σh rapidly increases with increasing volume fraction, ƒ, of the second phase. The interface stress, σi., at the ZnO SiC boundary increases with decreasing ƒ, σi can attain large values, especially in the intermediate stage of sintering. The effect of these stresses on microstructural development is considered.
Is implementation fidelity associated with improved access to care in a school-based Child and Family Team model?

Abstract Effective child and family centered service planning is crucial to addressing vulnerable children's needs. However, there is limited evidence about what facets of these processes improve service use and outcomes. The current study used a Poisson random effects hazard model to test correlations between fidelity to NC's Child and Family Support Team model and time to service receipt, using case management data for 3396 children served by that program during the 2008–2009 school year. Students were more likely to receive recommended services more quickly when caregivers and the students attended planning meetings, when their plans included services for caregivers, and when child and family team leaders followed up after meetings to verify service receipt. Contrary to the Child and Family Support Team theory of change, match between student needs and the lead agency of the meeting was not associated with the odds of quicker service receipt, nor was attendance by natural supports. Findings from this study demonstrate the potential effectiveness of using case management systems to measure service planning process fidelity, as well as how results thereof can both inform process improvement and potential refinements to models’ theories of change.
Genetic variation in uncoupling protein 3 is associated with dietary intake and body composition in females.

Abstract The uncoupling proteins (UCPs) are a family of mitochondrial transport proteins that promote proton leakage across the inner mitochondrial membrane, uncoupling oxidative phosphorylation from adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production and releasing energy as heat. Variation in these genes may disrupt biochemical pathways influencing thermogenesis, energy metabolism, and fuel substrate partitioning and oxidation, which may in turn predispose to obesity. We genotyped polymorphisms in UCP2 and UCP3 in a sample of nondiabetic participants (n = 722) of the San Luis Valley Diabetes Study (SLVDS) and found female-specific associations between UCP3 polymorphisms and measures of dietary intake and body composition. The UCP3–5 variant was statistically significantly associated with total caloric intake ( P = .012), fat intake ( P = .011), fat mass ( P = .004), and lean mass ( P = .013), with the C allele corresponding to higher dietary intake and lower fat mass and lean mass. The UCP3p-55 and the UCP3–3 polymorphisms, which were in high linkage disequilibrium (D′ = 0.9776), showed similar patterns of association with total caloric intake ( P = .031 and P = .042, respectively) and lean mass ( P = .035 and P = .059, respectively), with the rare alleles corresponding to higher total intake and lean mass. No statistically significant associations were detected between the outcome variables and polymorphisms in UCP2. Two-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), used to evaluate the multi-locus effects and interactions between UCP3–5 and UCP3p-55, showed association with the main effect terms, but no evidence for statistically significant interaction between UCP3–5 and UCP3p-55 in regard to dietary intake. The UCP3–5 polymorphism was the only statistically significant genetic predictor of fat mass. The lean mass model showed no statistically significant association with either UCP3 variant. These results support a role for UCP3 in fuel substrate management and energy metabolism, which may influence body weight regulation.
An Instrumented Mouthguard to Measure Head Accelerations Due To Impact

In the long term, quantitative measurements indicating the magnitude and nature of head impacts will be essential to understanding the biomechanics of head injury. Tools are needed that can quantitatively measure the levels of head acceleration experienced by athletes in a variety of situations in order to assess these risks. The current research is aimed at developing instrumentation that is comfortable enough to use in the field and which can measure head accelerations from blows to the head repeatably and accurately. Soccer is a unique sport in that the unprotected head is deliberately used to direct the motion of the ball during play, which makes it practical to study in a controlled laboratory setting. While the possible long-term effects of heading are still subject to debate [1,2], there is evidence which suggests that it is responsible for transient neurocognitive deficits [3] and transient concussion symptoms [4].Copyright © 2013 by ASME
The impact of miscarriage and parity on patterns of maternal distress in pregnancy

The purpose of the current study was to examine patterns of state anxiety and pregnancy-specific distress across pregnancy in a diverse sample of women with (n = 113) and without (n = 250) prior miscarriage. For both groups, state anxiety and pregnancy-specific distress were highest in the first trimester and decreased significantly over the course of pregnancy. Compared to women without prior miscarriage, women with prior miscarriage experienced greater state anxiety in the second and third trimesters. Having a living child did not buffer state anxiety in women with a prior miscarriage. Attention to patterns of distress can contribute to delivery of appropriate support resources to women experiencing pregnancy after miscarriage and may help reduce risk for stress-related outcomes. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 33:316–328, 2010
Methods for Combining Modal Split and Equilibrium Assignment Models

Two ways for combining modal split and traffic assignment techniques into simultaneous mode and route choice models are discussed. In one model, users are assumed to choose their routes according to Wardrop's equilibrium principle and their modes according to mode choice functions of the difference in modal disutility. In the other model, a route and mode choice equilibrium in which no user can change his route or mode to lessen his general disutility is assumed. The advantages and disadvantages of each of these combined models are discussed. Efficient solution techniques for the models are presented; preliminary computational testing showed excellent results. Since these techniques require successive solutions of similar traffic assignment problems, they should be applicable to realistically large problems.
Algorithms to Assess non-Heme Iron Bioavailability

While sufficient information exists on the effect of individual factors on iron absorption, their net effect in a mixed meal is less well characterized, being dependent on the combination and quantity of the factors present in the meal. Over a period of more than 25 years, several models have been developed to estimate non-heme iron bioavailability, either to assess iron absorption from a meal or iron sufficiency in populations. Initially, a model was developed to calculate iron absorption in individuals with varying iron status that included only enhancers. This model was useful in classifying the diets but has limited value for accurale assessment. Later models were modified and improved by including inhibitors in the calculations. However, some included either phytate or tea but not in combination. The models that included all the factors in calculations assumed their effect was independent and additive rather than interactive, which is an important issue in addressing iron bioavailability. Although some of the models correlated estimated bioavailability with iron status of the population, the accuracy of the estimations is of concern due to lack of quantitative measurements of bioavailability modifiers, inability to consider interactive effects, and the use of non-iron status measurements. Recent research has led to the development of refined models to assess iron bioavailability of complex meals by comprehensively taking into consideration the interactive effect among enhancers and inhibitors. However, the models are based on single-meal studies and their application to whole diets at a population level is not clear. Accurate measurements of dietary factors and independent validation are needed before using these models. To date, no single model is applicable to all diets and additional studies are needed to develop new models to predict bioavailability of whole diets accurately, in addition to addressing dietary adequacy in all populations.
Architecting cross-functional business processes: new views on traditional business process reengineering

Business Process Reengineering (BPR) methods have changed significantly over the last two decades. In today's business environment, competitive advantage (CA) is driven by cross-functional process architectures that can quickly respond to changing customer/supplier needs. Designing such a high degree of process flexibility into a modern corporate environment requires new tools, strategies and methods. This research paper shows that CA can be achieved by developing a process-centric organisational awareness and that process flexibility can be institutionalised through the organisational planning cycle.
Viability of the vertical rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap in the rat following prior internal mammary artery ligation

A large abdominal skin flap nourished superiorly by a single rectus abdominis muscle has well known advantages for providing vascularized tissue coverage of thoracic defects. Unfortunately, if both internal mammary arteries have previously been violated, as is increasingly common today following coronary artery revascularization, initial consideration of this flap would seem to be contraindicated. Nevertheless, anecdotal examples of clinical survival of the rectus abdominis muscle flap in this situation exist. This laboratory study was initiated to ascertain whether a musculocutaneous flap could also be expected to survive. Using a Sprague-Dawley rat model, identical bilateral vertical rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (VRAM) flaps were designed. The internal thoracic [sic. mammary] vessels supplying one muscle had been divided two weeks previously just above the costal margin, as frequently encountered in the clinical situation. Mean survival of control flaps (intact internal thoracic) was 85.5±5.9% versus 67.9±35.3% for the delayed flap that relied on collateral circulation for any viability. Although no statistical difference per se existed between these groups (p=0.32), the great variability in surviving portions of those flaps dependent only on available collaterals suggests extreme caution before assuming that any abdominal skin flap based on a rectus abdominis muscle without an intact internal mammary source vessel would be reliable.
Cutaneous immunofluorescence studies in bowel bypass syndrome.

Summary Five patients that developed a multisystem disease after bowel bypass surgery for the treatment of obesity were studied. Patients developed a non-pruritic papular eruption following bypass surgery. Immunofluorescence studies were done on (1) an early skin lesion, (2) from uninvolved sun-exposed skin from the dorsum of left wrist, and (3) uninvolved non-sun-exposed skin from the buttock. Deposition of immunoglobulin (Ig) and/or complement (C) was seen along the dermoepidermal (DE) junction in the skin from the early lesions and uninvolved sun-exposed skin in all five patients. No deposition of Ig and/or C was seen along the DE junction in uninvolved non-sun-exposed skin or in the blood vessels of any of the sections studied. Later, in all five patients, the bowel was restored to normal continuity. In repeat biopsies of the same sites the earlier observations were no longer present. This study indicates that DE junction deposition of Ig and/or C is a dynamic process, and supports the hypothesis that immune mechanisms may play an important role in the pathogenesis of bowel bypass syndrome.
The effects of dichloroacetate in a rabbit model of acute hind-limb ischemia and reperfusion ☆

Abstract Background Dichloroacetate (DCA) is a drug that allows pyruvate dehydrogenase to remain active under anaerobic conditions by inhibiting the inactivating enzyme, pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase. We hypothesize that the administration of DCA during acute limb ischemia may have a beneficial effect by reducing the severity of anaerobic metabolism and lessening the irreversible injury. Study design We studied a rabbit model using unilateral ligation of the iliac artery or femoral artery to evaluate two degrees of ischemia. After 2 hours of hind-limb ischemia, the animals were administered IV DCA (15 mg/kg) or an equivalent volume of saline. Results Higher serum lactate levels were seen after high compared to low ligation in control animals consistent with more severe ischemia. DCA treatment significantly reduced serum lactate levels after both high and low ligation. Similarly, the rise in percentage end-tidal CO 2 after reperfusion was less after DCA. All animals regained hind-limb function after the procedure, but ischemia or reperfusion resulted in appreciable muscle necrosis (> 10% area) in 50% of high- and 22% of low-ligation control animals. DCA treatment eliminated significant muscle necrosis in 100% of high-ligation animals. Muscle histology was similar in control and DCA-treated low-ligation animals. Conclusions Treatment with DCA during acute arterial occlusion did significantly lower markers of anaerobic metabolism and reduced muscle necrosis in a rabbit model of acute hind-limb ischemia. DCA delivery through collateral blood flow may prolong the ischemia time interval before the onset of irreversible muscle injury and potential limb loss.
Synthesis and processing of avian sarcoma virus glycoproteins.

Abstract The avian sarcoma virus glycoproteins, gp85 and gp37, are formed by proteolytic cleavage of a glycosylated precursor polypeptide of molecular weight 95,000, pr95. In this communication we report on the intracellular site of synthesis and cleavage of this precursor polypeptide. Following a 30-min pulse label pr95 is found exclusively in the membrane fraction of infected cells in contrast to the other two precursor polypeptides, the gag precursor being located in both the membrane and cytoplasmic fractions and the gag-pol precursor located exclusively in the cytoplasmic fraction. Subfractionation of the membrane fraction revealed that pr95 was associated with the rough endoplasmic reticulum indicating that it was synthesized on membrane-bound polysomes. Pulse-chase experiments demonstrated that pr95 was cleaved within the membrane fraction and further fractionation indicated that this cleavage took place within the endoplasmic reticulum of the cell. The cleavage products gp85 and gp37 were then transported to the plasma membrane of the cell for incorporation into budding virus. These observations are discussed in relation to virus assembly.