cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Maternal characteristics, neonatal outcome, and the time of diagnosis of gestational diabetes.

Abstract OBJECTIVE : A study was undertaken to evaluate the yield of early, routine screening for gestational diabetes and to determine whether maternal characteristics and neonatal outcome differ according to the time of diagnosis. STUDY DESIGN : A total of 2776 women were screened before 24 weeks of gestation, and each was delivered of a singleton infant on the clinic service of Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City between January 1986 and January 1991. RESULTS : An abnormal glucose tolerance test was diagnosed in 102 women CONCLUSIONS : These data indicate that a sizable proportion of patients with gestational diabetes can be diagnosed early in pregnancy. The differences in maternal characteristics and insulin requirements between the early- and late-diagnosis groups also suggest heterogeneity of gestational diabetes or the possibility of preexisting impaired glucose intolerance in the early-diagnosis group. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1992;167:976–82.)
Data management in the CarTel mobile sensor computing system

We propose a reusable data management system, called CarTel, for querying and collecting data from intermittently connected devices. CarTel provides a simple, incrementally-deployable platform for developing automobile-based sensor applications. Our platform provides a dynamic query system that allows both continuous (standing) and one-shot geo-spatial queries over car position, speed, and sensory data as well as a both a low-cost/high-bandwidth substrate for communicating with a large network of mobile devices.
Nonthrombolytic intervention in acute myocardial infarction.

Alternative interventions are available for patients in whom thrombolytic therapy is inappropriate after an acute myocardial infarction. Administration of a β blocker within the first 24 hours of the patient's admission to the coronary care unit can reduce overall morbidity and mortality within the first 7 days by about 15%. Maintenance therapy with an oral β blocker can reduce mortality within the succeeding 3 years by about 25%. Esmolol, a unique cardioselective β 1 -adrenergic receptor blocker with a half-life of 9 minutes, can enable some patients with relative contraindications to β blockers to nevertheless benefit from early β -blocking therapy. It also is useful in screening patients for subsequent therapy with β blockers. Those who tolerate the esmolol infusion can be given a long-acting β blocker. For patients who exhibit intolerance to esmolol, the infusion can be terminated with rapid return to baseline hemodynamics.
The effects of retinoic acid on in vitro immunoglobulin synthesis by cord blood and adult peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Abstract Retinoic acid (RA) has attracted considerable attention as an agent with a broad range of physiologic and metabolic effects. The importance of RA in the susceptibility of vitamin A-deficient animals and humans to infection is well known. Initial studies from our laboratory showed that RA augmented the IgM response of cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMC) at concentrations ranging from 10 -5 to 10 -8 M , but not adult peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), to formalinized Cowan I strain Staphylococcus aureus (SAC), a T-cell-dependent polyclonal B-cell activator. In the present study, we demonstrate that RA augments the SAC-stimulated IgG synthesis of adult PBMC at very low concentrations (10 -11 to 10 -13 M ) indicating that adult PBMC is 10 4 to 10 6 times more responsive to the augmenting effects of RA than CBMC. To evaluate the differences in dose-response characteristics between CBMC and adult PBMC, co-mixture experiments between T- and B-cells of CBMC and adult PBMC were performed. The dose-response characteristics of the augmenting effects of RA for a particular Ig isotype were related to the responding B-cell population. The results of an ELISA spot assay showed that the RA-induced enhancement in Ig synthesis was due to the "recruitment" of more B-cells to differentiate into Ig-secreting cells. When RA was added to CBMC stimulated by EBV, a T-cell-independent polyclonal activator, or to EBV-transformed B-cell clones, a small (twofold) augmentation in IgM synthesis was seen which suggested that RA may also have some direct effect on B-cells. However, if cord blood T-cells were preincubated with RA for 36 hr, washed, and added to cord blood B-cells with SAC, a 2.5- to 9-fold augmentation in IgM was obtained, These studies suggest that the principal mechanism(s) by which RA augments the Ig synthesis of SAC-stimulated cultures is mediated by the T-cell, or T-cell products, e.g., cytokines, which induces an increased proportion of B-cells to differentiate into Ig-secreting cells. RA may also have an effect, although minor, directly on B-cells. The differences in the dose-response characteristics between CBMC and adult PBMC appears to reside within the intrinsic capabilities of an Ig-producing B-cell subpopulation.
Increasing incidence of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation: cryptic etiology and uncertain therapy

Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) is a non-infectious pulmonary complication of bone marrow transplantation (BMT) with resultant high mortality. It reportedly occurs primarily in autologous recipients. We examined the incidence of DAH in our center in order to assess potential risk factors and develop preventive strategies. Between 1991 and 1997, 23 cases of DAH occurred in 922 adult patients (2.5%) receiving BMT for hematological malignancy. Strikingly, 12 cases occurred in 1997 with the majority in recipients of allogeneic matched sibling donor stem cells. Treatment with high-dose steroids, 250 mg to 2 g/day, in 15 patients led to transient improvement in 10 patients, but 21 of the 23 patients required mechanical ventilation. Mortality was high with 17 patients (74%) dying a median of 39 days (range 22-47) post transplant; a median of 17 days post onset of DAH (range 5-34). Six patients are alive with a median follow-up of 18 months (range 12-60). No recognizable alteration in supportive care, conditioning regimen, GVHD prophylaxis or cytokine usage was associated with this striking increase in the frequency of DAH after allografting. Further follow-up is required to establish whether this increase in the incidence of DAH in allogeneic transplantation is an isolated occurrence or an ongoing problem. If indeed there is a real increase in the incidence of this complication, then efforts need to be directed towards elucidating a possible cause or risk factors. We offer the possibility that a new unidentified infection, undetected by current microbiological tests might contribute to this striking increase in DAH. These data, while not establishing a cause, suggest a markedly augmented risk of DAH in allogeneic BMT. In addition, high-dose corticosteroids have only limited efficacy as therapy for DAH after allotransplantation. Further investigation into the pathogenesis of this syndrome is essential as is prompt and immediate consideration of DAH in all patients with respiratory compromise early after BMT.
An experimental study of falling liquid films

A new method for measuring wavelength and wave velocity is described, and experimental values for water flowing down a vertical plane are compared with a numerical solution of the Orr-Sommerfeld equation. Good agreement is obtained in the region near the top of the film where small disturbance theory is expected to be valid. Experimental Reynolds numbers ranged from 8 to 120.
Controlled fabrication of high-yield CdS nanostructures by compartment arrangement

High-yield, high-purity CdS nanostructures were synthesized in a turf-like configuration using an improved vapor-liquid-solid method. To increase the yield, a compartment arrangement was employed. The specific kind of nanostructure fabricated was found to be directly dependent on the temperature in the compartment. Along with the high-yield growth of CdS nanorods, nanowires, and nanobelts, intertwined structures were also observed, and the electron field emission property of the intertwined structures was investigated and compared with that of other type of nanostructures. Photoluminescence measurements at 10 K showed a peak emission from the CdS nanostructures at 485 nm.
COPPER BINDING AT PNS NODES OF RANVIER DURING DEMYELINATION AND REMYELINATION IN THE PERINEURIAL WINDOW

Nodes of Ranvier of peripheral nerves are associated with mucopolysaccharide which is capable of binding a wide variety of cations. The present study has determined the changes in the binding properties of the node of Ranvier during demyelination and remyelination in the perineurial window. The location of copper ion binding, visualized as a dense copper ferrocyanide precipitate, was studied in teased fibres from 60 rat peroneal nerves with single perineurial windows and from 8 normal nerves. In normal nerves, precipitate was present over the nodal axon and at the borders of the paranodal axon. Before demyelination, severely beaded fibres sited within the perineurial window displayed a reduction or a loss of nodal precipitate. During the period of myelin phagocytosis and demyelination, precipitate was absent throughout the denuded axon but present at adjacent, uninvolved nodes. At the commencement of remyelination, precipitate appeared at the newlycreated nodal and paranodal regions and at interfaces between preserved and remyelinating internodes. The density increased with myelin thickening. These findings indicate: (1) severely beaded regions lose their normal binding property before undergoing demyelination, (2) demyelinated regions do not bind copper ions, (3) remyelinating fibres bind copper ions at newly-created nodes and (4) Schwann cells are responsible for the production of nodal mucopolysaccharides.
Benign Parosteal Osteochondromatous Proliferation of the Hand Originally Diagnosed as Osteochondroma: A Report of Two Cases and Review

Bizarre parosteal osteochondromatous proliferation (BPOP) is a rare cartilaginous neoplasm that often presents in the long bones of the hands and feet. BPOP is a benign but locally aggressive fibro-osseous mass that has striking clinical, radiographic, and histologic similarities with osteochondroma. Differentiating between the two lesions is important as BPOP often requires more extensive surgical resection and has a higher recurrence rate compared to osteochondroma. This report presents two cases of BPOP where initial clinical diagnosis of osteochondroma was made even after appropriate imaging and histologic samples were evaluated. This report reviews clinical, radiographic, and histologic characteristics that can differentiate between the two lesions.
Structural and Thermodynamic Principles of Viral Packaging

Packaging of genetic material inside a capsid is one of the major processes in the lifecycle of bacteriophages. To establish the basic principles of packing double-stranded DNA into a phage, we present a low-resolution model of bacteriophage varphi29 and report simulations of DNA packaging. The simulations show excellent agreement with available experimental data, including the forces of packaging and the average structures seen in cryo-electron microscopy. The conformation of DNA inside the bacteriophage is primarily determined by the shape of the capsid and the elastic properties of DNA, but the energetics of packaging are dominated by electrostatic repulsions and the large entropic penalty associated with DNA confinement. In this slightly elongated capsid, the DNA assumes a folded toroidal conformation, rather than a coaxial spool. The model can be used to study packaging of other bacteriophages with different shapes under a range of environmental conditions.
Purification and characterization of dicoumarol-induced prothrombins. Evidence of 5-Gla variant with two (or more) polypeptide chains.

Abstract A 5-Gla prothrombin, adsorbable onto barium oxalate and containing an admixture of one- and two-chain molecules, has been purified from the plasma of steers on a dicoumarol regimen for three years. Double-chain molecules were not detected in any of our six other variants containing zero to nine Gla residues. In this double-chain variant, the peptide bond between Arg52-Asn appears to be missing, as the preparation showed amino-terminal alanine and aspartic acid, and released both double- and single-chain F1 upon digestion with thrombin. The molecular masses of the F1 and its heavy chain were 24,000 and 19,000 daltons, respectively. The double-chain variant was similar to its single-chain counterpart (Malhotra, O.P. (1979) Thromb. Res. 14, 439–448] in that it (a) yielded thrombin equivalent to 30% of normal in three hr, (b) moved in the 0(1 region in the absence of calcium ions and between the α1 and α2 macroglobulins in the presence of calcium ions, (c) contained five α-carboxyglutamyl residues (Gla), and (d) showed comparable antigenic activity with normal prothrombin.
That straight talk: Sarah Palin and the sociolinguistics of demonstratives

Drawing on previous analyses of the social meaning of demonstratives and other function words, we argue that the semantics of demonstratives facilitates affective uses that can be characterized as attempts by the speaker to foster a sense of shared perspective and common ground with other discourse participants. We present large-scale quantitative evidence that this strategy is widely used and communicatively effective. We then conduct a focused case study of the demonstrative use of U.S. politician and public figure Sarah Palin, situated in the wider context of Palin's persona, style, and place in the social landscape. An analysis of television interview data shows that Palin is a distinctive and prolific user of affective demonstratives. Palin's usage highlights the context-dependence of demonstratives’ social meaning and leads to a deeper understanding of her rhetorical strategies and the polarized reactions they have received.
Confinement and controlling the effective compressive stiffness of carbyne

Carbyne is a one-dimensional chain of carbon atoms, consisting of repeating sp-hybridized groups, thereby representing a minimalist molecular rod or chain. While exhibiting exemplary mechanical properties in tension (a 1D modulus on the order of 313 nN and a strength on the order of 11 nN), its use as a structural component at the molecular scale is limited due to its relative weakness in compression and the immediate onset of buckling under load. To circumvent this effect, here, we probe the effect of confinement to enhance the mechanical behavior of carbyne chains in compression. Through full atomistic molecular dynamics, we characterize the mechanical properties of a free (unconfined chain) and explore the effect of confinement radius (R), free chain length (L) and temperature (T) on the effective compressive stiffness of carbyne chains and demonstrate that the stiffness can be tuned over an order of magnitude (from approximately 0.54 kcal mol(-1) A(2) to 46 kcal mol(-1) A(2)) by geometric control. Confinement may inherently stabilize the chains, potentially providing a platform for the synthesis of extraordinarily long chains (tens of nanometers) with variable compressive response.
Light emission from a NaCl target bombarded by Ar ions and the mechanism for the beam energy dependence of the light yield from Ag and Na atoms

Abstract Light emitted by Na atoms following the bombardment of a NaCl target with Ar ions has been studied. Light yields that include contributions from both displaced surface and sputtered atoms have been obtained as a function of incident ion beam kinetic energy and with different Ar ion charge states. At a bombarding kinetic energy of 48 keV, we find that the light yield increases as the incident ion charge state increases. The light yield was found to increase and then slowly decrease as the ion beam kinetic energy changed from 8 to 99 keV. Sputtering calculations have been carried out for both NaCl and Ag targets to investigate possible mechanisms for explaining the observed light yield in these two system s as a function of the incident beam kinetic energy.
Effects of physical attractiveness, personality, and grooming on academic performance in high school

Abstract Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health), we investigate whether certain aspects of personal appearance (i.e., physical attractiveness, personality, and grooming) affect a student's cumulative grade point average (GPA) in high school. When physical attractiveness is entered into the model as the only measure of personal appearance (as has been done in previous studies), it has a positive and statistically significant impact on GPA for female students and a positive yet not statistically significant effect for male students. Including personality and grooming, the effect of physical attractiveness turns negative for both groups, but is only statistically significant for males. For male and female students, being very well groomed is associated with a statistically significant GPA premium. While grooming has the largest effect on GPA for male students, having a very attractive personality is most important for female students. Numerous sensitivity analyses support the core results for grooming and personality. Possible explanations for these findings include teacher discrimination, differences in student objectives, and rational resource allocation decisions.
Aggressive behaviour of female prairie deer mice in laboratory populations.

Prairie deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus bairdii), living in asymptotic laboratory populations established two years earlier, were observed for agonistic responses to conspecific intruders. In the first experiment, intruders of six age-sex classes were placed into 10 of the populations for 10 min. The sex of the intruder did not influence the behaviour of the residents, but juveniles elicited more aggression than did adults. A second experiment revealed that female residents were responsible for almost all of the attacks upon juveniles. Experiment 3, in which the responses of pairs of deer mice to juvenile intruders were recorded, demonstrated that the aggressiveness of a female was enhanced by the presence of a male. In the final experiment, females were observed to be highly aggressive during the first few days after giving birth. The aggressive behaviour of the female deer mouse may have greater significance for population dynamics than that of the male.
Correlated responses to selection for developmental rate inTribolium

Selection for fast and slow development in flour beetlesTribolium castaneum (CS) andT. confusum (CF) has resulted in a number of correlated responses in other characters. In general, the fast selected lines of both species have responded similarly with respect to these other traits. The fast lines are characterized by decreased length of time spent in all juvenile stages, decreased size, and essentially the same productivity and hatchability of eggs as the synthetic stocks. In CS-fast there was a substantial decrease in larval survival and an increase in the frequency of abnormal adults. The latter observations did not hold for the CF-fast line.
Infant mortality : A multi-level analysis of individual and community risk factors

This paper reports the results of an analysis of infant mortality based on a conceptual model that combines micro-level and macro-level variables taken from demographic, sociological and epidemiological research traditions. Using generalized hierarchical linear modeling techniques, we analyze 1988 and 1989 linked birth and death records for Upstate New York matched with county-level data from government and private sources. Net of health and sociodemographic risk factors, our results show that the number of per capita primary care physicians and local government expenditures on health care services and hospitals are positively linked to an increase in the probability of infant death and that our indicator of hospital facilities is negatively related to risk of death. We also find that some negative health behaviors and health resources of mothers are mediated by the local health care environment. Our results demonstrate the utility of combining perspectives from several disciplines when evaluating infant death, especially the impact of policy-related issues concerning health care service infrastructure.
Validity of Almansi theorems for anisotropic boundary elements

Abstract In the generalized formulation and application of the boundary element method it is crucial to investigate the well-posedness characteristics when both arbitrary traction as well as displacement distributions on a boundary subset are simultaneously prescribed. For an isotropic linearly elastic solid Almansi demonstrated that the existence of a solution could not always be guaranteed. However, a proper boundary element model can be constructed to solve for a self-consistent dataset since Almansi proved that only a unique solution could exist therein. The validity of those theorems for generally anisotropic linearly elastic solids is established in this paper. These results also furnish the basis of applicability of all other spatially discretized procedures, such as finite difference, finite element, etc. besides the boundary element method, where an analogous transfer matrix technique is implemented for elliptic problems.
Treatment of Inattention, Overactivity, and Impulsiveness in Autism Spectrum Disorders

We reviewed the recent literature on medicines used to manage inattention, impulsiveness, and overactivity in children with pervasive developmental disorders (autistic disorder, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified, Asperger's disorder) using computer searches of pharmacologic studies. A substantial number of reports were identified and summarized. The literature tends to be dominated by uncontrolled studies, although the number of controlled trials is growing. Findings are described for psychostimulants, noradrenergic reuptake inhibitors, antipsychotics, alpha adrenergic agonists, antidepressants, anxiolytics, cholinesterase inhibitors, N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor blockers, and antiepileptic mood stabilizers. Evidence for a positive effect is strongest for psychostimulants, noradrenergic reuptake inhibitors, antipsychotics, and alpha adrenergic agonists. Evidence for efficacy seems weakest for newer antidepressants, anxiolytics, and mood stabilizers.
In Vivo Effects of Bisphosphonates on the Osteoclast Mevalonate Pathway

Estrogen deficiency is a leading cause of osteoporosis associated with increased osteoclastic bone resorption. In vitro studies indicate that the clinically used nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates (N-BPs) such as alendronate (ALN), risedronate (RIS) and ibandronate (IBA) suppress bone resorption via inhibition of the mevalonate pathway enzyme farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) synthase in osteoclasts (Ocs). The object of this study was to test the hypothesis that N-BPs inhibit the mevalonate pathway of Ocs in vivo. The mevalonate pathway enzyme hydroxymethyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMGR), is modulated by feedback inhibition from downstream metabolites. We therefore evaluated the in vivo expression of HMGR in Ocs from animals treated with BP. The N-BPs, ALN, IBA and RIS, selectively suppressed HMGR expression in up to 85% of rat tibia osteoclasts, after 48 hr treatment. Etidronate and clodronate, bisphosphonates that do not inhibit FPP synthase, were without effect. Simvastatin treatment opposed ALN reduction of HMGR expression, suggesting regulation by a metabolite(s) between mevalonate and FPP. These data provide the first in vivo evidence for N-BP effects on the mevalonate pathway in osteoclasts, and strongly support the hypothesis that N-BPs act via this mechanism.
Selection of oil quenchants for heat treating processes

AbstractModern quenching oils offer a wide range of capability and performance. The selection of the proper quench oil is critical for proper heat treating operations. Improper selection of quench oil can result in short oil life, or soft parts. This paper will illustrate the selection factors in choosing a quench oil to ensure proper quality parts.
The effects of immune status and race on health service use among people with HIV disease.

OBJECTIVES. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between CD4 lymphocyte count and health service use, and to determine whether differences in the rates of service use between Whites and people of color could be identified. METHODS. Medical records for 571 HIV-infected individuals were analyzed. Incidence rates and relative rates across CD4 strata (defined by cell counts) were calculated for inpatient and outpatient events. Rate ratios comparing people of color with Whites were estimated within strata, adjusting for confounding factors using a Mantel-Haenszel pooling procedure. RESULTS. Both inpatient and outpatient service use increased over progressively lower levels of CD4 counts. Within each CD4 stratum and controlling for other factors, White participants had more HIV clinic visits and fewer admissions than people of color. Among participants with fewer than 51 CD4 cells per cubic millimeter, people of color were admitted 20% more often, had 35% more inpatient days per person-year...
Cathartic Salts on Motility of Thiry-Vella Jejunal Loops.

Summary1. Isotonic Na2SO4 and isotonic MgSO4 caused moderate stimulation of motility in Thiry-Vella jejunal loops; when prolonged, isotonic MgSO4 caused depression of motility and tone. 2. Hypertonic solutions of NaCl, Na2SO4 or MgSO4 caused depression of motility, with short periods of spasticity accompanied by symptoms of nausea. 3. Recovery after hypertonic NaCl or Na2SO4 was prompt, but after depression of motility by MgSO4 recovery was slow. 4. Using a constant inflow pressure, flow bore an inverse relationship to motility. 5. Rate of contraction was unaffected by the agents employed.
Learning of instrumental avoidance responses under conditions of bilateral spreading depression in rats

Twelve hooded rats were trained to make an active avoidance response. Six of them learned under conditions of cortical spreading depression (CSD), and six learned without CSD induction. Days to criterion were compared, and the CSD animals required significantly more days to learn the response. The final levels of accuracy reached by the CSD-trained rats and the non-CSD-trained animals were not significantly different. Animals trained CSD and then tested non-CSD showed no significant decrements between conditions. The decrement from final non-CSD training to CSD training was significant, although the CSD performance was significantly superior to the initial performance of the CSD-trained group. The above results were discussed in the context of the roles of cortical and subcortical memory mechanisms.
Cell cycle-dependent adaptor complex for ClpXP-mediated proteolysis directly integrates phosphorylation and second messenger signals

The cell-division cycle of Caulobacter crescentus depends on periodic activation and deactivation of the essential response regulator CtrA. Although CtrA is critical for transcription during some parts of the cell cycle, its activity must be eliminated before chromosome replication because CtrA also blocks the initiation of DNA replication. CtrA activity is down-regulated both by dephosphorylation and by proteolysis, mediated by the ubiquitous ATP-dependent protease ClpXP. Here we demonstrate that proteins needed for rapid CtrA proteolysis in vivo form a phosphorylation-dependent and cyclic diguanylate (cdG)-dependent adaptor complex that accelerates CtrA degradation in vitro by ClpXP. The adaptor complex includes CpdR, a single-domain response regulator; PopA, a cdG-binding protein; and RcdA, a protein whose activity cannot be predicted. When CpdR is unphosphorylated and when PopA is bound to cdG, they work together with RcdA in an all-or-none manner to reduce the Km of CtrA proteolysis 10-fold. We further identified a set of amino acids in the receiver domain of CtrA that modulate its adaptor-mediated degradation in vitro and in vivo. Complex formation between PopA and CtrA depends on these amino acids, which reside on alpha-helix 1 of the CtrA receiver domain, and on cdG binding by PopA. These results reveal that each accessory factor plays an essential biochemical role in the regulated proteolysis of CtrA and demonstrate, to our knowledge, the first example of a multiprotein, cdG-dependent proteolytic adaptor.
SEPARATION OF PHOTOINDUCED CHLOROPHYLL‐a CATION AND p‐TETRABROMOBENZOQUINONE ANION ELECTRON SPIN RESONANCE LINES AT 35 GHz IN FROZEN VESICLE SOLUTIONS

— The photoionization products of chlorophyll-a with p-tetrabromobenzoquinone as an electron scavenger in rapidly frozen phospholipid vesicles have been detected by electron spin resonance. The asymmetric line resulting from the overlap of the chlorophyll-fl cation radical and the scavenger anion radical at 9 GHz (X band) has been resolved into two symmetric lines with different g values at 35 GHz (Q band).
Chondroitin Sulfate Anticoagulant Activity Is Linked to Water Transfer: Relevance to Proteoglycan Structure in Atherosclerosis

Objective— Changes in chondroitin sulfate (CS) proteoglycan (PG) during atherosclerosis are associated with chronic inflammatory changes and increased incidence of thrombosis. To explore how glycosaminoglycan changes could influence the thrombogenicity of atherosclerotic lesions, water-transfer reactions were examined during activation of antithrombin by CS. Methods and Results— Advanced type IV atherosclerotic lesions prone to thrombosis contained CSPG (versican) with undersulfated CS relative to CS of the adjacent healthy aorta. Approximately 11% of the CS disaccharide in versican from healthy arteries was oversulfated, but this proportion decreased markedly to 3% in atherosclerotic lesions. Oversulfated CS functionally bound antithrombin with a dissociation constant of 3.3±1.9 μmol/L. Measured by osmotic stress (OS) techniques with an ≈26-A probe, the reaction was linked to transfer of ≈2500 mol water per mole of coagulation factor Xa inhibited. Under OS, the anticoagulant efficiency of CS was 1.3 (μmol/L) −1 · s −1 , ≈5- and 15-fold higher than heparan sulfate efficiency measured under OS and standard conditions, respectively. Conclusions— Decreased sulfation of high molecular weight CSPG in the advancing atherosclerotic lesions may predispose the lesions to thrombosis by disrupting osmotic regulation, limiting avidity for antithrombin and decreasing activation efficiency.
Reflected Appraisals and Self-Esteem:

Reflected appraisals of self in roles and statuses were studied by comparing respondents who think other people regard their age, sex, race, occupation, marital status, and social class as very important versus those who do not think other people view them primarily in terms of those roles. Data came from a national telephone survey. The study showed that reflected appraisals of self in roles and statuses are negatively related to self-esteem, and this relationship is no stronger for women than for men. In addition, across three different settings, negative relationships between reflected appraisals and self-esteem were found, although more frequent significant effects were found as an individual moves from home to public places to work.
Superficial acral fibromyxoma

Superficial acral fibromyxoma (SAF), also known as digital fibromyxoma, is a rare soft tissue tumor with a predilection for acral surfaces. Superficial acral fibromyxoma classically presents as a pink to flesh-colored nodule located on the subungual or periungual region of the hands or feet. It is typically slow-growing and asymptomatic, which, coupled with its nonspecific clinical appearance, presents a diagnostic dilemma to the dermatologist. As these features overlap with those of a multitude of differential diagnoses, it is imperative to have a good understanding of the characteristics on which the diagnosis of SAF is based. Superficial acral fibromyxoma was initially described in 2001, since when several case reports and literature reviews have contributed to our current understanding of these tumors. In this article, we will review the history, clinical features, diagnosis, and management of SAF. It is our hope that this systematic approach will help to facilitate the recognition and management of this distinct dermatologic entity.
Investigation of Kiaman Magnetic Divison in Colorado Redbeds

Summary Palaeomagnetic examination of Middle and Upper Pennsylvanian, Permian and Triassic redbeds from the western and eastern slopes of the Colorado Front Range suggests that a late Pennsylvanian-Permian reversed interval equivalent to the Kiaman magnetic interval has been located on the North American continent. Collections made from a stratigraphic interval of 2000ft on the eastern slope and 4000ft on the western slope showed reversed directions only. Available stratigraphic data indicate that the zone extends from the beginning of Late Pennsylvanian to Late Permian or into Early Triassic, This time span is in good agreement with the age assignment, based on radioisotope dating and stratigraphic position, of the Australian igneous rocks on which the magnetic interval was defined. Thus it appears that the redbeds of this study acquired their magnetic direction at the time of deposition or very soon thereafter. Palaeomagnetic poles calculated on the basis of these data are: Middle Pennsylvanian, 39" N, 105" E; Upper Pennsylvanian and Permian, 33"N, 126"E, for the western slope and 48"N, 119"E, for the eastern slope; Lower Triassic, 56" N, 100" E.
A note on the effects of group and individual contingencies upon deviant classroom behavior.

SUMMARY A 6-yr-old male's disruptive classroom behavior was modified by a combined use of individual and group contingencies. When a tantrum occurred the child was put into an adjoining cloakroom. The deviant child, as well as the entire class, was rewarded with candy for periods of non-tantrum behavior. Although only tantrum behavior was focused upon, by the time the tantrums had decreased substantially, other deviant classroom behaviors had also decreased significantly and the deviant child's peer relationships and school work had improved.
Air humidity and water pressure effects on the performance of air-cathode microbial fuel cell cathodes

Abstract To better understand how air cathode performance is affected by air humidification, microbial fuel cells were operated under different humidity conditions or water pressure conditions. Maximum power density decreased from 1130 ± 30 mW m−2 with dry air to 980 ± 80 mW m−2 with water-saturated air. When the cathode was exposed to higher water pressures by placing the cathode in a horizontal position, with the cathode oriented so it was on the reactor bottom, power was reduced for both with dry (1030 ± 130 mW m−2) and water-saturated (390 ± 190 mW m−2) air. Decreased performance was partly due to water flooding of the catalyst, which would hinder oxygen diffusion to the catalyst. However, drying used cathodes did not improve performance in electrochemical tests. Soaking the cathode in a weak acid solution, but not deionized water, mostly restored performance (960 ± 60 mW m−2), suggesting that there was salt precipitation in the cathode that was enhanced by higher relative humidity or water pressure. These results showed that cathode performance could be adversely affected by both flooding and the subsequent salt precipitation, and therefore control of air humidity and water pressure may need to be considered for long-term MFC operation.
Trends in Unionization of Nursing Homes

Unionization may have important implications for the delivery of nursing home care, but little is known about this phenomenon. Since 1985, the proportion of nursing home workers covered by union contracts declined from 14.6% to 9.9%. The first national-scale data on facility-level unionization reveals that unions are more common in nursing homes with more residents, in hospital-based or chain-affiliated facilities, and in facilities serving a higher proportion of Medicaid patients. With new federal policy proposals aimed at substantially lowering the cost of organizing workers, policymakers will want to consider the potential impact of nursing home unionization on worker, patient, and market outcomes.
Editor's Note: How We Do It: Repair of Recurrent Inguinal Hernia

T HE REPAIR of a recurrent inguinal hernia may be accomplished through a traditional inguinal approach or by the use of laparoscopy. When the traditional inguinal approach is utilized, we usually go through the previous hernia incision. However, the dissection is initiated through adjacent unscarred tissue. Care is taken to preserve the ilio-inguinal nerve, but it is often difficult to identify when encased in scar tissue. An attempt is made to mobilize the hernia sac off the spermatic cord. If the sac can be mobilized, it is ligated in the usual manner. If it cannot be mobilized, then the sac can be left in place and closed with a purse-string suture from the inside. Care must be taken to avoid damaging the vas deferens and spermatic vessels. 1 Laparoscopic repair of recurrent inguinal hernias has the advantage of operating through a virgin field with a different view of the patent processus. Three ports are utilized with the scope introduced through the umbilicus. The patent processus can be closed with a purse-string or figure-of-eight suture. Again, care is taken to avoid the spermatic cord structures.2
Combined endovascular and surgical approach (CESA) to thoracoabdominal aortic pathology: A 10-year experience.

Objective The first combined endovascular and surgical approach for thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm was performed at our institution in 1998. We report a 10-year experience with a hybrid approach to thoracoabdominal aortic pathology. Methods Records of all patients undergoing a combined endovascular and surgical approach to thoracoabdominal aortic pathology were reviewed. Presenting symptoms, perioperative morbidity and mortality, sequence (single versus two stages), and late results were analyzed. Results From 1998 to 2008, 20 patients were treated with hybrid repairs for thoracoabdominal aneurysm (TAA) (15; four with dissection), aortic arch aneurysm (two), symptomatic supravisceral abdominal aortic aneurysm (one), contained perirenal pseudoaneurysm rupture (one), and floating aortic arch thrombus with cerebral and renal emboli in one patient. Ten patients had prior aortic grafting, one patient had a functional renal transplant, and all patients were considered high risk based on preoperative comorbidities. Aneurysm related pain (11) or aneurysm growth (eight), mesenteric ischemic symptoms (four), and peripheral embolization (one) were indications for intervention. Spinal catheter drainage was used routinely. The procedure was completed in a single stage (13), or two stages using a subcutaneous conduit constructed at the first stage (six). One patient refused the second stage and expired from aneurysm rupture five months later. There were nine major complications in six patients (32% morbidity); all recovered except one patient with complete aortic coverage from left subclavian to bifurcation in the single stage group who developed paraplegia (one of 15 patients at risk; 6.6%). There was no perioperative mortality (0-30 days or discharge). Two patients had successful re-intervention for a type I (included as a major complication) and II endoleak respectively. Two type II endoleaks without aneurysm growth continue under observation. There has been no graft thrombosis, aneurysm growth, or rupture during a mean follow-up of 16.6 months (range, 1-119 months) in 19 patients with a completed procedure (none lost to follow up). Cumulative survival at two years is 76%. Conclusions A combined endovascular and surgical approach to thoracoabdominal aortic pathology can be performed in high-risk patients with acceptable morbidity and mortality. A two-stage approach is preferable when extensive coverage of the aorta is necessary and a subcutaneous conduit simplifies the second stage. Follow-up of 10 years in our initial patient suggests that this approach can be durable. Additional experience and longer follow-up is needed before expanding current indications for this approach.
Model reference robust control of a class of SISO systems

A new control design technique, model reference robust control (MRRC), is introduced for a class of SISO systems which contain unknown parameters, possible nonlinear uncertainties, and additive bounded disturbances. The design methodology is a natural, nontrivial extension of model reference adaptive control (MRAC) which is essential to achieving robust stability and performance for linear time-invariant systems. The methodology also represents an important step toward achieving robust stability for time-varying and nonlinear systems. MRRC requires only input and output measurements of the system, rather than the full state feedback and structural conditions on uncertainties required by existing robust control results. MRRC is developed from existing model reference control (MRC) in a manner similar to MRAC. An intermediate result gives conditions under which MRRC yields exponentially asymptotic stability. The general result yielding uniformly ultimately bounded stability is then developed. A scalar example provides intuition into why the control works against a wide class of uncertainties and reveals the implicit learning capability of MRRC. >
Cournot and Mathematical Economics

"Cournot's genius must give a new mental activity to every one who passes through his hands."—Marshall.
Control of Fibrinogen Biosynthesis: Role of the FFA/Albumin Ratio

The rate of biosynthesis and turnover of the plasma protein fibrinogen is a marker of metabolic signaling in aging and disease. The rate in the young normal human subject of 0.260 mg/ml/24 h increases to 0.378 in older normal subjects and to 0.466 in age matched coronary thrombosis patients measured by endogenous labeling of fibrinogen with l-glutamic acid-C14. The increased rate of fibrinogen turnover has been traced to generation of fibrin by labeling the polymers with glycine C14 ethyl esters in the presence of activated fibrin stabilizing factor. Circulating fibrin increased 520% above normal in ischemic thrombotic cerebrovascular disease. Long chain saturated free fatty acids (FFA) exercise not only primary control over incorporation of Cl4 labeled amino acids into the fibrinogen structure but also activate the cascade sequence of reactions which convert fibrinogen into occlusive fibrin polymers. FFA are normally bound and transported by plasma albumin to mitochondrial sites of energy metabolism. Albumin synthesis declines with aging. This decline is associated with increased plasma levels of FFA resulting in an increase in the plasma FFA/albumin ratio. Correction of this ratio in vitro by restoration of a normal FFA/albumin ratio restores a normal level of fibrinogen synthesis by human hepatocytes.
Online Planning to Control a Packaging Infeed System

In this paper, we investigate a novel application of online planning and scheduling: controlling an automated infeeder for a packaging line of food and consumer packaged goods. In this system, products arrive continuously at high-speed from the end of the production line and need to be arranged into a specific configuration for downstream primary and secondary packaging machines. In collaboration with a domain expert from the packaging industry, we developed an innovative design for a reconfigurable parallel infeed system using a matrix of interchangeable smart belts. We also adapted our online model-based Plantrol planner to this domain. Our planner can control various configurations of the new infeed system through simulation both in nominal planning and when runtime failures occur. We are also building a small physical prototype to validate the new design and our software framework.
Parent Recommendations for Family Functioning With Prader-Willi Syndrome: A Rare Genetic Cause of Childhood Obesity.

Purpose Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS) is the most common genetic cause of childhood obesity. Neonates have hypotonia and may fail to growth and develop. Within a few years, behavioral problems occur along with insatiable hunger (hyperphagia) and the potential for excessive weight gain. The purpose of this study was to identify how families function when they have a child with PWS. Design and Methods This qualitative descriptive study was based on 20 face-to-face, audio-taped interviews with parents. They were asked to identify family responses to PWS and offer recommendations. Data were transcribed, coded and analyzed for commonalities and themes. Results There were twelve identified themes with two overarching themes of 1) taking action and 2) caring for oneself and family. Taking action was focused on achieving what was best for the child with PWS. Caring for oneself and family attempted to assure that all in the family were healthy, content, and living a fulfilling life under their circumstances. Conclusions This study revealed parental insight as to how they learned to creatively cope with a stressful family life. There was a recognition of inevitable sacrifice and the need for changes in expectations so as to help the child with PWS flourish while also focusing on the needs of all the members of the family. Practice Implications Nursing and health care providers should be aware of these issues in the provision of anticipatory guidance to families contending with this genetic disorder.
Information Paradox: Drowning in Information, Starving for Knowledge

We are living in an age of information. Staggering amounts of information are collected, stored, and widely disseminated. Yet, we may be less informed and less knowledgeable than ever. This paradox of increasing information, yet decreasing knowledge and insight has many possible reasons, some of which are subtle and difficult to identify, and even more difficult to remedy. The fundamental issue is quantity crowding out quality, leading to an abundance of poor quality information which may not be a good substitute for scarce but high quality information. Information is not unique in exhibiting this paradox. There are many other goods that exhibit this unusual characteristic of more being worse than less. Those who eat the most food are rarely the healthiest people, and they may actually be severely deficient in some nutrients. Those who have the most Facebook friends are often the loneliest people. Those who are the busiest are not the most productive. Those who read books and watch television the most are sometimes the least knowledgeable. All of these examples point to the pervasiveness of this paradox, but it is most insidious with information, critical in an information economy, and most difficult to overcome in a modern society dominated by communication technologies. In an information economy, we may be shipwrecked, surrounded by an ocean of water, yet dying of thirst!