cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
45852 Parenting stress predicts fast food intake in an urban community sample of overweight parents of toddlers

ABSTRACT IMPACT: The findings suggest that targeting parenting stress in combination with psychoeducation on nutrition and physical activity may have positive effects in improving healthy food choices such as reduction of fast food intake, which may in turn impact the health of toddlers and their families. OBJECTIVES/GOALS: Parent stress is associated with a myriad of unhealthy behaviors including overeating, decreased physical activity, which contribute to increased weight. Several programs have aimed to increase education of nutrition, but few have focused on parent stress to improve healthy food intake. The present study assessed parent stress and fast food intake. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Parents who have obesity and had a toddler in the age group of 2-5 years were enrolled for a preventive intervention study to assess the effect of a parent-based intervention to improve family health choices and reduce childhood obesity risk. The sample included 105 participants, mean age 34.80 (6.27) years old, mean body mass index (BMI) 35.51 kg/m2, 39.0% Non-Hispanic White, 20.0% Non-Hispanic Black, 22.9% multiracial, 12.4% Hispanic, and 5.7% other. Stress was assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) to assess overall general stress and the Parenting Stress Index (PSI) to assess parent-specific stress. Chaos in the home and fast food intake were also assessed using self-report surveys. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Preliminary results are based on available data as of October 2020, data collection and recruitment are still in progress. There was a significant correlation between fast food intake with PSS (r=.18, p=.04), chaos (r=.24, p=.02), and PSI (r=.25, p=.01). Using a hierarchical regression model, we entered home chaos in the first block which explained a significant amount of the variability (R2= .06, p=.04). PSS was entered in the second block, which was not significant (R2 change=.01, p=.50), and in the final block PSI was entered and was significant (R2 change=.13, p <.01). DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF FINDINGS: The data indicate that parenting stress uniquely predicts fast food intake above and beyond what could be explained by home chaos and general perceived stress. Future analyses will assess a parent-based intervention targeting stress reduction to improve weight and health for the parent and their toddlers in order to reduce childhood obesity risk.
Agricultural input markets in India – Recent policy reforms and way forward: A review

The paper reviews the policies in three major input sectors; seeds, pesticides and fertilisers. There are many new policies (regulations and acts) which are recently implemented, few recommended and few others yet to be implemented. The new policies and regulations are tailored for the changing dynamics in the input sector and are intended to have greater implications on restructuring the sector. The input sectors are governed by different actors and roles. The current challenges in the agri-input markets are lack of quality seeds and emerging technology policy conundrums in seed sector, lower innovation and research and development in pesticide sector, and subsidy governance in fertilizer sector. We have discussed how these challenges are being addressed by the new policies and what is the plausible way forward.
Aggregating models of evolutionary algorithms

This paper summarizes two useful techniques for aggregating theoretical models of evolutionary algorithms (EAs). Aggregation removes unnecessary detail from the models, producing simpler models with good predictive accuracy. The first aggregation technique is applicable to "equation of motion" models of EAs that have selection and mutation, for a particular class of interesting fitness functions. This form of aggregation introduces no error into the theoretical model. The second aggregation technique is more general-it can be applied to arbitrary Markov chain models of dynamic systems, such as EAs with selection, mutation, and recombination. No assumptions are made about the fitness functions. This form of aggregation introduces only a small amount of error into the theoretical model.
Beyond vector processing: parallel programming on the CRAY APP

The CRAY APP is a highly parallel network compute server designed to accelerate Fortran and C programs in a UNIX environment. It can run complete programs in a simple shared memory environment, including support for UNIX system calls. A very efficient HiPPI interface makes the CRAY APP cluster-capable and well-suited to interact with other programs running on a network in a client/server mode. Several novel features of the CRAY APP system design and programming environment allow for simple porting and incremental tuning of existing applications. These include a highly efficient microkernel operating system, low overhead library-based parallel support software, and a simple refinement to existing vectorization techniques called data vectorization. >
The Use of Space Telescope to Tie the HIPPARCOS Reference Frame to an Extragalactic Reference Frame

Because of the nature of observations with the HIPPARCOS, the observations will be reduced to a set of positions, motions, and parallaxes with respect to a rigid reference frame (HIPPARCOS Instrumental System). This reference frame will have an unknown a priori rotation with respect to both an inertial reference frame and an extragalactic reference frame.
Periodically Controlled Hybrid Systems

This paper introduces Periodically Controlled Hybrid Automata (PCHA) for describing a class of hybrid control systems. In a PCHA, control actions occur roughly periodically while internal and input actions may occur in the interim changing the discrete-state or the setpoint. Based on periodicity and subtangential conditions, a new sufficient condition for verifying invariance of PCHAs is presented. This technique is used in verifying safety of the planner-controller subsystem of an autonomous ground vehicle, and in deriving geometric properties of planner generated paths that can be followed safely by the controller under environmental uncertainties.
Growth of Helicobacter pylori in a long spiral form does not alter expression of immunodominant proteins

Background We have previously reported that altered culture conditions (a broth media with shaking) could induce a strain of Helicobacter pylori to assume a long spiral morphology resembling that described for Helicobacter heilmannii. The present study was initiated to determine if other strains of H. pylori could be induced to assume that morphology and if doing so would alter the expression of immunodominant proteins.
Time delay unit quantization at the subarray level for large, wideband linear arrays

Time delay units become larger and more expensive as the number of bits and physical size of the bits increases. The goal is to reduce the number of large bits in the array by placing them back in the feed network where they are shared my many elements. As the bits are moved back in the feed network, time delay quantization increases and produces errors in the array factor. This paper presents trade-offs between reducing the number of time delay bits and maintaining a desirable array pattern.
Predicting Prognosis in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia in the Contemporary Era

Importance Next-generation sequencing has identified new genetic markers that have altered prognosis for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) at diagnosis. Understanding the significance of these prognostic indicators and recognizing their potential impact on treatment selection and patients' outcomes is critical for clinicians and investigators. Objective To review novel prognostic factors at CLL diagnosis that have shown an impact on the prognosis and outcomes of this disease. Evidence review Literature from January 2004 through December 2014 was searched in PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Scopus to identify English-language, peer-reviewed articles on clinical and prognostic factors for CLL (TP53, ATM, NOTCH1, SF3B1, BIRC3, and MYD88). Reference lists were subsequently reviewed for additional articles. A total of 450 articles was identified, and 48 articles meeting inclusion criteria were reviewed. Findings Among prognostic markers reviewed, chromosomal aberrations have been validated and are currently used clinically to predict prognosis. Patients with 17p13.1 deletion have poor response to chemoimmunotherapy and are treated differently, with some undergoing allogeneic transplantation in first remission. CD38 and ZAP-70 status of malignant cells and unmutated immunoglobulin variable heavy chain gene have similarly been validated to predict adverse prognosis, but their implications on treatment selection have not been proven. The presence of TP53 and ATM mutations predicts worse prognosis, which has been corroborated in various studies. Patients with TP53 mutations have lower responses to chemoimmunotherapy. Furthermore, patients with TP53 and ATM mutations have inferior progression-free survival and overall survival, independent of other factors. Patients carrying the NOTCH1 and SF3B1 mutations have worse prognosis; patients with the NOTCH1 mutation have lower response rates to standard chemoimmunotherapy. The impact of BIRC3 on prognosis and survival requires further confirmation. Conclusions and relevance The heterogeneous clinical course of CLL is likely explained by underlying molecular prognostic factors. Moving forward, analyzing these factors at diagnosis is recommended for better prognostication.
Spatial maps in frontal and prefrontal cortex

Though the function of prefrontal cortex has been extensively investigated, little is known about the internal organization of individual prefrontal areas. Functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to show that some frontal and prefrontal cortical areas represent visual space in orderly, reproducible, topographic maps. The map-containing areas partly overlap dorsolateral prefrontal areas engaged by working memory tasks. These maps may be useful for attending to task-relevant objects at various spatial locations, an aspect of the executive control of attention.
Switchable end-fire element for three-dimensional array use

Use of interpolation processor coefficients as weights in a particular line array format leads to an end-fire pattern having special properties. A wide, nearly constant gain main beam results which is complemented by a backside region having uniformly low peak sidelobe levels. Changing the polarity of one element reverses the direction of energy flow. Use of these simple line arrays as elements of a planar array permits elimination of the back-screen and offers bidirectional coverage. An overview of the technique is presented along with some design examples.
Psychogenic convulsive seizures.

Psychogenic seizures appear in the literature under various synonyms (Table 1) and refer to events that are characterized by a change in behavior, sensory, and/or motor activity that appear epileptogenic but are functional in etiology. A corollary to this definition is that psychogenic seizures, unlike seizures of neurogenic origin, are events that have no associated alteration in brain electrical activity. Patients with psychogenic seizures are distinguished from malingerers in that a malingerer is aware of feigning his symptoms, often for well-defined purposes, whereas psychogenic seizure patients are unaware of the psychiatric cause of their behavior. Likewise, psychogenic seizures are distinct from the chronic factitious disorder with physical symptoms (Munchausen’s syndrome), in that the latter is characterized by the voluntary simulation of illness for the sole purpose of gaining admission to medical care.’ Psychogenic seizures can be divided into two major categories: (1) those in which motor abnormalities predominate the clinical presentation thus mimicking convulsive seizures, and (2) those in which altered mental status predominates without a significant motor component, thus mimicking the absence of seizures.2,3 Psychogenic seizures can be extremely difficult to differentiate from neurogenic seizures and, when inappropriately labeled, can result in patient mismanagement with the potential for iatrogenic harm.3-9 Altered mental status, without associated motor activity, as the major manifestation of a psychogenic seizure is less of a management dilemma for the emergency physician than convulsive psychogenic seizures, because once the patient has been stabilized, there is time to systematically evaluate the patient, including obtaining an electroencephalogram (EEG) and specialty consultation, before treatment. On the other hand, emergency medicine physicians confronted with a patient with persistent or recurrent tonic-clonic motor activity often feel compelled to assume a neurogenic basis for the activity and to pharmacologically intervene. There are a number of reports in the literature of psychogenic seizures being treated as if they were neurogenic in origin,4*6*9 and
The Academy and Fourth Generation Warfare.

Fourth Generation Warfare is characterized by a lack of definable battlefields, by groups acting not necessarily under the direct control of a foreign government, and by its transnational nature. In this Fourth Generation, we can no longer afford to indulge radicals in the academy who, as historian Donald Kagan warns, are "subversive of our safety". Perpetrators of Fourth Generation Warfare are typically the self-styled oppressed or those who claim to be fighting on behalf of the oppressed. The ubiquity and elusiveness of Fourth Generation Warfare require profound changes throughout society, and above all throughout the nation's college and university campuses. Entrusted as we in the academy are with passing on the American and Western democratic heritage, it is no small part of our mission to extend its blessings. The extremists currently waging war against us justify their actions in the name of religion but also in the name of ideological multiculturalism.
Chromosomal protein interactions in chromatin and with DNA.

Abstract Metabolically labeled non-histone chromosomal proteins of high specific activity were fractionated on the basis of their sequential extractability from Krebs II chromatin with urea/salt solutions according to Bekhor et al. (1974a). The binding of each of these NHCP † classes to protein-free DNA and histone-DNA complexes (nucleohistone) was measured and compared to the binding to DNA substituted with 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine. After reconstitution of the interacting components, the binding of NHCP and histones was measured according to Scatchard formalism by titration of fixed amounts of DNA with increasing inputs of protein ligands under stringent conditions of 0.25 ionic strength, pH 8.0. Histone binding to either native DNA or BrUrd-substituted DNA was found to be essentially the same. In the presence of histones, the binding for all NHCP classes, except for medium 3 NHCP, was enhanced by an order of magnitude over the binding values for NHCP to DNA in the absence of histones. The binding of NHCP to DNA was thus strongly influenced by histones bound to DNA. A general and significant decrease in histone content in the complexes relative to increased NHCP binding was also apparent, with medium 3 NHCP having the greatest activity to weaken histone interaction with DNA and medium 0 the least. Enhancement in NHCP binding to BrUd-substituted DNA in the presence of histones was decreased to about 50% of the binding to control DNA. The distribution and quantity of DNA binding and non-DNA binding NHCP was also estimated by photochemical attachment to 33% BrUrd-substituted DNA in tryptophan-labeled chromatin and by direct binding assays. We have obtained 30% crosslinking for either histones or NHCP to DNA in stringently formed complexes. In histone-NHCP-DNA complexes, histone crosslinking remained unchanged, while that of NHCP increased to 70%. This is further evidence for a modification in the binding of NHCP to DNA in the presence of histones. The percentage of NHCP crosslinked to DNA in native chromatin ranged from 24% for medium 0 NHCP to 50% for medium 1 and 3 NHCP with an average of 35% for total NHCP. These results plus the direct binding assays indicate that NHCP, in addition to high affinity DNA binding, also interacts non-specifically to DNA and to proteins in chromatin. A mechanism is also being proposed to account for the observed BrUrd effects in chromatin.
The Chinese competitive advantage

This research evaluated how China is creating its own competitive advantage within the global economy. The concept of competitive advantage as presented by Michael Porter is utilised as the model for the creation of competitive advantage and a bench mark for comparison in this research. A description of how China is creating a competitive advantage politically, culturally, legally, economically, and through its alignment with the USA, EU, and the global economy is described. In addition, the sustainability of this competitive advantage is considered.
Design of kinematic controller for real-time vision guided robot manipulators

This paper discusses the control strategies for robot manipulators to track moving targets based on realtime vision guidance. The work is motivated by some new demands of vision guided robot manipulators in which the workpieces being manipulated are in complex motion and the widely adopted look-then-move control strategy cannot give satisfactory performance. In order to serve industrial applications, the limited sensing and actuation capabilities have to be considered properly. In our work, a cascade control structure is introduced. The sensor and actuator limits are dealt with by consecutive modules in the controller respectively. In particular, the kinematic visual servoing (KVS) module is discussed in detail. It is a kinematic controller that generates reference trajectory in real-time. Sliding control is used to give a basic Jacobian-based design. Constrained optimal control is applied to address the actuator limits. validation is conducted through simulation and experiment.
The inactivation of papain and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase by phenyldiimide.

Abstract Phenylhydrazine does not inactivate papain or glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase under anaerobic conditions. The inactivation of papain and glyceralde-hyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase under aerobic conditions is ascribed to the oxidation of phenylhydrazine by O2 which generates phenyldiimide and H2O2, both of which react with the essential sulfhydryl groups and inactivate the enzymes. Phenyldiimide generated from methyl phenylazoformate inactivates both of the sulfhydryl enzymes under anaerobic conditions. The inactivation of papain and GPD with aerobic, aqueous solutions of [14C]phenylhydrazine introduces a small amount of radioactivity into the enzymes which is discharged by dithiothreitol. The amount of radioactivity bound to papain is increased when cyanide is present in the inactivation mixture.When the β-[14C]thiocyanoalanine derivative of papain is treated with phenylhydrazine the radioactivity is discharged from the enzyme. Cyanide evidently reacts with the sulfenic acid derivative of papain to form a thiocyanate derivative. Phenylhydrazine presumably displaces cyanide from the thiocyanate derivative to form a sulfenyl hydrazide derivative to account for the increased incorporation of [14C]phenylhydrazine when papain is inactivated with aerobic solutions of [14C]-phenylhydrazine in the presence of cyanide. When the sulfhydryl group of papain is oxidized to a sulfenic acid with H2O2 and then treated with [14C]phenylhydrazine, 14C is not incorporated into the enzyme. These experiments suggest that the H2O2 in the aerobic solutions of phenylhydrazine oxidizes the sulfhydryl group at the active site of papain to a sulfenic acid. The [14C]phenyldiimide in these solutions reacts to some extent with the active sulfhydryl group to form a sulfenyl hydrazide derivative.
The effect of equilibrating mounted dental stone casts on the occlusal harmony of cast metal complete crowns

Statement of problem Fabrication of indirect complete crowns that are in occlusal harmony upon insertion remains a problem in restorative dentistry, and dental stone cast expansion may play a role. Purpose This 3-part investigation compared occlusal contacts in a simulated patient with a harmonious occlusion with centric occlusion equal to maximum intercuspation (CO=MI) and an inharmonious occlusion (CO≠MI) with mounted stone casts, and compared the occlusal contacts after fabrication of a posterior complete crown fabricated on equilibrated and nonequilibrated dental stone casts. Material and methods A dentoform mounted in a semi-adjustable articulator served as the simulated patient and control. In part 1, a single set of maxillary and mandibular ADA type IV and V derived dental stone casts were fabricated and mounted (CO≠MI), and occlusal contacts/near contacts were compared. In part 2, 10 type IV and 10 type V cast mountings (CO=MI) were compared. In part 3, 10 type IV cast mountings were fabricated for adjustment (experimental) and 10 for no adjustment (control). A mandibular ADA type IV gold alloy complete crown was fabricated and adjusted on each set of casts and then returned to the dentoform. Vinyl polysiloxane interocclusal records of all mountings were scanned for optical density, and contacts were used to quantify occlusal contacts as exhibiting contact or near contact. Data were analyzed with Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA and Mann-Whitney U tests (α=.05). Results The cast adjustment protocol (intervention) was successful in eliminating the majority of the occlusal disharmony in the casts believed to be caused by the effects of stone expansion. Actual and near contact areas for cast mountings of the equilibrated simulated patient were significantly different from those of the simulated patient ( P P =.001, respectively). Actual and near contact areas for inserted crowns fabricated from adjusted casts were significantly different from those of the simulated patient ( P P =.007, respectively), but actual contact areas were not different from those of the simulated patient with no crown inserted. Conclusions In this study, occlusal contacts of a simulated patient (dentoform) could not be accurately replicated with mounted dental stone casts. A cast adjustment procedure can aid in fabrication of a crown with a more accurate occlusion.
Medium-frequency impulsive-thrust-excited slosh waves during propellant reorientation with a geyser

Slosh wave excitation induced by a resettling flowfield activated by 1.0-Hz impulsive thrust during the course of liquid reorientation with the initiation of geyser for liquid-fill levels of 30, 50, 65, 70, and 80 percent has been studied. Characteristics of slosh waves of various frequencies excited by the resettling flowfield are discussed. Slosh wave excitations shift the fluid mass distribution in the container which imposes time-dependent variations in spacecraft moment of inertia. This information is important for spacecraft control during the course of liquid reorientation.
Vesicle-Membrane Fusion is Enhanced by Cholesterol and Low Temperature

Lipid composition and properties play an important role in fusion of vesicles to cell membranes, an essential process for exocytosis. Using a model system composed of artificial vesicles and planar lipid membranes, we observed that fusion is significantly affected by the lipid phase of the planar membrane. To specifically determine the effect of lipid phases on fusion rates, we utilized the nystatin/ergosterol fusion assay and stimulated fusion with an osmotic gradient. The lipid phase of the planar membrane was altered by changing cholesterol or temperature, while the vesicular lipids were held constant. Liquid disordered (Lα) planar membranes were formed from PE and PC. Addition of cholesterol shifts these membranes to the liquid ordered (Lo) phase and increased vesicle fusion. Planar membranes in the Lα phase were also made from DPPC lipids above the transition temperature (41.5°C); decreasing the temperature shifts these membranes into the ripple phase (Pβ') and again increased vesicle fusion. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that fusion is promoted in membranes with some negative curvature.
Parathyroid hormone-induced changes of the brush border topography and cytoskeleton in cultured renal proximal tubular cells

In order to examine the possibility of parathyroid hormone-mediated ultrastructural rearrangements in target epithelium, isolated canine renal proximal tubular cells were grown on a collagen-coated semipermeable membrane in a defined medium. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy of these monolayers revealed abundant microvilli. Exposure of the proximal tubular cells to parathyroid hormone resulted in a biphasic changes involving: (1) dramatic shortening and rarefaction of microvilli within 1 min; and (2) recovery of microvillar topography after 5 min. A similar shortening of microvilli was observed following exposure to ionomycin, whereas incubation with cyclic AMP resulted in an elongation of microvilli. Parathyroid hormone stimulated cyclic AMP production and increased cytoplasmic free calcium concentration in cultured proximal tubular cells. Pretreatment of cells with a calmodulin inhibitor abolished the effect of parathyroid hormone on brush border topography. Shortening of microvilli was associated with a disappearance of microvillar core filaments. Staining of F-actin with fluoresceinphalloidin showed that parathyroid hormone resulted in fragmentation of stress fibers. It is concluded that parathyroid hormoneinduced cell activation involves cytoplasmic-free calcium, calmodulin, and the cytoskeleton.
Reactions of Isocytochrome c2 in the Photosynthetic Electron Transfer Chain of Rhodobacter sphaeroides

Rhodobacter sphaeroides strains lacking cytochrome c2 (cyt c2), the normal electron donor to P870+ in light-oxidized reaction center (RC) complexes, are unable to grow photosynthetically. However, spd mutations that suppress the photosynthetic deficiency of cyt c2 mutants elevate levels of the cyt c2 isoform, isocyt c2. We monitored photosynthetic electron transfer in whole cells, in chromatophores, and with purified components to ascertain if and how isocyt c2 reduced light-oxidized RC complexes. These studies revealed that several fundamental aspects of photosynthetic electron transfer were similar in strains that use isocyt c2 and wild-type cells. For example, P870+ reduction accompanied cytochrome c oxidation. In addition, photosynthetic electron transfer was blocked by the well-known cyt bc1 complex inhibitors antimycin and myxothiazol. However, even at the increased isocyt c2 levels present in these strains (approximately 40% that of cyt c2 in wild-type cells), there was little, if any, of the rapid (< 5 microns) electron transfer to P870+ that is characteristic of cytochromes bound to RC complexes at the time of the light flash. Thus, it appears that isocyt c2 function limits the in vivo rate of P870+ reduction. Indeed, at low ionic strength in vitro, the apparent affinity of isocyt c2 for RC complexes (KD approximately 40 microM) is significantly lower than that of cyt c2 (KD approximately 1.0 microM). This reduced affinity does not appear to result from an altered mode of RC binding by isocyt c2 since electrostatic interactions make similar overall contributions to the binding of both cyt c2 and isocyt c2 to this membrane-bound redox partner. Thus, sequence, structural, or local conformational differences between cyt c2 and isocyt c2 significantly alter their apparent affinities for this physiologically relevant redox partner.
Ventricular fibrillation during cardiopulmonary bypass: long-term effects on myocardial morphology and function.

Abstract Mongrel dogs were subjected to hypothermic (28° to 30°C) cardiopulmonary bypass with hemodilution by 50%. In two groups of 8 dogs each, ventricular fibrillation was induced for 60 and 90 minutes, respectively, while the dogs were on bypass. A group of 6 dogs with the heart beating but nonworking served as control. Seven weeks after operation, hemodynamic measurements were made in the survivors (6 in each group) and the heart was fixed by perfusion with glutaraldehyde. Multiple transmural samples were taken from both ventricles. Light microscopy revealed solitary left ventricular scars (0.5 to 3 mm wide) in 2 hearts each from Groups 2 and 3. None of the hearts exhibited diffuse subendocardial fibrosis indicative of healed ischemic injury. All animals were hemodynamically normal. We conclude that in the nonhypertrophied heart, ventricular fibrillation up to 90 minutes with continuous bypass-sustained coronary perfusion (perfusion pressure at or above 70 mm Hg) offers protection from permanent myocardial injury.
The application of the current-comparator technique in instrumentation and measurement equipment for the calibration of non-conventional instrument transformers with non-standard rated outputs

An overview of the development of instrumentation and measurement techniques at the National Research Council of Canada, based on current comparator technology, for calibration of nonconventional instrument transformers with nonstandard rated outputs, is presented. The instruments include: (1) a wide-dynamic-range transimpedance amplifier for operation of input currents from 1 A to 1000 A with means for modifying the in-phase and quadrature components of the output voltage (rated 10 V) within a +or-10% range; (2) a high-voltage high-current transconductance amplifier with output current ranges of 10 A, 100 A, and 1000 A; and (3) a voltage ratio standard also with means for modifying the in-phase and quadrature components of the output voltage (rated 100 V) within a +or-10% range. The current comparator technique is used to obtain accuracies of better than 20 parts per million in both magnitude and phase of the associated outputs of these instruments. >
Mucous membranes in systemic disease

Abstract The mucous membranes are involved in a variety of systemic disases. Mucous membrane lesions may be the most striking clinical feature of diseases such as Wegener's granulomatosis or acute monocytic leukemia. Asymptomatic mucous membrane lesions may alert the clinician to the presence of underlying systemic diseases such as hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia or Addison's disease, connective tissue disease, idiopathic inflammatory and granulomatous diseases, inflammatory bowel disease, and certain metabolic and hematologic disorders. All have mucous membrane involvement as a prominent feature and will be discussed separately. Several systemic diseases associated with abnormal pigmentation of the mucous membranes will also be briefly discussed.
Two-year experience with minimally invasive herniorrhaphy in children

Laparoscopic herniorrhaphy in pediatrics is rarely performed. We evaluated our 2-year experience of minimally invasive inguinal herniorrhaphy in children. All procedures were performed under general anesthesia using <2-mm instruments and scopes and a surgical awl to accomplish high ligation of the hernia sac under direct vision. A total of 90 consecutive children (76 males and 14 females) older than the age of 6 months underwent a minimally invasive herniorrhaphy (60 unilateral and 30 bilateral; total of 120 hernias repaired). Seventeen children underwent herniorrhaphy in conjunction with another procedure. All children who underwent herniorrhaphy alone were discharged immediately and allowed unrestricted activity. Only four patients requested a narcotic analgesic. There was one recurrence early in the series (0.83%), prompting a change in technique. Minimally invasive inguinal herniorrhaphy in children is a safe alternative for the experienced pediatric laparoscopist. There is a similar recurrence rate as that of the traditional open approach with a superior cosmetic result.
Uninsured South Florida vascular surgery patients are less likely to receive optimal medical management than their insured counterparts.

Objective Vascular disease is the most prevalent condition in patients aged >60 years, leading to increasing complications associated with their comorbid conditions. Poor medical compliance could be one reason why the rate of complications may be higher in this patient population, particularly the uninsured. This study was conducted to better assess rates of medication compliance in vascular surgical patients. Methods Consecutive patients seen in vascular clinics at a busy tertiary academic center were prospectively studied. Physicians and physician assistants used a standardized questionnaire to collect patient data and evaluated patients for coexisting medical conditions and medication use. Optimal medical therapy was defined according to the 2006 American Heart Association (AHA)/American College of Cardiology (ACC) "Guidelines for Secondary Prevention for Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease." Data were analyzed using multivariate regression. Results During the 4-month study period, 180 consecutive patients (47% men) were seen in vascular surgery clinics. Most patients (79%) were nonsmokers and only 21% admitted to smoking. Comorbid conditions surveyed included hypertension in 141, diabetes mellitus in 56, coronary artery disease in 24, hypercholesterolemia in 89, and chronic renal failure in 13; of these, 61% were insured and 39% had no insurance. Overall, only 31% of all patients were receiving adequate medical therapy for their comorbid conditions, and about 66% were receiving suboptimal medical treatment for their vascular disease. Uninsured patients were less likely (19%) than insured patients (39%) to receive optimal medical therapy (P = .012). Lack of insurance was a predictor of suboptimal medical therapy for hypertension (odds ratio [OR], 3.13; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.20-8.16; P = .016), hypercholesterolemia (OR, 5.1; 95% CI, 1.87-13.88; P = .001), peripheral arterial disease (OR, 13.32; 95% CI, 2.84-62.54, P Conclusions Compliance with optimal medical therapy for secondary risk factor management amongst our vascular surgery patients is low. Uninsured patients are less likely to receive optimal medical therapy than their insured counterparts. This survey provides sobering statistics regarding medical compliance in our population. This issue deserves further study and may indirectly affect outcomes in minority groups that are disproportionately represented in our uninsured patients.
Utility Analysis: A Tool for Quantifying the Value of Hospitality Human Resource Interventions

Excerpt] In a survey of hospitality managers and executives, the most frequently identified concerns related to issues of human resource management.’ A major obstacle in the way of improving human resource management is the lack of practical methods for determining and demonstrating the strategic value of human resource interventions. How does one answer questions like, “what is the return from a better performanceappraisal system?,” “would I be more (or less) profitable if I were to raise wages?,” or “what is more valuable, spending $10,000 on a new selection system or on a training program?” General managers who want to get more out of their human resource systems need to demand that human resource departments identify the returns from human resource investments. Human resource practitioners need to be able to talk about such investments, and be able to make a compelling case for the need to use resources to improve human capital. This article explains a tool for human resource management, known as utility analysis, that is designed to facilitate answering questions such as those raised above. In addition to the mathematics behind the technique, I will also provide two hypothetical examples that should help those interested to better understand the principles behind the technique.
Health Care Utilization in OEF/OIF Veterans with Closed TBI

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a prevalent and costly condition among U.S. veterans. We used a case-controlled review of Veterans Affairs (VA) administrative data to describe outpatient health care utilization (HCU) in a sample of 780 veterans with history of closed TBI and an equivalent number of controls. Results suggest higher rates of HCU in veterans with TBI, plus an additive effect of TBI and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in behavioral health utilization. Veterans with TBI history and current PTSD used many times more behavioral health appointments than veterans with TBI alone, and about 1.5 times as many behavioral health appointments as veterans with PTSD alone.
Long-lifetime lipid rhenium metal-ligand complex for probing membrane dynamics on the microsecond timescale.

Abstract We report the luminescence and spectral properties of a phospholipid analogue containing a long-lifetime luminescent rhenium metal–ligand complex (MLC) covalently linked to the amino group of phosphatidyl ethanolamine. When incorporated into synthetic membranes, this lipid probe displays intensity decay times near 3 μs. Importantly, the probe displays highly polarized emission with a maximal fundamental anisotropy of 0.33. This probe is expected to have numerous applications for studies of microsecond diffusion and dynamics of membranes.
Stereoscanning electron microscopy of argon laser excised laryngeal papilloma

Laryngeal papillomas were removed from two patients with the argon laser and examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and stereoscanning electron microscopy (SSEM). Two techniques, lipid-carbohydrate retention for TEM specimens and sonication for SEM, were applied in studying the papillomas. Lipid-carbohydrate retention results were in agreement with previous work in papilloma ultrastructure. The char interface was observed with the sonication technique. Peripheral to the laser impact site, four zones were observed: 1. coagulation necrosis, 2. contracted epithelial cells, 3. minimally damaged epithelial cells, and 4. morphologically undamaged epithelial cells. In Zone 2, cells were violently popped-off as heat was conducted through the epithelium. The potential for spread of papillomas is discussed and suction of the vapor plume recommended when removing laryngeal papillomas with the argon laser.
Ion induced desorption of oxygen from platinum

Abstract Ion induced desorption has been used to study the initial uptake of oxygen on polycrystalline platinum. Rapid increase is observed in the O − secondary ion signal with oxygen exposure. The dependence of the O − signal on sample temperature is observed to exhibit a peak near the temperature corresponding to the main thermal desorption state.
Localization and Control System of Mobile Robot Based on Wireless Sensor Network

The localization of mobile robots is one of important problems for navigation of mobile robots. The wireless sensor network, i.e., Cricket wireless localization technology, was used to obtain motive condition of mobile objects in this study. The information transmission between the Cricket localization system and mobile robot system was achieved for localization, navigation and control of the mobile object. The errors of localization sampling data of the Cricket localization system vary within 3cm in a static condition. The Cricket localization system can meet the navigation requirement of the mobile robots.
Project-based Learning: A Student-centered Approach to Integrating Technology into Physical Education Teacher Education

Abstract Knowing how to use digital technology in teaching is not the same as using it. Here is a program that bridges the gap between theory and practice.
Pain analgesia among adolescent self-injurers.

Abstract Although non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) involves self-inflicted physical harm, many self-injurers report feeling little or no pain during the act. Here we test: (1) whether the pain analgesia effects observed among adult self-injurers are also present among adolescents, and (2) three potential explanatory models proposing that habituation, dissociation, and/or self-criticism help explain the association between NSSI and pain analgesia among adolescents. Participants were 79 adolescents (12–19 years) recruited from the community who took part in a laboratory-based pain study. Results revealed that adolescent self-injurers have a higher pain threshold and greater pain endurance than non-injurers. Statistical mediation models revealed that the habituation and dissociation models were not supported; however, a self-critical style does mediate the association between NSSI and pain analgesia. The present findings extend earlier work by highlighting that a self-critical style may help to explain why self-injurers exhibit pain analgesia. Specifically, the tendency to experience self-critical thoughts in response to stressful events may represent a third variable that increases the likelihood of both NSSI and pain analgesia. Prospective experimental studies are needed to replicate and tease apart the direction of these associations, and may provide valuable leads in the development of effective treatments for this dangerous behavior problem.
University of Massachusetts: MUC-3 test results and analysis

We believe that the score reports we obtained for TST2 provide an accurate assessment of our system's capabilities insofar as they are consistent with the results of our own internal tests conducted near the end of phase 2.. The required TST2 score reports indicate that our system achieved the highest combined scores for recall (51%) and precision (62%) as well as the highest recall score of all the MUC-3 systems under the official MATCHED/MISSING scoring profile.
High Q microtoroid and applications

Whispering-Gallery-Mode(WGM) resonators can significantly enhance light-matter interaction. We discuss self-pulsing behaviors in WGM microlasers due to nonlinear optical losses introduced by excited state absorption. Ultra-sensitive self-referencing detection of nanoparticles using WGM microlasers is demonstrated.
Carcinogenicity and metabolic profiles of 6-substituted benzo[a]pyrene derivatives on mouse skin

Abstract The ability was tested of appropriate substituents of benzo[ a ]pyrene (BP) at C-6 to decrease or suppress the carcinogenic activity for these BP derivatives relative to the parent compound. 8-week-old female Swiss mice in 9 groups of 30 were treated on the back with 0.2 μmol of compound in acetone 4 times weekly for 20 weeks. The following compounds were administered: BP, 6-methylbenzo[ a ]pyrene (BP-6-CH 3 ), 6-hydroxymethylbenzo[ a ]pyrene (BP-6-CH 2 OH), benzo[ a ]pyrene-6-carboxaldehyde (BP-6-CHO), benzo[ a ]pyrene-6-carboxylic acid, 6-methoxybenzo[ a ]pyrene, 6-acetoxybenzo[ a ]pyrene, 6-bromobenzo[ a ]pyrene, and 6-iodobenzo[ a ]pyrene. Two additional groups received BP or BP-6-CH 3 twice weekly for 20 weeks at a total dose 25% of that above. In addition, the metabolism of selected 6-substituted BP derivatives was studied, using mouse skin homogenates in vitro and mouse skin in vivo. Only four compounds were carcinogenic; the order of potency was BP>BP-6-CH 3 >BP-6-CH 2 OH and BP-6-CHO. The difference in carcinogenicity between BP-6-CH 2 OH and BP-6-CHO could not be assessed by this experiment. In a further tumorigenesis experiment the carcinogenicity of BP-6-CH 2 OH was compared to that of BP-6 CHO, BP-6-CH 3 and 6-hydroxymethylbenzo[ a ]pyrene sulfate ester (BP-6-CH 2 OSO 3 Na) on mouse skin. 9-week-old female Swiss mice in groups of 28 were treated at three dose levels with 0.8, 0.2 and 0.05 μmol of compound in dioxane-dimethyl sulfoxide (75:25) twice weekly for 40 weeks. After 40 experimental weeks BP-6-CH 2 OSO 3 Na proved to be a more potent carcinogen than BP-6-CH 2 OH, which, in turn was more active than BP-6-CHO. The greater carcinogenicity of BP-6-CH 3 relative to BP-6-CH 2 OH and BP-6-CHO is confirmed, suggesting that BP-6-CH 2 OH is not a proximate carcinogenic metabolite for BP-6-CH 3 . Since BP-6-CHO is a weaker carcinogen than BP-6-CH 2 OH and is efficiently reduced metabolically to BP-6-CH 2 OH, the latter compound may be a common proximal carcinogenic metabolite. The stronger potency of BP-6-CH 2 OSO 3 Na, compared to its alcohol, suggests that an ester of BP-6-CH 2 OH might be the ultimate alkylating compound reacting with cellular nucleophiles.
The anti inflationary influence of corporatist structures and central bank independence: The importance of the hump shaped hypothesis

Many studies have found strong negative correlations between central bank independence and inflation, but the casual significance of this relationship is often challenged. We find that the negative relationship remains even when a number of other explanatory variables are considered. Special attention is given to the role of corporatism. Following Calmfors and Driffell it is argued that both high and low levels of centralization should be associated with lower inflation. We present empirical support for his hump shaped hypothesis, and find that the inclusion of corporatism does not diminish the significance of central bank independence.
Age and the utilization of cardiac catheterization following uncomplicated first acute myocardial infarction treated with thrombolytic therapy (The Second National Registry of Myocardial Infarction [NRMI-2]).

Considerable data indicates that patients <50 years of age have lower morbidity and mortality after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) than older patients. It has been demonstrated that use of routine cardiac catheterization and revascularization in younger patients with AMI and successful thrombolysis does not confer benefit compared with a more conservative approach. Despite this, it has been our impression that cardiac catheterization is frequently employed in younger patients with AMI. Patients with uncomplicated initial AMI treated with thrombolytic therapy in the Second National Registry of Myocardial Infarction (NRMI-2) between June 1994 and April 1998 were identified. Patients were categorized into 4 age strata for purposes of analysis. A total of 61,232 cases met our inclusion criteria. Cardiac catheterization was performed during hospitalization in 78% of patients after an uncomplicated initial AMI. Age was inversely associated with receipt of cardiac catheterization: 85% of those ≤49 years old underwent catheterization compared with 63% of those ≥70 years old. Regression analysis revealed that use of catheterization was 2.9 times greater (95% confidence intervals 2.7 to 3.2) in patients ≤49 years old compared with those ≥70 years old. Geographic location and payor status also strongly influenced utilization of this procedure. In conclusion, routine coronary angiography after uncomplicated AMI is extensively utilized in all age groups, particularly in those <50 years of age. The efficacy and cost effectiveness of this strategy in these patients has not yet been determined in clinical trials.