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The purpose of this article is to summarize challenges and make recommendations regarding the integration of counter-small unmanned aerial systems (C-SUAS) at the infantry brigade combat team (IBCT) and below [...]

Concentrations of chain-breaking antioxidants were studied in the first 6 postnatal weeks in 29 healthy preterm infants (gestational age 30-35 wk). Vitamin C, uric acid, and sulfhydryl groups declined, whereas vitamin E rose and bilirubin followed its typical biphasic postnatal course. The influence of these changes on the plasma peroxyl radical trapping capacity was assessed in vitro (TRAP assay). The trapping capacity decreased postnatally and this appeared to be related to the coincident fall in uric acid concentrations. Results did not differ between babies fed with only preterm formula (n = 12) and those fed predominantly with human milk (n = 6), except for higher bilirubin and TRAP values in the breast-fed infants. There are major postnatal changes in the concentrations of the plasma chain-breaking antioxidants and this may influence the susceptibility of the preterm baby to oxygen toxicity.

This retrospective study evaluates our strategy to limit prosthetic reconstructions for aortoiliac obstructive disease to the diseased segments in 518 patients. There were 363 (70%) reconstructions without femoral anastomotic sites (FEM-0), 107 (21%) reconstructions with one femoral anastomotic site (FEM-1), and 48 (9%) aortobifemoral reconstructions (FEM-2). The ischemic symptoms and the extent of obstructions were significantly more severe in the FEM-1 and FEM-2 groups than in the FEM-0 group. Early operative results were comparable in all three groups. The difference in outcome became apparent when the long-term results were considered. Long-term follow-up continued for up to 20 years after the operation. Primary and secondary patency rates were significantly higher in the FEM-0 group (9% and 4% recurrent obstructions per 5 years, respectively) than in the FEM-1 and FEM-2 groups (both 14% and 10%, respectively), which was explained by patient selection. Late additional surgery was performed after aortoiliac procedures in most cases for recurrent aortoiliac obstruction and after aortofemoral procedures in most cases for false aneurysms. The risk of late additional operations during long-term follow-up were significantly lower in the FEM-0 group than in the FEM-1 and FEM-2 groups. These results support our strategy to tailor prosthetic reconstructive surgery to the individual status of the aortoiliac arteries.

International dispute resolution continues to evolve under GATT, with the rules of competition becoming more solidified, as the number of disputes and the methods for resolving them grows. The advent of established rules will facilitate such resolution by making it more automatic and legislative. However, consultation and negotiation between the two disputing parties will continue to be encouraged. Resolution of the dispute between the US and the EC over the EC's subsidization of the oilseed industry illustrates the constructive nature of such a process.

Studies of popliteal aneurysms, localized thinning of the wall of the artery in the knee area, indicate that clot formation is a frequent complication, which is often associated with amputation. Early diagnosis of these aneurysms and reconstructive surgery have been shown to prevent these complications. Although it has been observed that multiple aneurysms may be present at the time the popliteal aneurysm is identified, there is no information available concerning the risk for developing new aneurysms. A study was undertaken of 50 patients treated for 71 popliteal aneurysms to determine the long-term results of surgical and nonsurgical treatment, and to determine if these patients were at increased risk for developing new aneurysms. Follow-up ranged from 1 month to 23 years; average follow-up was five years. Initial treatment was nonsurgical for 25 aneurysms (35 percent) and surgical for 46 (65 percent). Of the 25 initially treated nonsurgically, 21 were without symptoms, and 12 of these developed complications (57 percent); two of the four symptomatic aneurysms lead to complications. There was a 74 percent probability of developing complications within five years. For those who received surgical treatment, 10-year follow-up revealed a 64 percent graft patency; amputation was avoided in 95 percent. Sixteen patients (32 percent) developed arteriosclerotic aneurysms at other locations. Ten years after surgery, the probability of developing a new aneurysm was 49 percent. Overall, the most significant risk factor was multiple, isolated aneurysms at the time of initial diagnosis; these patients had the highest mortality. These results confirm the potential of untreated popliteal aneurysm to result in loss of limb, as well as being associated with an increased risk for new aneurysm formation. Patients with popliteal artery aneurysm should undergo preventative surgery and be followed closely. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Premature infants may undergo developmental assessment so that those with developmental delays or impairments in vision, hearing, or other areas might be identified and treated early. These infants may benefit from stimulation programs. However, there is no generally accepted approach for assessing these infants to take into account their preterm status. Correction for the full extent, half, or none of the prematurity has been advocated for different purposes. Early identification might be aided by using chronological age without correction, while parental anxiety and over-referral of infants to stimulation programs may be avoided if full correction is used. Another consideration is that full compensation for prematurity sometimes leads to overcorrection. To better determine how correction for premature birth should be applied, the developmental milestones of 555 non-handicapped premature infants were compared with those of 550 non-handicapped full-term infants. When corrected age was used, 80 to 99 percent of premature children achieved appropriate milestones, while only 30 to 80 percent did so when chronologic age was used. However, over 90 percent scored appropriately, regardless of correction, when tested at two years of age. The distribution of children's performance was more varied in premature than in term children, which may reflect the effect of prematurity or of environmental stimulation. The results suggest that correction for prematurity during developmental assessment is appropriate during the first but not the second year of life. A longer-term study is needed to determine whether this conclusion can be applied to language problems that are detectable only at later ages. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)