cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Corrosive behavior of multi-phased quasicrystal alloys

Abstract Six quasicrystal alloys were created by varying their composition and subsequent microstructure. The corrosion of those quasicrystal alloys was investigated in an artificial seawater (3.5% NaCl solution) environment. These samples were tested in electrochemical experiments to obtain a current density and a corrosion rate. The results revealed that chemical composition and microstructure determined the corrosive behaviors of quasicrystal alloys. Specifically, Fe-based λ-phase showed pitting corrosion; while Cu-based β-phase and icosahedral-phase exhibited corrosion resistance. In the case of multi-phased alloys consisting of quasicrystal, they showed various corrosive behaviors according to the combination of phases. The alloys with λ-phase led to the higher current density and corrosion rate displaying pitting, galvanic, intergranular, and crevice corrosion. Meanwhile, the alloys with i-phase produced the lower current density and corrosion rate, presenting only weak galvanic and crevice corrosion. Additionally, higher concentrations of i-phase improve the corrosion resistance of multi-phase quasicrystal alloys. The understanding of corrosion mechanisms in quasicrystal alloys will open the way for the development of metal alloys that can be used in marine conditions.
Effects of Subterranean Limestone Sinks and Agricultural Development on Benthic Macroinvertebrate Communities of Canyon Creek (Wyoming)

This study documented and assessed benthic macroinvertebrate communities on a section of Canyon Creek through Tensleep Preserve in Washakie County, Wyoming, USA. Data for these communities are compared with previous samples collected downstream on agricultural land, as well as upstream and downstream from two subterranean, limestone sinks on the preserve. A shift from Plecoptera, Coleoptera, and Ephemeroptera to mainly Ephemeroptera to mainly Trichoptera was observed from the uppermost to the lowermost sites; Chironomidae and Diptera dominated the previously sampled section. High proportions of scrapers in sampled communities on the preserve beginning downstream of the upstream sink system suggested a prevalence of autochthonous detritus over allochthonous detritus at these sites. Macroinvertebrate community compositions and calculated metrics indicated high water quality for sites on the preserve and lower water quality for the agriculturally impacted sites. Ten taxa recorded from samples between the subterranean sinks were not recorded elsewhere. The mayfly Ameletus validus was abundant at the exit of the upper sink system at which the substrate was lined with irregular limestone slabs, and this taxon may be limited to the interior of this sink. Neothremma is identified as a feasible indicator taxon for climate change.
Parent-offspring conflict, ecology, and life history diversification of livebearing fishes

Major shifts in life history evolution - such as the transition from pre- to post-fertilization maternal provisioning in viviparous organisms - require complex morphological and physiological adaptations. The conditions under which these transitions arise remain largely unexplored. Theory postulates that parent-offspring conflict can drive diversification in maternal provisioning strategies, but while alternative hypotheses focusing on sexual selection and ecological adaptation have been proposed, neither have been evaluated comparatively. Livebearing fishes (Poeciliidae) have provided important insights into life history evolution due to variation in maternal provisioning strategies, mating systems, and ecology. Comparative analyses of temporal dynamics across 94 species revealed that repeated shifts from lecithotrophy (pre-fertilization provisioning) to matrotrophy (post-fertilization provisioning) preceded concomitant changes in sexual selection, establishing a previously missing causal link in the correlated evolution of life history and mating systems. Adaptive hypotheses of matrotrophy evolution were supported by correlations between ecological variables and the extent of post-fertilization provisioning. Consistent with theoretical models, matrotrophy was associated with environments exhibiting high primary productivity and low competition. In contrast, results did not support strictly conflict-driven scenarios of matrotrophy evolution. Bi-directional evolution along the lecithotrophy-matrotrophy continuum contradicted the expectation of intraspecific Red Queen dynamics with perpetual increases in post-fertilization provisioning. Our results demonstrate that parent-offspring conflict alone is not sufficient to explain the evolution of matrotrophy, but may play a role in conjunction with ecological mechanisms. We propose that natural selection mediated by resource availability counterbalances conflict-fueled - potentially maladaptive - increases in matrotrophy.
Doctor - Should I get the COVID-19 vaccine? Infection and Immunization in Individuals with Neuromuscular Disorders

The clinical course of neuromuscular disorders (NMDs) can be affected by infections, both in immunocompetent individuals, and in those with reduced immunocompetence due to immunosuppressive/immunomodulating therapies. Infections and immunizations may also trigger NMDs. There is a potential for reduced efficacy of immunizations in patients with reduced immunocompetence. The recent vaccination program for coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) raises several questions regarding the safety and efficacy of this vaccine in individuals with NMDs. In this Practice Topic article, we address the role of vaccine-preventable infections in NMDs and the safety and efficacy of immunization in individuals with NMDs, with emphasis on vaccination against COVID-19.
Intestinal rehabilitation with ultrashort bowel syndrome due to necrotizing fungal enteritis

Abstract Introduction Ultra-short bowel syndrome (USBS) was once considered incompatible with life. It can be secondary to multiple cases but most rarely infection or autoimmune disease. Case: We discuss a 13-yr old female with Polyarteritis Nodosa complicated by a necrotizing fungal infection due to C. tropicalis who developed USBS after requiring extensive resection of her bowel, omentum and abdominal wall due to an invasive fungal infection, leaving her with less than 5 cm of jejunum and residual left colon. With intestinal rehabilitation she was able to be weaned down to 70% enteral nutrition and 30% TPN. Conclusion Ultra-short bowel syndrome is increasing in the pediatric population as rates of survival continue to improve. After management of the acute disease, in this case severe infection and vascular disease, long term management with a focus on providing high-quality multidisciplinary intestinal rehabilitation is vital as well as minimizing PN complications.
Evaluating the impact of keeping indoor dining closed on COVID-19 rates among large US cities: a quasi-experimental design

ObjectiveIndoor dining is one of the potential key drivers of COVID-19 transmission. We leverage the heterogeneity in state government preemption of city indoor dining closures, to estimate the impact of keeping indoor dining closed on COVID-19 incidence. MethodsWe obtained case rates and city/state re-opening dates from March to October 2020 in 11 U.S. cities. We categorized cities as (treatment) cities that were allowed by the state to reopen but kept indoor dining closed; and (comparison) cities that would have kept indoor dining closed but were preempted by their state and had to reopen indoor dining. ResultsKeeping indoor dining closed was associated with a 43% (IRR=0.57, 95% CI 0.46 to 0.69) decline in COVID-19 incidence over 4-weeks compared with cities that reopened indoor dining. These results were consistent after testing alternative modeling strategies. ConclusionsKeeping indoor dining closed contributes to reductions in COVID-19 spread. Policy ImplicationsEvidence of the relationship between indoor dining and COVID-19 incidence can inform state and local decisions to restrict indoor dining as a tailored strategy to reduce COVID-19 incidence.
Analysis of factors that drives arthrocentesis for suspected septic joint.

Introduction:This study aims to develop a simple diagnostic criterion that could be used to justify arthrocentesis in adults with suspected septic arthritis. Our hypothesis is that no single factor...
Ode to Leah.

I met Leah in the summer of 2020, when the rhododendrons were blooming in Boston, and Anthropology and Medicine asked me to review an article she had submitted for inclusion in this special issue o...
Geometry of the Melnikov vector

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the geometry of the Melnikov vector in higher dimensional cases and extends the theories for the two-dimensional case to higher dimensional cases. Palmer showed that the linear variational system along the homoclinic orbit of the unperturbed autonomous system has exponential dichotomies on half-lines. Using this fact, explicit expressions of the local stable and unstable manifolds of the perturbed system is derived. The case of Palmer in higher dimensional cases is used to derive the Melnikov vector. The chapter introduces a notion of an index of a homoclinic or heteroclinic orbit, which is useful to classify the cases that can occur in higher dimensional cases. It discusses a relation between the dimension of the Melnikov vector and the index of the homoclinic or heteroclinic orbit. Numerical aspect of the Melnikov vector is also discussed in the chapter. Several special cases in which the Melnikov vectors take simpler forms are considered and the tangency of the stable and unstable manifolds is discussed in the chapter. These general theories are applied to Hamiltonian systems. These theories are extended to the case of a heteroclinic orbit for invariant tori and as a by-product a formula is derived that guarantees the transversal intersection of the stable and unstable manifolds of a two-dimensional system with a quasi-periodic perturbation.
Mechanical destruction of erythrocytes by incompetent aortic valvular prostheses

Abstract The clinical, hemodynamic, and hematologic findings are described in 5 patients in whom severe intravascular destruction of erythrocytes resulted from incompetent prosthetic aortic valves. In each, an enzymatic or immunologic basis for anemia was excluded, and grossly attenuated survival of Cr 51 -labeled red cells was demonstrated. Destruction of erythrocytes was attributed to turbulent flow and shearing forces rather than to direct mechanical impact. In 1 patient, the half-life of tagged cells increased from 9.5 to 21 days after an incompetent Teflon valve was replaced with a prosthesis of the caged-ball type. The magnitude of regurgitant blood flow is an important determinant of the frequency with which a cell is subjected to trauma, and the derivation and application of a formula relating these variables is presented.
Model-based monitoring and control of batch pulp digester

In a recent work by Lee and Datta (1994), the feasibility of applying a model-based dynamic estimation and control technique was tested. It was shown that reliable monitoring and control of the Kappa number can be achieved, even in the presence of significant errors in the initial state estimates, given that the model parameters can be adapted efficiently. However, since the available fundamental pulping models are of very high-order involving many parameters, simultaneous update of the states and parameters resulted in an ill-conditioned estimation problem, leading to unacceptably slow convergence or divergence. This indicated a need for a reduced-order model that captures the essential aspects of the pulping dynamics. Development of such a model and testing of its suitableness for online use are topics of this paper. We verify the adequacy of the proposed reduced-order model and its online adaptability by applying a standard model-based nonlinear estimation and predictive control technique.
Control of Sodium Excretion: An Integrative Approach

The sections in this article are: 1 Intrarenal Hemodynamic Control of Sodium Excretion 1.1 Effects of Peritubular Starling Forces on Sodium Excretion 1.2 Effects of Medullary Blood Flow on Sodium Excretion 1.3 Effects of Renal Perfusion Pressure on Sodium Excretion 2 Neural Control of Sodium Excretion 2.1 Sodium Intake and Body Fluid Volumes 2.2 Low-Pressure Baroreceptors 2.3 Renal Sympathetic Nerve Activity 3 Hormonal Control of Sodium Excretion 3.1 Renin–Angiotensin–Aldosterone System 3.2 Renal Prostaglandin System 3.3 Renal Kallikrein–Kinin System 3.4 Natriuretic Hormone 3.5 Atrial Natriuretic Peptide 4 Summary
Wideband HF over-the-air performance test results

A new US military HF data modem standard defining a family of wideband HF data waveforms supporting bandwidths from 3 kHz to 24 kHz in increments of 3 kHz has recently been completed and ratified. The discussion begins with a brief overview of HF data transport requirements leading to the waveform design and interoperability considerations for the expanded bandwidth. The scope of the test results described in this paper is restricted to broadcast- type Wideband HF (WBHF) data links using the longer interleaver options, long (6.83 to 9.10 seconds) and medium (1.71 to 2.80 seconds). The paper reviews Block Error Rate performance over links between different geographical locations and varying power amplifier average output power levels.
Implementing overlapping domain decomposition methods on a virtual parallel machine

To solve many partial differential equations of different types domain decomposition techniques were developed. Such algorithms are generally very well suited for implementation on a virtual parallel machine, simulated on a distributed system. While such algorithms are readily available and well established in the literature, authors do usually not concern themselves with questions of the practical implementability of their algorithms. In particular issues such as finding the optimal size of overlap in domain decompositions, finding the most effective number of subdomains or deciding whether to use exact or inexact subdomain solvers are beyond the scope of these results. In this paper we will address these questions. We first develop suitable domain decomposition algorithms for our virtual parallel machine. Through numerical experiments using our algorithms we then show that smaller linear systems work well even without any overlap while larger systems require that at least 10% of the subdomain size overlap to have convergency. The data also indicates that between 20% to 35% of the subdomain is the optimal overlap size. We next increase the number of subdomains and analyze its effect on the parallel solver. Our data shows that for a sufficiently large linear system computational speed of convergence improves significantly as the number of subdomains increases. We finally compare the effectiveness of exact and inexact domain solvers and show that the appropriate choice of the number of iterations in the worker algorithm, is much more efficient in the inexact solver than in the exact solver.
An Investigation of Antecedents and Consequences of Consumers’ Attitudes Toward an Apparel Website.

The percentage of U.S. consumers shopping and purchasing through the Internet is growing. The consumer has adapted to using the Internet to purchase products and retailers have profited from this new channel. Although the Internet is becoming an important part of business as well as consumers’ daily lives, little is known about how a website provides competitive advantage to a retailer and what makes a website appealing to consumers. In order to address the gap in research that exists regarding why and how consumers identify with online apparel retailers, the purpose of this research is to examine the relationship between website attributes (e.g., perceived attractiveness, informativeness), e-service quality (e.g., efficiency, fulfillment, system availability) and consumer-company identification for online information search and purchase behavior. More specifically, this research examines the links between consumer-company identification, perceived usefulness, and attitude toward a website, and their implications for the behavioral intention of consumers. Behavioral intention includes the consumer’s intention to search for information and intention to purchase within the online environment. Very little research has been done that connects consumer-company identification with information search and purchase behavior of apparel consumers in the online context. Combining elements from Social identity Theory and Technology Acceptance Model, this study proposes a conceptual model that builds on the Technology Acceptance Model and tests a total of seven hypotheses developed based on the key constructs and literature. Survey data were collected from a convenience sample of 291 students at the ii University of North Carolina at Greensboro, based on a pre-selected website (American Eagle: www.ae.com). Structural Equation Modeling was used to test the hypothesized relationships. Findings revealed that six of the seven hypothesized relationships were supported. This study makes several contributions to the literature. First, this study tests consumer-company identification to provide implications for Internet retailing. Second, the research provides important insights into consumers’ search and purchase intentions in relation to consumer-company identification with, perceived usefulness of, and attitude toward a website. Third, discussion of the relationship between website design attributes, e-service quality attributes and perceived usefulness provides suggestions for online marketing strategy. Fourth, this research connects psychological concepts like identity and organization identification with business strategies and consumer decision-making. Finally, this research confirms the unique value of Internet technology to retailing and emphasizes the importance of online store attributes to search and purchase intention.
Incidence and impact of postoperative atrial fibrillation after minimally invasive esophagectomy

Atrial fibrillation (AF) following open esophagectomy has been associated with increased rates of pulmonary and anastomotic complications, and mortality. This study seeks to evaluate effects of AF after minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE). A retrospective review of patients consecutively treated with MIE for esophageal carcinoma, dysplasia. and benign disease from November 2006 to November 2011 was performed. One hundred twenty-one patients underwent MIE. Median age was 65 years (range 26-88) with 85% being male. Thirty-eight (31.4%) patients developed AF postoperatively. Of these 38 patients, 7 (18.4%) had known AF preoperatively. Patients with postoperative AF were significantly older than those without postoperative AF (68.7 vs. 62.8 years, P = 0.008) and more likely to be male (94.7% vs. 80.7%, P = 0.04). Neoadjuvant chemoradiation showed a trend toward increased risk of AF (73.7% vs 56.6%, P = 0.07). Sixty-day mortality was 2 of 38 (5.3%) in patients with AF and 4 of 83 (6.0%) in the no AF cohort (P = 1.00). The group with AF had increased length of hospitalization (13.4 days vs. 10.6 days P = 0.02). No significant differences in rates of pneumonia (31.6% vs. 21.7% P = 0.24), stricture (13.2% vs. 26.5% P = 0.10), or leak requiring return to operating room (13.2% vs. 8.4% P = 0.51) were noted between groups. We did not find an increased rate of AF in our MIE cohort compared with prior reported rates in open esophagectomy populations. AF did result in an increased length of stay but was not a predictor of other short-term morbidities including anastomotic leak, pulmonary complications, stenosis, or 60-day mortality.
The New Jurisprudence of the Necessary and Proper Clause

Several recent Supreme Court decisions evidence reinvigorated principles of federalism and an increased willingness to strike down legislation as beyond the power of Congress. In this article, Professor Beck considers this trend in light of the persistent debate surrounding the implied powers of Congress under the Necessary and Proper Clause. Because the Necessary and Proper Clause represents the outer boundary of congressional authority, consideration of this provision necessarily illuminates discussions of state sovereignty and reserved powers. The article begins with an historical overview of the Framers’ understanding of the Necessary and Proper Clause, leading up to the Supreme Court’s decision in McCulloch v. Maryland. The Court’s decision in McCulloch, through Chief Justice Marshall, laid the groundwork for our modern understanding of the clause. An historical account of the Necessary and Proper Clause demonstrates that the “propriety” limitation is best understood as requiring an appropriate relationship between congressional ends and means. The propriety requirement should not be understood to provide textual support for free-standing principles of federalism, such as state sovereign immunity or the prohibition against commandeering of state officials. Thus, the article concludes that the Court’s reliance on the propriety limitation in Printz v. United States and Alden v. Maine was misplaced. These decisions must be justified, if at all, on the structural and historical arguments employed by the Court. At the same time, in two recent commerce-power decisions, United States v. Lopez and United States v. Morrison, the Court failed to invoke the Necessary and Proper Clause where the propriety limitation was exactly apposite, and supported the Court’s analysis. Constitutional doctrine will benefit from this historical account of the Necessary and Proper Clause, as it highlights the modern implications of Chief Justice Marshall’s understanding of the judicially enforceable limitations on congressional power. Full text of the article is available at the University of Georgia School of Law Digital Commons website.
Child Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT) Treatment Manual : A 10-Session Filial Therapy Model for Training Parents

This manual is the highly recommended companion to CPRT: A 10-Session Filial Therapy Model. Accompanied by a CD-Rom of training materials, which allows for ease of reproduction and enhanced usability, the workbook will help the facilitator of the filial training and will provide a much needed educational outline to allow filial therapists to pass their knowledge on to parents. The Treatment Manual provides a comprehensive outline and detailed guidelines for each of the ten sessions, facilitating the training process for both the parents and the therapist. The book contains a designed structure for the therapy training described in the book, with child-centered play therapy principles and skills, such as reflective listening, recognizing and responding to children’s feelings, therapeutic limit setting, building children’s self-esteem, and structuring required weekly play sessions with their children using a special kit of selected toys. Bratton and her co-authors recommend teaching aids, course materials, and activities for each session, as well as worksheets for parents to complete between sessions. By using this workbook and CD-Rom to accompany the CPRT book, filial therapy leaders will have a complete package for use in training parents to act as therapeutic agents with their own children. They provide the therapist with a complete package for training parents to act as therapeutic agents with their own children.
Functional and Structural Characterization of Human V3-Specific Monoclonal Antibody 2424 with Neutralizing Activity against HIV-1 JRFL

The V3 region of HIV-1 gp120 is important for virus-coreceptor interaction and highly immunogenic. Although most anti-V3 antibodies neutralize only the sensitive tier 1 viruses, anti-V3 antibodies effective against the more resistant viruses exist, and a better understanding of these antibodies and their epitopes would be beneficial for the development of novel vaccine immunogens against HIV. The HIV-1 isolate JRFL with its cryptic V3 is resistant to most V3-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). However, the V3 MAb 2424 achieves 100% neutralization against JRFL. 2424 is encoded by IGHV3-53 and IGLV2-28 genes, a pairing rarely used by the other V3 MAbs. 2424 also has distinct binding and neutralization profiles. Studies of 2424-mediated neutralization of JRFL produced with a mannosidase inhibitor further revealed that its neutralizing activity is unaffected by the glycan composition of the virus envelope. To understand the distinct activity of 2424, we determined the crystal structure of 2424 Fab in complex with a JRFL V3 peptide and showed that the 2424 epitope is located at the tip of the V3 crown (307IHIGPGRAFYT319), dominated by interactions with HisP308, ProP313, and ArgP315. The binding mode of 2424 is similar to that of the well-characterized MAb 447-52D, although 2424 is more side chain dependent. The 2424 epitope is focused on the very apex of V3, away from nearby glycans, facilitating antibody access. This feature distinguishes the 2424 epitope from the other V3 crown epitopes and indicates that the tip of V3 is a potential site to target and incorporate into HIV vaccine immunogens. IMPORTANCE HIV/AIDS vaccines are crucial for controlling the HIV epidemics that continue to afflict millions of people worldwide. However, HIV vaccine development has been hampered by significant scientific challenges, one of which is the inability of HIV vaccine candidates evaluated thus far to elicit production of potent and broadly neutralizing antibodies. The V3 loop is one of the few immunogenic targets on the virus envelope glycoprotein that can induce neutralizing antibodies, but in many viruses, parts of V3 are inaccessible for antibody recognition. This study examined a V3-specific monoclonal antibody that can completely neutralize HIV-1 JRFL, a virus isolate resistant to most V3 antibodies. Our data reveal that this antibody recognizes the most distal tip of V3, which is not as occluded as other parts of V3. Hence, the epitope of 2424 is in one of the vulnerable sites on the virus that may be exploited in designing HIV vaccine immunogens.
Two Types of Recombination Hotspots in Bacteriophage T4: One Requires DNA Damage and a Replication Origin and the Other Does Not

Recombination hotspots have previously been discovered in bacteriophage T4 by two different approaches, marker rescue recombination from heavily damaged phage genomes and recombination during co-infection by two undamaged phage genomes. The phage replication origin ori(34) is located in a region that has a hotspot in both assays. To determine the relationship between the origin and the two kinds of hotspots, we generated phage carrying point mutations that should inactivate ori(34) but not affect the gene 34 reading frame (within which ori(34) is located). The mutations eliminated the function of the origin, as judged by both autonomous replication of plasmids during T4 infection and two-dimensional gel analysis of phage genomic replication intermediates. As expected from past studies, the ori(34) mutations also eliminated the hotspot for marker rescue recombination from UV-irradiated genomes. However, the origin mutations had no effect on the recombination hotspot that is observed with co-infecting undamaged phage genomes, demonstrating that some DNA sequence other than the origin is responsible for inflated recombination between undamaged genomes. The hotspots for marker rescue recombination may result from a replication fork restart process that acts upon origin-initiated replication forks that become blocked at nearby DNA damage. The two-dimensional gel analysis also revealed phage T4 replication intermediates not previously detected by this method, including origin theta forms.
Acute Myeloid Leukemia With Recurrent Cytogenetic Abnormalities

Objectives: Session 1 of the 2013 Society for Hematopathology/European Association for Hematopathology Workshop was devoted to the cases of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with recurrent cytogenetic abnormalities. Methods: Based on World Health Organization 2008 criteria, seven specific translocations are defined as “recurrent” in AML. Of these seven, three are considered to be AML defining regardless of blast percentage. Workshop cases provided the opportunity to consider potential new AML-defining cytogenetic mutations, as well as other unique aspects of AML with cytogenetic abnormalities. Results: Most of the 38 cases submitted were acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) with t(15;17)(q24.1;q21.1) and so-called variants (12 cases), AML with t(8;21)(q22;q22) (seven cases), AML with inv(3)(q11q26.2) (six cases), and AML with 11q23 translocations (five cases). Conclusions: This review focuses on providing updated recommendations for the rapid diagnosis of APL, discussing the types and significance of variant RARA mutations in APL-like leukemias, and refining low-blast-count (oligoblastic) AML. In addition, the significance of unique morphologic, immunophenotypic, and genetic variations in AML defined by a recurrent cytogenetic abnormality is included.
Anti‐G in a pregnant patient

BACKGROUND: Anti-G is a red cell (RBC) antibody of the Rh system. It has been described in pregnant women only in association with anti-D or anti-C; therefore, the ability of this antibody alone to cause hemolytic disease of the newborn is uncertain. One case in which this antibody caused no clinical sequelae is reported. CASE REPORT: The patient was a 35-year-old primigravida with type O, Dn, Cn, En, c+ RBCs who was given 4 units of type O, Dn allogeneic RBCs and 2 units of autologous RBCs 2 years antepartum. She was found to have anti-D and anti-C by an outside laboratory as part of a routine prenatal work-up. Further evaluation by our laboratory revealed the presence of anti-G and possible anti-C without anti-D. Titers at 22 weeksi gestation were 64 against r′r RBCs and 16 against R2R2 RBCs; these remained unchanged throughout the pregnancy. Amniocentesis performed at Weeks 28 and 32 showed no evidence of hemolytic disease of the newborn. A healthy 3.3-kg infant was delivered at 36 weeksi gestation. Prophylactic Rh immune globulin was administered antepartum and postpartum. The infantis RBCs were type O, D+, c+ Cn, En, and the direct antiglobulin test was positive. An acid eluate prepared from the babyis RBCs revealed anti-G. The total bilirubin was 5.5 mg per dL at birth, and the hematocrit was 66 percent. Total bilirubin peaked on Day 5 at 11.9 mg per dL, and no therapeutic intervention was required. CONCLUSIONS: Anti-G alone caused little if any fetal or neonatal hemolysis in this case. Although further study is needed, invasive fetal monitoring may be unnecessary if anti-G is the sole cause of fetomaternal RBC incompatibility.
Synthesis and characterization of volatile, fluorine-free β-ketoiminate lanthanide MOCVD precursors and their implementation in low-temperature growth of epitaxial CeO2 buffer layers for superconducting electronics

A new class of volatile, low-melting, fluorine-free lanthanide metal−organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) precursors has been developed. The neutral, monomeric Ce, Nd, Gd, and Er complexes are coordinatively saturated by a versatile, multidentate ether-functionalized β-ketoiminato ligand series, the melting point and volatility characteristics of which can be tuned by altering the alkyl substituents on the keto, imino, and ether sites of the ligand. Direct comparison with conventional lanthanide β-diketonate complexes reveals that the present precursor class is a superior choice for lanthanide oxide MOCVD. Epitaxial CeO2 buffer layer films can be grown on (001) YSZ substrates by MOCVD at significantly lower temperatures (450−650 °C) than previously possible by using one of the newly developed cerium β-ketoiminate precursors. Films deposited at 540 °C have good out-of-plane (Δω = 0.85°) and in-plane (Δφ = 1.65°) alignment and smooth surfaces (rms roughness ∼ 4.3 A). The film growth rate decreases and ...
Lessons from the Expansion of the National Training Center at Fort Irwin

From 1985 to 2001 the Army attempted to expand its National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California. In 1991 a draft jeopardy biological opinion by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service derailed the expansion process and took away valuable land from training along the southern portion of the installation. During the next decade there was an impasse between the Army and the Department of Interior. In 1999 the Army undertook a new strategy. It attempted to tie the expansion of Fort Irwin to the recovery of the desert tortoise. Through negotiation and consultation with scientists, the Army developed an expansion plan that helped recover the desert tortoise and provide needed training land. In 2001 Congress adopted legislation to implement expansion. This process revealed several lessons that will make it easier to solve the next endangered-species problem that confronts the two agencies. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.*
Rationing antibiotic use in neonatal units.

In Oxford in 1987 penicillin G and gentamicin were being used to treat babies with suspected early onset sepsis (within 48 hours of birth), and flucloxacillin and gentamicin to treat suspected late onset sepsis.1 The organisms responsible for early onset sepsis have changed very little since then,2 3 with group B streptococci and Escherichia coli still the major causative organisms, and penicillin G or ampicillin, together with an aminoglycoside, still appropriate empiric treatment for suspected early onset infection. In contrast, the organisms responsible for late sepsis have changed. The most commonly isolated organisms from babies with late onset sepsis, responsible for 50% or more episodes of systemic sepsis in Australia,4 the USA,5 Britain6and many other countries, are now coagulase negative staphylococci. Most of these—over 90% of those cultured in Australia—are methicillin resistant.4 Only half of the isolates of coagulase negative staphylococci in Australia are associated with the presence of a central silastic intravascular cannula.4 As a result of the increase in staphylococcal infections, many neonatal units in Australia and the United Kingdom use vancomycin as part of their first line empiric treatment for suspected late onset sepsis. Vancomycin is a glycopeptide antibiotic, originally introduced in the 1960s, which lost favour because of perceived toxicity, but was re-introduced because it is active against methicillin resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and coagulase negative staphylococci. Vancomycin is active against most Gram positive organisms, but not against Gram negative organisms or anaerobes. The emergence of Gram positive organisms which …
PHOTOPRODUCTION OF SINGLE POSITIVE PIONS FROM HYDROGEN IN THE 600- TO 1000- Mev REGION

Magnetic spectrometer measurements of pions from the reactions gamma + p -- pi + n, initiated by a bremsstrahlung beam in a liquid hydrogen target, have been extended to cover a range of 20 to about 163 in the center- ofmomentum system for laboratory photon energies of total cross section data are given. (T.B.A.)
Nutrient-Content and Health Claims Labeling on Oregon Restaurant Menus

Abstract The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently amended its food-labeling regulations, removing the provisions exempting restaurant menus from conforming to standards for nutrient-content and health claims. This research describes Oregon restaurateurs' perceptions of the new FDA menu-labeling regulations, experience with nutrition labeling and the impact of the regulations on labeling practices. A statewide survey of 322 randomly selected Oregon restaurateurs resulted in 160 completed questionnaires, representing a 50% response rate. Forty-five percent of respondents were using nutrition labeling, 12% had past experience with nutrition labeling and 43% had never used nutrition labeling. Benefits associated with nutrition labeling included expanding customer base, increasing sales, fulfilling customers* wishes, and satisfying personal beliefs in healthy dining. Lack of customer interest and the new FDA regulations were the most frequently cited factors involved'in the decision not to use nutrition labeling. Only 8% of respondents believed the new FDA regulations had affected their operations and 27% of respondents were unaware of the new regulations. Overall understanding of the new regulations was poor however the majority of respondents (55%) were interested in learning more about making nutrition claims on their menus. Although the National Restaurant Association (NRA) was the preferred resource for nutrition labeling information, many opportunities exist for dietitians in the area of nutrition and health claims labeling on restaurant menus.
Thermal tolerance of Strongylocentrotus purpuratus early life history stages: mortality, stress-induced gene expression and biogeographic patterns.

In this study, we examined the differential thermal tolerance of Strongylocentrotus purpuratus early life history stages by comparing high temperature–induced mortality and the relative levels of the stress-induced gene, hsp70, between S. purpuratus embryos and larvae from adults collected throughout the species range. There was no significant difference between gastrulae and 4-arm plutei mortality from all sites examined. Furthermore, there was little variability in temperature tolerance across the biogeographic range as southern gastrulae and 4-arm plutei exhibited similar tolerances to northern individuals. Relative levels of hsp70 mRNA expression did not differ overall between the two developmental stages at each site. Across sites, all gastrulae and 4-arm plutei exhibited maximum hsp70 expression at approximately 25°C; however, the range of hsp70 expression was narrower in southern individuals, suggesting they are living closer to their upper thermal limit than northern individuals.
Next-generation sequencing of the Trichinella murrelli mitochondrial genome allows comprehensive comparison of its divergence from the principal agent of human trichinellosis, Trichinella spiralis

The mitochondrial genome's non-recombinant mode of inheritance and relatively rapid rate of evolution has promoted its use as a marker for studying the biogeographic history and evolutionary interrelationships among many metazoan species. A modest portion of the mitochondrial genome has been defined for 12 species and genotypes of parasites in the genus Trichinella, but its adequacy in representing the mitochondrial genome as a whole remains unclear, as the complete coding sequence has been characterized only for Trichinella spiralis. Here, we sought to comprehensively describe the extent and nature of divergence between the mitochondrial genomes of T. spiralis (which poses the most appreciable zoonotic risk owing to its capacity to establish persistent infections in domestic pigs) and Trichinella murrelli (which is the most prevalent species in North American wildlife hosts, but which poses relatively little risk to the safety of pork). Next generation sequencing methodologies and scaffold and de novo assembly strategies were employed. The entire protein-coding region was sequenced (13,917 bp), along with a portion of the highly repetitive non-coding region (1524 bp) of the mitochondrial genome of T. murrelli with a combined average read depth of 250 reads. The accuracy of base calling, estimated from coding region sequence was found to exceed 99.3%. Genome content and gene order was not found to be significantly different from that of T. spiralis. An overall inter-species sequence divergence of 9.5% was estimated. Significant variation was identified when the amount of variation between species at each gene is compared to the average amount of variation between species across the coding region. Next generation sequencing is a highly effective means to obtain previously unknown mitochondrial genome sequence. Particular to parasites, the extremely deep coverage achieved through this method allows for the detection of sequence heterogeneity between the multiple individuals that necessarily comprise such templates.
Characterization of styrene polymerization in microemulsions by Raman spectroscopy

Abstract Most previous studies in microemulsion polymerization have focused on the characterization of the M w and molecular weight distribution (MWD) of latexes after complete conversion, but little is known about the reaction kinetics. This paper reports the use of in situ Raman spectroscopy to follow the conversion of styrene in SDS/pentanol/water microemulsion in real time. The original microemulsion composition is found to be an important factor affecting the kinetic behavior of microemulsion polymerization. Oil-soluble initiator, AIBN and water-soluble initiator, KPS show different effects on reaction kinetics in microemulsion polymerization. Interestingly, some of the AIBN-initiated microemulsion polymerizations show multi-stage characteristic conversion rate behavior, which may be related to the bimodal distribution of polymer latex observed by other investigators.
Partial fourth order electron propagator theory

Third order diagonal self-energies are augmented with fourth order terms that are easily determined from by-products of a third order calculation. Comparisons are made with the outer valence approximation, a method for estimating fourth and higher order terms. The number of operations needed for all of these procedures is less than the number required for the limited two electron integral transformation. Improved one-electron reduced density matrices are another useful by-product of these calculations. The present methods are applied to calculating the ionization energies and dipole moments of the anions F−, OH−, NH, Cl−, SH−, PH2−, and CN−. The basis sets used in these calculations have been shown to be sufficiently flexible in a variety of calculations.
GaAsAlAs quantum well magneto-exciton spectrum — theory and experiment

Abstract A theory is developed for the magnetic field substates of the e 1 -hh 1 , and e 2 -hh 2 excitons of a GaAsAlAs quantum well. The theory accounts for the Coulomb potential between the electron and hole, the magnetic field, and the finite width of the quantum well. These results are compared to a direct reflectivity experiment where several magnetic substates of the e 1 -hh 1 and e 2 -hh 2 excitons are observed. The binding energy and diamagnetic shift agree well for e 1 -hh 1 , but a significant discrepancy is noted for e 2 -hh 2 . The discrepancy is interpreted in terms of a need for a more complete band structure theory.
Effects of Synthetic Fertilizer on Coffee Yields and Ecosystem Services: Parasitoids and Soil Glomalin in a Costa Rican Coffee Agroecosystem

We explored the relationships between synthetic fertilizer use, yield, and ecosystem services in a coffee agroecosystem in the Tarrazu region in the central highlands of Costa Rica. Working in nine farms ranging from 0.3 to 2.7 ha in the CoopeTarrazu farmers' cooperative, we focused on two important indicators of ecosystem services: biological control agents and mycorrhizal fungi. Biological control agents (especially parasitoid wasps) are essential for population regulation of herbivorous arthropods that reside in coffee agroecosystems. Mycorrhizal fungi contribute to plant nutrition and disease resistance and produce a highly stable protein, glomalin, which is critical for soil aggregation. Soil aggregates hedge against erosion, particularly in sloping soils, by improving porosity. Slopes in this study ranged from 4% to 66%. We manipulated synthetic fertilizer levels in experimental plots ranging from 6.9% increase to 53.3% decrease in total N relative to control plots that received a standard amount of...
Scalable synthesis of a biocompatible, transparent and superparamagnetic photoresist for microdevice fabrication.

The functionalization of photoresists with colloids has enabled the development of novel active and passive components for microfabricated devices. Incorporation of colloidal particles often results in undesirable reductions in photolithographic fidelity and device transparency. We present a novel photoresist composite incorporating poly(methyl methacrylate-co-methacrylic acid), the epoxy resin 1002F and colloidal maghemite nanoparticles to produce a stable, transparent and biocompatible photoresist. The composite photoresist was prepared in a scalable fashion in batches up to 1 kg with the particles remaining dispersed during room-temperature storage for at least six months. Following photolithography to form films, the nanoparticle size remained well below that of visible-light wavelengths as demonstrated by electron microscopy. Structures fabricated from the photoresist by conventional photolithography displayed aspect ratios greater than ten. When grown on the photoresist, the metabolic rate of HeLa cells was unchanged relative to cells grown on glass. Primary murine mesenchymal stem cells also displayed a normal morphology on the resist surface. The ability to manipulate microstructures formed from the composite was demonstrated by magnetically collecting clonal colonies of HeLa cells from a micropallet array. The transparency, biocompatibility, scalable synthesis and superparamagnetic properties of the novel composite address key limitations of existing magnetic composites.
Retinoic acid and vitamin A: Effect of low levels on outcome of pregnancy in Guinea Pigs

Abstract To study the effect of marginal vitamin A status during pregnancy on the health of guinea pig neonates the level of vitamin A required to produce viable offspring was determined. In previous work adult animals fed a vitamin A-deficient diet for one month before mating and throughout pregnancy delivered dead pups. In this experiment depletion was followed by supplementation with three levels of vitamin A after day 30 (d30) of pregnancy (gestation=68±2d). Young adult guinea pigs were fed a vitamin A-deficient diet for 1 mo prior to mating and throughout pregnancy. Because approximately 6 wk was required for all females to mate under our conditions, they were dosed with retinoic acid (RA) from the end of the one month depletion until day 30 of pregnancy. RA was given to spare the females' remaining stores of vitamin A to reduce differences that might arise between females that mated first and those that mated last. All-trans RA was given orally three times a week; the weekly dose approximated 1.5 mg/kg body weight. After d30 RA was discontinued, and females were dosed weekly with 0, 175, 350 or 1166 retinol equivalents (RE) as retinol palmitate. At delivery malformations were observed in 28 to 66 percent of the litters irrespective of vitamin A supplementation. No malformations occurred in litters of 11 females of the same age fed a commercial guinea pig diet. Because the occurrence of malformations complicated determination of the amount of vitamin A required to produce viable neonates, females continued to receive the same treatment they received from d30 of the first pregnancy through remating, a second pregnancy, and a 2 wk lactation. Malformations were observed in litters of only 2/28 pregnancies. Under these conditions guinea pigs required a minimum of 175 RE/wk (equivalent to 25 RE/d) to produce viable neonates. To maintain normal weight gains of pups through a 2 wk lactation females required at least 45 RE/kg body wt/d. Since the dose of RA used was much less than the teratogenic dose in other animals, the guinea pig may be unusually sensitive to RA, or prior depletion of vitamin A stores may have increased the teratogenicity of RA.
The Presence of Lymphoblasts in the Gingival Crevice of Children With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

The cellular composition of crevicular washings from acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients and normal children were examined microscopically. The crevicular washings of patients with ALL yielded a significantly lower viable cell count than the normal controls. The ALL patients had a preponderance of lymphoblasts in their oral differential cell count (78.6%) while polymorphonuclear leukocytes were the prevailing cell type (84%) in the normal controls. In both the ALL and normal patients the differential oral cell counts reflected the differential peripheral blood counts.