cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The millipede family Striariidae Bollman, 1893: I. Introduction to the family, synonymy of Vaferaria Causey with Amplaria Chamberlin, the new subfamily Trisariinae, the new genus Trisaria, and three new species (Diplopoda, Chordeumatida, Striarioidea).

The significant taxonomic characters of the millipede family Striariidae Bollman, 1888 are discussed. The monotypic genus Vaferaria Causey, 1958 is synonymized under Amplaria Chamberlin, 1941, giving the new combination Amplaria imberbis (Loomis, 1936). The genera Striaria Bollman, 1888 and Amplaria are assigned to the subfamily Striariinae. A new subfamily, Trisariinae, is established that presently includes only Trisaria new genus, with three new species: Trisaria rex, T. olympia and T. washingtonensis. The new subfamily, genus, and species are endemic to western Washington state, USA.
Osteonecrosis of the jaw and dental extractions: A single-center experience.

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of osteoradionecrosis/medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (ORN/MRONJ) after dental extraction with use of postextraction antibiotic coverage without prophylactic hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) in patients who received radiotherapy to head and neck (RT-HN) or antiresorptive medications and to determine possible associated factors. Study Design A retrospective study was conducted in patients who had a history of RT-HN or exposure to antiresorptives and who underwent dental extractions from 2003 to 2019. According to the clinical protocol, patients received amoxicillin 500 mg, 3 times daily (TID) for at least 14 days, and chlorhexidine 0.12% rinses, 2 times daily (BID), after extraction (or an alternative antibiotic if allergic to amoxicillin). HBO was not used for patients with RT-HN. Results Ninety patients underwent a total of 243 extractions. Fifty patients (55.5%) received a median of 54.1 Gray to the extraction site and 40 (44.4%) were on antiresorptives. None of the patients received both RT and antiresorptives. Of 40 patients, 3 (7.5%) developed MRONJ, and of 50 patients, 1 (2%) developed ORN. Among those at risk for MRONJ, male gender and concomitant immunosuppressant medications were associated with MRONJ development (P Conclusions In our patient cohort, the rate of postextraction ORN/MRONJ was lower and comparable with the rates reported in the literature. Larger prospective studies are required to validate the efficacy of postextraction antibiotics in reducing ONJ.
A Preliminary Report on Hands-On and Cross-Course Activities in a College Software Testing Course

This report presents numerous interventions deployed in a college-level course on software testing. The aim of these interventions was to increase interest, motivation, and confidence in software testing among computer science majors. Four hands-on in-class activities (Agile Airplane Testing, Test-Driven Development Activities, Candy Testing, and Bypass Testing) were deployed and are described. In addition, students in the course participated in a cross-course activity in which the students produced tests for younger peers in an introductory (CS2) software development course. Students in the software testing course acted as test engineers while students in the earlier course acted as developers and used the tests provided, interacting with their peers when necessary. Preliminary results are presented. Students generally found the activities to be useful, engaging, and provided positive feedback. Developers in the earlier software development course produced more correct code when using test suites provided by upperclassmen, and survey results show small but positive gains in student interest and confidence in software testing.
Ranavirus Host Immunity and Immune Evasion

Ranaviruses (RV, Iridoviridae) are now known to infect fish, amphibians, and reptiles, raising considerable ecological and commercial concerns due to the escalating infection prevalence and the resulting die-offs of wild and aquacultural species. Notably, ranaviruses exhibit uncanny capacities to cross host species barriers of their poikilothermic hosts, likely owing to their potent immune evasion mechanisms. In turn, the species infected by these pathogens possess immune systems that are less well understood than those of mammals, and are often comprised of unique immune genes or multiple copy orthologs of the single hallmark mammalian immune factors. Thus, garnering greater insight into ranavirus infection strategies is largely contingent on gaining further insights into host immune barriers faced by these emerging infectious agents. Accordingly, here we coalesce the current state of understanding of the distinct facets of lower vertebrate immune responses to ranaviral infections and underline some of the evasion strategies by which these pathogens circumvent these host defenses.
Getting Fewer "Likes" Than Others on Social Media Elicits Emotional Distress Among Victimized Adolescents.

Three studies examined the effects of receiving fewer signs of positive feedback than others on social media. In Study 1, adolescents (N = 613, Mage = 14.3 years) who were randomly assigned to receive few (vs. many) likes during a standardized social media interaction felt more strongly rejected, and reported more negative affect and more negative thoughts about themselves. In Study 2 (N = 145), negative responses to receiving fewer likes were associated with greater depressive symptoms reported day-to-day and at the end of the school year. Study 3 (N = 579) replicated Study 1's main effect of receiving fewer likes and showed that adolescents who already experienced peer victimization at school were the most vulnerable. The findings raise the possibility that technology which makes it easier for adolescents to compare their social status online-even when there is no chance to share explicitly negative comments-could be a risk factor that accelerates the onset of internalizing symptoms among vulnerable youth.
Applications of Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) in global groundwater study

Abstract Satellite gravity measurements from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) and GRACE Follow-On (GFO) provide quantitative information on terrestrial water storage (TWS) changes that is otherwise unavailable globally. GRACE/GFO observed TWS changes, combined with independent determinations of water storage change in soil, snow, and surface reservoirs, offer a novel means for estimating groundwater change. Over the past decade, GRACE/GFO satellite gravity measurements have been used to study long-term groundwater changes in different regions over the world. This chapter provides a review of GRACE/GFO applications in studying global and regional groundwater change and discusses some major challenges that affect the applications and interpretations of GRACE/GFO time-variable gravity measurements.
Vision, Fatigue, and Quality of Life in Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis and Monophasic Demyelinating Diseases. (P4.026)

OBJECTIVE: To compare health-related quality of life (QOL) between children with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and monophasic acquired demyelinating syndromes (ADS) and explore factors associated with reduced QOL. BACKGROUND: Pediatric MS is associated with low physical disability during childhood. Visual function, fatigue, and health-related QOL, however, are impacted by pediatric MS but the interrelationship between these variables is not well understood. DESIGN/METHODS: Children with MS (N=20), monophasic ADS (acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, N=6, and optic neuritis, N=9), and healthy controls (N=13) completed the PedsQL generic QOL and multidimensional fatigue scales, and binocular 1.25[percnt] low-contrast letter acuity (LCLA). Analysis was performed using linear regression models, accounting for age. RESULTS: The mean age was 13 for patients and 11 for controls and the mean time from incident attack was 1.5 years. Compared to patients with monophasic ADS, children with MS had reduced (worse) self-reported QOL in the composite (10 points, p=0.06), physical (17 points, p=0.03) and school-related scores (15 points, p=0.02). Patients with monophasic ADS did not differ from controls on any QOL measures. Patients with MS had reduced (worse) fatigue scores compared to patients with monophasic ADS (19 points, p=0.001) and controls (13 points, p=0.02), patients with monophasic ADS did not differ from controls. Both patient groups had reduced 1.25[percnt] LCLA (12 letters, p≤0.009) compared to controls. Within the MS patient group, increased fatigue was associated with reduced overall, physical and school-related QOL (p≤0.001). Reduced vision was only associated with overall QOL (p=0.018). CONCLUSIONS: Children with MS and monophasic ADS both had reduced binocular LCLA; however, children with MS experienced greater fatigue and reduction in QOL. The addition of vision-specific QOL measures may provide an important understanding of the complex nature of MS-related symptoms and their impact on QOL. Study Supported by: NMSS, NIH Disclosure: Dr. Chahin has nothing to disclose. Dr. Banwell has received personal compensation for activities with Novartis as an MRI reviewer. Dr. Banwell has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity for Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders. Dr Balcer received personal compensation from Biogen Idec and consulting for Biogen Idec, Vaccinex and Genzyme. She is on a clinical trial advisory board for Biogen-Idec., Dr. Waldman has received royalty payments from UpToDate.
The Impact of an Individual Health Insurance Mandate on Hospital and Preventive Care: Evidence from Massachusetts

In April 2006, the state of Massachusetts passed legislation aimed at achieving near universal health insurance coverage. A key provision of this legislation, and of the national legislation passed in March 2010, is an individual mandate to obtain health insurance. Although previous researchers have studied the impact of expansions in health insurance coverage among the indigent, children, and the elderly, the Massachusetts reform gives us a novel opportunity to examine the impact of expansion to near universal health insurance coverage among the entire state population. In this paper, we are the first to use hospital data to examine the impact of this legislation on insurance coverage, utilization patterns, and patient outcomes in Massachusetts. We use a difference-in-difference strategy that compares outcomes in Massachusetts after the reform to outcomes in Massachusetts before the reform and to outcomes in other states. We embed this strategy in an instrumental variable framework to examine the effect of insurance coverage on utilization patterns. Using the Current Population Survey, we find that the reform increased insurance coverage among the general Massachusetts population. Our main source of data is a nationally-representative sample of approximately 20% of hospitals in the United States. Among the population of hospital discharges in Massachusetts, the reform decreased uninsurance by 28% relative to its initial level. We also find that the reform affected utilization patterns by decreasing length of stay and the number of inpatient admissions originating from the emergency room. Using new measures of preventive care, we find evidence that outpatient care reduced hospitalizations for preventable conditions. The reform affected nearly all age, gender, income, and race categories. We identify some populations for which insurance had the greatest direct impact on outcomes and others for which the impact on outcomes appears to have occurred through spillovers.
Prevalence of hearing protection device non-use among noise-exposed US workers in 2007 and 2014

BACKGROUND This study estimated the prevalence of hearing protection device (HPD) non-use among US workers exposed to hazardous workplace noise and provided risk estimates. METHODS Self-reported data from the National Health Interview Survey in 2007 (15,852 workers) and 2014 (23,656 workers) were examined. Weighted prevalence and adjusted prevalence ratios of HPD non-use (using HPDs half the time or less when exposed to hazardous noise) were estimated by demographic, industry, and occupation. Differences in the prevalences of non-use were estimated and compared. RESULTS The prevalence of HPD non-use was 53% among all noise-exposed workers in 2014. Workers in the Accommodation and Food Services industry had the highest prevalence (90%) and risk (PR: 2.47, 95% confidence interval: 1.54-3.96) of HPD non-use. The industries with the lowest prevalences of noise exposure, including Finance and Insurance (2%) and Health Care and Social Assistance (4%), had some of the highest prevalences of HPD non-use (80% and 83%, respectively). There were no statistically significant changes in HPD non-use among industries between 2007 and 2014. Among occupations, HPD non-use increased 37% in Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media, and decreased 39% in Architecture and Engineering. CONCLUSION The prevalence of HPD non-use remains high; especially within industries and occupations with fewer noise-exposed workers. These groups need targeted attention to increase awareness and compliance. Employers should require HPD use and trainings among noise-exposed workers and provide an assortment of HPDs tailored to noise level and type, workplace environment, communication and audibility needs, and individual comfort and convenience.
Image Gathering and Reconstruction

This chapter develops the mathematical model that combines image gathering and display with digital processing and interpolation. The model (Fig. 2.1) contains all the elements that are required to account for the continuous transfer functions of optical apertures and the discrete transfer functions of digital processing. Section 2.1 addresses image gathering and display, which represents traditional telephotography and television, and Section 2.2 adds digital processing and interpolation to these input and output transformations.
Functional Significance of Sperm Surface Mannosidase in Mammalian Fertilization

Mammalian fertilization is the net result of a complex set of molecular events which enable the capacitated spermatozoa to recognize and bind to the egg’s extracellular coat, the zona pellucida (ZP). Sperm-egg interaction leading to fertilization is a species-specific carbohydrate-mediated event which depends on glycan-recognizing proteins (glycosyltransferases/ glycosidases/lectin-like carbohydrate-binding molecules) on the sperm plasma membrane (receptors) and their complementary glycan units (ligands) on homologous ZP. In this report, I have summarized our published and unpublished results on the sperm surface mannosidase, a hapten-binding enzyme thought to be involved in the initial sperm-egg interaction by binding to high mannose/hybrid-type glycans on ZP glycoconjugates. Evidence thus far available includes: (1) an a-D-mannosidase is present on the sperm plasma membranes of several species, including man; (2) high mannose/hybrid-type glycans (potential ligand sites) are present on mouse ZP2 and ZP3; (3) sperm-specific mannosidase is synthesized in the spermatogenic cells in a high molecular weight precursor form which undergoes proteolysis by a trypsin-like protease during spermatogenesis in the testis and sperm maturation in the epididymis; (4) the maturation-associated increase in sperm plasma membrane (PM) mannosidase correlates with the zona-binding ability of spermatozoa and (5) sperm surface mannosidase appears to have a receptor-like role in the mouse and rat. Taken together, these results are consistent with the proposed receptor-like role for the sperm surface mannosidase in sperm-egg interaction.
Syntheses of N‐(nitrophenyl)amine substituted diacetylene alcohol monomers

A procedure for the preparation of a novel class of nitroaniline substituted diacetylene alcohols is reported. The polymerization behavior of one member of this class, 6-(4-nitro-2-trifluoromethylanilino)-2,4-hexadiyn-1-ol (11a), has been studied using X-ray irradiation.
Molecular interactions between ribosomal proteins. An inspection of S3-S4, S4-S5, and S4-S20 mixtures.

Abstract The protein pairs S3-S4, S4-S5, and S4-S20 isolated from the 30 S subunit of the Escherichia coli ribosome were investigated by the method of sedimentation equilibrium for possible intermolecular interactions in the reconstitution buffer. The pairs S3-S4 and S4-S5 were found to interact in TMK buffer (0.03 m Tris, 0.02 m MgCl2, 0.35 m KCl, pH 7.4) at 4 °C with free energies of interaction of −5.1 and −4.8 kcal/mol, respectively. The pair S4-S20 demonstrated no tendency to complex under the same conditions.
Interaction of Atoms with Nearly Resonant Fields: Self-Induced Transparency

The discussion we have presented so far has supposed throughout that the primary quantity of interest, the electric dipole moment per unit volume P can be expanded in powers of the electric field E. The justification for this procedure is the notion that the largest applied fields encountered in practice are very small compared to those encountered by an electron within an atom or a molecule. It follows that the electronic arrangement in the atom or molecule is perturbed only very slightly from that arrangement found in zero applied external field. In the concluding remarks of Chap. 3, we referred to this as the regime of weak nonlinearity. We now appreciate, however, that even though the nonlinearities are weak in the sense just described, their influence can be substantial, as illustrated by our model discussions of second harmonic generation, and the stimulated Raman effect. A bucket full of water may have only a small leak, but if one waits long enough, the bucket will be quite empty.
Dynamic DMD-driven optoelectronics tweezers for microscopic particle manipulation

We demonstrate dynamic manipulation of microscopic particles using a DMD-produced projection image in an optoelectronics tweezers system. Single-particle trapping and movement (up to 40 /spl mu/m/sec) via optically-induced dielectrophoresis were observed.
Control of periodic variations in Saturn's magnetosphere by compressional waves

Many of the periodic variations observed in Saturn's magnetosphere can be linked directly to the presence of a rotating pattern of field-aligned currents that link the northern and southern ionospheres with each other and with the magnetosphere. Such a current system is incorporated in a magnetohydrodynamic simulation that has previously been shown to reproduce many of the observed periodic properties of the system. Here the simulation is used to investigate a range of phenomena that can be attributed to the effects of compressional waves launched from the rotating current sources. The compressional waves are found to drive the flapping of the plasma sheet and the expansion and contraction of the magnetopause in each rotation period. Because the compressional perturbations weaken as they rotate from morning to evening around the dayside of the magnetosphere, the boundary develops a strong morning-evening asymmetry. A fit to the shape is provided that may be useful in further investigation of magnetopause properties, but there is already evidence of the proposed asymmetry in the observations of Clarke et al. (2010a).
The EvoS Consortium: Catalyzing Evolutionary Training in Higher Education

EvoS is a consortium of evolutionary studies programs that can catalyze evolutionary training across the curriculum in higher education. This special issue of Evolution: Education and Outreach shows how the dictum “Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution” can be achieved within the biological sciences and expanded to include all human-related subjects, both for undergraduate education and faculty interactions, fulfilling the ideal of a liberal arts education and turning the university into a single intellectual community.
Geophysical evidence for karst formation associated with offshore groundwater transport: An example from North Carolina

[1] Marine geophysical data from Long Bay, North Carolina, involving a novel combination of electromagnetic and high-resolution Chirp seismics, show evidence of submarine karst formation associated with what has been inferred to be a site of high-flux submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) a substantial distance offshore. Recently observed temperature and chemical signals from wells in this area provide the basis for the interpretation of the high-flux SGD here, and they also suggest a terrestrial source for the groundwater and thus a potentially important route for nutrient transport to the oceans. Our data indicate that karstification is localized to the high-flux zone, and we suggest that mixing of the chemically distinct (but saline) groundwater with seawater has resulted in the karstification. As karstification increases permeability and flux, a positive feedback would tend to progressively enhance submarine groundwater discharge. Our data reveal a significant local anomaly in apparent porosity: a dense block that may have initiated the local focusing of groundwater flow. Conditions favorable to the formation of similar locally punctuated sites of high-flux SGD are likely to exist along the mid to inner shelf of the southeastern United States, where carbonate aquifers are prevalent.
ASHP Therapeutic Position Statement on the Daily Use of Aspirin for Preventing Cardiovascular Events

The effectiveness of aspirin as an antiplatelet agent in preventing cardiovascular events and the progression of coronary heart disease (CHD) has been demonstrated in clinical trials in various patient groups. However, despite adequate evidence of benefit, many eligible patients are not treated with
Mortality and morbidity rates among lower birth weight infants (2000 to 2500 grams) treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

To assess the validity of the currently accepted lower weight limit of 2 kg for treatment of neonates with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), we reviewed the outcome of lower birth weight (2.0 to 2.5 kg, n=29) and higher birth weight (n=235) for infants treated with venoarterial ECMO at our institution from 1984 through 1990. Newborn infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia were not included. The mortality rate was significantly greater after venoarterial ECMO in lower than in higher birth weight infants (relative risk 3.45; confidence interval=(1.68, 5.79)). For infants with the diagnosis of respiratory distress syndrome, the mortality rate was 56% (5/9) for lower and 8% (2/25) for higher birth weight infants ( p p =0.044), primarily because of the higher incidence of major intracranial hemorrhage. Finally, the risk of developmental delay (development quotient
A tissue culture model for studying ethanol toxicity on embryonic heart cells

A tissue system in which fibroblasts and myocytes from chick embryonic hearts were separately maintained was used to study the toxicity of ethanol. To reproduce the teratogenic effects of acute, high concentrations of ethanol typical of "binge" drinking, an open tissue culture system was employed. With open cultures, the cells were initially exposed to peak alcohol levels for approximately 6 hr and were exposed to decreasing concentrations of ethanol for the remainder of each 24 hr period. After the first day of ethanol exposure, there was substantial cell loss in both fibroblast and myocyte cultures. Alcohol-induced cell loss was dose-dependent. Despite decreased cell density after the first day of ethanol exposure, the surviving cells differentiated into monolayers of fibroblasts or beating cardiac muscle fibers. However, both ethanol-exposed fibroblasts and myocytes appeared atrophic, that is, smaller and shrunken. Electrophoretic analysis or these ethanol-exposed fibroblast and myocyte cultures revealed specific reduction in the cellular contents of alpha-actinin, myosin, and actin. These decreases in cytoskeletal proteins may be responsible for the morphological abnormalities noted in these cells.
Assessing Geographic Knowledge with Sketch Maps

Abstract Student drawn maps have been relatively neglected as an evaluation tool, despite their potential utility for assessing geographic knowledge. Comparison of students' sketch maps at the beginning and end of the year can inform the teacher about how students' representations of the world change over the course of instruction. Used as a pretest, they can be used to diagnose areas of strength and weakness within a class; as a posttest they can be used to assess students' achievement and the effectiveness of instruction. In this paper we provide an easy method for sorting and summarizing sketch map data, which is illustrated using maps collected from two sixth grade classes. We also outline a framework to guide teachers in generating questions to ask about their own students' maps.
Managing supply chains in times of crisis: a review of literature and insights

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review the literature to describe the current practices and research trends in managing supply chains in crisis. This paper also provides directions for future research in supply chain crisis management.Design/methodology/approach – Articles published prior to August 2008 are analyzed and classified.Findings – A unique five‐dimensional framework to classify the literature is provided. The study reveals that there has been extensive research done in this area in recent years. Much of the research is focused on proactive approaches to crisis in supply chains. Management during various internal crises such as supplier bankruptcy or loss of key clients is a new, challenging area that requires further investigation.Research limitations/implications – This paper does not include articles that are not peer‐reviewed.Practical implications – This paper will serve as a guide to supply chain managers who would like to know how crises, disasters, and disruptions in supply cha...
Theory of the optical potential for strongly interacting particles

We use the insight gained from the study of analyticity and unitarity to suggest a new method for the construction of the optical potential for strongly interacting particles. The calculational procedures suggested in this work are such as to associate a distinct physical process with each term in our expansion of the optical potential. By starting with various decompositions of the A-body target wave function we can obtain theories of varying complexity. Introducing a decomposition with respect to states of the (A-1) -body system, we obtain a construction of the optical potential based upon the single-scattering approximation. If we introduce a decomposition of the target ground state with respect to states of the (A-2) -body system we obtain a more complex theory. In the extended theory, the first-order optical potential of the simpler model is readily extracted along with a second-order potential that depends on the detailed structure of the two-body density matrix of the target. The role of Pauli and short-range correlations in modifying the calculation of the second-order potential is discussed. The physical picture that emerges from this analysis is different from that obtained from multiple-scattering theory, although the two theories are in general agreement as to themore » nature of the first-order optical potential. When the fixed-scatterer approximation is used to simplify calculations based upon multiple-scattering theory, the second-order optical potential is found to depend on the two-body correlation function. In contrast, for the theory presented here, we find that the inclusion of Pauli and/or short-range correlations is a relatively minor aspect in the construction of the second-order potential. Indeed, we would obtain a second-order potential for an uncorrelated system.« less
Early Mesozoic paleogeography and tectonic evolution of the western United States: Insights from detrital zircon U-Pb geochronology, Blue Mountains Province, northeastern Oregon

This study assesses early Mesozoic provenance linkages and paleogeographic tectonic models for the western United States based on new petrographic and detrital zircon data from Triassic and Jurassic sandstones of the "Izee" and Olds Ferry terranes of the Blue Mountains Province, northeastern Oregon. Triassic sediments were likely derived from the Baker terrane offshore accretionary subduction complex and are dominated by Late Archean (ca. 2.7–2.5 Ga), Late Paleoproterozoic (ca. 2.2–1.6 Ga), and Paleozoic (ca. 380–255 Ma) detrital zircon grains. These detrital ages suggest that portions of the Baker terrane have a genetic affinity with other Cordilleran accretionary subduction complexes of the western United States, including those in the Northern Sierra and Eastern Klamath terranes. The abundance of Precambrian grains in detritus derived from an offshore complex highlights the importance of sediment reworking. Jurassic sediments are dominated by Mesozoic detrital ages (ca. 230–160 Ma), contain significant amounts of Paleozoic (ca. 290, 380–350, 480–415 Ma), Neoproterozoic (ca. 675–575 Ma), and Mesoproterozoic grains (ca. 1.4–1.0 Ga), and have lesser quantities of Late Paleoproterozoic grains (ca. 2.1–1.7 Ga). Detrital zircon ages in Jurassic sediments closely resemble well-documented age distributions in transcontinental sands of Ouachita-Appalachian provenance that were transported across the southwestern United States and modified by input from cratonal, miogeoclinal, and Cordilleran-arc sources during Triassic and Jurassic time. Jurassic sediments likely were derived from the Cordilleran arc and an orogenic highland in Nevada that yielded recycled sand from uplifted Triassic backarc basin deposits. Our data suggest that numerous Jurassic Cordilleran basins formed close to the Cordilleran margin and support a model for moderate post-Jurassic translation (∼400 km) of the Blue Mountains Province.
Economic Performance of Alternative Tillage Systems in the Northern Corn Belt

While no-till (NT) cropping systems can provide conservation benefits in the northern Corn Belt, adoption has been low due to concerns about potential yield reductions and economic risk. Strip-tillage (ST) systems have been proposed as an alternative that may provide many of the conservation benefits of NT while maintaining productivity and economic returns. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of NT and five ST alternatives: fall residue management (Fall RM), Fall RM + ST, spring residue management (Spring RM), Spring RM + ST, and Fall RM + Subsoil, relative to conventional moldboard plow (MP) and chisel plow (CP) tillage systems on corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] yields and economic risks and returns. Average yields over the 7-yr study were not significantly different among tillage systems, but average net returns for NT, Fall RM, and Spring RM were $85, 92, and 53 ha -1 higher, respectively, than for MP. Risk analysis showed tillage system preferences ranked as: Fall RM > NT > Fall RM + ST > Spring RM + ST, Spring RM > CP > Fall RM + Subsoil > MP for risk neutral or risk averse producers facing uncertain yield, crop price, and input price conditions. Thus, ST and NT may be economically viable alternatives to conventional tillage systems for corn and soybean production in the northern Corn Belt.
Purification procedures for synthetic dyes: Part 3—HPLC separation of the components of 1,4-bis(2,6-diisopropylanilino)anthraquinone

Abstract Reverse-phase thin-layer chromatography (TLC) of a laboratory-synthesized sample of 1,4-bis(2,6-diisopropylanilino)anthraquinone revealed that the dye contained three components (violet, blue and blue-green). Analytically HPLC then showed that the blue-green component was a mixture of blue-green and green dyes. The four dyes were separated by HPLC, and each was identified by 1 H-NMR and mass-spectral analysis. The latter three dyes were shown to be isomeric compounds which result from the presence of a small amount of 2,4-diisopropylaniline in commercial 2,6-diisopropylaniline.
Potential variations of the right auricular and ventricular cavities in man.

Abstract 1.1. Electrocardiograms from the endocardial surfaces of the right side of the heart and from the large veins have been obtained by means of a catheter-like electrode inserted through the right or left antecubital veins. 2.2. The potential variations which have been recorded are in agreement with the basic concepts of origin, spread, and distribution of the action current of the heart upon which modern electrocardiographic interpretation is based. The conclusions which have been drawn from animal experiments can safely be applied to human electrocardiography. 3.3. The potential variations recorded from unipolar right arm leads represent auricular deflections similar to those present in the large veins. The ventricular deflection in V R is a faithful reproduction of records obtained from the endocardial surface of the upper portion of the right auricle. They represent a mixture of potentials from the right and left ventricular cavities.
The relationship between radiation fields and regional lymph nodes in carcinoma of the breast.

Purpose: To examine the relationships between tangential, anterior, and posterior radiation fields and regional lymph nodes, including Levels I–III axillary and supraclavicular lymph nodes. Methods and Materials: Fifty-five patients underwent computed tomography (CT) scanning in the supine treatment position, and radiation fields were developed to treat appropriate breast and lymphatic regions. After conventional fields had been selected, Levels I–III axillary and supraclavicular lymph nodes were identified on multiple CT slices performed at 3–5-mm intervals and their depths to the anterior skin surface and the anterior-posterior separations at multiple levels were measured. Results: The mean depths of the Levels I–III axillary nodes were 4.6, 5.1, and 3.6 cm, respectively. The mean depth of the supraclavicular nodes was 3.9 cm. The mean anterior-posterior separations at these levels were 15.4, 15.2, 15.2, and 14.6 cm. The mean depths of the nodes, therefore, were well anterior to the midline. In the two-field treatment group, Level I axillary nodes appeared in the tangential portals in 9/9 patients, either alone or with other lymph node groups. In the three-field group, Level I axillary nodes were in 16/16 tangential fields either alone or with level II nodes (8 patients). In 8 patients, Level III and the supraclavicular nodes were included in the anterior field and in the other 8, Levels II, III, and the supraclavicular nodes were in the anterior field. There was considerable variation in the nodal groups present in the posterior axillary boost field. No nodal groups were observed in 6 patients. Conclusion: There is considerable variation both in the depth of supraclavicular and axillary lymph nodes and the fields in which these nodal groups appear. To be certain that nodal groups which one plans to treat are actually treated, as well as to minimize nodal treatment when such treatment is not planned, it is recommended that before the placement of radiation fields, the nodal groups be outlined on a CT scan much as one would outline a tumor volume in other disease sites.
Grafting Kinetics of End‐Functional Polymers at Melt Interfaces

Expressions for the kinetics of grafting chains from a pure end-functional polymer melt to a reactive interface are derived under the assumption that the free energy of reaction is very large and negative. Two cases are considered: a case where the grafting is controlled by diffusion of free end-functional chains through the “brush” of previously grafted chains and a case where the grafting is controlled by the kinetics of the interface reaction itself. Both cases lead to the same form of the grafting kinetics, but with different characteristic times τD = Rga/D, where Rg is radius of gyration, a is the statistical segment length, and D is the diffusion coefficient of the end-functional polymer; and τR = Rg/(akf[B]) where kf is a forward rate constant and [B] is the concentration of groups at the interface that react with the end-function of the polymer chains. The grafting density Σ approaches a practical limit after long times for each value of the degree of polymerization N, and this limit decreases strongly with N. These predictions are compared with the results of recent experiments in which deuterated polystyrene chains with carboxylic acid end groups were grafted to either epoxy- or amine-rich cross-linked epoxy networks. The reaction-controlled grafting model fits the data best and permits us to extract forward rate constants of ˜0.18 kg s−1 mol−1 for the epoxy-rich networks and ˜5 × 10−3 kg s−1 mol−1 for the amine-rich ones.
Is off-pump revascularization better for patients with non-dialysis-dependent renal insufficiency?

Background: Renal dysfunction is a well-recognized complication following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Coronary revascularization without cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) has been shown to minimize renal injury in patients with normal preoperative renal function who undergo elective procedures. The purpose of this study was to define the effect of an off-pump revascularization strategy on the incidence of postoperative renal failure and survival of patients with preexisting renal dysfunction. Methods: From January 1, 1999, to December 1, 2002, a total of 371 patients were identified as having a preoperative creatinine concentration greater than or equal to 1.5 mg/dL. This number included 291 patients who did not need hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis to support renal function. These patients were subdivided into those undergoing traditional CABG with CPB (103 patients) and those undergoing off-pump revascularization (188 patients) whose demographic, operative, and outcome information was retrospectively reviewed and compared. Results: The off-pump cohort was older than the on-pump cohort (70 ± 9.6 versus 66 ± 10.9 years; P = .002), had a lower prevalence of previous myocardial infarction (35% versus 50%; P = .008), and had a modestly higher mean left ventricular ejection fraction (0.47 ± 0.01 versus 0.43 ± 0.01; P = .017). Otherwise the groups were well matched. The mean preoperative serum creatinine and creatinine clearance values were not significantly different (1.8 ± 0.5 versus 1.9 ± 0.6 mg/dL [P = .372] and 45.1 ± 15.5 versus 46.8 ± 17.2 mL/min [P = .376] for the off-pump and on-pump cohorts, respectively). There was a significant reduction in postoperative renal failure (17% versus 9% of patients; P = .020) and need for new dialysis (10% versus 3% of patients; P = .022) when CPB was eliminated. Intermediate-term survival analysis revealed a survival benefit for the off-pump group (70% versus 57%) at 42 months, although this value did not reach statistical significance (P = .143). Conclusion: The results of this study suggested that patients with preoperative non-dialysis-dependent renal insufficiency have more favorable outcome when revascularization is done off pump. Avoidance of CPB results in (1) a reduction in the incidence of postoperative renal failure; (2) a reduction in the need for new dialysis; and (3) improved in-hospital and midterm survival.
Reading up books: Integrated circuit engineering: A description of this relatively new area of electrical engineering is followed by a review of a few textbooks and journals

Since their invention in 1958, integrated circuits (ICs) have found their way into numerous electrical products. Their widespread use is due to the fact that they are extremely small, highly reliable, and attractively inexpensive. As a result, there is a growing demand for IC engineers, i.e. experts in their design and fabrication. There is an even larger demand for EEs who understand at least the basic fundamentals of this process, since this helps in making decisions about the selection and application of ICs.
Wireless sensors for wildfire monitoring

We describe the design of a system for wildfire monitoring incorporating wireless sensors, and report results from field testing during prescribed test burns near San Francisco, California. The system is composed of environmental sensors collecting temperature, relative humidity and barometric pressure with an on-board GPS unit attached to a wireless, networked mote. The motes communicate with a base station, which communicates the collected data to software running on a database server. The data can be accessed using a browser-based web application or any other application capable of communicating with the database server. Performance of the monitoring system during two prescribed burns at Pinole Point Regional Park (Contra Costa County, California, near San Francisco) is promising. Sensors within the burn zone recorded the passage of the flame front before being scorched, with temperature increasing, and barometric pressure and humidity decreasing as the flame front advanced. Temperature gradients up to 5 C per second were recorded. The data also show that the temperature slightly decreases and the relative humidity slightly increases from ambient values immediately preceding the flame front, indicating that locally significant weather conditions develop even during relatively cool, slow moving grass fires. The maximum temperature recorded was 95 C, the minimum relative humidity 9%, and barometric pressure dropped by as much as 25 mbar.
Subterrestrial fluid convection: A hypothesis for long-distance migration of radon within the earth

Scattered observations suggest that radon can migrate through the earth for distances of ≳100 m, a process of great potential aid in both earthquake prediction and uranium exploration. It is noted that existing theories predict that fluid convection in the earth, driven by the local geothermal gradient, can occur in areas of relatively high permeability. The velocity of fluid flow may be sufficient to transport radon over large distances before it decays. The convection hypothesis also provides a possible explanation of seasonal effects that have been observed in local and general radon emanation into the atmosphere.
Differential Fmo3 Gene Expression in Various Liver Injury Models Involving Hepatic Oxidative Stress in Mice

Abstract Flavin-containing monooxygenase-3 (FMO3) catalyzes metabolic reactions similar to cytochrome P450 monooxygenase, however, most metabolites of FMO3 are considered non-toxic. Recent findings in our laboratory demonstrated Fmo3 gene induction following toxic acetaminophen (APAP) treatment in mice. The goal of this study was to evaluate Fmo3 gene expression in other diverse mouse models of hepatic oxidative stress and injury. Fmo3 gene regulation by Nrf2 was also investigated using Nrf2 knockout (Nrf2 KO) mice. In our studies, male C57BL/6J mice were treated with toxic doses of hepatotoxicants or underwent bile duct ligation (BDL, 10 days). Hepatotoxicants included APAP (400 mg/kg, 24–72 h), alpha-naphthyl isothiocyanate (ANIT; 50 mg/kg, 2–48 h), carbon tetrachloride (CCl4; 10 or 30 μL/kg, 24 and 48 h) and allyl alcohol (AlOH; 30 or 60 mg/kg, 6 and 24 h). Because oxidative stress activates nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2), additional studies investigated Fmo3 gene regulation by Nrf2 using Nrf2 knockout (Nrf2 KO) mice. At appropriate time-points, blood and liver samples were collected for assessment of plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity, plasma and hepatic bile acid levels, as well as liver Fmo3 mRNA and protein expression. Fmo3 mRNA expression increased significantly by 43-fold at 12 h after ANIT treatment, and this increase translates to a 4-fold change in protein levels. BDL also increased Fmo3 mRNA expression by 1899-fold, but with no change in protein levels. Treatment of mice with CCl4 decreased liver Fmo3 gene expression, while no change in expression was detected with AlOH treatment. Nrf2 KO mice are more susceptible to APAP (400 mg/kg, 72 h) treatment compared to their wild-type (WT) counterparts, which is evidenced by greater plasma ALT activity. The Fmo3 mRNA and protein expression increased in Nrf2 KO mice after APAP treatment. Collectively, not all hepatotoxicants that produce oxidative stress alter Fmo3 gene expression. Along with APAP, toxic ANIT treatment in mice markedly increased Fmo3 gene expression. While BDL increased the Fmo3 mRNA expression, the protein level did not change. The discrepancy with Fmo3 induction in cholestatic models, ANIT and BDL, is not entirely clear. Results from Nrf2 KO mice with APAP suggest that the transcriptional regulation of Fmo3 during liver injury may not involve Nrf2.
A Novel pH-Sensitive MRI Contrast Agent

A tetrasubstituted derivative of 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane with amide coordinating groups and extended noncoordinating phosphonate groups forms a complex with gadolinium(III) (shown in the picture) which contains one slowly exchanging inner-sphere water molecule (τM=21 μs). The 20-MHz water proton relaxivity of the complex was found to be highly pH dependent. Protonation of the noncoordinating phosphonate groups appears to catalyze prototropic exchange of the bound water protons, thereby providing a mechanism for enhanced water contrast below pH 7.
Concerning phosphirenium cations

Abstract Tetraphenyl-, tetraethyl-, and 1,1-diphenyl-2,3-diethylphosphirenium cations can be prepared by extension of a previously described procedure, but base-promoted cyclizations of 1,3-dihalophosphonium cations proceed to ring-opened products by an alternate pathway.
Advanced arrayed-waveguide gratings and integrated optical devices

Planar optics have become the leading technology for DWDM applications, due to its high performance and low manufacturing costs enabled by wafer scale processing. A powerful new design tool has been successfully applied to Planar Lightwave Circuit (PLC) design and fabrication, enabling rapid design information turns, mask and process error correction, and higher final device yields. We also present a new wideband AWG design that permits a low-ripple passband shape over a larger range of the DWDM spectrum. Combined with state-of-the-art semiconductor fabrication techniques, these new designs and methodologies have enabled a new generation of high-performance, high-yield PLC-based Reconfigurable Optical Add-Drop Modules (ROADM's). Optical data from a representative sample of almost 200 ROADM modules is presented, showing a tight statistical distribution of wide passband, low ripple, low insertion loss, and low polarization dependent loss devices.
Efficacy of the cushing response in maintaining cerebral blood flow in premature and near-term fetal sheep.

Fetal head compression during labor may increase intracranial pressure(ICP) and decrease cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP). An increase in mean arterial pressure (MAP) associated with the Cushing response normally acts to mitigate an ischemic insult when the increase in ICP approaches MAP. However, the premature fetus may be limited in its ability to increase MAP. We compared the efficacy of the pressor response in sustaining CPP, cerebral blood flow(CBF), and cerebral O2 consumption (CMRo2) in chronically catheterized fetal sheep at 0.6 gestation (92 d; n = 7) and 0.9 gestation (133 d; n = 7). When fetal ICP was increased to baseline MAP (41 ± 3 mm Hg; ±SEM) in 92-d fetuses, MAP increased by 7± 2 mm Hg and remained stable during 30 min of constant ICP elevation; CBF decreased by 72% and CMRo2 decreased by 46%. In 133-d fetuses, MAP increased from 53 ± 2 to 65 ± 4 mm Hg at 3 min of elevated ICP; CBF decreased by 62% and CMRo2 decreased 30%. However, MAP continued to increase after 3 min and reached a stable level of 75 ± 3 mm Hg at 30 min in 133-d fetuses. The additional increase in MAP restored CBF and CMRo2 to baseline values. Plasma epinephrine and vasopressin concentrations increased between 6 and 33 min of elevated ICP to levels, exceeding those in 92-d fetuses. We conclude that the arterial pressure response to intracranial hypertension is present at 0.6 gestation but is less well developed than at 0.9 gestation in fetal sheep, possibly due to immaturity of the sympathoadrenal and vasopressin systems. Consequently, CBF and CMRo2 are not as well defended at mid-gestation against elevated ICP as might occur during difficult labor.