cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Coupons in context: discounting prices or decreasing profits?

Abstract A coupon is a commonly used sales promotion device offering the user a discount on the purchase of a product. Consumer coupon offerings are also becoming increasingly diverse: from “% off” and “$ off” to “Buy one, Get one free” (BOGO) offers and co-promotions (Buy X, Deal on Y). This paper reports the results of three experiments that examine whether the economic value of a coupon is a source of information to infer the price of the product/service, and the quality of the product/service, which inference can undercut the economic value, with resulting consequences for deal evaluations and purchase intentions. The framework predicts, and empirical results show, that increasing the value of the coupon does not always improve deal evaluations or purchase intentions. This could imply lower profits for the company. The presence of past price information about the brand, information about prices of other brands offered by the company, and information about competitors’ prices moderate the impact of coupon value on brand-related inferences. When such alternate sources of information are present and are diagnostic of the price of the promoted product, consumers are less likely to infer price and quality from the value of the coupon and higher coupon values are more likely to increase deal evaluations and purchase intentions. Implications for managers designing and communicating promotions are offered.
Pharma Considerations for Timely Development of Therapeutic Radiopharmaceuticals

The practical aspects of systemic radiotherapy development are a hybrid between that of more traditional oncology drug development and aspects of radiation oncology. Systemic radiotherapeutics (those directly administered in an unsealed source form) are drugs and are regulated as such whereas brachytherapy (sealed) sources are regulated as devices. The regulatory development path for drugs is well defined with some special provisions for oncology drugs. Systemic radiotherapeutics are accommodated by the existing regulations quite well but there are some differences. The regulations leading to drug approval are one of the major drivers of the differences between early academic or commercial development and later efforts. To understand these differences it is necessary to understand the effect of the drivers. This chapter will outline the pathways and the differences that are taken into consideration by pharma when developing a systemic radiotherapeutic agent.
Students' Perspectives on Communities‐Oriented Goals

Scholars and professional organizations have described participation in target language (TL) communities as one of the primary aims of language learning, but little work has been done to determine how students define those communities or envision their own involvement within them. This exploratory study drew on questionnaire and interview data to investigate the extent to which beginning-level learners of German (n = 23) valued the goals that are outlined in the World-Readiness Standards for Language Learning (National Standards Collaborative Board, 2015)—particularly the Communities-oriented goals—and examined the ways in which these students delineated a TL community and conceived of participation in that community. Findings suggest that, relative to other goal areas, the items representing the Communities standard on the whole were rated as unimportant to these learners; however, there were some specific aspects of Communities that were rated much more favorably. Regardless of their alignment with those goals, learners' definition of what constituted a TL community focused on native speaker status and geographical location and excluded groups that met in local settings (e.g., German classes).
Cytogenetic analysis of the chromosomal region immediately adjacent to the rosy locus in Drosophila melanogaster.

This report describes the genetic analysis of a region of the third chromosome of Drosophila melanogaster extending from 87D2–4 to 87E12–F1, an interval of 23 or 24 polytene chromosome bands. This region includes the rosy (ry, 3–52.0) locus, carrying the structural information for xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH). We have, in recent years, focused attention on the genetic regulation of the rosy locus and, therefore, wished to ascertain in detail the immediate genetic environment of this locus. Specifically, we question if rosy is a solitary genetic unit or part of a larger complex genetic unit encompassing adjacent genes. Our data also provide opportunity to examine further the relationship between euchromatic gene distribution and polytene chromosome structure.——The results of our genetic dissection of the rosy microregion substantiate the conclusion drawn earlier (Schalet, Kernaghan and Chovnick 1964) that the rosy locus is the only gene in this region concerned with XDH activity and that all adjacent genetic units are functionally, as well as spatially, distinct from the rosy gene. Within the rosy micro-region, we observed a close correspondence between the number of complementation groups (21) and the number of polytene chromosome bands (23 or 24). Consideration of this latter observation in conjunction with those of similar studies of other chhromosomal regions supports the hypothesis that each polytene chromosome band corresponds to a single genetic unit.
Changes in phonotaxis by the female cricketAcheta domesticus L. after killing identified acoustic interneurons

Phonotactic selectivity of female crickets to natural and model calling songs (CSs) has been well documented. No identified acoustic interneurons or groups of them exhibited sufficiently selective responses to CSs to explain this behavioral selectivity. In this study identified acoustic interneurons were killed and pre- and post-killing phonotactic responses to model CSs were compared. 1. Acoustic interneurons were iontophoretically filled with lucifer yellow. Surface illumination of the prothoracic ganglion with blue light (450 nm) stopped all EPSP and spiking activity and eliminated the membrane potential (Fig. 1). 2. Control females oriented normally to a CS after immobilizing, exposing the prothoracic ganglion, recording intracellularly, and killing an acoustic unit not related to phonotaxis (Fig. 3). 3. Killing one ON1 neuron resulted in an error angle when the female oriented to CSs with various syllable periods (SPs). However, direct orientation remained over a narrowed range of SPs, which were typical of an ‘ideal’ conspecific call (Figs. 4 and 5A). Elimination of both ON1s did not affect post-killing phonotaxis suggesting that the ON1 is not necessary for CS localization or recognition (Fig. 5B). 4. Killing one ON2 resulted in angular errors similar to those following unilateral elimination of the ON1, but only in response to post-test CS SPs that were most attractive in pre-tests. Good posttest phonotaxis occurred to CSs with SPs found to be only marginally attractive in pre-tests (Fig. 6). 5. Unilateral killing of AN2-type units produced post-test angular errors in orientation to all CS SPs. Presence of circling varied from animal to animal but if present occurred to all SPs (Fig. 7).
Reviewing Peer Review at the NIH

Recent reports suggest that peer reviews of National Institutes of Health grant applications are at best imprecise predictors of research projects' scientific impact. But these findings may not mean that peer review is failing.
Glutathione-Capped Gold Nanoclusters as Photosensitizers. Visible Light-Induced Hydrogen Generation in Neutral Water

Glutathione-capped metal nanoclusters (Aux-GSH NCs) which exhibit molecular-like properties are employed as a photosensitizer for hydrogen generation in a photoelectrochemical cell (PEC) and a photocatalytic slurry reactor. The reversible reduction (E0 = −0.63 V vs RHE) and oxidation (E0 = 0.97 and 1.51 V vs RHE) potentials of these metal nanoclusters make them suitable for driving the water-splitting reaction. When a mesoscopic TiO2 film sensitized by Aux-GSH NCs is used as the photoanode with a Pt counter electrode in aqueous buffer solution (pH = 7), we observe significant photocurrent activity under visible light (400–500 nm) excitation. Additionally, sensitizing Pt/TiO2 nanoparticles with Aux-GSH NCs in an aqueous slurry system and irradiating with visible light produce H2 at a rate of 0.3 mmol of hydrogen/h/g of Aux-GSH NCs. The rate of H2 evolution is significantly enhanced (∼5 times) when a sacrificial donor, such as EDTA, is introduced into the system. Using metal nanoclusters as a photosensitize...
Pupal orientation and emergence of some aphelinid parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) of Bemisia argentifolii (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae).

Emergences of Encarsia pergandiella Howard and E. formosa Gahan were compared; and pupal orientation of several Encarsia and Eretmocerus species were examined. The species examined for pupal orientation were E. pergandiella from southwest Florida, E. nr. pergandiella from Brazil, E. transvena (Timberlake) from Florida, E. formosa from Cali- fornia (Davis), E. formosa from Georgia (Griffin), E. formosa from Nile Delta, Egypt, Eret- mocerus sp. from Hong Kong, Eretmocerus sp. from Padappai, India, E. mundus (Mercet) from Murcia, Spain, E. nr. californicus Howard from Arizona (Tucson), parasitoids of Bemisia argentifolii Bellows & Perring (previously B. tabaci (Gennadius)). The majority (98%) of E. pergandiella pupae from Florida and all other Encarsia species except E. nr. pergandiella from Brazil pupated facing the host venter, regardless of leaf orientation, so that rotation was nec- essary before emergence. E. nr. pergandiella from Brazil, 2% of E. pergandiella from Florida, and all species of Eretmocerus pupated facing the host dorsum, so that no rotation was nec- essary. All E. pergandiella pupae and adults from Florida were pigmented similarly regardless of pupal orientation. Less than 1% of E. pergandiella female pupae were oriented backwards, i.e., with the head toward the host posterior, but again, these were not distinguishable char- acteristics of color or form. We concluded that a low incidence of unusual pupal orientations represented natural variation in the population of E. pergandiella we studied. Encarsia pergandiella Howard, E. transvena (Tim- berlake), E. formosa Gahan, and Eretmocerus spp., are parasitoids of the whitefly, Bemisia argentifolii Bellows & Perring, the sweetpotato whitefly, B. ta- baci (Gennadius), and the greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood). They can play a major role in suppression of whitefly popu- lations in the field and greenhouse (Evans 1993, McAuslane et al. 1993, Stansly et al. 1994). Suc- cessful manipulation of parasitoid populations for enhanced biological control requires more detailed biological and taxonomic information than pres- ently available. Furthermore, biology and taxono- my may be related in subtle ways. For example, Johnson (1996) found 2 color forms of E. pergan- diella in Texas. Pupae of the more common form faced the host venter and had pigmented abdom- inal tergites both as pupae and adults. Abdominal tergites of the less common light form were en- tirely yellow and pupae were oriented facing the host dorsum. Johnson (1996) concluded that the 2 species were characterized by these and other dis- tinctions, and demonstrated mating incompatibili- ties in reciprocal crosses.
Modeling Daily Water Use of Hydrangea macrophylla and Gardenia jasminoides as Affected by Environmental Conditions

Irrigation is an essential component of ornamental plant production, yet relatively little is known about how much water nursery crops require to maintain optimal growth rates. Our objectives were to precisely determine the daily water use (DWU) of Hydrangea macrophylla and Gardenia jasminoides grown in 6-L containers, quantify how this is affected by environmental conditions, develop a quantitative model describing DWU, evaluate this model with an independent data set, and determine the feasibility of using crop coefficients (Kc) for irrigation scheduling. In 2010, we quantified the DWU of two Hydrangea macrophylla cultivars, Fasan and Pia. There was little difference in DWU of the two cultivars, which ranged from 50 to 300 mL/plant/day depending on plant age and environmental (hoophouse) conditions. In 2010, daily light integral (DLI) had the greatest influence on DWU with DWU increasing with increasing DLI. The combination of plant age, final leaf area, DLI, and their interactions explained 83.2% and 90.8% of day-to-day variation in DWU of 'Fasan' and 'Pia', respectively. In July 2011, a follow-up study was conducted using Hydrangea macrophylla 'Fasan' and Gardenia jasminoides 'Radicans'. DWU of 'Fasan' ranged from 50 to 200 mL/plant/day and DWU of 'Radicans' ranged from 50 to 560 mL/plant/day. The lower DWU of 'Fasan' in 2011 compared with 2010 was the result of stunted growth of the hydrangeas, a result of elevated temperatures within the hoophouse during the plants initial growth flush. Vapor pressure deficit (VPD) explained more of the daily fluctuations in DWU in 2011 compared with 2010. Predicting DWU of the 2011 'Fasan' crop using 2011 environmental conditions and the model developed using the 2010 data resulted in DWU estimates that were on average 64% too high. This discrepancy is likely the result of slower overall growth rate and a 15.4% reduction in 'Fasan' total growth in 2011 compared with 2010 and points to the challenges of modeling DWU. There were distinct seasonal changes in Kc values for the crops, but the trends differed between 2010 and 2011. Our results suggest that an accurate measure of canopy size may improve performance of predictive water use models.
A techno-environmental overview of a corn stover biomass feedstock supply chain for cellulosic biorefineries

ABSTRACTCorn stover is the primary feedstock choice of the first generation of cellulosic biorefineries in the Midwestern US due to its abundance in the region. The technically sound, economic and environment-friendly supply system of this feedstock is inevitable for the commercial success and proliferation of these biorefineries. Such supply systems involve different aspects of stover production, harvesting, collection, handling, transportation, storage and preprocessing. This review discusses the environmental concerns of stover collection for biofuels production, and provides an update on the technological status of the corn stover feedstock supply system. The major environmental concerns of corn stover collection discussed here include its impact on soil nitrogen availability and crop requirements, changes in crop productivity, soil erosion and change in soil organic carbon, soil fertility, carbon sequestration, nutrient emissions and disease pressures. The cellulosic biorefinery feedstock quality req...
Spectral analysis for random signals: Nonparametric methods

This chapter explores the spectral analysis as used for random signals. The determination of the frequency bands that contain energy or power in a sample function of a stationary random signal is called spectral analysis. The mode in which this information is presented is an energy or power spectrum. The shape of the spectrum and the frequency components contain important information about the phenomena being studied. There are two basic methods that are considered: nonparametric or classical approaches. The first is to develop an estimator from the Fourier transform of the sample function and is called the periodogram method. The second is based on the fact that the spectral density function is the Fourier transform of the autocovariance function. It is called the Blackman–Tukey (BT) method. The chapter discusses sampling distribution of the spectral density function and the relationships among its harmonic components. And it presents derivation of some of these properties. The chapter explores both direct and indirect methods of consistent estimators. The nonparametric estimators and their properties are developed directly from the definition of the PSD and both methods have the same statistical properties. Some properties are derived in this chapter and the expressions for the variance are derived in the appendix.
Fitting Heart Transplantation to Adults With Congenital Heart Disease: Square Peg in a Round Hole?

Over the past 2 decades, improved surgical outcomes in children born with congenital heart disease have led to a growing number of adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) with increased complexity. Hospital admissions for heart failure in the ACHD population have increased in parallel to
Theoretical study of the cubic Rashba effect at the SrTiO 3 (001) surfaces

The origin of Rashba spin splitting in the two-dimensional electron gas at the (001) surface of ${\mathrm{SrTiO}}_{3}$ is studied using first-principles calculations and tight-binding model. Calculations of oxygen vacancies under virtual crystal approximation reveal a two-dimensional electron-gas subband structure similar to polar materials, consistent with observations on ${\mathrm{SrTiO}}_{3}$. Our studies also confirm that $k$ dependence of the spin splitting is predominantly cubic in the surface $\mathrm{Ti}\ensuremath{-}{t}_{2g}$ states, even though structural relaxations diminish the effect in ${d}_{xy}$ bands. A tight-binding model, explicitly including $\mathrm{Ti}\ensuremath{-}d$ and $\mathrm{O}\ensuremath{-}p$ states as well as next-nearest-neighbor interactions, is derived to understand the first-principles results. Effective Rashba Hamiltonians for the surface bands are derived using quasidegenerate perturbation theory and scenarios in which linear $k$ contribution may be suppressed are discussed. However, the cubic terms in the Hamiltonian are found to be different from the model derived using $k\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}p$ theory, leading to different pseudospin symmetry in the Brillouin zone.
Disclaimers in indexes and databases

The serendipitous discovery of a legal disclaimer at the head of a table of contents (which was termed an index) stimulated research on the phenomenon of disclaimers in indexes and databases. Definitions of disclaimer in British and American legal dictionaries are provided, and the concept is discussed in relation to introductory notes in indexes, disclaimers in reference publications - including websites - and information malpractice.
A Pilot Study Implementing a Protocol Using Dexmedetomidine as a Safe Alternative to Traditional Sedation to Decrease Ventilator Days for Patients Difficult to Extubate.

Background Traditional sedation for mechanically ventilated patients causes delirium, which increases the patients' length of stay while hospitalized. When extubation is attempted, these medications must be discontinued because of the side effect of respiratory depression, leaving patients anxious and agitated, delaying extubation and prolonging the need for mechanical ventilation. Dexmedetomidine is a safe alternative sedative that does not cause delirium or respiratory depression. During the weaning process, dexmedetomidine can be continued, allowing the patient to remain calm and successfully extubated. Objectives The aim of this study is to decrease the length of stay for mechanically ventilated patients by implementing a dexmedetomidine protocol for difficult-to-extubate patients during the weaning process. Methods A preintervention/postintervention design pilot study was done comparing the patient mean of length of stay on mechanical ventilation. A Mann-Whitney U test was used because of the small sample size. Results Over the 3-month implementation period, 15 patients received dexmedetomidine. None of the patients experienced adverse reactions while on dexmedetomidine. There was a trend of decreasing mechanical ventilation length of stay but no significant difference was noted between the preimplementation and postimplementation groups. Conclusion Dexmedetomidine was a safe alternative to traditional sedation for difficult-to-extubate patients when a bolus dose was not given.
A Retrospective Cohort Study of Glossopharyngeal Nerve Taste in Children with Recurrent Acute Tonsillitis.

ObjectiveTo compare glossopharyngeal taste between healthy children and those with recurrent acute tonsillitis.Study DesignRetrospective cohort study.SettingPediatric clinics in a tertiary care med...
Enhanced Emission from Single Isolated Gold Quantum Dots Investigated Using Two-Photon-Excited Fluorescence Near-Field Scanning Optical Microscopy

New approaches in molecular nanoscopy are greatly desired for interrogation of biological, organic, and inorganic objects with sizes below the diffraction limit. Our current work investigates emergent monolayer-protected gold quantum dots (nanoclusters, NCs) composed of 25 Au atoms by utilizing two-photon-excited fluorescence (TPEF) near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM) at single NC concentrations. Here, we demonstrate an approach to synthesize and isolate single NCs on solid glass substrates. Subsequent investigation of the NCs using TPEF NSOM reveals that, even when they are separated by distances of several tens of nanometers, we can excite and interrogate single NCs individually. Interestingly, we observe an enhanced two-photon absorption (TPA) cross section for single Au25 NCs that can be attributed to few-atom local field effects and to local field-induced microscopic cascading, indicating their potential for use in ultrasensitive sensing, disease diagnostics, cancer cell therapy, and molecu...
A Few Words of Introduction From Your New Diabetes Editorial Board.

I would like to begin by thanking the American Diabetes Association for entrusting our editorial team to serve as the caretakers for Diabetes for the next few years. Personally, I would also like to thank the incoming associate editors (see below) and those who have agreed to join our editorial board for their commitment to the journal. The associate editors are experts in their areas of diabetes research and represent the heart and soul of the journal and the review process. They do yeoman’s work for the journal, from helping me to determine the appropriateness of the manuscripts for Diabetes to leaning on the editorial board and many colleagues to obtain the most expert reviews we can. The associate editors also assimilate the reviewers’ comments and ultimately recommend decisions to me for the manuscripts that they handle. The current impact factor (8.784) for Diabetes suggests that the previous editorial teams have been identifying the correct science for the journal. Of course, that is why it is so crucial to have a strong editorial team: we are not …
Radiation Oncology Management of Stage I–III Cervix Cancer

Radiotherapy plays a critical role in the management of cervix carcinoma, in the adjuvant setting for patients with high-risk pathologic features and in the definitive setting for locoregionally advanced disease. External beam radiotherapy fields encompass potential areas of microscopic disease spread in addition to known areas of gross disease. In the presence of gross disease, however, escalation of dose is required that is best accomplished using a brachytherapy boost to spare surrounding normal organs from toxicity. This article addresses indications for radiotherapy in the management of nonmetastatic cervix cancer and reviews various radiotherapy techniques, with a heavy focus on brachytherapy.
Cardiac MRI Guidance For Coronary Artery Revascularisation

Cardiac MRI is recognized as a reliable diagnostic tool for evaluation of cardiac anatomy and function. Coronary artery revascularization based on pure anatomy alone is an imperfect technique and there are many diagnostic methods for anatomy - physiology correlation. Cardiac MRI has immense potential in such correlation and thus serves as a guidance tool for coronary artery revascularization, but it is underutilized. Two important aspects of Cardiac MR evaluation are Myocardial Stress Perfusion imaging to detect ischemia and delayed enhancement to assess cardiac viability. Cardiac MR is also used for assessing cardiac function as well as anatomic details. The usefulness of Cardiac MRI in coronary artery anatomy and plaque structure delineation are evolving. This article discusses how cardiac MRI helps in anatomy – physiology correlation of coronary artery disease
Comparison of formulas and methods for high myopia patients requiring intraocular lens powers less than six diopters.

To determine the best method to minimize postoperative hyperopia and achieve mild myopia in patients requiring low-powered (<6.00 D) MN60MA intraocular lenses (IOLs). This retrospective non-comparative case series consists of 32 eyes (20 patients). Postoperative spherical equivalent (SE) refractions were compared using four methods: standard formulas with varying target refractions (Haigis −1.00 D, Hoffer Q −1.75 D, Holladay 1 −1.50 D and SRK/T −1.00 and −1.25 D), axial length adjustment methods for standard formulas targeted for both plano and −0.50 D, Barrett Universal II formula and the Haigis formula using separate constants for plus and minus IOLs (Haigis +/−). SE (mean, standard deviation, median, range), median absolute error (MedAE), prediction errors, percentage SE less than 0.25 D and greater than −1.00 D, percentage SE within ±0.50 and ±1.00 D of the targeted refraction were calculated. All methods and formulas gave acceptable mean SE refractions ranging from −0.04 to −0.68 D. The Barrett Universal II, Haigis +/−, standard Haigis formula targeted for −1.00 D and the Holladay 1 formula targeted for −1.50 D met stricter criteria of final SE between 0.25 and −1.00 D in 94–100% of eyes and MedAE between 0.37 and 0.51 D. Other methods had more myopic or hyperopic outliers. For these eyes with high myopia, the Barrett Universal II, Haigis +/−, standard Haigis targeted for −1.00 D and the standard Holladay 1 targeted for −1.50 D formulas produce the best results exceeding established benchmark criteria and minimizing hyperopic surprises.
Neural Mechanisms of Mental Fatigue Elicited by Sustained Auditory Processing

Despite growing evidence that prolonged episodes of effortful listening can lead to mental fatigue, little work has been done to examine the patterns of brain activation associated with listening over time. In order to gain a better understanding of the nature of listening-related mental fatigue, this study characterized the effects of sustained auditory processing on brain activation in 19 adults with normal hearing. A 50-min, auditory choice paradigm served as the fatiguing task. Mental fatigue was quantified using subjective (self-report) and behavioral (response time and accuracy) measures, as well as event-related potential (ERP) measures indexing motivation (error-related negativity; ERN) and general arousal (N1). Additional electrical neuroimaging analyses were carried out on ERP datasets. Subjective and behavioral results confirmed that participants became fatigued during the auditory task (data from the first 25min compared with the second 25min). ERPs revealed changes in neural activity consistent with decreased arousal (reduced N1 amplitude). Topographical analyses indicated decreased brain activation, without a change in underlying neural network configuration. Regions of decreased brain activation, as estimated via electrical neuroimaging, suggested a decrease in attention to task stimulus-response characteristics (reduced activation in regions associated with the dorsal attention network). The decrease in mean N1 amplitude revealed a significant, positive correlation with subjective report of reduced motivation. These findings support existing cognitive and neurophysiological models that suggest mental fatigue builds over time on task, and affects motivation to influence task performance. Furthermore, this study shows sustained auditory processing can elicit mental fatigue, and that dorsal parietal activity might provide a useful method of measuring its effects.
Underground Sensing Strategies for the Health Assessment of Buried Pipelines

Buried lifeline infrastructure including pipelines, tunnels, power and communication lines, among others, are vital to ensuring the operation of the national economy. Permanent ground displacement (PGD) from earthquakes and landslides is the most serious hazard to buried pipelines, prompting often slow and expensive methods of damage localization before repairs can be made. Due to the importance of these buried lifelines, it is critical that low-cost and rapid methodologies for damage detection and localization be developed. Monitoring systems embedded in and around the pipeline are an obvious approach but typically suffer from the cost and obtrusiveness of long cable requirements. The primary goal of this chapter is to illustrate novel sensing methods that can serve as the basis for monitoring buried pipelines exposed to PGD. In particular, the chapter focuses on the monitoring of segmented concrete pipelines, which typically experience damage at their joints due to PGD. Wireless telemetry is evaluated to validate wireless sensors for buried applications, thus reducing greatly the cost of dense sensor systems in regions of high PGD risk. An overview of current buried pipeline sensing technology is made and three experimental full-scale PGD tests are conducted to evaluate pipeline motion and damage detection methodologies in segmented concrete pipelines. Real-time monitoring of joint rotations and translations by potentiometers as well as direct damage measures of joint regions by acoustic emission and conductive surface sensors were made. Strain gages were used to successfully portray global load transfer throughout the pipeline, validated by load cell measurements at the pipe ends. The combined sensor information is successfully used to create a hypothesis for the damage evolution process of buried segmented concrete pipelines under PGD and to validate the use of wireless sensors for buried pipeline monitoring.
Systematic review of developmental care interventions in the neonatal intensive care unit since 2006

Intervention studies designed to improve neurodevelopmental outcomes of premature infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) were evaluated in this systematic review to analyze research methods, to illuminate the effectiveness of interventions, and to make recommendations for future research. Google Scholar, the Cumulative Index of Nursing and Applied Health Literature, PubMed, and Cochrane databases were investigated to identify experimental and quasi-experimental interventional studies in peer-reviewed journals. Each study was assessed in the areas of sample, design, interventional strategies, threats to validity, and outcomes. Nineteen articles were reviewed with a variety of clustered and individual strategies identified to improve neurodevelopmental outcomes of premature infants in the NICU. Developmental care in the NICU appears to have some positive effects on the neurodevelopment of preterm infants. However, there were a number of limitations identified that threaten the validity of the included studies. Going forward, components of developmental care should be operationalized more consistently, greater effort should be put into ensuring treatment fidelity, and electroencephalogram data should be collected in conjunction with behavioral outcome measures.
Nanoscale Field Mapping of Interfering Beams from Nomarski Prism Using Photo-Induced Force Microscopy

We map the near-field distribution of a linearly-polarized light transmitting through a Nomarski prism. We show how translating the prism changes the near-field profile. This setup has potential applications in phase detection of molecular responses.
A portable ECG recorder for shipboard use.

Abstract : In 1976, the Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory (NSMRL), Groton, Connecticut, initiated the development of an interactive, computer-based medical diagnostic/information system (MEDIC) that would serve as a medical consultant to the Independent Duty Corpsman. The system was designed for use on submarines where such common tools as x-rays and electrocardiograms (ECGs) are not available. During the development of the Navy's chest pain diagnostic program. it became clear that ECG data would Improve the accuracy of diagnosis of a myocardial event and improve the corpsman's ability to treat such patients. Existing ECG recorders were too large to be used aboard submarines and lacked transmission capability. After evaluating many ECG systems, Marquette Electronics, the supplier of the MAC-II ECG recorder being used as part of the Tri-Service Medical Information System's (TRIMIS) Computer Assisted Processing of Cardiograms (CAPOC) program, was asked to develop a small portable ECG machine that could provide data for input to the MEDIC system. To meet this requirement, Marquette extensively redesigned their standard MAC-II recorder, and in November 1985 delivered a 12 x 8 x 4 inch recorder that weighed just under 12 pounds. The recorder can record on 12 channels, is battery operated, prints ECG tracings with full diagnostic interpretation, can transmit the tracings to the CAPOC system through a modem, and can store up to 50 ECG tracings. Feedback from the submarine community has been favorable. In addition to its intended uses by the Navy, the MAC-PC can be used in such places as ambulances, emergency medical vehicles, and physician's offices.
An incidental finding of pleomorphic adenoma of the minor salivary glands in the skin area of the lower lip.

Salivary gland tumors are rare and seen in less than 3% of all head and neck tumors.1 They are most commonly found in the parotid gland, followed by submandibular gland and minor salivary glands.2 Tumors of minor salivary glands comprise 15% to 20% of all salivary gland neoplasms. The majority of them are benign; however, they have a higher likelihood of being malignant. Minor salivary gland tumors are rare neoplasms of the upper aerodigestive tract.3 Pleomorphic adenoma (PA) comprises 40% to 72% of all minor salivary gland tumors; however, benign PA of minor salivary glands arising de novo is very rare.1,4-10 The annual incidence of PA is estimated to be approximately 2 to 3.5 cases per 100,000 populations.11 PA is a well-described benign tumor of the salivary glands, originating from myoepithelial and intercalated duct cells. It is commonly found in major salivary glands: approximately 80% of the time in the parotid gland, 10% in the submandibular gland, and 10% in the minor salivary glands. Patients are often asymptomatic, and lesions may be found incidentally. Complete excision is the criterion standard for treatment and essential for preventing recurrence and malignant transformation. In this case report, we present an incidental finding of PA of the minor salivary glands in the lower lip.
The Power Delivery System Infrastrucutre of the Future

The electric infrastructure of the future will be integrated, self-healing, and electronically controlled to provide extraordinary resiliency and responsiveness. Transmission and distribution technologies will be designed with the flexibility to accommodate changing end-use needs. The will be fully capable of acting — in real time — on the billions of decisions made by consumers and their increasingly sophisticated microprocessor agents. The infrastructure will be always on, or “alive.” It will be interconnected, interactive, and merged with communications in a complex network of real-time information and power exchange.
The Changing Longevity of Heterosexual Close Relationships

These are, indeed, “hard times for lovers” as the contemporary song proclaims. The chance of an adult heterosexual close relationship (CR) surviving “until death do us part” is slimmer than ever before. The rate of marital dissolution in the United States has reached an all time high (Levinger & Moles, 1976; Norton & Glick, 1976), and the current rate of dissolution among relatively high-commitment nonmarital CRs (e.g., cohabitation) is even higher (see Glick & Norton, 1977; Macklin, 1972). Approximately 40% of all current and potential marriages among women now in their late 20s may eventually end in divorce, according to Glick and Norton’s (1978) estimates derived from the Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey for June 1975.
Allele distribution and testing for association between an oxygen dependent degradation domain SNP in EPAS1 and pulmonary arterial pressures in yearling Angus cattle

Abstract At altitudes >1500 m, measurements of mean pulmonary arterial pressures (mPAP; mmHg) are a measure of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in cattle. Genotypes of a G/A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP; rs208684340) in the endothelial PAS domain protein 1 (EPAS1) gene were determined for mPAP categories (low, moderate, high) on Angus cattle. The A allele of this SNP was postulated to be associated with altitude-induced PH. The first objective was to estimate allele and genotypic frequencies in Angus cattle at high- (elevation 1850 to 2800 m) and low-altitude (elevation 91 to 1192 m) ranches (n = 118; random sample of 1275). Percent of cattle at these low elevation ranches with genotypes G/G, G/A, and A/A were 64.4, 33.9, and 1.7%, respectively, and a minor allele frequency (MAF; A allele) of 18.6%. Bulls, steers, and heifers (n = 691) from 4 high-altitude Angus herds in Colorado and Wyoming were genotyped. Percent of cattle with genotypes G/G, G/A, and A/A were 48.6, 34.3, and 17.1%, respectively, with a MAF of 34.2%. Average mPAP was 40.5 ± 8.8 mmHg. Low, moderate, and high-mPAP category MAF were similar (χ2 = 3.03; P = 0.22), with values of 35.4, 31.0, and 37.8%, respectively. Additionally we sought to evaluate the genotype-to-phenotype association of this SNP with mPAP phenotypes (n = 532) from the Colorado State University Beef Improvement Center (elevation 2150 m) Angus herd. Linear mixed model analysis suggested genotype was not a predictor (P = 0.61) of mPAP. Results do not suggest the A allele of SNP in EPAS1 is associated with high altitude-induced PH in yearling Angus cattle.
Using TRMM to Explore Rainfall Variability in the Upper Río Chagres Catchment, Panama

The upper Rio Chagres basin is a significant source of water for operation of the Panama Canal, producing a disproportionate share of the total runoff to the canal and also serving as the source of metropolitan drinking water for Panama City and Colon. To better understand the distribution of rainfall in the upper Rio Chagres watershed, a study was performed using rainfall observations from both ground- and space-based platforms in a geospatial statistical framework. The ground-based data are from two rain gages with long-term records and five additional gages installed in 1998. Given the significant topographic relief, and the sparsely distributed network of rain gages, it is likely that the spatial variability of rainfall is not accurately measured by this rain gage network. This paper asks two questions: Does a significant relationship exist between precipitation and elevation? Can the fraction of total catchment's rainfall coverage for storm events be determined? Three methods are to answer these questions ussing TRMM (Tropical Rainfall Measurement Mission) data products. The TRMM satellite provides 4 km2 resolution PR (Precipitation Radar) and much coarser TMI (TRMM Microwave Imager) observations multiple times per day. The instruments observe swath widths of 220 and 758 km respectively. Full basin coverage of a spatially distributed rain field observation is possible at PR resolution, allowing for determination of the areal extent of rain. Moreover, TRMM data can be used to develop a statistical model of the spatial variability of rainfall in an effort to make basin average estimates. Thirdly, available TRMM rainfall estimates are used directly, in validation of rain gage data.
Neutron lighthouse in the sky

To learn more about the mysteries of quantum chromodynamics, we are probing the universe's densest stars, writes Chanda Prescod-Weinstein
Controlled oxidation and surface modification increase heating capacity of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles

Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MIONs) can generate heat under an alternating magnetic field, enabling a wide range of applications from water treatment to cancer hyperthermia therapy. For most magnetic heating applications, it is crucial to generate a high level of heat with a low dose of MIONs. Current methods to increase the specific absorption rate (SAR) of MIONs include increasing their size and doping iron oxide nanocrystals with other metal elements. Here, we demonstrate that controlled oxidation and surface modification can significantly increase SAR of MIONs. We synthesized MIONs of different core sizes and with different coatings, including phospholipid-PEG and triethylenetetramine (TETA). We oxidized PEG-coated MIONs in a controlled fashion and measured the SAR values of the MIONs under different oxidation states. We found that, with controlled oxidation, the SAR values of 15-nm and 18-nm MIONs increased by ∼1.87 fold after two weeks of oxidation. A similar fold-increase in SAR was achieved for 15-nm MIONs with TETA coating compared with PEG coating. We systematically characterized the physical properties of MIONs and showed that oxidation caused MIONs to transition from magnetite to maghemite, resulting in increased anisotropy constant and SAR values. Our results demonstrate new approaches to significantly increase the heating capacity of MIONs by controlled nanocrystal oxidation and surface modification.
Lateral tilt during IVC filter placement does not predict the need for advanced filter retrieval techniques

Purpose We aimed to determine if lateral inferior vena cava (IVC) filter tilt at placement predicts the need for subsequent advanced retrieval techniques. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed of all Gunther Tulip IVC filter placements with subsequent retrievals between February 2015 and October 2017. Chart and imaging review was performed for patient, filter placement, and filter retrieval demographics/characteristics. Degree of agreement between two measurement sets was evaluated with the intraclass correlation (ICC) analysis. Categorical variables were compared with chi-square or Fisher exact test, as appropriate. Kendall rank correlation was used to measure correlation between categorical variables. Results There was poor agreement between filter tilt angle at the time of placement and retrieval (ICC coefficient, 0.54). Mean difference ± standard deviation between tilt angle at the time of placement and retrieval was 4.6°±4.3° (p = 0.35). Among patient- or procedure-related factors, a common femoral vein access on placement (regression coefficient, -2.90; p = 0.039) was associated with a lower difference between placement and retrieval filter tilt angles compared to internal jugular vein access. Higher filter tilt angle measured at the time of retrieval (OR: 1.19, p = 0.025), hook embedment (OR: 77.3, p Conclusion Lateral tilt at the time of placement is poorly associated with lateral tilt at the time of retrieval and does not correlate with the need for advanced retrieval technique.
Measuring Antimicrobial Resistance

Antimicrobial resistance can be measured in the laboratory and can be suggested clinically in bacterial infections that fail to respond to antimicrobial therapy. A discussion of in vivo factors contributing to antimicrobial resistance is beyond the scope of this paper; however, a brief review of in vitro determination of antimicrobial resistance will be covered.
Extinction and re-evolution of similar adaptive types (ecomorphs) in Cenozoic North American ungulates and carnivores reflect van der Hammen's cycles.

Numerous patterns in periodicity (e.g., climate, extinction, and sedimentary cycles) and evolutionary change (e.g., chronofaunas and coordinated stasis) have been described based on aspects of the geologic record. Recently, convergent occurrences of faunal types or "repeating faunas" have received attention, but a highly specific, iterative pattern was first reported over 40 years ago. In the late 1950s, van der Hammen described climatic/floral cycles on the order of six million years based on a succession of A, B, and C pollen community types in South America. These A-B-C cycles are also seen in the replacement pattern of particular carnivore and ungulate adaptive types in Cenozoic North America as reported by Martin in the 1980s. For example, in the last 36 million years, there were four iterations of a sabertooth cat ecomorph independently evolving, dominating the niche through an A-B-C cycle, and then going extinct. Here we show further support for the existence of these cycles in the dominance turnover in hippo and dog ecomorphs in the North American Cenozoic. Shared patterns of extinction and re-evolution of adaptive types among plants and mammals across two continents suggest a global mechanism, which appears to be climatic change. Iterative climatic cycles of various scales may form a predictive framework for understanding fundamental patterns in the geologic record, such as radiations, extinction, rates of change, convergence, and sedimentary cycles.
Kinematic Simulation of Robotic Systems

A new robot kinematics simulation system, called ROBOKISS has been developed. The ROBOKISS program can be used by engineers to build and manage geometric models of robotic systems, specify robot tasks, perform kinematic analysis to examine motion trajectories of robots in space, and simulate robot motions on the Spectragraphics workstation. Because the kinematic simulation is treated independently of robots, the ROBOKISS program could be considered as part of a generalized off-line programming system in the future.
Screening for Sugarcane Brown Rust in the First Clonal Stage of the Canal Point Sugarcane Breeding Program

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) brown rust (caused by Puccinia melanocephala Syd. & P. Syd.) was first reported in the United States in 1978 and is still one of the great challenges for sugarcane production. A better understanding of sugarcane genotypic variation in response to brown rust will help optimize breeding and selection strategies for disease resistance. Brown rust ratings were scaled from non-infection (0) to severe infection (4) with intervals of 0.5 and routinely recorded for genotypes in the first clonal selection stage of the Canal Point sugarcane breeding program in Florida. Data were collected from 14,272 and 12,661 genotypes and replicated check cultivars in 2012 and 2013, respectively. Mean rust rating, % infection, and severity in each family and progeny of female parent were determined, and their coefficients of variation (CV) within and among families (females) were estimated. Considerable variation exists in rust ratings among families or females. The families and female parents with high susceptibility or resistance to brown rust were identified and ranked. The findings of this study can help scientists to evaluate sugarcane crosses and parents for brown rust disease, to use desirable parents for crossing, and to improve genetic resistance to brown rust in breeding programs.
Conformational Transitions of Bovine β-Lactoglobulins A, B, and C

Abstract The optical rotatory dispersion and proton-binding properties of bovine β-lactoglobulins A, B, and C have been examined as a function of pH. It was found that the b0 parameter remains constant between pH 2.5 and 10.5, while a0 undergoes large changes, from values of approximately -150 at pH 4 and below to -600 at pH 12. Two conformational changes occur in all three genetic variants, between pH 4 and 6, and pH 6.5 and 9.5, respectively. The first is accompanied by the liberation to titration of 1 cationic residue per chain in the C variant, with no similar effect in variants A and B. In the second transition an abnormal carboxyl per chain becomes ionizable in all three variants, as has been shown to occur in the A and B proteins.