cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Disseminated Tuberculosis with Initial Presentation of Focal Myositis Diagnosed by Muscle Biopsy (P1.319)

Objective: To describe a case of disseminated tuberculosis (TB) with initial symptoms and signs of focal myositis but not respiratory infection. Background: Diagnosis of TB is most commonly made in patients with pulmonary manifestations, who have positive sputum AFB stains and mycobacterial cultures. Although uncommon, TB can infect the muscle in immunocompromised hosts. Design/Methods: Chart review. Results: A 33-year-old woman with a history of SLE on Prednisone initially presented with pain and swelling in the right calf and persistent fever despite a full course of antibiotics. Right lower extremity MRI showed muscle marked edema. She underwent a right gastrocnemius muscle biopsy, which revealed necrotizing granulomatous fasciitis and myositis with presence of many acid fast bacilli (AFB). Subsequently, she was also found to have positive AFB and/or mTB cultures in sputum, left knee synovial fluid, right forearm, left thigh, left neck, and right cervical lymph nodes. She was treated with rifampin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide, ethambutol (RIPE) and drainage of fluid collections. She showed clinical improvement and will complete a total of eleven months of TB therapy. Conclusions: Infectious myositis should be considered in a patient with febrile focal myositis. Although uncommon, TB can infect muscle in immunocompromised patients before typical pulmonary manifestations. Disclosure: Dr. Stein has nothing to disclose. Dr. Shin has nothing to disclose. Dr. Zhou has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity for Neurology: Neuroimmunology & Neuroinflammation.
NPO at Midnight: Reassessing Unnecessary Pre-Endoscopy Fasting.

Introduction Endoscopy with sedation is a common inpatient procedure. "NPO after midnight" remains the prevailing fasting practice despite ASA guidelines indicating specific fasting times. This quality improvement project aims to assess patient discomfort with the "NPO after midnight" order versus implementation of specific NPO times. Methods Patients in the inpatient wards scheduled for endoscopy after 1 pm the following day were recruited. The gastroenterology services designated specific NPO times per ASA guidelines for the post-intervention group. Each participant completed a survey qualifying hunger, thirst, and discomfort levels. Pearson's chi-squared analysis was performed. Results NPO duration was reduced in the post-intervention group with significant improvement in thirst, hunger, and discomfort levels. A shortened preoperative fasting period did not lead to increase in procedural complications. Conclusion Despite ASA guidelines, the practice of keeping patients NPO after midnight remains pervasive, resulting in unnecessarily prolonged fasting and patient discomfort. Implementing specific diet recommendations reduces duration of NPO and improves patient comfort and overall satisfaction.
Embryonic rationale for the primary correction of classical congenital clefts of the lip and palate.

Abstract Primary correction of congenital clefts of the lip and palate should be designed to carry the interrupted embryonic process to normal completion. This is best accomplished by maxillary alignment with presurgical orthodontics, stabilisation of the maxillary alignment, obliteration of the alveolar cleft and construction of the nasal floor with periosteoplasty. This allows early construction of the lip by rotation and advancement and correction of the nose with columella lengthening, alar cartilage positioning and alar base cinching. This can be accomplished before school age.
Audit Inquiries and Deception Detection: Standards, Research, and Guidance

During each phase of the audit members of the engagement team pose numerous questions, the answers to which may affect both the course and outcome of the audit. The authors posit that an understanding of the psychology of lying may provide auditors with an additional tool with which to evaluate verbal responses to audit inquiries and thereby lessen detection risk. A large body of literature suggests that people are only about 4% better than chance at identifying deception. Additionally, most people hold stereotypical views about the indicators of deception, such as a lack of eye contact indicates deception. Unfortunately, research has found many of these stereotypical views to be invalid indicators of deception. The paper concludes by exploring 6 guidelines that may assist auditors in making more accurate judgments of truth or deception.
Changes in cervical range of motion, flexion-relaxation ratio and pain with visual display terminal work.

Background The static posture in visual display terminal (VDT) workers results in increased forward neck flexion and increased static muscle tension in the neck and shoulder regions. However, few studies have objectively quantified the change in head posture induced shoulder pain during VDT work. Objective This study elucidated changes in pressure pain in the upper trapezius muscles, cervical ROM, and the cervical flexion--relaxation ratio after continuous long-term VDT work. Participants Twelve young VDT workers were recruited. Methods The pressure pain of the upper trapezius muscles, active CROM, and cervical flexion--relaxation ratio were measured in all subjects once before and once after VDT work. Results The pressure pain threshold of the right upper trapezius muscle was 6.9 ± 1.6 lb before VDT work and 6.1 ± 1.0 lb after VDT work, revealing a significant increase with VDT work. The cervical extension, left and right lateral flexion, and left rotation measurers decreased significantly with VDT work. Conclusions We postulate that even short-term VDT work has the potential to cause problems. It is necessary to develop a CROM self-measuring device and to monitor patients' musculoskeletal changes frequently.
Autonomous Flying Vehicle Research at the University of Southern California

This paper outlines research on Autonomous Flying Vehicles at the University of Southern California (USC). We are particularly interested in control strategies for autonomous vehicles to perform difficult tasks such as autonomous landing and trajectory following. In addition we are starting research on cooperative algorithms for formation flight with a group of autonomous flying robots. In particular, we present the design and behavior-based control architecture for an autonomous flying vehicle (AFV), for vision-based landing. We use vision for precise target detection and recognition as well as combination of vision and GPS for navigation. An outline of the reference design of an autonomous helicopter for research in formation flying is also presented. A discussion of exemplar algorithms used for controlling multiple robots in formation is presented.
Chapter 17 Application of Laser Tweezers to Studies of Membrane–Cytoskeleton Adhesion

Interaction between the plasma membrane and cytoskeleton is important in regulating cell functions such as lamellipodial extension, cell motility, and endocytosis. Here, we describe a method to determine plasma membrane-cytoskeleton adhesion by measuring tether force using laser optical tweezers. We show the basic components and instrumental setup of a laser optical tweezers system which is used to pull thin membrane tethers from the cell surface using one micron polystyrene beads coated with membrane binding ligands. We also show an application of tether force measurements in elucidating regulation of membrane-cytoskeleton adhesion. That phosphatidylinositol-4,5-biphosphate (PIP2) may play an important role in regulating membrane-cytoskeleton adhesion is suggested by correlating the plasma membrane concentration of PIP2 with membrane-cytoskeleton adhesion using tether force measurements. The assay described here enables us to investigate mechanochemical components of many important cellular processes, such as lamellipodial extension, cell motility, membrane resealing after cell wounding, and endocytosis. Furthermore, this method could be used to establish the link between biochemical function and physical properties of the plasma membrane which drives these dynamic cellular processes.
APCs Present Aβk-Derived Peptides That Are Autoantigenic to Type B T Cells

Type B T cells recognize peptide provided exogenously but are ignorant of the same epitope derived from intracellular processing. In this study, we demonstrate the existence of type B T cells to an abundant autologous peptide derived from processing of the I-A k β-chain. T cell hybridomas raised against this peptide fail to recognize syngeneic APC despite abundant presentation of the naturally processed epitope but react in a dose-dependent manner to exogenous peptide. Moreover, these hybridomas respond to Aβ k peptide extracted from the surface of I-A k -expressing APC. This peptide was isolated from B cell lines where it was found in high abundance; it was also present in lines lacking HLA-DM, but in considerably lower amounts. Therefore, type B T cells exist in the naive repertoire to abundant autologous peptides. We discuss the implications of these findings to the potential biological role of type B T cells in immune responses and autoimmune pathology.
Habitual Aerobic Exercise Does Not Significantly Influence Age-related Microvascular Endothelial Dysfunction in Healthy Estrogen-deficient Postmenopausal Women

Aging causes macro- and microvascular endothelial dysfunction, as assessed by endothelium-dependent dilation (EDD), which can be prevented and reversed by habitual aerobic exercise (AE) in men. How...
The Last Treatise: Project and Person (Reflections on Martti Koskenniemi's "From Apology to Utopia")

Martti Koskenniemi's From Apology to Utopia is the most significant late 20th century English language monograph in the field of international law, and it is terrific to see it re-issued. The book offers a comprehensive reinterpretation of the doctrinal materials and intellectual history of the discipline. It became an instant classic in the analysis of law's rhetorical structures, and it could well turn out to have been the last great original treatise in the international law field. It both synthesized the materials and demonstrated the impossibility of their being synthesized in a stable and intellectually coherent fashion. The treat in this re-issued edition is Martti's new epilogue. In it, he reflects on what he was seeking to achieve in ways that will open the text to new readings while remaining, I think, true to the spirit of the initial project.
Some continuous functions related to corner polyhedra, II

The group problem on the unit interval is developed, with and without continuous variables. The connection with cutting planes, or valid inequalities, is reviewed. Certain desirable properties of valid inequalities, such as minimality and extremality are developed, and the connection between valid inequalities for P(I, u0) and P-+(I, u0) is developed. A class of functions is shown to give extreme valid inequalities for P-+(I, u0) and for certain subsetsU ofI. A method is used to generate such functions. These functions give faces of certain corner polyhedra. Other functions which do not immediately give extreme valid inequalities are altered to construct a class of faces for certain corner polyhedra. This class of faces grows exponentially as the size of the group grows.
Photovoltaics: A review of cell and module technologies

Abstract This review centers on the status, and future directions of the cell and module technologies, with emphasis on the research and development aspects. The framework is established with a consideration of the historical parameters of photovoltaics and each particular technology approach. The problems and strengths of the single-crystal, polycrystalline, and amorphous technologies are discussed, compared, and assessed. Single- and multiple junction or tandem cell configurations are evaluated for performance, processing, and engineering criteria. Thin-film technologies are highlighted as emerging, low-cost options for terrestrial applications and markets. Discussions focus on the fundamental building block for the photovoltaic system, the solar cell, but important module developments and issues are cited. Future research and technology directions are examined, including issues that are considered important for the development of the specific materials, cell, and module approaches. Novel technologies and new research areas are surveyed as potential photovoltaic options of the future.
Effect of host plant xylem fluid on growth, aggregation, and attachment of Xylella fastidiosa

In the Temecula Valley of California the proximity of citrus groves to vineyards influences the incidence and severity of Pierce's disease (PD) in grapes, a disease caused by the gram-negative bacterium, Xylella fastidiosa. Although the glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS), the major insect vector of the bacterium, feeds on and moves back and forth between citrus groves and vineyards, there are no visible symptoms of disease caused by X fastidiosa in citrus. Previous evidences suggested that while grapevines are susceptible to the PD strain of X. fastidiosa, citrus trees are resistant or tolerant but could be a reservoir to harbor the pathogen for the GWSS acquisition. We investigated the mechanisms of host plant resistance/susceptibility by examining the in vitro effect of xylem fluid from grapefruit, orange, lemon, and grape on the growth, aggregation, and attachment of a X. fastidiosa strain isolated from grape. Our results revealed that xylem fluid from grapefruit, orange, and lemon trees caused the bacterial cells to form aggregations of large whitish clumps, whereas the xylem fluid from grape vines created a visible thick biofilm. The densities of X. fastidiosa cells in grapefruit xylem fluid treatment were significantly higher at 6, 8, and 9 d postinoculation compared with those in grape xylem fluid treatment. The cell densities of X. fastidiosa cultures in orange or lemon xylem fluid were generally lower than those in grape xylem fluid treatment, whereas citrus xylem fluid significantly inhibited X. fastidiosa biofilm formation compared to grape xylem fluid.
The luminescent properties of nitrogen doped GaAsP light emitting diodes

The properties of GaAsP:N light emitting diodes, which emit throughout the range from 7000 A to 5500A (red to green), have been investigated. The diodes were fabricated by Zn diffusion into n-type vapor phase epitaxial layers doped with nitrogen and tellurium. The emission spectra, luminous efficiency, quantum efficiency, brightness, and decay time constant have been investigated as functions of alloy composition. Also, the luminous output of the devices has been studied as a function of drive current density and temperature. In the yellow and green spectral regions the performance of nitrogen doped diodes is more than an order of magnitude better than that of nitrogen free diodes of equivalent peak emission wavelength. The luminous efficiency of diodes in the redamber spectral region, with alloy compositions near GaAs0.35P0.65 is equivalent to that obtained in GaP:Zn, O red emitting diodes with 2% quantum efficiency.
A new facility for averaged resonance capture studies at the Omega West reactor

Abstract A facility has been developed at the Omega West reactor at Los Alamos to provide neutron beams of 2 and 24 keV average neutron energies. The neutron beam currents are comparable with those obtained at the Brookhaven high flux beam reactor. A three-crystal pair spectrometer has been developed to allow acquisition of high resolution primary neutron capture gamma ray spectra. This will be used for nuclear spectroscopy and structure studies.
Soft x-ray quantum efficiency of silicon hybrid CMOS detectors

Si Hybrid CMOS detectors (HCDs) are sensitive to X-rays between approximately 0.2 – 20 keV. HCDs can provide superior performance to traditional CCDs in multiple areas: faster read out time, windowed read out mode, less susceptible to radiation & micrometeoroid damage, and lower power consumption. X-ray detectors designed for use in astronomical observatories must have an optical blocking filter to prevent the detectors from being saturated by optical light. We have previously reported on the successful deposition of an Al optical blocking layer directly onto the surface of HCDs. These blocking filters were deposited with multiple thicknesses from 180 – 1000 A and successfully block optical light at all thicknesses, with minimal impact expected on quantum efficiency at the energies of interest for these detectors. The thin Al layer is not expected to impact quantum efficiency at the energies of interest for these detectors. We report energy dependent soft X-ray quantum efficiency measurements for multiple HCDs with different optical blocking filter thicknesses.
The Egg Surface LDL Receptor Repeat-Containing Proteins EGG-1 and EGG-2 Are Required for Fertilization in Caenorhabditis elegans

The molecular machinery that mediates sperm-egg interactions at fertilization is largely unknown. We identify two partially redundant egg surface LDL receptor repeat-containing proteins (EGG-1 and EGG-2) that are required for Caenorhabditis elegans fertility in hermaphrodites, but not males. Wild-type sperm cannot enter the morphologically normal oocytes produced by hermaphrodites that lack egg-1 and egg-2 function despite direct gamete contact. Furthermore, we find that levels of meiotic maturation/ovulation and sperm migratory behavior are altered in egg-1 mutants. These observations suggest an unexpected regulatory link between fertilization and other events necessary for reproductive success. egg-1 and egg-2 are the result of a gene duplication in the nematode lineage leading to C. elegans. The two closely related species C. briggsae and C. remanei encode only a single egg-1/egg-2 homolog that is required for hermaphrodite/female fertility. In addition to being the first identified egg components of the nematode fertilization machinery, the egg-1 and egg-2 gene duplication could be vital with regards to maximizing C. elegans fecundity and understanding the evolutionary differentiation of molecular function and speciation.
Effect of ram exposure and prostaglandin F2 alpha on the reproductive performance of anestrous ewes

A study was conducted to determine if ram exposure alone or in combination with prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2α) would increase the number of ewes becoming pregnant early in the breeding season. Forty-nine parous Finn × Dorset × Rambouillet ewes were allotted by age into three groups: control (C; n = 17), ram exposure (RE; n = 16), and ram exposure plus PGF2α (RE + PGF2α; n = 16) groups: Ewes in the RE and RE + PGF2α groups were exposed to vasectomized rams for 16 d. On the last day of ram exposure, ewes in the RE + PGF2α group were injected intramuscularly (i.m.) with 20 mg PGF2α; ewes in the other two groups were injected with saline. Plasma progesterone was measured on the first and last day of ram exposure to estimate the number of ewes that formed luteal tissue in response to ram exposure. Prior to ram exposure, only 14% of the ewes had formed luteal tissue based upon concentrations of progesterone. The number of ewes forming luteal tissue after 16 d of ram exposure (RE and RE + PGF2α groups) was increased (P < 0.05) compared to ewes in the C group. After ram exposure, the ewes were exposed to intact rams and observed for estrus during a 45-d breeding season. The percentage of ewes detected in estrus after 3 d of breeding was increased (P < 0.05) in the RE + PGF2α group relative to the C or RE groups. Furthermore, the percentage of pregnant ewes was increased (P < 0.05) in the RE + PGF2α group relative to the C group. After 45 d of breeding, the percentage of ewes detected in estrus and those pregnant was similar for all groups. In summary, RE induced luteal tissue formation in anestrous ewes and the combination of RE + PGF2α effectively synchronized estrus. The combination of RE and PGF2α increased the pregnancy rate early in the breeding season.
On the covariance of the Moore-Penrose inverse

Abstract Given a square complex matrix A with Moore-Penrose inverse A † , we describe the class of invertible matrices T such that ( TAT -1 ) † = TA † T -1 .
Toward a theory of social dialect variation

Over the past ten years the study of language in its social context has become a mature field with a substantial body of method and empirical results. As a result of this work we are arriving at new insights into such classical problems as the origin and diffusion of linguistic change, the nature of stylistic variation in language use, and the effect of class structure on linguistic variation within a speech community. Advances in sociolinguistics have been most evident in the study of co-variation between social context and the sound pattern of speech. The results reported in numerous monographs have laid the basis for substantial theoretical progress in our understanding of the factors that govern dialect variation in stratified communities, at least in its phonological aspect. The formulation of theories of the causes of phonological variation that go beyond guesswork and vague generalities appears at last to be possible. Therefore, we offer the following discussion, based on the material that is now available, as a contribution to the development of an explanatory theory of the mechanisms underlying social dialect variation. Although we shall state our views strongly, we know that they are far from definitive. We present them, not as positions to be defended at all costs, but as stimuli to further theoretical reflection in a field that has been, thus far, descriptively oriented.
Dose-dependent cocaine place conditioning and D1 dopamine antagonist effects in male Japanese quail.

Abstract The dopamine D1 receptor subtype has been implicated in drug reward processes in mammals. Two experiments investigated whether dose-dependent differences in cocaine conditioned place preference (CPP) would be obtained in an avian species and whether these cocaine effects were mediated by the dopamine D1 antagonist R(±)-SCH23390. In Experiment 1, male birds were given intraperitoneal injections of 1, 3, 10, or 30 mg/kg of cocaine hydrochloride, paired with a chamber that contained distinct visual cues. On alternate days, they received saline paired with a chamber containing different visual cues. A CPP test was given after four pairings of cocaine with the distinct chamber. In Experiment 2, 0.0025, 0.025, or 0.25 mg/kg of SCH 23390 or saline was administered 15 min prior to cocaine (3 mg/kg) and placement into the least preferred chamber. CPP was observed at 1, 3, and 10 mg/kg doses of cocaine but not at 30 mg/kg or saline. All doses of SCH 23390 attenuated cocaine-induced CPP. The findings suggest that cocaine administration results in a dose-dependent CPP, and that similar with mammals, it may be mediated by D1 receptors in an avian species. Thus, the avian species may be a beneficial comparative model for drug studies, especially those involving visual cue mechanisms of drug reward.
An improved Hadamard encoding mask for multiplexed Raman imaging using single channel detection

Abstract Improvement in the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of measurements is a common goal for investigators interested in instrument development. Hadamard transform measurement techniques can be employed to improve the SNR in spectrometry and imaging instrumentation using non-photon-noise limited, single channel detectors. Many improvements in the practical implementation and performance of Hadamard transform spectrometry (HTS) and Hadamard transform imaging (HTI) instrumentation have been a direct result of technological advances in mask construction. A recent technological advance, the digital micro-mirror array (DMA), promises to advance HTS and HTI instrumentation development. This paper presents the results of HTI experiments employing the DMA as a Hadamard encoding mask for Raman hyper-spectral imaging in the visible spectral region. Two heterogeneous solid samples were used to investigate the utility of the DMA as an improved two-dimensional (2D) Hadamard encoding mask; naphthalene on double sided tape and solid 1,2-dinitro-benzol with naphthalene on a field of 3,4-dichlorobenzldehyde. The utility of the DMA as an effective 2D Hadamard encoding mask is demonstrated as a prelude to future imaging experiments using single channel detectors in the near-infrared and mid-infrared spectral regions.
Effect of AICD patch electrodes on the diastolic pressure-volume curve in pigs.

Abstract Although the automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator (AICD) is effective against malignant ventricular arrhythmias, the effects of AICD patches on left ventricular diastolic properties have not been defined. Accordingly, extrapericardial (group E, n=5) or intrapericardial (group I, n=6) AICD patches were implanted through a median sternotomy in 11 anesthetized pigs. Six weeks later, using a left thoracotomy, the hearts were arrested with hypothermic cardioplegia. A balloon catheter was inserted into the left ventricle through the aortic root, and pressure-volume curves were measured before and after sequential removal of patches and pericardium. A dense intrapericardial fibrotic reaction in group I was not present in group E. Normalized left ventricular filling volumes in group E were significantly larger at pressures of 5.1 to 10, 15.1 to 20, and 20.1 to 28 mm Hg compared with group I ( p
Some remarks on orders of projective planes, planar difference sets and multipliers

In this paper we investigate how finite group theory, number theory, together with the geometry of substructures can be used in the study of finite projective planes. Some remarks concerning the function v(x)= x2 + x + 1are presented, for example, how the geometry of a subplane affects the factorization of v(x). The rest of this paper studies abelian planar difference sets by multipliers.
The twenty-third ICMI study: primary mathematics study on whole numbers

A new study on the teaching and learning of whole number arithmetic in primary school and pre-school will be conducted by the International Commission on Mathematical Instruction (ICMI). The study is organized around themes concerning foundational aspects of whole number arithmetic (cultural, historical, epistemological, as well as (neuro)cognitive), the teaching and learning of whole number arithmetic, and the connection of whole number arithmetic with other mathematical topics. The International Program Committee invites papers for the new study.
The Inferior Oblique Muscle Adherence Syndrome

Objective To describe the clinical features, etiology, prevention, and treatment of the inferior oblique muscle (IO) adherence syndrome. Methods This series consists of 12 patients treated for a restrictive hypotropia in which the middle portion of the IO was scarred anteriorly, either into or near the inferior rectus muscle (IR) insertion, after prior surgery. Results Among the 12 patients treated, the mean hypotropia of the affected eye was 18.1 ± 7.2 prism diopters and the mean excyclotropia was 13.8° ± 3.3°. Causes of the IO adherence syndrome included IR surgery (with or without prior IO myectomy) and scleral buckling surgery. The syndrome responded well to surgically releasing or myectomizing the incarcerated IO, combined with ipsilateral IR recession. Conclusions The IO adherence syndrome is a complication of surgery on the IR or of scleral buckling surgery, which can result in a restrictive hypotropia and excyclotropia. It can be prevented by paying attention to the anatomic relationship between the IO and IR and can be effectively treated if it occurs.
MEMORIAL TO JOHANNA MARTHA RESIG (1932–2007)

Johanna Martha Resig was born in Los Angeles, California, USA, on 27 May 1932. She attended the University of Southern California in Los Angeles where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Geology in 1954 and her Master of Science in 1956 under the direction of Dr. Orville Bandy. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa and was also a member of Sigma Xi, the science honorary. Johanna emerged from USC superbly trained in micro-paleontology, able to apply her skills to a wide range of environmental and geological problems. Her first position was with the Allen Hancock Foundation, where she studied living Foraminifera of the California coast. Her publications on the impacts of ocean outfalls on foraminiferal ecology are regularly cited among the pioneering applications of the field now known as environmental micropaleontology. In …
Simple and Joint Effects of Gender and Self-Esteem on Responses to Same-Sex Sexual Harassment

In a sample of 431 white-collar professionals, we examined the impact of gender and self-esteem on individuals' intentions to seek legal counsel, confront the harasser, and make formal reports within the organization in response to approach-based same-sex sexual harassment. We hypothesized that gender, self-esteem, and their interaction would be related to assertive responses. All three hypotheses received support: men were more likely than women to respond assertively; self-esteem was positively related to response intentions; and self-esteem had a greater impact on men's responses than on women's responses. These results suggest that frameworks used to describe responses to cross-sex sexual harassment may not be adequate for same-sex sexual harassment. Post hoc analyses revealed that perceiving the behavior as harassment mediated the relationship between self-esteem and the responses to harassment, but did not mediate the relationships between gender and the responses to harassment. These findings contribute to the research on acknowledging sexual harassment.
Corn Production as Affected by Tillage System and Starter Fertilizer

Potential agronomic and soil conservation benefits of modified no-till (NT) systems make them appealing for corn (Zea mays L.) production in the northern Corn Belt where adoption of NT has been limited due to yield reductions on these colder soils. A 4-yr (1997-2000) experiment was conducted on a high P- and K-testing Port Byron silt loam (fine silty, mixed, mesic typic Hapludoll) to determine the effects of four tillage systems [no-till (NT), Rawson zone till (ZT), fall strip till (ST), and conventional tillage practice (CT)] on corn production and cone index (CI; penetrometer resistance) in continuous corn and corn following soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. Eight treatments, four tillage systems (main plots) with starter fertilizer at rates of 0 and 168 kg ha -1 of a 9-10-24, were arranged in a split-plot design with four replicates. Surface residue coverage after planting was maintained at high levels (>40%) with NT, ZT, and ST, whereas coverage averaged only 25% with the CT practice. Cone index during the period of early plant growth was significantly less for the ZT and ST systems compared with the NT and CT systems, but CI did not exceed 1.3 MPa. Four-year average yields of continuous corn grain ranked according to tillage were CT > ZT = ST > NT. A significant tillage × year interaction indicated equal yields for CT and NT in the first 2 yr but 1.0 to 1.2 Mg ha -1 less with NT in the last 2 yr. Tillage system did not significantly affect corn grain yields following soybean when averaged across years. Starter fertilizer increased yields by 0.5 Mg ha -1 on this high-testing soil for all tillage systems in both crop rotations. Surface residue and corn yields following corn and soybean can be optimized using modified NT systems (ZT and ST) and starter fertilizer in these well-drained, loess soils.
Stereotyping by children of the effects of drinking on adults

Responses on a semantic differential questionnaire indicated that 12-year-olds had formed stereotypes about the effects of alcohol on adults and that these stereotypes were generally negative.
Confidence Intervals of the Simple Difference between the Proportions of a Primary Infection and a Secondary Infection, Given the Primary Infection

Summary This paper discusses interval estimation of the simple difference (SD) between the proportions of the primary infection and the secondary infection, given the primary infection, by developing three asymptotic interval estimators using Wald’s test statistic, the likelihood-ratio test, and the basic principle of Fieller’s theorem. This paper further evaluates and compares the performance of these interval estimators with respect to the coverage probability and the expected length of the resulting confidence intervals. This paper finds that the asymptotic confidence interval using the likelihood ratio test consistently performs well in all situations considered here. When the underlying SD is within 0.10 and the total number of subjects is not large (say, 50), this paper further finds that the interval estimators using Fieller’s theorem would be preferable to the estimator using the Wald’s test statistic if the primary infection probability were moderate (say, 0.30), but the latter is preferable to the former if this probability were large (say, 0.80). When the total number of subjects is large (say, 200), all the three interval estimators perform well in almost all situations considered in this paper. In these cases, for simplicity, we may apply either of the two interval estimators using Wald’s test statistic or Fieller’s theorem without losing much accuracy and efficiency as compared with the interval estimator using the asymptotic likelihood ratio test.
Nickel induction of microsomal heme oxygenase activity in rodents

Heme oxygenase activity was measured in tissues of rats killed after administration of NiCl2 or Ni3S2. Induction of renal heme oxygenase activity occurred 6 hr after NiCl2 injection (0.25 mmol/kg, sc), reached a maximum of five to six times the baseline activity at 17 hr, and remained significantly increased at 72 hr. Heme oxygenase activities were also increased in liver, lung, and brain at 17 hr after the NiCl2 injection; heme oxygenase activities in spleen and intestinal mucosa were unchanged. The effects of NiCl2 on heme oxygenase activities in kidney and liver were dose-related from 0.06 to 0.75 mmol/kg, sc. Three Ni chelators were administered (1 mmol/kg, im) prior to injection of NiCl2 (0.25 mmol/kg, sc); d-penicillamine partially prevented Ni induction of renal heme oxygenase activity; triethylenetetramine had no effect; sodium diethyldithiocarbamate enhanced the Ni induction of renal heme oxygenase activity (three times greater than NiCl2 alone). Intrarenal injection of Ni3S2 (10 mg/rat) caused induction of renal heme oxygenase activity at 1 week but not at 2, 3, or 4 weeks; no correlation was observed between induction of renal heme oxygenase activity and erythropoietin-mediated erythrocytosis. Hypoxia (10% O2, 12 hr/day, 7 days) did not affect renal heme oxygenase activity. Induction of renal heme oxygenase activity was observed in mice, hamsters, and guinea pigs killed 17 hr after injection of NiCl2 (0.25 mmol/kg, sc). These studies established (a) the time course, dose-effect, organ selectivity, and species susceptibility relationships for Ni induction of microsomal heme oxygenase activity, (b) the effects of Ni chelators, and (c) the lack of relationship between induction of renal heme oxygenase activity and the erythrocytosis that develops after intrarenal injection of Ni3S2.
Inventory of College Students' Recent Life Experiences: Are Hospitality Students Under Too Much Stress?

This study measures the amount of stress hospitality management students throughout the U.S. feel on a daily basis. A total of 717 students from 22 universities self-reported their stress levels using the Inventory of College Students' Recent Life Experiences as a scale. Results show that hospitality management students experience more than average stress. High level stessors in these college students' lives are (1) too many things to do at once, (2) a lot of responsibilities, and (3) worry about important decisions about their future.
A Quark Model of Baryons With Natural Flavor

We have fitted the masses and elastic widths of the S=0 baryons in the context of the QCD-improved quark shell model. All states in theN=0, 1, 2 and 3 harmonic oscillator bands have been included. Three models for the decay of these states have been studied, and it is concluded that the usual spectator model for the decays must be modified. Many resonances in theN=2 and 3 bands were found to decouple from the πN channel, supporting a previous solution to the missing resonance puzzle. No evidence has been found for the tensor force, while conflicting data exist for the 3-body spin orbit term. We also have found evidence that the contact force varies with band. The (56,1−) multiplet is lower than expected.
Direction-dependent conduction abnormalities in a canine model of atrial fibrillation due to chronic atrial dilatation.

Chronic rapid atrial pacing (RAP) leads to changes that perpetuate atrial fibrillation (AF). Chronic atrial dilatation due to mitral regurgitation (MR) also increases AF inducibility, but it is not...
Holocene Valley fills of Southern Turkey and Northwestern Syria: Recent geoarchaeological contributions

Abstract Holocene alluvial fills from catchments ranging from 100,000 km 2 (the upper Euphrates) are described for part of S Anatolia and NW Syria. The sequences indicate that mid-Holocene landscapes were moderately stable and in several areas were drained by reliable, perennial channel flows. Although the boundary between mid and late Holocene deposits (ca. 2000 BC) is represented by sedimentary discontinuities in several alluvial sequences, these transitions were not necessarily contemporaneous. In places, ploughwash deposits infilled valleys where sediment delivery had exceeded channel flow during the last 4000–5000 y. In the Balikh valley human withdrawal of water for irrigation has depleted flow, thereby weakening that river as a palaeohydrological indicator. The limited lacustrine sequences do not necessarily provide a reliable palaeoclimatic record because they may relate to increased flood frequency from the inflowing rivers, which may, in turn, result from a range of anthropogenic and natural factors. Late Holocene channel fills indicate less perennial flow, higher flow variations, increased erosion, or accelerated aggradation. Such environments appear to have characterized the last 4000–5000 yr during which time the impact of human population on the landscape increased and climatic desiccation, albeit at fluctuating levels, had probably become more pronounced.
A mathematical model for nonideality in back extraction phenomena

Abstract A mathematical model is constructed to predict the shape of an experimentally obtained curve describing the back extraction phenomenon in the solvent extraction of a metal ion from an aqueous medium to an organic one. The model is obtained by augmenting a function describing the extraction process to include the back extraction phenomenon as a small parameter. This function is then expanded as a power series in terms of the independent variable and the small parameter as a consequence of hypothesizing that the dependent quantities are normally distributed. The first-order approximation so obtained yields a graph of the original function possessing characteristics agreeing with experimentally obtained data. The second- order approximation is also examined. The mathematical model thus provides a tool for further analytical analysis of the back extraction phenomenon.
Baseline metabolic tumor volume and total lesion glycolysis are associated with survival outcomes in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer receiving stereotactic body radiation therapy

Purpose Although previous studies have demonstrated the prognostic value of positron emission tomography (PET) parameters in other malignancies, the role of PET in pancreatic cancer has yet to be well established. We analyzed the prognostic utility of PET for patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) undergoing fractionated stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). Materials and Methods Thirty-two patients with LAPC in a prospective clinical trial received up to 3 doses of gemcitabine, followed by 33 Gy in 5 fractions of 6.6 Gy, using SBRT. All patients received a baseline PET scan prior to SBRT (pre-SBRT PET). Metabolic tumor volume (MTV), total lesion glycolysis (TLG), and maximum and peak standardized uptake values (SUV max and SUV peak ) on pre-SBRT PET scans were calculated using custom-designed software. Disease was measured at a threshold based on the liver SUV, using the equation Liver mean + [2 × Liver sd ]. Median values of PET parameters were used as cutoffs when assessing their prognostic potential through Cox regression analyses. Results Of the 32 patients, the majority were male (n=19, 59%), 65 years or older (n=21, 66%), and had tumors located in the pancreatic head (n=27, 84%). Twenty-seven patients (84%) received induction gemcitabine prior to SBRT. Median overall survival for the entire cohort was 18.8 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 15.7-22.0). An MTV of 26.8 cm 3 or greater (hazard ratio [HR] 4.46, 95% CI 1.64-5.88, P P P =.029) and TLG (HR 3.34, 95% CI 1.07-10.48, P =.038) remained independently associated with overall survival in separate multivariate analyses. Conclusions Pre-SBRT MTV and TLG are potential predictive factors for overall survival in patients with LAPC and may assist in tailoring therapy.
Binocular reaction times to contrast increments

Binocular and monocular reaction times were measured in response to an abrupt increment in the standing contrast of a grating. For near threshold contrast increments the advantage of binocular over monocular viewing was substantial when the standing contrast was low, but this advantage was reduced at higher standing contrasts. With high contrast increments the advantage of binocular over monocular viewing was uninfluenced by standing contrast and exceeded the level expected from probability summation.
Effect of PGE in multiple experimental models IX : in vivo effects of PGE on immune response of leucocytes to wounds

There have been conflicting results obtained when comparing the in vitro with in vivo effects of prostaglandin E (PGE) on immune function. The in vitro studies have demonstrated immune suppression with PGE administration while the in vivo studies demonstrated improved survival when utilizing infected models. To attempt to resolve this discrepancy, we evaluated the in vivo effect of PGE on host immune function utilizing multiple rat models. PGE was found to have no effect on the ability of leucocytes to infiltrate a sponge matrix wound over a 2-week period of study. PGE also failed to alter the percentage of T-lymphocyte subset populations infiltrating the sponge matrix model. There was noted to be no effect of PGE on the ability of neutrophils to chemiluminescence, or on metabolic function of lymphocytes. In conclusion, PGE does not appear to have immunosuppressive properties when studied using certain in vivo models.
Year-Round Soil Nutrient Dynamics from Broiler Litter Application to Three Bermudagrass Cultivars

Understanding manure nutrient dynamics in soil with any crop is an important management practice for farmers and producers to document accountability and to use manure resources optimally. A field experiment was conducted to quantify input, output, and the year-round major plant nutrient dynamics in a fine sandy loam soil supplied with 15.75 Mg ha -1 yr -1 broiler litter. Soil samples were collected from pre-established plots of common bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] and hybrid bermudagrass Cultivars Coastal and Tifton 85 for nutrient analysis. Coastal and Tifton 85 produced significantly greater annual dry matter yield (16 948 and 18 772 kg ha -1 ) than common bermudagrass (11 238 kg ha -1 ). Tifton 85 was most efficient and removed 344, 58, and 472 kg ha -1 N, P, and K, respectively. The removal efficiency of these nutrients for Tifton 85 was 73, 18, and 114%, respectively. Soil pH varied from 6.0 to 6.6 until it decreased unexpectedly to 5.6 by the end of 2001. Total soil C increased from 11.4 g kg -1 to 17.9 g kg -1 by the end of the second year. At all sampling dates, the NO 3 -N concentration was greater than NH 4 -N while total N decreased during the maximum uptake in late spring and summer. Both total P and Mehlich-3 extractable P concentrations increased mainly in the 5- to 10-cm depth, indicating slight leaching of P. Results indicated that top yield from hybrid bermudagrass cultivars is possible with broiler litter as a sole fertilizer source. However, considerable nutrient imbalances in soil may occur in the long term if improper litter rates are used.
Efficient moments-based method for error rate calculations using the Beaulieu series

A moments-based method is used for calculating the error probability of partially coherent phase shift keying (PSK) wireless diversity systems. The probability of error is formulated in terms of the Beaulieu series for the cumulative distribution function (cdf) of a sum of random variables. Since the characteristic function (CF) needed in the series derivation might not be known explicitly in some practical cases, the use of a moments-based method is proposed to determine it. The advantages of the method include both avoiding the use of numerical integration methods and yielding simple expressions, since the moments for many distributions encountered in communications analyses are easily available in closed-forms. Upper bounds on the systematic errors occuring in the computation via combining the Beaulieu series with the proposed method are derived.
Applicability of d.c. relaxation techniques to multi-step reactions

Abstract The general theory of d.c. relaxation techniques has been developed mainly for single-step electrochemical reactions and for multi-step reactions with a clearly defined rate-determining step and no intermediate accumulation either on the electrode surface or in the solution. A few workers have considered the case of multi-step reactions, but, because of the complexity of these systems, different approximations and simplifications were introduced in every treatment, limiting the general usefulness of the conclusions. Using numerical calculational methods, we have investigated the behavior of two-step (metal deposition/dissolution) reactions for potentiostatic and galvanostatic single- and double-pulse relaxation experiments. We have carried out a large number of numerical simulations using a wide range of variable values. The main purpose was to determine the conditions under which the techniques are applicable for the measurement of the rate constant of the fast and the slow step of the reaction sequence. In particular, two ‘critical times’ were determined: (i) the time to reach ‘steady-state’ conditions with the transient techniques and (ii) the time available for the determination of the fast-step kinetics at the beginning of the measuring pulse. We have succeeded in representing these conditions in graphical form as a function of parameters involving only a few (mostly known) variables. We also found that the appearance of a maximum/minimum in the relaxation curves indicates that only the fast-step kinetics can be determined.