End Row Research Articles

Nailfold capillary density is importantly associated over time with muscle and skin disease activity in juvenile dermatomyositis

To investigate the longitudinal association of nailfold capillary density (NCD; as a potential marker of activity) with various other clinical measures of disease activity and to evaluate baseline NCD as a predictor of disease outcome in children with JDM. Data from 809 clinic visits from 92 JDM patients were prospectively collected at each clinic visit over a time period of 5.5 years. The number of capillaries per millimetre at the distal nailfold was scored using a stereomicroscope. Disease activity was determined using the Childhood Myositis Assessment Scale (CMAS) and a modification of the validated disease activity score (DAS), which included three skin (SDAS) and three muscle (MDAS) criteria. An inception cohort subgroup (n=28) with a baseline visit at diagnosis was analysed separately. Both DAS subscores, MDAS (β = -0.04437, P < 0.0001) and SDAS (β = -0.1589, P < 0.0001), as well as the CMAS (β = 0.02165, P < 0.0001) were significantly associated with loss of end row nailfold capillary over time (multiple regression mixed-model analysis). All patients in the inception subcohort showed a reduced baseline NCD (diagnostic sensitivity = 100%) that improved as the disease improved, but this did not predict longer term outcome or course of disease. NCD is a marker of skin and muscle disease activity, and is an important measure of disease activity changes from visit to visit. Determination of capillary density may be useful when making treatment decisions. A decrease in NCD may be considered for inclusion in the diagnostic criteria due to its high sensitivity.

Association of normal nailfold end row loop numbers with a shorter duration of untreated disease in children with juvenile dermatomyositis

To determine the association of normal numbers of end row loops (ERLs) in nailfold capillaries at the time of diagnosis of juvenile dermatomyositis (DM) with clinical findings in untreated children with the disease and to identify predictors of the development of decreased numbers of ERLs. Clinical and laboratory data from 80 untreated children with juvenile DM were collected. ERL numbers were recorded at the time of diagnosis and at 24 months and 36 months thereafter. The 12 children who had normal ERLs at diagnosis were compared with the remaining 68 children. Outcomes included the duration of untreated disease, the duration of treatment with immunosuppressive medications, family medical history, Disease Activity Score (DAS) for juvenile DM, creatinine phosphokinase level, aldolase level, absolute number of CD3-CD56+/16+ natural killer cells, and von Willebrand factor antigen level. Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses were performed. At diagnosis, children with normal ERLs had a shorter duration of untreated disease (P = 0.03) and a lower skin DAS (P = 0.045). Over time, an increased likelihood of having decreased numbers of ERLs was associated with a longer duration of untreated disease and with a higher skin DAS. The presence of a normal number of ERLs in juvenile DM appears to be associated with a shorter duration of symptoms and may be a useful indicator of disease chronicity in the newly diagnosed child. Normal ERLs is also associated with a lower skin DAS. The lack of association between normal ERLs and other variables indicates that normal findings on nailfold capillaroscopy should not be used as justification to delay immunosuppressive therapy in children with typical symptoms of juvenile DM.

Wheel Traffic Placement Effects on Corn Response under No-Tillage and Conventional Tillage

Although previous studies on the Del-Mar-Va peninsula have indicated that vehicular wheel traffic from small scale farm equipment (<5 tons/axle) does not result in soil conditions considered detrimental to plant growth under no-tillage (NT) and conventional tillage (CT) management, farmers are still concerned that decreased plant response and reduced crop yields may result. A study was conducted from 1988 to 1991 to evaluate the effects of wheel traffic placement on corn (Zea mays L.) growth, nutrient uptake, and yield response under NT and CT. The soil was a Bertie silt loam (fine, loamy, mixed, mesic Aquic Hapludult) and was somewhat poorly drained. Replicated field plots were established for NT and CT corn in which rows of corn were subjected to different wheel traffic patterns. The patterns were : wheel traffic on neither side of the row (NS), wheel traffic on one side of the row (1S), wheel traffic on both sides of the row (2S), and wheel traffic on both sides and in the center of the row (IR). Corn plant emergence, biomass production, nutrient uptake, and yield were evaluated. The results generally indicated that NT had higher emergence rates than CT each year of the study. The NT plots also generally exhibited higher N and P levels for all growth components than the CT. In the grain tissue, NT plots had higher K levels than CT. Wheel traffic had significant effects on plant emergence 3 out of 4 yr. Wheel traffic did not have significant effects on biomass production and yield in 1988 or 1989, but did in 1990 and 1991. The IR treatment consistently exhibited reduced plant growth and yield response. It is felt that the concerns commonly expressed by farmers on the detrimental effects of wheel traffic activity may be due to plant responses observed in the end rows on the field boundaries. These end rows are exposed to wheel traffic directly in the row during planting operations. As long as small scale farm equipment is used and the soil is worked at proper moisture contents, there does not seem to be strong justification for regular deep-tillage of Del-Mar-Va's coastal plain soils to overcome perceived problems related to vehicular wheel traffic activity on continuous NT and CT fields.

Mechanics and adaptability of ridge-planting for corn and soya bean

Numerous aspects of the ridge-till system for corn and soya bean production are discussed. Advantages reported for this system included early soil warm-up, reduced costs, erosion control, and improved timeliness. Disadvantages reported included the difficulty in building and maintaining ridges in row widths of less than 76 cm, inadequate erosion control on highly erodible land, and the need for extra equipment for preparing end rows. The equipment and the options needed to practice the ridge system effectively are identified, as are the proper procedures required for initiating and maintaining the ridge system. Suggestions for fertilization and pest control are included. Research has identified the major factors affecting the performance of specific tillage systems to be soil drainage, previous crop, and length of growing season. Data that show ridge-tillage to be well adapted to a wide variety of soil and climatic conditions in the eastern Corn Belt are presented. Finally, a procedure for assisting agricultural producers in determining whether the ridge-till system is well adapted to their specific soil, climatic and cropping conditions is identified and discussed.

Panoramic nailfold capillaroscopy: A new reading method and normal range

Current interpretation of nailfold capillaroscopy is largely based on qualitative and subjective parameters. These parameters make the accurate assessment of the extent of the nailfold microangiopathy difficult. The authors present a comprehensive method in which several quantitative or semiquantitative parameters are used to assess the main microangiopathic features, such as microhemorrhage, plexus visibility, devascularization, and morphologic anomalies of the end row loops. The method is checked for reproducibility and applied to a sample of 800 healthy people to establish the normal range. The influences of extrinsic variables, such as gender, ethnicity, age, and local nailfold conditions are also included.

Computer analysis of fastener load distribution in a multi-row joint

The fastener load distribution in a multi-row joint was investigated and general equations were obtained. The effects of essential parameters considered in the joint design on the fastener load distribution were analyzed and computer solutions were obtained. The results indicated that the fastener load at the end rows can be adequately reduced when the effects of the parameters were jointly analyzed. The method of equal partition of load among rows of fasteners, including the effect of friction, was developed.

Investigations on yield in the cereals. I

Considerations which are dealt with at length in Appendix III governed the form of the investigation upon tillering. In essence, the intention was to compare the pure linesPandAand to explore the possibilities of making accurate determinations of tillering. For reasons discussed in the Appendix, special steps were taken to secure for observation a population of plants which had had as great a uniformity of conditions as was attainable. The selection and sowing of the seed have been described in § I above. To promote further uniformity, plants of the following categories were excluded from observation: (i) all the plants of end rows; (ii) the end plants of all rows; (iii) plants which did not germinate on 26. iii. or 27. iii. (these days constituted the “modal” 2-day period of germination for the whole population); (iv) plants damaged to a noticeable degree by wire-worm or any other such agency; (v) plants whose immediate neighbour(s) in the row had died.