cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Population-Based Digital Reference Object (DRO) for Optimizing Dynamic Susceptibility Contrast (DSC)-MRI Methods for Clinical Trials.

The standardization and broad-scale integration of dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC)-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been confounded by a lack of consensus on DSC-MRI methodology for preventing potential relative cerebral blood volume inaccuracies, including the choice of acquisition protocols and postprocessing algorithms. Therefore, we developed a digital reference object (DRO), using physiological and kinetic parameters derived from in vivo data, unique voxel-wise 3-dimensional tissue structures, and a validated MRI signal computational approach, aimed at validating image acquisition and analysis methods for accurately measuring relative cerebral blood volume in glioblastomas. To achieve DSC-MRI signals representative of the temporal characteristics, magnitude, and distribution of contrast agent-induced T1 and T2* changes observed across multiple glioblastomas, the DRO's input parameters were trained using DSC-MRI data from 23 glioblastomas (>40 000 voxels). The DRO's ability to produce reliable signals for combinations of pulse sequence parameters and contrast agent dosing schemes unlike those in the training data set was validated by comparison with in vivo dual-echo DSC-MRI data acquired in a separate cohort of patients with glioblastomas. Representative applications of the DRO are presented, including the selection of DSC-MRI acquisition and postprocessing methods that optimize CBV accuracy, determination of the impact of DSC-MRI methodology choices on sample size requirements, and the assessment of treatment response in clinical glioblastoma trials.
Domestication as a model system for the extended evolutionary synthesis

One of the challenges in evaluating arguments for extending the conceptual framework of evolutionary biology involves the identification of a tractable model system that allows for an assessment of the core assumptions of the extended evolutionary synthesis (EES). The domestication of plants and animals by humans provides one such case study opportunity. Here, I consider domestication as a model system for exploring major tenets of the EES. First I discuss the novel insights that niche construction theory (NCT, one of the pillars of the EES) provides into the domestication processes, particularly as they relate to five key areas: coevolution, evolvability, ecological inheritance, cooperation and the pace of evolutionary change. This discussion is next used to frame testable predictions about initial domestication of plants and animals that contrast with those grounded in standard evolutionary theory, demonstrating how these predictions might be tested in multiple regions where initial domestication took place. I then turn to a broader consideration of how domestication provides a model case study consideration of the different ways in which the core assumptions of the EES strengthen and expand our understanding of evolution, including reciprocal causation, developmental processes as drivers of evolutionary change, inclusive inheritance, and the tempo and rate of evolutionary change.
Laboratory Evaluation of Toxicity of Calamus Oil Against Four Species of Stored-Product Insects

Calamus oil, an essential oil of Acorus calamus L., was evaluated for its contact toxicity to adults of Callosobruchus maculatus (F.), Sitophilus oryzae (L.), Lasioderma serricorne (F.), and Tribol...
HPV Vaccination Among Foreign-Born Women: Examining the National Health Interview Survey 2013–2015

Introduction Human papillomavirus vaccination is less prevalent among foreign-born than U.S.-born women and may lead to disparities in human papillomavirus−related cancers in the future. There is limited research on factors associated with vaccination uptake between these two groups. This study examined the association between place of birth and human papillomavirus vaccine uptake, and what determinants of vaccination attenuate this relationship. Methods The 2013–2015 National Health Interview Survey data on women was analyzed in 2016, to determine differences in prevalence of human papillomavirus vaccination between foreign- and U.S.-born women. Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between foreign-born status and human papillomavirus vaccine initiation, after controlling for health insurance status, having a usual source of care, obstetrician/gynecologist visits, Pap tests, length of U.S. residency, and citizenship. Results Human papillomavirus vaccination prevalence varied significantly among women born in different regions of the world. European and South-American women had the highest vaccination rates among all foreign-born women. Compared with U.S.-born women, foreign-born women were significantly less likely to report human papillomavirus vaccine initiation. This relationship was partially attenuated after adjusting for the covariates. Among foreign-born women, Asians were significantly less likely to report human papillomavirus vaccination uptake than white women. Additionally, living in the U.S. for >5 years was significantly associated with vaccine initiation, but attenuated by U.S. citizenship status. Conclusions Public health interventions to improve human papillomavirus vaccination need to be developed to address multicultural audiences with limited access to health insurance and health care.
Evolutionary transitions between beneficial and phytopathogenic Rhodococcus challenge disease management

All organisms live in a world teeming with bacteria. Some bacteria are beneficial and, for example, provide their hosts with nutrients. Others cause harm, for example, by stealing nutrients and causing disease. Many bacteria can also gain DNA from other bacteria, and the genes encoded within the new DNA can help them to live with other organisms. This can start the bacteria on an evolutionary path to becoming beneficial or harmful. Rhodococcus are bacteria that live in association with many species of plants, including trees. Most are harmless but some cause disease. Plants infected with harmful Rhodococcus can show deformed growth, which causes major losses to the nursery industry. Savory, Fuller, Weisberg et al. set out to understand how disease-causing Rhodococcus are introduced into nurseries, if they are transferred between nurseries, whether they persist in nurseries, and how to limit their spread. It turns out that harmless Rhodococcus are beneficial to plants. However, if these harmless bacteria gain a certain DNA molecule – called a virulence plasmid – they can convert into harmful bacteria. Further analysis showed that some nurseries repeatedly acquired the harmful bacteria. The pattern of affected nurseries suggested that some might have purchased diseased plants from a common provider. In other cases, the sources remained a mystery. Savory et al. also report that, contrary to previous findings, there is no evidence to support the diagnosis that Rhodococcus without a virulence plasmid are responsible for an unusual growth problem that has plagued the pistachio industry. In recent years, this incorrect diagnosis led to trees being unnecessarily destroyed, worsening the economic losses. These findings suggest that genes moving between bacteria can dramatically change how those bacteria interact with the organisms in which they live. It needs to be shown whether this is an exceptional process, unique to only certain groups of bacteria, or if it is more widespread in nature. These findings could inform future disease management strategies to better protect agricultural systems.
The magical but endangered metal: searching for sustainable palladium catalysis

This review highlights recent strategies to make palladium-catalyzed reactions more sustainable. The use of micellar reaction media, strategically designed ligands, and alternative photocatalytic pathways have enabled recycling and dramatically lowered or completely eliminated palladium in important catalytic processes. Recent developments in the use of ppm levels of palladium in conjunction with earth-abundant metals are also reviewed, including use as a nanoparticle dopant and as a trace co-catalyst.
Naked-eye inspection of the cervix after acetic acid application may improve the predictive value of negative cytologic screening.

Background The purpose of this study was to assess the predictive value of naked-eye inspection of the cervix (NIC) after acetic acid application as an adjunct to Papanicolaou (Pap) testing for cervical cancer screening. Methods Study subjects were women attending a medical college student health clinic either for cervical cytologic screening (67%) or because of a recent atypical cytologic screening result (33%). All study participants received cytologic screening, cervicography, and NIC. Results Of the 95 patients, 71 (75%) had abnormal findings on NIC. Fifty-one patients underwent colposcopy with biopsy, including 48 of the 71 with an abnormal finding on NIC. The results of 40 of the biopsies were abnormal: 36 showed human papillomavirus or low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, 3 showed high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, and 1 showed invasive cervical cancer. Sixty-five percent (26) of the abnormal biopsy findings occurred in women with normal cytologic test results. NIC and cervicography both were effective in identifying patients with abnormalities, but the combination of NIC followed by cervicography referred fewer women for colposcopy than did a positive result on NIC alone (52% vs 75%). The combination of a negative Pap smear and a negative NIC result had a 91% predictive value for the absence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. This was a significant improvement over cytologic screening alone. Conclusions In this study, the combination of cytologic screening (Pap smear) and NIC increased the screening yield as compared with a Pap smear alone but with some loss of positive predictive value. NIC significantly improved the predictive value of negative cytologic screening results.
Quantum Optical Networks Using a Single Mie Resonance of On-Chip Dielectric Light Manipulating Elements and their Scalable Integration with Quantum Dot Single Photon Sources

We present an approach to scalable on-chip quantum optical networks comprising array of mesa-top-single-quantum-dots(MTSQDs) as single photon sources integrated with dielectric building block based light manipulating units that enhance MTSQD emission rate, direct, propagate, phase-shift, split and recombine the emitted photons for quantum information processing.
Cardiac sarcoidosis presenting with syncope and rapidly progressive atrioventricular block: a case report.

Background Cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) accounts for a substantial morbidity and mortality. Early recognition of CS is important to prevent such detrimental consequences. A definite diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis remains challenging. Even after the diagnosis of CS is established, the appropriate dose and duration of corticosteroids in the treatment of CS have not been well-defined. Case summary In this report, we discuss a case of a 50-year-old man who presented with recurrent syncope. Electrocardiogram revealed sinus rhythm with left bundle branch block. Telemetry captured high-grade atrioventricular block. Coronary angiogram showed no coronary artery disease. Left ventriculography revealed left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 35-40%. A dual-chamber pacemaker was implanted. Cardiac magnetic resonance revealed mid-myocardial scarring suggestive of sarcoidosis. Computed tomography of the chest showed lymphadenopathy. Transbronchial biopsy was unrevealing; however, mediastinoscopy and lymph node biopsy showed non-caseating granulomas diagnostic of sarcoidosis. He became pacemaker dependent as noted in outpatient pacemaker interrogations. A biventricular implantable cardioverter-defibrillator upgrade was performed for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death. He was started on prednisone taper over the course of 6 months. After 1-year, his LVEF improved to 55% and native atrioventricular (AV) conduction had recovered as noted in outpatient device interrogations. Discussion This case highlights the importance to include CS in the differential diagnosis of a young patient with conduction system disease and non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy for appropriate treatment. Patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction and AV nodal disease could potentially benefit from a slow prednisone taper over the course of 6 months.
Multi loop snare technique for difficult inferior vena cava filter retrievals

Use of optional vena cava filters has steadily increased. In the majority of cases removal is successful using standard techniques. In cases of tilting and migration of the filter however, more advanced techniques are necessary. The “loop-snare” technique has been described for such cases. Difficulties arise when the loop starts to slip around the legs and arms of the filter. We present an improved loop-snare technique which allows to retrieve IVC filters when the simple loop-snare technique fails. We used additional loops, in one case one additional loop in another case two additional loops around the filter tip which allowed successful retrieval. The additional loops were created with a reversed shaped catheter. All guidewires were then engaged with a snare and pulled into a large sheath. The additional loops stabilize the tip and the filter can be pulled into the sheath. The “multiple-loop-snare” technique is a refinement of the previously described “single loop-snare” technique and can be used when one loop fails.
Vowel power versus consonant power in Russian morphophonemics

The recently developed system of underlying representations, which resembles early Common Slavic reconstructions and lets front vowels generate softness of consonants, is compared with the more traditional morphophonemics, which acknowledges underlying softness of consonants, on the matter of how efficiently each system is able to account for forms in modern Russian which have come about through changes which are not phonological in origin, i.e., through deep change. Two commonly occurring patterns caused by deep change, the occurrence of o between soft consonants and of certain soft consonants before non-front vowels, are shown to be adequately representable only in the more traditional approach.
The effects of mid-flight whole-body and trunk rotation on landing mechanics: implications for anterior cruciate ligament injuries.

The purpose was to quantify the effects of mid-flight whole-body and trunk rotation on knee mechanics in a double-leg landing. Eighteen male and 20 female participants completed a jump-landing-jump...
Transcatheter Valve-in-Valve Implantation: Failing Tricuspid Bioprosthesis in a Patient with Ebsteins Anomaly.

Transcatheter valve-in-valve (VIV) implantation has been recently proposed as an alternative to surgical reoperative aortic valve replacement in patients with a failing aortic bioprosthesis. Experience with transcatheter VIV implantation at other valve positions is very limited. Herein is reported the case of an 18-year-old man with Ebstein's anomaly and severe tricuspid valve (TV) regurgitation status after bioprosthetic valve replacement, who developed new dyspnea on exertion three years after the initial valve replacement. Transesophageal echocardiography showed a severely dilated right atrium and new TV stenosis with an immobile leaflet. The patient underwent successful VIV implantation of a 29-mm SAPIEN XT bioprosthetic valve, with resolution of symptoms and no residual TV regurgitation or stenosis at the two-year follow up. Video 1: Degenerative bioprosthetic tricuspid valve. TEE showing the degenerative bioprosthetic tricuspid valve, and color Doppler during systole showing severe tricuspid regurgitation. Video 2: Degenerative bioprosthetic tricuspid valve. Three-dimensional TEE showing stenosis with an immobile leaflet creating a coaptation defect, viewed from the right atrium. Video 3: Transcatheter VIV replacement with a 29-mm Edwards SAPIEN XT deployed within the tricuspid valve prosthesis. Final result after valve implantation, demonstrating a patent valve orifice, and appropriate apposition of transcatheter valve within a pre-existing surgical Carpentier-Edwards bioprosthetic valve, viewed from the right ventricle. Video 4: Transcatheter VIV replacement with a 29-mm Edwards SAPIEN XT deployed within the tricuspid valve prosthesis. Final result after valve implantation, demonstrating a patent valve orifice, and appropriate apposition of transcatheter valve within a pre-existing surgical Carpentier-Edwards bioprosthetic valve, viewed from the right atrium.
Adapting RealTime Physics for Distance Learning with the IOLab

The IOLab is a versatile and inexpensive data acquisition device in a cart that can roll on its three wheels. It has numerous sensors for a variety of physical quantities. We adapted RealTime Physics, Module 1: Mechanics active learning labs for use with the IOLab. We tested these labs both on campus and with distance learners at Portland State University and Chemeketa Community College for three years, consistently obtaining significant conceptual learning gains on the Force and Motion Conceptual Evaluation (FMCE). Student attitudes towards the labs, the device, and distance learning—as measured by post-course evaluations—were generally very positive.
Illusory Reports of Posttraumatic Growth in Response to a Nontraumatic Event

AbstractThe current study examined individuals’ (N = 255) self-reports of posttraumatic growth (PTG) in response to a clearly nontraumatic event such as the worst movie or television show, using a ...
Generation of mouse models to study the contribution of Mdmx to p53 pathway activation

5806 The p53 tumor suppressor is a stress-activated transcription factor that is functionally inactivated in most if not all human cancers. One important mechanism for p53 inactivation concerns over-expression of either of its two negative regulators, the related RING domain proteins Mdm2 and MdmX. Mdm2 is an E3 ubiquitin ligase that mediates degradation of itself and p53 in unstressed cells to keep p53 activity low, but after DNA damage, the E3 ligase function switches so that Mdm2 preferentially targets itself and MdmX to simultaneously remoce both negative regulators and enable p53 to accumulate and transcriptionally regulate its target genes. In vitro studies suggest that the switch in substrate preference is mediated in part by dmage-kinase mediated phosphorylation of multiple conserved serine residues in MdmX. To understand how the post-translational modifications in Mdmx contribute to p53 stabilization, target gene regulation, and tumor suppression in vivo, we generated knock-in mice in which serines 341, 367 and 402 in MdmX were replaced with alanines. Mice homozygous for the MdmX triple mutant were born without any developmental defects, and thus far, at the expected Mendelian ratio. The mutant Mdmx was more stable than wild type Mdmx to DNA damage, but was still partially destabilized, implying the existence of additional sites for damage induced modifications that affect its stability. The stabilized mutant MdmX compromised p53 and Mdm2 accumulation, the latter due to decreased p53 transactivation of the Mdm2 gene. The response of MEFs encoding the mutant MdmX to irradiation was also reduced, which corresponds with a reduced efficiency of p53 mediated transactivation of the p21 gene. Additional studies currently in progress will evaluate the response to activated oncogenes in vivo and in vitro, as well as p53 responses in different tissues. Thus far, the data reveal a linkage between the control of MdmX stability after DNA damage and the ability to regulate the stability and activity of p53. These data reinforce the importance of MdmX in control of p53 function, and as a potential therapeutic target.
Association Between Perifoveal Drusen Burden Determined by OCT and Genetic Risk in Early and Intermediate Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine associations between macular drusen parameters derived from an automatic optical coherence tomography (OCT) algorithm, nonadvanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD) stage, and genetic variants. Methods Eyes classified as early or intermediate AMD with OCT imaging and genetic data were selected (n = 239 eyes). Drusen area and volume measurements were estimated using the Zeiss Cirrus advanced retinal pigment epithelium analysis algorithm in a perifoveal zone centered on the fovea. Associations between drusen measurements and common genetic variants in the complement and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) lipid pathways and the ARMS2/HTRA1 variant were calculated using generalized estimating equations and linear mixed models adjusting for age, sex, smoking, body mass index, and education. Results Drusen area ≥ the median was independently associated with a higher number of risk alleles for CFH risk score and risk variants in C3 and ARMS2/HTRA1 compared with eyes with no measurable drusen. Similar results were obtained for drusen volume. When all genes were analyzed in the same model, only CFH score and ARMS2/HTRA1 were associated with drusen measurements. HDL pathway genes were not significantly related to drusen parameters. Nonadvanced AMD stages were associated with OCT-derived drusen area and volume. Conclusions Variants in CFH and ARMS2/HTRA1, commonly associated with advanced AMD, were independently associated with an increase in drusen burden determined by OCT in an allele dose dependent manner, in eyes with early and intermediate AMD. Biomarkers such as a quantitative classification of nonadvanced AMD and other OCT-derived subphenotypes could provide earlier anatomic endpoints for clinical trials and facilitate the development of new therapies for AMD.
COMPLETE HEART BLOCK AND VENTRICULAR TACHYCARDIA: THE HIDDEN LINK

Vasospastic angina (VSA) is characterized by episodes of angina at rest with transient ST-segment elevations responding quickly to short-acting nitrates. VSA has been shown to be the culprit in stable angina, acute coronary syndrome, arrhythmias, syncope or sudden cardiac death, and yet it is still
Fructose fuels tumor growth through the polyol pathway and GLUT 8 transporter

Fructose metabolism is increasingly recognized as a preferred energy source for cancer cell proliferation. However, dietary fructose rarely enters the bloodstream, and its fasting blood levels are much lower (~0.005 mM) than glucose (~5.5 mM) under normal physiological conditions. Therefore, it remains unclear where fructose is derived from and how cancer cells acquire a sufficient amount of fructose to supplement their energy needs. Here we report that the polyol pathway is active in cancer cells and is capable of converting up to 50% of glucose into fructose, resulting in enhanced glycolysis and ATP production. Inhibition of the polyol pathway severely decreased fructose production in cancer cells and suppressed their glycolysis, ATP production, and growth rate. Furthermore, we determined that the glucose transporter, SLC2A8/GLUT8, was a crucial transporter to export intracellular fructose outside cells. Taken together, our study identified an overlooked but critically essential fructose-producing pathway in cancer cells as an integral part of their metabolic reprogramming leading to enhanced glycolysis, cell proliferation, and malignancy.
The U.S. Bond Market Before 1926, Part III: Total Return Versus Basic Yield, 1897 - 1926

Bond prices from 1897 to 1926 have not been compiled. Financial historians have made do with yield series offered by Macaulay (1938) or with yield summaries found in Durand (1942), Hickman (1958), or Homer (1963). Where holding period returns have been of interest (Siegel 2014), these have been constructed using yield estimates rather than price observations. I found these yield estimates to be problematic in multiple respects, notably a focus on the pure interest rate, the basic yield, rather than the average yield that could be obtained by investors holding a broad index of large, liquid investment grade bonds. Accordingly, I collected and here report price observations for over 300 corporate bonds trading on the NYSE between 1897 and 1926. I find that market yields were higher, and holding period returns stronger, than currently understood. The result is to push forward the point where stocks first began to out-perform bonds to the years following World War II. This paper in conjunction with previous efforts shows that stock and bond portfolios performed about the same over the first century and a half after the founding of US financial markets. No sustained out-performance by stocks can be found prior to World War II. [This paper is now complemented by subsequent work, see revision notes following this Abstract.]
RESTful Application Programming Interfaces

In contrast to web scraping, many data system providers are motivated to intentionally provide data over the network, for both customers and developers. This requires a clear and well-defined Application Programming Interface (API), so that clients and servers can successfully communicate. REpresentational State Transfer (REST)-based APIs have become a dominant form of such API services and employ HTTP as the fundamental building block of the API. Common API design principles using HTTP and the practical application in building client applications are explored in this chapter.
Aggressive Client Reporting: Factors Affecting Auditors' Generation of Financial Reporting Alternatives

This paper examines how features of the task environment interact with task knowledge to affect auditors' generation of financial reporting alternatives. We study this issue in a setting in which an audit client proposes an aggressive financial reporting alternative for a complex revenue recognition issue. Companies' aggressiveness in financial reporting is an important contemporary topic (e.g., Levitt 1999; Levitt 2000). For auditors, aggressive financial reporting increases litigation exposure (e.g., Palmrose and Scholz 2001) and attracts regulatory attention (e.g., Public Oversight Board 2000; SEC 1999). By proposing less aggressive financial reporting alternatives, auditors increase the likelihood that clients will report less aggressively, thereby reducing auditors' risks of litigation and regulatory exposure. We study the effects of two common features of auditors' task environment (the level of engagement risk and the availability of previously generated alternatives) on financial reporting alternative generation, investigating whether these effects are contingent on auditors' task knowledge. Our results support interactive effects for both task environment features. Higher engagement risk enhances generation of alternatives only among higher knowledge auditors, while the presence of an inherited alternative inhibits generation of alternatives only among lower knowledge auditors.
Integrating ToxPi outputs with ArcGIS Dashboards to identify neighborhood threat levels of contaminant transferal during flood events

The convergence of flooding and environmental contamination heightens the potential for mobility and transfer of toxic substances. Spatial analytic platforms can help identify the risks of toxic su...
Iron availability allows sustained cyanobacterial blooms: a dual-lake case study

Lakes dominated by cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (CyanoHABs) are geographically widespread. These blooms are associated with fish kills and toxin production and have negative impacts on human...
The role of economics to promote a sustainable use and management of transboundary water resources

The last decade there has been a growing interest in the idea of “treating water as an economic good”. There is, however, a lot of confusion about the meaning of “treating water as an economic good”. It relates to making the right choices about optimal use and optimal allocation of water among users on the basis of socio-economic trade-off analysis. Insight into the value of water in alternative uses is important for making the right choices. This is different from water pricing, which is an economic instrument that can be used to achieve policy objectives, such as demand management or cost recovery. “Treating water as an economic good” does not automatically mean that water should be allocated by competitive market prices so that the available resource is fully allocated, and allocated to its highest-value uses as is often believed. There are other economic instruments that can be used as well such as tradable water rights, subsidies and block-rate tariffs. Regulatory instruments, such as rationing, and persuasive instruments, such as extension, can also be very cost-effective and suitable.
Sex and (Sexed By) the State

This Article discusses how the law not only tries to discipline the body into traditional sex roles, but it also has the power to declare you to be a particular legal sex, even over your objection. The majority of jurisdictions follow the orthodoxy of sex as "genitalia-at-birth." Under this view, a male to female transgender woman (who, for example, has undergone surgery and is anatomically indistinguishable from someone born with female genitalia) is deemed in the majority of states to be legally male. In a handful of more progressive states, the law looks predominantly -- although unfortunately, not exclusively -- at an individual's gender identity to determine legal sex. As a result of these differing legal approaches, a person can be legally male in one state and female in another. Thus, the law (at least cross-jurisdictionally) acknowledges the fluidity of sex, yet it makes central life decisions tum on what sex you are.
A transmit architecture with 4-tap feedforward equalization for 6.25/12.5Gb/s serial backplane communications

A transmit architecture with a programmable 4-tap feedforward equalizer for 6.25 to 12.5 Gb/s serial communications through lossy channels is described. A 16:8-channel MUX/DEMUX chip fabricated in a 0.13 /spl mu/m 7M CMOS process demonstrates a near-end jitter of 16 ps and an equalized far-end jitter of 55 ps at 6.25 Gb/s over a 36'' legacy backplane channel.
Fiscal Policy in a Federal System

The paper presents a Keynesian fiscal policy multiplier model with a federal system of government. The state and local government sector purchases over 60% of the goods and services purchased by the public sector, and receives transfer payments from the federal government. However, state and local governments must maintain balanced budgets. This requirement for a balanced budget implies that the fiscal multiplier is larger than it otherwise would be. The model is calibrated to represent the recession of 2007-2009.
DNA Synthesis in Multiple Myeloma Cells following Cell Cycle-nonspecific Chemotherapy

Summary During intermittent alkylating drug therapy the in vitro myeloma cell thymidine- 3 H-labeling index increases progressively after each treatment course to values as high as 45%. Elevated tumor cell-labeling indices are observed in both responding and nonresponding myeloma patients after cell cycle-nonspecific therapy. In order to determine the mechanism underlying the increased labeling index in treated myeloma patients, we performed autoradiographic studies in which bone marrow cells were incubated with cytosine arabinoside (10 -5 m) or hydroxyurea (10 -3 m) before exposure to thymidine- 3 H. In all five patients studied, incubation of the myeloma cells with either of the S-phasespecific agents resulted in marked inhibition of thymidine- 3 H uptake. These observations indicate that scheduled (prereplicative) and not repair DNA synthesis is the basic mechanism underlying the high labeling indices. The concentrations of cytosine arabinoside and hydroxyurea, which block DNA synthesis by myeloma cells in vitro , are in the range attainable in vivo . Cell cycle-specific antitumor agents could potentially be effective in myeloma patients when the tumor cell-labeling index is elevated after cell cycle-nonspecific therapy.
Transparent Database Access in a Network of Heterogeneous Systems

In a distributed heterogeneous environment, there exists the problem of transparent access to remote resources. A user in the network wants to access a central database system in the same way as if the database would reside on the local system. The Network Operating System provides the basic services and interfaces for the cooperation between clients and servers and for distributed application development. We have designed and implemented Transparent Database Access (TDA) in a network of heterogeneous systems as a distributed application based on the Network Operating System. A user in the network can send requests to the database host and gets back the results into the local environment. TDA is based on the client/server model of cooperation and consists of a server on the database host and a client with end user and application program support, which can run on any system supported by DACNOS.
Schistosoma mansoni: resistance to reinfection in the rat.

Abstract Resistance to reinfection by Schistosoma mansoni cercariae in Sprague-Dawley rats was analyzed, using the liver perfusion assay. The effects of varying experimental parameters, e.g. dose of cercariae in primary or challenge infections, time interval between infections, and time of worm recovery by liver perfusion, on the level of resistance were determined. Primary infections with doses ranging from 50 to 1000 cercariae/rat induce a significant resistance to reinfection, from 40% to 80%. A primary infection with 10 cercariae/rat was without effect. Resistance is established at a time interval of 4 weeks between primary and challenge infections, and its persists for at least 12 weeks. Increasing the challenge-infection dose to 5000 cercariae/rat abolishes resistance to reinfection. It is concluded that resistance is not due to a nutritional limitation on worm survival (“athrepsia”). Therefore, once-infected rats produce toxic factors which limit challenge worm survival. Worm burdens in the liver were measured during a 2-month period in once- and twice-infected rats. We demonstrate that the time course of appearance of challenge worms in the liver is not significantly altered by the presence of primary-infection worms. Similarly, arrival of challenge worms does not influence the expulsion of primary-infection worms. Thus, resistance is the result of an absolute decrease of challenge-infection worms in twice-infected rats.
Transformation kinetics of organic sulphur forms in Argonne Premium coals during pyrolysis

The evolution of H2S and light hydrocarbon products from pyrolysis of Argonne Premium coals were determined from temperature programmed decomposition (TPD) data by the method of heating rate variation. A kinetic model based on a discrete distribution of activation energies has been developed and used for the analysis of the TPD data. The results for H2S indicate that the decomposition of organic sulphur forms precedes most of the conversion of carbonaceous solid to volatile matter during pyrolysis. This trend is consistent with X-ray absorption near edge structure spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy findings that little sulphidic sulphur remains after low temperature pyrolysis of coals.
Proposed Recommended Practices for the Measurement of Shielding Effectiveness of High-Performance Shielding Enclosures

Uniform measurement procedures are proposed for determining the relative effectiveness of room-size high-performance shielding enclosures. Test procedures are designated to measure the effectiveness of a rectangular parallelepiped with edge dimensions ranging from 1.5 to 15 meters. They are formulated to enable use of commercially available equipment for conducting tests under nonideal conditions. The standard does not, however, specify construction details for shielding enclosures nor does it suggest methods for calculating their effectiveness.
Tables of cranial and orbital measurements, cranial volume, and derived indexes in males and females from 7 days to 20 years of age

A series of head measurements were made in both sexes during the growth period from 7 days to 20 years of age. The measurements included head circumference, breadth, length, and height as well as interpupillary distance and the lateral orbital and medial canthal dimensions; all were expressed as means ± standard deviation in centimeters. In addition, cranial volumes were calculated from the three cranial dimensions according to a previosuly validated formula, and various cranial and orbital indexes were determined for all growth stages. The increments of all measurements are greatest during the first 12 months of life. At 1 year of age, the cranial volume has increased by a factor of 2.3 and the head circumference, cranial breadth, length, and height by a factor of 1.4 over that at birth. Subsequently the pace of growth slows; at 5 years of age cranial volume has increased up to a total factor of about 3 while head circumference and the other three cranial measurements have expanded by a factor of about 1.5 over the dimensions at birth. By 20 years of age the cranial volume is about 3.8 times that at birth, and the head circumference and the three principal cranial dimensions have increased by a total factor of about 1.6. Clinical applications of the measurements, cranial volume, and certain indexes are listed.
Andean Border Integration: Report on a Seminar in Lima, Peru July 3-6, 1989

The Junta del Acuerdo Cartagena (JUNAC), the governing and administrative body for the Andean Pact, and the InterAmerican Development Bank (BID), sponsored a working seminar on border integration in the Andean region in early July 1989. The meetings brought together government officials, members of the private sector, persons from local border development agencies, scholars and individuals from international agencies. Most of the participants were from the countries of the Andean Pact--Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Venezuela and Colombia--but experts on border development from Central America, Mexico, the United States, Brazil and Argentina also were involved in the discussions. The purpose of the seminar was to explore border regional integration as a strategy for economic development and for the integration of the Andean Pact countries. The seminar consisted of an introductory section that discussed the purposes of the meetings from the perspectives of JUNAC and BID and presented a document to serve as a general frame of reference for discussion and analysis of integration of Andean border subregions. Also, methodologies for identification and design of projects for border integration, short term policies for border integration and development programs for border integration were discussed. The next section of the seminar consisted of presentations of case studies of Central American borders and the United States-Mexico border in order to provide a comparative perspective. Next followed a series of general and specific presentations that examined a number of projects and summarized actual developments in different border regions of the Andean Pact. These included the Peru-Bolivia border, the Colombian-Venezuelan border region, border regions of Ecuador, border regions of Peru, border regions of Bolivia and border regions of Columbia. Also presented were discussions of regional corporations, development corporations and multinational corporations in regional border development. The last part of the seminar was devoted to working groups considering general concepts of border integraton, short term policies for border integration and methodological factors for the study of Andean border regions. Each group produced a working document and these were all brought together and discussed in a general session to then form a summary document for the seminar.
Progressive neuronal DNA damage associated with neurofibrillary tangle formation in Alzheimer disease.

DNA damage, as demonstrated by in situ Tdt-mediated dUTP-X-nick end labeling (TUNEL), is widespread in the cerebral cortex in end-stage Alzheimer disease, but has not been previously correlated with stages of neurofibrillary tangle formation. To assess possible relationships between neurofibrillary tangle formation and DNA damage, we used tau immunohistochemistry and TUNEL in tangle-rich fields of tissue sections of subiculum and parahippocampal cortex tissue from 12 Alzheimer and 6 control patients. Structures were classified and quantified as tau - / TUNEL - , tau - / TUNEL + , tau + / TUNEL, or tau + /TUNEL + . Tau + structures were subclassified into 4 stages (0-3) based on neurofibrillary tangle morphology. The total number of TUNEL + neurons was significantly less in control than in Alzheimer patients (35 ± 7.2 vs 90 ± 9.3/ mm 2 ; mean ± SEM; p < 0.05). The number of tau'/ TUNEL' neurons (40 ± l/mm 2 ) was less than that of tau / TUNEL-neurons (68 ± 7/mm 2 ) or tau / TUNEL + neurons in the same fields (50 ± 4/mm 2 , p < 0.0001). Tau'/ TUNEL structures were fewer in number (21 ± 1/mm 2 ), with a third of these representing acellular ghost tangles (stage 3). Tau + neurons were more likely than tau - neurons to be TUNEL + (64 ± 6% vs 44 + 2%; mean ± SEM; p < 0.01), although most TUNEL + neurons were tau - even in these selected, tangle-rich fields. TUNEL positivity was not uniformly distributed among tangle stages. TUNEL positivity was less common among early (stage 0) tangles than in tau - neurons (21 ± 6% vs 44 ± 2%; p < 0.001), but this rose to 53% among intermediate (stage 1) tangles, and to 87% among late (stage 2) tangles. We suggest that early stages of neurofibrillary tangle formation occur in a subpopulation of relatively healthy (TUNEL ) neurons, and that tangle progression is accompanied by increasing neuronal morbidity.
Assessment of child and adolescent psychiatric disorders

Abstract Because most child and adolescent psychiatric disorders do not include pathognomonic features, the first issue in assessment is whether a psychiatric disorder is present. Considerations include duration of symptoms, social impairment (particularly changes in functioning) and degree of suffering. If the assessment shows that a disorder is present, the next question is about its form – which formal psychiatric diagnosis is present (e.g. depressive disorder, schizophrenia), and what other problems are present? This question is important because most psychiatric disorders are associated with other problems (e.g. specific or general learning problems). These different domains (e.g. depression, general learning problems) are coded on different axes of a multi-axial framework. Hypotheses about the likely causes of the young person's problems are then developed. These causes are usefully divided into predisposing, precipitating and maintaining factors, though in clinical practice it is often difficult to distinguish them. The clinical assessment is often designed to answer these initial questions. It usually involves direct observations of the family, an interview with the child or adolescent alone, a parental interview, and reports from other sources, particularly the school. It should be remembered that these questions may not be uppermost in the minds of those making the referral (e.g. the parents, the school). Their main concerns may be more about the child's school placement, or about whether the child is going to develop a major mental illness that runs in the family (e.g. schizophrenia). It is important that the initial assessment clarifies the context of the referral.
M-channel linear-phase perfect reconstruction filter bank with integer coefficients

This paper introduces a class of M-channel linear phase perfect reconstruction filter banks with integer coefficients. The construction of these filter banks is based on a VLSI-friendly lattice structure which employs the minimum number of delay elements and robustly enforces both linear phase and perfect reconstruction properties. The lattice coefficients are parameterized as a series of lifting steps, providing fast, efficient, in-place computational of the subband coefficients. Image coding experiments show that these novel FBs are very competitive with current state-of-the-art transforms such as the 8 X 8 DCT and the wavelet transform with 9/7-tap biorthogonal floating-point wavelet.
The noninvasive respiratory care unit. Patterns of use and financial implications.

Clinical, socioeconomic, and ethical dilemmas have prompted reevaluation of traditional methods of providing intensive care. Six years ago, we established a noninvasive respiratory care unit (NRCU) for selected patients in need of intensive respiratory monitoring and therapy, particularly those requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation. One impetus for the formation of the NRCU was the expectation that it might prove to be a less costly alternative to the intensive care unit (ICU) for selected patients. We reviewed data from all patients admitted to the NRCU from July 1, 1987 through June 30, 1988 to identify characteristics of the patient population and to evaluate potential cost savings. During one year of operation, 136 patients were admitted to the unit, 107 of whom were mechanically ventilated. Overall, hospital costs for these patients exceeded payments by $1,519,477. Losses were greatest for mechanically ventilated patients and those for whom Medicare or Medicaid were the primary payors. Daily costs of care for mechanically ventilated patients were $1,976 lower in the NRCU than in the medical intensive care unit (MICU). We conclude that the NRCU represents a cost-effective approach to the care of substantial numbers of patients requiring specialized respiratory care. (Chest 1991; 99:205–08)
Six New Species of Aphids, with Records of Other Species New to California

For the past few years, the writer has collected aphids, where possible, in California. For a study of these, he has had access to two fairly large and representative collections of the aphid fauna of the state through the courtesy of Dr. E. O Essig, of the University of California, and Dr. I. McCracken, of Stanford University, to whom he is also indebted for access to the literature of the subject.
Capturing the Student Perspective: A New Instrument for Measuring Advising Satisfaction

When students leave their advising appointments, how do they feel? Excited? Disappointed? If advisors and students do not share expectations and goals, the student may harbor negative feelings about the advising experience, which have the potential to lead to withdrawal and dissatisfaction. We surveyed students at a large midwestern university to see how students feel about their past and recent advising experiences. Overall, students reported satisfaction with their advising involvement, as average rating scores were high and positive. The measurement scale created to evaluate student satisfaction with advising was analyzed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. This analysis showed two reliable scales: advising and outreach functions, which may be used in the future to evaluate advising programs.
Growth, reproduction, and feeding oF Fundulus heteroclitus (L.) on a North Carolina salt marsh

Fundulus heteroclitus (L.) from a North Carolina Spartina marsh teed largely on small crustaceans (amphipods, tanaids and copepods) and polychaetes. Fish longer than 30 mm standard length also ingested considerable amounts of living plant material. Smaller individuals were distinctly carnivorous. Recognizable particles of Spartina detritus occurred in less than 15% of the guts examined. The relationship of weight to length changed significantly during the year. Although females were larger than males of the same age. males were heavier than females of the same length, except for a brief period at the peak of the spawning season in the early spring. An average second season fish may lay up to 512 eggs from March through August, but first season fish did not reach reproductive size by the end of the spawning season. Growth of first season fish in mid-summer averaged 5% of their total weight per day. These significant seasonal changes in ecological properties of killifish populations are important in any estimates of growth, reproduction, and production.