cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Physical basis of lumen shape and stability in a simple epithelium

Abstract A continuous sheet of epithelial cells surrounding a hollow opening, or lumen, defines the basic topology of numerous organs. De novo lumen formation is a central feature of embryonic development whose dysregulation leads to congenital and acquired diseases of the kidney and other organs. Hydrostatic pressure has been proposed to drive lumen expansion, a view that is supported by recent experiments in the mouse blastocyst. High luminal pressure should produce lumen surfaces that bow outwards toward the surrounding cells. However, lumens formed in other embryonic tissues adopt highly irregular shapes, with cell apical faces that are bowed inward, suggesting that pressure may not be the dominant contributor to lumen growth in all cases. We used three-dimensional live-cell imaging to study the physical mechanism of lumen formation in Madin Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cell spheroids, a canonical cell-culture model for lumenogenesis. Our experiments revealed that neither lumen pressure nor the actomyosin cytoskeleton were required to maintain lumen shape or stability. Instead, we find that, in our model system, lumen shape results from simple geometrical factors tied to the establishment of apico-basal polarity. A quantitative physical model that incorporates cell geometry, cortical tension, and intraluminal pressure can account for our observations as well as cases in which pressure indeed plays a dominant role. Our results thus support a unifying physical mechanism for the formation of luminal openings in a variety of physiological contexts.
Propranolol protects cerebral autoregulation and reduces hippocampal neuronal cell death through inhibition of interleukin-6 upregulation after traumatic brain injury in pigs.

Abstract Background Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is associated with reduced cerebral blood flow and impaired autoregulation after TBI, which may lead to poor outcome. Clinical evidence has implicated neurological injuries and associated neuroinflammation as causes of cardiac dysfunction. Studies on newborn pigs show an association of elevated catecholamines with a sex-dependent impairment of cerebral autoregulation after TBI. One strategy to decrease sympathetic hyperactivity is pharmacological intervention with beta blockade. We tested the hypothesis that propranolol would prevent the impairment of cerebral autoregulation and tissue changes after TBI via inhibition of interleukin-6 (IL-6) upregulation. Methods Using newborn pigs of both sexes equipped with a closed cranial window, TBI was induced via lateral fluid percussion injury. Propranolol was administered at 1 h post-TBI. Analyses included cerebral autoregulation (pial artery reactivity) before and 4 h post-TBI, CSF IL-6 analysed (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), and histopathology at 4 h post-TBI. Results Propranolol administration prevented impairment of hypotensive dilation in both male and female newborn pigs after fluid percussion injury, which was paralleled by reduced upregulation of IL-6 in the CSF. Moreover, propranolol prevented neuronal cell death in cornu amonis (CA)1 and CA3 hippocampus equivalently in male and female pigs after TBI. Papaverine-induced dilation was unchanged by TBI and propranolol. Conclusions These data indicate that sympathetic hyperactivity noted after TBI can be limited by propranolol administration to result in improved brain outcome post-injury via block of IL-6 upregulation, and this effect is irrespective of sex.
Enhancing Computer Students’ Academic Performance Through Explanatory Modeling

A key challenge facing nowadays universities is the growing attrition rate of computer studies students, attributed to poor academic performance. While extensive research has been conducted on how to enhance students’ performance in computer programming, fewer research investigates other computer courses, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. This paper addresses this gap by describing experiments that revealed some of the factors that influence a student’s overall academic performance at university through explanatory modeling. Our results showed that students’ background in mathematics and their performance in the Introduction to Information Systems course were key in determining performance. Unexpectedly, prior computer skills or secondary school grades had less impact. The strategies identified for enhancing students’ performance include an emphasis on building students’ mathematics background, providing a stringent teaching approach to foundational computing courses, re-structuring of courses in the computer program, and linking courses across the curriculum. Thus, explanatory modeling creates an opportunity to adopt a proactive approach to enhancing the performance of computer studies students.
Outcomes of Bariatric Surgery in Chronic Liver Disease: a National Inpatient Sample Analysis

Obesity is a challenging condition to treat in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD). The safety and efficacy of bariatric surgery (BS) in patients with CLD is not well established. The aim of this study is to evaluate outcomes of BS in patients with CLD. Data from the National Inpatient Sample for 2012–2015, accounting for over 7 million discharges, were analyzed. All patients undergoing BS were identified using ICD-9/CPT codes. Patients were then stratified based on the presence of CLD using ICD-9 codes. Primary outcomes included inpatient mortality, length of stay (LOS), and total hospital charges (THC). Secondary outcomes, including infection, bleeding, improper wound healing, and surgical revision, were identified using ICD-9 codes. A total of 302,306 patients underwent BS, of which 20,095 (6.6%) were diagnosed with CLD. CLD patients had greater inpatient mortality, with adjusted odds ratio of 1.47 (95% CI 1.24–1.73). CLD patients also had greater THC but shorter LOS. CLD patients had significantly less surgical revision, improper wound healing, and postoperative infection. There was no difference in bleeding complications between groups. Inpatient mortality following BS in CLD patients is low; however, there was an increased risk compared with the non-CLD population. Postoperative complications were no different or even less frequent in CLD patients compared with the general population. BS should not be discounted as a treatment option for obesity in patients with CLD.
Switching codes and shifting morals: how code-switching and emotion affect moral judgment

The present study expands the literature on the Foreign Language Effect by investigating differences in moral judgment for 280 English-Spanish late bilinguals when processing the button and bridge ...
Delirium disorder: Integrating delirium and acute encephalopathy.

Background: As the US population ages and with no definitive delirium treatments on the horizon, the delirium epidemic is on course to expand over the coming decades. Recognizing the import of this condition, a recent position statement from ten medical Societies--among whom the American Academy of Neurology was represented--issued recommendations on preferred nomenclature of delirium and acute encephalopathy: it concluded by preferring both terms. Urgently needed is an integrated model that addresses the near-total segregation of these separate bodies of literature, ideally one that offers an interdisciplinary framework to bring these two terms and those who use them together. Methods: We review the historical forces that have led these terms to diverge and consider the unique benefits of each approach as well as their liabilities when considered in isolation. We then explore the potential implications of integrating these concepts and propose a hybrid model to capitalize on the strengths of both the model of delirium and that of acute encephalopathy. Results: The model we propose--delirium disorder--builds upon the recommendations of this recent position statement and provides a unifying framework designed to have clinical utility and interdisciplinary appeal. It also broadens the translational landscape by identifying four distinct treatment targets: underlying causes, pro-cognitive factors, delirium (phenotype alone), and neurophysiological targets. Conclusions: This person-centered model aims to integrate delirium and acute encephalopathy within a single framework and shared nomenclature. It is hoped that this model aids in harmonizing research efforts and advancing clinical practice.
Neuroevolution of Spiking Neural Networks Using Compositional Pattern Producing Networks

Spiking neural networks (SNNs) offer tremendous potential for the future of AI, including the ability to be implemented efficiently on neuromorphic systems. One of the challenges in building functioning SNNs is the training process, as standard error back-propagation cannot be easily applied. In this work, we extend an evolutionary approach for training SNNs by implementing an indirect encoding of individuals. Specifically, we evolve SNNs using Compositional Pattern Producing Networks, which are able to learn the connectivity patterns between neurons defined in a coordinate space. We validate the approach on multiple control and classification tasks.
The Data Science of COVID-19 Spread: Some Troubling Current and Future Trends

One of the main ways we try to understand the COVID-19 pandemic is through time series cross section counts of cases and deaths Observational studies based on these kinds of data have concrete and well known methodological issues that suggest significant caution for both consumers and produces of COVID-19 knowledge We briefly enumerate some of these issues in the areas of measurement, inference, and interpretation
Abstract IA03: Regulation of growth by the mTOR pathway

mTOR is the target of the immunosuppressive and anticancer drug rapamycin and the central component of a nutrient- and hormone-sensitive signaling pathway that regulates cell growth and proliferation. We now appreciate that this pathway becomes deregulated in many human cancers and has key roles in the control of metabolism, cell and organ size, and aging. We have identified two distinct mTOR-containing proteins complexes, one of which regulates growth through S6K and another that regulates cell survival and metabolism through Akt. These complexes, called mTORC1 and mTORC2, define both rapamycin-sensitive and -insensitive branches of the mTOR pathway. Over the last few years we have focused on how nutrients, particularly amino acids, regulate mTORC1. We have identified a complex signaling pathway that relays amino acid availability to mTORC1 through the heterodimeric Rag GTPases. We recently discovered several of the amino acid sensors for the pathway. I will discuss new results from our lab on the regulation and functions of mTORC1. Citation Format: David M. Sabatini. Regulation of growth by the mTOR pathway [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Targeting PI3K/mTOR Signaling; 2018 Nov 30-Dec 8; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Res 2020;18(10_Suppl):Abstract nr IA03.
Full Visible Spectrum and White Light Emission with a Single, Input-Tunable Organic Fluorophore

The blue emission of M2biQ can be tuned to specific wavelengths throughout the visible region by changing the identity of the cation it interacts with. These optical properties are observed in MeCN solution and the solid state. White light is obtained in MeCN by using either the proper ratio of zinc ions or acid. Thus, M2biQ acts as a nearly universal emitter (λem = 468-690 nm) with large Stokes shifts (116-306 nm, Δν = 7,042-11,823 cm-1). Full spectral profiles as well as quantum yields, lifetimes, and the crystal structures of key RGB and yellow emitters are reported. Emission wavelengths correlate with cationic radius, and TD-DFT calculations show that, for 1:1 complexes, the smaller the ion, the shorter the N-cation bond, and the greater the bathochromic emission shift.
Therapeutic Management of Obesity

Obesity is a chronic relapsing disease process that is increasing in prevalence, affecting both adults and children. It is the result of a small positive energy imbalance from too much food, or too little activity causes obesity that occurs over time. The food we eat provides the energy for obesity, but food is more than “energy.” Focusing on calories alone may not be as productive as focusing on the role of sugar and fat. Obesity increases risk of death and of many diseases, and weight loss provides benefits in reducing health risks and improving the quality of life. Effective treatment must redress the energy imbalance with diet, lifestyle modification, exercise, medications, and surgery. Five drugs are approved by the FDA for long-term treatment of obesity, and they can effectively improve health-related risks. Bariatric surgery has become a major treatment strategy and can reduce long-term health risks from obesity.
ISSRseq: an extensible, low-cost, and efficient method for reduced representation sequencing

The capability to generate densely sampled single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data is essential in diverse subdisciplines of biology, including crop breeding, pathology, forensics, forestry, ecology, evolution, and conservation. However, access to the expensive equipment and bioinformatics infrastructure required for genome-scale sequencing is still a limiting factor in the developing world and for institutions with limited resources. Here we present ISSRseq, a PCR-based method for reduced representation of genomic variation using simple sequence repeats as priming sites to sequence inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) regions. Briefly, ISSR regions are amplified with single primers, pooled, and used to construct sequencing libraries with a low-cost, efficient commercial kit, and sequenced on the Illumina platform. We also present a flexible bioinformatic pipeline that assembles ISSR loci, calls and hard filters variants, outputs data matrices in common formats, and conducts population analyses using R. Using three angiosperm species as case studies, we demonstrate that ISSRseq is highly repeatable, necessitates only simple wet-lab skills and commonplace instrumentation, is flexible in terms of the number of single primers used, is low-cost, and can generate genomic-scale variant discovery on par with existing RRS methods that require high sample integrity and concentration. ISSRseq represents a straightforward approach to SNP genotyping in any organism, and we predict that this method will be particularly useful for those studying population genomics and phylogeography of non-model organisms. Furthermore, the ease of ISSRseq relative to other RRS methods should prove useful for those conducting research in undergraduate and graduate environments, and more broadly by those lacking access to expensive instrumentation or expertise in bioinformatics.
Association Between Treatment of Secondary Hyperparathyroidism and Posttransplant Outcomes.

BACKGROUND Secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) affects nearly all patients on maintenance dialysis therapy. SHPT treatment options have considerably evolved over the past 2 decades but vary in degree of improvement in SHPT. Therefore, we hypothesize that the risks of adverse outcomes after kidney transplantation (KT) may differ by SHPT treatment. METHODS Using the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients and Medicare claims data, we identified 5094 adults (age ≥18 y) treated with cinacalcet or parathyroidectomy for SHPT before receiving KT between 2007 and 2016. We quantified the association between SHPT treatment and delayed graft function and acute rejection using adjusted logistic models and tertiary hyperparathyroidism (THPT), graft failure, and death using adjusted Cox proportional hazards; we tested whether these associations differed by patient characteristics. RESULTS Of 5094 KT recipients who were treated for SHPT while on dialysis, 228 (4.5%) underwent parathyroidectomy, and 4866 (95.5%) received cinacalcet. There was no association between treatment of SHPT and posttransplant delayed graft function, graft failure, or death. However, compared with patients treated with cinacalcet, those treated with parathyroidectomy had a lower risk of developing THPT (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.56; 95% confidence interval, 0.35-0.89) post-KT. Furthermore, this risk differed by dialysis vintage (Pinteraction = 0.039). Among patients on maintenance dialysis therapy for ≥3 y before KT (n = 3477, 68.3%), the risk of developing THPT was lower when treated with parathyroidectomy (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.43; 95% confidence interval, 0.24-0.79). CONCLUSIONS Parathyroidectomy should be considered as treatment for SHPT, especially in KT candidates on maintenance dialysis for ≥3 y. Additionally, patients treated with cinacalcet for SHPT should undergo close surveillance for development of tertiary hyperparathyroidism post-KT.
Water Use, Efficiency, and Stomatal Sensitivity in Eastern Cottonwood and Hybrid Poplar Varietals on Contrasting Sites in the Southeastern United States

The southeastern United States (US) has widescale potential to achieve high productivity from elite eastern cottonwood and hybrid poplar varietals to produce renewable bioenergy and bioproducts. In order to determine how environmental drivers impact water use and growth so that individuals can maintain growth during drought periods, varietals that use water efficiently and/or tolerate water stress conditions are needed to make planting recommendations across a variety of sites. Additionally, inoculation with nitrogen-fixing endophytic bacteria may improve water stress tolerance. The goals of this research were 1) to determine water use strategies using measurements of diurnal sapflow and differences in leaf retention for three eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides, ST66, S7C8, 110412) and three hybrid poplar (two P. deltoides × P. maximowiczii; 6329 and 8019, and one P. trichocarpa × P. deltoides, 5077) varietals on contrasting field sites, 2) determine the physiological impact of endophyte inoculation, and 3) determine which physiological parameters were most highly correlated with aboveground biomass. We found that whole-tree water use efficiency (WUE) was similar across varietals at 5.2 g biomass per kg water used and that water use scaled with tree size. We found that water use strategies in terms of scaled stomatal sensitivity to vapor pressure deficit converged across varietals under stressful soil water conditions at both sites, but that varietals 8019 and 110412 tended to exhibit the highest plasticity in stomatal sensitivity exhibiting the largest range in scaled stomatal sensitivity under different soil moisture conditions. Endophyte inoculation increased growth and stomatal sensitivity at the nitrogen-limited site. Leaf area, whole-tree WUE, and plasticity in stomatal sensitivity were correlated with aboveground biomass production across sites and varietals. Overall, these data can be used to model hydrologic impacts of large-scale Populus biofuel production as well as recommend varietals with efficient water use and stomatal sensitivity under a range of soil and atmospheric moisture stress factors.
The Indispensable Dog

Dogs' remarkable success in living in a human-dominated world rests on a set of adaptations to cohabitation with humans. In this paper, I review the nature of these adaptations. They include changes in reproductive and foraging behavior from their ancestor species, wolves, which can be understood as adaptations to the change from hunting live prey to feeding on human food residues. Dogs also show several changes in social behavior which are more controversial and even somewhat paradoxical. Contrary to theories of canine domestication which view dogs as less aggressive and more cooperative than wolves, several studies show that dogs' social interactions with conspecifics are more hierarchical and competitive than are wolves'. As scavengers rather than hunters, dogs do not need to cooperate with conspecifics the way that wolves do. But how then can we understand dogs' willingness to cooperate with humans? I propose an integrated account of dogs' social behavior that does not assume that dogs need to recognize the species-identity of the individuals with whom they interact. Because of the overlap in formal signals of dominance and submission between dog and human and people's complete control over the resources dogs need, I propose that people occupy a status of "super-dominance" over dogs. This conception suggests several new lines of research which could shed light on the human-dog relationship to the benefit of both partners.
Comparative Pathogenesis of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever and Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus has been called “the Asian Ebola virus” – an epithet that recognizes the close clinical resemblance of CCHF and Ebola hemorrhagic fever (EHF), and also suggests that the two illnesses share similar underlying mechanisms [38]. CCHF and EHF both present difficult challenges to pathophysiology research, because they occur principally in regions lacking a modern medical infrastructure and because the high virulence of their causative agents requires laboratory studies to be performed under Biosafety Level 4 (BSL-4) containment. Efforts to elucidate the pathogenesis of CCHF have been even further handicapped by the failure of the virus to cause disease in laboratory animals other than suckling mice. By contrast, models of EHF in adult mice, guinea pigs, and nonhuman primates have been employed extensively for pathogenesis studies [7, 13, 24]. Detailed examination of clinical and laboratory parameters, pathologic changes, and innate immune responses in cynomolgus macaques over the entire course of fatal EHF has been especially valuable in elucidating how the pathogen overcomes host defenses to cause rapidly overwhelming infection. These findings are leading to novel approaches to postexposure prophylaxis and therapy [10, 14, 20, 35]. Despite the lack of animal models of CCHF, much can still be learned about its pathogenesis through properly designed prospective studies of patients and through in vitro experiments employing virus-infected human cells. This chapter discusses how recent progress in elucidating the underlying mechanisms of EHF could help to guide such research, by providing hypotheses for testing.
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF RC BEAM-COLUMN INTERACTION

Analysis of uncertainties plays a central role in all reliability-based design procedures. Herein, the uncertainty in the resistance of reinforced concrete members subjected to combined bending and thrust is studied using Monte-Carlo techniques. The effects of load eccentricity, reinforcement ratio, and the contributions of individual uncertainties in the design parameters are examined. The results should aid in determining resistance factors for reinforced concrete design which are commensurate with the level of uncertainty using reliability-based concepts. /Author/
Interrenal function in larval Ambystoma tigrinum. II. Control of aldosterone secretion and electrolyte balance by ACTH.

Abstract Renal clearance techniques were used to assess the role of ACTH on renal electrolyte transport in larval Ambystoma tigrinum . Radioimmunoassay was employed to evaluate changes in circulating aldosterone in these animals. Larvae were hypophysectomized and maintained for 1 week on either ACTH replacement therapy (50 ng/g) or sham injections prior to clearance measurements. Hypophysectomy significantly lowered plasma [Na + ] (from 96 to 90 m M ), plasma [K + ] (from 6 to 4 m M ), plasma aldosterone titer (from 157 to 36 pg/ml), fractional Na + reabsorption (from 97 to 94%), and fractional K + reabsorption (from 68 to 50%). ACTH replacement restored plasma [Na + ] to 96 m M , aldosterone titer to 157 pg/ml, fractional Na + reabsorption to 96%, and fractional K + reabsorption to 75%. When steroid synthesis was blocked in a separate set of larvae; ACTH was unable to reverse the sodium depletion which results from adaptation to distilled water. This suggests that ACTH is not acting directly on Na + transport but acts through a steroid like aldosterone. When larvae were injected intravenously with antialdosterone antibodies their fractional Na + reabsorption decreased from 95 to 87%. We conclude, therefore, that ACTH works via interrenal steroids, such as aldosterone, to control renal electrolyte transport in this species.
Equuleus: presentation from legacy documents

We are investigating computational models for human-computer interaction based on a uniform, declarative, knowledge representation. We describe a new implementation of our work called Equuleus, a system for interactive, adaptive, document presentation. Equuleus achieves this by using annotated descriptions of a document to be presented and a planner to plan the document's presentation. All presentation occurs as a result of planning and re-planning presentation goals.
Abiotic and biotic correlates of yellow perch recruitment to age-2 in southern Lake Michigan, 1984–2007

Seven abiotic and biotic variables were tested to determine whether they influence the recruitment to age two of yellow perch, Perca flavescens (Mitchill), in waters of southern Lake Michigan, USA. Recruitment was analysed using a Ricker stock-recruitment relationship that accounts for density dependency. Significant model variables tested individually and ranked by total variance explained included the abundance of sexually mature yellow perch, alewife, Alosa pseudoharengus (Wilson) and spottail shiner, Notropis hudsonius (Clinton). Variables found unrelated to recruitment or generally less explanatory included the abundance of round goby, Neogobius melanostomus (Pallus), mean water temperature, variation in water temperature and water clarity. The best-fitting multivariable model explained 69% of the recruitment variability and included abundances of sexually mature yellow perch, alewife and spottail shiner. These results suggest that yellow perch recruitment in southern Lake Michigan is regulated in part by biotic interactions with other species of the near-shore community, including alewife and spottail shiners, in addition to the abundance of reproductively mature yellow perch.
Transcription from the stromelysin promoter is induced by interleukin-1 and repressed by dexamethasone.

Abstract The stromelysin gene encodes a potent tissue-degrading proteinase whose activity is important in tissue-remoldeling processes such as wound healing, the inflammatory reaction, rheumatoid arthritis, tumor invasion, and possibly embryonic development. In light of the ability of interleukin-1 to amplify, and ability of glucocorticoids to attenuate the inflammatory response, we tested interleukin-1 and dexamethasone for regulatory effects on stromelysin gene expression. We report that interleukin-1 induces the stromelysin gene, and dexamethasone diminishes the level of induction by interleukin-1, epidermal growth factor, phorbol ester, and cAMP elevation (elicited by cholera toxin). Similar responses are conferred upon a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase coding sequence by a 700-base pair stromelysin 5'-flanking fragment, implying transcription regulation by sequence elements in this region.
Two dissociable phases in the contractile response of the guinea pig isolated vas deferens to adenosine triphosphate.

The effects of the ATP affinity label periodate-oxidized ATP (ATP-2',3'-dialdehyde; P-ATP) on contractile responses of the guinea pig vas deferens to ATP was characterized and compared to the effects of the specific P2x-purinoceptor photoaffinity label antagonist, arylazido aminopropionyl ATP (ANAPP3). After incubation of vas deferens with 10(-2) M P-ATP for 5 min, the second phase of biphasic contractions to ATP was inhibited selectively. The inhibitory effect of P-ATP was specific for ATP, and resulted from affinity labeling in that it was long-lasting, was not reversed by washing, was related in magnitude to exposure period and was attenuated by ATP present during the incubation. In contrast to P-ATP, ANAPP3 inhibited selectively the first phase of ATP-induced responses. P-ATP and ANAPP3 together inhibited both phases of response. P-ATP inhibited selectively the second phase of responses to 5'-substituted ATP analogs which develop a prolonged second phase [e.g., adenosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) and adenosine tetraphosphate] or an abbreviated second phase (e.g., beta,gamma-methylene ATP, beta,gamma-imido ATP and alpha,beta-methylene ATP). The greater the duration of the second phase, the more pronounced was the inhibitory effect. Two distinct and dissociable mechanisms mediate the biphasic response to ATP: the initial phase involves ANAPP3-sensitive P2x-purinoceptors, whereas the second is blocked by P-ATP and appears to involve cleavage of the phosphate chain. An additional effect observed as a result of P-ATP-treatment was potentiation of the first phase of contraction to ATP. This novel and irreversible effect may arise from the inhibition of degradative ecto-phosphohydrolase activity.
Propofol sedation by emergency physicians for elective pediatric outpatient procedures

Abstract Study objective We describe the efficacy of propofol sedation administered by pediatric emergency physicians to facilitate painful outpatient procedures. Methods By using a protocol for patients receiving propofol sedation in an emergency department–affiliated short-stay unit, a prospective, consecutive case series was performed from January to September 2000. Patients were prescheduled, underwent a medical evaluation, and met fasting requirements. A sedation team was present throughout the procedure. All patients received supplemental oxygen. Sedation depth and vital signs were monitored while propofol was manually titrated to the desired level of sedation. Results There were 291 separate sedation events in 87 patients. No patient had more than 1 sedation event per day. Median patient age was 6 years; 57% were male patients and 72% were oncology patients. Many children required more than 1 procedure per encounter. Most commonly performed procedures included lumbar puncture (43%), intrathecal chemotherapy administration (31%), bone marrow aspiration (19%), and bone biopsy (3%). Median total propofol dose was 3.5 mg/kg. Median systolic and diastolic blood pressures were lowered 22 mm Hg (range 0 to 65 mm Hg) and 21 mm Hg (range 0 to 62 mm Hg), respectively. Partial airway obstruction requiring brief jaw-thrust maneuver was noted for 4% of patient sedations, whereas transient apnea requiring bag-valve-mask ventilation occurred in 1% of patient sedations. All procedures were successfully completed. Median procedure duration was 13 minutes, median sedation duration was 22 minutes, and median total time in the short stay unit was 40 minutes. Conclusion Propofol sedation administered by emergency physicians safely facilitated short painful procedures in children under conditions studied, with rapid recovery.
Agreement of diagnosis and its date for hematologic malignancies and solid tumors between medicare claims and cancer registry data

Purpose Claims data may be a suitable source studying associations between drugs and cancer. However, linkage between cancer registry and claims data including pharmacy-dispensing information is not always available. We examined the accuracy of claims-based definitions of incident cancers and their date of diagnosis.
A note on geodetic graphs of diameter two and their relation to orthogonal Latin squares

Abstract A general class of matrices, which are equivalent to orthogonal Latin squares, is used to construct a class of geodetic graphs of diameter two. The argument is reversed to prove a necessary condition for the existence of general classes of such graphs in terms of orthogonal Latin squares.
DNA damage induced by wood preserving waste extracts in vitro without metabolic activation, as assayed by 32P-postlabeling

Abstract Aqueous wood preserving waste (WPW) extracts were tested for their ability to damage DNA in vitro without metabolic activation. Two extracts were prepared from a surface tar and a surface clay soil sample of a WPW site. As assayed by 32P-post-labelling, incubation of DNA with these extracts gave rise to highly complex, extract-specific profiles of DNA adducts whose formation depended on the concentration of WPW material. Most of the adducts appeared to be derived from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Three mg organic WPW residue gave rise to total adduct levels of 13.8 (extract 1) and 66.2 (extract 2) DNA modifications in 107 DNA nucleotides, corresponding to 13.9 and 26.9 modifications, respectively, per 10 mg of soil. Thus, extract 2 was more active, although the parent residue had a 1.4-times lower PAH content as determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). DNA adduct formation presumably was a consequence of (i) free radical reactions, possibly involving semiquinones and oxygen free radicals, and (ii) reaction of direct-acting electrophiles, derived from metabolism of WPW toxicants by soil microorganisms. These reactions appeared to be more active in sample 2. The results suggest that ground water at WPW sites contains DNA-reactive compounds posing a cancer hazard to humans. The in vitro DNA adduct assay represents a novel tool to readily assess this type of hazard and the possible effects of remediation measures.
Grape extract inhibits lipid peroxidation of human low density lipoprotein

Some epidemiological data have linked dietary polyphenols with lower risk of coronary heart disease. Polyphenols might impair lipoprotein oxidation which is believed to be an important step in initiating atherogenesis. The purpose of this study was to determine if grape extract known to contain polyphenolic substances can block copper-induced oxidative modification of human low density lipoprotein (LDL).LDL oxidation was monitored spectrophotometrically by measurement of change in absorbance at 234 nm. Incubation of LDL (0.05 mg protein/ml) with 1.66 microM cupric chloride produced a lag phase of 130 min before onset of the propagation phase where polyunsaturated fatty acids undergo conversion to conjugated lipid hydroperoxides. However, in the presence of grape extract at a final concentration equal to an 8000-fold dilution, the lag phase was extended to 185 min. A 4000-fold and 2000-fold dilution of grape extract produced lag phases of 250 and 465 min, respectively. LDL oxidation was essentially blocked for at least 10 h with a 1000-fold dilution of grape extract. In other experiments, incubation of LDL (0.2 mg protein/ml) with 5 microM cupric chloride for 1-4 h increased both thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and electrophoretic mobility of LDL on agarose gel. In addition, there was loss of immunoreactivity of LDL with a murine monoclonal antibody against human apolipoprotein B-100. However, these oxidative changes to LDL by copper were prevented when diluted grape extract was present during incubation. It is concluded that grape extract contains antioxidants in the form of polyphenols with the capacity to inhibit oxidative modification of LDL.
An epidemiologic study of canine multiple primary neoplasma involving the female and male reproductive systems

Abstract The significance of canine multiple primary neoplasms involving the reproductive system and one or more additional anatomic sites was evaluated using data from the Alameda and Contra Costa County Animal Tumor Registry. Among the registry's data base of 35 015 histologically confirmed tumors, both sequential and simultaneous occurrences of histologically distinct benign and malignant tumors were identified. Retrospective analysis demostrated that there was a decreasing risk gradient for multiple tumors of the reproductive systems. The intact female had the highest risk followed in order by the spayed female and all male dogs. The incidence-based analyses also indicated a strong predilection for development of multiple tumors within both the female and the male reproductive systems. A four- to five-fold increase in observed numbers of mammary tumors and other histologically distinct reproductive tumors was found. Benign and malignant mammary tumors were strongly associated in their occurrence, and dogs with benign mammary neoplasms had a three-fold increased risk for subsequent development of histologically different malignant mammary tumors. These quantitative results were consistent with observations in man for malignancies and provide additional evidence that multiple primary malignant and benign neoplasms of the female and male reproductive systems are biologically associated.
Never fast enough

Among all of the outstanding IEEE publications, the IEEE Engineering Management Review enjoys some rather unique challenges in filling its mission. This magazine?s particular opportunity is to draw great material from a range of highly respected publications. In that fashion, we have many great organizations working for us and the Review?s editors have not had to work with very many original authors (often enjoyable but more often time consuming). The challenge faced is the restrictive difficulties and expense in obtaining electronic reprint rights for articles included in the Review. Within our own Institute this precludes the Review from participating in the electronic version of the All-Society Periodicals Package, and it also has somewhat impeded our efforts to develop a Web presence. Many publishers now recognize this difficulty and are wrestling through the issues of electronic reprint rights. Progress is to be expected over time, but not quickly, and certainly not soon enough for our readers. Addressing this challenge to the Review is not simple but it is helpful; it has caused the Engineering Management Society and its editors to reconsider its options for serving members. The Society?s plans include more original content (but not more than 50%) and a Web presence that will better complement the Review?s mission and dialogue with members. Starting with the previous issue, executive summaries are being prepared and will be posted on the Web site for all articles reprinted since 1995. That is a time-consuming and expensive task to do properly, but the Review is making progress and readers will much more ably find ?that article? published a while back. Your feedback regarding these summaries will be appreciated.
Effect of erythrocyte membrane on extracellular development of the erythrocytic cycle of Plasmodium falciparum.

Abstract We have earlier reported conditions that support the axenic development in vitro of a complete asexual erythrocytic cycle of Plasmodium falciparum. Up to 30% of merozoites showed initial differentiation into trophic forms (rings) viable at 14 hr. However, only approximately 1% of the merozoites would develop further into trophozoites and early schizonts viable at 36 hr. In efforts to increase the number of late stage parasites, we have now found a significant favorable effect of the addition of erythrocyte ghosts. Doubling the quantity of erythrocyte membrane in the erythrocyte sonicate medium resulted in approximate doubling of the number of trophozoites and early schizonts. These results indicate that components of the erythrocyte membrane are essential for the complete development of the erythrocytic cycle.
Modeling the Impact of Alternative Hosts on Helicoverpa zea Adaptation to Bollgard Cotton

For highly polyphagous cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., pests such as Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), a substantial portion of the larval population develops on noncotton alternative hosts. These noncotton hosts potentially provide a natural refuge for H. zea, thereby slowing the evolution of resistance to the Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt)-derived Cry1Ac protein present in Bollgard cotton. Here, we demonstrate how the measured contribution of such alternative hosts can be included in estimating the "effective refuge" present for H. zea and in modeling resistance evolution in this species. A single-gene, two-compartment model was used in which one compartment represented corn, Zea mays L., and cotton that express the Cry1Ac protein or similar proteins, and the other compartment was the effective refuge, made up of a weighted average of non-Bt cotton and noncotton hosts. The effective refuge was estimated for each of six generations of H. zea based upon available data on larval population densities on different hosts and cropping patterns. Model runs were performed for regions centered on three states: Georgia, Mississippi, and North Carolina. Three sets of fitness cost assumptions for the putative resistance gene were used: none, low, and moderate, with either recessive or additive inheritance for resistance and fitness costs. For Georgia and North Carolina, resistance was predicted to take >30 yr to evolve except in the absence of fitness costs. For Mississippi, results were sensitive to fitness costs: >30 yr with moderate costs, 7-14 yr with low costs, and 6-10 yr without such costs.
Treating Operant Vomiting With Visual Screening

The authors present a case study of an 8-year-old boy with autism who engaged in operant vomiting. Functional assessment indicated that vomiting persisted in the absence of social reinforcement. After interventions involving noncontingent access to preferred items, differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO), and DRO plus time out failed to produce clinically significant decreases in vomiting, we implemented a contingent mouthwash procedure and a contingent visual screen (VS) procedure. The results show that the contingent mouthwash produced only temporary decreases in vomiting whereas the VS procedure gradually decreased the boy’s vomiting to zero levels over the course of 23 weeks. In addition, a 4-month follow-up assessment showed that ongoing implementation of the VS procedure produced zero levels of vomiting. The gradual reduction in the boy’s vomiting following the introduction of the VS procedure suggests that the intervention extinguished one or more of the sensory consequences that were fo...
WEIGHTS AND LINEAR MEASUREMENTS OF THE BODY AND ORGANS OF THE TIGER SALAMANDER, BEFORE AND AFTER METAMORPHOSIS, COMPARED WITH THE ADULT.

Body weight and length, weights of 14 organs and 15 linear measurements are presented from 97 Amblystoma tigrinum melanosticum before metamorphosis and 57 specimens after metamorphosis. These data are compared with similar measurements (previously published) on adult salamanders. Body weight and weights of the digestive tube and its subdivisions, liver, pancreas, spleen, eyeballs and brain are heavier in the larvae. The body weight decreases more than many of the organs and hence the percentage weights of the heart, lungs, liver, spleen, kidneys, gonads, eyeballs and brain are larger, relatively, in the post-metamorphosis salamanders. Since body length is not significantly changed, the percentage lengths are much the same. Length of the digestive tube and its parts, jaw width and the width of the body at pectoral, belly and pelvic regions are all longer in the larvae. The limbs are the only percentage lengths greater in the post-metamorphosis salamanders. All of the weights and all of the linear measurements are significantly correlated with body weight or length, respectively. Four organs show increases in percentage weights at all three periods: gonads, lungs, liver and spleen. Two others have an increase in post-metamorphosis: heart and kidneys. The digestive tube and its parts and the pancreas have a relative decrease at the end of metamorphosis. The eyeballs are relatively largest in the post-metamorphosis, and smallest in the adults.
Confidence intervals of preassigned length for quantiles of unimodal populations

For the case he the only information we have about a population is that it has a unimodal density function, a two-sample method is given for constructing a confidence interval of preassigned length for any quantile of the population.
The integration of the offshore and domestic banking system

Abstract The thesis of this article is that offshore banks are branches of the major U.S., British, Swiss, German, Japanese, etc., banks situated in ‘monetary havens’ jurisdictions in which they are subject to minimal regulation, especially to requirements that they must hold non-interest bearing reserves against their deposits. Each bank determines the maximum interest rate to pay on offshore deposits as a function of the maximum interest rate on domestic deposits and the implicit tax on reserve requirements. The more rapid growth of offshore deposits than of domestic deposits during the last several decades reflects two factors — the implicit tax on domestic deposits has increased with the upward movement in interest rates and investor assessment of the risk associated with external deposits has decreased. The effective reserve requirement applicable to each bank is the weighted average of requirements applied to its domestic deposits and to its offshore deposits. Because offshore deposits have grown more rapidly than domestic deposits, the effective reserve requirement has decreased: the fractional reserve multiplier has increased. Because the growth of offshore deposits to domestic deposits appears highly variable, the effectiveness of monetary control has declined.
A Robertsonian Translocation and its Effect upon Fertility in Brown Swiss Cattle

Metaphase chromosomes derived from leukocyte cultures of peripheral blood were observed in 299 head of Brown Swiss cattle. A Robertsonian translocation (centric fusion) was found in 31 of the animals. Estimated from this small sample 2.4% of animals of the Brown Swiss breed carry the translocation. Chromosome measurements and analysis of G-banded chromosomes proved inconclusive in identification of the homologue to the short arm of the translocation chromosome. The long arm was homologous to the longest acrocentric autosome. By C-banding, a single, small area of centromeric constitutive heterochromatin on the translocation chromosome indicated a single centromere. The translocation in Brown Swiss may be homologous to the 1/29 Robertsonian translocation in many other breeds of cattle. The translocation chromosome appeared to have segregated normally from its homologues. Aneuploid karyotypes were not observed. Analyses of breeding data failed to detect any decrease in fertility of translocation heterozygous females as compared to females of the normal karyotype. It would be premature to recommend a selection program against this translocation in Brown Swiss, but widespread use of sires heterozygous for the translocation should not be encouraged.
Calcium mobilization by dual receptors during fertilization of sea urchin eggs

Fertilization is accompanied by a transient increase in the concentration of intracellular Ca2+, which serves as a signal for initiating development. Some of the Ca2+ appears to be released from intracellular stores by the binding of inositol trisphosphate (IP3) to its receptor. However, in sea urchin eggs, other mechanisms appear to participate. Cyclic adenosine diphosphate--ribose (cADPR), a naturally occurring metabolite of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, is as potent as IP3 in mobilizing Ca2+ in sea urchin eggs. Experiments with antagonists of the cADPR and IP3 receptors revealed that both Ca2+ mobilizing systems were activated during fertilization. Blockage of either of the systems alone was not sufficient to prevent the sperm-induced Ca2+ transient. This study provides direct evidence for a physiological role of cADPR in the Ca2+ signaling process.
Critique of Scholarship on Chinese Business in the People’s Republic of China and Taiwan

Professor Kwan's and Professor Lin's articles on business history in the People's Republic of China (PRC) and Taiwan, published in this issue, are meticulously researched historiographic essays; these two pieces provide a much needed road map to the diverse scholarship on Chinese business now being produced in Chinese. At the same time, both provide an impressive glimpse at the role of political and economic change in the transformation of analytical frameworks.