cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Children undergoing outpatient complex penile surgery, hypospadias repair may not require opioid analgesics

Abstract Background/Purpose Pain control is important after penile surgery, and opioid use should be minimized as able. We sought to describe our experience performing complex penile surgeries with vs without post-operative opioids. Methods A retrospective review of penile surgeries, including 3998 between 2009 and 2019. We identified patients Results 200 children were identified, 100 per group, with mean age 1.3 ± 0.8 years. 48% were penile degloving procedures, 31% hypospadias repairs with catheters, and the remaining 21% hypospadias repairs without catheters. Perioperative features were comparable between groups(p > 0.05). 59% of patients without opioids had an impromptu post-operative encounter vs 41%, and 20% had an associated pain complaint vs 9%(p = 0.026). Two patients in both groups received delayed opioid prescription(p = 1.00). The presence of a catheter (OR 2.9) and no opioid prescription (OR 2.6) were independent predictors for pain complaint. Conclusions Patients discharged without an opioid were more likely to contact a provider postoperatively and were more likely to endorse pain complaint (number needed to treat: 9).
The Herbicide Atrazine Potentiates Angiotensin II-Induced Aldosterone Synthesis and Release From Adrenal Cells

Atrazine is one of the most commonly used pre-emergence and early post-emergence herbicides in the world. We have shown previously that atrazine does not directly stimulate the pituitary or adrenal to trigger hormone release but acts centrally to activate a stress-like activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. In doing so, atrazine treatment has been shown to cause adrenal morphology changes characteristic of repeated stress. In this study, adrenals from atrazine treated and stressed animals were directly compared after 4 days of atrazine treatment or restraint stress. Both atrazine and stressed animals displayed reduced adrenocortical zona glomerulosa thickness and aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) expression, indicative of repeated adrenal stimulation by adrenocorticotropic hormone. To determine if reduced CYP11B2 expression resulted in attenuated aldosterone synthesis, stressed and atrazine treated animals were challenged with angiotensin II (Ang II). As predicted, stressed animals produced less aldosterone compared to control animals when stimulated. However, atrazine treated animals had higher circulating aldosterone concentrations compared to both stressed and control groups. Ang II-induced aldosterone release was also potentiated in atrazine pretreated human adrenocortical carcinoma cells (H295R). Atrazine pretreated did not alter the expression of the rate limiting steroidogenic StAR protein or angiotensin II receptor 1. Atrazine treated animals also presented with higher basal blood pressure than vehicle treated control animals suggesting sustained elevations in circulating aldosterone levels. Our results demonstrate that treatment with the widely used herbicide, atrazine, directly increases stimulated production of aldosterone in adrenocortical cells independent of expression changes to rate limiting steroidogenic enzymes.
Abstract 897: Association between transforming growth factor beta 1 and progression-free survival in breast cancer

Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) has a dual role in cancer progression, with inhibitory functions in early tumor stages and tumor promotion in advanced stages. However, most prior studies have studied survival in either all tumor stages together or a subset of stages. Therefore, this study examined the effect of TGF-β1 before and after radiotherapy (RT) on progression-free survival (PFS) in a racially/ethnically diverse breast cancer patient population and stratified by cancer stage (n=488). Plasma samples were collected on the first (pre-RT) and last day of RT (post-RT), and patients were followed for up to 10 years through electronic medical records. TGF-β1 was assayed with the ELISA kit (RD 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr 897.
Differences in rituximab use between pediatric rheumatologists and nephrologists for the treatment of refractory lupus nephritis and renal flare in childhood-onset SLE

Consensus treatment plans have been developed for induction therapy of newly diagnosed proliferative lupus nephritis (LN) in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus. However, patients who do not respond to initial therapy, or who develop renal flare after remission, warrant escalation of treatment. Our objective was to assess current practices of pediatric nephrologists and rheumatologists in North America in treatment of refractory proliferative LN and flare. Members of Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA) and the American Society for Pediatric Nephrology (ASPN) were surveyed in November 2015 to assess therapy choices (other than modifying steroid dosing) and level of agreement between rheumatologists and nephrologists for proliferative LN patients. Two cases were presented: (1) refractory disease after induction treatment with corticosteroid and cyclophosphamide (CYC) and (2) nephritis flare after initial response to treatment. Survey respondents chose treatments for three follow up scenarios for each case that varied by severity of presentation. Treatment options included CYC, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), rituximab (RTX), and others, alone or in combination. Seventy-six respondents from ASPN and foty-one respondents from CARRA represented approximately 15 % of the eligible members from each organization. Treatment choices between nephrologists and rheumatologists were highly variable and received greater than 50 % agreement for an individual treatment choice in only the following 2 of 6 follow up scenarios: 59 % of nephrologists, but only 38 % of rheumatologists, chose increasing dose of MMF in the case of LN refractory to induction therapy with proteinuria, hematuria, and improved serum creatinine. In a follow up scenario showing severe renal flare after achieving remission with induction therapy, 58 % of rheumatologists chose CYC and RTX combination therapy, whereas the top choice for nephrologists (43 %) was CYC alone. Rheumatologists in comparison to nephrologists chose more therapy options that contained RTX in all follow up scenarios except one (p < 0.05). Therapy choices for pediatric rheumatologists and nephrologists in the treatment of refractory LN or LN flare were highly variable with rheumatologists more often choosing rituximab. Further investigation is necessary to delineate the reasons behind this finding. This study highlights the importance of collaborative efforts in developing consensus treatment plans for pediatric LN.
Sensor Fusion and Inferential Sensing for Fault Detection and Isolation in Uncertain Systems

When attempting to meticulously conduct fault detection and isolation, inferential sensing approaches can prove to be valuable tools, as they constitute cost-effective and reliable alternatives to expensive and often impractical measuring devices. In this work, we combine advanced model-based sensor selection and inferential sensing techniques to yield accurate fault detection outcomes, in the presence of system noise and uncertainty. In this regard, the most informative sensor set is chosen, by comparing all possible sensor combinations, based on various optimality criteria that extract the maximum knowledge from the system in functions of the Fisher Information Matrix. Subsequently, optimal inferential sensors are derived, by means of genetic and mathematical programming that incorporate symbolic regression and optimization techniques. For built-in test deployment, k-Nearest Neighbors (k-NN) classification is employed to assess the accuracy of each sensor network, as well as the performance enhancement due to the inclusion of inferential sensor(s). The proposed methods are applied in steady state and dynamic models of a cross-flow plate-fin heat exchanger system for various levels of measurement noise and uncertainty. The results illustrate that the augmented system of composite sensors (i.e., inferential and hardware) provide more accurate information on system fault(s), while reducing the evidence of uncertainty and system noise.
Post-glacial dispersal patterns of Northern pike inferred from an 8800 year old pike (Esox cf. lucius) skull from interior Alaska

Abstract The biogeography of freshwater fish species during and after late-Pleistocene glaciations relate to how these species are genetically organized today, and the management of these often disjunct populations. Debate exists concerning the biogeography and routes of dispersal for Northern pike (Esox lucius) after the last glaciation. A hypothesis to account for the relatively low modern genetic diversity for E. lucius is post-glacial radiation from refugia, including lakes from within the un-glaciated portions of eastern Beringia. We report the remains of a Northern pike (E. cf. lucius) skull, including bones, teeth, bone collagen and ancient DNA. The remains were preserved at a depth of between 440 and 446 cm in a 670 cm long core of sediment from Quartz Lake, which initiated at ∼11,200 cal yr BP in interior Alaska. A calibrated accelerator mass spectrometer (AMS) radiocarbon age of the collagen extracted from the preserved bones indicated that the organism was dated to 8820 cal yr BP and is bracketed by AMS values from analyses of terrestrial plant macrofossils, avoiding any potential aquatic reservoir effect that could have influenced the radiocarbon age of the bones. Scanning electron microscope images of the specimen show the hinged tooth anatomy typically of E. lucius. Molar C:N (3.5, 1σ = 0.1) value of the collagen from the specimen indicated well-preserved collagen and its mean stable nitrogen isotope value is consistent with the known predatory feeding ecology of E. lucius. Ancient DNA in the bones showed that the specimen was identical to modern E. lucius. Our record of E. lucius from interior Alaska is consistent with a biogeographic scenario involving rapid dispersal of this species from glacial refugia in the northern hemisphere after the last glaciation.
Biosynthesis of Bacterial Glycogen XI. KINETIC CHARACTERIZATION OF AN ALTERED ADENOSINE DIPHOSPHATE-GLUCOSE SYNTHASE FROM A "GLYCOGEN-EXCESS" MUTANT OF ESCHERICHIA COLI B

Abstract Previous studies indicated that allosteric regulation of bacterial glycogen synthesis occurs at the level of ADP-glucose synthase (reviewed by Preiss, J. (1969) in Current Topics in Cellular Regulation (Horecker, B. L., and Stadtman, E. R., eds) Vol. 1, pp. 125–160, Academic Press, New York). The physiological significance of the allosteric effects observed in vitro is demonstrated by kinetic characterization of an altered ADP-glucose synthase from a glycogen-excess mutant of Escherichia coli B. The mutant enzyme is specifically altered in its responses to allosteric effectors, having a higher apparent affinity for activators (fructose-P2, TPNH, and pyridoxal-P) and a lower apparent affinity for inhibitor (AMP) than the wild type enzyme. These changes make the mutant enzyme more active at physiological energy charge values and are sufficient to account for the increased rate of glycogen accumulation in vivo. Previous studies demonstrated that allosteric activators increase the activity of the E. coli B ADP-glucose synthase by increasing its maximum velocity (4- to 8-fold) and increasing its affinity for substrates and metal ion (2- to 15-fold) (Priess, J., ibid). Activators also change the shape of the saturation curve for the substrate glucose 1-phosphate. The curves suggest that glucose-1-P binding sites are negatively cooperative in the absence of activators but noninteracting in their presence. A comparison of the concentrations of activators required to stimulate ADP-glucose synthase with their intracellular concentrations suggests that fructose-P2 is the physiological activator of the enzyme in E. coli.
Genetic Evidence that Bacillus Bacteriophage φ105 Integrates by Insertion

Abstract Genetic analysis by PBS1 transduction has demonstrated that bacterial markers spanning the 105 attachment site are spread upon integration, accounting for insertion of one or more 105 genomes.
Ordering of injection events within Saturnian SLS longitude and local time

[1] Periodicities similar to the Saturn kilometric radio (SKR) emissions have been observed throughout the magnetosphere in both the magnetic field and the plasma. An outstanding question is what mechanism links these periodicities between the inner and outer magnetospheres. It had been postulated that the interchange instability, where narrow injections return the magnetic flux carried by the bulk plasma outflow, could play a role in determining the periodicities, but early analysis found no ordering of the injection events in the SKR-derived Saturnian longitude system (SLS). In this study, we reexamine this possibility by limiting our data set to the young injection events observed by the Cassini radio and plasma wave science instrument. We find that the young injection events observed near midnight local time are strongly ordered by SLS. Further, this ordering varies with the Saturnian season. Pre-equinox, the northern hemisphere's longitude system controls the event occurrence. Post-equinox, the events are ordered by the southern hemisphere-derived longitude system. We suggest that this may be an effect in the variations in ionospheric conductivity or due to change in the magnetosphere's orientation relative to the solar wind.
Planar Separators and the Euclidean Norm

In this paper we show that every 2-connected embedded planar graph with faces of sizes d1.....d f has a simple cycle separator of size 1.58 \(\sqrt {d_1^2 + \cdots + d_f^2 }\)and we give an almost linear time algorithm for finding these separators, O(no(n,n)). We show that the new upper bound expressed as a function of ‖G‖=\(\sqrt {d_1^2 + \cdots + d_f^2 }\)is no larger, up to a constant factor than previous bounds that where expressed in terms of \(\sqrt {d \cdot v}\)where d is the maximum face size and ν is the number of vertices and is much smaller for many graphs. The algorithms developed are simpler than earlier algorithms in that they work directly with the planar graph and its dual. They need not construct or work with the face-incidence graph as in [Mil86, GM87, GM].
WILL NEW APPOINTEES TO THE SUPREME COURT BE ABLE TO EFFECT AN OVERRULING OF ROE V. WADE

A recent feature story in Time magazine stated, "Overturning Roe v. Wade is the Evangelicals' highest ambition ...."1 This was supplemental to a previous blurb, under a photo of the U.S. Su­ preme Court Justices, that proclaimed, "Bush may name replace­ ments for as many as three of the Justices ...."2 Recent and impending changes in the composition of the Supreme Court beg the question whether President Bush could appoint a sufficient number of Supreme Court Justices to overrule Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113 (1975).3 This Article argues that, regardless of any agenda on the part of new appointees to the Supreme Court, it is very un­ likely that Roe will be overruled in the near future. If an appointee were intent on the overruling of Roe, that person would have to establish, and convince at least four of his or her fellow justices, that the holding of Roe is at odds with the supreme law of this land-the United States Constitution. This would not be an easy task: Roe is
Quasi‐Isentropic and Shock Compression Measurements of Iron Response by Direct Laser Illumination

We performed a series of dynamic loading experiments on iron with pressures of 5–40 GPa at the Trident Laser Laboratory. We used 2.4 ns laser pulses of varying shapes and irradiances of 2 to 1000 GW/cm2 to load a 5‐mm diameter region of rolled iron foils that were 25–50 microns thick. The temporal characteristic of the laser irradiance was tailored to produce shock or quasi‐isentropic loading histories. Line‐imaging VISAR was used to time‐resolve free surface velocities. In several experiments, two different thickness samples, placed side‐by‐side, were subjected to the same irradiance history. We describe the experiment configuration, analysis, and results.
Legacy effects of no-analogue disturbances alter plant community diversity and composition in semi-arid sagebrush steppe

Questions (i) What role does the type of managed disturbance play in structuring sagebrush steppe plant communities? (ii) How does the composition of post-disturbance plant communities change with time since disturbance? (iii) Does plant community diversity change over time following managed disturbance? Location Field study within the sagebrush steppe ecosystem. Rich County, Utah, USA. Methods We developed a chronosequence spanning up to 50 yrs post-treatment to study sagebrush steppe vegetation dynamics. Direct ordination was used to examine plant community composition by managed disturbance type and time since disturbance, and factorial analysis of covariance was used to examine diversity dynamics following disturbance. Indicator species values were calculated in order to identify characteristic species for each disturbance type. Results Plant communities experienced a shift toward distinct community composition for each of the three managed disturbance types, and gave no indication of returning to untreated community composition or diversity. Small post-disturbance increases in the number of non-native grass species were observed in the treatments relative to reference, with native forb species making the largest contribution to altered composition. On fire- and chemically-treated sites the proportional native forb species richness increased over time since disturbance, while the proportional contribution of non-native forbs to total species richness decreased. For all three treatment types, native grasses contributed less on average to total richness than on reference sites, while non-native grasses made up a higher proportion of total richness. Conclusions Common shrubland management techniques have legacy effects on the composition and diversity of sagebrush steppe plant communities, and no-analogue disturbances, such as chemical or mechanical treatments, have more pronounced legacy effects than treatments similar to natural disturbance regimes (fire). This study informs a broader understanding of how management actions affect natural systems by highlighting the importance of long-term management legacies as drivers of plant community structure and function.
Management of non‐invasive rhinosinusitis in the immunosuppressed patient population

Objective Rhinologists are seeing an increasing number of immunosuppressed patients. Currently, no treatment paradigm exists for treating acute and chronic noninvasive rhinosinusitis (ARS, CRS) in this growing population. This study aims to identify patient and treatment factors that affect rhinosinusitis outcomes in this vulnerable population. Study Design Prognostic retrospective cohort study. Methods Immunocompromised patients treated by rhinologists for ARS or CRS 10/2007 to 10/2012 were identified by rhinosinusitis diagnostic codes, codes for transplant, cancer, HIV, diabetes, and codes indicating immunosuppression in the intensive care setting. Associations between patient factors and outcome were analyzed by logistic regression. Associations between treatment and outcome were analyzed by Firth logistic regression. Results A total of 132 subjects were identified. Of those, 90.9% had CRS and 9.1% had ARS; 12.9% were transplant patients; 47% were diabetic; 37.9% were cancer patients; and 16.7% were in the intensive care unit. Patients with higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) scores had decreased disease resolution (odds ratio [OR] = 0.5, P = 0.021). Transplant patients (OR = 22.5, P = 0.001), diabetics patients (OR = 6.4, P = 0.017), cancer patients (OR = 5.4, P = 0.046), and patients with prior medical therapy for rhinosinusitis (OR = 5.84, P < 0.001) had increased disease resolution compared to immunosuppressed critical care patients. Patients treated with antibiotics alone had no statistically significant difference in disease resolution compared to those receiving no treatment. In contrast, treatment plans including surgery were associated with greater disease resolution. Conclusion This data indicates that surgical treatment provides improved outcomes for patients presenting with acute exacerbations of rhinosinusitis related to their immunocompromised state. Given the limited study population, these findings may not apply to HIV-positive or ARS patients, and further study should be undertaken in these groups. Level of Evidence 4. Laryngoscope, 125:1767–1771, 2015
Body weight loss and changes in blood lipid levels in normal men on hypocaloric diets during Ramadan fasting

An investigation was conducted to study the changes in body weight and blood lipids during Ramadan fasting in men on hypocaloric diets. Sixteen healthy male college students were fed a high-carbohydrate diet for the first 2 wk (means 1696 kcal/d), followed by another 2 wk of high-fat diet (means 1834 kcal/d). Fasting blood samples were taken on days 0 (base line), 14, and 28 and were analyzed for triglycerides (TGs) and cholesterol. By the end of Ramadan, body weight, blood TGs, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-chol) had decreased significantly (p less than 0.05), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-chol) had increased, and total cholesterol had not changed compared with base-line values. The variance in blood lipid levels was explained by weight change through linear and curvilinear regression models. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the contrasting results reported by various investigators and they may be useful in regulating blood lipid levels through Ramadan fasting.
The Sociology of Science and Emotions

The sociology of emotions and the sociology of science arose concurrently (circa 1975-present), but connections between these subfields have been rare. Existing research pleads for greater integration and contextualization. This chapter synthesizes and critically assesses eight decades of research on emotional aspects of science. Taken together, extant literature indicates that emotions pervade science as a practice, profession and social institution. Emotions support the ability to perceive and observe empirical patterns and relationships, and to make specific types of knowledge claims. They are elemental facets of scientists’ career evaluations and work life, and their influence on the research process informs and consequentially impacts the form and content of scientific knowledge. Collective emotional states and affective relationships are also essential for scientific collaboration and for fomenting large-scale collective action in the form of scientific social movements. Finally, emotions gave original impetus to science as a distinctive social institution, and continue to support it by acting as agents of social control in the scientific community. Overall, research on emotions and science is rapidly emerging as a generative area of research in its own right, and has the potential to significantly advance general sociology.
Patch clamp and phenotypic analyses of a prokaryotic cyclic nucleotide-gated K+ channel using Escherichia coli as a host

Prokaryotic ion channels have been valuable in providing structural models for understanding ion filtration and channel-gating mechanisms. However, their functional examinations have remained rare and usually been carried out by incorporating purified channel protein into artificial lipid membranes. Here we demonstrate the utilization of Escherichia coli to host the functional analyses by examining a putative cyclic nucleotide-gated K+ channel cloned from Magnetospirillum magnetotacticum, MmaK. When expressed in wild-type E. coli cells, MmaK renders the host sensitive to millimolar concentrations of externally applied K+, indicating MmaK forms a functional K+ conduit in the E. coli membrane in vivo. After enlarging these cells into giant spheroplasts, macro- and microscopic MmaK currents are readily detected in excised E. coli membrane patches by a patch clamp. We show that MmaK is indeed gated by submicromolar cAMP and approximately 10-fold higher concentration of cGMP and manifests as an inwardly rectified, K+-specific current with a 10.8 pS unitary conductance at -100 mV. Additionally, MmaK is inactivated by slightly acidic pH only from the cytoplasmic side. Our in vitro biophysical characterizations of MmaK correlate with its in vivo phenotype in E. coli, implicating its critical role as an intracellular cAMP and pH sensor for modulating bacterial membrane potential. Exemplified by MmaK functional studies, we establish that E. coli and its giant spheroplast provide a convenient and versatile system to express foreign channels for biophysical analyses that can be further dovetailed with microbial genetics.
Elasticity and response in nearly isostatic periodic lattices.

The square and kagome lattices with nearest-neighbor springs of spring constant $k$ are isostatic with a number of zero-frequency modes that scale with their perimeter. We analytically study the approach to this isostatic limit as the spring constant ${k}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ for next-nearest-neighbor bonds vanishes. We identify a characteristic frequency ${\ensuremath{\omega}}^{*}\ensuremath{\sim}\sqrt{{k}^{\ensuremath{'}}}$ and length ${l}^{*}\ensuremath{\sim}\sqrt{k/{k}^{\ensuremath{'}}}$ for both lattices. The shear modulus ${C}_{44}={k}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ of the square lattice vanishes with ${k}^{\ensuremath{'}}$, but that for the kagome lattice does not.
Designing end-user geographic information systems

Geographic information systems are becoming more popular for end-user and decision support system construction but they incorporate software and concepts with some inherent problems for end-user computing. This paper identifies several concepts developed during the construction of one end-user GIS that can be incorporated in a wide range of end-user GIS. The approaches make extensive use of metadata storage and may include the use of specialized software tools to reduce the burden of system operation and improve data
Doping of InSb and InAs using CBr4 during growth by gas source molecular beam epitaxy

Abstract For InSb, hole concentrations up to mid-10 20 cm −3 were obtained at growth temperatures up to 450°C. This is believed to be the highest hole concentration yet reported for p-InSb. The hole concentration was found to be dependent on dopant flux and V/III ratio but not on growth temperature. Attempts to increase the hole concentration beyond this level resulted in severe degradation of the surface morphology. For InAs, all growth conditions used with elemental In produced compensated n-type material. High CBr 4 fluxes also led to severe parasitic etching. By contrast, the use of metalorganic In precursors such as triethylindium (TEI) appear to enhance the ability of carbon to incorporate on the group V rather than the group III sublattice, making the attainment of highly compensated p-type material possible, but only in a narrow range of growth conditions.
Peripheral monocyte count is associated with case fatality after intracerebral hemorrhage.

Background Leukocytosis is associated with hemorrhage volume and early neurologic deterioration after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). We examined total white blood cell (WBC) count, absolute monocyte count (AMC), and absolute neutrophil count (ANC) as potential readily available prognostic biomarkers in human ICH. Methods In a retrospective study, adult patients aged 18 years or older who presented to 1 of 2 local hospitals with nontraumatic ICH from July 2008 to December 2009 within 12 hours of symptom onset were identified. Demographics, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), ICH volume, ICH location, and 30-day case fatality rates were determined. Total WBC count, ANC, AMC, and hemoglobin concentration were determined. Linear and logistic regressions were used to evaluate factors associated with baseline ICH volume (log transformed) and 30-day case fatality, respectively. Results Of the 186 patients, mean (±SD) age was 67.3 ± 14.8 years; 51% were men and 22% were black. Median (interquartile range) ICH volume was 12.8 (4.9, 29.4) mL. After adjusting for patient age and initial hemoglobin, higher initial WBC count ( P = .0009) and higher ANC ( P = .006) were associated with higher ICH volume, whereas AMC was not ( P = .4). After adjusting for patient age, GCS, intraventricular hemorrhage (+/−), stroke location, and ICH volume, baseline AMC was associated with greater odds of 30-day case fatality (odds ratio 2.26, 95% confidence interval 1.10-4.65, P = .03). Conclusions The association of AMC with higher 30-day case fatality after ICH is hypothesis generating. Given the lack of association between presenting AMC and ICH volume, AMC may contribute to secondary injury after ICH (hematoma expansion and/or cerebral edema).
Screening when some agents are nonstrategic: does a monopoly need to exclude?

We characterize the optimal screening mechanism for a monopolist facing consumers with privately known demands, some of whom have limited abilities to misrepresent their preferences. We show that consumers with better abilities to misrepresent information benefit from the presence of consumers who lack such abilities. Whenever the fraction of the latter group is positive, there is no exclusion: the firm supplies a positive quantity of the good to all consumers whose valuations exceed marginal cost of production. Our analysis is motivated by the evidence indicating that some individuals have limited ability to misrepresent themselves and imitate others.
Ionic control of renal gluconeogenesis: I. The interrelated effect of calcium and hydrogen ions

Abstract In the presence of 1.0 mM Ca2+, an increase in H+ concentration in the medium bathing isolated rat renal tubules led to an increase in the rate of glucose formation from succinate, α-ketoglutarate, citrate and glutamine, but not from lactate, pyruvate, oxaloacetate or malate. When α-ketoglutarate served as substrate, an increase in H+ concentration led to a crossover between succinate and malate. In both isolteral renal tubules and isolated kidney mitochondria, the latter incubated in the presence of 5·10−7 M Ca2+, an increase in H+ concentration inhibited the decarboxylation of [1-14C]pyruvate, [U-14C]malate, but increased that of [6-14C]citrate, [1,5-14C2]citrate and α-keto[1-14C]glutarate in tubules; and [6-14C]citrate and [1,5-14C2]citrate in mitochondria. The results from both tubular and mitochondrial studies were consistent with a model in which an increase in H+ concentration leads to an activation of isocitric dehydrogenase, succinic dehydrogenase, and possibly glutamic dehydrogenase, but an inhibition of pyruvate metabolism by an inhibition of either citrate synthetase or pyruvate dehydrogenase. All these enzymes are mitochondrial in location. In contrast, an increase in Ca2+ concentration from 0.2 to 1.0 mM at pH 7.4 led to an increase in glucose formation from all these substrates except glutamine; a forward crossover between α-ketoglutarate and succinate; a forward crossover betwen oxaloacetate and phosphoenolpyruvate; an inhibition in both tubules and mitochondria (Ca2+ concentration from 10−9 to 10−7 M) of [1-14C]pyruvate and [6-14C]citrate, but an increase in α-keto[1-14C]glutarate decarboxylataion. In addition, in isolated mitochondria, an increase in Ca2+ concentration led to an inhibition of the decarboxylation of [2-14C]pyruvate. These data taken in conjunction with previous data were consistent with a model in which Ca2+ activates phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase but inhibits pyruvate kinase in the cytosol, and activates α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase but inhibits pyruvate carboxylase in the mitochondria.
Fumarolic aerosols from Kilauea volcano, Hawaii

Abstract As part of a geochemical survey of Kilauea, an active Hawaiian volcano, aerosol samples were collected in February 1979, a quiescent period, from several fumaroles within the caldera and along border faults. Measurements of gaseous emissions and physical parameters were also made by volcanologists from the French Centre Nationale de Recherche Scientifique and the U.S. Geological Survey. Portable and self-contained equipment, including pumps, batteries and cascade impactors, was used for the aerosol collection. Results are reported here for 16 samples analyzed at the Florida State University using particle induced X-ray emission for a dozen or more elements including Si, P, S, Cl, and Fe. These analyses are among the first for size fractionated particles from volcanic activity. The six size fractions (from 8.0 μm particle diameter) collected by single orifice cascade impactors enable differentiation to be made between primary aerosols converted from gases and reentrained particles from the ground that are swept into the plume.
Refinement of dendritic arbors along the tonotopic axis of the gerbil lateral superior olive.

Abstract We have investigated the development of dendritic arbors in a central auditory nucleus in the Mongolian gerbil, the lateral superior olive (LSO). The morphology of these arbors has been shown to vary with tonotopic position in adults, with high frequency neurons having a more restricted field. In the present study, qualitative observations were made on horseradish peroxidase-filled neurons from animals 1–11 days postnatal, and quantitative results were obtained from Golgi-impregnated material from animals 10 days postnatal and older. The tonotopic position of each cell was computed as a percent of the total distance along the LSO. The dendritic arbor high frequency neurons became spatially constrained along the frequency axis during the 3rd postnatal week, while those in the low frequency region retained a broader arborization into adulthood. This refinement was correlated with a decrease in total dendritic length and the number of branch points per neuron, particularly in the high frequency projection region. The distribution of octave bandwidths to which single LSO neurons responded in 13–16 day animals showed a similar course of maturation across the tonotopic axis: high frequency neurons responded to a larger number of octaves, and with greater variability, than those in adults. These data suggest that a specific alteration in dendrite morphology, which occurs after the onset of response to airborne sound, may contribute to adult frequency selectivity.
Determination of S-Collidine

S-Collidine (2,4,6 trimethylpyridine) is used in some buffers for fixing the tissue for light and electron microscopy. Sometimes it is contaminated with mono and disubstituted products. It is therefore suggested to purify prior to use. The method for purification is difficult and it is not always necessary. This paper describes a simple method for assaying purity of s-collidine by reacting it with p-dimethylaminobenzoic acid (p-DMAB) in acidic alcoholic medium which gives a violet color immediately.
Quantifying the causes of the global food commodity price crisis

The food commodity price inflation beginning in 2001 and culminating in the food crisis of 2007/08, and which returned in 2010, reflects a combination of several factors including economic growth, biofuel expansion, exchange rate fluctuations, and energy price inflation. To quantify these influence we developed an empirical model that also included crop inventory adjustments, a factor that is underemphasized in the literature. The study shows that, if inventory effects are not taken into account, the impacts of the various factors on food commodity price inflation would be overestimated. Although our model explains most of the price fluctuation observed in 2001–2011, it is not able to explain all of it. Other factors, such as speculation, trade policy and weather shocks, which are not included in the analysis, might be responsible for the remaining contribution to the food commodity price increase.
Source of alate excitant pheromones in the red imported fire ant Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

At the onset of mating flights inSolenopsis invicta, workers swarm excitedly over the mound as alates prepare to fly. Previous studies demonstrated that this excitement is stimulated by the male and female alates. We investigated the glandular source(s) of pheromones produced by the alates that cause excitement. The only common female and male alate body part that elicited excitement when crushed was the head. Within the head, excised mandibular glands were found to be responsible for worker excitement. Fire ant workers are very sensitive to external stimuli and some excitement was elicited by crushed female gasters and male thoraces, but the response was never as significant as with crushed heads. Tests with summer and winter alates revealed similar results, except that gasters of winter female alates had a greater excitant effect than did gasters of summer female alates. This may be due to the production of attractant pheromones by the poison glands of overwintering female alates. We conclude that the mandibular gland is the source of alate excitant pheromones.
Cancer: One cell at a time

Single-cell DNA sequencing of two breast-cancer types has shown extensive mutational variation in individual tumours, confirming that generation of genetic diversity may be inherent in how tumours evolve.
Studies in mass spectrometry with the ion trap detector

Several classes of environmentally significant compounds were introduced into an ion trap detector (ITD) by capillary column gas chromatography, and the performance of the device as a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) system was studied. The experiments conducted included studies of the precision of selected ion monitoring (SIM) measurements, the precision of relative ion abundance measurements in full mass range scans, the sensitivity and instrument detection limits in SIM and full mass range data acquisition, and the linear range of concentration calibration. It was observed that resolution may be lost and saturation may occur under certain conditions, and that the data system can report artifact ions under these conditions.
Theory of Knudsen's Absolute Manometer

The theory of the Absolute Manometer of Knudsen has been developed rigorously according to the revised theory of thermal transpiration which has been established by WU recently. The present theory has been compared with Knudsen's and von Smoluchowski's theories for certain boundary conditions. This paper presents a generalized theory of the Absolute Manometer for any temperature ratios and arbitrary accomodation coefficients on the boundaries.
Intelligent sketching interfaces for richer mid-air drawing interactions

Intelligent user interfaces that can understand the content of what we draw in mid-air can enable for exciting novel sketching applications, and for creating more creative designs and engaging content. Currently, existing interaction techniques have primarily focused on raw sketching interactions, while related sketch and gesture recognition techniques remain largely unexplored beyond surface spaces and constrained by limited symbolic gesture input vocabularies, respectively. The current dissertation work focuses on developing intelligent sketching user interfaces for enabling richer mid-air drawing interaction spaces. The goals of this work thus involve investigating recognition techniques for better understanding sketches made in the air, and interaction techniques for more optimal interaction cues to sketch more intuitively in the air. Preliminary work shows the potential of adapting existing surface recognition techniques for mid-air interaction spaces with low-level primitive shapes.
Aliphatic and aromatic carboxylate divalent metal coordination polymers incorporating the kinked and hydrogen-bonding capable tethering ligand 4,4′-dipyridylamine

Abstract Numerous functional coordination polymer solids with diverse topologies have been constructed using the rigid rod tethering ligand 4,4′-bipyridine (4,4′-bpy). In contrast, the underlying structural topologies of coordination polymers based on the related diimine 4,4′-dipyridylamine (dpa) are often significantly different, due to its kinked donor disposition and hydrogen-bonding capability. In this review we discuss many of the divalent metal carboxylate/dpa dual-ligand coordination polymer phases recently prepared in our laboratory. One-, two- and three-dimensional structures with varying degrees of interpenetration have been observed; several unprecedented self-penetrated network topologies were generated. Synergistic interactions between metal coordination geometry, carboxylate donor disposition and binding mode and hydrogen bonding patterns mediated by the central amine of the dpa ligands play an important role in structure direction in this coordination polymer system.
Optic neuropathies caused by toxins and adverse drug reactions

Toxic optic neuropathy refers to the ingestion of a toxin or an adverse drug reaction that results in vision loss from optic nerve damage. Patients may present with bilateral sudden loss of vision in the setting of an acute intoxication or an insidious asymmetric loss of vision from an adverse drug reaction. Toxins and drugs associated with a toxic optic neuropathy may directly harm the optic nerve; however, some drugs are associated with an ischemic optic neuropathy or optic neuritis, in which optic nerve damage is an indirect effect of the causative agent. The most important aspect of treatment is recognition and drug withdrawal. Patients need to be appropriately counseled, particularly in the setting of amiodarone-associated optic neuropathy.
Neuron-specific enolase is increased after nonconvulsive status epilepticus.

Summary: Serum neuron-specific enolase (s-NSE), a marker of brain injury and acute seizures, was increased in 2 patients with nonconvulsive SE. (NCSE) accounting for s-NSE changes. Increase in s-NSE provides further in vivo evidence of transient brain injury after NCSE.
Electron-impact ionization of CH3 in 10–22 eV

Abstract Methyl radicals (CH3) were produced by photodissociation of CH3OH with ArF excimer laser photons at 193 nm. Electron-impact ionization cross sections of CH3 were measured at electron energies from ionization threshold (9.84 eV) to 14 eV. The electron-impact ionization cross sections for dissociation of CH3OH into various fragment ions at 100 eV are also reported in this paper.
Echocardiography-Guided Pacemaker Optimization and Radial Artery Tonometry

Abstract Background Biventricular (Biv) pacemaker optimization is underused because of time and echo skill required. We evaluated radial artery tonometry during echo-guided Biv optimization of atrioventricular (AV) and interventricular (VV) delays. Methods and Results A total of 60 patients (67 ± 10 years) underwent simultaneous radial artery tonometry and echocardiography after Biv implant at baseline, short AV delay, and optimal AV delay. Twenty of these also underwent VV optimization. Optimal AV delay was determined by ejection duration (E-dur) of left ventricular (LV) outflow tract by pulsed-waved (PW) Doppler (LV E-dur ) and mitral inflow PW Doppler pattern and optimal VV delay by LV E-dur and tissue Doppler. E-dur was also measured from radial artery pulse wave (RA E-dur ). AV optimization improved LV E-dur from 249 ± 35 to 260 ± 38 ms ( P E-dur from 276 ± 31 ms to 284 ± 32 ms ( P = .02). Correlation between LV E-dur and by RA E-dur was 0.83 (95% CI 0.75–0.92). RA E-dur was 282.53 ± 30 at baseline, 286.65 ± 36 at optimal AV delay ( P P Conclusions AV and VV optimization by echocardiography produces significant improvement in LV E-dur and RA E-dur . Radial artery tonometry may provide a simple noninvasive method to assist in AV delay optimization.
Rapid excess weight loss following laparoscopic gastric bypass leads to increased risk of internal hernia

Internal hernia (IH) is one of the more acute and potentially devastating complications after laparoscopic gastric bypass (LGB). Currently, there is no way to predict which patients will develop IH. We propose that patients who undergo periods of rapid excess weight loss (EWL) following LGB are more likely to develop IH. A retrospective review of a prospectively collected laparoscopic gastric bypass database from our bariatric center was performed. Patient data between 2002 and 2009 was reviewed. Demographics, initial body mass index (BMI), detailed weight loss curves, and morbidity, specifically IH, were reviewed. Statistical analysis was performed. Logistic regression analysis was used to obtain an adjusted odds ratio for rapid weight loss and hernia development. We reviewed all 934 LGB procedures performed. The average initial BMI was 49.1 kg/m2 (range = 34–91 kg/m2). EWL based on our current averages at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months postoperatively were 20, 40, 60, 75, and 85%. We statistically defined rapid EWL as greater than the 90th percentile for weight loss. Rapid EWL was noted in 33.2% (310/934) of patients. Fifty-eight (6.2%) patients were identified with IH. Of these, 27(46.5%) had periods of rapid EWL (odds ratio [OR] = 1.83; 95% CI = 1.07, 3.02). Bivariate analysis of patient factors that led to rapid EWL identified initial BMI (49.3 vs. 46.6 kg/m2) and rapid EWL as increasing the likelihood of developing IH (p = 0.026). A multivariate logistic model for IH identified only rapid EWL as a predictive factor. Locations of IH were the jejunojejunostomy (24), Pedersen’s defect (23), adhesions (9), and colonic mesentery (1). There were five patients with combined JJ and Pederson’s hernias. Outcomes from missed IH can be catastrophic. In our large, single-center series, we have found that patients who undergo periods of rapid EWL are at nearly twice the risk for development of IH as the rest of the gastric bypass population.
Critical Flashing Flows in Nozzles With Subcooled Inlet Conditions

Examination of a large number of experiments dealing with flashing flows in converging and converging-diverging nozzles reveals that knowledge of the flashing inception point is the key to the prediction of critical flow rates. An extension of the static flashing inception correlation of Jones (16) and Alamgir and Lienhard (17) to flowing systems has allowed the determination of the location of flashing inception in nozzle flows with subcooled inlet conditions. It is shown that in all the experiments examined with subcooled inlet regardless of the degree of inlet subcooling, flashing inception invariably occurred very close to the throat. A correlation is given to predict flashing inception in both pipes and nozzles which matches all data available, but is lacking verification in intermediate nozzle geometries where turbulence may be important. A consequence of this behavior is that the critical mass flux may be correlated to the pressure difference between the nozzle inlet and flashing inception, through a single phase liquid discharge coefficient and an accurate prediction of the flashing inception pressure at the throat. Comparison with the available experiments indicate that the predicted mass fluxes are within 5 percent of the measurements.