cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract PR08: Ubiquitin-specific protease 6 (USP6) oncogene confers sensitivity of Ewing sarcoma to interferon cytotoxicity

Our goal is to identify novel targeted therapies for Ewing sarcoma (ES). ES is a devastating malignancy that predominantly affects children and young adults. It is the second most common cancer of the bone, yet in contrast to many other malignancies, survival rates have not improved for decades. For patients with localized disease, no biomarkers exist to predict recurrence or response to chemotherapy. For those with metastatic disease, chemotherapy is largely ineffective, and 5-year survival rates have stagnated at approximately 20%. Thus, there is an urgent need to identify biomarkers that can predict recurrence and response to therapy, as well as identify novel targeted therapies to combat this lethal disease. USP6 is the key etiologic agent in several benign bone and soft tissue tumors (BSTTs), where its chromosomal translocation results in overexpression. USP6 encodes a deubiquitylating enzyme, and our prior studies identified the tyrosine kinase Jak1 as an essential substrate of USP6 during BSTT development. Jak1 levels are dramatically elevated in USP6-overexpressing cells, leading to phosphorylation and activation of STAT transcription factors. We recently discovered that USP6 is also highly expressed in multiple sarcomas, including ES. Since Jak1-STATs play a central in mediating response to interferon (IFN), we hypothesized that USP6 might cause dysregulated IFN signaling in ES. Microarray and RNA-sequencing analysis revealed that USP6 by itself induced an IFN-response gene signature, both in immortalized, patient-derived ES cells and in primary human ES tumors. USP6+ ES cells were found to be exquisitely sensitive to exogenous IFN compared to USP6- ES cells, with both prolonged and heightened STAT1 and STAT3 activation observed. Furthermore, IFN selectively induced apoptosis of USP6+ but not USP6- ES cells. Gene expression analysis confirmed that in USP6+ ES cells, IFN synergistically induced expression of numerous IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs), including the pro-apoptotic ligand TRAIL. CRISPR-mediated depletion of TRAIL completely abrogated IFN-induced death of USP6+ ES cells. In sum, these results identify USP6 as a potential novel biomarker that may predict sensitivity of ES to targeted IFN therapy. This abstract is also being presented as Poster B11. Citation Format: Ian Henrich, Rob Young, Laura Quick, Xiaoke Wang, Andre Oliveira, Margaret Chou. Ubiquitin-specific protease 6 (USP6) oncogene confers sensitivity of Ewing sarcoma to interferon cytotoxicity [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Conference on Advances in Sarcomas: From Basic Science to Clinical Translation; May 16-19, 2017; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2018;24(2_Suppl):Abstract nr PR08.
An Ecological Niche Model to Predict Range Expansion of the Eastern Gray Squirrel in California

The eastern gray squirrel, Sciurus carolinensis (EGS) has been introduced to California and has expanded its geographic range since initial introductions. In this study we projected the potential future geographic range of the EGS in California using Maxent to create an ecological niche model. Location data were obtained over the time period of 2004–2015 from museum specimens, wildlife rehabilitation centers, the California Department of Public Health, the California Roadkill Observation System, and non-iNaturalist citizen science observations. Research grade data from iNaturalist was obtained over the time period of 2004–2018. Range and habitat suitability maps were developed by mapping in ArcGIS. Three threshold selection methods were used to create different estimates of the potential future range of the EGS in California. The first method used the 10th percentile logistic threshold, the second used the minimum training presence logistic threshold, and the third used Jenks Natural Breaks. We propose that Jenks Natural Breaks has distinct advantages over the other two methods for estimating the potential future range of the introduced EGS in California, because it provides information on the habitat suitability ranking throughout California, whereas the other methods only provide a binary suitable/unsuitable map.
Regional Anesthesia in Pediatric Patients: Review of Clinical Experience

Experience with nerve block anesthesia in more than 200 pediatric patients is briefly reviewed and judged to be safe and effective. All patients were 5 years of age or less and were treated during one year for procedures ranging from closed reduction of fractures to microneurovascular surgery.
Misfit medicine and queer geographies: The diverse economy and politics of cannabis in carceral Los Angeles:

Fundamentally shaped by queer and trans activism and labor, Los Angeles’ cannabis markets offer an opportunity to understand how “diverse economies,” as defined by Gibson-Graham, are dynamic, conti...
Task-Specific Perturbation Training Improves the Recovery Stepping Responses by Women With Knee Osteoarthritis Following Laboratory-Induced Trips.

Trip-specific training improves the kinematics of trip-specific compensatory stepping response (CSR) in the laboratory and reduces prospectively measured trip-related fall-rate of middle age and older women. We examined whether one session of trip-specific perturbation training could improve recovery step kinematics in women with knee osteoarthritis (OA), a condition known to increase fall risk. Seventeen women with self-reported symptomatic knee OA (age 61.1 ± 7.7 years, body mass index [BMI] 29.7 ± 5.9 kg/m2 ) and 22 control women (age 59.5 ± 6.8 years, BMI 28.4 ± 6.2 kg/m2 ) completed a brief training protocol consisting of 20 trials of treadmill-delivered trip-specific perturbations. We assessed pre- and post-training recovery step length and trunk kinematics at the instant of recovery step completion. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to determine the significance of between-group differences following the training protocol, and to evaluate the significance of within-group pre-to-post changes in the variables of interest. The group by training interaction effects for step length (p = 0.466), trunk flexion angle (p = 0.751), and trunk angular velocity (p = 0.413) were not significant and the pre-to-post changes in step length were not significant (p = 0.286). However, pre-to-post trunk flexion angle improved by 26% and 34% in the OA and control groups, respectively (p < 0.001) and trunk flexion angular velocity decreased by 193% in the OA group and by 32% in the control group, respectively (p < 0.001), often reflecting a transition to the direction of extension. The results suggest that trip-specific training can improve CSR kinematics in women with knee OA. It is important to determine, the effectiveness of trip-specific training in decreasing trip-specific fall-rate by women with knee OA. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 38:663-669, 2020.
A simple real time executive tinyexec as a teaching tool in an operating system class

This paper presents our experience of using a small real time executive tinyexec as a teaching tool in an operating system class. We present the details of the tinyexec that include a state transition diagram, pseudocode, and some sample exercises that can enhance students understanding of operating systems concepts. tinyexec has 300 lines of code and works in a stand-alone or a DOS or WINDOWS environment. It can be easily modified and ported. Our experience shows that the small size of tinyexec is an advantage over many other systems like LINUX-RT and can result in extensive experimentation and it is an excellent source to supplement the operating systems concepts with a real executive.
Risk Adjustment, Mode Adjustment, and Nonresponse Bias Analysis on Quality Measures From a Long-Term Care Hospital Experience of Care Survey.

Abstract Objectives To develop a patient risk adjustment model for experience of care (EOC) quality measures for long-term care hospitals (LTCHs) that includes mode of survey administration. To assess presence of nonresponse bias in the adjusted facility-level scores. Design Tested three modes of collecting the EOC data: mail-only, mixed (i.e., mail with telephone follow-up), and in-facility. Used sequential modeling and impact analysis, specified a risk and mode adjustment model and evaluated presence of non-response after adjustment. Setting Long-term care hospitals Participants 1,364 patients and 69 LTCHs. Intervention Not applicable Main Outcome Measures Risk and mode adjusted responses to twenty-eight survey questions and six facility-level scores derived from survey responses. Results Mode of data collection, and patient risk variables of age, sex, overall health, overall mental health, marital status, education, race, and whether a proxy responded were significant were included in the model. Clinical variables were not significant. The in-facility mode was associated with significantly higher performance scores than the other modes. When the recommended risk and mode adjustment model was applied, nonresponse bias was not observed in any mode. Conclusions LTCH EOC data should be adjusted for patient risk variables including mode of data collection.
Colossal oxygen vacancy formation at a fluorite-bixbyite interface.

Oxygen vacancies in complex oxides are indispensable for information and energy technologies. There are several means to create oxygen vacancies in bulk materials. However, the use of ionic interfaces to create oxygen vacancies has not been fully explored. Herein, we report an oxide nanobrush architecture designed to create high-density interfacial oxygen vacancies. An atomically well-defined (111) heterointerface between the fluorite CeO2 and the bixbyite Y2O3 is found to induce a charge modulation between Y3+ and Ce4+ ions enabled by the chemical valence mismatch between the two elements. Local structure and chemical analyses, along with theoretical calculations, suggest that more than 10% of oxygen atoms are spontaneously removed without deteriorating the lattice structure. Our fluorite–bixbyite nanobrush provides an excellent platform for the rational design of interfacial oxide architectures to precisely create, control, and transport oxygen vacancies critical for developing ionotronic and memristive devices for advanced energy and neuromorphic computing technologies. Oxygen vacancies can impart interesting properties in complex oxides, but specific architectures designed to create high-density oxygen vacancies are largely unknown. Here the authors report a fluorite-bixbyite nanobrush platform to tune interfacial oxygen and show that an atomically well-defined heterointerface can induce charge modulation.
Capillary Hemangioma of the Finger in an Adult after a Burn: A Unique Case Mimicking Pyogenic Granuloma.

Introduction Capillary hemangiomas and pyogenic granulomas are benign vascular neoplasms that are usually identified clinically by their characteristic features. Capillary hemangiomasmost commonly develop in infancy on the head and neck and nearly all spontaneously ingress by the teenage years. Pyogenic granulomas, however, typically present in adults and can be induced by trauma. It is exceedingly rare for capillary hemangiomas to present in adulthood or after trauma. We present an extremely unusual case of capillary hemangioma on the tip of the finger of an adult male presenting immediately after a burn. The mass was clinically diagnosed as pyogenic granuloma but histopathologically diagnosed as a capillary hemangioma. To our knowledge, this is the only presentation of its kind. Case report A 29-year-old African American, right-hand-dominant male laborer presented to the outpatient orthopedic hand clinic with a 2--week-old growing mass on the tip of the right small finger. A clinical diagnosis of pyogenic granuloma was made. Silver nitrate therapy was ineffective, though surgical excision resulted in complete resolution of the mass. Surprisingly, the histopathological diagnosis was instead consistent with capillary hemangioma. Conclusion Clinicians should maintain a high clinical suspicion for both pyogenic granulomas and capillary hemangiomas in children and adults with a vascular soft tissue mass, even after trauma. With this in mind, health-care providers should maintain a low clinical threshold to send soft tissue masses for histopathology to obtain an accurate diagnosis and to provide the best care possible.
Economics, History of

Economic thought can be found in the early literature of every civilization. However, an economics discipline emerged only in the sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth centuries in Western Europe. The outlines of orthodox modern economics appeared after the Marginal Revolution of the 1870s. Strands of heterodox economics took root soon after: macroeconomics, institutional economics, and Marxian economics. Study of the history of economics began in the eighteenth century as a way of dismissing or celebrating ancestors. In the twentieth century, major contributors to economics turned to history for the ‘extended present’ of their inquiry. In the second half of the twentieth century, economists turned away from their history because the opportunity cost of teaching and research seemed too great. In response, specialists established their own journals and societies and emphasized the teaching of undergraduates. In the twenty-first century, stimulating research has kept the history of economics vigorous and alive. Crises in economic affairs have turned some economists back in time to seek explanations. Challenges that remain for historians of economics include where to find a happy home in the academic landscape and where to conduct postgraduate training.
Protease Activity Profiling Via Programmable Phage Display

Abstract Endopeptidases catalyze the internal cleavage of proteins, playing pivotal roles in protein turnover, substrate maturation and the activation of signaling cascades. A broad range of biological functions in health and disease are controlled by proteases, yet assays to characterize their activities at proteomic scale do not yet exist. To address this unmet need, we have developed SEPARATE (Sensing EndoPeptidase Activity via Release and recapture using flAnking Tag Epitopes), which uses monovalent phage display of the entire human proteome at 90-aa peptide resolution. We demonstrate that SEPARATE is compatible with several human proteases from distinct catalytic classes, including Caspase-1, ADAM17, and Thrombin. Both well-characterized and newly identified substrates of these enzymes were detected in the assay. SEPARATE was used to discover a non-canonical Caspase-1 substrate, the E3 ubiquitin ligase HUWE1, a key mediator of apoptotic cell death. SEPARATE is a novel methodology to enable efficient, unbiased assessment of endopeptidase activity using a phage-displayed proteome.
Do insider CFOs deliver better acquisition performance

Abstract We document that acquirer firms with insider CFOs achieve superior industry-adjusted operating performance in the post-acquisition period relative to firms with outsider CFOs, utilizing a sample from 1994 to 2014. Unlike insider CEOs, we find that insider CFOs do not differ from outsider CFOs in the acquisition deal types they undertake. However, they achieve significantly higher factor productivity gains after the acquisition. Our analysis suggests that the ability to identify targets that can yield higher synergy gains and the ability to integrate the target within the firm are behind the superior post-acquisition returns of insider CFOs. Our results are robust to various time-windows and a range of robustness tests regarding model specification—such as including additional firm level controls, alternative performance measures, and controls for firm overconfidence and CFO education, overconfidence and pay.
You are What You Eat: How and When Healthy Eating at Work Cultivates Coworker Reactions

To date, food consumption has been established as being integral to employees’ physiological functioning. Whereas prior research uncovering the intrapersonal effects of food consumption is informat...
How brain reacts to targeted attack at a hub region

Abstract The architecture of brain networks has been extensively studied in multiple species. However, exactly how the brain network reconfigures when a local region stops functioning remains elusive. By combining chemogenetics and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) in awake rodents, we investigated the causal impact of acutely inactivating a hub region (i.e. dorsal anterior cingulate cortex) on brain network properties. We found that disrupting hub activity profoundly changed the function the default-mode network (DMN), and this change was associated with altered DMN-related behavior. Suppressing hub activity also impacted the topological architecture of the whole-brain network in network resilience, segregation and small worldness, but not network integration. This study has established a system that allows for mechanistically dissecting the relationship between local regions and brain network properties. Our data provide direct evidence supporting the hypothesis that acute dysfunction of a brain hub can cause large-scale network changes. This study opens an avenue of manipulating brain networks by controlling hub-node activity.
Evaluating efficiency of counties in providing diabetes preventive care using data envelopment analysis

For patients with diabetes, annual preventive care is essential to reduce the risk of complications. Local healthcare resources affect the utilization of diabetes preventive care. Our objectives were to evaluate the relative efficiency of counties in providing diabetes preventive care and explore potential to improve efficiencies. The study setting is public and private healthcare providers in US counties with available data. County-level demographics were extracted from the Area Health Resources File using data from 2010 to 2013, and individual-level information of diabetes preventive service use was obtained from the 2010 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. 1112 US counties were analyzed. Cluster analysis was used to place counties into three similar groups in terms of economic wellbeing and population characteristics. Group 1 consisted of metropolitan counties with prosperous or comfortable economic levels. Group 2 mostly consisted of non-metropolitan areas between distress and mid-tier levels, while Group 3 were mostly prosperous or comfortable counties in metropolitan areas. We used data enveopement analysis to assess efficiencies within each group. The majority of counties had modest efficiency in providing diabetes preventive care; 36 counties (57.1%), 345 counties (61.1%), and 263 counties (54.3%) were inefficient (efficiency scores < 1) in Group 1, Group 2, and Group 3, respectively. For inefficient counties, foot and eye exams were often identified as sources of inefficiency. Available health professionals in some counties were not fully utilized to provide diabetes preventive care. Identifying benchmarking targets from counties with similar resources can help counties and policy makers develop actionable strategies to improve performance.
A quantitative flux assay for the study of reconstituted Cl- channels and transporters.

Abstract The recent deluge of high-resolution structural information on membrane proteins has not been accompanied by a comparable increase in our ability to functionally interrogate these proteins. Current functional assays often are not quantitative or are performed in conditions that significantly differ from those used in structural experiments, thus limiting the mechanistic correspondence between structural and functional experiments. A flux assay to determine quantitatively the functional properties of purified and reconstituted Cl− channels and transporters in membranes of defined lipid compositions is described. An ion-sensitive electrode is used to measure the rate of Cl− efflux from proteoliposomes reconstituted with the desired protein and the fraction of vesicles containing at least one active protein. These measurements enable the quantitative determination of key molecular parameters such as the unitary transport rate, the fraction of proteins that are active, and the molecular mass of the transport protein complex. The approach is illustrated using CLC-ec1, a CLC-type H+/Cl− exchanger as an example. The assay enables the quantitative study of a wide range of Cl− transporting molecules and proteins whose activity is modulated by ligands, voltage, and membrane composition as well as the investigation of the effects of compounds that directly inhibit or activate the reconstituted transport systems. The present assay is readily adapted to the study of transport systems with diverse substrate specificities and molecular characteristics, and the necessary modifications needed are discussed.
Update in Cardiology

This Update covers risk factors for heart disease, new treatment approaches for coronary artery disease, treatment for reducing cardiovascular risk, and treatment of chronic heart failure.
0038 Patterns of nonfatal gun use in intimate partner violence: evidence from protective order casefiles

Statement of purpose In the context of intimate partner violence (IPV), perpetrators may use guns to injure, scare, and/or manipulate their partner. Gun threats are associated with increased PTSD symptom severity, sleep loss, and heightened fear among IPV survivors. Gun threats are also an indicator for homicide risk. Despite the negative consequences associated with gun related IPV, little research documents the prevalence and nature of these nonfatal behaviors. Fortunately, state and federal law restrict gun access for IPV perpetrators in qualifying domestic violence protective order (DVPO) cases. Using data from DVPO cases, we sought to document the extent to which perpetrators (DVPO defendants) engage in gun related IPV. Methods/Approach We used observational data from DVPO casefiles and hearings that were collected for the CASE IPV study, a North Carolina-based project that used a representative sampling strategy to examine civil protective order processes and outcomes. Results In our sample (n= 406), there was evidence of gun related IPV in one out of four cases (n=101, 25.6%). Specifically, perpetrators had verbally threatened to harm their partner with a gun (22%, n=84), displayed or discharged a gun in a threatening manner (10%, n=42), or physically used a gun to shoot at or hit a survivor in (0.6%, n=3). More severe abuse (including physical abuse, sexual abuse, stalking, etc.) was associated with increased odds of gun related IPV (OR = 2.01, 95% CI: 1.5, 2.7), controlling for defendant age, race, county rurality, and marital status. Conclusions Survivors of IPV who seek protective orders experience high levels of violence, and the incidence of gun related IPV in this sample was disturbingly common. Furthermore, gun related IPV co-occurs with other severe abusive behaviors. Significance We must ensure that existing legal mechanisms to restrict abuser access to firearms for DVPO cases are properly implemented and enforced.
How Access to News from the Media Affects Citizen’s Interest in Public Affairs in Ghana: An Analysis

This paper attempts to observe how access to news through the media, affects citizen’s interest in public affairs or public issues. Employing a sample of 1,200 in this analysis from the African led series of the national public attitudes survey on democracy and governance (Afro barometer). This works seeks to identify how access to news from the media affects the interest of Ghanaians in public affairs. Furthermore, to identify among the three channels of the media (radio, television and newspaper) how they affects the interest of Ghanaians in public affairs. The study also controls for the basic external factor-access to news from family and friends.
Serologische Diagnose von Virusinfektionen

Die zum quantitativen und qualitativen Nachweis von Antikorpern bei Viruserkrankungen zur Verfugung stehenden Verfahren beruhen auf verschiedenen Reaktionsweisen des Antikorpers mit dem Antigen. Das Zusammentreffen des Antikorpers mit dem Virus kann zur Neutralisation der Virusinfektiositat fuhren, man spricht von einem Neutralisationstest; oder der Antikorper verhindert die Agglutinierbarkeit bestimmter Erythrocytenarten durch das Virus, man spricht von einem Hamagglutinationshemmungstest. Bei anderen Tests wird die Reaktion durch die Bildung eines sichtbaren Antigen-Antikorper-Komplexes erkennbar; dieser Immunodiffusionstest kann entweder in flussigen oder halbfesten Medien durchgefuhrt werden. Die in infizierten Gewebekulturen gebildeten virusspezifischen Produkte konnen auserdem durch ihre Reaktion mit Antikorpern, die mit fluorescierenden Farbstoffen gekoppelt sind, sichtbar gemacht werden (Immunfluorescenztest). Bei der Komplementbindungsreaktion wird die Fahigkeit der aus Virus und Antikorpern gebildeten Aggregate, Komplement zu binden, benutzt. Zur korrekten Durchfuhrung der Tests mussen typenspezifische Antiseren und Antigene als Referenzmaterial zur Verfugung stehen. Zum Auffinden von Tragern des Hepatitis-B-Antigens wurden kurzlich die folgenden drei Methoden den bisher im virusdiagnostischen Laboratorien ublichen hinzugefugt: passive Hamagglutination, Gegenstromimmunelektrophorese (Uberwanderungselektrophorese), Radioimmuntest; diese Verfahren werden spater beschrieben.
The rhetorical legacy of “The battle hymn of the Republic”

This article explores the circulation and rhetorical legacy of songs through analysis of the “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” As both written and performed artifacts, songs undergo constant change through rewriting and appropriation as they are adapted to new cultural contexts and audiences. In turn, this gives rise to new meanings and interpretations of songs as they circulate. The “Battle Hymn” itself moves from religious hymn to marching tune to abolitionist anthem to our modern usage, highlighting the circulation of the song to create a lasting rhetorical legacy.
The adaptive decision maker: Appendix: The Mouselab system

Introduction Throughout this book we have described studies carried out using the Mouselab system for monitoring information processing. This appendix provides additional detail about the properties of that system. The two process-tracing methods of greatest interest to decision researchers have been verbal protocol analysis and the analysis of information acquisition behavior. (See J. Ford et al., 1989, for a recent summary of process-tracing studies of judgment and choice.) The Mouselab system focuses on monitoring information acquisition behaviors, such as what information the subject seeks, the sequence of acquisition, how much information is acquired, and for what duration information is examined. Such data on information acquisitions are important for several reasons. First, the evaluation strategies that have been proposed in the decision literature imply certain patterns of search (Payne, 1976). Second, studying information acquisition can yield insight into the role of attention and memory in decision making (Einhorn & Hogarth, 1981). Finally, understanding the amount, types, and pattern of information acquisition is important in the design of decision aids. If one wants to monitor information acquisition, what is the best technique to use? At one extreme are simple information board procedures. For example, in Payne (1976) the information board consisted of a matrix of envelopes attached to a sheet of cardboard. To obtain the value on a particular dimension for a particular alternative, the subject had to pull a card out of the appropriate envelope, turn it around, read the card, and place it back into the envelope.
Biorenewable polymers based on acrylated epoxidized soybean oil and methacrylated vanillin

Abstract A series of novel, biorenewable polymers based on acrylated epoxidized soybean oil (AESO) and methacrylated vanillin (MV) was prepared through bulk free-radical polymerization. The chemical composition of AESO was investigated using proton nuclear magnetic resonance ( 1 H NMR). The thermo-mechanical properties of the resulting polymers were characterized by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), thermogravimetric analyses (TGA), and tensile tests. The effect of the ratio of AESO and MV on the thermo-mechanical properties of the copolymers was investigated. Increasing MV content resulted in an increase in storage modulus, glass transition temperature, Young’s modulus, and tensile strength in the copolymers. However, both thermal stability and elongation of the copolymers decreased with increasing MV content. The new bio-based polymers exhibited glass transition temperatures ranging from −4 to 103 °C. Their good mechanical properties and high thermal stability make them suitable candidates for advanced composite applications.
Application of P450 Pharmacogenomics Testing in Treatment-Resistant Elderly with Behavioral Symptoms: High Rate of Impaired 2D6 Activity Among Patients of Asian Ancestry

frontal gyrus thickness (r¼-0.676, p<0.001); such that those patients who were oldest and had the highest mean cortisol level had the thinnest superior frontal gyrus. Conclusions: These results show that in a sample of euthymic BD patients, higher mean salivary cortisol levels were significantly associated with prefrontal cortical thinning, and that this association may be particularly strong in the oldest patients. These findings are consistent with the relationship of salivary cortisol and cortical thickness seen in a large cohort of healthy middle-aged men (Kremen et al., 2010), with our BD cohort, particularly the oldest patients, showing even stronger relationships between cortisol and cortical thickness, underscoring the possible effects of HPA dysfunction in bipolar pathophysiology and brain aging.
Simultaneous determination of 1-(2'-deoxy-2'-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl) uracil (FAU) and 1-(2'-deoxy-2'-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl) 5-methyluracil (FMAU) in human plasma by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry.

Abstract A liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) assay was developed and validated for simultaneous determination of 1-(2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro-β- d -arabinofuranosyl) uracil (FAU) and its active metabolite 1-(2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro-β- d -arabinofuranosyl) 5-methyluracil (FMAU) in human plasma. FAU and FMAU were extracted from plasma samples using solid-phase extraction with Waters Sep-Pak ® Vac C 18 cartridge. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a Waters Atlantis T3 C 18 column with a gradient mobile phase consisting of methanol and water with 0.45% formic acid (v/v) running at a flow rate of 0.2 ml/min. The analytes were monitored by triple quadrupole mass spectrometer under positive ionization mode. The lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ) was 10 and 2 ng/ml for FAU and FMAU in plasma, respectively. Calibration curves were linear over FAU and FMAU plasma concentration range of 10–2000 and 2–1000 ng/ml, respectively. The intra-day and inter-day accuracy and precision were within the generally accepted criteria for bioanalytical method ( 2 .
The Role of Computers and Decision Aids in Crisis Management: A Developer's Report

The development of usable software for crisis-management applications is overdue. This progress report outlines a recent experience with building a proactive software program for crisis-management capabilities. Furthermore, the author reflects on the appropriate role of information technology in crisis situations, given that often information technology is the precipitating cause for corporate crises.
Real-gas extensions to tangent-wedge and tangent-cone analysis methods

DOI: 10.2514/1.28521 Engineering codes are powerful tools for the conceptual design stage. Use of these codes in early design stages enables higher fidelity computational fluid dynamics calculations or wind-tunnel tests to be performed on more mature configurations. Two widely used engineering tools for conceptual level supersonic/hypersonic aerodynamic prediction are tangent-wedge and tangent-cone methods. Unfortunately, these analysis tools lack the ability to systematically account for effects of real-gas flow across the oblique shock wave. This paper derives an extension to the classical oblique shock wave equations where the effects of real-gas flow changes are modeled using theoretical models borrowed from statistical mechanics. Using an enthalpy balance across the shock wave, the Einstein model for a diatomic gas is analytically integrated to give a relationship of temperature, ratio of specific heats, and velocity on the downstream side of the shock wave. This relationship replaces the energy equation used in the ideal-gas obliqueshockanalysis.Thismethodisadaptedtoconical flowfieldassuminganinitialshockangle,andusingthenew oblique shock algorithm to compute properties immediately behind the conical shock. The resulting model is compared to equilibrium real-gas calculations and shown to give accurate results well into the hypersonic flow regime, approximately Mach 20.
Eimeria bovis: evidence for a cell-mediated immune response in bovine coccidiosis.

Abstract A cell-mediated immune (CMI) response to Eimeria bovis was shown in cattle by delayed hypersensitivity (DH) and lymphocyte blastogenesis with antigens extracted from oocysts of E. bovis and E. stiedai. A particulate oocyst antigen from E. bovis gave DH reactions comparable in gross and histological morphology to reactions for tuberculin DH in calves infected and sensitized with Mycobacterium bovis sensitinogen. The comparable antigen from E. stiedai appeared to be less suitable in its DH reactivity. Alkali-soluble antigens extracted from the particulate oocyst antigens gave significant lymphocyte blastogenesis responses with blood-derived leukocytes from infected animals. Cross-reactivity was clearly shown between the alkali-soluble antigens of the two coccidian species. Calves not infected with E. bovis did not respond to the antigens by either assay of CMI.
A Stochastic Model for Occupancy-Related Random Variables in General-Acute Hospitals

Abstract A stochastic model for the behavior of the daily census in general-acute hospitals is presented. For any mix of elective and emergency patient day demand this model permits the computation of a complete set of measures of operating efficiency including expected overfill rate, percentage occupancy, waiting time for admission, waiting list length, and loss of emergency patients. This model extends previously developed models in important ways such as including the measurement of previously unquantified criteria and the inclusion of the elective-emergency patient mix as a parameter. With one exception published results of empirical field studies of the behavior of the daily census can be explained by this model and in no case are these results in contradiction of the model.
Multicentric meningioma evaluation with Tc-99m MIBI SPECT, CT, and MRI.

Meningiomas comprise 15% of adult intracranial tumors. They are often found in middle-aged adults and are more likely to occur in women. They are frequently located in the lateral hemisphere convexity, the parasagittal region, and the falx cerebri. They originate from meningoendothelial cells within the arachnoid villi, but may arise from other meningeal constituents, such as fibroblasts and blood vessels. Multicentric meningiomas present at an earlier age, often associated with neurofibromatosis type 2. The authors report a case of a woman with multicentric meningiomas which were identified with Tc-99m MIBI SPECT, MRI, and CT. Tc-99m MIBI uptake is related to 1) tissue perfusion, and 2) normal cell membrane and mitochondrial activity. In malignant tumors the uptake of Tc-99m MIBI also has been associated with the presence of P-glycoprotein in the cell membrane which is related to the multidrug resistant gene. The uptake of Tc-99m MIBI is not limited to malignant brain tumors, but also can be seen in benign and hypervascular meningiomas, as illustrated in this patient
Organization of tetrahedral chalcogenide clusters using a tetrahedral quadridentate linker.

Using predesigned tetrahedral quadridentate linker tetrakis(4-pyridyloxymethylene)methane (TPOM) as the organic linker, tetrahedral P1 clusters ([Cd8S(SPh)16]2−) and C1 clusters ([Cd17S4(SPh)28]2−) have been assembled into beltlike (MCOF-9) or chainlike (MCOF-10) configurations, as determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The onset of optical absorptions of MCOF-9 and MCOF-10 is around 400 and 420 nm, respectively. The thermal analysis shows that both materials are stable up to 250 °C.
Stability and approximations of eigenvalues and eigenfunctions for the Neumann Laplacian, Part 2

We extend the results obtained earlier in a joint paper with R. Banuelos, on the stability and approximations of the second Neumann eigenvalue and its corresponding eigenfunction, to the case when the second Neumann eigenvalue has multiplicity at least 2. We then show that our stability result can be applied to the Koch snowflake and the usual sequence of polygons approximating it from inside.
Human sex differentiation and its abnormalities.

The purpose of this chapter is to review the presentation and management of patients affected by conditions of abnormal sex differentiation. First, the processes of normal sex differentiation are covered, followed by an overview of the various syndromes of abnormal sex differentiation, or intersex conditions, that can occur. These disorders are presented according to the following categories: patients who possess a 46,XX chromosome complement, those who possess a 46,XY chromosome complement, and individuals who present with an atypical sex chromosome complement (i.e. 45,XO or 45,X0/46,XY mosaicism). A description of the medical, surgical and psychological treatment options for people affected by various intersex conditions and reared as females are included. Practice points, based on research studies when available, are dispersed throughout the chapter. Additionally, information pertaining to relevant Internet websites and patient support groups are provided, so that medical staff can educate their patients about the availability of these resources.
8–13 μm spectrophotometry of Comet Kohoutek

Abstract Spectrophotometry of Comet Kohoutek (1973f) covering the wavelength range 8–13 μm is presented. The spectral shape of the derived flux excess above a blackbody closely resembles that seen in circumstellar and interstellar dust and generally attributed to metallic silicates.
Protein Kinase D1 Is Essential for Bone Acquisition during Pubertal Growth

Bone formation and maintenance represents the summation of the balance of local and endocrine hormonal stimuli within a complex organ. Protein kinase D (PKD) is a member of the Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase superfamily of serine/threonine kinases and has been described as the crossroads for the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-IGF-I signaling axis, which plays a major role in bone formation. The current study exploits the PKD1-deficient mouse model to examine the role of PKD in vivo in the skeleton. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scan analysis of male and female pubescent mice demonstrated significantly decreased bone mineral density in the whole body and femoral bone compartments of PKD1 (+/−) mice, compared with their wild-type littermates. The body weight, nasal-anal length, and percentage body fat of the mice were not significantly different from their wild-type littermates. Cultured bone marrow stromal cells from PKD1 (+/−) mice demonstrated lower alkaline phosphatase activity in early different...
Real-Time Mobile Detection of Drug Use with Wearable Biosensors: A Pilot Study

While reliable detection of illicit drug use is paramount to the field of addiction, current methods involving self-report and urine drug screens have substantial limitations that hinder their utility. Wearable biosensors may fill a void by providing valuable objective data regarding the timing and contexts of drug use. This is a preliminary observational study of four emergency department patients receiving parenteral opioids and one individual using cocaine in a natural environment. A portable biosensor was placed on the inner wrist of each subject, to continuously measure electrodermal activity (EDA), skin temperature, and acceleration. Data were continuously recorded for at least 5 min prior to drug administration, during administration, and for at least 30 min afterward. Overall trends in biophysiometric parameters were assessed. Injection of opioids and cocaine use were associated with rises in EDA. Cocaine injection was also associated with a decrease in skin temperature. Opioid tolerance appeared to be associated with a blunted physiologic response as measured by the biosensor. Laterality may be an important factor, as magnitude of response varied between dominant and nondominant wrists in a single patient with bilateral wrist measurements. Changes in EDA and skin temperature are temporally associated with intravenous administration of opioids and cocaine; the intensity of response, however, may vary depending on history and extent of prior use.
Laparoscopic pyeloplasty versus antegrade endopyelotomy: comparison in 100 patients and a new algorithm for the minimally invasive treatment of ureteropelvic junction obstruction.

The aim of this article is to assess the treatment efficacy of percutaneous endopyelotomy and laparoscopic pyeloplasty to establish a new algorithm in the minimally invasive treatment of ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO). Hospital records, office charts, and radiographic studies of patients with UPJO treated either endoscopically (n = 50), laparoscopically (n = 50), or by endopyeloplasty (n = 5) were reviewed. All percutaneous endopyelotomies were performed with a cold hook-knife technique, and all laparoscopic pyeloplasties were performed transperitoneally using an Anderson-Hynes dismembered anastomosis. Successful outcomes were defined as relief of obstruction as quantified by diuretic renal scans and/or relief of obstructive symptoms. All patients were followed for an average of 16.0 months (range, 2 to 42 months). In the endoscopically treated group, the average age was 44.6 ± 15.6 years, estimated blood loss (EBL) was 152.1 ± 112.8 mL, and the hospital stay was 2.5 ± 1.0 days. There was no significant change from preoperative to postoperative creatinine (1.2 ± 0.7 mg/dL to 1.2 ± 0.7 [106 ± 62 μmol/L ± 106 ± 62 μmol/L]). Success rates included 92% (35 of 38) for primary percutaneous antegrade endopyelotomy and 58% (7 of 12) for secondary percutaneous antegrade endopyelotomy. All of the primary percutaneous antegrade endopyelotomy failures (n = 3) had either grade 3 or grade 4 hydronephrosis. In the laparoscopic pyeloplasty group the average age was 37.9 ± 14.8 years, EBL was 108.3 ± 109.4 mL, and the average hospital stay was 2.6 ± 0.9 days. There was no significant change from preoperative to postoperative creatinine (1.1 ± 0.4 mg/dL to 1.0 ± 0.4 mg/dL [97 ± 35 μmol/L to 97 ± 35 μmol/L]). Success rates included 100% (29 of 29) for primary repair and 95.2% (20 of 21) for secondary repair. There was no statistical difference in preoperative patient parameters or objective outcomes when comparing primary endopyelotomy and primary laparoscopic pyeloplasty. In skilled hands, highly successful outcomes can be expected when either antegrade endopyelotomy or laparoscopic pyeloplasty is used to treat a primary UPJO. In the instance of a UPJO associated with a high degree of hydronephrosis, patients may be better served with a laparoscopic pyeloplasty. To maximize an efficacious outcome, minimally invasive UPJO treatment decisions should be based on patient and surgeon preference, as directed by the presented algorithm.
Drifting precariously due to lost tyrosines

[Comment on Germeshausen et al, page 93][1]While likely being neither a necessary nor a sufficient factor, Germeshausen and colleagues demonstrate that 78% of patients with severe congenital neutropenia who undergo a malignant transformation to leukemia harbor mutations in the G-CSF receptor gene,
ON SLOW VIPUS INFECTION: CONTARATIVE. ANALYSIS OF DFECTIVE MUMPS VIRUS

Replication experiments in vitro have been employed as a biological assay system to ascertain defectiveness and the expresion of viral interference for strains of wild mumps virus, hiph passage cell culture-adapted laboratory virus, and attenuated vaccine virus. The efficiency of viral replication (EOR) was determined by comparing the multiplicity of infection (MOI) with the multiplicity of viral production (MOP). Serial passage of partially purified, cloned laboratory virus demonstrated a striking increase in FOP during early cycles with subseouent decline---the classic Von Mapnus phenomenon of defective viral interference. The replication kinetics of wild, laboratory and vaccine virus were evaluated using regular stock and cloned pools of virus. The EOR for stock wild virus was 4-fold greater than stock vaccine virus and 300-fold greater than stock laboratory virus. The EOR for vaccine and laboratory virus was increased strikingly by double cloning, while such limiting dilution bemadsoption placuing techniques employed to eliminate defective virions had little impact upon the EOR of wild virus. Defective virions play an important role in the development of persistent, slow virus infections. Wild mumps virus seems unlikely to produce such a pathobiologic process, however there may be some concern about attenuated mumps virus vaccine.
Transient simulation of semiconductor devices using the Monte-Carlo method

Abstract A technique to extract transient currents from Monte-Carlo (MC) simulation data is described. It is based on the fact that the integrated terminal current obtained from the MC data is a reasonably smooth function of time and can be easily fitted with a polynomial. The transient current is obtained by simply differentiating the polynomial. The technique is an effective way to get around the statistical noise problem that is inherent in the MC method. A MESFET structure is discussed as an example and the transient terminal currents due to a step change in the gate voltage are obtained. The current gain h21 of the MESFET is computed from the transient currents. The technique described here can be trivially extended to other semiconductor devices and it can be a very useful tool in estimating microwave performance, large-signal behavior, switching response in logic circuits etc.
Higher-order approximations to conditional distribution functions

This paper derives higher-order terms in the double-saddlepoint expansion of Skovgaard for a unidimensional conditional cumulative distribution function. Expansions for continuous and lattice random variables are derived. Results are applied to the sufficient statistic in logistic regression.
Comparison of Methods for Estimating Age, Growth, and Related Population Characteristics of White Crappies

Abstract Estimates of age and growth of the white crappie Pomoxis annularis in Mississippi were based on 2,162 sets of scales and otoliths and on 4,196 length samples. The maximum ages identified were 8 years from otoliths, 7 from scales, and 6 from length-frequency analysis with the computer program MIX. Ages assigned to scales and otoliths by two readers agreed 79 and 91% of the time, respectively. Ages assigned to scales and otoliths taken from the same fish agreed only 74% of the time. Ages determined from scale and otolith samples obtained from known-age white crappies disagreed because the scales had developed a false annulus. At age 1, but not at older ages, estimates of growth derived from otoliths were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher than those derived from scales. Growth estimated from length-frequency modes was generally slower than that estimated from scales or otoliths, but it was significantly slower only at age 1. Unless length samples are obtained during the period of annulus formation, le...