cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Incidence trends of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) in the aging population--A SEER-based analysis from 2000 to 2016.

BACKGROUND Tobacco and alcohol use are risk factors for Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck (SCCHN); however, there is growing recognition of HPV as a risk factor for SCCHN. HPV-related SCCHN is thought to affect mostly middle-aged individuals but as the US population ages, it is important to evaluate the change in incidence of HPV- and non-HPV-related SCCHN in individuals who are ≥65 years old. METHODS This was a retrospective study using data from a population-based cancer registry (SEER) to identify individuals ≥65 years old diagnosed with SCCHN between 2000 and 2016 also stratified by sex, race, and birth cohort. The subgroups of HPV-associated and non-HPV associated sites were analyzed independently. The incidence per year was calculated and joinpoint detection was used to identity significant changes in incidence trends and annual percent change (APC). RESULTS For HPV-associated sites from 2000 to 2016, there was an average annual rate of 10.8 per 100,000 individuals with an APC of 2.92% (p = <0.05). For HPV- and non-HPV-related SCCHN males had a higher annual rate compared to females, 54.5 versus 18.0 in non-HPV-related and 19.1 versus 4.4 in HPV-related sites. For non-HPV-related sites there was a decrease in APC across all stratified groups. For HPV-related sites there was an increase in APC across all stratified groups, especially males (APC 8.82% 2006-2016 p < 0.05) and White individuals (APC 8.19% 2006-2016 p < 0.05). When stratified by birth cohort, HPV-related SCCHN sites had a higher APC in ages 65-69 (8.38% p < 0.05) and 70-74 (8.54% p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Among the population ≥65 years old from 2000 to 2016, the incidence rate for HPV-related SCCHN sites has increased across all stratified groups, especially in White individuals, males, and age groups 65-74. The incidence rate for non-HPV-related sites has decreased across all stratified groups during this time.
Dancing Desires: Choreographing Sexualities On And Off The Stage

What happens to the writing of dance history when issues of sexuality and sexual identity are made central? What happens to queer theory, and to other theoretical constructs of gender and sexuality, when a dancing body takes center stage? Dancing Desires asks these questions, exploring the relationship between dancing bodies and sexual identity on the concert stage, in nightclubs, in film, in the courts, and on the streets. From Nijinsky's balletic prowess to Charlie Chaplin's lightfooted "Little Tramp," from lesbian go-go dancers to the swans of Swan Lake, from the postmodern works of Bill T. Jones to the dangers of same-sex social dancing at Disneyland and the ecstatic Mardi Gras dance parties of Sydney, Australia, this book tracks the intersections of dance and human sexuality in the twentieth century as the definition of each has shifted and expanded. The contributors come from a number of fields (literature, history, theater, dance, film studies, legal studies, critical race studies) and employ methodologies ranging from textual analysis and film theory to ethnography. By embracing dance, and bodily movement more generally, as a crucial focus for investigation, together they initiate a new agenda for tracking the historical kinesthetics of sexuality.
Supplementation of nitric oxide attenuates AβPP and BACE1 protein in cerebral microcirculation of eNOS-deficient mice

Recently, we demonstrated in endothelial nitric oxide synthase deficient (eNOS-/-) mice that loss of endothelial NO led to increased protein levels of amyloid-β protein precursor (AβPP), β-site AβPP cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1), and amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide. Therefore, our aim was to determine if NO supplementation in vivo would attenuate AβPP and BACE1 protein levels. cGMP levels were significantly increased while AβPP and BACE1 protein levels were statistically lower in cerebral microvessels from nitroglycerin-treated eNOS-/- mice as compared to vehicle-treated mice. Our findings support the concept that preservation of NO/cGMP signaling is an important modulator of expression and processing of AβPP.
Weak Convergence of a Sequence of Semimartingales to a Diffusion with Discontinuous Drift and Diffusion Coefficients

This paper presents a set of sufficient conditions for a sequence of semimartingales to converge weakly to a solution of a stochastic differential equation (SDE) with discontinuous drift and diffusion coefficients. This result is closely related to a well-known weak-convergence theorem due to Liptser and Shiryayev (see [27]) which proves the weak convergence to a solution of a SDE with continuous drift and diffusion coefficients in the Skorokhod–Lindvall J1-topology. The goal of this paper is to obtain a stronger result in order to solve outstanding problems in the area of large-scale queueing networks – in which the weak convergence of normalized queueing length is a solution of a SDE with discontinuous coefficients. To do this we need to make the stronger assumptions: (1) replacing the convergence in probability of the triplets of a sequence of semimartingales in the original Liptser and Shiryayev's theorem by stronger convergence in L2, (2) assuming the diffusion coefficient is coercive, and (3) assuming the discontinuity sets of the coefficients of the limit diffusion processs are of Lebesgue measure zero.
A simple process to fabricate self-aligned, high-performance torsional microscanners; demonstrated use in a two-dimensional scanner

CMOS-compatible process carried out on SOI wafers, we have built high-performance torsional microscanners having vertically offset interdigitated-comb actuators. Our microscanner-fabrication process requires three photolithography masks: two to form the front-side microscanner structures and a third to define the backside openings. Both moving and fixed combs are fabricated in the same device layer (30 mum in thickness), and the offset combs are created by reducing the thickness of the fixed combs, but not that of the moving combs. Our process begins by removing the 1-mum thick thermal oxide selectively to open rectangular windows at locations where the fixed combs are to be defined. In the following step, both fixed- and moving-comb sets are defined simultaneously with a single photolithography mask; this is followed by deep-reactive ion etching (DRIE). We then perform a tuned-etch in the DRIE-etcher to obtain the desired vertical thickness for the fixed combs without affecting the moving combs. The minimum gap between comb fingers can be as small as twice the alignment accuracy of the photolithography process, which is les0.4 mum for state-of-the-art photolithography steppers. We consider these microscanners as especially well adapted for applications to refractive laser surgery of ocular corneas where small spot size and high scan speeds are important assets
The Right to Counsel?: The Eighth Circuit Allows Uncounseled Tribal Court Convictions to Satisfy Elements of Federal Offenses

On July 6, 2011, in United States v. Cavanaugh, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit held that prior, uncounseled tribal court convictions could be used to establish an element of a subsequent federal offense. In so doing, the court deemphasized the importance of reliability concerns in determining the validity of uncounseled convictions.
Microbial synthesis of (R)- and (S)-3,4-dimethoxyamphetamines through stereoselective transamination

Two soil isolates, Arthrobacter sp. KNK168 and Pseudomonas sp. KNK425, aminated 3,4-dimethoxyphenylacetone in presence of sec-butylamine as an amino donor to yield 3,4-dimethoxyamphetamine (DMA) with different enantioselectivities. The former gave (R)-DMA (>99% e.e.) and the latter the (S)-isomer (>99% e.e.).
Review of "This Time is Different: Eight Centuries of Financial Folly by Carmen M. Reinhart and Kenneth S. Rogoff"

This Time is Different: Eight Centuries of Financial Folly is one of the best, if not the best, books ever written on the history of financial crises. It presents a comprehensive survey of financial crises utilizing an extraordinary database of macroeconomic and financial series. The massive data analysis constituting the core of the manuscript leads the authors to arrive at a simple but powerful conclusion: while times change, locations change, actors change, financial crises often exhibit more similarities than differences throughout history. This conclusion nicely relates to the title of the book as it proves wrong the claim “this time is different” that is often heard during boom times preceding crises. The book is a must read for anyone interested in economics and finance. This review presents a brief summary of the book and a discussion about its implications for future research.
Brief Report: Symptoms of PTSD, Coping Strategies, and Social Adjustment among Survivors of Early Life Interpersonal Trauma

Dysphoria symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been associated with impairments in social functioning; however, this relationship has been unexamined among interpersonal trauma populations. A sample of 303 women with a history of early life interpersonal trauma completed measures of PTSD severity, coping, and social functioning. Results revealed that dysphoria symptoms had a strong and unique association with total social adjustment and social functioning (i.e., social activities). Active coping significantly mediated the relationship between dysphoria symptoms and total social adjustment, and active coping and seeking emotional support significantly mediated the relationship between dysphoria symptoms and social functioning. Findings elucidate variants of coping that might compound impaired social functioning and highlight the value of integrating coping skills into PTSD interventions.
Active voltage balancing of reduced stacked multiceli multilevel power converter and its application in static VAR compensation

The stacked multiceli converter is one of the promising breeds of multilevel converters among the other several modified configurations presented in the literature. The reduced stacked multiceli converter is the most advanced one with less number of power switches and flying capacitors leading to a reduced size and cost. This paper proposes a reduced stacked multiceli converter based STATCOM to control the amount of injected/absorbed reactive power to/from the utility grid. The analytic model of the STATCOM is provided to systematically design a controller. Moreover, an active voltage balancing method is proposed to regulate the flying capacitor voltages of the reduced stacked multiceli converter controlled with level-shifted-carrier PWM. The circuit is simulated for different case studies and obtained simulation results are provided to show the performance of the proposed STATCOM, active voltage balancing scheme for flying capacitor voltages, and also its control system.
Cigarette Smoking is a Risk Factor for Alzheimer's Disease: An Analysis Controlling for Tobacco Industry Affiliation

To examine the relationship between smoking and Alzheimer's disease (AD) after controlling for study design, quality, secular trend, and tobacco industry affiliation of the authors, electronic databases were searched; 43 individual studies met the inclusion criteria. For evidence of tobacco industry affiliation, http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu was searched. One fourth (11/43) of individual studies had tobacco-affiliated authors. Using random effects meta-analysis, 18 case control studies without tobacco industry affiliation yielded a non-significant pooled odds ratio of 0.91 (95% CI, 0.75-1.10), while 8 case control studies with tobacco industry affiliation yielded a significant pooled odds ratio of 0.86 (95% CI, 0.75-0.98) suggesting that smoking protects against AD. In contrast, 14 cohort studies without tobacco-industry affiliation yielded a significantly increased relative risk of AD of 1.45 (95% CI, 1.16-1.80) associated with smoking and the three cohort studies with tobacco industry affiliation yielded a non-significant pooled relative risk of 0.60 (95% CI 0.27-1.32). A multiple regression analysis showed that case-control studies tended to yield lower average risk estimates than cohort studies (by -0.27 +/- 0.15, P=0.075), lower risk estimates for studies done by authors affiliated with the tobacco industry (by -0.37 +/- 0.13, P=0.008), no effect of the quality of the journal in which the study was published (measured by impact factor, P=0.828), and increasing secular trend in risk estimates (0.031/year +/- 0.013, P=0.02). The average risk of AD for cohort studies without tobacco industry affiliation of average quality published in 2007 was estimated to be 1.72 +/- 0.19 (P< 0.0005). The available data indicate that smoking is a significant risk factor for AD.
Site hand off operation in a SmartZone system

In recent years, trunked land mobile radio system technology has grown from commercial Specialized Mobile Radio (SMR) applications into very sophisticated private system applications. Many of these private trunked radio systems provide communications over very large geographic areas such as entire states. Some wide area communications systems, as designed by Motorola, allow nearly seamless communications between sites within the total geographic area and are marketed by Motorola under the trademark SmartZone. Subscribers in a SmartZone multi-site trunked communication system have the ability to accomplish site hand offs without needing the fixed end equipment to notify them when to switch to another site. The subscriber units accomplish this by utilizing Received Signal Strength Indications (RSSI) in the hardware and with software algorithms to smooth out the raw RSSI data collected by the radio from the control channel. Preferences can be placed on specific sites which will cause the subscriber units to switch towards/away from specific sites. This process of having the subscriber units determine when it will be beneficial to switch to another site eliminates the additional signaling on the control channel which would be needed to keep the subscriber units at the optimal site if the site switching decision was performed at the fixed end. >
High-power laser beam control by PTR Bragg gratings

Volume Bragg gratings (VBG) with efficiency exceeding 95% recorded in a novel patented material, which is a photo-thermo-refractive (PTR) glass, and used for high-power laser beam control. Exceptionally narrow spectral and/or angular selectivity are used for angular magnification in laser scanners, spectral beam combining, and spectral stabilization of semiconductor lasers.
Costs of Winter Feeding of Channel‐blue (♀ Ictalurus punctatus × ♂ Ictalurus furcatus) Hybrid Catfish

Previous research has shown that winter feeding is beneficial in preventing weight loss and maintaining catfish health. Although several studies suggest the importance of winter feeding of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, less is known about optimal winter feeding strategies for channel-blue hybrid catfish (♀ Ictalurus punctatus × ♂ Ictalurus furcatus). Three winter feeding treatments (unfed, fed daily, and fed based on temperature-threshold feeding) were each assigned randomly to four replicate 0.10-ha earthen ponds. All ponds were stocked with large channel-blue hybrid catfish (0.96 ± 0.40 kg) at the rate of 3409 kg/ha and fed using a slow-sink 28% protein pelleted feed. The two feeding treatments showed significantly greater mean weight at harvest, gross yield, and growth rates than the unfed fish after the 113-d winter trial. Partial budget analysis indicated that additional costs incurred from the additional feed, fuel, and labor costs over the winter in fed treatments offset the additional revenue from daily winter feeding. However, in the temperature-threshold feeding treatment, additional costs were similar to additional revenues when 10-yr average prices were used. Results were sensitive to feed prices and spring catfish prices with positive net benefits from winter feeding at fish prices above $1.58/kg and feed prices below $0.286/kg.
Hierarchical thinking in network biology: the unbiased modularization of biochemical networks

As reconstructed biochemical reaction networks continue to grow in size and scope, there is a growing need to describe the functional modules within them. Such modules facilitate the study of biological processes by deconstructing complex biological networks into conceptually simple entities. The definition of network modules is often based on intuitive reasoning. As an alternative, methods are being developed for defining biochemical network modules in an unbiased fashion. These unbiased network modules are mathematically derived from the structure of the whole network under consideration.
Treatment of an ilioenteric fistula with an Amplatzer Vascular Plug

Arterioenteric fistulae often present a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma for physicians. Traditional therapy consists of open repair, which is often poorly tolerated by patients. As a consequence, endovascular repair, consisting primarily of stent graft exclusion, has been attempted by some as a less invasive approach. We report a patient with an ilioenteric fistula in which hemorrhage was successfully treated with an Amplatzer Vascular Plug (AGA Medical Corporation, Plymouth, Minn).
Isolation, characterization, and mapping of two mouse mitochondrial voltage-dependent anion channel isoforms

Voltage-dependent anion channels (VDACs) are small pore-forming channels found in the mitochondrial outer membrane of all eukaryotes. VDACs conduct adenine nucleotides and are the binding sites for several cytosolic enzymes, including the isoforms of hexokinase and glycerol kinase. VDAC binding is developmentally and metabolically regulated and allows the kinases preferential access to mitochondrial ATP. Two human VDAC cDNAs have recently been identified, and a total of four VDAC loci have been mapped. Here, the isolation of two mouse VDAC cDNAs (VDAC5 and VDAC6) is described. By Northern analysis the two mouse VDAC isoforms show nearly identical expression patterns, with high levels of expression detected in heart, kidney, brain, and skeletal muscle and lesser levels of expression in all other tissues examined. The only exception is the lack of expression of VDAC5 in testes, whereas VDAC6 expression is highest in this tissue. VDAC6 appears to be encoded by more than one transcript. The mouse VDAC5 gene was mapped using an interspecies DNA mapping panel to the proximal region of chromosome 11, and the mouse VDAC6 gene was mapped using a panel to the proximal region of chromosome 14.
Characterization of a new animal model for evaluation and treatment of back pain due to lumbar facet joint osteoarthritis.

Degeneration of lumbar facet joints (FJs) has been implicated in lower back pain. To verify the biological links between cellular and structural alterations within FJ components and development of symptomatic chronic back pain, we generated an animal model for FJ degeneration by intra-articular injection of monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) in FJs (L3/L4, L4/L5, L5/L6) of Sprague Dawley rats followed by behavioral pain tests. The degree of primary hyperalgesia was assessed by measuring pain sensation due to pressure using an algometer, which mimics a mechanical stimulus for FJ injury. Biochemical assessments and µCT imaging revealed severely damaged FJ cartilage, proteoglycan loss and alterations of subchondral bone structure by MIA injection. The µCT analyses further suggested that the behavioral hyperalgesia from FJ degeneration is not associated with foramina stenosis. These biological and structural changes in FJs are closely related to sustained and robust chronic pain. Therapeutic modulation of chronic pain using pharmaceutical drugs was investigated in the facet joint osteoarthritis animal model. Morphine and pregabalin markedly alleviate pressure hyperalgesia while celecoxib (selective inhibitor of COX-2) and ketorolac (inhibitor of COX-1 and -2) demonstrate moderate to negligible anti-hyperalgesic effects, respectively.
Normalization (division) versus subtraction of digitized images

The propagation of noise in digitized images arrived at by algebraic manipulation of two images has been investigated. The algebraic manipulations investigated were logarithmic subtraction, linear subtraction, and division of the two images. The two images were identical except for the presence of a contrast-adding component in one of them. The two extreme cases of video-fluoroscope system behavior, gray level proportional to incident photon flux and gray level proportional to the product of thickness and linear attenuation coefficient, were investigated. The ratio of signal to noise was calculated for each of these cases and a figure of merit established for the ratio of signal to noise of the division process versus each of the subtraction processes for each of the two fluoroscopic system behaviors. In all cases, this figure of merit is greater than unity. Values of these figures of merit for iodine concentrations of 5, 20, and 300 mg/cm3 are given in the paper. The process of division appears to be advantageous as a signal-to-noise enhancer for all applications not requiring a quantitative relationship between image contrast and photon flux.
Critical spirituality: enhancing transformative leadership through critical theory and African American prophetic spirituality

In this essay I suggest that ‘critical spirituality’, an amalgamation of critical theory and African American prophetic spirituality can enhance the discourse of transformative educational leadership. I argue that this new theoretical interpretation can function to not only deconstruct asymmetrical relations of power that dominate the educational system but can also be instrumental in prescribing acts of reflective resistance purposed to bring about a radical reconstruction of schools.
Thorium Content of Ocean Water.

Two samples of ocean water from the Pacific, one collected at the surface near the coast outside San Diego Bay in the summer of 1956 and the other taken at a depth of 3500 m from longitude 124 d 41.0' W, latitude 33 d 54.5' N on March 25, 1957, were analyzed for total thorium alpha activity. The method of analysis is described, and the results are tabulated. Some information concerning the approximate isotopic composition of the thorium which was isolated from the surface water sample was obtained by observing the change in its alpha activity with time. The observed activities and the calculated values are given and are in good agreement. (J.S.R.)
Odorant receptor polymorphisms in patients with non-allergic vasomotor rhinitis☆

Abstract Rationale Non-allergic vasomotor rhinitis (VMR) is a common clinical condition where prick-skin-test negative patients experience nasal congestion and post-nasal drainage after exposure to a spectrum of irritants and barometric/temperature changes. The mechanism(s) for this disorder is(are) unknown but are commonly triggered by olfaction. Because odorant receptor gene ( OR ) polymorphisms have previously been reported, implying inter-individual variation in olfactory response, we examined whether OR genes were associated with the VMR phenotype. Methods Genomic DNA was extracted from 30 VMR patients (Ave.age=23 ; F : M=2 : 1; Cauc : AfrAm=28 : 2) and 58 parents (Ave.age=43 ; Cauc : AfrAm=54 : 4 ; two patients had the same parents) using the GenomicPrep ™ DNA isolation kit. We used a candidate-gene-region approach to examine polymorphisms in OR gene cluster I (4.43 Mb) and cluster II (1.99 Mb) located on chromosome (Chr) 11 and the MHC region (4.1 Mb) located on Chr 6 as a control. The case-control and transmission disequilibrium tests were used to identify phenotype-genotype associations. Results Two highly statistically significant single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the Chr 11@52 OR Cluster I region were associated with the VMR phenotype adjacent to one another 178 kb apart (P=.004 and .02). Two SNPs ( P =.016) located in the OR Cluster II region and two other adjacent SNPs ( P OR Cluster I were also statistically significant. No significant markers were found among the 15 single tandem repeats used to screen the MHC region—commonly associated with allergic disorders. Conclusions These preliminary data suggest important phenotype-genotype associations between VMR and OR genes might exist warranting further investigation.
Flow of cerebral interstitial fluid as indicated by the removal of extracellular markers from rat caudate nucleus

Bulk flow of interstitial fluid (ISF) in brain was studied by following the intracerebral distribution of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) injected into the caudate nucleus of rats. Using this technique, channels of ISF flow are outlined as the extracellular pathways of protein distribution away from the injection site. Anionic isoenzymes of HRP were separated from Sigma's Type II HRP using ion-exchange chromatography. Anionic isoenzymes proved superior as markers of ISF flow, presumably because there is less cellular uptake and surface adsorption of anionic protein. Analysis of the distribution of protein 4–8 hr after injection suggests that ISF flows from narrow intercellular clefts of the neuropil along a system of extracellular pathways including perivascular and periventricular areas and between fiber tracts. From this system ISF appears to drain into cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and possibly also into fenestrated vessels within the brain. Quantitative aspects of fluid drainage from brain were investigated by measuring the rate and route of efllux from brain of radiolabelled extracellular markers: [ 3 H]polyethylene glycol (PEG: 4000 daltons) and [ 14 C]dextran (70 000 daltons). In nine control rats, the amount of isotope remaining in brain 4 hr after injection into the caudate nucleus, as percent of the injected dose (mean± S.E.M. ), was 55·8±6·3 for PEG and 63·1±6·6 for dextran. Similarity in the rates of dextran and PEG removal from brain, despite large differences in molecular weight, is consistent with removal from brain by bulk flow of ISF. A maximum of 20% of the isotope cleared from brain could be recovered from CSF, in agreement with anatomical evidence that CSF may not be the sole route of ISF removal from brain.
Navigational Structures and Information Selection Goals: A Closer Look at Online Selectivity

Using an experimental design coupled with Web-tracking technology, this study explores 2 factors that influence levels of congruent information gathering online. The first factor compares the navig...
Neutralization by anti-erythropoietin serum of erythropoietic activity generated in vitro from extra-renal erythrogenin and serum

Abstract Erythropoiesis-stimulating activity was generated in incubation mixtures containing normal rat serum and “light-mitchondrial” extracts of livers and spleens from young male nephrectomized rats subjected to hypobaric hypoxia. This activity was due to contained Ep since it was completely abolished by addition of anti-Ep serum. Thus, as for Ep of renal origin, the results support the thesis that extra-renal Ep production involves interaction of erythrogenin from spleen or liver and a serum factor.
Plakophilin-1 Protects Keratinocytes from Pemphigus Vulgaris IgG by Forming Calcium-Independent Desmosomes

Plakophilin-1 (PKP-1) is an armadillo family protein critical for desmosomal adhesion and epidermal integrity. In the autoimmune skin-blistering disease pemphigus vulgaris (PV), autoantibodies (IgG) target the desmosomal cadherin desmoglein 3 (Dsg3) and compromise keratinocyte cell–cell adhesion. Here, we report that enhanced expression of PKP-1 protects keratinocytes from PV IgG–induced loss of cell–cell adhesion. PKP-1 prevents loss of Dsg3 and other desmosomal proteins from cell–cell borders and prevents alterations in desmosome ultrastructure in keratinocytes treated with PV IgG. Using a series of Dsg3 chimeras and deletion constructs, we find that PKP-1 clusters Dsg3 with the desmosomal plaque protein desmoplakin in a manner dependent on the plakoglobin-binding domain of the Dsg3 tail. Furthermore, PKP-1 expression transforms desmosome adhesion from a calcium-dependent to a calcium-independent and hyperadhesive state. These results demonstrate that manipulating the expression of a single desmosomal plaque protein can block the pathogenic effects of PV IgG on keratinocyte adhesion.
Racemization Kinetics of Enantiomeric Oxazepams and Stereoselective Hydrolysis of Enantiomeric Oxazepam 3-Acetates in Rat Liver Microsomes and Brain Homogenate

Enantiomers of oxazepam and of 3-O-acyl, 1-N-acyl-3-O-acyl, and 3-O-methyl ether derivatives of oxazepam were resolved on HPLC columns packed with Pirkle's chiral stationary phases [CSP; (R)-N-(3,5-dinitrobenzoyl)phenylglycine or (S)-N-(3,5-dinitrobenzoyl)leucine] bonded either ionically or covalently to spherical particles of gamma-aminopropylsilanized silica, and on a column packed with poly-N-acryloyl-(S)-phenylalanine ethyl ester bonded covalently to silica gel (Chiraspher). Resolution was achieved, with several mobile phases of different solvent compositions and with varying chromatographic resolutions, on all of the chiral stationary phases tested. Resolved enantiomers of oxazepam undergo racemization, whereas enantiomers of 3-O-acyl and 3-O-methyl derivatives are stable. Racemization half-lives of oxazepam enantiomers were determined by monitoring changes in ellipticity as a function of time on a spectropolarimeter immediately (within 30 s) following resolution of enantiomers and were found to substantially vary, depending on the solvents used. Rates of hydrolysis of racemic and enantiomeric 3-O-acyl-oxazepams by esterases in liver microsomes and brain homogenate of rats were determined by a simple and sensitive CSP-HPLC method. The relative rate of hydrolysis was 3R greater than racemate much greater than 3S by rat liver microsomes and 3S greater than racemate much greater than 3R by rat brain homogenate.
Neuronal failure in Alzheimer's disease: a view through the oxidative stress looking-glass

Considerable debate and controversy surround the cause(s) of Alzheimer's disease (AD). To date, several theories have gained notoriety, however none is universally accepted. In this review, we provide evidence for the oxidative stress-induced AD cascade that posits aged mitochondria as the critical origin of neurodegeneration in AD.
Exploring larger biotech research firm strategies: Projections from a comparison of small and larger firms

Abstract This is an exploratory study of larger biotech firms using insights from a head-to-head comparison of 49 small and 17 large U.S. biotech firms using archival data. We found small and large biotech firms to be significantly different from each other on R&D intensity and funding strategies. The findings are used to project and hypothesize about larger biotech firm growth strategies. Whereas R&D expenses in the small firms exceed total income by a wide margin, larger firms are able to cover most, if not all, of their R&D expenses. Thus, the larger firms are relatively more financially viable. Results also show that the larger firms derive a greater proportion of their revenues from collaborative research agreements (CRAs), which has key implications for revenue growth in these firms. Based on the findings we project R&D expenses and collaborative research revenues for biotech firms as they grow in size.
Separation of phosphohydroxyamino acids by high-performance liquid chromatography.

Abstract A high-performance liquid chromatography system has been developed which resolves O -phosphoserine, O -phosphothreonine, and O 4 -phosphotyrosine. Separation is performed on an anion-exchange resin eluted with phosphate buffer of low pH. Detection of the amino acid derivatives is accomplished using O -phthalaldehyde in an in-stream fluorometric system. This highly sensitive method has been applied to the detection of phosphohydroxyamino acids in bovine myelin basic protein phosphorylated by the catalytic subunit of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase and in whole bovine myelin phosphorylated by endogenous kinases.
Genetic approach to track neural cell fate decisions using human embryonic stem cells

With their capability to undergo unlimited self-renewal and to differentiate into all cell types in the body, human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) hold great promise in human cell therapy. However, there are limited tools for easily identifying and isolating live hESC-derived cells. To track hESC-derived neural progenitor cells (NPCs), we applied homologous recombination to knock-in the mCherry gene into the Nestin locus of hESCs. This facilitated the genetic labeling of Nestin positive neural progenitor cells with mCherry. Our reporter system enables the visualization of neural induction from hESCs both in vitro (embryoid bodies) and in vivo (teratomas). This system also permits the identification of different neural subpopulations based on the intensity of our fluorescent reporter. In this context, a high level of mCherry expression showed enrichment for neural progenitors, while lower mCherry corresponded with more committed neural states. Combination of mCherry high expression with cell surface antigen staining enabled further enrichment of hESC-derived NPCs. These mCherry+ NPCs could be expanded in culture and their differentiation resulted in a down-regulation of mCherry consistent with the loss of Nestin expression. Therefore, we have developed a fluorescent reporter system that can be used to trace neural differentiation events of hESCs.
Continuity and Change Within the Core Corporate Elite

1970 who served as directors of four or more of the 200 largest nonfinancial and the 50 largest financial corporations. The three explanations of the social characteristics and institutional affiliations of the members of the core corporate elite are derived from the alternative theories of corporate control: family control theory, financial control theory, and management control theory. From the results of this analysis, it is apparent that individuals affiliated with financial institutions represent a disproportionately large and relatively constant share of the core corporate elite. Individuals who possess super-wealth or who are members of the upper class represent a significant but somewhat declining share of this elite. Finally, most of the members of the core corporate elite are managers rather than entrepreneurs or inheritors. Moreover, the proportion of elite members who are managers has increased whereas the proportion of elite members who are entrepreneurs has decreased over time. In general, the core corporate elite is remarkably stable, in terms of its composition, even over a period of several decades.
Disease-associated prion protein in neural and lymphoid tissues of mink (Mustela vison) inoculated with transmissible mink encephalopathy.

Summary Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) are diagnosed by immunodetection of disease-associated prion protein (PrP d ). The distribution of PrP d within the body varies with the time-course of infection and between species, during interspecies transmission, as well as with prion strain. Mink are susceptible to a form of TSE known as transmissible mink encephalopathy (TME), presumed to arise due to consumption of feed contaminated with a single prion strain of ruminant origin. After extended passage of TME isolates in hamsters, two strains emerge, HY and DY, each of which is associated with unique structural isoforms of PrP TME and of which only the HY strain is associated with accumulation of PrP TME in lymphoid tissues. Information on the structural nature and lymphoid accumulation of PrP TME in mink is limited. In this study, 13minkwerechallengedbyintracerebralinoculationusinglatepassageTMEinoculum,afterwhichbrain and lymphoidtissueswere collectedatpreclinicalandclinicaltimepoints. Thedistributionandmolecularnatureof PrP TME was investigated by techniques including blotting of paraffin wax-embedded tissue and epitope mapping by western blotting. PrP TME was detected readily in the brain and retropharyngeal lymph node during preclinical infection, with delayed progression of accumulation within other lymphoid tissues. For comparison, threemink were inoculated bythe oralrouteandexaminedduringclinical disease. Accumulation of PrP TME in these mink was greater and more widespread, including follicles of rectoanal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue. Western blot analyses revealed that PrP TME accumulating in the brain of mink is structurally most similar to that accumulating in the brain of hamsters infected with the DY strain. Collectively, the results of extended passage in mink are consistent with the presence of only a single strain of TME, the DY strain, capable of inducing accumulation of PrP TME in the lymphoid tissues of mink but not in hamsters. Thus, mink are a rele
Solid C70: A molecular-dynamics study of the structure and orientational ordering.

Classical constant-pressure molecular-dynamics simulations have been performed for solid ${\mathrm{C}}_{70}$ using a pairwise-additive atom-atom Lennard-Jones potential that gave a good account of the high-temperature rotator phase of solid ${\mathrm{C}}_{60}$. The simulation results indicate that freezing of the rotational motion of ${\mathrm{C}}_{70}$ molecules about the long and short axes occurs at different temperatures. At high temperatures, an orientationally disordered fcc phase is preferred over a hcp lattice. At low temperature, a triclinic phase seems to be favored by the present model, but other structures (space group Pa3, and hcp) also have very competitive potential energies. Estimates of the molecular-reorientation times are given. The librational phonon density of states has been studied. As expected, libration frequencies for rotation about the long axis are lower than that about the short axis.
Response to Insulin Treatment and Survival in 104 Cats with Diabetes Mellitus (1985–1995)

Medical records of 104 cats with diabetes mellitus were reviewed. Information from 54 cats that had multiple blood glucose concentrations evaluated at least 5 times over a minimum of 3 months, beginning at the time insulin treatment was initiated, was used to evaluate the efficacy of insulin in treating diabetes mellitus. Fourteen of 54 cats were treated with protamine zinc insulin (PZI), 26 with ultralente insulin, and 14 with lente insulin. Six, 29, and 19 cats had good, mediocre, and poor glycemic control, respectively, based on mean blood glucose concentrations, whereas 31, 21, and 2 owners thought clinical response was good, mediocre, and poor, respectively. No significant difference was found in glycemic control among cats treated with PZI, ultralente, or lente insulin. Glycemic control was significantly (P < .05) better in 33 cats without than in 21 cats with concurrent disease. All 104 cats were used to calculate survival data. Fifty-one of 104 cats were alive at the time of the study. Mean (+/- standard deviation [SD]) and median survival times were 24 (+/- 16) and 20 months, respectively, in the 51 cats still alive at the end of the evaluation, and 25 (+/- 4) and 17 months, respectively, in the 53 cats that had died during the period of evaluation. Pancreatic abnormalities identified in 37 cats that underwent necropsy included chronic pancreatitis (n = 17), acute to subacute pancreatitis (n = 2), exocrine pancreatic adenocarcinoma (n = 7) and adenoma (n = 1), islet cell atrophy and vacuolar degeneration (n = 27), and islet amyloidosis (n = 8). No association was found between glycemic control and islet amyloidosis or exocrine pancreatic neoplasia, or between survival time and chronic pancreatitis, islet amyloidosis, or exocrine pancreatic neoplasia. In conclusion, diabetic cats evaluated in this study showed a variable response to exogenously administered insulin, ranging from excellent to poor. By maintaining mean blood glucose concentrations under 300 mg/dL, clinical signs were improved, and owners were satisfied with insulin treatment. Concurrent potentially insulin-antagonistic diseases were common and deleteriously affected glycemic control and survival time.
Numerical determination of heat transfer and pressure drop characteristics for a converging−diverging flow channel

A finite difference scheme was utilized to predict periodic fully developed heat transfer and fluid flow characteristics in a converging-diverging flow channel. The basis of the method is an algebraic nonorthogonal coordinate transformation which maps the complex fluid domain onto a rectangle. This transformation avoids the task of numerically generating boundary-fitted coordinates. The transformed equations and the entire discretization procedure were documented in an earlier paper which dealt with a general class of nonperiodic problems. Its adaptation to a periodic sample problem of converging-diverging flow channel will be illustrated in this work. Representative results were carried out for laminar flow, Prandtl number of 0.7, in the Reynolds number range from 90 to 1,635, for various taper angles of converging-diverging flow channel, and for three ratios of maximum/minimum height of the flow channel. Moderate enhancement in the Nusselt number results occurred, at higher values of Reynolds number for most cases, when compared with corresponding values for straight ducts.
Management of the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patient with End‐Stage Renal Disease

Summary An appreciation of the natural history of SLE following the development of ESRD is important in the management of these patients. In addition, the care of these patients requires special consideration in the diagnosis and treatment of disease exacerbations. It is ironic that, despite the destruction of a major organ system as a result of a disease process, the clinical course of that disease may improve. Such appears to be the case with SLE. The prognosis for renal transplantation is even more encouraging. Patients can therefore enter an ESRD program with optimism.
Effects of temperature cycling on cryoprotectant profiles in the goldenrod gall fly, Eurosta solidaginis (Fitch)

Variations in the levels of the two primary cryoprotectants (glycerol and sorbitol) found in Eurosta solidaginis were examined following successive cryophase: thermophase alterations (4 days cold: 3 days warm) through the overwintering period (September-January). Glycerol synthesis was shown to be insensitive to temperature cycling in early winter larvae, while later winter larvae responded with increased synthesis during exposures to cold (0°C). Sorbitol concentrations were directly affected by acclimation temperature in each month with mean levels rising at 0°C and decreasing at +20°C. Rates of synthesis (cryophase) and catabolism (thermophase) of sorbitol generally increased from September to January. Such changes in the capacity for cryoprotectant synthesis and degradation over the course of a winter season have not previously been reported for any species. Data are presented that demonstrate both the ability and adaptative flexibility of this species to cycle cryoprotectant content in a manner conducive to overwintering survival in a thermal-variable environment.
Sustainable informal it learning in community-based nonprofits

Nonprofit organizations (NPOs) play a substantial role in the economies of many countries, in the delivery of social services, and in many quasi-government functions. But NPOs face many resource challenges; for example, they depend on volunteer labor that is often under-trained and has high turnover resulting in limited knowledge acquisition and decreased sustainability. Ethnographic data from a three-year multi-organizational analysis reveals the occurrence of social and technical patterns during informal technology learning. Construction of a pattern schema grounded in organizational learning and activity theories will enable the development of lightweight interventions in establishing information technology sustainability, self-directed learning, and management processes in NPOs.
Cumulant-based stationary and nonstationary models for classification and synthesis of random fields

Cumulants are employed for classification and synthesis of textured images because they suppress additive Gaussian noise of unknown covariance and are capable of resolving phase and causality issues in stationary non-Gaussian random fields. Their performance is compared with existing autocorrelation based approaches which offer sample estimates of smaller variance and lower computational complexity. Nonlinear matching techniques improve over linear equation methods in estimating parameters of non-Gaussian random fields especially under model mismatch. Seasonal 1-D sequences allow for semi-stationary 2-D models and their performance is illustrated on synthetic space variant textures. The potential of prolate spheroidal basis expansion is also described for parsimonious nonstationary modeling of space variant textured images.
Disaster training for prehospital providers.

Objective. To survey prehospital providers to determine 1) the quantity andformat of training recalled over the past year in chemical, biological, radiological/nuclear (CBRN), andother mass casualty events (MCEs); 2) preferred educational formats; 3) self-assessed preparedness for various CBRN/MCEs; and4) perceived likelihood of occurrence for CBRN/MCEs. Methods. A survey, consisting of 11 questions, was distributed to 1,010 prehospital providers in a system where no formal CBRN/mass casualty training was given. Results. Surveys were completed by 640 (63%) prehospital providers. Twenty-two percent (22%) of prehospital providers recalled no training within the past year for CBRN or other MCEs, 19% reported 1–5 hours, 15% reported 6–10 hours, 24% reported 11–39 hours, and7% reported receiving greater than 40 hours. Lectures anddrills were the most common formats for prior education. On a five-point scale (1: “Never Helpful” through 5: “Always Helpful”) regarding the helpfulness of training methods, median s...
Endothelin-1 and Neuregulin-1 convert embryonic cardiomyocytes into cells of the conduction system in the mouse.

The cells that form the cardiac conduction system (CCS) are recruited from embryonic cardiomyocytes. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) and Neuregulin-1 (NRG-1) have been associated with this transition in the avian and murine systems, respectively. We established murine embryonic cardiomyocyte cultures induced or not with ET-1 and/or NRG-1 to compare the expression of cardiomyocyte and CCS-specific genes. Semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that cardiomyogenesis and CCS-specific markers, such as Nkx2.5, GATA4, Irx4, Connexin 40, Connexin 45, HF-1b, and MinK, were up-regulated in the presence of either growth factor. Additionally, immunofluorescence analysis demonstrated that ET-1 or NRG-1 increased the number of cells expressing the Purkinje fiber-specific marker Connexin 40 in induced cultures but did not selectively increase their proliferation rate. Interestingly, additive effects were not observed in ET-1 and NRG-1 combination treatments. Among other possibilities, this observation suggests that these factors may interact to promote the differentiation of the murine CCS. Developmental Dynamics 233:20–28, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Exact sampling distribution of the omitted variable estimator

Abstract In the context of stochastic regressors, the exact sampling distribution of the omitted variable estimator is derived. The result is then used for comparison with the non-stochastic case.
Brazing of vanadium and carbon-carbon composites to stainless steel for fusion reactor applications

Abstract Vanadium and CC composites are high temperature materials that are being considered for use in fusion reactor components because of their resistance to activation by radiation. In this research, the joining of vanadium (V) and CC composites to stainless steel (SS) by resistance heat brazing was investigated. Results showed that brazing filler alloys BCu-1, BAg-4, SS40Ni5 and BNi-7 have good wettability in both vanadium and stainless steel. VSS joints brazed by BNi-7 were brittle. Sound and ductile VSS joints were obtained by using BCu-1 filler metal. Finite element analyses were used to predict residual stress distributions in the joints. The use of interlayers was found to reduce residual stresse in the high strength CC composite to SS joints.