cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mitochondrial Compartmentation of Branched Chain Amino Acid Catabolism: Is the Aminotransferase A Mitochondrial Enzyme?

The branched chain amino acids (BCAA—leucine, isoleucine, valine) are unique among the indispensable amino acids in that they are metabolized extensively by nonhepatic tissues (1). The first step in catabolism of the BCAA is reversible transamination catalyzed by the BCAA aminotransferase. All tissues contain some aminotransferase activity, however, the activity varies widely from tissue to tissue (1). Considerable activity is found in heart and skeletal muscle, and based on total tissue mass, muscle probably has the highest activity (2). The aminotransferase is thought to be located in both the cytosol and in the mitochondria, but the proportion of mitochondrial activity varies in different tissues (1). In muscle and heart estimates of the proportion of aminotransferase in cytosol and mitochondria vary from 80% cytosolic (3), about 60% cytosolic (4), to predominantly mitochondrial (5). The second enzyme in the catabolic pathway, which catalyzes the first rate-determining step, is the branched chain α-keto acid (BCKA) dehydrogenase enzyme complex. The dehydrogenase is located exclusively in the mitochondria, and a mitochondrial transport system for the BCKA [α-ketoisocaproate (KIC), α-ketovalerate (KIV), α-keto-β-methylvalerate (KMV)], the substrates for this enzyme, has been characterized (6). In muscle tissues, the relative rates of cytosolic and mitochondrial transamination will be affected primarily by the distribution of the aminotransferase in these two subcellular compartments. BCAA transamination will also be affected by the cytosolic and mitochondrial α-ketoglutarate/glutamate ratios, and perhaps by the activity of the BCKA transporter. Hence, the objective of this study was to determine quantitative importance of the mitochondrial BCAA aminotransferase in heart and muscle tissues.
Spectral Machine Learning for Predicting Power Wheelchair Exercise Compliance

Pressure ulcers are a common and devastating condition faced by users of power wheelchairs. However, proper use of power wheelchair tilt and recline functions can alleviate pressure and reduce the risk of ulcer occurrence. In this work, we show that when using data from a sensor instrumented power wheelchair, we are able to predict with an average accuracy of 92% whether a subject will successfully complete a repositioning exercise when prompted. We present two models of compliance prediction. The first, a spectral Hidden Markov Model, uses fast, optimal optimization techniques to train a sequential classifier. The second, a decision tree using information gain, is computationally efficient and produces an output that is easy for clinicians and wheelchair users to understand. These prediction algorithms will be a key component in an intelligent reminding system that will prompt users to complete a repositioning exercise only in contexts in which the user is most likely to comply.
19 – Beaver, Willow Shrubs, and Floods

This chapter focuses on the role that shrub, carrs play in protecting upland stream systems from damage caused by floods, the role that beaver play in maintaining willow carrs, and the interplay of beaver ponds and beaver dams with floods. These issues, however, cannot be addressed effectively without considering their ecological settings and ramifications, and particularly, the effects that humans and overpopulations of ungulates have in disrupting these ecological settings. From a human point of view, the issue may be phrased as an inquiry into whether we are making streams more vulnerable to catastrophic flooding by continually encroaching onto the floodplains of headwater tributaries. To examine the issues quantitatively, the chapter studies mathematical models for flow through shrub, carrs. The first type of model permits the stems to be rigid and tall relative to the flow depth. The second type of model allows the shrubs to be overtopped by the flow. The general conclusions from these two separate studies are of concern in this chapter.
Low incidence of JAK2 and FLT3 mutations in patients with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML)

1293 The recent finding of a somatic point mutation in the JAK2 tyrosine kinase (V617F) pseudokinase domain of the majority of patients with myloproliferative disorders has greatly increased the understanding of the molecular pathways deregulated in these diseases and has provided a potential therapeutic target. FLT3, a receptor tyrosine kinase, has been shown to contain internal duplications in 25 - 30% of patients with acute myeloid leukemia and is correlated with poor prognosis. The association of these mutations with abnormal proliferation of myeloid cells prompted us to study patients with CMML, a myelodysplastic disorder that can also present with myeloproliferative characteristics of leukocytosis and splenomegaly. Mutations of JAK2 or FLT3 would provide both a biologic insight and treatment strategies for this subgroup of CMML which until now has been identified by WBC counts greater that 13,000/uL. We isolated DNA from bone marrow mononuclear cells of 67 patients with CMML, 28 with WBCs greater than 13,000/uL, and 39 with lower WBCs. Using PCR followed by sequencing, only one patient was found to have a JAK2 mutation. Similarly only one patient was found to be carrying a FLT3 internal duplication. Both of these patients however, had proliferative clinical features. These data confirm the previous low incidence of JAK2 mutations in 3/119 patients with CMML1. Thus, it appears that mutations in the JAK2 and FLT3 tyrosine kinase genes are only infrequently involved in the pathobiology of CMML. It remains possible that other genes in these two pathways are deregulated in CMML, or that other tyrosine kinase genes are mutated leading to similar clinical features. 1. Steensma DP, et al. The JAK2 V617F activating tyrosine kinase mutation is an infrequent event in both “atypical” myeloproliferative disorders and myelodysplastic syndromes. Blood 106;4:1207-1209, 2005.
Substance Use Screening in HIV Care Settings: a Review and Critique of the Literature.

People living with human immunodeficiency virus/AIDS (PLWHA) experience high prevalence of substance use disorders (SUD). HIV care settings represent a unique opportunity to identify possible SUD, to provide SUD interventions, and to improve linkage to SUD treatment. The aims of this paper are to (a) review and critique the extant literature examining substance use screening approaches among PLWHA in HIV care settings and (b) provide recommendations for future clinical practice. Twenty-one peer-reviewed articles that examined substance screening approaches employed in HIV and other primary care settings were included in the review. There was limited literature reporting on the implementation and evaluation of substance use screening practices within HIV care settings, and methodological rigor varied across studies. Further, the use of validated substance use screening measures or incorporation of other substance use screening approaches (e.g., use of urine drug testing) within routine HIV care practice is limited. Strategies to implement routine substance use screening within HIV care and incorporate additional substance use assessment, brief interventions, and referral to specialty substance use treatment are discussed. Use of self-report substance use screening measures using web- or computer-delivered approaches that can be integrated within electronic health record systems is particularly promising. HIV care practices should consider potential models to optimally screen and treat SUD. Co-location of HIV and SUD treatment services may be optimal; when co-located services are not possible, strategies to consistently provide brief intervention approaches and referrals to specialty SUD treatment are needed.
Stand Your Ground: A History of America's Love Affair with Lethal Self-Defense. By Caroline E. Light. (Boston, MA: Beacon Press, 2017. Pp. xiii, 225. $25.95.)

A balanced, thoughtful history of stand‐your‐ground laws in English common law and modern America is urgently needed. Now on the books of thirty‐three states, these laws permit anyone attacked in h...
Correction: Strong coupling of emitters to single plasmonic nanoparticles: exciton-induced transparency and Rabi splitting

Strong coupling between plasmons in metal nanoparticles and single excitons in molecules or semiconductor nanomaterials has recently attracted considerable experimental effort for potential applications in quantum-mechanical and classical optical information processing and for fundamental studies of light-matter interaction. Here, we review the theory behind strong plasmon-exciton coupling and provide analytical expressions that can be used for fitting experimental data, particularly the commonly measured scattering spectra. We re-analyze published data using these expressions, providing a uniform method for evaluating and quantifying claims of strong coupling that avoids ambiguities in distinguishing between Rabi splitting and exciton-induced transparency (or Fano-like interference between plasmons and excitons).
On possible lowering of the toxicity of exhaust gas from ship diesel engines by changing their control parameters

The paper is devoted to problems connected with pollution of the atmosphere by ship engines. Results of the tests are presented on the influence of charging air pressure and injection advance angle on content of exhaust gas from a high-pressure diesel engine working on heavy fuel oil, carried out at the laboratory of Gdynia Maritime Academy.
Full-Scale Assembly 30 cm Drop Test

Can Spent Nuclear Fuel withstand the shocks and vibrations experienced during normal conditions of transport? This question was the motivation for the multi-modal transportation test (MMTT) (Summer 2017), 1/3-scale cask 30 cm drop test (December 2018), and full-scale assembly 30 cm drop tests (June 2019). The full-scale ENSA ENUN 32P cask with 3 surrogate 17×17 PWR assemblies was used in the MMTT. The 1/3-scale cask was a mockup of this cask. The 30 cm drop tests provided the accelerations on the 1/3-scale dummy assemblies. These data were used to design full-scale assembly drop tests with the goal to quantify the strain fuel rods experience inside a cask when dropped from a height of 30 cm. The drop tests were first done with the dummy and then with the surrogate assembly. This paper presents the preliminary results of the tests.
Detecting nodular basal cell carcinoma in pathology imaging using deep learning image segmentation

With over 4.3 million new cases in the U.S. every year, basal cell carcinoma (BCC), is the most common form of skin cancer. Pathologists must examine pathology images to diagnose BCC, potentially resulting in delay, error, and inconsistency. To address the need for standardized, expedited diagnosis, we created an automated diagnostic machine to identify BCC given pathology images. In MATLAB, we adapted a deep neural network image segmentation model, UNet, to train on BCC images and their corresponding masks, which can learn to highlight these nodules in pathology images by outputting a computer-generated mask. We trained the U-Net on one image from the dataset and compared the computer-generated mask output from testing on three types of images: an image from a different region of the same image taken with the same microscope, an image from a different tissue sample with a different microscope, and an image taken with a confocal microscope. We observed good, medium and poor results, respectively, illustrating that performance depends on the similarity between test and training data. In subsequent tests using data augmentation, we achieved sensitivity of 0.82±0.07 and specificity of 0.87±0.16 on N = 6 sample sections from 3 different BCCs imaged with the same microscope system. These data show that the U-Net performed well with a relatively few number of training images. Examining the errors raised interesting questions regarding what the errors mean and how they possibly arose. By creating a surgeon interface for rapid pathological assessment and machine learning diagnostics for pathological features, the BCC diagnosis process will be expedited and standardized.
Quantum Mechanics May Need Consciousness

The assertion by Yu and Nikolic that the delayed choice quantum eraser experiment of Kim et al. empirically falsifies the consciousness-causes-collapse hypothesis of quantum mechanics is based on the unfounded and false assumption that the failure of a quantum wave function to collapse implies the appearance of a visible interference pattern.
Reducing the wait: TCV can expand the donor pool for heart transplant candidates.

A 16-year-old with new-onset dilated cardiomyopathy underwent VAD placement, later complicated by low flow from outflow graft kinking. To expedite heart transplantation, TCV was calculated and compared with 141 normal patients pinpointing the upper weight threshold. He was transplanted 2 days later within the expanded weight range with no post-transplant complications.
Maternity leave: Policy and practice: by Victoria Gordon and Beth Rauhaus, New York, Routledge, 2019, 314 pp., $39.96 (paperback), ISBN-13: 978-0367180416

As a work–life balance policy, maternity leave is a key organizational tool in recruiting and retaining women in the workforce. In the absence of a universal paid maternity leave in the U.S. new pa...
Perioperative evaluation of cows with right abomasal displacement and abomasal volvulus

Clinical, clinicopathological and surgical data from 458 adult dairy cows with right abomasal displacement or abomasal volvulus were analysed to determine the association between these variables and outcome, classified as productive, salvaged or terminal. Heart rate was higher in the salvaged and terminal cattle, than the productive cattle. Hyponatraemia was increasingly severe in the salvaged and terminal cows. All groups of cows were hypochloraemic and hypokalaemic, with the lowest values in the salvaged group. Cows in the productive and salvaged groups had metabolic alkalosis. As the outcome became less favorable there was evidence of superimposed metabolic acidosis with increased anion gap.
Post-processing of 3D printed thermoplastic CFRP composites using cryogenic machining

Abstract Additive manufacturing (AM) or three-dimensional (3D) printing allows manufacturing of parts of complex shapes using carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites. However, in many cases, the parts fabricated by 3D printing suffer from poor surface quality and dimensional accuracy, requiring extensive post-processing. This research aims at improving the dimensional accuracy and surface finish of 3D printed CFRP composites by analyzing the effectiveness of three sustainable machining practices: dry, minimum quantity lubrication (MQL), and cryogenic machining, as post-processing techniques for 3D printed CFRP composites. This study specifically investigates effects of printing and machining parameters and cooling/lubricating conditions on the machining performance, i.e., burr formation, surface finish, cutting forces, and tool wear during edge and slot milling of 3D printed thermoplastic CFRP composites. Among three sustainable machining processes, cryogenic machining significantly reduced burr formation and tool wear, and improved surface finish irrespective of the fiber orientation and machining conditions. The application of MQL at the tool-workpiece interface was found to be effective in reducing tool wear, surface roughness, and burr formation to some extent compared to dry machining. However, MQL process was not able to completely eliminate burr formation for most of the machining conditions. Cryogenic machining caused the highest cutting forces due to the increased surface and sub-surface hardness of the workpiece caused by application of liquid nitrogen; however, no adverse effect of increased cutting forces was observed. This study finds that cryogenic machining is able to completely eliminate or reduce burrs by 90% and bring down the surface roughness (Rq) from >10 μm to about 1 μm, thus making it a suitable post-process technique for 3D printed CFRP composites.
Polymers for telecommunication devices based on χ2:χ2-cascading

Quasi-phase-matched LiNbO3 waveguides are currently the standard against which all nonlinear waveguides are compared for parametric mixing applications.1
Are clinical ethics consultants in danger? An analysis of the potential legal liability of individual clinical ethicists.

In September 1999, eighteen-year-old Jesse Gelsinger tragically died while participating in a University of Pennsylvania gene transfer experiment.' The lawsuit that followed this unfortunate incident named as defendants not only the researchers involved but also renowned bioethicist Arthur Caplan.2 Although a hospital ethics committee was named in a lawsuit more than ten years earlier,3 there had
Visualization and Objective Quantification of Autonomic Circuitry in Mouse Area Postrema Using a Genetic Method

The transcription factor PHOX2B is a master regulator of autonomic nervous system function as well as the specification of noradrenergic neurons. Incomplete maturity and/or absence of noradrenergic...
Paper Electrophoresis of Serum Proteins in Selected Dermatoses1

Determination of the various fractions of protein in serum or plasma in different dermatoses has been recorded by several investigators employing the classic Tiselius method of electrophoresis (1-9) and paper chromatography (10).
REHABILITATION OF NEUROMUSCULAR DISTURBANCES: Summary of Round Table Discussion

The report of the Baruch Committee on Medicine, April, 1944, has stated the problem as follows: "There is a gap between the customary endpoint of medical attention and the real necessities of many patients. In general, physicians have filled this gap in a lackadaisical and spotty manner. Rehabilitation fills this gap and provides maximal improvement for the patient." The early attention to total appraisal, attempted prognostication, intelligent therapeutic emphasis, and the development of desirable traits for eventual vocational placement, are of major importance. A continuing interest in these same objectives in a given patient, must be maintained. It is apparent that the pediatrician must assume a more important role in rehabilitation in view of his early contact with most of these children, if the most effective rehabilitation program is to be instituted appropriately for attainment of the best possible results in later life.
Characterization of a receptor for C5a anaphylatoxin on human eosinophils.

Abstract The complement anaphylatoxin peptide C5a is well known to activate human polymorphonuclear leukocytes through receptor-mediated processes. C5a has also been reported to activate eosinophils for both chemotaxis and hexose uptake. We characterized the receptor molecule for human C5a on human eosinophils and compared it with the receptor on human neutrophils. At 4 degrees C, uptake of 1 nM 125I-C5a reaches equilibrium within 10 min on both cell types. Binding of 125I-C5a occurs over a concentration range comparable to that which stimulates lysosomal enzyme release and hexose uptake in both cell types. Scatchard analyses of the data indicate the presence of two receptor populations on eosinophils; a high affinity receptor with 15,000-20,000 sites/cell and a Kd of 3.1 +/- 0.6 x 10(-11) M, and a low affinity receptor with approximately 375,000 sites/cell and a Kd of 1 x 10(-7) M. Parallel experiments with neutrophils indicate the presence of a single receptor population with approximately 90,000 sites/cell and a Kd of 4.8 +/- 0.1 x 10(-10)M. The eosinophil receptor molecule was further characterized by covalently cross-linking 125I-C5a to cells followed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the solubilized material. Autoradiography indicates the presence of a dominant C5a-eosinophil receptor complex with an apparent mass of 60-65 kDa. The corresponding neutrophil-C5a receptor complex has an apparent mass of 50-52 kDa as observed by others. When the cross-linked 125I-C5a-receptor complex was treated with cyanogen bromide, different patterns were observed on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis for neutrophils and eosinophils. Thus, human eosinophils have a receptor for C5a anaphylatoxin which appears to be distinct from the C5a receptor present on human neutrophils.
Applying a pattern language to develop application-level gateways

Developers of communication applications must address recurring design challenges related to efficiency, extensibility, and robustness. These challenges are often independent of application-specific requirements. Successful developers resolve these challenges by applying appropriate pattern and pattern languages. Traditionally, however, these patterns have been locked in the heads of expert developers or buried deep within complex system source code. The primary contribution of this chapter is to describe a pattern language that underlies object-oriented communication software. In addition to describing each pattern in this language, the chapter illustrates how knowledge of the relationships and trade-offs among the patterns help guide the construction of reusable communication frameworks and applications.
Physiological and Anthropometrical Comparisons of Negroes and Whites

(1969). Physiological and Anthropometrical Comparisons of Negroes and Whites. Journal of Health, Physical Education, Recreation: Vol. 40, No. 9, pp. 93-100.
Nonadministration of thromboprophylaxis in hospitalized patients with HIV: a missed opportunity for prevention?

BACKGROUND Hospitalized patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) appear to be at increased risk of venous thromboembolism. Previous work at our institution has demonstrated that the proportion of doses administered varies between patients and locations. OBJECTIVE To compare the proportion of doses of thromboprophylaxis not administered between patients with and without HIV. DESIGN Using retrospective data, the proportion of nonadministered doses was determined in all hospitalized adults and stratified by HIV status. SETTING Large, urban, academic medical center in Baltimore, Maryland. PATIENTS Data were available for 4947 patient visits, 583 of which were by patients with HIV. Most visits by patients with HIV were to a designated HIV care unit. MEASUREMENTS Proportion of doses of thromboprophylaxis not administered, and documented reasons for dose nonadministration. RESULTS A total of 42,870 doses were prescribed. The proportion of doses not administered was greater for patients with HIV (23.5%) compared with patients without HIV (16.1%, odds ratio [OR]: 1.59, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.49-1.70, P < 0.001). Documented dose refusal accounted for a greater proportion of nonadministered doses in patients with HIV (15.9% vs 10.8%, OR: 1.56, 95% CI: 1.43-1.70, P < 0.0001). On the HIV care unit, the proportion of doses not administered was greater for patients with HIV (26.4% vs 13.1%, OR: 2.39, 95% CI: 1.93-2.96, P < 0.001). Within this unit, documented dose refusal was greater for patients with HIV (13.7% vs 10.7%, OR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.16-1.51, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Nonadministration and documented refusal of thromboprophylaxis appear to be more common in patients with HIV at our institution. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2014;9:215–220. © 2014 Society of Hospital Medicine
Novel 3-D laparoscopic magnetic ultrasound image guidance for lesion targeting

Abstract Objectives Accurate laparoscopic liver lesion targeting for biopsy or ablation depends on the ability to merge laparoscopic and ultrasound images with proprioceptive instrument positioning, a skill that can be acquired only through extensive experience. The aim of this study was to determine whether using magnetic positional tracking to provide three-dimensional, real-time guidance improves accuracy during laparoscopic needle placement. Methods Magnetic sensors were embedded into a needle and laparoscopic ultrasound transducer. These sensors interrupted the magnetic fields produced by an electromagnetic field generator, allowing for real-time, 3-D guidance on a stereoscopic monitor. Targets measuring 5 mm were embedded 3–5 cm deep in agar and placed inside a laparoscopic trainer box. Two novices (a college student and an intern) and two experts (hepatopancreatobiliary surgeons) targeted the lesions out of the ultrasound plane using either traditional or 3-D guidance. Results Each subject targeted 22 lesions, 11 with traditional and 11 with the novel guidance ( n = 88). Hit rates of 32% (14/44) and 100% (44/44) were observed with the traditional approach and the 3-D magnetic guidance approach, respectively. The novices were essentially unable to hit the targets using the traditional approach, but did not miss using the novel system. The hit rate of experts improved from 59% (13/22) to 100% (22/22) ( P Conclusions The novel magnetic 3-D laparoscopic ultrasound guidance results in perfect targeting of 5-mm lesions, even by surgical novices.
Role of ceramides 2 and 5 in the structure of the stratum corneum lipid barrier.

We utilized Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to investigate headgroup and chain interactions in model SC lipid barriers containing equimolar amounts of deuterated hexadecanoic acid, cholesterol, and ceramide 2 (non-hydroxy sphingosine) or ceramide 5 (alpha-hydroxy sphingosine). In the ceramide 2 model the thermotropic response of the CD _ 2 and CH _ 2 stretching modes indicates that hexadecanoic acid begins to disorder at 42 degrees C while ceramide 2 remains ordered until 52 degrees C. Additionally, splitting of the CD _ 2 bending and CH _ 2 rocking modes provides evidence for separate orthorhombic hexadecanoic acid and ceramide domains. The ceramide amide I mode (1650 cm ; -1) is split into two components indicating strong intermolecular hydrogen bonding between headgroups. In the ceramide 5 model, the CH _ 2 and CD _ 2 stretching frequencies again reveal highly conformationally ordered ceramide 5 and hexadecanoic acid chains. Splitting of both the CD _ 2 bending and CH _ 2 rocking modes is observed. However, the CH _ 2 rocking frequencies indicate distorted packing of the ceramide. The collapse of these highly ordered phases, and the onset of conformational disorder, occurs at 50 degrees C for both ceramide 5 and hexadecanoic acid. The amide I and II frequencies of ceramide 5 indicate strong H-bonding, although neither mode is split. Our results demonstrate that model SC lipid systems have quite different physical properties depending on whether they contain ceramide 2 or 5. From this we infer that ceramide 2 and 5 make distinct contributions to the structural biophysics of the SC lipid barrier. Our observation of ordered lipid domains is also consistent with the recently proposed domain mosaic model of the skin barrier.
CHANGES IN LEARNING-STYLE PREFERENCES: COMMENTS ON GEIGER AND PINTO

Geiger and Pinto reached unwarranted conclusions regarding changes in learning-style preferences over a two-year period. Problems with the instrument and data analysis require a revision of their conclusions.
Mutants of Arthroderma benhamiae.

The object of these studies was to isolate conditionally lethal mutants of Arthroderma benhamiae whose vegetative growth was temperature sensitive (ts). Three sorts of mutants were derived from nit...
Understanding Minority Households as Consumers of Financial Services

This study examined minority households' financial behavior in the last decade. Data were from the 2001, 2004, and 2007 Survey of Consumer Finances. Chi-square analysis was used to compare the sources of information for making savings and investment decisions and the reasons for saving of Hispanic, African American, and White households. African American and Hispanic households were more likely to save to buy a house or pay for their children's education. African American households were more likely to use the television and the radio as sources of information, whereas Hispanic households were more likely to use the advice of a friend or relative.
Stability of the solid electrolyte Li3OBr to common battery solvents

Abstract Recently a new class of solid lithium ion conductors was reported based on the anti-perovskite structure, notably Li3OCl and Li3OBr. For many beyond lithium-ion battery uses, the solid electrolyte is envisioned to be in direct contact with liquid electrolytes and lithium metal. In this study we evaluated the stability of the Li3OBr phase against common battery solvents electrolytes, including diethylcarbonate (DEC) and dimethylcarbonate (DMC), as well as a LiPF6 containing commercial electrolyte. In contact with battery-grade organic solvents, Li3OBr was typically found to be insoluble but lost its crystallinity and reacted with available protons and in some cases with the solvent. A low temperature heat treatment was able to restore crystallinity of the samples; however evidence of proton ion exchange was conserved.
An experimental investigation of the role of pore fluids on the nonlinear hysteretic behavior of Berea sandstone

Uniaxial stress cycling experiments were conducted on dry, brine saturated and hexadecane saturated Berea sandstone samples to observe the hysteresis in stress-strain diagrams and to understand the influence of different fluids on the strain amplitude dependence of elastic moduli and attenuation. Cycling experiments were also conducted with sandstone samples saturated with CTAB, a cationic surfactant that renders the mineral surfaces hydrophobic. Hexadecane and CTAB was selected to investigate the relative contributions of adhesion hysteresis and stick-slip sliding on attenuation in sedimentary granular rocks. Young`s moduli and Poisson`s ratios obtained from the cycling tests show a significant dependence on strain amplitude on dry as well as water and hexadecane saturated samples. Bow-tie shaped diagrams are obtained when loading and unloading tangent moduli are plotted against strain. The type of fluid in the pore space and at the grain contacts has a large influence on the rock stiffness and hysteresis observed in the stress-strain diagrams but very little effect on the magnitude of attenuation.
Integrated systems: a physician's perspective

Development of fiber optic laser interactive systems that not only deliver the specific frequency wavelength, but have sensing and detection qualities, would complement and expand diagnostic and therapeutic modalities. This capability could allow for measurement of irradiation parameters and consequences quantitatively. The challenge is to find the fertile ground of new concepts to be developed by dedicated pursuit and insistence.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Double-vacancy excitations in selenium

Abstract Discontinuties attributed to the simultaneous creation of two atomic vacancies were detected in the X-ray absorption spectrum of selenium. The energies required for the multielectron transitions were measured and also calculated. Their cross section is about 154±35 times smaller than that of the 1s −1 single excitation.
Generality of Willingness to Take Risks

Intercorrelations were computed among measures of chance risk and interpersonal risk-taking for 120 undergraduate Ss. While low, correlations were in the hypothesized direction, with 6 of 20 exceed...
Defining bar food consumption patterns in United States chain restaurants

Purpose – This paper aims to provide a base line of the types of menu items that are sold in American chain restaurants that have bars. The term “bar food” is defined for these types of foods.Design/methodology/approach – The research method used the internet to collect all data listed in the appetizer section of the menu. Restaurants were also anecdotally coded as to type of restaurant.Findings – There were 66 restaurants with a total of 67 unique bar menu items. The conclusion was that among all restaurants there were very few bar items that appeared on “most” menus. Only four items were statistically greater than 50 percent of all menu items. When restaurants were coded by ethnic type or style the number of common menu items increased.Practical implications – This paper defines bar food and for restaurant managers points out the possibility of using bar food offerings as a differentiating factor relative to competitors.Originality/value – This paper defines bar food and its use in food service.
When ELFs are ORFs, but don't act like them.

Abstract When they are very small, open reading frames (ORFs) are among the most difficult features of a newly sequenced genome to annotate. Although it has been suggested that degree of conservation of these sequences among closely related genomes might assist this process, there are some classes of ORF that will defy identification because little or none of the protein sequence is under selection.
Platelet polyphosphate: an endogenous activator of coagulation factor XII

The clotting cascade has been traditionally divided into the extrinsic, intrinsic and common pathways [1,2]. The extrinsic pathway contains two proteins: a receptor called tissue factor and a zymogen/protease called factor VII/VIIa (FVII/FVIIa). A prothrombin time is determined by the addition of high levels of TF (thromboplastin) and phospholipids to plasma. In vivo, formation of a TF-FVIIa complex initiates the clotting cascade and generates small amounts of thrombin (Fig. 1). Thrombin links the initiation phase of the cascade with the propagation phase by activating various proteases, and the cofactors FV and FVIII, as well as platelets (Fig. 1). The extrinsic pathway is rapidly shut down by tissue factor pathway inhibitor, which inhibits the tissue factor-FVIIa complex in a FXa-dependent manner [3]. The intrinsic pathway has several components (FXII, FXI, FIX and FVIII) (Fig. 1). The pathway is activated at different points by FXIIa (also called Hageman factor), thrombin and the TF-FVIIa complex (Fig. 1). FXIIa activates the clotting cascade by sequential activation of FXIa and FIXa. In the presence of anionic surfaces small amounts of FXIIa are generated by a complex of high molecular weight kininogen and plasma kallikrein (referred to as the plasma contact system). Kaolin is used to activate FXIIa in the activated thromboplastin time assay. Prolongation of the clotting time occurs when there are deficiencies in the intrinsic and common pathways, particularly deficiencies in the hemophilic factors FVIII and FIX. Importantly, in contrast to other factors in the intrinsic pathway, FXII deficiency in humans and mice is not associated with clinical bleeding or obvious pathology [4,5]. This led to speculation that FXII was not involved in coagulation in vivo. Formation of the intrinsic tenase complex (FIXa–FVIIIa) and the prothrombinase complex (FVa–FXa) leads to the generation of large amounts of thrombin and cleavage of fibrinogen to fibrin (Fig. 1).
Amino acid antagonisms in Tetrahymena.

Abstract The response of Tetrahymena pyriformis W to each of the amino acids essential for its growth was tested in media of increased total amino acid concentration. Inhibition occurred in the utilization of all the required amino acids except lysine. Specific interrelationships were found to occur between certain amino acids when tested by increasing the concentration of only one amino acid at a time. Synergistic effects occur when two or more specifically antagonistic amino acids are added to the medium together. Supplying amino acids in the form of peptides had only a small effect on the inhibitions produced by other amino acids.
Explanation and prior knowledge interact to guide learning

How do explaining and prior knowledge contribute to learning? Four experiments explored the relationship between explanation and prior knowledge in category learning. The experiments independently manipulated whether participants were prompted to explain the category membership of study observations and whether category labels were informative in allowing participants to relate prior knowledge to patterns underlying category membership. The experiments revealed a superadditive interaction between explanation and informative labels, with explainers who received informative labels most likely to discover (Experiments 1 and 2) and generalize (Experiments 3 and 4) a pattern consistent with prior knowledge. However, explainers were no more likely than controls to discover multiple patterns (Experiments 1 and 2), indicating that effects of explanation are relatively targeted. We suggest that explanation recruits prior knowledge to assess whether candidate patterns are likely to have broad scope (i.e., to generalize within and beyond study observations). This interpretation is supported by the finding that effects of explanation on prior knowledge were attenuated when learners believed prior knowledge was irrelevant to generalizing category membership (Experiment 4). This research provides evidence that explanation can serve as a mechanism for deploying prior knowledge to assess the scope of observed patterns.
A theory-based approach to understanding condom errors and problems reported by men attending an STI clinic.

The official published version can be accessed from the link below - Copyright @ 2008 Springer Verlag
Partial nephrectomy and radical nephrectomy offer similar cancer outcomes in renal cortical tumors 4 cm or larger.

Abstract Objectives To determine whether the type of surgery (partial nephrectomy [PN] versus radical nephrectomy [RN]) has any effect on cancer outcome for renal cortical tumors 4 cm or larger. PN outcomes for large renal cortical tumors have been shown to be worse than outcomes for smaller tumors, but the upper limit of tumor diameter amenable to PN remains controversial. Methods We identified 33 patients from the Columbia University Comprehensive Urologic Oncology Database who underwent PN between 1988 and 2004 for renal cortical tumors 4 cm or larger. Each was matched with 2 patients undergoing RN on the basis of the tumor diameter. A survival analysis was conducted using the Kaplan-Meier method, and any differences between the two groups were compared using the log-rank test. The Cox regression model was used to determine which variables affected survival. Results The estimated 5-year recurrence-free survival rate was 93.5% for the PN group and 83.3% for the RN group ( P = 0.471). The estimated 5-year disease-specific survival rate was 96.2% for the PN group and 97.8% for the RN group ( P = 0.893). Only tumor diameter had an impact on recurrence-free survival in the univariate ( P = 0.005) and multivariate ( P = 0.008) Cox regression models. Surgical technique had no impact on disease recurrence. Conclusions The results of our study have shown that cancer outcomes after PN do not differ from outcomes after RN for tumors of 4 cm or greater in diameter. The upper limit of 4 cm appears to have been determined arbitrarily. It is no longer advisable to restrict PN to patients with tumors smaller than 4 cm in diameter.
SELECTIVE NITRATION OF PACLITAXEL AND RELATED TAXANES

Abstract Paclitaxel and some of its natural analogues are readily converted to their respective nitrate esters when reacted with nitric acid in acetic anhydride at 25° C in 30 minutes. Under milder conditions. partially esterified products can be prepared. The regioselectivity of these partial nitrations is studied.
Influence of an Fe promoter on silica-supported Pt/SnOx catalysts used for low-temperature CO oxidation

Silica-supported Pt/SnOx catalysts used for low-temperature CO oxidation have been prepared without and with an Fe promoter. Reaction studies demonstrate that the addition of the Fe promoter results in higher catalytic activity in the presence of 8 at% CO2 and a lower decay rate. Ion scattering spectroscopy (ISS) has been used to examine the outermost atomic layers of the promoted and nonpromoted catalysts before and after activation by a reductive pretreatment. The nonpromoted catalyst exhibits agglomeration of the platinized tin oxide film exposing the catalytically inactive silica support. This agglomeration does not occur when Fe is present, and a large catalytically active surface area is maintained during the reduction.
Retinoids modulate the effect of PTH and calcitriol on EGF receptor expression in UMR 106-01 cells.

Although osteoblast proliferation is a prominent feature of osteitis fibrosa, studiesin vitro, using osteoblast-like cells have shown that parathyroid hormone (PTH) impairis cell growth. Recent studies in our laboratory have shown that PTH increases, epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor expression in UMR 106-01 osteoblast-like cells, and thus, osteoblast proliferation may occur as a result of an enhanced response of the osteoblast to EGF. In the present studies we investigated the effect of calcitriol and the influence of retinoids on the regulation of EGF receptors. Calcitriol increased125I-EGF binding 2.5–3-fold after 72 hours of incubation and was maximal at a calcitriol dose of 100 nM. Scatchard analysis showed that this effect was due to increased receptor number. In contrast, all-trans retinoic acid or 9-cis retinoic acid alone, even at 10 μM, caused less than a 50% increase in125I-EGF binding. However, the effect of calcitriol was totally abolished in the presence of all-trans retinoic acid. 9-cis retinoic acid was equivalent with all-trans retinoic acid in this regard. In the presence of either retinoid, the stimulatory effect of PTH was totally eliminated and EGF binding was actually decreased below control values. Additional studies revealed that retinoic acid decreased PTH-stimulated cAMP generation in a dose-dependent manner. These data are consistent with our previous studies which showed that the effect of PTH on the induction of EGF receptors was mediated by a cAMP-dependent mechanism. The inhibition of the calcitriol effect by retinoids is consistent with the requirement of the retinoid-X-receptor (RXR) for binding of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) to its target sequences in DNA. These data indicate that EGF receptors in UMR 106-01 cells are upregulated by PTH and calcitriol and that this process can be modulated by retinoids. Retinoids, therefore, may play a major role in the regulation of osteoblast function by PTH and calcitriol.
Abnormal urinary acidification in infants with hydronephrosis.

Distal renal tubular abnormalities have been observed in patients with dilated urinary tract disorders. The present study was undertaken to look for patterns in urinary acidification in infants with varying degrees of hydronephrosis due to either reflux or obstruction and occurring as unilateral or bilateral disease. Three groups of infants (mean age 3.7±3.8 months) were studied prospectively. Groups IA and IB included patients with hydronephrosis who were acidotic and non-acidotic, respectively. Group II served as controls and consisted of patients with diarrhea and secondary metabolic acidosis with no known renal disease. Serum electrolytes, creatinine, and urine pH were measured in all patients. Urinary titratable acidity, ammonium (NH4), and net acid excretion (NAE) were measured by the titrimetric method. Infants with hydronephrosis demonstrated lower urinary buffering capacity, reflected in low NAE in the face of acidosis. Deficiencies were noted in both titratable acid and NH4 excretion compared with control infants. Acidosis was as common in unilateral as in bilateral disease, regardless of severity score. These data confirm a defect in distal urinary acidification in infants with hydronephrosis, whether unilateral or bilateral. Immaturity and endogenous acid load may play a significant role in the manifestation of metabolic acidosis with unilateral disease.
The rat Tspy is preferentially expressed in elongated spermatids and interacts with the core histones

The testis specific protein Y encoded (TSPY) gene is a tandemly repeated gene on the mammalian Y chromosome. It encodes several slightly variant proteins that harbor a conserved domain of ∼170 amino acids, termed TSPY/SET/NAP1 domain, capable of binding to cyclin B. The human TSPY is preferentially expressed in spermatogonia and to lesser extent in the spermatids. Although rat harbors a single functional Tspy gene on its Y chromosome, the human and rat genes differ in their expression patterns, suggesting that they might serve different or variant functions in the testis. Transcripts of rTspy were first detected in the testis of 28-day-old rats, at which time the first wave of meiotic division was occurring. The rTspy protein was initially detected in stage-9 elongating spermatids and peaked at stage-13 spermatids in adult testis, but not in spermatogonia, unlike the expression pattern of the human TSPY gene. Using a GST pull-down assay, we demonstrated that rTspy could bind to the core histones H2A, H2B, H3, and H4. Rat Tspy co-localized with the histones in the cytoplasm of selected elongated spermatids. Our results suggest that the rTspy may play critical roles as a histone chaperone during maturation of the elongating spermatids in the rat testis.
Knowing the Theaetetus

The brief prologue of the Theaetetus begins with the end of a search, with Terpsion having tracked down Euclides in the streets of Megara, fresh from an encounter with Theaetetus, now homeward bound to Athens and his death. Euclides recounts that this encounter has reminded him of the long-dead Socrates and his ability to discern the talents of others in this case, Theaetetus himself.' He recalls in particular Socrates' retelling of a remarkable philosophical conversation with Theaetetus (very near the time of Socrates' own death; 210d) that left Socrates with such a profound sense of the youth's impressive intellectual abilities that he prophesied they would be hearing further good things of him. But here, right at the outset and before the complex argumentation that follows, Plato also implicitly reminds us of Socrates' own considerable talents. First, and as usual (142c), Socrates has proven to be a sound prophet: Theaetetus did go on to fulfill his promise by becoming a major contributor to the field of mathematical knowledge. It also happens that Socrates' report of his conversation was significant enough for Euclides to have preserved his memory of it by creating a written account, checking and rechecking his text with Socrates because of the difficulty of remembering accurately Socrates' report. In this way we are subtly informed that Socrates is a touch-stone of philosophical memory, and intelligence as well: for once into the dialogue proper, Theaetetus' teacher, Theodorus, connects good memory with quickness of mind in praising Theaetetus (144a-b). Finally, this exchange serves to explain with biting humor why we are not to be surprised when Theodorus begs off Socrates' invitation to serve as the interlocutor in the upcoming discussion, offering up Theaetetus as a youthful substitute. For just after Theodorus makes this connection of memory with intelligence it turns out that elder thinker that he is he cannot remember the name of Theaetetus' father even though he has heard it before (144c).2 Socrates, on the other hand, when first seeing Theaete-