cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Urate Excretion by the Isolated Perfused Rat Kidney and Modification by Drugs

Urate excretion in the isolated perfused rat kidney was studied over a wide range of perfusate urate concentrations (13.9-376.8 microM). Fractional excretion of urate (FEurate) averaged 57.9 +/- 2.0% (range, 58.5-59.6%), showed marked interanimal variability, but was not dependent on the perfusate-free urate concentration. In paired experiments, the effects of five drugs (probenecid, pyrazinoate, furosemide, salicylate, and oxonate) on FEurate were evaluated. A low concentration of pyrazinoate (0.2 mM) decreased FEurate (62.0 +/- 1.9 vs 53.8 +/- 2.4%, P less than 0.05), as did 0.8 mM pyrazinoate (59.5 +/- 2.4 vs 48.4 +/- 2.7%, P less than 0.05). Probenecid (1 mM) decreased FEurate (59.3 +/- 3.1 vs 52.0 +/- 2.5%, P less than 0.05) but 2.5 mM probenecid did not alter FEurate (48.0 +/- 6.3 vs 47.8 +/- 6.9%). Oxonate (0.1 mM) also decreased FEurate (75.8 +/- 4.2 vs 67.1 +/- 2.1%, P less than 0.05) while 0.2 mM oxonate had no effect (66.4 +/- 3.5 vs 61.5 +/- 4.6%). Neither salicylate nor furosemide affected FEurate, although both drugs caused a saliuresis and diuresis. Thus, urate transport in rat kidneys in vitro is not dependent on urate concentration, unlike man. Some drugs known to affect urate excretion in humans and rats did not have similar effects in isolated kidneys. Isolated organ studies provide additional information is understanding renal urate handling.
Grandchildren and grandparents : roles, influences, and relationships

This study explored the significance of grandparents in the lives of young adult grandchildren. A convenience sample of 142 college students completed a questionnaire that examined four areas: frequency of activities, value development, relationship solidarity, and role conception. While current interactions with grandparents were infrequent, grandchildren did perceive their grandparents, and grandmothers in particular, as influential in their value development. Grandchildren reported stronger relationships with grandmothers than with grandfathers. Differences in participation, value development, and relationships were also found according to the role in which grandchildren conceptualized grandparents. Discussion centers on the factors that may have influenced grandchildren's perceptions and interactions with grandparents.
Biochemical evaluation of a parsley tyrosine decarboxylase results in a novel 4-hydroxyphenylacetaldehyde synthase enzyme.

Abstract Plant aromatic amino acid decarboxylases (AAADs) are effectively indistinguishable from plant aromatic acetaldehyde syntheses (AASs) through primary sequence comparison. Spectroscopic analyses of several characterized AASs and AAADs were performed to look for absorbance spectral identifiers. Although this limited survey proved inconclusive, the resulting work enabled the reevaluation of several characterized plant AAS and AAAD enzymes. Upon completion, a previously reported parsley AAAD protein was demonstrated to have AAS activity. Substrate specificity tests demonstrate that this novel AAS enzyme has a unique substrate specificity towards tyrosine (km 0.46 mM) and dopa (km 1.40 mM). Metabolite analysis established the abundance of tyrosine and absence of dopa in parsley extracts. Such analysis indicates that tyrosine is likely to be the sole physiological substrate. The resulting information suggests that this gene is responsible for the in vivo production of 4-hydroxyphenylacetaldehyde (4-HPAA). This is the first reported case of an AAS enzyme utilizing tyrosine as a primary substrate and the first report of a single enzyme capable of producing 4-HPAA from tyrosine.
Behavioural and Breeding-Habitat Related Aspects of Sperm Competition in Razorbills

I observed razorbill copulation behaviour to examine the ability of males to assure their paternity in the presence of sperm competition. While males in colonial species are generally unable to guard their mates throughout the female's fertile period, male razorbills suffered a special problem in that females actively sought extra-pair copulations (EPCs) and did so in two separate locations, the colony and ledges outside the colony called "mating arenas". Most within-pair and extra-pair copulations were performed in the mating arenas (74% and 82%, respectively). Individuals were consistent in their attendance in one of the two arenas, depending upon the accessibility of the breeding site from the arena, and the attendance of other individuals from the same sub-colony. Individuals were also consistent in their occupation of specific sites within the arenas, and usually attended these sites between years. Attendance in the relatively small arenas brought individuals from the sparser colony into much closer proximity than when they attended their nesting sites. The higher density in the arenas was associated with females receiving EPC attempts three times more frequently upon arrival in the arenas than in the colony. Females resisted most EPC attempts, but a high proportion (50%) of females accepted at least one EPC prior to egg-laying. Mating arena attendance by males was aimed at obtaining EPCs when their mates were absent, and at attempting to assure their paternity when their mates were present. Paternity assurance was accomplished by a) inhibiting their mates from accepting EPCs, b) depriving other males access to the female, and c) copulating with the female frequently. Males did not guard their mates effectively in that they were absent from the mating arenas during a large proportion (34%) of their mates' arrivals. The principal male strategy for gaining paternity assurance was apparently to attempt frequent copulations with their mates. Males achieved cloacal contact (and presumably insemination) with their mates approximately 80 times during the 30 days preceding the laying of the single egg, and the number of days males attended the arenas was positively correlated with the number of
Thymic carcinoma with rhabdoid features.

Abstract A case of thymic carcinoma with rhabdoid differentiation is presented. A 67-year-old man who presented with chest pain and hemoptysis was referred to The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center (Houston, TX). Radiologic studies revealed a large anterior mediastinal mass. After the initial biopsy and preoperative chemotherapy, a radical thymectomy revealed a stage III thymic carcinoma with a rhabdoid component. The rhabdoid component was characterized by large cells with an eccentric nucleus, prominent nucleolus, and typical paranuclear cytoplasmic inclusions. Immunohistochemical and electron microscopic studies confirmed the presence of rhabdoid cells with the paranuclear cytoplasmic inclusions staining for both pancytokeratin and vimentin. The patient was given postoperative chemotherapy and radiation. He has since developed metastases to the pelvis and is alive with disease at 20 months of follow-up. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of thymic carcinoma with rhabdoid features. Ann Diagn Pathol 7: 106-111, 2003.
Synaptic Refractory Period Provides a Measure of Probability of Release in the Hippocampus

Despite extensive research, much controversy remains regarding the locus of expression of long-term potentiation (LTP) in area CA1 of the hippocampus, specifically, whether LTP is accompanied by an increase in the probability of release (p(r)) of synaptic vesicles. We have developed a novel method for assaying p(r), which utilizes the synaptic refractory period--a brief 5-6 ms period following release during which the synapse is incapable of transmission (Stevens and Wang, 1995). We show that this assay is sensitive to a battery of manipulations that affect p(r) but find no change following either NMDA receptor-dependent LTP or long-term depression (LTD).
Local injection of dsRNA targeting calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CLR) ameliorates Clostridium difficile toxin A-induced ileitis

Enteritis caused by Clostridium difficile toxin (Tx) is a nosocomial disease of increasing clinical concern, but the local mediators of C. difficile TxA inflammation are unknown. The potent vasodilator calcitonin gene-related peptide mediates neurogenic inflammation via the calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CLR). Here we examined the ileum-specific effects of reducing CLR on TxA ileitis by local preinjection of double-stranded RNAs. Treatment with CLR dsRNA for 7 d decreased CLR immunoreactivity, whereas treatment with non-CLR dsRNA did not. Subsequent injection of TxA in the same location increased CLR in rats treated with non-CLR dsRNA but not in rats treated with CLR dsRNA, documenting that local injection of dsRNA is effective in preventing the increase in CLR immunoreactivity in response to local TxA. After non-CLR dsRNA pretreatment, TxA induced robust intestinal secretion, myeloperoxidase activity, and histopathologic indications of inflammation including epithelial damage, congestion, neutrophil infiltration, loss of mucin from goblet cells, and increase in mast cell numbers. After CLR dsRNA pretreatment, TxA-induced changes in intestinal secretion and histopathologic inflammation were improved, including normal mucin staining and fewer resident mast cells. Loss of CLR prevented TxA-mediated activation of NF-κB and concomitant increases in pERK1/2 and TNF-α mRNA. Locally produced CLR plays a proinflammatory role in TxA ileitis via MAPK signaling and TNF-α. The results reported here strongly suggest that a local injection of dsRNA targeting CLR could be an effective local therapeutic approach at the inflammation site in the treatment of a growing, clinically relevant hospital-acquired disease, C. difficile infection.
Evaluations of fractal geometry and invariant moments for shape classification of corn germplasm

Abstract Computer vision-based techniques were developed and evaluated for classifying different shapes of germplasms (ear of corn). An algorithm was developed to discriminate round-shaped germplasms based on two features, i.e. circularity and dimensional ratio. Two different approaches based on fractal geometry and higher order invariant moments were used for classification of non-round shaped germplasms. In the fractal-based approach, two additional fractal geometry-based features (i.e. fractal-shape factor and fractal perimeter) were developed and used with fractal dimension and aspect ratio to represent the shape features of the germplasms. Classifications rules based on modified Euclidean measures and distance weighted K -nearest neighborhood were used for classifying the germplasms into one of three non-round-shape classes (cylindrical, cylindrical-conical and conical). Though the overall correspondence for classifying non-round germplasms was 60% (based on 80 samples), a maximum correspondence of 80% could be obtained for classifying cylindrical germplasms (based on 18 samples). Neither method could provide similar classification correspondence for cylindrical-conical germplasms. On the other hand, these methods, however, showed a correspondence of 82.5% for classifying non-round corn germplasms into cylindrical and non-cylindrical (conical and cylindrical-conical) shapes.
Husserl's Fifth Meditation and the Phenomenological Sociology of Alfred Schutz

AbstractIn his Fifth Meditation, Husserl appears to confront the problem of solipsism. As a number of commentators have suggested, however, since it arises from within phenomenology itself and the existence of the other is never in doubt, it is not a solipsism in the traditional Cartesian sense. Alfred Schutz, however, appears to understand Husserl's inquiry in precisely these terms. As such, his critical discussions of the Fifth Meditation, as well as his subsequent rejection of transcendental philosophy, might not be well-founded. Yet in spite of this misconstrual, Schutz's criticisms do highlight the problematic relationship between subjectivity and intersubjectivity in Husserl's late phenomenology, and albeit misplaced, ironically, his rejection of the Fifth Meditation forms a coherent response to Husserl's call for a “science of the life-world.” Intersubjectivity, Schutz concludes, must be assumed as a basis for phenomenological investigation rather than derived as a result of philosophical inquiry. ...
Gene expression profiles as markers of aggressive disease-EGFR as a factor.

We previously reported that 43 (58%) of 75 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) tumors harbor increased epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene copy numbers as determined by fluorescent in situ hybridization. In this study, an increased EGFR copy number was associated with decreased progression-free survival and overall survival of HNSCC patients. However, activated EGFR protein levels are difficult to quantify by immunohistochemistry and are subject to dynamic regulation, specifically receptor downregulation on ligand binding. Therefore, we generated an activated EGFR gene expression signature in an in vitro HaCaT keratinocyte model system to further study genes involved in the EGFR signaling pathway in HNSCC. The results from this model system have suggested that the activated EGFR signature might reflect the activated state of the EGFR pathway in human HNSCC tumors and that it is associated with the increased EGFR gene copy number by fluorescent in situ hybridization. Furthermore, the activated EGFR signature has provided additional leads, because they are related to co-regulated molecular pathways and associated gene products on activation of EGFR. These could be exploited to refine and optimize combination therapies to be used in conjunction with available EGFR inhibitors in individual HNSCC patients.
An Oxygen Isotope Model for the Composition of Mars

Abstract We derive the bulk chemical composition, physical properties, and trace element abundances of Mars from two assumptions: (1) Mars is the parent body for the Shergottite–Nakhlite–Chassignite (SNC) meteorites, and (2) the oxygen isotopic composition of Mars was determined by the oxygen isotopic compositions of the different types of nebular material that accreted to form Mars. We use oxygen isotopes to constrain planetary bulk compositions because oxygen is generally the most abundant element in rock, and is either the first or second (after iron) most abundant element in any terrestrial planet, the Moon, other rocky satellites, and the asteroids. The oxygen isotopic composition of Mars, calculated from oxygen isotopic analyses of the SNC meteorites, corresponds to the accretion of about 85% H-, 11% CV-, and 4% CI-chondritic material. (Unless noted otherwise, mass percentages are used in this paper.) The bulk composition of Mars follows from mass balance calculations using mean compositions for these chondrite groups. We predict that silicates (mantle + crust) comprise about 80% of Mars. The composition of the silicate fraction represents the composition of the primordial martian mantle prior to crustal formation. The FeO content of the mantle is 17.2%. A metal–sulfide core, containing about 10.6% S, makes up the remaining 20% of the planet. Our bulk composition is similar to those from other models. We calculate the abundances of siderophile (“metal-loving”) and chalcophile (“sulfide-loving”) elements in the martian mantle from the bulk composition using (metal–sulfide)/silicate partition coefficients. Our results generally agree with predictions of the SNC meteorite model of Wanke and Dreibus for the composition of Mars. However, we predict higher abundances for the alkalis and halogens than those derived from SNC meteorite models for Mars. The apparent discrepancy indicates that the alkalis and halogens were lost from the martian mantle by hydrothermal leaching and/or vaporization during accretion. Geochemical arguments suggest that vaporization was only a minor loss process for these elements. On the other hand, aqueous transport of the alkalis and halogens to the surface is supported by the terrestrial geochemistry of these elements and the high K, Rb, Cl, and Br abundances found by the Viking XRF and Phobos gamma ray experiments on the surface of Mars.
Putting knowledge in its place: virtue, value, and the internalism/externalism debate

Traditionally, the debate between epistemological internalists and externalists has centered on the value of knowledge and its justification. A “value pluralist,” virtue-theoretic approach to epistemology allows us to accept what I shall call the “insight of externalism” while still acknowledging the importance of internalists’ insistence on the value of reflection. Intellectual virtue can function as the unifying consideration in a study of a host of epistemic values, including understanding, wisdom, and what I call “articulate reflection.” Each of these epistemic values is a good internal to inquiry. Thus, an inquiry-based conception of virtue is particularly well suited to help us account for a wide variety of epistemic goods, without reducing the value of those many goods to their contribution to the value of knowledge. Moreover, an inquiry-based conception of virtue can function as the unifying consideration in a general study of value, the scope of which is not restricted to epistemic value.
Network topology and subgap resonances observed by Fourier transform scanning tunnelling microscopy of cuprate high-temperature superconductors

Fourier transform scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) on Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+ δ (BSCCO) subgap resonances has deciphered an octet of ‘quasiparticle’ states that are consistent with the Fermi surface and energy gap observed by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES), but the origin of the high-intensity k-space octets and the sharply defined r-space chequerboard is unexplained. The filamentary ferroelastic nanodomain model that predicted the r-space chequerboard also explains the k-space octets and the origin of the apparent anisotropic surface d-wave gap by using strong electron–phonon interactions outside the CuO2 planes. The topological model identifies the factors that stabilize high-intensity k-space octets in the presence of a very high level of irregular r-space chequerboard noise.
Framing Effect in Decision Making in Wildland Fire Safety Officers

Two studies were conducted to investigate factors influencing decision making in fire safety officers. In Experiment 1, 59 fire safety officers and trainees, and 24 undergraduate students read decision scenarios. For each scenario, participants were required to chose one of two possible outcomes, a sure thing or a gamble. All scenarios were framed both positively, in terms of gains, and negatively, in terms of losses. It was hypothesized that safety officers and trainees would be more risk aversive in their decision making than other populations. It was also hypothesized that participants would be risk aversive in the positive frame and risk seeking in the negative frame. The results showed no significant difference between groups. However, there was a significant main effect for frame. Further analysis revealed a significant Frame x Scenario interaction. Varying resources and probabilities in the scenarios made conclusions regarding this interaction impossible. Experiment 2 was conducted to determine if ...
Sensitivity analysis of voltage sag based fault location algorithm

In this paper, the global, variance-based, sensitivity analysis is used to quantify the impact of measurement imperfections on voltage sag based fault location. This kind of fault location requires voltage phasor information from meters to be compared to simulated cases in order to locate faults. However, meters are prone to measurement imperfections. It is therefore critical that the impact of measurement imperfections, such as measurement and loading errors, are fully assessed to account for uncertainty in algorithm inputs. Sensitivity analysis was used to attribute responsibility for uncertainty in fault location to uncertainty in the inputs of the fault location algorithm. The results demonstrate that the single most detrimental factor to precise fault location is large fault resistance, both alone and in combination with other factors. Although accurately deduced by the algorithm, other impacts of this fault feature adversely impact accuracy.
Determining the Collateral Effects of Peer Tutor Training on a Student with Severe Disabilities.

In one experiment and two case studies, we evaluated the impact of training peer tutors without disabilities to provide effective instructional procedures with a student with severe disabilities who exhibited aberrant behaviors in the classroom. Peer tutors received training on how to provide appropriate commands and specific praise statements, as well as to decrease negative statements. In the experiment, two peer tutors were taught these skills in a multiple baseline design. Two case studies further clarified the impact of the peer tutor training. In Case Study 1, one peer tutor received training on the three skills concurrently and data were assessed in an AB design. In Case Study 2, one peer tutor was trained prior to working with the student to determine if a peer tutor who had no prior history with the student could work effectively with minimal disruptions from the onset. Data were also measured on the student's aberrant behaviors and his compliance before, during, and after training the peer tutor...
Dynamic Analysis of Shipping Cask Subjected to Sequential Bolt Preload and Impact Loads

This paper presents an improved methodology for evaluating the dynamic responses of shipping casks subjected to the sequential HAC impact loads. The methodology utilizes the import technique of the finite-element mesh and the analytical results form one dynamic analysis using explicit numerical integration scheme into another dynamic analysis also using explicit numerical integration scheme. The new methodology presented herein has several advantages over conventional methods. An example problem is analyzed to illustrate the application of the present methodology in evaluating the structural responses of a shipping cask to the sequential HAC loading.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Calculation of Turbulent Boundary Layer for a Slot Jet Impingement on a Flat Surface

The objective of this study is to characterize flow parameters for two-dimensional turbulent jets impinging on a flat surface. An integral form of the momentum equation has been used to obtain a hydrodynamic solution. The boundary layer was divided into three regions, stagnation zone, developing zone and fully developed zone for free-surface and free shear, and into two regions, stagnation and wall jet zone for submerged jet configurations. A nonlinear ordinary differential equation has been obtained for frictional velocity at each zone using a logarithmic velocity profile with Coles’s law of the wake and solved numerically to predict wall shear stress as well as boundary layer and momentum thicknesses. The proposed method is more straightforward and computationally less expensive in calculating the main flow parameters as compared to turbulent flow models such as RANS and LES. Predicted wall shear stresses for a submerged jet were compared to experimental data for different cases and showed agreement with experimental data.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Simultaneous Measurements of Deep Tissue Blood Flow and Oxygenation using Noncontact Diffuse Correlation Spectroscopy Flow-oximeter

To avoid hemodynamic distortions induced by the probe-tissue contact, we developed and validated a novel noncontact diffuse correlation spectroscopy flow-oximeter for simultaneous measurements of deep tissue blood flow and oxygenation variations.
Muscular spasms and death in thyroparathyroidectomized rats subjected to pinealectomy.

Abstract If rats were thyroparathyroidectomized when 24 to 25 days of age and were later (10 to 21 days) pinealectomized, all animals experienced severe convulsive attacks and most of them died within 14 hours. Sham thyroparathyroidectomized rats that were subjected to pinealectomy exhibited no similar convulsive episodes nor did they die. Thyroparathyroidectomy caused the anticipated decrease in serum calcium levels but had no influence on serum sodium, potassium or magnesium concentrations. Pinealectomy was followed by a slight elevation in serum potassium levels regardless of the status of the thyroparathyroid gland complex. Pineal removal did not influence the serum levels of either sodium, calcium or magnesium.
Predicting unplanned hospitalizations in persons with spinal cord injury

Abstract A cross-sectional study of 2,305 persons enrolled in the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center data set was conducted to identify risk factors for unplanned rehospitalizations during the most recent follow-up year. All injuries occurred between 1986 and 1992. Stepwise multiple logistic regression was used to assess the effect of each risk factor on the likelihood of rehospitalization. Overall, 26% of persons were hospitalized during the most recent follow-up year. Risk of rehospitalization declined 13% for each successive year postinjury ( p
Numerical simulation of life cycles of advection warm fog

The formation, development and dissipation of advection warm fog is investigated. The equations employed in the model include the equation of continuity, momentum and energy for the descriptions of density, wind component and potential temperature, respectively, together with two diffusion equations for the modification of water-vapor mixing ratio and liquid-water mixing ratios. A description of the vertical turbulent transfer of heat, moisture and momentum has been taken into consideration. The turbulent exchange coefficients adopted in the model are based on empirical flux-gradient relations.
Integrated Treatment of Substance Use and Psychiatric Disorders

Epidemiological studies find that psychiatric disorders, including mental disorders and substance use disorders, are common among adults and highly comorbid. Integrated treatment refers to the focus of treatment on two or more conditions and to the use of multiple treatments such as the combination of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy. Integrated treatment for comorbidity has been found to be consistently superior compared to treatment of individual disorders with separate treatment plans. This article focuses on a review of the risks for developing comorbid disorders and the combinations of treatments that appear to be most effective for clients with particular comorbid disorders.
Neural‐network modeling and optimization of induced foreign protein production

An experimental verification and validation of the neural network parameter function approach to modeling dynamic systems is provided. The neural-network parameter-function modeling scheme utilizes some a priori process knowledge (usually material balances) and experimental data to develop a dynamic neural-network model. Other models based on fundamental principles are also developed. The experimental system under consideration is the host-vector system Escherichia coli D1210 and plasmid pSD8, which produces the foreign protein β-galactosidase under the effect of the inducer IPTG. Optimal operational conditions are derived and the neural-network-based model is shown to better predict the dynamics and optimum for protein production than the proposed fundamental kinetic models.
The RNA polymerase III transcription initiation factor TFIIIB participates in two steps of promoter opening.

Evidence for post-recruitment functions of yeast transcription factor (TF)IIIB in initiation of transcription was first provided by the properties of TFIIIB–RNA polymerase III–promoter complexes assembled with deletion mutants of its Brf and B” subunits that are transcriptionally inactive because they fail to open the promoter. The experiments presented here show that these defects can be repaired by unpairing short (3 or 5 bp) DNA segments spanning the transcription bubble of the open promoter complex. Analysis of this suppression phenomenon indicates that TFIIIB participates in two steps of promoter opening by RNA polymerase III that are comparable to the successive steps of promoter opening by bacterial RNA polymerase holoenzyme. B” deletions between amino acids 355 and 421 interfere with the initiating step of DNA strand separation at the upstream end of the transcription bubble. Removing an N-terminal domain of Brf interferes with downstream propagation of the transcription bubble to and beyond the transcriptional start site.
Associations between patient-provider communication and socio-cultural factors in prostate cancer patients: a cross-sectional evaluation of racial differences.

Abstract Objective To examine the association between socio-cultural factors and patient–provider communication and related racial differences. Methods Data analysis included 1854 men with prostate cancer from a population-based study. Participants completed an assessment of communication variables, physician trust, perceived racism, religious beliefs, traditional health beliefs, and health literacy. A multi-group structural equation modeling approach was used to address the research aims. Results Compared with African Americans, Caucasian Americans had significantly greater mean scores of interpersonal treatment ( p p p p values p -values p Conclusion Socio-cultural factors are associated with patient–provider communication among men with cancer. No evidence supported associations differed by race. Practice implication To facilitate patient–provider communication during prostate cancer care, providers need to be aware of patient education levels, engage in behaviors that enhance trust, treat patients equally, respect religious beliefs, and reduce the difficulty level of the information.
Proteomic analysis of urinary fibrinogen degradation products in patients with urothelial carcinomas

Despite many years of research efforts and continued progress in the identification of urine markers for detection of bladder cancer, none of the markers described to date has been able to replace cystoscopy and urine cytology, the current gold standards for diagnosis. Here, we present a comprehensive gel-based proteomic study in which we have analyzed the presence and origin of fibrinogen (FG) and its degradation products (FDPs) in the urine of patients with and without urothelial carcinoma (UCs), with the aim of evaluating the potential of two-dimensional (2D) gel FDP profiling for detecting bladder cancer. A total of 151 urine samples collected from patients with Ucs of varying degrees of atypia and stages of invasion were compared with a control group consisting of 34 healthy volunteers with no clinical history of bladder cancer. The level and degree of degradation of FG in the urine were determined by 2D gel Western blotting in combination with enhanced chemilumenscence detection. Elevated levels of urine FG/FDPs were found in 99% of patients bearing superficial tumors, in 97% of the cases with early invasive disease, and in 96% of patients with highly invasive tumors. 2D gel profiling of urine FG/FDPs showed that the FG chains exhibited differential susceptibility to in situ proteolysis, with the α-chain being the most susceptible and the γ-chain the most resistant. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry identified peptide sequence regions in several of the most representative and common FDPs, which can be of value for producing novel specific antibodies to detect FG/FDPs in the urine. In addition, we present evidence indicating that FG is not produced by normal or malignant urothelium, although it is present both in the stroma of malignant tissue and tumor lesions. Taken together, the data indicate that increased levels of FG/FDPs amounts in the urine are a characteristic feature of bladder cancer, and emphasize the value of 2D gel profiling of urine FG/FDPs for detecting low-grade, noninvasive UCs.
Transmission of Solid Particulates Using a Two-Phase Medium

The ability of water to hold solid particulate matter in suspension, together with its fluidity, makes it a desirable medium for use in the transportation of solid material in slurry pipelines. However in some areas, the vase amount of water required for this type of system may not be readily available. Presented in this paper is a discussion of the technical and economic advantages of a slurry transport system, in which foam is used as the transport medium. Also included are the results of an experimental investigation designed to determine the feasibility and transport capacity of such a system. The results of the experimental investigation indicate that the use of foam in the transport of solid particulate material is technically sound, economically attractive and environmentally acceptable.
Management of gallbladder cancer.

EPIDEMIOLOGY AND RISK FACTORS Gallbladder cancer (GBCA) is the fifth most common gastrointestinal cancer and the most common biliary tract malignancy in the United States, with an incidence of 1.2 per 100,000 persons per year. 1 Because of its tendency to present at an advanced stage, it has historically been considered an incurable disease with a dismal prognosis. In appropriately selected cases, radical surgery is possible and offers some patients a chance at long-term survival. Despite this, in the majority of cases, the outcomes of patients with advanced GBCA remain poor. 2 There are many known risk factors for GBCA, including cholelithiasis, obesity, multiparity, and typhoid fever. 3–7 In addition, there are geographic variations in the prevalence of the disease, with rates highest in Chile, India, Israel, Poland, and Japan. In the United States, the disease prevails in Native American women from New Mexico. 6 Gallstones are present in the majority of patients; however, the relationship between causation and association is unclear. In some cases of GBCA, a focus of cancer may be found in a gallbladder adenomatous polyp; however, in the majority of cases, small polyps of the gallbladder do not harbor malignancy and are non-neoplastic and may be simply observed. 8–11 Polyps greater than 1 cm, those arising in the setting of primary sclerosing cholangitis, or those discovered in patients older than 50 years of age are more likely to harbor cancers and, therefore, should be treated with cholecystectomy if a patient is an appropriate candidate for surgery. 12
Metabolic effects of pivalate in isolated rat hepatocytes.

Pivalate (trimethylacetic acid) administration in humans or rat has been reported to cause metabolic changes and increased urinary carnitine excretion secondary to pivaloylcarnitine generation. As pivaloylcarnitine formation is dependent on intra-cellular activation of pivalate, the effects of pivalate on cellular coenzyme A and acyl-CoA contents and oxidative metabolism were defined using isolated rat hepatocytes. During incubations with pivalate (1.0 mm), hepatocyte coenzyme A content fell to <0.05 nmol/106 cells (vs 0.97 nmol/106 cells in the absence of pivalate) as pivaloyl-CoA accumulated. Pivalate (5 mm) inhibited 14CO2 generation from 10 mm [1-14C]pyruvate by 34%, but had no effect on 0.8 mm [1-14C]palmitate oxidation. Pivaloyl-CoA was a substrate for hepatocyte carnitine acyltransferase activity, but supported acylcarnitine formation at rates only 10–20% of those observed with equimolar acetyl-CoA or isovaleryl-CoA as substrates. Thus, hepatocytes activate pivalate to pivaloyl-CoA, which can then be used as a substrate for pivaloylcarnitine formation. The sequestration of hepatocyte coenzyme A as pivaloyl-CoA is associated with inhibition of pyruvate oxidation. As with other organic carboxylic acids, activation of pivalate to the coenzyme A thioester is an important aspect in the biochemical toxicology of the compound.
Teaching water resources policy to university science and engineering students : Opportunities and challenges

: Effectively teaching water resources policy to university science and engineering students is both important and difficult. Most careers in the water resources field require an understanding of the comprehensive governmental regulatory structure affecting water use. Also, few science and engineering curricula encourage their students to take policy courses. Successful approaches to teaching water resources policy might include epistemological comparisons, case studies, issue maps, and interactive simulations. Obstacles to the effective teaching of this subject include students' insufficient preparation and student disdain and cynicism. These obstacles may be mitigated by requiring a prerequisite, developing a glossary of policy-related terms, and introducing the course through lectures emphasizing realistic views of the water resources management field and the nature of the American political system.
Surface energy calculations for muscovite

MUSCOVITE, KAl2 (Si3Al)O10 (OH)2, has cleavage properties which make it suitable for studying phenomena which occur on surfaces and interfaces. The excellent cleavage produces surfaces which will readhere with the same or nearly the same strength1–3, and which can be molecularly smooth over large areas4. Experimental results indicate that the attraction across the (001) cleavage is greatest in a vacuum and becomes less in air or various other media, and there is evidence that the rate of cleavage influences the strength of attraction5.
Pigeons' performance under differential reinforcement of low rate schedules depends upon the operant☆☆☆

Abstract Pigeons were reinforced with grain for pecking a key or depressing a foot treadle according to differential reinforcement of low rate (DRL) schedules. Birds which depressed a treadle performed efficiently on DRL schedules as high as DRL 35-sec; while birds reinforced for keypecking showed low efficiency under DRL 14-sec. While treadle pressing and keypecking differ along a number of dimensions (including force requirement of the operant and differences in temporal distributions of responses), the present results are consistent with an interpretation based on differences in the degree to which these two responses are elicited by periodic presentations of food.
The Relationship of Functional Independence to Assistive Device Use of Elderly Persons Living at Home

This study explored the relationship between use of assistive devices and functional independence for noninstitutionalized elderly. Predictors of functional independence (including age, sex, educat...
Telecommunication network analysis with COMNET II.5

COMNET II.5 is a general SIMSCRIPT II.5-based model for the performance analysis of circuit-switched, message-switched, or packet-switched networks. A variety of altemate-routing and adaptive shortest-path routing algorithms are built-in. After creating a network description with a convenient menu-driven editor, simulation follows immediately. There are no programming delays. Network operation is animated during the simulation. Reports show blocking probabilities, call queueing and packet delays, network throughput, link group utilization, and link group queue statistics. This paper highlights some of COMNET II.5's latest features, which include capabilities for modeling call preemption, call retries, dynamic bandwidth allocation, link failures, and source-node routing.
Wake of a Compressor Cascade with Tip Gap, Part 3: Two Point Statistics

Velocity spectra and space-time correlations have been measured downstream of a low-speed linear compressor cascade with tip gap. The objective of this work is an improved understanding of the coherent turbulence structures present in fan-tip wakes and of the turbulent source terms responsible for broadband stator noise
Transcriptional Regulation of Salivary Proline‐rich Protein Gene Expressiona

Mechanisms governing gene expression and regulation in eukaryotes are remarkably complex. The results from in vivo transgenic and in vitro transfection studies designed to identify cis-element(s) and trans-factor(s) associated with the salivary proline-rich proteins (PRPs) gene expression are utilized as a paradigm to discuss the regulation of salivary-specific gene expression. Particular attention is given to the molecular mechanism(s) underlying the salivary PRP R15 gene regulation. In rodents, the PRPs are selectively expressed in the acinar cells of salivary glands, and are inducible by the beta-agonist isoproterenol as well as by dietary tannins. The results from a series of experiments using chimeric reporter constructs containing different lengths of the R15 distal enhancer region, their mutations, and various expressing constructs are analyzed and discussed. These data suggest that the inducible nuclear orphan receptor NGFI-B may participate in the regulation of salivary acinar cell-specific and inducible expression of the rat R15 gene via three distinct distal NGFI-B sites. Taken together, a model for the induction of R15 gene expression by isoproterenol is proposed. However, the exact molecular basis of this NGFI-B-mediated transactivation of cAMP-regulated R15 expression remains to be established.
Abstract P4-15-07: MicroRNA signature of breast cancer brain metastasis for novel targeted therapies

Rationale: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are recently described novel small non-coding endogenous RNAs which critically regulate cancer progression, invasion and metastasis. Altered expression of miRNAs has been proposed to control the invasive capability of cancer cells. Modulating altered miRNAs is a novel approach for targeted therapy for cancer. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the US. Breast cancer-related mortality and morbidity are primarily due to metastatic disease especially brain metastasis which also impacts patients’ quality of life. Molecular mechanisms of brain metastasis of breast cancer are largely unknown. Study Objectives: Identifying molecular miRNA signatures in breast cancers which metastasize to the brain can assist in designing novel targeted therapies to prevent and eliminate brain metastasis. Design: RNA was extracted from formalin fixed paraffin embedded tumor tissues from a cohort of breast cancer patients with brain metastasis, and age, stage and follow-up matched breast cancer cases without brain metastasis. miRNA expression profiling was done using EQIXON microarray. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to validate abnormal expression of miRNAs. Data was statistically analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis test to determine the clinical significance of the findings. Results: Over 2000 unique miRNA sequences were profiled in each case. The upregulated miRNAs included miR-3927-5p, miR-216b and miR-10b and the down regulated miRNAs were miR-4280, miR-3174 and miR-1244 and miR20b. Validation of the deregulated miRNAs by q RT-PCR showed statistically significant difference in the expression levels in the breast cancers with brain metastasis compared to breast cancers without brain metastasis (Kruskal-Wallis test; p < 0.001). Conclusions: A unique set of miRNAs were deregulated in breast cancers with brain metastasis. This panel of altered miRNAs have clinical relevance since they can be silenced by antagomirs (chemically modified anti-miRNA oligonucleotides) to treat and prevent brain metastasis. These molecular microRNA signature-based novel targeted prophylactic and therapeutic strategies could improve patients’ quality of life and overall survival in the era of personalized and precision medicine. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P4-15-07.
THE SIMPLEX FLICKER THRESHOLD CONTOUR FOR THE ZEBRA FINCH

The flicker response contour has been determined, with equality of light-dark time ratio, for the diurnal bird the Australian zebra finch. This bird has only cones in the retina. The curve of log critical intensity as a function of flash frequency is simplex, a normal probability integral. In this respect it is like that for other vertebrates not exhibiting visual duplexity. The parameters of the curve most closely approach those for the turtle Pseudemys (extrapolated to about the same temperature); it is not improbable that the approximation of these two curves would be less close for other values of the light-time fraction. Some points of interpretive visual theory are discussed in relation to the present measurements.
Thermomechanical fracture on pressurized cylindrical vessels

This work studies the rapid fracture developed on the surface of a pressurized cylindrical vessel when heated by an intensified energy source. The primary concerns are the interactions between the rapid thermal expansion and the internal pressure that exerts on the interior surface. From a mechanical point of view, the thermal loading tends to develop a crack along the circumferential direction of the cylindrical vessel. The excessive internal pressure established within the cylindrical vessel, on the other hand, tends to develop a crack in the axial direction. Combination of the two mechanisms results in a capricious pattern of rapid fracture that needs to be fully understood in thermal processing. Special features in this work include the dynamics plasticity induced by the combined thermomechanical loading at short times, as well as the temperature-dependent thermomechanical properties that evolve in the load-time history.
Serial position and set size in short-term memory: The time course of recognition

Etude du role de la position serielle et de la taille de l'ensemble a memoriser, sur la memoire a court terme: mesure de la vitesse de recuperation en memoire et de la conservation, par 2 procedures: «echanges» vitesse-exactitude (SAT) et temps de reaction collaterale. Tâche de reconnaissance de listes de 3 a 6 mots presentees sequentiellement
RNA processing and human disease.

Gene expression involves multiple regulated steps leading from gene to active protein. Many of these steps involve some aspect of RNA processing. Diseases caused by mutations that directly affect RNA processing are relatively rare compared with mutations that disrupt protein function. The vast majority of diseases of RNA processing result from loss of function of a single gene due to mutations in cis-acting elements required for pre-messenger RNA (mRNA) splicing. However, a few diseases are caused by alterations in the trans-actingfactors required for RNA processing and in the vast majority of cases it is the pre-mRNA splicing machinery that is affected. Clearly, alterations that disrupt splicing of pre-mRNAs from large numbers of genes would be lethal at the cellular level. A common theme among these diseases is that only subsets of genes are affected. This is consistent with an emerging view that different subsets of exons require different sets of cis-acting elements and trans-acting factors.
Image Quality Assurance in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial Network of the National Lung Screening Trial

The National Lung Screening Trial is evaluating the effectiveness of low-dose spiral CT and conventional chest X-ray as screening tests for persons who are at high risk for developing lung cancer. This multicenter trial requires quality assurance (QA) for the image quality and technical parameters of the scans. The electronic system described here helps manage the QA process. The system includes a workstation at each screening center that de-identifies the data, a DICOM storage service at the QA Coordinating Center, and Web-based systems for presenting images and QA evaluation forms to the QA radiologists. Quality assurance data are collated and analyzed by an independent statistical organization. We describe the design and implementation of this electronic QA system, emphasizing issues relating to data security and privacy, the various obstacles encountered in the installation of a common system at different participating screening centers, and the functional success of the system deployed.