cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SyrD is required for syringomycin production by Pseudomonas syringae pathovar syringae and is related to a family of ATP‐binding secretion proteins

The syrD gene of Pseudomonas syringae pathovar syringae strain B301D-R was characterized and sequenced. The syrD open reading frame is 1695 bp long and encodes a predicted protein, SyrD, of approximately 63 kDa. Database searches revealed that SyrD shares a high degree of similarity with the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) superfamily of transporter proteins which are responsible for specific nutrient uptake and for secretion of certain cellular products in prokaryotes, and for multiple drug resistance in mammals. The amino acid sequence homology between SyrD and the ABC proteins was greatest at the conserved residues which constitute the ATP-binding cassette of these proteins; these residues lie in the hydrophilic C-terminal half of SyrD. The N-terminus of SyrD is predicted to be hydrophobic and to contain six membrane-spanning alpha-helices. syrD mutants of strain B301D-R were significantly less virulent than other syr mutants, were deficient in four large polypeptides thought to be components of a syringomycin synthetase complex, and showed reduced expression of a syrB-lacZ reporter gene fusion in trans. It is proposed that SyrD is a cytoplasmic membrane protein that functions as an ATP-driven efflux pump for the secretion of syringomycin.
The biology of recognitive repertoires.

Abstract By examining immunoglobulin (Ig) and T-cell receptor (TCR) gene loci and their rearrangement patterns in many species, and by imposing evolutionary principles, we can determine fundamentals regarding the behavior and properties of recognitive repertoires. A recent meeting**The first Gulbenkian Symposium on Immune Systems was held in Arrabia, Portugal, on 9–12 April 2000. addressed the opposing selection pressures that determine the size of the repertoire, the characterization of specificity and the rules for effector function.
Nutrient Loss Accelerated by Clear-Cutting of a Forest Ecosystem

The forest of a small watershed-ecosystem was cut in order to determine the effects of removal of vegetation on nutrient cycles. Relative to undisturbed ecosystems, the cut ecosystem exhibited accelerated loss of nutrients: nitrogen lost during the first year after cutting was equivalent to the amount annually turned over in an undisturbed system, and losses of cations were 3 to 20 times greater than from comparable undisturbed systems. Possible causes of the pattern of nutrient loss from the cut ecosystem are discussed.
Repeated sequence target sites for maternal DNA-binding proteins in genes activated in early sea urchin development.

This communication concerns a very highly conserved inverted repeat sequence element that serves as a target site for a sea urchin maternal DNA-binding factor. The maternal factor is present in relatively large amounts in unfertilized eggs, but is about 100× less prevalent per embryo in 24-hr embryo nuclear extract. The inverted repeat target site is found in the regulatory domain of the CyIIIa cytoskeletal actin gene and also in two upstream genes encoding transcriptions factors that bind to a functionally important cis-regulatory element of the CyIIIa gene. There are about 460 copies of the inverted repeat target site per genome. About 15% of these sites occur in a nested arrangement together with a second inverted repeat that binds another previously characterized maternal transcription factor. This arrangement is the same as that which occurs in the CyIIIa gene, and it may be of regulatory significance with respect to activation of certain genes in oogenesis and early embryogenesis.
Efficient subpicosecond photoinduced surface chemistry: The ultrafast photooxidation of CO on palladium

Ultrafast near-infrared photoexcitation of mixed adlayers of carbon monoxide and atomic oxygen on the Pd(111) surface results in the efficient associative desorption of carbon dioxide. The oxidized fraction of the desorbed molecules ranges from ∼15% to 40%, approximately an order of magnitude greater than observed from Ru(001) under similar conditions. Time-resolved correlation measurements reveal fast dynamics that indicate the photochemistry is mediated by substrate electrons. The dynamics are strongly dependent on the initial CO coverage in a manner consistent with an activation energy for oxidation that depends on the initial CO binding site. These results, in addition to comparison of the ultrafast photooxidation to thermal oxidation, are consistent with the photooxidation occurring rapidly (within one to several picoseconds) from an initial mixed CO+O adlayer structure without time for diffusional phase segregation. The observed efficient ultrafast photoexcitation of associative desorption of CO 2 from Pd(111) thus provides the opportunity to follow the picosecond dynamics of the bimolecular surface chemical reaction of CO+O from a well-defined initial geometry.
Softening behavior of two-ductile-phase AgNi alloys after cold rolling

Abstract Silver-nickel alloys are model two-ductile-phase materials, composed of nearly pure Ag and Ni phases. Alloys of 25 vol.% Ni phase, 50% Ni, and 75% Ni were cold rolled to an 80% reduction in thickness, then annealed in the temperature range 100–800 °C. For comparison purposes, pure Ag and pure Ni materials were also examined. Hardness measurements were employed as an index of softening behavior. Silver-nickel softening curves showed a “plateau” region, separating recrystallization temperature ranges of the Ag and Ni phases. Slopes of hardness versus Ni phase volume-fraction plots were maximum in the “plateau” region, decreasing with increasing annealing temperature. A linear relationship between dH/dVvNi and HNi/HAg, hardness ration of pure Ni and pure Ag, was observed. The volume fraction average approximation to the overall AgNi hardness reproduced the general shape of the AgNi softening curves, with maximum deviations in hardness values occurring in the “plateau” region, where values of HNi/HAg were maximum.
Developing and Measuring the Impact of an Accounting Ethics Course that is Based on the Moral Philosophy of Adam Smith

Accounting ethics failures have seized headlines and cost investors billions of dollars. Improvement of the ethical reasoning and behavior of accountants has become a key concern for the accounting profession and for higher education in accounting. Researchers have asked a number of questions, including what type of accounting ethics education intervention would be most effective for accounting students. Some researchers have proposed virtue ethics as an appropriate moral framework for accounting. This research tested whether Smithian virtue ethics training, based on Adam Smith’s “The Theory of Moral Sentiments” (1790/1976), is effective in improving accounting student’s cognitive moral development (CMD). This research used a pre-test, treatment, post-test, quasi-experimental design utilizing the Defining Issues Test 2 (DIT-2) instrument to measure students’ CMD. Analysis of DIT-2 gain scores did show a significant improvement in subjects’ personal interest scores and a significant improvement in an overall measure of CMD, the DIT N2 index, whereas their DIT-2 post-conventional scores did not improve significantly. This research supports the proposition that the concepts contained in Smithian virtue ethics can contribute to an effective accounting ethics education intervention. However, further research is required to determine what concepts should be included to improve accounting students’ post-conventional moral reasoning.
Prognostic significance of tumor-infiltrating T cells in ovarian cancer: A meta-analysis

Objective The presence of T cells within the epithelial component of tumors, as histologic evidence of anti-tumor immunity, has been associated with a survival advantage in multiple studies across diverse patient cohorts. We performed a meta-analysis of studies evaluating the prognostic value of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) on survival among women with ovarian cancer and to investigate factors associated with variations in this effect, including patient characteristics, surgical outcomes, tumor histology, and study protocols.
Biochemical analysis of fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase import into vacuole import and degradation vesicles reveals a role for UBC1 in vesicle biogenesis.

When Saccharomyces cerevisiae are shifted from medium containing poor carbon sources to medium containing fresh glucose, the key gluconeogenic enzyme fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase) is imported into Vid (vacuole import and degradation) vesicles and then to the vacuole for degradation. Here, we show that FBPase import is independent of vacuole functions and proteasome degradation. However, FBPase import required the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme Ubc1p. A strain containing a deletion of the UBC1 gene exhibited defective FBPase import. Furthermore, FBPase import was inhibited when cells overexpressed the K48R/K63R ubiquitin mutant that fails to form multiubiquitin chains. The defects in FBPase import seen for the Δubc1 and the K48R/K63R mutants were attributed to the Vid vesicle fraction. In the Δubc1 mutant, the level of the Vid vesicle-specific marker Vid24p was reduced in the vesicle fraction, suggesting that UBC1 is required for either Vid vesicle production or Vid24p binding to Vid vesicles. However, the K48R/K63R mutant did not prevent Vid24p binding to Vid vesicles, indicating that ubiquitin chain formation is dispensable for Vid24p binding to these structures. Our results support the findings that ubiquitin conjugation and ubiquitin chain formation play important roles in a number of cellular processes including organelle biogenesis.
Apparent encephalocele in twin fetus papyraceus with twin-reversal arterial perfusion.

An apparently iniencephalic or exencephalic monoamniotic monochorionic female twin fetus, delivered as a fetus papyraceus at 28 weeks of gestation, had severe anomalies of the central nervous system and spine, including occipital encephalocele with a defect of the occipital bone. The encephalocele contained a spherical mass of autolyzed brain tissue without identifiable cerebellum or vermis. The cervical canal was widely patent dorsally, there were severe bony anomalies, including agenesis and fusion of vertebrae in the cervicothoracic spine. The upper limbs were absent. All organs were hypoplastic and autolyzed. The hypoplastic heart had three chambers. The placenta was monochorionic and monoamniotic; barium injection showed a twin-reversal arterial perfusion and entanglement of the umbilical cords.
Straightening ventral curvature while preserving the urethral plate in proximal hypospadias repair.

Purpose: We report the efficacy of an expanded algorithm for penile straightening in proximal hypospadias surgery to preserve the urethral plate for urethroplasty. We also compared ventral corporotomy with grafting to multiple superficial ventral corporotomies without grafting for straightening greater than 30-degree ventral curvature.Materials and Methods: The need for urethral plate transection was compared in 2 groups comprising consecutive patients with proximal shaft to perineal hypospadias repair done by one of us (WS). The 47 patients in group 1 underwent surgery from 2000 to 2005 and had ventral curvature greater than 30 degrees after degloving, leading to urethral plate transection, while in 23 in group 2 from 2006 to 2008 mobilization of the corpus spongiosum/urethral plate and proximal urethra were also performed before urethral plate transection. Patients in group 1 with greater than 30-degree ventral curvature after urethral plate transection underwent ventral corporotomy with grafting (7) or...
Statistical uncertainty associated with histograms in the Earth sciences

[1] Two types of quantitative information can be distinguished in the Earth sciences: categorical data (e.g., mineral type, fossil name) and continuous data (e.g., apparent age, strike, dip). Many branches of the Earth sciences study populations of such data by collecting a random sample and binning it into a histogram. Histograms of categorical data follow multinomial distributions. All possible outcomes of a multinomial distribution with M categories must plot on a (M − 1) simplex ΔM−1 because they are subject to a constant sum constraint. Confidence regions for such multinomial distributions can be computed using Bayesian statistics. The conjugate prior/posterior to the multinomial distribution is the Dirichlet distribution. A 100(1-α)% confidence interval for the unknown multinomial population given an observed sample histogram is a polygon on ΔM−1 containing 100(1-α)% of its Dirichlet posterior. The projection of this polygon onto the sides of the simplex yields M confidence intervals for the M bin counts. These confidence intervals are “simultaneous” in the sense that they form a band completely containing the 100(1-α)% most likely multinomial populations. As opposed to categorical variables, adjacent bins of histograms containing continuous variables are not mutually independent. If this “smoothness” of the unknown population is not taken into account, the Bayesian confidence bands described above will be overly conservative. This problem can be solved by introducing an ad hoc prior of “smoothing weights” w = e−sr, where r is the integrated squared second derivative of the histogram and s is a “smoothing parameter.”
The impact of technology-motivated M&A and joint ventures on the value of IT and non-IT firms: a new examination

We extend Lee and Lim (Rev Quant Financ Account 27:111–123, 2006) who provide empirical evidence on the impact of mergers and acquisitions (M&As) and joint ventures on the value of information technology (IT) and non-IT firms. Using technology-motivated transactions, we examine whether there are differences in market response to the announcement of M&As and joint ventures, and we consider the long-term performance of such firms. We find the market provides no (positive) reaction to joint ventures (M&As) at the announcement. We also present new evidence suggesting the market reacts more favorably to the announcement of technology M&As relative to joint ventures for our full sample, IT sample and non-IT sample. However, our examination of these firms’ long-term performance suggests the initial reaction is not fully supported. The findings suggest improved (declining) operating performance for joint venture (M&A) firms, and evidence to conclude joint venture firms achieve superior long-term performance changes for both accrual- and cash-based measures. To explain these inconsistencies, we employ a set of control variables previously documented as determinants of the innovation ownership decision. For joint venture firms, we find that, while the market fails to consider the importance of the firms’ R&D intensity and growth prospects in its initial reaction, these are ultimately key indicators of their future performance. The evidence also suggests the market overreacts to M&A announcements because it over-weights the impact of R&D intensity on the firms’ future performance in its initial response.
Simulation for steam reforming of natural gas with oxygen input in a novel membrane reformer

The performance of a novel circulating fast fluidized bed membrane reformer (CFFBMR) is investigated using a reliable mathematical model. The removal of product hydrogen using hydrogenpermselective membranes ‘‘breaks’’ the thermodynamic equilibrium in the reversible system and makes it possible to operate the process at lower temperatures. The oxidative reforming of a part of the feed methane by oxygen input into the reformer using direct feed or through oxygen-permeable membranes supplies the heat needed for the highly endothermic steam reforming of methane. The combination of the exothermic oxidative reforming and endothermic steam reforming not only produces high yield hydrogen but also makes it possible to operate the CFFBMR under autothermal conditions. The novel configuration is a highly efficient hydrogen producer with minimum energy consumption. The simulation results show that the hydrogen productivity (moles of hydrogen produced per hour per m 3 of reactor) of the CFFBMR is about 8 times that in an industrial fixed bed and 112 times that in a bubbling fluidized bed membrane reformer. D 2003 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.
Mary Ann Shadd Cary: Crafting Black Culture Through Empirical and Moral Arguments

This study examines the rhetoric of educator, journalist, and editor, Mary Ann Shadd Cary (October 9, 1823–June 5, 1893), who vigorously campaigned for Black fugitives' rights in Canada West during the 1850s. Drawing on the 1852 tract, Notes of Canada West, the author analyzes Cary's program of economic advancement and community-building for newly arriving former slaves in Canada. The author argues that Cary was the first influential North American Black female to use an empirical approach fortified by moral philosophy as a central argument, which functioned as an organizing principle. The author concludes that Cary's significance resides in her attempts to rearrange human knowledge at a pivotal time in Black history, her ability to shape Black behavior around a “radius of trust,” her understanding of the relationship between knowledge and the practical art of rhetoric, as well as her keen understanding of how differing notions of human progress compete for attention and potentially influence social polic...
The Sagnac interferometer as a two-parameter sensor

We show the Sagnac interferometer as a two-parameter sensing device where nonreciprocal and reciprocal effects can be independently and simultaneously monitored. Phase shifts induced by nonreciprocal effects affect differently the counterpropagating beams in the loop and are accurately detected by a phase sensitive detection scheme. A probe for reciprocal effects is built by introducing a birefringence modulator inside the polarization-maintaining loop with its axes rotated with respect to the axes of the loop fiber. The resulting quadrature component of the demodulated signal is proportional to the phase shift induced by reciprocal effects at the probe site, making the interferometer suitable for dual parameter sensing. Demonstration of a electric/magnetic field sensor is presented. >
Direct Photoaffinity Labeling by Dolastatin 10 of the Amino-terminal Peptide of β-Tubulin Containing Cysteine 12

Tubulin with bound [5-3H]dolastatin 10 was exposed to ultraviolet light, and 8-10% of the bound drug cross-linked to the protein, most of it specifically. The primary cross-link was to the peptide spanning amino acid residues 2-31 of beta-tubulin, but the specific amino acid could not be identified. Indirect studies indicated that cross-link formation occurred between cysteine 12 and the thiazole moiety of dolastatin 10. An equipotent analog of dolastatin 10, lacking the thiazole ring, did not form an ultraviolet light-induced cross-link to beta-tubulin. Preillumination of tubulin with ultraviolet light, known to induce cross-link formation between cysteine 12 and exchangeable site nucleotide, inhibited the binding of [5-3H]dolastatin 10 and cross-link formation more potently than it inhibited the binding of colchicine or vinblastine to tubulin. Conversely, binding of dolastatin 10 to tubulin inhibited formation of the cross-link between cysteine 12 and the exchangeable site nucleotide. Dithiothreitol inhibited formation of the beta-tubulin/dolastatin 10 cross-link but not the beta-tubulin/exchangeable site nucleotide cross-link. Modeling studies revealed a highly favored binding site for dolastatin 10 at the + end of beta-tubulin in proximity to the exchangeable site GDP. Computational docking of an energy-minimized dolastatin 10 conformation at this site placed the thiazole ring of dolastatin 10 8-9 A from the sulfur atom of cysteine 12. Dolastatin 15 and cryptophycin 1 could also be docked into positions that overlapped more extensively with the docked dolastatin 10 than with each other. This result was consistent with the observed binding properties of these peptides.
Drug discovery: Fat-free proteins kill parasites.

The addition of a fatty acid to certain proteins is vital for the survival of protozoa that cause sleeping sickness and of their mammalian hosts. Compounds that target this process in the protozoa are now reported.
Class I HDAC inhibition stimulates cardiac protein SUMOylation through a post-translational mechanism

Lysine residues are subject to a multitude of reversible post-translational modifications, including acetylation and SUMOylation. In the heart, enhancement of lysine acetylation or SUMOylation using histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors or SUMO-1 gene transfer, respectively, has been shown to be cardioprotective. Here, we addressed whether there is crosstalk between lysine acetylation and SUMOylation in the heart. Treatment of cardiomyocytes and cardiac fibroblasts with pharmacological inhibitors of HDAC catalytic activity robustly increased conjugation of SUMO-1, but not SUMO-2/3, to several high molecular weight proteins in both cell types. The use of a battery of selective HDAC inhibitors and short hairpin RNAs demonstrated that HDAC2, which is a class I HDAC, is the primary HDAC isoform that controls cardiac protein SUMOylation. HDAC inhibitors stimulated protein SUMOylation in the absence of de novo gene transcription or protein synthesis, revealing a post-translational mechanism of HDAC inhibitor action. HDAC inhibition did not suppress the activity of de-SUMOylating enzymes, suggesting that increased protein SUMOylation in HDAC inhibitor-treated cells is due to stimulation of SUMO-1 conjugation rather than blockade of SUMO-1 cleavage. Consistent with this, multiple components of the SUMO conjugation machinery were capable of being acetylated in vitro. These findings reveal a novel role for reversible lysine acetylation in the control of SUMOylation in the heart, and suggest that cardioprotective actions of HDAC inhibitors are in part due to stimulation of protein SUMO-1-ylation in myocytes and fibroblasts.
COMPUTER SIMULATION OF THE BINDING OF AMONAFIDE AND AZONAFIDE TO DNA

Intercalative binding of the antitumor drugs amonafide and azonafide to the oligonucleotide duplex d(GGCCGGCCGG)·d(CCGGCCGGCC) was compared using molecular dynamics in vacuum with the AMBER force field. A number of reasonable possible binding conformations were obtained, with the azonafide complexes favored over the amonafide complexes in net binding enthalpy. In comparison with amonafide, the larger chromophore of azonafide permits greater DNA distortion and wider side-chain swings, without falling out of the intercalation site. The best model obtained was used for further dynamics on amonafide and azonafide with solvent and counterions present, and again the azonafide complex had a more favorable enthalpy. Furthermore, the enthalpy change on going from solvent into the intercalation site was less unfavorable for azonafide. These results are consistent with the stronger DNA binding of azonafide compared to amonafide, as observed in relative melting transition temperature increases and tumor inhibition in cell cultures.
Interfacial studies of crosslinked polyurethanes; Part I. Quantitative and structural aspects of crosslinking near film-air and film-substrate interfaces in solvent-borne polyurethanes

One of the reactions leading to the formation of polyurethane (PU) crosslinked networks is the reaction of NCO and OH functionalities. In this study, we examined how crosslinking reactions of hexamethylene diisocyanate isocyanurate and polyacrylate near the film-air (F-A) and film-substrate (F-S) interfaces in urethane coatings may affect crosslink density as well as other network properties. While at the initial stages of the crosslinking reactions, solvent evaporation competes with the urethane network formation and isocyanate consumption changes at various depths from the F-A and F-S interfaces. Quantitative analysis of the NCO consumption as a function of depth showed that the NCO concentrations change from 2.35×10−5 to 2.09×10−5 M, while going from 0.27 to 1.14 µm. During reaction times not exceeding two to three hours, the NCO consumption at the F-A and F-S interfaces is consumed more rapidly. At low relative humidity conditions, excessive amounts of unreacted NCO exists at both the F-A and F-S interfaces. However, at the extended reaction times, NCO concentration levels at the F-S are greater than at the F-A interface, and the NCO concentration differences can be as high as 3×10−5 M. In this study we also examined how crosslinking reactions of hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) isocyanurate and polyacrylate near the F-S interfaces in urethane films may affect orientation and distribution of urethane functionalities.
Altered expression of zonula occludens-2 precedes increased blood-brain barrier permeability in a murine model of fulminant hepatic failure.

Brain edema secondary to increased blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability is a lethal complication in fulminant hepatic failure (FHF). Intact tight junctions (TJ) between brain capillary endothelial cells are critical for normal BBB function. However, the role of TJ in FHF has not been explored. We hypothesized that alterations in the composition of TJ proteins would result in increased BBB permeability in FHF. In this study, FHF was induced in C57BL/6J mice by using azoxymethane. BBB permeability was assessed with sodium fluorescein. Expression of TJ proteins was determined by Western blot, and their cellular distribution was examined using immunofluorescent microscopy. Comatose FHF mice had significant cerebral sodium fluorescein extravasation compared with control and precoma FHF mice, indicating increased BBB permeability. Western blot analysis showed a significant decrease in zonula occludens (ZO)-2 expression starting in the precoma stage. Immunofluorescent microscopy showed a significantly altered ...
Induction of apoptosis in endometrial cancer cells by psammaplysene A involves FOXO1

Objective Endometrial cancer is the most common type of gynecologic cancer in the United States. In this study, we propose that a marine sponge compound, psammaplysene A (PsA) induces apoptosis in endometrial cancer cells through forced nuclear expression of FOXO1.
Massimo Banzi: Building Arduino

Massimo Banzi describes the origins and evolution of the Arduino microcontroller. The first Web extra at http://youtu.be/0VAbvQ2Ti50 is a video interview in which author Charles Severance speaks with Massimo Banzi about the origins and evolution of the Arduino microcontroller. The second Web extra at http://youtu.be/N6wN1_qLfEQ is an audio recording of author Charles Severance reading his Computing Conversations column, in which he discusses his interview with Massimo Banzi about the origins and evolution of the Arduino microcontroller.
Role of tumor necrosis factor inhibitor in granulomatous interstitial nephritis secondary to Crohn’s disease

A 17-year-old male with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder was admitted to the hospital with generalized weakness. Vital signs and physical examination were normal. Laboratory data were notable for a creatinine of 4.5 mg/dL (baseline 0.6 mg/dL), estimated glomerular filtration rate of 18 ml/min/1.73 m² and hemoglobin 10 g/dL. Urinalysis revealed only 30 mg/dL protein. Serology for autoimmune workup was negative. Renal ultrasound was normal. Kidney biopsy showed noncaseating granulomas and acute on chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN) with lymphocytes, macrophages, plasma cells and no eosinophils. Acid fast bacilli and Grocott's methenamine silver stains were negative. Granulomatous interstitial nephritis (GIN) was diagnosed. Prednisone at 60 mg/day was started and tapered. He was then noted to have diarrhea. Colonoscopy showed active enteritis with granulomatous inflammation consistent with Crohn's disease (CD). Azathioprine was started but due to worsening renal function and diarrhea, it was discontinued. He did not tolerate continued higher doses of prednisone because of mood swings and cushingoid features. Infliximab was initiated with improvement in renal function. There was rapid worsening of renal function when infliximab therapy was interrupted but improved when both prednisone and inflixamb were reinitiated.
Bedside Bleeding Control, Review Paper and Proposed Algorithm

Bleeding is a common occurrence in practice, but occasionally it may be challenging issue to overcome. It can come from numerous sources such as, trauma, during or post-surgical intervention, disorders of platelet and coagulation factors and increased fibrinolysis, wounds and cancers. This paper was inspired from our experience with a patient admitted to a local long term acute care facility with a large fungating right breast cancerous wound. During her hospital stay spontaneous bleeding from her breast cancerous mass was encountered and became more frequent and significant over the period of her stay. Different hemostatic technologies were used to control her bleeding. We felt that it was important to share our experience with our colleagues to help with potential similar situation that they may face.
Impact of tumor length on long-term survival of pT1 esophageal adenocarcinoma

Introduction The impact of esophageal tumor length on pT1 esophageal adenocarcinoma has not been well evaluated. Methods Case histories of all patients (n = 133) undergoing esophageal resection from 1979 to 2007 with pT1 adenocarcinoma of the esophagus were reviewed. Univariate and multivariate analyses of esophageal tumor length and other standard prognostic factors were performed. Results Patients with early-stage pT1 esophageal adenocarcinoma with tumors less than 3 cm demonstrate decreased long-term survival (3 years: >3 cm=46% vs 93%; P 3 cm=47% vs 10%; P 3 cm) is an independent risk factor for survival in patients with pT1 early-stage esophageal cancer (hazard ratio: 4.8, 95% confidence intervals: 1.4–16.5; P 3 cm) identifies a high-risk population of pT1 esophageal adenocarcinoma (3 years: group 1 [0 risk factors] = 100%, group 2 [1 risk factor] = 87%, and group 3 [2 risk factors] = 33%; P Conclusions This study demonstrates that esophageal tumor length (>3 cm) is a risk factor for long-term survival and lymph node involvement in early-stage pT1 esophageal adenocarcinoma. Esophageal tumor length (>3 cm) in combination with submucosal involvement may help to identify a high-risk group of patients with pT1 esophageal adenocarcinoma.
Phase behavior of LCST and UCST solutions of branchy copolymers: experiment and SAFT modelling

Abstract Phase boundaries for a series of poly(ethylene-propylene) copolymers having uniform structure but differing in molecular weight, from 800 to nearly 100,000, in various solvents are determined experimentally up to 200°C and 600 bar. Propylene, 1-butene, and 1-hexene are used as solvents. A free-volume sensitive LCST is found near the solvent critical point and an energy sensitive UCST is found away from the solvent critical point. The effect of supercritical ethylene on the phase behavior of these systems is investigated. Statistical Associating Fluid Theory (SAFT) is used to model the phase behavior of these systems. SAFT was chosen because the parameters for the polymers can be calculated from generalized correlations based on the polymer molecular weight. SAFT is able to correlate the experimental data accurately using only one binary interaction parameter that is polymer molecular weight dependent. In addition, calculations are shown using the polymer solution theory of Flory and Patterson.
Social support and social network ties among the homeless in a downtown Atlanta park

This study applies a typology of social support with 3 categories of social networks to investigate social ties and their benefits for homeless people. Data were derived from a 2-year long series of participant observations of homeless or precariously housed people who came regularly to a downtown Atlanta public park. The findings are as follows: (a) the homeless men and women who regularly visited the park obtained four types of support: tangible, advice, belonging, and esteem support from non-kin, family, and formal social services; and (b) the homeless combined support provided by different social networks in attempts to address their substantial needs. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Impact of Infectious Diseases Society of America/Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society Guidelines on Treatment of Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Hospitalized Children

We examined the impact of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society/Infectious Diseases Society of America guidelines that recommend ampicillin or amoxicillin for children hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia. Prescribing of ampicillin/amoxicillin increased following guideline publication, but remains low. Cephalosporin and macrolide prescribing decreased but remains common. Further studies exploring outcomes of and reasons for compliance with guidelines are warranted.
A COPROLOGICAL SURVEY OF HELMINTH PARASITES OF THE HAWAIIAN MONK SEAL FROM THE NORTHWESTERN HAWAIIAN ISLANDS

In conjunction with an Hawaiian monk seal, Monarhus schauinslandi, breeding enhancement program, fecal samples were examined for the presence of helminth parasite products (eggs, larvae, and proglottids). Eighty-rwo samples were examined from four island groups in the northwestern Hawaiian Islands: 38 from Kure Atoll, 32 from French Frigate Shoals, 11 from Laysan Island, and one from Lisianski Island. Idenrified helminth products include those of Diphyllobothrium sp.? D. canieroni, Contracaecum turgidurn, Anisahis sp., CMynosoma rauschi, and Trematoda. In addition, eggs from Hafararhne laysanae (Acari) were found in 3 samples. Eggs of C. turgiduni were present in the highest percentage (>6497zi) of samples from all locations. Eggs of Anisakis sp. and Trematoda are reported from this host for the first time.
Combined paleomagnetic, isotopic, and stratigraphic evidence for true polar wander from the Neoproterozoic Akademikerbreen Group, Svalbard, Norway

We present new paleomagnetic data from three Middle Neoproterozoic carbonate units of East Svalbard, Norway. The paleomagnetic record is gleaned from 50 to 650 m of continuous, platformal carbonate sediment, is reproduced at three locations distributed over >100 km on a single craton, and scores a 5‐6 (out of 7) on the Van der Voo (1990) reliability scale. Two >50° shifts in paleomagnetic direction are coincident with equally abrupt shifts in ! 13 C and transient changes in relative sea level. We explore four possible explanations for these coincidental changes: rapid plate tectonic rotation during depositional hiatus, magnetic excursions, nongeocentric axial-dipole fi elds, and true polar wander. We conclude that the observations are explained most readily by rapid shifts in paleogeography associated with a pair of true polar wander events. Future work in sediments of equivalent age from other basins can test directly the true polar wander hypothesis because this type of event would affect every continent in a predictable manner, depending on the continent’s changing position relative to Earth’s spin axis.
cgh-1, a conserved predicted RNA helicase required for gametogenesis and protection from physiological germline apoptosis in C. elegans

A high frequency of apoptosis is a conserved hallmark of oocyte development. In C. elegans, about half of all developing oocytes are normally killed by a physiological germline-specific apoptosis pathway, apparently so that they donate cytoplasm to the survivors. We have investigated the functions of CGH-1, the C. elegans ortholog of the predicted RNA helicase ste13/ME31B/RCK/p54, which is germline-associated in metazoans and required for sexual reproduction in yeast. We show that CGH-1 is expressed specifically in the germline and early embryo, and is localized to P granules and other possible mRNA-protein particles. cgh-1 is required for oocyte and sperm function. It is also needed to prevent the physiological germline apoptosis mechanism killing essentially all developing oocytes, making lack of cgh-1 function the first stimulus identified that can trigger this mechanism. We conclude that cgh-1 and its orthologs may perform conserved functions during gametogenesis, that in C. elegans certain aspects of oocyte development are monitored by the physiological germline apoptosis pathway, and that similar surveillance mechanisms may contribute to germline apoptosis in other species.
Akt phosphorylation is not sufficient for insulin-like growth factor-stimulated myogenin expression but must be accompanied by down-regulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase phosphorylation.

IGF-I has a unique biphasic effect on skeletal muscle differentiation. Initially, IGF-I inhibits expression of myogenin, a skeletal muscle-specific regulatory factor essential for myogenesis. Subsequently, IGF-I switches to stimulating expression of myogenin. The mechanisms that mediate this switch in IGF action are incompletely understood. Several laboratories have demonstrated that the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/Akt signaling pathway is essential for myogenic differentiation and have suggested that this pathway mediates IGF-I stimulation of myogenin mRNA expression, an early critical step in the differentiation process. These studies, however, did not address concurrent Akt and MAPK/ERK1/2 phosphorylation, the latter of which is also known to regulate myogenic differentiation. In the present study in rat L6E9 muscle cells, we have manipulated ERK1/2 phosphorylation with either an upstream inhibitor or activator and examined concurrent levels of Akt and ERK1/2 phosphorylation and of myogenin mRNA expr...
Physical and Mechanical Properties of Nanostructured Titanium Boride (TiB) Ceramic

A comprehensive report on the physical and mechanical properties of titanium boride (TiB), including many recent results that were largely determined in our research, is provided. Fully dense TiB was synthesized by reaction sintering of Ti and TiB 2 powders. A bulk nanostructured TiB ceramic material having a microstructure composed of nanosized and interconnected TiB whiskers was created. The TiB produced by this method has properties comparable with that of certain commercial types of silicon nitride.
Exploring the Dimensionality of a Brief School Readiness Screener for Use With Latino/a Children

This study contributed to the school readiness literature by examining the factor structure and reliability of a revised version of the Kindergarten Student Entrance Profile (KSEP). Teachers rated ...
The significance of immunohistochemically demonstrated nodal micrometastases in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Objectives/Hypothesis: Patients with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck have a relatively high risk of occult lymph node metastases. Pathological demonstration of these metastases may be difficult, and the detection of such occult metastases may identify patients who are at an increased risk for early recurrence or reduced survival. Immunohistochemistry may be applied in the identification of occult metastases that may be missed on routine (H&E) histological examination. The aim of the study is to determine the prevalence and prognostic significance of immunohistochemically identified micrometastases in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Study Design: A retrospective analysis of neck dissection specimens having no evidence of metastatic disease. Methods: Lymph nodes from neck dissections performed on 10 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck without conventional histological evidence of nodal metastases were subsequently stained for cytokeratins by the monoclonal antibody cocktail AE1/AE3 to detect micrometastases. Results: Occult micrometastases were found in the lymph nodes 5 of 10 patients examined. There was no association between the site of primary tumor, or T tage, and the presence of occult metastases. Three of five patients found to have occult metastases developed recurrence in the neck, whereas only one of five patients with no evidence of micrometastases had regional recurrence. There was no significant discrepancy in the patient survival rate. Conclusions: Metastatic tumor cells are frequently present in lymph nodes, even in patients without histological evidence of nodal metastases by conventional methods. The presence of micrometastases may identify patients at increased risk for recurrence and may indicate poorer prognosis. The true clinical significance of these occult metastases will be determined by a long-term follow-up.
Measuring transfers of control in program execution: input sensitivity for numerical programs

The mean number of instructions executed between transfers of control is of interest in designing pipelines, instruction buffers and management strategies for them. The analysis of three nontrivial numerical programs shows that the range of values received for a program may vary widely with the program's input. This confirms previous findings and suggests that caution should be exercised when measuring and reporting this characteristic. The results also suggest that program type can influence the sensitivity of this characteristic to program input. >
A model of human walking energetics with an elastically-suspended load

Elastically-suspended loads have been shown to reduce the peak forces acting on the body while walking with a load when the suspension stiffness and damping are minimized. However, it is not well understood how elastically-suspended loads can affect the energetic cost of walking. Prior work shows that elastically suspending a load can yield either an increase or decrease in the energetic cost of human walking, depending primarily on the suspension stiffness, load, and walking speed. It would be useful to have a simple explanation that reconciles apparent differences in existing data. The objective of this paper is to help explain different energetic outcomes found with experimental load suspension backpacks and to systematically investigate the effect of load suspension parameters on the energetic cost of human walking. A simple two-degree-of-freedom model is used to approximate the energetic cost of human walking with a suspended load. The energetic predictions of the model are consistent with existing experimental data and show how the suspension parameters, load mass, and walking speed can affect the energetic cost of walking. In general, the energetic cost of walking with a load is decreased compared to that of a stiffly-attached load when the natural frequency of a load suspension is tuned significantly below the resonant walking frequency. The model also shows that a compliant load suspension is more effective in reducing the energetic cost of walking with low suspension damping, high load mass, and fast walking speed. This simple model could improve our understanding of how elastic load-carrying devices affect the energetic cost of walking with a load.
Design and architecture of the system for generating elements of database business application

In the paper we put forward the idea of a system for generating elements for database business applications and presents details of the architecture and way of working of the generator prototype called BACG (Business Application Code Generator) which implements mentioned concepts.
The corruption factor: how public sector employees influence the tide

Since sources of corruption stem from, but are not limited to, the lack of transparency and accountability in the public sector, this paper sets out to examine if there is a connection between a nation’s personal disposable income levels for public employees, when measured by higher personal income tax rates and lower real wage rates, and the level of public corruption found in these countries. We look at a simple contributing factor, disposable income, measured by personal income tax rates and purchasing power parity, as a primary reason for corruption in a country. The research adds to the theory of corruption knowledge in that as a developing country moves towards becoming a developed country, the components of measuring corruption change and evolve. We found that developing nations’ public-sector employees place more emphasis on sociological determinants and tax rate contributions as factors contributing toward corruption, whereas developed nations place more emphasis on securing wealth from a standar...
Phase velocity measurements on a broadband TWT

Summary form only given. Phase velocity plays a critical role in TWT operation, but is impossible to measure in conventional tubes. However, using the custom-made XWING (eXperimental WIsconsin Northrop Grumman) broadband TWT we have been able to measure the cold and hot phase velocities in situ. The XWING TWT is a two-stage broadband helix TWT configured with sensors at various points along the axis. These sensors allow us to measure the amplitude and phase of the wave at known positions along the axis of the output stage. By measuring the phase difference between two sensors separated by a known axial distance we have calculated the cold and hot phase velocities in the 2-6 GHz range. Both the simulations and theory predict that the hot phase velocity should be between the cold circuit velocity and the beam velocity, but closer to the cold circuit velocity. The preliminary experimental results are approximately consistent with these predictions. Further investigation is underway to determine the cause of modest inconsistencies.
Learning representations in a gated prefrontal cortex model of dynamic task switching

The prefrontal cortex is widely believed to play an important role in facilitating people's ability to switch performance between different tasks. We present a biologically-based computational model of prefrontal cortex (PFC) that explains its role in task switching in terms of the greater flexibility conferred by activation-based working memory representations in PFC, as compared with more slowly adapting weight-based memory mechanisms. Specifically we show that PFC representations can be rapidly updated when a task switches via a dynamic gating mechanism based on a temporal-differences reward-prediction learning mechanism. Unlike prior models of this type, the present model develops all of its internal representations via learning mechanisms as shaped by the demands of continuous periodic task switching. This advance opens up a new domain of research into the interactions between working memory task demands and the representations that develop to meet them. Results on a version of the Wisconsin card sorting task are presented for the full model and a number of comparison networks that test the importance of various model features. Furthermore, we show that a lesioned model produces perseverative errors like those seen in frontal patients.