cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Welfare, work, and changes in mothers’ living arrangements in low-income families

Data from a two-wave survey of low-income families in Boston, Chicago, and San Antonio are used to replicate recent reports of a modest increase in the number of low-income children living in two-adult families and to analyze the increase. We find that most of the increase occurred through the addition of a man other than the biological father to the household and that more of it occurred through cohabitation than through marriage. Moreover, across the two waves, cohabiting and marital unions were highly unstable. We review research on stepfamilies and on instability in children’s living arrangements, and we conclude that the kinds of two-adult families being formed in these low-income central-city neighborhoods may not benefit children as much as policy-makers hope. In addition, we investigate the associations between marital and cohabiting transitions, on the one hand, and transitions into and out of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) receipt, employment, and Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) usage between the two waves on the other. We find that marital transitions are related to TANF and employment transitions but that cohabiting transitions are not. We suggest that low-income mothers may view marriage as more of an economic partnership than cohabitation and may expect more of an economic contribution from a husband than from a cohabiting partner.
Effect of Dietary Sodium Zeolite A and Graded Levels of Calcium and Phosphorus on Growth, Plasma, and Tibia Characteristics of Chicks

Abstract Sodium zeolite A (SZA), a synthetic sodium aluminosilicate having a high ion exchange capacity, has been shown to influence Ca and P utilization in chickens. A 3 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments was used to investigate the effect of dietary P (.41, .55, and .69% total P), Ca (.6 and 1%), and SZA (0 and .75%) on growth, plasma, and tibia characteristics of chicks from 5 to 15 days of age. Growth, feed intake, gain:feed ratio, and tibia characteristics were influenced by dietary Ca and P in a manner consistent with dietary recommendations for these macro minerals. The addition of Ca, SZA, or both exacerbated the adverse effects of feeding low-P diets, yet alleviated the adverse effects of feeding a low-Ca, high-P diet. Dietary SZA had no effect (P > .5) on plasma Ca or alkaline phosphatase; however, SZA reduced (P
Understanding the Atheist College Student: A Qualitative Examination

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to examine and understand atheist college students’ views on faith and how they experience the college campus as a result. I conducted interviews with 16 under...
Large-sample pairwise comparisons among multinomial proportions with an application to analysis of mutant spectra

In studies examining patterns of mutational damage, the primary variables of interest are expressed typically as discrete counts within defined categories of damage. The multinomial distribution is a common model for such data settings. Of interest is statistical comparison of the pattern, or spectrum, of mutation among the various mutant categories. A specific question in such instances is the identification of differences among the spectral categories, identified, e.g., via simultaneous confidence intervals for pairwise differences in or ratios of the multinomial response probabilities. Herein, a selection of possible methods for constructing such intervals is described and compared via computer simulations to determine which are most appropriate for practical use in the evaluation of mutant spectra.
TLR2 expression and signaling-dependent inflammation impair wound healing in diabetic mice

Toll-like receptor-2 (TLR2) is a pivotal pathogen recognition receptor that has a key role in inflammation, diabetes, and injury. Hyperglycemia, inflammation, and oxidative stress induce TLR2-myeloid differentiation factor-88 (MyD88) expression and signaling, and are major pathophysiological mechanisms in the impaired diabetic wound-healing process. The aim of the study was to examine the contribution of TLR2-MyD88 expression and signaling to the prolonged inflammation observed in diabetic wounds. Diabetes was induced in male C57BL/6J and TLR2(-/-) mice using streptozotocin (STZ) with matching nondiabetic mice as control. In addition, nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice were used to represent the spontaneous type 1 diabetes condition. After 2 weeks of persistent hyperglycemia in the mice, full-thickness excision wounds were made on the backs aseptically. Total RNA and protein were subjected to real-time PCR and western blot analyses. Wound sizes were measured using digital planimetry. TLR2 mRNA and protein expression increased significantly in wounds of C57BL/6J+STZ and NOD mice (P<0.05) compared with nondiabetic C57BL/6J mice. MyD88 expression, interleukin receptor-associated kinase-1 phosphorylation, and nuclear factor-κ B (NF-κB) activation were increased in diabetic wounds compared with nondiabetic wounds. Wounds of TLR2(-/-)+STZ mice showed less oxidative stress, decreased MyD88 signaling, NF-κB activation, and cytokine secretion. The wound closure was significant in TLR2(-/-)+ STZ mice compared with C57BL/6J+STZ mice. Collectively, our findings show that increased TLR2 mRNA and protein expression, signaling, and activation contribute to the prolonged inflammation in the diabetic wounds and that absence of TLR2 may result in decreased inflammation and improved wound healing.
Nickel-hydrogen capacity loss on storage

A controlled experiment evaluating the capacity loss experienced by nickel electrodes stored under various conditions of temperature, hydrogen pressure, and electrolyte concentration was conducted using nickel electrodes from four different manufacturers. It was found that capacity loss varied with regard to hydrogen pressure and storage temperature, as well as with regard to electrode manufacturing processes. Impedance characteristics were monitored and found to be indicative of electrode manufacturing processes and capacity loss. Cell testing to evaluate state-of-charge effects on capacity loss were inconclusive as no loss was sustained by the cells tested in this experiment.
Brugia pahangi: effects of age and filarial infection on jird (Meriones unguiculatus) lymphocyte function.

Abstract This report describes the in vitro culture conditions for stimulating jird (Meriones unguiculatus) splenocytes with the mitogens phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and cocanavalin A (Con A). Jird splenic lymphocytes were found to be highly reactive to both lectins: Optimal reactivity was obtained by culturing lymphocytes for 72 hr in RPMI 1640 medium containing 10% normal jird serum and supplemented with either a 1 50 dilution of PHA or 5 μg of Con A. Additional work revealed that the mitogen reactivity of jirds decreased with age and was depressed by the filarial parasite Brugia pahangi.
New results on Trotter-like approximations.

We explore the errors in the free energy and in operator expectation values when the quantum operator ${e}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{\beta}H}$=${\ensuremath{\prod}}_{l=1}^{L}$${e}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}(\ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\tau})H}$ is approximated by ${\ensuremath{\prod}}_{l=1}^{L}$f, where \ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\tau}=\ensuremath{\beta}/L and f is an approximant to ${e}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}(\ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\tau})H}$. We determine analytically the dependence of the resulting errors on \ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\tau} for \ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\tau} small, on \ensuremath{\beta} for \ensuremath{\beta} large, and on the size of the system in the limit of a large system. We focus on Trotter approximations, as well as on the expansion of ${e}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}(\ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\tau})H}$ in powers of (\ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\tau})H. Our results are particularly relevant to Monte Carlo studies of quantum systems, and can be used effectively to eliminate the error due to Trotter-like approximations and to provide a guide for choosing a particular type of approximation.
A procedure for isolating stable mitochondria from rat liver and kidney.

Abstract A procedure based on standard methods of differential centrifugation is described in detail for the isolation of rat liver and kidney mitochondria. Mitochondria isolated under the conditions described retain their capacity for oxidative phosphorylation after prolonged storage at 4° and other procedures generally considered to be detrimental [cf. (2)]. The freshly isolated preparations are characterized by high respiratory control ratios with succinate as substrate, and a high rate of endogenous phosphorylation.
The Arabidopsis thaliana UBC7/13/14 Genes Encode a Family of Multiubiquitin Chain-forming E2 Enzymes

Abstract Covalent modification of proteins by attachment of multiubiquitin chains serves as an essential signal for selective protein degradation in eukaryotes. The specificity of ubiquitin-protein conjugation is controlled in part by a diverse group of ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes (E2s or UBCs). We have previously reported that the product of the wheat TaUBC7 gene recognizes ubiquitin as a substrate for ubiquitination in vitro, catalyzing the condensation of free ubiquitin into multiubiquitin chains linked via lysine 48 (van Nocker, S., and Vierstra, R. D.(1991) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 88, 10297-10301). Based on this activity, this E2 may play a central role in the ubiquitin proteolytic pathway by assembling chains in vivo. Here, we describe the cloning and characterization of a three-member gene family from Arabidopsis thaliana (designated AtUBC7/13/14) encoding structural homologs of TaUBC7. Like TaUBC7, recombinant AtUBC7/13/14 proteins formed multiubiquitin chains in vitro. AtUBC7/13/14 mRNAs were found in all tissues examined, and unlike related UBCs from yeast, the levels of mRNA were not elevated by heat stress or cadmium exposure. Transgenic Arabidopsis were engineered to express increased levels of active AtUBC7, for the first time altering the level of an E2 in a higher eukaryote. Plants expressing high levels of AtUBC7 exhibited no phenotypic abnormalities and were not noticeably enriched in multiubiquitinated conjugates. These findings indicate that the in vivo synthesis of multiubiquitin chains is not rate-limited by the abundance of AtUBC7 and/or involves other, yet undefined components.
Treatment outcome and complications in patients treated for malignant epidural spinal cord compression (SCC)

Sixty-seven episodes of spinal cord compression (SCC) were retrospectively evaluated regarding presenting features and treatment outcome. They were divided into three motor function groups. Group 1 consisted of 35 ambulatory patients, group 2 of 29 non-ambulatory patients and group 3 of three paraplegic patients. Lower extremity weakness was usually a late presenting feature and was frequently rapidly progressive. We suggest that SCC is an emergency, as successful treatment is unlikely if motor function is poor. All of the group 1 patients completing treatment remained ambulatory, in contrast to group 2 patients, in which only 25% regained the ability to walk, and group 3 patients, none of whom regained the ability to walk. Initial surgery or initial radiotherapy appeared to be equally effective in restoring or maintaining the ability to walk. Survival of patients ambulatory at completion of treatment was superior to that of non-ambulatory patients (p < 0.03). Analysis of steroid-related complications suggested that frequent, severe and sometimes fatal complications can result from prolonged use with these drugs.
Preparation and intercalation reactions of nano-structural materials, Mn-Al LDH

Hydrotalcite (HT) or hydrotalcite-like compounds (HTlc) are layered double hydroxides belonging to the class of anionic clays. The structure of these compounds are very similar to that of brucite, Mg(OH)2, where some of Mg 2+ represented as (M (II) ) are isomorphously replaced by Al 3+ represented as (M (III) ) and the net positive charge is compensated by the inter-layered exchangeable anion (A n− ). LDH has been receiving increasing attention in recent years, owing to its potential technological applications such as catalysis, electrode, optical memory, separator, adsorbent, precursor for composite materials, and ion exchange. The general formula of these compounds can be represented as: (M (II) 1−xM (III) x(OH)2)·A n x/n·mH2O with M (II) and M (III) as metal cations and A n− as exchangeable anion. LDHs also possess relatively large surface areas and high anion- exchange capacities. Because of these properties, LDHs have been studied for removing toxic anionic species from aqueous systems. Thermal decomposition of these materials by calcination above 420°C results in the formation of high surface area basic mixed oxides which are reported to be potential candidates in catalyzing various reactions involved in the synthesis of a variety of fine chemicals. Indeed at this temperature, the as formed mixed oxides solid solution can regenerate upon rehydratation the HT structure with the suitable anions present in solution. Therefore, this so-called reconstruction process may be used to improve the sorption of anionic species. The LDH has been synthesized by the coprecipitation method at pH constant. The material has been obtained with (Mn/Al) molar ratio of 2.0. The product is characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), spectroscopy infra red (FTIR), and differential thermal analysis / thermo gravimetric analysis (DTA/TG). Dosages of polluted solutions have been realized by spectrometry UV visible.
Insulin stimulates phosphorylation of a heat-stable protein in rat adipose tissue

Abstract Insulin in rat adipose tissue acts to increase the phophorylation about 2.5-fold of a low molecular weight protein in the cytosol designated phosphoprotein m . Isoproterenol had no effect on the phosphorylation of phosphoprotein m . Some of the properties of phosphoprotein m are: soluble in 1% trichloro acetic acid, heat-stable and has a molecular weight of 23,000 on polyacrylamide gels in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. Phosphoserine and phosphothreonine are the phosphorylated amino acid residues of phosphoprotein m . The physical and chemical properties of phosphoprotein m are similar to those of previously described inhibitor and modulator proteins.
Molluscan shell matrix phosphoproteins: Correlation of degree of phosphorylation to shell mineral microstructure and to in vitro regulation of mineralization

The potential role of phosphoproteins in the regulation of carbonate biomineralization is examined by comparing the EDTA-soluble matrix (SM) of bivalve shells from representatives of eight superfamilies having various aragonitic and calcitic microstructures. In each case the SM is separated into two fractions by gel permeation chromatography. The lower molecular weight fractions (Mr range 15,000–500,000) were assayed for protein and phosphate content, and their ability to regulate calcitic CaCo3 formation was determined from their performance as inhibitors in a pH-stat crystal growth assay. The SM fraction from two species with foliated calcitic shells is 12.9–15.7% phosphate by weight while SM fractions isolated from shells or shell layers of six species with calcitic prismatic or various aragonitic microstructures all contain significantly lower phosphate levels (0–3.3% by weight). The more highly phosphorylated SM fractions are significantly better inhibitors of calcitic crystal growth, requiring approximately 30% of the concentration on a weight basis as the low phosphate fractions to effect a 50% reduction in growth rate. Enzymatic dephosphorylation of the high phosphate SM fractions results in reduced inhibition capabilities that are approximately equal to those of the low phosphate SM fractions. Finally, neither dephosphorylated nor naturally low phosphate SM fractions were as effective as phosphorylated foliated matrix in maintaining inhibition in the pH-stat assay as crystals continue to grow. In conclusion, it appears that degree of SM phosphorylation in part may be a factor in the regulation of carbonate crystal growth in vivo and thus explain its variability among the various shell microstructures.
Vibration analysis of a bearing integrated sensor module

Implementing a reliable condition monitoring system for bearing fault diagnosis and prognosis poses a big challenge to the industry. This challenge stems from the fact that bearing failure is statistical in nature, and thus contains elements of uncertainty and unpredictability. To achieve high accuracy in bearing diagnosis in spite of this inherent variance, reliable data acquisition and analysis techniques are needed. This paper focuses on the vibration analysis of a wireless transmitter module with an integrated sensor that is embedded into the bearing outer raceway for high signal-to-noise ratio data acquisition. A mechatronic design of the sensor module under severe space constraints is presented. The paper also analyses an optimizing scheme for the placement of sensor module substrate supports to reduce vibration transmitted from the bearing to the on-board electronics.
Combined Field Integral Equation Using a Constraint-Based Helmholtz Decomposition

A new version of the combined field integral equation (CFIE) is introduced for the formulation of time-harmonic electromagnetic wave interactions with perfect electric conductors (PECs). The new CFIE-hd formulation is obtained by imposing a Helmholtz decomposition of the current via appropriate surface integral equation constraints. Discretization is performed using a locally corrected Nystrom method, and the performance of the resulting numerical scheme is examined for several PEC objects. It is observed that the proposed strategy is frequency stable, provides accurate solutions for the electric and magnetic fields from low to moderate frequencies, and eliminates false interior resonances.
Studies on the long-term thermal stability of stationary phases in subcritical water chromatography.

Abstract The long-term thermal stability of five commercially available reversed-phase columns has been evaluated under subcritical water conditions (100 and 150 °C). The five columns included Zorbax RX-C 8 , Nucleosil C 18 AB, Hypersil BDS C 18 , PRP-1 (poly(styrene–divinylbenzene)), and ZirChrom-PS (polystyrene) columns. Retention factors, plate numbers, and peak areas were monitored over a prolonged period of time. Comparing the three silica-based columns, the Zorbax RX-C 8 column was the most stable followed by the Nucleosil C 18 AB column. The Hypersil BDS C 18 column was the least stable under subcritical water conditions. The ZirChrom-PS column was stable at 100 °C for at least 7600 column volumes. Of all five columns, the polymeric PRP-1 column was the most stable under subcritical water conditions.
Satellite remote sensing of mangrove forests: Recent advances and future opportunities:

Mangroves are salt tolerant woody plants that form highly productive intertidal ecosystems in tropical and subtropical regions. Despite the established importance of mangroves to the coastal enviro...
Separation of multicomponent mixtures via thermal parametric pumping

A thermal continuous parametric pump for separating multicomponent mixtures was experimentally investigated using the model system tolueneaniline-n-heptane on silica gel adsorbent. A simple method for predicting separations is presented and is found to be in good agreement with the experimental results. The method, based on an equilibrium theory, invokes the assumption that a multicomponent mixture contains a series of pseudo binary systems. Each binary system consists of one of the solutes as one component and the common inert solvent as the other component.
Hexamethylmelamine, cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, cis-platinum chemotherapy as initial and second-line treatment of advanced ovarian carcinoma.

Thirty-six patients with advanced/recurrent epithelial ovarian carcinoma were treated with a combination of hexamethylmelamine, cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, and cis -platinum. In th
Effects of antiglaucoma drugs on ocular blood flow in ocular hypertensive rabbits

In search of antiglaucoma agents which can increase the ocular blood flow and effectively lower the intraocular pressure (IOP), numerous antiglaucoma drugs were investigated to determine their ability to increase the ocular pulsatile blood flow in ocular hypertensive rabbits with the intraocular pressure artificially raised to 40 mmHg. It was found that various antiglaucoma drugs increased ocular pulsatile flow; these included (with percent increase) ethoxzolamine (36–56%), pilocarpine (65%), physostigmine (43–83%), echothiophate (23–62%), timolol (28–42%), levobunolol (37–55%), betaxolol (35%), and epinephrine (61%). Metipranolol, metoprolol, and clonidine had no effect on pulsatile blood flow. These results indicate that most antiglaucoma drugs, with the exception of a few, can enhance the ocular pulsatile blood flow in ocular hypertensive rabbits. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Heat-related illness in children

Abstract Summer heat is responsible for a significant number of illnesses and emergency department visits. Although more common in elderly patients, infants, children, and adolescents are also vulnerable. Those involved in the care of pediatric patients need to be aware of the differences in physiology and behavior, as well as predisposing factors that put children at risk. Heat illness constitutes a spectrum of maladies, ranging from the very mild and irritating prickly heat, to severe and potentially life-threatening cases of heatstroke. Milder forms of heat illness respond to removal from the hot environment, rest, and hydration. Heat exhaustion and heatstroke must be recognized early, and rapid cooling and fluid resuscitation must be initiated promptly. Many cases of heat illness can be prevented by paying careful attention to the type of clothing worn, gradual acclimatization to hot and humid conditions, limiting exposure during the hottest part of the day, and drinking fluids both before and during outdoor play or exercise.
Loss of resealing ability in erythrocyte membranes. Effect of divalent cations and spectrin release.

Abstract Washed human erythrocyte membranes can recover impermeability to macromolecules upon warming in solutions of sufficient ionic strength. This ability is rapidly lost from most ghost preparations in dilute salt solution at temperatures of 15°C or higher. Divalent cations both reseal ghosts in the absence of high ionic strength and prevent loss of resealing ability. The effective concentrations are 40 μM for Ca 2+ and 200 μM for Mg 2+ . The loss of resealing ability is associated with the release of spectrin polypeptides from the inner surface of the membrane. In ghost preparations that have not become irreversibly leaky, or in the presence of Ca 2+ , loss of spectrin does not occur. These results suggest that an intact spectrin network is required for resealing to macromolecules, and divalent cations stabilize this network. In light of this information, the effect of temperature on resealing kinetics is described.
Low Self-Control and Police Deviance: Applying Gottfredson and Hirschi’s General Theory to Officer Misconduct

Prior research assessing police misconduct has generally focused on prevalence and demographic correlates while neglecting traditional criminological theories. Some recent research has begun to fil...
Volcanology: Carbon below the sea floor

Magma from the mantle meets the ocean at seafloor spreading centres. At young rifts, basalt sills may heat overlying sediments and induce natural carbon release; basalt flows elsewhere may offer secure reservoirs for sequestration of anthropogenic carbon.
Data Analysis Using Lisp-Stat

Lisp-Stat is a statistical computing environment based on the Lisp language. To support statistical computations, standard Lisp functions have been modified to operate in a vectorized fashion on lists and arrays of numbers, and a number of basic statistical functions have been added. Interactive graphical displays such as histograms, scatterplots, and rotatable three-dimensional scatterplots can be linked to show corresponding points in different plots. The graphics are implemented using an object-oriented programming system that is designed to support user-level extensions and customization. This article provides a brief introduction to the Lisp-Stat system, illustrating some of its capabilities in the context of the Duncan occupational status data.
The new biomimetic chemistry: artificial transcription factors.

While many research programs have focused on the challenge of developing small molecules that can inhibit protein–protein interactions, some researchers have taken the problem one step further by attempting to develop small molecules that mimic the essential features of an entire protein. An area of particular interest has been in the field of artificial transcription factors (ATFs), where the essential function of some transcription factors is to recruit and promote the assembly of a larger transcription complex, leading to the expression of a gene of interest. The goal of synthesizing small-molecule ATFs holds promise as a means to independently control the expression of genes such as those that are misregulated in cancer and disease.
An information theory model for the evaluation of circumstantial evidence

The problem of assessing the weight of circumstantial evidence linking a suspect with the perpetrator of a crime is considered. The quantitative measure PG of weight of circumstantial evidence that is used is the probability that culprit and suspect may be identified with certainty as one and the same based solely upon the circumstantial evidence. A unifying model for evaluating PG taking into account expert testimony is established on the basis of the Kullback-Leibler discrimination information measure. This model is applied to deriving PG based upon a jurist's interpretation of the expert testimony. An important property of the model is the first-order agreement, as the testimony becomes compelling, of PGs based on different jurists' viewpoints. The methodology developed is applied to the well-known Collins case.
CRIEP: a platform for distributed robotics research

This paper presents a testbed which is the result of a collaborative project between computer science and psychology. The tested is composed of hardware and associated software which allows an individual, or group of individuals to conduct research in the fields of distributed robotics, searching algorithms, behavior modelling and other areas of cognitive science. The robots operate on a flat grid environment which is ideal for many types of algorithms. Algorithms are implemented as Java classes which are dynamically loaded at runtime and presented to the user. The overall structure of the testbed allows developers to create custom behavior classes which may be accessed and utilized by users. The methodology behind the robots movement relies on path analysis and is handled by a computer which maintains a wireless Bluetooth connection to each robot.
Baseball pitching kinematics, joint loads, and injury prevention

There is a need for the prevention of upper extremity injuries that affect a large number of competitive baseball players. Currently available evidence alludes to three possible ways to prevent these injuries: 1) regulation of unsafe participation factors, 2) implementation of exercise intervention to modify suboptimal physical characteristics, and 3) instructional intervention to correct improper pitching techniques. Of these three strategies, instruction of proper pitching technique is under-explored as a method of injury prevention. Therefore, the purpose of this review was to explore the utility of pitching technique instruction in prevention of pitching-related upper extremity injuries by presenting evidence linking pitching technique and pitching-related upper extremity injuries, as well as identifying considerations and potential barriers in pursuing this approach to prevent injuries. Various kinematic parameters measured using laboratory-based motion capture system have been linked to excessive joint loading, and thus pitching-related upper extremity injuries. As we gain more knowledge about the influence of pitching kinematics on joint loading and injury risk, it is important to start exploring ways to modify pitching technique through instruction and feedback while considering the specific skill components to address, mode of instruction, target population, duration of program, and ways to effectively collaborate with coaches and parents.
Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy for large renal masses: critical assessment of perioperative and oncologic outcomes of stage T2a and T2b tumors.

Objective To analyze the perioperative and oncologic outcomes of >7 cm renal tumors treated with laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (LRN) at a high-volume academic center. The indications for LRN have expanded to include larger (>7 cm) lesions. Methods The Institutional Minimally Invasive Urologic Surgery Database (1994 to the present) was reviewed for patients undergoing LRN for >7-cm masses (American Joint Committee on Cancer clinical Stage T2N0M0). Results Of 200 patients, 138 (69.0%) had tumors >7.0-10 cm and 62 (31.0%) had tumors >10 cm. The patients with tumors >10 cm presented more often with symptoms, most often hematuria, and more often had high-grade tumors (68% vs 44%, P = .005). Also, a greater proportion were papillary renal cell carcinoma (23% vs 14%, P = .09) and were more often upstaged (21% vs 9%, P = .02). Of the 200 tumors, 74 (37%) were upstaged, 58 (29%) with perinephric extension and 26 (13%) with renal vein invasion. Larger tumors had greater blood loss on average (406 vs 288 mL, respectively, P = .1) and were converted to open surgery more often (13.8% vs 2.1%, P = .001). A total of 47 patients (22.3%) experienced a postoperative complication. The 5-year recurrence-free survival and cancer-specific survival rate was 62.4% and 92.9%, respectively. The significant predictors of recurrence-free survival in the multivariate model were clear cell histologic type, high Fuhrman grade, renal vein invasion, and perinephric extension. Of note, pT2b was not a predictor of recurrence. Conclusion LRN can have favorable perioperative and oncologic outcomes for large (>7 cm) renal masses, with an open conversion rate and complication rate of 5% and 20%, respectively. Clear cell histologic features, high-grade tumors, renal vein invasion, and perinephric extension, but not tumor size, were poor prognostic indicators in this cohort.
Conservative management of unilateral pulmonary interstitial emphysema under tension.

PULMONARY INTERSTITIAL EMPHYSEMA is a frequent complication of idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome in the premature infant?, 2 In many cases the interstitial pulmonary air dissects alongperibronchi al and perivascular spaces leading to pneumomediastinu m or pneumothorax, and less commonly to pneumopericardium or pneumoperitoneum . In rare cases, interstitial pulmonary air may lead to massive inflation of one lung or lobe with tension causing shift of the mediastinum to the opposite side and compression of the contralateral lung?, 4 In such instances the prevailing dynamics are similar to those of congenital lobar emphysema. Two recent publications recommend lobectomy for the treatment of localized PIE under tension?, 4
Laceration injury at cesarean section.

Objective: To determine the infant laceration injury rate during Cesarean sections at Naval Medical Center, San Diego and to describe risk factors associated with this complication. Methods: Retros...
Beaches and Dunes of Developed Coasts

Throughout recorded history, humans have derived both sustenance and pleasure from proximity to the sea. Archeological artifacts testify to our continuous presence at the coast and provide clues to how we have changed the landscape. At any number of temporal and spatial scales, humans have clearly become the dominant geomorphological agents in the coastal zone. The details of how this important role is being fulfilled is the subject of Beaches and Dunes of Developed Coasts.
Trans-monolayer coupling of fluid domains in lipid bilayers

Lipid membranes that exhibit fluid–fluid phase coexistence are widely studied as models for the physical state of lipids in raft-forming biomembranes. Yet, whereas model membranes are typically symmetric, biomembranes maintain different lipid compositions in their two leaflets. In the plasma membrane, only the extracellular but not the cytoplasmic leaf contains a raft-competent lipid mixture. This raises the question if a raft-like state in the extracellular layer is able to induce a similar state also on the cytoplasmic side. Recent studies have thus begun to investigate the problem of trans-monolayer domain coupling in model membranes. Experimental work on asymmetric membranes has revealed that a tendency to phase-separate in one leaf can induce phase separation on the other leaf. Conversely, the lack of such a tendency can prevent phase separation in the apposed leaf. The strength of the coupling between domains can be described by a composition-dependent surface tension or, for small compositional changes, by a single coupling constant. Theoretical work has demonstrated how the coupling constant affects the phase behavior of a binary membrane. We summarize previous experimental findings and modeling efforts. In addition, three possible physical mechanisms of trans-monolayer domain coupling are discussed: electrostatic coupling, cholesterol flip-flop, and dynamic chain interdigitation. We argue that dynamic chain interdigitation likely provides the main contribution to the coupling constant. The charges of acidic lipids tend to reduce the coupling constant – but the reduction is insignificant even at low salt content.
Er 3+ -doped ZBLAN fiber laser Q-switched by Fe:ZnSe

A highly erbium ion-doped ZBLAN fiber laser passively Q-switched by a Fe:ZnSe crystal is reported. Mid-infrared pulses at 2.78 μm with a repetition rate of 70.4 kHz and a pulse duration of 5.8 μs were generated.
Modeling the rate of bilirubin decay after percutaneous drainage prior to chemotherapy

Purpose To evaluate the potential of two models of bilirubin decay to predict response to drainage in patients who underwent biliary drainage to lower serum bilirubin prior to chemotherapy. Materials and Methods IRB-approved retrospective review identified 77 patients with malignant biliary obstruction who underwent a single biliary drainage to decrease bilirubin prior to chemotherapy administration and who had at least four subsequent serum bilirubin determinations (regardless of value) at 7-10 day intervals for the first 4 weeks following the procedure. Data were analyzed in both mono-exponential (ME) (bilirubin level is described in terms of pure exponential decay) and mono-exponential-static (MS) (bilirubin level is described in terms of exponential decay followed by an inflection point where the bilirubin level levels off to a constant value) models. Responders were defined as patients who achieved total serum bilirubin levels Results Across all patients, the MS model had better fit with total serum bilirubin values after drainage than the ME model (R2 0.82 vs 0.62, respectively). When patients were stratified into responders and non-responders, the MS model similarly had better fit to patient data (responders: R2 0.91 v 0.71; non-responders R2 0.66 v 0.45). Parameters extracted from both models (ME and MS) suggest that both estimated pre-drainage bilirubin (10.4 and 10.7 mg/dL, respectively) and the exponential decay rate (0.14 and 0.22 mg/dL/day) of responders was significantly different from the estimated pre-drainage bilirubin (15.0 and 15.1 mg/dL) (P=0.0003 and P Conclusion Models of bilirubin response to percutaneous drainage may be useful to provide early clinical separation of responders from non-responders, prompting additional drainage or internalization of drainage when clinically appropriate.
A nonlinear economic control problem with a linear feedback solution

This paper discusses a special optimal control problem having a solution expressible in linear feedback form. The problem structure is characteristic of certain economic investment problems where the control influences the rate of deterioration of a capital good. An example of an economic problem of this type is the determination of the optimal maintenance policy for a housing unit when the effectiveness of maintenance is subject to decreasing returns to scale. Mathematically, the problem is characterized by a dynamic system that is nonlinear with respect to both the state and the control and by a linear objective function. Both the control and the state are restricted to be nonnegative and to lie below given upper bounds. The problem possesses a unique global optimal solution expressible in linear feedback form. The associated control law is derived from the solution of an auxiliary ordinary differential equation that can be solved backward in time. In addition to the linear control law, the problem possesses other important linearity properties. The closed-loop system is linear; that is, although the system itself is nonlinear, when the optimal control law is substituted for the control, the resulting system is linear with respect to the state. And, the optimal return function is affine; that is, the optimal value that can be attained from a given point is an affine function of the value of the state at that time.
Galerkin boundary integral method for evaluating surface derivatives

A Galerkin boundary integral procedure for evaluating the complete derivative, e.g., potential gradient or stress tensor, is presented. The expressions for these boundary derivatives involve hypersingular kernels, and the advantage of the Galerkin approach is that the integrals exist when a continuous surface interpolation is employed. As a consequence, nodal derivative values, at smooth surface points or at corners, can be obtained directly. This method is applied to the problem of electromigration-driven void dynamics in thin film aluminum interconnects. In this application, the tangential component of the electric field on the boundary is required to compute the flux of atoms at the void surface.
Relation of sexual abuse and bulimia in college women.

This study investigated the relation between self-report of prior sexual abuse and self-report of current eating behaviors consistent with bulimia. The subjects were 340 college women who completed the Bulimia Test and a modified version of Finkelhor's Life Events Questionnaire, which inquires about experiences of sexual abuse. Bulimic women did not report a higher incidence of past intrafamilial sexual abuse than did the comparison group. However, bulimic women did report both significantly more experiences of extrafamilial sexual abuse after age 12 and that they had narrowly missed being sexually assaulted more often than did the comparison group of women. The findings provide limited support for the clinical belief that sexual abuse is associated with bulimia. It may be that perception of control is a mediator for the possible sexual abuse-bulimia relation.
Racial and regional differences in age at menopause in the United States: findings from the REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study.

Objective We sought to examine regional and black-white differences in mean age at self-reported menopause among community-dwelling women in the United States. Study Design This was a cross-sectional survey conducted in the context of the REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke and Myocardial Infarction study. Results We studied 22,484 menopausal women. After controlling for covariates, Southern women reported menopause 10.8 months earlier than Northeastern women, 8.4 months earlier than Midwestern women, and 6.0 months earlier than Western women ( P P = .69). Conclusion Women in the South report earlier menopause than those in other regions, but the cause remains unclear. Our study's large sample size and adjustment for multiple confounders lends weight to our finding of no racial difference in age at menopause. More study is needed of the implications of these findings with regard to vascular health.
Wild-Type RAS: Keeping Mutant RAS in CHK

Mutant RAS-driven tumorigenesis was thought for decades to arise independently of wild-type RAS isoforms, but recent evidence indicates wild-type isoforms are involved. In this issue of Cancer Cell, Grabocka and colleagues report how the loss of wild-type RAS alters oncogenic signaling and dampens the DNA-damage response, thereby affecting tumor progression and chemosensitivity.
Identification of metal-binding residues in the Klebsiella aerogenes urease nickel metallochaperone, UreE.

The urease accessory protein encoded by ureE from Klebsiella aerogenes is proposed to bind intracellular Ni(II) for transfer to urease apoprotein. While native UreE possesses a histidine-rich region at its carboxyl terminus that binds several equivalents of Ni, the Ni-binding sites associated with urease activation are internal to the protein as shown by studies involving truncated H144*UreE [Brayman and Hausinger (1996) J. Bacteriol. 178, 5410−5416]. Nine potential Ni-binding residues (five His, two Cys, one Asp, and one Tyr) within H144*UreE were independently substituted by mutagenesis to determine their roles in metal binding and urease activation. In vivo effects of these substitutions on urease activity were measured in Escherichia coli strains containing the K. aerogenes urease gene cluster with the mutated ureE genes. Several mutational changes led to reductions in specific activity, with substitution of His96 producing urease activity below the level obtained from a ureE deletion mutant. The meta...
Characterization of YafO, an Escherichia coli Toxin

YafO is a toxin encoded by the yafN-yafO antitoxin-toxin operon in the Escherichia coli genome. Our results show that YafO inhibits protein synthesis but not DNA or RNA synthesis. The in vivo [35S]methionine incorporation was inhibited within 5 min after YafO induction. In in vivo primer extension experiments with two different mRNAs, the specific cleavage bands appeared 11–13 bases downstream of the initiation codon, AUG, 2.5 min after the induction of YafO. An identical band was also detected in in vitro toeprinting experiments when YafO was added to the reaction mixture containing 70 S ribosomes and the same mRNAs even in the absence of tRNAfMet. Notably, this band was not detected in the presence of YafO alone, indicating that YafO by itself does not have endoribonuclease activity under the conditions used. The full-length mRNAs almost completely disappeared 30 min after YafO induction in in vivo primer extension experiments, consistent with Northern blotting analysis. Over 84% of [35S]methionine-tRNAfMet was released from the translation initiation complex at 5.43 μm YafO in vitro. We demonstrated that the 70 S ribosome peak significantly increased upon YafO induction, and when the 70 S ribosomes dissociated into 50 and 30 S subunits, YafO was found to be associated with 50 S subunits. These results demonstrate that YafO is a ribosome-dependent mRNA interferase inhibiting protein synthesis.
Race, Inequality of Opportunity, and School Choice.

Both neoliberals and liberals call for mitigating inequality of educational opportunity stemming from circumstances beyond an individual’s control. In this article, we challenge the wisdom of making equality of opportunity hinge on emphasizing the distinction rather than the relationship between choices and circumstances. We utilize an empirical analysis focusing on the extent to which certain circumstances beyond the control of low-income urban Black adults (e.g. poverty and community instability) limit their eventual chances for maintaining traditional two-parent households, which in turn limits their capacity to make effective choices instrumental in improving the educational prospects of their children. We conclude from this that collectively bearing the burden of attending to differences in the quality of circumstances – in which these voluntary choices are made by poor urban Black parents – is something that we owe to each other whether we are neoliberals or liberals if we share a common normative c...
The effect of petting on a classically conditioned emotional response.

Abstract Three experimental conditions were introduced to five dogs who had formed a well-established conditional response to a tone-shock (T-S) sequence. During five of the trials the T-S sequence was presented while the dog was alone in the experimental room, five trials in which the T-S sequence was presented with a person present in the room, and five trials in which a person petted the dog during the T-S sequence and the 10 sec after the shock. It was observed that petting during the T-S sequence had a significant effect on the conditional and unconditional cardiac response. Instead of a tachycardia responce to the CS, the animals either showed a bradycardia or no change in HR during the CS. The same was true for the 10-sec period after the shock. Petting also reduced the conditional motor activity during the CS, and that activity usually elicited by shock.
Methionine Requirement of Developing Turkeys From 8–12 Weeks of Age

Abstract Two experiments were conducted with Large White male turkeys from 8-12 weeks of age to estimate the methionine requirement for optimum growth rate and feed efficiency. The first experiment was conducted with five pens of 22 turkeys per treatment when the mean minimum temperature was 17.2° C. and the maximum 32.2° C. The second experiment was conducted with four groups of 14 turkeys per pen when the mean minimum temperature was 1.4° C. and the maximum 12.4° C. Initial body weight and rate of gain in the first experiment was lower than that in Experiment 2. Maximum growth and feed efficiency in Experiment 1 were obtained with a methionine level between 1.32 and 1.41 g./mcal. of M.E. and in Experiment 2 between 1.27 and 1.43 g. Adding 0.1% l -cystine to the basal diet in Experiment 2 failed to improve growth or feed efficiency significantly. The estimated requirement for methionine in these experiments agrees with the present estimate of the National Research Council.
The Therapeutic Dilemma of Hypertension in the Elderly

Summary There are good reasons to treat hypertension in the elderly. Elevated blood pressure at any age increases morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease. Treatment trials suggest that antihypertensive treatment ;;z the elderly decreases strokes, may improve the cardiovascular morbidity, but does not prolong life. Consequently, elevated blood pressure in people over 65 years of age should be treated, but there is no justification for an overly aggressive approach. Knowledge of side effects of various drugs and appreciation of a patient's specific features permit individual 'tailoring' of the treatment and optimise the outcome. No present-day antihypertensive drugs are specific for the elderly. The drive to combat cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the elderly continues. New drugs are under development and promise to further improve results. Worldwide, the average age of the population is increasing (fig. I). In the United States over 110 years, the number of people over 65 years of age has increased from 1.15 million to 25.5 million. The total population of the United States has also increased over that time. However, the proportion of elderly people in the United States over 110 years has increased from 3.4 to 15% of the total population. The proportion of the elderly mirrors fairly well the gross national income of various countries and in northern Europe has reached 15% (fig. 2). As underdeveloped countries improve their economies, the number of elderly people all over the world will continue to increase. Cardiovascular diseases are the major cause of morbidity and mortality in the elderly, and arterial hypertension is the most frequent diagnosis in this age group. If a blood pressure of over 160mm Hg systolic and/or 90mm Hg diastolic was used to define hypertension in the elderly, about 40% ofpeo