cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ASCT-1 Is a Neutral Amino Acid Exchanger with Chloride Channel Activity *

The ubiquitous transport activity known as system ASC is characterized by a preference for small neutral amino acids including alanine, serine, and cysteine. ASCT-1 and ASCT-2, recently cloned transporters exhibiting system ASC-like selectivity, are members of a major amino acid transporter family that includes a number of glutamate transporters. Here we show that ASCT1 functions as an electroneutral exchanger that mediates negligible net amino acid flux. The electrical currents previously shown to be associated with ASCT1-mediated transport result from activation of a thermodynamically uncoupled chloride conductance with permeation properties similar to those described for the glutamate transporter subfamily. Like glutamate transporters, ASCT1 activity requires extracellular Na+. However, unlike glutamate transporters, which mediate net flux and complete a transport cycle by countertransport of K+, ASCT-1 mediates only homo- and heteroexchange of amino acids and is insensitive to K+. The properties of ASCT-1 suggest that it may function to equilibrate different pools of neutral amino acids and provide a mechanism to link amino acid concentration gradients.
Age-related macular degeneration: a perspective on genetic studies

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common macular disease in the developed world and recent studies have shown that specific genes may be associated with it and may contribute to a higher risk of developing AMD. Our objective was to review systematically recent publications related to the genetics of AMD and provide relevant information that would help both scientists and clinicians in advising patients. A systematic search was performed on PubMed, Medline, and National Library of Medicine as well as ARVO abstracts using key words relevant to the genetic associations of AMD. The most important genetic associations in AMD involved the complement factor H (CFH) gene, which showed that possession of the variant Y402H polymorphism significantly increases the risk for AMD. Protective genes have also been identified such as those on either factor B (BFor complement factor B (CFB)) or complement component 2 (C2) genes. The genes involved in inherited macular dystrophies such as ATP-binding cassette, subfamily A (ABC1), member 4 (ABCA4), vitelliform macular dystrophy (VMD2), tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (TIMP3), and EFEMP1have yielded some important information but further confirmatory work has yet to establish a clear association with AMD. Patients with AMD possess specific genetic variants of the CFHgene, which put them at a higher risk of developing the disease. Other unaffected individuals may possess certain protective genetic variants, which could prevent them from developing AMD. Further research will no doubt shed light on other such mechanisms and these will be useful in identifying possible direct targets for drugs or indirectly through modulation of the genes responsible for disease presentation.
Reinforcing unfired magnesia bodies and firing them without preliminary drying

A technology has been developed in industrial conditions for strengthening unfired (green) magnesia ware based on additions to the batch of a solution of sulfite liquor. The use of this technology made it possible to set the ware from the press directly on the kiln cars.
Defining the Role of Ubiquitin-interacting Motifs in the Polyglutamine Disease Protein, Ataxin-3

Polyglutamine (polyQ) expansions cause neurodegeneration that is associated with protein misfolding and influenced by functional properties of the host protein. The polyQ disease protein, ataxin-3, has predicted ubiquitin-specific protease and ubiquitin-binding domains, which suggest that ataxin-3 functions in ubiquitin-dependent protein surveillance. Here we investigate direct links between the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway and ataxin-3. In neural cells we show that, through its ubiquitin interaction motifs (UIMs), normal or expanded ataxin-3 binds a broad range of ubiquitinated proteins that accumulate when the proteasome is inhibited. The expression of a catalytically inactive ataxin-3 (normal or expanded) causes ubiquitinated proteins to accumulate in cells, even in the absence of proteasome inhibitor. This accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins occurs primarily in the cell nucleus in transfected cells and requires intact UIMs in ataxin-3. We further show that both normal and expanded ataxin-3 can undergo oligoubiquitination. Although this post-translational modification occurs in a UIM-dependent manner, it becomes independent of UIMs when the catalytic cysteine residue of ataxin-3 is mutated, suggesting that ataxin-3 ubiquitination is itself regulated in trans by its own de-ubiquitinating activity. Finally, pulse-chase labeling reveals that ataxin-3 is degraded by the proteasome, with expanded ataxin-3 being as efficiently degraded as normal ataxin-3. Mutating the UIMs does not alter degradation, suggesting that UIM-mediated oligoubiquitination of ataxin-3 modulates ataxin-3 function rather than stability. The function of ataxin-3 as a de-ubiquitinating enzyme, its post-translational modification by ubiquitin, and its degradation via the proteasome link this polyQ protein to ubiquitin-dependent pathways already implicated in disease pathogenesis.
Variable Conformation of GAP Junctions Linking Bone Cells: A Transmission Electron Microscopic Study of Linear, Stacked Linear, Curvilinear, Oval, and Annular Junctions

There is a marked variability in the conformation of bone cell gap junctions in newborn murine cortical bone as defined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Studies were done in newborn BALB/c mouse and Sprague-Dawley rat femurs and tibias. Femoral and tibial cortices were dissected into 1 mm3 fragments and prepared in standardized fashion using modified Karnovsky fixation, 7.5% EDTA decalcification, 1% osmium tetroxide-sym collidine buffer with 1% lanthanum nitrate postfixation, Epon resin, 60 nm sections, lead citrate/uranyl acetate staining, and examination at 60 kV. Previous TEM descriptions of bone junctions have, with rare exceptions, noted only isolated linear or mildly curvilinear structures. In this study we noted gap junctional shapes on thin-section TEM preparations of osteoblasts and osteocytes to be extremely variable and complex encompassing linear, curvilinear, stacked linear, oval, and annular conformations. Multiple observations revealed linear gap junctions linking surface osteoblast cell bodies; linear, curvilinear, stacked linear, and oval junctions linking osteoblast processes in osteoid; linear and curvilinear junctions where cell processes joined with osteocyte cell bodies and each of the five conformations linking osteocyte processes within canaliculi. The annular junctions were found within osteoblast and osteocyte cytoplasm and in osteocyte cell processes within canaliculi. The annular junctions are intracellular, degenerating structures which appear as ultrastructural markers of gap junction involution. The more complex shapes reported here must be considered in (1) interpreting quantitative studies using freeze-fracture replicas, thin sections, and confocal microscopy immunolabeled junction connexin-43 components and (2) assessing gap junction biogenesis and turnover. 3-D reconstruction of bone junctions will enhance our understanding of these complex conformations.
COMPARATIVE EFFECTS OF I131 AND X-IRRADIATION ON SHEEP THYROIDS*

A preliminary study to determine the early comparative effects of I131 and x irradiation on the thyroid was performed in young adult sheep. The thyroid region of one group of animals was exposed to x irradiation, with doses of 750--4500 r given as single or three exposures at weekly intervals. Other animals were given single oral doses of 1.25--5.0 mC I131 with estimated average thyroid radiation doses of 24000-- 90000 rad. Only minimal changes in thyroid function were observed, as evaluated by radioiodine uptake and determination of serum protein-bound iodine. Histopathological changes including inflammation, necrosis, and fibrosis of the thyroid were observed in the exposed animals and were generally dose dependent. In the x irradiated animals, tissue damage was observed in the structures contiguous to the thyroid gland.
Preparation and mechanical properties of crosslinked 1,2,3‐triazole‐polymers as potential propellant binders

Thirteen triazole polymers were prepared as potential rocket propellant binders by the reactions of various diacetylenes and diazides. The reaction of E300 dipropiolate (1) with diazide (2) obtained from tetraethylene glycol was selected to study the effects of concentration of the tetraacetylene functionalized crosslinker (3) on the mechanical properties of resulting triazole polymers. The modulus of the polymers increased, whereas the strain (% elongation at failure) decreased with increasing percentage of crosslinker. The resulting triazole polymers also showed that the desired mechanical properties could be obtained by adjusting the crosslinker concentration during the polymerization. Addition of 43 wt % aluminum filler did not significantly affect the strain. The modulus of these triazole polymers was comparable with typical polyurethane elastomeric matrices for rocket propellants. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Frequency-dependent solvent friction and torsional damping in liquid 1,2-difluoroethane

Abstract We have used Raman spectroscopy to study the torsional dynamics, rotational dynamics, and conformational solvation energy of liquid 1,2-difluoroethane. From the Raman intensities, we obtain Δ H (g-t) = −2.4±0.1 kcal/mol, indicating strong dipolar solvation of the gauche conformer. We analyze the Raman linewidths of the CCF bending bands to obtain the zero-frequency torsional damping coefficient or well friction for the gauche conformer, and from the linewidth of the torsion band we obtain the friction evaluated at the torsional frequency. The zero-frequency well friction shows deviations from hydrodynamic behavior reminiscent of those observed for barrier friction, whereas the high-frequency friction is considerably smaller in magnitude and independent of temperature and viscosity. The zero-frequency torsional friction correlates linearly with the rotational friction. It is argued that the small amplitude of the torsional fluctuations emphasizes the short distance, or high wavevector components of the solvent friction. Dielectric friction apparently does not contribute to the torsional friction at the observed frequencies.
The stochastic SI model with recruitment and deaths I. comparison with the closed SIS model

We compare the stochastic and deterministic versions of an SI model with recruitment, background deaths, and deaths due to the disease. For the stochastic version, analysis of the mean number of susceptibles, mx, and infecteds, m(y), and of the means conditioned on nonextinction of the infection, m*x and m*y, shows that (1) if R0 1, the disease dies out early with a probability close to (1/R0)a, where a is the number of infecteds introduced, or m(y) rises to a peak and then dies out slowly. For small populations, N, the peak is an obvious maximum. If N > or = 100, the peak in m(y) is hidden in a long, nearly stationary plateau and m*y is close to the deterministic endemic level for a large range of parameter values. The analytical results are illustrated with simulations. The results for the SI model are motivated by and compared with the corresponding results for the closed SIS model.
Young thrombocytes initiate the formation of arterial thrombi in zebrafish

The zebrafish system is an excellent vertebrate genetic model to study hemostasis and thrombosis because saturation mutagenesis screens can identify novel genes that play a role in this vital physiologic pathway. To study hemostatic mutations, it is important to understand the physiology of zebrafish hemostasis and thrombosis. Previously, we identified zebrafish thrombocytes and have shown that they participate in arterial thrombus formation. Here, we recognized 2 populations of thrombocytes distinguishable by DiI-C18 (DiI) staining. DiI+ thrombocytes have a high density of adhesive receptors and are functionally more active than DiI– thrombocytes. We classified DiI+ thrombocytes as young and DiI– thrombocytes as mature thrombocytes. We found young and mature thrombocytes each formed independent clusters and that young thrombocytes clustered first. We have also shown that young thrombocytes initiate arterial thrombus formation. We propose that due to the increased adhesive receptor density on young thrombocytes, they adhere first to the subendothelial matrix, get activated rapidly, release agonists, and recruit more young thrombocytes, which further release more agonists. This increase in agonists activates the less active mature thrombocytes, drawing them to the growing thrombus. Since arterial thrombus formation is a fundamental hemostatic event, this mechanism may be conserved in mammals and may open new avenues for prevention of arterial thrombosis.
Industry-University Cooperation with Emphasis on a Machines and Drives Laboratory

Joint efforts between the University of Missouri and industry have matured significantly over the past years. While all four campuses have benefited from this increased cooperation, major improvements in both the research and teaching programs of the Department of Electrical Engineering at U.M.-Rolla have resulted. We first examine the general impact of this change from a campus and departmental funding point of view. This is followed by a discussion of the Machines and Drives Laboratory, a major laboratory facility supporting both the teaching and research programs of the department. This particular laboratory is an excellent example of university-industry cooperation.
Notes on spline functions III: On the convergence of the interpolating cardinal splines as their degree tends to infinity

It is shown that for entire functionsf(x) defined by a Fourier-Stieltjes integral (9) the cardinal splineS m (x) of the odd degree 2m−1, which interpolatesf(x) at all integers, converges tof(x) asm tends to infinity. Properties of the exponential Euler spline are used in the proof.
Assembling mono-, di- and tri-nuclear coordination complexes with a ditopic analogue of 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine: syntheses, structures and catalytic studies

4-Phenyl-2,6-bis(2′-pyrazinyl)pyridine (L) as a closely related ditopic analogue of 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine, was synthesized through a facile one-pot Krohnke condensation, along with the structural determination of transition metal coordination assemblies of this ditopic ligand. A variety of metal complexes including mono-, di- and tri-nuclear structures 1–6 were revealed, dependent upon the metal salts and reaction conditions employed. Although reactions of L with copper(II) or zinc(II) nitrates and zinc(II) iodide gave only simple mononuclear mono-ligand complexes, that using cobalt thiocyanate led to a dinuclear dimeric complex. The potential of outer N-donors of the ligand backbone in extending mononuclear complexes into polynuclear assemblies was further investigated. The solution reaction of [Fe(L)2]2+ species with CoII gave an ionic complex containing [Co(SCN)4]2− counterions, leaving the outer pyrazinyl-N non-coordinated. However, the solvothermal assembly of L with copper(II) chloride facilitates the formation of a discrete trinuclear complex via outer-N coordination, indicating the promising applications of L in constructing complicated supramolecular structures. Catalytic tests were carried out on copper(II)- and cobalt(II)-containing complexes 1 and 4–6 for the aerobic alcohol oxidation. Up to 99% conversion of benzylic alcohol to benzaldehyde was observed when 1 (1 mol%) was used as a catalyst, in the presence of TEMPO (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyl-1-oxyl) and DMAP (4-dimethylaminopyridine) in acetonitrile, while the trinuclear 6 was a better catalyst when the reaction was conducted in water.
Effect of cryoinjury on the contractile parameters of bladder strips: a model of impaired detrusor contractility.

Abstract In anesthetized Sprague–Dawley rats, the bladder was exposed and cryoinjury was induced by abruptly freezing the serosal side of the bladder wall with a chilled aluminum rod previously placed on dry ice (−40°C). Five days later, the rats were euthanized, and strips were prepared from the area adjacent to the injury. Neurally and α , β methylene-ATP ( α , β m-ATP; 50 μ M)-evoked contractions were measured in bladder strips from cryoinjured or intact bladders prepared from sham-operated rats. Cryoinjured bladder strips produced significantly lower contractile forces than intact strips to electrical stimulation at higher (10–40 Hz) frequencies. The maximal rate of the neurally evoked contractions was slower in the cryoinjured bladders. The contractile response to α , β m-ATP was smaller in the cryoinjured preparations indicating that the changes may have also occurred at the postjunctional site. In addition, atropine was more effective at inhibiting the neurally evoked contractions in the cryoinjured bladder strips suggesting that a cholinergic dominance occurs after cryoinjury. It is concluded that cryoinjury is a viable method of causing a defined, reproducible injury to the urinary bladder resulting in impaired function of both the cholinergic transmission and the smooth muscle. The bladder cryoinjury can be used as a model for studying impaired bladder compliance and detrusor contractility as well as treatments that may improve bladder function such as tissue engineering.
Elastic strain energy associated with the “A” surfaces of the III–V compounds

Abstract {111} Wafers of InSb with a thickness of the order of 10 μ are spontaneously bent, the A surface being convex. Such bending results from the elastic strain energy associated with the distortion of the bonding configuration on the A surfaces of the III–V compounds. The radius of curvature was found to be a function of the thickness of the wafers. An equation was derived relating the elastic strain energy with the radius of curvature, the dimensions of the wafers and the corresponding elastic constants. In the case of InSb values of approximately 10−6 times the InSb binding energy were obtained for the stored elastic strain energy. These results were found to be consistent with X-ray diffraction data.
A role for the IgH intronic enhancer Eμ in enforcing allelic exclusion

The intronic enhancer (E mu) of the immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) locus is critical for V region gene assembly. To determine E mu's subsequent functions, we created an Igh allele with assembled V(H) gene but with E mu removed. In mice homozygous for this E mu-deficient allele, B cell development was normal and indistinguishable from that of mice with the same V(H) knockin and E mu intact. In mice heterozygous for the E mu-deficient allele, however, allelic exclusion was severely compromised. Surprisingly, this was not a result of reduced suppression of V-DJ assembly on the second allele. Rather, the striking breakdown in allelic exclusion took place at the pre-B to immature B cell transition. These findings reveal both an important role for E mu in influencing the fate of newly arising B cells and a second checkpoint for allelic exclusion.
Soil properties and crop yield among four tillage systems in a wheat-pea rotation

Tillage systems that address soil conservation and sustainable crop yield need to be developed. Research was conducted on a Walla Walla silt loam (Typic Haploxeroll) to determine the long-term (19 years) effect of four tillage systems on soil properties and crop yield in a green pea (Pisum sativum L.)—winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) rotation that was started in 1968. The experimental design was a split plot with four replications. Wheat and peas were grown each season. The primary tillage systems were: (T1) fall moldboard plow after wheat and after peas (control); (T2) fall rototill after wheat and fall sweep after peas; (T3) spring moldboard plow after wheat and fall moldboard plow after peas; (T4) no tillage after wheat and fall sweep after peas. Soil measurements included bulk density, pH, organic carbon, penetration resistance, and saturated hydraulic conductivity. Profiles of bulk density, penetration resistance and pH revealed unique differences among treatments. However, there were no consistent differences in yield among the four tillage systems, in either green peas or wheat. From a crop production viewpoint, changes in soil properties on these tillage plots were inconsequential. From a soil erosion viewpoint, spring plowing (T3) and conservation tillage (T4) have an advantage over T2 and T1 because surface cover is maintained during the first winter following wheat harvest. Results show the importance of testing tillage systems over long periods of time and that the traditional system of fall moldboard plowing after wheat and after peas can be replaced by conservation systems without yield loss.
Criminal Justice Education: Substance or Style?

The growth and development of criminal justice education has resulted in a substantial investment of time, human resources, and money. Criminal justice educators make many assumptions about their objectives, competencies, and effectiveness in higher education, and it is important for them to respond to fundamental challenges regarding their activities and the premises upon which they construct criminal justice education programs. Much of the future character of criminal justice as an academic discipline will depend on the manner in which educators address the question of quality in higher education. Therefore, confronting the difficult problem of establishing the value of criminal justice education is appropriate.
Tell Them Who I Am: The Lives of Homeless Women

In 1984, Liebow left his position as director of anthropological research at the National Institute of Mental Health to undergo treatment for cancer. He also volunteered to work at local soup kitchens and homeless shelters, where he conducted the research for this book. Here the author of Tally's Corner investigates and documents the patterns and routines of homeless women.
Hemispheric differences for feature migrations

Abstract Hemispheric differences for feature migrations were investigated in two experiments. Stimulus displays consisting of five small squares arranged in a single row were presented tachistoscopically with the subject instructed to state in which square a horizontal ‘tick’ mark was located. Ticks could occur in any of the three middle squares, with half of the ticks presented on the inside and half presented on the outside of the square relative to the fovea. Experiment 1 presented each array of five squares to the right or left of fixation and manipulated the spacing between the squares. Experiment 2 presented arrays at two different distances from the fovea. In general, ticks migrated toward the fovea more than away from the fovea. Fewer errors were made with stimuli presented to the left visual field/right hemisphere compared to the right visual field/left hemisphere. When ticks migrated away from the fovea, stimuli presented to the right visual field/left hemisphere tended to produce fewer errors than those presented to the left visual field/right hemisphere, although this effect was not robust. Experiment 1 found that increasing the distance between the squares did not affect hemispheric differences reliably. Experiment 2 found that increasing the distance from the fovea increased hemispheric differences as well as the overall error rate. The data suggest that hemispheric differences for featural processing begin very early during sensory analysis.
A primer: Health care databases, diagnostic coding, severity adjustment systems and improved parameter estimation

Data on outcomes of medical care are becoming much more available in health care organizations and systems of care. This will create new opportunities for operations researchers to make contributions to health care policy and management. To provide some background to those new to the health care area, in this article we do the following: (1) provide a brief exposure to major administrative databases that are available and useful for analyzing outcomes data; (2) discuss the strengths and limitations of the diagnostic information contained in these databases; (3) describe several systems that use this information, or in some cases information from the medical record, to determine patient severity, thus providing a basis for severity-adjustment before considering outcomes; and (4) finally, provide an overview of some recent advances in obtaining improved parameter estimates from large databases.
Laves‐phase superalloys?

The mechanical properties of Laves phases, and of alloys containing Laves phases, are reviewed with an eye to their potential as high-temperature structural materials. Several two-phase alloys show promising combinations of high-temperature strength and low-temperature toughness, and extensive room-temperature deformability of the cubic Laves phase by mechanical twinning is demonstrated in one series of alloys.
COMPARING ECONOMIC WELL‐BEING AMONG ELDERLY AMERICANS

Income-only and income-net worth measures of elderly economic well-being are derived from a single public welfare function-optimizing model of household production and intertemporal resource allocation. These measures are estimated with data on United States elderly in 1984 from the Survey of Income and Program Participation. The income-net worth measure also incorporates independently estimated work-life expectancies and earnings replacement rates. Under both measures, minority, moderately disabled, and unmarried female elderly are the poorest sub-populations. Increasing poverty with age is found under the income-only measure, but not the income-net worth measure.
Geochemical and Stable Isotope Evidence for Precipitation and Groundwater Sourcing of Recharge at the Green Valley Site, Vigo County, Indiana

We examined the recharge sources of acid mine drainage (AMD) seeps that form at the toe of the coal refuse (gob) pile at a site in Indiana, using traditional geochemistry and oxygen isotopes. AMD from this site has impacted local waterways, and reducing the volume of AMD is a priority. Our observations indicate that there are two main sources of recharge. The first is relatively dilute, isotopically homogenous, geochemically-reducing groundwater that flows up through pre-mining karst-like features beneath the gob pile due to localized, precipitation-induced, hydraulic head. This produces a perched water table above the regional water table. The second source of recharge is oxidizing and isotopically variable meteoric precipitation that percolates through the permeable capping material; a partially buried and abandoned railroad grade may also channel meteoric waters into the pile. During periods of low precipitation, oxygenated pore moisture in the unsaturated zone facilitates AMD generation. During periods of elevated precipitation, these metal-rich pore fluids are flushed through the system by isotopically variable, oxygenated, metal-poor meteoric waters. Each source contributes subequal but variable amounts of recharge waters. The hydraulic conductivity and permeability of the gob pile, as calculated by isotopic lag, is consistent with values for silty to clean unconsolidated sand.
Urinary Tract Infections in Pregnancy

Urinary tract infections in pregnancy are common. The diagnosis, treatment, and associated complications will be reviewed.
Egr-1 abrogates the E2F-1 block in terminal myeloid differentiation and suppresses leukemia.

Deregulated growth and blocks in differentiation collaborate in the multistage process of leukemogenesis. Previously, we have shown that ectopic expression of the zinc finger transcription factor Egr-1 in M1 myeloblastic leukemia cells promotes terminal differentiation with interleukin-6 (IL-6). In addition, we have shown that deregulated expression of the oncogene E2F-1 blocks the myeloid terminal differentiation program, resulting in proliferation of immature cells in the presence of IL-6. Here it is shown that the positive regulator of differentiation Egr-1 abrogates the E2F-1-driven block in myeloid terminal differentiation. The M1E2F-1/Egr-1 cells underwent G0/G1 arrest and functional macrophage maturation following treatment with IL-6. Furthermore, Egr-1 diminished the aggressiveness of M1E2F-1 leukemias and abrogated the leukemic potential of IL-6-treated M1E2F-1 cells. Previously, we reported that Egr-1 abrogated the block in terminal myeloid differentiation imparted by deregulated c-myc, which blocks differentiation at a later stage than E2F-1, resulting in cells that have the characteristics of functionally mature macrophages that did not undergo G0/G1 arrest. Taken together, this work extends and highlights the tumor suppressor role of Egr-1, with Egr-1 behaving as a tumor suppressor against two oncogenes, each blocking myeloid differentiation by a different mechanism. These findings suggest that Egr-1 and/or Egr-1 target genes may be useful tools to treat or suppress oncogene-driven hematological malignancies.
The impact of tumor burden characteristics in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated with sunitinib.

BACKGROUND: An important goal of noncurative therapy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) is tumor burden (TB) control. However, to the authors' knowledge, the impact of TB characteristics on clinical outcome has not been studied in patients with mRCC who were treated with vascular endothelial growth factor-targeted therapy. METHODS: Patients with clear cell mRCC who were treated with sunitinib between June 2004 and October 2007 were retrospectively identified. Computed tomography scans were re-reviewed from baseline, at the time of maximal TB shrinkage (TS) while receiving sunitinib, and at the time of progressive disease (PD). Measurements were recorded as per Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors (RECIST). RESULTS: A total of 69 patients were identified. The majority (54%) were classified as being of favorable risk using Cleveland Clinic Foundation Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor (CCF TKI) risk group criteria. All patients underwent prior nephrectomy and 77% received prior systemic therapy. There were a median of 8 metastatic deposits across all organs (range, 1-27 deposits). The median TB at the initiation of therapy was 14.0 cm (range, 3.0 cm-42.2 cm). On multivariable analysis, baseline characteristics of disease confined to above the diaphragm (P = .03) and a total TB 12; P < .001) were found to be significant predictors of survival after PD. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the current study indicate that TB characteristics are associated with clinical outcome in patients with mRCC who are treated with sunitinib. Cancer 2011. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Effects of geometry and chemistry on hydrophobic solvation

Inserting an uncharged van der Waals (vdw) cavity into water disrupts the distribution of water and creates attractive dispersion interactions between the solvent and solute. This free-energy change is the hydrophobic solvation energy (Δ G vdw ). Frequently, it is assumed to be linear in the solvent-accessible surface area, with a positive surface tension (γ) that is independent of the properties of the molecule. However, we found that γ for a set of alkanes differed from that for four configurations of decaalanine, and γ = −5 was negative for the decaalanines. These findings conflict with the notion that Δ G vdw favors smaller A . We broke Δ G vdw into the free energy required to exclude water from the vdw cavity (Δ G rep ) and the free energy of forming the attractive interactions between the solute and solvent (Δ G att ) and found that γ att > γ rep and γ att att and γ rep for the alkanes differed from those for the decaalanines, implying that none of Δ G att , Δ G rep , and Δ G vdw can be computed with a constant surface tension. We also showed that Δ G att could not be computed from either the initial or final water distributions, implying that this quantity is more difficult to compute than is sometimes assumed. Finally, we showed that each atom’s contribution to γ rep depended on multibody interactions with its surrounding atoms, implying that these contributions are not additive. These findings call into question some hydrophobic models.
Self-tuning systems software

Systems software that tunes and reconfigures itself is both feasible and increasingly necessary. The necessity of self-tuning systems arises from the increased complexity of systems software combined with the broader audience for such systems. We demonstrate the feasibility of self-tuning systems by constructing one based on an architecture which separates the tasks of defining expectations, measuring actual performance, analyzing measurements in comparison with expectations, and performing actions in response to analysis which can range from gathering more data to reconfiguring major components of the system. This separation of responsibilities allows systems components to concentrate on performing well within narrower bands of operation, leaving the analysis agent to make more global and longer term decisions regarding the best operating parameters and component implementations to use. >
Parsing PCFG within a General Probabilistic Inference Framework

One of the aims of Articial General Intelligence(AGI) is to use the same methods to reason over a large number of problems spanning dierent domains. Therefore, advancing general tools that are used in a number of domains like language, vision and intention reading is a step toward AGI. Probabilistic Context Free Grammar (PCFG) is one such formalism used in many domains. However, many of these problems can be dealt with more eectively if relationships beyond those encoded in PCFGs (category, order and parthood) can be included in inference. One obstacle to using more general inference approaches for PCFG parsing is that these approaches often require all state variables in a domain to be known in advance. However, since some PCFGs license innite derivations, it is in general impossible to know all state variables before inference. Here, we show how to express PCFGs in a new probabilistic framework that enables inference over unknown objects. This approach enables joint reasoning over both constraints encoded by a PCFG and other constraints relevant to a problem. These constraints can be encoded in a rst-order language that in addition to encoding causal conditional probabilities can also represent (potentially cyclic) boolean constraints.
Virulence factors of mutans streptococci: role of molecular genetics

Biochemical approaches were utilized initially to identify the virulence factors of the mutans streptococci (primarily Streptococcus mutans and S. sobrinu). Traditional mutant analysis of these organisms further suggested the important role of several of these factors in cariogenicity. However, because these mutations were not clearly defined, the utilization of cloned genes was necessary to verify their significance. The introduction of molecular genetic approaches for characterizing these factors has led not only to a clearer understanding of the role of these virulence factors in cariogenicity but has also suggested some novel approaches for reducing further the incidence of dental caries.
Economic Tools for Risk Reduction

Risks are inherent in human activity. Society has devised a series of tools (or institutions or modes of behavior) to cope with risk; some of the coping takes the form of risk reduction behavior and some takes the form of rationalizing the acceptance of risk. Much of the nonrational behavior can be seen as suboptimizing, given the difficulty and expense of obtaining data, the difficulty and expense of analysis, and the cost of changing behavior. Three contradictions exemplify the difficulty of regulating risk: we are safer than ever before but more worried about risk, consumerists have achieved virtually all of their objectives but there is general dissatisfaction with risk regulation, and regulations never seem to achieve their objective. These contradictions show the need for explicit estimation of risks, costs, and benefits and recognition of the difficulty of changing individual’s behavior. Only by recognizing the difficulties of regulating risks and developing thoughtful approaches can we hope to achieve progress.
Disruption of narH, narJ, and moaE Inhibits Heterotrophic Nitrification in Pseudomonas Strain M19

Interruptions in three nitrate reductase-related genes, narH, narJ, and moaE, inhibited heterotrophic nitrification in Pseudomonas strain M19. No nitrate was detected in the medium, and nitrification proceeded in the presence of a nitrate reductase inhibitor. Heterotrophic nitrification was greatly stimulated by the addition of nitrate.
The Race Beat: The Press, the Civil Rights Struggle, and the Awakening of a Nation

Journalism, it has been said, is the first rough draft of history.In The Race Beat, Pulitzer prizewinning journalists Gene Roberts and Hank Klibanoff have come as close as anyone could to a final, ...
Stress in Leached Phase-Separated Glass

When a phase-separated glass is leached, stresses develop because of release of thermal stresses, creation of surface area, ion exchange, and hydration. Analyses are presented for the thermal stresses, including the portion that develops on cooling from the heat-treatment temperature to the setting temperature of the less viscous phase. During leaching, the interfacial energy of the residual phase increases, so that phase tends to contract. A more important effect is the contraction caused by removal of alkali and B2O3 from the residual phase during leaching. The extent of removal of B2O2 decreases with heat-treatment time, tH, because the scale of the microstructure increases as t1/3H. The change in residual B2O2 content with tH is shown to be consistent with diffusion-controlled ion exchange. The dependence of stress on tH in partially leached glasses, measured by Drexhage and Gupta, results principally from the change in extent of ion exchange; the reduction in surface area with increasing tH also has a significant effect on the stresses.
Nicotine withdrawal versus other drug withdrawal syndromes: similarities and dissimilarities

Many of the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal are similar to those of other drug withdrawal syndromes: anxiety, awakening during sleep, depression, difficulty concentrating, impatience, irritability/anger and restlessness. Slowing of the heart rate and weight gain are distinguishing features of tobacco withdrawal. Although nicotine withdrawal may not produce medical consequences, it lasts for several weeks and can be severe in some smokers. Like most other drug withdrawals, nicotine withdrawal is time-limited, occurs in non-humans, is influenced by instructions/expectancy and abates with replacement therapy and gradual reduction. Unlike some other drug withdrawal syndromes, protracted, neonatal or precipitated withdrawal does not occur. Whether nicotine withdrawal is associated with tolerance, acute physical dependence, greater duration and intensity of use, rapid reinstatement, symptom stages, cross-dependence with other nicotine ligands, reduction by non-pharmacological interventions and genetic influences is unclear. Whether nicotine withdrawal plays a major role in relapse to smoking has not been established but this is also true for other drug withdrawal syndromes.
Percolation and Electrical Conductivity Modeling of Novel Microstructured Insulator-Conductor Nanocomposites Fabricated from PMMA and ATO

The electrical conductivity of insulating polymer matrix composites undergoes radical increase at a certain concentration of conductive filler, which is known as the percolation threshold. Polymer matrix conductive nanocomposites were fabricated by compression molding the mechanically mixed poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and antimony tin oxide (ATO) nanoparticles, as has been done with other polymer composites before. The electrical conductivity of PMMA/ATO nanocomposites increased by several orders of magnitude at a small concentration of ATO (~ 0.27 vol %). The continuous 3D network like distribution of ATO nanoparticles contributed to this percolation at subcritical filler concentrations. The effects of processing parameters on these unique microstructures and electrical properties were investigated. The tetrakaidecahedron-like microstructure was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and was found to be affected by the molding pressure, temperature and amount of nanoparticles. The viscoelastic flow of matrix under the optimum processing conditions allowed the shape transformation of PMMA into space filling polyhedra and an ordered distribution of ATO nanoparticles along the sharp edges of the PMMA. Parametric finite element analysis was performed to model this unique microstructure-driven percolation. The 2D simplified model was generated in AC/DC frequency domain mode in COMSOL Multiphysics® to solve the effects of ordered distribution of conductive nanoparticles on the electrical properties of the composite. There was excellent agreement between experimental and simulated values of electrical conductivity and percolation concentration. This model can be used to predict percolation threshold and electrical properties for any types of composite systems containing insulating matrix and conductive fillers that can form this unique microstructure.
Optical anisotropy of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite. Effect of surface preparation

Polarized reflectivity spectra are obtained at near normal incidence from highly oriented pyrolytic graphite surfaces which contain the c-axis (i.e. normal to the cleavage surface). Comparison of spectra from polished and sputter-etched surfaces leads to conclude ϵ∥ ≦ 3.4, consistent with previous determinations by oblique incidence reflectivity and by ellipsometry but substantially lower than recent values based on normal incidence spectra from polished surfaces. The nature of the polish-induced damage is studied by RHEED, and explains the difference between our data and previous results. Polarisierte Reflektivitatsspektren hochorientierter Oberflachen pyrolytischen Graphits werden mit nahezu senkrechtem Lichteinfall relativ zur Oberflache und zu [001] gemessen. Ein Vergleich der Spektren polierter und sputter-geatzter Oberflachen fuhrt zu ϵ∥ ≦ 3,4, in Ubereinstimmung mit vorhergehenden Reflektivitatsmessungen mittels schrag einfallendem Licht und Ellipsometrie, jedoch erheblich niedriger als kurzlich berichtete Werte, die von Spektren mit senkrechtem Lichteinfall auf polierten Oberflachen erhalten wurden. Die Art der durch Polieren erzeugten Oberflachenzerstorung wird mit RHEED untersucht. Die Untersuchung klart die Grunde fur den Unterschied zwischen den erhaltenen Werten und fruheren Ergebnissen.
Story Grammar and Comprehension and Production of Narrative Prose by Students with Learning Disabilities

This study investigated both quantitative and qualitative differences between subjects with and without learning disabilities (LD) across three grade levels on two tasks requiring active processing of story grammar. There was no evidence, for either task, of developmental differences in relation to either story comprehension or production. However, there were significant differences between students with LD and normally achieving students in the amount as well as the type of information included in the retellings and written stories. The results provide support for the hypothesis that students with LD have acquired a rudimentary but not fully developed schema for narrative prose.
How Medical School Oaths and Professional Codes of Ethics Affect Physicians' PracticeHow Oaths and Codes of Ethics Affect Physician Practice

Objectives: Most US medical students recite a physician's oath, yet the influence of oaths and similar ethical codes on physicians' professional practice remains unknown. We sought to describe the prevalence and perceived impact of having taken an oath during medical school compared with the influence of the AMA Code of Ethics and other sources of moral medical guidance. We also examined the distinguishing characteristics of physicians who reported oaths and the AMA code having a significant influence on their practices. Design: Mailed survey of 2000 practicing US physicians. Results: Fifty-four percent of eligible respondents (1032 of 1895) completed the questionnaire. Most reported participating in a medical school oath ceremony (79%). However, most (61%) believed oaths had a limited influence on their professional lives; only 1 in 4 (26%) believed that oaths had influenced them “a lot.” Few physicians (16%) cited the AMA Code of Ethics as having a significant influence on their practice. Other notable sources of moral guidance reported were personal sense of right and wrong (92%), great moral teachers (35%), and specific traditions (28%). In multivariable models controlling for age, sex, race, region, and specialty, physicians' religious characteristics were independently associated with oaths influencing their practice “a lot”(odds ratio, 1.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-2.5) and reporting that the AMA Code of Ethics “significantly” influenced their practice (odds ratio, 2.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.0-4.7). Conclusion: Medical school oaths and other professional codes, such as the AMA code of ethics, appear to have only modest effects on the self-conscious practices of most US physicians.
Esterase Variants in Four Species of the Paramecium aurelia Complex1

One hundred eighty-eight stocks of Paramecium primaurelia, P. biaurelia, P. tetraurelia, and P. octaurelia were grown axenically and tested for five esterases, visualized by starch gel electrophoresis, in a search for variant stocks. The five esterases can be distinguished on the bases of their substrate specificity, sensitivity to an inhibitor, and response to different growth conditions. This paper addresses the nature of the electrophoretic change in mobility of the variant stocks in order that species relationships can be more accurately assessed. Crosses carried out in all four species show that single genes determine the differences in mobility between variant and common subtypes. Extracts of variant stocks that gave similar patterns were run against each other, tested for their sensitivity to the inhibitor, and the pattern was compared to that found in extracts of stocks with variant and common subtypes in other species. The majority of the variants in P. primaurelia, P. tetraurelia, and P. octaurelia show an electrophoretic mobility characteristic of a common subtype, or a variant, in another species. The same proportion of variant subtypes as common subtypes have mobilities similar to esterase subtypes found in other species. Of the four species examined in this paper, P. tetraurelia and P. octaurelia appear to be most closely related on the basis of shared esterase subtypes. In P. biaurelia the mobilities of most of the variants are unique, as are the common esterase subtypes in this species. P. biaurelia stands out as having the greatest number of esterase subtypes, with very few of them homologous to subtypes found in other species. This observation supports the idea of greater diversification of stocks within P. biaurelia than for the other three species.
Production costing with explicit recognition of unit duty cycle effects

A novel probabilistic production costing algorithm called the OPCOST method is presented which recognizes the stochastic nature of the duty cycle of a unit and models the generation system with explicit consideration of such operating characteristics as the system generation reserve policy, unit start-up delay, unit start-up failure, unit commitment policy, and unit outage postponability. The OPCOST method has been used to compute production costs for EPRI synthetic generating system E, reduced version. The studies of the sample system have been carried out for two production costing methods, the OPCOST method and a traditional method. A comparison of the results obtained using the traditional method and the OPCOST method shows significant differences in the energies produced by the various categories of units. >