cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impact of patient ethnicity on the metabolic and immunologic effects of PI3K-mTOR pathway inhibition in patients with solid tumor malignancies.

Inhibition of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is associated with metabolic and immunologic perturbations that impact drug tolerability. Here, we studied whether PI3 kinase/mTOR pathway inhibitors are associated with greater metabolic impact and decreased tolerability in Asian patients. A retrospective analysis was conducted of consecutive patients with advanced malignancies treated on phase 1 trials of PI3K/mTOR inhibitors. Adverse events related to PI3K/mTOR inhibition, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), insulin, and c-peptide levels, hemoglobin A1c (HgbA1c), and T cell subsets were prospectively collected. Mann–Whitney and Chi-square tests were used to compare continuous and categorical variables, respectively, between Asian and Caucasian patients. A total of 103 patients (31 Asian; 72 Caucasian) were treated consecutively across five clinical trials. Baseline age, gender distribution, and metabolic parameters were comparable with the exception of lower median body mass index (BMI) in Asian patients (23.0 vs. 24.8 kg/m2, p = 0.024). There were no differences in drug tolerability, adherence, or duration of therapy. Asian patients experienced a higher incidence of grade ≥2 hyperglycemia (37.5 vs. 18.1 %, p = 0.03), and greater increases in FPG, HgbA1c, and insulin resistance. No differences in incidence or severity of mucositis, rash, or pneumonitis were observed. Drug effects on neutrophils, lymphocytes, and T cell subsets were similar. PI3K/mTOR inhibitors have greater glycemic impact in Asian patients, despite similar baseline metabolic parameters, comparable dose intensity, and a lower median BMI. Further studies are warranted to explore the mechanisms underlying these differences and optimize dosing in Asian patients.
Social Disengagement and Incident Cognitive Decline in Community-Dwelling Elderly Persons

Social engagement, defined as the maintenance of many social connections and a high level of participation in social activities, has been thought to prevent cognitive decline in elderly persons. In...
Thermotropic LCP/CNF nanocomposites prepared with aid of ultrasonic waves

Abstract Ultrasound assisted twin screw extrusion process was developed to disperse carbon nanofibers (CNFs) in a polymer matrix. CNFs were separately added into the melt stage to reduce the breakage of CNFs and to avoid intense stresses in the feed zone. The effect of ultrasound and CNFs loading on die pressure, rheological, mechanical, electrical and morphological properties of liquid crystalline polymer (LCP) filled with 0–20 wt% CNFs was studied. Ultrasonic treatment caused a reduction in die pressure and a decrease in electrical percolation threshold value of treated samples. It was also found that mechanical properties of ultrasonically treated LCP/CNF nanocomposite moldings were preserved, improved or slightly decreased in comparison with those of LCP. This is in contrast to available literature typically showing a deterioration of mechanical properties with addition of CNFs. SEM studies have indicated an improved dispersion of CNFs and a reduction of LCP rich area in nanocomposites upon ultrasonic treatment.
Life in science: seeds of doubt.

My students and I were returning from some weeks in the field, where we had been examining the selectivity in food choices made by some tropical birds. Our procedure was to compare stomach contents of seed-eating birds with the abundance of different seeds available, most of which were of various
Size Effects in Cutting With a Diamond-Coated Tool

In machining using a diamond-coated tool, the tool geometry and process parameters have compound effects on the thermal and mechanical states in the tools. For example, decreasing the edge radius tends to increase deposition-induced residual stresses at the tool edge interface. Moreover, changing the uncut chip thickness to a small-value range, comparable or smaller than the edge radius, will involve the so-called size effect. In this study, a developed 2D cutting simulation that incorporates deposition residual stresses was applied to evaluate the size effect, at different cutting speeds, on the tool stresses, tool temperatures, specific cutting energy as well as the interface stresses around a cutting edge. The size effect on the radial normal stress is more noticeable at a low speed. In particular, a large uncut chip thickness has a substantially lower stress. On the other hand, the size effect on the circumferential normal stress is more noticeable at a high speed. At a small uncut chip thickness, the stress is largely compressive.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
City planning in a revolution: Cuba, 1959–61

The general goal of city planning, as a profession and as an academic discipline, is to guide cities through continual conflicts created by the social and economic forces that support or oppose change. These conflicts are magnified during a political revolution, when a primary concern of city leaders and the supporting population is to determine which public policies will be preserved intact, which will be modified (and how), and which no longer serve the new conditions created by the revolution. The purpose of this paper is to discuss events that took place during the first three years of the Cuban Revolution, 1959–62, in order to identify problems and opportunities that emerged due to the impact of new public policies upon city planning processes in the largest Cuban cities. Because these experiences are related to contemporary issues in education and professional practice, this analysis may be of special interest to institutions and professionals in Hispanic American countries. This paper has been writ...
The effect of electrode surface modification and cathode overpotential on deposit characteristics in aluminum electrorefining using EMIC–AlCl3 ionic liquid electrolyte

Abstract Electrorefining of aluminum alloy was investigated using AlCl 3 and 1-ethyl-3-methyl-imidazolium chloride (EMIC) (molar ratio AlCl 3 :EMIC = 1.65:1) ionic liquid electrolyte on copper and aluminum cathodes at temperature of 90 ± 3 °C and cell voltage of 1.5 V. The effect of electrode surface modification and cathode overpotential on deposit characteristics of aluminum was investigated. The surface modification of electrodes reduced the dendritic depositions of aluminum. It was also observed that cathodic overpotentials obtained from experiments using modified electrodes are significantly lower than those of unmodified electrodes. A non-dendritic deposit of aluminum was observed even after prolonged electrorefining of 25 h. Pure aluminum deposits were obtained for all experiments with the current efficiencies in the range of 94–99%.
Canine toxicology in the home environment

ABSTRACT:This article discusses three toxins commonly encountered by dogs in the home environment. Theobromine, which is found in chocolate, can result in vomiting, diarrhoea and seizures. The ingestion of grapes and raisins can result in acute renal failure unless aggressive treatment is instituted. Paracetamol – although largely being displaced by ibuprofen – is licensed for use therapeutically in dogs and can have a significant toxic effect if an overdose is given.
Topology management for sensor networks: exploiting latency and density

In wireless sensor networks, energy efficiency is crucial to achieve satisfactory network lifetime. In order to reduce the energy consumption of a node significantly, its radio needs to be turned off. Yet, some nodes have to participate in multi-hop packet forwarding. We tackle this issue by exploiting two degrees of freedom in topology management: the path setup latency and the network density. First, we propose a new technique called Sparse Topology and Energy Management (STEM), which aggressively puts nodes to sleep. It provides a method to wake up nodes only when they need to forward data, where latency is traded off for energy savings. Second, STEM integrates efficiently with existing approaches that leverage the fact that nearby nodes can be equivalent for traffic forwarding. In this case, an increased network density results in more energy savings. We analyze a hybrid scheme, which takes advantage of both setup latency and network density to increase the nodes' lifetime. Our results show improvements of nearly two orders of magnitude compared to sensor networks without topology management.
Perceptions of service quality: what's fun got to do with it?

While incorporating fun into healthcare work environments to improve productivity, employee satisfaction, and patient satisfaction has been gaining attention since the release of the popular Fish! books (e.g., Lundin, Christensen, Paul, & Strand, 2002), no empirical research has been conducted examining customer/client reactions to witnessing the use of such fun activities. Using a 2 × 2 × 2 experimental scenario-based study, this research evaluated the impact of 3 independent variables (attentiveness to the customer, customer waiting time, and level of fun) on the dependent variables of perceived service quality and intent to return, refer, and complain.
Conditional deletion of the TGF-β type II receptor in Col2a expressing cells results in defects in the axial skeleton without alterations in chondrocyte differentiation or embryonic development of long bones

Members of the TGF-beta superfamily are secreted signaling proteins that regulate many aspects of development including growth and differentiation in skeletal tissue. There are three isoforms of TGF-beta that act through the same heteromeric receptor complex. To address the question of the role of TGF-beta signaling in skeletal development, we generated mice with a conditional deletion of the TGF-beta type II receptor gene (Tgfbr2) specifically in Col2a expressing cells using the Cre/lox recombinase system. Alizarin red-/Alcian blue-stained skeletons were prepared from embryos at 17.5, 15.5, and 13.5 days of gestation. Col2acre+/-;TgfbrloxP/loxP and Col2acre-/-;Tgfbr2+/loxP skeletons were compared. Multiple defects were observed in the base of the skull and in the vertebrae. Specifically, the size and spacing of the vertebrae were altered, and defects were detected in the closure of the neural arches. In addition, alterations in transverse processes, costal joints, and zygapophyses were detected. While the vertebral bodies were only moderately affected, the intervertebral discs (IVDs) were either missing or incomplete. Alterations in the vertebrae could be detected as early as E13.5 days. Surprisingly, alterations in length and mineralization of long bones were not detected at E17.5 days. In addition, the expression patterns of markers for chondrocyte differentiation were not altered in vertebrae or long bones suggesting that loss of responsiveness to TGF-beta in chondrocytes does not affect embryonic endochondral bone formation. In contrast, mice that survived postnatally demonstrated alterations in the length of specific bones. Skeletons from Col2acre+/-;Tgfbr2loxP/loxP mice were compared to those from mice null for the TGF-beta2 ligand. The differences observed between these models allow distinctions to be made between the roles of the various isoforms of TGF-beta and the signaling in specific cell types. The data provide information regarding mechanisms of skeletal development and suggest that TGF-beta signaling is a critical component.
Isolation of an antitumor proteinaceous substance from Gutierrezia sarothrae (Compositae)

Preliminary screening of the aqueous extracts of Gutierrezia sarothrae have shown antitumor activity against Sarcoma 180 in mice. The isolation, purification, and partial characterization of a proteinaceous material are reported. The procedures involved the use of solvent extraction, column chromatography, dialysis, and electrophoretic and spectrophotometric techniques.
Inhibition of DNA synthesis in vitro by binding of benzo(a) pyrene metabolite diol-epoxide I to DNA.

IT has been shown that benzo(a)pyrene (BP) is a strong mutagen and carcinogen after metabolic activation by mixed function oxidases and epoxide hydratase. Evidence now indicates that (±)r-7,t-8-dihydroxy-t-9,10-oxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo(a)pyrene (diol-epoxide I) is an ultimate carcinogenic and mutagenic form of BP1–4. This metabolic intermediate interacts covalently with nucleic acids5–8. Most binding to DNA, 80% of the total, occurs by coupling between the 2-amino group of guanine and the carbon 10 position of diol-epoxide I (ref. 5). Binding to adenine, less than 15% of the total, leads to partial denaturation of the DNA double helix6, and binding of diol-epoxide I to the phosphate groups of DNA results in DNA strand scission8. Intercalation of diol-epoxide I may cause conformational change of the DNA double helix6,7. Despite these extensive studies, the mechanism of alteration of the genetic function of DNA due to the binding of BP is not understood. We describe here a system which has enabled us to analyse the effect of BP binding to DNA on the replication of double-stranded circular DNA in vitro. pBR322 DNA (molecular weight, 2.6 × 106) is an artificial plasmid DNA derived from ColE1 and pBR313 in Escherichia coli9. It carries the base sequence derived from ColE1 DNA at the site of origin of replication9. Like ColE1 DNA11–13, pBR322 DNA replicates semiconservatively and completely in a crude lysate of E. coli.
Monopoles, quark confinement, and screening in four-dimensional U(1) lattice gauge theory

We present numerical calculations using the magnetic monopoles of four-dimensional U(1) lattice gauge theory to obtain the heavy quark potential. Using the cosine action we perform a conventional gauge field simulation on a 164 lattice. We then use the DeGrand-Toussaint scheme for locating magnetic current in the lattice gauge field configurations to obtain our monopole configurations. In addition to the heavy quark potential we also calculate the potential between heavy external monopoles. In the confined phase of quarks, we observe total screening between external monopoles. In the Coulomb phase of the quarks we find a partially screened Coulomb potential between external monopoles. Under the assumptions used to obtain the potential between external monopoles, we verify that the Dirac quantization condition holds for the product of renormalized electric and magnetic charges.
Importance of Foam Morphology to the Durability of Automotive Weatherstrips

Elastomer automotive weatherstrips are generally constructed with a sponge bulb attached to a solid carrier. The sponge bulbs are manufactured by foaming and curing elastomer extrudates containing chemical blowing agents. The bulbs comprise a dense skin on the surface and a foamed core with relatively spherical cells at the center. In this study we have determined that the foam morphology of the sponge markedly affects the wear resistance and the knit line (between sponge bulbs and carriers) strength of the weatherstrips. The morphological parameters important to these durability related properties in clude skin thickness, surface texture, and cell structure. It is shown that the durability of automotive weatherstrips can be improved by controlling these parameters using proper compounding and processing techniques.
Genetic organization and sequence analysis of the hypha-specific cell wall protein gene HWP1 of Candida albicans

A previously isolated partial cDNA encoding a cell wall protein antigen found on hyphal surfaces of the opportunistic fungal pathogen, Candida albicans (Staab et al., 1996) was used to clone the complete hyphal wall protein 1 gene (HWP1). Hyphal forms of C. albicans invade mucosal surfaces of immunocompromised patients such as those with AIDS. HWP1 consisted of an open reading frame predicting an acidic protein (pI of 3.37) with a calculated molecular size of 61,122. The antigenic domain was located in the N-terminal third of the protein. The remainder of the protein contained abundant hydroxy amino acids, and terminated with a string of 15 amino acids typical of sequences specifying post-translational modification with glycosylphosphatidylinositol (6PI). The analyses suggested that Hwp1 is a glucan-linked protein with serine/threonine-rich regions that are predicted to function in extending a ligand-binding domain into the extracellular space.
Capturing rater policies for processing evaluation data.

Abstract A rater's strategy or policy for assessing information on nine criterion elements for a ratee in order to form an over-all evaluation was examined by developing regression equations for each rater. In addition, clusters of raters who had similar strategies were identified by a judgment analysis (JAN) procedure ( Bottenberg & Christal, 1968 ; Christal, 1968 ; Naylor & Wherry, 1965 ). Raters were 67 nursing personnel (35 Public Health Nurses and 32 Hospital Registered Nurses), each of whom provided over-all evaluations of 40 hypothetical behavioral descriptions of nurses. Results indicated that raters were consistent in their evaluations. Two clusters within each of the nursing groups were identified by JAN; these clusters were, however, homogeneous in terms of background, organizational and cognitive measures. Differences between objectively and subjectively determined weights were identified; the importance of major elements was underestimated whereas that of minor elements was overestimated. Explanations of the self-insight discrepancy as well as differences in the elements considered by the two occupational groups are offered; applications of the techniques are suggested.
Electromechanical sensing of ionic polymer metal composites

In this paper, we study the charge dynamics of ionic polymer metal composites (IPMCs) in response to an imposed time-varying flexural deformation. IPMC chemoelectromechanical behavior is described through the Poisson-Nernst-Planck framework, and the method of matched asymptotic expansions is utilized to establish a closed-form solution for the electric potential and counterion concentration in the IPMC. This solution is, in turn, leveraged to derive a mathematically tractable distributed circuit model of IPMC sensing.
Search Concentration, Bias & Parochialism: A Comparative Study of Google, Baidu & Jike’s Search Results from China

Do search engines drive Web traffic to well-established sites leading to a high degree of search results concentration? Do search engines favor their own content while demoting others? How parochial or cosmopolitan are search engines in directing traffic to sites beyond users’ national borders? This study explores these issues by empirically comparing search results of Baidu, Google and Jike from mainland China obtained in August 2011 and August 2012. It finds that search engines in China, particularly Baidu, tend to drive traffic to well-established sites. Baidu’s results also raise serious doubts over its impartiality. Rather than making users’ search experiences more cosmopolitan, tuned to the larger world around them, search engines rarely direct Chinese users to content beyond national borders.
Structural genomics analysis: Characteristics of atypical, common, and horizontally transferred folds

We conducted a structural genomics analysis of the folds and structural superfamilies in the first 20 completely sequenced genomes by focusing on the patterns of fold usage and trying to identify structural characteristics of typical and atypical folds. We assigned folds to sequences using PSI-blast, run with a systematic protocol to reduce the amount of computational overhead. On average, folds could be assigned to about a fourth of the ORFs in the genomes and about a fifth of the amino acids in the proteomes. More than 80% of all the folds in the SCOP structural classification were identified in one of the 20 organisms, with worm and E. coli having the largest number of distinct folds. Folds are particularly effective at comprehensively measuring levels of gene duplication, because they group together even very remote homologues. Using folds, we find the average level of duplication varies depending on the complexity of the organism, ranging from 2.4 in M. genitalium to 32 for the worm, values significantly higher than those observed based purely on sequence similarity. We rank the common folds in the 20 organisms, finding that the top three are the P-loop NTP hydrolase, the ferrodoxin fold, and the TIM-barrel, and discuss in detail the many factors that affect and bias these rankings. We also identify atypical folds that are "unique" to one of the organisms in our study and compare the characteristics of these folds with the most common ones. We find that common folds tend be more multifunctional and associated with more regular, "symmetrical" structures than the unique ones. In addition, many of the unique folds are associated with proteins involved in cell defense (e.g., toxins). We analyze specific patterns of fold occurrence in the genomes by associating some of them with instances of horizontal transfer and others with gene loss. In particular, we find three possible examples of transfer between archaea and bacteria and six between eukarya and bacteria. We make available our detailed results at http://genecensus.org/20.
Children With Schizophrenia: Diagnosis, Phenomenology, and Pharmacotherapy

This article presents data on the diagnosis and phenomenology of schizophrenia in 16 hospitalized children, ages 5.5 to 11.75 years. These 16 subjects are the first to complete an ongoing doubleblind, placebo-controlled study of haloperidol in children with schizophrenia diagnosed by DSM-III-R criteria. We describe the pharmacologic treatment response of this subsample and compare our diagnostic, phenomenologic, and treatment findings with those of other investigators. Our results show that children under age 12 can be diagnosed with schizophrenia by the same criteria used for adults, that they show comparable clinical symptoms, and that on haloperidol they show improvement in target psychotic symptoms, at least in a short-term inpatient setting.
Poor Women and Nationalist Politics: Alliances and Fissures in the Formation of a Nationalist Political Movement in Salisbury, Rhodesia, 1950-6

The relationships between specific groups of women and men are explored during a formative period of urban nationalist politics, showing the failure of nationalists to incorporate women's demands, rather than the absence of women's struggles. It is important to view historical events as they occurred within larger processes of class formation and gender contestations, but it is no longer sufficient simply to prove the historical role of women in the nationalist movements themselves. Women's contributions still need to be written about, but gender history needs to be addressed as the relation between the sexes in order to avoid facile and rather confused accounts of class-and gender-defined struggles. This article first explores the Reformed Industrial and Commercial Workers' Union attempts to capitalize on an alliance with poorer women during the early 1950s. Secondly, new opportunities created by spatial and economic transformations in the urban economy in the 1950s are discussed in terms of a social mobility that led a minority of women to new social status. The Bus Boycott in 1956, led by the City Youth League, is then addressed as an event in nationalist history, but also as the interaction of women's class mobility and the violence which threatened it, either on a day-to-day basis or in the particular events of the Bus Boycott. The implications of these two separate events for the relationship of specific groups of women to nationalist politics, and nationalist historiography, are analyzed.
Looking Back and Ahead: What We Must Learn From 30 Years of Student Affairs Assessment

This chapter reviews the history and current state of assessment in student affairs. It evaluates our progress to date and makes recommendations for the future.
Tectonic implications drawn from differences in the surface morphology on two joint sets in the Appalachian Valley and Ridge, Virginia

Surface morphology distinguishes two joint sets in the Virginia–West Virginia Appalachians and points to a difference in rupture velocity between the two sets. The earlier joint set, J1, propagated prior to or during fault-related folding and was subsequently tilted as folds grew to have steeper limb dips. J1 is characterized by a rougher surface displaying a symmetrical plumose pattern created during the propagation of a simple rupture front. In ceramics, such morphology is the product of a faster rupture under relatively high stress intensity ( K I > K Ic, where K Ic indicates critical stress intensity). This relatively fast joint growth is consistent with an effective tensile stress sustained by oblique plate convergence at the onset of the Alleghanian orogeny. The later joint set, J2, propagated normal to the Allegheny front in a subvertical orientation independent of local bed dip. A multilobed rupture leaves a smooth surface on J2 joints. By analogy with ceramics, such a surface is indicative of slower propagation by subcritical crack growth ( K I < K Ic). This slow joint growth is consistent with the slow generation of effective tensile stress arising from hydrocarbon maturation postdating fold growth during the waning stages of the Alleghanian orogeny.
Multicriteria optimization of simulation models

The authors suggest a framework for the multicriteria optimization of simulation models by first discussing the unique difficulties of this problem area along with important problem characteristics, and then discussing the way that these problem characteristics would affect the choice of a particular technique. The problem of manufacturing system optimization is addressed. Various techniques, along with their advantages and disadvantages, are discussed and categorized according to the timing of the articulation of the required preference (tradeoff) information with respect to the optimization. >
Crystal Structures of Interleukin-2 Tyrosine Kinase and Their Implications for the Design of Selective Inhibitors

Interleukin-2 tyrosine kinase, Itk, is an important member of the Tec family of non-receptor tyrosine kinases that play a central role in signaling through antigen receptors such as the T-cell receptor, B-cell receptor, and Fcϵ. Selective inhibition of Itk may be an important way of modulating many diseases involving heightened or inappropriate activation of the immune system. In addition to an unliganded nonphophorylated Itk catalytic kinase domain, we determined the crystal structures of the phosphorylated and nonphosphorylated kinase domain bound to staurosporine, a potent broad-spectrum kinase inhibitor. These structures are useful for the design of novel, highly potent and selective Itk inhibitors and provide insight into the influence of inhibitor binding and phosphorylation on the conformation of Itk.
Temperature-dependence of cardiac output and regional blood flow in rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson

Cardiac output, blood flow distribution and regional perfusion were determined in free-swimming rainbow trout acclimated to 6, 12 and 18°C, using the indicator dilution and microsphere methods. Cardiac output (ml min−1 kg−1) increased linearly with increasing temperature, while circulation time decreased. Blood flow distribution (% of cardiac output) to the spleen, liver, kidney, gall bladder and gastro-intestinal tract was significantly reduced at 18°C relative to 6°C-acclimated fish. White muscle received the largest fraction of cardiac output, and blood flow distribution to white muscle increased significantly with increasing acclimation temperature. Blood perfusion (ml h−1 g−1) of various organs and red muscle was not influenced by acclimation temperature, while white muscle perfusion increased with increasing temperature. These results demonstrate physiological adaptation of the cardiovascular system of rainbow trout to changes in acclimation temperature.
Experiments with lateral inhibition in two-dimensional photoreceptor arrays

The process known as lateral inhibition has been observed in many sensory systems from a wide range of biological organisms. Regarded as a crucial step in preprocessing sensory information, it has been recreated in the form of two-dimensional arrays of visual receptor cells. Lateral inhibition (LI) is applied by two different means on arrays of pixels in two different configurations. One method is a dynamic algorithm that it applied to a 25-cell rectangular array. A second, static method is used on a nineteen-cell hexagonal array. Both circuits were implemented in VLSI using 3 mu m CMOS technology. >
Reinterpretation of ceratitic ammonoids from the Greville Formation, New Zealand

Ceratitic ammonoids from the Greville Formation in the Nelson Regional Syncline, South Island of New Zealand, were described as a new genus and species of the Ophiceratidae, Durvilleoceras woodmani, and dated as ‘late Middle Permian’ (Waterhouse, 1973). In fact, Durvilleoceras differs from all known Permian ammonoids in both conch form and sutural pattern, but closely resembles lower Triassic ceratites. Structural and sedimentologic complexities within the Nelson Syncline are such that stratigraphic interpretations are questionable, and the fauna of both the Greville and adjacent formations is sparse. Consequently, we consider that Durvilleoceras is best interpreted as a middle Scythian ceratite of the family Flemingitidae.
Crystallographic analysis of human immunodeficiency virus 1 protease with an analog of the conserved CA-p2 substrate -- interactions with frequently occurring glutamic acid residue at P2' position of substrates.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) protease hydrolysis of the Gag CA-p2 cleavage site is crucial for virion maturation and is optimal at acidic pH. To understand the processing of the CA-p2 site, we have determined the structure of HIV-1 protease complexed with an analog of the CA-p2 site, the reduced peptide inhibitor Arg-Val-Leu-r-Phe-Glu-Ala-Ahx-NH2 [r denotes the reduced peptide bond and Ahx 2-aminohexanoic acid (norleucine), respectively]. The crystal structure was refined to an R-factor of 0.17 at 0.21-nm resolution. The crystals have nearly the same lattice as related complexes in P212121, which have twofold disordered inhibitor, but are in space group P21, and the asymmetric unit contains two dimers of HIV-1 protease related by 1800 rotation. An approximate non-crystallographic symmetry has replaced the exact crystal symmetry resulting in well-ordered inhibitor structure. Each protease dimer binds one ordered inhibitor molecule, but in opposite orientations. The interactions of the inhibitor with the two dimers are very similar for the central P2 Val to P2' Glu residues, but show more variation for the distal P3 Arg and P4' Ahx residues. Importantly, the carboxylate oxygens of Glu at P2' in the inhibitor are within hydrogen-bonding distance of a carboxylate oxygen of Asp30 of the protease suggesting that the two side chains share a proton. This interaction suggests that the enzyme-substrate complex is additionally stabilized at lower pH. The importance of this interaction is emphasized by the absence of polymorphisms of Asp30 in the protease and variants of P2' Glu in the critical CA-p2 cleavage site.
Plastic and evolved responses of larval tracheae and mass to varying atmospheric oxygen content in Drosophila melanogaster.

SUMMARY Structural changes in the tracheal system during development have the potential to allow insects to compensate for varying oxygen availability. Despite possible compensation, oxygen level during development may also affect insect body size. We investigated how atmospheric oxygen level affects the dimensions of the main dorsal tracheae (DT) and masses of larval Drosophila melanogaster (Meigen) reared for up to six generations in 10%, 21% or 40% O2 at 25°C. Wandering-stage third-instar larvae were weighed every other generation, and the dimensions of the DT were measured. Hypoxia produced significantly lighter larvae after one generation of exposure, while hyperoxia did not affect larval mass. Atmospheric oxygen content did not significantly change the diameters of the anterior portions of the main tracheae; however, the posterior diameters were strongly affected. During the first generation of exposure, tracheal diameters were inversely proportional to rearing oxygen levels, demonstrating that developmental plasticity in DT diameters can partially (8–15%) compensate for variation in atmospheric oxygen level. After multiple generations in differing atmospheres and two further generations in 21% O2, larvae had tracheal diameters inversely related to their historical oxygen exposure, suggesting that atmospheric oxygen can produce heritable changes in insect tracheal morphology.
Generating minimal covers of symmetric functions

An algorithm is offered for generating minimum-cost, two-level expressions for totally symmetric, complete switching functions. The algorithms discussed were programmed in TurboPascal (and TurboC) and executed on an IBM PS/2-80. Many symmetric switching functions of from 7 to 15 variables were minimized and the results validated against the original specifications of the functions. Run times varied from a tenth to tens of seconds and were heavily dependent on the size of the input array and the literals of symmetry. >
Ambiguous Genitalia in the Newborn

The birth of a child with genital ambiguity, now more appropriately termed “disordered sexual development” or “DSD” is not a medical emergency. Such infants are perfectly healthy, at least initially, with normal cardiopulmonary function, normal electrolytes, and normal glucose concentrations. Even among infants with adrenal failure, the signs of mineralocorticoid deficiency (hyperkalemia, hyponatremia, acidosis) are not typically seen until 5–10 days of age, and hypoglycemia is quite rare. Instead, the emergency is social. The standard birth announcement declares “It’s a boy!” or “It’s a girl!” rather than the more appropriate “We had a healthy baby!”, and reflects society’s intransigently dichotomous, Manichean obsession with defining people by their sex. Thus, following the physical exam and review of the pregnancy history, the first step in the evaluation of the child with DSD is to speak to the family, congratulate them on the birth, and reassure them about all the good news about the baby. It is critical not to offer guesses or presumptive diagnoses; instead, tell the parents that, as embryos, boys and girls start out looking the same, that the processes of genital development are complex, and that a definitive diagnosis will be available within a few days to a week (depending on the available laboratory infrastructure). Parents are typically quite gratified when the doctor says, “We don’t know if your baby is a boy or a girl, but we know how to find out, we know how to deal with the various potential problems, and everything is going to be OK.” The next step is to call the best pediatric endocrinologist available.
Transitional Strategies for Alternative Fuel Supply Infrastructure: Moving from Fuel Flexible to Dedicated Vehicles

California`s experience with fuel methanol holds lessons for infrastructure development efforts for other alternative fuels and suggests strategic approaches for developing future infrastructure to serve dedicated vehicles: (1) vehicle/engine capability to utilize dedicated (neat) fuels in a fuel-flexible mode; (2) strategic dispersal, placing stations along primary transportation corridors and in target areas determined by proximity to alternative fuel fleets; (3) massive infrastructure development effort, coupled with the financial depth to persist until fuel throughput reaches economically sustainable levels; (4) strategic concentration, the development of a dense fueling network in delimited areas, allowing the incremental deployment of dedicated fuel vehicles. Some combinations of these strategies will be most effective, requiring the development of alternative fueling infrastructure in concert with vehicle technologies to bring both to market. Fuel flexibility has been proposed as a mechanism to avoid the chick and egg paradox confronting alternative transportation fuels in an established transportation marketplace. Dedicated fuel technologies include fuel cell powered vehicles (FCVs) and methanol ULEVs, which require pure supplies of fuel (e.g., hydrogen, methane and/or methanol). The full advantages afforded by alternative fuels may depend upon dedicated and optimized engines/vehicles. Developers of FCVs have identified M100 as an energy carrier for these next-generation propulsionmore » technologies. A development trajectory leads from today`s M85 fuel flexible ICE vehicles to dedicated M100 ICEs, and ultimately to M100-fueled FCVs.« less
Dispositional Mindfulness Uncouples Physiological and Emotional Reactivity to a Laboratory Stressor and Emotional Reactivity to Executive Functioning Lapses in Daily Life

Both dispositional mindfulness and mindfulness training may help to uncouple the degree to which distress is experienced in response to aversive internal experience and external events. Because emotional reactivity is a transdiagnostic process implicated in numerous psychological disorders, dispositional mindfulness and mindfulness training could exert mental health benefits, in part, by buffering emotional reactivity. The present studies examine whether dispositional mindfulness moderates two understudied processes in stress reactivity research: the degree of concordance between subjective and physiological reactivity to a laboratory stressor (Study 1); and the degree of dysphoric mood reactivity to lapses in executive functioning in daily life (Study 2). In both studies, lower emotional reactivity to aversive experiences was observed among individuals scoring higher in mindfulness, particularly non-judging, relative to those scoring lower in mindfulness. These findings support the hypothesis that higher dispositional mindfulness fosters lower emotional reactivity. Results are discussed in terms of implications for applying mindfulness-based interventions to a range of psychological disorders in which people have difficulty regulating emotional reactions to stress.
Abstract #247: HIF-1\#945; mediates hypoxia modulation of EWS-FLI1 expression in Ewing\#8217;s sarcoma family tumors

AACR Annual Meeting-- Apr 18-22, 2009; Denver, CO Hypoxia is an important phenomenon in the tumor cell microenvironment. Tumor hypoxia is associated with a more aggressive phenotype due to the induction of a number of genes, the majority of which are regulated by hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1). The Ewing\#8217;s sarcoma family tumors (ESFT) are highly malignant bone-associated pediatric cancers that are defined by virtually a single oncogenic aberration, the EWS-FLI1 gene fusion. Considering the important role low oxygen plays in the microenvironment of solid tumors, we investigated the role of hypoxia in ESFT cells in vitro. We found that EWS-FLI1 protein and mRNA expression are up-regulated by hypoxia in a HIF-1\#945;-dependent manner. Microarray analysis pointed to a subset of genes being dependent on EWS-FLI1 for hypoxic modulation. Knocking down HIF-1\#945; with a specific short hairpin RNA under hypoxia resulted in suppression of EWS-FLI1 protein and mRNA expression. Conversely, expressing a non-degradable HIF-1\#945; mutant construct under normoxia resulted in EWS-FLI1 expression enhancement. By treating cells under hypoxia with several different kinase inhibitors, we also show that NF\#954;B and PI3K pathways may play a role in HIF-1\#945;-mediated EWS-FLI1 expression enhancement under hypoxia. Our data identify HIF-1\#945; and hypoxia as important factors in the regulation of the pathognomonic Ewing´s sarcoma oncogene EWS-FLI1, and this may have far-reaching consequences for the course of the disease. Citation Information: In: Proc Am Assoc Cancer Res; 2009 Apr 18-22; Denver, CO. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; 2009. Abstract nr 247.
An Overview of the XGAM Code and Related Software for Gamma-ray Analysis

The XGAM spectrum-fitting code and associated software were developed specifically to analyze the complex gamma-ray spectra that can result from neutron-induced reactions. The XGAM code is designed to fit a spectrum over the entire available gamma-ray energy range as a single entity, in contrast to the more traditional piecewise approaches. This global-fit philosophy enforces background continuity as well as consistency between local and global behavior throughout the spectrum, and in a natural way. This report presents XGAM and the suite of programs built around it with an emphasis on how they fit into an overall analysis methodology for complex gamma-ray data. An application to the analysis of time-dependent delayed gamma-ray yields from 235U fission is shown in order to showcase the codes and how they interact.
Aerococcus urinae associated aortic and tricuspid valve infective endocarditis

Aerococcus urinae is a rare bacteria usually associated with urinary tract infection. It is unusually associated with endocarditis. To date only 18 cases have been reported. Among these cases, the majority had aortic valve involvement. Three had mitral and aortic valve involvement, and two had mitral and tricuspid valve involvement. We present the first reported case of A. urinae associated aortic and tricuspid valve endocarditis. Timely recognition and appropriate treatment of this fatal infection is essential to decrease morbidity and mortality.
Adenoviruses as Gene-Delivery Vehicles

For gene therapy to realize its clinical potential, there must be efficient and safe strategies of delivering therapeutic genes to somatic cells in vivo. Perhaps this problem simply represents a special case of drug delivery in which the therapeutic gene constitutes the drug. But the relevance of traditional drug development to technological developments in gene therapy is questionable. Recombinant genes that can independently express a therapeutic RNA or protein are extraordinarily large and polar molecules — 10,000 times larger than traditional pharmaceutical agents. Moreover, the administration of genes as therapy requires vehicles —so-called vectors — that encapsulate the gene and . . .
Assessment of a Global Land Cover Classification Allocated Across the Landscape of Georgia (USA)

Aims: To assess the agreement of a globalland covermap to reference imagery when applied to a region (state) of the southern United States and to determine whether different sampling designs or the use of broader land class definitions can overcome problems associated with the inherent heterogeneity of land use in the region . Study Design:We assessed the agreement of theGlob Cover 2009 global, medium resolution land cover assignments within the State of Georgia to USDA NAIP reference imagery. We performed the assessment using two statistically random sampling methods: pixel-based and block-based sampling. We then grouped some land classes according to possibilities of agreementrelationships expressed by others, and assessed the agreement using these systems. Place and Duration of Study:State of Georgia (USA). Imagery and reference data acquired in 2009. Methodology: Sample: We examined 3,930 sample pixels or pixel blocks from 16 land cover classes. Each sample was allocated a land class in the GlobCover 2009 dat abase. Each sample was interpreted as a land class through photo -interpretation of
Model and Test Validation of Gravity Offload System

It is necessary to test the behavior of deployable space structures under realistic conditions, without the influence of gravity. Gravity offload systems are used to simulate the necessary environment. There are several types of gravity offload systems, including freefall systems, air bearings, buoyancy systems, and suspension cable systems. The ideal gravity offload device is a zero stiffness spring that would still support the test article. In reality, an active ZSRM (zero spring rate mechanism) system provides a very soft equivalent spring constant over a limited throw. The system presented in this paper is a passive system which utilizes a counterweight and trolley system and provides a constant gravity compensation force for a test article while following the free motion of the article both vertically and in one horizontal direction for up to 1 m. Experiments are performed to verify proper system performance. Then videogrammetry tests characterize the behavior of the test article and gravity offload system. A mathematical model of the system is developed to predict the movement of the gravity offload system’s cart. The model results are compared with the videogrammetry data to verify that the mathematical model accurately predicts the motion of the system.
Current status of stress echocardiography in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease

Stress echocardiography is a cost-effective and reliable diagnostic test for patients with suspected coronary artery disease. Stress echocardiography should be used in preference to exercise electrocardiography as the primary test in patients with uninterpretable ST segments. It is attractive for use as the primary test in patients with coexisting valvular disease. It probably is the optimal test for women. Stress echocardiography should be used as a secondary test when the result of exercise electrocardiography is inconsistent with the clinical status. In patients requiring nonexercise stress testing, an imaging test is mandatory. The ability of stress echocardiography to identify the location and extent of myocardial ischemia makes it appropriate in situations where decisions regarding revascularization will be made on these grounds. The overall accuracy of stress echocardiography and perfusion scintigraphy is comparable in expert hands. but one must always consider the expertise of the operator and the quality of each test in the environment in which it is performed.
Efficient flight of pterosaurs - an unsteady aerodynamic approach

apping gait is a complex combination of motions that sustains an animal in the air and propels it forward at a sustainable energy cost. In this aerodynamic study, we identify the main motions of the wings of a well-preserved specimen of Anhanguera piscator. We describe a methodology designed to handle the complex wing kinematics. Because the detailed wing shape can not be inferred from fossils, simplifying assumptions are made to dene
Initial Validation of Collegiate Learning Assessment Performance Task Diagnostic Instrument for Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Aim: The purpose of this study was to develop an d validate the psychometric properties of the Collegiate Learning Assessment (CLA) performance task diagnostic instrument.The CLA is currently used to assess the effectiveness of student learning at colleges and universities in the United States to measur e institutional contributions to learning gained by students.Despite its wide acceptance and use in the last decade, the validity of its psychometric properties has not been established. The performance task for the CLA instrument consist of eight items d
Mujerista Mentoring for Chicanas/Latinas in Higher Education

In this article, we suggest that just as there are barriers and challenges that are particular to Chicanas/Latinas in terms of student retention and persistence, so must the mentoring offered to these students take into account their particular social, cultural, and gendered contexts. In response, we argue for a model of mujerista mentoring, building on the work of Chicana/Latina feminist scholars and employing Gloria Anzaldua's notion of mestiza consciousness. Mujerista mentoring provides an alternative to traditional mentoring that focuses on assimilation by the protege into the dominant culture of an institution of higher education. Instead, we suggest the need to bridge the academic, professional, and the personal in a culturally specific framework in order to create more meaningful and enduring mentoring relationships in the service of Chicana/Latina students' academic success.