cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Studies on the regulation of deoxypyrimidine kinases in normal, sv40-transformed and sv40- and adenovirus-infected mouse cells in culture.

Abstract Deoxythymidine kinase, deoxyuridine kinase and deoxycytidine kinase were each found to be present in multiple enzymatic forms in mouse cells. Five different criteria were employed to distinguish between these multiple enzyme activities: 1) electrophoretic mobility in polyacrylamide gels, 2) substrate specificity, 3) sensitivity to parahydroxymercurybenzoate, 4) the ability of different ribonucleoside triphosphates to act as phosphate donors, 5) feedback inhibition of enzyme activity by deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates. Actively growing 3T3 cells in culture expressed a substrate-specific deoxycytidine kinase and a deoxythymidine-deoxyuridine kinase activity. Resting cells in culture contained two electrophoretically distinct deoxypyrimidine kinase activities that phosphorylated all three deoxypyrimidine nucleoside substrates. The same kinases detected in actively growing cells in culture were the major enzymatic activities observed in fetal or young mice, while adult mice expressed predominantly those activities found in resting cells in tissue culture. Thus the expression of the mouse deoxypyrimidine kinases reflects alterations in cell growth, indicating that their regulation is governed by the physiological state of the cells. SV-40-transformed derivatives of three different mouse cell lines displayed a qualitatively normal mode of deoxypyrimidine kinase regulation. Growing transformed cells expressed the growing form of these enzymes while resting transformed cells at very high saturation densities contained the normal resting cell kinases. When normal resting 3T3 cells were abortively infected with SV40 or adenovirus, there was a large increase in the specific activity of only the growing cell specific kinases.
Classification and regression tree analysis in public health: methodological review and comparison with logistic regression

Background: Audience segmentation strategies are of increasing interest to public health professionals who wish to identify easily defined, mutually exclusive population subgroups whose members share similar characteristics that help determine participation in a health-related behavior as a basis for targeted interventions. Classification and regression tree (C&RT) analysis is a nonparametric decision tree methodology that has the ability to efficiently segment populations into meaningful subgroups. However, it is not commonly used in public health.Purpose: This study provides a methodological overview of C&RT analysis for persons unfamiliar with the procedure.Methods and Results: An example of a C&RT analysis is provided and interpretation of results is discussed. Results are validated with those obtained from a logistic regression model that was created to replicate the C&RT findings. Results obtained from the example C&RT analysis are also compared to those obtained from a common approach to logistic regression, the stepwise selection procedure. Issues to consider when deciding whether to use C&RT are discussed, and situations in which C&RT may and may not be beneficial are described.Conclusions: C&RT is a promising research tool for the identification of at-risk populations in public health research and outreach.
Tenascin pattern of expression and established prognostic factors in invasive breast carcinoma.

Background and Objectives: Immunohistochemical methods were used to study Tenascin (TN) expression in invasive duct cell carcinoma (IDCC) of the breast and its established prognostic factors. Methods We studied 115 patients with IDCC. The mean patient age was 62 years; all tumors were graded according to Scarf-Bloom and Richardson. Complete survival information was available for all patients (median follow-up 65 months). Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded archival tissue from all 115 IDCC were immunostained with monoclonal mouse Anti-Human Tenascin (DAKO-TN2M636; 1/50 dilution). Positivity was recorded on a scale of 0–4 for percentage of TN staining in the tumor stroma. Results TN showed thick bands around advancing tumor nests and in poorly differentiated tumors, TN fibers had an interstitial pattern surrounding single tumor cells. TN score was significantly positively correlated with high nuclear grade (P < 0.05), histologic grade (P < 0.01), mitotic grade (P < 0.005), and combined grade (P < 0.01). TN score did not correlate with long-term survival or with other prognostic factors studied. Conclusions TN expression was more prominent in tumors with a high combined histologic grade. Our results may suggest that while TN may play a role in limiting tumor spread as proposed by other studies, it may not represent a prognostic factor in invasive breast carcinoma. J. Surg. Oncol. 1998;68:107–112. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Radar Measurement of Rainfall with and without Polarimetry

Abstract Raindrop size distributions (DSDs) for tropical convective storms are used to examine the relationships between the parameters of a gamma DSD, with special emphasis on their variation with the stage of the storm. Such a distinction has rarely been made before. Several storms from a variety of tropical locations are divided into storm stages according to the temporal dependence of their reflectivity factor Z, rainfall rate R, and median volume diameter D0. In most cases it is found that the DSD parameter D0 is approximately constant in time during the convective, or C, stage, which leads to a Z–R relation of the form Z = AR, that is, a linear relationship between Z and R. This finding implies the existence of equilibrium DSDs during the C stage. The convective stage is sometimes marked by pulsations in draft strength so that D0, R, and Z and associated values of the shape parameter μ decrease in a quasi-transition stage before increasing once more. Theoretical relations between the differential re...
The tinker, tailor, soldier in intracellular B12 trafficking.

The recognition of eight discrete genetic complementation groups among patients with inherited cobalamin disorders provided early insights into the complexity of a cofactor-processing pathway that supports only two known B12-dependent enzymes in mammals. With the identification of all eight genes now completed, biochemical interrogations of their functions have started and are providing novel insights into a trafficking pathway involving porters that tinker with and tailor the active cofactor forms and editors that ensure the fidelity of the cofactor loading process. The principles of sequestration and escorted delivery of a rare and reactive organometallic cofactor that are emerging from studies on B12 might be of general relevance to other cofactor trafficking pathways.
Phytoplankton Productivity and Standing Crop in the Vicinity of the Lake Huron-Saginaw Bay Front

Abstract Continuous underway sampling was used in four research cruises near the mouth of Saginaw Bay in order to locate the bay-lake front, where eutrophic bay water mixes with oligotrophic Lake Huron water. Although mixing between these water masses normally occurs in outer Saginaw Bay, the distribution was variable, depending on wind force and direction as well as water temperature. Large algal crops in inner Saginaw Bay had reduced soluble nutrients, particularly silicate and nitrate-nitrogen, in the outer bay to levels lower than the adjacent lake water. Nonetheless, outer bay water supported high algal biomass (up to 14 μg/L chlorophyll a ) and 14 C uptake (up to 73 μg /L/h). The phytoplankton community at the nutrient front between bay and lake waters was characterized by high chlorophyll a biomass ( x ¯ = 4.47 μg/L), low 14 C uptake ( x ¯ = 7.12 μg/L/h), and high bacterial activity (V max x ¯ = 1.33) indicating the presence of a senescent assemblage. Decomposition and settling of phytoplankton in the vicinity of the front apparently served to remove much of the bay plankton from the water column before mixing into the open lake. But, during mid-summer, occasional large inputs of nutrients and/or phytoplankton from the bay into the open lake were observed.
Spectrum of HERG K+-channel dysfunction in an inherited cardiac arrhythmia

Long QT syndrome (LQT) is an autosomal dominant disorder that can cause sudden death from cardiac arrhythmias. We recently discovered that mutations in HERG, a K+-channel gene, cause chromosome 7-linked LQT. Heterologous expression of HERG in Xenopus oocytes revealed that HERG current was similar to a well-characterized cardiac delayed rectifier K+ current, IKr, and led to the hypothesis that mutations in HERG reduced IKr, causing prolonged myocellular action potentials. To define the mechanism of LQT, we injected oocytes with mutant HERG complementary RNAs, either singly or in combination with wild-type complementary RNA. Some mutations caused loss of function, whereas others caused dominant negative suppression of HERG function. These mutations are predicted to cause a spectrum of diminished IKr and delayed ventricular repolarization, consistent with the prolonged QT interval observed in individuals with LQT.
Identifying Riparian Buffer Effects on Stream Nitrogen in Southeastern Coastal Plain Watersheds

Within the Southeastern (SE) Coastal Plain of the U.S., numerous freshwaters and estuaries experience eutrophication with significant nutrient contributions by agricultural non-point sources (NPS). Riparian buffers are often used to reduce agricultural NPS yet the effect of buffers in the watershed is difficult to quantify. Using corrected Akaike information criterion (AICc) and model averaging, we compared flow-path riparian buffer models with land use/land cover (LULC) models in 24 watersheds from the SE Coastal Plain to determine the ability of riparian buffers to reduce or mitigate stream total nitrogen concentrations (TNC). Additional models considered the relative importance of headwaters and artificial agricultural drainage in the Coastal Plain. A buffer model which included cropland and non-buffered cropland best explained stream TNC (R2 = 0.75) and was five times more likely to be the correct model than the LULC model. The model average predicted that current buffers removed 52 % of nitrogen from the edge-of-field and 45 % of potential nitrogen from the average SE Coastal Plain watershed. On average, 26 % of stream nitrogen leaked through buffered cropland. Our study suggests that stream TNC could potentially be reduced by 34 % if buffers were adequately restored on all cropland. Such estimates provide realistic expectations of nitrogen removal via buffers to watershed managers as they attempt to meet water quality goals. In addition, model comparisons of AICc values indicated that non-headwater buffers may contribute little to stream TNC. Model comparisons also indicated that artificial drainage should be considered when accessing buffers and stream nitrogen.
7.5 kW solar array simulator

A high power solar array simulator capable of providing the input power to simultaneously operate two 30 cm diameter ion thruster power processors was designed, fabricated, and tested. The maximum power point may be set to between 150 and 7500 watts. This represents an open circuit voltage from 50 to 300 volts and a short circuit current from 4 to 36 amps. Illuminated solar cells are used as the control element. The illuminated solar cells provide a true solar cell characteristic and permit the option of simulating changes in this characteristic due to variations in solar intensity and/or temperature of the solar array. This is accomplished by changing the illumination and/or temperature of the control cells. The response of the output to a step change in load closely approximates that of an actual solar array.
Changes in body fat and weight after a breast cancer diagnosis: Influence of demographic, prognostic, and lifestyle factors

Purpose Obese women and women who gain weight after a breast cancer diagnosis are at a greater risk for breast cancer recurrence and death compared with lean women and women who do not gain weight after diagnosis. In this population-based study, we assessed weight and body fat changes from during the first year of diagnosis to during the third year after diagnosis, and whether any changes in weight and body fat varied by demographic, prognostic, and lifestyle factors in 514 women with incident Stage 0-IIIA breast cancer. Methods Patients were participants in the Health, Eating, Activity, and Lifestyle (HEAL) study. Weight and body fat (via dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scans) were measured during the baseline visit and 2 years later at a follow-up visit. Analysis of covariance methods were used to obtain mean weight and body fat changes adjusted for potential cofounders. Results Women increased their weight and percent body fat by 1.7 ± 4.7 kg and 2.1% ± 3.9%, respectively, from during their first year...
Recent discoveries in the pathways to cobalamin (coenzyme B12) achieved through chemistry and biology

The genetic engineering of Escherichia coli for the over-expression of enzymes of the aerobic and anaerobic pathways to cobalamin has resulted in the in vivo and in vitro biosynthesis of new intermediates and other products that were isolated and characterized using a combination of bioorganic chemistry and high-resolution NMR. Analyses of these products were used to deduct the functions of the enzymes that catalyze their synthesis. CobZ, another enzyme for the synthesis of precorrin-3B of the aerobic pathway, has recently been described, as has been BluB, the enzyme responsible for the oxygen-dependent biosynthesis of dimethylbenzimidazole. In the anaerobic pathway, functions have recently been experi- mentally confirmed for or assigned to the CbiMNOQ cobalt transport complex, CbiA (a,c side chain amidation), CbiD (C-1 methylation), CbiF (C-11 methylation), CbiG (lactone opening, deacylation), CbiP (b,d,e,g side chain amidation), and CbiT (C-15 methylation, C-12 side chain decarboxylation). The dephosphorylation of adenosylcobalamin-phosphate, catalyzed by CobC, has been proposed as the final step in the biosynthesis of adenosylcobalamin.
Estimating WISC-IV indexes: proration versus linear scaling

This investigation compared proration and linear scaling for estimating Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fourth Edition (WISC-IV) verbal comprehension (VCI) and perceptual reasoning (PRI) composites from all relevant two subtest combinations. Using 57 primary school students and 41 clinical referrals, actual VCI and PRI scores were highly correlated with estimated index scores based on proration and linear scaling (all rs> or =.90). In the school sample, significant mean score differences between the actual and estimated composites were found in two comparisons; however, differences between mean scores were less than three points. No significant differences emerged in the clinical sample. Results indicate that any of the two subtest combinations produced reasonably accurate estimates of actual indexes. There was no advantage of one computational method over the other.
Influence of lakeshore development on breeding bird communities in a mixed northern forest

We report findings of a 2-year study (1996–1997) surveying breeding birds in lacustrine habitats of northern Wisconsin, USA. This area has seen marked increases in lakeshore housing development in recent years, and other studies indicate significant lakeshore habitat alteration. We paired developed and undeveloped lakes of similar physical characteristics and performed point-counts around the perimeter of each to assess bird community structure. Our results showed no significant differences between developed and undeveloped lakes in bird abundance, richness or species diversity. However, several species and some resource-guilds were commonly associated with one lake-type or the other. We found a significantly higher diversity of diet guilds on developed lakes. Significant declines in the prevalence of insectivorous and ground-nesting birds were documented on developed lakes, contrasting with increased prevalence of seed-eating birds and deciduous-tree nesting birds. Levels of development on lakeshores in northern Wisconsin appear to affect the composition of avian communities, which is of concern for the health of these forested lacustrine habitats. We outline several factors associated with development which may be linked to these observed bird community changes and suggest measures landowners might take to minimize impact on native breeding bird communities. # 2002 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.
Somatostatin in Cytotrophoblast of the Immature Human Placenta: Localization by Immunoperoxidase Cytochemistry

Using the technique of immunoperoxidase cytochemistry, we have demonstrated the presence of immunoreactive somatostatin in the cytotrophoblast. This is contrasted by the immunocytochemical staining of human placental lactogen in the syncytotrophoblast in the adjacent section of the villus tissue of the immature human placenta. It is considered that the somatostatin may be involved in the secretion of human placental lactogen within the two layers of trophoblastic cells.
Radioimmunoassay of Plasma Estriol

ABSTRACT A radioimmunoassay for the measurement of plasma unconjugated estriol (E3) is described. The hemiscuccinates of E3 were coupled to human serum albumin using carbodiimide, and the conjugates were used to immunize four ewes. One of the antisera obtained after 3 months of immunization was used in the assay procedure. Celite microcolumns were used to separate E3 from estrone and estradiol-17β. Separation of bound from free radioactive hormone was achieved by a dextran-coated charcoal suspension. The assay sensitivity was 25 pg, with a within-assay variance of 7% and a between-assay variance of 9%. Plasma E3 from 167 unselected pregnant patients showed a constant rise of the mean plasma E3 from 1.7 ± 0.2 ng/ml (se) at 16 to 18 weeks to 11.1 ± 0.7 ng/ml at term. After the 32nd week of pregnancy no level below 4 ng/ml was found. In pregnancies with intrauterine fetal demise, the plasma concentration of unconjugated E3 was below 4 ng/ml. The postpartum clearance of endogenous E3 was measured and found to...
Development and Validation of a Mass Casualty Conceptual Model

Purpose: To develop and validate a conceptual model that provides a framework for the development and evaluation of information systems for mass casualty events. Design: The model was designed based on extant literature and existing theoretical models. A purposeful sample of 18 experts validated the model. Open-ended questions, as well as a 7-point Likert scale, were used to measure expert consensus on the importance of each construct and its relationship in the model and the usefulness of the model to future research. Methods: Computer-mediated applications were used to facilitate a modified Delphi technique through which a panel of experts provided validation for the conceptual model. Rounds of questions continued until consensus was reached, as measured by an interquartile range (no more than 1 scale point for each item); stability (change in the distribution of responses less than 15% between rounds); and percent agreement (70% or greater) for indicator questions. Findings: Two rounds of the Delphi process were needed to satisfy the criteria for consensus or stability related to the constructs, relationships, and indicators in the model. The panel reached consensus or sufficient stability to retain all 10 constructs, 9 relationships, and 39 of 44 indicators. Experts viewed the model as useful (mean of 5.3 on a 7-point scale). Conclusions: Validation of the model provides the first step in understanding the context in which mass casualty events take place and identifying variables that impact outcomes of care. Clinical Relevance: This study provides a foundation for understanding the complexity of mass casualty care, the roles that nurses play in mass casualty events, and factors that must be considered in designing and evaluating information-communication systems to support effective triage under these conditions.
Tilting and twirling as myosin V steps along actin filaments as detected by fluorescence polarization.

The myosin superfamily of mechanoenzymes, more commonly referred to as molecular motors, converts chemical energy from the hydrolysis of ATP into mechanical work through its cyclic interactions with actin, which serves as a cytoskeletal track for myosin. Various classes of myosin perform such basic cellular processes that range from muscle contraction to intracellular cargo transport and exocytosis. Class V myosins (myoV) are one of the most highly studied processive molecular motors, which have the ability to travel long distances (>1 µm) by taking multiple, 36-nm hand-over-hand steps without falling off their actin tracks (Forkey et al., 2003; Warshaw et al., 2005). This ability makes the motor well suited for directed intracellular cargo transport along the actin cytoskeleton, traveling from the cell center toward the cell periphery. However, the intracellular actin highway is extremely complex, consisting of a 3-D meshwork of intersecting actin filaments and cross-linked filaments (i.e., bundles) that present a physical challenge to efficient myoV transport. How myoV copes with these cytoskeletal challenges requires an understanding of how this molecular motor’s structure allows it to be adept at maneuvering through the cell’s actin meshwork. In this issue, Lewis et al. paint an elegant 3-D picture of how myoV motors engage their actin track using state-of-the-art single-molecule fluorescence microscopy, providing molecular structure and function in real time as the myoV molecule walks step by step in vitro along a single actin filament adhered to a glass microscope slide (Figs. 1 and ​and2).2). By placing rigidly coupled fluorescent probes at specific locations on the myoV motor (Fig. 1), fluorescence polarization (pol) measurements in a total internal reflectance fluorescence (TIRF) microscope provided high temporal (80 ms) and angular (10°) resolution, polTIRF readouts of the myoV’s conformational orientation relative to its actin track for each step taken by the motor. Knowing the limits of myoV’s structural flexibility and how it contributes to its processive motion in vitro are critical pieces of information that must be defined before appreciating how in vivo myoV deals with the complexity of the actin cytoskeleton.
Green Chemistry and Green Engineering: A Framework for Sustainable Technology Development

Green chemistry and engineering seek to maximize efficiency and minimize health and environmental hazards throughout the chemical production process. This review demonstrates how green chemistry principles and metrics can influence the entire life cycle of a chemical from design through disposal. After reviewing essential metrics and recent advances in the field within this context, we consider the case of nanotechnology. As an emerging field, nanotechnology provides an instructive framework to consider the influence and application of green chemistry. Interdisciplinary innovation guides both fields, and both seek to transform the nature of technology. The applications and implications of emerging green technology are discussed, and future opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborations are highlighted.
Texture mapping volumes using GPU-based polygon-assisted raycasting

In this paper, we present a fast GPU-based raycasting technique that utilizes polygonal meshes to accelerate raycasting and texture map two-dimensional image detail onto volumetric surfaces, independent of their resolution. The method operates by extracting one or more meshes to enclose the visible region of the volume and allow surfaces to be textured. These meshes determine ray start-end positions and store the information that will be mapped onto the volume. Using a multi-pass approach, we first peel depth layers from the rendered geometry, storing color and depth in a series of corresponding buffers. Second, a GPU-based raycasting pass is performed that traverses rays between the outermost mesh layers. Ray-layer intersections are determined so that the color texture mapped onto the mesh is composited in the correct order with volume samples. The proposed method can be used to enhance volumetric objects in games and other applications.
Changes in consumer segments and preferences to green labelling

This paper is a follow-up on a study conducted in 1996 to determine if there have been changes in market segments and consumer preferences since that time. The specific purpose of this study is to determine whether respondents’ will be influenced by the presence of seals and/or logos certifying that the laundry detergent is environmentally friendly, and whether the customer segments and preferences have changed over time. Respondents were subjected to a stack of 16 cards with different combinations of price, degree of concentration, whether detergent had regular or low suds formulas, the presence of phosphates, and the presence of either a Green Seal, an EPA logo or both. The data yielded three distinct clusters/groupings of respondents (i.e. Green Seal, price and EPA Logo) different from the previous study. This study showed that respondents were not monolithic in their preferences for green labelling techniques. The findings of this study indicate that the customer segments and their preferences have changed over time. Suggestions are made for marketing to each of the respective current segments.
A health status assessment of the impact of weight loss following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for clinically severe obesity.

Abstract Background: The field of "medical outcomes" emphasizes effects of medical treatments on quality of life as seen from the patient's perspective. The increasing incidence of obesity has had tremendous impact on the physical, psychological, social, and economic health of our nation with important longterm implications for the development of future social and health care policies. This study evaluated the effects of clinically severe obesity on overall health status measured in a standardized fashion and the impact of durable weight loss achieved through surgical intervention. Study Design: Patients scheduled for Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for treatment of obesity were prospectively evaluated. At the preoperative visit, each patient completed Short Form 36 (SF-36). Postoperatively, patients were again asked to complete SF-36, in person or through a telephone interview at an interim point (3 to 12 months) and after their weight had reached a plateau (> 18 months). Results: The mean body mass index (BMI) was 51 ± 10 kg/m 2 preoperatively (range 38 to 85 kg/m 2 ). Mean BMI was 45 ± 10 kg/m 2 (range 33 to 78 kg/m 2 ) at the interim point and 35 ± 8 kg/m 2 (range 28 to 55 kg/m 2 ) at plateau. The weight change for the group was from 306 ± 8 lb (138 ± 4 kg) preoperatively to 211 ± 55 lb (96 ± 25 kg) at the plateau, with the average percent of excess body weight lost being 63 ± 23% at the plateau. Preoperatively, patients with clinically severe obesity scored significantly lower than the normal population in all areas except Role Activities (Emotional Factors). At the plateau period, patients demonstrated significant improvement in limitations in all areas compared with preoperative values and scores were the same as (Physical Activities, Role Activities [Physical Factors], General Mental Health, General Health Perceptions), or significantly better than (Social Functioning, Role Activities [Emotional Factors], Bodily Pain, Vitality), the national "normal" population. Conclusion: Clinically severe obesity is a chronic disabling disease that results in significantly decreased health status in seven of the eight areas measured by SF-36. This disability resolves with successful weight reduction. In some areas, function even surpasses the national "normal" population. Surgical treatment of clinically severe obesity has a profoundly positive impact on patients' perception of their health status.
Representing thinned and nonuniformly spaced arrays on the unit circle

Low sidelobe amplitude tapers for arrays may be synthesized using a unit circle representation. If the linear array has N equally spaced elements along the x-axis, then the array factor may be written as shown by the equation given. A simple substitution transforms this equation into a polynomial. The roots of this polynomial can be represented on the unit circle. >
Phase II Trial of Conformal Radiation Therapy for Pediatric Low-Grade Glioma

Purpose The use of radiotherapy in pediatric low-grade glioma (LGG) is controversial, especially for young patients. We conducted a phase II trial of conformal radiation therapy (CRT) to estimate disease control by using a 10-mm clinical target volume (CTV) margin. Materials and Methods Between August 1997 and August 2006, 78 pediatric patients with LGG and a median age of 8.9 years (range, 2.2 to 19.8 years) received 54 Gy CRT by using a 10-mm CTV and by targeting with systematic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) registration. Tumor locations were diencephalon (n = 58), cerebral hemisphere (n = 3), and cerebellum (n = 17). Sixty-seven patients had documented or presumed WHO grade 1 tumors, 25 patients had prior chemotherapy, and 13 patients had neurofibromatosis type 1. Results During a median follow-up of 89 months, 13 patients experienced disease progression. One patient experienced marginal treatment failure, eight experienced local failures, and four experienced metastatic failure. The mean and standa...
Quantifying and improving I/O predictability in virtualized systems

Virtualization enables the consolidation of virtual machines (VMs) to increase the utilization of physical servers in Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) cloud providers. However, our experience shows that storage I/O performance varies wildly in the face of consolidation. Since many users may desire consistent performance, we argue that IaaS providers should offer a class of predictable-performance service in addition to existing (predictability-oblivious) services. Thus, we propose VirtualFence, a storage system that provides predictable VM performance. VirtualFence uses three main techniques: (1) non-work-conserving time-division I/O scheduling, (2) a small solid-state (SSD) cache in front of a much larger hard disk drive (HDD), and (3) space-partitioning of both the SSD cache and the HDD. Our evaluation shows that VirtualFence improves predictability significantly, while allowing cloud providers to reach any desired compromise between predictability and performance.
73 A Case of Acute Kidney Injury with Unexplained Osmotic Nephrosis

A CASE OF ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY WITH UNEXPLAINED OSMOTIC NEPHROSIS Roma Cruz, Ranil Gajanayaka, Panupong Lisawat , Glen Markowitz, Raymond Raut, Winston Shih. Danbury Hospital, Danbury, CT, USA Osmotic nephrosis is a pathologic term used to describe the pattern of vacuolization and swelling of the proximal renal tubular cells. This has been associated with infusion of sucrose, maltose, mannitol, dextran and iodinated contrast media. We report a case of osmotic nephrosis in a patient with no exposure to these agents. A 62 year old white female presented with 36 hour history of anuria. Her medical history is significant for hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Medications on admission included Valsartan, Hydrochlorothiazide, Metformin, Insulin,Simvastatin and Saxagliptin which was started 3 months before. On admission, physical exam was unremarkable. Initial laboratory exam revealed BUN 40 mg/dl, creatinine of 5.6 mg/dl, from a baseline of 1.3 mg/dl, 2 months prior. Both kidneys are of normal size and without hydronephrosis. Urinalysis revealed 3+ protein, 3+blood, 9-30 WBC. Complement levels, ANA, ANCA, hepatitis serologies and HIV were negative. Patient remained anuric, her serum creatinine peaked at 9.94 mg/ dL and she required 2 sessions of hemodialysis. A kidney biopsy was consistent with osmotic nephrosis. Patient spontaneously started diuresing on the 4 hospital day and was discharged a week later with a serum creatinine at its baseline 1 mg/dL. Cases of acute kidney injury and acute tubular necrosis have been reported with Sitagliptin (Januvia-another DPP4 inhibitor) and Exenatide(Byetta GLP-1 analog) and have been associated with rapid improvement once these medications were discontinued. Renal biopsies were performed in a minority of cases. This is, to our knowledge, the first case of AKI that occurred in the presence of Saxagliptin with no exposures that could explain the osmotic nephrosis.
End-to-End Energy–Bandwidth Tradeoff in Multihop Wireless Networks

In this paper, energy-constrained wireless multihop networks with a single source-destination pair are considered. A network model that incorporates both the energy radiated by the transmitter and the energy consumed by the circuits that process the received signals is proposed. The rate of communication is the number of information bits transmitted (end-to-end) per coded symbol transmitted by any node in the network that is forwarding the data. The tradeoff between the total energy consumption and the end-to-end rate of communication is analyzed. The performance (either energy or rate) depends on the transmission strategy of each node, the location of the relay nodes, and the data rate used by each node. Communication strategies include the rate of transmission on each link, the scheduling of links, and the power used for each link. Strategies that minimize the total energy consumption for a given rate are found. Two communication strategies that capture the inherent constraints of some practical networks are also considered and compared with the optimum strategies. In the case of equispaced relays, analytical results for the tradeoff between the energy and the end-to-end data rate are provided. The minimum energy over all possible data rates is also obtained. Low rates incur a significant penalty because the receiver is on for a long time period while high rates require high transmission energy. At high rates routes with fewer hops minimize the energy consumption while at lower rates more hops minimize the energy consumption.
Take Two: Stare Decisis in Antitrust/The Per Se Rule against Horizontal Price-Fixing

In this essay prepared for the American Bar Association's 56th Antitrust Law Spring Meeting, I consider two issues that pertain to the overall question of what antitrust doctrines are up for retirement. First, we can't consider that without understanding how the Supreme Court approaches stare decisis in antitrust. The Court's 5-4 decision in Leegin identified some of the fault lines on this issue. The Court has suggested that it should approach stare decisis differently in statutory areas from the way it approaches it when it reconsiders constitutional decisions. I think that that is wrong and that the Court should apply its approach to stare decisis in constitutional cases to cases based on statutes, such as the Sherman Act. Second, I focus on the evil of evils: horizontal price-fixing. I don't think that the Court is likely to retire the per se rule against horizontal price-fixing, certainly not directly. We might only realize that it had been overturned after the fact, after the Court had so chipped away at the doctrine that nothing remained. That said, as again Leegin itself suggested, we can't be fully confident that horizontal price-fixing is always pernicious, especially when it might be implemented as part of a larger vertical arrangement.
Identification of a Role for the trans-Golgi Network in Human Papillomavirus 16 Pseudovirus Infection

Human papillomavirus 16 (HPV16) enters its host cells by a process that most closely resembles macropinocytosis. Uncoating occurs during passage through the endosomal compartment, and the low pH encountered in this environment is essential for infection. Furin cleavage of the minor capsid protein, L2, and cyclophilin B-mediated separation of L2 and the viral genome from the major capsid protein, L1, are necessary for escape from the late endosome (LE). Following this exodus, L2 and the genome are found colocalized at the ND10 nuclear subdomain, which is essential for efficient pseudogenome expression. However, the route by which L2 and the genome traverse the intervening cytoplasm between these two subcellular compartments has not been determined. This study extends our understanding of this phase in PV entry in demonstrating the involvement of the Golgi complex. With confocal microscopic analyses involving 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine (EdU)-labeled pseudogenomes and antibodies to virion and cellular proteins, we found that the viral pseudogenome and L2 travel to the trans-Golgi network (TGN) following exit from the LE, while L1 is retained. This transit is dependent upon furin cleavage of L2 and can be prevented pharmacologically with either brefeldin A or golgicide A, inhibitors of anterograde and retrograde Golgi trafficking. Additionally, Rab9a and Rab7b were determined to be mediators of this transit, as expression of dominant negative versions of these proteins, but not Rab7a, significantly inhibited HPV16 pseudovirus infection.
Effect of parameter variations on the performance of GaAs/AlGaAs multiple-quantum-well electroabsorption modulators

A theoretical investigation is presented of the dependence of electroabsorption in GaAs/Al/sub x/Ga/sub 1-x/As multiple-quantum-well (MQW) structures on the MQW parameters (Al mole fraction x, well thickness L/sub z/ barrier thickness L/sub b/ and interface quality) and on the applied electric field studied. The on/off ratio of a modulator using MQWs with x=0.45, L/sub z/=75 AA, and L/sub b/=78 AA is predicted to increase by 20% compared to that of a modulator using MQWs with x=0.3, L/sub z/=100 AA, and L/sub b/=100 AA, when the MQW total active region thickness is 1 mu m. >
Nonlinear Sparse-Graph Codes for Lossy Compression of Discrete Nonredundant Sources

We propose a scheme to implement lossy data compression for discrete equiprobable sources using block codes based on sparse matrices. We prove asymptotic optimality of the codes for a Hamming distortion criterion. We also present a sub-optimal decoding algorithm, which has near optimal performance for moderate blocklengths.
A dual band feed structure for slot and notch antennas

The design of a multi-band microstrip to slot line junction structure was described in this article. The structure uses multiple crossings of the microstrip line over the slot line. Each crossing excites a resonant frequency of the slot or notch antenna, thus enabling multi-band operation of the slot or notch antenna. The design was applied to a 3 antenna system that operates in the 2.4 GHz and 5.2/5.8 GHz bands for IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n.
The political process of decentralization in Peru, 1985–1990

This paper, using Peru as a case study, argues that the most potent factor in the implementation of decentralization in developing countries is ‘political’ in nature and operation. The legislative process of decentralization under President Alan Garcia's regime went through three major steps, controlled by his party, APRA (Alianza Popular Revolucionaria Americana,): (1) The 1986 Bill of the Basic Law of Regionalization; (2) The 1987 Basic Law of Regionalization; and (3) The 1988 Modified Law of Regionalization. Why did Alan Garcia push for decentralization, unlike his predecessors? The 1985 elections produced Garcia, a populist demagogue, and a loose political party system dominated by APRA. However, the legislation of decentralization was possible paradoxically because Garcia, who was desperately looking for a political issue to distract people's minds from his misgovernment, needed to control APRA for a regional power base after 1990. Thus, the whole decentralization process was highly politicized, and Garcia's strategy was ‘successful’ in that regional governments came to be controlled by APRA after the 1989 and 1990 regional elections. The Peruvian case shows how far decentralization can be used for personalistic or partisan interests in a fragile democracy.
Reliability of eye tracking and pupillometry measures in individuals with fragile X syndrome

Recent insight into the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms of fragile X syndrome (FXS) has led to the proposal and development of new pharmaceutical treatment strategies, and the initiation of clinical trials aimed at correcting core symptoms of the developmental disorder. Consequently, there is an urgent and critical need for outcome measures that are valid for quantifying specific symptoms of FXS and that are consistent across time. We used eye tracking to evaluate test–retest reliability of gaze and pupillometry measures in individuals with FXS and we demonstrate that these measures are viable options for assessing treatment-specific outcomes related to a core behavioral feature of the disorder.
Excess volatility: A testing strategy

Abstract A testing strategy for excess volatility in asset prices is proposed by combining a number of already existing econometric estimators. The strategy is valid when asset prices are integrated of order one, the real rate of interest is variable and the underlying economic model is non-linear. The strategy is applied to annual U.S. stock prices. The evidence for no excess volatility is weak.
Epitaxial growth and layer transfer of InP via electrochemically etching / annealing of porous buried InP layers: A pathway for III–V substrate re-use

High crystalline quality InP is epitaxially grown on porous InP layers and characterized. Etching the wafers in hydrochloric acid with different concentrations and current densities create a dual layer porous structure with a more dense top layer for epitaxial growth and a buried porous layer. Annealing the structure forms voids in the buried layer. Epitaxial layers with thickness of about 2 µm were grown on dense layers. The layers grown were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy and high resolution x-ray diffraction and determined to be high quality single crystal layers. The porous samples created were bonded to PDMS substrates and the top layer was easily peeled off due to fracture through the high porosity layer. Layer transfer was also performed by gluing the samples to glass slides and pulling them apart. The transferred layers were characterized by scanning electron microscopy. These results point to the usefulness of porous III–V layers as templates for epitaxial growth and device transfer for solar cell applications.
Small Businesses as Captive Companies: Business Strategy and Firm Performance Among U.S. Auto Suppliers

Small business firms frequently are in the position of a "captive" company--a firm whose operations are undertaken for the benefit of some more powerful organization. This places unique demands on the planning and strategy activity. An empirical study of business strategy and firm performance in a sample of small auto supplier firms (N = 67) found significant differences in the business strategies of high-performing firms when compared to the business strategies of low-performing firms. The nature of these differences is presented , and implications for the formulation of effective business strategies in captive small businesses are discussed.
Altered Patterns of Protein Synthesis in opaque-2 Maize Endosperm

The search for maize genotypes with an increased level of lysine, an essential amino acid, led to the discovery that certain mutations, such as opaque-2 and floury-2, result in seeds with enhanced nutritional value for monogastric animals1, 2. These mutations cause a reduction in synthesis of the prolamin proteins, or zeins, and an increase in other endosperm proteins, the non-zeins. Typically, zeins account for around 60% of the endosperm protein. Because zeins contain virtually no lysine or tryptophan, their abundance is an important factor contributing to the inferior nutritional quality of maize seed protein. Although opaque-2 andfloury-2 mutants were found to have significantly improved nutritional value, their soft endosperms, which cause kernel chipping and breakage, insect susceptibility, and inferior food processing, ultimately prevented these mutants from becoming commercially useful3.
Risk factors affecting escape behavior by the Jamaican lizard Anolis lineatopus (Polychrotidae, Squamata)

Abstract. To examine influences of predation risk on escape in the Jamaican trunk-ground anole, Anolis lineatopus, I simulated an approaching predator. Theory predicts that flight initiation distance and distance fled increase as risk increases. Flight initiation distance (predator-prey distance when escape begins) was not affected by starting distance (predator-prey distance when approach begins) or sex. Flight initiation distance and distance fled were longer when lizards were farther from refuge. Flight initiation distance was longer during fast than slow approaches, but approach speed did not affect distance fled because most lizards stopped fleeing before entering refuge. Flight initiation distance was longer when lizards were approached directly than indirectly and were partially concealed than in the open. Both flight initiation distance and distance fled were longer for the second of two approaches due to predator persistence. Lizards were more likely to flee when a predator standing nearby turned...
Effects of Immigration During Adolescence on Mental Health and Social Well-Being.

Edited byJacquelyn H. Flaskerud, PhD, RN, FAANSchool of Nursing University of California, Los Angeles, School of Nursing, Los Angeles, California, USAJanna Lesser, RN, PhDUniversity of Texas Health...
Case Report: Spinal Cord Compression Due to Metastatic Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma is an uncommon cancer in the United States. Its initial presentation as spinal cord compression due to vertebral metastasis is rare. This article reports a case of radiculopathy and rapidly developing spinal cord compression because of bony metastasis from this form of liver cancer. This article also reviews pertinent literature and discusses the diagnostic modalities for early detection.
New impetus for innovation in benign urology

are we witnessing the decline of the RO1 in urological research? Many working in the field have taken note of the increasing use of, and calls for, large and small Center grants by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Historically, benign urological research has languished compared with progress
PM2.5 and Kidney Function: Long-Term Exposures May Lead to Modest Declines

Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is associated with cardiovascular health impacts including increased risk of irregular heartbeat and pulmonary embolism (arterial blockage). 1 However, the relationship between PM2.5 and renal function, an independent cardiovascular risk factor23 and significant health metric in its own right, 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 is poorly understood. A new longitudinal study offers early evidence that PM2.5 exposure is associated with lower kidney function and a higher rate of kidney function decline over time. 8