Elevated Storage Research Articles

Factors Associated With Renal and Urological Complications in Patients Suffering From Spinal Cord Injuries During Subsequent Years of Post-Injury

Virtually all patients with a spinal cord injury (SCI) suffer from neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD). The major goal of any treatment of these patients is the preservation of renal function. Especially suprasacral SCI frequently leads to elevated bladder storage pressures which are the major risk factor for renal deterioration. Therefore, the primary objective of bladder management is to achieve low pressure urine storage and emptying. To classify NLUTD of an individual patient and to monitor treatment, regular controls of bladder function are mandatory. The authors assessed the patients with SCI by questionnaires, laboratory tests and imaging. The number of patients included (5901) is impressive. The number of urologic complications observed is rather high. It was not surprising that presence of urologic complications was associated with level of injury and time since injury. It is noteworthy, however, that these complications are depending on the living place (1). Unfortunately, but understandably, no urodynamic data were included in the analysis. It is very demanding to collect urodynamic data from such a large patient cohort. Furthermore, urodynamic examinations are merely possible in specialized centers, and I suspect that this examination was not available for all patients at every control visit. Urodynamics, however, are considered the gold standard for the assessment of the main risk factors for renal damage, namely a detrusor leak point pressure/storage pressure > 40 cm H2O and/or a low detrusor compliance (< 20 mL/cm H2O). Until today, these factors can exclusively be assessed by urodynamics. Thus, it is crucial for the evaluation of NLUTD, since significant changes in NLUTD may occur without symptoms in about 70% of patients with SCI (2). The lack of urodynamic examinations may at least be one explanation for the higher risk for renal complications in SCI patients living in rural areas. As a consequence, the more frequent use of urodynamic testing in this group of patients may in the future even improve the outcome of patients with SCI. As urodynamics are expensive, time consuming, and carry the risk of urinary tract infections, a new diagnostic parameter would be clinically helpful if it either could replace urodynamics or could be used as an additional diagnostic tool to detect SCI patients with NLUTD without risks for consecutive renal damage. Sonographic measurement of the bladder wall thickness may be a future option, but until today, this technique is not well standardized and cannot replace urodynamics yet (3). Not unexpectedly, urinary tract infections are the most common urologic complication in these patients. The frequency of urinary tract infections depends on the method used for bladder evacuation, with indwelling catheters having the highest infection rates. The study does not distinguish between the different methods of bladder management. In general, indwelling catheters should be avoided if ever possible to reduce the number of urinary tract infections (4). In summary, the authors are congratulated for their extensive study, providing the readers with important information about the impact of demographic and environmental factors on urologic complications in SCI patients. As these factors also include the coverage of medical supplies, which is world-wide dependent on living place and social status, the results also mirror the need of optimized diagnostics and treatment of SCI patients as demanded by the world health organization (5). As meticulous urodynamic diagnostics and adequate urologic treatment have been proven to dramatically decrease the rate of urologic complications after SCI (6), the nationwide access to urologic care for patients with SCI should be targeted in the future. Footnotes Financial Disclosure: I have no conflict of interest.

Loss of IP3 receptor function in neuropeptide secreting neurons leads to obesity in adult Drosophila

BackgroundIntracellular calcium signaling regulates a variety of cellular and physiological processes. The inositol 1,4,5 trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) is a ligand gated calcium channel present on the membranes of endoplasmic reticular stores. In previous work we have shown that Drosophila mutants for the IP3R (itpr ku ) become unnaturally obese as adults with excessive storage of lipids on a normal diet. While the phenotype manifests in cells of the fat body, genetic studies suggest dysregulation of a neurohormonal axis.ResultsWe show that knockdown of the IP3R, either in all neurons or in peptidergic neurons alone, mimics known itpr mutant phenotypes. The peptidergic neuron domain includes, but is not restricted to, the medial neurosecretory cells as well as the stomatogastric nervous system. Conversely, expression of an itpr + cDNA in the same set of peptidergic neurons rescues metabolic defects of itpr ku mutants. Transcript levels of a gene encoding a gastric lipase CG5932 (magro), which is known to regulate triacylglyceride storage, can be regulated by itpr knockdown and over-expression in peptidergic neurons. Thus, the focus of observed itpr mutant phenotypes of starvation resistance, increased body weight, elevated lipid storage and hyperphagia derive primarily from peptidergic neurons.ConclusionsThe present study shows that itpr function in peptidergic neurons is not only necessary but also sufficient for maintaining normal lipid metabolism in Drosophila. Our results suggest that intracellular calcium signaling in peptidergic neurons affects lipid metabolism by both cell autonomous and non-autonomous mechanisms.

RESPONSE OF CYLINDRICAL ELEVATED WHEAT STORAGE SILOS TO SEISMIC LOADING

The elevated cylindrical storage silos are lifeline structures and strategically very important, since they have vital use in industries. Silos are special structures subjected to many different unconventional loading conditions, which result in unusual failure modes. In addition silos are cantilever structures with the material stacked up very high vertically. The earthquake response of silo structures for the storage of bulk solids differs for elevated silos and silos supported directly on the ground. The walls of different type of silos are subject to earthquake loads from the stored mass, and these may substantially exceed the pressures from filling and discharge. The assessment of horizontal action of ensiled material due to seismic vent seems to be particular interest. This paper is concerned with the earthquake response of these structures, which has received little attention to date. A cylindrical silo wall and bulk solid is modeled by three dimensional finite solid elements. The interaction effect between the silo wall and bulk solid is taking account by using the nonlinear approach proposed by Duncan and Chang [5]. A then interface layer proposed by Desia [4] is applied to describe the phenomena taking place on the surface between the granular material and silo wall. Coulomb's friction low was used for modeling of wall friction. An incremental iterative finite element technique is applied for dynamic analysis of wheat silos using SAP2000 structural software package [3]. In this research seven reinforced concrete silo models with different height to diameter ratios were studied and analyzed in time history by using earthquake acceleration 0.5g applied to silos models. The resulting finite element silo pressures as the silo is full with and without earthquake excitation are compared with theoretical filling and discharging pressure. The result obtained revealed that the elevated silos response is highly influenced by the earthquake characteristics and is depending on the height to diameter ratio. Also the findings indicate that the squat silos (large diameter to height ratio ) are more resistance to the earthquake and more economical. The seismic responses of the elevated wheat silo such as top displacement, normal forces, shearing forces and bending moments in silo support have been assessed for earthquake records.

Seismic Response of Elevated Liquid Storage Tanks Using Double Concave Friction Pendulum Bearings with Tri-Linear Behavior

In the current paper, the seismic response of elevated liquid storage tanks using double concave friction pendulum bearings (DCFP) considering bi-linear and tri-linear behaviors have been investigated. After deriving the coupled differential equations of motion, the MATLAB programming language is employed to solve the differential equations in each time step in order to obtain the time history response of isolated tank under near fault ground motions. The advantages and disadvantages of tri-linear behavior over bi-linear one on the response of isolated tanks is scrutinized by studying the effects of main parameters such as isolation period, tank period with fixed base, tank aspect ratio and base mass ratio on the tank response. It is demonstrated that change in bearing behavior form bi-linear to tri-linear dramatically affects the bearing maximum displacement while the peak value of other parameters such as sloshing displacement or tower shear force may experience less variations.

A low temperature fluorine substitution on the electrochemical performance of layered LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2−zFz cathode materials

Fluorine substituted LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 cathode materials have been synthesized by calcining NH4F with spherical LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 oxides at a relatively low temperature of 450°C. The structure, morphology and electrochemical performance of spherical LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2−zFz materials have been investigated. The XRD, composition analysis and XPS verify fluorine incorporation in the particle. Although the fluorine substituted material shows somewhat lower initial discharge capacity, it exhibits improved cycling performance compared with the pristine material. XRD pattern shows that the fluorine substituted material maintains stable layered structure after 100 cycles. TEM analysis provides evidences that the fluorine substituted powder still presents smooth surface without any structure transformation. From these results, it is believed that the improved cycling performance of fluorine substituted LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 material is attributed to fluorine substitution in protecting the electrode from HF attack and maintaining the structure stability of electrode. Besides, the fluorine substitution also plays positive effect on the cycling performance at elevated temperature and storage performance.

Seismic Analysis of Elevated Water Storage Tanks Subjected to Six Correlated Ground Motion Components

In this work, rotational components of ground motion acceleration were defined according to improved method from the corresponding available translational components based on transversely isotropic elastic wave propagation in the soil. With such improvement, it becomes possible to consider frequency dependent wave velocities on rotational components of ground motion. For this purpose, three translational components of El Centro earthquake (24 January 1951) were adopted to generate their relative rotational components based on SV and SH wave incidence by Fast Fourier transform with 4096 discrete frequencies. The translational and computed rotational motions were then applied to the concrete elevated water storage tanks with different structural characteristics and water elevations. The finite element method is used for the nonlinear analysis of water storage tanks considering the fluid-structure interaction using Lagrangian- Lagrangian approach and the concrete material nonlinearities have been taken into account through William- Warnke model. The nonlinear response of these structures considering the six components of ground motion showed that the rotational components of ground motion can increase or decrease the maximum displacement and reaction force of the structure. These variations are depending on the frequency of structure and predominant frequencies of translational and rotational components of ground motion.

Roles of Fatty Acid Oversupply and Impaired Oxidation in Lipid Accumulation in Tissues of Obese Rats

To test the roles of lipid oversupply versus oxidation in causing tissue lipid accumulation associated with insulin resistance/obesity, we studied in vivo fatty acid (FA) metabolism in obese (Obese) and lean (Lean) Zucker rats. Indices of local FA utilization and storage were calculated using the partially metabolizable [9,10-3H]-(R)-2-bromopalmitate (3H-R-BrP) and [U-14C]-palmitate (14C-P) FA tracers, respectively. Whole-body FA appearance (R a) was estimated from plasma 14C-P kinetics. Whole-body FA oxidation rate (R ox) was assessed using 3H2O production from 3H-palmitate infusion, and tissue FA oxidative capacity was evaluated ex vivo. In the basal fasting state Obese had markedly elevated FA levels and R a, associated with elevated FA utilization and storage in most tissues. Estimated rates of muscle FA oxidation were not lower in obese rats and were similarly enhanced by contraction in both lean and obese groups. At comparable levels of FA availability, achieved by nicotinic acid, R ox was lower in Obese than Lean. In Obese rats, FA oxidative capacity was 35% higher than that in Lean in skeletal muscle, 67% lower in brown fat and comparable in other organs. In conclusion, lipid accumulation in non-adipose tissues of obese Zucker rats appears to result largely from systemic FA oversupply.

Presence of Coliforms and Fecal Coliforms in Fast Food Items of Local Restaurants and Fast Food Outlets of Dhaka City

The Microbiological status of 50 fast food samples collected from middle class and lower middle class retail outlets of fast food shops and restaurants at New Market and Dhanmondi area of Dhaka city were assessed. Eighty four percent of the samples were found to be satisfactory and 16% of the samples were found to be unsafe for human consumption. Total coliform, fecal coliform, Salmonella spp, Staphylococcus aureus and fungal count in 12%, 8%, 16%, 14% and 14% samples respectively have crossed the recommended limits and were unsafe for human consumption. Bare-handed handling of foods and use of unsafe water for dish washing and hand washing by food handlers, keeping food for long time under lighting in display glass boxes with elevated temperatures and storage of uncooked and half cooked meat items side by side in the refrigerator were noticed to be the possible sources and causes of microbiological contamination of the fast food items. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjm.v28i1.11810 Bangladesh J Microbiol, Volume 28, Number 1, June 2011, pp 49-51

Dietary Cholecalciferol and Calcium Levels in a Western-Style Defined Rodent Diet Alter Energy Metabolism and Inflammatory Responses in Mice ,

Male and female C57Bl6 mice were fed a control AIN76A diet, a new Western-style diet (NWD1) reflecting dietary patterns linked to elevated colon cancer incidence (higher fat, lower cholecalciferol, calcium, methyl donors, fiber), or NWD1 with elevated cholecalciferol and calcium (NWD2) from weaning. After 24 wk, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] decreased by >80% in the NWD1 group compared with controls, but with no alteration in serum calcium or bone mineral density. The decreased serum 25(OH)D was prevented in the NWD2 group. After 32 wk, the NWD1 group compared with controls reduced overall energy expenditure by 15% without altering food consumption or physical activity and induced glucose intolerance, phenotypes associated with metabolic syndrome. These responses were unexpectedly exacerbated in the NWD2 group, further shifting mice toward greater fatty acid storage rather than oxidation compared with both control and NWD1 groups, but there was no change in physical activity, causing significant weight gain due to increased fat mass. The NWD1 group also exhibited inflammatory responses compared with controls, including macrophage-associated crown-like structures in epididymal adipose tissue and increased serum concentrations of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β, and of its targets, MCP-1 and Rantes, which were prevented or greatly mitigated in the NWD2 group. However, there was also elevated lipid storage in the liver and steatosis not seen in the control and NWD1 groups. Thus, elevating cholecalciferol and calcium in a Western-style diet can reduce inflammation associated with risk for colon tumor development, but interaction of nutrients in this diet can compromise liver function when fed long term.

Biogenic sedimentation in the equatorial Pacific: Carbon cycling and paleoproduction, 12–24 Ma

The equatorial Pacific is an important part of the global carbon cycle and has been affected by climate change through the Cenozoic (65 Ma to present). We present a Miocene (12–24 Ma) biogenic sediment record from Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) Site 574 and show that a CaCO3 minimum at 17 Ma was caused by elevated CaCO3 dissolution. When Pacific Plate motion carried Site 574 under the equator at about 16.2 Ma, there is a minor increase in biogenic deposition associated with passing under the equatorial upwelling zone. The burial rates of the primary productivity proxies biogenic silica (bio‐SiO2) and biogenic barium (bio‐Ba) increase, but biogenic CaCO3 decreases. The carbonate minimum is at ∼17 Ma coincident with the beginning of the Miocene climate optimum; the transient lasts from 18 to 15 Ma. Bio‐SiO2 and bio‐Ba are positively correlated and increase as the equator was approached. Corg is poorly preserved, and is strongly affected by changing carbonate burial. Terrestrial 232Th deposition, a proxy for aeolian dust, increases only after the Site 574 equator crossing. Since surface production of bio‐SiO2, bio‐Ba, and CaCO3 correlate in the modern equatorial Pacific, the decreased CaCO3 burial rate during the Site 574 equator crossing is driven by elevated CaCO3 dissolution, representing elevated ocean carbon storage and elevated atmospheric CO2. The length of the 17 Ma CaCO3 dissolution transient requires interaction with a ‘slow’ part of the carbon cycle, perhaps elevated mantle degassing associated with the early stages of Columbia River Basalt emplacement.

Comparative Performance of Elevated Isolated Liquid Storage Tanks (With Shaft Staging)

Liquid storage tanks are important components of lifeline and industrial facilities. They are critical elements in water supply scheme and fire fighting system, and extensively used for storage and processing of variety of liquid like material such as petroleum product, liquefied natural gas, chemical fluid and wastage of different forms. In this paper, the seismic response of base isolated cylindrical liquid storage tanks is investigated under real earthquake ground motion. The isolation systems considered is elastomeric bearings (without lead core), the specific objectives of the study are to carry out the comparative performance of the tanks with isolation and without isolation (i.e. Fixed tanks) also to investigate the response of the tanks for varying capacity with varying heights. For this study forty tanks of varying heights such as 8m,10m,11m,11.5m,12.5m,14m,16m with varying capacities of 500kl,265kl,200kl,100kl,50kl are considered. For this a time history analysis has been carried out by using a three time history of varying magnitude with varying peak ground acceleration. It is observed that the base shear of elevated liquid storage tanks supported on shaft is significantly reduced due to isolation. The drift of the tank relation to base of shaft is also significantly reduced due to isolation. The earthquake response of isolated short tanks is relatively more, i.e. Isolation is not effective for stiffer shafts, and however in general, the effectiveness of base isolation is achieved for tall tanks. Although the effectiveness of seismic isolation increases with the increase of bearing flexibility and damping these properties needs to be modified for desired response.

Influence of dairy proteins on textural changes in high-protein bars

The effects of milk protein type, formulation and storage were investigated in model bar systems to gain improved insight into deteriorative, textural changes. Texture analysis, water activity measurements, confocal laser scanning microscopy and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy were used to monitor interactive physical and chemical changes in bars during storage. Hardness of bars was dependent on protein type, concentration and co-solvents. Microstructural changes in bars during elevated temperature storage showed swelling and fusion of powder particles. FT-IR spectra suggest a molecular contribution to hardening due to solvent-induced plasticisation and reconformation of protein secondary structures. Hardness development in high-protein bars appears to result from non-equilibrium changes due to the hydration behaviour of individual components and the competition for available moisture. Minimisation of water activity differences between ingredients provides a means of controlling hardness. The work provides improved understanding of textural changes in highly-concentrated food systems.

STUDYING OF WATERHAMMER PHENOMENON CAUSED BY SUDDEN VARIATION OF WATER DEMAND AT WATER SUPPLY PIPES NETWORK

Water hammer in water-supply networks and irrigation networks may give rise to high pressures, due to the superposition of reflected pressure waves. The problem is relevant nowadays for the common use of automatic valves in networks regulation. When large variations in user demand happen often, as in distribution networks, water hammer occurs daily. In irrigation networks, its effect was found to concur to high rate of pipe failures, which these networks usually suffer. This paper investigates the effect of sudden variation of water demands in pipes network on transient pressures variations through the network. WHAMO software was used in the analysis which uses the implicit finite difference scheme for solving the momentum and continuity equations at unsteady state case. The study was applied on a two loops pipe network composed of eight pipes of different diameters and elevations. The flow is fed in the network by elevated storage tank. The results showed that rapidly changing the demand could significantly increase or decrease the pressure head in distribution system and cause flow reversal in a network system. In this simulation, shorter increasing/decreasing time of demand change causes the greater magnitude of transient fluctuation. Therefore, it is very obvious that the operations of distribution system should be done with very careful caution. The slower opening rates significantly reduce the impact of hydraulic transients. When the distribution system is designed, many different cases of simulation with different scenarios should be performed for the economical and safe design.

Analysis of Hybrid Staging Systems for Elevated Storage Reservoir

Analysis of Hybrid Staging Systems for Elevated Storage Reservoir

Seismic analysis and modeling of isolated elevated liquid storage tanks

In this paper, the seismic response of elevated broad and slender liquid storage tanks isolated by elastomeric or sliding bearings was investigated. The accuracy of predictions of SAP2000 vs. 3D-BASIS-ME programs was examined. A comparative study of the performance of base isolated tanks when isolation bearings are placed at the top or at the bottom of the supporting tower structure was conducted. It was found that base isolation is quite effective in reducing the earthquake response of elevated liquid storage tanks in which high reductions of base shear and shaft displacement were achieved. Modeling the isolated tanks in SAP2000 was very successful in producing results that are nearly identical to those of program 3D-BASIS-ME. Placing the isolators at the top of the shaft in elevated tanks proved to be much better than placing them at the bottom.

Physical and chemical stability of β-carotene-enriched nanoemulsions: Influence of pH, ionic strength, temperature, and emulsifier type

The enrichment of foods and beverages with carotenoids may reduce the incidences of certain chronic diseases. However, the use of carotenoids in foods is currently limited because of their poor water-solubility, high melting point, low bioavailability, and chemical instability. The potential of utilising oil-in-water (O/W) nanoemulsions stabilised by a globular protein (β-lactoglobulin) for encapsulating and protecting β-carotene was examined. The influence of temperature, pH, ionic strength, and emulsifier type on the physical and chemical stability of β-carotene enriched nanoemulsions was investigated. The rate of colour fading due to β-carotene degradation increased with increasing storage temperature (5–55°C), was faster at pH 3 than pH 4–8, and was largely independent of ionic strength (0–500mM of NaCl). β-Lactoglobulin-coated lipid droplets were unstable to aggregation at pH values close to the isoelectric point of the protein (pH 4 and 5), at high ionic strengths (NaCl >200mM, pH 7), and at elevated storage temperatures (55°C). β-Carotene degradation was considerably slower in β-lactoglobulin-stabilised nanoemulsions than in Tween 20-stabilised ones. These results provide useful information for facilitating the design of delivery systems to encapsulate and stabilise β-carotene for application within food, beverage, and pharmaceutical products.

Dimeric and monomeric laccases of soil-stabilizing lichen Solorina crocea: Purification, properties and reactions with humic acids

Lichens form the dominant plant cover in extreme environments and participate in mineral weathering, fine-earth stabilization and primary accumulation of soil organic matter. However, biochemical role of lichens in soil processes has never been investigated. Recently, laccases and tyrosinases have been discovered in representatives of the order Peltigerales (Laufer et al., 2006a, b; Zavarzina and Zavarzin, 2006). Laccases from most species had unusually large molecular weights (Laufer et al., 2009). Together with oligomeric laccases, we have found monomeric enzymes in Solorina crocea and Peltigera aphthosa (Lisov et al., 2007). In the present work we have purified homodimeric (large) and monomeric (small) laccases of the soil-stabilizing lichen S. crocea, determined their physico-chemical and catalytic properties and studied their reactions with soil humic acids. Our results suggest that oligomeric nature of lichen laccases can be artifactual, because homodimeric laccase was transformed into the monomeric form following hydrophobic interaction chromatography. We hypothesize that large laccase consists of two monomeric enzymes, each of which is bound with additional hydrophobic component(s). Small laccase is similar in its properties to the laccases of basidiomycetes. It is more resistant to elevated temperature and storage than the large form, showed a higher oxidation potential, had different pH-optima in oxidizing substrates and was less inhibited by humic acids. Despite these differences, both laccases depolymerized and decolorized humic acids from soils at comparable rates, with small laccase being slightly more effective. This finding suggests that lichens have a potential to participate in transformation of soil organic matter.

In‐Tank Aeration Predicts and Reduces THMs

This article discusses an investigation by the city of Ballinger, Texas, to achieve a 60 percent reduction of trihalomethanes (THMs). The city and its contractor analyzed three technologies ‐ bubbler aerators, surface aerators, and spray aerators ‐ to be used in a single 250,000‐gal elevated storage tank. Because the tank was small and had rapid turnover, an aeration system would need to quickly and efficiently remove a large amount of brominated THM species. The analysis considered equipment and installation costs, as well as energy consumption and maintenance life‐cycle costs.

Storage Stability of LiFePO4/C in Humid‐hot Air

AbstractStorage stabilities of LiFePO4/C composite at different conditions are investigated in terms of structural and electrochemical evolutions. The results from different aging tests indicate that moisture and temperature are the key factors that have the most profound effects on the structure homogeneity which in turn influences the electrochemical performance of LiFePO4/C. Although the storage in a humid‐hot environment, such as saturated humidity air at 50°C, does not greatly influence the discharging capacity of LiFePO4/C, it does reduce the initial charging capacity, thus the amount of reversible Li+ ions in a practical LiFePO4/graphite cell decreases. This impact is explained by the lithium extraction during the storage, forming olivine FePO4 and associated Li3PO4. Elevated storage temperature also favors the delithiation process. The degree of delithiation increases from about 6% at 50°C to 18% at 80°C. It is also found that re‐calcination at 650°C effectively resolves the problem of the structural heterogeneity of the stored LiFePO4/C. Therefore both the initial charging capacity and coulombic efficiency of the stored sample in the first cycle revert to the original value of the fresh one.

Integrity of mTORC2 is dependent on the rictor Gly-934 site

Growth factor signaling coupled to activation of the phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway plays a crucial role in the regulation of cell proliferation and survival. The key regulatory kinase of Akt has been identified as mammalian target of rapamycin complex 2 (mTORC2), which functions as the PI3K-dependent Ser-473 kinase of Akt. This kinase complex is assembled by mTOR and its essential components rictor, Sin1 and mLST8. The recent genetic screening study in Caenorhabditis elegans has linked a specific point mutation of rictor to an elevated storage of fatty acids that resembles the rictor deficiency phenotype. In our study, we show that in mammalian cells the analogous single rictor point mutation (G934E) prevents the binding of rictor to Sin1 and the assembly of mTORC2, but this mutation does not interfere with the binding of the rictor-interacting protein Protor. A substitution of the rictor Gly-934 residue to a charged amino acid prevents formation of the rictor/Sin1 heterodimer. The cells expressing the rictor G934E mutant remain deficient in the mTORC2 signaling, as detected by the reduced phosphorylation of Akt on Ser-473 and a low cell proliferation rate. Thus, although a full length of rictor is required to interact with its binding partner Sin1, a single amino acid of rictor Gly-934 controls its interaction with Sin1 and assembly of mTORC2.