cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
COMPARISON OF LONG-TERM OUTCOMES OF PENILE PROSTHESES AND INTRACAVERNOSAL INJECTION THERAPY

AbstractPurpose: Intracavernosal injection therapy is one of the most popular therapies for erectile dysfunction today. Yet, most clinicians consider intracavernosal injection a palliative treatment for erectile dysfunction because of the high patient initiated dropout rate. In contrast, penile prostheses appear to offer a more permanent cure for erectile dysfunction. We compare the long-term outcomes of both therapies in contemporaneously treated patients and determine the reasons for failure of each.Materials and Methods: Telephone survey and chart review was conducted on the first 115 patients treated with intracavernosal injection and 65 patients undergoing insertion of a penile prosthesis during the same period at our institution. Mean patient age was 57 and 60 years, respectively, and mean followup of all patients was 5.4 years (range of 3.3 to 16).Results: An equal percentage of patients were lost to followup in both groups, including 19% of the intracavernosal injection group and 18% of the penile...
The gender pay gap of STEM professions in the United States

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the gender gap in earnings in one science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) profession: chemistry. The primary purpose of this research is to determine the relative effects of human capital, labor market structure, and employer discrimination on the gender pay gap of chemists.Design/methodology/approach – Data for this study are obtained from the American Chemical Society (ACS) 2000 census of its membership (N = 22,081). According to the ACS census, male chemists earned 30 percent more than female chemists in 2000. This earnings gap is decomposed by modeling earnings as an exponential function of gender, education, work experience, work function, type of employer, size of employer, region of work and a variety of family and demographic characteristics.Findings – The analysis shows that 83 percent of the gender gap is explained by differences in productive characteristics and 17 percent is due to discrimination or other unmeasured factors. Exp...
Predicting impact of southern pine beetle infestations on rotation-age yield of loblolly pine stands

Abstract Simulations of southern pine beetle (Dendroctonous frontalis Zimm.) moratality of varying tree cluster sizes at different ages in stands of varying characteristics were conducted with a loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) stand simulator that uses spatial distribution of trees in the growth prediction process. Interpolating functions were fitted to the output from repeated simulations; these yield-impact functions are completely general and easily applied with various types of growth and yield models and southern pine beetle (SPR) impact simulators. Use of the equations with the SPB impact simulator CLEMBEETLE prevented underestimation of yield realized in the presence of SPB attack by incorporating growth response of surviving trees around the border of the SPB-killed clusters of trees.
Spectral Phase Conjugation Using Temporal Imaging

We demonstrate spectral phase conjugation with a temporal imaging system based on broadband four-wave mixing in silicon waveguides. Excellent compensation is observed for second- and third-order dispersion and self-phase modulation in optical fibers.
Cholesterol synthesis and metabolism as a function of unpredictable shock stimulation.

Abstract Rats fed a high lipid diet and also exposed to unavoidable and unpredictable grid shock for 2 and 8 days showed higher levels of accumulated chemical cholesterol in aorta, kidney, liver and serum as compared to control rats fed only the high lipid diet. Thirty days of shock stress produced similar results except that kidney tissue revealed lower and nonsignificant levels of accumulated cholesterol. A differential cholesterol clearing mechanism for the various tissues is postulated to explain the relative vulnerability of aorta, liver and kidney to stress-induced cholesterol deposition.
On Studying the Past Scientifically

This critical review of Aviezer Tucker's Our Knowledge of the Past: A Philosophy of Historiography examines the character, scope, and limits of scientific historiography, the overall topic of Tucker's book. The review begins by arguing that the book both unwittingly juggles two criteria for scientific, as opposed to nonscientific, historiography – the production of knowledge and Kuhnian disciplinary matrices – and wrongly construes the subject matter of such historiography to be present evidence for the past as opposed to this evidence in addition to the past itself. There ensues a lengthy discussion of the role of theories in scientific historiography that (1) contests Tucker's thesis that theories of information transmission and grand social theories are central to the enterprise, (2) criticizes his failure to distinguish technical from theoretical terms, and (3) claims that scholarly historiography is more of an art than a science. The review concludes by arguing that scientific historiography as Tucke...
Multiple basis of combination chemotherapy.

In combination chemotherapy, the type of drug interactions can be divided into three broad categories: 1) combinations based on cooperative effects of active drugs; 2) combinations in which the effectiveness of an active drug is increased by the concurrent administration of an inactive agent; and 3) combination of an active drug with an agent capable of selectively reversing the toxicity of the first drug. Many concepts have been proposed to explain the synergistic interaction between two active drugs at the level of the target cell. These include multiple inhibition of a single enzyme, enhanced activation, decreased inactivation, increased drug uptake, sequential blockade, concurrent inhibition, complimentary inhibition, and concerted inhibition. The therapeutic advantage of combination chemotherapy may reside in the whole organism, reflecting increased bioavailability of drug, reduced dose-limiting toxicity or reduced impairment of host defenses; it may reside in the tumor cells, reflecting the multiple molecular mechanisms of interaction mentioned above. Examples discussed include among others methotrexate plus citrovorum factor, thymi-dine or allopurinol, araC plus tetrahydrouridine and 3-deazauridine plus testosterone. Cancer 40:534–543, 1977.
Use of a Field Effect Transistor to Study Phototransport Properties of a-Si:H

We report new measurements of the diffusion length of minority photocarriers in thin film amorphous silicon field effect transistor structures. We are able to vary the majority carrier photoconductance by more than four orders of magnitude while monitoring the effective ambipolar diffusion length using the photocarrier grating technique.
Dual simulated childbirth injuries result in slowed recovery of pudendal nerve and urethral function.

Aims Pelvic floor muscle trauma and pudendal nerve injury have been implicated in stress urinary incontinence (SUI) development after childbirth. In this study, we investigated how combinations of these injuries affect recovery. Methods Sixty-seven female Sprague-Dawley rats underwent vaginal distension (VD), pudendal nerve crush (PNC), PNC and VD (PNC + VD), pudendal nerve transection (PNT), or served as unmanipulated controls. Four days, 3 weeks, or 6 weeks after injury, we simultaneously recorded pudendal nerve motor branch potentials (PNMBP), external urethral sphincter electromyography (EUS EMG), and transurethral bladder pressure under urethane anesthesia. The presence of a guarding reflex (increased frequency and amplitude of PNMBP or EUS EMG activity) during leak point pressure (LPP) testing was determined. Results Controls consistently demonstrated a guarding reflex. Four days after VD, EUS EMG activity was eliminated, but PNMBP activity reflected the guarding reflex; EUS EMG activity recovered after 3 weeks. Four days after PNC, both EUS EMG and PNMBP activity were eliminated, but demonstrated significant recovery at 3 weeks. Four days after PNC + VD both EUS EMG and nerve activity were eliminated, and little recovery was observed after 3 weeks with significant recovery of the guarding reflex 6 weeks after injury. Little recovery was observed at all time points after PNT. LPP results mirrored the reduction in EUS EMG activity. Conclusion Functional recovery occurs more slowly after PNC + VD than after either PNC or VD alone. Future work will be aimed at testing methods to facilitate neuroregeneration and recovery after this clinically relevant dual injury. Neurourol. Urodynam. 28:229–235, 2009. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
40Ar-39Ar Dating of the Manson Impact Structure: A Cretaceous-Tertiary Boundary Crater Candidate.

The mineralogy of shocked mineral and lithic grains in the Cretaceous-Tertiary (K-T) boundary claystone worldwide is most consistent with a bolide impact on a continent. Both the concentrations and sizes of these shocked grains are greatest in the western interior of North America. These data suggest that the Manson impact structure in north-central Iowa is a viable candidate for the K-T boundary impact event. Argon-40–argon-39 age spectrum dating of shocked microcline from the crystalline central uplift of the Manson impact structure indicates that there was severe argon-40 loss at 65.7 ± 1.0 million years ago, an age that is indistinguishable from that of the K-T boundary, within the limits of analytical precision.
FERRITIN SYNTHESIS IN HUMAN EMBRYONIC AND FETAL TISSUES

Ferritin synthesis by various tissues of the human conceptus was examined in the present study using tissue cultures. Normal embryonic and fetal tissues were obtained from 21 spontaneously or therapeutically aborted conceptuses of 29 days to 21 weeks of gestation. The tissues were cultured in the presence of 14C-amino acids and the culture fluids were examined for synthesized radioactive ferritin by means of immunodiffusion and autoradiography. Ferritin synthesis was detected in the earliest embryo studied, 29 days of gestation; this embryo was too small to permit culture of individual tissues and all tissues were cultured together. Ferritin synthesis by the liver and yolk sac was clearly established at the earliest stages in which these organs were cultured separately, 4.5 and 5.5 weeks of gestation, respectively. Synthesis of ferritin by bone marrow was detectable in some embryos at 8.5 weeks and was established in this tissue and in the spleen by 11 weeks. The chronological development of ferritin synthesis from liver and yolk sac to bone marrow and then spleen approximates the ontogenetic development of hematopoiesis. Ferritin synthesis was noted in the stomach and duodenum at 8.5 weeks, but was not well established at these sites until 21 weeks, suggesting possible induction of ferritin synthesis in the latter organs through fetal swallowing of amniotic fluid containing transferrin iron.
On Defining “Labor” and “Services” for Comparative Studies

THE classifications of social science are not easily applied to African and Asian societies,' and this has been the case especially with the terms of economics, which are assumed to have a precision they often lack. It has also been argued that modern classifications can be misleading in the study of Western civilization (Polanyi 1957:3-26, 64-94, 239-341). This essay is an effort to build an operational definition of labor and services on foundations laid by F. B. Steiner (1957) and will show the relationship of Steiner's "social relationship" and Polanyi's "substantive" definitions to the typical definitions of Alfred Marshall (1920), Talcott Parsons (1956), and Melville Herskovits (1960). Steiner argues that economists' definitions of labor are of little use to comparative sociologists because they depend upon status,2 upon the technical characteristics of particular systems of organizing the work force,3 upon the (utilitarian) productivity of the work,4 and upon the classification of inputs in the productive process.5 He argues, further, that we cannot depend upon motive to guide us in defining labor, for it "is a general feature of simpler society (and not only the very simple ones) that we cannot discern inducements, incentives, motives, apart from the integrative function" (Steiner 1957:118). Steiner's solution is to define labor as "any socially integrating activity which is connected with human subsistence.. . and which presupposes, creates and recreates social relationships" (Steiner 1957:129), or as activity "in accord with laws of . . . society. . in order to gain. . . livelihood" (Steiner 1957:118). His definition differentiates between activities irrelevant to the group, such as sports or hunting for pleasure, and those which assure a role in the group. There would be general assent to the proposition that economic activity and therefore labor is of the latter sort, but there are kinds of activity which serve an integrative function which are not economic. The question is where to draw the line. In Dr. Steiner's article this is decided in terms of "subsistence" or "livelihood." Of these two terms "livelihood" is certainly the better since it is more inclusive. "Subsistence" means either food or food and shelter: it has to be stretched to include beer and china, and stretched much too far to include the theatre and night-club singers. "Livelihood" includes these, but "livelihood" is not synonymous with "subsistence" for Steiner's purposes. "Subsistence" defines in terms of the immediate product of the activity or the fact of physical survival, while "livelihood" defines in terms of the activities which result in the acquisition of subsistence goods among other things. Thus we arrive at the point where what one does for a "livelihood" is "labor," and "livelihood" itself
Surf’s Up: Reducing Internet Abuse without Demotivating Employees

Each year, organizations sustain a multi-billion-dollar productivity loss because of internet abuse: the use of workplace internet for non-work purposes. Accordingly, they have implemented various forms of top-down monitoring, in which an authority controls employees’ online behavior. The efficacy of this “vertical” control system, however, is less clear than its unintended consequence: demotivated employees. Drawing from research on self-determination and control systems, the current research examined whether two “horizontal” control systems—peer monitoring and peer communication—would mitigate internet abuse with fewer motivational consequences. Using a new virtual environment and a survey, three studies compared the systems’ objective and subjective effects, documenting an underlying psychological mechanism: autonomy. Consistent with predictions, the results suggested that both horizontal systems can reduce abuse as readily as the vertical system, but they exact fewer motivational costs by supporting a...
Factors Affecting the Gel Properties of Surimi

Surimi batter was prepared by various mixing machines with or without vacuum. Rheological properties of the cooked gels were then tested by punch and torsion methods. If a vacuum were used during the evaluation of surimi, the cooked gels had similar properties regardless of what type of mixer was used. The diameter of the stuffing horn affected the punch and torsion tests. The density of the cooked gels was correlated with some test results.
Low Cloud Type over the Ocean from Surface Observations. Part III: Relationship to Vertical Motion and the Regional Surface Synoptic Environment

Composite large-scale dynamical fields contemporaneous with low cloud types observed at midlatitude Ocean Weather Station (OWS) C and eastern subtropical OWS N are used to establish representative relationships between low cloud type and the synoptic environment. The composites are constructed by averaging meteorological observations of surface wind and sea level pressure from volunteering observing ships (VOS) and analyses of sea level pressure, 1000-mb wind, and 700-mb pressure vertical velocity from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction‐National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP‐NCAR) reanalysis project on those dates and times of day when a particular low cloud type was reported at the OWS. VOS and NCEP results for OWS C during summer show that bad-weather stratus occurs with strong convergence and ascent slightly ahead of a surface low center and trough. Cumulus-under-stratocumulus and moderate and large cumulus occur with divergence and subsidence in the cold sector of an extratropical cyclone. Both sky-obscuring fog and no-low-cloud typically occur with southwesterly flow from regions of warmer sea surface temperature and differ primarily according to slight surface convergence and stronger warm advection in the case of sky-obscuring fog or surface divergence and weaker warm advection in the case of no-low-cloud. Fair-weather stratus and ordinary stratocumulus are associated with a mixture of meteorological conditions, but differ with respect to vertical motion in the environment. Fair-weather stratus occurs most commonly in the presence of slight convergence and ascent, while stratocumulus often occurs in the presence of divergence and subsidence. Surface divergence and estimated subsidence at the top of the boundary layer are calculated from VOS observations. At both OWS C and OWS N during summer and winter these values are large for ordinary stratocumulus, less for cumulus-under-stratocumulus, and least (and sometimes slightly negative) for moderate and large cumulus. Subsidence interpolated from NCEP analyses to the top of the boundary layer does not exhibit such variation, but the discrepancy may be due to deficiencies in the analysis procedure or the boundary layer parameterization of the NCEP model. The VOS results suggest that decreasing divergence and subsidence in addition to increasing sea surface temperature may promote the transition from stratocumulus to trade cumulus observed over low-latitude oceans.
Isotope-Edited FT-IR Spectra of Isotopmers of Helical Hexamers of Alpha-Aminoisobutyric Acid

Isotope-edited FT-infrared spectra of the Amide I region of hexamers of alpha-aminoisobutyric acid (Z-Aib6-OtBu) have been collected in order to explore the effects of 13C=O enrichment on the FT-IR spectra in the conformational context of 310 helices. Oligomers of Aib are known to adopt predominantly 310 helical structures, even at short peptide lengths. The Amide I band is sensitive to the details of peptide secondary structure, but the competency of this band to distinguish between alpha- and 310 helical secondary structure remains an open question. The 310 helix is shorter than an alpha-helix of the same number of residues and exhibits an i to i+3 hydrogen bonding pattern, instead of an i to i +4 pattern of the alpha-helix. These differences bring amide oscillators of a 310 helix slightly closer in space and in shorter periodicity of hydrogen-bonding partnership as compared to an alpha-helix. We have collected infrared spectra of isotopomers of hexamers of Aib (e.g., Z-Aib-Aib-Aib-Aib-Aib-Aib-OtBu, Z-Aib∗-Aib-Aib∗-Aib-Aib-Aib-OtBu, and Z-Aib∗-Aib∗-Aib-Aib-Aib-Aib-OtBu, Aib∗ = 13C enrichment at ∗C=O) in dichloromethane (a nonpolar aprotic solvent) and methanol (a polar, protic solvent) to examine the effects of carbon-13 enrichment on the spectra. Differences among the spectra of peptide isotopomers enriched with one or two 13C labels will be examined, detailing the effects of coupling between pairs of 13C-labeled Amide I oscillators.
Physical and chemical modifications of lipid structures to inhibit permeation of free radicals in a supported lipid membrane model

Oxidation of encapsulated bioactives in lipid-based nanostructures (e.g., emulsions, liposomes and lipid coatings) is a significant challenge that limits functionality and shelf life of products in many industries including food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries and in biomedical devices. The objective of this study is to investigate how physical and chemical properties of the lipid interface can be engineered to inhibit permeability to environmental free radicals. A glass-supported lipid membrane system is used to model the water–lipid interface. Peroxyl radicals generated in the aqueous phase permeate the supported membrane structure and react with an embedded lipid peroxidation sensor. By using epifluorescence microscopy to monitor the rate of fluorescence decay of the lipid sensor, various physical and chemical modifications of the supported membrane can be compared quantitatively. Physical properties tested include lipid composition (gel phase vs. fluid phase and addition of cholesterol) and a double membrane structure formed via layer-by-layer assembly. Chemical properties include direct addition of antioxidant molecules to either the lipid membrane or the aqueous phase. Results show that increasing molecular order of lipid membranes (with cholesterol or long-chain phospholipids) or assembling an additional protective membrane reduces the rate of permeation of free radicals by a small amount (approximately two-fold with respect to the reference membrane). The results also demonstrate that localization of chemical antioxidants at the lipid interface is an order of magnitude more effective in suppressing membrane permeation of free radicals than either aqueous phase antioxidants or any of the tested physical modifications.
Treatment of the elderly patient with small-cell lung cancer.

When potentially toxic anticancer therapy is indicated for the management of an aggressive malignancy such as SCLC, appropriate care must be taken in selecting older patients for treatment. Elderly patients with limited-stage disease and good performance status should not be denied the potential curative benefit of multimodality therapy solely on the basis of age. On the other hand, older patients with extensive-stage disease need not be subjected to the rigors of standard induction therapies, given the relative lack of curability in this setting. Some older patients with limited disease also may be candidates for less aggressive therapy, depending on their physiologic status and the presence of concomitant illness. Single-agent oral etoposide seems particularly well suited to these subsets of SCLC patients, 26 but it must be administered with the same care with which any other potentially myelosuppressive therapy is given.
A Parametric Decomposition Approach for the Solution of Uncapacitated Location Problems

This paper presents a new approach to determining the optimal facility locations for uncapacitated location problems in two stages. First, it is shown that a subset of all solutions to the uncapacitated public facility location problem can be obtained by considering a closely related private location problem. The exact nature of the problem is established using the Generalized Lagrange Multiplier results given by Everett. In the second section of the paper a particularly efficient parametric decomposition algorithm, which is based on the results of the first section, is presented. Computational results are given which summarize the current level of experience with the algorithm.
Predicting the Success of Freshman Engineers

An awareness and commitment rating was assessed for a freshman engineering class to determine whether this type of non-intellective measure could help improve the predictability of academic success. The total sample was broken into subsamples based on the interview condition of the student: staff interview; alumni interview; or no interview. The existence of a factor defined as awareness/commitment was supported. For the total sample a significant correlation was found, but at a very low level. For the subsample interviewed by staff, a correlation of .31 was determined. This relationship suggests the possibility of real usefulness for the admissions interview in identifying the factor of awareness and commitment, and thereby improving the prediction of academic success in a professional curriculum such as engineering.
Unusual Effect of an Atrial Septal Aneurysm on Venous Drainage During Cardiopulmonary Bypass

Atrial septal aneurysm is an uncommon cardiac anomaly that is usually asymptomatic or occasionally associated with cardioembolic events. We present the unusual impeding effect of an atrial septal aneurysm on venous drainage during cardiopulmonary bypass in a 70-year-old man who underwent aortic valve replacement and coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
Multiple Copies of Bestsellers in Public Libraries: How Much Is Enough?

How do public libraries develop their collections of high-demand materials for the “I want it now” generation? Ten public libraries’ holdings of fiction and nonfiction bestseller titles were observed over a four-week period. The number of copies rose fairly consistently, with the five fiction titles having roughly about twice the number of copies as the five nonfiction titles. The ratio of holds to copies averaged 2.7:1 and ranged from 0.8:1 to 6.5:1. Demand for e-books was consistently higher than the number of copies available, averaging more than 4:1 across all libraries.
NF-κB-Mediated Inhibition of Apoptosis Is Required for Encephalomyocarditis Virus Virulence: a Mechanism of Resistance in p50 Knockout Mice

Apoptosis is a central host defense mechanism to eliminate virus-infected cells. Activation of NF-kappaB suppresses apoptosis following some types of stimulation in vitro. To test the physiological importance of this pathway in vivo, we studied murine encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) infection in mice and cell lines defective in NF-kappaB1 (p50) signaling. As previously reported, we find that all p50 knockout (p50 -/-) mice survive an EMCV infection that readily kills normal mice. By introducing the p50 mutation into interferon (IFN) type I receptor knockout (IFNRI -/-) mice, we find that this resistance is not mediated by IFN-beta as previously thought. While no IFNRI -/- mice survive, the double-knockout mice survive 60% of the time. The survival is tightly linked to the animals' ability to clear the virus from the heart in vivo. Using murine embryonic fibroblasts (MEF) derived from wild-type, p50 -/-, and p65 -/- embryos, we found that NF-kappaB is not required for the replication cycle of EMCV. However, during these experiments we observed that p50 -/- and p65 -/- MEF infected with EMCV undergo enhanced, premature cytotoxicity. Upon examination of this cell death, we found that EMCV infection induced both plasma membrane and nuclear changes typical of apoptosis in all cell lines. These apoptotic processes occurred in an accelerated and pronounced way in the NF-kappaB-defective cells, as soon as 6 h after infection, when virus is beginning to be released. Previously, only the RelA (p65) subunit of NF-kappaB has been shown to play a role in suppressing apoptosis. In our studies, we find that p50 is equally important in suppressing apoptosis during EMCV infection. Additionally, we show that suppression of apoptosis by NF-kappaB1 is required for EMCV virulence in vivo. The attenuation in p50 -/- mice can be explained by rapid apoptosis of infected cells which allows host phagocytes to clear infected cells before the viral burst leading to a reduction of the viral burden and survival of the mice.
An integrated CMOS high power amplifier using power combining technique

A fully integrated power amplifier using the transformer type power combiner is presented. The power amplifier contains two transformers to lead to high output power with small chip size. The parallel combining transformer is realized with 1∶1 turn ratio. The transformers are incorporated into the design of power amplifier in a standard 0.18 µm CMOS technology. The power amplifier with built-in power combiner delivers 23.4 dBm of output power at 5.2 GHz with 3.3 V supply voltage.
Auditory Perception, Phonological Processing, and Reading Ability/Disability

Auditory perception has been proposed as one source of individual variation in the phonological abilities that play a critical role in skilled reading as well as in reading disabilities. A structur...
Further Support for the Subdivision of the Small Metabolic Compartment: Effect of Halothane

Originally, the concept of metabolic compartmentation was derived from the variation of the specific radioactivity ratio (SAR) of glutamine and glutamate when the brain was metabolizing various labeled substrates (Lajtha et al., 1960). We have confirmed findings from other laboratories by using [2- 14C]-pyruvate, [1- 14C]-acetate, and [1,5- 14C]- citrate (Cheng, 1973). Both labeled acetate and citrate result in a very large glutamine/glutamate SAR, while labeled pyruvate results in a small ratio. These ratios can be altered by imposing certain conditions on the nervous tissue [cf. Balazs and Cremer (1973) for extensive review]. The manner in which these changes take place provide information about metabolic compartmentation. In addition, the changes in kinetics under various imposed conditions also provide useful information about this phenomenon.
Energy cost of walking and its association with gait parameters, daily activity, and fatigue in persons with mild multiple sclerosis.

Background. Energy cost of walking (Cw) is elevated in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS), perhaps because of gait impairment, and may impact daily activity and fatigue. Objective. The authors ex...
NAD+-Dependent Modulation of Chromatin Structure and Transcription by Nucleosome Binding Properties of PARP-1

PARP-1 is the most abundantly expressed member of a family of proteins that catalyze the transfer of ADP-ribose units from NAD+ to target proteins. Herein, we describe previously uncharacterized nucleosome binding properties of PARP-1 that promote the formation of compact, transcriptionally repressed chromatin structures. PARP-1 binds in a specific manner to nucleosomes and modulates chromatin structure through NAD+-dependent automodification, without modifying core histones or promoting the disassembly of nucleosomes. The automodification activity of PARP-1 is potently stimulated by nucleosomes, causing the release of PARP-1 from chromatin. The NAD+-dependent activities of PARP-1 are reversed by PARG, a poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase, and are inhibited by ATP. In vivo, PARP-1 incorporation is associated with transcriptionally repressed chromatin domains that are spatially distinct from both histone H1-repressed domains and actively transcribed regions. Thus, PARP-1 functions both as a structural component of chromatin and a modulator of chromatin structure through its intrinsic enzymatic activity.
True lumen obliteration in complicated aortic dissection: endovascular treatment.

PURPOSE: To evaluate endovascular treatment of ischemic complications caused by true lumen obliteration in aortic dissection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Endovascular techniques were used to treat true lumen obliteration in 11 patients with complicated aortic dissection. In all cases, the true lumen was compressed to a paper-thin sliver by the expanded false lumen. Two patients had Stanford type A (chronic) and nine had type B (six acute, three chronic) dissections. Obliteration of the true lumen was associated with branch vessel ischemia that included renal (n = 7), mesenteric (n = 6), and lower-extremity (n = 6) arterial compromise. Two patients were treated with aortic stents, four with balloon fenestration of the intimal flap, and three with both stent placement and fenestration. In two patients, ischemic complications caused by true lumen obliteration could not be treated with endovascular techniques. RESULTS: Revascularization was technically successful with relief of clinical symptoms in nine patients. ...
Fast neutron - gamma pulse shape discrimination of liquid scintillation signals for time correlated measurements

We describe a neutron/gamma pulse shape discrimination (PSD) system that overcomes count rate limitations of previous methods for distinguishing neutrons from gammas in liquid scintillation detectors. Previous methods of PSD usually involve pulse shaping time constants that allow throughput of tens of thousands counts per second. Time correlated measurements require many millions of counts per second to accurately characterize nuclear material samples. To rapidly inspect many test articles, a high-throughput system is desired. To add neutron - gamma distinction to the analysis provides a much desired enhancement to the characterizations. However, if the PSD addition significantly slows down the inspection throughput, this PSD feature defeats any analysis advantage. Our goal for the fast PSD system is to provide sorted timing pulses to a fast, multi-channel, time-correlation processor at rates approaching several million counts per second enabling high throughput, enhanced inspection of nuclear materials.
Comparison of growth and nitrate uptake by New England Porphyra species from different tidal elevations in relation to desiccation

SUMMARY Desiccation stress can determine the upper distribution limits and may enhance the uptake of nitrate and ammonium of eulittoral algal species. Upper shore species may exhibit greater stimulation of nitrate uptake following desiccation and achieve maximum uptake at higher desiccation levels. The objective of this study was to determine whether Porphyra species from different vertical elevations respond differently to the desiccation stress, in terms of growth and nitrate uptake. A eulittoral species (Porphyra umbilicalis) and a sublittoral species (P. amplissima) were compared in the present study. Samples were exposed to air for 0, 30 min (40 10% water loss) and 2 h (90 5% water loss), after an initial 4 h light period every day. Desiccation was more stressful to the sublittoral species, Porphyra amplissima, than to the eulittoral species, P. umbilicalis. When tissues were exposed for 2 h daily, P. amplissima lost weight over a 24 h day, while the growth rate of P. umbilicalis dropped by only 30% compared with that of continuously submerged blades. Nitrate uptake rate of sublittoral P. amplissima was only 73% (40 10% water loss) and 62% (90 5% water loss) of that of continuously submerged tissue. Nitrate uptake rates of P. umbilicalis were not significantly affected by desiccation. These results suggest that species in the eulittoral zone, which have longer exposure times, have a higher timeuse efficiency than the sublittoral species in terms of nitrate uptake. This indicates a possible correlation between nitrate uptake and observed vertical distribution patterns.
Meta-analysis of the impact of European Union Structural Funds on regional growth

ABSTRACTMeta-analysis of the impact of European Union Structural Funds on regional growth. Regional Studies. This paper offers a meta-regression analysis of the controversial impact of European Union Structural Funds on the growth of the recipient regions. It identifies the factors that explain the heterogeneity in the size of 323 estimates of their impact recorded in 17 econometric studies. Heterogeneity comes from the publication status, the period examined, the control of endogeneity and the presence of several regressors, but not from differences in functional forms.
THE MATERIALS OF FAST BREEDER REACTORS

Published in Naturwissenschaften, Vol. 67, pp. 61-71, (1980) THE r4ATERIALS OF FAST BREEDER REACTORS Donald R. Olander t4ay 1980 For n Not to be taken from this room Prepared for the U.S. Department of Energy under Contract W-7405-ENG-48
SPHINXCAM: COMPUTER-AIDED MANUFACTURING FOR SPHERICAL MECHANISMS

In this paper we present SPHINXCAM, a computer-aided manufacturing software for spherical four-bar mechanisms. The kinematics of spherical mechanisms are reviewed as they pertain to their manufacture. This is followed by a brief review of some of the current computer-aided design (CAD) software for spherical four-bar mechanisms, e.g. SPHINX, SPHINXPC, and ISIS. These software packages provide the three-dimensional visualization and computational capabilities necessary to design spherical four-bar mechanisms. However, to date no tools exist to aid in the manufacture of spherical mechanisms. SPHINXCAM, when used with the CAD tools mentioned above, facilitates the design, visualization, and manufacture of spherical four-bar mechanisms.
Selected Aspects of Burrowing Owl Ecology and Behavior

I studied a population of 15 breeding pairs of Burrowing Owls and their offspring from 5 May 1970 to 20 May 1971 near Albuquerque, New Mexico. Observation time totaled over 400 hr. Most observations were made from a car or on foot and 7 x 50 binoculars and a 20 X spotting scope were used. A portable blind was employed for close observations and for recording vocalizations. Lights disturbed the owls and thus were not used. Vocalizations were recorded with a Uher 4000 Report-L Tape Recorder and Uher M-514 microphone at 7? ips. A 24-inch parabolic reflector sometimes was used. A more complete analysis and discussion of vocalizations of Burrowing Owls can be found in Martin (1973). Of breeding pairs, nine females and nine males were color-banded for individual recognition. At least one adult of each pair was banded at all but two burrows. One unmated adult and 48 young also were banded. Each owl received a U.S. Fish and Wildlife band and a two-color combination of red, white, green, or yellow color bands. Owls were captured by placing Havahart traps within the burrow mouth as described by Martin (1971a). All adult owls were sexed by presence or absence of a brood patch and by feather coloration. This later was confirmed by their behavior in the field. All owls were weighed, inspected for ectoparasites, examined for molt, and had their remiges and retrices measured before release. Two young owls were captured during their first observed emergence from their nest burrow and maintained in captivity for behavioral studies.
Characterization of the bridged proton structure in HTFSI acid ionic liquid solutions.

Acidic ionic liquid (AIL) solutions were prepared by dissolving bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (HTFSI) acid in the ionic liquid (IL) 1-butyl-3-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifloromethanesulfonyl)imide (PyrrTFSI). The HTFSI/PyrrTFSI solutions were investigated by conductivity measurements, optical spectroscopy, and DFT calculations in order to understand the ionization/solvation mechanism of HTFSI in the solutions. The HTFSI/PyrrTFSI solution conductivities first increased at lower concentrations and then decreased when the concentration of HTFSI is higher than ∼1.5 M. The spectroscopic results indicate that the solvation structure may evolve from lower to higher concentrations to make protonated TFSI– motifs. Both spectroscopic and DFT simulation results support the observation of proton-sharing [H(TFSI)2]− dimers, which may form through a bridged hydrogen in the format of either a N–H–N connection or a N–H–O connection. Both configurations may exist in the AIL solution. The proton-sharing mechanism impli...
Tin protoporphyrin IX used in control of heme metabolism in humans effectively inhibits HIV-1 infection

Recent observations indicated that several porphyrins bound to the V3 loop of the envelope glycoprotein gp 120 of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and inhibited infection of cells by HIV-1. The tin derivative of protoporphyrin IX (Sn-PTP-IX) has already been used clinically in humans to suppress hyperbilirubinemia. It was therefore of interest to determine whether Sn-PTP-IX has anti-HIV-1 activity. It is demonstrated here that Sn-PTP-IX effectively inhibited infection by several HIV-1 isolates (IIIB, MN, RF, SF-2 and two isolates resistant to azidothymidine). This was surprising, since earlier studies indicated that incorporation of other metals into porphyrins markedly decreased their antiviral activity
Research development of carbapenem antibiotics

Carbapenems are comparatively capable to enter cells, are stable to various β-Lacta-mase and have broad antibacterial activity due to their different structure from penicillins and cephalod-porins. This review will introduce the chemical structure,antibacterial activity,mechanism of action and drug resistance of carbapenems administrated non-gastrointestinally including imipenem, panipenem, meropenem,biapenem,lenapenem,MK - 826,S - 4661 and ER - 35786,and oral carbapenems such as CS - 834, DZ - 2640 and OAC - 983.
Abstract A36: Notch signaling promotes tumor metastasis in the Pten null mouse model for prostate cancer

The role of Notch signaling in prostate cancer remains inconclusive. We show that a higher Notch signature score is significantly correlated with higher disease grade, metastatic potential and higher probability of lethal outcome in two published human prostate cancer datasets. We employ genetic approaches to investigate the role of Notch signaling in initiation and progression of prostate cancer in a Pten null mouse model. Notch signaling is dispensable for disease initiation and progression in this model. Elevated Notch activity in the Pten null model promotes both epithelial proliferation and apoptosis, which collectively results in a reduction of primary tumor burdens. Despite reduced primary tumor burdens, Notch activation drives epithelial-mesenchymal-transition and promotes distal tumor metastases at full penetrance. Our study reveals distinct impacts of Notch signaling on cancer cell proliferation, survival and metastasis in the context of Pten loss, and highlights a multifaceted and pleiotropic role of Notch in regulating the different aspects of prostate cancer cell biology. Citation Format: Oh-Joon Kwon, Li Zhang, Wang Jianghua, Chad Creighton, Michael Ittmann, Li Xin. Notch signaling promotes tumor metastasis in the Pten null mouse model for prostate cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Developmental Biology and Cancer; Nov 30-Dec 3, 2015; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Res 2016;14(4_Suppl):Abstract nr A36.
Intraoperative Radiation Therapy for Bladder Cancer

The combination of intraoperative radiation therapy and external beam irradiation, a new treatment modality, has been added to the therapeutic armamentarium in the management of patients with bladder cancer. Encouraging results are seen when this combination is utilized for patients with superficial (Tis, T1, T2) bladder cancer. With more experience, the specific indications of this combined treatment modality will be identifiable.
Dimensions of Inequality in Labor Income

Abstract This study examines trends in relative earnings inequality over time between groups characterized by age, education, gender and race to determine whether increased income inequality can be attributed to the “rising importance of skill.” Relative inequality is measured by the changing spread of one group's earnings rankings within the distribution of another group's earnings. While there is some evidence of an increasing return to “skill,” the relative earnings of individuals appear to reflect shifts in one group's distribution relative to another group's distribution.
Sperm Proteasome as a Putative Egg Coat Lysin in Mammals

During animal and human fertilization, the fertilizing spermatozoon creates and passes through a fertilization slit in the vitelline coat (VC) of the oocyte. It has been hypothesized that the penetration of the mammalian VC, the zona pellucida (ZP), is aided by a proteolytic enzyme capable of locally degrading ZP proteins. This putative “zona lysin” is predicted to reside within the sperm head acrosome and be released or exposed by ZP-induced acrosomal exocytosis. Evidence has been accumulating in favor of the 26S proteasome, the ubiquitin-dependent multi-subunit protease acting as the putative vitelline coat/zona lysin in humans and animals. To confirm this hypothesis, three criteria must be met: (1) the sperm receptor on the ZP must be ubiquitinated, (2) proteasomes must be present, exposed, and enzymatically active in the sperm acrosome, and (3) sperm proteasomes must be able to degrade the sperm receptor on the egg coat/ZP during fertilization. This review discusses recent data from a number of mammalian and nonmammalian models addressing these predictions. These data shed light on the mechanisms controlling sperm interactions with VC and on the evolutionary conservation of the proteasome-assisted fertilization mechanisms.
Robust respiration rate estimation using adaptive Kalman filtering with textile ECG sensor and accelerometer

An adaptive Kalman filter-based fusion algorithm capable of estimating respiration rate for unobtrusive respiratory monitoring is proposed. Using both signal characteristics and a priori information, the Kalman filter is adaptively optimized to improve accuracy. Furthermore, the system is able to combine the respiration-related signals extracted from a textile ECG sensor and an accelerometer to create a single robust measurement. We measured derived respiratory rates and, when compared to a reference, found root-mean-square error of 2.11 breaths-per-minute (BrPM) while lying down, 2.30 BrPM while sitting, 5.97 BrPM while walking, and 5.98 BrPM while running. These results demonstrate that the proposed system is applicable to unobtrusive monitoring for various applications.
Chapter 48 - Structure and Function of Tumor Necrosis Factor at the Cell Surface

Signaling through TNF receptors is probably paradigmatic of that which occurs through many of its homologs. The action of TNF is pleotropic in that it can initiate both apoptotic and proliferative pathways. The mechanisms of signal integration that commit the cell to one or the other fate have yet to be fully elucidated. Receptor-proximal events in both cases appear to be mediated through protein-interaction domains in receptors and cytosolic adaptor proteins. Crystallographic analysis of the TNF-Rl receptor and its complex with TNF-β suggests that ligands and their receptors assemble into complexes with two- and three-fold symmetry and that higher order lattice-like structures could be generated though the operation of this symmetry. TRAF proteins are homotrimeric, as are their complexes with TNF-R2 peptides and with TRADD, suggesting that the symmetry of extracellular components is recapitulated in the intracellular signaling complexes formed upon receptor ligation. On the other hand, death domains have not been found to assemble into homotypic complexes with three-fold symmetry. The organization of TNF signaling complexes is likely to be key to the mechanism of signal transduction and propagation. Thus, elucidation of the structures of TNF signaling complexes, however transient, will represent a significant achievement in our understanding of TNF signaling mechanisms.