cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identifying and Modeling Security Threats for IoMT Edge Network using Markov Chain and Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS).

In this work, we defined an attack vector for networks utilizing the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) devices and compute the probability distribution of IoMT security threats based on Markov chain and Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS). IoMT is an emerging technology that improves patients' quality of life by permitting personalized e-health services without restrictions on time and site. The IoMT consists of embedded objects, sensors, and actuators that transmit and receive medical data. These Medical devices are vulnerable to different types of security threats, and thus, they pose a significant risk to patient's privacy and safety. Because security is a critical factor for successfully merging IoMT into pervasive healthcare systems, there is an urgent need for new security mechanisms to prevent threats on the IoMT edge network. Toward this direction, the first step is defining an attack vector that an attacker or unauthorized user can take advantage of to penetrate and tamper with medical data. In this article, we specify a threat model for the IoMT edge network. We identify any vulnerabilities or weaknesses within the IoMT network that allow unauthorized privileges and threats that can utilize these weaknesses to compromise the IoMT edge network. Finally, we compute the probability distribution of IoMT threats based on the Markov transition probability matrix.
Performance verification of different control schemes in human lower extremity rehabilitation robot

Abstract Many people experience temporary or permanent impairment sometime in their lifetime. Exoskeleton robot-based exercise machines for neurorehabilitation offer an attractive alternative for many disabled people. The performance of exoskeleton robot-based physiotherapy depends on the effectiveness of the robot control scheme. This paper examines the performance of three commonly used control algorithms in serial manipulators. Before examining the performance of the control schemes, it is essential to establish a model for plant dynamics. A dynamic model of the human lower extremity (HLE) is developed first. The Lagrange energy method is used for developing the HLE model. Since the dynamics of a serial manipulator is inherently nonlinear, a nonlinear control scheme would appear effective in dealing with the nonlinear robotic system. Two nonlinear control schemes (computed torque controller and sliding mode controller) and one linear controller (PID) are used to control the robot. The performance of the three control schemes is examined when disturbance torques and/or variations in robot parameters are present. The pros and cons of linear and nonlinear control schemes are discussed. Finally, a detailed discussion on controller selection criteria is presented, including how it can facilitate the selection of a suitable controller.
Postoperative Radiation Performed at the Same Surgical Facility Associated With Improved Overall Survival in T4 Major Salivary Gland Cancers.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S) T4 major salivary gland cancers often require postoperative radiation (PORT), and communication among the surgical and radiation oncology teams is essential to plan and provide optimal treatment, particularly given the complicated surgeries and associated radiation treatment volumes. To better understand the impact of this on patient outcomes, this study evaluated the impact of receiving PORT at the same facility (SF) as surgery versus at a different facility (DF) from surgery. MATERIALS/METHODS The National Cancer Database (NCDB) was queried for patients with T4 non-metastatic salivary gland cancers diagnosed from 2004-2016. All patients first underwent definitive surgery at the NCDB reporting facility followed by PORT with or without chemotherapy. PORT was coded as performed at either the SF or at a DF. Survival analysis was performed using Cox regression and plotted using Kaplan-Meier curves. Variables included in multivariate (MVA) and propensity score-matched (PSM) cohorts included age, Charlson-Deyo (CD) score, patient distance from surgical center, whether the patient underwent neck dissection, duration of radiation treatment course, receipt of concurrent chemotherapy, and facility case volume and geographical region. RESULTS A total of 1,230 patients met inclusion criteria, 813 (71.9%) of whom underwent PORT at the SF. The PSM cohort included 634 patients. Median follow-up was 3.4 yrs (range 0.2-14.5 yrs). Median and 4-year overall survival (OS) rates were higher in patients undergoing PORT at the SF compared to a DF: 6.3 yrs (95% confidence interval [CI] = 5.5-7.7) vs 5.4 yrs (CI = 4.0-7.1) and 64.0% vs 56.0% (P = 0.01), respectively. PORT performed at the SF was associated with lower overall mortality in all patients (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.73; CI = 0.61-0.88; P = 0.001) and in the PSM cohorts (HR = 0.76; CI = 0.61-0.95; P = 0.014). Receiving PORT at the DF was associated with older age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.12/decade; CI = 1.01-1.25; P = 0.04), CD score ≥1 (OR = 1.43; CI = 1.03-1.97; P = 0.03), and longer distance (> 100 miles) from surgical facility (OR = 2.33; CI = 1.52-3.57; P 2 case/year) (OR = 2.48; CI = 1.47-4.19; P = 0.001), higher rates of radiation treatment course < 7 wks (OR = 1.46; CI = 1.11-1.92; P = 0.01), and higher rates of concurrent chemotherapy (OR = 1.44; CI = 1.06-1.96; P = 0.02). CONCLUSION In patients with T4 major salivary gland cancers, receipt of PORT and surgery at the SF was associated with longer OS. Reasons for this may be related to improved communication between surgical and radiation oncologists or increased surgical involvement in radiation volume delineation. PORT provided at the same surgical facility appears to influence survival in T4 major salivary gland cancers and warrants further investigation.
Environmental Influences on the Occurrences of Sepiolite and Palygorskite: A Brief Review

Abstract Sepiolite is a hydrous magnesium silicate formed by precipitation of near-surface brackish or saline waters, under semi-arid climatic conditions. Four major influences on the distribution of sepiolite are source materials, climate, physical parameters and associated phase relations. Two major pathways governing the occurrence of sepiolite and palygorskite are direct precipitation from solution, and the transformation of precursor phases by dissolution–precipitation. Sepiolite is most commonly found as a result of the former process, whereas palygorskite is often characterized as a product of the latter. Thus, sepiolite typically occurs in lacustrine, often saline, strata, while palygorskite is commonly found in conjunction with soils, alluvium, or most abundantly, calcretes. Here, we review briefly some examples of sepiolite deposits in Spain, Turkey, Argentina, USA, and the African countries of Kenya, Morocco, Tunisia, Senegal, Somalia and South Africa.
Second-Order Relations Involving Correlation Energy and its Functional Derivative

Abstract For continuing to search for ever-better approximations to the traditional density-functional correlation energy functional, E c [n], the link between its second-order component, E c (2) [n], and the known result for the second-order Z − 1 quantum chemistry correlation energy, E c QC,(2) , is first presented, and numerical results are given. E c (2) [n], identified as a high-density scaling limit, is the leading term in the expansion for E c [n], Except when certain degeneracies occur, it is shown that E c QC,(2) provides an upper bound for E c (2) [n], with an equality only for two electrons. Moreover, different correlation energy functionals, meant to be employed in hybrid schemes, are also discussed. For these functionals, the second-order Z − 1 quantum chemistry correlation energy is exactly the same as their high-density limits, for any number of electrons, except when some degeneracies occur. Next, conditions are presented in order to improve approximations to the density functional correlation potential (the functional derivative of the correlation energy). For any spherically symmetric two-electron density, the difference, 2 E c (2) [n] - ∫ d r v c (2) ([n]; r ) n( r ), is written as a functional of the density n( r ) only, and the analytical expression is obtained. Approximate functionals that scale to constants, are tested against exact numerical results.
Design Criteria for a Virtual Market Place (ViMP)

This paper considers the requirements customers and providers have from a virtual insurance market place, and proposes a set of desirable features to satisfy them. A design implementing these features is proposed, based on a logical structuring of the information needed to support the dialogue between providers and customers. The applicability of this design for market places trading products other than insurance is discussed, and further research to consider the particular features of business services is suggested.
When Is Enough, Enough?

Many factors are involved in the decision-making process regarding the management of spinal tumor patients. Metastatic spine disease poses clinical and ethical dilemmas that are arguably second to none in all of medicine. Many considerations complicate this decision-making process. These include change in the quality of life, life expectancy (and its uncertainty), treatment costs, structural integrity of the spine, and the patient’s fears and expectations. Each of these are addressed and are considered as they pertain to the decision-making process regarding the question, “When is enough, enough?”
Aberration Correction for Analytical In Situ TEM - the NTEAM Concept.

Future aberration corrected transmission electron microscopes (TEM) will have a strong impact in materials science, since such microscopes yield information on chemical bonding and structure of interfaces, grain boundaries and lattice defects at an atomic level. Beyond this aberration correction offers new possibilities for in situ experiments performed under controlled temperature, magnetic field, strain etc. at atomic resolution. Such investigations are necessary for solving problems arising from electronic component miniaturization, for example. Significant progress can be expected by means of analytical aberration corrected TEM. These next generation microscopes will be equipped with an aberration corrected imaging system, a monochromator and aberration corrected energy filters. These novel elements have already been designed and partially realized [1,2,3].
Linkages between East Antarctic Ice Sheet extent and Southern Ocean temperatures based on a Pliocene high-resolution record of ice-rafted debris off Prydz Bay, East Antarctica

[1] Ice-rafted debris mass accumulation rates (IRD MAR) at a drill site on the Antarctic continental margin are investigated to evaluate the linkages between East Antarctic Ice Sheet extent and Southern Ocean temperatures in the early to mid-Pliocene. ODP Site 1165 is within 400 km of the Antarctic coastline and in the direct pathway of icebergs released by the Amery Ice Shelf. The Amery Ice Shelf is the largest ice shelf in East Antarctica and it buttresses the Lambert Glacier drainage system, which accounts for 14% of the outflow from the East Antarctic Ice Sheet. IRD MAR were low during peak Southern Ocean warming in the early Pliocene. After a brief precursor, a tenfold increase in IRD MAR at 3.3 Ma marks the termination of the early Pliocene ice sheet minimum, coincident with the M2 glacial. For the mid-Pliocene, a strong correlation exists between the high-amplitude signal in the LR04 benthic stack and IRD MAR, suggesting linkages between East Antarctic ice extent, global ice volume and deep-water temperatures. The IRD record at Site 1165 provides evidence of greater sensitivity of the Lambert Glacier-Amery Ice Shelf system to Southern Ocean warming than is currently predicted by ice sheet models, which may relate to uncertainties in the understanding of ocean heat uptake, poleward heat transport and ice sheet-ocean interactions.
Liver Pathology in Hycanthone Hepatitis

Histological examination of liver tissue from 3 patients who died 6, 4, and 9 days, respectively, after an intramuscular injection of 3 ± 0.5 mg of hycanthone per kg of body weight for chistosomiasis, showed features of a toxic hepatitis with massive hepatic necrosis, many acidophil bodies and minimal inflammatory response in 2 patients, and confluent necrosis with early fibrosis in 1. Liver cells showed prominent fatty change. The former 2 patients had evidence of schistosomal granulomatous hepatitis. A follow-up liver biopsy in a 4th patient who had had hycanthone hepatitis with liver failure 1 year before showed good recovery with features of chronic persistent hepatitis.
Ground-state energy of the interacting Bose gas in two dimensions: An explicit construction

The isotropic scattering phase shift is calculated for nonrelativistic bosons interacting at low energies via an arbitrary finite-range potential in $d$ space-time dimensions. Scattering on a $(d\ensuremath{-}1)$-dimensional torus is then considered, and the eigenvalue equation relating the energy levels on the torus to the scattering phase shift is derived. With this technology in hand, and focusing on the case of two spatial dimensions, a perturbative expansion is developed for the ground-state energy of $N$ identical bosons which interact via an arbitrary finite-range potential in a finite area. The leading nonuniversal effects due to range corrections and three-body forces are included. It is then shown that the thermodynamic limit of the ground-state energy in a finite area can be taken in closed form to obtain the energy per particle in the low-density expansion by explicitly summing the parts of the finite-area energy that diverge with powers of $N$. The leading and subleading finite-size corrections to the thermodynamic limit equation of state are also computed. Closed-form results---some well known, others perhaps not---for two-dimensional lattice sums are included in an Appendix.
Symptomatic urinary tract infections after surgery for prolapse and/or incontinence

The purpose of our study was to estimate the frequency and risk factors for symptomatic urinary tract infection (UTI) after surgery for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and/or pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Case-control study of 389 consecutive women who underwent surgery for POP and/or SUI. Cases were defined as a symptomatic, culture-confirmed UTI within 6 weeks of surgery. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine independent risk factors. Thirty five (9%) women developed a UTI. The risk of UTI was significantly increased by previous history of multiple UTIs (adjusted OR: 3.7, CI 1.4–10.1), increased distance between the urethra and the anus (adjusted OR: 1.4, CI 1.1–1.9), and prolonged duration of catheterization (adjusted odds ratio (OR) for ≥10 days: 4.2, 95% CI 1.5–11.6); 94.6% of catheterizing women were prescribed daily nitrofurantoin. UTI is an important postoperative morbidity after urogynecologic surgery and is common in catheterizing women despite antibiotic prophylaxis.
Intimate Partner Violence and Adverse Health Consequences: Implications for Clinicians

Nearly 1 in 4 women and 1 in 13 men experience intimate partner violence (IPV) at some time in their life. Victims of IPV suffer significant negative health consequences because of the physical, se...
Perceived Self and Ideal Self Ratings in Relation to High and Low Levels of Anxiety in College Women.

The Cattell and Scheier IPAT Anxiety (Self Analysis) Questionnaire and the Corsini SAQS Chicago Q Sort were administered to 146 college women. Ss were divided into "high" and "low" anxiety groups on the basis of the IPAT anxiety scores. Those women with a high degree of anxiety were found to have a significantly greater discrepancy between their perceived self and ideal self concepts than did those women who had low levels of anxiety.
Tools for connectionist modeling: The dynamical systems methodology

Some understanding of dynamical systems is essential to achieving competency in connectionist models. This mathematical background can be acquired either through a rigorous set of upper undergraduate and/or graduate formal courses or via disciplined self-teaching. As part of developing a course in connectionism, we feel that although certain very basic mathematical tools are most appropriately learned in their “pure” form (i.e., from mathematics textbooks and courses), more advanced exposure to dynamical systems theory can be given in the context of an introduction to connectionism. Students thus learn to write connectionist simulations by first writing programs for simulating arbitrary dynamical systems, then using them to learn some aspects of dynamical systems in general by simulating some special cases, and finally applying this technique to connectionist models of increasing complexity.
Impact of managed care on the use of biologic agents for rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective To compare the use of biologic agents among persons with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in managed care and fee-for-service settings. Methods The present study uses data from the University of California, San Francisco RA Panel Study in which 529 patients with RA from a random sample of northern California rheumatologists were interviewed annually between 1999 and 2002 using a structured survey instrument. Linear and logistic regression were used to compare current utilization, initiation, and cessation of biologic agents and other treatments among patients with RA in managed care and fee-for-service settings, with and without adjustment for differences in demographic and health characteristics. Results After adjustment, patients with RA in health maintenance organizations (HMOs) were significantly less likely to use biologic agents than those in other managed care settings (difference of −6.6%; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] −11.4%, −1.7%) or than those in fee-for-service settings (difference of −12.5%; 95% CI −19.0%, −5.9%); patients in other managed care settings and fee-for-service did not differ significantly in their use of biologic agents. Patients with RA in HMOs were significantly less likely than those in other managed care settings to initiate the use of biologic agents (difference of −7.3%; 95% CI −11.5%, −3.1%); there were no other differences between patients in HMOs and those in other managed care and fee-for-service settings in rates of initiation or cessation of these agents. Patients with RA in HMOs were less likely to use methotrexate, cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) inhibitors, and corticosteroids than those in other managed care settings; they were also less likely to use COX-2 inhibitors than those in fee-for-service settings. Conclusion Patients with RA in HMOs were significantly less likely to use biologic agents than those in other managed care and fee-for-service settings, primarily due to lower rates of initiation.
Evidence of Multi-Process Matrix Diffusion in a Single Fracture from a Field Tracer Test

Compared to values inferred from laboratory tests on matrix cores, many field tracer tests in fractured rock have shown enhanced matrix diffusion coefficient values (obtained using a single-process matrix-diffusion model with a homogeneous matrix diffusion coefficient). To investigate this phenomenon, a conceptual model of multi-process matrix diffusion in a single-fracture system was developed. In this model, three matrix diffusion processes of different diffusion rates were assumed to coexist: (1) diffusion into stagnant water and infilling materials within fractures, (2) diffusion into a degraded matrix zone, and (3) further diffusion into an intact matrix zone. The validity of the conceptual model was then demonstrated by analyzing a unique tracer test conducted using a long-time constant-concentration injection. The tracer-test analysis was conducted using a numerical model capable of tracking the multiple matrix-diffusion processes. The analysis showed that in the degraded zone, a diffusion process with an enhanced diffusion rate controlled the steep rising limb and decay-like falling limb in the observed breakthrough curve, whereas in the intact matrix zone, a process involving a lower diffusion rate affected the long-term middle platform of slowly increasing tracer concentration. The different matrix-diffusion-coefficient values revealed from the field tracer test are consistent with the variability of matrix diffusion coefficient measured for rock cores with different degrees of fracture coating at the same site. By comparing to the matrix diffusion coefficient calibrated using single-process matrix diffusion, we demonstrated that this multi-process matrix diffusion may contribute to the enhanced matrix-diffusion-coefficient values for single-fracture systems at the field scale.
Factors influencing pulmonary methane excretion in man. An indirect method of studying the in situ metabolism of the methane-producing colonic bacteria.

Measurements of pulmonary excretion of methane (CH4) were used to obtain information on the CH4-producing bacteria in man. Preliminary studies indicated that (a) all CH4 excreted by man is produced by colonic bacteria, (b) there is no appreciable utilization of CH4 by man, and (c) breath CH4 can serve as a relatively accurate indicator of CH4 production in the intestine. The rate of pulmonary CH4 excretion varied enormously, ranging from undetectable (<5 x 10–6 ml/min) to 0.66 ml/minute. In general, the CH4 excretion rate for subjects was consistently very low (nonproducers) or relatively large (producers). 33.6% of the adult population were producers of CH4. Whereas diet, age over 10 yr, and sex did not influence the rate of CH4 production, some familial factor appeared to play an important role. 84% of siblings of CH4 producers also were producers, while only 18% of the siblings of nonproducers were found to be CH4 producers. This familial tendency appeared to be determined by early environmental rather than genetic factors. These studies of CH4 excretion demonstrate that the exposure of individuals to intestinal bacterial metabolites may differ markedly and that these differences may be chronic and determined by familial factors.
The accumulation of [3H]phenylisopropyl adenosine ([3H]PIA) and [3H]adenosine into rabbit retinal neurons is inhibited by nitrobenzylthioinosine (NBI).

Uptake of [3H]adenosine and [3H]R-phenylisopropyladenosine (R-PIA) into retinal cells was assessed autoradiographically, in the presence and absence of the purine nucleoside transport inhibitor, nitrobenzylthioinosine (NBI). Under control conditions, both purine nucleosides were accumulated in cell bodies localized to the ganglion cell layer, and the inner nuclear layer. In the presence of NBI, significantly less accumulation of nucleosides within cell bodies was observed, particularly within the inner nuclear layer, suggesting that most of the uptake occured via the transport of both substrates. The stereoisomer of adenosine, l-[3H]adenosine, was not accumulated into retinal cells consistent with the view that the accumulation of both adenosine and R-PIA occurs via the purine nucleoside transporter.
Abuse of the Elderly—The Hidden Agenda. I. The Caretakers and the Categories of Abuse

An overview of the problem of abuse of the elderly is presented in an effort to guide future research. Categories of caretakers for the aged include formal (i.e., institutional settings) and informal (e.g., family, neighbors, sitters). Data are presented from a task force report on the status of nursing homes in the State of Texas. Categories of abuse are discussed under four divisions: physical, psychologic, material, and fiscal. Deliberate physical abuse by formal caretakers was the least common; physical neglect was far more common, e.g., the development of decubitus ulcers, inadequate nutrition, improper medication, and vermin infestation. Psychologic abuse was most frequent in the area of benign neglect, with patients regarded as "going to die anyway." A tendency toward infantilization by formal caretakers was observed. Material abuse included primarily theft, chiefly of personal items rather than medication items. Fiscal abuse included embezzlement of patients' trust funds, improper charges for service, failure to notify the State of the death or departure of a patient, abuse for drugs, and artificial upgrading of Medicaid recipients' classifications. Possible causes of abuse are reviewed.
Impacts of Industry Mix, Technological Change, Selection and Plant Entry/Exit on Regional Productivity Growth

RIGBY D. L. and ESSLETZBICHLER J. (2000) Impacts of industry mix, technological change, selection and plant entry/exit on regional productivity growth, Reg. Studies 34 , 333-342. In this paper we identify five sources of regional productivity growth: changes in industry mix; technological change by incumbent plants; selection, or changes in plant market shares; plant entry; and plant exit. These sources of productivity change are measured for US states over the period 1963 to 1992. The geography of productivity change is shown to be complex; the absolute and relative size of the components of change vary considerably between regions and over time. Contrary to simplistic accounts that view productivity improvement solely as the result of technological change, we reveal that in a number of states efficiency gains within incumbent plants are overwhelmed by other sources of productivity growth. In addition, we show that rates of plant entry and plant exit are significantly higher in the sunbelt states of the ...
Solid-phase synthesis of 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-benzo[e][1,4]diazepine derivatives

Abstract We have developed an efficient solid-phase synthetic approach for the synthesis of 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-benzo[e][1,4]diazepine derivatives. The methodology is of value for high throughput synthesis of these potentially bioactive molecules.
Differing Effects of Antihypertensive Agents on Urinary Albumin Excretion

Increased urinary albumin excretion is a good predictor of future progression of renal disease in patients with both insulin-dependent and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. In addition, it is an independent predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with essential hypertenesion. Whether urinary albumin excretion represents a prognostic indicator for progressive renal dysfunction in patients with normal blood pressure, or essential hypertension and normal renal function, remains to be determined. In patients with diabetic renal disease, urinary albumin excretion is a good predictor for the future development of renal injury, and an effort has thus been made to study the success of antiproteinuric therapies in delaying progression of renal injury. Some antihypertensive agents have demonstrated abilities to reduce urinary albumin excretion either with or without a reduction in systemic arterial pressure. Whether the abilities of these drugs to protect renal function is related to their antihypertensive effects or antiproteinuric effects, or both, is unknown. This review will explore the influence of different antihypertensive agents on urinary albumin excretion in patients with and without essential hypertension, as well as in patients with nondiabetic and diabetic renal disease.
Indole reactions of mast cells and enterochromaffin cells related to fixations with and without aldehydes.

Survey of a considerable number of rat, mouse and hog tissues which presented large numbers of mast cells in preparations stained with toluidine blue and other metachromatic or basic dyes at low pH levels, revealed numbers of oval bodies of about the same size as mast cells which reacted weakly or even moderately to the postcoupled benzylidene indole reaction. The numbers of these were always less than that of mast cells in toluidine blue sections of the same blocks. They never occurred in clusters of perhaps 15–20 in a single high power field, as mast cells often do. Smooth and especially striated muscle which often formed the background tissue where most mast cells are found with metachromatic stains, regularly present indole reactions due to protein tryptophan. This is usually equal to or stronger than that in the supposed mast cells. Indole reactive bodies whose morphology suggests mast cells are also present in similar numbers in formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde fixed tissue as well as with aldehyde free fixations. Glutaraldehyde and formaldehyde are known to inhibit the benzylidene reaction of 5-HT in vitro (30 min for glutaraldehyde, 3 h for formaldehyde) (Lillie, 1977). This action was avoided in mercury and lead heavy metal fixations and in acetone, Carnoy, chloroform methanol and similar fixations. The mast cell-like bodies are best explained as tangential or oblique sections of individual muscle fibers. We have described the same phenomenon with the ferric ferricyanide (Golodetz-Unna, 1909) reaction (Lillie et al., 1978a), and the PCB reaction is that of tryptophan in these muscle cell sections. In contrast to the DMAB type reaction failure acid diazosafranin successfully demonstrated mast cells with both aldehyde and aldehyde free fixations. This reaction has been shown to occur with 5-HT and 5-HTP (Lillie et al., 1973).
2-Carbomethoxy-3-(diarylmethoxy)-1αH,5αH-tropane Analogs: Synthesis and Inhibition of Binding at the Dopamine Transporter and Comparison with Piperazines of the GBR Series

We recently reported a new class of tropanes, based on benztropine, that bind uniquely, in the S-configuration, to the dopamine transporter. We have now extended this series to evaluate the effects of substituents on the nitrogen and the diarylmethoxy group. Herein we have described the synthesis and biological evaluation of a series of 2-carbomethoxy-3-(diaryl-methoxy)-1 alpha H, 5 alpha H-tropane (2-carbomethoxybenztropine) analogs. Examination of the binding data obtained for these compounds shows that while the 4,4'-difluoro compound is potent and selective for the dopamine transporter, introduction of larger groups such as 4,4'-dichloro, 4,4'- dibromo, 4,4'-diiodo, or 4,4'dimethyl on the 3-diphenylmethoxy moiety reduces this potency. However, although introduction of only one group (e.g., 4-chloro, 4-bromo, 4-iodo, or 4-methyl) leads to a similar reduction of binding affinity, these monosubstituted 2-carbomethoxybenztropines are significantly more potent than the related disubstituted compounds. Finally, from the data for the N-substituted 2-carbomethoxybenztropine analogs, it is evident that steric bulk can be tolerated at the nitrogen site. A comparison of structure-activity relationship data for the tropanes, GBR analogs, and these benztropines indicates that the 2-carbomethoxybenztropine analogs may be more like the GBR analogs in their mode of binding to the dopamine transporter than like the tropanes. This conclusion supports the notion that the binding site for (-)-cocaine [and the (1R)-tropanes] may differ from of the 2-carbomethoxybenztropine analogs.
Student-faculty partnership in explorations of pedagogical practice: a threshold concept in academic development

Student-faculty partnerships position students as informants, participants, and change agents in collaboration with faculty members. Enacting one form of such collaboration, Bryn Mawr College’s SaLT program pairs faculty members and undergraduate students in explorations of pedagogical practice. The program provides both context and case study for this form of Student-faculty partnership as a threshold concept in academic development. Like all threshold concepts, the notion of Student-faculty partnership is troublesome, transformative, irreversible, and integrative. This article draws on faculty reflections to explore what constitutes this threshold, the insights and practices that are possible if faculty cross it, and implications for academic developers.
Quadratic control problem with an energy constraint; approximate solutions

The quadratic-error regulator problem with a control-energy constraint has been investigated from the viewpoint of having limited control energy available or as an indirect method of limiting the maximum control amplitude. The solution of this problem requires iteration on a parameter @l"n" "+" "1 with the required value of @l"n" "+" "1 being a function of the initial state. Thus the result is not as straightforward to apply as the well known Kalman result where no constraints are imposed; however, it is much simpler than the problem where control amplitude constraints are applied directly for which case one must iterate on an n dimensional vector. Also, for the systems studied it was found that @l"n" "+" "1 had a regular behavior as a function of initial state and that this behavior could be approximated by empirical equations. Therefore, an approximate control law could be computed for each initial state without iterating yielding real-time solutions. Three examples were considered in the numerical evaluation portion of the study. In addition to revealing the orderly behavior of the required value of @l"n" "+" "1 as a function of initial state, the numerical results also indicated that constraining control energy was quite effective in constraining maximum control amplitude.
Incorporation of excess cholesterol by high density serum lipoproteins.

Abstract Excess cholesterol was added to human HDL 3 and to bovine mammalian high density serum lipoprotein (HDL) by incubating aqueous lipoprotein solutions with solid dispersions of [4- 14 C]cholesterol on Celite. Lipoprotein · cholesterol complexes were isolated by centrifugation and filtration through a Sepharose 4B column. The pure complexes were analyzed for protein and lipid content and composition and were subsequently investigated by physical methods (analytical ultracentrifugation, circular dichroism, and fluorescence spectroscopy), in order to detect any structural changes induced by added cholesterol. The rates of cholesterol uptake varied as an inverse function of the intrinsic cholesterol present in the native lipoproteins. The maximum cholesterol taken up by human HDL 3 increased the free cholesterol content from 3–4% (initial) up to 22% of the total lipoprotein weight. Bovine HDL was observed to increase its free cholesterol content from 2–4% (initial) up to 11–17% of the total lipoprotein weight, before denaturation. At maximum levels of added cholesterol, both lipoproteins had increased molecular weights and sedimentation velocity coefficients corresponding to the increased mass of the particles. No major changes in the hydrodynamic properties were observed. At the molecular level, the protein components only showed a 15–20% decrease in fluorescence intensity, possibly a consequence of a modified environment of the aromatic amino acid residues. In the human HDL 3 , added cholesterol increased the microviscosity of the lipid domains by 1.2 P at 25°C (from 3.4 to 4.6 P), but did not affect the fluidity of bovine HDL lipids (5.9 P).
Energetics and Mechanism of the Hydrogenation of XHn for Group IV to Group VII Elements X

High-level ab initio calculations of the NESC/SOC/CCSD(T)/cc-pV5Z type (NESC, Normalized Elimination of the Small Component; SOC, spin–orbit coupling corrections using the Breit–Pauli Hamiltonian) ...
A Computation+Communication Load Balanced Loop Partitioning Method for Distributed Memory Systems

Due to a significant communication overhead of sending and receiving data, the loop partitioning approaches on distributed memory systems must guarantee not just the computation load balance but computation+communication load balance. The previous approaches in loop partitioning have achieved a communication-free, computation load balanced iteration space partitioning solution for a limited subset of DOALL loops. But a large category of DOALL loops inevitably result in communication and the trade-offs between computation and communication must be carefully analyzed for these loops in order to balance out the combined computation time and communication overheads. In this work, we describe a partitioning approach based on the above motivation for the general cases of DOALL loops. Our goal is to achieve a computation+communication load balanced partitioning through static data and iteration space distribution. Our approach first performs partitioning of iteration and data spaces of a loop nest by analyzing communication and parallelism; it then performs architecture-dependent analysis to adjust the granularity of partitions, load balance each partition with respect to total computation+communication, and then performs mapping of partitions onto the available number of processors. This multiphase partitioning method works as follows. First, the code partitioning phase analyzes the references in the body of the DOALL loop nest and determines a set of directions for reducing a larger degree of communication by trading a lesser degree of parallelism. The partitioning is carried out in the iteration space of the loop by cyclically following a set of direction vectors such that the data references are maximally localized and reused, eliminating a larger communication volume than parallelism. We then perform data space partitioning based on a new larger partition owns rule to minimize the communication overhead for a compute intensive partition by localizing its references relatively more than a smaller noncompute intensive partition. A partition interaction graph is then constructed which is used by the architecture-dependent analysis phase to merge the partitions to achieve granularity adjustment, computation+communication load balance, and mapping on the actual number of available processors. Relevant theory and algorithms are developed along with a performance evaluation on the Cray T3D.
CBP/p300 interact with and function as transcriptional coactivators of BRCA1

BRCA1 is a breast and ovarian cancer-specific tumor suppressor, with properties of a transcription factor involved in DNA repair. We previously have shown the transactivation of heterologous promoters by the carboxyl terminus of BRCA1. We now describe that BRCA1-mediated transactivation is enhanced by p300/CBP (CREB binding protein) and that this effect was suppressed by the adenovirus E1A oncoprotein. We show a physical association of BRCA1 with the transcriptional coactivators/acetyltransferases p300 and CBP. Endogenous as well as overexpressed BRCA1 and p300 were found to associate in a phosphorylation-independent manner. BRCA1 interacts with the cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) domain of p300/CBP via both its amino and carboxyl termini. Finally, full-length BRCA1 is shown to transcriptionally activate the Rous sarcoma virus-long terminal repeat promoter, which was further stimulated by p300. Immunocolocalization analyses suggest that BRCA1 and p300 associate in a cell cycle-dependent manner. Our results support a role for BRCA1 in transcription.
Multicenter Phase II trial of high-dose imatinib mesylate in metastatic melanoma: significant toxicity with no clinical efficacy.

BACKGROUND Systemic treatment of metastatic melanoma is largely ineffective and alternative approaches are needed. Imatinib mesylate is an oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor that targets bcr-Abl, c-kit, platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR)-α, and PDGFR-β, leading to remarkable clinical responses in several cancers. Signal transduction via c-kit, PDGFR-α, and PDGFR-β has been demonstrated in malignant melanoma. METHODS The primary objective of this Phase II study was to determine the response rate, response duration, and the frequency of 6-month progression-free survival in patients who could receive up to 2 prior therapeutic regimens. Initially, patients received imatinib at at dose of 400 mg twice orally each day. Based on Simon's optimal design, the study allowed entry of 21 patients; if there were ≥ 2 objective responses, accrual would then continue to a total of 41 patients. RESULTS Twenty-six patients were enrolled. Patients experienced 29 episodes of Grade 3 and 2 episodes of Grade 4 toxicity (according to National Cancer Institute common toxicity criteria). No objective clinical responses were noted among the 25 evaluable patients. The median time to progression was 54 days and the median overall survival was 200 days. No patient was free of disease progression at 6 months. Paraffin-embedded tumor specimens from 15 patients were tested for expression of imatinib responsive kinases by immunohistochemistry. Three tumors had moderate and 5 tumors had weak staining for c-kit. Five tumor samples had weak staining for PDGFR-α and -β. CONCLUSIONS Imatinib is an inactive single agent in metastatic melanoma in a population of predominately pretreated patients. The levels of c-kit and/or PDGFR-α, -β expression in the current study were lower than previously reported. Alternative treatment strategies remain a priority for patients with advanced melanoma. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Bruch's De Morbis Glandulae Prostatae: an early account of prostatic diseases (1835).

Editorial Comment: This is a rather unusual paper dealing with a verbatim translation of the thesis by Maximillian J.F. Bruch on the diseases of the prostate gland first published in 1835 and apparently never translated into English. Since in all probability this is the first comprehensive treatise on prostatic disease, it is a welcome and important translation and presents the background as to how our thinking regarding prostatic disease developed for nearly 150 years. Although the manuscript is somewhat lengthy, we decided to publish it in total, since, if it were to be reduced in size, it would be difficult to decide which parts to remove and could run the risk of ruining the work of the authors. The authors have done an excellent job in translating this thesis from the complex Latin text. Avery A. Sandberg, MD James P. Karr, PhD This Latin dissertation on diseases of the prostate gland was written by the German physician Maximillian J.F. Bruch at the Freiderick Wilhelm University. This English translation permits a rare glimpse into the early medical thinking on prostatic diseases.
A cortical folding model incorporating stress-dependent growth explains gyral wavelengths and stress patterns in the developing brain

In humans and many other mammals, the cortex (the outer layer of the brain) folds during development. The mechanics of folding are not well understood; leading explanations are either incomplete or at odds with physical measurements. We propose a mathematical model in which (i) folding is driven by tangential expansion of the cortex and (ii) deeper layers grow in response to the resulting stress. In this model the wavelength of cortical folds depends predictably on the rate of cortical growth relative to the rate of stress-induced growth. We show analytically and in simulations that faster cortical expansion leads to shorter gyral wavelengths; slower cortical expansion leads to long wavelengths or even smooth (lissencephalic) surfaces. No inner or outer (skull) constraint is needed to produce folding, but initial shape and mechanical heterogeneity influence the final shape. The proposed model predicts patterns of stress in the tissue that are consistent with experimental observations.
Cancer vaccines: on the threshold of success.

Background: Cancer vaccines are a unique approach to cancer therapy. They exert an antitumor effect by engaging the host immune response, and have great potential for circumventing the intrinsic drug resistance that limits standard cancer management. Additional advantages of cancer vaccines are exquisite specificity, low toxicity, and the potential for a durable treatment effect due to immunologic memory. Objectives: This review aims to consider the promise of cancer vaccines, review the current state of cancer vaccine development, and suggest directions for future research. Methods: The scope of this review was defined peer-reviewed information found on Medline, and information found on the Internet about Phase III clinical trials that are ongoing and not yet published. Results/conclusions: Multiple Phase III clinical trials have demonstrated the promise and challenges posed by therapeutic vaccines, and defined the next steps in their clinical development. Determining the optimal integration of cancer va...
Beta-adrenergic receptors and cAMP levels of rat parotid and submandibular glands during chronic isoproterenol treatment.

Abstract The number of cell surface β-adrenergic receptors and the level of cyclic AMP of the parotid and the submandibular gland were examined in rats treated for up to 10 days with twice daily injections of the β-adrenergic agonist, isoproterenol. Receptor densities of 125 ± 8.7 fmol/mg membrane protein for the parotid and 60.1 ± 5.6 fmol/mg for the submandibular glands were found with [3H]dihydroalprenolol (β-adrenergic receptor antagonist) binding of glands from control rats. No change from levels of controls was found in the number of β-receptors of the submandibular gland with chronic isoproterenol stimulation: the parotid glands, on the other hand, showed a 22% decrease in dihydroalprenolol binding from the 4th until the 8th day of treatment. By day 10 of isoproterenol treatment the parotid gland demonstrated a shift from a population consisting of primarily β1-adrenergic receptors to one consisting of equal numbers of β1- and β2-adrenoceptors. The basal level of cAMP present in cell lysates remained unchanged in the isoproterenol-treated submandibular gland while the parotid gland showed a 30–;40% decrease. Control and isoproterenol-treated animals demonstrated the same time course of cAMP accumulation after a single challenge with isoproterenol.
The Liquid-Vapor Interface of Sulfur-Hexafluoride Near the Critical-Point

Measurements of the reflectivity of the liquid-gas interface in SF6 near its critical temperature Tc have given values of the effective interface thickness L' = (1.60 f 0.07) EO.~~~*OJJ~~A where E = 1 - T/Tc. Preliminary analysis of measurements of the correlation function of the hete- rodyne spectrum of the quasi-elastic light scattering by thermal excitations of the interface yielded -0 06 the surface tension a = 39.6 2;:: e1'34+0:03 ergjcmz in the range 4 x 10-4 4 e < 4 x 10-2 and - 7- the average viscosity q = 287 + 13 (Tc - T) rt 20 x 10-6 poise. The theory of Fisk and Widom is tested and the Kawasaki form of the thermal diffusivity A = k~ T/6 ni75 is computed and compared with the measurements of the spectral width of Rayleigh scattering.
High Performance Structural Materials

The development of high performance structural materials is currently proceeding on a number of fronts within the metals industry. One common feature of many of _ --..... these developments is that they are increasingly driven to satisfy particular customer needs. Higher levels of performance for specific applications, as measured by durability , fuel economy, or cost efficiency , are the goals in these programs whether the materials are superalloys for aircraft engines or aluminum foil for packaging. In some developments, the threat of competitive materials (pl as t ics , composites, or ceramics) to replace metals in their traditional markets (aerospace, automotive, construction, and packaging) have been contributing factors. Metallurgists and materials developers have taken various approaches in striving to meet the improved performance levels required for advanced applications. Despite the inroads being made by composite and non-metallic materials, traditional alloy development programs are still quite active. Typical examples are HSLA steels, AI-Li alloys, and superalloys. Many of the programs depend as much upon developments in processing technology as adjustments to alloy composition. (The needs for reliable powder cleanliness assurance and consolidation methods for powder. metallurgy wrought products come to mind.) While the big gains in materials performance through conventional alloy development may be mostly behind us , the improvements still possible through alloy/process modification will keep many traditional metals cost competitive in high performance applications. Indeed, alloy development has always produced the most sophisticated type of engineered materials. The development of composite materials, combining metals with