cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Relationship between renal function and blood pressure dipping status in renal transplant recipients: a longitudinal study.

Hypertension (HT) is associated with adverse outcomes in kidney transplant (KTX) recipients. Blunting of physiological decrease in nighttime compared to daytime blood pressure (non-dipping status) is frequent in this setting. However, weather non-dipping is independently associated with renal function decline in KTX patients is unknown. We retrospectively screened KTX outpatients attending for a routine ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) (T1) at a single tertiary hospital. Patients had two successive follow-up visits, 1 (T2) and 2 (T3) years later respectively. Routine clinical and laboratory data were collected at each visit. Mixed linear regression models were used with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) as the dependent variable. A total of 123 patients were included with a mean follow-up of 2.12 ± 0.45 years after ABPM. Mean age and eGFR at T1 were 56.0 ± 15.1 and 54.9 ± 20.0 mL/min/1.73m2 respectively. 61 patients (50.4%) had sustained HT and 81 (65.8%) were non-dippers. In multivariate analysis, systolic dipping status was positively associated with eGFR (p = 0.009) and compared to non-dippers, dippers had a 10.4 mL/min/1.73m2 higher eGFR. HT was negatively associated with eGFR (p = 0.003). We confirm a high prevalence of non-dippers in KTX recipients. We suggest that preserved systolic dipping is associated with improved renal function in this setting independently of potential confounders, including HT and proteinuria. Whether modification of dipping status by chronotherapy would preserve renal function remains to be tested in clinical trials.
Electromagnetic-Circuit Co-design approach towards Reconfigurable Terahertz Holographic CMOS Metasurface

In this article, we design and demonstrate a multi-functional, digitally programmable metasurface at 0.3 THz exploiting electromagnetic-circuit co-design approach. The metasurface is fabricated using industry standard 65-nm CMOS process. Each metasurface tile consists of $12 \times 12$ periodic array of unit cells. We also demonstrate the scalability of this approach by chip tiling and create a larger aperture of $2 \times 2$ array. Each unit cell in the metasurface is an individually addressable and programmable multi-split-ring resonator consisting of eight metaloxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFET) at the capacitive gaps. Each unit cell can be programmed to control both amplitude and phase independently. We experimentally demonstrate multi-functional applications namely, high-speed beam modulation with switching ON/OFF ratio of $\sim 25$ dB at a maximum clock speed of 5 GHz, beamforming capability of ± 30° and spatial wavefront manipulation using binary-amplitude-only holography technique at 0.3 THz. The metasurface chip operates at near-zero DC power $(240 \mu \text{W})$ consumption.
Efficient 2nd-order power analysis on masked devices utilizing multiple leakage

A common algorithm-level effective countermea-sure against side-channel attacks is random masking. However, second-order attack can break first-order masked devices by utilizing power values at two time points. Normally 2nd-order attacks require the exact temporal locations of the two leakage points. Without profiling, the attacker may only have an educated guessing window of size n w for each potential leakage point. An attack with exhaustive search over combinations of the two leakage points will lead to computational complexity of O(n2 w ). Waddle and Wagner introduced FFT-based attack with a complexity of O(n w log(n w )) in CHES 2004 [1]. Recently Belgarric et al. proposed five preprocessing techniques using time-frequency conversion tools basing on FFT in [2]. We propose a novel efficient 2nd-order power analysis attack, which pre-processes power traces with FFT to find multiple candidate leakage point pairs and then combines the attacks at multiple candidate pairs into one single attack. We derive the theoretical conditions for two different combination methods to be successful. The resulting attacks retain computational complexity of O(n w log(n w )) and are applied on two data sets, one set of power measurements of an FPGA implementation of masked AES scheme and the other set of measurements from DPA Contest V4 for a software implementation of masked AES. Our attacks improve over the previous FFT-based attacks, particularly when the window size n w is large. Each of the two attacks works better respectively on different data sets, confirming the theoretical conditions.
Adaptive Range Tracking of Underwater Maneuvering Targets Using Passive Measurements

This paper examines the problem of adaptively tracking in range and velocity a maneuvering target using passive time delay measurements. The target is free to maneuver in velocity and to make depth changes at times unknown to the observer.
Bar to Block Contact Resistance in Aluminum Reduction Cell Cathode Assemblies

Contact resistance between the collector bar and cathode block has been previously estimated at 10 Ωmm2contributing roughly 100 mV to cell voltage. This paper proposes four mechanisms as contributors to high contact resistance through low contact pressure and large scale intermittent contact. These mechanisms are: temporary bowing of the bar during solidification of cast iron joints, shrinkage of the bar during the phase change from ferrite to austenite, mismatch of iron and carbon surface texture due to axial thermal expansion, and reduced contact pressure due to creep in the steel bar.
Reverse thrust performance of the QCSEE variable pitch turbofan engine

Results of steady state reverse and forward to reverse thrust transient performance tests are presented. The original quiet, clean, short haul, experimental engine four segment variable fan nozzle was retested in reverse and compared with a continuous, 30 deg half angle conical exlet. Data indicated that the significantly more stable, higher pressure recovery flow with the fixed 30 deg exlet resulted in lower engine vibrations, lower fan blade stress, and approximately a 20 percent improvement in reverse thrust. Objective reverse thrust of 35 percent of takeoff thrust was reached. Thrust response of less than 1.5 sec was achieved for the approach and the takeoff to reverse thrust transients.
The potential energy of a pair of polystyrene spheres in alternating electric fields

The drastic change in the viscosity of electrorheological (ER) fluids when an external electric field is applied has intrigued scientists from many different fields including engineering, chemistry, and physics for over half a century. It has been generally understood that the microscopic attractive forces between induced dipole moments of the suspended particles have important effects on macroscopic fluid properties. Great effort has been given recently to maximizing the strength of the attractive forces between the particles in ER fluids to achieve practical fluids, and important progress has been made. Many questions, however, need to be investigated further. For example, it has been known that the addition of a small amount of water, that is, the addition of mobile charge carriers to an ER fluid, increases the ER effect, although the exact role that the mobile charges play in strengthening the induced dipole moments of the suspended particles is still not very well understood.1 It has also been shown in recent work on the stress response of ER fluids to transient electric fields that the relaxation process of an ER fluid is more complicated than just a simple fluid-particle dielectric mismatch model, and the surface conductivity of impurities adsorbed on particle surfaces seems to be a contributing factor.2
Is Helicopter Evacuation Effective in Rural Trauma Transport

Helicopter transport for trauma remains controversial because its appropriate utilization and efficacy with regard to improved survival is unproven. The purpose of this study was to assess rural trauma helicopter transport utilization and effect on patient survival. A retrospective chart review over a 2-year period (2007-2008) was performed of all rural helicopter and ground ambulance trauma patient transports to an urban Level I trauma center. Data was collected with regard to patient mortality and Injury Severity Score (ISS). Miles to the Level I trauma center were calculated from the point where helicopter or ground ambulance transport services initiated contact with the patient to the Level I trauma center. During the 2-year period, 1443 rural trauma patients were transported by ground ambulance and 1028 rural trauma patients were transported by helicopter. Of the patients with ISS of 0 to 10, 471 patients were transported by helicopter and 1039 transported by ground. There were 465 (99%) survivors with ISS 0 to 10 transported by helicopter with an average transport distance of 34.6 miles versus 1034 (99.5%) survivors with ISS 0 to 10 who were transported by ground an average of 41.0 miles. Four hundred and twenty-one patients with ISS 11 to 30 were transported by helicopter an average of 33.3 miles with 367 (87%) survivors versus a 95 per cent survival in 352 patients with ISS 11 to 30 who were transported by ground an average of 39.9 miles. One hundred and thirty-six patients with ISS > 30 were transported by helicopter an average of 32.8 miles with 78 (57%) survivors versus a 69 per cent survival in 52 patients with ISS > 30 who were transported by ground an average of 33.0 miles. Helicopter transport does not seem to improve survival in severely injured (ISS > 30) patients. Helicopter transport does not improve survival and is associated with shorter travel distances in less severely injured (ISS Language: en
Biosynthesis of acyl-specific glycerophospholipids in mammalian tissues. Postulation of new pathways.

Abstract A review of the literature concerning the synthesis of acyl-specific glycerophospholipids indicates that the known biosynthetic sequences cannot satisfactorily explain these specific acylations. New de novo and salvage pathways are proposed to account for the acyl composition of highly unsaturated and saturated glycerophospholipids. In these hypothetical pathways, de novo synthesized glycerophosphodiesters are postulated to be key intermediates to establish the specific acyl composition of the resulting glycerophospholipids, and to be integrated with the known cytidine pathways. A re-interpretation of the experimental literature in terms of these postulated pathways is provided, with some methods to test these proposed sequences.
OBSERVATION OF CORRELATIONS IN FINITE, STRONGLY COUPLED ION PLASMAS*

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the experimental confinement geometry and the method of producing low temperature ions. The relatively large spacings between the ions (∼ 20 μm) permit the shells to be directly viewed by imaging the Be+ laser-induced fluorescence onto a photon-counting camera. The chapter discusses diagnostic techniques capable of measuring the ion diffusion. In a study described in the chapter, the ion diffusion at intermediate values of Γ (Γ ∼ 100-200) was qualitatively observed. It was also observed that the diffusion of ions between shells is slow compared to the optical repumping time (∼ 1s) but that the diffusion within a shell, that is, from the axial end of a shell to the ζ = 0 plane, is fast compared to this repumping time. The states with higher couplings—the couplings Γ were not measured—are observed where the diffusion of ions both between and within a shell was slow compared to the optical repumping time.
Pulsed Molecular Beam Study of Ethylene Dimer Photodissociation with a CO 2 Laser

Several properties of van der Waals dimer molecules make them particularly appealing systems in which to study the dynamics of infrared photodissociation [1,2]. Often the van der Waals bond will be so weak that even a single quantum of vibrational excitation in one of the monomer units will be sufficient to dissociate the dimer. After one of the monomers absorbs a photon, the dissociation therefore proceeds from an energetically well-defined state of the system, which lies in the vibrational continuum of the dimer, but which corresponds to a discrete state of the monomer. The rate of unimolecular dissociation is then determined by the rate of intramolecular energy transfer from the monomer mode which is pumped to the much lower frequency van der Waals bond vibration. Furthermore, the total energy available to the monomer fragments is less than one quantum of vibrational excitation in the mode which is pumped. Therefore very few quantum states are available to the dissociation products.
Sodium transport in human intestinal basolateral membrane vesicles.

The current investigation was aimed at characterizing transport pathways for Na+ in basolateral membrane vesicles (BLMV) isolated from organ donor jejunum and ileum. An outward proton gradient [pH inside, 5.5; pH outside, 7.5] led to a 4-5-fold stimulation of transport rates compared with the absence of proton-gradient conditions in both human jejunal and ileal BLMV. Voltage-clamping the vesicles (K+ inside = K+ outside + valinomycin) reduced the uptake of 22Na by 20%, indicating a minor conductive component of Na+ transport. Uptake of 22Na (1 mmol/L) in voltage-clamped BLMV was inhibited 70% by 2 mmol/L amiloride. Li+ and NH4+ inhibited transport of 22Na into voltage-clamped BLMV. Transport of Na+ exhibited saturation kinetics, and the Michaelis constant (Km) and Vmax values for jejunum and ileum were similar [Km, 27 +/- 3 mmol/L (jejunum) and 18 +/- 2 mmol/L (ileum); Vmax, 19 +/- 2 nmol.mg protein-1.min-1 (jejunum) and 16 +/- 1 nmol.mg protein-1.min-1 (ileum)]. Vmax values were < 15% of those reported for brush border membrane, whereas Km values were comparable. The results show that Na+ transport in human jejunal and ileal BLMV occurs via an Na+/H+ exchanger and a minor conductive pathway.
The Stability of Broken Ends of Chromosomes in Zea Mays.

This article constitutes part of McClintock's larger body of work on ring chromosomes in which she found that the chromatid breakage-fusion-bridge (BFB) cycle occurred only in the germ cells and endosperm, while the chromosome BFB continued in the sporophyte, which meant that she could selectively produce persistent variegation in plant tissues.
Learning from Litigation: What Can Lawsuits Teach Us About the Role of Human Gene Patents in Research and Innovation?

In 2007, I published an article entitled "The Impact of Human Gene Patents on Innovation and Access: A Survey of Human Gene Patent Litigation," in which I reported the results of a project to identify and characterize all instances in which a human gene patent was asserted in a lawsuit. For the purposes of this study, I essentially treated any US patent claiming a product or process involving one or more specific human genes as a "human gene patent."In the present article I explore in greater depth some of the implications of the 2007 study, and discuss some general trends and findings not addressed in the earlier article. For example, a number of commentators have assumed that because genes and genetic information constitute such fundamental and foundational elements of human biology, gene patents are inherently more difficult to circumvent than most other patents. However, my study identified numerous instances where gene patents were successfully circumvented, either by employing alternate technology that successfully skirted the scope of the patent claim or by using the patented technology outside the United States and beyond the reach of US patent law.The article analyzes and synthesizes the outcomes of cases in which human gene patents were asserted in the context of biologics, research tools, and genetic diagnostic testing, including litigation outcomes, intensity and duration of litigation, and the roles of technical and geographic circumvention. Trends and predictions for the future role of human gene patents in these areas of technology are also considered.To date, the record of actual human gene patent litigation provides little support for the notion that a "patent thicket" of human gene patents is adversely impacting biomedical progress. For example, according to the patent thicket theory DNA micro-arrays should be a prime target for human gene patent litigation, but in fact micro-arrays have apparently never been the subject of a lawsuit involving a human gene patent. There is also little evidence of patent troll activity by human gene patent owners.The role of universities and other non-profit public institutions in human gene patent litigation is specifically addressed. Although universities are the source of a disproportionate number of the human gene patents have been asserted in lawsuits, particularly in the context of genetic diagnostic testing, they have generally not been the target of lawsuits, particularly with respect to basic noncommercial research,
Silatranes for binding inorganic complexes to metal oxide surfaces

A ruthenium complex containing silatrane functional groups has been synthesized and covalently bound to a conductive metal oxide film composed of nanoparticulate ITO (nanoITO). The silatrane-derived siloxane surface anchors were found to be stable in the examined range of pH 2 to 11 in aqueous phosphate buffer, and the ruthenium complex was found to have stable electrochemical features with repeated electrochemical cycling. The non-coordinating properties of the silatrane group to metals, which facilitates synthesis of silatrane-labeled coordination complexes, together with the facile surface-binding procedure, robustness of the surface linkages, and stability of the electrochemical properties suggest that incorporating silatrane motifs into ligands for inorganic complexes provides superior properties for attachment of catalysts to metal oxide surfaces under aqueous conditions.
Enrollment, Engagement, and Satisfaction in the BlendKit Faculty Development Open, Online Course.

BlendKit is a 5-week course designed by the University of Central Florida in an open, online format specifically for the professional development of higher education faculty and designers preparing to design and teach blended learning courses. The evaluation of this course provides us with interesting and valuable information on the success of using an open approach of a MOOC compared to more traditional, highly structured professional development offerings typically seen in higher education. This article will focus on the lessons learned from the third iteration of this open, online course.
Perioperative subcutaneous emphysema: Review of differential diagnosis, complications, management, and anesthetic implications

Subcutaneous emphysema is not an uncommon anesthetic complication, but it often occurs unexpectedly. It is usually self-limited, but mediastinitis can occur with mortality as high as 50%. A case of subcutaneous emphysema occurring during dental surgery is reported here. The diagnosis, management, complications, and pathogenesis are discussed.
Phase 1/2 trial of BMS-275291 in patients with human immunodeficiency virus-related Kaposi sarcoma: a multicenter trial of the AIDS Malignancy Consortium

BACKGROUND. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are overexpressed in Kaposi sarcoma (KS). The safety and efficacy of a novel, orally bioavailable MMP inhibitor, BMS-275291, was evaluated in patients with human immunodeficiency virus-associated KS and the correlation between changes in the percentage of apoptotic cells in tumor biopsies and response was explored. METHODS. Cohorts of 6 patients were to be treated with BMS-275291. The initial cohort received 1200 mg once a day; subsequent doses were to be escalated to 600 mg twice daily and 1200 mg twice daily, or decreased to 600 mg/day. Tumor biopsies for apoptosis assays were collected pretreatment and on Day 29. Prospectively defined dose level adjustments were to be based on dose-limiting toxicity (DLT), tolerability, changes in the percentage of apoptotic cells, and treatment response. RESULTS. Sixteen patients were enrolled; 15 received the study drug and could be evaluated. The median duration of treatment was 20 weeks (range, 3–54 weeks). A dose of 1200 mg once a day was well tolerated but induced only 1 response. A DLT occurred in 3 patients treated with 600 mg twice daily, and included grade 3 fatigue, grade 3 allergic reaction, and grade 3 arthralgias; 2 responses were noted at this dose level (toxicity was graded according to the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria [version 2.0]). Based on predetermined endpoints, the trial was closed after accrual of 15 treated patients. Assessment of biologic response for dose escalation/de-escalation decisions utilizing the apoptosis assay was not feasible. CONCLUSIONS. BMS-275291 given at a dose of 600 mg twice daily induced unacceptable toxicity. The better-tolerated schedule of 1200 mg once a day demonstrated inadequate efficacy in patients with human immunodeficiency virus-associated KS. The apoptosis assay was not helpful in predicting response. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Orthographic neighborhood size effects in recognition memory

This study argues for the importance of physical word features in recognition memory by investigating the influence of orthographic distinctiveness. Experiment 1 demonstrated a mirror effect in ayes/no recognition test by manipulating orthographic neighborhood size. Words with small neighborhoods showed more hits and fewer false alarms than did words with larger neighborhoods. Experiment 2 replicated the neighborhood size mirror effect using null pairs in a forced choice recognition test. Experiment 3 requiredremember/know judgments in ayes/no recognition task. Experiment 4 used the sameyes/no test as did Experiment 1, adding a study task that drew attention away from orthographic information in the study list. The mirror pattern disappeared with the addition of the study task.
Storage and oxidation of long-chain fatty acids in the C57/BL6 mouse heart as measured by NMR spectroscopy

Triglyceride turnover in the isolated C57/BL6 mouse heart was measured by dynamic 13C edit-(1)H observe NMR and the rate of fatty acid oxidation was determined by 13C NMR isotopomer analysis. In the presence of a physiological mixture of substrates, energy was produced in the citric acid cycle by oxidation of long-chain fatty acids (18%), ketones (34%), lactate (24%), pyruvate (7%), and other sources (17%). Exogenous fatty acids appeared in the triglyceride pool at 0.24 micromol/g dry wt/min, similar to the rate of oxidation of long-chain fatty acids, 0.16 micromol/g dry wt/min. Isoproterenol decreased the rate of de novo triglyceride synthesis and increased the rate of fatty acid oxidation.
The Fornix and Limbic System

The limbic system is predominantly involved in memory and emotional output. Its 2 principle components are the hippocampus (involved in memory as part of the Papez circuit) and the amygdala (involved in emotional responses, memories and drives). The principle clinical manifestations of limbic disease are epilepsy, confusional states, and cognitive impairment. The connections of the limbic system are widespread and are now becoming visible on diffusion tensor imaging. Many different diseases may affect the limbic system. An appreciation of its functional anatomy along with its white matter tract connections improves assessment of infiltrative disease in particular. Small lesions in the Papez circuit may have devastating neuropsychological consequences. An active search strategy based on the knowledge presented in this paper will increase the likelihood of making an accurate diagnosis for patients affected by these conditions.
Performance Evaluation of FRP Bridge Deck Under Shear Loads

Shear behavior of glass fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) bridge deck components has been experimentally and theoretically studied under in-plane shear, out-of-plane shear, punching shear, shear of web—flange junction, and system racking shear. Experimental data revealed that the shear modulus of FRP bridge decks ranged from 2.66 to 4.14 GPa and the shear stress to failure ranged from 20.7 to 96.6 MPa. In-plane shear behavior is studied under V-notched and racking shear test (parallel and perpendicular to cell direction). Experimental results under in-plane shear loading are compared with the results from the classical finite element method. Out-of-plane shear strength and stiffness of an FRP composite deck are experimentally evaluated utilizing test data from the short beam shear test, and the beam bending test. Using experimental and numerical results, the reduction in bending rigidity due to shear deformation under several loading conditions is calculated. In addition, size limits (span to depth ratio) un...
Human Adipose Tissue-Derived Stromal/Stem Cells Promote Migration and Early Metastasis of Triple Negative Breast Cancer Xenografts

Background Fat grafting is used to restore breast defects after surgical resection of breast tumors. Supplementing fat grafts with adipose tissue-derived stromal/stem cells (ASCs) is proposed to improve the regenerative/restorative ability of the graft and retention. However, long term safety for ASC grafting in proximity of residual breast cancer cells is unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of human ASCs derived from abdominal lipoaspirates of three donors, on a human breast cancer model that exhibits early metastasis. Methodology/Principal Findings Human MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells represents “triple negative” breast cancer that exhibits early micrometastasis to multiple mouse organs [1]. Human ASCs were derived from abdominal adipose tissue from three healthy female donors. Indirect co-culture of MDA-MB-231 cells with ASCs, as well as direct co-culture demonstrated that ASCs had no effect on MDA-MB-231 growth. Indirect co-culture, and ASC conditioned medium (CM) stimulated migration of MDA-MB-231 cells. ASC/RFP cells from two donors co-injected with MDA-MB-231/GFP cells exhibited a donor effect for stimulation of primary tumor xenografts. Both ASC donors stimulated metastasis. ASC/RFP cells were viable, and integrated with MDA-MB-231/GFP cells in the tumor. Tumors from the co-injection group of one ASC donor exhibited elevated vimentin, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), IL-8, VEGF and microvessel density. The co-injection group exhibited visible metastases to the lung/liver and enlarged spleen not evident in mice injected with MDA-MB-231/GFP alone. Quantitation of the total area of GFP fluorescence and human chromosome 17 DNA in mouse organs, H&E stained paraffin sections and fluorescent microscopy confirmed multi-focal metastases to lung/liver/spleen in the co-injection group without evidence of ASC/RFP cells. Conclusions Human ASCs derived from abdominal lipoaspirates of two donors stimulated metastasis of MDA-MB-231 breast tumor xenografts to multiple mouse organs. MDA-MB-231 tumors co-injected with ASCs from one donor exhibited partial EMT, expression of MMP-9, and increased angiogenesis.
Socioeconomic status in relation to incident fracture risk in the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation.

Summary We examined baseline and annual follow-up data (through annual follow-up visit 9) from a cohort of 2,234 women aged 42 to 52 years at baseline. Independent of financial status, higher educational level was associated with lower fracture incidence among non-Caucasian women but not among Caucasian women.
Data manipulation and reduction in a 32K environment

Examples of data transformation of EBR binary data and subsequent statistical manipulation are shown using standard Data General software.
Applications of flexible pricing in business-to-business electronic commerce

The increasingly dynamic nature of business-to-business electronic commerce has produced a recent shift away from fixed pricing and toward flexible pricing. Flexible pricing, as defined here, includes both differential pricing, in which different buyers may receive different prices based on expected valuations, and dynamic-pricing mechanisms, such as auctions, where prices and conditions are based on bids by market participants. In this paper we survey ongoing work in flexible pricing in the context of the supply chain, including revenue management, procurement, and supply-chain coordination. We review negotiation mechanisms for procurement, including optimization approaches to the evaluation of complex, multidimensional bids. We also discuss several applications of flexible pricing on the sell side, including pricing strategies for response to requests for quotes, dynamic pricing in a reverse logistics application, and pricing in the emerging area of hosted applications services. We conclude with a discussion of future research directions in this rapidly growing area.
A purified Drosophila homeodomain protein represses transcription in vitro

even-skipped (eve) is a homeodomain-encoding gene that is a genetically defined repressor of Ultrabithorax (Ubx), fushi-tarazu (ftz), and wingless (wg). Here we report that purified eve protein represses transcription in vitro at the Ubx promoter, in a DNA binding site-dependent manner. eve protein represses transcription when bound either upstream or downstream of the RNA start site or when DNA binding sites are in either orientation. We also show that eve represses expression from the Ubx promoter in Drosophila tissue culture cells, again in a binding site-dependent manner. Deletion of eve DNA binding sites does not alter transcription in the absence of eve, and so repression is not likely to be the result of eve competitively inhibiting an activator protein from binding to the same DNA element. Instead, we propose that eve protein is probably interfering with the function of proteins bound at other locations in the promoter. The biochemical demonstration that a Drosophila homeodomain protein can directly regulate RNA synthesis strengthens the view that this class of regulators act as transcription factors to control development.
How to present a paper in theoretical computer science: a speaker's guide for students

There are many points in your career at which you will be called upon to present a paper in Theoretical Computer Science, perhaps a paper written by somebody else in a graduate seminar, or your own research at a conference, departmental colloquium, or job interview. This skill is particularly important if you intend to pursue a career in academia. While research excellence is the main criterion for success as a theoretical computer scientist, your career will be assisted if you gain a reputation as a competent speaker. A competent speaker will more likely be invited to give colloquia at leading universities and invited talks at important conferences than a mediocre one, provided their research is of similar quality. The expected quality of the presentation can be the deciding factor in the selection or rejection of a controversial conference paper in cases where there is no clear consensus from the program committee. The author does not claim to be an expert in oral presentation, but has attended enough bad talks to be able to draw up a few rules of thumb. This note is written primarily for students in Theoretical Computer Science, but most of it is relevant to other sub-disciplines of Computer Science, and some to any scientific discipline. Different styles of presentation work for different people. These guidelines are intended to assist you in developing a workable style of your own. The remainder of this note is divided into four sections. The first, “What to Say and How to Say It”, concentrates on choosing and organizing the material to be presented. The second, “Getting Through to the Audience”, focusses on presentation. The third, “Visual and Aural Aids”, discusses the proper use of overhead projector transparencies and the microphone. The fourth, “Question Time”, is devoted to the period after the talk during which the audience asks questions of the speaker. An earlier version of this note has appeared in [2, 3].
Evaluation of synthetic fabrics as artificial skin grafts to experimental burn wounds

After utilizing the nylon velour Silastic and polypeptide laminates in this experimental pilot study, we can conclude the following: 1 Both nylon velour Silastic and polypeptide laminates are well tolerated in the clean wound and serve as a satisfactory framework into which fibroblastic proliferation can occur resulting in adherence or take. 2 In contaminated wounds, infection resulted in exudation with an accumulation of fluid at the interface of granulation tissue and velour. The exudate, not resorbed and unable to transcend the laminate barrier completely, serves as a nidus of progressive bacterial growth and causes separation and rejection of this synthetic fabric cover. The fluid accumulation appeared more common utilizing the Silastic laminate, while the polypeptide laminate appeared to permit an escape of this exudate to inhibit or delay the separation. 3 The Silastic laminated velour became firm and inflexible, predisposing with motion, to a mechanical type of separation at the margin of fabric and normal skin, possibly a contributing factor in exogeneous infection. This was seen also with the polypeptide laminate, but to a much lesser degree. 4 The nylon velour Silastic laminate as it is presently constructed is not acceptable as a synthetic skin cover for an infected burn wound, while the polypeptide laminated velour appears to possess physical properties which make it suitable for further investigation as an artificial skin substitute.
H-Ras Peptide and Protein Substrates Bind Protein Farnesyltransferase as an Ionized Thiolate†

The zinc metalloenzyme protein farnesyltransferase (FTase) catalyzes the alkylation of a cysteine residue of protein substrates with a 15 carbon farnesyl group. We have developed fluorescence assays to directly measure the affinity of the enzyme for peptide and protein (Ras) substrates. A peptide corresponding to the carboxyl terminus of H-Ras binds to FTase in the microM range (KD = 4 microM) at physiological pH; however, the peptide affinity is enhanced approximately 70-fold in a ternary complex with an enzyme-bound farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) analogue, indicating that the two substrates bind synergistically. The pH dependence of substrate binding was also investigated, and two ionizations were observed: for the ternary complex, the pKa values are 8.1, reflecting ionization of the thiol of the free peptide, and 6.4. The pH dependence of the ligand-metal charge-transfer band in the optical absorption spectra of a Co2+-substituted FTase ternary complex suggests that a metal-coordinated thiol ionizes with a pKa of 6.3. These data indicate that metal coordination of the peptide sulfur with the zinc ion in FTase lowers the pKa of the thiol resulting in formation of a bound thiolate at physiological pH.
Reducing expiry of slow-moving critical medical items with transshipment

Healthcare providers have to keep high availability for critical medical items that are important to save lives, even if these items have low demand rates. However, keeping high availability can result in high expiry of slow-moving medical items because of their finite lifetimes. Lateral transshipment between inventory locations has been reported to reduce expiry of blood products, which are fast-moving. This paper extends lateral transshipment to slow-moving critical items in a medical system to reduce expiry and proposes a decision rule. Transshipment may take place when demand happens at a location or when a unit expires. The proposed decision rule takes the myopic-best action at each decision epoch by assuming no transshipments in the future. The rule is iteratively applied at all decision epochs to realize long-term savings. Simulation results demonstrate significant cost savings by the lateral transshipment based on the proposed decision rule. The decision rule works well compared to the upper-bound...
A successful graduate cloud computing class with hands-on labs

Modern web-based services increasingly have a cloud-based component, which only in recent years has been studied in an academic manner. Many cloud-computing courses focus on fundamental concepts that, while universal to cloud computing understanding, may not provide students with enough background to actually deploy an application to the cloud. To that end we present a cloud computing class that through the use of labs, presentations, and research projects, integrates practical hands-on experiences with academic research. The labs not only deploy to multiple public cloud environments, but also walk students through the process of creating, configuring, and maintaining their own private clouds. We maintain that this juxtaposition of practice and theory leads to not only better learning outcomes in the classroom in the form of refereed publications and further study, but also leads to practical skills which better prepare students for joining the workforce.
Mineralization of N from plant residues and its interaction with native soil N

Abstract A laboratory incubation experiment was conducted to compare the mineralization of N from 15N-labelled soybean (Glycine max L.) tops, vetch (Vicia villosa Roth.) tops and corn (Zea mays L.) stover in six Mollisols from Illinois, and to study the interaction of the applied residue N with the native soil N. From 13 to 41% of the applied N was mineralized during the 4-week incubation (25°C), the proportions decreasing in the order, vetch > corn > soybean, in accordance with their total N content. Mineralization of N from soybean and corn was most rapid in the soil having the highest content of mineral and potentially mineralizable N, whereas mineralization of N from vetch was slowest in this soil. Higher values for the amount of N mineralized were obtained by the difference method than by the isotopic method. However, the values were highly correlated ( r = 0.92∗∗ ), which suggests that the difference method is a satisfactory alternative to the isotopic method in assessing the mineralization of N from applied organic materials. The three plant materials had different effects on the mineralization of soil N, resulting in either a positive or negative added nitrogen interaction (ANI). Negative ANIs were more common with soybean and corn than with vetch, and were attributed to greater immobilization of native mineral N during early stages of decomposition, and to enhanced denitrification of native NO−3 following organic amendment.
Photosensitizer delivery for photodynamic therapy of choroidal neovascularization.

Abstract The present review examines the importance of improving photosensitizer delivery for choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in light of the clinical impact of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for CNV. An overview of the classes of available photosensitizers is provided and the properties governing photosensitizer uptake and circulation in serum are discussed. Current delivery systems, for example liposomal formulations as well as the use of the promising strategy of antibody targeted delivery as a strategy to improve PDT selectivity and efficiency for CNV treatment are described. A summary of the work using Verteporfin, tin ethyl purpurin and Lu-Tex — photosensitizers currently in clinical trials for CNV — is given.
The Saccharomyces cerevisiae prenylcysteine carboxyl methyltransferase Ste14p is in the endoplasmic reticulum membrane.

Eukaryotic proteins containing a C-terminal CAAX motif undergo a series of posttranslational CAAX-processing events that include isoprenylation, C-terminal proteolytic cleavage, and carboxyl methylation. We demonstrated previously that the STE14 gene product of Saccharomyces cerevisiae mediates the carboxyl methylation step of CAAX processing in yeast. In this study, we have investigated the subcellular localization of Ste14p, a predicted membrane-spanning protein, using a polyclonal antibody generated against the C terminus of Ste14p and an in vitro methyltransferase assay. We demonstrate by immunofluorescence and subcellular fractionation that Ste14p and its associated activity are localized to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane of yeast. In addition, other studies from our laboratory have shown that the CAAX proteases are also ER membrane proteins. Together these results indicate that the intracellular site of CAAX protein processing is the ER membrane, presumably on its cytosolic face. Interestingly, the insertion of a hemagglutinin epitope tag at the N terminus, at the C terminus, or at an internal site disrupts the ER localization of Ste14p and results in its mislocalization, apparently to the Golgi. We have also expressed the Ste14p homologue from Schizosaccharomyces pombe, mam4p, in S. cerevisiae and have shown that mam4p complements a Δste14 mutant. This finding, plus additional recent examples of cross-species complementation, indicates that the CAAX methyltransferase family consists of functional homologues.
Indications for Surgery in Clinical Outcome Studies of Rotator Cuff Repair

Full-thickness tears of the rotator cuff are common, but there is no clear consensus regarding indications for rotator cuff surgery. Because some patients with full-thickness rotator cuff tears who are asymptomatic or symptomatic can be successfully treated nonoperatively, clinical outcome studies of rotator cuff repair should describe the subjects in detail to allow appropriate interpretation of the results. However, we hypothesized the indications for surgery are poorly described in outcome studies of rotator cuff surgery. We undertook a detailed literature review over 11 years of six major orthopaedic journals to assess whether the indications for surgery were described adequately in studies of rotator cuff repair. Eighty-six papers fit the criteria for the study and were reviewed. Limitations of activities of daily living (31%), failure of nonoperative treatment (52%), duration of nonoperative treatment (26%), and history of nocturnal pain (16%) were reported in a minority of papers overall. The patients’ characteristics and indications for surgery were not described in a majority of clinical outcome studies of rotator cuff repair. It is important for these factors to be considered and reported because, without this information, the reasons for and results of rotator cuff repair are difficult to interpret. Level of Evidence: Level III, prognostic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
A new 2D-TLC bioautography method for the discovery of novel antifungal agents to control plant pathogens

A new bioassay has been developed combining the simplicity of direct bioautography with the improved chromatographic resolution of 2D-TLC. Mixtures of structurally diverse antifungal agents were tested to establish the validity and utility of this method in the discovery of new natural products with activity against agriculturally important fungal pathogens.
On multisensor image fusion performance limits from an estimation theory perspective

Image fusion algorithms attempt to produce a single fused image that is more informative than any of the multiple source images used to produce the fused image. Analytical studies of image fusion performance have been lacking. Such studies can augment existing experimental studies by addressing some aspects that are difficult to study using experimental methods. Here, an estimation theory approach is employed using a mathematical model based on the observation that each different sensor can provide a different quality when viewing a given object in the scene. One sensor may be better for viewing one object and a different sensor may be better for viewing a different object. The model also acknowledges that distortion and noise will enter into the sensor observations. This model allows us to employ known estimation theory techniques to find the best possible fusion performance, measured in terms of the standard estimation theory measure of performance. This performance measure has not yet received attention in the image fusion community. Some interesting results include the demonstration that a particular weighted averaging approach is shown to yield optimum estimation performance for the model we focus on. It is also shown that it is important to employ a priori information that describes which sensor is able to provide a good view of the important objects in the scene. The essential aspects of some frequently employed fusion approaches are studied and the capabilities of these approaches are analyzed and compared to the best fusion algorithms. We hope this study will encourage further analytical studies of image fusion.
Sensitivity and specificity of averaged electrode voltage measures in cochlear implant recipients.

Objective The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of averaged electrode voltages (AEVs) for identifying malfunctioning electrodes in cochlear implant users. Design AEVs were measured using common ground (N = 33 ears) and monopolar stimulation modes (N = 40 ears) in adult subjects implanted with the Nucleus 24M or Nucleus 24R(CS) cochlear implant. AEV measures were then compared with common ground electrode impedance measures as well as to subjective judgments of electrode sound quality to determine the sensitivity and specificity of AEVs. Results Results showed excellent specificity for both modes of AEV testing: 97.9% for common ground and 99.8% for monopolar. Sensitivity for common ground AEV testing was 91.7%; however the sensitivity of monopolar AEVs was very poor, at 7.7%. Monopolar AEVs accurately identified open circuits but missed all short circuits. These results are consistent with the sensitivity of impedance measures made with each of the two stimulation modes. Conclusions Common ground AEVs are more reliable than monopolar AEVs for identifying malfunctioning electrodes.
Increased receptor sensitivity to neuropeptide Y in the hypothalamus may underlie transient hyperphagia and body weight gain.

Disruption of neural signaling by microinjection of a neurotoxin, colchicine (COL), in the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) of rats results in rapid and transient hyperphagia and body weight gain. Since neuropeptide Y (NPY) is a potent hypothalamic orexigenic signal and continuous NPY receptor activation by intracerebroventricular (icv) NPY infusion results in hyperphagia and obesity, we tested the hypothesis that altered NPYergic signaling may underlie the transient hyperphagia in COL-injected rats. Immediately following COL (4 μg) microinjections in the ventromedial nucleus (VMN) rats displayed hyperphagia both during the lights-on and lights-off periods. Concomitant with hyperphagia, preproNPY mRNA levels in the arcuate nucleus and NPY levels in the paraventricular nucleus decreased in a time-dependent manner. However, food intake in response to intracerebroventricular injections of NPY (29, 117 and 470 pmole) was significantly higher in COL-injected rats and the latency to initiation of feeding was markedly reduced as compared to controls. The smallest dose of NPY which was virtually ineffective in control rats, evoked near maximal intake in COL-injected rats. This enhanced response lasted for only 4 days paralleling the transient hyperphagia. The NPY Y1 receptor antagonist 1229U91 (5 or 30 μg/rat, icv) significantly suppressed feeding in COL-treated rats thereby indicating that hyperphagia in these rats was dependent upon endogenous NPY. Overall, these studies demonstrate that not only high levels, but low levels of NPY may also result in hyperphagia and increased body weight and this hyperphagia may be attributed to the rapid development of NPY Y1 receptor hypersensitivity.