cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Translocation of a β-peptide across cell membranes

Short cationic peptides derived from DNA-binding proteins, of which HIV Tat is a prototype, can cross the membranes of living cells, and they can bring covalently attached moieties (proteins, drugs) along with them. We show that a beta-amino acid analogue of Tat 47-57 enters HeLa cells with comparable efficiency to Tat 47-57 itself (YGRKKRRQRRR). The beta-peptide is comprised of residues that bear the appropriate side chain at the beta-carbon. Both the alpha- and the beta-peptide were conjugated to fluorescein at the N terminus, and cell penetration was monitored by confocal fluorescence microscopy. Deletion of the three C-terminal arginine residues from the alpha-peptide abolished translocation activity, consistent with prior reports, and deletion of the three C-terminal beta3-homoarginine residues from the beta-peptide had a similarly adverse effect. Thus, alpha- and beta-peptide translocation processes show similar length/charge dependence. The beta-peptide appeared to be largely unfolded in water, which is consistent with the behavior of short Tat-derived alpha-peptides, but in methanol the beta-peptide adopted a helical conformation, in contrast to short Tat-derived alpha-peptides. Our results show that neither altering the oligomeric backbone (amide group spacing) nor increasing the intrinsic propensity to adopt a specific secondary structure affects translocation activity.
Simplified estimation of parameters in a cauchy distribution

Summary Simplified estimators of the location and scale parameters of a Cauchy distribution are constructed along the lines developed by Dixon [3, 4]. Symmetrically censored samples are considered. The efficiency of these estimators is shown to be high enough to make them useful in practice.
Antagonists of the luteinizing hormone releasing hormone with pyridyl-alanines which completely inhibit ovulation at nanogram dosage.

Abstract [N-Ac-D-2-Nal 1 ,pCl-D-Phe 2 ,D-3-Pal 3 ,D-Arg 6 ,D-Ala 10 ]-LHRH caused 100% and 57% inhibition of ovulation in rats, s.c., at 500 and 250 ng, respectively, and 56%, per os at 500 μg. [N-Ac-3,4-diCl-D-Phe 1 ,pCl-D-Phe 2 ,D-3-Pal 3 ,D-Arg 6 ,D-Ala 10 ]-LHRH inhibited ovulation, s.c., 82% at 500 ng, and 63%, per os at 500 μg. These analogs are the most effective reported inhibitors of ovulation. The new introduction of pyridyl-alanines can be superior substituents. For pairs of analogs, relationships are: D-3-Pal (β-(3-pyridyl)-D-α-alanine) in position 3 is superior to D-Trp 3 , D-2-Pal 3 and D-4-Pal 3 . D-Arg 6 was superior to D-3-Pal 6 and D-4-Pal 6 was superior by 2-fold to D-Arg 6 . D-Ala 10 was superior to Gly 10 and D-Abu 10 .
Effect of dichloroacetate and glucagon on the incorporation of labeled substrates into glucose and on pyruvate dehydrogenase in hepatocytes from fed and starved rats.

Abstract Dichloroacetate (2 m m ) stimulated the conversion of [1- 14 C]lactate to glucose in hepatocytes from fed rats. In hepatocytes from rats starved for 24 h, where the mitochondrial NADH NAD + ratio is elevated, dichloroacetate inhibited the conversion of [1- 14 C]lactate to glucose. Dichloroacetate stimulated 14 CO 2 production from [1- 14 C]lactate in both cases. It also completely activated pyruvate dehydrogenase and increased flux through the enzyme. The addition of β-hydroxybutyrate, which elevates the intramitochondrial NADH NAD + ratio, changed the metabolism of [1- 14 C]lactate in hepatocytes from fed rats to a pattern similar to that seen in hepatocytes from starved rats. Thus, the effect of dichloroacetate on labeled glucose synthesis from lactate appears to depend on the mitochondrial oxidation-reduction state of the hepatocytes. Glucagon (10 n m ) stimulated labeled glucose synthesis from lactate or alanine in hepatocytes from both fed and starved rats and in the absence or presence of dichloroacetate. The hormone had no effect on pyruvate dehydrogenase activity whether or not the enzyme had been activated by dichloroacetate. Thus, it appears that pyruvate dehydrogenase is not involved in the hormonal regulation of gluconeogenesis. Glucagon inhibited the incorporation of 10 m m [1- 14 C]pyruvate into glucose in hepatocytes from starved rats. This inhibition has been attributed to an inhibition of pyruvate dehydrogenase by the hormone (Zahlten et al. , 1973, Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA 70 , 3213–3218). However, dichloroacetate did not prevent the inhibition of glucose synthesis. Nor did glucagon alter the activity of pyruvate dehydrogenase in homogenates of cells that had been incubated with 10 m m pyruvate in the absence or presence of dichloroacetate. Thus, the inhibition by glucagon of pyruvate gluconeogenesis does not appear to be due to an inhibition of pyruvate dehydrogenase.
Tony soprano as postmodern gangster: Controlling identities and managing self‐disclosure

Mafia lore and the personalities of organized crime figures, both real and fictional, have long fascinated American popular culture. Through an examination of the suburban world of mass‐media gangster Tony Soprano of the HBO series The Sopranos, this paper applies Erving Goffman's theories of self‐presentation and impression management to examine the contradictions of human behavior.
Phonological development of two-year-old monolingual Puerto Rican Spanish-speaking children.

Phonetic and phonological analyses were performed on spontaneous speech samples of six 2–year–old monolingual Puerto Rican Spanish-learning children. The analyses showed a number of patterns of sound usage similar to those found in English-learning children of the same age, as well as children from other linguistic backgrounds. These findings add support to the claim that certain universal patterns exist in phonological development. However, a number of patterns were also observed which seemed to be accounted for by the target language being acquired. Similarities and differences among the individual children are also discussed.
Normal Parameter Reduction in Soft Set Based on Harmony Search Algorithm

The normal parameter reduction in soft set is difficult to application in data mining because of great calculation quantity. In this paper, the intelligent optimization algorithm, the harmony search algorithm, is applied to solve the problem. The normal parameter reduction model is constructed and the harmony search algorithm is designed. Experience has shown that the method is feasible and fast..
Enhancing Secure Web Mashups Development in Enterprise Environments

Mashups are web applications that combine content from different sources in a new way, generating valuable information, useful new applications or services. As more and more enterprises are engaged in mashup initiatives, developing secure mashup applications becomes necessary to ensure that enterprises can receive the maximum benefits from their mashup applications and reduce potential security breaches or attacks. In this paper, we propose a framework that uses a case library and worked examples to develop training resources for secure web mashup development in the enterprise environment.
Private Sector Response to Improving Oral Health Care Access

Despite vast improvements in the oral health status of the United States population over the past 50 years, disparities in oral health status continue, with certain segments of the population carrying a disproportionate disease burden. This article attempts to describe the problem, discuss various frameworks for action, illustrate some solutions developed by the private sector, and present a vision for collaborative action to improve the health of the nation. No one sector of the health care system can resolve the problem. The private sector, the public sector, and the not-for-profit community must collaborate to improve the oral health of the nation.
A nonparametric analysis of employment density in a polycentric city

Nonparametric estimation procedures offer distinct advantages in modeling polycentric cities because they are flexible enough to account for functional form misspecification and incorrect subcenter sites. This paper presents locally weighted (LW) regression estimates of employment density in suburban Chicago. LW regression estimates are more accurate than OLS regression and capture the effects of missing variables. The results demonstrate that Chicago is indeed a polycentric city: although the traditional city center continues to affect employment density patterns in the suburbs, local peaks have developed around secondary employment centers.
Computer simulations of absorption and scattering

This paper discusses computer simulation of absorption and scattering of laser light, under conditions relevant to laboratory achievement of thermonuclear fusion by laser-driven inertial-confinement methods. We enumerate the principal absorption and scattering processes and their requirements for accurate mathematical modelling. The principal tool, so-called particle-in-cell simulation, tracks particles through electromagnetic fields calculated self-consistently from the charge and current densities of the particles themselves, external sources, and boundaries. Many references are given. Special attention is given to two-plasmon decay.
Inelastic Effects in Stripping and Other Direct Reactions.

Abstract The distorted-wave theory of direct nuclear reactions, such as deuteron stripping, is generalized to include in the distorted waves the effects of the strong inelastic scattering which may be present when the nuclei show collective behaviour. The possible changes in parity and angular momentum selection rules are discussed in detail. Formulae are given for the general case, and also for a simple model in which only one level of the target nucleus (assumed even) can be excited.
Salvage radioembolization of liver-dominant metastases with a resin-based microsphere: initial outcomes.

Purpose The use of radioembolization of hepatic metastases with yttrium-90 ( 90 Y) microspheres is increasing. The present report describes the outcomes in a cohort of patients with metastatic liver tumors treated with a resin-based microsphere agent. Materials and Methods Thirty patients with colon ( n = 13), breast ( n = 7), and other primary cancers ( n = 10) were treated after the failure of first- and second-line therapy. Overall survival (OS), time to progression (TTP), and time to treatment failure (TTTF) were calculated from the first treatment. Response was measured according to Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors at interval follow-up imaging. Results Thirty patients underwent 56 infusions of 90 Y, and 18 remained alive at the end of the study. Fourteen patients (47%) had a partial response or stable disease. OS (604 vs 251 days), TTP (223 vs 87 days), and TTTF (363 vs 87 days) were all significantly longer for patients who had a partial response or stable disease ( P Conclusions 90 Y microsphere therapy produced promising survival rates compared with systemic salvage options, with minimal toxicity.
Hypoxic preconditioning results in increased motility and improved therapeutic potential of human mesenchymal stem cells.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are adult multipotent cells found in bone marrow, adipose tissue, and other adult tissues. MSC have been shown to improve regeneration of injured tissues in vivo, but the mechanisms remain unclear. Typically, MSC are cultured under ambient, or normoxic, conditions (21% oxygen). However, the physiological niches for MSC in the bone marrow and other sites have much lower oxygen tension. When used as a therapeutic tool to repair tissue injuries, MSC cultured in standard conditions must adapt from 21% oxygen in culture to less than 1% oxygen in the ischemic tissue. We therefore examined the effects of preculturing human bone marrow-derived MSC in hypoxic conditions (1%–3% oxygen) to elucidate the best conditions that enhance their tissue regenerative potential. We demonstrated that MSC cultured in hypoxia activate the Akt signaling pathway while maintaining their viability and cell cycle rates. We also showed that MSC cultured in hypoxia induced expression of cMet, the major receptor for hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and enhanced cMet signaling. MSC cultured in hypoxic conditions increased their migration rates. Since migration and HGF responsiveness are thought to be key mediators of MSC recruitment and/or activation in vivo, we next examined the tissue regenerative potential of MSC cultured under hypoxic conditions, using a murine hind limb ischemia model. We showed that local expression of HGF is increased in ischemic muscle in this model. Intra-arterial injection of MSC cultured in either normoxic or hypoxic conditions 24 hours after surgical induction of hind limb ischemia enhanced revascularization compared with saline controls. However, restoration of blood flow was observed significantly earlier in mice that had been injected with hypoxic preconditioned MSC. Collectively, these data suggest that preculturing MSC under hypoxic conditions prior to transplantation improves their tissue regenerative potential.
Accelerating Trophic-level Dysfunction in Kelp Forest Ecosystems of the Western North Atlantic

We use archaeological, historical, ecological, and fisheries data to identify three distinct and sequential phases in the trophic structure of kelp forests in the western North Atlantic’s Gulf of Maine. Phase 1 is characterized by vertebrate apex predators such as Atlantic cod, haddock, and wolffish and persisted for more than 4,000 years. Phase 2 is characterized by herbivorous sea urchins and lasted from the 1970s to the 1990s. Phase 3 is dominated by invertebrate predators such as large crabs and has developed since 1995. Each phase change resulted directly or indirectly from fisheries-induced “trophic-level dysfunction,” in which populations of functionally important species at higher trophic levels fell below the densities necessary to limit prey populations at lower trophic levels. By using fractional trophic-level analysis, we found that phase changes occurred rapidly (over a few years to a few decades) as well as relatively recently (over the past half-century). Interphase durations have declined as fishing effects have accelerated in recent years. The naturally low species diversity of the kelp forest ecosystem we studied may facilitate rapid changes because the redundancy within each trophic level is low. If the biodiversity within controlling trophic levels is a buffer against trophic-level dysfunction, then our observations from Maine may be predictive of the fate of other, more diverse systems. If fishing successively targets most, or all, strong interactors at higher trophic levels, then as those population densities decline, the potential for trophic-level dysfunction and associated instabilities will increase.
Phases of oceanographic work originating at the city of Washington and in the Southern states, 1925–1926

In reviewing the oceanographic activities of organizations in Washington City and in the Southern States, one is concerned chiefly with certain government bureaus that maintain fleets, the Smithsonian Institution (also a Federal organization), the Dry Tortugas Laboratory and the Department of Terrestrial Magnetism, both of the Carnegie Institution of Washington. As detail is beyond the scope of this report, mere cursory mention of the work or publications will be attempted. The actual field work in many cases has already been, or will be, discussed by other papers in the symposium, although the origin may have been in Washington, where also the results are published.
Combination weights for diffusion strategies with imperfect information exchange

Adaptive networks rely on in-network and collaborative processing among distributed agents to deliver enhanced performance in estimation and inference tasks. Information is exchanged among the nodes, usually over noisy links. This paper first investigates the mean-square performance of adaptive diffusion algorithms in the presence of various sources of imperfect information exchanges and quantization errors. Among other results, the analysis reveals that link noise over the regression data modifies the dynamics of the network evolution, and leads to biased estimates in steady-state. The analysis also reveals how the network mean-square performance is dependent on the combination weight matrices. We use these observations to show how the combination weights can be optimized and adapted. Simulation results illustrate the theoretical findings and match well with theory.
Some bounds for the deviation and interpolation points in Chebyshev approximation

Some bounds are given for the deviation and interpolation points of a functionf based on bounds forf (n+2)/f (n+1). These bounds are in terms of the deviation and interpolation points ofe vx , ?1 ?x ? 1, wherev is a parameter. The behavior of these points asv ? ? is also discussed.
Mathematical modeling of scroll compressors. Part I: compression process modeling

This paper presents a detailed model for the compression process of a scroll compressor, which is used for investigating a compressor's performance under different operating conditions and subject to design changes. Upon defining the compressor chambers as suction chambers, compression chambers and discharge chambers, a geometry study was conducted and the governing mass and energy conservation equations were developed for each chamber. Models for the refrigerant flow in the suction and discharge processes, radial and flank leakage, and heat transfer between the gas and scroll wraps were combined with the conservation equations. The state of the refrigerant changes with a period of angle 2π, and thousands of step are used to solve the governing differential equations during each period. It is assumed that in each step the compressor is in steady state. Since the differential equations for the different chambers are coupled, all these equations are solved simultaneously using a nonlinear equation solver. A description of the corresponding computer code and some results are included in this paper. Verification of the compression process model can be referred to that of the overall model, which is described in Chen et al. [Chen Y, Halm N, Braun J, Groll E. Mathematical modeling of scroll compressors—part II: overall scroll compressor modeling. International Journal of Refrigeration 2002;25(6):751–764.].
Crystal structure of the thiamin diphosphate-dependent enzyme pyruvate decarboxylase from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae at 2.3 A resolution.

Abstract The crystal structure of pyruvate decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.1), a thiamin diphosphate-dependent enzyme isolated fromSaccharomyces cerevisiae, has been determined and refined to a resolution of 2.3 A. Pyruvate decarboxylase is a homotetrameric enzyme which crystallizes with two subunits in an asymmetric unit. The structure has been refined by a combination of simulated annealing and restrained least squares to anRfactor of 0.165 for 46,787 reflections. As in the corresponding enzyme fromSaccharomyces uvarum, the homotetrameric holoenzyme assembly has approximate 222 symmetry. In addition to providing more accurate atomic parameters and certainty in the sequence assignments, the high resolution and extensive refinement resulted in the identification of several tightly bound water molecules in key structural positions. These water molecules have low temperature factors and make several hydrogen bonds with protein residues. There are six such water molecules in each cofactor binding site, and one of them is involved in coordination with the required magnesium ion. Another may be involved in the catalytic reaction mechanism. The refined model includes 1074 amino acid residues (two subunits), two thiamin diphosphate cofactors, two magnesium ions associated with cofactor binding and 440 water molecules. From the refined model we conclude that the resting state of the enzyme-cofactor complex is such that the cofactor is already deprotonated at the N4′ position of the pyrimidine ring, and is poised to accept a proton from the C2 position of the thiazolium ring.
Strengthening weak-value amplification with recycled photons

We consider the use of cyclic weak measurements to improve the sensitivity of weak-value amplification precision measurement schemes. Previous weak-value experiments have used only a small fraction of events, while discarding the rest through the process of ``postselection.'' We extend this idea by considering recycling of events which are typically unused in a weak measurement. Here we treat a sequence of polarized laser pulses effectively trapped inside an interferometer using a Pockels cell and polarization optics. In principle, all photons can be postselected, which will improve the measurement sensitivity. We first provide a qualitative argument for the expected improvements from recycling photons, followed by the exact result for the recycling of collimated beam pulses, and numerical calculations for diverging beams. We show that beam degradation effects can be mitigated via profile flipping or Zeno reshaping. The main advantage of such a recycling scheme is an effective power increase, while maintaining an amplified deflection.
Misaligned maps lead to predictable errors.

Three experiments were conducted to investigate the ability of subjects to make judgments of direction when using misaligned maps. Two hypotheses were proposed: (i) errors would fall into two lawful categories—mirror-image errors and alignment errors; (ii) the effect of map orientation would generalize to a different mode of responding than has been used in previous studies. Support for both hypotheses was obtained. The results are discussed in terms of the mental processes used to align maps to spaces, and the task demands required by different response modes.
SU-FF-T-149: Development and Validation of An MCNPX Monte Carlo IMRT Source Model with Optimized Radiotherapy Interface and Comparative Analysis Software

Purpose:Dosimetric accuracy is essential for successful radiotherapy and paramount to the medical physicist. In an effort to implement the most advanced dose deposition algorithm available, an MCNP‐based Monte CarloIMRTsourcemodel of a Novalis LINAC with mMLC has been developed and benchmarked. Concurrently, accompanying software has also been developed to facilitate and optimize CT‐based Monte Carlo simulations and subsequent comparative analysis against various measurement types and calculations. Method and Materials: A Monte Carlosourcemodel has been developed and thoroughly benchmarked in accordance with guidelines of AAPM Task Group 53 as well as Medical Physics Monograph No. 32. To that end, extensive water phantom/ion chamber measurements as well as axial and coronal film measurements were acquired to adjust and confirm the MCNP sourcemodel. In order to better tune the sourcemodel as well as visualize datasets and provide comparative Gamma analysis against TPS calculations and various measurements, a comparative software suite has been fully developed and refined. Additionally, an input file preparation Graphic User Interface (GUI) has been created in order to provide efficient, optimized, and accurate CT‐Based simulations. These simulations are optimized by greatly reducing the number of extraneous voxels present in the input file lattice while preserving patient representation. Results: The Monte Carlosourcemodel been refined to provide simulation results that agree with measurements on the order of a well‐commissioned Treatment Planning System. The input file preparation software allows for greatly optimized patient‐based simulations that decrease simulation times over 60% while preserving dosimetric resolution. The comparative analysissoftware provides genuinely useful visualization and analysis of multiple datasets. Conclusion: This Monte CarloIMRTsourcemodel, combined with the radiotherapy interface and post‐processing comparative software, provides a powerful series of tools for clinical and dosimetric investigations.
A ferromagnetic-antiferromagnetic model for copper-manganese and related alloys

Abstract The microscopically inhomogeneous magnetic structure conceived for CuMn, AgMn and other related alloys at very low temperatures is simulated by a simple model in which the magnetic unit is a small ensemble of mutually-interacting ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic domains. In the ground state of the hypothetical system each domain-ensemble has zero net magnetization, but when the system is cooled in a magnetic field some of its domain-ensembles are forced into a different state (with a non-zero magnetization) which is stabilized by the growth of a strong anisotropy ( k A ) in the antiferromagnetic domains. In this field-cooled state, the magnetic hysteresis loops of the system are displaced asymmetrically from the origin, and its torque curves even at very high fields indicate a single easy direction of magnetization. These and related properties and their variation with field applied during cooling and with temperature, as predicted by the model, are in excellent qualitative agreement with the field-cooled behavior of CuMn, AgMn and other alloys. According to this model, the temperature of maximum susceptibility for each of these alloys is to be interpreted not as a Neel temperature but as simply the point at which the anisotropy k A disappears; the alloy does not become paramagnetic until a significantly higher temperature ( T c ) is reached. It is predicted that at T c there will be a kink in the inverse susceptibility vs. temperature curve, and this has been observed experimentally in various Cu-Mn and Ag-Mn alloys. Also consistent with this prediction is the electrical resistivity anomaly (of a type suggestive of a magnetic transition) found at this higher temperature ( T c ) in each of these materials.
Analysis of insoluble carbonaceous materials from airborne particles collected in pristine regions of Colorado

Abstract Atmospheric particulate samples collected from remote mountainous locations in Colorado were extracted in sequence with methanol, methylene chloride, acetone and hexane. The resulting insoluble material was investigated using pyrolysis-mass spectrometry (Py-MS) and accelerator mass spectrometric 14 C analysis. The pyrolysis produced a complex mixture of aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons. The aliphatic hydrocarbons were postulated as being derived from vegetation. The 14 C analysis and the GC/MS results suggested that the aromatics occurred from combustion of living materials and also from long-range transport of industrial pollution. Appropriate samples from power plants and controlled forest fires were used to substantiate the conclusions.
Clinicopathological characterization of an HIV-2-infected individual with two clonally unrelated primary lymphomas.

Human immunodeficiency virus 2 (HIV-2) is endemic in West Africa and is a causative agent of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Only a small number of HIV-2-infected patients have been described in detail. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is the second most common neoplasm occurring in HIV-1-infected patients, but its incidence seems to be lower in HIV-2-infected individuals. We report an HIV-2-infected patient from Cape Verde (West Africa) with separate and distinct systemic and primary central nervous system large B-cell lymphomas and review the findings of cases of HIV-2-associated lymphomas reported in the literature. Different clonal rearrangements of the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene could be detected in the two lymphomas of our patient by polymerase chain reaction and sequence analysis. These data indicate the presence of two clonally unrelated large B-cell lymphomas in the same patient, which is an unusual finding. Neither Epstein-Barr virus nor human herpesvirus 8 could be detected in the tumor tissues or the cerebrospinal fluid. HIV-2 infection should be considered in patients with NHL, especially in those from West Africa.
Boundary Work in Inclusive Religious Groups: Constructing Identity at the New York Catholic Worker

Many religious groups use symbolic boundary work to construct distinctive collective identity. While boundary drawing may be unproblematic for some, it can create conflict for "inclusive" groups. How do inclusive groups construct and solidify identity and commitment? If they use boundary work, how do they manage the conflict between exclusive "othering" and inclusiveness? I show that while members of the inclusive New York Catholic Worker use boundary work to construct distinctive identity, their boundary work takes place largely on an abstract level while they practice inclusion of the "other" in their concrete interactions. Building on Martin Buber's insights regarding the transforma- tive power of "I-Thou" encounters, I argue that concrete practices of inclusion outweigh boundary drawing in inclusive groups like the Catholic Worker. Group ideologies that encourage practices that cultivate openness to I-Thou relations, such as Catholic Worker personalism, therefore provide an advantage in balancing inclusive identity with boundary work.
Does Religion Influence Fertility in Developing Countries

This paper examines religious group differences in fertility in developing nations. Using data from the Demographic and Health Surveys of 30 countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America, this paper documents Muslim/Christian and Catholic/Protestant differences in the number of children under age 5. The paper also considers possible explanations for these differences including level of development, religious mix, social characteristics and proximate determinants of fertility. Muslim fertility is substantially higher than Christian fertility in many countries, but the average difference between Catholics and Protestants is small. Cross-national variation in group differences is at least as large as the average difference. Although level of development, social characteristics and proximate determinants play an important role in religious differences, they do not explain cross-national variation in these differences.
AMP-activated protein kinase inhibits vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration and vascular remodeling following injury.

Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) activation promotes a synthetic phenotype that underlies many vessel growth disorders. In this regard it has been suggested that the metabolic sensor adenosine 5′-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) has significant antigrowth and antimetastatic properties and may serve as a viable therapeutic target. In the current study we hypothesized that AMPK reduces neointima formation following balloon injury and that this occurs through reduction in VSMC proliferation and migration. Data reveal that local or systemic dosing with the AMPK agonist 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-β-d-ribofuranoside (AICAR) significantly increased AMPK activity in vivo and inhibited neointima formation in rat carotid arteries 2 wk after injury. In primary VSMCs, AICAR inhibited migration and induced cytostatic growth arrest through increased protein phosphatase 2A-mediated inhibition of mitosis-promoting cyclin B. AICAR also significantly enhanced AMPK-specific T278 phosphorylation of the actin anticapping vasodilator-activated serum phosphoprotein, increased G- to F-actin ratios and stress fiber formation, and abrogated PDGF-stimulated S397 autophosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase, promigratory cytoplasmic accumulation of paxillin, and extracellular matrix proteolysis by matrix metalloproteinase-9. Together, these results provide compelling evidence that AMPK serves to inhibit vascular smooth muscle migration and proliferation through regulation of cytoskeletal/focal adhesion/ECM stability, increasing our knowledge of this important metabolic regulator and providing support for its continued investigation in the treatment of vascular growth disorders.
Macro block based FPGA floorplanning

This paper describes the floorplanning for FPGA based designs. In order to perform placement for very large designs, the currently followed approach of placing flat netlists is extremely time consuming. Also, managing large data sets, as in flat netlist files, is not trivial for performance driven designs. In this paper we describe an approach for the constraint-based FPGA floorplanning of flexible and fixed macro blocks. Our approach is to construct a floorplan of small area that respects the input constraint set. The input constraint set is derived from topological placement of the macro blocks based on both FPGA architectural constraints and ASIC design. Experimental results on FPGA floorplanning are also presented for large benchmark examples.
Attribution of Responsibility for Organizational Wrongdoing: A Partial Test of an Integrated Model

The present study is an exploratory examination of the influence of social and organizational features on respondents’ attributions of responsibility for wrongdoing within an organization. Respondents read a vignette of organizational wrongdoing that included the manipulation of social features, such as whether the organizational actor was following orders or acting on his volition (social role) and if the actor tried to cover up his actions or not (deed), and organizational features, such as standard operating procedures (SOP) and institutionalized mental schemas. Following the vignette, respondents made attributional judgments to both the individual actor and organization based on a multidimensional measure of responsibility. Results indicated that the actor’s role within the organization, his actions or deeds, and organizational SOP significantly impacted how respondents attributed responsibility (on multiple dimensions) to either the individual or organization. Moreover, results indicated that women and men tended to attribute responsibility differently. Recommendations are made to improve future tests of the integrated model.
Requirements for the electronic crossmatch

With the integration of laboratory information systems into transfusion services, it is now possible to develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) for an electronic crossmatch (EXM) to replace the immediate-spin crossmatch for detecting ABO incompatibility between the blood sample submitted for pre-transfusion testing and the donor unit selected for transfusion. Essential to the safety of an EXM are requirements that: 1) the computer contains logic to prevent assignment and release of ABO incompatible blood; 2) no clinically significant antibodies are detected in the recipient's serum/plasma and there is no record of previous detection of such antibodies; 3) there are concordant results of at least two determinations of the recipient's ABO type on record, one of which is from a current sample; 4) critical elements of the system have been validated on-site; and, 5) there are mechanisms to verify the correct entry of data prior to release of blood. EXM procedures are in use in at least 10 North American facilities, Scandinavia, Hong Kong and Australia. Some provide blood at remote sites lacking laboratory services. Experience has shown that a combination of properly programmed computer software and carefully developed SOPs can provide a safe and efficient means of detecting ABO incompatibility without performing a serological crossmatch.
Non–Q-Wave Infarction and Ostial Left Coronary Obstruction Due to Giant Lambl’s Excrescences of the Aortic Valve

A75-year-old woman presented with new onset of angina at rest associated with shortness of breath. The physical examination was significant for jugular venous distension and rales in both lungs. The chest radiogram showed bilateral lung congestion. She had ischemic ECG ST-segment and T-wave changes and serum creatine kinase-MB enzyme elevation consistent with a non–Q-wave myocardial infarction. Transthoracic echocardiography documented severe posterolateral and mild anteroseptal hypocontractility, with mild overall left ventricular function and mild aortic regurgitation. Because the symptoms were refractory to medical therapy, the patient was referred for cardiac catheterization. The coronary arteries appeared angiographically normal. However, …
Integrated three-dimensional ciraniofacial mapping at the Craniofacial Research Instrumentation Laboratory/University of the Pacific

Abstract This article describes the integrated three-dimensional craniofacial mappingsystem that has been developed and is currently in use in the Craniofacial Research Instrumentation Laboratory at the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry, San Francisco, CA.
Land Use and Growth Impacts from Highway Capacity Increases

This analysis examines the historical relationship between land-use changes and the location of capacity-increasing highway projects in Oregon from 1970 to 1990. Aerial photography for 15 cities was used to delineate the extent of urban development for the 20-year time period. A geographic information system was used to assemble these data. A logit regression model tested the significance of geographic variables such as proximity to highway projects, land-use zoning classification, city size, and other spatial characteristics. The results suggest that for the 15 selected cities, the spatial measures performed well in predicting the location of urban development from 1970 to 1990. In addition, the results of the logit regression model indicated that, controlling for other location factors, urban development impacts near state highway project corridors have produced a significant gradient of land-use change compared to the gradient for all highway facilities.
Mouse Bestrophin-2 Is a Bona fide Cl− Channel: Identification of a Residue Important in Anion Binding and Conduction

Bestrophins have recently been proposed to comprise a new family of Cl− channels. Our goal was to test whether mouse bestrophin-2 (mBest2) is a bona fide Cl− channel. We expressed mBest2 in three different mammalian cell lines. mBest2 was trafficked to the plasma membrane as shown by biotinylation and immunoprecipitation, and induced a Ca2+-activated Cl− current in all three cell lines (EC50 for Ca2+ = 230 nM). The permeability sequence was SCN−: I−: Br−: Cl−: F− (8.2: 1.9: 1.4: 1: 0.5). Although SCN− was highly permeant, its conductance was ∼10% that of Cl− and SCN− blocked Cl− conductance (IC50 = 12 mM). Therefore, SCN− entered the pore more easily than Cl−, but bound more tightly than Cl−. Mutations in S79 altered the relative permeability and conductance for SCN− as expected if S79 contributed to an anion binding site in the channel. PSCN/PCl = 8.2 ± 1.3 for wild-type and 3.9 ± 0.4 for S79C. GSCN/GCl = 0.14 ± 0.03 for wild-type and 0.94 ± 0.04 for S79C. In the S79 mutants, SCN− did not block Cl− conductance. This suggested that the S79C mutation altered the affinity of an anion binding site for SCN−. Additional evidence that S79 was located in the conduction pathway was provided by the finding that modification of the sulfhydryl group in S79C with MTSET+ or MTSES− increased conductance significantly. Because the effect of positively and negatively charged MTS reagents was similar, electrostatic interactions between the permeant anion and the channel at this residue were probably not critical in anion selectivity. These data provide strong evidence that mBest2 forms part of the novel Cl− conduction pathway in mBest2-transfected cells and that S79 plays an important role in anion binding in the pore of the channel.
Sense and sustainability: Sustainability as an objective in international agricultural research

Abstract This paper first discusses how to use sustainability as a criterion by which to evaluate agricultural research, then illustrates the difficulties inherent in applying the criterion and finally draws implications for international agricultural research. Seven propositions relating to sustainability are stated. Agricultural researchers are urged to (a) recognize the importance of the sustainability of agricultural systems. (b) devise appropriate ways to measure sustainability, (c) empirically examine the sustainability of some well-defined cropping or farming systems, (d) define the externalities that exist in such systems, and (e) develop methods to measure those externalities.
The Impact of Process-Oriented Preparation on High-Stakes Testing in Medical School

Introduction: High-stakes testing is deeply engrained within current medical education. The United States Medical Licensing Exams (USMLE) significantly impact medical student promotion in the United States. Studies have demonstrated varied impact of content-enriching programs on Step 1 performance. This study investigates the impact of process-oriented preparation on such high-stakes testing. Materials and Methods: A retrospective multivariate analysis was conducted after implementation of a peer-led seminar series on process-oriented preparation. Age, gender, ethnicity, medical college admission test scores (MCAT), and USMLE Step 1 scores were collected. Results: 557 students were included, 210 before and 347 after course implementation. Median Step 1 scores were 216 before and 223 after (p=0.19). When stratified by pre-enrollment MCAT score, students performing in the 25th–75th percentile showed significant improvement in Step 1 scoring (215 versus 223, p=0.016), which was not observed for students scoring below the 25th or above the 75th percentiles (p=0.53 and p=0.32, respectively). Discussion: Overall, Step 1 scores did not significantly differ for the pre- and post-seminar groups. There is suggestion of an impact on performance in certain student subgroups but further evaluation is necessary. Results from this study suggest that peer-led coaching can impact performance for some.
Identifying Successful Investors in the Startup Ecosystem

Who can spot the next Google, Facebook, or Twitter? Who can discover the next billion-dollar startups? Measuring investor success is a challenging task, as investment strategies can vary widely. We propose InvestorRank, a novel method for identifying successful investors by analyzing how an investor's collaboration network change over time. InvestorRank captures the intuition that a successful investor achieves increasingly success in spotting great startups, or is able to keep doing so persistently. Our results show potential in discovering relatively unknown investors that may be the success stories of tomorrow.
Location Privacy Protection in Contention Based Forwarding for VANETs

Compared to traditional wireless network routing protocols, geographic routing provides superior scalability and thus is widely used in vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs). However, it requires every vehicle to broadcast its location information to its neighboring nodes, and this process will compromise user's location privacy. Existing solutions to this problem can be categorized into two groups: 1) hiding user's location or 2) preserving user's identification information in routing protocols, which drastically reduce network performances. To address this issue, we proposed a dummy-based location privacy protection (DBLPP) routing protocol, in which routing decision is made based upon the dummy distance to the destination (DOD), instead of users' true locations. In this scheme, users' true locations and identification information are preserved, so the user's location privacy is protected. Compared to existing solutions, simulation results show that while DBLPP provides similar network performances as other routing protocols, it achieves a higher level of location privacy protection on vehicles in networks.
High-Speed Homopolar Inductor Alternators of Minimum Leakage Reactance

The leakage reactance of the machine is expressed as an equation involving slot leakage, end-connection leakage, differential leakage, stator-halves leakage, and tooth-top leakage reactance. This leakage reactance equation, or objective function, is then minimized under suitable constraints. Geometric programming is used to carry through the optimization procedure. A computer program is developed and applied to find the optimum leakage reactance for a 95 kVA, 208 V, wye-connected, 40 800 r/min aerospace alternator, using 8-, 10-, and 12-pole machines.
Phase I trial of vinflunine and pemetrexed in refractory solid tumors.

Background Vinflunine is a novel vinca alkaloid with promising single agent clinical activity. Pemetrexed has at least additive activity with other vincas. A phase I trial was undertaken to assess the safety of vinflunine and pemetrexed in patients with refractory solid tumors. Methods A standard 3-patient cohort dose escalation scheme was used to determine the dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of the vinflunine/pemetrexed combination. Pemetrexed 500 mg/m2 was given with vinflunine 280 mg/m2 (cohort 1), 300 mg/m2 (cohort 2) or 320 mg/m2 (cohort 3) on day 1 of a 21-day cycle. Results 19 patients were enrolled, median age 58 years (range 32 to 77) and had a median of 3 (range 1–6) prior therapies. DLT occured 1 of 6 pts in cohort 1 (thrombocytopenia, hyponatremia), 2 of 10 pts in cohort 2 (febrile neutropenia, hyponatremia, hyperbilirubinema; febrile neutropenia), and 2 of 3 pts in cohort 3 (febrile neutropenia, hypokalemia; febrile neutropenia). 1 pt in cohort 2 died prior to completion of cycle 1 likely from disease progression. Most common grade 3/4 adverse events were neutropenia (7), leukopenia (5). Febrile neutropenia occurred in 4 patients (21%). No objective responses were seen. Two patients (breast and lung) had prolonged stable disease for 25 and 20 cycles respectively. Conclusions Based on this experience we recommend vinflunine 300 mg/m2 and pemetrexed 500 mg/m2 in combination every 3 weeks for future study. At these doses, the combination of vinflunine and pemetrexed was tolerable in this heavily pretreated population. Hematologic toxicity, including febrile neutropenia, was prominent.
Reasoning about Rationality and Beliefs

In order to succeed, agents playing games must reason about the mechanics of the game, the strategies of other agents, other agentsý reasoning about their strategies, and the rationality of agents. This paper presents a compact, natural and highly expressive language for reasoning about the beliefs and rationality of agentsý decision-making processes in games. It extends a previous version of the language in a number of important ways. Agents can reason directly about the rationality of other agents; agentsý beliefs are allowed to conflict with one another, including situations in which these beliefs form a cyclic structure; agentsý play can deviate from the normative game theoretic solution. The paper formalizes the equilibria that holds with respect to agentsý models and behavior, and provides algorithms for computing it. It also shows that the language is strictly more expressive than that of Bayesian games.
GPS Dropwindsonde Wind Profiles in Hurricanes and Their Operational Implications

Abstract The recent development of the global positioning system (GPS) dropwindsonde has allowed the wind and thermodynamic structure of the hurricane eyewall to be documented with unprecedented accuracy and resolution. In an attempt to assist operational hurricane forecasters in their duties, dropwindsonde data have been used in this study to document, for the first time, the mean vertical profile of wind speed in the hurricane inner core from the surface to the 700-hPa level, the level typically flown by reconnaissance aircraft. The dropwindsonde-derived mean eyewall wind profile is characterized by a broad maximum centered 500 m above the surface. In the frictional boundary layer below this broad maximum, the wind decreases nearly linearly with the logarithm of the altitude. Above the maximum, the winds decrease because of the hurricane's warm core. These two effects combine to give a surface wind that is, on average, about 90% of the 700-hPa value. The dropwindsonde observations largely confirm recent...