cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Biochemical and molecular modeling studies of mechanism-based inhibitors of NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) in pancreatic cancer cells

3821 Inhibition of NQO1 may result in increased intracellular superoxide, inhibition of cell growth and of the in-vitro malignant phenotype in human pancreatic cancer cells. We have designed mechanism-based (suicide) inhibitors of NQO1 based on 5-methoxy-1,2-dimethyl-3-[(4-nitrophenoxy)methyl]indole-4,7-dione (ES936). The ability of ES936 and a series of structurally related analogs to inhibit purified recombinant human NQO1 (rhNQO1), induce growth inhibition in the human MIAPaCa-2 pancreatic tumor cell line and dock in the active site of NQO1 were examined. ES936 and MAC03/220 were the most efficient inhibitors of rhNQO1 with partition ratios near 4 while MAC03/246 and MAC03/225 were less efficient inhibitors with partition ratios of 44 and 97 respectively. NQO1 inhibition studies in MiaPaCa-2 human pancreatic cancer cells closely paralleled studies with rhNQO1. Treatment of MiaPaCa-2 cells with ES936 or MAC03/220 for 1hr resulted in >99% inactivation of NQO1 at nanomolar concentrations while higher concentrations (micromolar) were required for complete inactivation of NQO1 by the other inhibitors. Growth inhibition studies (MTT) in MiaPaCa-2 cells also paralleled NQO1 inactivation. ES936 and MAC03/220 were more cytotoxic when compared to MAC03/246 and MAC03/225. A molecular docking study of this series of indolequinones in the FADH 2 -site of the human NQO1 crystal structure (PDB: 1KBQ) was performed. These docking studies suggest that NQO1 can accommodate a range of indolequinone substitutions and a variety of different binding modes and interactions. The highest interaction energies in this study were obtained with ES936 and MAC03/220 due to favorable interactions of the indolequinone with Tyr126 or Tyr128, the FADH 2 cofactor and the 4-nitrophenoxy substituent with hydrophobic amino acid residues. Lower interaction energies were calculated for MAC03/246 and MAC03/225. The indolequinone docking studies support the model in which quinones with fused aromatic rings are positioned in the active site so as to optimize π-ring stacking interactions with the reduced isoalloxazine ring system of the FADH 2 cofactor. The ranking of this series of indolequinones from these docking studies supports the biochemical data and suggests that the Affinity molecular docking program can be used as a predictive tool in the rational design of novel indolequinone mechanism-based NQO1 inhibitors (Supported by CA11441).
Quantum Operating Systems

If large-scale quantum computers become commonplace, the operating system will have to provide novel abstractions to capture the power of this bizarre new hardware. In this paper, we consider this and other systems-level issues that quantum computers would raise, and we demonstrate that these machines would offer surprising speed-ups for a number of everyday systems tasks, such as unit testing and CPU scheduling.
Rational choice, independent utility and the inclusive classroom

Neoclassical models of individual utility maximisation seem logical and consistent to many students; however, they can seem unrealistic and alienating to many others. When students have such misgivings acknowledged, they are more open to learning. This article describes an in-class exercise designed to allow undergraduates to examine their own motivations and choices. When students identify and compare their diverse motivations to the widely assumed motivations of selfishness and individualism, they gain important critical thinking skills. This, in turn, facilitates their development of insight into, and confidence about their abilities to learn and critique rational choice theoretical models. Greater familiarity with abstraction in the development of theoretical arguments makes students more open to learning heterodox theories, methods and policy debates.
Modeling and Mapping Personal Learning Environment of Thai International Higher Education Students

This research article is part of a periodic study conducted to understand, model, map and to develop an integrated approach for effective and interactive self-learning phases of Thai International Hospitality and Tourism higher education students. Questionnaire containing both qualitative and quantitative questions was distributed at the beginning of the semester to understand the students’ personal learning environment during their self-learning phases. After obtaining mutual agreement with the students, the researcher diffused the course related contents and assignments through observed personal learning environment and the changes that took place in it. Thereafter, the students’ learning experience was measured again by the end of the semester with another quantitative questionnaire. Paired sample t-test and regression analysis were conducted to analyze the outcomes. The results revealed that there was statistically significant difference between the past and the present self-learning phases of personal learning environment on using micro blogging, academic material search engines, group chats, collaborative office suites (Social Networking Tools), Microsoft office suite and other traditional methods such as using teaching learning resources and infrastructure provided by institution (books, handouts, lecture notes and university library). The multiple linear regression results revealed that, the above mentioned self-learning phases of PLE attributes has significant and positive impact on overall learning experience.
DIFFERENT INFLUENCE OF MITRACLIP THERAPY ON MITRAL VALVE GEOMETRY BETWEEN PATIENTS WITH ATRIAL AND FUNCTIONAL MITRAL REGURGITATION: A REAL TIME THREE-DIMENSIONAL TRANSESOPHAGEAL ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY STUDY

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of MitraClip therapy on mitral valve (MV) geometry in patients with atrial mitral regurgitation (MR) compared to those with functional MR using intraprocedure three-dimensional (3D) transesophageal echocardiography. Of 400 patients who underwent
PIC: Does It Have Potential?

Polymer-impregnated concrete (PIC) was developed in the 1970s by Brookhaven National Laboratory and the Bureau of Reclamation. Fully impregnated concrete had excellent strength and durability properties. Partially impregnated concrete had very good resistance to water and chloride penetration and to abrasion. Neither of these processes is used to any significant degree. The reasons for the lack of use and the potential for future use are discussed including potential applications to make use of the very good material properties that are possible.
Thirty Years of Downhole Corrosion Experience at Big Escambia Creek: Corrosion Mechanisms and Inhibition

The Big Escambia Creek Field is a gas/condensate field located in the southeastern United States that began production in 1974. The gas produced by the field contains about 40 percent CO2 and 20 percent H2S and the aqueous phase can contain as much as 200,000 ppm chlorides. Initially, these conditions combined to make the production extremely corrosive. A number of research studies were conducted in the 1970's and 1980's to improve the understanding of the corrosion and to improve the methods of corrosion control. This work summarizes the studies conducted, describes the corrosion control programs that were utilized to successfully control downhole corrosion and describes the changes in production conditions that has dramatically reduced the corrosivity of the production.
PROPERTIES OF MOLDED CEYLON NATURAL GRAPHITE

Micron-sized Ceylon natural graphite (having an ash content of 2.1%) was molded into cylinders one inch long by ½ in. in diameter to apparent densities ranging from 1.61 to 1.99 g/cm3. Subsequently, molded samples were heat treated at temperatures between 1556 and 3017°C. The specific surface area of the powdered graphite decreased from 11.6 to 8.5 m2/g upon going from the original to the 2800°C heat treated material. Molding, even to a density of 1.99 g/cm3, resulted in a negligible decrease in the specific surface area, as measured by low-temperature gas adsorption. Heat treatment at a series of temperatures up to 3017°C resulted in a gradual decrease in the subsequent reactivity of the molded graphite to carbon dioxide. At a reaction temperature of 1000°C, the reactivity decreased from 1.32 g/hr for the original graphite to 0.048 g/hr for the material heat treated to 3017°C. For the original and 2600°C heat treated samples, reactivity to carbon dioxide was determined from 900 to 1100°C. Reactivities (g of carbon reacting/hour × atm. CO2 × m2 of carbon surface) were 1.5 × 105 e−42,000/RT and 1.7 × 104 e−42,000/RT, respectively. Additional properties of the molded samples which were determined include radial and longitudinal density distributions, hardness, crushing strength, macropore volume distribution, and electrical resistivity.
Microbiological Safety of Foods

Among the desirable qualities that should be associated with foods is freedom from infectious organisms. While it may not be possible to achieve a zero tolerance for all such organisms under good manufacturing practices (GMP), the production of foods with the lowest possible numbers is the desirable goal. With fewer processors producing more products that lead to foods being held longer and shipped farther before they reach consumers, new approaches are needed to ensure safe products. Classical approaches to microbiological quality control have relied heavily on microbiological determinations of both raw materials and end products, but the time required for results is too long for many products. The development and use of certain rapid methods have been of value but these alone have not obviated the need for newer approaches to ensuring safe foods. The Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) system is presented in this chapter as the method of choice for ensuring the safety of foods from farm to home. When deemed necessary, microbiological criteria may be established for some ingredients and foods, and these in connection with sampling plans are presented as components of the HACCP system.
Biotic stress contributes to seawater temperature induced stress in a site-specific manner for Porites astreoides

Increasing seawater temperatures (SWT) resulting from climate change have greatly reduced coral cover world-wide; however, disease has also greatly reduced coral cover in many regions and is especially apparent for offshore bank reefs of the Florida Reef Tract (FRT). The deleterious capacity of future stressors is often dependent upon previous stress. Chronic microbial-related stress has received less attention despite documented links between chronic activation of the innate immune system and the diminished capacity to respond to simultaneously acting stressors. Therefore, differential response of corals to bacterial stress may contribute to decreased coral cover indirectly. To identify differences in bacterial stress response between coral populations, Porites astreoides colonies (n = 6) were collected from an adjacent inshore patch reef and offshore bank-reef of the FRT. Coral were affixed to a concrete substrate at the collection site, and remained there for 2 years to diminish reef environment interspecific effects. Coral were collected after 2 years and subjected to one of three conditions for 8 h: a control condition (28 °C), a thermal stress treatment (32 °C), and thermal and bacterial stress treatment (5 µg mL−1 Serratia marcescens lipopolysaccharide). Offshore reef colonies displayed two- to fourfold increase in innate immune system-related gene expression following temperature stress and LPS, but not with temperature stress alone. Inshore P. astreoides maintained lower levels of expression independent of treatment. These results provide evidence for site-specific sensitivity to bacterial stress and indicate that bacterial stress may indirectly contribute to decreased resistance to climate-related stressors such as SWT.
β-delayed neutron decay of N19 and N20

The results of the first spectroscopic studies of delayed neutron and {gamma} emission following the {beta} decay of {sup 19}N and {sup 20}N are reported. Nuclides were produced by fragmenting an 80 MeV/nucleon {sup 22}Ne beam in a 546 mg/cm{sup 2} thick Be target and were separated at high velocities with the A1200 fragment separator. The nuclides were implanted in a thin plastic scintillator at the center of an array of neutron scintillators to determine the neutron time-of-flight spectrum. Two hyperpure germanium detectors were used to observe coincident {gamma} events. The {beta}-{gamma},{beta}-n, and {beta}-n-{gamma} coincidence spectra were analyzed to obtain the energies of the states populated in {sup 18}O, {sup 19}O, and {sup 20}O following the {beta} decay. Eight new neutron energies with a total neutron emission probability of 41.8(9)%, six {gamma} transitions among the excited states of {sup 19}O, and four {gamma} transitions among the excited states of {sup 18}O were identified in the {sup 19}N {beta} decay. Seven new neutron energies with a total neutron emission probability of 42.9(14)%, ten {gamma} transitions among the excited states of {sup 20}O, and two {gamma} transitions among the exited states of {sup 19}O were observed from the {sup 20}N {beta} decay.more » Half-lives of 336(3) and 136(3) ms were determined for the {sup 19}N and {sup 20}N decays, respectively. The branching ratios of both decays were deduced and compared with USD (universal sd-shell) shell model calculations. The {beta} decay schemes for {sup 19}N and {sup 20}N were de0011duc.« less
Toward a New Political Praxis for Trumpamerica: New Directions in Critical Race Theory:

The election of 45 brought significant questions about race (and race-class) that merit theoretical consideration. My goal in this article is to discuss how racial theory applies to three main them...
School-Based Support for Families of Students with Traumatic Brain Injuries

AbstractFamilies of children with traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) often experience emotional burden related to the sudden onset, intensity, and duration of the recovery process. Family support can ...
The Role of Moisture Pathways on Snowfall Amount and Distribution in the Payette Mountains of Idaho

AbstractThe pathways air travels from the Pacific Ocean to the Intermountain West of the United States are important for understanding how air characteristics change and how this translates to the ...
Delayed dark adaptation in central serous chorioretinopathy.

Purpose To evaluate the effect of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) on retinal function using dark adaptation in a human subject, and to follow it through resolution of the disease. Patients Single patient, 50 years old male patient, with acute CSCR in one eye and resolved old CSCR in the other eye. Observations Observational study in patient with CSCR followed through resolution of the subretinal fluid (52 days). Dark adaptation was assessed using the AdaptDx® (Maculogix Inc.) measured by Rod Intercept time (RIT) in minutes. A normal retinal locus of the same eye on the opposite side of the fovea was used as control. Retinal separation (microns) was measured using Spectralis Optical Coherence Tomography (Spectralis®, HRA + OCT, Heidelberg engineering). Change in time to dark adapt, were correlated with retinal separation measured in microns, during the course of CSCR.The Rod Intercept time was delayed in the area of detached retina compared to the normal region (control) on presentation with retinal separation (RS) of 104 μm. The Rod Intercept time returned to normal as the retinal separation from retinal pigment epithelium decreased and eventually resolved. Conclusions This case shows that delay in dark adaptation is proportional to the amount of separation of neurosensory retina from retinal pigment epithelium in CSCR, this may offer a potential of using DA to characterize visual function in CSCR. The association of dark adaptation response with the state of retinal pigment epithelial function and its ability to predict the recurrence of CSCR needs further evaluation.
Trends in liver profile and nutrition outcomes in children undergoing intestinal rehabilitation using a mixed lipid injectable emulsion.

BACKGROUND Pediatric patients undergoing intestinal rehabilitation (IR) using parenteral nutrition (PN) are at higher risk for intestinal failure-associated liver disease (IFALD). Nutrition support, growth, and liver enzymes must be closely monitored while incorporating hepatoprotective lipid injectable emulsions for optimal patient outcomes. OBJECTIVE Describe trends of liver profile and nutrition outcomes for pediatric patients undergoing IR using SMOFlipid[SO,MCT,OO,FO-ILE]). METHODS After IRB approval, patients undergoing IR using SO,MCT,OO,FO-ILE were observed prospectively from January 1, 2017, through December 1, 2019. The following values were documented monthly: aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total bilirubin (TB), triene/tetraene ratio (TTR), micronutrient and trace element levels, z-scores for growth, and nutrition support regimen. Values were compared. RESULTS The group involved 16 pediatric patients for an average of 16.4 months on SO,MCT,OO,FO-ILE. By the end of the study, mean PN hours per day decreased by 34.7%, P 2 YOA cohort. Total nutrition received from PN decreased to 62%: a 32% change, P = 0.001. There were no statistically significant changes in AST or ALT. TB decreased by 67.08%, P <0.05. No essential fatty acid deficiency was reported (TTR < 0.02). There were no changes in micronutrient and trace element deficiencies. There was zero new incidences of IFALD. CONCLUSIONS SO,MCT,OO,FO-ILE may be used long term in pediatric patients while promoting growth and development.
Natural infrastructure in sustaining global urban freshwater ecosystem services

Rapid urbanization throughout the globe increases demand for fresh water and the ecosystem services associated with it. This need is conventionally met through the construction of infrastructure. Natural infrastructure solutions have increased to provide freshwater ecosystem services, but little global research has examined the intricate relationships between built and natural infrastructure for providing freshwater ecosystem services to cities across the globe. Using network analysis, here we examine the interrelationships between built and natural infrastructure in 2,113 watersheds for 317 cities worldwide, focusing on four key freshwater ecosystem services: freshwater provision, sediment regulation, flood mitigation and hydropower production. Our results indicate that protected wetlands contribute to sustaining freshwater provision to cities. Forest cover in protected areas can improve the capacity of large dams in reducing sediment loads and producing hydropower, but cities mainly depend on reduced impervious surfaces and more green spaces within urban areas for flood mitigation. Improved understandings of the role of natural infrastructure in urban water networks must underpin strategic decision-making to sustainably provide freshwater ecosystem services to global cities. Ecosystems that provide fresh water for cities also impact sediment flows, flood mitigation and hydropower provision. This Article looks at over 300 cities globally to gauge the interactions of natural ecosystems with built infrastructure.
Data Fitting with Signomial Programming Compatible Difference of Convex Functions

Signomial Programming (SP) has proven to be a powerful tool for engineering design optimization, striking a balance between the computational efficiency of Geometric Programming (GP) and the extensibility of more general optimization methods like Sequential Quadratic Programming (SQP). But when an existing engineering analysis tool is incompatible with the mathematics of the SP formulation, options are limited. Previous literature has suggested schemes for fitting GP compatible models to pre-computed data, but no methods have yet been proposed that take advantage of the increased modeling flexibility available in SP. This paper describes a new Soft Difference of Max Affine (SDMA) function class that is constructed from existing methods of GP compatible fitting and the theory of Difference of Convex (DC) functions. When a SDMA function is fit to data in log-log transformed space, it becomes either a signomial or a set of signomials upon inverse transformation. Three examples of fitting are presented here, including simple test cases in 2D and 3D, and a fit to the performance data of the NACA 24xx family of airfoils. In each case, RMS error is driven to less than 1%.
Sequential anomaly detection with sampling constraints

The problem of sequential anomaly detection is considered, where multiple data sources are monitored in real time and the goal is to identify the ``anomalous'' ones among them, when it is not possible to sample all sources at all times. A detection scheme in this context requires specifying not only when to stop sampling and which sources to identify as anomalous upon stopping, but also which sources to sample at each time instance until stopping. A novel formulation for this problem is proposed, in which the number of anomalous sources is not necessarily known in advance and the number of sampled sources per time instance is not necessarily fixed. Instead, an arbitrary lower bound and an arbitrary upper bound are assumed on the number of anomalous sources, and the fraction of the expected number of samples over the expected time until stopping is required to not exceed an arbitrary, user-specified level. In addition to this sampling constraint, the probabilities of at least one false alarm and at least one missed detection are controlled below user-specified tolerance levels. A general criterion is established for a policy to achieve the minimum expected time until stopping to a first-order asymptotic approximation as both familywise error rates go to zero. This criterion is used to prove the asymptotic optimality of a family of policies that sample each source at each time instance with a probability that depends on the past observations only through the current estimate of the subset of anomalous sources. In particular, the asymptotic optimality is established of a policy that requires minimal computation under any setup of the problem.
Issues in Clinical Trial Design in Stem Cell Trials After Stroke

Increasing evidence suggests that stem cells and other restorative therapies have the potential to substantially reduce disability after stroke in humans. Evaluating such therapies in clinical trials introduces a number of complexities. Some of these are directly comparable to issues encountered in trials of acute stroke therapies, such as the need to stratify, train sites in endpoint measurement, and carefully select entry criteria in relation to preclinical study design. Other issues are more often encountered in the context of restorative therapies, such as the need for behavioral reinforcement and the utility of examining treatment benefits separately across different neural systems. The latter point emphasizes the potential importance of modality-specific endpoints. There are other issues that are specifically related to the use of biological therapies, such as measuring biological activity and identity prior to treatment. These issues are considered in the broader context of design of clinical trials examining stem cell therapies after stroke.
Certain Induced Complementary Series of the Universal Covering of the Symplectic Group

In this paper, we give a construction of certain induced complementary series of the universal covering of the symplectic groups. There are abundant such representations besides those of linear groups. We achieve this by applying invariant tensor product to degenerate complementary series on the Shilov boundary.
Prinzipien der Infektiologie

Infektionskrankheiten unterscheiden sich von allen anderen Krankheiten dadurch, dass sie nach einem Kontakt und aus der daraus resultierenden Auseinandersetzung zweier Lebewesen entstehen – dem Menschen („Wirt“) auf der einen und dem Mikroorganismus („ungebetener Gast“) auf der anderen Seite. Verschiedene Fachdisziplinen haben im Lauf des letzten Jahrhunderts die 3 genannten Aspekte – Mikroorganismen, Makroorganismen und Kontaktmuster – erforscht und sich dabei voneinander abgegrenzt. Im Laborbereich beschaftigt sich die medizinische Mikrobiologie mit den Mikroorganismen, die Immunologie mit den Makroorganismen. Die Hygiene untersucht die Kontaktmuster zwischen (meist ungebetenem) Gast und Wirt mit dem Ziel, Methoden zu entwickeln, die eine Ubertragung des Erregers auf den Wirt verhindern. Daraus hat sich vor allem in den angelsachsischen Landern die Infektionsepidemiologie entwickelt, welche die Regeln der Verbreitung von Infektionskrankheiten und ihren Erregern erforscht. Infektiologen haben spezielle Kenntnisse auf jedem der 4 vorgenannten Fachgebiete und betreuen zumindest im nichtdeutschsprachigen Ausland als Arzte fur Kinderheilkunde oder innere Medizin eigenverantwortlich Patienten mit Infektionskrankheiten.
On a theorem of Ax

We show that in the case of affine and complete algebraic varieties over an algebraically closed field of zero characteristics any endomorphism of such a variety, that is injective on the complement to a subvariety of codimension 2, is an automorphism.
Neurotrophic factors: repair and regeneration in the central nervous system

Neurotrophic factors promote maintenance, repair and regeneration of selected neurons in vitro and in vivo. They include nerve growth factor (NGF) and other neurotrophins, ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) and other cytokines, and a number of growth factors. Molecular properties of the trophic proteins and their transducing receptors are increasingly well characterized. Interest in the neurotrophic factors has greatly accelerated over the past decade with accumulating evidence that they play important roles in the adult mammalian CNS as well as in its development. Adult in vivo models for degenerative CNS conditions have demonstrated the ability of exogenous neurotrophic factors (NTFs) to protect against neuronal damage induced by traumatic or chemical experimental lesions, particularly with regard to easily identifiable neurons such as cholinergic and dopaminergic ones. Other models have shown beneficial effects of NTF administration with regard to axonal regeneration inside CNS tissue.
Nectine-4, le récepteur épithélial du virus de la rougeole.

L’identite du recepteur epithelial de la rougeole a recemment ete devoilee par deux equipes. Il s’agit de nectine-4, encore appelee PVRL-4 pour polio virus receptor like 4. Nectine-4 est un composant des jonctions adherentes au sein de plusieurs epitheliums, notamment au niveau des voies respiratoires. Les donnees publiees demontrent que nectine-4 est le recepteur du virus de la rougeole dans plusieurs lignees cellulaires epitheliales et dans des epitheliums respiratoires humain et simien. Ces resultats confirment le modele selon lequel l’infection des cellules epitheliales est un evenement tardif de la pathogenese permettant au virus de sortir de l’organisme. L’utilisation de nectine-4 permet au virus de cibler specifiquement les voies respiratoires pour son excretion, d’ou son fort pouvoir de transmission par aerosols. Nectine-4 est aussi un biomarqueur dans plusieurs types de cancers et constitue ainsi une cible potentielle pour des vecteurs oncolytiques derives du virus de la rougeole.
Divergence in intense ion beams caused by incomplete charge neutralization

Space charge neutralization for light ion fusion (LIF) ion beam transport is usually assumed to be perfect in the "charge-neutral" region of the diode and in the gas transport cell. However, small charge clumps in the beam will not be totally charge-neutralized, and the residual net space charge may contribute to the beam microdivergence θ μ . If the net potential of the clump is limited only by electron trapping, the minimum potential will be eφ ∼ 1/2 m e V i 2 where m e is the electron mass and v i is the ion velocity. For proton beams this leads to θ μ ∼ (m e /M P )1/2 ∼ 23 mrad, where M p is the proton rest mass. For non-protonic beams, different results occur. The mechanism predicts (1) no dependence of θ μ on diode voltage, (2) non-protonic θ μ greater than proton θ μ for proton-contaminated beams, and (3) axial energy spread Δe ‖ /e ‖ ∼ ±2 θ μ , which are all consistent with present data. Results of analytic studies and computer simulations of this mechanism are presented. Plasma shielding reduces the effects of this mechanism but collisions and magnetic fields reduce the plasma shielding effects. 2-D PIC MAGIC simulations show that this mechanism contributes to θ μ both in the "charge-neutral" region and in the gas transport region. It is concluded that this mechanism is especially important in the "charge-neutral" region.
Energy transfer, self-trapping, and solitons on a nonlinear dimer

A summary is presented of several results obtained recently concerning the time evolution of a soliton on a lattice. They include the derivation of a Liouville-Von Neumann equation for the density matrix from the discrete nonlinear Schrodinger equation and, for the two-site system, e.g. a molecular dimer, the derivation and explicit solution of a closed nonlinear evolution equation obeyed by the difference of the probabilities of occupation of the two sites. The probabilities are seen to evolve in the form of Jacobian elliptic functions, and a transition from free to self-trapped behavior is seen at appropriate relative values of the intersite interaction and the nonlinearity parameter. Features such as the polaron (or soliton) bandwidth reduction conjectured for the general polaron transport problem are seen to emerge as a consequence. Exact expressions for observables such as the scattering function of relevance to quasi-elastic neutron diffraction experiments are displayed and shown to contain explicit nonlinear characteristics.
Rethinking Observed Power Concept, Practice, and Implications

Observed power analysis is recommended by many scholarly journal editors and reviewers, especially for studies with statistically nonsignificant test results. However, researchers may not fully realize that blind observance of this recommendation could lead to an unfruitful effort, despite the repeated warnings from methodologists. Through both a review of 14 published empirical studies and a Monte Carlo simulation study, the present study demonstrates that observed power is usually not as informative or helpful as we think because (a) observed power for a nonsignificant test is generally low and, therefore, does not provide additional information to the test; and (b) a low observed power does not always indicate that the test is underpowered. Implications and suggestions of statistical power analysis for quantitative researchers are discussed.
A Study of the Effect of Various Drugs on Esophageal Motility

Summary 1. The use of a simple balloon-Y-tubesphygmomanometer system for the study of the effect of drugs upon esophageal motility, is described. When this system was used with the balloon in the midesophagus, the average volume required to cause propulsion was 15 cc., the average maximal pressure developed was 30 mm. Hg and the average distance traveled by the balloon was 7 cm. 2. Banthine, Pro-Banthine, atropine, Murel and Arfonad, all inhibited propulsion in some patients. 3. Large doses of barbiturates, a smooth muscle relaxant, and an adrenergic agent had no effect upon esophageal motility under the conditions of the study.
The demand for home mortgage assets by savings and loan associations

The purpose of this article is to analyze empirically the factors that enabled S&Ls to respond, concerning their demand for home mortgage assets, to the record high interest rates, inverted yield curves, and new competition for deposits by money market mutual funds. These factors include changing regulatory accounting procedures, increased participation in the secondary mortgage market, and increased asset diversification allowed for by Garn-St. Germain. The empirical results are based on a model of the demand for home mortgage assets specified in terms of an optimal marginal portfolio adjustment model. The results show that changing regulatory procedures and the subsequent impact on secondary mortgage markets had the most impact. The increased lending power granted by Garn-St. Germain had little effect on the demand for home mortgage assets by S&Ls.
Analysis of bimorph piezoelectric beam energy harvesters using Timoshenko and Euler-Bernoulli beam theory

Single-degree-of-freedom lumped parameter model, conventional finite element method, and distributed parameter model have been developed to design, analyze, and predict the performance of piezoelectric energy harvesters with reasonable accuracy. In this article, a spectral finite element method for bimorph piezoelectric beam energy harvesters is developed based on the Timoshenko beam theory and the Euler–Bernoulli beam theory. Linear piezoelectric constitutive and linear elastic stress/strain models are assumed. Both beam theories are considered in order to examine the validation and applicability of each beam theory for a range of harvester sizes. Using spectral finite element method, a minimum number of elements is required because accurate shape functions are derived using the coupled electromechanical governing equations. Numerical simulations are conducted and validated using existing experimental data from the literature. In addition, parametric studies are carried out to predict the performance of ...
β-Crystallins insolubilized by calpain II in vitro contain cleavage sites similar to β-crystallins insolubilized during cataract

Incubation of soluble proteins from rat lens with the protease calpain II caused the precipitation of β-crystallin polypeptides. Two-dimensional electrophoresis and sequence analysis identified β-crystallin polypeptides both before and after their precipitation by calpain II. β-crystallin polypeptides precipitated by calpain were cleaved at their NH2-terminal extensions. These cleavage sites were similar to cleavage sites occurring in β-crystallin polypeptides precipitated during formation of experimental cataract induced by an overdose of selenite. These data suggested that calpain II caused β-crystallin insolubilization during cataract formation, and indicated that the process can be mimicked in vitro.
Successful treatment of rheumatoid meningitis with cyclophosphamide but not infliximab

Rheumatoid meningitis is a rare but lethal disorder that occurs in an elderly population with longstanding rheumatoid arthritis (RA).1 Although the majority of patients experience neurological symptoms, up to 26% of the patients were asymptomatic in a case series study as identified by necropsy.1 There is poor correlation between the severity of synovitis and neurological symptoms, which therefore imposes a challenge in the diagnosis of this condition.1 To date there are no established treatment regimens for rheumatoid meningitis, although most patients receive immunosuppressive agents. Although the anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) agents have been proved to provide significant relief for the articular manifestations of RA, their effectiveness for rheumatoid meningitis has not been reported.2 A 58 year old woman with previous diagnoses of fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis was referred to the rheumatology clinic of the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) with worsening polyarthritis of both hands, wrists, knees, and ankles while receiving daily rofecoxib, 25 mg. Before the visit she had undergone extensive investigation for a 6 …
Designing glucokinase activators with reduced hypoglycemia risk: discovery of N,N-dimethyl-5-(2-methyl-6-((5-methylpyrazin-2-yl)-carbamoyl)benzofuran-4-yloxy)pyrimidine-2-carboxamide as a clinical candidate for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus

Glucokinase is a key regulator of glucose homeostasis and small molecule activators of this enzyme represent a promising opportunity for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. Several glucokinase activators have advanced to clinical studies and demonstrated promising efficacy; however, many of these early candidates also revealed hypoglycemia as a key risk. In an effort to mitigate this hypoglycemia risk while maintaining the promising efficacy of this mechanism, we have investigated a series of substituted 2-methylbenzofurans as “partial activators” of the glucokinase enzyme leading to the identification of N,N-dimethyl-5-(2-methyl-6-((5-methylpyrazin-2-yl)-carbamoyl)benzofuran-4-yloxy)pyrimidine-2-carboxamide as an early development candidate.
Bilateral monocular diplopia associated with lid position during near work.

PURPOSE To describe a common pattern of topographic changes and clinical signs of six patients presenting with a complaint of monocular diplopia after reading and to investigate the cause of this topographic disturbance. METHODS PATIENT POPULATION Subject group of six patients with monocular diplopia complaints after reading and 20 patients without such complaints. Examinations performed before and after a reading period of 30 min: videokeratoscopic examination, red reflex examination, position of the lids in primary gaze and in reading position. DATA ANALYSIS inspection of keratoscopic rings, qualitative analysis of topography maps, comparison of SAI and SRI of control and subject groups before and after reading, comparison of lid position of control and subject group. RESULTS Half of the subject group and none of the control group developed subtle ring distortions of keratoscopic rings. SAI and SRI values increased significantly in the subject group compared with the control group (p = 0.02 and p < 0.001, respectively) corresponding to the development of a focal distortion in the entrance pupil of the videokeratoscopic image. Each subject developed a horizontal band on red reflex located at the superior, middle, or inferior aspect of the pupil after near work. Two controls developed faint bands in the red reflex outside the entrance pupil. The interpalpebral fissure in down gaze was narrower in the subject group compared with the control group (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Some individuals may develop monocular diplopia after reading. We hypothesize that during near work these corneal topographic alterations occur primarily related to the position of the lids and tear film interaction with the corneal surface.
Motion and shape change when using an endorectal balloon during prostate radiation therapy.

Abstract Purpose To investigate motion and shape change when using an endorectal balloon (ERB) in patients receiving radiotherapy for prostate cancer. Methods In nine patients treated for prostate cancer using an ERB, the anterior wall of the ERB was contoured on right lateral images taken immediately before irradiation, and on left lateral images taken immediately after irradiation. Changes in the contours were used to calculate inter-fraction shape change and inter-imaging motion and shape change. Inter-imaging motion describes changes that occur after the right lateral image is taken that are seen in the left lateral image. Results Eighty-six percent of all inter-imaging shifts of the anterior wall of the ERB were in the posterior direction (mean: 1.8 mm, 1 SD: 1.8 mm, maximum posterior shift: 2.8–7.2 mm). The inter-fraction shape change (1 SD) of the anterior wall was equivalent to a change in the angle of the balloon of 2.5–5.7°, with a range of 8–20°, depending on the patient. Inter-imaging shape changes were similar in size. Conclusions The inter-imaging motion and shape changes may be explained by the patient relaxing some time after insertion of the ERB, indicating that it could be reduced by a waiting period after insertion before irradiation. Development of image-guided localization strategies should consider intra-fraction motion and also inter- and intra-fraction shape change.
A Combined Single Molecule FRET/Magnetic Tweezers Instrument to Calibrate Molecular Tension - Based Fluorescence Probes

Despite the importance of mechanical forces in biology, few methods are available to measure molecular forces in living systems. To address this issue, we developed molecular tension - based fluorescence microscopy (MTFM), a technique that allows one to visualize piconewton forces using a conventional fluorescence microscope. In MTFM, a flexible linker (polymer) is flanked by a fluorophore and a quencher, such that tension leads to extension of the linker and a 10-30 fold increase in fluorescence. Thus far, MTFM provides the only approach to map piconewton forces at the cell membrane.To accurately calibrate the conversion from fluorescence to tension, we integrate magnetic tweezers to a total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscope for single molecule Forster resonance energy transfer (smFRET) - force measurement. To minimize autofluorescence from paramagnetic beads, we use 4.4 micron lambda-DNA fragments to link a MTFM probe to each bead. The setup can apply forces ranging from 1-50 pN to calibrate the probes. Comparing its force-extension data to that of theoretical models, this direct measurement of force-induced extension change provides a good tool for determining cellular force with higher accuracy.
Highly Regioselective [2 + 2 + 2] Cycloaddition of Terminal Alkynes Catalyzed by η6-Arene Complexes of Titanium Supported by Dimethylsilyl-Bridged p-tert-Butyl Calix[4]arene Ligand

Two new Ti−η6-arene complexes [(DMSC)Ti{η6-1,2,4-C6H3(SiMe3)3}] (6) and [(DMSC)Ti{η6-1,3,5-C6H3But3}] (7) containing 1,2-alternate, Me2Si-bridged p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene (DMSC) ancillary ligand have been synthesized. The solid-state structure of 6 revealed a highly folded arene ligand [with a dihedral angle of 29.7(7)°] and suggests that 6 is better described as a 7-titananorbornadiene species. Both 6 and 7 are efficient catalysts for highly regioselective [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of terminal alkynes to yield 1,2,4-substituted benzenes. Kinetic studies of the catalytic [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of Me3SiC⋮CH revealed first-order dependence on [6] and [Me3SiC⋮CH]; and activation parameters, ΔH⧧ = 14 kcal/mol, and ΔS⧧ = −11 cal/mol K, that are consistent with an associative mechanism. The reaction rate is influenced by the steric requirements of both the alkyne and the η6-arene compound. The high selectivity for 1,2,4-substituted benzene may be understood in terms of the directing influence of the DMSC li...
Expanding dendrons. The photoisomerism of folded azobenzene dendrons.

Irradiation of a folded azobenzene dendron system triggers a large, reversible structural expansion. The dendrons adopt a compact helical conformation in the stable E form owing to the E geometry of azo linkage and the syn−syn preference of the dendritic branch points. E → Z photoisomerization disrupts this folded conformation in a manner that decreases the packing efficiency and results in an expansion in hydrodynamic volume.
DEXAMETHASONE THERAPY IN INFANTS AT RISK FOR CHRONIC LUNG DISEASE(CLD): A MULTI-CENTER, RANDOMIZED, DOUBLE-MASKED TRIAL • 1399

DEXAMETHASONE THERAPY IN INFANTS AT RISK FOR CHRONIC LUNG DISEASE(CLD): A MULTI-CENTER, RANDOMIZED, DOUBLE-MASKED TRIAL • 1399
Experiences from integrating algorithmic and systemic load balancing strategies

Load balancing increases the efficient use of existing resources for parallel and distributed applications. At a coarse level of granularity, advances in runtime systems for parallel programs have been proposed in order to control available resources as efficiently as possible by utilizing idle resources and using task migration. Simultaneously, at a finer granularity level, advances in algorithmic strategies for dynamically balancing computational loads by data redistribution have been proposed in order to respond to variations in processor performance during the execution of a given parallel application. Combining strategies from each level of granularity can result in a system which delivers advantages of both. The resulting integration is systemic in nature and transfers the responsibility of efficient resource utilization from the application programmer to the runtime system. This paper presents the design and implementation of a system that combines an algorithmic fine-grained data parallel load balancing strategy with a systemic coarse-grained task-parallel load balancing strategy, and reports on recent experimental results of running a computationally intensive scientific application under this integrated system. The experimental results indicate that a distributed runtime environment which combines both task and data migration can provide performance advantages with little overhead. It also presents proposals for performance enhancements of the implementation, as well as future explorations for effective resource management. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of rainfall intensity, slope and antecedent moisture content on sediment concentration and sediment enrichment ratio

Abstract The transportability of sediment by runoff and its potential for subsequent deposition is dependent on the size and distribution of the transported material and the sediment concentration. The size distribution of the eroded sediment is also expected to vary depending on which erosion process is predominant. This study discusses the results of laboratory analysis to evaluate the effect of rainfall intensity, slope steepness, soil types and antecedent moisture content on sediment concentration, runoff coefficients, and sediment enrichment ratios. To achieve the objectives, laboratory experiments were conducted using FEL-3 rainfall simulator and erosion pan. Rainfall intensity of 120, 70, and 55 mm/h was applied sequentially at 9, 25 and 45% slope for three soil types found in Alemaya watershed, eastern Ethiopia Alemaya Black soil (Soil A), Regosols (Soil B), and Cambisols (Soil C) varied from clay to sandy clay loam in texture with wet and dry antecedent moisture contents. The rate of sediment concentration significantly varied with moisture contents. For Soil A, sediment concentrations (24.3 g/l) from an initially air-dry surface and (18.7 g/l) from an initially wet surface were observed. Wetting decreased sediment concentration of Soil A, B and C by 23, 45.7 and 1.3%, respectively. Sediment concentration didn't show any trend with rainfall intensities. For Soil B, the highest average silt enrichment ratio of 2.15 was observed followed by average clay enrichment ratio of 1.61. For Soil A and Soil C, average clay enrichment ratios of 1.13 and 1.91 were observed, respectively. Initial moisture contents had effect on the enrichment ratio, however, the actual effect varied with soil type and the size of the particle. Results of the study indicated that the actual effect of slope as well as rainfall intensity on sediment concentration and sediment yield vary with soil types and moisture contents.
Use of chromatographic data to determine the molecular weight of a solute eluted from a liquid chromatographic column

The diffusivities of 69 different compounds in a n-hexane—ethyl acetate solvent mixture have been determined and a precise relationship between solute diffusivity, molecular weight and molar volume established. The band dispersion for each of the same solutes has also been measured employing a liquid chromatographic column designed to emphasize the resistance-to-mass transfer factor and minimize thermal effects resulting from the use of high pressures and high mobile phase velocities. The effect of the capacity ratio of a solute on the resistance-to-mass transfer factor is determined and the relationship between the bandwidth of a solute, its diffusivity and its molecular weight established. A procedure is outlined for the determination of the molecular weight of a solute from the measurement of its bandwidth, when eluted from a liquid chromatographic column, within an error of 13% for 90% of the solutes examined providing the density of the solute lies between 0.85 and 1.25 g/ml.