cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Metabolic dysfunction and male pelvic health.

The therapeutic management of both voiding and sexual dysfunction is undergoing reanalysis. In part, this is secondary to agents other than the traditional a-blockers and 5a-reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs) being touted for voiding dysfunction such as muscarinic receptor antagonists (MRAs) and phosphodiesterase inhibitors. Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and sexual dysfunction are highly prevalent in men; these associations between LUTS and sexual dysfunction are independent of age and comorbidities, such as heart disease and diabetes [1]. Evidence linking disorders of the prostate and bladder with LUTS and sexual dysfunction is irrefutable, but the contribution of metabolic, cardiovascular, and endocrine factors cannot be discounted. What is the underlying association? Moreover, in an era where the prevalence of metabolic syndrome is increasing, particularly in the face of an epidemic of obesity, where do urologists fit in? Traditionally, in the management of LUTS and sexual dysfunction we tend to limit ourselves to both diagnostic and therapeutic boxes, that is, prostate, bladder, and penis. In part, this makes our jobs somewhat easier because we can reflexively diagnose and treat. However, is this of benefit to our patients? For example, a man who has urgency, frequency, and nocturia has a prostate problem that is almost always treated with prostate-specific therapies, whereas a woman with the same symptoms has a bladder problem and has been treated predominantly with MRAs. Don’t men have bladders as well? Recognition of the overlap between LUTS,
Role of Peptide Sequence and Neighboring Residue Glycosylation on the Substrate Specificity of the Uridine 5'-Diphosphate−α-N-acetylgalactosamine:Polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyl Transferases T1 and T2: Kinetic Modeling of the Porcine and Canine Submaxillary Gland Mucin Tandem Repeats†

A large family of uridine 5‘-diphosphate (UDP)−α-N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc):polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyl transferases (ppGalNAc Ts) initiates mucin-type O-glycan biosynthesis at serine and threonine. The peptide substrate specificities of individual family members are not well characterized or understood, leaving an inability to rationally predict or comprehend sites of O-glycosylation. Recently, a kinetic modeling approach demonstrated neighboring residue glycosylation as a major factor modulating the O-glycosylation of the porcine submaxillary gland mucin 81 residue tandem repeat by ppGalNAc T1 and T2 [Gerken et al. (2002) J. Biol. Chem. 277, 49850−49862]. To confirm the general applicability of this model and its parameters, the ppGalNAc T1 and T2 glycosylation kinetics of the 80+ residue tandem repeat from the canine submaxillary gland mucin was obtained and characterized. To reproduce the glycosylation patterns of both mucins (comprising 50+ serine/threonine residues), specific effects of n...
Constraining the unitarity triangle with B→ K*γ and B→ργ

We discuss the exclusive radiative decays B→ K*γ and B →ργ in QCD factorization within the Standard Model. The analysis is based on the heavy-quark limit of QCD. Our results for these decays are complete to next-to-leading order in QCD and to leading order in the heavy-quark limit. Phenomenological implications for branching ratios and isospin breaking effects are discussed. Special emphasis is placed on constraining the CKM unitarity triangle from these observables.
The Challenge of Recruiting Women and Minority Faculty Members in Political Science: A Case Study in Methods

teria; (case settled 1984). Garber v. Saxon Business Products, 552 F.2d 1032 (4th Cir. 1977). Munford v. James T. Barnes Co., 441 F. Supp. 459 (E. D. Mich. 1977). Priest v. Rotary, (USDC N. Calif.) 1983 (32 FEP cases 1064). Tomkins v. Public Service Electric and Gas Co., 568 F.2d 1044 (3rd Cir. 1977). Toscanov v. Nimmo, (USDC D Del.), 1983 (32 FEP cases 1401). Williams v. Saxbe, 413 F. Supp. 654, 660 (DDC 1976). Wright v. Methodist Youth Services, Inc. (USDC Del), 1981, (25 FEP Cases 563).
Migration of sequential systems to parallel environments by reverse engineering

Abstract Migration of code from sequential environments to parallel processing environments is often done in an ad hoc manner. We present a reverse engineering method to facilitate systematic migration of code from sequential to parallel processing environments. The approach includes a three-phase method and the design and development of a reverse engineering toolkit (RETK), which serves to establish a working model for the method. The method consists of three phases: analysis, synthesis and transformation. The analysis phase uses a new design recovery technique. The synthesis phase is comprised of processes that compute the data and control dependences by using the design abstractions produced by the analysis phase to construct the program dependence graph. The transformation phase consists of processes that require knowledge-based analysis of the program and dependence information produced by the analysis and synthesis phases, respectively. Design recommendations for parallel environments are the key output of the transformation phase. The main components of RETK are an information extractor, a dependence analyser and a design assistant that implement the processes of the analysis, synthesis and transformation phases, respectively. The design and implementation of the design assistant using C Language Interface Production System (CLIPS) are described. In addition, experimental results of applying the method to test programs by RETK are presented. The results include analysis of a Numerical Aerodynamic Simulation (NAS) benchmark program. By combining research in reverse engineering, dependence analysis and knowledge-based analysis, the method provides a systematic approach for code migration from sequential to parallel environments.
Atrophic and Plaquelike Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans

It is clinically important to realize that dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) often begins as a nonprotuberant plaque and occasionally persists as such. Cases of what has been called atrophic DFSP have recently been reported. None of these cases varied either histologically or prognostically from classical nodular DFSP, and all should be considered part of the clinical spectrum of DFSP. However, histologic variants of DFSP can portend a worse prognosis. The fibrosarcomatous variant, which is fascicular and does not immunostain with anti-CD34, is an example. Recently, another fascicular variant that does positively immunostain with anti-CD34 has been described as plaquelike DFSP. We described a case of a DFSP that had histologically banal, slender fascicles of anti-CD34 immunostaining spindle cells in a clinically nonprotuberant plaque despite subsequently developing a nodule with typical storiform histology. The importance of anti-CD34 immunoperoxidase staining in the diagnosis and prognosis of DFSP variants is emphasized.
Regulation of Inositol Transport in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Involves Inositol-induced Changes in Permease Stability and Endocytic Degradation in the Vacuole

Uptake of inositol by Saccharomyces cerevisiae is mediated by a specific inositol permease encoded by the ITR1 gene. Removal of inositol from the growth medium results in an increase in ITR1 mRNA abundance. The increase in ITR1 mRNA is accompanied by an increase in de novo synthesis of the Itr1 permease leading to an increased capacity for uptake. When inositol is added to the growth medium inactivation of uptake activity occurs, and both transcription of ITR1 and uptake activity are repressed to a basal level of function. The transcriptional regulation of ITR1 depends on the INO2, INO4, and OPI1 genes. In addition, repression is also achieved by regulation of ITR1 expression at the post-translational level. In this study, we show that there is a change in the stability of the Itr1 permease after the addition of inositol to the growth medium. Immunoblot analysis using a monoclonal antibody against an epitope attached to the Itr1 permease showed that the addition of inositol causes a dramatic increase in the rate of degradation of the permease. After the repressed (basal) level is achieved, turnover continues to be rapid. The increased rate of degradation was also observed in strains with mutations that block conjugation to ubiquitin. Degradation was not observed in strains defective in the END3/END4 endocytic pathway or in the production of vacuolar proteases (PEP4). Thus, inactivation of the Itr1 permease is accompanied by endocytic internalization followed by degradation in the vacuole. Inactivation may be a separate process that precedes and signals endocytic degradation. Since the end3/end4 mutations did not affect uptake activity under derepressed conditions, endocytosis is not required for normal inositol uptake.
Cultural Value Orientation and choice of Intervention Style for Chinese-American Compared to Anglo-American Clients

Abstract This paper examines the choice of directive and supportive intervention styles for Chinese-American compared to Anglo-American clients, in relation to the four dimensions of cultural value orientation distinguishing traditional Chinese values from mainstream American values: hierarchical versus egalitarian orientation to authority, external versus internal locus of control, controlled versus uninhibited expressiveness, and prescriptive versus autonomous role performance.
Calmodulin increases in selective brain regions with opioid dependence

Acute challenge of thalamic membranes with opioid agonists displaces calcium and prevents isoproterenol stimulation of adenylate cyclase. Chronic morphine administration for three days or three weeks results in significant increases in the level of calmodulin in membranes of thalamus, but not in periaqueductal gray, striatum, amygdala or hypothalamus.
Erosion in Medical Students' Attitudes About Telling Patients They Are Students

OBJECTIVE: To study the attitudes of preclinical and clinical medical students toward the importance of telling patients they are students, and to compare their attitudes with those of patients.
Crab Nebula Pulsar NPO527

Position measurements of the Crab nebula pulsar NPO527 made with a split-beam antenna yield the position (1950) $\ensuremath{\alpha}={05}^{\mathrm{h}}{26}^{\mathrm{m}}{10}^{\mathrm{S}}\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}{40}^{\mathrm{S}}$, $\ensuremath{\delta}=22\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}{0}^{\ensuremath{'}}\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}{30}^{\ensuremath{'}}$. Thus NPO527 lies 1.2\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} from the pulsar NPO532, which is located at the nebula. The proximity and similar dispersion of these two pulsars suggest that they may have had a common origin in the supernova explosion of A.D. 1054 and hence that NPO527 is moving with a velocity of $\ensuremath{\sim}0.15c$, a hypothesis which could be tested directly by proper motion measurements.
Effect of interatomic potential on simulated grain-boundary and bulk diffusion: A molecular-dynamics study.

Molecular-dynamics methods are used to model diffusion in a \ensuremath{\Sigma}=5 [100] Al tilt boundary and in bulk. The diffusion coefficient D and activation energy Q for atoms in the boundary and in bulk are calculated for several different Al empirical interatomic pair potentials. These include a Morse potential, spline potentials fitted to bulk experimental data (elastic constants, phonon spectra, etc.), and a pseudopotential. Reasonable agreement is obtained with experimental diffusion values for Al, although activation energies are low. There is also a wide variation in results from one potential to another because the atomic motion is sensitive to the shape of the primary well or minimum of the interatomic potential. Rescaling the data with rough estimates of the different bulk melting temperatures that each potential predicts reduces the discrepancy between potentials. This is shown to be true for virtually any pair potential by calculating diffusion rates for Morse potentials with changing potential-well depth, position, and width. The variations between potentials are also explained in a quantitative sense by a simple calculation of potential-energy barrier height for vacancy migration in a bulk model. A method is given for using a linear relation between barrier height and melting temperature to predict diffusion coefficients and general transport properties in grain boundaries and bulk for any pair potential in any fcc metal.
Community treatment of the young adult patient

Programs serving the chronically mentally ill in Dance County, Wisconsin involve assertive outreach to the patient and the community.
Impact of planar transformer winding capacitance on Si-based and GaN-based LLC resonant converter

Transformer loss, comprised of core loss and winding loss, is a critical part in the LLC resonant converter loss. Different winding structures lead to different winding losses and winding capacitances. High winding capacitance will impact the design of the LLC resonant converter. The reason is that high winding capacitance means high winding charge, which must be moved during the dead time to realize the device zero voltage turn-on. As a result, the dead time and magnetizing current will be changed, and the converter loss will be changed as well. This paper first discusses the transformer loss including core loss and winding loss. Then, four different winding structures are analyzed based on a selected core, which show the decrease of AC resistance and the increase of winding capacitance. After that, the winding capacitance model is discussed generally. Finally, the impact of winding capacitance on the design and performance of LLC resonant converter is studied. Two 48 V-12 V, 300 W Si-based and GaN-based LLC resonant converters are designed as platforms to evaluate the impact of winding capacitance. The results indicate that the GaN-based converter is well suited to the transformer with lowest winding loss but highest winding capacitance, since the GaN device's output capacitance is much lower than that of the Si device.
Mechanical properties of a 2-1/4 Cr-1 Mo steel tubesheet forging

Tensile and creep-rupture properties were determined on a 2-1/4 Cr-1 Mo steel forging that had been manufactured by techniques typical of those used for tubesheets for steam generators. Specimens were taken from the cylindrical forging in the as-received condition and on small pieces of the forging given a laboratory isothermal anneal. The microstructures in both conditions were primarily proeutectoid ferrite that contained small precipitate particles; the balance was bainite. The microstructure of the as-received forging depended on the position of the forging from which the specimen was taken. Near the external cylindrical surface, the microstructure was similar to that of the laboratory isothermally annealed steel and contained about 10 pct bainite. For specimens taken at intervals toward the center of the forging, the amount of bainite increased and went through a maximum of about 30 pct, then decreased to about 25 pct at the center. The strength also went through a maximum with distance into the forging. This nonuniformity of microstructure and strength was attributed to a nonuniformity of cooling rate for the large forging. Strength changes due to the differences in microstructure were attributed to carbide precipitation reactions that occur in the steel at elevated temperatures.
News Images of the Terrorist Attacks: Framing September 11th and Its Aftermath in the Pictures of the Year International Competition

This study employed a content analysis to examine the visual coverage of the September 11th attacks through images submitted to Pictures of the Year International. This study classified the 667 images into four main themes: events, aftermath, firefighters, and the Muslim world. In an attempt to determine how the September 11th terrorists' attack was framed by photojournalists, this study revealed that most of the images framed strong pro-American perspectives by showing a challenged America and a nation united through patriotism while only limited images introduced different anti-American perspectives.
A general approach based on constrained parameter-optimization for the implicit representation of information concerning welding processes

An analysis of weld morphology which typically occurs in deep penetration welding processes using electron or laser beams is presented. The method of analysis is based on geometric constraints with formal mathematical foundation within the theory of constrained parameter optimization. The analysis presented in this report serves as an example of the application of the geometric-constraints method to the analysis of weld fusion boundary morphology where there can be fragmented and incomplete information concerning material properties and only approximate information concerning the character of energy deposition, thus making a direct first principals approach difficult. A significant aspect of the geometric-constraints method is that it permits the implicit representation of information concerning temperature dependence of material properties and of coupling between heat transfer and fluid convection occurring in the weld meltpool.
Tungsten Carbides as Alternative Electrocatalysts: From Surface Science Studies to Fuel Cell Evaluation

In the current paper we will provide a review of our recent efforts in experimental studies of tungsten carbides as alternative electrocatalysts for methanol electro-oxidation. We will first discuss ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) studies on single crystal surfaces to demonstrate the feasibility of using tungsten carbides for methanol decomposition. We then discuss UHV studies on polycrystalline thin films and foils to approximate commercially relevant catalysts, thus bridging the “materials gap” and demonstrating that the fundamental chemistry observed in UHV over single crystal surfaces is applicable to morphologically complex surfaces. Electrochemical studies of thin films will be discussed to bridge the “pressure gap” and to verify that tungsten carbides are both active and stable in an electrochemical environment. Finally, we will provide performance data from direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) testing that incorporates tungsten carbides as the anode electrocatalysts.
FACILITATION OF SURVIVAL AND GROWTH OF BACCHARIS HALIMIFOLIA L. BY SPARTINA ALTERNIFLORA LOISEL. IN A CREATED LOUISIANA SALT MARSH

Coastal wetland loss is a major environmental issue in the Mississippi Delta region of the southern United States, where grasses such as Spartina alterniflora may play a critical role both as early colonizers on created sites and as facilitators of other marsh grasses and shrubs, particularly at high intertidal elevations. We explored the potential role of S. alterniflora as a facilitator of the colonization and growth of the shrub Baccharis halimifolia at two created wetlands in southwestern Louisiana through a combination of plant surveys and experimentation. Surveys for the presence of B. halimifolia inside and outside the bare centers of S. alterniflora clones that had begun to senesce inwardly were conducted at a 4-yr-old site originally created in 1993. The percent of clones containing B. halimifolia and the number of individual B. halimifolia plants per clone increased with increasing S. alterniflora clone size and decreased with increasing distance from an adjacent containment berm. Two experiments conducted at a second 4-yr-old site that was originally created in 1996 were designed to assess seed capture and growth of seedlings of B. halimifolia inside S. alterniflora clones. These experiments revealed that while significantly fewer seeds settle inside clones, those seedlings that grow in such areas gain a clear advantage in terms of both survival and rate of growth, which helps to explain the results of the initial survey and testifies to the role of S. alterniflora as a nurse plant in newly-created high intertidal marshes.
Sodium/hydrogen exchange activity in sepsis and in sepsis complicated by previous injury: 31P and 23Na NMR study.

Objective:Sepsis or septic shock occurs frequently in sick and injured patients and is associated with a significant mortality. Myocardial contractile dysfunction has been proposed to be a major determinant of sepsis-related mortality. This study was directed to examine the role of Na+/H+ exchange a
In vitro Stimulation by Insulin of α-Amino-isobutyric Acid Transport in the Absence of Protein Synthesis

In vitro Stimulation by Insulin of α-Amino-isobutyric Acid Transport in the Absence of Protein Synthesis
An apolipoprotein AI mimetic peptide: membrane interactions and the role of cholesterol

The 18-amino acid amphipathic helical peptide Ac-DWFKAFYDKVAEKFKEAF-NH(2) promotes the separation of cholesterol from the phospholipid, resulting in the formation of cholesterol crystallites, even at mole fractions of cholesterol as low as 0.3. The peptide exerts a greater degree of penetration into membranes of pure phosphatidylcholine in the absence of cholesterol than into bilayers of phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol. The circular dichroism spectrum of the peptide in buffer indicates that it self-associates, leading to the formation of structures with higher helical content. However, in the presence of lipid, the peptide remains helical over a larger concentration range. The peptide undergoes a thermal transition on heating. Cholesterol has little effect on the secondary structure of the peptide; however, increased Trp emission intensity in the absence of cholesterol indicates a deeper penetration of the helix upon removal of cholesterol from the membrane. The results with these model systems demonstrate changes in peptide-lipid interactions that may be related to the observed biological properties of this peptide.
Journalists’ opinions and attitudes about dialogic components of corporate websites

Abstract This study examines the opinions of print journalists regarding the use of dialogic components by Fortune 500 company web pages designed specifically for use by the press. Results showed that journalists recognize and appreciate the growing presence of dialogic components of corporate websites, but that a level of distrust and sense of manipulations still exists. This study also suggests the addition of a tenet to existing dialogic communications typologies, one of “relationship building and enhancement”.
955-58 Intracardiac Echocardiographic Quantification and Monitoring of Myocardial Perfusion Defects and Reperfusion with the Use of Intravenous Injection of FS069, a Transpulmonic Contrast Agent

Despite major efforts, echocardiographic delineation of LV myocardial hypoperfusion with intravenously (IV) injected contrast remains difficult because of the lack of an ideal agent. and problems in resolution of transthoracic 2DE images. In this study, we explored the potential of 2 new approaches: 1) a new IV contrast agent, FS069 (MBI) that can cross the pulmonary circulation and 2) Intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) that can depict LV myocardium crisply. In 5 anesthetized dogs, ICE was performed using a 6 Fr, 12.5 MHz catheter within the LV. Once short-axis views were obtained, a small dose (0.3 mg) of FS069 was injected into the femoral vein at baseline, following occlusion of the LAD, PDA, and OM coronary arteries, and after reperfusion. Continuous ICE monitoring was performed. Perfusion defects, quantified and expressed as % of LV, were correlated with the extent of regional wall motion abnormalities (WMA) measured in ICE images without contrast. Results After IV injection, the RV cavity was opacified, followed by the LV cavity. All endocardial borders were well defined. Contrast enhancement was noted within the myocardium within 5 beats of LV cavity opacification. During 18 episodes of ischemia we produced, opacification of the LV cavity facilitated identification of WMA in all. Perfusion defects corresponding to WMAs were observed in all cases where WMAs were present; however 2 episodes of ischemia were not accompanied by either contrast defects or WMA. Defects were visible long enough for ICE to image the LV at multiple levels. Following reperfusion and re-injection of contrast, no defects were noted. The perfusion defects ranged from 13–62% (mean 37.6 ± 14.8) of the total LV; the extent of WMA was 14–66% (mean 39.0 ± 15.2) of the LV circumference. Defect size (x) correlated well with extent of WMA (y), with y = 0.98x + 2.1, r = 0.95. P l 0.001. Conclusion (1) IV injection of FS069 is sensitive and strong enough to demonstrate myocardial perfusion and ischemia that can be quantified by ICE; (2) Contrast changes persist long enough to image all levels of the LV by ICE; (3) Catheter-based imaging, when refined. could be useful for monitoring ischemia and perfusion status.
Trophic analysis of two subtropical South American freshwater crabs using stable isotope ratios

Crustaceans with crayfish- and crab-mor- phologies do not co-occur often. However, the crab families Aeglidae (crayfish morphology) and Tricho- dactylidae (crab morphology) are sympatric in many subtropical South American streams. We investigated the trophic status of Aegla uruguayana (Aeglidae) and Trichodactylus panoplus (Trichodactylidae) in a South American subtropical piedmont river (Cuareim River, Uruguay) using d 13 C and d 15 N ratios. We estimated the relative importance of prey items using a five-source mixing model. Stable isotope analysis revealed that the two crabs have different trophic niches. Three fractionation rates (-1, 0, and ?1 %) influenced the estimated assimilation (%) of prey items to consumers. However, the relative importance of prey items was unaffected. A. uruguayana showed an ontogenetic shift from herbivore-detritivore to omnivore. Shared morphology between crayfishes and aeglids likely facilitates similar trophic roles; how- ever, A. uruguayana occupies a much lower trophic position than is typical for crayfishes. T. panoplus is a strict herbivore-detritivore. In contrast to tropical crabs, they do not engage in carnivory or exploit terrestrial subsidies. In subtropical South American streams, aeglids may be the functional equivalent of crayfishes, whereas trichodactylids may fill a trophic role atypical for freshwater crabs.
Migration of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) stent: Evaluation by transesophageal echocardiography

Abstract Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunting (TIPS) is a procedure for end-stage liver disease that involves angiographically guided placement of an intrahepatic expandable metal stent. Mechanical complications of intrahepatic stent placement have been reported, including stent migration to the central venous circulation. This report describes a patient who had embolization of a stent after a TIPS procedure, with subsequent failed percutaneous attempts at stent removal. Transesophageal echocardiography documented the stent caught in the tricuspid valve and apparatus, with its distal end projecting into the right ventricular cavity. (J Am Soc Echocardiogr 2000;13:949-50.)
The frequency band where the solution to Maxwell's equations is unknown —A challenge facing the analysis of multiscale problems and its solution

The problems encountered in the system-level analysis and design of integrated circuits (IC) are multiscaled in nature, the geometric scales of which range from centimeter to nanometer. For such multiscale problems, in this paper, we demonstrate, both theoretically and numerically, that there exists a band of frequencies in which the solution to Maxwell's equations is unknown. This is because in this band, traditional fullwave solvers break down due to finite machine precision while static and quasistatic solvers are invalid, i.e. the solution at the breakdown frequencies of traditional fullwave solvers is a fullwave solution. As a result, the prevailing approach for broadband IC design, which stitches the results from a fullwave solver at high frequencies with those from static/quasi-static solvers at low frequencies, can be totally incorrect when applied in a multiscale setting. Consequently, to sustain the continued scaling of integrated circuits, it is important to find the solution to the original fullwave Maxwell's equation in a complete electromagnetic spectrum, whether high or low. Such a universal solution has been developed in [1]. In this work, in addition to demonstrating the existence of a frequency band where the solution of Maxwell's equations is unknown from existing electromagnetic solvers, we present a fast algorithm to find the unknown solution, thus addressing a major challenge in multiscale analysis.
Generation of active trypsin by chemical cleavage

Abstract A novel strategy has been developed to generate trypsin from trypsinogen without proteolytic processing. The unnatural amino acid allylglycine was incorporated into a trypsinogen variant to permit cleavage specifically at Ile-16, the prototypical activation site, and generate the active protease, trypsin. A suppressor tRNA, activated with allylglycine, was used to synthesize the allylglycine trypsinogen variant by in vitro translation of an mRNA transcript that placed the UAG stop codon immediately prior to the authentic trypsin coding region. Iodine treatment of the variant trypsinogen resulted in trypsin that was fully active and kinetically indistinguishable from wild type recombinant trypsin. Using single substrates, the iodine treated variant exhibited a catalytic profile essentially identical to that of wild type recombinant rat trypsin ( k cat / K M =3.7±0.5 vs 3.7±0.8 μM −1 s −1 , respectively). Furthermore, the specificity profiles generated from substrate combinatorial libraries are indistinguishable. These results illustrate that (1) iodine activated allylglycine trypsinogen is virtually identical to enteropeptidase activated recombinant trypsinogen and (2) this novel technique is a feasible alternative to achieve site specific cleavage of serine protease zymogens.
A pilot study of thalidomide in patients with progressive metastatic renal cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND The highly vascular nature of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) suggests that angiogenesis inhibition may be therapeutic for patients with this disease. Thalidomide inhibits basic fibroblast growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced angiogenesis. METHODS In a pilot study, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of escalating doses of thalidomide in patients with progressive metastatic RCC (mRCC), measurable disease, and good organ function. Patients received oral thalidomide starting at 200 mg per day and increasing by 100–200 mg per day weekly until a target dose of 1200 mg per day was reached. Study endpoints were objective tumor response and toxicity. RESULTS Of the 20 patients enrolled, 19 were evaluable for response. Eighteen achieved the target dose. The most common, but reversible, toxicities were constipation, somnolence, and fatigue. Peripheral neuropathy was seen after prolonged therapy, necessitating dose reduction. Two patients achieved a partial response and nine had stable disease for a median of 14 months (range, 3–17 months). Median time to progression was 4.7 months (range, 0.7–31.3 months). Fifteen patients died (median survival, 18.1 months; 95% lower confidence bound 10.7). Survival was significantly longer in patients with higher hemoglobin level and longer time from first metastasis to start of thalidomide, but significantly shorter in patients with multiple organ involvement and previous treatments. CONCLUSIONS Thalidomide at this dose is associated with manageable acute toxicities but long-term dose-limiting neuropathy. Objective responses are rare in patients with mRCC and are characterized by delay in achieving maximum tumor reduction. Prolonged stable disease is seen in some patients, but the benefit of thalidomide, as well as other angiogenesis inhibitors, in that setting needs to be studied in controlled, randomized trials. Cancer 2002;95:758–65. © 2002 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.10740
Optimal Removal of Out-of-Sequence Measurements from Tracks

In real-world tracking systems some earlier measurements that have been used to update a track might be reassigned to other tracks and then there is a need to remove such measurements from the track under consideration. This paper presents the optimal solution to the problem of removing earlier measurements from tracks. The optimal algorithm yields significantly better results than the previous (suboptimal) "one-step" solution, especially when the measurement to be removed is (nearly) an outlier.
A Fault-Aware Toolchain Approach for FPGA Fault Tolerance

As the size and density of silicon chips continue to increase, maintaining acceptable manufacturing yields has become increasingly difficult. Recent works suggest that lithography techniques are reaching their limits with respect to enabling high yield fabrication of small-scale devices, thus there is an increasing need for techniques that can tolerate fabrication time defects. One candidate technology to help combat these defects is reconfigurable hardware. The flexible nature of reconfigurable devices, such as Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), makes it possible for them to route around defective areas of a chip after the device has been packaged and deployed into the field.This work presents a technique that aims to increase the effective yield of FPGA manufacturing by re-claiming a portion of chips that would be ordinarily classified as unusable. In brief, we propose a modification to existing commercial toolchain flows to make them fault aware. A phase is added to identify faults within the chip. The locations of these faults are then used by the toolchain to avoid faults during the placement and routing phase.Specifically, we have applied our approach to the Xilinx commercial toolchain flow and evaluated its tolerance to both logic and routing resource faults. Our findings show that, at a cost of 5--10p in device frequency performance, the modified toolchain flow can tolerate up to 30p of logic resources being faulty and, depending on the nature of the target application, can tolerate 1--30p of the device's routing resources being faulty. These results provide strong evidence that commercial toolchains not designed for the purpose of tolerating faults can still be greatly leveraged in the presence of faults to place and route circuits in an efficient manner.
Estimation of solar direct beam transmittance of conifer canopies from airborne LiDAR

Abstract The utility of airborne scanning LiDAR data to estimate solar direct beam canopy transmittance in complex, forested terrain was evaluated. Twenty-four hemispherical photos were used to produce ground-based estimates of solar direct beam canopy transmittance. The photo estimates were used to develop and evaluate two spatially distributed canopy transmittance models: 1) a Beer's Law-type transmittance model based on LiDAR-derived canopy metrics, and 2) a solar raytrace model applied to a three-dimensional canopy model. The models were used to estimate solar direct beam canopy transmittance at five-minute resolution for all days between the winter and summer solstices over an 800 m by 700 m domain at 1 m horizontal grid spacing. When compared to estimates from hemispherical photos, the raytrace model resolved the complex seasonal and diurnal variability of solar direct beam canopy transmittance resulting from individual trees and localized canopy structure. The Beer's-type model was unable to resolve these detailed factors. The two models exhibited similar and relatively low normalized daily mean error values from December to early March. Later in the season (01 March–21 June), the model differences were pronounced; the daily mean and standard deviation of the error values for the Beer's-type and raytrace models were 13% ± 10% and 8% ± 6%, respectively. The results confirm previously known limitations of Beer's Law when used to estimate sub-canopy solar beam irradiance under heterogeneous canopy conditions. Averaged over the spatial domain, the Beer's-type model estimated 21% and 48% lower canopy transmittance than the raytrace model on 01 March and 03 May, respectively. The Beer's-type model was unable to represent the seasonal increase in areal average canopy transmission contributed from small canopy gaps. Finally, both distributed models were used to simulate the cumulative solar beam irradiance during the 2010 snowmelt season. The raytrace model was shown to capture a high level of variability necessary to simulate explicit stand-scale solar irradiance that strongly influences spatiotemporal patterns of snowmelt, soil water availability, and the partition and exchange of energy within heterogeneous forest ecosystems.
A 13C nuclear magnetic resonance study of the effect of temperature on the side-chain polysiloxane liquid crystal containing trans-2-[p-(1-undecanyl-11-oxy)phenyl]-5-[(p-2(S)-methyl-1-butoxy)phenyl]-1,3-dioxane

Solid-state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance has been used to study the effects of temperature cycling on a side-chain polymer liquid crystal. Cycling the polymer from 100°C to room temperature resulted in severe line broadening. High-resolution spectra were obtained by cycling from 70°C to room temperature. The dioxane ring undergoes a transition from a mixture of cis and trans to an all-trans conformation in the liquid-crystalline state. The line broadening is associated with enhanced mobility of the mesogenic unit and decreased mobility of the backbone. T1 measurements indicate that the mesogenic unit and the spacer carbons in α positions with respect to the mesogen are rigid below Tm.
Thermoelectric power in niobium-zirconium alloys

Thermoelectric power in niobium-zirconium alloys noting phonon drag peak attenuation due to Zr solute addition at very low temperatures
Scenario assignments as assessment tools for undergraduate engineering education

A challenge many faculty face is finding effective qualitative tools to assess students' skills and knowledge of practices. This paper describes how one such tool, the scenario assignment, was used in an upper division Mechanical Engineering course at the University of California at Berkeley. The scenario assignment is a qualitative performance assessment tool designed to assess students' knowledge of engineering practices, framework, and problem solving. An analytic rubric was developed to assess students' knowledge with respect to the learning outcomes associated with the scenario tool. Students were given a scenario that describes a "day in the life" problem faced by engineers. They were then asked to describe a process they would use to solve the problem. Careful testing of the rubric and training of the scorers revealed that the scores reliably differentiated among student abilities. Two sample student responses to the battery scenario are presented and discussed. Initial findings suggest that use of the scenarios can help faculty to quickly identify students' strengths and weaknesses and adapt their course to address the areas where students need attention.
Properties of single voltage-dependent K+ channels in dendrites of CA1 pyramidal neurones of rat hippocampus.

Voltage-dependent K+ channels in the apical dendrites of CA1 pyramidal neurones play important roles in regulating dendritic excitability, synaptic integration, and synaptic plasticity. Using cell-attached, voltage-clamp recordings, we found a large variability in the waveforms of macroscopic K+ currents in the dendrites. With single-channel analysis, however, we were able to identify four types of voltage-dependent K+ channels and we categorized them as belonging to delayed-rectifier, M-, D-, or A-type K+ channels previously described from whole-cell recordings. Delayed-rectifier-type K+ channels had a single-channel conductance of 19 ± 0.5 pS, and made up the majority of the sustained K+ current uniformly distributed along the apical dendrites. The M-type K+ channels had a single-channel conductance of 11 ± 0.8 pS, did not inactivate with prolonged membrane depolarization, deactivated with slow kinetics (time constant 100 ± 6 ms at −40 mV), and were inhibited by bath-applied muscarinic agonist carbachol (10 μm). The D-type K+ channels had a single-channel conductance of around 18 pS, and inactivated with a time constant of 98 ± 4 ms at +54 mV. The A-type K+ channels had a single-channel conductance of 6 ± 0.6 pS, inactivated with a time constant of 23 ± 2 ms at +54 mV, and contributed to the majority of the transient K+ current previously described. These results suggest both functional and molecular complexity for K+ channels in dendrites of CA1 pyramidal neurones.
Measurement of Health-Related Quality of Life in the Economic Evaluation of Medicines

Methods for the economic evaluation of pharmaceuticals seek to compare therapies in terms of costs and outcomes. Therapeutic benefits and side effects of medicines often impact upon domains of human functioning which can be defined and measured under the general term of health-related quality of life (HRQOL). This paper reviews the rationale behind the use of preference-based HRQOL assessment, such as utility measurement, in economic evaluation studies. It is argued that disease-specific measures and generic health profiles are of limited value for use in economic appraisal studies, particularly where therapies impact upon quality and quantity of life. The conceptual and practical problems arising from the composite outcome measure of quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) are also reviewed.
The Nature of Writing Difficulties in Students With Language/Learning Disabilities

Abstract Students with language/learning disabilities very often struggle with writing and tend to find the process very frustrating. Their difficulties with transcription, sentence structure, cohe...
The value of both ST-segment and QRS complex changes during acute coronary occlusion for prediction of reperfusion-induced myocardial salvage in a canine model.

Abstract Background Analysis of ST-segment elevation for assessment of patients with suspected acute coronary occlusion is in widespread use for diagnostic and prognostic purposes. In this study, changes in the QRS complex also were analyzed to determine if these changes that are seldom used clinically can provide additional prognostic information. An acute coronary occlusion canine model, in which direct measurements of myocardial salvage were made, was used to assess whether ST-segment and QRS complex changes during coronary occlusion yielded independent estimates of the amount of salvage provided by reperfusion with arterial blood. Methods and Results Continuous electrocardiographic recordings were obtained from 14 study dogs undergoing a 90-minute period of coronary artery occlusion in which the severity of the ischemia during the occlusion was estimated at 10 and 45 minutes by microsphere injections. After 3 hours of reperfusion, the myocardium at risk and postmortem infarct size was measured. Myocardial salvage correlated inversely with both ST-segment elevation ( r = −0.85; P r = −0.72; P = .003). When dogs were paired so that they had equal amounts of ST elevation but differed with respect to the presence of QRS prolongation, less myocardial salvage was found in those with QRS prolongation. The independent value of QRS prolongation was supported further by the observation that presence of QRS prolongation resulted in a loss of the highly significant correlation between ST elevation and salvage ( r = −0.60; P = .2). Conclusions High magnitudes of ST elevation are correlated significantly with less myocardial salvage. Moreover, for a given magnitude of ST elevation, the presence of concurrent QRS prolongation is associated with even less myocardial salvage.
Home-visiting intervention to improve child care among American Indian adolescent mothers: a randomized trial.

Objective To assess the impact of a paraprofessional-delivered home-visiting intervention to promote child care knowledge, skills, and involvement among pregnant American Indian adolescents. Design Randomized controlled trial comparing a family-strengthening intervention with a breastfeeding education program. Setting One Apache and 3 Navajo communities. Participants Fifty-three pregnant American Indian adolescents were randomly assigned to intervention (n = 28) or control (n = 25) groups. Follow-up data were available for 19 intervention and 22 control participants. Intervention Paraprofessionals delivered 41 prenatal and infant care lessons in participants' homes from 28 weeks' gestation to 6 months post partum. Main Outcome Measures Child care knowledge, skills, and involvement. Results Mothers in the intervention compared with the control group had significantly higher parent knowledge scores at 2 months (adjusted mean difference [AMD], +14.9 [95% confidence interval (CI), +7.5 to +22.4]) and 6 months post partum (AMD, +15.3 [95% CI, +5.9 to +24.7]). Intervention group mothers scored significantly higher on maternal involvement scales at 2 months post partum (AMD, +1.5 [95% CI, −0.02 to +3.02]), and scores approached significance at 6 months post partum (AMD, +1.1 [95% CI, −0.06 to +2.2]). No between-group differences were found for child care skills. Conclusions A paraprofessional-delivered, family-strengthening home-visiting program significantly increased mothers' child care knowledge and involvement. A longer and larger trial is needed to understand the intervention's potential to improve adolescent parenting and related child outcomes in American Indian communities.
Continuous program optimization: Design and evaluation

This paper presents a system in which the already executing user code is continually and automatically reoptimized in the background, using dynamically collected execution profiles as a guide. Whenever a new code image has been constructed in the background in this manner, it is hot-swapped in place of the previously executing one. Control is then transferred to the new code and construction of yet another code image is initiated in the background. Two new runtime optimization techniques have been implemented in the context of this system: object layout adaptation and dynamic trace scheduling. The former technique constantly improves the storage layout of dynamically allocated data structures to improve data cache locality. The latter increases the instruction-level parallelism by continually adapting the instruction schedule to predominantly executed program paths. The empirical results presented in this paper make a case in favor of continuous optimization, but also indicate some of the pitfalls and current shortcomings of continuous optimization. If not applied judiciously, the costs of dynamic optimizations outweigh their benefit in many situations so that no break-even point is ever reached. In favorable circumstances, however, speed-ups of over 96 percent have been observed. It appears as if the main beneficiaries of continuous optimization are shared libraries in specific application domains which, at different times, can be optimized in the context of the currently dominant client application.
The Functional Properties of Hemoglobin Modified with Mellitic Dianhydride: Possible Applications as a Blood Substitute

Human oxyhemoglobin reacts with mellitic dianhydride to produce a modified protein which shows a reduced oxygen affinity over a wide pH range, a reduced but significant cooperativity, a reduced Bohr effect and no response to the allosteric effectors: chloride, clofibric acid or inositol hexaphosphate. The amount of crosslinking in the modified hemoglobin is approximately 22% suggesting promise as a blood substitute. Reaction of deoxyhemoglobin with mellitic dianhydride produces a modified protein with reduced response to clofibric acid and a decrease in oxygen affinity in the presence of inositol hexaphosphate.