cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimizing COOP languages: study of a protein dynamics program

Fine-grained concurrent object-oriented programming (COOP) models can simplify the programming of irregular parallel applications but are often perceived as inefficient. In this paper, we study implementation techniques to obtain efficient parallel execution of fine-grained COOP languages using a medium-sized protein dynamics program. We found that even with high data locality and good sequential code efficiency, an implementation using only thread-oriented optimizations and software multithreading fails to achieve parallel efficiency. The two major sources of overhead are the lack of processor-level data reuse and fine-grained threads for remote object accesses. Two processor-oriented optimizations, processor-level caching and communication grouping, overcome these inefficiencies and achieve performance comparable to a highly-tuned SPMD program.
A mass spectrometric method for rapidly assaying the chiral selectivities of the copper(I) complexes of C2‐symmetric ligands

A gas-phase method for rapidly assaying the enantioselectivity of metal-centered catalysts is presented. It relies on gas-phase equilibrium measurements in a quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer. A group of well-established C2-symmetric bis-oxazoline copper(I) complexes was used to identify chiral probe reagents that are capable of profiling the quality of the asymmetric environment provided by the metal complex. The chiral probes were then applied to a wide variety of copper(I) bis-di-imine complexes. Complexes based on a BINAM backbone exhibited selectivities that were comparable to the bis-oxazolines. Taking advantage of the mass selectivity capabilities of the ion trap mass spectrometer, the method was also applied to an un-purified mix of copper(I) complexes derived from a combinatorial synthesis of bis-di-imine ligands. This approach holds promise as a rapid screening tool for potential chiral catalysts.
Gastric electrical stimulation with long pulses in humans and animals: can data obtained in animals be replicated in humans?

Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate and compare effective parameters for gastric electrical stimulation (GES) to modulate gastric muscle functions in different species. Methods: Four species: Pigs, dogs, rats, and mice implanted with two pairs of electrodes on the serosal surface of the stomach were studied, respectively. Experiment 1 was designed to entrain/pace gastric slow waves and included a series of 5-min periods with long-pulse GES of different pulse widths and frequencies. Experiment 2 was designed to induce gastric dysrhythmia with long-pulse GES of different frequencies. Gastric slow waves were recorded during the entire experiment. Results: 1) The minimum pulse width for GES to completely entrain the slow waves was similar (100–400 msec) in all four species. 2) With fixed amplitude (4 mA) and pulse width (400 msec), the highest frequency at which slow waves could be paced was similar (about 10–60% higher than the intrinsic slow wave frequency) in all species. 3) With fixed pulse width of 400 msec and amplitude of 6 mA, GES with nine to 18 cycles per min (cpm) was able to induce dysrhythmia in dogs. In addition, there was no significant difference among these frequencies of 9–18 cpm. 4) GES with 400 msec, 6 mA, and 9 cpm was able to induce dysrhythmia in all species. These effective GES parameters in results 1–4 were similar to those used in humans in the literature. Conclusions: There is no significant difference in stimulation parameters when GES is applied to alter gastric slow waves in different animal models. Furthermore, the effective parameters for GES to alter slow waves are similar between the humans and various animal models. These findings suggest that stimulation parameters obtained from animal studies are applicable in humans.
Transposon Tagging and Reverse Genetics

Transposons are mobile genetic elements that can amplify themselves in a genome. Transposable elements were first discovered in maize (McClintock 1948) and have been found to exist in all organisms. Transposons have multiple modes of movement or transposition, which is used to group the elements into two major classes, based on having an RNA or a DNA intermediate during transposition (reviewed in HuaVan et al. 2005). The maize genome contains examples of most known transposon families including long terminal repeat (LTR) and non-LTR retrotransposons (class I), which use RNA intermediates, as well as class II DNA elements (Bruggmann et al. 2006). Maize class II elements tend to insert near or within genes (Bureau and Wessler 1992; Cowperthwaite et al. 2002; Fernandes et al. 2004; Kolkman et al. 2005; Kumar et al. 2005; McCarty et al. 2005; Settles et al. 2004). Transposition into genes can cause mutant phenotypes, and transposons are used as endogenous mutagens. This chapter focuses on the use of maize DNA transposons in molecular genetics and functional genomics studies. With the exception of helitrons, DNA transposons share some common molecular and genetic properties. DNA elements have terminal inverted repeats as well as autonomous and non-autonomous transposons (Hua-Van et al. 2005). Autonomous elements encode the genes required for transposition. Non-autonomous transposons contain sequences recognized by transposase proteins and can move only in the presence of an autonomous element. Non-autonomous elements either have mutations in transposase genes or have replaced them with other sequences. DNA transposons also create target site duplications at the site of insertion. The length of the duplication is specific to each family of element. The major families of
Early Cretaceous transition from nonaccretionary behavior to strongly accretionary behavior within the Franciscan subduction complex

[1] During subduction at the Franciscan trench beginning at 170–160 Ma and continuing to the present, marine sedimentary and lesser volcanic rocks have been underthrust, accreted, and metamorphosed to form the Franciscan accretionary wedge. The South Fork Mountain Schist (SFMS) forms the eastern margin and structural top of the wedge and so was apparently the first unit of substantial size to accrete into the Franciscan. New U-Pb ages of detrital zircons and 40Ar/39Ar ages of metamorphic white micas indicate that the SFMS accreted surprisingly late in the time span of Franciscan subduction, probably at ca. 123 Ma. At least parts of the Valentine Spring Formation and Yolla Bolly terrane accreted soon thereafter. Therefore, accretion of the SFMS apparently marks a fundamental transition from virtually nonaccretionary behavior to strongly accretionary behavior in the Franciscan forearc. About 75% of modern forearcs are nonaccretionary, so recognition of an early nonaccretionary period is consistent with modern examples. The Franciscan mafic high-grade exotic blocks (and related very small slabs), which yield ca. 132 to 169 Ma metamorphic ages, are the only well-documented rock record of the early ≈40-m.y.-long nonaccretionary period and represent very sparse accretion during that interval. The transition into an accretionary regime at ca. 123 Ma was essentially synchronous with the end of the Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous magmatic lull in the Sierra Nevada magmatic arc, with the waning of Early Cretaceous faulting and warping within the Great Valley forearc basin, and possibly with changes in motion vectors of the Pacific and Farallon plates.
Music and Hearing Protection: A Call to Action

Abstract Millions of people are exposed to loud music, either as musicians or as recreational consumers of music. Audiologists are in the best position to address hearing conservation problems for ...
The puboprostatic ligament and the male urethral suspensory mechanism: an anatomic study.

Abstract Objectives. To perform a detailed anatomic study of the puboprostatic ligament and male urethral suspensory mechanism with comparisons to homologous female anatomy. Methods. Anatomic dissections were performed on hemipelves of normal fresh male andfemale cadavers. Results. The puboprostatic ligament was not a discrete “band” of fascia that simply fixesthe prostate to the pubic symphysis, but a pyramid-shaped structure that is part of a larger urethral suspensory mechanism that attaches the membranous urethra to the pubic bone. As in the female, the male urethral suspensory mechanism was composed of three continuous structures: the anterior pubourethral ligament (suspensory ligament of the penis and fascial reflection of the perineal membrane), the intermediate pubourethral ligament (arcuate and transverse ligaments), and the posterior pubourethral ligament (the puboprostatic ligament). The attachments of the urethral suspensory mechanism bilaterally inserted along the lateral border of the urethra to form a sling of support from the pubic arch. Conclusions. The male and female urethral suspensory mechanism are comparable. Understanding the relationship of the male urethral suspensory mechanism to the urethra, striated urethral sphincter, and dorsal vein may help in performing the apical dissection of the prostate during radical retropubic prostatectomy and in preserving urinary continence following radical pelvic surgery.
Male territoriality in the carpenter bee Xylocopa virginica virginica

Abstract Males of the carpenter bee Xylocopa v. virginica are territorial at nest sites, food plants, and landmarks such as boulders and houses. Their territories are defined as hover spaces of about 0.03 m 3 inside hemispherical 20-m-radius attack spaces. They copulated in or near nest-site and food-plant territories. Territorial males frequently fought with other males and chased or flew toward females and other airborne objects, such as heterospecific insects, birds, and aeroplanes. They held territories at nesting sites in April and May, but were seen to mate only in fall and on the first vernal flight days of females in April. Patrolling and interloping males without territories frequently attempted mating in the territories of others.
Genetic analysis of a murine QTL for diet restriction on chromosome 15

Diet restriction (DR), the implementation of a reduced calorie diet, without starvation, increases lifespan in a number of model organisms including mammals. How DR extends lifespan remains unclear. Genetic studies have shown that life extension is not a universal response to DR; instead, the effects of DR are strain dependent. We previously mapped a quantitative trait locus (QTL) specifying differential response to DR to chromosome 15 in the inbred long-sleep (ILS) × inbred short-sleep (ISS) recombinant inbred panel of mice. This QTL named Fedr2 (fuel efficiency response to DR)-2 modifies body weight (BW) and hair growth (HG) in response to DR. The QTL has been previously mapped using the ISS.Lore5LA (5LA) congenic strain. Here, we have used the reciprocal congenic strain ILS.Lore5SA (5SA) to further investigate Fedr2. The 5LA congenic showed increased ability to maintain BW and HG under DR. For the reciprocal congenic, 5SA, we expected the reciprocal response that the 5SA congenic would have a lesser ability to maintain BW and HG under DR. This expectation was mostly met. The Fedr2 S allele conferred lower BW maintenance under DR in both females and males. For females, the difference in BW was significant for the entirety of DR, and for males, the difference became significant at week 17 of DR. For HG, the Fedr2 S allele conferred decreased HG ability under DR in males, but not for females. These results highlight the genetic basis for variation in DR response and support the previous observations that Fedr2 mediates BW and HG during DR.
Altered glucose homeostasis in proopiomelanocortin-null mouse mutants lacking central and peripheral melanocortin.

Prolonged obesity frequently leads to insulin resistance and, eventually, to diabetes. This relationship reflects the integration of fat stores and carbohydrate metabolism and the coordination of central nervous system functions, e.g. appetite, and peripheral metabolism. Recent work suggests that the melanocortin system is involved in this integration; specifically, central administration of melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) decreases, whereas lack of central MSH signaling increases, peripheral insulin resistance. Here we asked whether MSH acting in the periphery has a complementary role in insulin resistance. We tested this in a mouse model where the proopiomelanocortin (POMC) gene encoding all of the melanocortins has been genetically deleted. The homozygous POMC-null mouse lacks central as well as peripheral MSH signaling; in addition, it lacks adrenal glands and thus is devoid of corticosterone and epinephrine. Here we report that homozygous POMC mutants have normal serum levels of insulin, normal fasting levels of glucose, and normal clearance of glucose in glucose tolerance tests. Thus, insulin production and sensitivity and glucose uptake in peripheral tissues are functioning normally. However, we found a striking inability of the homozygous POMC mutants to recover from insulin-induced hypoglycemia. This defect was in the glucagon-mediated counterregulatory response. Both peripheral administration of an MSH analog and supplementation with corticosterone alleviated the hypoglycemia after insulin challenge, but did not make the obese POMC mutant mice diabetic. We conclude that, similar to the regulation of body weight homeostasis, the regulation of glucose homeostasis requires the integration of both central and peripheral melanocortin signaling systems.
The liprin protein SYD-2 regulates the differentiation of presynaptic termini in C. elegans

At synaptic junctions, specialized subcellular structures occur in both pre- and postsynaptic cells. Most presynaptic termini contain electron-dense membrane structures1, often referred to as active zones, which function in vesicle docking and release2. The components of those active zones and how they are formed are largely unknown. We report here that a mutation in the Caenorhabditis elegans syd-2 (for synapse-defective) gene causes a diffused localization of several presynaptic proteins and of a synaptic-vesicle membrane associated green fluorescent protein (GFP) marker3,4. Ultrastructural analysis revealed that the active zones of syd-2 mutants were significantly lengthened, whereas the total number of vesicles per synapse and the number of vesicles at the prominent active zones were comparable to those in wild-type animals. Synaptic transmission is partially impaired in syd-2 mutants. syd-2 encodes a member of the liprin (for LAR-interacting protein) family of proteins which interact with LAR-type (for leukocyte common antigen related) receptor proteins with tyrosine phosphatase activity (RPTPs)5,6. SYD-2 protein is localized at presynaptic termini independently of the presence of vesicles, and functions cell autonomously. We propose that SYD-2 regulates the differentiation of presynaptic termini in particular the formation of the active zone, by acting as an intracellular anchor for RPTP signalling at synaptic junctions.
Present choices, future outcomes: Anticipated regret and HPV vaccination

Abstract Objective The study examined the role of anticipated regret in human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination decisions as well as potential antecedents of anticipated regret. Method In 2007, we interviewed 889 caregivers for girls aged 10–18 in areas of North Carolina with high rates of cervical cancer. The survey assessed vaccination regret (anticipated regret if daughter became more sexually active after vaccination) and inaction regret (anticipated regret if an unvaccinated daughter developed an HPV infection that could lead to cervical cancer). Main outcomes were self-reported vaccination behavior and intentions to vaccinate. Analyses controlled for perceived risk and caregiver and child characteristics. Results Caregivers who reported higher vaccination regret were less likely to have gotten their adolescent daughters the HPV vaccine (OR = .60, p Conclusion Anticipated regret appears to play an important role in caregivers' decisions to vaccinate adolescent girls against HPV, above and beyond the role played by perceived risk.
The Impact of Coresidence on Economic Well-being of Elderly Widows

Cross-sectional data from the Survey of Income and Program Participation were used to estimate the impact of coresidence on the economic well-being of elderly widows and of coresident family members. Coresidence improves well-being for both the widow and the other participants in 51 percent of cases; improves it for the widow and diminishes it for the others in 28 percent of cases; and improves it for the others while diminishing it for the widow in 21 percent of cases. Among non-Whites, coresidence benefits the widow less, and other members more, than among Whites. A regression model of the economic benefit to elderly widows from coresidence was used to explain why non-White widows receive less benefit from coresidence than Whites. Much of the racial difference can be explained by differences in household composition and the lower earnings of adult males in the households of non-White elders. While coresidence is often thought of as a response to an elderly widow's needs, her presence typically contributes to rather than diminishes the economic well-being of the household, and this is especially true among non-Whites.
High throughput reliable message dissemination

We consider applications that require high rate, reliable message dissemination in a many-to-many environment. Examples of such applications include stock market centers and synchronized server clusters. As network capacity increases, the achievable throughput of messaging applications becomes bounded by processing times rather than communication speed. To reduce processing times we suggest the use of message aggregation. We consider performing message aggregation at either the sender, a message-server, or a network switch. The performance of each of these methods in terms of throughput and delay is analytically evaluated and compared against that of a naive implementation that does not perform message aggregation. We show that in typical real-world messaging applications, performing message aggregation can increase throughput by order of magnitude.We base our results on experiments that have been conducted using various operating systems running on different hardware platforms. Our results indicate that the achievable throughput of messaging applications is determined by the number of packets-per-second, rather than bytes-per-second, a receiver or a transmitter should handle.
Distinguishing Nursing Art: Patient, Researcher, and Student Views: The Art of Nursing “Frank's Story”: Student Response

The author of this article explores her definition of the art of nursing through a response to an interview by Dr. Kathryn Gramling with a patient named Frank. She determines that nursing, although it also requires technical skill and a strong knowledge base, becomes art when the practitioner adopts the caring skills of compassion, touching, and empathy. The poem Dr. Gramling wrote in response to her contact with Frank reinforces the definition created by the author. When some patients enter a hospital, they experience certain feelings, such as fear, uncertainty, and helplessness. They are placed in a strange setting and are not in the best of health, but each patient deals with sickness differently. Some may act frightened, while others may act impatient and uncooperative. Often, it is a nurse's duty to help ease a patient through this difficult transition. The way a nurse does this makes all the difference to a patient's stay at the hospital. A nurse's impact on the patient can affect the patient either...
Achieving Scalable Parallelization for the Hessenberg Factorization

Much of dense linear algebra has been successfully blocked to concentrate the majority of its time in the Level~3 BLAS, which are not only efficient for serial computation, but also scale well for parallelism. For the Hessenberg factorization, which is a critical step in computing the eigenvalues and vectors, however, performance of the best known algorithm is still strongly limited by the memory speed, which does not tend to scale well at all. In this paper we present an adaptation of our Parallel Cache Assignment (PCA) technique to the Hessenberg factorization, and show that it achieves super linear speedup over the corresponding serial algorithm and a more than four-fold speedup over the best known algorithm for small and medium sized problems.
KATP channel Kir6.2 E23K variant overrepresented in human heart failure is associated with impaired exercise stress response.

ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channels maintain cardiac homeostasis under stress, as revealed by murine gene knockout models of the KCNJ11-encoded Kir6.2 pore. However, the translational significance of KATP channels in human cardiac physiology remains largely unknown. Here, the frequency of the minor K23 allele of the common functional Kir6.2 E23K polymorphism was found overrepresented in 115 subjects with congestive heart failure compared to 2,031 community-based controls (69 vs. 56%, P < 0.001). Moreover, the KK genotype, present in 18% of heart failure patients, was associated with abnormal cardiopulmonary exercise stress testing. In spite of similar baseline heart rates at rest among genotypic subgroups (EE: 72.2 ± 2.3, EK: 75.0 ± 1.8 and KK: 77.1 ± 3.0 bpm), subjects with the KK genotype had a significantly reduced heart rate increase at matched workload (EE: 32.8 ± 2.7%, EK: 28.8 ± 2.1%, KK: 21.7 ± 2.6%, P < 0.05), at 75% of maximum oxygen consumption (EE: 53.9 ± 3.9%, EK: 49.9 ± 3.1%, KK: 36.8 ± 5.3%, P < 0.05), and at peak VO2 (EE: 82.8 ± 6.0%, EK: 80.5 ± 4.7%, KK: 59.7 ± 8.1%, P < 0.05). Molecular modeling of the tetrameric Kir6.2 pore structure revealed the E23 residue within the functionally relevant intracellular slide helix region. Substitution of the wild-type E residue with an oppositely charged, bulkier K residue would potentially result in a significant structural rearrangement and disrupted interactions with neighboring Kir6.2 subunits, providing a basis for altered high-fidelity KATP channel gating, particularly in the homozygous state. Blunted heart rate response during exercise is a risk factor for mortality in patients with heart failure, establishing the clinical relevance of Kir6.2 E23K as a biomarker for impaired stress performance and underscoring the essential role of KATP channels in human cardiac physiology.
Eroticizing inequality in the United States: The consequences and determinants of traditional gender role adherence in intimate relationships

This article reviews the research on traditional gender-role adherence and sexuality for heterosexual men and women. Specifically, the consequences and predictors of following traditional gender ro...
Quality of life in women at risk for ovarian cancer who have undergone risk-reducing oophorectomy

Abstract Objectives Women at risk for ovarian cancer may consider risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO), and desire information regarding the health consequences of the procedure. We studied women who had undergone RRSO to assess quality of life after the procedure. Methods Women ( n = 59) undergoing RRSO between 1 January 1997 and 31 July 2000 completed a questionnaire composed of the Symptom Checklist (SCL), the Medical Outcomes Study SF-36 Health Survey, the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, the Impact of Events Scale, and the Sexual Functioning Questionnaire—Female. Results At a mean of 23.8 months after RRSO, overall quality of life was similar to that reported for the general population and for breast cancer survivors. Estrogen deprivation symptoms, particularly vaginal dryness (35.2%) and dyspareunia (27.7%), were commonly bothersome. Genital symptoms resulting in sexual dysfunction were the most significant predictors of satisfaction with surgery. The prevalence of depression (20.4%) was similar to that of the general population, but a significant proportion of the group (20.7%) continued to report significant ovarian cancer-specific worries despite surgery. Conclusion Vaginal symptoms are bothersome to women who have undergone RRSO, but overall health and psychological outcomes are not impaired. Although coital symptoms may not be a direct consequence of RRSO, they are the most important predictors of satisfaction. A proportion of women continue to report worries about ovarian cancer after surgery, and these women are at risk for psychological distress.
The Effect of Postoperative Stroke and Myocardial Infarction on Long-Term Survival After Carotid Revascularization

Introduction The largest randomized controlled trial that compared the efficacy of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) with carotid artery stenting (CAS) showed equivalent outcomes for the composite end point of postoperative stroke, myocardial infarction (MI), or death. However, CAS had a higher risk of postoperative stroke, and CEA had a higher risk of MI. We hypothesize that there is a differential association of postoperative stroke, compared with that of postoperative MI, with reduced long-term survival after carotid revascularization when compared with neither complication. Methods The Vascular Study Group of New England database was used to identify all CEA and CAS procedures performed between 2003 and 2011. Patients were stratified according to whether they experienced an in-hospital postoperative stroke (minor or major), MI (troponin elevation, electrocardiographic changes, or clinical symptoms), or neither. Primary study end point was survival during the first year and the first 5 years postoperatively. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models compared the magnitude of association of stroke and MI on survival. Results Of 8315 patients, 81 (0.97%) experienced postoperative MI, and 63 (0.76%) experienced stroke. During the first year after operation, survival significantly differed among the three groups: neither, 96%; MI, 84%; stroke, 77% (log-rank P P P P P Conclusions During the first year after operation, postoperative stroke conferred a twofold lower survival than that after postoperative MI. By 5 years after operation, these survival curves converged, and the survival disadvantage associated with stroke became similar to that of MI. These data suggest that different postoperative complications after carotid revascularization have different implications for patients, with decreased short-term survival in patients experiencing a postoperative stroke. These findings help to inform our interpretation of studies that have used a composite end point in order to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of revascularization strategies.
Purification to homogeneity and properties of plant glucosidase I.

Abstract Glucosidase I was purified about 3600-fold to apparent homogeneity from the microsomal fraction of mung bean seedlings. The purified enzyme removed the terminal α1,2-linked glucose from Glc 3 Man 9 GlcNAc 2 -peptide or the endoglucosaminidase H (Endo H)-released oligosaccharide. Glucosidase I activity was inhibited by kojibiose [Glc(α1-2)Glc], but not by other glucose disaccharides. Removal of up to four mannose residues from the N-linked oligosaccharide had little effect on its utilization as a substrate for glucosidase I. The enzyme had a subunit molecular weight of 97 kDa on SDS gels and this was shifted to 94 kDa after treatment with Endo H or Endo F, suggesting that glucosidase I is an N-glycoprotein having one oligomannose-type oligosaccharide. Amino acid sequences of this enzyme showed considerable identity to the enzyme cloned from a human hippocampus cDNA library. The enzyme was inhibited by castanospermine, deoxynojirimycin, MDL, and trehazolin, but not by australine or kifunensine. On the other hand, the other processing glucosidase, glucosidase II, is sensitive to inhibition by australine, but not by trehazolin. Thus, these two inhibitors are useful to distinguish glucosidase I from glucosidase II. The mung bean glucosidase I is quite sensitive to the histidine modifying reagent diethyl pyrocarbonate, whereas the pig liver glucosidase I is not. On the other hand, pig liver and pig brain glucosidase I preparations are sensitive to the sulfhydryl reagent NEM ( N -ethylmaleimide), whereas the plant enzyme is not. These sensitivities to amino acid modifiers suggest significant differences between the plant and animal glucosidase I, in terms of catalytic site or protein conformation.
On Bernstein's class, codes and control

Basil Bernstein, ed. Class, Codes and Control Volume 1: Theoretical Studies towards a Sociology of Language. Primary Socialization, Language and Education Series. London: Routledge and Kegan Paul, 1971. xiv + 239 pp. Tables, figures, notes, references, and index. $10.00. Basil Bernstein, ed. Class, Codes and Control Volume 2: Applied Studies towards a Sociology of Language. Primary Socialization, Language and Education Series. London: Routledge and Kegan Paul, 1973. xvi + 377 pp. Tables, figures, notes, references, appendix, and index. $16.95.
Tests and Interpretation of Mixed Mode I and II Fully Plastic Fracture from Simulated Weld Defects.

Most fracture tests use symmetric specimens, with the crack advancing into the relatively undamaged region between two plastic shear zones. A crack near a weld or shoulder, loaded into the plastic range, may have only a single shear band, along which the crack grows into prestrained and damaged material with less ductility than the usual symmetrical configurations. Tests on six alloys show that the crack growth ductility, defined as the minimum displacement per unit ligament reduction, is less in the asymmetric case than in the symmetric one by a factor of 3 for low-hardening alloys (with strain hardening exponents n ≃ 0.1). This means that with lowhardening (typically high strength) alloys, the surrounding structure must be 3 times stiffer for fracture-stable design. For higher hardening alloys (n ≃ 0.23) the crack growth ductility is less in the asymmetric case by a factor of at most 1.2. The crack initiation ductility (here approximately the crack tip displacement CTD) is relatively unaffected by asymmetry, but it cannot always be relied on for ductility (e.g., in low cycle fatigue). Therefore tests such as these on crack growth ductility are needed for help in design and maintenance of structures
A technique for the specific cleavage of arginyl bonds by trypsin

Abstract A method is presented for limiting the action of trypsin on proteins and peptides to hydrolysis of bonds involving the carboxyl groups of arginine. Lysine side chains are modified by reaction with carbon disulfide to form the dithiocarbamyl derivative. Bonds involving this residue are no longer susceptible to digestion by trypsin. This procedure was carried out both with a 20-amino acid peptide obtained from the limited digestion of RNAase with subtilisin (RNAase-S-peptide) and with reduced alkylated egg-white lysozyme. With both molecules it was demonstrated that the carbon disulfide could be easily removed and hydrolysis by trypsin of the bonds involving lysine could then be carried out. Confirmatory amino acid-composition studies were carried out on the products of digestion by trypsin of the RNAase-S-peptide, with and without carbon disulfide modification. The peptides produced by tryptic digestion of carbon disulfide-modified egg-white lysozyme were separated by ion-exchange column chromatography after removal of carbon disulfide. All of the peptides obtained were then individually redigested with trypsin and 8 of them gave 2 or more products which differed in electrophoretic mobility from their parent peptides, and which, unlike the latter, could be found in a control tryptic digest of unmodified egg-white lysozyme. This method is suggested as a means of easily obtaining part of the information required to arrange the tryptic peptides of a protein in order.
Spatial process and data models: Toward integration of agent-based models and GIS

The use of object-orientation for both spatial data and spatial process models facilitates their integration, which can allow exploration and explanation of spatial-temporal phenomena. In order to better understand how tight coupling might proceed and to evaluate the possible functional and efficiency gains from such a tight coupling, we identify four key relationships affecting how geographic data (fields and objects) and agent-based process models can interact: identity, causal, temporal and topological. We discuss approaches to implementing tight integration, focusing on a middleware approach that links existing GIS and ABM development platforms, and illustrate the need and approaches with example agent-based models.
Wise Leadership for Student Success: An Interview with Tim White.

Adrianna Kezar recently sat down with Chancellor Tim White of the California State University system to discuss, among many other things, the newly released California State Graduation Initiative a...
Recurrent hemarthrosis following a total knee arthroplasty

The case of a recurrent hemarthrosis of a total knee arthroplasty after the sixth postoperative month is described. Because of disabling pain, the patient underwent an explorative arthrotomy 18 months after implantation of the total knee arthroplasty. A hypertrophied vascular mass of synovium was discovered in the lateral gutter and excised with an associated synovectomy. Since the arthrotomy, the hemarthrosis has not recurred. Therefore, in cases of recurrent hemarthrosis of a total knee arthroplasty that becomes disabling, exploration by arthrotomy should be considered.
SU-FF-T-282: Light-Radiation Field Coincidence for Small Stereotactic Fields

Purpose: To determine the degree of congruence between the light field and the X‐ray field for a Varian 2100 SCX linear accelerator equipped with a Varian/Zmed tertiary collimator for stereotactic radiosurgery(SRS). If this congruence is sufficiently good then it is feasible to use the light field for alignment of the system instead of using a mechanical pointer or the room lasers. Method and Materials: The SRS light field was projected onto a sheet of Kodak X‐OMAT V film enclosed in a paper ready‐pack at isocenter. A lead plug, slightly smaller in diameter than the collimated field, was placed concentric with the light field on the film pack. A 0.5 mm sheet of Cu was placed between the plug and the film pack to provide electron buildup to the film. The film was then exposed with 6 MV X rays from the linac. The developed film was scanned with a Vidar VXR‐16 densitometer and the separation between the centers of the X‐ray field and the shadow of the plug (representing the light field position) was measured. Similar films were taken of fields collimated by the accelerator jaws and by the MLC.Results: The separation between the centers of the light and radiation fields was 0.1 mm for the SRScollimator, 0.2 mm for the MLC, and 0.7 mm for the jaws. These separations follow a linear relationship with the ratio (SSD‐SDD)/SDD where SDD is the source‐to‐collimator distance and SSD is the source‐to‐film distance. Conclusion: If the light radiation congruence for the field defined by the jaws is within 1 mm then the light field with the tertiary collimator can be used in setting up the SRS system for this linear accelerator.
Changes in Senior Center Participant Characteristics During the 1980s

Longitudinal data on changes in senior center partici- pation characteristics are analyzed for a nationally representative sample of 424 senior centers surveyed in 1982 and again in 1989. On average, participants are said to have become older with slightly higher incomes while declines in overall health and increases in number of frail participants are more likely to be reported than other trends. Minority participation appears to have remained flat or de- clined. Considerable variation is found fur the sample, however, and the data suggest trends generally attributed to senior centers in the 1980s were not as strong as has been suggested.
Overview of international remote sensing through 2007

The field of Earth remote sensing is evolving from one that contains purely governmental and military standalone systems of high complexity and expense to one that includes an increasing number of commercial systems, focused missions using small satellites, and systems of lower complexity and cost. The evolution of the field from 1980 - 2007 is summarized in this paper, with emphasis on the rapid changes of international scope that are taking place in 1997 which will shape the future of the field. As of three years ago, seven counties had built and flown free-flying earth observation satellite systems. Projections are for the number of countries operating such systems to approximately double by three years from now. Rapid changes are taking place in terms of spatial resolution, spectral resolution, proliferation of small satellites, ocean color, commercialization and privatization. Several fully commercial high-resolution systems will be launched over the next three years. Partly commercial synthetic aperture radar (SAR) systems became a reality with the launch of Radarsat in 1995. Only a handful of small satellite remote sensing missions have been launched to date, while a large number will be launched over the next few years, including minisats from Australia, Brazil, Israel, Italy, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and the USA, as well as microsats from many countries including Malaysia, Pakistan and South Africa. Systems with far greater spectral resolution will also become a reality as hyperspectral instruments are launched. In 1997, we truly stand on the cusp of tremendous change in the burgeoning field of Earth remote sensing.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Correlation of antifactor Xa concentrations with renal function in patients on enoxaparin.

Enoxaparin is a low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) that has been shown to be effective in deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and unstable angina. Because renal function plays an important role in the clearance of LMWH, the authors sought to investigate the effect of renal function on enoxaparin. This prospective multiple-dose study evaluated 18 patients with varying degrees of renal function initiated on enoxaparin 1 mg/kg subcutaneously every 12 hours. Peak blood levels of anti-Xa concentrations were obtained 4 +/- 0.5 hours postdose after receiving at least three doses of enoxaparin. The median antifactor Xa levels were higher in patients with creatinine clearance (CLCr) or = 31 mL/min (1.34 IU/mL vs. 0.91 IU/mL, respectively, p < 0.05). A linear correlation was established between creatinine clearance and anti-Xa concentrations (p < 0.0005). On the basis of the data, the authors believe that a dose adjustment is necessary in patients receiving repeated doses of enoxaparin with CLCr < or = 30 mL/min.
Tanh cascode cell amplifier - an arbitrary transfer characteristics amplifier

An arbitrary transfer characteristic (TC) amplifier, called the tanh cascode cell (TCC) amplifier, is reported. This novel amplifier is capable of synthesising an arbitrary TC including the ideal rectifier transfer characteristic, which is highly desirable for analogue circuits such as power amplifiers, low-noise amplifiers, mixers, op-amps, instrumentation amplifiers etc. The flexible transfer characteristic, wide dynamic range and high linearity capability of the TCC amplifier are demonstrated with a 16-cell MOSFET prototype.
Transfection of Mouse Retinal Ganglion Cells by in vivo Electroporation

The targeting and refinement of RGC projections to the midbrain is a popular and powerful model system for studying how precise patterns of neural connectivity form during development. In mice, retinofugal projections are arranged in a topographic manner and form eye-specific layers in the Lateral Geniculate Nucleus (dLGN) of the thalamus and the Superior Colliculus (SC). The development of these precise patterns of retinofugal projections has typically been studied by labeling populations of RGCs with fluorescent dyes and tracers, such as horseradish peroxidase1-4. However, these methods are too coarse to provide insight into developmental changes in individual RGC axonal arbor morphology that are the basis of retinotopic map formation. They also do not allow for the genetic manipulation of RGCs. Recently, electroporation has become an effective method for providing precise spatial and temporal control for delivery of charged molecules into the retina5-11. Current retinal electroporation protocols do not allow for genetic manipulation and tracing of retinofugal projections of a single or small cluster of RGCs in postnatal mice. It has been argued that postnatal in vivo electroporation is not a viable method for transfecting RGCs since the labeling efficiency is extremely low and hence requires targeting at embryonic ages when RGC progenitors are undergoing differentiation and proliferation6. In this video we describe an in vivo electroporation protocol for targeted delivery of genes, shRNA, and fluorescent dextrans to murine RGCs postnatally. This technique provides a cost effective, fast and relatively easy platform for efficient screening of candidate genes involved in several aspects of neural development including axon retraction, branching, lamination, regeneration and synapse formation at various stages of circuit development. In summary we describe here a valuable tool which will provide further insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying sensory map development.
Purification and characterization of 20α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase from bull testis

20 alpha-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20 alpha-HSD) from bull testis has been purified to homogeneity and characterized in terms of apparent molecular weight, lack of subunit composition, substrate and cofactor specificity and certain kinetic parameters. The enzyme activity is localized in the 105,000 g supernatant and is stable at 4 degrees C in the presence of glycerol and dithiothreitol. Purification was achieved by ammonium sulfate precipitation followed by affinity chromatography on reactive red 120-agarose and subsequent gel filtration. The apparent molecular weight of the homogeneous enzyme, as determined by gel filtration on Sephacryl S-300 is 34,000. The mobility of the enzyme in sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) gel electrophoresis corresponds to a mol. wt of 40,000. These observations indicate that the enzyme is a single-stranded, monomeric polypeptide. The enzyme catalyzes the reduction of the 17-hydroxyprogesterone to 17,20 alpha-dihydroxy-4-pregnene-3-one in the presence of NADPH, the preferred cofactor. Homogeneous 20 alpha-HSD has an SA of 115 mIU/mg, and has been purified 14,000-fold with an overall 68% recovery. It exhibits a pH optimum at 5.6 and appears to be highly specific for 17-hydroxyprogesterone with an apparent Km-value of 7.3 X 10(-5) M. Androstenedione and corticosterone do not serve as substrates under the described experimental conditions. The enzyme does not possess 17 alpha- or 17 beta-HSD activity.
Structure of hematopoietic nodules in the ridgeback prawn, Sicyonia ingentis: Light and electron microscopic observations.

The architecture and fine structure of the epigastric hematopoietic nodules of the ridgeback prawn, Sicyonia ingentis, are described. The nodules consist of a highly branched series of tubules that contain the maturing hemocytes within a connective tissue stroma. Hemocytes can exit the hematopoietic nodules by penetrating through fenestrations in the endothelial cell layer into the central hemal space or by migrating through the outer later of capsular cells and associated collagen fibrils. Four hemocyte categories were observed: agranular, small granule with cytoplasmic deposits, small granule without cytoplasmic deposits, and large granule hemocytes. This classification was based upon the presence, size, and type of cytoplasmic granules and the presence of cytoplasmic deposits. Only agranular cells and small granule hemocytes without cytoplasmic deposits appeared capable of division. Intermediate stages were observed between agranular hemocytes and small granule hemocytes with deposits and between small granule hemocytes without deposits and large granule hemocytes, suggesting existence of two distinct hemocyte lines.
Multiple Drugs in Retreatment of Chronic Pulmonary Tuberculosis : Results with Capreomycin and Ethambutol

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS Improvement in the outcome of retreatment of chronic pulmonary tuberculosis due to isoniazid-resistant tubercle bacilli was observed over a five-year period at Muirdale Sanatorium. The use of multiple drugs in combination led to significant improvement in results over those obtained with the two-drug ethionamide-kanamycin regimen. Reversal of infectiousness was achieved in 21 of 26 (81 per cent) of regimens including capreomycin, ethambutol, or combinations of the two. Pyrazinamide and ethionamide were also present in 14 of the 26 capreomycin, ethambutol regimens. This success rate compares favorably with that of original treatment of infection with isoniazid-susceptible tubercle bacilli. In spite of the fact that multiple drugs were used, the patterns of untoward reactions of each offending drug could be discontinued without impairing the efficacy of the regimen.
High Mobility Group Box 1 Release from Hepatocytes during Ischemia and Reperfusion Injury Is Mediated by Decreased Histone Deacetylase Activity

The mobilization and extracellular release of nuclear high mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) by ischemic cells activates inflammatory pathways following liver ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. In immune cells such as macrophages, post-translational modification by acetylation appears to be critical for active HMGB1 release. Hyperacetylation shifts its equilibrium from a predominant nuclear location toward cytosolic accumulation and subsequent release. However, mechanisms governing its release by parenchymal cells such as hepatocytes are unknown. In this study, we found that serum HMGB1 released following liver I/R in vivo is acetylated, and that hepatocytes exposed to oxidative stress in vitro also released acetylated HMGB1. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are a family of enzymes that remove acetyl groups and control the acetylation status of histones and various intracellular proteins. Levels of acetylated HMGB1 increased with a concomitant decrease in total nuclear HDAC activity, suggesting that suppression in HDAC activity contributes to the increase in acetylated HMGB1 release after oxidative stress in hepatocytes. We identified the isoforms HDAC1 and HDAC4 as critical in regulating acetylated HMGB1 release. Activation of HDAC1 was decreased in the nucleus of hepatocytes undergoing oxidative stress. In addition, HDAC1 knockdown with siRNA promoted HMGB1 translocation and release. Furthermore, we demonstrate that HDAC4 is shuttled from the nucleus to cytoplasm in response to oxidative stress, resulting in decreased HDAC activity in the nucleus. Together, these findings suggest that decreased nuclear HDAC1 and HDAC4 activities in hepatocytes following liver I/R is a mechanism that promotes the hyperacetylation and subsequent release of HMGB1.
MEDIATORS OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HOPE AND WELL-BEING IN OLDER ADULTS

This research examined well-being in relationship to the variables of hope, spirituality, and state anxiety using a cross-sectional correlation design to test two mediation models. The convenience sample of 130 older adults, mostly women, between the ages of 60 and 89, completed the Demographic Data Sheet and the Index of Well-Being, the Herth Hope Index, the Spiritual Perspective Scale, and the state anxiety portion of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Statistically significant and positive correlations were found between hope and well-being, hope and spirituality, and spirituality and well-being. A statistically significant and negative correlation was found between hope and state anxiety and between state anxiety and well-being. Multiple regression analyses results indicated that neither spirituality nor state anxiety functioned as a mediator in the relationship between hope and well-being.