Express Virtual Channels with Capacitively Driven Global Links

Networks on chip must deliver high bandwidth at low latencies while keeping within a tight power envelope. Using express virtual channels for flow control improves energy-delay throughput by letting packets bypass intermediate routers, but EVCs have key limitations. Nochi (NoC with hybrid interconnect) overcomes these limitations by transporting data payloads and control information on separate planes, optimized for bandwidth and latency respectively.     

L-alanyl-L-glutamine ingestion maintains performance during a competitive basketball game

Background

The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of L-alanyl-L-glutamine (AG) ingestion on basketball performance, including jump power, reaction time, shooting accuracy and fatigue.

Methods

Ten women (21.2 ± 1.6 years; height: 177.8 ± 8.7 cm; body mass: 73.5 ± 8.0 kg), all scholarship NCAA Division I basketball players, volunteered for this study. Subjects participated in four trials, each consisting of a 40-min basketball game with controlled time-outs for rehydration. During the first trial (DHY) subjects were not allowed to rehydrate, and the total weight lost during the contest was used to determine fluid replenishment during the subsequent three trials. During one trial subjects consumed only water (W), while during the other two trials subjects consumed the AG supplement mixed in water using either a low dose (1 g per 500 ml) (AG1) or high dose (2 g per 500 ml) (AG2) concentration. All data assessed prior to and following each game were converted into a ?? score (Post results - Pre results). All performance data were then analyzed using a one-way repeated measures analysis of variance.

Results

During DHY subjects lost 1.72 ± 0.42 kg (2.3%) of their body mass. No differences in fluid intake (1.55 ± 0.43 L) were seen between rehydration trials. A 12.5% (p = 0.016) difference in basketball shooting performance was noted between DHY and AG1 and an 11.1% (p = 0.029) difference was seen between AG1 and W. Visual reaction time was significantly greater following AG1 (p = 0.014) compared to DHY. Differences (p = 0.045) in fatigue, as determined by player loads, were seen only between AG2 and DHY. No differences were seen in peak or mean vertical jump power during any trial.

Conclusion

Rehydration with AG appears to maintain basketball skill performance and visual reaction time to a greater extent than water only.     

Covalent Inhibition of HIV‐1 Integrase by N‐Succinimidyl Peptides

We present a new approach for the covalent inhibition of HIV‐1 integrase (IN) by an LEDGF/p75‐derived peptide modified with an N‐terminal succinimide group. The covalent inhibition is mediated by direct binding of the succinimide to the amine group of a lysine residue in IN. The peptide serves as a specific recognition sequence for the target protein, while the succinimide serves as the binding moiety. The combination of a readily synthesizable peptide precursor with easy and efficient binding to the target protein makes this approach a promising new strategy for designing lead compounds.     

Examination of a pre-exercise, high energy supplement on exercise performance

Background

The purpose of the present study was to examine the acute effects of a thermogenic nutritional supplement containing caffeine, capsaicin, bioperine, and niacin on muscular strength and endurance performance.

Methods

Twenty recreationally-active men (mean ± SD age = 21.5 ± 1.4 years; stature = 178.2 ± 6.3 cm; mass = 76.5 ± 9.9 kg; VO_{2 PEAK} = 3.05 ± 0.59 L/min^-1) volunteered to participate in this randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, cross-over study. All testing took place over a three-week period, with each of the 3 laboratory visits separated by 7 days (± 2 hours). During the initial visit, a graded exercise test was performed on a Lode Corival cycle ergometer (Lode, Groningen, Netherlands) until exhaustion (increase of 25 W every 2 min) to determine the maximum power output (W) at the VO_{2 PEAK} (Parvo Medics TrueOne^® 2400 Metabolic Measurement System, Sandy, Utah). In addition, one-repetition maximum (1-RM) strength was assessed using the bench press (BP) and leg press (LP) exercises. During visits 2 and 3, the subjects were asked to consume a capsule containing either the active supplement (200 mg caffeine, 33.34 mg capsaicin, 5 mg bioperine, and 20 mg niacin) or the placebo (175 mg of calcium carbonate, 160 mg of microcrystalline cellulose, 5 mg of stearic acid, and 5 mg of magnesium stearate in an identical capsule) 30 min prior to the testing. Testing included a time-to-exhaustion (TTE) ride on a cycle ergometer at 80% of the previously-determined power output at VO_{2 PEAK} followed by 1-RM LP and BP tests.

Results

There were no differences (p > 0.05) between the active and placebo trials for BP, LP, or TTE. However, for the BP and LP scores, the baseline values (visit 1) were less than the values recorded during visits 2 and 3 (p ≤ 0.05).

Conclusion

Our findings indicated that the active supplement containing caffeine, capsaicin, bioperine, and niacin did not alter muscular strength or cycling endurance when compared to a placebo trial. The lack of increases in BP and LP strength and cycle ergometry endurance elicited by this supplement may have been related to the relatively small dose of caffeine, the high intensity of exercise, the untrained status of the participants, and/or the potential for caffeine and capsaicin to increase carbohydrate oxidation.     

Examination of a pre-exercise, high energy supplement on exercise performance

Background  

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a pre-exercise high energy drink on reaction time and anaerobic power in competitive strength/power athletes. In addition, the effect of the pre-exercise drink on subjective feelings of energy, fatigue, alertness and focus was also explored.     

Ender nailing of acute humeral shaft fractures in multiple injuries

From January 1987 to April 1993, 25 multiply injured patients were treated with closed intramedullary Ender nail fixation of the humeral shaft. Criteria for the procedure were humeral diaphyseal fractures with associated multiple injuries. Seventeen distal and mid-shaft fractures were treated via a modified anterograde approach in which the rotator cuff is not violated. Eight proximal third fractures were treated via the standard retrograde approach. Postoperative follow-up averaged 36 months. Full range of motion was attained 17 of the 25 patients. Of the eight remaining patients, three with a slightly limited range of motion achieved full range of motion following nail removal; three had preoperative radial nerve palsy which resolved within 1 year, and two patients required follow-on plating. In 92 per cent (23 of 25) there were no incidences of infection or non-union. Flexible nails avoid complications of reaming. The modified anterograde approach allows excellent shoulder motion since it does not violate the rotator cuff. Ender nails provide excellent fixation and clinical outcome in the multiply injured patient and are cost effective compared with interlocking nails.