cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Diastolic function as a target of therapeutic interventions in chronic heart failure

Although conventional wisdom holds that pharmacological interventions improve the haemodynamic and clinical status of patients with chronic heart failure by enhancing systolic performance, this hypothesis fails to explain many of the responses seen following the administration of these drugs. The observation that abnormalities of diastolic function are an earlier and more sensitive marker of heart failure than abnormalities of systolic function suggests that vasodilator and inotropic drugs may act primarily by improving diastolic fumhon. This belief is supported by the following findings: (1) exercise capacity in chronic heart failure is more closely related to left ventricular filling pressure than to cardiac output or limb blood flow; (2) only drugs that lower left ventricular filling pressure have been shown to improve exercise capacity, whereas drugs that primarily increase cardiac output or left ventricular ejection fraction do not enhance effort tolerance; (3) the primary mechanism by which vasodilator and inotropic drugs lower left ventricular filling pressure is by exerting a favourable effect on left ventricular diastolic function rather than on left ventricular volume; (4) drugs that improve diastolic function tend to affect favourably the clinical status of patients with chronic heart failure, whereas drugs that adversely alter ventricular relaxation produce deleterious haemodynamic Md clinical effects. These observations suggest that the diastolic abnormalities of heart failure may be an ideal target for the development of new therapeutic interventions.
Violent Men In Intimate Relationships: An Analysis of Risk Markers1

In the family violence literature, a number of risk markers associated with men's use of violence against women have been identified. Using the 1975 National Family Violence Survey, a multivariate analysis was performed to examine which risk markers best differentiated among nonviolent men, verbally aggressive men, men who exhibit minor physical violence, and severely physically violent men. High levels of marital conflict, lower socioeconomic status, and greater exposure to violent role models in the home of origin emerged as primary correlates of levels of violence between intimates. Theoretical and research implications are discussed.
Photoswitchable PEG-CA hydrogels and factors that affect their photosensitivity

The photoswitching behavior of polyethylene glycol-based hydrogels was determined by monitoring the changes in their swellability and absorption spectra upon exposure to alternating wavelengths of irradiation. Highly hydrophilic PEG-based hydrogels were prepared by the irradiation of a cinnamylidene acetate-terminated PEG solution (PEG-CA). The degree of swelling of the PEG-CA hydrogels was predictably modulated by alternating the wavelength of exposing irradiation. Exposing the PEG-CA gels to >300 nm irradiation resulted in the decrease of their swellability, while short exposure to 254 nm led to more hydrophilic gels. That is, the physical properties of the PEG-CA gels can be controlled by the selection of wavelength of irradiation. Interestingly, it was found that 254 nm irradiation could not only lead to the photoscission of the PEG-CA gels, but also initiate a crosslinking reaction between PEG-CA monomers. On the contrary, only photocrosslinking via a cyclobutane ring formation was observed under >300-nm irradiation. Finally, the factors that could affect an efficient photoswitching behavior of the PEG-CA gels were investigated.
HEN OXYTOCIC ACTIVITIES OF OXYTOCIN AND 1-DEAMINO-OXYTOCIN.

It has been previously shown that the rat oxytocic potency of 1-deaminooxytocin is greater than that of oxytocin. In this study it was found that the in vitro hen oxytocic potency of 1-deamino-oxytocin is, relative to its rat oxytocic potency, far less than that of oxytocin. (Endocrinology 76: 161, 1965) R some pharmacological properties of 1-deamino-oxytocin have been described (1, 2). The only chemical difference between this octapeptide and oxytocin is in the 1-position, where the free amino group on the 1-half-cystine moiety is replaced by hydrogen. Based on previous studies of various neurohypophysial hormones and analogues (3), one might expect that this alteration in chemical structure would cause striking diminution in most biological activities. Such is not the case. Chan and du Vigneaud have reported that deaminooxytocin has less pressor, equal milk-ejecting and greater oxytocic, avian depressor and antidiuretic activities than oxytocin (1). In order to understand better the structure-activity relationships of neurohypophysial hormones and analogues for the isolated hen uterus, deamino-oxytocin was studied on strips of the uterine portion (shell gland) of the oviduct of laying hens. Materials and Methods Laying hens were used for in vitro assays as previously described (4), and recently modified (5). No less than 4 groups of injections, with 2 of unknown and 2 of standard for each group, were administered to any of the 3 hens. 1-Deamino-oxytocin (ODA-914, Sandoz) was highly purified. Syntocinon, Sandoz (Batch No. 28092CK), was the synthetic oxytocin employed. Each peptide was supplied in solution. Deamino-oxytocin had a quoted potency of 1,200 mU/ml and Syntocinon 10,000 mU/ml. Received July 3, 1964. Supported in part by grants in aid from the NIH (HD-00589); Fluid Research Fund, University of Colorado Medical Center; and Sandoz Pharmaceuticals, Inc., San Francisco, California. Absolute activities cannot be expressed, for the concentration of purified peptide in weight /ml was not stated. Although not pure, Syntocinon contains no known active substances other than oxytocin (6). USP Posterior Pituitary Reference Standard was used in all assays. Both deaminooxytocin and oxytocin were assayed on each of the 3 hen uteri, providing a comparison between these 2 peptides in identical animals. Individual assays, combinations of estimates and determinations of ratios were computed by conventional methods as recently re-outlined (7).
A time-resolved vibrational spectroscopy glimpse into the oxygen-evolving complex of photosynthesis

Oxygenic photosynthesis is arguably one of the most important biochemical processes occurring in the biosphere. Photons produced by solar fusion are harvested by photosynthetic organisms and are used to drive the production of reducing equivalents in the form of NADPH and energy equivalents in the form of ATP, both of which are subsequently used in carbohydrate biosynthesis. Central to this process is the extraction of electrons from water with the concomitant production of molecular oxygen. This extraction is carried out by an exquisite molecular machine called photosystem II. Photosynthetic organisms consequently generate virtually all of Earth’s atmospheric oxygen and produce the carbohydrates that lie at the base of nearly all food chains. In this issue of PNAS, Barry et al. (1) describe the use of time-resolved vibrational spectroscopy to detect protein-centered intermediates in the oxygen-evolving process. This study paves the way for the identification of the protein domains responsible for these transient signals, which should in turn provide critical details for unraveling the mechanism for oxygen evolution.
Induction of image retrieval knowledge from radiologists' reading instances

This paper proposes a multi-decision-tree induction (MDTI) approach to image prehanging and discusses how it can facilitate knowledge acquisition and maintenance through the induction of knowledge embedded in radiological image reading cases which have the characteristics of inconsistent retrievals, incomplete input information, and multiple decision outcome classes. We present empirical comparisons of the MDTI approach with backpropagation network algorithm, and the traditional knowledge acquisition approach using the same set of cases in terms of the recall rate, the precision rate, the average number of prior examinations suggested, understandability of the acquired knowledge, and the required learning time. The results show that the MDTI approach outperforms the backpropagation network algorithm in all performance measures studied.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Radiosurgery and brain tolerance: an analysis of neurodiagnostic imaging changes after gamma knife radiosurgery for arteriovenous malformations.

In order to analyze complications and the factors responsible for the development of serial imaging changes after stereotactic radiosurgery for intracranial arteriovenous malformations, we reviewed serial post-treatment magnetic resonance imaging scans in 72 patients. Median follow-up was 23 months (range 12 to 35 months). Twenty patients developed post-radiosurgical imaging changes consisting of new regions of increased T2 signal on magnetic resonance imaging in brain surrounding the arteriovenous malformation (two year actuarial incidence of 31%). Imaging changes were associated with headache or new neurological deficits in nine of these 20 (45%) and remained asymptomatic in 11 (55%). Symptoms developed in three of 13 patients with imaging changes in the cerebral cortex or cerebellum, in contrast to six of seven patients who had symptoms with imaging changes in the brainstem (p = .028). The onset of imaging changes varied from five to 18 months after radiosurgery (median, 12 months). Serial follow-up scans four to 25 months after the onset of imaging changes were available for review in 16 patients. Post-radiosurgical imaging changes completely resolved within 4 to 19 months in ten patients and have not yet completely resolved after 6 to 25 months in six patients. The projected actuarial rate for resolution of imaging changes was 88%, 19 months after onset; the median time for resolution was 14 months. Univariate analysis revealed that the development of imaging changes was significantly associated with treatment volume (p = .025), the risk predicted from the integrated logistic formula (p = .042), and the number of isocenters treated (p = .042). In multivariate analysis, volume was the only factor significantly associated with the development of imaging changes.
Effect of Complexation on the Adsorption of Cadmium by Activated Carbon

Abstract The adsorption of Cd2+ in the absence and presence of two chelating agents was examined as a function of pH. Fits of the data to the Freundlich and Langmuir equations were compared as were results with Zn and Pb using four different activated carbons. In general, adsorption increased with increasing pH and was not extensive, particularly for Cd. At low cadmium to carbon ratios, EDTA appeared to enhance adsorption. With more realistic loadings, when competition for surface sites is greatest, the presence of EDTA is shown to be detrimental to the process. 1,10-Phenanthroline, the second chelating agent studied, was more effective for promoting the removal of Cd. The uncomplexed Cd and Cd-EDTA systems were best described by the simple Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The adsorption of 1,10-phenanthroline and its Cd complex were modeled using a modified form of the Langmuir equation.
Lateral diffusion of surface molecules in animal cells and tissues

When bound to cell surfaces, certain lectins such as concanavalin A induce a drop in the average diffusion coefficients (D) of a number of cell surface molecules. To find whether such anchorage modulation occurs naturally, D of surface antigens on different cell and tissue types were measured by fluorescence photobleaching recovery. Values for cells of the same tissue origin under different conditions of growth and association - in tissues, in small aggregates, and as isolated cells - varied by less than twofold when polyspecific monovalent antibodies to cell surface antigens were used, a range much less than the sixfold decrease in D observed after lectin-induced anchorage modulation. Thus, if reversible modulation of the diffusion rate is used naturally as a means of cell signaling, it must involve only a few kinds of surface receptors not detected by the antibodies used in this study. In certain tissues, however, a significant proportion of cells showed no apparent receptor mobility. This "all or none" modulation of lateral diffusion may reflect relatively long-lasting alterations in the states of a single cell type or differentiation among the cells of the particular tissue.
Xanthine oxidase-mediated oxidation of epinephrine

Abstract It has been reported [M. Oka, J. pharm. Soc. Japan 57, 566 (1961)] that epinephrine is capable of stimulating the oxidation of purines by xanthine oxidase (X.O.). The present investigation shows that such “stimulation” is, in fact, attributable to concomitant oxidation of epinephrine as well as of the purine substrate (hypoxanthine) by X.O. preparations.X.O. does not oxidize epinephrine under the conditions employed in the absence of an oxidizable substrate such as hypoxanthine. The oxidation of epinephrine, in the presence of X.O. and hypoxanthine is inhibited strongly by allopurinol [4-hydroxypyrazolo-(3,4-d)pyrimidine]. Spectroscopic and Chromatographic studies indicate that the product of epinephrine oxidation in the X.O. system is adrenochrome ( 2,3- dihydro -3- hydroxy -N- methylindole -5,6- quinone ). Oxidation of 2-amino-pteridine, 4-aminopteridine and 4-hydroxypteridine by X.O. also induced epinephrine oxidation. In the presence of 4-amino-6,7-dimethylpteridine and 2-amino-4-methyl-pteridine, which are not effective substrates for X.O., appreciable oxidation of epinephrine was not observed.
Playing the role of buyer and seller: The mental accounting of trade-ins

This paper examines the role of trade-ins in consumers' purchases of new durable goods. We argue that even if the net price paid by consumers who trade in an old product remains the same, varying the offer on the trade-in substantially affects consumers' satisfaction with the transaction. In particular, because the product is a part of their endowment, consumers' valuation of their used product can be more than the market's valuation. While the endowment effect is a well-documented phenomenon, its implications for trade-ins have yet to be studied. We use the notion of mental accounting and endowment effects to develop a model of trade-ins. We show that even if two deals are financially equivalent, the preferred option for consumers is often the one in which the consumer is overpaid on the trade-in. In addition, we find that consumers who are overpaid (relative to a market price) on their trade-in are willing to pay a higher net price than are consumers who are underpaid on their trade-in.
Carbon black filled conducting polymers and polymer blends

The objective of this article was to review the use of carbon black (CB) as a conductive filler in polymers and polymer blends. Important properties of CB related to its use in conducting polymers are discussed. The effects of polymer structure, molecular weight, surface tension, and processing conditions on electrical resistivity and physical properties of composites are discussed. Several percolation models applicable to CB/polymer blends are reviewed. Emphasis is placed on recent trends using polymer blends as the matrix to obtain conducting composites at a lower CB loading. A criterion for the distribution of CB in polymer blends is discussed. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Adv Polym Techn 21: 299–313, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/adv.10025
Cytoskeletal Protein ABP-280 Directs the Intracellular Trafficking of Furin and Modulates Proprotein Processing in the Endocytic Pathway

Furin catalyzes the proteolytic maturation of many proproteins within the trans-Golgi network (TGN)/endosomal system. Furin's cytosolic domain (cd) directs both the compartmentalization to and transit between its manifold processing compartments (i.e., TGN/biosynthetic pathway, cell surface, and endosomes). Here we report the identification of the first furin cd sorting protein, ABP-280 (nonmuscle filamin), an actin gelation protein. The furin cd was used as bait in a yeast two-hybrid screen to identify ABP-280 as a furin-binding protein. Binding analyses in vitro and coimmunoprecipitation studies in vivo showed that furin and ABP-280 interact directly and that ABP-280 tethers furin molecules to the cell surface. Quantitative analysis of both ABP-280-deficient and genetically replete cells showed that ABP-280 modulates the rate of internalization of furin but not of the transferrin receptor, a cycling receptor. However, although ABP-280 directs the rate of furin internalization, the efficiency of sorting of the endoprotease from the cell surface to early endosomes is independent of expression of ABP-280. By contrast, efficient sorting of furin from early endosomes to the TGN requires expression of ABP-280. In addition, ABP-280 is also required for the correct localization of late endosomes (dextran bead uptake) and lysosomes (LAMP-1 staining), demonstrating a pleiotropic role for this actin binding protein in the organization of cellular compartments and directing protein traffic. Finally, and consistent with the trafficking studies on furin, we showed that ABP-280 modulates the processing of furin substrates in the endocytic but not the biosynthetic pathways. The novel roles of ABP-280 and the cytoskeleton in the sorting of furin in the TGN/ endosomal system and the formation of proprotein processing compartments are discussed.
Effect of epinephrine on prostaglandin E2 and cyclic AMP levels in gingiva of patients with chronic periodontitis.

Abstract The levels of prostaglandin. E2 (PGE2) and cyclic AMP (cAMP) in human gingival samples were determined by means of radioimmunoassay after incubation with epinephrine (10-6M) at different time intervals. The levels of PGE2 and cAMP reached a maximum in the control and hormone treated samples after 80 and 40 minutes, respectively. Epinephrine seemed to affect a lesser increase in PGE2 and a greater increase in cAMP values in gingival tissues when compared with control samples. When the data were analysed, there was statistically significant differences found between the control and hormone treated samples regarding both PGE2 and cAMP.
Indoor Air Polychlorinated Biphenyl Concentrations in Three Communities Along the Upper Hudson River, New York

Indoor air polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentrations were measured in upstate New York as part of a nonoccupational exposure investigation. The adjacent study communities contain numerous sites of current and former PCB contamination, including two capacitor-manufacturing facilities. Indoor air PCB concentrations in the study area homes were not significantly different than in the comparison area homes. Total PCB concentrations in the study area homes ranged from 0.3 to 114.3 ng/m3 (median 7.9). For the comparison area homes, concentrations ranged from 0.3 to 233.3 ng/m3 (median 6.8). No correlations were found between PCB concentrations in indoor and outdoor air, with indoor concentrations generally 20 times higher than outdoor concentrations. Of the home characteristics cataloged, the presence of fluorescent lights was significantly associated with total PCB concentration in the study area only. The indoor PCB concentrations measured in this study are similar to those in other communities with known PCB-contaminated sites and similar to levels reported in other locations from the northeastern United States.
CONSUMER ACCEPTABILITY OF TURKEY FRANKFURTERS WITH 0, 40, AND 100 PPM NITRITE

Turkey frankfurters formulated with 0, 40, and 100 ppm nitrite were evaluated for color, flavor, and overall acceptability by a consumer panel and for rancid and cured meat flavor and aroma by a trained panel. In addition, consumer preference was evaluated by determining the number of frankfurters that consumers selected to eat from each of the three formulations. Panelists selected more frankfurters with 40 or 100 ppm nitrite than they did frankfurters with 0 ppm nitrite. In our paired comparison of frankfurters with 0 vs 100 ppm nitrite, more consumers preferred the color of those containing 100 ppm nitrite. Their preference did not differ for 40 vs 100 ppm frankfurters. Trained panelists found no significant difference in flavor and aroma of frankfurters containing 40 vs 100 ppm nitrite, but flavor and aroma of frankfurters containing no nitrite were significantly different from those of frankfurters containing nitrite. Rancid aroma and flavor decreased and cured meat aroma and flavor increased with increasing nitrite concentration. Redness (a+ values) increased with increasing nitrite concentration. Samples containing no nitrite were significantly more yellow (b+ values) than those containing nitrite.
Local Government Finance in Hungary: Okun Revisited

Fundamental change in the economic systems of the nations-of central Europe is now taking place. The economic transition has broad social and cultural consequences, among these the alteration of local government service provision and financial management. In this article, the authors describe some of the fiscal characteristics of local governments in Hungary with an analysis of the dilemmas of transition. Efforts to create and enhance local government financial management capability are detailed. This article portrays the difficulty of developing a fully operational market economy within a democratic context in the post-Communist era while, at the same time, maintaining social protection for citizens through the continued provision of a wide array of social benefit programs. The essential dilemma for local government social program managers and budget officials is that service demand far surpasses the financial resources available to continue services at the levels to which people grew accustomed under the Communist regime.
Dispersion in a curved tube during oscillatory flow

The effect of curvature on longitudinal dispersion in an axially uniform toroidal tube during oscillatory flow is investigated. The regimes of dispersion and the rate of longitudinal transport are estimated by order-of-magnitude arguments. Experiments are reported for the range, 0.66 30, curvature causes a sharp increase in the effective diffusivity, relative to that for a straight tube, by a factor of about 6 at Dn2/α4 ≈ 2. The results from two numerical simulation methods are also presented. One, a Monte Carlo simulation (0.01 < Dn < 10, 0.01 < α < 0.32, Sc = 104), predicts the spread of a bolus in quasi-steady flow. The other, a spectral-element method (1 < Dn < 1000, 1 < α < 100, Sc = 0.68), is used to find the dispersion in unsteady oscillatory flow subjected to a constant longitudinal concentration gradient. Two mechanisms are identified by which axial transport is modified by curvature. First, the enhanced lateral transport due to secondary flow decreases axial transport by a factor of up to 5 for low β2 and increases axial transport by an even greater amount for high β2. Second, axial transport is enhanced owing to a form of resonance when the secondary flow circulation time is equal to the cycle period.
The Terrorist and the Doctor: A Legal and Ethical Response

On June 30, 2007, I flew into Glasgow Airport with my wife and 2-year-old daughter. We were coming to join my parents as they celebrated their fortieth wedding anniversary with family and friends. ...
Rapid System-on-a-Programmable-Chip Development and Hardware Acceleration Of ANSI C Functions

This tutorial explores the use of the system on a programmable chip as an ideal platform for rapid development of embedded solutions. Many sophisticated tools exist that facilitate rapid development of embedded systems on a chip. As an example, the authors discussed a suite of three tightly-coupled embedded systems development tools from Altera, including: (1) hardware system generation and integration, (2) embedded software development, and (3) automatic hardware acceleration of ANSI/ISO-spec C functions
Needs of patients and families during the wait for a donor heart.

Background The time one must wait to receive a donor heart is unpredictable. Prior research provides insight into the stress experienced by both patients and families; however, there has been less emphasis on how nurses and others might influence this time from the patients’ and families’ perspectives. Objectives The purpose of the present study was to explore patients’ and family members’ perceptions of what interventions were being used during their wait for a donor heart, the perceived effectiveness of those interventions, and what interventions not being used might be helpful. Methods The focus group technique was used in this qualitative study to determine patients’ and family members’ perceptions of the time spent waiting for a donor heart. Eleven participants (four posttransplant, four pretransplant, three family members) were recruited from the outpatient clinics of two health sciences centers. Videotaped focus group interviews provided participants the opportunity to describe the wait for a donor heart and their interactions with members of the health care team. Results By using content analysis, tolerating uncertainty was the main theme describing perceptions of the time spent waiting. Subthemes represented helpful interventions provided by the health care team and others: sharing information; being sensitive to family; maintaining respect and dignity; doing the “extra little things;” and facilitating coping. Conclusion The results of this study provide information that health care professionals will find helpful in meeting the needs of patients and their families as they wait for heart transplantation.
New N-acetyltransferase fold in the structure and mechanism of the phosphonate biosynthetic enzyme FrbF.

Abstract The enzyme FrbF has attracted significant attention due to its role in The enzyme FrbF from Streptomyces rubellomurinus has attracted significant attention due to its role in the biosynthesis of the antimalarial phosphonate FR-900098. The enzyme catalyzes acetyl transfer onto the hydroxamate of the FR-900098 precursors cytidine 5′-monophosphate-3-aminopropylphosphonate and cytidine 5′-monophosphate-N-hydroxy-3-aminopropylphosphonate. In spite of the established function as a bona fide N-acetyltransferase, FrbF shows no sequence similarity with any member of the GCN5-like N-acetyltransferase (GNAT) superfamily. Here, we present the 2.0 A resolution crystal structure of FrbF in complex with acetyl-CoA that demonstrates a unique architecture that is distinct from those of canonical GNAT-like acetyltransferases. We also utilize the co-crystal structure to guide structure-function studies that identify the roles of putative active site residues in the acetyltransferase mechanism. The combined biochemical and structural analyses of FrbF provide insights into this previously uncharacterized family of N-acetyltransferases and also provides a molecular framework towards the production of novel N-acyl derivatives of FR-900098.
Cellular Interactions of the Cytolethal Distending Toxins from Escherichia coli and Haemophilus ducreyi

The cytolethal distending toxins (CDTs) compose a subclass of intracellularly acting genotoxins produced by many Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria that disrupt the normal progression of the eukaryotic cell cycle. Here, the intoxication mechanisms of CDTs from Escherichia coli (Ec-CDT) and Haemophilus ducreyi (Hd-CDT), which share limited amino acid sequence homology, were directly compared. Ec-CDT and Hd-CDT shared comparable in vitro DNase activities of the CdtB subunits, saturable cell surface binding with comparable affinities, and the requirement for an intact Golgi complex to induce cell cycle arrest. In contrast, disruption of endosome acidification blocked Hd-CDT-mediated cell cycle arrest and toxin transport to the endoplasmic reticulum and nucleus, while having no effects on Ec-CDT. Phosphorylation of the histone protein H2AX, as well as nuclear localization, was inhibited for Hd-CdtB, but not Ec-CdtB, in cells expressing dominant negative Rab7 (T22N), suggesting that Hd-CDT, but not Ec-CDT, is trafficked through late endosomal vesicles. In support of this idea, significantly more Hd-CdtB than Ec-CdtB co-localized with Rab9, which is enriched in late endosomal compartments. Competitive binding studies suggested that Ec-CDT and Hd-CDT bind to discrete cell surface determinants. These results suggest that Ec-CDT and Hd-CDT are transported within cells by distinct pathways, possibly mediated by their interaction with different receptors at the cell surface.
A Clock Sweeping Technique for Detecting Hardware Trojans Impacting Circuits Delay

Clock sweeping can be used to generate signatures for the purpose of detecting hardware Trojans. With the help of simulations and FPGA results, this article demonstrates the effectiveness of their proposed clock-sweeping technique under process variations, even for Trojans as small as a few gates.
433 Micron Laser Heterodyne Observations Of Galactic CO From Mauna Kea

A submillimeter heterodyne radiometer, developed for astronomical applications, uses an optically pumped laser local oscillator and a quasi-optical Schottky diode mixer. The resultant telescope-mounted system, which has a noise temperature less than 4000 K (double sideband) and high frequency and spatial resolution, has been used to detect the J = 6 to 5 rotational transition of carbon monoxide at 434 micrometers in the Orion molecular clouds. The measurements, when compared with previous millimeter-wave data, indicate that the broad carbon monoxide emission feature is produced by an optically thin gas whose temperature exceeds 180 K.
A move to exclude.

It is not clear how lymphocytes establish monoallelic gene expression of antigen receptor genes. New data linking local chromatin modifications with nuclear movements provide a framework for deciphering this process.
The effect of image quality on the appearance of lesions on breast ultrasound: implications for CADx

With the emergence of recent technology in breast ultrasound, sonographic image quality has changed profoundly. Most notably, the technique of real-time spatial compounding impacts the appearance of lesions and parenchyma. During image acquisition, spatial compounding can be turned on or off at the discretion of the radiologist, but this information is not stored along with the image data. The ability to distinguishing between lesions imaged with and without spatial compounding, using either single image features or a Bayesian neural net (BNN), was assessed using ROC analysis. Our database consisted of consecutively collected HDI5000 images of 129 lesions imaged without spatial compounding (357 images, cancer prevalence of 18%) and 370 lesions imaged with spatial compounding (965 images, cancer prevalence 15%). These were used in automated feature selection and BNN training. An additional 33 lesions were imaged for which identical views with and without spatial compounding were available (70 images, cancer prevalence 15%). These served as an independent test dataset. Lesions were outlined by a radiologist and image features, mathematically describing lesion characteristics, were calculated. In feature selection, the 4 best performing features were related to gradient strength and entropy. The average gradient strength within a lesion obtained an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.78 in the task of distinguishing lesions imaged with and without spatial compounding. The BNN, using 4 features, achieved an AUC on the independent test dataset of 0.98 in this task. The sonographic appearance of breast lesions is affected by spatial compound imaging and lesion features may be used to automatically separate images as obtained with or without this technique. In computer-aided diagnosis (CADx), it will likely be beneficial to separate images as such before using separate classifiers for assessment of malignancy.
The Effects of High Fructose Syrup

High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) has become an increasingly common food ingredient in the last 40 years. However, there is concern that HFCS consumption increases the risk for obesity and other adverse health outcomes compared to other caloric sweeteners. The most commonly used types of HFCS (HFCS-42 and HFCS-55) are similar in composition to sucrose (table sugar), consisting of roughly equal amounts of fructose and glucose. The primary difference is that these monosaccharides exist free in solution in HFCS, but in disaccharide form in sucrose. The disaccharide sucrose is easily cleaved in the small intestine, so free fructose and glucose are absorbed from both sucrose and HFCS. The advantage to food manufacturers is that the free monosaccharides in HFCS provide better flavor enhancement, stability, freshness, texture, color, pourability, and consistency in foods in comparison to sucrose. Because the composition of HFCS and sucrose is so similar, particularly on absorption by the body, it appears unlikely that HFCS contributes more to obesity or other conditions than sucrose does. Nevertheless, few studies have evaluated the potentially differential effect of various sweeteners, particularly as they relate to health conditions such as obesity, which develop over relatively long periods of time. Improved nutrient databases are needed to analyze food consumption in epidemiologic studies, as are more strongly designed experimental studies, including those on the mechanism of action and relationship between fructose dose and response. At the present time, there is insufficient evidence to ban or otherwise restrict use of HFCS or other fructose-containing sweeteners in the food supply or to require the use of warning labels on products containing HFCS. Nevertheless, dietary advice to limit consumption of all added caloric sweeteners, including HFCS, is warranted.
Antibody production in the absence of an X chromosome.

BOTH congenital and acquired idiopathic agammaglobulinaemias are genetically determined1. Congenital and some forms of acquired agammaglobulinaemias are X-linked. Studies of the mode of inheritance of various gamma globulin light and heavy chain allotypes in humans, rabbits and mice, however, have shown that the gene loci controlling those markers are autosomally inherited2. Thus the most likely explanation for the defect in X-linked agammaglobulinaemias is either a regulatory gene controlling synthesis of light and heavy chains or a gene affecting the capacity of lymphocytes to differentiate into plasma cells.
Integrated fuzzy logic-based model for product modularization during concept development phase

Abstract Modular design is considered as a viable approach to retain the market share by offering large product variety in the minimum time frame. This paper presents a formal and integrated method for optimizing the performance attributes of prospective modules while modularizing the product architecture early in the concept development phase. A fuzzy logic-based approach is presented to handle the vague, imprecise and uncertain information available regarding a product at conceptual stage. Although the paper illustrates the procedure for minimizing the cost of modular architecture, in actual case, the methodology can also be used for optimization of other attributes such as quality, reliability, manufacturability, etc. A case example is presented to demonstrate the proposed methodology.
Application of solubility parameter theory to dentin-bonding systems and adhesive strength correlations

The principal aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between the solubility parameters of etched dentin, and adhesive primer solutions and adhesive bond strength. Solubility parameters characterize the molecular interactions which determine physical properties such as wetting, and thus can serve as tools to aid development of polymeric adhesives and interpenetrating polymer networks. If an adhesive monomer has a solubility parameter close to that of a polymer substrate, then the monomer may act as a solvent for the polymer and penetrate below the surface. Subsequent polymerization of the monomer may then produce an interpenetrating network, thus adhering without necessarily forming primary chemical bonds to the substrate. The dentin substrate considered in this study was abraded dentin treated with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. Solubility parameters δp, δh, and δd calculated for the etched dentin substrate were 20.3, 23.6, and 16.0 (J/cm3)1/2, respectively. Solubility parameters of the primers were expressed using Hansen's three-dimensional scheme. The data indicate a correlation between the calculated solubility parameters of the etched dentin, and dentin primers and the resulting bond strengths. The results corroborate the significance of solubility parameter considerations for adhesive bonding to dentin. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 41, 237–243, 1998.
Heterozygote deficiencies caused by a Wahlund effect: Dispelling unfounded expectations

Population genetic tools can facilitate successful conservation and management of wildlife populations. However, the ability of such approaches to inform wildlife management and conservation programs depends upon assumptions linking genetic patterns to ecological processes, one implicit assumption usually being that genetic parameters (e.g., population genetic differentiation) estimated using a set of loci accurately reflect underlying demographic and microevolutionary forces affecting the population(s) under study. This is an important assumption because it also implies that we have acknowledged that genetic parameters estimated by a set of target loci inherently are associated with a sampling variance. Specifically, a perception exists that heterozygote deficits caused by biological mechanisms (e.g., a Wahlund effect) and null alleles can be differentiated by the expectation that the former leads to a concordant pattern across all loci, whereas the latter leads to locus-specific effects. We use Monte-Carlo simulation to demonstrate that these expectations do not always hold under biologically realistic conditions. Our analyses indicate that the conservative approach of discarding loci deviating from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium expectations could rob us of our most informative markers, weakening our ability to interpret biological phenomena. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.
Inhibition of antigen-specific activation of an L3T4+ T cell line by cyclosporine with maintenance of macrophage-mediated antigen presentation.

Cyclosporine has clearly been shown to directly inhibit T lymphocyte activation by monoclonal antibodies or mitogens where nominal antigen and accessory cells are not present. However, when T lymphocytes are stimulated by antigen, as occurs in allograft rejection, T lymphocytes and accessory cels must interact with one another. Under the latter circumstances, the issue of whether cyclosporine acts on T lymphocyte, accessory cell, or both is not resolved. This issues is addressed in this study. To assess the effect of cyclosporine on T cell activation, macrophages were incubated with heat-killed Listeria and then fixed in paraformaldehyde. These fixed macrophages retained ther ability to present antigen to T cells but were not affected by subsequent treatment with cyclosporine. When cyclosporine and a L3T4+ T lymphocyte line were added simulataneously to fixed, antigen-pulsed macrophages, the drug inhibited antigen-specific T cell activation with a half maximal inhibitory concentration of 10 ng/ml. To our knowledge, this is the first evidence that low doses of cyclosporine inhibit antigen-specific T cell activation where the drug's effects on antigen-presenting cell have been excluded. To assess the effects of cyclosporine on macrophage-mediated antigen-presentation, macrophages were exposed simultaneusly to cyclosporine and antigen, and then fixed. Antigen-presentation was not inhibited unless extremely large doses (9000 ng/ml) of cyclosporine were used. In our experimental system, any cyclosporine were used. In our experimental system, any new inhibitory activity acquired bvy live cyclosporine-treated macrophages could be explained by residual drug. Finally, cyclosporine did not inhibit the induction of macrophage Ia expression nor antigen-presenting function after stimulation in vitro with lymphokine.
Contributions made to chronobiology by studies of fiddler crab rhythms.

One of the classic organisms used in chronobiological research is the fiddler crab (genus Uca), an animal unique in that it displays both circadian and tidal (i.e., circalunidian) rhythms. The pioneering work on this animal helped produce the early evidence for many of the standard properties now recognized for all circadian rhythms: near temperature independence of the period, phase lability and setability, the light and temperature sensitivity rhythms expressed by phase response curves, and the persistence of rhythms in organs isolated from a multicellular animal. Importantly, results arising from studies of this crab–and a few other organisms–resulted in the development of the exogenous timing hypothesis. While philosophically sound, the lack of supporting evidence for this hypothesis has resulted in it being discarded by most chronobiologists; but while still in its prime, it drew great interest, and therefore grant support, to the field in general, stimulated a great deal of research that otherwise m...
A projection extension algorithm for statistical machine translation

In this paper, we describe a phrase-based unigram model for statistical machine translation that uses a much simpler set of model parameters than similar phrase-based models. The units of translation are blocks -- pairs of phrases. During decoding, we use a block unigram model and a word-based trigram language model. During training, the blocks are learned from source interval projections using an underlying high-precision word alignment. The system performance is significantly increased by applying a novel block extension algorithm using an additional high-recall word alignment. The blocks are further filtered using unigram-count selection criteria. The system has been successfully test on a Chinese-English and an Arabic-English translation task.
Reciprocal Changes in Serum Thyrotropin and Free Thyroxine Produced by Heparin

Serum TSH was measured to assess free thyroxine induced by heparin in patients undergoing hemodialysis and in euthyroid control subjects. In 25 patients with chronic renal failure, the free T4 was 1.39 ± .13 (se) ng/100 ml and the serum TSH was 5.5 ± 0.4 μU/ml before hemodialysis; after hemodialysis free thyroxine rose to 4.03 ± 0.7 ng/100 ml and TSH fell to 2.6 ± 0.3 μU/ml. The time course of these changes was followed at 2-hr intervals in 11 patients undergoing hemodialysis. Free thyroxine rose and TSH fell at 2–4 hr after starting dialysis. In eight control subjects given 1000 U heparin/hr iv to simulate the dosage of heparin administered during hemodialysis, the free T4 doubled and the serum TSH fell in four of the five with detectable baseline TSH levels. The increment in the free T3 fraction paralleled that in the free T4 fraction in dialyzed patients and control subjects given heparin. When heparin was added in vitro to undiluted serum which was dialyzed against .05 m Tris buffer, pH 7.4, there was...
Ten-fold augmentation of endothelial uptake of vascular endothelial growth factor with ultrasound after systemic administration.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, the feasibility of delivering and enhancing the uptake of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) into the intact endothelium by using ultrasound (US) facilitation was determined. BACKGROUND: A limitation of tissue-targeted drug delivery is the need for direct arterial cannulation. We postulate a mechanism by which agents injected intravenously may be targeted to a tissue using US and ultrasonic contrast agents. METHODS: We used a rat model to test the ability of US and an ultrasonic contrast agent perflurocarbon exposed sonicated dextrose albumin (PESDA) to increase uptake of VEGF in the myocardium. Continuous wave Doppler US (0.6 W/cm2 at 1 MHz for 15 min) was applied to the chest wall overlying the myocardium during intravenous injection with either VEGF (100 microg/kg) alone or a combination of VEGF and PESDA (0.1%). Control rats had VEGF infused without US or PESDA. The VEGF uptake was measured quantitatively in the heart, lung, liver and kidneys by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ng/g of tissue) and morphologically by fluorescence microscopy. RESULTS: There was an eight-fold increase in VEGF uptake in the heart by US alone (16.86 +/- 1.56 vs. 2.11 +/- 0.953 ng/g of tissue, p < 0.0001) and a 13-fold increase with US + PESDA (26.78 +/- 2.88 vs. 2.11 +/- 0.953 ng/g of tissue, p < 0.0001) compared with control rats. Fluorescence microscopy revealed deposition of VEGF in the endothelium of small intramyocardial arterioles. CONCLUSIONS: These results show a marked increase in endothelial VEGF uptake with US and US + PESDA. Thus, US may be used to augment endothelial VEGF uptake 10-fold to 13-fold.
Theoretical determination of the blood's relative oxygen saturation in vivo

The diffusion equations for randomly directed photons are applied to the problem of thein vivo determination of the oxygen relative saturation in blood. A model of the living tissue is presented. The transmitted and backscattered light fluxes are calculated for various skin properties, volume occupied by the blood and the blood relative oxygen saturation. Normalization functions are introduced and analyzed for sensitivities to changes in several parameters. The photodiffusion theoretical treatment is suggested for calculations which will lead to optimal normalization techniques and transducer design for thein vivo measurements of the oxygen relative saturation in the blood.
Posibilidad Y problema: An historical/critical analysis of Hispanic public relations

Abstract Public relations practices directed at American Hispanics have become increasingly important, as that segment of the American population grows. In addition, Hispanic economic and political power has grown with the increase in population. American Hispanics face a number of serious problems, such as discrimination, economic stratification, and educational underachievement, which necessitate public relations solutions. A series of Hispanic public relations tactical options are identified and exemplified. Finally, three obstacles to Hispanic public relations are discussed.
Frost formation and heat transfer on circular cylinders in cross-flow

Abstract When humid air comes into contact with a surface whose temperature is below the dew point of water vapour in air and also below the freezing point, frost deposition takes place over the surface. Previous studies indicate that the heat transfer rate increases at the initial stages of deposition since the rough frost surface acts as a finned one. As the frost thickens, however, the insulating effect of the frost layer predominates resulting in a reduction in the heat transfer rate. This paper presents a transient model to predict the frosting process over a circular cylinder in a cross-flow of humid air. the transfer parameters are computed employing a numerical solution of the momentum, energy and diffusion boundary-layer equations along with the continuity equation, using a finite difference scheme. Empirical correlations for thermal conductivity and density are utilized for closure purposes. Model results are compared with existing experimental data and with numerical data of previous investigators and are found to agree well in the applicable temperature and humidity ranges of the frost density and conductivity correlations.