cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract, closing summary, and table of contents for Laragh’s 25 lessons in pathophysiology and 12 clinical pearls for treating hypertension

These 25 lessons 1) review the roles of plasma renin levels for causing malignant and most essential hypertension and their related vascular injuries (heart attack, heart failure, kidney failure and stroke); 2) review how antihypertensive anti-R drugs that block renin activity (beta blockers, the first converting enzyme inhibitor from venom, and the first angiotensin receptor blocker) were used to reveal plasma renin involvement in the hypertension of medium and high renin patients and to show; 3) that the 30% with low renin essential hypertension do not respond to R drugs, are not prone to heart attack or stroke, and BP is corrected instead by the natriuretic anti-V drugs (diuretics, spironolactone, CCB, alpha blockers); 4) thus, all hypertensives can be divided into R patients who have too much renin vasoconstriction or V patients who instead have predominant sodium-volume mediation. Furthermore, all antihypertensive drug classes can be divided into R drugs that block the renin factor, or V drugs that reduce body sodium volume; 5) these findings document our conception of two biochemically and physiologically different final factors that sustain all BP in which the sodium-volume factor continuously sustains cardiac output and flow while plasma renin-angiotensin sets total peripheral resistance (TPR), which, within the Poiseuille Equation (BP = cardiac output [CO] x TPR) describes our [Na+-volume x renin-angiotensin vasoconstriction] model that supports all normotension or hypertension; 6) in this light, we designed a visit-by-visit method for treating untreated hypertensives using the ambient plasma renin level and BP responses to guide primary drug therapy against either the V or R factor; and 7) for also correcting nonresponders receiving multiple drugs where renin testing correctly guides addition or subtraction of drugs depending on whether the test indicates unresponsiveness due to a reactive sodium-volume excess, or to lack of effectiveness of an R drug in a V patient or of a V drug in an R patient, or from large reactive increases in renin that override the R drug, calling for strengthening the R and/or removing V drugs. This objective, biochemically based method results in effective longterm BP control of nearly all patients using fewer, but the correct drug(s) for each individual.
Inhibition of production of monocyte/macrophage-derived angiogenic activity by oxygen free-radical scavengers.

Abstract We showed previously that thiol-containing compounds inhibited the production of macrophage-mediated angiogenic activity. Since thiol-containing compounds may act on macrophages by affecting activation and inhibiting the production of oxygen free-radicals, we studied the effects of oxygen free-radical scavengers on production of angiogenic activity by elicited mouse peritoneal macrophages and lipopolysaccharide stimulated normal human monocytes. Monocyte/macrophage conditioned media were potently angiogenic when assayed in rat corneas, while conditioned media from oxygen free-radical scavenger-treated cells were not. The inhibitory effect of oxygen free-radical scavengers was due to a direct effect on monocyte/macrophage production of angiogenic activity but was not due solely to a decrease in the production of the macrophage-derived angiogenic cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α. We conclude that oxygen free-radical scavengers are potent inhibitors of the production of macrophage-mediated angiogenic activity.
The Interpretation of the Thematic Apperception Test

(1947). The Interpretation of the Thematic Apperception Test. Rorschach Research Exchange and Journal of Projective Techniques: Vol. 11, No. 1, pp. 21-25.
Semantics for data parallel computation

The paper describes the semantics of an elementary language for data parallel computation that is based on an abstract parallel machine. The semantics of the language is described in both a mathematical and an operational manner. The mathematical semantics can be used to prove the correctness of algorithms specified in the language. The operational semantics provides a CSP description of an abstract machine that can be used to execute programs written in the language. The latter portion of the paper establishes that the two semantic descriptions are equivalent.
New ergonomic headset for tongue-drive system with wireless smartphone interface

Tongue Drive System (TDS) is a wireless tongue-operated assistive technology (AT), developed for people with severe physical disabilities to control their environment using their tongue motion. We have developed a new ergonomic headset for the TDS with a user-friendly smartphone interface, through which users will be able to wirelessly control various devices, access computers, and drive wheelchairs. This headset design is expected to act as a flexible and multifunctional communication interface for the TDS and improve its usability, accessibility, aesthetics, and convenience for the end users.
Psychological aspects of aeronautical flight simulation

Attention is given to the class of ground based devices which have been used by scientists, engineers, and test pilots to evaluate current or future aircraft systems. The characteristics of a flight simulator and its major subsystems are considered, taking into account simulator cockpits, visual scene attachments, aspects of visual attachment fidelity, simulator motion systems, motion system fidelity, and simulation computer systems. Questions related to psychological research and simulation are examined. Simulator validity criteria are discussed along with problems of subsystem fidelity.
The Mechanism of Accumulation of Vanadium by Ascidians: Some Progress towards an Understanding of this Unusual Phenomenon

Abstract Since the discovery of vanadium in the blood cells (coelornic cells) of an ascidian by Henze in 1911, this unusual phenomenon has attracted the interest of many investigators. We started our studies by examining the vanadium contents of several tissues from 20 ascidian species, collected not only from Japanese waters but also from the Mediterranean since about 18 years ago, using an extremely sensitive method, namely, neutron-activation analysis. We found the highest concentration of vanadium, 350 mM, in the blood cells of Ascidia gemmata which belongs to the suborder Phiebobranchia. This concentration of vanadium is 107 times higher than that in seawater. Among the approximately ten types of blood cells, the signet ring cells were revealed to be the true vanadocytes by a combination of cell fractionation and neutron-activation analysis. Of the vanadium in these vanadocytes, 97.6% was in the +3 oxidation state while the rest was in the +4 oxidation state. The contents of the vanadocytes in A gemm...
Solar Heating Systems: Differentiation Between Stages in the Innovation‐Decision Process

Data, collected from a random sample of Nebraska residents and identified solar homeowners, were analyzed using discriminant analyses to identify attributes and dimensions of attributes of solar heating systems that differentiate among stages in the innovation-decision process. The findings indicate that different attributes and dimensions of attributes are important in differentiating among the stages, and thereby suggest that informational content presented by “change agents” should vary depending on the likely stage of adoption of their audience.
Recently Approved Medicare Provisions for Prescription Drugs and Medication Management Services

Objective: To review recent changes in Medicare affecting the practice of pharmacy. Data Sources: Articles were identified through searches of MEDLINE (2003-March 2004), LEXISNEXIS ACADEMIC (2003-March 2004), and LEXISNEXIS CONGRESSIONAL databases (2003-March 2004), using the key words Medicare, pharmacist, pharmacy, and drug costs. Additional references were located through review of the bibliographies of the articles cited and through searches of the Web sites for Medicare, Social Security, and the American Pharmacists Association. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Reports about Medicare and Medicare Part D were selected. Articles describing the history of Medicare and changes that impact pharmacy were included. Data Synthesis: The Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (MPDIMA) provides an optional prescription drug benefit for Medicare beneficiaries in 2006 as Medicare Part D. Before its full implementation, eligible Medicare beneficiaries may qualify for a temporary Medicare-approved Drug Discount Card. The prescription drug benefits will be administered by private entities. Other provisions of the MPDIMA affect pharmacy, including a provision for medication therapy management services to ensure that the covered Part D drugs are appropriately used. This will be the first time that Medicare provides for payment of pharmacist-administered patient care services. Conclusions: Recent changes in Medicare provide Medicare beneficiaries with optional coverage for prescription drugs. Full implementation of the Medicare prescription drug benefit will occur in 2006, with an interim Drug Discount Card available through December 2005.
Dynamic response and parameter estimation in a two-phase continuous flow stirred tank reactor

Abstract Based on a three-parameter model, the dynamic response of an isothermal two-phase continuous flow stirred tank reactor with a first-order chemical reaction occurring in uniform spherical catalyst particles was obtained analytically by using the method of Laplace transforms. Three modes of input perturbation are specifically considered in the solution: step change, impulse, and the sudden introduction of catalyst into the reactor. In all cases, it was found that the time domain solution can be divided into three cases by a critical Thiele modulus. This critical Thiele modulus also divides the reactor dynamics into two different responses when the catalyst particles, which are filled with inert liquid initially, are introduced into the reactor at time zero. In terms of the dimensional form, this critical Thiele modulus relates the rate constant with the inlet liquid flow rate and other parameters except for the liquid—solid mass transfer coefficient and intraparticle coefficient. This makes it possible to determine the rate constant directly from the experiments, even though mass transfer resistances are coexistent, by simply manipulating the inlet liquid flow rate.
Interactive effects of anthropogenic nitrogen enrichment and climate change on terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity

Biodiversity has been described as the diversity of life on earth within species, among species, and among ecosystems. The rate of biodiversity loss due to human activity in the last 50 years has been more rapid than at any other time in human history, and many of the drivers of biodiversity loss are increasing, including habitat loss, overexploitation, invasive species, climate change, and pollution, including pollution from reactive nitrogen (Nr). Of these stressors, climate change and Nr from anthropogenic activities are causing some of the most rapid changes. Climate change is causing warming trends that result in poleward and elevational range shifts of flora and fauna, and changes in phenology, particularly the earlier onset of spring events and migration, and lengthening of the growing season. Nitrogen (N) enrich- ment can enhance plant growth, but has been shown to favor, fast-growing, sometimes invasive, species over native species adapted to low N conditions. Although there have been only a few controlled studies on climate change and N interactions, inferences can be drawn from various field observations. For example, in arid ecosys- tems of southern California, elevated N deposition and changing precipitation patterns have promoted the con- version of native shrub communities to communities dominated by annual non-native grasses. Both empirical studies and modeling indicate that N and climate change can interact to drive losses in biodiversity greater than those caused by either stressor alone. Reducing inputs of anthropogenic Nr may be an effective mitigation strategy for protecting biodiversity in the face of climate change.
What exactly is inexact computation good for

Our willingness to deliberately trade accuracy of computing systems for significant resource savings, notably energy consumption, got a boost from two directions. First, energy (or power, the more popularly used measure) consumption started emerging as a serious hurdle to our ability to continue scaling the complexity of processors, and thus enable ever richer computing applications. This "energy hurdle" spanned the gamut from large data-centers to portable embedded computing systems. Second, many believed that an engine of growth that supported scaling, captured by Gordon Moore's remarkable prophecy (Moore's law), was headed towards an irrevocable cliff edge - when this happens, our ability to produce computing systems whose hardware would support precise or exact computing would diminish greatly. In this talk which emphasizes the physical and hardware layers of abstraction where all of these troubles start (after all energy is rooted in thermodynamics), I will first review reasons that compelled and encouraged us to consider trading accuracy for energy savings deliberately resulting in inexact computing.
The Specificity of Bacterial Proteolytic Enzymes and their Formation

University of Minnesota Masters thesis. May 1921. Major: Bacteriology and Immunology. Advisor: Dr. Rosenow, Dr. Sanford. 1 computer file (PDF); 15 pages.
Parental safety-related knowledge and practices associated with visiting a mobile safety center in a low-income urban population.

A mobile safety center (MSC) provided education and reduced-cost safety products to low-income urban families. We evaluated uptake of this service under 3 different conditions, and safety-related knowledge and behavior associated with visiting the MSC among 210 families. Utilization varied widely under the 3 different conditions. At follow-up, MSC visitors scored slightly higher on a knowledge test than nonvisitors and improved more in reported car safety seat use, but did not differ in observed safety product use. This study provides very modest evidence of a positive impact of the MSC when its services are provided at a community health center. Language: en
Hepatic transplantation and biliary atresia: early experience in eight patients

Recent improved results have raised interest in hepatic transplantation. Transplantation experience in patients with biliary atresia at the University of Minnesota is reported. These patients are frequently first seen when very small; rigorous metabolic support is used to optimize hepatic function and enhance weight gain while a donor is found. Preoperative exchange transfusion is performed as dictated by coagulation parameters; this minimizes operative blood loss. The operative procedure is performed as described by Starzl using a cholecystojejunostomy and aorto-aortic anastomosis. Immunosuppression is achieved with cyclosporine and low-dose prednisone. Weekly percutaneous biopsies provide an early indication of rejection which occurs frequently in these patients. Rejection is treated with bolus steroids and/or antilymphoblast globulin. Five of eight children with biliary atresia have returned to health after liver transplantation. Two deaths were related to difficulties with the donor hepatectomy and the last child died after erosion of a central venous catheter with cardiac tamponade. In this small series, early success after liver transplantation (>24 hours), predicted longterm survival.
How Might Classroom Time Be Used Given WWW‐Based Lectures?

This paper investigates how traditional lecture time might be used given the availability of effective web-based courseware for delivering materials typically presented in the classroom. After providing an overview of web-based educational materials, the effectiveness of two teaching approaches is compared using a product design lecture on visual prototyping. One group of students prepared for class using web-based materials and then received a lecture-style second coverage of the topic in class (web+class lecture). The other group of students prepared for class using the same web-based materials and then worked with the faculty, applying only a small portion of the subject matter, on illustrative examples (web+limited experience). The two groups then completed an assignment based on the subject matter. The average grade performance of the web+limited experience group was 10.8% higher than for the web+class lecture group. An achieved significance level of 0.001 provides very strong evidence to reject the hypothesis that the two groups performed equally. Analysis of how the two student groups used the web-lecture resource showed that the form of class instruction had a strong influence on student motivation for independent study. The average time spent in web-based preparation by the web+limited experience group was 1.6 times greater than the average preparation time for the web+class lecture group. Sixty percent of the web+class lecture group prepared less than the least prepared student in the web+limited experience group. These findings suggest that, if codified materials are primarily delivered using a medium such as the WWW, traditional classroom time might be liberated for potentially higher value-added activities such as mentoring and experiential activities.
Cerebral lysosomes. VI. The in vivo uptake of triton-WR-1339 by the lysosomes of the immature cerebral cortex and cerebellum

Summary The detergent Triton-WR-1339 was injected intrathecally into immature rats and its uptake by the lysosomes of the cerebral cortex and the cerebellum was demonstrated. Uptake was assessed in vitro by examining the shift of the lyosomes to centrifugal fractions sedimenting at lower speeds than those commonly yielding these granules from control brains. This shift was maximal after 3 daily injections of Triton when arylsulfatase and N-acetyl-β- d -glucosaminidase, the two lysosomal hydrolases studied, exhibited peaks of relative specific activity (RSA) in fractions known to contain myelin fragments and nerve endings rather than in the heavier fraction known to concentrate lysosomes. A significant proportion of the cortical and cerebellar lysosomes failed to take up the detergent even after 3 days of continued administration. The apparent irreversibility of the uptake process was suggested by the finding that the RSA values for the two hydrolases were still highest in the myelin and light nerve ending fractions 4 days after the administration of Triton-WR-1339 had been discontinued. Sedimentation in linear density gradients of sucrose readily separated the populations of Triton-filled and Triton-devoid lysosomes. The results demonstrate the ability of cerebral lysosomes to perform a functional task characteristic of their extracerebral counterparts. It has not been established whether the uptake of Triton-WR-1339 was selective into the lysosomes of neuronal or glial cells or whether it proceeded uniformly into both cell types.
Spine reorientation influences drift particle capture efficiency in sea urchins

Abstract Many marine organisms use behavior to navigate hydrodynamic landscapes. The subtidal sea urchin Strongylocentrotus franciscanus reorients its spines as water velocity increases to reduce drag and remain attached to the substratum. Streamlining may be advantageous in this regard, but it is unclear how this change in drag profile will affect particle capture, a feeding strategy employed by these organisms. Streamlining in urchins results in a “spines down” posture while particle capture benefits from spines remaining erect, a difference that could potentially lead to decreased feeding rates in high water velocities. To investigate this we ran flow tank experiments with three species of urchin (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis, Strongylocentrotus franciscanus, and Strongylocentrotus purpuratus) which differ in size and spine length. All urchins studied displayed some degree of streamlining, although the threshold water velocity at which the behavior occurred varied among species. Particle capture was highly dependent on urchin size, with S. franciscanus, the largest of the three species studied, capturing the highest total mass across water velocities. However, taking into account urchin size and the changes in particle flux at each water velocity, S. purpuratus was significantly more efficient at capturing particles with “spines up” — an advantage which disappeared once spines were lowered. These results show that size and spine orientation affect how particles interact with urchins in flow and imply that spine morphology plays a role in whether or not an individual adopts a streamlined posture.
The prediction of thermodynamic properties of the liquid-vapor coexistence states

Abstract A new predictive method for estimation of accurate thermodynamic properties of the liquid-vapor coexistence states is presented. The new method is based on the predictive methods by Pitzer, Lee and Kesler, and Armstrong and Teja. Calculated values of vapor pressure and saturated liquid density for argon, nitrogen, ethylene, oxygen, fluorine, methane, dichlorodifluoromethane (R12) and propane are used to demonstrate the method. The requirements of a new predictive method are given including the criteria for the selection of the two reference fluids used. The accuracy of the predictions depends primarily on the accuracy of the thermodynamic property formulations for the two reference fluids. The results of the calculations used in demonstrating the method show that vapor pressures and saturated liquid densities may be predicted within ±0.05 percent with the available equations for the test fluids.
Determining information retrieval and filtering performance without experimentation

The performance of an information retrieval or text and media filtering system may be determined through analytic methods as well as by traditional simulation or experimental methods. These analytic methods can provide precise statements about expected performance. They can thus determine which of two similarly performing systems is superior. For both a single query term and for a multiple query term retrieval model, a method for comparing the performance of different probabilistic retrieval methods is developed. This method may be used in computing the average search length for a query, given only knowledge of database parameter values. Predictive models for inverse document frequency, binary independence, and relevance feedback based retrieval and filtering are described. Simulations illustrate how the single term model performs and sample performance predictions are given for single term and multiple term problems.
Protein kinase C signaling controls skeletal muscle fiber types.

Abstract Slow myosin heavy chain 2 (MyHC2) gene expression in fetal avian skeletal muscle fibers is regulated by innervation and protein kinase C (PKC) activity. Fetal chick muscle fibers derived from the slow twitch medial adductor (MA) muscle express slow MyHC2 when innervated in vitro. The same pattern of slow MyHC2 regulation occurs in MA muscle fibers in which PKC activity is inhibited by staurosporine. To further test the function of PKC activity in the regulation of slow MyHC2 expression, wild-type and dominant-negative mutations of PKCα and PKCθ were overexpressed in MA muscle fibers in vitro. Overexpression of wild-type PKCα and PKCθ cDNAs resulted in increased PKC activities in muscle fibers and concomitant repression of slow MyHC2 expression under conditions that normally induced gene expression. Point mutations leading to single amino acid substitutions were generated in the ATP binding domains of PKCα and PKCθ. Overexpression of CMVPKCαR368 and CMVPKCθR409 resulted in decreased PKC activities in transfected MA muscle fibers. Furthermore, transfection of CMVPKCαR368 and CMVPKCθR409 mutant constructs into MA muscle fibers did not repress the capacity of these fibers to express slow MyHC2 when cultured in medium containing staurosporine or when innervated. These results indicate that PKC activity represses slow MyHC2 expression and that PKC down-regulation, possibly in response to innervation, is required but not sufficient for slow MyHC2 expression.
Clues to the paradoxes of knowability: reply to Dummett and Tennant

In 'Victor's Error' Dummett (2001) considers the semantic anti-realist's conception of truth as knowability. He ponders Fitch's paradox of knowability,1 which threatens any such conception. Dummett maintains that the anti-realist's error is to offer a blanket characterization of truth, expressed by the following knowability principle: any statement A is true if and only if it is possible to know A. Formally,
Framing the digital divide: a comparison of US and EU policy approaches

This article explores key US and European Union policy documents to identify the similarities and differences in the way that the digital divide has been defined in both contexts in recent years. To that purpose, a computer-assisted text analysis was conducted, which identified not only the most frequent relevant terms in each document, but also patterns of semantic association among them. While significant differences related to the political specificities of each context were found, both sets of documents revealed a tendency over time to frame access in economic and market-based terms. The article argues that these results provide useful insights into the study of the globalization and homogenization of telecommunications policymaking.
Bone mineral density in an outpatient population receiving enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs.

Antiepileptic drug (AED) use is identified as being associated with increased fracture risk. AEDs commonly associated with osteopathies are inducers of the hepatic cytochrome p450 enzyme system (EIAEDs). We performed a retrospective cross-sectional study assessing bone mineral density (BMD) in an adult outpatient population receiving EIAEDs. Patients were routinely referred for dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry to evaluate BMD. BMD was measured at the femoral neck of hip and lumbar spine. Results were presented as absolute BMD (g/cm(2)), T score, and Z score. T and Z scores were used in this analysis. As a group, those with BMD measurements represent people with intractable epilepsy. There were no statistically significant differences found in the T or Z scores by gender; therefore all analyses combined both men and women. Significant reductions in both T and Z scores were present in men and women or=50.
The use of a comparability scoring system in reporting observational studies

The traditional statistical analyses with adjustment for confounders in observational studies assume that there is perfect similarity in the already-provided medical management between the comparison groups. However, variations in medical management frequently exist because of differences in circumstances of health care. We propose that to minimize the selection bias of observational studies, the degree of similarity or dissimilarity of the comparison groups regarding the circumstances of health care should be considered. Circumstances of health care include the geographic setting, health care setting, type of health care providers, and likelihood in having confounding introduced by differences in the medical management between comparison groups. We propose a comparability scoring system of circumstances of care and provide examples of the application of this system, using recent literature to assess comparability among study groups. In our examples, the presupposed statistical associations disappeared once the analyses accounted for the differences in circumstances of care. Authors of submitted manuscripts using an observational study design may consider incorporating our scoring system or an equivalent in their methods and in reporting of the results. The comparability score should be factored during statistical analysis so that the appropriate analysis can correct for differences in circumstances of care. The use of a comparability scoring system can provide important insights for reviewers and readers that will improve the interpretation of this type of research study.
Time-Resolved Fluorescence Studies On Components Of The Prokaryotic Protein Elongation System

The hydrodynamics of aminoacyl-tRNA free and bound to protein elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu) were examined using multifrequency phase and modulation fluorometry. The probes fluorescein, covalently linked to Phe-tRNAphe (Phe-tRNAphe-F8), and ethidium bromide, noncovalently bound to Phe-tRNAphe, were utilized. At 5°C the Debye rotational relaxation times found for ethidium bromide bound to tRNA and to the complex, EF-TuPhe-tRNAphe, were 136 ns and 195 ns, respectively. Both values are longer than would be expected for spheres of equal volume and reflect the irregular shapes of the tRNA and ternary complexes. Global rotational relaxation times (5°C) for Phe-tRNAphe-F8 free and bound to EF-TuGTP were 103 ns and 206 ns, respectively, consistent with the ethidium bromide results. A second, faster rotational relaxation time of approximately 4.7 ns, presumably due to local structural motion of the fluorescein, was unchanged upon ternary complex formation. This result suggests that the local mobility of the bound fluorescein is not hindered by the presence of the protein, and it is therefore unlikely that the region of the tRNA which includes the fluorescein-labeled residue S4-U-8, interacts closely with EF-Tu in the ternary complex. The dynamic polarization measurements on the ethidium bromide/tRNA system also demonstrated the interesting phenomenon of anomalous phase delays, an effect which is quite sensitive to small amounts of free or bound probe.
On the nighttime increase of NmF2 at Jicamarca on 2–3 February 1965

Abstract The conditions of the nighttime increase in NmF 2 at the geomagnetic equator are investigated. It is shown that, in an altitude region above 250 km, after 2100 LT, the increase is due to a downward electromagnetic drift when the compression of the plasma associated with the drift overcomes the chemical loss rate.
A model linearization technique for hydraulic wind power systems

Hydraulic wind turbines are highly nonlinear and work severely under variable disturbances such as load on the generators and the wind speed. For further analysis control implementation on these types of systems a suitable linearized model is needed. Due to the disturbances, the system has a wide range of operating points. Therefore, linearized models on different operating regimes will be needed. Finding the best operating points, to linearize the nonlinear system at, can improve the accuracy of the linearization as well as the stability of the system. This paper propose a new automatic algorithm to indicate the suitable operating points and linearized models.
Non-Foster circuits for wideband and wide-angle scan in phased arrays

Contiguous collinear dipoles connected with non-Foster circuits (NFCs) was proposed for improving the bandwidth of arrays. Prior literature focused on use of ideal negative inductance and for broadside scan only. This paper presents results of a feasibility study to evaluate and characterize performance of dipole arrays loaded with non-Foster circuits in terms of VSWR, gain, bandwidth (L Ku band). The results show that NFCs help improve the scan performance and bandwidth in dipole based phased arrays. Stability analysis with the generalized Nyquist method could not identify a stable configuration for the NFC circuit itself covering the entire L Ku band.
Interaction of platelet factor 4 with human platelets.

Abstract Human washed resting platelets bound 125 I-labeled platelet factor 4 in a reaction which was saturable and approached equilibrium within 15–30 min. Scatchard plot analysis of the binding isotherms suggested a single class of specific binding sites. Excess of unlabeled protein and low- and high-affinity heparin competed for platelet factor 4 binding sites on the platelet surface and caused a partial displacement of this molecule. Anti-platelet factor 4 Fab fragments caused inhibition of binding of 125 I-platelet factor 4 to platelets. Most of the labeled platelet factor 4 which was bound to intact platelets was recovered in the Triton X-100-insoluble cytoskeletal fraction prepared from the same platelets after their stimulation by thrombin. The association with the cytoskeleton was inhibited by anti-platelet factor 4 Fab fragments and by low-affinity heparin. Anti-platelet factor 4 125 I-labeled Fab fragments bound to resting platelets, and this binding was greatly increased following platelet stimulation with thrombin. This suggested that endogenously secreted platelet factor 4 also binds to the platelet surface. No significant binding to platelets of 125 I-labeled β-thromboglobulin and 125 I-labeled anti-β-thromboglobulin Fab fragments was observed. Fab fragments of monospecific anti-human platelet factor 4 antibody raised in rabbits inhibited platelet aggregation and secretion induced by low concentrations of thrombin. Fab fragments of anti-β-thromboglobulin antibody had no inhibitory effect. We suggest that the binding of α-granule-derived platelet factor 4 to the specific sites on the surface of platelets may modulate platelet gregation and secretion induced by low levels of platelet agonists.
The Relationship between Simian Immunodeficiency Virus RNA Levels and the mRNA Levels of Alpha/Beta Interferons (IFN-α/β) and IFN-α/β-Inducible Mx in Lymphoid Tissues of Rhesus Macaques during Acute and Chronic Infection

To define the role of alpha/beta interferons (IFN-α/β) in simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection, IFN-α and IFN-β mRNA levels and mRNA levels of Mx, an antiviral effector molecule, were determined in lymphoid tissues of rhesus macaques infected with pathogenic SIV. IFN-α/β responses were induced during the acute phase and persisted in various lymphoid tissues throughout the chronic phase of infection. IFN-α/β responses were most consistent in tissues with high viral RNA levels; thus, IFN-α/β responses were not generally associated with effective control of SIV replication. IFN-α/β responses were differentially regulated in different lymphoid tissues and at different stages of infection. The most consistent IFN-α/β responses in acute and chronic SIV infection were observed in peripheral lymph nodes. In the spleen, only a transient increase in IFN-α/β mRNA levels during acute SIV infection was observed. Further, IFN-α and IFN-β mRNA levels showed a tissue-specific expression pattern during the chronic, but not the acute, phase of infection. In the acute phase of infection, SIV RNA levels in lymphoid tissues of rhesus macaques correlated with mRNA levels of both IFN-α and IFN-β, whereas during chronic SIV infection only increased IFN-α mRNA levels correlated with the level of virus replication in the same tissues. In lymphoid tissues of all SIV-infected monkeys, higher viral RNA levels were associated with increased Mx mRNA levels. We found no evidence that monkeys with increased Mx mRNA levels in lymphoid tissues had enhanced control of virus replication. In fact, Mx mRNA levels were associated with high viral RNA levels in lymphoid tissues of chronically infected animals.
Bi-induced sub graphs and stability number

We define a 2-parametric hierarchy of bi-hereditary classes of graphs, and show that a maximum stable set can be found in polynomial time within each class. The classes can be recognized in polynomial time.
Phase diagram of compressively strained nickelate thin films

The complex phase diagrams of strongly correlated oxides arise from the coupling between physical and electronic structure. This can lead to a renormalization of the phase boundaries when considering thin films rather than bulk crystals due to reduced dimensionality and epitaxial strain. The well-established bulk RNiO3 phase diagram shows a systematic dependence between the metal-insulator transition and the perovskite A-site rare-earth ion, R. Here, we explore the equivalent phase diagram for nickelate thin films under compressive epitaxial strain. We determine the metal-insulator phase diagram for the solid solution of Nd1-yLayNiO3 thin films within the range 0 ≤ y ≤ 1. We find qualitative similarity between the films and their bulk analogs, but with an overall renormalization in the metal-insulator transition to lower temperature. A combination of x-ray diffraction measurements and soft x-ray absorption spectroscopy indicates that the renormalization is due to increased Ni–O bond hybridization for coherently strained thin films.
The pulpal response to topically applied citric acid

Citric acid is currently being used to aid in the reattachment of periodontal tissues to tooth roots which have become separated as a result of periodontitis. The present study examines the effect of topically applied citric acid on the dental pulp. Citric acid, pH 1, was applied for 3 minutes on instrumented premolar teeth in six dogs. As a control, saline solution was applied on similarly instrumented premolars. The teeth were removed 1, 6, 24, 48, 72, and 144 hours after citric acid application. After histologic preparation, the pulps were examined for inflammatory cell infiltrates, odontoblast displacement into the dentinal tubules, hyperemic capillaries in the odontoblast layer, hemorrhage, abscess formation, irregular dentin, and the thickness of the dentin remaining beneath the treated area. There was no statistically significant response to the citric acid over the saline controls. Nor was the pulpal response, as examined above, correlated to the thickness of the remaining dentin. The results suggest that citric acid, pH 1, when applied to tooth roots during surgical reattachment therapy, does not adversely affect the pulp.
A multiple motive/multi-dimensional approach to measure smokeless tobacco dependence

Abstract Background Unlike various research studies conducted to address dependence among smokers, only a few studies have examined smokeless tobacco (ST) dependence. The Fagerstrom Tolerance Questionnaire (FTQ) and Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) based scales are the most widely used measures of nicotine dependence for both ST users and smokers. These scales were initially developed to measure physical dependence and tolerance and not to assess other salient dimensions of dependence such as craving, compulsion, or withdrawal, as defined by DSM-IV and ICD-10. The aim of this study is to develop and validate a multidimensional scale that has better content coverage, factor structure, and psychometric properties to measure dependence among ST users. Methods 100 adult male smokeless tobacco users were recruited through email distribution lists and community referral. Participants completed three different nicotine dependence questionnaires and provided information related to their tobacco use and demographic characteristics. They also provided a saliva sample for cotinine measurement. In order to develop the new ST scale, subscales and items were selected based on correlation and factor analysis of the modified WISDM-68. Reliability and validity of the new scale, Oklahoma Scale for Smokeless Tobacco Dependence (OSSTD) were also assessed. Results The new ST scale identified seven latent constructs including 23 items to measure ST dependence. Internal consistency as measured by Cronbach's coefficient (α = 0.925) indicated better reliability of OSSTD than FTND-ST. Concurrent validity of OSSTD as evaluated by comparing it with dependence diagnosis and FTND-ST was affirmative. There was a significant correlation between the OSSTD total score and the cotinine levels and tobacco use characteristics among study participants. Conclusion OSSTD possesses better psychometric properties and provides an effective and efficient tool to measure ST dependence as a multidimensional construct.
A high-resolution solid-state NMR approach for the structural studies of bicelles.

Bicelles are increasingly being used as membrane mimicking systems in NMR experiments to investigate the structure of membrane proteins. In this study, we demonstrate the effectiveness of a 2D solid-state NMR approach that can be used to measure the structural constraints, such as heteronuclear dipolar couplings between 1H, 13C, and 31P nuclei, in bicelles without the need for isotopic enrichment. This method does not require a high radio frequency power unlike the presently used rotating-frame separated-local-field (SLF) techniques, such as PISEMA. In addition, multiple dipolar couplings can be measured accurately, and the presence of a strong dipolar coupling does not suppress the weak couplings. High-resolution spectra obtained from magnetically aligned DMPC:DHPC bicelles even in the presence of peptides suggest that this approach will be useful in understanding lipid−protein interactions that play a vital role in shaping up the function of membrane proteins.
Long-term outcome of controlled, non-heart-beating donor liver transplantation.

Background. Previous reports have established the feasibility of using livers from controlled, non-heart-beating donors (CNHBD) with good immediate graft function. This has been largely borne out of necessity because of the donor shortage. Methods. Retrospective database review for the last 7 years (1995-2002), encompassing 19 patients receiving CNHBD, with follow-up period of 1,000±694 days, median 762 days. Detailed review of recipient characteristics, operative and clinical course, immunosuppression, complications, survival rates, and comparison with the results obtained in patients receiving transplants of allografts procured in standard fashion, from heart-beating donors Results. Kaplan-Meier patient survival rates were 100%, 89.5%, and 83.5% at 30 days, 1, and 2 years, respectively, which is not different from recipients of livers procured from heart-beating cadaveric donors (P=0.74, log-rank test). Five patients died at a mean follow-up time of 492 (range 46-1,103) days. The causes of death were related to secondary sclerosing cholangitis (n= 1), cardiac failure (n=1), and sepsis (n=3). Two (10.5%) recipients underwent retransplantation, one for primary graft nonfunction and one because of biliary cast syndrome with cholangitis. Significant preservation damage (ALT>2,000) developed in five patients, but this did not affect survival. The incidence of vascular (15.6% vs. 9.6%, P=0.34) and biliary complications (10.55 vs. 13.8%, P=0.68) was no different than for those recipients receiving standard cadaveric donors. Conclusions. CNHBD safely expands the donor pool with similar long-term results as those obtained in patients receiving organs from brain-dead donors under standard procurement techniques.
Higher diophantine approximation exponents and continued fraction symmetries for function fields

We construct many families of nonquadratic algebraic Laurent series with continued fractions having a bounded partial quotients sequence (the diophantine approximation exponent for approximation by rationals is thus 2, agreeing with the Roth value) and with the diophantine approximation exponent for approximation by quadratics being arbitrarily large. In contrast, the Schmidt value (analog of the Roth value for approximations by quadratics, in the number field case) is 3. We calculate diophantine approximation exponents for approximations by rationals for function field analogs of π, e and Hurwitz numbers (which are transcendental) and also give an interesting lower bound (which may be the actual value) for the exponent for approximation by quadratics for the latter two. We do this exploiting the situation when 'folding' or 'negative reversal' patterns of the relevant continued fractions become 'repeating' or 'half-repeating' in even or odd characteristic respectively.
Divergence control for distributed database systems

This paper presents distributed divergence control algorithms for epsilon serializability for both homogeneous and heterogeneous distributed databases. Epsilon serializability allows for more concurrency by permitting non-serializable interleavings of database operations among epsilon transactions. We first present a strict 2-phase locking divergence control algorithm and an optimistic divergence control algorithm for a homogeneous distributed database system, where the local orderings of all the sub-transactions of a distributed epsilon transaction are the same. In such an environment, the total inconsistency of a distributed epsilon transaction is simply the sum of those of all its sub-transactions. We then describe a divergence control algorithm for a heterogeneous distributed database system, where the local orderings of all the sub-transactions of a distributed epsilon transaction may not be the same and the total inconsistency of a distributed epsilon transaction may be greater than the sum of those of all its sub-transactions. As a result, in addition to executing a local divergence control algorithm in each site to maintain the local inconsistency, a global mechanism is needed to take into account the additional inconsistency
Biosynthesis of porphyrins. II

Abstract A mechanism for the biosynthesis of uroporphyrinogen III, consistent with recent experimental results is proposed as follows: Four porphobilinogen (PBG) units form a chain by a succession of rearrangements of a methylene group derived from the unit which ultimately becomes ring D. Three PBG units (rings A, B, C) are incorporated intact. The methylene group is anchored to the enzyme during three condensations and rearrangements until cyclization of the tetrapyrrole chain produces uroporphyrinogen III.
In vitro-differentiated embryonic stem cell macrophages: a model system for studying atherosclerosis-associated macrophage functions.

Abstract —Monocytes/macrophages (Mo) appear to play a critical role in the initiation and progression of atherosclerotic lesions. In this study, we characterized in vitro–differentiated embryonic stem (ES) cell macrophages as a model system for studying atherosclerosis-associated Mo functions. Using immunofluorescence staining and Western analysis, we demonstrate that ES Mo express typical macrophage cell surface markers, as well as the known receptors for modified forms of low density lipoprotein (LDL), including the Mo scavenger receptors (SR-A type I and type II), CD36, and CD68. Differentiated ES Mo specifically bind and degrade 125I-labeled acetylated LDL with high affinity, and their incubation with acetylated LDL (15 μg/mL) for 48 hours produces characteristic “foamy” Mo, as visualized by oil red O staining. ES Mo also express matrix-degrading metalloproteinases (MMP-3, MMP-9), which have been implicated in collagen breakdown in the fibrous cap of atherosclerotic plaques, and secrete cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6) in response to inflammatory stimuli. Transfection experiments, using a green fluorescent protein reporter gene, driven by the myeloid-specific promoter, CD11b, demonstrated that ES Mo can also be used to study macrophage-restricted gene expression in vitro. Taken together, these data demonstrate that ES Mo exhibit many properties typical of arterial lesion macrophages. Its ease of genetic manipulation makes it an attractive system for investigations of macrophage functions in vitro.