cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Partitioning invertase between a dilute water solution and generated droplets

Water droplets or mist occur naturally in the air at seashores. These water droplets carry inorganic and organic substances from the sea to the land via the air, creating fertile land in sandy coastal areas (1). The same phenomenon occurs in an air-fluidized bed bioreactor (2). In an air-fluidized bed reactor, proteins can be transferred from the bioreactor semisolid bulk phase to an enriched droplet phase. This protein transfer process (droplet fractionation) can be experimentally simulated by shaking a separatory funnel containing a dilute solution of a given protein, which can be an enzyme like invertase. The created droplets become richer in invertase (protein) than that of the original dilute solution. The droplets can then be coalesced by trapping them and recovering the concentrated protein in the new liquid phase. Typically, in such a droplet fractionation process a collected enzyme can be degraded in its ability to catalyze a chemical reaction. In this article, we explore whether the initial solution pH control variable can be adjusted to minimize the decrease of enzyme activity in this process. The protein droplet recovery problem is one in which the recovered amount of desired protein (enzyme) in the droplet is maximized, subject to the minimization of the enzyme activity loss. The partition coefficient, which is the ratio between the protein concentration in the droplets and the residual solution, is maximized at approx 4.8 and occurs at pH 3.0. Here, the partition coefficient for invertase decreases as the initial solution pH increases, between pH 3.0 and 8.0. Interestingly, the initial solution surface tension seems to be inversely proportional to the partition coefficient. The partition coefficient reaches a maximum value at a surface tension value of approx 63 mN/m at pH 3.0. The enzymatic activity of the initial, the residual, and the droplet solutions all decrease as the bulk solution pH increases. A decrease of enzymatic activity was observed in the residual bulk solution when compared with that in the initial bulk solution at all pH levels. Also, up to 90% of the invertase activity was lost in the droplets when compared to the initial bulk solution.
Moderators of Neuropsychological Mechanism in Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Neuropsychological measures have been proposed as both a way to tap mechanisms and as endophenotypes for child ADHD. However, substantial evidence supporting heterogeneity in neuropsychological performance among youth with ADHD as well as apparent effect differences by sex, age, and comorbidity have slowed progress. To address this, it is important to understand sibling effects in relation to these moderators. 461 youth ages 6–17 years (54.8 % male, including 251 youth with ADHD, 107 of their unaffected biological siblings, and 103 non-ADHD controls) completed diagnostic interviews and a theoretically informed battery of neuropsychological functioning. A structural equation model was used to consolidate neuropsychological domains. Group differences between unaffected siblings of youth with ADHD and controls across each domain were first examined as the primary endophenotype test for ADHD. Moderation of these effects was evaluated via investigation of interactions between diagnostic group and both proband and individual level characteristics, including sex, age, and comorbidity status. Unaffected siblings performed worse than control youth in the domains of inhibition, response time variability, and temporal information processing. Individual age moderated these effects, such that differences between controls and unaffected siblings were pronounced among younger children (ages 6–10 years) but absent among older youth (ages 11–17 years). Evidence for moderation of effects by proband sex and comorbidity status produced more variable and smaller effects. Results support the utility of inhibition, response time variability, and temporal processing as useful endophenotypes for ADHD in future genetic associations studies of the disorder, but suggest this value will vary by age among unaffected family members.
Marijuana use among adolescents

More than half of US adolescents will experiment with marijuana. Of those who try marijuana more than once, approximately one third will subsequently use marijuana regularly, although most will have stopped by their late 20s. Although genetic predisposition plays the most important role in determining who will develop dependence, environmental factors influence who will initiate marijuana use. One of the challenges for prevention and treatment programs is that the immediate adverse effects of marijuana use are not extreme, and many adolescents have difficulty in making decisions based on future risks. Therefore, the consequences of leaving school early, having unprotected sex, and driving while intoxicated are often insufficient to deter adolescents from using marijuana. Thus, it is not surprising that current prevention and treatment programs have had limited success in decreasing the rates of initiation and regular use of marijuana among adolescents. However, the accumulation of data about marijuana use in adolescents has the potential to enable the development of more effective prevention and treatment programs.
Security challenges in seamless mobility: how to "handover" the keys?

In this paper, we discuss key management challenges for seamless handovers across heterogeneous wireless networks. We focus on utilizing existing keying material from previous access authentications to expedite network entry. For a seamless handover, keys must be available at the target network at the time of the handover. Currently, industry is still exploring possible ways to handle keys for mobility. This paper identifies the challenges of secure derivation and timely distribution of such keys. We discuss solutions for intra- and inter-technology handovers within the same network and between networks with roaming agreements. The presented solutions include different types of handover key hierarchies and key distribution protocols. In addition, we analyze the tradeoffs between security and performance in the discussed solutions.
Second-line chemotherapy for prostate cancer: patient characteristics and survival.

Abstract Purpose First-line chemotherapy with docetaxel in patients with progressive castrate metastatic prostate cancer has been shown to improve overall survival compared with mitoxantrone-based therapies. The use and outcomes of chemotherapy after first-line antimicrotubule-based therapy have not been well described. Patients and Methods Patients with progressive castrate metastatic prostate cancer enrolled on an antimicrotubule-based protocol for treatment were followed to determine their baseline characteristics and outcomes with second- or third-line systemic therapy. Results Of 108 patients treated with antimicrotubulebased therapy, 81% received second-line therapy, and 40% received third-line therapies. Corresponding prostate-specific antigen (PSA) decreases ≥ 50% were observed in 72%, 15%, and 22% of patients. Median survival times from the start of first-, second-, and third-line therapy were 21 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 18-25 months), 13 months (95% CI, 10-15 months) and 12 months (95% CI, 9-19 months). Significant prognostic indicators for survival in the second-line setting include pretreatment PSA level, alkaline phosphatase level, and performance status. Patients not fit to receive second-line therapy were more symptomatic with first-line therapy, as illustrated by a greater need for narcotic therapy (67% vs. 15%) and palliative radiation therapy after first-line therapy (57% vs. 10%) in lieu of second-line systemic therapy. Conclusion Eighty percent of patients received second-line chemotherapy, with a median survival of 12 months from the start of second-line treatment. Although only 40% received third-line chemotherapy, median survival was similar to that of patients in the second-line setting. Our data show that patients who initiate chemotherapy with symptoms are more likely to require palliative radiation therapy rather than chemotherapy as second-line therapy. A sequential or continuous administration of therapy may optimize the care of this subset of symptomatic patients.
Micro-RNA30c negatively regulates REDD1 expression in human hematopoietic and osteoblast cells after gamma-irradiation.

We recently demonstrated that a novel cell stress response gene REDD1 protects human fetal osteoblast cell line (hFOB) cells from γ-radiation-induced premature senescence. Here we show that levels of endogenous REDD1 are very low in human hematopoietic progenitor CD34+ cells regardless of radiation, but highly expressed in differentiated hematopoietic cells (14 day cultured CD34+ cells) in response to radiation, which might be associated with radiation tolerance of the latter cells. To further understand the mechanisms of radiation-induced damage in different cells, microRNA (miRNA)-arrays were performed using purified miRNAs from CD34+ and hFOB cells before and post-irradiation and real-time reverse transcription (RT)-PCR was used to validate the expression profiles of miRNAs in the radiation-damaged cells. The results indicate that γ-radiation downregulated 16 miRNAs in CD34+ cells and 14 in hFOB cells. Radiation-induced upregulation was observed for 15 miRNAs in CD34+ cells and 18 miRNAs in hFOB cells. The profiles of radiation-induced miRNA expression were completely different in CD34+ vs. hFOB cells. Radiation up-regulated miRNA (miR)-30b, miR-30c and miR-30d in CD34+ cells, whereas it inhibited miR-30c expression in hFOB cells. Since miR-30 has potential target sites located in the 3′untranslated region (UTR) of the REDD1 gene and radiation regulated miR-30c expression in both CD34+ and hFOB cells, we further explored the effects of miR-30c on REDD1 expression using miR-30c inhibitor and precursor (pre-miR-30c). The results show that pre-miR-30c transfection suppressed REDD1 expression in 14 day cultured CD34+ cells and hFOB cells and resulted in hFOB cell death. In contrast, inhibition of miR-30c expression significantly enhanced clonogenicity in CD34+ cells. Our data suggest that CD34+ and hFOB cells have different miRNA expression patterns after irradiation and miR-30c plays a key role in radiation-induced cell damage which might be through regulation of REDD1 expression.
The Z4 orbit code and the focusing bar fields used calculations for superconducting cyclotrons

Abstract A discussion is presented of the Z 4 orbit code that was developed to investigate nonlinear effects in the extraction systems of superconducting cyclotrons where such effects are especially strong. These systems make extensive use of sets of focusing bars which, because of their small aperture, are responsible for a large part of the nonlinearity. The Z 4 orbit code uses exact equations of motion together with a special process for calculating all of the components of the main magnetic field correctly to fourth order in z . In addition, the fields of all of the focusing bars are calculated “exactly” using simple analytical formulas, and these fields are combined with the main field to obtain the total field acting on the particle at each point along its computed trajectory. As an aid to understanding the results of the orbit computations, a multipole analysis of the focusing bar fields was carried out, and the results are presented together with plots of the multipole coefficients as a function of various parameters.
The presence of an anti-erythrocyte autoantibody in C3HeB/FeJ mice after lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection.

Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis (LCM) virus, substrain Docile, causes a chronic infection in adult C3HeB/FeJ mice. The virus also induces a severe anemia which, unlike the viremia, eventually resolves. Initially, there is frank bone marrow deficit, but the anemia persists well beyond a strong erythroid compensatory response. An immune-mediated basis for the hemolytic anemia was suggested by its abrogation in cyclophosphamide-treated mice, as well as an abnormal number of spherocytes in the circulation. We now show by ELISA assay, using either anti-mouse Ig or RBC membrane ghosts as catching antigen, that unusually high quantities of antibodies can be eluted from the RBCs of virus-infected mice. Furthermore, the high transient antibody concentration correlates with the severity of the anemia. With no evidence for complement playing a role in the anemia, these data indicate that erythrophagocytosis (via macrophage FcRs) may be the mechanism for RBC elimination. The possibility of molecular mimicry (antibody cr...
Comprehensive online defect diagnosis in on-chip networks

We propose a comprehensive yet low-cost solution for online detection and diagnosis of permanent faults in on-chip networks. Using error syndrome collection and packet/flit-counting techniques, high-resolution defect diagnosis is feasible in both datapath and control logic of the on-chip network without injecting any test traffic or incurring significant performance overhead.
Factors Affecting Subject Catalog Search Success.

The study examined the effects of two variables on success in searching an academic library subject catalog that uses Library of Congress subject headings. The vari-ables were “subject familiarity,” and “catalog familiar-ity,” representing patron knowledge of a subject field and of the principles of the subject heading system, re-spectively. Testing was done in a laboratory setting which reproduced a real search situation. The n varied with the particular test, but about 20 university students in each of the following majors participated: psychology, economics, librarianship. Success was measured as degree of match between search term and term used by the library for desired books on the subject. Catalog familiarity was found to have a very signifi-cant beneficial effect on search matching success, and subject familiarity a slight, but not significant, detri-mental effect. An interview substudy of subject experts suggested causes for the failure of subject expertise to help in catalog search term formulation. Surprising results were that overall matching success was strikingly low. Since the methodology used enabled a more precise determination of match success than has been typical of catalog use studies, it appears that people may be less successful than we have thought in using subject catalogs.
The Endocrine Manifestations of Hemochromatosis

We have evaluated the endocrine changes in 10 male subjects with hemochromatosis. Two subjects initially had aplastic anemia, and the remainder had idiopathic hemochromatosis. Four of the ten patients had diabetes mellitus. Sexual dysfunction (impotence and/or decreased libido) was observed in 8 subjects. Six patients had subnormal testosterone levels; FSH levels were almost uniformly low, but LH concentrations were more variable. Only three patients had normal testosterone responses to hCG. Hypothyroidism, free T4 less than 0.9 ng/dl, was present in 4 subjects, and the etiology was heterogeneous. Basal prolactin levels were elevated in 2 patients and failed to respond adequately to TRH in 2 other patients. Growth hormone reserve was normal in all but 1 patient, and pituitary-adrenal reserve was normal in all but 1 patient. We conclude that disturbances in both pituitary and end-organ function are observed in hemochromatosis. These central and end-organ defects may exist alone or simultaneously. Hypogonadism is almost universal, and is a consequence of defective function of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis and/or primary Leydig cell disturbance. Other evidence of pituitary disturbance are observed but are rather uncommon.
Modeling of radiowave propagation in tunnels

We investigated propagation of radio frequency (RF) waves in tunnels. An understanding of RF propagation in tunnels is needed to plan for optimal radio communication system performance. We considered tunnels with a square cross section and right-angle junctions. We developed an analytic model of tunnel propagation by considering multiple reflections from tunnel walls and diffraction around junction corners. A comparison of model results with measurements shows a strong correlation between model predictions and measured data. Finally, we briefly describe a software tool that helps users visualize field strength of the propagating field in tunnels.
Effects of carnosine on volatile generation from Maillard reaction of ribose and cysteine.

Carnosine occurs naturally in meat and meat products in significant quantity, and it possesses strong antioxidant activity that inhibits lipid oxidation and enhances shelf life. In this study, the effects of carnosine on thermal flavor generation were investigated using the model system of cysteine and ribose, which was heated to the roasting temperature of 180 °C for 2 h at pH 5 and pH 8.5. The results indicated that carnosine affected volatile formation in a complex manner. Volatiles identified from the liquid phase of the reaction systems of ribose and cysteine showed that the sulfur-containing compounds such as thiophenes, thiazoles, and polysulfides were the most abundant compounds. The addition of carnosine into the reaction mixtures in general caused a reduction in contents of thiophenes and some important meaty flavor compounds such as 2-methyl-3-furanthiol, 2-furfurylthiol, and their associated dimers. On the other hand, it facilitated the generation of several important nitrogen-containing volat...
Aging-Associated Cardiovascular Changes and Their Relationship to Heart Failure

Aging represents a convergence of declining cardioprotective systems and increasing disease processes that is fertile ground for the development of heart failure. Fifty percent of all heart failure diagnoses and 90% of all heart failure deaths occur in individuals older than 70. This article discusses the microscopic and macroscopic changes in cardiovascular structure, function, protective systems, and disease associated with aging. In addition to outlining important clinical considerations and conditions in older persons, the link between normal aging and the elevated risk for development of stage B heart failure is explained and potential therapeutic pathways are highlighted.
Degradation rates of glycerol polyesters at acidic and basic conditions

Abstract Polyesters prepared from the reaction of glycerol with mixtures of adipic and citric acids were evaluated in the laboratory to estimate degradation rates over a range of pH conditions. These renewable polymers can provide a marketable product for glycerol that is generated during biodiesel production. The polyesters were prepared without catalyst or solvent and produced water as co-product of the condensation reaction. Degradation rates for five glycerol polyester blends were determined from the amounts of the component acids released. All of the polyesters degraded rapidly to the component acids and glycerol. Polyesters exposed to acid solutions degraded 40.2% per day. Polyesters exposed to base solutions degraded 42.0% per day and polyesters exposed to neutral solutions degraded 37.5% per day. Applications for these materials exist in agricultural, environmental, and biomedical engineering products.
Real-time evaluation of ventilation filter-bank systems.

This study evaluated two government facility ventilation systems. One was a metropolitan government office complex with a recirculation system where outside air was the makeup air; the other was a NIOSH facility that used 100% outside air with no recirculation. The methodology employed was a modified American Society of Agricultural Engineers standard (S525) for testing total enclosure filtration efficiency, in agricultural tractor cabs, with optical particle counters (OPC). The low-efficiency bag filters were tested when new and after being in the ventilation system for 3 months. The replacement medium-efficiency filters were evaluated for 6 months (the manufacturer's suggested change-out schedule). These eight-chamber, medium-efficiency filters had an increased filter surface area that resulted in increased airflow through the system. Unfortunately, these filters contained electrostatic filter media and lost filtration efficiency rapidly, which was subsequently confirmed in a 30-day study conducted to d...
Magnetic Behavior and Infrared Spectra of Jarosite, Basic Iron Sulfate, and Their Chromate Analogs

The magnetic behavior and infrared spectroscopic features of KFe_3(SO_4)_2(OH)_6 (jarosite), (H_3O)Fe_3(SO_4)_2(OH)_6 (hydronium jarosite), KFe_3(CrO_4)_2(OH)_6, Fe(OH)SO_4 (basic iron sulfate) and Fe(OH)CrO_4 (basic iron chromate) are reported. Spectroscopic data are in accord with X-ray data which show that KFe_3(SO_4)_2(OH)_6, (H_3O)Fe_3(SO_4)_2(OH)_6, and KFe_3(CrO_4)_2(OH)_6 are isostructural with KAl_3(SO_4)_2(OH)_6 (akunite). All the species exhibit negative deviations from Curie-Weiss behavior over the temperature range 300-76°K. The compounds KFe_3(CrO_4)_2(OH)_6 and Fe(OH)CrO_4 undergo ferrimagnetic transitions at 73 and 71°K, respectively. Maxima occur in the susceptibilities of KFe_3(SO_4)_2(OH)_6 and (H_3O)Fe_3(SO_4)_2(OH)_6 at 45 and 50°K.
The Swarm Model in Open Source Software Developer Communities

Most of the current swarm model studies and applications try to mimic the collective behaviors of social animals, such as birds and ants. The studies seek to solve tasks similar to patterns and behaviors exhibited in those animal colonies. In this research, we demonstrated that the swarm model is also the major collaboration and organization model of Open Source Software (OSS) developer communities. OSS developers swarm together and spend their time attempting to achieve their relatively simple goals, while their contributions emerged as a collection of useful and sophisticated functionality that can compete with commercial software. The results discovered in this research will be helpful in demonstrating that the swarm model can not only be considered as a feasible approach to classical optimization problems, but can also be applied to constructing highly sophisticated systems.
Tolerance of cell mediated immune responses after in vitro treatment of competent cells with mitomycin c.

THE graft-versus-host (g-vs-h) reaction produced by the injection of parental strain spleen cells (using inbred mice) into young F1 hybrids is often chosen as a model of cellular type immunity in which the reactivity of the injected cells can be followed and in which the action of immunosuppressive agents can be evaluated. In earlier studies it was demonstrated that the onset of g-vs-h reactions in the parental–F1 hybrid system is prevented if small amounts of drugs like cyclophosphamid, actinomycin c or SP–I Sandoz are administered within 24 h of injection of the lymphoid cells1. Similar results were obtained by Meuwissen and one of us (R. A. G.)2 when the cell inoculum was treated in vitro with mitomycin c, according to the procedure introduced by Bach and Voynow for the one way stimulation of lymphoid cells in vitro3. In these studies it was not, however, determined whether the injected cells were killed by the treatment, or were surviving in the recipient animals in an inactive or specific tolerant state.
Thermodynamic and transport properties of the local moment antiferromagnet CeTl3

Abstract The specific heat, susceptibility and resistivity of CeTl3 have been measured as a function of temperature. The Ce3+-ions have well-defined local moments which order antiferromagnetically below TN = 3.8K. The J = 5 2 level of the Ce3+-ions is split by the cubic crystalline field into a г7-ground state and a г8-excited multiplet. The features of the specific heat, susceptibility and the resistivity are interpreted in terms of the antiferromagnetic order, the crystal field splitting and a weak Kondo effect. Analogies to the isostructural compound CeIn3 are stressed.
Prolactin secretion by cultured anterior pituitary cells: influence of culture conditions and endocrine status of the pituitary donor

The characteristics of prolactin (PRL) secretion by cultured anterior pituitary cells in the presence and absence of catecholamines were studied. PRL secretion was markedly influenced by culture conditions such as cell density, culture duration and length of short-term incubation. Dopamine (DA) inhibited PRL release in a dose-dependent manner within a physiological range, and this inhibition was reversed by the stereospecific DA receptor antagonist (+)-butaclamol. In contrast, the inhibition of PRL secretion by norepinephrine (NE) required much higher doses and lacked specificity. Cells obtained from male donors had the lowest basal PRL secretion and were the least responsive to DA inhibition, whereas those obtained from females in late pregnancy had the highest basal PRL secretion and were the most sensitive to DA.
The Dealloying Critical Potential

This paper reexamines the concept of the dealloying critical potential by considering the critical potential to be a kinetically controlled morphological transition dependent not only on extensive system parameters such as alloy and electrolyte composition, but also on the rate of application of an intrinsic parameter such as the potential ramp rate. In the limit of a quasi-static potential sweep rate, an expression for the critical potential is derived which considers both compositional and morphological fluctuations on the alloy surface at the incipient point of either stability (passivation) or instability (bulk dealloying). In addition, we present detailed critical potential results for the entire range of Ag-Au alloy compositions in x M AgClO 4 + 1 M HClO 4 and x M AgNO 3 + 1 M HNO 3 (x = 10 -4 , 10 -3 , 10 -2 10 -1 , and 1). These results are shown to be consistent with the expression for the critical potential. Finally, we present and discuss ancillary experiments examining the effect of potential sweep rate on the determination of the critical potential.
Donor/Acceptor Interactions in Self-Assembled Monolayers and Their Consequences on Interfacial Electron Transfer

The supramolecular association of tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) donors and bipyridinium acceptors is employed routinely to direct the formation of host/guest complexes and interlocked molecules in bulk solution. We have reproduced these donor/acceptor interactions at electrode/solution interfaces and demonstrated their pronounced influence on heterogeneous electron transfer. Specifically, we have synthesized a TTF with an oligomethylene arm terminated by a thiol group and assembled monolayers of this compound on gold. We have observed that the cyclic voltammogram of the immobilized TTF donors varies significantly upon addition of benzyl viologen, tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ), or tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) acceptors to the electrolyte solution. Indeed, the supramolecular association of the complementary donors and acceptors results in a pronounced current decrease for the TTF redox waves. Consistently, the electrochemical response of the acceptors changes dramatically in the presence of TTF donors on the elec...
SEMICONDUCTING DIAMONDS BY ION BOMBARDMENT

Both natural and synthetic diamond crystals acquire altered surface layers as the result of ionic bombardment in a glow discharge at potentials of 1500-2800 V. The surface layers have a gray-brown color, and electron diffraction patterns of them indicate that they are somewhat amorphous. The surface layers are found to be electrical semiconductors. The kinds of gas ions used for bombardment apparently determine whether the conductivity is predominantly $n$ type or $p$ type. The activation energies for conduction range between 0.024 and 0.20 eV. The surface layers are partly destroyed by heating in air to about 400\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C.
Effect of conformation and stereochemistry in substitution reactions of fused chlorocyclobutanones: oxyallyl cation intermediates

Abstract Fused α-acyloxycyclobutanones, whose conformation and stereochemistry have been unambiguously established by X-ray analysis, undergo an unusual displacement with methoxide as nucleophile to produce α-methoxycyclobutanones. The success of this reaction, which suggests the intermediacy of an oxyallyl cation, is highly dependent on conformational and steric factors.
Clinical Considerations of Heritable Factors in Common Heart Failure

Heart failure is a common condition responsible for at least 290 000 deaths each year in the United States alone.1 A small minority of heart failure cases are attributed to Mendelian or familial cardiomyopathies. The majority of systolic heart failure cases are not familial but represent the end result of 1 or many conditions that primarily injure the myocardium sufficiently to diminish cardiac output in the absence of compensatory mechanisms. Paradoxically, because they also injure the myocardium, it is the chronic actions of the compensatory mechanisms that in many instances contribute to the progression from simple cardiac injury to dilated cardiomyopathy and overt heart failure. Thus, the epidemiology of common heart failure appears to be just as sporadic as its major antecedent conditions (atherosclerosis, diabetes, hypertension, and viral myocarditis). Familial trends in preclinical cardiac remodeling2 and risk of developing heart failure3 reveal an important role for genetic modifiers in addition to clinical and environmental factors. Candidate gene studies performed over the past 10 years have identified a few polymorphic gene variants that modify risk or progression of common heart failure.4 Whole-genome sequencing will lead to the discovery of other genetic modifiers that were not candidates.5 The imminent availability of individual whole-genome sequences at a cost competitive with available genetic tests for familial cardiomyopathy will no doubt further expand the list of putative genetic heart failure modifiers. Heart failure risk alleles along with traditional clinical factors will need to be considered by clinical cardiologists in their design of optimal disease surveillance and prevention programs and in individually tailoring heart failure management. The use of individual genetic make-up is likely to have the earliest and greatest impact on managing patients with heart failure by tailoring available pharmacotherapeutics to optimize patient response and minimize adverse effects (ie, the …
Motoneurons: A preferred firing range across vertebrate species?

The term “preferred firing range” describes a pattern of human motor unit (MU) unitary discharge during a voluntary contraction in which the profile of the spike-frequency of the MU's compound action potential is dissociated from the profile of the presumed depolarizing pressure exerted on the unit's spinal motoneuron (MN). Such a dissociation has recently been attributed by inference to the presence of a plateau potential (PP) in the active MN. This inference is supported by the qualitative similarities between the firing pattern of human MUs during selected types of relatively brief muscle contraction and that of intracellularly stimulated, PP-generating cat MNs in a decerebrate preparation, and turtle MNs in an in vitro slice of spinal cord. There are also similarities between the stimulus-response behavior of intracellularly stimulated turtle MNs and human MUs during the elaboration of a slowly rising voluntary contraction. This review emphasizes that there are a variety of open issues concerning the PP. Nonetheless, a rapidly growing body of comparative vertebrate evidence supports the idea that the PP and other forms of non-linear MN behavior play a major role in the regulation of muscle force, from the lamprey to the human. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Muscle Nerve 25: 000–000, 2002
Distributionally robust gain analysis for systems containing complex uncertainty

The main result of the paper addresses the minimum and maximum expected values of various gain measures for the transfer function of a system which depends on a vector /spl Delta/ of independent complex random gains. In the distributional robustness framework of the paper, the probability density function for /spl Delta/ is not completely specified. It is assumed only that the distribution of each component /spl Delta//sub i/ is non-increasing with respect to |/spl Delta//sub i/|, radially symmetric and supported on the disc of radius r/sub i/ centered at zero in the complex plane. Under these conditions, the expected value of the magnitude-squared of the gain function at a fixed frequency /spl omega/ /spl ges/ 0 is seen to be maximized when each /spl Delta//sub i/ is uniformly distributed over the disc of radius r/sub i/ and minimized when each /spl Delta//sub i/ has the impulse distribution. The result is extended to show that an H/sup 2/ measure of the gain is also maximized and minimized in the same way. These results apply to quotients of multilinear functions of /spl Delta/, which includes system transfer functions obtained using Mason's formula.
Biological and biomimetic molecular machines.

The evolution of life facilitates the creation of biological molecular machines. In these socalled ‘nanomachines,’ nature elegantly shows that when precisely organized and assembled, simple molecular mechanical components can link motions efficiently from the nanometer scale to the macroscopic world, and achieve complex functions such as powering skeletal muscles, synthesizing ATP and producing DNA/RNA. Inspired by nature, researchers are creating artifical molecular machines with tailored structures and properties, with the aim of realizing man-made active nanosystems that operate with the same efficiency and complexity as biological nanomachines. It is anticipated that in the not-too-distant future, unique applications of biological and biomimetic molecular machines will emerge in areas such as biochemical instrumentation and nanomedicine.
TLR4 antagonist reduces early-stage atherosclerosis in diabetic apolipoprotein E-deficient mice

Although it has been reported that deficiency of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is associated with reduced atherosclerosis in atherosclerosis-prone mice and attenuated pro-inflammatory state in diabetic mice, it remains undetermined whether treatment with a TLR4 antagonist reduces atherosclerosis in nondiabetic or diabetic mice that have TLR4 expression. In this study, we determined the effect of Rhodobacter sphaeroides lipopolysaccharide (Rs-LPS), an established TLR4 antagonist, on early-stage atherosclerosis in nondiabetic and streptozotocin-induced diabetic apolipoprotein E-deficient (Apoe K/K ) mice. Analysis of atherosclerotic lesions of both en face aortas and cross sections of aortic roots showed that administration of Rs-LPS in 14-week-old diabetic Apoe K/K mice for 10 weeks significantly reduced atherosclerotic lesions. Although atherosclerotic lesions in nondiabetic Apoe K/K mice appeared to be decreased by Rs-LPS treatment, the difference was not statistically significant. Metabolic study showed that Rs-LPS significantly lowered serum levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in nondiabetic mice but not in diabetic mice. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry studies showed that Rs-LPS inhibited the expression of interleukin 6 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 and reduced the content of monocytes and macrophages in atherosclerotic plaques. Taken together, this study demonstrated for the first time that TLR4 antagonist inhibited vascular inflammation and atherogenesis in diabetic Apoe K/K mice and lowered serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels in nondiabetic Apoe K/K mice. " toll-like receptor 4 " atherosclerosis " inflammation " hyperlipidemia
Dual functions of NME1 in suppression of cell motility and enhancement of genomic stability in melanoma

The NME1 gene represents the prototypical metastasis suppressor, whose expression inhibits cell motility and metastasis without impact on primary tumor growth in a number of different human cancers. This report outlines our recent efforts to define the molecular mechanisms through which NME1 both suppresses cell motility and promotes genomic integrity in the setting of human melanoma. Forced NME1 expression in a variety of melanoma-derived cell lines was shown to induce dynamic changes in cell morphology and reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton, with formation of a network of thick stress fibers and assembly of fibronectin fibrils at large focal adhesions. Moreover, NME1 expression results in adhesion reprogramming through an impact on integrin repertoire and focal adhesion dynamics. Having previously demonstrated that NME1 expression promotes repair of DNA damage induced by ultraviolet radiation (UVR) in both yeast and mammalian cells, probably via the nucleotide excision repair pathway, we have more recently demonstrated that NME1 is rapidly recruited to double-strand breaks. This preliminary result represents the first evidence of direct interactions between NME1 and DNA in the context of DNA repair and has set the stage for current efforts to probe its functional interactions with double-strand break repair pathways. Discussed herein are molecular models to explain the interactions of NME1 with such diverse cellular functions as cell motility and DNA repair, potentially through its nucleoside diphosphate kinase and 3′-5′ exonuclease activities.
Three-dimensional display rendering acceleration using occlusion camera reference images

Volumetric three-dimensional (3-D) displays allow the user to explore a 3-D scene free of joysticks, keyboards, goggles, or trackers. For non-trivial scenes, computing and transferring a 3-D image to the display takes hundreds of seconds, which is a serious bottleneck for many applications. We propose to represent the 3-D scene with an occlusion camera reference image (OCRI). The OCRI is a compact scene representation that stores only and all scene samples that are visible from a viewing volume centered at a reference viewpoint. The OCRI enables computing and transferring the 3-D image an order of magnitude faster than when the entire scene is processed. The OCRI approach can be readily applied to several volumetric display technologies; we have tested the OCRI approach with good results on a volumetric display that creates a 3-D image by projecting 2-D scene slices onto a rotating screen
Effects of Monoclonal Antibody and Complement Treatment of Human Marrow on Hematopoiesis in Continuous Bone Marrow Culture

Long-term bone marrow cultures were established from single-cell suspensions of human bone marrow that had been treated with monoclonal antibodies and complement. Each treated cell suspension was evaluated for production of hematopoietic stem cells over 20 weeks. Treatment with antibody to HLA-DR (Ia), B1, J2, or J5 did not remove adherent cells including those differentiating to adipocytes in 17-hydroxycorticosteroid. In contrast, treatment with monoclonal antibody directed against human beta 2-microglobulin reduced adipocyte numbers by 100-fold and reduced the total adherent cell density over 70%. Cumulative total nonadherent cell and granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming units (GM-CFUc) production over 20 weeks was not significantly altered by one cycle of anti-Ia plus complement or up to three cycles of treatment with complement and anti-J2, -J5, or -B1. However, one cycle of treatment with anti-beta 2-micro-globulin depressed production of both GM-CFUc and nonadherent cells by over 100-fold compared to other treatment groups. While one cycle of treatment of anti-Ia and complement killed all detectable cells forming CFU-erythroid-granulocyte-megakaryocyte-macrophage, blast-forming units (erythroid), and GM-CFUc, GM cluster-forming cells survived. Treatment of marrow with three cycles of anti-Ia and complement removed all detectable GM colony- and GM cluster-forming cells; however, this marrow produced fewer cumulative Ia-positive GM-CFUc. Long-term bone marrow cultures may prove to be an interesting system for in vitro analysis of the effects of new immunotherapeutic agents including other monoclonal antibodies prior to clinical use.
Genetic Structure and Diversity in Oryza sativa L.

The population structure of domesticated species is influenced by the natural history of the populations of predomesticated ancestors, as well as by the breeding system and complexity of the breeding practices exercised by humans. Within Oryza sativa, there is an ancient and well-established divergence between the two major subspecies, indica and japonica, but finer levels of genetic structure are suggested by the breeding history. In this study, a sample of 234 accessions of rice was genotyped at 169 nuclear SSRs and two chloroplast loci. The data were analyzed to resolve the genetic structure and to interpret the evolutionary relationships between groups. Five distinct groups were detected, corresponding to indica, aus, aromatic, temperate japonica, and tropical japonica rices. Nuclear and chloroplast data support a closer evolutionary relationship between the indica and the aus and among the tropical japonica, temperate japonica, and aromatic groups. Group differences can be explained through contrasting demographic histories. With the availability of rice genome sequence, coupled with a large collection of publicly available genetic resources, it is of interest to develop a population-based framework for the molecular analysis of diversity in O. sativa.
Testing the Validity of a Queueing Model of Police Patrol

This paper describes efforts to validate a multiple car dispatch queueing MCD model of police patrol operations using New York City data. The MCD model was designed for use in a computer system that has been disseminated to many police departments in the U.S. to help planners allocate patrol cars among precincts. It has also been used to evaluate specific changes in patrol policy in New York. We define validation as a series of hierarchical procedures ranging from tests of mathematical correctness to evaluations of model robustness. We discuss the difficulties and limitations of assessing the validity of a model of a loosely managed system in which human behavior is central and in which controlled experiments cannot be performed. Focusing on specific uses, we conclude that the MCD model is a good although imperfect description of patrol operations in New York and is a potentially useful planning tool for many other urban police departments.
Effective cooling of integrated circuits using liquid alloy electrowetting

Electrical modulation of surface tension is proposed for actuation and pumping of discrete droplets of liquid metals/alloys for active heat management of ICs and removal of hot spots on any solid surface. The proposed technique is based on two observations: (i) by using liquid metals or alloys at room temperature heat transfer rate of a cooling system can be enhanced significantly; (ii) electrowetting is an efficient, low power consumption, and low voltage actuation technique for pumping liquids at micro-scales. Preliminary calculations indicate that more than two orders of magnitude increase in heat transfer rate could be achieved by using liquid metals as compared to systems using water. Liquid velocities above 10 cm/s are observed with extremely low pumping power consumption and at low actuation voltage (/spl sim/2 V). It is expected that digitized electrowetting can offer a viable cooling strategy to achieve the most important objectives of electronic cooling; i.e. minimization of the maximum substrate temperature and reduction of the substrate temperature gradient and removing substrate hot spots.
Tri‐n‐butylstannyllithium

[4226-01-1] C12H27LiSn (MW 297.04) InChI = 1S/3C4H9.Li.Sn/c3*1-3-4-2;;/h3*1,3-4H2,2H3;; InChIKey = CKVWBMJEETWJTF-UHFFFAOYSA-N (reagent for the synthesis of α-alkoxystannanes,1 β-stannyl ketones,1 allenylstannanes,2 allylstannanes,3 acylstannanes,4 and vinylstannanes5) Alternate Name: tributyltinlithium. Preparative Methods: by the reaction of Hexabutyldistannane and n-Butyllithium, or by the deprotonation of Tri-n-butylstannane. Handling, Storage, and Precautions: should be used soon after preparation; however, storage of a THF solution for short periods of time (<12 h) at 0 °C is possible. For some applications the purity of the starting material used for generation of the tributyltinlithium reagent is critical. Tributyltin hydride should be distilled prior to deprotonation. Sensitive to air and moisture. Volatile tetraalkylstannanes are toxic and should be handled in a well-ventilated fume hood. Contact with the eyes and skin should be avoided.
Optimal Design of a Two-Level Transportation Network with a Different Unit Cost for Each Secondary Link*

The objective of this paper is to further develop Singhal's (1990) framework for designing a two-level hierarchical transportation network consisting of a trunk or primary link and several feeder or secondary links. Secondary links are perpendicular lines from each of the given points and the primary link is a straight line or curve connecting the feet of two extreme perpendicular lines. The problem and the associated strategic and operational considerations such as cost, time, feasibility, and preferred regions for the primary link in the context of rural highway planning are discussed. Two-level networks are also common in electricity transmission, pipelines, and telecommunication design. The core of the framework is a model for finding the path of a primary link such that a weighted sum of the lengths of the perpendicular lines from each point to a linear primary link and the distance between the feet of the two extreme perpendicular lines is minimized. The analysis shows that for almost every problem there exists a wide range of solutions for which the total cost is only slightly higher than that of the optimal solution. This offers considerable flexibility to the decision maker. These solutions can be evaluated in view of the broader objectives and constraints that are not included in the model. The use of computer graphics and the option of a nonlinear or piecewise linear primary link are also discussed.
On the measurement of the complex permittivity of materials by an open-ended coaxial probe

A number of papers have appeared on the characterization of materials using a coaxial probe. In most cases, approximate admittance models have been used for this purpose. The present work compares two rigorous mathematical models for the aperture admittance. One of these relations is based on the variational principle while the other utilizes the method of moments. Muller's method is then used to determine the complex permittivity of materials. The two procedures have been tested in the frequency range of 1-18 GHz. >
From variable to constant switching frequency topologies: A general approach

A general method of generating constant switching frequency topologies by adding one switch to the variable switching frequency converter is presented. With the help of the state-plane trajectory of the converter, the position of the additional switch is easily determined. To demonstrate such an approach, examples of generating a family of constant frequency soft-switching topologies from the same converter is presented. Relationships among the generated topologies are discussed. >
Increased insulin sensitivity in rats with hypothalamic lesions.

Male rats bearing electrolytic lesions in the hypothalamus displayed increased blood sugar fall in response to insulin compared with sham operated rats and rats with lesions in other parts of the brain. Eight rats bearing hypothalamic lesions were treated with somatotrophin and responded with improved insulin tolerance. Five out of 10 rats with such lesions showed decreased insulin sensitivity after treatment with cortisone. Seventy per cent of the rats with hypothalamic damage and enhanced insulin sensitivity had regressive changes in the pituitary acidophils. The incidence of gonadotroph and testicular atrophy was lower. Severe adrenal regression was infrequent. Even the smallest thyroids of lesion-bearing, insulin sensitive rats had cuboidal or higher follicular epithelium, and pituitary thyrotrophs were normal or only slightly degranulated. Some rats were examined for thyroidal radioiodide concentrating ability and showed no impairment. Attempts to find a hypothalamic region which was destroyed in all...