cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Proliferation and differentiation biomarkers in colorectal mucosa and their application to chemoprevention studies

Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Western countries. Because its prognosis is relatively unaffected by improvements in surgery and chemotherapy, increasing interest has recently been directed toward chemoprevention. Intermediate biomarkers of abnormal cell proliferation, differentiation, and gene expression have recently been identified and have served to measure effects of chemopreventive agents in rodent models and in short-term human clinical trials. Alterations in cell proliferation and differentiation have been found in preneoplastic diseases and in normal-appearing colorectal mucosa of patients at increased risk for malignancy. Several techniques are available for measuring these alterations, and standardization and comparison of different methods are underway to assess the utility of various intermediate biomarkers in chemoprevention studies.
Convenient syntheses of some α-deuterated alkyl mesityl ketones by exchange reactions

Three alkyl mesityl ketones (methyl, ethyl, and isopropyl) deuterated in the α-positions were prepared in good yields (82-89%) by exchange with deuterium oxide using dioxane solvent and various catalysts. Little or no exchange was obtained when reactions were attempted under conditions used in published procedures for other ketones. Infrared and 1H nmr spectral evidence in support of structural assignments of deuterated ketones is given.
CONCENTRATION of ORANGE JUICE BY REVERSE OSMOSIS

Orange juice was concentrated by RO up to 50% hydraulic recovery with a polyamide membrane. Permeate fluxes and solute recoveries were determined at transmembrane pressures of 6.21 and 4.14 MPa. Pectinase treatment was required to prevent fouling and to allow Cleaning in Place procedures. Enzymatic treatment did not affect permeate flux or solute recoveries. Overall recovery of sugars, organic acids, and flavor-volatile components was approximately 93%.
NGA-West2 Models for Ground Motion Directionality:

The NGA-West2 research program, coordinated by the Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center (PEER), is a major effort to produce refined models for predicting ground motion response spectra. ...
Direct spectroscopic observation of charge-exchange recombination of medium-Z elements in the PLT tokamak

We report the first observation of line emission resulting directly from charge-exchange recombination of medium-Z elements (Al, Sc) injected into a PLT discharge. Transitions due to the radiative cascade immediately following charge-exchange of He-like Al and Sc were observed by a VUV spectrograph and two air monochromators. In two cases, AlXI 3209 A and ScXIX 112.1 A, the observed transition had not previously been experimentally identified. Spatial scans provided information on the profile of the neutral beam in the plasma.
Following Digital Ripples

This article follows computerization into the automobile repair shop and calls on historians to trace computing technology into other blue-collar occupations.
A prospective comparison of laparoscopic and tension-free open herniorrhaphy.

Objective: To compare results and outcomes following laparoscopic and tension-free open inguinal herniorrhaphy. Design: A prospective, nonrandomized trial of a single surgeon's experience. Setting: A large university hospital. Patients: The study included 100 patients with 116 hernias. Patients were offered open hernia repair or, if medically suitable for general anesthesia, a laparoscopic hernia repair. Fifty-seven patients underwent open repair and 43 patients underwent laparoscopic repair. Intervention: Laparoscopic repair was performed using a transabdominal preperitoneal mesh technique. Open hernia repair was performed using a mesh-plug technique in which the hernia sac was reduced and held in place by a cone of mesh. The floor was covered with a second piece of mesh that encircled the cord and was sutured at the internal ring; it was held in place under the external oblique without sutures. Results: Patients undergoing open repair were older than those undergoing laparoscopic repair. The distribution of hernia types was similar. The laparoscopic operation took longer than the open operation (mean [±SD], 1.9±0.4 hours vs 1.6±0.4 hours; P P P Conclusions: Laparoscopic hernia repair returns patients to the workplace faster than open hernia repair despite a similar analgesic requirement. The laparoscopic repair costs more and has a higher recurrence rate than open repair. Laparoscopic repair is most suitable for bilateral hernias. Further investigation of this technique is required before its widescale application can be recommended. (Arch Surg. 1994;129:361-366)
Effects of disorder on spin injection and extraction for organic semiconductor spin-valves

A device model for tunnel injection and extraction of spin-polarized charge carriers between ferromagnetic contacts and organic semiconductors with disordered molecular states is presented. Transition rates for tunneling are calculated based on a transfer Hamiltonian. Transport in the bulk semiconductor is described by macroscopic device equations. Tunneling predominantly involves organic molecular levels near the metal Fermi energy, and therefore typically in the tail of the band that supports carrier transport in the semiconductor. Disorder-induced broadening of the relevant band plays a critical role for the injection and extraction of charge carriers and for the resulting magneto-resistance of an organic semiconductor spin valve.
Dissociation of estrogen-induced uterine growth and ornithine decarboxylase activity in the postnatal rat.

Estrogens are teratogens and developmental carcinogens in several species. We have used uterine growth to quantitate the potency of three estrogens [estradiol (E2), diethylstilbestrol (DES), ethynylestradiol (EE2)] during four postnatal periods (days 1–5, 10–14, 20–24, and 60–64) in the rat. Alphafetoprotein (AFP), present at high levels in neonatal serum, is thought to regulate estrogen bioavailability. Association constants for DES and EE2 were 2.7% and 4.9% of that for E2 binding to AFP, determined in a batch Sephadex equilibrium binding assay. On days 1–5, DES and EE2 were about 80-fold more potent than E2 in increasing uterine weight. As AFP levels fell, potency differences between E2 and the synthetic estrogens decreased. In the adult, which essentially lacks AFP, the three estrogens were nearly equipotent. These data are consistent with AFP regulation of estrogen potency. On days 10–14, uterine growth was less sensitive than at other ages to all three estrogens, perhaps related to uterine differentiation and/or the high endogenous serum E2 levels reported at this age. However, when we examined another uterine estrogen response, ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) induction at 6 h following estrogen injection, all three hormones were about equipotent in both neonatal and adult animals. This apparently AFP-independent event shows dissociation of ODC induction and uterine growth, which could be due to separate mechanisms for hormone entry to target tissue or subsequent intracellular events.
Relationship of Titratable Acidity to pH of Wheys Produced by Streptococcus cremoris in Different Skim Milks

Abstract Twenty-seven single-strain cultures of Streptococcus cremoris to which Leuconostoc cremoris had been added and six mixtures produced, in pasteurized mixed-herd skim milk obtained in June, wheys whose titratable acidities at pH 4.6 were constant (.46 to .48%). Titratable acidities for wheys produced by fast strains of S. cremoris were not detectably different from those for wheys produced by slow strains. Those for strains of S. cremoris with which L. cremoris grew well were not detectably different from those for strains with which L. cremoris grew poorly. Corresponding titratable acidities for wheys produced from four skim milks obtained in November were higher (.52 to .54%). Addition of 1.5% nonfat dry milk or ash prepared from this amount of nonfat dry milk to the June skim milk resulted in the production of wheys whose titratable acidities were similar to those for the wheys produced from the November skim milks. Subsequent to the attainment of pH 4.6, many strains of S. cremoris developed titratable acidity slowly in the June skim milk, which might in practice be interpreted as "starter slowness." Results suggest occasional use of a pH meter to detect changes in the correct titratable acidity for cutting cottage cheese curd.
Review : Material Aspects of Electrorheological Systems

This paper provides a summary of the current state of electrorheological (ER) material research and development. In particular, a description of the electrorheological effect, a defini tion of obse...
Lethality of Cold to Third Instars, Pupae, and Pharate Adults of the Mexican Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Tolerance of Mexican fruit fly, Anastrepha ludens (Loew), 3rd instars and puparial stages to 1.1°C was evaluated. Mexican fruit flies were more susceptible to cold during the first few days after cessation of larval feeding (through the cryptocephalic pupal stage) than feeding 3rd instars. That is a period of intense morphological change for the insect. First-day phanerocephalic pupae, however, were estimated to require twice as much time to achieve LT 99.9968 at 1.1°C compared with feeding 3rd instars. Although the Mexican fruit fly does not diapause, the phanerocephalic stage is the diapausing stage for tephritids that do diapause. A major implication of this study is that cold-treated fruits are usually packed before treatment, and larvae could conceivably emerge and pupate within the packaging before temperatures are reduced to sufficient levels to stop development. Newly formed phanerocephalic pupae and pharate adults >3 d old are more tolerant of cold than 3rd instars. Therefore, fruits should not be held at temperatures after packaging that allow sufficient time for fruit fly development to the phanerocephalic pupa.
Effects of light adaptation on contrast processing in bipolar cells in the retina.

Effects of light adaptation on contrast processing in the outer retina were investigated over nearly four decades of background illumination by analyzing the intracellular responses of 111 bipolar cells, 66 horizontal cells, and 22 cone photoreceptors in the superfused eyecup of the tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum). Light adaptation had striking and similar effects on the average contrast responses of the hyperpolarizing (Bh) and depolarizing (Bd) classes of bipolar cells: Over the lower two decades of background illumination, the contrast gain increased 7-fold to reach values as high as 20–30, the dynamic range and the half-maximum contrast decreased by about 60%, the total voltage range increased some 40%, and contrast dominance changed from highly positive to more balanced. At higher levels of background, most aspects of the contrast response stabilized and Weber's Law then held closely. In this background range, the contrast gain of bipolar cells was amplified some 20× relative to that of cones whereas the corresponding amplification in horizontal cells was about 6×. Differences in the growth of contrast gain with the intensity of the background illumination for cones versus bipolar cells suggest that there are at least two adaptation-dependent mechanisms regulating contrast gain. One is evident in the cone photoresponse such that an approximately linear relation holds between the steady-state hyperpolarization and contrast gain. The other arises between the voltage responses of the cones and bipolar cells. It could be presynaptic (modulation of cone transmitter release by horizontal cell feedback or other mechanisms) and/or postsynaptic, that is, intrinsic to bipolar cells. Contrast gain grew with the background intensity by a larger factor in horizontal than in bipolar cells. This provides a basis for the widely held view that light adaptation increases the strength of surround antagonism in bipolar cells. On average, the effects of light adaptation and most quantitative indices of contrast processing were remarkably similar for Bd and Bh cells, implying that both classes of bipolar cells, despite possible differences in underlying mechanisms, are about equally capable of encoding all primary aspects of contrast at all levels of light adaptation.
Postmenopausal estrogens and endometrial cancer.

The risk of endometrial cancer is increased by long-term estrogen therapy for postmenopausal patients. 3 recent epidemiological studies are cited which show the risk to be from 4.5-8 times that of women not using estrogen therapy. These studies showed the risk to increase with duration of use and with increased dosages. The following guidelines are offered for consideration with postmenopausal women: 1) estrogen can be given on a short-term basis to control flushes or atrophic vaginitis; 2) diet and exercise should be relied on rather than estrogen to prevent osteoporosis in postmenopause; and 3) prophylactic use of estrogens to control undesirable effects of menopause is not justified.
Characteristics of Instructionally Effective School Districts

AbstractIn this article we present findings from our exploratory study of 12 instuctionally effective school districts (IESD) in California. Districts were identified on the basis of their ability to promote high levels of student achievement on standardized tests (aggregated to the district level) after controlling for socioeconomic status, previous achievement, and language proficiency. Studies on school improvment and organizational control and coordination provided the theories and frameworks that informed the study. The primary emphasis was on analysis of organizational structures and coupling mechanisms rather than on cultural linkages. Results are based on interviews with superintendents and analyses of selected documents. Seventeen themes or characteristics found in these IESD are discussed under the categories of (1) conditions, (2) climate factors, (3) characteristics of curriculum and instruction, and (4) organizational dynamics. Information about variations in these themes is also presented.We...
Humean Critics, Imaginative Fluency, and Emotional Responsiveness: A Follow-Up to Stephanie Ross

In ‘Humean Critics: Real or Ideal?’ (BJA 48 (2008): 20-28), Stephanie Ross argues that four of Hume's five criteria for qualified critics in “Of the Standard of Taste’, namely practise, comparison, freedom from prejudice, and good sense, should be understood as conditions for improving the basic constituent of taste, namely delicacy of perception, in real critics whose judgments can be canonical or guiding for the rest of us, but that delicacy of perception needs to be supplemented by what she calls imaginative fluency and emotional responsiveness to provide a fuller conception of the basic constituents of taste. I support Ross's approach by showing that Hume's immediate successors in Scottish aesthetics Alexander Gerard and James Beattie understood his conception of the qualifications of good critics and supplemented his conception of the basic constituents of taste in precisely the same way that Ross does.
OMVPE growth of AlxGa1−xAs

Abstract The OMVPE growth technique has only recently been established to yield device quality III–V compounds and alloys. The alloy receiving the most attention has been Al x Ga 1− x As because of its application to lattice matched heterostructure devices such as solar cells and lasers, including multiquantum-well structures. This paper briefly reviews the development of OMVPE for the growth of Al x Ga 1− x As, including a discussion of problems which were solved to reach the current state-of-the-art. The fundamental aspects of OMVPE growth are discussed, especially emphasizing fundamental advantages and disadvantages of OMVPE relative to other growth techniques such as LPE, MBE, and halide VPE. Other less fundamental aspects of OMVPE relating to purify, uniformity, surface morphology, and flexibility are also discussed. The current status of OMVPE Al x Ga 1− x As material and devices are summarized. Finally, an attempt is made to anticipate future trends and directions for OMVPE in general.
Thiazide Diuretics in Chronic Kidney Disease

Widely prevalent in the general population, chronic kidney disease (CKD) is frequently complicated with hypertension. Control of hypertension in this high-risk population is a major modifiable cardiovascular and renal risk factor but often requires multiple medications. Although thiazides are an attractive agent, guidelines have previously recommended against thiazide use in stage 4 CKD. We review the updated guidelines on thiazide use in advanced CKD, the antihypertensive mechanism of thiazides, and the clinical studies of thiazides in CKD. Older uncontrolled studies have shown that metolazone reduces blood pressure in CKD, but more recently small randomized controlled trials of hydrochlorothiazide in CKD have shown significant improvement in mean arterial pressure of 15 mmHg. Two recent uncontrolled studies of chlorthalidone including one that used ambulatory blood pressure monitoring found significant improvements in blood pressure. These findings all suggest that thiazides may be efficacious even in advanced CKD; however, electrolyte abnormalities were common in the studies reviewed so close monitoring is necessary during use. Adequately powered randomized trials are now needed before the routine use of thiazide diuretics in advanced CKD can be recommended.
Effects of benzylphenol and benzyl-1,3-benzodioxole derivatives on fertility and longevity of the yellow fever mosquito (Diptera:Culicidae).

Neither chemosterilants J2644 (2,4-bis(1,-1-dimethylethyl)-6-(4-methoxyphenylmethyl)phenol) nor J2581 (5-ethoxy-6-(4-methoxyphenylmethyl)-1,3-benzodioxole) affected fertility of male and female Aedes aegypti (L.), significantly when pupae were treated at 1 to 5,000 ppm concentrations. The observed reduction in hatchability of eggs from normal females mated with treated males did not exceed 32%. The reduction in hatchability of eggs from treated females mated with normal males was ca. 28%. Longevity of males (5,000 ppm) was not affected by either sterilant at indicated doses.
Macular Edema and Pregnancy in Insulin-Dependent Diabetes

Seven women with insulin-dependent diabetes (mean age, 26 years; mean duration of diabetes, 15.4 years) had minimal or no retinopathy before becoming pregnant but developed severe macular edema associated with preproliferative or proliferative retinopathy during the course of their pregnancies. The edema was associated with significant macular capillary nonperfusion, and often with significant proteinuria and mild hypertension. Although proliferation was controlled with panretinal photocoagulation, the macular edema continued to worsen until delivery in all cases and was often aggravated by the photocoagulation. Macular edema and retinopathy both regressed after delivery in some patients but persisted in others, causing significant visual loss. Pregnant women with retinopathy, nephropathy, or hypertension should undergo ophthalmoscopy at least once a month. If proliferative retinopathy develops, panretinal photocoagulation should be applied even if the macular edema is aggravated.
Optical properties of Ti, Zr, and Hf from 0.15 to 30 eV

The absorptivity or reflectivity of polycrystalline samples of Ti, Zr, and Hf was measured from 0.15 to \ensuremath{\sim}30 eV. The data were Kramers-Kronig analyzed to determine the dielectric functions. Between \ensuremath{\sim}0.2 and \ensuremath{\sim}7 eV, each metal showed five structures in the absorptivity and ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{2}$. These were interpreted as interband transitions within the $d$ bands. The ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{2}$ spectra had minima near 7 eV similar to that observed in the bcc transition metals. Additional structures at higher energy could be related to transitions involving highlying bands and the core levels. The electron-energy-loss functions were calculated and discussed in terms of volume and surface plasmons. These metals, like the other transition metals studied, exhibited two volume and two surface plasmons.
Endogenous endothelium-derived nitric oxide inhibits myocardial caspase activity: implications for treatment of end-stage heart failure

Abstract Background: Apoptosis contributes to ventricular remodeling in heart failure (HF). Nitric oxide (NO) inhibits caspase 3, a key effector apoptotic enzyme. We hypothesized that reduced endogenous NO in HF disinhibits cardiac caspase 3 to promote apoptosis. Methods: Caspase 3 activity was measured colorimetrically in myocardial cell lysates from endothelial NO synthase (eNOS)-deficient mice (eNOS −/−; n = 18), cardiomyopathic (CMP) hamsters ( n = 8), and explanted failing human hearts ( n = 10). We stimulated myocardial caspase 3 activity by adding upstream caspase 8 or 9. Cell lysates were incubated with 10 −4 mol/liter NO donor, S-nitroso-N-acetyl penicillamine; NOS inhibitor, nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME); or angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, enalaprilat. Hamsters underwent echocardiography so we could study the progression of ventricular dysfunction. Results: Stimulated caspase 3 activity was lower in myocardium of eNOS +/+ compared with eNOS −/− mouse hearts (5.1 ± 0.5 vs 7.6 ± 1.0 pmol/10 μg/min, p Conclusions: Nitric oxide reversibly inhibits myocardial caspase 3 independent of the apoptotic signaling pathway. Reduced NO in HF increases myocardial caspase 3 activity. Agents that promote NO synthesis, including ACE inhibitors, may prevent caspase activation in HF.
Diffusive media characterization with laser speckle

The statistical properties of laser speckle with partially coherent light are related to the scattering characteristics of an optically diffuse material. A diffusion equation model is shown to yield a speckle contrast ratio that agrees well with measurements of opaque plastics of varying thicknesses. We show that partially coherent light can be used to determine material parameters for highly scattering media. Measured data for stratified materials with differing scattering properties indicate that this technique may be useful in detecting inhomogeneities.
Single- and double-resonance atomic fluorescence spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma atomization and laser excitation

Dye lasers pumped by an XeCl excimer laser were used to excite metal atoms in the inductively coupled plasma (ICP) for single- and double-resonance fluorescence spectrometry. The detection limits (3σ) obtained with the single-resonance approach for Ag(I), Au(I), Co(I), Ni(I), Pb(I), Pd(I), Pt(I), and Sc(II) were 0.8, 4.2, 15, 3, 5, 0.7, 3.9, 3.3, and 0.2 ng/mL respectively; and with the double-resonance approach were 1.7, 6.0, 530, 5, 170, 8, 45, 29, and 13 ng/mL, respectively. Silver and lead were determined in an unalloyed copper standard reference material (#498) by both approaches, and excellent agreement with the true values was found.
Single neuron recordings in dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN) of awake gerbil.

The auditory responses of neurons in the dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN) are known to be sensitive to anesthesia, and consequently many studies have used an unanesthetized, decerebrate preparation. Decerebration, however, severs multiple descending pathways to the DCN and is traumatic to the brain, and so sensory responses may be influenced. It was possible, by combining sterile surgery, animal conditioning, and mild restraint to allow recordings in awake gerbils (Merionus unguiculatus). Response maps (RMs), post-stimulus time histograms (PSTHs), and responses to notch noise stimuli were recorded in awake gerbils. Some units’ responses were compared to those from previous experiments in anesthetized and decerebrate gerbil preparations. All RM types observed in decerebrate gerbils were also observed in the awake gerbil, with the notable exception of type IV units. Type III units were still the most commonly recorded units. No significant changes were observed in either RM shape or notch noise responses. Although most awake DCN units had spontaneous activity (typically <20 spikes/s), these rates were lower than those in decerebrate gerbils. Type III units’ spontaneous activity rates were significantly different from those in the decerebrate prep (P < 0.05). DCN neurons may be more inhibited in awake gerbils. Although type III units were most sensitive to spectral notches, different unit types seem to respond slightly differently to notch noise. This study indicates that responses of DCN units in awake and decerebrate gerbils are different, though the shapes of RMs are the same.
Application of fluorescent in situ hybridization with X and Y chromosome specific probes to buccal smear analysis

Conventional X- and Y-chromatin and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis based on X- and Y-chromosome specific probes were conducted from buccal smear, on 15 normal males, 15 normal females, and 9 cases suspected of sex chromosome anomalies. The proportion of X- and Y-chromatin in normal females and males was 12% +/- 3% and 51.5% +/- 4.9%, respectively, by the conventional X- and Y-chromatin procedure. The CEP-X/Y analysis by FISH for the same specimens provided a proportion of 98.8% +/- 0.7% cells with XX signals in the normal females and 99.8% +/- 0.4% cells with XY signals in the normal males. The FISH method was superior to the conventional procedure in nine cases suspected of sex chromosome anomalies, including one case of mosaicism. The results of CEP-X/Y will sometimes be false; it will not detect structural anomalies of sex chromosomes, and it is not intended to detect low level mosaicism. However, the test is useful for rapid screening of sex chromosome aneuploidy at a fraction of the cost for chromosome analysis. The FISH test is also appropriate to detect tissue specific sex chromosome mosaicism, especially if it is relatively high. This FISH test is best used as an adjunct to chromosome analysis whenever possible.
Viewpoint 2 — Computer generated predictions of IR and Raman spectra of organic molecules

Abstract Computer generated vibrational frequency predictions may be derived from ab initio molecular computations by introducing scaling procedures. We discuss two different scaling mechanisms, force constant scaling and direct frequency scaling. We express a preference for the second choice and we discuss some recent work based on direct frequency scaling. Due to advances in computer capability it is now possible to perform 6-31G ∗ computations on a molecule with a molecular weight of 267 whereas just 10 years ago the upper limit consisted of 3-21G computations on molecules with molecular weights of around 50.
Linear Elastic and Cohesive Fracture Analysis to Model Hydraulic Fracture in Brittle and Ductile Rocks

Hydraulic fracturing technology is being widely used within the oil and gas industry for both waste injection and unconventional gas production wells. It is essential to predict the behavior of hydraulic fractures accurately based on understanding the fundamental mechanism(s). The prevailing approach for hydraulic fracture modeling continues to rely on computational methods based on Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM). Generally, these methods give reasonable predictions for hard rock hydraulic fracture processes, but still have inherent limitations, especially when fluid injection is performed in soft rock/sand or other non-conventional formations. These methods typically give very conservative predictions on fracture geometry and inaccurate estimation of required fracture pressure. One of the reasons the LEFM-based methods fail to give accurate predictions for these materials is that the fracture process zone ahead of the crack tip and softening effect should not be neglected in ductile rock fracture analysis. A 3D pore pressure cohesive zone model has been developed and applied to predict hydraulic fracturing under fluid injection. The cohesive zone method is a numerical tool developed to model crack initiation and growth in quasi-brittle materials considering the material softening effect. The pore pressure cohesive zone model has been applied to investigate the hydraulic fracture with different rock properties. The hydraulic fracture predictions of a three-layer water injection case have been compared using the pore pressure cohesive zone model with revised parameters, LEFM-based pseudo 3D model, a Perkins-Kern–Nordgren (PKN) model, and an analytical solution. Based on the size of the fracture process zone and its effect on crack extension in ductile rock, the fundamental mechanical difference of LEFM and cohesive fracture mechanics-based methods is discussed. An effective fracture toughness method has been proposed to consider the fracture process zone effect on the ductile rock fracture.
High-throughput protein purification and quality assessment for crystallization.

Abstract The ultimate goal of structural biology is to understand the structural basis of proteins in cellular processes. In structural biology, the most critical issue is the availability of high-quality samples. “Structural biology-grade” proteins must be generated in the quantity and quality suitable for structure determination using X-ray crystallography or nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The purification procedures must reproducibly yield homogeneous proteins or their derivatives containing marker atom(s) in milligram quantities. The choice of protein purification and handling procedures plays a critical role in obtaining high-quality protein samples. With structural genomics emphasizing a genome-based approach in understanding protein structure and function, a number of unique structures covering most of the protein folding space have been determined and new technologies with high efficiency have been developed. At the Midwest Center for Structural Genomics (MCSG), we have developed semi-automated protocols for high-throughput parallel protein expression and purification. A protein, expressed as a fusion with a cleavable affinity tag, is purified in two consecutive immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) steps: (i) the first step is an IMAC coupled with buffer-exchange, or size exclusion chromatography (IMAC-I), followed by the cleavage of the affinity tag using the highly specific Tobacco Etch Virus (TEV) protease [1] ; the second step is IMAC and buffer exchange (IMAC-II) to remove the cleaved tag and tagged TEV protease. These protocols have been implemented on multidimensional chromatography workstations and, as we have shown, many proteins can be successfully produced in large-scale. All methods and protocols used for purification, some developed by MCSG, others adopted and integrated into the MCSG purification pipeline and more recently the Center for Structural Genomics of Infectious Diseases (CSGID) purification pipeline, are discussed in this chapter.
Multispectral image segmentation of breast pathology

The signal intensity in a magnetic resonance image is not only a function of imaging parameters but also of several intrinsic tissue properties. Therefore, unlike other medical imaging modalities, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows the imaging scientist to locate pathology using multispectral image segmentation. Multispectral image segmentation works best when orthogonal spectral regions are employed. In MRI, possible spectral regions are spin density (rho) , spin-lattice relaxation time T1, spin-spin relaxation time T2, and texture for each nucleus type and chemical shift. This study examines the ability of multispectral image segmentation to locate breast pathology using the total hydrogen T1, T2, and (rho) . The preliminary results indicate that our technique can locate cysts and fibroadenoma breast lesions with a minimum number of false-positives and false-negatives. Results, T1, T2, and (rho) algorithms, and segmentation techniques are presented.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
What can we learn from high-pT correlations of neutral strange baryons and mesons at RHIC?

We present results on two-particle azimuthal correlations of neutral strange baryons (Λ, Λ) and mesons (KS0) for pT=2–6 GeV/c associated with non-identified charged particles in d+Au and Au+Au collisions at \(\sqrt{s_{NN}}\) =200 GeV measured by the STAR experiment. We investigate in detail the associated yield of charged particles as a function centrality of the collision and transverse momentum of trigger and associated particles to look for possible flavor, baryon/meson and particle/anti-particle differences. We compare our results to the proton and pion triggered correlations as well as to a fragmentation and recombination model.
Cell dysfunction in atherosclerosis and the ischemic manifestations of coronary artery disease

Many of the cellular mechanisms and dysfunctions that underlie atherosclerotic plaque formation have been identified, including adverse interactions between atherogenic lipids and the arterial endothelium, loss of endothelium-dependent dilation, accumulation of inflammatory cells and mediators of inflammation in the intima of the arteries, and a decline in anticoagulant defenses. Several studies have shown that these mechanisms, which appear to be active throughout the pathogenesis and progression of atherosclerosis, are reversible within days, weeks, or months with effective lipid-lowering therapy. In addition, the findings of large-scale trials of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors suggest that the rapid improvement observed in trial participants is attributable to a reversal of endothelial and vascular wall dysfunctions rather than to a reduction in plaque size. The accumulated evidence indicates that improved endothelial function can benefit patients who have angina pectoris and/or are at risk for myocardial infarction. Current understanding of the cellular mechanisms of atherogenesis also suggests avenues of future research to refine treatment approaches and further improve outcomes for patients with coronary artery disease.
New platinum compounds containing the diphosphine ligand 2-(ferrocenylidene)-4,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)-4-cyclopenten-1,3-dione (fbpcd): Synthesis, redox behavior, and X-ray diffraction structures of PtCl2(fbpcd) and Pt(mnt)(fbpcd)

Abstract The reaction of the redox-active diphosphine ligand 2-(ferrocenylidene)-4,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)-4-cyclopenten-1,3-dione (fbpcd) with PtCl2(1,5-cod) furnishes the platinum(II) compound PtCl2(fbpcd) (2). Treatment of 2 with disodium maleonitriledithiolate (Na2mnt) yields the chelating thiolate compound Pt(mnt)(fbpcd) (3). Both 2 and 3 have been fully characterized in solution by IR, UV–Vis, and NMR spectroscopies, and their molecular structures established by X-ray crystallography. The redox properties of the fbpcd ligand and compounds 2 and 3 have been investigated by cyclic voltammetry, and the composition of the HOMO and LUMO levels in these systems have been determined by extended Huckel MO calculations, the results of which are discussed with respect to electrochemical data.
Exploring power-voltage relationship for distributed peak demand flattening in microgrids

Due to limited energy storage units in microgrids, how to regulate peak demand is one of the main challenges. Thus, researchers propose different techniques to flatten peak demand in individual residential buildings. However, if each home in the grid flattens peak demand only with its own power consumption information, it is possible that peak demand of the microgrid would not be flattened but only shifted to another period. Therefore, it is critical for homes to cooperate with each other to flatten peak demand. In this paper, we utilize the power-voltage relationship in individual homes to enable that each home can infer the information of power consumption in the community by locally monitoring the voltage value on the common power line. The inferred information is then used for homes to flatten peak demand of the microgrids in a distributed manner. Furthermore, we leverage existing thermal appliances (e.g., water heaters) as thermal "batteries" in individual homes instead of purchasing batteries to flatten peak demand. We evaluate our system's performance by conducting experiments and extensive empirical data driven simulations. Evaluation results indicate that our design enables homes to effectively flatten peak demand by more than 29% without affecting homeowners' behaviors.
Integration of a carbon microelectrode with a microfabricated palladium decoupler for use in microchip capillary electrophoresis/ electrochemistry

A method to integrate a carbon microelectrode with a microfabricated palladium decoupler for use in microchip capillary electrophoresis (CE) is detailed. As opposed to previous studies with decouplers for microchip CE, the working electrode material, which is made by micromolding of a carbon ink, is different from the decoupling electrode material (palladium). The manner in which the working electrode is made does not add additional etching or lithographic steps to the fabrication of the glass electrode plate. The hybrid poly(dimethylsiloxane)/glass device was characterized with fluorescence microscopy and by monitoring the CE-based separation of dopamine. Hydrodynamic voltammograms exhibited diffusion-limited currents occurring at potentials above +1.0 V. It was also shown that the half-wave potential does not shift as the separation potential is changed, as is the case in nondecoupled systems. Gated injections of dopamine in a 25 mM boric acid buffer (pH 9.2) showed a linear response from 200 to 5 microM (r2 = 0.9992), with a sensitivity of 5.47 pA/microM and an estimated limit of detection of 2.3 microM (0.621 fmol, S/N = 3). This is the first report of coupling a carbon electrode with a decoupler in microchip CE.
A combined experiment-computer technique for determining heating programs for batch and continuous freeze dryers

Summary Two parameters, which characterize the freeze drying process, are obtained by a linear regression of variables derived from data from a limited number of freeze drying experiments. Freeze drying times and sample temperature profiles can then be simulated for other processing conditions, using computer techniques. The simulation has been used to predict the drying behaviour of skim milk samples for a continuous freeze drying process. The results of the simulation agree closely with a batch freeze drying operated so as to model a continuous process.
Calcium alginate gel: A biocompatible and mechanically stable polymer for endovascular embolization

The development and optimization of calcium alginate for potential use in endovascular occlusion was investigated by testing its in vitro and in vivo mechanical stability and biocompatibility. The compressive resistance, rheology, and polymer yield of reacted alginate, and the polymer viscosity of unreacted alginate, were assessed. Biocompatibility was tested by injecting calcium alginate into the kidney capsule of rats. The reactivity of alginates with various structures and levels of purity were compared visually and histologically. Results suggest that calcium alginate is a biocompatible and mechanically stable gel for endovascular applications. Purified alginates exhibited compressive strength of 22 kPa and above at 40% compression, with no significant loss in elasticity. Purified alginate strength was significantly higher than that of crude alginates (p < 0.08). Purified alginates also exhibited significantly lower tissue reaction than crude alginates (p < 0.05). Of the alginates tested, purified high guluronic acid alginates (PHG) exhibited optimal strength and polymer yield, increased biocompatibility, and decreased viscosity. Clinical embolization treatments may be improved with the development of stable and biocompatible polymers such as calcium alginate. Possible uses of improved endovascular polymers include treating arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), aneurysms, blood flow to tumors, and vascular hemorrhaging.
A single-gene resistance test for viral relationship as applied to strains of spotted-wilt virus.

Abstract It seems clear now that strains of spotted-wilt virus found in the Northern Hemisphere are closely related to those originally studied in the Southern Hemisphere. The method here utilized to demonstrate that strains of the virus in separate continents are constituents of a single species, namely the use of single-gene resistances, is likely to prove applicable in the future to the identification of other viruses and their constituent strains.
Aliskiren fails to lower blood pressure in patients who have either low PRA levels or whose PRA falls insufficiently or reactively rises.

Background Suppressed baseline plasma renin activity (PRA) levels or large reactive increases in renin secretion are two possible reasons for treatment failure with antirenin system drugs. Methods To investigate their prevalence we reanalyzed data from three published clinical trials of the renin inhibitor aliskiren. Results Aliskiren failed to lower systolic blood pressure (SBP) by at least 10 mm Hg in half of all patients. It was very effective in two-thirds of medium- to high-renin patients (-19 mm Hg). But BP did not fall in most low-renin patients, or in 30% of medium- to high-renin patients. BP actually rose by >10 mm Hg in 5% of patients taking aliskiren and in >10% of patients when aliskiren was added to an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) or angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI). PRA changed in parallel with BP. Although PRA fell in most patients, it actually rose in 5% and in up to 30% when aliskiren was added to an ARB or ACEI. Conclusions There are two reasons for treatment failure with aliskiren. Many hypertensive patients have large BP falls. But, BP does not fall in most low-renin patients or in medium- to high-renin patients whose PRA levels do not fall sufficiently. If the concept of that treatment resistance is caused by excessive reactive increases in renin secretion is confirmed, then a PRA determination during treatment could be used to guide subsequent addition or subtraction of either natriuretic or antirenin drug types, to thereby correct BP and reduce cardiovascular risk.
The Mammalian Homologue of Mago Nashi Encodes a Serum-Inducible Protein

Abstract The products of at least 11 maternal effect genes have been shown to be essential for proper germ plasm assembly inDrosophila melanogasterembryos. Here we report the isolation and characterization of the mammalian counterpart for one of these genes (namedMAGOHformago nashi homologue). The predicted amino acid sequence of mouse and human MAGOH are completely identical; MAGOH homologues from the nematodeCaenorhabditis elegansand rice grainOryza sativaalso show a remarkable degree of amino acid conservation.MAGOHwas mapped to chromosome 1p33–p34 in the human and a syntenic region of chromosome 4 in the mouse. Of note,MAGOHmRNA expression is not limited to germ plasm, but is expressed ubiquitously in adult tissues and can be induced by serum stimulation of quiescent fibroblasts.
Sample Asymmetry Analysis of Heart Rate Characteristics with Application to Neonatal Sepsis and Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome

We introduce the sample asymmetry analysis (SAA) and illustrate its utility for assessment of heart rate characteristics occurring early in the course of neonatal sepsis and systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). Conceptually, SAA describes changes in the shape of the histogram of RR intervals that are caused by reduced accelerations and/or transient decelerations of heart rate. Unlike other measures of heart rate variability, SAA allows separate quantification of the contribution of accelerations and decelerations. The application of SAA is exemplified by a study comparing 50 infants, who experienced a total of 75 episodes of sepsis and SIRS, with 50 control infants. The two groups were matched by birth weight and gestational age. RR intervals were recorded for all infants throughout their course in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The sample asymmetry of the RR intervals increased in the 3-4 d preceding sepsis and SIRS, with the steepest increase in the last 24 h, from a baseline value of 3.3 (SD = 1.6) to 4.2 (SD = 2.3), p = 0.02. After treatment and recovery, sample asymmetry returned to its baseline value of 3.3 (SD = 1.3). The difference between sample asymmetry in health and before sepsis and SIRS was mainly due to fewer accelerations than to decelerations. Compared with healthy infants, infants who experienced sepsis had similar sample asymmetry in health, and elevated values before sepsis and SIRS (p = 0.002). We conclude that SAA is a useful new mathematical technique for detecting the abnormal heart rate characteristics that precede neonatal sepsis and SIRS.
Effects of Electrical Stimulation on Select Functions of Bone Cells

The present in vitro study was motivated by scientific literature reports that show enhanced healing of bone fractures in experimental animals in response to electrical stimulation. The underlying cellular- and molecular level mechanisms responsible for new bone formation, however, were not studied at that time. Since then, advances in cell biology, biochemistry and biomedical engineering provided knowledge, models, and instrumentation to investigate these unanswered questions.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Economic considerations in the implementation of microfiltration for metalworking fluid biological control

Abstract Microfiltration is a membrane-based separation technology that can remove microorganisms, contaminant particles, and free oil from metalworking fluids (MWFs). While the use of microfiltration can reduce health and environmental risks associated with MWF applications, guidelines and approaches for assessing the economics of microfiltration recycling of MWFs for biological control have yet to be developed. In this research, three realistic implementations of a microfiltration system to control microorganisms in MWF systems are considered: (1) a machine tool integrated system, (2) a mobile system, and (3) a centralized system. Optimization algorithms are applied to analytical equations representing the system with the intention of minimizing system cost while maintaining microbial concentrations below a specified level. Optimal system operation schedules are also considered, and general guidelines for microfiltration-based biological control of MWFs are developed. It is shown that the coupled economic and engineering analysis framework developed in this paper can be used to assist in evaluating microfiltration implementation strategies for microbial control of MWFs within realistic manufacturing systems.