cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Binding of monoclonal antibody to protein antigen in fluid phase or bound to solid supports.

Abstract Rat monoclonal antibody (MoAb) to fragment D (FgD) of human fibrinogen was used to characterize the direct binding of antibody to protein in solution or bound to solid supports. Purified IgG, F(ab′) 2 and Fab′ were prepared from ascites fluid of hybridoma 104-14B which is a fusion product of spleen cells from a rat immunized with FgD and the mouse myeloma cell line, P3-X63-Ag8. Two-dimensional electrophoresis of radioiodinated antibody preparations demonstrated the presence of hybrid immunoglobulin molecules, but only structures having rat heavy and rat light chains had active antibody combining sites. The affinity constant for IgG as well as F(ab′) 2 and Fab′, 6×10 9 M −1 , was identical when tested using fluid phase antigen ( 125 I-labeled FgD). Affinity constants determined for direct binding of iodinated IgG using FgD immobilized on solid supports showed a slight dependence on the antigen concentration used in the measurement. These values ranged from 0.5×10 9 M −1 at high antigen concentrations (1.3×10 −7 M) to 9×10 9 M −1 at low antigen concentration (1.3×10 −10 M). Binding constants for F(ab′) 2 and Fab′ gave similar results indicating that was homogeneous and univalent. The capacity of solid state antigen to bind antibody varied with the method used to bind FgD to the solid support. FgD bound directly to polystyrene plates was least efficient at binding labeled antibody; FgD bound to plates through intermediate carriers poly( L -lysine) was only slightly more efficient, while antigen bound to Sepharose beads by cyanogen activation was the most active.
An increase in the number of recombinant molecules and other effects of the simultaneous allotype suppression of trans-chromosomal a VH and n Cμ Ig gene products☆

The concomitant effects of trans-chromosomal allotype suppression of both an a VH and an n Cmu locus allotype in multiheterozygous rabbits were investigated. For example of the expression of the a2 VH and n81 Cmu allotypes were suppressed in a multiheterozygous rabbit having the a1 chi-y-n81de12,15f73g74/a2 chi 32y33n80de12.14f69g77 genotype. This trans-chromosomal allotype suppression led to the concomitant suppression of other CH allotypes in the same parental haplotype as the suppressed-n81 allotype (i.e. the e15, f73 and g74 allotype) and the partial suppression of the a1 VH allotype (from the normal level of 70% of the total Ig to 10%), and also led to compensation by other VH allotypes from the same parental haplotype as the suppressed-a2 allotype (i.e. the x32 and y33 allotypes). The x32 and y33 allotypes were expressed on Ig molecules with the CH allotypes coded by the same haplotype (i.e. the cis molecules). In a further analysis of the IgG molecules having the partially-suppressed-a1 allotype, one-half (5%) of these molecules were trans-chromosomal recombinant molecules (i.e. a1e14 IgG) and the other half (5%) were cis-chromosomal molecules (i.e. a1e15 IgG). The trans-chromosomal a1e14 IgG molecules probably were derived from the expansion of a limited number of lymphoid clones that normally produce only 1.5% trans-chromosomal recombinant molecules. The cis-chromosomal a1e15 IgG molecules were probably derived either from lymphoid clones that survived the suppression by the anti-n81 Ab, or from lymphoid clones that bore a different subclass of IgM (i.e. n-negative IgM).
Oral bioavailability of a new class of μ-opioid receptor agonists containing 3,6-Bis[Dmt-NH(CH2)n]-2(1H)-pyrazinone with central-mediated analgesia

The inability of opioid peptides to be transported through epithelial membranes in the gastrointestinal tract and pass the blood-brain barrier limits their effectiveness for oral application in an antinociceptive treatment regime. To overcome this limitation, we enhanced the hydrophobicity while maintaining the aqueous solubility properties in a class of opioid-mimetic substances by inclusion of two identical N-termini consisting of Dmt (2',6'-dimethyl-l-tyrosine) coupled to a pyrazinone ring platform by means of alkyl chains to yield the class of 3,6-bis[Dmt-NH-(CH(2))(n)]-2(1H)-pyrazinones. These compounds displayed high micro-opioid receptor affinity (K(i)micro = 0.042-0.115 nM) and selectivity (K(i)delta/K(i)micro = 204-307) and functional micro-opioid receptor agonism (guinea-pig ileum, IC(50) = 1.3-1.9 nM) with little or undetectable bioactivity toward delta-opioid receptors (mouse vas deferens) and produced analgesia in mice in a naloxone reversible manner when administered centrally (intracerebroventricular, i.c.v.) or systemically (subcutaneously and orally). Furthermore, the most potent compound, 3,6-bis(3'-Dmt-aminopropyl)-5-methyl-2(1H)-pyrazinone (7'), lacked functional delta-opioid receptor bioactivity and was 50-63-fold and 18-21-fold more active than morphine by icv administration as measured analgesia using tail-flick (spinal involvement) and hot-plate (supraspinal effect) tests, respectively; the compound ranged from 16 to 63% as potent upon systemic injection. These analgesic effects are many times greater than unmodified opioid peptides. The data open new possibilities for the rational design of potential opioid-mimetic drugs that pass through the epithelium of the gastrointestinal tract and the blood-brain barrier to target brain receptors.
Wnt and Notch Pathways Have Interrelated Opposing Roles on Prostate Progenitor Cell Proliferation and Differentiation

Tissue stem cells are capable of both self-renewal and differentiation to maintain a constant stem cell population and give rise to the plurality of cells within a tissue. Wnt signaling has been previously identified as a key mediator for the maintenance of tissue stem cells; however, possible cross-regulation with other developmentally critical signaling pathways involved in adult tissue homeostasis, such as Notch, is not well understood. By using an in vitro prostate stem cell colony ("prostasphere") formation assay and in vivo prostate reconstitution experiments, we demonstrate that Wnt pathway induction on Sca-1(+) CD49f(+) basal/stem cells (B/SCs) promotes expansion of the basal epithelial compartment with noticeable increases in "triple positive" (cytokeratin [CK] 5(+), CK8(+), p63(+)) prostate progenitor cells, concomitant with upregulation of known Wnt target genes involved in cell-cycle induction. Moreover, Wnt induction affects expression of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition signature genes, suggesting a possible mechanism for priming B/SC to act as potential tumor-initiating cells. Interestingly, induction of Wnt signaling in B/SCs results in downregulation of Notch1 transcripts, consistent with its postulated antiproliferative role in prostate cells. In contrast, induction of Notch signaling in prostate progenitors inhibits their proliferation and disrupts prostasphere formation. In vivo prostate reconstitution assays further demonstrate that induction of Notch in B/SCs disrupts proper acini formation in cells expressing the activated Notch1 allele, Notch-1 intracellular domain. These data emphasize the importance of Wnt/Notch cross-regulation in adult stem cell biology and suggest that Wnt signaling controls the proliferation and/or maintenance of epithelial progenitors via modulation of Notch signaling.
Resilient Matrix Multiplication of Hierarchical Semi-Separable Matrices

The hierarchical semi-separable (HSS) matrix factorization has useful characteristics for representing low-rank operators on extreme scale computing systems. To prepare for the higher error rates anticipated with future architectures, this paper introduces new fault-tolerant algorithms for HSS matrix multiplication that maintain efficient performance in the presence of high error rates. The measured runtime overhead for error checking and data preservation using the Containment Domains library is exceptionally small and encourages the use of frequent, fine-grained error checking when using algorithm based fault tolerance.
Computer-Aided VSS Control Validation for a Rotating Flexible Link Manipulator Using ANSYS

This paper presents a design methodology for controllers of flexible structures based on uncertain modeling techniques. The particular problem which is addressed is the control of a single flexible link planar manipulator. An extremely simple control strategy is derived by treating the effects of compliance as an uncertain torque about which no a priori knowledge is assumed other than a bound. However, because the torque is modeled as an uncertainty, we must perform computer-aided validation of our design using a finite-element model for our manipulator. Hitherto, the finite- element package ANSYS has been widely used as a modeling/analysis tool for flexible structures. However, developments in the ANSYS (version 4.3 and later) allow the interfacing of external programs with the analysis package, thereby enabling closed- loop control strategies to be tested.
Determination of femtomole levels of acetylcholine by an improved bioassay procedure.

Abstract Modifying existing bioassay procedures, we can readily measure 10–100 fmol (0.01–0.1 pmol) acetylcholine. The method utilizes a superfused, cooled, eserinized longitudinal guinea pig ileal strip. Enrichment of bath concentrations of K + and Mg 2+ increases and reduces, respectively, spontaneously released acetylcholine from the phrenic nerve-diaphragm preparation; lowering the bath temperature also reduces acetylcholine output. (+)-Amphetamine enhances the release of acetylcholine from a nerve-stimulated preparation.
The Role of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in the Pathogenesis, Diagnosis and Treatment of Malignant Pleural Effusion

Malignant pleural effusions (MPEs) are a significant source of cancer-related morbidity. Over 150,000 patients in the United States suffer from breathlessness and diminished quality of life due to MPE each year. Current management strategies are of mostly palliative value and focus on symptom control; they do not address the pathobiology of the effusion, nor do they improve survival. Further elucidation of the pathophysiological mechanisms, coupled with the development of novel treatments such as intrapleural chemotherapeutics targeting this process, has the potential to greatly improve the efficacy of our current management options. Vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) has been implicated as a critical cytokine in the formation of malignant pleural effusions. Elevated levels of VEGF produced by tumor cells, mesothelial cells, and infiltrating immune cells result in increased vascular permeability, cancer cell transmigration, and angiogenesis. Therefore antiangiogenic therapies such as Bevacizumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting VEGF-A, may have a potential role in the management of malignant pleural effusions. Herein we review the pathogenesis and potential treatment strategies of malignant pleural effusions, with a focus on angiogenesis and antiangiogenic therapeutics.
Heartland: Symbolic Displays of Aggression and Male Masculinity in Rural America

Working as a bartender/bouncer in a rural tavern, the author examines how male masculinity is symbolically constructed through fighting in rural communities. First, male masculinity is introduced as a social and symbolic construct, and its enactment in relation to economic hardship is specifically examined. Second, the methodology used to conduct this study is described, with particular attention given to concerns associated with conducting research in rural areas and in violent settings. Finally, the construction and maintenance of masculinity through displays of aggression and physical altercations is illustrated by examining pre-fight ritual, victory, and defeat in the tavern.
Nonlinear state estimation for complex immune responses

The inflammatory response is a complex, highly nonlinear biological process, for which complete measurements of all variables are not usually available. Since it is desirable to find therapeutic inputs that enable the response to be controlled toward a favorable outcome, it is crucial to estimate the states that are impossible to measure, and use them for the appropriate control strategy. This article begins with a study of nonlinear observability of a reduced mathematical model of the acute inflammatory response. This will provide theoretical support for employing various state estimation approaches, including the extended Kalman filter (EKF), the unscented Kalman filter (UKF), and the particle filter (PF). A comparison of these techniques is presented with respect to the reduced model of inflammation and the performance of each filter is evaluated in terms of accuracy and consistency.
Change in sweat chloride as a clinical end point in cystic fibrosis clinical trials: the ivacaftor experience.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a life-shortening inherited disease caused by mutations in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator gene (CFTR), which encodes for the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) ion channel that regulates chloride and water transport across the surface of epithelial cells. Ivacaftor, a drug recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, represents the first mutation-specific therapy for CF. It is a CFTR channel modulator and improves CFTR function in patients with CF who have a G551D mutation. A clinical trial performed to support ivacaftor dose selection demonstrated a dose-response relationship between improvement in FEV1 and decrease in sweat chloride, a measure of CFTR function. Validation of such a relationship between FEV1 and sweat chloride would facilitate development of new drugs that target the defective CFTR. Subsequently, in phase 3 studies, ivacaftor 150 mg bid resulted in significant improvements in FEV1 (10%–12%) and reduction in sweat chloride (approximately 50 mmol/L). However, a decrease in sweat chloride did not correlate with improvement in FEV1, nor did there appear to be a threshold level for change in sweat chloride above which an improvement in FEV1 was apparent. The lack of correlation of sweat chloride with improvement in FEV1 speaks to the multiplicity of factors, physiologic, environmental, and genetic, that likely modulate CF disease severity. Future clinical trials of drugs that are directed to the defective CFTR will need take into account the uncertainty of using even established measurements, such as sweat chloride, as clinical end points.
Implementation of scanner ICC profile generator

As the popularity of color peripheral devices grows, the problem of color inconsistency among color devices becomes more and more important. The ICC Profile, specified by the International Color consortium (ICC), is a reasonable solution to achieve color consistency. This paper describes an implementation of automatic scanner ICC Profile generator. The generator mainly consists of a reference- file-parser, a target-image-analyzer, and a profile- parameters-evaluator. The reference-file-parser retrieves the XYZ and Lab values of color patches from the ANSI CGATS.5 compliance file. The RGB values of color patches are automatically extracted from the scanned ANSI IT8.7/2 target by the target-image-analyzer. Finally, the parameters that are required for profile construction are generated using the profile-parameters-evaluator. Based on the test of 4 types of scanners, the average (Delta) E*ab of less than 3 is achieved.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Quantitative proton chemical-shift imaging†

Recently W. T. Dixon (Radiology 153, 189 (1984)) introduced a simple method of proton chemical-shift imaging which requires only two images, a conventional (in-phase) image and an image in which fat and water protons are 180° out of phase during signal acquisition, to separate the signals from fat and water protons. We have tested the application of this method to the quantitative determination of fat content and fat and water longitudinal relaxation times, and analyzed the effects of random and systematic errors. Ten phantoms were constructed with a range of fat contents (0–50% by weight) and water T1's (300–800 ms). Fat and water T1's were measured with a 0.6-T clinical imaging system in two ways: (1) using the system as a spectrometer with all gradients off, and (2) from least-squares fits to in-phase and out-of-phase image data made with six values of TR. The image-derived values of water T1 agreed well with spectrometer-derived values (r = 0.97) and the image derived fat fraction correlated strongly with the fat fraction by weight (r = 0.995). The effects of random and systematic errors were analyzed for a minimum data set of four images: in-phase and out-of-phase images at two values of TR. The pair of TR values which minimize the variance in water T1 were calculated, and for these pulse sequences the effects of two potential systematic errors were calculated: (1) inhomogeneities in the main field, which will reduce the intensity in out-of-phase images compared to in-phase images even for pure water samples, and (2) an incorrect shift of the 180° pulse in the out-of-phase pulse sequence, corresponding to an inaccurate assumed chemical shift. With careful attention to such systematic effects the Dixon method is capable of producing reliable quantitative measurements. © 1986 Academic Press, Inc.
Current status of the ovine genome map

Genome maps in livestock species have been under development for the last decade. While the sheep map is one of the least advanced for livestock, the amount of available information is noteworthy, in light of the paucity of funding and personnel devoted to this project. These limited resources have been strategically aligned to take advantage of information from the human, mouse and bovine mapping and sequencing efforts. The resulting ovine linkage and physical maps have greatly enhanced the search for genes controlling important traits in sheep. In order to improve the efficiency of these investigations, it is imperative that efforts on the sheep comparative map be continued.
Studies on the metabolism of virus-infected tissues. II. The effect of influenza virus on ribonucleotide metabolism in chick chorio-allantoic membranes.

Abstract The propagation of influenza A virus in isolated chick chorio-allantoic membranes is associated with an increased metabolic activity of the acid-soluble purine ribonucleoside 5′-phosphates of the host tissue. The virus-infected tissue showed an increased incorporation of glycine-1-C 14 and formate-C 14 into purine ribonucleoside 5′-phosphates. In tissues prelabeled with glycine-1-C 14 , the addition of virus increased the loss of radioactivity from ribonucleic acid (RNA) and the purine ribonucleoside 5′-phosphates investigated. l -Azaserine completely prevented the incorporation of formate-C 14 and glycine-1-C 14 into RNA and acid-soluble purine ribonucleoside 5′-phosphates while having no effect on virus propagation. Azaserine was found to enhance the utilization of adenine-8-C 14 by this system. The possible implications of these results are discussed.
Water soluble polymer/carbon nanotube bulk heterojunction solar cells

We report the characteristics of polymer/quantum dot solar cells fabricated using a water-soluble polymer and carbon nanotubes in a bulk heterojunction configuration. The water-soluble polythiophene polymer showed significant photoresponse and the potential for use in photovoltaics. The addition of carbon nanotubes to the polymer resulted in an order of magnitude increase in the photoconductivity. Improved charge separation and collection was evidenced by the large difference between light and dark conductivities as well as the increase in both open circuit voltage and short circuit current. Finally, photovoltaic cells using aligned nanotubes showed further improvement in the photoconductivity and IV characteristics.
Kosterlitz-Thouless Transition and Short Range Spatial Correlations in an Extended Hubbard Model.

We study the competition between intersite and local correlations in a spinless two-band extended Hubbard model by taking an alternative limit of infinite dimensions. We find that the intersite density fluctuations suppress the charge Kondo energy scale and lead to a Fermi liquid to non-Fermi-liquid transition for repulsive on-site density-density interactions. In the absence of intersite interactions, this transition reduces to the known Kosterlitz-Thouless transition. We show that a new line of non-Fermi-liquid fixed points replace those of the zero intersite interaction problem. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}
Multiplexing G protein-coupled receptors in microarrays: a radioligand-binding assay.

Abstract Multiplexing of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in microarrays promises to increase the efficiency, reduce the costs, and improve the quality of high-throughput assays. However, this technology is still nascent and has not yet achieved the status of “high throughput” or laid claim to handling a large set of receptors. In addition, the technology has been demonstrated only when using fluorescent ligands to detect binding, limiting its application to a subset of GPCRs. To expand the impact of multiplexing on this receptor class, we have developed a radiometric approach to the microarray assay. In these studies, we considered two receptors in the α-adrenergic receptor family, α2A and α2C, and the 125 I-labeled agonist clonidine. We demonstrate that microarrays of these receptors can be readily detected (signal/noise ratio ∼ 160) using a Typhoon 9210 PhosphorImager. In addition, biochemical characterization shows that ligand-binding profiles and selectivity are preserved with the selective antagonists BRL44408 and ARC239. Importantly, these microarrays use approximately 200- to 400-fold less membrane preparation required by conventional assay methods and allow two or more receptors to be assayed in an area equivalent to a standard well of a microtiter plate. The impact of this approach on screening in drug discovery is discussed.
High-Frequency Ultrasound Doppler System for Biomedical Applications with a 30-MHz Linear Array

In this paper, we report the development of the first high-frequency (HF) pulsed-wave Doppler system using a 30-MHz linear array transducer to assess the cardiovascular functions in small animals. This array-based pulsed-wave Doppler system included a 16-channel HF analog beamformer, a HF pulsed-wave Doppler module, timing circuits, HF bipolar pulsers and analog front ends. The beamformed echoes acquired by the 16-channel analog beamformer were fed directly to the HF pulsed-wave Doppler module. Then the in-phase and quadrature-phase (IQ) audio Doppler signals were digitized by either a sound card or a Gage digitizer and stored in a personal computer. The Doppler spectrogram was displayed on a personal computer in real time. The two-way beamwidths were determined to be 160 microm to 320 microm when the array was electronically focused at different focal points at depths from 5 to 10 mm. A micro-flow phantom, consisting of a polyimide tube with an inner diameter of 127 microm and the wire phantom were used to evaluate and calibrate the system. The results show that the system is capable of detecting motion velocity of the wire phantom as low as 0.1 mm/s, and detecting blood-mimicking flow velocity in the 127-microm tube lower than 7 mm/s. The system was subsequently used to measure the blood flow in vivo in two mouse abdominal superficial vessels, with diameters of approximately 200 microm, and a mouse aorta close to the heart. These results demonstrated that this system may become an indispensable part of the current HF array-based imaging systems for small animal studies.
NOVEL METHOD FOR THE SYNTHESIS OF THIN FILM COATINGS ON PARTICULATE MATERIALS

In this paper, we show the feasibility of the pulsed-laser ablation technique to grow 20{endash}30-nm-thick, discrete and continuous coatings on particulate material systems so that the properties of the core particles can be suitably modified. Experiments were conducted with a pulsed excimer laser ({lambda}=248hnm, pulse duration=25hns) to deposit nanoparticle coatings on Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} and SiO{sub 2} core particles by irradiation of Ag and Y{sub 2}O{sub 3}{endash}Eu{sup 3+} sputtering targets. Structural characterization was performed with scanning electron microscopy, wavelength dispersive x-ray mapping, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning transmission electron microscopy with z-contrast. {copyright} {ital 1999 Materials Research Society.}
Parallel detection of space-time codes by predictive soft interference cancellation

Multiple-input-multiple-output (MlMO) techniques promise huge capacity increase in fading channels. Group-wise space-time coding is a tradeoff between complexity and performance. In this paper, structure of particular component space-time code trellises is exploited using partial information from Viterbi decoder of the simultaneously decoded interfering component code. We have shown that calculating the a posteriori probabilities of different states of the encoder at each time, and predicting the conditional mean and covariance of interference for the next time index, the system performance is improved by soft interference cancellation. The word-error-rate (WER) performance improvement for a system with 4 transmit 4 receive antennas is 1.7 dB and 1.5 dB for 2-space-time codes with 8 and 16 states, respectively. In addition, the parallel structure does not have decoding delay as in successive interference cancellation and is highly modular for VLSI implementation.
Chronic peripheral administration of the angiotensin II AT1 receptor antagonist Candesartan blocks brain AT1 receptors

Abstract Brain Angiotensin II, through stimulation of brain AT 1 receptors, regulates pituitary hormones and autonomic activity. We have administered the insurmountable AT 1 antagonist Candesartan, s.c. via osmotic minipumps for 14 days, to determine whether peripheral chronic AT 1 blockade affects AT 1 receptor binding and mRNA in the brain. Peripherally administered Candesartan (0.1, 0.5 or 1.0 mg/kg per day) inhibits AT 1 binding in adrenal gland zona glomerulosa and kidney glomeruli. In addition, Candesartan dose-dependently decreases AT 1 binding in brain areas outside (subfornical organ and area postrema) and inside (paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus and nucleus of the solitary tract) the blood–brain barrier. Conversely, peripheral treatment with Candesartan does not affect AT 1A receptor mRNA, the predominant receptor subtype expressed in these areas, or Angiotensin II binding to AT 2 receptors in the locus coeruleus or inferior olive. Our results demonstrate that chronic peripheral treatment with selective, potent AT 1 antagonists not only inhibits peripheral but also brain AT 1 receptors. These central effects may play a role in the antihypertensive effects of the AT 1 antagonist Candesartan.
Isotropic force control for haptic interfaces

This paper describes a multivariable modeling and control strategy that increases the bandwidth of isotropic force transmission in multi-degree of freedom haptic interfaces. The controller structure leads to a straightforward model identification procedure and yields a simple control law that can be easily implemented. Experimental results show that the multivariable closed-loop control significantly improves performance on a five degree-of-freedom in-parallel haptic interface.
Biphasic activation of cytosolic free calcium and LH responses by gonadotropin-releasing hormone

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulates rapid peak increases in [Ca2+]i and LH release, followed by lower but sustained elevations of both [Ca2+]i and hormone secretion. Omission of extracellular Ca2+ only slightly decreased the peak of [Ca2+]i, but reduced the peak LH response by 40% and prevented the prolonged increases in [Ca2+]i and LH release. Dihydropyridine calcium antagonists did not affect the peak [Ca2+]i and LH responses, but reduced the sustained increases by up to 50%. Whereas GnRH-induced mobilization of intracellular calcium initiates the LH peak, and Ca2+ entry through dihydropyridine-insensitive channels contributes to the peak and plateau phases of LH release, dihydropyridine-sensitive L-type Ca2+ channels participate only in the sustained phase of gonadotropin secretion.
Soy isoflavones enhance coronary vascular reactivity in atherosclerotic female macaques.

Objective: To examine the effects of soy phytoestrogens on coronary vascular reactivity in atherosclerotic male and female rhesus monkeys. Design: A prospective, randomized, blinded, controlled study. Setting: Comparative Medicine Clinical Research Center of an academic medical center. Patient(s): Twenty-two young adult rhesus monkeys with pre-existing diet-induced atherosclerosis. Intervention(s): Monkeys were fed soy-based diets for 6 months identical in composition, except that the isoflavones were extracted from one (low-isoflavone) and intact in the other (high-isoflavone). Quantitative coronary angiography was performed at the end of the study period. Females in the low-isoflavone group underwent a second angiography after an acute IV dose of genistein. Main Outcome Measure(s): Percent change in diameter of the proximal left circumflex coronary artery in response to intracoronary acetylcholine and nitroglycerin, compared with control diameter. Result(s): Arteries from males constricted in response to acetylcholine. Arteries from females in the low-isoflavone group constricted (−6.2% ± 2.8%, mean ± SEM), whereas arteries from females in the high-isoflavone group dilated (6.4% ± 1.2%, mean ± SEM). Intravenous administration of genistein caused dilation in the previously constricting low-isoflavone females (3.3% ± 2.8%). Conclusion(s): Like mammalian estrogens, dietary soy isoflavones enhance the dilator response to acetylcholine of atherosclerotic arteries in female monkeys.
Thermal Shock Damage Assessment in Ceramics Using Ultrasonic Waves

Structural ceramics are susceptible to microcrack damage by thermal shock. There is a critical temperature for thermal shock damage initiation with damage severity increasing at greater shock temperatures. In this work the applicability of an ultrasonic method to determine the critical temperature and the accumulated damage is demonstrated in alumina. Information is obtained via velocity and attenuation measurements using surface and obliquely incident bulk ultrasonic waves. The elastic anisotropy effect due to preferred crack orientation has been estimated. The critical temperature for the alumina is about 200°C. The damage increases steeply from 200° to 400°C and grows significantly above 400°C. Changes of up to 17% from the original values in the effective shear moduli and up to 45% in the longitudinal effective modulus in the direction transverse to crack orientation are measured at high thermal shock temperatures.
An investigation of serrated yielding in 5000 series aluminum alloys

Abstract The effect of different thermal treatment temperatures (from 472 to 783 K) on the characteristics of serrated yielding of three commercial aluminum alloys, AA5052, AA5754 and AA5182, was investigated. In the high temperature treatment range, the stress drop (Δ σ ) decreases with increasing thermal treatment temperature. This is the result of an increase in grain size as the thermal treatment temperature increases and can be explained from the solute–dislocation interaction model. For these alloys without any thermal heat treatment after cold rolling and those with a 472 K heat treatment after cold rolling, there is a critical strain before the onset of serrated yielding. The critical strain is larger for those after 472K heat-treatment as compared to those without heat-treatment. This result can be explained by the precipitation of Mg atoms from the solid solution when heat-treated at 472 K.
Treatment of malakoplakia with trim trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole

A case is described of malakoplakia involving the urinary tract and retroperitoneum with recalcitrant infection due to Escherichia coli which was not responsive to seemingly appropriate antibiotics and surgery for drainage, but which subsequently responded to treatment with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. It is speculated that this drug combination may be helpful because of the ability of trimethoprim to enhance the killing of viable undigested microorganisms inside malakoplakic macrophages.
Harmonic maps and the optimal design of mechanisms

Certain problems in the design and analysis of kinematic chains using the theory of harmonic maps are addressed. It is shown that this theory provides interesting results on the treatment of optimal geometries for both the redundant and nonredundant cases and provides a reliable numerical criterion for dexterity. Examples of simple manipulators illuminate the key features of the distortion measure introduced and suggest ways to address other issues arising in the design and analysis of mechanisms. >
Theory of finite-temperature crossovers near quantum critical points close to,or above, their upper-critical dimension

A systematic method for the computation of finite-temperature (T) crossover functions near quantum-critical points close to, or above, their upper-critical dimension is devised. We describe the physics of the various regions in the T and critical tuning parameter (t) plane. The quantum-critical point is at T=0, t=0, and in many cases there is a line of finite-temperature transitions at T=${\mathrm{T}}_{\mathrm{c}}$(t), t0, with ${\mathrm{T}}_{\mathrm{c}}$(0)=0. For the relativistic, n-component ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\varphi}}}^{4}$ continuum quantum field theory [which describes lattice quantum rotor (n\ensuremath{\geqslant}2) and transverse field Ising (n=1) models] the upper-critical dimension is d=3, and for d3, \ensuremath{\epsilon}=3-d is the control parameter over the entire phase diagram. In the region |T-${\mathrm{T}}_{\mathrm{c}}$(t)|\ensuremath{\ll}${\mathrm{T}}_{\mathrm{c}}$(t), we obtain an \ensuremath{\epsilon} expansion for coupling constants which then are input as arguments of known classical, tricritical, crossover functions. In the high-T region of the continuum theory, an expansion in integer powers of $\sqrt{\ensuremath{\epsilon}}$, modulo powers of ln \ensuremath{\epsilon}, holds for all thermodynamic observables, static correlators, and dynamic properties at all Matsubara frequencies; for the imaginary part of correlators at real frequencies (\ensuremath{\omega}), the perturbative $\sqrt{\ensuremath{\epsilon}}$ expansion describes quantum relaxation at \ensuremath{\hbar}\ensuremath{\omega}\ensuremath{\sim}${\mathrm{k}}_{\mathrm{B}}$T or larger, but fails for \ensuremath{\hbar}\ensuremath{\omega}\ensuremath{\sim}$\sqrt{\ensuremath{\epsilon}}$${\mathrm{k}}_{\mathrm{B}}$T or smaller. An important principle, underlying the whole calculation, is the analyticity of all observables as functions of t at t=0, for Tg0; indeed, analytic continuation in t is used to obtain results in a portion of the phase diagram. Our method also applies to a large class of other quantum-critical points and their associated continuum quantum field theories.
Optimization Problem Solving using Predator/Prey Games and Cultural Algorithms

This paper looks at optimization problem solving from the standpoint of a predator/prey paradigm. In that paradigm, knowledge sources (or decision makers) control the placement of individuals onto a multi-dimensional landscape. Their score is the sum of the resources collected by each of the individuals that they control. While simple, this game has many of the properties present in much more complex real-time strategy games such as Age of Empires. In the next time step individuals are allocated from a fixed population to knowledge sources (empires) in proportion to the relative scores of the knowledge sources. This game is embedded in a Cultural Algorithm framework and we show how it can be used as a paradigm with which to study the optimization of an engineering design problem from a more strategic perspective.
Analyzing the social media footprint of street gangs

Gangs utilize social media as a way to maintain threatening virtual presences, to communicate about their activities, and to intimidate others. Such usage has gained the attention of many justice service agencies that wish to create better crime prevention and judicial services. However, these agencies use analysis methods that are labor intensive and only lead to basic, qualitative data interpretations. This paper presents the architecture of a modern platform to discover the structure, function, and operation of gangs through the lens of social media. Preliminary analysis of social media posts shared in the greater Chicago, IL region demonstrate the platform's capability to understand gang members' social media usage patterns.
Staphylococcal sepsis in mothers and newborn babies

This study of staphylococcal infections arose from the impact of what was virtually an epidemic of breast abscesses, beginning late in 1958, among the mothers confined in the maternity units serving the Blackburn area. In the early part of the outbreak most of the organisms isolated from the lesions were Staphylococcus aureus with the same phage pattern, 52/52A/80; later on strains belonging to other phage types were isolated. As will be seen from Fig. 1 the outbreak was almost explosive in nature: there were only two cases in October and seventeen in November when the incidence reached 12 % of the total at risk. This high level was not maintained, but there was no appreciable fall in incidence for nearly 6 months. During the whole period covered by the study considerably more than 100 cases of breast abscess occurred; well over half of these were in primiparae and the infection was serious since most were caused by the epidemic type 80.
Approximation error in PDE-based modelling of vehicular platoons

We study the problem of how much error is introduced in approximating the dynamics of a large vehicular platoon by using a partial differential equation, as was done in Barooah, Mehta, and Hespanha [Barooah, P., Mehta, P.G., and Hespanha, J.P. (2009), ‘Mistuning-based Decentralised Control of Vehicular Platoons for Improved Closed Loop Stability’, IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control, 54, 2100–2113], Hao, Barooah, and Mehta [Hao, H., Barooah, P., and Mehta, P.G. (2011), ‘Stability Margin Scaling Laws of Distributed Formation Control as a Function of Network Structure’, IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control, 56, 923–929]. In particular, we examine the difference between the stability margins of the coupled-ordinary differential equations (ODE) model and its partial differential equation (PDE) approximation, which we call the approximation error. The stability margin is defined as the absolute value of the real part of the least stable pole. The PDE model has proved useful in the design of distributed control schemes (Barooah et al. 2009; Hao et al. 2011); it provides insight into the effect of gains of local controllers on the closed-loop stability margin that is lacking in the coupled-ODE model. Here we show that the ratio of the approximation error to the stability margin is O(1/N ), where N is the number of vehicles. Thus, the PDE model is an accurate approximation of the coupled-ODE model when N is large. Numerical computations are provided to corroborate the analysis.
Zebrafish tinman homolog demarcates the heart field and initiates myocardial differentiation

The fashioning of a vertebrate organ requires integration of decisions of cell fate by individual cells with those that regulate organotypic form. Logical candidates for this role, in an organ such as the heart, are genes that initiate the differentiation process leading to heart muscle and those that define the earliest embryonic heart field, but for neither class are genes defined. We cloned zebrafish Nkx2.5, a homolog of the tinman homeodomain gene needed for visceral and cardiac mesoderm formation in Drosophila. In the zebrafish, its expression is associated with cardiac precursor cells throughout development, even in the early gastrula, where the level of zebrafish Nkx2.5 is in a gradient which spatially matches the regional propensity of ventral-marginal cells to become heart. Overexpression of Nkx2.5 causes formation of disproportionally larger hearts in otherwise apparently normal embryos. Transplanted cell expressing high levels of Nkx2.5 express cardiac genes even in ectopic locales. Fibroblasts transfected with myc-tagged Nkx2.5 express cardiac genes. These effects require the homeodomain. Thus, Nkx2.5 appears to mark the earliest embryonic heart field and to be capable of initiating the cardiogenic differentiation program. Because ectopic cells or transfected fibroblasts do not beat, Nkx2.5 is likely to be but one step in the determination of cardiac myocyte cell fate. Its overexpression increases heart size, perhaps by bringing cells on the edge of the field to a threshold level for initiation of cardiac differentiation.
Peritoneal Migration of an Abdominally Implanted Epicardial Pacemaker: A Cause of Intestinal Obstruction

We report the case of a 10-year-old child with an abdominally implanted epicardial pacemaker that eroded through the peritoneum and migrated to an intraperitoneal location, resulting in partial and then complete intestinal obstruction. This potentially life-threatening complication should be considered when a patient with an abdominally implanted pacemaker presents with abdominal pain.
The Self-Ownership Proviso: A New and Improved Lockean Proviso *

In this essay I propose to explicate and defend a new and improved version of a Lockean proviso—the self-ownership proviso (SOP). I shall presume here that individuals possess robust rights of self-ownership. I shall take it that each individual has strong moral claims over the elements which constitute her person, e.g., her body parts, her talents, and her energies. However, in the course of the essay, I shall be challenging what I take to be the standard conception of self-ownership and proposing an enrichment of that conception. The SOP is presented and in part justified as an implication of the right of self-ownership as it is more richly conceived—hence its designation as the self-ownership proviso. As an implication of the right of self-ownership which is also compatible, in theory and practice, with extensive and robust private property rights, the SOP is offered as an integral element of classical-liberal political theory.
Cold-Sensitive Pseudomonas RNA Polymerase I. Characterization of the Host Dependent Cold-Sensitive Restriction of Phage CB3

Analysis of bacteriophage CB3 infection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PAT2 establishes that phage induced changes in net macromolecular synthesis are absent at nonpermissive phage growth temperatures (32 C). Alterations which are evident in the PAT2 strain at 37 C or in the fully permissive strain, PAO1C, at either warm or cold temperatures do not occur in PAT2 at low temperatures. CB3 DNA synthesis and the degradation of host DNA to approximately 78S components occur at 37 C, but are absent in PAT2 at 20 C. Nevertheless, attachment of phage DNA to host cytoplasmic material occurs under permissive and nonpermissive conditions. This binding of phage DNA at 20 C is identical in nature to phage DNA bound at 37 C. Thus, the conditional cold-sensitive PAT2 host function in the growth of CB3 is expressed subsequent to membrane binding of the infecting genomes but prior to the onset of the initiation of CB3 DNA synthesis, the inhibition of host DNA synthesis, and the transient depression in RNA synthesis which occurs in permissive cells.
Evaluation of gang databases in Minnesota and recommendations for change

The Minnesota Criminal Gang Pointer File database and GangNet database were established by law enforcement agencies as tools to monitor alleged gang members and reduce criminal gang activity. Law enforcement agencies have traditionally used gang databases to ensure public safety in the communities they serve. St Paul community members have raised concerns regarding the use of gang databases and the impact this has had, and continues to have, on those who have been mislabeled as gang members or are no longer part of a gang. In response to these community concerns, this report was compiled to highlight the various issues with the implementation, documentation, and use of Minnesota Criminal Gang Pointer File and GangNet databases, and offer recommendations for change.
Probability Sampling with Quotas

Abstract This paper describes certain quota sampling procedures and attempts to show that they are very close to traditional probability sampling. Quotas are shown to depend on availability for interviewing and evidence is presented to show that sex, age, and employment status are reasonable predictors of availability. Quota sampling methods are not unbiased but data are presented which suggest that the bias is generally of the order of 3 to 5 per cent. It is shown, however, that the cost differentials between these quota samples and call-back samples are small. The major advantage of this new procedure may well be the speed with which interviewing may be completed during crises such as the Kennedy assassination.
DNA Reactivity as a Mode of Action and Its Relevance to Cancer Risk Assessment

The ability of a chemical to induce mutations has long been a driver in the cancer risk assessment process. The default strategy has been that mutagenic chemicals demonstrate linear cancer dose responses, especially at low exposure levels. In the absence of additional confounding information, this is a reasonable approach, because risk assessment is appropriately considered as being protective of human health. The concept of mode of action has allowed for an opportunity to move off this default position; mutagenicity is now not considered as the driver but rather the mode of action is. In a more precise way, it is the set of key events that define a mode of action that is fundamental in defining the shape of a cancer dose response. A key event is an informative bioindicator of the cancer response and as such should be predictive of the tumor response, at least in a qualitative way. A clear example of the use of key events in cancer risk assessment is for DNA reactive chemicals. A series of such key events is initiated by the production of DNA damage in target cells from direct interaction of the chemical with DNA leading to the production of mutations by misreplication that results in enhanced cell replication. This enhanced cell replication eventually leads to the development of preneoplastic cells and ultimately overt neoplasms. The response of each of these key events to dose of the chemical can inform the cancer dose-response curve shape. Thus, the dose-response curve for any DNA-reactive chemical can be predicted from knowledge of its mode of action and the behavior of the induced key events.
Phase quantization in holograms-Depth effects

A three-dimensional holographic image is deteriorated due to quantization of the phase in the hologram. As in two-dimensional Fourier holograms, the deterioration is exhibited as a superposition of false images. However, in the three-dimensional case, the false images fall at depth positions other than the plane of the image to which they correspond. If far out of focus, these false images are harmless.