cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Woman flogged: Willie Sue Blagden, the Southern Tenant Farmers Union, and how an impulse for story led to a historiographical corrective

The June 1936 flogging of Willie Sue Blagden, a middle-class white woman, by anti-union planters elicited public sympathy and political support for the Southern Tenant Farmers Union (STFU). Nevertheless, Blagden herself has been treated dismissively in the scholarly literature on the STFU. Drawn to the flogging story as a story, the author uncovered evidence that other historians have overlooked. This article presents a more accurate picture of Blagden to illustrate how historians' desire to write creatively and accessibly can lead to better, and not simply more entertaining, scholarship.
Prediction of clinical pharmacokinetics of AMG 181, a human anti-α4β7 monoclonal antibody for treating inflammatory bowel diseases

The purpose of this study was to predict a safe starting dose of AMG 181, a human anti-α4β7 antibody for treating inflammatory bowel diseases, based on cynomolgus monkey pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) data. A two-compartment model with parallel linear and target-mediated drug disposition for AMG 181 PK in cynomolgus monkey was developed. The estimated parameters were allometrically scaled to predict human PK. An Emax PD model was used to relate AMG 181 concentration and free α4β7 receptor data in cynomolgus monkey. AMG 181 clinical doses were selected based on observed exposures at the no adverse effect level of 80 mg·kg−1 in monkeys, the predicted human exposures, and AMG 181 concentration expected to produce greater than 50% α4β7 receptor occupancy in humans. The predicted human AMG 181 clearance and central volume of distribution were 144 mL·day−1 and 2900 mL, respectively. The estimated EC50 for free α4β7 receptor was 14 ng·mL−1. At the 0.7 mg starting dose in humans, the predicted exposure margins were greater than 490,000 and AMG 181 concentrations were predicted to only briefly cover the free α4β7 receptor EC10. Predictions for both Cmax and AUC matched with those observed in the first-in-human study within the 7 mg subcutaneous to 420 mg intravenous dose range. The developed model aided in selection of a safe starting dose and a pharmacological relevant dose escalation strategy for testing of AMG 181 in humans. The clinically observed human AMG 181 PK data validated the modeling approach based on cynomolgus monkey data alone.
Genetics and cardiac anomalies: the heart of the matter.

The recent exponential increase in knowledge in genetics has revolutionized all aspects of medicine. The completion of the first draft of the human genome project has provided for clinicians a range and depth of information never before imagined. Over the last 25 years understanding the anatomical and physiological basis of a number of congenital cardiac anomalies has led to better care and outcome for the patients born with congenital cardiac defects. In the last decade the role of genes, their critical timing of expression, and understanding of important downstream pathways for optimizing normal development and control of the left right asymmetry have emerged. The progress in cardiac genetics has been supplemented by advances in cardiac imaging modalities leading to improvements in diagnosis of the cardiac anomalies. About 30% of all congenital heart diseases are associated with extracardiac malformations. Chromosomal anomalies are more common in patients with cardiac anomalies than the general population. Presence of facial dysmorphic features and associated extra-cardiac anomalies should alert the pediatricians to an underlying syndrome diagnosis. Newer molecular cytogenetics techniques such asfluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and molecular tests are now routinely utilized for confirming clinical diagnoses. In this review we have summarized clinical features and discussed the genetic basis of several syndromes (for example, 22q11 deletion syndrome, Williams syndrome, Down Syndrome, Kabuki syndrome etc.) where specific cardiac anomalies are frequently encountered. The importance of establishing an accurate clinical diagnosis cannot be over emphasized. The families need genetic counselling with accurate information on the recurrence risks. With the advent of the Internet and rapid access to information, the clinicians and the patient families can access valuable information regarding the prognosis, natural history, and clinical interventions for the affected child, and useful support groups for the family. Detection of cardiac anomalies during antenatal period warrants a genetics assessment.
Epidermal cell cycle and region‐specific growth during segment development in Artemia

During larval development in instar IV brine shrimp, segment 1 grew by cell replication and cell differentiation. Cell cycle analysis revealed that the cell cycle was synchronized with the molt cycle. Mitosis occurred late in the instar and S phase began at hr 6 of the following instar. Three populations of cells comprised the dorsal integument. The medial-dorsal region did not grow. Cell enlargement occurred in the dorsal-lateral population while cell replication took place in the lateral population. The limb bud (ventral surface) grew in width by replication in the distal population, and in height by enlargement of the general epidermal cells in the proximal population. Expansion of each region of the integument was proportional to the cell growth in that region. Moreover, both growth processes were dependent on the level of nutrients and were enhanced by diets enriched in polyunsaturated fatty acids. A nutrient-dependent growth control point occurred in the G1 period. The commitment to replication and differentiation occurred by hr 2 of instar IV. The findings show that integumental growth is a result of region-specific cell growth processes which are controlled by nutrients during the G1 period.
Factor of 2 error in balloon‐borne atmospheric conduction current measurements

An exact expression is derived for the atmospheric current to a prolate spheroidal antenna. The effective collection area is considered, obtaining a solution for a spherical antenna and the vertical wire antenna. A factor of two error in the studies of the effective area of an antenna of arbitrary geometry by Kasemir and Ruhnke (1958) and Ogawa (1973) is discussed. The effects of the instrument-atmospheric interaction as they apply to the atmospheric conduction current measurement are considered. Electric field enhancement factors for spheroids and approximate solutions for spheroids and other elongated objects are given.
Human myometrial chorionic gonadotropin/luteinizing hormone receptors in preterm and term deliveries

Nonpregnant human myometrium contains functional hCG/LH receptors. The present study investigated whether pregnant human myometrium also contains these receptors and whether they vary as a function of delivery in preterm or term pregnancies. Northern blotting revealed that pregnant human myometrium contains 4.3- and 2.2-kilobase receptor messenger ribonucleic acid transcripts. Immunoblotting with a specific hCG/LH receptor antibody showed that myometrium contains 70- and 50-kilodalton immunoreactive proteins. Ligand blotting demonstrated that only the 50-kilodalton protein could bind [125I]hCG, and this binding was inhibited by excess unlabeled hCG. In situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry revealed that the receptor messenger ribonucleic acid and receptor protein are present in myometrial and vascular smooth muscle. The myometrial smooth muscle receptor levels were lower during labor compared to those before labor at preterm and term pregnancy. In summary, our study demonstrates that pregnant human myometrium express hCG/LH receptor gene. The receptor levels were lower during labor compared to those before labor in preterm or term pregnancy. These data suggest that hCG, via its receptors, may contribute to myometrial quiescence until labor begins at the end of pregnancy.
Mathematical analysis of approximate biological effective dose (BED) calculation for multi-phase radiotherapy treatment plans

Purpose: There is growing interest about biological effective dose (BED) and its application in treatment plan evaluation due to its stronger correlation with treatment outcome. An approximate biological effective dose (BED A ) equation was introduced in order to simplify BED calculations by treatment planning systems in multi-phase treatments. The purpose of this work is to reveal its mathematical properties relative to the true, multi-phase BED (BED T ) equation. Methods : The BED T equation was derived and used to reveal the mathematical properties of BED A . MATLAB (MathWorks, Natick, MA) was used to simulate and analyze common and extreme clinical multi-phase cases. In those cases, percent error and Bland-Altman analysis were used to study the significance of the inaccuracies of BED A for different combinations of total doses, numbers of fractions, doses per fractions and α/β values. All the calculations were performed on a voxel-basis in order to study how dose distributions would affect the accuracy of BED A . Results: When the voxel dose-per-fractions (DPF) delivered by both phases are equal, BED A and BED T are equal (0% error). In heterogeneous dose distributions, which significantly vary between the phases, there are fewer occurrences of equal DPFs and hence the imprecision of BED A is greater. It was shown that as the α/β ratio increased the accuracy of BED A would improve. Examining twenty-four cases, it was shown that the range of DPF ratios for 3% P error varied from 0.32 to 7.50Gy, whereas for P error of 1% the range varied from 0.50 to 2.96Gy. Conclusion : The DPF between the different phases should be equal in order to render BED A accurate. OARs typically receive heterogeneous dose distributions hence the probability of equal DPFs is low. Consequently, the BED A equation should only be used for targets or OARs that receive uniform or very similar dose distributions by the different treatment phases. --------------------------- Cite this article as : Kauweloa KI, Gutierrez AN, Bergamo A, Stathakis S, Papaniko-laou N, Mavroidis P. Mathematical analysis of approximate biological effective dose (BED) calculation for multi-phase radiotherapy treatment plans. Int J Cancer Ther Oncol 2014; 2(2):020226. DOI: 10.14319/ijcto.0202.26
High-resolution/high-contrast MRI of human articular cartilage lesions

Background Magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM) is an important experimental tool in the identification of early cartilage lesions.Methods Normal and degenerated cartilage samples were imaged at 11....
A study on the effect of starvation in mixed elastohydrodynamic lubrication

Abstract The effect of starvation in mixed elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) regime is studied. Numerical simulations are conducted for both line and point (elliptical) contacts with the consideration of the surface roughness. The degree of starvation is linked directly to the reduction in the lubricant mass flow rate. Results are presented to gain insight on the influence of starvation on the film thickness as well as the interaction between the surface asperities. Extensive sets of simulation results are used to quantify the effect of starvation in the EHL of rough surfaces. Expressions are developed to predict the percentage of the load carried by the surface asperities (asperity load ratio) as well as the reduction of the central and minimum film thickness in the starved mixed EHL.
Far infrared spectra between 4 and 200 cm−1 of poly-l-alanine☆

Abstract The far infrared absorption spectrum of α-helical poly-L-alanine is measured between 4 and 200 cm −1 . Two predicted infrared active longitudinal acoustic modes of the α-helix are not observed, and this result is explained in terms of intermolecular interactions.
Teaching Preservice Teachers a Critical Approach to Curriculum Design: A Descriptive Account

ABSTRACTThis paper describes a critical approach to curriculum design that has been taught to preservice teachers in an elementary/middle school curriculum/methods course. The paper discusses previous attempts at critical pedagogy, presents the course that these preservice teachers take, and describes the five phases that comprise this critical approach. Following this description, the paper examines the potential benefits that preservice teachers obtain from participating in this course.
An Evaluation of Extended vs Weighted Least Squares for Parameter Estimation in Physiological Modeling

Weighted least squares (WLS) is the technique of choice for parameter estimation from noisy data in physiological modeling. WLS can be derived from maximum likelihood theory, provided that the measurement error variance is known and independent of the model parameters and the weights are calculated as the inverse of the measurement error variance. However, using measured values in lieu of predicted values to quantify the measurement error variance is approximately valid only when the noise in the data is relatively low. This practice may thus introduce sampling variation in the resulting estimates, as weights can be seriously mis-specified. To avoid this, extended least squares (ELS) has been used, especially in pharmacokinetics. ELS uses an augmented objective function where the measurement error variance depends explicitly on the model parameters. Although it is more complex, ELS accounts for the Gaussian maximum likelihood statistical model of the data better than WLS, yet its usage is not as widespread. The use of ELS in high data noise situations will result in more accurate parameter estimates than WLS (when the underlying model is correct). To support this claim, we have undertaken a simulation study using four different models with varying amounts of noise in the data and further assuming that the measurement error standard deviation is proportional to the model prediction. We also motivate this in terms of maximum likelihood and comment on the practical consequences of using WLS and ELS as well as give practical guidelines for choosing one method over the other.
Action of phospholipase D on human serum low density lipoprotein.

SummaryPhospholipase D was used to investigate the lecithin groups on the surface of serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL), isolated from normo- as well as hypercholester-emic individuals. The rate of liberation of choline from lipoprotein lecithin was studied in presence and absence of ether and in different concentrations of CaCl2. The kinetics of the digestion in absence of ether suggested that the lecithin groups of LDL are not equally susceptible to enzymic hydrolysis. The effect of ether was to increase the susceptibility of the slowly digesting group of lecithin. Compared to LDL isolated from normal controls, LDL from hypercholesteremic individuals seemed to have a much larger fraction of lecithin that was digested at a faster rate. Immunological activity is retained in normal as well as hypercholesteremic LDL, even after hydrolysis of 75% of the total lecithin.
The Cracking of Sol-Gel Films During Drying

The cracking behavior of acidic silica sol-gel films during drying and low temperature heat treatment was studied. Films that cracked during drying exhibited a variety of unusual crack morphologies including sinusoidal cracks and parallel crack pairs. The effects of the water content of the sol and temperature on the critical thickness above which cracking of the films occurred were determined. The critical thickness decreased with increasing water content, most likely because the surface tension of the liquid in the pores of the gel increases with water content and because sols with low water concentrations did not gel until the solvent had evaporated. To determine why the critical thickness decreased with temperature, thermal analysis and shrinkage measurements of both constrained and unconstrained films were performed. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated that rapid weight loss occurred in the temperature region where the rapid decrease in critical thickness occurred. A small amount of shrinkage of the films also occurred in this region. Finally, shrinkage measurements of films debonded from the substrate indicated that shrinkage was very anisotropic with nearly all of the shrinkage occurring in the plane of the film and very little in the thickness direction.
Educating Youth About Health and Science Using a Partnership Between an Academic Medical Center and Community-based Science Museum

Declining student interest and scholastic abilities in the sciences are concerns for the health professions. Additionally, the National Institutes of Health is committed to promoting more research on health behaviors among US youth, where one of the most striking contemporary issues is obesity. This paper reports findings on the impact of a partnership between Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry linked to a 17-week exhibition of BodyWorlds3 and designed to inform rural underserved youth about science and health research. Self-administered survey measures included health knowledge, attitudes, intended health behaviors, and interest in the health professions. Four hundred four surveys (88% of participants) were included in analyses. Ninety percent or more found both the BodyWorlds (n = 404) and OHSU (n = 239) exhibits interesting. Dental care habits showed the highest level of intended behavior change (Dental = 45%, Exercise = 34%, Eating = 30%). Overall, females and middle school students were more likely than male and high school students, respectively, to state an intention to change exercise, eating and dental care habits. Females and high school students were more likely to have considered a career in health or science prior to their exhibit visit and, following the exhibit, were more likely to report that this intention had been reinforced. About 6% of those who had not previously considered a career in health or science (n = 225) reported being more likely to do so after viewing the exhibits. In conclusion, high quality experiential learning best created by community-academic partnerships appears to have the ability to stimulate interest and influence intentions to change health behaviors among middle and high school students.
The use of allograft and recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein for instrumented atlantoaxial fusions.

Background Iliac crest autograft is the historic gold standard for bone grafting, but is associated with a significant patient morbidity. Fusion rates of C1-C2 up to 88.9% using allograft and 96.7% using autologous iliac crest bone graft can be achieved when combined with rigid screw fixation. We sought to determine our fusion rate when combining allograft with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rh-BMP2) and rigid screw fixation. Methods We reviewed our experience using allograft, bone morphogenetic protein (rh-BMP2) and screw fixation of C1-C2 in 52 patients and examined indications, surgical technique, fusion rates, and complications. In 28 patients, corticocancellous allograft pieces were laid along decorticated bone after a C2 neurectomy was performed. In 24 patients, unicortical iliac crest allograft was precision-cut to fit between the C1 lamina and C2 spinous processes. Results Fifty-two C1-C2 fusions were performed with allograft, rh-BMP2, and rigid screw fixation. There were 25 female and 27 male patients ranging in age from 6 to 92 years (mean, 65.8 years). Operative indications included trauma (56%), degenerative disease (21%), rheumatoid arthritis (15%), congenital anomalies (6%), and synovial cyst (2%). The mean follow-up was 23.9 ± 2.1 months (range, 2–55 months). The mean dose of rh-BMP2 used for all patients was 4.5 mg (range, 2.2–12 mg). In patients who achieved sufficient follow-up, 100% achieved solid fusion: 45/50 Lenke A, 5/50 Lenke B. There were no known complications attributable to the use of rh-BMP2. Conclusions The use of small doses of rh-BMP2 added to allograft in addition to rigid screw fixation is a safe and highly effective means of promoting a solid fusion of the atlantoaxial complex and spares the patient the morbidity of iliac crest harvest.
Contributions to the pharmacology of quinaldine (uptake and distribution in the shark and comparative studies).

Abstract 1. 1. Comparative toxicity and anaesthetic concentrations of quinaldine (2-methylquinoline), nine related quinolines and 2-methylpyridine were studied in mice and several species of fish. The compounds were administered as methanesulfonate salts. 2. 2. The absorption and excretion rates of quinaldine were similar in fish and the drug was excreted unchanged. 3. 3. The anaesthetic concentration in sea water for 2-, 6-, 7- and 8-methylquinolines in fish was similar, 0·05–0·15 mM. 4. 4. The LD 50 values for mice were of the same order of magnitude for all quinolines studied, i.e. 0·5-3 m-moles/kg, i.p.
Immunochemical studies of organ and tumor lipids. XV. The reactivity of anti-lactose sera with cytolipin H.

Abstract A total of ninety antisera were prepared in rabbits against foreign globulinazophenyl lactose conjugates and studied for their content of precipitating antibody with phloroglucinol triazophenyl lactoside and for complement-fixation reactions with cytolipin H (ceramide lactoside). Of sixty antisera with a content of anti-lactose protein in excess of 100 μg/ml, sixteen contained complement-fixing antibody with avidity for cytolipin H comparable to that observed with antisera to human tumor tissue. These anti-lactose sera were therefore useful serological reagents for the measurement of cytolipin H. The correlation between antibody content determined by precipitation with a synthetic lactoside and by complement-fixation with cytolipin H was poor. Some anti-lactose sera contained potent inhibitors of complement-fixation. Differences in character between anti-lactose antibody and anti-tissue antibody were evident from 1. differences in the sensitivity to inhibition by lactose of the complement-fixation reaction with cytolipin H and 2. differences in the precipitability of the two types of antibody by the lactoside test antigen. Anti-lactose sera are more specific than anti-tissue sera in reactions with lipid haptens.
Experimental Validation of a Target Method for Balancing Exhaust Ventilation Duct Systems with Dampers

This study tested the “Target Method” for adjusting ventilation systems. The Target Method is based on target hood static pressures (SPh target ) computed in a manner designed to take into account the estimated effects of dampers on the fan, the order of damper adjustments, and the ratio of the prebalancing branch airflows to their goals. It is aimed at achieving a desired relative distribution of airflows even if the fan output is far from ideal. The method assumes the fan output will be adjusted after the dampers are adjusted. The method is expected to produce lower fan pressure requirements than some commonly used methods. The method was tested on a working seven-branch, full-sized exhaust ventilation system in the West Virginia University Exposure Assessment Laboratory. Two radically different target distributions were tested with two replications apiece. Both target distributions of airflows were substantially different from the initial distribution, providing a high degree of challenge to the method...
Obstetricians' ability to assess the airway.

Abstract Objectives: To assess the ability of obstetricians to recognize parturients at risk for difficult intubation and to examine the effect of education in airway examination on that ability. Methods: The airways of 160 parturients were examined by four physicians: one attending and one resident obstetrician, and one attending and one resident anesthesiologist. After each airway examination, the physicians completed questionnaires about possible difficult intubation, use of antepartum consultation, and choice of analgesia early in labor. Results: Instruction in airway examination did not affect obstetricians’ ability to assess airways. Compared with the attending anesthesiologist’s opinion, the sensitivity and specificity of the attending obstetrician before instruction were 0.59 and 0.82, respectively, and for the obstetric resident, 0.41 and 0.89, respectively. After instruction, the sensitivity and specificity for the obstetric attending physician were 0.60 and 0.83, respectively and for the obstetric resident, 0.50 and 0.87, respectively. In airways judged possible difficult intubations by the obstetricians, instruction did not affect the use of antepartum consultation or early epidural analgesia by the residents. In the obstetric attending physicians there was a significant increase in use of early epidural analgesia. Conclusion: Although instruction in airway examination did not affect obstetricians’ ability to predict difficult airways, it did affect treatment of labor analgesia.
Solvability and representation of linear time-varying systems

Several classes of linear time-varying systems are found to be solvable, and explicit methods for obtaining their solutions are available. In this paper it will be shown that there exists an algebraic transformation such that any linear time-varying system can be transformed into any desired solvable class. Consequently, it is concluded that solvability of linear time-varying systems is only a property of the system representation. It is definitely not an inherent property of the dynamic system.
Cognitive-behavioral training for college basketball free-throw performance

A cognitive-behavioral training program was implemented to improve the free-throw performance of three male Division-II college basketball players. A multiple-baseline design across subjects was used, finding percent improvements of 88%, 78.6%, and 50% for subjects 1, 2, and 3. Cognitive changes were measured via a videotape feedback reconstruction process. Significant changes from negative to positive cognitions were found.
PREVENTING PREDATION IN MOLLUSCAN MARICULTURE: AN OVERVIEW

Even after many decades of study, predation remains one of the major hurdles to successful field mariculture of molluscs in many areas of the world. Traditional predator control methods include physical barriers (such as trays and enclosures), off-bottom culture, chemical poisons, removal and trapping, dredges, mops, X-ray sterilization, and biological means. Most of these methods have produced only limited success, though two or more methods in combination (such as enclosures and active predator removal) are effective hut are expensive. Examples of recent attempts at predator control include protective covers for Manila clams, floating cages for queen conchs, substrate modifications for hard clams, suspension systems for oysters and scallops, and research on development of predator attractants. The ecological concepts of “Size Selective Predation,” “Optimal Patch Use,” “Prey Switching,” “Ingestive Conditioning,” and “Search Image Formation” and their relevance to effective predator control in molluscan field culture are discussed.
Correlates of longevity in two strains of the housefly, Musca domestica.

Abstract The general objective of this study was to identify biochemical correlates of longevity in the housefly by comparing two strains of flies that have different longevities. The average and the maximum life spans of the longer-lived “Cambridge” strain flies were 46% and 23%, respectively, greater than the shorter-lived “Thuron” strain flies. The hypothesis that longer-lived organisms have relatively more efficient mechanisms to minimize oxidative stress and maintain a relatively more reduced redox potential was tested. All measurements were made on 8-day-old male flies maintained under identical conditions. Flies of the longer-lived strain had a lower metabolic rate and contained lesser amounts of H 2 O 2 and thiobarbituric acid-reactants than the flies of the shorter-lived strain. Reduced glutathione concentration and activities of catalase, glutathione reductase and thioltransferase were higher in the longer-lived strain indicating that longer-lived flies manifest lower levels of oxidative stress and greater ability to maintain a relatively more reducing environment than the shorter-lived flies. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was similar in the two strains, but the SOD/metabolic rate ratio was higher in the longer-lived strain. Total activity of glutathione S -transferases was comparable in the two strains suggesting that differences in detoxification ability are not correlated with longevity. Only γ-glutamycysteine synthetase activity was greater in the shorter-lived strain suggesting that variation in longevity is not due to reduction in the ability to synthesize GSH. Overall, the results support the view that parameters associated with oxidative stress play a role in the aging process of the houseflies.
Optimization-based source apportionment of PM2.5 incorporating gas-to-particle ratios.

A modified approach to PM2.5 source apportionment is developed, using source indicative SO2/PM2.5, CO/PM2.5, and NOx/PM2.5 ratios as constraints, in addition to the commonly used particulate-phase source profiles. Additional information from using gas-to-particle ratios assists in reducing collinearity between source profiles, a problem that often limits the source-identification capabilities and accuracy of traditional receptor models. This is especially true in the absence of speciated organic carbon measurements. In the approach presented here, the solution is based on a global optimization mechanism, minimizing the weighted error between apportioned and ambient levels of PM2.5 components, while introducing constraints on calculated source contributions that ensure that the ambient gas-phase pollutants (SO2, CO, and NOy) are reasonable. This technique was applied to a 25-month dataset of daily PM2.5 measurements (total mass and composition) at the Atlanta Jefferson Street SEARCH site. Results indicate ...
Cardiac adrenergic receptor effects of carvedilol

Carvedilol is an adrenoceptor antagonist which modulates the activity not only of beta 1 and beta 2 but also of alpha 1 adrenergic receptors present on the cell surface membrane of the human cardiac myocyte. In the heart, carvedilol has approximately 7 times higher potency for beta 1 and beta 2 adrenoceptors, but in the doses 50-100 mg . day-1 used in clinical practice, it is essentially non-selective. In human myocardial preparations and in cultured heart cells, carvedilol has no intrinsic sympathomimetic activity but is able to identify high affinity agonist-binding receptors whose pharmacological signature is reduction in binding by incubation with guanine nucleotides (guanine nucleotide-modulatable binding). This property is more prominent for the human beta 2 than for the beta 1 adrenoceptor. The property of gaunine nucleotide-modulatable binding for carvedilol and structurally related bucindolol correlates with their ability to directly down-regulate beta 1-like receptors present in cultured chick myocytes, and with a lack of reversal of down-regulation of cardiac beta-receptors in patients with heart failure. Carvedilol does not exhibit high levels of inverse agonist activity, which may contribute to its good tolerability in subjects with heart failure. These data indicate that carvedilol produces a high degree of adrenergic receptor blockade in the failing human heart, and does not re-sensitize the beta-receptor pathway to stimulation by adrenergic agonists.
Owner and Organizational Characteristics of Black‐and White‐Owned Businesses: Self Employed Blacks Had Less Training, Fewer Resources, Less Profits, but Had Similar Survival Rates

. Owner and organizational characteristics of 94 Black-owned businesses and 385 White-owned businesses in Chicago, Boston, and Washington, D.C, are examined. Black business owners had fewer years of education and less business experience than their White counterparts. Black businesses were also smaller, more labor intensive, located in poorer neighborhoods, less likely to have insurance, visited by fewer customers per day, more likely to rent their shop space, and to be less profitable than White businesses. However, despite these organizational and individual characteristics, the survival rates of Black and White businesses were not significantly different. Logit analyses suggested that variables such as race, education, size of business, and the average income of those living in the neighborhood, in this sample, did have significant effects on business profitability but did not explain business survival.
L3T4 (CD4+) cells that mediate contact sensitivity to trinitrochlorobenzene express I-A determinants

The present study has further characterized the T cell-mediated inflammatory response of contact sensitivity (CS) to the hapten trinitrochlorobenzene (TNCB) in mice. A discernible CS response was found to be induced as early as 2 days after epicutaneous application of TNCB. The response peaked on Days 4 to 5 and it then declined to a nearly undetectable level by Days 10 to 11. Examination of the draining lymph nodes demonstrated that development of CS coincided with an increase in cellular proliferation and in the total number of cells present. Despite a severalfold increase in the cellular contents of the draining lymph nodes of sensitized mice, the relative percentages of most subsets of T cells remained unchanged. Flow cytometric studies revealed that the subpopulation of T cells characterized as Thy 1.2+ L3T4+ I-A+ increased substantially in comparison to its presence in unsensitized mice. Whether the Thy 1.2+ L3T4+ I-A+ cells that increased following sensitization represented the effector population that mediates CS was then examined. Four-day immune lymph node T cells or L3T4 cells positively selected from them were capable of adoptively transferring CS to normal mice. However, these cells, after treatment with anti-Ia antibody or anti-I-A monoclonal antibody and complement, were unable to transfer CS. These findings imply that expression of I-A determinants may indicate antigen-induced T cell activation in vivo and that L3T4 cells that mediate CS are I-A positive.
II. Expression of TNF-α and TNFR p55 in Cultured Amniochorion

PROBLEM: Preterm labor and PROM are major complications of pregnancy. We have reported the possible role of amniochorionic membrane as it relates to the production of cytokines and the early onset of labor. Amniochorion is capable of responding to an infectious process with the production of IL-6 and IL-1β. Here we examine the expression of TNF-α and TNFR in amniochorion. METHOD: Amniochorionic membranes were collected and maintained in an organ explant system. Samples were frozen and/or fixed for RT-PCR, in situ hybridization, and immunocytochemistry. RESULTS: RT-PCR demonstrated mRNA for TNF-α and in situ hybridization localized mRNA in chorion and amnion. Immunocytochemistry demonstrated TNF-α peptide in amnion but not in chorion. Immunocytochemical localization of TNFR indicates presence of that peptide in both amnion and chorion. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the fetal membranes are sources of TNF-α and TNFR, supporting our previous work indicating that fetal membranes are active participants in the response to intraamniotic infection.
Path following of a model ship using Model Predictive Control with experimental verification

This paper presents an experimental implementation of a Model Predictive Control (MPC) strategy for path following on a model ship. The objective of the proposed algorithm is to control cross-tracking error and heading angle using the rudder control. The MPC is designed and implemented using both linearized and nonlinear model. The implementation is performed experimentally via Integrated Perturbation Analysis and Sequential Quadratic Programming (InPA-SQP) algorithm. The InPA-SQP solver can meet the computational efficiency demand and the effectiveness of the designed MPC has been verified with experimental results.
Duke University-Engineering World Health CUREs Program: Developing: Developing new medical equipment

The Duke University-Engineering World Health Competition for Underserved Resources and Economies (Duke-EWH CUREs) promotes the development of new healthcare technologies and non-profit businesses to help the world's least developed nations. This paper describes the overall program, and illustrates some of the past successes. (2 pages)
The Epithelial Sodium Channel (ENaC) Traffics to Apical Membrane in Lipid Rafts in Mouse Cortical Collecting Duct Cells

We previously showed that ENaC is present in lipid rafts in A6 cells, a Xenopus kidney cell line. We now demonstrate that ENaC can be detected in lipid rafts in mouse cortical collecting duct (MPKCCD14) cells by detergent insolubility, buoyancy on density gradients using two distinct approaches, and colocalization with caveolin 1. Less than 30% of ENaC subunits were found in raft fractions. The channel subunits also colocalized on sucrose gradients with known vesicle targeting and fusion proteins syntaxin 1A, Vamp 2, and SNAP23. Hormonal stimulation of ENaC activity by either forskolin or aldosterone, short or long term, did not alter the lipid raft distribution of ENaC. Methyl-β-cyclodextrin added apically to MPKCCD14 cells resulted in a slow decline in amiloride-sensitive sodium transport with short circuit current reductions of 38.1 ± 9.6% after 60 min. The slow decline in ENaC activity in response to apical cyclodextrin was identical to the rate of decline seen when protein synthesis was inhibited by cycloheximide. Apical biotinylation of MPKCCD14 cells confirmed the loss of ENaC at the cell surface following cyclodextrin treatment. Acute stimulation of the recycling pool of ENaC was unaffected by apical cyclodextrin application. Expression of dominant negative caveolin isoforms (CAV1-eGFP and CAV3-DGV) which disrupt caveolae, reduced basal ENaC currents by 72.3 and 78.2%, respectively; but, as with cyclodextrin, the acute response to forskolin was unaffected. We conclude that ENaC is present in and regulated by lipid rafts. The data are consistent with a model in which rafts mediate the constitutive apical delivery of ENaC.
Insulin and glucose levels during CPR in the canine model

Cardiopulmonary arrest and resuscitation produces tremendous physiological stress with resultant biochemical derangements. We undertook this study to determine insulin and glucose levels during cardiopulmonary arrest in the canine model. Baseline insulin and glucose levels were obtained from an ascending aortic arch catheter in six mongrel dogs. Ventricular fibrillation was induced by an electrical stimulus and ventilation was terminated. After five minutes of fibrillation, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was initiated using external, mechanical CPR and a continuous epinephrine infusion at 5 μ g/kg/min. Serum insulin and glucose levels were repeated 15 minutes after beginning CPR. Mean blood glucose 15 minutes after initiation of resuscitation (379 ± 114 mg/dL) was significantly increased from prearrest levels (124 ± 29 mg/dL, P μ U/mL) was significantly decreased compared to prearrest levels (16.2 ± 6.0 μ U/mL, P
Preparing physicians to utilize the emerging genetic toolbox: An approach for medical biochemistry

New genetic information is accumulating so rapidly that even the most current material given to first or second year medical students about any specific genetic disease may be incomplete if not obsolete before they obtain the M.D. degree. Therefore, medical education must emphasize the principles of molecular biology and genetics while providing students with the skills to independently obtain up-to-date genetic information following graduation. An assignment that requires students to acquire details about a particular genetic disease from various on-line resources is one method being used to accomplish the latter goal.
What is the role of infant banging in the development of tool use

Throughout the first year, infants are known to engage in repetitive motor behaviors. The current study examines the changes in the hand trajectory of one such behavior, banging, during the second half-year and the implications of these changes for tool use development. Fourteen (7- to 14-month-old) infants were seated at a table and presented with a small wooden cube. Kinematic measurements of their banging movements were recorded at 240 Hz. Analyses revealed stable temporal characteristics of the hand trajectories within and across infants. Results further indicated that as infants became older, their hands moved more efficiently in straighter up-and-down trajectories, with developmental changes especially pronounced for upward excursions of the hand: Younger infants’ arm movements were less straight on the way up than down, but there was no difference in the straightness of the two movement phases for older infants. These changes with age may reflect improvements in overcoming constraints associated with gravity and/or in motor planning. Additionally, the angle at which infants hit the table became more perpendicular with age. Collectively, the reported changes lead to more efficient movements, better aim and improved force delivery, enabling spontaneous banging movements to become well suited for instrumental hammering and tool use, more generally, later in childhood.
Simple method for sample temperature calibration in a 500 MHz NMR spectrometer useful for protein studies

The melting point of several poly(ethylene glycols) (PEGs) was used to calibrate the temperature above ambient with the separation of the hydroxyl and methylene peaks of ethylene glycol (EG) on a 500 MHz nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer. The calibration is almost identical to a calibration of the EG sample on a 90 MHz NMR spectrometer using a thermocouple. The equation accurately predicts the thermal denaturation midpoint of the protein, hen egg white lysozyme. It is concluded that in the absence of a small magnet, the calibration of an EG sample using the melting points of PEGs provides a simple temperature calibration, for larger superconducting magnets, useful for protein stability studies.
Use of adenosine to identify patients at risk for recurrence of accessory pathway conduction after initially successful radiofrequency catheter ablation.

Objectives: The use of adenosine after radiofrequency catheter ablation of accessory pathways was prospectively studied to determine its utility for identifying patients at risk for recurrence of accessory pathway conduction and to guide therapy that might reduce late recurrence in this group. Background: Accessory pathway conduction recursin 5%–12% of patients following initially “successful” radiofrequency catheter ablation. Adenosine may facilitate conduction over accessory pathways that have been modified by radiofrequency delivery, thus identifying patients at risk for recurrence. Methods: Radiofrequency catheter ablation was performed in 109 patients. Prior to ablation, 12–18 mg of adenosine was administered. After ablation, when all evidence of accessory pathway conduction remained absent for at least 30 minutes, adenosine 12–18 mg was again administered. Results: Adenosine given prior to radiofrequency catheter ablation did not block accessory pathway conduction in any patient. Adenosine given after elimination of accessory pathway conduction induced complete atrioventricular and ventriculoatrial block in 95 patients; 11 (11.6%) subsequently had recurrence of accessory pathway function. Accessory pathway conduction was unmasked by adenosine in 12 patients (11.2%). After further deliveries of radiofrequency energy, 7 of these 12 patients subsequently demonstrated adenosine induced atrioventricular and ventriculoatrial block; 1 of these 7 patients experienced recurrence of accessory pathway conduction. The remaining 5 patients demonstrated persistent accessory pathway conduction only with adenosine; all experienced clinical recurrence of accessory pathway function. Conclusion: The use of adenosine after presumed successful radiofrequency catheter ablation may reveal persistent accessory pathway conduction. Elimination of this latent accessory pathway conduction reduces the risk for recurrence.
A quasi-two level analytic model for end pumped alkali metal vapor laser

In this paper we describe a quasi-two level analytic model for end pumped Alkali metal vapor lasers. The model is developed by considering the steady state rate equations for the number densities of the, 2S1/2, 2P3/2, and 2P1/2, energy states for the three level laser system. The approximation is then made that the relaxation between the two upper levels, 2P3/2 and 2P1/2, caused by collisions with additive ethane is much faster, in fact infinitely fast, by comparison with any other process in the system including stimulated emission. With this assumption the ratio of the number densities for the upper two levels, 2P3/2 and 2P1/2, is given by its statistical equilibrium value and the mathematical description becomes that of a quasi-two level system from which an analytic solution can be extracted. The analytic model description gives expressions for the threshold pump power and the slope efficiency including intra-cavity losses. Applications of the model and comparisons with the steady state three level model developed by Beach et al. will be presented.
2C-6 Optimal Contrast Resolution Beamforming

The delay-and-sum (DAS) beamformer, utilized in current state of the art ultrasound imaging systems, applies time delays on each receive channel to focus the returning echoes and weights the focused RF data on each receive channel prior to beamsummation. Apodization functions like the Hamming and Nuttall windows reduce the sidelobe levels the DAS beamformer's point spread function (PSF). As a result, apodization greatly impacts the contrast and resolution of the final output image. We propose a beamformer architecture for broadband imaging systems that uses unique finite impulse response (FIR) filters on each receive channel The filter weights are constructed to maximize the contrast resolution of the system's spatial response. We present simulation results showing that FIR filters of modest tap lengths (3-7) can yield marked improvement in image contrast and point resolution. This increase in contrast resolution comes at the expense of a decrease in beamformer sensitivity. We investigate the effects of magnitude and phase aberration on the FIR beamformer by simulating near field thin phase screen aberrators. Specifically we examine the performance of the FIR beamformer in the presence of magnitude aberration characterized by an a priori root-mean- square (RMS) strength of 5 dB and a full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) correlation length of 2.1 mm as well as in the presence of phase aberration characterized by an a priori RMS strength of 28 ns and a FWHM correlation length of 3.6 mm. Contrast resolution results show that the aberrated FIR beamformer outperforms the unaberrated DAS beamformer by almost 10 dB. We believe that our array pattern synthesis technique and beamformer architecture have the potential to significantly improve the contrast resolution performance of broadband imaging systems.
A novel proteinase associated with mitochondrial membranes

Abstract Mitochondrial inner membranes catalyzed the endoproteolytic release of radioactively labelled polypeptide fragments of 125I labelled insulin covalently attached to agarose beads. Demonstration of this proteolytic activity was dependent upon detergent and inhibited by a variety of proteinase and sulfhydryl group inhibitors. Unlike three previously described peripheral mitochondrial proteinases, the insulin hydrolyzing mitochondrial proteinase was resistent to extraction with high salt but solubilized with a non-ionic detergent, indicating its integral association with the membrane.
Detection and Characterization of 1,2‐Dibromoethane‐Derived DNA Crosslinks Formed with O6‐Alkylguanine‐DNA Alkyltransferase

The chemical structures of DNA-protein crosslinks (DPCs) are necessary for understanding mechanisms of mutagenesis, but structural analysis of DPCs is limited because the modifications are bulky. Using a combination of LC-tandem MS and chemical modification approaches, we have characterized the structures of various DNA-ethylene-O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase (AGT) crosslinks.