cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Coronary Vessel Detection Methods for Organ-Mounted Robots

BACKGROUND HeartLander is a tethered robot walker that utilizes suction to adhere to the beating heart. HeartLander can be used for minimally invasive administration of cardiac medications or ablation of tissue. In order to administer injections safely, HeartLander must avoid coronary vasculature. METHODS Doppler ultrasound signals were recorded using a custom-made cardiac phantom and used to classify different coronary vessel properties. The classification was performed by two machine learning algorithms, the support vector machines and a deep convolutional neural network. These algorithms were then validated in animal trials. RESULTS Accuracy of identifying vessels above turbulent flow reached greater than 92% in phantom trials and greater than 98% in animal trials. CONCLUSIONS Through the use of two machine learning algorithms, HeartLander has shown the ability to identify different sized vasculature proximally above turbulent flow. These results indicate that it is feasible to use Doppler ultrasound to identify and avoid coronary vasculature during cardiac interventions using HeartLander.
Finding Overlapping Rmaps via Gaussian Mixture Model Clustering

Optical mapping is a method for creating high resolution restriction maps of an entire genome. Optical mapping has been largely automated, and first produces single molecule restriction maps, called Rmaps, which are assembled to generate genome wide optical maps. Since the location and orientation of each Rmap is unknown, the first problem in the analysis of this data is finding related Rmaps, i.e., pairs of Rmaps that share the same orientation and have significant overlap in their genomic location. Although heuristics for identifying related Rmaps exist, they all require quantization of the data which leads to a loss in the precision. In this paper, we propose a Gaussian mixture modelling clustering based method, which we refer to as OMO_SCPLOWCLUSTC_SCPLOW, that finds overlapping Rmaps without quantization. Using both simulated and real datasets, we show that OMO_SCPLOWCLUSTC_SCPLOW substantially improves the precision (from 48.3% to 73.3%) over the state-of-the art methods while also reducing CPU time and memory consumption. Further, we integrated OMO_SCPLOWCLUSTC_SCPLOW into the error correction methods (Elmeri and O_SCPLOWCC_SCPLOWOMO_SCPLOWETC_SCPLOW) to demonstrate the increase in the performance of these methods. When OMO_SCPLOWCLUSTC_SCPLOW was combined with O_SCPLOWCC_SCPLOWOMO_SCPLOWETC_SCPLOW to error correct Rmap data generated from human DNA, it was able to error correct close to 3x more Rmaps, and reduced the CPU time by more than 35x. Our software is written in C++ and is publicly available under GNU General Public License at https://github.com/kingufl/OMclust
Diagnosis and treatment of depression in the elderly medicare population: predictors, disparities, and trends.

Objectives: To develop nationally representative estimates of rates of diagnosis of depression; to determine rates and type of treatment received by those diagnosed with depression; and to ascertain socioeconomic differences and trends in treatment rates of depression, including the effect of supplemental insurance coverage, for elderly Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries. Design: Analysis of merged interview and Medicare claims data for multiple years from merged Medicare claims and interview data from the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS), a nationally representative survey of Medicare participants. Setting: Community dwellers. Participants: Twenty thousand nine hundred sixty-six community-dwelling respondents aged 65 and older in the MCBS cost and use files for 1992 through 1998. Measurements: Diagnoses recorded in Medicare claims were used to identify individuals who received a diagnosis of depression from a healthcare provider; pharmacy and claims data were used to identify receipt of antidepressants and psychotherapy by those diagnosed. Results: The rate of depression diagnosis more than doubled, reaching 5.8% in 1998. Overall, about two-thirds of those diagnosed received treatment in each year; but those aged 75 and older, those of “Hispanic or other” ethnicity, and those without additional coverage to supplement Medicare were significantly less likely to receive treatment, controlling for other characteristics. If treated, members of these disadvantaged subgroups were less likely to receive psychotherapy. Conclusion: Although depression has been thought until recent years to be underrecognized in the elderly, rates of diagnosis increased dramatically in the 1990s, with concomitant increases in treatment. Nevertheless, significant disparities by age, ethnicity, and supplemental insurance coverage persist in treatment of those diagnosed. Because depression is a major source of potentially treatable morbidity in older people, increased efforts are needed to ensure access to appropriate treatment across all subgroups of older people and to remove economic barriers to treatment.
Use of soft computing technologies for rocket engine control

NASA issues and remedial applications for rocket engine control are presented. A testbed for researching these applications is presented and further detailed. Automation and control of the operation of the testbed, a Turbine Technologies SR-30 (single radial) small turbojet engine, is discussed. A fast data acquisition board, fuel-flow rate meter, a valve controller are implemented to the existing system, which was already equipped with pressure, temperature, RPM and load sensors. Start, operation and stop sequences are automated using National Instruments Labview software. Classic PID control algorithm is applied in the initial phase of the automation. Data collected during the start, transient/steady operation, and stop sequences of the engine has been analyzed to design a Bayesian Belief control algorithm. PID algorithm implementation and fuzzy algorithms are currently being conducted.
Learning Qualitative Models of Dynamic Systems

The automated construction of dynamic system models is an important application area for ILP. We describe a method that learns qualitative models from time-varying physiological signals. The goal is to understand the complexity of the learning task when faced with numerical data, what signal processing techniques are required, and how this affects learning. The qualitative representation is based on Kuipers‘ QSIM. The learning algorithm for model construction is based on Coiera‘s GENMODEL. We show that QSIM models are efficiently PAC learnable from positive examples only, and that GENMODEL is an ILP algorithm for efficiently constructing a QSIM model. We describe both GENMOEL which performs RLGG on qualitative states to learn a QSIM model, and the front-end processing and segmenting stages that transform a signal into a set of qualitative states. Next we describe results of experiments on data from six cardiac bypass patients. Useful models were obtained, representing both normal and abnormal physiological states. Model variation across time and across different levels of temporal abstraction and fault tolerance is explored. The assumption made by many previous workers that the abstraction of examples from data can be separated from the learning task is not supported by this study. Firstly, the effects of noise in the numerical data manifest themselves in the qualitative examples. Secondly, the models learned are directly dependent on the initial qualitative abstraction chosen.
Synthesis of Batch Processes with Integrated Solvent Recovery

An integrated approach to the reduction of toxic waste in pharmaceutical and specialty chemical manufacturing is presented. The approach focuses on fundamental understanding and redesign of the relevant production processes.
Mathematical background for generalized, partial, and incomplete discrete Fourier transforms

We develop the theory of generalized discrete Fourier transforms (GDFTs) from the point of view of the Chinese Remainder Theorem (CRT). We give a new definition of GDFT, and apply it to the construction of multidimensional convolution algorithms which require significantly fewer multiplications and data transfer operations than the usual methods. We also show how CRT isomorphisms which are similar to GDFTs can be used in convolution algorithms. These CRT mappings increase the number of values for the length N of a convolution in a ring R which can be done with FFT-like algorithms.
Segmental Doppler Pressures and Doppler Waveform Analysis in Peripheral Vascular Disease of the Lower Extremities

The credit for first developing Doppler flow detectors belongs to Satomura, whose clinical report appeared in 1959.1 However, until Strandness et al. 2 popularized the use of transcutaneous flow detection to study peripheral vascular occlusive disease, the diagnosis or objective assessment of limb ischemia was dependent upon clinical examination, arteriography, or plethysmography. The development of the continuous-wave or pulsed Doppler techniques opened a new field for the diagnosis of peripheral vascular occlusive disease.
NEWTON AND DESCARTES: THEOLOGY AND NATURAL PHILOSOPHY

Scholars have long recognized that Newton regarded Descartes as his principal philosophical interlocutor when composing the first edition of Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica in 1687. The arguments in the Scholium on space and time, for instance, can profitably be interpreted as focusing on the conception of space and motion in part two of Descartes's Principles of Philosophy (1644). What is less well known, however, is that this Cartesian conception, along with Descartes's attempt to avoid Galileo's fate in 1633, serves as an essential background to understanding Newton's own (poorly understood) view of the theological implications of his theory of space and motion. In particular, after withdrawing Le Monde from publication in 1633 because of its Copernican leanings, Descartes later introduced what some regard as a “fudge factor” into the theory of motion in the Principles: from an ordinary perspective the earth does move; but from a philosophical one, it does not. This background indicates the novelty and originality of Newton's own attempt to explicate how scriptural passages concerning the motions of the heavenly bodies can be reconciled with the philosophical views he developed during the 1680s. New evidence from archival sources and correspondence supports this argument, shedding light on the Scholium and on Newton's conception of philosophy's relation to theology.
Reduction of the drug-induced nephrotoxicity by ATP-MgCl2. II. Effects on gentamicin-treated isolated perfused kidneys

Abstract Drug-induced nephrotoxicity (NT) has become an increasingly significant clinical problem. An in vitro model of drug-induced NT was therefore developed using gentamicin and the effects of ATP-MgCl 2 on reduction or prevention of NT were determined. To study this, non-pulsatile perfusion in isolated rat kidneys was maintained at 100 mm Hg during 2 hr of perfusion at 37°C. The oxygenated Krebs-HCO 3 perfusate contained 7.5 g/dl albumin as colloid, glucose, creatinine, amino acids, trace amounts of [ 3 H]inulin and 125 I-lysozyme, and either 0, 0.4, 0.8, or 1.2 mg/ml of gentamicin. In some studies, 2 m M ATP-MgCl 2 was added with 0.8 mg/ml of gentamicin at 0 and 60 min of perfusion. During each 10-min clearance period, glomerular filtration rates, sodium absorption, water absorption, and fractional clearance of TCA-precipitable lysozyme were measured. The results indicate that renal perfusate flow, glomerular filtration rate, urinary flow and tubular absorption of protein (a sensitive indicator of tubular function), sodium, and water were affected by gentamicin in a dose-dependent manner. An isolated kidney preparation can therefore be used to study gentamicin-induced NT. Higher in vitro perfusate concentrations of the drug were needed, however, to acutely mimic the in vivo cumulative effects. Nonetheless, renal perfusate flow, glomerular filtration rate, and the depression in protein reabsorption which occurred with gentamicin treatment were markedly improved by simultaneous treatment with ATP-MgCl 2 . Thus, ATP-MgCl 2 may be useful in reducing drug-induced nephrotoxicity.
Metastability of ferromagnetic Ni–Mn–Sn Heusler alloys

Abstract We previously showed that extended 4-week anneals at 1223 K were required to achieve structural and chemical homogeneity in the off-stoichiometric Ni–Mn–Sn Heusler alloy solid solution. To insure that the transition from the high temperature B2 to the room temperature L21 phase was complete, we performed low temperature (773 K) anneals, ∼150 K below the reported B2 → L21 transition temperature, on the 1223 K homogenized samples. Drastic changes in the magnetization measurements of the annealed samples suggested that the intermediate compositions of the L21 phase were metastable. TEM and XRD analyses confirmed the decomposition of the single-phase Heusler alloys into two phases with compositions close to Ni54Mn45Sn1 and Ni50Mn30Sn20. The observed phase decomposition indicated that the off-stoichiometric Ni–Mn–Sn Heusler alloys, that feature martensitic transformations, are metastable at 773 K.
Initiation of sleep-dependent cortical-hippocampal correlations at wakefulness-sleep transition

Sleep is involved in memory consolidation. Current theories propose that sleep-dependent memory consolidation requires active communication between the hippocampus and neocortex. Indeed, it is known that neuronal activities in the hippocampus and various neocortical areas are correlated during slow-wave sleep. However, transitioning from wakefulness to slow-wave sleep is a gradual process. How the hippocampal-cortical correlation is established during the wakefulness-sleep transition is unknown. By examining local field potentials and multiunit activities in the rat hippocampus and visual cortex, we show that the wakefulness-sleep transition is characterized by sharp-wave ripple events in the hippocampus and high-voltage spike-wave events in the cortex, both of which are accompanied by highly synchronized multiunit activities in the corresponding area. Hippocampal ripple events occur earlier than the cortical high-voltage spike-wave events, and hippocampal ripple incidence is attenuated by the onset of cortical high-voltage spike waves. This attenuation leads to a temporary weak correlation in the hippocampal-cortical multiunit activities, which eventually evolves to a strong correlation as the brain enters slow-wave sleep. The results suggest that the hippocampal-cortical correlation is established through a concerted, two-step state change that first synchronizes the neuronal firing within each brain area and then couples the synchronized activities between the two regions.
Teaching about science

Science is one of the most exciting frontiers of human endeavor and yet is often poorly understood. In this article I argue that improved education of both our children and our adults is key for the future. It is incumbent on all scientists to help educate our citizenry. In addition to the traditional methods we should make better use of television for this purpose. I strongly advocate permeating regular news programs with science news and education.
Reducing SSD access latency via NAND flash program and erase suspension

Abstract In NAND flash memory, once a page program or block erase (P/E) command is issued to a NAND flash chip, the subsequent read requests have to wait until the time-consuming P/E operation to complete. Preliminary results show that the lengthy P/E operations increase the read latency by 2× on average. This increased read latency caused by the contention may significantly degrade the overall system performance. Inspired by the internal mechanism of NAND flash P/E algorithms, we propose in this paper a low-overhead P/E suspension scheme, which suspends the on-going P/E to service pending reads and resumes the suspended P/E afterwards. Having reads enjoy the highest priority, we further extend our approach by making writes be able to preempt the erase operations in order to improve the write latency performance. In our experiments, we simulate a realistic SSD model that adopts multi-chip/channel and evaluate both SLC and MLC NAND flash as storage materials of diverse performance. Experimental results show the proposed technique achieves a near-optimal performance on servicing read requests. The write latency is significantly reduced as well. Specifically, the read latency is reduced on average by 46.5% compared to RPS (Read Priority Scheduling) and when using write–suspend–erase the write latency is reduced by 13.6% relative to FIFO.
Engineering overview of the fusion ignition research experiment (FIRE)

Abstract The FIRE tokamak is an option for the next step in the U.S. magnetic fusion energy program. The design goals have evolved to a major radius of 2.14 m, minor radius of 0.525 m, toroidal field (TF) of 10 T and plasma current of 7.7 mA for a flat-top time of ∼20 s. The requirement for 3000 full-power, full-field pulses and 30,000 pulses at 2/3 of full field has been retained since 1999. All magnets are inertially cooled with liquid nitrogen. Design options have been considered over a range of parameter space for either a wedged TF coil structure or a bucked and wedged TF/Central Solenoid structure. The wedged configuration has been selected as the baseline.
Persistence and extinction in single-species reaction-diffusion models

Single-species reaction-diffusion models are analyzed to determine the effect of various diffusion mechanisms on species persistence or extinction.
CONTROLLED CLINICAL TRIAL OF ORAL AND TOPICAL DIETHYLCARBAMAZINE IN TREATMENT OF ONCHOCERCIASIS

In a double-blind controlled clinical trial comparing the safety and efficacy of oral diethylcarbamazine citrate (DEC) with topical DEC for the treatment of onchocerciasis twenty men with moderate skin-snip microfilarial counts received daily therapy for 1 week, then weekly therapy for the rest of 6 months. The number of microfilariae per skin snip dropped quickly to 2% of initial levels and remained at low levels in those receiving oral DEC, and to 20% of initial levels in patients treated with DEC lotion. Side-effects in both groups included lymphadenopathy, fever, pruritus, rash, proteinuria, and chorioretinitis; they were commoner with topical DEC.
Ethacrynic acid rapidly and selectively abolishes blood flow in vessels supplying the lateral wall of the cochlea.

The mechanisms underlying the ototoxicity of ethacrynic acid (EA) are not fully understood. Previous studies have focused on morphologic and enzymatic changes in the stria vascularis. The current experiment shows that one of the earliest effects of EA is ischemia, resulting from impaired blood flow in vessels supplying the lateral wall of the cochlea. Inner ear microcirculation, endocochlear potentials, compound action potentials (CAP), cochlear microphonics (CM) and summating potentials (SP) were monitored over time in chinchillas following a single injection of EA (40 mg/kg i.v.). At all times after EA injection, blood vessels supplying the spiral lamina, modiolus, and vestibular end organs appeared normal. In contrast, lateral wall (spiral ligament and stria vascularis) vessels were poorly stained with eosin 2 min after EA injection, and devoid of red blood cells at 30 min post EA. Decline, but not recovery, of CAP, CM and SP followed the microcirculation changes in the lateral wall. Reperfusion was delayed in stria vascularis arterioles relative to other lateral wall vessels. The ischemia-reperfusion caused by EA would be expected to generate large quantities of free radicals, which may trigger or contribute to the cellular, enzymatic, and functional pathologies that have been described in detail previously.
Pilot study of Lokomat versus manual-assisted treadmill training for locomotor recovery post-stroke

Background While manually-assisted body-weight supported treadmill training (BWSTT) has revealed improved locomotor function in persons with post-stroke hemiparesis, outcomes are inconsistent and it is very labor intensive. Thus an alternate treatment approach is desirable. Objectives of this pilot study were to: 1) compare the efficacy of body-weight supported treadmill training (BWSTT) combined with the Lokomat robotic gait orthosis versus manually-assisted BWSTT for locomotor training post-stroke, and 2) assess effects of fast versus slow treadmill training speed.
The Epidemiology and Prevention of Donor-Derived Infections

Donor-derived infectious diseases are infections that are present in an organ donor and have the potential to be transmitted to at least 1 transplant recipient. Several recent transmissions have been covered by the lay media and in the medical literature, including a recent transmission of HIV and hepatitis C virus from 1 donor to 4 recipients. These reports have highlighted the importance and clinical impact of this rare complication of organ transplantation. Donor-derived infectious diseases appear to complicate less than 1% of all transplant procedures, but, when a transmission occurs, significant morbidity and mortality can occur. A number of guidelines and policies define the optimal screening of organ donors to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases. Unfortunately, there are significant limitations in our screening methods, and only some pathogens are screened for routinely. The regulatory framework related to and the epidemiology, identification, and management of donor-derived infectious disease transmission shall be reviewed.
Resveratrol Selectively Remodels Soluble Oligomers and Fibrils of Amyloid Aβ into Off-pathway Conformers

Misfolded proteins associated with diverse aggregation disorders assemble not only into a single toxic conformer but rather into a suite of aggregated conformers with unique biochemical properties and toxicities. To what extent small molecules can target and neutralize specific aggregated conformers is poorly understood. Therefore, we have investigated the capacity of resveratrol to recognize and remodel five conformers (monomers, soluble oligomers, non-toxic oligomers, fibrillar intermediates, and amyloid fibrils) of the Aβ1–42 peptide associated with Alzheimer disease. We find that resveratrol selectively remodels three of these conformers (soluble oligomers, fibrillar intermediates, and amyloid fibrils) into an alternative aggregated species that is non-toxic, high molecular weight, and unstructured. Surprisingly, resveratrol does not remodel non-toxic oligomers or accelerate Aβ monomer aggregation despite that both conformers possess random coil secondary structures indistinguishable from soluble oligomers and significantly different from their β-sheet rich, fibrillar counterparts. We expect that resveratrol and other small molecules with similar conformational specificity will aid in illuminating the conformational epitopes responsible for Aβ-mediated toxicity.
Beyond assimilation and pluralism; syncretic sociocultural adaptation of Korean immigrants in the US

Abstract Two traditional theories of adaptation of immigrants in the United States, assimilation and pluralism, are based on the assumption that the two processes, Americanization and ethnic attachment, are mutually exclusive. Such an assumption of mutual exclusiveness or zero‐sum model limits the utility of the two theories. A conceptual model is presented in this article which includes an additive mode of adaptation based on the idea of non‐exclusive‐ness between the two processes. Korean immigrants’ social and cultural adaptation has been tested with the model. Data were collected through interviewing 622 Korean adult (20 years old or more) immigrants residing in the Chicago area in 1986. The data empirically confirm the additive mode of adaptation in addition to assimilative replacement and pluralistic ethnic attachment. Theoretical implications of various modes of adaptation observed from this study are discussed.
Data analysis techniques for monitoring excited state kinetics

Abstract Progress in understanding photoinitiated reactions requires that kinetics of small dynamic populations of triplet state initiators and intermediates be distinguished from one another and from larger populations of precursor and solvent molecules. In this work, several approaches for analysis of multiwavelength data of photochemical reactions are described. The first addresses the analysis of time-resolved delayed-fluorescence and phosphorescence spectra of dye molecules in an inhomogeneous glassy matrix; a global analysis of the time- and wavelength-resolved emission data is used to resolve the spectra and kinetics of two discrete populations of molecules in the sample. The resolved kinetic parameters are then related to the wavelength dependence of the resolved spectra. A second application describes multidimensional least squares and factor analysis techniques for resolving transient Raman spectra of triplet state photoinitiators from Raman bands of the ground state and solvent. Raman spectra of solutions containing the ground-state photoinitiator and solvent are acquired using a series of laser pulses which simultaneously initiate and probe triplet state formation. The kinetics of optical excitation produce a higher order dependence on laser intensity for the triplet state permitting resolution of the component spectra.
1H, 13C and 15N backbone and side-chain resonance assignments of Drosophila melanogaster Ssu72

Ssu72 helps regulate transcription and co-transcriptional mRNA processing by dephosphorylating serine residues at the 5th position in the heptad repeats of the C-terminal domain of RNA polymerase II. Here we use multidimensional, multinuclear NMR experiments to assign the backbone and side-chain resonances of the 23 kDa Ssu72 from Drosophila melanogaster in the phosphate-bound state, and use NMR titrations to examine the phosphate-binding properties of three active site mutants.
Wetting translucency of graphene

For the case of water on supported graphene, about 30% of the van der Waals interactions between the water and the substrate are transmitted through the one-atom-thick layer.
Outcome After Reconstruction of the Proximal Humerus for Tumor Resection: A Systematic Review

Background Tumors of the appendicular skeleton commonly affect the proximal humerus, but there is no consensus regarding the best reconstructive technique after proximal humerus resection for tumors of the shoulder.
Concurrent and Predictive Validation of a Novel Robotic Surgery Simulator: A Prospective, Randomized Study

Purpose: We evaluated the concurrent and predictive validity of a novel robotic surgery simulator in a prospective, randomized study.Materials and Methods: A total of 24 robotic surgery trainees performed virtual reality exercises on the da Vinci® Skills Simulator using the da Vinci Si™ surgeon console. Baseline simulator performance was captured. Baseline live robotic performance on ex vivo animal tissue exercises was evaluated by 3 expert robotic surgeons using validated laparoscopic assessment metrics. Trainees were then randomized to group 1—simulator training and group 2—no training while matched for baseline tissue scores. Group 1 trainees underwent a 10-week simulator curriculum. Repeat tissue exercises were done at study conclusion to assess performance improvement. Spearman's analysis was used to correlate baseline simulator performance with baseline ex vivo tissue performance (concurrent validity) and final tissue performance (predictive validity). The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare gro...
Detection of rare partially folded molecules in equilibrium with the native conformation of RNaseH

Despite the general observation that single domain proteins denature in a completely cooperative manner, amide hydrogen exchange of ribonuclease H in low levels of denaturant demonstrates the existence of two partially folded species. The structures of these marginally stable species resemble kinetic folding intermediates and the molten globule state of the protein. These data suggest that the first region to fold is the thermodynamically most stable portion of the protein and that the molten globule is a high free energy conformation present at equilibrium in the native state.
The American Byron: Homosexuality and the Fall of Fitz-Greene Halleck

Hailed in the mid-19th century as the most important American poet of the period, Fitz-Greene Halleck was dubbed the American Byron and had a large general readership despite his work's infusion of homosexual themes. This biography portrays him as a prophet of the literary and sexual revolution.
Reconstructing transient acoustic radiation from an arbitrary object with a uniform surface velocity distribution.

This paper presents the general formulations for reconstructing the transient acoustic field generated by an arbitrary object with a uniformly distributed surface velocity in free space. These formulations are derived from the Kirchhoff–Helmholtz integral theory that correlates the transient acoustic pressure at any field point to those on the source surface. For a class of acoustic radiation problems involving an arbitrarily oscillating object with a uniformly distributed surface velocity, for example, a loudspeaker membrane, the normal surface velocity is frequency dependent but is spatially invariant. Accordingly, the surface acoustic pressure is expressible as the product of the surface velocity and the quantity that can be solved explicitly by using the Kirchhoff–Helmholtz integral equation. This surface acoustic pressure can be correlated to the field acoustic pressure using the Kirchhoff–Helmholtz integral formulation. Consequently, it is possible to use nearfield acoustic holography to reconstruct acoustic quantities in entire three-dimensional space based on a single set of acoustic pressure measurements taken in the near field of the target object. Examples of applying these formulations to reconstructing the transient acoustic pressure fields produced by various arbitrary objects are demonstrated.
Progesterone receptor binding to DNA: studies by sedimentation velocity methods

Chicken oviduct progesterone receptor subunit A (Mr= 79000) was partially purified as a hormone-receptor complex labeled with [3H]progesterone. These complexes adsorb to DNA-cellulose; sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation showed a sedimentation coefficient of 3.6 S. Receptors were mixed with [32P]DNA fragments of various types derived from bacterial plasmid pBR322. DNA structures tested included linear double-stranded and single-stranded molecules as well as supercoiled intact plasmids. [3H]Receptors were mixed in various molar ratios with [32P]DNA (nominal sed. coeff. = 18 S) and the mixtures were analyzed by sedimentation velocity ultracentrifugation performed in 5–20% sucrose gradients. In the presence of excess DNA, all of the [3H]receptor sedimented with the DNA fraction. Titrations revealed an apparent Kdiss between 1 and 5 nM. Distribution of receptor counts over the slower-sedimenting edge of the DNA peaks allowed estimation of the half-life of these complexes, which was in excess of 35 min at 0°C. Double-label counting of [3H]receptor-[32P]DNA complexes revealed an increase in the sedimentation coefficient of linear double-stranded DNA as increasing receptor input was used. Analysis of this S-value shift showed evidence for cooperative receptor binding isotherms, causing dramatic compaction (or other topological constraints) on the DNA. A speculative schematic model of receptor A-DNA interaction is presented, consistent with the experimental results.
1060 TREATMENT OF BONE AND JOINT INFECTION WITH CEFORANIDE-A NEW CEPHALOSPORIN ANTIBIOTIC

Eleven patients ranging in age from 2 to 16 years with documented bone and joint infections were treated with Ceforanide (C), an experimental cephalosporin antibiotic. Eight had osteomyelitis and 3 had joint infections. S. aureus was isolated from the blood or infection site in 7 of the patients, 5 with osteomyelitis and 2 with joint infections. One patient was treated for 3 weeks without a positive culture for a presumed septic joint. The patient improved during treatment but subsequently relapsed and was found to have H. influenzae osteomyelitis. No organism was isolated from 3 patients. One patient failed to improve within the first week. A blood culture during that time grew S. aureus and therapy was changed. Patients received C, 10-20 mg/kg/dose IV or IM every 12 hours. Six patients had received prior antibiotic therapy for periods ranging from 2 to 14 days. One patient receiving C experienced an urticarial rash following 6 days of treatment and was changed to another antibiotic. All S. aureus isolates were tested against C and found to be susceptible. Serum C levels and pharma-cokinetics were measured and confirmed the adequacy of the 12 hour dosing schedule. Treatment with C was successful in 8/11 patients with follow-up of 6-18 months. C is an effective antibiotic for the treatment of bone and joint infections caused by susceptible organisms. The 12 hour dosing interval offers a unique advantage in pediatric patients.
Nanotechnology enabled platforms for trace detection of pharmaceuticals

The current research leverages a nanotechnology enabled sensor platform for highly sensitive detection of pharmaceuticals contaminants in water samples using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The sensor surface consists of lithographically patterned gold electrodes and is functionalized with anti-pharmaceutical antibodies. A nanoporous alumina membrane is placed over the sensor surface to achieve enhanced signal amplification. Erythromycin and Ibuprofen were successfully detected on the sensor in amounts as low as parts per quadrillion. The design has potential to be developed into portable diagnostic equipment, offering rapid, inexpensive and highly reliable detection of pharmaceuticals with applications in the assessment of water quality.
Parametric Excitations in Plasma in a Magnetic Field

The coupled Vlasov equations for electrons and ions in the presence of a strong long-wave-length electromagnetic field are solved. Calculations of the growth rates for the excitation of the upper-hybrid, lower-hybrid, and the Bernstein modes are presented and discussed.
Synthetic returns on NIPA assets: An international comparison

Abstract The components of national income and product – such as consumption, investment, government purchases, exports, and imports – may be usefully viewed as nontraded assets that yield flows of `dividends' over time. Many open questions in public finance and macroeconomic policy, such as the appropriate interest rate for discounting Social Security payments, depend critically on the risk and return properties of NIPA components. This paper presents some measurements on the risk and return of NIPA components, using the Campbell–Shiller (1988) model which assumes constant expected returns. We find that the returns to NIPA components are (i) more volatile than growth rates; and (ii) the returns to consumption, investment, and government purchases are very highly correlated with own-country output returns. The correlations between trade variables and output are weaker. Looking across countries, we find that the correlation between the returns on consumption and output are very similar to the correlation between the growth rates of these variables.
The diffusive Lotka-Volterra oscillating system

Abstract The Lotka-Volterra equations are coupled with diffusion processes in homogeneous systems. The inclusion of a negative cross diffusion coefficient can result in the appearance of a stationary wave-like dissipative structure. The cross diffusion coefficients represent a deceitful relationship between the two interacting populations.
Abstract 4549: Expression and localization of progesterone receptor membrane component 1 and 2 in normal and malignant endometrial cells

Recently, two progesterone receptor membrane components (PGRMC) have been identified. PGRMC-1 protein has been shown to be overexpressed in breast, colon, and thyroid cancers, whereas far less is known about PGRMC2. The purpose of this study was to assess the expression, localization and hormonal regulation of PGRMC-1 and PGRMC-2 in normal and malignant endometrial tissues and cell lines. Immunohistochemical analysis showed a high expression of PGRMC-1 in normal tissues and a stage dependent decrease was observed in endometrial cancer tissues. A progressive decrease of PGRMC-2 expression was evident in endometrial cancer tissues but was not as marked as in PGRMC-1. Dual immunofluorescent confocal microscopy demonstrated colocalization of PGRMC-1 and PGRMC-2 in the cytoplasm and nucleus of endometrial cancer (Ishikawa and ACI-126) cells. Of significance, in normal epithelial endometrial (NEE) cells PGRMC-2 was predominantly localized in the membrane, whereas PGRMC-1 showed cytoplasmic and nuclear expression. Treatment of cancer cells with progesterone (P4) translocated both PGRMCs to the nucleus, while in normal cells PGRMC-1, but not PGRMC2 was translocated to the nucleus of cells. The results suggest that expression of PGRMCs is regulated by P4 and the dynamic pattern of PGRMC1 and PGRMC2 expression in normal and malignant cells implicate their role in tumorigenesis. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4549. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-4549
Formation and mass spectrometric analysis of DNA and nucleoside adducts by S-(1-acetoxymethyl)glutathione and by glutathione S-transferase-mediated activation of dihalomethanes.

The dihalomethane CH2Cl2 is an industrial solvent of potential concern to humans because of its potential genotoxicity and carcinogenicity. To characterize DNA damage by dihalomethanes, a rapid DNA digestion under acidic conditions was developed to identify alkali labile DNA−dihalomethane nucleoside adducts using HPLC-electrospray mass spectrometry. DNA digestion worked best using pH 5.0 sodium acetate buffer, a 30 min incubation with DNase II and phosphodiesterase II, and a 2 h acid phosphatase digest. DNA was modified with S-(1-acetoxymethyl)glutathione (GSCH2OAc), a reagent modeling activated dihalomethanes. Adducts to G, A, and T were detected at high ratios of GSCH2OAc/DNA following digestion of the DNA with the procedure used here. The relative efficacy of adduct formation was G > T > A ≫ C. The four DNA nucleosides were also reacted with the dihalomethanes CH2Cl2 and CH2Br2 in the presence of glutathione (GSH) and GSH S-transferases from bacteria (DM11), rat (GST 5-5), and human (GST T1-1) under co...
The national high magnetic field laboratory: A new facility in support of high field research - DC facility in Tallhassee

Abstract The National High Magnetic Field Laboratory facility in Tallahassee, FL will offer to both national and international users magnets (superconducting magnets up to 20 T, resistive magnets up to 35/40 T, and hybrid magnets up to 45/50 T) in a variety of configurations. Additional specialized magnet systems to support NMR (720/900/1000 MHz), ion cyclotron resonance (up to 12 T, 150 mm) and electron spin resonance studies at high fields will be installed. Major subfacilities for high field research in infrared optics, visible optics, magnetic properties of solids, and low-temperature studies are being developed.
On-line nanoliter cycle sequencing reaction with capillary zone electrophoresis purification for DNA sequencing

An integrated system for DNA sequencing based on a nanoreactor for cycle-sequencing reaction coupled with on-line capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) for purification and capillary gel electrophoresis (CGE) for separation is presented. Less than 100 nl of premixed reagent solution, which includes dye-labeled terminator pre-mix, bovine serum albumin and template, was hydrodynamically injected into a fused-silica capillary (75 μm I.D.) inside a laboratory-made microthermocycler for cycle sequencing reaction. In the same capillary, the reaction products were purified by CZE followed by on-line injection of the DNA fragments into another capillary for CGE. Over 540 base pairs (bp) of DNA can be separated and the bases called for single-standed DNA with 0.9% error rate. The total time was about 3.5 h, or a cycle time of 2 h with staggered operation. For double-stranded DNA, a longer reaction time was required and base calling up to 490 bp with 1.2% error rate was achieved. The whole system is readily adaptable to automated multiplex operation for DNA sequencing or polymerase chain reaction analysis.
Amplitude regulation of vocalizations in noise by a songbird,Taeniopygia guttata

Abstract Bird vocalizations are produced under various noise conditions. It could therefore benefit birds to alter the amplitude of their signals as noise conditions change. We tested this by recording male and female zebra finches,Taeniopygia guttata, as they were subjected to various levels of white noise. Both sexes increased amplitude levels of vocalization in response to increased levels of noise. Similar results were obtained with humans (the ‘Lombard effect’). The results are discussed in terms of the ‘active space’ of bird song and honest signalling.
An Investigation of the Effect of Feedback Control on the Bifurcation Stability of a Nonlinear Servohydraulic System

The Servo-hydraulic systems are commonly used for motion and force control and exhibit nonlinear dynamic phenomena. One such nonlinear phenomenon is the loss of stability via bifurcations. In this work, a computational and experimental investigation is performed to characterize with a higher degree of accuracy the effect of linear feedback control on the bifurcation stability of a nonlinear servo-hydraulic system. A low-order model of the experimental test stand is first developed, validated and analyzed. It is then shown that the use of an appropriate linear feedback control structure can improve the bifurcation stability of a nonlinear servo-hydraulic system. Parametric space investigation is conducted to study the bifurcation stability behavior of the system and stability boundaries are developed to demonstrate the effect of linear feedback on the nonlinear systems.
OVARIAN AND PLACENTAL HORMONE EFFECTS IN NORMAL, IMMATURE ALBINO RATS

This experiment was planned to study the effects of active extracts of the ovary and placenta in normal, immature male and female albino rats. Much has been written in recent years on the effects of injections of these hormones into the rabbit, mouse and rat, both in mature and immature animals. Little attention, however, seems to have been paid to recovery after injections are discontinued. There also remains some disagreement as to antimasceline effects of these hormones, as will be brought out in the discussion of the literature. Consequently the present paper seeks to establish definite hormone effects and then to follow through the period of recovery in several animals.
Survival of Developing Wheat Embryos and Bean Axes Following Cryoprotection and Freezing in Liquid Nitrogen

Summary Developing zygotic embryos of wheat ( Triticum aestivum cv. INIA R66) and embryonic axes of bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris cv. Taylor's Horticultural) were protected with a cryoprotectant mixture containing polyethylene glycol, glucose, and dimethylsulfoxide, frozen in liquid nitrogen, rapidly thawed and placed on various media. Seventy percent of the wheat embryos and fifty nine percent of the bean axes survived this treatment. Embryos that were frozen without being cryoprotected died. Recovered embryos maintained their embryo-like morphology when cultured on media containing abscisic acid, germinated precociously on media with no hormones or indoleacetic acid, or proliferated into callus on media containing 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid.
New Musical Instrument Design Considerations

This article discusses the proliferation of new musical instruments and interfaces for computer-based music performance (digital musical instruments). It discusses the notion of a musical instrument schema and how preexisting musical practice can be used to provide design guidelines for this developing field. In so doing, it teases out notions of control and creation and discusses a number of theoretical positions for those notions in musical performance. The author provides a model for musical interface design and discusses it in terms of a large online database of digital musical instruments he has created.
The microdetermination of dissolved oxygen in water. V. development of a self‐testing and fully compensating analytical method

An ion-exchange technique is shown to be effective for removing interference by ferrous ion in the Winkler reaction. A referee method for the determination of dissolved oxygen in water is described incorporating full allowance for interfering substances and tests for bias and precision. The precision of one estimate of dissolved oxygen by the method is ±0·0015 p.p.m.
Selective loss of slow and enhancement of fast Na+ currents in cutaneous afferent dorsal root ganglion neurones following axotomy.

Voltage-dependent Na+ currents were recorded via patch-clamp from identified adult rat lumbar cutaneous dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurones using whole-cell and bleb-patch-clamp configurations. Na+ currents in DRG neurones studied 18 days after sciatic nerve ligation were compared with those in control neurones. Control neurones tended to have a singular kinetically slow Na+ current or net Na+ current suggestive of two kinetic varieties of channel in a single neurone. Three changes occurred following axotomy: (1) the peak Na+ current increased significantly, (2) kinetically slow TTX-resistant Na+ current, which predominated in controls, was significantly attenuated or lacking altogether, and (3) a singular, TTX-sensitive kinetically fast form of Na+ current predominated. These findings suggest that as part of the response to axonal injury, DRG neurones increase Na+ channel biosynthesis and/or modify preexisting channels such that their kinetics are accelerated. The results are consistent with the idea that axotomized DRG neurones become hyperexcitable due to the emergence of a high density of kinetically fast, pharmacologically distinguishable, Na+ channels in the membrane.
Laminar-flow heat transfer in the entrance region of circular tubes

Abstract Numerical solutions for heat transfer and simultaneous development of the parabolic velocity profile in circular tubes are presented for the cases of constant wall heat flux and constant wall temperature. The work is a refinement of earlier work of Kays to include the radial component of velocity in the entrance region. The radial component is obtained from Langhaar's approximate profile and the continuity equation. The results show that the effect of the radial velocity is to cause a significant decrease in the calculated local Nusselt number in the entrance region from that obtained by Kays.