A fast algorithm for three-dimensional electrostatics analysis: fast Fourier transform on multipoles (FFTM)

In this paper, we propose a new fast algorithm for solving large problems using the boundary element method (BEM). Like the fast multipole method (FMM), the speed-up in the solution of the BEM arises from the rapid evaluations of the dense matrix–vector products required in iterative solution methods. This fast algorithm, which we refer to as fast Fourier transform on multipoles (FFTM), uses the fast Fourier transform (FFT) to rapidly evaluate the discrete convolutions in potential calculations via multipole expansions. It is demonstrated that FFTM is an accurate method, and is generally more accurate than FMM for a given order of multipole expansion (up to the second order). It is also shown that the algorithm has approximately linear growth in the computational complexity, implying that FFTM is as efficient as FMM. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A new wide-band planar balun on a single-layer PCB

A new wide-band microstrip balun implemented on a single-layer printed circuit board (PCB) is presented in this letter. The proposed planar balun consists of a wide-band Wilkinson power divider and a noncoupled-line broad-band 180/spl deg/ phase shifter. To demonstrate the design methodology, one prototype is realized. The new design was simulated and validated by the measurement. Measured results show that 10-dB return loss of the unbalanced port has been achieved across the bandwidth from 1.7 GHz to 3.3 GHz, or 64%. Within the operation band, the measured return losses for both the two balanced ports are better than -10 dB, and the balanced ports isolation is below -1.5 dB. The measured amplitude and phase imbalance between the two balanced ports are within 0.3 dB and /spl plusmn/5/spl deg/, respectively, over the operating frequency band.     

Mapping, genomic organization and promoter analysis of the human prostate-specific membrane antigen gene

Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a 100 kDa type II transmembrane protein with folate hydrolase and NAALAdase activity. PSMA is highly expressed in prostate cancer and the vasculature of most solid tumors, and is currently the target of a number of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. PSMA is also expressed in the brain, and is involved in conversion of the major neurotransmitter NAAG (N-acetyl-aspartyl glutamate) to NAA and free glutamate, the levels of which are disrupted in several neurological disorders including multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia. To facilitate analysis of the role of PSMA in carcinoma we have determined the structural organization of the gene. The gene consists of 19 exons spanning approximately 60 kb of genomic DNA. A 1244 nt portion of the 5' region of the PSMA gene was able to drive the firefly luciferase reporter gene in prostate but not breast-derived cell lines. We have mapped the gene encoding PSMA to 11p11-p12, however a gene homologous, but not identical, to PSMA exists on chromosome 11q14. Analysis of sequence differences between non-coding regions of the two genes suggests duplication and divergence occurred 22 million years ago.     

A Valuation Model For Information Technology Capability-Enabled Firm Value

Although the measurement of IT-enabled growth opportunities is an important issue in IT value field, few studies have examined this relationship. Based on the firm valuation theory, we develop a firm value model that includes firm performance and growth opportunities in order to measure the effects of IT capabilities on firm value. It is considered that this model is a more comprehensive and appropriate means to capture IT value. InformationWeek’s IT rankings are used as the database in this study. The findings show that IT contributes to both elements (i.e., firm performance and growth opportunities) of firm value.     

Greater emotional distress is associated with accelerated CD4+ cell decline in HIV infection

The hepatic transport of the immunosuppressive Cyclosporin A (CyA) was studied using liposomal phospholipid membranes, freshly isolated rat hepatocytes and bile canalicular plasma membrane vesicles from rat liver. The Na(+)-dependent, saturable uptake of the bile acid 3H-taurocholate into isolated rat liver cells was apparently competitively inhibited by CyA. However, the uptake of CyA into the cells was neither saturable, nor temperature-dependent nor Na(+)-dependent, nor could it be inhibited by bile salts or CyA-derivatives, indicating passive diffusion. In steady state depolarization fluorescence studies, CyA caused a concentration-dependent decrease of anisotropy, indicating a membrane fluidizing effect. Ion flux experiments demonstrated that CyA dramatically increases the permeability of Na+ and Ca2+ across phospholipid membranes in a dose- and time-dependent manner, suggesting a iontophoretic activity that might have a direct impact on cellular ion homeostasis and regulation of bile acid uptake. Photoaffinity labeling with a [3H]-labeled photolabile CyA-derivative resulted in the predominant incorporation of radioactivity into a membrane polypeptide with an apparent molecular weight of 160,000 and a minor labeling of polypeptides with molecular weights of 85,000-90,000. In contrast, use of a photolabile bile acid resulted in the labeling of a membrane polypeptide with an apparent molecular weight of 110,000, representing the bile canalicular bile acid carrier. The photoaffinity labeling as well as CyA transport by canalicular membrane vesicles were inhibited by CyA and the p-glycoprotein substrates daunomycin and PSC-833, but not by taurocholate, indicating that CyA is excreted by p-glycoprotein. CyA uptake by bile canalicular membrane vesicles was ATP-dependent and could not be inhibited by taurocholate. CyA caused a decrease in the maximum amount of bile salt accumulated by the vesicles with time. However, initial rates of [3H]-taurocholate uptake within the first 2.5 min remained unchanged at increasing CyA concentrations. In summary, the data indicate that CyA does not directly interact with the hepatic bile acid transport systems. Its cholestatic action may rather be the result of alterations in membrane fluidity, intracellular effects and an interaction with p-glycoprotein.     

Clinical and functional investigation of 10 missense mutations and a novel frameshift insertion mutation of the gene for copper-zinc superoxide dismutase in UK families with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Mutations of the gene SOD-1, which encodes the enzyme copper-zinc superoxide dismutase, occur in patients with a familial form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We investigated 71 families with more than one individual affected by ALS for clinical features and SOD-1 mutations. Mutations were identified in 14 families, indicating the presence of SOD-1 mutations in around 20% of this population. There were 10 different heterozygote missense point mutations in eight different codons, and a novel two-base frameshift insertion (132insTT), which leads to substitution of aspartic acid for glutamic acid at codon 132, and a premature stop codon at 133, with predicted truncation of the protein. SOD enzyme activity was reduced to around 50% of normal in individuals with SOD-1 mutations, and may be a useful predictor for the presence of these mutations. A predilection for disease onset in the lower limbs appears to be a distinguishing feature of familial ALS with SOD-1 mutations, and accords with findings in transgenic mouse models. In general, the finding of an SOD-1 mutation does not accurately predict a prognosis or disease severity.     

Reduced response of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis to alpha1-agonist stimulation during lactation

To determine whether altered noradrenergic activation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis contributes to the attenuated neuroendocrine response to stress observed during lactation, the effect of intracerebroventricular injection of the alpha1-agonist methoxamine (100 microg) was compared between virgin and lactating rats. Virgin rats showed significant increases in plasma corticosterone after methoxamine, reaching 317 +/- 44 ng/ml at 10 min and remaining significantly elevated for more than 120 min, but lactating rats showed no significant increase in corticosterone levels. Furthermore, methoxamine induced an increase in paraventricular nucleus (PVN) CRF messenger RNA expression in virgin, but not lactating, animals. Both groups of rats exhibited comparable elevations in plasma PRL after methoxamine treatment. Arginine vasopressin messenger RNA expression within the parvocellular PVN was greater in the lactating animals than in the virgin controls, but methoxamine injection was without further effect. Studies performed on ovariectomized virgin rats and ovariectomized rats receiving estradiol or progesterone replacement failed to reproduce the attenuated HPA responses seen after methoxamine treatment, although methoxamine-induced PRL levels were greatly increased by estradiol, probably arising from an effect on hormone synthesis. In vitro electrophysiological recordings of PVN neurons in hypothalamic slices from proestrous virgin and lactating rats showed that 45-52% of neurons in both groups exhibited excitatory responses to 10(-4) M methoxamine, but there was a differential response to 10(-5) M methoxamine, with PVN neurons from lactating animals failing to show a response. These data show a selective down-regulation of alpha1-mediated activation of the HPA axis in lactating animals. This may contribute to the attenuated stress-induced activation of the HPA axis during lactation.     

Effects of high dose octreotide on retrograde bile salt-induced pancreatitis in rats

The effects of somatostatin and octreotide (a long acting somatostatin analogue) in acute pancreatitis are inconclusive. This study examined the prophylactic and therapeutic effects of different doses of octreotide on retrograde sodium taurodeoxycholate-induced acute necrotizing pancreatitis in rats. The rats were divided into 4 groups receiving subcutaneous injection of saline, octreotide 10 microg/kg, 20 microg/kg at 0, 8 and 16 h and octreotide 20 microg/kg at 5, 13 and 21 h, separately. The serum levels of amylase and lipase, pancreatic histopathology, mortality and hemodynamics were examined. Octreotide significantly reduced serum levels of amylase and lipase at 12 h and the degree of pancreatic edema, necrosis and hemorrhage at 18-24 h as compared to the control group. Prophylactic octreotide 10 microg/kg significantly decreased the 24-h mortality from 100% to 44.4% (p < 0.05). The 24-h mortality further reduced to 12.5% and 10% with prophylactic and therapeutic octreotide 20 microg/kg, respectively. The decrease of mean arterial pressure at 12 h was significantly lower in octreotide groups than in the control group. We conclude that octreotide improves pancreatic histopathology and survival in acute necrotizing pancreatitis in rats.     

Isolated stab wound to the artery of Adamkiewicz: case report and review of the literature

Bis(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)- and bis(1H-imidazol-1-yl)pyrimidines were synthesized and evaluated for cytoprotective effects. Among them, 4,6-bis(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)pyrimidine (3) showed a potent inhibitory effect on the HCl.ethanol-, ethanol-, and water immersion stress-induced gastric lesions in rats, and a very low acute toxicity. One of the major factors responsible for the cytoprotective effects of 3 is the increase in the bicarbonate secretion. This compound appears to be a promising cytoprotective drug for the treatment of gastric mucosal ulcers.