Bases for Boolean co-clones

The complexity of various problems in connection with Boolean constraints, like, for example, quantified Boolean constraint satisfaction, have been studied recently. Depending on what types of constraints may be used, the complexity of such problems varies. A very interesting observation of the recent past has been that the thus derived classification of constraints can be explained with the help of universal algebra. More precisely, the difficulty of such a constraint problem often depends on the co-clone the constraints are from. A co-clone is a set of Boolean relations that is closed under very natural closure operations. Nearly all these co-clones can be generated by said operators out of a finite set of relations, a so-called base. Knowing a, preferably simple, base for each co-clone can therefore be of great value when studying the complexity of Boolean constraint problems, since this knowledge reduces the infinitely many cases of equivalent problems to a single one—the constraint satisfaction problem for this base. In this paper we give a finite and simple base for every Boolean co-clone, where this is possible. We give evidence that the presented bases are as easy as possible.     

Reductive Decyanation of Annulated Aminocyclopropane-endo-carbonitriles – a way to annulated cyclopropane-exo-amines

Annulated Aminocyclopropane-endo-carbonitriles 11a,b are reductively decyanated by sodium in liquid ammonia with complete retention of configuration. An additionally existing chlorine atom in the starting materials 12a,c – e , thereby, is simulataneously replaced by hydrogen. The preparative advantage of this method is demonstrated by the selective access to 6α-H-isomers 13b and 13e as members of the ensemble of bicyclo[3.1.0]hexanediyl-dimorpholine diastereomers. A strong buckled bicyclohexane unit is present in 3α,6αisomer 13e as indicated by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and X-ray structural analysis.     

A Structure-Activity Relationship Study of Bimodal BODIPY-Labeled PSMA-Targeting Bioconjugates

The aim of this study was to identify a high-affinity BODIPY peptidomimetic that targets the prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) as a potential bimodal imaging probe for prostate cancer. For the structure-activity study, several BODIPY (difluoroboron dipyrromethene) derivatives with varying spacers between the BODIPY dye and the PSMA Glu-CO-Lys binding motif were prepared. Corresponding affinities were determined by competitive binding assays in PSMA-positive LNCaP cells. One compound was identified with comparable affinity (IC₅₀=21.5±0.1 nM) to Glu-CO-Lys-Ahx-HBED-CC (PSMA-11) (IC₅₀=18.4±0.2 nM). Radiolabeling was achieved by Lewis-acid-mediated ¹⁹F/¹⁸F exchange in moderate molar activities (∼0.7 MBq nmol⁻¹) and high radiochemical purities (>99 %) with mean radiochemical yields of 20–30 %. Cell internalization of the ¹⁸F-labeled high-affinity conjugate was demonstrated in LNCaP cells showing gradual increasing PSMA-mediated internalization over time. By fluorescence microscopy, localization of the high-affinity BODIPY-PSMA conjugate was found in the cell membrane at early time points and also in subcellular compartments at later time points. In summary, a high-affinity BODIPY-PSMA conjugate has been identified as a suitable candidate for the development of PSMA-specific dual-imaging agents.     

Generating tool paths on surfaces for a numerically controlled calotte cutting system

Non-planar driving mirrors have a complex geometry, which is defined by a base surface (the so-called calotte) and a planar contour. We describe and compare methods for generating NC tool paths for a calotte cutting machine from these data. The methods are based on piecewise circular arcs and on polynomial spline curves. Distance bounds for the resulting tool paths, which are needed in order to check the accuracy, are also discussed. The paper concludes with suggestions for research on the use of Pythagorean hodograph curves in industrial NC tool path generation.     

T-cell and monocyte subsets, inflammatory molecules, rejection, and hemodynamics early after cardiac transplantation

BACKGROUND: In the early period after cardiac transplantation, differential diagnosis of graft failure due to rejection, infection, and other causes is important but difficult. METHODS: In 22 consecutive patients undergoing heart transplantation, we prospectively determined levels of interleukin-6 as well as T-cell and monocyte subsets at eight points in time during biopsy and right heart catheterization and within 12 hr of echocardiography during the first 3 months after transplantation. RESULTS: Worse hemodynamic parameters, as characterized by dichotomization according to median values (pulmonary capillary wedge pressure >10 mmHg, mean pulmonary arterial pressure > 18 mmHg, pulmonary vascular resistance > 115 dyn x sec x cm(-5), right atrial pressure > 5 mmHg, cardiac index <3 L/min/m2, early mitral deceleration time < 135 msec, and isovolumic relaxation time <80 msec), were associated with higher levels of interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, polymorphonuclear cells, CD71+/CD14+ monocytes, and IgM levels and, in contrast, with lower levels of immunocompetence markers such as CD3+ T cells, CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, CD3+/CD25+ T cells, CD4+/ CD45RO+ T cells, NK cells, and lower biopsy scores. CONCLUSION: Early after cardiac transplantation, elevated levels of inflammatory cells and soluble inflammatory molecules and lower levels of immunocompetence markers are associated with impaired allograft function in the absence of cellular rejection.