Relaxation processes in hyperbranched polyesters

Summary Dielectric permittivity and loss have been measured over the frequency range 10^-2 Hz-10 kHz between 100 K and 350 K for samples of 50/50 mixtures of each of two hyperbranched polyesters, one five-generation hydroxy functional (5G-OH) and one threegeneration alkyl-terminated polymer (3G), with dielectrically inactive linear polyethylene. The thermal transitions of the hyperbranched polymers were studied with differential scanning calorimetry. Three relaxation transitions were found in 5G-OH: , the glass-rubber transition and two subglass processes denoted and showing Arrhenius temperature dependence both with an activation energy of 96±2kJ mol^-1. The low temperature process could be assigned to motions of the terminal hydroxyl groups whereas is due to reorientation of the ester groups. Sample 3G showed only a glass transition and one subglass process being assigned to reorientation of the ester groups. The high activation energy (202 kJ mol^-1) of this process indicates that the ester groups are highly constrained in this polymer.     

Joint optimization of communication rates and linear systems

We consider a linear control system in which several signals are transmitted over communication channels with bit rate limitations. With the coding and medium access schemes of the communication system fixed, the achievable bit rates are determined by the allocation of communications resources such as transmit powers and bandwidths, to different communication channels. We model the effect of bit rate limited communication channels by uniform quantization and the quantization errors are modeled by additive white noises whose variances depend on the achievable bit rates. We optimize the stationary performance of the linear system by jointly allocating resources in the communication system and tuning parameters of the controller.     

Control applications of nonlinear convex programming

Since 1984 there has been a concentrated effort to develop efficient interior-point methods for linear programming (LP). In the last few years researchers have begun to appreciate a very important property of these interior-point methods (beyond their efficiency for LP): they extend gracefully to nonlinear convex optimization problems. New interior-point algorithms for problem classes such as semidefinite programming (SDP) or second-order cone programming (SOCP) are now approaching the extreme efficiency of modern linear programming codes. In this paper we discuss three examples of areas of control where our ability to efficiently solve nonlinear convex optimization problems opens up new applications. In the first example we show how SOCP can be used to solve robust open-loop optimal control problems. In the second example, we show how SOCP can be used to simultaneously design the set-point and feedback gains for a controller, and compare this method with the more standard approach. Our final application concerns analysis and synthesis via linear matrix inequalities and SDP.     

Physical association of starch biosynthetic enzymes with starch granules of maize endosperm. Granule-associated forms of starch synthase I and starch branching enzyme II

Antibodies were used to probe the degree of association of starch biosynthetic enzymes with starch granules isolated from maize (Zea mays) endosperm. Graded washings of the starch granule, followed by release of polypeptides by gelatinization in 2% sodium dodecyl sulfate, enables distinction between strongly and loosely adherent proteins. Mild aqueous washing of granules resulted in near-complete solubilization of ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase, indicating that little, if any, ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase is granule associated. In contrast, all of the waxy protein plus significant levels of starch synthase I and starch branching enzyme II (BEII) remained granule associated. Stringent washings using protease and detergent demonstrated that the waxy protein, more than 85% total endosperm starch synthase I protein, and more than 45% of BEII protein were strongly associated with starch granules. Rates of polypeptide accumulation within starch granules remained constant during endosperm development. Soluble and granule-derived forms of BEII yielded identical peptide maps and overlapping tryptic fragments closely aligned with deduced amino acid sequences from BEII cDNA clones. These observations provide direct evidence that BEII exits as both soluble and granule-associated entities. We conclude that each of the known starch biosynthetic enzymes in maize endosperm exhibits a differential propensity to associate with, or to become irreversibly entrapped within, the starch granule.     

The coxsackievirus-adenovirus receptor protein can function as a cellular attachment protein for adenovirus serotypes from subgroups A, C, D, E, and F

Attachment of an adenovirus (Ad) to a cell is mediated by the capsid fiber protein. To date, only the cellular fiber receptor for subgroup C serotypes 2 and 5, the so-called coxsackievirus-adenovirus receptor (CAR) protein, has been identified and cloned. Previous data suggested that the fiber of the subgroup D serotype Ad9 also recognizes CAR, since Ad9 and Ad2 fiber knobs cross-blocked each other's cellular binding. Recombinant fiber knobs and 3H-labeled Ad virions from serotypes representing all six subgroups (A to F) were used to determine whether the knobs cross-blocked the binding of virions from different subgroups. With the exception of subgroup B, all subgroup representatives cross-competed, suggesting that they use CAR as a cellular fiber receptor as well. This result was confirmed by showing that CAR, produced in a soluble recombinant form (sCAR), bound to nitrocellulose-immobilized virions from the different subgroups except subgroup B. Similar results were found for blotted fiber knob proteins. The subgroup F virus Ad41 has both short and long fibers, but only the long fiber bound sCAR. The sCAR protein blocked the attachment of all virus serotypes that bound CAR. Moreover, CHO cells expressing human CAR, in contrast to untransformed CHO cells, all specifically bound the sCAR-binding serotypes. We conclude therefore that Ad serotypes from subgroups A, C, D, E, and F all use CAR as a cellular fiber receptor.     

Immunology and adjuvant chemoimmunotherapy of breast cancer

Antibody against a breast carcinoma antigen was present in patients with breast carcinoma and other cancer more often (P less than .05) than in normal women. The incidence of antibody in women with breast carcinoma correlated with the presence or absence of gross tumor, and the titer of antibody paralleled the clinical course. These results suggest importance of a host-immune response to breast carcinoma. Fifty-seven patients with stage II carcinoma of the breast were entered into a prospective randomized adjuvant chemoimmunotherapy program of cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and fluorouracil, and BCG vaccine +/- an irradiated allogeneic tumor cell vaccine. After 24 months of study, metastases occurred in two patients (3.5%) and a new primary carcinoma developed in the contralateral breast in two others, for an overall treatment failure rate of 7%. Adjuvant chemoimmunotherapy can delay early recurrence. Long-term follow-up is needed to assess the significance of these results.     

Gastric pacing improves emptying and symptoms in patients with gastroparesis

BACKGROUND & AIMS: No effective treatment is available for patients with gastroparesis refractory to standard medical therapy. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of gastric pacing on gastric electrical activity, gastric emptying, and symptoms in patients with gastroparesis. METHODS: Nine patients with gastroparesis participated in this study. Four pairs of cardiac pacing wires were implanted on the serosa of the stomach. The protocol consisted of two portions: a temporary inpatient study period and an outpatient study for a period of 1 month or more. RESULTS: Gastric pacing entrained the gastric slow wave in all subjects and converted tachygastria in 2 patients into regular 3-cpm slow waves. Gastric emptying was significantly improved after the outpatient treatment with gastric pacing. The gastric retention at 2 hours was reduced from 77.0% +/- 3.3% to 56.6% +/- 8.6% (P < 0.05). Symptoms of gastroparesis were substantially reduced at the end of the outpatient treatment (1.51 +/- 0.46 vs. 2.84 +/- 0.61; P < 0.04). Eight of 9 patients no longer relied on jejunostomy tube feeding, and no adverse events were noted related to the pacing unit. CONCLUSIONS: Gastric pacing seems to be able to improve symptoms of gastroparesis and to accelerate gastric emptying in patients with gastroparesis. More controlled studies are necessary to further investigate the role of gastric pacing in clinical practice.     

The processing,mechanical properties and bioactivity of strontium based glass polyalkenoate cements

The suitability of zinc-based glass polyalkenoate cements (GPCs) for use in orthopaedics can be improved by the substitution of strontium into the glass phase which should impart improved radiopacity and bone forming properties to the cements without retarding strength. The purpose of this research was to produce novel GPCs based on calcium–strontium–zinc-silicate glasses and to evaluate their mechanical properties and biocompatibility with the ultimate objective of developing a new range of cements for skeletal applications. Three glass compositions, based on incremental substitutions of strontium for calcium, were synthesized; BT100 (0.16CaO, 0.36ZnO, 0.48SiO₂), BT101 (0.04SrO, 0.12CaO, 0.36ZnO, 0.48SiO₂) and BT102 (0.08SrO 0.08CaO, 0.36ZnO, 0.48SiO₂). Each glass was then mixed with varying concentrations and molecular weights of polyacrylic acids in order to determine the working times, setting times, compressive strengths and biaxial flexural strengths of the novel cements. The maximum working time and setting time achieved was 29 and 110 s respectively; which, at present is inadequate for current clinical procedures. However, the optimum compressive and biaxial flexural strengths were up to 75 and 34 MPa respectively indicating that these formulations have potential in load bearing applications. Importantly, the substitution of Ca with Sr in the glasses did not have a deleterious effect on strengths or working times. Finally, the bioactivity of the best performing cements was determined in vitro using simulated body fluid. It was found that all cements facilitate the formation of an amorphous calcium phosphate at their surface which increases in density and coverage with time, indicating that these cement will bond directly to bone in vivo.