Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
F ¨ Ur Mathematik in Den Naturwissenschaften Leipzig Sampling Inequalities for Infinitely Smooth Functions, with Applications to Interpolation and Machine Learning Sampling Inequalities for Infinitely Smooth Functions, with Applications to Interpolation and Machine Learning

Sampling inequalities give a precise formulation of the fact that a differentiable function cannot attain large values, if its derivatives are bounded and if it is small on a sufficiently dense discrete set. Sampling inequalities can be applied to the difference of a function and its reconstruction in order to obtain (sometimes optimal) convergence orders for very general possibly regularized recovery processes. So far, there are only sampling inequalities for finitely smooth functions, which lead to algebraic convergence orders. In this paper the case of infinitely smooth functions is investigated, in order to derive error estimates which lead to exponential convergence orders.
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Prepubertal Children Born Small for Gestational Age: Influence of Rapid Weight Catch-Up Growth

Background/Aims: We studied the association of low birth weight with ultrasound-assessed nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) to test the hypothesis that fetal growth retardation followed by a rapid weight catch-up growth might be an additional factor responsible for liver steatosis via insulin resistance (IR) and/or intra-abdominal fat. Methods: We enrolled 23 children born small for gestational age (SGA) with a rapid catch-up growth within the first 6-12 months, and 24 appropriate for gestational age (AGA) children as controls. All children underwent anthropometric, body composition measurements and evaluation of liver function tests, lipid profile, plasma glucose and insulin levels. Abdominal ultrasonography was performed in order to asses liver steatosis and thickness of subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue. Results: NAFLD were observed in 8 out of the 23 SGA children (34.8%). IR and visceral fat were significantly increased in children with hepatic steatosis compared to those without. IR index was significantly related to liver steatosis, independently of body mass index standard deviation score and visceral fat. Conclusions: NAFLD should be recognized as an emerging problem in SGA prepubertal children who presented a rapid weight gain in postnatal life, and IR plays the key role. An appropriate diet during pregnancy and in the first year of life might prevent metabolic syndrome and NAFLD in these subjects.
Constraint-based sample propagation for improved state estimation in robotic assembly

In fast changing assembly scenarios, it is required to adapt the task execution to the current state of the setup without extensive calibration routines. Therefore, it is important to estimate the geometric uncertainties and contact states during the assembly execution. We use a sequential Monte Carlo (SMC) method to track the relative poses between workpieces during a robotic assembly based on joint torque and position measurements only. In contrast to existing approaches, we focus on assembly tasks where the workpiece is not fixed in the workcell, but can, for example, slide on a table surface. We propose a new constraint-based propagation model for the SMC approach: a compensation motion for the samples dependent on the violation of contact constraints is derived. This allows us to track the motion of the workpieces in cases where a common random diffusion model fails. The method is evaluated with experiments using an assembly scenario with two KUKA LBR iiwa robot arms and shows accurate tracking performance.
Studies of drugs given before anaesthesia. XIV. Two benzodiazepine derivatives--chlordiazepoxide and diazepam.

SUMMARY Two benzodiazepine tranquillizers, chlordiazepoxide (50 and 100 mg) and diazepam (10 and 20 mg) were studied under standard conditions in females, as single-dose premedicants before a standard operation. The findings were compared with those obtained using saline and with previously reported data using opiates and phenothiazine derivatives. The claims that these drugs are capable of allaying pre-operative apprehension were fully substantiated and chlordiazepoxide 100 mg achieved this with very little soporific effect. The action of these drugs was as good as that of most opiates and side effects were much fewer. The eventual place for them may be for use as a "pre-preanaesthetic-medication" given by mouth on the day before operation.
Effect assessment of the herbicide paraquat on a green alga using differential gene expression and biochemical biomarkers

Effects of the herbicide paraquat were assessed on the green freshwater alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii using different endpoints of toxicity. Cell concentration and growth rate were monitored, whereas flow cytometry was applied to determine changes in chlorophyll content, viability and presence of reactive oxygen species. Furthermore, a transcriptomics approach using microarray hybridizations was applied to elucidate the mechanisms of toxicity. The results reveal that paraquat concentrations above 0.25 µM induce toxic effects in C. reinhardtii, reflected in a significantly reduced growth rate and cell concentration with a corresponding median effective concentration (EC50) value of 0.26 µM. With increasing paraquat concentrations, an increase in cell volume was registered with a particle counter as well as in the forward scattering signal of flow cytometric measurements, which is a measure of cell size. Flow cytometry, moreover, showed an increase in reactive oxygen species with increasing exposure concentration, corroborating the general knowledge that this herbicide exerts its toxicity through the generation of oxidative stress. At the same time, several genes involved in oxidative stress defense mechanisms, such as L‐ascorbate peroxidase, glutaredoxin, and a possible glutathione‐S‐transferase were differentially expressed, demonstrating the value of microarrays for elucidating possible mechanisms of toxicity. The fact that several genes were differentially expressed at paraquat concentrations that caused no adverse effects on higher levels of biological organization indicates that a transcriptomics approach allows for the detection of early effects, even before they become manifest at higher levels. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2010;29:893–901. © 2009 SETAC
Substance P Activates the Wnt Signal Transduction Pathway and Enhances the Differentiation of Mouse Preosteoblastic MC3T3-E1 Cells

Recent experiments have explored the impact of Wnt/β-catenin signaling and Substance P (SP) on the regulation of osteogenesis. However, the molecular regulatory mechanisms of SP on the formation of osteoblasts is still unknown. In this study, we investigated the impact of SP on the differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells. The osteogenic effect of SP was observed at different SP concentrations (ranging from 10−10 to 10−8 M). To unravel the underlying mechanism, the MC3T3-E1 cells were treated with SP after the pretreatment by neurokinin-1 (NK1) antagonists and Dickkopf-1 (DKK1) and gene expression levels of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway components, as well as osteoblast differentiation markers (collagen type I, alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, and Runx2), were measured using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Furthermore, protein levels of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway were detected using Western blotting and the effects of SP, NK1 antagonist, and DKK1 on β-catenin activation were investigated by immunofluorescence staining. Our data indicated that SP (10−9 to 10−8 M) significantly up-regulated the expressions of osteoblastic genes. SP (10−8 M) also elevated the mRNA level of c-myc, cyclin D1, and lymphocyte enhancer factor-1 (Lef1), as well as c-myc and β-catenin protein levels, but decreased the expression of Tcf7 mRNA. Moreover, SP (10−8 M) promoted the transfer of β-catenin into nucleus. The effects of SP treatment were inhibited by the NK1 antagonist and DKK1. These findings suggest that SP may enhance differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells via regulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.
Conceptions of Finnish and Estonian Pre-school Teachers' Goals in Their Pedagogical Work

The purpose of this study is to describe the conceptions of the Finnish and Estonian pre-school teachers' goals, and the achievement of these goals in their pedagogical work. The study consisted of 60 (30 from each country) interviews with pre-school teachers. The interview data was analyzed phenomenographically. The findings showed that children play the most significant role in pre-school teachers' thought and action. The teachers of both countries emphasized children's holistic wellbeing, social development, learning and school readiness and an emotionally and socially safe environment. The teachers stressed, in similar ways, co-operation with families, teamwork with colleagues, and professional development. The goals were pursued through play, different activities, and interaction. The differences between teachers were linked to different aspects of these goals. The findings give a special cause to discuss play, school readiness, and environment.
Liquid Nicotine Toxicity

Abstract E-cigarettes, also known as electronic nicotine delivery systems and electronic cigarettes, are advertised as a healthier alternative product to tobacco cigarettes despite limited data on the consequences of e-cigarette use. Currently, there are no US Food and Drug Administration or other federal regulations of e-cigarettes, and calls to poison control centers regarding liquid nicotine toxicity, especially in children, are on the rise. This article presents the background and mechanism of action of e-cigarettes as well as up-to-date details of the toxicity of liquid nicotine. We also present management strategies in the setting of liquid nicotine toxicity.
Prospective evaluation of screening multislice helical computed tomographic angiography in the initial evaluation of penetrating neck injuries.

BACKGROUND The optimal management strategy for patients sustaining penetrating neck injury without an urgent indication for operative exploration remains controversial. The objective of this study was to prospectively assess multislice helical computed tomography angiography (MCTA) as a stand alone screening modality for the initial evaluation of hemodynamically stable patients with penetrating neck injuries. Our hypothesis was that MCTA is a sensitive diagnostic screening test that could noninvasively evaluate the vascular and aerodigestive structures of the neck. METHODS After Institutional Review Board approval, all penetrating neck injuries assessed during a 16-month period were prospectively evaluated at a Level I trauma center. Patients without an indication for urgent neck exploration underwent MCTA screening. MCTA accuracy was tested against an aggregate gold standard of final diagnosis encompassing all imaging, surgical procedures and clinical follow-up obtained. RESULTS In all, 106 injuries penetrated the platysma; 15 required urgent exploration and 91 underwent MCTA (34 gunshot wounds/57 stab wounds). Nineteen external wounds were in zone 1, 39 were in zone 2, 10 in zone 3, and 23 traversed multiple zones. MCTA was nondiagnostic in 2.2% secondary to artifact from retained missile fragments. Follow-up was achieved in 84.5% of patients for a mean of 33.3 days (range: 2-150). MCTA achieved 100% sensitivity and 93.5% specificity in detecting all vascular and aerodigestive injuries sustained. MCTA correctly identified two tracheal and two carotid artery injuries requiring operative or endovascular repair in asymptomatic patients. No injuries requiring intervention were missed by MCTA. CONCLUSION In the initial evaluation of stable penetrating neck injuries, MCTA appears to be a sensitive and safe screening modality. Further investigation is warranted.
The Role of the CpG Island Methylator Phenotype in Colorectal Cancer Prognosis Depends on Microsatellite Instability Screening Status

Purpose: The aim of this study was to relate the CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP; characterized by extensive promoter hypermethylation) to cancer-specific survival in colorectal cancer, taking into consideration relevant clinicopathologic factors, such as microsatellite instability (MSI) screening status and the BRAF V600E mutation. Experimental Design: Archival tumor samples from 190 patients from the Northern Sweden Health and Disease Study (NSHDS) and 414 patients from the Colorectal Cancer in Umeå Study (CRUMS), including 574 with cancer-specific survival data, were analyzed for an eight-gene CIMP panel using quantitative real-time PCR (MethyLight). MSI screening status was assessed by immunohistochemistry. Results: CIMP-low patients had a shorter cancer-specific survival compared with CIMP-negative patients (multivariate hazard ratio in NSHDS, 2.01; 95% confidence interval, 1.20-3.37; multivariate hazard ratio in CRUMS, 1.48; 95% confidence interval, 1.00-2.22). This result was similar in subgroups based on MSI screening status and was statistically significant in microsatellite stable (MSS) tumors in NSHDS. For CIMP-high patients, a shorter cancer-specific survival compared with CIMP-negative patients was observed in the MSS subgroup. Statistical significance was lost after adjusting for the BRAF mutation, but the main findings were generally unaffected. Conclusions: In this study, we found a poor prognosis in CIMP-low patients regardless of MSI screening status, and in CIMP-high patients with MSS. Although not consistently statistically significant, these results were consistent in two separate patient groups and emphasize the potential importance of CIMP and MSI status in colorectal cancer research. Clin Cancer Res; 16(6); 1845–55
Ravens Reconcile after Aggressive Conflicts with Valuable Partners

Reconciliation, a post-conflict affiliative interaction between former opponents, is an important mechanism for reducing the costs of aggressive conflict in primates and some other mammals as it may repair the opponents' relationship and reduce post-conflict distress. Opponents who share a valuable relationship are expected to be more likely to reconcile as for such partners the benefits of relationship repair should outweigh the risk of renewed aggression. In birds, however, post-conflict behavior has thus far been marked by an apparent absence of reconciliation, suggested to result either from differing avian and mammalian strategies or because birds may not share valuable relationships with partners with whom they engage in aggressive conflict. Here, we demonstrate the occurrence of reconciliation in a group of captive subadult ravens (Corvus corax) and show that it is more likely to occur after conflicts between partners who share a valuable relationship. Furthermore, former opponents were less likely to engage in renewed aggression following reconciliation, suggesting that reconciliation repairs damage caused to their relationship by the preceding conflict. Our findings suggest not only that primate-like valuable relationships exist outside the pair bond in birds, but that such partners may employ the same mechanisms in birds as in primates to ensure that the benefits afforded by their relationships are maintained even when conflicts of interest escalate into aggression. These results provide further support for a convergent evolution of social strategies in avian and mammalian species.
Role of Sarcomere Mechanics and Ca2+ Overload in Ca2+ Waves and Arrhythmias in Rat Cardiac Muscle

Abstract: Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) depends on the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ load and the cytosolic Ca2+ level. Arrhythmogenic Ca2+ waves underlying triggered propagated contractions arise from Ca2+ overloaded regions near damaged areas in the cardiac muscle. Ca2+ waves can also be induced in undamaged muscle, in regions with nonuniform excitation–contraction (EC) coupling by the cycle of stretch and release in the border zone between the damaged and intact regions. We hypothesize that rapid shortening of sarcomeres in the border zone during relaxation causes Ca2+ release from troponin C (TnC) on thin filaments and initiates Ca2+ waves. Elimination of this shortening will inhibit the initiation of Ca2+ waves, while SR Ca2+ overload will enhance the waves. Force, sarcomere length (SL), and [Ca2+]i were measured and muscle length was controlled. A small jet of Hepes solution with an extracellular [Ca2+] 10 mM (HC), or HC containing BDM, was used to weaken a 300 μm long muscle segment. Trains of electrical stimuli were used to induce Ca2+ waves. The effects of small exponential stretches on triggered propagatory contraction (TPC) amplitude and propagation velocity of Ca2+ waves (Vprop) were studied. Sarcomere shortening was uniform prior to activation. HC induced spontaneous diastolic sarcomere contractions in the jet region and attenuated twitch sarcomere shortening; HC+ butanedione monoxime (BDM) caused stretch only in the jet region. Stimulus trains induced Ca2+ waves, which started inside the HC jet region during twitch relaxation. Ca2+ waves started in the border zone of the BDM jet. The initial local [Ca2+]i rise of the waves by HC was twice that by BDM. The waves propagated at a Vprop of 2.0 ± 0.2 mm/sec. Arrhythmias occurred frequently in trabeculae following exposure to the HC jet. Stretch early during relaxation, which reduced sarcomere shortening in the weakened regions, substantially decreased force of the TPC (FTPC) and delayed Ca2+ waves, and reduced Vprop commensurate with the reduction FTPC. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that Ca2+ release from the myofilaments initiates arrhythmogenic propagating Ca2+ release. Prevention of sarcomere shortening, by itself, did not inhibit Ca2+ wave generation. SR Ca2+ overload potentiated initiation and propagation of Ca2+ waves.
TRMM Latent Heating Retrieval: Applications and Comparisons with Field Campaigns and Large-Scale Analyses

AbstractYanai and coauthors utilized the meteorological data collected from a sounding network to present a pioneering work in 1973 on thermodynamic budgets, which are referred to as the apparent heat source (Q1) and apparent moisture sink (Q2). Latent heating (LH) is one of the most dominant terms in Q1. Yanai’s paper motivated the development of satellite-based LH algorithms and provided a theoretical background for imposing large-scale advective forcing into cloud-resolving models (CRMs). These CRM-simulated LH and Q1 data have been used to generate the look-up tables in Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) LH algorithms. A set of algorithms developed for retrieving LH profiles from TRMM-based rainfall profiles is described and evaluated, including details concerning their intrinsic space–time resolutions. Included in the paper are results from a variety of validation analyses that define the uncertainty of the LH profile estimates. Also, examples of how TRMM-retrieved LH profiles have been used .
Transcriptional Changes Underlying Elemental Stoichiometry Shifts in a Marine Heterotrophic Bacterium

Marine bacteria drive the biogeochemical processing of oceanic dissolved organic carbon (DOC), a 750-Tg C reservoir that is a critical component of the global C cycle. Catabolism of DOC is thought to be regulated by the biomass composition of heterotrophic bacteria, as cells maintain a C:N:P ratio of ∼50:10:1 during DOC processing. Yet a complicating factor in stoichiometry-based analyses is that bacteria can change the C:N:P ratio of their biomass in response to resource composition. We investigated the physiological mechanisms of resource-driven shifts in biomass stoichiometry in continuous cultures of the marine heterotrophic bacterium Ruegeria pomeroyi (a member of the Roseobacter clade) under four element limitation regimes (C, N, P, and S). Microarray analysis indicated that the bacterium scavenged for alternate sources of the scarce element when cells were C-, N-, or P-limited; reworked the ratios of biomolecules when C- and P- limited; and exerted tighter control over import/export and cytoplasmic pools when N-limited. Under S limitation, a scenario not existing naturally for surface ocean microbes, stress responses dominated transcriptional changes. Resource-driven changes in C:N ratios of up to 2.5-fold and in C:P ratios of up to sixfold were measured in R. pomeroyi biomass. These changes were best explained if the C and P content of the cells was flexible in the face of shifting resources but N content was not, achieved through the net balance of different transcriptional strategies. The cellular-level metabolic trade-offs that govern biomass stoichiometry in R. pomeroyi may have implications for global carbon cycling if extendable to other heterotrophic bacteria. Strong homeostatic responses to N limitation by marine bacteria would intensify competition with autotrophs. Modification of cellular inventories in C- and P-limited heterotrophs would vary the elemental ratio of particulate organic matter sequestered in the deep ocean.
Kinetic Characterization of the Recombinant Hyaluronan Synthases from Streptococcus pyogenes and Streptococcus equisimilis *

The two hyaluronan synthases (HASs) fromStreptococcus pyogenes (spHAS) and Streptococcus equisimilis (seHAS) were expressed in Escherichia coli as recombinant proteins containing His6 tails. The accompanying paper has described the purification and lipid dependence of both HASs, their preference for cardiolipin, and their stability during storage (Tlapak-Simmons, V. L., Baggenstoss, B. A., Clyne, T., and Weigel, P. H. (1999) J. Biol. Chem. 274, 4239–4245). Kinetic characterization of the enzymes in isolated membranes gave K m values for UDP-GlcUA of 40 ± 4 μm for spHAS and 51 ± 5 μm for seHAS. In both cases, theV max profiles at various concentrations of UDP-GlcNAc were hyperbolic, with no evidence of cooperativity. In contrast, membrane-bound spHAS, but not seHAS, showed sigmoidal behavior as the UDP-GlcNAc concentration was increased, with a Hill number of ∼2, indicating significant cooperativity. The Hill number for UDP-GlcNAc utilization by seHAS was 1, confirming the lack of cooperativity for UDP-GlcNAc in this enzyme. The K m values for UDP-GlcNAc were 60 ± 7 μm for seHAS and 149 ± 3 μm for spHAS in the isolated membranes. The kinetic characteristics of the two affinity-purified HAS enzymes were assessed in the presence of cardiolipin after 8–9 days of storage at –80 °C without cardiolipin. With increasing storage time, the enzymes showed a gradual increase in their K m values for both substrates and a decrease inV max. Even in the presence of cardiolipin, the detergent-solubilized, purified HASs had substantially higherK m values for both substrates than the membrane-bound enzymes. The K UDP-GlcUA for purified spHAS and seHAS increased 2–4-fold. TheK UDP-GlcNAc for spHAS and seHAS increased 4- and 5-fold, respectively. Despite the higher K m values, the V max values for the purified HASs were only ∼50% lower than those for the membrane-bound enzymes. Significantly, purified spHAS displayed the same cooperative interaction with UDP-GlcNAc (n H ∼ 2), whereas purified seHAS showed no cooperativity.