Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optimal Duration of Experimental Period in Measurement of Local Cerebral Glucose Utilization with the Deoxyglucose Method

Abstract: The time course and magnitude of the effects of product loss on the measurement of local cerebral glucose utilization (LCGU) by the 2‐[14C]deoxyglucose (DG) method were studied by determination of LCGU in 38 rats with 25–120 min experimental periods after a [14C]DG pulse and in 45 rats with experimental periods of 2.5–120 min during which arterial plasma [14C]DG concentrations (CP*) were maintained constant. LCGU was calculated by the operational equation, which assumes no product loss, with the original set of rate constants and with a new set redetermined in the rats used in the present study; in each case the rate constants were those specific to the structure. Data on local tissue 14C concentrations and CP* were also plotted according to the multiple time/graphic evaluation technique (“Patlak Plot”). The results show that with both pulse and constant arterial inputs of [14C]DG the influence of the rate constants is critical early after onset of tracer administration but diminishes with time and becomes relatively minor by 30 min. After a [14C]DG pulse calculated LCGU remains constant between 25 and 45 min, indicating a negligible effect of product loss during that period; at 60 min it begins to fall and declines progressively with increasing time, indicating that product loss has become significant. When CP* is maintained constant, calculated LCGU does not change significantly over the full 120 min. The “Patlak Plots” reinforced the conclusions drawn from the time courses of calculated LCGU; evidence for loss of product was undetectable for at least 45 min after a pulse of [14C]DG and for at least 60 min after onset of a constant arterial input of [14C]DG.
The Ca 2 +-activated K + current of human sperm is mediated by Slo 3

Sperm are equipped with a unique set of ion channels that orchestrate fertilization. In mouse sperm, the principal K+ current (IKSper) is carried by the Slo3 channel, which sets the membrane potential (Vm) in a strongly pHi-dependent manner. Here, we show that IKSper in human sperm is activated weakly by pHi and more strongly by Ca2+. Correspondingly, Vm is strongly regulated by Ca2+ and less so by pHi. We find that inhibitors of Slo3 suppress human IKSper, and we identify the Slo3 protein in the flagellum of human sperm. Moreover, heterologously expressed human Slo3, but not mouse Slo3, is activated by Ca2+ rather than by alkaline pHi; current–voltage relations of human Slo3 and human IKSper are similar. We conclude that Slo3 represents the principal K+ channel in human sperm that carries the Ca2+-activated IKSper current. We propose that, in human sperm, the progesterone-evoked Ca2+ influx carried by voltage-gated CatSper channels is limited by Ca2+-controlled hyperpolarization via Slo3. DOI: 10.7554/eLife.01438. 001
Predictors of newly diagnosed cancer patients' understanding of the goals of their care at initiation of chemotherapy

The American Society of Clinical Oncology Quality Oncology Practice Initiative endorses in their core measures that providers should discuss the goals of care (GOC) at the time of chemotherapy consent. GOC refers to chemotherapy treatment intent: cure versus noncure. In this study, the authors sought to determine whether attributes of patients and initial patient‐physician encounters were associated with patients' understanding of their GOC.
Myoplasmic free Mg2+ concentration during repetitive stimulation of single fibres from mouse skeletal muscle.

1. The role of the myoplasmic free Mg2+ concentration ([Mg2+]i) in fatigue was studied in intact single fibres isolated from mouse skeletal muscle. Fatigue was produced by repeated tetanic stimulation. The fluorescent Mg2+ indicator furaptra was pressure injected into fibres. In vivo calibrations were performed to convert fluorescence signals into [Mg2+]i. 2. [Mg2+]i at rest was 0.78 +/‐ 0.05 mM (mean +/‐ S.E.M., n = 14). An increase of the extracellular [Mg2+] from 0.5 to 20 mM resulted in a small elevation of [Mg2+]i (86 microM in 5 min). Removal of extracellular Na+ did not affect [Mg2+]i. An intracellular alkanization of about 0.6 pH units gave a [Mg2+]i reduction of 65 microM. 3. During fatiguing stimulation [Mg2+]i initially remained almost constant and it then suddenly started to rise towards the end of the stimulation period. The onset of the [Mg2+]i rise was always followed by a rapid tension decline. In fatigue [Mg2+]i was approximately twice as high as at rest. 4. Fibres were injected with MgCl2 to study if the rise in [Mg2+]i could explain the tension decline in fatigue. An elevation of [Mg2+]i was accompanied by a tension reduction but the [Mg2+]i for a given tension was generally much higher in rested fibres injected with MgCl2 than in fatigued fibres. Thus the rise in [Mg2+]i as such cannot explain the tension reduction in fatigue. 5. Injection of MgCl2 was also used to assess the intracellular Mg2+ buffering. The mean Mg2+ buffer power (i.e. the ratio of the change in [Mg2+]i to the amount of Mg2+ added) was 0.62. 6. ATP is the quantitatively most important binding site for Mg2+ at rest and ATP breakdown is then a likely source of the [Mg2+]i increase in fatigue. The role of ATP breakdown in the increase of [Mg2+]i was studied with metabolic inhibition: fibres were exposed to iodoacetic acid to inhibit glycolysis and cyanide to inhibit oxidative phosphorylation. The pattern during metabolic inhibition was similar to that observed during fatigue. After remaining almost constant during a lengthy period, [Mg2+]i rose rapidly and this rise preceded a period of rapid tension decline. The fibres thereafter went into rigor and [Mg2+]i stabilized at an elevated level; the mean [Mg2+]i increase in rigor was 1.30 mM. 7. We have used modelling to determine the likely change in the intracellular ATP concentration ([ATP]i) for the observed changes in [Mg2+]i. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
An LOD-FDTD Method for the Analysis of Periodic Structures at Normal Incidence

An efficient finite-difference time-domain method based on the locally one-dimensional scheme (LOD-FDTD) is developed for the analysis of periodic structures. The Sherman-Morrison formula is used to efficiently solve the cyclic matrix problem resulting from the application of the periodic boundary condition to the implicit LOD scheme. Through the analysis of a photonic band-gap (PBG) structure, numerical results are found to be identical to those of the alternating-direction implicit (ADI) counterpart. The use of dispersion control parameters enables us to use a large time-step size. As a result, the computational time is reduced to sime 50% of that of the traditional explicit FDTD while maintaining acceptable numerical results.
Covalent binding of a nerve agent hydrolyzing enzyme within polyurethane foams

A phosphotriesterase preparation, extracted from Escherichia coli DH5α cells, was immobilized within a polyurethane foam matrix during polymer synthesis. The enzyme‐foam interaction was shown to be covalent and analysis of the hydrolysis of paraoxon in aqueous solution demonstrated that more than 50% of the initial enzyme specific activity was retained after immobilization in the foam. Factors affecting the rate of paraoxon degradation include foam hydrophobicity, the degree of mixing applied to initiate polymerization, and foam pretreatment prior to use in substrate hydrolysis. The storage stability of the foam is significant, with phosphotriesterase‐foam activity profiles exhibiting a three month half‐life. Foams are currently being developed for biocatalytic air filtering, in which gaseous substrates will be simultaneously adsorbed and degraded by the immobilized enzyme system. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Moisture equilibrium in paper-oil insulation systems

Electrical equipment such as power transformers with a paper-oil insulating system have varying moisture levels dependent on ambient and operating conditions. The total water content is distributed between the paper and the oil in a ratio that is predominantly in favor of the paper. Small changes in temperature significantly alter the water content of the oil, but only slightly that of the paper. To predict these changes isotherms showing the relationship between the water content of the paper and of the oil may be used. These isotherms may be obtained experimentally, or more easily by combining known absorption curves for paper and oil; refinement and extrapolation to lower humidity range may be done with the help of theoretical relationships such as the Langmuir, Freundlich and the B.E. T. isotherms and Arrhenius type temperature dependence. Equilibrium curves constructed by these methods are presented and discussed.
Effective and efficient model clone detection

Code clones are a major source of software defects. Thus, it is likely that model clones (i.e., duplicate fragments of models) have a signi(cid:28)cant negative impact on model quality, and thus, on any software created based on those models, irrespective of whether the software is generated fully automatically ((cid:16)MDD-style(cid:17)) or hand-crafted following the blueprint de(cid:28)ned by the model ((cid:16)MBSD-style(cid:17)). Unfortunately, however, model clones are much less well studied than code clones. In this paper, we present a clone detection algorithm for UML domain models. Our approach covers a much greater variety of model types than existing approaches while providing high clone detection rates at high speed.
Differential Log Likelihood for Evaluating and Learning Gaussian Mixtures

We introduce a new unbiased metric for assessing the quality of density estimation based on gaussian mixtures, called differential log likelihood. As an application, we determine the optimal smoothness and the optimal number of kernels in gaussian mixtures. Furthermore, we suggest a learning strategy for gaussian mixture density estimation and compare its performance with log likelihood maximization for a wide range of real-world data sets.
The Relationship Between Student Achievement and Level of Parent Satisfaction in a Summer Enrichment Program

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between parent satisfaction and student achievement in an activity based, multiage, inclusive, summer enrichment program. The researcher constructed a survey that was mailed to parents the first day of the last week of the program (n=139). Thirty five surveys were returned by mail and five surveys were conducted by phone for a total of forty surveys. The average score for this sample of parents on the whole survey was 3.98 (SD=1.41). The average parent satisfaction score on question fourteen was 4.40. Multiple regression analysis on 40 parent surveys revealed that the variable “perceived care by staff toward children” was the best predictor of parent satisfaction; accounting for 35% of the variance. The predictor variable is a component of positive school climate, which is a significant determinant of effective schools. A low, positive correlation was found between perceived progress in reading (r = .26, p < .05) and parent satisfaction. Students’ actual progress as obtained by curriculum based assessment in reading and math was not correlated with their parent’s satisfaction response from question fourteen of the parent survey. A series of one way ANOVA analysis were conducted between parents of students with disabilities and parents of students without disabilities given the following variables: level of satisfaction, perceived student achievement and parent involvement. There were no differences in levels of satisfaction between parents of students with disabilities and parents of students without disabilities. Moreover, levels of satisfaction in both groups of parents were unaffected by the following variables: perceived student achievement and parent involvement.
Dynamic Proteomics: Methodologies and Analysis

Proteins are dynamic and any detailed description of the proteome must reflect the dynamic variations in protein properties. For example, most proteins form complexes with other protein partners, can undergo various post translational modifications and can accumulate in different sub compartments of the cell. Spatial and temporal variations between proteins in different compartments and/or cell types mean that each experiment for mass spectrometric analysis must be carefully designed to optimise the data that can be obtained. Recent improvements in experimental methodologies and in the resolution and sensitivity of Mass Spectrometers, have expanded the complexity of proteomic analysis that is now possible[1]. In this chapter we outline current workflows and methodologies that facilitate complex proteomic analyses, from the design and execution of experiments, though to the analysis and interpretation of the resulting data.
Error-tolerant speech-to-speech translation

Recent efforts to improve two-way speech-to-speech translation (S2S) systems have focused on developing error detection and interactive error recovery capabilities. This article describes our current work on developing an eyes-free English-Iraqi Arabic S2S system that detects ASR errors and attempts to resolve them by eliciting user feedback. Here, we report improvements in performance across multiple system components (ASR, MT and error detection). We also present a controlled evaluation of the S2S system that quantifies the effect of error recovery on user effort and conversational goal achievement.
Clinical relevance of p53 and bcl‐2 protein over‐expression in laryngeal squamous‐cell carcinoma

We investigated immunohistochemically the clinical relevance of the over‐expression of the apoptosis‐regulating proteins p53 and bcl‐2 in a homogeneous series of 149 laryngeal squamous‐cell carcinomas. p53 was over‐expressed in 75 cases and bcl‐2 in 39 cases. p53 and bcl‐2 co‐expression was found in 21 cases. p53 and bcl‐2 immunoreactivity was significantly associated with poor histological differentiation and lymph‐node metastases. Moreover, a significant statistical correlation was found between bcl‐2 expression, supraglottic tumor site and advanced disease stage. p53/bcl‐2 co‐expression was significantly associated with poor differentiation, tumor extension, the presence of lymph‐node metastases and advanced clinical stage. Univariate analysis showed that a lower probability of survival was significantly associated with supraglottic site, tumor extension, advanced clinical stage and p53/bcl‐2 co‐expression, but not with p53 or bcl‐2 considered separately. In multivariate analysis, only tumor extension and supraglottic site retained their prognostic value. Our data suggest that clinical staging remains the most reliable predictive indicator of survival in patients with laryngeal carcinoma. Int. J. Cancer (Pred. Oncol.) 79:263–268, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Tooth loss and pocket probing depths in compliant periodontally treated patients: a retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS This retrospective study determined the treatment outcomes of 142 compliant periodontal patients observed for at least 10 years at the University of Kiel. All patients had been treated for moderate to advanced periodontitis and regularly received supportive periodontal therapy (SPT). METHODS Patient- and tooth-related variables [tooth loss and pocket probing depth (PPD)] were analysed. RESULTS Of a total of 3353 teeth, 167 were extracted during active treatment and 99 during SPT, mainly for periodontal reasons. Forty-five per cent of the patients did not lose any teeth during 11.7 years of observation. Thirty-seven per cent underwent extractions during active treatment or SPT, 18% both during active periodontal therapy and SPT. Mean tooth loss per patient was 0.07 teeth/year during SPT. Mobility, furcation involvement, smoking, and prescription antibiotics had a negative impact on prognosis. Intraindividual differences in PPD were significant between single- and multirooted teeth with initial PPD > or = 4 mm at baseline, following active treatment and at the end of SPT, and between firm and mobile teeth at baseline. Interindividual differences in mean PPD were only significant between smokers and non-smokers at the end of the observation period. CONCLUSIONS Long-term maintenance of our patients was effective. Periodontal disease represented the major cause of tooth loss in a minority of the population.
Insulin receptor substrate‐1 is expressed at high levels in all cells of the peri‐implantation mouse embryo

Insulin and insulinlike growth factors are important for embryonic growth and metabolism. Intracellular transduction for these factors has not been studied in the preimplantation mouse embryo. Peri‐implantation mouse embryos synthesize insulinlike growth factor (IGF)‐II ligand, insulin receptor, IGF‐I receptor, and IGF‐II receptor and respond to IGF‐II, IGF‐I, and insulin metabolically and mitogenically. Maternal tissues in the oviduct and uterus are also sources of IGF‐I and insulin. Signaling of IGFs occurs through insulin receptor substrate (IRS)‐1 and IRS‐2. This paper shows that IRS‐1 mRNA and protein are highly expressed in preimplantation mouse embryos, in embryonic cell lines, and in cultured blastocyst outgrowths. IRS‐1 mRNA and protein are detected in embryo‐derived cell lines cultured to produce the three cell lineages (stem cells, endoderm, and trophoblast cells). IRS‐1 mRNA is detected by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) in the E3.5 blastocyst before implantation and in F9 teratocarcinoma stem cells and parietal endoderm cells. IRS‐1 mRNA is detected by Northern blot hybridization at high levels in stem cells and in differentiated progeny of F9 cells and C3H/NE trophectoderm cells. IRS‐1 protein was detected in these cell lines and in an overexpressing CHO‐IRS‐1 fibroblast cell line by immunocytochemistry. Cultured blastocyst outgrowths are a model for implantation events of the trophoblast/placenta lineage and endoderm/yolk sac lineage. In the blastocyst outgrowth, IRS‐1 protein is detected in inner cell mass cells (ICM cells), primitive endoderm, parietal endoderm, and trophectoderm cells. These data suggest that IRS‐1 is expressed in all cell lineages of the peri‐implantation mouse embryo and mediates some effects of insulin and IGFs at this stage. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 49:386–393, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Chromosomal rearrangements during vegetative growth of a wild strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Electrophoretic karyotypes of two strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a haploid laboratory strain and a wild strain known to be at least diploid, have been checked during vegetative growth. The karyotype of the haploid strain was very stable; however, the diploid strain underwent frequent modifications. In most cases the number of bands was reduced, but occasionally we observed one band splitting into two. In one case, chromosomal rearrangements took place between differently sized copies of chromosomes I and VI. We concluded that the chromosome length polymorphism observed among wild strains of S. cerevisiae could be explained partly by chromosomal structure reorganization occurring during mitosis.
Influence of the Difference Between Corneal and Refractive Astigmatism on LASIK Outcomes Using Solid-State Technology

Purpose: To evaluate the influence of the difference between preoperative corneal and refractive astigmatism [ocular residual astigmatism (ORA)] on outcomes obtained after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) surgery for correction of myopic astigmatism using the solid-state laser technology. Methods: One hundred one consecutive eyes with myopia or myopic astigmatism of 55 patients undergoing LASIK surgery using the Pulzar Z1 solid-state laser (CustomVis Laser Pty Ltd, currently CV Laser) were included. Visual and refractive changes at 6 months postoperatively and changes in ORA and anterior corneal astigmatism and posterior corneal astigmatism (PCA) were analyzed. Results: Postoperatively, uncorrected distance visual acuity improved significantly (P < 0.01). Likewise, refractive cylinder magnitude and spherical equivalent were reduced significantly (P < 0.01). In contrast, no significant changes were observed in ORA magnitude (P = 0.81) and anterior corneal astigmatism (P = 0.12). The mean overall efficacy and safety indices were 0.96 and 1.01, respectively. These indices were not correlated with preoperative ORA (r = −0.15, P = 0.15). Furthermore, a significant correlation was found between ORA (r = 0.81, P < 0.01) and PCA postoperatively, but not preoperatively (r = 0.12, P = 0.25). Likewise, a significant correlation of ORA with manifest refraction was only found postoperatively (r = −0.38, P < 0.01). Conclusions: The magnitude of ORA does not seem to be a predictive factor of efficacy and safety of myopic LASIK using a solid-state laser platform. The higher relevance of PCA after surgery in some cases may explain the presence of unexpected astigmatic residual refractive errors.
The Visuomotor System Resists the Horizontal-Vertical Illusion

Abstract The effect of the horizontal-vertical illusion on the visual and visuomotor systems was investigated. Participants (N = 8) viewed horizontal and vertical lines in an inverted-T stimulus and judged whether the two line segments were the same or different lengths. Participants also reached out and grasped either the vertical or the horizontal line segment of the stimulus. Perceptually, participants succumbed to the illusion; that is, they judged Ts of equal horizontal and vertical line lengths to be different and Ts of unequal line lengths to be the same. When reaching toward the same stimuli, however, the size of their grip aperture was scaled appropriately for the various line lengths. Thus, whereas the perceptual system succumbed to the illusion, the visuomotor system did not. Those results support a model proposed by M. A. Goodale and A. D. Milner (1992), who posited separate cortical pathways for visual perception and visually guided action.
Imaging dental ultrasonic cavitation and its effects

Current methods of dental biofilm removal are predominantly mechanical and are not effective in removing it from irregular surfaces in the mouth. Cavitation occurs around dental ultrasonic scalers and may be a more efficient and less damaging technique. Previous work has failed to quantify the cavitation bubble dynamics around ultrasonic scalers and its effects. The aim was to develop imaging and analysis protocols to analyse the cavitation and to investigate its ability to disrupt biofilms and deliver sub-micron particles into dentine. High speed imaging was used to characterise cavitation. Its effect on biofilm removal and dentinal tubule occlusion was studied using electron microscopy and x-ray micro computed tomography. We are able to demonstrate that cavitation occurs at the free end of scaler tips and increases with power and vibration amplitude. Biofilm can effectively be removed from dental implant surfaces using this cavitation. It can also be used to transport sub-micron particles further into dentinal tubules. The results show that ultrasonic scalers could be optimised for non-contact use and improved removal of plaque from the teeth. The protocols established in this study can be applied to future studies for quantitative investigation of biofilm growth and removal and analysis of cavitation dynamics.