Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
C-Terminal Truncation of Connexin43 Changes Number, Size, and Localization of Cardiac Gap Junction Plaques

Haplodeficient mice expressing carboxyl-terminally truncated Cx43 (K258stop/KO), instead of the wild-type Cx43 isoform, reach adulthood and reveal no abnormalities in heart morphology. Here, we have analyzed the expression of K258stop protein and the morphology of gap junctions in adult hearts of these mice. Coimmunofluorescence analysis revealed reduced juxtaposition of K258stop with other junctional proteins at the intercalated disc. Immunoprecipitation studies documented changes in the interaction with previously described Cx43 binding proteins. Quantitative transmission electron and confocal microscopy confirmed the localization of K258stop gap junctions to the periphery of the intercalated disc and further revealed an increase in the size of K258stop gap junction plaques and a reduction in their number. Dual whole cell patch clamp analysis confirmed that K258stop gap junctions were functional, with single channel properties similar to those described in exogenous systems. We conclude that the carboxyl-terminal domain of Cx43 (Cx43CT) is involved in regulating the localization, number and size of Cx43 plaques in vivo. Conversely, protein interactions or posttranslational modifications taking place within the Cx43CT are not required for the assembly of functional gap junctions in the intercalated disc.
The spatial memory representation from two different learning manners: Is sequential learning worse than simultaneous learning?

The aim of the study was to explore the different memory representation which was formed by sequential or simultaneous learning objects in a table-sized layouts. In this experiment, simultaneous learning yielded better memory performance than sequential learning. The results suggest that it is very hard for people in sequential learning group to integrate the single object location to a whole layout structure.
Incidence and outcome of weaning from mechanical ventilation according to new categories

Weaning from mechanical ventilation was categorised as simple, difficult or prolonged by an international task force of the American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society/European Society of Intensive Care Medicine/Society of Critical Care Medicine/Sociéte de Réanimation de Langue Française in 2007. This new classification has not been tested in clinical practice. The objective of the present study was to determine the incidence and outcome of weaning according to the new categories. We included medical and surgical patients who required mechanical ventilation in a prospective, multicentre, 6-month cohort study. From an initial cohort of 510 patients, 257 intubated patients started weaning. Of these patients, the cumulative incidences of simple, difficult, and prolonged weaning were 152 (59%), 68 (26%) and 37 (14%), respectively. Hospital mortality was increased in patients with prolonged (32%) but not difficult (9%) weaning in comparison with those with simple weaning (13%), overall p = 0.0205. In a multivariate logistic regression model, prolonged but not difficult weaning was associated with an increased risk of death. Ventilator-free days and intensive care unit (ICU)-free days were decreased in both difficult and prolonged weaning. In conclusion, the new weaning category prolonged weaning is associated with increased mortality and morbidity in the ICU. The new category difficult to wean was associated with increased morbidity, but not mortality.
Experimental approaches for gene regulatory network construction: The chick as a model system

Setting up the body plan during embryonic development requires the coordinated action of many signals and transcriptional regulators in a precise temporal sequence and spatial pattern. The last decades have seen an explosion of information describing the molecular control of many developmental processes. The next challenge is to integrate this information into logic “wiring diagrams” that visualize gene actions and outputs, have predictive power and point to key control nodes. Here, we provide an experimental workflow on how to construct gene regulatory networks using the chick as model system. genesis 51:296–310, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
1 POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVES TO THE MEDICARE TRUSTEES ’ LONG-TERM PROJECTIONS OF HEALTH SPENDING

The purpose of this working paper is to analyze some features of the current methodology used to generate the long-term health spending projections used in the Medicare Trustees’ Report and to discuss some alternative approaches to improve upon the methodology. In particular, the goal is to take a closer look at the logical properties and the empirical assumptions of the current methodology used for long-run projections. The analysis is presented in two steps. The first is to review the “GDP+1” assumption for annual long-term health spending growth rates, based on historical growth rates of health care spending. The second is to offer some alternatives to the way the long run projections are computed. The paper concludes with some illustrative projections based on those alternatives.
Structural and Functional Aspects of Metal Sites in Biology.

For present purposes, a protein-bound metal site consists of one or more metal ions and all protein side chain and exogenous bridging and terminal ligands that define the first coordination sphere of each metal ion. Such sites can be classified into five basic types with the indicated functions: (1) structural -- configuration (in part) of protein tertiary and/or quaternary structure; (2) storage -- uptake, binding, and release of metals in soluble form: (3) electron transfer -- uptake, release, and storage of electrons; (4) dioxygen binding -- metal-O{sub 2} coordination and decoordination; and (5) catalytic -- substrate binding, activation, and turnover. The authors present here a classification and structure/function analysis of native metal sites based on these functions, where 5 is an extensive class subdivided by the type of reaction catalyzed. Within this purview, coverage of the various site types is extensive, but not exhaustive. The purpose of this exposition is to present examples of all types of sites and to relate, insofar as is currently feasible, the structure and function of selected types. The authors largely confine their considerations to the sites themselves, with due recognition that these site features are coupled to protein structure at all levels. In themore » next section, the coordination chemistry of metalloprotein sites and the unique properties of a protein as a ligand are briefly summarized. Structure/function relationships are systematically explored and tabulations of structurally defined sites presented. Finally, future directions in bioinorganic research in the context of metal site chemistry are considered. 620 refs.« less
Publication of Little Lion Scientific R & D , Islamabad PAKISTAN ANALYSIS OF MOBILITY PARAMETERS EFFECT ON POSITION INFORMATION INACCURACY OF GPSR POSITION-BASED MANET ROUTING PROTOCOL

Position-based routing protocols have become more p pular in Mobile Ad hoc network (MANET) due to their advantages in using geographical position inf ormation of the nodes to route the data packet to t he destination node. Each node periodically sends thei r g ographical position information to its neighbor s using beacon packets. Data packet routing in positi on-based routing protocol uses neighbors’ position information, which is stored in the node’s neighbor s list and the destination node’s position informat ion stored in the routing data packet header field to r oute the data packet from source to destination. Mo st of the current work in position-based routing protocols as umes that position information in the node’s neigh bors list for its neighbors is accurate, while in realit y, only a rough estimate of this position informati on is available for the nodes. This paper provides analys is study to realize the effect of position informat ion inaccuracy caused by different mobility parameters on Greedy Perimeter Stateless Routing (GPSR) position-based routing protocol. In general, inaccu ra y occurs when inexact position information is us ed. However, the results from the analysis work shown t hat the node beacon packet interval-time and node speed mobility parameters have a high impact on pos ition information inaccuracy and have an intense effect in degrading the performance of GPSR protoco l in terms of average end-to-end delay, non-optima l route, false local maximum, and routing loop.
Multiscale backbone based network comparison algorithm for effective herbal interaction analysis

Network modeling and analysis have been developed as one of the promising approaches for exploring the regularities behind the phenomena of complex organization and interactions in many significant fields. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a kind of holistic medical science, usually in whose clinical setting herb prescriptions consisting of several distinct herbs were used for individualized patients to get the maximum effectiveness. Detecting the significant herb interactions with effectiveness for some specific disease conditions is an important issue for both TCM clinical treatment and novel drug development. By modeling herb prescriptions as herb interaction network, in this paper, we propose a network comparison method based on multiscale backbone algorithm (msbNC) to discover the herbal interactions from one herb network that differ significantly with respect to a referenced herb network according to a null model. This method could easily be used to find the significant effective herbal interactions while incorporating appropriate outcome variables to construct coupled herb networks (one network is constructed from herb prescriptions with good outcome, while another one is from herb prescriptions with bad outcome). Using two herb prescription data sets from the outpatient cases of highly-experienced TCM physicians for insomnia treatment, we applied msbNC method to detect significant herbal interactions in the herb prescriptions of two TCM physicians and two distinct outcomes. The results showed that msbNC could distinguish clinically meaningful herbal interactions from these data sets. Therefore, the proposed method: msbNC coupled with network modeling could be used as a promising approach for effective herb interactions discovery from large-scale clinical data.
Pattern recognition in multivariate time series: dissertation proposal

Nowadays computer scientists are faced with fast growing and permanently evolving data, which are represented as observations made sequentially in time. A common problem in the data mining community is the recognition of recurring patterns within temporal databases or streaming data. This dissertation proposal aims at developing and investigating efficient methods for the recognition of contextual patterns in multivariate time series in different application domains based on machine learning techniques. To this end, we propose a generic three-step approach that involves (1) feature extraction to build robust learning models based on significant time series characteristics, (2) segmentation to identify internally homogeneous time intervals and change points, as well as (3) clustering and/or classification to group the time series (segments) into the sub-population to which they belong to. To support our proposed approach, we present and discuss first experiments on real-life vehicular data. Furthermore we describe a number of applications, where pattern recognition in multivariate time series is practical or rather necessary.
Origin, genetic diversity, and genome structure of the domestic dog

Comparative analysis of mammalian genomes provides important insight into the structure and function of genes. However, the comparative analysis of gene sequences from individuals of the same and different species also provides insight into the evolution of genes, populations, and species. We exemplify these two uses of genomic information. First, we document the evolutionary relationships of the domestic dog to other carnivores by using a variety of DNA‐based information. A phylogenetic comparison of mitochondrial DNA sequences in dogs and gray wolves shows that dogs may have originated from multiple wolf populations at a time much earlier than suggested by the archaeologic record. We discuss previous theories about dog development and evolution in light of the new genetic data. Second, we review recent progress in dog genetic mapping due to the development of hypervariable markers and specific chromosome paints. Extensive genetic homology in gene order and function between humans and dogs has been discovered. The dog promises to be a valuable model for identifying genes that control morphologic differences between mammals as well as understanding genetically based disease. BioEssays 21:247–257, 1999. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A fully coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical model for unsaturated porous media: A fully coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical model for unsaturated porous media

Abstract In examining potential host rocks for such purposes as the disposal of high-level radioactive wastes, it is important to understand the coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) behavior of a porous medium. A rigorous and fully unified coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical model for unsaturated porous media is required to simulate the complex coupling mechanisms involved. Based on modified Darcy’s and Fourier’s laws, equations of mechanical equilibrium, mass conservation and energy conservation are derived by introducing void ratio and volumetric liquid water content into the model. The newly derived model takes into account the effects of temperature on the dynamic viscosity of liquid water and void ratio, the influence of liquid flow on temperature gradient (thermo-osmosis), the influence on mass and heat conservation equations, and the influence of heat flow on water pressure gradient and thermal convection. The new coupled THM constitutive model is constructed by a finite element program and is used to simulate the coupled behavior of a tunnel during excavation, ventilation and concrete lining stages. Oil and gas engineering, underground disposal of nuclear waste and tunnel engineering may be benefited from the development of the new model.
On the Reliability of Electronic Payment Systems

One of the problems facing the builders of the 'Information Superhighway' is how to charge for services. The high costs of billing systems suggest that prepayment mechanisms could play a large part in the solution. Yet how does one go about making an electronic prepayment system (or indeed any kind of payment system) robust? We describe some recent systems engineering experience which may be relevant-the successful introduction of cryptology to protect prepayment electricity meters from token fraud. These meters are used by a number of utilities from Scotland to South Africa, and they present some interesting reliability challenges.
Removal of 2‐fluoro and 2‐iodophenol from aqueous solutions using industrial wastes

Abstract A comparative study of the adsorbents prepared from several industrial wastes for the removal of 2‐fluorophenol and 2‐iodophenol has been carried out. The results show that maximum adsorption on carbonaceous adsorbent prepared from fertilizer industry waste has been found to be 35.3 and 235.3 mg g‐1 for 2‐fluorophenol and 2‐iodophenol, respectively. Compared to carbonaceous adsorbent, the other three adsorbents (viz., blast furnace sludge, dust, and slag) adsorb phenols to a much smaller extent. This has been attributed to the carbonaceous adsorbent having a larger porosity and consequently higher surface area. The adsorption of phenols on this adsorbent has been studied as a function of contact time, concentration and temperature. The adsorption has been found to be endothermic, and the data conform to the Langmuir equation. The further analysis of data indicates that adsorption is a first order process and pore diffusion controlled. A comparative study of adsorption results with those obtained on standard activated charcoal sample shows that prepared adsorbent is about 45% as efficient as standard activated charcoal and therefore, can be fruitfully employed for the removal of phenolic pollutants from wastewaters.
The genetics of and associated clinical findings in humero‐radial synostosis

This paper compares the manifestations of sporadic, dominantly inherited and recessively inherited humero‐radial synostosis with the aim of determining ways of separating these forms on clinical grounds. The genetic forms are characterized by bilateral involvement and by lack of the distal ulnar malformations and the absence of digits that are common in the sporadic cases. The majority of patients with the dominantly inherited form have a characteristic pattern of anomalies, including brachymesophalangy, and the recessive cases have a high frequency of malformations in addition to those of the limbs. Consanguinity is frequent in the families of recessive cases. Four additional patients are presented; two of them illustrate many of the features of the phocomelic syndrome reported by Herrmann et al. (1969). A possible teratogenic cause of these cases is discussed.
Smart technology improves patient-controlled analgesia: a preliminary report.

UNLABELLED A new adaptive system has been designed to improve patient-controlled analgesia through the use of a variable bolus dose and a variable background infusion of analgesic. A novel hand set allows patients to rate their own pain on a linear scale of 1 to 10. Data derived from the hand set signals are used by an expert algorithm to repeatedly adapt the drug dosage of the bolus and of the background infusion according to both current pain intensity and the patient's response to previous dosage. To test the system, we performed a small pilot clinical study, using a randomized, double-blinded, cross-over design. The new system was alternated with a conventional system every 12 h. Use of the new system was associated with significantly lower pain scores and fewer bolus requests but more analgesic administration, though without increased adverse effects. It was very well accepted by both patients and clinical staff. IMPLICATIONS Pain relief after surgery is often best provided by patient-controlled analgesia, which uses an IV infusion pump and a patient-activated switch. We have developed a new computer-controlled or "smart" patient-controlled analgesia that rapidly learns a patient's individual needs and provides continuously tailored pain relief.
Anatomy and Dynamics of a Supramolecular Membrane Protein Cluster

Most plasmalemmal proteins organize in submicrometer-sized clusters whose architecture and dynamics are still enigmatic. With syntaxin 1 as an example, we applied a combination of far-field optical nanoscopy, biochemistry, fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) analysis, and simulations to show that clustering can be explained by self-organization based on simple physical principles. On average, the syntaxin clusters exhibit a diameter of 50 to 60 nanometers and contain 75 densely crowded syntaxins that dynamically exchange with freely diffusing molecules. Self-association depends on weak homophilic protein-protein interactions. Simulations suggest that clustering immobilizes and conformationally constrains the molecules. Moreover, a balance between self-association and crowding-induced steric repulsions is sufficient to explain both the size and dynamics of syntaxin clusters and likely of many oligomerizing membrane proteins that form supramolecular structures.
An Integrated Framework for Evaluating Leaching in Waste Management and Utilization of Secondary Materials

A framework for the evaluation of inorganic constituent leaching from wastes and secondary materials is presented. The framework is based on the measurement of intrinsic leaching properties of the material in conjunction with mathematical modeling to estimate release under field management scenarios. Site-specific and default scenarios are considered, which may be selected based on the evaluation context. A tiered approach is provided to allow the end user to balance between the specificity of the release estimate, the amount of testing knowledge required, a priori knowledge, and resources required to complete an evaluation. Detailed test methodologies are provided for a suite of laboratory leaching tests.
Pervasiveness of Parasites in Pollinators

Many pollinator populations are declining, with large economic and ecological implications. Parasites are known to be an important factor in the some of the population declines of honey bees and bumblebees, but little is known about the parasites afflicting most other pollinators, or the extent of interspecific transmission or vectoring of parasites. Here we carry out a preliminary screening of pollinators (honey bees, five species of bumblebee, three species of wasp, four species of hoverfly and three genera of other bees) in the UK for parasites. We used molecular methods to screen for six honey bee viruses, Ascosphaera fungi, Microsporidia, and Wolbachia intracellular bacteria. We aimed simply to detect the presence of the parasites, encompassing vectoring as well as actual infections. Many pollinators of all types were positive for Ascosphaera fungi, while Microsporidia were rarer, being most frequently found in bumblebees. We also detected that most pollinators were positive for Wolbachia, most probably indicating infection with this intracellular symbiont, and raising the possibility that it may be an important factor in influencing host sex ratios or fitness in a diversity of pollinators. Importantly, we found that about a third of bumblebees (Bombus pascuorum and Bombus terrestris) and a third of wasps (Vespula vulgaris), as well as all honey bees, were positive for deformed wing virus, but that this virus was not present in other pollinators. Deformed wing virus therefore does not appear to be a general parasite of pollinators, but does interact significantly with at least three species of bumblebee and wasp. Further work is needed to establish the identity of some of the parasites, their spatiotemporal variation, and whether they are infecting the various pollinator species or being vectored. However, these results provide a first insight into the diversity, and potential exchange, of parasites in pollinator communities.
Ca 2 + signaling evoked by activation of Na + channels and Na + / Ca 2 + exchangers is required for GABA-induced NG 2 cell migration

The Rockefeller University Press $30.00 J. Cell Biol. Vol. 186 No. 1 113–128 www.jcb. org/cgi/doi/10.1083/jcb.200811071 JCB 113 Correspondence to Shumin Duan: shumin@ion.ac. cn Abbreviations used in this paper: ACSF, artificial cerebrospinal fluid; CNS, central nervous system; DiI, 1,1-dioctadecyl-3,3,3,3 tetramethylindocarbocyanine; ECS, extracellular solution; GABAAR, GABAA receptor; GDP, giant depolarizing potential; GFAP, glial fibrillary acidic protein; NCX, Na+/Ca2+ exchanger; NKCC1, Na+-K+-Cl cotransporter 1; OPC, oligodendrocyte progenitor cell; SBFI/AM, sodium-binding benzofuran isophthalate; SVZ, subventricular zone; TTX, tetrodotoxin; VGCC, voltage-gated Ca2+ channel. Introduction