cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identification of phosphoproteins in Arabidopsis thaliana leaves using polyethylene glycol fractionation, immobilized metal-ion affinity chromatography, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry.

Reversible protein phosphorylation is a key regulatory mechanism in cells. Identification and characterization of phospho- proteinsrequiresspecializedenrichmentmethods,duetotherelatively low abundance of these proteins, and is further complicated in plants by the high abundance of Rubisco in green tissues. We present a novel method for plant phosphoproteome analysis that depletes Rubisco using polyethylene glycol fractionation and utilizes immobilized metal-ion affinity chromatography to enrich phosphoproteins. Sub- sequent protein separation by one- and two-dimensional gel electro- phoresis is further improved by extracting the PEG-fractionated protein samples with SDS/phenol and methanol/chloroform to remove interfering compounds. Using this approach, we identified 132phosphorylatedproteinsinapartialArabidopsisleafextract.These proteins are involved in a range of biological processes, including CO2 fixation, protein assembly and folding, stress response, redox regulation,andcellularmetabolism.BothlargeandsmallsubunitsofRubiscowerephosphorylatedatmultiplesites,anddepletionof Rubisco enhanced detection of less abundant phosphoproteins, including those associated with state transitions between photosystems I and II. The discovery of a phosphorylated form of AtGRP7, a self-regulating RNA-binding protein that affects floral transition, as well as several previously uncharacterized ribosomal proteins confirm the utility of this approach for phosphoproteome analysis and its potential to increase our understanding of growth and development in plants.
A rewriting-based inference system for the NRL Protocol analyzer and its meta-logical properties

The NRL Protocol Analyzer (NPA) is a tool for the formal specification and analysis of cryptographic protocols that has been used with great effect on a number of complex real-life protocols. One of the most interesting of its features is that it can be used to reason about security in face of attempted attacks on low-level algebraic properties of the functions used in a protocol. Indeed, it has been used successfully to either reproduce or discover a number of such attacks. In this paper we give for the first time a precise formal specification of the main features of the NPA inference system: its grammar-based techniques for invariant generation and its backwards reachability analysis method. This formal specification is given within the well-known rewriting framework so that the inference system is specified as a set of rewrite rules modulo an equational theory describing the behavior of the cryptographic algorithms involved. We then use this formalization to prove some important meta-logical properties about the NPA inference system, including the soundness and completeness of the search algorithm and soundness of the grammar generation algorithm. The formalization and soundness and completeness theorems not only provide also a better understanding of the NPA as it currently operates, but provide a modular basis which can be used as a starting point for increasing the types of equational theories it can handle.
Lower limits of the potentiometric titration of perchlorate using a perchlorate ion-selective electrode

Abstract Three titrants (tetraphenylarsonium chloride, tetraphenylphosphonium chloride, and tetra-n-pentylammonium bromide) were evaluated for the potentiometric determination of perchlorate. The emf levels were monitored with a perchlorate ion-selective indicator electrode and a double-junction reference electrode. The tetraphenylonium salts were equivalent, yielding the same precision and magnitude of potentiometric breaks. Considerably smaller breaks were obtained with tetra-n-pentylammonium bromide, which, therefore, is not recommended as titrant. The lower limits for the potentiometric titration of perchlorate at ambient temperature were extended to ~0.09 mmol per 50 ml (1.7 × 10−3 N) from the previous 0.25 mmol per 50 ml. If Gran plots are used, they can be further extended to ~0.01 mmol per 50 ml (2.1 × 10−4 N).
Concussion Recovery Time Among High School and Collegiate Athletes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background Concussion diagnosis and management is made through the clinical exam using assessment tools that include self-report symptomatology, postural control, and cognitive evaluations. The specific timing of concussion resolution varies between individuals. However, despite a lack of research in concussion recovery, it is widely accepted that the majority of young adults will recover in 7–10 days, with youth athletes taking longer.
Metabolism and macromolecular binding of the carcinogen Michler's ketone in rats.

1. Studies on the metabolism of 14C-Michler's ketone (4,4′-bis-(dimethyl-amino)[carbonyl-14C]benzophenone) in rats have revealed that this carcinogen is subject to demethylation, ring-hydroxylation and N-acetylation after adjacent methyl groups have been removed.2. As identified by mass spectral analysis, microsomal metabolites are the mono-, di-, tri- and tetra-demethylated derivatives.3. The major metabolites appearing in the bile are the di- and tri-demethylated derivatives and the N-acetylated tetra-demethylated compound; minor metabolites, tentatively identified, are the ring-hydroxylated derivatives of di- and tri-demethylated Michler's ketone and of N-acetylated tri- and tetra-demethylated Michler's ketone.4. The major urinary metabolite is tentatively identified as a ring-hydroxylated derivative of N-acetylated, di-demethylated Michler's ketone; a minor urinary metabolite lacks the hydroxyl group.5. Injection of 14C-Michler's ketone into rats resulted in the irreversible binding of radioactivity t...
Intraspecific defense: advantage of social cooperation among paper wasp foundresses

Foundress associations and high frequencies of conspecific nest usurpation are most common where densities of Polistes metricus are high. Here nest usurpation occurs primarily in single-foundress colonies resulting in multiple-foundress colonies having significantly greater productivities than single-foundress colonies. This is not true at low densities. Conspecific pressures and not predation or parasitism provide an advantage to cooperating wasp foundresses in P. metricus.
Utilizing traveling—Salesman subtours to create sales districts

Abstract The optimal solution to the assignment problem serves as a lower bound to the traveling salesman problem since the traveling-salesman problem is an assignment problem with subtour elimination constraints. Thus, the total distance traveled by a traveling salesman is equal to the total distance traveled via the assignment solution (with subtours in general), plus the cost of having no subtours for a traveling salesman. If the cost of having no subtours is sufficiently large, then it may be economical to utilize the subtours as sales districts with one salesman to a sales district. The total compensation of all salesmen is then bounded above by the cost of having no subtours.
Phase 0 Clinical Trials: An Answer to Drug Development Stagnation?

action, pharmacology, bioavailability, pharmacodynamics, and metabolic microdose assessments. These studies of novel agents expose a small number of patients (perhaps 10 or fewer) to a limited duration (eg, 7 days or less) and dose (in the range of one 100th of the dose required to yield a pharmacologic effect of the test substance with a maximum dose of 100 g). 3 They are conducted before the traditional phase I dose-escalation safety and tolerance studies. By not having the traditional phase I objectives of toxicity and dose finding, phase 0 studies can be conducted early in the development process and are actually considered more of a discovery, rather than development, tool. In early 2006, the FDA published “A Guidance for Industry, Investigators, and Reviewers for Exploratory IND Studies” as part of the agency’s critical path initiative to streamline drug development and improve the understanding of drugs early in the clinical process. 3 There must be several considerations before initiating a phase 0
Persistent infection with Theiler's virus leads to CNS autoimmunity via epitope spreading

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a T cell-mediated autoimmune demyelinating disease1, which may be initiated by a virus infection2. Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV), a natural mouse pathogen, is a picornavirus that induces a chronic, CD4+ T cell-mediated demyelinating disease with a clinical course and histopathology similar to that of chronic progressive MS (ref. 3). Demyelination in TMEV-infected mice is initiated by a mononu-clear inflammatory response mediated by virus-specific CD4+ T cells targeting virus, which chronically persists in the CNS (ref. 4–6). We show that beginning 3–4 weeks after disease onset, T-cell responses to multiple myelin autoepitopes arise in an ordered progression and may play a pathologic role in chronic disease. Kinetic and functional studies show that T-cell responses to the immunodominant myelin proteolipid protein epitope (PLP139–151) did not arise because of cross-reactivity between TMEV and self epitopes (that is, molecular mimicry)7, 8, but because of de novo priming of self-reactive T cells to sequestered autoantigens released secondary to virus-specific T cell-mediated demyelination (that is, epitope spreading)9, 10. Epitope spreading is an important alternate mechanism to explain the etiology of virus-induced organ-specific autoimmune diseases.
Fishery for Pacific Billfish off Southern California and Mexico, 1903-69

Abstract Sport fishing for striped marlin (Tetrapturus audax) began off southern California in 1903. Catches of this species have fluctuated widely. Some of the annual variation in catch (15% to 25%) may be attributable to variations in water temperatures. When the marlin season ends in southern California, usually in November, some fishermen who own yachts begin fishing for billfish in Mexican waters, particularly near Cabo San Lucas and La Paz, Baja California. This fishing is restricted to winter and spring because of severe tropical storms which occur in the summer, and lack of protective harbors except at La Paz. Access by land or air to good billfishing in Mexico became available in 1936 at Guaymas, in 1949 at Acapulco and La Paz, in 1958 at Mazatlan, and at several locations between La Paz and Cabo San Lucas shortly thereafter. Fishing for billfish in Mexico now accounts for an estimated expenditure annually of about $10 million by United States citizens, and is the major business in lower Baja Cal...
Epidemiology of mild traumatic brain injury and neurodegenerative disease

Every year an estimated 42 million people worldwide suffer a mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) or concussion. More severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a well-established risk factor for a variety of neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Recently, large epidemiological studies have additionally identified MTBI as a risk factor for dementia. The role of MTBI in risk of PD or ALS is less well established. Repetitive MTBI and repetitive sub-concussive head trauma have been linked to increased risk for a variety of neurodegenerative diseases including chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). CTE is a unique neurodegenerative tauopathy first described in boxers but more recently described in a variety of contact sport athletes, military veterans, and civilians exposed to repetitive MTBI. Studies of repetitive MTBI and CTE have been limited by referral bias, lack of consensus clinical criteria for CTE, challenges of quantifying MTBI exposure, and potential for confounding. The prevalence of CTE is unknown and the amount of MTBI or sub-concussive trauma exposure necessary to produce CTE is unclear. This review will summarize the current literature regarding the epidemiology of MTBI, post-TBI dementia and Parkinson's disease, and CTE while highlighting methodological challenges and critical future directions of research in this field. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled SI:Traumatic Brain Injury.
Connoisseur's Choice: Scorodite Hezhou Prefecture, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China

Arsenic, particularly in industrial wastes and in both surface and groundwater, is of critical importance with respect to health and other environmental considerations. It is actually a relatively ...
Activation of platelet αIIbβ3 by an exogenous peptide corresponding to the transmembrane domain of αIIb

A transmembrane domain heterodimer, acting in concert with a membrane-proximal cytoplasmic domain clasp, is thought to maintain integrins in a low affinity state. To test whether helix-helix interactions between the alphaIIb and beta3 transmembrane domains regulate the activity of integrin alphaIIbbeta3, we synthesized a soluble peptide corresponding to the alphaIIb transmembrane domain, designated alphaIIb-TM, and we studied its ability to affect alphaIIbbeta3 activity in human platelets. alphaIIb-TM was alpha-helical in detergent micelles and phospholipid vesicles, readily inserted into membrane bilayers, bound to intact purified alphaIIbbeta3, and specifically associated with the transmembrane domain of alphaIIb, rather than the transmembrane domains of beta3, alpha2, and beta1, other integrin subunits present in platelets. When added to suspensions of gel-filtered platelets, alphaIIb-TM rapidly induced platelet aggregation that was not inhibited by preincubating platelets with the prostaglandin E(1) or the ADP scavenger apyrase but was prevented by the divalent cation chelator EDTA. Furthermore, alphaIIb-TM induced fibrinogen binding to platelets but not the binding of osteopontin, a specific ligand for platelet alphavbeta3. The peptide also induced fibrinogen binding to recombinant alphaIIbbeta3 expressed by Chinese hamster ovary cells, confirming that its effect was independent of platelet signal transduction. Finally, transmission electron microscopy of purified alphaIIbbeta3 revealed that alphaIIb-TM shifted the integrin from a closed configuration with its stalks touching to an open configuration with separated stalks. These observations demonstrate that transmembrane domain interactions regulate integrin function in situ and that it is possible to target intra-membranous protein-protein interactions in a way that can have functional consequences.
Second generation N-(1,2-diphenylethyl)piperazines as dual serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors: improving metabolic stability and reducing ion channel activity.

Abstract New N-(1,2-diphenylethyl)piperazines 6 are disclosed as dual serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRI) which may have potential in treating stress urinary incontinence (SUI). In this Letter, we present new data for SNRI PF-526014 (4) including performance in a canine in vivo model of SUI, cardiovascular assessment, pharmacokinetics in dog and determination of the primary routes of metabolism in vitro. Starting from 4, detailed structure activity relationships established that potent dual SNRIs could be achieved by appropriate substitution of the phenyl rings (6: R; R1) combined with a preferred stereochemistry. From this set of compounds, piperazine (−)-6a was identified as a potent and selective dual SNRI with improved metabolic stability and reduced ion channel activity when compared to 4. Based on this profile, (−)-6a was selected for further evaluation in a preclinical model of SUI.
Hydrodynamics of caudal fin locomotion by chub mackerel, Scomber japonicus (Scombridae)

As members of the derived teleost fish clade Scombridae, mackerel exhibit high-performance aquatic locomotion via oscillation of the homocercal forked caudal fin. We present the first quantitative flow visualization of the wake of a scombrid fish, chub mackerel Scomber japonicus (20‐26 cm fork length, FL), swimming steadily in a recirculating flow tank at cruising speeds of 1.2 and 2.2 FL s ‐1 . Thrust was calculated from wake measurements made separately in the horizontal (frontal) plane and vertical (parasagittal) planes using digital particle image velocimetry (DPIV) and compared with drag measurements obtained by towing the same specimens of S. japonicus post mortem. Patterns of flow indicated that the wake consisted of a series of linked elliptical vortex rings, each with central jet flow. The length of the minor axis (height) of the vortex rings was approximately equal to caudal fin span; the length of the major ring axis was dependent on swimming speed and was up to twice the magnitude of ring height. Profiles of wake velocity components were similar to theoretical profiles of vortex rings. Lift, thrust and lateral forces were calculated from DPIV measurements. At 1.2 FL s ‐1 , lift forces measured relative to the X axis were low in magnitude (‐1±1 mN, mean ± S.D., N=20) but oriented at a mean angle of 6 ° to the body axis. Reaction forces tend to rotate the fish about its center of mass, tipping the head down. Thus, the homocercal caudal fin of S. japonicus functions asymmetrically in the vertical plane. Pitching moments may be balanced anteriorly via lift generation by the pectoral fins. Thrust estimates for the two smallest fish based on DPIV analysis were not significantly different from drag measurements made by towing those same animals. At a speed of 1.2 FL s ‐1 , thrust magnitude was 11±6 mN (mean ± S.D, N=40). Lateral force magnitudes were approximately double thrust magnitudes (22±6 mN, mean ± S.D., N=20), resulting in a mean mechanical performance ratio (thrust/total force) of 0.32 at 1.2 FL s ‐1 . An increase in speed by a factor of 1.8 resulted in a mean increase in thrust by a factor of 4.4, a mean increase in lateral forces by a factor of 3, no change in the magnitude of lift produced and an increase in mean mechanical performance to 0.42. The relatively high lateral forces generated during swimming may be a necessary consequence of force production via propagated waves of bending. Movies available on-line. Summary
Factor structure of the CERAD neuropsychological battery

The Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD) neuropsychological battery was developed to evaluate cognitive impairments associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Previous studies have suggested that the battery is multi-dimensional, represented by either 3 or 5 dimensions. In this study a principal factor analysis was conducted using contemporary quantitative methods for determining the number of factors. Exploratory factor analysis of the CERAD battery and MMSE was conducted using one-half of the CERAD database (total N = 969). Glorfeld's modification of Horn's parallel analysis method suggested that there was 1 common factor in the variable matrix. Characterization of patterns of deficits in AD requires supplementation of measures derived from the CERAD and MMSE with other tests.
A Phylogeographic and Population Genetic Analysis of a Widespread, Sedentary North American Bird: The Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus)

ABSTRACT. The Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus) has one of the broadest breeding distributions of any North American bird and is also one of the most morphologically variable with as many as 21 described subspecies. This wide distribution and high degree of phenotypic diversity suggests the presence of underlying genetic structure. We used ND2 sequence from 296 individuals from 89 localities throughout the Hairy Woodpecker distribution to address this question and to explore this species' evolutionary history. Phylogenetic analyses identified three main Hairy Woodpecker clades, each ∼1.5% divergent from one another. One clade was comprised of birds from boreal and eastern zones of North America (NE the second, of birds from western and southwestern North America (S&W), and the third included only birds from a disjunct population in Costa Rica and Panama. Population genetic analyses and climatic niche models indicated that the N&E and S&W clades have very different recent evolutionary histories. Popu...
The Effect of Enzymatic Reaction on Dissolution Rate: Theoretical Analysis and Experimental Test

The dissolution behavior of N-acetylphenylalanine ethyl ester (1) and N-benzoyltyrosine ethyl ester (2) from a rotating disk into aqueous solutions containing the enzyme α-chymotrypsin was investigated. The effect of the bulk enzymatic reaction on the dissolution rates is modeled using the continuity equation where the reaction term is considered a constant throughout the reaction zone. Dimensional analysis on the continuity equation defines the important parameter R* = KcatE0h2/(CsD) which is the ratio of the diffusion time to the reaction time. This parameter correctly predicted the fact that the enzymatic reaction had only a slight impact on the dissolution of the highly soluble 1 while the effect on the less soluble 2 was large. Also predicted by R* is the dissolution dependence on the catalytic rate constant. The variation of this rate constant with pH is consistent with the dependence on pH found for the dissolution rate of 2. It is further demonstrated that the decrease in dissolution rate with solubility can be significantly reduced when the dissolving compound is an enzyme substrate. For the two compounds used in this study the dissolution rate decreased with the square root of solubility, as predicted by the theoretical analysis in the presence of enzyme. Other experiments included the variation of the enzyme concentration and the rotational speed of the spinning disk. All experiments were designed to show how R* could correctly predict the relative importance of the convective, diffusive, and reactive processes.
Experimental porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus infection in one-, four-, and 10-week-old pigs.

One-, 4-, and lo-week-old pigs were exposed to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) to determine the effect of age on clinical signs, hematologic alterations, the onset and duration of viremia, routes of virus shedding, antibody production, and microscopic lesions produced by PRRSV isolate ATCC VR-2332. The response to PRRSV infection was similar among age groups. Fever, usually prolonged, and a marked dyspnea with cutaneous erythema when restrained for sample collection were the most consistent clinical signs. Prolonged periocular edema was unique to the l-week-old pigs. The white blood cell count was decreased on day 4 postexposure (PE) due to decreases in neutrophils and lymphocytes. The virus was isolated from buffy coats at day 1 PE and was isolated from serum, buffy coat, or plasma at each sample collection period through the end of the trial (day 28 PE). Virus was most consistently isolated from lung, lymph node, spleen, and tonsil on day 7 PE and exclusively from lymph node, spleen, and tonsil on day 28 PE. Virus was infrequently isolated from urine and fecal and nasal swabs. Consistent microscopic changes in all age groups included interstitial pneumonia and lymph node hypertrophy and hyperplasia on days 7 and 28 PE, lymph node necrosis on day 7 PE, and subacute mononuclear myocarditis on day 28 PE. Findings presented here indicate that interstitial pneumonia, lymphoid necrosis, and mononuclear myocarditis are characteristic lesions of PRRSV isolate ATCC VR-2332 infection in 1-, 4-, and lo-week-old pigs. Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), a recently emerging disease of swine, causes pneumonia and late term abortion characterized by stillborn pigs, partially autolyzed fetuses, and weak live-born pigs. 8-11,14-16,18,24,25 In conventional pigs, this virus causes fever, marked dyspnea ("thumping"), flu- like signs, and an increase in pneumonia from oppor- tunistic bacteria. ll,14,l6,18 Clinical signs in PRRS virus (PRRSV)-infected gnotobiotic pigs are inappetence, fe- ver, diarrhea, hyperpnea, dyspnea, and rough hair coats. 9 Clinical signs of the disease are reported to be more severe in neonatal pigs. The disease is caused by a positive-stran d enveloped RNA virus closely related to lactate dehydrogenase-elevating virus (LDEV), equine arteritis virus (EAV), and simian hemorrhagic fever virus (SHF) and will probably be classified in the family Arteriviridae. 4,17,20 To determine the effect of age on disease, l-, 4-, and 10-week-old pigs were intranasally exposed to PRRSV. Hematologic alterations, onset and duration of vire-
The burden of disease and the changing task of medicine

Disease has changed since 1812. People have different diseases, doctors hold different ideas about those diseases, and diseases carry different meanings in society. To understand the transformations of disease over the past 200 years, one must explore its social nature.
The subacute neurotoxicity of excess pyridoxine HCl and clioquinol (5-chloro-7-iodo-8-hydroxyquinoline) in beagle dogs. I. Clinical disease.

The clinical and clinicopathologic effects of excess oral pyridoxine hydrochloride (150 mg/kg body weight/day) and clioquinol (200 mg/kg body weight/day) alone and in combination were evaluated in adult Beagle dogs over an experimental period of approximately 100 days. Anorexia and loss of body weight occurred in the first weeks of the trial period in each treatment group, but was most severe in dogs given both compounds. Dogs in each treatment group (10 of 10 pyridoxine-treated dogs, 6 of 13 clioquinol-treated dogs and 12 of 13 pyridoxine plus clioquinol-treated dogs) developed neurologic disease, manifested principally by ataxia. Pyridoxine-treated dogs had proprioceptive loss involving both fore- and hindquarters, char- acterized by stiff, spastic, dysmetric leg movements. In clioquinol-treated dogs, dysmetric leg movements were accompanied by failure to support body weight in the hindquarters, but similar forelimb involvement occurred in severely affected dogs. The neurologic disease in dogs given both compounds varied; signs in some dogs resembled those of affected dogs of the pyridoxine-treated group, and in others, those in the clioquinol-treated group. Erythrocyte counts, hemoglobin concentrations and packed cell volumes were reduced in dogs in each treatment group and were lowest in dogs given both compounds. Plasma protein was mildly reduced in dogs given pyridoxine or pyridoxine plus clioquinol. Few or no differences were present in the leukocyte counts, blood urea nitrogen concentrations, in activities of serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, and in concen- trations of sodium, chloride or potassium in treated dogs as compared to control dogs. Clioquinol(5-chloro-7-iodo-8-hydroxyquinoline) has been implicated as a possible agent in the distinctive neurologic syndrome of man, subacute myelo-optico-neurop- athy (SMON) (lo). Although clioquinol was used throughout the world for the treatment and prophylaxis of nonspecific diarrhea and amebic dysentery, subacute myelo-optico-neuropathy was limited primarily to the Japanese people. Laboratory animals, especially dogs, dosed with clioquinol developed a neurologic disease thought to be identical in certain aspects to subacute myelo-optico-neuropathy ( 191. The disease disappeared from Japan after 1970, coinciding with withdrawal of clioquinol from the Japanese market. Controversy remained, however, as to the role
Electron-ion thermal equilibration after spherical shock collapse.

A comprehensive set of dual nuclear product observations provides a snapshot of imploding inertial confinement fusion capsules at the time of shock collapse, shortly before the final stages of compression. The collapse of strong convergent shocks at the center of spherical capsules filled with ${\text{D}}_{2}$ and $^{3}\text{H}\text{e}$ gases induces D-D and $\text{D}\text{\ensuremath{-}}^{3}\text{H}\text{e}$ nuclear production. Temporal and spectral diagnostics of products from both reactions are used to measure shock timing, temperature, and capsule areal density. The density and temperature inferred from these measurements are used to estimate the electron-ion thermal coupling and demonstrate a lower electron-ion relaxation rate for capsules with lower initial gas density.
Gain allocation in proportionate-type NLMS algorithms for fast decay of output error at all times

In this paper, we propose three new proportionate-type NLMS algorithms: the water filling algorithm, the feasible water filling algorithm, and the adaptive μ-law proportionate NLMS (MPNLMS) algorithm. The water filling algorithm attempts to choose the optimal gains at each time step. The optimal gains are found by minimizing the mean square error (MSE) at each time with respect to the gains, given the previous mean square weight deviations. While this algorithm offers superior convergence times, it is not feasible. The second algorithm is a feasible version of the water filling algorithm. The adaptive MPNLMS (AMPNLMS) algorithm is a modification of the MPNLMS algorithm. In the MPNLMS algorithm, the parameter μ of the μ-law compression is constant. In the AMPNLMS algorithm the parameter μ is allowed to vary with time. This modification allows the algorithm more flexibility when attempting to minimize the MSE. Compared with several feasible algorithms, the AMPNLMS algorithm has the fastest MSE decay for almost all times.
Neurogenesis in the Adult Brain: New Strategies for Central Nervous System Diseases

▪ Abstract New cells are continuously generated from immature proliferating cells throughout adulthood in many organs, thereby contributing to the integrity of the tissue under physiological conditions and to repair following injury. In contrast, repair mechanisms in the adult central nervous system (CNS) have long been thought to be very limited. However, recent findings have clearly demonstrated that in restricted areas of the mammalian brain, new functional neurons are constantly generated from neural stem cells throughout life. Moreover, stem cells with the potential to give rise to new neurons reside in many different regions of the adult CNS. These findings raise the possibility that endogenous neural stem cells can be mobilized to replace dying neurons in neurodegenerative diseases. Indeed, recent reports have provided evidence that, in some injury models, limited neuronal replacement occurs in the CNS. Here, we summarize our current understanding of the mechanisms controlling adult neurogenesis an...
Soft-core Processor Customization using the Design of Experiments Paradigm

Parameterized components are becoming more commonplace in system design. The process of customizing parameter values for a particular application, called tuning, can be a challenging task for a designer. Here we focus on the problem of tuning a parameterized soft-core microprocessor to achieve the best performance on a particular application, subject to size constraints. We map the tuning problem to a well-established statistical paradigm called design of experiments (DoE), which involves the design of a carefully selected set of experiments and a sophisticated analysis that has the objective to extract the maximum amount of information about the effects of the input parameters on the experiment. We apply the DoE method to analyze the relation between input parameters and the performance of a soft-core microprocessor for a particular application, using only a small number of synthesis/execution runs. The information gained by the analysis in turn drives a soft-core tuning heuristic. We show that using DoE to sort the parameters in order of impact results in application speedups of 6times-17times versus an un-tuned base soft-core. When compared to a previous single-factor tuning method, the DoE-based method achieves 3times-6times application speedups, while requiring about the same tuning runtime. We also show that tuning runtime can be reduced by 40-45% by using predictive tuning methods already built into a DoE tool
CYP6B1 and CYP6B3 of the Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes): Adaptive Evolution through Subfunctionalization

Gene duplication provides essential material for functional divergence of proteins and hence allows organisms to adapt to changing environments. Following duplication events, redundant paralogs may undergo different evolutionary paths via processes known as nonfunctionalization, neofunctionalization, or subfunctionalization. Studies of adaptive evolution at the molecular level have progressed rapidly by computationally analyzing nucleotide substitution patterns but such studies are limited by the absence of information relating to alterations of function of the encoded enzymes. In this respect, evolution of the Papilio polyxenes cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450s) responsible for the adaptation of this insect to furanocoumarin-containing host plants provides an excellent model for elucidating the evolutionary fate of duplicated genes. Evidence from sequence and functional analysis in combination with molecular modeling indicates that the paralogous CYP6B1 and CYP6B3 genes in P. polyxenes have probably evolved via subfunctionalization after the duplication event by which they arose. Both enzymes have been under independent purifying selection as evidenced by the low dN/dS ratio in both the coding region and substrate recognition sites. Both enzymes have maintained their ability to metabolize linear and angular furanocoumarins albeit at different efficiencies. Comparisons of molecular models developed for the CYP6B3 and CYP6B1 proteins highlight differences in their binding modes that account for their different activities toward linear and angular furanocoumarins. That P. polyxenes maintains these 2 furanocoumarin-metabolizing loci with somewhat different activities and expression patterns provides this species with the potential to acquire P450s with novel functions while maintaining those most critical to its exclusive feeding on its current range of host plants.
VOLATILITY SPILLOVER EFFECTS IN EMERGING MENA STOCK MARKETS

International stock markets worldwide experienced a downturn in stock prices and activities following the subprime mortgage crisis in the U.S. in mid-2008. This suggests that stock prices volatility do spillover from one market to another. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the international transmission of daily stock index volatility movements from U.S. and U.K. to selected MENA emerging markets: Egypt, Israel, and Turkey. Employing a multivariate GARCH in Mean technique due to Engle, the study finds that Egypt and Israel are significantly influenced by the U.S. stock market while Turkey is not.
Automatic generation of test oracles: from pilot studies to application

There is a trend towards the increased use of automation in V&V (verification and validation). Automation can yield savings in time and effort. For critical systems, where thorough V&V is required, these savings can be substantial. We describe a progression from pilot studies to development and use of V&V automation. We used pilot studies to ascertain opportunities for, and suitability of automating various analyses whose results would contribute to V&V. These studies culminated in the development of an automatic generator of automated test oracles. This was then applied and extended in the course of testing an AI planning system that is a key component of an autonomous spacecraft.
Positive and negative selection using the tetA-sacB cassette: recombineering and P1 transduction in Escherichia coli

The two-step process of selection and counter-selection is a standard way to enable genetic modification and engineering of bacterial genomes using homologous recombination methods. The tetA and sacB genes are contained in a DNA cassette and confer a novel dual counter-selection system. Expression of tetA confers bacterial resistance to tetracycline (Tc(R)) and also causes sensitivity to the lipophillic chelator fusaric acid; sacB causes sensitivity to sucrose. These two genes are introduced as a joint DNA cassette into Escherichia coli by selection for Tc(R). A medium containing both fusaric acid and sucrose has been developed, in which, coexpression of tetA-sacB is orders of magnitude more sensitive as a counter-selection agent than either gene alone. In conjunction with the homologous recombination methods of recombineering and P1 transduction, this powerful system has been used to select changes in the bacterial genome that cannot be directly detected by other counter-selection systems.
Susceptibility-Weighted Imaging in Neurodegeneration in Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis

Figure 2. Bilateral SWI-hypointense calcifications in the substantia nigra and globus pallidus. A 15-year-old boy with confirmed Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) was referred for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Conventional MRI, using T1and T2-weighted sequences, detected bilateral T2-hyperintense and T1-hypointense, non-contrast-enhancing signal alterations within the pons, dentate nuclei, and adjacent cerebellar white matter (Figure 1). In addition, discrete T1-hyperintense calcifications were noted in the globus pallidus. These lesions represent the classical pattern of neurodegeneration in LCH (ND-LCH). Susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) is a newly developed MRI sequence that is highly sensitive for intraparenchymal calcifications and hemorrhages because of its pulse design. The calcifications in the globus pallidus identified on T1-weighted sequences were more conspicuous on SWI. SWI also revealed additional calicifications affecting the substantia nigra that were not prospectively recognized on either conventional T1or T2-weighted sequences (Figure 2). SWI should be added to conventional MRI in patients with ND-LCH. SWI may reveal areas of tissue injury that go undetected on conventional MRI. SWI’s ability to more
Perioperative outcomes in minimally invasive lumbar spine surgery: A systematic review

CONCLUSION: Based on perioperative outcomes data, MIS approach is superior to open approach for TLIF. For laminectomy, MIS and open approaches can be chosen based on surgeon preference. For lateral approaches, there is insufficient evidence to find non-inferior perioperative outcomes at this time.
Introduction to Epigenetic Mechanisms: The Probable Common Thread for Various Developmental Origins of Health and Diseases Effects

Increasing evidence has demonstrated that fetal reprogramming events relevant to developmental origin of health and diseases (DOHaD) are mediated by epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation and posttranslational histone modification. In this chapter, various epigenetic mechanisms that are potentially linked to environment-induced changes in fetal gene expression relevant to DOHaD are discussed. In addition to DNA methylation and histone modifications, other mechanisms (noncoding RNA and nucleosome remodeling) are included. Moreover, two stages of mammalian development are briefly discussed in the context of epigenetic reprogramming. These stages are early embryonic development and primordial germ cell development, and relevant epigenetic regulations that occur during these stages are discussed.
A Hidden Gift to Manufacturing

Many urban areas use non-cumulative zoning - zoning exclusive to one use (typically manufacturing) that prohibits other uses even if those uses are considered less noxious. Proponents of this zoning claim that it is necessary to reduce the degree to which urban manufacturers are held responsible for nuisance. This article argues that this justification is flawed, and alternative means could achieve the same ends with fewer costs. Non-cumulative zoning is really a subsidy to manufacturers, reducing their land cost by eliminating potential competitors for land. This subsidy cannot be justified because non-cumulative zoning is unlikely to achieve either local or broader social efficiency.
Taxonomy of DEVS subclasses for standardization

This paper clarifies the class hierarchy among DEVS subclasses in terms of their expressiveness. We define the expressiveness of a given formalism as the scope of accepting event segments by the formalism. In this paper, we interpret that DEVS formalism can be nondeterministic as well as deterministic. Based on this interpretation, inclusion relationship between several different formalisms including Timed Automaton are shown. As a consequence, this paper contributes to DEVS standardization at a level of formalism. The classes clarify the power of DEVS and enable the development of powerful sub-languages that make it easier to work in particular domains - and to teach the basics of DEVS - as we do with a subclass, called FDDEVS.
Implementing effectiveness research and improving care for schizophrenia in real-world settings.

Objective To review recent advances in medication practices and standards of care in the treatment of schizophrenia and examine the disparity between the knowledge base and clinical practice. Data sources Key literature on medication practices, novel pharmacotherapies, and the evolution of practice guidelines for schizophrenia were reviewed. Discussion Emerging data demonstrate a lack of consistent application of current knowledge and best practices, in part due to major structural inconsistencies in the public mental health system. Implementation of results from effectiveness research as well as the incorporation of practice guidelines may help bridge this gap. Conclusion As standards of care for schizophrenia are developed, the following issues will need particular attention: coordination with the criminal justice system, comprehensive treatment of comorbid illnesses, outcomes based on symptoms in all domains, and continuous and integrated collection of data to produce rational cost justification.
The Use of Green's Functions to Solve Some General Initial-Value Problems

Ince [1 ] constructs a "Green's function" solution to an nth order comnpletely homogeneous linear differential system. His solution has continutous derivatives of order n -2 over its entire domain, with the (n t)st derivative discontinuotus at some point in the domain. In this paper, I use functions w^vhich solve initial value problemns whose differential equations are (in turn) nth order linear, nth order nonlinear and homogeneous in the dependent variable. If the equation satisfies a certain "uniqueness" condition, the solution is the only one. The Green's functions used here are not restricted to continuity of the first n-2 derivatives. One of the problems solved requires the solution to be a function with k cusp points (k is a positive integer greater than one). A nonsynmmetric function is obtained as the solution to a problem in which the linear nth order differential equation is "complete," i.e., nonhomogeneous.
EVIDENCE FOR LONG‐DISTANCE POLLEN DISPERSAL IN MILKWEEDS (ASCLEPIAS EXALTATA)

We investigated pollen-mediated gene flow and interspecific matings in natural populations of poke milkweed, Asclepias exaltata. Genetic data from 16 polymorphic isozymes allowed unambiguous identification of the diploid paternal genotype for 225 singly sired fruits collected from six populations in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia. Paternity analysis of progeny arrays revealed that 29%-50% (39.2%, mean) of the seeds produced in these populations were sired by plants located outside each target population. Variation among populations appears to be related to isolation distance (Kendall's τ = -0.69, N = 6, P > 0.1), although the negative correlation was statistically significant only when the results from a previous study of A. exaltata were also included in the analysis (Kendall's τ = -0.78, N = 7, P < 0.05). The coupling of standard paternity exclusion analysis on individual seeds (12 seeds/fruit) with estimation of cryptic gene flow from Monte Carlo simulations accounted for only 65% of the gene flow detected using the progeny-array analysis. These results suggest that standard paternity exclusion, incorporating cryptic gene flow, will inherently underestimate actual gene flow rates when the number of paternal parents is smaller than the number of seeds per fruit (i.e., matings are correlated). Indirect estimates of the number of migrants per generation (Nm ≈ 2.3) obtained from Nei's genetic diversity statistic (GST ) are much smaller than realized gene flow measured in 1990 (Nm = 9.4, progeny-array method). In addition, interspecific hybridization with common milkweed, Asclepias syriaca, via long-distance pollen dispersal was detected in two fruits (0.8%). Thus, pollen-mediated gene flow and infrequent interspecific matings provide mechanisms to lower genetic differentiation among populations to maintain novel, low-frequency alleles within populations of A. exaltata.
Oviposition Site Selection by Seedcorn Maggot Flies (Diptera: Anthomyiidae) Unaffected by Prior Experience or Larval Host

Seedcorn maggot flies, Delia platura (Meigen) showed an innate oviposition preference for lima beans over acorn squash seeds and for snap beans over watermelon or cantaloupe seeds in laboratory tests. These preferences were not significantly altered by prior exposure of adult flies over a 3-week period to a single type of seed. Flies reared as larvae on single types of seeds also did not differ significantly in their oviposition preferences. Total numbers of eggs laid varied, depending on both prior exposure and larval host.
Application of the Task-based Language Teaching on BEC Teaching Practice

This paper is to discuss the application of Task-based Language Teaching in BEC course.It also gives some suggestions on teaching practice.
The Influence of Globalization on Foreign Language Teaching

With language education as its focus, the changes that globalization has brought to the field of language and language teaching, which include the capitalization, imperialization and diversification of the English language.The challenges that such changes have posed to, and the insights that we have gained from them for foreign language teaching. It should be emphasized that foreign language teaching should meet the needs of society and learners as individuals. To achieve this purpose, foreign language teaching should be delivered as part of education by making it more closely related to the learners′ life and future career, and linguistic competence and cultural competence should be developed simultaneously by teaching foreign language both as a means of communication and as the media for educating individuals.
Neuro-ophthalmic findings in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Abstract We reviewed the neuro-ophthalmic findings in 177 subjects with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or AIDS-related complex who underwent an eye examination in one center from January 1984 to May 1989. The findings included ocular motor nerve palsies (five cases), papilledema (two cases), cytomegalovirus optic neuritis (two cases), cortical blindness (one case), conjugate gaze palsy (one case), and altitudinal visual field defect (one case). These findings were attributed to central nervous system toxoplasmosis (four cases) or lymphoma (one case), cryptococcal meningitis (two cases), systemic cytomegalovirus infections (two cases), and herpes simplex encephalitis (one case). Of 177 patients, 61 patients were tested for syphilis. Twenty-six patients had positive rapid plasma reagin titers, and 28 had positive fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorbed tests. Human immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals need to be screened routinely for syphilis.
Chemical mechanical paired grinding: a tool for multi-wavelength planarization

A new planarization method, chemical mechanical paired grinding (CMPG), is developed by combining strengths of grinding and polishing while avoiding their weaknesses. Surface waviness, a key performance index, is significantly influenced by the induced obliqueness ratio (transverse feed velocity to polishing/grinding wheel velocity) of the CMPG process. The window of planarized wavelengths expanded significantly with increasing obliqueness ratio, while MRR could be enhanced by adjusting rotational speeds of the wheel pair. This endows CMPG with global planarization capabilities, while potentially obviating the MRR vs. planarization efficiency trade-off typical of either fixed abrasive grinding of free abrasive CMP processes.