cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A comparison of the microbial compositions of pooled human dental plaque and salivary sediment.

Abstract The comparison in 12 subjects included Actinomyces, Veillonella, fusobacteria, Neisseria, yeasts, lactobacilli, total streptococci, Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus salivarius, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguis and total bacteria grown aerobically and anaerobically. Plaque contained more bacteria than salivary sediment per unit mass which was attributed mainly to the presence of more non-viable epithelial cells in salivary sediment than in plaque. The relative numbers of each species were similar except that Strep, sanguis was higher in plaque than sediment. The contribution of plaque to salivary sediment during its collection was estimated by comparing the volume of sediment collected before and after tooth-brushing or dental prophylaxis. Brushing reduced the sediment collected by 30 per cent and the dental prophylaxis decreased it by about 20 per cent. It was thus evident that (i) dental plaque is a significant but not the major source of bacteria for salivary sediment and (ii) pooled dental plaque and salivary sediment have microbial compositions much closer than previously thought.
In situ measurements of fluid flow in DSDP Holes 395A and 534A: Results from the Dianaut Program

The DIANAUT program provided the first opportunity to directly measure vertical fluid flow in ocean boreholes by means of a high resolution thermal flowmeter. Measurements of volumetric flow rate were obtained in DSDP (Deep Sea Drilling Project) Holes 395A and 534A. These results identified a total flow of 2300 L/hr of seawater entering Hole 395A from the seafloor that diminished to about 550 L/hr at a depth of 251 meters below seafloor (mbsf), indicating that approximately 3/4 of the original downward flow had exited the borehole and entered the open formation across the upper 140 m of basement. This information allows the upper oceanic crust at this site to be delimitated into three hydrologic units, with basalt permeabilities of 3.0 × 10−14 m2 near the sediment/basement interface decreasing sharply as a function of depth to values much less than 10−16 m2 below 440 mbsf. It is estimated that approximately 108 L of seawater have entered this well since it was drilled in 1975. Quantitative flow measurements in Hole 534A were inconclusive because of technical problems with the flowmeter packer. Nevertheless, results showed that borehole fluid was moving upward and out into the open ocean at a rate on the order of a few hundred liters per hour, roughly one order of magnitude less than that determined for Hole 395A and moving in the opposite direction. There is good correlation between these field measurements and the attendant temperature logs from each well, and the results provide strong evidence of important mass-transport processes associated with the diverse submarine hydrologic systems in the upper oceanic crust.
ABCG1 Redistributes Cell Cholesterol to Domains Removable by High Density Lipoprotein but Not by Lipid-depleted Apolipoproteins

ATP binding cassette transporter G1 (ABCG1) mediates the transport of cholesterol from cells to high density lipoprotein (HDL) but not to lipid-depleted apolipoprotein A-I. Here we show that human ABCG1 overexpressed in baby hamster kidney cells in the absence of lipoproteins traffics to the plasma membrane and redistributes membrane cholesterol to cell-surface domains accessible to treatment with the enzyme cholesterol oxidase. Cholesterol removed by HDL was largely derived from these domains in ABCG1 transfectants but not in cells lacking ABCG1. Overexpression of ABCG1 also increased cholesterol esterification, which was decreased by the addition of HDL, suggesting that a proportion of the cell-surface cholesterol not removed by HDL is transported to the intracellular esterifying enzyme acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase. A 638-amino acid ABCG1, which lacked the 40 N-terminal amino acids of the predicted full-length protein, was fully functional and of a similar size to ABCG1 expressed by cholesterol-loaded human monocyte-derived macrophages. Mutating an essential glycine residue in the Walker A motif abolished ABCG1-dependent cholesterol efflux and esterification and prevented localization of ABCG1 to the cell surface, indicating that the ATP binding domain in ABCG1 is essential for both lipid transport activity and protein trafficking. These studies show that ABCG1 redistributes cholesterol to cell-surface domains where it becomes accessible for removal by HDL, consistent with a direct role of ABCG1 in cellular cholesterol transport.
The geochemistry of the Keli Mutu crater lakes, Flores, Indonesia.

Three crater lakes occur on top of the dormant stratovolcano Keli Mutu in Flores (Indonesia). The lakes contain cool (20–30°C) acid-sulfate-chloride brines and have high TDS with relatively high Zn and Pb contents. Two lakes show plume-like upwellings, probably fed by subaqueous fumaroles. A river on the mountain slope contains fluids that escaped from the lakes through seepage. The fluid compositions have varied strongly over time for S and the halogens (the volcanic-gas derived elements), whereas many of the major cations (rock-derived elements) show a net increase in the lakes over this century. Speciation and mineral saturation modeling, bulk sediment analyses, and micro-probe sediment analyses indicate that the lakes are reducing at depth, and all three lakes are close to saturation with gypsum/anhydrite. One lake is also saturated with Fe-oxides, while the other two are thought to be saturated with a suite of Cu and As minerals. The most acid lake is also saturated with native sulfur and possibly pyrite. Mass balance estimates based on fresh volcanic rocks and ashes, the dissolved element load and the lake sediment chemistry strongly suggest that the lakes are partly fed by underlying geothermal circulation systems. The lakes are thus not closed reaction vessels with dissolution of local rock debris by fluids acidified by volcanic gases, but they draw a rock-derived element flux from deeper levels. Mass transfer is large in these dynamic systems, including the transport of tonnes of ore metals over a period of centuries.
Structure, complete harmonic force field, vibrational spectra and infrared intensities of triprismane (tetracyclohexane)

Abstract The geometry, complete harmonic force field, and the dipole moment derivatives have been calculated for triprismane, C 6 H 6 , at the Hartree—Fock level with a 4–21 Gaussian basis set. A set of 4 scale factors previously derived from cubane, C 8 H 8 , by fitting its computed force field to its observed vibrational spectrum, was used to scale the computed harmonic force constants of triprismane. The infrared frequencies and the associated intensities were then computed for triprismane. The resulting predicted spectrum, obtained without reference to any measurements on triprismane itself, was expected to be accurate to within a few percent. The strongest bands recorded in a previously reported observation of the infrared spectrum of a CS 2 solution of triprismane agree well with the predictions. Descriptions of the vibrational modes were also produced.
Learning and evolution: A quantitative genetics approach

Recent models of the interactions between learning and evolution show that learning increases the rate at which populations find optima in fixed environments. However, learning ability is only advantageous in variable environments. In this study, quantitative genetics models are used to investigate the effects of individual learning on evolution. Two models of populations of learning individuals are constructed and analyzed. In the first model, the effect of learning is represented as an increase in the variance of selection. Dynamical equations and equilibrium conditions are derived for a population of learning individuals under fixed and variable environmental selection. In the second model, the amount of individual learning effort is regulated by a second gene specifying the duration of a critical learning period. The second model includes a model of the learning process to determine the individual fitness costs and benefits accrued during the learning period. Individuals are then selected for the optimal learning investment. The similarities of the results from these two models suggest that the net effects of learning on evolution are relatively independent of the mechanisms underlying the learning process.
Neuroendocrine and behavioral responses to weak electric fields in adult sea lampreys (Petromyzon marinus)

We characterized the behavioral and neuroendocrine responses of adult sea lampreys (Petromyzon marinus) to weak electric fields. Adult sea lampreys, captured during upstream spawning migration, exhibited limited active behaviors during exposure to weak electric fields and spent the most time attached to the wall of the testing arena near the cathode (−). For adult male sea lampreys, exposure to weak electric fields resulted in increased lamprey (l) GnRH-I mRNA expression but decreased lGnRH-I immunoreactivities in the forebrain, and decreased Jun (a neuronal activation marker) mRNA levels in the brain stem. Similar effects were not observed in the brains of female sea lampreys after weak electric field stimulation. The influence of electroreception on forebrain lGnRH suggests that electroreception may modulate the reproductive systems in adult male sea lampreys. The changes in Jun expression may be associated with swimming inhibition during weak electric field stimulation. The results for adult sea lampreys are the opposite of those obtained using parasitic-stage sea lampreys, which displayed increased activity during and after cathodal stimulation. Our results demonstrate that adult sea lampreys are sensitive to weak electric fields, which may play a role in reproduction. They also suggest that electrical stimuli mediate different behaviors in feeding-stage and spawning-stage sea lampreys.
Correlation of breast cancer axillary lymph node metastases with stem cell mutations.

Importance Mutations in oncogenes AKT1 , HRAS , and PIK3CA in breast cancers result in abnormal PI3K/Akt signaling and tumor proliferation. They occur in ductal carcinoma in situ, in breast cancers, and in breast cancer stem and progenitor cells (BCSCs). Objectives To determine if variability in clinical presentation at diagnosis correlates with PI3K/Akt mutations in BCSCs and provides an early prognostic indicator of increased progression and metastatic potential. Design, Setting, and Participants Malignant (BCSCs) and benign stem cells were collected from fresh surgical specimens via cell sorting and tested for oncogene mutations in a university hospital surgical oncology research laboratory from 30 invasive ductal breast cancers (stages IA through IIIB). Main Outcomes and Measures Presence of AKT1 , HRAS , and PIK3CA mutations in BCSCs and their correlation with tumor mutations, pathologic tumor stage, tumor histologic grade, tumor hormone receptor status, lymph node metastases, and patient age and condition at the last follow-up contact. Results Ten tumors had mutations in their BCSCs. In total, 9 tumors with BCSC mutations and 4 tumors with BCSCs without mutations had associated tumor present in the lymph nodes ( P = .001). Conclusions and Relevance Tumors in which BCSCs have defects in PI3K/Akt signaling are significantly more likely to manifest nodal metastases. These oncogenic defects may be missed by gross molecular testing of the tumor and are markers of more aggressive breast cancer. Molecular profiling of BCSCs may identify patients who would likely benefit from PI3K/Akt inhibitors, which are being tested in clinical trials.
Organizational and environmental effects on innovation: A comparison of two countries

Significant changes in science and technology are the result of a complex interaction of environmental and organizational factors which are further contingent upon situational factors that may be culture specific. Numerous authors maintain that there are significant differences between Japanese and American organizations. These differences, it is proposed affect the innovativeness of organizations in both countries. The United States can be considered the leading innovator among industrialized nations as measured by its net exports of knowledge-intensive goods. However, the R & D trade balance, reflecting US export strength in technology-based manufactured goods, although increasing from 1960, has recently declined, while Japan has continued to increase its share of high-technology products. In this article factors are identified that affect the process of innovation within organizations and US and Japanese organizations are analyzed to clarify the contributing and inhibiting factors. Suggestions for improving the innovative climate within each country are offered.
Thyroid drains and postoperative drainage

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate postoperative drainage in patients undergoing thyroid lobectomy versus total thyroidectomy and to establish a correlation between intraoperative blood loss and postoperative ...
Effect of internal fields on depolarized light scattering from n-alkane gases

In this paper we extend the interacting site theory of optical response proposed by Applequist, Karl and Fung to molecules with internal degrees of freedom. We apply the theory to chain alkanes and calculate their polarizabilities. We find that the interacting site model agrees well with the experimental data on depolarized light scattering from small normal alkanes in the gas phase. Unlike the bond additive model, our model predicts the observed behaviour of the depolarization of the scattered light with the number of carbon-carbon bonds. We also discuss asymptotic behaviour of isotropic and anisotropic polarizabilities for long chains.
An electronically-controlled pressure regulator

This paper describes the analysis, design, implementation, and evaluation of an electronically controlled fluid back-pressure regulator system. The control scheme is unique in that it is purely electronic, and employs a nested pair of feedback loops. This approach overcomes several problems associated with purely mechanical regulation, such as friction in the control valve. Further, since the control is electronic, compensation functions are easily implemented via operational amplifier circuits. The pressure control system is derived with classical control techniques through linearization of the measured valve characteristics. The solutions to nonlinear problems encountered in the implementation are discussed. The design achieves good performance and stability over the entire pressure and flow operating regime.
Temporary peritoneal sequestration of NaCl and persistent NaCl appetite.

Abstract Body NaCl was temporarily sequestered in the peritoneal cavity by injecting a load (2, 4, 8, or 10% body weight) of isotonic glucose (intraperitoneal dialysis). A load-size related increase in 0.5 M NaCl solution ingestion occurred for the following 3 days. At this time a second dialysis resulted in an even greater NaCl solution intake for the next 3 days. Temporary sequestration of body NaCl in the peritoneal cavity is a sufficient condition for the production of a persisting (at least 3 days) increase in the intake of a highly hypertonic NaCl solution. Actual depletion of body NaCl by removal of the dialysate from the animal was not a necessary condition for the production of a persisting NaCl appetite.
Power-Transfer Capacity of a Geared-Neutral Transmission

Geared-neutral Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) designs offer various kinematic advantages including a wide ratio range, and elimination of starting devices. However, they suffer from power re-circulation through the Continuously Variable Unit (CVU), which reduces the overall CVT efficiency and increases the CVU contact temperatures. This, in turn, limits the CVT power rating. In this study, the CVU and the CVT design parameters are optimized simultaneously to yield the highest power capacity. The CVU power capacity estimates are based on an instantaneous CVU-contact-temperature of 180°C. It is shown that a CVU design that yields the maximum power capacity is different from a design that yields the highest CVU efficiency.© 2007 ASME
Stationary and moving target shadow characteristics in synthetic aperture radar

An occluded or dark region in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery, known as a shadow, is created when incident radar energy is obstructed by a target with height from illuminating resolution cells immediately behind the target in the ground plane. Shadows depend on the physical dimensions and mobility of a target, platform and radar imaging parameters, and scene clutter. Target shadow dimensions and intensity can be important radar observables in SAR imagery for target detection, location, and tracking or even identification. Stationary target shadows can provide insight as to the physical dimensions of a target, while moving target shadows may show more accurately the location and motion of the target over time versus Doppler energy which may be shifted or smeared outside the scene. However, SAR shadows prove difficult to capture as a target or platform moves, since the quality of the no-return area may quickly be washed-out in a scene over many clutter resolution cells during an aperture. Prior work in the literature has been limited to describing partial shadow degradation effects from platform or target motion of vehicles such as static target shadow tip or interior degradation during an aperture, or shadow degradation due to target motion solely in cross-range. In this paper, we provide a more general formulation of SAR shadow dimensions and intensity for non-specific targets with an arbitrary motion.
Posttraumatic Growth Among Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom Amputees

Purpose: Posttraumatic growth (PTG) is a positive psychological change experienced as a result of struggle with highly challenging life circumstances. This study tested the PTG Model in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) veterans following a major combat-related amputation. Specifically, the relationships among social support, rumination, length of time since amputation, and PTG among these veterans were examined. Design: This was a descriptive correlational design using a mailed survey. Data were collected from OEF and OIF veterans with a major traumatic amputation (excluding digit-only loss). Methods: A nationwide postal survey was conducted in 2007 of veterans with a major combat-related traumatic amputation. 210 veterans registered at the Department of Veterans Affairs were sent a survey packet containing a letter of introduction, informed consent form, stamped return envelope, and four surveys: a study-specific demographic questionnaire, the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), Postdeployment Social Support scale, and a Rumination scale. Findings: The mean PTGI score among OEF and OIF amputees (N= 56) was 59.1 (SD= 23). Rumination showed the strongest correlation with PTG: r= .43, p= .001. There was a small positive relationship between postdeployment social support and PTG: r= .24, p= .039. No statistically significant correlation between PTG and time since amputation was found in this sample. Conclusions: As proposed in the PTG model, the findings of this study support the benefit of rumination or cognitive processing of the traumatic event and postdeployment social support in the process of developing PTG following a major combat-related amputation. Clinical Relevance: Following a life-threatening war injury, the patient's worldview is dramatically altered or shattered. Old assumptions and belief systems are rebuilt in the acute phase, rehabilitation, and reintegration into the community. The struggle in the aftermath of the traumatic event that results in personal transformation is known as PTG. Nurses contribute to a patient's physical and psychosocial adjustment by cultivating an environment in which the patient can explore and cognitively process the traumatic event and the resulting injury. Postdeployment social support in the form of emotional support (comforting gestures) or instrumental support (providing tangible goods or services) can be a means to foster PTG. Language: en
The Coffin-Siris Syndrome: Five New Cases Including Two Siblings

• Five new cases and one previously reported case of the Coffin-Siris syndrome are described. These cases plus the remaining four already published bring to ten the number of cases available for scrutiny. Constant features (100% frequency) include variable degrees of mental retardation, nail hypoplasia or absence with predominantly fifth digit involvement, hypotonia, infancy feeding problems, and retarded bone age. Frequent features (75% to 90%) include postnatal growth deficiency, microcephaly, wide nasal tip and mouth, prominent lips, eyebrow/eyelash hypertrichosis, and scalp hair hypotrichosis. Significant but less frequent findings include short philtrum (50%), scoliosis (40%), decreased fetal activity (40%), smallness for gestational age (30%), and congenital heart defects (30%). We found the craniofacial phenotype to be mild in the young infant, but progressively more characteristic with age. Autosomal recessive inheritance is suspected on the basis of our brother-and-sister pair. (Am J Dis Child132:667-671, 1978)
Investigating EGF Receptor Signaling Dynamics with Patterned Ligand Surfaces

Receptor mediated signaling is often precisely regulated in both space and time, which necessitates the application of methods for simultaneously capturing both aspects with a high level of detail. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a prominent example as numerous, dynamic interactions exist between this receptor and its downstream effectors. To advance spatiotemporal insights on EGFR signaling, we have developed a technique by which lithographic processes and chemical modification are used to pattern micron-sized features of EGF on silicon or glass. Fluorescently labeled streptavidin, covalently attached to these surfaces, binds biotinylated EGF for the presentation of immobilized receptor ligand. NIH-3T3 cells stably over-expressing EGFR are allowed to settle on these surfaces and are subsequently fixed. Fluorescence microscopy is then used to visualize specific cellular proteins concentrating at patterned EGF features and correlation coefficient analysis measures the extent of colocalization. We have observed and quantified the recruitment of various EGFR signaling components, including Ras, MEK, and phosphorylated Erk in an F-actin and phosphoinositide synthesis-dependent manner. Further, we find that paxillin-GFP becomes visibly clustered at patterned EGF features. Pretreatment of cells with the EGFR inhibitor Iressa significantly reduces this paxillin clustering behavior and establishes the dependence of paxillin on tyrosine kinase activation. These studies reveal the formation of multi-protein EGFR signaling complexes in response to spatially defined growth factor. To measure dynamics of EGFR protein redistributions in living cells, we have recently extended this patterning technique to coverslip-thick glass substrates and two-color total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM). This is providing for the real time investigation of signaling proteins and their recruitment to patterned EGF. We are also applying alternative analysis methods for quantifying the redistribution of cellular components to take full advantage of this patterned ligand approach.
Self-Control and Impulsiveness in Adult Human Females: Effects of Visual Food Cues

Abstract Self-control can be defined as the choice of a larger, more delayed reinforcer over a smaller, less delayed reinforcer, and impulsiveness as the opposite. Previous research suggests that exposure to visual food cues may affect adult humans' self-control for food. The present experiment used 15 adult human females to explore the effects of exposure to visual food cues and dieting status on choice behavior for food reinforcers in a self-control paradigm. The results demonstrate that participants' dieting status, in conjunction with the order in which the conditions of exposure to visual food cues was presented to the participants, influences participants' self-control. The results suggest that exposure to visual food cues influences adult human females' self-control for food reinforcers.
A Geometric Programming Framework for Univariate Cubic L 1 Smoothing Splines

Univariate cubic L1 smoothing splines are capable of providing shape-preserving C1-smooth approximation of multi-scale data. The minimization principle for univariate cubic L1 smoothing splines results in a nondifferentiable convex optimization problem that, for theoretical treatment and algorithm design, can be formulated as a generalized geometric program. In this framework, a geometric dual with a linear objective function over a convex feasible domain is derived, and a linear system for dual to primal conversion is established. Numerical examples are given to illustrate this approach. Sensitivity analysis for data with uncertainty is presented.
Changes in Central-City Representation and Influence in Congress Since the 1960s:

The authors examine changes in representation by place (central city, suburbs, nonmetropolitan areas) in the U.S. House of Representatives between 1963 and 1994, focusing on change in the representation and influence of central cities. Using a newly constructed data set, this study presents changes in central-city representation in aggregate as well as by region and metropolitan-area population size. The authors then explore the implications of these changes for the influence of central cities in the House over this time period. After examining change in the control of positions of authority-committee and subcommittee chairs and leadership positions-by central-city representatives, changes in central-city influence with respect to votes on the House floor are assessed.
Long-Term Analgesic Effects of Inescapable Shock and Learned Helplessness

Although exposure to inescapable shocks induced analgesia in rats, the analgesia was not manifest 24 hours later. A brief reexposure to shock, however, restored the analgesia. This reexposure to shock had an analgesic effect only if the rats had been shocked 24 hours previously. Further, long-term analgesic effects depended on the controllability of the original shocks and not on shock exposure per se. Implications of these results for learned helplessness and stress-induced analgesia are discussed.
Aulacodiscus kittonii Arnott—distribution and morphology on the West Coast of the United States

The distribution and morphology of A. kittonii Arnott have been studied in samples from the Pacific coast of the United States. Size frequency distributions have been obtained for populations from beaches in Washington, Oregon, and California. Statistically significant differences in the mean diameter of valves from Copalis Beach, Washington; Doran and Scripps Beach, California exist. Mean diameters from the same or nearby beaches were not different even though in two instances six and 11 years elapsed between collections. The number of processes on 18,593 valves have been counted. The valves of this taxon characteristically possess four processes. Approximately 0·5% of the valves examined possess either three or five processes. Valves with no processes, one and two have been observed but are very rare. No valves with six, seven or eight processes have been observed. In frustules each valve normally possesses four processes. Frustules possessing one four-process valve and one with either three or five pro...
Effects of non‐welded interfaces on guided SH‐waves

The effects of non-welded interfaces on guided SH-waves are examined analytically and numerically using the displacement-discontinuity model to describe the mechanical shear stiffnesses of the interfaces. A modal solution for guided SH-waves is developed for a layer in non-welded contact with underlying and overlying half-spaces. For low interface stiffnesses, the modal solution degenerates to the SH-plate wave solution and for high interface stiffnesses, to the Love channel wave solution. It is demonstrated that a single non-welded interface separating two half-spaces is incapable of supporting an SH-interface wave. The effects of interface stiffness on the phase velocities and displacement profiles of guided SH-waves are examined for a low velocity layer in non-welded contact with bounding half-spaces using the modal solution and a numerical boundary integral equation code. The results of this analysis demonstrate that the magnitude of the interface stiffness can have a first order effect on the velocities, amplitudes and displacement profiles of guided SH-waves in a low velocity layer which should make these waves highly detectable in crosshole seismic surveys.
Postsynaptic targets of somatostatin-containing interneurons in the rat basolateral amygdala.

The basolateral amygdala contains several subpopulations of inhibitory interneurons that can be distinguished on the basis of their content of calcium-binding proteins or peptides. Although previous studies have shown that interneuronal subpopulations containing parvalbumin (PV) or vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) innervate distinct postsynaptic domains of pyramidal cells as well as other interneurons, very little is known about the synaptic outputs of the interneuronal subpopulation that expresses somatostatin (SOM). The present study utilized dual-labeling immunocytochemical techniques at the light and electron microscopic levels to analyze the innervation of pyramidal cells, PV+ interneurons, and VIP+ interneurons in the anterior basolateral amygdalar nucleus (BLa) by SOM+ axon terminals. Pyramidal cell somata and dendrites were selectively labeled with antibodies to calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMK); previous studies have shown that the vast majority of dendritic spines, whether CAMK+ or not, arise from pyramidal cells. Almost all SOM+ axon terminals formed symmetrical synapses. The main postsynaptic targets of SOM+ terminals were small-caliber CaMK+ dendrites and dendritic spines, some of which were CaMK+. These SOM+ synapses with dendrites were often in close proximity to asymmetrical (excitatory) synapses to these same structures formed by unlabeled terminals. Few SOM+ terminals formed synapses with CaMK+ pyramidal cell somata or large-caliber (proximal) dendrites. Likewise, only 15% of SOM+ terminals formed synapses with PV+, VIP+, or SOM+ interneurons. These findings suggest that inhibitory inputs from SOM+ interneurons may interact with excitatory inputs to pyramidal cell distal dendrites in the BLa. These interactions might affect synaptic plasticity related to emotional learning. J. Comp. Neurol. 500:513–529, 2007. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Diisopropyl tartrate modified (E)-γ-[(cyclohexyloxy)dimethylsilyl-allylboronate, a chiral reagent for the stereoselective synthesis of anti 1,2-diols via the formal α-hydroxyallylation of aldehydes

Abstract An enantioselective synthesis of anti 1,2-diols via the reactions of aldehydes and the tartrate ester modified γ(alkoxysilyl)allylboronate2 has been developed. This method is most effective in double asymmetric reactions with chiral aldehydes.
Down-regulation of gephyrin and GABAA receptor subunits during epileptogenesis in the CA1 region of hippocampus.

Summary Purpose Epileptogenesis is the process by which a brain becomes hyperexcitable and capable of generating recurrent spontaneous seizures. In humans, it has been hypothesized that following a brain insult there are a number of molecular and cellular changes that underlie the development of spontaneous seizures. Studies in animal models have shown that an injured brain may develop epileptiform activity before appearance of epileptic seizures and that the pathophysiology accompanying spontaneous seizures is associated with a dysfunction of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic neurotransmission. Here, we analyzed the effects of status epilepticus on the expression of GABAA receptors (GABAARs) and scaffolding proteins involved in the regulation of GABAAR trafficking and anchoring. Methods Western blot analysis was used to determine the levels of proteins involved in GABAAR trafficking and anchoring in adult rats subjected to pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus (SE) and controls. Cell surface biotinylation using a cell membrane–impermeable reagent was used to assay for changes in the expression of receptors at the plasma membrane. Finally, immunoprecipitation experiments were used to evaluate the composition of GABAARs. We examined for a correlation between total GABAAR subunit expression, plasma membrane expression, and receptor composition. Key Findings Analysis of tissue samples from the CA1 region of hippocampus show that SE promotes a loss of GABAAR subunits and of the scaffolding proteins associated with them. We also found a decrease in the levels of receptors located at the plasma membrane and alterations in GABAAR composition. Significance The changes in protein expression of GABAARs and scaffolding proteins detected in these studies provide a potential mechanism to explain the deficits in GABAergic neurotransmission observed during the epileptogenic period. Our current observations represent an additional step toward the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms underlying GABAAR dysfunction during epileptogenesis.
Workload prediction for adaptive power scaling using deep learning

We apply hierarchical sparse coding, a form of deep learning, to model user-driven workloads based on on-chip hardware performance counters. We then predict periods of low instruction throughput, during which frequency and voltage can be scaled to reclaim power. Using a multi-layer coding structure, our method progressively codes counter values in terms of a few prominent features learned from data, and passes them to a Support Vector Machine (SVM) classifier where they act as signatures for predicting future workload states. We show that prediction accuracy and look-ahead range improve significantly over linear regression modeling, giving more time to adjust power management settings. Our method relies on learning and feature extraction algorithms that can discover and exploit hidden statistical invariances specific to workloads. We argue that, in addition to achieving superior prediction performance, our method is fast enough for practical use. To our knowledge, we are the first to use deep learning at the instruction level for workload prediction and on-chip power adaptation.
PREDICTIONS AND DIAGNOSTICS IN EXPERIMENTAL DATA USING SUPPORT VECTOR REGRESSION

In this paper we present a novel support vector machine (SVM) based framework for prognosis and diagnosis. We apply the framework to sparse physics data sets, although the method can easily be extended to other domains. Experiments in applied fields, such as experimental physics, are often complicated and expensive. As a result, experimentalists are unable to conduct as many experiments as they would like, leading to very unbalanced data sets that can be dense in one dimension and very sparse in others. Our method predicts the data values along the sparse dimension providing more information to researchers. Often experiments deviate from expectations due to small misalignments in initial parameters. Our method detects these outlier experiments.
Structural changes in bovine lens crystallins induced by ascorbate, metal, and oxygen.

Abstract Ascorbate, Fe 3+ , or Cu 2+ and oxygen induced the oxidation of bovine lens crystallins. The modifications mimicked those that occur in the lens with aging. The modifications included the formation of nondisulfide crosslinks in α- and β H -crystallin and the cleavage of α-, β H -, and the low molecular weight crystallin fractions. In all three fractions, there was a loss of the more basic protein species and an increase in the more acidic species. Nontryptophan fluorescence with emission spectra between 400 and 500 nm was produced in β H -crystallin. Cu 2+ was less effective than Fe 3+ in catalyzing the modification of β H -and γ-crystallin. Both metal ions were equally effective in catalyzing the modification of α-crystallin.
Angioscopy: A valuable tool in the deployment and evaluation of intracoronary stents

Intracoronary stents were designed to improve balloon dilation results; however, to accomplish this, various criteria of optimal stent deployment must be met. Standard imaging techniques are neither sensitive nor specific enough for intraprocedural use in the verification of these implantation parameters. To assess the usefulness of angioscopy in the procedural and follow-up evaluations of Palmaz-Schatz and Strecker coronary stent deployment, 17 patients underwent angioscopy, 15 during stent placement and 2 during follow-up for stent restenosis. In the latter cases, thrombus formation was suspected; however, angioscopy showed tissue subtotally occluding the lumen without thrombus, so thrombolytic therapy was avoided. Similarly, among the 15 intraprocedural assessments, angioscopy disclosed intravascular thrombus unappreciated on angiography in two cases; another patient at high risk for intravascular thrombus was found not to have clot. In four patients, angioscopy disclosed residual narrowing in need of redilation at the Palmaz-Schatz stent articulation site. Thus in 9 (53%) of 17 stent patients, angioscopic findings either guided therapeutic selection or significantly modified the anticipated procedure. Angioscopy offers important information critical to the accurate placement and evaluation of intracoronary stents.
Cyanide effects on transport of trace metals in plants

Abstract Cyanide at levels of 50 to 100 μg NaCN/g soil was not only toxic to bush bean plants, but also resulted in increased uptake of Cu, Co, Ni, Al, Ti, and, to a slight extent, of Fe. Either the phytotoxicity from the cyanide or the metals resulted in increased transport of Na to leaves from roots. In studies with 14C‐cyanide the transport of some cyanide into plants and to leaves simultaneously with the metals was demonstrated. There was a root, stem, leaf gradient for 14C. From solutions, cyanide resulted in increased plant uptake somewhat of Cu, Zn, and Fe. The results have bearing on the use of cyanide as a metabolic inhibitor as well as on phytotoxicities of metals.
The effects of liver transplantation on the clinical course of colitis in ulcerative colitis patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis

Summary Background The course of ulcerative colitis (UC) following orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) for primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is unclear. Aim To investigate the clinical course of UC, before and after OLT for PSC. Methods From a historical cohort of 86 patients with PSC-UC who underwent OLT, 77 patients who were followed up at our institution both before and after OLT from 1985 to 2011 were included. Results Ulcerative colitis was diagnosed in 77 (97.5%) patients before OLT. Nineteen of 77 (24.7%) patients underwent colectomy before OLT. In the other 58 patients, the course of UC after OLT when compared to the last 5 years before OLT was quiescent in 48 patients (82.8%) while 9/58 (15.5%) of patients underwent colectomy post-OLT. There was a total of 97 colitis flares over a total of 621 years of follow-up from PSC/UC diagnosis to OLT (0.156 flares per patient year) whereas post-OLT, there were 31 flares over a total of 511 years of post-OLT follow-up (0.061 flares per patient year) (P < 0.001). On univariable analysis, the number of UC flares [Odds ratio (OR) 1.52; 95% Confidence interval (1.02–2.27), P = 0.04] and dysplasia [OR 47.00; 95% CI (6.48–340.66), P < 0.001] increased the risk of colectomy following OLT; the use of corticosteroids [OR 0.07; 95% CI (0.01–0.63), P = 0.008] and 5-aminosalicylate [OR 0.18; 95% CI (0.04–0.83), P = 0.04] was protective. Conclusions Ulcerative colitis in the presence of primary sclerosing cholangitis remains quiescent, and may improve in most patients after orthotopic liver transplantation.
I/O scheduling for digital continuous media

A growing set of applications require access to digital video and audio. In order to provide playback of such continuous media (CM), scheduling strategies for CM data servers (CMS) are necessary. In some domains, particularly defense and industrial process control, the timing requirements of these applications are strict and essential to their correct operation. In this paper we develop a scheduling strategy for multiple access to a CMS such that the timing guarantees are maintained at all times. First, we develop a scheduling strategy for the steady state, i.e., when there are no changes in playback rate or operation. We derive an optimal Batched SCAN (BSCAN) algorithm that requires minimum buffer space to schedule concurrent accesses. The scheduling strategy incorporates two key constraints: (1) data fetches from the storage system are assumed to be in integral multiples of the block size, and (2) playback guarantees are ensured for frame-oriented streams when each frame can span multiple blocks. We discuss modifications to the scheduling strategy to handle compressed data like motion-JPEG and MPEG.Second, we develop techniques to handle dynamic changes brought about by VCR-like operations executed by applications. We define a suite of primitive VCR-like operations that can be executed. We show that an unregulated change in the BSCAN schedule, in response to VCR-like operations, will affect playback guarantees. We develop two general techniques to ensure playback guarantees while responding to VCR-like operations: passive and active accumulation. Using user response time as a metric we show that active accumulation algorithms outperform passive accumulation algorithms. An optimal response-time algorithm in a class of active accumulation strategies is derived. The results presented here are validated by extensive simulation studies.
Effect of aging on the electrocardiogram

Abstract Previous cross-sectional population studies have shown age differences In electrocardiographic wave patterns, including lower wave amplitudes and a leftward shift of the frontal plane axis in older people. However, cross-sectional results may be due to cohort differences and the data imply only that these changes actually occur in persons as they age. In order to examine electrocardiographic changes with aging in the same persons, serial recordings, obtained 10 years apart, were taken in 440 healthy male participants of the Normative Aging Study, who were 23 to 66 years old on their first examination. At examination 1, R and S wave amplitudes were smaller and frontal plane axis measurements were shifted to the left in older men. Longitudinal changes in these same variables were consistent with the cross-sectional results. In addition, the P-R and Q-T interval durations were longer, the QRS duration was shorter and the T wave amplitude was smaller at the second examination. The longitudinal rate of change of S wave amplitude varied among age groups, decreasing more in younger men. Thus, some previously described cross-sectional age differences truly represent longitudinal age trends in electrocardiographic patterns.
Interaction between S-propranolol and ethanol in mice selectively bred for ethanol sensitivity: the inbred short- and long-sleep mice.

BACKGROUND We have studied the effect of a beta-adrenergic blocking agent, S-propranolol, on the response of mice to anesthetic doses of ethanol. We used the selectively bred short and long sleep (ISS and ILS) mice. These mice were selected for their differential sensitivity to anesthetic doses of ethanol and then inbred. The study was prompted by the finding that the effect of ethanol on the firing rate of cerebellar Purkinje cells is modulated by beta-adrenergic input. In addition, this firing rate depression by ethanol is highly correlated with the anesthetic potency of ethanol. We were attempting to find a behavioral correlate of this effect of beta-adrenergic agents in the ISS and ILS mice. METHODS We studied the effect of S-propranolol plus ethanol on the sleep time and blood ethanol at awakening in the inbred ILS and ISS mice. We administered anesthetic doses of ethanol with and without S-propranolol. We conducted studies of the rate of disappearance of ethanol in the presence of S-propranolol and carried out sleep time and metabolic studies with mice in an incubator held at 32 to 33 degrees C. RESULTS We found that S-propranolol caused a prolonged anesthetic time brought about by ethanol but only in ISS mice. There was no significant difference in the blood ethanol levels at awakening with or without S-propranolol, indicating that S-propranolol had no effect on the brain sensitivity. Subsequently, we showed that this was due to a profound hypothermia caused by a combination of S-propranolol and ethanol. This was greater in the ISS mice because a larger dose of ethanol was required for the anesthetic effect of ethanol. The effect on ethanol disappearance rate, temperature drop, and anesthesia time all were largely reversed by placing the animals in an incubator at 32 to 33 degrees C. CONCLUSIONS Profound hypothermia lowers the ethanol disappearance rate when both S-propranolol and ethanol are given. The effect of S-propranolol is likely due to the blockade of beta-adrenergic receptors that prevents thermogenic responses to the hypothermia brought about by ethanol. The results indicated that there might be a genetic effect controlling the hypothermic response to the combination of S-propranolol and ethanol. Further experiments to investigate this are reported in a subsequent article. We could find no evidence of a central nervous system effect of S-propranolol on the hypnotic actions of ethanol in these strains of mice.
Effects of a transient vitamin A deficiency on subsequent resistance to cold.

SummaryA transient deficiency of vit. A, apparently corrected by the administration of relatively high doses of this vitamin, markedly impaired the ability of rats to withstand subsequent exposure to cold.
STUDY OF RESPIRATION IN HEALTHY AND MOSAIC-INFECTED TOBACCO PLANTS

Comparatively little investigation has been made into the fundamental metabolic processes of plant viruses. Bronfenbrenner and Reichert (2, 3, 4) were unable to detect any respiration in either viruses or bacteriophages. The isolation of virus, free from plant cells, and in a condition suitable for such experiments, is obviously very difficult. The effect of virus infections on the metabolism of host plants is also a matter of great interest and may help to elucidate the action of the virus if sufficient data are collected. Since most viruses affect the chlorophyll content of the plant, it is not surprising that the work that has been done so far has been directed primarily on respiration. Thung (20) observed that the respiration rate of potato leaves infected with leafroll was higher than that of the corresponding healthy leaves. Also working with potatoes infected by leafroll, Whitehead (21) studied the course of respiration from the immature tuber up to the development of the plant. In maturing tubers and in leaves, or shoots with expanded leaves, the respiration rate of the diseased plants was higher than that of the healthy plants ; but for a period lasting from dormancy of the tuber until the expansion of the leaves, the respiration rate of the healthy material was the greater. This was true both for aerobic and anaerobic conditions, and also for various conditions of light, temperature, and carbon dioxide supply. He concluded that the virus affects the respiration rate not directly, but only by interfering with the translocation of the respirable substrate.