cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Isolation and composition of the carotenoid-containing oil droplets from cone photoreceptors.

Abstract A procedure for isolating the carotenoid-containing oil droplets of cone retinal photoreceptors of Gallus domesticus is described. The oil droplets, composed almost entirely of neutral lipids and carotenoids, have been separated into ten Chromatographie components. Similar separations have been carried out on the total retinal neutral lipids for comparison. The neutral lipids represented 26.1% of the total retinal lipid. Cholesterol, cholesterol ester, mono-, di- and triacylglycerols represented 92.6% of the total neutral lipid. Each of these and other minor neutral lipid components were also present in the lipids extracted from the isolated oil droplets in correspondingly similar concentrations. However, the concentrations of carotenoids were greatly enriched in the neutral lipids of the oil droplets. Each of the major fatty acyl-containing neutral lipids from the chromatography of oil droplet lipids is greatly enriched in polyunsaturated fatty acids when compared with the corresponding component from the total neutral lipid chromatography. In the acylglycerols and free fatty acid fraction from the oil droplets, linoleic and arachidonic acid together represented 52–83% of the total polyunsaturated fatty acids present. The remainder was generally distributed about equally among six other acids. Except for the diacylglycerol fraction, linoleic acid was usually the most enriched acid in a specific oil droplet fraction when compared with any other polyunsaturated fatty acids. A similar pattern of polyunsaturated fatty acid enrichment observed in the fatty acids of the outer segment phospholipids relative to the corresponding total phospholipid fractions of this cone rich retina (Johnston D. and Hudson R.A. (1974) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 369, 269) suggest possible metabolic relationships between the oil droplet neutral lipids and the outer segment membrane phospholipids of the cone photoreceptors. A mechanism for the accumulation of the carotenoids in the oil droplets is also discussed.
Comparative Methods for Analysis of Protein Covalent Modification by Electrophilic Quinoids Formed from Xenobiotics

Conjugation of biotin and fluorophore tags is useful for assaying covalent protein modification. Oxidative bioactivation of selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) yields reactive quinoid electrophiles that covalently modify proteins, and bioactivation is associated with carcinogenic and chemopreventive effects. Identification of the protein targets of electrophilic metabolites is of general importance for xenobiotics. Four methodologies using SERM derivatized biotin/fluorophore tags were compared for purification and quantification: (1) covert oxidatively activated tags (COATags; SERM conjugated to biotin); (2) dansylTags (SERM conjugated to fluorophore); and azidoTags (SERM azide derivatives) in a two-step conjugation to biotin, using either (3) Staudinger ligation or (4) click chemistry. All synthetic derivatives retained the estrogen receptor ligand characteristics of the parent SERMs. Model proteins with bioactivation by tyrosinase in buffer or cell lysates and liver proteins with in situ bioactivation in rat primary hepatocytes were studied by immunoassay and fluorescence. Comparison showed that the azidoTag/Staudinger method was sensitive but nonspecific, the azidoTag/click methodology had low sensitivity, and the dansylTag methodology failed to detect modified proteins in hepatocytes. The COATag methodology was judged superior, detecting 5 ng of modified protein in vitro and identifying protein targets in hepatocytes. In metabolism studies in rat liver microsomes, the azide group was metabolically labile, which was a contributing factor in not selecting the azidoTag methodology in the oxidative environments required for bioactivation. For study of the protein targets of electrophilic metabolites formed by in situ oxidative bioactivation, the COATag is both sensitive and specific and does not appear to suffer from poor cell permeability.
Single dopaminergic neurons that modulate aggression in Drosophila

Monoamines, including dopamine (DA), have been linked to aggression in various species. However, the precise role or roles served by the amine in aggression have been difficult to define because dopaminergic systems influence many behaviors, and all can be altered by changing the function of dopaminergic neurons. In the fruit fly, with the powerful genetic tools available, small subsets of brain cells can be reliably manipulated, offering enormous advantages for exploration of how and where amine neurons fit into the circuits involved with aggression. By combining the GAL4/upstream activating sequence (UAS) binary system with the Flippase (FLP) recombination technique, we were able to restrict the numbers of targeted DA neurons down to a single-cell level. To explore the function of these individual dopaminergic neurons, we inactivated them with the tetanus toxin light chain, a genetically encoded inhibitor of neurotransmitter release, or activated them with dTrpA1, a temperature-sensitive cation channel. We found two sets of dopaminergic neurons that modulate aggression, one from the T1 cluster and another from the PPM3 cluster. Both activation and inactivation of these neurons resulted in an increase in aggression. We demonstrate that the presynaptic terminals of the identified T1 and PPM3 dopaminergic neurons project to different parts of the central complex, overlapping with the receptor fields of DD2R and DopR DA receptor subtypes, respectively. These data suggest that the two types of dopaminergic neurons may influence aggression through interactions in the central complex region of the brain involving two different DA receptor subtypes.
Fission-fragment mass distributions from strongly damped shape evolution

Random walks on five-dimensional potential-energy surfaces were recently found to yield fission-fragment mass distributions that are in remarkable agreement with experimental data. Within the framework of the Smoluchowski equation of motion, which is appropriate for highly dissipative evolutions, we discuss the physical justification for that treatment and investigate the sensitivity of the resulting mass yields to a variety of model ingredients, including in particular the dimensionality and discretization of the shape space and the structure of the dissipation tensor. The mass yields are found to be relatively robust, suggesting that the simple random walk presents a useful calculational tool. Quantitatively refined results can be obtained by including physically plausible forms of the dissipation, which amounts to simulating the Brownian shape motion in an anisotropic medium.
Design of resilient processing plants. New characterization of the effect of RHP zeros

Abstract Right Half Plane (RHP) zeros restrict the achievable closed loop performance independent of controller design. A new characterization of all achievable closed loop setpoint/output transfer matrices is provided in terms of “zero-directions”. The zero directions also give some insight into what forms of partial decoupling are preferable.
Combination antiarrhythmic therapy for management of malignant ventricular arrhythmia

The efficacy of combination drug therapy in the suppression of ambient ventricular arrhythmia was retrospectively evaluated in a study of 49 patients discharged from the hospital taking 2 membrane-active antiarrhythmic agents. Thirty-one patients (63%) had ischemic heart disease, 15 had miscellaneous cardiac disorders and 3 were free of ostensible heart disease. Therapy in all patients had previously been unsuccessful with an average of 3.7 single membrane-active drugs. Antiarrhythmic agents were discontinued for at least 48 hours to determine baseline arrhythmia levels by Holter monitoring and maximal exercise treadmill testing. Ventricular premature beats were evaluated according to the grading system of Lown and Wolf. Data on ventricular ectopic activity were obtained during Holter monitoring and exercise testing for both a control ("drug-free") period and for a period of combination therapy. During the control period, ventricular tachycardia was recorded during 23% of monitored hours, and the level was nearly twofold greater during stress testing. After institution of combined therapy, the percent of monitored hours of arrhythmia were reduced during Holter monitoring, with a greater reduction in couplets and ventricular tachycardia than in single ventricular premature beats. Ventricular tachycardia was more difficult to provoke by exercise testing in patients taking combination therapy than in control subjects. These data indicate that combination therapy can significantly reduce the density of ventricular ectopic activity in patients refractory to monotherapy. During an average follow-up of 26 months, 23 patients (47%) were able to receive decreased drug dosages, affording diminished adverse effects and improved tolerance to long-term use.
Neuroimaging studies of factors related to exercise: Rationale and design of a 9 month trial

The prevalence of obesity is high resulting from chronic imbalances between energy intake and expenditure. On the expenditure side, regular exercise is associated with health benefits, including enhanced brain function. The benefits of exercise are not immediate and require persistence to be realized. Brain regions associated with health-related decisions, such as whether or not to exercise or controlling the impulse to engage in immediately rewarding activities (e.g., sedentary behavior), include reward processing and cognitive control regions. A 9 month aerobic exercise study will be conducted in 180 sedentary adults (n = 90 healthy weight [BMI = 18.5 to 26.0 kg/m(2)]; n = 90 obese [BMI = 29.0 to 41.0 kg/m(2)) to examine the brain processes underlying reward processing and impulse control that may affect adherence in a new exercise regimen. The primary aim is to use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to examine reward processing and impulse control among participants that adhere (exercise >80% of sessions) and those that do not adhere to a nine-month exercise intervention with secondary analyses comparing sedentary obese and sedentary healthy weight participants. Our results will provide valuable information characterizing brain activation underlying reward processing and impulse control in sedentary obese and healthy weight individuals. In addition, our results may identify brain activation predictors of adherence and success in the exercise program along with measuring the effects of exercise and improved fitness on brain activation.
Men’s Work Efforts and the Transition to Fatherhood

In this paper we tested three hypotheses: (a) the transition to fatherhood is associated with an increase in work effort; (b) the positive association (if any) between the transition to fatherhood and work effort is greater for fathers who are married at the time of the transition; and (c) the association (if any) is greater for men who make the transition at younger ages. The data are from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 Cohort. The transition to fatherhood was associated with an increase in work effort among young unmarried men, but not for married men. Among married men who were on-time fathers, work effort decreased. Among childless men, the marriage transition was associated with increased work effort.
Middle ear carcinoid: an indolent tumor with metastatic potential.

Background Neuroendocrine tumors of the head and neck region may present problems in diagnosis. Middle ear carcinoid is a rare, recently recognized tumor, which to date has not been reported to metastasize. Methods We report the case of a 64-year-old man with a 9-year history of recurrent middle ear neoplasm and ipsilateral cervical lymphadenopathy. A microscopic parathyroid tumor was also identified. The approach to the diagnosis of this unusual combination is presented. Results The patient had a neuroendocrine tumor metastatic to multiple unilateral cervical lymph nodes, which was morphologically identical to his recurrent middle ear neoplasm. The neoplasm had the morphologic, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural features of a carcinoid tumor. Conclusions This case illustrates that middle ear carcinoids may metastasize. We suggest that immunohistochemical studies be performed on all biopsy specimens from neoplasms of the middle ear, as distinction from the more common paraganglioma may be difficult on morphologic grounds alone. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Head Neck 21: 72–77, 1999.
Role of Functional Block Extension in Lesion-Related Atrial Flutter

Background—A line of block in the right atrium (RA) between the venae cavae is necessary to obtain classic atrial flutter (AFL). We tested the hypothesis that the location of that line of block would determine whether the AFL reentrant circuit would be due to single-loop reentry or figure-of-8 reentry. Methods and Results—Simultaneous mapping from 392 sites (both atria and the atrial septum) was performed in 13 normal dogs before and after creating a linear lesion on the RA free wall. The lesion was 1 to 1.5 cm anterior and parallel to the crista terminalis (7 dogs) or posterior and close to the crista terminalis region (6 dogs). Sustained AFL (>2 minutes) was then induced. In 4 dogs with an anterior lesion, the AFL reentrant circuit traveled around the lesion (lesion reentry). In 9 dogs (3 with anterior lesions and 6 with posterior lesions), the AFL reentrant circuit included the anterior RA free wall, the atrial septum, and Bachmann’s bundle (single-loop reentry). In these 9 dogs, the fixed line of bloc...
Microfluidic Printheads for Multimaterial 3D Printing of Viscoelastic Inks

Multimaterial 3D printing using microfluidic printheads specifically designed for seamless switching between two visco-elastic materials "on-the-fly" during fabrication is demonstrated. This approach opens new avenues for the digital assembly of functional matter with controlled compositional and property gradients at the microscale.
Cytochemical localization of polysaccharides in bacteria.

Abstract Using low pH phosphotungstic acid (PTA) and silver methanamine, two localizations for complex saccharides were found in human dental plaque; the bacterial cell wall and the interbacterial matrix. Silver has long been used to localize poly-saccharides ultrastructurally. PTA stains the same areas. The structure of bacterial cell wall is primarily composed of complex sugars. Since this stains with intensity, it adds to the growing evidence that low pH PTA is relatively specific for complex carbohydrates.
Equatorial radius of the earth: A dynamical determination

An interesting variation on the familiar method of determining the earth's equatorial radius a sub e, from a knowledge of the earth's equatorial gravity is suggested. The value of equatorial radius thus found is 6378,142 + or - 5 meters. The associated parameters are GM = 3,986008 + or - 4 X 1014 cu cm/sec/sec which includes the relative mass of atmosphere approximately 0.000001 x GM, the equatorial gravity gamma sub e = 978,030.9 milligals (constrained in this solution by the Potsdam Correction of 13.67 milligals as the Potsdam Correction is more directly, or less indirectly, measurable than the equatorial gravity) and an ellipsoidal flattening of f = 1/298.255.
Minimum cuts and shortest homologous cycles

We describe the first algorithms to compute minimum cuts in surface-embedded graphs in near-linear time. Given an undirected graph embedded on an orientable surface of genus g, with two specified vertices s and t, our algorithm computes a minimum (s,t)-cut in gO(g) n log n time. Except for the special case of planar graphs, for which O(n log n)-time algorithms have been known for more than 20 years, the best previous time bounds for finding minimum cuts in embedded graphs follow from algorithms for general sparse graphs. A slight generalization of our minimum-cut algorithm computes a minimum-cost subgraph in every Z2-homology class. We also prove that finding a minimum-cost subgraph homologous to a single input cycle is {NP}-hard.
Lepton scattering in the Georgi--Glashow theory

The effects of the physical scalar on the three reactions, ${e}^{+}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\mu}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\mu}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, ${e}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{e}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, are calculated in the Georgi-Glashow theory. A relation is found between the contribution of the scalar to these cross sections and the mass of the heavy lepton which can be used to completely test the theory, regardless of the masses of the particles, and without resorting to experiments involving hadrons.
Host genes associated with HIV/AIDS: advances in gene discovery

Twenty-five years after the discovery of HIV as the cause of AIDS there is still no effective vaccine and no cure for this disease. HIV susceptibility shows a substantial degree of individual heterogeneity, much of which can be conferred by host genetic variation. In an effort to discover host factors required for HIV replication, identify crucial pathogenic pathways, and reveal the full armament of host defenses, there has been a shift from candidate-gene studies to unbiased genome-wide genetic and functional studies. However, the number of securely identified host factors involved in HIV disease remains small, explaining only approximately 15-20% of the observed heterogeneity - most of which is attributable to human lymphocyte antigen (HLA) variants. Multidisciplinary approaches integrating genetic epidemiology to systems biology will be required to fully understand virus-host interactions to effectively combat HIV/AIDS.
Effects of different metallurgical processing on microstructures and mechanical properties of inconel alloy 783

Different metallurgical processing, including the standard heat treatment, heat treatment without β aging, addition of high amount of Cr, and long-term isothermal exposure, was conducted on superalloy Inconel 783. For these processed materials, the tensile property and hardness at room temperature and stress relaxation behavior at 650 °C were examined. The testing results showed that isothermal exposure and heat treatment without β aging slightly enhanced the yield strength of alloy 783 at room temperature as well as all metallurgical processing in this study produced an identical stress relaxation behavior at 650 °C. The microstructure variation with different processing was analyzed using optical microscope, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
Possible NMR experiment to observe spin waves in dilute solutions of 3He in 4He and in pure 3He

Abstract We suggest a CW NMR experiment to observe the spin waves in 3 He- 4 He dilute solutions or pure liquid 3 He. Spin waves in He solutions should be detectable at a temperature of about 20mK and an external field of about 20 kG.
Systemic administration of GM1 ganglioside increases choline acetyltransferase activity in the brain of aged rats.

Abstract In the brain of aged rats (22–24 months old) choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity in striatum and frontal cortex is lower than in young rats (4–5 months old). In contrast, ChAT activity in the hippocampus is similar in the two groups. Treating old animals with GM1 ganglioside, 30 mg/kg ip, for 30 or 45 days enhances ChAT activity in the striatum and frontal cortex, but has no effect on activity in the hippocampus. ChAT activity remains elevated in the striatum and frontal cortex for 15 days after discontinuing treatment with GM1.
The Online University: Who Are Its Students and How Are They Unique?

This study examined relationships between student personality and choice of traditional on-campus or online college classes. The personality profiles of online and on-campus students were determined using the Fifth Edition of the 16 Personality Factor (16PF) questionnaire. Students taking online classes scored higher than on-campus students on scales of abstract reasoning and apprehension, and lower on the scale for social boldness. Online students were also more comfortable with computers than on-campus students, and were more likely to be nontraditional students (26 and older). These data show that there are differences in personality, age, and computer experience between online and on-campus students and help to elucidate the characteristics of students selecting the online venue for college classes and/or curricula which are useful to instructors teaching on the Internet as well as companies working to architect these learning environments.
The Multiple Disability Implicit Association Test: Psychometric Analysis of a Multiple Administration IAT Measure.

The authors report the psychometric properties of the Multiple Disability Implicit Association Test (MDIAT) using the updated implementation procedure and scoring algorithm provided by Greenwald an...
Compressive creep behavior of bovine trabecular bone

Abstract There are almost no published data that describe the creep behavior of trabecular bone (at the specimen level), even though the creep behavior of cortical bone has been well documented. In an effort to characterize the creep behavior of trabecular bone and to compare it with that of cortical bone, we performed uniaxial compressive creep tests on 24 cylindrical specimens of trabecular bone taken from 19 bovine proximal tibiae. Six different load levels were used, with the applied stress normalized by the specimen modulus measured prior to creep loading. We found that trabecular bone exhibits the three creep regimes (primary, secondary, and tertiary) associated with metals, ceramics, and cortical bone. All specimens eventually fractured at strains less than 3.8%. In addition, the general shape of the creep curve was independent of apparent density. Strong and highly significant power law relationships (r2>0.82, p σ E 0 and both time-to-failure tf and steady-state creep rate d e d t : tf=9.66 × 10−33 (σ/E0)−16.18; d e d t =2.21 × 10 33 (σ/E 0 ) 17.65 . These data indicate that the creep behaviors of trabecular and cortical bone are qualitatively similar. In addition, the strength of trabecular bone can be reduced substantially if relatively large stresses (i.e. stresses approximately half the ultimate strength) are applied for 5 h. Such strength reductions may play a role in the etiology of progressive, age-related spine fractures if adaptive bone remodeling does not arrest creep deformations.
Thromboxane A2 synthesis in human erythroleukemia cells.

Human erythroleukemia cells transformed arachidonic acid and prostaglandin endoperoxide H2 into thromboxane A2. Stimulation of these cells with A23187 or thrombin, however, produced no thromboxane. Similarly, cells labeled with [3H]-arachidonic acid released no detectable label upon stimulation. Data suggest that human erythroleukemia cells contain the enzymatic capacity for thromboxane formation from exogenous precursors, but lack the endogenous mechanisms for arachidonate release. The presence of thromboxane synthase messenger RNA was verified using the polymerase chain reaction. Amplification and sequence analysis of a 528 bp cDNA demonstrated virtually 100 % identity to a published thromboxane synthase cDNA fragment.
Bounded context translation

All translators are syntax-directed in the sense that the translator must obviously recognize the various syntactic structures and the output of the translator is a function of the syntax of the language. The term syntax-directed is usually applied to a translator which contains a direct encoding of the syntax of the language, this direct encoding being used by the translator as data. The companion paper by Cheatham and Sattley is concerned with this type of translation. In the other class of translators the syntax is essentially buried in the coding of the translator. Most of the algebraic languages in use are precedence grammars, or close enough so that the properties of precedence grammars are useful. Using the properties of precedence grammars, bounded context translation is possible. At each step in the scan of an expression in bounded context translation the decision as to what action to take next is a function of the symbol currently under scan and of N symbols on either side (where N is fixed for the particular language).
Interpreting membrane scattering experiments at the mesoscale: the contribution of dissipation within the bilayer.

Neutron spin-echo spectroscopy provides a means to study membrane undulation dynamics over length scales roughly spanning 10–100 nanometers. Modern interpretation of these measurements relies on the theoretical predictions of Zilman and Granek; however, it is necessary to introduce an anomalously large solvent viscosity within this theory to obtain quantitative agreement with experiment. An extended theoretical treatment is presented that includes the effects of internal dissipation within the bilayer. Within the length and time regimes appropriate to neutron spin-echo experiments, the results of Zilman and Granek are largely recovered, except that the bilayer curvature modulus κ appearing in their theory must be replaced with an effective dynamic curvature modulus κ˜=κ+2d2km, where d is a distance comparable to the monolayer thickness (the height of the neutral surface from bilayer midplane) and km is the monolayer compressibility modulus. Direct comparison between theory and experiment becomes possible without any rescaling of physical parameters.
Temporal and spatial patterns of transgene expression in aging adult mice provide insights about the origins, organization, and differentiation of the intestinal epithelium.

Abstract We have used liver fatty acid-binding protein/human growth hormone (L-FABP/hGH) fusion genes to explore the temporal and spatial differentiation of intestinal epithelial cells in 1- to 12-month-old transgenic mice. The intact, endogenous L-FABP gene (Fabpl) was not expressed in the colon at any time. Young adult transgenic mice containing nucleotides -596 to +21 of the rat L-FABP gene linked to the hGH gene (minus its 5' nontranscribed domain) demonstrated inappropriate expression of hGH in enterocytes and many enteroendocrine cells of most proximal and mid-colonic crypts (glands). Rare patches of hGH-negative crypts were present. With increasing age, a wave of "extinction" of L-FABP (-596 to +21)/hGH expression occurred, first in the distal colon and then in successively more proximal regions, leaving by 10 months of age only rare hGH-positive multicrypt patches. At no time during this progressive silencing of transgene expression were crypts observed that contained a mixture of hGH-positive and -negative cells at a particular cell stratum. Young (5-7 weeks) mice containing a L-FABP (-4000 to +21)/hGH transgene also demonstrated inappropriate expression of the transgene in most proximal colonic crypts. However, the additional 3.3 kilobases of upstream sequence resulted in much more rapid extinction of reporter expression, leaving by 5 months of age only scattered single crypts with detectable levels of hGH. This age-related extinction of L-FABP/hGH expression did not involve enterocytes and enteroendocrine cells in the (proximal) small intestine. These results indicate that cis-acting elements outside of nucleotides -4000 to +21 are necessary to fully modulate suppression of colonic L-FABP expression. They also define fundamental changes in colonic epithelial cell populations during adult life. Our data suggest that (i) a single stem cell gives rise to all cells that populate a given colonic crypt, (ii) stem cells represented in several adjacent crypts may be derived from a common progenitor, and (iii) such a progenitor cell may repopulate colonic crypts with stem cells during adult life. Since each colonic crypt contains the amplified descendants of its stem cell, transgenes may be powerful tools for characterizing the spatial and biological features of gut stem cells and their progenitors during life.
Levels of Polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxins and Dibenzofurans in Crab Tissues from the Newark/Raritan Bay System

Hepatopancreas and muscle tissues of crabs collected from the Newark/Raritan Bay system, New Jersey, were analyzed for polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) by using capillary gas chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry (GC/HRMS) in the selected ion-monitoring, mass-profile mode. All hepatopancreas tissue samples were found to be contaminated with PCDD/Fs. Samples collected proximate to a former chemical manufacturing plant located on the Passaic River have the highest levels. The concentrations of PCDD/Fs decrease in animals taken at increasingly more remote sites from the alleged point source. The levels (up to 1 ppb) of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD) in hepatopancreas tissues of the crabs taken from Newark Bay are elevated by a factor of 5-10 times those of samples from Raritan Bay
A fast and memory-efficient algorithm for learning and retrieval of phenotypic dynamics in multivariate cohort time series

Robust navigation and mining of physiologic time series databases often requires finding similar temporal patterns of physiological responses. Detection of these complex physiological patterns not only enables demarcation of important clinical events but can also elucidate hidden dynamical structures that may be suggestive of disease processes. Some specific examples where this physiological signal search may be useful include real-time detection of cardiac arrhythmias, sleep staging or detection of seizure onset. In all these cases, being able to identify a cohort of patients who exhibit similar physiological dynamics could be useful in prognosis and informing treatment strategies. However, pattern recognition for physiological time series is complicated by changes between operating regimes and measurement artifacts. Here we briefly describe an approach we have developed for distributed identification of dynamical patterns in physiological time series using a switching linear dynamical system (SLDS). We present a fast and memory-efficient algorithm for learning and retrieval of phenotypic dynamics in large clinical time series databases. Through simulation we show that the proposed algorithm is at least an order of magnitude faster that the state of the art, and provide encouraging preliminary results based on real recordings of vital sign time series from the Multiparameter Intelligent Monitoring in Intensive Care (MIMIC-II) database.
Electrophysiological actions of mexiletine on isolated rabbit atria and canine ventricular muscle and purkinje fibres.

The electrophysiological effects of varying concentrations of mexiletine on isolated rabbit sinus node and atrial preparations. Purkinje fibres, Purkinje-fibre-ventricular muscle junction and distal conduction system ('gate') were studied in oxygenated Tyrode solution at 35°C using standard microelectrode techniques. 'Therapeutic' concentrations of mexiletine (0.5 to 2.0 μg·cm −3) had little effect on the atrial action potentials or on sinus node automaticity but sino-atrial conduction was delayed. In Purkinje fibres, these concentrations of the drug depressed the dV /dtmax of phase 0, conduction velocity and membrane responsiveness accompanied by significant shortening of the action potential duration and the effective refractory period, the change in the former always being greater than that in the latter. Mexiletine decreased antegrade as well as retrograde conduction at the Purkinje-fibre-ventricular muscle junction, while producing a uniform shortening of the action potential duration in the distal conduction system without a preferential effect at the 'gate'. The mechanisms of antiarrhythmic actions of mexiletine are thus complex but resemble those of lignocaine in superfused isolated cardiac muscle.
Design and Analysis of UWB TEM Horn Antenna for Ground Penetrating Radar Applications

A TEM horn antenna is usually applied to the air-launching GPR system. Traditionally, the variation of characteristic impedance of a TEM horn antenna is usually set to range from 50 Omega (characteristic impedance of a coaxial cable) to 376.7 Omega (free space wave impedance). However, a difference regularly exists between transmission-line wave characteristic impedance and free space wave impedance. In this paper, we demonstrate that there is no significant difference of performance with the different aperture impedance of the antenna. In addition, the simulated and experimental results both show that the performance of the designed TEM horn antenna matching with impedance of 200 Omega is better than that with free space impedance of 376.7 Omega. For fully understandings, a discussion is provided to explain the possible reasons. At the final aspects of this research, the other components, such as transmitter, receiver, and control units, would work with the TEM horn antennas to complete an air-launching GPR system.
Isolation and Characterization of Arabidopsis Mutants Defective in the Induction of Ethylene Biosynthesis by Cytokinin

Cytokinins elevate ethylene biosynthesis in etiolated Arabidopsis seedlings via a post-transcriptional modification of one isoform of the key biosynthetic enzyme ACC synthase. In order to begin to dissect the signaling events leading from cytokinin perception to this modification, we have isolated a series of mutants that lack the ethylene-mediated triple response in the presence of cytokinin due to their failure to increase ethylene biosynthesis. Analysis of genetic complementation and mapping revealed that these Cin mutants (cytokinin-insensitive) represent four distinct complementation groups, one of which, cin4, is allelic to the constitutive photomorphogenic mutant fus9/cop10. The Cin mutants have subtle effects on the morphology of adult plants. We further characterized the Cin mutants by analyzing ethylene biosynthesis in response to various other inducers and in adult tissues, as well as by assaying additional cytokinin responses. The cin3 mutant did not disrupt ethylene biosynthesis under any other conditions, nor did it disrupt any other cytokinin responses. Only cin2 disrupted ethylene biosynthesis in multiple circumstances. cin1 and cin2 made less anthocyanin in response to cytokinin. cin1 also displayed reduced shoot initiation in tissue culture in response to cytokinin, suggesting that it affects a cytokinin signaling element.
MG-132, an inhibitor of proteasomes and calpains, induced inhibition of oocyte maturation and aneuploidy in mouse oocytes

Background Although chromosome missegregation during oocyte maturation (OM) is a significant contributor to human morbidity and mortality, very little is known about the causes and mechanisms of aneuploidy. Several investigators have proposed that temporal perturbations during OM predispose oocytes to aberrant chromosome segregation. One approach for testing this proposal is to temporarily inhibit the activity of protein proteolysis during OM. We used the reversible proteasome inhibitor MG-132 to transiently perturb the temporal sequence of events during OM and subsequently analyzed mouse metaphase II (MII) for cytogenetic abnormalities. The transient inhibition of proteasome activity by MG-132 resulted in elevated levels of oocytes containing extra chromatids and chromosomes.
Exposure to Drinking Water Disinfection By-Products and Pregnancy Loss

Previous research has suggested that exposure to elevated levels of drinking water disinfection by-products (DBPs) may cause pregnancy loss. In 2000-2004, the authors conducted a study in three US locations of varying DBP levels and evaluated 2,409 women in early pregnancy to assess their tap water DBP concentrations, water use, other risk factors, and pregnancy outcome. Tap water concentrations were measured in the distribution system weekly or biweekly. The authors considered DBP concentration and ingested amount and, for trihalomethanes only, bathing/showering and integrated exposure that included ingestion. On the basis of 258 pregnancy losses, they did not find an increased risk of pregnancy loss in relation to trihalomethane, haloacetic acid, or total organic halide concentrations; ingested amounts; or total exposure. In contrast to a previous study, pregnancy loss was not associated with high personal trihalomethane exposure (> or =75 micro g/liter and > or =5 glasses of water/day) (odds ratio = 1.1, 95% confidence interval: 0.7, 1.7). Sporadic elevations in risk were found across DBPs, most notably for ingested total organic halide (odds ratio = 1.5, 95% confidence interval: 1.0, 2.2 for the highest exposure quintile). These results provide some assurance that drinking water DBPs in the range commonly encountered in the United States do not affect fetal survival.
Suspension of the Calcium-Sensitive Human β-Caseins by Human κ-Casein

The beta-casein (CN) fraction of human milk exists as a single protein entity phosphorylated at various levels from zero to five (beta-CN-0P to beta-CN-5P). Since the beta-CN fraction is precipitated by the calcium ions in milk, a stabilizing protein is needed to form a suspension of casein micelles for ready ingestion by the infant. That stabilization is known to be carried out by kappa-CN but it is also thought possible that the 0P and 1P beta-CN moieties may play a role. To examine the effects of different phosphorylation levels, 10 mM CaCl2 was added to each of the purified proteins phosphorylated (P) at different levels. Without kappa-CN, precipitation of the different beta-CN forms varied from 78 to 99%. Human kappa-CN was then added to each to give kappa/beta molar ratios varying from 0.01 to 0.25. Some stabilization was observed even at the lowest ratio and more than 90% of the protein was suspended in all cases at the highest ratio. Interaction of low levels of kappa-CN with the different forms of beta-CN to create a suspension was somewhat dependent on the phosphorylation level and the possibility of forming intra- or intermolecular Ca2+ bridges or cross-links. Similar ratios of the beta-CN-4P to either the 0P or 1P form and of the 2P to the 1P form showed that neither the 0P nor 1P form had any stabilizing ability. In fact, coprecipitation occurred so that with either the 4P or 2P forms present, higher percentages of the 0P and 1P forms precipitated.
Unified Messaging using SIP and RTSP

Traditional answering machines and voice mail services are closed systems, tightly coupled to a single end system, the local PBX or local exchange carrier. Even simple services, such as forwarding voice mail to another user outside the local system, are hard to provide. With the advent of Internet telephony, we need to provide voice and video mail services. This also offers the opportunity to address some of the shortcomings of existing voice mail systems. We list general requirements for a multimedia mail system for Internet telephony. We then propose an architecture using SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) and RTSP (Real-Time Streaming Protocol) and compare various alternative approaches to solving call forwarding, reclaiming and retrieval of messages. We also briefly describe our prototype implementation.
Limit Expressions for the Risk of James-Stein Estimators

Limit expressions (as the dimension p ∞ ) are derived for the relative risk of the James-Stein estimator and its positive-part version. The limit is simple to evaluate, and gives the amount of improvement in risk that is possible. The technique used is to bound the risk, both above and below. with bounds that converge to the same limit. For the James-Stein estimator these bounds are simple to calculate, and are quite accurate even for moderate dimensions. Dans cet article. on presente une expression pour la limite (quand p ∞ ) du risque de l&' estimateur de James-Stein divise par le risque de l'estimateur du maximum de vraisemblance. Une expression semblable est egalement obtenue quand l'estimateur de James-Stein est remplace par sa version tronquee. Dans les deux cas, la technique utilisee consiste a prendre le quotient en sandwich entre un majorant et un minorant qui convergent vers une měme limite lorsque p ∞. Les bornes ont l'avantage d'ětre faciles a calculer et de rester precises měme pour des valeurs de p relativement petites.
Intentional Weight Loss and Death in Overweight and Obese U.S. Adults 35 Years of Age and Older

Attempted weight loss is associated with lower all-cause mortality, independent of weight change. Self-reported intentional weight loss is associated with lower mortality rates, and weight loss is ...
An unusual presentation of craniopharyngioma.

Craniopharyngioma is the third most common intracranial tumor of childhood and adolescence (1), accounting for 5–10% of all brain tumors in this age group (2). It most commonly presents with visual field deficits, headache, and vomiting. Although uncommon as initial complaints, endocrinologic abnormalities are discovered in the majority of patients upon further evaluation. Fifty percent of patients have short stature, 25% are obese, and many have delayed or arrested puberty. Less common findings include weight loss, adrenocorticotroph in (ACTH) insufficiency, hyperprolactinemia, and diabetes insipidus. In this case, a patient presenting with these uncommon symptoms demonstrates why craniopharyngioma rightfully appears in the differential diagnosis of all endocrinopathies as well as causes of increased intracranial pressure.
Aspirin Inhibits Tumor Cell Invasiveness Induced by Epstein-Barr Virus Latent Membrane Protein 1 through Suppression of Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Expression

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are thought to play crucial roles in tumor invasion and metastasis. Because we have shown that EBV latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) enhances MMP-9 expression by activation of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB and activator protein (AP)-1 (T. Yoshizaki, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 95: 3621-3626, 1998), we therefore tested whether up-regulation of MMP-9 by LMP1 could be correlated with enhanced invasiveness of tumor cells in vitro. Whether aspirin and sodium salicylate could reduce invasiveness and whether LMP1 could enhance MMP-9 expression in tumors grown in nude mice were also tested. C33A cells stably expressing LMP1 had increased expression of MMP-9 and showed greater invasion through reconstituted basement membrane compared with vector-transfected C33A cells (P < 0.02). Treatment with aspirin or sodium salicylate inhibited invasiveness of the LMP1-expressing C33A cells (P < 0.03) and suppressed both the LMP1-induced MMP-9 expression in zymographic analyses and LMP1-induced MMP-9 promoter activity in CAT reporter assays (P < 0.01). Endogenous MMP-2 levels were unaffected by either drug. Both drugs repressed the CAT activity of the truncated MMP-9 promoter construct, which only contained a binding site for AP-1, to the basal level (P < 0.05). Moreover, EMSA indicated that the effects of the salicylates were through the inhibition of not only NF-kappaB but also AP-1 binding activity. Inhibitory effect of salicylates could be reversed by p50/p65 subunits of NF-kappaB or c-Jun overexpression. The inhibitory effect of aspirin on NF-kappaB activity was attributable to the inhibition of IkappaB kinase activity. Finally, tumors derived from C33A cells stably expressing LMP1 grown in nude mice showed enhanced MMP-9 levels compared with tumors derived from vector-transfected C33A cells. This enhancement was inhibited by treatment of the mice with aspirin. These results suggest that aspirin may be able to suppress invasion and metastasis of EBV-associated tumors that express LMP1 by suppression of MMP-9.
The extracellular matrix and its modulation in the trabecular meshwork

The extracellular matrix (ECM) in the trabecular meshwork is is believed to be essential for maintenance of the normal outflow system. Excessive, abnormal accumulations of ECM materials have been noted in the trabecular meshwork of eyes obtained from patients with primary open angle glaucoma. This review summarizes the current knowledge regarding the composition of this matrix and the receptors for ECM proteins in the trabecular meshwork. Modulations of the ECM elements by constituents in the aqueous humor after phagocytic challenges and by glucocorticoids are also described. The ECM is known to regulate cell differentiation and cell behavior in a number of systems. It will thus be of particular interest to establish the relationship between the modulated ECM and the functional status of trabecular meshwork cells and to examine the possible relevance of such modulation to outflow resistance.
Mice bearing Acads mutation display altered postingestive but not 5-s orosensory response to dietary fat

A previous survey of mouse inbred strains revealed a wide range in self-selected fat intake, from 26 to 83% of energy. The BALB/cByJ strain selected a lower percentage of fat intake (36%) than all ...
Design and Performance of the CDC Real-Time Reverse Transcriptase PCR Swine Flu Panel for Detection of 2009 A (H1N1) Pandemic Influenza Virus

ABSTRACT Swine influenza viruses (SIV) have been shown to sporadically infect humans and are infrequently identified by the Influenza Division of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) after being received as unsubtypeable influenza A virus samples. Real-time reverse transcriptase PCR (rRT-PCR) procedures for detection and characterization of North American lineage (N. Am) SIV were developed and implemented at CDC for rapid identification of specimens from cases of suspected infections with SIV. These procedures were utilized in April 2009 for detection of human cases of 2009 A (H1N1) pandemic (pdm) influenza virus infection. Based on genetic sequence data derived from the first two viruses investigated, the previously developed rRT-PCR procedures were optimized to create the CDC rRT-PCR Swine Flu Panel for detection of the 2009 A (H1N1) pdm influenza virus. The analytical sensitivity of the CDC rRT-PCR Swine Flu Panel was shown to be 5 copies of RNA per reaction and 10−1.3∼−0.7 50% infectious doses (ID50) per reaction for cultured viruses. Cross-reactivity was not observed when testing human clinical specimens or cultured viruses that were positive for human seasonal A (H1N1, H3N2) and B influenza viruses. The CDC rRT-PCR Swine Flu Panel was distributed to public health laboratories in the United States and internationally from April 2009 until June 2010. The CDC rRT-PCR Swine Flu Panel served as an effective tool for timely and specific detection of 2009 A (H1N1) pdm influenza viruses and facilitated subsequent public health response implementation.