cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Clustering Induces Redistribution of Syndecan-4 Core Protein into Raft Membrane Domains

Syndecan-4 is a heparan sulfate-carrying core protein that has been directly implicated in fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) signaling. Recent studies have suggested that many signaling proteins localize to the raft compartment of the plasma cell membrane. To establish whether syndecan-4 is present in the raft compartment, we have studied the distribution of the core protein and an Fc receptor (FcR)-syndecan-4 chimera prior to and following clustering with FGF2 or antibodies. Whereas unclustered syndecan-4 was present predominantly in the non-raft membrane compartment, clustering induced extensive syndecan-4 redistribution to the rafts as demonstrated by the sucrose gradient centrifugation and life confocal microscopy. Although syndecan-4 and caveolin-1 moved in tandem, syndecan-4 was not present in caveolae, a major subset of raft compartments. We conclude that syndecan-4 clustering induces its redistribution to the non-caveolae raft compartment. This process may play an important role in syndecan-4-mediation of FGF2 signaling.
Clinical Experience with the Combination of an Antitachycardia Pacemaker (Orthocor II) and the Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator in Drug-Refractory Ventricular Tachycardia

Four men with remote myocardial infarction, left ventricular dysfunction, aborted episodes of sudden death, and recurrent ventricular tachycardia (VT) slowed but not controlled by drugs (mean five trials) were treated with an automatic antitachycardia pacemaker (ATP) (Orthocor II) and an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). Cardiac electrophysiological evaluation had disclosed that the VT could be reliably terminated with decremental extrastimuli. Two defibrillation patches and two epimyocardial sensing electrodes were used. The ATP was implanted separately using a bipolar endocardial electrode. During follow-up three patients died. One from hepatitis B at two months, and two from sudden cardiac death at 10 and 13 months. One of these deaths was related to ICD battery depletion, the other to a high defibrillation threshold. One patient is alive after 41 months. During the first year postimplant, 359 episodes of VT occurred and there were 105 ICD discharges. The rate and duration of VT episodes terminated by the ICD were 208 ± 7 bpm and 22 ± 9 seconds; and of VT episodes terminated by the ATP were 158 ± 15 bpm and 6 ± 1.8 seconds, respectively. Deleterious device-to-device interactions could be avoided. All patients required full antiarrhythmic drug therapy. Conclusions: (1) In highly selected patients, drug-resistant VT can be terminated by antitachycardia pacing unperceived by the patient; (2) An ICD must provide reliable back-up defibrillation capability for rapid or accelerated VT or ventricular fibrillation; (3) this initial experience demonstrates the feasibility of utilizing the Orthocor II ATP in combination with an ICD as therapy for refractory clinically recurrent VT.
Modeling and control of a wheel loader with a human-in-the-loop assessment using virtual reality

This paper presents dynamic modeling, controller design, and virtual reality (VR)-based human-in-the-loop real-time simulation for a wheel loader control system. In particular, a loader with electrohydraulic actuation is considered. A detailed nonlinear dynamic model is developed for the hydraulic system and the loader linkage. The hydraulic model includes a load sensing pump, valves, and cylinders. The linkage model represents a two degree of freedom loader with lift and tilt functions. A linear quadratic Gaussian based robust controller is designed for automatic bucket leveling to assist the operator by keeping the angle of the bucket leveled while the boom is in motion. The closed-loop control system design is tested with a nonlinear model in a real-time VR simulation. In the VR simulation, the operator interacts with the model using a joystick input. The loader linkage geometry is displayed to the operator in real time using a VR display. The controller performance was assessed in the VR environment. As expected, the controller was found to provide a significant improvement in the accuracy of the bucket leveling, particularly in the case of a novice operator controlling the linkage motion. While prototypes cannot be eliminated, the VR simulation combined with realistic physics and control dynamics provided a useful tool for evaluating hydraulic systems and controls with less reliance on prototype machines.
Angiotensin-sodium interaction in blood pressure maintenance of renal hypertensive and normotensive rats

A specific inhibitor of angiotensin II was used in rats to investigate whether angiotensin is involved in the maintenance of blood pressure in one-kidney Goldblatt hypertension, in which plasma renin levels are not usually increased. The inhibitor produced marked falls in blood pressure, often down to normal levels in the hypertensive animals only when they were depleted in sodium and not after sodium repletion. Much lesser but still significant falls in blood pressure were also produced in normotensive sodium-depleted rats but not in repleted rats. We conclude that the importance of angiotensin for maintaining blood pressure is largely determined by its relation to available sodium or fluid volume, since the renin component in maintenance of either the hypertensive or the normotensive state could be exposed only by sodium deprivation. Therefore, volume expansion per se or other pressor factors may be involved in maintaining blood pressure of these sodium-replete normotensive or hypertensive animals.
Potential effects of interaction between CO2and temperature on forest landscape response to global warming

Projected temperature increases under global warming could benefit southern tree species by providing them the optimal growing temperature and could be detrimental to northern species by exposing them to the supra optimal growing temperatures. This benefit-detriment trade-off could increase the competitive advantage of southern species in the northern species range and cause the increase or even dominance of southern species in the northern domain. However, the optimum temperature for photosynthesis of C3 plants may increase due to CO2 enrichment. An increase in the optimum temperature could greatly reduce the benefit-detriment effect. In this study, we coupled a forest ecosystem process model (PnET-II) and a forest GAP model (LINKAGES) with a spatially dynamic forest landscape model (LANDIS-II) to study how an optimum temperature increase could affect forest landscape response due to global warming. We simulated 360 years of forest landscape change in the Boundary Water Canoe Area (BWCA) in northern Minnesota, which is transitional between boreal and temperate forest. Our results showed that, under the control scenario of continuing the historic 1984–1993 mean climate (mainly temperature, precipitation and CO2), the BWCA will become a spruce-fir dominated boreal forest. However, under the scenario of predicted climatic change [the 2000–2099 climates are predicted by Canadian Climate Center (CCC), followed by 200 years of continuing the predicted 2090–2099 mean climate], the BWCA will become a pine-dominated mixed forest. If the optimum temperature increases gradually with [CO2] (the increase in optimum temperature is assumed to change gradually from 0 °C in year 2000 to 5 °C in year 2099 when [CO2] reaches 711 ppm and stabilizes at 5 °C after year 2099), the BWCA would remain a fir-dominated boreal forest in areas with relatively high water-holding capacity, but not in areas with relatively low water-holding capacity. Our results suggest that the [CO2] induced increases in optimum temperature could substantially reduce forest landscape change caused by global warming. However, not all tree species would be able to successfully adapt to future warming as predicted by CCC, regardless of optimum temperature acclimations.
Adolf Hitler's “Mein Kampf”: Origin, Impact, Criticism, and Sources

Summary of Content Mein Kampf, Adolf Hitler (1925–1926), is in two parts, “Eine Abrechung” (A Reckoning) and “Die National‐Sozialistische Bewegung” (The National Socialist Movement). Written at different times, they originally appeared separately.
Value and limitations of seizure semiology in localizing seizure onset

Seizure semiology has been the foundation of clinical diagnosis of seizure disorders. This article discusses the value and the limitations of behavioral features of seizure episodes in localizing seizure onset. Studies have shown that some semiologic features of seizures are highly accurate in the hemispheric lateralization and lobar localization of seizures. There is good agreement between blinded reviewers in lateralizing video-recorded seizures in temporal lobe and extratemporal lobe epilepsies. However, seizure semiology alone should not be used to determine the site of seizure onset. Each semiologic feature may falsely localize seizure onset. Seizure semiology in some patients may signify the site of seizure propagation rather than origination. Moreover, seizure semiology may not be as reliable in multifocal epilepsies as it is in unifocal epilepsies. Many semiologic features of seizures of adults are often missing in seizures of children. Seizure semiology should be analyzed and integrated with EEG and neuroimaging data to localize the seizure focus. A sample of the recorded seizures should be shown to the patient's relatives or friends to verify that it is representative of habitual seizures.
Delayed Massive Hemoptysis after Expandable Bronchial Stent Placement

ABSTRACT Patients with lung cancer often develop airway obstruction that necessitates palliative bronchoscopic interventions. Expandable metal stents are increasingly used for this indication. We report a case of fatal massive hemoptysis that occurred 1 week after uneventful bronchial stent placement. Previous treatment with external-beam radiotherapy, brachytherapy, and photodynamic therapy probably contributed to pulmonary artery–bronchial fistulization in this patient. This complication should be kept in mind when considering expandable airway stent insertion in heavily pretreated lung cancer patients.
Fine Structural Analysis of Animal Cell Surfaces: Membranes and Cell Surface Topography

Current research on the mechanism of transmembrane regulation of topographic modulation at the cell surface is described for the sea urchin egg and Sarcoma 180 ascites tumor cells of Swiss Webster white mice. The transmembrane system is characterized in terms of three components: glycocalyx, membrane , and cytofibrillar structures. The importance of membrane molecular architecture per se relative to the other surface components is assessed in terms of freeze fracture analysis of both cell types as well as concanavalin A (ConA)-mediated long term agglutination, cytochalasin B effects, and other drug-induced changes at Sarcoma 180 cell surfaces. A quantitative and qualitative assessment of intramembranous particle (IMP) sizes and density distributions reveals intrinsic structural changes of the fusing membranes at cortical reaction during sea urchin egg fertilization and also with the post-fertilized accumulation of surface microvilli. Comparable changes in IMP are noted for microvillus retraction and membrane smoothing in Sarcoma 180 cells under a variety of experimental conditions. On the other hand, chemical perturbation of S-180 cell surfaces reveals a rather non-ubiquitous, though identifiable, involvement of microfilaments and no microtubule involvement in these topographic changes. These observations suggest that the plasma membrane is a dynamic structure poised between “restrictive” and “less restrictive” states of fluidity or deformability and, hence, is a determinant component in topographic change.
Global well–posedness for the Lagrangian averaged Navier–Stokes (LANS–α) equations on bounded domains

We prove the global well-posedness and regularity of the (isotropic) Lagrangian averaged Navier-Stokes (LANS-α) equations on a three-dimensional bounded domain with a smooth boundary with no-slip boundary conditions for initial data in the set {u ∈ H^s ∩ H_0^1| Au = 0 on ∂Ω, div u = 0}, s ∈ [3,5), where A is the Stokes operator. As with the Navier-Stokes equations, one has parabolic-type regularity; that is, the solutions instantaneously become space-time smooth when the forcing is smooth (or zero). The equations are an ensemble average of the Navier-Stokes equations over initial data in an α-radius phase-space ball, and converge to the Navier-Stokes equations as α → 0. We also show that classical solutions of the LANS-α equations converge almost all in H^s for s ∈ (2:5; 3), to solutions of the inviscid equations (v = 0), called the Lagrangian averaged Euler (LAE-α) equations, even on domains with boundary, for time-intervals governed by the time of existence of solutions of the LAE-α equations.
Minireview: Nutrient Sensing and the Regulation of Insulin Action and Energy Balance

Obesity is the result of an imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure. Under most circumstances, the increased availability of nutrients is tightly coupled with nutrient-sensing mechanisms that in turn activate appropriate behavioral and metabolic responses. The latter responses include decreases in food intake and the production of endogenous nutrients and increased expenditure of energy. The availability of nutrients can be sensed at central sites (mostly in the hypothalamus) or directly in peripheral tissues such as skeletal muscle and fat. The hypothalamus links the sensing of nutrients to the control of metabolism and feeding behavior. Here, we discuss how two central and peripheral nutrient-sensing mechanisms participate in this complex feedback system.
Using rarity to infer how dendritic network structure shapes biodiversity in riverine communities

Dispersal of organisms connects physical localities, but the strength of connection varies widely. Variability in the infl uence of dispersal can be predictable in sharply defi ned networks like river systems because some sections of the network are more isolated, leading to diff erent balances of local (i.e. environmental fi ltering, species interactions) and regional (i.e. dispersaldriven) processes in structuring communities. We examined the infl uence of spatial isolation on the relative contributions of α - and β -diversity to regional ( γ ) diversity, and examined how that infl uence diff ered between common and rare species in stream macroinvertebrate communities. One explanation for rarity on a regional scale is that common species are habitat generalists while rare species are specialists. Th erefore, common species should be infl uenced more by dispersal-driven processes while rare species should be more infl uenced by local processes. We predicted that for rare taxa, β -diversity should represent a higher fraction of γ -diversity in isolated headwaters but that diff erences between rare and common taxa with regard to the contribution of β -diversity to γ -diversity should be less distinct in well-connected mainstem habitats. To test these predictions, we used macroinvertebrate communities from 634 sites across 22 watersheds. Regardless of rarity, β - and γ -diversity were higher in headwaters compared to mainstems. However, α -diversity was similar regardless of isolation for rare assemblages. But contrary to our predictions, common assemblages of predators and herbivores did exhibit diff erences in α -diversity between locations. Our predictions were strongly supported for two guilds of consumers, the detritivores and collectors, but less so for herbivores and predators. However, these results make sense considering diff erences in life histories between the groups. For detritivores and collectors, species turnover ( β -diversity) was higher in isolated regions in river networks, and rarity exacerbated this eff ect, resulting in higher regional diversity of rare species, supporting the general theory that rarity refl ects habitat specialization.
Information Measure Based Skeletonisation

Automatic determination of proper neural network topology by trimming over-sized networks is an important area of study, which has previously been addressed using a variety of techniques. In this paper, we present Information Measure Based Skeletonisation (IMBS), a new approach to this problem where superfluous hidden units are removed based on their information measure (IM). This measure, borrowed from decision tree induction techniques, reflects the degree to which the hyperplane formed by a hidden unit discriminates between training data classes. We show the results of applying IMBS to three classification tasks and demonstrate that it removes a substantial number of hidden units without significantly affecting network performance.
Fluorescent-labeled DNA probes applied to novel biological aspects of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Fluorescent-labeled DNA probes were used to study 52 chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) patients for (1) disease progression, (2) angiogenesis genes, (3) T-cell leukemia 1 gene (TCL1), (4) immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region (IGHv) and (5) chromosome 6q. Compared to stable disease, more patients with progressive disease had > or =2 anomalies and a high percentage of neoplastic nuclei. Anomalies of genes for basic fibroblast growth factor, interleukin 4, vascular endothelial growth factor or TCL1 were not detected. Deletions in IGHv occurred in 25% of patients and correlated with IGHv gene expression. Probes for 6q23 detected more deletions in 6q than probes for 6q21.
385: Etiology and management of acute pulmonary edema in pregnancy-postpartum: Role of echocardiography

POSTPARTUM: ROLE OF ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY MOUNIRA HABLI, ANNETTE BOMBRYS, JOHN R. BARTON, HELEN HOW, BAHA SIBAI, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, Central Baptist Hospital, Lexington, Kentucky OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of echocardiography (ECHO)in the etiology and management of acute pulmonary edema in pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN: 59 pregnant women with acute pulmonary edema were evaluated with ECHO between 2000-2006.Women with known functional or structural heart disease were excluded. Maternal outcomes are: ECHO parameters(left ventricular end diastolic[LVED] and systolic dimension[LVES],ejection fraction[EF], % shortening and evidence of systolic diastolic dysfunction), risk factors, acute and discharge medications and major morbidities. 47(80%) patients had a follow up of 1-5 years. Data were analyzed using T-test, Chi square and Fisher exact test. RESULTS: Based on ECHO findings, patients(pts) were classified as having cardiogenic (n 36) or non-cardiogenic (n 23) etiology. There were no differences between groups regarding race, age, rate of hypertensive disorders (67% vs 58%) and admission with preterm labor (11%vs 17%). Mean gestational age at delivery was 36.4 3.25 wks. Among the cardiogenic group, 21 (58%) had peripartum cardiomyopathy, 6 (17%) had isolated systolic dysfunction, 8 (22%) had newly diagnosed valvular disease and one had pulmonary hypertension. These pts had significant impairment in left ventricular performance as compared to non-cardiogenic group (table). All pts received diuretics and oxygen.There was a difference in use of antihypertensive medications(66%,cardiogenic vs 39%,p 0.04). At discharge 28 (77%) women in the cardiogenic group received targeted medications based on ECHO findings as compared to none in the non-cardiogenic group. There were no maternal deaths. CONCLUSION: Echocardiography should be an integral part of the initial evaluation of the etiology and management of acute pulmonary edema in pregnancy. Information obtained by ECHO will assist in improvement of short and long term maternal outcomes.
The effects of ultraviolet radiation and nutrient additions on periphyton biomass and composition in a sub-alpine lake (Castle Lake, USA)

Rising levels of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) striking the Earth's surface have led to numerous studies assessing its inhibitory effects on phytoplankton and periphyton in aquatic systems. Mineral nutrients such as nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) have been shown to increase aspects of algal metabolism and compensate for UVR inhibition. An in situ substratum enrichment technique and UV shielding was used to assess the effects of nutrient additions on periphyton exposed to different levels of UVR in Castle Lake, California during July-August, 1997. UV shielding had no effect on total periphyton biomass, but caused shifts in species composition. The dominant periphyton species, Anabaena circinalis RAB., demonstrated sensitivity to ambient levels of UV radiation possibly due to UV inhibition of N 2 -fixation. Total diatom biovolume decreased when shielded from UVR. Phosphorus additions continually elicited an increase in periphyton biovolume at all levels of analysis. These results suggest an interaction between nutrient status/availability and UV sensitivity.
Efficient robust AMF using the enhanced FRACTA algorithm: results from KASSPER I & II [target detection]

This paper presents further developments and results of the FRACTA algorithm which has been shown to be robust to nonhomogeneous environments containing outliers. The main focus here is upon the detection of targets in the KASSPER I challenge data cube which possesses dense clusters of targets and the highly nonhomogeneous KASSPER II data in which severe clutter is present over all ranges and Dopplers thereby hindering the identification of a dominant clutter ridge. The KASSPER II dataset is further exacerbated by dense clusters of targets as well as the presence of several deep shadow regions that not only prevent target detection but may also skew covariance matrix estimation. A doppler-dependent thresholding technique is developed which is then incorporated into the FRACTA.E framework and then applied to the KASSPER II dataset. Simulation results are compared with the standard sliding window scheme as well as when clairvoyant knowledge of the covariance matrices is employed. Results verify the improved performance of the FRACTA.E algorithm.
Device Power Saving and Latency Optimization in LTE-A Networks Through DRX Configuration

Discontinuous reception (DRX) saves battery power of user equipment (UE) usually at the expense of potential increase in latency in the Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks. Therefore, an optimization is needed to find the best tradeoff between latency and power saving. In this paper, we first develop an analytical model to estimate power saving achieved and latency incurred by DRX mechanism for active and background mobile traffic. A tradeoff scheme is then formulated to maintain a balance between these two performance parameters based on operator's preference for power saving and latency requirement of traffic. The analytical model is validated using system level simulation results obtained from OPNET Modeler. The results show that the proposed tradeoff scheme is efficient in keeping a balance between power saving and latency. The results also indicate that DRX short cycles are very effective in reducing latency for active traffic, while shorter inactivity timer is desirable for background traffic to enhance power saving. We also proposed a mechanism to switch DRX configuration based on traffic running at UE, using UE assistance procedure recently adopted by 3GPP in Release 11. DRX configuration switching increases the power saving significantly without any noticeable increase in latency of active traffic.
Location and characterization of myocardial infarctions using a multielectrode, intracavitary probe

It has been suggested that catheter ablation would be more effective if it could completely ablate the thin rim of spared endocardium overlying a myocardial infarction (MI). In order to accomplish such an MI-related ablation, the MI must be located and its boundaries delineated. This model study explores the use of a multi-electrode, intracavitary probe to locate and characterize MI's. Maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) was performed on the average of many cardiac cycles from a spherical shells model. In repeated simulations, it was always possible to reduce the rms estimation error for both size and location to below 1 mm of endocardial distance, even in the presence of noise and probe movement. >
Dynamic Corn Supply Functions: A Model with Explicit Optimization

Both static and dynamic models have been used to estimate aggregate supply elasticities for annual crops. The early studies relied on static singleequation models in a few variables, assumed static price expectations (e.g., Kohls and Paarlberg), and produced very small estimates of own-price supply elasticities (e.g., 0.07 for corn). Nerlove (1956, 1958a) and Nerlove and Addison showed that agricultural supply models incorporating adaptive price expectations and (or) dynamic resource adjustment produced larger estimates of supply elasticities for corn and other agricultural commodities. Additionally, they showed that supply elasticities obtained from static models need not be bounded by the short-run and long-run supply elasticities of
Perceived sex discrimination amplifies the effect of antagonism on cigarette smoking.

Introduction: Compared to men, the decline in smoking over the past few decades has been slower for women and smokingrelated morbidity and mortality has increased substantially. Identifying sex-specific risk factors will inform more targeted intervention/prevention efforts. The purpose of this research is to examine the interactive effect of psychological (trait antagonism) and social (perceived sex discrimination) factors on current cigarette smoking and whether these effects differ by sex. Methods: Participants in the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span study (HANDLS; N = 454) and participants in the Health and Retirement Study (HRS; N = 8,155) completed measures of antagonism, perceived sex discrimination, and reported whether they smoked currently. Logistic regressions were used to predict smoking from antagonism, discrimination, and their interaction. Results: Antagonism was associated with an increased risk of smoking. For women, there was an interaction between antagonism and discrimination: among women who perceived sex discrimination, every standard deviation increase in antagonism was associated with a 2.5 increased risk of current smoking in HANDLS (odds ratio [OR] = 2.54, 95% CI = 1.46‐4.39) and an almost 1.5 increased risk in HRS (OR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.18‐1.73). This interaction was not significant for men in either sample. Conclusion: In 2 independent samples, perceived sex discrimination amplified the effect of antagonism on cigarette smoking for women, but not men. A hostile disposition and a perceived hostile social environment have a synergistic effect on current cigarette smoking for women.
P-85: Laproscopic sleeve gastrectomy as a weight loss option in the elderly high-risk severely obese patient

Background: Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is becoming popular as a standalone procedure for the treatment of morbid obesity & related diseases. This study presents the outcome of SG with regards to weight loss and improvement in co-morbidities and quality of life (QOL) at the end of 3 years after surgery. Methods: Retrospective study of 23 patients M:F 8:15) of morbid obesity (Mean BMI 49 11kg / m 2 ) with type 2 Diabetes operated for SG during the period 2004 to 2005 is performed with regards to percent excess weight loss ( %EWL), changes in co-morbidity status & QOL at the end of 3 years. BAROS score has been calculated. Results: % EWL at 36 months was 74.6%. 16 / 23 Pts demonstrated significant improvement in all co-morbidities and the rest (7/23) showed at least one major co-morbidity improvement. All (23/23) referred improvement in their QOL but , not equally in all parameters of the questionnaire. BAROS total outcome score was good in 4/23 (17.4%), very good 4/23 (17.4%), and excellent 15/23 (65.2%).
A comparison of non-quasi-static and quasi-static harmonic balance implementations for coupled device and circuit simulation

A non-quasi-static implementation of the harmonic balance method in the context of coupled device and circuit simulation is presented. It is compared with a previous quasi-static implementation for accuracy and performance. The accuracy of the efficient quasi-static approach is limited by the transition frequency of the device. The non-quasi-static approach is accurate but requires significant computing resources.
Parallel Hardware-Software Architecture for Computation of Discrete Wavelet Transform Using the Recursive Merge Filtering Algorithm

We present an FPGA -based parallel hardware-software architecture for the computation of the Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT), using the Recursive Merge Filtering (RMF) algorithm. The DWT is built in a bottom-up fashion in logN steps, successively building complete DWTs by "merging" two smaller DWTs and applying the wavelet filter to only the "smooth" or DC coefficient from the smaller DWTs. The main bottleneck of this algorithm is the data routing process, which can be reduced by separating the computations into two types to introduce parallelism. This is achieved by using a virtual mapping structure to map the input. The data routing bottleneck has been transformed into simple arithmetic computations on the mapping structure. Due to the use of the FPGA -RAM for the mapping structure, the total number of data accesses to the main memory are reduced. This architecture shows how data routing in this problem can be transformed into a series of index computations
Evaluating adaptive evolution.

Using comparative sequence analyses, we can identify proteins that may have been subject to positive darwinian selection. To test these statistical results, it is important to develop functional assays and identify amino-acid changes that are responsible for the adaptation of organisms to specific environments. One of the two duplicated pancreatic ribonuclease genes of a leaf-eating colobine monkey, douc langur, is now shown to have adapted to digest bacterial RNAs in the monkey's foregut.
Cytogenetic analysis of an exposed-referent study: perchloroethylene-exposed dry cleaners compared to unexposed laundry workers

Background Significant numbers of people are exposed to tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene, PCE) every year, including workers in the dry cleaning industry. Adverse health effects have been associated with PCE exposure. However, investigations of possible cumulative cytogenetic damage resulting from PCE exposure are lacking.
Optimal design of checks for error detection and location in fault-tolerant multiprocessor systems

RANDGEN, a simple and efficient general-purpose algorithm for generating arbitrary data-check (DC) graphs with a small number of checks, which satisfy a variety of properties that have been found to be useful in algorithm-based fault tolerance (ABFT) designs, is proposed. The concept of majority diagnosability is introduced in an attempt to explicitly redesign DC graphs for easy diagnosis. UNIFGEN, a variation of RANDGEN that produces DC graphs with uniform checks is examined. >
Dissociation of estradiol from a uterine nuclear receptor.

Dissociation of 3H-estradiol, previously bound to a uterine nuclear receptor by in vitro techniques, was enhanced when incubated with unlabeled estradiol. Other estrogens increased dissociation but testosterone produced no effect. Significant differences were noted between the association and dissociation process. Uteri containing 3H-estradiol bound to receptors in vivo were homogenized and incubated under different conditions. The distribution of radioactivityradioactivity among cellular fractions was altered. An increase in nuclear-bound material occurred during incubation at 25 or 37 C, but no change was observed at 4 C. This increase required the supernatant fraction and was specific for estradiol. Similar experiments were performed using 3H-estriol and a comparison between the 2 estrogens is made. (Endocrinology 84: 718, 1969)
Mechanism of reinforcement III: Viscosity of carbon black suspensions in GR‐S solutions

Abstract The viscosity of carbon black suspended in GR-S solutions has been investigated in a Stormer-type viscometer at various rates of shear. Relative viscosities thus determined have been extrapolated to zero rate of shear and, by applying Einstein's viscosity equation, the volume of the suspended particles has been calculated. It has been found that, under the conditions examined, the carbon black particles are surrounded by a rubber layer 150 to 200 Angstroms thick.
Do We Know the Best Treatment for In-Stent Restenosis Via Network Meta-Analysis (NMA)?: Simple Methods Any Interventionalist Can Use to Assess NMA Quality and a Call for Better NMA Presentation∗

In this issue of JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions , Lee et al. [(1)][1] present the results of a Bayesian network meta-analysis (NMA) to assess the relative efficacy of drug-eluting stents (DES), drug-eluting balloons (DEB), and plain old balloon angioplasty (POBA) used to treat in-stent
Toward hybrid force/position control for the Cerberus epicardial robot

Gene therapies have emerged as a promising treatment for congestive heart failure, yet they lack a method for minimally invasive, uniform delivery. To address this need we developed Cerberus, a minimally invasive parallel wire robot for cardiac interventions. Prior work on Cerberus was limited to controlling the device using only position feedback. In order to ensure safety for both the patient and the device, as well as to improve the performance of the device, this paper presents work on enhancing the existing system with force feedback capabilities. By modeling the statics of the system and developing a tension distribution optimization technique, existing position control schemes were modified to a hybrid force/position controller. Experimental results show that using a hybrid force-position control scheme as opposed to position decreases positioning error by 38%.
Interactions of the oral microbiota. I. A system for the defined study of mixed cultures.

SummaryA continuous 2-stage system for investigations of interactions between 2 or more species of bacteria is described. The system employs 2 or more chemostatically limited stages of pure cultures feeding to a non-limited mixed continuous growth cell. This permits comparison at any point on the growth curve of numbers and products of organisms in pure culture with numbers and metabolic products resulting from interactions between the same organisms in growing in mixed culture. The systems are mathematically defined and the data can be expressed in generation time. Results obtained with a mixture of S. salivarius and V. alcalescens indicate a distinct interaction betwen the strains employed. Generation time of each of these species was noticeably increased while growing in context with the other.
Stephen Hawking's Cosmology and Theism

there would be no singularities at which the laws of science broke down and no edge of space-time at which one would have to appeal to God or some new law to set the boundary conditions for space-time ... The universe would be completely self-contained and not affected by anything outside itself. It would neither be created nor destroyed. It would just BE ... What place, then, for a creator? ([9], pp. 136, 141)
Initiation and maturation of I-Z-I bodies in the growth tips of transfected myotubes.

While over a dozen I-Z-I proteins are expressed in postmitotic myoblasts and myotubes it is unclear how, when, or where these first assemble into transitory I-Z-I bodies (thin filament/Z-band precursors) and, a short time later, into definitive I-Z-I bands. By double-staining the growth tips of transfected myotubes expressing (a) MYC-tagged s-alpha-actinins (MYC/s-alpha-actinins) or (b) green fluorescent protein-tagged titin cap (GFP/T-cap) with antibodies against MYC and I-Z-I band proteins, we found that the de novo assembly of I-Z-I bodies and their maturation into I-Z-I bands involved relatively concurrent, cooperative binding and reconfiguration of, at a minimum, 5 integral Z-band molecules. These included s-alpha-actinin, nebulin, titin, T-cap and alpha-actin. Resolution of the approximately 1.0 microm polarized alpha-actin/nebulin/tropomyosin/troponin thin filament complexes occurred subsequent to the maturation of Z-bands into a dense tetragonal configuration. Of particular interest is finding that mutant MYC/s-alpha-actinin peptides (a) lacking spectrin-like repeats 1–4, or consisting of spectrin-like repeats 1–4 only, as well as (b) mutants/fragments lacking titin or alpha-actin binding sites, were promptly and exclusively incorporated into de novo assembling I-Z-I bodies and definitive I-Z-I bands as was exogenous full length MYC/s-alpha-actinin or GFP/T-cap.
Analysis of detection result of influenza A (H1N1) virus in Qiandongnan Prefecture in 2009

Objective:To understand the infection of pandemic influenza A(H1N1) virus among influenza like illnesscases in Qiandongnan Prefecture in 2009 and provide scientific evidence for the prevention and control of the disease.Methods: The nasal pharynx swabs were taken from suspected patients to detect pandemic influenza virus by using real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction(rRT-PCR) according to The Guideline of Pandemic influenza A(H1N1) Virus Detection by RT-PCR.Each sample RNA extract was tested by separate primer /probe sets: InfA,Universal swine(sw FluA),Swine H1(swH1) and RNaseP(RP).Results: A total 773 nasal pharynx swabs were detected from 19th August to 31 December 2009,of which 381 were positive,the positive rate of influenza virus was 49.29%,influenza A(H1N1) was 28.33% and seasonal influenza virus was 20.96%.The first influenza A(H1N1) positive sample was detected on 12th September,the positive rate arrive the peak during 29 October to 4 December(61.82%).The cases mainly occurred among the age groups of 5-19 olds.Students and kindergarten children accounted for 78.08% and 5.02% of the total cases respectively.Conclusion: The detection of nucleic acid of influenza virus would facilitate to find the prevalence of pandemic influenza A(H1N1) virus infection and provide evidence for the clinical diagnosis and prevention of the disease.
Modified Clamshell Osteotomy for Treating Acute Tibial Shaft Fracture with Pre-existent Malunion

The patient is a 56-year-old female with a history of schizoaffective disorder and multiple medical comorbidities who presented complaining of leg pain attributed to a fall while getting out of bed.
Regression Discontinuity for Causal Effect Estimation in Epidemiology

Regression discontinuity analyses can generate estimates of the causal effects of an exposure when a continuously measured variable is used to assign the exposure to individuals based on a threshold rule. Individuals just above the threshold are expected to be similar in their distribution of measured and unmeasured baseline covariates to individuals just below the threshold, resulting in exchangeability. At the threshold exchangeability is guaranteed if there is random variation in the continuous assignment variable, e.g., due to random measurement error. Under exchangeability, causal effects can be identified at the threshold. The regression discontinuity intention-to-treat (RD-ITT) effect on an outcome can be estimated as the difference in the outcome between individuals just above (or below) versus just below (or above) the threshold. This effect is analogous to the ITT effect in a randomized controlled trial. Instrumental variable methods can be used to estimate the effect of exposure itself utilizing the threshold as the instrument. We review the recent epidemiologic literature reporting regression discontinuity studies and find that while regression discontinuity designs are beginning to be utilized in a variety of applications in epidemiology, they are still relatively rare, and analytic and reporting practices vary. Regression discontinuity has the potential to greatly contribute to the evidence base in epidemiology, in particular on the real-life and long-term effects and side-effects of medical treatments that are provided based on threshold rules – such as treatments for low birth weight, hypertension or diabetes.
Recommendation System for Automatic Design

In the information era, the representation of information via visual media is a desire for both personal and business means, though consumers may prefer not to hire a professional to create designs for them. Personal communication through Internet web services is becoming an essential part of contemporary life. New generations of communication devices also contribute to the need for the design of personal communication media. Hence, there is a great need and an increasing request for software applications that provide users with easy-to-follow steps for creating visual media, such as magazines, blogs, and other forms of self-publishing media. This need, in turn, inspires science and engineering to tackle the idea of visual media’s automatic design.
Yet another variant of the Drygas functional equation on groups

Let G be a group and C the field of complex numbers. Suppose σ1,σ 2 : G → G are endomorphisms satisfying the condition σi(σi(x)) = x for all x in G and for i = 1, 2. In this paper, we find the central solution f : G → C of the equation f (xy) + f (σi(y)x) =2f (x) + f (y) + f (σ2(y)) for all x,y ∈ G which is a variant of the Drygas functional equation with two involutions. Further, we present a generalization the above functional equation and determine its central solutions. As an application, using the solutions ofthe generalized equation, we determine the solutions f, g, h, k : GxG → C ofthefunc-tional equation f (pr, qs) + g(sp, rq) = 2f (p, q) + h(r, s) + k(s, r) when f satisfies the condition f (pr, qs) = f (rp, sq) for all p, q, r, s ∈ G.
On a Generalization of Horn Constraint Systems

In this paper, we study linear constraint systems in which each constraint is a fractional Horn constraint. A constraint is fractional horn, if it can be written in the form: \(\sum _{i=1}^{n}a_{i}\cdot x_{i}\ge c\), where the \(a_{i}\) and c are integral, and at most one of the \(a_{i}>0\) and all negative \(a_{i}\) are equal to \(-1\). A conjunction of fractional Horn constraints is called a Fractional Horn Systems (FHS). FHSs generalize a number of specialized constraint systems such as Difference Constraint Systems and Horn Constraint Systems. We show that the problem of checking linear feasibility in these systems is in P, whereas the problem of checking lattice point feasibility is NP-complete. We then study a sub-class of fractional horn systems called Binary fractional horn systems (BFHS) in which each constraint has at most two non-zero coefficients with at most one being positive. In this case, we show that the problem of lattice point feasibility is in P.
Drug-Resistant Epilepsy: Multiple Hypotheses, Few Answers

Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder that affects over 70 million people worldwide. Despite the recent introduction of new antiseizure drugs (ASDs), about one-third of patients with epilepsy have seizures refractory to pharmacotherapy. Early identification of patients who will become refractory to ASDs could help direct such patients to appropriate non-pharmacological treatment, but the complexity in the temporal patterns of epilepsy could make such identification difficult. The target hypothesis and transporter hypothesis are the most cited theories trying to explain refractory epilepsy, but neither theory alone fully explains the neurobiological basis of pharmacoresistance. This review summarizes evidence for and against several major theories, including the pharmacokinetic hypothesis, neural network hypothesis, intrinsic severity hypothesis, gene variant hypothesis, target hypothesis, and transporter hypothesis. The discussion is mainly focused on the transporter hypothesis, where clinical and experimental data are discussed on multidrug transporter overexpression, substrate profiles of ASDs, mechanism of transporter upregulation, polymorphisms of transporters, and the use of transporter inhibitors. Finally, future perspectives are presented for the improvement of current hypotheses and the development of treatment strategies as guided by the current understanding of refractory epilepsy.
Putative binding sites for mir-125 family miRNAs in the mouse Lfng 3'UTR affect transcript expression in the segmentation clock, but mir-125a-5p is dispensable for normal somitogenesis.

Background: In vertebrate embryos, a “segmentation clock” times somitogenesis. Clock-linked genes, including Lunatic fringe (Lfng), exhibit cyclic expression in the presomitic mesoderm (PSM), with a period matching the rate of somite formation. The clock period varies widely across species, but the mechanisms that underlie this variability are not clear. The half-lives of clock components are proposed to influence the rate of clock oscillations, and are tightly regulated in the PSM. Interactions between Lfng and mir-125a-5p in the embryonic chicken PSM promote Lfng transcript instability, but the conservation of this mechanism in other vertebrates has not been tested. Here, we examine whether this interaction affects clock activity in a mammalian species. Results: Mutation of mir-125 binding sites in the Lfng 3'UTR leads to persistent, non-oscillatory reporter transcript expression in the caudal-most mouse PSM, though dynamic transcript expression recovers in the central PSM. Despite this, expression of endogenous mir-125a-5p is dispensable for mouse somitogenesis. Conclusions: These results suggest that mir-125a sites in the Lfng 3'UTR influence transcript turnover in both mouse and chicken embryos, and support the existence of position-dependent regulatory mechanisms in the PSM. They further suggest the existence of compensatory mechanisms that can rescue the loss of mir-125a-5p in mice. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
An Electromagnetic Model of Human Vital Signs Detection and Its Experimental Validation

An electromagnetic model for heart rate and respiration rate detection using the scattered fields of incident plane waves on a dielectric model of a human subject has been developed. The model approximates the torso by an equivalent homogenous dielectric layer, and utilizes an accelerated parallel version of the multi-level fast multipole algorithm to speed up the computation. Non-contact measurements using an ultra-wideband radar are utilized to experimentally validate the model. The model proved to be accurate for both the heart rate and respiration rate detection within 5% error margin when compared with conventional contact sensor readings. The agreement between measured and simulated results is good for distances up to 3 m, and at various subject orientations with respect to the radar boresight. Meanwhile, in the presence of more than one subject, only slight degradation has been observed unless one subject is almost blocked by another. This accurate model would have broader impacts as it can be utilized to investigate various human activities and motion scenarios, and can be used, as well, to fine-tune the signal processing techniques and radar system development.
Putting It All Together: Judith Herman’s Theory of Triphasic Healing and Neurobiological Considerations in the Treatment of Symptoms Related to MST

This chapter will focus on the psychotherapy treatment of military sexual trauma through the lens of Judith Herman’s trauma theory and argue for a more integrated combination of both cognitive and somatic modalities that are both bottom-up and top-down while also being phasic and directed by the survivor’s symptomology presentation throughout therapy. This final chapter is a “call to action” for military-affiliated policy makers and treatment providers to abandon the one-size-fits-all therapy modalities currently used to treat sexual trauma and instead integrate all evidence-based practices and promising somatic therapies discussed in this text into an integrative framework for the treatment of MST.
Sikh American millennials at work: Institution building, activism, and a renaissance of cultural expression

This paper explores the contributions of Sikh American millennials in institution building, activism, and cultural expression in the post 9/11 period. The discussion is based on interviews and fiel...