Fault patterns, fault activity reconstructions and a new source candidate for tsunamis in the Messina Strait, Southern Italy

RV Meter Cruise M86/2 was launched in the Messina Strait. A series of near-surface faults have been discovered for the first time. The fault pattern of the Messina Strait has been built up. Reconstructions of fault activities have been conducted on the newly-discovered fault zone in the outer Messina Strait. Tsunami modelling was done from the new fault zone in the outer Messina Strait to its tsunami potential

Time Domain Features for Relationship between Speed and Slow Potentials Activity during Periodic Movement and Motor Imagery at Fast and Slow for BCRI

AbstractTime domain features of slow potentials ≤2Hz) during periodic movement and motor imagery at fast and slow (4Hz and 2Hz) were investigated in 4 healthy subjects by event-related potentials in the paper. EEG was recorded from 64 electrodes and 9 closely spaced electrodes overlaying the left and right sensorimotor area were analyzed. The subjects performed 40 fast and 40 slow (paced by metronome) movement and motor imagery of six tasks that involved three limbs (left and right index fingers and right toes) at first-person perspective. In addition, the subjects also performed motor imagery involved left and right arms and feet at third-person perspective. Based on brain processing mainly involved with the slow potentials during periodic movement and motor imagery, event-related potentials were low-pass filtered with 2Hz cut-off frequency (24dB/oct). At C1, Cz, and C2, fast movement-related potentials had a larger positive slow potentials tendency than slow movement-related potentials 1.5s after movement onset. In contrast to movement, slow motor imagery-related potentials had a larger positive slow potentials tendency than fast motor imagery-related potentials 1.75s after motor imagery onset at these electrodes. Time delays reaching positive peak and rebound rate after peak were also explored. These results may be very important for further exploring relationship between speed and EEG activity during periodic movement and motor imagery. The study may provide a strategy to realize fine control of robots by brain-controlled robot interface

Molecular evolution of measles viruses circulated in Taiwan 1992-2008

Genetic analyses of viral samples from 74 laboratory confirmed measles cases occurring in Taiwan during 1992-2008 identified six viral genotypes D3, D5, D9, G2, H1 and H2. The most frequently detected genotype, H1, was associated with outbreaks in 1994 and 2002, and was the likely indigenous genotype in 1992. In response to the outbreaks, two catch-up campaigns were launched and a routine second dose of measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine at entry to elementary school was introduced. The vaccination campaigns successfully reduced the number of measles cases in Taiwan, and many of the more recent cases can be traced to importations, primarily from other Asian countries. A number of measles genotypes which were associated with outbreaks in other Asian countries were detected among the more recent cases. The more recent genotype H1 viruses had sequences that were identical to those currently circulating in China or associated with international importation of virus

Validation Between Gene Expression Measurement Platforms

https://openworks.mdanderson.org/sumexp22/1088/thumbnail.jp

A Partitioning Based Algorithm to Fuzzy Tricluster

Fuzzy clustering allows an object to exist in multiple clusters and represents the affiliation of objects to clusters by memberships. It is extended to fuzzy coclustering by assigning both objects and features membership functions. In this paper we propose a new fuzzy triclustering (FTC) algorithm for automatic categorization of three-dimensional data collections. FTC specifies membership function for each dimension and is able to generate fuzzy clusters simultaneously on three dimensions. Thus FTC divides a three-dimensional cube into many little blocks which should be triclusters with strong coherent bonding among its members. The experimental studies on MovieLens demonstrate the strength of FTC in terms of accuracy compared to some recent popular fuzzy clustering and coclustering approaches

Discovery of Novel Insulin Sensitizers: Promising Approaches and Targets

Insulin resistance is the undisputed root cause of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). There is currently an unmet demand for safe and effective insulin sensitizers, owing to the restricted prescription or removal from market of certain approved insulin sensitizers, such as thiazolidinediones (TZDs), because of safety concerns. Effective insulin sensitizers without TZD-like side effects will therefore be invaluable to diabetic patients. The specific focus on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ- (PPARγ-) based agents in the past decades may have impeded the search for novel and safer insulin sensitizers. This review discusses possible directions and promising strategies for future research and development of novel insulin sensitizers and describes the potential targets of these agents. Direct PPARγ agonists, selective PPARγ modulators (sPPARγMs), PPARγ-sparing compounds (including ligands of the mitochondrial target of TZDs), agents that target the downstream effectors of PPARγ, along with agents, such as heat shock protein (HSP) inducers, 5′-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activators, 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) selective inhibitors, biguanides, and chloroquines, which may be safer than traditional TZDs, have been described. This minireview thus aims to provide fresh perspectives for the development of a new generation of safe insulin sensitizers

Tissue distribution of emulsified γ-tocotrienol and its long-term biological effects after subcutaneous administration

BACKGROUND: γ-tocotrienol (GT3), an analogue of vitamin E, has gained increasing scientific interest recently as it provides significant health benefits. It has been shown that emulsified GT3, after subcutaneous administration, has long-term biological effects. However, whether the effects are due to the increase of GT3 level in the early phase following administration or the persistent functions after accumulation in tissues is unknown. This study was conducted to determine the levels of GT3 in different tissues by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a fluorescence detector after a single-dose of GT3 with polyethylene glycol (PEG-400) emulsion via subcutaneous injection. Previous studies have explored that GT3 has favorable effects on bone and can inhibit osteoclast formation. To confirm the persistent biological activity of accumulated GT3 in tissues, receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) gene expressions, which have an important role in regulating osteoclast formation, were also evaluated in bone tissue on day 1, 3, 7 and 14 after a signal subcutaneous injection of GT3. METHODS: C57BL/6 female mice were administrated GT3 (100 mg/kg body weight) with PEG-400 emulsion by subcutaneous injection. GT3 levels in different tissues were determined by HPLC with a fluorescence detector. Gene expressions were measured by real-time PCR. RESULTS: GT3 predominantly accumulated in adipose and heart tissue, and was maintained at a relatively stable level in bone tissues after a single-dose administration. Accumulated GT3 in bone tissues significantly inhibited the increase in RANKL expression and the decrease in OPG expression induced by db-cAMP. CONCLUSIONS: We investigated the tissue distribution of GT3 with PEG emulsion by subcutaneous administration, which has never been reported so far. Our results suggest that GT3 with PEG emulsion accumulated in tissues is able to carry out a long-term biological effect and has therapeutic value for treating and preventing osteoporosis