Automated revision of CLIPS rule-bases

This paper describes CLIPS-R, a theory revision system for the revision of CLIPS rule-bases. CLIPS-R may be used for a variety of knowledge-base revision tasks, such as refining a prototype system, adapting an existing system to slightly different operating conditions, or improving an operational system that makes occasional errors. We present a description of how CLIPS-R revises rule-bases, and an evaluation of the system on three rule-bases

Visualization of Recombinant DNA and Protein Complexes Using Atomic Force Microscopy

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) allows for the visualizing of individual proteins, DNA molecules, protein-protein complexes, and DNA-protein complexes. On the end of the microscope's cantilever is a nano-scale probe, which traverses image areas ranging from nanometers to micrometers, measuring the elevation of macromolecules resting on the substrate surface at any given point. Electrostatic forces cause proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids to loosely attach to the substrate in random orientations and permit imaging. The generated data resemble a topographical map, where the macromolecules resolve as three-dimensional particles of discrete sizes (Figure 1) 1,2. Tapping mode AFM involves the repeated oscillation of the cantilever, which permits imaging of relatively soft biomaterials such as DNA and proteins. One of the notable benefits of AFM over other nanoscale microscopy techniques is its relative adaptability to visualize individual proteins and macromolecular complexes in aqueous buffers, including near-physiologic buffered conditions, in real-time, and without staining or coating the sample to be imaged

State of Ohio\u27s Objections to Proposed Pretrial Order

Contains the State of Ohio’s objections to Plaintiff’s pretrial order. The objections are numbered and include a short explanation of each legal issue

Defendant\u27s Response to Plaintiff\u27s Motion to Limit Discovery & State of Ohio\u27s Objections to Proposed Pretrial Order

The State of Ohio’s response to the Estate of Sam Sheppard’s Motion to Limit Discovery. This motion asserts that the State should be given adequate time for discovery. The State harshly accuses the plaintiff’s counsel of confusing the civil matter with the reopening of a criminal investigation. The matters discussed in the motion include the Eberling blood sample, evidence inventoried at the coroner’s office, witness Kathy Collins, Dr. Mohammad Tahir’s DNA testing results, and the FBI Behavioral Science Unit

Defendant\u27s Response to Plaintiff\u27s Motion to Limit Discovery & State of Ohio\u27s Objections to Proposed Pretrial Order

The State of Ohio’s response to the Estate of Sam Sheppard’s Motion to Limit Discovery. This motion asserts that the State should be given adequate time for discovery. The State harshly accuses the plaintiff’s counsel of confusing the civil matter with the reopening of a criminal investigation. The matters discussed in the motion include the Eberling blood sample, evidence inventoried at the coroner’s office, witness Kathy Collins, Dr. Mohammad Tahir’s DNA testing results, and the FBI Behavioral Science Unit

Imaging of ischemia, obstruction and infection in the abdomen

Intestinal ischemia is a serious condition that continues to be associated with mortalities in excess of 70%. Intestinal obstruction and gastrointestinal tract sepsis are common conditions, accounting for a large proportion of patients admitted to emergency departments with acute abdominal symptoms. This article discusses the imaging methods and key findings of these entities in the emergency radiology department. The article includes imaging examples, diagnostic options, protocol selections, diagnostic criteria, and differential diagnoses

Polymethoxy-1-Alkenes Screening of Chlorella and Spirulina Food Supplements Coupled with In Vivo Toxicity Studies

Selected species of cyanobacteria and green algae have been reported to produce lipophilic polymethoxy-1-alkenes (PMAs) which were shown to exhibit in vivo teratogenicity. Considering that information on PMAs in Arthospira sp. (known commercially as Spirulina) and Chlorella sp. cultivated for food supplement production was essentially lacking, the present study screened Chlorella (n = 10) and Spirulina (n = 13) food supplements registered in the European Union. Mass spectrometry analysis of column fractionated extracts was performed. None of the four variants previously reported in some cyanobacteria and green algae, nor any potentially related structures were detected in the studied samples. Since the isolated lipophilic fractions contained various compounds, they were further screened for in vivo teratogenicity in Danio rerio embryo, and for the potential to induce oxidative stress and genotoxicity in the liver and neurotoxicity in the brain of adult zebrafish. None of the tested food supplements had detectable levels of PMAs or any potentially related structures. No teratogenicity was revealed except for spinal curvature induced by fractions obtained from two Chlorella products. Selected fractions revealed cytotoxicity as indicated by an increased level of reactive oxygen species, catalase activity, lipid peroxidation and increased frequency of DNA strand breaks in hepatic tissue. The majority (60%) of Chlorella fractions induced an increase in cholinesterase activity in zebrafish brain homogenate while exposure to 61.5% of Spirulina fractions was associated with its decrease. The present study confirms that Chlorella and Spirulina food supplements are free of teratogenic PMAs, although the observed in vivo toxicities raise questions regarding the quality of selected products

Cryptic multicolored lizards in the Polychrus marmoratus Group (Squamata: Sauria: Polychrotidae) and the status of Leiolepis auduboni Hallowell

The Neotropical genus Polychrus contains seven species of arboreal lizards. The type species for the genus is the widespread Polychrus marmoratus. We compared a few populations of P. marmoratus using 16S and COI mitochondrial gene sequences (1,035 bp total) and found several lineages existing under the name Polychrus marmoratus. Working backwards, using morphology we identify Polychrus marmoratus from the Guiana Shield and resurrect the name Leiolepis auduboni Hallowell for the species present in Trinidad, Tobago, and northern Venezuela. The number of species in the genus Polychrus is raised to eight. However, we also discuss evidence for the existence of other cryptic species withi

Pifithrin-alpha inhibits p53 signaling after interaction of the tumor suppressor protein with hsp90 and its nuclear translocation

Pifithrin-alpha (PFTalpha) was originally thought to be a specific inhibitor of signaling by the tumor suppressor protein p53. However, the laboratory that discovered pifithrin recently reported that the compound also inhibits heat shock and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) signaling, and they suggested that PFTalpha targets a factor common to all three signal transduction pathways, such as the hsp90/hsp70-based chaperone machinery (Komarova, E. A., Neznanov, N., Komarov, P. G., Chernov, M. V., Wang, K., and Gudkov, A. V. (2003) J. Biol. Chem. 278, 15465-15468). Because it is important for the mechanistic study of this machinery to identify unique inhibitors of chaperone action, we have examined the effect of PFTalpha on transcriptional activation, the hsp90 heterocomplex assembly, and hsp90-dependent nuclear translocation for both p53 and the GR. At concentrations where PFTalpha blocks p53-mediated induction of p21/Waf-1 in human embryonic kidney cells, we observed no inhibition of GR-mediated induction of a chloramphenicol acetyl transferase reporter in LMCAT cells. PFTalpha did, however, cause a left shift in the dexamethasone dose response curve by increasing intracellular dexamethasone concentration, apparently by competing for dexamethasone efflux from the cell. The assembly of p53 or GR heterocomplexes with hsp90 and immunophilins was not affected by PFTalpha either in vivo or in vitro and did not affect the nuclear translocation of either transcription factor. Thus, we conclude that PFTalpha does not inhibit GR-mediated induction or the function of the chaperone machinery, and, as originally thought, it may specifically inhibit p53 signaling by acting at a stage after p53 translocation to the nucleus.Fil: Murphy, Patrick J.. University of Michigan; Estados UnidosFil: Galigniana, Mario Daniel. University of Michigan; Estados Unidos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Morishima, Yoshihiro. University of Michigan; Estados UnidosFil: Harrell, Jennifer M.. University of Michigan; Estados UnidosFil: Kwok, Roland P.. University of Michigan; Estados UnidosFil: Ljungman, Mats. University of Michigan; Estados UnidosFil: Pratt, William B.. University of Michigan; Estados Unido

Complexity of Fetal Movement Detection Using a Single Doppler Ultrasound Transducer

The objective of this paper is to discuss the complexity of fetal movement detection encountered during development and implementation of an automated single Doppler ultrasonic transducer based instrument. The single transducer instrument was intended to better quantify the duration, velocity, and magnitude of fetal movements. A Corometrics Model 116 fetal heart rate monitor was modified, and a fetal movement detection algorithm (Russell Algorithm) was developed to detect fetal movements on one and two (data fusion) transducers. A Hewlett-Packard (HP) M-1350-A fetal monitor and the Russell Algorithm were used to detect and record fetal movements concurrently on sixty patients between the gestation ages of31 to 41 weeks. Using a computer-controlled SVHS PC-VCR, the instrumental detection of fetal movements was time-linked with real-time video ultrasound. This allowed the fetal movements to be scored by expert examiners on a second-per-second basis. A total of 52,478 seconds of fetal movements was scored using this system. Neither system could accurately define the entire duration, velocity, or magnitude of the fetal movements as detected by real-time ultrasound. The complexity of detecting fetal movements using only one transducer has many shortcomings, such as: the amplitude of the returning Doppler signal, the small area of the fetus monitored by a single transducer, the position of the fetus, the type and variety of fetal movements, and material size and shape