cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Using an Enzymatic Combinatorial Approach to Identify Anticoagulant Heparan Sulfate Structures

Heparan sulfate (HS) represents a major class of glycans that perform central physiological functions. Emerging HS and glycosaminoglycan microarray techniques are used to interrogate the structure and function relationship to develop novel therapeutic agents. Availability of HS with specific sulfation patterns has been a limiting factor and impedes the accuracy of HS glycomics studies. Although organic synthesis provides oligosaccharides, these may not fully represent the biological functions of polysaccharides. Here, we present a study for developing an enzyme-based approach to synthesize a polysaccharide library with different sulfation patterns. Using different combinations of biosynthetic enzymes, we synthesized eight unique polysaccharides. We discovered that polysaccharides without the iduronic acid residue displayed strong binding affinity to antithrombin and high anti-Xa and anti-IIa activities. The enzyme-based synthetic approach could become a general method for discovering new HS structures with unique biological functions.
Determination of subband spacing in inversion layers on p-type InAs

Recently, Kunze investigated electric subbands in the inversion layer on degenerate p-type InAs by means of Zener tunneling. He inferred energy separations between low-lying subbands in a sample with bulk acceptor concentration in the ${10}^{17}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}3}$ range. However, prior to this experiment, \"Ubensee, Paasch, and Gobsch had calculated separations which differ significantly from Kunze's values. Experimental evidence from intersubband spectroscopy is presented here which is in agreement with the predictions of \"Ubensee, Paasch, and Gobsch, as well as with the results of our own self-consistent calculation.
Analytical and clinical performance of the Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics VITROS® amino-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide assay

Abstract Background Measurement of amino-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is useful for evaluating patients with heart failure (HF). Methods We evaluated the performance of a new automated NT-proBNP assay. Results The VITROS NT-proBNP assay had mean within-run and total imprecision of 1.0% and 3.4% at NT-proBNP concentrations from 67–27,500 ng/l. Acceptable linearity, functional/analytical sensitivity were demonstrated. Anticoagulant/tube types had no effect on results. Excellent sample stability and no high-dose hook were observed. High correlation between the VITROS and Elecsys methods was demonstrated (r = 0.995; P Conclusions The automated VITROS NT-proBNP assay demonstrates excellent analytical and clinical performance for evaluating the presence and severity of HF.
A Note on the Covariant Anomaly as an Equivariant Momentum Mapping

We show that there is a natural gauge invariant presymplectic structureω on the spaceA of all vector potentials. The covariant axial anomaly\(\tilde G\) is found to be the essentially unique infinitestimally equivariant momentum mapping for the action of the group of gauge transformations on (A,ω). The infinitesimal equivariance of\(\tilde G\) is shown to be equivalent to the Wess-Zumino consistency condition for the consistent axial anomalyG. We also show that theX operator of Bardeen and Zumino, which relatesG and\(\tilde G\), corresponds to the one-form (onA) of the presymplectic structureω.
The Probability an Amazing Card Trick Is Dull

(2005). The Probability an Amazing Card Trick Is Dull. The College Mathematics Journal: Vol. 36, No. 3, pp. 209-212.
Neurofilament-rich intraneuronal inclusions exacerbate neurodegenerative sequelae of brain trauma in NFH/LacZ transgenic mice.

Several neurodegenerative disorders are characterized by filamentous inclusions in neurons that selectively degenerate. The role these inclusions play in neuron degeneration is unclear, but this issue can be investigated experimentally in relevant animal models. The NFH/LacZ transgenic (TG) mice overexpress the high-molecular-weight neurofilament (NF) subunit (NFH) fused to β-galactosidase, and these hybrid proteins aggregate into NF-rich, filamentous neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions (NCIs) that have been implicated in the progressive, age-dependent degeneration in subsets of affected neurons. Thus, these TG mice recapitulate some of the key pathology of neurodegenerative disorders with intraneuronal inclusions. To determine if the NCIs compromise neuron survival following traumatic brain injury (TBI), 3- to 6-month old TG and wild-type (WT) mice were subjected to TBI or sham injury. At 2 weeks post-TBI, the TG group showed increased TUNEL staining and activated caspase-3 immunoreactivity in cells of cerebral cortex, adjacent white matter, and hippocampus underlying the injury site, relative to control mice, but this labeling decreased at 4 weeks and was minimal thereafter. Compared to control mice, by 8 weeks postinjury, the TG mice showed a marked decrease in neuron density and increased gliosis in the hippocampal dentate gyrus and CA3 region as well as in the lateral thalamus, while the few remaining CA3 neurons exhibited cytoskeletal alterations, decreased synaptic protein immunoreactivity, and dissolution of NCIs. The more profound long-term neurodegenerative sequelae of TBI in the NFH/LacZ mice compared to WT mice suggest that the presence of intraneuronal inclusions may impair the recovery and long-term viability of injured neurons.
Linear Representation Learning Using Sphere Factor Analysis

Representation learning is a fundamental challenge for feature selection and plays an important role in applications such as dimension reduction, data mining and object recognition. Traditional linear representation methods, such as principal component analysis (PCA), independent component analysis (ICA) and linear discriminate analysis (LDA), have good performance on certain applications based on corresponding criteria. However, these linear representation methods are not optimal in general. Sphere factor analysis (SFA) is a recently proposed method which provides a general framework for optimization problems. In term of object recognition, SFA seeks to optimize the discriminant ability of the nearest neighbor classifier for data classification and labeling. Based on the geometry structure of the search space, a gradient search algorithms have been applied to obtain an optimal basis. A detail presentation of these algorithm is given in this paper. Furthermore, to speed up the search procedure of SFA, a two-stage strategy is proposed, which we called two-stage SFA. We illustrate the effectiveness of the original SFA and two-stage SFA methods on UCI data sets and two face data sets.
Secondary Research, New Product Screening, and the Marketing Research Course: An Experiment in Structured Decision Making:

This article reports the results of an experiment undertaken in the marketing research course to "benchmark" student skills in secondary research for new product assessment. The design tested students' perceived improvements in competence in new product screening and in acquisition of published data. Implications for in structors and practitioners are discussed.
Signaling circuitries controlling stem cell fate: to be or not to be

The integration of extrinsic and intrinsic signals is required to preserve the self-renewal and tissue regenerative capacity of adult stem cells, while protecting them from malignant conversion or loss of proliferative potential by death, differentiation or senescence. Here we review emerging signaling circuitries regulating stem cell fate, with emphasis on epithelial stem cells. Wnt, mTOR, GPCRs, Notch, Rho GTPases, YAP and DNA and histone methylases are some of the mechanisms that allow stem cells to balance their regenerative potential and the initiation of terminal differentiation programs, guaranteeing appropriate tissue homeostasis. Understanding the signaling circuitries regulating stem cell fate decisions might provide important insights into cancer initiation and numerous human pathologies that involve the progressive loss of tissue-specific adult stem cells.
Slantwise: Beyond Domination and Resistance on the Border

Drawing on extensive participant observation and interviews concerned with barriers to census enumeration in colonias (irregular migrant settlements along the United States-Mexico border) and Mexican migration to the United States, we argue that recent ethnography has overemphasized the role of domination and resistance. While power is fundamental to cultural analysis, we also need to examine behavior we call slantwise, that is, actions that are obliquely or only indirectly related to power relations. Ethnographic fieldwork from both sides of the United States-Mexico border uncovered a range of behaviors (including unorthodox building techniques in colonias, hybrid language practices, complex and fluid household structures, nonlinear mobility patterns, and unpredictable political loyalties of migrants) that do not fit neatly into the domination-resistance axis. We argue for the relevance of the slantwise concept for understanding such behaviors, not as a replacement for studies of naturalized domination and resistance, but as a complement to them.
A developmental staging series for the lizard genus Anolis: A new system for the integration of evolution, development, and ecology

Vertebrate developmental biologists typi- cally rely on a limited number of model organisms to understand the evolutionary bases of morphological change. Unfortunately, a typical model system for squa- mates (lizards and snakes) has not yet been developed leaving many fundamental questions about morphologi- cal evolution unaddressed. New model systems would ideally include clades, rather than single species, that are amenable to both laboratory studies of development and field-based analyses of ecology and evolution. Com- bining an understanding of development with an under- standing of ecology and evolution within and between closely related species has the potential to create a seam- less understanding of how genetic variation underlies eco- logically and evolutionarily relevant variation within pop- ulations and between species. Here we briefly introduce a new model system for the integration of development, evolution, and ecology, the lizard genus Anolis, a diverse group of lizards whose ecology and evolution is well understood, and whose genome has recently been se- quenced. We present a developmental staging series for Anolis lizards that can act as a baseline for later com- parative and experimental studies within this genus. J.
An update on the use of insulin detemir, with a focus on type 2 diabetes (drug evaluation update).

Background: The efficacy and tolerability of insulin detemir (detemir), a long-acting basal insulin analog, is already well documented for type 1 diabetes. This article reviews new evidence, in particular on the weight-sparing effect of detemir and its use in type 2 diabetes. Methods: All clinical trials of detemir published since a 2006 drug evaluation and up to December 2007, including large real-life studies, are covered in this review. Earlier studies are cited when relevant. Results/conclusion: In type 2 diabetes, detemir used once or twice daily achieves equivalent glycemic control to other basal insulins in treat-to-target trials but tends to improve control in patients switched from other basal insulins in basal–oral regimens. The risk of hypoglycemia (nocturnal, overall, or both) is substantially and significantly reduced with detemir compared with NPH insulin. Body weight increase is consistently significantly lower with detemir than with NPH in type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The results of both gl...
Laughter and Game in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

EVEN the casual reader cannot help noticing the holiday atmosphere, the joyous tone, and the laughter that prevails in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight from beginning to end. Yet, despite this festive spirit, critics have all too often examined the poem's high seriousness and focused on its darker, more brooding details while allowing the bright and playful setting to recede to the blurry edges of their vision. Repeatedly in the critical literature, we are reminded of Gawain's heavy sin, of Arthur's debasement, Morgan's malignity, the Green Knight's churlishness, of beasts and heraldry, and of failed tests of courage, cleanness, and chastity. Amidst all this sobriety, a look at the playful nature may therefore not be entirely out of order. That is the task I have set for myself here. Any examination of the subject I propose for this paper must needs begin with an acknowledgement of debt to Johan Huizinga, whose Homo Ludens is the point of departure, even if one disagrees with many of his premises, for all analytical studies of the play element in Western culture.' I shall have occasion, more than once, to rely on Professor Huizinga's seminal book as well as a number of specific literary studies that were inspired by it. Among the latter, I wish to single out the essay by Robert G. Cook, which by the sound of its title, "The Play-Element in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight,"2 would seem to render my own study superfluous. The fact is, however, that Mr Cook and I, while employing essentially the same tools, build two entirely different critical frameworks. To make this point clear, I need to review a number of the premises, mostly from Huizinga, upon which Cook relies for his discussion. While all commentators concerned with the play element recognize its fundamentally serious function, Huizinga himself and a number of other theoreticians, including Cook, have expanded the play sphere to comprehend the whole orbit of man's social world and thus, in my mind, ultimately to deprive the play concept of its usefulness as an implement for critical analysis. Huizinga writes: "We might, in a purely formal sense, call all society a game, if we bear in mind that this game is the living principle of all civilization" (pp. 100-101). In the words of another commentator, Eugen Fink, "We play at being serious, we play work and struggle, we play love and death and we even play play itself."3 Aside from the baffling circularity of such statements, the concepts of play and game lose all significance when they are made synonyms for "civilization" or "reality."4 In the
Customer driven reliability: integration of QFD and robust design

Reliability of a product is defined and evaluated by the customer. Reliability is a time oriented quality characteristic. New measures of reliability based on disutility and continuous degradation of the state of the product are presented. A reliability function deployment approach is outlined by integrating quality function deployment (QFD) and FMEA (failure modes and effects analysis) to respond to the customer needs and expectations on product reliability. Robust design strategies to prevent both performance degradation and hard failures are discussed.
Incidence and treatment of visual dysfunction in traumatic brain injury

The incidence of visual dysfunction and effectiveness of visual exercises in acute traumatically brain injured inpatients in a rehabilitation programme were studied. Vision evaluation norms were established on 23 hospital staff. The evaluation was then administered to 51 inpatients within days after admission. An additional 21 patients were unable to participate, usually due to decreased cognition or agitation. Thirty of 51 (59%) scored impaired in one or more of the following: pursuits, saccades, ocular posturing, stereopsis, extra-ocular movements, and near/far eso-exotropia. For patients having dysfunction in pursuits or saccades, a 2-week baseline was followed by vision exercises. During the baseline interval patients were evaluated by an optometrist to verify therapists' findings. Six patients who participated in several weeks of treatment were evaluated at 2-week intervals by an independent rater. Progress is graphically illustrated. Conclusions were that the suitability of an inpatient vision progr...
Clinical Pharmacokinetics of Heparin

Heparin binds reversibly to its target sites of action, antithrombin and the other serine proteases involved in coagulation, especially activated factor X. It also binds to other plasma proteins, including fibrinogen, plasmin, albumin, and lipases. The volume of distribution of heparin is then, under most circumstances, limited to the plasma volume. Heparin has a very short half-life, about 1.5 hours, which is dose-dependent and varies with the assay method employed for its measurements. It is not eliminated enzymatically nor by glomerular filtration or renal tubular secretion. In all likelihood, the anticoagulant is transferred to reticuloendothelial cells, which may also provide the means for its degradation. Many of the difficulties inherent in assessing the kinetic properties of heparin, as well as its clinical efficacy, may be attributed to: (1) its molecular heterogeneity; (2) its wide spectrum of binding sites and their respective kinetic properties and dissociation constants; (3) differences among methods for measuring heparin effect and concentration; (4) the dose dependence of the drug's half-life; (5) variation in patient response to heparin; (6) the specific cation associated with it; and (7) the presence of hypercoagulation syndromes associated with deficits of antithrombin. Neither renal nor hepatic disease, nor the biological tissues from which heparins are extracted commercially, seem to influence the drug's kinetic properties as much as variations in clearance and response to heparin among individual patients. Many comparisons among available studies are difficult because of the wide variation in the assay methods employed in them. It would appear that optimum therapy with heparin can be achieved only when the individual patient's response to, and rate of elimination of, heparin are taken into account concurrently.
Diskrete Metallkatalysatoren zur Copolymerisation von CO2 mit Epoxiden: Entdeckung, Reaktivität, Optimierung, Mechanismus

Synthetische Polymere werden zum weit uberwiegenden Teil aus dem Rohstoff Erdol hergestellt und sind nicht erneuerbar. Demnach besteht ein steigender Bedarf an Herstellungsverfahren fur Polymere aus erneuerbaren Quellen und ein zunehmendes Interesse an biologisch abbaubaren polymeren Materialien. Polycarbonate, die aus CO2 und Epoxiden zuganglich sind, haben das Potenzial, diese Anforderungen zu erfullen. Seit der Entdeckung von Katalysatoren zur Copolymerisation von CO2 und Epoxiden in den spaten 60er Jahren durch Inoue wurde ein erheblicher Forschungsaufwand in die Entwicklung von Katalysatoren mit verbesserter Aktivitat und Selektivitat investiert. Dieser Aufsatz behandelt wohldefinierte Katalysatoren fur die Epoxid-CO2-Copolymerisation und verwandte Reaktionen.
Organic Cation/Carnitine Transporter, OCTN2, Is Differentially Expressed in the Adult Rat Epididymis

L-Carnitine must be transported against a substantial concentration gradient across the epididymal epithelium to achieve high intraluminal levels, approximately 50 mM in the cauda. Recently, an organic cation transporter, OCTN2, was cloned from rat intestinal epithelium and shown to transport L-carnitine in a sodium-dependent manner. To test the hypothesis that OCTN2 was present in the epididymis, primers were designed based on the published OCTN2 mRNA sequence. A 1.9-kilobase OCTN2 cDNA from rat epididymis was amplified by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and cloned. Northern analysis demonstrated the presence of OCTN2 transcripts in the epididymis, with highest expression in the distal caput and corpus. To localize the protein, an antibody raised against a carboxy-terminal peptide of OCTN2 was produced in rabbits and used for Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. The antibody recognized a band of approximately 65 kDa in Western blots using epididymal lysates. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrate that OCTN2 is present in the basolateral membrane of epithelial cells in the distal caput, corpus, and proximal cauda epididymides. In conclusion, OCTN2 is present in the rat epididymis in a region-dependent manner and is likely to be responsible for the transport of L-carnitine into the cells of the epididymal epithelium.
Imaging Techniques in the Evaluation of Pulmonary Parenchymal Neoplasms

Conventional PA and lateral chest radiographs continue to be the initial examination of choice to evaluate patients who are suspected of having a pulmonary parenchymal neoplasm. A lung lesion can be characterized as probably benign or malignant based on its radiographic appearance (size, shape, margins, presence of calcification, cavitation or air bronchograms, growth rate). A spiculated or lobulated lesion greater than 3 cm in size that is noncalcified is highly suspicious for malignancy. A lung lesion less than 3 cm in size with smooth borders that appears noncalcified on conventional radiographs should be examined by CT, including densitometry to detect calcification or fat, which indicates benignity. In patients with known lung cancer, CT can help to stage the tumor by indicating hilar or mediastinal involvement, or distant metastases. Currently, MR imaging has a limited role, but can be used as a "problem solving" modality for selected cases in evaluating pulmonary parenchymal neoplasms.
VC collaborator: a mechanism for video conferencing support

Currently available video conferencing (VC) tools lack support for adaptability and session recording features. Incorporating adaptability in a system minimizes the effects of the variations in system environments on the quality of video conference sessions. Support for session recording features provides the capability of saving video sessions when the quality of service becomes unacceptable or when some of the recipients become unreachable. The latter situation arises due to network partitioning or site failures. Furthermore, recording a session is also useful when the recorded video session is expected to be replayed and retrieved by future users interested in it. In this paper, techniques for making video conferencing tools adaptable to the external environmental changes are presented. A new mechanism called video conferencing collaborator, which integrates the VC software with the video-on-demand system is introduced, and its design and implementation issues are addressed. We present the results of experiments conducted to study the potential performance improvements if the adaptability features are included in VC software. We conclude the paper with directions for our future work.
Monozygotic twins concordant and discordant for anorexia nervosa.

The occurrence of anorexia nervosa in monozygotic twins discordant and concordant for this illness is reviewed. Two additional pairs of identical twins, one discordant and the other concordant for anorexia nervosa, are described.
Ethephon and Methyl Jasmonate Affect Fruit Detachment in Rabbiteye and Southern Highbush Blueberry

Two abscission agents, ethephon and methyl jasmonate, were investigated in five studies to determine their potential for increasing fruit detachment during harvest in rabbiteye (Vaccinium ashei Reade) and southern highbush (hybrids based largely on Vaccinium corymbosum L. and Vaccinium darrowi Camp.) blueberry. In the first study with a rabbiteye blueberry genotype, T-451, ethephon applications up to 1000 mg·L L1 did not affect fruit drop but reduced fruit detachment force (FDF) by up to 21%. In the second study with two southern highbush blueberry genotypes, ethephon (up to 1500 mg·L L1 ) and methyl jasmonate (MeJa; up to 10 mM) applications resulted in significant fruit drop in 'Star' but neither of the growth regulators affected the fruit detachment characteristics of 'Farthing'. In a third study with rabbiteye blueberry genotypes, MeJa applications of 10, 20, and 30 mM displayed an increasing linear trend in fruit drop in 'Climax' and linear and quadratic trends in fruit drop in 'Powderblue'. In a fourth study with 'Powderblue', MeJa (20 mM) and ethephon (1000 mg·L L1 ) applications resulted in rapid and significant fruit drop. The fruit drop induced by MeJa in this study was attenuated by the coapplication of aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG), an ethylene bio- synthesis inhibitor, suggesting that MeJa induced fruit detachment partly through its effects on ethylene biosynthesis. In another study with the southern highbush blueberry genotype,O'Neal, MeJa applications(20 mM)inducedsignificant fruitdrop butethephon (1000 mg·L L1 ) applications did not affect fruit detachment. Overall, MeJa applications (20 mM or greater) generally induced rapid and extensive fruit abscission, often within 1 day after treatment. Applications of MeJa resulted in leaf yellowing and necrosis of leaf tips and margins, especially at high rates of application (20 mM or greater). Ethephon applications resulted in the abscission of mature and immature berries. Both ethephon and MeJa applications resulted in the detachment of the pedicel along with the fruit. Together, these data suggest that although ethephon and MeJa have the potential to be used as harvest aids in blueberry, the rates of application require further optimization to minimize potential phytotoxicity. Additionally, effective de-stemming of the berries may be essential if these compounds are to be used as harvest aids.
PARduino: a simple and inexpensive device for logging photosynthetically active radiation.

Photosynthetically active radiation (PAR, 400-700 nm) is one of the primary controls of forest carbon and water relations. In complex terrain, PAR has high spatial variability. Given the high cost of commercial datalogging equipment, spatially distributed measurements of PAR have been typically modeled using geographic coordinates and terrain indices. Here, we present a design for a low-cost, field-deployable device for measuring and recording PAR built around an Arduino microcontroller-named PARduino. PARduino provides for widely distributed sensor arrays and tests the feasibility of using open-source, hobbyist-grade electronics for collecting scientific data. PARduino components include a quantum sensor, an EME Systems signal converter/amplifier and an Arduino Pro Mini microcontroller. Additional components include a real-time clock, a microSD Flash memory card and a custom printed circuit board. The components were selected for ease of assembly. We found strong agreement between the PARduino datalogger system and National Institute of Standards and Technology traceable sensors logged by an industry standard datalogger (slope = 0.99, SE < 0.01, P < 0.01; intercept = - 14.84, SE = 0.78, P < 0.01). The average difference between the two systems was 22.0 µmol m(-2) s(-1) with PARduino typically underestimating PAR. The average percentage difference between systems was 3.49%. On average, PARduino performed within the factory absolute calibration of the PAR sensor; however, larger errors occurred at low PAR levels. Using open-source technologies such as this can make it possible to develop a spatially distributed sensor network within the constraints of a typical research budget.
Temporal variations of disinfection byproduct precursors in wildfire detritus

The Rim Fire ignited on August 17, 2013 and became the third largest wildfire in California history. The fire consumed 104,131 ha of forested watersheds that were the drinking water source for 2.6 million residents in the San Francisco Bay area. To understand temporal variations in dissolved organic matter (DOM) after the wildfire and its potential impacts on disinfection byproduct (DBP) formation in source water supply, we collected the 0-5 cm ash/soil layer with surface deposits of white ash (high burn severity) and black ash (moderate burn severity) within the Rim Fire perimeter in Oct 2013 (pre-rainfall) for five sequential extractions, and in Dec 2013 (∼87 mm cumulative precipitation) and Aug 2014 (∼617 mm cumulative precipitation) for a single water extraction. Water-extractable DOM was characterized by absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy and DBP formation tests. Both increasing cumulative precipitation in the field or number of extractions in the lab resulted in a significant decrease in specific conductivity, dissolved organic carbon, and DBP formation potential, but an increase in DOM aromaticity (reflected by specific UV absorbance). However, the lab sequential leaching failed to capture the increase of the NOx(-)-N/NH4(+)-N ratio and the decrease in pH and dissolved organic carbon/nitrogen ratio of ash/soil extracts from Oct 2013 to Aug 2014. Increasing cumulative precipitation, inferring an increase in leaching after fire, led to an increase in DOM reactivity to form trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids, and chloral hydrate, but not for haloketones, haloacetonitrile, or N-nitrosodimethylamine, which were more related to the original burn severity. This study highlights that fire-affected DBP precursors for different DBP species have distinct temporal variation possibly due to their various sensitivity to biogeochemical alterations.
Breeding and Application of Japonica Male Sterile Lines with High Stigma Exsertion Rate in Rice

The low yield in seed production is an important limiting factor for the development of japonica hybrid rice, and the stigma exsertion rate of male sterile lines has a key effect on seed yield of japonica hybrid rice. Genetic studies have indicated that the stigma exsertion rate of rice belongs to a quantitative trait controlled by polygenes, but it has a high broad-sense heritability (about 90%). Gene location studies have showed most of the QTLs of stigma exsertion rate are located on Chromosomes 2, 5 and 8. Since 1996, the Rice Research Institute of Liaoning Province has laid stress on the genetic improvement of stigma exsertion rate of japonica male sterile lines. By introducing the genes of high stigma exsertion rate from indica into japonica, a group of japonica male sterile lines with high stigma exsertion rate have been successfully developed. Their stigma exsertion rate have been greatly increased from less than 30% to more than 80%, resulting in an increased outcrossing rate over 60% and a high seed production yield of 3.0~4.5 t/hm2. Moreover, using these sterile lines, a group of new japonica hybrid rice combinations such as Liaoyou 5218 (Liao 5216A/C418), Liaoyou 1052 (Liao 105A/C52) have been developed and released to commercial production.
Necessary Subjects: The Need for a Mandatory National Donor Gamete Registry

This brief article calls for a mandatory national donor gamete registry. It first discusses the history of secrecy in the adoption context before turning to issues involving confidentiality in the donor context. After analyzing the issues involved in maintaining the secrecy of donor gametes, the article ultimately recommends the establishment of a national information registry, similar to that in place in numerous other countries, to keep track of children both through donor egg, embryo, and sperm, as well as the identities of the gamete providers. Participation in the registry would be mandatory for anyone involved in supplying donor gametes. Once donor-conceived offspring reach the age of 18, they should be able to receive identifying information about their donor, although the donor could file a statement indicating his/her lack of interest in being contacted. While mandatory limits on donor anonymity constitute a radical change in existing practices, there are multiple reasons supporting this change.
Fair Packaging and Labeling Act

During consideration of passage of the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act, Congress showed concern about several things to which consumers were being subjected. These were things related to retail merchandizing of products of many kinds, not limited to food products alone. One was the lack of uniformity of statements on labels of the quantity of contents, or of the positioning of such information on the labels. Another was the proliferation of quantities, or sizes of packages, of the same kind (and sometimes the same brand) of retail product offered for sale. There was concern for the use of qualifying words or phrases, such as “giant size,” “large quart” and “super,” in association with statements of net quantities of contents, nonfunctional-slack-fill of packages, the use of “cents off” in conjunction with the prices of retail units and the lack of conspicuousness of pertinent information on certain product labels.
Unanticipated Risk in Clinical Research

Publisher Summary The process of clinical research is serious and charged with risk, both for the subject and the investigator. Some adverse outcomes in clinical studies are predictable, based on what is known of the underlying medical condition of the research subjects and the nature of the experimental intervention, whereas others may not be. These latter, unanticipated risks are particularly challenging in that they erode public trust in research and lead to progressive changes in research regulation, oversight, and conduct. Unanticipated risks emerging in early human gene therapy trials for severe combined immunodeficiency have led to patient deaths and reassessment of the hazards of viral vectors for human gene replacement, but far fewer investigations and regulatory adjustments. Certain risks cannot be readily foreseen, but become evident only during the course of the research. By prohibiting all studies of novel clinical interventions, one can reliably prevent all unforeseeable risks to research subjects. This chapter discusses the mechanics of clinical research: how one designs a protocol, how the sample size should be calculated, optimal ways of managing data, which interventions are ethical, and which interventions are proscribed. Clinical research is a complex undertaking—so complex that, as in all things in medicine today, one acquires expertise only through prolonged practice.
In Vivo Toxicity Assessment of Occupational Components of the Carbon Nanotube Life Cycle To Provide Context to Potential Health Effects.

Pulmonary toxicity studies on carbon nanotubes focus primarily on as-produced materials and rarely are guided by a life cycle perspective or integration with exposure assessment. Understanding toxicity beyond the as-produced, or pure native material, is critical, due to modifications needed to overcome barriers to commercialization of applications. In the first series of studies, the toxicity of as-produced carbon nanotubes and their polymer-coated counterparts was evaluated in reference to exposure assessment, material characterization, and stability of the polymer coating in biological fluids. The second series of studies examined the toxicity of aerosols generated from sanding polymer-coated carbon-nanotube-embedded or neat composites. Postproduction modification by polymer coating did not enhance pulmonary injury, inflammation, and pathology or in vitro genotoxicity of as-produced carbon nanotubes, and for a particular coating, toxicity was significantly attenuated. The aerosols generated from sanding...
Letter by Liberman et al Regarding Article, "Psychiatric Hospitalization Increases Short-Term Risk of Stroke".

We read with great interest the recent study by Zuflacht et al1 demonstrating that hospitalization for psychiatric disease increases short-term stroke risk and suggesting that acute psychological stress is a stroke trigger. This work is a potentially important contribution to the central question of why now? for incident stroke and, as the authors note, effectively avoids the problem of recall bias by using coded administrative claims data to detect psychiatric illness. An alternative hypothesis, however, is that some patients labeled with psychiatric diagnoses who had a subsequent stroke were misdiagnosed at index visit. Although Zuflacht et al1 note that isolated psychiatric symptoms as the primary manifestation of stroke are rare, recent studies have found that altered mental status,2 as well as acute confusional states …
Source-End DDoS Defense in IoT Environments

While the Internet of Things (IoT) becomes increasingly popular and pervasive in everyday objects, IoT devices often remain unprotected and can be exploited to launch large-scale distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. One could attempt to employ traditional DDoS defense solutions, but these solutions are hardly suitable in IoT environments since they seldom consider the resource constraints of IoT devices.This paper presents FR-WARD which defends against DDoS attacks launched from an IoT network. FR-WARD is an adaptation of the classic DDoS defense system D-WARD. While both solutions are situated near the attack sources and drop packets to throttle DDoS traffic, FR-WARD utilizes the fast retransmit mechanism in TCP congestion control to minimize resource penalties on benign IoT devices. Based on our analysis and simulation results, FR-WARD not only effectively throttles DDoS traffic but also minimizes retransmission overhead for benign IoT devices.
Evaluation of trace elements in U.S. coals using the USGS COALQUAL database version 3.0. Part I: Rare earth elements and yttrium (REY)

Abstract Coal is a potential source of valuable elements such as rare earth elements and yttrium (REY). In this work, REY concentrations in U.S. domestic coals were evaluated using data from the USGS COALQUAL Database Version 3.0. The database contains a total of 7657 non-weathered, full-bed coal samples. The number of samples containing REY data points varies among elements. Assessment of data quality indicates that some of the REY data are semi-quantitative and should be used with caution. Different analytical instruments and methods with varying accuracies and precisions are thought to be the main sources of errors. Inclusion of qualified data also accounts for the sawtooth pattern of the UCC-normalized REY distribution. A new set of Q factor values was thus proposed to adjust qualified data. Consequently, mean concentrations of REY in U.S. coals were obtained with a total REY concentration of 65.5 ppm on a moisture-free whole coal basis. Further evaluation of REY in 5378 selected coal samples indicates that about 9–13% of the samples fall into the combined category of promising and highly promising coals for REY, according to the classification of Dai et al. (2017). Taking sampling bias into consideration, we further found that bituminous coal, particularly from the central Appalachian region, has the highest probability of being a source for beneficial recovery of REY. More specifically, bituminous coal from eastern Kentucky is likely to be the best option. Finally, we conclude that U.S. domestic coal is a promising, alternative source for beneficial recovery of REY to meet the U.S. REY demand for economic growth.
The influence of external load configuration on trunk biomechanics and spinal loading during sudden loading.

AbstractSudden loading is a major risk factor for work-related lower back injuries among occupations involving manual material handling (MMH). The current study explored the effects of external weight configuration on trunk biomechanics and trunk rotational stiffness in the sagittal plane during sudden loading. Fifteen asymptomatic volunteers experienced sudden loadings using the same magnitude of weight (9 kg) with two different configurations (medially- or laterally-distributed) at three levels of height (low, middle and high). Results of this study showed that the medially distributed weight resulted in a significantly higher peak L5/S1 joint compression force (2861 N vs. 2694 N) and trunk rotational stiffness (2413 Nm/rad vs. 1785 Nm/rad) compared to the laterally distributed weight. It was concluded that when experiencing sudden loading, a more laterally distributed weight could increase the load’s resistance to physical perturbations and alleviate spinal loading during sudden loading events.Practiti...
Mood disorders in adolescents: diagnosis, treatment, and suicide assessment in the primary care setting

The primary care setting is considered the entry point of adolescents with mental illness in the health care system. This article informs primary care providers about the diagnostic features and differential of mood disorders in adolescents, screening and assessment, as well as evidence-based psychosocial and psychopharmacologic therapies. The article also provides a framework for decision making regarding initiating treatment in the primary care setting and referral to mental health services. Furthermore, the article highlights the importance of the collaboration between primary care and mental health providers to facilitate engagement of adolescents with mood disorders and adherence to treatment.
Teaching accessibility standards to Generation Y students.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 mandated that facilities and programs are accessible, so people with disabilities can be included in all aspects of community life including recrea...
Interference Management in Heterogeneous Networks with Fractional Frequency Reuse

As illustrated in Fig. 4.1, in an FFR scheme, the total sub-bands F is divide d into two parts, f 1 and f 2 with size F 1 and F 2, respectively.
Silicon Oxynitride-A New Ceramic Material for Nuclear Applications

Silicon oxynitride, a relatively new ceramic that has desirable properties for applications in high-temperature nuclear reactors, was found to be resistant to gross damage and major dimensional cha...
Science and Sociology: The Transition to a Post-Conservative Risk Assessment Era

I want to express my appreciation to the Society for Risk Analysis for the opportunity to present some thoughts on the issue of conservatism in risk assessment. I am using the term conservative as a synonym for the word “protective.” The issue of conservatism is at the heart of what I perceive to be a central question before the Environmental Protection Agency, other regulatory agencies and members of the professional community concerned with the application of risk assessment to decision making. That question concerns our increased ability to substitute scientific data for assumptions, and the intellectual, institutional and societal difficulties encountered in making this substitution. The tensions along these factors comprise what I am calling the transition to a post-conservative era in risk assessment. Like all transitions, the outcome is still in doubt; however, through the citation of some current examples I believe it is possible to state some prominent characteristics of the transition.
Cell Death and Repair in Lung Disease

The lung is a multicellular organ that functions in gas exchange. Both resident (e.g., epithelial and fibroblast) and immune (e.g., macrophages and lymphocytes) cells are subject to turnover by cell death mechanisms. In the lung, cell death incurred during injury or disease may occur by several mechanisms, including apoptosis, necrosis, pyroptosis, and others. Programmed cell death pathways such as apoptosis play fundamental roles in tissues homeostasis and developmental regulation, and may also play adaptive or pro-pathogenic roles in disease. Necrosis is primarily a detrimental process promoting tissue inflammation. Autophagy, a homeostatic process, may occur in the context of lung disease, and is often associated with cell death pathways. Pathological mechanisms involving cell death have been proposed for several lung diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and pulmonary hypertension. Therapeutic strategies aimed at modulating autophagy, apoptosis, and necrosis may have future applications in inflammatory lung diseases.
Investigation of geometric sensitivity of a non-axisymmetric bump: 3D mean velocity measurements

The geometric sensitivity of a non-axisymmetric bump with $$H/\delta =2$$ is studied with 3D magnetic resonance velocimetry (MRV). The geometry is modified by rotating the bump with respect to the flow. 3D MRV is used to study the flow at bump angles of $$0^{\circ }$$ , $$5^{\circ }$$ , $$10^{\circ }$$ , $$40^{\circ }$$ , $$50^{\circ }$$ , and $$60^{\circ }$$ . For the symmetric $$0^{\circ }$$ case, the mean flow shows common-up vortex structures in the near wake but common-down structures in the far wake. Angled cases have one strong vortex structure that exists through the entire wake. The volume of the separation bubble and the vortex structures are sensitive to the bump angle.
Hedgehog Signaling Modulates Interleukin-33-Dependent Extrahepatic Bile Duct Cell Proliferation in Mice.

Hedgehog (HH) signaling participates in hepatobiliary repair after injury and is activated in patients with cholangiopathies. Cholangiopathies are associated with bile duct (BD) hyperplasia, including expansion of peribiliary glands, the niche for biliary progenitor cells. The inflammation-associated cytokine interleukin (IL)-33 is also up-regulated in cholangiopathies, including cholangiocarcinoma. We hypothesized that HH signaling synergizes with IL-33 in acute inflammation-induced BD hyperplasia. We measured extrahepatic BD (EHBD) thickness and cell proliferation with and without an IL-33 challenge in wild-type mice, mice overexpressing Sonic HH (pCMV-Shh), and mice with loss of the HH pathway effector glioma-associated oncogene 1 (Gli1lacZ/lacZ ). LacZ reporter mice were used to map the expression of HH effector genes in mouse EHBDs. An EHBD organoid (BDO) system was developed to study biliary progenitor cells in vitro. EHBDs from the HH overexpressing pCMV-Shh mice showed increased epithelial cell proliferation and hyperplasia when challenged with IL-33. In Gli1lacZ/lacZ mice, we observed a decreased proliferative response to IL-33 and decreased expression of Il6. The HH ligands Shh and Indian HH (Ihh) were expressed in epithelial cells, whereas the transcriptional effectors Gli1, Gli2, and Gli3 and the HH receptor Patched1 (Ptch1) were expressed in stromal cells, as assessed by in situ hybridization and lacZ reporter mice. Although BDO cells lacked canonical HH signaling, they expressed the IL-33 receptor suppression of tumorigenicity 2. Accordingly, IL-33 treatment directly induced BDO cell proliferation in a nuclear factor κB-dependent manner. Conclusion: HH ligand overexpression enhances EHBD epithelial cell proliferation induced by IL-33. This proproliferative synergism of HH and IL-33 involves crosstalk between HH ligand-producing epithelial cells and HH-responding stromal cells.
Investigating Relaxed Selection in Test-Based Pareto Coevolution

In previous studies, we proposed four relaxed selections schemes for test-based Pareto coevolution as implemented by a variant of the Population based Pareto Hill Climber (P-PH C- P) Three of them outperformed the default selection used in P-PHC-P in which a parent is only replaced in the next generation by its child if the latter Pareto-dominates the former. While the results were particularly encouraging, more work is needed to fully understand the reasons behind this improved performance. In this work, we therefore extend previous results by revisiting the relaxed selection methods from the perspective of both the distribution of candidate solutions in different Pareto layers, and the concept of hyper volume commonly used in the evolutionary multi-objectives optimization literature. Extensive experimental analysis shows that relaxed selection (Upward-Horizontal Selection) improves convergence while maintaining diversity in the converging population, better than base selection.