cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A novel graphical user interface for high-efficacy modeling of human perceptual similarity opinions

We present a novel graphical user interface (GUI) that facilitates high-efficacy collection of perceptual similarity opinions of a user in an effective and intuitive manner. The GUI is based on a hybrid mechanism that combines ranking and rating. Namely, it presents a base image for rating its similarity to seven peripheral images that are simultaneously displayed in a circular layout. The user is asked to report the base image’s pairwise similarity to each peripheral image on a fixed scale while preserving the relative ranking among all peripheral images. The collected data are then used to predict the user’s subjective opinions regarding the perceptual similarity of images. We tested this new approach against two methods commonly used in perceptual similarity studies: (1) a ranking method that presents triplets of images for selecting the image pair with the highest internal similarity and (2) a rating method that presents pairs of images for rating their relative similarity on a fixed scale. We aimed to determine which data collection method was the most time efficient and effective for predicting a user’s perceptual opinions regarding the similarity of mammographic masses. Our study was conducted with eight individuals. By using the proposed GUI, we were able to derive individual perceptual similarity profiles with a prediction accuracy ranging from 76.83% to 92.06% which was 41.4% to 46.9% more accurate than those derived with the other two data collection GUIs. The accuracy improvement was statistically significant.
The angiogenic factor Del1 prevents apoptosis of endothelial cells through integrin binding.

Background Del1 is a secreted protein that is expressed in the endothelium during development and can stimulate angiogenesis through integrin binding and signaling. We were interested in the specific effects of del1 on endothelial cell biology to gain insight into its biologic role during angiogenesis. Methods Primary endothelial cells were treated with a variety of inducers of apoptosis and anoikis followed by assays for numbers of apoptotic cells, and harvest of total protein for immunoblot analysis. Results Del1 prevented endothelial cell apoptosis in response to TNFα/IFNγ, etoposide, and anoikis, but had no effect on proliferation. The anti-apoptotic effect was mediated specifically through binding of integrin αvβ3 by the RGD motif. FAK/ERK and Akt signaling were both necessary to mediate the anti-apoptotic effect of Del1 with the exception of anoikis, which required only Akt activation. Conclusion Del1 has been previously shown to promote vascular smooth muscle cell adhesion, migration, and proliferation. We demonstrate here that Del1 prevented apoptosis of endothelial cells in cell culture through integrin binding without any effect on proliferation.
Correlations between courtship success, aggressive success, and body size in a picture-winged fly, Drosophila silvestris

Relations between courtship success, aggressive success, and body size were examined in a laboratory study of the lekking Hawaiian fly, Drosophila silvestris. Courtship was studied by placing one male and one female in a cage together at a time, and aggression was observed with caged pairs of males. Aggressive success was positively and highly significantly correlated with body size, but uncorrelated with courtship success. Surprisingly, courtship success was negatively correlated with body size, although this relationship was not significant. Courtship success and aggressive success were not correlated. These results suggest that selection favors an intermediate optimum body size in this species.
Heat Transfer of Air/Water Two-Phase Flow in Helicoidal Pipes

Heat transfer of air/water two phase flow in helicoidal pipes is experimentally investigated in this study. Three test sections were tested in axially horizontal, vertical, and inclined orientations. It has been found that the ratio of the average heat transfer coefficient to that of the water flow is affected by the water flow rate along with the Lockhart-Martinelli parameter. For a fixed water flow rate, there is a maximum heat transfer coefficient as the air flow rate increases. The results indicate that tube diameter has a significant effect on the average heat transfer coefficient ratio. For large-tube-diameter coils, average heat transfer results vary for different orientations. For small-tube-diameter coils, orientation has an insignificant effect on the average heat transfer coefficient. Based on the experimental data, a set of correlations is proposed for the average heat transfer coefficient ratio versus the liquid superficial Reynolds number and Lockhart-Martinelli parameter.
Associations of Racial Discrimination and Parental Discrimination Coping Messages with African American Adolescent Racial Identity

Research links racial identity to important developmental outcomes among African American adolescents, but less is known about the contextual experiences that shape youths' racial identity. In a sample of 491 African American adolescents (48% female), associations of youth-reported experiences of racial discrimination and parental messages about preparation for racial bias with adolescents' later racial identity were examined. Cluster analysis resulted in four profiles of adolescents varying in reported frequency of racial discrimination from teachers and peers at school and frequency of parental racial discrimination coping messages during adolescents' 8th grade year. Boys were disproportionately over-represented in the cluster of youth experiencing more frequent discrimination but receiving fewer parental discrimination coping messages, relative to the overall sample. Also examined were clusters of adolescents' 11th grade racial identity attitudes about the importance of race (centrality), personal group affect (private regard), and perceptions of societal beliefs about African Americans (public regard). Girls and boys did not differ in their representation in racial identity clusters, but 8th grade discrimination/parent messages clusters were associated with 11th grade racial identity cluster membership, and these associations varied across gender groups. Boys experiencing more frequent discrimination but fewer parental coping messages were over-represented in the racial identity cluster characterized by low centrality, low private regard, and average public regard. The findings suggest that adolescents who experience racial discrimination but receive fewer parental supports for negotiating and coping with discrimination may be at heightened risk for internalizing stigmatizing experiences. Also, the findings suggest the need to consider the context of gender in adolescents' racial discrimination and parental racial socialization.
SU‐GG‐J‐155: Impact of Deformable‐Registration‐Based Contour Propagation on PET Based Treatment Response Assessment

Purpose: Contour propagation reduces effects of physician variability as well as the workload associated with manual contouring. However, its effect on PET based treatment response assessment is unknown. We compared the effects of manual contouring and deformable‐registration‐based contour propagation on treatment response assessment. Method and Materials: Ten adult patients with various tumors underwent one pre‐treatment and two follow‐up whole body PET/CT scans [18F]FLT, a cellularproliferation marker. Most tumors were in proximity of highly deformable tissues, such as abdomen and lung. Manual contours of tumors were drawn on PETimages by a nuclear medicine physician. Pre‐treatment contours were chosen as the reference. Pre‐treatment CT was deformably registered to follow‐up CT using the fast‐free‐form deformable registration. Deformation fields resulting from the registration were used to propagate the reference to follow‐up contours. A Matching index ( C manual ∩ C propagated C manual ∪ C propagated ) was used to quantify the overlapped volume of manual and propagated contours. Treatment responses using manual and propagated contours were then evaluated by calculating the relative change of SUVmean (ΔSUVmean) and SUVmax (ΔSUVmax) between pre‐treatment and follow‐up scans. Results: The average matching index was 35% and ranged from 5% to 70%. This mismatch led to differences in treatment response assessment between manual contouring and contour propagation. The average difference in ΔSUVmean was 15% and ranged from 5% to 35%. While ΔSUVmax had similar average difference and range, treatment responses using ΔSUVmax of four patients were found to be insensitive to contouring methods. However, differences in ΔSUVmean always occurred. Conclusion: The study showed that the treatment response was quite sensitive to different contouring methods. Fast‐free‐form deformable registration of tumoranatomy was insufficient to capture the change of tumor. Assistance of manual contour adjustment or other deformable registration is needed to fully capture the organ deformation on highly deformable tissues.
Differentiation and evolution of the mantle

Evidence for isotopic heterogeneity (particularly with respect to Nd and Sr isotopes) in sub-oceanic and sub-continental mantle is reviewed. The ranges of isotopic heterogeneity in both sub-ocean and sub-continental mantle, as deduced from basalts and ultramafic nodules, are comparable. The isotope data are compared with the results obtained from simple two-reservoir models with time-dependent transport between the reservoirs. The deduced isotopic characteristics of the upper mantle are readily reproduced if only 50% of the mantle is involved in the production of the continental crust.
GENERALIZING A THEOREM OF HUPPERT AND MANZ

Huppert and Manz proved that if G is a nonsolvable group where all the character degrees are square-free, then G ≅ A7 × S, where S is a solvable group with no degree divisible by 2, 3, 5, or 7. We weaken the hypothesis of Huppert and Manz's theorem to prove the following generalization. If G is a nonsolvable group and 4 divides no character degree of G, then G ≅ A7 × S, where S is a solvable group with no degree divisible by 2.
Meso-scale Computational Investigation of Shock-Wave Attenuation by Trailing Release Wave in Different Grades of Polyurea

Over the past several years, considerable research efforts have been made toward investigating polyurea, a segmented thermoplastic elastomer, and particularly its shock-mitigation capacity, i.e., an ability to attenuate and disperse shock-waves. These research efforts have clearly established that the shock-mitigation capacity of polyurea is closely related to its chemistry, processing route, and the resulting microstructure. Polyurea typically possesses a nano-segregated microstructure consisting of (high glass transition temperature, T g) hydrogen-bonded discrete hard domains and a (low T g) contiguous soft matrix. While the effect of polyurea microstructure on its shock-mitigation capacity is well-established, it is not presently clear what microstructure-dependent phenomena and processes control its shock-mitigation capacity. To help identify these phenomena and processes, meso-scale simulations of the formation of nano-segregated microstructure and its interaction with a leading shock-wave and a trailing release-wave is analyzed in the present work. The results obtained revealed that shock-induced hard-domain densification makes an important contribution to the superior shock-mitigation capacity of polyurea, and that the extent of densification is a sensitive function of the polyurea soft-segment molecular weight. In particular, the ability of release-waves to capture and neutralize shock-waves has been found to depend strongly on the extent of shock-induced hard-domain densification and, thus, on the polyurea soft-segment molecular weight.
A model to determine sampling strategies and milk inoculum volume for detection of intramammary Staphylococcus aureus infections in dairy cattle by bacteriological culture

Abstract A model was developed to evaluate the effects that methods of obtaining milk samples and culture inoculum volumes had on the sensitivity of microbiological culture to detect Staphylococcus aureus intramammary infections (IMI). An assumption was made that milk from mammary quarters infected with S. aureus only contains bacteria intermittently. A modified sine wave function was used to model this intermittent shedding pattern. Specifications for the components of the shedding cycle used in this function were based on quantitative culture results from 54 experimentally infected S. aureus quarters, sampled daily for a period of 30–49 days. The components of the shedding cycle were length in days, peak number of CFU shed per milliliter of milk, and length of time in the cycle when no shedding occurred. These components were used to estimate the model's predicted distribution of S. aureus CFU ml −1 milk when individual quarter milk samples were cultured for S. aureus . The sensitivity of culture for several sampling methods was then calculated. The model predicted that culture of a single quarter milk sample had a sensitivity ranging from 60 to 87% for detection of S. aureus IMI depending on inoculum volume. Quarter milk samples taken on day 1 and repeated either on day 3 or day 4, and cultured separately using 0.1 ml of milk for culture inoculum, were predicted to have sensitivities of 90–95% and 94–99%, respectively. Other milk-sampling strategies examined included culture of a composite milk sample (equal-volume mixture of milk from four separate mammary quarters ) and pooled milk samples in which samples from different milkings (either quarter or composite samples) were mixed together and then cultured. The range of predicted sensitivities of these other sampling strategies was 30–97%. Factors having the greatest impact on the sensitivity of culture, in order of importance were: the type of milk sample, the volume of milk cultured, and the time interval between repeated milk sample collection strategies.
Gersten′s conjecture for theK-theory with torsion coefficients of a discrete valuation ring

between Quillen K-groups induced by the obvious inclusion functors, are all zero. In [6] Quillen proved this conjecture if R is essentially of finite type over a field. In the case of discrete valuation rings, this conjecture reduces to: Conjecture. Let R be a discrete valuation ring with residue field k and field of fractions F. Then for all q z 0, the transfer map (which is defined since every k vector space is of finite projective dimension as an R module): K,(k) -+ K,(R) is zero. Equivalently, the map &(R) --) EC,(F) induced by the ring homomorphism R -P F is injective. A third equivalent formulation is that the boundary map:
Probabilistic fracture mechanics

With the advent of new technologies, legal considerations, and design and economic factors, the importance of component reliability prediction and its impact on management decision making has increased dramatically. These ideas and circumstances have contributed significantly to the development of such reliability-oriented concepts as “Retirement-for-Cause” (RFC).
A Method for Adaptive Habit Prediction in Bulk Microphysical Models. Part I: Theoretical Development

AbstractBulk microphysical schemes use the capacitance model for ice vapor growth in combination with mass–size relationships to determine the evolution of ice water content (IWC) and ice particle maximum dimension in time. These approaches are limited since a single axis length is used, the aspect ratio is usually held constant and mass–size relations have many available coefficients for similar ice types. Fixing the crystal aspect ratio severs the nonlinear link between aspect ratio changes and increased growth rates that occur during crystal growth. A method is presented here for predicting two crystal axes and the crystal aspect ratio in bulk models. Evolution of the ice mass mixing ratio is tied to the evolution of two axis length mixing ratios through the use of a historical axis ratio parameter containing memory of crystal shape. This parameter links the distributions of the two axes, allowing characterization of particle lengths using a single distribution. The method uses four prognostic variable...
Interspecies Communication among Commensal and Pathogenic Streptococci

ABSTRACT Quorum sensing (QS) regulates diverse and coordinated behaviors in bacteria, including the production of virulence factors, biofilm formation, sporulation, and competence development. It is now established that some streptococci utilize Rgg-type proteins in concert with short hydrophobic peptides (SHPs) to mediate QS, and sequence analysis reveals that several streptococcal species contain highly homologous Rgg/SHP pairs. In group A streptococcus (GAS), two SHPs (SHP2 and SHP3 [SHP2/3]) were previously identified to be important in GAS biofilm formation. SHP2/3 are detected by two antagonistic regulators, Rgg2 and Rgg3, which control expression of the shp genes. In group B streptococcus (GBS), RovS is a known virulence gene regulator and ortholog of Rgg2, whereas no apparent Rgg3 homolog exists. Adjacent to rovS is a gene ( shp1520 ) encoding a peptide nearly identical to SHP2. Using isogenic mutant strains and transcriptional reporters, we confirmed that RovS/SHP1520 comprise a QS circuit in GBS. More important, we performed experiments demonstrating that production and secretion of SHP1520 by GBS can modulate Rgg2/3-regulated gene expression in GAS in trans ; likewise, SHP2/3 production by GAS can stimulate RovS-mediated gene regulation in GBS. An isolate of Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis also produced a secreted factor capable of simulating the QS circuits of both GAS and GBS, and sequencing confirms the presence of an orthologous Rgg2/SHP2 pair in this species as well. To our knowledge, this is the first documented case of bidirectional signaling between streptococcal species in coculture and suggests a role for orthologous Rgg/SHP systems in interspecies communication between important human pathogens. IMPORTANCE Pathogenic streptococci, such as group A (GAS) and group B (GBS) streptococcus, are able to persist in the human body without causing disease but become pathogenic under certain conditions that are not fully characterized. Environmental cues and interspecies signaling between members of the human flora likely play an important role in the transition to a disease state. Since quorum-sensing (QS) peptides have been consistently shown to regulate virulence factor production in pathogenic species, the ability of bacteria to signal via these peptides may prove to be an important link between the carrier and pathogenic states. Here we provide evidence of a bidirectional QS system between GAS, GBS, and Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis , demonstrating the possibility of evolved communication systems between human pathogens.
Investigation of the optimal carbon-nitrogen ratio and carbohydrate-nutrient blend for mixed-acid batch fermentations.

Abstract To determine the optimal scenario for mixed-acid fermentations, an array of batch fermentations were performed that independently varied the C/N ratio (adjusted using urea) and the blend of carbohydrate (office paper) and nutrient (wet chicken manure (CM)). A blend of 93% paper and 7% wet CM (dry basis) with a C/N ratio of 37 g C NA /g N had the highest culture yield (0.21 g acid produced /g NAVS initial ), total acid productivity (0.84 g acid produced /(L liq d)), and conversion (0.43 g NAVS consumed /g NAVS initial ). Compared to a control blend of 80% paper and 20% wet CM (dry basis, no urea) the culture yield, productivity, and conversion improved 53%, 44%, and 70%, respectively. Selectivity was a strong function of C/N ratio and varied from 0.167 to 0.667 acid produced /g NAVS consumed . Nitrogen supplementation with urea improves performance and reduces costs of (1) capital, (2) nutrients, and (3) downstream processing by reducing impurities from nutrient-rich wastes (e.g., manures, sewage sludge).
Runtime failure rate targeting for energy-efficient reliability in chip microprocessors

SUMMARY Technology scaling is having an increasingly detrimental effect on microprocessor reliability, with increased variability and higher susceptibility to errors. At the same time, as integration of chip multiprocessors increases, power consumption is becoming a significant bottleneck. To ensure continued performance, growth of microprocessors requires development of powerful and energy-efficient solutions to reliability challenges. This paper presents a reliable multicore architecture that provides targeted error protection by adapting to the characteristics of individual cores and workloads, with the goal of providing reliability with minimum energy. The user can specify an acceptable reliability target for each chip, core, or application. The system then adjusts a range of parameters, including replication and supply voltage, to meet that reliability goal. In this multicore architecture, each core consists of a pair of pipelines that can run independently (running separate threads) or in concert (running the same thread and verifying results). Redundancy is enabled selectively, at functional unit granularity. The architecture also employs timing speculation for mitigation of variation-induced timing errors and to reduce the power overhead of error protection. On-line control based on machine learning dynamically adjusts multiple parameters to minimize energy consumption. Evaluation shows that dynamic adaptation of voltage and redundancy can reduce the energy delay product of a chip multiprocessor by 30 − 60% compared with static dual modular redundancy. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF SUPERVISED ACCESS AND CUSTODY EXCHANGE SERVICES

The detrimental effect of parental conflict in protracted child custody and visitation disputes is well established in the literature. However, little is known about the impact of parental conflict on children when visitation takes place in a protected setting. Part of a larger study that examined the broader issues related to parental and child involvement in a supervised access and custody exchange service, this article specifically explores the influence of parental participation on child well-being. This exploratory effort reveals that children's level of adjustment remained stable over 6 months of participation while visitation returned to court-ordered levels and interparental contact was precluded by staff intervention.
Some Rhetorical Directions of Funeral Direction: Historical Entanglements and Contemporary Dilemmas

This article illustrates the importance and significant consequences of occupations' rhetorical work by examining the past and current rhetoric of North American funeral direction. The author reconstructs an occupational genealogy of funeral direction and then examine funeral directors' current rhetorical dilemmas in light of that historical legacy by drawing upon empirical materials collected during participant observation in a mortuary science program at a community college.
Therapeutic Interactive Voice Response (TIVR) to Reduce Analgesic Medication Use for Chronic Pain Management

Abstract This paper examines whether a telephone-based, automated maintenance enhancement program can help to reduce opioid and nonsteroidal anti-inflamatory drugs (NSAID) analgesic use in patients with chronic pain. Following 11 weeks of group cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), 51 subjects with chronic musculoskeletal pain were randomized to 1 of 2 study groups. Twenty-six subjects participated in 4 months of a Therapeutic Interactive Voice Response (TIVR) program in addition to standard follow-up care, while a control group of 25 subjects received standard follow-up care only. TIVR is an automated, telephone-based tool developed for the maintenance and enhancement of CBT skills. Opioid analgesic use decreased in the experimental group in both follow-ups: 4 and 8 months postCBT. In addition, at 8-month follow-up, 21% of the TIVR subjects had discontinued the use of opioid analgesics, 23% had discontinued NSAIDS, and 10% had discontinued antidepressant medications. In contrast, the control group showed increases in opioid and NSAIDS use. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) revealed significant between-group differences in opioid analgesic use at 8-month follow up ( P = .004). We have previously demonstrated the efficacy of TIVR to decrease pain and improve coping; this analysis demonstrates that the use of TIVR may also result in concurrent reductions in opioid analgesic and NSAID medications use. Perspective This article demonstrates that the Therapeutic Interactive Voice Response maintenance enhancement program can help to reduce opioid analgesic use in patients with chronic pain. This automated maintenance enhancement program could potentially assist patients not only to decrease pain and improve coping, but also to diminish the likelihood of opioid dependence.
Perceptions of nursing as a career choice of students in the Baccalaureate nursing program

Schools of nursing must recruit and retain qualified applicants in order to confront the current challenge to nursing resources. Perceptions of nursing have been linked to students' decisions to enter the nursing profession and to continue in or withdraw from nursing programs. As part of an on-going longitudinal study in Canada, the nursing attitude questionnaire and nursing orientation tool were used to explore the perceptions of nursing of 213 beginning and 150 graduating students in a Baccalaureate nursing program. Overall, both groups of students held a positive image of nursing. There were however, significant differences between the groups in their orientation to nursing as well as their views on nursing roles, education, political issues, and the value of nursing as a profession. Implications for recruitment of nursing students are presented.
Vocal outcomes after laser resection of early-stage glottic cancer with adjuvant cryotherapy.

Objective To evaluate the vocal outcomes of patients with early-stage glottic carcinoma undergoing laser resection with adjuvant cryoablative therapy. Design Retrospective review. Setting Tertiary care center. Patients Twenty patients with early-stage glottic carcinoma. Intervention Treatment of early-stage glottic carcinoma with endoscopic carbon dioxide laser resection in conjunction with cryoablation. Main Outcome Measures Disease-free survival and subjective and objective measures of posttreatment voice quality, based on serial videolaryngostroboscopy. Results There was 1 local treatment failure, with an overall mean disease-free follow-up of 32.6 months (range, 3-93 months). Carbon dioxide laser resection and cryoablative therapy were associated with a significant improvement in subjective voice quality (P Conclusions Endoscopic laser laryngeal surgery performed in conjunction with cryotherapy for early-stage glottic carcinoma yielded excellent primary site control, while improving subjective and objective measures of voice quality. Combined laser surgery and cryotherapy is a possible alternative to radiotherapy for selected patients with early-stage glottic carcinoma who desire curative therapy, while optimizing vocal outcomes.
Changes in gas exchange characteristics during the life span of giant sequoia: implications for response to current and future concentrations of atmospheric ozone

Native stands of giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum Bucholz) are being exposed to relatively high concentrations of atmospheric ozone produced in urban and agricultural areas upwind. The expected change in environmental conditions over the next 100 years is likely to be unprecedented in the life span (about 2,500 years) of giant sequoia. We determined changes in physiological responses of three age classes of giant sequoia (current-year, 12-, and 125-year-old) to differing concentrations of ozone, and assessed age-related differences in sensitivity to pollutants by examining physiological changes (gas exchange, water use efficiency) across the life span of giant sequoia (current-year, 2-, 5-, 20-, 125-, and > 2,000-year-old trees). The CO(2) exchange rate (CER) was greater in current-year (12.1 micro mol CO(2) m(-2) s(-1)) and 2-year-old seedlings (4.8 micro mol CO(2) m(-2) s(-1)) than in all older trees (3.0 micro mol CO(2) m(-2) s(-1), averaged across the four older age classes). Dark respiration was highest for current-year seedlings (-6.5 +/- 0.7 micro mol CO(2) m(-2) s(-1)) and was increased twofold in symptomatic individuals exposed to elevated ozone concentrations. Stomatal conductance (g(s)) was greater in current-year (355 mmol H(2)O m(-2) s(-1)) and 2-year-old seedlings (200 mmol H(2)O m(-2) s(-1)) than in all older trees (50 mmol H(2)O m(-2) s(-1)), indicating that the ozone concentration in substomatal cavities is higher in young seedlings than in trees. Significant changes in water use efficiency, as indicated by C(i)/C(a), occurred in trees between ages 5 and 20 years. We conclude that giant sequoias seedlings are sensitive to atmospheric ozone until they are about 5 years old. Low conductance, high water use efficiency, and compact mesophyll all contribute to a natural ozone tolerance, or defense, or both, in foliage of older trees.
Parallel placement on reduced array architecture

The authors present a hardware accelerator for a module placement algorithm based on the divide-and-conquer paradigm. They consider a partitioning algorithm for the approximate solution of a large placement problem. This algorithm divides the set of logic modules into small clusters and generates an optimal placement for each cluster. Finally, in a pasting step, the algorithm combines the optimal solutions for the smaller problems into a near-optimal solution for the original placement problem. The algorithm lends itself very naturally to a parallel realization, and maps nicely onto an SIMD (single-instruction, multiple data-stream) organization. Considerations such as cost-effectiveness and suitability to VLSI implementation led to the selection of the reduced array architecture as the target architecture for the placement accelerator. >
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells in Dermatology: Potentials, Advances, and Limitations

The discovery of methods for reprogramming adult somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) has raised the possibility of producing truly personalized treatment options for numerous diseases. Similar to embryonic stem cells (ESCs), iPSCs can give rise to any cell type in the body and are amenable to genetic correction by homologous recombination. These ESC properties of iPSCs allow for the development of permanent corrective therapies for many currently incurable disorders, including inherited skin diseases, without using embryonic tissues or oocytes. Here, we review recent progress and limitations of iPSC research with a focus on clinical applications of iPSCs and using iPSCs to model human diseases for drug discovery in the field of dermatology.
Interacting selection diversifies warning signals in a polytypic frog: an examination with the strawberry poison frog

Aposematic signals represent one of the most accessible traits to evaluate the interaction of natural and sexual selection on signal evolution. Here we investigate the contributions of these two selective forces on the aposematic signal evolution of the highly polytypic strawberry poison frog, Oophaga pumilio, of Bocas del Toro, Panama. Previous research has shown that the brightness of O. pumilio warning coloration can inform predators of the toxicity levels associated with different populations of the archipelago. Other studies suggest that sexual selection may be influencing warning signal brightness within populations via female mate choice (Isla Solarte, Isla Bastimentos, and Aquacate Peninsula populations) and male–male competition (Isla Solarte). Here we present two non-exclusive scenarios for how natural and sexual selection interact to drive phenotypic variation across this archipelago: (1) predators impose a selective regime whereby populations above a toxicity-brightness threshold are at liberty to diversify via sexual selection and below which populations are constrained to maintain a stricter resemblance to a more cryptic population mean, and (2) synergistic/additive effects of inter- and intrasexual selection drive the evolution of brighter males within populations above this toxicity threshold. We investigate whether aposematic patterns of divergence across the archipelago relative to the common mainland phenotype meet these predictions using existing data on O. pumilio morph toxicity measures and overall conspicuousness estimates to an avian predator. Using standardized z-scores to evaluate the range of trait values, we find that indeed the population representative of the common mainland phenotype (Almirante) represents an intermediate level of both toxicity and conspicuousness, and that derived Bocas del Toro populations vary in each of those components in directions predicted by the proposed scenarios. Furthermore, we find greater divergence towards conspicuousness than crypsis, a pattern suggestive of sexual and natural selection acting synergistically in morphs with high toxicity.
Movement, activity and action: the role of knowledge in the perception of motion

This paper presents several approaches to the machine perception of motion and discusses the role and levels of knowledge in each. In particular, different techniques of motion understanding as focusing on one of movement, activity or action are described. Movements are the most atomic primitives, requiring no contextual or sequence knowledge to be recognized; movement is often addressed using either view-invariant or view-specific geometric techniques. Activity refers to sequences of movements or states, where the only real knowledge required is the statistics of the sequence; much of the recent work in gesture understanding falls within this category of motion perception. Finally, actions are larger-scale events, which typically include interaction with the environment and causal relationships; action understanding straddles the grey division between perception and cognition, computer vision and artificial intelligence. These levels are illustrated with examples drawn mostly from the group's work in understanding motion in video imagery. It is argued that the utility of such a division is that it makes explicit the representational competencies and manipulations necessary for perception.
Fine structural study on the origin and development of the sphincter pupillae muscle in the West Coast newt (Taricha torosa)

The origin and development of the sphincter pupillae muscle was studied in Taricha torosa by electron microscopy. The larval optic cup with its inner and outer epithelial layers is completely enshrouded by a primary basal lamina. The epithelium can be divided into E and R regions, according to the types of distributed pigment granules, ellipsoidal (E) and round (R). The E region includes the outer layer except the pupillary zone; the R region the inner layer and pupillary zone. The boundary dividing these regions is distinct enough to be called the E-R boundary. Clusters of fine filaments develop in the pigment-containing R cells adjacent to the E-R boundary during metamorphosis. Such R cells subsequently increase their population to form abundle swelling into the anterior ocular chamber. This bundle formation is accompanied by acquisition of a nerve supply from the iridial stroma, and the emergence of collagen fibers as well as secondary basal (or external) laminae surrounding each cell of the bundle. The adult muscle cells retain numerous round pigment granules, desmosomes, and intermediate junction. These facts support the neuroectodermal origin of this sphincter pupillae muscle.
Genome-Wide Association Study in Arabidopsis thaliana of Natural Variation in Seed Oil Melting Point: A Widespread Adaptive Trait in Plants

Seed oil melting point is an adaptive, quantitative trait determined by the relative proportions of the fatty acids that compose the oil. Micro- and macro-evolutionary evidence suggests selection has changed the melting point of seed oils to covary with germination temperatures because of a trade-off between total energy stores and the rate of energy acquisition during germination under competition. The seed oil compositions of 391 natural accessions of Arabidopsis thaliana, grown under common-garden conditions, were used to assess whether seed oil melting point within a species varied with germination temperature. In support of the adaptive explanation, long-term monthly spring and fall field temperatures of the accession collection sites significantly predicted their seed oil melting points. In addition, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed to determine which genes were most likely responsible for the natural variation in seed oil melting point. The GWAS found a single highly significant association within the coding region of FAD2, which encodes a fatty acid desaturase central to the oil biosynthesis pathway. In a separate analysis of 15 a priori oil synthesis candidate genes, 2 (FAD2 and FATB) were located near significant SNPs associated with seed oil melting point. These results comport with others' molecular work showing that lines with alterations in these genes affect seed oil melting point as expected. Our results suggest natural selection has acted on a small number of loci to alter a quantitative trait in response to local environmental conditions.
The Effects of Military Body Armor on Isometric and Isokinetic Knee Behaviors

OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONSDespite the proven effectiveness of new-generation body armor against ballistic threats, small arms, and improvised explosive devices, such body armor has become a source of concern for warfighters' performance and musculoskeletal injuries. Prolonged periods of performing physical activities, with versus without body armor, were found to alter knee neuromuscular behavior. With body armor, the maximum strength of the knee flexors and the extensor-to-flexor strength ratio were found, respectively, to reduce and increase than in conditions without body armor. Such changes in knee neuromuscular behavior are known to adversely affect physical performance and risk of knee injury. Quantitative information related to changes in knee neuromuscular behavior induced by body armor can be used in the design of injury risk assessment tools, physical training programs that decrease or correct a particular imbalance, and to establish return to service (i.e., post injury) standards for dismounted ...
Running a Business Versus a University, School, or Department

There are many similarities in how to run the entity: Having ideas that work. Being innovative and informed. Inspiring confidence and conveying assurance of success. The main difference is the lack of security in most business executive jobs, while academic chiefs after losing the administrative position, can rely on tenure.
Health Beliefs of Marshallese Regarding Type 2 Diabetes.

Objectives The Marshallese population suffers from disproportionate rates of type 2 diabetes. This study identifies the underlying beliefs and perceptions that affect diabetes self-management behavior in the US Marshallese population living in Arkansas. Methods The study employs focus groups with a semi-structured interview guide developed using a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach and the Health Belief Model. Data were collected from 41 participants; bilingual community co-investigators provided translation as needed. Results The results show high-perceived threat, with most participants describing diabetes as inevitable and a death sentence. Participants are generally unaware of the benefits of diabetes self-management behaviors, and the Marshallese population faces significant policy, environmental, and systems barriers to diabetes self-management. The primary cue to action is a diagnosis of diabetes, and there are varying levels of self-efficacy. Conclusions The research grounded in the Health Belief Model provides important contributions that can help advance diabetes self-management efforts within Pacific Islander communities.
Hematite and Mn oxide (U-Th)/He dates from the Buckskin-Rawhide detachment system, western Arizona: Gaining insights into hematite (U-Th)/He systematics

In this paper, we use several analytical methods in an effort to better understand the systematics of the (U-Th)/He chronometer in hematite and manganese oxides. 4He diffusion data from a polycrystalline hematite sample is consistent with diffusion from hematite crystals with a range of sizes similar to those directly observed in sample material. Combined with a compilation of hematite He diffusion data from previous studies, this supports the interpretation that in general crystal size is a primary control on He retentivity in hematite. 4He/3He diffusion data from a single fragment of a larger hematite crystal imply the presence of multiple diffusion domains smaller than the observed size of the crystal fragment, which may be related to cracks, inclusions, or other internal features, as well as higher concentrations of 4He in smaller domains. We use kinetic values determined in this and other studies and measurements of hematite crystal size in each dated sample to estimate approximate closure temperatures for each sample, most of which range from 140 to 240 °C. Relationships between minor element and parent nuclide concentrations and (U-Th)/He dates measured in aliquots of some analyzed hematite samples suggest that, in some cases, U and Th are concentrated in interstitial phases other than hematite. We identify two processes responsible for much of the dispersion in hematite dates from single samples. Removal of U- and Th-rich interstitial phases from analyzed material during sample preparation or analysis leaves behind unsupported 4He implanted in hematite crystals. This removal results in apparent (U-Th)/He dates artificially older than the time of hematite He closure. A smaller source of dispersion that is likely to still be significant in some samples can be attributed to the high He diffusivities of observed interstitial phases, which do not retain implanted He. (U-Th)/He dating of hematite from upper and lower-plate rocks in the Buckskin and Rawhide detachment fault system of western Arizona yields ages that coincide with the timing of rapid extension along the detachment fault. Comparisons of estimated hematite closure temperatures and hematite sample ages to data from other studies of the Buckskin-Rawhide detachment system lead us to conclude that hematite dates record rapid cooling that followed detachment zone mineralization. Mn oxide (U-Th)/He dates are interpreted as formation ages of minerals formed by hydrothermal fluids that circulated through upper-plate rocks after cessation of extension along the detachment fault. Overall, we find that (U-Th)/He dating of hematite and Mn oxide minerals are promising methods for obtaining temporal information about the formation and cooling of these common secondary phases.
Observation of Deep Defect Relaxation Processes in Hydrogenated Amorphous Silicon-Germanium Alloy

Modulated photocurrent (MPC) spectroscopy has been used to investigate the energy distribution of deep defect states in photo-CVD grown a-Si 1 -x Ge x :H alloys. We observe a distinct electron trapping feature at a thermal energy of 0.55eV below E c for higher Ge concentration (x = 0.62) alloys. For those samples with Ge concentration between 30-50 at. %, an anomalously large phase shift was observed within a temperature window between 150K to 240K. The modulated photocurrent exhibits strong quenching at the edges of this window. We suggest that these MPC spectra are controlled by deep defect relaxation processes in this temperature region, which causes electron thermal emission processes to be greatly suppressed. This effect can be reduced by increasing the reverse bias. Under such conditions, the energy position of these defect states can be roughly estimated to lie near E c - 0.33eV. This result supports the recent result obtained from transient photocapacitance and photocurrent measurement.
Clearance of valproic acid from cerebrospinal fluid in anesthetized rabbit.

Clearance of valproic acid from brain tissue is believed to occur via a carrier-mediated system(s). The present study was designed to determine whether clearance was capacity-limited (saturable) and whether it occurred primarily at the choroid plexus. Ten rabbits were anesthetized with halothane and surgically prepared for ventriculocisternal perfusion. In group 1 (n = 5) valproic acid was added to blue dextran-containing mock cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to achieve concentrations of 5, 20, 100, and 500 micrograms.ml-1. The mixture was infused through needles in both cerebral ventricles. The purpose of this group was to determine whether over a large range (100x) of valproic acid concentrations, clearance from CSF was capacity limited (saturable). In group 2 (n = 5) valproic acid concentrations were 3, 10, and 30 microgram.ml-1 and infusion was into the left cerebral ventricle only. The purposes of this group were to determine (a) the magnitude of valproic acid clearance for the "clinical" range of valproic acid in CSF (10-30 micrograms.ml-1), and (b) whether clearance of valproic acid was changed by perfusion across a portion of the choroid plexus surface area (group 2) as compared with perfusion across the entire choroid plexus surface area (group 1). In both groups the percent extraction of valproic acid was calculated from the concentration ratio (valproic acid)out/(valproic acid)in corrected for the rate of CSF formation. In group 1 the percent extraction of valproic acid was 93 +/- 2% (mean +/- SD) at 5 micrograms.ml-1 and stabilized within the range of 58-70% (individual values) at the higher inflow concentrations of valproic acid.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The molecular epidemiological analysis on shigella sonnei strains isolated from Anhui Province,2008-2010

Objective To study the molecular epidemiological characteristics of 20,Shigella sonnei strains isolated from diarrhea patients from 2008 to 2010 in Anhui Province.Methods Antibiotic sensitivity test,XbaI macrorestriction map with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis(PFGE) technology,and PCR method were used in this study to explore Shigella molecular biology characteristics.Results The most sensitive drugs were ciprofloxacin(CIP) and cefoperazone(CPZ) sensitive rate was 100%,followed by ceftriaxone(CTRX) and Cefotaxime(CTX) which had a sensitive rate were 95%.Multiple PCR results showed that except for negative Shigella toxin 1(SET1),the rest three genes: ipaH gene,Shigella enterotoxin gene2(SET2) and Shigella ial gene were all positive; 20 strains of S.sonnei XbaI enzyme with the PFGE after electrophoresis could be divided into six types.Conclusions This study provides important data on the molecular characteristics of Shigella spp isolates in this region,which could be useful as an epidemiological baseline for detection and surveillance of S.sonnei strains.
Hyperammonemia in a Boy With Obstructive Ureterocele and Proteus Infection

We report on a boy with ureteroceles that obstructed the bladder outlet and ureters, who presented with sepsis and hyperammonemia despite normal liver function. The hyperammonemia was most likely caused by excessive absorption of ammonia produced by Proteus mirabilis in the obstructed urinary tract.