cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Domain adaptation in regression

This paper presents a series of new results for domain adaptation in the regression setting. We prove that the discrepancy is a distance for the squared loss when the hypothesis set is the reproducing kernel Hilbert space induced by a universal kernel such as the Gaussian kernel. We give new pointwise loss guarantees based on the discrepancy of the empirical source and target distributions for the general class of kernel-based regularization algorithms. These bounds have a simpler form than previous results and hold for a broader class of convex loss functions not necessarily differentiable, including Lq losses and the hinge loss. We extend the discrepancy minimization adaptation algorithm to the more significant case where kernels are used and show that the problem can be cast as an SDP similar to the one in the feature space. We also show that techniques from smooth optimization can be used to derive an efficient algorithm for solving such SDPs even for very high-dimensional feature spaces. We have implemented this algorithm and report the results of experiments demonstrating its benefits for adaptation and show that, unlike previous algorithms, it can scale to large data sets of tens of thousands or more points.
Diffuse Cluster Superparamagnetism in Inconel X750

Magnetization and calorimetric investigations carried out on various representative austenitic stainless steel alloys reveal complicated temperature-dependent magnetic structures. A low-temperature calorimetric anomaly characteristic of superparamagnetism is exhibited by 310S stainless steel [1]. Nitronic 33 possesses not only an anomalous low-temperature specific heat, but also a distinct antiferromagnetic transition at about 180 K. The calorimetric behavior of Inconel X750 is comparable to that of 310S stainless steel [1]; the former, however, contains γ′ precipitates whose contribution to the observed magnetic properties is unclear. This investigation focuses attention on the magnetic and calorimetric properties of Inconel X750 whose weakly magnetic behavior and anomalous low-temperature heat capacity lead to a description in terms of superparamagnetism.
Empirical Treatment of Uncomplicated Septic Olecranon Bursitis Without Aspiration.

Purpose Although aspiration of septic olecranon bursitis is recommended in the literature, no high-level evidence exists to support this practice. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively compare the results of traditional bursal aspiration (TBA) with empirical management without aspiration (EM). We hypothesized that EM of uncomplicated septic olecranon bursitis results in resolution, with fewer chronic draining sinuses and less progression to bursectomy . Methods We performed a retrospective review of all cases of septic olecranon bursitis seen by the orthopedic surgery department at a single tertiary referral center over a 5-year period. Cases were manually reviewed to determine patient demographics, management, and treatment results. The primary outcome was success of nonsurgical management versus requirement for surgical bursectomy. Results Thirty cases of uncomplicated septic olecranon bursitis were identified within the study period. Eleven patients were initially managed with TBA (performed by an emergency or primary care physician prior to orthopedic consultation), resulting in 11 positive cultures. Only 1 of these prompted a change of antibiotic management, and despite this information, 5 patients required a second course of antibiotics for incomplete resolution. Eight of the TBA cases went on to bursectomy. Nineteen patients underwent EM. Sixteen of these cases resolved with a single course of empirical antibiotics, and 3 (16%) cases required a second antibiotic course. One patient had a recurrence of symptoms 2 months after resolution with a single course of empirical antibiotics. This resolved with a second course of oral antibiotics. No patients who underwent EM went on to require bursectomy. The number needed to harm when aspiration was performed was 1.46. Conclusions We found EM of uncomplicated septic olecranon bursitis to be effective. Although 1 recurrence did occur in the EM group, no other complications occurred. Empirical management without aspiration may be considered in cases of uncomplicated septic olecranon bursitis. Type of study/level of evidence Therapeutic IV.
Impact of chronic rhinosinusitis on sleep: a controlled clinical study.

BACKGROUND Earlier studies have suggested that patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) report worse sleep quality than population norms. What remains unknown is whether these patients are actually experiencing measurable changes in objective sleep parameters. The goal of this study was to prospectively evaluate objective sleep measures in a cohort of patients with CRS. METHODS A prospective, multi-institutional, case-control study was designed to compare patients with CRS to nondiseased controls. Sleep quality was measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (EpSS). Home sleep studies were administered across all subjects and a battery of objective sleep measurements were recorded using a portable sleep diagnostic device. Regression models were used to control for any factors that differed across groups. RESULTS A total of 108 subjects were enrolled across 4 institutions, including 52 patients with CRS and 56 controls. Total PSQI scores were worse in patients with CRS when compared with controls (10.1 ± 4.3 vs 4.7 ± 2.5; p 40 dB (24.7 ± 27.4% vs 14.6 ± 19.7%; p = 0.034). All differences except mean oxygen saturation remained significant after controlling for baseline differences. CONCLUSION Differences in both patient-reported and objective sleep measures exist between patients with CRS and controls.
The anti-ethylene growth regulator silver thiosulfate (STS) increases flower production and longevity in cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz).

Cassava, which produces edible starchy roots, is an important staple food for hundreds of millions of people in the tropics. Breeding of cassava is hampered by its poor flower production, flower abortion, and lack of reproductive prolificacy. The current work determined that ethylene signalling affects floral development in cassava and that the anti-ethylene plant growth regulator silver thiosulfate (STS) mitigates the effects of ethylene on flower development. STS did not affect the timing of flower initiation, but improved early inflorescence and flower development as well as flower longevity such that flower numbers were increased. STS did not affect shoot and storage root growth. Studies of silver accumulation and treatment localization support the hypothesis that the beneficial effects of STS are confined to tissues of the shoot apex. The most effective timing of application was before inflorescence appearance extending to post-flower appearance. Based on this work a recommended protocol for STS use was developed. This work has the potential to improve methods for enhancing cassava flower development in breeding nurseries and thereby synchronize flowering of desired parents and enable the production of abundant progeny of desired crosses.
Characterization of InGaN quantum dots grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition

InGaN quantum dots (QDs) were grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) and shown to exhibit a bimodal size distribution. Atom probe tomography (APT) was used to characterize the dots in conjunction with atomic force microscopy, photoluminescence, and x-ray diffraction. Small dots with low indium contents were found to coexist with larger, very high indium composition dots. Significant compositional fluctuations were observed in the small dot population. The dots showed abrupt interfaces with the surrounding GaN, verifying the ability to cap the dots without causing intermixing for even extremely high indium content dots.
Allogeneic Haploidentical Blood or Marrow Transplantation with Post-Transplantation Cyclophosphamide in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

ABSTRACT Allogeneic blood or marrow transplantation (allo-BMT) remains the only treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) with curative potential. Although post-transplantation cyclophosphamide (PTCy) reduces allo-BMT toxicity by decreasing the risk of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), its effect on CLL allo-BMT outcomes is unknown. We studied 64 consecutive patients with CLL who underwent nonmyeloablative (NMA) haploidentical allo-BMT at Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center. In this cohort, the 4-year overall survival was 52% (95% confidence interval [CI], 40% to 68%), and progression-free survival was 37% (95% CI, 26% to 54%). Six patients experienced engraftment failure. PTCy prophylaxis was associated with a modest cumulative incidence of 1-year grade II-IV acute GVHD (27%; %95% CI, 15% to 38%) and %%%2-year chronic GVHD (17%; 95% CI, 7% to 26%). We demonstrate that NMA haploidentical allo-BMT with PTCy is a safe and effective treatment option.
Sex-Related Criminal Homicides: Rape Plus Murder

The following three murderers are not included in Chapter 2 because the homicides do not result from some personality defect, as is the case for serial killers. The sex-related murders described occur when the victim is killed to eliminate a witness, reduce the chances of the sexual aggressor being identified, or the victim resists the sexual aggression.
Deep Learning Based Target Cancellation for Speech Dereverberation

This article investigates deep learning based single- and multi-channel speech dereverberation. For single-channel processing, we extend magnitude-domain masking and mapping based dereverberation to complex-domain mapping, where deep neural networks (DNNs) are trained to predict the real and imaginary (RI) components of the direct-path signal from reverberant (and noisy) ones. For multi-channel processing, we first compute a minimum variance distortionless response (MVDR) beamformer to cancel the direct-path signal, and then feed the RI components of the cancelled signal, which is expected to be a filtered version of non-target signals, as additional features to perform dereverberation. Trained on a large dataset of simulated room impulse responses, our models show excellent speech dereverberation and recognition performance on the test set of the REVERB challenge, consistently better than single- and multi-channel weighted prediction error (WPE) algorithms.
Chromothripsis as an on-target consequence of CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing

Genome editing has promising therapeutic potential for genetic diseases and cancer (1, 2). However, the most practicable current approaches rely on the generation of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), which can give rise to a poorly characterized spectrum of structural chromosomal abnormalities. Here, we show that a catastrophic mutational process called chromothripsis is a previously unappreciated consequence of CRISPR-Cas9-mediated DSBs. Chromothripsis is extensive chromosome rearrangement restricted to one or a few chromosomes that can cause human congenital disease and cancer (3–6). Using model cell systems and a genome editing protocol similar to ones in clinical trials (7) (NCT03655678, NCT03745287) we show that CRISPR-Cas9-mediated DNA breaks generate abnormal nuclear structures—micronuclei and chromosome bridges—that trigger chromothripsis. Chromothripsis is an on-target toxicity that may be minimized by cell manipulation protocols or screening but cannot be completely avoided in many genome editing applications.
Sums of products of Bessel functions and order derivatives of Bessel functions

In this paper, sums represented in (3) are studied. The expressions are derived in terms of Bessel functions of the first and second kinds and their integrals. Further, we point out the integrals can be written as a Meijer G function.
StoryCoder: Teaching Computational Thinking Concepts Through Storytelling in a Voice-Guided App for Children

Computational thinking (CT) education reaches only a fraction of young children, in part because CT learning tools often require expensive hardware or fluent literacy. Informed by needfinding interviews, we developed a voice-guided smartphone application leveraging storytelling as a creative activity by which to teach CT concepts to 5- to 8-year-old children. The app includes two storytelling games where users create and listen to stories as well as four CT games where users then modify those stories to learn about sequences, loops, events, and variables. We improved upon the app design through wizard-of-oz testing (N = 28) and iterative design testing (N = 22) before conducting an evaluation study (N = 22). Children were successfully able to navigate the app, effectively learn about the target computing concepts, and, after using the app, children demonstrated above-chance performance on a near transfer CT concept recognition task.
The language of neighborhoods: A predictive-analytical framework based on property advertisement text and mortgage lending data

Abstract Real estate property listings use specific language to market properties to a target buyer – typically one that will garner the largest profit. As home-seekers have different preferences for house characteristics and neighborhood amenities, the words used to advertise homes are expected to vary according to the type of neighborhood and expected homebuyer. In this article, we develop a framework for extracting the key characteristics used to advertise properties according to the racial and income profile of home mortgage applicants in different types of neighborhoods. We perform an exploratory text analysis on words according to neighborhood types and use a binomial logistic regression model to determine the most discriminatory words for each type of neighborhood. Finally, we assess the ability of the property listing text to predict the type of neighborhood the property belongs to. Using a small, illustrative case study of listings from Charlotte, North Carolina, we find that the presence of specific neighborhood names holds more importance in neighborhoods with primarily White homebuyers. In gentrifying neighborhoods, unique property characteristics such as parquet flooring, and words associated with revitalization near the city center are common. Listings in neighborhoods with minority homebuyers are less likely to mention schools and feature traditionally suburban descriptors such as cars, garage, and roadways. We envision that this framework, using near real-time data sources, holds the potential to advance neighborhood prediction efforts, our understanding of amenity preferences and sorting patterns, and to illuminate less visible processes of change such as discrimination in the housing market.
For political geographies of fertilities

Debates ranging from parental leave within universities to abortion rights, ‘anchor babies,’ racialized maternal mortality, and the continued disproportionate role of indigenous children within fos...
Small RNAs Worm Up Transgenerational Epigenetics Research

DNA is central to the propagation and evolution of most living organisms due to the essential process of its self-replication. Yet it also encodes factors that permit epigenetic (not included in DNA sequence) flow of information from parents to their offspring and beyond. The known mechanisms of epigenetic inheritance include chemical modifications of DNA and chromatin, as well as regulatory RNAs. All these factors can modulate gene expression programs in the ensuing generations. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is recognized as a pioneer organism in transgenerational epigenetic inheritance research. Recent advances in C. elegans epigenetics include the discoveries of control mechanisms that limit the duration of RNA-based epigenetic inheritance, periodic DNA motifs that counteract epigenetic silencing establishment, new mechanistic insights into epigenetic inheritance carried by sperm, and the tantalizing examples of inheritance of sensory experiences. This review aims to highlight new findings in epigenetics research in C. elegans with the main focus on transgenerational epigenetic phenomena dependent on small RNAs.
Mammalian RNA polymerases.

Publisher Summary This chapter presents the status of RNA polymerases involved in RNA synthesis in mammalian cells, with emphasis on some recent developments in the field of nuclear RNA polymerase. The chapter discusses that the RNA polymerases of eukaryotic nuclei exist in multiple forms. These enzymes are compartmentalized within the nucleus. They have different requirements for cations and salt. The nucleolar enzymes are insensitive to α-amanitin in vitro whereas the nucleoplasmic enzymes are generally inhibited by the toxin, which binds to the enzyme and prevents RNA chain elongation. The nucleolar enzymes are more active with native DNA as the template, whereas the nucleoplasmic enzymes are more efficient with a denatured template; however, addition of a cytoplasmic protein factor can restore the ability of the latter enzyme to transcribe preferentially native DNA. The regulation of the activity of purified nucleolar RNA polymerase by hormones independent of any significant modification in the chromatin template is important, considering the emphasis in the past on template modification as the most prominent means of gene regulation. Only the early effect of hormones on the purified RNA polymerase activity has been examined with purified RNA polymerases. The chapter concludes that finally, the factors that are involved in initiation, termination and release of RNA chains in eukaryotic cells should be explored.
Navigating State-Law Formalities and Tax-Law Forms of Partnership and LLC Reorganizations

This article reviews general rules under state law that govern mergers and conversions of partnerships and LLCs. The laws governing such reorganizations can vary from state to state and from one act to another within any given state. For instance, the laws governing the reorganizations of LLCs may differ from the laws governing reorganizations of partnerships and limited partnerships. Nonetheless, the article demonstrates that some general principles apply across all forms of merger. In addition to navigating the state-law aspects of reorganizations, businesses and property owners must address the tax issues that such transactions raise. As the article describes, the form of the transaction can affect the holding periods and bases of property and partnership interests that are part of a reorganization. Tax planning with an understanding of the rules can help businesses and property owners avoid pitfalls that are present in the rules.
Defining language impairments in a subgroup of children with autism spectrum disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is diagnosed on the basis of core impairments in pragmatic language skills, which are found across all ages and subtypes. In contrast, there is significant heterogeneity in language phenotypes, ranging from nonverbal to superior linguistic abilities, as defined on standardized tests of vocabulary and grammatical knowledge. The majority of children are verbal but impaired in language, relative to age-matched peers. One hypothesis is that this subgroup has ASD and co-morbid specific language impairment (SLI). An experiment was conducted comparing children with ASD to children with SLI and typically developing controls on aspects of language processing that have been shown to be impaired in children with SLI: repetition of nonsense words. Patterns of performance among the children with ASD and language impairment were similar to those with SLI, and contrasted with the children with ASD and no language impairment and typical controls, providing further evidence for the hypothesis that a subgroup of children with ASD has co-morbid SLI. The findings are discussed in the context of brain imaging studies that have explored the neural bases of language impairment in ASD and SLI, and overlap in the genes associated with elevated risk for these disorders.
An analytic hierarchy process (AHP) approach to training typology selection based on student perspective: Empirical evidence from Malaysian Maritime Academy

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to distinguish the typology of marine education and training and explore the student preference of the best typology which develop their competencies. This paper will tabulate some recommendations for the marine education and training provider to further enhance their training. Design/methodology/approach – This research adopt and adapt the Satty’s analytic hierarchy process method to weight and rank the typology of training. A group of student who completed their study and currently works at operational level voluntarily participated in this survey. A pairwise matrix used to compute the weights within the typology of training. Findings – The outcome of the study shows that all typology of training are not equally weighted. The best typology of training was identified. Marine academicians drawn some recommendations. Research limitations/implications – The sample size may not appropriate for generalizable. The same study can be expandable to large size. Practical impl...
Communicating Astronomy Beyond IYA2009

The International Year of Astronomy 2009, celebrating the 400th anniversary of Galileo’s first look at the night sky through a telescope, was arguably the most successful public-outreach event in the history of science. Thousands of professional and amateur astronomers, public-information officers, writers, publishers, teachers, and informal educators from 148 countries worked tirelessly to share the wonders of astronomy with millions of people, from rural schoolchildren to the President of the United States. How to build on IYA2009 was the theme of “Communicating Astronomy with the Public 2010,” a conference held in Cape Town, South Africa, in March 2010. I report some of the highlights from CAP2010 and consider the extent to which the IYA2009 helped us address global challenges in astronomy communication.
Supercomputer performance: the theory, practice, and results

Publisher Summary Measuring supercomputers is difficult for various reasons. One of these is that supercomputers themselves are complex systems composed of many cooperating but independent units. Some models of supercomputer performance include the ware model and the vector performance model. The ware model is more general than the vector/scalar applications and can be used to model any dual-mode computation method. The high-level architectural features among supercomputers are remarkably similar. Vector processing and high-speed very-large-scale integration (VLSI) chip technology are the common components of the current supercomputers. Except for the Cyber-205 and the ETA-10, each machine employs register-to-register processors in which operands are fetched from and results are stored to the registers. Every machine uses independent segmented functional units capable of producing results at high rates in a pipelined fashion. The characterization of the workload involves the use of supercomputers. It includes the characterization of the memory sizes, I/O file sizes, block sizes, level of interactivity, and CPU utilization.
Modeling and Animating Realistic Faces from Images

We present a new set of techniques for modeling and animating realistic faces from photographs and videos. Given a set of face photographs taken simultaneously, our modeling technique allows the interactive recovery of a textured 3D face model. By repeating this process for several facial expressions, we acquire a set of face models that can be linearly combined to express a wide range of expressions. Given a video sequence, this linear face model can be used to estimate the face position, orientation, and facial expression at each frame. We illustrate these techniques on several datasets and demonstrate robust estimations of detailed face geometry and motion.
Mitochondrial DNA of kinetoplastids.

Publisher Summary This chapter highlights mitochondrial DNA of kinetoplastids. Kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) is the unusual mitochondrial DNA characteristic of members of Kinetoplastida. This DNA has two distinctive general features—namely, (1) it comprises two classes of unrelated circular molecules, maxicircles and minicircles, and (2) in each cell these molecules are catenated into a single massive network. The kDNA is located within an enlarged region of the mitochondrion, also called the “kinetoplast,” opposite the flagellar basal body. The kDNA network has a highly ordered structure. The network is formed by catenation of the maxicircles and minicircles. The sizes of both the maxicircle and the minicircle vary among species. The size differences reflect variation in the size and presumably repeat number of simple repeated sequences in one region, termed the “variable region.” Minicircles decatenate from the network and replicate by a conventional mechanism that entails the formation of theta structure intermediates. The replicated minicircles then reattach to the network. The detachment and reattachment appears to entail topoisomerase II activity. Maxicircle replication appears to entail a rolling circle mechanism.
A mouse model for breast cancer induced by amplification and overexpression of the neu promoter and transgene.

ErbB-2 is a critical oncogenic marker in human breast cancer. Its appearance correlates with poor prognosis and it is, therefore, an important target for physiologic investigation and therapeutic intervention. With this in mind, we have created and characterized two mouse breast cancer models that express rat wild type neu, the homologue of ErbB-2, and rat mutant neu under the control of the normal mouse neu promoter. These models in which the copy number of the neu gene is moderately amplified should more closely parallel the expression pattern of ErbB-2 seen in some cases of human breast cancer. Transgenic mouse models were constructed by injecting one of the two pronuclei of a fertilized FVB/n egg and implanting it into a pseudopregnant Swiss/Webster mouse. Tissue expression was analyzed through the use of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and mammary histopathology examined by fixing, staining and mounting of the entire gland. In the former wild type model, we show that low level, long term expression of neu leads to abnormal lobuloalveolar development in virginal glands and incomplete regression in multiparous glands. Malignant foci form following multiple rounds of pregnancy and regression. In the latter model, a similarly directed transgene carrying the constitutively activated, mutant form of the rat neu gene, a stronger but similar phenotype is displayed. Evidently minor perturbations in amplified neu expression are sufficient to alter mammary development and induce malignant transformation.
Topically applied metal chelator reduces thermal injury progression in a rat model of brass comb burn

Abstract Oxidative stress may be involved in the cellular damage and tissue destruction as burn wounds continues to progress after abatement of the initial insult. Since iron and calcium ions play key roles in oxidative stress, this study tested whether topical application of Livionex formulation (LF) lotion, that contains disodium EDTA as a metal chelator and methyl sulfonyl methane (MSM) as a permeability enhancer, would prevent or reduce burns. Methods We used an established brass comb burn model with some modifications. Topical application of LF lotion was started 5 min post-burn, and repeated every 8 h for 3 consecutive days. Rats were euthanized and skin harvested for histochemistry and immunohistochemistry. Formation of protein adducts of 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE), malonadialdehyde (MDA) and acrolein (ACR) and expression of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) isozymes, ALDH1 and ALDH2 were assessed. Results LF lotion-treated burn sites and interspaces showed mild morphological improvement compared to untreated burn sites. Furthermore, the lotion significantly decreased the immunostaining of lipid aldehyde–protein adducts including protein -HNE, -MDA and -ACR adducts, and restored the expression of aldehyde dehydrogenase isozymes in the unburned interspaces. Conclusion This data, for the first time, demonstrates that a topically applied EDTA-containing lotion protects burns progression with a concomitant decrease in the accumulation of reactive lipid aldehydes and protection of aldehyde dehydrogenase isozymes. Present studies are suggestive of therapeutic intervention of burns by this novel lotion.
A Strategic Understanding of UN Economic Sanctions: International Relations, Law and Development

1. Introduction 2. UN / Unilateral Sanctions Regimes 3. The UN Security Council and Protection of Peace 4. Implementation: Strength of Sanctions and Domestic Policy 5. Implementation: From Theory to Practice 6. Measures of Success / Failure 7. Policy Recommendations 8. Conclusion
A User's View of CARE III

A novel, powerful, computerized reliability predictor for highly reliable digital fault-tolerant systems has recently been developed and will soon be released. CARE III (Computer-Aided Reliability Estimation) was designed to model very large systems on the order of 106 Markovian equivalent states. Through the use of advanced stochastic modeling techniques, CARE III implements a mixed Markov model that enables it to drastically reduce the state size of hitherto computationally unreachable models that are of practical interest. This paper introduces the basic concepts of CARE III from a user's point of view. After describing the major attributes of the reliability evaluator, a discussion o the applicable class of fault-tolerant, digital-based computer architectures is presented. Following this discussion, the notions of failure, fault, and error are presented in the context of CARE III's fault/error-handling models. The paper concludes with a description of CARE III's user friendly interface and an example dialog portraying the assessment of a highly reliable fault-tolerant system. Also, some mention is made of the extensive testing and verification of the CARE III stochastic model and computer program.
Beer in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance

Here is a remarkably detailed and meticulously scholarly work which carefully assesses the mountain of evidence regarding the rise of the beer industry between the 13th and 16th centuries. It synth...
Simulation, design and test of a MOV pulse shaping device for high power microwave generators

This paper describes a metal oxide varistor (MOV) pulse shaping device, which is to be used for generating a flat-top voltage pulse for high power microwave devices. The MOV pulse-shaping device is attached to a coaxial pulse compression system. The pulse compression system consists of an inductive energy storage section, an exploding wire fuse and an output spark gap. The paper contains a detailed discussion of the pulse compression system followed by a description of the MOV pulse-shaping device. The MOV elements that are used for this pulse shaping application are the SIOV-E32VR602 type, made by Siemens.
Covalent linkage of heparin provides a stable anti‐coagulation surface of decellularized porcine arteries

Establishing thrombosis-resistant surface is crucial to develop tissue-engineered small diameter vascular grafts for arterial reconstructive procedures. The objective of this study was to evaluate the stability and anti-coagulation properties of heparin covalently linked to decellularized porcine carotid arteries. Cellular components of porcine carotid arteries were completely removed with chemical and physical means. Heparin was covalently linked to the decellularized vessels by a chemical reaction of the carboxyl end of amino acids with hydroxylamine sulphate salt and heparin-EDC. Bound heparin contents were measured by quantitative colorimetric assay of toluidine blue staining. The average content of heparin in treated vessels was 35.6 +/- 11.6 mg/cm(2) tissue, which represented 6.21 +/- 2.03 UPS heparin/cm(2) tissue. The stability of heparin linkage was tested by incubating the heparin-linked vessels either in PBS at 37 degrees C or in 70% alcohol at room temperature up to 21 days, showing no significant reduction of heparin content. Anti-coagulation property of bound heparin was determined with a clotting time assay using fresh dog blood. Standardized small pieces of non-heparin-bound vessels were clotted in fresh dog blood within 10 min., whereas all heparin-bound vessels did not form clot during 1-hr observation. In vivo platelet deposition of the vessel was determined with a baboon model of the femoral arteriovenous external shunt and (111)Indium labelling of platelets. There were 1.38 +/- 0.07 x 10(9) and 0.64 +/- 0.11 x 10(9) baboon platelets deposited on the control and heparin-linked vessels, respectively, at 60 min. These data demonstrate that covalent linkage of heparin provides an effective and stable anti-coagulation surface of decellularized porcine carotid arteries. This study may suggest a new strategy to develop tissue-engineered biological vascular grafts, which could be used for human coronary or low extremity artery bypasses.
Managing the attractive magnetic force between an untethered magnetically actuated tool and a rotating permanent magnet

Untethered magnetic devices, such as magnetic microrobots and magnetically actuated capsule endoscopes, stand to significantly impact the field of minimally invasive medicine. These devices, which we refer to as magnetically actuated tools (MATs), are often controlled using electromagnets, which can be expensive to scale clinically. Due to their potential for low-cost and high strength, permanent magnets are being considered for MAT actuation. Great care must be taken for in vivo medical applications, however, as systems using single permanent magnets typically generate an attractive force, which may cause trauma if uncontrolled. In this paper, we present techniques for managing the attractive magnetic force. We find that in the case of rotating MATs actuated using a single rotating permanent magnet (RPM), for which magnetic torque is the primary form of actuation, the attractive magnetic force can be substantially reduced in magnitude and the time-averaged attractive component eliminated when operating the MAT such that magnetic torque is maximized. We provide experimental demonstration that validates and illustrates the force management strategies presented.
Protonation of Glutamate 208 Induces the Release of Agmatine in an Outward-facing Conformation of an Arginine/Agmatine Antiporter

Virulent enteric pathogens have developed several systems that maintain intracellular pH to survive extreme acidic conditions. One such mechanism is the exchange of arginine (Arg+) from the extracellular region with its intracellular decarboxylated form, agmatine (Agm2+). The net result of this process is the export of a virtual proton from the cytoplasm per antiport cycle. Crystal structures of the arginine/agmatine antiporter from Escherichia coli, AdiC, have been recently resolved in both the apo and Arg+-bound outward-facing conformations, which permit us to assess for the first time the time-resolved mechanisms of interactions that enable the specific antiporter functionality of AdiC. Using data from ∼1 μs of molecular dynamics simulations, we show that the protonation of Glu-208 selectively causes the dissociation and release of Agm2+, but not Arg+, to the cell exterior. The impact of Glu-208 protonation is transmitted to the substrate binding pocket via the reorientation of Ile-205 carbonyl group at the irregular portion of transmembrane (TM) helix 6. This effect, which takes place only in the subunits where Agm2+ is released, invites attention to the functional role of the unwound portion of TM helices (TM6 Trp-202–Glu-208 in AdiC) in facilitating substrate translocation, reminiscent of the behavior observed in structurally similar Na+-coupled transporters.
Assessing Motor Development in Young Children.

Abstract The benefits to be gained from evaluating motor development in young children far outweigh the problems and pitfalls. As information accumulates and is replicated, a more accurate picture of the process of motor development of children is being formed. Research efforts that use a combination of longitudinal and cross-sectional approaches, that focus on both form and performance, and that recognize and need for patient, unbiased data collection are making significant contributions to our understanding of motor development. There is an ever-increasing number of published and unpublished tests purported to be measures of motor development. The vast majority of these assessment instruments are product-oriented and provide information concerning the present status of the child in a varity of areas. They are descriptive and generally establish a standard of performance based on cetain expectations for each chronological age. Product-oriented assessment instruments can be of value to the motor development specialist if they are both valid and reliable. Unfortunately, the validity of many tests is suspect because of the lack of sound rationale, or because of inadequate correlational attempts with other tests purporting to measure the same thing. Product-oriented tests may be classified as either screeing devices or behavioral assessment devices. The Denver Developmental Screening Test, and Purdue Perceptual-Motor survey are easy-to-use tools available for quick but gross classification of children. The Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency is a widely used behavioral assessment instrument for young children. There are far fewer process-oriented tests although there is a great need to know more about the developmental progression of movement skill acquisition. The Fundamental Movement Pattern Assessment Instrument and the Developmental Sequence of Fundamental Motor Skills Inventory represent two initial attempts at assessing the quality, rather than the quantity, of movement.
Comparison of dissection rates and angiographic results following directional coronary atherectomy and coronary angioplasty.

Abstract Directional coronary atherectomy is a new percutaneous transluminal technique for treating occlusive coronary artery disease. In this study, angiographic results (i.e., residual stenosis and angiographic evidence of postprocedure dissection) after directional coronary atherectomy and balloon angioplasty were compared. The atherectomy group consisted of 91 lesions in 83 consecutive patients who underwent either left anterior descending artery or right coronary artery atherectomy. The angioplasty group consisted of 91 lesions in 84 patients that were matched with the atherectomy lesions with respect to vessel and whether the lesion was a restenosis lesion. The mean preprocedure diameter stenosis was 76% in both groups as measured quantitatively with electronic calipers. After the procedure, the mean residual diameter stenosis of the atherectomy lesions was 13 ± 17%, whereas for the angioplasty lesions it was 31 ± 18% (p
BMP antagonism by Noggin is required in presumptive notochord cells for mammalian foregut morphogenesis

Esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula (EA/TEF) is a serious human birth defect, in which the esophagus ends before reaching the stomach, and is aberrantly connected with the trachea. Several mouse models of EA/TEF have recently demonstrated that proper dorsal/ventral (D/V) patterning of the primitive anterior foregut endoderm is essential for correct compartmentalization of the trachea and esophagus. Here we elucidate the pathogenic mechanisms underlying the EA/TEF that occurs in mice lacking the BMP antagonist Noggin, which display correct dorsal/ventral patterning. To clarify the mechanism of this malformation, we use spatiotemporal manipulation of Noggin and BMP receptor 1A conditional alleles during foregut development. Surprisingly, we find that the expression of Noggin in the compartmentalizing endoderm is not required to generate distinct tracheal and esophageal tubes. Instead, we show that Noggin and BMP signaling attenuation are required in the early notochord to correctly resolve notochord cells from the dorsal foregut endoderm, which in turn, appears to be a prerequisite for foregut compartmentalization. Collectively, our findings support an emerging model for a mechanism underlying EA/TEF in which impaired notochord resolution from the early endoderm causes the foregut to be hypo-cellular just prior to the critical period of compartmentalization. Our further characterizations suggest that Noggin may regulate a cell rearrangement process that involves reciprocal E-cadherin and Zeb1 expression in the resolving notochord cells.
Loss of therapeutic copper in closed marine systems

Abstract The disappearance of therapeutic copper from solution in closed marine culture systems was investigated using a spectrophotometric assay. When copper sulfate or a copper sulfate-citric acid mixture was added to marine aquariums containing various calcareous filtrants, activated carbon, silica gravel, or cured coral, a relatively rapid decrease in copper concentration was observed. No such loss occurred when the copper compounds were mixed with artificial seawater alone. The rate of copper loss was proportional to the mass of filtrant present. When chelated or complexed forms of copper were used, no change in the copper concentration occurred in the presence of coral or activated carbon, and only a slow decrease took place in aquariums with other filtrants. Precipitation was not a significant mechanism of copper loss in the systems studied, and adsorption was most likely responsible, although ion-exchange or surface complex formation could not be excluded.
Status report on porcine epidemic diarrhea virus in the United States

On 16 May 2013, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, National Veterinary Services Laboratories reported the detection of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus in the United States for the first time.This virus causes severe diarrhea and vomiting in young pigs. Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus does not infect humans and is not a food safety risk.This virus is already found in many countries around the world, and there is no US official regulation of the virus and no export restrictions to other countries.
Xenopus tropicalis allurin: expression, purification, and characterization of a sperm chemoattractant that exhibits cross-species activity.

Abstract Previously we reported the identification of the first vertebrate sperm chemoattractant, allurin, in the frog Xenopus laevis (Xl) and demonstrated that it was a member of the CRISP family of proteins. Here we report identification, purification, and characterization of Xenopus tropicalis (Xt) allurin, a homologous protein in X. tropicalis. “Egg water” as well as purified allurin from both species exhibit efficient cross-species sperm chemoattractant activity. Western blots show that Xt egg water contains a single anti-allurin cross-reactive protein whose molecular weight (20,497 Da by MALDI MS) agrees well with the molecular weight of the hypothetical gene product for a newly recognized “Crisp A” gene in the X. tropicalis genome. A recombinant form of the protein, expressed in 3T3 cells, exhibits chemoattraction for both Xt and Xl sperm and cross reacts with anti-allurin antibodies. Examination of Crisp protein expression in the Xt oviduct using RT-PCR showed that of five documented Xt Crisp genes (Crisps 2, 3, LD1, LD2 and A) only Crisp A was expressed. In contrast, Crisp 2, Crisp 3, Crisp LD1, and Crisp LD2, but not Crisp A, were all found to be expressed in the Xt testes while subsets of Crisp proteins where expressed in the Xt ovary. These data suggest that Crisp proteins in amphibians may play multiple roles in sperm production, maturation and guidance just as they are thought to in mammals indicating that Crisp protein involvement in reproduction may not be limited to mammals.
Development of the revised USDA–NRCS intake families for surface irrigation

In the absence of localized field data the US Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources and Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) intake families have often provided sufficient information for preliminary design, evaluation, or management of surface irrigation systems. However, to more fully utilize advances in procedures for field data collection and analysis as well as the software to automate the hydraulic computations, it has become necessary to revise these intake families. This paper is presented to facilitate the dissemination of these results to the larger international audience as well as provide a more detailed explanation of the protocols used in developing the revised families. A selective comparison is made to illustrate the differences between the original and new curves.
Differential Staining of the Anterior Pituitary Gland of the Cat

The terms “acidophile” and “basophile” as applied to the two recognized types of chromophilic cells of the anterior pituitary have been sanctioned by long usage. Nevertheless, these cells do not always give a specific reaction to acid and basic dyes respectively. The difficulty of classification has been further complicated by the demonstration of an additional tinctorial type in the female rabbit and cat which has been provisionally classed as a modified acidophile. This distinction is based on the differential staining reaction obtained with Heidenhain's “azan” technic following sublimate-formalin fixation, the standard acidophile reacting with orange G, the modified type with azocarmine.Both of these cells are stained with copper hematoxylin, Heidenhain's iron hematoxylin, Mallory's phosphotungstic acid hematoxylin and Kultschitzky's acetic hematoxylin. However, Hansen's chroroalum hematoxylin stains the basophiles intensely and also reacts very slightly with the so-called modified acidophile.The orang...
Exploring quality of life perceptions in rural midwestern (USA) communities: an application of the core–periphery concept in a tourism development context

Tourism has increasingly become a preferred option for rural economic development. Like other economic opportunities, the purpose is to improve community viability and residents' quality of life. However, the impacts from tourism are sometimes negative and may lead to a decreased quality of life for residents. This empirical study investigates residents' quality of life using the core–periphery (CP) model. Periphery respondents reported a statistically higher overall quality of life, which is at odds with other research. Significant differences in quality of life scores and subsequent indicators highlight the usefulness of the CP model towards understanding tourism impacts to a rural destination. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of nitrogen-doped fullerenes by laser ablation

Fullerene molecules doped with nitrogen atoms were synthesized using laser ablation of graphite in a heated nitrogen gas. Laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight and Fourier transform mass spectroscopic studies revealed the presence of ions (m = 60, 70, etc) as well as pure carbon fullerene ions . The presence of nitrogen in the product was confirmed by isotope labelled experiments using . X-ray photoemission spectroscopy measurements showed the nitrogen 1s level at 400.7 eV.