cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
In silico identification of transcription factors in Medicago sativa using available transcriptomic resources

Transcription factors (TFs) are proteins that govern organismal development and response to the environment by regulating gene expression. Information on the amount and diversity of TFs within individual plant species is critical for understanding of their biological roles and evolutionary history across the plant kingdom. Currently, only scattered information on separate TFs is available for alfalfa, the most extensively cultivated forage legume in the world. In the meantime, several large transcriptomic resources that can be used to identify and characterize alfalfa TF genes are freely accessible online. In this study, we have performed an in silico analysis of transcriptome data generated in our laboratory and publicly acquirable from other sources to reveal and systematize alfalfa transcription factors. Transcriptome-wide mining enabled prediction of 983 TFs along with their sequence features and putative phylogenies of the largest families. All data were assembled into a simple open-access database named AlfalfaTFDB ( http://plantpathology.ba.ars.usda.gov/alfalfatfdb.html ). Transcriptomic analysis used in this work represents an effective approach for the identification of TF genes in plants with incomplete genomes, such as alfalfa. Integrated TF repertoires of Medicago sativa will provide an important tool for studying regulation of gene expression in other complex non-model species of agricultural significance.
Investigation of the mechanism of racemization of litronesib in aqueous solution: unexpected base-catalyzed inversion of a fully substituted carbon chiral center.

ABSTRACT Mitosis inhibitor ( R )‐litronesib (LY2523355) is a 1,3,4‐thiadiazoline‐bearing phenyl and N ‐(2‐ethylamino)ethanesulfonamido‐methyl substituents on tetrahedral C5. Chiral instability has been observed at pH 6 and above with the rate of racemization increasing with pH. A positively charged trigonal intermediate is inferred from the fact that p ‐methoxy substituent on the phenyl accelerated racemization, whereas a p ‐trifluoromethyl substituent had the opposite effect. Racemization is proposed to occur through a relay mechanism involving intramolecular deprotonation of the sulfonamide by the side chain amino group and attack of the sulfonamide anion on C5, cleaving the C5–S bond, to form an aziridine; heterolytic dissociation of the aziridine yields an ylide. This pathway is supported by (1) a crystal structure providing evidence for a hydrogen bond between the sulfonamide NH and the amino group, (2) effects of substituents on the rate of racemization, and (3) computational studies. This racemization mechanism results from neighboring group effects in this densely functionalized molecule. Of particular novelty is the involvement of the side‐chain secondary amino group, which overcomes the weak acidity of the sulfonamide by anchimeric assistance. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 103:2797–2808, 2014
Tritium in Deuterated Compounds

IN the past few years deuterated compounds have become readily available and are in wide use, especially as solvents for NMR spectroscopy. D. Arigoni has informed us (personal communication) that heavy water (D2O) can contain appreciable quantities of tritium. It has been known for some time that tritium is present in D2O obtained as a residue after the prolonged electrolysis of natural water1. But most users of deuterium compounds seem to be unaware of the presence of tritium, often in amounts which require a licence for possession. Those using tritium as a tracer should be cautioned regarding the potential contamination resulting from the use of D2O and other deuterated compounds. We have measured the tritium content of several commercial deuterated compounds which were in routine use in our laboratory, and the results are summarized in Table 1. All the compounds had a nominal deuterium content >99%.
The Ethnic Mobility Trap and Stratification Theory

A mobility trap is a structural condition in which the means for moving up within a stratum are contrary to those for moving to the next higher stratum. The underlying metaphor is that of climbing a tree, rather than a “social ladder,” with various possibilities of non-vertical and dead-end forms of ascent. Within this framework several theoretical issues are reformulated: (a) the chances for mobility at different levels within a stratum, (b) the meaning and utility of “anticipatory socialization” in mobility analysis, (c) the conditions under which the members of a class will misperceive the norms of other classes, (d) the conditions under which mobility will bring stress, (e) the nature and effects of status inconsistency, and (f) the restraints against political radicalism in the United States.
Exporting at industrial trade shows

Abstract Although many foreign buyers attend American trade shows, domestic exhibitors often overlook export opportunities because of the numerous difficulties involved in foreign sales. This article examines the problems encountered by exhibitors as they attempt to export at trade shows. Based on an analysis of export and trade show literatures, hypotheses regarding the types of difficulties exhibitors experience at shows are developed. Data collected from over 200 exhibitors at a major industrial trade show are used to test the hypotheses. The results suggest that the ability to sell to foreign attendees is associated with two internal characteristics of the exhibiting firm: its commitment to exporting and its show staffing practices.
Health Versus Harm: Euthanasia and Physicians' Duties

This essay rebuts Gary Seay's efforts to show that committing euthanasia need not conflict with a physician's professional duties. First, I try to show how his misunderstanding of the correlativity of rights and duties and his discussion of the foundation of moral rights undermine his case. Second, I show aspects of physicians' professional duties that clash with euthanasia, and that attempts to avoid this clash lead to absurdities. For professional duties are best understood as deriving from professional virtues and the commitments and purposes with which the professional as such ought to act, and there is no plausible way in which her death can be seen as advancing the patient's medical welfare. Third, I argue against Prof. Seay's assumption that apparent conflicts among professional duties must be resolved through “balancing” and argue that, while the physician's duty to extend life is continuous with her duty to protect health, any duty to relieve pain is subordinate to these. Finally, I show that wha...
Strategic group membership and environmental scanning: their relationship to firm performance in the foodservice industry

Abstract This study examined performance differences between strategic groups affirms in the foodservice industry, as well as the moderating effect of environmental scanning on individual firm performance within those strategic groups. Factor analysis and cluster analysis were used to identify six strategic groups in the foodservice industry. Significant performance differences were discovered between the strategic groups. Environmental scanning was also found to moderate performance levels within strategic groups with high scanning firms performing at higher levels than low scanning firms.
Dynamics of large elongated RNA by NMR carbon relaxation.

We present an NMR strategy for characterizing picosecond-to-nanosecond internal motions in uniformly 13C/15N-labeled RNAs that combines measurements of R1, R1ρ, and heteronuclear 13C{1H} NOEs for protonated base (C2, C5, C6, and C8) and sugar (C1‘) carbons with a domain elongation strategy for decoupling internal from overall motions and residual dipolar coupling (RDC) measurements for determining the average RNA global conformation and orientation of the principal axis of the axially symmetric rotational diffusion. TROSY-detected pulse sequences are presented for the accurate measurement of nucleobase carbon R1 and R1ρ rates in large RNAs. The relaxation data is analyzed using a model free formalism which takes into account the very high anisotropy of overall rotational diffusion (Dratio ≈ 4.7), asymmetry of the nucleobase CSAs and noncollinearity of C−C, C−H dipolar and CSA interactions under the assumption that all interaction tensors for a given carbon experience identical isotropic internal motions. ...
Accelerator energy calibration using the 12C(α, n0)15O threshold

Abstract The suitability of the 12 C(α, n 0 ) 15 O threshold for accelerator energy calibration was investigated using both singly and doubly charged helium ions. Neutrons were observed using a long counter. This reaction was found to provide good accelerator energy calibration points near 11 and 44 MeV equivalent proton energy. Also, measurements were performed at seven other thresholds over the equivalent proton energy range 2 tp 60 MeV. Evidence is presented that additional absolute measurements of the 27 Al(p, n) threshold are needed.
Defect imaging using time-reversal technique

A defect detection technique based on time-reversal concept is proposed to detect and locate the defects in a plate structure. Time-reversal imaging method is widely use as an advanced, robust data processing and imaging technique in structure health monitoring to detect the defects. Physically, the time reversed signal will retrace its original path precisely, which means that the signals will be refocused back on the source and defects after we record, time reverse and back propagate the wave signal experimentally or numerically. In this paper, a distributed actuator/sensor network is placed on a square homogeneous plate to generate and collect the wave signals in the plate. The time-reversal technique is then used to interpret the physical meaning of the recorded data and image the defects in the plate. Computer simulations are presented to illustrate the feasibility of the technique in this paper.
Gauss and the eight queens problem: A study in miniature of the propagation of historical error

Abstract An 1874 article by J. W. L. Glaisher asserted that the eight queens problem of recreational mathematics originated in 1850 with Franz Nauck proposing it to Gauss, who then gave the complete solution. In fact the problem was first proposed two years earlier by Max Bezzel, proposed again by Nauck in a newspaper Gauss happened to read, and only partially solved by Gauss in a casual attempt. Glaisher had access to an accurate account of the history in German but perhaps could not read the language well; the error subsequently spread through the recreational mathematics literature.
A graphical exposition of a more complete Keynesian system

Abstract This paper uses an expanded version of the widely cited Smith model to show the classical natural rate of interest and employment results as a special case of a more general Keynesian model. The model's equilibrium level of employment and real interest rate depend on the inflation rate. The classical results apply to changes in the price level while the Keynesian results apply to changes in the inflation rate. The model assumes inflation is anticipated in equilibrium. Violation of the classical results does not depend on market imperfections such as sticky prices or information costs.
The genetics of the amyloidoses: interactions with immunity and inflammation.

Historically, the amyloidoses have been associated with inflammation and the immune response. From Virchow's original description in human pathologic inflammatory states through their identification in horses used to produce antitoxin to their frequent occurrence in the course of multiple myeloma and a somewhat abortive designation as ‘gammaloid’, the disorders were felt to have an inflammatory origin. These presumptive associations antedated the availability of a reliable method for tissue extraction that would allow chemical analysis of the major deposited molecules. With the identification of the multiple precursors and the realization that most were not intrinsic elements of immune/inflammatory pathways, the investigative emphasis shifted to the analysis of the biophysical events involved in aggregation and fibril formation. As more in vivo models and better tools for examination of tissues have become available, it appears as if inflammation may participate as both a response to, and an amplifier of, the effects of the fibrillar aggregates. Hence, while only a limited number of amyloid protein precursors are involved in immunity and inflammation per se, host defense, in its broadest sense, is likely to be involved in the clinically relevant amyloidoses. Further it now appears that harnessing the immune respone in an appropriate fashion may be able to play a role in treatment.
A three-dimensional sharp interface Cartesian grid method for solving high speed multi-material impact, penetration and fragmentation problems

This work presents a three-dimensional, Eulerian, sharp interface, Cartesian grid technique for simulating the response of elasto-plastic solid materials to hypervelocity impact, shocks and detonations. The mass, momentum and energy equations are solved along with evolution equations for deviatoric stress and plastic strain using a third-order finite difference scheme. Material deformation occurs with accompanying nonlinear stress wave propagation; in the Eulerian framework the boundaries of the deforming material are tracked in a sharp fashion using level-sets and the conditions on the immersed boundaries are applied by suitable modifications of a ghost fluid approach. The dilatational response of the material is modeled using the Mie-Gruneisen equation of state and the Johnson-Cook model is employed to characterize the material response due to rate-dependent plastic deformation. Details are provided on the treatment of the deviatoric stress ghost state so that physically correct boundary conditions can be applied at the material interfaces. An efficient parallel algorithm is used to handle computationally intensive three-dimensional problems. The results demonstrate the ability of the method to simulate high-speed impact, penetration and fragmentation phenomena in three dimensions.
Polaritons and retarded interactions in nonlinear optical susceptibilities

In this paper we discuss the calculation of nonlinear optical susceptibilities in infinite crystals and in small molecular aggregates. In both cases, a systematic method is developed for treating the intermolecular interactions and the matter — field coupling. For the infinite crystal it is common to define the susceptibilities as the expansion coefficients of the polarization field in terms of the internal (Maxwell) electric field. This requires an analysis in which both the radiation field and the material variables are treated as degrees of freedom, which naturally leads to the introduction of polaritons: coupled field — matter eigenmodes. For molecular aggregates, it is more useful to define susceptibilities with respect to the external field, so that the problem may be analyzed in terms of material modes, such as excitons and biexcitons.
Symptom correlates and factor structure of the Health Professions Stress Inventory

Generalizability, psychological symptom correlates, and the factor structure of the Health Professions Stress Inventory were assessed with a sample of 92 geriatric nurses. The inventory was designed to measure the sources and frequency of stress among nurses, physicians, and pharmacists; little is known, however, of the extent to which scores correlate with psychological symptoms or of the underlying dimensions of stress measured. Analyses showed high correspondence between responses of the geriatric nurses and the normative nurses as measured by mean values and Cronbach alpha. Factor analysis of the intercorrelations among items yielded 4 factors contributing to work-related stress, i.e., Lack of Perceived Enrichment Potential, Patient Care, Interpersonal Conflict, and Family Responsibility Conflict. Scores on the inventory correlated significantly with those of all SCL-90--R scales.
Comparisons between 2D doubly vibrationally enhanced four wave mixing and site selective spectroscopy

Abstract We have constructed a nonlinear spectroscopic system for performing multiresonant four-wave mixing with infrared lasers. The system consists of three coherent sources, two of which are tunable in the infrared region of the spectrum. The sources are tuned to different vibrational resonances and the four-wave mixing output is monitored as a function of the two infrared frequencies. When the frequencies match direct infrared absorption or Raman transitions, the four-wave mixing output is enhanced. A two-dimensional display of the data shows the output intensity as a function of the two infrared frequencies. We observe that cross-peaks appear in the 2D spectra when multiple resonances are excited. We have named the method “doubly vibrationally enhanced four-wave mixing (DOVE-FWM)”. This method represents the long sought optical analogue to 2D nmr. It should provide a method that is complementary to nmr because of the difference in the time scales of the dephasing processes. Spin-lattice interactions fix the dephasing times for NMR measurements at millisecond time scales so nmr senses the ensemble average of a material's structure. Vibrational dephasing times occur on the picosecond time scale so the DOVE–FWM measurement represents a more instantaneous measurement of material structure.
Crystal structure of BamB from Pseudomonas aeruginosa and functional evaluation of its conserved structural features.

The assembly of β-barrel Outer Membrane Proteins (OMPs) in the outer membrane is essential for Gram-negative bacteria. The process requires the β-Barrel Assembly Machine (BAM), a multiprotein complex that, in E. coli, is composed of the OMP BamA and four lipoproteins BamB-E. Whereas BamA and BamD are essential, deletion of BamB, C or E produce membrane permeability defects. Here we present the high-resolution structure of BamB from Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This protein can complement the deletion of bamB in E. coli indicating that they are functionally equivalent. Conserved structural features include an eight-bladed β-propeller fold stabilized by tryptophan docking motifs with a central pore about 8 A in diameter at the narrowest point. This pore distinguishes BamB from related β-propellers, such as quinoprotein dehydrogenases. However, a double mutation designed to block this pore was fully functional indicating that the opening is not essential. Two loops protruding from the bottom of the propeller are conserved and mediate binding to BamA. Conversely, an additional loop only present in E. coli BamB is not required for function. A cluster of highly conserved residues in a groove between blades 6 and 7 is crucial for proper BamB folding or biogenesis. It has been proposed that BamB may bind nascent OMPs by β-augmentation to its propeller outer strands, or recognize the aromatic residue signature at the C-terminus of OMPs. However, Isothermal Titration Calorimetry experiments and structural analysis do not support these proposals. The structural and mutagenesis analysis suggests that the main function of BamB is to bind and modulate BamA, rather than directly interact with nascent OMPs.
Salivary anti-candidal assays

Inhibition of Candida albicans blastospore viability by parotid, submandibular-sublingual and whole salivas could not be determined by direct assay of yeast cells in each respective saliva. Determination of antifungal activity could, however, be carried out if saliva was first preincubated with Candida cells and this was immediately followed by removal of saliva and resuspension of yeast cells in nonenriched buffers of pH 5-7 for appropriate incubation periods. To attain accurate reproducible quantitative data, parotid, submandibular-sublingual and whole salivas each required different preincubation times with C. albicans as well as prior acidification and boiling. Acidification was also necessary for optimizing the germ tube assay although, in contrast to blastospore viability, inhibition of blastospore-germ tube conversion could be determined directly in saliva. Salivary antifungal effects on blastospore division were negligible at yeast cell concentrations greater than 10(6) colony-forming units per ml and were found to be independent of pH, whereas salivary inhibition of germ tube formation was significant only at pH 5 in the assay systems employed. The requirement for acidification and an observed enhancement of antifungal activity on aqueous dilution of the saliva suggested that only a fraction of the salivary antifungal components present in saliva were available in the free form to exert their biological activity. These results open up the possibility of investigating salivary antifungal activity in human health and disease.
Quantitative real-time RT-PCR detection of breast cancer micrometastasis using a multigene marker panel.

Real-time RT-PCR is a relatively new technology that uses an online fluorescence detection system to determine gene expression levels. It has the potential to significantly improve detection of breast cancer metastasis by virtue of its exquisite sensitivity, high throughput capacity and quantitative readout system. To assess the utility of this technology in breast cancer staging, we determined the relative expression levels of 12 cancer-associated genes (mam, PIP, mamB, CEA, CK19, VEGF, erbB2, muc1, c-myc, p97, vim and Ki67) in 51 negative-control normal lymph nodes and in 17 histopathology-positive ALNs. We then performed a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to determine the sensitivity and specificity levels of each gene. Areas under the ROC curve indicated that the most accurate diagnostic markers were mam (99.6%), PIP (93.3%), CK19 (91.0%), mamB (87.9%), muc1 (81.5%) and CEA (79.4.0%). mam was overexpressed in 16 of 17 lymph nodes known to contain metastatic breast cancer at levels ranging from 22- to 2.8 x 10(5)-fold above normal mean expression, whereas PIP was overexpressed from 30- to 2.2 x 10(6)-fold above normal in 13 lymph nodes. Real-time RT-PCR analysis of pathology-negative LN from breast cancer patients revealed evidence of overexpression of PIP (6 nodes), mam (3 nodes) and CEA (1 node) in 8 of 21 nodes (38%). Our results provide evidence that mam, PIP, CK19, mamB, muc1 and CEA can be applied as a panel for detection of metastatic and occult micrometastatic disease.
LACK OF RESPONSE TO ANTERIOR PITUITARY GROWTH PRINCIPLE

THE GROWTH PATTERN of an individual is the resultant of a number of forces. Among the factors intrinsic to the organism are the “inherent growth impulse,” the thyroid hormone, and a pituitary principle which has been called the growth hormone. Whether or not there may occur in man a constitutional defect of the growth impulse (as might be suggested in some cases of dwarfism by failure to find any other lack and by failure to stimulate growth by thyroid and pituitary preparations) is not known. That dwarfism may occur as the result of either thyroid or pituitary deficiency is abundantly shown both in the laboratory and in the clinic. An accumulation of evidence shows that the pituitary and thyroid are closely interrelated in their metabolic and growth affecting functions. MacCallum and Fabyan (1) described shrunken eosinophilic cells in the pituitary of a human cretin. Zweckwer, Davison, Keller and Livingood (2) ascribed cretinic dwarfism to loss of eosinophils from the pituitary secondary to loss of thyro...
Exception handling patterns for processes

Using exception handling patterns in process models can raise the abstraction level of the models, facilitating both their writing and understanding. In this paper, we identify several useful, general-purpose exception handling patterns and demonstrate their applicability in business process and software development models.
Psychomotor development in children with early diagnosed giant interhemispheric cysts

Systematic studies of cognitive development in individuals with congenital giant interhemispheric cysts (GIC) without neurosurgical intervention are rare. However, data from such studies are of great importance in deciding whether or not to perform cerebral shunting in otherwise asymptomatic patients. In this study, psychomotor function was examined in 13 children (three females, 10 males; mean age at follow-up: females 1 year 6 months, males 3 years 2 months; age range: females 13 months to 4.2 years, males 10 months to 10 years) all diagnosed with GIC during the neonatal period after indicative foetal ultrasound. Eight patients received neurosurgical treatment due to increased intracerebral pressure during the first year of life. Psychomotor development was evaluated using Griffith's Psychomotor Developmental Scales, the Sniders-Oomen Non-verbal Intelligence Scale for Young Children and the Kaufmann Assessment Battery for Children. The majority of patients showed normal intelligence, irrespective of the presence or absence of neurosurgical intervention. Evidence was found that the cognitive outcome might be related to an association of GIC with agenesis of the corpus callosum or additional congenital cerebral malformations, such as gyration anomalies. Main postoperative complications were chronic subdural effusions with spastic cerebral (hemi)-paresis; were present in three patients. In view of the risk of severe postoperative neurological complications and a comparable psychomotor development in patients without neurosurgical treatment, recommendations for early neurosurgical intervention in otherwise asymptomatic patients with a foetal or neonatal diagnosis of GIC should be viewed with caution.
Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere Dynamical Processes in the Tropical Indian and Pacific Oceans and the TBO

Abstract The transitions (from relatively strong to relatively weak monsoon) in the tropospheric biennial oscillation (TBO) occur in northern spring for the south Asian or Indian monsoon and northern fall for the Australian monsoon involving coupled land–atmosphere–ocean processes over a large area of the Indo-Pacific region. Transitions from March–May (MAM) to June–September (JJAS) tend to set the system for the next year, with a transition to the opposite sign the following year. Previous analyses of observed data and GCM sensitivity experiments have demonstrated that the TBO (with roughly a 2–3-yr period) encompasses most ENSO years (with their well-known biennial tendency). In addition, there are other years, including many Indian Ocean dipole (or zonal mode) events, that contribute to biennial transitions. Results presented here from observations for composites of TBO evolution confirm earlier results that the Indian and Pacific SST forcings are more dominant in the TBO than circulation and meridiona...
Tus‐mediated arrest of DNA replication in Escherichia coli is modulated by DNA supercoiling

In the absence of RecA, expression of the Tus protein of Escherichia coli is lethal when ectopic Ter sites are inserted into the chromosome in an orientation that blocks completion of chromosome replication. Using this observation as a basis for genetic selection, an extragenic suppressor of Tus-mediated arrest of DNA replication was isolated with diminished ability of Tus to halt DNA replication. Resistance to tus expression mapped to a mutation in the stop codon of the topA gene (topA869), generating an elongated topoisomerase I protein with a marked reduction in activity. Other alleles of topA with mutations in the carboxyl-terminal domain of topoisomerase I, topA10 and topA66, also rendered recA strains with blocking Ter sites insensitive to tus expression. Thus, increased negative supercoiling in the DNA of these mutants reduced the ability of Tus-Ter complexes to arrest DNA replication. The increase in superhelical density did not diminish replication arrest by disrupting Tus-Ter interactions, as Tus binding to Ter sites was essentially unaffected by the topA mutations. The topA869 mutation also relieved the requirement for recombination functions other than recA to restart replication, such as recC, ruvA and ruvC, indicating that the primary effect of the increased negative supercoiling was to interfere with Tus blockage of DNA replication. Introduction of gyrB mutations in combination with the topA869 mutation restored supercoiling density to normal values and also restored replication arrest at Ter sites, suggesting that supercoiling alone modulated Tus activity. We propose that increased negative supercoiling enhances DnaB unwinding activity, thereby reducing the duration of the Tus-DnaB interaction and leading to decreased Tus activity.
Estimation of β-Cell Mass by Metabolic Tests Necessary, but How Sufficient?

This Perspectives in Diabetes addresses the accuracy of metabolic testing as a measure of pancreatic islet β-cell mass in vivo in animals and in humans. The impetus for framing this question lies in the current intense interest in determining the fate of β-cell mass in transplanted islets, i.e., does it decrease, increase, or remain the same over time, as well as ascertaining whether drugs that enhance incretin levels, and consequently enhance glucose-induced insulin secretion, might also preserve β-cell mass. An important methodology recently making scientific strides in this arena is positron emission tomography (PET). The central question this Perspectives in Diabetes raises is whether it is likely that PET will provide significant advantages over the metabolic methods already in hand and routinely used to estimate β-cell mass. This article examines the fidelity with which published metabolic data correlate with independent measures of β-cell mass across multiple species. Correlation coefficients in the general range of r = 0.80 are routinely obtained and are robust for in vivo research. Whether PET can significantly improve on these correlations, given its inherent limitations in measurement sensitivity, remains to be seen. It is clear that investigators developing PET methodology to estimate β-cell mass should at the same time incorporate metabolic measures into their studies so that side-by-side comparisons of the accuracy of the two experimental approaches can be made.
Closed-form expansions of the four-point wave-structure function for a turbulent atmosphere

Closed-form expansions of the five-thirds law, four-point wave-structure function for a turbulent atmosphere are developed. The methodology is discussed, and three expansions involving two terms (≤14% error), three terms (≤2.88% error), and five terms (≤1.66% error) are generated and tested by using a minimum-mean-square error approach.
Efficient Block Matching Algorithm for Motion Estimation

Motion estimation is a key problem in video processing and computer vision. Optical flow motion estimation can achieve high estimation accuracy when motion vector is small. Three-step search algorithm can handle large motion vector but not very accurate. A joint algorithm was proposed in this paper to achieve high estimation accuracy disregarding whether the motion vector is small or large, and keep the computation cost much lower than full search. Keywords— Motion estimation, Block Matching, Optical flow, Three step search.
Netrin-4 Activates Endothelial Integrin α6β1

Rationale:Netrin-4 regulates vascular development. Identity of netrin-4 endothelial receptor and its subsequent cell functions is controversial. We previously demonstrated that the inhibition of netrin-1 canonical receptors, Unc5B and neogenin, expressed by lymphatic endothelial cells, do not suppress netrin-4-induced cell signaling and functions. Netrin family members were shown to signal through a range of receptors, including integrins (such as α3β1, α6β1, and α6β4) in nonendothelial cells. Objective:We tested whether integrins are netrin-4 receptors in the endothelium. Methods and Results:The α6β1 integrin is expressed by endothelial cells, and binds netrin-4 in a dose-dependent manner. Inhibition of α6 or β1 integrin subunits suppresses netrin-4-induced endothelial cell migration, adhesion, and focal adhesion contact. Netrin-4-stimulated phosphorylation of Src kinase family, effectors of endothelial cell migration, is also abolished by α6 or β1 inhibition. Finally, netrin-4 and α6β1 integrin expressi...
CORRIDOR USE BY DIVERSE TAXA

One of the most popular approaches for maintaining populations and con- serving biodiversity in fragmented landscapes is to retain or create corridors that connect otherwise isolated habitat patches. Working in large-scale, experimental landscapes in which open-habitat patches and corridors were created by harvesting pine forest, we showed that corridors direct movements of different types of species, including butterflies, small mam- mals, and bird-dispersed plants, causing higher movement between connected than between unconnected patches. Corridors directed the movement of all 10 species studied, with all corridor effect sizes .68%. However, this corridor effect was significant for five species, not significant for one species, and inconclusive for four species because of small sample sizes. Although we found no evidence that corridors increase emigration from a patch, our results show that movements of disparate taxa with broadly different life histories and functional roles are directed by corridors.
Information structures to control formation splitting and merging

This paper focuses on developing techniques and strategies for the analysis and design of sensor and network topologies required to achieve rigid formations of mobile autonomous agents for cooperative tasks. These strategies ensure minimum number of changes in the set of sensing and communication links between agents during splitting and merging operations. That is, in splitting, all the links between agents in the same post-split sub-formation are preserved and a minimum number of links are inserted into each post-split sub-formation to regain minimal rigidity. In merging, all the links in each pre-merged rigid sub-formation are preserved and a minimum number of links are inserted between sub-formations to create one single post-merged minimally rigid formation.
Coronary artery aneurysm occurring very late after drug-eluting stent implantation

An 82-year old woman presented with chest pain and was diagnosed as having acute myocardial infarction. Coronary angiography (CAG) showed 90% stenosis in the proximal left anterior descending artery (LAD). The patient underwent percutaneous coronary intervention using a sirolimus-eluting stent (SES). A repeat CAG performed 6 months after SES implantation revealed no problems. Eight years later, the patient presented with recurrent angina. CAG showed severe stenosis of the SES with a large aneurysm. We performed off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting without ligation or plication of the LAD, but with the application of fibrin glue to the coronary artery aneurysm. The postoperative course was uneventful. The mechanism responsible for the occurrence of coronary artery aneurysms occurring late after drug-eluting stent implantation remains unclear, and the treatment strategy remains controversial. Herein, we discuss a surgical treatment for this rare entity.
LDH concentration in nasal-wash fluid as a biochemical predictor of bronchiolitis severity.

Objective—Because the decision to hospitalize an infant with bronchiolitis is often supported by subjective criteria and objective indicators of bronchiolitis severity are lacking, we tested the hypothesis that lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), which is released from injured cells, is a useful biochemical indicator of bronchiolitis severity. Patients and Methods—We retrospectively analyzed a study of children <24 months old presenting to the emergency department with bronchiolitis. Demographic, clinical information, nasal-wash (NW) and serum specimens were obtained. NW samples were analyzed for respiratory viruses, caspase 3/7 activity and a panel of cytokines and chemokines. Total LDH activity was tested in NW samples and sera. Results—Of 101 enrolled children (median age, 5.6 months), 98 had NW specimens available. A viral etiology was found in 82 patients (83.6%), with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) (66%) and rhinovirus (19%) being the most common viruses detected. Concentrations of LDH in NW specimens were independent from those in sera, and were higher in children with RSV infection or with dual infection. Significant correlations were found between NW LDH and NW cytokines/ chemokines. Similarly, NW LDH correlated with NW-caspase 3/7 activity (r=0.75; P<.001). In a multivariate analysis, NW LDH concentration in the upper quartile was significantly associated with a reduced risk of hospitalization (odds ratio: 0.19; 95% confidence interval: 0.05–0.68; P=0.011). Conclusions—NW LDH levels in young children with bronchiolitis varied according to viral etiology and disease severity. Values in the upper quartile were associated with ~80% risk reduction in hospitalization, likely reflecting a robust antiviral response. NW LDH may be a useful biomarker to assist the clinician in the decision to hospitalize a child with bronchiolitis.
Effects of platelet rich plasma and acellular bone marrow on gene expression patterns and DNA content of equine suspensory ligament explant cultures.

Summary Reasons for performing study: Suspensory ligament (SL) desmitis is a common source of lameness. The results of this study will determine if blood-derived products stimulate SL matrix synthesis and have potential as regenerative therapies for SL desmitis Objectives: To determine if various blood-based biological products including plasma, blood, PRP, platelet poor plasma (PPP) and ABM aspirate stimulates anabolic and/or catabolic pathways in suspensory ligaments (SL). Methods: The body of the SL was harvested from 6 horses and used to establish explant cultures. Explants were cultured in plasma, blood, PRP, PPP or ABM at concentrations of 10, 50 or 100%. Anabolic responses were assessed by use of quantitative PCR for collagens type I and III, cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) and decorin. Total DNA and collagen protein content were also measured. Catabolic reactions were measured by quantitative PCR for matrix metalloproteinases 3 and 13 (MMP-3, MMP-13). Results: Acellular bone marrow aspirate at 100% stimulated decorin and COMP mRNA synthesis more than all other treatments at all concentrations. No treatment at any concentration stimulated the catabolic gene MMP-13; only 50% ABM stimulated MMP-13 mRNA expression. Conclusions: Acellular bone marrow is indicated, and might be preferred to plasma, blood or PPP, as a blood-based biological source for SL tissue regenerative therapy. Long-term, placebo controlled case studies are indicated to determine if ABM aids in recovery from SL desmitis. Potential relevance: Bone marrow aspirate is an autogenous, readily available biological source for SL regenerative therapy where the aim is to stimulate matrix synthesis.
A Case of Bacteremia Due to Resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae

Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates with varying degrees of resistance to penicillin have been described. Strains that are highly resistant to penicillin (MIC, greater than 1 microgram/mL) and that are resistant to multiple antibiotics have been reported primarily in South Africa and Spain. We report a case of an adult patient with bacteremia due to S. pneumoniae that was highly resistant to penicillin (MIC, 4 micrograms/mL) and resistant to erythromycin, clindamycin, chloramphenicol, and co-trimoxazole who was successfully treated with vancomycin.
Kinetic Monte Carlo method for dislocation glide in silicon

A kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) approach to the mesoscale simulation of dislocation glide via the kink mechanism is developed. In this paper we present the details of the KMC methodology, highlighting three features: (1) inclusion of dislocation dissociation; (2) efficient method of sampling the double-kink nucleation process; and (3) exact calculation of dislocation segment interactions.
Mycobacteria and Biological Response Modifiers: Two Sides of the Relationship

With increasing use of biological response modifiers (BRMs) for various systemic inflammatory diseases there is a need to be vigilant about complications with the use of these therapies. It is important to have appropriate screening for the infections in patients requiring BRMs. However, many studies have reported benefits of certain BRMs in the treatment of infections such as tuberculosis as adjuncts. Continued research and technical advances in immunogenetics helps understand complex mechanisms in the usage of the BRMs. This article summarizes the different aspects of the relationship between mycobacterial infections and the use of various BRMs for inflammatory conditions.
Design optimization of round-rotor synchronous machines operating on non-sinusoidal voltages

This paper presents a simplified method for optimizing some design parameters of round-rotor synchronous machines fed by static power converters. The proposed method can be applied to an arbitrary voltage waveform, which is imposed by the power converter. It is based on a description of the machine and converter by means of space vectors, allowing the inclusion of the effects of higher space and time harmonics. It aims to optimize the steady state peak torque keeping the same amount of losses in the machine and converter. The method was successfully implemented in a MATHCAD file taking as example a machine of 10 kW fed by an inverter with six pulse voltage waveform. The obtained design curves as well other results are presented and commented upon at the end. The method has proved helpful in choosing the best design parameters for machines intended to be fed by inverters.
Internet protocol performance over networks with wireless links

This article discusses the problems that arise when standard Internet protocols such as TCP are used over wireless links. We review wireless link characteristics with case studies drawn from commercial wireless LANs and cellular telephony systems. We discuss problems with Internet protocols when employed over these systems, such as degraded TCP performance when wireless errors are interpreted as congestion losses. We survey various proposed approaches to mitigating such problems and examine their applicability. Finally, we look at the future of wireless systems and the new challenges that they will create for Internet protocols, and state some goals for further protocol enhancement and evolution, pointing out the need for better protocol integration across layers.
An UAV Model Parameter Identification Method

This paper presents a preliminary study of an in-flight model parameter identification method using a hardware-in-the-loop experiment-testbed. Assuming that the motion state of the UAV is known, the method estimates the unknown inertia and other dynamics-model parameters from a linearized dynamics model of an UAV. Using the recursive least-square technique, the method can update the dynamics parameters of the UAV while it is in flight. The method has been demonstrated by a simulation-based study; this work tests the method using a hardware-in-the-loop testbed. Nomenclature g = Generalized gravity force vector. p J = Total moment of inertia about the pitch axis. y J = Total moment of inertia about the yaw axis. θθ
Bias in estimates of quantitative-trait-locus effect in genome scans: Demonstration of the phenomenon and a method-of-moments procedure for reducing bias

An attractive feature of variance-components methods (including the Haseman-Elston tests) for the detection of quantitative-trait loci (QTL) is that these methods provide estimates of the QTL effect. However, estimates that are obtained by commonly used methods can be biased for several reasons. Perhaps the largest source of bias is the selection process. Generally, QTL effects are reported only at locations where statistically significant results are obtained. This conditional reporting can lead to a marked upward bias. In this article, we demonstrate this bias and show that its magnitude can be large. We then present a simple method-of-moments (MOM)–based procedure to obtain more-accurate estimates, and we demonstrate its validity via Monte Carlo simulation. Finally, limitations of the MOM approach are noted, and we discuss some alternative procedures that may also reduce bias.
The gravitational-wave memory from eccentric binaries

The nonlinear gravitational-wave memory causes a time-varying but nonoscillatory correction to the gravitational-wave polarizations. It arises from gravitational-waves that are sourced by gravitational-waves. Previous considerations of the nonlinear memory effect have focused on quasicircular binaries. Here I consider the nonlinear memory from Newtonian orbits with arbitrary eccentricity. Expressions for the waveform polarizations and spin-weighted spherical-harmonic modes are derived for elliptic, hyperbolic, parabolic, and radial orbits. In the hyperbolic, parabolic, and radial cases the nonlinear memory provides a 2.5 post-Newtonian (PN) correction to the leading-order waveforms. This is in contrast to the elliptical and quasicircular cases, where the nonlinear memory corrects the waveform at leading (0PN) order. This difference in PN order arises from the fact that the memory builds up over a short “scattering” time scale in the hyperbolic case, as opposed to a much longer radiation-reaction time scale in the elliptical case. The nonlinear memory corrections presented here complete our knowledge of the leading-order (Peters-Mathews) waveforms for elliptical orbits. These calculations are also relevant for binaries with quasicircular orbits in the present epoch which had, in the past, large eccentricities. Because the nonlinear memory depends sensitively on the past evolution of a binary, I discuss the effect of this early-time eccentricity on the value of the late-time memory in nearly circularized binaries. I also discuss the observability of large “memory jumps” in a binary’s past that could arise from its formation in a capture process. Lastly, I provide estimates of the signal-to-noise ratio of the linear and nonlinear memories from hyperbolic and parabolic binaries.
Nontrivial Solutions of Boundary Value Problems of Second-Order Dynamic Equations on an Isolated Time Scale

We will use Clark's theorem to show the existence of multiple solu- tions to the self-adjoint dynamic boundary value problem p(t)u � (t) � ∇ + q(t)u(t) + �h(t,u(t)) = 0, t ∈ (a,b)T, u(�(a)) = u(�(b)) = 0, whereis a sufficiently large positive parameter andT is an isolated time scale. Examples of our results will be given.
Highly Stretchable Interconnects for Flexible Electronics Applications

Interconnects that can deform under monotonous and/or repeated loading are increasingly important to a new class of electronic devices used for wearable applications. Such interconnects integrate different material sets such as polymers and metallic conductors and are subjected to large strain levels. A typical method to overcome the material incompatibility involves the conductor in the form of a serpentine or an out-of-the plane buckled geometry. In this paper, we demonstrate a novel combination of interconnect materials that enables significant improvement in the interconnect stretchability using Indium over the state-of-the-art without affecting the system performance. This was achieved without the necessity of the serpentine interconnects geometry that significantly improves the routing density. The manufacturing method used for this approach is also described. Finally, we discuss the cost competitiveness of the materials and the manufacturing method to assess the commercial viability of this approach. (5nm)Copyright © 2015 by ASME