cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms Regulating Spermatogonial Differentiation

Mammalian spermatogenesis is a complex and highly ordered process by which male germ cells proceed through a series of differentiation steps to produce haploid flagellated spermatozoa. Underlying this process is a pool of adult stem cells, the spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), which commence the spermatogenic lineage by undertaking a differentiation fate decision to become progenitor spermatogonia. Subsequently, progenitors acquire a differentiating spermatogonia phenotype and undergo a series of amplifying mitoses while becoming competent to enter meiosis. After spermatocytes complete meiosis, post-meiotic spermatids must then undergo a remarkable transformation from small round spermatids to a flagellated spermatozoa with extremely compacted nuclei. This chapter reviews the current literature pertaining to spermatogonial differentiation with an emphasis on the mechanisms controlling stem cell fate decisions and early differentiation events in the life of a spermatogonium.
Enhanced serotonin signaling increases intestinal neuroplasticity

Abstract Background The intestinal mucosa recovers from injury by accelerating enterocyte proliferation resulting in villus growth. A similar phenomenon is seen after massive bowel resection. Serotonin (5-HT) has been implicated as an important regulator of mucosal homeostasis by promoting growth in the epithelium. The impact of 5-HT on other components of growing villi is not known. We hypothesized that 5-HT–stimulated growth in the intestinal epithelium would be associated with growth in other components of the villus such as enteric neural axonal processes. Materials and methods Enteric serotonergic signaling is inactivated by the serotonin reuptake transporter, or SERT, molecule. Enhanced serotonin signaling was achieved via SERT knockout (SERTKO) and administration of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) to wild-type mice (WT-SSRI). 5-HT synthesis inhibition was achieved with administration of 4-chloro-L-phenylalanine (PCPA). Intestinal segments from age-matched WT, SERTKO, WT-SSRI, and corresponding PCPA-treated animals were assessed via villus height, crypt depth, and crypt proliferation. Gap 43, a marker of neuroplasticity, was assessed via immunofluorescence and Western blot. Results SERTKO and WT-SSRI mice had taller villi, deeper crypts, and increased enterocyte proliferation compared with WT mice. Gap 43 expression via immunofluorescence was significantly increased in SERTKO and WT-SSRI samples, as well as in Western blot analysis. PCPA-treated SERTKO and WT-SSRI animals demonstrated reversal of 5-HT–induced growth and Gap 43 expression. Conclusions Enhanced 5-HT signaling results in intestinal mucosal growth in both the epithelial cell compartment and the enteric nervous system. Furthermore, 5-HT synthesis inhibition resulted in reversal of effects, suggesting that 5-HT is a critically important regulator of intestinal mucosal growth and neuronal plasticity.
Statistical Pattern Recognition and Machine Learning in Brain-Computer Interfaces

Publisher Summary The chapter provides an over view of some of the major feature extraction, pattern recognition, and machine learning techniques that have been successfully applied to electroencephalography (EEG)- and ECoG-based Brain–computer interfaces (BCIs). BCIs augment the human ability to communicate and interact with the external world by directly linking the brain to computers and robotic devices. BCIs bypass the normal neuromuscular output pathways for translating brain signals into action. Instead, physiological brain signals are processed in real time by digital signal processing methods to allow a novel form of communication and interaction with the environment. A major goal of BCIs has been to improve the quality of life of physically impaired individuals, including those paralyzed because of degenerative neurological diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spinal cord injury, or stroke. BCIs allow a subject to directly control objects such as a cursor or a robot using brain signals. BCIs depend crucially on the ability to reliably identify behaviorally induced changes (or “cognitive states”) in the brain signals being recorded. Statistical pattern recognition and machine learning algorithms play an important role in identifying these changes in brain signals and mapping them to appropriate control signals.
Confinement Effects with Molten Thin Cyclic Polystyrene Films

The surface fluctuations of a melt film of a low molecular weight cyclic polystyrene (CPS) manifest confinement effects for a film thickness (14Rg) much larger than that for which a melt film of the linear chain analog manifests confinement. This is true both in terms of absolute thickness and thickness relative to chain size, Rg. In fact, the linear analog polymer does not manifest confinement effects even at a thickness of 7Rg. Both types of films have a strongly adsorbed layer at the substrate that plays a role in slowing the surface fluctuations for the thinnest films. This layer is 70% thicker for the cyclic chains than for the linear chains. At the interface with the substrate the packing of the cyclic chains is perturbed much more strongly than is the packing of the linear chains.
Supplementation of distiller's grains during late gestation in beef cows consuming low-quality forage decreases uterine, but not mammary, blood flow.

Summary Positive effects have been observed in offspring from beef cows supplemented with corn dried distillers grain with solubles (DDGS) during late gestation. The hypothesis of this study was that late gestational DDGS supplementation to beef cows would increase blood flow (BF) to the gravid uterus and mammary gland thus impacting birthweight and post-natal growth of the offspring. Experiment 1 investigated mammary gland BF in multiparous cows during late pregnancy. Beef cows were fed a control (CON1) diet of low-quality hay (n = 5) or a supplement diet (SUP1) of low-quality hay with DDGS [1.7 g/kg of body weight (BW); n = 6]. In Experiment 2, multiparous late pregnant beef cows were fed either a control (CON2) diet of a low-quality hay (n = 4) or a supplement diet (SUP2) of low-quality hay with DDGS (1.7 g/kg of BW; n = 5). Uterine and mammary gland BF were recorded every 21 days during late gestation. In Experiment 1, there were no effects of diet or day on mammary gland hemodynamics. In Experiment 2, total and ipsilateral uterine BF was less (p ≤ 0.04) in SUP2 vs. CON2 cows and similar BF to contralateral horns. Mammary gland BF was unaltered by maternal supplementation. Even when measured in two different years in two different environments, mammary gland BF remained unaltered to DDGS supplementation. Investigations on the mechanism that may impact uterine BF during late gestation remain to be known.
Abstract 592: Distinct cellular mechanisms mediate anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1 checkpoint blockade

Checkpoint blockade is able to achieve durable responses in a subset of patients, however the biological variables that distinguish responders from non-responders are not well understood. Furthermore, we lack a satisfying comprehension of the underlying mechanisms of anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1 induced tumor rejection. Given that PD-1 and CTLA-4 attenuate T cell activity through distinct mechanisms that are separated spatially and temporally, we hypothesized that responses to anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1 are driven by distinct mechanisms. To address this hypothesis we utilized mass cytometry to comprehensively profile the effect of checkpoint blockade on tumor immune infiltrates in murine tumor models. This approach allows for the interrogation of greater than 40 analytes at single cell resolution. We demonstrate that high dimensional mass cytometry analysis enables unsupervised identification of biologically relevant tumor infiltrating immune populations with high sensitivity and specificity. Using this approach we analyzed immune infiltrates of MC38 and B16BL6 murine tumors in mice treated with anti-CTLA-4, anti-PD-1, or control antibodies. In both tumor models we identify 15 distinct T cell populations with 0.5% or greater frequency. The T cell populations identified in MC38 and B16BL6 tumors were highly congruent. Notably, some but not all of these T cell populations were responsive to checkpoint blockade. A subset of tumor infiltrating CD8 T cell populations expanded following both anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1. Conversely, a subset of regulatory T cell populations contracted following both anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1. Interestingly, we observed expansion of a Th1-like CD4 effector T cell population only in response to anti-CTLA-4 treatment. Thus, we find that anti-PD-1 predominantly engages subsets of tumor infiltrating CD8 T cells whereas anti-CTLA-4 engages both the CD4 and CD8 effector compartments. Our findings indicate that anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1 utilize distinct cellular mechanisms to induce tumor rejection. These findings highlight the importance of expanding our mechanistic understanding of immunotherapeutic approaches for the rational design of combinatorial therapeutic approaches. Furthermore, these results demonstrate that mass cytometry analysis can be utilized to identify biologically relevant tumor infiltrating T cell populations. We acknowledge the MDACC core facility NCI Support Grant P30CA16672. Citation Format: Spencer C. Wei, Jacob H. Levine, Dana Pe9er, James P. Allison. Distinct cellular mechanisms mediate anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1 checkpoint blockade [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 592. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-592
Discussion: Phylogenetic Species Concept: Pluralism, Monism, and History

Species serve as both the basic units of macroevolutionary studies and as the basic units of taxonomic classification. In this paper I argue that the taxa identified as species by the Phylogenetic Species Concept (Mishler and Brandon 1987) are the units of biological organization most causally relevant to the evolutionary process but that such “units” exist at multiple levels within the hierarchy of any phylogenetic lineage. The PSC gives us no way of identifying one of these levels as the privileged level on which taxonomic classifications can be based.
Volitional Control Research

Technological advances in batteries, actuators, and electronic components have allowed the creation of durable and efficient lower extremity assistive devices. However, providing intuitive and safe control methods is critical to unlocking the capability of these devices, especially those intended to restore mobility for individuals with significant musculoskeletal impairments. Several approaches, ranging from noninvasive to highly invasive, have recently been proposed to help the user voluntarily control assistive devices across a broad range of activities. Most techniques require use of advanced algorithms capable of operating in real time to interpret sensor data (from the device) and/or biological signal data (from the patient). This chapter provides an overview of the diverse methods available for volitional control, highlighting their respective strengths and weaknesses. It is necessary to explore and embrace multiple approaches because no single approach is likely to suit the broad range of user needs and applications from prosthetic leg systems to powered exoskeletons.
5-kW single stage all-fiber Yb-doped single-mode fiber laser for materials processing

Stimulated Raman scattering gives back reflection sensitivity to a high power fiber laser. Therefor SRS suppression is necessary in order to realize stable laser processing by a high power fiber laser. A 5-kW single-mode ytterbium doped fiber laser with a 20-m long delivery fiber has been realized. The fiber laser is an all-fiber single-stage Fabry-Perot system in a co-pumping configuration. The optical to optical efficiency was 80% at the output power of 5.0 kW. And the M-squared figure of 1.3 was obtained. The Stokes light by SRS is suppressed to 45 dB below the laser output by using fibers with the effective mode area of 600 μm2 . While SRS was well suppressed, four wave mixing was observed with the frequency shift of ~6 THz. Four wave mixing between the fundamental mode and the secondary modes is believed to take place. Four wave mixing is believed not to give back reflection sensitivity to the fiber laser. The 5-kW single-mode fiber laser was applied to laser processing. Bead-on-plate tests were carried out with a galvanometer scanner. The laser ran without stopping nor damaging the laser system even during processing highly reflective material. This implies that our SRS suppressed single-mode fiber laser can be used practically in most of processing systems.
Multiple proximities and national identities: Turkish audiences’ perception of advertising adaptations

This article examines how commercials are adapted to appeal to a sense of national and cultural belonging within the overlapping contexts of global formats, national media, and local identities by ...
Modeling and Simulation of Scalable Flocking with Fully Autonomous Quadrotors

A scalable flocking model allows multiple quadrotors to be added to the runtime environment at any given moment without any impact to the flock. In this research we created a simulator that allows fully autonomous quadrotors to follow a dynamic list of behaviors. These behaviors, separation, alignment, cohesion, targeting, and informed avoidance direct a group of quadrotors. We present a simulator model to add autonomous quadrotors to a flock, the mathematical model of boid behaviors provided to each flock member, and the simulator results of our scalable flocking model.
Adapting to environmental dynamics with an artificial circadian system

One of the core challenges of long-term autonomy is the environmental dynamics that agents must interact with. Some of these dynamics are driven by reliable cyclic processes, and thus are predictab...
On the Approximate Unit Distance Problem

The Erdos unit distance conjecture in the plane says that the number of pairs of points from a point set of size n separated by a fixed (Euclidean) distance is \(\le C_{\varepsilon } n^{1+\varepsilon }\) for any \(\varepsilon >0\). The best known bound is \(Cn^{\frac{4}{3}}\). We show that if the set under consideration is homogeneous, or, more generally, s-adaptable in the sense of [12], and the fixed distance is much smaller than the diameter of the set, then the exponent \(\frac{4}{3}\) is significantly improved, even if we consider a small range of distances instead of a fixed value. Corresponding results are also established in higher dimensions. The results are obtained by solving the corresponding continuous problem and using a continuous-to-discrete conversion mechanism. The degree of sharpness of results is tested using the known results on the distribution of lattice points in dilates of convex domains.
Exploring free energy profile of petroleum thermal cracking mechanisms

Understanding the mechanisms of petroleum thermal cracking is critical to develop more efficient and eco-friendly petroleum cracking processes. Asphaltenes are the main component of petroleum subjected to cracking processes. Thermal cracking mechanisms of petroleum were explored by computational methods using 1,2-diphenylethane (DPE) as a model molecule in this study. The overall mechanisms were divided into four steps including initiation, H-transfer reaction, H-ipso reaction, and termination represented by seven reactions. We carried out extensive quantum chemistry calculations at high levels of theory to accurately explore the minimum energy pathways as the mechanisms of the proposed reactions. The reaction energy and barriers in terms of enthalpy and free energy and their temperature dependence were calculated in the vacuum and in both polar and nonpolar solvents using the polarizable continuum model (PCM) method. The temperature dependence of the target reaction barriers are characterized in different environments and provides computational guidance for future development for petroleum thermal cracking. As the first reported systematic investigation of petroleum cracking mechanisms, this study provided a comprehensive theoretical description of petroleum cracking processes with valuable information about temperature and solvent dependence. Graphical abstract.
Quantitative Trait Loci Associated with Rotylenchulus reniformis Host Suitability in Soybean

Reniform nematode (Rotylenchulus reniformis) is a yield-limiting pathogen of soybean (Glycine max) in the southeastern region of the United States. A population of 250 recombinant inbred lines (RIL...
Prevalence of and Risk Markers for Dating Abuse–Related Stalking and Harassment Victimization and Perpetration in a Nationally Representative Sample of U.S. Adolescents:

There are no nationally representative estimates of the prevalence of dating abuse–related stalking and harassment. We analyzed data collected from 320 twelve- to 18-year-old U.S. youth. Youth with...
FlyTera: Echo State Learning for Joint Access and Flight Control in THz-enabled Drone Networks

Terahertz (THz)-band communications has been envisioned as a key technology to support ultra-high-data-rate applications in 5G-beyond (or 6G) wireless networks. Compared to the microwave and mmWave bands, the main challenges with the THz band are in its i) large path loss hence limited network coverage and ii) visible-light-like propagation characteristics hence poor support of mobility in blockage-rich environments. This paper studies quantitatively the applicability of THz-band communications in mobile blockage-rich environments, focusing on a new network scenario called FlyTera.In FlyTera, a set of hotspots mounted on flying drones collaboratively provide data streaming services to ground users, in the microwave, mmWave and THz bands. We first provide a mathematical formulation of FlyTera, where the objective is to maximize the network spectral efficiency by jointly controlling the flight of the drone hotspots, their association to the ground users, and the spectrum bands used by the users. To solve the resulting problem, which is shown to be a mixed integer nonlinear nonconvex programming (MINLP) problem, we design distributed solution algorithms based on a combination of echo state learning and reinforcement learning techniques. An extensive simulation campaign is then conducted with SimBAG, a newly developed Simulator of Broadband Aerial-Ground wireless networks. It is s$\overline {{\text{how}}} $ n that no $\overline {{\text{si}}} $ ngle spect$\overline {{\text{ru}}} $ m ba${{\bar n}}$ d can meet the requirements of high data rate and wide coverage simultaneously. Moreover, from the network-level point of view, THz-band communications can significantly benefit from the mobility of the flying drones, and on average 4−6 times higher (rather than lower) throughput can be achieved in mobile than in static environments.
The role of affect lability on tic severity and impairment in youth with Tourette's disorder

Abstract A common challenge for individuals with Tourette's Disorder and Persistent Tic Disorders (collectively referred to as TD) is emotion regulation, which underlies multiple co-occurring conditions and may contribute to both tic and non-tic related impairment. This study investigated the relationships between tic severity, impairment, and affect lability—a core component of emotion regulation. Participants were 75 youth with tic disorders and their caregivers, who completed an assessment to characterize tic severity, psychiatric comorbidities, functional impairment, family accommodation due to tics, and affect lability. Hierarchical regression models examined the contributions of affect lability on tic impairment, non-tic related impairment, and family accommodation. Youth with TD experienced greater levels of non-tic impairment relative to tic impairment across functional domains (d = 0.38 - .74). Regressions revealed that greater affect lability predicted both greater tic impairment and greater non-tic related impairment, even after controlling for clinician-rated tic severity. Exploratory analyses found that both affect lability and tic-related impairment uniquely contributed to family accommodation of tics, even after accounting for tic severity. While affect lability has received minimal attention in TD, it contributes to both tic and non-tic impairment among youth with TD. Strategies that enhance emotion regulation may have the potential to alleviate non-tic related impairment and improve family functioning for youth with TD.
Designing hybrid life cycle assessment models based on uncertainty and complexity

Despite the wide use of LCA for environmental profiling, the approach for determining the system boundary within LCA models continues to be subjective and lacking in mathematical rigor. As a result, life cycle models are often developed in an ad hoc manner, and are difficult to compare. Significant environmental impacts may be inadvertently left out. Overcoming this shortcoming can help elicit greater confidence in life cycle models and their use for decision making. This paper describes a framework for hybrid life cycle model generation by selecting activities based on their importance, parametric uncertainty, and contribution to network complexity. The importance of activities is determined by structural path analysis—which then guides the construction of life cycle models based on uncertainty and complexity indicators. Information about uncertainty is from the available life cycle inventory; complexity is quantified by cost or granularity. The life cycle model is developed in a hierarchical manner by adding the most important activities until error requirements are satisfied or network complexity exceeds user-specified constraints. The framework is applied to an illustrative example for building a hybrid LCA model. Since this is a constructed example, the results can be compared with the actual impact, to validate the approach. This application demonstrates how the algorithm sequentially develops a life cycle model of acceptable uncertainty and network complexity. Challenges in applying this framework to practical problems are discussed. The presented algorithm designs system boundaries between scales of hybrid LCA models, includes or omits activities from the system based on path analysis of environmental impact contribution at upstream network nodes, and provides model quality indicators that permit comparison between different LCA models.
Study of Tofacitinib in Refractory Dermatomyositis: An Open-Label Pilot Study of Ten Patients.

Objective This open-label 12-week study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tofacitinib, a JAK inhibitor, in treatment-refractory active dermatomyositis (DM). Methods Tofacitinib in extended-release doses of 11 mg was administered daily to 10 subjects with DM. Prior to treatment, a complete washout of all steroid-sparing agents was performed. The primary outcome measure was assessment of disease activity improvement based on the International Myositis Assessment and Clinical Studies group definition of improvement. Response rate was measured as the total improvement score according to the 2016 American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) myositis response criteria. Secondary outcome measures included Cutaneous Dermatomyositis Disease Area and Severity Index (CDASI) scores, chemokine levels, immunohistochemical analysis of STAT1 expression in the skin, RNA sequencing analysis, and safety. Results At 12 weeks, the primary outcome was met in all 10 subjects. Five (50%) of 10 subjects experienced moderate improvement in disease activity, and the other 50% experienced minimal improvement according to the 2016 ACR/EULAR myositis response criteria. The secondary outcome of the mean change in the CDASI activity score over 12 weeks was statistically significant (mean ± SD 28 ± 15.4 at baseline versus 9.5 ± 8.5 at 12 weeks) (P = 0.0005). Serum chemokine levels of CXCL9/CXCL10 showed a statistically significant change from baseline. A marked decrease in STAT1 signaling in association with suppression of interferon target gene expression was demonstrated in 3 of 9 skin biopsy samples from subjects with dermatomyositis. The mean ± SD level of creatine kinase in the 10 subjects at baseline was 82 ± 34.8 IU/liter, highlighting that disease activity was predominantly located in the skin. Conclusion This is the first prospective, open-label clinical trial of tofacitinib in DM that demonstrates strong clinical efficacy of a pan-JAK inhibitor, as measured by validated myositis response criteria. Future randomized controlled trials using JAK inhibitors should be considered for treating DM.
Evaluation of Response and Safety to Parenteral Trace Mineral Supplementation in Idaho Neonatal Dairy Hutch Calves

Areas of the Northwest United States are trace mineral deficient, necessitating oral and/or parenteral supplementation in livestock. Selenium has been shown to be an important component of the antioxidant system of mammalian cells, and deficiency is known to be associated with white muscle disease and ill thrift in young calves. Recommended serum selenium levels for adult cattle are 0.08-0.30 pg/mL, and cattle are considered marginally deficient in selenium when serum levels are 0.03-0.07 pg/mL. There is scant evidence in the scientific literature comparing different commercially available parenteral supplements in dairy calves. This trial evaluated serum trace mineral levels, injection site and clinical aptitude scores (ISS/CAS) of neonatal dairy calves supplemented with two common parenteral trace mineral products.
Mechanisms of typhoid toxin neutralization by antibodies targeting glycan receptor binding and nuclease subunits.

Summary Nearly all clinical isolates of Salmonella Typhi, the cause of typhoid fever, are antibiotic resistant. All S. Typhi isolates secrete an A2B5 exotoxin called typhoid toxin to benefit the pathogen during infection. Here, we demonstrate that antibiotic-resistant S. Typhi secretes typhoid toxin continuously during infection regardless of antibiotic treatment. We characterize typhoid toxin antibodies targeting glycan-receptor-binding PltB or nuclease CdtB, which neutralize typhoid toxin in vitro and in vivo, as demonstrated by using typhoid toxin secreted by antibiotic-resistant S. Typhi during human cell infection and lethal dose typhoid toxin challenge to mice. TyTx11 generated in this study neutralizes typhoid toxin effectively, comparable to TyTx4 that binds to all PltB subunits available per holotoxin. Cryoelectron microscopy explains that the binding of TyTx11 to CdtB makes this subunit inactive through CdtB catalytic-site conformational change. The identified toxin-neutralizing epitopes are conserved across all S. Typhi clinical isolates, offering critical insights into typhoid toxin-neutralizing strategies.
How Should Inheritance Law Remediate Inequality

This Essay argues that trusts and estates (“T&E”) should prioritize intergenerational economic mobility—the ability of children to move beyond the economic station of their parents—above all other goals. The field’s traditional emphasis on testamentary freedom fosters the stickiness of inequality. For wealthy settlors, dynasty trusts sequester assets from the nation’s system of taxation and stream of commerce. For low-income decedents, intestacy splinters property rights and inhibits their transfer, especially to nontraditional heirs. Holistically, this Essay argues that T&E should promote mean regression of the wealth distribution curve over time. This can be accomplished by loosening spending in ultrawealthy households and spurring savings and investment in low-income households. TE yet basic questions remain. The Essay contributes to these conversations by articulating a comprehensive framework for progressive inheritance law that redresses long-term inequality.
Low–High Orthoimage Pairs-Based 3D Reconstruction for Elevation Determination Using Drone

AbstractThis paper presents a 3D reconstruction method for fast elevation determination on construction sites. The proposed method is intended to automatically and accurately determine construction...
Towards a multi-source fusion approach for eye movement-driven recognition

We investigate the effects of multi-source fusion in the field of eye movement biometrics.We introduce the concept of multi-stimulus fusion.We suggest a weighted fusion scheme based on stimulus-specific and algorithm-specific weights.The proposed weight-training procedure is based on the identification performance.The results show a considerable improvement in performance for the field of eye movement biometrics. This paper presents a research for the use of multi-source information fusion in the field of eye movement biometrics. In the current state-of-the-art, there are different techniques developed to extract the physical and the behavioral biometric characteristics of the eye movements. In this work, we explore the effects from the multi-source fusion of the heterogeneous information extracted by different biometric algorithms under the presence of diverse visual stimuli. We propose a two-stage fusion approach with the employment of stimulus-specific and algorithm-specific weights for fusing the information from different matchers based on their identification efficacy. The experimental evaluation performed on a large database of 320 subjects reveals a considerable improvement in biometric recognition accuracy, with minimal equal error rate (EER) of 5.8%, and best case Rank-1 identification rate (Rank-1 IR) of 88.6%. It should be also emphasized that although the concept of multi-stimulus fusion is currently evaluated specifically for the eye movement biometrics, it can be adopted by other biometric modalities too, in cases when an exogenous stimulus affects the extraction of the biometric features.
Studying cerebral vasculature using structure proximity and graph kernels.

An approach to study population differences in cerebral vasculature is proposed. This is done by 1) extending the concept of encoding cerebral blood vessel networks as spatial graphs and 2) quantifying graph similarity in a kernel-based discriminant classifier setup. We argue that augmenting graph vertices with information about their proximity to selected brain structures adds discriminative information and consequently leads to a more expressive encoding. Using graph-kernels then allows us to quantify graph similarity in a principled way. To demonstrate our approach, we assess the hypothesis that gender differences manifest as variations in the architecture of cerebral blood vessels, an observation that previously had only been tested and confirmed for the Circle of Willis. Our results strongly support this hypothesis, i.e, we can demonstrate non-trivial, statistically significant deviations from random gender classification in a cross-validation setup on 40 healthy patients.
The impact of social support on women’s adjustment to divorce: A literature review and analysis

Abstract Divorce is viewed as a stressor in social, economic and psychological areas of life. Research shows women have diminished economic contexts and greater parenting responsibilities after divorce. Many studies examine divorced women's social support and its impact on adjustment. This literature review quantifies perceived (available) and received (enacted) social support and adjustment measures of fifteen published articles. Crosstabs and chi-square are used to analyze ninety-eight social support-adjustment relationships. Social support measures are categorized as instrumental or socioemotional for one analysis. Results show social support significantly helps in only one of four relationships. There is no difference in impact on adjustment if social support is perceived versus received, if studies are cross-sectional versus longitudinal, or if adjustment measures are categorized. However, socioemotional support is significantly more likely (p < .01) to positively impact adjustment than instrumental ...
Assessing eBusiness Models of U.S. Destination Marketing Organizations

Information technology has made it imperative for destination marketing organizations to adapt their traditional business models in order to keep pace with emerging advertising strategies, changes in the consumer market, and growing competition. This paper reports on a study of the eBusiness models used by 555 American convention and visitors’ bureaus. The results of the study indicate that despite the high rate of adoption of web marketing in the tourism industry most bureaus are still using the most basic business model for their bureaus web marketing strategies. The paper discusses the implications of these findings and offers ideas for future research.
Acyl Carrier Protein XIV. FURTHER STUDIES ON β-KETOACYL ACYL CARRIER PROTEIN SYNTHETASE FROM ESCHERICHIA COLI

Abstract β-Ketoacyl acyl carrier protein (ACP) synthetase, which catalyzes the condensation of fatty acyl-ACP with malonyl-ACP to form β-ketoacyl-ACP, has been crystallized in a highly active form which is stable for several months. Phosphate has been shown to cause enzyme activation which may be due to a conformational change of the protein. Guanidine hydrochloride and sodium dodecyl sulfate have been shown to cause dissociation of the active enzyme into inactive subunits. By several methods the subunit molecular weight was found to be approximately 34,000. This and other data suggest that the subunits are similar and perhaps identical. Enzymatic activity can be partially recovered from guanidine hydrochloride-denatured enzyme.
Numerical studies of streamer to arc transition

The numerical results of a streamer-to-arc transition model is presented for nitrogen at atmospheric pressure. The streamer phase of the calculation is performed by solving the electron and ion continuity equations along with the Poisson's equation [1]. The plasma density (/spl tilde/10/sup 14/ cm/sup -3/ ), the radial dimension (/spl tilde1/e radius of 0.41 mm), and the reduced electric field (E/N of 233 Td) are then used as an initial condition for a transient glow kinetic model [2]. The kinetic model which includes gas heating, neutral gas dynamics, and electron-molecule and molecule-molecule collisions is solved in the radial dimension. The calculations are carried out until a quasi-steady state is reached. Discussions on the plasma density, arc radius, and gas temperature and pressure are presented.
SUMA - the synchronous unscheduled multiple access protocol for mobile ad hoc networks

The use of unscheduled contention based channel access protocols in mobile ad hoc networks is very attractive due to their transparency to topological change, relatively low overhead, and ease of implementation. Recent reports (see Shugong Xu and Tarek Saadawi, IEEE Commun. Magazine, vol.39, no.6, p.130-7, 2001), however, have shown that the widely available asynchronous contention based 802.11 protocol has significant fairness issues, especially with regard to exposed terminals. These fairness issues are a direct result of the asynchronous nature of the protocol. We present SUMA, the synchronous unscheduled multiple access protocol, which has all the benefits of a contention based access protocol while ensuring fair access to all nodes.
Photonic crystal integrated optics

The photonic crystal platform provides many exciting opportunities for novel integrated optical circuits. In order to realise this promise, issues such as propagation losses, spectral channel separation, integration and active functionality must be addressed.
Nitrogen limits Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris invasion of the host xylem.

Abstract Hydathodes are the primary portal of entry for Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris in cruciferous plants. Once entry is gained, this vascular pathogen quickly multiplies and ramifies progressively in the xylem. It was shown previously that X. campestris loses its motility when it interacts with the plant host and its movement in the xylem is relatively passive; nonetheless, the bacterial cells are able to continue to spread in the xylem. The mechanism of bacterial invasion in the xylem has remained largely unidentified. In the present study, X. campestris pv. campestris chromosomally tagged with a constitutive lux reporter cassette was used for real-time analysis of the invasive characteristic of this xylem-invading pathogen as a function of host nitrogen nutrition. High levels of nitrogen were found to slow down and even impede the invasive activity of X. campestris pv. campestris. The type of nitrogen did not appear to affect the growth rate of X. campestris pv. campestris. Each nitrogen type had an appreciable effect on curbing bacterial invasion of the xylem in cabbage plants. These studies suggest that host defence factors other than the conventional hypersensitive response are enhanced by nitrogen in the xylem.
Viscoelastic characterization of extraocular Z-myotomy.

PURPOSE Z-myotomy is an extraocular muscle (EOM) weakening procedure in which two incisions are made from longitudinally-separated, opposite EOM margins for treatment of strabismus. We examined the in vitro biomechanics of Z-myotomy using tensile loading. METHODS Fresh bovine rectus EOMs were reduced to 20 × 10 × 2-mm dimensions, and clamped in a microtensile load cell under physiological conditions. Extraocular muscles were elongated until failure following scissors incisions made from opposite sides, spaced 8 mm apart and each encompassing 0%, 40%, 50%, 60%, or 80% EOM width. Initial strain to 30% elongation was imposed at 100 mm/s, after which elongation was maintained for greater than 100 seconds during force recording at maintained deformation. Stress relaxation tests with nonincised specimens having widths ranging from 1 to 9 mm were conducted for viscoelastic characterization of corresponding equivalence to 20% to 80% Z-myotomy. Data were modeled using the Wiechert viscoelastic formulation. RESULTS There was progressively reduced EOM failure force to an asymptotic minimum at 60% or greater Z-myotomy. Each Z-myotomy specimen could be matched for equivalent failure force to a non-Z-myotomy specimen with a different width. Both tensile and stress relaxation data could be modeled accurately using the Wiechert viscoelastic formulation. CONCLUSIONS The parallel fiber structure results in low shear force transfer across EOM width, explaining the biomechanics of Z-myotomy. Z-myotomy progressively reduces force transmission to an asymptotic minimum for less than 60% surgical dose, with no further reduction for greater amounts of surgery. Equivalence to EOM specimens having regular cross-sections permits viscoelastic biomechanical characterization of Z-myotomy specimens with irregular cross-sections.
Best Approximation by the Inverse of a Monotone Polynomial and the Location Problem

Let L={f@?C[0, 1]:f is non-decreasing, f(0)=0 and f(1)=1}. Let M be a class of monotone polynomials of degree n or less. Then each f@?L has a unique best uniform (or L"1) approximation from {p^-^1:p@?M@?L}. The special case for M=P"n shows that the single-data-point location problem for a one-dimensional domain has a unique solution (uniform or L"1-norm).
A general purpose data analysis monitoring system with case studies from the National Fusion Grid and the DIII–D MDSplus between pulse analysis system

Abstract As computing infrastructures become more complex, it is important to centralize information in order to efficiently monitor and maintain computing processes. A general monitoring system has been developed at the DIII–D National Fusion Facility, that combines code run status, data analysis tracking, logfile access, complex error detection, and expert system capabilities. The monitoring system’s flexibility and ease of deployment have enabled it to be successfully applied to two significantly different computing environments. At DIII–D, the system is being used as the data analysis monitor ( http://nssrv1.gat.com:8000/dam ) to allow both application scientists and computer scientists to monitor the status of between pulse MDSplus dispatched data analysis codes. The monitoring system is also being used by the National Fusion Collaboratory Project, as the Fusion Grid monitor ( http://nssrv1.gat.com:8000/fgm ), to track multiple asynchronous complex code runs on the Fusion Grid.
Pierre robin sequence in a neonate with suckling difficulty and weight loss

Pierre Robin sequence (PRS) is a combination of micrognathia and glossoptosis that leads to airway obstruction, feeding problems, and potentially other sequelae that can complicate early life. Currently, therapy for these newborns and infants is focused on preventing fatality or complications until the jaw can grow sufficiently to correct airway obstruction and associated problems. For patients with mild PRS, treatments include conservative measures such as airway maintenance and a feeding tube. For more severe cases, a surgical procedure is necessary. To the authors' knowledge, the effectiveness of osteopathic manipulative treatment of patients with PRS has not been reported in the literature. The current case describes the use of osteopathic manipulative treatment to help alleviate difficulties with breathing and latch and suckling in a 15-day-old newborn with PRS.
Hemagglutinating Properties of Salmonella Typhimurium Strains Isolated from Avian Sources

A total of 565 strains of Salmonella typhimurium and S. typhimurium var. copenhagen, isolated from avian species, were examined for their ability to cause hemagglutination of turkey erythrocytes. Results showed that 541 (95.7%) of the strains caused varying degrees of hemagglutination. The hemagglutinating principle was maintained in cultures stored at 5 degrees C. as formalized suspensions for as long as 6 months. It was destroyed by exposure to a temperature of 80 degrees C. for 1 minute or to absolute ethyl alcohol at 37 degrees C. for 24 hours. The hemagglutinating principle was best preserved in cultures by infrequent transfers, growth in liquid media, lyophilization or storage at low temperatures. Addition of d-mannose to bacteria-erythrocyte mixtures at a final concentration of 0.5% completely inhibited the hemagglutinating activity of the cultures. A concentration of 1% d-mannose added to crystal-violet-stained antigen preparations of S. typhimurium eliminated entirely the hemagglutinating effect of positive cultures and did not interfere with regular agglutination reactions. The hemagglutinating activity of S. typhimurium strains is apparently due to the presence of rigid appendage (fimgriae) on the surface of the bacterial cells. Results from these studies showed that fimbriated cultures are quite common among strains of S. typhimurium.
Left atrial thrombus after appendage ligation with LARIAT

A 78-year-old man with intermittently persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) and flutter, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and a history of spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage underwent successful percutaneous left atrial appendage (LAA) ligation using the LARIAT (SentreHeart, Redwood City, CA) suture delivery system. Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) at the time of the procedure confirmed complete ligation of the atrial appendage with no evidence of residual communication by color flowDoppler imaging. He was in sinus rhythm on the day of procedure but reverted to AF on postoperative day 2. He was discharged on aspirin. At clinic follow-up 14 days later, he remained in AF but by the day of a subsequently scheduled cardioversion he had returned to sinus rhythm. A follow-up TEE to evaluate obliteration of the LAA was performed on postoperative day 45. This TEE revealed a 1.0 1.2-cm left atrial thrombus, with a stalk arising from the stump of the ligated LAA (Figure 1A; Movie). There was no communication between
Wavelet-based steganalysis using a computational immune system approach

Current signature-based approaches for detecting the presence of hidden messages in digital files - the initial step in steganalysis - rely on discerning "footprints" of steganographic tools. Of greater recent concern is detecting the use of novel proprietary or "home-grown" tools for which no signature has been established. This research focuses on detecting anomalies in seemingly innocuous images, applying a genetic algorithm within a computational immune system to leverage powerful image processing through wavelet analysis. The sensors developed with this new, synergistic system demonstrated a surprising level of capability to detect the use of steganographic tools for which the system had no previous exposure.© (2003) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Case study: Biofiltration of styrene and butylacetate at a dashboard manufacturer

Holzindustie Bruchsal (HIB) was required to treat moderate levels of styrene emissions from their plastic dashboard manufacturing process. After evaluating many types of control technologies, HIB decided to install a Bioton biofiltration system from Monsanto Enviro-Chem Systems Inc. (MEC). After the installation of the Bioton biofilter, HIB and MEC learned that large amounts of butylacetate were also present in the off-gas stream. The presence of butylacetate was found to have inhibitory effects on the removal of styrene. Therefore, MEC performed a series of pilot and laboratory studies to determine if a bacteria strain could be identified that would be capable of removing styrene in the presence of butylacetate. It was found that a specific bacteria strain was capable of achieving high levels of styrene removal without inhibition from butylacetate in laboratory and pilot testing. This strain was inoculated into the full scale system. After acclimation, the full scale inoculation produced a consortium of bacteria that biologically removed the styrene from the dashboard manufacturing process in the presence of butylacetate.
Research on Copper Solvent Extraction from the Solution Containing High Concentration of Sulphuric Acid and Iron

Three commercial extractants LIX984N, LIX606N and LIX973N were chosen for the research on Cu2+ extraction from the solutions bearing high concentration of sulfuric acid and iron. The ability of Cu2+ extraction and Cu/Fe separation performance were totally compared among the three extractants. The results show that LIX606N and LIX973N both possess more powerful ability in Cu2+ extraction as compared to LIX984N. But, LIX973N and LIX984N has better Cu/Fe separation performance than LIX606N. According to the performance of Cu2+ extraction and Cu/Fe separation, LIX973N is more suitable for extracting Cu2+ from the solution rich in sulfuric acid and Fe3+.Effects of sulfuric acid and Fe3+ concentration on Cu2+ extraction by 20%LIX973N-kerosene have been examined. When aqueous sulfuric acid concentration increases from 23.48g/L to 62.16g/L, Cu2+ extraction recovery drops from 60.42% to 25.21%; When aqueous Fe3+ concentration increases from 7.03g/L up to 42.94g/L, Fe3+ concentration in organic phase increases from 0.26g/L to 0.82g/L.
ABUNDANCES OF HEAVY NUCLIDES

Abstract A table is presented giving the calculated contributions to the abundances of the heavy elements ( A ≧ 63 ) from the two major mechanisms of heavy element stellar nucleosynthesis, the r- and s-processes. The isotopes of the elements are tabulated individually because of the variation among isotopes of the relative importance of the two mechanisms. The table facilitates a quick comparison between prediction based on stellar nucleosynthesis and observed nuclidic abundances.