cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The transcriptome landscape of early maize meiosis

A major step in the higher plant life cycle is the decision to leave the mitotic cell cycle and begin the progression through the meiotic cell cycle that leads to the formation of gametes. The molecular mechanisms that regulate this transition and early meiosis remain largely unknown. To gain insight into gene expression features during the initiation of meiotic recombination, we profiled early prophase I meiocytes from maize (Zea mays) using capillary collection to isolate meiocytes, followed by RNA-seq. We detected ~2,000 genes as preferentially expressed during early meiotic prophase, most of them uncharacterized. Functional analysis uncovered the importance of several cellular processes in early meiosis. Processes significantly enriched in isolated meiocytes included proteolysis, protein targeting, chromatin modification and the regulation of redox homeostasis. The most significantly up-regulated processes in meiocytes were processes involved in carbohydrate metabolism. Consistent with this, many mitochondrial genes were up-regulated in meiocytes, including nuclear- and mitochondrial-encoded genes. The data were validated with real-time PCR and in situ hybridization and also used to generate a candidate maize homologue list of known meiotic genes from Arabidopsis. Taken together, we present a high-resolution analysis of the transcriptome landscape in early meiosis of an important crop plant, providing support for choosing genes for detailed characterization of recombination initiation and regulation of early meiosis. Our data also reveal an important connection between meiotic processes and altered/increased energy production.
Fabrication and application of metallic nano-cantilevers

A new approach was developed in this work to fabricate metallic nano-cantilevers using a one-mask process and a deep reactive ion etch (DRIE) technique. 40-nm-thick Al and 70-nm-thick Au cantilevers of lengths from [email protected] and widths in the range of 200-300nm were fabricated on a silicon substrate. The silicon underneath the suspended beams was completely etched. Short Al nano-cantilevers were used to find local residual stress induced in rapid thermal oxidation and the oxidized spots according to the deflection profiles of the nano-cantilevers. The deflection profiles were determined with the aid of a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Compared with a single feedback in the existing cantilever-based static methods, i.e., the deflection of the open end of a cantilever, the whole deflection profile provides more information regarding the effect of surface stresses on a cantilever.
Methods for generating spectral reflectance functions leading to color‐constant properties

The Munsell color order system was rigorously defined for illuminant, observer, and surround. Using Nayatani's nonlinear model of chromatic adaptation, approximately colorconstant 1931 CIE tristimulus values for the notations of the Munsell Book of Color were calculated for a variety of continuous-spectrum illuminants between CIE A and 7600 K daylight. Several linear-programming models were devised for generating spectral reflectance functions that integrate to these tristimulus values. The most successful of these was a model based on an approximate-hue vector in tristimulus space, in which movement off and along this vector was restricted. Restrictions were also applied to the rate of change of reflectance with wavelength, following Ohta, and the model led to relatively smooth curves, comparable to those of real colorants. Indices of color constancy were devised to estimate the accuracy of the predictions. Comparisons with actual reflectance functions from physical samples revealed, in most cases, an improvement in color constancy and hue constancy.
Multiple scattering expansion of the self-energy at finite temperature

An often used rule that the thermal correction to the self-energy is the thermal phase-space times the forward scattering amplitude from target particles is shown to be the leading term in an exact multiple scattering expansion. Starting from imaginary-time finite-temperature field theory, a rigorous expansion for the retarded self-energy is derived. The relationship to the thermodynamic potential is briefly discussed.
ZnO and cobalt phthalocyanine hybridized graphene: Efficient photocatalysts for degradation of rhodamine B

A novel method has been developed to synthesize graphene–ZnO composite as a highly efficient catalyst by reduction of graphite oxide and in situ deposition of ZnO nanoparticles by chemical reduction reaction. The graphene–ZnO catalyst is capable of complete degradation of rhodamine B under exposure to natural sunlight. Further, the catalytic efficiency of graphene–ZnO catalyst was enhanced by sensitizing with cobalt phthalocyanine. The formation of graphene–ZnO photocatalyst and its further sensitization with cobalt phthalocyanine was characterized using UV–vis, ATR-IR and Raman spectroscopy, powder XRD and thermogravimetric analysis. The morphology of both graphene–ZnO and graphene–ZnO–CoPC catalysts was analyzed using scanning and transmission electron microscopes.
Reversed Phase Thin Layer Chromatography of Amino Acids

Abstract The use of reversed phase layers for the thin layer chromatography of amino acids is described. Only when a modifier was added to the mobile phase was clear separation of the amino acids achieved. Ion paring with trifluoroacetic acid overcame problems with streaking and poor separation on C2 or C18 reversed phase layers. All amino acids could not be separated with a single mobile phase. Thus, three different combination of acetonitrile-0.4% trifluoroacetic acid were used to separate eighteen amino acids with derivatization. No derivative was required.
Binding of dioxygen to non-metal sites in proteins: exploration of the importance of binding site size versus hydrophobicity in the copper amine oxidase from Hansenula polymorpha.

Copper amine oxidases (CAOs) contain 2,4,5-trihydroxyphenylalanyl quinone (TPQ) and a copper ion in their active sites, catalyzing amine oxidation to aldehyde and ammonia concomitant with the reduction of molecular oxygen to hydrogen peroxide. Kinetic studies on the CAO from bovine serum (BSAO) [Su and Klinman (1999) Biochemistry 37, 12513−12525] and the recent reports on the cobalt substituted form of the enzyme from Hansenula polymorpha (HPAO) [Mills and Klinman (2000) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 122, 9897−9904, and Mills et al. (2002) Biochemistry, 41, 10577−10584] support pre-binding of molecular oxygen prior to a rate-limiting electron transfer from the reduced form of TPQ (p-aminohydroquinone form) to dioxygen. Although there is significant sequence homology between BSAO and HPAO, kcat/Km(O2) for BSAO under the optimal condition is one order of magnitude lower than that for HPAO. From a comparison of amino acid sequences for BSAO and HPAO, together with the X-ray crystal structure of HPAO, a plausible dioxyge...
Population Forecasting with Nonstationary Multiregional Growth Matrices

Though the mathematics of multiregional population projections were defined over twenty years ago, and the methodology has seen some adoption internationally, most practitioners in the United States still use rudimentary cohort component projections techniques. Both the stationarity assumption and the implicit five-year retrospective time scale imposed by the census migration data have probably contributed to the limited use of multiregional projections methods. This paper reviews previous attempts to overcome the stationarity assumption and proposes a decompositional approach using log linear models estimated via the ECM algorithm. The paper discusses the advantages of the decompositional approach and implements the model for intrastate migration in California.
Laser diagnostics for combustion and propulsion

New laser-based diagnostic techniques, developed primarily within the combustion community, offer considerable promise for measurements in reactive gaseous flows. In this paper we overview three diagnostic methods under development at Stanford University: spectrally resolved line-of-sight absorption (LOSA), conducted with wavelength-modulated semiconductor diode and ring dye laser sources; spectrally resolved single-point laser-induced fluorescence (SP LIF), conducted with a rapid-tuning ring dye laser; and planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF), conducted with a tunable pulsed dye laser source and intensified CCD array camera. These methods have unique capabilities for nonintrusive measurements of flow- field properties such as temperature, species concentration, velocity, density and pressure, as well as quantities derived from these properties such as mass flux (product of velocity and mass density). Species monitored in current studies include NO, OH, O2 and H2O.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Model for creep threshold stress in precipitation-strengthened alloys with coherent particles

Abstract The general climb model for creep threshold stress for dislocations interacting with incoherent particles is modified for the case of coherent precipitates, by taking into account elastic interactions between matrix dislocations and particles due to particle/matrix stiffness and lattice mismatches. The model is in qualitative agreement with experimental data for the Al–Sc system.
The declining significance of class: Does gender complicate the story? - Comments

Sociologists are often slow to realize what laypersons have long known. In this regard, the most recent resurrection of the "death of class" thesis by Pakulski and Waters (in this issue) is illustrative, since they seemingly fail to appreciate that women complicate matters.1 Like other class theorists, Pakulski and Waters ignore one of the most fundamental forces for class destructuration, namely, the massive entry of women into the labor force. In this comment, we will ask the question that Pakulski and Waters have thus left unasked: Does the entry of women into the labor force render models of class less tenable?2 We shall proceed by first asking whether the so-called conventional model of class can be salvaged and then asking whether various revised formulations might be preferred.
The Orbit-on-Demand and Shuttle II studies at NASA Langley☆

This paper reviews advanced space transportation studies that have been conducted at the Langley Research Center recently. The Orbit-on-Demand Vehicle Study focused on concepts capable of rapid launch. The Shuttle II Study considered concepts with the potential to reduce the cost of transportation to orbit for payloads in the Shuttle class or less.
Kant, Real Possibility, and the Threat of Spinoza

In the first part of the paper I reconstruct Kant’s proof of the existence of a ‘most real being’ while also highlighting the theory of modality that motivates Kant’s departure from Leibniz’s version of the proof. I go on to argue that it is precisely this departure that makes the being that falls out of the pre-critical proof look more like Spinoza’s extended natura naturans than an independent, personal creator-God. In the critical period, Kant seems to think that transcendental idealism allows him to avoid this conclusion, but in the last section of the paper I argue that there is still one important version of the Spinozistic threat that remains.
Prevention of arteriovenous shunt occlusion using microbubble and ultrasound mediated thromboprophylaxis.

Background Palliative shunts in congenital heart disease patients are vulnerable to thrombotic occlusion. High mechanical index (MI) impulses from a modified diagnostic ultrasound (US) transducer during a systemic microbubble (MB) infusion have been used to dissolve intravascular thrombi without anticoagulation, and we sought to determine whether this technique could be used prophylactically to reduce thrombus burden and prevent occlusion of surgically placed extracardiac shunts. Methods and Results Heparin-bonded ePTFE tubular vascular shunts of 4 mm×2.5 cm (Propaten; W.L Gore) were surgically placed in 18 pigs: a right-sided side-to-side arteriovenous (AV, carotid-jugular) shunt, and a left-sided arterio-arterial (AA, carotid-carotid) interposition shunt in each animal. After shunt implantation, animals were randomly assigned to one of 3 groups. Transcutaneous, weekly 30-minute treatments (total of 4 treatments) of either guided high MI US+MB (Group 1; n=6) using a 3% MRX-801 MB infusion, or US alone (Group 2; n=6) were given separately to each shunt. The third group of 6 pigs received no treatments. The shunts were explanted after 4 weeks and analyzed by histopathology to quantify luminal thrombus area (mm2) for the length of each shunt. No pigs received antiplatelet agents or anticoagulants during the treatment period. The median overall thrombus burden in the 3 groups for AV shunts was 5.10 mm2 compared with 4.05 mm2 in AA ( P =0.199). Group 1 pigs had significantly less thrombus burden in the AV shunts (median 2.5 mm2) compared with Group 2 (median 5.6 mm2) and Group 3 (median 7.5 mm2) pigs ( P =0.006). No difference in thrombus burden was seen between groups for AA shunts. Conclusion Transcutaneous US with intravenous MB is capable of preventing thrombus accumulation in arteriovenous shunts without the need for antiplatelet agents, and may be a method of preventing progressive occlusion of palliative shunts.
Choreoathetosis After Herpes Simplex Encephalitis With Basal Ganglia Involvement on MRI

Children with herpes simplex virus encephalitis have a relapse in ∼25% of cases, which rarely may present as a movement disorder, most often choreoathetosis. The anatomic basis for herpes simplex virus encephalitis-associated movement disorders has been poorly understood, because neuroimaging, to date, has not been able to show the direct involvement of the areas of the brain that typically govern such movements. We present a patient with abnormal involuntary movements after herpes simplex virus encephalitis, with new lesions on MRI between the time of initial presentation and the development of choreoathetosis. To our knowledge, this is the first patient with a post-herpes simplex virus encephalitis movement disorder with neuroradiographic evidence of thalamic involvement correlating with the onset of abnormal involuntary movements. We describe this patient and review the literature on movement disorders and herpes simplex virus encephalitis. Current understanding of the pathophysiology of post-herpes simplex virus encephalitis movement disorders proposes 2 possible mechanisms that may be responsible: reinfection with the resumption of viral replication, or a postinfectious, immune-mediated process.
Monoclonal antibodies to rat androgen-binding protein recognize both of its subunits and cross-react with rabbit and human testosterone-binding globulin.

A series of four monoclonal antibodies to rat androgen-binding protein (ABP) has been developed. These antibodies recognize both the heavy (48,400-dalton) and light (43,000-dalton) subunits of the native ABP molecule. In addition, they recognize the subunits from which Asn-linked oligosaccharides have been removed by treatment with iV-glycanase, indicating that these moieties do not form the immunological determinants recognized by the antibodies. Two of these antibodies are capable of recognizing both nondenatured ABP, as assessed by dot blot analysis, and denatured ABP, as determined by Western blot analysis of ABP after electrophoresis under denaturing conditions. The immunoreactivity of denatured ABP is decreased with two of the antibodies, suggesting that they more readily recognize the antigenic epitopes when the protein is in its native configuration. The antibodies were capable of immunoprecipitating covalently labeled ABP from solution. All four monoclonal antibodies produced were determined to b...
Gel stretch method: a new method to measure constitutive properties of cardiac muscle cells

Diastolic dysfunction is an important cause of congestive heart failure; however, the basic mechanisms causing diastolic congestive heart failure are not fully understood, especially the role of the cardiac muscle cell, or cardiocyte, in this process. Before the role of the cardiocyte in this pathophysiology can be defined, methods for measuring cardiocyte constitutive properties must be developed and validated. Thus this study was designed to evaluate a new method to characterize cardiocyte constitutive properties, the gel stretch method. Cardiocytes were isolated enzymatically from normal feline hearts and embedded in a 2% agarose gel containing HEPES-Krebs buffer and laminin. This gel was cast in a shape that allowed it to be placed in a stretching device. The ends of the gel were held between a movable roller and fixed plates that acted as mandibles. Distance between the right and left mandibles was increased using a stepper motor system. The force applied to the gel was measured by a force transducer. The resultant cardiocyte strain was determined by imaging the cells with a microscope, capturing the images with a CCD camera, and measuring cardiocyte and sarcomere length changes. Cardiocyte stress was characterized with a finite-element method. These measurements of cardiocyte stress and strain were used to determine cardiocyte stiffness. Two variables affecting cardiocyte stiffness were measured, the passive elastic spring and viscous damping. The passive spring was assessed by increasing the force on the gel at 1 g/min, modeling the resultant stress vs. strain relationship as an exponential [sigma = A/k(ekepsilon - 1)]. In normal cardiocytes, A = 23.0 kN/m2 and k = 16. Viscous damping was assessed by examining the loop area between the stress vs. strain relationship during 1 g/min increases and decreases in force. Normal cardiocytes had a finite loop area = 1.39 kN/m2, indicating the presence of viscous damping. Thus the gel stretch method provided accurate measurements of cardiocyte constitutive properties. These measurements have allowed the first quantitative assessment of passive elastic spring properties and viscous damping in normal mammalian cardiocytes.
Inflammatory colon disease in Rochester, Minnesota, 1935-1964.

The medical records of the residents of Rochester, Minnesota, who depend largely on the Mayo Clinic for their , medical care, offer a unique opportunity to study the epidemiology of inflammatory disease of the colon over a 30-year period from 1935 through 1964. Local residents with this condition were divided into the following four arbitrary but distinct anatomic groups: type A, transient proctitis; type B, chronic or recurrent proctitis; type C, typical mucosal ulcerative colitis involving the rectum and continuous portions of the colon above the proctoscopic level; and type D, segmental disease (largely Crohn's disease of the colon). During the study period the disease was newly diagnosed in 108 residents and, in an additional 32 patients who took up residence after the diagnosis had been established. Of the 108 cases, 23 (21%) were type A, 35 (32%) were type B, 31 (29%) were type C, and 19 (18%) were type D. The average annual incidence rate for all four types combined was 11.8 per 100,000 with rates for the four subtypes of 2.5, 3.8, 3.4, and 2.1 per 100,000, respectively. Incidence rates over the 30-year period showed a slight rise for all types except D. Fifty-three per cent of all cases represented disease which never progressed beyond proctoscopic level. Carcinoma of the colon occurred subsequently in 5 cases, all type C, which was a significantly higher number than would be expected in the general population.
On talking and touching in medicine

EDITOR'S ABSTRACTDr. Howard Brody, a leader in bioethics and medical humanities, describes how human touch impacts pain management outcomes. The symbolism of positive meaning versus negative meaning and how they effect patients’ perception of pain are explored.
Implementation of EMC Testing of Automotive Vehicles

A complete facility to assure electromagnetic compatibility of automotive vehicles has been implemented. This facility includes automated shielded anechoic rooms equipped with program controlled dynamometers for radiated susceptibility and radio compatibility testing, computer controlled transient measurement and conducted susceptibility laboratory, open-air sites for narrow and broadband radiated emissions and mobile equipment for onboard vehicle testing. This paper presents the procedures and methods performed in the planning, construction and validation of the facility. Value analysis, system development and implementation results will be detailed.
Exploration of Genome-Wide Circulating MicroRNA in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: MiR-483-5p as a Potential Biomarker

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNA) are abundant in the circulation and play a central role in diverse biologic processes; they may be useful for early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods: We conducted a two-phase, case–control study (20 pairs for the discovery set and 49 pairs for the validation set) to test the hypothesis that genome-wide dysregulation of circulating miRNAs differentiates hepatocellular carcinoma cases from controls. Taqman low-density arrays were used to examine genome-wide miRNA expression for the discovery set, and quantitative real-time PCR was used to validate candidate miRNAs for both discovery and validation sets. Results: Sixty-six miRNAs were found to be significantly overexpressed in plasma of hepatocellular carcinoma cases compared with controls after adjusting for false discovery rate ( P < 0.05). A volcano plot indicated that seven miRNAs had greater than 2-fold case–control differences with P < 0.01. Four significant miRNAs (miR-150, miR-30c, miR-483-5p, and miR-520b) detectable in all samples with varied expression levels were further validated in a validation set. MiR-483-5p was statistically significantly overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma cases compared with controls (3.20 vs. 0.82, P < 0.0001). Hepatocellular carcinoma risk factors and clinic-pathological characteristics did not influence miR-483-5p expression. The combination of plasma miR-483-5p level and hepatitis C virus status can significantly differentiate hepatocellular carcinoma cases from controls with an area under the curve of 0.908 ( P < 0.0001). The sensitivity and specificity were, respectively, 75.5% and 89.8%. Conclusions: These preliminary results suggest the importance of dysregulated circulating miR-483-5p as a potential hepatocellular carcinoma biomarker. Impact: Confirmation of aberrant expression of miR-483-5p in a large prospective hepatocellular carcinoma study will provide support for its application to hepatocellular carcinoma detection. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 22(12); 2364–73. ©2013 AACR .
A weakly nonlinear model for multi-modal evolution of wind-generated long internal waves in a closed basin

Abstract. A weakly nonlinear evolution model that accounts for multi-modal interaction in a small, continuously stratified lake of variable depth is derived. In particular, an evolution model for the first two vertical modes in a lake that is subject to wind stress forcing is numerically simulated. Defining modal energies, energy transfer between the first and the second vertical modes is calculated for several different forms of the density stratification. Modal energy transfer mainly occurs during reflection of mode-one waves at the vertical end walls, and it is shown that the amount of energy transfer from the first to the second mode is greatly dependent on the shape of the stratification profile. Also, the initial modal energy partition at the wind setup is shown to depend significantly on the penetration depth of the internal shear stress induced by the wind stress, especially if the stress distribution extends into the upper levels of the metalimnion.
Automatic EEG artifact removal based on ICA and Hierarchical Clustering

Electroencephalography (EEG) is the recording of electrical activity along the scalp produced by the firing of neurons within the brain. These activities can be decoded by signal processing techniques, however, they are typically influenced by extraneous interference, like muscle movements, eye blinks, eye movements, background noise, etc. Therefore, a preprocessing step to remove artifacts is extremely important. This paper presents an effective artifact removal algorithm, based on Independent Component Analysis (ICA) and Hierarchical Clustering. Our technique utilizes general temporal and spectral features and particular information about target Event-Related Potentials (ERPs) (e.g. the timing of N200 and P300 on inhibition task or the specific electrodes contributing to the ERPs) to separate ERPs and artifact activities. Our method considers templates for desired ERPs to select event-related components for signal reconstruction. In our experimental study, we show that our proposed method can effectively enhance the ERPs for all fifteen subjects in the study, even for those that barely display ERPs in the raw recordings.
Crystallographic Image Processing for Scanning Probe Microscopes

Scanning probe microscopy (SPM) images of regularly arranged spatially periodic objects can be processed crystallographically. The resulting information may be used to remove from the SPM image distortions that are due to a “less than perfect” imaging process. The combined effects of these distortions result in a point spread function that gives a quantitative measure of the microscope’s performance for a certain set of experimental conditions. On the basis of highly symmetric “calibration samples”, the point spread function of the microscope may be extracted and utilized for the correction of SPM images of unknowns that were recorded under essentially the same experimental conditions. We concentrate in this paper on more theoretical aspects of our method. A “blunt” scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) tip that consists of multiple “mini-tips” with electron orbital dimensions may be “symmetrized” on the basis of prior knowledge on the plane symmetry of a two-dimensional periodic array. This is illustrated with the crystallographic processing of a STM image of a regular array of fluorinated cobalt phthalocyanine molecules on graphite and backed up conceptually by simple simulations.
Stability of $2\pi$ Domain Walls in Ferromagnetic Nanorings

The stability of 2π domain walls in ferromagnetic nanorings is investigated via calculation of the minimum energy path that separates a 2π domain wall from the vortex state of a ferromagnetic nanoring. Trapped domains are stable when they exist between certain types of transverse domain walls, i.e., walls in which the edge defects on the same side of the magnetic strip have equal sign and thus repel. Here the energy barriers between these configurations and vortex magnetization states are obtained using the string method. Due to the geometry of a ring, two types of 2π walls must be distinguished that differ by their overall topological index and exchange energy. The minimum energy path corresponds to the expulsion of a vortex. The energy barrier for annihilation of a 2π wall is compared to the activation energy for transitions between the two ring vortex states.
Three-dimensional conformal supergravity and Chern-Simons terms

The supersymmetric extension of the gravitational Chern-Simons term in three-dimensional spacetime coincides with three-dimensional conformal supergravity. The action reads I=${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{\mathrm{AB}}$${R}^{B}$${\ensuremath{\omega}}^{A}$+(1/6)${f}_{\mathrm{ABC}}$${\ensuremath{\omega}}^{C}$ ${\ensuremath{\omega}}^{B}$${\ensuremath{\omega}}^{A}$, with ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{\mathrm{AB}}$ the Killing supermetric and ${f}_{\mathrm{ABC}}$ the structure constants of Osp(1/4). The constraints read ${R}_{\ensuremath{\mu}\ensuremath{\nu}}^{m}$(P)=0, ${R}_{\ensuremath{\mu}\ensuremath{\nu}}^{\ensuremath{\alpha}}$(Q)=0, and ${R}_{\ensuremath{\mu}\ensuremath{\nu}}$${\mathrm{}}^{\mathrm{mn}}$(M)=0. Even when auxiliary fields close the super-Poincar\'e gauge algebra, I is invariant under local Poincar\'e sypersymmetry and independent of auxiliary fields.
Conservation Education and Outreach Techniques: An Indispensable Guide for Creating Effective Conservation Education Programs

Jacobson, Susan K., Mallory D. McDuff, and Martha C. Monroe. 2006. Conservation education and outreach techniques. Techniques in Ecology and Conservation Series. Oxford University Press, New York. xv + 480 p. $114.50 (cloth), ISBN: 978-0-19-856772-1 (alk. paper); $49.50 (paper), ISBN: 978-0-19-856771-4 (alk. paper).
Analysis of the Risk Management Properties of Grazing Contracts Versus Futures and Option Contracts

A stochastic budget simulator and generalized stochastic dominance are used to compare the risk management properties of grazing contracts to futures and option contracts. The results show that the risks of backgrounding feeder cattle are reduced significantly for pasture owners in a grazing contract. However, the risks of the cattle owner in a grazing contract are not significantly reduced. The results also show that generally risk averse pasture owners prefer grazing contracts to integrated production when traditional hedging is used to manage price risks. In addition, grazing contracts compare favorably with put option contracts for some pasture owners.
Review of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) in Brown Swiss Cattle

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a heritable condition in Brown Swiss cattle characterized by profound muscular atrophy affecting appendicular muscles, particularly of the rear limb. Axial muscles are also affected. The affected ventral horn neurons are initially swollen and chromatolytic; this is followed by a shrunken appearance, necrosis, and neuronophagia. It is not uncommon to see “empty beds” that are ghosts of previous perikarya. There is an obvious gliosis with the presence of glial nodules. A total of 53 SMA cases were either reported to us or received and studied by the Congenital Defects Laboratory at Kansas State University. All calves underwent a thorough clinical examination. They were then euthanatized using T-61 and immediately underwent a standardized necropsy procedure. Brains were obtained by removal of the dorsal cranium, and spinal cords were removed by removal of the dorsal vertebral arches. Muscle samples were taken and attached by stapling to tongue depressors for identification. Peripheral nerves were sampled also. Tissues were processed for light and electron microscopy studies. Iowa was the geographic origin of 10 of the cases, followed by Wisconsin and Texas with 5 cases each. The mean age of onset was 3.1 weeks with a standard deviation of 1.88. There were 5 calves that were affected at birth. The oldest reported age in this group was 8 weeks. The mean duration of recumbency before death was 6.4 weeks, with a maximum of 12 weeks in 2 of them. The affected cases were sired by 21 bulls, with 1 sire, #4, accounting for 9 of them. Spinal muscular atrophy can be confused with several other diseases, most notably nutritional myopathy. With the latter condition, however, alpha motor neurons are not involved, and hyaline degeneration is prominent in muscle tissue. Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neurodegenerative disease of Brown Swiss cattle that is inherited as
Response to Intervention Empirically Based Special Service Decisions From Single-Case Designs of Increasing and Decreasing Intensity

There have been several proposals to the effect that special service decisions could be based, at least in part, on the construct of response to intervention and not necessarily on traditional child measures. Single-case designs that focus on intervention response and intensity are reviewed as a potential evaluation framework for interdisciplinary teams to help answer special services resource questions. Increasing-intensity designs are based on sequential intervention trials ordered on a continuum that builds in intensity. Decreasing-intensity designs start with more comprehensive or multicomponent interventions and intervention facets that are systematically withdrawn so that interventions become more natural and ecologically sustainable. The advantages and challenges associated with these designs for use in special education eligibility decisions are discussed as models for child evaluation in schools.
Risk-spreading and bet-hedging in insect population biology.

▪ Abstract In evolutionary ecology, risk-spreading (i.e. bet-hedging) is the idea that unpredictably variable environments favor genotypes with lower variance in fitness at the cost of lower arithmetic mean fitness. Variance in fitness can be reduced by physiology or behavior that spreads risk of encountering an unfavorable environment over time or space. Such risk-spreading can be achieved by a single phenotype that avoids risks (conservative risk-spreading) or by phenotypic variation expressed by a single genotype (diversified risk-spreading). Across these categories, three types of risk-spreading can be usefully distinguished: temporal, metapopulation, and within-generation. Theory suggests that temporal and metapopulation risk-spreading may work under a broad range of population sizes, but within-generation risk-spreading appears to work only when populations are small. Although genetic polymorphisms have sometimes been treated as risk-spreading, the underlying mechanisms are different, and they often...
Interactive procedural computer-aided design

The typical engineering design process can be decomposed into several phases: creative exploration of ideas, testing soundness of proposed concepts, refining concepts to realizable solutions, optimizing viable solutions with respect to performance/cost. Powerful computer algorithms have been developed for many of these tasks. Often these modules are rigid, allowing for little intervention by the designer, and the management of the interactions of these tasks mostly relies on human intelligence. Better user interfaces are required to integrate more fully human ingenuity and the assistance of the computer into the overall design process. The most powerful CAD systems should combine the power of programming, graphical visualization, and interactive adjustment of crucial design parameters.
Apolipoproteins B, (a), and E Accumulate in the Morphologically Early Lesion of ‘Degenerative’ Valvular Aortic Stenosis

Nonrheumatic aortic stenosis of trileaflet aortic valves has been considered to be a "degenerative" process, but the early lesion of aortic stenosis contains the chronic inflammatory cells, macrophages and T lymphocytes. Because lipoprotein deposition is prominent in atherosclerosis, another chronic inflammatory process, this study examined whether lipoproteins accumulate in aortic valve lesions. Immunohistochemical studies were performed to detect apolipoprotein (apo) B, apo(a), apoE, macrophages, and alpha-actin-expressing cells on 18 trileaflet aortic valves that ranged from normal to stenotic. All three apolipoproteins were detected in early through end-stage lesions of aortic stenosis but not in histologically normal regions. Comparison with oil red O staining suggested that most of the extracellular neutral lipid in these valves was associated with either plasma-derived or locally produced apolipoproteins. Thus, in early through end-stage aortic valve lesions, apolipoproteins accumulate and are associated with the majority of extracellular valve lipid. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that lipoprotein accumulation in the aortic valve contributes to pathogenesis of aortic stenosis.
Mood effects on subjective probability assessment

Abstract A person's mood may directly affect a judgment of the uncertainty of a future event. Subjective probabilities were reported by subjects in a happy, neutral, or sad mood for personal and nonpersonal events. Two moods were induced by having the subject focus on particularly happy and sad personal experiences. Large, consistent mood effects are indicated. Relative to control subjects, happy people are “optimistic;” i.e., they report higher probabilities for positive events and lower probabilities for negative events. Conversely, sad people are “pessimistic,” providing lower (higher) probabilities for positive (negative) events. Mood-state-dependent retrieval of information is indicated.
Dreams in the ‘black garden’: Literature and the Nagorny Karabakh conflict

(2014). Dreams in the ‘black garden’: Literature and the Nagorny Karabakh conflict. Caucasus Survey: Vol. 2, No. 1-2, pp. 41-41.
Field study of the problems of adaptation of Mackenzie Delta Eskimos to social and economic change.

(1969). Field Study of the Problems of Adaptation of Mackenzie Delta Eskimos to Social and Economic Change. Psychiatry: Vol. 32, No. 4, pp. 447-458.
Focal inflammation in the brain

We hypothesize that amyloid (Aβ) peptide-containing neuritic plaques in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease represent chronic inflammatory foci mediated by the actions of the complement system and proinflammatory cytokines. In support of this, in vitro studies show that the (Aβ) peptide is a potent complement activator and that such complement activation leads to the formation of covalent (Aβ)-C3 activation fragment complexes, the generation of the chemokine-like C5a complement activation peptide, and the formation of the proinflammatory C5b-9 complex in functionally active form able to insert into neuronal cell membranes. Other studies show that C5a, together with (Aβ), synergistically augments the release of proinflammatory cytokines from human monocytes. These studies, which provide in vitro support for the hypothesis, are being pursued in an animal model of Alzheimer's disease.
Abstract 5064: Cytogenetic and somatic characterization of myeloma tumors from a multi-ethnic cohort

Previous epidemiological studies have suggested that African Americans (AA) are twice as likely to be diagnosed with and to die from Multiple Myeloma (MM) as compared to European Americans (EA). In recent years, however, mortality rates have become more comparable between these groups. Although socioeconomic factors could play a major role to this potential disparity, biological factors may also be responsible for influencing these differences in either incidence and/or mortality. Here we examined a multi-ethnic cohort of MM tumors to assess potential differences in the frequency of molecular events in tumors derived from either African American (AA) or European American (EA) patients. First, we compared the frequency of 14q32 translocation breakpoints at the IgH locus among a series of data from 115 AA MM patients from three studies and EA MM from the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG). Furthermore, we analyzed matching genome-wide copy number and transcriptional data among 47 AA MM tumors and 196 EA MM tumors to determine differences in the frequency of molecular events in tumors from these populations. Univariate analyses were conducted using the Fisher9s Exact Test and p-values were calculated to measure statistical significance. We observed statistically significant differences in the frequency of IgH translocations and somatic copy number alterations. Although we did not detect differences for specific translocation subtypes, we saw a statistically significant difference in the overall frequency of IgH translocations between the two groups, which occurred more frequently in EA patients (p = 0.032). When assessing genomic copy number events previously shown to be associated with poor outcome in MM, chromosome 13 monosomy was more frequent in hyperdiploid MM from AA patients and significant after correcting for multiple testing using the Bonferoni correction method (p = 0.001). Moreover, when using the Benjamini-Hochberg multiple testing correction method, chromosome 13 monosomy remained significantly different among hyperdiploid AA patients (p = 0.0121). Chromosome 1q amplification was also significant among hyperdiploid tumors from EA patients when using this correction method (p = 0.036). No differences in the frequency of hyperdiploid status or gene expression-based subtypes were detected when comparing tumors from AA and EA patients. Our study represents the first comprehensive assessment of the frequency and distribution of molecular alterations in MM tumors from both AA and EA patients and could help shed light on possible biological features associated with population differences in incidence and outcome in MM. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5064. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-5064
Assessment on dietary exposure to aluminium of children aged 0-14 years in Shenzhen

Objective To assess the dietary exposure to aluminium of children aged 0-14 years in Shenzhen,and to evaluate the safety of diet in terms of aluminium exposure.Methods A total of 11 kinds of major food samples were randomly collected from 2009 to 2011 in Shenzhen,and tested for the aluminium level.Data of dietary and nutrition surveyed in 2008 was used to evaluate the exposure.Results The median dietary intake(P50)of aluminium was 1.31 mg per day,which accounted for 31.76% of PTWI(provisional tolerable weekly intake).Meantime,the P95 and P97.5 dietary intake of aluminium were 3.74 mg and 4.51 mg per day,accounting for 96.31% and 127.00% of PTWI,respectively.Vegetable(2.41 mg),fermented food(2.22 mg)and bean product(0.75 mg)were the top three source of dietary intake(P97.5)of aluminium.Conclusions Dietary intake(P95)of aluminium of children in Shenzhen is safe,but the P97.5 exceeds the PTWI.Reducing the use of leavening agent is imortant to control dietary intake of aluminium.
Independent College of Applied Art Design Talents Training Mode Research

In the quality education under the new situation,the independent college has become higher education school system and mode of an exploration and innovation.And independent college art design specialty in personnel training mode should emphasize the cultivation of applied talents.In this paper,according to the present situation of independent colleges,respectively from the teaching mode,professional curriculum and teaching resources discussed the independent college art design professional personnel training problems,in order to explore a suitable for independent colleges and universities design kind of professional development of the new way,continuous innovation to strengthen personnel training risk resistance capacity,and to provide some reference for independent college art design professional talent training mode construction in the future.
Abstract IA25: Immunotherapy: Is it within everyone's reach?

Cancer immunotherapy is an exciting and active area of cancer research; and several new immunotherapies have been approved for treatment of melanoma and lung cancer. Moreover, in melanoma, treatment with these immunotherapeutic agents has shown to nearly double the survival rate of patients with metastatic disease. Additionally, in on-going clinical trials, immunotherapy is also showing promise in regards to both safety and effectiveness in other types of cancer including breast and ovarian. However, access to these new immunotherapies is not the same for all cancer patients. Within medically underserved populations there are various factors that prohibit cancer patients from receiving these new and promising therapies. This presentation will review current cancer immunotherapeutic agents, their effectiveness and cost, as well as the challenges around ensuring that all patients who would benefit from these agents have access to them. Citation Format: Lupe G. Salazar. Immunotherapy: Is it within everyone9s reach? [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Eighth AACR Conference on The Science of Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; Nov 13-16, 2015; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2016;25(3 Suppl):Abstract nr IA25.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer: AUA/SUO Guideline

Purpose: Although associated with an overall favorable survival rate, the heterogeneity of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) affects patients’ rates of recurrence and progression. Risk stratification should influence evaluation, treatment and surveillance. This guideline attempts to provide a clinical framework for the management of NMIBC.Materials and Methods: A systematic review utilized research from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and additional supplementation by the authors and consultant methodologists. Evidence-based statements were based on body of evidence strength Grade A, B, or C and were designated as Strong, Moderate, and Conditional Recommendations with additional statements presented in the form of Clinical Principles or Expert Opinions.1Results: A risk-stratified approach categorizes patients into broad groups of low-, intermediate-, and high-risk. Importantly, the evaluation and treatment algorithm takes into account tumor characteristics and uniquely consi...
‘I’m a different kind of biracial’: how black/white biracial Americans with immigrant parents negotiate race

ABSTRACTIncreasingly, multiracial families have garnered scholarly attention. However, the roles of ethnicity and immigrant ties are largely absent in bi/multiracial studies. Drawing on 17 in-depth interviews with black/white biracial Americans with at least one immigrant parent, this study analyzes the dynamic interplay of race, ethnicity, and immigrant roots in the bi/multiracial community. Our findings show that participants struggle to articulate the meaning of race, and they assert specific racial/ethnic identities to circumvent stereotypical connotations of whiteness and blackness. We highlight how biracial Americans with immigrant ties – those who we might assume would have a limited understanding of race – voice clear understandings of racial superiority and inferiority, racial relations, and racial stereotypes. Emphasizing their ethnic roots is not only an attempt to accurately describe their ancestry; it also allows them to avoid the social consequences (i.e. stereotypes, discrimination, etc.) o...
The silver tsunami and rural small business retention: What can communities do?

Since many rural communities have a disproportionately older population, the “silver tsunami” of retiring baby boomers has fueled interest in small business succession as a business retention strat...
Hierarchical Lotus Leaf-Like Mesoporous Silica Material with Unique Bilayer and Hollow Sandwich-Like Folds: Synthesis, Mechanism, and Applications

A facile and straightforward strategy was developed to synthesize hierarchical lotus leaf-like mesoporous silica material (LLMSM) with unique bilayer and hollow sandwich-like folds using hexadecylamine as a structure-directing agent, high molecular weight polyvinylpyrrolidone as a structure-stabilizing agent, and tetraethyl orthosilicate as a silica precursor in the mixed solvents of water and ethanol. The formation mechanism of LLMSM was proposed based on a series of experimental investigations. This new particulate platform exhibited superior adsorption capacity toward organic dye, effective catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol as a Ag catalyst supporter, and a multistage sustained drug release profile. Many other applications can be also envisaged for such a hierarchical structure.
African American Families in Diversity: Gay Men and Lesbians as Participants in Family Networks*

Although recent research on African American families has focused on the roles of extended family members and fictive kin (i.e., non-biological members), the participation of openly gay-identified ...