cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Targeting cytokine therapy to the pancreatic tumor microenvironment using PD-L1 specific VHHs

Cytokine-based therapies for cancer have not achieved widespread clinical success because of inherent toxicities. Treatment for pancreatic cancer is limited by the dense stroma that surrounds tumors and by an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. To overcome these barriers, we developed constructs of single-domain antibodies (VHHs) against PD-L1 fused with IL-2 and IFNγ. Targeting cytokine delivery in this manner reduced pancreatic tumor burden by 50%, whereas cytokines fused to an irrelevant VHH, or blockade of PD-L1 alone, showed little effect. Targeted delivery of IL-2 increased the number of intratumoral CD8+ T cells, whereas IFNγ reduced the number of CD11b+ cells and skewed intratumoral macrophages toward the display of M1-like characteristics. Imaging of fluorescent VHH-IFNγ constructs, as well as transcriptional profiling, demonstrated targeting of IFNγ to the tumor microenvironment. Many tumors and tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells express PD-L1, rendering them potentially susceptible to this form of targeted immunotherapy. Cancer Immunol Res; 6(4); 389-401. ©2018 AACR.
While we dialogue, others die: A response to ‘The possibilities and limits to dialogue’

We revisit Martin Luther King Jr’s famous Letter from a Birmingham Jail (2013 [1963]), using his words to frame our thinking about the promise, limits, and efficacy of dialogue. The life and death politics of everyday oppressed people should directly inform any consideration of the merits of scholars engaging in (or disengaging from) dialogue, what they ultimately say, and with whom they engage in dialogue and political action. The stakes are too high—for the academy, broader society, and especially for those groups who bear the direct burden of injustice—not to engage in scholarly dialogue and debate. It is also important for scholars to communicate in resonant ways and enhance the value of their academic dialogue to oppressed groups. The most significant threat to scholarly dialogue is not necessarily from extremists; rather, the challenge lies in creating consequential dialogue with those who remain silent and indifferent in the face of what King called ‘the deep groans and passionate yearnings of the ...
Metabolic perturbations in classic galactosemia beyond the Leloir pathway: Insights from an untargeted metabolomic study.

Classic galactosemia (CG) is an autosomal recessive disorder that impacts close to 1/50000 live births in the United States, with varying prevalence in other countries. Following exposure to milk, which contains high levels of galactose, affected infants may experience rapid onset and progression of potentially lethal symptoms. With the benefit of early diagnosis, generally by newborn screening, and immediate and lifelong dietary restriction of galactose, the acute sequelae of disease can be prevented or resolved. However, long-term complications are common, and despite many decades of research, the bases of these complications remain unexplained. As a step toward defining the underlying pathophysiology of long-term outcomes in CG, we applied an untargeted metabolomic approach with mass spectrometry and dual liquid chromatography, comparing thousands of small molecules in plasma samples from 183 patients and 31 controls. All patients were on galactose-restricted diets. Using both univariate and multivariate statistical methods, we identified 252 differentially abundant features from anion exchange chromatography and 167 differentially abundant features from C18 chromatography. Mapping these discriminatory features to putative metabolites and biochemical pathways revealed 14 significantly perturbed pathways; these included multiple redox, amino acid, and mitochondrial pathways, among others. Finally, we tested whether any discriminatory features also distinguished cases with mild vs more severe long-term outcomes and found multiple candidates, of which one achieved false discovery rate-adjusted q < 0.1. These results extend substantially from prior targeted studies of metabolic perturbation in CG and offer a new approach to identifying candidate modifiers and targets for intervention.
Historical Literacy Instruction for All Learners: Evidence From a Design Experiment

AbstractWe used a design-based research model to examine a historical literacy intervention in Grade 6 classrooms. This article describes the results across 2 separate instructional cycles and for ...
Stylistic variation in /r/: Shifting personas on a bridal reality television show

Contemporary sociolinguistic scholarship has made great gains in uncovering how speakers actively project identities through the manipulation of linguistic forms. This paper adds to that body of work, investigating stylistic variation among a group of women on the reality show Say Yes to the Dress in New York City. I focus on the interactional shifts of these women, who move between two personas as bridal consultants: bridal gown expert and friend of the bride. Through qualitative and quantitative analyses, I show that intraspeaker variation in /r/ is motivated by the interactional roles that the women project as they engage in various speech activity types when enacting these different facets of the self.
Chapter 4 – Microwave Magnetic Film Devices

Publisher Summary Magnetic film microwave devices are based on a broad class of ferrimagnetic materials commonly referred to as ferrites. Both ferro- and ferrimagnetic materials exhibit the hysteresis effect, which is a nonlinear relationship between the applied magnetic field (H) and the magnetic induction (B) of the materials. In ferromagnetic materials, the magnetic moments of all the atoms are oriented in the same direction whereas ferrimagnetism arises from the anti parallel alignment of the magnetic moments of ions on different sublattices in the crystal. The oppositely directed magnetic moments do not exactly cancel that result in a net magnetic. The important properties that make ferrites useful for microwave device applications are their strong magnetic coupling, high resistivity, and low-loss characteristics. Other materials, which could fit under the title of magnetic films for microwave devices, could include superconductors, colossal magneto resistance materials, and spin-polarized ferromagnetic magnetic metals, are briefly covered in this chapter.
Validation of a Virtual Reality Buffet environment to assess food selection processes among emerging adults.

Abstract Emerging adulthood is a critical developmental period for examining food- and eating-related behaviors as long-term weight-related behavioral patterns are established. Virtual reality (VR) technology is a promising tool for basic and applied research on eating and food-related processes. Thus, the present study tested the validity and user perceptions of a highly immersive and realistic VR food buffet by: (1) comparing participants' food selections made in the VR buffet and a real-world (RW) food buffet cafeteria one-week apart, and (2) assessing participants' rated perceptions of their VR experience (0–100 scale). Participants comprised an ethnically diverse sample of emerging adults (N = 35, Mage = 20.49, SD = 2.17). Results revealed that participants' food selections in the VR and RW food buffets were significantly and positively correlated in Kcals, grams, carbohydrates, and protein (all p's
Successful pediatric DMEK facilitated by intracameral tissue plasminogen activator to mitigate anterior chamber fibrin reaction.

Abstract Purpose To report a case of a successful Descemet's membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) facilitated by the use of intracameral tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in a 4-year old with posterior polymorphous corneal dystrophy (PPCD). Observations A 4-year old male was referred for bilateral corneal haze and blurry vision. Patient's exam and genetic testing were consistent with a diagnosis of PPCD. Patient was successfully treated with DMEK augmented by the use of intracameral tPA intraoperatively to combat the anterior chamber fibrin formation that can occur in DMEK. Conclusions To our knowledge, this case represents the youngest reported successful DMEK procedure and the first case describing the use of intracameral tPA intraoperatively to attenuate the anterior chamber fibrin formation that can occur in DMEK.
Using Actor-Network Theory to Characterize the Production of Ancient Maya Caching Events at Cerro Maya (Cerros, Belize)

Inspired by actor-network theory, this research uses an operationalized archaeological actor-network approach to characterize and examine human-object relationships associated with ritual caching deposits (votive bundles of objects) at the site of Cerro Maya (formerly Cerros), Belize. Designed to be broadly applicable for archaeological studies, our archaeological actor-network approach made it possible to inductively examine, characterize, and diachronically compare the complex arrays of human and nonhuman relationships. In contrast to previous studies that characterized caches mainly in symbolic terms, we treated caches as traces of the small-scale actor-networks that emerged during the production of ancient Maya caching events. More specifically, our actor-network methodology made it possible to characterize caches and caching events in terms of the relationships between materials, temporality, objects, places, and groups of people, their intentions, and actions. The inductive and diachronic focus of approach also allowed us to compare arrays of caching actor-networks over time while considering the social affect that caching events had on subsequent caching events and the site’s social development. This approach demonstrates that even simple artifact clusters can be viewed as proxies for highly complex networks of interlinked social relations that play roles in shaping important historical interactions and social orders over time.
Association of COVID-19 spread with on-demand testing

Comparisons of COVID-19 testing policies in 99 countries indicate that testing on demand is associated with an increase in cases 14 days after the tests. Adjusted for number of new cases and the positivity rate, for each 10,000 negative tests on a given day there were 90-110 new cases in 14 days that would not have otherwise occurred. Approximately 3.1 million or 21 percent of new cases in periods of on-demand testing are likely due to that policy through early November 2020. During periods in a given country when only persons with symptoms were tested, or persons with symptoms and key vulnerable populations were tested, negative tests were associated with fewer new cases 14 days out. Apparently when tests are available on demand, those who test negative are engaging in activities that increase the risk of exposure.
Manufacturing Plants: Notes on the Culture of Nature and the Nature of Culture

The terms "culture" and "nature" have ambiguous meanings in most Western societies. Culture is used to denote the totality of socially transmitted customs and behavior patterns of a given society as well as to denote the cultivation of plants or microorganisms in a petri dish. Nature is used to refer to those aspects of the world that are beyond us as well as to that which is taken for granted as "natural" or normal. This ambiguity is particularly well reflected in current debates about plant biotechnology and germplasm conservation.The thesis of this paper is that the nature/culture distinction has outlived its usefulness. The new biotechnologies illustrate in the most dramatic of ways how we make and remake nature, while the issues surrounding germplasm conservation show that we have been collectively engaged in making nature for thousands of years. Thus, nature is not natural; it is a product of culture. Put another way, nature is always cultured. Similarly, culture is a product of nature; it is natural in its origins if not in its content. Resumen Industrializando el Cultivo: Notas sobre la Cultura de la Naturaleza y la Naturaleza de la Cultura Los terminos "cultura" y "naturaleza" tienen significados ambiguos en la mayoria de las sociedades occidentales. El de Cultura es utilizado para denotar el conjunto de costumbres y patrones de comportamiento que tienen las sociedades. Asimismo tambien significa el cultivo de plantas o de microorganismos en una capsula de Pietri. El de Naturaleza es utilizado para designar aquellos aspectos del mundo que nos rodean, asi como tambien, para dar por sentado lo que es normal o "natural". Esta ambiguedad esta particularmente bien reflejada en los actuales debates sobre la siembra biotecnologica y la conservacion de plasma germinal. La tesis de este articulo es que la utilidad de la distincion naturaleza cultura ho terminado. Las nuevas biotecnologias ilustran, a traves de las mas dramaticas vias, como nos apropiamos y rehacemos la naturaleza, mientras miramos los beneficios de la conservacion del plasma germinal comprometiendo colectivamente lo que la naturaleza ha hecho en miles de anos. De este modo, la naturaleza ya no es natural; ella es un producto de la cultura. Por otro lado, la naluraleza es tambien culturizada. Similarmente, la cullura es un producto de la naturaleza; ella es naturaleza en sus origen pero no en su contenido.
Value chains: the new economic imperialism: edited by Intan Suwandi, New York, Monthly Review Press, 2019. 217 pp., US$ 23, (paperback), ISBN: 978-158367-781-0

Is imperialism an archaic concept? Has the control of economic territory by large capital and the related ‘intermingling of economic and political interests' (Lenin, cited in Suwandi, 2019, p. 16) ...
Racial and Ethnic Considerations in the United States

Men are underrepresented in the eating disorder literature, but there is an even greater underrepresentation of racial and ethnic minority men in empirical work on etiology, assessment, and treatment of eating disorders. This review summarizes the existing literature on eating disorder symptoms and behaviors in Black, Asian American, Latino, and Native American men within the United States, including acculturation and discrimination as salient culture-specific variables. The impact of implicit biases on the type and focus of studies within the existing literature is described. In reviewing the prevalence of eating disorder behaviors, Black men engage in more weight control, muscle building, and binge eating than White men. Comparisons between Asian American and White men on eating disorder behaviors are inconsistent. Latinos, Native Americans and other First Nations men engage in more weight control behaviors and binge eating than White men. Thus, with the exception of Asian American men, eating disorder behaviors appear to be more prevalent among racial and ethnic minority men. Acculturation, or internalization of Western values and ideals, is associated with eating pathology in Black men, and the stress of acculturating is associated with eating pathology in Latinos. Yet among Native American and other First Nations men, acculturation is associated with less eating pathology. Among Black men, discrimination is associated with emotional eating. There is a dire need for research on the suitability of eating disorder assessments for racial and ethnic minority men. Further, there is a need for efficacy and effectiveness studies examining contemporary interventions in the prevention and treatment of eating disorders in these understudied populations.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Service Expansion in Developing Countries

Air conditioning and refrigeration services are increasing rapidly in developing countries due to improved living standards. The cooling services industry is currently responsible for over 10% of g...
Dual projecting cells linking thalamic and cortical communication routes between the medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampus

Abstract The interactions between the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and the hippocampus (HC) are critical for memory and decision making and have been specifically implicated in several neurological disorders including schizophrenia, epilepsy, frontotemporal dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease. The ventral midline thalamus (vmThal), and lateral entorhinal cortex and perirhinal cortex (LEC/PER) constitute major communication pathways that facilitate mPFC-HC interactions in memory. Although vmThal and LEC/PER circuits have been delineated separately we sought to determine whether these two regions share cell-specific inputs that could influence both routes simultaneously. To do this we used a dual fluorescent retrograde tracing approach using cholera toxin subunit-B (CTB-488 and CTB-594) with injections targeting vmThal and the LEC/PER in rats. Retrograde cell body labeling was examined in key regions of interest within the mPFC-HC system including: (1) mPFC, specifically anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), dorsal and ventral prelimbic cortex (dPL, vPL), and infralimbic cortex (IL); (2) medial and lateral septum (MS, LS); (3) subiculum (Sub) along the dorsal-ventral and proximal-distal axes; and (4) LEC and medial entorhinal cortex (MEC). Results showed that dual vmThal-LEC/PER-projecting cell populations are found in MS, vSub, and the shallow layers II/III of LEC and MEC. We did not find any dual projecting cells in mPFC or in the cornu ammonis (CA) subfields of the HC. Thus, mPFC and HC activity is sent to vmThal and LEC/PER via non-overlapping projection cell populations. Importantly, the dual projecting cell populations in MS, vSub, and EC are in a unique position to simultaneously influence both cortical and thalamic mPFC-HC pathways critical to memory. Significance Statement The interactions between mPFC and HC are critical for learning and memory, and dysfunction within this circuit is implicated in various neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases. mPFC-HC interactions are mediated through multiple communication pathways including a thalamic hub through the vmThal and a cortical hub through lateral entorhinal cortex and perirhinal cortex. Our data highlight newly identified dual projecting cell populations in the septum, Sub, and EC of the rat brain. These dual projecting cells may have the ability to modify the information flow within the mPFC-HC circuit through synchronous activity, and thus offer new cell-specific circuit targets for basic and translational studies in memory.
Institutional Resilience and Climate Variability in International Water Treaties: The Jordan River Basin as 'Proof-of-Concept'

Climate-driven changes in precipitation distribution have implications for the long-term sustainability of international water-sharing and hydropower agreements. This research analyses water allocation methods, estimates the resilience of existing water supply arrangements, and examines the role of modified institutional arrangements in addressing possible vulnerabilities in transboundary basins. Specifically, we analyse the resilience of the 1994 Israel–Jordan Treaty of Peace during climate extremes. While the absence of a drought provision in the Treaty left Jordan and Israel vulnerable to drought-induced conflict, the Treaty did establish a Joint Water Committee (JWC) to resolve conflicts without making permanent amendments to the original agreement. During the drought of 1998/99, Israeli and Jordanian members of the JWC brokered a temporary arrangement to modify allocations in order to reflect water availability. Even though water availability restricted the parties from fulfilling Treaty obligations, the institutional arrangement created by the Treaty enabled the parties to peacefully cooperate in time of severe drought.
Transperineal multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging-ultrasound fusion-targeted prostate biopsy combined with standard template improves perineural invasion detection.

Summary Perineural invasion (PNI) on biopsy is associated with adverse features in prostate cancer (PCa). Transrectal multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)–targeted biopsy (TBx) has shown to detect higher presence of PNI than standard template biopsy (SBx). Transperineal biopsy provides effective cancer detection with lower complications than the transrectal approach. We compared PNI detection efficiency between SBx and TBx through transperineal approach. We identified patients with PCa who underwent transperineal TBx and concomitant standard 20-core template SBx from September 2019 to February 2021. Clinical, MRI imaging and biopsy characteristics were evaluated and compared between TBx and SBx. Two hundred thirty-eight patients with PCa underwent concomitant transperineal SBx and TBx procedures. Combined PNI+ (SBxPNI+ and/or TBxPNI+) was identified in 77 of 238 (32.4%) patients. SBx detected 23.9% PNI-positive patients and TBx detected 19.3% PNI-positive patients of all patients with PCa. Patients with PNI were with significantly different clinicopathological characteristics than patients without PNI. Although significantly more positive PCa cores and higher positive PCa core rate were found in the SBx method, patients with SBxPNI+ only shared similar features as TBxPNI+only patients. Of 176 cases with both SBxPCa and TBxPCa, TBx could detect 19 (15.1%) more PNI cases than SBx while SBx could detect 24 (18.3%) more PNI cases than TBx. Multiparametric MRI fusion–targeted biopsy in combination with template biopsy through transperineal approach achieved PNI detection rate over 30% of PCa cases. The increased PNI detection may improve the model to select active surveillance candidates in clinical practice.
Studying the wind-induced vibrations of a traffic signal structure through long term health monitoring

Abstract Recent failures of traffic signal structures have showcased the vulnerability of such structures to wind loading. During the wind-induced vibration of the mast arm, the large mass of the mast arm creates high-level stress at the pole-to-arm connection. Additionally the low mechanical damping results in accumulationof stress cycles ewhich could cause fatigue damage at the pole-to-arm connection. In this study, a traffic signal structure with three vertical traffic lights was selected for long-term health monitoring. The monitored acceleration data at the mast arm tip was used to study the wind-induced behavior and was compared with the theoretical analysis results. The monitored strain data at the pole-to-arm connection was used to evaluate the fatigue damage. Low stress ranges were recorded most of the time, which indicates that the wind-induced fatigue damage might not be a significant concern for the monitored traffic signal structure. However, high stress ranges have been recorded at high wind speeds, indicating fatigue damage can still be an issue at higher wind speed regions. The performance of monitored traffic signal structure was compared with those in the literature. An apparent discrepancy was noticed between their wind-induced behaviors, and the orientation of the attached traffic lights was identified as a key parameter to influence the wind-induced behavior. It was found that at low wind speed, attached vertical traffic lights can reduce the likelihood of vortex-induced vibration and, as a result, lower the stress range at the pole-to-arm connection.
Metabolic trends of Chinese hamster ovary cells in biopharmaceutical production under batch and fed-batch conditions.

Extensive knowledge of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell metabolism is required to improve process productivity and culture performance in biopharmaceutical manufacturing. However, CHO cells show a dynamic metabolism during culturing in batch and fed-batch bioreactors. CHO cell metabolism is generally described as taking place in three stages: exponential growth phase, stationary phase, and death phase. This review aims to summarize the trends of central metabolism for CHO cells during each stage. Additional insights into how culture conditions are related to phase transitions and force metabolic rewiring are provided. Understanding of CHO cell metabolism lends itself to improving culture qualities by, for example, identifying sources of toxic byproducts and pathways for cellular engineering. In summary, this review describes the changes in CHO cell central metabolism over the course of the culture. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
A Time Sharing Computer Programming Application of a Multiple Criteria Decision Method to Energy Planning—A Progress Report

Linear programming models have been developed and used by the U.S. Energy Research and Development Administration for energy evaluations. In this paper we discuss our work in implementing a method for multiple criteria linear programming in the energy planning models. Our work is not yet complete, but the initial results are encouraging.
Dynamical Systems and Linear Algebra

This book provides an introduction to the interplay between linear algebra and dynamical systems in continuous time and in discrete time. It first reviews the autonomous case for one matrix A via induced dynamical systems in {R}^d and on Grassmannian manifolds. Then the main nonautonomous approaches are presented for which the time dependency of A(t) is given via skew-product flows using periodicity, or topological (chain recurrence) or ergodic properties (invariant measures). The authors develop generalizations of (real parts of) eigenvalues and eigenspaces as a starting point for a linear algebra for classes of time-varying linear systems, namely periodic, random, and perturbed (or controlled) systems. The book presents for the first time in one volume a unified approach via Lyapunov exponents to detailed proofs of Floquet theory, of the properties of the Morse spectrum, and of the multiplicative ergodic theorem for products of random matrices. The main tools, chain recurrence and Morse decompositions, as well as classical ergodic theory are introduced in a way that makes the entire material accessible for beginning graduate students.
Client perceptions of the impact of genetic counseling: an exploratory study.

Twenty-eight former genetic counseling clients seen at a major Midwestern university were recruited to be interviewed about their genetic counseling experiences, including most and least helpful aspects, what they learned, how this information impacted their decision-making, and their perceptions of their genetic counselors' behaviors. Responses were inductively analyzed, and several themes were identified, including: Clients sought genetic counseling to obtain genetic-medical information; a majority accurately recalled this information; genetic counseling influenced decisions for about 50% of the sample; decision-making was affected by several extra-session factors; a majority experienced distress during the session; most perceived genetic counselor responses as nondirective and liked this approach; counselor behaviors regarded as directive involved discussion of pregnancy termination; participants disagreed about the need for and provision of genetic counselor support; most regarded the session as helpful and stated that they would seek genetic counseling again. Suggestions for addressing these issues in practice and research are given.
An Information Technology Integration System and Its Life Cycle

Abstract In celebration of Computers in the Schools' 20th anniversary, we take a look back at the evolution of technology integration in education over the past two decades. In this retrospective analysis we have identified four critical components in a typical integration life cycle that contribute to the failure to integrate information technology: (a) a missing link, (b) a misguided direction, (c) an area of weakness, and (d) a major dilemma. Also, in this paper we propose a new conceptual framework that represents both a macro- and micro-perspective of technology integration. The new conceptual framework consists of a three-dimensional ITD (Information, Technology, Instructional Design) information technology integration system that is associated with two other integration models. The first model-the Information Technology Integration Life Cycleexamines the macro-processes of integration over time (years). The second model-the Information Technology Integration Design Modelexamines the micro-processes...
Vocational Education and Training Workforce

This article describes the history and development of the vocational education and training (VET) workforce. It examines faculty preparation and experience, including the historical roots and development of vocational or workforce education and its practitioners. It also looks at the characteristics of VET faculty from a variety of cultural and national perspectives. Faculty qualifications and credentials are examined. The role of adjunct or part-time (casual) faculty in VET is reviewed. Various types of professional development aimed at maintaining vocational competency and currency are discussed. Finally, a bibliography and further readings section directs the reader to additional information on the topic.
Isometry groups of simply connected manifolds of nonpositive curvature

Let H denote a complete simply connected Riemannian manifold of nonpositive sectional curvature, and let I(H) denote the group of isometries of H. In this paper we consider density properties of subgroups D~_I(H) that satisfy the duality condition (defined below), These density properties also yield characterizations of Riemannian symmetric spaces of noncompact type and results about lattices in H that strengthen several of the results of [ 11 ] and [ 15]. If H is a symmetric space of noncompact type and if D is a subgroup of Io(H), then the duality condition for D is implied by the Selberg property (S) for D [20, pp. 4-6] or [10]. A partial converse is obtained in [10]. It is an interesting question whether the two conditions are equivalent in this context. Our density results are very similar to those of [5]. In Proposition 4.2 we obtain a differential geometric version of the Borel density theorem (cf. Corollary 4.2 of [5]): Let H admit no Euclidean de Rham factor, and let G~_I(H) be a subgroup whose normalizer D in I(H) satisfies the duality condition. Then either (1) G is discrete or (2) there exist manifolds Hi , / /2 such that (a) H is isometric to the Riemannian product HlXH2, (b) H1 is a symmetric space of noncompact type, (c) ((~)0=Io(Hl) and (d) there exists a discrete subgroup B~_I(Hz), whose normalizer in 1(//2) satisfies the duality condition, such that Io(HO• is a subgroup of t) of finite index in 0 . Using the result just quoted or the main theorem of section 3 we then obtain the following decomposition of a manifold H whose isometry group I(H) satisfies the duality condition (Proposition 4.1): Let I(H) satisfy the duality condition. Then there exist manifolds H0, Ht and H2, two of which may have dimension zero, such that (1) H is isometric to
Saccharomyces pombe and Saccharomyces cerevisiae Gene Regulatory Network Inference Using the Fuzzy Logic Network

In this chapter, a novel gene regulatory network inference algorithm based on the fuzzy logic network theory is proposed and tested. The key motivation for this algorithm is that genes with regulatory relationships may be modeled via fuzzy logic, and the strength of regulations may be represented as the length of accumulated distance during a period of time intervals. One unique feature of this algorithm is that it makes very limited a priori assumptions concerning the modeling. Hence the algorithm is categorized as a data-driven algorithm. With the theoretical guidelines to quantify the upper limits of parameters, the algorithm is implemented to infer gene regulatory networks for Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Saccharomyces pombe. The computation results not only prove the validity of the data-driven algorithm, but also offer a possible explanation concerning the difference of network stabilities between the budding yeast and the fission yeast.
Fiber optic rate gyro development

The Fiber Optic Rate Gyro can be configured as a form-fit-function replacement for targeted systems. Key advantages include a lightweight solid state configuration with extended operating life and immunity from most forms of electromagnetic interference.
Revisiting weight reduction and management in the diabetic patient: Novel therapies provide new strategies

AbstractWeight gain has been so synonymous with diabetes care that overweight/obesity is considered an intractable aspect of diabetes and its management. A healthy body mass index (BMI) is paramount, however, in preserving the cardiometabolic profile, slowing the course of the disease and extending the life expectancy of patients. It is also key to fostering a healthy and productive society at large. Two trends in care press us to challenge our assumptions about weight control in this population by reconsidering traditional approaches to the management of diabetes. First, new anti-diabetes drug classes have emerged that are more “weight-friendly” than previously available treatments and “gentler” on the faltering β cell. Second, novel anti-obesity agents are proving efficacious in patients with diabetes. This paper presents the composite of newer and older anti-obesity and anti-diabetic drugs. It makes recommendations for anti-diabetic regimens and processes of care that engender weight loss, or neutraliz...
Vascularized composite allotransplantation: a new concept in musculoskeletal regeneration

Over the past 20 years, the fields of biomaterial sciences and tissue engineering have evolved into new clinically relevant applications including regenerative medicine and cell based therapies. Tissue engineering therapies are based on different types of materials and scaffolds combined with cells and submitted to engineering processes in order to create bio-scaffolds which will improve or replace biological functions. Despite the effort, only a few therapies, such as bone, cartilage and nerve, succeeded in clinical applications. Furthermore, the major drawback in standard application of these therapies was the critical size defects which could be covered with engineered materials, as well as inability to provide sustainable vascular supply to the created bio-scaffolds. In 1998, the first successful hand transplantation was performed in France, and the field of vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA) was introduced into the armamentarium of reconstructive surgery (Dubernard in Am J Transplant 5(6):1580-1, 2005; Petruzzo et al. in Am J Transplant 6(7):1718-24, 2006; Lanzetta et al. in Transplantation 79(9):1210-4, 2005). As a result, a new generation of transplants including hand, face, larynx abdominal wall, lower extremities and penile transplantation became available to patients who had lost these unique organs and were previously unable to achieve restored function using standard reconstructive procedures. Ethical debate on the need for life-long immunosuppressive therapy to prevent rejection of the VCA overshadowed the success of face and hand transplants. Thus, a new, challenging opportunity developed to combine approaches of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine and ultimately restore the framework, function, aesthetics and survival of the VSA transplants. This overview presents the unique opportunities of merging established and new technologies into the burgeoning field of reconstructive transplantation.
Climate adaptation: Cultural knowledge and local risks

A focus on African American communities on the Eastern Shore of Maryland highlights the ways that local cultural knowledge differs from place to place, developing understanding of local climate risks and resources for adaptation.
Synthesis and characterization of graft copolymers from lignin and 2‐propenamide

Free radical polymerization of 2-propenamide in the presence of lignin, anhydrous calcium chloride, and cericion in photolyzed dioxane solvent produces a reaction product containing lignin-(1-amidoethylene) graft copolymer. Up to 49 weight percent of the product is poly(1-amidoethylene) homopolymer. Photolysis products of dioxane and the presence of anhydrous calcium chloride are critical to the reaction. A maximum yield of polymer is obtained when the dioxane solvent is irradiated for 3 h in a Pyrex vessel and the reaction mixture contains 2.0 weight percent calcium chloride. Aqueous size exclusion chromatography of reaction products shows that the molecular size of the lignin-(2-propenamide) reaction product is significantly greater than that of unreacted lignin, that the side chain and the lignin backbone migrate as one unit through the column, and that mixtures of lignin and poly(1-amidoethylene) are easily separated by the chromatographic column.
Touch screen performance by individuals with and without motor control disabilities

Touch technology is becoming more prevalent as functionality improves and cost decreases. Therefore, it is important that this technology is accessible to users with diverse abilities. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of button and gap size on performance by individuals with varied motor abilities. Participants with (n = 38) and without (n = 15) a motor control disability completed a digit entry task. Button size ranged from 10 to 30 mm and gap size was either 1 or 3 mm. Results indicated that as button size increased, there was a decrease in misses, errors, and time to complete tasks. Performance for the non-disabled group plateaued at button size 20 mm, with minimal, if any gains observed with larger button sizes. In comparison, the disabled group's performance continued to improve as button size increased. Gap size did not affect user performance. These results may help to improve accessibility of touch technology.
Socio‐cultural factors in mental disorder

In an effort to shed some factual light on the part played by social and cultural factors in mental disorder, this author appraises the current status of research between socio-cultural variables and mental disorder by summarizing and evaluating recent empirical studies of these relationships. Consideration is given to demographic, ecological, cross-cultural, social stratification, and social mobility studies as well as to social factors and psychiatric treatment.
Symptomatic radial artery thrombosis successfully treated with endovascular approach via femoral access route

Radial access has been increasingly utilized for coronary intervention due to higher safety profile in comparison to femoral access site with lower bleeding rate. Radial artery occlusion is not uncommon with radial access site. This usually does not lead to any harm due to ulnar artery collaterals that are sufficient to prevent hand ischemia and is usually left alone. However, in the case of significant hand ischemia, treatment is often necessary. We are reporting an interesting case of symptomatic radial artery thrombosis leading to arm ischemia that was successfully treated percutaneously using femoral access. Using femoral access for radial artery intervention has not been reported previously. This case is followed by review of the literature.
Sources of optical contrast in biological tissues

This tutorial will survey a variety of optical techniques for biological spectroscopy and imaging. Point measurements, superficial and diffusive imaging as well as multi-modality imaging techniques will be discussed. Specific examples will be presented from our own research on breast cancer detection using optical spectroscopy.
Patterns of Development on the Metropolitan Fringe: Urban Fringe Expansion in Bangkok, Jakarta, and Santiago

Abstract This paper revisits the question of how best to characterize settlements on the metropolitan fringe of developing countries. We examine the socioeconomic composition and structure of such urban fringe settlements, using three sets of household surveys undertaken in Bangkok (Thailand), Jakarta (Indonesia), and Santiago (Chile) during June-August 1990. The findings reveal the metropolitan fringe areas to be populated mainly by middle- and lower-middle-income households formally employed in service occupations. Informal economic activity exists, but is not significant. Micro-enterprises are the exception. Most fringe residents had moved from other neighborhoods within the capital city rather than from rural settlements. Linkages to rural areas and to agriculture are largely absent; the fringe is spatially and functionally well-integrated into the metropolitan economy. The paper recommends that foreign-assistance program officers and local planners resist global “common themes” or approaches to devel...
Organ cultures inoculated with serum from a hepatitis patient with Au antigenemia

Abstract Fragments of human inguinal lymph nodes were taken at the time of inguinal herniorrhaphy from four patients, 1–5 years of age. These fragments were placed on human fibrin foam and maintained in nutrient media for up to 18 days in culture. Electron microscopic examination of these explants revealed that lymph node cells were viable and maintained the characteristic morphology seen in vivo . Lymph node organ cultures were immediately incubated with either serum containing the Au antigen or fluid containing herpes simplex virus. After 48 and 96 hours, lymph node explants inoculated with herpes simplex virus revealed that primarily macrophages and reticulum cells, not mature lymphocytes, contained intranuclear virus particles. In one out of four groups of lymph node organ culture inoculated with the Au antigen, the Au antigen was detected in pooled organ culture fluid by agar-gel diffusion and complement fixation. Negative stained preparations of this culture fluid revealed three distinctive types of particles similar to those seen in the serum inoculum. Thin sections of these explants revealed intracellular and extracellular Au antigen-like particles in small numbers. Thus, it was concluded that some lymph node organ cultures may support the production of the Au antigen.
Optimization of Flow Past a Moving Deformable Airfoil using Spectral Difference Method

In this paper we examine the low Reynolds number flow past a harmonically plunging, pitching, and deforming airfoil, both individually and in combination. The lift and thrust characteristics of the combined flapping airfoil motion of plunging, pitching and deforming are investigated using a high-fidelity flow solver. The high-order Navier-Stokes solver based on Spectral Difference (SD) method is used to analyze the moving airfoils. An algebraic mesh deformation algorithm is used to accommodate airfoil deformation and movement. The thrust characteristic of a harmonically oscillating and deforming airfoil is investigated. For a deformation function defined by two parameters, i.e. maximum camber Ac and the location of the maximum camber Xc, a particular deformation profile is identified that produces significant thrust.
The rise in brightness of infra-red sensitive phosphors.

A phenomenological theory of infra-red sensitive phosphors is given which assumes the existence of two types of luminescent centers in order to account for the so-called “inertia” effects in the rise of brightness. The equations describing the electron transfer processes have been integrated and show under certain conditions a very rapid initial rise in brightness followed by a relatively slow attainment of the maximum. The effect of varying the intensity of the stimulating infra-red radiation is discussed.
Computer simulations of wind-induced Estuarine circulation patterns and estuary-shelf exchange processes : The potential role of wind forcing on larval transport

Wind and density (salinity) driven circulation patterns in the Croatan-Albemarle-Pamlico Estuarine System (CAPES), North Carolina and its interaction with shelf waters via inlets were investigated using the three-dimensional Princeton Ocean Model (POM). This study examines the sensitivity of three-dimensional flow within the CAPES and the exchange of water mass between the CAPES and continental shelf to eight different wind directions. The results indicate that stochastic wind forcing could interact with the topography of coastline and the geographic locations of inlet sources of larvae, to produce spatiotemporal variation in larval supply to potential estuarine nursery habitats. Larval transport between Pamlico, Croatan and Albemarle Sounds, and exchange between estuary and shelf can have horizontal and vertical variations. Thus, three dimensional models coupled with information on larval vertical migration behavior, are required to explain inshore migration and settlement patterns of estuarine-dependent finfish and crustaceans.
Inference on networks of mixtures for robust robot mapping

The central challenge in robotic mapping is obtaining reliable data associations (or "loop closures"): state-of-the-art inference algorithms can fail catastrophically if even one erroneous loop closure is incorporated into the map. Consequently, much work has been done to push error rates closer to zero. However, a long-lived or multi-robot system will still encounter errors, leading to system failure. We propose a fundamentally different approach: allow richer error models that allow the probability of a failure to be explicitly modeled. In other words, rather than characterizing loop closures as being "right" or "wrong", we propose characterizing the error of those loop closures in a more expressive manner that can account for their non-Gaussian behavior. Our approach leads to an fully integrated Bayesian framework for dealing with error-prone data. Unlike earlier multiple-hypothesis approaches, our approach avoids exponential memory complexity and is fast enough for real-time performance. We show that the proposed method not only allows loop closing errors to be automatically identified, but also that in extreme cases, the "front-end" loop-validation systems can be unnecessary. We demonstrate our system both on standard benchmarks and on the real-world data sets that motivated this work.
Indications for and outcomes of penetrating keratoplasty performed by resident surgeons.

Abstract Purpose To analyze the indications for and outcomes of penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) performed by resident surgeons at both county hospital and Veterans Affairs facilities. Design Observational case series Methods Retrospective review of 79 eyes from 61 patients undergoing PKP from January 1, 1997, through December 31, 2001, to determine indications for surgery and outcomes, including graft clarity and final visual acuity. Results There were 52 (65.8%) primary and 27 (34.2%) repeat transplants performed. Follow-up after surgery averaged 21.9 months. Indications for PKP included failed graft, 23 (29.1%), bullous keratopathy, 17 (21.5%), keratoconus, 16 (20.3%), corneal scar, 15 (19.0%), corneal perforation from infection, 5 (6.3%), and Fuchs endothelial dystrophy, 3 (3.8%). Twenty-one eyes had pre-existing ocular disease limiting final acuity. Overall, 51 grafts (64.6%) remained clear. More primary than repeat grafts remained clear (75% vs 44.4%, P = .012) and achieved 20/40 or better final acuity (30.8% vs 11.8%, P = .05). Excluding failed grafts or eyes with limited visual potential, final acuities achieved were: 19 (47.5%) 20/40 or better, 18 (45%) 20/50 to 20/150, 3 (7.5%) 20/200 or worse. Grafts remaining clear by indication were: failed graft, 9 (39.1%); keratoconus, 14 (87.5%); bullous keratopathy, 13 (76.5%); corneal scar, 10 (66.7%); corneal perforation, 2 (40%); Fuchs, 3 (100%). Eyes achieving final acuity of 20/40 or better by indication were: keratoconus, 9 (56.2%); failed graft, 3 (13%); bullous keratopathy, 3 (17.7%); corneal scar, 2 (13.3%); corneal perforation, 0 (0%); Fuchs, 2 (66.7%). Conclusions County hospital and Veterans Affairs facilities provide a challenging subset of patients for penetrating keratoplasty. Failed graft was the leading indication for transplantation for our population. Graft clarity and final visual acuity varied by indication for transplantation. Resident surgeons can achieve favorable results for penetrating keratoplasty performed at these venues, especially for primary transplants.