575 research outputs found
Ctenosciara hyalipennis Meigen 1804
No full textCtenosciara hyalipennis (Meigen, 1804) Sciara hyalipennis Meigen, 1804: 99. Ctenosciara hyalipennis Tuomikoski, 1960: 110. Remarks. This species is common and widespread in the Palaearctic Region. It was recorded as Sciara annulata Meigen, 1818 from Taiwan (Lin & Chen 1999; Rudzinski 2004). It can be distinguished by having CuA 2 bare and apex of gonostylus not attenuated, almost equally wide along entire length.Published as part of Wu, Hong, Zhang, Su-Jiong & Huang, Junhao, 2010, The genus Ctenosciara Tuomikoski in China, with descriptions of three new species (Diptera, Sciaridae), pp. 42-50 in Zootaxa 2560 on page 43, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.19701
Debate 3: Genetically Tested Embryos Expected to Have Mild Adult Disease Should Not Be Transferred <subtitle>Motion For – Author: Junhao Yan; Motion Against – Author: Michael Gabbett</subtitle>
No full textMOTION: For Next generation sequencing (NGS) technology has been widely used in the field of genetic diseases, mainly focusing on the diagnosis of genetic diseases, newborn screening, prenatal screening, preimplantation genetic test (PGT) and other fields such as the treatment of cancer. In the field of reproductive medicine, there are still some issues that engendered controversy about the application of PGT. On one hand, disputes over whether using PGT to treat late-onset diseases is ethical remain. On the other hand, some tested embryos are “available” to transfer, while others are “discarded” embryos that are “unavailable” because they are detected carrying certain genetic flaws. But there are still some embryos biopsied expected to have some genetic abnormality that might or not cause malfunction, including embryos with copy number variant of uncertain significance (VUS), embryos tested with adult-onset genetically anomalousness, embryos of balanced translocation as well as mosaic embryos. So how to dispose of this group of embryos in clinical practice is a hot issue up to now. In this debate, we reviewed the relevant case reports and original research combined with the joint consensus or committee opinion to state our proposition: embryos tested with possible abnormal genetic characteristics and thus expected to have mild adult disease should not be transferred. Parents undergoing PGT may wish to avoid the lifelong concern caused by the chance that their children may develop adult-onset conditions. The transfer of embryos expected to have mild adult disease is contrary to their original intention of seeking PGT treatment. Whether intentional or incidental, the discovery and request for transfer of embryos likely to result in the birth of offspring with health-affecting conditions pose ethical dilemmas for physicians and their staff, patients, and society. MOTION: AGAINST Preimplantation genetic testing provides couples with powerful reproductive choices. The technology allows individuals to avoid giving birth to children with significant health issues and developmental disability. Additionally, serious familial adult-onset conditions, such as predisposition to cancer or dementia, can be screened out of future generations. Polygenetic risk scores will be the next leap in genetic testing technology. This data can used to determine the chances of an embryo developing adult-onset conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, mental illness and even gout. This presentation argues that there is a limit at which society should stop screening embryos for disease and draws upon practical observations and well-accepted ethical frameworks to support the case
Guan zhuang dong mai nei pi li zi tong dao de yan jiu ji qi lin chuang yi yi
No full textCa2+-activated potassium channels (KCa) and canonical transient receptor potential (TRPC) channels are essential to endothelial function. In ischemic heart disease, or in cardiac surgery, coronary endothelium is subjected to ischemia-reperfusion (I-R) / hypoxia-reoxygenation (H-R) injury. Hyperkalemic cardioplegic or organ preservation solutions used in cardiac surgery including heart transplantation also impair endothelial function. The present study was designed to mainly investigate whether endothelial dysfunction occurring in H-R or in hyperkalemic exposure is attributable to alterations of intermediate- and small-conductance KCa (IKCa and SKCa) channels, or TRPC channels, in particular, the TRPC3 channel.Exposure to 60-min hypoxia followed by reoxygenation inhibited the vasorelaxant response of coronary arteries to IKCa / SKCa activator 1-EBIO. H-R reduced endothelial IKCa and SKCa currents and downregulated IKCa expression in PCECs. 1-EBIO enhanced endothelial K+ current that was blunted by H-R.Exposure to hyperkalemic solutions decreased Ca2+ influx via TRPC3 in PCECs. The reduced Ca2+ influx in PCECs and the attenuated EDHF-mediated vasorelaxation in porcine coronary arteries, which were caused by hyperkalemic or cardioplegic / organ preservation solutions, were restored by OAG.In PCECs, hypoxia for 60-min with reoxygenation reduced TRPC3 current and Ca2+ influx via TRPC3, which was accompanied by decreased NO release and endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation of porcine coronary arteries. The compromised endothelial function was restored by OAG. The translocation of TRPC3 to endothelial membrane was inhibited by H-R.In TRPC3-overexpressing HEK293 cells, followed by reoxygenation, short-time hypoxia (10-min) enhanced, whereas prolonged hypoxia (60-min) reduced the current induced by TRPC3/6/7 activator OAG.Our results indicate that: (1) Endothelial IKCa, SKCa and TRPC3 play an important role in regulating vascular tone; TRPC3 contributes to NO release from endothelial cells and is also involved in the function of EDHF. (2) H-R (60-30 min) reduces endothelial IKCa and SKCa currents with downregulation ofthe protein expression of IKCa. (3) H-R has dual effect on TRPC3 with short-time hypoxia (lO-min) enhancing whereas prolonged hypoxia (60-min) decreasing the electrophysiological activity of this channel. H-R (60-30 min) inhibits the translocation of TRPC3 to endothelial membrane. Furthermore, H-R inhibits Ca2+ influx via TRPC3 and such inhibition is associated with a decrease of NO production. (4) The activator of IKCa / SKCa or TRPC protects coronary endothelium against H-R injury. In coronary endothelium exposed to hyperkalemic or cardioplegic / organ preservation solutions, TRPC activator also exhibits protective effect.The above findings are likely to have significant implications in ischemic heart disease and in modem cardiopulmonary surgery.Whole-cell membrane currents of IKCa, SKCa, or TRPC3 were recorded by patch-clamp in primary cultured porcine coronary endothelial cells (PCECs). TRPC3 current was also studied in human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293 cells) transiently overexpressed with TRPC3 gene. Protein or mRNA expression of these channels was detected by Western blot or RT-PCR. Intracellular Ca2+ concentration was measured by Ca2+ imaging technique. Isometric force study was performed in a wire myograph and endothelial nitric oxide (NO) release was measured electrochemically by using a NO-specific microsensor in porcine coronary small arteries.Huang, Junhao."December 2010."Adviser: Qin Yang.Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 73-04, Section: B, page: .Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2011.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 138-165).Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web.Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [201-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web.Abstract also in Chinese
Dolichosciara intermedialis Antonova 1977
No full textDolichosciara intermedialis (Antonova, 1977) Phytosciara (Phorodonta) intermedialis Antonova, 1977: 112 –113, 111. Phytosciara intermedialis Antonova: Menzel & Mohrig, 1991: 18–19. Phytosciara (Dolichosciara) intermedialis Antonova: Mohrig & Menzel, 1994: 177–179, 184; Menzel & Mohrig, 2000: 443; Lin & Chen, 1999: 32 (as flavipes (Meigen, 1804); Rudzinski, 2004: 39. New material. CHINA. FUJIAN. 1 male, Wuyishan, Xingcunzhen, Tongmucun, Xianfengling, sweep-net, 26.IV. 2012, Kai Shi [SM01344]. ZHEJIANG. Linan: 2 males, Mt. Qingliangfeng, Qianqingtang, Malaise trap, 15.V. 2012 [SM01523, SM01535]; 1 male, Mt. Qingliangfeng, Longtangshan, Malaise trap, 15.V. 2012 [SM01503]; 1 male, Mt. Tianmushan, 1225 m, Malaise trap, 19.VI. 2012 [SM01349]. Diagnosis. The species is characterized by its gonostylus with a narrow apex and an apicomesially located large dorsal lobe bearing six rather thick megasetae, and a few setae on the intercoxal area on the hypopygium. Distribution. China (Fujian, Zhejiang, Taiwan (Menzel & Mohrig, 1991; Mohrig & Menzel, 1994), Fig. 11); originally described from Ussurijsk, Russian Far East (Antonova, 1977). Remarks. The Chinese specimens examined show a slight difference from the type specimen that 4–5 megasetae on the dorsal lobe on the gonostylus in the Chinese specimens, while six megasetae in the holotype.Published as part of Wu, Hong, Shi, Kai, Huang, Junhao & Zhang, Sujiong, 2013, Review of the genus Dolichosciara Tuomikoski (Diptera, Sciaridae) from China, pp. 343-364 in Zootaxa 3745 (3) on page 353, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3745.3.3, http://zenodo.org/record/22285
Directed connectivity analysis and its application on LEO satellite backbone
No full textNetwork connectivity is a fundamental property affecting network performance.
Given the reliability of each link, network connectivity determines the probability that a message can be delivered from the source to the destination. In this thesis, we study the directed network connectivity where the message will be forwarded toward the destination hop by hop, so long as the neighbor(s) is (are) closer to the destination. Directed connectivity, closely related to directed percolation, is very complicated to calculate. The existing state-of-the-art can only calculate directed connectivity for a lattice network up-to-the size of 10 × 10. In this thesis, we devise a new approach that is simpler and more scalable and can handle general network topology and heterogeneous links. The proposed approach uses an unambiguous hop count to divide the networks into hops and gives two steps of pre-process to transform hop-count ambiguous networks into unambiguous ones, and derive the end-to-end connectivity. Then, using the Markov property to obtain the state transition probability hop by hop.
Second, with tens of thousands of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites covering the Earth, LEO satellite networks can provide coverage and services that are otherwise not possible using terrestrial communication systems. The regular and dense LEO satellite constellation also provides new opportunities and challenges for network protocol design. In this thesis, we apply the directed connectivity analytical model on LEO satellite backbone networks to ensure ultra-reliable and low-latency (URLL) services using LEO networks, and propose a directed percolation routing (DPR) algorithm to lower the cost of transmission without sacrificing speed. Using Starlink constellation (with 1,584 satellites) as an example, the proposed DPR can achieve a few to tens of milliseconds latency reduction for inter-continental transmissions compared to the Internet backbone, while maintaining high reliability without link-layer retransmissions.
Finally, considering the link redundancy overhead and delay/reliability tradeoff, DPR can control the size of percolation. In other words, we can choose a part of links to be active links considering the reliability and cost tradeoff.Graduat
Toxicity Characterization, Detection and Remediation of Contaminants in Soils and Groundwater
No full textThe toxicity levels of heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides, and antibiotics pose a significant threat to agricultural soil around the world, as well as human health and agricultural production. We aim to exploit phytoremediation and safe production technology for the remediation of heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides, and antibiotics, as well as establish these phytoremediation strategies as suitable options for the management of agricultural contaminated soils. Furthermore, the implimentation of these phytotechnologies in a sustainable, cost-effective, and safe manner has led to many benefits in the phytoremediation of agricultural contaminated sites, such as, for instance, the restoration of important ecosystem services, e.g., safe production, nutrient cycling, carbon storage, water flow regulation, erosion control, water purification, fertility maintenance, etc. This reprint will highlight the plant intercropping remediation mode, establishing phytoremediation technologies combined with agronomic measures and physical-chemical remediation to ensure safe production in agricultural contaminated soils
The role of postoperative radiotherapy in pediatric patients with grade II intracranial ependymomas: a population-based, propensity score-matched study
No full textXiangyang Deng,1 Dongdong Lin,1 Lisheng Yu,1 Xingxing Xu,2 Nu Zhang,1 Hui Zhou,1 Hansong Sheng,1 Bo Yin,1 Fengchun Lin,1 Shangyu Xu,1 Dandong Li,1 Junhao Fang,1 Xiangqi Lu,1 Jian Lin1 1Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China; 2Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China Purpose: The main objectives of this study were to clarify the efficacy of postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) for pediatric intracranial grade II ependymomas (EPNs) and to explore whether various characteristics are associated with different outcomes in patients with and without PORT.Patients and methods: Data from patients younger than 18 years diagnosed with grade II intracranial EPNs and treated by surgery, with or without PORT, were obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database (1973–2013 data set). Propensity score-matched analysis was conducted to balance clinical variables. Patient characteristics were stratified and analyzed.Results: In total, data from 632 patients with grade II EPNs treated by cancer-directed surgery with or without PORT were obtained from the SEER database. Multivariable Cox analysis in the matched cohort suggested that undergoing PORT (overall survival [OS], P=0.020; cancer-specific survival [CSS], P=0.031), undergoing gross total resection (GTR; subtotal resection [STR] vs GTR; OS, P<0.001; CSS, P<0.001), and older age (OS, P<0.001; CSS, P<0.001) were the independent predictors of superior prognosis. Stratified analysis demonstrated that patient characteristics, including infratentorial location, younger age, and STR, were associated with benefit from PORT, while the survival advantage was not detected in patients who underwent GTR.Conclusion: Propensity score-matched analysis using SEER data indicates survival advantages of PORT. Given the strong prognostic associations with extent of resection and patient age, we recommend PORT for younger patients treated by STR. Keywords: pediatric, oncology, SEER, radiotherap
Revealing Structure-Property Correlations in 2D Layered Materials Using Synergistic Combination of Electron Microscopy and Atomic-Scale Calculations
No full text
Efficient Algorithm with No-Regret Bound for Sleeping Expert Problem
No full textThe sleeping experts problem is a variant of decision-theoretic online learning (DTOL)
where the set of available experts may change over time. In this thesis, we study a special
case of the sleeping experts problem with constraints on how the set of available experts can
change. The benchmark we use is ranking regret, which is a common benchmark used in
sleeping experts problem. Previous research shows that achieving sub-linear ranking regret
bound in the general sleeping experts problem is NP-hard, so we relax the sleeping experts
problem by imposing constraints on how the set of available experts may change. Under
those constraints, we present an efficient algorithm which achieves a sub-linear ranking
regret bound
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