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Sparse and functional principal component analysis is a technique to extract sparse and smooth principal components from a matrix. In this paper, we propose a modified sparse and functional principal component analysis model for feature extraction. We measure the tuning parameters by their robustness against random perturbation, and select the tuning parameters by derivative-free optimization. We test our algorithm on the ADNI dataset to distinguish between the patients with Alzheimer's disease and the control group. By applying proper classification methods for sparse features, we get better result than classic singular value decomposition, support vector machine and logistic regression.

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Pluripotent stem cells including embryonic stem cells (ESC) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) are regarded as representative tools for conservation of animal genetic resources. Although ESC have been established from chicken, it is very difficult to obtain enough embryos for isolation of stem cells for avian conservation in most wild birds. Therefore, the high feasibility of obtaining the pluripotent cell is most important in avian conservation studies. In this study, we generated induced pluripotent stem cell-like cells (iPSLC) from avian Feather Follicular cells (FFC). Avian FFC are one of the most easily accessible cell sources in most avian species, and their reprogramming into pluripotent stem cells can be an alternative system for preservation of avian species. Intriguingly, FFC had mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC)-like characteristics with regard to gene expression, protein expression, and adipocyte differentiation. Subsequently, we attempted to generate iPSLC from FFC using retroviral vectors. The FFC-iPSLC can proliferate with the stem pluripotent property and differentiate into several types of cells in vitro. Our results suggest that chicken FFC are an alternative cell source for avian cell reprogramming into pluripotent stem cells. This experimental strategy should be useful for conservation and restoration of endangered or high-value avian species without sacrificing embryos

A mobile mapping system MMS is a combination of several modern sensors and is capable of acquiring meticulous spatial information in a fast and automatic manner. However, the result obtained is highly dependent on the quality of the global navigation satellite system GNSS which is expected to constantly provide accurate positioning solutions for the system. As a consequence, in an urban or mountainous area where satellite signals are frequently obstructed by local topography, the reliability of a terrestrial MMS system is not always guaranteed. In this study, a rigorous approach for predicting GNSS satellite reception under topographic obstructions along an MMS surveyed path is developed. By utilising a digital terrain model and a lineofsight analysis, visible satellites for a moving platform are identified and used for estimating positioning quality under a GNSS relative positioning model. Based on the results from real case studies, it is illustrated that the proposed approach provides a reliable prediction for GNSS satellite obstruction and relative positioning quality. Consequently, the locations andor epochs associated with poor GNSS positioning qualities can be identified beforehand and an appropriate survey schedule can thus be arranged.

The co-existence of de novomyelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) prior to therapy is an extremely unusual finding. We report here a case of co-existent de novoMDS-refractory cytopenia with multilineage dysplasia and T-cell NHL, including clinical features, histopathological findings, molecular assessment, treatment course and outcomes. Other cases from the literature showing co-existence of both disorders are also reviewed; to date 19 similar cases have been reported. Among all cases (including the present patient), eight cases were diagnosed with de novoMDS and NHL simultaneously, which were considered to be true coincidences. The mechanisms responsible for the appearance of co-existence have not yet been ascertained, however in the present case a common chromosomal abnormality (20q deletion) was found in bone marrow and lymph node preparations. We conclude, therefore, that the co-existent de novoMDS and T-cell NHL seen in the present case may have a common origin.

A series of novel dihydroartemisinin derivatives were synthesized and evaluated on their immunosuppressive activity in the search for potential immunosuppressive agents with high efficacy and low toxicity. These compounds were assayed in their cytotoxicity of lymphocyte, inhibition activity on concanavalin A (ConA) induced T cell proliferation and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced B cell proliferation. Among them, 11b, 13b, 14d, 15b, 16, and 17 remarkably exhibited lower cytotoxicity and higher inhibition activity on the mitogen-induced T cell and B cell proliferation in comparison with artemisinin, artesunate, and artemether in vitro. More significantly, compound 11b displayed reduced cytotoxicity by over 100-fold compared with cyclosporin A (CsA) and comparable inhibition activity (SI = 848) on ConA-induced T cell proliferation to CsA (SI = 963) and more than 4000 times the inhibitory effect (SI = 28473) on LPS-induced B cell proliferation compared with CsA (SI = 7) in vitro. The in vivo experimental results showed that compound 16 could inhibit 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction and sheep red blood cell (SRBC) induced antibody production, respectively. The structure and activity relationships (SAR) of these compounds were also discussed.

Magneto-luminescence experiments performed on a thick, freestanding GaN layer in magnetic fields up to 28 T are presented. The photoluminescence spectrum of this material shows narrow emission lines due to neutral donor-bound excitons (D⁰X). In addition to the principal recombination channel of D⁰X in which the donor is left in its ground state, two-electron satellites (TES) involving different excited donor states, as well as LO phonon replica of the principal and satellite transitions are observed. For the magnetic field range in which internal donor excitations are tuned into resonance with the LO phonon excitations, the intensity of TES is strongly enhanced. A clear resonant interaction between TES corresponding to the highly excited donor states (n > 4) and LO phonon replica of D⁰X is observed. The observed effect is discussed in terms of electron–phonon interaction.

Magneto-luminescence experiments performed on a thick, freestanding GaN layer in magnetic fields up to 28 T are presented. The photoluminescence spectrum of this material shows narrow emission lines due to neutral donor-bound excitons (D0X). In addition to the principal recombination channel of D0X in which the donor is left in its ground state, two-electron satellites (TES) involving different excited donor states, as well as LO phonon replica of the principal and satellite transitions are observed. For the magnetic field range in which internal donor excitations are tuned into resonance with the LO phonon excitations, the intensity of TES is strongly enhanced. A clear resonant interaction between TES corresponding to the highly excited donor states (n > 4) and LO phonon replica of D0X is observed. The observed effect is discussed in terms of electron–phonon interaction.

Femtosecond time-resolved emission as well as transient absorption spectroscopy of π-conjugated polymeric thin film revealed an apparent induction time for the appearance of spectrally narrowed emission (SNE) in contrast with an instantaneous buildup of normal emission. These ultrafast intensity-dependent spectroscopic studies demonstrate that the origin of SNE phenomena in π-conjugated polymer is amplified spontaneous emission (ASE), which induces prompt and efficient depopulation of singlet excitons. Furthermore, comparison of temporal profiles of SNE, normal emission and stimulated emission reveals that the photoexcitations responsible for SNE processes are singlet excitons. The temporal profiles of SNE measured by changing excitation power density, illuminated spot size, and average π-conjugation length of polymer show that a build-up time plays an important role in generating intense SNE. These findings imply that pumping geometry, sample morphology, defect sites, as well as crystallinity are strongly correlated with ASE processes.

Abstract. Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) is an endangered medicinal woody plant that is distributed throughout the cold regions of northeast Asia. Its propagation is very difficult. In the present article we describe the mass production of Siberian ginseng plantlets by large-scale tank cultures. High-frequency somatic embryogenesis was achieved through suspension culture of embryogenic cells in Murashige and Skoog (MS) liquid medium lacking 2,4-D. About 12,000 embryos were produced per 500-ml flask after 4 weeks of culture. Cotyledonary somatic embryos were germinated, and these converted into plantlets following a pretreatment of the embryos with gibberellic acid (20 µM) and subsequent transfer to a 10-l plastic tank. Low-strength MS medium (1/5-, 1/3-strength) was more effective than its full-strength counterpart for the production of plantlets. After 40 days, an initial 35-g inoculum of embryos was converted to 567 g fresh mass of plantlets in 1/3-strength MS medium. This result indicates that an efficient protocol for the mass production of Siberian ginseng plantlet can be achieved by tank culture of somatic embryos. The Siberian ginseng plantlets produced can be used as a source of medicinal raw materials.

The blending of polymers has been conventionally employed to increase the quantum efficiencies of polymeric electroluminescence (EL) devices via the energy transfer process, which was interpreted in terms of the Förster-type energy transfer based on dipole−dipole interactions. The detailed analysis of various time-resolved spectroscopic data in the blended polymer between MEH-PPV (poly[2-methoxy-5-(2-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene]) and DSiPV (poly[1,3-propanedioxy-1,4-phenylene-1,2-ethylene(2,5-bis(trimethylsilyl)-1,4-phenylene)-1,2-ethylene-1,4-phenylene]) provides some evidence that the ultrafast energy-transfer channel via the shortest interchain distance between the adjacent constituent polymer chains should be considered to account for the dynamics of stimulated emission (SE) and photoinduced absorption (PA) in the blended polymeric systems. These interchain interactions are also responsible for the diminishment of SE of the blended polymer in the transient absorption spectra, because PA is enhanced due to the formation of interchain excitons. These results provide new insight into the role of interchain interactions in the improvement of heteropolymeric EL devices.

To evaluate the helical CT findings of ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), 12 patients with ruptured HCC were reviewed with regard to the tumour's location, size and contour protrusion, the appearance of the mass, the enhancement pattern, multiplicity and secondary changes. All ruptured tumours were located at the periphery of the liver and had a protruding contour. The maximum diameter of tumours ranged from 2 cm to 16 cm. Discontinuity of the hepatic surface was seen in 11 cases. In eight cases, CT images during the arterial phase showed a non-enhancing low attenuating lesion with focal discontinuity and peripheral rim enhancement. Seven cases showed separation of tumour content from the peripheral enhancing rim and intraperitoneal rupture of tumour content into the perihepatic space. Because of the similar appearance to an enucleated orbital globe with remaining sclera, this was termed the “enucleation sign”. As well as ruptured masses, 10 cases with non-ruptured masses also showed a non-enhancing low attenuating pattern. Seven cases showed a haematoma with high attenuation around the ruptured mass. The peripheral location, protruding contour, discontinuity of the hepatic surface and surrounding haematoma are helpful signs in the diagnosis of ruptured HCC. The “enucleation sign” may be a characteristic finding in ruptured HCC.

The 10A1 murine leukemia virus (MuLV) is a recombinant type C retrovirus isolated from a mouse infected with amphotropic MuLV (A-MuLV). 10A1 and A-MuLV have 91% amino acid identity in their envelope proteins yet display different host ranges. For example, CHO-K1 cells are resistant to A-MuLV but susceptible to infection by 10A1. We have now determined that retroviral vectors bearing altered A-MuLV envelope proteins containing 10A1-derived residues at positions 71 (A71G), 74 (Q74K), and 139 (V139M) transduce CHO-K1 cells at efficiencies similar to those achieved with 10A1 enveloped vectors. A-MuLV enveloped retroviral vectors with these three 10A1 residues were also able to transduce A-MuLV-infected NIH 3T3 cells. This observation is consistent with the ability of vectors bearing this altered A-MuLV envelope protein to recognize the 10A1-specific receptor present on NIH 3T3 cells and supports the possibility that residues at positions 71, 74, and 139 of the 10A1 envelope SU protein account for the expanded host range of 10A1.

A balancing device is introduced, which can be applied for balancing spatial linkages which contain input links with revolving kinematic pairs. The method consists in adding noncircular gears, proposed earlier to balance planar linkages, for the balancing of the shaking moment of spatial linkages. Some new formulae to determine the parameters are furthermore proposed. As an illustrative example, the method is used to balance an RSS'R spatial linkage.

In diesem Artikel wird ein neues Verfahren dargestellt, mit dem man trägheitsbedingte Momente infolge der ungleichmäßigen Bewegung von Getriebegliedern vollständig ausgleichen kann. Dieses Verfahren überführt das Ausgleichsproblem in ein Syntheseproblem für Kurvenscheiben. Das Verfahren ist einfach und wird beispielhaft für ein Viergelenkgetriebe und ein sechsgliedriges Getriebe durchgeführt. Das zeitabhängige, von der Trägheit verursachte ungleichmäßige Drehmoment in der Antriebswelle wird durch die Drehung einer Kurvenscheibe und eines umlaufenden Gliedes vollständig ausgeglichen.

We report one case of a familial complex chromosomal rearrangement (CCR) involving four different chromosomes 5, 10, 16 and 18. The CCR was detected prenatally at 20 weeks' gestation because of advanced maternal age and history of recurrent miscarriages. Cytogenetic analysis of cultured amniotic fluid cells with GTG banding showed a 46,XX,t(5;16;10;18)(q13;q22;q11.2;q21) karyotype. Parental cytogenetic study revealed that the mother has the same CCR. RBG banding, high‐resolution banding and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) were used to characterize further and confirm the conventional banding data. No physical abnormalities were shown in the targeted fetal ultrasonography examination. The parents decided to continue the pregnancy. The child is now 2 years old and has neither congenital anomalies nor evidence of delayed psychomotor development. The fetal targeted ultrasound and FISH analysis helped us reassure fetal status. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.