United States Patent and Trademark Office

ABSTRACT The starch of wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) flour affects food product quality due to the temperature‐dependent interactions of starch with water during gelatinization, pasting, and gelation. The objective of this study was to determine the fundamental basis of variation in gelatinization, pasting, and gelation of prime starch derived from seven different wheat cultivars: Kanto 107, which is a partial waxy mutant line, and six near‐isogenic lines (NILs) differing in hardness. Complete pasting curves with extended 16‐min hold at 93°C were obtained using the Rapid Visco Analyser (RVA). Apparent amylose content ranged from 17.5 to 23.5%; total amylose content ranged from 22.8 to 28.2%. Starches exhibited significant variation in onset of gelatinization. However, none of the parameters measured consistently correlated with onset or other RVA curve parameters that preceded peak paste viscosity. Peak paste viscosity varied from 190 to 323 RVA units (RVU). Higher peak, greater breakdown, lower final viscosity, negative setback, and less total setback were associated with lower apparent and total amylose contents. Each 1% reduction in apparent or total amylose content corresponded to an increase in peak viscosity of about 22 and 25 RVU, respectively, at 12% starch concentration. Of the seven U.S. cultivars, the lower amylose cultivars Penawawa and Klasic were missing the granule‐bound starch synthase (GBSS; ADPglucose starch glycosyl transferase, EC 2.4.4.21) protein associated with the Waxy gene locus on chromosome 4A ( Wx‐B1 locus). Kanto 107 was confirmed as missing both the 7A and 4A waxy proteins ( Wx‐A1 and Wx‐B1 loci). The hardness NIL also were shown to be null at the 4A locus. Apparent and total amylose contents of prime starch generally corresponded well to the number of GBSS proteins; although the hardness NIL tended to have somewhat higher amylose contents than did the other GBSS 4A nulls. We concluded that reduced quantity of starch amylose due to decreased GBSS profoundly affects starch gelatinization, pasting, and gelation properties.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are defined by their ability to self-renew and differentiate into the cells that form mesodermal tissues such as bone and fat. Low magnitude mechanical signals (LMMS) have been shown to be anabolic to bone and have been recently reported to suppress the development of fat in normal animals fed a regular diet. Using male C57BL/6J mice, the ability of LMMS (0.2g, 90-Hz signal applied for 15 min/d, 5 d/wk) to simultaneously promote bone formation and prevent diet-induced obesity was correlated to mechanical influences on the molecular environment of the bone marrow, as indicated by the population dynamics and lineage commitment of MSCs. Six weeks of LMMS increased the overall marrow-based stem cell population by 37% and the number of MSCs by 46%. Concomitant with the increase in stem cell number, the differentiation potential of MSCs in the bone marrow was biased toward osteoblastic and against adipogenic differentiation, as reflected by upregulation of the transcription factor Runx2 by 72% and downregulation of PPARgamma by 27%. The phenotypic impact of LMMS on MSC lineage determination was evident at 14 wk, where visceral adipose tissue formation was suppressed by 28%, whereas trabecular bone volume fraction in the tibia was increased by 11%. Translating this to the clinic, a 1-yr trial in young women (15-20 yr; n = 48) with osteopenia showed that LMMS increased trabecular bone in the spine and kept visceral fat at baseline levels, whereas control subjects showed no change in BMD, yet an increase in visceral fat. Mechanical modulation of stem cell proliferation and differentiation indicates a unique therapeutic target to aid in tissue regeneration and repair and may represent the basis of a nonpharmacologic strategy to simultaneously prevent obesity and osteoporosis.

OBJECTIVE: The glycoprotein lubricin (encoded by the gene Prg4) is secreted by surface chondrocytes and synovial cells, and has been shown to reduce friction in vitro. In contrast to man-made bearings, mammalian diarthrodial joints must endogenously produce friction-reducing agents. This study was undertaken to investigate whether friction is associated with wear. METHODS: The lubricating ability of synovial fluid (SF) samples from humans with genetic lubricin deficiency was tested in vitro. The coefficient of friction in the knee joints of normal and lubricin-null mice was measured ex vivo; these joints were also studied by light and electron microscopy. Atomic force microscopy was used to image and measure how lubricin reduces friction in vitro. RESULTS: SF lacking lubricin failed to reduce friction in the boundary mode. Joints of lubricin-null mice showed early wear and higher friction than joints from their wild-type counterparts. Lubricin self-organized and reduced the work of adhesion between apposing asperities. CONCLUSION: These data show that friction is coupled with wear at the cartilage surface in vivo. They imply that acquired lubricin degradation occurring in inflammatory joint diseases predisposes the cartilage to damage. Lastly, they suggest that lubricin, or similar biomolecules, will have applications in man-made devices in which reducing friction is essential.

Embryonic stem cells need to maintain genomic integrity so that they can retain the ability to differentiate into multiple cell types without propagating DNA errors. Previous studies have suggested that mechanisms of genome surveillance, including DNA repair, are superior in mouse embryonic stem cells compared with various differentiated murine cells. Using single-cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay) we found that human embryonic stem cells (BG01, I6) have more efficient repair of different types of DNA damage (generated from H2O2, UV-C, ionizing radiation, or psoralen) than human primary fibroblasts (WI-38, hs27) and, with the exception of UV-C damage, HeLa cells. Microarray gene expression analysis showed that mRNA levels of several DNA repair genes are elevated in human embryonic stem cells compared with their differentiated forms (embryoid bodies). These data suggest that genomic maintenance pathways are enhanced in human embryonic stem cells, relative to differentiated human cells.

Airborne base stations (BSs) (carried by drones) have a great potential to enhance the coverage and capacity of 6G cellular networks. However, one of the main challenges facing the deployment of airborne BSs is the limited available energy at the drone, which curtails the flight time. In fact, most current unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can only operate for a maximum of 1 h. The need to frequently visit the ground station (GS) to recharge limits the performance of the UAV-enabled cellular network and leaves the UAV?s coverage area temporarily out of service. In this article, we propose a UAV-enabled cellular network setup based on tethered UAVs (tUAVs). In the proposed setup, the tUAV is connected to a GS through a tether, which provides the tUAV with both energy and data. This enables a flight that can last for days. We describe in detail the components of the proposed system. Furthermore, we list the main advantages of a tUAV-enabled cellular network compared to typical untethered UAVs (uUAVs). Next, we discuss the potential applications and use cases for tUAVs. We also provide Monte Carlo simulations to compare the performance of tUAVs and uUAVs in terms of coverage probability. For instance, for a uUAV that is available 70% of the time (while unavailable because of charging or changing the battery 30% of the time), the simulation results show that tUAVs with a 120-m tether length can provide up to a 30% increase in coverage probability compared to uUAVs. Finally, we discuss the challenges, design considerations, and future research directions to realize the proposed setup.

(1998). Innovative Rapid Prototyping Process Makes Large Sized, Smooth Surfaced Complex Shapes in a Wide Variety of Materials. Materials Technology: Vol. 13, No. 2, pp. 53-56.

Twelve cases of “silent” colon cancer were analyzed. With one exception all had at least one of three stool specimens which was guaiac-positive. To facilitate multiple stool testing, we made use of commercially available guaiac-impregnated slides. Most of the patients followed a meat-free high residue diet during the 4-day period of stool collection. In a 3Vi-year period, over 900 routine adult patients were tested. Five per cent were guaiac-positive, and they were each given a barium enema examination. One per cent of the entire group proved to have asymptomatic colon cancer; two per cent had diverticulosis, and one per cent had non-malignant polyps. We believe that every adult should have this screening test annually.

There is a gap in the medical education literature on teaching nonverbal detection and expression of empathy. Many articles do not address nonverbal interactions, instead focusing on "what to say" rather than "how to be." This focus on verbal communication overlooks the essential role nonverbal signals play in the communication of emotions, which has significant effects on patient satisfaction, health outcomes, and malpractice claims. This gap is addressed with a novel teaching tool for assessing nonverbal behavior using the acronym E.M.P.A.T.H.Y.-E: eye contact; M: muscles of facial expression; P: posture; A: affect; T: tone of voice; H: hearing the whole patient; Y: your response. This acronym was the cornerstone of a randomized controlled trial of empathy training at Massachusetts General Hospital, 2010-2012. Used as an easy-to-remember checklist, the acronym orients medical professionals to key aspects of perceiving and responding to nonverbal emotional cues. An urgent need exists to teach nonverbal aspects of communication as medical practices must be reoriented to the increasing cultural diversity represented by patients presenting for care. Where language proficiency may be limited, nonverbal communication becomes more crucial for understanding patients' communications. Furthermore, even in the absence of cultural differences, many patients are reluctant to disagree with their clinicians, and subtle nonverbal cues may be the critical entry point for discussions leading to shared medical decisions. A detailed description of the E.M.P.A.T.H.Y. acronym and a brief summary of the literature that supports each component of the teaching tool are provided.

In this paper, we study the effect of invention disclosure through patent publication on the market for ideas. We do so by analyzing the effects of the American Inventor’s Protection Act of 1999 (AIPA)—which required U.S. patent applications to be published 18 months after their filing date rather than at patent grant—on the timing of licensing deals in the biomedical industry. We find that post-AIPA U.S. patent applications are significantly more likely to be licensed before patent grant and shortly after 18-month publication. Licensing delays are reduced by about 10 months, on average, after AIPA’s enactment. These findings suggest a hitherto unexplored benefit of the patent system: by requiring inventions to be published through a credible, standardized, and centralized repository, it mitigates information costs for buyers and sellers, and thus facilitates transactions in the market for ideas. The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2016.2622 . This paper was accepted by Bruno Cassiman, business strategy.

We compare the consistency and accuracy of two image binning approaches used in 4D-CT imaging. One approach, phase binning (PB), assigns each breathing cycle 2pi rad, within which the images are grouped. In amplitude binning (AB), the images are assigned bins according to the breathing signal's full amplitude. To quantitate both approaches we used a NEMA NU2-2001 IEC phantom oscillating in the axial direction and at random frequencies and amplitudes, approximately simulating a patient's breathing. 4D-CT images were obtained using a four-slice GE Lightspeed CT scanner operating in cine mode. We define consistency error as a measure of ability to correctly bin over repeated cycles in the same field of view. Average consistency error mue+/-sigmae in PB ranged from 18%+/-20% to 30%+/-35%, while in AB the error ranged from 11%+/-14% to 20%+/-24%. In PB nearly all bins contained sphere slices. AB was more accurate, revealing empty bins where no sphere slices existed. As a proof of principle, we present examples of two non-small cell lung carcinoma patients' 4D-CT lung images binned by both approaches. While AB can lead to gaps in the coronal images, depending on the patient's breathing pattern, PB exhibits no gaps but suffers visible artifacts due to misbinning, yielding images that cover a relatively large amplitude range. AB was more consistent, though often resulted in gaps when no data existed due to patients' breathing pattern. We conclude AB is more accurate than PB. This has important consequences to treatment planning and diagnosis.

Since its start, the Mammalian Gene Collection (MGC) has sought to provide at least one full-protein-coding sequence cDNA clone for every human and mouse gene with a RefSeq transcript, and at least 6200 rat genes. The MGC cloning effort initially relied on random expressed sequence tag screening of cDNA libraries. Here, we summarize our recent progress using directed RT-PCR cloning and DNA synthesis. The MGC now contains clones with the entire protein-coding sequence for 92% of human and 89% of mouse genes with curated RefSeq (NM-accession) transcripts, and for 97% of human and 96% of mouse genes with curated RefSeq transcripts that have one or more PubMed publications, in addition to clones for more than 6300 rat genes. These high-quality MGC clones and their sequences are accessible without restriction to researchers worldwide.

Left ventricular diastolic indexes are influenced by several variables. In order to evaluate the relationship of these indexes to age, heart rate, sex and to standard echo parameters, 288 normal subjects aged from 20 to 80 years, divided into six age groups, underwent a two-dimensional colour Doppler examination. Doppler examination was performed from the apical four chamber view to evaluate transmitral flow; isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) was measured from an apical five chamber view. In order to obtain a sufficient number of subjects for an adequate statistical analysis, seven hospitals were involved in the study. Univariate analysis showed that age influences the peak velocity of the E (r = -0.46) and A waves (r = 0.46), the E/A ratio (peak velocities) (r = -0.69), the A wave integral (r = 0.48) and the E/A integral ratio (r = -0.57), the early and late filling fractions (r = -0.48 and r = 0.51 respectively), and the E wave deceleration (r = -0.43) and deceleration time (r = 0.36). In subjects older than 70 years an inversion of the E/A wave ratio was observed. Multivariate analysis confirmed that age has an important influence on left ventricular diastolic indexes but also demonstrated that heart rate has a significant influence. Sex, ejection fraction (EF), and the dimensions of the mitral annulus and the left ventricular posterior wall had less influence on left ventricular diastolic indexes. The mean values of E and A wave acceleration, deceleration and peak velocity were used to depict left ventricular filling morphology in various age groups for three different heart rate values. The conclusions of the study, are: (1) normal left ventricular diastolic parameters were obtained as mean values at seven different hospitals (2) when evaluating left ventricular diastolic function parameters it is important to take into account age and heart rate; E/A inversion in older subjects should be considered the normal mitral flow pattern.

This article describes the “USPTO Trademark Case Files Dataset” of trademark applications and registrations derived from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) main database for administering trademark case files. The dataset provides detailed information on 6.7 million trademark applications filed with, or registrations issued by, the USPTO between January 1870 and January 2012, including ownership, mark characteristics, classification, prosecution events, and renewal and maintenance history. This article provides a comprehensive description of the dataset, including discussions of the legal framework affecting and the administrative processes generating these data. We provide a “first look” at the information the dataset captures and present key trends in trademark applications, registrations, and renewals. We highlight data elements valuable to researchers and the general public, and discuss issues that may arise in using these data. In describing these data, we aim to encourage new streams of research on trademarks and what they indicate about their users, the strategies for employing them, and the wider economic impacts that these data will help uncover.

Hexaploid oat ( L., 2 = 6 = 42) is a member of the Poaceae family and has a large genome (∼12.5 Gb) containing 21 chromosome pairs from three ancestral genomes. Physical rearrangements among parental genomes have hindered the development of linkage maps in this species. The objective of this work was to develop a single high-density consensus linkage map that is representative of the majority of commonly grown oat varieties. Data from a cDNA-derived single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array and genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) were collected from the progeny of 12 biparental recombinant inbred line populations derived from 19 parents representing oat germplasm cultivated primarily in North America. Linkage groups from all mapping populations were compared to identify 21 clusters of conserved collinearity. Linkage groups within each cluster were then merged into 21 consensus chromosomes, generating a framework consensus map of 7202 markers spanning 2843 cM. An additional 9678 markers were placed on this map with a lower degree of certainty. Assignment to physical chromosomes with high confidence was made for nine chromosomes. Comparison of homeologous regions among oat chromosomes and matches to orthologous regions of rice ( L.) reveal that the hexaploid oat genome has been highly rearranged relative to its ancestral diploid genomes as a result of frequent translocations among chromosomes. Heterogeneous chromosome rearrangements among populations were also evident, probably accounting for the failure of some linkage groups to match the consensus. This work contributes to a further understanding of the organization and evolution of hexaploid grass genomes.

On the basis of the hypothesis that brands may function as reward stimuli, we investigated brain responses to favorite brands. Participants viewed brand logos while we measured cortical activity with functional magnetic resonance imaging. Results revealed activity in the striatum for favorite brands that positively correlated with sports and luxury characteristics, but negatively with attributions to a brand of rational choice. Reduced activation of a single region in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex was demonstrated when viewing the most beloved brand, possibly suggesting reduced strategic reasoning on the basis of affect. The results propose that brands that have been associated with appetitive stimuli owing to marketing efforts engage brain networks similar to those engaged by artificially associated reward stimuli. Moreover, social stimuli may function as secondary inducers of reward mechanisms.

ABSTRACT A standardized laboratory method for assessing the color potential of flours for yellow alkaline (Cantonese) noodles is needed, especially for evaluating large numbers of small‐scale samples such as found in wheat breeding populations. To develop such a method, a number of processing and formula parameters were varied and judged for optimum level based on 1) discrimination and mean separation of flours, 2) sensitivity to minor variation in the protocol parameter, 3) practicality and simplicity for the technician, and 4) time efficiency. Four flours milled from single‐cultivar grain lots representing two with good and two with poor color potential were made into alkaline noodle sheets varying in thickness of 0.75–2.00 mm, water absorption of 33.0–39.0%, mixing time of 2–6 min, and NaCl levels of 0–4% (all flour weight basis). Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage (CIE) tristimulus color space ( L *, a *, b *) values were measured at 0–24 hr using white, yellow, and black background tiles. Noodle sheet side and a dough resting period were examined. The flours themselves were a consistently large, significant source of variation for color, especially lightness ( L *). Based on the optimization criteria, a noodle sheet thickness of 1.5–2.0 mm, an optimum to slightly over optimum water absorption (36% for the flours in this study) with some adjustment for protein content and dough handling properties, a mixing time of 4 min, no dough resting period, and 2% NaCl were selected. Color measurement at 24 hr on a white or otherwise light‐colored background tile was judged best using a consistent side of the noodle sheet. Resting doughs for 1 hr slightly improved handling and sheeting characteristics but was not included for time efficiencies.

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is used to treat many aggressive cancers, such as those of the colon, breast, and head and neck. The responses to 5-FU, with respect to both toxicity and efficacy, vary among racial groups, potentially because of variability in the activity levels of the enzyme dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD, encoded by the DPYD gene). In this study, the genetic associations between DPYD variations and circulating mononuclear-cell DPD enzyme activity were evaluated in 94 African-American and 81 European-American volunteers. The DPYD-Y186C variant was unique to individuals of African ancestry, and DPD activity was 46% lower in carriers as compared with noncarriers (279 ± 35 vs. 514 ± 168 pmol 5-FU min(-1) mg(-1); P = 0.00029). In this study, 26% of the African Americans with reduced DPD activity were carriers of Y186C. In the African-American cohort, after excluding Y186C carriers, homozygous carriers of C29R showed 27% higher DPD activity as compared with noncarriers (609 ± 152 and 480 ± 152 pmol 5-FU min(-1) mg(-1), respectively; P = 0.013).

The 5'-terminal sequences of the virion protein mRNAs of ononis yellow mosaic and kennedya yellow mosaic tymoviruses were determined, and also the positions in the genomes of the transcription initiation sites of those mRNAs. Comparisons of the available genomic sequences of tymoviruses revealed two conserved regions, one at the initiation site and another longer sequence of sixteen nucleotides to the 5' side of it. The longer sequence, which we call the tymobox, was tested as a target for a designed ribozyme, which cleaved appropriate genomic fragments of three tymoviruses. A synthetic oligonucleotide with sequence complementary to the tymobox was shown to be a tymovirus-specific probe for diagnosing and identifying tymoviruses, except for wild cucumber mosaic tymovirus. The tymobox sequence was also used as a primer for the second strand DNA synthesis of dsDNA representing the virion protein gene of cacao yellow mosaic tymovirus, a tymovirus with unknown sequence. Thus, the tymobox is a useful tool in molecular studies of tymoviruses.

ABSTRACT Sugar‐snap cookie doughs prepared with a commercial soft wheat flour and standard formula water (25%, fwb) produced baked cookies with a mean diameter of 186 mm. Increasing the formula water to 30% resulted in cookies with a mean diameter of 187 mm and decreasing the formula water to 20% resulted in cookies with a mean diameter of 185 mm. A similar effect was seen when the formula water in cookie doughs prepared with the pure hard red spring cultivar Butte 86 or the pure soft white winter club cultivar Paha was varied. Thus, varying the formula water in cookie dough appeared to have little or no effect on final cookie diameter. Formula water content, however, did affect cookie dough spread rate and set time during baking. Increasing the formula water caused the spread rate to increase but shortened the set time. As a result, final cookie diameter was essentially unchanged.

Summary. Dairy heifers with normal oestrous cycles were treated with progestagen for 15 to 18 days beginning at the 15th day of the cycle. Daily oral doses of 0·25 to 8 mg of melengestrol acetate (6α-methyl-6-dehydro-16-methylene-17-acetoxyprogesterone: mga) inhibited oestrus and ovulation in all heifers except one receiving 0·5 mg. Daily intravenous injections of 0·4 mg inhibited ovulation in eight out of eight heifers. Lower doses by either route suppressed oestrus but did not uniformly inhibit ovulation. Orally, mga was about 300 to 900 times as potent as map (medroxyprogesterone acetate; Provera*) but only about ten to fifteen times as potent when both were compared by intravenous injection. Groups of eight to ten heifers were fed doses of 0·2 to 2·0 mg daily beginning without regard to the stage of the oestrous cycle. Of seventy-two heifers, sixty-nine did not ovulate during treatment. The average interval from last feeding to oestrus or ovulation ranged from 2·7 days at 0·2 mg to 6·3 days at 2·0 mg. The conception rates for various groups varied from 25 to 88 % at first service. Of the total, 42 % conceived with one service and 82 % with two services.