bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Plaque Inflammation and Unstable Morphology Are Associated With Early Stroke Recurrence in Symptomatic Carotid Stenosis
Authors: Marnane Michael , Prendeville Susan , McDonnell Ciaran , Noone Imelda , Barry Mary , Crowe Morgan , Mulligan Niall , Kelly Peter J. 
Published: January 2014

Background and Purpose—
Although symptomatic carotid stenosis is associated with 3-fold increased risk of early stroke recurrence, the pathophysiologic mechanisms of high early stroke risk have not been established. We aimed to investigate the relationship between early stroke recurrence after initial symptoms and histological features of plaque inflammation and instability in resected carotid plaque.

Methods—
Carotid endarterectomy tissue from consecutive patients with ipsilateral stenosis ≥50% and recent symptoms were analyzed using a validated histopathologic algorithm (Oxford Plaque Study [OPS] system). Nonprocedural stroke recurrence before carotid endarterectomy was ascertained at 7, 28, and 90 days after initial symptoms.

Results—

Among 44 patients meeting eligibility criteria, 27.3% (12/44) had stroke recurrence after initial stroke/transient ischemic attack but before carotid endarterectomy. Compared with patients without recurrence, stroke recurrence was associated with dense macrophage infiltration (OPS grade ≥3; 91.7% versus 37.5%;
P
=0.002), extensive (>25%) fibrous cap disruption (90.9% versus 37%;
P
=0.004), neovascularization (OPS grade ≥2; 83.3% versus 43.8%;
P
=0.04), and low plaque fibrous content (OPS grade <2; 50% versus 6.3%;
P
=0.003). Early recurrence rates were 82.3% (confidence interval, 49.2%–98.8%) in patients with extensive plaque macrophage infiltration (OPS grade ≥3) compared with 22.2% (confidence interval, 3.5%–83.4%) in those with OPS grade <3 (log-rank
P
=0.009). On multivariable Cox regression, including OPS macrophage grade (≥3 or <3), age, and severity of stenosis (50%–69% or ≥70%), plaque inflammation was the only variable independently predicting stroke recurrence (adjusted hazard ratio, 9; confidence interval, 1.1–70.6;
P
=0.04).

Conclusions—
Plaque inflammation and other vulnerability features were associated with highest risk of stroke recurrence and may represent therapeutic targets for future stroke prevention trials.
Subkilometer Numerical Weather Prediction in an Urban Coastal Area: A Case Study over the Vancouver Metropolitan Area
Authors: Leroyer Sylvie , Bélair Stéphane , Husain Syed Z. , Mailhot Jocelyn 
Published: January 2014

AbstractNumerical weather prediction is moving toward the representation of finescale processes such as the interactions between the sea-breeze flow and urban processes. This study investigates the ability and necessity of using kilometer- to subkilometer-scale numerical simulations with the Canadian urban modeling system over the complex urban coastal area of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, during a sea-breeze event. Observations over the densely urbanized areas, collected from the Environmental Prediction in Canadian Cities (EPiCC) network and from satellite imagery, are used to evaluate several aspects of the urban boundary layer features simulated in three model configurations with different grid spacings (2.5 km, 1 km, and 250 m). In agreement with the observations, results from the numerical experiments with 1-km and 250-m grid spacings suggest that two sea-breeze flows converge over the residential areas of Vancouver. The resulting convergence line oscillates around the hill ridge, depending on thermal contrast and flow strength. This propagation mode impacts the growing urban boundary layer, with the presence of subsidence and entrainment events. Urban-induced circulation is superimposed with the sea-breeze circulation and realistically slows down the propagation of the sea-breeze front to the south. A clear improvement is obtained for numerical experiments with 1-km instead of 2.5-km grid spacing. The use of subkilometer grid spacing provides a more detailed representation of the surface thermal forcing and of local circulations, with results more sensitive to the airflow variability and, thus, to the location of measurement sites. Joint analyses of kilometer- and subkilometer-scale numerical experiments are thus recommended for different environmental applications.
Climatology of Upper Tropospheric–Lower Stratospheric (UTLS) Jets and Tropopauses in MERRA
Authors: Manney Gloria L. , Hegglin Michaela I. , Daffer William H. , Schwartz Michael J. , Santee Michelle L. , Pawson Steven 
Published: January 2014

Abstract
A global climatology (1979–2012) from the Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA) shows distributions and seasonal evolution of upper tropospheric jets and their relationships to the stratospheric subvortex and multiple tropopauses. The overall climatological patterns of upper tropospheric jets confirm those seen in previous studies, indicating accurate representation of jet stream dynamics in MERRA. The analysis shows a Northern Hemisphere (NH) upper tropospheric jet stretching nearly zonally from the mid-Atlantic across Africa and Asia. In winter–spring, this jet splits over the eastern Pacific, merges again over eastern North America, and then shifts poleward over the North Atlantic. The jets associated with tropical circulations are also captured, with upper tropospheric westerlies demarking cyclonic flow downstream from the Australian and Asian monsoon anticyclones and associated easterly jets. Multiple tropopauses associated with the thermal tropopause “break” commonly extend poleward from the subtropical upper tropospheric jet. In Southern Hemisphere (SH) summer, the tropopause break, along with a poleward-stretching secondary tropopause, often occurs across the tropical westerly jet downstream of the Australian monsoon region. SH high-latitude multiple tropopauses, nearly ubiquitous in June–July, are associated with the unique polar winter thermal structure. High-latitude multiple tropopauses in NH fall–winter are, however, sometimes associated with poleward-shifted upper tropospheric jets. The SH subvortex jet extends down near the level of the subtropical jet core in winter and spring. Most SH subvortex jets merge with an upper tropospheric jet between May and December; although much less persistent than in the SH, merged NH subvortex jets are common between November and April.
Instability Characteristics of Radar-Derived Mesoscale Organization Modes within Cool-Season Precipitation near Portland, Oregon*
Authors: Cunningham Jeffrey G. , Yuter Sandra E. 
Published: January 2014

Abstract
The instability characteristics associated with different radar-derived mesoscale organization modes are examined using six cool seasons of operational scanning radar data near Portland, Oregon, and operational sounding data from Salem, Oregon. Additionally, several years of Microwave Rain Radar Ka-band vertically pointing radar data from Portland and Merwin, Washington, are used to characterize the nature and occurrence of generating cells and fall streaks. The combination of a new metric, convective-stratiform intermittency, with the classification of radar reflectivity maps into convective and stratiform precipitation types was applied to periods when the freezing level was &gt;1.4-km altitude. This method distinguishes periods with embedded convective within stratiform mesoscale organization from those that were mostly convective or mostly stratiform. Mesoscale organization occurs in a continuum of states with predominantly stratiform structure occurring most frequently. Generating cells in the snow layer are common in cool-season storms and are primarily associated with potential instability aloft. For mostly stratiform and embedded convective within stratiform 3-h periods, the vertically pointing radar data showed nearly ubiquitous fall streaks in the snow layer originating above 3-km altitude. Stronger generating cells enhanced reflectivity in the rain layer consistent with a seeder mechanism. Stronger generating cells were more common during embedded convection within stratiform than in mostly stratiform periods. Nearly all embedded periods have active or latent (potential) instability. Hydrostatic instability more typically occurred at higher altitudes for embedded convective within stratiform periods compared to mostly convective periods. The occurrence of vertical wind shear instability was primary below 2-km altitude and was not typically associated with levels with generating cells.
Genome-wide histone state profiling of fibroblasts from the opossum, Monodelphis domestica, identifies the first marsupial-specific imprinted gene
Authors: Douglas Kory C , Wang Xu , Jasti Madhuri , Wolff Abigail , VandeBerg John L , Clark Andrew G , Samollow Paul B 
Published: January 2014

Abstract

Background
Imprinted genes have been extensively documented in eutherian mammals and found to exhibit significant interspecific variation in the suites of genes that are imprinted and in their regulation between tissues and developmental stages. Much less is known about imprinted loci in metatherian (marsupial) mammals, wherein studies have been limited to a small number of genes previously known to be imprinted in eutherians. We describe the first ab initio search for imprinted marsupial genes, in fibroblasts from the opossum, Monodelphis domestica, based on a genome-wide ChIP-seq strategy to identify promoters that are simultaneously marked by mutually exclusive, transcriptionally opposing histone modifications.

Results
We identified a novel imprinted gene (Meis1) and two additional monoallelically expressed genes, one of which (Cstb) showed allele-specific, but non-imprinted expression. Imprinted vs. allele-specific expression could not be resolved for the third monoallelically expressed gene (Rpl17). Transcriptionally opposing histone modifications H3K4me3, H3K9Ac, and H3K9me3 were found at the promoters of all three genes, but differential DNA methylation was not detected at CpG islands at any of these promoters.

Conclusions
In generating the first genome-wide histone modification profiles for a marsupial, we identified the first gene that is imprinted in a marsupial but not in eutherian mammals. This outcome demonstrates the practicality of an ab initio discovery strategy and implicates histone modification, but not differential DNA methylation, as a conserved mechanism for marking imprinted genes in all therian mammals. Our findings suggest that marsupials use multiple epigenetic mechanisms for imprinting and support the concept that lineage-specific selective forces can produce sets of imprinted genes that differ between metatherian and eutherian lines.
Close relationship of a novel Flavobacteriaceaeα-amylase with archaeal α-amylases and good potentials for industrial applications
Authors: Li Chunfang , Du Miaofen , Cheng Bin , Wang Lushan , Liu Xinqiang , Ma Cuiqing , Yang Chunyu , Xu Ping 
Published: January 2014

AbstractBackgroundBioethanol production from various starchy materials has received much attention in recent years. α-Amylases are key enzymes in the bioconversion process of starchy biomass to biofuels, food or other products. The properties of thermostability, pH stability, and Ca-independency are important in the development of such fermentation process.ResultsA novelFlavobacteriaceae Sinomicrobiumα-amylase (FSA) was identified and characterized from genomic analysis of a novelFlavobacteriaceaespecies. It is closely related with archaeal α-amylases in the GH13_7 subfamily, but is evolutionary distant with other bacterial α-amylases. Based on the conserved sequence alignment and homology modeling, with minor variation, the Zn2+- and Ca2+-binding sites of FSA were predicated to be the same as those of the archaeal thermophilic α-amylases. The recombinant α-amylase was highly expressed and biochemically characterized. It showed optimum activity at pH 6.0, high enzyme stability at pH 6.0 to 11.0, but weak thermostability. A disulfide bond was introduced by site-directed mutagenesis in domain C and resulted in the apparent improvement of the enzyme activity at high temperature and broad pH range. Moreover, about 50% of the enzyme activity was detected under 100°C condition, whereas no activity was observed for the wild type enzyme. Its thermostability was also enhanced to some extent, with the half-life time increasing from 25 to 55 minutes at 50°C. In addition, after the introduction of the disulfide bond, the protein became a Ca-independent enzyme.ConclusionsThe improved stability of FSA suggested that the domain C contributes to the overall stability of the enzyme under extreme conditions. In addition, successfully directed modification and special evolutionary status of FSA imply its directional reconstruction potentials for bioethanol production, as well as for other industrial applications.
Expression of proteins associated with adipocyte lipolysis was significantly changed in the adipose tissues of the obese spontaneously hypertensive/NDmcr-cp rat
Authors: Chang Jie , Oikawa Shinji , Iwahashi Hitoshi , Kitagawa Emiko , Takeuchi Ichiro , Yuda Masao , Aoki Chieko , Yamada Yoshiji , Ichihara Gaku , Kato Masashi , Ichihara Sahoko 
Published: January 2014

Abstract

Background
The etiology of the metabolic syndrome is complex, and is determined by the interplay of both genetic and environmental factors. The present study was designed to identify genes and proteins in the adipose tissues with altered expression in the spontaneously hypertensive/NIH –corpulent rat, SHR/NDmcr-cp (CP) and to find possible molecular targets associated with the pathogenesis or progression of obesity related to the metabolic syndrome.

Methods
We extracted RNAs and proteins from the epididymal adipose tissues in CP, SHR/Lean (Lean), and Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats and performed microarray analysis and two-dimensional difference in gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) linked to a matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/TOF MS).

Results
The results showed different mRNA and protein expression levels in the adipose tissue: oligo DNA microarray identified 33 genes that were significantly (P < 0.01) up-regulated and 17 genes significantly down-regulated in CP compared with WKY and Lean rats at both 6 and 25 weeks of age. The affected genes-proteins were associated with lipolytic enzymes stimulated by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling. Further analysis using the 2D-DIGE connected with MALDI-TOF/TOF analysis, the expression of monoglyceride lipase (MGLL) was significantly up-regulated and that of carboxylesterase 3 (CES3) was significantly down-regulated in 6- and 25-week-old CP compared with age-matched control (WKY and Lean rats).

Conclusions
Our results suggest the possible involvement of proteins associated with adipocyte lipolysis in obesity related to the metabolic syndrome.
22q11.2 deletion carriers and schizophrenia-associated novel variants
Authors: Balan S. , Iwayama Y. , Toyota T. , Toyoshima M. , Maekawa M. , Yoshikawa T. 
Published: January 2014

SummaryThe penetrance of schizophrenia risk in carriers of the 22q11.2 deletion is high but incomplete, suggesting the possibility of additional genetic defects. We performed whole exome sequencing on two individuals with 22q11.2 deletion, one with schizophrenia and the other who was psychosisfree. The results revealed novel genetic variants related to neuronal function exclusively in the person with schizophrenia (frameshift: KAT8, APOH and SNX31; nonsense: EFCAB11 and CLVS2). This study paves the way towards a more complete understanding of variant dose and genetic architecture in schizophrenia.
STAT3 and MCL-1 associate to cause a mesenchymal epithelial transition
Authors: Renjini A. P. , Titus Shiny , Narayan Prashanth , Murali Megha , Kumar Jha Rajesh , Laloraya Malini 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACTEmbryo implantation is effected by a myriad of signaling cascades acting on the embryo–endometrium axis. Here we show, by using MALDI TOF analysis, far-western analysis and colocalization and co-transfection studies, that STAT3 and MCL-1 are interacting partners during embryo implantation. We show in vitro that the interaction between the two endogenous proteins is strongly regulated by estrogen and progesterone. Implantation, pregnancy and embryogenesis are distinct from any other process in the body, with extensive, but controlled, proliferation, cell migration, apoptosis, cell invasion and differentiation. Cellular plasticity is vital during the early stages of development for morphogenesis and organ homeostasis, effecting the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and, the reverse process, mesenchymal to epithelial transition (MET). STAT3 functionally associates with MCL-1 in the mammalian breast cancer cell line MCF7 that overexpresses STAT3 and MCL-1, which leads to an increased rate of apoptosis and decreased cellular invasion, disrupting the EMT. Association of MCL-1 with STAT3 modulates the normal, anti-apoptotic, activity of MCL-1, resulting in pro-apoptotic effects. Studying the impact of the association of STAT3 with MCL-1 on MET could lead to an enhanced understanding of pregnancy and infertility, and also metastatic tumors.
Make, Buy, or Ally? Choice of and Payoff from Announcements of Alternate Strategies for Innovations
Authors: Borah Abhishek , Tellis Gerard J. 
Published: January 2014

Firms constantly grapple with the question of whether to make, buy, or ally for innovations. The literature has not, to our knowledge, analyzed the choice of and payoff from these alternate routes to innovation for the same firm. To address this issue, we collect, code, and analyze the choice of and payoff from 3,522 announcements of make, buy, and ally for 192 firms across 108 industries over five years.We find that announcements to make or ally generate positive and higher payoffs than announcements to buy, which generate negative payoffs. Nevertheless, firms continue to buy for two reasons. First, firms seem to have no memory of the payoff from buy, even though they have a memory of the payoff from make. Second, firms tend to buy when they lack commercializations, even though this strategy does not always seem to pay off. These results suggest that firms see buy as a signal to investors that they have a solution for what may be a deep strategic problem. Nevertheless, the negative returns to a buy can be mitigated if the acquirer is experienced, and the target is related and offers high customer benefit. We offer explanations for and implications of the results.
A discussion of the actual status of process control in theory and practice: a personal view from German process industry
Authors: Piechottka Uwe , Hagenmeyer Veit 
Published: January 2014

Abstract
The contribution aims at stimulating a dialogue between academia and
industry: from an application point of view, the authors observe in the
field of process control an ongoing drift between theory and practice. As
engineers, the authors are concerned that this drift weakens the position of
process control as a whole. Hence, a thorough analysis and a following
discussion are at need. In order to contribute to the aforementioned
dialogue, first the state of the art of process control in the Western
European chemical industry is reported by displaying the results of
a Western-European-wide survey. Thereafter, a discussion of the actual context
of industrial applications of process control is led. Finally, the
contribution is concluded in view of opening the field for the dialogue in
need by some remarks fostering the future of process control as a whole.
Nichtlineare modellprädiktive Regelung für industrielle Semibatch-Prozesse
Authors: Schild Axel , Nohr Marcus , Bausa Jens , Hagenmeyer Veit 
Published: January 2014

Zusammenfassung
Die wachsende Bedeutung von Semibatch-Mehrproduktanlagen erfordert eine
stärkere Nutzung modellgestützter Prozessführungsmethoden zur
Steigerung der Wettbewerbsfähigkeit. Ausgehend von Erfahrungen bei der
Umsetzung mehrerer Advanced Control Projekte werden Erfolgsfaktoren für
solche Projekte definiert und Anforderungen an eine NMPC-Softwareplattform
für den industriellen Einsatz definiert. Dabei werden offene
wissenschaftliche Forschungsfelder ausgewiesen.
Peer Effects and Policy: The Relationship between Classroom Gender Composition and Student Achievement in Early Elementary School
Authors: Gottfried Michael A. , Graves Jennifer 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThe existence of gender peer effects has been well-documented, yet regarding estimates that are best-suited for policy formation, the literature finds somewhat mixed results. This article builds on the gender peer effects literature in a number of ways. First, we focus on early elementary school students, for which fewer studies exist. We also test whether effects in early elementary grades are subject-specific. Contrary to findings for older grade levels, we find that estimates by gender are subject-specific for the early elementary grades. Second, previous studies using similar estimation have focused on very different geographical areas, while this study makes use of nationally representative elementary school data for the United States. Third, we explore whether effects vary across grades, for which the existing literature finds mixed results. We find that the negative subject-specific effects of having a higher proportion of boys in the classroom increases in magnitude across grades, with insignificant effects in kindergarten, negative and significant by first grade, and larger negative and significant effects by third grade. Our findings suggest that a more balanced gender mix in the classroom is optimal for both reading and math comprehension for both boys and girls. However, regarding math performance, there is also suggestive evidence that a 100% separation of genders could improve girls’ math performance without consequences for boys’ math performance, motivating further research into single-gender subject-specific instruction.
Sharp weighted estimates for dyadic shifts and the A2
conjecture
Authors: Hytönen Tuomas , Pérez Carlos , Treil Sergei , Volberg Alexander 
Published: January 2014

Abstract.

We give a self-contained proof of the A2
conjecture, which claims that the norm of any Calderón–Zygmund operator is bounded by the first degree of the A2
norm of the weight. The original proof of this result by the first author relied on a subtle and rather difficult reduction to a testing condition by the last three authors. Here we replace this reduction by a new weighted norm bound for dyadic shifts – linear in the A2
norm of the weight and quadratic in the complexity of the shift –, which is based on a new quantitative two-weight inequality for the shifts. These sharp one- and two-weight bounds for dyadic shifts are the main new results of this paper. They are obtained by rethinking the corresponding previous results of Lacey–Petermichl–Reguera and Nazarov–Treil–Volberg.
To complete the proof of the A2
conjecture, we also provide a simple variant of the representation, already in the original proof, of an arbitrary Calderón–Zygmund operator as an average of random dyadic shifts and random dyadic paraproducts. This method of the representation amounts to the refinement of the techniques from non-homogeneous Harmonic Analysis.