cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Noise exposure alters the response of outer hair cells to ATP.

The outer hair cells (OHCs) are one target of noise-induced effects. To date there are few studies which examine changes in the function of OHCs induced by noise exposure. There is increasing evidence that ATP may be a neuromodulator acting on OHCs. Therefore, we examined the possibility that the response to ATP may be altered by low-level noise exposure. ATP was tested on cation currents recorded from outer hair cells (OHCs) isolated from chronic noise-exposed guinea pigs and compared to currents recorded from normal control animals. The whole-cell variant of the patch-clamp technique was used. The incidence of response to 100 microM ATP was decreased in OHCs from noise-exposed animals as compared to controls when normal internal and external solutions were employed. When K+ was substituted by N-methyl-glucamine (NMG+) in the pipette solution, there were significant differences in the magnitudes of ATP-evoked currents between cells from noise-exposed and control animals. This was observed in both normal and 20 mM Ba2+ external solutions. In addition, the response to ATP exhibited a dependency on OHC length. In short OHCs ( 65 microns) from noise-exposed animals was increased. Results suggest that low-level noise exposure induces changes in OHCs which affect the response of the cell to ATP.
Polymer structure and gas permeation II. Permeation studies

A series of gas permeability studies of plastic membranes demonstrated the strong dependence of gas transport on structural aspects of the membrane. Films of cellulose acetate butyrate, silicone rubber, polyethylene, polypropylene, and vinyl chloride, were used in these studies. The effect of elastic and nonelastic stretching, orientation, plasticization, and phase changes were shown to be detectable by gas permeations. Interpretation of the permeation response, as a function of temperature, is compatible with a thermodynamic appraisal of the permeation process.
On the road from classical to modern molecular biology.

I graduated from the University of Colorado in Boulder in 1965, and, while browsing through the university bookstore, I noticed a new book called Molecular Biology of the Gene by James Watson. When I read it, I was captivated by the elegance and power of an exciting new field that combined structure, genetics and biochemistry. Delving more deeply, I was fascinated by the classic paper of Francois Jacob and Jacque Monod on the operon theory and the subsequent identification of the Lac and l phage repressors by Walter Gilbert and Mark Ptashne, respectively. These breakthroughs in our understanding of gene regulation in prokaryotes, which were based on a combination of ingenuity, genetics and biochemistry, defined classical molecular biology and inspired me to seek a PhD in the new field and, ultimately, to study the mechanisms of gene regulation in eukaryotes. On the basis of my interest in molecular biology, Joseph Daniel, my undergraduate research advisor at Colorado, suggested that I contact Leonard Lerman, who had recently moved from the University of Colorado Medical School to the new Department of Molecular Biology at Vanderbilt University. I took Joe’s advice and ultimately joined Leonard’s lab, where I studied the structure of highly compacted DNA by small-angle X-ray scattering. Leonard was an excellent mentor who encouraged critical thinking, and I enjoyed learning a new field. Toward the end of my thesis research, Mark Ptashne visited Vanderbilt, and during his dinner with the graduate students I had the opportunity to discuss my interests in his work. That conversation ultimately led to an offer to join Mark’s lab at Harvard for postdoctoral studies. On the road from classical to modern molecular biology
Structure of the gene for the transition state regulator, abrB: regulator synthesis is controlled by the spo0A sporulation gene in Bacillus subtilis.

Summary Sporulation begins coincidentally with the expression of several stationary-phase-associated gene products during the transition state of a culture from exponential to stationary phase. Mutations in the stage 0 sporulation genes prevent the expression of these gene products in addition to blocking sporulation. Suppressor mutations in the abrB gene, in a spo0 background, restore stationary-phase-associated gene expression but not sporulation. The nature of the abrB gene product was investigated by isolating and sequencing the abrB gene. The abrB gene coded for a 96-amino-acid protein (molecular weight 10773) and contained a helix-turn-helix structure common to DNA binding proteins. Analysis of expression of the abrB gene using lacZ transcription fusions and direct measurement of mRNA content by hybridization showed that the spo0A gene repressed transcription of the abrB gene. Primer extension analysis of abrB gene mRNA revealed two initiation sites. The downstream site was dramatically repressed in spo0A+ strains, while the upstream site appeared not to be regulated by spo0A. Five abrB mutant alleles were cloned and sequenced. One mutation, abrB 4, resided within the structural gene and continued to overexpress abrB messenger RNA from both promoters. A promoter mutation, abrB 15, reduced transcription from the downstream promoter but not the upstream promoter. Thus, the phenotype of abrB mutations results from inactivation of the abrB gene product or by prevention of its overexpression. The results suggest that the abrB gene codes for a regulator which controls several genes whose products are normally produced during the transition phase between active growth and sporulation. The level of this regulator is, in turn, controlled by the spo0A gene. The pleiotropic phenotypes of spo0A mutants result from uncontrolled overexpression of the abrB regulator.
Effects of initial conditions on the development of curved wakes

An experimental investigation has been conducted on the three-dimensional structure of curved plane wakes developing from tripped and untripped initial boundary layers. The effects of mild stream-wise curvature on a wake generated at the trailing edge of a slowly tapering splitter plate were investigated at a Reynolds number of about 30,000. With the initial boundary layers turbulent, spatially-stationary streamwise vorticity was not observed. The curvature affected the wake growth and defect-decay rates, but in different ways for each of the two initial conditions. The effects of curvature were also apparent in the Reynolds stress results, especially in the primary shear stress distributions, which showed that the levels on the unstable side were increased significantly compared to those for a straight wake, while those on the stable side were decreased, with the effect stronger in the initially laminar wake.
Abstract 2848: TheDEC1promoter polymorphism −249 T>C reduces the risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC The human DEC1 (deleted in esophageal cancer 1) gene is located on chromosome 9q, a region frequently deleted in various types of human cancers, including squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (SCCHN). Previous studies have shown that DEC1 expression was greatly reduced or absent in esophageal cancer, and its tumor suppressive ability was observed in both in vitro and in vivo assays. Therefore, we hypothesized that DEC1 might also play roles in the etiology of SCCHN. To assess the association between DEC1 polymorphisms and SCCHN risk, two independent promoter SNPs, −1628 G>C (rs1591420) and −606 T>C (rs4978620), the latter being in complete linkage disequilibrium with both −249 T>C (rs2012775) and −122 (rs2012566), were genotyped in 1,111 non-Hispanic whites SCCHN patients and 1,130 age-and sex-matched cancer-free controls recruited at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. The joint effect of DEC1 SNPs and the TP53 tumor suppressor gene codon 72 (Arg72Pro, rs1042522) polymorphism, which has been suggested to be associated with susceptibility to tobacco-related cancers, was also assessed. After adjustment for age, sex, and smoking and drinking status, a significantly protective effect on SCCHN risk was observed for the −606 T>C (rs4978620) CC homozygotes (adjusted OR = 0.72, 95% CI= 0.52-0.98), compared with those carrying the −606 TT genotype. Stratification analyses showed that a decrease risk associated with the −606 CC genotype remained significant in the subgroups of never smokers, never drinkers, younger subjects (≤55 yr), patients with oropharyngeal cancer, and in the presence of the TP53Arg/Arg (rs1042522) genotype. By an in silico analysis, we identified that the −249 T>C SNP would gain a transcription factor binding site. Indeed, further functional analysis showed that the T to C allelic change at the −249 site significantly enhanced transcriptional activity of the DEC1 promoter and the DNA-protein binding activity, supporting a tumor suppressor role of DEC1 in SCCHN. We conclude that the DEC1 promoter −249 T>C (rs2012775) polymorphism is functional, modulating susceptibility to SCCHN among non-Hispanic whites. The association with oropharyngeal cancer among never smokers and never drinkers and with TP53 Arg/Arg genotype suggests that this polymorphism could modulate the human papillomavirus-induced carcinogenic process. (Supported by NIH grants R01CA131274 and R01ES011740) Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2848.
Maternal high n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid intake during pregnancy increases voluntary alcohol intake and hypothalamic estrogen receptor alpha and beta levels among female offspring.

Identification of nongenetic biological factors that predispose to alcohol abuse is central to attempts to prevent alcoholism. Since an exposure to estradiol in utero increases voluntary alcohol intak
Varying Problem Effort and Choice: Using the Interspersal Technique to Influence Choice towards More Effortful Assignments.

College students were exposed to two pairs of mathematics assignments. Assignment Pair A included a high-effort assignment containing 18 long three-digit × two-digit (3×2) multiplication problems with all numerals in each problem being equal to or greater than four and a moderate-effort assignment that contained nine long problems and nine interspersed moderate 3×2 problems with numerals less than four. Assignment Pair B contained similar assignment sheets, the exception being that the high-effort assignment contained six additional one-digit × one-digit (1×1) problems interspersed following every third 3×2 problem. After working on each assignment pair, students ranked assignments and chose a new assignment for homework. Analysis of Assignment Pair A revealed that students overwhelmingly preferred the moderate-effort assignment. Analysis of interaction effects showed that when additional brief problems were added to the high-effort assignments, the proportion of students who chose the high-effort assignment for homework and ranked it as being less difficult, time consuming, and effortful increased significantly. Results support previous research on effort and choice and the hypothesis that a completed discrete problem may serve a reinforcing stimulus.
Resiliency of a nematode community and suppressive service to tillage and nematicide application

Abstract We hypothesized that populations of predatory and omnivorous nematodes would be slower to recover from conventional tillage and nematicide application than other nematode trophic groups, and that lower populations of predators and omnivores would lead to greater survival and reproduction of plant-feeding nematodes (i.e., pest resurgence). A field study was conducted from 2008 to 2010 with two tillage regimes (strip and conventional) and two nematicide treatments (1,3-dichloropropene + aldicarb and a no-nematicide control) with six replications arranged in a split-plot design. Soil samples were collected pre-fumigation/tillage, post plant, and mid season during each year. Nematodes were extracted from soil and identified to genus. The field site had relatively high populations of predatory and omnivorous nematodes and abundance of these feeding groups translated into a relatively high Structure Index (≥60) in the control plots. Tillage had little impact on the nematode community, but the nematicides reduced numbers of all trophic groups compared to the control at post plant and mid season. However, for bacterial and plant feeders, there was also a consistent lingering effect of the nematicides the following year at pre-fumigation. Omnivores and predators were not severely impacted by the nematicide treatment; populations of both groups repeatedly recovered by the following spring from the yearly application of nematicides, with the exception of predators in 2008. We used two bioassays to measure the suppressive service of the soil community: one determined survival of the reniform nematode (Rotylenchulus reniformis) and the other reproduction of Meloidogyne arenaria on peanut. Survival of R. reniformis was greater in defaunated compared to native soil indicating that the soil contained organisms that consumed nematodes. Application of nematicides led to an increase in survival of the R. reniformis from 53% in the control to 78% in treated plots at post plant, and from 55% in the control plots to 66% in treated plots at mid season. Likewise, reproduction of M. arenaria was greater in soil treated with nematicides. At post plant, survival (%) of R. reniformis was negatively correlated with abundance of predators + omnivores. Organisms other than nematodes were likely involved in the suppressive service. This was particularly evident at pre-fumigation/tillage, when survival of R. reniformis was lower in plots previously treated with nematicides than in control plots. The nematicides may have altered the soil community to allow a fungal, bacterial, or invertebrate antagonist of nematodes to increase in abundance.
Symmetry determined medium range order (MRO) contributions to the first sharp diffraction peak (FSDP) in non‐crystalline oxide and chalcogenide glasses

The first sharp diffraction peak (FSDP) in the structure factor, S(Q), obtained from X-ray and neutron diffraction data, is a characteristic feature of oxide and chalcogenide glasses. This feature reflects intermediate, or medium range order (MRO), and is expressed in terms of two experimentally determined parameters, the position, Q 1 (A -1 ), and the full-width at half-maximum (FWHM), ΔQ 1 (A -1 ), of the FSDP peak. These parameters determine a correlation length R=2π/Q 1 (A -1 ) and a coherence length L=2π/ΔQ 1 (A -1 ) that result from symmetry-determined contributions to the fundamental electronic structures of SiO 2 and GeSe 2 . Narrow distributions of third neighbor Si-O and Ge-Se pair correlation distances are forced by strongly correlated symmetries of Si and Ge d-states connected through intervening O and Se atoms, as well as Se inter-atom lone-pair repulsions in GeSe 2 . The local bonding of threefold coordinated B-atoms in B 2 O 3 is planar rather than tetragonal and a similar O 2pπ-B 3dπ overlap is symmetry forbidden. Instead symmetry allowed O 2pπ-B 3pπ bonding interactions play the determining role in promoting second-neighbor B-O atom coupling through intervening O-atoms, thereby extending the correlation length scale into the MRO regime.
Time-Varying Matching Networks for Antennas

In this paper a time-varying matching network is proposed for signal-centric systems. This antenna matching network achieves significantly higher bandwidth than conventional designs with the same circuit topology and complexity. This is achieved by exploiting information about the incident pulse. Time- varying elements control the initial conditions of the reactive components so that excellent matching is obtained over a very wide frequency range. In particular, experimental and theoretical results show that a single-stage LC ladder with one single-pole double-through switch achieves a nearly perfect match for a monocycle with a 10:1 10-dB bandwidth. Unlike conventional matching networks, time-varying designs are not limited by the Bode-Fano gain-bandwidth restriction but only by the nonidealities of their circuit components. (3 pages)
Production rules as a representation for a knowledge-based consultation program

The MYCIN system has begun to exhibit a high level of performance as a consultant on the difficult task of selecting antibiotic therapy for bacteremia. This report discusses issues of representation and design for the system. We describe the basic task and document the constraints involved in the use of a program as a consultant. The control structure and knowledge representation of the system are examined in this light, and special attention is given to the impact of production rules as a representation. The extent of the domain independence of the approach is also examined.
Concurrent Hidradenitis Suppurativa, Inflammatory Acne, Dissecting Cellulitis of the Scalp, and Pyoderma Gangrenosum in a 16‐Year‐Old Boy

We report the case of a 16-year-old boy who presented to our clinic with concomitant hidradenitis suppurativa, inflammatory acne, dissecting cellulitis of the scalp, and pyoderma gangrenosum. Recent reports describe the co-occurrence of pyoderma gangrenosum, acne, and hidradenitis suppurativa. This case further expands the spectrum of concomitant pyoderma gangrenosum and dissecting cellulitis of the scalp.
Contribution of drug doses and conditioning periods to psychomotor stimulant sensitization.

Rationale Repeated intermittent administration of psychostimulant drugs such as amphetamine and cocaine can cause sensitization (reverse tolerance) to the locomotor-stimulating actions in rats. Sensitization to the stimulant effects of these drugs might contribute to the development and maintenance of addictive behaviors (e.g. compulsive drug use).
Mathematics in engineering — A new policy

ENGINEERING, and particularly electrical engineering, has become a science whose future progress depends largely on the extensive use of mathematics and physics. In the writer's early experience it was not unusual to hear prominent engineers state that the place for an integral sign is the violin. The use of complex numbers in circuit analysis, the introduction of operational and transform methods, and the application of tensor analysis in electrical engineering have brought to our profession the realization that not only the integral sign, but also other mathematical hieroglyphics, are indeed just as essential to the engineer as they are to the mathematician.
Explaining choice of development strategies: suggestions from Mexico, 1970–1982

Economic development requires choices among a broad spectrum of alternative strategies and, as the recent experience of Mexico suggests, those choices are not easy. A complex politics is involved in the transition from one development strategy to another. The international political economy and domestic social coalitions both influence the costs and benefits associated with various development policies; they rule out some choices, but numerous options still remain. How can one explain actual outcomes? Observers may significantly increase their ability to explain outcomes by incorporating a statist component into their analyses. Within the very broad parameters set by the international political economy the state influences (but does not determine) the creation and the demands of the social coalition itself. In addition, the state may use policy instruments and advantages from the domestic and international arenas to implement policy even in the face of domestic opposition. The structure of the domestic political economy determines the space within which the statist perspective contributes to explanatory power. Eventually, it is in a historically based ideology that the chief explanation for the state's choice of policy and the construction of particular domestic coalitions is to be found.
Transform sensing of phased array radar

A completely new scheme called transform sensing is proposed for the phased array radar. The new scheme forms certain beam patterns, which directly perform desired transform, such as discrete cosine transform (DCT) or discrete wavelet transform (DWT), to the space. The received signals will be the coefficients of transform instead of raw data reflected from the target. By doing so, signal processing is performed in an online fashion to render attractive advantages which we never experienced before.
Fine-structure intervals for the lowest P terms in the Cu, Zn, Ga, and Br isoelectronic sequences for Z <= 92.

Theoretical and semiempirical predictions of fine-structure intervals for the lowest P terms in the Cu, Zn, Ga, and Br sequences are presented for all ions with Z\ensuremath{\le}92. Through the use of screening parameter reductions of both the existing data base and the ab initio multiconfiguration Dirac-Fock computations reported herein, a new empirical decomposition has been discovered that permits measurements for the Cu sequence to be combined with theoretical computations to make precise predictions for the Zn, Ga, and Br sequences. These predictions are of higher precision than could be obtained solely by ab initio methods, and extend to much higher Z than semiempirical extrapolations alone would permit. These results provide insights into the interaction of the active and core electrons, and test a method that is applicable to many other systems.
Outcomes of Heart Transplant (HT) Recipients Bridged with ECMO

Purpose Outcomes of post-HT patients bridged with ECMO support has not been well studied. We sought to examine these outcomes in a national cohort. Methods and Materials 39759 HT recipients were identified from UNOS (1987-2011), of which 115 were bridged with ECMO (Exclusions: age Results Ischemic [41% (ECMO) & 48% (no ECMO)] & dilated [37% (ECMO) & 43% (no ECMO)] cardiomyopathies were the most prevalent. The ECMO cohort was younger (p Figure ). Unadjusted HR for all-cause mortality for ECMO was 2.09 (CI 1.60-2.73). Multivariate analysis yielded a HR of 2.11 (CI 1.55-2.86) (p Conclusions Survival is poor amongst those bridged with ECMO support. ECMO was associated with worse liver function & increased use of life support. Long-term use of ECMO as bridge should be used cautiously. If further studies support early benefit, there may be utility given apparent stabilization of survival after the early post-HT period.
First demonstration of high-Ge-content strained-Si 1−x Ge x (x=0.5) on insulator PMOS FinFETs with high hole mobility and aggressively scaled fin dimensions and gate lengths for high-performance applications

For the first time, we report fabrication and characterization of high-performance s-Si 1−x Ge x -OI (x∼0.5) pMOS FinFETs with aggressively scaled dimensions. We demonstrate realization of s-SiGe fins with W FIN =3.3nm and devices with L G =16nm, in a CMOS compatible process. Using a Si-cap-free passivation, we report SS=68mV/dec and μeff=390±12 cm2/Vs at N inv =1013cm−2, outperforming the state-of-the-art relaxed Ge FinFETs. We also report the highest performance reported to date among sub-20nm-L G pMOS FinFETs at V DD =0.5V. In addition, hole transport as well as electrostatics, performance and leakage characteristics of SGOI FinFETs for various dimensions are comprehensively studied in this work.
“A body story with a vengeance”: Anatomy and struggle in the Bell Jar and the handmaid's tale

(1997). “A body story with a vengeance”: Anatomy and struggle in the Bell Jar and the handmaid's tale. Women's Studies: Vol. 26, No. 1, pp. 89-123.
Russian Financial Transition: The Development of Institutions and Markets for Growth

A well-developed financial intermediation industry increases domestic savings, efficiently allocates investment resources to the most productive uses in the economy and increases the rate of economic growth. In the Soviet economy the banking system served as a means of collecting household savings and a means of distributing centrally determined capital grants to enterprises. Banks then audited enterprise financial activities to ensure compliance to the financial plan. After a decade the transition from the Soviet banking system to a market oriented banking system is incomplete and fraught with uncertainty. While the number of financial institutions has increased dramatically, the state sector still dominates financial sector activity, the legal and regulatory framework is incomplete, information necessary for risk management is of poor quality and policy makers and regulators have been slow to act to improve intermediation services. While significant progress has been made, the commonly recognized characteristics of a sound financial system are not yet met.
Chronic pain: Psychological approaches for the front‐line clinician

Many of the techniques and skills the average front-line practitioner possesses (such as intake, psychological testing, cognitive behavior therapy, and relaxation therapy) can be readily and effectively applied to a chronic-pain population. More specialized techniques for pain reduction, such as biofeedback training, can be easily learned by the generalist clinician with a minimum of additional training. In this article, four general steps to assess and reduce chronic pain are reviewed. Through careful use of the available research literature, and by consulting with a colleague who has expertise in chronic pain, most psychologists can straightforwardly begin to help individuals suffering from chronic pain.
Random outcomes of allergen-specific responses in atopic families.

Summary Background Allergens are common non-infectious antigens to which people will mount T cell dependent humoral responses. Among genetically susceptible individuals, an antigen-specific response results involving the production of allergen-specific IgE (atopy). Objective Determine if this susceptibility is manifested as an inherited, allergen-specific trait or a random response to allergens among susceptible people. Methods We evaluated allergen-specific outcomes in 1099 members of families with positive atopic history (26 multi-generation and 112 nuclear families). Each was tested for sensitivity to 14 common allergens by standardized skin prick test (SPT), a marker of specific IgE production. Over 15 000 individual SPT's were evaluated. Among five randomly selected multi-generation families (N=163), semi-quantitative determinations of Amb a 1-specific IgA1,2 and IgG1–4 were determined in three groups: (A) Amb a SPT+/Amb a 1-IgE+, (B) Amb a SPT−/Amb a 1-IgE+, (C) Amb a SPT−/Amb a 1-IgE−. Results By rank correlation statistics, there were no discernible ‘patterns’ of specific SPT outcomes among any of the multi-generation families, suggesting that environmental exposure rather than allergen-specific inheritance determined the responses. This was confirmed among the nuclear families since the conditional SPT outcomes among children were independent of the SPT responses of their parents. Among five randomly selected multi-generation families, the relative proportionate concentrations of the Amb a 1-specific IgA and IgG subclasses were comparable, regardless of atopic sensitization to the ragweed allergen Amb a. Conclusion While the general propensity for atopy may be inherited, an individual's specific atopic outcome is a random variable independent of familial sensitization patterns.
Health-Related Quality of Life and Tamoxifen in Breast Cancer Prevention: A Report From the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project P-1 Study

PURPOSE: This is the initial report from the health-related quality of life (HRQL) component of the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project Breast Cancer Prevention Trial. This report provides an overview of HRQL findings, comparing tamoxifen and placebo groups, and advice to clinicians counseling women about the use of tamoxifen in a prevention setting. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This report covers the baseline and the first 36 months of follow-up data on 11,064 women recruited over the first 24 months of the study. Findings are presented from the Center for Epidemiological Studies–Depression Scale (CES-D), the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Status Survey (MOS SF-36) and sexual functioning scale, and a symptom checklist. RESULTS: No differences were found between placebo and tamoxifen groups for the proportion of participants scoring above a clinically significant level on the CES-D. No differences were found between groups for the MOS SF-36 summary physical and mental scores. Th...
Rapid chain tracing of polypeptide backbones in electron-density maps

A method for the rapid tracing of polypeptide backbones has been developed. The method creates an approximate chain tracing that is useful for visual evaluation of whether a structure has been solved and for use in scoring the quality of electron-density maps. The essence of the method is to (i) sample candidate Cα positions at spacings of approximately 0.6 A along ridgelines of high electron density, (ii) list all possible nonapeptides that satisfy simple geometric and density criteria using these candidate Cα positions, (iii) score the nonapeptides and choose the highest scoring ones, and (iv) find the longest chains that can be made by connecting nonamers. An indexing and storage scheme that allows a single calculation of most distances and density values is used to speed up the process. The method was applied to 42 density-modified electron-density maps at resolutions from 1.5 to 3.8 A. A total of 21 428 residues in these maps were traced in 24 CPU min with an overall r.m.s.d. of 1.61 A for Cα atoms compared with the known refined structures. The method appears to be suitable for rapid evaluation of electron-density map quality.
The US Federal Trade Commission’s Line of Business Program and innovation research

This paper examines how the resources of the Line of Business (LB) Program of the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) leveraged academic research to develop understanding of science and technology policy and to point to new directions for both research and policy. The paper provides an overview and discussion of the birth and death of the FTC LB Program and its unique LB data, the innovation research using the LB data, and the legacy of the program.
Estrogenic modulation of uropathogenic Escherichia coli infection pathogenesis in a murine menopause model.

ABSTRACT Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs), primarily caused by uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC), annually affect over 13 million patients in the United States. Menopausal women are disproportionally susceptible, suggesting estrogen deficiency is a significant risk factor for chronic and recurrent UTI. How estrogen status governs susceptibility to UTIs remains unknown, and whether hormone therapy protects against UTIs remains controversial. Here, we used a mouse model of surgical menopause by ovariectomy and demonstrate a protective role for estrogen in UTI pathogenesis. We found that ovariectomized mice had significantly higher bacteriuria, a more robust inflammatory response, and increased production of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) upon UPEC infection compared to sham-operated controls. We further show that response of the urothelial stem cell niche to infection, normally activated to restore homeostasis after infection, was aberrant in ovariectomized mice with defective superficial urothelial cell differentiation. Finally, UPEC-infected ovariectomized mice showed a significant increase in quiescent intracellular bacterial reservoirs, which reside in the urothelium and can seed recurrent infections. Importantly, this and other ovariectomy-induced outcomes of UTI were reversible upon estrogen supplementation. Together, our findings establish ovariectomized mice as a model for UTIs in menopausal women and pinpoint specific events during course of infection that are most susceptible to estrogen deficiency. These findings have profound implications for the understanding of the role of estrogen and estrogen therapy in bladder health and pathogen defense mechanisms and open the door for prophylaxis for menopausal women with recurrent UTIs.
Hot Mix Asphalt Rubber Applications in Virginia

Four test sections using asphalt rubber hot mix were placed in Virginia from 1990 to 1993. These installations were to familiarize contractors and Virginia Department of Transportation personnel with the construction process and compare the performance of different types of mixes containing ground tire rubber. The MacDonald and Rouse wet processes were used successfully. Dense graded surface mixes, a gap-graded surface mix, and a base mix were manufactured. A stress-absorbing membrane interlayer was also used on one project in an attempt to deter or eliminate various types of cracking. The asphalt rubber mixes have performed as well as the conventional mixes over the short term. More evaluation time is needed to determine if long-term performance of the asphalt rubber mixes is superior to conventional mixes. The asphalt rubber mixes cost 64 to 102 percent more than conventional mixes. This cost would probably decrease if substantial quantities were placed.
SEI level 3 compliance in the TPS industry

Over the past 40 years, the strategic planning concept evolved at an increasing rate. Practical applications of strategic planning are now being fine-tuned, and the continued studies of strategy have reached what is referred to in academia as "third generation". McDonnell Douglas Corporation (MDC) C-17 Support Equipment (SE) is engaged in strategically motivated integrated product teams and process improvement activities to International Standards Organization (ISO) and Software Engineering Institute (SEI) standards. The Test Program Set (TPS) organization is pursuing SEI Level 3 compliance by the end of 1997. The TPS industry is inherently a straightforward and regimented software development environment. It would therefore appear that attainment of SEI Level 3 compliance could be achieved with ease. The report constitutes a reality check, a snapshot of the MDC C-17 SE TPS department's process improvement effort at publication, and assesses the operational and strategic health of the department due to the SEI Level 3 compliance effort.
A multi-level approach to SCOP fold recognition

The classification of proteins based on their structure can play an important role in the deduction or discovery of protein function. However, the relatively low number of solved protein structures and the unknown relationship between structure and sequence requires an alternative method of representation for classification to be effective. Furthermore, the large number of potential folds causes problems for many classification strategies, increasing the likelihood that the classifier will reach a local optima while trying to distinguish between all of the possible structural categories. Here we present a hierarchical strategy for structural classification that first partitions proteins based on their SCOP class before attempting to assign a protein fold. Using a well-known dataset derived from the 27 most-populated SCOP folds and several sequence-based descriptor properties as input features, we test a number of classification methods, including Naive Bayes and Boosted C4.5. Our strategy achieves an average fold recognition of 74%, which is significantly higher than the 56-60% previously reported in the literature, indicating the effectiveness of a multi-level approach.
Masturbatory Dreams of Education for Ameliorating “X”: Power and Privilege to Professional Educators Increased

The greatest radical thinker of the 20th century, Ivan Illich, wrote the archaeology of all the modern professions. This began with his exegesis of the educational enterprise in Deschooling Society which few understood and most dismissed. To understand Illich’s 21st century relevance, “Masturbatory Dreams” is one piercing entry into his reflections post- Deschooling Society .
Organizational Debut on the Public Stage: Marketing Myopia and Initial Public Offerings

Successful initial public offerings (IPOs) provide firms with access to valuable resources, but also put pressure on firms to impress potential investors with evidence of their current well-being and prospects for future growth. To impress investors IPO firms might curtail their marketing budgets, which appears to inflate current earnings and provide evidence of current well-being. However, curtailing marketing budgets unexpectedly during an IPO may be a myopic practice, in that the immediate benefits of these budget cuts are offset by their longer-term adverse consequences on financial well-being. The extent of these adverse consequences in turn may be moderated by external firm factors, including strategic alliances and key customer relationships, and internal firm factors, such as the strategic emphasis on value creation versus value appropriation. A sample of 1,095 IPOs during 2000–2011 reveals evidence of myopic marketing practices in more than 37% of the sample. Investors seem misled during IPOs, bu...
Creating a Safe Frame for Learning

Abstract This article addresses the significant responsibilities of teachers of trauma courses to conscientiously create a safe frame for learning, in consideration of the student, who is inevitably exposed to the intense emotional and conceptual challenges of trauma study. During their study, many students revisit earlier trauma or loss, perhaps unexpectedly, and in the context of academic demands for achievement. Learning can be deepened as students experience a safe context for the material, and for the recognition of the demands of trauma study and treatment. Curriculum inclusion of: the impact of trauma study on all students; recognition of additional demands on students with a history of trauma; a teaching process attending to class experience; addressing vicarious traumatization and encouraging enhancement of self-care, is included.
Pressure evolution in the shear layer of forming vortex rings

This study investigated the relationship between the pinch-off of axisymmetric vortex rings and the evolution of pressure in the shear layer being entrained into the vortex rings. A piston-cylinder apparatus was used to generate the vortex rings, and five cases of constant piston acceleration over distances ranging from zero (impulsive start) to eight piston diameters were investigated. It was determined that increasing the distance over which the piston accelerated increased the dimensionless formation time at which the vortex ring pinches off, consistent with previous observations. A limiting value of vortex ring formation number of approximately seven is approached when the piston is accelerated over more than six piston diameters. For each case, the evolution of pressure in the shear layer was calculated based on PIV measurements of the velocity field and spatial integration of the corresponding pressure gradients using a recently developed algorithm. Plots of the shear layer pressure in X-T diagrams aided in identifying key features of the pressure associated with the evolution of vortex rings, including a high-pressure region that forms behind the leading ring. By extrapolating the motion of this high-pressure region back to the nozzle exit plane in the X-T diagram, its time of first appearance can be estimated. It is found that the appearance of the extrapolated local pressure maximum in the shear layer at the nozzle exit plane coincides with vortex ring pinch-off, as conventionally quantified by the vortex ring formation number.
Aspergillus prosthetic valve endocarditis

A 58-year-old previously healthy male presented to a local hospital with complaints of new onset fever and lower back pain. Three months prior he had undergone elective aortic valve replacement with an ascending aortic conduit for symptomatic bicuspid aortic valve stenosis with ascending aortopathy. An MRI of his lumbar spine revealed L4–L5 osteomyelitis and discitis. Soon after admission, …
Subjective Well‐Being

This entry is focused on two primary aspects of subjective well-being. First, it discusses the conceptualization and history of evaluated subjective well-being, such as life satisfaction. It then examines affective subjective well-being, considering the differentiation of positive and negative affect as well as the measurement of state versus trait affect. New methodological advancements in the assessment of subjective well-being are discussed, including the experience sampling method and the day reconstruction method. Finally, recent developments in the study of affective complexity and cross-national comparisons of subjective well-being are considered. Keywords: day reconstruction method (DRM); experience sampling method (ESM); negative affect; positive affect; satisfaction; well-being
Antibody-microarray data showing Ginkgolide induces multiple anti-cancer targets/pathways in BRCA1 ovarian epithelial cells

A120 Background: Women who carry BRCA1/2 mutations have a higher risk of developing ovarian cancers. Options to reduce this risk are largely limited to prophylactic surgery. Our previous epidemiological and biological studies showed that use of the herbal remedy of Ginkgo biloba, may reduce the risk for non-mucinous and largely non-familial ovarian cancer. Here we explore whether Ginkgo biloba might also be effective in reducing the risk for BRCA1 associated ovarian cancer through the use of cell lines and novel antibody microarray technology. >Methods: A human ovarian surface epithelial cell line (HOSE636) was developed from a BRCA1 mutant carrier who had prophylactic surgery but no cancer found. Ginkgolide B (100μM) plus DMSO-PBS buffer or DMSO-PBS buffer alone were used for continuous treatment for 7 days. Protein lysates from the treated and non-treated cells were applied to antibody microarrays, which contain 500 monoclonal antibodies for relevant cancer protein targets, to determine which proteins might be up or down- regulated by the ginkgolide treatment. Differential protein expression in the treated and untreated cells were analyzed and classified using a heat-map display. Anti-cancer activities and the associated networking pathways in the BRCA1 treated and untreated ovarian epithelial cells were analyzed using the Pathway Studio software. >Results: The HOSE 636 cell demonstrated two truncated BRCA1 protein fragments rather than the intact protein. After ginkgolide B treatment, 28 proteins were shown to be consistently up regulated (1.5 to 15.5-fold), and 22 proteins were down regulated (1.5 to 28.3-fold). Our preliminary studies showed that 25 of the 28 up-regulated proteins were associated with anti-tumor activities such as P53, while all of the ginkgolide down-regulated proteins in BRCA1 ovarian epithelial cells were positively linked to cancer transformation and metastasis such as paxillin and β-catenin. Systematic pathway analysis indicated that multiple mechanisms and signal pathways may result in anti-cancer activities in BRCA1 mutant cells when treated with Ginkgolide B. These pathways include cell proliferation (i.e. PU.1, paxillin, β-catenin), tumor suppression (i.e. P53), invasion (Fibronectin), DNA damage signaling and repair (ERCC1, XPA, SRPK1). Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that ginkgolide B found in the herbal Ginkgo biloba has anti-cancer activities in BRCA1 mutant ovarian surface epithelial cells. Further studies of the use of Ginkgo as a chemopreventive agent in women who carry BRCA mutations are justified.
A Mechanosensor Mechanism Controls the G-Quadruplex/i-Motif Molecular Switch in the MYC Promoter NHE III1

MYC is overexpressed in many different cancer types and is an intensively studied oncogene because of its contributions to tumorigenesis. The regulation of MYC is complex, and the NHE III1 and FUSE elements rely upon noncanonical DNA structures and transcriptionally induced negative superhelicity. In the NHE III1 only the G-quadruplex has been extensively studied, whereas the role of the i-motif, formed on the opposite C-rich strand, is much less understood. We demonstrate here that the i-motif is formed within the 4CT element and is recognized by hnRNP K, which leads to a low level of transcription activation. For maximal hnRNP K transcription activation, two additional cytosine runs, located seven bases downstream of the i-motif-forming region, are also required. To access these additional runs of cytosine, increased negative superhelicity is necessary, which leads to a thermodynamically stable complex between hnRNP K and the unfolded i-motif. We also demonstrate mutual exclusivity between the MYC G-qua...
Update in the Management of Patients with Preeclampsia

Abstract Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy complicate approximately 10% of all deliveries in the United States and are a leading cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Preeclampsia is defined as hypertension in association with proteinuria, thrombocytopenia, impaired liver function, renal insufficiency, pulmonary edema, or new-onset cerebral or visual disturbances. The greatest risk factor for the development of preeclampsia is a history of preeclampsia. There currently is no effective means for the prevention of preeclampsia. Approximately 39% of patients diagnosed with preeclampsia have hypertension and approximately 20% have proteinuria 3 months postpartum. Preeclampsia increases the risk of patients developing hypertension later in life.
ABO blood group is associated with peripheral arterial disease in African Americans: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).

Abstract Introduction Peripheral artery disease (PAD) affects 8.5 million Americans and thus improving our understanding of PAD is critical to developing strategies to reduce disease burden. The objective of the study was to determine the association of ABO blood type with ankle brachial index (ABI) as well as prevalent and incident PAD in a multi-ethnic cohort. Methods The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis includes non-Hispanic White, African, Hispanic, and Chinese Americans aged 45–84. ABO blood type was estimated using ABO genotypes in 6027 participants who had ABI assessed at the baseline exam. Associations with ABO blood type were evaluated categorically and under an additive genetic model by number of major ABO alleles. After excluding those with ABI > 1.4, prevalent PAD was defined as ABI ≤ 0.9 at baseline and incident PAD as ABI ≤ 0.9 for 5137 participants eligible for analysis. Results There were 222 prevalent cases and 239 incident cases of PAD. In African Americans, each additional copy of the A allele was associated with a 0.02 lower baseline ABI (p = 0.006). Each copy of the A allele also corresponded to 1.57-fold greater odds of prevalent PAD (95% CI, 1.17–2.35; p = 0.004), but was not associated with incident PAD. No associations were found in other racial/ethnic groups for ABI, prevalent PAD, or incident PAD across all races/ethnicities. Conclusions Blood type A and the A allele count were significantly associated with baseline ABI and prevalent PAD in African Americans. Further research is needed to confirm and study the mechanisms of this association in African Americans.