cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Design and implementation of a biomolecular circuit for tracking protein concentration

This paper describes the design, modeling, synthesis and preliminary validation of a protein concentration regulator circuit. The circuit is designed to maintain the level of a target protein to a reference level, specified by the amount of another protein. This is implemented using a single negative feedback loop that inhibits the production of the target protein once its concentration is equal to the reference amount. A mathematical model consisting of a set of ODEs is derived from mass action laws and Hill function approximations of protein production. Steady-state analysis of the model is used to predict parameter sensitivity and experimental behavior. We implemented this circuit in E. coli using scaffold-based sequestration and transcriptional activation. Preliminary experimental results show the system matching predictions from our model and performing the expected task.
Recent advances in cardiac PET and PET/CT myocardial perfusion imaging.

Cardiovascular imaging has gained an important role in the evaluation of patients with either known or suspected coronary artery disease. The choices have expanded, imaging procedures have improved. Currently, testing procedures include echocardiography, magnetic resonance imaging, cardiac CTA, cardiac catheterization, and nuclear myocardial perfusion imaging with either single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) or positron emission tomography (PET). Each of these imaging modalities has its strengths and weaknesses. However, SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging has emerged as a reliable and widely available tool for physicians to use in the assessment of their patient for the exclusion or presence and severity of CAD. Recently, cardiac PET has emerged as an alternative to SPECT imaging. Cardiac positron emission tomography (PET) imaging has gained considerable support and use in the field of cardiovascular imaging over the past several years. For example, delivery of the most accessible PET tracer, Rubidium-82 (RB-82) has quadrupled; the use of myocardial viability studies has increased, and the value of cardiac PET perfusion imaging is now being recognized. This recent increase in activity and interest has been spearheaded by several factors, such as availability of the camera technology, advances in cardiac PET acquisition and perfusion procedures, improved display procedures and software, as well as literature supporting the diagnostic and prognostic accuracy of PET perfusion imaging. This review will highlight cardiac PET as presented in a recent symposium with regards to differences between SPECT imaging and PET, literature supporting cardiac PET for both diagnostic accuracy and risk stratification, and features of cardiac PET/CT that differentiate it from SPECT. The review includes recent literature advances.
Melbourne shunt promotes growth of diminutive central pulmonary arteries in patients with pulmonary atresia, ventricular septal defect, and systemic-to-pulmonary collateral arteries.

Background We manage patients with pulmonary atresia, ventricular septal defect, major systemic-to-pulmonary collateral arteries, and diminutive central pulmonary arteries with a staged approach. The first procedure is a central end-to-side aortopulmonary shunt (Melbourne shunt) intended to cause growth and development of the central pulmonary arteries. We subsequently measured central pulmonary artery growth after Melbourne shunt. Methods Forty consecutive patients were followed after Melbourne shunt. The maximum pulmonary artery diameter was measured at the time of surgery and at subsequent catheterizations or surgery. Results Median pulmonary artery size at surgery was 2 mm. The median pulmonary artery diameter was 5.5 mm at first assessment (median, 6.35 months) and 7 mm at most recent assessment (19.7 months). Mean modified Nakata index increased from 27 mm 2 /m 2 at surgery to 138 mm 2 /m 2 at first assessment, and 176 mm 2 /m 2 at final assessment. There was one acute shunt failure from anastomotic stenosis. Thirteen patients (32.5%) required 21 percutaneous interventions. There were 4 deaths during a median follow-up of 68 months. At the time of complete repair (n = 25) all patients required pulmonary artery augmentation, and 8 are in various stages of palliation. The remaining patients are considered not reparable owing to irreversible pulmonary hypertension (n = 4) or have required fenestration of ventricular septal defect after complete repair (n = 2). Conclusions Melbourne shunt promotes modest growth of central pulmonary arteries leading to complete repair in the majority of patients. There is considerable need for further interventions in these patients to augment the size of the pulmonary arteries.
Eya1-Six1 interaction is sufficient to induce hair cell fate in the cochlea by activating Atoh1 expression in cooperation with Sox2

Inner-ear hair cell differentiation requires Atoh1 function, while Eya1, Six1, and Sox2 are coexpressed in sensory progenitors and mutations in these genes cause sensorineural hearing loss. However, how these genes are linked functionally and the transcriptional networks controlling hair cell induction remain unclear. Here, we show (1) that Eya1/Six1 are necessary for hair cell development, and their coexpression in mouse cochlear explants is sufficient to induce hair cell fate in the nonsensory epithelium expressing low-level Sox2 by activating not only Atoh1-dependent but also Atoh1-independent pathways and (2) that both pathways induce Pou4f3 to promote hair cell differentiation. Sox2 cooperates with Eya1/Six1 to synergistically activate Atoh1 transcription via direct binding to the conserved Sox- and Six-binding sites in Atoh1 enhancers, and these proteins physically interact. Our findings demonstrate that direct and cooperative interactions between the Sox2, Six1, and Eya1 proteins coordinate Atoh1 expression to specify hair cell fate.
On pricing and backward transformation in linear programming

In this paper we re-examine some of the available methods for pricing out the columns in the simplex method and point out their potential advantages and disadvantages. In particular, we show that a simple formula for updating the pricing vector can be used with some advantage in the standard product form simplex algorithm and with very considerable advantage in two recent developments: P.M.J. Harris' dynamic scaling method and the Forrest—Tomlin method for maintaining triangular factors of the basis.
Speciation of Cu in a Contaminated Agricultural Soil Measured by XAFS, μ-XAFS, and μ-XRF

Contamination of agricultural soils with Cu as a result of fungicide application and spills threatens environmental quality and reduces soil quality for crop growth. In this paper advanced spectroscopic and microscopic methods were used to elucidate the Cu speciation in a calcareous soil contaminated since the 1940s. Microscopically focused synchrotron-based XRF (μ-SXRF) was used to map the elemental distribution in the soils. Results indicated that most of the Cu was not associated with metal oxides, silicates, phosphates, or carbonates. Bulk and microscopically focused X-absorption near edge structure (XANES) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectra indicated that the Cu in the soil was predominantly Cu adsorbed on soil organic matter (SOM). Interpretation of the fitting results suggests that the Cu is complexed to SOM via bidentate inner-sphere coordination with carboxyl or amine ligands. Results presented in this paper provide detailed information on the molecular coordination of C...
Effect of administration of 5-hydroxytryptophan and an inhibitor of l -aromatic amino acid decarboxylase on glucose metabolism in rat brain

The effect of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)—the precursor of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT)—and of an inhibitor,N-(dl-seryl)-N′-(2,3,4-trihydroxybenzyl)hydrazine (Ro4-4602), ofl-aromatic amino acid decarboxylase on the metabolism of glucose to amino acids in brain tissue was investigated. Labeled glucose (20 μCi, 0.24 mg in 0.2 ml 0.9% saline) was injected intravenously into fed rats pretreated with Ro4-4602 (50 mg/kg intraperitoneally) either alone or in combination with 5-HTP (30 mg/kg intravenously) or with the appropriate vehicle. After the injection of Ro4-4602 plus 5-HTP, the concentrations of 5-HT and 5-HTP in brain were increased, but the increase of 5-HTP that Ro4-4602 slightly inhibits the reaction of decarboxylation in the brain, although at the dose used the drug is usually considered to act only peripherally. After administration of Ro4-4602 alone or combined with 5-HTP, the concentration of glucose in plasma was not significantly increased. However, the concentration of glucose in brain was markedly increased with such treatments. The administration of Ro4-4602 alone or combined with 5-HTP reduced the flux of14C from labeled glucose to amino acids in brain. The concentrations of amino acids in brain were little changed by these treatments.
A low-cost approach to high-k thinfilm decoupling capacitors on silicon and glass interposers

This paper demonstrates a novel low-cost thinfilm capacitor technology on silicon and glass interposers for decoupling in high-speed digital systems. Silicon interposers with thinfilm capacitors have been demonstrated before, but these technologies have not been widely adapted because of the high cost of platinum electrodes and their incompatibility with packaging infrastructure. Thinfilm capacitors with alternative package-compatible low-cost electrodes such as copper and nickel were unsuccessful because of the processing challenges on Si substrates that arise as a result of high inter-diffusion and film stress. A new class of solutions was explored to address the challenges on silicon interposer substrates. Glass-compatible crystallization processes were studied to achieve high capacitance densities. Nickel electrodes showed a capacitance density of 1.1 μF/cm2, 2–3× higher than those with alternative glass-compatible thinfilm capacitor technologies.
Attribute-specific retroactive inhibition in Peterson and Peterson type short-term memory tasks

Specific interference in a Peterson and Peterson (1959) type short-term memory task with a single attribute of a multidimensional stimulus was demonstrated. This specific interference was created by employing interpolated activity tasks composed of stimuli which were similar to a single attribute of the multidimensional to-be-remembered stimulus. After 8 sec of interpolated activity, memory for the specific dimension which was similar to the interpolated activity task was significantly degraded. The results were taken as supportive evidence for the existence of attribute-specific retroactive inhibition in short-term memory. Implications for the design of interpolated activity tasks and the possibility that separate storage locations exist in short-term memory for the elements of multidimensional stimuli are considered.
Detection of circulating tumor cells in metastatic and clinically localized urothelial carcinoma.

Five (17%) of 30 subjects with clinically localized and 7 (50%) of 14 subjects with metastatic UC had 1 detectable CTC (range 1-177). Six subjects had 5 CTCs. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis was performed in 20 samples from 18 unique subjects using the UroVysion probe set. Copy number gains consistent with neoplasm were observed in those with measurable CTCs but not in any of the CTC-negative samples tested. With a median follow-up of 337 days, all 7 patients with metastasis and detectable CTCs had died compared with 3 (43%) of the 7 with metastasis but without detectable CTCs. CONCLUSION CTCs are commonly observed in metastatic UC. CTCs were observed in 50% of the patients with metastatic UC tested. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis confirmed the aneusomic chromosomal content in the CTCs. These findings suggest that measurable CTCs might be prognostic for shortened survival in patients with metastatic UC, although the optimal threshold for a “positive” finding is unknown. CTCs were also detected in a subset of patients with clinically localized disease, identifying a potential high-risk, preoperative group for future study. UROLOGY 78: 863‐867, 2011. © 2011 Elsevier Inc.
Use of a biotinylated probe and in situ hybridization for light and electron microscopic localization of P 0 mRNA in myelin-forming Schwann cells

A biotinylated P 0 glycoprotein cDNA was hybridized in situ to aldehyde-fixed vibratome sections and to aldehyde-fixed thin sections of Lowicryl-embedded trigeminal ganglia of 15 day old rats. Alkaline phosphatase and peroxidase detectors were used for light microscopic (LM) studies and peroxidase or colloidal gold were employed for electron microscopic (EM) detection. In both LM and EM sections, probe was found in cytoplasmic areas of myelinforming Schwann cells that were enriched in granular endoplasmic reticulum, demonstrating that these regions contain P 0 mRNA. Interestingly, P 0 mRNA tended to cluster in regions close to the developing myelin sheath. Relatively simple methods are here described for EM detection of mRNA with reasonable tissue preservation and high resolution. These methods may be useful for developmental and disease-related studies of specific mRNAs in mammalian tissues.
The genetic basis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Throughout the past decade, there have been substantial advances in understanding the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Recently, several large genome-wide association and linkage studies have identified common genetic variants in more than a dozen loci that appear to contribute to IPF risk. In addition, family-based studies have led to the identification of rare genetic variants in genes related to surfactant function and telomere biology, and mechanistic studies suggest pathophysiological derangements associated with these rare genetic variants are also found in sporadic cases of IPF. Current evidence suggests that rather than existing as distinct syndromes, sporadic and familial cases of IPF (familial interstitial pneumonia) probably reflect a continuum of genetic risk. Rapidly evolving bioinformatic and molecular biology techniques, combined with next-generation sequencing technologies, hold great promise for developing a comprehensive, integrated approach to defining the fundamental molecular mechanisms that underlie IPF pathogenesis.
Manipulating the epigenome in germinal center lymphomas: is it getting easier and ezier?

Mutations affecting key epigenetic modifiers tend to cluster in malignancies in which cells of origin lie in the germinal center (GC). EZH2, as transcriptional repressor, is mutated in high frequency in Chinese and Western patients with follicular lymphoma and may represent a rational target for GC-derived lymphomas. Clin Cancer Res; 20(12); 3047–9. ©2014 AACR .
Mobile group II introns of yeast mitochondrial DNA are novel site-specific retroelements.

Group II introns aI1 and aI2 of the yeast mitochondrial COXI gene are mobile elements that encode an intron-specific reverse transcriptase (RT) activity. We show here that the introns of Saccharomyces cerevisiae ID41-6/161 insert site specifically into intronless alleles. The mobility is accompanied by efficient, but highly asymmetric, coconversion of nearbyflanking exon sequences. Analysis of mutants shows that the aI2 protein is required for the mobility of both aI1 and aI2. Efficient mobility is dependent on both the RT activity of the aI2-encoded protein and a separate function, a putative DNA endonuclease, that is associated with the Zn 21 finger-like region of the intron reading frame. Surprisingly, there appear to be two mobility modes: the major one involves cDNAs reverse transcribed from unspliced precursor RNA; the minor one, observed in two mutants lacking detectable RT activity, appears to involve DNA level recombination. Acis-dominant splicingdefectivemutantofaI2continuestosynthesizecDNAscontainingtheintronsbutiscompletelydefectiveinboth mobility modes, indicating that the splicing or the structure of the intron is required. Our results demonstrate that the yeast group II intron aI2 is a retroelement that uses novel mobility mechanisms. Some group I and group II introns are mobile genetic elements. Mobile group I introns are widespread, being found in organelle, bacteriophage, and nuclear genomes (reviewed in reference25).ThebasicmechanismofgroupIintronmobility, or homing, appears to be the same in all cases examined. Each mobile group I intron encodes a site-specific DNA endonuclease that cleaves intronless alleles, initiating intron movement by a double-strand DNA break gap repair process (47, 53). As a consequence of this process, there is extensive coconversion of markers flanking the mobile intron, often extending up to 500 bp on either side of the intron insertion site (25). Neither splicing nor the structure of the intron plays a role in group I intron mobility (4).
Review of Hemoglobin-Induced Myocardial Lesions

Over 100 preclinical studies in several small and large animal species were performed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of diaspirin cross-linked hemoglobin (DCLHb; Baxter Healthcare Corp.) as an oxygen therapeutic. During the preclinical evaluation of DCLHb, myocardial lesions were observed following the administration of DCLHb to certain species. These lesions were characterized as minimal to moderate, focal-to-multifocal myocardial degeneration and/or necrosis that were scored using a severity scale of minimal to marked in relative severity. The lesions were typically observed 24-48 h after single topload infusions of DCLHb into rhesus monkeys or pigs at doses as low as 200 or 700 mg/kg, respectively. Dogs, sheep, and rats did not develop these lesions after single-dose administrations of DCLHb. The left ventricular myocardium, typically near the base of or including the papillary muscles, was the most severely affected region, followed by the intraventricular septum and the right ventricle. The left and right atria were usually not affected. In a study in rhesus monkeys, morphometric analysis revealed that these lesions comprised less than 3% of the total myocardium. Although increases in serum enzyme activities (AST, CK, LDH) were observed after infusion of DCLHb, myocardial-related isoenzymes did not increase. ECG analysis and echocardiography were not altered by these lesions, and there was no observable adverse effect on myocardial function. Polymerization of DCLHb reduced, but did not eliminate, the incidence and severity of the lesions. However, infusion of hemoglobin solutions with reduced reaction rates with nitric oxide (NO) resulted in a significant decrease in lesion incidence and severity, while administration of L-NAME, an NO synthase inhibitor, resulted in the appearance of lesions that were indistinguishable from those induced by hemoglobin, suggesting that reduction in normal NO levels is an important mechanistic factor. Overall, the presence of myocardial lesions represents a histopathologic finding that must be considered during the preclinical testing and development of new HBOCs.
Paper-Based Potentiometric Ion Sensing

This paper describes the design and fabrication of ion-sensing electrochemical paper-based analytical devices (EPADs) in which a miniaturized paper reference electrode is integrated with a small ion-selective paper electrode (ISPE) for potentiometric measurements. Ion-sensing EPADs use printed wax barriers to define electrochemical sample and reference zones. Single-layer EPADs for sensing of chloride ions include wax-defined sample and reference zones that each incorporate a Ag/AgCl electrode. In EPADs developed for other electrolytes (potassium, sodium, and calcium ions), a PVC-based ion-selective membrane is added to separate the sample zone from a paper indicator electrode. After the addition of a small volume (less than 10 μL) of sample and reference solutions to different zones, ion-sensing EPADs exhibit a linear response, over 3 orders of magnitude, in ranges of electrolyte concentrations that are relevant to a variety of applications, with a slope close to the theoretical value (59.2/z mV). Ion-selective EPADs provide a portable, inexpensive, and disposable way of measuring concentrations of electrolyte ions in aqueous solutions.
Discernibility Analysis and Accuracy Improvement of Machine Learning Algorithms for Network Intrusion Detection

Network intrusion detection based on machine learning algorithms has demonstrated high performance in execution time and overall classification accuracy. However, very poor identification skill is showed for certain specific attack types, especially for the unknown attack types appeared in the test data only. We use the Parallel Coordinates Plot (PCP), one kind of visualization technique for multi-dimension data analysis, to comparatively analyze the data distribution characteristic for both training and test datasets. On the other hand, we make use of rough sets theory to investigate the discernibility in respect of whole training dataset, randomly sampled dataset and reduct attributes set. Furthermore, based on the higher classification accuracy for data with unknown attack types by using rough sets method, the decision rules extracted from both C4.5 and rough sets method are combined to improve the detection capability of classification model.
COMPARATIVE GROWTH AND SURVIVAL OF BROWN SHRIMP CULTURED WITH FLORIDA POMPANO, BLACK DRUM AND STRIPED MULLET

Brown shrimp (Penaeus aztecus) were grown at densities of 3000/ha in polyculture with fish in flow-through 0.1 ha ponds. Shrimp, 104.8 † 6.81 mm in total length, were stocked with Florida pompano (Trachinotus carolinus), 67.6 † 9.32 mm in standard length (SL); Florida pompano, 58.0 † 6.13 mm SL, and black drum (Pogonias cromis), 91.9 † 11.17 mm SL; black drum, 86.3 † 10.65 mm SL; and black drum, 93.7 † 7.92 mm SL, and striped mullet (Mugil cephalus), 74.5 † 26.36 mm SL. Densities were 5000/ha for Florida pompano and black drum, and 500/ha for striped mullet. Shrimp survival ranged from 19.0 to 63.3%. Average survivals, all treatments, were poorest with Florida pompano and best with black drum in fish monocultures. Growth was excellent, averaging 0.17 g/day and similar with all fish species and combinations.
Data search and reorganization using FPGAs: application to spatial pointer-based data structures

FPGAs (field programmable gate arrays) have appealing features such as customizable internal and external bandwidth and the ability to exploit vast amounts of fine-grain parallelism. In this paper, we explore the applicability of these features in using FPGAs as smart memory engines for search and reorganization computations over spatial pointer-based data structures. The experimental results in this paper suggests that reconfigurable logic, when combined with the data reorganization, can lead to dramatic performance improvements of up to 20x over traditional computer architectures for pointer-based computations, traditionally not viewed as a good match for reconfigurable technologies.
AdPLA ablation increases lipolysis and prevents obesity induced by high-fat feeding or leptin deficiency.

A main function of white adipose tissue is to release fatty acids from triacylglycerol for other tissues to use as an energy source. While endocrine regulation of lipolysis has been extensively studied, autocrine/paracrine regulation is not well understood. Here, we describe the role of AdPLA, the newly identified major adipocyte phospholipase A2, in the regulation of lipolysis and adiposity. AdPLA null mice have a markedly higher rate of lipolysis, due to increased cAMP levels arising from the marked reduction in adipose PGE2 that binds the Gαi-coupled receptor, EP3. AdPLA null mice have drastically reduced adipose tissue mass and triglyceride content, with normal adipogenesis. They also have higher energy expenditure with higher fatty acid oxidation within adipocytes. AdPLA deficient ob/ob mice remain hyperphagic but lean, with increased energy expenditure, yet have ectopic triglyceride storage and insulin resistance. AdPLA is a major regulator of adipocyte lipolysis and critical for the development of obesity.
Editorial: Very unique omelet concocted by a head chef is a revolutionary breakthrough

This PDF file contains the editorial “Editorial: Very unique omelet concocted by a head chef is a revolutionary breakthrough” for JNP Vol. 4 Issue 01
Surgical emergencies in the intravenous drug user.

Numerous surgical complications arise from parenteral drug use. Some complications have severe sequelae and most prove to be a diagnostic challenge. It is likely that these problems will remain a significant burden on the health care system as a result of continued widespread drug abuse. Emergency physicians must always maintain vigilance when evaluating medical complaints in intravenous drug users.
Topography of cortical projections to the dorsolateral neostriatum in rats: Multiple overlapping sensorimotor pathways

In rodents, the whisker representation in primary somatosensory (SI) cortex projects to the dorsolateral neostriatum, but the location of these projections has never been characterized with respect to layer IV barrels and their intervening septa. To address this issue, we injected a retrograde tracer into the dorsolateral neostriatum and then reconstructed the location of the labeled corticostriatal neurons with respect to the cytochrome oxidase (CO)-labeled barrels in SI. When the tracer was restricted to a small focal site in the neostriatum, the retrogradely labeled neurons formed elongated strips that were parallel to the curvilinear orientation of layer IV barrel rows. After larger tracer injections, labeled neurons were distributed uniformly across layer V and were aligned with both the barrel and septal compartments. Labeled projections from the contralateral SI barrel cortex, however, were much fewer in number and were disproportionately associated with the septal compartments. A comparison of the labeling patterns in the ipsilateral and contralateral hemispheres revealed symmetric, mirror-image distributions that extended across primary motor cortex (MI) and multiple somatosensory cortical regions, including the secondary somatosensory (SII) cortex, the parietal ventral (PV) and parietal rhinal (PR) areas, and the posteromedial (PM) region. Examination of the thalamus revealed labeled neurons in the intralaminar nuclei, in the medial part of the posterior nucleus (POm), and in the ventrobasal complex. These results indicate that the dorsolateral neostriatum integrates sensorimotor information from multiple sensorimotor representations in the thalamus and cortex. J. Comp. Neurol. 499:33–48, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
On Janssen’s Model for Surface Wave Generation by a Gusty Wind

Abstract Janssen’s model for the effect of gustiness on the mean energy transfer from a turbulent wind to a surface wave is simplified through a Gauss–Hermite approximation to his probability integral. Two examples are considered.
Share Structure And Wealth Effects Of Corporate Takeovers

In this study we examine the stock price effects of corporate takeovers by dual class firms and unified firms. Our sample consists of 852 firms that were bidders in takeovers between 1993 and 2009. Our univariate and OLS regression results show that both dual class firms and unified firms obtain insignificant returns for various takeover announcement periods. The average and median returns for these two groups are similar to each other. We also identify several factors that the literature suggests should affect the bidder announcement returns in takeovers. Our results indicate that smaller firms in our sample and firms that pay for the acquisition in cash obtain higher abnormal returns when they announce the takeover. In addition, we find that the factors we identify have different influences on the announcement returns of dual class and unified firms. Specifically, unified firms that engage in tender offers and larger firms obtain more positive announcement returns compared to dual class firms whereas unified firms obtain more negative results when the target firm is a public firm.
An animal model of gestational diabetes

Glucose tolerance tests (GTTs), hemoglobin A, levels, and pup weights were studied in both normal (C57BL/KsJ-+m/ + m) and heterozygous (C57BL/KsJ-db+/ + m) mice. There was no difference in GTT or hemoglobin A, levels between heterozygotes and normal animals in the nonpregnant state. However, the pregnant heterozygous mouse had significantly elevated GTTs (p less than 0.001) and hemoglobin A, levels (p less than 0.002) when compared to the normal pregnant mouse. The mean weight of pups from heterozygous parents was significantly greater than that of pups from normal parents (p less than 0.0005). Because the heterozygous mouse (C57BL/KsJ-db+/ + m) exhibits these characteristics of gestational diabetes, it may be possible to use it as an animal model of gestational diabetes.
Pro Forma Accounting Reconciliation Disclosures: The Effect of Financial Reporting Knowledge and Information Viewing Behavior on Judgments of Nonprofessional Investors

This study extends prior research by examining the extent to which financial reporting knowledge and information viewing behavior affect the influence of reconciled non-GAAP, or “pro forma” earnings disclosures on nonprofessional investors’ judgments. We find that the effects of pro forma earnings information on participants’ judgments differ, depending on their level of financial reporting knowledge and the amount of time they spent viewing the earnings reconciliation relative to other earnings information. Our results suggest that the effectiveness of financial reporting regulation may be dependent on characteristics of the general investing public that vary across investors. Regulators and standard setters need to be aware of the possible differential effects of financial reporting knowledge and investor type as they consider non-GAAP earnings reporting requirements.
Abstract 176: Perfusion Instability Impacts Tissue Outcome Beyond 6 Hours After Ischemic Stroke Onset

Background: During the first 24 hours after stroke, brain perfusion is highly dynamic. While early reperfusion can salvage tissue, it is unclear if late perfusion changes affect tissue fate. We examined perfusion changes between 6 and 24h after stroke onset and its impact on tissue outcome using a voxel-based approach. Methods: Mean transit time (MTT) and FLAIR maps were obtained in 27 ischemic stroke patients (median NIHSS: 14) at 3, 6, and 24h after onset to measure perfusion change; and at 1mo to assess tissue fate (dead or alive). MTT prolongation (pMTT) was calculated as: MTT - (median MTT of the non-ischemic hemisphere). At 2 time intervals (3-6h and 6-24h), perfusion change was classified into 3 categories: stable (|pMTT t1-t2| ≤ 2s), improved (|pMTT t1-t2| 2s), pooling voxels from all patients. Infarct probability was plotted as a function of pMTT at 3h and 6h for stable, improved, or worsened perfusion. Results: Across the range of pMTT (0-22s), perfusion change was observed in a median of 76% (57% improved; 19% worsened) of tissue for 3-6h and 83% (66% improved; 17% worsened) of tissue for 6-24h. To determine the impact of dynamic perfusion on tissue fate, 3 infarct probability curves were plotted for improved (green), stable (blue), and worsened (red) perfusion between 3-6h (Fig A) and 6-24h (Fig B). As expected, early (3-6h) perfusion improvement or worsening impacted tissue fate for pMTT values 2-18s (yellow and purple region), likely representing penumbral tissue. Surprisingly, late perfusion change (6-24h) also influenced infarct probability, though its influence was restricted to milder pMTT of 2-14s (yellow region), suggestive of a closing therapeutic window. Conclusions: Late perfusion changes impacted tissue fate for pMTT 2-14s suggesting that regions of milder ischemia may have a longer therapeutic window than regions of more severe ischemia. Such tissue could be targeted for intervention beyond current treatment windows. ![][1] [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
Coordinated Bacteriocin Expression and Competence in Streptococcus pneumoniae Contributes to Genetic Adaptation through Neighbor Predation

Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) has remained a persistent cause of invasive and mucosal disease in humans despite the widespread use of antibiotics and vaccines. The resilience of this organism is due to its capacity for adaptation through the uptake and incorporation of new genetic material from the surrounding microbial community. DNA uptake and recombination is controlled by a tightly regulated quorum sensing system that is triggered by the extracellular accumulation of competence stimulating peptide (CSP). In this study, we demonstrate that CSP can stimulate the production of a diverse array of blp bacteriocins. This cross stimulation occurs through increased production and secretion of the bacteriocin pheromone, BlpC, and requires a functional competence regulatory system. We show that a highly conserved motif in the promoter of the operon encoding BlpC and its transporter mediates the upregulation by CSP. The accumulation of BlpC following CSP stimulation results in augmented activation of the entire blp locus. Using biofilm-grown organisms as a model for competition and genetic exchange on the mucosal surface, we demonstrate that DNA exchange is enhanced by bacteriocin secretion suggesting that co-stimulation of bacteriocins with competence provides an adaptive advantage. The blp and com regulatory pathways are believed to have diverged and specialized in a remote ancestor of pneumococcus. Despite this, the two systems have maintained a regulatory connection that promotes competition and adaptation by targeting for lysis a wide array of potential competitors while simultaneously providing the means for incorporation of their DNA.
Effect of Local Application of Testosterone in an Ointment on Growth of Penis in the Rat.

Summary1. Seventy-five gamma of testosterone in an ointment applied locally to the penes of castrate rats for 22 days results in growth of the penis of approximately the same order as that in untreated normal animals or in castrated animals treated by daily sub cutaneous injections of the same amount of testosterone. 2. In the dosage used, growth of the prostatic-seminal vesicle complex in rats treated by local application of testosterone to the penis is similar to that obtained by subcutaneous injection. 3. As measured by gross testicular weights, the testes are not appreciably inhibited by local application of testosterone to the penis, in the dosage use.
Myocardial extraction of labeled long-chain fatty acid analogs (38509).

SummaryThe single circulation myocardial extraction of terminally iodinated hexadecenoic acid (77 ± 11.0%) is approximately two times the extraction of 18 carbon fatty acids (33 ± 5.2%) prepared by iodination of double bonds. The results compare favorably with natural 18 carbon stearic (70 ± 7.5%) and oleic (61 ± 7.8%) acids labeled with carbon-11 in the carboxyl group. It is concluded that terminally radioiodinated long chain fatty acids can be used as substitutes for in vivo investigations of fatty acid distribution and in particular may be useful as a regional myocardial blood flow indicator.The authors are indebted to Mrs. Alice Lee, Mr. Carl Selin, and Mr. Joe Takahashi for technical assistance.
DDGVF Medical Image Segmentation Algorithm Based on Wavelet Transform

To overcome the limitations of traditional snake image segmentation model, an improved dynamic directional gradient vector flow( DDGVF) based on w avelet transform w as proposed. First,the image to be segmented w as decomposed into 3 layers by using the multi-scale analysis of w avelet transform,then the DDGVF segmentation w as performed under each layer of the decomposition of the image,and finally,a more accuracy target contour could be acquired. Compared w ith the other image segmentation methods,the proposed algorithm can better segment the depression area of the target image,get a w ider capture range and spend less time. The effectiveness of the improved algorithm has been proved through the simulation experiment of the synthetic image and the real medical image.
Convict the Deviant: Masculinity and Rape in Early America

In the late eighteenth century, the proper expression of masculinity was essential for citizenship and acceptance into the patriarchal community. Rapists were considered to be prime examples of unmanly deviants expressing their sexuality outside of culturally acceptable norms. Despite this, rapes often went unpunished or ignored, as respectable and oftentimes wealthy men serving as judges and in juries strove to protect their access to women. The few men they chose to prosecute and execute for rape were overwhelmingly marginalized people who refused to conform to acceptable standards of male behavior. Through criminal narratives, accused rapists—often with the input of a minister —explained their crimes in the context of their past actions and circumstances, and warned others to conform to acceptable standards. The use of criminal narratives to emphasize the gender and socially deviant behaviors of convicted rapists popularized the belief that it was primarily unmanly outsiders, rather than respectable patriarchs, who committed such crimes.
I-123-MIBG scintigraphy and [F-18]FDG PET in neuroblastoma

333 Objectives: To evaluate I-123-m-iodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) and [F-18]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET for detection of primary and metastatic neuroblastoma (NBL). Methods: 113 paired I-123-MIBG and FDG PET scans in 61 patients with NBL were retrospectively reviewed. Paired scans (pairs) were acquired within 14 days of each other, 86 pairs at a pediatric cancer hospital and 27 at a children9s hospital. Results: Stage 1/2 NBL (13 pairs, 10 patients): FDG depicted more extensive primary or residual NBL in 7/10 patients. MIBG and FDG were equal in 1/10. 2/10 were normal after tumor resection. Stage 3/4 NBL at diagnosis (21 pairs, 21 patients): MIBG depicted more bone/marrow metastases (mets) in 9/21 patients. FDG was superior in 4/21 for depiction of primary tumor, local/regional mets, and/or bone/marrow mets. MIBG and FDG were equal in 7/21. 1/21 was normal after tumor resection. Stage 3/4 NBL during initial 21 months of follow-up (53 pairs, 29 patients): MIBG was superior in 18/29 patients depicting more bone/marrow mets in 10/18, more local/regional mets in 4/18, more extensive primary tumor in 3/18, and more mets at all sites in 1/18. FDG was superior in 5/29 patients for depiction of local/regional and/or bone/marrow mets. MIBG and FDG were equal in 1/29. 5/29 were normal. Stage 3/4 NBL more than 21 months after diagnosis (26 pairs, 14 patients): MIBG was superior in 7/14 patients depicting more bone/marrow mets in 5/7 and more local/regional mets in 2/7. FDG was superior in 2/14 patients, depicting more local/regional mets. MIBG and FDG were equal in 1/14. 4/14 were normal. Conclusions: FDG was superior to MIBG in stage 1/2 NBL, although MIBG may be needed to exclude higher stage disease. MIBG is often superior to FDG in the evaluation of stage 3/4 NBL, especially in detection of bone/marrow mets.
The Writing Attitude Scale for Teachers (WAST)

This study examines the psychometric properties of the writing attitude scale for teachers (WAST) using scores of preservice teachers to gather evidence of content, internal structure, response processes, reliability/precision, and correlations with external variables. Four contending models were compared using CFA, but the unidimensional model was championed. The WAST was further refined using IRT to 10-items and shown to have high precision across most of the latent continuum. The WAST was shown to have incremental evidence relative to the writing apprehension test when predicting attitudes towards attending a professional development workshop on writing instruction and time devoted to writing instruction.
Effect of inseminating seropositive gilts with semen containing porcine parvovirus.

SUMMARY Six gilts, seropositive to porcine parvovirus (PPV), were artificially inseminated with semen which contained PPV, and were killed 10 or 20 days later. In the 10-day group two gilts were pregnant with normal blastocysts, but the third had failed to ovulate. Two gilts in the 20-day group were also pregnant with normal embryos, but in the third there were no embryos, and, since its copora lutea had just begun to regress, it is possible that this animal had recently undergone pregnancy failure. PPV was not detected in uterine lymph nodes nor in blastocysts or embryos from any of the gilts. Histopathology of reproductive tract tissues revealed only minor inflammatory changes in five of the gilts, but in the non-pregnant gilt killed at 20 days there was a definite endometritis. The occurrence of a possible pregnancy failure in association with endometritis suggests that seropositive females exposed to the virus by the vaginal route at insemination may not always be completely protected against PPV-induced reproductive failure; it does appear from this study, however, that the risk of such failure is low.
Maximizing performance in supercritical fluid chromatography using low-density mobile phases

The performance of a 3.0 mm × 150 mm column packed with 1.8 μm fully porous HSS-SB-C18 particles was investigated in supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) with low-density, highly expansible carbon dioxide. These conditions are selected for the analysis of semi-volatile compounds. Elevated temperatures (>100 °C) were then combined with low column back pressures (<100 bar). In this work, the inlet temperature of pure carbon dioxide was set at 107 °C, the active back pressure regulator (ABPR) pressure was fixed at 100 bar, and the flow rate was set at 2.1 mL/min at 12 °C (liquefied carbon dioxide) and at an inlet column pressure close to 300 bar. Nine n-alkylbenzenes (from benzene to octadecylbenzene) were injected under linear (no sample overload) conditions. The severe steepness of the temperature gradients across the column diameter were predicted from a simplified heat transfer model. Such conditions dramatically lower the column performance by affecting the symmetry of the peak shape. In order to cope with this problem, three different approaches were experimentally tested. They include (1) the decoupling and the proper selection of the inlet eluent temperature with respect to the oven temperature, (2) the partial thermal insulation of the column using polyethylene aerogel, and (3) the application of a high vacuum (10−5 Torr provided by a turbo-molecular pump) in a housing chamber surrounding the whole column body. The results reveal that (1) the column efficiency can be maximized by properly selecting the difference between the eluent and the oven temperatures, (2) the mere wrapping of the column with an excellent insulating material is insufficient to fully eliminate heat exchanges by conduction and the undesirable radial density gradients across the column i.d., and (3) the complete thermal insulation of the SFC column under high vacuum allows to maximize the column efficiency by maintaining the integrity of the peak shape.
Black Political Interests on Immigrant Rights: Evidence from Black Newspapers, 2000–2013

Historically, black leaders and institutions generally opposed immigration for economic reasons. Today, however, they largely support immigrant rights for reasons of principle and strategy. This article establishes and explores that change over time, using a content analysis of 1413 articles from black newspapers (2000–2013) to evaluate contemporary trends. The results indicate that a shift toward greater support for immigrant rights in the black press culminated in the years after 2007, despite the Great Recession that began in 2008, in which blacks suffered deep losses. This study highlights political factors, as opposed to the conventional economic explanations, as key determinants of the changing public discussion of immigration in black newspapers. It makes a case for further attention to the relationship between Republican resistance to immigrant rights and black support for those rights.
Risky driving and sexual behaviors as developmental outcomes of co-occurring substance use and antisocial behavior.

Abstract Purpose To examine the associations between substance use and antisocial behavior trajectories and seven risky behaviors over time. Method Data were collected from a high-risk sample of adolescents followed into young adulthood. Five trajectory classes, identified based on dual development of substance use and antisocial behavior symptoms, were used to predict three risky driving and four risky sexual behaviors. Results In this high-risk sample ( n = 530), participants reported notably high overall rates of reckless driving (55.5%) and unprotected sex under the influence (44.8%) in the past year. Risky behaviors that are typically of low base rates in population-based studies were also elevated, with 8.8% reporting past-year driving under the influence (DUI) charge, 17.6% reporting lifetime sexually transmitted infection (STI), and 10.4% reporting lifetime injection drug use. The Dual Chronic class had the highest levels of all seven risky behaviors, and were 3–4 times more likely to report risky driving, lifetime STI, and injection drug use than the Relatively Resolved class. Rates of past-year reckless driving and DUI were elevated among classes with persistent antisocial behavior, whereas rates of DUI, DUI charge, and unprotected sex under the influence were elevated among classes with persistent substance use. Conclusions Young adults with persistent co-occurring substance use and antisocial behavior engage in multiple very costly risky behaviors. Differential associations between risky behaviors and trajectory classes highlight the need for targeted interventions.
Using Xenopus Embryos to Investigate Integrin Function

Abstract Xenopus embryos are a useful and important system for cell biological studies of integrin adhesion and signaling. Explants prepared from gastrulating embryos undergo normal morphogenetic movements when cultured in simple salt solutions. These preparations are accessible to a variety of experimental perturbations and time‐lapse imaging at high resolution, making it possible to elucidate mechanisms of integrin function in intact tissues and whole embryos. Methods used for the visualization of integrins, cadherins, extracellular matrix, and cytoskeletal linkages in both fixed and live tissues are described. We also discuss the use of a novel explant preparation suitable for following the normal deposition and assembly of fibronectin fibrils by ectoderm and mesoderm at gastrulation.