cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Audit-Firm Monopoly Within Local Audit Markets

This study examines auditors who monopolize audit markets (monopolist auditors), defined as a particular industry within a city (Numan and Willekens 2012), and their pricing strategy as well as audit quality. I document that monopolist auditors charge lower fees than industry specialist auditors, suggesting that monopolist auditors discount audit fees to deter new entrants. This result is consistent with monopolists using a limit pricing strategy (Milgrom and Roberts 1982) but contrasts with regulators’ concerns about monopoly pricing. I also find that the monopolist auditors more frequently fail to detect misstatements than industry specialist auditors that do not have monopolies. This is consistent with regulators’ concerns about market-dominating auditors’ complacency (GAO 2003, 2008). In cross-sectional tests, I document that the limit pricing is predominantly evident among clients in homogenous operation industries, where the monopolist auditors would fear more for new entrants because the monopolist auditors would forgo more profits generated from clients in homogeneous operation industries. On the other hand, I find that the limit pricing is less evident among clients in industries requiring complex accounting where the monopolist auditors would have less fear for new entrants because barriers to entry are high in industries with complex accounting. Finally, I find that monopolist auditors’ audit failures are more pronounced when market competition within a city is low, where the monopolist auditors would have even lower incentives to improve audit quality.
Breaching ethics for the sake of a “good” interview

ABSTRACTThis essay presents a series of short stories – autoethnographic tales from the field – about my experiences as a female (qualitative) researcher studying humor in male-dominated workplaces in 2014. I conducted over thirty ethnographic interviews with professional hair stylists and barbers throughout Phoenix, Arizona and Sacramento, California to better understand the discursive processes by which humor is gendered in non-corporate organizations. While in the field, however, I encountered more than I bargained for. The study participants (male and female) openly engaged in humorous dialogue including: verbal critiques of my body/sexuality, sexual harassment, suggestive innuendos, physical touch, and outright heterosexist humor. After reflecting on my experiences, I realized how institutional resources (e.g. Institutional Review Board) and protocols function to protect research participants yet do little to ensure the safety, security, and/or comfort of researchers.
Challenges due to problematic soils: a case study at the crossroads of geotechnology and sustainable pavement solutions

Geotechnical characteristics of subsoils should be adequately incorporated in the rehabilitation strategies of existing pavements which have performed poorly due to problematic subsurface conditions. However, there appears to be a disconnect between the advances in our understanding of the mechanics of soft or problematic soils and the rehabilitation design of the overlying pavement structure, leading to repeated cycles of premature distresses, underperformance, and failures. A case study is presented for the rehabilitation of a flexible pavement built over soft organic soils in Southeastern Florida, USA. The study incorporates forensic investigation of the deteriorated pavement structure, subsurface investigations with cone penetration testing, design and construction of reinforced overlays in field test sections, and long-term performance monitoring with non-destructive dynamic tests. Efforts are made to correlate site characteristics with pavement performance. Based on the secondary compression behavior of the organic soils, cement deep mixing criteria are proposed for a more durable and sustainable solution.
An Interpretable Classification Framework for Information Extraction from Online Healthcare Forums

Online healthcare forums (OHFs) have become increasingly popular for patients to share their health-related experiences. The healthcare-related texts posted in OHFs could help doctors and patients better understand specific diseases and the situations of other patients. To extract the meaning of a post, a commonly used way is to classify the sentences into several predefined categories of different semantics. However, the unstructured form of online posts brings challenges to existing classification algorithms. In addition, though many sophisticated classification models such as deep neural networks may have good predictive power, it is hard to interpret the models and the prediction results, which is, however, critical in healthcare applications. To tackle the challenges above, we propose an effective and interpretable OHF post classification framework. Specifically, we classify sentences into three classes: medication, symptom, and background. Each sentence is projected into an interpretable feature space consisting of labeled sequential patterns, UMLS semantic types, and other heuristic features. A forest-based model is developed for categorizing OHF posts. An interpretation method is also developed, where the decision rules can be explicitly extracted to gain an insight of useful information in texts. Experimental results on real-world OHF data demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed computational framework.
A Sociological Assessment of Centenarians from Central Illinois Cemeteries, 1825–1985

Centenarians, the fastest growing age group in the United States, recently have become the focus of medical and social research. However, historically, little is known of centenarians beyond anecdotal narrative. This research identifies 60 centenarians from 55,914 burials between 1825 and 1985 in a single Midwest county. These centenarians are compared to a sample of burials from the same county and time span, and to patterns of current centenarians. The prevalence of centenarians, historically, compares more favorably with current prevalence rates than anticipated, suggesting regional concentrations of the oldest old. Racial crossover was found, as anticipated, but historically, centenarians were not as disproportionately female as is the contemporary centenarian population. Seasonal death patterns of centenarians are similar to, but more exaggerated than, the seasonal patterns of younger elderly. Finally, findings suggest that centenarians came from larger families than noncentenarians, and that these families experienced greater longevity.
Scaled Composite I-Beams for Subcomponent Testing of Wind Turbine Blades: An Experimental Study

Full-scale testing of large composite structures is time-consuming and very expensive. Scaled-down models can facilitate time- and cost-effective experimental evaluations of large structures. Due to the special characteristics of laminated composite structures, the design of a scaled-down model of a large composite structure can be challenging. Moreover, the similarity and correlation between the reduced-scaled model and the full-scale structure need to be demonstrated before the experimental data from testing of a scaled-down model can be used for predicting the behavior of the full-scale structure. In this study, laminated composite I-beam reduced-scale models in three different size scales are designed from the spar caps and the shear web geometry of a utility-scale wind turbine blade. The designed composite I-beams are manufactured and tested in a quasi-static four-point bending configuration, and the strain distributions of the loaded small, medium and large beams are measured using the digital image correlation technique. The strain fields of the three beams are compared and similarity of the strain distribution in the three scales is demonstrated.
KEYNOTE-028: how do we use immunotherapy in small cell lung cancer?

Recently, PD-1 axis inhibition has started to show activity in small cell lung cancer (SCLC), enough to suggest that, at last, a new treatment option for SCLC may have arrived. Nivolumab and nivolumab + ipilimumab are now both listed in the NCCN guidelines for second line or beyond therapy in SCLC, based on data from the Checkmate-032 study, although neither of these regimens has yet been approved by the FDA (1). Additionally, a small phase Ib study (KEYNOTE-028) recently published in The Journal of Clinical Oncology by Ott et al . has explored the use of pembrolizumab monotherapy in previously treated extensive stage SCLC (2). The emergence of immunotherapy as a therapeutic option in SCLC is exciting, but there is still a lot to learn about its true potential in this disease.
Maternal Hepatitis B Infection and Pregnancy Outcomes in the United States: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

Background Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in pregnancy has been associated with risk of adverse maternal and infant outcomes in highly endemic settings, but this association is not well characterized in the United States. Methods We conducted a retrospective population-based cohort study in Washington State using linked birth certificate and hospital discharge records from 1992-2014. Among pregnant women with hepatitis B (n = 4391) and a hepatitis B-negative group (n = 22 410), we compared the risk of gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, placenta previa, preterm delivery, low birthweight, small for gestational age, and large for gestational age using multivariate logistic regression. Results Hepatitis B-infected pregnant women were more likely to be Asian (61% vs 8%, P < .001), foreign-born (76% vs 23%, P < .001), and older in age (77% vs 64% ≥26 years, P < .001). They were less commonly overweight or obese (33% vs 50%, P < .001). There was a lower risk of small for gestational age infants among HBV-infected women (adjusted RR [aRR], 0.79; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.67-0.93). The risk of other adverse outcomes was not significantly different between hepatitis B-infected and -negative women (gestational diabetes: aRR, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.92-1.34; pre-eclampsia: aRR, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.82-1.35; eclampsia: aRR, 2.31; 95% CI, 0.90-5.91; placenta previa: aRR, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.35-3.84; preterm delivery: aRR, 1.15; 95% CI, 0.98-1.34; low birth weight: aRR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.90-1.29; large for gestational age: aRR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.82-1.24). Conclusions In a low-burden setting in the United States, hepatitis B infection was not associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Chemical degradation of soil.

Land degradation had become a major global concern in recent years as a result of increasing demands on the land for food production and waste disposal. People are learning that the resiliency of soil is finite and that soil degradation is not easily reversed, if ever. The focus of land degradation in this century has been on soil erosion, as increasing areas of forest, grassland, and wetland have been cleared for crop production. Soil erosion represents the most complete form of land degradation—the remvoal of the soil resource itself—and eroded sediment deposited on adjacent lands and drainageways can lead to further degradation. Soil erosion remains the focus of conservation efforts in the developed world, and much of the resources of agencies such as the U.S. Soil Conservation Service are devoted to reducing soil loss to “tolerable” limits (Follett and Stewart, 1985). Other developed countries have similar programs. Soil erosion from land clearing and improper management in the developing world—and in particular those of the subtropics and tropics—has reached massive proportions and is the subject of worldwide attention.
Vietnam’s Agricultural Productivity: A Malmquist Index Approach

This paper applies Malmquist productivity index method to measure total factor productivity (TFP) growth in Vietnamese agriculture using a panel data from 60 provinces in Vietnam during the period 1985-2000. This study indicates that most of the early growth in Vietnamese agriculture (1985-1990) was due to TFP growth, in response to incentive reforms. During the period 1990-1995, the growth rate of TFP fell and Vietnam’s agricultural growth was mainly caused by drastic investment in capital. In the last period 1995-2000, TFP growth increased again, though still much lower than the period 1985-1990. Overall, TFP growth rate in the whole period is estimated 1.96 percent, contributing to 38% of Vietnam’s agricultural growth.
The General Solution to Optimal Unbiased Estimation

In this chapter we bring to a close the first phase of our study, namely the solution to the problem of finding estimates of the components which are unbiased translation invariant, and optimal in the sense of then having minimum variance. It is here that we also introduce structural ideas that are taken up more completely in the following chapters.
Abstract 3066: Chemotherapy-induced GSTO1 interacts with ryanodine receptor RYR1 to trigger Ca2+-dependent breast cancer stem cell enrichment

Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) play a critical role in tumor recurrence and metastasis. Exposure of breast cancer cells to chemotherapy leads to an enrichment of BCSCs. Here, we demonstrate that chemotherapy induces the expression of glutathione S-transferase omega 1 (GSTO1), which is dependent on hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) and HIF-2. Knockdown of GSTO1 expression abrogates carboplatin-induced BCSC enrichment, decreases tumor initiation and metastatic capacity, and delays tumor recurrence after chemotherapy. GSTO1 interacts with ryanodine receptor RYR1 and promotes calcium release from endoplasmic reticulum. Increased cytosolic calcium levels activate PYK2 → SRC → STAT3 signaling, leading to increased expression of pluripotency factors and BCSC enrichment. HIF inhibition blocks chemotherapy-induced GSTO1 expression and BCSC enrichment. Combining HIF inhibitors with chemotherapy may improve clinical outcome in breast cancer. Citation Format: Haiquan Lu, Gregg Semenza. Chemotherapy-induced GSTO1 interacts with ryanodine receptor RYR1 to trigger Ca2+-dependent breast cancer stem cell enrichment [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3066.
Parent Communication and Bullying Among Hispanic Adolescent Girls

In this article, we report findings regarding parent communication and daughter’s experiences of bullying and victimization in a sample of Hispanic families with seventh-grade daughters. About 57% ...
Deep Eutectic Solvent Assisted Facile Synthesis of Lignin-Based Cryogel

In this study, we reported a method to prepare a lignin based cryogel by cross-linking deep eutectic solvent (DES) extracted lignin and formaldehyde as an alternative to replace resorcinol-formaldehyde (RF) based aerogel. The resulting lignin-formaldehyde cryogel has a highly porous structure (172.8 m2/g surface area) with a high dimension stability. We found that the hydroxyl group and carbonyl group of DES lignin provide reactive sites to cross-link with formaldehyde through electrophilic addition and aldol condensation reaction. We also found that using choline chloride-lactic acid (ChCl-Lac) DES as a solvent during the lignin-formaldehyde cryogel formation is critical to prevent the shrinkage of the final cyrogel. The ensuing lignin-formaldehyde cryogel has promising properties such as high thermostability, low thermal conductivity, and good fire retardancy.
Geographic Mapping of Escherichia coli Susceptibility To Develop a Novel Clinical Decision Support Tool.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) varies regionally. This study longitudinally maps Escherichia coli susceptibility leveraging Wisconsin antibiograms (n = 202) collected from 2009, 2013, and 2015 to inform the development of a novel clinical decision support tool. Spatial interpolation methods were tested with E. coli susceptibilities to create geographic AMR visualizations and to estimate susceptibility in areas without AMR data. These visualizations and an interactive mapping tool, the AMR Tracker, provide a proof of concept for empirical antibiotic treatment decisions.
The Enigma of the Asian Elephant: Sovereignty, Reproductive Nature, and the Limits of Empire

This article examines the dependency of British teak logging and shipbuilding on elephant-based labor in Burma (Myanmar) and India during the nineteenth century. Asian elephants were essential as a...
Immune-checkpoint inhibition as first-line therapy for Hodgkin lymphoma.

The addition of the immune-checkpoint inhibitor nivolumab to first-line therapy with doxorubicin, vinblastine and dacarbazine seems feasible, with no signals of severe additional toxicities emerging. The high response rates and acceptable safety profile might make this combination an appealing alternative in the treatment of patients with high-risk disease.
Remarks from the editor and introduction to the special section of keynote addresses from the 2019 IAPR Conference

These editorial comments acknowledge those who have contributed to the success of the journal, especially through the transition period and our first year with SAGE. This work also serves as a brie...
Multi-wavelength voltage-coded metasurface based on indium tin oxide: independently and dynamically controllable near-infrared multi-channels

In this paper, we present a design principle for achieving an electrically tunable, multi-wavelength device with multiple functionalities over a single metasurface platform with minimized footprint. This concept is realized based on the integration of four metal-insulator-metal (MIM) inclusions inside a unit cell, which is configured to support four independently controllable operating channels lying in near-infrared (NIR) regime. Incorporation of newly emerged, electrically tunable indium tin oxide (ITO) into such metasurface leads to a dynamical phase modulation over the reflected light. As a result, the phase tunability of almost 285°, 230°, 300°, and 280° are captured at T, O, C, and U optical communications bands, under applying external bias voltages. A digital coding strategy, consisting of "0" and "1" binary bits, is employed to represent the applied biasing configuration to the sub-units. Independently controlled, decoupled gap plasmon resonators, with the ability of eliminating the interference between channels, are enabled thanks to the geometry optimization and careful selection of materials. A meta-array configuration is implemented, in which electrically addressing the groups of MIM sub-units opens a pathway to the tunable applications, namely Airy beam generation, beam splitting, steering, and focusing.
The association between anger experiences and expression and veteran suicidal thoughts in intimate couple relationships.

Objective Anger has been identified as a risk factor for suicide in veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), theoretically because it erodes social support networks. In romantic relationships, the transactional properties of anger on suicidal ideation (SI) have not been explored. Methods Veterans (n = 138) and their significant others (S-Os; total N = 276) completed assessments on anger and SI as part of a baseline assessment in a treatment outcome study for veterans with PTSD and their S-Os. Actor Partner Interdependence Moderation Model (APIMoM) with Multilevel Modeling (MLM) was conducted. Results Veteran and S-Os verbal and anger expression were associated with veteran's SI, while S-Os' physical anger expression was associated with veteran's SI. S-Os' feeling angry was associated with veteran's SI. Veteran angry temperament was associated with veteran SI. Discussion Anger should be considered an assessment and treatment target in veterans with PTSD with SI and their S-Os.
Inflammasome activation and evasion by bacterial pathogens

Innate immune system plays an essential role in combating infectious diseases by recognizing invading pathogens and activating host defense response. Inflammasomes complexes are a central component of the cytosolic innate immune surveillance and are vital in host defense against bacterial pathogens. Bacterial products or pathogen-induced modifications in the intracellular environment are sensed by the inflammasome receptors that form complexes that serve as a platform for caspase-1-dependent or caspase-11-dependent induction of pyroptosis and secretion of cytokines, IL-1β and IL-18. However, several pathogenic bacteria have developed strategies to evade inflammasome activation. This review highlights the recent advances in the mechanism of inflammasome activation by bacterial pathogens and some of the bacterial evasion strategies of inflammasome activation.
Severity of Myocardial Ischemia Is Related to Career Length Rather Than Age Among Professional Firefighters

Background:Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is the major cause of duty-related fatalities in the fire service. Age and career length are not only important risk factors associated with IHD, but are als...
Genetic relationship, population structure analysis and pheno-molecular characterization of rice ( Oryza sativa L.) cultivars for bacterial leaf blight resistance and submergence tolerance using trait specific STS markers

Rice is an important source of calorie for the growing world population. Its productivity, however is affected by climatic adversities, pest attacks, diseases of bacterial, viral and fungal origin and many other threats. Developing cultivars that are high yielding and stress resilient seems a better solution to tackle global food security issues. This study investigates the potential resistance of 24 rice cultivars against Xanthomonas oryzae pv. Oryzae (Xoo) infection that causes bacterial leaf blight disease and submergence stress. Bacterial leaf blight (BLB) resistance genes (Xa4, xa5, xa13, Xa21, Xa38) and submergence tolerance (Sub1) gene specific markers were used to determine the allelic status of genotypes. The results displayed presence of Xa4 resistance allele (78.95%), xa5 (15.79%) but xa13 and Sub1 tolerance allele were not found in any genotype. However, a new allele for Xa21 (84.21%) and Xa38 (10.52%) were identified in several genotypes. Phenotypic screening for both stress conditions was done to record the cultivars response. None of the genotypes showed resistance against Xoo, although varieties viz., Tapaswini and Konark showed moderate susceptibility. Likewise, survival percentage of genotypes under submergence stress varied from 0 to 100%. Tolerant checks FR13A (100%) and Swarna Sub1 (97.78%) exhibited high survival rate, whereas among genotypes, Gayatri (57.78%) recorded high survivability even though it lacked Sub1 tolerant its genetic background. A total of six trait specific STS and two SSR markers generated an average of 2.38 allele per locus. Polymorphism information content (PIC) value ranged from 0.08 to 0.42 with an average of 0.20. Structure analysis categorized 24 genotypes into two sub-populations, which was in correspondence with Nei’s genetic distance-based NJ tree and principal co-ordinate analysis (PCoA). Swarna Sub1 could be differentiated clearly from BLB resistant check, IRBB60 and other 22 genotypes without having Sub1 gene. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed more genetic variation within population than among population. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that 9 morphological traits collectively explained 76.126% of total variation among all the genotypes studied. The information from this study would be useful in future breeding programs for pyramiding trait specific genes into high yielding cultivars that fall behind with respect to stress resilience.
The interaction between affective lability and eating expectancies predicts binge eating.

Both affective lability and eating expectancies have been found to predict binge eating. There is the additional possibility that the joint effect of affective lability and eating expectancies incurs further risk: perhaps expectancies for affective relief from eating operate more strongly in those experiencing frequent, rapid shifts in emotion. In the current study, we tested whether such a joint effect predicts binge eating prospectively in college students. We assessed affective lability, eating expectancies, and binge eating in 358 college students at two time points during the first year of college (e.g., December and April). The interaction of affective lability and eating expectancies in December predicted binge eating 4 months later in April. The influence of eating expectancies on binge eating was stronger at higher levels of affective lability. Findings offer support to the hypothesis that risk factors may transact to further elevate risk for eating disorder behaviors.Clinical implicationsThe interaction of affective lability and eating expectancies predicts binge eatingRisk factors may interact to further increase binge eatingIdentification of co-occurring risk factors may have vital treatment implications.
Enhancing the tellability of death-row exoneree narratives: Exploring the role of rhetoric:

Individuals make sense of experience through telling stories they hope others will hear. To establish an interpretive connection with their audience, narrators must tell stories that are tellable, ...
Editor's perspective on quality improvement research.

Quality improvement (QI) embodies ‘systematic and continuous actions that lead to measurable improvement in healthcare services and the health status of targeted patient groups’.[1][1] Through continuous analysis and understanding of key components of its delivery system, an organization may
Prenatal alcohol exposure disrupts hippocampal sharp-wave ripple-associated spike dynamics

Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) is among the most common developmental insults to the nervous system and is characterized by memory disruption. There is a pressing need to identify physiological alterations that help explain this memory impairment. Hippocampal sharp-wave ripples (SPW-Rs) are a compelling candidate for this purpose as they are the electrophysiological signatures of memory consolidation. We report that rats exposed to moderate prenatal alcohol display abnormalities restricted to SPW-R episodes that manifest as decreased recruitment of CA1 pyramidal cells and interneurons to SPW-R events, altered excitation during SPW-Rs, and decreased cell assembly activation rate. These differences observed at the single neuron and the population level may limit the ability of memory trace reactivation during SPW-Rs through the disruption of the intrinsic structure of cell sequences. Together, our results suggest that alterations in hippocampal SPW-R spike dynamics may underlie alcohol exposure-related memory deficits.
Leveraging Aggregate Ratings for Improving Predictive Performance of Recommender Systems

This paper describes an approach for incorporating externally specified aggregate ratings informationinto certain types of recommender systems, including two types of collaborating filteringand a hierarchical linear regression model. First, we present a framework for incorporating aggregaterating information and apply this framework to the aforementioned individual rating models.Then we formally show that this additional aggregate rating information provides more accuraterecommendations of individual items to individual users. Further, we experimentally confirm thistheoretical finding by demonstrating on several datasets that the aggregate rating informationindeed leads to better predictions of unknown ratings. We also propose scalable methods forincorporating this aggregate information and test our approaches on large datasets. Finally, wedemonstrate that the aggregate rating information can also be used as a solution to the cold startproblem of recommender systems.
Pump–probe microscopy: Visualization and spectroscopy of ultrafast dynamics at the nanoscale

Abstract Excited state dynamics at the nanoscale provide important insight into the influence of structural features such as interfaces, defects, and surfaces on material properties. Pump–probe microscopy combines the spatial resolution of far-field optical microscopy with the temporal resolution of ultrafast spectroscopy, and has emerged as a powerful technique for characterizing spatial variation in dynamical phenomena across nanometer length scales. It has helped correlate dynamical phenomena with specific structural features in a variety of materials, shedding light on how excited state behaviors can dramatically differ from one member of the ensemble to the next, and even at different points within a single structure. It has also enabled direct imaging of transport phenomena such as free carrier diffusion, exciton migration and plasmon propagation in nanostructures. This ability to observe individual objects provides unique insight into complex materials where heterogeneous behavior makes it difficult, if not impossible, to reach clear and quantitative conclusions.
Some factors affecting the recovery of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's) from water and bottom samples

During studies on analytical methods for PCB's in water and bottom samples, variable recoveries from dosed samples and apparent decreasing recoveries with the age of the sample were observed. Losses from dosed river waters as high as 10 percent in one day and greater than 40 percent in one week were common. Recoveries from bottom samples varied widely with the sample pretreatment and the method of extraction. In an effort to define some of the factors affecting the recovery of PCB's from water, the following parameters and conditions were studied: sample container, extremes of pH, aging under ambient conditions, and several preservation techniques. Several methods of sample preparation and extraction of bottom samples were studied. Environmentally contaminated water and lake bottom samples and dosed natural samples were studied. The separatory funnel liquid-liquid extraction method was found to be the most efficient for the extraction of PCB's from natural waters. The air-dried, moisture-added soxhlet extraction procedure proved to be the most efficient for recovery of PBC's from environmentally contaminated lake bottom samples. Formaldehyde was found to be effective for preserving PCB's in dosed natural waters for at least two weeks.
Viscosity measurements of DNA solutions with and without condensing agents

Aqueous solutions calf thymus DNA at three concentrations were studied by viscosity measurements at ambient pressure. A gravitational capillary viscometer and a rotating cylinder viscometer were employed. Three polycations were tested as viscosity-reducing agents with measurements from 25°C to 50°C. The most significant viscosity reduction was achieved with spermine in a solution of DNA at 2 mg/ml concentration. Measurements of DNA solutions without agents from 10°C to 90°C revealed concentration-dependent viscosity maxima in the range from 50°C to 65°C. The associated increases in viscosity were as high as 400%. A two-liquids model for solutions of double- and single-stranded DNA was developed that closely represented the experimental data.
Toward the systematic diagnosis of freeway bottleneck activation

An active freeway bottleneck is a point characterized by the presence of queued traffic immediately upstream and unqueued (freely-flowing) traffic immediately downstream. It is shown that a freeway bottleneck's activation can be diagnosed definitively using archived inductive loop detector data. Once the bottleneck's location and time of activation were determined, potential signals of its activation were explored. It is shown that certain potential signals are evident immediately before upstream queue formation. As a result, it is suggested that these signals be used for systematic investigation of bottleneck behavior in either real time or in retrospect, on a more widespread basis.
Evidence that Price Leads of Earnings Increase with Analyst Following and Institutional Ownership

This paper presents evidence that prices of firms followed by sell-side analysts and favored by institutional investors incorporate future earnings earlier than prices of other firms. Our tests are based on regressions of year t abnormal returns on earnings changes from years t-1, t, and t+1. We find that lead coefficients for firms most heavily followed by analysts or favored by institutions are greater than lead coefficients for firms with little analyst following or institutional holdings. In contrast, contemporaneous coefficients for analyst and institutional favorites are less than contemporaneous coefficients for other firms. Furthermore, the results for analysts and institutions are incremental to each other. In addition, neither effect is due to the fact that price leads are an increasing function of firm size. One possible explanation for our results is that market professionals are more skilled than other investors in analyzing publicly available information. Alternatively, the positive association between price leads and professional interest may exist only because management provides more detailed information to sell-side and buy-side analysts than to individual investors. This possibility prompted the SEC to issue Regulation FD, which creates a more level playing field for all investors by eliminating selective disclosures. Our results, which are based on data prior to the passage of Regulation FD, suggest that the "distribution gain" sought by the SEC may come with an "allocation cost." That is, if Regulation FD causes management to reduce the flow of information to market professionals, the length of price leads could be shortened.
Accumulation of 3-deoxyanthocyanidin phytoalexins and resistance to Colletotrichum sublineolum in sorghum

Abstract 3-Deoxyanthocyanidins are the principal phytoalexins that accumulate in sorghum in response to fungal infection. Two cultivars which differed in their reaction to Colletotrichum sublineolum , the pathogen causing the anthracnose disease in sorghum, were examined for their phytoalexin response and expression of defense-related genes. In the incompatible interaction, fungal development in the host was contained during early stages of pathogenesis. When compared to the susceptible cultivar, defense responses in the resistant cultivar were characterized by a greater and faster accumulation of phytoalexins and an earlier induction of defense-related genes encoding chalcone synthase and pathogenesis-related protein PR-10. In the compatible interaction, the pathogen was able to colonize the host with the proliferation of primary and secondary hyphae. In addition to the quantitative and timing differences, there were qualitative differences between the cultivars in their phytoalexin response. Thus, the resistant cultivar accumulated a complex phytoalexin mixture, including luteolinidin and 5-methoxyluteolinidin, neither of which was produced by the susceptible cultivar following fungal inoculation. These compounds were shown previously to exhibit higher fungitoxicity than other phytoalexin components in sorghum. Our results demonstrate that 3-deoxyanthocyanidin phytoalexins represent major components of resistance to C. sublineolum in sorghum.
Estrogen Receptor β in Prostate Cancer : Brake Pedal or Accelerator?

Estrogens, via the interaction with their receptors, play important roles in the control of cellular growth and differentiation. Specifically, estrogens regulate the growth and development of the mammary gland in embryogenesis as well as in pre- and postpubertal periods, and of ovarian follicles during the reproductive cycle. 1 Importantly, estrogens are known to play a role in the development of the male reproductive system as well. 2 The effects of estrogens on prostate epithelium are still primarily unknown although estrogens have been used in the treatment of prostate cancer because of their growth-inhibitory effects. However, either because of toxicity and/or because of poor response rates, treatment of prostate cancer with estrogen has been discontinued.
Genetics of Susceptibility to Sporadic Ovarian Cancer

Specific abnormalities involving TP53, BRCA 1, BRCA 2, KRAS, BRAF, ERBB2, PIK3CA, PTEN, CTNNB1 and ARID1A genes are responsible for the development of sporadic ovarian epithelial carcinoma (OEC). Recent advances in the field of cytogenetics and molecular biology have led to the development of an innovative classification of OEC that integrates the anatomical, clinical findings with molecular abnormalities and helps in prognostification and assessment of treatment response. TP53 and BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 gene mutations are associated with high-grade serous and high-grade endometrioid subtypes and KRAS, BRAF, ERBB2, PIK3CA, PTEN, CTNNB1 and ARID1A alterations are responsible for the development of low-grade serous, low-grade endometrioid, clear cell and mucinous subtypes of OEC. Tumours with TP53 mutations uniformly carry a worse prognosis and the presence of BRCA 1 and 2 mutations predicts the positive treatment response to platinum compounds and Poly adenosine diphospahate (ADP) ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors. Evolving knowledge regarding the role of different genetic abnormalities in the oncogenesis of sporadic OEC may lead to the identification of ‘small molecules’ that can be used in the discovery of new drugs as well as biomarkers for screening, prognosis, and therapeutic response in the near future. Key Concepts: Ovarian epithelial carcinoma is categorised into two subgroups designated type 1 and type 2, which differ significantly in the pathogenesis, clinic-biologic behaviour, and prognoses. Type 1 tumours are genetically stable and display mutations involving different genes including KRAS, BRAF, ERBB2, PTEN, PIK3CA, CTNNB1 and ARID1A. Type 2 tumours are genetically highly unstable and harbour TP53, BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 mutations. High-grade serous carcinoma and low-grade serous carcinomas develop from fallopian tube epithelium and serve as the prototypes of type 2 and type 1 pathway respectively. Low-grade endometrioid carcinomas and clear cell carcinomas commonly develop from endometriotic cysts. The presence of TP53 mutations correlates with high grade tumours and poor prognosis. The presence of mutations of BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 genes indicate good treatment response to platinum compounds and PARP inhibitors. Keywords: TP53; BRCA 1; BRCA 2; KRAS; BRAF; PTEN; ovarian epithelial carcinomas
Architecture and performance overview of a highly integrated 13/spl times/13 mm Single-Package Radio (SPR) module for dualband EGSM900/GSM1800 applications

The RF system architecture and the performance overview for a very highly-integrated Single Package Radio (SPR) module for dual-band EGSM900/GSM1800 applications is presented. The module realizes all the RF functions required for the dual-band GSM application. These functions as well as their implementations are described. The integrated LO generation consists of reference oscillator circuitry, a UHF oscillator, and delta-sigma fractional-N synthesizer. The receiver is based on a direct-conversion (zero-IF) architecture with the front-end selectivity performed by the two integrated SAW filters. The transmitter is comprised of an upconversion-loop transmit chain with two high-power transmit oscillators, a dual-band power amplifier, detector-based transmit power control, transmit/receive switch, duplex filter and all other necessary filters. Diverse die technologies are utilized to apply the optimum process for each function. The SPR module is implemented on a low cost 4-layer laminate substrate and overall dimensions are 13/spl times/13/spl times/1.8 mm. Measured results against GSM specifications are presented.
Modelling and design of resilient networks under challenges

Communication networks, in particular the Internet, face a variety of challenges that can disrupt our daily lives resulting in the loss of human lives and significant financial costs in the worst cases. We define challenges as external events that trigger faults that eventually result in service failures. Understanding these challenges accordingly is essential for improvement of the current networks and for designing Future Internet architectures. This dissertation presents a taxonomy of challenges that can help evaluate design choices for the current and Future Internet. Graph models to analyse critical infrastructures are examined and a multilevel graph model is developed to study interdependencies between different networks. Furthermore, graph-theoretic heuristic optimisation algorithms are developed. These heuristic algorithms add links to increase the resilience of networks in the least costly manner and they are computationally less expensive than an exhaustive search algorithm. The performance of networks under random failures, targeted attacks, and correlated area-based challenges are evaluated by the challenge simulation module that we developed. The GpENI Future Internet testbed is used to conduct experiments to evaluate the performance of the heuristic algorithms developed.
A method for liquid scintillation counting utilizing ultrasonic extraction.

Details are given on a new, rapid method for the extraction and counting of aqueous solutions of isotopically labeled organic molecules. Application of the method to kinetic measurements, such as acid-catalyzed detritiation, is illustrated and discussed.
A theoretical analysis of sex differences in same-sex friendships

An investigation of sex differences in same-sex friendships was conducted in terms of the intersection and social penetration model of relationship development, and Bem's theory of sex role orientation. The results indicated that there were significant sex differences in the nature of the same-sex friendships studied. In the terminology of Levinger's (“Toward the Analysis of Close Relationships,” Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1980, 16, 510–544) intersection model, female same-sex friendships indicated greater involvement. In the terminology of Altman and Taylor's (Social Penetration: The Development of Interpersonal Relationships, New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1973) social penetration model, female friendships demonstrated greater depth. Overall, the female friendships were of longer duration than those of the males. The differences in involvement and depth were found within each designated level of friendship (causal, good, and close). However, the difference in involvement was moderated by the sex role orientation of the participants, in that the sex difference was greater between sex-typed individuals than between androgynous individuals. An examination of questionnaire subscale intercorrelations indicated that females tended to seek friends to whom they could relate in many different areas, while males tended to develop different relationships to meet different needs.
TGF-β/Smad signaling through DOCK4 facilitates lung adenocarcinoma metastasis

The mechanisms by which TGF-β promotes lung adenocarcinoma (ADC) metastasis are largely unknown. Here, we report that in lung ADC cells, TGF-β potently induces expression of DOCK4, but not other DOCK family members, via the Smad pathway and that DOCK4 induction mediates TGF-β’s prometastatic effects by enhancing tumor cell extravasation. TGF-β-induced DOCK4 stimulates lung ADC cell protrusion, motility, and invasion without affecting epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. These processes, which are fundamental to tumor cell extravasation, are driven by DOCK4-mediated Rac1 activation, unveiling a novel link between TGF-β and Rac1. Thus, our findings uncover the atypical Rac1 activator DOCK4 as a key component of the TGF-β/Smad pathway that promotes lung ADC cell extravasation and metastasis.
Pursuing relational goals in requests: The effects of dispositional factors and type of relationship

This study hypothesized that (a) verbal aggressiveness and self‐monitoring predict individual differences in the importance of habitual relational goals, and (b) habitual goals and relationship features interact to predict the importance of relational goals in a specific request message. Results indicate that the importance of habitual goals to provide support, maintain a positive relationship, and manage one's impression are negatively related to verbal aggressiveness and positively related to self‐monitoring. Both traits are positively related to a habitual goal to dominate. The effects of three habitual relational goals on the importance of the corresponding situation‐specific goal depend on such relational features as hearer status, intimacy, and liking. Habitual relational goals appear to be better predictors than traits of situation‐specific goals.
ON THE PRODUCTION OF KINETIC ENERGY IN THE ATMOSPHERE

Abstract In the present paper the production of kinetic energy in the atmosphere is examined from a hydrodynamical point of view. The results indicate that the intensity of the primary source of horizontal kinetic energy at any point in the atmosphere is equal to the pressure multiplied by the horizontal divergence of the velocity. Regions of horizontal velocity convergence appear as hydrodynamical sinks for kinetic energy, in addition to frictional effects. It is found that kinetic energy may be transferred through advection and through work done by pressure forces. It appears that diverging anticyclones are of primary importance in providing kinetic energy for the general circulation.
Consistency of choice in nonparametric multiple comparisons

In this paper, we are interested in the inconsistencies that can arise in the context of rank-based multiple comparisons. It is well known that these inconsistencies exist, but we prove that every possible distribution-free rank-based multiple comparison procedure with certain reasonable properties is susceptible to these phenomena. The proof is based on a generalisation of Arrow's theorem, a fundamental result in social choice theory which states that when faced with three or more alternatives, it is impossible to rationally aggregate preference rankings subject to certain desirable properties. Applying this theorem to treatment rankings, we generalise a number of existing results in the literature and demonstrate that procedures that use rank sums cannot be improved. Finally, we show that the best possible procedures are based on the Friedman rank statistic and the k-sample sign statistic, in that these statistics minimise the potential for paradoxical results.
Experimental investigations of a swirling jet in both stationary and rotating surroundings

The ‘plug’ flow emerging from a long rotating tube into a large stationary reservoir was used in the experimental investigation of swirling jets with Reynolds numbers, Re = 600, 1,000 and 2,000, and swirl numbers, S = ΩR/U, in the range 0–1.1, to cover flow regimes from the non-rotating jet to vortex breakdown. Here Ω is the nozzle rotation rate, R is the radius of the nozzle exit, and U is the mean mass axial velocity. The jet was more turbulent and eddies shed faster at larger Re. However the flow criticality and shear layer morphology remained unchanged with Re. After the introduction of sufficient rotation, co-rotating and counter-winding helical waves replaced vortex rings to become the dominant vortex structure. The winding direction of the vortex lines suggests that Kelvin–Helmholtz and generalized centrifugal instability dominated the shear layer. A quantitative visualization study has been carried out for cases where the reservoir was rotating independently with Sa = ΩaR/U = ±0.35, ±0.51 and ±0.70 at Re = 1,000 and 2000, where Ωa is the rotation rate of the reservoir. The criterion for breakdown was found to be mainly dependent on the absolute swirl number of the jet, S. This critical swirl number was slightly different in stationary and counter-swirl surroundings but obviously smaller when the reservoir co-rotated, i.e. Sc = 0.88, 0.85 and 0.70, respectively. These results suggest that the flow criticality depends mainly on the velocity distributions of the vortex core, while instabilities resulting from the swirl difference between the jet and its ambient seem to have only a secondary effect.
Density matrix expansion for microscopic optical model potential.

An approximation scheme for evaluating the folding optical model potential for nucleon-nucleus scattering is developed. The microscopic optical model potential is expressed as a simple algebraic function of nuclear densities. Nonlocality and finite-range effects are properly incorporated. A few numerical examples are given.