cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cryptocurrency: A Challenge to Legal System

Virtual Currency (VC) is an electronic currency that is neither government-funded nor backed by central bank. VC offers potential benefits over traditional currencies, including lower transaction fees and faster transfer of funds for services provided. In 2013, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), defined virtual currency as “a medium of exchange that operates like a currency in some environments, but does not have all the attributes of real currency. In particular, virtual currency does not have legal tender status in any jurisdiction”. Some virtual currencies are used as a currency in online games or a digital world, however, there is no equivalent value in fiat currency for them, so named non-convertible. In the other side, a virtual currency that can be bought with and sold back for legal tender is called a convertible currency. One of the most popular type of convertible VCs is cryptocurrencies. They use security mechanisms such as cryptography for creating units of the currency and controlling the transactions. Cryptocurrency works based on Blockchain technology. Its main property is to provide anonymity for the transactions. Bitcoin, as an instance, is a cryptocurrency that has gained much attention in the market since 2009 when it was initially introduced. Since the focus of this paper is on cryptocurrency, which is a convertible virtual currency, we will use the term cryptocurrency and virtual currency or VC interchangeably with the cryptocurrency meaning. Unlike earlier digital currencies, like e-gold, that had centralized architecture, the newer virtual currency networks are completely decentralized, with all parts of transactions performed by the users of the system. So usually cryptocurrencies use peer-to-peer technologies and no traditional financial institutions involved in transactions. This unique property provides different levels of anonymity for the users. The emergence of virtual currencies presents challenges to federal agencies responsible for financial regulation, law enforcement, consumer and investor protection. These challenges stem partly from certain characteristics of virtual currencies, such as the higher degree of anonymity they provide and the ease with which they can be sent across borders. VC also has raised concerns that they might be used to finance terrorism and to engage in other criminal activities such as money laundering and tax evasion. In this paper, we present our research on the legal issues of the cryptocurrency by analyzing the current regulations and discuss about possible solutions for the future of cryptocurrency.
Body mass index as a risk factor for dislocation of total shoulder arthroplasty in the first 30 days.

Background Dislocation of total shoulder arthroplasty has an incidence as high as 31%. Obesity is one of many proposed risk factors, but no consensus exists on this relationship. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is a relationship between body mass index (BMI) and dislocation of total shoulder arthroplasty. Methods The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was used to identify patients older than 50 years who underwent anatomic or reverse total shoulder arthroplasty between the years 2012 and 2016 for primary or secondary osteoarthritis, post-traumatic arthritis, or cuff tear arthropathy. Patients requiring reoperation or readmission for dislocation were identified by Current Procedural Terminology code. The relationship between World Health Organization BMI classification and dislocation was assessed. Results A total of 9382 patients were identified; 46% were male and 54% female, with an average age of 68.7 years (range 50-90) and average BMI of 31.2 (range 15.1-79.3). There were only 24 dislocation events within the first 30 days after the procedure (0.26%). Ten of 24 (42%) occurred after discharge. Seventy percent of cases (17 of 24) required an open procedure. Underweight patients (BMI Conclusion The rate of dislocation of total shoulder arthroplasty in the acute postoperative period differs across categories of BMI. However, there does not appear to be a linear association between BMI and risk of dislocation of total shoulder arthroplasty. Further studies are required to elucidate the risk factors for total shoulder dislocation.
A Theoretical Assessment of the Structure Determination of Multi-Span Membrane Proteins by Oriented Sample Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy

Oriented sample solid-state NMR (OS-ssNMR) spectroscopy allows the direct determination of the structure and topology of membrane proteins reconstituted into aligned lipid bilayers. Although OS-ssNMR theoretically has no upper size limit, its application to multi-span membrane proteins has not been established because most studies have been restricted to single- or dual-span proteins and peptides. Here, we present a critical assessment of the application of this method to multi-span membrane proteins. We used molecular dynamics simulations to back-calculate [15N-1H] separated local field (SLF) spectra from a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) and show that fully resolved spectra can be obtained theoretically for a multi-span membrane protein with currently achievable resonance linewidths.
Photoneutron cross sections for O 17

Photoneutron cross sections involving the emission of one and two neutrons from $^{17}\mathrm{O}$ have been measured over the energy interval 8.5 to 39.7 MeV using monoenergetic photons from positron in-flight annihilation. The 6-MeV wide giant dipole resonance is observed to be centered at 23 MeV and a pygmy resonance is seen at about 13 MeV. Such structure as is apparent in the cross sections is not as pronounced as for the cases of $^{16}\mathrm{O}$ and $^{18}\mathrm{O}$. Comparison of the total photoneutron cross section with recent ground-state data indicates that much of the pygmy resonance decays to the ground or first excited state of $^{16}\mathrm{O}$, but that the giant dipole resonance decays mainly to highly excited states in the daughter. Excellent agreement is observed between the present results and a recent two-particle, one-hole shell-model calculation of the isospin-split giant dipole resonance states for this nucleus. New photoneutron cross-section results for $^{16}\mathrm{O}$ up to 39.7 MeV are reported as well.NUCLEAR REACTIONS $^{17}\mathrm{O}(\ensuremath{\gamma},n)$, ${E}_{\ensuremath{\gamma}}=8.5\ensuremath{-}39.7$ MeV and $^{16}\mathrm{O}(\ensuremath{\gamma},n)$, ${E}_{\ensuremath{\gamma}}=15.9\ensuremath{-}39.7$ MeV; measured $4\ensuremath{\pi}$ neutron yield for monenergetic photons; $\ensuremath{\sigma}({E}_{\ensuremath{\gamma}},1n)$, $\ensuremath{\sigma}({E}_{\ensuremath{\gamma}},2n)$, integrated cross sections, isospin splitting of the giant resonance for $^{17}\mathrm{O}$.
The Relationship Between Immigrant Status and Undiagnosed Dementia: The Role of Limited English Proficiency.

This study investigates whether immigrant status is a risk factor for developing dementia and having undiagnosed dementia, as well as the role of limited English proficiency (LEP) as a mediator in the association. Data were drawn from the 2011 wave of the National Health and Aging Trends Study. The sample consisted of 7385 adults aged 65 years and older (6567 U.S.-born and 818 foreign-born). Step-wise logistic regression analyses were performed. Older immigrants had 70% greater odds of having dementia compared to U.S.-born participants. Among those with dementia (n = 1920), older immigrants showed 119% higher odds of being undiagnosed compared to the U.S.-born. Mediation analyses showed that the total effects of immigrant status on dementia and undiagnosed dementia explained by LEP were 87.6% and 56.1%, respectively. It is important to tailor dementia education and interventions to the immigrant population with LEP.
Characterizing lineage-specific evolution and the processes driving genomic diversification in chordates

Understanding the origins of genome content has long been a goal of molecular evolution and comparative genomics. By examining genome evolution through the guise of lineage-specific evolution, it is possible to make inferences about the evolutionary events that have given rise to species-specific diversification. Here we characterize the evolutionary trends found in chordate species using The Adaptive Evolution Database (TAED). TAED is a database of phylogenetically indexed gene families designed to detect episodes of directional or diversifying selection across chordates. Gene families within the database have been assessed for lineage-specific estimates of dN/dS and have been reconciled to the chordate species to identify retained duplicates. Gene families have also been mapped to the functional pathways and amino acid changes which occurred on high dN/dS lineages have been mapped to protein structures. An analysis of this exhaustive database has enabled a characterization of the processes of lineage-specific diversification in chordates. A pathway level enrichment analysis of TAED determined that pathways most commonly found to have elevated rates of evolution included those involved in metabolism, immunity, and cell signaling. An analysis of protein fold presence on proteins, after normalizing for frequency in the database, found common folds such as Rossmann folds, Jelly Roll folds, and TIM barrels were overrepresented on proteins most likely to undergo directional selection. A set of gene families which experience increased numbers of duplications within short evolutionary times are associated with pathways involved in metabolism, olfactory reception, and signaling. An analysis of protein secondary structure indicated more relaxed constraint in β-sheets and stronger constraint on alpha Helices, amidst a general preference for substitutions at exposed sites. Lastly a detailed analysis of the ornithine decarboxylase gene family, a key enzyme in the pathway for polyamine synthesis, revealed lineage-specific evolution along the lineage leading to Cetacea through rapid sequence evolution in a duplicate gene with amino acid substitutions causing active site rearrangement. Episodes of lineage-specific evolution are frequent throughout chordate species. Both duplication and directional selection have played large roles in the evolution of the phylum. TAED is a powerful tool for facilitating this understanding of lineage-specific evolution.
Factors Associated with Resection and Survival After Laparoscopic HIPEC for Peritoneal Gastric Cancer Metastasis.

Although laparoscopic hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (LS-HIPEC) has been proven safe in patients with gastric adenocarcinoma and carcinomatosis or positive cytology, patient selection criteria remain unclear. Thus, we perform a retrospective analysis to identify factors associated with improved survival and resection rates. Data for all patients undergoing LS-HIPEC for stage IV gastric adenocarcinoma between June 2014 and November 2018 were collected prospectively and analyzed for associations with survival and resection using uni- and multivariate logistic regression, Cox proportional hazards models, and Kaplan–Meier survival functions. Of 70 patients who underwent LS-HIPEC, 43 (61%) received two drugs (mitomycin C and cisplatin), and 27 (39%) received three drugs (mitomycin C, cisplatin, and paclitaxel). The two groups’ demographic and oncologic differences were not significant, although the three-drug group had a significantly lower rate of radiation therapy use (58% vs. 15%; p < 0.01). Univariate analysis revealed that poor differentiation [Cox hazard ratio (HR) 2.75; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.34–5.63; p < 0.01], gross carcinomatosis (HR 3.10; 95% CI 1.52–6.30; p = 0.03), and ascites (HR 3.43; 95% CI 1.88–6.26; p < 0.01) were associated with shorter median survival. Gastrectomy was associated with improved overall survival (HR 0.32; 95% CI 0.15–0.70; p < 0.01). The resection rate of the 45 patients without ascites (38%) was significantly higher than that of the 25 patients with ascites (0%; p < 0.01). Our findings identify ascites as a significant prognostic factor for gastric cancer patients with peritoneal metastases undergoing LS-HIPEC. Our findings can be used to help identify patients who are unlikely to proceed to resection after LS-HIPEC and are good candidates for novel therapeutic approaches or clinical trials.
Tolerogenic vaccines: Targeting the antigenic and cytokine niches of FOXP3+ regulatory T cells

FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) constitute a critical barrier that enforces tolerance to both the self-peptidome and the extended-self peptidome to ensure tissue-specific resistance to autoimmune, allergic, and other inflammatory disorders. Here, we review intuitive models regarding how T cell antigen receptor (TCR) specificity and antigen recognition efficiency shape the Treg and conventional T cell (Tcon) repertoires to adaptively regulate T cell maintenance, tissue-residency, phenotypic stability, and immune function in peripheral tissues. Three zones of TCR recognition efficiency are considered, including Tcon recognition of specific low-efficiency self MHC-ligands, Treg recognition of intermediate-efficiency agonistic self MHC-ligands, and Tcon recognition of cross-reactive high-efficiency agonistic foreign MHC-ligands. These respective zones of TCR recognition efficiency are key to understanding how tissue-resident immune networks integrate the antigenic complexity of local environments to provide adaptive decisions setting the balance of suppressive and immunogenic responses. Importantly, deficiencies in the Treg repertoire appear to be an important cause of chronic inflammatory disease. Deficiencies may include global deficiencies in Treg numbers or function, subtle 'holes in the Treg repertoire' in tissue-resident Treg populations, or simply Treg insufficiencies that are unable to counter an overwhelming molecular mimicry stimulus. Tolerogenic vaccination and Treg-based immunotherapy are two therapeutic modalities meant to restore dominance of Treg networks to reverse chronic inflammatory disease. Studies of these therapeutic modalities in a preclinical setting have provided insight into the Treg niche, including the concept that intermediate-efficiency TCR signaling, high IFN-β concentrations, and low IL-2 concentrations favor Treg responses and active dominant mechanisms of immune tolerance. Overall, the purpose here is to assimilate new and established concepts regarding how cognate TCR specificity of the Treg repertoire and the contingent cytokine networks provide a foundation for understanding Treg suppressive strategy.
Identifying institutional barriers and policy implications for sustainable energy technology adoption among large organizations in California

Abstract Large organizations wield considerable market power, their procurement activities can be leveraged to achieve social, economic and environmental goals by ‘pulling’ more desirable products into the market. However, while there is substantial research in individual consumer buying behavior and market barriers to sustainable technology adoption, less is known about large organizational buying behavior and the impact of institutional barriers in this area. To address these research gaps, we conducted an exploratory study aimed at better understanding the process through which large organizations purchase sustainable energy technologies and what internal barriers they experience during that process. We surveyed and interviewed 120 individuals involved in procurement from Californian organizations representing both public and private sectors. Survey results indicate the need to resolve the conflict between prioritizing lowest first cost and lowest life cycle cost, better engage multiple stakeholders involved in internal decision-making around purchasing, and improve existing procurement tools or offer new ones. We provide recommendations for how policymakers can apply our findings to increase the adoption of sustainable energy technologies in their own organizations and communities.
Dynamic Mode Decomposition for Prediction of Kinetic Plasma Behavior

We present a reduced-order model based on the dynamic mode decomposition (DMD) for capturing the essential dynamics of kinetic plasma simulation. We apply the proposed methodology to the case of an accelerated electron beam propagation inside a cavity in the presence of a transverse magnetic field. The full order model utilizes a local and explicit finite-element time-domain (FETD) based electromagnetic particle-in-cell (EM-PIC) algorithm for simulating the beam. We employ DMD to extract dominant features that help us predict the future distribution of self electric field. The reduction achieved by this analysis can be instrumental in reducing the computation cost of complex plasma simulations.
Time-dependent, dynamic prediction of fatty acid-binding protein 4, Galectin-3, and soluble ST2 measurement with poor outcome after acute stroke.

BackgroundTime-dependent change in the level of biomarkers after stroke is not well understood. We sought to compare fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4), Galectin-3, and soluble ST2 to ascertain f...
Union Wage and Job Loss: A Cross-national Comparison

What members do unions protect? This question is relevant to an ongoing debate about union wage distribution. This paper investigates how unionization affects the relationship between involuntary job loss and a worker’s unobservable ability. Taking advantage of detailed micro-level panel data from four countries--Britain, Germany, Korea and Switzerland—I construct an index of workers’ unobservable abilities by estimating workers’ individual fixed effects. I find that unionization at the work place plays an important role. In Britain, Korea, and Switzerland, unions increase the earnings of lower ability workers but provide more job security to higher ability workers. The negative relationship between involuntary job loss and worker’s ability appears only in unionized workers. An exception is Germany, where lower ability workers in both unionized and non-unionized sectors are disproportionally more likely to lose jobs. The German case may associate with strong institutional forces at the industrial and national level.
Axial-vector currents and tau mesonic decays

A general expression of the axial-vector current is presented, in which both the effects of the chiral symmetry breaking and the spontaneous chiral symmetry breaking are included. A new resonance formula of the axial-vector meson is derived and in the limit of $q^{2}\rightarrow 0$ this formula doesn't go back to the ``chiral limit``. The studies show that the dominance of the axial-vector meson is associated with the satisfaction of PCAC. The dominance of pion exchange is companied by the strong anomaly of PCAC.
Risk of Progression to Diabetes Among Older Adults With Prediabetes

Importance The termprediabetesis used to identify individuals at increased risk for diabetes. However, the natural history of prediabetes in older age is not well characterized. Objectives To compare different prediabetes definitions and characterize the risks of prediabetes and diabetes among older adults in a community-based setting. Design, Setting, and Participants In this prospective cohort analysis of 3412 older adults without diabetes from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study (baseline, 2011-2013), participants were contacted semiannually through December 31, 2017, and attended a follow-up visit between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2017 (median [range] follow-up, 5.0 [0.1-6.5] years). Exposures Prediabetes defined by a glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level of 5.7% to 6.4%, impaired fasting glucose (IFG) level (FG level of 100-125 mg/dL), either, or both. Main Outcomes and Measures Incident total diabetes (physician diagnosis, glucose-lowering medication use, HbA1clevel ≥6.5%, or FG level ≥126 mg/dL). Results A total of 3412 participants without diabetes (mean [SD] age, 75.6 [5.2] years; 2040 [60%] female; and 572 [17%] Black) attended visit 5 (2011-2013, baseline). Of the 3412 participants at baseline, a total of 2497 participants attended the follow-up visit or died. During the 6.5-year follow-up period, there were 156 incident total diabetes cases (118 diagnosed) and 434 deaths. A total of 1490 participants (44%) had HbA1clevels of 5.7% to 6.4%, 1996 (59%) had IFG, 2482 (73%) met the HbA1cor IFG criteria, and 1004 (29%) met both the HbA1cand IFG criteria. Among participants with HbA1clevels of 5.7% to 6.4% at baseline, 97 (9%) progressed to diabetes, 148 (13%) regressed to normoglycemia (HbA1c, Conclusions and Relevance In this community-based cohort study of older adults, the prevalence of prediabetes was high; however, during the study period, regression to normoglycemia or death was more frequent than progression to diabetes. These findings suggest that prediabetes may not be a robust diagnostic entity in older age.
Linguistic Employment Niches: Southern Dialect across Industries:

The authors examine how linguistic niches may develop in certain industries. Using acoustic measurement techniques, the authors examine the extent to which workers in different industries display d...
A computational model for predicting changes in infection dynamics due to leakage through N95 respirators

In the absence of fit-testing, leakage of aerosolized pathogens through the gaps between the face and N95 respirators could compromise the effectiveness of the device and increase the risk of infection for the exposed population. To address this issue, we have developed a model to estimate the increase in risk of infection resulting from aerosols leaking through gaps between the face and N95 respirators. The gaps between anthropometric face-geometry and N95 respirators were scanned using computed tomography. The gap profiles were subsequently input into CFD models. The amount of aerosol leakage was predicted by the CFD simulations. Leakage levels were validated using experimental data obtained using manikins. The computed amounts of aerosol transmitted to the respiratory system, with and without leaks, were then linked to a risk-assessment model to predict the infection risk for a sample population. An influenza outbreak in which 50% of the population deployed respirators was considered for risk assessment. Our results showed that the leakage predicted by the CFD model matched the experimental data within about 13%. Depending upon the fit between the headform and the respirator, the inward leakage for the aerosols ranged between 30 and 95%. In addition, the non-fit-tested respirator lowered the infection rate from 97% (for no protection) to between 42 and 80%, but not to the same level as the fit-tested respirators (12%). The CFD-based leakage model, combined with the risk-assessment model, can be useful in optimizing protection strategies for a given population exposed to a pathogenic aerosol.
Tool Use Affects Spatial Perception

Tools do not just expand our capabilities. They change what we can do, and in doing so, they change who we are. Serena is Serena because of what she can do with a tennis racket. Tiger is Tiger because of what he can do with a golf club. In changing what we can do, tools also change the very way we perceive the spatial layout of the world. Objects beyond arm's reach appear closer when we wield a tool that can expand out to the object. Catchable objects seem to move faster when we wield a tool that is less effective for catching the object. These examples illustrate how the basic processes of spatial vision are impacted by tool use.
The Gut Microbiome of Youth Who Have Behavioral and Mental Health Problems: A Scoping Review

Background: Mental health conditions have increased over the past several decades. While there is growing evidence that the gut microbiome affects mental health, there are limited studies focused on children, adolescents, and young adults. This scoping review examined the existing literature and compared findings on the relationships between the gut microbiome with mental health across these younger age groups. Methods: A literature search using PubMed, PsycINFO, and CINAHL was performed, and bibliographies were manually searched. Eighteen articles met eligibility for our scoping review. Findings from each study were evaluated, focusing on bacterial composition and diversity among children/adolescents and young adults. Results: There were no studies specifically on the adolescent age group, so data was synthesized comparing the child/adolescent (2 to <18 years of age) and young adult (18-25 years of age) groups. Studies utilized several different methods for gut microbiome analysis and examined various mental health conditions. Findings for both age groups were mostly inconsistent. However, Bifidobacteria seems to be associated with better mental health. Alpha diversity was lower for children/adolescents with ADHD and high stress but higher for young adults with ADHD and Major Depressive Disorder. Limitations: There were inconsistencies across studies, likely due to differences in mental health problems examined, populations assessed, and research designs or measurements used. Conclusions: Future research should replicate studies to confirm findings, examine lower taxonomic levels, consider longitudinal designs to assess for directionality, and consider clinical trials to examine the effects of probiotics with the same strains to manage mental health symptoms.
Writing Beyond Race: Living Theory and Practice

1. introduction 2. racism: naming what hurts 3. moving past blame: embracing diversity 4. solidarity: women and race relations 5. help wanted: re-imagining the past 6. interrogating: the reinvention of Malcolm X 7. tragic biography: resurrecting Henrietta Lacks 8. a path away from race: on spiritual conversion 9. talking trash: a dialogue about Crash 10.a pornography of violence: the movie Precious 11. a community of caring 12. bonding across boundaries 13. everyday resistance: saying no to white supremacy 14. against mediocrity 15. black self-determination 16. ending racism: working for change 17. writing beyond race 18. the practice of love
Amino Acids in Pollens and Nectars of Citrus Cultivars and in Stored Pollen and Honey from Honeybee Colonies in Citrus Groves

SummaryTotal amino acids and crude protein levels were analysed in pollens from flowers of nine citrus cultivare, and in stored pollen from three honeybee colonies in citrus groves. Free amino acids were determined in the nectars from six cultivars and in three citrus honeys. Although the protein levels of pollens from different cultivars ranged from 6middot;2% to 20·7%, the percentage of individual amino acids was relatively constant. Aspartic acid and glutamic acid were the predominant amino acids in the pollen from flowers. Stored pollen contained 17·1 % to 22·6% protein, and higher amounts of proline than flower pollen.Nectars contained 7·5 to 79·1 mg/100 g of amino acids. Wide variation was observed both in the numbers and in the levels of amino acids in the nectars. In nectars in which they were found, proline and serine were the predominant amino acids. In contrast, the kinds and amounts of amino acids were fairly constant in the honey samples, proline being the major one. Unlike most plants, Citru...
Comment: The changing practice of neurology and a look to the future

John F. Kennedy said “Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.” The article by Ringel1 reflects on the evolution of neurologic practice over several decades, how the profession has tracked changes in neurologists' practice environment, and the enormous, “disruptive” changes the specialty faces looking forward. It is particularly timely given a recent report on the relatively high prevalence of burnout symptoms among neurologists.2
Many Sectors Meet More Skills: Intersectoral Linkages and the Skill Bias of Technology

This paper presents a novel stylized fact and analyzes its contribution to the skill bias of technical change: The share of skilled labor embedded in intermediate inputs correlates strongly with the skill share employed in final production. This finding points towards an intersectoral technology-skill complementarity (ITSC). Empirical evidence suggests that the channel through which this complementarity works is product innovation driven by skilled workers. Together with input-output linkages, the observed complementarity delivers a multiplier that reinforces skill demand along the production chain. The effect is large, accounting for more than one third of the observed skill upgrading in U.S. manufacturing over the period 1967-92. The paper presents a simple multi-sector model with intermediate linkages that integrates the observed ITSC into the standard framework of skill-biased technical change. Therein, the relative productivity of skilled workers rises with the skill intensity of intermediates. A calibration exercise confirms the quantitative importance of the ITSC.
Measurement-based real-time economic dispatch

In this paper, we propose a measurement-based approach to the real-time economic dispatch (ED). The realtime ED is a widely used market scheduling problem seeking to economically balance electricity system supply and demand and provide locational marginal prices (LMPs) while respecting system reliability requirements. The ED is a convex optimization problem with a linear or quadratic objective, typically the minimization of generator costs or the maximization of social surplus. The constraints capture power balance and network flow capacity limits and are formulated using a linearized power flow model. Our approach utilizes power system sensitivities estimated from phasor measurement unit (PMU) measurements to reformulate the model-based power flow and network flow constraints. The resulting measurement-based real-time ED overcomes the vulnerabilities of the model-based real-time ED. The dispatch instructions and LMPs calculated with our measurement-based real-time ED accurately, and adaptively, reflect real-time system conditions. We illustrate the strengths of the proposed approach via several case studies.
Does audit regulating stifle misreporting? The case of the hedge fund industry

Using the setting of hedge funds, I find that audit regulation stifles the misreporting of returns. Not only does the presence of this regulation mitigate misreporting, it also appears to narrow the gap in audit quality between Big 4 and non-Big 4 auditors. Specifically, there is a large difference in audit quality between Big 4 and non-Big 4 auditors when audits are voluntary. However, this difference is not detectable when audits are mandatory, which is consistent with this regulation inducing non-Big 4 auditors to provide higher quality audits. This finding is important in that it suggests that the mere presence of regulation requiring audited financial statements, even in the absence of stringent enforcement by regulatory bodies, has a pronounced effect on the quality of financial reporting. This finding has implications for researchers and regulators seeking to understand how regulation and enforcement influence the quality of financial reporting.
Manipulation of cellular GSH biosynthetic capacity via TAT-mediated protein transduction of wild-type or a dominant-negative mutant of glutamate cysteine ligase alters cell sensitivity to oxidant-induced cytotoxicity.

The glutathione (GSH) antioxidant defense system plays a central role in protecting mammalian cells against oxidative injury. Glutamate cysteine ligase (GCL) is the rate-limiting enzyme in GSH biosynthesis and is a heterodimeric holoenzyme composed of catalytic (GCLC) and modifier (GCLM) subunits. As a means of assessing the cytoprotective effects of enhanced GSH biosynthetic capacity, we have developed a protein transduction approach whereby recombinant GCL protein can be rapidly and directly transferred into cells when coupled to the HIV TAT protein transduction domain. Bacterial expression vectors encoding TAT fusion proteins of both GCL subunits were generated and recombinant fusion proteins were synthesized and purified to near homogeneity. The TAT-GCL fusion proteins were capable of heterodimerization and formation of functional GCL holoenzyme in vitro. Exposure of Hepa-1c1c7 cells to the TAT-GCL fusion proteins resulted in the time- and dose-dependent transduction of both GCL subunits and increased cellular GCL activity and GSH levels. A heterodimerization-competent, enzymatically deficient GCLC-TAT mutant was also generated in an attempt to create a dominant-negative suppressor of GCL. Transduction of cells with a catalytically inactive GCLC(E103A)-TAT mutant decreased cellular GCL activity in a dose-dependent manner. TAT-mediated manipulation of cellular GCL activity was also functionally relevant as transduction with wild-typemore » GCLC(WT)-TAT or mutant GCLC(E103A)-TAT conferred protection or enhanced sensitivity to H{sub 2}O{sub 2}-induced cell death, respectively. These findings demonstrate that TAT-mediated transduction of wild-type or dominant-inhibitory mutants of the GCL subunits is a viable means of manipulating cellular GCL activity to assess the effects of altered GSH biosynthetic capacity.« less
White matter integrity and five-factor personality measures in healthy adults

The five-factor model organizes personality traits into five factors: Neuroticism, Extraversion, Openness to Experience, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness. Measures of these personality traits predict people's behaviors and important outcomes of their lives. Therefore, understanding the neural correlates of these personality traits is important. This study assessed the relationships between white matter (WM) integrity and personality traits among 51 healthy participants using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and the revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-R). Neuroticism correlated positively while Openness and Agreeableness correlated negatively with DTI mean diffusivity (MD) in the corona radiata and superior longitudinal fasciculus, tracts that interconnect prefrontal cortex (PFC), parietal cortex, and subcortical structures. Furthermore, Neuroticism correlated positively with MD in the anterior cingulum and uncinate fasciculus, tracts interconnecting PFC and amygdala. Openness correlated negatively with MD of WM adjacent to the dorsolateral PFC in both hemispheres. These findings suggest that greater Neuroticism associates with worse integrity of WM interconnecting extensive cortical and subcortical structures including the PFC and amygdala and that greater Openness associates with better integrity of WM interconnecting extensive cortical and subcortical structures including the dorsolateral PFC.
Financial Restatements, Information Asymmetry, and Market Liquidity

This paper examine whether firms experience different liquidity effects from earnings restatements before and after the implementation of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) by analyzing various measures of liquidity surrounding the announcement day in the period of 1997-2005. The study is based on the premise that SOX was intended to improve the transparency and reliability of reported information. We find that the spreads measured in cents detect an abnormality in liquidity due to a general downward trend in the spreads during the period. Dividing the period into three sub-periods because the SOX reinforce more accountability and more confidence for public financial information, we find virtually all declines in liquidity come from the pre-SOX period, which conversely explains that, no significant change in liquidity in the post-Sox period. Decrease in liquidity is influenced by restatements due to revenue recognition, those prompted by party other than auditors. The results show that firms experience more severe liquidity consequences following restatements announced before SOX. Therefore, information asymmetry should be less problematic, and liquidity should be less adversely affected, for restatements announced after SOX.
The structure of solutions of the Schrödinger equation

Abstract The goal of the paper is to study the structure of the eigenfunctions of the one-dimensional Schrodinger equation from the point of view of the Euler theorem. It turns out that analog of exponent is exponentially increasing solution. Sometimes linear combinations of such solutions cancel each other at infinity and then we obtain an eigenfunction from L 2 ( R 1 ).
Expression of SPARC in normal and fibrotic livers

SPARC (secreted protein, acidic and rich in cysteine)--also known as osteonectin, BM-40, and 43K glycoprotein--is secreted by endothelial cells and fibroblasts in response to culture shock. SPARC has been found in association with tissues undergoing cell proliferation, migration, and extracellular matrix remodeling. We demonstrate that normal livers from humans, rats, and mice express substantial levels of SPARC messenger RNA (mRNA). Moreover, when compared with control specimens, significantly increased levels of SPARC mRNA were found in fibrotic livers from two animal models of liver disease: murine schistosomiasis and carbon tetrachloride-induced fibrosis in rats. Fibrotic human livers also had markedly increased levels of SPARC mRNA in comparison with normal livers. We also detected an increased production of SPARC protein in the liver of animals treated with carbon tetrachloride. By immunocytochemical analysis, SPARC protein was apparent in freshly isolated Ito cells. Hybridization studies showed Ito cells to be the main source of SPARC mRNA. Extracts from a Kupffer-endothelial cell fraction exhibited traces of SPARC transcript, but expression of SPARC mRNA was absent in extracts from freshly isolated hepatocytes. These studies demonstrate the increased expression of SPARC--a protein that modulates cell shape and disrupts cell-matrix interactions--during the initial stages of hepatic fibrosis.
Results of a primary productivity study as affected by the type of glass in the culture bottles1

Radiocarbon uptake by Thalassiosira pseudonana was used to compare the effect of bottle type on primary productivity. Three types used in primary productivity studies were considered: standard soda-lime bottles, commercial Pyrex bottles, and quartz bottles. Transmittance within the ultraviolet region (e.g. 290–320 nm) varied significantly (quartz > Pyrex > Wheaton “800” glass). Measurements of radiocarbon uptake in the three bottle types under white fluorescent lamps alone (4.48 W·m−2 [380–700 nml) were not significantly different. However, when combined with the sunlamp/filter system (0.74 W m−2 [290–320 nm]), there was a significant difference in productivity. The environmentally significant ultraviolet portion of the solar spectrum should be considered when culture bottles are selected for in situ primary productivity studies.
Serum Concentrations of the Milk Proteins α-Lactalbumin and β-Lactoglobulin in Pregnancy and Lactation: Correlations with Milk and Fat Yields in Dairy Cattle

Abstract Serum concentrations of α-lactalbumin and β-lactoglobulin in first pregnancy, parturition, lactation, involution, and second parturition in 37 Holstein cattle were determined and used as an index of mammary status and in predicting milk yield. During first pregnancy, serum α-lactalbumin increased in the last 3 mo and reached a peak at parturition (∼1100ng/ml). Changes in α-lactalbumin could not be described by a simple exponential equation, whereas changes in serum β-lactoglobulin were described by a single exponential from second trimester until 4 wk prepartum and reached a peak at parturition (∼460ng/ml). By 2 wk after parturition, α-lactalbumin had dropped to approximately 140ng/ml, and β-lactoglobulin dropped to approximately 25ng/ml. In late lactation, α-lactalbumin was approximately 70ng/ml and β-lactoglobulin approximately 20ng/ml. Short-term elevations were found after cessation of milking in both α-lactalbumin and β-lactoglobulin in serum. The concentrations of α-lactalbumin and β-lactoglobulin at second parturition were similar to those at first parturition with no differences found between parity. Both α-lactalbumin and β-lactoglobulin in serum were functionally associated with mammary growth and development. In heifers late in pregnancy, both serum concentrations of α-lactalbumin and β-lactoglobulin were positively correlated with mature equivalent milk and fat yields in the subsequent lactation. Serum β-lactoglobulin concentrations at 16 wk prepartum in heifers were highly correlated with the sum of first and second lactation milk (r = .60) and fat (r = .60) yields. The potential value of using serum β-lactoglobulin as an index for prescreening of heifers for lactation potential is discussed.
High dynamic range discriminator for measurements with fragmented heavy ions

The design of an event discriminator with a practical dynamic range of at least 2000:1 and its application to measurements in fragmented heavy ion beams are described. Such beams are formed by particles with a wide range of values of dE/dx, and the determination of fragment composition by a simple, portable instrument that can be used under a variety of experimental conditions requires the measurement of the dE of all particles in a single experiment. Histograms of dE/dx vs. residual energy for a /sup 20/ne fragmented beam, showing events with Z ranging from 1 to 10, are presented. >
Bepridil (CERM-1978) blockade of action potentials in cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells

Abstract Reaggregate cultures (primary) were prepared from enzyme-dispersed vascular smooth muscle (VSM) cells from rat aortas. The cultures were incubated for 7–10 days, and then studied by the intracellular microelectrode technique. The cells were electrically quiescent (mean resting potential of −47 mV), and extracellular electrical stimulation usually did not elicit a membrane response. Addition of 10 mM tetraethylammonium rapid induced excitability, allowing the VSM cells to fire Ca 2+ -dependent action potentials in response to electrical stimulation. The electrical responses often had two components, an intial spike and a later plateau-like component. The action potential spikes had a mean amplitude of 22 mV but occasionally were overshooting; the plateaus had a mean duration (at 50% repolarization) of 3.8 sec. A new anti-anginal agent,, bepridil (10 −8 –10 −5 M), depressed the amplitude and duration of the plateau and blocked the spike component of the action potential in a dose-dependent fashion without affecting the resting potential. This finding is consistent with the view that bepridil acts as a Ca 2+ -antagonistic agent to prevent the generation of the action potentials, and this action can be explain its anti-anginal properties.
Mineralogy and petrology of Apollo 12 sample No. 12013: A progress report

Petrographic microscope and electron microprobe analysis of Apollo 12 rock 12013, noting bimineralic composition with dominant potassic feldspar plus silica
Cardiac arrest and clinical characteristics, treatments and outcomes among patients hospitalized with ST-elevation myocardial infarction in contemporary practice: A report from the National Cardiovascular Data Registry

Background Cardiac arrest (CA) is a major complication of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Its prevalence and prognostic impact in contemporary US practice has not been well assessed. Methods We evaluated STEMI patients included in the National Cardiovascular Data Registry (NCDR) Acute Coronary Treatment Intervention Outcomes Network Registry–Get With the Guidelines (ACTION Registry-GWTG) from 4/1/11 to 6/30/12. Patient clinical characteristics, treatments, and inhospital outcomes were compared by the presence or absence of CA on first medical contact—either before hospital arrival or upon presentation to the ACTION hospital. Results Of the 49,279 STEMI patients included, 3,716 (7.5%) had CA. Cardiac arrest patients were more likely to have heart failure (15.5% vs 6.9%) and shock (42.9% vs 4.9%) on presentation and higher median (25th and 75th percentiles) ACTION Registry-GWTG mortality risk scores (42 [32, 54] vs 32 [26, 38]) than non-CA patients (all P P P P Conclusions Almost 8% of STEMI patients present with CA. More than 25% die during the hospitalization, despite high use of primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Cardiogenic shock and CA frequently coexist. Our results suggest that development of systems of care and treatments for both STEMI and CA is needed to reduce the high mortality in these patients.
A randomized trial comparing peripherally inserted central venous catheters and peripheral intravenous catheters in infants with very low birth weight.

Abstract Background/Purpose: To determine whether percutaneously inserted central venous catheters (PICC) and peripheral intravenous catheters (PIV) in infants with very low birth weight (VLBW) differ with respect to (1) incidence of sepsis, (2) number of insertion attempts and catheters required for total intravenous therapy, (3) courses of antibiotics, and (4) total duration of intravenous (IV) use. Methods: A randomized comparative trial was conducted involving 63 VLBW infants ( Results: Data were analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis. There was no difference in the incidence of sepsis ( P =.64), number of courses of antibiotics ( P =.16), or total duration of IV use ( P =.34) between the 2 groups. The number of insertion attempts required for total IV therapy was significantly lower in the PICC group than in the PIV group ( P =.008). There also was a significantly lower number of total catheters utilized in the PICC group ( P =.002). When data were controlled for birth weight strata the results were similar. Conclusion: PICC lines reduced the number of painful IV procedures in VLBW infants without additional morbidity. J Pediatr Surg 35:1040-1044. Copyright © 2000 by W.B. Saunders Company.
The Nature of Interpretation in Qualitative Research

This paper addresses the process of interpretation from a study of the academic achievements of Native American youth. It illuminates the relationship of researcher subjectivity to the many decision points that each process of iizterpretation embodies. It also contains a counterpoint of problematics that reveals where alternative interpretive decisions could have been made.
Domain 5 of the cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate receptor preferentially binds phosphodiesters (mannose 6-phosphate N-acetylglucosamine ester).

The 300 kDa cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate receptor (CI-MPR) and the 46 kDa cation-dependent MPR (CD-MPR) are key components of the lysosomal enzyme targeting system that bind newly synthesized mannose 6-phosphate (Man-6-P)-containing acid hydrolases and divert them from the secretory pathway. Previous studies have mapped two high-affinity Man-6-P binding sites of the CI-MPR to domains 1−3 and 9 and one low-affinity site to domain 5 within its 15-domain extracytoplasmic region. A structure-based sequence alignment predicts that domain 5 contains the four conserved residues (Gln, Arg, Glu, Tyr) identified as essential for Man-6-P binding by the CD-MPR and domains 1−3 and 9 of the CI-MPR. Here we show by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analyses of constructs containing single amino acid substitutions that these conserved residues (Gln-644, Arg-687, Glu-709, Tyr-714) are critical for carbohydrate recognition by domain 5. Furthermore, the N-glycosylation site at position 711 of domain 5, which is pred...
Dementia dialytica: a new psychotic organic brain syndrome.

Abstract This paper describes the clinical manifestations of dementia dialytica, a new psychotic organic brain syndrome. The anxiety and depression that are prevalent in patients undergoing dialysis, 8–11 and evident in this patient, must not mislead the psychiatrist in suspecting dementia dialytica. In addition to the progressive dementia, paranoid ideation and psychotic behaviors are noted accompanying the neurologic findings. The latter include dysarthria, dysnomia, dyspraxia, and seizures. 3 All of these signs and symptoms are aggravated during and immediately following dialysis. Serial observations of the patient by the consulting psychiatrist during dialysis, immediately following dialysis, and between dialyses will help to confirm the diagnosis early in its course. Most patients die within 6 months of the onset of dementia dialytica. Early identification of the syndrome will help the dialysis team, the patient, and his family make informed plans regarding continuing treatment.