cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Investor Demand for Information in Newly Issued Securities

The existence of informed investors is a necessary condition for informationally efficient prices. Numerous studies examine the role of information suppliers in the price discovery process (e.g., underwriters, analysts, auditors, venture capitalists). From the investor’s perspective, researchers typically rely on proxies for informativeness (e.g., institutional versus retail investors, trade size) due to a lack of observable data. Our study directly measures investor demand for information and its impact on security prices using search traffic associated with corporate filings on the EDGAR system of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Our analysis focuses on the registration period for IPOs when the lead underwriter solicits information from purchasing investors to establish the firm’s market value. Information asymmetries between investors and the issuing firm are likely to be high during this period, increasing the value of information acquisition. Consistent with the important role of informed investors in the price discovery process, we find that EDGAR search traffic significantly increases for peer firms on IPO filing dates. We also find that investor demand for information is positively related to the probability of IPO success, and can predict both price revisions and initial returns. Overall, our results indicate that information acquisition is reflected in the pricing of newly issued securities.
Sustainable development goal indicators: Analyzing trade-offs and complementarities

Abstract Assessment of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has largely focused on formulating appropriate targets and indicators for each goal. Much less attention has been devoted to estimating possible tradeoffs and complementarities in attaining the various SDGs. Yet such tradeoffs and complementarities clearly exist. We develop an analytical model to estimate the welfare effects of progress in attaining one SDG while accounting for interactions in achieving other SDGs. We assess quantitatively progress in the SDGs over 2000–2016 at the global level and for low-income countries, using a representative indicator for each goal. We then estimate the welfare changes for improvements in No Poverty (SDG1) net of any welfare gains and losses in attaining each of the remaining 16 goals. For the world, we estimate the per capita welfare change of reductions in 2000–2016 poverty rates net of any gains or losses in attaining each of the remaining 16 goals is $12,737 per capita. This is more than double the welfare change of $5671 per person for poverty reduction alone from 2000 to 2016. However, once interactions with other SDGs are taken into account, the net welfare change for poverty reduction in poor economies from 2000 to 2016 is $244 per person, which is almost 20% lower than the welfare estimate of $299 per capita of poverty reduction on its own. Such an analysis helps policy makers prioritize improvements towards one goal or set of goals, and show explicitly the net gains and losses for achieving one goal while impacting others. For example, over 2000–2016 the world may have come closer to attaining the No Poverty goal, but at the expense of other critical SDGs, especially those associated with the environment. This research has important implications for achieving sustainability through pursuit of the SDGs.
Differences of protein expression of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) by tumor location and treatment.

e15556 Background: Resistance to targeted therapy in RCC is primarily related to tumor and environmental changes. We assessed the difference of morphology and protein analyte expression by metastat...
The Centriole Mystique

Centrioles organize the microtubule network and mitotic spindle and, as basal bodies, nucleate cilia and flagella. They undergo a beguiling process in which one appears to give rise to another and at a baffling orthogonal geometry. Nucleic acid-based replication has been pondered during cycles of zeniths and nadirs of plausibility, the latter now the state. Centrioles can also arise de novo, and thus the longstanding focus on centriole 'replication' may have led us astray from ground truth. We are in an era in which the assembly pathways of most intracellular machines are becoming understood in considerable detail. But apart from knowing the structure and parts list, little in our extant knowledge conveys how centrioles arise. Here the matters at hand are summarized, and a siren call is sounded.
Emerging Fungal Cutaneous Infections in Immunocompromised Patients

This review summarizes epidemiological risk factors, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of common emerging fungal infections that are associated with cutaneous manifestations, in immunocompromised patients including solid organ transplant and hematopoietic cell transplant recipients. Immunocompromised patients including transplant recipients are at an increased risk of invasive fungal disease due to emerging fungi, such as mucormycetes and Scedosporium spp. Although cutaneous involvement is common, there is a great degree of variation in clinical manifestations, diagnostic techniques, and more importantly, treatment with antifungals. The cutaneous manifestations of emerging fungal pathogens in immunocompromised patients can be localized or part of a disseminated disease. These fungal infections are remarkable for their varying resistance to antifungals. It is essential for clinicians to be knowledgeable about these infections as early treatment might improve outcomes including survival.
Strain-driven quantum dot self-assembly by molecular beam epitaxy

Research into self-assembled semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) has helped advance numerous optoelectronic applications, ranging from solid-state lighting to photodetectors. By carefully controlling molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) growth parameters, we can readily tune QD light absorption and emission properties to access a broad portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. Although this field is now sufficiently mature that QDs are found in consumer electronics, research efforts continue to expand into new areas. By manipulating MBE growth conditions and exploring new combinations of materials, substrate orientations, and the sign of strain, a wealth of opportunities exist for synthesizing novel QD nanostructures with hitherto unavailable properties. As such, QDs are uniquely well positioned to make critical contributions to the development of future quantum technologies. In this tutorial, we summarize the history of self-assembled QDs, outline some examples of quantum optics applications based on QDs, discuss the science that explains the spontaneous formation of QDs, and provide recipes for successful QD growth by MBE for some of the most commonly used semiconductor materials systems. We hope that compiling this information in one place will be useful both for those new to QD self-assembly and for experienced researchers, ideally supporting the community’s efforts to continue pushing the boundaries of knowledge in this important field.
Robust Deep Learning for Wireless Network Optimization.

Wireless optimization involves repeatedly solving difficult optimization problems, and data-driven deep learning techniques have great promise to alleviate this issue through its pattern matching capability: past optimal solutions can be used as the training data in a supervised learning paradigm so that the neural network can generate an approximate solution using a fraction of the computational cost, due to its high representing power and parallel implementation. However, making this approach practical in networking scenarios requires careful, domain-specific consideration, currently lacking in similar works. In this paper, we use deep learning in a wireless network scheduling and routing to predict if subsets of the network links are going to be used, so that the effective problem scale is reduced. A real-world concern is the varying data importance: training samples are not equally important due to class imbalance or different label quality. To compensate for this fact, we develop an adaptive sample weighting scheme which dynamically weights the batch samples in the training process. In addition, we design a novel loss function that uses additional network-layer feature information to improve the solution quality. We also discuss a post-processing step that gives a good threshold value to balance the trade-off between prediction quality and problem scale reduction. By numerical simulations, we demonstrate that these measures improve both the prediction quality and scale reduction when training from data of varied importance.
Association between Obesity and Surgical Outcomes for Minimally Invasive Hysterectomy

Study Objective To investigate the morbidity associated with minimal invasive hysterectomy in obese women. Design This is a retrospective cohort study. The National Surgical Quality Improvement Project database from 2014 to 2017 was queried for all women who underwent laparoscopic, robotic or vaginal hysterectomy. Our primary outcome was the composite morbidity (including surgical site infection, pulmonary, sepsis, thromboembolic, cardiac and renal complications). Our secondary outcomes included length of stay, readmission, reoperation and surgical complications. A multivariable logistic regression adjusting for Age, Race, ASA, smoking, surgical approach and operation time was performed. Setting Hospitals participating in the program. Patients or Participants Patients undergoing minimally invasive hysterectomy for benign disease excluding urogynecologic, cancer or additional procedures. Interventions N/A Measurements and Main Results 39,368 (36.8%) hysterectomies were analyzed including 18,767 (47.8%) obese and 20,501 (52.2%) non-obese women. Obesity was associated with increased risk for the primary outcome compared to nonobese women (2.9% vs 2.2%, aOR 1.27, 95% CI 1.12-1.45). When assessing the different components of the primary outcome, obesity was associated with increased risk for superficial site infection compared to nonobese women (1.0% vs. 0.6%, aOR 1.63, 95% CI 1.29-2.06) and there was no difference in the risk of the other surgical morbidity. Obesity was associated with increased risk for length of stay > 2 days (2.8% vs 2.4%, p Conclusion The rate of surgical morbidity in obese women undergoing minimally invasive hysterectomy is low but remains significantly higher than that of nonobese women. It is mainly driven by the superficial wound infection rate. Future interventions such as specific wound care interventions in obese patients could be explored to minimize that risk.
Outcomes with different administration schedules of bortezomib in bortezomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone (VRd) as first-line therapy in multiple myeloma.

Induction therapy for multiple myeloma with bortezomib (V), lenalidomide (R), and dexamethasone (d) (VRd) was traditionally administered as bortezomib given twice weekly on a 3 week cycle. A modified schedule of weekly bortezomib has been adopted over time to decrease treatment burden for patients and reduce treatment-emergent neuropathy. This study evaluates the response rates and outcomes with different schedules of bortezomib in VRd administered for first-line treatment for patient with newly diagnosed MM (NDMM). We retrospectively analyzed patients treated with upfront VRd from June 30th 2008 to December 31st 2018 for variations of bortezomib administration. Five hundred and fifty five (555) NDMM patients met inclusion criteria; median age 63 years and 61% men. Bortezomib was administered twice weekly every 21 days in 42%, once weekly every 21 days in 41% and once weekly every 28 days in 16%. Though peripheral sensory neuropathy was more frequent with twice weekly dosing (p=0.002), this group achieved shorter time to best response (p=0.01). Weekly every 21 day treatment saw higher VGPR or better rates (p=0.02). However, with median follow up time of 37 months (IQR 22-56), we found no difference in PFS or OS among the groups. While small differences in response rates were found among the varying administration schedules of bortezomib administration, there was no significant effect on PFS or OS. Given that VRd remains a first line standard of care option for newly diagnosed MM, in the absence of a large trial comparing bortezomib dosing schedule modifications, these results are helpful in supporting current practices of once weekly administration. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Sex-Specific Metabolic Impairments in a Mouse Model of Disrupted Selenium Utilization

The essential micronutrient selenium (Se) provides antioxidant defense and supports numerous biological functions. Obtained through dietary intake, Se is incorporated into selenoproteins via the amino acid, selenocysteine (Sec). Mice with genetic deletion of the Se carrier, selenoprotein P (SELENOP), and the Se recycling enzyme selenocysteine lyase (SCLY), suffer from sexually dimorphic neurological deficits and require Se supplementation for viability. These impairments are more pronounced in males and are exacerbated by dietary Se restriction. We report here that, by 10 weeks of age, female Selenop/Scly double knockout (DKO) mice supplemented with 1 mg/ml sodium selenite in drinking water develop signs of hyper-adiposity not seen in male DKO mice. Unexpectedly, this metabolic phenotype can be reversed by removing Se from the drinking water at post-natal day 22, just prior to puberty. Restricting access to Se at this age prevents excess body weight gain and restriction from either post-natal day 22 or 37 reduces gonadal fat deposits. These results provide new insight into the sex-dependent relationship between Se and metabolic homeostasis.
Critique of 'Analytical Framework for Examining the Value of Antibacterial Products'

In 2014 the Eastern Research Group, under contract with The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, produced a study entitled “Analytical Framework for Examining the Value of Antibacterial Products.” The study (ERG) concludes that there is a wide gulf between an Antibiotic (AB) development project’s value to the developer and its value to society, and that it is likely therefore that many socially desirable AB development projects are not undertaken. I argue in this paper that ERG’s estimates are seriously flawed and offer no support to the contention that governments should do more to promote the development of ABs. After correcting for some conceptual errors, I find that ERG’s assumptions imply that the private real internal rates of return on the six AB development projects they consider vary between 11.9 percent and 20.6 percent and all exceed ERG’s assumed real cost of capital for the pharmaceutical industry. Moreover, I find that ERG greatly overstates the social value of the AB development projects for several reasons, two of which stand out. First, the social discount rate employed is unjustifiably lower than the assumed private discount rate. And, second, ERG assumes the social value of treatment with a new innovative AB is equal to its gross treatment value less the value of a treatment with “commonly-prescribed ABs” despite the fact that not-commonly-prescribed innovative ABs already exist that treat virtually all pathogens currently in existence.
A Comparison of IHEs and Non-IHEs as Anchor Institutions and Lead Agents of Promise Neighborhoods Projects

Place-based initiatives, such as the federal Promise Neighborhoods grant, attempt to coordinate interventions, supports, and services with a myriad of organizations to targeted communities. Althoug...
Short chain fatty acid metabolites lower blood pressure via endothelial Gpr41

Short chain fatty acid (SCFA) metabolites, which are produced by gut microbial metabolism, affect various aspects of host physiology. We previously reported that propionate (an SCFA) induces an acu...
Chapter 12 Tests of multifactor pricing models, volatility bounds and portfolio performance

Abstract Three concepts: stochastic discount factors, multi-beta pricing and mean-variance efficiency, are at the core of modern empirical asset pricing. This chapter reviews these paradigms and the relations among them, concentrating on conditional asset-pricing models where lagged variables serve as instruments for publicly available information. The different paradigms are associated with different empirical methods. We review the variance bounds of Hansen and Jagannathan (1991) , concentrating on extensions for conditioning information. Hansen's (1982) Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) is briefly reviewed as an organizing principle. Then, cross-sectional regression approaches as developed by Fama and MacBeth (1973) are reviewed and used to interpret empirical factors, such as those advocated by Fama and French, 1993 , Fama and French, 1996 . Finally, we review the multivariate regression approach, popularized in the finance literature by Gibbons (1982) and others. A regression approach, with a beta pricing formulation, and a GMM approach with a stochastic discount factor formulation, may be considered competing paradigms for empirical work in asset pricing. This discussion clarifies the relations between the various approaches. Finally, we bring the models and methods together, with a review of the recent conditional performance evaluation literature, concentrating on mutual funds and pension funds.
A Taxonomy for and Analysis of Anonymous Communications Networks

Any entity operating in cyberspace is susceptible to debilitating attacks. With cyber attacks intended to gather intelligence and disrupt communications rapidly replacing the threat of conventional and nuclear attacks, a new age of warfare is at hand. In 2003, the United States acknowledged that the speed and anonymity of cyber attacks makes distinguishing among the actions of terrorists, criminals, and nation states difficult. Even President Obama's Cybersecurity Chief-elect recognizes the challenge of increasingly sophisticated cyber attacks. Now through April 2009, the White House is reviewing federal cyber initiatives to protect US citizen privacy rights. Indeed, the rising quantity and ubiquity of new surveillance technologies in cyberspace enables instant, undetectable, and unsolicited information collection about entities. Hence, anonymity and privacy are becoming increasingly important issues. Anonymization enables entities to protect their data and systems from a diverse set of cyber attacks and preserves privacy. This research provides a systematic analysis of anonymity degradation, preservation and elimination in cyberspace to enhance the security of information assets. This includes discovery/obfuscation of identities and actions of/from potential adversaries. First, novel taxonomies are developed for classifying and comparing the wide variety of well-established and state-of-the-art anonymous networking protocols. These expand the classical definition of anonymity and are the first known to capture the peer-to-peer and mobile ad hoc anonymous protocol family relationships. Second, a unique synthesis of state-of-the-art anonymity metrics is provided. This significantly aids an entities ability to reliably measure changing anonymity levels; thereby, increasing their ability to defend against cyber attacks. Finally, a novel epistemic-based model is created to characterize how an adversary reasons with knowledge to degrade anonymity. This offers multiple anonymity property representations and well-defined logical proofs to ensure the accuracy and correctness of current and future anonymous network protocol design.
The adherences of languages as topological spaces

The problem of characterizing the topological spaces that arise as adherences of languages of specified types is raised and pertinent concepts of general topology are reviewed. It is observed that the spaces that arise as adherences of arbitrary languages may be characterized as either: (1) the closed subsets of the Cantor ternary set; (2) the zero-dimensional compact metrizable spaces; or (3) the Stone spaces of the countable Boolean algebras. R.S.Pierce's concept of a space of finite type is reviewed and his theorem characterizing the zero-dimensional compact metric spaces of finite type by means of an associated finite structural invariant is reviewed. It is shown that a topological space is homeomorphic with the adherence of a regular language if and only if it is zero-dimensional compact metrizable and of finite type. The structural invariant of the adherence of a regular language is algorithmically constructiole from any automaton recognizing the language. Comparing these invariants provides a procedure for deciding homeomorphism of adherences for regular languages.
Turbulent Flow Simulation: Future Needs

A classification of approaches to the simulation of turbulent flows according to the kind of averaging employed was given by Kline et al. (1978). This paper, concerns three types of methods: ones based on time or ensemble-averaged equations, large eddy simulation, and full simulation. Other methods are important but will not be dealt with.
Child–Mother Attachment Security and Child Characteristics as Joint Contributors to Young Children's Coping in a Challenging Situation

Moderate challenges provide opportunities for young children to develop coping skills, yet little is known about factors related to individual differences in early coping. This study investigated child–mother attachment security (9-point rating) assessed via a modified Strange Situation procedure, child expressive language, and child social fearfulness as contributors to coping responses among 33-month-old children (N = 128, 66 girls) following receipt of an empty gift box. Associations between child–mother attachment security and child coping were moderated by child characteristics. As hypothesized, greater attachment security was associated with more action towards the stressor (i.e. vocalizing about the empty box and searching for the missing gift), but only for children high on social fearfulness. Further, greater attachment security was associated with seeking more physical proximity to mothers for children low on expressive language and less physical proximity for children high on expressive language. Lastly, greater attachment security was related to more self-distraction for children with moderate to high expressive language. Results are discussed in terms of child–mother attachment security as a psychological resource constructed over time, which the child may draw upon when confronted with a moderate non-attachment-related stressor. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Surface and Symptom on a Bestiary Page: Orifices on Folios 61v–62r of Cambridge, Fitzwilliam Museum, MS 20

This essay explores how a “surface reading” can at the same time be a “symptomatic reading” when the surface in question is skin. Via a close reading of a double page containing the chapters on the weasel and the aspic in a fourteenth-century French copy of Guillaume le Clerc’s Bestiaire (Cambridge, Fitzwilliam Museum, MS 20), it examines the treatment of bodily orifices in the text and the copy, including uncanny parallels between them and the parchment of these pages. The skins in question — those of the bestiary creatures, their readers, and the facing pages — are not flat but marked with recesses and gaps that function as symptoms of anxiety about excess as animal and that become overlaid with fantasy, which, however, remains informed by this anxiety. The bestiary page both jars bodily origins against cultural aspirations and exposes their collision, processes that the writings of Didier Anzieu can help to illumine.
Wnt-mediated relocalization of dishevelled proteins.

TheWnt family of proto-oncogenes encodes secreted signaling proteins that are required for mouse development. TheDrosophila Wnt homolog, thewingless (Wg) segment polarity gene, mediates a signal transduction pathway in which the downstream elements appear to be conserved through evolution. One such element, thedishevelled gene product, becomes hyperphosphorylated and translocates to the plasma membrane in response to Wg (Yanagawa et al., 1995). We report here that the mouseDishevelle-1 (Dvl-1) andDishevelled-2 genes encode proteins that are differentially localized inWnt-overexpressing PC12 cell lines (PC12/Wnt). WhereasDvl-1 andDvl-2 proteins are limited to the soluble fraction of parental PC12 cells, PC12/Wnt cells display a subset ofDvl-1 protein associated with the membrane andDvl-2 protein with the cytoskeletal fraction. These results suggest a conserved role forDvl inWnt/wg signal transduction.
Stimulation of oxygen uptake of ferredoxin-NADP reductase-ferredoxin complex by cytochrome c.

Abstract The oxygen uptake of spinach ferredoxin-NADP reductase-ferredoxin system was found to be stimulated by the addition of cytochrome c. The initiation of the sulfite oxidation suggests an involvement of the superoxide anion radical in the stimulated oxidase reaction. However, the radical-mediated cytochrome c reduction was found to be negligible in this system, therefore, electrons are directly transfered from ferredoxin to cytochrome c. The electron-donating site to molecular oxygen is ascribed to the ferredoxin component rather than the reductase or cytochrome c. These proteins are implied to form a ternary complex which can be regarded as a multi-enzyme complex having the enhanced oxidase activity.
Effects of Manufacturing Techniques on the Flexural Behavior of Steel Fiber-Reinforced Concrete

Abstract This paper presents experimental research investigating the effects of manufacturing techniques on the mechanical properties of steel fiber-reinforced concrete. Both the effects of curing environments and that of testing direction relative to casting direction on the mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced concrete are reported. Specimens were cured in three different environmental conditions: steam, moisture, and air. Results show that steam curing, as compared to moisture curing, does not enhance the flexural strength of steel fibrous concrete but does reduce flexural toughness. As expected, air curing shows detrimental effects on all aspects of the test results, as compared to steam and moisture curing. The flexural behavior of steel fiber-reinforced concrete is strongly affected by testing direction. When testing direction is perpendicular to casting direction, specimens exhibit reductions in both flexural strength and toughness compared to the case when testing and casting directions are parallel. The effect of testing direction relative to casting direction on flexural strength and toughness increases with increasing the flowability (workability) of the fibrous mixture, which encourages fiber settlement during placement.
Forward-viewing resonant fiber-optic scanning endoscope of appropriate scanning speed for 3D OCT imaging.

A forward-viewing resonant fiber-optic endoscope of a scanning speed appropriate for a high-speed Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT) system was developed to enable real-time, three-dimensional endoscopic OCT imaging. A new method was explored to conveniently tune the scanning frequency of a resonant fiber-optic scanner, by properly selecting the fiber-optic cantilever length, partially changing the mechanical property of the cantilever, and adding a weight to the cantilever tip. Systematic analyses indicated the resonant scanning frequency can be tuned over two orders of magnitude spanning from ~10Hz to ~kHz. Such a flexible scanning frequency range makes it possible to set an appropriate scanning speed of the endoscope to match the different A-scan rates of a variety of FD-OCT systems. A 2.4-mm diameter, 62.5-Hz scanning endoscope appropriate to work with a 40-kHz swept-source OCT (SS-OCT) system was developed and demonstrated for 3D OCT imaging of biological tissues.
A study of word association

Two experiments are reported that deal with the production of paradigmatic word associations. The first indicates that paradigmatic associations are not learned by experiencing words in contiguity. An implication of this result is that paradigmatic associations do not arise through a process of recall. The second experiment indicates that paradigmatic associations arise through the same processes that create productive distribution classes, and so are probably generated by rule in the association test. The results have implications for the paradigmatic shift of childhood, and these are discussed.
Evidence of the younger dryas in Central America

Abstract Three sites provide records that address whether the Younger Dryas was manifest in Central America. Marine records from Barbados and the Cariaco Basin are discussed, as well as possible climatic forcing mechanisms. Sequences from montane La Chonta Bog, Costa Rica, and lowland Lake Quexil, Guatemala, record a temperature decline of 1.5–2.5°C dated between 11,070–10,400 14C years BP and ca. 12,000–10,300 14C years BP, respectively. The record from Lake La Yeguada, Panama, does not include cooling, although significant reorganization of local communities occurred during the Younger Dryas chronozone. Colder tropical SSTs throughout deglaciation contributed to sub-regional climatic variation, more intense monsoonal activity, and cooler air temperatures. However, the temperature reversals are not associated with the coldest tropical SSTs which occurred during meltwater pulses. The temperature reversals appear to be a response to extra-tropical conditions, presumably in the North Atlantic, which suggests that Younger Dryas cooling extended as far south as Costa Rica. In Panama, monsoonal conditions may have blocked cooler temperatures. Precipitation continued to increase throughout deglaciation due to strong forcing by seasonal solar insolation in Central America while desiccation events occurred to the north and south.
Dynamical Instabilities in Extrasolar Planetary Systems Containing Two Giant Planets

Abstract Instabilities and strong dynamical interactions between several giant planets have been proposed as a possible explanation for the surprising orbital properties of extrasolar planetary systems. In particular, dynamical instabilities seem to provide a natural mechanism for producing the highly eccentric orbits seen in many systems. Here we present results from a new set of numerical integrations for the dynamical evolution of planetary systems containing two identical giant planets in nearly circular orbits very close to the dynamical stability limit. We determine the statistical properties of the three main types of systems resulting from the development of an instability: systems containing one planet, following either a collision between the two initial planets, or the ejection of one of them to infinity, and systems containing two planets in a new, quasi-stable configuration. We discuss the implications of our results for the formation and evolution of observed extrasolar planetary systems. We conclude that the distributions of eccentricities and semimajor axes for observed systems cannot be explained easily by invoking dynamical interactions between two planets initially on circular orbits. While highly eccentric orbits can be produced naturally by these interactions, collisions between the two planets, which occur frequently in the range of observed semimajor axes, would result in many more nearly circular orbits than in the observed sample.
Molecular mechanisms for aberrant expression of the human breast cancer specific gene 1 in breast cancer cells: control of transcription by DNA methylation and intronic sequences

Breast cancer specific gene 1 (BCSG1), also referred as synuclein γ, is the third member of a neuronal protein family synuclein. BCSG1 is not expressed in normal breast tissues but highly expressed in advanced infiltrating breast carcinomas. When over expressed, BCSG1 significantly stimulates breast cancer metastasis. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the abnormal transcription of BCSG1 in breast cancer cells, in this study, we isolated a 2195 base pair fragment of human BCSG1 gene. This fragment includes 1 kb 5′-flanking region, exon 1, and intron 1. By analysing the promoter activity and the methylation status of the exon 1 region, we show that (1) Intron 1 plays critical roles in the control of BCSG1 gene transcription through cis-regulatory sequences that affect BCSG1 transcription in cell type-specific and cell type-nonspecific manners. (2) The activator protein-1 (AP-1) is functionally involved in BCSG1 transcription in breast cancer cells through its binding to an AP-1 motif located in the intron 1. (3) The exon 1 region of BCSG1 gene contains a CpG island that is unmethylated in BCSG1-positive SKBR-3 and T47D cells but densely methylated in BCSG1-negative MCF-7 cells. (4) Treating MCF-7 cells with a demethylating agent 5-Aza-2′-deoxycytidine specifically activated BCSG1 transcription. Thus, our results suggest that while the cellular content of transcription activators and repressors that interact with the cis-regulatory sequences present in the intron 1 contribute prominently to the tissue-specific expression of BCSG1, demethylation of exon 1 is an important factor responsible for the aberrant expression of BCSG1 in breast carcinomas.
Growth of dissociated beating human heart cells in tissue culture.

Abstract Fetal human heart cells have been dissociated by trypsinization and successfully grown in tissue culture on two occassions. The characteristics of the growth and mitotic activity were quite similar to those previously found for rodent heart cells. The maximum beating rates seen in the cultures from each specimen were 33 and 75 per minute.
Wireless Data Center Management: Sensor Network Applications and Challenges

The modern data centers (DCs) are essential to fulfilling ever-evolving computational demands around cloud computing, big data, and IT infrastructure. These DCs are facilities (Figure 1) that house computer systems and associated components such as networking and storage systems. To operate a DC, power supplies, network connections, environmental controls (e.g., air conditioning, humidity), and security infrastructure are needed. Technology and business challenges such as virtualization, load consolidation, real-time troubleshooting, and service-level guarantees require a robust and adaptive server management plan for enterprise. The majority of DC issues are related to overutilization of resources, application failures, data security, power usage effectiveness (PUE), and infrastructure costs. This requires proactive solutions that are business intelligent and built over a network of sense points that are guaranteed to deliver reliable trends and measurements in a reliable and timely fashion. Since it is expensive to build new DCs, the best option is to improve usage of an existing facility through lower infrastructure overhead to deliver better resource management. An optimal sensor network would perform real-time sensor-data collection and deliver a) improved server rack utilization, b) improved DC cooling, and c) improved loadbalancing through dynamic capping of thermally constrained systems.
Uniform Heating Device for a Paper Mill Process

Paper mills use elaborated drying process using hot rollers to dry the paper. In the recent past, use of hot air for drying has gained some interest. The main disadvantage of this method is non-uniform air temperature, which will cause lateral shrinkage of the paper. This paper discusses a new drying system. The process incorporates a porous medium to ensure uniform temperature by flattening the velocity distribution. The new system requires less equipment pieces and utilized less space for the drying process. A cloth is used in place of paper to increase the repeatability of the experiment. This experiment utilized a conveyor system to transport the cloth within the heater section. Variables concerning velocity and temperature values of the heated air, and heater intensity were adjusted to produce the different drying conditions. Forced air propane heater was used as the heat source. Design modifications were made so that the heater is more suitable for this process. The results showed significant improvement of the velocity and feasibility of extending this technology to the actual scale.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Neighborhood unions and a generalization of Dirac's theorem

Abstract Dirac proved that if each vertex of a graph G of order n ⩾3 has degree at least n /2, then the graph is Hamiltonian. This result will be generalized by showing that if the union of the neighborhoods of each pair of vertices of a 2-connected graph G of sufficiently large order n has at least n /2 vertices, then G is Hamiltonian. Other results that are based on neighborhood unions of pairs of vertices will be proved that give the existence of cycles, paths and matchings. Also, Hamiltonian results will be considered that use the union of neighborhoods of more than 2 vertices.
The Interpersonal Structure of Family Interaction Settings: Parent-Adolescent Relations in Dyads and Triads

This study examines the interrelationships between parental interactive patterns and the interpersonal structure characterizing different settings of family interaction. Toward that end, parental interactive patterns were observed in the presence (a triadic setting) and in the absence (a dyadic setting) of the spouse in 44 families with an early adolescent child. In accordance with hypotheses, the presence of the father enhanced the quality of mother-son relations, whereas the presence of the mother reduced the quality of father-son relations. Additionally, the presence of the spouse influenced the extent to which parents treat girls and boys differently: Mothers differentiated more between girls and boys in the presence of the spouse, whereas fathers differentiated more between girls and boys in the absence of the spouse. Also, relative to the dyad, parental role differentiation increased in the triad but only in families of boys. In demonstrating interdependencies among family relationships as well as the responsivity of parental behaviors to the interpersonal structure of interaction settings, the results support a systems model of family processes. The implications of these results for the study of family relations and sex typing at early adolescence are discussed. The socialization process involves day-to-day encounters between parents and children in contexts that differ in their function, their interpersonal structure, and their impact on the child. To conceptualize the complexity of family dynamics, researchers have come to view the family as a social system (Belsky, 1981; Bronfenbrenner, 1977, 1979; Lamb, 1976, 1977, 1978; Lewis, Feiring, & Weinraub, 1981;Minuchin, 1974; Pedersen, Anderson,
Giant cell arteritis: A systemic disease with rare cutaneous manifestations

Giant cell arteritis is a systemic disease usually occurring in patients in the fifth decade or older, more often in women. Dermatologic manifestations are rare but, when found, are usually expressed as scalp ulcerations or blanching associated with gangrene of the tongue. The dermatologist should be familiar with the entity because it is often more severe when associated with scalp necrosis, and prompt intervention with corticosteroids can prevent catastrophic sequelae.
Evaluating nuclear transgene expression systems in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Chlamydomonas offers several potential advantages as a single-celled autotrophic recombinant protein production system including: facile transformation systems for all three genomes, low production costs, and the ability to secrete proteins. However, transgene expression levels from the nuclear genome of Chlamydomonas are often inadequate for industrial applications. With the objective of optimizing nuclear transgene expression, we surveyed transgene (luciferase) expression driven by seven different nuclear gene promoters and three different transcription terminators. The results demonstrate that in addition to the choice of nuclear gene promoters used, transcriptional terminators can have strong influence on transgene expression. We show that the psaD terminator improved transgene expression when paired with a variety of different gene promoters. Among those tested, the psaD–psaD promoter–terminator expression cassette gave the highest expression levels. This expression cassette was then used to express a human protein of pharmaceutical value, human butyrylcholinesterase (huBuChE). Chlamydomonas cells were able to accumulate the luciferase–huBuChE fusion protein to 0.4% of total soluble protein levels, which is comparable to the expression levels of the same protein obtained in plants. In addition, this study found that the form (linear or supercoiled) of the transforming DNA used for Chlamydomonas transformation had significant impact on the transformation efficiency and the level of transgene expression and stability. These results demonstrate that transgene expression in Chlamydomonas can potentially be scaled for commercial production of recombinant proteins.
Expression of transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) and its role in insulin release from rat pancreatic beta cells.

Objective Several transient receptor potential (TRP) channels are expressed in pancreatic beta cells and have been proposed to be involved in insulin secretion. However, the endogenous ligands for these channels are far from clear. Here, we demonstrate the expression of the transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) ion channel in the pancreatic beta cells and its role in insulin release. TRPA1 is an attractive candidate for inducing insulin release because it is calcium permeable and is activated by molecules that are produced during oxidative glycolysis. Methods Immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR, and Western blot techniques were used to determine the expression of TRPA1 channel. Ca2+ fluorescence imaging and electrophysiology (voltage- and current-clamp) techniques were used to study the channel properties. TRPA1-mediated insulin release was determined using ELISA. Results TRPA1 is abundantly expressed in a rat pancreatic beta cell line and freshly isolated rat pancreatic beta cells, but not in pancreatic alpha cells. Activation of TRPA1 by allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), and cyclopentenone prostaglandins (PGJ2) and a novel agonist methylglyoxal (MG) induces membrane current, depolarization, and Ca2+ influx leading to generation of action potentials in a pancreatic beta cell line and primary cultured pancreatic beta cells. Activation of TRPA1 by agonists stimulates insulin release in pancreatic beta cells that can be inhibited by TRPA1 antagonists such as HC030031 or AP-18 and by RNA interference. TRPA1-mediated insulin release is also observed in conditions of voltage-gated Na+ and Ca2+ channel blockade as well as ATP sensitive potassium (KATP) channel activation. Conclusions We propose that endogenous and exogenous ligands of TRPA1 cause Ca2+ influx and induce basal insulin release and that TRPA1-mediated depolarization acts synergistically with KATP channel blockade to facilitate insulin release.
Status consumption and role-relaxed consumption: A tale of two retail consumers

Abstract Our study contrasts status-seeking consumers with role-relaxed consumers across personal, social influence, and market influence factors. The results of a survey of 598 consumers supported all but four of 15 hypotheses. The findings suggest that status-seeking consumers: (1) tend to conform to group norms, yet (2) maintain a need for uniqueness, (3) are susceptible to normative, but not necessarily informational interpersonal influence, (4) can be opinion leaders, but not necessarily opinion seekers, and (5) have tendencies that contrast sharply with role-relaxed consumer tendencies. In contrast, role-relaxed consumers: (1) do not generally conform to group norms, (2) are typically not susceptible to informational nor normative interpersonal influence, (3) do not pay attention to social comparison information, (4) are neither opinion leaders nor opinion seekers, and (5) have tendencies that contrast sharply with status consumer tendencies.
Glucocorticoid effects on the β-adrenergic receptor–adenylyl cyclase system of human airway epithelium

Abstract Background: Activation of the β 2 -adrenergic receptor (β 2 AR) system expressed by human airway epithelial cells elicits a variety of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent processes that help determine airway caliber and the intensity of airway inflammation in asthma. Glucocorticoids, mainstays in the treatment of asthma, profoundly affect the expression and function of the β 2 -adrenergic receptor-adenylyl cyclase (β 2 AR-AC) system in a variety of cell types. However, the effects of glucocorticoids on the β 2 AR-AC system expressed by human airway epithelial cells are unstudied. Objective: We examined the effects of dexamethasone (DEX) on β 2 AR gene expression and the function of the β 2 AR-AC system in cultured human airway epithelial cells. Methods: Studies were performed in normal airway epithelial cells and BEAS-2B cells. β 2 AR gene expression was assessed from measurements of β-adrenergic receptor density, β 2 AR mRNA, and the activity of a full-length β 2 AR promoter-luciferase reporter construct. The function of the β 2 AR-AC system was assessed from cAMP production in response to the β 2 -agonist isoproterenol and the expression of the stimulatory G protein Gαs. Results: DEX had no effect on β-adrenergic receptor density or on the β 1 /β 2 ratio over a wide range of concentrations and exposure times. However, DEX significantly but transiently enhanced β 2 AR mRNA levels (~1.5-fold) and β 2 AR promoter activity (~1.5-fold), indicating increased β 2 AR gene transcription. DEX also dose-dependently enhanced cAMP responses to isoproterenol but not to forskolin, a direct activator of adenylyl cyclase. DEX-induced changes in cAMP production were associated with small (~15%) increases in Gαs expression. Conclusions: These data indicate that glucocorticoids only transiently enhance β 2 AR gene transcription and fail to increase steady-state levels of β 2 AR protein in human airway epithelial cells. Nonetheless, glucocorticoid-induced effects on the β 2 AR-AC system of human airway epithelial cells contribute to the beneficial effects of corticosteroids in asthma by enhancing the functional response to β 2 -agonists. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 2002;109:491-7.)
The Ethnicity and Public Recreation Participation (EPRP) Model©: an assessment of unidimensionality and overall fit.

The purpose of this study was to empirically test the construct validity of Gomez' Ethnicity and Public Recreation Participation (EPRP) Model. The EPRP Model was tested in the field on 311 Puerto Ricans in Massachusetts. Confirmatory factor analysis, path analysis, and fit indices were employed to test the model. The results indicated that all scales possessed good validity and reliability, and that the model met various goodness of fit criteria. Theoretical and practical implications of the EPRP Model are discussed.