cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tissue-specific transformation by oncogenic mutants of epidermal growth factor receptor

Mutations in the receptor for the epidermal growth factor provide valuable insight into mechanisms of growth control. Oncogenic mutants of this receptor tyrosine kinase cause erythroid leukemia, fibrosarcoma, angiosarcoma, glioblastoma, and melanoma. Mutations in the avian protooncogene occur by retroviral mechanisms. Deletion of the ligand-binding domain results in erythroblastosis, while additional mutations in cytoplasmic structures broaden the disease potential to other cell types. A carboxyl-terminal structure of erbB oncogenes modulates growth responses in a complex, cell-specific manner; this tissue-specificity region appears to promote growth in erythroblasts and to produce trans-dominant inhibition in fibroblasts. Human glioblastoma multiforme frequently contains receptor mutations that are reminiscent of avian oncogenes. In hereditary melanoma of Xiphophorus, aberrant regulation of transcription by a recombinant promoter determines tissue-specific tumorigenesis. The diversity of oncogenic mutations raises important questions concerning the roles of several receptor structures. The extracellular domain inhibits the receptor when unoccupied by ligand, for example, through a mechanism that is unknown. The auto-phosphorylation sites are dispensable for transformation, so their function in neoplastic growth is unclear. The carboxyl-terminal region promotes or blocks transformation in different tissues, suggesting complex regulation by unknown cellular factors. These issues are critical to understanding of the mechanisms of receptor activation and tissue tropism for this family of oncogenes.
Chloroplast biogenesis 61: Kinetic analysis of precursor-product relationships in complex biosynthetic pathways†

The demonstration of precursor-product relationships in branched but interconnected biosynthetic pathways cannot be resolved by conventional precursor-product kinetic analysis. Equations are derived for the determination of whether an end product is formed via one or two interconnected biosynthetic routes. The determination of the relative contribution of two biosynthetic routes to the formation of an end product is also described.
Endoscopic treatment of vesicoureteral reflux using cross-linked bovine dermal collagen

To assess the efficacy of endoscopic treatment of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) with cross-linked bovine collagen, 59 patients with grade I through V VUR were evaluated and treated. Follow-up consisted of a voiding cystourethrogram and renal ultrasound at 1 month and 1 year with urinalysis and urine culture. Repeat treatment was carried out in cases in which no resolution of the reflux was noted up to three times. The procedure was performed on an outpatient basis in 56 patients and was not associated with any major morbidity or mortality. Cure at 1 month was observed in 75% of ureters treated; cure persisted in 79% of these ureters at 1 year. The overall cure rate was 65% at 1 year. Given the simplicity of the procedure, its low complication rate, and overall success in the majority of patients, we feel that endoscopic treatment of VUR with cross-linked bovine dermal collagen is a safe and effective method and worthy of further study to enhance its efficacy.
Integrated recurrent neural network for image resolution enhancement from multiple image frames

The paper presents a new method for image resolution enhancement from multiple image frames using an integrated recurrent neural network (IRNN). The IRNN is a set of feedforward neural networks working collectively with the ability of having feedback of information from its output to its input. As such, it is capable of both learning and searching the optimal solution in the solution space for optimisation problems. In other words, it combines the advantages of both the Hopfield network and the multilayered feedforward network in solving the enhanced image reconstruction problem. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed IRNN can successfully be used to enhance image resolution. The proposed neural network based method is promising for real-time applications, especially when the inherent parallelism of computation of the neural network is explored. Further, it can adapt itself to the various conditions of the reconstruction problem by learning.
Writing Nonempirical Articles for Journal of Management: General Thoughts and Suggestions

Most of the articles that appear in Journal of Management (JOM) are empirical. Generally, these report original data collected from one or more samples and deployed to test a social scientific theory of work behavior. Empirical articles are crucial to JOM’s success as they are for most other scholarly journals. But JOM goes further. In addition to our many empirical articles, JOM also published a sizable number of nonempirical ones. These usually, though not necessarily, appear in the two or more special issues that are published each year. To illustrate how important review articles are to JOM, let me consider two indicators— impact and online viewings. Both these indices are available on the JOM Web site (http://jom. sagepub.com/). “Impact,” or the number of citations in scholarly articles, is the best known and more widely used measure of success. As of June 2009, the top five most cited (i.e., highest impact) articles in this history of JOM were all review articles. More recently, with the rise of the World Wide Web, we can count online viewings. Three of the top five most frequently viewed articles are from review issues. As can easily be seen from these data, nonempirical articles are important for JOM. When I was serving as editor from 2006 to 2008, our team received literally hundreds of proposals and articles that were submitted for the small number of slots in our review issues. Sifting through these articles was a massive task, but it came with recompense. I was forced to think long and hard about successful and unsuccessful articles, and I learned to do so through two criteria—which submissions survived the editorial review process and which were later cited (or viewed online) by others scholars. (Probably my most unanticipated editorial task was reading old articles to ascertain what made them interesting.) In this short article, my goal is to share what I learned and, if I am successful, to thereby save contributors a lot of their time by helping them focus their efforts. I will discuss three different types of articles that I saw a lot of and discuss problems that are commonly associated with each. I understand that such observations can seem abstract. I learned by seeing concrete examples, and I suspect the same may be true for others. Therefore, I promise to “name names,” referring directly to articles that illustrate each point.
Effects of margarine and butter consumption on distribution of trans-18∶1 fatty acid isomers and conjugated linoleic acid in major serum lipid classes in lactating women

Trans FA (TFA) have at least one trans double bond and comprise several isomers and types, including many of the CLA (e.g., c9, t11–18∶2 CLA). Some TFA may have adverse effects (e.g., cardiovascular disease), whereas some are though to have beneficial effects (e.g., anticarcinogenicity). The presence of TFA in human tissues and fluids is related to dietary intake, although this relationship is not completely understood—especially in regard to serum lipid fractions. This study was conducted as part of an investigation designed to test the influence of butter (B), “low TFA” margarine (LT), and regular margarine (RM) on milk fat content. Here we tested the secondary hypothesis that consumption of B, LT, and RM by lactating women would result in differential distribution of TFA and CLA in major serum lipid classes. Breastfeeding women (n=11) participated in this randomized Latinsquare study consisting of five periods: intervention I (5 d), washout I (7 d), intervention II (5 d), washout II (7 d), and intervention III (5 d). Extracted serum lipid was separated into cholesterol ester (CE), TAG, and phospholipid (PL) fractions and analyzed for total and isomeric TFA and CLA concentrations. Data indicate that TAG consistently contained the highest concentration of total t-18∶1. No interaction between treatment and fraction was found for any of the t-18∶1 isomers identified. Absolute concentration of each t-18∶1 isomer was greatest during the RM period, regardless of fraction. On a relative basis, concentrations of t10–18∶1 and t12–18∶1 were most responsive to treatment in the CE fraction. The concentration of c9, t11–18∶2 CLA was highest in the TAG fraction and lowest in the PL fraction, regardless of treatment. In summary, these results indicate (i) that there is a differential distribution of some isomeric TFA and CLA among human serum lipid fractions and (ii) that dietary TFA intake influences absolute and relative concentrations of some of the isomers in selected fractions.
Alleged Stimulation of Moulds by Paraffin in Heavy Water

IN a recent communication, Klar1 has questioned the results of experiments which seem to indicate that diplogen exerts a stimulative effect. He would attribute any such increase in growth as has been noted to the presence of organic impurity rather than to the heavy isotope of hydrogen. The investigations of Barnes2, Barnes and Larson3, Richards4, and Meyer5 have shown that such stimulation does occur and it has been attributed to the presence of the D atom. I was aware that there was a certain amount of inorganic, and possibly organic, impurity in the Ohio-water used, approximately 0.04 per cent or less, but am of the opinion that the method of purification by a careful double- and triple-distillation in pyrex glassware removed any such impurity. The investigations reported here seem to substantiate this view.
Human chromosome-specific repetitive DNA probes: Targeting in situ hybridization to chromosome 17 with a 42-base-pair alphoid DNA oligomer

The pericentric region of human chromosome 17 was targeted for specific in situ hybridization of the alphoid DNA subfamily enriched on this chromosome. A recombinant DNA clone containing the entire higher order chromosome 17 alphoid repeat preferentially hybridized to the pericentric region of chromosome 17, but frequently cross-hybridized to other chromosomes under normal stringency conditions. Chromosomal specificity, after in situ hybridization to metaphase spreads and interphase nuclei, was improved by using a subclone containing predominantly monomer 1 of the higher order repeat. Further improvement was achieved by synthesizing a 42-nucleotide oligomer of a divergent region of monomer 1. Southern blot analysis confirmed the improved specificity of the shorter probes. Reducing the potential of repetitive DNA probes to cross-hybridize increases the usefulness of the probes, especially when they are used for localizing individual chromosomes in interphase nuclei.
A high resolution electron microscope study of a Σ = 9/[110] 141.06° tilt boundary in Au

Abstract A structure analysis of a Σ = 9/[110] 141.06° tilt boundary in Au has been performed and found to be in agreement with atomistic computer models. This boundary is naturally occurring in a [110] Au thin film and is formed at the intersection of two microtwins each with a common [110] axis normal to the film plane.
Identification of a Firefly Luciferase Active Site Peptide Using a Benzophenone-based Photooxidation Reagent

Firefly luciferase catalyzes the highly efficient emission of yellow-green light from substrate luciferin by a series of reactions that require MgATP and molecular oxygen. We prepared 2-(4-benzoylphenyl)thiazole-4-carboxylic acid (BPTC), a novel benzophenone-based substrate analog, intending to use it in photoaffinity labeling studies to probe the luciferase active site. Instead, we found that while BPTC was a potent photoinactivating reagent for firefly luciferase, it was not a photoaffinity labeling agent. Using proteolysis, reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography, tandem high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and Edman sequencing, we identified a single luciferase peptide, 244HHGF247, the degradation of which was directly correlated to luciferase photoinactivation. Results of enzyme kinetics and related studies were consistent with this peptide being at or near the luciferin binding site. Further, peptide model studies and additional investigations on the nature of the photoinactivation process strongly suggested that BPTC catalyzed the formation of singlet oxygen at the active site of the enzyme. We describe here an uncommon example of active site-directed photooxidation of an enzyme by singlet oxygen.
Fundamental design aspects of amphiphilic shell-crosslinked nanoparticles for controlled release applications

A unique method is developed for the controlled release of the hydrophobic polymer chains from the core of the shell crosslinked nanoparticles (SCKs) by selective cleavage of labile C–ON bonds present at the core–shell interface; this represents a methodology to probe the permeability of nanoscopic membranes and a means for applications in the controlled release of macromolecular species.
Welfare Reform and Teenage Girls

Objectives. Although the problems of teenage girls figured prominently in the passage of welfare reform legislation in 1996, there has been relatively little research on the effects of the new law on this population. This article attempts to fill this gap. Methods. The article employs a difference-in-difference methodology to assess program impacts, making use of data from the March Current Population Survey for the years 1989–2001. Results. The main findings are that the 1996 legislation increased school attendance among all teenage girls and reduced the rate of teenage childbearing. Conclusion. These are important behavioral changes that should positively affect the program's long-term success.
Note on the scattering of electromagnetic waves from charged dust particles in a plasma

Abstract This note discusses the application of the ‘superposition of dressed particles’ concept to the problem of the electron density fluctuations in a plasma with embedded, charged dust grains. It is shown that the dressed particle approach breaks down when the dust grain separation r d and the charge Z become large, and that the scattering cross-section then may be strongly enhanced. The criteria for the transition from one regime to the other are established and applied to the specific problem of scattering of electromagnetic waves from the polar mesopause. The calculations show that it is unlikely that the presence of dust grains, even when highly charged, can fully account for the observed enhanced polar mesospheric echoes (PMSE).
Inhibition of spinach chloroplast photosynthetic reactions by p-chlorophenyl-1,1-dimethylurea☆☆☆

Abstract Phenazine methosulfate (PMS) as well as pyocyanine appears to function as a catalytic cofactor for photosynthetic phosphorylation by spinach chloroplasts. CMU inhibition of pyocyanine, or of PMS in red light, is severe in air, intermediate under microaerobic conditions, and is relieved almost completely by complete absence of oxygen. The CMU inhibition of PMS under microaerobic conditions is also relieved when the PMS is reduced nonenzymically, either by ascorbate or by white light. CMU inhibition of FMN or vitamin K-catalyzed phosphorylations is not relieved by eliminating oxygen or by adding ascorbate. CMU inhibition of TPN reduction is relieved by adding a mixture of ascorbate and PMS, or of ascorbate and trichlorophenolindophenol. These results are consistent with a very general scheme proposed for electron transport in chloroplasts recognizing that repetitions of the initial step require the oxidation of one catalyst and the reduction of a second. From the nature of the response to CMU it is inferred that photooxidation of ascorbate plus trichlorophenolindophenol, and the accompanying ATP formation, represent a complex mixture of at least two reactions.
Timing yield-aware color reassignment and detailed placement perturbation for double patterning lithography

Double patterning lithography (DPL) is a likely resolution enhancement technique for IC production in 32nm and below technology nodes. However, DPL gives rise to two independent, un-correlated distributions of linewidth on a chip, resulting in a ‘bimodal’ linewidth distribution and an increase in performance variation. [13] suggested that new physical design mechanisms could reduce harmful covariance terms that contribute to this performance variation. In this paper, we propose new bimodal-aware timing analysis and optimization methods to improve timing yield of standard-cell based designs that are manufactured using DPL. Our first contribution is a DPL-aware approach to timing modeling, based on detailed analysis of cell layouts. Our second contribution is an ILP-based maximization of ‘alternate’ mask coloring of instances in timing-critical paths, to minimize harmful covari-ance and performance variation. Third, we propose a dynamic programming-based detailed placement algorithm that solves mask coloring conflicts and can be used to ensure “double patterning correctness” after placement or even after detailed routing, while minimizing the displacement of timing-critical cells with manageable ECO impact. With a 45nm library and open-source design testcases, our timing-aware recoloring and placement optimizations together achieve up to 232ps (resp. 36.22ns) reduction in worst (resp. total) negative slack, and 78% (resp. 65%) reduction in worst (resp. total) negative slack variation.
A large-eddy simulation study of wake propagation and power production in an array of tidal-current turbines

This paper presents our initial work in performing large-eddy simulations of tidal turbine array flows. First, a horizontally periodic precursor simulation is performed to create turbulent flow data. Then those data are used as inflow into a tidal turbine array two rows deep and infinitely wide. The turbines are modelled using rotating actuator lines, and the finite-volume method is used to solve the governing equations. In studying the wakes created by the turbines, we observed that the vertical shear of the inflow combined with wake rotation causes lateral wake asymmetry. Also, various turbine configurations are simulated, and the total power production relative to isolated turbines is examined. We found that staggering consecutive rows of turbines in the simulated configurations allows the greatest efficiency using the least downstream row spacing. Counter-rotating consecutive downstream turbines in a non-staggered array shows a small benefit. This work has identified areas for improvement. For example, using a larger precursor domain would better capture elongated turbulent structures, and including salinity and temperature equations would account for density stratification and its effect on turbulence. Additionally, the wall shear stress modelling could be improved, and more array configurations could be examined.
Spiral balanced steady-state free precession cardiac imaging

Balanced steady-state free precession (SSFP) sequences are useful in cardiac imaging because they achieve high signal efficiency and excellent blood‐myocardium contrast. Spiral imaging enables the efficient acquisition of cardiac images with reduced flow and motion artifacts. Balanced SSFP has been combined with spiral imaging for real-time interactive cardiac MRI. New features of this method to enable scanning in a clinical setting include short, first-moment nulled spiral trajectories and interactive control over the spatial location of banding artifacts (SSFP-specific signal variations). The feasibility of spiral balanced SSFP cardiac imaging at 1.5 T is demonstrated. In observations from over 40 volunteer and patient studies, spiral balanced SSFP imaging shows significantly improved contrast compared to spiral gradient-spoiled imaging, producing better visualization of cardiac function, improved localization, and reduced flow artifacts from blood. Magn Reson Med 53:1468‐1473, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Uniform investigation of hydraulic fracturing propagation regimes in the plane strain model

Summary The hydraulic fracturing propagation regimes in the plane strain model are uniformly investigated using a numerical method based on the finite element method. The regimes range from toughness-dominated cases to viscosity-dominated cases, covering zero leak-off situations and small leak-off situations. Unlike the asymptotic solutions, the numerical method is independent of the energy dissipation regimes and fluid storage regimes. The numerical method pays no special attention to the fracture tip, and it simulates fracture tip behaviors by increasing the number of functions in a natural and uniform manner. The numerical method is verified by comparing its results with the asymptotic solutions. The effect of the model sizes on the numerical method is discussed along with the robustness of the numerical method. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of benzamide derivatives as TRPV1 antagonists.

Abstract From hit compounds identified by high throughput screening (HTS), we have found compound 1 as a lead TRPV1 antagonist and confirmed its potential as a treatment for pain. Compound 1 has led to potent TRPV1 antagonistic benzamide derivatives ((±)-2: human IC50 = 23 nM, (±)-3: human IC50 = 14 nM in the capsaicin-induced calcium influx assay) containing indole and naphthyl moieties, obtained by elaboration of the tryptamine scaffold or via bioisosteric replacements.
Motion of a sphere normal to a wall in a second-order fluid

The motion of a sphere normal to a wall is investigated. The normal stress at the surface of the sphere is calculated and the viscoelastic effects on the normal stress for different separation distances are analysed. For small separation distances, when the particle is moving away from the wall, a tensile normal stress exists at the trailing edge if the fluid is Newtonian, while for a second-order fluid a larger tensile stress is observed. When the particle is moving towards the wall, the stress is compressive at the leading edge for a Newtonian fluid whereas a large tensile stress is observed for a second-order fluid. The contribution of the second-order fluid to the overall force applied to the particle is towards the wall in both situations. Results are obtained using Stokes equations when α 1 + α 2 = 0. In addition, a perturbation method has been utilized for a sphere very close to a wall and the effect of non-zero α 1 + α 2 is discussed. Finally, viscoelastic potential flow is used and the results are compared with the other methods.
GHB Urine Concentrations After Single-Dose Administration in Humans

Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) is used as an illicit drug and is implicated in drug-facilitated sexual assault, but it also has some therapeutic uses. Detection of GHB in urine is important for forensic testing and could be of clinical benefit in overdose management. Urine GHB concentration-time profiles have not been well-characterized or correlated with doses used therapeutically. GHB levels were measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in urine collected over 24 h from 16 adults administered single doses of 50 mg/kg GHB (Xyrem) alone and combined with 0.6 g/kg ethanol. Peak GHB urine concentrations averaged 150-200 mg/L and occurred in the 0-3 h urine collection. Significant variability in GHB urine levels between individuals was observed. Caucasians had lower urine concentrations than other races/ethnicities (p = 0.03). Men had lower GHB levels than women in the first 3 h after dosing (p = 0.038). Coingestion of ethanol did not significantly affect renal clearance of GHB, but urine GHB concentrations were lower in the first 3 h when ethanol and GHB were coingested (p = 0.039). At a proposed cut-off of 10 mg/L to distinguish endogenous versus exogenous GHB levels, 12.5% of the samples collected from 3 to 6 h, 81.3% of samples collected from 6 to 12 h, and 100% of urine specimens collected from 12 to 24 h were below this level. We conclude that the detection time for GHB in urine may be shorter than the previously reported 12-h window in some people taking therapeutic doses of GHB.
Effects of Islet Isografts on Hemodynamic and Vascular Filtration Changes in Diabetic Rats

To assess the reversibility of diabetes-induced increases in regional vascular albumin permeation and blood flow and changes in kidney filtration function, islet isografts were given via the portal vein after 2 mo of streptozocin-induced diabetes in male Lewis rats. One month later, vascular function was assessed in control rats, islet-transplanted diabetic rats, and untreated diabetic rats (6-9 rats/group). Untreated diabetic rats were markedly hyperglycemic, hyperphagic, and polyuric. Transplanted rats were euglycemic within 6 days; 24-h urine volumes were virtually normalized by 2 wk and food consumption was normalized 4 wk after transplantation. Vascular albumin permeation in diabetic rats was significantly increased 1.4- to 1.7-fold in anterior uvea, choroid, retina, sciatic nerve, new granulation tissue, and kidney and was increased 1.1- to 1.3-fold in diaphragm, cecum, and optic nerve. Albumin permeation was not increased in aorta, brain, heart, or forelimb skeletal muscle. Islet transplants significantly reduced but did not completely normalize vascular albumin permeation in most tissues in which it was increased by diabetes but had no effect on albumin permeation in optic nerve, sciatic nerve, and diaphragm. Urinary excretion of endogenous albumin and IgG in diabetic rats was significantly increased 19- and 14-fold, respectively, and was virtually normalized 4 days after islet transplantation. Marked (1.8-fold) increases in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in diabetic rats were also substantially reduced by islet transplants but remained elevated 1.4-fold control values. Likewise, diabetes-induced increases in regional blood flow were reduced in general but not normalized by islet transplants. These observations indicate that 1) diabetes-induced hemodynamic changes and alterations in vascular filtration function are not rapidly reversed by euglycemia after islet transplantation, 2) diabetes-induced increases in urinary albumin and IgG excretion are more readily normalized by euglycemia than increases in GFR and renal 125I-labeled bovine serum albumin (125I-BSA) filtration, and 3) significant increases in GFR and renal 125I-BSA filtration may not be manifested by albuminuria.
Effects of isoflurane on [Ca2+]i, SR Ca2+ content, and twitch force in intact trabeculae

The goal was to test whether isoflurane exerts its depressant effect on the heart by mainly affecting the intracellular Ca2+ transient [Ca2+]i. Intact rat ventricular trabeculae, paced at 0.5 Hz an...
A Design of Flexible Data Channels for Sensor-Cloud Integration

The recent popularity of sensor networks and cloud computing has brought new opportunities of sensor-cloud integration that facilitates users to immediately forecast the future status of what they are observing. The main challenge is how to establish a series of elastic data channels from sensors to mobile users through data-analyzing jobs running in the cloud. The variation of network protocols, the dynamism of cloud-computing resources, and even user mobility result in the following three design problems. Data-analyzing programs must: (1) deal with the major sensor and cloud communication protocols, (2) include hard-coded sensor manipulation and data retrieval operations, and (3) handle job/user migration in dynamic cloud environments, which needs the recovery of broken data connections. To address these problems, we are developing the Connector software tool kit that provides cloud jobs with uniform data channels, allows them to exchange standard input/output as well as graphics with remote users, and re-establishes their data channels upon a job or user migration. This paper presents Connector's system overview, implementation, and performance consideration.
Providing Reliable Data Services in Hybrid WSNs with Transmit-Only Nodes

Low cost and low power Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) with transmit-only nodes are attracting more attention due to their advantages in achieving a good balance of cost, fine-grained sensing and differentiated service for data collection applications. This work addresses the reliability and performance issues of a single-hop hybrid WSN with both transmit-only nodes and standard nodes and proposes the RH-QoMoR protocol, whose robust scheme is able to provide reliable data services and the EARE (Enhanced Automatic Resource Estimation) scheme can remove time synchronization overhead and provide more resources. The analysis and extensive simulation demonstrates its capability of providing the best possible performance to the high priority nodes under harsh environment as well as minimizing the energy consumption while maintaining QoS guarantee. The protocol can also efficiently handle dynamic network changes due to the packet loss and post-deployment adjustment.
THE POLITICS OF COMPETITIVE REGIONALISM IN GREATER BOSTON

: Neil Brenner argues that contemporary scholarship often neglects the changing contexts of regionalism and thus overstates the possibilities for organizing new political responses to changing economic conditions. Drawing on Brenner's analysis, this paper examines the politics of regionalism in Greater Boston, a metropolitan area where state government plays the dominant role in policymaking. It examines how state elected officials have responded to the region's volatile economic context, and in particular how they have attempted to enhance the region's competitive advantage through tax cuts, deregulation and downsizing government. Their successes, however, have complicated efforts to reform local land use regulation, an issue increasingly seen as central to the region's economic future.
Novel Mechanisms of Endothelial Mechanotransduction

Atherosclerosis is a focal disease that develops preferentially where nonlaminar, disturbed blood flow occurs, such as branches, bifurcations, and curvatures of large arteries. Endothelial cells sense and respond differently to disturbed flow compared with steady laminar flow. Disturbed flow that occurs in so-called atheroprone areas activates proinflammatory and apoptotic signaling, and this results in endothelial dysfunction and leads to subsequent development of atherosclerosis. In contrast, steady laminar flow as atheroprotective flow promotes expression of many anti-inflammatory genes, such as Kruppel-like factor 2 and endothelial nitric oxide synthase and inhibits endothelial inflammation and athrogenesis. Here we will discuss that disturbed flow and steady laminar flow induce pro- and antiatherogenic events via flow type-specific mechanotransduction pathways. We will focus on 5 mechanosensitive pathways: mitogen-activated protein kinases/extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5/Kruppel-like factor 2 signaling, extracellular signal-regulated kinase/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor signaling, and mechanosignaling pathways involving SUMOylation, protein kinase C-ζ, and p90 ribosomal S6 kinase. We think that clarifying regulation mechanisms between these 2 flow types will provide new insights into therapeutic approaches for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.
THE USE OF THE METHOD OF AVERAGING IN PREDICTING CHAOTIC MOTION

Abstract The method of averaging is discussed in terms of its possible application to the prediction of chaotic orbits in differential equations.
The influence of culture on accountants’ application of financial reporting rules

The objective of this study is to examine the influence of national culture on accountants’ application of accounting rules. Based on a refinement of Gray’s (1988) framework, this study hypothesizes Greek accountants will be more likely (less likely) to recognize contingent liabilities (assets) than U.S. accountants (H1). It also hypothesizes that Greek accountants will be less likely to disclose the existence of both contingent assets and liabilities than U.S. accountants (H2). The results do not support H1. No significant differences are found between Greek and U.S. accountants’ recognition decisions involving both contingent assets and liabilities. However, supplemental analyses show that U.S. accountants consistently exhibited more conservatism than Greek accountants. In line with expectations, Greek accountants are less likely to disclose information (i.e., were more secretive) than U.S. accountants, providing strong support for H2. Implications for both research and practice also are discussed. This study investigates the influence of national culture on accountants’ application of accounting rules across countries, with particular emphasis on Gray’s (1988) accounting values of conservatism and secrecy. Gray posits that the accounting values of conservatism and secrecy are related to and derived from Hofstede’s (1980) cultural values. 1 Accounting values, in turn, influence the development of countries’ financial reporting systems. Although Gray’s 2 cultural accounting framework is primarily concerned with the effect of culture on a country’s set of financial reporting rules, it is posited here that it is equally applicable to the manner in which a country’s accountants interpret and apply those rules.
CD45 immunoaffinity depletion of vesicles from Jurkat T cells demonstrates that exosomes contain CD45: no evidence for a distinct exosome/HIV-1 budding pathway

The presence of relatively high levels of cellular protein contamination in density-purified virion preparations is a confounding factor in biochemical analyses of HIV and SIV produced from hematopoietic cells. A major source of this contamination is from vesicles, either microvesicles or exosomes, that have similar physical properties as virions. Thus, these particles can not be removed by size or density fractionation. Although virions and vesicles have similar cellular protein compositions, CD45 is excluded from HIV-1 yet is present in vesicles produced from hematopoietic cells. By exploiting this finding, we have developed a CD45 immunoaffinity depletion procedure that removes vesicles from HIV-1 preparations. While this approach has been successfully applied to virion preparations from several different cell types, some groups have concluded that "exosomes" from certain T cell lines, specifically Jurkat, do not contain CD45. If this interpretation is correct, then these vesicles could not be removed by CD45 immunoaffinity depletion. Here we show that dense vesicles produced by Jurkat and SupT1/CCR5 cells contain CD45 and are efficiently removed from preparations by CD45-immunoaffinity depletion. Also, contaminating cellular proteins were removed from virion preparations produced by these lines. Previously, the absence of CD45 from both "exosomes" and virions has been used to support the so called Trojan exosome hypothesis, namely that HIV-1 is simply an exosome containing viral material. The presence of CD45 on vesicles, including exosomes, and its absence on virions argues against a specialized budding pathway that is shared by both exosomes and HIV-1.
Status, Numbers and Influence

We develop a theoretical model of social influence in n -person groups. We argue that disagreement between group members introduces uncertainty into the social situation, and this uncertainty motivates people to use status characteristics to evaluate the merits of a particular opinion. Our model takes the numerical distribution of opinions and the relative status of the opinion holders as factors that contribute to social influence, such that the effect of status becomes stronger as uncertainty about a particular position rises due to the distribution of opinions in the group. Our theoretical model implies three hypotheses, which we empirically evaluate with data from a controlled laboratory experiment. The results support the theoretical model. We conclude with limitations, implications and several directions for future research.
Buckling Behavior of Compression-Loaded Quasi-Isotropic Curved Panels With a Circular Cutout

Results from a numerical and experimental study of the response of compression-loaded quasi-isotropic curved panels with a centrally located circular cutout are presented. The numerical results were obtained by using a geometrically nonlinear finite element analysis code. The effects of cutout size, panel curvature and initial geometric imperfections on the overall response of compression-loaded panels are described. In addition, results are presented from a numerical parametric study that indicate the effects of elastic circumferential edge restraints on the prebuckling and buckling response of a selected panel and these numerical results are compared to experimentally measured results. These restraints are used to identify the effects of circumferential edge restraints that are introduced by the test fixture that was used in the present study. It is shown that circumferential edge restraints can introduce substantial nonlinear prebuckling deformations into shallow compression-loaded curved panels that can result in a significant increase in buckling load.
From Pixel on a Screen to Real Person in Your Students' Lives: Establishing Social Presence Using Digital Storytelling

Abstract The Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework is a comprehensive guide to the research and practice of online learning. One of the most challenging aspects of establishing a CoI in online courses is finding the best way to attend to each element of the CoI framework in a primarily text-based environment. In our online courses, we have examined the use of digital storytelling as a way to break down the barriers that can get in the way of achieving a healthy and productive CoI. In this paper, we describe how we use digital storytelling to establish our social presence as instructors.
Binding of hnRNP L to the Pre-mRNA Processing Enhancer of the Herpes Simplex Virus Thymidine Kinase Gene Enhances both Polyadenylation and Nucleocytoplasmic Export of Intronless mRNAs

Liu and Mertz (Genes Dev. 9:1766-1780, 1995) previously identified a 119-nt pre-mRNA processing enhancer (PPE) element within the herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase gene that enables intron-independent gene expression in higher eukaryotes by binding heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein L (hnRNP L). Here, we identify a 49-nt subelement within this PPE that enhanced stability, polyadenylation, and cytoplasmic accumulation of transcripts synthesized in CV-1 cells from an intronless variant of the human β-globin gene when present in two or more tandem copies. This 2×TK49 PPE also enhanced (i) the efficiency of polyadenylation of intronless β-globin RNA in a cell-free polyadenylation system and (ii) the kinetics of nucleocytoplasmic export of an intronless variant of adenovirus major late leader region RNA in Xenopus oocytes. This 2×TK49 PPE bound only hnRNP L. Analysis of 2×TK49 PPE mutants showed a strong positive correlation existed between binding hnRNP L and enhancement of intronless β-globin gene expression. hnRNP L was found to associate with both the mRNA export factor TAP and the exon-exon junction complex protein Aly/REF. Thus, we conclude that hnRNP L plays roles in enhancing stability, polyadenylation, and nucleocytoplasmic export; it does so, at least in part, by directly recruiting to intronless PPE-containing RNAs cofactors normally recruited to intron-containing RNAs.
Plasma 24-metabolite Panel Predicts Preclinical Transition to Clinical Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease

We recently documented plasma lipid dysregulation in preclinical late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD). A 10 plasma lipid panel, predicted phenoconversion and provided 90% sensitivity and 85% specificity in differentiating an at-risk group from those that would remain cognitively intact. Despite these encouraging results, low positive predictive values limit the clinical usefulness of this panel as a screening tool in subjects aged 70-80 years or younger. In this report, we re-examine our metabolomic data, analyzing baseline plasma specimens from our group of phenoconverters (n = 28) and a matched set of cognitively normal subjects (n = 73), and discover and internally validate a panel of 24 plasma metabolites. The new panel provides a classifier with receiver operating characteristic area under the curve for the discovery and internal validation cohort of 1.0 and 0.995 (95% confidence intervals of 1.0-1.0, and 0.981-1.0), respectively. Twenty-two of the 24 metabolites were significantly dysregulated lipids. While positive and negative predictive values were improved compared to our 10-lipid panel, low positive predictive values provide a reality check on the utility of such biomarkers in this age group (or younger). Through inclusion of additional significantly dysregulated analyte species, our new biomarker panel provides greater accuracy in our cohort but remains limited by predictive power. Unfortunately, the novel metabolite panel alone may not provide improvement in counseling and management of at-risk individuals but may further improve selection of subjects for LOAD secondary prevention trials. We expect that external validation will remain challenging due to our stringent study design, especially compared with more diverse subject cohorts. We do anticipate, however, external validation of reduced plasma lipid species as a predictor of phenoconversion to either prodromal or manifest LOAD.
Hydrogen production from natural gas using an iron-based chemical looping technology: Thermodynamic simulations and process system analysis

Abstract Hydrogen (H 2 ) is a secondary fuel derived from natural gas. Currently, H 2 serves as an important component in refining operations, fertilizer production, and is experiencing increased utilization in the transportation industry as a clean combustion fuel. In recent years, industry and academia have focused on developing technology that reduces carbon emissions. As a result, there has been an increase in the technological developments for producing H 2 from natural gas. These technologies aim to minimize the cost increment associated with clean energy production. The natural gas processing chemical looping technology, developed at The Ohio State University (OSU), employs an iron-based oxygen carrier and a novel gas–solid counter-current moving bed reactor for H 2 production. Specifically, this study examines the theoretical thermodynamic limits for full conversion of natural gas through iron-based oxygen carrier reactions with methane (CH 4 ), by utilizing simulations generated with ASPEN modeling software. This study initially investigates the reducer and the oxidizer thermodynamic phase diagrams then derives an optimal auto-thermal operating condition for the complete loop simulation. This complete loop simulation is initially normalized for analysis on the basis of one mole of carbon input from natural gas. The H 2 production rate is then scaled to match that of the baseline study, using a full-scale ASPEN simulation for computing cooling loads, water requirements and net parasitic energy consumption. The full scale ASPEN simulation is used to analyze the thermal efficiency of multiple energy recovery schemes, for further validation of the chemical looping process. Resulting from this study, the chemical looping technology is found to produce a cold gas efficiency improvement of more than 5 percentage points and an effective thermal efficiency of more than 6 percentage points over the conventional steam methane reforming process, while producing H 2 from natural gas with greater than 90% carbon capture.
Asthma in Childhood: Expression, Exacerbation, and Progression

For many patients with asthma, the disease had its roots in early life, with the initial clinical presentation being wheezing primarily caused by respiratory viral and/or bacterial infections. These wheezing illnesses in preschool children have been classified phenotypically based on their temporal pattern (episodic, multitrigger) or duration (transient, persistent, and late onset). Eventually, when these wheezing illnesses persist, clinicians confirm that asthma inception has occurred. Once the disease is expressed, it can be characterized in children by variable symptoms and significant exacerbations that may increase both morbidity and mortality. Unfortunately, in some children, the clinical manifestations of the disease progress, resulting in the development of severe asthma that requires more aggressive treatment to achieve and maintain control over time. In this issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice, 3 articles describe the nuances of the clinical presentations and treatment approaches for these various stages of childhood asthma including preschool wheezing illnesses, exacerbations in older children and adolescents, and severe asthma. In the first article, Drs Beigelman and Bacharier review published clinical trials dealing with treatment approaches to children with various preschool wheezing phenotypes performed by 2 NHLBI-funded asthma networks: Childhood Asthma Research
Factors Contributing to Use-Effectiveness

A major contribution of Dr. Christopher Tietze to the evaluation of contraceptive methods was in the area of application of life-table methodology to study contraceptive effectiveness. Potter (1966) was the first to propose using life tables to calculate the risk of becoming pregnant over a certain time period of use. This was a great improvement over the use of the then commonly used Pearl Index (1932) which produced a measure of effectiveness that did not control for duration of use.
Abstract W P202: Sex Differences in Transforming Growth Factor B Activated Kinase-1 Signaling Following Experimental Stroke

Introduction: Evidence suggests that post-stroke inflammation and outcome is influenced by sex, yet the mechanistic processes behind these disparities remain largely unknown. Studies have shown that ischemic damage following experimental stroke is reduced in young female mice when compared to their male counterparts and that this protective effect can be diminished by ovariectomy (OVX). TGF-B activated kinase (TAK-1) is an important mediator in inflammatory signaling. TAK decreases following cerebral ischemia and inhibition of TAK reduces infarct size following experimental stroke. TAB2 is an activating binding partner that binds to TAK-1 following stimulation, allowing TAK-1 auto-phosphorylation and activation of the p38/MAPK and JNK inflammatory pathways. Post-stroke regulation of TAK levels and activation may contribute to the ischemic resistance seen in females. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that female mice would have a greater decrease in TAK1 and activated p-TAK1 than their male counterparts following experimental stroke. Methods: Male, intact female and ovariectomized female (OVX) mice were subjected to 90-minute middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and sacrificed at 24 hours post-stroke. Protein levels of TAK-1, TAB2, pTAK and JNK were examined by Western Blot. Results: TAK and pTAK levels were reduced following stroke in female, male and OVX mice. Baseline levels of both TAK1 and pTAK were lower in female mice and the loss of TAK, pTAK and TAB2 following stroke was more dramatic. JNK levels were lower in female mice than in male mice at baseline (p<.05) and following stroke (p<.01), while the OVX females exhibited intermediate JNK. Conclusions: Female mice exhibit lower baseline JNK levels and do not demonstrate a stroke-induced increase in JNK, indicating a protective resistance against stroke-induced inflammation. The dramatic loss of TAB2 in females results in less binding and activation of TAK, reducing inflammation and conferring neuro-protection. OVX mice showed an intermediate phenotype, indicating that estrogen may play a role in TAK regulation following stroke.