cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Methylation mediated silencing of MicroRNA-1 gene and its role in hepatocellular carcinogenesis.

MicroRNAs (miR) are a class of small (∼21 nucleotide) noncoding RNAs that, in general, negatively regulate gene expression. Some miRs harboring CGIs undergo methylation-mediated silencing, a characteristic of many tumor suppressor genes. To identify such miRs in liver cancer, the miRNA expression profile was analyzed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines treated with 5-azacytidine (DNA hypomethylating agent) and/or trichostatin A (histone deacetylase inhibitor). The results showed that these epigenetic drugs differentially regulate expression of a few miRs, particularly miR-1-1 , in HCC cells. The CGI spanning exon 1 and intron 1 of miR-1-1 was methylated in HCC cell lines and in primary human HCCs but not in matching liver tissues. The miR-1-1 gene was hypomethylated and activated in DNMT1 −/− HCT 116 cells but not in DNMT3B null cells, indicating a key role for DNMT1 in its methylation. miR-1 expression was also markedly reduced in primary human hepatocellular carcinomas compared with matching normal liver tissues. Ectopic expression of miR-1 in HCC cells inhibited cell growth and reduced replication potential and clonogenic survival. The expression of FoxP1 and MET harboring three and two miR-1 cognate sites, respectively, in their respective 3′-untranslated regions, was markedly reduced by ectopic miR-1. Up-regulation of several miR-1 targets including FoxP1, MET, and HDAC4 in primary human HCCs and down-regulation of their expression in 5-AzaC–treated HCC cells suggest their role in hepatocarcinogenesis. The inhibition of cell cycle progression and induction of apoptosis after re-expression of miR-1 are some of the mechanisms by which DNA hypomethylating agents suppress hepatocarcinoma cell growth. [Cancer Res 2008;68(13):5049–58]
The Architecture of Hierarchy: A Quantitative Approach

The majority of studies in General System Theory do not consider any specific configuration of relations between elements. One such configuration is hierarchy which exists in many aspects of reality. A quantitative approach to the representation of hierarchies, as opposed to a qualitative approach, is described. Some properties of the mathematical model of various hierarchies are examined and real‐life examples are presented.
Effects of repeated inhalation of toluene on ionotropic GABAA and glutamate receptor subunit levels in rat brain

Abstract Toluene is a commonly abused solvent found in many industrial and commercial products. The neurobiological effects of toluene remain unclear, but many of them, like those of ethanol, may be mediated by γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate receptors. Chronic ethanol administration has been shown to alter levels of specific subunits for GABA type A (GABA A ), N -methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) and α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA) receptors. However, little is known about the effects of toluene on subunit levels of these receptors. To examine this, rats were exposed to toluene vapors (8000 ppm) or air for 10 days (30 min/day), and afterwards GABA A α1, NR1 and NR2B (NMDA) and GluR1 and GluR2/3 (AMPA) receptor subunit levels were determined in discrete brain regions of these animals by Western blotting. Toluene increased GABA A α1, NR1, NR2B and GluR2/3 subunits in the medial prefrontal cortex and decreased GABA A α1 and NR1 subunits in the substantia nigra compacta. Toluene inhalation produced modest increases in GABA A α1 subunits in the striatum, as well as slight decreases in this subunit in the ventral tegmental area. NR2B subunit levels were also slightly increased within the nucleus accumbens by toluene. These studies show that toluene differentially alters the levels of specific GABAergic and glutamatergic receptor subunits in a regionally selective manner.
On a mode of application of the perturbation method in solid mechanics

Abstract This paper is primarily concerned with the uses of constants describing physical properties of the material as perturbation parameters in asymptotic methods of analysis of surface-like structural elements. By means of a concrete example, a former misconception is clarified. In addition, several simple nonlinear expressions for displacements and stresses in a slack circular membrane under a point load have been obtained as a by-product.
Determination of the Structure and Catalytic Mechanism of Sorghum bicolor Caffeic Acid O-Methyltransferase and the Structural Impact of Three brown midrib12 Mutations

Using S-adenosyl-methionine as the methyl donor, caffeic acid O-methyltransferase from sorghum (Sorghum bicolor; SbCOMT) methylates the 5-hydroxyl group of its preferred substrate, 5-hydroxyconiferaldehyde. In order to determine the mechanism of SbCOMT and understand the observed reduction in the lignin syringyl-to-guaiacyl ratio of three brown midrib12 mutants that carry COMT gene missense mutations, we determined the apo-form and S-adenosyl-methionine binary complex SbCOMT crystal structures and established the ternary complex structure with 5-hydroxyconiferaldehyde by molecular modeling. These structures revealed many features shared with monocot ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and dicot alfalfa (Medicago sativa) COMTs. SbCOMT steady-state kinetic and calorimetric data suggest a random bi-bi mechanism. Based on our structural, kinetic, and thermodynamic results, we propose that the observed reactivity hierarchy among 4,5-dihydroxy-3-methoxycinnamyl (and 3,4-dihydroxycinnamyl) aldehyde, alcohol, and acid substrates arises from the ability of the aldehyde to stabilize the anionic intermediate that results from deprotonation of the 5-hydroxyl group by histidine-267. Additionally, despite the presence of other phenylpropanoid substrates in vivo, sinapaldehyde is the preferential product, as demonstrated by its low Km for 5-hydroxyconiferaldehyde. Unlike its acid and alcohol substrates, the aldehydes exhibit product inhibition, and we propose that this is due to nonproductive binding of the S-cis-form of the aldehydes inhibiting productive binding of the S-trans-form. The S-cis-aldehydes most likely act only as inhibitors, because the high rotational energy barrier around the 2-propenyl bond prevents S-trans-conversion, unlike alcohol substrates, whose low 2-propenyl bond rotational energy barrier enables rapid S-cis/S-trans-interconversion.
Effect of the laryngeal jet on particle deposition in the human trachea and upper bronchial airways

Abstract Preferential sites of particle deposition within the human respiratory system are known to correlate with primary cancer sites, and are therefore important in the etiology of neoplastic respiratory diseases. In this study, we characterized the intrabronchial and intratracheal patterns of deposition in a hollow cast of a human larynx-tracheobronchial tree, and examined the effects of airflow and turbulence on particle deposition by performing airflow measurements in the hollow cast and an “ideal” airway bifurcation model. Experimental results revealed a deposition “hot spot” for particles greater than 2 μm in mass median aerodynamic diameter in the trachea at 2 cm below the larynx. The enhancement of deposition in the trachea was studied by making comparative airflow and detailed morphometry measurements in a hollow lung cast and in an “ideal” model. The larynx had a significant effect on the local flow field in the trachea of the hollow cast and this effect extended to and beyond the tracheal bifurcation. This accounted for some of the difference in flow field at the bifurcation between the cast and an “ideal” model. Additional differences were related to the different shapes of the transitional regions near the bifurcation.
A Review of: “Dattilio, Frank M. (2010). Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy with Couples and Families: A Comprehensive Guide for Clinicians.”

For those of us who were taught to view cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) to be grounded primarily in the assumption of linear causality, (i.e., antecedent → consequence in the behavioral model; ant...
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MITRAL REGURITATION AND LEFT VENTRICULAR EJECTION FRACTION AND STROKE VOLUME AFTER TRANSCATHETER AORTIC VALVE REPLACEMENT

Improvement of mitral regurgitation (MR) and left ventricular function after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has been reported. However, in the cases of significant MR, accurate estimation of LV function is difficult because left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is usually over
EFFECT OF A CARBOHYDRATE‐BASED FAT SUBSTITUTE AND EMULSIFYING AGENTS ON REDUCED‐FAT PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES

Oatrim replaced 75 and 100% of the butter in peanut butter cookies. Emulsifiers [diacetyl-tartaric esters of monoglycerides (DATEM) and sodium stearoyl-lactylate (SSL)] -were incorporated (0.0, 0.1 and 0.2% formula-weight-basis) in combination with oatrim. Data were analyzed with PROC MIXED and contrast statements. Water activity increased as oatrim increased. Oatrim increased Color L. Cookie spread was reduced; cookies with 75% butter replacement with oatrim and 0% emulsifier equaled the control. Oatrim decreased hardness and brittleness; 0.1% SSL moderated the brittleness decrease but resulted in a hard cookie. Cookies with 75% oatrim most closely matched the control; fat Kcal decreased 36%.
The effect of verbal training on concept identification in disadvantaged children

Training disadvantaged children in labelling and discriminating component stimulus attributes resulted in greater attention to these attributes in inductive concept attainment, but in no greater success in solving concept tasks.
Disclosure to Parents About Everyday Activities Among American Adolescents From Mexican, Chinese, and European Backgrounds

Disclosure to parents and reasons for not disclosing different activities were examined in 489 Chinese, Mexican, and European American adolescents (M = 16.37 years, SD = 0.77). With generational status controlled, Chinese American adolescents disclosed less to mothers about personal and multifaceted activities than European Americans and less about personal feelings than other youth, primarily because these acts were considered personal, not harmful, or because parents would not listen or understand. Disclosure regarding prudential behavior was lower among Mexican American than among European American adolescents, primarily due to concerns with parental disapproval. Multigroup path analyses indicated that greater closeness to parents is associated with more disclosure for all youth and activities; associations between family obligation and disclosure varied by domain and ethnicity.
Reactions between W2I4(CO)8 and phosphines Under forcing conditions: Attempted decarbonylation to tungsten(II) dimers with Quadruple metal-metal bond x-ray molecular structure of WI2(CO)(dppm)2

Abstract The reactions of W2I4(CO)8 with bis(diphenylphosphino)methane (dppm) and PMe3 have been studied under forcing conditions. From the dppm reaction a monocarbonyl compound has been isolated, which crystallizes as 3WI2(CO)(dppm)2x2 toluene. Crystal data: space group C2/c, a = 31.141(8), b = 25.447(7), c = 20.135(6)A, β = 104.89(4)°, V = 15420(20)A3, Z = 4, R = 0.0538 for 4367 data with F02 > 3σ(F02). The PMe3 reaction afforded WI2(CO)2(PMe3)3 as the major product. No derivatives containing a metal-metal quadruple bond were detected in solution.
MANEUVERING FLIGHT CONTROL WITH ACTUATOR CONSTRAINTS

Tracking control is addressed. A receding horizon control framework is considered and a novel, optimizationbased, linear tracking control strategy, linear quadratic tracking (LQT), is devised. LQT is used to obtain a closed-form solution to optimization-based tracking of a dynamic reference signal r(t), in the face of both rate and amplitude actuator constraints. Actuator dynamics are considered. Also, there is no inherent requirement for stability of the open-loop plant. At the same time, full state feedback is assumed. The detrimental effects of the actuator constraints are mitigated by giving the control system a nonlinearly modie ed, feasible reference signalr 0 (t), asrequired to preventdownstream actuatorsaturationsfrom occurring. Thus, thecontrollergenerated signal never infringes on the saturation bounds, and saturation caused windup is avoided. The analytic solution to the linear, unconstrained, tracking problem meets the small signal performance specie cations and is stable. The proposed piecewiselinearclosed-form solution to theconstrained tracking problem yieldssatisfactory responses to large inputs and at the sametime requiresmodest on-linecomputation, and hence, it is implementable in real time.
Using live projects without pain: the development of the small project support center at Radford University

It is well understood and has been well documented that there is much to gain by using live projects, those that serve a real client with a real problem to solve, in the computer science classroom. However the use of live projects has always come with a variety of obstacles including providing support for the project once it is complete and limiting the scope of a project to the context of a single term. This paper describes the development of the Small Project Support Center at Radford University that has been designed to eliminate these obstacles.
Analyzing Black Coping Styles: A Supplemental Diagnostic System

Though the Kraepelinian diagnostic system for mental disorders has proved to be a durable one, it is limited when used to diagnose Black behavior. A diagnostic system is presented that examines Bla...
Sharp inequalities for convolution-type operators

Abstract Let μ be a probability measure on [− a, a], a > 0, and let x0ϵ[− a, a], f ϵ Cn([−2a, 2a]), n ⩾ 0 even. Using moment methods we derive best upper bounds to ¦∫ −a a ( [f(x 0 + y) + f(x 0 − y)] 2 ) μ(dy) − f(x 0 )¦ , leading to sharp inequalities that are attainable and involve the second modulus of continuity of f(n) or an upper bound of it.
Benign lipoblastoma: report of a case

Light and electron microscopic studies of a benign, well circumscribed lipoblastoma in a 10-year-old boy were performed. Ultrastructural examination demonstrated lipocytes, lipoblasts, undifferentiated mesenchymal cells, and occasional hibernoma cell types. Myxoid liposarcoma as a differential diagnosis was considered. However, an absence of mitosis and the hyperchromatic and bizarre nuclei of the lipoblasts ruled out the possiblity of malignancy.
Linaje y poder en la Castilla Trastámara. El ejemplo de la Orden de Calatrava

The aim of this article is to project the analysis made on the Trastamara´s Castile to the concrete example of the Military Order of Calatrava, one of the most important institutions of Castile in the Middle Ages which, up to now, has not still been studied from this point of view. In order to carry on our research, we have taken advantage both chronicles and literary sources and archivistic records. Therefore, the article analyzes the dominion acquired by the most renowned Calatrava's lineages (Padilla, Guzman, Giron) in the Trastamara's Castile, using the Order resources by means of the control of his highests hierarchs. This power was evidenced through a peculiar behaviour and it was exhibited by devices, iconographic figures and some masterpieces. Shortly, the Calatrava's nobility behaved similarly to the laic one, despite his belonging to a religious institution.
Risk of immune thrombocytopenic purpura after measles-mumps-rubella immunization in children.

BACKGROUND. The measles-mumps-rubella vaccine has been associated with immune thrombocytopenia purpura in 2 small studies. METHODS. By using the Vaccine Safety Datalink, we identified measles-mumps-rubella–vaccinated children aged 1 to 18. A case of immune thrombocytopenia purpura was defined as a patient with a platelet count of ≤50000/μL with clinical bleeding and normal red and white blood cell indices. The immune thrombocytopenia purpura incidence rates during exposed (42 days after vaccination) and unexposed time periods were determined. A retrospective cohort of vaccinated children was used to determine incident rate ratios for children aged 1 to 18 years, 12 to 23 months, and 12 to 15 months. RESULTS. A total of 1036689 children received 1107814 measles-mumps-rubella vaccinations; there were 259 confirmed patients with immune thrombocytopenia purpura. Because only 5 exposed cases occurred after age 2, analyses were limited to children aged 12 to 23 months. Exposed patients aged 12 to 23 months had lower median platelet counts than those who were unexposed and had similar median duration of illness (11 vs 10 days). The incident rate ratio was highest for children aged 12 to 15 months at 7.10. The incident rate ratio for boys aged 12 to 15 months was 14.59, and the incident rate ratio for girls in the same age group was 3.22. Seventy-six percent of immune thrombocytopenia purpura cases in children aged 12 to 23 months were attributable to measles-mumps-rubella vaccination. This vaccine causes 1 case of immune thrombocytopenia purpura per every 40000 doses. CONCLUSION. Measles-mumps-rubella vaccine that is given in the second year of life is associated with an increased risk of immune thrombocytopenia purpura.
Thrombin Receptor Activating Mutations ALTERATION OF AN EXTRACELLULAR AGONIST RECOGNITION DOMAIN CAUSES CONSTITUTIVE SIGNALING

Constitutively active thrombin receptors were generated while constructing chimeric receptors to identify the structural basis for thrombin receptor agonist specificity. Substitution of eight amino acids from the Xenopus receptor's second extracellular loop (XECL2B) for the cognate sequence in the human thrombin receptor was sufficient to confer robust constitutive activity. Smaller substitutions within the XECL2B site yielded less constitutive activation, and substitution of several unrelated sequences at this site caused no activation. Expression of the XECL2B receptor caused high basal 45Ca efflux in Xenopus oocytes and high basal phosphoinositide hydrolysis and reporter gene induction in COS cells. Of note, a mutant receptor in which all four of the Xenopus thrombin receptor's extracellular segments replaced the cognate human sequences showed much less constitutive activity than XECL2B and preserved responsiveness to agonist. This partial complementation of the XECL2B phenotype by addition of other Xenopus extracellular structures suggests that the XECL2B mutation causes constitutive activation by altering interactions among the human receptor's extracellular domains. Thus, a change in an extracellular loop of a G protein-coupled receptor can transmit information across the cell membrane to cause signaling, perhaps via a conformational change similar to that caused by agonist binding. Indeed, the site of the activating mutation in XECL2B coincides with a putative agonist-docking site, supporting the hypothesis that agonist interactions with the thrombin receptor's extracellular loops contribute to receptor activation.
Raman and infrared spectra, conformational stability, normal coordinate analysis, vibrational assignment, and ab initio calculations of trans-3-pentenenitrile

Abstract The Raman (3200–20 cm −1 ) spectra of liquid and solid trans -CH 3 CH CHCH 2 CN, and the infrared (3200–30 cm −1 ) spectra of gaseous and solid trans -3-pentenenitrile have been recorded. The spectra of the fluid phases are consistent with two stable conformers in equilibrium at ambient temperature. The mid-infrared spectra of the sample dissolved in liquid xenon as a function of temperature (−100 to −55°C) have been recorded. Utilizing two conformer pairs, the enthalpy difference has been determined to be 205±7 cm −1 (2.45±0.08 kJ/mol ) with the syn conformer being the more stable form. Vibrational assignments for the 33 normal modes for the syn conformer and several of those for the gauche form are proposed. The structural parameters, dipole moments, conformational stability, and vibrational frequencies have been determined from ab initio calculations. The predicted conformational stability is consistent with the experimental results. These experimental and theoretical results are compared to the corresponding quantities of some similar molecules.
A Lightweight Data Location Service for Nondeterministic Exascale Storage Systems

In this article, we present LWDLS, a lightweight data location service designed for Exascale storage systems (storage systems with order of 1018 bytes) and geo-distributed storage systems (large storage systems with physically distributed locations). LWDLS provides a search-based data location solution, and enables free data placement, movement, and replication. In LWDLS, probe and prune protocols are introduced that reduce topology mismatch, and a heuristic flooding search algorithm (HFS) is presented that achieves higher search efficiency than pure flooding search while having comparable search speed and coverage to the pure flooding search. LWDLS is lightweight and scalable in terms of incorporating low overhead, high search efficiency, no global state, and avoiding periodic messages. LWDLS is fully distributed and can be used in nondeterministic storage systems and in deterministic storage systems to deal with cases where search is needed. Extensive simulations modeling large-scale High Performance Computing (HPC) storage environments provide representative performance outcomes. Performance is evaluated by metrics including search scope, search efficiency, and average neighbor distance. Results show that LWDLS is able to locate data efficiently with low cost of state maintenance in arbitrary network environments. Through these simulations, we demonstrate the effectiveness of protocols and search algorithm of LWDLS.
Effect of Reuse of Locknuts with Prevailing Torque Locking Feature

This paper presents results from tests on the reuse of locknuts with a prevailing torque locking feature. Aerospace and non-aerospace products are tested. Many qualification specifications provide reuse requirements for prevailing torque locking features in terms of unseated reuses. This paper provides data for comparison of locknut reuse for unseated and seated to preload conditions. All locknuts tested, except one, maintain required prevailing torque levels over 15 unseated reuses as typically required. The unseated reuse tests exhibit a moderate decrease in prevailing torque with reuse with the largest decrease usually occurring during the first reuse. The effect of seating to preload is a higher loss in prevailing torque compared with the unseated results. Reuse in seated conditions does not generally meet unseated requirements. Between 10 and 25% of the assembly prevailing torque is lost during initial seating to preload. This loss continues with reuse but at a lower rate. However, inconsistent fluctuations in prevailing torque are observed for tests with high preload of 85% yield strength of the bolt. For all the seated to preload reuse tests, the tightening torque to achieve a set preload increased with reuse, despite the corresponding reduction in prevailing torque. This phenomenon results from the breakdown of the solid film or as-received lubricant provided with the locknuts.
Long-Range Interactions in the Alpha Subunit of Tryptophan Synthase Help to Coordinate Ligand Binding, Catalysis, and Substrate Channeling

The α-subunit of tryptophan synthase (αTS) catalyzes the conversion of indole-3-glycerol phosphate to d-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate and indole. We propose that allosteric networks intrinsic to αTS are modulated by the binding of the β-subunit to regulate αTS function. Understanding these long-range amino acid networks in αTS thus gives insight into the coordination of the two active sites within TS. In this study, we have used Ala residues as probes for structural and dynamic changes of αTS throughout its catalytic cycle, in the absence of the β-subunit. Projection analysis of the chemical shift changes by site-specific amino acid substitutions and ligand titrations indicates that αTS has three important conformational states: ligand-free, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate-bound(like), and the active states. The amino acid networks within these conformations are different, as suggested by chemical shift correlation analysis. In particular, there are long-range connections, only in the active state, between Ala47, which reports on structural and dynamic changes associated with the general acid/base Glu49, and residues within the β2α2 loop, which contains the catalytically important Asp60 residue. These long-range interactions are likely important for coordinating chemical catalysis. In the free state, but not in the active state, there are connections between the β2α2 and β6α6 loops that likely help to coordinate substrate binding. Changes in the allosteric networks are also accompanied by protein dynamic changes. During catalytic turnover, the protein becomes more rigid on the millisecond timescale and the active-site dynamics are driven to a faster nanosecond timescale.
Dynamics of Multiplication of Radopholus Similis 1)

Comparison of the populations of the burrowing nematode (Radopholus similis (Cobb)) in the rootlets of infected citrus trees with those in rootlets of test plants in gnotobiotic cultures gave insight into the reproductive potential and population growth of the parasite. The numbers of nematodes extracted from parasitized citrus rootlets of grove trees averaged 52 per gram of rootlets and ranged from 7 to 152. The numbers in discrete lesions varied from 1 to 739 and averaged 118. The ratio of males to females was 1 to 10.4 and the percentage of males in sample collections ranged from 0 to 40 per cent. In contrast, the populations of nematodes in rootlets of infected seedlings maintained in gnotobiotic cultures increased from an average of 5 in cultures of 10 days old to an average of 11,092 in cultures 85 days old, with a maximum of 47,113 nematodes and 47,305 eggs in 1 colony 85 days old. The rate at which R. similis laid eggs in gnotobiotic cultures varied from 0.5 to 6 eggs per female per day and averaged 1.8. The life cycle was completed in 18 to 20 days at 24° to 27° C. R. similis in gnotobiotic cultures had a reproductive rate that was strictly arithmetic during the first 19 days, the time required to complete a life cycle. Thereafter, it was essentially logarithmic, with a slope of approximately 0,05 log units per day. After 55 days, population pressures were so great that actual populations began to fall much below the theoretical ones. Males alone did not penetrate rootlets and form lesions and there was no evidence of intersex among the males. In gnotobiotic cultures, the first generation of females and sometimes the second, laid viable eggs and produced an active colony of males and females although no males had been introduced into the colony.
Thrombospondin 1 precedes and predicts the development of tubulointerstitial fibrosis in glomerular disease in the rat

Thrombospondin 1 precedes and predicts the development of tubulointerstitial fibrosis in glomerular disease in the rat. Tubulointerstitial fibrosis is one of the most important histologic features that predicts progression in kidney disease. Thrombospondin 1 is an extracellular matrix protein that can activate latent TGF- β , a cytokine implicated in the pathogenesis of tubulointerstitial fibrosis. We examined the expression of thrombospondin 1 in several animal models of glomerulonephritis (anti-Thy1 model, aminonucleoside nephrosis, passive Heymann nephritis) that are associated with tubulointerstitial disease. Thrombospondin 1 mRNA and protein were transiently increased in tubular cells, myofibroblasts and some macrophages in areas of tubulointerstitial injury. Thrombospondin 1 expression always preceded the development of tubulointerstitial fibrosis, and correlated quantitatively and spatially with the later development of interstitial fibrosis. Thrombospondin 1 expression predicted the severity of tubulointerstitial fibrosis better than the degree of macrophage or myofibroblast accumulation. Thrombospondin 1 expression was associated with increased expression and activation of TGF- β 1 and decreased expression of LAP-TGF- β in areas of tubulointerstitial injury. We conclude that thrombospondin 1 is an early marker predicting the development of tubulointerstitial kidney disease. De novo expression of thrombospondin 1 is associated and colocalized with increased expression of TGF- β 1 and decreased expression of LAP-TGF- β during the development of tubulointerstitial disease in vivo . These data are consistent with the possibility that thrombospondin 1 may be an endogenous activator of TGF- β .
Contract, cooperation, and performance in international joint ventures

This study examines how contract, cooperation, and performance are associated with one another within international joint ventures (IJVs). We argue that contract and cooperation are not substitutes but complements in relation to IJV performance. An IJV contract provides an institutional framework guiding the course of cooperation, while cooperation overcomes the adaptive limits of contracts. Our analysis of 293 IJVs in a dynamic market demonstrates that previous cooperation bolsters contractual adaptability, which in turn nurtures current cooperation between the same partners. We find that contract completeness and cooperation drive IJV performance both independently and interactively. When contracts are more complete, cooperation contributes more to performance. Contract and cooperation differ in their quadratic effects such that the contribution of contract completeness to performance declines as completeness increases but the contribution of cooperation remains linear. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and Characterization of Lithium Manganese Phosphate by a Precipitation Method

LiMnPO4 is synthesized from MnPO4•H2O precursor precipitated via a spontaneous reaction. These MnPO4•H2O nano-plates react quickly with the lithium source and form a pure phase of LiMnPO4 that has good electrochemical properties. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was used to determine the optimum synthesis temperature. It is found that the crystallization of LiMnPO4 occurs before 438°C. After full nucleation at 550°C, the samples exhibit a discharge capacity of 115mAh/g (C/20 rate, 2.5-4.4 V) in the first cycle. The Coulombic efficiency is maintained at near 100% after the first few cycles.When the synthesis temperature decreases to 350°C, the particle size of the LiMnPO4 is further reduced to 10-50 nm with a reversible capacity of more than 90 mAh/g. For 550°C-synthesized LiMnPO4, 73% of the initial capacity is retained at the sixtieth cycle. After high rate (5C) discharge, the reversible capacity of the LiMnPO4 can be recovered to nearly the original value of 110 mAh/g at the C/20 rate. This precipitation method provides a cost effective approach for manufacturing high-performance LiMnPO4 cathode material for Li-ion batteries.
Homeostatic regulation of dendritic dynamics in a motor map in vivo.

Various homeostatic mechanisms have been implicated in regulating neuronal excitability. Kishore and Fetcho study homeostatic mechanisms in zebrafish and find they regulate topographic patterns of dendritic dynamics within pools of motoneurons, that map onto ordered patterns of recruitment during behaviour.
Hierarchical queue-length-aware power control for delay-sensitive applications over wireless networks

We consider the problem of optimal power control for quality-of-service-assured wireless communication. The quality of service (QoS) measures of our consideration are a triplet of data rate, delay, and delay bound violation probability. Our target is to develop power control laws that can provide delay guarantees for real-time applications over wireless networks. The power control laws that aim at optimizing certain physical-layer performance measures, usually adapt the transmission power based on the channel gain; we call these ldquochannel-gain-basedrdquo (CGB) power control (PC). In this paper, we show that CGB-PC laws achieve poor link-layer delay performance. To improve the performance, we propose a novel scheme called hierarchical queue-length-aware (HQLA) power control. The key idea is to combine the best features of the two PC laws, i.e., a given CGB-PC law and the clear-queue PC law; here, the clear-queue PC is defined as a PC law that uses a transmission power just enough to empty the queue at the link layer. We analyze our proposed HQLA-PC scheme by the matrix-geometric method. The analysis agrees well with the simulation results. More importantly, our simulation results show that the proposed HQLA-PC achieves significant gain over the CGB-PC scheme, for tight delay requirements.
Does vertebral bone marrow fat content correlate with abdominal adipose tissue, lumbar spine bone mineral density, and blood biomarkers in women with type 2 diabetes mellitus?†

Poster: "ECR 2011 / C-0058 / Does vertebral bone marrow fat content correlate with abdominal adipose tissue, lumbar spine BMD and blood parameters in women with type 2 diabetes mellitus?" by: "S. P. Yap1, T. Baum1, D. C. Karampinos1, L. Nardo1, D. Kuo1, A. Burghardt1, X. Li1, T. M. Link2; 1San Francisco, CA/US, 2San Francisco/US"
Ultrastructural evidence for differential axonal sprouting in the striatum after thermocoagulatory and aspiration lesions of the cerebral cortex in adult rats

Abstract Thermocoagulation of pial blood vessels overlying the cerebral cortex induces an ischemic degeneration of the cortex. We have previously shown with anatomical tracing techniques that thermocoagulatory lesions of the sensorimotor cortex trigger a robust axonal sprouting of contralateral cortical neurons into the denervated striatum. Similar sprouting was not observed after acute aspiration lesions of the same cortical region. We have now examined immunostaining for the growth-associated protein (GAP)-43 at the ultrastructural level after both types of lesions. A modest increase in growth cone-like structures was observed just below the corpus callosum after both lesions. However, GAP-43-positive growth cone-like structures were markedly increased in the denervated dorsolateral striatum only after thermocoagulatory lesions. In contrast, no significant increase in growth cone immunostaining was found in the dorsolateral striatum after aspiration lesions, confirming the absence of axonal sprouting in the dorsolateral striatum in this condition. Corticostriatal inputs make asymmetric synapses with dendritic spines of striatal neurons. As expected, the density of asymmetric synapses was markedly decreased in the dorsolateral striatum after aspiration lesions. However, it was not different from control after thermocoagulatory lesions that removed the same cortical area. The density of symmetric synapses was decreased after both types of lesions at 16 but not 42 days post-surgery. These data reveal that robust axonal and synaptic remodeling can occur in the dorsolateral striatum of adult rats after ischemic lesions of the cerebral cortex and further demonstrate marked differences in the degree of anatomical plasticity induced by two different types of cortical lesions.
Individual Differences in the Use of Violent and Peaceful Behavior in Peer Conflicts Among Children Who Have and Have Not Witnessed Interparental Violence

ABSTRACT This research explored whether witnessing spouse abuse influences children's use of violent and peaceful behavior in conflicts with peers. Sixty-two child witnesses were compared with 53 non-witnesses across five types of childhood conflicts: limited resources, exclusion, aggression, intimidation, and jealousy. Each conflict was presented in two formats: (1) hypothetical conflicts, and (2) simulated conflict situations. For both, most children, and particularly non-witness males, were consistently peaceful. However, male witnesses were inconsistent and violent in both conflict formats. Female witnesses proposed peaceful strategies in hypothetical conflicts, but were inconsistent and violent in simulated conflicts. Female non-witnesses were consistent and peaceful in simulated conflicts, but were inconsistent and more violent in hypothetical conflicts. Group differences wereprimarily due to subsets of children.
Designing and implementing a case-based learning environment for enhancing ill-structured problem solving: classroom management problems for prospective teachers

This design-based research study is aimed at two goals: (1) developing a feasible case-based instructional model that could enhance college students’ ill-structured problem solving abilities, while (2) implementing the model to improve teacher education students’ real-world problem solving abilities to deal with dilemmas faced by practicing teachers in elementary classrooms. To achieve these goals, an online case-based learning environment for classroom management problem solving (CBL-CMPS) was developed based on Jonassen’s (in: Reigeluth (ed.) Instructional-Design Theories and Models: A New Paradigm of Instructional Theory, 1999) constructivist learning environment model and the general process of ill-structured problem solving (1997). Two successive studies, in which the effectiveness of the CBL-CMPS was tested while the CBL-CMPS was revised, showed that the individual components of the CBL-CMPS promoted ill-structured problem solving abilities respectively, and that the CBL-CMPS as a whole learning environment was effective to a degree for the transfer of learning in ill-structured problem solving. The potential, challenge, and implications of the CBL-CMPS are discussed.
The Ferredoxin/Thioredoxin System: A Key Element in the Regulatory Function of Light in Photosynthesis

In addition to its well-established function in supplying the energy for carbon dioxide assimilation, light plays a regulatory role in photosynthesis. The ferredoxin/thioredoxin system is a major mechanism whereby light functions in this capacity. Here, light absorbed by chlorophyll is converted via ferredoxin into a reductant messenger, reduced thioredoxin, that interacts with key target enzymes, thereby changing their catalytic activities. In this way, the green plant achieves maximum efficiency of its photosynthetic (light) and heterotrophic (dark) capabilities.
Gene × smoking interactions on human brain gene expression: finding common mechanisms in adolescents and adults

Background Numerous studies have examined gene × environment interactions (G × E) in cognitive and behavioral domains. However, these studies have been limited in that they have not been able to directly assess differential patterns of gene expression in the human brain. Here, we assessed G × E interactions using two publically available datasets to assess if DNA variation is associated with post-mortem brain gene expression changes based on smoking behavior, a biobehavioral construct that is part of a complex system of genetic and environmental influences. Methods We conducted an expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) study on two independent human brain gene expression datasets assessing G × E for selected psychiatric genes and smoking status. We employed linear regression to model the significance of the Gene × Smoking interaction term, followed by meta-analysis across datasets. Results Overall, we observed that the effect of DNA variation on gene expression is moderated by smoking status. Expression of 16 genes was significantly associated with single nucleotide polymorphisms that demonstrated G × E effects. The strongest finding (p = 1.9 × 10−11) was neurexin 3-alpha (NRXN3), a synaptic cell–cell adhesion molecule involved in maintenance of neural connections (such as the maintenance of smoking behavior). Other significant G × E associations include four glutamate genes. Conclusions This is one of the first studies to demonstrate G × E effects within the human brain. In particular, this study implicated NRXN3 in the maintenance of smoking. The effect of smoking on NRXN3 expression and downstream behavior is different based upon SNP genotype, indicating that DNA profiles based on SNPs could be useful in understanding the effects of smoking behaviors. These results suggest that better measurement of psychiatric conditions, and the environment in post-mortem brain studies may yield an important avenue for understanding the biological mechanisms of G × E interactions in psychiatry.
Kinetics of External Adsorption on Nanotube Bundles: Surface Heterogeneity Effects

We investigate the kinetics of adsorption of gases on the external surfaces of a carbon nanotube bundle by simulating the elemental processes that take place during equilibration in a kinetic Monte...
Oxidation effects on toughness and slow crack growth in polycrystalline graphites

Abstract The fracture toughness ( K Ic ) and slow crack growth behavior of four fine-grained polycrystalline graphites, oxidized to 5, 10 and 20% weight losses, were measured in air at room temperature. Exponential decreases in the elastic moduli as well as decreases in the fracture surface energy contributed to lowering K Ic . Oxidation generally shifted the stress intensity-crack velocity ( K I - V I ) diagram to lower stress intensity values, and decreased the slope, or N -value. Scanning electron microscope fractography revealed that a combination of filler particle and binder phase degradation with increasing oxidation was responsible for the decreased toughness and changes in the ( K I - V I ) characteristics. Oxidation conditions were shown to significantly affect the magnitude of decreases in the physical, elastic and mechanical properties of these graphites.
Boundedness for a bilinear model sum operator on Rn

The purpose of this article is to obtain a multidimensional extension of Lacey and Thiele's result on the boundedness of a model sum which plays a crucial role in the boundedness of the bilinear Hilbert transform in one dimension. This proof is a simplification of the original proof of Lacey and Thiele modeled after the presentation of Bilyk and Grafakos.
Vesicle distribution in the arterial endothelium determined with ruthenium red as an extracellular marker

The numerical densities of free and attached vesicles have been determined in the peripheral zone of canine arterial endothelium with the use of ruthenium red as an extracellular marker. Ruthenium red only penetrates pinocytotic invaginations that are continuous with the extracellular space, allowing the distinction of truly free vesicles from apparently free vesicles which are actually attached to the plasma membrane in a different section plane. Attached vesicles are distributed bimodally, with density maxima 20–40 nm from the luminal and abluminal cell membranes. Free vesicles show a nearly uniform distribution across the cytoplasm. Approximately three-fourths of the apparently free vesicles are attached, and only one-fourth of these are actually free. The ratio of attached vesicles to free vesicles obtained with the use of the ruthenium red is 11.29 ± 0.63 (mean ± SD). This ratio tended to be underestimated in studies in which an extracellular marker was not employed. These data on vesicle distribution are valuable in understanding the dynamics of vesicle attachment and for predicting the possible effects of enhanced vesicle diffusion on macromolecular transport.
Thinking in Different Ways to Combine Fusion with Fission

The common goal of CTR, but in particular of ICF, is low yield-high gain. Fission triggered large TN explosive devices meet the second but not the first of these conditions. These devices depend on the rare isotopes U235, Pu239, or U233, but for them the fusion energy output greatly exceeds the output from fission, limiting the fallout. In thinking about different ways to combine fusion with fission, there are three questions: (1) Are there ways where both conditions can be met, and where the fallout from fission is small? (2) Can the conditions be met without the use of U235, Pu239, or U233, but with U238, Th232, and perhaps with the fission of light nuclei like B10 or Li6, the latter having no fallout? (3) Are there concepts for MF, combining fusion with fission, without U235, Pu239 or U233? In my talk I will present reasons why under the above stated conditions two things seem to be possible: (1) The greatly facilitated fast ignition of thermonuclear microexplosions with a small amount of U238 or Th232. (2) The greatly enhanced pulsed MF burn aided by the fission of light nuclei such as B10, but also of the U238 and Th232 and with a neutron moderator. In either one of these cases the burn is “autocatalytic” in the sense that neutron-induced nuclear reactions in a halo surrounding the fusion plasma drive thermomagnetic currents compressing and increasing its neutron production rate.
Microbial characterization of thermophilic Archaea isolated from the Guaymas Basin hydrothermal vent

Extremely thermophilic bacteria were isolated from sediments collected at the Guaymas Basin hydrothermal vent located in the Gulf of California. One isolate, (FC89) is a hydrogenotrophic methanogen with an optimal growth temperature of 85°C; this isolate appears to be closely related to the previously describedMethanococcus jannaschii. Thermophilic isolates TY and TYS are heterotrophic, sulfur-reducing archaea that differ from other thermophilic heterotrophic strains in physiological and molecular properties. Both heterotrophic isolates fermented carbohydrates and proteinaceous substrates; acetate was the primary product of carbohydrate fermentation, whereas acetate and a mix of organic acids were primary products of proteinaceous substrate fermentation. A detailed microbiological characterization of the isolates and a profile of fermentable substrates and fermentation products are described.
Parent-Child Predictors of Social Competence with Peers in Children with and without Autism.

Abstract The current study investigated the relations among parent–child joint engagement, dyadic interactive behaviors, and children's subsequent social competence with peers. Participants were 40 children (20 children with autism, and 20 developmentally-matched typical children) between the ages of 2.75 and 6.5 years. Observational coding was conducted to assess children's joint engagement initiations, global interactive behaviors with parents, and parents’ responsiveness, behavior regulation, and attention regulation. Children's social competence with peers was measured approximately one year later. Group differences were observed in child-initiated joint engagement, children's interactive behaviors in the parent–child context, and individual aspects of social competence. Child-initiated joint engagement with parents was positively related to social competence with peers overall, and with less exclusion by peers and hyperactive-distractible behaviors with peers, in particular. In addition, parent attention regulation emerged as the most salient predictor of children's behaviors within the parent–child context. Findings are discussed with respect to implications for future research and intervention.