Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
What Role for Tropical Forests in Climate Change Mitigation? The Case of Costa Rica

Land and forestry-based activities could in principle play important roles as climate change mitigation strategies. In practice, however, several questions have been raised about their feasibility. Therefore, understanding the processes and determinants of land use changes is critical. This paper aims to contribute to such understanding in the larger part of a larger project on sustainable development and economic growth. It begins with a dynamic model of land use. The model generates deforestation equations that are estimated from data in Costa Rica on land use, environment, and geography, and, in the case of geo-referenced information, from secondary data. Results suggest that susceptibility to deforestation depends on environmental, geographic and socioeconomic characteristics. Such results may be of use in establishing baselines. The next stage of this work will add variables such as land value in order to permit the analysis of the effects of payments for carbon sequestration. Even in its current state, the model’s results can be linked to carbon storage and accumulation functions in order to quantify the supply of carbon offsets by Costa Rica resulting from changes in land use. Dr. Marco Boscolo is a Development Associate at the Harvard Institute for International Development. Dr. Suzi Kerr is with the Motu Economic Research, New Zealand. Dr. Alex Pfaff is Assistant Professor of Economics and International Affairs at Columbia University in New York. Dr. Arturo Sanchez is Assistant Professor at the University of Alberta, Canada. * All contributors share equal authorship for this paper. The authors gratefully acknowledge the invaluable assistance of Luis Monestel, project country manager, the advice of Theodore Panayotou, JR DeShazo, Rob Faris, Rene Castro, the support of the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis, the Tinker Foundation, the Tropical Science Center, and the CERC and CSSH at Columbia University and FONAFIFO (Fondo Nacional de Finaciamiento Forestal), for making available valuable information. What Role for Tropical Forests in Climate Change Mitigation C E N T R A L A M E R I C A P R O J E C T What Role for Tropical Forests in Climate Change Mitigation? The Case of Costa Rica Marco Boscolo, Suzi Kerr, Alex Pfaff, and Arturo Sanchez
Localizing the adhesive and signaling functions of plakoglobin.

Plakoglobin (PKG) is a major component of cell-cell adhesive junctions. It is also closely related to the Drosophila segment polarity gene product armadillo and can induce a WNT-like neural axis duplication (NAD) phenotype in Xenopus [Kamovsky and Klymkowsky, 1995. ] To define the regions of PKG involved in cell adhesion and inductive signaling, we examined the behavior of mutated forms of PKG in Xenopus. Deletion of amino acids 22 through 39 (in the Xenopus PKG sequence increased the apparent stability of the polypeptide within the embryo and increased its ability to induce a WNT-like, NAD phenotype when expressed in the vegetal hemisphere. The N-terminal "head" and first 6 "ARM" repeats of PKG, or the C-terminal "tail" and the last 3 "ARM" repeats, could be removed without destroying the remaining polypeptide's ability to induce a NAD phenotype. The nuclear localization of mutant PKGs, however, was not strictly correlated with the ability to induce a NAD phenotype, i.e., some inactive polypeptides still accumulate in nuclei. Removal of PKG's head and first ARM repeat, which includes its alpha-catenin binding site, resulted in a polypeptide that, when expressed in the embryo, generated alpha dramatic cell adhesion defect. Removal of the next three ARM repeats abolished this adhesion defect, suggesting that the polypeptide no longer competes effectively with endogenous catenins for binding to cadherins. Expression of a form of PKG truncated after the 5th ARM repeat produced a milder cell adhesion defect, whereas expression of a polypeptide truncated after the 8th ARM repeat had little apparent effect on cellular adhesion. Based on these observations, we conclude that functions related to stability and cellular adhesion reside in the N-terminal region of the polypeptide, whereas the ability to induce a NAD phenotype lies within repeats 6-10 of the central region. The function(s) of the C-terminal domain of PKG remain uncertain at this time.
Defective in Mitotic Arrest 1 (Dma1) Ubiquitin Ligase Controls G1 Cyclin Degradation*

Background: Dma ubiquitin ligases control the cell cycle in diverse organisms. In humans, these enzymes act as tumor suppressors that prevent aberrant mitosis. Results: Dma1 targets the cyclin Pcl1 for destruction. Conclusion: Dma1 ubiquitin ligase activity controls stability of G1 cyclins. Significance: Pcl1 is the second reported substrate for Dma1 enzymes. Uncovering new Dma1 substrates could help to elucidate cellular functions of these enzymes. Progression through the G1 phase of the cell cycle is controlled by diverse cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) that might be associated to numerous cyclin isoforms. Given such complexity, regulation of cyclin degradation should be crucial for coordinating progression through the cell cycle. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, SCF is the only E3 ligase known to date to be involved in G1 cyclin degradation. Here, we report the design of a genetic screening that uncovered Dma1 as another E3 ligase that targets G1 cyclins in yeast. We show that the cyclin Pcl1 is ubiquitinated in vitro and in vivo by Dma1, and accordingly, is stabilized in dma1 mutants. We demonstrate that Pcl1 must be phosphorylated by its own CDK to efficiently interact with Dma1 and undergo degradation. A nonphosphorylatable version of Pcl1 accumulates throughout the cell cycle, demonstrating the physiological relevance of the proposed mechanism. Finally, we present evidence that the levels of Pcl1 and Cln2 are independently controlled in response to nutrient availability. This new previously unknown mechanism for G1 cyclin degradation that we report here could help elucidate the specific roles of the redundant CDK-cyclin complexes in G1.
Coping Styles in Twins Discordant for Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, and Depression

Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression share several clinical and etiological factors. Coping is a critical mediator of the relationship between stress and psychopathology and a point of clinical intervention for all three disorders; however, little is known about their degree of overlap in coping style or the influence of unique or shared genetic diathesis. In this study, we examined five factors of coping within and across disorder proband and co-twin groups, modeled heritability, and tested for endophenotypic pattern in a sample of twin pairs recruited from the Swedish Twin Registry (N = 420). Although there was substantial phenotypic overlap across disorders, including low levels of productive problem-focused coping and high levels of disengagement, each disorder was associated with a unique profile across other dimensions of coping. We also found evidence of heritability for three of five factors, yet we found little evidence of genotypic overlap among disorders contributing to similar strategy use.
Effect of necrosectomy and vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) on mitochondrial function and oxidative stress markers in severe acute pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether necrosectomy, alone or combined with vacuum-assisted closure (VAC), has any additional beneficial effects on mitochondrial function and/or oxidative stress markers in SAP. METHODS Patients with SAP, APACHE II score > 8, and inadequate response to management in an intensive care unit were included in a prospective observational study. Sixteen underwent necrosectomy and 24 underwent necrosectomy plus VAC every 48 h. Patients were then categorized as survivors or deceased. Submitochondrial membrane fluidity of platelets and F0F1-ATPase hydrolysis were measured to represent mitochondrial function. Oxidative/nitrosative stress was measured using lipoperoxides (LPOs), nitric oxide (NO), erythrocyte membrane fluidity, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). RESULTS Membrane fluidity in submitochondrial particles of platelets remained significantly increased throughout the study, and then eventually rised in deceased patients managed with necrosectomy + VAC vs. survivors (p < 0.041). Hydrolysis was significantly increased from baseline to endpoint in all patients, predominating in those who died after management with necrosectomy (p < 0.03). LPO increased in all patients, and necrosectomy was more efficient for the eventual decrease in survivors (p < 0.039). NO was found to be increased for the baseline-endpoint result among both survivors and deceased patients with both management options. Erythrocyte membrane fluidity was increased in survivors managed with necrosectomy + VAC, and eventually returned to normal (p < 0.045). TAC was found to be consumed in all patients for the duration of the study. CONCLUSIONS Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative/ nitrosative stress with significant systemic antioxidant consumption were found. Necrosectomy was more efficient and better cleared LPOs. Necrosectomy + VAC improved erythrocyte membrane fluidity and increased survival.
Association between nitrogen dioxide and heart rate variability in a susceptible population

Background Panel studies have shown a consistent association between changes in the cardiac autonomic nervous system with particulate matters (PM) but less with gaseous pollutants. This study examined the linkage between nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and heart rate variability (HRV) in a susceptible population. Methods We recruited a panel of 83 patients from the National Taiwan University Hospital Cardiology Clinic to measure their 24-h HRV by ambulatory electrocardiography. Thirty-nine patients had coronary heart disease (CHD) and another 44 patients had more than one major CHD risk factor. Ambient concentrations of NO2, sulphur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone, and PM less than 10μm in diameter (PM10) at each participant's close-by monitoring station were used to represent study participants’ exposures. We used linear mixed-effects models to analyse the association between individual air pollutants and log10-transformed HRV, with key personal and environmental attributes and co-pollutants being adjusted. Results We found that an increase in 10 ppb NO2 at 4-h to 8-h moving averages was associated with 1.5–2.4% decreases in the standard deviation of all normal-to-normal intervals (SDNN) in our participants. For every 10 ppb NO2 at 5 and 7-h moving averages, our participants’ low frequency was decreased by 2.2 and 2.5%, respectively. In contrast, HRV was not associated with PM10, CO, SO2, or O3. Conclusion Increasing NO2 exposure was found to be associated with decreasing SDNN and low frequency in susceptible populations.
Modeling a Safe Interlocking Using the Event-B Theory Plug-in

Interlocking (IXL) is a railway signaling sub-system. Its principal role is controlling the movement of points, the change of signal aspect and setting up tra c directions on a railway network. These controls are performed via commands on signaling system devices. The main issue of IXL concerns the safety of commands, or more precisely, properties preventing risks of train collision and derailment. This paper presents an Event-B model of a safe IXL in which IXL commands are filtered to ensure safety properties. In the model, railway terms are expressed with the Theory plug-in datatypes and operators. This approach has a two-fold advantage. Firstly, the model is lighter. In fact, complex mathematical expressions are held separately in Theory plug-in operators. Moreover, proof rules defined in Theories reduce the e↵ort of proving activities. Secondly, domain specific terms are defined and reusable. The model is illustrated by an animation using the ProB plug-in.
Body-Image Distortion in Normal-Weight College Women

20 normal-weight college women were tested for body-image distortion and given the Eating Disorder Inventory and the Tennessee Self-concept Scale. Body-image distortion was present in one-half of the sample and seemed to be related to cognitive factors. There was no evidence of perceptual abnormalities in the subjects, and body-image distortion was not correlated with body weight or low self-esteem.
Understanding confounding in research.

1. Kantahyanee W. Murray, PhD* 2. Anne Duggan, ScD† 1. *Ruth H. Young Center for Children and Families, University of Maryland School of Social Work, Baltimore, Md. 2. †Department of General Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md. The association between indoor smoking and asthma exacerbation is well established. You learn that one of your asthmatic patients is exposed regularly to indoor smoking. Your patient's mother attributes her daughter's asthma exacerbations to the high level of air pollution in the community in which they live. You think that indoor smoking is a major contributor to her asthma exacerbations but are unable to convince the mother. You decide to search the literature for studies that have examined whether air pollution confounds the relationship between indoor smoking and asthma exacerbations. When establishing relationships of cause and effect, internal validity represents the truthfulness of conclusions about causal relationships. Internal validity means that a true cause-and-effect relationship exists between an exposure (the cause) and outcome (the effect) variable. Confounding is one of several threats to the internal validity of a research study. (1) Confounding is defined as a possible source of bias in studies in which an unmeasured third variable (the confounder) is related to the exposure of interest (although not causally) and causally related to the outcome of interest. (2) Understanding confounding is critical in determining what inferences can be drawn from study findings. Is indoor smoking a cause of asthma exacerbation or is a third factor (eg, air pollution) the true cause? Failure to detect confounding can lead …
Predicting fitness to drive using the visual recognition slide test (USyd).

OBJECTIVE The authors examined the construct and predictive validity and internal reliability of the Visual Recognition Slide Test developed at the University of Sydney (VRST-USyd). METHOD A historical cohort study using retrospective descriptive analysis of VRST-USyd scores and on-road driving performance for 838 drivers with impairments was conducted. RESULTS Rasch analysis provided evidence for the construct validity and internal reliability of the VRST-USyd. Goodness-of-fit statistics for all items were acceptable. The test had high participant and item reliability indexes and separated the participants into four groups with varying levels of skill. Using a cutoff score of 95/164, the sensitivity of the test was 81%, and the specificity was 90%. However, when coupled with clinicians' judgment of participants' awareness of their driving performance during the on-road assessment, this score improved. CONCLUSION There is evidence for reliability and construct and predictive validity of the VRST-USyd. The measurement of awareness requires further research.
The influence of uridine diphosphate glucuronosyl transferase 1A promoter polymorphisms, βS‐globin gene haplotype, co‐inherited α‐thalassemia trait and Hb F on steady‐state serum bilirubin levels in sickle cell anemia

Abstract: Purpose: Homozygosity for the (AT)7 allele of uridine diphosphate glucuronosyl transferase 1A (UGT1A1) gene polymorphism is associated with increased bilirubin levels in sickle cell anemia (SCA). In the present study, in addition to UGT1A1 promoter genotype, serum bilirubin level was related to other genetic modifiers –βS‐globin gene haplotype, Hb F, co‐inherited α‐thal trait, age and gender. Methods: The patients were randomly selected from the sickle cell clinic, Medical College of Georgia. UGT1A1 promoter polymorphisms were determined using automated sequencing. Other investigations were with standard techniques. Results: There were 67 SCA patients (41 males and 26 females), aged 2–44 yr (mean of 20.6 ± 10.7). Ten (14.9%) patients were homozygous for the (AT)6 UGT1A1 allele, 35 (52.2%) were heterozygous for (AT)6 and (AT)7 alleles while 22 (32.8%) were homozygous for (AT)7. Serum bilirubin was significantly higher in the homozygous (AT)7 group (3.7 ± 1.5, 3.8 ± 2.3 and 5.6 ± 2.4 mg/dL, respectively). It was also significantly higher in males than females and in patients aged >10 yr. There was a significant negative linear correlation (r = −0.304, P = 0.016) of serum bilirubin with Hb F. The β‐globin haplotype and co‐existing α‐thal trait did not have any significant influence on serum bilirubin levels. Patients on hydroxyurea were older, had lower Hb F, but higher mean serum bilirubin. The latter also was signifcantly higher among those with UGT1A1 (AT)7 homozygosity. Conclusions: Apart from UGT1A1 (AT)7 homozygosity, Hb F, age and gender are the other factors that significantly influence serum bilirubin level in SCA.
The Relationship between Daily Physical Activity and Stress through Adulthood

Stress reduction has many positive health implications, and physical activity has been consistently shown to be a mechanism to reduce stress. Many studies that demonstrate a connection between physical activity and stress focus on the long-term effects. More recent research suggests stress changes on a day-to-day basis, yet little work has investigated the benefits of physical activity to alleviate daily stress. The current study explores this short-term relationship between physical activity and stress. One hundred and twenty-two participants ranging in age from 22 to 94 participated in this seven day study. Participants were asked to wear an activity monitor to measure the amount of physical activity they engage in per day. They also reported the amount of time spent in vigorous, moderate, and light physical activity as a self-reported physical activity measure. Each day, subjects also took the Daily Inventory of Stressful Events to measure their perception of daily stressors. This is a correlational study that explores the relationship of daily objective and self-reported physical activity and stress, and whether these associations differ by age and educational level. We conducted multiple regression models in which we regressed stress (overall and by specific domain) on objective physical activity (Model A), self-reported physical activity (Model B), and both measures of physical activity (Model C), as well as age, education, their interactions with exercise, and other covariates. We found that older age was associated with lower numbers of work and argument stressors, as well as lower severity of stressors in those domains. We did not find relationships between education and numbers or severity of stressors. We did not find consistent relationships between physical activity (objective or self-reported) and stress across all participants; however, there were interactions with education and physical activity in relation to stress. The relationship between physical activity and the number of argument stressors was found primarily for those with higher levels of education. The discussion considers the implications of the findings and suggests directions for future research.
Cross Linguistic Transfer in Word Order : Evidence from L 1 Forgetting and L 2 Acquisition

The purpose of the present study was to bring together the evidence on possible cross-linguistic transfer in word order from two different perspectives: a transfer as an apparent obstacle in second language acquisition, and a transfer as a cause of attrition of the native language. The relationship between the same two languages in a contact situation was investigated. Since the majority of studies on cross-linguistic influence were done in either of these two fields, there was a challenge to incorporate two studies in the framework of the same research and not to damage its integrity. The paper is structured as follows. After an account of the literature on cross-linguistic influence as it is reflected in both fields, recent findings on word order transfer are reported. A brief comparative analysis of word order in Russian and English is followed by the results of the longitudinal case study. Then findings from the experimental cross-sectional study are presented.
Patients' perceptions of the effects of systemic lupus erythematosus on health, function, income, and interpersonal relationships: a comparison with Wegener's granulomatosis.

OBJECTIVE To describe the patients' perceptions of the effects of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) on health, function, income, and interpersonal relationships. METHODS 114 patients with SLE, and 79 patients with WG completed a self-administered questionnaire. Patients had been diagnosed with SLE or WG for a median period of 10 and 5 years, respectively. RESULTS All patients experienced substantial functional morbidity. Two-thirds of the patients with SLE or WG reported either a periodic or permanent inability to perform daily activities at home and/or at work. Furthermore, SLE as well as WG had a considerable impact upon the psychological and social life, affecting their happiness and altering relationships. CONCLUSION Our study demonstrates that SLE and WG are associated with substantial medical morbidity resulting in physical and occupational disability. SLE has a profound impact on patients' lives, similar to that experienced in patients with WG.
Speeding up rare event simulations using Kriging models

We consider the Importance Sampling Monte Carlo (ISMC) as a reference probability estimator for estimating very small probabilities in the context of analog circuits design. We propose a surrogate based hybrid ISMC method to accelerate the estimation of probabilities when the budget of simulations is limited. The Kriging model is used as a surrogate of the simulator because it provides the uncertainties around the predictions that are useful to obtain confidence bounds for any model predictions, and consequently for the probability estimators.
The PUB Domain Functions as a p97 Binding Module in Human Peptide N-Glycanase*

The AAA ATPase p97 is a ubiquitin-selective molecular machine involved in multiple cellular processes, including protein degradation through the ubiquitin-proteasome system and homotypic membrane fusion. Specific p97 functions are mediated by a variety of cofactors, among them peptide N-glycanase, an enzyme that removes glycans from misfolded glycoproteins. Here we report the three-dimensional structure of the aminoterminal PUB domain of human peptide N-glycanase. We demonstrate that the PUB domain is a novel p97 binding module interacting with the D1 and/or D2 ATPase domains of p97 and identify an evolutionary conserved surface patch required for p97 binding. Furthermore, we show that the PUB and UBX domains do not bind to p97 in a mutually exclusive manner. Our results suggest that PUB domain-containing proteins constitute a widespread family of diverse p97 cofactors.