cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hospitalizing the Suicidal Adolescent: Decision-Making Criteria of Psychiatric Residents

ABSTRACT Objective The primary purpose of this research is to investigate the criteria used by general psychiatric residents in determining the appropriateness of hospitalization. Method A questionnaire containing 64 vignettes describing adolescent suicide attempts was completed by a sample of 33 residents from a general psychiatry training program. Six variables known to relate to lethality of attempt were systematically varied within the vignettes: gender, depression, conduct disorder/substance abuse, previous attempts, suicidal relative, and family supports. Respondents were asked to judge the appropriateness of hospitalization for each vignette. Results Hospitalization preference was significantly predicted by all risk factors except for gender, with the presence of depression emerging as the most important predictor of hospitalization. Residents recommended hospitalization more frequently than did experienced child and adolescent clinicians. In comparison with experienced clinicians, residents placed more importance on depression, and less importance on conduct disorder/substance abuse, in making decisions to hospitalize. Conclusions Although psychiatric residents use known risk factors for adolescent suicide in assessing need for hospitalization, there was clear support for further training initiatives for psychiatric residents concerning the assessment of suicidal adolescents.
Radial diffusion in gel for micro determination of enzymes

Abstract The principle of radial diffusion in substrate containing agar gel has been applied for the quantitative assessment of several enzymes. Muramidase, alpha-amylase, DNase I, RNase A, acid phosphatase, and alkaline phosphatase have been investigated. Clearing zones in the opalescent agar, staining of the substrate incorporated in the agar, or a colored insoluble hydrolysis product indicate the diffusion zone of the enzyme. A linear relationship was found between the logarithm of the enzyme concentration and the corresponding diameters of the diffusion zones over a wide range. Standard dilutions of the different enzymes are used as reference. The methods have been elaborated for the quantitative assessment of these enzymes in biological material on a micro scale. The wells in the gel hold a volume of 2 μl under standard conditions. The wells can function as volumetric vessels, especially in case of investigations on very viscous mucoid material, which cannot be delivered accurately by a micropipet. The diffusible enzyme of small tissue pieces can also be estimated as well as enzymes in micro homogenates. The method has been found very helpful in screening large numbers of chromatography fractions. The necessary equipment is simple and inexpensive.
Spin polarized photoemission studies of the 3s core levels in Fe and Co

Abstract Spin polarized photoemission is used to study the 3s core levels of Fe and Co. The exchange splitting between the two spin components in the main 3s3p 6 3d n configuration is found to be larger in Co than Fe. The satellites corresponding to emission from the 3s 2 3p 4 3d n +1 configuration are identified in both metals. The application of a sum rule to obtain the spin moment from the complete spectrum including all configurations in investigated.
Economic self-sufficiency among immigrant TANF-leavers: Welfare eligibility as a natural experiment☆

Abstract We capitalize on inter- and intra-state variation in state welfare rules regarding new immigrants to simulate a “natural experiment” that provides evidence on the impact of post-reform welfare (TANF) participation on immigrant women’s economic self-sufficiency. Using data from the Survey of Income and Program Participation (1996–1999 and 2001–2003 panels) and textual data on state welfare rules, we examine three measures of economic well-being – employment, employment stability, and wage trajectories – to obtain a comprehensive picture of immigrants’ post-welfare experiences. Findings suggest that immigrant TANF-leavers are no more or less likely to be employed than either TANF-eligible (but not receiving) or TANF-ineligible immigrant women (statistical and natural control groups, respectively). However, given employment, TANF-leavers have substantially longer spells of stable employment and steeper wage trajectories than immigrant women in both control groups.
A speculative algorithm to extract fuzzy measures from sample data

In Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM), decisions are based on several criteria that are usually conflicting and non-homogenously satisfied. Non-additive (fuzzy) measures along with the Choquet integral can model and aggregate the levels of satisfaction of these criteria by considering their relationships. However, in practice, it is difficult to identify such fuzzy measures. An automated process is necessary and can be used when sample data is available. Several optimization approaches have been proposed to extract fuzzy measures from sample data; for example, genetic algorithms, gradient descent algorithms, and the Bees algorithm. In this article, instead of using the search space as the primary focus of our research, we propose an algorithm that speculates on the value of the objective function before actually arriving to it. In addition, contrary to previous approaches to extracting fuzzy measures, our algorithm guarantees the solution to be global. Our experimental results show that our algorithm improves the performance of previous approaches.
Thin Political Markets: The Soft Underbelly of Capitalism

“Thin political markets” are the processes through which some of the most complex and critical institutions of our capitalist system are determined—e.g., our accounting-standards infrastructure. In...
Frequency-to-time assisted interferometry for polarization-diversified, single-shot, full-field waveform measurement

A new polarization-diversified, real-time, single-shot interferometric measurement technique utilizing frequency-to-time mapping and four-quadrature digital coherent detection characterizes the amplitude and phase of optical waveforms with 700-ps record lengths, 560-GHz bandwidth and 40-MHz measurement update rates.
Microscopic measurement of the pair interaction potential of charge-stabilized colloid.

We present a microscopic measurement of the interaction potential between isolated pairs of charged colloidal spheres. The measured spatial dependence of the potential is consistent with the screened Coulomb repulsion expected from the Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek theory of colloidal interactions.
Displacement-based mode separation of strain energy release rates for interfacial cracks in bi-material media

Abstract A new method of determining the opening and shearing modal components of the total strain energy release rate during crack extension is described. The method is based on suppressing one mode at a time over a certain length downstream of the crack tip ( b ) and letting the crack extend by a certain amount ( Δa ) with this condition maintained over the length b + Δa . The modal components thus obtained, however, do not add up to the total strain energy release rate ( G ) and are also dependent on the length b . These approximate values and the total strain energy release rate are used as a starting point to obtain the modal components that would add up to the total G and are not associated with any particular b . Numerical examples of cracks in homogeneous media and those along bi-material interfaces are presented to illustrate the methodology and the relative independence of the results of the mesh size and the length of Δa selected. It appears that the modal components thus obtained are rationally based global parameters which are determinable without considering local crack-tip stress distribution.
COLD-PCR: improving the sensitivity of molecular diagnostics assays

The detection of low-abundance DNA variants or mutations is of particular interest to medical diagnostics, individualized patient treatment and cancer prognosis; however, detection sensitivity for low-abundance variants is a pronounced limitation of most currently available molecular assays. We have recently developed coamplification at lower denaturation temperature-PCR (COLD-PCR) to resolve this limitation. This novel form of PCR selectively amplifies low-abundance DNA variants from mixtures of wild-type and mutant-containing (or variant-containing) sequences, irrespective of the mutation type or position on the amplicon, by using a critical denaturation temperature. The use of a lower denaturation temperature in COLD-PCR results in selective denaturation of amplicons with mutation-containing molecules within wild-type mutant heteroduplexes or with a lower melting temperature. COLD-PCR can be used in lieu of conventional PCR in several molecular applications, thus enriching the mutant fraction and improving the sensitivity of downstream mutation detection by up to 100-fold.
CFD Investigation of Developing and Redeveloping Laminar Flow and Heat Transfer Characteristics in Coiled Tube Systems for Constant Wall Temperature Heating and Cooling: Part II — Spiral Configurations

In this paper developing and redeveloping laminar fluid flow and heat transfer performance in spiral coiled tube heat exchanger systems with specified coil-to-tube radius ratios (5 to 45), spiral pitch and inside-to-outside flow are investigated using appropriate numerical modeling techniques in the CFD package (Fluent v6.2). The CFD models employ variable thermo-physical properties in the analysis of uniform wall temperature heating and cooling of common working fluids such as air and water. The CFD models developed in Part I of this investigation are extended to analyze spiral tube configurations. Appropriate dimensionless variables used to describe the (re)developing hydrodynamic and thermal flow for coiled tube systems are defined and discussed. The spiral configuration is unique in that fully developed flow is not attained for the coil-to-tube radius ratios used in this work. In spiral configurations, the centrifugal effects are not constant as the radius of curvature is not constant. Flows within the spiral flow passages are analyzed as re-developing or re-establishing hydrodynamic and thermal flows. As with the helical flow configuration, it has been shown that in addition to the radius ratio and the Dean and Prandtl numbers, the heat transfer performance also depends upon the interactions (expansion and suppression) between the viscous and thermal boundary layers due to secondary flows caused by the centrifugal forces inherent in coiled tube systems. The predictions of the numerical simulations also showed that the local friction factor and heat transfer performance continuously vary along the length of the tube. The results obtained from this work indicate the limits of application of the friction factor and heat transfer correlations reported in the literature.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Proton beam therapy for age-related macular degeneration: development of a standard plan.

Abstract Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in developing countries. Irradiating the exudative form, in which a choroidal neovascular membrane develops in the subfoveal area, is presently a treatment under investigation. In 1995, Massachusetts General Hospital, collaborating with Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, initiated a protocol to treat SCNV membranes using the proton beam at the Harvard Cyclotron Laboratory and the EYEPLAN program with a light-field setup. EYEPLAN requires the axial eye length, membrane dimensions, and manipulation of the eye to include a 4.0-mm radial margin around the membrane so that the aperture margin (50% isodose line on the posterior retina) abuts the inferior aspect of the limbus. Review of 100 individually prepared plans showed that 95% of the fabricated apertures were circular (aspect ratio
Biological applications of multi-relational data mining

Biological databases contain a wide variety of data types, often with rich relational structure. Consequently multi-relational data mining techniques frequently are applied to biological data. This paper presents several applications of multi-relational data mining to biological data, taking care to cover a broad range of multi-relational data mining techniques.
Fever of unknown origin due to preleukemia/myelodysplastic syndrome: The diagnostic importance of monocytosis with elevated serum ferritin levels

Fever of unknown origin (FUO) is a common clinical diagnostic dilemma. In the elderly, causes of FUO most commonly include malignancy or infection, and less commonly include collagen vascular diseases. Among the collagen vascular diseases causing FUO in the elderly, polymyalgia rheumatica/temporal arteritis, and adult Still's disease (adult juvenile rheumatoid arthritis) are difficult diagnoses to prove. Among the infectious causes of FUO in the elderly are subacute bacterial endocarditis, intra-abdominal abscesses, and extrapulmonary tuberculosis. In the elderly, neoplastic causes of FUO include lymphomas, hepatomas, renal cell carcinomas, and hepatic or central nervous system metastases. Acute leukemias, particularly during "blast" transformation, may present as acute fevers in the absence of infection, but are rare causes of FUO. Preleukemia/myelodysplastic syndromes are exceedingly rare causes of FUO. We present a case of an elderly man who presented with findings that initially suggested adult Still's disease. Prolonged and profound monocytosis provided the key clue to his subsequent diagnosis of preleukemia/myelodysplastic syndrome. In this patient, a positive Naprosyn test result also suggested a neoplastic cause for his FUO. After months of prolonged fevers, myelocytes/metamyelocytes were eventually demonstrated in his peripheral smear during hospital evaluation. These findings, in concert with the persistent monocytosis, highly elevated ferritin levels, polyclonal gammopathy on serum protein electrophoresis, and eventual presence of myelocytes/metamyelocytes on peripheral smear, prompted a bone marrow test that demonstrated blast cells confirming the diagnosis of preleukemia myelodysplastic syndrome as the cause of this patient's FUO.
Corrective surgery for tricuspid atresia: which modification of Fontan-Kreutzer procedure should be used? A review.

Abstract Various modifications of Fontan-Kreutzer procedure have evolved over the years. The available literature was reviewed in an attempt to evaluate whether one of these operations is preferable to others. Although there is no complete agreement, direct atriopulmonary anastomosis in the absence of a subpulmonary ventricular chamber, and atrioventricular connection via a homograft conduit in patients with a good-sized (>30% of normal), well-formed (with both trabecular and outlet portions) right ventricle appear to be reasonable choices. In patients with more than the usual risk or at low risk for the Fontan-Kreutzer procedure, other alternatives (namely, total cavopulmonary connection for patients with asplenia/polysplenia syndrome and systemic venous anomalies and bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis or Fontan-Kreutzer with a small temporary atrial septal defect) could be considered. The role of experimental skeletal muscle augmentation or replacement of right heart chambers and cardiac transplantation in the corrective treatment of tricuspid atresia needs to be defined as more data become available.
A peptide from thrombospondin 1 modulates experimental erosive arthritis by regulating connective tissue growth factor

Objective Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with leukocyte adhesion to and extravasation through vascular endothelium into synovial tissue. Recent evidence indicates that the thrombospondin 1 gene is up-regulated in patients with RA. We have identified a region within the TSP-1 type 3 repeats that inhibits human neutrophil elastase (HNE) and binds to human neutrophils. The present study was undertaken to investigate the therapeutic benefit of this TSP-1-derived peptide sequence and its effect on connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), a protein involved in fibrotic disorders and in neovascularization, which is a hallmark of RA. Methods CTGF gene and protein expression, as well as protein levels of CTGF in the synovium, after treatment with the TSP-1-derived peptide were studied in the peptidoglycan-polysaccharide animal model of erosive arthritis. Results Peptide treatment prevented joint infiltration and inflammation and was associated with reduced circulating antigen levels of HNE and TSP-1. Additionally, CTGF was up-regulated in this experimental model of RA. Treatment with the TSP-1-derived peptide was associated with down-regulation of the message and protein levels of CTGF. Immunofluorescence studies showed that the mean area fraction of CTGF immunoreactivity in the peptide-treated group of animals was significantly less than that in the untreated group. Conclusion These results document a role for TSP-1 in regulating CTGF gene and protein expression in synovial tissue, suggesting a link with the disease course in this model of RA. This TSP-1-derived synthetic peptide may represent an important template for drug development in RA and other inflammatory conditions associated with neutrophil activation.
A dye for experimental choroidal angiography

Abstract A moderately strong fluorescing dye is shown to be useful for experimental choroidal angiography. A comparison is made between this dye and indocyanine green dye.
Kinetics and mechanisms of ligand substitution reactions of molybdenum SO2 complexes. Synthesis and X-ray structure of trans-Mo(CO)2 (dmpe) (PPh3) (SO2)

Kinetic results are reported for intramolecular PPh3 substitution reactions of Mo(CO)2(η1-L)(PPh3)2(SO2) to form Mo(CO)2(η2-L)(PPh3)(SO2) (L = dmpe = (Me)2PC2H4P(Me)2 and dppe=Ph2PC2H4PPh2) in THF solvent, and for intermolecular SO2 substitutions in Mo(CO)3(η2-L)(η2-SO2) (L = 2,2′-bipyridine, dppe) with phosphorus ligands in CH2Cl2 solvent. Activation parameters for intramolecular PPh3 substitution reactions: ΔH≠ values are 12.3 kcal/mol for dmpe and 16.7 kcal/mol for dppe; ΔS≠ values are −30.3 cal/mol K for dmpe and −16.4 cal/mol K for dppe. These results are consistent with an intramolecular associative mechanism. Substitutions of SO2 in MO(CO)3(η2-L)(η2-SO2) complexes proceed by both dissociative and associative mechanisms. The facile associative pathways for the reactions are discussed in terms of the ability of SO2 to accept a pair of electrons from the metal, with its bonding transformations of η2-SO2 to η1-pyramidal SO2, maintaining a stable 18-e count for the complex in its reaction transition state. The structure of Mo(CO)2(dmpe)(PPh3)(SO2) was determined crystallographically: P21/c, a=9.311(1), b = 16.344(2), c = 18.830(2) A, s=91.04(1)°, V=2865.1(7) A3, Z=4, R(F)=3.49%.
Use of stable sulfur isotope systematics for evaluating oxidation reaction pathways and in‐cloud‐scavenging of sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere

Sulfur dioxide injected into the atmosphere is most likely oxidized into sulfate. Two major oxidation pathways are possible: (1) a homogeneous pathway involving gas reaction with hydroxyl radicals and (2) a heterogeneous pathway involving aqueous dissolution or aerosol reactions. The relative importance of these reaction pathways conditions is controversial. Sulfur isotope ratios can be used to quantify the relative importance of these reaction pathways. However, its application was severely hampered by the fact that the isotope fractionation factor for the homogeneous pathway was not known. A significant isotope fractionation in the homogeneous SO[sub 2] oxidation is identified for the first time using an ab initio quantum mechanical calculation. By using the sulfur isotope fractionation factors the authors demonstrate a technique that uses measurements of the sulfur isotope ratio in gaseous SO[sub 2], aerosol SO[sub 4] and sulfate in wet precipitation to quantify the relative importance of the homogeneous and heterogeneous reaction pathways as well as the in-cloud scavenging of sulfur dioxide for a set of isotopic observations at New Haven, CT, USA. 15 refs., 1 fig., 2 tabs.
Low temperature synthesis and enhanced electrical properties by substitution of Al3+ and Cr3+ in Co–Ni nanoferrites

Abstract Aluminum and chromium substituted Co–Ni spinel nanoferrites were prepared by sol–gel auto combustion method. Structural parameters along with electrical and magnetic properties have been investigated in the present work. Crystallite sizes of nano ferrite estimated from the peak (311) lies in the range of 13–21 nm ±2 nm and compared with crystallite sizes calculated from Williamsons–Hall plots. DC electrical resistivity variations due to the concentration of aluminum and chromium in the host ferrite have been measured from 368 K to 573 K. Increase in the room temperature DC electrical resistivity was observed up to a concentration x =0.2 and then decreases for x >0.2. Dielectric parameters (real and imaginary part of complex permittivity, dielectric loss tangent) were studied as a function of frequency (20 Hz–5 MHz) and a decrease in the dielectric parameters was observed due to substitution of nickel, aluminum and chromium ions in cobalt nanoferrites. AC conductivity, complex impedance and complex electrical modulus were studied as a function of frequency for the conduction and relaxation mechanisms in the present ferrite system. Saturation magnetization, coercivity, canting angles and magneto crystalline anisotropy variations with composition were observed and presented for the present ferrites under an applied magnetic field of 10 kOe at room temperature. It was found that both magnetization and coercivity decreases with increase in the concentration of aluminum and chromium along with a decrease in the anisotropy parameters. High DC resistivity with low dielectric parameters of the present nanoferrites make them suitable for high frequency and electromagnetic wave absorbing devices.
MO‐E‐ValB‐02: Hybrid Imaging for Guidance of Interventional Procedures

The last decade has seen an explosion in the number of procedures carried out using minimally invasive approaches, as devices and techniques develop. The promise of these new procedures is realized only with a parallel improvement in imaging techniques. Hybrid systems that combine real‐time acquisition with cross‐sectional and/or functional data are one response to the need, and several such systems have now reached the clinic. Depending on the application, different combinations can be used to greater advantage. The interventionalist's familiarity with x‐ray fluoroscopy and the real‐time and projection capability makes it a logical first choice to marry with others such as ultrasound,CT or MR. The combination of fluoroscopy with C‐arm CT for application to 3D vascular imaging was first implemented in the mid‐90's. New flat‐panel detector technology is now expanding the role of C‐arm CT into low‐contrast imaging applications such as detection of fresh bleeds during treatment of intracranial abnormalities and guidance of vascular and percutaneous abdominal interventions. Highest image quality depends on correction algorithms for lag, truncation, scatter etc. all of which are still under investigation. Recent investigations indicate that contrast resolution as low as 5 HU is possible under clinically realistic conditions. The combination of fluoroscopy with MR has also been under investigation since the mid‐90's with several prototype long‐travel systems installed in research clinics. While feasibility of such systems has been shown, patient transport between imaging FOVs has been complicated and enthusiasm for the systems has been limited. New flat‐panel detectors which are immune to static magnetic fields, and new x‐ray tube designs are now under development that allow close integration of fluoroscopy and MR systems. Using a double‐donut interventional magnet and a static‐anode x‐ray tube, good image quality can be achieved from both modalities if care is taken to maintain magnetic field homogeneity, rf noise is limited, and the electron optics of the x‐ray tube are controlled. Switching between modalities can take a little as one minute. The current status of X‐ray/MR, and of X‐ray/CT and C‐arm fluoroscopy/C‐arm CT will be discussed and described. New hardware and software for X‐ray/MR and new image correction and visualization algorithms for fluoroscopy/C‐arm CT will be described. Current challenges in the area will be outlined. Educational Objectives: 1. Understand the options available for hybrid interventional guidance. 2. Understand the issues related to image quality in C‐arm‐based CT and XMR. 3. Understand the current challenges relating to clinical workflow, multi‐modality registration and image visualization. Disclosure: The work presented here has been supported by NIH R01 EB003524, P41 RR 09784, R01 EB000198, Siemens Medical Solutions, GE Medical Systems and the Lucas Foundation.
Ease of denial and defensive projection

Abstract This experiment tested the interactive effects of the ease of denial of possession of a negative trait, and the social category of the stimulus person, upon attribution of the negative trait to others. Each subject was told that either: 1) he was very indecisive; 2) he was very indecisive, but the test might have been invalid; 3) he was very decisive. Subjects then rated a set of TAT stories, the author of which was either a student or a criminal. The two main hypotheses were supported; greater attribution of indecisiveness to the student occurred in conditions 1 and 3 than in condition 2. However, attribution of the negative trait to the criminal was less affected by the ease of denial of possession of the trait.
Comparison of the in Vitro Antifungal Activities of Miconazole and a New Imidazole, R41,400

R41,400 is a recently synthesized, water-soluble imidazole. Its antifungal properties were compared in vitro with those of miconazole using an agar dilution procedure and 175 isolates of human fungal pathogens. The filamentous forms of Histoplasma capsulatum and Blastomyces dermatitidis were inhibited by less than or equal to 2 microgram of either drug/ml; Coccidioides immitis was inhibited by less than or equal to 0.5 microgram of R41,400/ml. Among the yeasts tested, Cryptococcus neoformans and Candida parapsilosis were the most susceptibel to the two drugs, whereas Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis were the least susceptible; 0.5 microgram of either drug/ml was inhibitory for 90%-100% of tested isolates of C. neoformans but for only less than or equal to 20% of isolates of C. albicans, C. tropicalis, and Torulopsis glabrata. Both drugs were inhibitory for most isolates of Trichophyton and Microsporum species at concentrations of less than or equal to 4 microgram/ml; Epidermophyton floccosum was uniquely susceptible to both drugs.
Influence of Ligand Spatial Organization on Competitive Electrostatic Binding to DNA

The influence of ligand size on electrostatic binding to DNA in a background of competing counterions is analyzed with the planar Poisson−Boltzmann (P−B) equation, which is analytically integrated in two screening layers near the polyion surface: one sterically accessible only to the smaller counterions and the other accessible to both species. We obtain an explicit expression for the dependence of the electrostatic binding constant on the difference in counterion radii Δδ. This dependence is approximately exponential with decay length λ/z2, where λ is the thickness of the screening layer due to the smaller species and z2 is the ligand valence. λ is determined by the surface charge density of the polyion and the Bjerrum length, and is a few angstroms for double-helical DNA. This approach agrees well with detailed P−B and Monte Carlo calculations for mixtures of hard sphere counterions, and accounts for NMR results on the competitive binding of monovalent and divalent cations. The distribution of charges ...
Classifying high-prevalence neighborhoods for cardiovascular disease in Texas

Abstract Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the number one cause of death in the state of Texas. In order to develop effective healthcare policies to combat CVD, it is essential to understand what types of communities are most affected. In this paper, we develop a classification scheme to segment high-prevalence communities based on selected social and demographic characteristics. We find that while many high-prevalence areas reflect traditional relationships between socioeconomic deprivation and poor health outcomes, a subset of more affluent communities in Texas are also affected. This suggests the importance of tailored approaches to prevention that account for this diversity among high-prevalence neighborhoods.
Crystal structure of the interferon-induced ubiquitin-like protein ISG15

The biological effects of the ISG15 protein arise in part from its conjugation to cellular targets as a primary response to interferon-alpha/beta induction and other markers of viral or parasitic infection. Recombinant full-length ISG15 has been produced for the first time in high yield by mutating Cys78 to stabilize the protein and by cloning in a C-terminal arginine cap to protect the C terminus against proteolytic inactivation. The cap is subsequently removed with carboxypeptidase B to yield mature biologically active ISG15 capable of stoichiometric ATP-dependent thiolester formation with its human UbE1L activating enzyme. The three-dimensional structure of recombinant ISG15C78S was determined at 2.4-A resolution. The ISG15 structure comprises two beta-grasp folds having main chain root mean square deviation (r.m.s.d.) values from ubiquitin of 1.7 A (N-terminal) and 1.0 A (C-terminal). The beta-grasp domains pack across two conserved 3(10) helices to bury 627 A2 that accounts for 7% of the total solvent-accessible surface area. The distribution of ISG15 surface charge forms a ridge of negative charge extending nearly the full-length of the molecule. Additionally, the N-terminal domain contains an apolar region comprising almost half its solvent accessible surface. The C-terminal domain of ISG15 was superimposed on the structure of Nedd8 (r.m.s.d. = 0.84 A) bound to its AppBp1-Uba3 activating enzyme to model ISG15 binding to UbE1L. The docking model predicts several key side-chain interactions that presumably define the specificity between the ubiquitin and ISG15 ligation pathways to maintain functional integrity of their signaling.
Protection against the transmission of hepatitis B virus in dental practitioners: Better gloves, earlier vaccination, or both?

A survey of 434 oral surgeons was conducted to examine risk factors for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Overall, 112 (26%) of the participants demonstrated serologic evidence of past or current infection with HBV. Seropositivity was significantly associated with age, number of years in practice, and year of graduation from dental school but not with other variables examined, such as the number of patients seen annually or the number of patients seen who were at high risk of HBV infection. The strong correlation between years in practice and seropositivity was unaffected by reported use of gloves, face masks, or eye shields. The use of gloves and other protective devices does not appear to offer substantial protection against HBV exposure in oral surgeons, and all oral surgeons should receive HBV vaccine.
Exercise and other indirect challenges to demonstrate asthma or exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in athletes

The prevalence of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction is reported to be high among recreational and elite athletes, yet diagnosis is often symptom-based. Indirect challenges such as the laboratory exercise challenge provide objective criteria for proper diagnosis and treatment. However, a standardized protocol using appropriate exercise intensity, duration, and dry air inhalation is often not implemented, and thus a false-negative test may result. This article reviews and describes the symptom-based diagnosis, the exercise challenge, and other indirect challenges such as eucapnic voluntary hyperpnea, hypertonic saline inhalation, and inhaled powdered mannitol as methods to diagnose and evaluate exercise-induced bronchoconstriction. Advantages and disadvantages of each diagnostic procedure are presented.
Electronegativity Equalization in Polyyne Carbon Chains

Electronegativity equalization in polyyne carbon chains with the composition X(C⋮C)NY, where X, Y = H, F, or Na, and 1 ≤ N ≤ 5, has been studied at the MP2/6-31G** level of theory. In contrast to c...
Event-Related Potential and Time-Frequency Endophenotypes for Schizophrenia and Psychotic Bipolar Disorder

Abstract Background The investigators compared event-related potential (ERP) amplitudes and event-related oscillations across a broad frequency range during an auditory oddball task using a comprehensive analysis approach to describe shared and unique neural auditory processing characteristics among healthy subjects (HP), schizophrenia probands (SZ) and their first-degree relatives, and bipolar disorder I with psychosis probands (BDP) and their first-degree relatives. Methods This Bipolar-Schizophrenia Network on Intermediate Phenotypes sample consisted of clinically stable SZ ( n = 229) and BDP ( n = 188), HP ( n = 284), first-degree relatives of schizophrenia probands ( n = 264), and first-degree relatives of bipolar disorder I with psychosis probands ( n = 239). They were administered an auditory oddball task in the electroencephalography environment. Principal components analysis derived data-driven frequency bands evoked power. Spatial principal components analysis reduced ERP and frequency data to component waveforms for each subject. Clusters of time bins with significant group differences on response magnitude were assessed for proband/relative differences from HP and familiality. Results Nine variables survived a linear discriminant analysis between HP, SZ, and BDP. Of those, two showed evidence (deficit in relatives and familiality) as genetic risk markers more specific to SZ (N1, P3b), one was specific to BDP (P2) and one for psychosis in general (N2). Conclusions This study supports for both shared and unique deficits in early sensory and late cognitive processing across psychotic diagnostic groups. Additional ERP and time-frequency component alterations (frontal N2/P2, late high, early, mid, and low frequency) may provide insight into deficits in underlying neural architecture and potential protective/compensatory mechanisms in unaffected relatives.
Therapist personality and treatment outcome: a test of the interaction hypothesis using the Campbell A-B scale.

The A-B scale was developed to distinguish therapists with a high rate of therapeutic improvement with schizophrenic patients from those with a low rate. The present study tests the hypothesis, developed by Whitehorn and Betz, expanded by McNair and Lorr, of an interaction between a therapist factor, i.e. the A-B score (identified in this study by the Campbell et al. revision of the Whitehorn and Betz A-B scale), patient diagnosis, and treatment outcome.
The role of Willebrand factor in platelet — blood vessel interaction, including a discussion of resistance to atherosclerosis in pigs with von Willebrand’s disease

Von Willebrand pigs have all the manifestations of the severe human disease. The role of Willebrand antigen (VIII R:AG) and ristocetin cofactor (VIII:RWF) was assessed in these pigs by (1) transfusion and (2) \`in vitro' bleeding time assay. The skin bleeding time became normal when the level of transfused Willebrand factor (VIII R:AG/RWF) was raised in the plasma above 30 U/dl. After single or repeated transfusions, skin capillary endothelium and platelets were still distinguished from normal by VIII R:AG deficiency. When incisions in excised porcine skin (\`in vitro' bleeding time) were perfused with blood and plasma fractions, haemostasis occurred when plasmatic Willebrand factor exceeded 30 U/dl whether the skin or platelets came from normal or from von Willebrand pigs. The platelet plug occluding the skin incision contained VIII R:AG by immunofluorescence. Willebrand factor appears to coat surfaces and to serve as a platelet attachment protein. These bleeder pigs are resistant to atherosclerosis. If platelets are involved in early atheroscolerotic lesions, the role of Willebrand factor in platelet - blood vessel interaction may be important.
Ethnography and changing engineering education culture

This is a discussion of preliminary results of anthropological collaboration with Greenfield Coalition for New Manufacturing Education (GC). With National Science Foundation funding, GC promotes engineering education culture change by integrating academic studies and real world manufacturing expertise. GC joins five universities, seven manufacturing firms, and Society of Manufacturing Engineers, with Focus:HOPE (FH), a human rights organization dedicated to using intelligent, practical action to overcome racism, poverty and injustice in Detroit and suburbs. GC creates a revolutionary educational experience for students at FH's Center for Advanced Technologies earning bachelor's degrees in engineering and engineering technology. Anthropological action research documents existing culture and supports culture change as new courses emerge. This qualitative ethnographic study aids teaching and learning culture change by providing critical feedback to GC staff constructing new, experienced-based curricula.
Improving Xbox Search Relevance by Click Likelihood Labeling

From the original game console, the Xbox has rapidly evolved into a comprehensive entertainment platform where tens of millions of users could not only play video games but also watch movies and TVs, listen music and enjoy Apps. Therefore, building a cross media ranker to provide relevant and personalized search results for Xbox users has become an interesting and imperative task. In this paper, we present our recent progress on improving Xbox’s cross media ranker by mining massive click log data and generating multi-class relevance labels. Our experimental results have shown that incorporating the click likelihoods into the label generation yields better click-performance and meanwhile maintains comparable NDCG values, as compared to solely using the human labels generated by a small number of human judges.
Using Web-Based Software to Enhance Student Learning of Analytical and Critical Skills

Web-based sites such as WebCT/Blackboard are useful for faculty and generally appreciated by students. This article describes the results in a hybrid course of the addition of specialized Web-based software. The intent was to enhance student skills in analysis and critique. Highly structured assignments were graded with Waypoint software, providing much more voluminous feedback to the students than would normally be possible. General aspects of Waypoint are described. The critical and analytical processes were also reinforced in midterm examinations. Statistical analysis supports the conclusion that this course design produced significantly improved analysis and critique skills steadily to the end of the course.
Time course of pressure gradient response after first alcohol septal ablation for obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Alcohol septal ablation (ASA) causes remodeling of the upper septum and left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) and reduction in the LVOT gradient. The time course of gradient reduction early after ASA has not been established. This study characterized the time course of gradient response early after ASA. Patients underwent clinical assessment and transthoracic echocardiography at baseline and immediately, 3 days, 3 months, and 1 year after ASA. Forty-seven patients underwent ASA. The baseline LVOT gradient was 98 ± 48 mm Hg. Three-month echocardiographic success, defined as ≥50% gradient reduction from baseline, was achieved in 41 procedures (87%); thus, there were 6 failures. On the basis of percentage reduction in LVOT gradient at 3 days, 2 distinct subgroups of the success group were identified. These were monophasic success (≥50% gradient reduction at 3 days and 3 months, n = 25) and triphasic success (<50% gradient reduction at 3 days but ≥50% gradient reduction at 3 months, n = 16). LVOT gradient in the triphasic success group was similar to that in the failure group at 3 days (81 ± 28 vs 99 ± 31 mm Hg, p = NS) but similar to that of the monophasic success group at 3 months (24 ± 20 vs 12 ± 16 mm Hg, p = NS) and at 1 year (27 ± 24 vs 13 ± 20 mm Hg, p = NS). In conclusion, many patients who undergo ultimately successful ASA demonstrate triphasic LVOT gradient response patterns, with a large gradient 3 days after the procedure.
Micromagnetic Study of Medium Noise Plateau

Medium noise characteristics and transition jitter in perpendicular magnetic recording are explored using micromagnetic simulation. A noise plateau for intermediate recording densities is observed for a recording layer of typical magnetization. The plateau is replaced by a normal linear dependence of noise on recording density for a low magnetization recording layer. We show analytically that a source of the plateau is similar to that producing the non-linear transition shift of signal. In particular, magnetostatic effects are predicted to produce positive correlation of jitter and thus negative correlation of noise at the densities associated with the plateau.
Fiber-optic contact microsoldering device

A fiber-optic contact microsoldering device was demonstrated. It consists of a crystalline fiber with a tapered absorbing tip grown directly onto one end. A tapered tip with a 20-μm end enables the soldering of components with lead spacing as small as 50 μm.
The Patient Reported Outcomes in Lupus (PATROL) study: role of depression in health-related quality of life in a Southern California lupus cohort.

This study examines the relationship between psychosocial factors, ethnicity, disease activity and quality of life in systemic lupus erythematosus. Methods: One hundred and twenty-five adult Caucasian and Hispanic lupus patients were recruited from four Southern California medical centers. Linear regression analysis was performed to assess the correlation of ethnicity, socioeconomic factors (age, income), and disease activity (patient and physician reported), as well as psychological (depression, internality, helplessness) variables with quality of life (QOL) as measured by the Short Form (SF)-36. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was then used to determine the stepwise contribution of the above determinants on the eight domains of the SF-36 questionnaire. Results: Depression negatively correlated with QOL in both Caucasians (r −0.488 to −0.660) and Hispanics (r −0.456 to −0.723). Patient-reported disease activity was moderately related (r −0.456 to −0.698) to seven of the eight SF-36 domains in H...
Scoop: An Adaptive Indexing Scheme for Stored Data in Sensor Networks

We present the design of Scoop, a system for indexing and querying stored data in sensor networks. Scoop works by collecting statistics about the rate of queries and distribution of sensor readings in a sensor network, and uses those statistics to build an index that tells nodes where in the network to store their data. Using this index, a queries over that stored, data can be answered, efficiently, without flooding those queries throughout the network. This approach offers a substantial advantage over other solutions that either store all data externally on a base station (requiring every reading to be collected from all nodes), or that store all data locally on the node that produced it (requiring queries to be flooded throughout the network). Our results show that Scoop offers a factor of four reduction in message transmissions relative to existing techniques in a real implementation on a 64-node mote-based sensor network. These results also show that Scoop is able to efficiently adapt to changes in the distribution of data and queries.
An expressive three-mode principal components model of human action style

We present a three-mode expressive-feature model for representing and recognizing performance styles of human actions. A set of style variations for an action are initially arranged into a three-mode data representation (body pose, time, style) and factored into its three-mode principal components to reduce the data dimensionality. We next embed tunable weights on trajectories within the sub-space model to enable different context-based style estimations. We outline physical and perceptual parameterization methods for choosing style labels for the training data, from which we automatically learn the necessary expressive weights using a gradient descent procedure. Experiments are presented examining several motion-capture walking variations corresponding to carrying load, gender, and pace. Results demonstrate a greater flexibility of the expressive three-mode model, over standard squared-error style estimation, to adapt to different style matching criteria.
KRLS: A Stata Package for Kernel-Based Regularized Least Squares

The Stata package krls implements kernel-based regularized least squares (KRLS), a machine learning method described in Hainmueller and Hazlett (2014) that allows users to tackle regression and classi cation problems without strong functional form assumptions or a speci cation search. The flexible KRLS estimator learns the functional form from the data, thereby protecting inferences against misspeci cation bias. Yet it nevertheless allows for interpretability and inference in ways similar to ordinary regression models. In particular, KRLS provides closed-form estimates for the predicted values, variances, and the pointwise partial derivatives that characterize the marginal e ects of each independent variable at each data point in the covariate space. The method is thus a convenient and powerful alternative to OLS and other GLMs for regression-based analyses. We also provide a companion package and replication code that implements the method in R.
A review of the advantages of the anterolateral thigh flap in head and neck reconstruction

The anterolateral thigh flap was originally described by Song in 1984 as a septocutaneous flap based on the descending branch of the lateral circumflex artery. It was later determined that in the majority of cases the flap was supplied only by musculocutaneous perforators and septocutaneous supply only occurred in a small percentage of case. In the past, the variable anatomy and the necessity for intramuscular dissection of perforators has given this flap the reputation of requiring a relatively difficult dissection. In recent years, advances in perforator flaps have provided familiarity of the technique required for safe dissection and in turn this has popularised the use of this flap for a wide variety of indications. Koshima et al. and Kimata et al. first described the use of this flap for the reconstruction of head and neck defects. Further reports have outlined the utility of this flap in head and neck reconstruction since it may be adapted to cover most defects of the face, neck or intraoral regions. –12 The flap may be thinned for pure intraoral defects. It also has good pliability and may be folded for the reconstruction of both the inner and outer lining of through and through defects. The vascular pattern also allows the use of a more versatile design with double skin paddles based on multiple perforators. In addition, the flap may be used in combination with vastus lateralis muscle as a myocutaneous flap or combined with adjacent flaps according to the chimaeric flap principle to reconstruct large or complex 3-dimensional defects. It is the aim of this article to describe the advantages of the use of this flap for reconstruction of a wide variety of head and neck defects.