cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Demoralization in Parkinson disease.

Objective To determine the prevalence and associated features of demoralization in Parkinson disease (PD). Methods Participants with PD and controls were prospectively recruited from outpatient movement disorder clinics and the community. Demoralization was defined as scoring positively on the Diagnostic Criteria for Psychosomatic Research, Demoralization questionnaire or Kissane Demoralization Scale score ≥24. Depression was defined as Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score ≥10. Forward stepwise logistic regression was used to determine the odds of having demoralization in the overall, control, and PD cohorts. Results Demoralization occurred in 18.1% of 94 participants with PD and 8.1% of 86 control participants ( p = 0.05). These 2 groups were otherwise comparable in age, sex, education, economics, race, and marital status. Although demoralization was highly associated with depression, there were individuals with one and not the other. Among participants with PD, 7 of 19 (36.8%) depressed individuals were not demoralized, and 5 of 17 (29.4%) demoralized individuals were not depressed. In the overall cohort, having PD (odds ratio 2.60, 95% confidence interval 1.00–6.80, p = 0.051) was associated with demoralization, along with younger age and not currently being married. In the PD cohort, younger age and Unified Parkinson9s Disease Rating Scale, part III score (per score 1) were associated with demoralization (odds ratio 1.06, 95% confidence interval 1.01–1.12, p = 0.02). Conclusions Demoralization is common in PD and is associated with motor dysfunction. In demoralization, there is a prominent inability to cope, making it somewhat distinct from depression. Treatment approaches are also different, making it important to identify demoralization in patients with PD.
This is us: Islamic feminist school leadership

In this empirical study, we describe how Muslim female school leaders prioritise equity, community, and resistance when leading American Islamic schools. Similar to prior critical feminist studies,...
An exploration of O—H⋯O and C—H⋯π inter­actions in a long-chain-ester-substituted phenyl­phenol: methyl 10-[4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)phenoxy]decanoate

An understanding of the driving forces resulting in crystallization vs organogel formation is essential to the development of modern soft materials. In the mol­ecular structure of the title compound, methyl 10-[4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)phen­oxy]decanoate (MBO10Me), C23H30O4, the aromatic rings of the biphenyl group are canted by 6.6 (2)° and the long-chain ester group has an extended conformation. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked by O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming chains along [10\overline{3}]. The chains are linked by C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming layers parallel to the ac plane. The layers are linked by C—H⋯π inter­actions, forming a three-dimensional supra­molecular structure. The extended structure exhibits a lamellar sheet arrangement of mol­ecules stacking along the b-axis direction. Each mol­ecule has six nearest neighbors and the seven-mol­ecule bundles stack to form a columnar superstructure. Inter­action energies within the bundles are dominated by dispersion forces, whereas inter­columnar inter­actions have a greater electrostatic component.
Resilience in Pre-contact Pacific Northwest Social Ecological Systems

If, like other ecosystems, the variable and dynamic ecosystems of the Pacific Northwest exhibited cycles and unpredictable behavior, particularly when humans were present, the indigenous societies of that region had to have been resilient in order to persist for such a long time. They persisted for two millennia prior to contact with people from the “old world.” The Resilience Alliance (2002) proposes that social and ecological resilience requires three abilities: the ability to buffer, the ability to self-organize, and the ability to learn. This paper suggests that the characteristics of the potlatch system among Indians on the Northwest Coast, namely property rights, environmental ethics, rules of earning and holding titles, public accountability, and the reciprocal exchange system, provided all three required abilities. The resulting resilience of these societies confirms the validity of many of the ideas now being discussed as important components in providing successful and sustainable relationships between humans and their ecosystems. That so many separate ideas seem to have been linked together into resilient systems in the Pacific Northwest suggests that social ecological resilience is complicated.
Acoustic Holography Applications

Since a hologram is a photographic record of the interference pattern generated between a set of waves of interest and a set of reference waves, it is obviously possible to make holograms of other forms of wave motion, provided the wave interference pattern can somehow be recorded. We saw earlier that visual presentations of wave progression for sound waves could indeed be recorded photographically (e.g., Figure 1.6) and that the process for doing this involved using a second set of waves as a reference set (Figure 1.5). We accordingly noted that figures such as Figure 1.7, 1.8, and 1.21, etc. can be regarded as acoustic holograms since they are recordings of interference patterns between waves of interest and a set of plane reference waves. The striations in these figures are acoustic fringes, exactly like the optical fringes formed when coherent light waves interfere. For those fringe patterns, no reconstruction process was performed, as the interest in those cases was in the fringe patterns themselves (the wave progression patterns). Nevertheless, to record acoustic fringe patterns for hologram use, the same technique is applicable, and acoustic holograms and their reconstructions have been made in this way in numerous laboratories.
Discovering API usability problems at scale

Software developers' productivity can be negatively impacted by using APIs incorrectly. In this paper, we describe an analysis technique we designed to find API usability problems by comparing successive file-level changes made by individual software developers. We applied our tool, StopMotion, to the file histories of real developers doing real tasks at Google. The results reveal several API usability challenges including simple typos, conceptual API misalignments, and conflation of similar APIs.
Acute effects of short-term feed deprivation and refeeding on circulating concentrations of metabolites, insulin-like growth factor I, insulin-like growth factor binding proteins, somatotropin, and thyroid hormones in adult geldings.

Two studies were performed with Standardbred geldings 7 to 21 yr of age to determine the sequence of changes in blood plasma concentrations of some hormones and metabolites during feed deprivation for 48 h and for 12 h after refeeding. Plasma hormone and metabolite concentrations were determined with methods validated for horse plasma. Insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBP) were determined with radioligand analysis following SDS-PAGE electrophoresis. In both experiments, plasma concentrations of triiodothyronine and thyroxine decreased (P < .01) during feed deprivation and increased (P < .01) during refeeding. Plasma glucose and IGF-I either decreased or were not altered during feed deprivation. In contrast, plasma concentrations of NEFA and urea nitrogen increased (P < .01) during feed deprivation and decreased (P < .01) during the refeeding period. Plasma somatotropin (ST) increased (P < .01) approximately 80% at 24 to 36 h of feed deprivation, declined (P < .01) to control values at 48 h of feed deprivation, increased (P < .01) nearly three fold at 3 h after refeeding, and returned to control values by 6 h after refeeding. We identified five IGFBP, and their plasma concentrations were not significantly altered during feed deprivation or following refeeding. We conclude that metabolite availability during feed deprivation and following refeeding alters the secretion of thyroid hormones, ST, and possibly IGF-I, thereby maintaining homeostasis in horses.
SUMOning the base excision repair machinery for differentiation.

Besides critical and well‐studied roles in maintaining genome stability, DNA repair pathways including base excision repair ( BER ) are also employed by mammalian cells for targeted events such as the generation of diverse antibody repertoires and the differentiation of pluripotent cells. In this issue of The EMBO Journal, Steinacher et al (2019) provide novel mechanistic insights into the complex role of SUMO ylation of key BER proteins during active DNA demethylation—a role they demonstrate to be important for cellular differentiation and that has broader implications for BER as a whole.
What is Hypertext

In 1965, Ted Nelson coined the term “hypertext” to describe non-sequential or non-linear text. He defined it as “a body of written or pictorial material interconnected in a complex way that it could not be conveniently represented on paper.” (Nelson 1987). Nelson’s intention was to define a mechanism for presenting information which more closely resembled the human thought process which involves free association rather than the linear limitations which he felt that the written word imposes.
Ulcerated nodules in a sporotrichoid distribution.

Author(s): Hosking, Anna-Marie; Kraus, Christina N; Elsensohn, Ashley N; Shiu, Jessica; de Feraudy, Sebastien; Smith, Janellen
Contributions of David A. Robinson (1924–2016) to Understanding Eye Movements: An Appreciation

In this appreciation of the scientific contributions of David A. Robinson by his former students, examples are provided of his seminal work in the fields of ocular motor and vestibular research. Drawing on a mathematical and engineering background, Robinson first invented a reliable method for measuring eye movements and then employed a bottom-up approach, defining the mechanical forces acting on the eyeballs, quantifying the neural code by which ocular motoneurons program eye movements. He then moved on to elucidate the premotor neural processing required to generate eye movements that respond to visual and vestibular needs. Each of his many contributions has had a sustained impact within and beyond his field – so that the neural control of eye movements has become a microcosm for motor control in general. Examples include understanding the mechanical properties of the orbital tissues, which has influenced treatment of strabismus; identification of mathematical integration of sensory signals by networks of neurons to hold gaze steady; central interaction of vestibular and visual signals to generate appropriate eye movements during self-rotation; adaptive properties of eye movements to optimize their contributions to clear vision; and internal interactions of motor and feedback signals to guide rapid eye movements (saccades). Robinson promoted translational research by proposing models based on normal biology that made specific, testable predictions about how abnormal eye movements, such as nystagmus, could arise. His pioneering contributions continue to have relevance in neurophysiology, computation neuroscience, neurology, ophthalmology, and otolaryngology.
A New Driver for Lupus Pathogenesis is conserved in Humans and Mice

Lupus is experienced as an “aggressive and expansive” disease affecting patients’ activities of daily living, sense of self, and social functioning [1]. Currently there is no cure. Despite substantial efforts, the lupus drug development field has witnessed only one FDA-approved therapy in the last 50 years. There is an urgent need to better our understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms for lupus, and to develop novel therapeutic strategies for both cutaneous and systemic lupus erythematosus.
Twist, Snail, and SOX9 Form an Allosterically Regulated Complex, the Emtosome, on a Bipartite E-Box Site

Abstract Epithelial-Mesenchymal transition (EMT) of primary tumor cells is a critical trans-differentiation event that contributes to dissemination and metastasis. The process of EMT is controlled by specific DNA-binding transcription factors (TFs) that reprogram the tumor transcriptome. In particular, the canonical EMT-TFs Twist and Snail can induce an EMT program when overexpressed in cancer cells, and both are found upregulated in metastatic cancers. Twist and Snail bind DNA directly, by recognition to variants of the E-Box sequence CANNTG. However, it is unclear how this binding is regulated. We have used a biochemical approach to dissect DNA binding and protein-protein interactions that occur amongst these proteins. We find that Twist preferentially recognizes a dyad repeat of E-boxes that are not directly bound by Snail. Our data suggest that Twist use its WR domain to recruit Snail into a binding complex through the Snail zinc-finger motifs. We analyzed Twist-Snail complexes in the breast carcinoma cell line SUM1315 and found evidence that it contains an additional protein partner, Sox9. Notably, we report that a native Twist complex can be displaced from its dyad binding site by consensus DNA binding sites for Snail and Sox9 even though these proteins do not contact the Twist dyad site. Taken together, our findings suggest that Snail and Sox9 interact with Twist to regulate its DNA binding ability via protein-protein interactions, thereby allosterically regulating Twist DNA binding. We designate this ternary complex EMTosome. These results may inform efforts to therapeutically target the EMT program in order to target cancer metastasis.
Lymph Node Ratio in HPV-Associated Oropharyngeal Cancer: Identification of a Prognostic Threshold.

Objective To evaluate the utility of lymph node ratio (LNR) as a prognostic factor for survival and recurrence in surgically treated patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). Study design Retrospective cohort study. Methods In this retrospective cohort study of a tertiary healthcare system in a major metropolitan area, we reviewed 169 consecutive patients with HPV-related OPSCC treated using transoral robotic surgery. Univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analysis with stratified models were used to compare LNR with other traditional clinicopathologic risk factors forrecurrence and survival. An LNR cutoff was found using the minimal P approach. Results Multivariable Cox regression models showed that each additional percentage increase in LNR corresponded to an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 1.04 (confidence interval [CI] 1.02-1.07). LNR was more significant when adjusted for adequate lymph node yield of ≥ 18 nodes (HR 5.05, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.38-18.47). The minimal P generated cutoff point at LNR ≥ 17% demonstrated a HR 4.34 (95% CI 1.24-15.2) for disease-free survival. Conclusion For HPV-related OPSCC, continuous LNR and an LNR threshold of 17% could be helpful in identifying recurrent disease in addition to measures such as lymph node number alone. Level of evidence 4.
Chapter 19 – Mathematical Techniques for the Synthesis of Heat-Exchange Networks

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a mathematical programming approach to the synthesis of HENs. The HEN formulation is presented and solved to attain minimum heating and cooling utility cost and for selecting the optimum utilities. A formulation is presented to synthesize a network of heat exchangers that can meet the minimum utility targets. After the values of the minimum heating and cooling utilities have been identified, it is desired to synthesize a network of heat exchangers that satisfies the minimum utility targets with the minimum number of heat exchangers. The objective of a minimum number of units is intended to indirectly minimize the fixed cost by assuming that the lower number of units entails lower fixed cost. The nominal designs of HENs and other process subsystems address base-case inputs, outputs, and performance that are set to certain steady-state values. The nominal design can also be changed through retrofitting when a new set of base-case input data and desired outputs are defined. Such retrofitting may include adding new units, increasing the capacities of existing units, rerouting streams, and modifying design and/or operating variables. Scheduling is considered over a certain time horizon during which the operation is discretized into a number of periods. For each period, the HEN synthesis optimization formulation is developed. Then, all these models are combined into a multi-period optimization formulation that accounts for the HEN synthesis over the multiple periods and requires that one configuration be flexible enough to address the scheduling changes.
Chapter 11 – Psychobiological Models of Hippocampal Function in Learning and Memory1

Publisher Summary Many models and theories have been proposed over the past few decades that attempt to characterize the role of the hippocampal region in learning and memory. The anterograde amnesia that follows human hippocampal region damage is most saliently characterized by an inability to acquire new episodic information, the kind of information about individual events and experiences that is accessible to conscious control. The aspect of autoassociative memory systems seems ideal for implementing a spatial processor, in which the broad memory of a place should be evoked by any of several views of the area, even if some of the usual cues are missing. Perhaps most pervasive is the idea that the fast, temporary storage in an autoassociator is an important component of an episodic or declarative memory system, in which arbitrary patterns are stored. This chapter emphasizes that in model simulations, self-regulated suppression of recurrent collaterals does suffice to allow switching between storage and recall states in an autoassociative network. It reviews several computational models of hippocampal function in learning and memory.
Decolonizing Human Rights

In his extensive body of work, Professor Abdullahi Ahmed An-Naim challenges both historical interpretations of Islamic Sharia and neo-colonial understanding of human rights. To advance the rationale of scholarship for social change, An-Naim proposes advancing the universality of human rights through internal discourse within Islamic and African societies and cross-cultural dialogue among human cultures. This book proposes a transformation from human rights organized around a state determined practice to one that is focused on a people-centric approach that empowers individuals to decide how human rights will be understood and integrated into their communities. Decolonizing Human Rights aims to illustrate the decisive role of human agency on the subject of change, without implying that Islamic or any other society are exceptionally disposed to politically motivated violence and consequent profound political instability.
Contumacious Responses to Firearms Legislation Balancing Federalism Concerns

The Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (“LEOSA”) is one of the handful of federal statutes that preempt state firearms regulation. It allows covered individuals (certain current and retired qualified law enforcement personnel) to possess firearms notwithstanding assorted state restrictions — to protect themselves and to supplement local law enforcement efforts. The act reflects a careful legislative balancing of federalism concerns. Although it relies on states and localities to issue the authorizing credentials, it does not mandate states create a licensing regime out of whole cloth. The act ultimately presents issues requiring a nuanced assessment of the doctrine proscribing federal commandeering of the states. This Article probes the interpretation of LEOSA and the federalism issues raised by the act. Some state responses to LEOSA seem contumacious. Many judicial approaches seem hostile to recognizing the rights sought to be created by the act. In numerous ways, through patent violations and more debatable ones, states and their subdivisions have fettered the rights LEOSA appears to seek to grant. And there are federal administrative and local governmental interpretations coordinating the scope of LEOSA and the Gun-Free School Zones Act that are not required by customary principles of statutory interpretation and that significantly curtail LEOSA’s efficacy. The reluctance to recognize federally secured firearms rights is not limited to executive branch officials. Interpretation of the nuanced manner in which LEOSA endeavors to respect federalism principles has yielded miserly judicial interpretations, aberrant in the portfolio of authority construing civil rights.
Case Study: Depersonalization and Vestibular Impairment.

Background We describe herein the case of a patient whose primary complaints were episodic vertigo and “depersonalization,” a sensation of detachment from his own body. Purpose This case study aims to further clinical knowledge and insight into the clinical evaluation of vertiginous patients with complaints of depersonalization. Research Design This is a case study. Data Collection and Analysis A retrospective chart review of vestibular function testing done on a vertiginous patient with complaints of depersonalization was performed. Results Vestibular function testing revealed absent cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials on the left side with normal vHIT or video Head Impulse Test, videonystagmography, and rotational chair results, suggesting peripheral vestibular impairment isolated to the left saccule and utricle. Conclusion The otolith end organ impairment explains the patient's postural deviation to the left side during attempts to ambulate. We recommend that clinicians should be attentive to patient complaints of depersonalization and perform vestibular evoked myogenic potential testing to determine whether evidence of at least a unilateral peripheral otolith end organ impairment exists.
Foodborne hepatitis E

Abstract In developing countries, an estimated 20 million hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections occur annually with 3.3 million symptomatic hepatitis E cases and 70,000 deaths. In these countries, HEV genotypes 1 and 2 cause waterborne outbreaks and sporadic illnesses, with significant mortality among pregnant women. In developed countries, however, the majority of hepatitis E cases were acquired through international travel or foodborne due to genotypes 3 and 4; and although the prevalence of antibody against hepatitis E virus (anti-HEV) ranged from 6% among US general population to 52.5% among blood donors in France, clinical disease is uncommon. Over the last two decades, more domestically acquired hepatitis E has been documented in many developed countries. There is growing direct and circumstantial evidence that HEV infection, particularly genotypes 3 and 4, is transmitted by food. In the United States, HEV isolated from domestically acquired human cases demonstrated close genetic similarity to HEV isolates from domestic swine. Furthermore, molecular epidemiologic investigations have linked hepatitis E to consumption of raw or undercooked meat or liver from pig, deer, wild boar, shellfish, and camel. This chapter discusses the clinical features and laboratory diagnosis, viral characteristics, exposure pathways, and prevention of foodborne HEV infection.
Integration of time information and temporal conformance graphics in map displays for navigation with space-time obligation

Design strategies on the display for navigation with multiple time obligations are developed and tested using a public bus application. The map display has a current time indicator and scheduled/estimated arrival time data at multiple bus stops. Two different time formats were applied to the time data at the bus stops: exact time at each stop and duration until them. Graphics symbols indicating earliness or lateness to ordinary scheduled time were also developed and tested. Under the four manipulated map types, experimenters asked participants eight different types of questions about space and/or time status. The experimenters then evaluated the response time and accuracy of produced answers. The response times were shorter or similar when the time formats corresponded questions. The workload rating and participants' feedback showed an advantage of duration format and the temporal conformance graphics.
A case for glycerol as an acceptable additive for single particle cryoEM samples

Abstract Buffer composition and sample preparation guidelines for cryo-electron microscopy are geared toward maximizing imaging contrast and reducing electron beam-induced motion. These pursuits often involve the minimization or complete removal of additives that are commonly used to facilitate proper protein folding and minimize aggregation. Among these admonished additives is glycerol, a widely used osmolyte that aids protein stability. In this work, we show that inclusion of glycerol does not preclude high-resolution structure determination by cryoEM, as demonstrated by a ∼2.3 A reconstruction of mouse apoferritin (∼500 kDa) and a ∼3.3 A reconstruction of rabbit muscle aldolase (∼160 kDa) in presence of 20% v/v glycerol. While we found that generating thin ice that is amenable for high-resolution imaging requires long blot times, the addition of glycerol did not result in increased beam-induced motion nor an inability to pick particles. Overall, our findings indicate glycerol should not be discounted as a cryoEM sample buffer additive, particularly for large, fragile complexes that are prone to disassembly or aggregation upon its removal.
Lifetime prevalence of syphilis infection among predominantly Black sexual and gender minorities living with HIV in Atlanta, Georgia: a cross-sectional analysis.

OBJECTIVES Syphilis infection disproportionately impacts Black sexual and gender minorities (SGM) in the United States. The extent of this impact among those living with HIV has been minimally examined. This study sought to examine lifetime syphilis prevalence and associated factors in a community sample of predominantly Black SGM living with HIV in the Southeastern US. DESIGN Participants (N = 174) enrolled in a stigma-mitigation trial for people living with HIV in Atlanta, Georgia, completed a sub-study involving testing for Treponema pallidum antibodies, indicative of lifetime syphilis infection. We performed chi-square and Fisher's exact tests to assess sociodemographic and healthcare differences by presence/absence of lifetime syphilis infection. RESULTS Most participants identified as non-Hispanic Black (n = 142/174; 81.6%) and cisgender male (n = 146/174; 83.9%). More than two thirds (n = 120/174) identified as gay/homosexual. We documented a 55.7% (n = 97/174) lifetime prevalence of syphilis infection and observed differences by sexual identity, with 77.3% (n = 75/97) of those screening positive reporting gay/homosexual identity relative to 58.4% (n = 45/77) of those screening negative (chi-square[1] = 7.8, p < 0.010). CONCLUSION Findings underscore how syphilis prevention efforts have missed the most marginalized, warranting a renewed, comprehensive strategy for improving the sexual health of Black SGM. Embedding targeted, respectful community engagement, expanded testing access, and healthcare provider training into broader sexual health and psychosocial wellness efforts is needed.
Synthesis and processing of avian sarcoma retrovirus RNA.

Publisher Summary Retroviruses employ a unique replication strategy. One of the features of their replication is the integration of a DNA copy of the RNA genome (provirus) into the host cell chromosomes. The integrated viral DNA copy is then used as a template by the host cell RNA polymerase to synthesize transcripts identical to the genomic RNA. In contrast to the primary transcripts of most cellular genes, which undergo complete splicing, only about 50% of the molecules of the retroviral RNA pool are spliced and the remainder are unspliced. Because unspliced RNA containing the entire viral genome is required for packaging into progeny virus particles and spliced RNA is required for the expression of some viral genes (e.g., the viral envelope gene), the exclusion of a fraction of the RNA from splicing and the transport of both spliced and unspliced RNA to the cytoplasm are obligatory steps in the life cycle of retroviruses. Thus, the processing of retrovirus RNA has interesting and unusual features.
A Note on the Savings Rate

This paper deals with the manner in which personal savings are computed in the National Income and Product Accounts. In particular it focuses on the treatment of the imputed flow of services from the stock of durables, especially housing. This paper presents an altemative estimate of personal savings based on a household cash flow concept. The estimate is then compared with the NIPA and the FRB estimates of personal savings. The new computed rate shows a much sharper decline than the NIP A or FRB rates. The key nature of savings in capital formation led Feldstein [1977] to write that, "The division of national income between consumption and saving is probably any economy's most important macroeconomic characteristic. " Large government deficits in the 1980s have intensified these concerns. Analysis of the country's savings behavior is usually based on estimates made by the National Income and Product Accounts (NIPA) or the Federal Reserve Board (FRB). However, as recently noted,l there are substantial discrepencies between the NIPA savings estimates and those made by the Federal Reserve Board.2 Indeed, it is surprising that such an important national statistic has been subjected to so little scrutiny.3 Address correspondence to Professor Dale Heien Department of Agricultural Economics, University of California, Davis, California. Journal of Economic and Social Measurement 14:87-89 (1986) Copyright © 1986 by Elsevier SCience Publishing Co., Inc. This paper focuses critical attention on the manner in which savings are computed in the NIPA. In these accounts, savings are the difference between disposable personal income and personal outlays. Personal outlays in tum are the sum of personal consumption expenditures, interest paid by consumers to business and personal transfer payments to foreigners. Most components of both income and outlays are measures of actual economic activity, e.g., wage and salary income, clothing expenditures, etc. However, one important component of peE is not a measure of actual economic activity. This component is imputations, the largest of which is the space rental value of owner-occupied dwellings. 4. This figure is an attempt to measure what the rental expenditures would be for homes which are occupied by the owners. Regardless of how much effort is expended on this measurement it does not correspond to any actual expenditure on the part of consumers. Hence, the question of accuracy of measurement is not relevent. These imputations are consistent with the philosophy of measuring the current consumption from the stock of durables. 5 However since these imputations do not correspond t~ any actual expenditure, and since they are quite large, any reSidually computed savings rate is very sensitive to the magnitude of the imputations. This note presents an alternative estimate of personal savings based on a household cash flow concept. The first part of Table 1 shows the NIPA computation of personal savings for 1982 of
A structure-based Multiple-Instance Learning approach to predicting in vitro transcription factor-DNA interaction

Understanding the mechanism of transcriptional regulation remains an inspiring stage of molecular biology. Recently, in vitro protein-binding microarray experiments have greatly improved the understanding of transcription factor-DNA interaction. We present a method - MIL3D - which predicts in vitro transcription factor binding by multiple-instance learning with structural properties of DNA. Evaluation on in vitro data of twenty mouse transcription factors shows that our method outperforms a method based on simple-instance learning with DNA structural properties, and the widely used k-mer counting method, for nineteen out of twenty of the transcription factors. Our analysis showed that the MIL3D approach can utilize subtle structural similarities when a strong sequence consensus is not available. Combining multiple-instance learning and structural properties of DNA has promising potential for studying biological regulatory networks.
Invasive plants: the process within wetland ecosystems.

Scientific understanding of the competitive capacities of invasive species is critical to effecting prevention, detection and rapid management responses to invasive species introductions. Many of the changes being imposed upon indigenous communities by invasive species offer direct evidence for the capacities of these advantaged plants to compete with native species. In some cases, anthropogenic alterations of environmental parameters, such as changes in atmospheric concentrations of CO2 and related climatic and hydrological changes, have both direct and indirect effects on facilitation of biological invasions [113–117]. Truly effective management skills emerge, however, when the underlying physiological and genetic control mechanisms are understood. In many cases, the inadvertent invasions of exotic species into natural communities provide useful experiments — their rigorous analyses and interpretations can effectively augment controlled experimental analyses at specific biochemical and genetic levels that are so essential to gain needed understanding.
Modeling the communication performance of the IBM SP2

The objective of this paper is to develop models that characterize the communication performance of a message-passing multicomputer by taking the IBM SP2 as a case study. The paper evaluates and models the three aspects of the communication performance: scheduling overhead, message-passing time, and synchronization overhead. Performance models are developed for the basic communication patterns, enabling the estimation of the communication times of a message-passing application. Such estimates facilitate activities such as application tuning, selection of the best available implementation technique, and performance comparisons among different multicomputers.
The 7SK small nuclear RNA inhibits the CDK9/cyclin T1 kinase to control transcription

The human positive transcription elongation factor P-TEFb, consisting of a CDK9/cyclin T1 heterodimer, functions as both a general and an HIV-1 Tat-specific transcription factor. P-TEFb activates transcription by phosphorylating RNA polymerase (Pol) II, leading to the formation of processive elongation complexes. As a Tat cofactor, P-TEFb stimulates HIV-1 transcription by interacting with Tat and the transactivating responsive (TAR) RNA structure located at the 5' end of the nascent viral transcript. Here we identified 7SK, an abundant and evolutionarily conserved small nuclear RNA (snRNA) of unknown function, as a specific P-TEFb-associated factor. 7SK inhibits general and HIV-1 Tat-specific transcriptional activities of P-TEFb in vivo and in vitro by inhibiting the kinase activity of CDK9 and preventing recruitment of P-TEFb to the HIV-1 promoter. 7SK is efficiently dissociated from P-TEFb by treatment of cells with ultraviolet irradiation and actinomycin D. As these two agents have been shown to significantly enhance HIV-1 transcription and phosphorylation of Pol II (refs 6,7,8), our data provide a mechanistic explanation for their stimulatory effects. The 7SK/P-TEFb interaction may serve as a principal control point for the induction of cellular and HIV-1 viral gene expression during stress-related responses. Our studies demonstrate the involvement of an snRNA in controlling the activity of a Cdk-cyclin kinase.
Inhibition of Sindbis Virus Plaque Formation by Extracts of Escherichia coli

Abstract Vilcek, Jan (New York University School of Medicine, New York, N.Y.), and John H. Freer. Inhibition of Sindbis virus plaque formation by extracts of Escherichia coli. J. Bacteriol. 92:1716–1722. 1966.—Extracts prepared from washed cells of Escherichia coli B by sonic treatment and subsequent filtration through a 0.45-μ membrane filter significantly inhibited plaque formation with Sindbis virus in cultures or primary chick embryo cells up to a dilution of 1:20,000. The inhibitor acted on the cells rather than directly on the virus. The inhibiting substance was nondialyzable. Treatment of crude extracts with nucleases, trypsin, chymotrypsin, pepsin, or ether had no effect on the activity. Treatment with pronase destroyed the virus-inhibiting effect. Extracts prepared from two strains of E. coli B and one strain of E. coli K-12 all showed inhibitory activity against Sindbis virus. The inhibitor was present in the cytoplasmic fraction of bacteria. It was also active against Sindbis virus in human cells and showed some activity against vesicular stomatitis and vaccinia viruses in different types of cells. Interferon was not shown to be involved in the inhibition, although actinomycin D partially reversed the inhibitory activity of the extracts.
Protein instability toward organic solvent/water emulsification: implications for protein microencapsulation into microspheres.

The objective of this study was to investigate the behavior of three proteins at an organic solvent/water interface. To simulate the first microencapsulation step of a water-in-oil-in-water emulsion technique, a water-inoil emulsion was prepared by emulsifying an aqueous protein solution in either methylene chloride or ethyl acetate. Phase separation was then followed to collect protein samples from the aqueous phase and the organic solvent/water interface. Their properties were assessed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and size exclusion-HPLC. Bovine serum albumin was relatively unharmed during emulsification, compared to other proteins such as ovalbumin and lysozyme. In particular, the methylene chloride treatment on ovalbumin led to the formation of a large quantity of water-insoluble, solid-like aggregates and changes in the composition of monomeric and dimeric ovalbumin species. With regard to the question of ovalbumin recovery, only 9.74 ∼ 37.72% of the used ovalbumin was present in the aqueous phases after emulsification. Similar penchant was noted with lysozyme. Water-insoluble aggregates brought with by emulsification were found to be covalently bound. Interestingly, less emulsification-induced denaturing effects were observed with ethyl acetate. Our study clearly demonstrated the emulsification-induced adverse events that were detrimental to the integrity of proteins and the importance of preserving protein stability toward microencapsulation.
Lead-time variability reduction in stochastic inventory models

Abstract This research is motivated by the realization that Japanese manufacturers have devoted much time and effort to establish a long term partnership with their suppliers in order to reduce lead-time uncertainty. It is very common for a Japanese manufacturer to advance money to finance its suppliers and help them meet the rigid delivery standards imposed. However, there have been very few mathematical analyses of the advantages of investing in such efforts. The main objective of this paper is to provide an analytical model to quantify the tradeoffs associated with lower lead-time uncertainty. In particular, we consider the option of investing in order to reduce the lead-time variance in an inventory model with stochastic lead time. The paper also considers the option of investing in both setup cost and lead-time variability reduction. Numerical results are presented to demonstrate the use of the models. Sensitivity analysis is performed to indicate under what conditions investment is warranted.
Combined direct and indirect approach to adaptive control

An approach to adaptive control is introduced using a combination of both direct and indirect methods. On the basis of estimates of the plant parameters and the current values of the control parameters, closed-loop estimation errors epsilon /sub theta /(t) and epsilon /sub k/(t) are defined. These in turn are used in the adaptive laws for updating both identification and control parameters. The global uniform stability of the overall system is shown by constructing a Lyapunov function. Only the control of a first-order plant is treated in detail, to get across the principal concepts involved. In particular, the dynamic adjustment of the control parameters based on the estimates of the plant parameters is introduced as an indirect method and is the precursor of the combined method. >
Unilateral eccentric exercise of the knee flexors affects muscle activation during gait

Uni-lateral muscle soreness is common yet the effects on gait or electromyographic (EMG) activity are unknown. The purpose of our study was to induce delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) in the knee flexor group and measure the resultant change in EMG activity and knee motion during gait. Nine healthy subjects participated in the study. Measures of function, evoked tenderness of the biceps femoris, as well as knee angle, and EMG activity during gait were assessed prior and 48 h after an eccentric exercise protocol. DOMS was induced unilaterally in the knee flexors using an isokinetic dynamometer and subjects exercised until they could not generate 50% of their maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC). There was a significant decrease in biceps femoris activity after DOMS during the last phase of gait. Moreover, there was a day × phase interaction for gastrocnemius activity with the last two phases displaying an increase in activity. There was no significant change in knee angle during gait. The decrease in biceps femoris activity as well as the increase in gastrocnemius activity could be evidence of a protective mechanism designed to decrease activity of the sore muscle while increasing the activity of a synergistic muscle.
Trying to Live Forever

Book Reviews in This Article: Andrew H. Malcolm, This Far and No More: A True Story. The Hastings Center, Guidelines on the Termination of Life-Sustaining Treatment and the Care of the Dying. New York State Task Force for Life and the Law, Life-Sustaining Treatment: Making Decisions and Appointing a Health Care Agent. Daniel Callahan, Setting Limits: Medical Goals in an Aging Society.
Ontogeny of biphasic locomotor effects of quinpirole

The effects of the dopamine D2/D3 receptor agonist quinpirole (LY171555) on locomotor activity were tested on rats of 10, 15, 20, 30, and 60 days of age. In two separate experiments, doses of 0 (vehicle), 0.02, 0.2, or 2.0 mg/kg quinpirole were injected SC into rats at each age, and their effects measured either for 2 h at 15-min intervals, or 30 min at 5-min intervals. At 10, 15, and 20 days of age, quinpirole significantly increased distance travelled in a dose-dependent manner. At 30 and 60 days of age, quinpirole significantly decreased distance travelled early in the session and increased it later. These results suggest that a dopamine autoreceptor begins to function between 20 and 30 days of age. Concomitant with the appearance of quinpirole-induced locomotor suppression early in the session, the amount of quinpirole-induced activation late in the session declined.
Radionuclide Methods and Instrumentation for Breast Cancer Detection and Diagnosis

Breast cancer mammography is a well-acknowledged technique for patient screening due to its high sensitivity. However, in addition to its low specificity the sensitivity of mammography is limited when imaging patients with dense breasts. Radionuclide imaging techniques, such as coincidence photon-based positron emission tomography and single photon emission computed tomography or scintimammography, can play a role in assisting screening of such patients. Radionuclide techniques can also be useful in assessing treatment response of patients with breast cancer to therapy, and staging of patients to diagnose the disease extent. However, the performance of these imaging modalities is generally limited because of the poor spatial resolution and sensitivity of the commercially available multipurpose imaging systems. Here, we describe some of the dedicated imaging systems (positron emission mammography [PEM] and breast-specific gamma imaging [BSGI]) that have been developed both commercially and in research laboratories for radionuclide imaging of breast cancer. Clinical studies with dedicated PEM scanners show improved sensitivity to detecting cancer in patients when using PEM in conjunction with additional imaging modalities, such as magnetic resonance imaging or mammography or both, as well as improved disease staging that can have an effect on surgical planning. High-resolution BSGI systems are more widely available commercially and several clinical studies have shown very high sensitivity and specificity in detecting cancer in high-risk patients. Further development of dedicated PEM and BSGI systems is ongoing, promising further expansion of radionuclide imaging techniques in the realm of breast cancer detection and treatment.
Mitochondrial Disease in Childhood: Nuclear Encoded

Primary mitochondrial disorders are clinically and genetically heterogeneous, caused by an alteration(s) in either mitochondrial DNA or nuclear DNA, and affect the respiratory chain’s ability to undergo oxidative phosphorylation, leading to decreased production of adenosine triphosphophate and subsequent energy failure. These disorders may present at any age, but children tend to have an acute onset of disease compared with subacute or slowly progressive presentation in adults. Varying organ involvement also contributes to the phenotypic spectrum seen in these disorders. The childhood presentation of primary mitochondrial disease is mainly due to nuclear DNA mutations, with mitochondrial DNA mutations being less frequent in childhood and more prominent in adulthood disease. The clinician should be aware of the pediatric presentation of mitochondrial disease and have an understanding of the myriad of nuclear genes responsible for these disorders. The nuclear genes can be best understood by utilizing a classification system of location and function within the mitochondria.
The oral bioavailability and toxicokinetics of methylmercury in common loon (Gavia immer) chicks

We compared the toxicokinetics of methylmercury in captive common loon chicks during two time intervals to assess the impact of feather growth on the kinetics of mercury. We also determined the oral bioavailability of methylmercury during these trials to test for age-related changes. The blood concentration-time curves for individuals dosed during feather development (initiated 35 days post hatch) were best described by a one-compartment toxicokinetic model with an elimination half-life of 3 days. The data for birds dosed following completion of feather growth (84 days post hatch) were best fitted by a two-compartment elimination model that includes an initial rapid distribution phase with a half-life of 0.9 days, followed by a slow elimination phase with a half-life of 116 days. We determined the oral bioavailability of methylmercury during the first dosing interval by comparing the ratios of the area under the blood concentration-time curves (AUC(0--> infinity )) for orally and intravenously dosed chicks. The oral bioavailability of methylmercury during the first dosing period was 0.83. We also determined bioavailability during both dosing periods using a second measure because of irregularities with intravenous results in the second period. This second bioavailability measure estimated the percentage of the dose that was deposited in the blood volume (f), and the results show that there was no difference in bioavailability among dosing periods. The results of this study highlight the importance of feather growth on the toxicokinetics of methylmercury.
When a Good Idea Isn't Enough: Curricular Innovation as a Political Process

Curricular innovations are needed to maintain the relevancy of business schools in a dynamic world, but innovations are not always implemented and sustained even ii their technical merit is high. B...