cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Altered Regulation of Escherichia coli Biotin Biosynthesis in BirA Superrepressor Mutant Strains

Transcription of the Escherichia coli biotin (bio) operon is directly regulated by the biotin protein ligase BirA, the enzyme that covalently attaches biotin to its cognate acceptor proteins. Binding of BirA to the bio operator requires dimerization of the protein, which is triggered by BirA-catalyzed synthesis of biotinoyl-adenylate (biotinoyl-5'-AMP), the obligatory intermediate of the ligation reaction. Although several aspects of this regulatory system are well understood, no BirA superrepressor mutant strains had been isolated. Such superrepressor BirA proteins would repress the biotin operon transcription in vivo at biotin concentrations well below those needed for repression by wild-type BirA. We isolated mutant strains having this phenotype by a combined selection-screening approach and resolved multiple mutations to give several birA superrepressor alleles, each having a single mutation, all of which showed repression dominant over that of the wild-type allele. All of these mutant strains repressed bio operon transcription in vivo at biotin concentrations that gave derepression of the wild-type strain and retained sufficient ligation activity for growth when overexpressed. All of the strains except that encoding G154D BirA showed derepression of bio operon transcription upon overproduction of a biotin-accepting protein. In BirA, G154D was a lethal mutation in single copy, and the purified protein was unable to transfer biotin from enzyme-bound biotinoyl-adenylate either to the natural acceptor protein or to a biotin-accepting peptide sequence. Consistent with the transcriptional repression data, each of the purified mutant proteins showed increased affinity for the biotin operator DNA in electrophoretic mobility shift assays. Surprisingly, although most of the mutations were located in the catalytic domain, all of those tested, except G154D BirA, had normal ligase activity. Most of the mutations that gave superrepressor phenotypes altered residues located close to the dimerization interface of BirA. However, two mutations were located at sites well removed from the interface. The properties of the superrepressor mutants strengthen and extend other data indicating that BirA function entails extensive interactions among the three domains of the protein and show that normal ligase activity does not ensure normal DNA binding.
Uses of skin biopsy for sensory and autonomic nerve assessment

Skin biopsy is a valuable diagnostic tool for small-fiber-predominant neuropathy by the quantification of intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD). It has the unique advantage of being a minimally invasive procedure with the potential for longitudinal evaluation of both sensory and autonomic fibers. Unmyelinated small fibers are not otherwise quantified objectively with such a level of sensitivity as has been reported with IENFD. Recent advances include an expansion of the skin punch biopsy technique to evaluate larger myelinated fibers and mechanoreceptors, and recent work has also focused on additional methods of quantifying dermal fibers and densely innervated autonomic structures. This review discusses current work using skin biopsy for the pathologic analysis of peripheral nerve fibers in neuropathy of various causes as well as its use in clinical trials.
Heuristic graph displayer for G-BASE

A proto-type graph displaying system for a data base management system is described. The system uses a heuristic algorithm for drawing a graph. The system was developed to draw a schema graph for the G-Base-Data Base Management System based on a graph data model. For quick display, the algorithm used no or very limited backtracking and it attempts to minimize unnecessary arc intersections. The graph is embedded in an integer grid plane and displayed on a window. The graph drawer has several useful features for producing visually pleasant drawings such as automatic font selection, and automatic abbreviation of long node label. It can draw both directed graphs and non-directed graphs and can display arc labels. The system is implemented using the X-window system running on Sun workstations and Sony NEWS workstations. It is written in C language and is portable to any workstation which supports the X-window system. Complex graphs, such as a graph with 149 nodes and 153 arcs, have been displayed in a visually pleasing manner.
Growth of Diamond from Atomic Hydrogen and a Supersonic Free Jet of Methyl Radicals

The growth of small (∼10-micrometer) diamond particles (on 0.1-or 0.25-micrometer seed crystals) using an effusive glow discharge nozzle for H·and a separate supersonic pyrolysis jet for ·CH 3 is reported. Laser micro-Raman, scanning electron microscopy, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy data are presented as evidence that well-crystallized diamond is indeed formed. Resonant multiphoton ionization spectroscopy is used as a diagnostic for the gas-phase chemistry indicating that the radical sources are clean and quantitative and that there is no detectable interconversion of ·CH 3 to C 2 H 2 under the conditions of the experiment. Diamond growth is found at substrate temperatures greater than or equal to 650°C with no marked increase in the rate of growth up to 850°C. Acetylene does not give good quality diamond under similar conditions.
Basics of TGF-beta and pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer is the 4th leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. The number of diagnoses per year equals the number of deaths per year, making it the deadliest of all malignanc
Hydrographic Observations on the Red Sea Brines indicate a Marked Increase in Temperature

THE bathymetric and hydrographic data from the expedition of the R/V Chain during November 1966 revealed three deeps in the Red Sea all containing hot brine1. The largest of these, the Atlantis II deep, contained bottom water at 56.5° C and with salinity 257‰, above which was an intermediate layer at 44.3° C and salinity 135‰. The two adjacent deeps (Discovery deep and Chain deep) contain brine at a lower temperature and it has been suggested that these represent spillover from the active site1.
Dystrophin constitutes 5% of membrane cytoskeleton in skeletal muscle.

Dystrophin, which is absent in skeletal muscle of Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients, has not been considered to play a major structural role in the cell membrane of skeletal muscle because of its low abundance (∼ 0.002% of total muscle protein). Here, were have determined the relative abundance of dystrophin in a membrane cytoskeleton preparation and found that dystrophin constitutes approximately 5% of the total membrane cytoskeleton fraction of skeletal muscle sarcolemma. In addition, dystrophin can be removed from surcolemma by alkaline treatment. Thus, our results have demonstrated that dystrophin is a major component of the subsurcolemmal cytoskeleton in skeletal muscle and suggest that dystrophin could play a major structural role in the cell membrane of skeletal muscle.
Attitudes and behaviors of hospital staff toward elders in an acute care setting

This study was a grounded-theory approach to the social processes engaged in by elderly people while in the hospital. Staff behaviors were identified along two continua, attitude, which affected the elders' dignity and autonomy, and managing care, which affected the elders' health. Elders described the physicians' role as the director of their health care. The elders characterized the nurses' role to provide their medications and direct needs, whereas the nurses identified their role as providing education and emotional support. Implications and recommendations for practice are offered.
Computational Challenges in Parsing by Classification

This paper presents a discriminative parser that does not use a generative model in any way, yet whose accuracy still surpasses a generative baseline. The parser performs feature selection incrementally during training, as opposed to a priori, which enables it to work well with minimal linguistic cleverness. The main challenge in building this parser was fitting the training data into memory. We introduce gradient sampling, which increased training speed 100-fold. Our implementation is freely available at http://nlp.cs.nyu.edu/parser/.
7.13. Process Management for Skeptics (or The Case for Process Management in Modern Naval System Development)

The need for large, complex systems has fostered a need for large, multi-disciplined organizations to design, build, and maintain them. At the same time, customers of large, complex systems are demanding unprecedented levels of efficiency and quality. To achieve these demands, builders of complex systems must employ a formal mechanism for managing their design and development processes. Understanding and controlling top-level processes across large multi-disciplined organizations, alliances, or consortia, is referred to as “Process Management”. To be successful, any process management activity must have the understanding, input and support of all key participants. This paper was originally developed as a step in getting that understanding and support, especially from domain specialists without any process engineering experience. The arguments presented here are applicable specifically to a large Navy development program, but they may be useful in gaining process management understanding for the development of other complex systems.
Desensitization of junctional and extrajunctional nicotinic ACh receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes

Abstract Desensitization of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) was studied using the Xenopus oocyte expression system. Mouse and cat extrajunctional AChRs expressed in oocytes desensitized more slowly than Torpedo AChRs. Substitution of the mouse γ subunit into the Torpedo AChR reduced the rate of desensitization, making it similar to the mouse AChR. Likewise, substitution of the Torpedo γ subunit into the mouse extrajunctional AChR increased the rate of desensitization, making it similar to the Torpedo AChR. Furthermore, mouse junctional AChRs in which the γ subunit was replaced by the ϵ subunit desensitized more rapidly than either mouse or cat extrajunctional AChRs, and resembled Torpedo AChRs. Thus, in addition to other properties, junctional and extrajunctional AChRs differ with respect to desensitization, suggesting a possible role of desensitization in normal development of neuromuscular junction.
Effect of reducing atmosphere on the structure of ceria-supported nano-pt catalysts

Bulk platinum has been known to be chemically inert, but shows remarkably high activity as a catalyst when finely dispersed as nano particles (10 nm) in ceramic substrates. In order to understand this mechanism, we have studied the effect of a reducing environment on the structure, morphology, and distribution of these Pt nano particles as well as of oxide support in gadolinium-doped ceria catalysts by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) methods. In fresh catalysts prepared by calcinations, the Pt nano particles were found to be crystalline with many of them twinned and distributed randomly in the microstructure of crystalline ceria support. The size of the Pt nano particles ranged between 20 and 50 nm. A special feature found in these catalysts is that no constituting Pt particle is partially or fully embedded in the ceria grain. Upon reduction with hydrogen gas at high temperatures, both Pt and ceria crystals showed evidence of crystalline defects. The Pt nano particles in reduced catalysts appeared similar in size and shape to those observed in the fresh catalysts, and they resided on the surface of the ceria crystal. The results are discussed in relation to their expected catalytic activity in autothermal reforming of iso-octane.
This thing I call Europe

Asserts that a new environment for marketing is being established in Europe as a result of changing business, cultural, economic and political relationships. Argues that what is happening in Europe is the simultaneous separation and integration of behaviours and structures throughout and between almost all the major institutions. Considers that Americans are not aware of what is taking place in Europe and are continuing to apply outmoded marketing strategies. Companies focus on individual companies and markets for international marketing analysis rather than the large, complex and diverse region of Europe. Markets are taking on new dimensions that defy recognised geographical, political and cultural boundaries. Suggests understanding the differences between markets before trying to discover elements of commonality.
An informatics supported web-based data annotation and query tool to expedite translational research for head and neck malignancies

The Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) in Head and Neck Cancer neoplasm virtual biorepository is a bioinformatics-supported system to incorporate data from various clinical, pathological, and molecular systems into a single architecture based on a set of common data elements (CDEs) that provides semantic and syntactic interoperability of data sets. The various components of this annotation tool include the Development of Common Data Elements (CDEs) that are derived from College of American Pathologists (CAP) Checklist and North American Association of Central Cancer Registries (NAACR) standards. The Data Entry Tool is a portable and flexible Oracle-based data entry device, which is an easily mastered web-based tool. The Data Query Tool helps investigators and researchers to search de-identified information within the warehouse/resource through a "point and click" interface, thus enabling only the selected data elements to be essentially copied into a data mart using a multi dimensional model from the warehouse's relational structure. The SPORE Head and Neck Neoplasm Database contains multimodal datasets that are accessible to investigators via an easy to use query tool. The database currently holds 6553 cases and 10607 tumor accessions. Among these, there are 965 metastatic, 4227 primary, 1369 recurrent, and 483 new primary cases. The data disclosure is strictly regulated by user's authorization. The SPORE Head and Neck Neoplasm Virtual Biorepository is a robust translational biomedical informatics tool that can facilitate basic science, clinical, and translational research. The Data Query Tool acts as a central source providing a mechanism for researchers to efficiently find clinically annotated datasets and biospecimens that are relevant to their research areas. The tool protects patient privacy by revealing only de-identified data in accordance with regulations and approvals of the IRB and scientific review committee.
Shape normalization for catalytic monoliths

We analyze the coupled convection, diffusion and reaction problem for laminar flow in a washcoated channel of uniform but arbitrary cross-sectional shape with nonuniform washcoat thickness. For the case of an isothermal first-order reaction, we obtain analytical solutions and show that the reactant exit mixing-cup conversion (χm) depends mainly on the transverse Peclet number (P) and the effective local Damkohler number (Φs2), which depends on relative effective diffusivity (δ), relative washcoat thickness (λ) and local Damkohler number (φs2), and is a weak function of the axial Peclet number Pe and the Schmidt number Sc (or local velocity profile). We generalize the results for nonlinear kinetics and show that the χm versus P curve is universal for all geometric shapes and washcoat profiles, provided P and Φs2 are defined using the shape normalized length scales ( and for the fluid phase and washcoat, respectively) and the normalized reaction time scale presented in this work. Here, is defined as the ratio of flow cross-sectional area to the fluid–washcoat perimeter and is defined as the ratio of washcoat cross-sectional area to the fluid–washcoat perimeter. Furthermore, we show that the χm versus P curve in the kinetic regime (Φs2≪1) is independent of the velocity profile and is given by the asymptotes χm=1 for P≪Φs2 and χm=Φs2/P for P≫Φs2. In the mass transfer controlled regime (Φs2≫1), the conversion (χm), for the case of fully developed flow, is given by the asymptotes χm=1 for P≪1 and χm≈P−2/3 for P≫1, with a transition around a P value of unity. For the practical case of long ducts (P≪1 or ) we show that the high-conversion branch may be approximated by for all cases. We present both analytical and numerical results on the first eigenvalue (μ1) and the Fourier weight (α1) for some cases of practical interest and show that these asymptotic constants are insensitive to the channel geometric shapes and washcoat profile but depend on the numerical values of φs2,δ and λ. Finally, we use theoretical results to present criteria for optimal design of catalytic monoliths.
Antipsychotic Prescribing Practices

This commentary is an introduction to a set of articles reviewing antipsychotic prescribing practices for individuals with schizophrenia, noting where these practice patterns conform to or deviate from evidence-based practice, and identifying the pressing research questions raised by these variations. The delineation of practices supported by the evidence base is crucial for the practical concerns of creating practice guidelines and monitoring performance, as well as for identifying areas where the reach of clinical practice must exceed the grasp of current knowledge. These gaps in knowledge should guide the development of a research agenda that addresses pressing questions commonly confronted in everyday practice. We know from the Schizophrenia Patient Outcomes Research Team (PORT) project and other surveys that clinically significant research findings are not making their way into practice. Additionally, as the articles assembled here indicate, questions of pressing importance in routine practice have yet to make their way into research agendas.
Neurotrophin ligand-receptor systems in somatosensory cortex of adult rat are affected by repeated episodes of ethanol.

Abstract Ethanol exposure profoundly affects learning and memory and neural plasticity. Key players underlying these functions are neurotrophins. The present study explored the effects of ethanol on the distribution of neurotrophins in the cerebral cortex of the adult rat. Age- and weight-matched pairs of adult male, Long–Evans rats were fed a liquid, ethanol-containing (6.7% v/v) diet or pair-fed an isocaloric control diet three consecutive days per week for 6, 12, 18, or 24 weeks. Brains were processed immunohistochemically for nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression and for the expression of three neurotrophin receptors, p75, trkA, and trkB. Total numbers of immunolabeled neurons in specific layers of somatosensory cortex of ethanol- and control-fed animals were determined stereologically. Ethanol exposure induced an increase in the numbers of NGF- or BDNF-expressing neurons and in neurotrophin content per somata. These changes were (a) time and (b) laminar dependent. In contrast, the number of receptor-expressing neurons did not change due to ethanol exposure or to length of time on the ethanol diet. Thus, ethanol induces the recruitment of cortical neurons to express neurotrophins and an increase in the amount of neurotrophin expression per neuron.
What Is Bright Is Not Always Gold

To the Editor: The recent paper from Myerson et al1 on the “reliability” of formulae for calculation of echocardiographic left ventricular (LV) mass needs to be carefully considered. Quantitative echocardiography presents problems of reproducibility, but less than expected from initial studies performed without 2D guidance. There is evidence that the test-retest “error” of echocardiography is similar to the “normal” error affecting many biological determinations.2,3 In particular, in the Reliability of M-mode Echocardiographic Studies (RES) trial,2 using M-mode tracings from several echocardiography laboratories of different experience, test-retest variability was in the range of 10% to 15% (90% confidence interval). Most error is related to image quality and temporal drift, but, as previously reported,2,3 error can be minimized by both appropriate standardization of the examination and in-laboratory self-learning procedures. Reliability can be high, with a coefficient of test-retest concordance of 87% for identification of prognostically adverse LV hypertrophy (LVH).2 Thus, together with accuracy (proved by necropsy validation4–6), reproducibility of echocardiographic LV mass2,3 is better than pessimistically stated by Myerson et al.1,7 Moreover, Daniels et al5 showed that the geometric formula used for echocardiographic LV mass determination predicts necropsy LV weight accurately from linear LV wall thickness and chamber dimension measurements. Myerson et al1 tried to demonstrate the limited “reliability” of echocardiographic LV mass using a …
Vasomotion patterns in skeletal muscle arterioles during changes in arterial pressure

The effects of stepwise reductions of arterial pressure on arteriolar diameter and on vasomotion patterns in the rabbit tenuissimus muscle were investigated in eight New Zealand White rabbits (0.8-1.2 kg) anesthetized with 20% urethane. The vasomotor activity of 13 bifurcations, where first-order terminal arterioles branch from a transverse arteriole, was recorded by video microscopy and related to the pressures in the femoral artery. The arterial pressure was lowered in steps by partial occlusion of the abdominal aorta. Changes of mean diameter due to reduced perfusion pressures were most pronounced in transverse arterioles. Dilation in terminal arterioles at reduced arterial pressures did not exceed resting condition vasomotion peak diameters. Regular vasomotion in the terminal arterioles was intercalated with periods of no vasoactivity which became progressively longer when perfusion pressure was reduced. The oscillation frequency was maintained during the periods with regular vasomotion. Vasomotion ceased in transverse and terminal arterioles at arterial pressures between 50 and 30 mm Hg. During reactive hyperemia vasomotion reappeared after 0.5 to 4 min with the original fundamental frequency. We postulate that vasomotion in terminal arterioles is due to a vascular pacemaker which acts as a local oscillator that can be influenced by perfusion pressure in an on/off-type fashion. The pacemaker oscillation frequency is constant and independent of myogenic factors.
Posttraumatic growth and diurnal cortisol slope among women with metastatic breast cancer

Summary Background A cancer diagnosis leads to increased psychological and emotional distress. However, in the aftermath of a traumatic event, such as being diagnosed with breast cancer, an individual may also experience beneficial changes in life perspective, relationships with others, and more. These changes are collectively known as posttraumatic growth (PTG). Studies have demonstrated that cortisol levels have been linked with cancer survival, yet an investigation of the relationship between PTG and cortisol has yet to be conducted among cancer patients. Methods The relationship of PTG to cortisol levels was examined among 99 metastatic breast cancer patients. Results We found a significant correlation between PTG and diurnal cortisol slope (Spearman's rho = −0.21, p Conclusions PTG in response to the stress of cancer was related to more normal (i.e., steeper) diurnal cortisol patterns. Longitudinal studies are recommended to investigate these mechanisms in relationship to cancer survival.
Usability Implications of Requiring Parameters in Objects' Constructors

The usability of APIs is increasingly important to programmer productivity. Based on experience with usability studies of specific APIs, techniques were explored for studying the usability of design choices common to many APIs. A comparative study was performed to assess how professional programmers use APIs with required parameters in objects' constructors as opposed to parameterless "default" constructors. It was hypothesized that required parameters would create more usable and self- documenting APIs by guiding programmers toward the correct use of objects and preventing errors. However, in the study, it was found that, contrary to expectations, programmers strongly preferred and were more effective with APIs that did not require constructor parameters. Participants' behavior was analyzed using the cognitive dimensions framework, and revealing that required constructor parameters interfere with common learning strategies, causing undesirable premature commitment.
Accessing and visualizing scientific spatiotemporal data

This paper discusses work done by JPL's Parallel Applications Technologies Group in helping scientists access and visualize very large data sets through the use of multiple computing resources, such as parallel supercomputers, clusters, and grids. These tools do one or more of the following tasks: visualize local data sets for local users, visualize local data sets for remote users, and access and visualize remote data sets. The tools are used for various types of data, including remotely sensed image data, digital elevation models, astronomical surveys, etc. The paper attempts to pull some common elements out of these tools that may be useful for others who have to work with similarly large data sets.
Hate Studies Through a Constructivist and Critical Pedagogical Approach

Most of us are probably familiar with the child’s lament made during dinner: “I hate vegetables.” If you are a teacher, you may have heard students announce with conviction, “I hate homework.” It seems that everyone hates someone, something, or some action; so what value is there in a field of hate studies? Hate, when discussed as a strong feeling toward something one dislikes, appears simply as an emotion that does not deserve the special recognition of having an entire field committed to its research. However, this narrow focus on this one aspect of hate leaves ignored them very real impact of hateful attitudes and actions on local, national, and international communities. In fact, hate is a common experience of people throughout the world (Bayley, 2002; Waller, 2004).
Rate-Dependent Response of Polymers to Tensile Impact

A strain-rate-independent theory is shown to be inadequate to describe the response of polymers to tensile impact. A nylon yarn and a rubber strip were subjected to longi tudinal impact at velocities up to 100 m sec⁻¹ and the resulting strains observed pho tographically. Rate-independent theory is used to calculate the expected results. Fundamental differences are noted between the observed and the calculated response. Particularly noted is the absence, in the observations, of shock waves that are predicted by the rate-independent theory. A technique is described for loading a sample at uniform intervals along its length, and thus increasing the strain level reached before the resulting strain wave is reflected, even though the impact velocity is limited. This technique is used to determine a critical velocity for nylon yarn. Critical velocities calculated by a method based on rate- independent theory do not agree with this determination.
Collection and interpretation of plasma leptin concentration data in humans.

JENSEN, MICHAEL D, DONALD HENSRUD, PETER C. O’BRIEN, AND S0REN NIELSEN. Collection and interpretation of plasma leptin concentration data in humans. Obes Res. 1999;7:241-245. Objective: To reassess the relationship between body fat and plasma leptin concentrations when a) replicate measures of leptin are made; b) energy intake is controlled at isoenergetic levels before the study; and c) body fat and percent body fat are measured with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Research Methods and Procedures: Two separate studies were conducted. In the first study, four plasma samples were collected for measurement of leptin over 30 minutes on a single day in 43 lean and obese men and women. For the second study, plasma samples were collected on four consecutive days from a group of 50 lean and obese men and women. Percent body fat (and body fat mass) was related to log-transformed mean plasma leptin concentrations using linear regression analysis; multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine whether there was an effect of gender on this relationship, and the analysis of Choi was used to examine whether percent body fat or body fat mass better predicts plasma leptin concentrations. Results: For the first study, percent body fat was highly correlated (r= 0.96, p<O.OOOl) with log-transformed mean leptin concentrations. No difference in the relationship between leptin and percent body fat in men and women was detected. The second study confirmed this observation; the relationship between In leptin and percent body fat was virtually identical (r= 0.93, p<O.OOl). Analysis of the pooled data suggests that percent body fat is a better predictor of plasma leptin concentration than body fat mass. The use of multiple (as opposed to a single) leptin
Inductance of planar rectangular-spiral strip conductors for low-profile inductors

Two methods are presented for calculating the inductance of planar rectangular spirals. The first method assumes current flows only in the exact center of the conductor. The second method is based on uniform current distribution across the conductor width, and results in significant improvements in the calculated value of the inductance. The effect of introducing a magnetic core is also studied. The calculated values of inductance from both methods are compared with laboratory measurements, and the accuracy of the methods is demonstrated. >
Quantification of the mechanical properties of noncontracting canine myocardium under simultaneous biaxial loading

Detailed understanding of cardiac mechanics depends upon accurate and complete characterization of the three-dimensional properties of both normal and diseased myocardial tissue. This, however, can only be obtained by performing multiaxial tests on cardiac tissue. In this study we subjected thin sheets of passive canine left ventricular myocardium to various combinations of simultaneous biaxial stretching. During each stretch the ratio of the orthogonal strains was kept constant and the corresponding stresses remained proportional. We fitted the biaxial stress-strain data both with exponential strain-energy functions with quadratic powers of strains as well as with an alternative function with nonintegral powers of strains. We used our recently developed nonparametric method to assess the reliability of the coefficients for each of these functions. The quadratic strain-energy functions resulted in wide intra- and interspecimen variability in the coefficients. Moreover, both their absolute and relative values demonstrated marked load history dependence such that interpretation of the direction of anisotropy was difficult. Fitting the data with the alternative nonintegral strain-energy function seemed to alleviate these problems. This alternative strain-energy function may provide more self-consistent results than the more commonly used quadratic strain-energy functions.
A Recursive Construction of the Set of Binary Entropy Vectors and Related Algorithmic Inner Bounds for the Entropy Region

A method for checking membership in the region of entropic vectors generated from N bits is presented. A general technique for utilizing this method to create inner bounds for regions of entropic vectors as a function of outer bounds is then presented. These two algorithms are then used to provide new insights regarding relationships among well known bounds for the region of entropic vectors..
Mining Correlation between Motifs and Gene Expression

One of the major challenges in the post-genomic era is to determine all DNA-binding transcription factors (TFs) and their regulatory binding sites (motifs) within the genomes. To discover the relationship between the motifs and changes in gene expression, we propose a new algorithm, co-miner (correlation miner). Correlation rules are generated based on the expression profiles of genes with significant expression change through the time course of gene expression. Thus, we may consider the change in gene expression to be causatively associated with the transcription binding sites in the upstream sequences. In addition, we introduce partition and constraint pushing techniques to improve the performance and demonstrate their effectiveness by our experiments. By applying co-miner to a yeast dataset, the relationships between motifs and gene expression revealed by co-miner are confirmed in the literature.
Echoes from the Past: The Relationship between Satisfaction with Economic Reforms and Voting Behavior in Poland

Electorates in several East European countries have thrown their support behind reconstructed communist parties. Is personal economic hardship driving this phenomenon? We argue that political behavior in postcommunist societies is fundamentally structured by interpretations of the transition histories, which were centrally constitutive events. We propose a structural equation model in which understandings of the past mediate the relationship between personal circumstances and satisfaction with economic reforms. We analyze cross-sectional data collected in Poland immediately after the 1993 parliamentary elections and find, consistent with our hypotheses, that understandings of the past exert as much of an effect on attitudes toward reforms as do personal economic assessments. We use multinomial logit to analyze vote choice and find that personal economic circumstances are of little importance. Attitudes toward economic reforms have a limited effect on voting behavior, but their importance is eclipsed by understandings of the past and other factors, such as religion.
Fragmentation and Collapse in Magnetic Molecular Clouds: Natural Length Scales and Protostellar Masses

Gravity is of course ultimately responsible for fragmentation and star formation. Magnetic forces dominate thermal-pressure and centrifugal forces over scales comparable to molecular cloud radii. Magnetic support of molecular clouds and the imperfect collisional coupling between charged and neutral particles introduce a natural “Alfven length scale” (λ A = πv A τni) in the problem which together with a thermal (λT = 1.09 Ca τff) and a magnetic (λ M = 0.62 v A τff) “Jeans length” lead to the formation of fragments (or cores) in otherwise quiescent clouds and determine the sizes and masses of these fragments during the subsequent phases of contraction. (The quantity v A is the Alfven speed, τni the mean neutral-ion collision time, Ca the adiabatic speed of sound, and τff the free fall time scale.) Numerical calculations based on new adaptive-grid techniques follow the formation of fragments by ambipolar diffusion and their subsequent collapse up to an enhancement in central density above its initial equilibrium value by a factor ≃ 106 with excellent spatial resolution. The results confirm the existence and relevance of the three length scales and extend the analytical understanding of fragmentation and star formation derived from them. The relation B c ∝ p c κ between the magnetic field strength and the gas density in cloud cores holds with κ = 0.4 − 0.5 even in the presence of ambipolar diffusion up to densities ~ 109 cm−3 for a wide variety of clouds. The value κ ≃ 1/2 is fairly typical. At the late stages of evolution, for example at a central density of about 3 × 108 cm−3, a typical core is relatively uniform, contains 0.1 M⊙ and a magnetic field ≃ 3 mGauss, and is surrounded by a spatially rapidly decreasing, highly nonspherical (disk-like) density distribution. The amount of mass available for accretion onto the compact core is limited by magnetic forces, and is typically ~ 1 M⊙. These results are built into the detailed scenario for star formation described recently elsewhere.
Managers' Strategic Reporting Judgments in Audit Negotiations

SUMMARY: Prior research has largely characterized audit negotiations as a dyadic relationship between auditors and managers. However, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) substantially enhances the audit committee's oversight responsibilities for the financial reporting and auditing processes. Thus, negotiations post-SOX may be viewed as a triadic relationship that now involves the audit committee with the authority to scrutinize audit negotiations. Consistent with auditors considering their relative bargaining power and expectations of counterpart behavior, Brown-Liburd and Wright (2011) find that auditors are most contending when the audit committee is strong and the past relationship is contentious. We extend Brown-Liburd and Wright (2011) by examining the joint effects of these factors on managers' pre-negotiation judgments. We posit that rather than mirror auditor behavior, managers make different judgments because they have a different perspective and set of incentives than do auditors. Prior research sugg...
The ’73 Graft: Punishment, Political Economy, and the Genealogy of Morals

In this essay, I explore the place of a genealogy of morals within the context of a history of political economy. More specifically, I investigate the types of moralization — of criminals and delinquents, of the disorderly, but also of political economic systems, of workers and managers, of rules and rule-breaking — that are necessary and integral to making a population accept new styles of political and economic governance, especially the punitive institutions that accompany modern political economies in the contemporary period. The marriage of political economy and a genealogy of morals: this essay explores how the moralization of certain groups of people has been necessary to render tolerable the great American paradox of laissez-faire and mass incarceration. How, in effect, practices of moralization are necessary to make tolerable the intolerable.
Public Sector Fiduciary Competence

Many of the financial instruments that produced attractive yields during the 1990s and early 2000s, when the economy was strong, reversed course when conditions worsened in 2007 and 2008. Three entities were hit particularly hard by their investment strategies: Jefferson County, Alabama, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and five Wisconsin school districts that had pooled their resources in a common investment. This article reviews the investments made by these three jurisdictions, traces the origins of the financial instruments that caused the problem, and compares the investment strategies with those that led to the 1994 Orange County bankruptcy. The study concludes with a reexamination of public finance officials' fiduciary responsibilities.
Chinoiseries for the Qing: A French Gift of Tapestries to the Qianlong Emperor

In 1766 a set of chinoiserie tapestries produced by the Beauvais manufactory was presented to the Qianlong emperor on behalf of the French administration. Chinoiserie has conventionally been understood as a frivolous or superficial European response to China’s material culture; viewed from this perspective, the tapestries would seem to be a most unsuitable gift for the emperor. Yet Qianlong not only received the hangings, but he had a European-style palace built to house them. This article examines the circumstances surrounding the French offering, the Chinese priests who brought the gift from France to Beijing, and the meanings the tapestries could communicate in a diplomatic context marked not by official contact between the French and the Qing, but through an informal diplomacy negotiated through objects.
American Historical Demography: A Review Essay

(1971). American Historical Demography: A Review Essay. Historical Methods Newsletter: Vol. 4, No. 4, pp. 141-148.
Phase II Clinical Trial of Etanercept Plus Extracorporeal Photopheresis GVHD Prophylaxis Following Unrelated Donor Reduced Intensity Transplant

s / Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 21 (2015) S322eS354 S337 GVHD grading but were included for the other analyses. Initial treatment included beginning or increasing systemic steroids (69%), continuing calcineurin inhibitors (64%) or beginning topical treatment (52%). Additional treatment was added within the first 28 days for 31% patients. Median lines of treatment for the total duration of follow-upwere 1 (range 0-4). Of the evaluable patients, 63/85 and 56/66 had a clinical response (CR/PR) at 28 days and at 180 days respectively. 36% developed recurrence of LA GVHD after a documented CR. 26% developed chronic GVHD after LA GVHD at a median of 169 (range 25-383) days after diagnosis of LA GVHD. Median number of hospital days in the first 6 months after the diagnosis of LA GVHD was 15 (range 1-120) days. 25% had discontinued immunosuppressive therapy (IST) at the time of last follow-up with the median duration of IST being 12.8 (range 6.1-24.7) months after HCT. 9% relapsed and 22% died with themain causes of death being GVHD, infection ormulti organ failure. Median failure free survival (FFS) as defined by absence of relapse, death, addition of new IST or development of chronic GVHD was 3.6 months (95% CI: 1.7-6.8) (Figure). Median overall survival (OS) was 25.3 months. No patient/transplant or GVHD related factors emerged as significant predictors for FFS or OS in univariate analysis. Conclusions: The overall incidence of LA GVHD is low, but it is associated with prolonged immunosuppression, poor failure free and overall survival.
Migration and Occupational Changes during Periods of Economic Transition: Women and Men in Vietnam:

This Population Studies and Training Center paper examined the impact of migration on gender differences in occupational mobility after economic reform introduction. In a survey conducted in 1997 data from six Vietnamese provinces served as a basis for comparison of experiences among permanent temporary and non-migrants. Using Jacobs conceptual framework migration was noted to reduce gender differences in occupational status though increase of women participation in the traditional male occupations. Although males still enjoy relative advantage in occupational mobility over women particularly among permanent migrants. The use of logistic regression equations which predicts the likelihood of upward mobility shows significant differences by gender and migration status. The two major differences observed were the more plausible upward mobility of permanent male migrants before the economic reform and the limited possibility for upward mobility among women during the same period. Temporary migrants particularly males were observed to have the highest rate of upward mobility. These findings suggest that freedom of movement and ability in engaging in private enterprise was not able to successfully promote upward occupational mobility among females. In conclusion this paper confirms that the existing occupational patterns still reflect the effects of the planned economy and cultural expectations on the roles of women.
Novel Approaches to Phase Conjugation Utilizing Ultrafast Artificial Kerr Media

Non-linear adaptive optics presents one approach for overcoming phase distortions encountered during propagation of laser radiation. If degenerate four-wave mixing is accomplished via quantum transitions, the temporal response of the medium to phase distortions is limited only by the speed of light. This, combined with the fidelity of the signal as well as the inherent mechanical simplicity of this technique, are encouraging features which suggest that phase conjugation can be utilized in actual laser systems. Unfortunately, most non-linear media which are utilized for phase conjugation are characterized by efficiencies which are too low for practical applications. This difficulty is particularly troublesome when only weak pump fields of only a few watts per square centimeter are available. Furthermore, one would prefer to utilize non-linear media which do not have resonance conditions.
Abstract P311: CAPTURE: Cardio-Pulmonary Tissue Repository

Background: Cardiothoracic tissue is highly sought by researchers, yet repositories for such tissue are conspicuously absent in the U.S.A. This limits the availability of research-quality tissue specimens. Columbia University is one of the nation's busiest heart and lung transplant centers and has excellent access to such tissue. Ca rdio p ulmonary T iss u e Re pository (CAPTURE) aims to fill this existing resource gap by creating a large-scale cardiothoracic tissue repository. Methods: Since 1999 Columbia University has collected cardiothoracic tissue on an informal basis. This is now being transitioned into CAPTURE, a sophisticated tissue bank for the collection, preservation, and distribution of research-quality tissue specimens. A team is on call 24/7 to collect tissue samples and process them immediately by flash freezing, formalin or RNAlater. Samples are annotated with clinical data from the Patients' Advantage Cardiothoracic Surgery Clinical Research Project (PACTS-CR Project), labeled with bar codes, catalogued using PROGENY LIMS (a secure electronic tracking system), and stored in freezers protected by emergency back-up ( centralized storage and collection ). CAPTURE aims to expand into a strong network of regional hospitals that contribute and utilize tissues ( centralized storage and decentralized collection ), and then to transition into a specialized program of research excellence (SPORE), becoming an NIH/NHLBI partner and later a nationwide cardiopulmonary tissue repository ( decentralized storage and collection ). Results: Tissue has been obtained from over 700 patients over the last decade. By obtaining up to 35 samples from each heart explanted during orthotopic heart transplant and up to 10 samples per myocardial core taken during ventricular assist device (VAD) implantation, over 12,000 tissue samples are currently stored. Intra- and multicenter collaborations have utilized these tissues to conduct several different studies. Conclusion: Successful past experiences have shown the promise of maintaining even an informal bank of cardiothoracic tissue samples. By offering greatly expanded and sophisticated tissue banking facilities, we anticipate CAPTURE will accelerate basic science and translational research.
High time for high tech? China’s program for an indigenous high technology capability

Chinese policymakers have increasingly turned their attention to developing high technology. The state has, through a number of central directives, attempted to promote the production and commercialization of high tech products. Yet, the level of Chinese high technology products remains fairly low. This article argues that the state, especially in trying to recrease Silicon Valley in China, has learned the wrong lessons from the West’s experience. In order to promote the development of high tech, the state needs to build up a more adequate science and technology infrastructure and to define and protect property rights.
Radiographic predictors of symptomatic screw removal after retrograde femoral nail insertion

Abstract Introduction Removal of symptomatic implants is a common procedure performed by orthopaedic trauma surgeons. No guidance is available regarding which factors contribute to the likelihood of an implant becoming symptomatic. Our objective was to determine whether radiographic parameters associated with distal interlocks in retrograde femoral nails are associated with the rate of symptomatic screw removal. Patients and methods We conducted a retrospective review at a Level I trauma center. Study patients (n = 442) had femoral fractures treated with retrograde intramedullary nails from 2007 to 2014 and at least 1 year of follow-up. The main outcome measurement was symptomatic distal screw removal as predicted by radiographic parameters. Results Symptomatic screw removal occurred in 12% of the patients. Increased distance between the most distal screw and the articular surface of the femur significantly reduced likelihood of symptomatic screw removal. A cutoff of 40 mm from the articular block was predictive of removal (≥40 mm, 0% removal; Conclusions More distal screws and screws that radiographically extend to or beyond the medial cortex are more likely to cause pain and require removal in femoral fractures treated with retrograde intramedullary nails. We identified a specific distance from the joint (