cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chromatin Regulation through Ubiquitin and Ubiquitin-like Histone Modifications.

Chromatin functions are influenced by the addition, removal, and recognition of histone post-translational modifications (PTMs). Ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like (UBL) PTMs on histone proteins can function as signaling molecules by mediating protein–protein interactions. Fueled by the identification of novel ubiquitin and UBL sites and the characterization of the writers, erasers, and readers, the breadth of chromatin functions associated with ubiquitin signaling is emerging. Here, we highlight recently appreciated roles for histone ubiquitination in DNA methylation control, PTM crosstalk, nucleosome structure, and phase separation. We also discuss the expanding diversity and functions associated with histone UBL modifications. We conclude with a look toward the future and pose key questions that will drive continued discovery at the interface of epigenetics and ubiquitin signaling.
Distance-Dependent Landscape Effects in Terrestrial Systems: a Review and a Proposed Spatio-Temporal Framework

We review recent methodological advancements in estimation of distance-dependent landscape effects on terrestrial species. These methods address key theoretical elements from landscape and metapopulation ecology that were ignored in previous approaches. Models that treat landscapes as circles within which all land features are equally important to a focal population ignore distant-dependent population processes, such as dispersal, resource selection, and social interactions. Realistic models that estimate variation in landscape-scale effects over space and time are necessary to understand the complex processes that influence population dynamics. The addition of kernel smoothers to generalized linear models has potential to increase the biological realism of landscape-species models. These models include estimation of parameters that dictate the relationship between distance and importance of landscape features to focal populations. There are examples of implementing these models in both maximum likelihood and Bayesian frameworks, as well as examples using model selection to determine appropriate smoothing kernel shape. One key limitation of these models is computational effort, although we provide some guidance for reducing model runtime. Models allowing for inference on explicit ecological processes are critical to advancing knowledge of the basic landscape ecology of species and will benefit efforts to prioritize conservation and evaluate species recovery efforts. We describe how distance-dependent landscape-scale effect models can be used for these purposes in a variety of scenarios. We conclude by proposing a process-based, spatio-temporal framework for understanding the mechanisms behind the spatial scale at which landscapes influence species.
Non-Nuclear, Low-Carbon, or Both? The Case of Taiwan

The Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan has renewed debates on the safety of nuclear power, possibly hurting the role of nuclear power in efforts to limit CO2 emissions. I develop a dynamic economy-wide model of Taiwan with a detailed set of technology options in the power sector to examine the implications of adopting different carbon and nuclear power policies on CO2 emissions and the economy. Absent a carbon mitigation target, limiting nuclear power has a small economic cost for Taiwan, but CO2 emissions may increase by around 4.5% by 2050 when nuclear is replaced by fossil-based generation. With a low-carbon target of a 50% reduction from year 2000 levels by 2050, the costs of cutting CO2 emissions are greatly reduced if both carbon sequestration and nuclear expansion were viable. This study finds that converting Taiwan’s industrial structure into a less energy-intensive one is crucial to carry out the non-nuclear and low-carbon environment.
Evaluation of PROMIS' Ability to Detect Immediate Postoperative Symptom Improvement Following Carpal Tunnel Release.

Purpose We sought to determine whether subjective clinical improvement immediately after carpal tunnel release (CTR) was captured by Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Upper Extremity (UE), Physical Function (PF), Pain Interference (PI), and Depression. Methods Between September 2018 and January 2020, patients presenting to a single academic medical center hand clinic were asked to complete PROMIS UE, PF, PI, and Depression computer adaptive tests. In addition, patients who had CTR were asked to answer the following at their first postoperative clinic visit: “Since my last clinic visit, my condition is: (1) much better; (2) mildly better; (3) no change; (4) mildly worse; (5) much worse.” For each patient, the last clinic visit was the final preoperative visit. The PROMIS domain scores were compared before and after surgery using paired t tests. The percentage of patients subjectively reporting better symptoms was calculated. Results A total of 156 patients fit our inclusion criteria. The average number of days between the final preoperative visit and CTR was 7 (range, 0–30), and the average number of days between CTR and the first postoperative visit was 9 (range, 3–21). A total of 116 patients (74%) reported their carpal tunnel syndrome was better at their first postoperative visit. However, PROMIS UE, PF, and PI scores were significantly worse at the first postoperative visit, although not at clinically appreciable levels. There was no statistical or clinical difference in PROMIS Depression scores from pre- to postoperative time points. Conclusions Nearly 75% of patients subjectively report their carpal tunnel syndrome is better at their first follow-up visit within 3 weeks of CTR; however, PROMIS does not capture this improvement. Clinical relevance Hand surgeons evaluating patients shortly following CTR should be aware of the potential limitation of PROMIS to accurately capture immediate postoperative clinical outcomes. Disease-specific Patient-Reported Outcome Measures, such as the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire , may be preferred during this immediate postoperative timeframe.
The Impact of North Korea’s Nuclear Tests on Asian Stock Markets

This study investigates the impact of North Korea’s nuclear tests on Asian stock markets. Two approaches are used separately in order to identify how stock market returns and volatilities change immediately after the nuclear tests. We find that the Chinese stock market tends to be more sensitive to unexpected shocks from North Korea’s nuclear tests than other Asian stock markets. However, relatively, the Japanese stock market is little influenced by the nuclear tests though Japan is not only geographically close to North Korea but also politically vigilant to North Korea’s nuclear threats. Also, we find that strengthened return correlations (linearity) do not necessarily increase stock return volatilities.
Contracting on Contemporaneous vs. Forward-Looking Measures: An Experimental Investigation

We experimentally examine how employees' employment horizons (long or short) and the performance measures in their incentive contracts (forward-looking or contemporaneous) affect employee effort allocation and performance. Consistent with economic theory, we find that the decision-influencing benefits of forward-looking contracts decrease as employees' employment horizons increase toward the firm's profitability horizon. Importantly, we extend this theory to predict decision-facilitating benefits for employees with long employment horizons. Holding feedback constant, we find that employees with long employment horizons exert more farsighted effort and are more efficient in task execution when they are compensated with contracts that incorporate forward-looking measures rather than those with only contemporaneous measures. Further analysis indicates that this increase in efficiency is mediated by a reduction in experimentation across various task strategies. Thus, contracting on forward-looking performance measures provides benefits to firms regardless of employment horizons.
Government Roles and Its Rationales in Economic Developments

Governmental intervention in general and its role in promoting economic development in particular has long been a debated issue. This article describe briefly the appropriate role of the government and its rationale in the current context of globalization and increasing regional and international competition.
Fibroids as a Risk Factor for Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) at an Urban Academic Institution: A Retrospective Observational Study

Study Objective To assess if and how fibroids increase the risk of developing a DVT, and review how these patients have been managed. Design This retrospective observational study reviews the characteristics of fibroids in patients who have been diagnosed with a DVT. Setting Urban academic tertiary-care hospital, single institution. Patients or Participants Women ages 18 to 65 years old with a diagnosis of a fibroid uterus who had a thrombotic event from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2019, were reviewed. ICD-10 codes were used to obtain charts of a total of 1293 patients. Of these, 221 met inclusion criteria and 73 underwent full chart review. Their average BMI was 34.5 and average hemoglobin was 10.2. Interventions A retrospective observational chart review was completed to assess how patients with a fibroid uterus who had a thrombotic event were managed and the characteristics of these fibroid uteri. Measurements and Main Results 100% of the patients (n=73) were diagnosed with a fibroid uterus and lower extremity DVT and/or pulmonary embolism (PE). 66% (n=48) of these thrombotic events were unprovoked. Of those that were provoked, 32% (n=8) were postoperative after a hysterectomy for symptomatic uterine fibroids. Of those patients diagnosed with a thrombotic event subsequently needing surgery for their fibroids, only 24% (n=4) were able to complete their surgery within the first 3 months of the thrombotic event. Characteristics of fibroids in patients with a thrombotic event were as follows: the mean size of the largest fibroid was 6.3cm; the mean uterine volume was 575cc with 64% of the uteri ranging from 100-700cc; 80% had 5 or fewer fibroids with 16% only having one fibroid. Conclusion Fibroid uteri may be an independent risk factor for developing a DVT in women ages 18 to 65 years old. These patients should be risk-stratified and appropriate chemoprophylaxis should be considered in an attempt to prevent thrombotic events.
Clinical Presentation and Natural History of Mesothelioma: Abdominal

The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database showed 5266 cases of mesothelioma (all sites) recorded from 1973 to 1999. The age-adjusted incidence rate of the year 2000 United States standard is 9.7 cases per 1,000,000. The 95% confidence interval rates are 9.4 to 10 cases per 1,000,000. These numbers have not changed much from a previous survey done over 15 years ago (1). Table 25.1 shows the incidence around the country. Seattle and the San Francisco Bay area have higher incidence rates than other regions, especially for males. This increased incidence is related to shipyard work, especially since World War II (2). Usage of asbestos for ship building resulted in long-term exposure of workers for the past 60 years. Mesothelioma occurs in different anatomic sites that contain mesothelial layers. The most common site is the pleura, followed by the peritoneum, the pericardium, the male genitalia, miscellaneous, and female genitalia. The peritoneal incidence by gender is different from the pleural incidence (Table 25.2). Proportionally, more women develop peritoneal mesothelioma, with an incidence of 24% versus 8% for males, using mesothelioma from any anatomic site as the denominator. In absolute numbers, more males are diagnosed with abdominal mesothelioma, with a frequency of 54.7% versus 45.3% for women (3) (Table 25.3). In the SEER database, the median age at diagnosis was between 65 and 69 years old for males and females. This is slightly higher than the age of the reported case in the literature (Table 25.4). By race, the incidence rates are highest for whites, followed by blacks, and then others. Asbestos is the best-known environmental agent linked to the development of mesothelioma (see Chapter 2) (4). The literature on asbestos as a cause of pleural/pericardial plaques, asbestosis, and mesothelioma is extensive, and the causal relationship is not discussed in this chapter (5). The number of patients with mesothelioma differs by anatomic site
An Experimental Methodology to Assess the Influence of Prior Knowledge on Information Search

The traditional laboratory method to assess the influence of prior knowledge on information search uses information display boards to present product information to subjects. This approach, while widely used, has significant limitations for the study of knowledge effects because the presentation of product attributes in these boards contaminates prior knowledge and also because the task imposes a matrix structure on the brand choice problem. This paper describes a new methodology which gives subjects freedom to develop and impose their own structure on information search tasks. This methodology involves using a computer to more accurately simulate the shopping situation.
Lymph node metastasis in spindle cell carcinoma arising in odontogenic cyst : report of a case

The majority of primary intraosseous carcinomas of the jaws develop in preexisting odontogenic cysts. These tumors are usually well-differentiated keratinizing carcinomas with relatively good prognosis. Only two of 41 previously reported acceptable cases of primary intraosseous carcinomas from ex-odontogenic cysts were associated with cervical lymph node metastasis. Spindle cell carcinoma is an anaplastic dimorphic neoplasm with poor prognosis. It has a special predilection for the upper aerodigestive tract. This is to our knowledge the first report of spindle cell carcinoma developing in an odontogenic cyst. Cervical lymph node metastasis showing typical histologic features of spindle cell carcinoma was detected 8 months postoperatively. The prognostic implications of this finding are discussed in light of previously reported cases of intraosseous carcinoma arising in odontogenic cysts and of spindle cell carcinoma of the oral cavity.
A new method to achieve improved accuracy with IBIS models

IBIS (input/output buffer information specification) models are known to lack information regarding power and ground bounce resulting in incorrect simulations. In this paper, a novel solution to the problem is proposed making it possible to simulate IBIS models with available simulators and have a realistic chance at simulating simultaneous switching noise (SSN) that are present in most if not all high speed circuits. To demonstrate the solution, a CMOS voltage-mode driver circuit and a current-mode LVDS driver circuit are simulated using HSPICE and compared with equivalent circuits created with IBIS models of the same drivers. The IBIS models are created using the s2ibis tool from North Carolina State University.
A Physiological Method for Estimation of Hepatic Secretion of Biliary Lipids in Man

A method has been developed for the measurement of the hourly outputs into the duodenum of biliary lipids—cholesterol, bile acids, and phospholipids—in patients with an intact biliary system. This method employs duodenal intubation with two- or three-lumen tubes; liquid formula diets are infused at constant rates, and biliary lipid outputs are estimated by marker dilution techniques. Determinations can be made with either radioactive or nonradioactive markers. In this investigation, studies of biliary lipid output were carried out for periods of 18 to 30 hr. During the first 4 to 6 hr of formula infusion outputs were high due to gallbladder bile, but thereafter a steady state in output was achieved. Thus, it was concluded that during the steady state duodenal outputs corresponded to rates of hepatic secretion. In the steady state, outputs of cholesterol ranged from 28 to 85 mg per hr for different patients, and hourly variations in output were small. Average scretion rates of bile acids were much greater (234 to 1440 mg per hr), and larger fluctuations from hour to hour could probably be explained by variable rates of reabsorption of bile acids from the distal small intestine. Hourly outputs of phospholipids, which ranged from 311 to 578 mg per hr, showed less variability than did bile acids. When outputs of cholesterol, bile acids, and phospholipids were combined, a continuous pattern of total lipid composition of bile was obtained during the period of formula feeding. It was our conclusion that this method offers several advantages for the study of the metabolism of biliary lipids in man.
Hang Lung Properties and the Chengdu Decision (A)

A residential real estate developer competes in a heated auction for a prime retail development site in the interior of China during the 2009 boom. Total project cost might be in excess of $1billion US for over 4,000,000 square feet of building. Hang Lung Properties has enjoyed success in residential building in Hong Kong but has focused on very limited projects in China, notably two retail properties in Shanghai. After a decade in Shanghai the firm decides to enter second tier Chinese cities including Chengdu, a city of 11 million in interior China. The case covers Hang Lung Properties' due diligence and thought process with respect to anticipated rental income, construction costs, and land costs. The auction includes many other well capitalized firms and the price escalates. Hang Lung's team must decide whether to participate or withdraw. Students need to use judgment with respect to estimates of key variables including stabilized income, construction cost, and minimum expectations for return on investment in order to prepare their bids. The (B) case goes into further steps in the auction as well as Hang Lung Properties' internal discipline with respect to asset types, infrastructure in target cities, and baseline returns.Learning Objective: Teaches how to assess value of a proposed large scale real estate development, how to evaluate land parcels, how to work backwards into value of land at auction, strategic discipline in real estate with respect to asset classes (retail, office, residential), with respect to geography (Hong Kong, first tier cities in China, second tier cities in China), and with respect to infrastructure.
SRT division architectures and implementations

SRT [Sweeney, Robertson and Tocher (1958)] dividers are common in modern floating point units. Higher division performance is achieved by retiring more quotient bits in each cycle. Previous research has shown that realistic stages are limited to radix-2 and radix-4. Higher radix dividers are therefore formed by a combination of low-radix stages. In this paper, we present an analysis of the effects of radix-2 and radix-4 SRT divider architectures and circuit families on divider area and performance. We show the performance and area results for a wide variety of divider architectures and implementations. We conclude that divider performance is only weakly sensitive to reasonable choices of architecture but significantly improved by aggressive circuit techniques.
Development of a quick reference guide to accommodate vegetarianism in diet therapy for multiple disease conditions

With more Americans adopting vegetarian lifestyles, health-care professionals will encounter more patients whose vegetarian dietary practices must be reconciled with the therapeutic diets required by a variety of disease conditions. The development of a quick reference guide was undertaken to address several areas of concern unique to vegetarian patients and provide an expandable clinical resource. For the disease conditions examined, nutrition care goals were found to be met without compromising vegetarian practices.
Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for colorectal cancer: Survival outcomes and patient selection

Background: Chemotherapy hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is playing an ever increasing role in the management of colorectal cancer (CRC) with peritoneal metastases (PM) as results approach those of surgical resection of liver metastases. Selection criteria for treatment type, sequence and timing of currently available therapies remain ill-defined. Methods: We review the current published literature analyzing outcomes by treatments with surgery, systemic chemotherapy, cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and HIPEC, and ongoing clinical trials. A clinical pathway that incorporates all currently available therapies, determining the timing and sequence of such therapies was constructed. Results: Most of the literature on outcome data comes from studies reporting the results of CRS and HIPEC with large series showing a median survival of 32-47 months. Meanwhile, the vast majority of patients, over 90% in the United States, are being treated with palliative systemic therapies following the NCCN guidelines. Conclusions: Cooperation between medical and surgical oncologists represents an unmet need in oncology when it comes to patients with CRC with PM. The presented clinical pathway constitutes a feasible and much needed first step to start this cooperation.
A σW-dependent stress response in Bacillus subtilis that reduces membrane fluidity

Summary Bacteria respond to physical and chemical stresses that affect the integrity of the cell wall and membrane by activating an intricate cell envelope stress response. The ability of cells to regulate the biophysical properties of the membrane by adjusting fatty acid composition is known as homeoviscous adaptation. Here, we identify a homeoviscous adaptation mechanism in Bacillus subtilis regulated by the extracytoplasmic function σ factor σW. Cell envelope active compounds, including detergents, activate a sense-oriented, σW-dependent promoter within the first gene of the fabHa fabF operon. Activation leads to a decrease in the amount of FabHa coupled with an increase in FabF, the initiation and elongation condensing enzymes of fatty acid biosynthesis respectively. Downregulation of FabHa results in an increased reliance on the FabHb paralogue leading to a greater proportion of straight chain fatty acids in the membrane, and the upregulation of FabF increases the average fatty acid chain length. The net effect is to reduce membrane fluidity. The inactivation of the σW-dependent promoter within fabHa increased sensitivity to detergents and to antimicrobial compounds produced by other Bacillus spp. Thus, the σW stress response provides a mechanism to conditionally decrease membrane fluidity through the opposed regulation of FabHa and FabF.
Stability tests for constrained linear systems

This paper is yet another demonstration of the fact that enlarging the design space allows simpler tools to be used for analysis. It shows that several problems in linear systems theory can be solved by combining Lyapunov stability theory with Finsler’s Lemma. Using these results, the differential or difference equations that govern the behavior of the system can be seen as constraints. These dynamic constraints, which naturally involve the state derivative, are incorporated into the stability analysis conditions through the use of scalar or matrix Lagrange multipliers. No a priori use of the system equation is required to analyze stability. One practical consequence of these results is that they do not necessarily require a state space formulation. This has value in mechanical and electrical systems, where the inversion of the mass matrix introduces complicating nonlinearities in the parameters. The introduction of multipliers also simplify the derivation of robust stability tests, based on quadratic or parameter-dependent Lyapunov functions.
Response of shortgrass plains vegetation to gamma radiation—III. Nine years of chronic irradiation

Abstract Native shortgrass vegetation was irradiated for 9 yr using 137 Cs as a gamma source. Diversity changed rapidly during the first 2 yr with little change after. An exposure rate of 720 nC/kg sec (10 R/hr) decreased diversity by 50%. All vegetation was killed at an exposure rate of 3.6 μC/kg sec (50 R/hr). Gaura coccina and Carex heliophila were the most radioresistant species. Bouteloua gracilis , the dominant species, was relatively radioresistant and had an LD 50 of 240 nC/kg sec (3.3 R/hr). Species with underground meristems appeared to be more radioresistant than they were, due to shielding by the soil. Three species of annuals, Lepedium densiflorum, Cirsium undulatum and Sissymbrium altissimum , increased in density where the density of the dominant climax species was reduced due to the radiation. The lichen Parmelia chlorochroa had an LD 100 of between 340 and 520 nC/kg sec (4.8 and 7.2 R/hr) which was probably due to habitat changes, rather than direct radiation effects.
The effects of menstrual cycle phase on clinical measures of concussion in healthy college-aged females

The management of concussion and mild traumatic brain injury is an area of clinical uncertainty for many sports medicine professionals. While recent studies suggest sex differences in neurocognitive function may exist, our understanding of the effects of menstrual cycle phase and oral contraceptive pill (OCP) use in healthy females is limited. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether there were changes in neurocognitive function, postural stability and self-reported symptoms between the early and late stages of the menstrual cycle, and also to identify whether performance across menstrual cycle would differ between females using OCP and eumenorrheic females not using OCP. Healthy college-aged females completed a standard concussion test battery including computerised assessment of neurocognitive function, postural stability and symptom status. Participants completed the counterbalanced testing design during the early and late phases of their menstrual cycle. No significant main effects or interactions for any neurocognitive function or postural stability outcome measure were observed. Eumenorrheic females endorsed a higher number of symptoms and reported an increased symptom severity score compared to females using OCP. Menstrual cycle phase had no effect on the total severity or the number of symptoms endorsed. These results suggest preseason neurocognitive and postural stability baseline tests are stable across the menstrual cycle, regardless of OCP use. Therefore, decreased performance on these measures following a suspected concussion is likely not attributable to menstrual cycle phase or use of OCP.
Coercion and enterprise in the provision of environmental public goods: The case of carbon sequestration in the united states

Current discussions of greenhouse gas abatement strategies have focussed on the use of carbon taxes and marketable allowance schemes. Implementation of a large‐scale carbon sequestration program in...
A simple mathematical model of time-dependent interfacial tension

Abstract A mathematical model of time-dependent interfacial tension γ(t) is described which couples empirical relationships for concentration-dependent interfacial tension γ(Cs) with theoretical expressions for time-dependent surfactant surface concentration Cs(t). Method is illustrated with four different diffusion theories and a single γ(Cs) model. The applied γ(Cs) relationship was different from the Szyszkowski equation and used steady-state interfacial tension as a reference state. Resultant γ(t) formulations were in closed analytical form with a single adjustable kinetic parameter, simple to use in data-fitting applications or computational experiments. Utility was demonstrated by application to dynamic measurements of liquid-vapor interfacial tension for aqueous solutions of a nonionic detergent (Tween-80), three food proteins, and a system of polyvinyl alcohols. Concentration-dependence of fitted kinetic parameters provided adsorption kinetic constants. Distinct kinetic-control regimes were separated and quantified.
Applicability of canisters for sample storage in the determination of hazardous air pollutants

This paper evaluates the applicability of canisters for storage of air samples containing volatile organic compounds listed among the 189 hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) in the 1990 U.S. Clean Air Act Amendments. Nearly 100 HAPs have sufficient vapor pressure to be considered volatile compounds. Of those volatile organic HAPs, 52 have been tested previously for stability during storage in canisters. The published HAP stability studies are reviewed, illustrating that for most of the 52 HAPs tested, canisters are an effective sample storage approach. However, the published stability studies used a variety of canister types and test procedures, and generally considered only a few compounds in a very small set of canisters. A comparison of chemical and physical properties of the HAPs has also been conducted, to evaluate the applicability of canister sampling for other HAPs, for which canister stability testing has never been conducted. Of 45 volatile HAPs never tested in canisters, this comparison identifies nine for which canisters should be effective, and 17 for which canisters are not likely to be effective. For the other 19 HAPs, no clear decision can be reached on the likely applicability of air sample storage in canisters.
Long-term course of bipolar I and II disorders: chronicity, dimensionality and relapse

Studies of the longitudinal natural history of the longterm course of illness (up to 20 years) of patients with bipolar I (BP-I) and bipolar II (BP-II) have found that both disorders are highly chronic. BP-l patients were symptomatic from their illness only 47% of the weeks and BP-II patients were symptomatic 54% of the weeks. All levels of depressive and manic symptom severity ranging from the subsyndromal to syndromal level fluctuated frequently within the same bipolar patient over time, indicating that both BP-I and BP-II disorders are symptomatically expressed across time as dimensional illnesses. Minor and subsyndromal manic and depressive symptoms were 3 times more common than syndromal level symptoms of mania and major depression. Depressive symptoms were three times more common than manic during the course of BP-I patients, and BP-II is overwhelmingly a depressive illness in which depressive symptoms are over 30 times more common than symptoms in the manic spectrum. Examination of hypomanic episodes in BP-II revealed that hypomanias of short duration (2-6 days) compared to long duration (more than 6 days) are not clinically significantly different and appear to be part of the same disease process. Detailed analyses of psychosocial impairment during the course of bipolar illness show that affective symptom severity and psychosocial disability increase and decrease in parallel. Depressive symptoms are equally disabling in BP-I and BP-II, often more disabling than manic/hypomanic symptoms. When asymptomatic, BP-I and BP-II patients' psychosocial function normalizes and no disability is present. Recovery from episodes in BP-I and BP-II with ongoing residual subsyndromal affective symptoms is associated with risk for very rapid relapse. Thus, all levels of affective symptom severity, including subsyndromal, are legitimate targets for therapeutic intervention to reduce risk of relapse and disability. The predominance of depressive symptoms indicates that more emphasis should be placed on the identification and management of depressive symptoms that present in patients with bipolar I and II disorders.
Reducing the Environmental Sensitivity of Yellow Fluorescent Protein MECHANISM AND APPLICATIONS

Yellow mutants of the green fluorescent protein (YFP) are crucial constituents of genetically encoded indicators of signal transduction and fusions to monitor proteinprotein interactions. However, previous YFPs show excessive pH sensitivity, chloride interference, poor photostability, or poor expression at 37 °C. Protein evolution in Escherichia coli has produced a new YFP named Citrine, in which the mutation Q69M confers a much lower pKa (5.7) than for previous YFPs, indifference to chloride, twice the photostability of previous YFPs, and much better expression at 37 °C and in organelles. The halide resistance is explained by a 2.2-A x-ray crystal structure of Citrine, showing that the methionine side chain fills what was once a large halide-binding cavity adjacent to the chromophore. Insertion of calmodulin within Citrine or fusion of cyan fluorescent protein, calmodulin, a calmodulin-binding peptide and Citrine has generated improved calcium indicators. These chimeras can be targeted to multiple cellular locations and have permitted the first single-cell imaging of free [Ca 21 ] in the Golgi. Citrine is superior to all previous YFPs except when pH or halide sensitivity is desired and is particularly advantageous within genetically encoded fluorescent indicators of physiological signals.
Leisure for creative thought: planned respites from classroom and laboratory.

This essay analyzes the obstacles and catalysts to creative thought in the modern research university or institute. More often than we would care to admit, the principal obstacle is not money, space, or equipment but, rather, the availability of leisure, in the sense of unscheduled time. The most effective catalysts are continuity and the efficient use of leisure. Though this article is chiefly concerned with research, its theme is equally applicable to teaching and patient care.
Feature extraction, analysis, and 3D visualization of local lung regions in volumetric CT images

The purpose of the work was to develop image functions for volumetric segmentation, feature extraction, and enhanced 3D visualization of local regions using CT datasets of human lungs. The system is aimed to assist the radiologist in the analysis of lung nodules. Volumetric datasets consisting of 30-50 thoracic helical low-dose CT slices were used in the study. The 3D topological characteristics of local structures including bronchi, blood vessels, and nodules were computed and evaluated. When a location of a region of interest is identified, the computer would automatically compute size, surface of the area, and normalized shape index of the suspected lesion. The developed system can also allow the user to perform interactive operation for evaluation of lung regions and structures through a user- friendly interface. These functions provide the user with a powerful tool to observe and investigate clinically interesting regions through unconventional radiographic viewings and analyses. The developed functions can also be used to view and analyze patient's lung abnormalities in surgical planning applications. Additionally, we see the possibility of using the system as a teaching tool for correlating anatomy of lungs.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
THERMOCHEMISTRY OF GAS-PHASE MOLECULAR COMPLEXES OF FLUOROBENZENE AND TOLUENE WITH OXYGEN

The enthalpy of reaction for the formation of the gas-phase complexes fluorobenzene−O2 and toluene−O2 has been determined using a spectroscopic method previously applied to the benzene + O2 system. The results are ΔHrxn = − 5.4 ± 2.1 kJ/mol for the fluorobenzene−O2 complex and ΔHrxn = + 1.1 ± 0.9 kJ/mol for the toluene−O2 complex. Attempts to observe complexes of oxygen with chlorobenzene and the three xylene compounds were unsuccessful, most likely due to the low vapor pressure of the donor molecules and small value for the equilibrium constant for complex formation. Results are compared to those previously obtained for other aromatic−O2 complexes.
Determinants of Public Cash Assistance Use among Refugees in California

A random sample of case records of refugees applying for public cash assistance in 1984 was selected. Three years later, in 1987, the public cash assistance status of members of this sample was then noted. Overall determinants of being off public cash assistance by 1987 were: being less than 30, single, a secondary migrant to California, on AFDC, referred to the employment services training program, and having previous U.S. work experience and one or more dependents. However, this pattern differed for female and male refugees. Being single and having lived in the United States for some time were much more important determinants for males than females for getting off of public cash assistance. In addition, lack of training and work experience and needing ESL training prevented women rather than men from getting off of public cash assistance.
Synthesis of ABA Triblock Copolymers Containing Electrono-Donor or Electrono-Acceptor Pendant Groups in A Blocks

α,ω-p-Toluensulphonic acid ester of poly(ethyleneglycoladipate) was synthesized and used to initiate the cationic isomerization polymerization of 2-phenyl-2-oxazoline, 2-(β-N-Carbazolylethyl)-2-oxazoline and 2-(3,5-dinitrophenyl)-2-oxazoline. ABA triblock copolymers containing poly(N-benzoylethylenimine), poly [N-β(N-carbazolyl)propionyl ethyleneimine] or poly(3,5-dinitrobenzoylethylenimine) blocks (A block) and poly (ethyleneglycoladipate) blocks (B block) have been synthesized.
Role of protons in superoxide reduction by a superoxide reductase analogue.

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: kovacs@chem.washington.edu.(1) (a) Emerson, J. P.; Coulter, E. D.; Cabelli, D. E.; Phillips, R. S.; Kurtz,D. M., Jr. Biochemistry 2002, 41, 4348-4357. (b) Niviere, V.; Asso,M.; Weill, C. O.; Lombard, M.; Guigliarelli, B.; Favaudon, V.; andHoue’e-Levin, C.Biochemistry 2004, 43, 808-818. (c) Mathe, C.;Mattioli, T. A.; Horner, O.; Lombard, M.; Latour, J.-M.; Fontecave,M.; Niviere, V. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2002, 124, 4966-4967. (d) Jenney,F. E., Jr.; Verhagen, M. F. J. M.; Cui, X.; Adams, M. W. W. Science1999, 286, 306-309. (e) Coulter, E. D.; Emerson, J. P.; Kurtz, D.M., Jr.; Cabelli, D. E. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2000, 122, 11555-11556.(f) Clay, M. D.; Jenney, F. E., Jr.; Hagedoorn, P. L.; George, G. N.;Adams, M. W. W.; Johnson, M. K. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2002, 124,788-805. (g) Silaghi-Dumitrescu, R.; Silaghi-Dumitrescu, I.; Coulter,E. D.; Kurtz, D. M., Jr. Inorg. Chem. 2003, 42, 446-456. (h) Yeh,A. P.; Hu, Y.; Jenney, F. E., Jr.; Adams, M. W. W.; Rees, D. C.Biochemistry 2000, 39, 2499-2508. (i) Coelho, A. V.; Matias, P.;Fulop, V.; Thompson, A.; Gonzalez, A.; Carrondo, M. A. J. Biol.Inorg. Chem. 1997, 2, 680-689. (j) Jovanovic, T.; Ascenso, C.;Hazlett, K. R. O.; Sikkink, R.; Krebs, C.; Litwiller, R.; Benson, L.M.; Moura, I.; Moura, J. J. G.; Radolf, J. D.; Huynh, B. Hanh; Naylor,S.; Rusnak, F. J. Biol. Chem. 2000, 275, 28439-28448.(2) Lombard, M.; Houee-Levin, C.; Touati, D.; Fontecave, M.; Niviere,V. Biochemistry 2001, 40, 5032-5040.Figure 1. Proposed mechanism of superoxide reduction by the non-hemeiron enzyme superoxide reductase (SOR).
Study on lunar gravity field and orbit control of lunar satellite

In this paper, with the globally-accepted lunar gravitation field models LP165P and GLGM-2, character of the lunar gravitation field models were analyzed based on kaula theory. Then, making use of LP165P models truncated to 70 orders and degrees, the free running time span of lunar satellite of 100km height were given. Last, a maneuver method for orbit height keeping is presented for 100km height orbit. The result of this paper deduced time consuming of the computer and reached certain precision when using lunar gravitation field models.
Isolating modeling effects in offender risk assessment

Recent evolutions in actuarial research have revealed the potential increased utility of machine learning and data-mining strategies to develop statistical models such as classification/decision-tree analysis and neural networks, which are said to mimic the decision-making of practitioners. The current article compares such actuarial modeling methods with a traditional logistic regression risk-assessment development approach. Utilizing a large purposive sample of Washington State offenders (N = 297,600), the current study examines and compares the predictive validity of the currently used Washington State Static Risk Assessment (SRA) instrument to classification tree analysis/random forest and neural network models. Overall findings varied, being dependent on the outcome of interest, with the best model for each method resulting in AUCs ranging from 0.732 to 0.762. Findings reveal some predictive performance improvements with advanced machine-learning methodologies, yet the logistic regression models demonstrate comparable predictive performance. The study concluded that while data-mining techniques hold potential for improvements over traditional methods, regression-based models demonstrate comparable, and often improved, prediction performance with noted parsimony and greater interpretability.
Cerebral blood flow regulation during cognitive tasks: Effects of healthy aging

Aging is associated with frontal subcortical microangiopathy and executive cognitive dysfunction, suggesting that elderly individuals may have impaired metabolic activation of cerebral blood flow to the frontal lobes. We used transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasound to examine the cerebral blood flow response to executive control and visual tasks in the anterior and posterior cerebral circulations and to determine the effects of healthy aging on cerebral blood flow regulation during cognitive tasks. Continuous simultaneous anterior cerebral artery (ACA) and posterior cerebral artery (PCA) blood flow velocities (BFVs) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were measured in response to word stem completion (WSC) and a visual search (VS) task in 29 healthy subjects (14 young, 30 ± 1.5 years; 15 old, 74 ± 1.4 years). We found that: (1) ACA and PCA blood flow velocities are both significantly increased during WSC and VS cognitive tasks, (2) ACA and PCA activations were task specific in our young volunteers, with ACA > PCA BFV during the WSC task and PCA > ACA BFV during the VS task, (3) while healthy elderly subjects also had PCA > ACA BFV during the VS task, they did not have ACA > PCA activation during the WSC task, and (4) healthy elderly subjects tend to have overall greater increases in BFV during both cognitive tasks. We conclude that TCD can be used to monitor cerebrovascular hemodynamics during the performance of cognitive tasks. Our data suggest that there is differential blood flow increase in the ACA and PCA in young versus elderly subjects during cognitive tasks.
Toward a theory of complex and cognitive systems

We present nine propositions that we've referred to us principles of human-centered computing. We discussed the reductive tendency, which is a necessary consequence of learning. We pointed out that this tendency also applies to those who are creating new information technologies, especially complex and cognitive systems. Indeed, the people who try to create new complex and cognitive systems are themselves prone to generate reductive understandings, in which complexities are simplified.
Chronic kidney disease as a coronary artery disease risk equivalent

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with accelerated cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and a higher CVD event rate. Substantial data from prospective cohort studies support the concept that dialysis patients as well as those with advanced stage (stages 3–5) CKD are associated with an increased risk for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. The risk for coronary artery disease (CAD) increases exponentially with declining kidney function, i.e., stage 3 or higher CKD. Indeed, CVD accounts for more than 50 % of deaths in patients with CKD. CKD patients are more likely to die of CVD than to progress to end stage kidney disease. This increase in CV risk is commonly attributed to co-existence of numerous traditional and nontraditional risk factors for the development of CVD that frequently accompany reduced kidney function. Therefore, CKD itself is now considered an independent CVD risk factor and a coronary artery disease (CAD) equivalent for all-cause mortality. All patients at risk for CAD should be evaluated for kidney disease. Treatments used for management of established CAD might have similar benefits for patients with concomitant CKD.
On-Line Condition Monitoring for Power Transformers Based on UHF PD Measurements

An on-line monitoring system based on ultra high frequency (UHF) partial discharge (PD) measurements was developed for power transformers. The UHF PD signals were coupled by a UHF sensor and preprocessed by peak envelope detection technique. The system has high sensitivity, strong ability of interference suppression and well real-time capability according to the simulated experiment in lab and field test of a power transformer. Experimental results showed that the forepart PD faults could be discovered by the analysis of UHF PD signals. The on-line monitoring system has already been applied on a power transformer for years.
Incorporating scheduling in the optimal design of multiproduct batch plants

Abstract Anticipating the impact of scheduling at the design stage can result in significant savings in the capital cost of multiproduct batch plants. In this paper this idea is applied to multiproduct batch plants with one unit per processing stage. Efficient scheduling models are developed for minimization of cycle time for unlimited intermediate storage (UIS) and zero wait (ZW) policies in mixed product campaigns that may or may not involve clean-up times. Based on these models, it is shown that simplified constraints that account for these scheduling policies can be incorporated in the optimal design problem. Numerical examples are presented for both scheduling and design problems.
Neurokinin receptors subserving airways secretion

La secretion de mucus peut etre induite dans les voies aeriennes par l'activation des nerfs. Le mecanisme du processus induisant la secretion neurogene de mucus est cholinergique. Toutefois, il subsiste une reponse secretrice faible mais significative apres un blocage des adrenorecepteurs et des cholinorecepteurs. Ce mecanisme neural non adrenergique, non cholinergique (NANC) n'est pas clair, mais on sait qu'il comporte une voie orthodromique et une voie « efferente sensitive » (ou « effectrice locale ») sensible a la capsaicine. La voie orthodromique est constituee de nerfs cholinergiques (et a un degre beaucoup plus faible de nerfs adrenergiques) dont les neuropeptides, incluant le peptide intestinal vasoactif (VIP) et le neuropeptide tyrosine (NPY), sont localises et co-liberes avec le neurotransmetteur classique. L'etude de la contribution de la voie neurale orthodromique a la secretion neurogene necessite l'elaboration d'antagonistes de recepteurs specifiques pour le VIP et le NPY. Le peptide lie au gene de la calcitonine et les tachykinines substance P et neurokinine A sont des neurotransmetteurs de la voie neurale efferente sensitive. L'ordre de puissance des tachykinines naturelles et des agonistes synthetiques selectifs des recepteurs de tachykinines indique que le recepteur NK 1 de la tachykinine est ubiquiste pour les processus secreteurs des voies aeriennes, incluant la secretion de mucus et le transport d'ions. Les etudes sur les antagonistes montrent que la reponse secretrice muqueuse neurale NANC est induite en tres grande partie via les recepteurs NK 1 et peu ou pas via les recepteurs NK 2 . On ne sait encore quelle attention accorder au role physiologique de la voie neurale efferente sensitive ; cependant, il pourrait prendre de l'importance dans les maladies inflammatoires chroniques associees a l'hypersecretion des muqueuses, par exemple, dans l'asthme et la bronchite chronique, ou l'activite neurale efferente sensible semble augmenter.