cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Collagen metabolism and spicule formation in sea urchin micromeres

The role of collagen or collagen-like protein(s) in the in vitro formation of the sea urchin embryonic skeleton was investigated using isolated micromeres of Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. Micromeres were cultured in sea water containing 4% horse serum on tissue culture plastic or an extracellular matrix of type I collagen. The effect of proline analogs and an inhibitor of collagen hydroxylation on in vitro spicule formation in both culture systems was monitored. When micromeres are cultured in the presence of proline analogs l-azetidine-2-carboxylic acid and l-3,4-dehydroproline which disrupt collagen metabolism, spicule formation is significantly less inhibited on a collagen substratum than on plastic. Culturing micromeres on plastic in the presence of α,α′-dipyridyl, an inhibitor of collagen hydroxylation, resulted in almost complete inhibition of spicule formation. The inhibition by α,α′-dipyridyl can be overcome by culturing micromeres on collagen substratum. These results do not support the idea of collagen being the calcified organic matrix of the spicule. Rather, they suggest that micromeres synthesize a collagen-like extracellular matrix which is necessary for spicule formation. Inhibition of this activity by proline analogs or a collagen processing inhibitor can be overcome by providing the cells with a previously deposited extracellular matrix.
Nascent-Seq reveals novel features of mouse circadian transcriptional regulation

Many biological processes oscillate with a period of roughly 24 hr, and the ability of organisms as diverse as bacteria and humans to maintain such circadian rhythms, even under conditions of continuous darkness, influences a range of phenomena, including sleep, migration and reproduction. One characteristic of circadian rhythms is that they can adjust to local time (with humans suffering from jet lag as they wait for this to happen). Experiments have shown that the circadian system in mammals relies on feedback loops that operate at the level of individual cells. These loops are controlled by two particular proteins, which comprise the transcription factor complex called BMAL1:CLK. Transcription factors cause particular sequences of bases in the DNA of cells to be transcribed into messenger RNA, thus starting the process by which target genes are expressed as proteins. In the case of BMAL1:CLK, these proteins are then modified, which inhibits any further transcription of the target genes. A reversal of these modifications is then followed by the synthesis of new proteins, which allows a new cycle of the transcription process to begin. The amounts of many messenger RNAs (mRNAs) in a cell also increases and decreases with a period of 24 hr, and it was generally assumed that this was due to the changes in the level of transcription. More recently, however, it was suggested that other processes, such as splicing and translation, might also contribute to rhythmic changes in the amount of mRNA associated with particular genes. Such post-transcriptional processes are known to have a role in other areas of cell biology, including aspects of the circadian system, but until very recently this had not been studied in detail for all genes. Now Menet et al. have directly assayed rhythmic transcription by measuring the amount of nascent mRNA being produced at a given time, six times a day, across all the genes in mouse liver cells using a high-throughput sequencing approach called Nascent-Seq. They compared this with the amount of liver mRNA expressed at six time points of the day. Although the authors found that many genes exhibit rhythmic mRNA expression in the mouse liver, about 70% of them did not show comparable transcriptional rhythms. Post-transcriptional regulation must, therefore, have a major role in the circadian system of mice and, presumably, other mammals. Menet et al. also found that the influence of CLK:BMAL1 differed from what was expected, which suggests that it collaborates with a number of other transcription factors to effect transcription of most target genes. In addition to showing that circadian systems of mammals are more complex than previously believed, the results also illustrate the potential of Nascent-Seq as a genome-wide assay technique for exploring a range of questions related to gene expression and gene regulation.
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

The acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a potentially fatal transmissible disease, caused by Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). AIDS has claimed over 20 million lives and over 40 million people are infected with HIV-1. While there is as yet no cure or effective vaccine for AIDS, there are treatments that can forestall the development of overt disease and restore immune function. Keywords: HIV; infection; opportunistic infection; retrovirus
Ergodic capacities for downlink of MC-CDMA system with different detection and resource allocation strategies

We considered the ergodic capacity for the downlink of an MC-CDMA system. Peer-to-peer decoding and successive cancellation decoding are considered to obtain the ergodic capacity region. It is assumed that the transmitter does not track the instantaneous channel response of all users, but notices the average received SNR of each user. Three types of resource allocation strategies are considered. Numerical results demonstrate ergodic capacity regions with different combination of decoding and resource allocation strategies under the Rayleigh frequency selective channel.
When Questions Change Behavior The Role of Ease of Representation

In three experiments, we examined the mere- measurement effect, wherein simply asking people about their intent to engage in a certain behavior increases the probability of their subsequently engaging in that behav- ior. The experiments demonstrate that manipulations that should affect the ease of mentally representing or simu- lating the behavior in question influence the extent of the mere-measurement phenomenon. Participants who were asked about their intention to engage in various behaviors were more likely to engage in those behaviors than par- ticipants not asked about their intentions in situations in which mentally simulating the behavior in the intention question was relatively easy. We tested this ease-of-repre- sentation hypothesis using both socially desirable and so- cially undesirable behaviors, and our dependent variables comprised both self-reports and actual behaviors. Our findings have implications for survey research in various socialcontexts,includingassessmentsofriskybehaviorsby public health organizations.
Elliptic functions for filter design

This paper offers a simple description of the elementary properties of the Jacobian elliptic functions and of the Landen transformation, which connects them with the circular and hyperbolic functions and thereby provides one of the most accurate methods of evaluating elliptic functions. The use of elliptic functions in creating equal-ripple lowpass filters is explained and their numerical evaluation is illustrated by means of an example. A Fortran program for effecting the design is included and a faster and more accurate replacement for the Matlab program ELLIPAP is given.
CAD tools for electric design and simulation of push-pull topology power processors

Computer-based design tools for the electrical design of power converters have been developed for various topologies including push-pull, full-bridge, half-bridge, and others. The tools are intended to lay the foundation of the design through optimal values for key components. An example push-pull converter is used for illustration. Simulation tools play an important role in the design cycle; they are used to conform the design and predict performance under various conditions. A system-level simulation tool for power electronics has been developed, and its use is illustrated with reference to the push-pull converter. Measurements on the breadboarded converter are presented to confirm the usefulness of the design and simulation tools. >
How Psychological States Affect the Immune System: Implications for Interventions in the Context of HIV

Research has established that psychological states can affect the immune system. This article discusses the psychological states associated with enhanced immune system functioning and those associated with suppressed immune functioning. Studies of psychological and behavioral interventions to boost the immune systems of people who are HIV positive, including people with AIDS, are reviewed. Suggestions are made for group interventions to enhance psychological states associated with better immune system function.
SEROLOGICAL REACTIONS WITH A VIRUS CAUSING RABBIT PAPILLOMAS WHICH BECOME CANCEROUS : I. TESTS OF THE BLOOD OF ANIMALS CARRYING THE PAPILLOMA.

A method has been devised for serological tests with a virus producing rabbit papillomas that become carcinomatous. The discrete character of the growths caused by the virus when suitably diluted fits it notably for quantitative experimentation. It shows no tendency to lie latent in domestic rabbits though it does so on occasion in cottontails, the natural hosts. Sera which partially neutralize it do not alter its character, or attenuate it, but merely cut down the number of its effective entities. The serum of normal domestic rabbits is ordinarily devoid of neutralizing influence on the virus, but that of animals carrying the papillomas usually exhibits neutralizing power soon after these appear. The rate at which this power increases depends in general upon the amount of papillomatous tissue developing, but exceptions to the rule occur, the presence of fairly large growths being compatible with a lack of such powers in demonstrable amount. Even when the antiviral power is great it has no evident influence on the course of established papillomas, other factors determining whether these enlarge or retrogress. It acts to prevent successful reinoculation of the animal, however.
Cardiac function and disease: emerging role of small ubiquitin-related modifier

Small ubiquitin-related modifiers, or SUMOs, have emerged as versatile regulators of many biological functions that do so by covalent attachment to a variety of substrates via enzymatic reactions. SUMO conjugation has also been shown to be involved in a number of human pathogenic processes. More recent advances in the SUMO field have indicated a potential role for SUMO conjugation pathway in cardiogenesis. This advanced review will describe the basic features of the SUMO conjugation pathway and will summarize the most recent studies implicating the influence of the sumoylation pathway in cardiac function under both physiological and pathological conditions. WIREs Syst Biol Med 2011 3 446-457 DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.130
New insights into the pathology of pulmonary hypertension: implication of the miR‐210/ISCU1/2/Fe‐S Axis

Elevated pulmonary arterial pressure in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) is mainly caused by increased pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), due primarily to sustained pulmonary vasoconstriction and excessive pulmonary vascular remodeling. According to the current classification, PH has been classified into five categories based on etiology (Simonneau et al, 2013). Among them, group 1 or pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare but progressive and deadly disease affecting ~1–10 per 1 million people. Despite expanding treatment options to ameliorate patients' symptoms, PAH remains a devastating disease with a poor long‐term prognosis.
Innovative capabilities of a firm and the use of technical alliances

Relationships between types of innovative capabilities of firms, the amount and nature of technical alliance usage, and the extent and types of problems associated with those alliances are explored with firms in the semiconductor industry. Results show that, although firms need radical and/or incremental product and process innovation capabilities to compete successfully, they are likely to have core capabilities which are either product focused or process focused. Firms can reconcile radical and incremental R&D cultures, but find it more difficult to bridge the product-versus-process divide. Firms with strong capabilities are found to engage in more technical alliances. This is particularly true of firms with radical innovation capabilities. The study also finds that firms engage in technical alliances more often to supplement rather than complement their capabilities. Firms experience more problems in acquiring product innovation capabilities through alliances meant for new technology development than they do in acquiring process innovation capabilities.
The JPL planetary ephemerides

JPL ephemerides are discussed, with emphasis on what they represent and which aspects are well-determined. The determination of planetary ephemerides using spacecraft ranging data, radar ranging data, lunar laser ranging data, and optical transit data, is examined. Numerical estimates are presented, expected progress in the future is briefly considered, and possible uses for the ephemerides are discussed.
Multicolumn gas chromatographic reactor studies of the dissociation reactions of dicyclopentadiene and its methyl derivatives

Abstract The multicolumn—multidetector gas chromatographic reactor assembly and procedures for obtaining on-column gas and liquid phase first-order rate constants were studied. The reactor assembly consists of a series of five columns in which two void columns separate three packed ones. A detector placed after every column allows for a reactant residence time determination in both phases in each part of the assembly. The capacity for independently varying residence times in both gas and liquid phases facilitates the independent evaluation of rates in both phases because they are decoupled. The first-order unimolecular dissociation reactions of dicyclopentadiene and three isomers of methylcyclopentadiene dimers were studied in this multicolumn gas chromatographic reactor (MCGCR). Product area measurements were fitted by a multivariable non-linear regression routine to extract and compare kinetic parameters using both a three-parameter and a four-parameter rate expression; the latter was shown to be more general. This treatment accommodates interference from impurities present in the reactant sample and also shows any poor fit of data. Rate data compare favorably with those obtained from conventional kinetic studies and from simple gas chromatographic reactors. An analogous multicolumn technique might be adapted for use with liquid chromatographic reactors.
Learning vaccinology from viral infections

This issue of the Journal of Experimental Medicine celebrates and honors the life of Ralph Steinman (1943–2011), winner of the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Ralph’s science was rooted in fundamental discovery with the goal of translating these findings into clinical medicine. He recognized the power of immunology in treating human disease and passionately championed studies on vaccine design, immune therapy, and human immunology. One particular collaborative effort between the Steinman and Sekaly laboratories resulted in a paper published in this issue of the journal.
The effect of the mobile component on the liquefaction characteristics of western Kentucky coals

Abstract The mobile component of western Kentucky coals was extracted and analyzed by conventional methods and Curie-point mass spectroscopy. The liquefaction of the parent coals, extracted coals, and blends of the extracted coals plus mobile components indicated that the absence of the mobile component generally decreases the observed conversions. The results also show that, in general, blending the mobile component and extracted coal also produces lower conversions than those obtained from the parent coal. These data suggest that the location of the mobile component in the pore structure of the coal is as important as the presence of the mobile component in coal conversion.
Glycoproteomic analysis identifies human glycoproteins secreted from HIV latently infected T cells and reveals their presence in HIV+ plasma

Glycoproteins secreted into plasma from T cells infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) latent infection may provide insight into understanding the host response to HIV infection in vivo. Glycoproteomics, which evaluates the level of the glycoproteome, remains a novel approach to study this host response to HIV. In order to identify human glycoproteins secreted from T cells with latent HIV infection, the medium from cultured HIV replication-competent T cells was compared with the medium from cultured parental A3.01 cells via solid phase extraction of glycopeptides (SPEG) and high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). Using these methods, 59 human glycoproteins were identified as having significantly different abundance levels between the media from these two cell lines. The relevance of these 59 proteins to HIV infection in vivo was assessed in plasma from HIV+ and HIV- subjects. Comparison between T cell and plasma revealed that six glycoproteins (galectin-3-binding protein, L-selectin, neogenin, adenosine deaminase CECR1, ICOS ligand and phospholipid transfer protein) were significantly elevated in the HIV+ T cells and plasma studies. These findings suggest that the response of T cells harboring latent HIV infection contributed, in part, to the glycoprotein changes in HIV+ plasma. These proteins, once validated, could provide insight into host-HIV interaction.
An Analysis of the Medical Expense Deduction Post-O'Donnabhain

ABSTRACT: In 2010, the United States Tax Court upheld a taxpayer's deduction for medical expenses arising from gender reassignment surgery. This article discusses the facts of the O'Donnabhain case and the Tax Court's holding in light of relevant legislative history, and finds that a new layer of understanding now exists in the context of deductible plastic surgery: in a post-O'Donnabhain world, mental (not just physical) diseases may be treated through physical alterations to the body and give rise to deductible medical expenses. Based on the Tax Court's opinion, we posit an algorithm for application of what we consider to be a fourth case law-created exception to the disallowance of deductions for cosmetic surgery, which may have application in both LGBT- and non-LGBT-related instances.
Optimal Attitude Control for a Rigid Body with Symmetry

Optimal control problems are formulated and efficient computational procedures are proposed for attitude dynamics of a rigid body with symmetry. The rigid body is assumed to act under a gravitational potential and under a structured control moment that respects the symmetry. The symmetry in the attitude dynamics system yields a conserved quantity, and it causes a fundamental singularity in the optimal control problem. The key feature of this paper is its use of computational procedures that are guaranteed to avoid the numerical ill-conditioning that originates from this symmetry. It also preserves the geometry of the attitude dynamics. The theoretical basis for the computational procedures is summarized, and examples of optimal attitude maneuvers for a 3D pendulum are presented.
Why Utah? The “Reddest of Red States” and inclusive immigration reform

Abstract In Spring 2011, the Utah Legislature crafted a series of primarily inclusive immigration bills that became known as the “Utah Solution” to immigration reform. This package of bills passed both the Utah House and Senate and was signed into law by the Republican Governor. This case study provides an in-depth answer to the question “why Utah?”—a state with a rapidly growing foreign-born population, highly Republican both in its citizenry and legislative body, lacking a professional legislature and bordering a state that passed the toughest immigration law in the country—passed inclusive immigration policy. Detailed interviews with those responsible for producing the Utah Compact and involved in the policy process suggest important factors that have gone unexamined in previous work on state immigration policies, in this case a state Compact on immigration and the role of religion. Examination of both aid in providing a fuller understanding of predictors of state immigration policy. The findings make several contributions to the emerging literature on predictors of state policies. First, our study advances this research by incorporating two variables understudied in the literature to date—a state Compact on immigration and the role of the dominant religion in the state. Second, our study shows the importance of a better understanding of dynamics as they play out in influencing state immigration legislation. The study findings also show the need for multiple methods to gain a fuller understanding of why states pass the immigration legislation they do. A fuller understanding of predictors may then help to anticipate the legislation that will be passed, and the impacts of this legislation on immigrants.
The mechanism of egg-white inhibition of hemagglutination by swine influenza virus.

SummaryEvidence has been presented that the mechanism of egg-white inhibition of hemagglutination of chicken red blood cells by swine influenza virus involves combination between an egg-white component and the virus, this combination obstructing the reaction of virus with red blood cells. Moreover, it has been found that the inhibitor is rapidly inactivated by highly infectious virus, with regeneration of the virus, but not by an aged formolized vaccine consisting of inactivated virus; and that the inactivation of inhibitor by virus is suppressed by convalescent (anti-influenza) swine serum. The results have been interpreted in terms of an enzymatic hypothesis of virus function in the phenomenon.
Agglutination of H-viruses with various types of red blood cells.

SummaryThe hemagglutinating capabilities of 5 H-viruses with 16 different kinds of red cells are presented. Knowledge of such HA patterns offers an aid to determination of the H-virus strain, as well as an accessory method of differentiation between these agents and other hemagglutinating viruses of similar size.
The influence of regional location and homelessness on substance abuse treatment completion

revealed trends toward significance (p< .10) for enhanced positive attitudes and diminished negative attitudes toward CM. Conclusions: Study findings indicate this 16-h, on-site staff training robustly improved conceptual and applied knowledge of CM, self-efficacy to implement CM methods, and adoption readiness. Impacts on CM attitudes were in the intended direction, but did not achieve statistical significance in this small sample. Though replication of these findings is needed, promotional efforts for CM may be well-served by offering contextualized workshop trainings for community treatment personnel. Financial support: K23 DA025678-01A2.
Cost optimization of reinforced concrete flat slabs of arbitrary configuration in irregular highrise building structures

A model is presented for cost optimization of reinforced concrete (RC) flat slabs of arbitrary configuration in irregular highrise building structures. The model is general and can include any combination of columns and shear walls in the plan with or without openings and perimeter beams. A general cost function is formulated for flat slabs of arbitrary configurations taking into account not only the cost of concrete and steel materials but also construction cost. The nonlinear cost optimization problem is solved using the robust neural dynamics model of Adeli and Park. The methodology was applied to two flat slab examples in a real-life 36-story building structure. The methodology not only automates the process of RC slab design but also results in cost savings in the order of 6.7---9 %.
Biosynthesis of Pantothenic Acid and Coenzyme A

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the metabolic origins of pantoic acid and β-alanine and the enzymatic synthesis of pantothenic acid and coenzyme A. The chapter discusses the set of enzymatic reactions that is thought to result in the biosynthesis of pantoic acid. The view that β-alanine is made in pantothenate-synthesizing microorganisms by the decarboxylation of aspartic acid is based primarily on the observations that the growth inhibitory properties of β-hydroxyaspartic acid for E. coli can be reversed by aspartate, β-alanine, or pantothenic acid and that whole cells of a variety of organisms apparently can make β-alanine when aspartic acid is supplied to the cells. A possible alternate method for β-alanine production would terminate with a transamination whereby an amino group could be transferred to malonic semialdehyde to yield β-alanine. Such transaminases are known to exist in Aspergillus, Neurospora crassa, and Pseudomonas fluorescens. The enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of pantothenic acid from pantoic acid and β-alanine has been purified from E. coli by two independent groups.
LOCATION AND ORGANIZING STRATEGY: EXPLORING THE INFLUENCE OF LOCATION ON THE ORGANIZATION OF PHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH

The origin and nature of meaningful, persistent firm-specific differences is a central issue in the study of business strategy. I investigate in this paper the role of characteristics physically external to firms, but embodied in their local geographic areas, in driving differences in firms’ organizing strategies. Specifically, I examine the extent to which location-specific characteristics affect the organization of pharmaceutical firms’ research laboratories bringing both qualitative and quantitative evidence to bear on this issue. Analyses of the histories of several late 19th century drug makers suggest that differences in local institutions, labor markets, and demand structures played important roles in affecting case firms’ strategic evolution. For example, while Mulford (Philadelphia PA) exploited the strength of nearby universities and the city’s public health system in organizing around leading-edge capabilities in bacteriology, Sterling (Wheeling WV) found that its local environment rewarded investments in marketing and distribution. Panel data analysis on a sample of firms from the late 20th century provides complementary evidence, demonstrating that the scientific orientation of modern drug discovery laboratories is positively and significantly correlated with measures of the strength of the local scientific and technical base. Together, these analyses suggest that location-specific characteristics may be important in driving firm heterogeneity and, ultimately, competitive advantage.
Winter is Coming: Controlled Conflicts and the Oil-Price Geopolitical-Risk Premium

This paper presents a simple oil-exporting-country dynamic growth model with investment, consumption, passive military spending, and active military spending. Passive military spending (arms buildup) adds to security, while active military spending (conflict) depletes it, but adds to output and hence civilian capital (as a proxy for geopolitical risk premium in oil prices) in a non-monotonic way (some geopolitical risk is good for an oil exporter, but too much risk is not). It is shown that when the risk premium is sufficiently small, the optimal policy function does not support any positive active military spending at any levels of civilian capital and security. However, with sufficiently high geopolitical risk premium, the model country engages in controlled conflict (positive active military spending) when civilian capital is low. A controlled conflict in the latter case can shift the production function up, allowing the country to boost its consumption and arms buildup. This explains the big increase in the geopolitical risk premium following the Arab Spring, which included, among other disruptions, a military intervention by Saudi Arabia in Bahrain, as well as the smaller geopolitical risk premium following the recent Saudi-led war against the Houthis in Yemen. If oil prices remain low, depleting the civilian capital of Saudi Arabia and other oil-exporters, it may be rational, according to our model, to expect greater military activity, both to deal with geopolitical risks in the region, and to boost oil prices through the geopolitical risk premium.
Abstract 5593: Cigarette smoke and therapeutic response to chemotherapy and radiotherapy in cancer cells

Background: The 2014 Surgeon General9s Report concludes that cigarette smoke (CS) causes increased cancer specific mortality. Clinical data support that the effects of CS are reversible, but there are no extant biologic models that have shown therapeutic response profiles for cancer cells exposed to CS. Methods: An acute, subacute, and chronic dose escalated CS exposure model was developed to test the hypothesis that CS decreases therapeutic response to chemotherapy (CT, cisplatin) and radiotherapy (RT, 0, 2, 4, and 6 Gy) in a reversible manner in cancer cells. Results: H460, A549, and FaDu cancer cells were treated with single and multiple exposure CS for up to 12 weeks. Subacute and prolonged exposure to CS significantly decreased response to CT and RT. CS increased survival fraction following CT or RT between 30-157% across all cell lines. Exposure of cancer cells to CS for 6 or 9 weeks followed by removal of CS for 3 and 6 weeks resulted in a partial to complete restoration of baseline therapeutic response in a cell specific manner; however, all cell lines required several weeks to achieve a partial or full restoration of therapeutic response. Dose response curves for CS exposure demonstrate that H460 and A549 cells had a decreased therapeutic response profile at higher CS concentrations while FaDu cells were more sensitive to lower concentrations to CS. Dose response curves further demonstrated that high dose CS exposure was cytotoxic in all cell lines. Results were verified in all cell lines using 2 additional repeated experiments with freshly thawed cancer cells purchased from ATCC over 10 months. Conclusions: CS exposure reproducibly decreases therapeutic response to CT and RT in a dose dependent and reversible manner, reflective of clinical observations. Dose specific effects may vary between cancer cells. Data suggest that the biologic effects of CS removal, such as with acute smoking cessation in cancer patients, may not manifest in an immediate restoration of cancer cell response to CT or RT. Citation Format: Graham W. Warren, Michelle Romano, Samantha Sobus, Sundaravadivel Balasubramanian. Cigarette smoke and therapeutic response to chemotherapy and radiotherapy in cancer cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 5593. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-5593
OUTCOMES IN PATIENT WITH CHEST PAIN EVALUATED USING CORONARY COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY VERSUS STRESS IMAGING: A META-ANALYSIS OF RANDOMIZED TRIALS

Stress imaging has better characteristics for detection of obstructive coronary artery disease compared to stress electrocardiography in patients with chest pain. We explored effectiveness of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) in the evaluation of patients with chest pain compared to
Cognitive Mediators of Reading Comprehension in Early Development.

Although the empirical relationship between general intelligence and academic achievement is well established, that between specific cognitive abilities and achievement is less so. This study investigated the relationships between specific Cattell-Horn-Carroll (CHC) cognitive abilities and reading comprehension across a large sample of children (N = 835) at different periods of reading development (grades 1–5). Results suggest select cognitive variables predict reading comprehension above and beyond basic reading skills. However, the relative importance of specific cognitive abilities in predicting reading comprehension differs across grade levels. Further analyses using mediation models found specific cognitive abilities mediated the effects of basic reading skills on reading comprehension. Implications for the important and dynamic role of cognitive abilities in predicting reading comprehension across development are discussed.
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research Perspective on Quality in Clinical Trials

Clinical trial quality is essential to bringing effective treatments to patients as quickly as possible. Clinical trials that answer important questions, yield meaningful data, and protect trial participants can provide data that support both regulatory and clinical decision making. The Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) encourages stakeholders to improve clinical trial quality and efficiency. CDER believes that a systematic approach to clinical trial quality-one that builds in quality up front and focuses on the most critical aspects of study conduct-contributes to successful trials. Beyond FDA's regulatory requirements for clinical trial quality, CDER is an active participant in multiple efforts to advance clinical trial quality, including the addendum to ICH E6 (Good Clinical Practice) and the Clinical Trials Transformation Initiative project on quality-by-design for clinical trials. These efforts aim to move clinical drug development to a desired state that centers on efficient and agile clinical development programs that reliably produce high-quality data and adhere to important ethical standards.
SARS-unique fold in the Rousettus bat coronavirus HKU9.

The coronavirus nonstructural protein 3 (nsp3) is a multifunctional protein that comprises multiple structural domains. This protein assists viral polyprotein cleavage, host immune interference, and may play other roles in genome replication or transcription. Here, we report the solution NMR structure of a protein from the "SARS-unique region" of the bat coronavirus HKU9. The protein contains a frataxin fold or double-wing motif, which is an α + β fold that is associated with protein/protein interactions, DNA binding, and metal ion binding. High structural similarity to the human severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus nsp3 is present. A possible functional site that is conserved among some betacoronaviruses has been identified using bioinformatics and biochemical analyses. This structure provides strong experimental support for the recent proposal advanced by us and others that the "SARS-unique" region is not unique to the human SARS virus, but is conserved among several different phylogenetic groups of coronaviruses and provides essential functions.
The Ghost Operator and Its Applications to Reveal the Physical Meaning of Reactive Power for Electrical and Mechanical Systems and Others

In science and engineering, many concepts are introduced without a clear physical meaning, e.g., imaginary numbers in mathematics and reactive power in electrical engineering. In this paper, a new operator, coined the ghost operator $g$ , is introduced to physically construct the ghost of a system. It satisfies $g^{2}=-1$ but is different from the imaginary operator. With the help of the port-Hamiltonian systems theory, it is proved that the ghost of a system behaves exactly in the opposite way as the original system. This brings the ghost of a system into reality and paves the way to reveal the physical meaning of some imaginary concepts. Two applications are given as an example. One is to reveal the physical meaning of reactive power in electrical systems: it is the (real) power of the ghost system, which leads to a significantly simplified instantaneous power theory called the ghost power theory. The other is to define the reactive power for mechanical systems to complete the electrical–mechanical analogy. As a matter of fact, the resulting instantaneous power theory is generic and applicable to any dynamic system that can be described by the port-Hamiltonian model.
Lung Cancer in the Older Patient

Cancers of the lung and bronchus are the leading cause of cancer deaths in men and women in the United States, and two-thirds of new lung cancer cases are diagnosed in patients over age 65. There are few dedicated clinical trials in the elderly, leading to both undertreatment and overtreatment biases. Even fit older adults experience age-related decline in physiologic reserve, and additional issues of polypharmacy, geriatric syndromes, and inadequate social support are not uncommon, leading to disparities in treatment and survival. This review discusses the challenges in balancing benefits and harms in management of lung cancer in elderly patients.
From the surface to the seafloor: How giant larvaceans transport microplastics into the deep sea

Plastic waste is a pervasive feature of marine environments, yet little is empirically known about the biological and physical processes that transport plastics through marine ecosystems. To address this need, we conducted in situ feeding studies of microplastic particles (10 to 600 μm in diameter) with the giant larvacean Bathochordaeus stygius. Larvaceans are abundant components of global zooplankton assemblages, regularly build mucus "houses" to filter particulate matter from the surrounding water, and later abandon these structures when clogged. By conducting in situ feeding experiments with remotely operated vehicles, we show that giant larvaceans are able to filter a range of microplastic particles from the water column, ingest, and then package microplastics into their fecal pellets. Microplastics also readily affix to their houses, which have been shown to sink quickly to the seafloor and deliver pulses of carbon to benthic ecosystems. Thus, giant larvaceans can contribute to the vertical flux of microplastics through the rapid sinking of fecal pellets and discarded houses. Larvaceans, and potentially other abundant pelagic filter feeders, may thus comprise a novel biological transport mechanism delivering microplastics from surface waters, through the water column, and to the seafloor. Our findings necessitate the development of tools and sampling methodologies to quantify concentrations and identify environmental microplastics throughout the water column.
Dirac Scattering Theory

A brief sketch of the scattering scenario was presented earlier in Eqs.(3–83)-(3–90), in connection with the continuum solutions for a Dirac particle in a central potential. In this chapter we shall present a more detailed exposition of relativistic scattering for Dirac particles, various aspects of which apply to any particles. The primary goal is to provide a framework for utilizing the two-body formalism constructed in the preceding chapter, though we shall we not be able to provide any extensive calculations here, for that would take us too far afield. We begin with a brief review of nonrelativistic single-channel scattering, under the presumption that the reader is somewhat conversant with the subject.
Pharmacokinetics and Toxicology of the Neuroprotective e,e,e -Methanofullerene(60)-63-tris Malonic Acid [C 3 ] in Mice and Primates

Fullerene-based compounds are a novel class of molecules being developed for a variety of biomedical applications, with nearly 1000 publications in this area in the last 4 years alone. One such compound, the e,e,e-methanofullerene(60)-63-tris malonic acid (designated C3), is a potent catalytic superoxide dismutase mimetic which has shown neuroprotective efficacy in a number of animal models of neurologic disease, including Parkinsonian Macaca fascicularis monkeys. The aim of this study was to characterize its toxicity and pharmacokinetics in mice and monkeys. To assess pharmacokinetics in mice, we synthesized and administered 14C-C3 to mice using various routes of delivery, including orally. To assess potential toxicity in primates, serial blood studies and electrocardiograms (ECGs) were obtained from monkeys treated with C3 (3 or 7 mg/kg/day) for 2 months. The plasma half-life of C3 was 8.2 ± 0.2 h, and there was wide tissue distribution, including uptake into brain. The compound was cleared by both hepatic and renal excretion. C3 was quite stable, with minimal metabolism of the compound even after 7 days of treatment. The LD50 in mice was 80 mg/kg for a single intraperitoneal injection, and was > 30 mg/kg/day for sustained administration; therapeutic doses are 1–5 mg/kg/day. For primates, no evidence of renal, hepatic, electrolyte, or hematologic abnormalities were noted, and serial ECGs demonstrated no alteration in cardiac electrical activity. Thus, doses of C3 that have therapeutic efficacy appear to be well tolerated after 2 years (mice) or 2 months (non-human primates) of treatment.
Resilient Community and Economic Development Through Collaborative Innovation Networks

A single organization or individual is almost always unable to provide completely satisfactory solutions to a community problem. Collaborative Innovation Networks (COINs) provide a method in which entities capitalize on existing human capital to spur cooperative innovation in community and economic development. This report details the successful experience of the U.S. EDA University Center for Regional Economic Innovation (REI) at Michigan State University in utilizing a COIN as a resilient economic and community development strategy. This method is successful as it allows for the resilience and adaptability of decentralized networks while retaining access to a large resource base.
Eastern Europe and Japan-U.S. economic relations

Japan will probably benefit from changes in Eastern Europe. The government has offered a $1.9 billion assistance package to Hungary and Poland, its businesses are cautiously concluding joint ventures and investments there, and it is cooperating with Europe and the United States in reconstruction efforts. The effects on Japan-U.S. relations will be small though positive, since cooperative efforts on aid and in relaxing export controls seem to out-weigh risks of confrontation. The perception of an economic threat from Japan, however, is rising as cold war tensions ease.
Controversies in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) utilization and congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) repair using a Delphi approach: from the American Pediatric Surgical Association Critical Care Committee (APSA-CCC)

Review current practices and expert opinions on contraindications to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and contraindications to repair of CDH following initiation of ECMO. Modified Delphi method was employed to achieve consensus among members of the American Pediatric Surgical Association Critical Care Committee (APSA-CCC). Overall response rate was 81% including current and former members of the APSA-CCC. An average of 5–15 CDH repairs were reported annually per institution; 26–50% of patients required ECMO. 100% of respondents would not offer ECMO to a patient with a complex or unrepairable cardiac defects or lethal chromosomal abnormality; 94.1% would not in the setting of severe intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). 76.5% and 72.2% of respondents would not offer CDH repair to patients on ECMO with grade III–IV ICH or new diagnosis of lethal genetic or metabolic abnormalities, respectively. There was significant variability in whether or not to repair CDH if unable to wean from ECMO at 4–5 weeks. Significant variability in practice pattern and opinions exist regarding contraindications to ECMO and when to offer repair of CDH for patients on ECMO. Ongoing work to evaluate outcomes is needed to standardize management and minimize potentially futile interventions. V (expert opinion).
Sex, Mass, and Monitoring Effort: Keys to Understanding Spatial Ecology of Timber Rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus)

Abstract Despite large-scale population decline and geographic range contraction, Timber Rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus) continue to occupy sites across much of eastern North America, including a ...
From Manuscript to Print: Islamic Bangla Literature and the Politics of the Archive

This article takes the Nabivamsa—the first major work of Islamic doctrine to be written in Bangla, in the seventeenth century—as the basis for larger observations about Islamic Bangla literature and its transition from manuscript into print. The article charts three moments in the four centuries of the Nabivamsa’s textual life, reflecting on why such well-loved early modern religious texts fell into obscurity in the print era. The first phase from 1666 to 1777 marks the emergence and efflorescence of this literature, produced by Muslim intellectuals in the Cattagrama (Chittagong)-Arakan region. The second period, from 1777 onwards, is marked by the emergence of print as well as dobhasi Bangla in colonial Bengal. The third phase of this survey pertains to the constitution of a literary public sphere in Bengal linked to the momentum generated by print. This period saw the formulation of the Bangla literary canon through the efforts of publishers, literary critics, anthologists, translators, editors, historiographers and manuscript collectors. All of these were sustained through print’s cultural marketplace and the public discourses it engendered. The essay examines the ways in which Islamic Bangla literature’s value was articulated by the politics of archive-building and literary historiography central to the nationalist project.
Correction to: Risk factors for lymphopenia in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis treated with dimethyl fumarate.

Unfortunately, the given name and family name of first author was incorrectly tagged in the xml data, therefore it is abbreviated wrongly as “Morales FS” in Pubmed. The correct given name is Fabian and family name is Sierra Morales. Auhtor name should be abbreviated as Sierra Morales F.
Superficial temporal artery to middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA) bypass via retrograde arterial anastomosis in a patient with common carotid artery occlusion: a case report

The standard superficial temporal artery to middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA) bypass depends on adequate antegrade flow in the STA. In the setting of occlusion of the common or external carotid arteries, revascularization requires modification of the standard bypass procedure. A patient with prior history of irradiation for head and neck carcinoma presented with an ischemic injury and fluctuating neurologic deficit not responsive to medical therapy. His left common carotid artery was occluded, but angiographic evaluation demonstrated retrograde filling of his left STA. Reverse STA-MCA bypass was performed, taking advantage of spontaneous collateralization which allowed for retrograde filling of the STA.
The role of kaiso in oncogenic transcriptional repression.

5061 CpG methylation is an important component of epigenetic silencing during development. Changes in DNA methylation patterns have been definitively linked to the molecular pathogenesis of cancer. For example, hypermethylation of tumor suppressor and DNA repair genes can contribute to malignant transformation, as has been most extensively documented in colorectal carcinomas. Methylated promoters are repressed by CpG binding repressor proteins. Among these, Kaiso, a BTB/POZ zinc-finger protein, binds to heavily methylated promoters with high affinity and is a potent repressor. Therefore, we hypothesize that kaiso plays a critical role in colon cancer pathogenesis by silencing methylated tumor suppressor and DNA repair genes. Accordingly, we found that kaiso is universally expressed at the mRNA and protein levels in a panel of 30 colon cancer cell lines as well as in a majority of primary human colorectal carcinomas. Kaiso expression is greatly increased in experimental murine tumors vs. mucosa control. We found that kaiso was bound to the methylated promoters of the p16 and HIC1 in colon cancer cells by chromatin immunoprecipitations and that silencing of these genes as well as other methylated tumor suppressor and DNA repair proteins is relieved by kaiso RNAi knockdown. As a consequence, kaiso knockdown colon cancer cells underwent apoptosis and G1 cell cycle arrest when exposed to stress conditions such as serum starvation, to which these cells are normally resistant. This is also consistent with data indicating that Kaiso deficient mice are resistant to developing colon cancer in the APCmin background. We therefore conclude that kaiso in an important mediator of oncogenic epigenetic silencing colon epithelium and a potential therapeutic target in colon cancer.