cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Flo11p adhesin required for meiotic differentiation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae minicolonies grown on plastic surfaces

Saccharomyces cerevisiae grown on plastic surfaces formed organized structures, termed minicolonies, that consisted of a core of round (yeast-like) cells surrounded by chains of filamentous cells (pseudohyphae). Minicolonies had a much higher affinity for plastic than unstructured yeast communities growing on the same surface. Pseudohyphae at the surface of these colonies developed further into chains of asci. These structures suggest that pseudohyphal differentiation and sporulation are sequential processes in minicolonies. Consistent with this idea, minicolonies grown under conditions that stimulated pseudohyphal differentiation contained higher frequencies of asci. Furthermore, a flo11Δ mutant, which fails to form pseudohyphae, yielded normal sporulation in cultures, but was defective for minicolony sporulation. When minicolonies were dispersed in water and cells were then allowed to settle on the plastic surface, these cells sporulated very efficiently. Taken together, our results suggest that sporulation in minicolonies is stimulated by pseudohyphal differentiation because these pseudohyphae are dispersed from the core of the colony.
Stretch overload-induced satellite cell activation in slow tonic muscle from adult and aged Japanese quail

Stretch overload-induced activation of satellite cells in the anterior latissimus dorsi (ALD) muscle was examined in full-grown adult (12 wk old) and aged (90 wk old) Japanese quail. 5'-Bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) constant-release pellets (0.22 mg BrdU.g body wt-1.day-1) were implanted subcutaneously before weighting the left wing of each bird. Nuclei that incorporated BrdU were localized by immunohistochemistry after 1 or 2 wk of stretch overload. Total fiber number was quantified by counting all fibers in a histological cross section from the midbelly of the ALD. Aging reduced increases in ALD mass and fiber number during 2 wk of stretch overload. Fiber proliferation in the ALD of aged birds also demonstrated an altered time course. The percentage of BrdU-positive nuclei associated with muscle fibers and the percentage of fibers associated with BrdU-positive nuclei did not differ between age groups. The altered time course of new fiber formation in the ALD of aged birds during 2 wk of stretch overload does not appear to be related to the capability to activate satellite cells.
Rate-Dependent, Large-Displacement Deformation of Vertically Aligned Carbon Nanotube Arrays

Rate dependent mechanical response of the vertically aligned carbon nanotube arrays (VA-CNTs) has been examined with large-displacement indentation tests. The VA-CNTs are observed to exhibit elastic deformation at small displacement and then plastic deformation at large displacement. Under the cylindrical, flat-ended punch, the nanotube arrays collapse plastically at positions of immediately beneath the indenter face. The plastic zone remains stable at large displacement, because the stress/strain field under a flat cylindrical punch is relatively constant. From the normalized indentation stress-displacement curve, the critical indentation pressure (Pm), a measure of collapsing stress of the CNT arrays, is obtained. The speeds of the indenter have been varied, from 0.5 to 4 μm/s. The large displacement deformation is influenced by the effective strain rate of the material. The critical indentation pressure increases with the increase with the strain rates.
The Myth of Presidential Representation: Presidential Persuasion and the Mass Public

Presidents are elected while making promises from either the left or right. As a result, they are initially by definition out of synch with the political center. They generally do not consider moving very far toward the political center, because of promises and strongly held beliefs. However, they recognize that without support from the political center their policy leadership can fail. Presidents need public support to achieve their political goals. Thus, they are forced by fear of failed partisan leadership to attempt to persuade the mass public toward their own positions. After they assume office, new issues continually arise from the ongoing flow of events and problems. They are expected to lead in formulating and achieving solutions to these issues. Whether an issue derives from the president's incoming agenda or from the continuing flow of policy problems, partisanship virtually always colors the president's perception of how to address the many issues that must be confronted. Thus, presidents pursue permanent campaigns to convince people of the rectitude of their partisan stances and their particular approaches to serving the national interest. Just as George Washington attempted to persuade the mass public to support funding for the Jay Treaty in 1795–96, modern presidents also seek to persuade the mass public. As detailed in the introductory chapter, Washington successfully used public persuasion to bolster support for his position on the Jay Treaty. With shifting popular support, opposing members of the House of Representatives who had previously blocked funding for the treaty switched their positions.
Monkey visual short-term memory directly compared to humans.

Two adult rhesus monkeys were trained to detect which item in an array of memory items had changed using the same stimuli, viewing times, and delays as used with humans. Although the monkeys were extensively trained, they were less accurate than humans with the same array sizes (2, 4, & 6 items), with both stimulus types (colored squares, clip art), and showed calculated memory capacities of about one item (or less). Nevertheless, the memory results from both monkeys and humans for both stimulus types were well characterized by the inverse power-law of display size. This characterization provides a simple and straightforward summary of a fundamental process of visual short-term memory (how VSTM declines with memory load) that emphasizes species similarities based upon similar functional relationships. By more closely matching of monkey testing parameters to those of humans, the similar functional relationships strengthen the evidence suggesting similar processes underlying monkey and human VSTM.
The IRIS Education and Outreach Program

Seismology is a broad science, fundamental to the study of earthquakes and volcanoes, the prospecting and recovery of natural resources, and the evaluation of seismic hazards. Seismology is also about probing the deep interior of the Earth, and even about monitoring for clandestine nuclear explosions. This unique blend of basic and applied research in Earth science and physics makes seismology an engaging and highly relevant topic for communicating the essence and excitement of science to students and the public. The Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology (IRIS) is a consortium of U.S. universities whose full members have research programs in seismology. IRIS is responsible for the development and operation of the infrastructure needed for the acquisition and distribution of high-quality seismic data to a global audience of researchers, educators, and the interested public. With the resources in data, data accessibility, computer technology, and scientific expertise among its member institutions, IRIS is also able to make substantial contributions to science education. IRIS members have increasingly recognized the need to communicate the results of scientific research to the public more effectively, to advance science literacy for greater understanding of our rapidly changing and increasingly technological world, and to attract more students to study science. To address these issues, the IRIS Education and Outreach (E&O) program was formed in January 1997. Since its inception, the E&O program has explored the needs of the different audiences we serve and has developed core activities to address those needs. IRIS E&O has chosen, through internal decision-making and guidance from education and research communities, to provide products and programs for a variety of audiences. The E&O program is focused on:
The Genus Trypeta Meigen in America North of Mexico (Diptera, Tephritidae)

The genus is redefined in the light of characters present in the Palaearetic type species, T. artemisiae (F.), and seven North American species are described or redescribed. One, T . angustigena , from California, is new, and four are newly transferred to Trypeta . These are: T. fractura (Coq.), T . inaequalis (Coq.), and T . maculosa (Coq.) (= Zonosemu Dubia Johns., new synonymy) from Spilographa Loew, and T . sigma (Phillips) from Acidia R.-D. Two of the ten North American species previously described in Trypeta remain in the genus, namely T. tortile Coq. and T. flaveola Coq. The author discusses the application of the senior synonym Euribia Meigen 1800, the suppression of which is pending.
Incidence and Management of Adverse Events After the Use of Laser Therapies for the Treatment of Hypertrophic Burn Scars

IntroductionHypertrophic burn scars may generate significant morbidity, due to intense pruritus, persistent dysesthesias, and contracture. Although treatment with pulsed dye laser and fractional CO2 laser may improve symptoms, incidence of secondary wound complications is not well known. We examined
Characterization of glucocorticoid receptors and glucocorticoid receptor mRNA in human leukemia cells: Stabilization of the receptor by diisopropylfluorophosphate

We have shown that cytosol samples from human leukemia cells frequently contain glucocorticoid receptor fragments that have a mol wt (Mr) of approximately 52,000. In the present study we demonstrate that the Mr approximately 52,000-receptor fragments are derived from intact glucocorticoid receptors (Mr approximately 97,000) by the action of a serine protease. Mr approximately 52,000-receptor fragments were present in cytosol from 24 of 52 leukemia cell samples. Only normal size glucocorticoid receptors were present in cytosol samples if diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP), a potent inhibitor of serine proteases, was added to the hypotonic buffer used for cytosol preparation. Receptor proteolysis was not inhibited by hydrolyzed DFP, benzamidine, phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride, aprotinin, iodoacetamide, or mercuric chloride. The leukemia cell protease digests the receptor at a different site than chymotrypsin, which digests the intact receptor to produce a Mr approximately 40,000 receptor fragment. Receptor messenger RNA (mRNA) in S49 mouse lymphoma cells and in human leukemia cells was analyzed by Northern hybridization with a cDNA for the normal glucocorticoid receptor. Mutant S49 mouse lymphoma cells that have abnormally small glucocorticoid receptors (Mr approximately 48,000) make a 5.0-kilobase receptor transcript in addition to the normal size 6.5-kilobase receptor transcript. A normal size receptor transcript of 6.5 kilobases was present in all of the human leukemia cells whether or not Mr approximately 52,000-receptor fragments were present. Therefore, abnormalities of glucocorticoid receptor mRNA, which may give rise to the synthesis of foreshortened receptors in certain mutant mouse lymphoma cells, are apparently absent from human leukemia cells.
Influence of feeding stearidonic acid (18:4n-3)-enriched soybean oil, as compared to conventional soybean oil, on tissue deposition of very long-chain omega-3 fatty acids in meat-type chickens

Abstract In chickens, the desaturation of α-linolenic acid (ALA; 18:3n-3) to stearidonic acid (SDA; 18:4n-3) is considered to be rate-limiting for the hepatic conversion of ALA to very long-chain (VLC; i.e. >20 C) n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Thus, we hypothesized that feeding broilers SDA plus ALA, as compared to ALA alone, would bypass this inefficient metabolic step and enrich meat with greater amounts of VLC n-3 PUFAs. Female Ross × Heritage broilers were fed mash diets containing 50 g/kg of conventional soy oil (CON) from hatch until d 28. On d 29, they were divided into two groups and fed diets containing either 50 g/kg CON or 50 g/kg of SDA-enriched oil derived from the genetic modification of the soybean (SDASOY) until d 42. Final (42 d) body weights, as well as weight gains and feed conversion values from 29 to 35 d and 36 to 42 d, were not different (P > 0.05) between treatments. Compared to the CON treatment, dietary SDASOY increased (P
Experiment Study of Thermal State Continuative Feeding Coking using Direct Liquefaction Residue

The feasibility of thermal state continuative feeding coking process with coal liquefaction residue was discussed through experiment study. It was provided as a technology basis for comprehensive utilization liquefaction residue and accomplishment the process linking up between the residue coking and direct liquefaction.
Fear of cancer recurrence: a theoretical review and its relevance for clinical presentation and management

Background There is increasing recognition of the unique physical and psychosocial concerns of the growing population of cancer survivors. An emerging literature demonstrates that fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is a problematic long-term and late effect for cancer survivors. In fact, FCR is a top concern, and this article provides a necessary synthesis of the extant research evidence and theory. Methods Literature searches were conducted using databases including MEDLINE and PsychINFO using specified search terms including ‘fear of recurrence’ and ‘worry about recurrence’. A comprehensive narrative review summarizes early empirical findings on FCR including current definitions, assessment tools, clinical presentations, quality of life impact, prevalence, trajectory and risk factors. This paper also critically reviews the relevant theoretical frameworks to best understand these findings and considers multiple psychosocial treatment models that may have relevance for addressing FCR in the clinical setting. Results There is evidence of substantial prevalence and quality of life impact of FCR. Several theories (e.g. self-regulation model of illness, a family-based model, uncertainty in illness theory, social-cognitive processing theory, terror management theory) directly or indirectly help conceptualize FCR and inform potential treatment options for those with clinically significant distress or impairment resulting from FCR. Conclusions Further investigation into FCR is warranted to promote evidence-based care for this significant cancer survivorship concern.
Nothingness, Meaninglessness, Chaos, and the “Black Hole” Revisited

In the present article some clinical material involving complaints of nothingness, meaninglessness, chaos, and the "black hole" is presented and discussed. The purpose of the discussion is to illustrate that it is not possible to interpret this material solely as representing the reemergence of psychosis or early infantile catastrophic states. It is necessary to analyze this material, along with all other material, on at least five channels of therapeutic listening that I have described in previous work on the subject. These channels are the traditional Freudian, the Kleinian, self psychology, the phenomenological, and the interactional channels of listening. They are based on utterly incompatible premises. In this article I reviewed them briefly and then tried to illustrate how they may be applied to the same clinical material. One hopes that it has been demonstrated that the emergence of this characteristic nothingness, meaninglessness, chaos, void, and black hole material should not be automatically attributed to any one underlying intrapsychic situation, but can have many meanings in one patient as well as a variety of different meanings in different patients. Because this material is so dramatic when it emerges and is relatively common in the patients we see in our clinical work today, it is very important not to be misled by preconceived notions of what it means; one might even argue that the insistence on certain preconceived interpretations of given material represents an unfortunate form of countertransference.
Theoretical calculation of oxygen equilibrium isotope fractionation factors involving various NOy molecules, OH, and H2O and its implications for isotope variations in atmospheric nitrate

Abstract The oxygen stable isotope composition (δ18O) of nitrogen oxides [NOx = nitric oxide (NO) + nitrogen dioxide (NO2)] and their oxidation products (NOy = NOx + nitric acid (HNO3) + particulate nitrate (p-NO3−) + nitrate radical (NO3) + dinitrogen pentoxide (N2O5) + nitrous acid (HONO) + …) have been shown to be a useful tool for inferring the proportion of NOx that is oxidized by ozone (O3). However, isotopic fractionation processes may have an influence on δ18O of various NOy molecules and other atmospheric O-bearing molecules pertinent to NOx oxidation chemistry. Here we have evaluated the impacts of O isotopic exchange involving NOy molecules, the hydroxyl radical ( OH), and water (H2O) using reduced partition function ratios (xβ) calculated by hybrid density functional theory. Assuming atmospheric isotopic equilibrium is achieved between NO and NO2 during the daytime, and NO2, NO3, and N2O5 during the nighttime, δ18O–δ15N compositions were predicted for the major atmospheric nitrate formation pathways using our calculated exchange fractionation factors and isotopic mass-balance. Our equilibrium model predicts that various atmospheric nitrate formation pathways, including NO2 + OH → HNO3, N2O5 + H2O + surface → 2HNO3, and NO3 + R → HNO3 + R will yield distinctive δ18O–δ15N compositions. Our calculated δ18O–δ15N compositions match well with previous atmospheric nitrate measurements, and will potentially help better understand the role oxidation chemistry plays on the N and O isotopic composition of atmospheric nitrate.
Easily Administered Patient-Reported Outcome Measures: Adolescents' Perceived Functional Changes After Completing an Intensive Chronic Pain Rehabilitation Program.

Abstract Objective To determine whether patient-reported measures would be clinically sensitive and useful for identifying functional change within an intensive chronic pain program setting by examining 2 patient-reported measures administered as part of physical and occupational therapy for chronic pain. Design A retrospective data analysis of children and adolescents with chronic pain treated over a single calendar year. Paired t tests evaluated change in perceived function measures and pain over time. Standardized residual change scores were used in subsequent regression to assess associations between change scores. Setting An interdisciplinary pediatric pain rehabilitation program that supports children and adolescents with chronic pain by increasing strength, flexibility, and endurance; facilitating a return to daily life activities; and using appropriate self-directed coping and pain management skills. Participants Children and adolescents (N=109; age range, 8–19y; 83% girls) with various chronic pain diagnoses who were admitted to a 3- to 4-week intensive pain rehabilitation program. Interventions Participants were involved in physical and occupational therapy for 3 hours daily, as well as recreation therapy, psychology, school, aquatics, art therapy, and music therapy for a total of 8 hours daily. Parents were involved in parent education with therapists from all disciplines in conjunction with their child's programming. Main Outcome Measures Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS), Upper Extremity Functional Index (UEFI), and self-reported pain severity rating on 0-to-10 numerical rating scale. Results Data demonstrated significant gains in LEFS and UEFI during the program. Improvement in perceived functioning was significantly correlated with a reduction in pain. Conclusions The LEFS and UEFI provide a meaningful way to track progress in chronic pain rehabilitation. Using self-perceived measures, children and adolescents noted significant functional improvement, associated with less pain intensity. These findings increase our understanding of the rehabilitation process and point to goals for clinical improvement.
State-to-State Variation in SSI Enrollment for Children With Mental Disabilities: An Administrative and Ethical Challenge

Objective:The study examined state variation in rates of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) determinations, allowances, and receipt of benefits for ten selected child mental disabilities in 2013.Methods:SSI administrative and U.S. Census Bureau data collected by a multidisciplinary consensus committee convened by the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine in 2015 were examined.Results:Less than 1% of children in 2013 were recipients of SSI for mental disabilities. Determination rates ranged from 1,441 to 251 per 100,000 low-income children, an almost sixfold difference. Allowance rates varied from 16% to 78%, a fivefold difference. Receipt of benefits ranged from .7% to 5.3%, a sevenfold difference.Conclusions:Large unexplained discrepancies across states were found in review and receipt of SSI benefits for low-income children with mental disabilities. Inequities that cannot be explained by disability severity or financial need violate the ethos of equitable access to federally entitled ...
Blind Equalization and Smart Antennas

With the exponential increasing demand for wireless communications, the capacity of current cellular systems will soon become incapable of handling the growing traffic. Since radio frequencies are diminishing natural resources, there seems to be a fundamental barrier to further capacity increase. Smart antenna systems were proposed to open up another resource, i.e., space, for a significant increase of channel capacity and for solving or mitigating the aforementioned problems. Smart antenna systems for military applications have been extensively researched by Kailath’s group at Stanford over the last 10 years. Working with Paulraj and Kailath, the author started to convert the military technology to more cost-sensitive commerical technology. This paper briefly summarizes the research on civilian smart antenna systems the author initiated as a postdoctoral scholar at Stanford and further developed at The University of Texas at Austin.
The X-Ray Structure of Speculum Electrodeposits

AbstractX-ray investigations of speculum electrodeposits on copper are described. The speculum deposits, intended to contain approximately 42% by weight of tin, are found to possess either a metastable cubic near-gamma crystal structure or one closely approaching that of the hexagonal eta phase, Cu6Sn5. The crystal structure of the cubic form is modified to epsilon by heat treatment at as low a temperature as 200°C.The incidence of a bright or dull finish is influenced by three factors: (1) the phase condition; (2) preferred orientation texture; (3) crystallite size. Both a small crystallite size, about 2×10−6 cms., and preferred orientation textures characterise bright deposits. With increase of size of the crystallites, retention of a directionally oriented condition may maintain a bright surface.
Effect of Withdrawal from the Negative Cue on Learning a Two-Choice Discrimination

Three groups of rats learned a black-white discrimination in a Grice box. All subjects were reinforced with two food pellets for correct choices. No-Retrace subjects were confined in the negative end-box after errors; Retrace subjects were allowed to withdraw after errors from the negative end-box to the choice-point or start-box; and Take-Out subjects were manually removed from the negative end-box immediately after inspecting the empty food dish. All subjects were trained to criterion and then reversed to criterion. The Retrace group learned the original discrimination significantly slower than both the No-Retrace and Take-Out groups, which did not differ from each other. The same effect occurred on reversal. Apparently, the postnonrein forcement stimuli that the Retrace group encountered retarded discrimination learning.
Optimisation of a highly efficient shoot regeneration system using leaf explants of Chinese jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) by response surface methodology

ABSTRACTChinese jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) is a major fruit crop in Asia. In this study, response surface methodology (RSM) was successfully employed to establish a highly efficient in vitro propagation and regeneration system for the ‘Teapot’ jujube via shoot organogenesis. Among the tested factors, gibberellic acid (GA3) concentration showed the most significant positive effect. The pre-culture darkness timing and medium were also important factors for highly efficient shoot regeneration of the ‘Teapot’ jujube. The highest regeneration (> 75%) was achieved by 1 week in darkness and culture on wood plant medium (WPM) containing 0.25 mg·L−1 GA3, 0.5 mg·L−1 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 0.1 mg·L−1 3-indoleacetic acid (IAA). In vitro-derived shoots rooted very well in the modified 1/2 Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 0.4 mg·L−1 3-indolebutyric acid (IBA), resulting in a 100% rooting rate. These findings suggest that the RSM can be employed to optimise the protocols needed for successful in vit...
Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor-Mediated Carcinogenesis and Modulation by Dietary Xenobiotic and Natural Ligands

1. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor of the helix-loop-helix/PAS family. Many compounds interact with the AhR including xenobiotic (“xeno” = foreign) polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and dioxins, endogenous ligands, and natural bioactive compounds. The activation of the AhR leads to increased expression of Phase I enzymes at xenobiotic responsive elements (XRE) and production of chemically reactive species known to induce cancer. Conversely, activation of the AhR leads to decreased expression of the tumor-suppressor genes p16 and BRCA-1.
Recent Research on Disengaging from Gangs: Implications for Practice

Once inside a gang, can people leave? If so, what steps are taken to exit a gang, and at what costs? This chapter examines a range of issues related to disengaging from gangs, reviewing the current state of knowledge on a topic that has begun to garner attention in the research community that matches the interests of the practitioner community. Disengaging from gangs is conceptualized within a life-course framework. This chapter details findings from studies examining changes in criminal offending and the motives and methods for leaving gangs. Based on these studies, along with preliminary findings from an ongoing study of gang disengagement, this chapter offers several key conclusions for practice.
The isolation of a methylcholine containing phospholipid from Phormiaregina larvae

Abstract Although carnitine, β-hydroxy-γ-butyrobetaine, occurs in many animal systems, its function and intermediary metabolism remains obscure (Fraenkel 1957). The results of previous experiments in our laboratory indicated that on a chemically defined diet, carnitine and several related compounds, including γ-butyrobetaine, etc., replaced the choline requirement. (Hodgson, Cheldelin and Newburgh 1956, 1960). Since choline is a major constitent in Phormia regina phospholipids it seemed reasonable to postulate that when larvae are reared on a diet devoid of choline but containing carnitine, a phospholipid in which choline is replaced by carnitine might be observed. This communication reports the formation of a new “lecithin” when blowflies are reared in the presence of carnitine.
Trajectories of psychiatric diagnoses and medication usage in youth with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome: a 9-year longitudinal study.

BackgroundChromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) is associated with high rates of psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia in up to 30% of individuals with the syndrome. Despite this, we know relatively little about trajectories and predictors of persistence of psychiatric disorders from middle childhood to early adulthood. Accordingly, we followed youth over four timepoints, every 3 years, to assess long-term trajectories of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, mood, and psychosis-spectrum disorders (PSDs), as well as medication usage.MethodsEighty-seven youth with 22q11DS and 65 controls between the ages of 9 and 15 years at the first timepoint (T1; mean age 11.88 ± 2.1) were followed for 9 years (mean age of 21.22 ± 2.01 years at T4). Baseline cognitive, clinical, and familial predictors of persistence were identified for each class of psychiatric disorders.ResultsBaseline age and parent-rated hyperactivity scores predicted ADHD persistence [area under curve (AUC) = 0.81]. The presence of family conflict predicted persistence of anxiety disorders (ADs) whereas parent ratings of child internalizing symptoms predicted persistence of both anxiety and mood disorders (MDs) (AUC = 0.84 and 0.83, respectively). Baseline prodromal symptoms predicted persistent and emergent PSDs (AUC = 0.83). Parent-reported use of anti-depressants/anxiolytics increased significantly from T1 to T4.ConclusionsPsychiatric, behavioral, and cognitive functioning during late childhood and early adolescence successfully predicted children with 22q11DS who were at highest risk for persistent psychiatric illness in young adulthood. These findings emphasize the critical importance of early assessments and interventions in youth with 22q11DS.
Evaluating South African Fiscal and Monetary Policy Trade‐offs Using a Wavelet‐Based Model

The balance between South African fiscal and monetary policy in an open economy context poses some interesting questions for policymakers: questions such as whether more aggressive monetary or fiscal policy will likely deliver better growth prospects in the short and medium run, and what will the consequences be for the real exchange rate and for inflation? This research applies wavelet analysis to post‐apartheid South African quarterly macroeconomic data, and uses the decomposition to simulate a large state‐space linear‐quadratic tracking model. We find that restricted fiscal policy is the best option to realise growth, leading to lower interest rates, lower inflation, real exchange depreciation and improved trade balances compared to restricted monetary policy.
Regulation on Medical Technologies

In the past few decades, technological advancements have been proceeding at an unprecedented rate. Government regulations on medical technologies can be concerning, but to protect the users and to help perfect the technologies, all medical technologies need to be regulated by the government to various degrees. Medical devices, such as computer games, that pose little potential risk should be subject to minimal regulation. Medical technologies that require trainings to ensure safety or pose high risks in case of malfunctioning should be under strict regulations. Lacking of regulation or reinforcement of regulations on life-dependent medical technologies jeopardize numerous people's well-beings. In additional to the physical well-being, regulations also protects privacy of personal medical information. Furthermore, users should always investigate the personal medical technologies they use from multiple sources, especially the ones that require no regulation or yet to obtain an approval, but even the ones with approval.
Limited data to support improved outcomes after community paramedicine intervention: A systematic review.

Abstract Background Community paramedicine (CP) leverages trained emergency medical services personnel outside of emergency response as an innovative model of health care delivery. Often used to bridge local gaps in healthcare delivery, the CP model has existed for decades. Recently, the number of programs has increased. However, the level of robust data to support this model is less well known. Objective To describe the evidence supporting community paramedicine practice. Data sources OVID, PubMed, SCOPUS, EMBASE, Google Scholar-WorldCat, OpenGrey. Study appraisal and synthesis methods Three people independently reviewed each abstract and subsequently eligible manuscript using prespecified criteria. A narrative synthesis of the findings from the included studies, structured around the type of intervention, target population characteristics, type of outcome and intervention content is presented. Results A total of 1098 titles/abstracts were identified. Of these 21 manuscripts met our eligibility criteria for full manuscript review. After full manuscript review, only 6 ultimately met all eligibility criteria. Given the heterogeneity of study design and outcomes, we report a description of each study. Overall, this review suggests CP is effective at reducing acute care utilization. Limitations The small number of available manuscripts, combined with the lack of robust study designs (only one randomized controlled trial) limits our findings. Conclusions Initial studies suggest benefits of the CP model; however, notable evidence gaps remain.
QT prolongation in patients with acute leukemia or high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome prescribed antifungal prophylaxis during chemotherapy-induced neutropenia

AbstractBenefits of serial electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring to detect QT prolongation in patients with hematological malignancies remain unclear. This retrospective, single-center, study evalu...
Fracture Strength of AlLiB 14

The orthorhombic boride crystal family $XY{\mathrm{B}}_{14}$, where $X$ and $Y$ are metal atoms, plays a critical role in a unique class of superhard compounds, yet there have been no studies aimed at understanding the origin of the mechanical strength of this compound. We present here the results from a comprehensive investigation into the fracture strength of the archetypal ${\mathrm{AlLiB}}_{14}$ crystal. First principles, ab initio, methods are used to determine the ideal brittle cleavage strength for several high-symmetry orientations. The elastic tensor and the orientation-dependent Young's modulus are calculated. From these results the lower bound fracture strength of ${\mathrm{AlLiB}}_{14}$ is predicted to be between 29 and 31 GPa, which is near the measured hardness reported in the literature. These results indicate that the intrinsic strength of ${\mathrm{AlLiB}}_{14}$ is limited by the interatomic B-B bonds that span between the B layers.
Local institutional heterogeneity & firm dynamism: Decomposing the metropolitan economic freedom index

A nascent body of research suggests that economic freedom is positively associated with entrepreneurial activity. Most of this literature is based on cross-countries analyses, although there is significant regional heterogeneity in entrepreneurial activity and the institutional and policy context within countries. The literature also largely overlooks the potential for the entrepreneurial inducing effects of economic freedom to drive less efficient firms out of the market. Additionally, economic freedom is a multi-dimensional construct comprised of numerous underlying aspects of the institutional and policy environment, but most studies have employed a composite economic freedom measure to assess its impact on entrepreneurial activity. I contribute to these gaps in the literature by decomposing the recently developed Metropolitan Economic Freedom Index into its underlying institutional indicators to explore their potential impact on the firm entry and firm exit rates for a sample of nearly 300 US cities over the period 1972–2012.
Trouble With the Curve: Pearls and Pitfalls in the Evaluation of Fetal Growth.

Objectives Poor fetal growth is one of the most important findings on an obstetric ultrasound (US) examination. First-trimester US is the most accurate means for dating pregnancies; however, dating based on last menstrual period remains the standard for determining gestational age. Discrepancies between menstrual and US dating can lead to the overdiagnosis of in utero growth restriction (IUGR). This article will demonstrate that as long as the fetal growth falls along a curve that parallels normal growth curves, appropriate growth has occurred regardless of the gestational age and weight percentile that has been assigned to the fetus. Methods Following Institutional Review Board approval (HSD-00002969), 860 third-trimester fetal US examinations were retrospectively evaluated from January 1 through July 1, 2017, to determine whether they had normal growth curves. Outcome data on all cases were obtained from review of the medical records. Results Of 216 fetuses (25%) suspected of IUGR based on a weight below the 10th percentile, 6 developed true IUGR: 5 that led to emergent delivery of fetuses weighing less than a 1000 g and 1 in utero fetal demise. The remaining 210 fetuses all had normal outcomes. Conclusions As long as the fetal growth falls along a curve that parallels normal growth curves, appropriate growth has occurred regardless of the gestational age and weight percentile that has been assigned to the fetus.
Ethics and good governance

Public choice research has revealed a variety of political dilemmas associated with governance that tend to make good governance unlikely. This paper suggests that the good governments that we observe are likely to have cultural or ethical support–support that solves or ameliorates the dilemmas uncovered by public choice research. It demonstrates that five important impediments to good governance can be ameliorated by internalized ethical dispositions. Although good government is not generated by ethical conduct per se, some forms of conduct regarded as ethical are supportive of good governance and arguably prerequisites to it.
Is the membranous urethral length related to postoperative urinary incontinence after holmium laser enucleation of the prostate

Objectives To investigate the findings of preoperative magnetic resonance imaging associated with the occurrence of transient urinary incontinence after holmium laser enucleation of the prostate. Methods At a single institution, 360 patients underwent holmium laser enucleation of the prostate between January 2014 and December 2018. Of those, we retrospectively evaluated 237 who underwent preoperative magnetic resonance imaging and for whom postoperative evaluations were available for >3 months after holmium laser enucleation of the prostate. We carried out preoperative magnetic resonance imaging, and measured the periurethral sphincter complex, levator ani thickness, membranous urethral length and minimal residual membranous urethral length. Logistic regression analysis was carried out to assess the variables associated with incontinence. Results Transient urinary incontinence occurred after holmium laser enucleation of the prostate in 68 patients (28.7%); 46 (67.6%) of whom recovered within 3 months. Multivariate analysis showed that the membranous urethral length was independently associated with postoperative urinary incontinence at 1 and 3 months after surgery. The operative time was also independently associated with postoperative transient urinary incontinence at 1 month after surgery. Conclusion Preoperative membranous urethral length and operative time are independent predictors of transient urinary incontinence after holmium laser enucleation of the prostate. These findings should be considered by surgeons before surgery.
Exact solution to perturbative conformal cosmology in the recombination era

We study cosmological perturbation theory in the cosmology associated with conformal gravity, establish the validity of the decomposition theorem for it, and then use the theorem to provide an exact solution to the theory in the recombination era. Central to our approach is the use of a fully gauge invariant formulation of the cosmological fluctuation equations. In the recombination era, not only is perturbation theory applicable, because of its specific structure in the conformal case, the fluctuation equations are found to greatly simplify. Using a master equation for scalar, vector, and tensor fluctuation modes, we show that the radial equations for the three-dimensional vector and tensor modes are, respectively, the same as those of scalar modes in five and seven spatial dimensions. This enables us to construct normalization conditions for the three-dimensional modes.
Surviving being Black and a clinician during a dual pandemic: Personal and professional challenges in a disease and racial crisis

I CAN’T BREATHE! Social distance! I CAN’T BREATHE! Stay six feet apart! I CAN’T BREATHE! Make sure you wash your hands! I CAN’T BREATHEEEE! When can I schedule a session? The duality of being Black...
Catatonia: Clinical Overview of the Diagnosis, Treatment, and Clinical Challenges

Catatonia is a syndrome that has been associated with several mental illness disorders but that has also presented as a result of other medical conditions. Schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders such as mania and depression are known to be associated with catatonia; however, several case reports have been published of certain medical conditions inducing catatonia, including hyponatremia, cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, and liver transplantation. Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome and anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis are also prominent causes of catatonia. Patients taking benzodiazepines or clozapine are also at risk of developing catatonia following the withdrawal of these medications-it is speculated that the prolonged use of these medications increases gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) activity and that discontinuation may increase excitatory neurotransmission, leading to catatonia. The treatment of catatonia often involves the use of benzodiazepines, such as lorazepam, that can be used in combination therapy with antipsychotics. Definitive treatment may be found with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Aberrant neuronal activity in different motor pathways, defective neurotransmitter regulation, and impaired oligodendrocyte function have all been proposed as the pathophysiology behind catatonia. There are many clinical challenges that come with catatonia and, as early treatment is associated with better outcomes, it becomes imperative to understand these challenges. The purpose of this manuscript is to provide an overview of these challenges and to look at clinical studies regarding the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of as well as the complications and risk factors associated with catatonia.
Motivation to the Means

Rationalists including Nagel and Korsgaard argue that motivation to the means to our desired ends cannot be explained by appeal to the desire for the end. They claim that a satisfactory explanation of this motivational connection must appeal to a faculty of practical reason motivated in response to desire-independent norms of reason. This paper builds on ideas in the work of Hume and Donald Davidson to demonstrate how the desire for the end is sufficient for explaining motivation to the means. Desiring is analyzed as having motivation towards making the end so, which is analyzed as engaging in mental activity aimed at facilitating that end. I conclude that it is constitutive of an agent’s desiring an end that he is motivated towards what he believes to be means.
Finding models for skin diseases: successes and failures

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a disfiguring and debilitating, relatively rare disease in humans. Reports of similar diseases in domestic animals are also very rare. A clinically similar disease was reported in dogs, particularly in Collies and Shelties, but this was later re-evaluated and determined to be a form of vesicular cutaneous lupus erythematosus. The alternative term for HS, acne inversa, suggests forms of acne in domestic animals might provide an alternative approach to finding a model. Mice, unlike dogs and cats, do not generally develop acne. However, the icthyosis mutation (Lbric) does develop bacterial infections within the infundibulum that may result in furunculosis. If combined with various immunodeficiencies, through the creation of double mutant mice, then this might provide a useful model. However, finding spontaneous or genetically engineered mouse models usually result in obtaining the best tools. The success obtained by developing or finding simple single gene mutation or complex polygenic disease models for pseudoxanthoma elasticum and alopecia areata, respectively, through support from their respective foundations, provide a road map on how such models can be found, defined, and provide unique tools to unravel the complex mechanisms of HS and, more importantly, provide preclinical tools for drug efficacy testing approaches.
Bioactive terpenoids and guggulusteroids from Commiphora mukul gum resin of potential anti-inflammatory interest.

Guggulu, the gum resin from Commiphora mukul, is one of the components of various formulations of traditional Ayurvedic medicine to treat inflammation, obesity, and lipid disorders. In most preparations of Ayurvedic medicine in India, guggulu is boiled prior to its use. Therefore, guggulu was boiled with H 2 O prior to extractions in our study. Bioassay-guided isolation of compounds from the hexane-soluble portion of the MeOH extract of guggulu yielded cembrenoids, 1-6, a bicyclic diterpene, 7, guggulusterone derivatives, 8-11. myrrhanone derivatives, 12, myrrhanol derivative, 13, and a lignan, 14. The structures of these compounds were confirmed by spectroscopic methods. Compounds 5, 6, 7, 10, and 12-14 are novel. These compounds were assayed for lipid peroxidation and cyclooxygenase (COX) enzyme inhibitory activities. At 100 ppm, compounds 3, 6, and 14 inhibited the lipid peroxidation by 79, 57, and 58%, respectively, and the rest of isolated compounds showed 20 - 40% inhibitory activity with respect to the controls. In COX-1 and COX-2 enzyme inhibitory assays. compound 3 showed 79 and 83%, and compound 8 gave 67 and 54% of inhibition, respectively, at 100 ppm. All fourteen compounds inhibited COX-1 enzyme at 100 ppm. The lipid peroxidation and COX enzyme inhibitory activities exhibited by compounds isolated from C. mukul may substantiate its use in traditional medicine.
A software port from a standalone communications management unit to an integrated platform

Changes to the National Airspace System (NAS) are being driven by a number of technologies grouped under the nomenclature "Communications-Navigation-Surveillance/Air Traffic Management" (CNS/ATM) and its military counterpart, Global Air Traffic Management (GATM). Data link is an integral part of the CNS/ATM and GATM initiatives, and a Communications Management Unit (CMU) is a key component on board the aircraft. The Mark III CMU has been developed by Honeywell to address the civil CNS/ATM market. A port of the Communications Management Function (CMF) software was accomplished from the Mark III platform, a standalone CMU, to an integrated platform that hosts other applications (flight management, flight controls, displays, etc.) as well as the CMF. To maximize the portability of the core CMF code, the functionality of the system was modeled using a fourth generation language (4GL). Core data link functionality is implemented as a platform independent model. Platform specific code is auto generated from the model, using a platform specific Run Time Library (RTL). The model-based approach allows data link domain knowledge to be centralized in one organization. As the CNS/ATM environment changes, new core functionality will be developed and will be immediately available to all the host platforms that run the CMF.