cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Enhanced Pulmonary Function Using Dimethylthiourea for Twelve-Hour Lung Preservation

Abstract Current preservation techniques for lung transplantation limit ischemic time to 6 hours. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of dimethylthiourea, a low molecular weight free radical scavenger, to prolong this interval. An in vivo canine transplantation model was used to assess lung function. At harvest and after circulatory arrest, the donor lung was flushed with modified Euro-Collins solution (50 mL/kg). In a blinded fashion, dimethylthiourea (5 g) or saline solution was added to the flush solution at harvest and also infused (20 g over 2 hours) at reimplantation. Harvested lungs were stored for 12 hours at 4 °C. Allotransplantation was performed in recipient dogs ventilated with 40% O 2 After 1 hour, the contralateral pulmonary artery was ligated, forcing the dog to be dependent on the transplanted lung. Twelve dogs were studied, with 6 randomly assigned to each treatment group in a blinded fashion. Measurements were recorded for 8 hours, keeping the inspired oxygen fraction constant at 0.40. All dimethylthiourea-treated dogs survived the observation period, whereas one third of the dogs that received saline solution died. Dimethylthiourea-treated dogs had significantly greater arterial oxygen tension and significantly less pulmonary vascular resistance compared with control animals. These results suggest that treatment of the lung with a free radical scavenger (dimethylthiourea) improves pulmonary function after reimplantation in a canine model after 12-hour hypothermic storage.
Biochemical evidence for a new benzodiazepine receptor antagonist

1-(3-Chlorophenyl)-3-diethylcarbamoyl-1 H-1,2,4-triazole (CP-32,961) inhibited [3H]diazepam binding to rat cortical membrances and [3H]flunitrazepam binding to mouse brain in vivo. Its inhibition of the binding of [3H]Ro 15-1788 (benzodiazepine receptor antagonist) to these membranes was not facilitated by added GABA; CP-32,961 exhibited a GABA ratio of 0.84 compared to 2.44 for diazepam. Cerebellar cyclic GMP content in rats was raised by CP-32,961, which also further elevated the increased cyclic GMP levels induced by isoniazid. These neurochemical actions are similar to those shown by ethyl β-carboline-3-carboxylate (β-CCE) and suggest that CP-32,961 is a benzodiazepine receptor antagonist with inverse agonist activity.
TagR promotes PpkA‐catalysed type VI secretion activation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Summary Type VI secretion systems (T6SSs) contribute to interactions of bacterial pathogens and symbionts with their hosts. Previously, we showed that Pseudomonas aeruginosa T6S is posttranslationally activated upon phosphorylation of Fha1, an FHA domain protein, by PpkA, a membrane-spanning threonine kinase. Herein, additional structural, enzymatic and genetic requirements for PpkA-catalysed T6SS activation are identified. We found that PpkA plays an essential structural role in the T6SS, and that this role is intimately linked to its ability to promote secretion and phosphorylate Fha1. Protein localization and protein‐protein interaction studies show that a complex containing Fha1 and the T6S ATPase, ClpV1 is recruited to the T6S apparatus in a phosphorylation-dependent manner. The mechanism of PpkA activation was also investigated. We identified critical PpkA autophosphorylation sites and showed that small molecule-induced dimerization of the extracellular domains of PpkA is sufficient to activate the T6SS. Finally, we discovered TagR, a component of the T6S posttranslational regulatory pathway that functions upstream of PpkA to promote kinase activity. We present a model whereby an unknown cue causes dimerization of the extracellular domains of PpkA, leading to its autophosphorylation, recruitment of the Fha1-ClpV1 complex, phosphorylation of Fha1, and T6SS activation. Our findings should facilitate approaches for identifying physiological activators of T6S.
Metabolic engineering of plant monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and diterpenes—current status and future opportunities

Terpenoids (a.k.a. isoprenoids) represent the most diverse class of natural products found in plants, with tens of thousands of reported structures. Plant-derived terpenoids have a multitude of pharmaceutical and industrial applications, but the natural resources for their extraction are often limited and, in many cases, synthetic routes are not commercially viable. Some of the most valuable terpenoids are not accumulated in model plants or crops, and genetic resources for breeding of terpenoid natural product traits are thus poorly developed. At present, metabolic engineering, either in the native producer or a heterologous host, is the only realistic alternative to improve yield and accessibility. In this review article, we will evaluate the state of the art of modulating the biosynthetic pathways for the production of mono-, sesqui- and diterpenes in plants.
Psychological Treatments of Binge Eating Disorder

Context Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) is an effective specialty treatment for binge eating disorder (BED). Behavioral weight loss treatment (BWL) and guided self-help based on cognitive behavior therapy (CBTgsh) have both resulted in short-term reductions in binge eating in obese patients with BED. Objective To test whether patients with BED require specialty therapy beyond BWL and whether IPT is more effective than either BWL or CBTgsh in patients with a high negative affect during a 2-year follow-up. Design Randomized, active control efficacy trial. Setting University outpatient clinics. Participants Two hundred five women and men with a body mass index between 27 and 45 who met DSM-IV criteria for BED. Intervention Twenty sessions of IPT or BWL or 10 sessions of CBTgsh during 6 months. Main Outcome Measures Binge eating assessed by the Eating Disorder Examination. Results At 2-year follow-up, both IPT and CBTgsh resulted in greater remission from binge eating than BWL ( P P P Conclusions Interpersonal psychotherapy and CBTgsh are significantly more effective than BWL in eliminating binge eating after 2 years. Guided self-help based on cognitive behavior therapy is a first-line treatment option for most patients with BED, with IPT (or full cognitive behavior therapy) used for patients with low self-esteem and high eating disorder psychopathology. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier:NCT00060762
Deciphering the Plant Splicing Code: Experimental and Computational Approaches for Predicting Alternative Splicing and Splicing Regulatory Elements

Extensive alternative splicing (AS) of precursor mRNAs (pre-mRNAs) in multicellular eukaryotes increases the protein-coding capacity of a genome and allows novel ways to regulate gene expression. In fowering plants, up to 48% of intron-containing genes exhibit AS. However, the full extent of AS in plants is not yet known, as only a few high throughput RNA-Seq studies have been performed. As the cost of obtaining RNA-Seq reads continues to fall, it is anticipated that huge amounts of plant sequence data will accumulate and help in obtaining a more complete picture of AS in plants. Although it is not an onerous task to obtain hundreds of millions of reads using high throughput sequencing technologies, computational tools to accurately predict and visualize AS are still being developed and refined. This review will discuss the tools to predict and visualize transcriptome-wide AS in plants using short reads and highlight their limitations. Comparative studies of AS events between plants and animals have revealed that there are major differences in the most prevalent types of AS events, suggesting that plants and animals differ in the way they recognize exons and introns. Extensive studies have been performed in animals to identify cis-elements involved in regulating AS, especially in exon skipping. However, such studies are in their infancy in plants. Here, we review the current state of research on splicing regulatory elements (SREs) and briefly discuss emerging experimental and computational tools to identify cis-elements involved in regulation of AS in plants. The availability of curated alternative splice forms in plants makes it possible to use computational tools to predict SREs involved in AS regulation, which can then be verified experimentally. Such studies will permit identification of plant-specific features involved in AS regulation and contribute to deciphering the splicing code in plants.
A low complexity Ultra-Wideband, Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing communication system

The present paper describes an Ultra-Wideband (UWB) communication system based on the Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) modulation scheme. The system uses a small number of sub-carrier frequencies which allow the straightforward implementation of the OFDM modulator and demodulator without the use of Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT). An experimental RF transceiver based upon the proposed method was tested. An RF band ranging from 4.2–4.8 GHz was used. The transceiver has a demonstrated operational line-of-sight communication range of 3 m for a data rate of up to 40 Mbit/s. This system is well adapted for implementation in a low-complexity and low-power integrated circuit.
Operating Room Sanitation: Routine Cleaning Versus Terminal Cleaning

There is a need to decrease the bioburden of the environment in an operating room arena. In the operative suite, surgical procedures are performed and interference with the normal skin protection occurs. A systematic method of cleaning will decrease the possibility of the transmission of pathogens. A team approach will achieve the desired outcome.
The space of local control in the devolution of us public housing policy

Sweeping changes in national policy aim to radically transform public housing in the United States. The goal is to reduce social isolation and increase opportunities for low income tenants by demol...
ROLE OF MITOGEN-ACTIVATED PROTEIN KINASES, EARLY RESPONSE PROTOONCOGENES, AND ACTIVATOR PROTEIN-1 IN CELL SIGNALING BY ASBESTOS

Cell signaling by pathogenic minerals may initiate the transactivation of genes that are critical to carcinogenesis and fibroproliferative diseases of the lung and pleura. We have shown previously that stimulation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade by asbestos fibers leads to phosphorylation events involved in transactivation of lun and Fos proteins that comprise the activator protein-1 (AP-1) transcription factor. Recently, we have also used AP-1 luciferase reporter transgenic mice and immunocytochemistry to show that transactivation of AP-1 occurs in bronchiolar and alveolar epithelial cells after inhalation of asbestos fibers. After inhalation of asbestos, epithelial cells of the lung also show increased immunoreactivity of pliosphorylated extracellular signal regulated kinases (ERKs 1/2) at sites of fibrogenesis. The availability of lung epithelial cell-specific promoters has allowed the creation of transgenic mice with mutations in the transactivation domains of key receptors and protein intermediates that comprise the MAPK signaling cascade. These rodent models may reveal whether cell signaling events initiated by mineral dusts in epithelial cells are critical to the development of cell proliferation, apoptosis, and lung disease.
Studies on hybrid sterility

1. Spermatogenesis in males of the pure races of Drosophila pseudoobscura is described. No difference is observed between A and B races, except that their Y-chromosomes have different shapes. 2. A ♀ x B ♂ hybrids preserve the general structural plan of the testis characteristic for normal males. Spermatogonia and young first spermatocytes are nearly normal. At diakinesis a part of the chromosomes remain unpaired. The spindle of the first meiotic division elongates enormously. The cell body fails to divide. The second meiotic division is absent. Large worm-like spermatids are produced. 3. The frequency of bivalent formation at meiosis is higher in weak A ♀ x weak B ♂ hybrids than in strong A ♀ x strong B ♂ hybrids. 4. Testes of B ♀ x A ♂ hybrids are filled mostly by cell debris resulting from the degeneration of the spermatids. Spermatogonia and first spermatocytes are less numerous than in testis of normal males. Usually no bivalents appear at meiosis. One, two, or more nuclei are produced as a result of the highly abnormal first meiotic division. The cytoplasm does not divide. The second meiotic division is absent. Rounded or slightly elongate spermatids are produced. 5. In strong B ♀ x strong A ♂ hybrids the spermatids undergo several supernumerary divisions that are not accompanied by a fission of the cytoplasm. Cells containing very many chromosomes (up to 32 N) are the result. 6. In normal males meiosis takes place in groups of 32 cells; in A ♀ x B ♂ hybrids the corresponding figure is 32 or 16; in B ♀ x A ♂ hybrids it is 16, 8 or 4. It is suggested that the abnormalities observed in the spermatogenesis of the hybrids may be due to a precocious onset of meiosis.
Polytriacetylenes bearing directly attached functional groups with tunable physical and electronic properties

We report the synthesis and characterization of a unique class of conjugated polymers, polytriacetyelenes (PTAs), from a set of trans-enediyne (EDY) monomers bearing alkyl and aromatic substituents. Two different methods, i.e., Glaser-Hay coupling and Pd-catalyzed oxidative coupling, were employed depending on the nature of the side-chains. Our methodology is highly versatile in that it allows direct attachment of aromatic substituents to the PTA main-chains, allowing enhanced tunability in polymer electronic properties, which has not been achievable through previously reported methods. The newly synthesized PTAs displayed strong ability of quenching the fluorescence of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT), a prototypical conjugated polymer in organic solar cells, indicating possible applications of these PTAs in optoelectronic devices. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016, 54, 1391-1395
European Opposition to Exclusive Control Over Predictive Breast Cancer Testing and the Inherent Implications for United States Patent Law and Public Policy: A Case Study of the Myriad Genetics' Brca Patent Controversy

Between 1980 and 2001, the United States Patent and Trademark Office awarded over 8,000 patents on genes and genetic material, including at least 1,500 claiming sequences of human genetic material. Controversy over gene patents has arisen due to a variety of issues, including their relatively recent arrival into the patent realm, their grant of exclusivity over specific sequences of human genes, and their effect on research and diagnosis. These issues ultimately reflect both legal factors, dealing directly with the application of patent laws, and policy factors, implicating problems of access, cost, and quality in both the patient realm and the research setting. Because many gene patents either directly claim or include genes and/or the corresponding proteins that are essential to genetic diagnosis, a grant of exclusivity may hinder both healthcare and the advancement of scientific technology. There is currently an unparalleled legal challenge underway in the European Union regarding a number of human gene patents held by a United States corporation for sequences of two genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, mutations in which indicate a predisposition to breast cancer. Specifically, the most recent opposition challenges the patent as not fulfilling relevant provisions in the European patent law, as well as impeding heath care and scientific discovery. This Article addresses the European controversy over the BRCA1 gene patent and offers potential mechanisms to resolve similar legal and policy concerns in the United States.
Envision Charlotte: Building an Energy Cluster (Abridged)

Charlotte, North Carolina, was one of the leading economic centers in the south with a strong position as a headquarter city. Since the 1980s, the city had become increasingly reliant on a successful but also volatile financial service industry. In 2006, Jim Rogers, CEO of Duke Energy, began to lay the groundwork to establish Charlotte as the "new energy hub of America." The Envision Charlotte initiative builds on the Charlotte region's economic development "energy capital USA" initiative that was announced by North Carolina Governor Beverly Perdue, city and business leaders in April 2009. Five years later, on October 28, 2011 he and more than 1,500 people celebrated the launch of Envision Charlotte, a first-in-the-nation smart grid plan aimed at reducing energy use in the central business district. With worries about a renewed downturn in the financial sector, Rogers and the other leaders in attendance hoped that rallying around a shared idea and supporting a civic initiative such as Envision was the formula for economic sustainability.
Epilogue: Peering through the crystal ball

Throughout this book, we discussed various aspects of computational genomics, all of which, more or less, fit under the broad categories of functional prediction or evolutionary reconstruction. Before we put the pen down, it is tempting to dream of the future. We hope that, when presenting on these pages several research directions in computational genomics, be it exploitation of genomic context for prediction of gene functions or reconstruction of early evolutionary events, we managed to convey to the reader the openness of the most important problems in each of these areas. It does not seem to make sense to recapitulate these. However, it is attractive to think of some real new avenues of research, those that are in their infancy now, but may be expected to flourish, say, in the year 2012. The images in the crystal ball are vague and we may easily take them for something that they are not, but since we are trying to think big, it will not be too embarrassing to miss the target.
Large-eddy simulation and parameterization of buoyant plume dynamics in stratified flow

Characteristics of laboratory-scale bubble-driven buoyant plumes in a stably stratified quiescent fluid are studied using large-eddy simulation (LES). As a bubble plume entrains stratified ambient water, its net buoyancy decreases due to the increasing density difference between the entrained and ambient fluids. A large fraction of the entrained fluid eventually detrains and falls along an annular outer plume from a height of maximum rise (peel height) to a neutral buoyancy level (trap height), during which less buoyant scalars (e.g. small droplets) are trapped and dispersed horizontally, forming quasi-horizontal intrusion layers. The inner/outer double-plume structure and the peel/intrusion process are found to be more distinct for cases with small bubble rise velocity, while weak and unstable when the slip velocity is large. LES results are averaged to generate distributions of mean velocity and turbulent fluxes. These distributions provide data for assessing the performance of previously developed closures used in one-dimensional integral plume models. In particular, the various LES cases considered in this study yield consistent behaviour for the entrainment coefficients for various plume cases. Furthermore, a new continuous peeling model is derived based on the insights obtained from LES results. Comparing to previous peeling models, the new model behaves in a more self-consistent manner, and it is expected to provide more reliable performance when applied in integral plume models.
Analysis on requirements of superconducting technology for future power grid

The rapid increase of the long-term and medium-term electrical load demand and the uneven geographic distribution of load and power sources will bring a significant challenge to power transmission and grid technology in China. This paper presents analysis on the challenges of current common transmission mode based on briefly illustrating the possible long-term and medium-term electrical supply scenario and transmission mode. By analyzing the requirements of superconducting technology for future power grid based on the development and application of it,this paper puts forward to several suggestions for the further development of superconducting technology.
Transferrin-mediated cellular iron delivery.

Essential to iron homeostasis is the transport of iron by the bilobal protein human serum transferrin (hTF). Each lobe (N- and C-lobe) of hTF forms a deep cleft which binds a single Fe3+. Iron-bearing hTF in the blood binds tightly to the specific transferrin receptor (TFR), a homodimeric transmembrane protein. After undergoing endocytosis, acidification of the endosome initiates the release of Fe3+ from hTF in a TFR-mediated process. Iron-free hTF remains tightly bound to the TFR at acidic pH; following recycling back to the cell surface, it is released to sequester more iron. Efficient delivery of iron is critically dependent on hTF/TFR interactions. Therefore, identification of the pH-specific contacts between hTF and the TFR is crucial. Recombinant protein production has enabled deconvolution of this complex system. The studies reviewed herein support a model in which pH-induced interrelated events control receptor-stimulated iron release from each lobe of hTF.
Transcranial Doppler blood flow velocity versus 133Xe clearance cerebral blood flow during mild hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass.

Objective. Transcranial doppler (TCD) is used during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) to assess cerebral emboli and to estimate cerebral perfusion. We sought to compare TCD middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity (Vmca) to 133Xe clearance cerebral blood flow (CBF) measurements during mild hypothermic CPB thus determining its utility in cerebral perfusion assessment. Methods. Thirty-four patients undergoing mild hypothermic CPB (35 °C) were studied and had comparisons of Vmca and 133Xe CBF at three time intervals, 10, 30 and 60 min after the institution of CPB. Linear regression analysis was performed on data from each of the 3 intervals as well as for pooled data from all 3 periods. Results. The correlation coefficients for the 3 time periods were, r = 0.32 (p = 0.12), r = 0.32 (p = 0.11), r = 0.48 (p = 0.02), respectively. The pooled data correlation had a coefficient of 0.34 (p = 0.003). Conclusion. These findings suggest that TCD Vmca is a relatively poor correlate of CBF during mild hypothermic CPB.
Radionuclide Imaging in Pediatrics

This article presents an overview of some of the pediatric clinical problems in which radionuclide studies play a major role in diagnosis and treatment.
Occupancy of G alpha s-linked receptors uncouples chemoattractant receptors from their stimulus-transduction mechanisms in the neutrophil

Adenosine and adrenergic agonists modulate neutrophil function by ligating their specific receptors (adenosine A2 and beta-adrenergic) on the neutrophil. When occupied, adenosine A2 and beta-adrenergic receptors stimulate, presumably via G alpha s, an increase in intracellular 3', 5' cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). cAMP affects cellular functions, in part, via protein kinase-mediated phosphorylation. Therefore, we determined whether inhibition of protein kinase A activity by KT5720 (10 mumol/L) reversed the inhibition of FMLP-stimulated O2- generation by 5'N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA), the most potent adenosine A2 agonist, and by isoproterenol a potent beta-adrenergic agonist. KT5720 did not affect O2- generation stimulated by FMLP (125% +/- 13% of control, n = 5). However, KT5720 completely reversed inhibition of O2- generation by dibutyryl cAMP (DbcAMP, 1 mmol/L, from 26% +/- 5% to 84% +/- 25% of control, n = 5, P less than .004), but not by NECA (1 mumol/L, 26% +/- 5% v 33% +/- 7% of control, n = 5) or isoproterenol (10 mumol/L, 20% +/- 8% to 38% +/- 6% of control, n = 5). Nearly identical results were obtained using the less specific protein kinase inhibitor H-7. To determine whether occupancy of adenosine A2 or beta-adrenergic receptors inhibits neutrophil (PMN) activation by uncoupling chemoattractant receptors from G proteins, we determined the effect of NECA and isoproterenol on guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) activity, a parameter that reflects G protein "activation," of plasma membranes derived from human PMNs. Control GTPase activity was 138.9 pmol/mg protein/min; NECA (1 nmol/L to 1 mumol/L) and isoproterenol (10 nmol/L to 10 mumol/L) alone did not significantly affect GTPase activity. FMLP (0.1 mumol/L) increased GTPase activity by 31.9 +/- .9 pmol/mg/min, an increment that was markedly inhibited to approximately 50% of control by NECA (IC50 = 3 nmol/L, P less than .001, n = 5) and isoproterenol (IC50 = 30 nmol/L, P less than .001, n = 5). Neither cAMP nor dibutyryl cAMP (10 mumol/L and 1 mmol/L) affected resting or stimulated GTPase activity. In addition, neither adenosine nor DbcAMP affected protein phosphorylation in resting or stimulated neutrophils. Our studies are consistent with the hypothesis that ligation of G alpha s-linked receptors uncouples chemoattractant receptors from their signal-transduction mechanisms rather than inhibiting neutrophil function via cAMP-mediated effects.
Decoupling knowledge and expertise in personalized medicine: who will fill the gap?

Walk into many Arizona Walgreens these days and you will find that the pharmacy associated with it has a blood-testing center. There you can sit down and peruse a slick, glossy menu that lists more...
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE UPTAKE AND DEGRADATION OF YEAST INVERTASE IN RAT TISSUES

Yeast invertase, a “high mannose” glycoprotein, is rapidly taken up by the liver after intravenous injection in the rat. The uptake is primarily by liver non-parenchyma1 cells which possess a saturable receptor recognizing the terminal mannose residues of the protein. Subsequent to uptake of invertase in the liver, enzymatic activity remains detectable for many days although progressive changes in several properties of the active species occur. Its thermal stability decreases, approaching that of deglycosylated invertase, its reactivity with anti-native invertase immune serum decreases, and it exhibits increased retardation on gel filtration columns. Invertase uptake by rat yolk sacs is not specific receptor-mediated. Subsequent to uptake of native enzyme by yolk sacs there was only a slight decline of tissue invertase activity over a 6-hour period, whereas with enzyme previously deglycosylated with an endo-β-N-acetylglucosaminidase there was a relatively rapid loss of activity, indicating that the deglycosylated species, unlike the fully glycosylated form, is considerably more susceptible to intracellular proteolytic digestion.
Defining the cognitive enhancing properties of video games: Steps Towards Standardization and Translation

Ever since video games were available to the general public, they have intrigued brain researchers for many reasons. There is an enormous amount of diversity in the video game research, ranging from types of video games used, the amount of time spent playing video games, the definition of video gamer versus non-gamer to the results obtained after playing video games. In this paper, our goal is to provide a critical discussion of these issues, along with some steps towards generalization using the discussion of an article published by Clemenson and Stark (2005) as the starting point. The authors used a distinction between 2D versus 3D video games to compare their effects on the learning and memory in humans. The primary hypothesis of the authors is that the exploration of virtual environments while playing video games is a human correlate of environment enrichment. Authors found that video gamers performed better than the non-video gamers, and if non-gamers are trained on playing video gamers, 3D games provide better environment enrichment compared to 2D video games, as indicated by better memory scores. The end goal of standardization in video games is to be able to translate the field so that the results can be used for greater good.
Glomeruli segmentation in H&E stained tissue using perceptual organization

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus involvement of the kidneys is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Inter-observer variability can also lead to an incorrect assessment of the disease. Computer aided image analysis can potentially be used to advance the understanding, diagnosis and treatment of Lupus. Our research focuses on the image analysis of kidney biopsies for quantifying tissue characteristics relevant to Lupus. In this paper we describe an algorithm for identifying glomeruli in H&E stained mouse renal biopsies. The proposed approach uses color segmentation to identify all objects in the image that potentially correspond to the Bowman's space around the glomeruli. This is followed by a perceptual grouping procedure to group objects based on their size, location and orientation.
Two Quotes on Ascetic Morality: Leo Strauss and H. L. Mencken

This short document juxtaposes two quotes from H.L. Mencken and Leo Strauss respectively. It shows both men dealing with the problem of radically ascetic morality.
Chinese Business Groups: The Structure and Impact of Interfirm Relations during Economic Development

This book provides an account of the emergence of business groups in China and details their organizational structure. It contributes to our understanding of the function of these groups by isolating and examining the relationship between various aspects of group structure and the financial performance of member firms.
Image Guidance in Endoscopic Sinus Surgery: Where Are We Heading?

The purpose of this review is to identify new developments in image guided surgery (IGS) for endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS), with a focus on how these innovations will serve to aid the endoscopic sinus surgeon. Several developments in both the software and hardware of IGS systems have been introduced or are under development. These include augmented reality and three-dimensional (3D) virtual endoscopy for integrating navigational and endoscopic images. Intraoperative registration can further improve the accuracy within a given operative field. Wireless instrumentation and consolidated IGS workstations can improve operating room logistics. IGS integrated robotic surgery can enhance surgical precision and automate critical portions of the procedure. Emerging evidence suggests that IGS is useful for the avoidance of complications in ESS and improving surgeon workload. Numerous developments in IGS for ESS will serve to aid the endoscopic sinus surgeon in avoiding complications and improving patient outcomes.
Model Reduction Using Rational Approximation Techniques

Abstract An effective way to get a reduced order model for use in control system analysis and design is to apply frequency domain analysis and associated computational techniques of model reduction. This can he accomplished by direct experimentation in which spectral data (amplitude ratio and phase shift) is obtained by input/output measurements or by creating a file of frequency response data from a given analytical transfer function. It is then sufficient to obtain a rational transfer function fit to the data by Fourier series methods, after which one of the finite dimensional algorithms can he exploited to extract a reduced order model. Here we describe computationally effective user friendly software, based on MATLAB, for doing this frequency domain analysis and model reduction with associated H ∞ -norm (uniform norm on jℜ) error estimates. The H ∞ -norm error can often he decreased by increasing the order of the approximant so as to get models which are sufficient for robust controller designs.
Characterization of Powder River Basin coal pyrolysis with cost-effective and environmentally-friendly composite NaFe catalysts in a thermogravimetric analyzer and a fixed-bed reactor

Abstract The pyrolysis characteristics of PRB coal with use of Na Fe composite catalysts were investigated in a thermogravimetric analyzer and a fixed bed reactor. Model-free methods developed by Friedman (FR), Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose (KAS), Flynn-Wall-Ozawa (FWO) and Vyazovkin (VA) were compared and applied to determine the pyrolysis kinetic parameters. A Master-plot method was used to determine the reaction order and pre-exponential factors. Raw coal with the addition of 4% FeCO3 achieved the highest effect on coal conversion; specifically, 4% Na2CO3 and 1% Na2CO3–3% FeCO3 showed higher effect than 3% Na2CO3–1% FeCO3 and 2% Na2CO3–2% FeCO3. The averaged E values of raw coal with 4% FeCO3 catalyst decreased by 10% compared with that of raw coal. Compared with the individual use of 4% Na2CO3, the addition of FeCO3 can be effective in decreasing the E values of the raw coal. The nonlinear VA method appears to be superior in determining activation energies of coal pyrolysis at considered conversion range. Further, the An (random nucleation and nuclei growth model) appears to be the appropriate reaction model for raw coal pyrolysis with and without the use of Na Fe composite catalysts. From the pyrolysis in the fixed bed reactor, XRD and FTIR tests for coal chars produced by PRB coal pyrolysis with use of catalysts were conducted. By combining the gas evolution and XRD/FTIR results, a reaction mechanism is proposed for coal pyrolysis with composite Na2CO3 FeCO3 catalysts.
Supervising juveniles and adults: organizational context, professional orientations, and probation and parole officer behaviors

Observers of probation and parole suggest that organizational context and officers’ ‘working philosophy’ – how they see their job – may be instrumental in predicting supervision activities, yet few...
Numerical Simulation of Oscillations in a Continuous Optical Discharge

A numerical method based on the assumptions of Forester and Emery is used to study the oscillatory behaviour of the plume and of the thermal wave associated with a point plasma, sustained by continuous optical discharge of a c.w. laser. Computations are carried out to simulate conditions in argon at 4 atm and initially at room temperature. The numerical results explain or confirm many experimental features and generally quantitative agreement with experiment is good. Application of Kimura’s stability theory to the plume suggests aerodynamic instability as the origin of the oscillations. As for flames, these oscillations are associated with waves analogous to the Tollmien-Schlichting waves in laminar boundary layers.
Co-located Reference Frame Interpolation Using Optical Flow Estimation for Video Compression

The hierarchical coding structure that supports bi-directional motion compensated prediction is commonly used for video compression efficiency. Conventional approach directly seeks the reference pixel block from each individual reference frame and use it or its linear combinations for prediction. It largely ignores the motion information between these reference frames. To fully utilize all the information from the bi-directional reference frames, this work builds a per-pixel motion field that connects the two-sided reference frames using optical flow estimation. A reference frame is then interpolated at the current frame location. This collocated reference frame effectively accounts for the true motion trajectories in the video signal including both translational and the more complex non-translational motion models, which are beyond the capability of the conventional block-based motion compensated prediction. The scheme is experimentally shown to provide substantial compression performance gains. A number of optimization designs are proposed to make the codec complexity feasible while largely maintaining the coding performance.
Relationship between Sleep and Psychosis in the Pediatric Population: A Brief Review

Sleep disorders are common in several psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia. In the pediatric population, the relationship between sleep and psychosis is not completely understood due to limited research studies investigating the link. Insomnia is noted to be a predictor of psychosis, especially in ultrahigh risk adolescents. Sleep difficulties are also associated with a two to three-fold increase in paranoid thinking. Biological factors, such as decrease in thalamic volume, have been observed in children with schizophrenia and ultrahigh risk adolescents with associated sleep impairment. Objective studies have indicated possible actigraphy base measures to be the predictor of psychosis after a one year follow-up. The studies using polysomnography have rare and inconsistent results. In this brief review, we provide an overview of existing literature. We also posit that future research will be beneficial in understanding the initiation, course and progression of sleep disturbance in the high risk pediatric population with the goal of implementing interventions to alter the development of psychosis.
Pharmacokinetics and safety of zonisamide after oral administration of single and multiple doses to Hispaniolan Amazon parrots (Amazona ventralis)

OBJECTIVE To determine pharmacokinetics after oral administration of single and multiple doses and to assess the safety of zonisamide in Hispaniolan Amazon parrots (Amazona ventralis). ANIMALS 12 adult Hispaniolan Amazon parrots. PROCEDURES Zonisamide (30 mg/kg, PO) was administered once to 6 parrots in a single-dose trial. Six months later, a multiple-dose trial was performed in which 8 parrots received zonisamide (20 mg/kg, PO, q 12 h for 10 days) and 4 parrots served as control birds. Safety was assessed through monitoring of body weight, attitude, and urofeces and comparison of those variables and results of CBC and biochemical analyses between control and treatment groups. RESULTS Mean ± SD maximum plasma concentration of zonisamide for the single- and multiple-dose trials was 21.19 ± 3.42 μg/mL at 4.75 hours and 25.11 ± 1.81 μg/mL at 2.25 hours after administration, respectively. Mean plasma elimination half-life for the single- and multiple-dose trials was 13.34 ± 2.10 hours and 9.76 ± 0.93 hours, respectively. Pharmacokinetic values supported accumulation in the multiple-dose trial. There were no significant differences in body weight, appearance of urofeces, or appetite between treated and control birds. Although treated birds had several significant differences in hematologic and biochemical variables, all variables remained within reference values for this species. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Twice-daily oral administration of zonisamide to Hispaniolan Amazon parrots resulted in plasma concentrations known to be therapeutic in dogs without evidence of adverse effects on body weight, attitude, and urofeces or clinically relevant changes to hematologic and biochemical variables.
BrainIAK tutorials: User-friendly learning materials for advanced fMRI analysis

Advanced brain imaging analysis methods, including multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA), functional connectivity, and functional alignment, have become powerful tools in cognitive neuroscience over the past decade. These tools are implemented in custom code and separate packages, often requiring different software and language proficiencies. Although usable by expert researchers, novice users face a steep learning curve. These difficulties stem from the use of new programming languages (e.g., Python), learning how to apply machine-learning methods to high-dimensional fMRI data, and minimal documentation and training materials. Furthermore, most standard fMRI analysis packages (e.g., AFNI, FSL, SPM) focus on preprocessing and univariate analyses, leaving a gap in how to integrate with advanced tools. To address these needs, we developed BrainIAK (brainiak.org), an open-source Python software package that seamlessly integrates several cutting-edge, computationally efficient techniques with other Python packages (e.g., Nilearn, Scikit-learn) for file handling, visualization, and machine learning. To disseminate these powerful tools, we developed user-friendly tutorials (in Jupyter format; https://brainiak.org/tutorials/) for learning BrainIAK and advanced fMRI analysis in Python more generally. These materials cover techniques including: MVPA (pattern classification and representational similarity analysis); parallelized searchlight analysis; background connectivity; full correlation matrix analysis; inter-subject correlation; inter-subject functional connectivity; shared response modeling; event segmentation using hidden Markov models; and real-time fMRI. For long-running jobs or large memory needs we provide detailed guidance on high-performance computing clusters. These notebooks were successfully tested at multiple sites, including as problem sets for courses at Yale and Princeton universities and at various workshops and hackathons. These materials are freely shared, with the hope that they become part of a pool of open-source software and educational materials for large-scale, reproducible fMRI analysis and accelerated discovery.
Determining an Appropriate Outcome Measure in Neurosurgical Research: Investigating Meaningful, Valid, and Practical Metrics

Given the rapidly evolving pace of research and technology in the neurosurgical field, it is critical to consider the parameters of valid, practical, and meaningful study outcome measures. Here we review fundamental aspects of selecting outcome measures in the context of neurosurgical research. Exemplifying work in meningiomas and high-grade gliomas, we delineate a proposed framework for identifying an appropriate outcome measure. Four fundamental components of an outcome measure are defined and characterized: understanding characteristics of a good outcome measure; developing a research question to address an outcome measure; defining the outcome measure, and considering limitations of an outcome measure. This four-part framework enhances and promotes the methodology for determining if an outcome measure is valid, practical, and ultimately meaningful.
LOW FREE (BUT NOT TOTAL) 25-HYDROXYVITAMIN D LEVELS IN SUBJECTS WITH NORMOCALCEMIC HYPERPARATHYROIDISM.

Objective: Normocalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism (NPHPT) is characterized by elevated parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels with persistently normal calcium levels. The diagnosis of NPHPT assumes the absence of secondary causes of elevated PTH levels. The objective of the current study was to examine levels of free 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) in NPHPT subjects and healthy controls. Methods: Ten NPHPT subjects and 20 controls who were age, sex, race, and body mass index (BMI) matched were examined. The diagnosis of NPHPT was made if subjects had (1) a serum calcium level of 8.6 to 10.4 mg/dL, total 25(OH)D 30 to 40 ng/mL, and intact PTH (iPTH) ≥66 pg/mL; and (2) normal renal and liver function. Serum total 25(OH)D levels were measured by radioimmunoassay, and free 25(OH)D levels were determined using an enzyme-linked immunoassay. Results: Mean age of NPHPT subjects was 59.9 ± 5.4 years, and mean BMI was 28.4 ± 2.3 kg/m2, which was not significantly different from the mean age and BMI of the control subjects. Mean total 25(OH)D level was 31.9 ± 1.7 ng/mL in NPHPT subjects and did not differ from that of the controls (32.7 ± 3.3 ng/mL; P = .52). However, mean free 25(OH)D was 5.0 ± 0.9 pg/mL in NPHPT subjects, which was 20% lower compared to the mean of the controls (6.2 ± 1.3 pg/mL; P = .013). Serum iPTH levels were inversely correlated with levels of measured free 25(OH)D (r = -0.42; P .10). Conclusion: Measured free 25(OH)D levels are lower in NPHPT subjects than in healthy control subjects. We suggest that some NPHPT subjects may actually have secondary hyperparathyroidism based on their free 25(OH) D levels. Abbreviations: 25(OH)D = 25-hydroxyvitamin D; BMI = body mass index; CV = coefficient of variation; DBP = vitamin D-binding protein; iPTH = intact parathyroid hormone; NPHPT = normocalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism.
Extracting Subregular constraints from Regular stringsets

We introduce algorithms that, given a Finite-State Automaton (FSA), compute a minimal set of forbidden local factors that define a Strictly Local (SL) tight approximation of the stringset recognised by the FSA and the set of forbidden piecewise factors that define a Strictly Piecewise (SP) tight approximation of that stringset, as well as a set of co-SL factors that, together with the SL and SP factors provide a set of purely conjunctive literal constraints defining a minimal superset of the stringset recognised by the automaton. Using these, we have built computational tools that have allowed us to reproduce, by nearly purely computational means, the work of Rogers and his co-workers (Rogers et al. 2012) in which, using a mix of computational and analytical techniques, they completely characterised, with respect to the Local and Piecewise Subregular hierarchies, the constraints on the distribution of stress in human languages that are documented in the StressTyp2 database. Our focus, in this paper, is on the algorithms and the method of their application. The phonology of stress patterns is a particularly good domain of application since, as we show here, they generally fall at the very lowest levels of complexity. We discuss these phonological results here, but do not consider their consequences in depth.
The Emerging Roles of ATP-Dependent Chromatin Remodeling Complexes in Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive cancer with low survival rates. Genetic and epigenetic dysregulation has been associated with the initiation and progression of pancreatic tumors. Multiple studies have pointed to the involvement of aberrant chromatin modifications in driving tumor behavior. ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complexes regulate chromatin structure and have critical roles in stem cell maintenance, development, and cancer. Frequent mutations and chromosomal aberrations in the genes associated with subunits of the ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complexes have been detected in different cancer types. In this review, we summarize the current literature on the genomic alterations and mechanistic studies of the ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complexes in pancreatic cancer. Our review is focused on the four main subfamilies: SWItch/sucrose non-fermentable (SWI/SNF), imitation SWI (ISWI), chromodomain-helicase DNA-binding protein (CHD), and INOsitol-requiring mutant 80 (INO80). Finally, we discuss potential novel treatment options that use small molecules to target these complexes.
Automatic alignment of contemporary vector data and georeferenced historical maps using reinforcement learning

With large amounts of digital map archives becoming available, automatically extracting information from scanned historical maps is needed for many domains that require long-term historical geograp...