cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Exploring the Dependence of QM/MM Calculations of Enzyme Catalysis on the Size of the QM Region.

Although QM/MM calculations are the primary current tool for modeling enzymatic reactions, the reliability of such calculations can be limited by the size of the QM region. Thus, we examine in this work the dependence of QM/MM calculations on the size of the QM region, using the reaction of catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) as a test case. Our study focuses on the effect of adding residues to the QM region on the activation free energy, obtained with extensive QM/MM sampling. It is found that the sensitivity of the activation barrier to the size of the QM is rather limited, while the dependence of the reaction free energy is somewhat larger. Of course, the results depend on the inclusion of the first solvation shell in the QM regions. For example, the inclusion of the Mg2+ ion can change the activation barrier due to charge transfer effects. However, such effects can easily be included in semiempirical approaches by proper parametrization. Overall, we establish that QM/MM calculations of activation bar...
Microfabrication methods for W-band TWT circuits

Fabrication of slow-wave circuits for TWTs is challenging at frequencies in the upper millimeter-wave range, due to size and geometry limitations of available methods. We describe fabrication techniques being developed for mmW circuits based on microfabrication and additive manufacturing. We present progress on W-band serpentine waveguide circuits fabricated by UV-LIGA, 3D printing, and CNC machining.
Metal ion complexes of 2-picolinamineN-oxide

A series of cobalt(II), nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes of 2-picolinamineN-oxide, HA, has been prepared. Solids of formula [M(HA)3](BF4)2 (M=cobalt(II) or nickel(II); [Cu(HA)2]X2 (X=BF4−, NO3−); [Co(HA)2X2] (X=Cl− or Br−); [Ni(HA)2Cl2] and [Cu(HA)X2] (X=Cl− or Br−] have been isolated and characterized by partial elemental analyses, molar conductivities, magnetic susceptibilities, DSC-TGA, and spectral methods. All complexes were found to be monomeric, and their spectral parameters are compared with those of the metal ion complexes ofN-alkyl-2-picolinamineN-oxides, 2-dialkylaminopyridineN-oxides and 2-picolinamine. The cobalt(II) and nickel(II) halide complexes spectrally show a mixture of octahedral and tetrahedral centres.
Melanin ornament brightness and aggression at the nest in female Northern Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis)

ABSTRACT Research is increasingly addressing the evolution and use of sexually selected traits in females. One strong area of interest is the display of intrasexual aggression and how female ornaments are used in intrasexual competition. One particular type of ornament focused on for its use in intrasexual aggression in both sexes is the melanin pigmented ornaments. Over the course of 2 breeding seasons in a southeastern Mississippi population of cardinals, we assessed brightness of the melanin face mask plumage ornament in female Northern Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis) and compared it to behavioral responses during intraspecific simulated nest intrusions (SNIs). All females responded to the SNI, but face mask brightness did not co-vary with the level of aggression shown. Our findings do not support earlier work suggesting that the face mask in female Northern Cardinals is an indicator of aggression at the nest. Potentially, differences in behavior and environmental variables between populations of car...
Functional Characterization of Baxter's Recombinant Human ADAMTS13 Drug Candidate.

Abstract Abstract 2235 Baxter has developed a human recombinant (r) ADAMTS13 for treatment of patients with hereditary TTP. Here we characterize preclinical and clinical lots of rADAMTS13 with respect to their functional properties. The ability of rADAMTS13 to degrade human full-length rVWF under moderate denaturing conditions was analyzed by two functional assays (VWF:CB and VWF:RCo activity) and by gel electrophoresis (multimer analysis and immunoblot analysis). In all assays, the extent of rVWF degradation served as a direct measure for ADAMTS13 activity. VWF:CB activity of rVWF was reduced upon incubation with rADAMTS13, with only minimal differences between the individual batches. VWF:RCo activity of rVWF also declined after exposure to rADAMTS13, with no relevant differences between rADAMTS13 batches. Likewise, VWF multimer analysis demonstrated the disappearance of high molecular weight multimers upon incubation with rADAMTS13. Non-reducing SDS-PAGE followed by immunostaining using a polyclonal anti-human VWF antibody clearly showed the appearance of the C-terminal and N-terminal VWF fragments, with no visible differences in the intensity of these bands between preclinical and clinical Phase I rADAMTS13 batches. Proteolytic activity of rADAMTS13 towards its multimeric VWF substrate was confirmed in two flow-based assays using full-length rVWF as substrate. One assay was based on the VenaFlux platform technology and determined the rADAMTS13 concentration-dependent decrease of the surface coverage of fluorescently-labeled platelets that had been perfused together with red blood cells and rVWF over an adhesive surface of a microcapillary. The other assay measured the extent of VWF cleavage product generation after subjecting a reaction mixture consisting of multimeric rVWF, lyophilized platelets and rADAMTS13 to fluid shear stress on a vortex mixer. Both assays revealed a high comparability between preclinical and clinical batches. All assays thus demonstrated consistency between rADAMTS13 batches over different production stages. Importantly, comparability was also shown between the ADAMTS13 activity measured by the assays using full-length VWF as substrate and FRETS-VWF73 assay used for potency assignment of rADAMTS13. Disclosures: Rottensteiner: Baxter Innovations GmbH: Employment. Plaimauer: Baxter Innovations GmbH: Employment. Schrenk: Baxter Innovations GmbH: Employment. Schmidt: Baxter Innovations GmbH: Employment. Gruber: Baxter Innovations GmbH: Employment. Schreiner: Baxter Innovations GmbH: Employment. Turecek: Baxter Innovations GmbH: Employment. Scheiflinger: Baxter Innovations GmbH: Employment.
Countering Craving with Disgust Images: Examining Nicotine Withdrawn Smokers' Motivated Message Processing of Anti-Tobacco Public Service Announcements

There is a lack of research examining whether smoking cues in anti-tobacco advertisements elicit cravings, or whether this effect is moderated by countervailing message attributes, such as disgusting images. Furthermore, no research has examined how these types of messages influence nicotine withdrawn smokers' cognitive processing and associated behavioral intentions. At a laboratory session, participants (N = 50 nicotine-deprived adults) were tested for cognitive processing and recognition memory of 12 anti-tobacco advertisements varying in depictions of smoking cues and disgust content. Self-report smoking urges and intentions to quit smoking were measured after each message. The results from this experiment indicated that smoking cue messages activated appetitive/approach motivation resulting in enhanced attention and memory, but increased craving and reduced quit intentions. Disgust messages also enhanced attention and memory, but activated aversive/avoid motivation resulting in reduced craving and increased quit intentions. The combination of smoking cues and disgust content resulted in moderate amounts of craving and quit intentions, but also led to heart rate acceleration (indicating defensive processing) and poorer recognition of message content. These data suggest that in order to counter nicotine-deprived smokers' craving and prolong abstinence, anti-tobacco messages should omit smoking cues but include disgust. Theoretical implications are also discussed.
Molecularly targeted therapies for p53-mutant cancers

The tumor suppressor p53 is lost or mutated in approximately half of human cancers. Mutant p53 not only loses its anti-tumor transcriptional activity, but also often acquires oncogenic functions to promote tumor proliferation, invasion, and drug resistance. Traditional strategies have been taken to directly target p53 mutants through identifying small molecular compounds to deplete mutant p53, or to restore its tumor suppressive function. Accumulating evidence suggest that cancer cells with mutated p53 often exhibit specific functional dependencies on secondary genes or pathways to survive, providing alternative targets to indirectly treat p53-mutant cancers. Targeting these genes or pathways, critical for survival in the presence of p53 mutations, holds great promise for cancer treatment. In addition, mutant p53 often exhibits novel gain-of-functions to promote tumor growth and metastasis. Here, we review and discuss strategies targeting mutant p53, with focus on targeting the mutant p53 protein directly, and on the progress of identifying genes and pathways required in p53-mutant cells.
Histone Demethylation and MYC Activation Enhance Translational Capacity in Response to Amino Acid Restriction

Author(s): Cheng, Chen | Advisor(s): Kurdistani, Siavash K | Abstract: Nutrient limitation may elicit adaptive epigenetic changes but the nature and mechanisms of the cellular response to specific nutrient deficiencies are incompletely understood. We report that depriving human cells of amino acids (AAs) induces specific loss of histone H4 lysine 20 monomethylation (H4K20me1) from gene bodies and elevated binding of MYC at promoters genome-wide. These effects are most pronounced at ribosomal protein and translation initiation genes, which are transcriptionally upregulated, leading to enhanced protein synthetic capacity. Combination of SETD8, the H4K20 methyltransferase, depletion and MYC over-expression in rich media is required and sufficient to recapitulate the effects of AA restriction transcriptionally and functionally. Our data reveal an unexpected and epigenetically implemented increase in translational capacity when AAs are limiting. This adaptive response likely safeguards the proteome by making effective use of limited resources, and prepares the cell for swift initiation of protein synthesis when AAs are replenished.
Contending Stories: Narrative in Social Movements

Study of stories and storytelling in social movements can contribute to our understanding of recruitment that takes place outside formal movement organizations; social movement organizations' ability to withstand strategic setbacks; and movements' impacts on mainstream politics. This paper draws on several cases to illuminate the yields of such study and to provide alternatives to the overbroad, uncritical, and astructural understandings of narrative evident in some recent writings. It also urges attention to the role of literary devices in sociological analyses of collective action.
ECMO in the 90’S

The successful use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for cardiorespiratory support in a neonate marked the beginning of a new era in the treatment of critically ill patients with respiratory and cardiac dysfunction1, and started the development of neonatal ECMO centers across the United States and the world. Realizing that the successful growth of neonatal ECMO would require large scale collection of data, Bartlett and Toomasian established the ECMO Registry at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI and were instrumental in the charter meeting of 65 ECMO centers in September 1989, which led to the creation of the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO).
Phylogenetic Relationships of the Platyrrhini

The major problem addressed in this volume concerns the origin of the New World monkeys. This problem is sometimes simplified to the question of whether they came from North America or from Africa. However, the biological problem is actually more complex and can be treated as four separate hypotheses: (1) descent of platyrrhines from an omomyid ancestor from North America, independent of catarrhines (Gazin, 1958; Orlosky and Swindler, 1975; Patterson and Pascual, 1972, Stirton, 1951; Stirton and Savage, 1950; Szalay, 1975; Wood, 1973, 1977); (2) descent from adapids, again independent of catarrhines (Gingerich, 1973); (3) origin of a monophyletic Anthropoidea, from either omomyids or adapids. Anthropoidea may have evolved in Holarctica, with later independent southern migrations of catarrhines into Africa and platyrrhines into South America (Gingerich, 1975, 1977; Gingerich and Schoeninger, 1977; Simons, 1969, 1976; Simpson, 1978). Alternately, anthropoids may have evolved in Africa, with the subsequent introduction of platyrrhines into South America from Africa, most likely via rafting (Genet-Varcin, 1974; Hoffstetter, 1972, 1974; Lavocat, 1974; see also Szalay, 1976, for the possibility of a South American origin with subsequent rafting of catarrhines to Africa). In either case, the closest relatives of platyrrhines would be the Catarrhini. (4) The fourth possibility is that platyrrhines have a Cretaceous, pre-rift, African origin and may even be polyphyletic (Hershkovitz, 1972, 1974, 1977). Should this be the case, platyrrhines would not be expected to show any close, unified relationship to other primate groups of later origin, e.g., omomyids, adapids, or catarrhines.
Introduction to the Special Issue: Experiments on Environmental and Natural Resource Policies

Introduction to the Special Issue: Experiments on Environmental and Natural Resource Policies
How does supervisor-focused procedural justice explain the effects of person-focused leadership? The moderating role of leader-referenced relational-self

This study examines how the supervisor-focused procedural justice (SPJ) mediates the effect of benevolent paternalistic leadership on supervisor-directed organizational citizenship behaviour (OCBS)...
Estimates of the Energy of a Magnetic Monopole

As already mentioned, in order to find the mass of magnetically charged particles in the semiclassical approximation, we must calculate the minimum of the energy functional on the set of fields with non-zero magnetic charge. We first do this for models where the scalar field transforms according to the adjoint representation of the gauge group G. These include the Georgi-Glashow model, where G = SO(3), and the SU(5) grand unification model, if we restrict ourselves to the first symmetry breaking.
1 Advances in the Study of Electrochemical and Corrosion Phenomena in High Subcritical and in Supercritical Aqueous Solutions

Supercritical Water Oxidation (SCWO) is a promising technology for destroying highly toxic organic waste (including physiological agents) and for reducing the volume of low-level nuclear waste. For example, SCWO has been chosen by the US Army to destroy chemical agents, such as VX hydrolysate (product obtained by hydrolyzing the chemical agent VX with caustic) and a facility for meeting this goal is now operating in Newport, Indiana. However, other chemical agents as listed in Table 1 are scheduled to be treated in a similar manner. Note that the various agents contain sulfur, phosphorous, fluorine, and nitrogen (in the form of cyanide), so that complete oxidation is expected to produce the oxyacids and/or (depending upon the pH) oxyanions of these elements. The US Navy has also explored SCWO for destroying shipboard waste, including oils and greases, solvents, and paints. Various pilot plant commercial facilities have been built in the United States, Europe, and Japan with the goal of demonstrating the efficacy of the method for destroying resilient organic waste. A variant of SCWO that operates under less severe conditions has been developed by SRI International in the form of Assisted Hydrothermal Oxidation (AHO). This technology is now offered on a commercial basis by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, who operate a commercial pilot plant in Nagasaki, Japan. Given the increasing sensitivity of regulatory agencies and the general public to toxic waste, there is little doubt that the commercial and governmental application of SCWO will expand rapidly in the foreseeable future.
Lactate production in a pure red muscle in absence of anoxia: mechanisms and significance.

Lactate accumulation in tissue and release into the blood have long been used as indicators of tissue anoxia. The rationale for this approach is based on three assumtions: (1) Lactate accumulation and release results from stimulation of glycolysis. (2) Glycolysis is stimulated by a falling adenylate energy store. (3) The fall in adenylate energy results from oxygen-limited mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. A11 three assumptions may be true in certain circumstances. However, there may be other limits to ATP production in the mitochondria. Other kinds of signals may stimulate glycolysis, and the accumulation of lactate in the tissue may result from changes in processes other than lactate production. Finally, mitochondrial ATP production may be limited by factors other than oxygen supply. Therefore, while anoxia might cause lactate accumulation and release, lactate accumulation may not necessarily mean tissue anoxia.
Outrunning the risks: a behavioral risk profile of runners.

There is a need to assess better the relationship between physical activity and other health behaviors through population-based studies. Using the state-based Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, we examined the behavioral risk factors of smoking, alcohol use, hypertension detection, obesity, seat-belt use, and physical activity in 2,412 runners and 26,538 nonrunners. Our analyses demonstrated marked differences in behavioral risk profiles between runners and nonrunners. Runners, regardless of the amount of running, were more likely to be nonsmokers, be of normal weight, be normotensive, and regularly use seat belts than were nonrunners of similar age and sex. Patterns of alcohol use were not different when comparing male runners with male nonrunners. However, female runners were more likely to drink and drive and to use alcohol on a chronic basis compared to their nonrunning counterparts. The “runner’s lifestyle” may convey a certain level of protection from chronic disorders that are associated with these risk factors. However, further prospective studies are needed to examine in more detail the relationship of running to the risks and/or benefits for improved health.
Miniaturization of Explosive Technology and Microdetonics

Condensed phase explosives used in conventional explosive systems have a charge size on the order of a meter or a sizable fraction of a meter. We discuss a range of issues, theoretical, computational and experimental, required to scale the size of explosive systems downwards by a factor of one hundred to one thousand, applications and prospects for a ubiquitous new technology.
Sub-Class Differences of PH-Dependent HIV GP120-CD4 Interactions

Research in the field of HIV transmission has yet to provide a vaccine for this imponderable virus. Though progress has been made to extend the life of those chronically infected, a solution to the transmission of the disease remains elusive. Previous studies involving electrostatic surface charge analysis revealed the sensitivity of gp120 envelope (Env) protein function to changes in pH across levels consistent with those found in the human body. A prototype computational approach was developed and found to agree with these results. A refined process was developed capable of classifying Env sequences/structures through machine learning techniques. We expound this analytical procedure to encompass residue-level analysis and include minimization steps to ensure the integrity of the protein models. Additionally, the process has been enhanced with advanced data compression techniques to allow for more in-depth analysis of the systems. In this research we explore a new technique termed electrostatic variance masking (EVM), that reveals what we hypothesize to be the mechanistic residues responsible for the pH sensitivity of Env binding site. The data implies that a conserved set of core residues may be responsible for modulation of the binding process in varying environmental conditions mainly involving pH.
Spillover Effects of Status Demotion on Customer Reactions to Loyalty Reward Promotions: The Role of Need for Status and Exclusivity:

Prior research demonstrates that status demotion in the loyalty reward program heightens negative emotions, particularly when demotion is due to changes in company policies. In this research, we ar...
ZIDRES Law: Emergent Normative Foundation of State Legitimacy in Rural Areas in Colombia

This work builds off the observations of contemporary scholarship in the study of food security to explore its potential effects on the normative foundations of state legitimacy and rural governance. Today the concept of food security is different; states no longer need to primarily rely on domestic agricultural production to feed their population. Similarly, countries with available land for agriculture like Colombia are exposed to an increasing rush for land which is transforming the dynamics of rural governance. The article suggests that central government is willing to outsource governing functions in remote areas to private investors as long as they increase economic output, control populations and provide public goods. This finding has important implications for the post-conflict scenario in Colombia.
Use of bone age for evaluating bone density in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy: A preliminary report.

Introduction Patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) exhibit low bone mineral density and increased fracture risk. Because glucocorticoid therapy results in delayed puberty and short stature, it is important to account for delayed skeletal development when interpreting patients' bone mineral density. Methods Twelve glucocorticoid-treated patients with DMD were evaluated by dual x-ray absorptiometry scans and wrist x-rays to estimate bone density and bone age, respectively. Z-scores were determined on the basis of chronological age. Each patient was assigned a "corrected" birth date that was calculated according to bone age, and a bone-age-corrected z-score was determined. Results Z-scores adjusted for chronological age were lower than those adjusted for bone age. Discussion We suggest the use of bone age as an alternative to chronological age for analysis of bone mineral density in glucocorticoid-treated patients with DMD. Additional research is required to determine the optimal method to predict fracture risk in this patient group. Muscle Nerve 59:422-425, 2019.
Nationwide cohort study of independent risk factors for acute respiratory distress syndrome after trauma

Background The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of specific direct and indirect factors that accounted, in trauma patients, for the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and mortality in patients with ARDS. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients from the National Trauma Data Bank. Multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression was used with the development of ARDS as the primary and mortality in patients with ARDS as the secondary outcome measures. We compared trauma patients with versus without thoracic (direct) and extrathoracic (indirect) risk factors, using patient demographics, physiologic, and anatomic injury severity as covariates. Subset analysis was performed for patients with trauma-induced lung contusion (TILC) and for patients with minor (Injury Severity Score [ISS] ≤15) injury. Results A total of 2 998 964 patients were studied, of whom 28 597 developed ARDS. From 2011 to 2014, the incidence of ARDS decreased; however, mortality in patients with ARDS has increased. Predictors of ARDS included direct thoracic injury (TILC, multiple rib fractures, and flail chest), as well as indirect factors (increased age, male gender, higher ISS, lower Glasgow Coma Scale motor component score, history of cardiopulmonary or hematologic disease, and history of alcoholism or obesity). Patients with ARDS secondary to direct thoracic injury had a lower risk of mortality compared with patients with ARDS due to other mechanisms. Discussion Despite the decreasing incidence of trauma-induced ARDS, mortality in patients with ARDS has increased. Direct thoracic injury was the strongest predictor of ARDS. Knowing specific contributors to trauma-induced ARDS could help identify at-risk patients early in their hospitalization and mitigate the progression to ARDS and thereby mortality. Level of evidence Prognostic study, level III.
Complex and Diverse Rupture Processes of the 2018 Mw 8.2 and Mw 7.9 Tonga-Fiji Deep Earthquakes

Author Posting. © American Geophysical Union, 2019. This article is posted here by permission of American Geophysical Union for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Geophysical Research Letters 46(5), (2019):2434-2448, doi:10.1029/2018GL080997.
APPENDIX 3E Column Chromatography

Column chromatography is used extensively in nucleic acid chemistry to purify or characterize products from chemical reactions. This appendix focuses on separations using silica gel or alumina. The procedures described include loading the column, assembling the apparatus, separating compounds and collecting fractions, and optimizing chromatography conditions.
Overcoming the Silence: Race, Archaeology, and Memory

Economic and racial inequalities impact how sites are or are not recognized as having the attributes necessary to meet the criteria for historical preservation and commemoration, either under priva...
Role of 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT in a Case of SDHB-Related Pterygopalatine Fossa Paraganglioma Successfully Controlled with Octreotide.

We describe an unusual case of a 42-year-old female with an unresectable succinate dehydrogenase subunit B (SDHB)-related pterygopalatine fossa paraganglioma. She underwent somatostatin receptor imaging with 68Ga-DOTA(0)-Tyr(3)-octreotate (68Ga-DOTATATE) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT), which showed uptake in the above mentioned tumor. Hence, the patient was started on octreotide, a cold somatostatin analog, and responded with tumor stabilization and improvement of clinical symptoms for 36 months since initiation of octreotide therapy. This case demonstrates the role of 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT in diagnostic localization and its subsequent role in treatment using cold somatostatin analog as a potential choice of therapy in the management of paraganglioma in an unusual location with limited therapeutic options.
Documentation of the Expansion of the Gulf Coast Tick (Amblyomma maculatum) and Rickettsia parkeri: First Report in Illinois

The Gulf Coast tick, Amblyomma maculatum, is of public and veterinary health concern, as it is the primary vector of Rickettsia parkeri and Hepatozoon americanum, causative agents of Rickettsiosis and American canine hepatozoonosis. The Gulf Coast tick's range has expanded over the last 50 yr into the mid-Atlantic states, and its expansion is expected to continue northward. We are reporting the presence of A. maculatum for the first time in Illinois, including a total of 18 specimens collected at 6 different sites during surveys in 2013 and 2019. Fourteen of these specimens were screened for Rickettsia parkeri, which resulted in the detection of this bacteria in 8 samples from 4 counties. By depositing these specimens in scientific collections, we provide materialistic evidence of their establishment in 2 counties. We urge health officials to rely on and use scientific collections to document the expansion of these and other vectors across the country. Additionally, we recommend that health practitioners become aware of the clinical similarities between Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (caused by Rickettsia rickettsii) and “tidewater” fever (caused by R. parkeri).
Analysis of Noise Environment and Noise Reduction Measures in Urban 110kV Indoor Substations

With the rapid development of society and economy, the public awareness of environmental protection has gradually increased, and urban substation noise has become an environmental issue of concern to residents. In order to study the current status of the noise environment of urban substations, to guide the management of substation noise and the construction of transmission and transformation projects, this article selects 50 110kV indoor substations as objects, and measures their boundary noise. By analyzing the characteristics of the noise source of the substation with excessive noise and various noise reduction measures, the noise reduction methods suitable for urban indoor substations are summarized.
Long-term benefits to Indigenous communities of extractive industry partnerships: Evaluating the Red Dog Mine

Abstract Mining, and oil and gas companies developing resources on land historically occupied and used by Indigenous peoples have faced criticism for offering few benefits to local communities while inflicting environmental damage. The Red Dog Mine -- a joint venture between Teck Resources, Inc. and the NANA Regional Corporation -- has often been cited as an example for developing extractive industries in a way that does benefit Indigenous communities. The mine is located in an economically impoverished region in Northwest Alaska that has few other wage-earning opportunities for the largely Inupiat population. Although the mine has brought demonstrable financial benefits to the region, questions persist about its long-term benefits to local communities. This paper assesses a suite of long-term benefits of the Red Dog mine, based on findings from unique 14-year panel dataset. The paper focuses on the direct effects of the mine on the individual Indigenous workers of the region. Specifically, the analysis addressed the following set of questions: How does employment at Red Dog affect workers’ mobility and long-run earnings? How long do most local residents hired to work at the mine keep these jobs? What percentage of the mine workers live in the communities in the region, and what percentage of the total payroll do local workers receive? The findings illustrate the strengths and limitations of partnerships between Indigenous organizations and extractive industries, and offer insights relevant to Indigenous communities across the arctic and around the world as they plan development of local resources.
Automatic brain structure-guided registration of pre and intra-operative 3D ultrasound for neurosurgery

Image guidance aids neurosurgeons in making critical clinical decisions of safe maximal resection of diseased tissue. The brain however undergoes significant non-linear structural deformation on account of dura opening and tumor resection. Deformable registration of pre-operative ultrasound to intra-operative ultrasound may be used in mapping of pre-operative planning MRI to intraoperative ultrasound. Such mapping may aid in determining tumor resection margins during surgery. In this work, brain structures visible in pre- and intra-operative 3D ultrasound were used for automatic deformable registration. A Gaussian mixture model was used to automatically segment structures of interest in pre- and intra-operative ultrasound and patch-based normalized cross-correlation was used to establish correspondences between segmented structures. An affine registration based on correspondences was followed by B-spline based deformable registration to register pre- and intra-operative ultrasound. Manually labelled landmarks in pre- and intra-operative ultrasound were used to quantify the mean target registration error. We achieve a mean target registration error of 1.43±0.8 mm when validated with 17 pre- and intra-operative ultrasound image volumes of a public dataset.
178 ZINC DYSHOMEOSTASIS IN RATS WITH ALDOSTERONISM: RESPONSE TO SPIRONOLACTONE.

Purpose Congestive heart failure (CHF) with secondary aldosteronism is accompanied by a systemic illness that includes oxidative stress in diverse tissues. Endogenous antioxidant defenses include intra- and extracellular Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD), whose activities are dependent on the bioavailability of Cu and Zn. Hypozincemia occurs in patients with CHF. To elucidate potential mechanisms involved in Zn dyshomeostasis in CHF, we studied Zn balance, its tissue distribution, and plasma and tissue Cu/Zn-SOD activities in rats with aldosteronism. Methods and Results In rats receiving aldosterone/salt treatment (ALDOST) alone for 1 and 4 weeks or in combination with spironolactone (Spiro), an ALDO receptor antagonist, we monitored 24-hour urinary Zn excretion and tissue Zn levels in heart, liver, and skeletal muscle, together with tissue metallothionein (MT)-I, a Zn-binding protein, NADPH oxidase activation (gp91phox), and Cu/Zn-SOD activities in blood and tissues. Compared with untreated, age-/gender-matched controls (mean ± SEM), at days 7 and 28 of ALDOST, we found urinary Zn losses were increased (3.9 ± 0.2 vs 18.9 ± 3.1 and 20.2 ± 2.7 μg/24 h; p Conclusions Increased urinary Zn losses, together with Zn preferential translocation to sites of cardiac injury, contribute to Zn dyshomeostasis in rats with aldosteronism, and these responses can be prevented by Spiro. These findings shed light on hypozincemia found in CHF, where neurohormonal activation is present and Spiro cotreatment has proven efficacious.
Detubularized Ureterosigmoidostomy for the Creation of Continent Neobladder in Children: Cases Report and Review of the Literature.

Introduction: To report our experience in continent urinary diversions, we describe two cases we treated performing detubularized ureterosigmoidostomy. In children, in the case of malformations or neoplastic diseases affecting the bladder, the need for a cystectomy is not so frequent. When cystectomy becomes mandatory, there is a need to create a continent bladder diversion. Mainz pouch II and Cologne pouch are procedures that utilize a detubularized sigma as a reservoir in order to build up a continent neo-bladder. Materials and methods: This is a retrospective study performed at the Pediatric Surgical Unit of the Salesi Children’s Hospital. In this work, we reviewed data about two patients who underwent surgery for the creation of a sigmoid neo-bladder by the Mainz pouch II and Cologne pouch techniques. Results: In our experience, we treated a girl who was affected by a bladder’s rabdomiosarcoma and a girl born with a bladder exstrophy and treated at birth abroad. In both patients, a complete cystectomy was performed and a continent neo-bladder was created by a detubularized ureterosigmoidostomy. In the first case, we performed the Mainz pouch II technique and in the second, the Cologne pouch technique. Discussion: Different techniques have been developed with the main goal of the creation of an orthotopic neo-bladder, which has to be a low pressure reservoir with a continent sphincteric mechanism. Detubularized ureterosigmoidostomy is a good choice in pediatric patients. Our study, according to other works, shows that these procedure are safe with good long-term outcomes.
Outgunned No More?: Reviving a Firearms Industry Mass Tort Litigation, 49 Sw. L. Rev. 390 (2020)

In November 2019, the United States Supreme Court denied certiorari in Remington Arms Co. v. Soto, on appeal from the Supreme Court of Connecticut. In so doing, the U.S. Supreme Court let stand the Connecticut court’s determination that plaintiffs in gun litigation arising out of the 2012 Sandy Hook elementary school massacre could litigate wrongful death claims under Connecticut consumer protection and unfair trade practice statutes. In making that determination, the Connecticut Supreme Court held that the federal Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCCA) did not preempt the plaintiffs’ claims under state law. The Connecticut court decided that the plaintiffs’ claims came within PLCCA’s third exception to immunity, the so-called “predicate statute” exception. The Remington Arms litigation is important because it may signal a pathway for further firearms litigation against gun defendants in other states pursuant to state consumer and unfair trade practice statutes. This article assesses whether the Remington Arms precedent provides a possibility for reviving a firearms mass tort litigation, which possibility receded in the decade after congressional enactment of PLCCA. Evaluated in the context of well-known hallmarks of developing mass tort litigation, a firearms mass tort remains in a very nascent stage in the life cycle of mass tort litigation. It remains to be seen whether litigation against the gun industry will gain renewed traction as a consequence of the Connecticut Remington Arms litigation.
Early neuroadaptations to an obesogenic diet identify the schizophrenia-related ErbB4 receptor in obesity-induced hippocampal abnormalities

Abstract Childhood obesity leads to hippocampal atrophy and altered cognition. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these impairments are poorly understood. The neurotrophic factor neuregulin-1 (NRG1) and its cognate ErbB4 receptor play critical roles in hippocampal maturation and function. This study aimed to determine whether altered NRG1-ErbB4 activities may partly explain hippocampal abnormalities in rats exposed to an obesogenic Western-like diet (WD). Lewis rats were randomly divided into four groups (12 rats/group): 1) control diet+vehicle (CDV); 2) CD+NRG1 (CDN) (daily intraperitoneal injections: 5 μg/kg/day; between postnatal day, PND 21-PND 41); 3) WD+VEH (WDV); 4) WD+NRG1 (WDN). Neurobehavioral assessments were performed at PND 43-49. Brains were harvested for MRI and molecular analyses at PND 49. We found that NRG1 administration reduced hippocampal volume (7%) and attenuated hippocampal-dependent cued fear conditioning in CD rats (56%). NRG1 administration reduced PSD-95 protein expression (30%) and selectively reduced hippocampal cytokine levels (IL-33, GM-CSF, CCL-2, IFN-γ) while significantly impacting microglia morphology (increased span ratio and reduced circularity). WD rats exhibited reduced right hippocampal volume (7%), altered microglia morphology (reduced density and increased lacunarity), and increased levels of cytokines implicated in neuroinflammation (IL-1α, TNF-α, IL-6). Notably, NRG1 synergized with the WD to increase hippocampal ErbB4 phosphorylation and the tumor necrosis alpha converting enzyme (TACE/ADAM17) protein levels. Together, these data suggest a novel interaction between obesogenic diet exposure and TACE/ADAM17-NRG1-ErbB4 signaling during hippocampal maturation. Our results indicate that supraoptimal ErbB4 activities may contribute to the abnormal hippocampal structure and cognitive vulnerabilities observed in obese individuals. Highlights Obesogenic diet consumption during adolescence induces anxiety-like behaviors before the onset of obesity-related changes in metabolism. Obesogenic diet-driven abnormal behaviors co-occurred with alterations in hippocampal pro-inflammatory cytokine profiles. Obesogenic diet consumption attenuates exogenous NRG1 effects on hippocampal-related behaviors and structure. Exogenous NRG1 administration during adolescence resulted in reduced hippocampal volumes and domain-specific cognitive impairments. Exogenous NRG1 administration has potent immunomodulatory actions and alters hippocampal microglia morphology.
The Private Language Argument and a Second-Person Approach to Mindreading

I argue that if Wittgenstein’s Private language Argument is correct, then both Theory-Theory and Simulation Theory are inadequate accounts of how we come to know other minds since both theories assume the reality of a private language. Further, following the work of a number of philosophers and psychologists, I defend a ‘Second-Person Approach’ to mindreading according to which it is possible for us to be directly aware of at least some of the mental states of others. because it is not necessary to assume a private language within the Second-Person Approach, I argue that this account of social cognition is superior to Theory-Theory and Simulation Theory since it avoids the objections of the PlA.
A bootstrap test for instrument validity in heterogeneous treatment effect models

This paper develops a speci…cation test for the instrument validity conditions in the hetero- geneous treatment eect model with a binary treatment and a discrete instrument. A necessary testable implication for the joint restriction of instrument exogeneity and instrument monotonic- ity is given by nonnegativity of point-identi…able complier's outcome densities. Our speci…cation test infers this testable implication using a Kolmogorov-Smirnov type test statistic. We provide a bootstrap algorithm to implement the proposed test and show its asymptotic validity. The proposed test procedure can apply to both discrete and continuous outcome cases.
The Elementary Method and Consensual Probability

Our method for finding rational consensus rests on the fundamental assumption that members of a group have opinions about the dependability, reliability and rationality of other members of the group. Each member of the group is a source of information germane to deciding how much weight or respect should be given to the opinions or preferences of various members of the group. From this assumption we construct our model of rational consensus.
A Coaxial Dielectric Probe Technique for Distinguishing Tooth Enamel from Dental Resin

For purposes of biodosimetry in the event of a large scale radiation disaster, one major and very promising point-of contact device is assessing dose using tooth enamel. This technique utilizes the capabilities of electron paramagnetic resonance to measure free radicals and other unpaired electron species, and the fact that the deposition of energy from ionizing radiation produces free radicals in most materials. An important stipulation for this strategy is that the measurements, need to be performed on a central incisor that is basically intact, i.e. which has an area of enamel surface that is as large as the probing tip of the resonator that is without decay or restorative care that replaces the enamel. Therefore, an important consideration is how to quickly assess whether the tooth has sufficient enamel to be measured for dose and whether there is resin present on the tooth being measured and to be able to characterize the amount of surface that is impacted. While there is a relatively small commercially available dielectric probe which could be used in this context, it has several disadvantages for the intended use. Therefore, a smaller, 1.19mm diameter 50 ohm, open-ended, coaxial dielectric probe has been developed as an alternative. The performance of the custom probe was validated against measurement results of known standards. Measurements were taken of multiple teeth enamel and dental resin samples using both probes. While the probe contact with the teeth samples was imperfect and added to measurement variability, the inherent dielectric contrast between the enamel and resin was sufficient that the probe measurements could be used as a robust means of distinguishing the two material types. The smaller diameter probe produced markedly more definitive results in terms of distinguishing the two materials.
THE FUTURE OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTERS

In the past four years, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has experienced unprecedented changes in the ways it provides medical care, trains medical residents, and supports its clinical research program. For the most part, these changes have improved the quality and efficiency of care provided to veterans, and they have improved the chances that the VA will survive in an increasingly competitive medical market place. While the changes in priorities for training medical residents and funding clinical research have been designed to be more consistent with the overall mission of the VA, these changes have been stressful for many of the VA/medical school affiliations. Our challenge is to understand and manage these changes so that the many benefits that have derived from more than fifty years of VA/medical school affiliations can be retained.
Mining Transformed Data Sets

This research presents a method to select an ideal feature subset of original and transformed features. The feature selection method utilizes a genetic wrapper scheme that employs classification accuracy as its fitness function. The feature subset generated by the proposed approach usually contains features produced by different transformation schemes. The selection of transformed features provides new insight on the interactions and behaviors of the features. This method is especially effective with temporal data and provides knowledge about the dynamic nature of the process. This method was successfully applied to optimize efficiency of a circulating fluidized bed boiler at a local power plant. The computational results from the power plant demonstrate an improvement in classification accuracy, reduction in the number of rules, and decrease in computational time.
ENTEROCOLITIS FOLLOWING SURGERY FOR TOTAL COLONIC AGANGLIONOSIS |[lpar]|T|[period]| C|[period]| A|[period]||[rpar]|-A SYNDROME DUE TO BACTERIAL OVERGROWTH

Enterocolitis is evolving as a common entity in patients after surgery for T.C.A., irrespective of the surgical procedure. The syndrome is characterized by diarrhea, cachexia,and abdominal distention. We evaluated 3 childrens with this syndrome, aged 13 months, 14 months, and 6 years. Patients had evidence of marked small and large bowel dilatation on xray, confirmed on barium studies. Stool cultures were negative for all currently known enteropathogens and rotovirus. All patients had malabsorption as indicated by iron deficiency anemia, an abnormal stage 2 Schillings test, and abnormal lactose hydrogen breath test. Colitis and enteritis were documented on biopsy. Duodenal fluid cultures were negative for bacterial pathogens. Treatment: All patients were placed on hyperalimentation and total bowel rest. T.P.N. alone did not alleviate their symptoms. Metronidazole and Sulfasalizine therapy however induced remission in all 3 patients. Conclusions: Enterocolitis is common following surgery for T.C.A. 2. Malabsorption occurred in all 3 patients. 3. T.P.N., Sulfasalizine, and Metronidazole therapy resulted in remission in all 3 patients, supporting the role of bacterial overgrowth in the pathogenesis of this syndrome.
A single base mutation that substitutes serine for glycine 790 of the alpha 1 (III) chain of type III procollagen exposes an arginine and causes Ehlers-Danlos syndrome IV.

Previous observations (Stolle, C.A., Pyeritz, R.E., Myers, J.C., and Prockop, D.J. (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260, 1937-1944) indicated that fibroblasts from a proband with dominantly inherited Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV synthesized type III procollagen with a structural defect near the collagenase cleavage site at amino acid 781 and near the trypsin-sensitive site at 789. The type III procollagen was unusually sensitive to proteinases and cleaved by trypsin into a three-quarter fragment at 0 degrees C. Here we demonstrate that the mutation in the type III procollagen gene is a single base mutation that converts the codon for glycine at amino acid 790 of the alpha 1(III) chain to a codon for serine. The mutation probably makes the procollagen molecule unusually sensitive to proteases because it causes local unfolding of the triple helix and exposes the adjacent arginine residue. The results provide the first indication that not all glycine substitutions in the triple helices of fibrillar collagens are equivalent in terms of their effects of the biological function of the molecule.
Greek Tragedy and Political Philosophy: Rationalism and Religion in Sophocles' Theban Plays

1. Oedipus the tyrant and the limits of political rationalism 2. Blind faith and enlightened statesmanship in Oedipus at Colonus 3. The pious heroism of Antigone.