cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Use of Reproductive and Sexual Health Services Among Female Family Planning Clinic Clients Exposed to Partner Violence and Reproductive Coercion

To examine the associations of recent intimate partner violence (IPV) and reproductive coercion (RC) with frequency of use of reproductive and sexual health services, a cross-sectional survey was administered to 16-29 year old women seeking care in five family planning clinics (n = 1,262). We evaluated associations of recent experiences of IPV, RC, or both IPV and RC with recent care seeking for pregnancy testing, emergency contraception, and sexually transmitted infection testing using multinomial logistic regression. Sixteen percent of respondents reported IPV and 13.5 % reported RC in the past 3 months. Four percent of all respondents reported both IPV and RC. Recent RC without IPV was associated with increased odds of seeking one (AOR = 2.0, 95 % CI 1.3-2.9) or multiple pregnancy tests (AOR = 2.3, 95 % CI 1.2-4.5), multiple STI tests (AOR = 2.5, 95 % CI 1.5-4.1), or using emergency contraception once (AOR = 2.6, 95 % CI 1.2-5.8) or multiple times (AOR = 2.2, 95 % CI 1.7-2.7). Recent IPV without RC was associated with increased odds of seeking one (AOR = 1.4, 95 % CI 1.1-1.7) or multiple pregnancy tests (AOR = 2.2, 95 % CI 1.4-3.2) and using emergency contraception once (AOR = 1.6, 95 % CI 1.3-2.0). The combined effect of recent IPV and RC increased the odds of seeking multiple pregnancy tests (AOR = 3.6, 95 % CI 3.3-3.8), using emergency contraception multiple times (AOR = 2.4, 95 % CI 1.5-4.1) and seeking STI testing once (AOR = 2.5, 95 % CI 1.6-3.9) or multiple times (AOR = 2.9, 95 % CI 1.02-8.5). Frequent requests for pregnancy and STI testing and emergency contraception among young females seeking care may be an indicator of greater risk for recent RC, alone and in combination with IPV.
Food Habits of Macrochelys temminckii (Alligator Snapping Turtle) from Arkansas and Louisiana

Abstract Food habits of 109 Macrochelys temminckii (Alligator Snapping Turtles) collected from Arkansas and Louisiana were studied by examination of stomach and intestinal tract contents from harvested turtles. There was a positive correlation between the turtle carcass mass and the gastrointestinal tract content mass (r = 0.39106, p < 0.0001). The most commonly occurring prey item was fish, followed by Procambarus clarkii (crawfish), molluscs, turtles, insects, and Myocastor coypus (nutria). Other mammalian species occurred infrequently, as did snakes, birds, and crabs. Several species (Dasypus novemcinctus [armadillo], Didelphis virginiana [opossum], Sciurus sp. [squirrel], and Sus scrofa [hogs]) that have not previously been reported as prey items for Alligator Snapping Turtles were noted. Some prey items were recovered in intestinal tracts that were not observed in stomachs, illustrating the importance of examination of the entire gastrointestinal tract when evaluating food habits in this species. The...
PPP in Latin America: A Cointegration Test of the Casselian Hypothesis

This study examines the Casselian hypothesis that the removal of government restrictions on international trade tends to lead to purchasing power parity even if other barriers to trade continue to exist. Twenty pairs of countries within the Mercosur and the Andean trade agreements are tested for PPP using Johansen's cointegration technique. The results are compared both with the same pairs of countries before trade liberalization and with twenty-five pairs of countries outside the Mercosur and the Andean agreements. The results are consistent with the Casselian hypothesis.
Elementary Theory of the Properties of the Cuprates

Cuprates have proven to be superconducting at high temperatures.1,2 Mattheiss3 and Yu, Freeman, and Xu4 have already provided self-consistent LAPW calculations of the bands of La2CuO4, and Mattheiss has interpreted them in terms of a tight-binding description. Here we provide a preliminary account of an independent tight-binding analysis which provides a self-contained semiquantitative description of the bands, roughly consistent with those given earlier. It also allows estimates of the other properties of this system. In particular we analyze the vibrational and antiferromagnetic properties, finding in the nonmagnetic metallic state an electron-paramagnon coupling constant which becomes arbitrarily large as one approaches the antiferromagnetic state. It may thus account for the high-temperature superconductivity.
Mineral Composition of Brains of Normal and Multiple Sclerosis Victims

AbstractElemental contents of human brain samples were determined using plasma emission spectroscopy. White matter samples from brains of multiple sclerosis (MS) victims had significantly greater concentrations of calcium, iron, manganese, and zinc, and significantly less phosphorus, as compared with controls. Whether these differences in elemental concentrations indicate an etiogenic or pathogenic relationship between these elements and MS is not known.
Site Exchange in High Temperature Superconductors

Electron microscopical analysis of brown powders of composition YBa 2 Cu 3 O 6.5 produced by oil quenching and conventionally produced orthorhombic GdBa 2 Cu 3 O 7-δ show in both cases clear evidence for site exchange both between the different heavy metals and the heavy metals and the copper sites. For instance, the brown powder is a mixture of phases which are based upon two trigonal phases, both with a=0.536 and c=0.666 nm, one with the Y atoms stacked on the (111) planes of the parent perovskite structure and the second where the Y atoms of this structure have interchanged with one of the copper sites. The GdBa 2 Cu 3 O 7-δ , material shows numerous planar defects on (001) planes which can be understood as copper rich regions with additional copper planes in the Ba or Gd sites. These results, together with earlier reports of order-disorder in YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7-δ , strongly indicate that there exist ordering energies in these materials which may be important with respect to the current indications of the important of grain boundary phases in degrading the performance of some superconductors.
Calcium chelators enhance 45Ca accumulation in permeablized synaptosomes and in microsomes.

The study of intracellular Ca2+ regulation usually requires using calcium chelators to adjust [Ca2+]. We examined the effects of these chelators on calcium accumulation in microsomes and saponin-pe...
Single-Cell Quantification of Cytosine Modifications by Hyperspectral Dark-Field Imaging

Epigenetic modifications on DNA, especially on cytosine, play a critical role in regulating gene expression and genome stability. It is known that the levels of different cytosine derivatives are highly dynamic and are regulated by a variety of factors that act on the chromatin. Here we report an optical methodology based on hyperspectral dark-field imaging (HSDFI) using plasmonic nanoprobes to quantify the recently identified cytosine modifications on DNA in single cells. Gold (Au) and silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs) functionalized with specific antibodies were used as contrast-generating agents due to their strong local surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) properties. With this powerful platform we have revealed the spatial distribution and quantity of 5-carboxylcytosine (5caC) at the different stages in cell cycle and demonstrated that 5caC was a stably inherited epigenetic mark. We have also shown that the regional density of 5caC on a single chromosome can be mapped due to the spectral sensitivity of the...
Platelet factor 4 and the platelet secreted proteoglycan: immunologic characterization by crossed immunoelectrophoresis.

Platelet factor 4 (PF4) is a hydrophobic, alpha-granule protein with potent antiheparin activity. It also binds to a chondroitin sulfate- containing proteoglycan (PG) isolated from platelets. In order to evaluate further the relationship between PF4 and the chondroitin sulfate-containing proteoglycan in resting platelets, the PF4-binding proteoglycan from human platelets has been purified using purified PF4 as an affinity ligand and used to prepare polyclonal antiserum. Two antisera have been characterized: one reacts primarily with chondroitin sulfate (CS), the other reacts with the protein core of the platelet proteoglycan after chondroitinase AC digestion. PF4 and PG core protein antigen are present in separate, dissimilar precipitin arcs when triton- solubilized platelets are analyzed by crossed immunoelectrophoresis using polyclonal antisera to purified PF4 and PG. PF4 was demonstrated in a complex with a separate chondroitin sulfate antigen by crossed immunoelectrophoresis (CIE) experiments in which either anti-PF4 or anti-CS antisera was incorporated in the intermediate gel. Both the PF4- chondroitin sulfate complex and the proteoglycan are secreted from platelets when fresh, washed human platelets are stimulated by human alpha-thrombin. This second antigen may represent the PG after posttranslational modification of a precursor form of the proteoglycan.
The short-term impacts of development-induced displacement on wealth and subjective well-being in the Brazilian Amazon

Displacement due to development projects such as dams, mines, and urban infrastructure often leads to livelihood decline among affected communities. The challenge, therefore, lies in implementing projects that achieve national or regional development goals while also generating positive social and economic outcomes for displaced populations. This paper uses a longitudinal, mixed-methods design to understand the short-term changes in wealth and subjective well-being of households displaced due to construction of the Belo Monte Dam in the Brazilian Amazon. The households were compensated by either cash or credit for their lost land and assets, and were then responsible for finding and purchasing new property. Using pre- and post-displacement household survey and semi-structured interview data, as well as data from a small comparison group, I find that wealth increased for the majority of the study population and that socioeconomic inequality decreased, as poorer households experienced greater improvements in housing conditions, assets, and property ownership. In addition, subjective well-being improved for most households, particularly among those who did not own land at baseline, those who gained assets such as vehicles, those who remained closer to the original study area, and those who remained in close proximity to other households from the study population. Moving to an urban destination was strongly associated with declines in well-being, as was moving far from family or friends. These results suggest that investing sufficient resources in a compensation-based resettlement program can benefit households displaced by large infrastructure projects in the short term, but additional data collection is needed after the completion of dam construction to determine whether these benefits are sustained over the longer term.
A Question of Faith: A New Interpretation of Mencius 2B.13

This paper discusses some of the difficulties surrounding the interpretation of Mencius 2B. 13. After considering the most important traditional Chinese commentaries, the author discusses the interpretations of a number of modern scholars, from both the East and the West. He then offers two new interpretations and concludes that the second is the most appropriate.
An integrated inductive VR with a 250MHz all-digital multisampled compensator and on-chip auto-tuning of coefficients in 130nm CMOS

This paper presents a bond-wire inductance and on-die capacitance based high-frequency Integrated Voltage Regulator (IVR) with multi-sampled digital controller and all-digital auto tuning engine to tolerate parameter variations of on-die/package-integrated passives. A 130nm CMOS test-chip demonstrates a 125MHz IVR with 250MHz compensator. The auto-tuning shows enhanced performance and stable operation even under ±50% inductance changes. A resistive transient assist (RTA) circuit is presented with up to 2.5x enhancement in transient settling times. A peak efficiency of 71% is measured.
A method for network-coded broadcast in an ad hoc network

We present results on the performance of a network-coding based method for broadcast file delivery in an ad hoc network consisting of half-duplex packet radios. Our technique allows a receiver to exploit the broadcast nature of the wireless medium by overhearing packets sent by a node that is not necessarily one of the receiver's designated relays. Delivery of the file to the remote destinations is expedited by making efficient utilization of nodes that obtain the file from the source before the relay nodes obtain it. Nodes are not required to transmit multiple packets simultaneously or receive packets from multiple senders simultaneously. An adaptive modulation and channel coding protocol is used to mitigate the effects of fading and shadowing. Performance results are provided for two forms of network coding, fountain coding and random linear network coding.
Adaptive Fault Localization in Photovoltaic Systems

The photovoltaic (PV) technology has experienced a rapid growth in deployment over the past years. To ensure the performance and safety of the PV system, it is necessary to develop techniques that can efficiently localize faults or failures that occur among its components. In this paper, a fast fault localization algorithm is proposed for PV systems under the sequential change detection framework. In particular, multiple output signals are measured at each string, and the time correlation of the faulty signal and the signal correlation among different meters are exploited by using a vector autoregressive model to describe the fault. A fault localization algorithm is developed based on the generalized local likelihood ratio test which captures any possible patterns of abnormalities at each string. Meanwhile, a selective sampling strategy is implemented at the fusion center to tackle the constraints of communication and processing capacities. Extensive simulation results demonstrate that the proposed method achieves fast detection and high localization accuracy. Moreover, a key feature of the proposed method is that it can adaptively localize different faults without any prior knowledge about possible faulty patterns.
Synthesis and property of polyimines containing 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutadiimine moiety

Although 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutadione (TMCBDI) has been known for more than 50 years, it has never been used for synthesis of polymer primarily due to its inefficiency in direct polycondensation reaction. We report the first synthesis of high molecular weight polyimines prepared from TMCBDI using Pd-catalyzed Suzuki coupling polymerization. To overcome sluggish condensation polymerization of TMCBDI, it was first converted to diimine monomer containing phenyl bromide on both sides (compound 1) via condensation reaction and polymerized with three different examples aryl diboronate compounds (2a, 2b, 2c). The resulting polyimines (3a, 3b, 3c) were found to exist in a mixture of E and Z isomers in a ratio of 2:1. The number and weight average molecular weights of polyimines were high considering the rigidity of the backbone structure: 20,000 and 44,300 g/mol and 23,100 and 40,500 g/mol for 3a and 3b, respectively. They also showed good thermal stability over 340 °C and a high glass transition temperature over 220 °C. There was no observable photoluminescence from the polyimines in the range of 800 to 300 nm. Apparently, the TMCBDI moiety disrupts electron delocalization in conjugated backbone of polymer chains.
Discrimination Against the Elderly Within a Consequentialist Approach to Health Care Resource Allocation

In this chapter, I examine the implications for discrimination against the elderly of a consequentialist approach to health care resource allocation. While the moral theory called “consequentialism” may be unfamiliar to many health policy analysts and others, consequentialism supports a familiar form of allocation and prioritization of health care services — cost effectiveness and cost benefit analyses. Explicit and formal resource allocation and prioritization of health care services are increasing both on local and global levels by means of one or another form of cost effectiveness analysis, often employing the concept of a quality adjusted life year (QALY). Thus, the ethical issues raised by resource allocation from a consequentialist moral perspective are essentially the same as those raised by the quite common use of cost effectiveness analysis to make allocation decisions. Consequentialism is not an esoteric moral theory of interest mainly to professional philosophers, but rather a moral theory that supports one of the more common formal and explicit methods and standards for resource allocation decisions in health policy in use today throughout the world.
Another Life is Possible: Black Fugitivity and Enclosed Places

The Black fugitive in the United States has been a metaphorical and literal construction for both exposing oppressive forms of state governance and the development of strategic plans to achieve freedom from the state. Commonly thought of within a historical setting, the Black fugitive in this article is situated within the contemporary urban setting of Los Angeles, California. As told through the lived experience of young Black residents of the city, the narrative of fugitivity exposes the false promises of state governance, which is theorized as an enclosure. Specifically, this article focuses on self-removal from the state structure of formal education as a vehicle to understand Black fugitivity as a generative source of freedom from violent forms of state governance.
Analyzing the factors that influence U.S. public support for exporting natural gas

Abstract The U.S. is now the global leader in natural gas production. The federal government is changing policies and priorities to expand natural gas export to foreign energy markets. Such an expansion requires increased pipeline capacity and the development of export terminals for shipping. While natural gas export is a burgeoning energy and environmental issue, we know little about what influences public support/opposition for the practice. Such information is vital to all levels of government and stakeholders. Using a national online survey sample (n = 1042), we examine what factors influence public support/opposition. Results of regression analysis indicate that supporters tend to be male, hold a bachelor's degree or higher, wealthier, politically conservative, and reference affective images of the economy, energy, and trade. In contrast, opponents tend to be women, politically liberal, and reference affective images related to keeping natural gas in the U.S., the environment, and hydraulic fracturing. Based on these findings, we discuss implications for energy policy, public communication about this issue, and future research.
A topographical and clinical approach to examination of the placenta

Placental examination can be frustrating because of a perceived lack of usefulness and other limitations. A systematic examination employing a topographic approach that will eliminate gross omissions is described. This approach is used at the time of gross and histological examination. Histologically, the umbilical cord is examined from the surface to the inside, while the amniochorial membranes and placental disc are examined from the foetal to maternal surfaces. It is possible to accrue useful information when the placenta is examined this way. This information then can be correlated with the clinical details and indications for the placental examination.
Fullerenes in Environmental Samples: C60 in Atmospheric Particulate Matter

Abstract Combustion processes can form fullerenes (C60). Therefore we investigate the occurrence of C60 in various atmospheric environments. The detection and quantification is achieved with the highly specific and sensitive method of liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry following solvent extraction of the samples. C60 was detected in the air particulates of a parking garage and the exhaust soot of a diesel truck. These results would indicate that fullerenes are incidentally produced from combustion processes and become associated with atmospheric particulate matter. However C60 is susceptible to atmospheric oxidation processes. In particular ozonation tests on solid C60 confirm the production of fullerene-based compounds such as C60O. Such oxidation and alteration of the molecular structure of the fullerenes would explain the low ambient concentrations observed respectively the inability to detect C60 in ambient air in many locations, further away from potential emission sources. These results have significant policy implications including considering incidental sources of C60 in addition to engineered C60 added to commercial products, and understanding environmental oxidation processes for C60 in conjunction with quantifying transformation products.
Determining the Phosphorylation Status of Hippo Components YAP and TAZ Using Phos-tag

Protein phosphorylation is one of the most important posttranslational modifications in cell signaling and regulation. Protein phosphorylation can be detected by site-specific phospho-antibodies, but generating these antibodies can be costly, time-consuming, and difficult. Recently, Phos-tag technology has been developed to detect protein phosphorylation. Here, we describe our method for using Phos-tag gels to compare the phosphorylation status of YAP and TAZ, the most important downstream effectors of the Hippo pathway.
Getting to the CORE: Putting an End to the Term “Soft Skills”:

We need to retire the term “soft skills.” A new vocabulary for describing critical social and organizational skills is long overdue. Substituting the acronym “CORE” (Competence in Organizational an...
Resident stories and digital storytelling for participatory place branding

Extending from current participatory place branding scholarship, this article presents a framework for applying digital storytelling (DST) to place branding. DST, or individual narratives recorded and distributed through various media, encourage residents to share their place impressions and experiences in meaningful ways. DST exemplifies the participatory place branding initiative by engaging residents in all parts of the branding process, integrating distinctive place-specific features and promoting a collaborative place brand. At the same time, residents feel empowered to share their stories and community initiatives are supported. Describing a DST-facilitated approach for participatory place branding, this article explores how place brand practitioners can encourage residents to take responsibility for the place brand while mediating multiple voices and visions into a unique place brand narrative.
Reactions of cationic dinuclear molybdenum complexes containing μ-sulfido and μ-thiolate ligands

Cationic dinuclear molybdenum complexes with bridging sulfido and thiolate ligands of the formula [(CpMo)2(µ-S2CH2)(µ-S)(µ-SR)]− have been found to show extensive reactivity with molecular hydrogen and with organic molecules that results in the cleavage of C-C, C-N, and C-O bonds. The scope of the reactivity and mechanistic information are reviewed in this paper, and the potential relevance of the reactions to those of heterogeneous molybdenum sulfide catalysts in the hydrotreating process is discussed. Studies of the complex redox chemistry and of the electrophilic and nucelophilic sites within the dinuclear derivatives provide an important basis for understanding the bond cleavage reaction mechanisms, and these topics are also reviewed here.
Combined Internal Maxillary Artery to Middle Cerebral Artery and In Situ Middle Cerebral to Middle Cerebral Artery Bypass for Complex Middle Cerebral Artery Aneurysm: 3-Dimensional Operative Video.

Flow-replacement revascularization and/or flow augmentation surgery may be necessary for safe deconstruction of complex middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysms. Roughly 1% to 2% of all MCA aneurysms have angiographic features prohibiting standard microsurgical or endovascular management. Consent was obtained from the patient for the production of this video. No International Review Board approval was required for the creation of this video. A 17-yr-old female presented at the age of 15 with headaches. At the time of initial presentation, the patient was found to have an MCA bifurcation aneurysm. Initially, the aneurysm was managed conservatively and followed. However, on follow-up imaging, the aneurysm was found to have grown and developed into a large, complex MCA bifurcation aneurysm. Patient underwent planned trapping and deconstruction of the aneurysm. An internal maxillary artery (IMAX) to MCA bypass was performed using a cephalic vein graph to a robust inferior MCA branch combined with an in Situ MCA to MCA bypass. Follow-up angiography showed complete occlusion of the aneurysm. Patient was neurologically intact at 1-yr follow-up. Microsurgery continues to be the best treatment option for complex MCA aneurysms. A surgeon trained in bypass is an absolute prerequisite for management of those lesions. The IMAX offers an ideal high flow donor vessel for subcranial to intracranial flow replacement, which was required for re-establishment of flow to the robust inferior MCA branch in this case. The superior branch of the MCA was less robust. Therefore, by recreating a more distal bifurcation, the in Situ side-to-side MCA-MCA bypass simplified the revascularization strategy.
Fever Characteristics and Risk of Serious Bacterial Infection in Febrile Infants

Abstract Background Fever is a common complaint in the pediatric emergency department (ED), but the vast majority of children evaluated with fever do not have a serious bacterial infection (SBI). However, in the neonate, a missed SBI can have devastating consequences. Objectives To determine the association between various fever characteristics and the risk of SBI in febrile infants. Methods This is a secondary analysis of the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network study on febrile infants. Infants with a fever were prospectively enrolled at 26 enrolling EDs between 2008 and 2013. We analyzed association of height of fever, location of where temperature was taken (enrolling ED vs. non-health care location), and duration of fever with SBI. Results We included 4821 patients who had at least a blood culture completed. Height of fever was significantly associated with risk of SBI, with an odds ratio of 1.5 (95% confidence interval 1.2–1.8). Duration of fever was not associated with risk of SBI, and a fever taken in the enrolling ED vs. at a non-health care facility was minimally associated with risk of SBI (odds ratio 1.3, 95% confidence interval 1.0–1.5). Conclusion In all analyses, height of fever was associated with all three major types of SBI in febrile infants. Duration and location of fever were less reliably associated with risk of SBI, but there was a small association of risk of SBI and a fever taken at the enrolling ED vs. at a non-health care location.
Highly Compact, Multiband Composite-Right/Left-Handed(CRLH) Transmission Line Based Stub for GPS Applications

A highly compact, multiband composite right/left-handed (CRLH) transmission line based stub for tri-band applications with two GPS (L1, L2) frequencies, and GSM frequency, is demonstrated. The advantages of this work are as follows: 1) The three frequencies are covered by a single /4 stub, providing compactness and reducing system complexity; 2) By using a substrate with a high dielectric constant, additional size reduction is realized. The lumped element circuit model has been designed using Advanced Design Systems (ADS, Keysight Technologies Inc.) and the parameters are calculated based on the bridged-CRLH (B-CRLH) circuit model. Distributed components have been designed with a numerical simulation program, High Frequency Structure Simulator (HFSS, ANSYS Inc.). The CRLH based quarter wavelength stub is characterized by the frequency-phase dispersion diagram and scattering parameters. The demonstrated design uses a meander line structure in an M-shape, the so-called M-CRLH, to provide the shunt and series capacitance and inductance, and the bridge inductance. An open-circuited quarter wavelength (λ/4) tri-band CRLH transmission line based stub is fabricated and characterized.
Electrochemical paper-based devices: sensing approaches and progress toward practical applications

Paper-based sensors offer an affordable yet powerful platform for field and point-of-care (POC) testing due to their self-pumping ability and utility for many different analytical measurements. When combined with electrochemical detection using small and portable electronics, sensitivity and selectivity of the paper devices can be improved over naked eye detection without sacrificing portability. Herein, we review how the field of electrochemical paper-based analytical devices (ePADs) has grown since it was introduced a decade ago. We start by reviewing fabrication methods relevant to ePADs with more focus given to the electrode fabrication, which is fundamental for electrochemical sensing. Multiple sensing approaches applicable to ePADs are then discussed and evaluated to present applicability, advantages and challenges associated with each approach. Recent applications of ePADs in the fields of clinical diagnostics, environmental testing, and food analysis are also presented. Finally, we discuss how the current ePAD technologies have progressed to meet the analytical and practical specifications required for field and/or POC applications, as well as challenges and outlook.
A Shift from Value- to Saliency- Neural Encoding of Subjective Value in Combat Veterans with PTSD during Decision Making under Uncertainty

Combat soldiers are vulnerable to Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), following traumatic experiences in the battlefield. Studies have often used fear-related design to unravel the underlying neural deficits of learning and emotion regulation in PTSD patients. However, the role of individual uncertainty attitudes in the development of trauma-related psychopathology has hardly been examined, especially that uncertainty is highly related to the traumatic experiences from the battlefield. Through a monetary gambling paradigm inspired by behavioral economics, we explore the neural markers of PTSD symptoms of combat veterans in the realm of decision making, focusing on the subjective valuation of uncertain monetary gains and losses. We identify increased behavioral aversion to risky monetary gains and ambiguous monetary losses related to higher PTSD symptom severity. We find the key role of the emotional numbing cluster of PTSD symptoms in influencing the general activities of ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) during valuation. We further suggest that a shift from value- to saliency- encoding pattern of subjective values across rewards and punishments in the valuation neural system, especially in ventral striatum, exist in combat veterans with PTSD, compared with trauma-exposed controls. Our results elucidate the increased neural sensitivity to highly salient rewards and punishments related to PTSD symptoms, and at the same time, point to the fundamental differences in brain regions involved in reward- and punishment- processing. We also identify potential resiliency neural mechanisms that could protect trauma-exposed individuals against developing PTSD symptoms.
Aspects of Executive Dysfunction and Racial/Ethnic Minority Status Are Associated With Unemployment Duration in Veterans With a History of Mild-to-Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury.

Abstract Objective To examine demographic, psychiatric symptom, and neuropsychological performance factors associated with duration of unemployment in Iraq/Afghanistan Veterans with a history of mild-to-moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI). Design Cross-sectional, secondary data analysis of baseline measures in a supported employment study. Setting VA medical center. Participants Participants (N=50) were veterans with a history of mild-to-moderate TBI who were unemployed, stating a goal of returning to work, and had documented impairment in at least 1 neuropsychological domain. Participants were referred from VA vocational and assessment-based clinics. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Duration of unemployment, neuropsychological, and psychiatric symptom assessments. Results Bivariate correlations revealed that longer duration of unemployment was associated with greater posttraumatic stress disorder (P Conclusions Our results underscore the importance of objective assessment of cognitive functioning in job-seeking Veterans with TBI histories. It may be useful to target aspects of executive functioning in vocational rehabilitation interventions and to provide additional assistance to Veterans from racial/ethnic minority groups.
Noise-driven evolution in stellar systems: A universal halo profile

Using the theory describing the evolution of a galaxy halo due to stochastic fluctuations developed in the companion paper, we show that a halo quickly evolves toward the same self-similar profile, independent of its initial profile and concentration. The self-similar part of profile takes the form of a double power law with inner and outer exponents taking the values near -1.5 and -3 respectively. The precise value of the inner exponent depends on the magnitude and duration of the noisy epoch and most likely on form of the inner profile to start. The outer exponent is the result of evolution dominated by the external l=1 multipole resulting from the inner halo's response to noise. Three different noise processes are studied: (1) a bombardment by blobs of mass small compared to the halo mass (`shrapnel'); (2) orbital evolution of substructure by dynamical friction (`satellites'); and (3) noise caused by the orbit of blobs in the halo (`black holes'). The power spectra in the shrapnel and satellite cases is continuous and results in the double power law form, independent of initial conditions. The power spectrum for black holes is discrete and has a different form with a much slower rate of evolution. A generic prediction of this study is that noise from transient processes will drive evolution toward the same double power law with only weak constraints on the noise source and initial conditions.
Bartonella Associated Cutaneous Lesions (BACL) in People with Neuropsychiatric Symptoms

Bartonella species are globally important emerging pathogens that were not known to infect animals or humans in North America prior to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic. Ongoing improvements in diagnostic testing modalities have allowed for the discovery of Bartonella species (spp.) DNA in blood; cerebrospinal fluid; and the skin of patients with cutaneous lesions, fatigue, myalgia, and neurological symptoms. We describe Bartonella spp. test results for participants reporting neuropsychiatric symptoms, the majority of whom reported the concurrent development of cutaneous lesions. Study participants completed a medical history, a risk factor questionnaire, and provided cutaneous lesion photographs. Bartonella spp. serology and Bartonella alpha proteobacteria enrichment blood culture/PCR were assessed. Within a 14-month period, 33 participants enrolled; 29/33 had serological and/or PCR evidence supporting Bartonella spp. infection, of whom 24 reported concurrent cutaneous lesions since neuropsychiatric symptom onset. We conclude that cutaneous lesions were common among people reporting neuropsychiatric symptoms and Bartonella spp. infection or exposure. Additional studies, using sensitive microbiological and imaging techniques, are needed to determine if, or to what extent, Bartonella spp. might contribute to cutaneous lesions and neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients.
Construing the Canon: An Exegesis of Regulatory Takings Jurisprudence after Lingle V. Chevron

Regulatory takings has long been considered one of the more confused areas of constitutional analysis. Since the Supreme Court's opinion in Penn Central Transportation Company v. City of New York, the law of regulatory takings has been characterized by varying analytical tests, competing theories, seemingly results-oriented decision-making, and a conflation with the law of substantive due process. In 2005, however, the Court made substantial strides in bringing some clarity to this area with its decision in Lingle v. Chevron U.S.A., Inc. In that case, the Court unanimously rejected the substantially advances test, demonstrating a rare willingness to discard prior precedent as well as to divorce takings law from that of due process. Moreover, the Court unanimously reaffirmed five other decisions (Penn Central, Loretto, Nolan, Lucas, and Dolan) that now govern the regulatory takings inquiry. This article argues that these five decisions, along with Lingle itself, should be considered uniquely authoritative (akin to a canon of sacred writings) with regard to takings analysis. By reading this canon exegetically - that is, by divining the intent of the Court through the language and context of the decisions viewed as if they were components of a single, unified text - it is possible to perceive a way out of the takings muddle. Viewing the cases in this manner, the canon presents a clearer picture of the overarching themes and characteristics of regulatory takings, as well as a greater coherence in the frameworks under which takings claims should be analyzed. This article seeks to elucidate those themes and characteristics, explain the analytical frameworks, and raise issues that continue to require the Court's attention.
Pulmonary Vein Stenosis in Children: A Programmatic Approach Employing Primary and Anatomic Therapy

Pulmonary vein stenosis (PVS) is a difficult condition to treat due to recurrence and progression. In 2017, we developed a comprehensive PVS Program at our center to address the multidisciplinary needs of these patients. We discuss the components of our program and our approach to these patients, using a combination of primary (medical) therapy in addition to anatomic therapy to preserve vessel patency. A multidisciplinary approach to treating these challenging patients is critical.
LLSC: a parallel symbolic execution compiler for LLVM IR

We present LLSC, a prototype compiler for nondeterministic parallel symbolic execution of the LLVM intermediate representation (IR). Given an LLVM IR program, LLSC generates code preserving the symbolic execution semantics and orchestrating solver invocations. The generated code runs efficiently, since the code has eliminated the interpretation overhead and explores multiple paths in parallel. To the best of our knowledge, LLSC is the first compiler for fork-based symbolic execution semantics that can generate parallel execution code. In this demonstration paper, we present the current development and preliminary evaluation of LLSC. The principle behind LLSC is to automatically specialize a symbolic interpreter via the 1st Futamura projection, a fundamental connection between interpreters and compilers. The symbolic interpreter is written in an expressive high-level language equipped with a multi-stage programming facility. We demonstrate the run time performance through a set of benchmark programs, showing that LLSC outperforms interpretation-based symbolic execution engines in significant ways.
Efficient hemogenic endothelial cell specification by RUNX1 is dependent on baseline chromatin accessibility of RUNX1-regulated TGFβ target genes

Hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) are generated de novo in the embryo from hemogenic endothelial cells (HECs) via an endothelial-to-hematopoietic transition (EHT) that requires the transcription factor RUNX1. Ectopic expression of RUNX1 alone can efficiently promote EHT and HSPC formation from embryonic endothelial cells (ECs), but less efficiently from fetal or adult ECs. Efficiency correlated with baseline accessibility of TGFβ-related genes associated with endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) and participation of AP-1 and SMAD2/3 to initiate further chromatin remodeling along with RUNX1 at these sites. Activation of TGFβ signaling improved the efficiency with which RUNX1 specified fetal ECs as HECs. Thus, the ability of RUNX1 to promote EHT depends on its ability to recruit the TGFβ signaling effectors AP-1 and SMAD2/3, which in turn is determined by the changing chromatin landscape in embryonic versus fetal ECs. This work provides insight into regulation of EndoMT and EHT that will guide reprogramming efforts for clinical applications.
John Richardson Marrack

Because of the frequency of multiple sites of involvement, a thorough evaluation of the entire spinal canal is essential for detection and treatment of spinal compression in cancer patients. For the examination of the entire spinal canal in cancer patients, a modified approach is described using water-soluble contrast medium (metrizamide), oil-based material (Pantopaque), and a “squeezing” technique for a complete myelographic block. Of 240 patients who underwent myelography for possible spinal compression, the squeezing technique was applied through a lumbar puncture to demonstrate a complete block in 39 patients; six of these had more than one block. Of the other 201 patients, the quality of the myelograms was satisfactory or excellent in 189 (94%).
Perceived Stress, Energy Drink Consumption, and Academic Performance among College Students.

Abstract Objective: This study explored relationships regarding perceived stress, energy drink consumption, and academic performance among college students. Participants: Participants included 136 undergraduates attending a large southern plains university. Methods: Participants completed surveys including items from the Perceived Stress Scale 1 and items to describe energy drink consumption, academic performance, and demographics. Results: Positive correlations existed between participants’ perceived stress and energy drink consumption. Participants’ energy drink consumption and academic performance were negatively correlated. Freshmen (M = 0.330) and sophomores (M = 0.408) consumed a lower number of energy drinks yesterday than juniors (M = 1.000). Males reported higher means than females for selected energy drink consumption items. Statistically significant interactions existed between gender and year in school for selected energy drink consumption items. Conclusions: Results confirm gender differences...
On the computation of Tricomi's ψ function

Two methods for calculating Tricomi's confluent hypergeometric function are discussed. Both methods are based on recurrence relations. The first method converges like $$\exp ( - \alpha |\lambda |^{1/3} n^{2/3} )for some \alpha > 0$$ and the second like $$\exp ( - \beta |\lambda |^{1/2} n^{1/2} )for some \beta > 0.$$ Several examples are presented.
Cellular and molecular mechanisms whereby dietary restriction extends healthspan: a beneficial type of stress

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the cellular and molecular mechanisms, whereby dietary restriction extends healthspan. The mean and maximum life spans of a range of mammals, including rodents and probably monkeys can be increased by up to 50% simply by reducing their calorie intake as long as nutrition is maintained. Such caloric restriction (CR) shows to extend life span in an amount-dependent manner such that the length of life span extension increases as the amount of calorie intake decreases. The amount of life span extension is also related to the age at which CR is initiated—the later in life CR is initiated, the less that life span is extended. Some types of stress are beneficial for organisms–dietary restriction (DR) appears to be a prominent example of such a beneficial stress. DR extends life span and increases the resistance of a variety of organisms, including rodents and primates, to disease. The implications of the findings obtained in studies of rodents and monkeys for humans are important. They suggest that the risk of age-related disorders such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders can be decreased by diets in which calorie intake and/or meal frequency is decreased.
The Advanced Information Management Prototype

The Advanced Information Management Prototype is a system that has been designed and implemented as research vehicle for the area of non-standard database applications. It is an object oriented system heavily influenced by the ideas of nested relations (e.g. NF2, VERSO).
Pd-Modified Reactive Air Braze for Increased Melting Temperature

Complex high temperature devices such as planar solid oxide fuel cell (pSOFC) stacks often require a two-step sealing process. For example, in pSOFC stacks the oxide ceramic fuel cell plates might be sealed into metallic support frames in one step. Then the frames with the fuel plates sealed to them would be joined together in a separate sealing step to form the fuel cell stack. In this case, the initial seal should have a sufficiently high solidus temperature that it will not begin to remelt at the sealing temperature of the material used for the subsequent sealing step. Previous experience has indicated that, when heated at a rate of 10°C/min, Ag-CuO reactive air braze (RAB) compositions have solidus and liquidus temperatures in the approximate range of 925 to 955°C. Therefore, compositionally modifying the original Ag-CuO braze with Pd-additions such that the solidus temperature of the new braze is between 1025 and 1050°C would provide two RAB compositions with a difference in melting points large enough to allow reactive air brazing of both sets of seals in the fuel cell stack. This study determines the appropriate ratio of Pd to Ag in RAB required to achieve a solidus in the desiredmore » range and discusses the wettability of the resulting Pd-Ag-CuO brazes on YSZ substrates. The interfacial microstructures and flexural strengths of Pd-Ag-CuO joints in YSZ will also be presented.« less
Metallic and metallo-dielectric coaxial nanolasers

Lasing properties of metallic and metallo-dielectric nanoscale coaxial structures will be examined theoretically and experimentally. Linewidth behavior, second order coherence function, and light-light characteristics will be considered altogether to develop an understanding of the underlying physics and applications.
CYP2D6, N-acetylation, and xanthine oxidase activity in cystic fibrosis.

Study Objective. To determine the activity of CYP2D6, N-acetylation, and xanthine oxidase, three drug-metabolizing enzyme systems, in patients with cystic fibrosis and compare the findings with those in individuals without the disease. Design. Prospective cohort study. Setting. General pediatrics service. Patients. Fifty-nine patients with cystic fibrosis and 480 healthy Caucasian volunteers. Interventions. Enzyme activity was determined based on urinary molar metabolite ratios of caffeine and dextromethorphan probes. Measurements and Main Results. The percentage of poor metabolizers of CYP2D6 in patients with cystic fibrosis was not different from that in the control group (p=0.45). N-Acetylation activity was significantly lower in the patients (p=0.007), but no statistically significant difference was found in xanthine oxidase activity (p=0.12). Conclusion. The activity of these drug-metabolic pathways does not appear to be increased in cystic fibrosis. Whether the activity of other pathways is increased, thus providing a partial explanation for the generally increased drug clearance in this disease, remains to be determined.