cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fibrinogen and Preclinical Echocardiographic Target Organ Damage The Strong Heart Study

Relations of fibrinogen to preclinical target organ damage, such as left ventricular hypertrophy, systolic dysfunction, and increased arterial stiffness while accounting for traditional risk factors, are unknown in a population-based sample free of clinically overt coronary heart disease. Therefore, we studied clinical and echocardiographic characteristics of 2709 American Indians participating in the Strong Heart Study without symptomatic atherosclerosis. The study sample was divided into tertiles of fibrinogen (cut-points, 3.24 and 3.83 g/L). Mean age, body mass index, proportion of women, and prevalences of hypertension and diabetes increased from the first to third tertile of fibrinogen. After adjustment for covariates, systolic and pulse pressures did not significantly differ among tertiles of fibrinogen, whereas diastolic pressure was slightly lower in the third than in lower tertiles of fibrinogen. HDL cholesterol was lower and plasma creatinine and urinary albumin/creatinine ratio was higher in the third tertile of fibrinogen. Left ventricular mass index, pulse pressure/stroke index, an estimate of arterial stiffness, and cardiac index were higher and left ventricular systolic function and total peripheral resistance were lower in the third than in two lower tertiles of fibrinogen independent of major covariates. In multiple regression analyses, left ventricular mass and pulse pressure/stroke index were positively associated with, and stress-corrected midwall shortening negatively associated with fibrinogen, independent of major covariates. Participants with fibrinogen >3.83 g/L were more likely to have at least 1 preclinical cardiovascular abnormality such as left ventricular hypertrophy, elevated arterial stiffness, or systolic myocardial dysfunction independent of covariates including renal dysfunction (adjusted odds ratio, 1.38; P<0.001). Thus, in a population sample of adults without clinically overt coronary heart disease, elevated fibrinogen is an independent correlate of prognostically relevant cardiovascular target organ damage.
Determination of riociguat and its major human metabolite M-1 in human plasma by stable-isotope dilution LCMS/MS

Background: Riociguat (BAY 63–2521) is an oral NO-independent as well as NO-synergistic stimulator of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension. BAY 60–4552 (M-1) is its pharmacologically active major metabolite. An isotope dilution LC–ESI–MS/MS method has been developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of riociguat and M-1 in lithium heparinized human plasma. Results: The validated concentration range covers 0.500 μg/l (LLOQ) to 100 μg/l (ULOQ) for both analytes. Interassay accuracy and precision (%CV) for both analytes ranged from 92.7 to 111% and from 2.61 to 9.89%, respectively. Conclusion: The method proved to be selective, specific, sufficiently sensitive, highly reproducible and robust for the analysis of large numbers of samples.
MALIGNANT TRANSFORMATION OF SOLITARY SPINAL OSTEOCHONDROMA IN TWO MATURE DOGS

Canine osteochondroma is an uncommon bony tumor that arises in skeletally immature animals. Consequently, clinical signs typically occur in young dogs as a result of impingement of normal structures by the tumor. Radiographically, osteochondromas are benign in appearance. They are well circumscribed and cause no bony lysis nor periosteal proliferation. Osteochondromas may occur in two forms; solitary or multiple. Although histology and biologic behavior are identical, when in the multiple form the condition has been termed multiple cartilaginous exostoses. Malignant transformation of multiple cartilaginous exostoses has been reported in three mature dogs. We report two dogs with malignant transformation of solitary spinal osteochondromas. Both underwent transformation to osteosarcoma. Despite the benign radiographic appearance of osteochondromas and multiple cartilaginous exostoses, clinical signs should alert the clinician to the possibility of malignant transformation.
Laryngeal afferent inputs to the nucleus of the solitary tract

The following study was undertaken to examine the integration of laryngeal afferent inputs within the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS), the primary site of termination of laryngeal afferent fibers. Intracellular recordings were obtained from 63 cells that responded to electrical stimulation of the superior laryngeal nerve (SLN) with an excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP; n = 49), an excitatory-inhibitory postsynaptic potential (EPSP-IPSP) sequence (n = 13), or an IPSP (n = 1). Mechanical stimulation of laryngeal mechanoreceptors revealed a variety of response patterns (e.g., slowly and rapidly adapting depolarizations or hyperpolarizations). Two types of response to increasing SLN stimulus frequency were observed. In 11 cells SLN-evoked EPSP amplitude at 10 Hz was only 47 +/- 4% of the amplitude at 1 Hz, while in 6 cells EPSP amplitude at 10 Hz was virtually identical (93 +/- 3%) to that at 1 Hz. Time-dependent inhibitory interactions occurred between SLN inputs to NTS neurons at intervals between 50 and 400 ms and in the absence of any change in membrane potential. NTS neuronal responses to brief activation of laryngeal mechanoreceptors correspond well to discharge patterns described for individual laryngeal mechanoreceptors. Frequency-dependent filtering and time-dependent inhibitory interactions might modify NTS neuronal responses during more intense stimulation of laryngeal afferents.
Distinct requirements for intra-ER sorting and budding of peroxisomal membrane proteins from the ER

During de novo peroxisome biogenesis, importomer complex proteins sort via two preperoxisomal vesicles (ppVs). However, the sorting mechanisms segregating peroxisomal membrane proteins to the preperoxisomal endoplasmic reticulum (pER) and into ppVs are unknown. We report novel roles for Pex3 and Pex19 in intra-endoplasmic reticulum (ER) sorting and budding of the RING-domain peroxins (Pex2, Pex10, and Pex12). Pex19 bridged the interaction at the ER between Pex3 and RING-domain proteins, resulting in a ternary complex that was critical for the intra-ER sorting and subsequent budding of the RING-domain peroxins. Although the docking subcomplex proteins (Pex13, Pex14, and Pex17) also required Pex19 for budding from the ER, they sorted to the pER independently of Pex3 and Pex19 and were spatially segregated from the RING-domain proteins. We also discovered a unique role for Pex3 in sorting Pex10 and Pex12, but with the docking subcomplex. Our study describes an intra-ER sorting process that regulates segregation, packaging, and budding of peroxisomal importomer subcomplexes, thereby preventing their premature assembly at the ER.
Sterile Insect Technique and Control of Tephritid Fruit Flies: Do Species With Complex Courtship Require Higher Overflooding Ratios?

The sterile insect technique (SIT) is widely used to suppress or eradicate tephritid fruit fly pests that threaten agricultural crops. The SIT entails the production, sterilization, and release of large numbers of the target pest species, with the goal of achieving sterile male by wild female matings, which result in infertile eggs and the subsequent reduction of the wild pest population. The success of this control strategy depends, to a large extent, on the ability of released, sterile males to compete successfully against wild males to achieve copulations with wild females. Lance and McInnis (2005) proposed that species with greater male involvement in courtship and mating are less amenable to the SIT than species with simple courtship, because strong artificial selection characteristic of mass-rearing environments is more likely to generate greater behavioral modification to complex than simple courtship and thus to result in increased rejection by wild females. Consistent with Lance and McInnis (2005), the mating competitiveness of mass-reared males of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), a species with complex male courtship, is substantially lower than that of mass-reared males of the melon fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett), or the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), two species with very simple male courtship. In light of this difference in mating ability, we tested the prediction that higher overflooding ratios (sterile:wild males; OFR) would be required to control populations of C . capitata than of the Bactrocera spp. Levels of induced egg sterility achieved under different OFRs were compared to the “net sterility target,” computed as the proportional decrease in a species’ intrinsic birth rate (realized via SIT) required to balance the intrinsic rate of death and found to be ∼80% for the three species considered. Although the data are scant, they generally support the prediction. For B . cucurbitae , OFRs 300:1. Likewise, relative to populations in control (untreated) sites, populations in release areas were reduced >99% at OFRs of 50:1–100:1 for B . cucurbitae in Japan compared to reductions for C . capitata of 50–93% at OFRs between 700:1–3,160:1 in Nicaragua and about 80% for OFRs between 100:1–400:1 in Hawaii. The implications of these findings for fruit fly SIT are discussed.
Feedback modulation of neural network synchrony and seizure susceptibility by Mdm2-p53-Nedd4-2 signaling

Neural network synchrony is a critical factor in regulating information transmission through the nervous system. Improperly regulated neural network synchrony is implicated in pathophysiological conditions such as epilepsy. Despite the awareness of its importance, the molecular signaling underlying the regulation of neural network synchrony, especially after stimulation, remains largely unknown. In this study, we show that elevation of neuronal activity by the GABA(A) receptor antagonist, Picrotoxin, increases neural network synchrony in primary mouse cortical neuron cultures. The elevation of neuronal activity triggers Mdm2-dependent degradation of the tumor suppressor p53. We show here that blocking the degradation of p53 further enhances Picrotoxin-induced neural network synchrony, while promoting the inhibition of p53 with a p53 inhibitor reduces Picrotoxin-induced neural network synchrony. These data suggest that Mdm2-p53 signaling mediates a feedback mechanism to fine-tune neural network synchrony after activity stimulation. Furthermore, genetically reducing the expression of a direct target gene of p53, Nedd4-2, elevates neural network synchrony basally and occludes the effect of Picrotoxin. Finally, using a kainic acid-induced seizure model in mice, we show that alterations of Mdm2-p53-Nedd4-2 signaling affect seizure susceptibility. Together, our findings elucidate a critical role of Mdm2-p53-Nedd4-2 signaling underlying the regulation of neural network synchrony and seizure susceptibility and reveal potential therapeutic targets for hyperexcitability-associated neurological disorders.
Hyperfine interaction and its effects on spin dynamics in organic solids

Hyperfine interaction (HFI) and spin-orbit coupling are two major sources that affect electron spin dynamics. Here we present a systematic study of the HFI and its role in organic spintronic applications. For electron spin dynamics in disordered $\ensuremath{\pi}$-conjugated organics, the HFI can be characterized by an effective magnetic field whose modular square is a weighted sum of contact and dipolar contributions. We determine the effective HFI fields of some common $\ensuremath{\pi}$-conjugated organics studied in the literature via first-principles calculations. Most of them are found to be less than 2 mT. While the H atoms are the major source of the HFI in organics containing only the C and H atoms, many organics contain other nuclear spins, such as Al and N in tris-(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum, that contribute to the total HFI. Consequently, the deuteration effect on the HFI in the latter may be much weaker than in the former. The HFI gives rise to multiple resonance peaks in electron spin resonance. In disordered organic solids, these individual resonances are unresolved, leading to a broad peak whose width is proportional to the effective HFI field. As electrons hop among adjacent organic molecules, they experience a randomly varying local HFI field, inducing electron spin relaxation and diffusion. This is analyzed rigorously based on master equations. Electron spin relaxation undergoes a crossover along the ratio between the electron hopping rate $\overline{\ensuremath{\eta}}$ and the Larmor frequency $\ensuremath{\Omega}$ of the HFI field. The spin relaxation rate increases (decreases) with $\overline{\ensuremath{\eta}}$ when $\overline{\ensuremath{\eta}}\ensuremath{\ll}\ensuremath{\Omega}$ ($\overline{\ensuremath{\eta}}\ensuremath{\gg}\ensuremath{\Omega}$). A coherent beating of electron spin at $\ensuremath{\Omega}$ is possible when the external field is small compared to the HFI. In this regime, the magnetic field is found to enhance the spin relaxation.
Volkswagen’s new 2.0 l TDI engine for the most stringent emission standards — Part 2

Beginning mid-2008, a vehicle will be sold on the US market that complies with the exhaust emission standards Tier 2 Bin5: the VW Jetta. This objective was achieved by applying modifications to the Euro 5 Common-Rail engine already available in Europe for the VW Tiguan and the Audi A4 and by introducing the NOx exhaust gas after treatment system. The previous article provided information on the optimisation of the injection system and on the implementation of low-pressure exhaust gas recirculation and cylinder pressure control. These measures have a decisive impact on the improvement of the raw emissions, on the reduction of the emission range and on the reliability of the engine’s operating procedure. The following article discusses the development of the NOx exhaust gas aftertreatment system and the new operating-mode control for overall system management and also describes the OBD functions.
Inflammation Mediated Fibrosis Is Regulated Through Distinct Gene-Gene Co-Expression Networks in the Failing Human Myocardium Before and After Left Ventricular Assist Device Support

Does the Utilization of a Temporary External Anchoring Suture Increase the Risk of Driveline Infection After Implantation of a Left Ventricular Assist Device M. Fudim,1 C.L. Brown,1 M.E. Davis,2 M. Djunaidi,2 M.R. Danter,3 F.E. Harrell,4 N.A. Haglund,1 S. Maltais .3 1Cardiovascular Medicine, Vanderbilt Univ Med Ctr, Nashville, TN; 2Vanderbilt Univ Med Ctr, Nashville, TN; 3Cardiac Surgery, Vanderbilt Univ Med Ctr, Nashville, TN; 4Biostatistics, Vanderbilt Univ Med Ctr, Nashville, TN.
Solubility of CaHPO4 · 2H2O in the Quaternary System Ca(OH)2 - H3PO4 - NaCl - H2O at 25 °C.

Solubility of CaHPO4 · 2H2O was determined in the quaternary system Ca(OH)2 - H3PO4 - NaCl - H2O at 25 °C in the pH range 4.39-6.38; ionic strengths of the saturated solutions varied from 0.00485 to 0.545, Satisfactory constancy in the solubility product, ( Ksp=[Ca2+]⋅[HPO42-]⋅γCa2+⋅γHPO42-=2.49±0.05×10-7 mol2×1-2 ) was obtained when (i) the ion activity coefficients, γi , were calculated with the Debye-Huckel equation, log γi=-AZi2I/(1+BαiI)+0.0626 I ; the value 0.0626 for the coefficient in the linear term was derived from the solubility data by utilizing a statistical procedure, and (ii) formation of an ion pair NaHPO4- was taken into account; a statistically derived value for the stability constant of this ion pair is 7.0 ± 2.4 1 × mol-1. The ion pair NaHPO4- appears to have significant concentrations in physiological fluids.
The Body of Christ in the Later Middle Ages: A Reply to Leo Steinberg

Most of us who inhabit the western, post-Christian world are so accustomed to pictures of the Madonna and child or of the Holy Family that we hardly notice the details. When we encounter such images in museums, on posters, or on Christmas cards, we tend to respond sentimentally if at all. We note whether the baby looks like a baby or not. We are pleased if the figures appear happy and affectionate. Perhaps we even feel gratitude for the somewhat banal support of an institution—the human family—that seems worn a little thin in the modern world. But we are not shocked. Recognizing that the Incarnation is a central Christian tenet, we feel no surprise that Christian artists throughout the western tradition should have painted God as a male baby.
The Aging Face and Skin: Common Signs and Treatment

In this article, the most common cutaneous manifestations of photodamage and chronological aging, with the exception of invasive malignancies, are reviewed. Current nonsurgical approaches to the amelioration of the manifestations are discussed, including application of various topical preparations, noninvasive physical and chemical procedures for removal of proliferative lesions, and the options for soft-tissue augmentation.
Study on the Modes of Decision Value Analysis in Different Systems

Decisions are based on value judgmengt,and the value standards setting and optimizing are usually the main contents and process of decision works.The difficult points of decions would turn to value seeking analysis from value optimizing analysis when the problem system more complex.In this paper,the discussions on the relation between decisions and value anslysis,value seeking analysis which based on different types of problem systems is curried out.Following this way,a new dedision thinking aimed to deal the complex problem systems is suggested: The Value Meta-Synthesis(VMS).This new thinking may helpful yo give alternative guides to the decsion-making on complex system problem /open complex giant system problems.
Basolateral amygdala rapid glutamate release encodes an outcome-specific representation vital for reward-predictive cues to selectively invigorate reward-seeking actions

Environmental stimuli have the ability to generate specific representations of the rewards they predict and in so doing alter the selection and performance of reward-seeking actions. The basolateral amygdala participates in this process, but precisely how is unknown. To rectify this, we monitored, in near-real time, basolateral amygdala glutamate concentration changes during a test of the ability of reward-predictive cues to influence reward-seeking actions (Pavlovian-instrumental transfer). Glutamate concentration was found to be transiently elevated around instrumental reward seeking. During the Pavlovian-instrumental transfer test these glutamate transients were time-locked to and correlated with only those actions invigorated by outcome-specific motivational information provided by the reward-predictive stimulus (i.e., actions earning the same specific outcome as predicted by the presented CS). In addition, basolateral amygdala AMPA, but not NMDA glutamate receptor inactivation abolished the selective excitatory influence of reward-predictive cues over reward seeking. These data support [corrected] the hypothesis that transient glutamate release in the BLA can encode the outcome-specific motivational information provided by reward-predictive stimuli.
Antegrade Approach to Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy in Patients with Difficult Apical Dissection

AbstractAmong 335 radical retropubic prostatectomies an antegrade dissection was used in 30 because of difficulty in developing the usual planes of dissection during apical dissection. The adequacy of tumor resection, preservation of sexual potency and urinary continence were compared in patients who underwent the antegrade dissection and those who underwent the standard retrograde nervesparing radical retropubic prostatectomy. Histopathological evaluation revealed no significant difference in the over-all completeness of tumor excision between the group having an antegrade dissection (16 of 30, 53% completely excised) and those having a retrograde dissection (177 of 305, 58% completely excised) (p = 0.62). Patients with clinically localized but pathological stage C disease undergoing an antegrade dissection and a nerve-sparing procedure had a significantly higher incidence of positive lateral margins (9 of 12, 75%) than the comparable group undergoing a retrograde dissection (40 of 99, 40%) (p = 0.02). T...
Executions and State Power during the Colonial Period

European colonialism brought new conceptions of criminal justice to the African continent, one in which the colonial state was at the center, serving as investigator, trier, and executioner. Capital punishment served as a tool of social control and deterrence, especially in the starkest display of the power of the colonial state, the public execution, which survived in the colonies long after its abolition in Europe. The death penalty could also be used as an instrument of political oppression against African nationalists, especially in French Algeria, British Kenya, and the white settler-dominated states of South Africa and Rhodesia. Portuguese Africa, where the death penalty did not exist, was the exception.
Rate of Return in Rate Cases: The Institutional Setting

This monograph is concerned with the determination of the “fair” rate of return for a public utility. In particular, its purpose is to examine the factors which determine the cost of capital to a public utility and to assess the ability of analysts to make a reliable determination of the cost of capital in a rate case. The monograph is devoted to an evaluation of theory, empirical analysis, and practice with respect to cost of capital determination.
The Absolute Speed of Light

In the first five sections of Relativity, Einstein articulated the principle of relativity—that natural phenomena are seen to obey the same laws of motion when witnessed from any inertial frame of reference. For example, a game of billiards may be played just as easily on a uniformly moving passenger train as in the local pool hall. In other words, the billiard balls are seen to obey the principle of inertia and Newton’s other laws of motion, so the passengers have no way of discerning that they are in fact riding in a moving train by observing the billiard balls (or any of their other surroundings for that matter.) But the moment the conductor applies the breaks, the billiard balls strangely surge forward, in the absence of a recognized force acting on them, and in apparent violation of the principle of inertia. The so-called fictitious force which seems to now act on the billiard balls (and everything else on the train for that matter) is a consequence of the fact that the decelerating train is now a non-inertial frame of reference. Up until this point, Newton would have agreed with Einstein: a state of rest is equivalent to a state of uniform linear motion in that these states cannot be distinguished by observing the motion of bodies. But now Einstein takes his analysis a step further: he considers whether one can test if he or she is truly at rest or in uniform linear motion by measuring the speed of light itself.
Vacuum polarization function to O({alpha}{sup 2}) accuracy near threshold and Darwin corrections

The QED vacuum polarization function is calculated to O({alpha}{sup 2}) (next-to-leading order) accuracy in the threshold regime by using the concept of effective field theories to resum diagrams with the instantaneous Coulomb exchange of longitudinally polarized photons. It is shown that the O({alpha}{sup 2}) contributions are of order {alpha}{sup 2} in size rather than {alpha}{sup 2}/{pi}{sup 2}. The vacuum polarization effects in the single photon annihilation contributions to the O({alpha}{sup 6}) hyperfine splitting of the positronium ground state are recalculated and an error in an older calculation is pointed out. The results are used to determine O(C{sub F}{sup 2}{alpha}{sub s}{sup 2}) (next-to-next-to-leading order) Darwin corrections to heavy-quark{endash}antiquark bound state l=0 wave functions at the origin and to the heavy-quark{endash}antiquark production cross section in e{sup +}e{sup {minus}} collisions in the threshold region. The absolute value of the corrections amounts to 10{percent}{endash}20{percent} and 17{percent}{endash}34{percent} in the modulus squared of the ground state wave functions at the origin for the b{bar b} and c{bar c} systems, respectively. In the case of the t{bar t} production cross section in the threshold region the absolute value of the corrections is between 2{percent} and 6{percent} around the 1S peak and between 1{percent} and 2{percent} for highermore » energies. A critical comment on recent QCD sum rule calculations for the {Upsilon} system is made. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}« less
A randomized controlled trial of cognitive remediation and work therapy in the early phase of substance use disorder recovery for older veterans: Neurocognitive and substance use outcomes.

Objective Cognitive remediation therapy (CRT) is reported to improve neurocognitive and substance use disorder (SUD) outcomes in residential treatments. This National Institute of Drug Abuse funded pilot study reports on CRT as an augmentation to outpatient treatment for SUD. Method Recovering outpatient veterans were randomized into CRT + Work Therapy (n = 24) or work therapy (n = 24) with treatment-as-usual. Blind assessments of neurocognition and substance use were performed at baseline, 3 months (end of treatment), and 6-month follow-up. Results Baseline assessments revealed high rates of cognitive impairment with 87.5% showing significant decline from premorbid IQ on at least 1 measure (median = 3/14 measures). Adherence to treatment was excellent. Follow-up rates were 95.7% at 3 months and 87.5% at 6 months. Mixed effects models of cognitive change over time revealed significant differences favoring CRT + Work Therapy on working memory (WM) and executive function indices. Global index of cognition showed a nonsignificant trend (effect size [ES] = .37) favoring CRT + Work Therapy. SUD outcomes were excellent for both conditions. CRT + Work Therapy had a mean of 97% days of abstinence at 3 months, 94% in the 30 days prior to 6-month follow-up, and 24/26 weeks of total abstinence; differences between conditions were not significant. Conclusions and implications for practice CRT was well accepted by outpatient veterans with SUDs and led to significant improvements in WM and executive functions beyond that of normal cognitive recovery. No difference between conditions was found for SUD outcomes, perhaps because work therapy obscured the benefits of CRT. (PsycINFO Database Record
Configurable and Secure System Architectures

In this paper we introduce a novel approach for host protection based on a security subsystem for continuous monitoring and control of user applications. To enable a secure monitoring capability, a strict hardware separation is proposed, in combination with a signaling layer for monitoring and control. The paper presents our preliminary work, introducing some of the core ideas and discussing a few scenarios and applications.
Sustainable plasticizer for butyl rubber cured by phenolic resin

Butyl rubber (also known as isobutylene isoprene rubber, IIR) containing plasticizers and cured by phenolic resin is widely used to manufacture rubber products exposed to high temperature environments. Therefore, carbon black (CB)-filled IIR containing a petroleum-based plasticizer [naphthenic oil (NO)] and environmentally friendly bio-based plasticizers [soybean oil (SO) and norbornylized soybean oil (NSO)] cured by the brominated phenolic resin were studied. The NSO was prepared through the reaction of SO and dicyclopentadiene at different ratios. Gel fraction, crosslink density, curing behavior, thermal, mechanical, and aging properties of the CB-filled IIR containing different oils were investigated. The addition of SO and NSO increased the thermal stability and decreased the crosslink density of the IIR vulcanizates compared to that of the IIR/NO vulcanizate. This was found to be due to the reaction between the phenolic resin and the bio-based oils. Reducing the oil level increased the crosslink density of the IIR/SO and IIR/NSO vulcanizates, which in turn increased the modulus and tensile strength. Among various vulcanizates, the IIR/NSO vulcanizates showed the best overall hot air aging resistance. Results showed that NSO in the amount less than 10 phr could be a good replacement for the petroleum-based plasticizer in IIR cured by phenolic resins. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 45500.
New in Newborn Screening

Since the nationwide implementation of the expanded newborn screen in 2006, five conditions have been added to the core screening panel. Three of these are rare classical inborn errors of metabolism, a traditional focus of newborn screening, namely Pompe disease, Hurler syndrome, and X-linked Adrenoleukodystrophy (XALD). This review will describe first experiences with screening for these conditions and will also critically appraise newborn screening for Krabbe disease which was implemented in some states. There is 1–3 years of experience with state-wide newborn screening for Pompe disease and XALD, and state-wide screening for Hurler syndrome is just beginning after pilot studies in one state. In addition, 8 years of experience with screening for Krabbe disease in New York was recently critically reviewed. Infantile and late onset forms of Pompe disease are more common than anticipated and very early treated patients do show some sequelae. MPSI pilot data from one state indicated a detection rate of 1:14,567. The surveillance and treatment guidelines developed for XALD will take many years to evaluate because the disease may not manifest for years. Krabbe disease may not be suitable for newborn screening.
Which Supreme Court Cases Influenced Recent Supreme Court IP Decisions? A Citation Study

The U.S. Supreme Court has decided an increasing number of intellectual property cases — especially patent cases — over the last several terms. Which prior cases influence the stated reasoning in these recent Supreme Court IP cases? A handful of citation studies of supreme courts in the U.S., both state and federal, conducted over the last 40 years suggest that the Court would most often cite its own prior cases; that it would cite its more recent cases more often than its older cases; and that a small number of its prior cases would receive a large share of the citations, with most of its prior cases cited one or two times, if at all. In this unique empirical study of all the Supreme Court’s IP cases from October Term 1994 through October Term 2016, inclusive, all the predicted patterns hold true. In addition to reporting citation-pattern data, I use network analysis tools first developed to study social networks, and subsequently validated for use with citation networks in judicial opinions, to identify, rank, and visualize the interconnections among, the top case law authorities in the Supreme Court’s recent IP cases.
The Development of Invariant Object Recognition Requires Visual Experience With Temporally Smooth Objects

How do newborns learn to recognize objects? According to temporal learning models in computational neuroscience, the brain constructs object representations by extracting smoothly changing features from the environment. To date, however, it is unknown whether newborns depend on smoothly changing features to build invariant object representations. Here, we used an automated controlled-rearing method to examine whether visual experience with smoothly changing features facilitates the development of view-invariant object recognition in a newborn animal model-the domestic chick (Gallus gallus). When newborn chicks were reared with a virtual object that moved smoothly over time, the chicks created view-invariant representations that were selective for object identity and tolerant to viewpoint changes. Conversely, when newborn chicks were reared with a temporally non-smooth object, the chicks developed less selectivity for identity features and less tolerance to viewpoint changes. These results provide evidence for a "smoothness constraint" on the development of invariant object recognition and indicate that newborns leverage the temporal smoothness of natural visual environments to build abstract mental models of objects.
Nonfederal automated weather stations and networks in the United States and Canada : a preliminary survey

Not all weather data are collected by federal agencies. Fueled by the need for more specific meteorological data in real or near-real time, the number of automated weather stations (AWSs) and AWS n...
Depression in Female Veterans Returning from Deployment: The Role of Social Factors.

Objective Women are serving in the armed forces and deployed to areas of conflict in increasing numbers. Problems such as depressive symptoms and risks related to combat exposure can have negative effects on adjustment following service; understanding the relationship between these problems may contribute to strategies providers can use to facilitate healthy adjustment after deployment. The purpose of this study is to examine social factors as they relate to mental health adjustment, namely depressive symptoms among female veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation New Dawn (OND). We hypothesized that combat exposure would predict higher levels of depressive symptoms and that social support would moderate the relationship between combat exposure and depression. Methods In a cross-sectional design, 128 female Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn veterans completed an online survey about combat experience, social support, depression, demographic characteristics, and behavioral health symptom history. We conducted multiple regression analyses to examine linear and moderating relationships. Results There was no significant relationship between combat exposure and depression; social support did not significantly moderate the relationship between combat exposure and depression. However, higher levels of social support and financial comfort were significantly related to lower levels of depression. Conclusion This study highlights the role of social factors, specifically social support and perceived financial status, as potential barriers to healthy emotional readjustment following deployment. These findings suggest that it may be beneficial for mental health providers to screen female veterans and refer them to appropriate services to reduce financial stressors and strengthen their use of social support. More research should continue to examine more fully the impact of combat exposure on female service members' mental health and work to isolate the factors most strongly related to depression.
Strategic, Administrative, and Operating Problems: The Impact of Outsiders on Small Firm Performance:

This study investigates the relationships between the types of “outsider” consulting assistance provided by the Small Business Development Center and subsequent changes in the performance of its established small business clients. According to the results of this study, established small business clients appear to benefit more from administrative and operating assistance than they do from strategic assistance. However, the findings also suggest that outsider assistance is most useful when it includes comprehensive attention to strategic, administrative, and operating problems.
A Content Analysis of Intake Paperwork: An Exploration of How Clinicians Ask About Gender, Sex, and Sexual/Affectual Orientation

ABSTRACTIn the United States, the transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) population has increased twofold since 2011. Although counseling professionals are called to provide competent services to TGNC clients, no empirical studies exist that examine one of the first points of contact: Intake paperwork. The authors conducted a content analysis (N = 128) of intake paperwork and assessed how and if clinicians asked for gender, sex, and sexual/affectual orientation, and whether they conflated these constructs. Findings indicate adjustments need to be made for intakes to be more inclusive of these constructs. The authors offer clinical implications and avenues for future research.
Beyond Excel: Software Tools and the Accounting Curriculum

The ability to use various software and tools is important for students entering the accounting profession. In an exploratory study, we develop a survey to assess accounting practitioners' evaluati...
Changing Images of Dependency in Prolongevity

Images are ‘only’ images — mental constructs, mere abstractions. But they have concrete consequences. Our feelings and actions grow directly out of what we imagine to be true. Hence our images — though they may not initially conform to present reality — help shape ensuing reality. Today, our overriding image of the elderly is one of dependency. We expect them to be dependent, we perceive them as actually being dependent, and we behave toward them in accordance with this perception and this expectation. A number of authorities in the psychosocial aspects of aging — among them Robert N. Butler, Bernice Neugarten, Matilda Riley, and James E. Birren — have written of, and personally communicated to me, their conviction that many old people who would not otherwise fall into a state of dependency do so because all the signals we transmit to them, verbally and nonverbally, persuade them that they are not capable of being independent or nondependent (see, for example, [4], [7], pp. 1–21; [19], pp. 17–18, p. 29, p. 180, and [23]). As Sharon Curtin has put it ([20], p. 214), “The old are supposed to be a burden, not a resource.” Similar convictions have been expressed by previous speakers on this program. Even now, then, before we enter the age of prolongevity, the image of dependency — its descriptive accuracy, as well as the wisdom or the usefulness of clinging to it — needs reappraisal.
The evaluation of two software watermarking algorithms: Research Articles

In this paper we analyze the effectiveness of two different software watermarking algorithms. The first is an algorithm proposed by Akito Monden et al. and the second an algorithm proposed by Robert L. Davidson and Nathan Myhrvold of the Microsoft Corporation. We have implemented these techniques within the S ANDM ARK framework, a system designed to study the effectiveness of software protection algorithms on Java bytecode. To the best of our knowledge this is the first implementation and empirical evaluation of these algorithms with respect to a set of properties such as bit-rate, stealth, and resilience to attack. We demonstrate through the use of the S ANDM ARK framework that both of these algorithms have a high bit-rate but are unstealthy and easy to attack. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Forebrain contribution to the induction of a brainstem correlate of conditioned taste aversion. II. Insular (gustatory) cortex.

Abstract The induction of c-Fos-like immunoreactivity (c-FLI) in the intermediate division of the nucleus of the solitary tract (iNTS) has been shown to be a cellular correlate of the behavioral expression of a conditioned taste aversion (CTA). To further define neuroanatomical structures and pathways that contribute to this cellular response and to CTA learning in general, electrolytic lesions of insular (gustatory) cortex (IC) were combined with immunostaining for c-FLI. Rats were given either unilateral or bilateral electrolytic lesions of insular cortex or `sham' operations. Following surgery, `paired' animals were given a single conditioning trial consisting of intraoral infusion of 5-ml 0.15% sodium–saccharin followed by injection with LiCl (0.15 M, 20 ml/kg, i.p.) while `unpaired' controls received a non-contingent saccharin–LiCl presentation. Rats with bilateral lesions showed no behavioral evidence of having acquired a CTA. Increases in c-FLI in iNTS were evident, but reduced, relative to `sham' animals. Rats with unilateral-lesions displayed a CTA by rejecting the saccharin, although increases in c-FLI on the side of the iNTS ipsilateral to the lesion were reduced relative to that seen in `sham' animals. A comparison of these results with those obtained after amygdala lesions supports the conclusion that amygdala and insular cortex are necessary, but not sufficient, for the behavioral expression of a CTA.
Asthma Prevalence Among Medicaid-Enrolled Children.

Background Small-area asthma prevalence measures, which are crucial for targeting interventions, are currently sparsely available for children. Objective To provide measures of in-contact asthma prevalence for the 2012 Medicaid child population so as to highlight areas in need of targeted asthma interventions. Methods Using the 2012 Medicaid Analytic eXtract claims files, we developed 2 prevalence metrics differentiated by persistent and diagnosed asthma. We developed prevalence measures at the state, county, and census tract levels, with statistical inferences to highlight areas of high prevalence where interventions should be focused. We compared the measures with asthma prevalence estimates derived from a sample of the child population that self-reported whether they have been diagnosed with asthma regardless of in-contact asthma. Results A total of 1.98 million (8.1%) and 1.71 million (6.9%) Medicaid-enrolled children were identified with in-contact asthma diagnosis and persistent asthma, respectively. Among 40 states, 17 had lower prevalence estimates for the Medicaid-enrolled children compared with similar child asthma self-reported prevalence estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. High-prevalence regions spanned primarily in the southern Midwest region, from Texas to West Virginia and from Illinois to north Florida. Conclusion There are large variations in the differences between the self-reported estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the general population and the in-contact estimates for the Medicaid-enrolled children, highlighting potential asthma misdiagnosis in the Medicaid population in many states. Small-area estimates point to areas of high prevalence, consistently throughout the south and southeast.
Curriculum Enrichment Across the Medical Education Continuum Using e-Delphi and the Community Priority Index.

Objective To describe the use of the e-Delphi combined with the Community Priority Index (CPI) to support medical curriculum enrichment. Methods This mixed-methods study was conducted from December 2017 to May 2018 at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. First, a nominal group identified a topical list. Second, to refine the curriculum content and achieve consensus, an e-Delphi was implemented with healthcare experts regarding the following target cohorts (N = 40): transformed postbaccalaureate premedical scholar students, medical students, clinical fellows, and junior faculty. Third, the CPI incorporated multicriteria decision making and calculation of standardized prioritization scores (range 0-1) with bootstrap 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results Among transformed postbaccalaureate premedical scholar students, medical students, and clinical fellows, the e-Delphi-CPI system's highest ranked topic was in the domain of leadership skills and competence for transformed postbaccalaureate premedical scholar students (CPI 0.87, 95% CI 0.58-0.94), medical students (CPI 0.85, 95% CI 0.36-0.91), and clinical fellows (CPI 0.86, 95% CI 0.32-0.92), respectively. For junior faculty, the highest ranked topic was introductory research methods (CPI 0.90, 95% CI 0.65-1.00). In each cohort, the top three ranked topics also contained leadership skills and competence and introductory research methods. The system ranked practical issues in health disparity as the third most valued domain among transformed postbaccalaureate premedical scholar students. Conclusions The integrated e-Delphi-CPI system identified the highest ranked options across all of the domains and established comparability across cohorts. We recommend the e-Delphi-CPI system to advance medical curriculum enrichment processes.
18 F-Fluoride Imaging: Atlas of Interesting Images (Images with Specific Teaching Points, Tracer, Technique, and Pitfalls)

Uptake of 18F-NaF is not tumor specific, and nonmalignant entities can demonstrate radiotracer uptake, including arthritis, trauma, and bone processes such as fibrous dysplasia and Paget disease. The degree of radiotracer uptake cannot be used to differentiate benign from malignant lesions. Many benign bone lesions, including osteophytes and degenerative endplate changes, will show increased 18F-NaF uptake [1].
Photoionization features of the ground and excited levels of Cl II and benchmarking with experiment

Abstract This report presents i) various characteristic features in photoionization cross sections (σPI) of Cl II + hν → Cl III + e for many fine structure levels of Cl II, 392 in total with n ≤ 10 and l ≤ 9, ii) comparison of features with those observed in an experiment carried out at the Advanced Light Source at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, and iii) partial photoionization cross sections of the ground level for ionization leaving the core ion in to various excited levels for applications in plasma modeling. The features correspond to resonant structures, the shape of the background, and their interference effect in σPI of this near neutral ion Cl II with 16 electrons. σPI for the 5 levels of the ground configuration 3s23p4(3P0,1,2, 1D2, 1S0) of Cl II show regions of narrow Rydberg resonances at and near threshold energies, and resonant structures at higher energies in contrast to typical smooth decrease in the background. Various other features in σPI of levels of excited equivalent electron states and broad Seaton resonances in single valence electron excited levels are illustrated with examples. Comparison of calculated σPI of the 15 lowest levels with the combined features of the measured photoionization spectrum shows excellent agreement by reproducing and thus identifying them to the levels that they belong to. The calculations were carried out in relativistic Breit-Pauli R-matrix (BPRM) method using a close coupling wave function expansion of 45 levels up to 4s of the core ion Cl III. These levels were optimized using a set of 12 configurations going up to orbital 5s, 3s23p3, 3s3p4, 3p5, 3s23p23d, 3s23p24s, 3s23p24p, 3s23p24d, 3s23p24f, 3s23p25s, 3s3p33d, 3s23p3d2, 3p43d producing 283 levels of Cl III. The autoionizing resonances are delineated with a fine energy mesh to observe the fine structure effects. The present results will provide high precision parameters for various applications involving this less studied ion.
Summary-based symbolic evaluation for smart contracts

This paper presents Solar, a system for automatic synthesis of adversarial contracts that exploit vulnerabilities in a victim smart contract. To make the synthesis tractable, we introduce a query language as well as summary-based symbolic evaluation, which significantly reduces the number of instructions that our synthesizer needs to evaluate symbolically, without compromising the precision of the vulnerability query. We encoded common vulnerabilities of smart contracts and evaluated Solar on the entire data set from Etherscan. Our experiments demonstrate the benefits of summary-based symbolic evaluation and show that Solar outperforms state-of-the-art smart contracts analyzers, TEETHER, Mythril, and Contract Fuzzer, in terms of running time and precision.