cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
How Politicians Discount the Opinions of Constituents with Whom They Disagree

We argue that politicians systematically discount the opinions of constituents with whom they disagree and that this 'disagreement discounting' is a contributing factor to ideological incongruence. A pair of survey experiments where state and local politicians are the subjects of interest show that public officials rationalize this behavior by assuming that constituents with opposing views are less informed about the issue. This finding applies both to well-established issues that divide the parties as well as to nonpartisan ones. Further, it cannot be explained by politicians' desires to favor the opinions of either copartisans or likely voters. A third survey experiment using a sample of voters shows that the bias is exacerbated by an activity central to representative governance-taking and explaining one's policy positions. This suggests that the job of being a representative exacerbates this bias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
An X-Band Radar Terrain Feature Detection Method for Low-Altitude SVS Operations and Calibration Using LiDAR

To enable safe use of Synthetic Vision Systems at low altitudes, real-time range-to-terrain measurements may be required to ensure the integrity of terrain models stored in the system. This paper reviews and extends previous work describing the application of x-band radar to terrain model integrity monitoring. A method of terrain feature extraction and a transformation of the features to a common reference domain are proposed. Expected error distributions for the extracted features are required to establish appropriate thresholds whereby a consistency-checking function can trigger an alert. A calibration-based approach is presented that can be used to obtain these distributions. To verify the approach, NASA's DC-8 airborne science platform was used to collect data from two mapping sensors. An Airborne Laser Terrain Mapping (ALTM) sensor was installed in the cargo bay of the DC-8. After processing, the ALTM produced a reference terrain model with a vertical accuracy of less than one meter. Also installed was a commercial-off-the-shelf x-band radar in the nose radome of the DC-8. Although primarily designed to measure precipitation, the radar also provides estimates of terrain reflectivity at low altitudes. Using the ALTM data as the reference, errors in features extracted from the radar are estimated. A method to estimate errors in features extracted from the terrain model is also presented.
Comparing rapid thermal process and low-temperature furnace annealed poly test wafers by SIMS and FTIR

As the poly deposition process monitor, poly test wafers (TWS) run with production wafers are generally annealed using the rapid thermal process (RTP) to achieve fast, stable results. But real production wafers often receive an extended, low-temperature furnace thermal process after poly deposition. For this reason, there is always a question about whether or not RTP effectively simulates the thermal budget the device wafers receive during the whole process. During this study, the same processed poly films, both n-type and p-type, go through the RTP furnace for 8 hours at 600/spl deg/C. Comparing the secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) profile and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) of the Si-H bond led us to question whether the RTP process is reliable enough to be used as the poly deposition process monitor.
Ipsilateral eye closure and hemifacial weakness: Useful clinical clue to diagnose pseudostroke

A 16-year-old boy with anxiety was admitted for evaluation of acute-onset left face/hemibody numbness and weakness. Because of the possibility of an acute stroke, he was admitted to an outside hospital and underwent extensive investigations before transfer to our center. On examination, left hemifacial weakness was seen with pulling of the angle of the mouth to the right and left eye closure (video at [Neurology.org/cp][1]). CT head, CT perfusion, MRI, and magnetic resonance angiography of the brain did not show any evidence of ischemia or vasculopathy. EEG was normal. Symptoms resolved completely within several weeks with physical therapy aided by psychological counseling and management of anxiety. [1]: http://cp.neurology.org/lookup/doi/10.1212/CPJ.0000000000000206
The effects of spray-dried blood meal on growth performance of the early-weaned pig.

A total of 1,956 weanling pigs were used in five experiments to evaluate spray-dried blood meal (SDBM) in starter pig diets. In Exp. 1, 432 weanling pigs (initially 6.9 kg BW and 21 d of age) were used to evaluate different protein sources in the d 7 to 28 postweaning diet. Pigs were fed a control diet containing 5% select menhaden fish meal or diets with 3.88% spray-dried porcine plasma, 2.49% SDBM (porcine), 5.74% soy protein concentrate, 5.74% moist extruded soy protein concentrate, or L-lysine-HC1 and DL-methionine replacing select menhaden fish meal on an ideal protein basis. Pigs fed diets containing the spray-dried blood products had higher ( P .lo) were observed among treatments when pigs were fed spray-dried blood meals from different species. We conclude that spray-dried bovine, porcine, and avian blood meal are effective protein sources in starter pig diets (d 7 to 28 postweaning). However, SDBM is not necessary in the diets of older pigs (d 21 to 42 postweaning) for maximum growth performance.
Renal Vasoconstriction Occurs Early During Shockwave Lithotripsy in Humans

Abstract Introduction: In animal models, pretreatment with low-energy shock waves and a pause decreased renal injury from shockwave lithotripsy (SWL). This is associated with an increase in perioperative renal resistive index (RI). A perioperative rise is not seen without the protective protocol, which suggests that renal vasoconstriction during SWL plays a role in protecting the kidney from injury. The purpose of our study was to investigate whether there is an increase in renal RI during SWL in humans. Materials and Methods: Subjects were prospectively recruited from two hospitals. All subjects received an initial 250 shocks at low setting, followed by a 2-minute pause. Treatment power was then increased. Measurements of the renal RI were taken before start of procedure, at 250, after 750, after 1500 shocks, and at the end of the procedure. A linear mixed-effects model was used to compare RIs at the different time points. Results: Fifteen patients were enrolled. Average treatment time was 46 ± 8 minutes...
Decomposing projective transformations

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses how to decompose an arbitrary projective transformation of three-dimensional space into simple, geometrically meaningful factors. The standard way to factor any projective transformation of three-dimensional space is first to embed three-space into four-space, then to apply the 4 × 4 matrix M as a linear transformation in four-space, then to apply a perspective projection of four-space with the eye point at the origin and the perspective hyperplane at w = 1, and finally to project from four-space back to three-space by identifying the four-dimensional hyperplane w = 1 with standard three-dimensional space. In computer graphics and geometric modeling, the modeling transformations are generally applied to position an object in space, and then a perspective projection is applied to position the object on the screen for viewing. If a projective transformation has a perspective factor, then it must be a singular matrix. That is easy to see because every perspective transformation M has an eyepoint E that is mapped to a singularity, that is, to the point with homogeneous coordinates (0,0,0,0).
Identification of postoperative care amenable to telehealth

Background Postoperative follow-up using telehealth may increase patient access and decrease resource use. We aimed to define patient and operative criteria likely to be associated with successful telehealth follow-up (telehealth-amenable). Methods We assembled a retrospective cohort of veterans who underwent general operations between September 2012 and July 2013 to characterize telehealth-amenable postoperative follow-up, excluding patients with sensitive operative sites (breast, anus) and postoperative inpatient complications. Telehealth-amenable follow-up was defined as: postoperative care accomplished in a single clinic visit without an invasive procedure or focal concern and no new complication diagnosed or managed. Operations were categorized by site and complexity. Patient and operative characteristics predictive of telehealth-amenable follow-up were delineated using multivariable logistic regression. Results Eligible patients (251/300) were 94% men, on average 60 years old (±12.0 years) and attended a median of one postoperative visit (interquartile range [IQR] 1–2). Forty-seven percent (119/251) had telehealth-amenable follow-up, including 70% of simple abdominal operations, 75% of neck operations, and 38% of skin/soft tissue operations. After adjustment, predictors of telehealth-amenable follow-up included simple abdominal (odds ratio 3.37, 95% confidence interval 1.20–9.51) and neck operations (odds ratio 4.56, 95% confidence interval 1.01–20.54). Patients with postoperative durations of stay of ≥4 days were less likely telehealth-amenable (odds ratio 0.15, 95% confidence interval 0.04–0.50). Most patients who initiated contact with the operative team between discharge and follow-up did not have telehealth-amenable follow-up (43/53, 81%). Conclusion Telehealth postoperative follow-up may be feasible for patients undergoing select abdominal, neck, and skin/soft tissue operations with uncomplicated courses, operative duration of stay
417 ORAL ETHANOL SUPPRESSES OVERNIGHT ENDOGENOUS GHRELIN SECRETION IN NONDIABETIC AND TYPE 2 DIABETIC SUBJECTS.

Ghrelin is a novel gastric hormone that serves as a hunger signal and a putative growth hormone (GH) secretagogue in humans. In normal humans, ghrelin concentrations are inhibited by food intake, but the effect of specific nutrients on ghrelin dynamics has not been well studied. Conversely, ethanol has been reported to inhibit GH secretion through unknown mechanisms. We hypothesized that GH suppression by ethanol would be correlated to ghrelin suppression in both nondiabetic and T2DM subjects. Six subjects with T2DM (age = 56 ± 4 y, duration = 12 ± 7 y, HbA 1C = 7.8 ± 1.7%, BMI = 28.1 ± 5.4 kg/m 2 ) and nine nondiabetic subjects (age = 63 ± 6 y, HbA 1C = 5.0 ± 0.2%, BMI = 26.5 ± 4.2 kg/m 2 ) were admitted to the GCRC for two separate 24-hour studies. Glycemia was stabilized with a continuous infusion of IV insulin prior to study. At 2200, subjects ingested doses of either 95% ethanol in sugar-free punch or sugar-free punch alone (placebo) to achieve blood alcohol concentrations of 0.10% (mild intoxication) by midnight during the ethanol arm of the study. During sleep, glucose, insulin, and hormone concentrations were obtained at baseline and every 30 to 60 minutes between midnight and 0800. Results are shown below. These data demonstrate that low-dose oral ethanol prior to sleep suppresses endogenous ghrelin in both nondiabetic and insulin-requiring T2DM subjects. Moreover, the doses of oral ethanol used in this study did not affect overnight GH concentrations. Ghrelin is unlikely to mediate the suppressive effect of ethanol on GH.
Monolayer Single-Crystal 1T′-MoTe2 Grown by Chemical Vapor Deposition Exhibits Weak Antilocalization Effect

Growth of transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) monolayers is of interest due to their unique electrical and optical properties. Films in the 2H and 1T phases have been widely studied but monolayers of some 1T′-TMDs are predicted to be large-gap quantum spin Hall insulators, suitable for innovative transistor structures that can be switched via a topological phase transition rather than conventional carrier depletion [Qian et al. Science 2014, 346, 1344−1347]. Here we detail a reproducible method for chemical vapor deposition of monolayer, single-crystal flakes of 1T′-MoTe2. Atomic force microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy confirm the composition and structure of MoTe2 flakes. Variable temperature magnetotransport shows weak antilocalization at low temperatures, an effect seen in topological insulators and evidence of strong spin–orbit coupling. Our approach provides a pathway to systematic investigation of monolayer, single-crystal 1T′-Mo...
Demand clean vials

In 1979, Finnish researchers reported that they had discovered mutagenic substances in the urine of nurses preparing and administering chemotherapy to hospital patients.[1][1] Subsequent researchers found that open laminar-airflow equipment and traditional techniques used to manipulate vials, ampuls
Cell biology of fat storage

The worldwide epidemic of obesity and type 2 diabetes has greatly increased interest in the biology and physiology of adipose tissues. Adipose (fat) cells are specialized for the storage of energy in the form of triglycerides, but research in the last few decades has shown that fat cells also play a critical role in sensing and responding to changes in systemic energy balance. White fat cells secrete important hormone-like molecules such as leptin, adiponectin, and adipsin to influence processes such as food intake, insulin sensitivity, and insulin secretion. Brown fat, on the other hand, dissipates chemical energy in the form of heat, thereby defending against hypothermia, obesity, and diabetes. It is now appreciated that there are two distinct types of thermogenic fat cells, termed brown and beige adipocytes. In addition to these distinct properties of fat cells, adipocytes exist within adipose tissue, where they are in dynamic communication with immune cells and closely influenced by innervation and blood supply. This review is intended to serve as an introduction to adipose cell biology and to familiarize the reader with how these cell types play a role in metabolic disease and, perhaps, as targets for therapeutic development.
Fairness, One's Source of Income, and Others' Decisions: An Ultimatum Game Experiment

In an ultimatum game experiment, this paper studies the effects of the proposer's source of income, earned income and unearned income, on the responder's decision to accept or reject the proposer's offer. The results show that as the earned-income fraction increases, the responder tends to accept a lower offer. The results have implications for other types of behavior such as the demand for redistribution. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stability of Quantum Mechanical Shape Resonances via Riccati's Equation

The problem of locating resonance energies of Schrodinger's equation with a barrier potential is considered in the limit where the barrier is sent to infinity., The spherically-symmetric three-dimensional case is treated by the methods of ordinary differential equations using an outgoing wave boundary condition to define resonance energies. A detailed analysis of the associated Riccati equation, plays a major role in our approach; here W (x) is the barrier potential which is assumed to approach infinity as n → for almost all x in the barrier region. We show that as n → the resonance energies associated with the above problem approach the eigenvalues of a related “unperturbed” problem.
Outcome predictors in patients receiving high-dose interleukin-2 therapy for the treatment of metastatic melanoma and renal cell carcinoma.

e20055 Background: Although multiple therapies for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and metastatic melanoma (MM) exist, high dose interleukin-2 (IL-2) remains a viable treatment option for a c...
Reaction: Sustainable Catalysis without Metals

David J.C. Constable is the science director of the American Chemical Society's Green Chemistry Institute. In this role, he works to catalyze and enable the implementation of sustainable and green chemistry and engineering throughout the global chemistry enterprise.
On designing optimal camouflaged layouts

Integrated circuit (IC) camouflaging is a layout-level technique that hampers reverse-engineering attacks. In one embodiment of camouflaging, layouts of different Boolean gates are designed to look alike by using a combination of true and dummy contacts. The security of IC camouflaging using dummy contacts depends on an attackers inability to determine whether a contact is true or dummy. The layouts of camouflaged gates in prior works incur tremendous overhead: 4x in area, 5.5x in power, and 1.8x in delay. Thus, overhead is a major impediment to adoption of IC camouflaging. To solve this problem, we propose an algorithm to generate the layouts of camouflaged gates using dummy contacts for static CMOS logic. In this work, we develop low-cost camouflaging solutions using a graph-theoretic approach. Given an optimization objective and a list of Boolean functions whose layouts have to look alike, the proposed algorithm produces look-alike layouts that are optimized (minimized) in terms of area, power, delay, or a combination. Results indicate that the proposed design is more robust against variations and has better noise margin than the existing techniques.
Integration of element specific persistent homology and machine learning for protein-ligand binding affinity prediction.

Summary Protein-ligand binding is a fundamental biological process that is paramount to many other biological processes, such as signal transduction, metabolic pathways, enzyme construction, cell secretion, gene expression, etc. Accurate prediction of protein-ligand binding affinities is vital to rational drug design and the understanding of protein-ligand binding and binding induced function. Existing binding affinity prediction methods are inundated with geometric detail and involve excessively high dimensions, which undermines their predictive power for massive binding data. Topology provides the ultimate level of abstraction and thus incurs too much reduction in geometric information. Persistent homology embeds geometric information into topological invariants and bridges the gap between complex geometry and abstract topology. However, it oversimplifies biological information. This work introduces element specific persistent homology (ESPH) or multicomponent persistent homology to retain crucial biological information during topological simplification. The combination of ESPH and machine learning gives rise to a powerful paradigm for macromolecular analysis. Tests on two large data sets indicate that the proposed topology based machine learning paradigm outperforms other existing methods in protein-ligand binding affinity predictions. ESPH reveals protein-ligand binding mechanism that can not be attained from other conventional techniques. The present approach reveals that protein-ligand hydrophobic interactions are extended to 40A away from the binding site, which has a significant ramification to drug and protein design. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Immunotherapy-induced autoimmune hypophysitis:

Autoimmune hypophysitis is an immune-related adverse event of immune checkpoint inhibitors. In this article, we present the case of a 58-year-old female patient who presented to the emergency room with gradually worsening nonspecific symptoms of headache, nausea, vomiting and decreased oral intake of one week duration. The patient had been diagnosed with relapsed extensive stage small cell lung cancer. She was being treated with a combination of ipilimumab and nivolumab after progression on chemotherapy. Gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of head revealed pituitary enlargement up to 1.5 cm and pituitary stalk enlargement up to 4 mm consistent with hypophysitis. The patient was treated with corticosteroids resulting in rapid resolution of her symptoms. The objective of our report is to highlight this rare but important adverse event associated with checkpoint inhibitors, and discuss its clinical features, diagnostic work-up and treatment.
Computer visualization in spacecraft exploration of the solar system

Computer visualization, including graphical, imaging, and animation methods, is an essential tool for spacecraft exploration of the solar system. Its applications range from planning trajectories and orbital tours, and animation of spacecraft encounters, to a variety of applications involving the visual display and scientific analysis of returned data. Scientific visualization can take forms as varied as the suite of instruments carried by the spacecraft, but includes representation of motion and fields, animation of imaging sequences, and the effective communication of scientific results by the use of novel computer-generated graphics, images, and animated sequences. We present a few examples drawn from spacecraft flybys of the outer planets and the ongoing scientific analysis of the wealth of data they have returned.
Images of Equality and Freedom: the Representation of Chinese American Men, America Today Magazine, and the Cultural Cold War in Asia

This article analyzes America Today, a United States Information Service publication circulated to Southeast Asian Chinese between 1949 and 1952. Although the federal government had no intention of lifting immigration restrictions, the magazine promoted the idea that the United States provided humanitarian assistance and abundant opportunities to Chinese immigrants as well as their American-born Chinese counterparts to achieve upward mobility, form a conjugal family, and enjoy patriarchal authority. The stories demonstrated an attempt to inspire Chinese male readers in Southeast Asia to support the United States and the “free world,” rather than Communism and the People's Republic of China.
Intracellular Staining with Nickel Chloride

The development of methods for the staining of individual neurons (especially intracellular staining) has undoubtedly been the most important technical advance in invertebrate neurobiology since the introduction of the glass microelectrode. Publication of the original methods for staining with Procion yellow (Stretton and Kravitz et al. 1968), cobalt chloride (Pitman et al. 1972) and Lucifer yellow (Stewart 1978) was followed not only by many papers describing applications of these techniques to particular preparations, but also by papers describing ways to increase the effectiveness or versatility of the techniques (e.g. Kater and Nicholson 1973; Strausfeld and Miller 1980). The widespread use of these staining techniques has undoubtedly been aided by the fact that different specific methods (using metallic ions, fluorescent dyes, or other markers) are available, since this means that in circumstances where one method is difficult to apply, another may sometimes be substituted. In this article another variation on established methods is described, the use of nickel instead of cobalt ions for injection.
Seasonal structuring of a north temperature ant community

Ant nest were mapped in both time and space at two sites in New York over two consecutive years. Dispersion patterns, identity of nearest neighbor, and migration frequencies were also determined for three time points in 1981. Examination of nest distributions showed important seasonal variation with respect to spacing pattern and identity of nearest neighbors. Data pooled over an entire year suggested aggregation of nests with nonrandon species associations, yet these inferences were statistically significant only in early spring. Distances between neighboring colonies were low in early spring, high in mid-summer, and lower by late summer. Changes in ant nest distribution were mediated by colony migrations occuring throughout the season of activity. Although different species varied in their propensity to move, fluidity of community structure was a result common to all ant species studied.
Method for biomechanical analysis of human performance.

Abstract A kinetic analysis of human motion, one of the greatest advances in the field of biomechanics, has been expanded by the computer-digitizer complex which allows analysis of total body motion through use of slow motion cinematography, special tracing equipment to convert the data, and the high-speed computer. Appropriate programming results in a segmental breakdown of information of the whole motion including the total body center of gravity, segment velocities and accelerations, horizontal, vertical and resultant forces, moments of force, and the timing between the body segments. This analysis provides a quantitative measure of the motion and allows for perfection and optimization of human performance. Applications of biomechanical analyses permit an objective, quantitative assessment of performance replacing the uncertainty of trial and error, eliminating the element of doubt, and providing a realistic opportunity for improved performance.
All Along the Watchtower: a Case of Long QT Syndrome Misdiagnosis Secondary to Genetic Testing Misinterpretation

Clinical genetics services continue to expand into diverse medical specialties. An ever-increasing number of non-genetics providers are independently ordering genetic tests, interpreting results, and at times, making diagnoses leading to patient care recommendations. Non-genetics healthcare providers can help increase patient access to these services, but a potential pitfall occurs when these providers either do not have adequate expertise with genetic variant interpretation or do not have access to multi-disciplinary teams including genetic counselors or clinical geneticists for advanced review. In the cardiology setting, variant misinterpretation can lead to misattribution of disease risk, unnecessary treatments or management, and potentially adverse psychosocial and financial effects. To address this, case reports and series are needed to highlight variant misinterpretation and misdiagnoses, including discussion of possible solutions and best practices for avoidance. This report details a child previously diagnosed with long QT syndrome type 4 by chromosomal microarray who was then subsequently managed for this disease by cardiac providers with insufficient expertise to critically review and question the genetic testing results. The patient was eventually referred to a pediatric electrophysiology team as part of a larger multidisciplinary cardiovascular genetics program, composed of specialist genetic counselors, cardiologists, and clinical geneticists. Advanced review and clinical evaluation raised concern about the initial genetic testing result and diagnosis. Complementary testing with a different modality to confirm or disconfirm the chromosome microarray result was performed, providing evidence that the original result reflected analytic error in the laboratory as well as interpretive error by the clinical geneticist and that the patient was misdiagnosed, and treated over the course of years, for long QT syndrome. This case shows the value of multidisciplinary teams caring for patients with inherited cardiovascular diseases.
Structure in talker variability: How much is there and how much can it help?

One of the persistent puzzles in understanding human speech perception is how listeners cope with talker variability. One thing that might help listeners is structure in talker variability: rather ...
Stochastic optimisation with risk aversion for virtual power plant operations: a rolling horizon control

While the concept of aggregating and controlling renewable distributed energy resources (DERs) to provide grid services is not new, increasing policy support of DER market participation has driven research and development in algorithms to pool DERs for economically viable market participation. Sandia National Laboratories recently undertook a 3 year research programme to create the components of a real-world virtual power plant (VPP) that can simultaneously participate in multiple markets. The authors’ research extends current state-of-the-art rolling horizon control through the application of stochastic programming with risk aversion at various time resolutions. Their rolling horizon control consists of day-ahead optimisation to produce an hourly aggregate schedule for the VPP operator and sub-hourly optimisation for the real-time dispatch of each VPP subresource. Both optimisation routines leverage a two-stage stochastic programme with risk aversion and integrate the most up-to-date forecasts to generate probabilistic scenarios in real operating time. Their results demonstrate the benefits to the VPP operator of constructing a stochastic solution regardless of the weather. In more extreme weather, applying risk optimisation strategies can dramatically increase the financial viability of the VPP. The methodologies presented here can be further tailored for optimal control of any VPP asset fleet and its operational requirements.
Surgical Predictors of Reduced Marginal Reflex Distance After Upper Blepharoplasty.

Purpose Ptosis may occur in certain cases after upper blepharoplasty. The authors aim to characterize the incidence of postoperative marginal reflex distance (MRD1) reduction after upper blepharoplasty and surgical variables that may predict this occurrence. Methods In this cross-sectional study, patients > 18 years old undergoing upper blepharoplasty were screened. Patients were excluded if they had any history of ptosis and brow surgery. Data regarding the excision of skin, muscle, fat, and brow fat as well as crease formation were documented. The distance in millimeter from the center of the pupil to the upper eyelid margin in the midpupillary line (MRD1) was measured digitally. The primary outcome measure was a postoperative reduction in MRD1 of >1 mm. Secondary outcome was overall mean change in MRD1 and the incidence of ptosis as defined by a final MRD1 ≤ 2.5 mm. Results The final sample consisted of 100 patients (200 eyelids) and the mean age was 55.8 years. There were 65 patients with orbicularis muscle removal, 52 patients with postseptal fat removed, and 9 patients with crease formation. Overall 15 patients developed MRD1 decrease of greater than 1 mm (5 bilaterally and 10 unilaterally) with 7 eyes demonstrating a final MRD1 of ≤ 2.5 mm. In multivariate modeling, muscle removal was found to be the only variable with significant impact on the development of MRD1 reduction > 1 mm after upper blepharoplasty (p Conclusions Fifteen percent of patients demonstrated a reduction in MRD1 > 1 mm after upper eyelid blepharoplasty, and those with orbicularis resection were more likely to experience this change.The authors' study demonstrates a 15% incidence of postoperative MRD1 reduction after upper eyelid blepharoplasty. Orbicularis oculi muscle removal was significantly associated with this occurrence.
Martyrdom and Religious Freedom

When we give religious exemptions, why do we do it? Is it because we think people will back down otherwise or because we think they won’t? What exactly are religious exemptions trying to avoid? The harm to conscience that submission would bring? Or the defiance and resistance that refusal would entail? The easy answer is both. And it is the truthful answer as well. We give religious exemptions both to avoid the prospect of martyrdom and to avoid the prospect of broken consciences. Religious exemptions protect human dignity and freedom; they also avert open contestation between church and state. Both things are good, and there is no need to choose between them. Yet even so, the above questions still linger. And how you think about them can end up coloring your approach to all kinds of things: which claims should succeed and which should fail, how doctrine ought to be constructed, and what religious liberty is all about. This symposium essay ponders these questions, drawing from the length of the American experience. Its basic premise is that martyrdom matters — that religious liberty has and will be shaped by the willingness of people to suffer for their faith. Along the way, it tries to offer some more specific and provocative thoughts.
Early-life Chronic Stressors, Rumination, and the Onset of Vulvodynia.

Abstract Introduction Vulvodynia is a debilitating, chronic vulvar pain condition. Community-based case-control studies have consistently shown associations between early-life chronic stressors and vulvodynia onset. Aim We examined rumination as a specific stress response involved in the psychobiological mechanism of vulvodynia. Methods A psychosocial survey with questions specific to early-life traumatic events and rumination were administered to 185 matched case-control pairs of women with and without vulvodynia. Conditional logistic regression was used to examine associations between rumination constructs (ie, total rumination, emotion-focused, instrumental, and searching for meaning) and vulvodynia onset. Conditional logistic regression was also used to determine whether these associations depended on early-life stressors (ie, severity of childhood abuse and of self-reported antecedent traumatic events). Age at interview, antecedent pain disorders, any childhood abuse, and antecedent psychiatric morbidity were included as covariates. Main Outcome Measures We estimated the odds of rumination in relation to the onset of vulvodynia within a community-based and clinically confirmed sample of women with and without vulvodynia. Results Vulvodynia was associated with the highest tertile of emotion-focused (odds ratio [OR] = 2.1; 95% CI = 1.2, 3.2) and instrumental (OR = 2.1; 95% CI = 1.1, 4.0) rumination. These associations were attenuated after additional adjustment for antecedent psychiatric morbidity. Among women who reported rumination about early-life stressors before vulvar pain in cases or matched reference age in control subjects, those with vulvodynia were >2 times more likely to report the highest tertile of total rumination (OR = 2.3; 95% CI = 1.1, 5.0) compared with those without vulvodynia. Clinical Implications Healthcare providers may be able to identify subsets of women who could benefit from preventive measures before the development of vulvodynia. Strength & Limitations This is the first study to use a community-based and clinically confirmed sample of women with and without vulvodynia to examine the associations between rumination about early-life trauma and the onset of vulvodynia. However, as with all retrospective studies, the reporting of information (eg, traumatic events) was subject to recall bias and misclassification. Conclusion Our findings indicate that a prolonged cognitive stress response (ie, rumination) may be 1 important mechanism by which early-life chronic stressors contribute to the onset vulvodynia. Prospective studies are recommended to examine whether and how cognitive, affective, and physiological components of prolonged stress responses interact to influence the development of vulvodynia. Understanding both the psychobiological and behavioral mechanisms may help in addressing and treating individuals to potentially reverse the development of vulvodynia. Khandker M, Brady SS, Rydell SA, et al. Early-life Chronic Stressors, Rumination, and the Onset of Vulvodynia. J Sex Med 2019;16:880–890.
Cost-Utility of Routine Testing in Chronic Urticaria/Angioedema: A Cohort Study.

Background Chronic urticaria/angioedema (CUA) guidelines recommend limiting tests to diagnose and assess prognosis, activity, and severity. Routine testing in CUA might substantially increase cost of disease without benefiting outcome. Objective To evaluate the utility of tests in CUA and how they influence the cost of disease. Methods We reviewed 725 electronic medical records of patients who were evaluated for CUA between 2010 and 2018 at a tertiary care center. The sample was gathered through the search of International Classification of Diseases Ninth and Tenth Revision codes pertaining to CUA. Analyses were made to evaluate changes in outcome for patients on whom at least 1 test was performed to evaluate CUA, the costs generated by these tests, and the tendencies to order specific tests from 2010 through 2018. Results Of 725 patients (age median, 47 years; women, 73.1%), 543 (74.8%) had at least 1 test performed. Tests had an elevated percentage of normal results (>90%). Five patients (0.9%) had a change in outcome and 8 patients were given a different diagnosis (0.1% each). Evaluation, management, and tests accounted for most of the costs. Costs remain similar between 2010-2014 (mean, $569) and 2015-2018 (mean, $569). Conclusions In CUA, tests rarely uncover underlying conditions or lead to changes in management and outcome, but they substantially increase the costs generated by the disease. Adherence to current recommendations to limit testing might help in reducing the financial burden of CUA and improve delivery of care.
Stroke Mimics: An Important Source of Bias in Acute Ischemic Stroke Research

Abstract Study Objective: Stroke mimics may be difficult distinguish from acute ischemic strokes and are often treated with alteplase though not by intent. We report the characteristics, frequency, and outcomes of stroke mimics treated at our institution. Using our data, we then explore how the inclusion of stroke mimics in stroke outcomes research may be an important source of bias. Methods: We retrospectively identified all patients treated with alteplase in our emergency department from August 2013 to December 2017 for suspected acute ischemic stroke. We collected the following variables: gender, age, risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, and atrial fibrillation), admission glucose, admission National Institute of Health Stroke Scale, admission mean arterial pressure, onset-to-treatment time, adverse events, discharge diagnosis, length of stay, discharge NIHSS, discharge destination, and 3 month modified Rankin score. Results: One hundred and eighteen patients were treated with alteplase for suspected acute ischemic stroke of which 33 (27.9%) were stroke mimics. Compared to ischemic strokes, stroke mimics were younger (median age 53 versus 69; P P P P P Conclusions: Inclusion of stroke mimics led to an artificial inflation of a favorable discharge destination for our entire cohort. Our study highlights the potential for bias in reporting favorable outcomes if appropriate adjustment accounting for stroke mimics does not occur.
An overview of the first principles studies of doped RE-TM5 systems for the development of hard magnetic properties

Abstract In this study, we compiled all the first principles calculations performed on RE-TM5 (RE: rare earth, TM: transition metal) system to address the following question: Has everything been tried to improve the hard magnetic properties of this special intermetallic compound, and are there any venues that are worth pursuing? As it is the case with the first principles studies in any field, they are driven mainly by experimental work: (i) to validate their results, and (ii) to extend our understanding of the underlying physical phenomena so that the theory in hand can be used as a predictive tool to shed light on certain what-if scenarios. Our analysis indicates that three major compounds are investigated more than others: (1) YCo5, because it can potentially be an intermediate-performance hard magnet, and the presence of yttrium with no localized 4f electrons simplifies calculations significantly, (2) SmCo5, because it has the largest magnetic anisotropy energy among all RE hard magnets as well as very impressive high temperature performance, (3) CeCo5, because Ce is the most abundant rare earth element with a curious 4f electron behavior that gives rise to pronounced deviations in its structural and magnetic properties across the lanthanides series. This is followed by a brief analysis of several ab initio approaches that were developed to treat these rather complicated systems both at 0 K and at finite temperatures. Towards the end, we elucidate the role of exchange-correlation approximations such as local density approximations (LDA) and generalized gradient approximation (GGA) formulation in determining the MAE and Ms by analyzing their corresponding density of states (DOS), and providing our results on a rather overlooked hard-magnetic material: LaCo5.
Ataxin2 functions via CrebA to mediate Huntingtin toxicity in circadian clock neurons.

Disrupted circadian rhythms is a prominent and early feature of neurodegenerative diseases including Huntington’s disease (HD). In HD patients and animal models, striatal and hypothalamic neurons expressing molecular circadian clocks are targets of mutant Huntingtin (mHtt) pathogenicity. Yet how mHtt disrupts circadian rhythms remains unclear. In a genetic screen for modifiers of mHtt effects on circadian behavior in Drosophila, we discovered a role for the neurodegenerative disease gene Ataxin2 (Atx2). Genetic manipulations of Atx2 modify the impact of mHtt on circadian behavior as well as mHtt aggregation and demonstrate a role for Atx2 in promoting mHtt aggregation as well as mHtt-mediated neuronal dysfunction. RNAi knockdown of the Fragile X mental retardation gene, dfmr1, an Atx2 partner, also partially suppresses mHtt effects and Atx2 effects depend on dfmr1. Atx2 knockdown reduces the cAMP response binding protein A (CrebA) transcript at dawn. CrebA transcript level shows a prominent diurnal regulation in clock neurons. Loss of CrebA also partially suppresses mHtt effects on behavior and cell loss and restoration of CrebA can suppress Atx2 effects. Our results indicate a prominent role of Atx2 in mediating mHtt pathology, specifically via its regulation of CrebA, defining a novel molecular pathway in HD pathogenesis.
Unraveling Cryptic Morphological Diversity in a Marine Snail Species Complex Using Nuclear Genomic Data

Conus lividus (Hwass in Bruguiere, 1792) and Conus sanguinolentus (Quoy and Gaimard, 1834) are closely related Indo-West Pacific cone snails that have largely overlapping distributions. Previous population genetic analyses of these species found that some individuals that were identified as C. lividus possessed mitochondrial gene sequences that were similar or in some cases identical to those of C. sanguinolentus. While these species tend to be easily distinguished based on shell color patterns, it is possible that some individuals of C. sanguinolentus were misidentified as C. lividus. The result though could also be due to introgression of the mitochondrial genome of C. sanguinolentus into C. lividus. We used a ddRAD approach to obtain sequences of short fragments of more than 7,000 nuclear genomic loci to examine patterns of variation and evaluate these explanations. Results showed that the two parental species are genetically differentiated at nuclear loci and all putative hybrids were unambiguously assigned to C. sanguinolentus based on shared patterns of variation. These results demonstrate that variation in shell color patterns of C. sanguinolentus overlaps with that of C. lividus, and extend the distribution of C. sanguinolentus into the Hawaiian Archipelago. Additional analyses of patterns of genetic variation among populations of the two species revealed that while C. lividus shows no genetic population structure, the population of C. sanguinolentus from Hawaii is genetically differentiated from populations elsewhere as found in prior analyses based on mitochondrial sequence data.
Solvent Selection for the Separation of Lignin-Derived Monomers Using the Conductor-like Screening Model for Real Solvents

The separation of desired monomers from a liquid-phase mixture of lignin depolymerization products is necessary to facilitate their upscaling and upgrading for industrial applications. One effectiv...
MitraClip 30-Day Readmissions and Impact of Early Discharge: An Analysis from the Nationwide Readmissions Database 2016

Abstract Background/Purpose Edge-to-edge mitral valve repair (MVR) using the MitraClip (Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, CA), is now labeled for patients with degenerative and functional mitral regurgitation. Because this is a minimally invasive transcatheter procedure, patients are commonly discharged early post-procedure, yet rates and causes of early readmissions are unknown. This study aimed to evaluate underlying causes and trends of 30-day readmissions using the 2016 US Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD) in patients discharged early after MVR with MitraClip. Methods/materials We identified all patients who received a MitraClip in 2016 and then identified a cohort of patients who were discharged early ( Results Our analysis included 3858 MitraClip patients. The overall 30-day readmission rate was 13.5%. A total of 2341 patients (61%) were discharged early. The readmission rate among the early discharge cohort was 10.1% (233/2314). The readmission rate among the early discharge cohort was 10.1% (233/2314). The major causes of readmission were heart failure (27.5%), infections (15.5%), and postprocedural complications (6.9%). Conclusions Early discharge post-MitraClip treatment is feasible, safe, and associated with low readmission rates as compared to all MitraClip procedures performed. Special considerations for early discharge should apply to postprocedural complications and patients with heart failure, the most common readmission causes, as these may require longer stays post-procedure. Summary This study aimed to evaluate underlying causes and trends of 30-day readmissions using the US Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD) 2016 dataset in patients discharged early after mitral valve repair with MitraClip. The overall 30-day readmission rate during this period was 13.5%; the readmission rate among patients discharged early (
The Shape of a Life: Gender and Its Influence on Purpose Development

This chapter focuses on gender as an example of how social identity might contour the purpose development process, including purpose exploration and commitment, and the specific content of people’s chosen purpose in life. Enacting gender roles over time can lead to the development of attitudes, skills, and behaviors that are aligned with societal expectations about one’s gender, all of which may contribute to individuals’ exploration of and commitment to purpose contents that are aligned with gender expectations as well. After outlining potential connections between gender and purpose exploration, commitment, and content, future directions for research are described, including: articulating costs associated with developing purpose in a patriarchal context, integrating intersectionality into research on purpose development, and moving beyond the gender binary to more accurately reflect people’s lived experiences developing and maintaining a sense of purpose in life.
Oviposition response of Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) to direct treatment and residue of pyrethroids on soybean.

The oviposition response of the twospotted spider mite (TSSM), Tetranychus urticae Koch, to direct treatment and residues of fenvalerate and permethrin on soybean was examined in the laboratory. Co...
LONG-TERM UNEMPLOYMENT OF THE RISK GROUPS IN THE SLOVAK LABOUR MARKET

Long-term unemployment is a persistent problem for Slovakia. Despite the number of long-term unemployed people in Slovakia has decreased significantly in recent years, it still presents a high proportion of the total unemployment rate. According to the European Commission Report about Slovakia in 2019, while the long-term unemployment rate fell to 4% on a year-on-year basis, it is still well above the EU average of 2.9%. Although growth is expected in the upcoming years, spending on active labour market policies in Slovakia has been one of the lowest in the EU. The study aims at investigating the current situation of long-term unemployment among risk groups in the labour market in Slovakia and labour market measures taken to curb it. It also examines the consequences of unemployment on the family and to seek solutions for the long-term unemployment in Slovakia. The data has been analyzed by a statistical method and proposes solutions to reduce long-term unemployment in the northern part of Slovakia