cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Combining fMRI Language Lateralization and Hippocampal Morphometry for Predicting Verbal Memory Outcome after Left Temporal Lobectomy (S28.003)

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether hippocampal volume measurements provide additional value beyond fMRI language lateralization alone in predicting verbal memory outcome in epilepsy following left anterior temporal lobectomy (L-ATL). BACKGROUND: Verbal memory decline is frequent after L-ATL and can be predicted with fair accuracy using an fMRI index of language lateralization. Here, we investigated the predictive value of hippocampal morphometry alone and in conjunction with fMRI. DESIGN/METHODS: Participants were 66 left temporal lobe epilepsy patients treated with L-ATL. All patients underwent preoperative fMRI using a semantic decision – tone decision contrast to measure language lateralization. All patients had preoperative and 6-month postoperative verbal memory testing, including a word-list learning and retention measure (Selective Reminding Test) and a story recall test (Wechsler Logical Memory). T1-weighted preoperative MRI scans were analyzed with FreeSurfer software to create automated initial parcellations of the hippocampus, which were then manually edited based on standard landmarks. RESULTS: Unlike fMRI language lateralization, the hippocampal volume measures provided no additional value for predicting postoperative change on the word-list learning test. In contrast, hippocampal volume was superior to fMRI for predicting change on the story memory test, with larger left hippocampal volume (r = -.361, p = .003) and smaller rightward hippocampal asymmetry (r = -.259, p = .037) correlating with greater decline in performance. Left hippocampal volume remained an independent predictor of story memory change after including fMRI and preoperative performance in a multivariate regression model (R2 change = .075, p = .027). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative left hippocampal volume was predictive of postoperative change on a story recall task, whereas rote word-list learning was linked more closely to language lateralization. Encoding of meaningful stories likely engages bihemispheric semantic networks that are partially independent of the language system. Hippocampal morphometry adds predictive value for risk assessment prior to L-ATL surgery. Supported by: National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke grant R01 NS35929. Disclosure: Dr. Bauer has nothing to disclose. Dr. Swanson has nothing to disclose. Dr. Sabsevitz has nothing to disclose. Dr. Stengel has nothing to disclose. Dr. Humphries has nothing to disclose. Dr. Rozman has nothing to disclose. Dr. Janecek has nothing to disclose. Dr. Raghavan has nothing to disclose. Dr. Mueller has nothing to disclose. Dr. Binder has received research support from the National Institutes of Health.
Breeding Pond Occupancy of the Ringed Salamander (Ambystoma annulatum) in East-central Missouri

Abstract Ringed Salamanders are wetland-dependent amphibians that are regionally endemic to the Ozark Highlands and Ouachita Mountains. To assess the most important variables influencing breeding wetland use by Ringed Salamanders in east-central Missouri, we sampled a total of 38 wetlands during the fall 2010 breeding season. We found the presence of predatory fish was the most important variable determining whether Ringed Salamanders used a breeding wetland and that breeding wetlands were significantly associated with increased areas of continuous forest. These breeding habitat requirements can be used to aid in conservation efforts for this species as well as other fall-breeding ambystomatid salamanders.
Fixation and redistribution of arsenic during early and late diagenesis in the organic matter-rich members of the Lockatong Formation, Newark basin, USA: implication for the quality of groundwater

The Byram and Walls Island members in the lower and upper sections, respectively, of the Lockatong Formation in the Newark basin near the border between Pennsylvania and New Jersey were chosen to assess (i) the role of euxinic/anoxic conditions in sequestering arsenic (As) and other trace elements and (ii) the redistribution of these elements during catagenetic transformations. ἀese members are rich in organic matter and host pyrite which occurs as disseminations, small patches, and subparallel veins. ἀe sulfur isotope values of pyrite samples range between -7.5 and 0.5 ‰CDT (average = -3.5‰CDT). ἀe negative δ34S values are indicative of Bacterial Sulfate Reduction (BSR) under low temperature and euxinic/anoxic conditions. ἀe total organic carbon (TOC) values in this member ᴀuctuate between 0.5 and 2.1%. ἀese euxinic/anoxic conditions enhanced the incorporation of As and other trace elements in both organic matter and pyrite. ἀe As concentrations range from 13 to 800 mg/kg and from 1.4 to 34 mg/kg in pyrite and black shale samples, respectively. Rock Eval analyses reveal that organic matter is over-mature which altered the correlation between TOC and As. ἀe thermal cracking of organic matter resulted in the removal of these elements from organic matter and their subsequent incorporation in pyrite and bitumen. Organic matter- and pyrite-rich anoxic black shale layers and bitumen veins are potential sources of arsenic in groundwater in the Newark basin, with arsenic values that reach up to 215 μg/L.
Development of Multilayer Coatings for Hard X-Ray Optics at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center

Broadband X-ray multilayer coatings are under development at NASA MSFC for use on future astronomical X-ray telescopes. Multilayer coatings deposited onto the reflecting surfaces of X-ray optics can provide a large bandpass enabling observations of higher energy astrophysical objects and phenomena.
Chiral topological insulator of magnons

We propose a magnon realization of 3D topological insulator in the AIII (chiral symmetry) topological class. The topological magnon gap opens due to the presence of Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions. The existence of the topological invariant is established by calculating the bulk winding number of the system. Within our model, the surface magnon Dirac cone is protected by the sublattice chiral symmetry. By analyzing the magnon surface modes, we confirm that the backscattering is prohibited. By weakly breaking the chiral symmetry, we observe the magnon Hall response on the surface due to opening of the gap. Finally, we show that by changing certain parameters, the system can be tuned between the chiral topological insulator, three-dimensional magnon anomalous Hall, and Weyl magnon phases.
Effects of wind ensemble seating configurations on college instrumentalists’ perceptions of ensemble sound:

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of wind ensemble seating configurations on college instrumentalists’ ratings of ensemble sound. Members of a university wind ensemble (N = 40) w...
Driven to decay: excitability and synaptic abnormalities in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common motor neuron (MN) disease and is clinically characterised by the death of corticospinal motor neurons (CSMNs), spinal and brainstem MNs and the degeneration of the corticospinal tract. Degeneration of CSMNs and MNs leads inexorably to muscle wastage and weakness, progressing to eventual death within 3-5 years of diagnosis. The CSMNs, located within layer V of the primary motor cortex, project axons constituting the corticospinal tract, forming synaptic connections with brainstem and spinal cord interneurons and MNs. Clinical ALS may be divided into familial (∼10% of cases) or sporadic (∼90% of cases), based on apparent random incidence. The emergence of transgenic murine models, expressing different ALS-associated mutations has accelerated our understanding of ALS pathogenesis, although precise mechanisms remain elusive. Multiple avenues of investigation suggest that cortical electrical abnormalities have pre-eminence in the pathophysiology of ALS. In addition, glutamate-mediated functional and structural alterations in both CSMNs and MNs are present in both sporadic and familial forms of ALS. This review aims to promulgate debate in the field with regard to the common aetiology of sporadic and familial ALS. A specific focus on a nexus point in ALS pathogenesis, namely, the synaptic and intrinsic hyperexcitability of CSMNs and MNs and alterations to their structure are comprehensively detailed. The association of extramotor dysfunction with neuronal structural/functional alterations will be discussed. Finally, the implications of the latest research on the dying-forward and dying-back controversy are considered.
IMMUNE RESPONSES TO EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the immune responses to Epstein–Barr (EB) virus. Four major groups of EBV-related antigens have been differentiated: (1) EB viral capsid antigens (VCA), which are present in all cells synthesizing virus particles; (2) EBV-determined cell membrane antigens (MA), which are subdivided into early and late MA; (3) EBV-induced early antigens (EA), which are most clearly demonstrable in abortively EBV-superinfected cells from non-producer lines; and (d) EBV-associated nuclear antigen (EBNA), which is detected in all EBV-transformed lymphoblasts by anti-complement immunofluorescence and not by the direct or indirect techniques used for detection of VCA, MA, and EA. Among the groups of EBV-related antigens, the EA complex has assumed especial significance.
Congenital hepatic fibrosis. Two cases simulating hepatic cirrhosis.

Congenital hepatic fibrosis (CHF) was detected in a 10-year-old boy with hepatosplenomegaly and leukopenia and in a 45-year-old man with hepatomegaly. Several years after these original findings, both patients developed bleeding that was attributed to esophageal varices and were treated by elective portasystemic shunts. In both, the preshunt liver function tests were essentially normal and the liver scans revealed homogeneous uptake. The gross aspect of the livers at laparotomy was indistinguishable from that of cirrhosis, and the liver wedge biopsies showed generalized portal and interlobular fibrosis and bile-duct hyperplasia but no evidence of previous liver-cell necrosis. Hepatic vein catheterization and portal venography in the adult patient indicated intrahepatic presinusoidal block. Neither patient had jaundice, ascites, or polycystic kidneys. Both cases appear sporadic.
Abstract 217: Coronary Artery Disease Locus 1p32.2 Harbors a Flow-Sensitive Endothelial Enhancer that Regulates PLPP3

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified chromosome 1p32.2 as one of the loci most strongly associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) susceptibility; however, the causal mechanism...
Autologous Blood Patch for Persistent Ascites Leak from Non-Closing Paracentesis Tracts

Ascites, the fluid accumulation in the peritoneal cavity, is most commonly seen in patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD). Evaluating ascites or providing symptomatic relief for patients is accomplished by performing a paracentesis. Ascites leak from a paracentesis site can be a complication of the procedure and is associated with increased morbidity. Currently, the best options for these patients include medical management or surgical abdominal wall layer closure. Utilizing a blood patch provides an alternative approach to managing such patients. A two-center prospective case series was performed evaluating the efficacy of the blood patch in patients with significant persistent ascites leak following a paracentesis. About 30 mL of the patients’ peripheral blood was used for the blood patch. Subjects were recruited over a period of one year and followed for 30 days after the procedure. A total of six patients were recruited for this study. Subjects underwent placement of autologous blood patch at the site of the ascites leak and 100% had resolution of the leak within 24 h. None of the subjects developed any complications of the procedure. This study shows that an autologous blood patch is an effective, low-risk treatment method for ascites leaks following a paracentesis. It is a simple bedside procedure that can reduce morbidity in patients with end-stage liver disease.
Correction to: Improved precision in the analysis of randomized trials with survival outcomes, without assuming proportional hazards.

The R code used for the data analysis and simulations in our manuscript (Diaz et al. 2018) had two errors, which we have corrected.
Sanitation and waste disposal systems

Abstract An innovative technology has been proposed for a sustainable sanitation and waste disposal system for the development of modern urbanization where a building can itself recycle the sanitation and biowaste onsite by implementing a bioreactor in the cellar. The building's sanitation water, including human feces and household biowaste, would be implemented in the transformation process onsite where the sludge of this mixing product is channeled to an anaerobic detention tank in the cellar to introduce it into the solar energy-assisted bioreactor, enabling the formation of biogas (CH4) through methanogenesis. The produced biogas is then to be stored and used in powering HVAC equipment and cooking devices. On the other hand, the separated wastewater from the mixing product is to be collected and treated onsite by applying all primary, secondary, and tertiary process. The treated water would then be used for gardening and landscaping. Combining all these technologies would be an innovative field for the development of a sustainable urban sanitation and waste disposal system, where a building can itself recycle these wastes without any outsource connection, which is benign to the environment.
Spin-flip transitions caused by /sup 6/Li inelastic scattering and a microscopic. cap alpha. -spectator model

Inelastic deuteron scattering on $^{12}\mathrm{C}$ has been studied using a microscopic description for both target and projectile nuclei. From the fits of the calculated results to the experimental data, the effective two-body interaction strength has been extracted. The Wigner part of the interaction was obtained from the analysis of the 4.43-MeV (${2}^{+}$) state excitation and the result is compared with those found previously. The spin-spin part of the interaction was examined by the analysis of the 12.71-MeV (${1}^{+}$) state. In addition, the consistency of our results was also checked by analyzing inelastic $^{3}\mathrm{He}$ scattering. The real purpose of the present work was, however, to investigate such a treatment when applied to heavier projectile scattering. For this purpose, the inelastic $^{6}\mathrm{Li}$ scattering leading to the 12.71-MeV (${1}^{+}$) state was studied. Assuming the transition to be a spinflip process, an $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-spectator model based on the cluster description of $^{6}\mathrm{Li}$ was used. Therefore, this analysis may be considered an extension of the ordinary microscopic treatment with the nucleon-nucleon interaction to the cluster description. The results of the effective interaction strengths are presented for various radial shapes of the nucleon-nucleon interaction. The effects of more complicated possible processes are also discussed.
Atypical Teratoid/Rhabdoid Tumor of the Cerebellum in an Adult: Case Report and Literature Review.

Background Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor (AT/RT) is a rare tumor that is most frequently encountered in the pediatric patient population. AT/RT accounts for approximately 1%−2% of all pediatric central nervous system tumors and roughly 10%−20% of tumors in patients younger than 3 years of age. While AT/RT has been encountered in the adult population, the vast majority of the cases reported occur in the supratentorial space. In the existing literature, only 3 adult cases that arise from the cerebellum have ever been reported. Case Description A 38-year-old female presented with 6 months of worsening nausea, emesis, vertigo, diplopia, and coordination difficulty. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a T1 avidly contrast-enhancing mass, composed of both cystic and solid areas, extending from the cerebellum into the fourth ventricle. Following a gross total resection, surgical pathology was consistent with AT/RT, with tumor cell loss of integrase interactor-1 (INI-1) observed via immunohistochemical staining. Conclusions This case represents just the fourth ever reported case of AT/RT arising from the cerebellum in an adult and the oldest reported age to date of a cerebellar AT/RT occurring in a female. Due to the paucity of reported adult AT/RT cases, little is known about adults with AT/RT. Further reports will function to improve the general understanding of AT/RT in the adult population.
Do Takeover Defense Indices Measure Takeover Deterrence

Many researchers use the G-index or E-index to measure firms’ takeover defenses. Others argue that these indices are not related to firms’ takeover likelihoods. We find that, unlike their raw values, the instrumented versions of these indices are significantly and negatively related to acquisition likelihood. The difference between the raw and instrumented results indicates that the G-index and E-index include an endogenous component and highlights the importance of accounting for endogeneity in tests that use takeover indices to measure takeover deterrence. We provide data on new instruments that researchers can use to address these issues.Received April 13, 2016; editorial decision October 14, 2016 by Editor David Dennis.
Rapid design generation and multifidelity analysis of aircraft structures

Abstract There is a huge demand for automation in geometry creation within aerospace industry for multidisciplinary design optimization. Currently, every model is being built independently for each discipline. Thus, any changes in design parameters require updates on all of the models, which is inefficient, time-consuming and prone to deficiencies. A parametric software called ‘Engineering Sketch Pad’ (ESP) is used to resolve this issue. It provides the user with the ability to generate new design concepts through modifying a text file. Another highly demanded feature is data transfer between different fidelity models automatically. The need to transfer loads and/or deformations data from one model to another in order to perform the multi-fidelity analysis. In this project, the load is transferred from the stick model to ribs of the wing to perform static optimization and deformation data from ribs and spars is transferred to stiffened panels to perform buckling optimization. This paper focuses on a novel concept of single click weight optimization of aircraft structural parts and components using a parametric design modeler (i.e., ESP) and the analysis solver (i.e., Nastran). The interface code has been done via a C-program.
Learning by Giving in an introductory economics of altruism course

Supported by the Learning by Giving Foundation or other philanthropic sources, many college courses are allowing students to give away charitable grants to nonprofit organizations. In this article,...
Are drug prices subject to creative destruction? Evidence from the US, 1997–2017

There are several types of pharmaceutical competition. In addition to competition among producers of the same chemical substance ("within-substance competition"), there may be competition among producers of different chemical substances in the same chemical subgroup ("between-substance competition"). There have been numerous econometric studies of the effect of within-substance competition on drug prices, but empirical evidence about the effect of between-substance competition is far more limited. The primary objective of this study is to assess the impact of the entry of new drugs in a drug's therapeutic class on branded drug prices, generic drug prices, and the generic market share, using publicly-available US data for the period 1997-2017. Two methods are used to estimate the effects of between-substance and within-substance competition on those variables. The first method is standard 2-way fixed effects estimation based on aggregate data. The second method, based on micro data, is estimation using the DID_MULTIPLEGT procedure developed by de Chaisemartin et al. (2021), which does not rely on, and allows us to test for, "parallel trends." Between-substance competition does not appear to have any effect on brand-name drug prices, although our inability to fully account for rebates may bias the estimates towards zero. (There is also little evidence for an effect of within-substance competition on brand-name drug prices.) However, between-substance competition has a significant negative effect on generic drug prices. We estimate that the 1985-2005 increase in the number of substances ever registered in a drug's ATC4 chemical subgroup reduced the 2017 price of generic drugs by 42%. (The ratio of the generic-price reduction attributable to rising between-substance competition to the generic-price reduction attributable to rising within-substance competition also happens to be 42%.) A striking finding is that the entry of imitators has no effect on the prices of brand-name drugs, but the entry of innovators has a significant negative effect on the prices of generic drugs in the same ATC4 chemical subgroup. In addition, between-substance competition has a significant positive effect on the generic market share: the 1985-2005 increase in the number of substances ever registered in a drug's ATC4 chemical subgroup increased the 2017 generic market share by 15.0 percentage points. Due to its effects on generic drug prices and the generic market share, the 1985-2005 increase in between-substance competition reduced the average 2017 price of drugs that were already sold in 1997 by 35%. We estimate that 36% of 2017 expenditure on drugs that were first registered during 1986-2005 was offset by reduced 2017 expenditure on drugs that were sold in both 1997 and 2017.
Effect of Nora virus infection on native gut bacterial communities of Drosophila melanogaster .

Gastrointestinal microflora is a key component in the maintenance of health and longevity across many species. In humans and mice, nonpathogenic viruses present in the gastrointestinal tract enhance the effects of the native bacterial microbiota. However, it is unclear whether nonpathogenic gastrointestinal viruses, such as Nora virus that infects Drosophila melanogaster, lead to similar observations. Longevity analysis of Nora virus infected (NV+) and uninfected (NV-) D. melanogaster in relationship to presence (B+) or absence (B-) of the native gut bacteria using four different treatment groups, NV+/B+, NV+/B-, NV-/B+, and NV-/B-, was conducted. Data from the longevity results were tested via Kaplan-Meier analysis and demonstrated that Nora virus can be detrimental to the longevity of the organism, whereas bacterial presence is beneficial. These data led to the hypothesis that gastrointestinal bacterial composition varies from NV+ to NV- flies. To test this, NV+ and NV- virgin female flies were collected and aged for 4 days. Surface sterilization followed by dissections of the fat body and the gastrointestinal tract, divided into crop (foregut), midgut, and hindgut, were performed. Ribosomal 16S DNA samples were sequenced to determine the bacterial communities that comprise the microflora in the gastrointestinal tract of NV+ and NV- D. melanogaster. When analyzing operational taxonomic units (OTUs), the data demonstrate that the NV+ samples consist of more OTUs than NV- samples. The NV+ samples were both more rich and diverse in OTUs compared to NV-. When comparing whole body samples to specific organs and organ sections, the whole fly was more diverse in OTUs, whereas the crop was the most rich. These novel data are pertinent in describing where Nora virus infection may be occurring within the gastrointestinal tract, as well as continuing discussion between the relationship of persistent viral and bacterial interaction.
Hyperdense middle cerebral artery sign and response to combination of mechanical Thrombectomy plus intravenous thrombolysis in acute stroke patients.

Abstract Background and purpose Combining intra-arterial mechanical thrombectomy (IAMT) and intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) has shown to have an excellent recanalization rate and better clinical outcome in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients. Hyperdense middle cerebral artery sign (HMCAS) on pretreatment non-contrast head CT scan of AIS patients is one of the early ischemic radiological findings in middle cerebral artery territory AIS. We aimed to evaluate whether the presence of HMCAS predicts the outcome of AIS patients receiving combination therapy with IAMT and IVT. Methods We retrospectively reviewed medical records and cerebrovascular images of the patients treated with IAMT and IVT for AIS in our center. Patients with occlusion in the terminal internal carotid artery or middle cerebral artery on pretreatment CT angiogram of the head were included. Clinical outcome was compared between subjects with HMCAS and those without. Modified Rankin Score (mRS) and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) were used as measures of efficacy and safety, respectively. Results Of 93 patients, 46 (49%) had HMCAS on their initial head CT scan. Both groups had comparable baseline characteristics and stroke severity. After adjusting for age, NIHSS score, time from symptom onset to starting IVT, and history of diabetes mellitus in multivariate logistic regression analysis, there was no difference in terms of a poor outcome (mRS >2) (OR = 0.5 [CI 0.2–1.4], p = 0.188) or rate of sICH (OR = 3.3 [CI 0.6–19.0], p = 0.190) between the two groups. Conclusions HMCAS is not a predictor of poor outcome in AIS patients receiving combination therapy with IAMT and IVT and does not affect treatment safety.
Language and the Military: Necropolitical Legitimation, Embodied Semiotics, and Ineffable Suffering

This article augments and complicates Nelson's claim that “we talk our way into war and talk our way out of it” (Dedaic & Nelson 2003, p. 459). Military endeavors require verbal legitimation, but m...
Synergistic EMG control of FES elbow extension after spinal cord injury

Individuals with a C5/C6 spinal cord injury (SCI) have paralyzed elbow extensors, yet retain weak to strong voluntary control of elbow flexion and some shoulder movements. They lack elbow extension, which is critical during activities of daily living. This research focuses on development of a synergistic controller employing remaining voluntary elbow flexor and shoulder electromyography (EMG) to control elbow extension with functional electrical stimulation (FES). We hypothesized that the remaining voluntary upper extremity muscles of a C5/C6 SCI subject produce repeatable, recognizable patterns of EMG indicative of the required triceps stimulation level. EMG from voluntary elbow flexor and shoulder muscles were used as inputs to train and test an artificial neural network (ANN) to output triceps stimulation level. A biomechanical model of the arm was used to estimate the triceps stimulation levels required for a particular subject and endpoint force goal. EMG was collected from SCI subjects while they generated isometric force vectors of varying magnitude and direction using the predicted triceps stimulation levels. Once trained, the network controller yielded low error and generalized.
Models of God and Just War Theory

It may seem that a model of God, or of any ultimate structuring principle for reality, is irrelevant to the conceptual shape or practical application of just war theory. This essay argues the contrary: our ultimate frame of reference for ordering of the cosmos and our human place in it bears significantly on how we construe human responsibility for establishing an international order that will bring warfare to an end. In particular, a model of God enabling us to take human freedom seriously as an effective power to bringing about peace as a lasting human good makes it possible to re-orient the finality of just war theory from that of merely minimizing the harm of war as an evil inevitably woven into human social dynamics to that of active peacemaking, i.e., of pursuing conditions that foster a stable order for peace that will render war an “unnecessary evil.”
Radiation for bone metastases in Ewing sarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma

Background The role, optimal dose, and efficacy of radiotherapy (RT) for the treatment of bone metastases in rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) and Ewing sarcoma (ES) are unclear. Procedure All patients with ES or RMS who received RT for bone metastases with curative intent during frontline therapy at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) between 1995 and 2013 were reviewed. Among the 30 patients (8 RMS and 22 ES), 49 bone metastases were irradiated. Results Median biologically effective dose (BED) was 42.4 Gy (range, 34.9–59.7) for RMS and 50.7 Gy (range, 31.3–65.8) for ES. Tumor recurrence occurred in six of 49 irradiated bone metastases. Cumulative incidence of local failure at a treated metastatic site was 6.6% at 1 year and 9.0% at 3 years. Dose, fractionation, and RT technique did not impact local control at an irradiated site. The presence of >5 bone metastases was associated with worse local control at an irradiated site (P = 0.07). The 3-year EFS was 33% in RMS and 16% in ES. Conclusions RT appears to be an effective modality of local control for bone metastases in ES and RMS. Local control at sites of metastatic bone irradiation is similar to local control at the primary site after definitive RT. Doses in the biologic range prescribed for the definitive treatment of primary disease should be used for metastatic sites of disease. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2015;62:445–449. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Abortion and the States: How will the Supreme Court Rule on the Upcoming Pennsylvania Abortion Issue?

In the Summer of 1992 the Supreme Court of the United States was supposed to rule on a controversial Pennsylvania statute [13] restricting the rights of women in obtaining an abortion. Included in this statute are provisions requiring that doctors provide women with state-prescribed information about pregnancy and abortion, that the procedure be delayed 24 hours after the recitation and that husbands be notified prior to the procedure. The lower court upheld the first two provisions but declared unconstitutional the husband notification requirement.
An efficient bandwidth aggregation algorithm using game theory for multimedia transmission

The current 2G and 3G network infrastructures were not originally designed with multimedia transmission in consideration. Unlike data transmission, multimedia has significantly different Quality of Service requirements. It requires significantly higher bandwidth in comparison with data transmission. Multimedia transmission over handheld devices (such as mobile phones) poses further challenges in maintaining a good Quality of Experience as wireless networks are inherently of low bandwidth and relatively unreliable. Handheld devices are resource constraint devices and therefore huge processing at the handheld devices may introduce delay in the multimedia reception. In this paper, we present an algorithm for bandwidth aggregation for multimedia transmission from a handheld device using the available bandwidth of other handheld devices. We use a distributed approach to play a non-zero sum game among the handheld devices to minimize the end-to-end delay and maximize the throughput. We incorporate a cooperative game to dynamically add or delete other handheld devices based on the requirements of the network. We validate our work and demonstrate its benefits.
A Checklist of the Vascular Flora of the Mary K. Oxley Nature Center, Tulsa County, Oklahoma

This paper reports the results of an inventory of the vascular flora of the Mary K. Oxley Nature Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. A total of 342 taxa from 75 families and 237 genera were collected from four main vegetation types. The families Asteraceae and Poaceae were the largest, with 49 and 42 taxa, respectively. Fifty-eight exotic taxa were found, representing 17% of the total flora. Twelve taxa tracked by the Oklahoma Natural Heritage Inventory were present.
Human Hepatic Uridine Diphosphate Galactose Pyrophosphorylase ITS CHARACTERIZATION AND ACTIVITY DURING DEVELOPMENT

Abstract UDP-galactose pyrophosphorylase (EC 2.7.7.10) has been characterized in human liver and its activity studied at various ages. A new assay method was developed which utilized uniformly labeled 14C-galactose-1-P and rapid chromatographic separation of the 14C-UDP-galactose formed on diethylaminoethyl cellulose paper. Enzyme activity is enhanced 2-fold by the sulfhydryl reagent, dithioerythritol. Magnesium is an absolute requirement for enzyme activity but the enzyme is inhibited by high magnesium concentrations. Michaelis constants were 0.8 x 10-3 m for UTP and 1.8 x 10-3 m for galactose-1-P. Inhibition of enzyme activity was observed by high levels of UTP; this inhibition was reversible by increasing the concentration of galactose-1-P. In contrast to earlier studies of the rat hepatic enzyme, this enzyme activity in human liver changes little from the newborn period to old age. The ability of this enzyme to metabolize galactose-1-P in human liver is probably not more than 1.0% the activity of galactose 1-phosphate uridyltransferase (EC 2.7.7.12).
Introductory Comments: “Does the American Middle Class Have a Future???”

Regardless of where one looks or who one reads, the American middle class has occupied the popular imagination of journalists, writers, immigrants, and politicians since the American Revolution. Fo...
Lead Directorship and Firm Performance

This paper empirically explores the role of the lead directors in the corporate governance system and strives to empirically examine the association between the lead directorship and firm performance. I measure firm performance by three empirical proxies: Tobin’s Q, returns on assets (ROA) and stock returns. I explore the research question on the relationship between lead directorship and firm performance in both cross-sectional and inter-temporal contexts. The sample consists of S & P 500 firms from 2001 to 2004 that have all the required financial, stock returns, and other relevant information. Overall, the empirical results of both cross-sectional and inter-temporal analyses indicate a positive association between lead directorship and firm performance.
A BiCMOS Wideband Amplifier for the Extraction of Base Spreading Resistance with Noise Measurement Techniques

This paper presents a BiCMOS wide band amplifier optimized for maximum sensitivity to noise introduced in the base spreading resistance. It was used to characterize the base spreading resistance of bipolar devices found in Orbit’s low-noise, n-well BiCMOS process available through MOSIS. The base spreading resistance is extracted by measuring the output power spectral density of the aforementioned amplifier and isolating the amount caused by thermal noise in the base. The results give insight as to what noise sources are significant in this technology.
Picomolar Amyloid-β Peptides Enhance Spontaneous Astrocyte Calcium Transients

Amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides are constitutively produced in the brain throughout life via mechanisms that can be regulated by synaptic activity. Although Aβ has been extensively studied as the pathological plaque-forming protein species in Alzheimer's disease (AD), little is known about the normal physiological function(s) and signaling pathway(s). We previously discovered that physiologically-relevant, low picomolar amounts of Aβ can enhance synaptic plasticity and hippocampal-dependent cognition in mice. In this study, we demonstrated that astrocytes are cellular candidates for participating in this type of Aβ signaling. Using calcium imaging of primary astrocyte cultures, we observed that picomolar amounts of Aβ peptides can enhance spontaneous intracellular calcium transient signaling. After application of 200 pM Aβ42 peptides, the frequency and amplitude averages of spontaneous cytosolic calcium transients were significantly increased. These effects were dependent on α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7-nAChRs), as the enhancement effects were blocked by a pharmacological α7-nAChR inhibitor and in astrocytes from an α7 deficient mouse strain. We additionally examined evoked intercellular calcium wave signaling but did not detect significant picomolar Aβ-induced alterations in propagation parameters. Overall, these results indicate that at a physiologically-relevant low picomolar concentration, Aβ peptides can enhance spontaneous astrocyte calcium transient signaling via α7-nAChRs. Since astrocyte-mediated gliotransmission has been previously found to have neuromodulatory roles, Aβ peptides may have a normal physiological function in regulating neuron-glia signaling. Dysfunction of this signaling process may underlie glia-based aspects of AD pathogenesis.
Analysis of cathode emission phenomena: Effects of barrier thinning, field enhancements and local heating

Intense electron emission from cathodes that provide very high current densities (several kA/cm2) is necessary for a various pulsed power applications. This contribution presents a quantitative analyses of the following processes and inherent physics: (a) Local field enhancements at micro-protrusions, (b) role of ion/ions near the emitting surface in lowering and thinning the potential barrier which increases emission. (c) localized heating at cathode tips that could produce hot-electrons and hot-phonons, ultimately leading to localized melting. Temperatures are predicted to possibly reach the cathode melting point on the nanosecond time scales. This is in keeping with the explosive emission phenomenon that is well known.
State and federal new-car safety regulation: Effects on fatality rates

Abstract Car occupant and pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 cars registered in Maryland were calculated for the calendar years 1972–1975. Cars sold prior to state or federal regulation (models prior to 1964) had an average yearly occupant fatality rate of 44. Cars with front outboard lap seat belts required by state law (1964–1967 models), as well as some crash protection installed in relation to standards required of cars sold to the government (mainly in 1967 models), averaged 35 occupant deaths per 100,000 registered cars, 20% less than pre-1964 cars. For federally regulated (post-1967) cars, occupant deaths averaged 27 per 100,000 cars yearly, 23% less than 1964–1967 models and 39% less than pre-1964 models. The differences were unrelated to driver age. No consistent differences in the rates at which they killed pedestrians were found among unregulated, state regulated or subsequent federally regulated cars. Thus, there is no evidence to support Peltzman's contention that increased occupant protection resulted in increased hazard to pedestrians.
Responses of marsh fishes and breeding wading birds to low temperatures: A possible behavioral link between predator and prey

In the Everglades of southern Florida, several species of spring- and winter-nesting wading birds (Ciconiiformes) often abandon their nests in response to periods of cold or wet and windy weather. Using stepwise logistic regression of a variety of hydrologic and meteorologic variables on the probability of great egret nest failure, we found that cold temperatures and high wind speeds were most closely associated with nest failure in the Everglades. Water level fluctuation was not a significant correlate of failure. Quantitative visual surveys in the field showed that even moderate cooling events (15°C minimum daily temperature) dramatically altered the observed densities of marsh fishes. In controlled conditions in the laboratory, we observed centrarchid, poeciliid, and cyprinodontid fishes during normal high (19–23°C) and simulated cold snap (8–11°C) temperatures. At low temperatures, the fishes exhibited reduced activity, sought refuge by hiding in vegetation and/or substrate, and fled our approach to the tank at much greater distances. Threshold temperatures for these behaviors varied considerably between the laboratory (9–11°C) and field (15–20°C), and may be explained by differences in the previous thermal experience of the two groups of fishes. We hypothesize that the temperature-induced scarcity of fishes during spring cold snaps is an important cause of disruption of nesting for several species of wading birds in the Everglades.
The Society for Vascular Medicine: the first quarter century

The Society for Vascular Medicine was founded in 1989. During the subsequent 25 years, the Society has grown to approximately 500 members and has achieved international recognition while making important contributions to vascular disease education, clinical vascular medicine and biology research, and patient care. In celebration of the Society's 25th anniversary, its past and current presidents reflect on the Society's history, challenges, and achievements, and emphasize the vital role of the SVM in the discipline of vascular medicine.
Resolving distortion between linear and area sensors for forensic print inspection

Forensic analysis of individual printed items, including single characters, provides a readily-integrated means to extend security to any printed item (label, document, package, etc.). In this paper we demonstrate, for the first time, forensic levels of image inspection for workflows involving two very different high-resolution imaging devices, the Dyson Relay CMOS Imaging Device (DrCID) and a high speed line-scan camera. In particular, we show how a similarity metric can be used to identify specific characters with less than 1 in 109 chance of false matching, while closing the loop between in-line (production) using the line-scan camera and end-user (investigative) inspection with DrCID.
Management of large-scale wireless sensor networks utilizing multi-parent recursive area hierarchies

Autonomously configuring and self-healing a large-scale wireless sensor network requires a light-weight maintenance protocol that is scalable. Further, in a battery powered wireless sensor network duty-cycling a node's radio can reduce the power consumption of a device and extend the lifetime of a network. With duty-cycled nodes the power consumption of a node's radio depends on the amount of communication it must perform and by reducing the communication the power consumption can also be reduced. Multi-parent hierarchies can be used to reduce the communication cost when constructing a recursive area clustering hierarchy when compared to single-parent solutions that utilize inefficient communication methods such as flooding and information propagation via single-hop broadcasts. The multi-parent hierarchies remain scalable and provide a level of redundancy for the hierarchy.
Inhibition of Phytophthora vignae and Stem and Root Rot of Cowpea by Soil Bacteria

ABSTRACT Bacteria isolated from Sri Lankan cowpea fields significantly reduced in vitro mycelial growth and sporangial production of Phytophthora vignae by producing agar-diffusable and volatile inhibitors. Bacterial volatile inhibitors were evolved when the bacteria were grown on tryptic soy agar, nutrient agar, or King's B medium, although relatively less on the latter two media. The pH of agar exposed to the volatiles rapidly increased, suggesting that ammonia was involved in the inhibition. Volatile inhibitors were produced by the bacteria in soil amended with tryptic soy broth or cowpea seed extract, but not in unamended soil. Oospore—induced disease by P. vignae was inhibited by Brevibacterium strain DF-3101 in soil. Soil or seed treatment with three Sri Lankan bacteria, Brevibacterium linens (DF-3101); Bacillus thuringiensis (DF-7107), and Bacillus pumilus (DF-1481) in greenhouse studies suppressed the disease on cowpea caused by P. vignae. None of the bacteria tested functioned as plant growth-pro...
Functional health status as a predictor of mortality in men and women over 65

This study evaluated the effect of functional health status on mortality in a sample of community-dwelling older people. White and African-American self-respondents to the 1986 National Health Interview Survey Functional Health Supplement (n = 5, 320) were included in the study. Functional health status was measured by a ten-item unidimensional activities of daily living-instrumental activities of daily living (ADL-IADL) scale and a three-item cognitive ADL scale. Proportional hazards regression was used to evaluate the effect of increasing score on the ten-item ADL-IADL scale on risk of mortality over a 5-year period while controlling for demographic, social, and health status covariates. In both men and women, increasing score on the ADL-IADL scale was predictive of mortality, adjusting for increasing age, poor self-rated health, low body mass index in women, and being an unmarried man. These findings indicate that a unidimensional scale consisting of both ADL and IADL items is useful in predicting mortality, controlling for the effect of covariates in sex-specific models.
Public relations for a university library: a marketing programme is born

In 1999 a library marketing committee was created on the University of Northern Iowa campus. The aim of this committee was to heighten administrator, faculty and student awareness of library resources and services. This marketing committee was charged with helping administrators, faculty, and students realise what we librarians already know – that the library is capable of galvanising, nurturing, and supporting the research of the university community. During 2000 and 2001 various marketing efforts and experiments were employed by this committee including: promotional newsletters and e‐mail postings, student surveys, co‐operative marketing studies conducted with marketing students, participation in student and faculty orientations and creative advertising via library pens, library shirts, online library newsletters and sidewalk slogans. While results from this ongoing experiment are encouraging, committee members discovered that significant time, effort and money can be expended in marketing a library.
Sex determination using PCR

PCR has revolutionized many aspects of biochemistry and molecular biology research. In the following exercise, students learn PCR by isolating their own DNA, amplifying specific segments of the X and Y chromosomes, and estimating the sizes of the PCR products using agarose gel electrophoresis. Based on the pattern of PCR products, students can distinguish between male and female samples and determine the gender of an unknown DNA donor. The exercise is presented for upper division undergraduate majors in microbiology, biochemistry, and molecular biology, but can be adapted to different academic levels and disciplines. The use of student samples in the exercise can enhance learning of these techniques by making PCR and agarose gel electrophoresis directly relevant to the students.
Policy analysis in critical perspective: The epistemics of discursive practices

(2007). Policy analysis in critical perspective: The epistemics of discursive practices. Critical Policy Studies: Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 97-109.
Accumulation of Free Proline in Citrus Leaves during Cold Hardening of Young Trees in Controlled Temperature Regimes

Free proline increased in leaves of orange (Citrus sinensis [L.] Osb. cv. Valencia) and grapefruit (Citrus paradisi Macfad. cv. Star Ruby) trees on a wide range of citrus rootstocks during cold hardening. Increases in sugars accompanied proline accumulation. During cold hardening, the rate of proline accumulation was greater in old than in young leaves. In leaves of grapefruit trees kept in the dark during cold hardening, neither proline nor sugars increased and the degree of cold hardiness was less than in trees exposed to light. Like sugar accumulations, proline accumulation does not reflect specific degrees of cold hardiness in citrus cultivars.