cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Unboundedness of the Plain; or the Ubiquity of Lilliput? How to Do Things with Thompson Clarke?

In this essay, we focus primarily on Moore’s “Proof of an External World” and Kant’s “Refutation of Idealism.” We are not exactly commenting on Clarke’s “The Legacy of Skepticism,” interpreting it, although what we do involves us in (some of) that. Instead of directly commenting on it, we do things with Legacy; we read Moore’s Proof and Kant’s Refutation with Clarke in mind. And by way of doing this, we bring onto the stage a post-Legacy Moore, and a post-Legacy Kant. We do not claim to present Moore and Kant per se (to use Clarke’s term); we do not portray Moore and Kant as they are independently of “The Legacy of Skepticism.” We propose instead Moore and Kant as we read them after Legacy, i.e., in light of the pure/plain distinction.
Application of neural networks to nonlinear filtering

The application of neural networks to learning nonlinear functions for use in filters and control systems is discussed. Several examples characterize the quality of learning that takes place and the performance of the neural network in the presence of noisy inputs. A final example compares a neural network-based filter to an optimal Kalman filter for a simple quadratic system.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Identification of Wheat Lines Possessing the 1AL.1RS or 1BL.1RS Wheat-Rye Translocation by Near-Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy

ABSTRACT Wheat-rye chromosomal translocations, particularly those involving the short arm of rye chromosome 1R, have been used during the past 25 years to instill resistance to plant pathogens and insects and improve the hardiness, adaptation, and yield of wheat. Unfortunately, the presence of the 1AL.1RS or 1BL.1RS rye translocations in wheat has been shown to impart inferior dough handling and baking characteristics. Although numerous analytical techniques (e.g., HPLC, monoclonal antibody tests, high-performance capillary electrophoresis) have been developed for detecting these translocations, the complexity of the analytical procedures restricts their use to research and analytical laboratories. The purpose of this study was to examine the potential of diffuse reflectance near-infrared spectroscopy, a well-accepted technique in the grain industry, for detecting 1RS-containing genotypes. This research used three independent groups of wheat samples, ranging in genetic diversity from sister lines derived ...
Uncertainty analysis of cylindricity measurements using bootstrap method

Abstract This paper describes a method for performing uncertainty analysis of cylindricity measurements using bootstrap techniques. Errors in the Talyrond roundness measuring machine were studied and a variation was assigned to the roundness (r, θ) as well as the centerline position of the z-axis. The roundness data was dominated by an error that we characterized by a normal distribution with some standard deviation derived from repeated traces of the chosen artifact. The z-axis position error was also studied to provide a suitable distribution for these errors. A dataset was taken on the test artifact. Bootstrap datasets were produced from the original dataset and were analyzed using MATLAB. Uncertainty interval was determined from the cylindricity values obtained from the software. The uncertainty for the system was found to be ±0.092 μm with 95% confidence level. Effects of noise and straightness error on cylindricity value were also studied.
Weak Morita Duality

Abstract The notion of a weak Morita duality between subcategories of Mod-R and S-Mod is introduced and investigated. This concept includes dualities induced by cotilting modules over finite dimensional algebras, the R-dual for both noetherian rings of injective dimension ≤ 1 and the Matlis duality domains, as well as the first author's generalized Morita duality. Moreover it yields a “cotilting theorem” dual to the classical tilting theorem, and a characterization of generalized Morita duality.
Differential Expression of Immunophilins FKBP51 and FKBP52 in the Frontal Cortex of HIV-Infected Patients with Major Depressive Disorder

Patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have a higher risk of developing major depressive disorder (MDD) than the general population. Immunophilins FKBP51 and FKBP52 are expressed in cortical neurons and regulate the function of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). Previous reports have shown that genetic variants in the FKBP5 gene encoding FKBP51 are linked to psychiatric disorders. We sought to determine whether immunophilins are upregulated in HIV infection. To determine whether FKBP52 and FKBP51 are associated with MDD and/or HIV, we compared protein and gene expression in autopsy tissues from the frontal cortical gray matter. The study cases were divided into five groups: control, MDD, MDD with psychosis, HIV+, and HIV+ with MDD. Gene expression and protein levels were determined by real-time PCR and Western blot analysis of fresh frozen tissues. Genotyping of previously published alleles of the FKBP5 gene was also performed. We found correlation of upregulation of both immunophilins in the HIV-infected groups. In the HIV+ population with MDD, FKBP4 expression is significantly higher while FKBP5 is more variable. After analyzing the FKBP5 gene for single nucleotide polymorphisms, we found that rs3800373 CC genotype is more frequent in the MDD and MDD/Psychosis groups. We hypothesized that the levels of FKBP51, as modulator of the nuclear translocation of GR, would be lower in MDD. Instead, an increase in FKBP51 at both the transcript (FKBP5) and protein level correlated with MDD. Increased FKBP4 expression of correlated to HIV+MDD but not to HIV without MDD.
Measuring the Strength and Stiffness of Thin Film Materials by Mechanically Deflecting Cantilever Microbeams

The present authors recently introduced the mechanical deflection of cantilever microbeams as an experimental technique for measuring the strength and stiffness of thin films.[1] The technique utilizes conventional integrated circuit (IC) fabrication to process the samples, a Nanoindenter to deflect the cantilever beams mechanically, and simple elastic beam theory to analyze the data. This paper will review the technique and describe some of its current applications.
Handheld use in K-12: a descriptive account

This paper describes ways handheld computers have been used by students at four different Michigan schools. Regardless of age or environment, our experience has shown that the primary, and most powerful uses of handheld computers have not been for organizational purposes. While students do take advantage of the organizational abilities, handhelds are most often used as tools to aid in research, alternatives to paper-based tasks, group collaboration activities, and much more. In addition to describing student tasks, this paper provides a context as to how much time handheld computers are being used in each classroom. This framework of time use and task use provides a better understanding of what a classroom with handheld computers might look like.
Symmetrized Split-Step Fourier Scheme to Control Global Simulation Accuracy in Fiber-Optic Communication Systems

Analytical expressions involving both system parameters and step-size are proposed to represent the local simulation error for the symmetrized split-step Fourier (SSSF) simulation method. This analytical expression can be used for a step-size selection rule to achieve comparable local simulation accuracy for SSSF simulations. This can lead to computational savings since there is no waste of computation in each simulation step. Furthermore, based on the local error expression, scaling rules are derived to achieve comparable global simulation accuracy for wide ranges of key system parameter values. This is significant in enhancing the computational efficiency in optical fiber communication system design and optimization. Extensive validation tests were performed to explore the application range of the proposed step-size selection and scaling rules. The desired global accuracy can be achieved with the use of our local error expression and scaling rules by only a couple of test trial simulation runs for a variety of practical applications.
Storage reclamation and reorganization in client-server persistent object stores

The authors develop and evaluate a number of storage reclamation algorithms for client-server persistent object stores. Experience with a detailed simulation and a prototype implementation in the Exodus storage manager shows that one of the proposed algorithms, the Incremental Partitioned Collector, is complete, maintains transaction semantics, and can be run incrementally and concurrently with client applications. Furthermore, it can significantly improve subsequent system performance by reclustering data, rendering it attractive even for systems that choose not to support automatic storage reclamation. >
Growth inhibition of follicular small-cleaved-cell lymphoma cells in short-term culture by interleukin-3

Summary Background The role of interleukin-3 (IL-3) in stimulating the growth of early myeloid progenitor cells is very well established. Therefore, IL-3 has been incorporated into many post-bone-marrow transplantation and intensive chemotherapy programs for the treatment of solid tumors and hematologic malignancies, including lymphomas. However, the effect of IL-3 on normal and malignant lymphocytes has not been well studied. Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the in vitro effect of IL-3 on the growth of follicular small-cleavedcell lymphoma (FSCCL). Materials and methods IL-3 receptor expression on the surface of CD19+ cells was determined by two-color flow cytometry measuring the receptor-binding of biotinylated IL-3 to CD19+ B-cells. Seven cases of FSCCL were compared to six normal controls. Cell proliferation was evaluated by [3H]thymidine incorporation into cells grown in suspension cultures. Results All seven cases of FSCCL expressed the IL-3 receptor on the surface of CD19+ cells, whereas all six cases of CD19+ cells isolated from the peripheral blood of normal donors did not express IL-3 receptors. IL-3 had antiproliferative activity against FSCCL as manifested by a decrease in [3H]thymidine incorporation and a decrease in the total number of cells after 72 hours of culture. Conclusion IL-3 inhibits the growth of FSCCL cells in vitro. Clinical trials to evaluate the in vivo effect of IL-3 in patients with FSCCL are warranted.
Pseudohypoparathyroidism in Children

Albright hereditary osteodystrophy (AHO) is a genetic syndrome characterized by a distinctive set of developmental and skeletal defects that may easily be misdiagnosed as exogenous obesity in children. There are very few publications detailing the comprehensive management of children and adolescents with this disorder. This chapter provides a comprehensive discussion of the various aspects of this disorder. At the end, the reader should be able to: (1) List the clinical features of Albright hereditary osteodystrophy, (2) Identify the genetic and molecular abnormalities of AHO, (3) List the clinical features of pseudohypoparathyroidism type 1a (PHP 1a), (4) Describe the management of children and adolescents with PHP 1a.
Effect of moonlight on detection of Whip‐poor‐wills: implications for long‐term monitoring strategies

Understanding variation in the detectability of birds is fundamental to determining the reliability of survey methods. We examined the influence of lunar light conditions on the detection probability of Whip-poor-wills through repeated sampling of 78 point count stations over two lunar cycles. The probability of detection was positively related to moonlight intensity measured as the percentage of moon-face illuminated and moon height above the horizon. These results were used to show how the reliability of long-term monitoring strategies can be improved by sampling design. Surveys conducted on nights when the moon-face was >50% illuminated were less variable and provided more statistical power to long-term monitoring results compared to surveys that were conducted across all nights. Stratifying surveys for Whip-poor-wills during bright moonlight provides greater statistical power for monitoring programs, which inevitably allows better scientific conclusions to be drawn from collected data. SINOPSIS El entender la variacion en detectabilidad de aves, es fundamental para determinar la confiabilidad de metodos para censar aves. Examinamos la influencia de noches con luz producto de la luna, con la probabilidad de detectar individuos de Guabairo a traves de muestreo repetitivo que se llevaron a cabo en 78 estaciones de conteos de puntos, durante dos ciclos lunares. La probabilidad de detectar estuvo positivamente relacionada a la intensidad de la luz de la luna, medida por las fases de la luna y la altura de esta teniendo como punto de referencia el horizonte. Estos resultados se utilizaron para mostrar que la confiabilidad de estrategias de monitoreo a largo alcance puede ser mejorada en armonia con el diseno de muestreo. Los censos que se llevaron a cabo en noches en que estaba iluminada mas de la mitad de la luna, resultaron menos variables y proveyeron datos con mayor fortaleza estadistica que aquellos que se tomaron a traves de todas las noches. El estratificar censos para contabilizar guabairos durante noches en donde hay buena iluminacion por parte de la luna, provee datos estadisticamente superiores para programas de monitoreo que permitiran obtener, de los datos obtenidos, conclusiones cientificas mas contundentes.
Understanding the Behavior of Nonprofit Boards of Directors: A Theory-Based Approach:

The literature on nonprofit boards of directors is rich with prescriptive advice about the kinds of activities that should occupy the board’s time and attention. Using organizational theory that has dominated the empirical investigation of private sector board behavior (agency,r esource dependence, and institutional),this article contributes to the literature on nonprofit board governance in three important ways. First,it provides a link between theory and practice by identifying the theoretical assumptions that have served as the foundation for the “best practice” literature. Second,the article presents a theory-based framework of board behavior that identifies the environmental conditions and board/organizational considerations that are likely to affect board behavior. And finally,it offers a set of hypotheses that can be used in future empirical investigations that seeks to understand the conditions under which a nonprofit board might assume certain roles and responsibilities over others.
Melanoma Resembling Blue Nevus

This type of melanoma is entirely or mostly composed of dendritic (or round) melanocytes surrounded by melanophages. Such features make this form of melanoma morphologically similar to the cellular form of blue nevus with which it can be confused. This “blue nevus-like” melanoma has been referred to by many authors as “malignant blue nevus”, a confusing term that should be discarded. We separate these melanomas from those arising in a blue nevus (see chapter 39).
Antigens of Lyme disease of spirochaete Borrelia burgdorferi inhibits antigen or mitogen‐induced lymphocyte proliferation

Modulation of cellular immune responses by the spirochaete Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, was demonstrated. When cultured in the presence of sonicated Borrelia preparation (Bb), the mitogen- or antigen-stimulated proliferative responses of normal lymphocytes were consistently lowered. Bb caused the greatest reduction in Concanavalin A (ConA) or antigen-stimulated proliferation, where almost 100% reduction in proliferation could be achieved. Bb also reduced phytohemagglutinin-M (PHA) or pokeweed mitogen (PWM)-stimulated peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL) proliferation, with the PWM proliferation being the least affected. This regulatory activity was not due to toxicity and was determined to be caused by Bb protein antigens. The degree of the proliferation reduction was directly proportional to both Bb quantity and length of exposure to lymphocytes. IL-2 production was significantly reduced from Bb-exposed lymphocytes. The entry of lymphocytes into the proliferating phases of the cell cycle was also shown to be blocked. These results have demonstrated an immune suppressive mechanism of B. burgdorferi. The magnitude of host immune responses may be dependent on the degree of suppression which is related to the spirochaete quantity and their length of presence in the host.
A Reexamination of the Conglomerate Merger Wave in the 1960s: An Internal Capital Markets View

One possible explanation for bidding firms earning positive abnormal returns in diversifying acquisitions in the 1960s is that internal capital markets were expected to overcome the information deficiencies of the less-developed capital markets. Examining 392 bidder firms during the 1960s, we find the highest bidder returns when financially “unconstrained” buyers acquire “constrained” targets. This result holds while controlling for merger terms and for different proxies used to classify firms facing costly external financing. We also find that bidders generally retain target management, suggesting that management may have provided companyspecific operational information, while the bidder provided capital-budgeting expertise.
Transverse plane pelvic rotation increase (TPPRI) following rotationally corrective instrumentation of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis double curves.

Background We have occasionally observed clinically noticeable postoperative transverse plane pelvic rotation increase (TPPRI) in the direction of direct thoracolumbar/lumbar rotational corrective load applied during posterior instrumentation and arthrodesis for double (Lenke 3 and 6) adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) curves. Our purposes were to document this occurrence; identify its frequency, associated variables, and natural history; and determine its effect upon patient outcome.
Trends in chronic myeloid leukemia incidence and survival in the United States from 1975 to 2009

The use of interferon-α and allogeneic stem cell transplant and more recently of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have improved the outcome of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). We performed a population-based study of CML to evaluate relative survival (RS) trend by treatment eras. All instances of CML diagnosed between 1975 and 2009 reported in the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results databases were reviewed. The incidence of CML was 1.75/100 000 persons per year and increased with age. The incidence was highest in Detroit and lowest among Asians. The 5-year RS ratios increased from 0.26 in patients diagnosed in 1975-1989 to 0.36 in 1990-2000 and 0.56 in 2001-2009. There was a significant improvement in 5-year RS ratios in the 2005-2009 calendar period compared to the 2001-2004 period (p 0.05), including adolescents and young adults and elderly patient groups. There are ethnic and geographic variations in the incidence of CML. The RS improved with each treatment era, with the greatest improvement in all age groups occurring during the TKI era.
Advances in polymers for anti-biofouling surfaces

Self-assembling polymers and nanostructured polymer thin films are being actively explored as advanced coatings for marine and biomedical applications. This review highlights recent advances in the design and synthesis of polymers that can resist fouling by biomolecules, cells and organisms. Current understanding of the mechanisms of anti-biofouling activity is also discussed.
A study of stacking limit and scaling in 3D ICs: an interconnect perspective

An examination of large-scale stacking of 3D integrated ICs from a power-supply and thermal reliability perspective is presented. Noise characteristics and scaling issues related to through-silicon-via (TSV) size and pitch as well as other power-supply topology characteristics are included. Thermal simulations are carried out assuming the use of micro-fluidic heatsinks to provide cooling to systems with power dissipation of up to 525 watts and 46 integrated silicon tiers. Results indicate that these large systems are feasible given sufficient planning. Power-delivery-bump pitch is identified as the most important factor influencing IR-drop and dynamic noise. Contact resistance also may become a major limiting factor.
Channel modeling for spread spectrum via evolutionary transform

Given the importance of direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) communications, the modeling of its transmission channel is of great interest. Due to multipath and Doppler effects in the transmission channel, the transmitted signal is spread in both time and frequency. Transmission channels that spread the message in time and frequency are modeled as random, time-varying systems. It is shown that the estimation of the parameters of such models is possible by means of the spreading function which is related to the time-varying frequency response of the system and the associated evolutionary kernel of the DSSS signal. Applying the time-frequency or frequency-frequency discrete evolutionary transforms, we show how to compute the spreading function from the received DSSS signal. The procedure is efficiently implemented with the discrete evolutionary transform. Once the number of paths, delays, Doppler frequencies and gains characterizing the channel are found, we use this information to obtain an estimate of the pseudo-noise and a decision parameter to determine the bit sent. Our procedure is illustrated with simulations of the process, and the corresponding bit-error rate.
Comparison of "Look-Alike" Implant Prosthetic Retaining Screws

Purpose: The maximum preload torque of implant prosthetic retaining screws from four manufacturers and of two alloy types was measured to determine one index of interchangeability of intersystem components. MateFials and Methods: Implant prosthetic retaining screws from four manufacturers (3i Implant Innovations Inc, West Palm Beach, FL; Impla-Med Inc, Sunrise, FL; Nobelpharma USA Inc, Chicago, IL; and Implant Support Systems Inc, Irvine, CA) and of two metal types (gold and titanium] were investigated using an in vitro simulation model. Five screws of each type were tightened down against a gold cylinder using a Tohnichi BTG-6 torque gauge (Tohnichi American Corporation, Northbrook, IL) until fracture occurred. Results: The 3i Implant Innovations gold and the Nobelpharma gold were not significantly different. The 3i Implant Innovations titanium and the Impla-Med gold were able to withstand less preload torque than the 3i Implant Innovations gold and the Nobelpharma gold. The Implant Support Systems titanium was able to withstand significantly more preload torque than all of the other screws. Conclusions: Interchanging implant prosthetic retaining screws could introduce new and unknown variables that may affect the long-term survival of implant fixtures and/or the implant prostheses. J Prosthod 1995;4:23-27. Copyright 0 1995 by the American College of Prosthodontists.
Phosphotransfer networks and cellular energetics.

SUMMARY Precise coupling of spatially separated intracellular ATP-producing and ATP-consuming processes is fundamental to the bioenergetics of living organisms, ensuring a fail-safe operation of the energetic system over a broad range of cellular functional activities. Here, we provide an overview of the role of spatially arranged enzymatic networks, catalyzed by creatine kinase, adenylate kinase, carbonic anhydrase and glycolytic enzymes, in efficient high-energy phosphoryl transfer and signal communication in the cell. Studies of transgenic creatine kinase and adenylate kinase deficient mice, along with pharmacological targeting of individual enzymes, have revealed the importance of near-equilibrium reactions in the dissipation of metabolite gradients and communication of energetic signals to distinct intracellular compartments, including the cell nucleus and membrane metabolic sensors. Enzymatic capacities, isoform distribution and the dynamics of net phosphoryl flux through the integrated phosphotransfer systems tightly correlate with cellular functions, indicating a critical role of such networks in efficient energy transfer and distribution, thereby securing the cellular economy and energetic homeostasis under stress.
The Role of Evaluation in inservice and Staff Development for Educators of the Gifted

The use of evaluation in inseivice training and staff development programs is too often limited in scope. This article expands the role of evaluation in gifted program inservice and staff development by providing evaluation techniques that have been used to determine the impact of inservice programs on teachers of the gifted.
Controlling Co-Epidemics: Analysis of HIV and Tuberculosis Infection Dynamics

A co-epidemic arises when the spread of one infectious disease stimulates the spread of another infectious disease. Recently, this has happened with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and tuberculosis (TB). We develop two variants of a co-epidemic model of two diseases. We calculate the basic reproduction number (R0), the disease-free equilibrium, and the quasi-disease-free equilibria, which we define as the existence of one disease along with the complete eradication of the other disease, and the co-infection equilibria for specific conditions. We determine stability criteria for the disease-free and quasi-disease-free equilibria. We present an illustrative numerical analysis of the HIV-TB co-epidemics in India that we use to explore the effects of hypothetical prevention and treatment scenarios. Our numerical analysis demonstrates that exclusively treating HIV or TB may reduce the targeted epidemic, but can subsequently exacerbate the other epidemic. Our analyses suggest that coordinated treatment efforts that include highly active antiretroviral therapy for HIV, latent TB prophylaxis, and active TB treatment may be necessary to slow the HIV-TB co-epidemic. However, treatment alone may not be sufficient to eradicate both diseases. Increased disease prevention efforts (for example, those that promote condom use) may also be needed to extinguish this co-epidemic. Our simple model of two synergistic infectious disease epidemics illustrates the importance of including the effects of each disease on the transmission and progression of the other disease.
Coupling of plasmonic and optical cavity modes in quasi-three-dimensional plasmonic crystals

The field of plasmonics has emerged as an interesting area for fundamental studies, with important application possibilities in miniaturized photonic components. Plasmonic crystals are of particular relevance because of large field enhancements and extraordinary transmission that arise from plasmonic interactions between periodic arrays of metallic elements. Here we report methods to enhance and modify the plasmonic resonances in such structures by strongly coupling them to optical modes of Fabry-Perot type cavities. First, we illustrate a type of plasmonic, narrow-band (~15 nm), high-contrast (>20 dB) absorber and an opto-fluidic modulator based on this component. Second, we use optimized samples as substrates to achieve strong amplification (>350%) and modulation (>4×) of surface-enhanced Raman scattering from surface-bound monolayers. Cavity-coupling strategies appear to be useful not only in these two examples, but also in applications of plasmonics for optoelectronics, photovoltaics and related technologies.
A multistate multipath provisioning scheme for combating node failures in telecom mesh networks

Telecommunication networks spanning large areas are subject to various failures. A survivable network provisioning scheme addressing multiple levels of network failures, especially disaster failures which may take out many network components, is desirable in the future Internet. In this study, we propose and investigate the characteristics of a multistate multipath provisioning scheme for telecom mesh networks. We define different provisioning states which correspond to protection approaches against a wide range of failures, including single-link failure (SF), multiple-link failure (MF) (which is one form of a shared-risk group (SRG)), and disaster failure (DF) (initially the failure of a node and all its surrounding links, which is another form of a SRG). We integrate the conventional primary-backup method with reprovisioning and degraded service (i.e., a reduced level of service vs. no service at all) into a state-transition model to handle different levels of failures. A pre-defined level of service is guaranteed for premium customers even if the service cannot be fully recovered. Results from our simulation experiments show that connection dropping probability due to a node failure can be significantly reduced for a small extra cost for SF protection.
Associations of Short Sleep and Shift Work Status with Hypertension among Black and White Americans

Objective. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether short sleepers (<6 hrs) who worked the non-day-shift were at greater likelihood of reporting hypertension and if these associations varied by individuals' ethnicity. Methods. Analysis was based on the 2010 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). A total of 59,199 American adults provided valid data for the present analyses (mean age = 46.2 ± 17.7 years; 51.5% were female). Respondents provided work schedule and estimated habitual sleep durations as well as self-report of chronic conditions. Results. Of the sample, 30.8% reported a diagnosis of hypertension, 79.1% reported daytime shift work, 11.0% reported rotating shift work, and 4.0% reported night shift work. Logistic regression analysis showed that shift work was significantly associated with hypertension among Blacks [OR = 1.35, CI: 1.06-1.72. P < 0.05], but not among Whites [OR = 1.01, CI: 0.85-1.20, NS]. Black shift workers sleeping less than 6 hours had significantly increased odds of reporting hypertension [OR = 1.81, CI: 1.29-2.54, P < 0.01], while their White counterparts did not [OR = 1.17, CI: 0.90-1.52, NS]. Conclusions. Findings suggest that Black Americans working the non-day-shift especially with short sleep duration have increased odds of reporting hypertension.
Historical highlights in American soil science — Prehistory to the 1970s

Abstract Interest in understanding America's soils goes back to prehistory with the Native Americans. Following European settlement, notable individuals such as Thomas Jefferson and Lewis and Clark made observations of the soil resource. Moving into the 1800s, state geological surveys became involved in soil work and E.W. Hilgard started to formulate ideas similar to those that would eventually lead to V.V. Dokuchaev being recognized as the father of modern soil science. However, Hilgard's advanced ideas on soil genesis were not accepted by the wider American soil science community at the time. Moving into the 1900s, the National Cooperative Soil Survey, the first nationally organized detailed soil survey in the world, was founded under the direction of M. Whitney. Initial soil classification ideas were heavily based in geology, but over time Russian ideas of soil genesis and classification moved into the American soil science community, mainly due to the influence of C.F. Marbut. Early American efforts at the scientific study of soil erosion and soil fertility were also begun in the 1910s and university programs to educate soil scientists started. Soil erosion studies took on high priority in the 1930s as the USA was impacted by the Dust Bowl. Soil Taxonomy, one of the most widely utilized soil classification systems in the world, was developed from the 1950s through the 1970s under the guidance of G.D. Smith and with the administrative support of C.E. Kellogg. American soil scientists, such as H. Jenny, R.W. Simonson, D.L. Johnson, and D. Watson-Stegner, developed influential models of soil genesis during the 20th Century, and the use of soil information moved beyond agriculture to include issues such as land-use planning, soil geomorphology, and the interactions between soils and human health.
Adiponectin: a versatile player of innate immunity

Adiponectin acts as a key regulator of the innate immune system and plays a major role in the progression of inflammation and metabolic disorders. Macrophages and monocytes are representative components of the innate immune system, and their proliferation, plasticity, and polarization are a key component of metabolic adaption. Innate-like lymphocytes such as group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s), natural killer T (NKT) cells, and gamma delta T (γδ T) cells are also members of the innate immune system and play important roles in the development of obesity and its related diseases. Adiponectin senses metabolic stress and modulates metabolic adaption by targeting the innate immune system under physiological and pathological conditions. Defining the mechanisms underlying the role of adiponectin in regulating innate immunity is crucial to adiponectin-based therapeutic intervention.
Taking Kawashima Seriously: A Review of Japanese Research on Japanese Legal Consciousness and Disputing Behavior

This paper discusses Japanese research on legal consciousness (ho-ishiki) and civil disputing. The author presents a recent explication of Takeyoshi Kawashima's concept of legal consciousness as a cultural factor and also proposes to explore the possibility of treating it as an individual, attitudinal factor. He also reviews large-scale surveys of aggregate-level culture and studies on individual-level disputing behavior. The need and possibility of a longitudinal study of individual disputing behavior that uses individual-level attitudes and regional culture as explanatory variables is suggested.
Dissonance Reduction or Artifact

The use of students as subjects for research in consumer behavior has given rise to the question of whether housewives in the marketplace behave like students in classroom experimental situations. One of the challenges to researchers is to specify the conditions under which the findings of classroom experiments can be generalized. In a recent study, Professor Sheth found that housewives and students did not differ in dissonance reduction behavior [9]. Although I agree with Sheth's conclusion, the similarity he found seems to be the result of an artifact (regression toward the mean), and the reason for the difference in the patterns of reevaluations between the high and low dissonance choice situations is the absence (or the presence) of the ceiling effect. The ceiling effect works in the following manner: the chosen, 7th-ranked item in the high dissonance condition (7-8 choice) has more positions to be reranked upward than the chosen, 3rd-ranked item in the low dissonance condition (3-7 choice). Similarly, the rejected, 4th-ranked item in the high dissonance condition (3-4 choice) has more positions to be reranked downward than the rejected, 7th-ranked item in the low dissonance condition (3-7 choice). In Sheth's table [9, p. 244], the predicted reevaluations occurred more frequently in the 3-4 choice condition (66 out of 85, or 77.5%) than in the 7-8 choice (82 out of 119, or 68.8%) and the 3-7 choice (63 out of 105, or 60.0%) conditions. When reevaluations are restricted by the ceiling, it is desirable to adjust the changes by converting the rank position changes to percentages of the total possible changes [5]. For example, when the unchosen, 4thranked brand was moved to the 5th rank, the change is one out of a possible six places (i.e., 4th to 10th place) or 16.6%. The sign is positive because the change is in the direction predicted by dissonance theory. When the unchosen, 4th brand was reranked to 3rd place, the direction is the opposite of dissonance theory prediction and the percentage change is -33.3%. Corrected for the ceiling effect, the present experiment replicated the Sheth-type experiments [1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9] without arousing cognitive dissonance.
Prediction of Tonal Aerodynamic Noise from Open Rotors

A numerical approach for predicting tonal aerodynamic noise from \open rotors" is presented. \Open rotor" refers to an engine architecture with a pair of counter-rotating propellers. Typical noise spectra from an open rotor consist of dominant tones, which arise due both to steady loading/thickness, and due to aerodynamic interaction between the two bladerows. The proposed prediction approach utilizes Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes (RANS) Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations to obtain near-eld description of the noise sources. The near-to-far-eld propagation is then carried out by solving the Ffowcs Williams-Hawkings equation. Since the interest of this paper is limited to tone noise, a linearized, frequency domain approach is adopted to solve the wake/vortex-blade interaction problem. This paper focuses primarily on the speed scaling of the aerodynamic tonal noise from open rotors. Even though there is no theoretical mode cut-o due to the absence of the duct in open rotors, the far-eld noise is a strong function of the azimuthal mode order. While the former has circumferential modes of high order, due to the relatively large number of blades ( 10 12), the latter typically has modes of small orders. The high mode orders have very low radiation eciency and exhibit very strong scaling with Mach number, while the low mode orders show a relatively weaker scaling. The prediction approach is able to capture the speed scaling (observed in experiment) of the overall aerodynamic noise very well.
Potential of Wheat Cultivar Mixtures for Green bug (Homoptera: Aphididae) Management

Green bug, Schizaphts graminum (Rondani), biotypes C and E were used to test mixtures of susceptible and resistant cultivars of wheat, Triticum aestivum L. Three tests were completed in this study. In the first test, two wheat cultivars were used-one susceptible and one resistant to biotype C green bugs. The cultivars were mixed in five ratios ranging from 100 to 0% resistance and infested with green bugs at three different levels. The second test was similar, except biotype E green bugs and the appropriate resistant cultivar were used. Based on damage ratings, plant height measurements, and population levels attained after 2 wk, a cultivar ratio of 75% resistant: 25% susceptible plants can be used to manage biotype C and E green bugs. In the third test, mixtures of biotypes C and E were used to infest mixtures of three wheat cultivars. One cultivar was resistant to biotype C, one was resistant to biotypes C and E, and the third cultivar was susceptible to both. Only one infestation level was used in this part of the study. Plant damage ratings, plant height measurements, and population levels were analyzed 2 wk after infestation. The results from the test with mixtures of biotypes C and E indicated that there was no advantage to using mixtures of three rather than two cultivars.
Application of Ultrasonic Bone Curette in Endoscopic Endonasal Skull Base Surgery: Technical Note

Background Endoscopic endonasal surgery (EES) of the skull base often requires extensive bone work in proximity to critical neurovascular structures. Objective To demonstrate the application of an ultrasonic bone curette during EES. Methods Ten patients with skull base lesions underwent EES from September 2011 to April 2012 at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Most of the bone work was done with high-speed drill and rongeurs. The ultrasonic curette was used to remove specific structures. Results All the patients were submitted to fully endoscopic endonasal procedures and had critical bony structures removed with the ultrasonic bone curette. Two patients with degenerative spine diseases underwent odontoid process removal. Five patients with clival and petroclival tumors underwent posterior clinoid removal. Two patients with anterior fossa tumors underwent crista galli removal. One patient underwent unilateral optic nerve decompression. No mechanical or heat injury resulted from the ultrasonic curette. The surrounding neurovascular structures and soft tissue were preserved in all cases. Conclusion In selected EES, the ultrasonic bone curette was successfully used to remove loose pieces of bone in narrow corridors, adjacent to neurovascular structures, and it has advantages to high-speed drills in these specific situations.
Automatic detection of cone photoreceptors in split detector adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscope images.

Quantitative analysis of the cone photoreceptor mosaic in the living retina is potentially useful for early diagnosis and prognosis of many ocular diseases. Non-confocal split detector based adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscope (AOSLO) imaging reveals the cone photoreceptor inner segment mosaics often not visualized on confocal AOSLO imaging. Despite recent advances in automated cone segmentation algorithms for confocal AOSLO imagery, quantitative analysis of split detector AOSLO images is currently a time-consuming manual process. In this paper, we present the fully automatic adaptive filtering and local detection (AFLD) method for detecting cones in split detector AOSLO images. We validated our algorithm on 80 images from 10 subjects, showing an overall mean Dice’s coefficient of 0.95 (standard deviation 0.03), when comparing our AFLD algorithm to an expert grader. This is comparable to the inter-observer Dice’s coefficient of 0.94 (standard deviation 0.04). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first validated, fully-automated segmentation method which has been applied to split detector AOSLO images.
The globalization of culture and the new civil society

This chapter explores ways in which the transdisciplinary field of cultural studies can address changing patterns of cultural identity. It describes how the current processes of globalization have generated discussions about the role of civil society as the medium through which the conventional compromise between the state and the diverse sectors of the nation—the e pluribus unum—is renegotiated. The chapter reviews how globalization has altered the objects and methods of the study of culture, particularly in relation to Latin America. It looks into the specific effects of neoliberalism on Latin American political and social movements. The chapter examines the Zapatistas in Chiapas, Mexico, as a new kind of indigenous movement that departs from conventional notions of both leftist political movements and grassroots organizations. The Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) brought the crisis on itself, but the new consensus that there must be reform has to be credited to the Zapatistas more than to any other sector of the opposition.
Abstract 4804: Polygodial: A potential sesquiterpene dialdehyde for castration-resistant prostate cancer treatment

Major cause for prostate cancer mortality is due to the development of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) which usually develops when prostate cancer patients undergo standard androgen deprivation therapy. Treatment options currently available for CRPC are not very efficient and have many side effects. Hence, there is an urgent need to identify effective treatment strategies for CRPC. Natural compounds have previously shown to be an effective alternative treatment strategy for cancer. Polygodial (PG) an active constituent of mountain pepper belonging to sesquiterpene dialdehyde family has shown to have several pharmacological benefits including anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties. The objective of this study is to determine the therapeutic effects of PG against CRPC in a pre-clinical study. Cell lines used in this study were androgen dependent LNCaP and CRPC C4-2, DU145, and PC-3 cells. MTT, soft agar, and wound healing assays were performed to evaluate the effects of PG respectively on cell survival, anchorage independent growth, and migration characteristics of prostate cancer cells. PC-3 cells were utilized to determine the anti-cancer mechanisms of PG. Cell viability assay results showed PG effectively inhibited cell proliferation of CRPC C4-2, DU145 and PC-3 cell lines as compared to androgen dependent LNCaP cells. PG treatment significantly reduced the colony growth of CRPC cells in soft agar plates as compared to controls which correlates with its inhibitory effect on anchorage independent growth of these cells. In addition, PG also reduced the migration potential of CRPC cells in a wound healing assay. Inhibition of anchorage independent growth and motility of PCa cells by PG suggests its tumor suppressive and anti-metastatic potential. Western blot analysis showed that PG treatment downregulated the expression of a key cell survival molecule, High mobility group box1 (HMGB1) while promoting PARP-1 cleavage in PC-3 cells. Interestingly, our results also showed that BiP/GRP78, a marker of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress was upregulated following PG treatment in PC-3 cells. These findings suggest that PG enforces its tumor suppressive action by inhibiting HMGB1 signaling axis with concurrent activation of ER stress pathway in CRPC cells. Taken together, our study shows that PG might be an effective chemotherapeutic natural compound especially for CRPC. Citation Format: Akshita P. Pillai, Subramanyam Dasari, Bhavani Patel, Souresh Banerjee, Alexander V. Kornienko, Gnanasekar Munirathinam. Polygodial: A potential sesquiterpene dialdehyde for castration-resistant prostate cancer treatment. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 4804.
Verifiable Zero-Knowledge Order Queries and Updates for Fully Dynamic Lists and Trees

We propose a three-party model for maintaining a dynamic data structure that supports verifiable and privacy-preserving zero-knowledge queries. We give efficient constructions supporting this model for order queries on data organized in lists, trees, and partially-ordered sets of bounded dimension.
A Trigger for Opioid Misuse: Chronic Pain and Stress Dysregulate the Mesolimbic Pathway and Kappa Opioid System

Pain and stress are protective mechanisms essential in avoiding harmful or threatening stimuli and ensuring survival. Despite these beneficial roles, chronic exposure to either pain or stress can lead to maladaptive hormonal and neuronal modulations that can result in chronic pain and a wide spectrum of stress-related disorders including anxiety and depression. By inducing allostatic changes in the mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway, both chronic pain and stress disorders affect the rewarding values of both natural reinforcers, such as food or social interaction, and drugs of abuse. Despite opioids representing the best therapeutic strategy in acute pain conditions, they are often misused as a result of these allostatic changes induced by chronic pain and stress. The kappa opioid receptor system is critically involved in these neuronal adaptations in part through its control of dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens. Therefore, it is likely that changes in the kappa opioid system following chronic exposure to pain and stress play a key role in increasing the misuse liability observed in pain patients treated with opioids. In this review, we will discuss how chronic pain and stress-induced pathologies can affect mesolimbic dopaminergic transmission, leading to increased abuse liability. We will also assess how the kappa opioid system may underlie these pathological changes.
Watching Women’s Liberation, 1970: Feminism’s Pivotal Year on the Network News

Over the past few decades, academics and other writers have offered thoughtful accounts of second-wave U.S. feminisms. Alice Echols’s (1989) Daring to Be Bad: Radical Feminism in America, 1967–1975...