cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Plant virus proteins involved in natural vector transmission

Plant viruses transmitted by invertebrate vectors either reversibly bind to vector mouthparts or are internalized by the vector and later secreted. Viral proteins mediate the binding of plant viruses to vector mouthparts and the transport of virus across vector-cell membranes. Both mechanisms probably involve conformational changes of virus proteins during their association with the vector.
Focus in Multiscale Imaging Systems

We consider first order lens design for microcamera-based focus in multiscale cameras, we compare focal and spectral tomography and we compare dynamic focal scanning with alternative EDoF and focal stacking strategies.
ENDOSCOPIC SUPRACEREBELLAR INFRATENTORIAL APPROACH FOR PINEAL CYST RESECTION : TECHNICAL CASE REPORT

OBJECTIVE: Accepted surgical strategies to address symptomatic pineal cysts include transventricular flexible or rigid endoscopy and supracerebella infratentorial or occipital transtentorial microsurgical approaches. We report the first application of the endoscopic supracerebellar infratentorial approach for the complete resection of a pineal cyst. Unlike transventricular endoscopy, this technique poses no risk to the fornices and can be applied independent of ventricular size. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 37-year-old woman sought treatment for intractable headaches. A thorough evaluation revealed only a pineal cyst exerting mas effect on the tecturn but causing no hydrocephalus. A period of nonoperative management was unsuccessful, and the patient was referred for surgery. TECHNIQUE: The patient was positioned in the semi-sitting position. The supracerebellar infratentorial corridor was accessed through a burr hole. The pineal cyst was resected completely via the endoscope. Postoperatively, the patient's headaches resolved completely. CONCLUSION: The endoscopic supracerebellar infratentorial approach involves minimal brain retraction, poses no risk to the fornices, allows visualization and avoidance of the Galenic veins, and can be performed regardless of the size of the ventricle. Consequently, it is an excellent minimally invasive surgical option for resection or fenestration of symptomatic pineal cysts.
Corrosion of ferrous alloys exposed to thermally convective Pb-17 at. % Li

Abstract A type 316 stainless steel thermal convection loop with type 316 stainless steel coupons and a Fe-9Cr-1Mo steel loop containing Fe-12Cr-1MoVW steel specimens circulated molten Pb-17 at% Li at a maximum temperature of 500°C. Specimens were exposed for more than 6000 h. Mass loss and surface characterization data were compared for these two alloys. At any particular exposure time, the corrosion of type 316 stainless steel by Pb-17 at% Li was more severe, and of a different type than that of similarly exposed Fe-12Cr-1MoVW steel. The austenitic alloy suffered nonuniform penetration and dissolution by the lead-lithium, whereas the Fe-12Cr-1MoVW steel tended to be more uniformly corroded. The presence of a ferritic layer on the type 316 stainless steel, and its susceptibility to spalling during specimen cleaning, were shown to be important in evaluating the data for this steel and in comparing corrosion losses for the two types of alloys. A model for the nonuniform penetration of type 316 stainless steel by Pb-17 at% Li was suggested.
Reduced blackbody microheaters for measuring high temperature thermoluminescent glow curve peaks

Infrared-transparent microheaters have been constructed to reduce the background blackbody radiation produced by the heater. Among other applications, such heaters allow one to probe the high temperature peaks of thermoluminescent(TL) materials. The microheater consists of peripheral platinum heating elements on a mid-infrared transparent alumina platform. Alumina has a relatively low blackbody signal at high temperature for wavelengths less than 8μm. To test the reduced blackbody emission, an aperture was placed over the heating coils and then the transparent center of the microheater. The amount of infrared light transmitted through the aperture was reduced by 90% as the aperture moved from the highly emissive heater coils at 450°C to the largely transparent center at the same temperature.
Induction of and recovery from tolerance to the discriminative stimulus properties of l-cathinone.

Abstract Rats previously trained to discriminate between 0.6 mg/kg l -cathinone and saline in a two-lever, food-motivated operant task were administered l -cathinone at the same dose, every 8 hours for 10 days. Discrimination testing during this chronic administration phase of experimentation indicated that the animals' ability to discriminate both 0.3 and 0.6 mg/kg l -cathinone decreased when compared to their discriminative ability prior to chronic administration. In contrast, discrimination of the non-drug state, i.e., saline, was not affected. Comparison of dose-response curves prior to and during chronic cathinone administration indicated a 3–4 fold shift to the right for the latter curve. Continued testing after termination of chronic treatment resulted in a return to pre-chronic discriminative performance by the fifteenth day after cessation. These results indicate that tolerance to the discriminative effects of l -cathinone can be produced within 10 days of chronic administration and recovery from this observed tolerance occurs within 15 days of cessation of chronic administration.
Neuroprotection by nitric oxide against hydroxyl radical-induced nigral neurotoxicity.

We investigated the effects of nitric oxide on an in vitro and in vivo generation of hydroxyl radicals, and in vivo neurotoxicity caused by intranigral infusion of ferrous citrate in rats. The formation of hydroxyl radicals in vitro, without exogenous hydrogen peroxide, was dose-dependent. Some nitric oxide donors (e.g. sodium nitroprusside) stimulated, while others (nitroglycerin, diethylamine/nitric oxide, nitric oxide in Ringer's solution) suppressed hydroxyl radical generation in vitro. A significant increase in extra-cellular hydroxyl radicals was detected in a brain microdialysis study. Intranigral infusion of ferrous citrate caused long-lasting lipid peroxidation and dopamine depletion in the ipsilateral nigral region and striatum, respectively. Sub-acute dopamine depletion in the striatum was positively correlated with acute lipid peroxidation in substantia nigra. Intranigral administration of nitric oxide did not affect striatal dopamine. Interestingly, nitric oxide in Ringer's protected nigral neurones against the oxidative injury. The results demonstrate that a regional increase in the levels of iron can result in hydroxyl radical generation and lipid peroxidation leading to neurotoxicity. It also demonstrates that exogenous nitric oxide can act as hydroxyl radical scavenger and protect neurones from oxidative injury.
Variability in Skill in 120 h FNOC 500 mb Height Forecasts

Abstract The variability of the 120 h 500 mb height forecasts of the Navy's Operational global model was examined for two winters. The forecasts displayed evidence of marked variability in the quality of forecasts as measured by anomaly correlations computed for the Northern Hemisphere. There were clearly defined periods of good and poor model performance on the time scales of 2–12 days. The role of the flow persistence, the scale of the transient features, the amount and amplitude of eddy activity, and unique synoptic patterns (in contributing to the model performance changes) were all considered. None of the above computations could provide an unambiguous indicator of model skill in all cases. The most promising indicator was the transition of the large scale waves during the integration period. This result is in agreement with Bettge and Baumhefner.
Indium 111-labeled granulocyte scan in the diagnosis and management of acute inflammatory bowel disease

The indium 111 granulocyte scan was used to evaluate 39 individuals known to have or suspected of having inflammatory bowel disease. Twenty-three of these individuals had positive scans and 16 had negative scans. Eighty-seven confirmatory studies, which consisted of barium radiography, endoscopy, operative findings, and histopathology, were performed in 37 of these individuals. The remaining two negative scans corroborated only by clinical course, CBC, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. In addition, 10 follow-up scans were performed in six of the 39 patients to monitor therapy or investigate a change in symptoms. As an anatomic indicator of acute granulocytic infiltration of the intestinal lamina propria and crypts, the authors found that this scan had a 97 percent rate of sensitivity and 100 percent specificity. Specific indications for the use of the indium 111-labeled granulocyte scan are described. For the authors, in general, this test has become a vital adjunct to endoscopy and radiography in the diagnosis and management of patients with symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease.
Integrated Operational Planning and Medium-Term Scheduling for Large-Scale Industrial Batch Plants

The operational planning and the medium-term scheduling of a multipurpose and multiproduct batch chemical plant are inter-related activities that involve the allocation of plant resources. Because of their disparate time scales, however, the effective integration of planning and scheduling has proven to be a formidable task. The lack of an integrative framework for planning and scheduling will invariably cause the planning model to provide unrealistic production targets to the scheduling level, leading to the misallocation of plant resources. In response to this issue, a novel framework for the integration of planning and scheduling for a multipurpose and multiproduct batch plant is presented. The framework entails integrating a novel planning with production disaggregation model with a medium-term scheduling model through a forward-rolling horizon approach.
Electromechanical speed map development using FNET/GridEye frequency measurements

Differences in electromechanical wave propagation speeds have long been observed in different regions of the power grid. Various attempts have been made over the years to develop “speed maps” of the grid, either through analytical means or from measurements. Analytical techniques are computationally difficult and require that an accurate model of the system be known a priori, which is generally impossible for a large system such as the Eastern Interconnection. Most, if not all, of measurement-based techniques introduced to-date assume constant propagation speed between the disturbance source and the sensor, which does not reflect reality. This paper presents a new method for developing speed maps using FNET/GridEye data from confirmed disturbances that seeks to eliminate many of the issues faced by previous attempts.
Estrogen potentiates the combined effects of transforming growth factor-β and tumor necrosis factor-α on adult human osteoblast-like cell prostaglandin E2 biosynthesis

Reports that estrogen treatment modulates arachidonic acid metabolism by bone and bone cells are found in the literature. However, conflicting indications of the relationship that exists between estrogen and arachidonic acid metabolism emerge from the analysis of those reports. The present studies were undertaken to determine if estrogen effected the production of prostaglandins (PG) in human osteoblast-like (hOB) cell cultures derived from adults, under basal or cytokine-stimulated conditions. A 48-hour estrogen pretreatment did not modify hOB cell PG biosynthesis on a qualitative basis, and PGE2 formation predominated under all tested conditions. Estrogen pretreatment did lead to increased PGE2 production in specimens stimulated conjointly with transforming growth factor-β1 and tumor necrosis factor-α (p < 0.001). No changes in PGE2 production were observed in estrogen pretreated specimens stimulated singly with either tested cytokine, nor in samples in which either TGFβ or TNF was replaced by interleukin-1β. Anti-estrogen (ICI 164,384) inclusion prevented the estrogen-dependent increase in PGE2 production in the TGFβ plus TNF-stimulated samples. These results suggest that an estrogen effect on bone cell prostaglandin biosynthesis may be most evident and significant under conditions in which the cells are exposed to multiple osteotropic cytokines, a condition that applies during the bone remodeling process.
EagleEye: entity-centric business intelligence for smarter decisions

This paper describes EagleEye, which is an intelligent system that provides business intelligence through advanced data mining and text analytics. Unlike traditional search engines, EagleEye is entity oriented, and an entity can be an organization, a person, or a place. Given an entity name, the basic function of EagleEye is to generate a consolidated view of the entity information it gathers from many disparate data sources and to organize and categorize it, and automatically detect entity relationships. EagleEye can also analyze the opinions of entities, evaluate whether they are positive or negative, and provide insight into many aspects of consumer sentiment toward product brands. This type of information can enable enterprises to manage the reputation of their brands and to respond more quickly to changes in the marketplace. We present the key technologies--such as entity-name grouping, entity-relation extraction, and entity-oriented opinion mining--that were developed to support these functions. EagleEye has been successfully deployed to a number of clients across a variety of industries in China. Several case studies are presented to demonstrate in practice the capability and business value of EagleEye.
Mixing apparatus for preparing NMR samples under pressure.

The size limit for protein NMR spectroscopy in solution arises in large part from line broadening caused by slow molecular tumbling. One way to alleviate this problem is to increase the effective tumbling rate by reducing the viscosity of the solvent. Because proteins generally require an aqueous environment to remain folded, one approach has been to encapsulate hydrated proteins in reverse micelles formed by a detergent and to dissolve the encapsulated protein in a low-viscosity fluid. The high volatility of suitable low-viscosity fluids requires that the samples be prepared and maintained under pressure. We describe a novel apparatus used for the preparation of such samples. The apparatus includes a chamber for mixing the detergent with the low-viscosity solvent, a second chamber for mixing this with hydrated protein, and a 5-mm (o.d.) zirconium oxide NMR sample tube with shut-off valves designed to contain pressures on the order of 10 bar, sufficient for liquid propane. Liquids are moved from one location to another by introducing minor pressure differentials between two pressurization vessels. We discuss the operation of this apparatus and illustrate this with data on a 30-kDa protein complex (chymotrypsin:turkey ovomucoid third domain) encapsulated in reverse micelles of the detergent, sodium bis (2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate, aerosol-ot (AOT), dissolved in liquid propane.
Kinematics and geometry of active detachment faulting beneath the Trans-Atlantic Geotraverse (TAG) hydrothermal field on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Newly acquired seismic refraction and microearthquake data from the Trans-Atlantic Geotraverse (TAG) segment of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge at 26°N reveal for the first time the geometry and seismic character of an active oceanic detachment fault. Hypocenters from 19,232 microearthquakes observed during an eight month ocean bottom seismometer deployment form an ∼15-km-long, dome-shaped fault surface that penetrates to depths >7 km below the seafloor on a steeply dipping (∼70°) interface. A tomographic model of compressional-wave velocities demonstrates that lower crustal rocks are being exhumed in the detachment footwall, which appears to roll over to a shallow dip of 20° ± 5° and become aseismic at a depth of ∼3 km. Outboard of the detachment the exhumed lithosphere is deformed by ridge-parallel, antithetical normal faulting. Our results suggest that hydrothermal fluids at the TAG field exploit the detachment fault to extract heat from a region near the crust-mantle interface over long periods of time.
Tethered capsule endomicroscopy enables less invasive imaging of gastrointestinal tract microstructure.

Here, we introduce “tethered capsule endomicroscopy,” that involves swallowing an optomechanically-engineered pill that captures cross-sectional, 30 μm (lateral) × 7 μm (axial) resolution, microscopic images of the gut wall as it travels through the digestive tract. Results in human subjects show that this technique rapidly provides three-dimensional, microstructural images of the upper gastrointestinal tract in a simple and painless procedure, opening up new opportunities for screening for internal diseases. Diseases of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract are commonly diagnosed by endoscopy, where a flexible video-imaging probe is advanced through a natural orifice into the luminal digestive organs. If an abnormal region is identified, endoscopic biopsy forceps are used to extract a small amount of tissue from the suspect area. The biopsy is then processed and reviewed under a microscope by a pathologist who renders the final diagnosis. It is estimated that approximately 15 million such biopsies are excised and analyzed every year in the United States 1 .
Studies of stability and robustness for artificial neural networks and boosted decision trees

In this paper, we compare the performance, stability and robustness of Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) and Boosted Decision Trees (BDT) using MiniBooNE Monte Carlo samples. These methods attempt to classify events given a number of identification variables. The BDT algorithm has been discussed by us in previous publications. Testing is done in this paper by smearing and shifting the input variables of testing samples. Based on these studies, BDT has better particle identification performance than ANN. The degradation of the classifications obtained by shifting or smearing variables of testing results is smaller for BDT than for ANN.
The use of retinoids in the prevention and treatment of skin cancer

There has been a significant increase in the number of cases of skin cancer diagnosed in the US in the past few years. Thus, it seems appropriate to review the available compounds that might be used in the chemoprevention of these lesions. This review focuses on the retinoids and details their results in clinical trials for treatment and prevention of skin cancer. Side effects of the various retinoid derivatives are also discussed. It is concluded that isotretinoin (13-cis-retinoic acid) is the most effective retinoid for the prevention of non-melanoma skin cancers in high-risk patients in clinical trials. Current basic research is focused on developing receptor-selective retinoids which would have a higher therapeutic index for the treatment and chemoprevention of skin cancer.
Overcoming Weed Management Challenges in Cover Crop–Based Organic Rotational No-Till Soybean Production in the Eastern United States

Abstract Cover crop–based organic rotational no-till soybean production has attracted attention from farmers, researchers, and other agricultural professionals because of the ability of this new system to enhance soil conservation, reduce labor requirements, and decrease diesel fuel use compared to traditional organic production. This system is based on the use of cereal rye cover crops that are mechanically terminated with a roller-crimper to create in situ mulch that suppresses weeds and promotes soybean growth. In this paper, we report experiments that were conducted over the past decade in the eastern region of the United States on cover crop–based organic rotational no-till soybean production, and we outline current management strategies and future research needs. Our research has focused on maximizing cereal rye spring ground cover and biomass because of the crucial role this cover crop plays in weed suppression. Soil fertility and cereal rye sowing and termination timing affect biomass production, ...
The electrical hazard of the future

This paper calls attention to a continuing and growing problem concerning an ever-present electrical hazard that is being swept under the rug. Several miscalculations and lack of understanding of grounding have combined over the past 80 years to set into motion the electrocution of dairy cows, pigs and humans residing in North America from the electrical distribution system. The urge to reduce costs by the utility companies has resulted in the lack of maintenance of the electrical distribution system. This combined with an expected increase in peak demand of 16 percent over the next decade is expected to result in an increase in stray current flowing uncontrolled over the earth shocking and killing not only dairy cows and pigs, but humans too.
THE FORMATION OF A RE-ENTRANT ACTION POTENTIAL WAVE FRONT IN TISSUE WITH UNEQUAL ANISOTROPY RATIOS

In a syncytial tissue, the intracellular and extracellular spaces may have different degrees of anisotropy. This property allows generation of a re-entrant wave front in a two-dimensional sheet of tissue after two successive stimuli are applied through the same electrode, if the second stimulus is delivered during the vulnerable phase of the first action potential. The re-entrant wave front contains four phase singularities placed symmetrically about the position of the electrode.
Decolorization of Chitosan

The industrial process for extracting chitosan from low cost shellfish waste is well known. It comprises three basic steps: deproteinization, demineralization of the shells to yield chitin, followed by deacetylation of chitin to produce chitosan. However, the product obtained from the process often still contains many impurities. In general, these encompass minerals and carotenoids bonded to chitosan. The treatment of chitosan flakes with aqueous solutions of inorganic polybasic acids permits the removal of the impurities mentioned above. This paper describes an engineering-type procedure which develops a pure, colorless material having a controlled molecular weight.
Hurricane signals in salt marsh sediments: Inorganic sources and soil volume

The inorganic content of 51 dated sediment cores from Mississippi River deltaic plain salt marsh wetlands peaks with the landfall of hurricanes. Variations in the inorganic sediment content demonstrate no temporal coherence with changes in either the Mississippi River suspended matter concentration or discharge, or with wetland losses on this coast. The inorganic matter brought to wetlands during hurricanes is sufficient to account for the accumulated inorganic sediment, and the volume averages 9% of the soil volume. A "sediment deficit" hypothesis, which makes a causal connection between a changing inorganic supply and the dramatically high wetland losses on this coast, is therefore rejected. Our results support the hypothesis that wetlands of an undeveloped coast receive the majority of their inorganic sediments from offshore and not from overbank flooding or through crevasses. Restoration and wetland maintenance (prevention) goals should be implemented with this in mind: the coastal wetland losses of the last century along this coast appear to be a consequence of the diminished accumulation of organic matter and not from variations in inorganic sediment loading.
The nanometre-scale physiology of bone: steric modelling and scanning transmission electron microscopy of collagen–mineral structure

The nanometre-scale structure of collagen and bioapatite within bone establishes bone's physical properties, including strength and toughness. However, the nanostructural organization within bone is not well known and is debated. Widely accepted models hypothesize that apatite mineral (‘bioapatite’) is present predominantly inside collagen fibrils: in ‘gap channels’ between abutting collagen molecules, and in ‘intermolecular spaces’ between adjacent collagen molecules. However, recent studies report evidence of substantial extrafibrillar bioapatite, challenging this hypothesis. We studied the nanostructure of bioapatite and collagen in mouse bones by scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) using electron energy loss spectroscopy and high-angle annular dark-field imaging. Additionally, we developed a steric model to estimate the packing density of bioapatite within gap channels. Our steric model and STEM results constrain the fraction of total bioapatite in bone that is distributed within fibrils at less than or equal to 0.42 inside gap channels and less than or equal to 0.28 inside intermolecular overlap regions. Therefore, a significant fraction of bone's bioapatite (greater than or equal to 0.3) must be external to the fibrils. Furthermore, we observe extrafibrillar bioapatite between non-mineralized collagen fibrils, suggesting that initial bioapatite nucleation and growth are not confined to the gap channels as hypothesized in some models. These results have important implications for the mechanics of partially mineralized and developing tissues.
Pathways mediating the effects of cannabidiol on the reduction of breast cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis

Invasion and metastasis of aggressive breast cancer cells are the final and fatal steps during cancer progression. Clinically, there are still limited therapeutic interventions for aggressive and metastatic breast cancers available. Therefore, effective, targeted, and non-toxic therapies are urgently required. Id-1, an inhibitor of basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors, has recently been shown to be a key regulator of the metastatic potential of breast and additional cancers. We previously reported that cannabidiol (CBD), a cannabinoid with a low toxicity profile, down-regulated Id-1 gene expression in aggressive human breast cancer cells in culture. Using cell proliferation and invasion assays, cell flow cytometry to examine cell cycle and the formation of reactive oxygen species, and Western analysis, we determined pathways leading to the down-regulation of Id-1 expression by CBD and consequently to the inhibition of the proliferative and invasive phenotype of human breast cancer cells. Then, using the mouse 4T1 mammary tumor cell line and the ranksum test, two different syngeneic models of tumor metastasis to the lungs were chosen to determine whether treatment with CBD would reduce metastasis in vivo. We show that CBD inhibits human breast cancer cell proliferation and invasion through differential modulation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) pathways, and that both pathways lead to down-regulation of Id-1 expression. Moreover, we demonstrate that CBD up-regulates the pro-differentiation factor, Id-2. Using immune competent mice, we then show that treatment with CBD significantly reduces primary tumor mass as well as the size and number of lung metastatic foci in two models of metastasis. Our data demonstrate the efficacy of CBD in pre-clinical models of breast cancer. The results have the potential to lead to the development of novel non-toxic compounds for the treatment of breast cancer metastasis, and the information gained from these experiments broaden our knowledge of both Id-1 and cannabinoid biology as it pertains to cancer progression.
Linear feature selection with applications

Several ways in which feature selection techniques were used in LACIE are discussed. In all cases, the methods require some a priori information and assumptions; in most, the classification procedure (Bayes optimal) was chosen in advance. The transformations used for dimensionality reduction are linear, that is, the variables in feature space are always linear combinations of the original measurements. Several numerically tractable criteria developed for LACIE, which provide information about the probability of misclassification, are discussed. Recent results on linear feature selection techniques are included. Their use in LACIE is discussed. Related open questions are mentioned.
Approaching Delayed-Healing Wounds on the Face and Neck

This article provides a general approach to the assessment and treatment of poorly healing dermal wounds of the face and neck. When poor healing occurs, it can produce significant functional and cosmetic impairment. A systematic framework for treating these wounds is provided, which focuses on identifying the systemic and local factors contributing to poor healing; provides an overview of the basic tenets of wound treatment; and focuses on a general approach to preparation of the wound bed. In addition, approaching the challenge of an irradiated dermal wound and adjunctive measures to help "jump-start" a wound are discussed.
Conversion of Cobinamide into Coenzyme B12

Cobamides are unique cyclic tetrapyrroles because their structures include an upper (Coβ) and a lower (Coα) axial ligand. The Coα and Coβ ligands are important for the interaction of the cobamide with enzymes, and for the chemistry of the reaction catalyzed by the enzyme. B12 (5,6-dimethylbenzimidazolylcobamide, cobalamin) is the best-known cobamide, which in its vitamin form has a cyano group as Coβ ligand, and in its coenzymic form it has a 5′-deoxyadenosine group as Coβ ligand (Fig. 1). In this chapter we review the current understanding of upper and lower ligand attachment to the ring macrocycle. Most of the knowledge reviewed here was obtained using bacterial systems; we add to the discussion recent work from our laboratory that uncovered variations in the conversion of cobinamide to B12 in archaea.
RECOGNIZING POWERS IN NILPOTENT GROUPS AND NILPOTENT IMAGES OF FREE GROUPS

An element in a free group is a proper power if and only if it is a proper power in every nilpotent factor group. Moreover there is an algorithm to decide if an element in a finitely generated torsion-free nilpotent group is a proper power.
An impossibility theorem for amalgamating evidence

Amalgamating evidence of different kinds for the same hypothesis into an overall confirmation is analogous, I argue, to amalgamating individuals’ preferences into a group preference. The latter faces well-known impossibility theorems, most famously “Arrow’s Theorem”. Once the analogy between amalgamating evidence and amalgamating preferences is tight, it is obvious that amalgamating evidence might face a theorem similar to Arrow’s. I prove that this is so, and end by discussing the plausibility of the axioms required for the theorem.
African American Homeschooling as Racial Protectionism

Academic interest in homeschooling has increased over the past decade, as what was once perceived as a marginal development has, in fact, turned into a significant and growing phenomenon. There has been, in recent years, a noticeable surge in African American involvement in the homeschooling movement as well. However, there continues to be a general paucity of research on the motivations of homeschooling Black parents. It is the purpose of this article, using an Afrocentric lens, (a) to explore one of the main reasons African Americans increasingly choose to educate their children at home, namely, their strong desire to protect their children from the ill effects of school-related racism; (b) to provide a historical and philosophical contextualization of the African American experience with racism in schools; and (c) to present empirical evidence regarding African American motivations for homeschooling.
Protostelids, dictyostelids, and myxomycetes in the litter microhabitat of the Luquillo Experimental Forest, Puerto Rico

Protostelids, dictyostelids and myxomycetes are well known from terrestrial ecosystems in temperate regions but poorly known from the tropics. This study examined the distribution and ecology of these three groups of ‘slime moulds’ in the forest floor litter microhabitat of five different forest types (tabonuco forest, secondary tabonuco forest, palo colorado forest, palm forest, and elfin forest) within the Luquillo Experimental Forest in Puerto Rico. Protostelids associated with aerial litter (dead but still attached plant parts) also were studied. At least 13 species of protostelids, 13 species of dictyostelids and 24 species of myxomycetes were recovered. Both species richness and abundance of dictyostelids and myxomycetes were higher in the secondary tabonuco forest than in any of the other forest types. The tabonuco forest yielded the most species of protostelids, but the next highest total was recorded from the secondary tabonuco forest. Both of these forest types are located at the low end of the elevation gradient. Lowest levels of species richness and abundance occurred in the elfin forest, located at the high end of the elevation gradient. The general pattern observed was that of decreasing diversity with increasing elevation.
Revision of the Nearctic Species of Nepalomyia Hollis ( Neurigonella Robinson) (Diptera: Dolichopodidae: Peloropeodinae) with a World Catalog

Nepalomyia Hollis and Neurigonella Robinson are synonymized. The genus Nepalomyia is more fully characterized and the Nearctic species are revised. Nepalomyia nigricornis (Van Duzee) and N. sombrea (Harmston & Knowlton) are reassigned and redescribed. Two new species, N. dilaticosta Runyon & Hurley and N. hesperia Runyon & Hurley, are described. New combinations are created for the following non-Nearctic species: Nepalomyia bidentata (Yang & Saigusa), N. brevifur- cata (Yang & Saigusa), N. crassata (Yang & Saigusa), N. daliensis (Yang & Saigusa), N. daweishana (Yang & Saigusa), N. dentata (Yang & Saigusa), N. flava (Yang & Saigusa), N. furcata (Yang & Saigusa), N. henanensis (Yang, Yang, & Li), N. longa (Yang & Saigusa), N. longiseta (Yang & Saigusa), N. luteipleurata (Yang & Saigusa), N. pallipes (Yang & Saigusa), N. pallipilosa (Yang & Saigusa), N. pilifera (Yang & Saigusa), N. pingbiana (Yang & Saigusa), N. tatjanae (Negrobov), N. trifurcata (Yang & Saigusa), N. tuberculosa (Yang & Saigusa), N. yunnanensis (Yang & Saigusa), and N. zhouzhiensis (Yang & Saigusa). A key to Nearctic males and females and a catalog of the world Nepalomyia are provided.
Extended norms for the paced auditory serial addition task

Abstract The Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task (PASAT) and an abbreviated version of the WAIS-R were administered to 143 normal individuals, including 62 persons aged 18 to 27 (58% female), 40 aged 33 to 50 (50% female), and 41 aged 60 to 75 (51% female). PASAT means and standard deviations are presented. Analysis of variance results revealed significant age effects on PASAT performance, with the 60-to 75-year age group scoring significantly lower than the two younger age groups on all four PASAT series. No significant gender effect was found. Small but statistically significant correlations were found between PASAT performance and estimated IQ.
Fixed Points of Columnar Transpositions

AbstractA columnar transposition cipher encrypts messages by inserting the plaintext into a rectangular grid one row at a time and then removing the contents of the grid one column at a time to produce the ciphertext. The grid is created by choosing a natural number C and then making a grid with C columns and [L/C] rows, where L is the length of the message. We denote the columnar transposition with these parameters by πC,L. It is evident that πC,L is a permutation on the positions of characters in the message. In this paper, we prove several results about the fixed points of this permutation for general C and L. We first locate positions in the message that are always fixed and prove that no column in the enciphering grid can contain more than one fixed point. We then give several results that provide a method of iteratively checking columns for nontrivial fixed points. Our results culminate in an algorithm for finding the fixed points of πC,L whose time complexity depends only on the number of columns c...
Sanitation and civilization in Georgetown, British Guiana

L'A. retrace l'emergence d'une politique sanitaire publique a Georgetown, la capitale de la Guyane britannique, entre la fin du 19 eme et le debut du 20 eme siecle. Elle soutient qu'il existait un discours sanitaire omnipresent qui representait les ameliorations sanitaires comme necessaires pour maintenir la taille et la viabilite de la population active. Ces objectifs furent cependant remis en cause par l'indifference et la cupidite de certains politiciens locaux et proprietaires, condamnant ainsi certains habitants de Georgetown, essentiellement des Indo- et Afro-guyanais, a une existence sanitairement precaire. Cette situation a contribue au discours qui representait les masses non-blanches comme sales et non-civilisees. La persistance de ce discours renvoie non seulement a la maniere dont les pauvres non-blancs furent consideres par la societe coloniale, mais elle a egalement fourni le cadre pour le developpement de nouvelles politiques sanitaires resolument eugenistes.
Creationism and intelligent design are incompatible with scientific progress: A response to Shanta and Vêdanta.

ABSTRACTIn a recent opinion paper, B.K. Shanta claims science leaves no room for the subjective aspect of consciousness, and in doing so, attacks both origin of life and evolutionary research. He claims Vedanta, one of the 6 orthodox schools of Hindu philosophy, offers an explanation: “the origin of everything material and nonmaterial is sentient and absolute.” Here I discuss how the pseudoscience of these creationist views, which are aligned with Intelligent Design, are incompatible with scientific progress and should not be published in scientific journals.
Pakistani Acquisition of Political Information About Drones

Conventional wisdom holds that Pakistanis are overwhelmingly opposed to American drone strikes in their country’s tribal areas and that this opposition is driven by mass media coverage of the loss of life and property the strikes purportedly cause. Using an approach based in the literature in political communication and public opinion, we argue this conventional wisdom is largely inaccurate. Instead, we contend that awareness of drone strikes will be limited because Pakistan is a poor country with low educational attainment, high rates of illiteracy and persistent infrastructure problems that limit access to mass media. Moreover, because of these same country characteristics, Pakistanis’ beliefs about drone strikes will be shaped primarily by informal, face-to-face political communication, rather than through more formal media sources. We test this argument using data that we collected by fielding a 7,656 respondent, nationally-representative survey carried out in Pakistan in 2013. The results of the statistical analysis support our arguments.
Fear Responses to Threat Appeals Functional Form, Methodological Considerations, and Correspondence Between Static and Dynamic Data

The study tested (a) the extent to which an inverted-U pattern of fear response predicted persuasion, (b) the degree to which the fear curve mediated the effects of the four components of threat appeals on persuasion, (c) the correspondence between the static measures of fear used in between-subjects designs and the dynamic indices required by the within-subject approach, and (d) the methodological threats inherent to dynamic designs. Participants (N = 418) read a message that advocated for colorectal cancer screening. Results showed that the inverted-U fear curve predicted intention to obtain a colonoscopy, and that susceptibility and response efficacy exerted their influence on persuasion via the fear curve while severity and self-efficacy did not. The static measure of fear showed poor absolute correspondence with the peak and end indices of dynamic fear, but strong pattern correspondence. Hazards to inference posed by dynamic designs of the type used in this study appear negligible.
Primary adenocarcinoma of the anus: a 22-year SEER population database analysis

e15072 Background: Most anal canal cancers consist of squamous cell carcinoma (SCCA). Adenocarcinoma (AdenoCa) is rare and accounts for approximately 10% of anal cancers. A search of the SEER database (1973 to 2005) was carried out to evaluate the pattern of radiation (RT) and surgical treatment. Impact of the treatment on overall survival (OS) was evaluated. Methods: The search of the SEER database revealed 1,008 pts who had pathologically confirmed anal cancers with either SCCA or AdenoCa. All pts had single diagnosis of anal cancer with localized disease without nodal involvement. Excluded were pts with unknown use of surgery or radiation. Kaplan-Meier estimates and Cox-Mantel model were used to calculate and compare survival rates. Results: Median age of all pts was 57 years (range 29 to 99). For the SCCA group, median age was 57 years (range 29 to 99), which was younger than the AdenoCa group with median age of 74 years (range 37 to 92). Among the 1,008 pts, 954 had SCCA (94.6%), and 54 had AdenoCa (...
Traumatic ulnar artery aneurysm secondary to basketball dunk: a case report and review

Ulnar artery aneurysms are uncommon lesions. They are often caused by traumatic injury to the hand. Ulnar artery aneurysms have been reported in association with multiple sports-related activities, but never secondary to a basketball injury. The following is a case presentation of an ulnar artery aneurysm likely formed secondary to repetitive basketball slam dunking with accompanying review of diagnosis and surgical treatment of ulnar artery aneurysms.
Order Quantity, Product Popularity, and The Location of Stock in a Warehouse

Abstract In the assignment of warehouse space to inventory items, the amount of space allocated to each item is traditionally determined on the basis of inventory or production cost considerations. Actual assignment of items to storage locations within the warehouse is then carried out independently, with the space requirements taken as given. Assuming an out-and-back order picking procedure and the simple economic order quantity inventory model, it is demonstrated that the quantity and location problems must be considered simultaneously in order to achieve a minimum total cost (order picking cost plus inventory cost). An iterative solution procedure, based on a gradient search, is developed and applied to a test problem.
Spatially Modulated Two-Photon Luminescence from Si−Au Core−Shell Nanowires

Si−Au core−shell nanowires were synthesized with a two-step strategy combining chemical vapor deposition and wet chemistry methods. Si core diameter, Au shell thickness, and wire length were controlled during synthesis. Under a far-field two-photon excitation scanning microscope, spatially modulated two-photon luminescence (TPL) was observed from the core−shell nanowires prepared with several micrometers in length. The mode spacing scales linearly with the length of nanowires for samples with 15 and 40 nm Au shells. The spatial modulation pattern was found to be independent of the excitation wavelength. The TPL intensity displayed a cos2 dependence on the excitation field polarization, indicating a sequential two-photon excitation process enhanced by the longitudinal plasmon field. The spatially modulated TPL is interpreted by a standing wave model of surface plasmon polaritons along the core−shell nanowire which acts as a Fabry−Perot resonator. These results suggest TPL imaging of Si−Au core−shell nanowi...
Analysis of pathogenic surveillance results for influenza in Wanzhou district of Chongqing from 2010 to 2015

Objective To understand the epidemic status and trends of influenza in Wanzhou district from 2010 to 2015,so as to provide reference for the scientific development of strategies and measures for influenza prevention and control. Methods Samples from patients with influenza-like illness( ILI) were collected in national influenza surveillance hospitals in Wanzhou district from April 2010 to March 2015. Influenza virus nucleic acid was detected using real-time fluorescent polymerase chain reaction. Positive samples were inoculated with MDCK cells for virus isolation and identification. Results 349 positive samples were detected among 2 766 patients with ILI,the positive rate was 12. 62%. The positive rate difference was statistically significant among each year( χ2= 85. 78,P = 0. 000 0. 05). 186 isolated virus strains concluded 91 seasonal H3N2,41 BV,37H1N1 A and 17 BY. Epidemilogical mixed peak showed in winter in each year and was dominated with influenza H1N1 A,B and seasonal H3N2. There was a summer peak in three of these years,which was mainly influenza H3N2. Conclusion Four virus strains had been epidemic in Wanzhou district from April 2010 to March 2015. At the same time,the strength fell down overall. The epidemilogical character of influenza H1N1 A,B type,seasonal H3N2 strain were shifting alternately.
Politics, accountability, and governmental information systems

Information systems are becoming more involved in politics due to the growth of the World Wide Web, electronic government, and the increasing digitization of information of all kinds. Many information management specialists lack knowledge and experience about how to deal with political aspects of information management, and consequently they are ineffective. This chapter shows how important political issues are to information managers and illustrates strategies that can be useful in dealing with political issues. I provide several examples of how inattention to the political aspects of managing information systems can result in problems and disasters. The chapter covers both internal and external politics. Information managers have to deal with many internal politically-charged tasks such as the structuring of information management, purchasing information systems, managing personnel in this era of digital communication, and struggles over the sharing of information within organizations. External information management issues are also becoming important such as demands for online accountability information, the development of websites, issues over access to information, and interorganizational issues including disputes over turf.
Increased Binding of Acute Phase Lipoproteins by Peritoneal Macrophages (MØs) in Mice

Serum amyloid A protein (SAA), synthesized in response to an acute inflammatory stimulus, is transported in serum in association high density lipoprotein. We have compared peritoneal macrophage binding of lipoprotein fractions isolated from normal mice with those isolated from mice 18 hrs after intraperitoneal injection of 100 ug purified endotoxin. Lipoproteins were isolated by ultracentrifugation at d > 1.21 g/ml and the apol ipoproteins labelled with I by the iodine monochloride method. Labelled lipoproteins were incubated with adherence purified peritoneal macrophages and cell associated radioactivity measured. Cellular uptake of acute phase lipoproteins was six to seven-fold greater that uptake of lipoproteins from normal animals. Treatment of the cells with glutaraldehyde prior to exposure to the lipoproteins abolished the difference in uptake.
Prevalence of autoimmune comorbidities in patients with metastatic melanoma in the US.

9529Background: Immunotherapies have advanced the treatment of metastatic melanoma (MM); however they are associated with frequent immune-related toxicities. As a result, patients with pre-existing...