cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An exact algorithm for solving most relevant explanation in bayesian networks

Most Relevant Explanation (MRE) is a new inference task in Bayesian networks that finds the most relevant partial instantiation of target variables as an explanation for given evidence by maximizing the Generalized Bayes Factor (GBF). No exact algorithm has been developed for solving MRE previously. This paper fills the void and introduces a breadth-first branch-and-bound MRE algorithm based on a novel upper bound on GBF. The bound is calculated by decomposing the computation of the score to a set of Markov blankets of subsets of evidence variables. Our empirical evaluations show that the proposed algorithm scales up exact MRE inference significantly.
The Historical Basis of Securities Arbitration as an Investor Protection Mechanism

This article explores the history of arbitration in the securities industry, focusing on the right of customers to demand arbitration of broker-dealer disputes. The article argues that, rather than depicting FINRA arbitration as an alternative dispute resolution process offering a level playing field, FINRA, as well as industry and investor advocates, should recall and reinforce the historical basis of securities arbitration as a mechanism to protect investors.
Compact frequency-quadrupled pulsed 1030nm fiber laser

A compact 1030nm fiber laser for ultraviolet generation at 257.5nm is presented. The laser employs a short length of highly-doped, large core (20μm), coiled polarization-maintaining ytterbium-doped double-clad fiber pumped by a wavelength-stabilized 975nm diode. It is passively Q-switched via a Cr 4+ :YAG saturable absorber and generates 2.4W at 1030nm in a 110μJ pulse train. Lithium triborate (LBO) and beta-barium borate (BBO) are used to achieve 325mW average power at the fourth harmonic. The laser's small form factor, narrow linewidth and modest power consumption are suitable for use in a man-portable ultraviolet Raman explosives detection system.
Monocrotaline-induced cardiopulmonary injury in rats: modification by thiol and nonthiol ACE inhibitors.

The pyrrolizidine alkaloid monocrotaline produces pulmonary hypertension by an as yet unknown mechanism (1). The possibility that inappropriate angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity may contribute to monocrotaline-induced lung injury led to this study of ACE inhibitors as modifying agents in monocrotaline-treated rats.
Fractionating nanosilver: importance for determining toxicity to aquatic test organisms.

This investigation applied novel techniques for characterizing and fractionating nanosilver particles and aggregates and relating these measurements to toxicological endpoints. The acute toxicity of eight nanosilver suspensions of varying primary particle sizes (10−80 nm) and coatings (citrate, polyvinylpyrrolidone, EDTA, proprietary) was assessed using three aquatic test organisms (Daphnia magna, Pimephales promelas, Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata). When 48-h lethal median concentrations (LC50) were expressed as total silver, both D. magna and P. promelas were significantly more sensitive to ionic silver (Ag+) as AgNO3 (mean LC50 = 1.2 and 6.3 μg/L, respectively) relative to a wide range in LC50 values determined for the nanosilver suspensions (2 −126 μg/L). However, when LC50 values for nanosilver suspensions were expressed as fractionated nanosilver (Ag+ and/or <4 nm particles), determined by ultracentrifugation of particles and confirmed field-flow-fractograms, the LC50 values (0.3−5.6 μg/L) were com...
Black Feminist Thought

Black feminist thought is a term used to describe a collection of ideas, writings, and art that articulates a standpoint of, for, and by African American women in the United States. Black feminist thought positions African American women as a group that is socially situated in a unique status due to simultaneous interlocking processes of race, ethnicity, gender, class, and sexual orientation. This theoretical framework posits that the politics of location and the intrapersonal and interpersonal negotiation of intersecting social identities shape African American women's individual and collective consciousness, self-definitions, and actions. The history of black feminist thought as expressed through activism and seminal scholarship are presented. Keywords: African American; feminism; gender; identity politics; nationalism
After Cloven Tongues of Fire: Protestant Liberalism in Modern American History

The “cloven tongues” in this essay collection's title refer to the biblical passage describing Pentecost, when the fire of the Holy Spirit descended to an assembly gathered “out of every nation und...
Flexible bronchoscopy contribution in the approach of diagnosis and treatment of children’s respiratory diseases: the experience of a unique pediatric unit in Tunisia

Objective: Our study aimed at assessing the role of flexible bronchoscopy (FB) in improving diagnosis and management of children’s respiratory conditions in the pediatric unit of FB, newly created and unique in Tunisia. Methods: Retrospective study including all the FB achieved in our pediatric unit from 2009 to 2014. Results: We performed 365 FB in 333 patients aged 46 months on average (1 month - 15 years), often under conscious anesthesia (81.6%). FB was performed for diagnostic purposes in 341 cases and for therapeutic purposes in 24 cases. Eight anatomical abnormalities were revealed in 22 patients. An intraluminal bronchial obstruction was found in 71 FB, mainly due to a foreign body (n=36). A vascular anomaly was responsible for nine cases out of 17 extraluminal obstructions. Airways malacia was observed in 60 FB. Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed in 196 cases. It was determinant in 43.9% of the cases. FB was of great diagnostic value in 74.8% of the cases. It influenced the management of the patients in 58% of the cases. The FB for therapeutic purposes was beneficial in all cases. Few complications occurred (5.5%). Conclusion: FB is a safe tool providing precious diagnostic and/or therapeutic help for the clinician. Keywords: Flexible bronchoscopy, child, bronchoalveolar lavage, foreign body aspiration, pulmonary alveolar proteinosis
Introduction to Circadian Rhythms and Mechanisms of Circadian Oscillations

Circadian rhythms are rhythms in behavior, physiology, or metabolism with a cycle length of approximately 24 h. Environmental disruption of daily rhythms leads to adverse health consequences, both in animal models and in humans engaged in shift work. The light–dark cycle has a major “entraining” influence on rhythms. Light for circadian entrainment is detected by rods, cones, and a population of intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells. The suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) generate and regulate circadian rhythms. SCN neurons coordinate their oscillations through several neurotransmitters and impact downstream neural structures by rhythmic neuronal firing. The molecular mechanism for circadian oscillation is a transcriptional–translational feedback loop that cycles with ~24 h periodicity in SCN neurons and also in other cell types. Many tissues maintain circadian oscillations even when isolated in vitro. Mechanisms by which the SCN coordinate these peripheral oscillators include rhythmic body temperature, food intake, and hormones. The molecular oscillator includes transcription factors, negative regulators, kinases, transcriptional co-activators and co-repressors, and posttranslational modifications to histone proteins. Several of these processes are influenced by metabolic factors. Several mutant mouse models are available for circadian rhythm research. While most data fit within the framework emphasized here, some “inconvenient truths” exist: under some circumstances, the SCN are not necessary for behavioral rhythms (with oscillations occurring by genetic mechanisms distinct from those discussed above), and in fact circadian oscillations can occur in the absence of transcription. Despite great progress in revealing circadian mechanisms over the past 20 years, much remains to be learned about circadian clocks.
Knowledge entrepreneurship: institutionalising wiki-based knowledge-management processes in competitive and hierarchical organisations

Social media in general and wikis in particular offer unique opportunities for knowledge management. Despite widely publicised successes in public settings, wikis in businesses evince mixed results; enterprises struggle to apply wikis to institutionalise knowledge-management practices. We investigate the inherent tensions underlying knowledge-sharing in competitive and hierarchical organisations. Our application of the multi-level organisational learning framework demonstrates that, although wikis facilitate some important learning stages, other critical challenges remain. A unique blend of project leadership can facilitate the institutionalisation of wiki-based knowledge-management processes. To observe the leadership archetype, we use a longitudinal case study of wiki use within a division of NBC Universal. On the basis of our observations, we propose a new archetype of project leadership called Knowledge Entrepreneurship that integrates managerial skills, technology affordances, and critical factors in knowledge-management processes.
Excitatory amino acid antagonists inhibit synaptic responses in the guinea pig hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus

1. The effects of specific excitatory amino acid (EAA) antagonists on evoked excitatory synaptic responses were studied in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the guinea pig, by the use of the in vitro slice preparation. Intracellular recordings were obtained from paraventricular neurons, and excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) and currents (EPSCs) were induced by perifornical electrical stimulation. To reduce the influence of a potential gamma-aminobutyric acidA (GABAA) inhibitory component on the synaptic responses, all experiments were performed in the presence of 50 microM picrotoxin. 2. Of 20 cells tested, 13 had electrophysiological characteristics similar to magnocellular neuropeptidergic cells (MNCs) and 7 displayed low-threshold Ca2+ spikes (LTSs). No difference was detected in the effect of the antagonists on the synaptic responses of cells with or without LTS potentials. 3. The broad-spectrum EAA antagonist kynurenic acid decreased the amplitude of the EPSPs and EPSCs in a dose-dependent manner: the mean decrease was 5% for 100 microM, 43% for 300 microM, and 70% for 1 mM. 4. The quisqualate/kainate-receptor-selective antagonist 6-cyano-2,3-dihydroxy-7-nitroquinoxaline (CNQX) induced a dose-dependent decrease of the EPSPs and EPSCs: 1 microM had no detectable effect, 3 and 10 microM caused 30 and 70% decreases, respectively, and 30 microM blocked the response almost completely. This effect was not accompanied by a change in resting membrane potential or input resistance and was slowly reversible. 5. The N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-receptor-selective antagonist DL-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid (AP5), applied at 30 and 300 microM, reduced slightly the amplitude of the decay phase of the EPSP but did not significantly affect the peak amplitude. In some cells, the current-voltage relationship of the decay phase of the EPSC revealed a region of negative slope conductance between -70 and -40 mV. 6. These results suggest that 1) glutamate or a related EAA is responsible for the fast excitatory input to magnocellular and parvocellular neurons in the PVN and probably also for cells around PVN, 2) a quisqualate/kainate receptor type is responsible for the rising phase and peak amplitude of the synaptic current, and 3) an NMDA receptor contributes to the late part of the synaptic response.
The Roots of the Industrial Revolution: Political Institutions or (Socially Embedded) Know-How?

In this paper we reassess the literature of growth by looking at the evolution of the European economy from around 1200 to 1900. Employing a comprehensive dataset for the European continent that includes geographic and climate features (1200-1800), urbanization data (1200-1800), per capita income data in the second half of the 19th century, location of proto-industrial centers (textile and metal sectors from 1300 to the Industrial Revolution), political borders and political institutions, we estimate the geographic, economic and political covariates of urbanization (commonly used as a proxy for per capita income) and 19th-century per capita income. We show that the process of economic take-o (and of a growing economic divergence across the European continent) was caused by the early emergence and growth of cities and urban clusters in an European north-south corridor that broadly runs from southern England to northern Italy. In contrast to previous ndings in the institutionalist literature, we then show that the fortunes of parliamentary institutions in early modern Europe played a small part in the success of the industrial revolution and the distribution of income across the continent in late 19th century. Rather, industrialization took place in those territories that had a strong proto-industrial base, often regardless of the absence of executive constraints (in the two centuries preceding the industrial revolution).
Introduction: Revising Old Narratives — Masculinity and Autocracy in the Nineteenth Century

Nostalgically recalling his days as a Kazan’ University student in the 1840s, Nicholas Osviannikov described how the university constituted ‘a cherished dream of every young boy’ and how ‘a young man could instinctually feel that here he would experience everything he needed for his future conscious life.’1 To another student memoirist, the university seemed ‘an enchanted island in the middle of the sea … where one experiences a baptism of the soul.’2 A third student recalled that his admission to Moscow University was ‘the first notable achievement in my life, not to mention the most important … It indicated an entrance into a new age and a new walk of life … Childhood had now passed … We became adults … With such pride I wore my [university] blue color and sword, the accessories of an adult — man!’3
Limited Achievement of Farm Policy Objectives

The domestic farm-support policies of the industrial countries impose enormous costs on consumers and taxpayers and such costs, if present policies are continued, will not decline from the levels of the early and mid-1980s. The trade restrictions that governments consider to be essential for these policies have been, are and will continue to be important sources of tension among trading countries. Unless there is a significant degree of liberalization of agricultural trade in the Uruguay Round of multilateral trade negotiations, which got under way in Geneva under the auspices of the GATT in 1987, there is danger that the multilateral trading system as it has evolved since the Second World War will suffer irreparable damage. It has been demonstrated that high farm prices alone are not enough to provide politically acceptable incomes to farm families. So long as the major reliance is placed on protection and high prices, the pressure is for still more protection and still higher prices. Experience since 1960 has shown that governments can provide higher real prices for farm products for only a limited period of time and, at best, governments can temper the downward trend in real prices paid to farmers.
Global Climate Change: European Policy Makers' Views of How Science Enters the Political Process:

This paper examines the process of establishing scientific consensus in the global climate change debate, as reported in interviews with policy makers, administrators and advisors in four European countries. We focus on three areas: 1) the European political community's deliberate organization of scientists to advise them on global climate change science policy; 2) European rationales for taking policy action in the presence of high scientific uncertainty, and 3) European interpretations of United States policy in terms of United States culture and public opinion.We find that consensus on global climate change is seemingly being reached - or at least publicly stated - more readily in Europe than in the United States. This appears to result from several deliberately-created European consensus building processes by representatives from the scientific community and government. In contrast, in the United States both the science of global climate change and the implications for public policy have been much mor...
Tunable Terahertz Metamaterials Employing Layered 2-D Materials Beyond Graphene

In this study, we extend recent investigations on graphene/metal hybrid tunable terahertz metamaterials to other two-dimensional (2-D) materials beyond graphene. For the first time, use of a nongraphitic 2-D material, molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), is reported as the active medium on a terahertz metamaterial device. For this purpose, high-quality few atomic layer MoS2 films with controlled numbers of layers were deposited on host substrates by means of pulsed laser deposition methods. The terahertz conductivity swing in those films is studied under optical excitation. Although no-appreciable conductivity modulation is observed in single-layer MoS2 samples, a substantial conductivity swing, i.e., 0 to ∼0.6 mS, is seen in samples with ∼60 atomic layers. Therefore, although exhibiting much smaller maximum terahertz conductivity than that in graphene, which is a consequence of much smaller carrier mobility, MoS2 can still be employed for terahertz applications by means of utilizing multilayer films. With this in mind, we design and demonstrate optically actuated terahertz metamaterials that simultaneously exhibit a large modulation depth (i.e., >2× larger than the intrinsic modulation depth by a bare MoS2 film) and low insertion loss (i.e., <3 dB). The advantages of using a 2-D material with a bandgap, such as MoS2, rather than a gapless material, such as graphene, are: 1) a reduced insertion loss, which is owed to the possibility of achieving zero minimum conductivity, and 2) an enhanced modulation depth for a given maximum conductivity level, which is due to the possibility of placing the active material in a much closer proximity to the metallic frequency selective surface, thus allowing us to take full advantage of the near-field enhancement. These results indicate the promise of layered 2D materials beyond graphene for terahertz applications.
POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS IN MAN'S FOOD–A REVIEW1,2

Among environmental contaminants, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are similar to DDT in persistence, biological magnification through food chains, chemical inertness, and hydrophobic character. While toxicity to lower vertibrates and invertibrates is less than that of DDT, mammals are much more susceptible to the toxic effects. PCBs have been implicated in egg shell thinning in some predacious birds, failure to reproduce and deaths in mink, and economic losses in both the dairy and poultry industries. A wide variety of pathologic changes have beenobserved––teratogenesis, edema, damage to liver and kidneys, and retarded growth and development of sex characteristics. Growth retardation was temporary in chicks fed < 40 ppm PCBs in a ration and permanently impaired above this concentration. A by-product, tetrachloroparadibenzofuran found in trace quantities in PCBs of European manufacture, is more toxic than PCBs but has similar biological effects. Considerable national research emphasis is being directed to...
Estimation of Parameters of Finite Parameter Models

For convenience let us assume that {X m , m = …, − 1, 0, 1,…} is a strictly stationary process whose probability distribution is parameterized by a k-dimensional parameter θ with real components θ1, …, θ k . Assume that the finite dimensional distributions of the process {X m } are either all absolutely continuous with respect to the corresponding Lebesgue measure or are all discrete. Suppose that one can observe X1, …, X n . On the basis of these observations one should like to obtain an effective estimate θ n (X1, …, X n ) of the unknown parameter θ0. The maximum likelihood estimate \(\hat \theta ({X_1}, \ldots ,{X_n}:\theta )\), is obtained by considering the likelihood function $${L_n}(\theta ) = {L_n}({X_1}, \ldots ,{X_n};\theta )$$ the joint probability density of the potential observations X1, …, X n . The maximum likelihood estimate \(\hat \theta ({X_1}, \ldots ,{X_n}:\theta )\) is that value of θ maximizing (assuming that such a maximum exists) $${L_n}({X_1}, \ldots ,{X_n}:\theta )$$
Restrictions that influence avian leukosis virus-induced lymphoid leukosis.

Infection of one day old White leghorn chicks with avian leukosis virus (ALV) usually results in the development of a bursal- dependent B-cell lymphoma (Purchase and Burmester, 1978). This tumor requires the bursal environment to develop and is characterized by the presence of cell surface immunoglobulin M (IgM) (Cooper et al., 1974). Integration of the ALV provirus within the normal c-myc locus of the target cell disrupts the expression of this locus and appears to be important in the development of the primary tumor (Hayward et al., 1981; Payne et al., 1982). However, alterations that influence the expression of the c-myc locus have been implicated in the development of a variety of lymphoid tumors in several species (Dalla-Favera et al., 1982; Shen-Ong et al., 1982; Corcoran et al., 1984; Levy et al., 1984). These lymphoid tumors exhibit considerable variation in their phenotype and include not only B-cell tumors that express IgM but also mature B-cell tumors that secrete IgG and T-cell tumors. It is not known why ALV infection produces such a restricted type of lymphoid tumor in the chicken. A variety of factors including (i) access of the virus to a particular type of target tissue, (ii) the abundance and proliferative capacity of different target cells at the time of virus replication and (iii) specific and non-specific host defense mechanisms could influence tumor development following ALV infection.
A Pilot Trial Evaluating Zoledronic Acid Induced Changes in [18F]FMAU-Positron Emission Tomography Imaging of Bone Metastases in Prostate Cancer

We conducted a pilot trial utilizing [18F]FMAU [1-(2′-deoxy-2′-[18F]fluoro-β-d-arabinofuranosyl thymine] as a tumor tracer in positron emission tomography (PET) and evaluated its reproducibility, and changes in maximum and peak standardized uptake value (SUVmax and SUVpeak) with zoledronic acid treatment in castrate resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) patients with bone metastases (BM). Eligible patients had CRPC with radiographic evidence of BM and creatinine clearance >30 ml/min. Two baseline [18F]FMAU-PET scans (about 1 week apart, range 2–12 days) were obtained for testing reproducibility. Zoledronic acid 4 mg was infused over 15 min within 1 week after second scan and a third PET scan was obtained 7 days later. The bony lesion with the highest uptake on the first scan was compared with later scans. Bone turnover markers and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) were obtained pre- and post-therapy. PET response was defined as decline in SUVmean of ≥15 % after zoledronic acid. Eleven patients were evaluated, median age was 65 years, five were African-American and six were Caucasian, and median PSA level was 36.3 ng/ml (range 1.0–1209.3). Notably, the range of absolute percent SUVmax changes varied between 0.77 and 54.7, and only nine measurements were greater than one (1.09–2.19). Zoledronic acid did not appreciably change FMAU uptake. No clinical response was noted. Urine N-telopeptide (NTx) was markedly decreased in all patients after zoledronic acid and serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BSAP) registered a modest change. Urine NTx correlated more closely with SUV max than serum BSAP. FMAU tracer was able to detect bone metastases in CRPC patients but uptake was highly variable in bony lesions. Zoledronic acid did not produce an appreciable change in scans. Future investigations of FMAU tracer as a marker of early response in CRPC is recommended.
Plasma-based water purification: Challenges and prospects for the future

Freshwater scarcity derived from seasonal weather variations, climate change, and over-development has led to serious consideration for water reuse. Water reuse involves the direct processing of wastewater for either indirect or directly potable water reuse. In either case, advanced water treatment technologies will be required to process the water to the point that it can be reused in a meaningful way. Additionally, there is growing concern regarding micropollutants, such as pharmaceuticals and personal care products, which have been detected in finished drinking water not removed by conventional means. The health impact of these contaminants in low concentration is not well understood. Pending regulatory action, the removal of these contaminants by water treatment plants will also require advanced technology. One new and emerging technology that could potentially address the removal of micropollutants in both finished drinking water as well as wastewater slated for reuse is plasma-based water purificati...
Second Law based definition of passivity/activity of devices

Abstract Recently, our efforts to clarify the old question, if a memristor is a passive or active device [1], triggered debates between engineers, who have had advanced definitions of passivity/activity of devices, and physicists with significantly different views about this seemingly simple question. This debate triggered our efforts to test the well-known engineering concepts about passivity/activity in a deeper way, challenging them by statistical physics. It is shown that the advanced engineering definition of passivity/activity of devices is self-contradictory when a thermodynamical system executing Johnson–Nyquist noise is present. A new, statistical physical, self-consistent definition based on the Second Law of Thermodynamics is introduced. It is also shown that, in a system with uniform temperature distribution, any rectifier circuitry that can rectify thermal noise must contain an active circuit element, according to both the engineering and statistical physical definitions.
Comparison of path loss models for indoor 30 GHz, 140 GHz, and 300 GHz channels

This paper compares performance of the single-frequency floating-intercept (FI) model, the single-frequency close-in (CI) model, the multi-frequency alpha-beta-gamma (ABG) model, and the multi-frequency close-in frequency-dependant (CIF) model at 30 GHz, 140 GHz, and 300 GHz. For comparison purposes, extensive propagation measurements at 30 GHz (26.5–40 GHz), D-band (110–170 GHz), and 300 GHz (300–316 GHz) are conducted in the indoor line-of-sight (LoS) environments. The results show that if no measurement error is present in the channel impulse response, all four models have very similar performance and the model with the smallest number of parameters would be the optimal choice. Furthermore, results show that multi-frequency models have higher stability than single-frequency models. Finally, the results show that in the presence of measurement errors or lack of detailed antenna gain characterization, models without physical anchor (i.e. FI and ABG models) outperform models with physical anchor and correctly predict the reason for path loss mismatch between model and theoretical values.
Pushing the limits of Monte Carlo simulations for the three-dimensional Ising model

While the three-dimensional Ising model has defied analytic solution, various numerical methods like Monte Carlo, Monte Carlo renormalization group, and series expansion have provided precise information about the phase transition. Using Monte Carlo simulation that employs the Wolff cluster flipping algorithm with both 32-bit and 53-bit random number generators and data analysis with histogram reweighting and quadruple precision arithmetic, we have investigated the critical behavior of the simple cubic Ising Model, with lattice sizes ranging from ${16}^{3}$ to ${1024}^{3}$. By analyzing data with cross correlations between various thermodynamic quantities obtained from the same data pool, e.g., logarithmic derivatives of magnetization and derivatives of magnetization cumulants, we have obtained the critical inverse temperature ${K}_{c}=0.221\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}654\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}626(5)$ and the critical exponent of the correlation length $\ensuremath{\nu}=0.629\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}912(86)$ with precision that exceeds all previous Monte Carlo estimates.
A Behavioristic Analysis of Aggression

Much is known about the variables that influence attack behavior, and a number of attempts have been made to synthesize these observations by means of a variety of models. The concept of aggression continues to be exceedingly vague, however, and for several reasons definitions based upon inferred motivational states or drive conditions are considered unsatisfactory. An analysis is presented which attempts a behavioristic definition in terms of a relatively unique combination of antecedents, responses, and response-contingent consequences. The analysis is then assessed with respect to its adequacy, and certain recurrent issues in the area of aggression are discussed.
126 Law enforcement agencies’ and gun retailers’ roles in gun storage for suicide prevention

Purpose Safe storage of guns is critical to suicide prevention. This study examines the extent to which law enforcement agencies (LEAs) and gun retailers (GRs) are willing to offer safe gun storage in a variety of circumstances, including mental health crises. Methods We invited, with two follow-up reminders, all LEAs and GRs with storefronts in the eight-state Mountain West region to respond to questionnaires. We asked about current storage practices and conditions under which they would offer temporary storage. We also asked about their recommendations for safe storage. We weighted data to adjust for non-response. Results We collected data from 448 LEAs and 95 GRs, representing response rates of 55% and 25% respectively. Most LEAs 74.8% (CI 72.1–77.5) indicated they already provide temporary storage, compared to 47.6% (CI 39.2–56.0) of GRs. LEAs were most willing to provide storage when a family member was concerned about mental health of a teenager (84.8%; CI 82.5–87.1) or adult (83.5%; CI 81.1–85.8) but less likely to offer storage when the reason was protection of visitors, for persons who may be travelling, or when no reason accompanies the request. GRs, while less willing to offer storage in many situations, were open to providing storage for some circumstances not favoured by LEAs. Both groups locking devices within the home but LEAs were slightly more favourable to storage sites (e.g., law enforcement, gun stores) away from the home. Conclusion LEAs and GRs are important resources for gun owning families concerned about suicide, and possibly other risks associated with gun injury. Significance and Contributions to Injury and Violence Prevention Science This is the first study to examine the practices of these key community resources for providing through voluntary and temporary gun storage as a form of injury control.
Exact and High-Order Boundary Conditions in the Time Domain

The problem of imposing accurate radiation boundary conditions at the artificial boundary is generally the primary accuracy bottleneck in the numerical solution of scattering problems in the time domain. An impressive number of schemes have been proposed to overcome this difficulty. Nonetheless, the ideal of solving the problem on a fixed domain and achieving convergence by some systematic improvement of the boundary treatment and/or simple mesh refinement seems rarely to have been used. In this talk we advocate such an approach for the basic constant coefficient equations of wave propagation — the wave equation, Maxwell’s equations, the convective wave equation and the compressible Euler equations linearized about a uniform flow. We first develop representations of the exact boundary conditions for special boundaries using separation of variables. The difficult, that is temporally nonlocal, part of the exact condition is expressed as a temporal convolution operator. Approximate boundary treatments, both new and old, are viewed as approximations to the exact convolution kernel, allowing a fairly easy identification of convergence rates and the development of complexity estimates.
Underrepresentation of minorities in hollywood films: An agent based modeling approach to explanations

This paper proposes an examination of the Hollywood labor system as a network using an agent based model (ABM) that creates a co-actor network within a movie labor market based on preferential attachment and compares the findings with 50 co-production ego networks during the 2015 movie cycle. Using ABM, the tested hypothesis is that slight individual preference for racial and ethnic similarity within one's own network at the microlevel sufficiently explains the phenomena of Hollywood racial minority underrepresentation at the macrolevel. Using regression analysis of the real-world co-actor networks the tested hypothesis is that minority status affects one's position within the network of successful actors. In both cases, the hypotheses are insufficient to explain the phenomena and this paper proposes further exploration into causes of opportunity loss in accessing the labor market merit further study.
Resilient detection of multiple targets using a distributed algorithm with limited information sharing

In this paper, we present a resilient detection algorithm for multiple targets in a distributed environment with limited information sharing. The problem setup is as follows. There are M agents (detectors/sensors), which will be used to collaboratively detect the behaviors of N targets. The number of agents is much smaller than that of targets (i.e., M << N). Targets are assumed to be located in a 2D environment (The extension to 3D is straightforward). Each agent has a limited sensing/communication range and can only detect a small group of targets in its sensing range. Agents only maintain a strongly connected communication topology at certain time intervals and each agent can communicate with its neighboring agents about their situation of target detection. The proposed distributed detection algorithm is based on consensus theory. The resilience of the proposed detection algorithm is verified through extensive simulations under four different scenarios: (1) agents with limited sensing/limited communication capabilities; (2) the existence of unexpected agent failure; (3) the existence of unexpected communication link dropout; and (4) the situation with intermittent communications. The proposed design provides a new solution for control and estimation of unmanned autonomous systems.
Double-stranded RNA Oral Delivery Methods to Induce RNA Interference in Phloem and Plant-sap-feeding Hemipteran Insects

Phloem and plant sap feeding insects invade the integrity of crops and fruits to retrieve nutrients, in the process damaging food crops. Hemipteran insects account for a number of economically substantial pests of plants that cause damage to crops by feeding on phloem sap. The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), Halyomorpha halys (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) and the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae) are hemipteran insect pests introduced in North America, where they are an invasive agricultural pest of high-value specialty, row, and staple crops and citrus fruits, as well as a nuisance pest when they aggregate indoors. Insecticide resistance in many species has led to the development of alternate methods of pest management strategies. Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-mediated RNA interference (RNAi) is a gene silencing mechanism for functional genomic studies that has potential applications as a tool for the management of insect pests. Exogenously synthesized dsRNA or small interfering RNA (siRNA) can trigger highly efficient gene silencing through the degradation of endogenous RNA, which is homologous to that presented. Effective and environmental use of RNAi as molecular biopesticides for biocontrol of hemipteran insects requires the in vivo delivery of dsRNAs through feeding. Here we demonstrate methods for delivery of dsRNA to insects: loading of dsRNA into green beans by immersion, and absorbing of gene-specific dsRNA with oral delivery through ingestion. We have also outlined non-transgenic plant delivery approaches using foliar sprays, root drench, trunk injections as well as clay granules, all of which may be essential for sustained release of dsRNA. Efficient delivery by orally ingested dsRNA was confirmed as an effective dosage to induce a significant decrease in expression of targeted genes, such as juvenile hormone acid O-methyltransferase (JHAMT) and vitellogenin (Vg). These innovative methods represent strategies for delivery of dsRNA to use in crop protection and overcome environmental challenges for pest management.
Abstract B10: The polyploid state plays a tumor-suppressive role in the liver

Most cells in the liver are polyploid, but the functional role of polyploidy is unknown. Polyploidization normally occurs through cytokinesis failure and endoreduplication around the time of weaning. To interrogate the function of polyploidy while avoiding irreversible manipulations of essential cell cycle genes, we developed multiple orthogonal mouse models to transiently and potently alter liver ploidy. Premature weaning, as well as in vivo knockdown of E2f8 or Anln, allowed us to toggle between diploid and polyploid states. While there was no impact of ploidy alterations on liver function, metabolism, or regeneration, hyperpolyploid mice suppressed and hyperdiploid mice accelerated tumorigenesis in mutagen and high fat induced models. Mechanistically, the diploid state was more susceptible to Cas9-mediated tumor suppressor loss but was similarly susceptible to MYC oncogene activation, indicating that ploidy differentially protected the liver from distinct genomic aberrations. Our work suggests that polyploidy evolved in part to prevent malignant outcomes of liver injury. Citation Format: Shuyuan Zhang, Kejin Zhou, Xin Luo, Lin Li, Liem Nguyen, Yu Zhang, Branden Tarlow, Daniel Siegwart, Hao Zhu. The polyploid state plays a tumor-suppressive role in the liver [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Advances in Modeling Cancer in Mice: Technology, Biology, and Beyond; 2017 Sep 24-27; Orlando, Florida. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(10 Suppl):Abstract nr B10.
Chemical Warfare Agents: Estimating Oral Reference Doses

The FY 1993 Defense Authorization Act [Public Law (PL) 102–484, Sect. 176] directed the U.S. Department of the Army (DA) 1 to examine the scale of effort and consider plans needed to safely dispose of nonstockpile chemical materiel (NSCM), previously identified as an area of national concern in House Appropriations Report 101–822 from the FY 1991 Defense Appropriations Act. Non-stockpile chemical materiel is defined in the Appropriations Report as “… lethal wastes from past disposal efforts, unserviceable munitions, chemically contaminated containers, chemical production facilities, subsequently located chemical munitions, sites known to contain significant concentrations of buried chemical weapons and waste, and binary weapons and components.” Items considered NSCM are further characterized as chemical materiel outside of the U.S. retaliatory stockpile of lethal chemical agents and munitions (described more fully in Carnes and Watson 1989; DA 1988).
Geology of the Mariana Trough

The Mariana Trough is an actively spreading, crescent-shaped, backarc basin located in the western Pacific between the active Mariana volcanic island arc and the West Mariana Ridge, a remnant arc. The geologic evolution of the Mariana Trough varies along strike of the basin from the initial opening phase in the north to the mature seafloor spreading phase in the central latitudes. The opening of the basin began with an initial period of stretching and collapse of the preexisting arc followed by development of ridge/ transform structures along an active volcanic and tectonic zone on the eastern side of the basin. Eventually a true spreading center developed within the basin as the principal volcanic and tectonic zone diverged from the active volcanic front. The current along-strike variations in rifting/ spreading history define distinct geographic regions: the northern rifting apex, the central spreading basin, and the southern platform.
Support for Coups in the Americas: Mass Norms and Democratization

Coups d’etat, once a common end for democracies in the Americas, have declined sharply in recent years. This article investigates whether overall public support for coups is also in decline. Examining 21 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean from 2004 to 2014 helps to evaluate two alternative theses on democratization: Mainwaring and Perez-Linan’s 2013 normative regime preferences theory, which inquires (but does not test) whether public opinion can signal to elites a reluctance or willingness to support a coup; and classic modernization theory (Inglehart 1988; Inglehart and Welzel 2005). We find a substantively meaningful effect of democratic attitudes on coup support and a weak effect for national wealth, from which we infer that evolving elite values and preferences are paralleled at the mass level and that together, those two trends play a stronger role in the consolidation of democratic regimes than does modernization.
Bird Distribution among Marsh Types on the Northern Gulf of Mexico

ABSTRACT Yaukey, P.H., 2018. Bird distribution among marsh types on the northern Gulf of Mexico. The wetlands bordering the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico are among the most extensive in North America and are among the most threatened. Despite this, little information is available on the distribution patterns of birds across these fresh, intermediate, brackish, and saline marshes. To evaluate the species-specific use patterns of these avian habitats, birds were surveyed in nesting season from 2010 to 2012 along a network of 97 points. Species richness peaked at fresh/intermediate points and numbers of birds detected at saline points. Numbers of most species detected varied across wetland types, with approximately one-half progressively declining with increasing salinity. Marian's Marsh Wren (Cistothorus palustris marianae) was found at fewer points than expected, suggesting it may be vulnerable. A subsample of points followed from immediately before the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill through 2014 ...
Evidence-Based Treatments: Adapting Behavioral Medicine Change Strategies to Meet the Needs of Integrated Care with an Appreciation of Culture

Within the past two decades, the cultural adaptation of evidence-based interventions and treatments has emerged as a necessary response for meeting the treatment needs of diverse sectors of the American population. Validated evidence-based treatments (EBTs) have often required modifications for addressing cultural factors in patient assessment and treatment. Such modifications aim is to enhance EBT relevance, fit, and effectiveness when implemented with individuals and communities from health disparity populations. Similarly, integrative care has emerged as a comprehensive approach for treating diverse patients, and especially those from health disparity populations, many of whom are affected by comorbid health conditions. These patients are now able to receive mental health treatments in addition to treatments for recovering from addiction to drugs and/or alcohol. Integrative treatment has emerged as a recognized approach for improving quality of care, and for avoiding the problem of incomplete recovery, which often leads to relapse and the perpetuation of comorbid health conditions. The present chapter thus examines major aspects of cultural adaptations and their implementation within health care systems. This approach seeks to provide patients from health disparity populations with greater treatment accessibility, specificity, cultural relevance, engagement, and acceptability. The overall goal is to increase treatment relevance, fit, and efficacy for the provision of higher quality in care as delivered to persons from diverse health disparity populations, to ultimately reduce health disparities and inequities nationwide.
Linking brain tumors and epileptic seizures.

Mutationally activated BRAF-V600E influences the behavior of different types of cells in the brain and leads to promotion of seizures as well as brain tumors, indicating how both can be pharmacologically targeted in the clinic.
Charaterization Of A Plasma Source Used To Accelerate Wound Healing Of The Tadpole Xenopus Laevis

A recent application of plasma jets has involved the healing of wounds in the tadpole species Xenopus laevis 1. The indirect application of the plasma to the amputated tail of the tadpole produced a faster rate of growth, elevated reactive oxygen species in the cellular structures, and an increase in antioxidant enzymes in the regenerate compared to that of the untreated control. The plasma exposure accelerated the dynamics of the wound healing and tail regeneration through its effects on cell proliferation and differentiation, as well as, angiogenesis mediated through reactive oxygen signaling. The discharge source operated with high purity Helium gas at a flow rate of 50sccm that passed through a ¼” quartz tube. A copper electrode was attached to the outer surface of the tube at a point 5.0cm from the end of the tube. Attached to the electrode was an AC power supply operating at 32kHz and 12kV. The system was operated in a regime such that the discharge was restricted to the flow region between the electrode and the exit aperture of the tube. The profiles of the emissions features were measured using a high-resolution spectrometer coupled to an CCD detector. The spectra indicated that molecular nitrogen was present within the tube in both the neutral and ionized states. OH emissions, in the wavelength region between 300–315nm, were observed inside the tube and extending outside of the quartz tube. The emission profile of the Second Positive Systems was used to calculate the vibrational temperature and it was found to be 375±50K. The rotational temperature was determined from a fitting of the Second Positive System transition at 337nm to a Boltzmann distribution and it was found to be 375±50K. The current was measured by monitoring the ground connection from a metal plate that was placed adjacent to the exit aperture of the quartz tube using a current transformer. When the system was powered without a plasma the signal consisted of a sinusoidal wave having an amplitude of less than 0.5mA at a frequency that matched the driving voltage (32kHz). When the plasma was “on” the signal consisted of an additional component superimposed on the sinusoidal wave. The additional component was a short duration (1 μs) positive current pulse (0.75mA) that appeared approximately at the time the high voltage reached its maximum value. The height of this current pulse decreased with distance from the exit aperture of the quartz tube.