cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nature, Nurture, Neither, Nor: Black-White Differences in Beliefs about the Causes and Appropriate Treatment of Mental Illness

We use the 1996 General Social Survey (GSS) to explore racial differences in perceptions of the etiology and treatment of mental illness. We find that African Americans are more likely than whites to reject the idea that mental illnesses are caused by either genetics or an unhealthy family upbringing, but this effect does not extend to other biological or environmental explanations of psychological disorders. We propose that blacks may be more skeptical than whites of genetic- and family-based explanations because of their resemblance to arguments that have been used to criticize blacks and justify their disadvantaged structural position. Additionally, we find that racial differences in etiological beliefs play a substantial part in explaining African Americans' tendency to have more negative attitudes than whites toward professional mental health treatment. These findings suggest not only that etiological beliefs may reflect broader political debates about race but also that these beliefs may beat the core of some of the differences in the attitudes of blacks and whites toward professional help-seeking
The infection of turkey poults with Histomonas meleagridis by contact with infected birds or contaminated cages.

SUMMARY. The conditions under which infection with Histomonas meleagridis could spread from directly inoculated turkey poults to uninoculated poults without the aid of invertebrate hosts or vectors was investigated in several experiments. In three experiments in battery cages, uninoculated poults were commingled with directly infected birds on pine-shaving litter. Directly exposed birds were inoculated per cloaca with H. meleagridis by means of a plastic pipette tip attached to a 10-ml syringe or orally gavaged with fresh cecal droppings from donor turkeys 4 days postinoculation (PI). Of the cloacally inoculated controls in these experiments, 31 of 44 (70.5%) birds had severe lesions of histomoniasis at 14 days PI, whereas none of the orally gavaged birds became infected. Histomoniasis developed in 11 of 36 (30.5%) birds allowed to commingle with inoculated birds. In other treatments, poults were allowed only contact with droppings from directly inoculated birds after the infected birds were removed from ...
Permanent war? The domestic hegemony of the New American militarism

Although there is an expanding body of excellent work on 9/11 and the War on Terror, and the changing forms of war‐making, militarism and imperialism, this literature lacks a sufficient critical synthesis of the historical and conjunctural events of 9/11 and its aftermath with the structural and systemic forms of US militarism and the military‐industrial complex. This article attempts a broad, critical‐theoretical analysis of the increased domestic hegemony of militarism in the US since 9/11. The article examines the complex social‐systemic interlocking of militarism with other historical, political, institutional, economic, cultural and psychological forces which tend to reinforce the hegemony of militarism and aggressive, preemptive foreign policy in the current period.
Explaining High-Risk Concentrations of Crime in the City: Social Disorganization, Crime Opportunities, and Important Next Steps

The empirical observation that a small number of micro places generate the bulk of urban crime problems has become a criminological axiom. Explanations for the persistence of high-crime places have traditionally drawn upon opportunity theories of crime. In a new book, Weisburd, Groff, and Yang suggest that social disorganization could also be a powerful explanation for the uneven distribution of crime within neighborhoods. In this article, we explain briefly why their empirical work considerably sharpens knowledge about crime concentrations in the city. We then offer a critique of their conclusions concerning the relative contributions of social and situational variables in explaining crime hot spots and the preventive implications they draw from these findings. Finally, we suggest new research that could invigorate the debate on the formation and persistence of high-crime places and could support interventions that seek to change the situational precipitators and facilitators of crime.
An Efficient Active Learning Algorithm with Knowledge Transfer for Hyperspectral Data Analysis

We propose an active learning algorithm with knowledge transfer for classification of hyperspectral remote sensing data. The proposed method is based on a previously proposed algorithm, but yields faster learning curves by adjusting distributions of labeled data differently for the old and the new data. With the proposed method, the classifier can effectively transfer its knowledge learned from one region to a spatially or temporally separated region whose spectral signature is different. Empirical evaluation of the proposed algorithm is performed for two different hyperspectal datasets.
Battery in the form of a cement-matrix composite

Abstract Reported here is a battery in the form of a cement-matrix composite, with cement paste as the matrix, the pore solution in cement as the electrolyte, zinc particles dispersed in the matrix as the anode, manganese dioxide particles dispersed in the matrix as the cathode, and carbon black dispersed in the matrix as the conductive additive in both anode and cathode regions. The electrolyte is continuous throughout the battery, which consists of successively cast and co-cured anode, electrolyte and cathode layers. The anode layer (4 mm thick) comprises cement and zinc particles. The cathode layer (8 mm thick) comprises cement and manganese dioxide particles. The electrolyte layer (2 mm thick) is cement with an embedded piece of tissue paper for drying shrinkage control. The battery attained open-circuit voltage up to 0.72 V, current up to 120 μA (current density up to 3.8 μA/cm2), power output up to 1.4 μW/cm2, capacity up to 0.2 mA h, and fraction of zinc consumed up to 5 × 10−5.
SUSTAINED PHOTOBIOLOGICAL HYDROGEN GAS PRODUCTION UPON REVERSIBLE INACTIVATION OF OXYGEN EVOLUTION IN THE GREEN ALGA CHLAMYDOMONAS REINHARDTII

The work describes a novel approach for sustained photobiological production of H(2) gas via the reversible hydrogenase pathway in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. This single-organism, two-stage H(2) production method circumvents the severe O(2) sensitivity of the reversible hydrogenase by temporally separating photosynthetic O(2) evolution and carbon accumulation (stage 1) from the consumption of cellular metabolites and concomitant H(2) production (stage 2). A transition from stage 1 to stage 2 was effected upon S deprivation of the culture, which reversibly inactivated photosystem II (PSII) and O(2) evolution. Under these conditions, oxidative respiration by the cells in the light depleted O(2) and caused anaerobiosis in the culture, which was necessary and sufficient for the induction of the reversible hydrogenase. Subsequently, sustained cellular H(2) gas production was observed in the light but not in the dark. The mechanism of H(2) production entailed protein consumption and electron transport from endogenous substrate to the cytochrome b(6)-f and PSI complexes in the chloroplast thylakoids. Light absorption by PSI was required for H(2) evolution, suggesting that photoreduction of ferredoxin is followed by electron donation to the reversible hydrogenase. The latter catalyzes the reduction of protons to molecular H(2) in the chloroplast stroma.
Genetic studies of B-lymphocyte deficiency and mastocytosis in strain A/WySnJ mice

The A/WySnJ mouse, but not the related A/J strain, has peripheral B-lymphocyte deficiency and mastocytosis. Minimally, two quantitative trait loci (QTLs) control the B-cell deficiency in (A/WySnJ×CAST/Ei)F2 intercross mice; one of them, Bcmd-1, mapped to Chromosome (Chr) 15. Several QTLs controlled the mastocytosis in this intercross, and it was not possible to determine whether any of them co-segregated with Bcmd-1. We have now mapped a second QTL controlling the B-cell deficiency, Bcmd-2, to Chr 4. Furthermore, we narrowed the map position of Bcmd-1 to <2.0 cM. Both QTLs have been confirmed through the construction of AW.Bcmd-1 c , AW.Bcmd-2 c , and AW.Bcmd-1 c Bcmd-2 c recombinant congenic strains. The Bcmd-1 locus is the major regulator of B-cell homeostasis, while Bcmd-2 is the minor regulator, and their effects are additive, as shown by splenic B-cells analysis in these congenic strains. In addition, Bcmd-2 or a linked locus controls mastocytosis, while Bcmd-1 does not, as indicated by splenic mast cell analysis in the congenic strains. Thus, the major genetic controls on B-cell homeostasis and mast cell homeostasis in A/WySnJ mice are asserted by distinct genes.
Generalized group testing for retrieving distributed information

The goal of group testing is to efficiently classify the state of a set of distributed agents through a sequence of tests by imposing each test simultaneously upon groups of agents. In this work, we describe the concept of group testing in a generalized framework and propose to apply this concept to solve the scheduling and multiple access problem in a large scale wireless sensor network. Since the standard approach is to dedicate a single channel to each sensor, we discuss the efficiency of group testing by comparing it to the case where each sensor is tested individually. Through the sequence of tests, the group testing strategy successively refines the observation space of the set of sensors and eventually identifies the status of each sensor when the space is refined to only one element. We show that the successive refinement property of group testing (similar to that of arithmetic coding) plays an important role in its performance. Based on this concept, we provide insight into choosing optimal group testing strategies for general applications.
Localization of deformed wing virus (DWV) in the brains of the honeybee, Apis mellifera Linnaeus

Background Deformed wing virus (DWV) is a positive-strand RNA virus that infects European honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) and has been isolated from the brains of aggressive bees in Japan. DWV is known to be transmitted both vertically and horizontally between bees in a colony and can lead to both symptomatic and asymptomatic infections in bees. In environmentally stressful conditions, DWV can contribute to the demise of a honeybee colony. The purpose of the current study is to identify regions within the brains of honeybees where DWV replicates using in-situ hybridization.
Effect of Aortic Clamping Strategy on Postoperative Stroke in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Operations

Importance Aortic clamping technique has been implicated in stroke risk at the time of on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) procedures. We hypothesized that partial aortic clamping (PAC) use in performing proximal coronary anastomosis does not increase risk of stroke. Objective To determine whether postoperative stroke incidence is influenced by single aortic clamping (SAC) or side-biting PAC use in performing proximal anastomosis during CABG procedures. Design, Setting, and Participants In a retrospective cohort study, we analyzed data from 1819 patients who underwent conventional, isolated, nonemergent, first-time, arrested-heart, on-pump CABG at a single US major academic, tertiary/quaternary medical center from January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2013. Postoperative stroke was defined according to Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) criteria as any confirmed neurological deficit of abrupt onset that did not resolve within 24 hours. Institutional STS data including STS predicted risk of postoperative stroke score were used to compare patients receiving proximal aortic anastomoses performed with either SAC (n = 1107) or combined PAC (n = 712) techniques. Exposures Use of SAC or PAC in performing proximal coronary anastomosis. Main Outcomes and Measures Thirty-day periprocedural postoperative stroke rates. Results There were no significant differences in preoperative risk or STS predicted risk of mortality between groups. Patients in the SAC group had longer myocardial ischemic time compared with those in the PAC group (mean [SD], 73.2 [22.8] vs 66.5 [22.8] minutes, respectively; P P P > .99) and congruent with STS predicted risk of mortality. Preoperative STS predicted risk of postoperative stroke scores were nearly identical between the SAC and PAC groups (mean [SD], 1.5% [1.4%] vs 1.6% [1.4%]; P = .95), and the 30-day actual observed postoperative stroke rates between the SAC and PAC groups were similar (17 of 1107 patients [1.5%] vs 10 of 712 patients [1.4%], respectively; P > .99). Conclusions and Relevance In this contemporary study of on-pump CABG, we did not identify any significant differences in the incidence of postoperative stroke regardless of the clamping method used to perform proximal anastomosis.
MUDLUMPS AT THE MOUTHS OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Mudlump is a popular name for the upswellings of clay which commonly form islands near the mouths of the Mississippi River passes. These features usually are associated with the bars at the river mouths. The bars are localized sedimentary deposits formed where the river waters enter the relatively still Gulf of Mexico. At present the mudlumps are found within a few thousand feet of the mouth of North Pass, Pass A Loutre, Northeast Pass, Southeast Pass, old Balize Bayou, South Pass and Southwest Pass. Mudlumps appear to be a phenomenon unique to the Mississippi River Delta for they are unreported from any other locality.
A Dream Best Forgotten The Phenomenology of Karen Refugees’ Pre-Resettlement Stressors

Refugees are often forced into states of imposed vulnerability in which loss is common and migration is normative. Karen refugees from Myanmar have endured a long civil war with the Burmese government, followed by their forced relocation to refugee camps and subsequent global resettlement. This phenomenological study aimed to understand the meanings ascribed to pre-resettlement stress among resettled Karen refugees. We interviewed six participants who were identified through purposeful sampling in a Karen refugee community. Using phenomenological analysis, we identified and interpreted 286 meaning units. The meaning units were then grouped into four themes: (a) Loss From Oppression, (b) Resignation and Acceptance in a Context of Regular Violence, (c) Ongoing Insecurity While Confined in Camps, and (d) Redefined Selfhood. The results provide a contextual understanding of the pre-resettlement stressors experienced by Karen refugees.
Does the Failure to Appoint Collection Due Process Hearing Officers Violate the Constitution's Appointments Clause?

By the IRS Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998, Congress enacted what it called the Collection Due Process (hereinafter, CDP) provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, sections 6320 and 6330. These provisions allow taxpayers to request hearings at the IRS Appeals Office level either shortly before or shortly after the IRS takes either of two potentially devastating collection actions: levy or filing a notice of federal tax lien. In such hearings, the hearing officer must evaluate the appropriateness of collection actions, and taxpayers can propose collection alternatives - such as an offer in compromise, an installment agreement, or being placed into currently not collectible status. In the hearings, taxpayers may also request relief from joint and several liability on joint returns and, in certain circumstances, even raise challenges to the underlying tax liability. The IRS has staffed CDP hearings to date with Settlement Officers and, to a lesser extent, Appeals Officers. Elsewhere, the author has argued that the IRS made a big mistake in using Settlement Officers, both for policy reasons and because Congress did not statutorily authorize anyone but Appeals Officers to hold the hearings. In this article, he points out what he believes to be even a bigger error: The unconstitutionality of anyone holding CDP hearings who has not been properly appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. The current system violates the Constitution's Appointments Clause (Art. II, 2, cl. 2), since the position of CDP hearing officer (however named) is now one established by law and exercising significant authority pursuant to the laws of the United States. Thus, any such hearing officer is an Officer of the United States who must be appointed under the Clause to render a legally binding ruling. This article explains how CDP notices of determination are issued and compares CDP hearing officers to other government employees who have been required to be appointed under the Clause. It also explains the likely consequence for taxpayers who already have received CDP notices in the event that the argument is held to be correct. Finally, this article sets forth suggestions for a prospective statutory fix of the Appointments Clause problem that dovetails with the position expressed elsewhere by the author that Settlement Officers should not be allowed to hold CDP hearings in any event.
Recent and historic eutrophication of an island lake in northern Lake Michigan, USA

Lake Geneserath is located on Beaver Island in northern Lake Michigan, USA. It exhibits evidence of recent eutrophication, despite limited anthropogenic activity in the watershed. The primary goal of this study was to determine the time scale of trophic state change in Lake Geneserath and the influence of multiple stressors. Sediment cores from the shallow northern and deep southern basins of Lake Geneserath were collected and sectioned at 0.5-cm intervals over the topmost 10 cm and at 1.0-cm intervals for the remainder of the core. Total phosphorus, percent organic matter, and chlorophyll derivative concentrations were measured in each section, and core chronology was established using 210Pb. Diatom assemblages were quantified from evenly distributed sections in each core. Geochemical variables in the southern basin core indicate historic (AD ~ 1450–1650) and modern (1848-present) periods of eutrophication, coincident with human disturbance and climate warming events. Geochemical variables in the northern basin core confirm accelerating eutrophication after 1950. The fossil diatom assemblages in both basins shifted from species favoring low nutrients to more nutrient-tolerant taxa. A change from periphytic to planktonic diatom species, concurrent with reduced percent organic matter in the northern basin core, indicates rising water level during the second half of the twentieth century. Lake Geneserath was subject to multiple stressors and its trophic status increased with recent residential development and climate warming.
Interspecific Associations among Peruvian Bats at Diurnal Roosts and Roost Sites

Herein, I describe patterns of interspecific diurnal roosting associations among Peruvian bats. Most roosts and roost sites were occupied by only one species. In the eastern lowlands, 34 species shared roosts with at least one other species. The types of roosts and roost sites most likely to be shared were either abundant and offered some protection (trees) or were less abundant but offered more protection (caves). Roosting generalists, which used a variety of types of roosts, were species observed to share roosts most often. Phyllostomus hastatus, Glos-sophaga soricina , and Carollia perspicillata were species with the highest percentages of roosts shared with other species. They also shared roosts with the largest number of species. These associations appear neutral for all but the Glossophaga-Carollia pairs. Most species that shared roosts occupy different roost sites. Only eight species shared roost sites with another species. Glossophaga and Carollia had the highest percentages of shared roost sites. They cohabited some of the same sites across a variety of types of roosts and roost sites and in at least seven of the 10 roosts where they co-occurred. Thus, these species may have benefited from the association.
Seismic Design Parameters for the Link Column Frame System

The Linked Column Frame (LCF) is proposed as a steel seismic load resisting system consisting of two components: a primary lateral system made up of dual columns interconnected with link beams (denoted linked columns); and a secondary moment frame. Previous research has developed a procedure that ensures the links of the linked columns yield at a significantly lower story drift than the beams of the moment frame, enabling design of this system for three distinct performance states: linearly elastic; rapid repair, where only link damage occurs and quick link replacement is possible; and collapse prevention. This paper discusses additional analyses that have been performed to establish recommended values for seismic design parameters, including the response modification coefficient, R, the system over- strength factor, Ω, and the deflection amplification factor ( C d ). A suite of archetype LCF buildings were developed and incremental dynamic analysis was performed according the procedures in FEMA P695.
Lymphocyte Subpopulations in Hodgkin’s Disease

Bukowski, Ronald M., Noguchi, Shiro. Hewlett, James S., and Deodhar, Sharad: Lymphocyte subpopulations of Hodgkin’s disease. Lymphocyte subpopulations were studied in the peripheral blood, lymph nodes, and spleens in a group of 17 patients with untreated Hodgkin’s disease. In 12 of 15 cases, diminished absolute levels of T-lymphocytes in the peripheral blood were found; however, this was correlated with total lymphopenia. No direct relationship between "Tlymphopenia" and diminished cellular immunity, as measured by phytohemagglutinin and pokeweed mitogen blast transformation, and delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity was demonstrated. In eight lymph nodes involved histologically by Hodgkin’s disease, a preponderance of T-lymphocytes was found when compared with a group of seven hyperplastic lymph nodes (78.2 ± 8.9% versus 54.5 ± 11.0%, P < 0.01). These latter data appear to be consistent with the hypothesis that the pathogenesis of Hodgkin’s disease involves a cell-mediated immune response to a neoplastic (antigenic) element.
Biological Observations of the Threecornered Alfalfa Hopper on Soybean and Three Weed Species

Plant injury, minimum developmental rates, and survival studies of Spissistilus festinus (Say) were conducted on soybean, yellow nutsedge, prickly sida, and cocklebur under greenhouse conditions. Yellow nutsedge failed to show any potential as a host plant for the threecornered alfalfa hopper. Adults were observed feeding on prickly sida, and survival times were longer than on yellow nutsedge, but no eggs were found. Adults survived and reproduced on both cocklebur and soybean. Time required for the 1st nymphal stage to become adults on cocklebur was significantly longer than for soybean. The mean time in days for the 1st nymph to reach the adult stage on cocklebur was 26.8, compared to 18.7 on soybean. Insect feeding caused the greatest damage to soybeans, followed by cocklebur and prickly sida. The 4th instars were the most injurious developmental stage on soybeans, followed by the third, fifth, and adults. The 1st 2 nymphal stages fed by random punctures and caused no visible damage.
ROME'S ARMS AND BREAST: CLAUDIAN, PANEGYRICVS DICTVS OLYBRIO ET PROBINO CONSVLIBVS 83–90 AND ITS TRADITION

Claudian's panegyric for Olybrius and Probinus, the young consuls of 395, includes a passage describing Rome armed in the image of the goddess Minerva. Lines 83–90 read as follows: ipsa, triumphatis quae possidet aethera regnis, assilit innuptae ritus imitata Mineruae. nam neque caesariem crinali stringere cultu 85 colla nec ornatu patitur mollire retorto; dextrum nuda latus, niueos exserta lacertos; audacem retegit mammam laxumque coercens mordet gemma sinum; nodus, qui subleuat ensem, album puniceo pectus discriminat ostro. 90
Analysis of monitoring data about catering to add non-food substances and abuse of food additives in Zhuhai City

Objective:To investigate the actuality of foods to add non-food substances and the abuse of food additives in cakes,rice products,meat products,home-made hot and cold drinks,water products and hot soup in the catering.Methods:Foods were collected randomly from restaurants,hot and cold drinks shop and collective canteens in different districts.Projects were analyzed based on national standards.Datas estimate based on GB 2760-2007Hygienic standards for uses of food additives and the relevant proviso of Food Sanitation Law .Results:144 samples of various types food were detected.The total determinative rate were 72.22% of all kinds of additives.Exceeding the limiting standards determinative rate were 9.03%.Exceeding the scope of standards determinative rate were 32.64%.Over the limiting standards / super scope of the project for the synthesis of pigment,nitrate,aluminum,benzoic acid,sodium cyclamate.The determinative rate of add non-food substances were 2.08%,and the detected project were formaldehyde.Conclusion:Samples exist three kinds of phenomenon which breach of the law: additives use in foods exceeds standards,exceeds the scope of standards,add non-food substances in foods.These should be attention by food production and processing units and the government supervision department.The producer should abide by the law and self-discipline.government supervision department management and law enforcement should be strengthened.
Preparation and photocatalytic characteristics of nanometer-sized TiO_2 by the polyacrylamide gel method

Nanometer-sized Ti02 was synthesized by polyacrylamide-gel method. Acrylamide and N,N-methyenbisacrylamide were used to make polyacrylamide-gel from an aqueous solution of titanium (Ⅲ) chloride. The effect of sintering temperature on mean particle size of and the photocatalytic activity of nanometer-sized crystalline TiO2 were studied by FTIR, XRD and TEM. The results showed that unaggolmeration can be obtained by sintering at lower temperature as a result of polyacrylamide network with fine and even the nanometer-sized crystalline TiO2 with high activity. The mean particle size of nanometer-sized crystalline TiO2 increased with the increasing of firing temperature. The photocatalytic activities increased with the decreasing of the average particle size of nanometer-sized crystalline TiO2 when the concentration of methylene blue was 10 mg/L and the concentration of TiO2 was 3 g/L.
The Information Content of Accounting Disclosures for Forecasting Sales of Manufacturing Firms

We identify accounting disclosures of manufacturing firms that may be useful for forecasting year-ahead sales and develop a forecasting model incorporating these disclosures. We find that the most useful disclosures are prior sales growth, days sales outstanding, employees, margin and order backlog. We find that our forecasting model incorporating these disclosures provides forecasting ability incremental to that from analysts’ forecasts alone. In return-based tests, we find that a strategy of buying (selling) the 20% of firms with the largest positive (negative) difference between the model-based sales growth forecasts and analysts’ sales growth forecasts results in an annualized risk-adjusted return of 6.04%. The pattern of these returns is consistent with analysts over-extrapolating prior sales growth and markets discovering the analysts’ errors during the subsequent year, and with our model identifying firms where this has occurred. We conclude that the information in accounting disclosures about future sales is not fully impounded in analysts’ forecasts or in stock prices.
A Program to Improve Reach Estimation and Reduce Fall Risk in the Elderly

Contemporary research findings indicate that in older persons (typically 64 > years) there are functional decrements in the ability to mentally represent and effectively plan motor actions. Actions, if poorly planned, can result in falling, a major health concern for the elderly. Whereas a number of factors may contribute to falls, over- or underestimation of reach abilities may lead to loss of postural control (balance) and pose a higher risk of falling. Our intent with this paper was to provide: (1) a brief background of the problem, (2) suggest strategies for mental (motor) imagery practice in the context of reach planning, and (3) describe general guidelines and a sample practice format of a training program for clinical use. Mental (motor) imagery practice of reach planning has potential for improving motor performance in reach-related everyday activities and reducing the risk of falls in older persons.
Bettelheim among the folklorists.

Psychoanalysis and folklore have been uneasy bedfellows. Any psychoanalytic interpretation of folktales makes folklorists twist and turn. Their reactions have ranged from ambivalent acceptance to unequivocal rejection. Psychoanalysts, on the other hand, are ever too ready to consider such a reaction as denial, or at least avoidance of the true meaning of fairy tales. As a psychoanalyst, Bruno Bettelheim could have bridged between the two disciplines with his book The Uses of Enchantment (1976).
Ancylostoma caninum Anticoagulant Peptide blocks metastasis in vivo and inhibits factor Xa binding to melanoma cells in vitro

We evaluated the in vivo anti-metastatic activity of recombinant Ancylostoma caninum Anticoagulant Peptide (rAcAP), a potent (Ki = 265 pM) and specific active site inhibitor of human coagulation factor Xa originally isolated from bloodfeeding hookworms. Subcutaneous injection of SCID mice with rAcAP (0.01-0.2 mg/mouse) prior to tail vein injection of LOX human melanoma cells resulted in a dose dependent reduction in pulmonary metastases. In order to elucidate potential mechanisms of rAcAP's anti-metastatic activity, experiments were carried out to identify specific interactions between factor Xa and LOX. Binding of biotinylated factor Xa to LOX monolayers was both specific and saturable (Kd = 15 nM). Competition experiments using antibodies to previously identified factor Xa binding proteins, including factor V/Va, effector cell protease receptor-1, and tissue factor pathway inhibitor failed to implicate any of these molecules as significant binding sites for Factor Xa. Functional prothrombinase activity was also supported by LOX, with a half maximal rate of thrombin generation detected at a factor Xa concentration of 2.4 nM. Additional competition experiments using an excess of either rAcAP or active site blocked factor Xa (EGR-Xa) revealed that most of the total factor Xa binding to LOX is mediated via interaction with the enzyme's active site, predicting that the vast majority of cell-associated factor Xa does not participate directly in thrombin generation. In addition to establishing two distinct mechanisms of factor Xa binding to melanoma, these data raise the possibility that rAcAP's antimetastatic effect in vivo might involve novel non-coagulant pathways, perhaps via inhibition of active-site mediated interactions between factor Xa and tumor cells.
The approach to the patient with synchronous bilateral germ cell tumors: a lesson in oncologic prioritization.

Hammerich et al. report a case of synchronous bilateral germ cell tumors (GCT) of different histologies occurring in a patient with a history of cryptorchidism. There are several interesting aspects of this case and the authors’ management and discussion that warrant commentary.
The Polarization of Parliamentary Parties

The task of this chapter is to link the two dimensions of public parliamentary debate discussed at the outset—namely, the justification of European decision-making through public claims-making on the one hand, and the polarization between parliamentary parties through expressed differences in their positions toward issues of European integration, on the other. Building on the findings of the previous chapter, this part of our analysis aims at the identification of broadly generalizable links between different types of argumentative justification and political polarization across a variety of topics and cases. This chapter proceeds in two steps. First, data from all thematic areas of debate is reviewed in a combined analysis to show how different forms of interaction between parliamentary parties emerge within the pragmatic and normative dimensions of discourse, and how further insights can be gained from a differentiation of the three distinct normative frames based on identity, political values, and legitimacy. Second, this chapter traces these links between justification and polarization in a comparative analysis of the five thematic case studies within each of these four levels of normative and pragmatic discourse. The main purpose of including a comparison between thematic cases into the distinction of different discursive frames is to scrutinize to what degree the general findings about links between discourse and polarization can be confirmed even in a comparison of very diverse debates about topics related to European integration. In summation, the overall finding of this chapter is that observations about generalizable links between discourse and party political polarization outweigh case-specific exceptions.
Prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in North Carolina Eastern Black Bears ( Ursus americanus ).

Abstract We detected Anaplasma phagocytophilum by DNA amplification in whole blood from free-ranging, hunter-killed American black bears (Ursus americanus) from the east coast of North Carolina, US. Molecular prevalence for Anaplasma phagocytophilum was 3% from 68 black bears. No DNA of other Anaplasma or Ehrlichia spp. was identified.
Traditional Models: DCF and Comparable Earnings

The methods of discounted cash flow (DCF) and comparable earnings are two traditional approaches to determining the allowed rate of return for a utility. In this chapter these methods will be analyzed within the context of the usual mixed approach to regulation. That is, it is assumed that the regulatory agency adopts a historical-accounting cost for the rate base, the embedded cost for debt and preferred and bases the allowed equity return on current conditions.
Troubleshooting Common Ventilator and Related Equipment Issues in the Home

The population of children requiring home mechanical ventilation continues to grow with improved medical care and technology. These children usually thrive best in their home environment and have a better quality of life outside of the hospital setting. The introduction of portable ventilator equipment in the 1980s allowed these children to discharge home.
Development of functionalized multi-walled carbon-nanotube-based alginate hydrogels for enabling biomimetic technologies

Alginate is a hydrogel commonly used for cell culture by ionically crosslinking in the presence of divalent Ca2+ ions. However these alginate gels are mechanically unstable, not permitting their use as scaffolds to engineer robust biological bone, breast, cardiac or tumor tissues. This issue can be addressed via encapsulation of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) serving as a reinforcing phase while being dispersed in a continuous phase of alginate. We hypothesized that adding functionalized MWCNT to alginate, would yield composite gels with distinctively different mechanical, physical and biological characteristics in comparison to alginate alone. Resultant MWCNT-alginate gels were porous, and showed significantly less degradation after 14 days compared to alginate alone. In vitro cell-studies showed enhanced HeLa cell adhesion and proliferation on the MWCNT-alginate compared to alginate. The extent of cell proliferation was greater when cultured atop 1 and 3 mg/ml MWCNT-alginate; although all MWCNT-alginates lead to enhanced cell cluster formation compared to alginate alone. Among all the MWCNT-alginates, the 1 mg/ml gels showed significantly greater stiffness compared to all other cases. These results provide an important basis for the development of the MWCNT-alginates as novel substrates for cell culture applications, cell therapy and tissue engineering.
Reproducibility and Precision of CT Scans to Evaluate Tibial Component Rotation

Abstract Background Component rotation likely plays a greater role on the survivorship and outcomes of total knee arthroplasties than is currently known. Our goal was to evaluate the precision, interobserver reliability, and intrarater reliability of tibial component rotation as measured by computed tomography (CT) scan, regardless of measurement technique. Methods Three fellowship-trained, academic arthroplasty surgeons independently measured tibial component rotation on CT scans of 62 total knee arthroplasties using their methods of choice. Measurements were repeated at least 2 weeks after the initial measurement. The precision of the measurements was assessed using a formal 8-step protocol as the gold standard. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were calculated to evaluate precision, interobserver agreement, and intrarater reliability Results The interobserver agreement between the 3 surgeons for tibial component rotation was also moderate (ICC = 0.52). The intrarater reliability of tibial rotation was excellent (ICC = 0.81). Comparison of surgeons' measurement to a validated gold standard revealed only moderate precision for tibial component rotation (ICC = 0.64). Conclusion Practicing surgeons measuring tibial rotation were internally consistent, but failed to demonstrate satisfactory precision and interobserver agreement. We support the adoption of standardized criteria for the measurement of tibial component rotation on CT scans.
Crystal structure of tetra-aqua-bis-(pyrimidin-1-ium-4,6-diolato-κO4)manganese(II).

The MnII ion in the structure of the mononuclear title compound, [Mn(C4H3N2O2)2(H2O)4], is situated on an inversion center and is coordinated by two O atoms from two deprotonated 4,6-di­hydroxy­pyrimidine ligands and by four O atoms from water mol­ecules giving rise to a slightly distorted octa­hedral coordination sphere. The complex includes an intra­molecular hydrogen bond between an aqua ligand and the non-protonated N ring atom. The extended structure is stabilized by inter­molecular hydrogen bonds between aqua ligands, by hydrogen bonds between N and O atoms of the ligands of adjacent mol­ecules, and by hydrogen bonds between aqua ligands and the non-coordinating O atom of an adjacent mol­ecule.
Fbxl19 recruitment to CpG islands is required for Rnf20-mediated H2B mono-ubiquitination

Histone H2B lysine 120 mono-ubiquitination (H2Bub1) catalyzed by Rnf20 has been implicated in normal differentiation of embryonic stem (ES) and adult stem cells. However, it remains unknown how Rnf20 is recruited to its specific target chromosomal loci for the establishment of H2Bub1. Here, we reveal that Fbxl19, a CxxC domain-containing protein, promotes H2Bub1 at the promoters of CpG island-containing genes by interacting with Rnf20. We show that up-regulation of Fbxl19 increases the level of global H2Bub1 in mouse ES cells, while down-regulation of Fbxl19 reduces the level of H2Bub1. Our genome-wide target mapping unveils the preferential occupancy of Fbxl19 on CpG island-containing promoters, and we further discover that chromosomal binding of Fbxl19 is required for H2Bub1 of its targets. Moreover, we reveal that Fbxl19 is critical for proper differentiation of ES cells in collaboration with Rnf20. Altogether, our results demonstrate that Fbxl19 recruitment to CpG islands is required for Rnf20-mediated H2B mono-ubiquitination.
What's the dose?

It is doubtful that many in this room would quibble with the statement, in regard to warfarin dosage, that almost every physician appears to behave as if there were no published guidelines for prophylaxis and that he is, so to speak, “therapeutically on his own”. What this means in practical terms to individual patients in each of our own communities is that the therapeutic regimen offered depends on which physician is consulted. Moreover, within each category of practitioner, prophylaxis depends on the hospital entered, the service assigned, the specific attending physician responsible for the patient’s care, and, at some institutions, the house officer on duty at the time of admission. Private office and clinic outpatient management is no more standardized. In recognition of this absence of consensus it is hoped that several of the presentations to follow may provide some common ground concerning therapeutic regimens that will be of intrinsic value for decision making in cardiac and cerebral vascular disease.
Performance of High School Students in a Laparoscopic Training Program.

Background and objectives We hypothesized that high school students can be subjected to the same laparoscopic surgical training curriculum used by surgeons and successfully complete it. The goal of this study was to evaluate the appropriateness of early training in minimally invasive surgical techniques. Methods Thirteen high school students, ages 15-18, participated in the validated Top Gun Surgeon Laparoscopic Skills and Suturing program. The students performed 3 preparatory drills 10 times each. The students' scores were then compared to a database of 393 surgeons. Performance graphs were prepared to allow comparison of skills acquisition between the 2 training groups. Results All 13 students successfully completed the tasks. The Students' performance (expressed as time/percentile range/average percentile) for each task were as follows: rope pass 101.8 seconds/3.8-47.1/11.8; bean drop 149.5 seconds/18.7-96.0/59.4; triangle transfer 303.2 seconds/1.3-16.0/5.8. The students started each drill with slower times, but their average improvement (decreased time to complete tasks) was more rapid than that of the surgeons between the first and second trials for each drill (-83 seconds vs -25 seconds, -120 seconds vs -53 seconds, -100 seconds vs -60 seconds). Average student times compared to average surgeon times during the last trials measured were not significantly different in the triangle transfer and rope pass drills (P = .40 and .18, respectively). Students' times were significantly faster than surgeons' in the last measured trial of the bean drop (P = .039). Conclusions Despite the small sample size, this investigation suggests that high school students can successfully complete skill-building programs in minimally invasive surgery. Further study is needed to evaluate the appropriateness of starting surgical training of future residents at an earlier stage of their careers.
Investigation of N-Terminal Phospho-Regulation of Uracil DNA Glycosylase Using Protein Semisynthesis

Uracil DNA Glycosylase (UNG2) is the primary enzyme in humans that prevents the stable incorporation of deoxyuridine monophosphate into DNA in the form of U/A basepairs. During S-phase, UNG2 remains associated with the replication fork through its interactions with two proteins, Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) and Replication Protein A (RPA), which are critical for DNA replication and repair. In this work, we used protein semisynthesis and fluorescence anisotropy assays to explore the interactions of UNG2 with PCNA and RPA and to determine the effects of two UNG2 phosphorylation sites (Thr6 and Tyr8) located within its PCNA-interacting motif (PIP-box). In binding assays, we found that phosphorylation of Thr6 or Tyr8 on UNG2 can impede PCNA binding without affecting UNG2 catalytic activity or its RPA interaction. Our data also suggests that unmodified UNG2, PCNA, and RPA can form a ternary protein complex. We propose that the UNG2 N-terminus may serve as a flexible scaffold to tether PCNA and RPA at the replication fork, and that post-translational modifications on the UNG2 N-terminus disrupt formation of the PCNA-UNG2-RPA protein complex.
Protein Kinase C-ζ stimulates colorectal cancer cell carcinogenesis via PKC-ζ/Rac1/Pak1/β-Catenin signaling cascade

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cancer in the world and death from CRC accounts for 8% of all cancer deaths both in men and women in the United States. CRC is life-threatening disease due to therapy resistant cancerous cells. The exact mechanisms of cell growth, survival, metastasis and inter & intracellular signaling pathways involved in CRC is still a significant challenge. Hence, investigating the signaling pathways that lead to colon carcinogenesis may give insight into the therapeutic target. In this study, the role of atypical Protein Kinase C (aPKC) on CRC was investigated by using two inhibitors of that protein class: 1) ζ-Stat (8-hydroxynaphthalene-1,3,6-trisulfonic acid) is a specific inhibitor of PKC-ζ and 2) ICA-I 5-amino-1-(2,3-dihydroxy-4-hydroxymethyl)cyclopentyl)-1H-imidazole-4-carboxamide) is a specific inhibitor of PKC-ι. The cell lines tested were CCD18CO normal colon epithelial and LOVO metastatic CRC cells. The inhibition of aPKCs did not bring any significant toxicity on CCD18CO normal colon cell line. Although PKC-ι is an oncogene in many cancers, we found the overexpression of PKC-ζ and its direct association with Rac1. Our findings suggest that the PKC-ζ may be responsible for the abnormal growth, proliferation, and migration of metastatic LOVO colon cancer cells via PKC-ζ/Rac1/Pak1/β-Catenin pathway. These results suggest the possibility of utilizing PKC-ζ inhibitor to block CRC cells growth, proliferation, and metastasis.
Chemotherapy or Combined Modality Therapy for Early-stage Hodgkin Lymphoma.

Background/aim Optimizing treatment of early-stage Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) requires balancing cure with potential acute and late toxicities from treatment. We reviewed our institutional experience with chemotherapy alone (ChT) versus combined modality therapy (CMT). Materials and methods Patients with stage I-II classical HL in a complete response (CR) by functional imaging after chemotherapy were included. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated and a multivariate analysis (MVA) was performed. Results A total of 136 patients with a CR to chemotherapy were identified. Consolidation radiation therapy (RT) was administered to 117 while 19 received no further therapy. PFS (5 years) was 97% with CMT and 84% with chemotherapy alone (p=0.02). Long-term (10 year) survival was no different (96 vs. 94%, p=0.8). On MVA, CMT improved PFS. Secondary malignancies were rare and no cardiac events were observed. Conclusion Consolidation RT results in superior PFS in early-stage Hodgkin lymphoma with minimal added toxicity.
Why Learning Can Be Hard: Preschooler's Causal Inferences

Human intelligence has long inspired new benchmarks for research in artificial intelligence. However, recently, research in machine learning and AI has influenced research on children’s learning. In particular, Bayesian frameworks capture hallmarks of children’s causal reasoning: given causally ambiguous evidence, prior beliefs and data interact. However, we suggest that the rational frameworks that support rapid, accurate causal learning can actually lead children to generate and maintain incorrect beliefs. In this paper we present three studies demonstrating these surprising misunderstandings in children and show how these errors in fact reflect sophisticated inferences.
CHAPTER 1 – Origin and Characteristics of Polysaccharides

This chapter discusses the sources and characteristics of polysaccharides,a class of biopolymers consisting of simple sugar monomers. Cellulose is the most abundant polysaccharide, which is the structural component of plant tissues. Polysaccharides used in commerce and industry are isolated from terrestrial and marine plants or are principally the exogenous metabolites of some bacteria; many are modified by partial organic synthesis and a few are the product of total biochemical synthesis. Polysaccharides are an important industrial, scientific, and medical commodity, and glycotechnology is a currently active area of pharmaceutical and medical research on oligosaccharides for drugs. Many polysaccharides are at the same time polyalcohols, polyacids, and polyesters composed of a topologically linear, main sequence of connected monomers in a variety of structures. The primary structure of a polysaccharide is the main sequence of connecting sugar monomers covalently linked as α and β glycosides. The molecular weight ( M ) of a polysaccharide is the gram mole or molar mass of 6.023 × 10 23 molecules (Avogadro's number) that ideally are of a single size.