cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Historicidade encarnada: um ensaio sobre arqueologia e imaginação

In this essay, we will first focus on how important the issue of the body and the embodiment is for Foucault’s take on subjectivity and truth, pointing at the situatedness of knowledge as an argument about the alienating aspects of embodiment. Further, we will contrast Foucault’s bodily intentionality, which shapes the possibilities of a narration of self, with Walter Benjamin’s notion of “arcades” and the placement of subjectivity as a realm of a narration for the self, which, on its turn, frees subjectivity from the materiality of embodiment. Finally, we frame the issue of narration within an “aesthetics of embodiment”, pointing the ways in which eroticism and sexuality may allow an overcoming of embodied alienation within an open interpretation of Foucault’s archeological method.
Acute and chronic effects of perfluoroalkyl substance mixtures on larval American bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana).

Discovery of elevated concentrations of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in ground and surface waters globally has heightened concern over their potential adverse health effects. The effects of PFAS are known largely from acute toxicity studies of single PFAS compounds in model organisms, while little is understood concerning effects of mixtures on wildlife. To address this gap, we examined the acute and chronic effects of two of the most common PFAS (perfluorooctanesulfonic acid [PFOS] and perfluorooctanoic acid [PFOA]) and their mixtures on survival, growth, and development of American bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) tadpoles. In 96 h acute toxicity tests, PFOS was 10X more toxic than PFOA and effects of the two chemicals in combination appeared additive. The effects of PFOS, PFOA, and their interaction varied by the sublethal endpoint under consideration in a 72 d exposure. Effects of PFAS on tadpole mass and developmental stage were largely driven by PFOS and there was no evidence of interactions suggesting deviations from additivity. However, for snout-vent length, reductions in length in mixture treatments were greater than expected based on the effects of the two chemicals independently (i.e. non-additivity). Further, effects on snout-vent length in single chemical exposures were only observed with PFOA. Our results highlight the importance of assessing combined effects of PFAS co-occurring in the environment and suggest caution in extrapolating the effects of acute toxicity studies to more environmentally relevant exposures. Future studies examining effects of environmentally relevant mixtures on wildlife will be essential for effective environmental risk assessment and management.
Transmission, Distribution deferral and Congestion relief services by Electric Vehicles

Electric vehicles (EV) have the potential to support the electric grid with the aid of bi-directional charging technologies. EVs as mobile battery energy storage systems, can facilitate the integration of renewable energy and improve the operation of grid. An aspect of EVs that had been relatively underlooked is their ability to provide grid services pertaining to electrical equipment deferral and congestion relief. This article aims to investigate the potential value of EVs with V2G (Vehicle to Grid) capability to grid operators with respect to Transmission and Distribution (T&D) Deferral and Congestion Relief. This paper formulates the revenue for each EV participating in T&D deferral based on the service structure, and show the results in a case study. In addition this paper using Day-ahead market price data acquired CAISO, the nodes responsible for maximum possible expenditure due to congestion are estimated for various months in a year. These amounts could be negated using EVs as energy storage systems. An optimization program is run for all possible pairs of nodes to generate the EV schedule for maximum savings.
Regional Citizenship as a Rhetorical Resource and the 1964 Lady Bird Special

On October 6, 1964, Lady Bird Johnson made history as she boarded a train headed south from Washington D.C. In the first solo campaign conducted by a first lady, she embraced the opportunity to adv...
Health State Utilities in Children and Adolescents With Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Knee

Background:The impact of osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) lesions of the knee on a child’s health-related quality of life has not previously been quantified. Preference-based health utility assessme...
The Materialism Podcast: Exploring New Avenues for Materials Science Education

What’s the best media platform for science? Clearly, researchers are steadfast on their reliance of traditional academic journals to disseminate work among peers. This is a low-tech solution in a connected world. Perhaps it’s time for an audible change.
Abstract 17219: Non-Invasive, Blood-Free Point of Care Test to Rapidly Exclude Myocardial Injury: The AI ECG

Background: Myocardial injury results in release of cardiac troponin (cTn) into the bloodstream, readily detected by high-sensitivity cTn (hs-cTn) assays. A noninvasive, rapid, home-based test to e...
Comparison of morphine, oxycodone and the biased MOR agonist SR-17018 for tolerance and efficacy in mouse models of pain

The mu opioid receptor-selective agonist, SR-17018, preferentially activates GTPγS binding over βarrestin2 recruitment in cellular assays, thereby demonstrating signaling bias. In mice, SR-17018 stimulates GTPγS binding in brainstem and produces antinociception with potencies similar to morphine. However, it produces much less respiratory suppression and mice do not develop antinociceptive tolerance in the hot plate assay upon repeated dosing. Herein we evaluate the effects of acute and repeated dosing of SR-17018, oxycodone and morphine in additional models of pain-related behaviors. In the mouse warm water tail immersion assay, an assessment of spinal reflex to thermal nociception, repeated administration of SR-17018 produces tolerance as does morphine and oxycodone. SR-17018 retains efficacy in a formalin-induced inflammatory pain model upon repeated dosing, while oxycodone does not. In a chemotherapeutic-induced neuropathy pain model SR-17018 is more potent and efficacious than morphine or oxycodone, moreover, this efficacy is retained upon repeated dosing of SR-17018. These findings demonstrate that, with the exception of the tail flick test, SR-17018 retains efficacy upon chronic treatment across several pain models.
Current Orthopaedic Residency Letters of Recommendation Are Not Biased by Gender of Applicant.

Author(s): Lipa, Shaina A; Greene, Nattaly E; Le, Hai V; White, Augustus A; Gebhardt, Mark C; Dyer, George SM | Abstract: Letters of recommendation (LORs) are highly influential in the residency selection process. Differences in language and length of LORs by gender have been demonstrated for applicants applying to surgical residencies and fellowships. This had yet to be studied in orthopaedic surgery. Given the gender disparity in the field, we sought to investigate the impact of gender on orthopaedic residency applicant LORs. We hypothesized that differences in length and language would be present for women applicants as compared to men.MethodsLORs for 2019 to 2020 applicants who applied to a single academic institution were selected for review. Female and male applicants were matched by medical school attended and United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 1 score. LORs were analyzed using both qualitative and quantitative analyses. Letters were evaluated for their word count, presence of language terms, and frequency of language terms. A similar subgroup language analysis was performed for standardized LORs (SLORs).ResultsSix hundred fifty-six applicants met the initial screening criteria-126 women and 530 men. After matching, 71 female applicants were paired with 111 male applicants. Word count was, on average, longer for female applicants. LORs for female applicants were more likely to contain language terms that characterized their ability, achievement, participation in athletics, awards received, fit, leadership, and personality traits. Of these terms, ability and participation in athletics were also found more frequently in LORs written for women. In addition, language characterizing technical skills was found more frequently in LORs of female applicants. Similar codes were found to be statistically significant in the SLOR subgroup analysis.ConclusionThis study highlights that current orthopaedic surgery residency LORs do not appear to be biased by applicant gender. LORs were longer for female applicants and described them more positively. Future female orthopaedic residency applicants should be assured that current female candidates are applying with at least similar if not greater subjective qualifications to their male counterparts based on the findings of this study.
Comparing unmanned aerial systems with conventional methodology for surveying a wild white-tailed deer population

Abstract Context Ungulate populations are subject to fluctuations caused by extrinsic factors and require efficient and frequent surveying to monitor population sizes and demographics. Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) have become increasingly popular for ungulate research; however, little is understood about how this novel technology compares with conventional methodologies for surveying wild populations. Aims We examined the feasibility of using a fixed-wing UAS equipped with a thermal infrared sensor for estimating the population density of wild white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) at the Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve (CCESR), Minnesota, USA. We compared UAS density estimates with those derived from faecal pellet-group counts. Methods We conducted UAS thermal survey flights from March to April of 2018 and January to March of 2019. Faecal pellet-group counts were conducted from April to May in 2018 and 2019. We modelled deer counts and detection probabilities and used these results to calculate point estimates and bootstrapped prediction intervals for deer density from UAS and pellet-group count data. We compared results of each survey approach to evaluate the relative efficacy of these two methodologies. Key results Our best-fitting model of certain deer detections derived from our UAS-collected thermal imagery produced deer density estimates (, 95% prediction interval = 4.32–17.84 deer km−2) that overlapped with the pellet-group count model when using our mean pellet deposition rate assumption (, 95% prediction interval = 4.14–11.29 deer km−2). Estimates from our top UAS model using both certain and potential deer detections resulted in a mean density of 13.77 deer km−2 (95% prediction interval = 6.64–24.35 deer km−2), which was similar to our pellet-group count model that used a lower rate of pellet deposition (, 95% prediction interval = 6.46–17.65 deer km−2). The mean point estimates from our top UAS model predicted a range of 136.68–273.81 deer, and abundance point estimates using our pellet-group data ranged from 112.79 to 239.67 deer throughout the CCESR. Conclusions Overall, UAS yielded results similar to pellet-group counts for estimating population densities of wild ungulates; however, UAS surveys were more efficient and could be conducted at multiple times throughout the winter. Implications We demonstrated how UAS could be applied for regularly monitoring changes in population density. We encourage researchers and managers to consider the merits of UAS and how they could be used to enhance the efficiency of wildlife surveys.
Structural Mechanics of the Alpha-2-Macroglobulin Transformation

Summary Alpha-2-Macroglobulin (A2M) is the critical pan-protease inhibitor of the innate immune system. When proteases cleave the A2M bait region, global structural transformation of the A2M tetramer is triggered to entrap the protease. The structural basis behind the cleavage-induced transformation and the protease entrapment remains unclear. Here, we report cryo-EM structures of native- and intermediate-forms of the Xenopus laevis egg A2M homolog (A2Moo or ovomacroglobulin) tetramer at 3.7-4.1 A and 6.4 A resolution, respectively. In the native A2Moo tetramer, two pairs of dimers arrange into a cross-like configuration with four 60 A-wide bait-exposing grooves. Each bait in the native form threads into an aperture formed by three macroglobulin domains (MG2, MG3, MG6). The bait is released from the narrowed aperture in the induced protomer of the intermediate form. We propose that the intact bait region works as a “latch-lock” to block futile A2M transformation until its protease-mediated cleavage.
An Evaluation of Robust Remote Reference and Parametric Magnetotelluric Transfer Function Estimation

The conventional approach to estimate the magnetotelluric (MT) impedance tensor from surface measured magnetic and geomagnetic electrical field time series relies on a frequency domain formulation and measurements from a remote reference site to mitigate correlated, systematic noise. Guided by system identification principles, we propose a parametric, time-domain approach that potentially offers greater statistical efficiency and noise resilience. Based on a study from measured data, we demonstrate that the parametric approach can yield estimates of the MT impedance with as little as one day of data and without the need of a remote reference site.
Hard Drugs in A Soft Context: Managing Trouble and Crack Use on a College Campus

This paper presents ethnographic data on the social world of a group of four college-student crack-cocaine users. A comparative theory of modes of crack using is developed, grounded in strategic comparisons among these data and previously published accounts of the lives of impoverished “street” users. Two social-organizational conditions shielded the campus users from the kinds of crack-related trouble observed in other settings: the security of their social, economic, and physical environment and the boundedness of the spheres of their social lives. Additionally, two related ways of understanding crack served to limit trouble: orienting to crack as a social object to be used only in leisure rituals and the understanding that crack should not impinge on spheres of life outside the using group.
Non-parametric stochastic subset optimization for design problems with reliability constraints

The Non-Parametric Stochastic Subset Optimization (NP-SSO) is a recently developed algorithm appropriate for optimization problems that use reliability criteria as objective function and involve computationally expensive numerical models for the engineering system under consideration. This paper discusses its extension to reliability-based design optimization (RBDO) applications involving reliability criteria as a design constraint. The foundation of NP-SSO is the formulation of an augmented problem where the design variables are artificially considered as uncertain. In this context, the reliability of the engineering system is proportional to an auxiliary probability density function related to the design variables. NP-SSO is based on simulation of samples from this density and approximation of this reliability through kernel density estimation (KDE) using these samples. The RBDO problem is then solved using this approximation for evaluating the reliability constraints over the entire design domain and identifying the feasible region satisfying them. To improve computational efficiency, an iterative approach is proposed; at the end of each iteration, a new reduced search space is identified with reliability satisfying relaxed constraints, until the algorithm converges to the feasible design domain satisfying the desired constraints. A second refinement stage after initial convergence is also proposed to further improve the accuracy of the identified feasible region. A non-parametric characterization of the search space using a framework based on multivariate boundary KDE and support vector machine is established. To further improve the efficiency of the stochastic sampling stage, an adaptive selection of the number of samples required for the KDE approximation is proposed.
Prosurvival function of the granulin-epithelin precursor is important in tumor progression and chemoresponse

The granulin-epithelin precursor (GEP/PCDGF), a 68-88 kDa secreted glycoprotein, has been shown to be an important growth and survival factor for ovarian cancer cells. Furthermore, GEP expression is a predictor of patient survival in metastatic ovarian cancer cells. Up to this point, however, the molecular mechanisms and clinical relevance of a GEP-mediated prosurvival phenotype remain poorly characterized. We hypothesize that the prosurvival function of GEP is important in ovarian cancer tumor progression and chemoresponse. To explore this hypothesis, we examined the effects of GEP overexpression on migration, invasion and cisplatin (CDDP) chemosensitivity in the ovarian cancer cell line A2780. Full length GEP transfectants demonstrated an increased capacity to migrate and invade their substratum when compared to empty vector controls. In addition, GEP overexpression was associated with CDDP chemoresistance. Finally, GEP overexpression increased tumor formation and protected cells from tumor regression in response to CDDP treatment in vivo. Taken together, these data support a role for GEP in tumor progression and development of drug resistance.
VERBAL AND PERCEPTUAL FUNCTIONS AFTER SURGERY OF SUBCORTICAL STRUCTURES.

The cognitive and perceptual performance of 61 parkinsonians was studied as a function of unilateral basal ganglia surgery, specifically, chemothalamectomy and cryothalamectomy. Preoperative comparisons of non-neurological and parkinsonian Ss revealed no significant differences (p > .05). Three conclusions were warranted. (a) Cryothalamectomy does not adversely affect cognitive functions in the immediate post-operative period with the exception of greater impairment after right cryothalamectomy than after no surgery on some tasks of visual spatial performance not requiring overt verbal responses (p .05). Significantly shorter periods of time elapsed between successive testing in the...
DEFINITION AND MEASUREMENT OF MEAT TEXTURE IN MILITARY DEVELOPMENT AND PROCUREMENT

The need for improved texture evaluation methods in meat product development and procurement is discussed with emphasis on problems facing the Armed Forces. It is pointed out that inexpensive, reproducible, simple methods are needed similar to, for example, the rapid moisture analysis equipment now being used in chemical evaluation of foods.
The early years of single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT): an anthology of selected reminiscences

The origin of SPECT can be found in pioneering experiments on emission tomography performed approximately 50 years ago. This historical review consists of a compilation of first person recollections from nine trailblazing scientists who shaped the early years of SPECT instrumentation during the 1960s and 1970s.
Estrogen carcinogenesis in hamster tissues: a critical review.

ESTROGENS have been implicated as causative agents in tumor development for more than half a century. A number of mammalian species, including primates as well as man, are susceptible to the formation of neoplasms, both benign and malignant, at various organ sites after chronic exposure to sex hormones (1). In an effort to gain an understanding of how these hormonal induced neoplastic changes take place, the estrogeninduced tumors in the hamster kidney and liver have become the most intensively studied experimental systems in hormonal carcinogenesis (2–8). Based mainly on our studies over the years, we had proposed that estrogens effect neoplastic transformation in the hamster kidney and liver via their hormonal and metabolic activities operating in concert (9, 10). Metabolic activity of estrogens is presently defined as the generation of reactive metabolites, directly or indirectly, and their subsequentbinding to cellular macromolecules. Different laboratories have proposed the primacy of one or the othe...
Hyperintense cortical signal on magnetic resonance imaging reflects focal leukocortical encephalitis and seizure risk in progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy

Objective To determine the frequency of hyperintense cortical signal (HCS) on T1-weighted precontrast magnetic resonance (MR) images in progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) patients, its association with seizure risk and immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS), and its pathologic correlate. Methods We reviewed clinical data including seizure history, presence of IRIS, and MR imaging scans from PML patients evaluated at our institution between 2003 and 2012. Cases that were diagnosed either using cerebrospinal fluid JC virus (JCV) polymerase chain reaction, brain biopsy, or autopsy, and who had MR images available were included in the analysis (n = 49). We characterized pathologic findings in areas of the brain that displayed HCS in 2 patients and compared them with isointense cortex in the same individuals. Results Of 49 patients, 17 (34.7%) had seizures and 30 (61.2%) had HCS adjacent to subcortical PML lesions on MR images. Of the 17 PML patients with seizures, 15 (88.2%) had HCS compared with 15 of 32 (46.9%) patients without seizures (p = 0.006). HCS was associated with seizure development with a relative risk of 4.75 (95% confidence interval = 1.2–18.5, p = 0.006). Of the 20 patients with IRIS, 16 (80.0%) had HCS compared with 14 of 29 (49.3%) patients without IRIS (p = 0.04). On histological examination, HCS areas were associated with striking JCV-associated demyelination of cortical and subcortical U fibers, significant macrophage infiltration, and a pronounced reactive gliosis in the deep cortical layers. Interpretation Seizures are a frequent complication in PML. HCS is associated with seizures and IRIS, and correlates histologically with JCV focal leukocortical encephalitis. Ann Neurol 2014;75:659–669
Free Iodothyronines in the Rat Thyroid Gland

The relative content of triiodothyronine and thyroxine, the T3/T4 ratio, in 131I-prelabeled rat thyroid glands was determined for the free intrathyroidal iodothyronines by paper chromatography of undigested homogenates. The ratio was 1.60 ± 0.04 (mean±SE) times greater than the T3/T4 ratio of the thyroglobulin- bound iodothyronines in the same glands as measured after pancreatin digestion. The factor of 1.60 was the same in iodine replete and depleted animals. The same results were obtained in thyroids subjected to single pass in situ perfusion. In these, additionally, the T3/T4 ratio of the secreted iodothyronines was determined by analysis of the thyroid venous effluent plasma. The latter was not different from the ratio of the free intrathyroidal iodothyronines, and was 1.68 ±0.10 times greater than the ratio of thyroglobulin-bound iodothyronines. It is concluded that the mechanism which raises the T3/T4 ratio of secreted iodothyronines over that of the thyroglobulin-bound iodothyronines acts on the io...
Shock-induced devolatilization of calcite

The amounts of CO_2 and CO evolved upon shock compression and decompression of calcite to 18 GPa (180 kbar) have been determined using a new gas phase shock recovery technique and gas source mass spectrometry. The data demonstrate that from ∼0.03 to 0.3 mole percent of calcite is devolatilized at shock pressures significantly lower than those predicted (30 GPa) for the onset of volatilization by continuum thermodynamic theory and are in qualitative agreement with release adiabat data for calcite and aragonite. Carbon and oxygen isotope ratios in the shock-released CO_2 are the same as those in the unshocked (hydrothermal) calcite, demonstrating that the CO_2 comes from the calcite rather than other potential sources.
Longitudinal clinical evaluation of fiber-reinforced composite fixed partial dentures: A pilot study

This report describes a clinical pilot study that monitored a group of 12 patients who have received 14 single tooth replacement experimental restorations made with prefabricated continuous fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) frameworks. Because these restorations represent a purely adhesive restorative system, tooth preparation was not performed. The Kaplan-Meier survival probability at 12 months was approximately 50%. The restoration with the longest service life was a mandibular molar replacement that has remained in service 24 months. With improved survival times, bonded FRC definitive restorations should be plausible.
Results of triple therapy with interferon-alpha, cytarabine, and homoharringtonine, and the impact of adding imatinib to the treatment sequence in patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myelogenous leukemia in early chronic phase.

BACKGROUND Before the discovery of imatinib mesylate, a Bcr-Abl selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor, three agents, interferon-alpha (IFN-α), cytarabine (ara-C), and homoharringtonine (HHT), had demonstrated activity against Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-positive chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) as single agents and in couplet combinations. The goals of the current study were to evaluate the efficacy of the triple combination regimen with IFN-α, ara-C, and HHT in newly diagnosed Ph-positive CML and to assess the impact of the added sequential therapy with imatinib on overall prognosis. METHODS Ninety patients with Ph-positive CML in early chronic phase received the triple regimen. Therapy consisted of 5 million units (MU)/m2 IFN-α subcutaneously (s.c. daily, ara-C 10 mg s.c. daily, and HHT 2.5 mg/m2 by continuous infusion over 24 hours daily × 5 every month. After a median duration of 16.5 months of therapy, 78 patients had their therapy changed to 400 mg orally administered imatinib daily. RESULTS With the triple regimen, 85 patients (94%) achieved complete hematologic response and 67 patients (74%) had a cytogenetic response (Ph suppression to ≤ 90%) which was complete (Ph 0%) in 20 patients (22%) and major in 42 patients (46%). Myelosuppression was significant, resulting in considerable reductions in the dose schedules. After 12 months of therapy, the median IFN-α dose was 1.6 MU/m2 daily, the median ara-C dose was 1.85 mg daily, and the median number of HHT days was 2 every month. Only three patients developed blastic phase while receiving the triple regimen. With the change to imatinib therapy, currently 57 patients (63%) are in complete cytogenetic response and 69 patients (76%) in major cytogenetic response. With a median follow-up time of 46 months for the total study group, the estimated 5-year survival rate was 88%, and only 8 patients (9%) to date have developed blastic phase. CONCLUSIONS The sequence of IFN-α, ara-C, and HHT followed by imatinib (imposed by the discovery of the latter drug) resulted in an estimated 5-year survival rate of 88%. This finding suggests that imatinib combination regimens may improve the prognosis in CML. Cancer 2003;98:888–93. © 2003 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.11620
Generalized degrees and Menger path systems

Abstract For positive integers d and m, let Pd,m(G) denote the property that between each pair of vertices of the graph G, there are m internally disjoint paths of length at most d. For a positive integer t, a graph G satisfies the minimum generalized degree condition δt(G) ≥ s if the cardinality of the union of the neighborhoods of each set of t vertices of G is at least s. Generalized degree conditions that insure that Pd,m(G) is satisfied are investigated. For example, if for fixed positive integers t ≥ 5, d ≥ 5t2, and m ≥ 2, an m-connected graph G of order n satisfies the generalized degree condition δ t (G)≥( t (t+1) )( 5n (d+2) )+(m−1)d+3t 2 , then for n sufficientlylarge G has property Pd, m(G). Also, if the order of magnitude of δt(G is decreased, then Pd,m(G) will nothold; so the result is sharp in terms of order of magnitude of δt(G).
Adenosine deaminase and nucleoside phosphorylase activity in patients with immunodeficiency syndromes.

Abstract Red cell adenosine deaminase (ADA) and nucleoside phosphorylase (NP) activities were measured in 62 patients with various immunodeficiency syndromes and in 67 adult and 37 infant controls. NP activity was found to be within the normal range (1206 ± 144 U/gHb in adults, 1266 ± 270 U/gHb in infants) in all but 4 patients who had NP deficiency and abnormal T-cell but normal B-cell function. The mean ADA activity was 36 U/gHb (with 95% confidence interval of 22.5 – 58.1 U/gHb) for normal adult controls ( n = 67) and 35 U/gHb (95% confidence interval 21.6 – 60.8 U/gHb) for infant controls ( n = 37). Red blood cell ADA activity of the patients showed great variability: Normal activity was found in patients with X-linked agammaglobulinemia, ataxia telangiectasia, and Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome. Six of 17 patients with combined immunodeficiency syndrome (CID) had ADA deficiency, and 7 CID patients had significantly elevated red cell ADA activity. Two identical twins with common-variable immunodeficiency showed red cell ADA activity of five to six times that of the normal controls; however, ADA activity of white cells and cultured skin fibroblasts was normal. Family members of these twin sisters had normal red cell ADA activity. It is not known if the elevated ADA activity observed in some patients with immune deficiency is directly related to the abnormal immune function.
On MySpace Account Spans and Double Pareto-Like Distribution of Friends

In this work we study the activity span of MySpace accounts and its connection to the distribution of the number of friends. The activity span is the time elapsed since the creation of the account until the user's last login time. We observe exponentially distributed activity spans. We also observe that the distribution of the number of friends over accounts with the same activity span is well approximated by a lognormal with a fairly light tail. These two findings shed light into the puzzling (yet unexplained) inflection point (knee) in the distribution of friends in MySpace when plotted in log-log scale. We argue that the inflection point resembles the inflection point of Reed's (Double Pareto) Geometric Brownian Motion with Exponential Stopping Times model. We also present evidence against the Dunbar number hypothesis of online social networks, which argues, without proof, that the inflection point is due to the Dunbar number (a theoretical limit on the number of people that a human brain can sustain active social contact with). While we answer many questions, we leave many others open.
The Rayleigh Problem for the Interior of a Torus

We describe the low Reynolds number flow inside a torus which has been set impulsively in motion about its central axis. The moving wall drags with it a primary flow confined to a sheath that grows steadily toward the center of the torus cross section. The primary flow in turn produces centrifugal and Coriolis accelerations which lead to secondary flows in the cross-sectional plane. At very long time the secondary flows subside, and the primary flow approaches a condition of solid-body rotation. The present analysis treats this problem in the thin-torus limit, where the cross-sectional radius is small compared to the toroidal radius, and is restricted to wall velocities small enough to support a low Reynolds-number assumption
On the equivariance criterion in statistical prediction

This paper presents a general development of the basic logic of equivariance for a parametric point prediction problem. We propose a framework that allows the set of possible predictions as well as the losses to depend on the data and then explore the nature and properties of relevant transformation groups for applying the functional and formal equivariance principles. We define loss invariance and predictive equivariance appropriately and discuss their ramifications. We describe a structure of equivariant predictors in terms of maximal invariants and present a method for deriving minimum risk equivariant predictors. We explore the connections between equivariance and risk unbiasedness and show that uniquely best risk unbiased predictors are almost equivariant. We apply our theoretical results to some illustrative examples.
Attention, Awareness, and Accents in L2 French.

The present research applies the concepts of attention, awareness, and noticing to a previously unresolved strand of inquiry: accent marks in L2 (second language) French. Previous research found that learners who typed accented words had better recall of the accent marks than those who wrote the same words by hand. Sturm suggested that it may have been the increased attention to accented letters in the typing group that led to better performance. The typing groups in Gascoigne and Sturm referred to instructions in order to type accented letters, while the handwriting groups copied the items with pen and paper. The present study was designed to make the handwriting group more aware of the accented letters. Participants, grouped by class section, practised the target items either by writing by hand, with accented letters in a different colour ink, or typing the accented letters using alt+numeric codes. They completed recognition and dictation post-tests, immediately following and one week after treatment. T...
Storyboarding — A better way of planning and writing proposals

Proposal schedules often are too short to permit adequate planning, good organization, and determination of the interactive effects of changes during preparation by the more commonly used methods. The storyboard technique, with its modular format, enforce a writing discipline that sharpens the message, uncovers gaps in continuity, and optimizes the balance in discussions of constituent topics. Overall visibility of the entire proposal usually can be accomplished, permitting rapid comprehension of the quality of organizational and production parameters, and the effect of changes on these. Proposals printed in the storyboard format are more interesting and easier to read.
A Survey of Privacy-Aware Supply Chain Collaboration: From Theory to Applications

ABSTRACT: In the contemporary information era, the ubiquitous collection of data from different parties frequently accommodates significant mutual benefits to the involved participants. However, data is a double-bladed sword. Inappropriate access or use of data by the recipients may pose serious privacy issues that explicitly harm the data owners. In the past decade, swiftly increasing privacy concerns arise in many business processes such as supply chain management. How to protect the private information of different participants in the supply chain has become a key multidisciplinary research problem in information systems, production and operations management, computer science, and mathematics. Specifically, in the real world, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers commonly collaborate with each other to cater to the demands of supplying and marketing. In their traditional cooperation, all the parties completely share their proprietary information so as to jointly optimize their operations (e.g., ma...
Electron beam effects on polymers: Structure–property behavior of radiation‐cured bis‐GMA

Structure–property relationships were investigated for the diglycidly methacrylate derivative of bisphenol-A crosslinked by electron beam irradiation. This material, commonly called bis-GMA, is a viscous liquid at room temperature which crosslinks to form a glassy network. The major parameters which were systematically varied in this study were radiation dosage, dose rate, aging time after irradiation, and post-cure annealing at higher temperatures. Measurements were conducted to quantify the crosslinking reaction and to characterize the physical properties of the resulting networks. Solvent extraction was done to determine the relative degree of network formation through the equilibrium swelling and the gel weight fraction after drying. Another method utilized FTIR to monitor the disappearance of double bonds as the crosslinking reaction proceeded. To characterize the thermal and physical properties, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical spectroscopy were utilized. Network density was found proportional to the irradiation dosage, with an upper limit reached above some critical dosage. Over the range of dose rate studied, this variable was not found to influence the degree of cure greatly. The crosslinking reaction became diffusion limited as vitrification occurred. These phenomena were discussed in terms of the well-known time–temperature–transformation diagram. Free radicals trapped in these reacting networks due to vitrification exhibited a finite lifetime. Post-curing could be achieved by annealing at a temperature above the Tg of the initially cured network, as shown by the increase of the glass transition temperature from both DSC and dynamic mechanical results.
Improving Neglected Influenza Vaccination Among Healthcare Workers in Long-Term Care

Objective: To increase utilization of influenza vaccination among long-term-care health workers. Design: Before-after intervention study. Setting: A 300-bed life-care community served by 195 staff employees. Intervention: An educational intervention followed by a Vaccination Fair. Measurements: Percent receiving vaccination. A post-intervention survey was used to define staff attitudes towards vaccination. Results: Use of influenza vaccination among staff increased from 8% the previous year to 46% during a Vaccination Fair and to 54% during a similar Fair the next year. Conclusions: Organized institutional efforts to promote immunization among health-care workers, such as a Vaccination Fair, improves compliance among health-care workers.
Comparison of structural variations of Ln(III) compounds with (pyrazol-1-yl)acetic acid

Abstract As a continuation of our previous studies of light lanthanides (La, Ce, Pr, and Nd) with (Pyrazol-1-yl)acetic acid (L), we reacted L with the heavier lanthanides in aqueous solution at pH 5 and synthesized lanthanide complexes of the general formula [Ln(L)3(H2O)2]·H2O (Ln = Eu, 1; Gd, 2; Dy, 3; Ho, 4; Er, 5; Yb, 6; Lu, 7) and [HoL(NO3)2(H2O)3] (8). All complexes were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis revealing one-dimensional chain formations. Three distinct crystallographic structures are governed by the different coordination modes of the carboxylate groups in L: terminal bidentate, bridging bidentate and tridentate coordination in 1–3, terminal and bridging bidentate coordination in 4–7, and bridging bidentate coordination in 8. The solid state UV–Vis–NIR diffuse reflectance spectra and the solution UV–Vis–NIR absorption spectra differ, suggesting different coordination environments in solution and solid state. The coordination-induced shifts of the 13C NMR signals for [Lu(L)3(H2O)2]·H2O (7) in D2O show that the carboxylate groups of the ligand are coordinated with the Lu(III) ion in solution.
Bandwidth enhancement of iron slot antenna with Reactive Impedance layer

Summary form only given. Many planar antennas have been proposed for UWB system. The slot antenna is widely sought of for UWB applications. Various types of slot antennas have been recommended; such as circular, square, elliptical slot and different tuning stubs of rectangular, circular, and tapered shapes have been implemented for enhancing the bandwidth of antennas (Rezaul Azim, Mohammad Tariqul Islam, Norbahiah Misran, IEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters, Vol. 10, 2011). In addition, adding a surface with reactive impedance could help as well to widen the bandwidth. Compared to the bandwidth of a planar monopole antenna, typically, the bandwidth of a slot antenna is relatively narrower. However, the benefits of slot antenna include stable bi-directional radiation pattern and gain flatness over the band. Recently, we successfully developed an iron shaped slot antenna with a fork shaped tuning stub with a very wide bandwidth. The design has been developed and fabricated on FR4 substrate with a thickness of 1.57 mm and . The overall dimension of the antenna is 100 × 100 mm2. The experiment showed that the proposed antenna achieves a good impedance match, a constant gain and stable radiation pattern in the range of 0.85 to 3.0GHz (i.e. 3.5:1). Further bandwidth enhancement has been achieved using Reactive Impedance Layers (RILs) on top of slots antennas (Hossein Mosallaei, and Kamal Sarabandi, IEEE Transactions of Antennas and Propagation, Vol, 52, No. 9, Sept 2004). These layers are comprised of periodic either spirals, or split ring resonators (SRRs), or squares, etc. Generally, the period of the unit cell of the RILs is relatively small ( 0.9λ spacing, demonstrated a slightly wider bandwidth from 0.81 to 3.29 GHz, which is 4:1 with almost the same gain of 6.5±0.5dB over the band.
Lack of uniform definitions and reporting in laboratory models of cardiac arrest: A review of the literature and a proposal for guidelines

Background: Researchers are interested in improved uniformity of definitions and standards of reporting data for human CPR studies, and international guidelines (Utstein style) have been developed. However, no guidelines exist for animal CPR investigations. Objective: To assess published animal CPR studies for adequacy of reporting and uniformity of methods and definitions regarding such important factors as the interval from the onset of ventricular fibrillation to the start of CPR (the nonintervention interval), ventilation, chest compression, coronary perfusion pressure, and return of spontaneous circulation. Design: A blinded review of the methodology described in 42 articles concerned with animal CPR research published during the last ten years. An article had to report cardiac arrest and CPR as part of the protocol and return of spontaneous circulation as one of the outcome variables in order to be included in this study. We excluded abstracts, nonresuscitation models, and human CPR studies. Measurements and main results: There was wide variation in the experimental methods reported in the studies. The nonintervention interval ranged from 0 to 15 minutes. The majority of studies initiated CPR within three minutes after the onset of ventricular fibrillation. Twenty-two percent of studies reported tidal volume, and 18% reported minute ventilation. Of the 14 studies that used blood pressure or coronary perfusion pressure as a target for titration of chest compression force, 12 used different target blood pressure values. We found 29 different definitions of return of spontaneous circulation. The duration of return of spontaneous circulation ranged from 30 seconds to 60 minutes; however, 52% of studies did not report a duration. Conclusion: Important differences exist in animal CPR research methodology among laboratories. Failure to define or report minute ventilation, coronary perfusion pressure, and return of spontaneous circulation made it difficult to compare studies. In order to make valid comparisons of studies, blood flow and ventilation should be measured and controlled when they are not experimental variables. Uniform definitions and guidelines for reporting should be developed for laboratory CPR research.
Dielectronic recombination rate coefficient for some selected ions in the helium isoelectronic sequence.

Dielectronic recombination (DR) rate coefficients are calculated for selected heliumlike ions with atomic number Z=10, 14, 18, 22, 24, 26, and 28 at plasma temperatures 0.1\char21{}10 keV. The total DR rate coefficient has been obtained by summing over partial DR rates of recombination processes that proceed via intermediate lithiumlike resonance states \ensuremath{\Vert}1s2lnl'LSJ〉. The effects of configuration interaction and spin-orbit coupling have been included for all states with n\ensuremath{\le}8; for higher-lying autoionizing states, the 1/${n}^{3}$ scaling was employed. The results from the present calculation are compared with available theoretical and experimental values of DR rate coefficients.
On fairness and welfare analysis under uncertainty

This paper investigates the role of fairness, uncertainty, and a “veil of ignorance” in efficient resource allocation. It focuses on the choice of private and public goods, the method of financing, as well as the choice of information available for public decision-making. A fair-equivalent and Pareto efficient allocation is presented using a maximin criterion defined in terms of individual willingness-to-pay. The paper investigates the role of information in public decision making in terms of its implications for both efficiency and fairness. While better information typically generates improved efficiency, it can also contribute to unfair allocations. The effects of asymmetric information are discussed.
Effect of prolonged storage of spores on field applications of Nosema locustae (Microsporida: Nosematidae) against grasshoppers

Abstract Spores of Nosema locustae that were freshly prepared, stored in water at −10°C for 8 months to 3 years, or stored in cadavers for 1 year at −10°C were applied on bran at the rate of 10 9 spores/1.5 lb bran per acre. Applications of fresh spores resulted in higher density reductions and higher incidence of infection among survivors than applications of spores stored in water or cadavers in both a complex of grasshoppers predominated by a single species and in a mixed species complex. Density reductions due to treatment with fresh spores were similar in the two populations, but the mixed species complex had a lower incidence of infection than the complex in which one species predominated. Applications of fresh spores reduced grasshopper densities in both complexes to levels below the economic thresholds.
Taxes, subsidies, and insurance as drivers of United States coastal development

Abstract Ever-increasing coastal populations in the United States and worldwide are putting growing quantities of people and property at risk due to coastal disasters. At the same time, poorly-planned development policies and practices erode the natural capital of coastal regions, eliminating existing landscape protection from intense wind and waves. Government tax, subsidy, and insurance policies can encourage or discourage particular forms of development. In the U.S., there is no consistent set of incentives or disincentives for coastal development, and many programs have ambiguous or contradictory goals. Federal programs are highly fragmented, being administered by a variety of government agencies. State and local governments can also implement policies to improve coastal disaster protection, but often fail to do so. In other cases state and local policies designed for local economic growth work against the goals of federal policy, increasing flood damage risk while relying on federal aid once disaster does strike. These programs frequently lead to perverse subsidies, where economically inefficient policies degrade natural capital and foster economic inequality. In this study, we evaluate the existing tax, subsidy, and insurance structures that led to coastal development patterns on the U.S. Gulf Coast over the last sixty years, and propose alternative policies that could create a more sustainable, just, economically efficient, and storm-adaptive region.
Good Questions, Persistent Challenges: The Promise of MascuIinity Studies in Communication

Late, dark on the island, in the middle-class home and the village shack. A knock at the door, a shout from the threshold. A woman comes to each door. A wife and mother. To say to those who are there, “No men here. No husband. No son.” The men who knock or shout are there to “recruit” men to the particular performance of masculinity enacted by military or para-military practices. They do not mistake the woman-or the girl-child who often stands behind and just to the left of her—for the bodies they seek. The husbands and sons who cover themselves to avoid being taken are not confused or uncertain about the consequences of their visibility. Neither are the women, who stand in the doorways and cloak themselves with deceitful discourse.1