cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Contestable Leadership: Party Leaders as Principals and Agents ∗

This paper examines the institutional determinants of discipline in legislative parties. The model formalizes the tradeoff between resources at the leader's discretion, and the leader's need to maintain a minimum level of support to continue leading. The value of the leader's promises of future benefits is here endogenously determined by the backbenchers' beliefs about the extent of support to the leader among other party legislators. Rewards that can be distributed publicly and on the spot are effective tools to coordinate beliefs about the stability of the leader, and thus also increase the value of the leader's promises of future benefits. These spot resources are in fact necessary for the leader to be powerful: without them, the leader can use promises of future benefits to sway members' behavior only if a majority of the party agrees (ex ante) with the leader's preferred position in the first place.
The stimulation of adipocyte plasma membrane magnesium ion-stimulated adenosine triphosphatase by insulin and concanavalin A.

SUMMARY These studies were designed to determine whether insulin affected the ATPase system of the adipocyte plasma mem- brane. The hormone was found to stimulate the Mg2+- ATPase significantly at concentrations as low as 5 microunits per ml and reaching maximum stimulation between 50 to 100 microunits per ml. The effect occurred at the earliest time point measured (2.0 min) and was linear over a 20-min incubation. The maximal mean dBerence in specific activity caused by 100 microunits of insulin per ml was 1.10 f 0.11 pmoles of Pi per mg of protein per 10 min in 25 experiments and was a 12.1% increase over the basal mean specific activity of 9.82 f 0.38. Insulin did not stimulate the sodium and potassiti ion-activated Mg2+ATPase of the plasma membrane nor the Mg2+ATPase of either the adipo- cyte mitochondrial or microsomal fractions. Epinephrine had no effect on the plasma membrane Mg2+ATPase. Pre- incubation of adipocytes with insulin prior to preparation of the plasma membranes or preincubation of the membranes prior to assay did not prevent the insulin stimulation of the Mg2+ATPase. The basal enzyme activity of insulin-pre- treated membranes or of membranes from insulin-pre- treated cells was signi&antly lower than the corresponding controls. Oligomycin and sodium azide significantly lowered the basal Mg2+ATPase specific activity and prevented the insulin stimulation of the enzyme but neither agent blocked the binding of insulin to the plasma membranes. Con- canavalin A mimicked the effect of insulin on the plasma membrane Mg2+ATPase but produced a greater magnitude of change and could overcome the inhibition caused by oligo- mycin and sodium azide. The data suggest that insulin stimulates the Mg2+ATPase after interacting with the mem- brane receptor but the role of this phenomenon in the mech- anism of insulin action remains to be determined. Insulin is known to cause a set
Locomotor stepping elicited by electrical stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus requires an ipsilateral descending pathway.

Abstract The effects of unilateral midbrain lesions on stepping produced by ipsilateral medial forebrain bundle (mfb) stimulation was determined in acute experiments. Rats were anesthetized with nembutal, mounted in a stereotaxic apparatus and suspended over a wheel which rotated when the rat stepped. Stimulation consisted of 10-sec trains of 50 Hz cathodal pulses (0.5 msec) at currents up to 200 μA delivered through monopolar electrodes. The stimulation sites were in the mfb at the level of the subthalamic nucleus. One side of the midbrain was randomly selected to receive a radio-frequency lesion. Certain midbrain lesions (N=11) abolished or severely reduced stepping elicited from ipsilateral mfb stimulation but produced no effect on contralaterally elicited stepping. Areas of common damage in these lesions included the medial half of the medial lemniscus and the ventral tegmental area (VTA). Lesions that were without effect (N=18) generally spared the dorsal VTA but damaged extensively either the ventrolateral VTA, medial lemniscus, substantia nigra, red nucleus, or central gray. A supplemental experiment further implicated a critical descending system since neither unilateral nor bilateral mfb lesions blocked stepping elicited by VTA stimulation. Together these results suggest that a descending path through the ipsilateral dorsal VTA mediates stepping elicited by mfb stimulation in the anesthetized rat.
Social Differentiation, Contemporary Marriage, and Human Development

This article makes the functionalist claim that to be fully achieved, the change toward sex equality must occur in social, cultural, and personality systems and be apparent not only in the economy but in marriage and individual identity as well. The discussion suggests that the high rate of marital disruption, particularly in dual-earner marriages in which partners approach economic and occupational equality, represents a lag or strain between macro changes in society and related changes in marriage roles and gender role identity in personality. Traditional gender role identities, including subordinate and superordinate statuses for women and men respectively, are seen as congruent with earlier societal forms and less congruent with the demands of postindustrial society. In light of social differentiation, the changing status of women, and the loss of family functions, stable marriages are more likely to be achieved only by those individuals who develop strong capacities for autonomy and intimacy in their...
The contribution of size and shape variation to patterns of sexual dimorphism of the human femur

The present research was undertaken to determine the relationship between patterns of generalized intrapopulational variation determined from principal components analysis and patterns of sexual dimorphism determined from Student's t and discriminant function analysis. The analysis was based upon 17 measurements of 97 femurs from a Middle Mississippian Amerindian population. The results of the principal components analysis indicated that the 17 original measurements could be represented as four principal component variates. Inspection of component loadings lent support to the contention that the first principal component reflected variation in general size while components two to four reflected variation in femoral shape. Analysis of the relationship between principal component loading and male-female differences reflected in Student's t demonstrated a high (0.97) positive correlation between absolute magnitude of loading in the first principal component and magnitude of Student's t. As a result, discriminant analyses of the femur, utilizing univariate criteria for the inclusion of variables, have been biased in the direction of size variation. Subsequent stepwise discriminant function analyses demonstrated that an adequate discriminant model must reflect all dimensions of morphological variation at the intrapopulational level.
Intelligent neural networks using smart wavelets preprocessing

The author's main theme is that an adaptive wavelet transform developed recently is a mathematical embodiment of the the smart ears/eyes as a localized multiple resolution parallel input to artificial neural networks (ANN). Furthermore, ANN can adaptively tune the wavelet kernel called a super-mother wavelet to do the classification job well. The wavelet principles and applications are reviewed. >
“I'm Not a Leader”: Cynicism and Good Citizenship in a Brazilian Favela

This article analyzes political agency in an environment of everyday urban violence through ethnographic examination of a curious pattern in the civic life of a Rio de Janeiro favela. Residents are cynical about local leaders and civic groups, even as they lead and participate in collective activities to benefit their communities. I argue that in the context of a disappointing democracy, a violent state, and powerful drug trafficking gangs, residents’ cynicism articulates and protects a vision of good citizenship. Conceptions of the “good” are informed by ideas made salient during Brazil's redemocratization; the “good” is also enmeshed in complex ways with trafficker control. [Brazil, favela, violence, democracy, drug traffickers, citizenship, civic life]
The Ultrafast Dynamics of Photodetachment

Photodetachment is a general property of condensed-phase anions exposed to visible or ultraviolet light, but its mechanism has not been fully explored until recently. The combination of femtosecond pump-probe experiments in both bulk liquids and solvated clusters and quantum mechanical descriptions of the relevant excited states has provided new insight into the spectroscopy, energetics, and dynamics of the detachment process. We review detachment phenomena for the prototypical atomic systems, iodide in water and sodide in tetrahydrofuran, and these systems provide the relevant framework for molecular systems. The iodide system has been studied in gas-phase clusters as well as bulk solution. This article also contrasts mechanisms as a function of energy from purely charge-transfer-to-solvent detachment to regimes in which there is direct and indirect participation of the bulk conduction band.
The effects of oviposition-site deprivation on longevity and bloodfeeding rate in Anopheles gambiae

The African malaria mosquito, Anopheles gambiae, needs surface water in order to lay their eggs. In many parts of Africa, there are dry periods varying from days to months in length when suitable larval sites are not available and female mosquitoes experience oviposition-site deprivation (OSD). Previous studies have shown that egg-laying and egg-hatching rates were reduced due to OSD. Here, we assessed its effect on longevity and bloodfeeding rate of Anopheles gambiae. We predicted that OSD will increase mosquito longevity and the aptitude of mosquitoes to take additional blood meals; importantly, these changes will increase its vectorial capacity. To measure the effect of OSD, four treatments were utilized: two oviposition-deprived groups, one of which was bloodfed once (OBOD) and one that was bloodfed weekly (MBOD); a non-oviposition-deprived, weekly bloodfed control group (MBC); and a blood-deprived age-control group (BD). Mortality was assessed daily and bloodfeeding rate was measured at weekly intervals. Under OSD, survival of female A. gambiae was reduced by 10-20%, reflecting reduction of the MBOD and OBOD groups from the MBC group, respectively. Likewise, bloodfeeding response during three weeks of OSD was reduced but the reduction varied as a function of time from the last blood meal. These results indicate that OSD is expected to reduce A. gambiae vectorial capacity and that OSD alone does not act as cue used by female mosquitoes to switch into a dormant state of extended survivorship with reproductive quiescence.
Thermosensitive TRPV channel subunits coassemble into heteromeric channels with intermediate conductance and gating properties.

Heat-sensitive transient receptor potential (TRP) channels (TRPV1–4) form the major cellular sensors for detecting temperature increases. Homomeric channels formed by thermosensitive TRPV subunits exhibit distinct temperature thresholds. While these subunits do share significant sequence similarity, whether they can coassemble into heteromeric channels has been controversial. In the present study we investigated the coassembly of TRPV subunits using both spectroscopy-based fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and single-channel recordings. Fluorescent protein–tagged TRPV subunits were coexpressed in HEK 293 cells; FRET between different subunits was measured as an indication of the formation of heteromeric channels. We observed strong FRET when fluorescence signals were collected selectively from the plasma membrane using a “spectra FRET” approach but much weaker or no FRET from intracellular fluorescence. In addition, no FRET was detected when TRPV subunits were coexpressed with members of the TRPM subfamily or CLC-0 chloride channel subunits. These results indicate that a substantial fraction of TRP channels in the plasma membrane of cotransfected cells were heteromeric. Single-channel recordings confirmed the existence of multiple heteromeric channel forms. Interestingly, heteromeric TRPV channels exhibit intermediate conductance levels and gating kinetic properties. As these subunits coexpress both in sensory neurons and in other tissues, including heart and brain, coassembly between TRPV subunits may contribute to greater functional diversity.
Physical fitness and age, with emphasis on cardiovascular function in the elderly.

Progressive decline in the functional capacity of the cardiovascular system with age is a widely accepted concept. A survey of the literature of cross-sectional studies of men aged 20 to 60 clearly indicates a decline in aerobic capacity (O2max) of about 0.45 ml · kg−1 · min−1 · yr−1 regardless of activity level. Data from longitudinal studies of sedentary men suggest that the rate of decline in O2max is more rapid than indicated from the cross-sectional studies which include subjects who are physically active. For sedentary women the decline in O2max with age seems to be less than that reported for men (0.30 ml · kg−1 · min−1 · yr−1). Excessive fatness in young men does not appear to compromise their cardiovascular function but it does limit their ability to transport their body weight over distance and reduces their heat tolerance. O2max per kg of total weight is, however, only 10 percent less than that for normal-weight men at age 60. Of the obese subjects studied (N = 4) over the age of 40, O2max per kg fat-free body weight was the same as for normal-weight men (N = 17). The effect of exercise on improvement of aerobic capacity in the elderly and the optimum frequency, intensity and duration of exercise programs at specific ages requires additional investigation. The effect of regular exercise on reducing the frequency of premature ventricular contractions and on improving heat tolerance also requires clarification.
Design Variation Simulation of Thick-Walled Cylinders

Thick-walled cylinders exposed to high, static internal pressures may experience both elastic and plastic deformation. Primary design considerations include loads, geometry and material properties. However, variations in geometry and material properties due to conventional manufacturing processes, and variations of internal pressure due to actual usage patterns, propagate through the system resulting in off-design stresses and strains which may cause failure. These variations can be evaluated using probabilistic methods which are discussed in this paper. Von Mises-distortion energy yield theory is presented to predict elastic, plastic and residual stresses in thick-walled cylinders. The design variation simulation method using Monte Carlo simulation and available statistical information is used to design a pressure vessel for servo-hydraulic experiments. The use of autofrettage to induce favorable compressive stresses at the inner bore, thereby improving the margin of safety and overall reliability, is also presented.
A post-beamforming 2-D pseudoinverse filter for coarsely sampled ultrasound arrays

Beamforming artifacts due to coarse discretization of imaging apertures represent a significant barrier against the use of array probes in high-frequency applications. Nyquist sampling of array apertures dictates center-to-center spacing of lambda/2 for elimination of grating lobes in the array pattern. However, this requirement is hard to achieve using current transducer technologies, even at the lower end of high-frequency ultrasonic imaging (in the range 25?35 MHz). In this paper, we present a new design approach for 2-D regularized pseudoinverse (PIO) filters suitable for restoring imaging contrast in systems employing coarsely sampled arrays. The approach is based on a discretized 2-D imaging model for linear arrays assuming scattering from a Cartesian grid in the imaging field of view (FOV). We show that the discretized imaging operator can be represented with a block Toeplitz matrix with the blocks themselves being Toeplitz. With sufficiently large grid size in the axial and lateral directions, it is possible to replace this Toeplitz-block block Toeplitz (TBBT) operator with its circulant-block block circulant (CBBC) equivalent. This leads to a computationally efficient implementation of the regularized pseudoinverse filtering approach using the 2-D fast Fourier transform (FFT). The derivation of the filtering equation is shown in detail and the regularization procedure is fully described. Using FIELD, we present simulation data to show the 2-D point-spread functions (PSFs) for imaging systems employing linear arrays with fine and coarse sampling of the imaging aperture. PSFs are also computed for a coarsely sampled array with different levels of regularization to demonstrate the tradeoff between contrast and spatial resolution. These results demonstrate the well-behaved nature of the PSF with the variation in a single regularization parameter. Specifically, the 6 dB axial and lateral dimensions of the PSF increase gradually with increasing value of the regularization parameter. On the other hand, the peak grating lobe level decreases gradually with increasing value of the regularization parameter. The results are supported by image reconstructions from a simulated cyst phantom obtained using finely and coarsely sampled apertures with and without the application of the regularized 2-D PIO.
Urinary tract infections in women: diagnosis and treatment

Acute urinary tract infection is a major health problem among women, accounting for considerable morbidity and health care costs. We review recent developments in the diagnosis and treatment of these infections. In acute lower urinary tract infection, empiric short-course therapy (single-dose or 3-day therapy) with one of several antibiotics is recommended in the absence of complicating factors. When complicating factors are present, the antibiotic susceptibility profile of the infecting organism should be determined and therapy with an appropriate agent should be provided for 7 days. Ampicillin and related drugs are probably inferior to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole in the treatment of occult renal infection. In acute pyelonephritis, most patients require hospitalization and treatment with intravenous antibiotics until they can take oral medications. In uncomplicated cases, a single broad-spectrum intravenous agent can be used initially, followed by an oral agent selected on the basis of antibiotic-susceptibility testing results. Patients with uncomplicated acute pyelonephritis who are less ill can be managed with oral therapy as outpatients, again with reference to the results of antibiotic-susceptibility testing. Complicated acute pyelonephritis requires more aggressive diagnostic and therapeutic measures. Therapy for uncomplicated acute pyelonephritis should be given for 14 days. The role of post-therapy cultures in the management of urinary tract infection is not well defined, but cultures probably can be safely omitted in most cases of uncomplicated acute cystitis.
THE DIFFERENTIAL GEOMETRY OF PROTEINS AND ITS APPLICATIONS TO STRUCTURE DETERMINATION

Understanding the three-dimensional structure of proteins is critical to understand their function. While great progress is being made in understanding the structures of soluble proteins, large classes of proteins such as membrane proteins, large macromolecular assemblies, and partially organized or heterogeneous structures are being comparatively neglected. Part of the difficulty is that the coordinate models we use to represent protein structure are discrete and static, whereas the molecules themselves are flexible and dynamic. In this article, we review methods to develop a continuous description of proteins more general than the traditional coordinate models and which can describe smooth changes in form. This description can be shown to be strictly equivalent to the traditional atomic coordinate description.
An Inquiry-Based Introduction to Molecular Biology

AN attraction of genetics instruction has traditionally been in its inquiry-based approach. More recently, the emphasis in genetics research and instruction has undergone a transition from examination of phenotypes to analyses of the macromolecules important for encoding (DNA) and decoding (RNA) information and regulation of information processing. With the incorporation of handson molecular biology into both secondary school and introductory level undergraduate curricula, the fascination with technology need not replace the inquiry-based approach long associated with genetics. Many students are currently introduced to molecular biology by running gels that allow them to ‘‘see’’ DNA. A demonstration of the technique of electrophoretic separation often takes precedence over the process of posing and answering questions using scientific reasoning. Kits are sold that include the hardware and reagents for running DNA gels and many include restriction endonucleases for fragmenting DNA. But, in the most common introductory molecular exercises, students ‘‘look’’ at uncut and cut DNA, and possibly measure fragment sizes, activities that are essentially observational, descriptive and intellectually passive for the students. The purpose of this report is to show that molecular biology, even in an introductory experience, can be presented in a more scientific framework. In fact, more can be done with less, in a more investigative setting! To highlight investigative approaches, two themes will be emphasized: a deductive determination of the nature of the nucleic acids visualized in a gel, and a comparison of different genomes. Why should students be asked to ‘‘take it on faith’’ that what they view on a gel is DNA? With the use of simple DNA preparations to isolate total nucleic acids and inexpensive nucleases, students can examine and distinguish both DNA and RNA. A simple, inexpensive two-hour DNA mini-prep using higher plant material will provide high-quality DNA, preserve the various RNAs in usable form, and will not be destructive to the organism (Murray & Thompson 1980). The
Quantifying uncertainty in variable selection with arbitrary matrices

Probabilistically quantifying uncertainty in parameters, predictions and decisions is a crucial component of broad scientific and engineering applications. This is however difficult if the number of parameters far exceeds the sample size. Although there are currently many methods which have guarantees for problems characterized by large random matrices, there is often a gap between theory and practice when it comes to measures of statistical significance for matrices encountered in real-world applications. This paper proposes a scalable framework that utilizes state-of-the-art methods to provide approximations to the marginal posterior distributions. This framework is used to approximate marginal posterior inclusion probabilities for Bayesian variable selection.
Towards generalized accessibility of video games for the visually impaired

Over the last three decades, video games have evolved from an obscure pastime to a force of change that is transforming the way people perceive, learn about, and interact with the world around them. Video games are not only a popular form of entertainment, but are increasingly being used for other purposes, such as education and health, as well. Despite this increased interest, a significant number of people encounter barriers when playing games, due to a disability. This dissertation, and our identification of a generalized game interaction model, helps provide an understanding of how video games can be designed and modified to improve their accessibility features. An estimated 11% of U.S. population are discovered to play video games with sub-optimal gaming experience because of a disability. A large number of existing, accessible games have been studied and analyzed to provide insights and understanding as to the importance of encouraging universal access in this field. Though our survey work covered several types of disabilities, the bulk of this dissertation focuses on improving accessibility for the visually impaired. Specific design strategies are illustrated and proven by the development and evaluation of actual blind-accessible games. Case studies are presented for each of the three games we developed during the research period. We developed the first mainstream game using haptic feedback. The first screen-reader-accessible virtual world interface is built to explore more strategies for developing blind-accessible games. A third game, developed for sighted users, demonstrates that data collected during gameplay can be used for other purposes including improving accessibility in another game (Second Life). Furthermore, user studies were conducted that focus on the enjoyment, educational, and social interaction aspects of these games while evaluating their ease of access.
Tocqueville and the political thought of the french doctrinaires (Guizot, Royer-collard, Remusat)

This paper investigates the relation between Tocqueville's conceptual framework and the political thought of the French doctrinaires (Guizot, Royer-Collard, Remusat), that has been unduly neglected by political theorists in the English-speaking world. After a brief description of the doctrinaire group, the paper points out similarities and differences between Tocqueville and the doctrinaires with regard to such issues as history, civilization, the French Revolution, the politics of the July Monarchy, centralization and local liberties, and the contrast between aristocratic and democratic societies. The most important section is devoted to democracy as social condition, a theme which appeared in the political writings of the French doctrinaires more than a decade before Tocqueville's Democracy in America. The final section explores the fundamental distinction between social and political order, which looms large in both Guizot's and Royer-Collard's writings and speeches.
Preparation of Sporoplasts for Studies of Pollen Physiology

Sporoplasts (pollen protoplasts) are produced in quantity from pollen of Lilium longiflorum Thunb. by exposure to 4-methylmorpholine N-oxide (MMNO). Treatment for 1 h at 25°C with aqueous MMNO, 15% w/v, in buffered solution, pH 5.3, containing 0.5% cellulase, 0.25% pectinase and 0.1% bovine serum albumin loosens the attachment of the sporoplast to exine but fails to effect release. Displacement from exine is achieved by a series of three treatments. First, MMNO-treated pollen is suspended in a buffer containing 0.5 mM EDTA, 0.6 M mannitol and 10 mM MES, pH 5.5 which effects release of sporoplasts from exines (25–30%). Then it is suspended in a buffer containing 5 mM CaCl2, 0.6 M mannitol and 5 roM MES, pH 5.5. Finally, it is suspended in 5 mM CaCl2, 0.3 M pentaerythritol and 3 mM MES, pH 5.3. Separation of sporoplasts from exines and undigested pollen is accomplished on a discontinuous sucrose density gradient. Purified sporoplasts are readily ruptured by passing the suspension through a 15 um3 nylon mesh. Data is presented on cell-free distribution within selfgenerated Percoll gradients of phytase and a phytate-rich component.
‘Visual Snow’ - Distinct from Migraine Aura

Investigators from University of California, San Francisco; King's College London, UK; and University of Utah, Salt Lake City, studied patients with ‘visual snow’ to characterize the phenotype and compare it to migraine aura.
Polymer Coagulation of Humic Acid Waters

The removal of color from water supplies using alum, polymers, and alum-polymer combinations is described. Humic acid was used as the natural color colloid and the results indicate that: (1)Alum alone requires relatively high dosages; (2)low molecular weight cationic polyelectrolytes used alone chemically interact with humic acid, and (3)alum combined with high molecular weight polymers is an effective coagulation process. Stoichiometry between the raw water humic acid concentration and the optimum coagulant dosage is reviewed. Experimental results are used to examine the stability of humic acid and mechanisms of particle destabilization.
New strengthening mechanisms of nacre in the abalone shell

Abalone shells have been studied extensively because of their unique nacre structure. Colloquially known as mother-of-pearl, this material is surprisingly strong because of a biomineralised composite structure. There is a separate component of the structure that has not been well-addressed, termed as a mesolayer. These are found in wild abalones, and not typically in abalones from a farm-raised environment. Growth of the abalone shells was controlled in the laboratory setting in order to induce a change in structure with temperature fluctuations. The main goal was to induce a mesolayer with a temperature decrease, with the aim of replicating the shell architecture found in wild abalones. These findings will help shape new material architectures for protective applications.
Bringing in “The Ones Who Know Them” Informal Community and Safety Planning for Victims of Intimate Partner Violence in New Zealand

Victim advocates help victims of intimate partner violence to plan for their safety and encourage them to find social support. In New Zealand, however, victims often bring supportive allies with them to safety planning meetings, and those allies help to plan for the victim's safety. Interviews were conducted with representatives from 24 refuges in New Zealand, and from their perspective, the inclusion of allies in safety planning meetings is beneficial not only for social support but also for enhancing the safety of the victim. The benefits and implications of enlisting informal community members to help keep victims safe are discussed.
Lymphadenopathy: Differentiation between Tuberculosis and Other Non-Tuberculosis Causes like Follicular Lymphoma

Lymphadenopathy (LD) is a common clinical presentation in outpatient departments (1–3). It is a cause of concern for the patient and physician alike even in the absence of symptoms (4). In India and some other developing countries, tuberculosis (TB) is the first differential diagnosis for a patient who presents with chronic lymph node enlargement (4–6). Nonetheless, studies have shown that more than 50% of cases of LD are due to non-TB causes and, in these cases, excision biopsy (EB) with histopathology and/or microbiological examination, is the only way to exclude TB (2, 5, 7). Malignancies may account for about 1% of cases of LD (1). The causes of LD can be broadly classified as shown below (8–10): Malignancy: lymphoma, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, acute promyelocytic leukemia, and metastasis. Infection: TB, streptococcal infection, pediculosis, measles, chickenpox, infectious mononucleosis, HIV, toxoplasmosis, and Taenia. Autoimmune: systemic lupus erythematosus, serum sickness, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Drugs: phenytoin, cotrimoxazole, allopurinol, atenolol, penicillins, etc. Miscellaneous: sarcoidosis, storage disorders, histiocytosis, cystic fibrosis, and hypothyroidism. Of the various causes in adults, lymphoma and HIV infection should be ruled out in inconclusive cases (5). A retrospective analysis of 5 months data from a South African Lymphoma Clinic showed that out of 21 patients of lymphoma, 18 were mistakenly diagnosed as TB in the 12 months preceding the histological confirmation of lymphoma (11). Of the different types of lymphomas, the most common is “diffuse large B cell lymphoma” followed by “follicular lymphoma” (FL) (12, 13). FL is the most common indolent lymphoma (14). An early diagnosis of FL has become important in the light of availability of treatment options that can delay disease progression. LD due to FL and TB has a lot of similarities and differences. The article describes them with the objective of creating more awareness about FL enabling its early diagnosis. The presenting symptoms of FL are subtle, if any, and hence can be missed easily until disease progression to a more aggressive form (15–17).
On the blind detection of FRBs through spatial fourier transforms

This paper presents two methods for the blind detection of Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs). The methods are applied to filter bank data (also known as a spectrogram or (t, f) plane). The methods are designed to detect FRB signatures in the 1D Fourier Transforms (1DFFT) and in Spatial Fourier Transforms (2DFFT) of the (t, f) data. The signature of a FRB in the 2DFFT plane is a line with a slope between zero and 90° (but not zero or 90°) in the range of low spatial frequencies. In the sum of magnitudes of the 1DFFT of each frequency channel in the (t, f) plane, the signature of a FRB appears as a relatively strong and approximately Gaussian bell shaped pulse centered around zero frequency. The detection methods are different approaches to detect these signatures. To detect the line in the 2DFFT, we use a Hough transform. To detect the presence of an FRB signature in the 1DFFT approach, we evaluate the total power in the data and compare it to a decision threshold. The paper presents a performance analysis of each detection method.
Thermal denaturation of β-lactoglobulin. A 1H NMR study

The conformational changes occurring in β-lactoglobulin when heated at pH 2 and 7.4 have been studied by 1 H NMR and deuterium exchange. At pH 2, much of the structure is preserved, and two-dimensional spectra can be obtained. Assigned NH resonances, belonging to different parts of the protein, were followed simultaneously as they disappeared from the spectrum upon heating at 45, 55, and 75 °C in 2 H 2 O. As judged by the extent of solvent deuterium exchange, denaturation occurred in stages. At 55 °C, strand E and the A-B loop unfolded. Strand A became partially flexible at 55 °C and lost the protective action of the α-helix at 75 °C, which became unfolded. At 75 °C, gelation occurred, with no observable opening of the β-barrel, although its internal face was partially exposed. The two blocks formed by the BCD and FGH β-sheets were very resistant to heat. The structural changes observed can be related to gelation, precipitation, and immunogenicity.
Stable Positions of a Metal Ion Relative to an Icosahedral Borane

We have considered a series of conformations of the neutral complex [Mg+B12H12] including those in which the Mg is internal to the icosahedral B12 cage. Self-consistent molecular-orbital calculations to determine the total cluster energy have been carried out as the Mg atom is moved from the center of the borane to a position 10A from the center (outside the borane cage). Two energy minima are found as a function of position. One is outside the borane cage. at 3.0–3.5A from the center; the second is at the center of the borane cage. The central minimum is the deeper of the two if Mg 3d orbitals are included in the basis set. Many atoms have a low ionization energy and are, as ions, of appropriate “size” to fit inside a B12 cage. Incorporation of such ions into B12 cages in solids may offer significant flexibility in the development of refractory semiconductors and thermoelectrics.
Simulating Charge Injection and Dynamics in Microscale Organic Field-Effect Transistors

Monte Carlo simulations were used to investigate the carrier dynamics in realistic, finite-sized, small-molecule, organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) within the first few nanoseconds of device turn-on as well as when the system equilibrates. The results show that the device current exhibits large magnitude oscillations (64 ± 27 nA) during device turn-on if the initial configuration assumed no carriers in the device (i.e., carriers only arrive through injection from the source electrode). After equilibration (125 ns), the current continues to oscillate, however, at lower magnitude (64 ± 2 nA), even if the initial configuration assumed randomly placed charges. Fourier transforms of device current as a function of simulation time show that these oscillations occur at well-defined device geometry-dependent frequencies, independent of initial configuration of the system. Examination of the carrier lifetimes and path lengths, which were found to vary nonlinearly with device length, are used to argue that t...
Insider Trading Direction and Optional Wage Design

This paper uses the insider trading direction as a signal to design an optimal wage contract, where the principal-agent problem due to moral hazard is resolved. Insider trading provides the corporation important information about the action of the manager. It is a tough challenge for the owners of a corporation to identify managers who will work hard and not be overly risk averse in their choices of project opportunities. Observation of the insider trading direction (buy or sell) may help to sort out superior managers. Distinguishing the quality of the managers by following their insider trading activity would help contribute to the design of an effective compensation scheme for those managers as proposed and developed in this paper. Insider purchase activities reward those managers who add value to the firm through their superior effort, better and accurate decisions, proper risk assessments and willingness to take justifiable risks. Such managers will also agree to compensation schemes partially based on their insider trading activity, since their interests will be most closely aligned with the interests of the owners of the firm. The paper presents a sound theoretical framework and develops a model for an optimal wage contract that can be utilized by the owners of the corporation. Insider trading profits are conjectured to have increased in recent years after the implementation of Rule 10b5-1. Therefore, a wage contract incorporating insider trading activity has become more relevant.
Overview of Current Treatments for Muscular Dystrophy

While there is no cure for MD, a multidisciplinary team approach with supportive care, such as noninvasive ventilation, improves outcomes including life span and quality of life. For example, patients with Duchenne MD lived on average until their late teens in the 1950s; today, they typically live until their late twenties or thirties. Which is largely attributable to better supportive care. This may include noninvasive ventilation during the day and at night, orthopedic care and preventive measures. Current treatment is focused on symptomatic management and rehabilitation, and monitoring for disease complications. This chapter discusses general management strategies for MD and also describes treatments for DMD, BMD, FSHD, DM, and LGMD. Accurate diagnosis is important as a first step for managing MD. This involves a targeted history and examination, biochemical, and genetic testing; sometimes with additional testing such as muscle biopsy, neurophysiological assessment, and muscle imaging. Muscle biopsy used to be the gold standard; however, it is increasingly replaced by genetic testing. Muscle imaging is becoming more widely accepted as it is noninvasive and various forms of MD often result in unique patterns.
Pondering on Cultivation of Foreign Armies’Fighting Spirit

In order to cultivate our armys’ fighting spirit,the available foreign armies’experiences were outlin-ed,in terms of analyzing comprehensively the methods and features of foreign armiesc’ultivating fighting spirit.The new train of thought to strengthen the cultivation of fighting spirit for our army was put forward.
Effectiveness of intravaginal progesterone inserts and FSH for inducing synchronized estrus and increasing lambing rate in anestrous ewes.

The objectives of this study were to determine whether a new progesterone (P4)-releasing intravaginal insert would induce fertile estrus and whether FSH combined with the insert would increase prolificacy in anestrous ewes introduced to rams. Ewes of mixed breeding on six farms were assigned to four randomized treatments: control (C), n = 73; 12 d P4 (polycapralactone [PCL] insert with 0.82 g P4), (P12), n = 73; 12 d P4 plus i.m. FSH (Folltropin, 55 mg NIH-FSH-P1 equivalent) in propylene glycol, 24 h before insert removal, (P12F), n = 71; and 5 d P4 plus FSH (P5F), n = 77. Growth and ovulation of follicles were observed ultrasonographically in 20 ewes at four farms (five/treatment) at insert removal and 36, 48, 72, and 96 h later. Intact rams (1:15 ewes in multiple-sire groups) were joined at insert removal, and raddle marks were observed every 12 h for 5 d. On d 26 to 30, rams were removed; ewes were examined for pregnancy then and 20 d later. Percentage of ewes marked by rams was greater in P4-treated (66 to 79%) than in C (12%; P 3 mm (P 3 mm (P < 0.05). In FSH-treated ewes, ovulation rate tended to be greater after treatment with P4 for 5 than for 12 d (P = 0.09, 3.3 +/- 0.6 and 2.2 +/- 0.4, respectively). More P4-treated than C ewes lambed (P < 0.01) to the first (38 to 45 vs 0%) or both (63 to 66 vs 41%) service periods. Prolificacy (first service) did not differ between FSH-treated ewes (P12F + P5F; 1.8 +/- 0.1) and ewes treated with P4 only (P12; 1.6 +/- 0.1). However, FSH increased prolificacy to first service (1.8 +/- 0.1) over prolificacy to second service (C ewes 1.5 +/- 0.1; P < 0.05, and all ewes 1.4 +/- 0.1; P < 0.01). Pregnancy retention did not differ among treatments but was greater (P < 0.01) in ewes that conceived at the first (90.9 +/- 3.7) than at the second (72.5 +/- 3.3) service period. In conclusion, a PCL insert in combination with ram introduction at insert removal was more effective than ram introduction alone to induce synchronized estrus and ovulation and to yield pregnancy after one or two service periods. Treatment with P4 for 5 d was as effective as for 12 d to induce fertile estrus in FSH-treated anestrous ewes.
SU‐F‐J‐17: Patient Localization Using MRI‐Guided Soft Tissue for Head‐And‐Neck Radiotherapy: Indication for Margin Reduction and Its Feasibility

Purpose: On-board MRI provides superior soft-tissue contrast, allowing patient alignment using tumor or nearby critical structures. This study aims to study H&N MRI-guided IGRT to analyze inter-fraction patient setup variations using soft-tissue targets and design appropriate CTV-to-PTV margin and clinical implication. Methods: 282 MR images for 10 H&N IMRT patients treated on a ViewRay system were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were immobilized using a thermoplastic mask on a customized headrest fitted in a radiofrequency coil and positioned to soft-tissue targets. The inter-fraction patient displacements were recorded to compute the PTV margins using the recipe: 2.5∑+0.7σ. New IMRT plans optimized on the revised PTVs were generated to evaluate the delivered dose distributions. An in-house dose deformation registration tool was used to assess the resulting dosimetric consequences when margin adaption is performed based on weekly MR images. The cumulative doses were compared to the reduced margin plans for targets and critical structures. Results: The inter-fraction displacements (and standard deviations), ∑ and σ were tabulated for MRI and compared to kVCBCT. The computed CTV-to-PTV margin was 3.5mm for soft-tissue based registration. There were minimal differences between the planned and delivered doses when comparing clinical and the PTV reduced margin plans: the paired t-tests yielded p=0.38 and 0.66 between the planned and delivered doses for the adapted margin plans for the maximum cord and mean parotid dose, respectively. Target V95 received comparable doses as planned for the reduced margin plans. Conclusion: The 0.35T MRI offers acceptable soft-tissue contrast and good spatial resolution for patient alignment and target visualization. Better tumor conspicuity from MRI allows soft-tissue based alignments with potentially improved accuracy, suggesting a benefit of margin reduction for H&N radiotherapy. The reduced margin plans (i.e., 2 mm) resulted in improved normal structure sparing and accurate dose delivery to achieve intended treatment goal under MR guidance.
Which Do I Prefer? A Theoretical Framework for Biculturals’ Advertising Response Towards Hedonic and Utilitarian Products in Japan

In today’s globalized world, individuals are exposed to different cultures, ethnic values and norms. These exposures have led to cultural diversification, which has been playing a role in the increased number of inter-marriages, expatriation, and migration. It has also inevitably become a contributor towards an increased number of biculturals. Biculturals are defined as individuals having dual cultural frameworks (Hong et al. 2000). These cultural frameworks take turn in guiding biculturals’ cognition when they are faced with situations that involves cultural norms, beliefs and values. Generally, these cultural frameworks are of opposite cultural value (e.g. Western vs. Eastern). Biculturals have a complex cognition as they have to switch their respective cultural frames to adapt to a given situation (LaFromboise, Coleman and Gerton 1993). Consumer behavioral studies (Stayman and Deshpande 1989; Hong et al. 2000; Phinney 2002; Forehand and Deshpande 2001) often focus on biculturals living in the United States. These studies examine biculturals’ acculturation process and how their reaction towards advertising plays a role in their purchasing intents. Although United States is well recognized as a melting pot, biculturalism has expanded globally. Biculturalism has shifted its presence from an individualistic culture to an understudied collectivistic culture and economically strong nation such as Japan.
High and Low Mimetic Tragedies

Northrop Frye’s definition of low mimetic tragedy enables us to understand certain modern dramas which don’t conform to our understanding of classical (high mimetic) tragedy. However, he says, the conflict between the two principal character types, the Eiron and the Alazon, is what drives all tragedy. The Eiron he defines as “the source of nemesis” (someone like Iago or the ghost of Hamlet’s father). Opposed to him is the Alazon, the tragic hero; but the Alazon may “be an imposter in the sense that he is self-deceived or made dizzy by hubris.” The definition fits Faustus, Macbeth, and King Lear in high mimetic tragedy and Raskolnikov, Willy Loman, and Mother Courage in low mimetic tragedy. There are two other principal tragic figures, the Suppliant and the Plain Dealer, whose function, though supplementary, “is to intensify the conflict of Eiron and Alazon.”