cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Re-membering the Dismembered : Piecing Together Meaning from Stories of Women and Body Parts in Ancient Near Eastern Literature

This article examines the function of dismemberment in four stories of female figures from ancient Near Eastern literature. Using the tools of feminist literary analysis, I explore the tales of Levite’s concubine (Judges 19), Jezebel (2 Kgs 9:30-37), Anat (KTU 1.3 ii; iii 1-2; 1.6 ii 28-37), and Isis (myth of Isis and Osiris). Comparison between the demise of the Levite’s concubine and Jezebel points to the shared significance of their dismemberment, despite the women’s vastly different societal positions. The discussion then focuses on two goddesses: Anat in Ugaritic narrative poetry and Isis in Egyptian mythology, showing their strength in scenes of dismemberment. Despite differences in divinity and power, all four women can be joined by their connection to dismemberment, whether as a victim, perpetrator, or restorer. This article reveals how dismemberment in these stories serves to strengthen androcentric hegemony while nonetheless challenging assumed gender stereotypes.
Ambipolar molybdenum diselenide field-effect transistors: field-effect and Hall mobilities.

We report a room temperature study on the electrical response of field-effect transistors (FETs) based on few-layered MoSe2, grown by a chemical vapor transport technique, mechanically exfoliated onto SiO2. In contrast to previous reports on MoSe2 FETs electrically contacted with Ni, MoSe2 FETs electrically contacted with Ti display ambipolar behavior with current on to off ratios up to 106 for both hole and electron channels when applying a small excitation voltage. A rather small hysteresis is observed when sweeping the back-gate voltage between positive and negative values, indicating the near absence of charge “puddles”. For both channels the Hall effect indicates Hall mobilities μH ≃ 250 cm2/(V s), which are comparable to the corresponding field-effect mobilities, i.e., μFE ∼ 150 to 200 cm2/(V s) evaluated through the conventional two-terminal field-effect configuration. Therefore, our results suggest that MoSe2 could be a good candidate for p–n junctions composed of a single atomic layer and for low...
The Effect of the Wife's Employment on the Family Power Structure

Secondly, the association found between the number of children in the family and the husband's influence in decision-making raises an interesting possibility: Not only may the work status of the wife affect the degree of her influence in family decision-making, but conversely, at least for this sample of Roman Catholics, her relative influence may also indirectly affect her work status. We may first presume that among principled Roman Catholics the teachings of the Church concerning birth control are faithfully followed. This fact would imply that the only means of birth limitation available to these couples is that which can be obtained through the "rhythm method." If the periodic sexual abstinence required by the rhythm method is more irksome to the husband than to the wife, then it should follow that the requisite restraint in sexual relations might be most likely to occur in those families where the wife in general had the greater influence in family decision-making. Therefore, families in which the wife had the greater influence would tend to have the fewer number of children. Having fewer children, the wife could more easily enter the labor force. Thus, not only would the wife's work status exert an effect on her relative influence in decision-making but the reverse chain of causation would exist as well. Further research is needed to continue the exploration of these possibilities.
Computing Nonlinear Normal Modes Using Numerical Continuation and Force Appropriation

Many structures can behave nonlinearly, exhibiting behavior that is not captured by linear vibration theory such as localization and frequency-energy dependence. The nonlinear normal mode (NNM) concept, developed over the last few decades, can be quite helpful in characterizing a structure’s nonlinear response. In the definition of interest, an NNM is a periodic solution to the conservative nonlinear equations of motion. Several approaches have been suggested for computing NNMs and some have been quite successful even for systems with hundreds of degrees of freedom. However, existing methods are still too expensive to employ on realistic nonlinear finite element models, especially when the Jacobian of the equations of motion is not available analytically. This work presents a new approach for numerically calculating nonlinear normal modes by combining force appropriation, numerical integration and continuation techniques. This method does not require gradients, is found to compute the NNMs accurately up to moderate response amplitudes, and could be readily extended to experimentally characterize nonlinear structures. The method is demonstrated on a nonlinear mass-spring-damper system, computing its NNMs up to a 35% shift in frequency. The results are compared with those from a gradient based algorithm and the relative merits of each method are discussed.© 2012 ASME
Agent-based modelling of consumer energy choices

Reducing energy usage is important for climatechange mitigation. This Perspective focuses on the use and promise of agent-based modelling to understand the complexities of energy demand, including consumer behaviour. Strategies to mitigate global climate change should be grounded in a rigorous understanding of energy systems, particularly the factors that drive energy demand. Agent-based modelling (ABM) is a powerful tool for representing the complexities of energy demand, such as social interactions and spatial constraints. Unlike other approaches for modelling energy demand, ABM is not limited to studying perfectly rational agents or to abstracting micro details into system-level equations. Instead, ABM provides the ability to represent behaviours of energy consumers — such as individual households — using a range of theories, and to examine how the interaction of heterogeneous agents at the micro-level produces macro outcomes of importance to the global climate, such as the adoption of low-carbon behaviours and technologies over space and time. We provide an overview of ABM work in the area of consumer energy choices, with a focus on identifying specific ways in which ABM can improve understanding of both fundamental scientific and applied aspects of the demand side of energy to aid the design of better policies and programmes. Future research needs for improving the practice of ABM to better understand energy demand are also discussed.
Impact of physical activity and exercise on female reproductive potential

Although exercise among girls and women is beneficial for overall health and well-being, the development of an energy deficiency as a result of inadequate energy intake to compensate for exercise energy expenditure can lead to menstrual dysfunction. It has been established that it is not the stress of exercise that causes reproductive dysfunction; rather, in an attempt to conserve energy, metabolic adaptations triggered by an energy deficiency alter the normal production and pulsatility of reproductive hormones at all levels of the hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian (HPO) axis. As such, estrogen and progesterone concentrations decline, resulting in a spectrum of exercise-associated menstrual disturbances (EAMD). The spectrum of EAMD includes the severe menstrual disturbances, amenorrhea and oligomenorrhea, which are easily detected by the absence of menses for at least 3 months or long and inconsistent cycles of 36–90 days, respectively. Less severe EAMD include luteal phase defects and anovulation which typically occur within regular intermenstrual intervals, thereby causing these disturbances to often remain undetected. Suppressed follicular growth and oocyte maturation, poor endometrial quality, spontaneous abortion, and infertility are all clinical reproductive consequences of EAMD. However, EAMD can be prevented by maintaining a healthy body weight and an energy replete state. Likewise, effective nonpharmacological treatment of EAMD includes an increase in caloric intake and weight gain to reverse the energy deficiency and promote recovery of normal menstrual function. Upon recovery and/or maintenance of an energy replete state, regular exercise among girls and women is encouraged.
Insights into the Structure of Sulfolobus Nucleoid Using Engineered Sac7d Dimers with a Defined Orientation

The structure of Archaeal chromatin or nucleoid is believed to have characteristics similar to that found in both eukaryotes and bacteria. Recent comparative studies have suggested that DNA compaction in Archaea requires a bridging protein (e.g., Alba) along with either a wrapping protein (e.g., a histone) or a bending protein such as Sac7d. While X-ray crystal structures demonstrate that Sac7d binds as a monomer to create a significant kink in duplex DNA, the structure of a multiprotein–DNA complex has not been established. Using cross-linked dimers of Sac7d with a defined orientation, we present evidence that indicates that Sac7d is able to largely coat duplex DNA in vivo by binding in alternating head-to-head and tail-to-tail orientations. Although each Sac7d monomer promotes a significant kink of nearly 70°, coated DNA is expected to be largely extended because of compensation of repetitive kinks with helical symmetry.
Biomimetic Assay for Hematin Crystallization Inhibitors: A New Platform To Screen Antimalarial Drugs

Molecular inhibitors are commonly employed in natural, synthetic, and biological crystallization as a means of regulating crystal size and habit. In pathological crystallization, growth inhibitors are commonly employed as therapies to decrease the rate of crystal growth, thereby reducing the incidence rate of diseases. When designing inhibitors for such purposes, it is often unknown a priori what properties (e.g., structure, functionality) are critical for drug efficacy and specificity. Identification of lead candidates is often accomplished through brute force screening without knowledge of the molecular-level driving force(s) governing favorable inhibitor–crystal interactions. Here, we present a biomimetic assay to characterize the crystallization of hematin, a critical component of Plasmodium parasite survival in malaria. Many antimalarial drugs have been shown to function as inhibitors that suppress hematin crystal growth. The increasing resistance of malaria parasites to current antimalarials has cre...
Complications During Ketogenic Diet Initiation: Prevalence, Treatment, and Influence on Seizure Outcomes

Abstract Background Many centers still admit children for several days to start the ketogenic diet. The exact incidence of adverse effects during the admission and their potential later impact on seizure reduction has not been widely studied. Methods We performed a retrospective study of children with intractable epilepsy electively admitted for ketogenic diet initiation at our institution from 2011 to 2016. Charts were reviewed for adverse effects during the admission period and then examined for seizure reduction and compliance at three months. A rating scale (1 to 4) was created for severity of any adverse events. Results A total of 158 children were included, with the mean age 4.6 years. Potentially attributable adverse effects occurred in 126 (80%) children, most commonly emesis, food refusal, and hypoglycemia. Seventy-three (46%) children received some form of intervention by the medical team, most commonly the administration of juice (24%). Younger age was correlated with an increased likelihood of moderate to severe adverse effects during admission, often repeated hypoglycemia (3.6 versus 4.9 years, P = 0.04). Fasting was more likely to result in lethargy and a single blood glucose in the 30 to 40 mg/dL range, but it was not correlated with emesis, repeated hypoglycemia, or higher adverse effect scores. There was no statistically significant correlation between the severity of adverse effects and the three-month seizure reduction. Conclusions Mild easily treated adverse effects occurred in most children admitted for the ketogenic diet. Younger children were at greater risk for significant difficulties and should be monitored closely. Because fasting led to more lethargy and hypoglycemia, it may be prudent to avoid this in younger children.
Association of Nativity Status With Quality of Breast Cancer Care for Hispanic Women and Non-Hispanic White Women in the United States

This study evaluates the effect of nativity status on clinical outcomes among Hispanic patients with breast cancer.
Flank vents and graben as indicators of Late Amazonian volcanotectonic activity on Olympus Mons

Previous studies have focused on large-scale features on Olympus Mons, such as its flank terraces, the summit caldera complex, and the basal escarpment and aureole deposits. Here, we identify and characterize previously unrecognized and unmapped small scale features to help further understand the volcanotectonic evolution of this enormous volcano. Using Context Camera (CTX), High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE), Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS), High Resolution Stereo Camera Digital Terrain Model (HRSC DTM), and Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) data, we identified and characterized the morphology and distribution of 60 flank vents and 84 graben on Olympus Mons. We find that effusive eruptions have dominated volcanic activity on Olympus Mons in the Late Amazonian. Explosive eruptions were rare, implying volatile-poor magmas and/or a lack of magma-water interactions during the Late Amazonian. The distribution of flank vents suggests dike propagation of 100 s of km and shallow magma storage. Small graben, not previously observed in lower-resolution data, occur primarily on the lower flanks of Olympus Mons and indicate late-stage extensional tectonism. Based on superposition relationships, we have concluded two stages of development for Olympus Mons during the Late Amazonian: 1) primarily effusive resurfacing and formation of flank vents followed by 2) waning effusive volcanism and graben formation and/or reactivation. This developmental sequence resembles that proposed for Ascraeus Mons and other large Martian shields, suggesting a similar geologic evolution for these volcanoes.
Importance of Loop L1 Dynamics for Substrate Capture and Catalysis in Pseudomonas aeruginosa d-Arginine Dehydrogenase

Mobile loops located at the active site entrance in enzymes often participate in conformational changes required to shield the reaction from bulk solvent, to control the access of the substrate to the active site, and to position residues for substrate binding and catalysis. In d-arginine dehydrogenase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PaDADH), previous crystallographic data suggested that residues 45–47 in the FAD-binding domain and residues 50–56 in the substrate-binding domain in loop L1 could adopt two distinct conformations. In this study, we have used molecular dynamics, kinetics, and fluorescence spectroscopy on the S45A and A46G enzyme variants of PaDADH to investigate the impact of mutations in loop L1 on the catalytic function of the enzyme. Molecular dynamics showed that the mutant enzymes have probabilities of being in open conformations that are higher than that of wild-type PaDADH of loop L1, yielding an increased level of solvent exposure of the active site. In agreement, the flavin fluorescence...
Remote-Sensing Missions and Sensors—Radar Sensors

This section is intended to outline the methods that are used to extract geophysical information from the different types of radar remote-sensing strategies that have been devised to date, for different applications ranging from atmospheric sounding of cloud and precipitation, to the estimation of near-surface wind, to estimating the flow rate of glaciers, to the characterization of subsurface permittivity. The intent is to provide here a well-rounded overview with sufficient details to appreciate the steps that require special attention in each case. A brief listing of the different radar-based observing systems deployed to date is also provided.
Twenty Years of Authorship, Sampling, and References in Kinesiology Research Reports

This study documented the changes in authorship, sampling, and number of references used in studies published in the Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport (RQES) from 1996 to 2015. Original res...
Understanding Error Structures and Exploiting Panel Data in Meta-analytic Benefit Transfers

A regression meta-analysis is a statistical summary of results from a set of empirical studies. While, a meta-analysis is typically used to drawn inferences regarding the collective insights from an empirical literature, a regression meta-analysis can also be used to predict outcomes as a substitute for the conduct of a new study. Within the nonmarket-valuation literature benefit transfers are a special case of prediction where value estimates collected for one purpose are used as a basis for predicting value for unstudied applications. Balancing against the prediction opportunities provided by a regression meta-analysis is the potential prediction error. This paper considers some of these issues in the estimation of a regression meta-analysis to support prediction of nonmarket values for applications where an original study does not exist. We do not purport to address all elements of the error structure and prediction issues, but to present a more coherent focus to enhance future research on the validity and reliability of benefit-function transfers, and ultimately assist in enhancing the credibility of benefit transfers to support policy analyses.
Introducing medical self-care in the curriculum.

(1984). Introducing Medical Self-Care in the Curriculum. Health Education: Vol. 15, No. 3, pp. 20-23.
The Corneal Environment: Osmotic Responses

Perfect isotonicity (i.e., corresponding to a 0.90% NaCl solution) is now known to rank amongst the rarest of open eye tear conditions (1). Based on a series of 420 samples from six young, healthy subjects, an average value of 0.97% (310 m0s/Kg) was found for the waking hours. The most common range of scatter observed was from about 0.93 to just over 1.00% in the course of a day. In contrast, the average value associated with periods of prolonged lid closure was 0.89% (285 m0s/Kg), or just mildly hypotonic.
Accumulation and Behavior of mRNA During Oogenesis and Early Embryogenesis of Xenopus Laevis

Studies examining the messenger RNA population present in Xenopus laevis oocytes and early embryos are discussed. There may be two classes of mRNA present in the oocyte, one which is used by the developing germ cell and the other which is synthesized during early oogenesis and stored for translation after fertilization. During oocyte maturation the mRNA population undergoes a dramatic qualitative change in which the length of the pA tail is altered. The behavior of individual sequences, including actin and ribosomal proteins, is described during maturation and early embryogenesis.
A Small-Aperture, Ultrawideband HF/VHF Direction-Finding System For Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

A small-aperture HF/VHF direction-finding (DF) system is presented. The antenna aperture occupies a cubical volume with electrical dimensions of $0.0107 \lambda _{0} \times 0.0107 \lambda _{0} \times 0.0033 \lambda _{0}$ , where $\lambda _{0}$ is the free-space wavelength at its lowest frequency of operation and is used for DF over a 100 : 1 bandwidth. The antenna array is composed of four hexagonal-cone-shaped monopoles on a finite ground plane. The antennas are loaded with top hats and exploit the near-field parasitic elements to obtain the realized gain values close to the theoretical limits over their entire frequency band of operation. A simple, yet robust null-steering technique is used both on its own and also in conjunction with the multiple signal classification (MUSIC) algorithm, as signal-processing methods, to detect the direction of arrival of the wave over the entire 100 : 1 bandwidth. A scaled prototype of the antenna was fabricated and used to perform DF experiments in the field in the VHF-UHF band. The DF system demonstrates azimuthal bearing accuracies comparable to the Cramer–Rao-Lower-Bound values calculated for the measured received signal-to-noise ratios over the whole frequency range. The DF performance of the full-scale version of this antenna, when mounted on a representative unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), is also examined through computer simulations. It is demonstrated that the proposed DF system can be effectively used in a typical UAV to perform DF in the HF, VHF, and low-UHF bands.
US Labor Studies in the Twenty-First Century: Understanding Laborism Without Labor

In recent years, labor studies has flourished even as labor unions in the United States have continued their long-term downward trajectory. One strain of this research has situated the labor moveme...
Investigating large landslides along a river valley using combined physical, statistical, and hydrologic modeling

Abstract Combined landslide susceptibility mapping and temporal early warning of failures can be a powerful method for mitigation and timely evacuation, but modeling must be well informed by the specific failure types and triggers unique to each climate and geomorphology. This paper describes the development of a landslide susceptibility map and threshold for riverbank erosion-triggered landslides in a northern climate with atypical landslide conditions. Located on the southern shore of Lake Superior, the Ontonagon River basin in northern Michigan receives an average of 4.8 m of snowfall annually, followed in the spring by a sharp warming trend and rain. Undercutting of the steep riverbanks causes large failures that continuously threaten bridges and a nearby hydroelectric facility. In this investigation, a landslide inventory was mapped using aerial imagery from 1992 to 2016. Landslide triggering factors were interpreted using temperature, cumulative precipitation, and river discharge data, demonstrating that river discharge is the primary predictor of landslides despite the source being either rainfall or snowmelt. A preliminary threshold was then created to determine the discharge characteristics likely to cause failures. A susceptibility map was created for the river system using a combination of Scoops3D with logistic regression, improving overall accuracy to 93%. Furthermore, Scoops3D proved valuable in constraining the model to failures of engineering significance (large volume and impact) and kinematic possibility. The threshold-susceptibility scheme is thus a powerful tool for assessing comprehensive slope stability along river channels.
Flow condensation heat transfer in a smooth tube at different orientations: Experimental results and predictive models

Abstract The present study aims to better analyze the influence of body force on flow condensation heat transfer by conducting tests at multiple orientations in Earth’s gravity. Dielectric FC-72 is condensed in a smooth stainless-steel tube with 7.12 mm diameter and 574.55 mm condensing length by counterflow of cooling water across the outer surface of the tube. Test conditions span FC-72 mass velocities of 50.3–360.3 kg/m2 s, test section inlet pressures of 127.0–132.1 kPa, and test section inlet thermodynamic equilibrium qualities of 0.13–1.15. A subset of data gathered corresponding to axisymmetric, annular condensation heat transfer is identified and a detailed methodology for data reduction to calculate heat transfer coefficient presented. Uncertainty analysis is also presented and indicates channel average heat transfer coefficients are calculated within ±3.6% to ±26.7% (depending on operating conditions). Analysis of parametric trends for condensation heat transfer reveals the dominant influence of mass velocity (flow inertia), secondary influence of vapor mass fraction (thermodynamic equilibrium quality), and strong dependence on orientation (body force) at low mass velocities. At higher mass velocities results for all orientations investigated begin to converge, indicating body force independent annular condensation heat transfer is achieved. Separated Flow Model predictions of vertical downflow condensation heat transfer provide reasonable agreement with experimental results, evidence by a Mean Absolute Error (MAE) of 31.2%. Evaluation of condensation heat transfer correlations for horizontal flow reveal most correlations struggle for cases with high liquid content. Specific correlations are identified for superior accuracy in predicting the measured data.
Association of Liver-Directed Local Therapy With Overall Survival in Adults With Metastatic Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma.

Importance Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is an aggressive hepatobiliary malignant neoplasm characterized by local progression and frequent metastasis. Definitive local therapy to the liver in the setting of metastatic intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma may improve overall survival. Objective To compare the overall survival of patients with metastatic intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma treated with chemotherapy alone vs chemotherapy with definitive liver-directed local therapy. Design, Setting, and Participants This cohort study used the National Cancer Database to identify 2201 patients with metastatic intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma diagnosed between January 2004 and December 2014 who received chemotherapy with or without hepatic surgery or external beam radiation to a dose 45 Gy or higher. Multiple imputation, Cox proportional hazards, propensity score matching, and landmark analysis were used to adjust for confounding variables. Analyses were performed between September 2018 and February 2019. Exposures Chemotherapy alone and chemotherapy with liver-directed surgery or radiation. Main Outcomes and Measures Overall survival. Results A total of 2201 patients (1131 [51.4%] male; median [interquartile range] age, 63 [55-71] years) who received chemotherapy alone (2097 [95.3%]) or chemotherapy with liver-directed local therapy (total, 104 [4.7%]; surgery, 76 [73.1%]; radiation, 28 [26.9%]) were identified. Patients treated with chemotherapy alone had larger median (interquartile range) primary tumor size (7.0 [4.4-10.0] cm vs 5.6 [4.0-8.3] cm;P = .048) and higher frequency of lung metastases (383 [25.9%] vs 7 [6.7%];P = .004). Patients treated with liver-directed local therapy had higher frequency of distant lymph node metastases (34 [32.7%] vs 528 [25.2%];P = .045). Liver-directed local therapy was associated with higher overall survival compared with chemotherapy alone on multivariable analysis (hazard ratio [HR], 0.60; 95% CI, 0.48-0.74;P Conclusions and Relevance In this study, the addition of hepatic surgery or irradiation to chemotherapy was associated with higher overall survival when compared with chemotherapy alone in patients with metastatic intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. These findings may be valuable given the paucity of available data for this disease and should be validated in an independent cohort or prospective study.
Acoustic Emission Behavior and Monitoring of Soils

As far as nondestructive testing methods are concerned, acoustic emission techniques are relatively recent additions to the rock monitoring area (dating from the late 1930's) and to the metal testing area (dating from the 1950's). Its application to soils is an even more recent event with little activity prior to the 1970's. However, over the past five to ten years, interest has been generated in the soils area to the point where at least five equipment manufacturers are currently marketing acoustic emission systems specifically for geotechnical engineering applications. This activity is seemingly well founded, for acoustic emissions are indeed generated by deforming soil masses and technical feasibility is now firmly established. This state-of-the-art paper on acoustic emission activity in soils presents these findings on the basis of fundamentals, small-scale laboratory tests, and large-scale laboratory tests. Furthermore, the technique has been applied to field situations in a number of cases. These include slope stability monitoring of dams and embankments, soil movements arising from horizontal and vertical deformations, seepage monitoring, and grout/hydrofracture monitoring. Specific case histories in each group are presented. Collectively taken, the information available seems encouraging enough for many investigators to use the technique for a wide variety of applications. With a multifaceted attack, the current qualitative status of the technique (that is, no acoustic emission indicates stability; low acoustic emission indicates small movement; moderate acoustic emission indicates larger movement; high acoustic emission indicates instability) should move into a better defined quantitative status. In this latter case, acoustic emission signatures of different soils could lead to instant assessment of actual stress levels in any given situation. (Authors)
Machine Learning Predicts Reach-Scale Channel Types From Coarse-Scale Geospatial Data in a Large River Basin

Author(s): Guillon, HervA©; Byrne, Colin F; Lane, Belize A; Sandoval Solis, Samuel; Pasternack, Gregory B
Bit by (Twitch) Bit: “Platform Capture” and the Evolution of Digital Platforms:

This article considers the history of donation management tools on the livestreaming platform Twitch. In particular, it details the technical and economic contexts that led to the development of Tw...
The behavior of household finance on demographic characteristics in Pakistan

This study analyzes the effect of demographic characteristics on household finance in Pakistan. Using Household Integrated Economic Survey data and applying the proportional sampling technique, we ...
Biased Predecisional Processing of Leading and Non-Leading Alternatives

When individuals obtain information about choice alternatives in a set one attribute at a time, they rapidly identify a leading alternative. Although previous research has established that individuals then distort incoming information, it is unclear whether distortion occurs through favoring of the leading alternative, through disfavoring of the trailing alternative or both. Prior examinations have not explored the predecisional treatment of the non-leading alternative(s) because they conceptualized distortion as a singular construct in binary choice and measured it using a relative item comparing the evaluation of both alternatives simultaneously. The current work conceptualizes and introduces a measure of distortion at the level of the alternative, allowing for the measurement of predecisional distortion to favor or disfavor every alternative being considered in choice sets of various sizes. We show that both pro-leader and anti-trailer distortion occur, and that the use of anti-trailer processing differs between binary and multiple options choices.
Quantum Constraint Problems can be complete for $\mathsf{BQP}$, $\mathsf{QCMA}$, and more

A quantum constraint problem is a frustration-free Hamiltonian problem: given a collection of local operators, is there a state that is in the ground state of each operator simultaneously? It has previously been shown that these problems can be in P, NP-complete, MA-complete, or QMA_1-complete, but this list has not been shown to be exhaustive. We present three quantum constraint problems, that are (1) BQP_1-complete (also known as coRQP), (2) QCMA_1-complete and (3) coRP-complete. This provides the first natural complete problem for BQP_1. We also show that all quantum constraint problems can be realized on qubits, a trait not shared with classical constraint problems. These results suggest a significant diversity of complexity classes present in quantum constraint problems.
Scalable inter-diffused zwitterionic polyurethanes for durable antibacterial coatings

Abstract In the past decades, the omnipresent bacterial attachment and biofilm formation on surfaces have facilitated the transmission of infectious diseases on global scale, inflicting significant public health concern and financial burden. Among the most affected surfaces, polyurethane (PU) based coatings used in wide range of human-touching settings were profoundly influenced by bacterial adhesion. To eliminate the undesired bacterial attachment on PU coatings, we designed a novel zwitterionic polyurethane (ZPU) with high content of sulfobetaine zwitterionic moieties for enabling surface hydrophilicity to hydrophobic acrylic polyurethane (APU) via an inter-diffused structured coating. The diffusion between ZPU and the underlying APU base ensures long-lasting surface hydrophilicity by allowing the zwitterionic moieties to be anchored into the interior of the coating films. Moreover, the excess ZPU on the surface during inter-diffusion also enhanced biocompatibility by quenching the toxic isocyanate groups on the surface. Compared with simple blending of ZPU into APU as an additive, the novel route demonstrated improved toughness of 3.14 MPa and superior antibacterial efficacy due to the enriched ZPU on the coating surface. The antibacterial property against bacterial attachment was retained even after the coating surface was mechanically abraded for 1000 cycles. Moreover, the inter-diffused PU coating can be readily applied onto commercialized vinyl tarpaulin on large scale via similar spray coating process. A relatively low batch-to-batch deviation with no delamination was observed, suggesting the inter-diffused PU coating is feasible to be readily scaled from laboratory to practical production.
Shared decision making for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with black transgender women

Shared decision making is a collaborative process intended to develop a treatment plan that considers both the patient’s preferences and the health provider’s medical recommendations. It is one app...
Quality of life in adults with autism spectrum disorder: influence of age, sex, and a controlled, randomized mindfulness-based stress reduction pilot intervention

Adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) consistently report worse functional health and well-being, compared to neurotypical (NT) peers. In a series of studies, we aimed to elucidated the effects of sex, age, and their interaction on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and evaluated the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) for improving health-, disability-, and autism-related QoL, with possible sex and age outcome moderators, in adults with ASD. Study 1 used the 36-Item Short Form Survey to compare mental and physical HRQoL composite scores in adults with ASD (n = 67) and matched NT adults (n = 66). Study 2 was a randomized pilot evaluation of the effect of MBSR, compared to an active control intervention with social support and relaxation education (support/education; n = 56), on the World Health Organization QoL BREF, Disability, and Autism-Specific scales in adults with ASD. In Study 1, we replicated findings that mental HRQoL is worse in both men and women with ASD, compared to NT counterparts, but physical HRQoL is only worse in women with ASD. We present novel findings that older age is associated with better mental HRQoL in women with ASD only. In Study 2, MBSR improved disability-related QoL in adults with ASD over and above the support/education intervention, but both interventions improved mental HRQoL. Lastly, both interventions were more effective for HRQoL improvements in women with ASD. Findings encourage precision medicine approaches tailored to age and sex groups for best HRQoL outcomes in adults with ASD. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04017793.
Gene Therapy in the Treatment of Human Cancer

Cancer can be considered a disease caused by mutations and/or epigenetic changes in tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes that populate the host genome. It is well established that most of the genetic events in cancer result from a series of accumulated, acquired genetic lesions. These genetic events either inactivate tumor suppressor genes or activate oncogenes. With an enhanced understanding of the genetic lesions associated with malignant transformation and progression in a wide variety of human cancers, different therapeutic approaches are being identified. In this regard, gene therapy is emerging as a method of preventive and therapeutic intervention against cancer targeted at the level of cellular gene expression. In this approach, altering the complex cancerous pathophysiologic state is achieved by delivering nucleic acids into cells. These nucleic acids may be genes, portions of genes, oligonucleotides, or RNA. In conventional therapeutics, as in pharmacotherapy, altering a cell or tissue phenotype is accomplished by altering cell physiology or metabolism at the level of protein expression. In contrast, in gene therapy this is accomplished by changing the pattern of expression of genes whose products may correct defects in cellular phenotype.
Efeito da substituição de Artemia sp. pelo nematoide Panagrellus redivivus sobre o crescimento e sobrevivencia larval do camarão Macrobrachium rosenbergii

Aiming at identifying the effect of the replacement of the nauplii of Artemia sp for the nematode Panagrellus redivivus on the larval growth and survival of the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii, an experiment was developed in which the following treatments were tested: 100% Artemia (3 NAS/mL)(T1); 66% Artemia (2 NAS/mL) + 34% Panagrellus redivivus (23 NEM/mL)(T2); 34% Artemia (1 NAS/mL) + 66% Panagrellus redivivus (46 NEN/mL) (T3); 100% Panagrellus redivivus (70 NEM/mL) (T4). The outcomes of the final survival in post-Iarvae were analyzed through the X2 test and demonstrated a statistical superiority of T1 treatment (46.72%) over T2 and T3 treatments: 31.20% and 8.10%, respectively. The T4 treatment (100% Panagrellus) presented total mortality on the 6th day of the experiment. The average dry weight of the post-Iarvae was analyzed statistically by ANOVA and Duncan (P > 0.05) and presented no meaningful differences in values: 1.87 mg (T1), 1.74 mg (T2) and 1.54 mg (T3). The first metamorphosis of post-Iarvae occurred on the 21st day in T1 treatment, on the 23rd in T2 and on the 29th in T3. Consequently, the cycle of hatchery until the metamorphosis of 95% of post-Iarvae (PL1), in average in lasts 34 days in T2 and 39 days in T3, whereas 29 days in T1 treatment. The death rate between the 11th and the 20th day of hatchery based on the number of dead larval stored in the daily material siphoned presented no meaningful statistical difference between the T2 treatment (9.3%) and the T1 witness (8.5%). After the 21th day, the results showed no meaningful statistical difference between the death rate in the T2 treatment (2.9%), T3 (3.0%) and T1 witness (2.3%). The results evidentiate a tendency of diminution from the death after the 5th larval stage in the treatments that utilized the Panagrellus nematode as replacement of the Artemia sp. at a rate of 34% (T2) and 66% (T3), suggesting the possibility replacement of the Artemia sp. for the Panagrellus nematode after the V larval stage for a 34% of replacement and after the VIII stage for a 66% of replacement.
A synergetic use of satellite imagery from SAR and optical sensors to improve coastal flood mapping in the Gulf of Mexico

This work proposes a method for detecting inundation between semi-diurnal low and high water conditions in the northern Gulf of Mexico using high-resolution satellite imagery. Radarsat 1, Landsat imagery and aerial photography from the Apalachicola region in Florida were used to demonstrate and validate the algorithm. A change detection approach was implemented through the analysis of red, green and blue (RGB) false colour composites image to emphasise differences in high and low tide inundation patterns. To alleviate the effect of inherent speckle in the SAR images, we also applied ancillary optical data. The flood-prone area for the site was delineated a priori through the determination of lower and higher water contour lines with Landsat images combined with a high-resolution digital elevation model. This masking technique improved the performance of the proposed algorithm with respect to detection techniques using the entire Radarsat scene. The resulting inundation maps agreed well with historical aerial photography as the probability of detection reached 83%. The combination of SAR data and optical images, when coupled with a high-resolution digital elevation model, was shown to be useful for inundation mapping and have a great potential for evaluating wetting/drying algorithms of inland and coastal hydrodynamic models. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
FIT: Tag based method for fusion proteins identification

There is increased interest in the identification and analysis of gene fusions and chimeric RNA transcripts. While most recent efforts focused on the analysis of genomic and transcriptomic data, identi-fication of novel peptides corresponding to such events in mass spectrometry-based proteomic datasets would provide complemen-tary, protein-level evidence. The process of identifying fusion pro-teins from mass spectrometry data is inherently difficult because such events are rare. It is also complicated due to large amount of spectra collected and the explosion in the number of candidate peptide sequences that need to be considered, which makes ex-haustive search for all possible fusion partner proteins impractical. In this work, we present a sequence tag based fusion protein identi-fication algorithm, FIT, that combines the virtue of both de novo sequence tag retrieval and peptide-spectrum matching for identifi-cation of fusion proteins. Results on simulated datasets show high sensitivity and low false positive rates for fusion protein identifica-tion by the FIT algorithm.
Broadband half-cylindrical DRA for future WLAN applications

This paper presents a novel broadband Dielectric Resonator Antenna (DRA). The antenna is fed by an aperture coupling slot together with a U shaped slot to excite more modes of radiation with similar characteristics. The antenna operates over a wide band of frequencies covering the future WLAN applications. It has an impedance bandwidth of 31%. The gain changes around 5 dB. The antenna has good radiation characteristics over the operating bandwidth.
Sources of Variation in Students' Evaluations of Instruction in a Graduate Social Work Program

Abstract Student course and instructor evaluations are widely used in schools of social work and are accorded an important role in educational planning, faculty promotion, tenure and salary decisions. Yet research evidence on the effects of confounding factors has raised questions of validity about student ratings. This study examines the influence of several different sets of instructor and course variables on students' ratings to determine their impact within a social work graduate program and to see if previous findings are replicated. No significant effects on ratings are found for instructor's rank or gender, course content or class size. The finding that elective courses revealed more positive ratings than required courses on two out of three student rating subscales was consistent with previous studies.
Geometrical Acoustics in Moving Media

A complete set of linearized equations of fluid dynamics is considered, which is a starting point of geometrical acoustics in inhomogeneous moving media. The linearized equations of fluid dynamics are solved by using the Debye series. As a result the eikonal equation, dispersion equation, transport equation, and the law of acoustic energy conservation are obtained. The sound propagation in threedimensional and stratified moving media are studied.
A new statistical distribution for characterizing the random strength of brittle materials

A new three-parameter statistical distribution is offered for the description of random strength of a brittle material. The distribution allows characterization of a wide range of relations regarding the strength-size effect. Thus, in contrast to the Weibull distribution, the non-linear character between the logarithm of average strength and the logarithm of the specimen size may be described, while retaining the Weibull function as a limiting case. Furthermore, the proposed distribution permits simple evaluation of the necessary statistical parameters by considering all experimental points for different specimen sizes together. Experimental confirmation of the strength distribution is illustrated using experimental data on three types of glass fibres at three gauge lengths each.
In a Pickle: Barclays Capital and the Sale of Del Monte Foods (B)

The B case describes Laster's ruling and thoughts. Del Monte's board had violated its fiduciary duty to shareholders by allowing Barclays to play a dual role, for the seller and the buyer, that disadvantaged the Del Monte shareholders. Laster saved his most severe criticism for Barclays, suggesting that, among other things, it had misled its client's board.Learning Objective: To explore the responsibilities that investment bankers as advisors have to their clients, as well as the challenge boards of directors face in properly executing their fiduciary duties. In the B case, the issue of proper remedies for the shareholders can be explored.
Anticipating environmental and environmental-health implications of extreme storms: ARkStorm scenario

AbstractThe ARkStorm Scenario predicts that a prolonged winter storm event across California would cause extreme precipitation, flooding, winds, physical damages, and economic impacts. This study uses a literature review and geographic information system-based analysis of national and state databases to infer how and where ARkStorm could cause environmental damages, release contamination from diverse natural and anthropogenic sources, affect ecosystem and human health, and cause economic impacts from environmental-remediation, liability, and health-care costs. Examples of plausible ARkStorm environmental and health concerns include complex mixtures of contaminants such as petroleum, mercury, asbestos, persistent organic pollutants, molds, and pathogens; adverse physical and contamination impacts on riverine and coastal marine ecosystems; and increased incidences of mold-related health concerns, some vector-borne diseases, and valley fever. Coastal cities, the San Francisco Bay area, the Sacramento-San Joa...
Characterization of GABA Receptors

Described in this unit are ligand-binding assays for GABAA , GABAB , and the homomeric ρ GABAA (formerly GABAC ) receptor recognition sites in brain tissue. Although GABA binding sites are present in peripheral organs, most research is directed toward examining these receptors in the CNS. These assays may also be used to determine the affinity of an unlabeled compound for the GABA binding sites. Excluded from the unit are ligand-binding assays for other components of the GABAA receptor complex, such as the benzodiazepine or ion-channel binding sites.
Application of Total Least Squares for Spatial Point Process Analysis

The total-least-squares approach is a relatively new adjustment method of estimating parameters in linear models that include error in all variables. Specifically, given an overdetermined set of linear equations y≈Aξ where y is the observation vector, A is a positive defined data matrix, and ξ is the vector of unknown parameters, the total-least-squares problem is concerned with estimating ξ providing that the number of observations n is larger than the number of parameters to be estimated and given that both the observation vector y and the data matrix A are subjected to errors and need to be adjusted. This model is different from the classical least-squares model where only the observation vector y is subjected to errors. This paper starts with a brief summary of the least-squares approach and then explains how one can modify the approach to include error in all variables using the generalized least-squares technique. Then the total-least-squares problem is presented along with its formulas and the proc...