cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Estimating Body Composition of Lizards from Total Body Electrical Conductivity and Total Body Water

Nondestructive methods of estimating body composition are crucial for measuring energy budgets of free-ranging animals. However, most methods have proved to be either difficult or inaccurate for estimating lipid mass, particularly in small animals. I validated the use of total body electrical conductivity (TOBEC) and total body water (TBW) to estimate lean mass and nonpolar lipid mass in the lizard Sceloporus undulatus. Regression models based on either TOBEC or TBW were able to predict dry lean mass and wet lean mass within 5% of actual values. Estimates of nonpolar lipid mass, derived by subtracting predicted wet lean mass from total body mass, were highly correlated with actual nonpolar lipid mass. When total nonpolar lipid mass was greater than 0.1 g, the average percent error in predicted nonpolar lipid was 30% and 15% for the TOBEC and TBW methods, respectively. A sensitivity analysis suggests that, in most cases, TBW can be used to estimate nonpolar lipid mass within 15% of actual lipid mass. Both TOBEC and TBW measurements are relatively easy methods of tracking qualitative changes in body composition within individuals, but TBW should be used when quantitative estimates of nonpolar lipid mass are desired.
Magnesium deficiency. I. The femur in acute magnesium deficiency.

Duckworth et al. (1) demonstrated a decrease in percentage ash of the leg bones of magnesium-deficient young growing albino rats. Clark (2) and Clark and Belanger (3) on the other hand, using adult rats which had been maintained on a magnesium-deficient diet, reported no decrease in the percentage ash of the femur. Indirect evidence of the effect of magnesium on bone has been supplied by histological studies. Bernick and Hungerford (4) demonstrated an arresting of the proliferating cartilage of the epiphyseal plate, which was later confirmed by Clark and Belanger (3). By the use of tetracycline labeling on magnesium-deficient bones, Trowbridge and Jenks (5) demonstrated a reduction in appositional bone formation.This report describes the effect of magnesium deficiency on the mineral in bone.Materials and Methods. Twelve 100 g male rats of the Sprague-Dawley strain were divided into two groups. Both groups were placed on triple distilled deionized water and were fed Heggtveit low, magnesium test diets purc...
Coupling Aquaculture Technology of the “Middle Season Rice-Yellow Cartfish”

Middle season rice-Yellow cartfish farming coupling technology was conducted on annular groove along the sides of1.76 hm2low-lying rice fields in Maoli town, Shayang county, Jingmen city of Hubei province. The total output of the first crop and the second crop was 19 668 kg, with the average of 11 175 kg/hm2. The yield of two crops was higher than that of middle season rice. The output of yellow cartfish was 1 364 kg with the average of 775 kg/hm2. The average net income was15 265.90 yuan/hm2and the ratio of investment was 1∶2.6.
Tiny vampires in ancient seas: evidence for predation via perforation in fossils from the 780–740 million-year-old Chuar Group, Grand Canyon, USA

One explanation for the Early Neoproterozoic expansion of eukaryotes is the appearance of eukaryovorous predators—i.e. protists that preyed on other protists. Evidence for eukaryovory at this time,...
Parathyroid Hormone and the Heart

Evidence is rapidly accumulating supporting the proposal originally made by Massry in 1977 that parathyroid hormone is a major uremic toxin (1). This hypothesis implied that PTH has a multifarious extraskeletal actions affecting the functions of many organs Several observations from our laboratory (1–12) and many of the presentations in this Workshop provide strong support for a wide extraskeletal effect of PTH.
Drug therapy of migraine.

Effective management of migraine depends on differential diagnosis of the four types of migraine and recognition of the various phases of migrainous attacks. Specific drug therapy must be individualized and is determined by the frequency and severity of attacks. A carefully taken history is helpful in eliciting migraine-evoking stimuli.
Heteroimmunization of squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) with a purified porcine zona antigen (PPZA): immune response and biologic activity of antiserum * †

The potential for utilization as a contraceptive vaccine of a 60,000M r glycoprotein component, purified porcine zona antigen (PPZA), isolated from porcine zonae, was investigated in the squirrel monkey. Immunization resulted in production and maintenance of high antibody titers for at least 1 year. Comparable immune profiles were obtained using either monkey or pig zonae in assay systems, but dose-dependent variations in immune response were not observed. In situ antibody binding to monkey zonae was detected, but significantly fewer ovulated eggs were obtained from immunized monkeys than from controls. Exposure of antibody-pretreated pig, monkey, and human zonae to homologous sperm resulted in total inhibition of sperm attachment for the respective species. Thus, the contraceptive potential of PPZA antibodies in these species is demonstrated.
Degrammaticalization in Northern Mao’s pronominal innovations: from subject prefix to full pronoun

Degrammaticalization in Northern Mao’s pronominal innovations: from subject prefix to full pronoun
GIS-Based Modeling of Archaeological Dynamics (GMAD): Weaknesses, Strengths, and the Utility of Sensitivity Analysis

Simulative models of past behavior generally comprise many parameters or factors affecting model outcome. The interconnectedness and value settings of model parameters and factors form a source of potential uncertainty. The main question that has to be addressed in relation to the problem of uncertainty is: What extent do model connections and value settings have on the model's outcome, and how can outcomes be related to “real-world” observations? Few archaeological examples exist that seriously deal with this question. Additionally, the input data utilized in predictive and simulative models can amplify error as a result of archaeological survey bias and a lack of accuracy or applicability of environmental data, such as digital elevation models, soil maps, and groundwater tables. An “easy” response to the problem of uncertainty is to increase resolution, stemming from the uncritical assumption that more data and model parameters will produce more detailed and hence more reliable outcomes. In this paper, a preliminary methodology for developing sensitivity analyses for an archaeological model of hunter-gatherer behavior in the central Netherlands is presented that attempts to evaluate where, when, and how much error is introduced to the model at different stages of the multi-ordered, cascading framework. Consideration is also given to how this particular model, and archaeological models in general, may be refined or improved after the uncertainty analysis is complete.
The Imagined World of Latin/o America in Sam no es mi tío

“Latin/o American Perspectives of the United States in Sam no es mi tio,” Amrita Das, University of North Carolina Wilmington. In Das’s chapter, the author analyzes the thematic element of migration to the United States from Latin America, arguing for a more inclusive definition of “Latina/o.”
Performance evaluation of a self-evolving trust building framework

A self-evolving reputation scheme for trust establishment in distributed peer networks is presented and evaluated. The framework, called ad-hoc trust framework (ATF), incorporates subjective behavior of end-users, direct observations of behaviors, recommendations, and history of evidences to assess the trustworthiness of peer entities. It considers several idiosyncrasies of the wireless self-organized networks, such as lack of computational resources. ATF is associated with a generic model for the evaluation of the trustworthiness of adjacent or distant nodes. It relies on a sophisticated reputation method, called trustspan, to contact only trusted peers for recommendations, and, thus, it minimizes communication costs for trust building, accelerating the trust evolution process. To evaluate the performance of the ATF framework we have deployed a large number of simulation scenarios. The performance assessment results show that ATF achieves to rapidly identify selfish nodes with high accuracy, and with relatively low communication costs.
Spirituality in Well and Ill Adolescents and Their Parents : The Use of Two Assessment Scales

The literature supporting a relationship between religion/spirituality and physical/mental health has led to recommendations that health professionals attend to these issues in patient assessment and intervention. Many studies indicate that spiritual issues are important to adolescents, especially those with physical and/or psychological health concerns. Although several instruments have been developed to measure religion/spirituality in adults, no validated instrument currently exists for assessing this concept in children or adolescents. The applicability of two adult scales, the SIBS and the SWBS, were assessed to explore the spiritual well-being of adolescents by comparing spirituality scores of 38 chronically ill and 38 healthy adolescents and their parents. No significant difference was found between ill and well adolescents on either scale. Parents scored significantly higher than adolescents on both scales. Although this could indicate that parents have greater spiritual well-being than their children, these two findings taken together suggest these measures may be insufficiently sensitive measures of spirituality in childhood. This is supported by the finding that most adolescents and their parents felt both scales to be ineffective measures of adolescent spirituality. The authors concluded that a more specific scale should be developed for measuring spirituality in the young, especially those with chronic illness. Such an instrument might best be developed through a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods.
Berkeley Sickle Mice Demonstrate CD8- and NK1.1-Dependent Increased Rejection of Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplants.

Abstract While hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) represents the only curative therapy for sickle cell disease, sickle patients undergoing HSCT face many complications, including an increased risk of graft rejection compared to non-sickle patients. We have used the Berkeley sickle mouse model to study the potential mechanisms underlying this increased risk of rejection. Using a CD28/CD40 costimulation-blockade-based non-myeloablative HSCT regimen, we transplanted Berkeley sickle mice with fully allogeneic SJL bone marrow. While the vast majority (>85%, n=25) of control C57BL/6 animals became stably chimeric and immunologically donor-tolerant with this transplant regimen, sickle mice were much more prone to reject the transplant (~20% graft acceptance, n=25). Both CD8+ cells and NK1.1+ cells were found to contribute to this rejection, as depletion of either of these cell populations led to a marked increase in the percent of engrafted mice (>85% graft acceptance, n=15–25), while depletion of CD4+ cells led to the opposite effect, with 0% (n=25) animals engrafted in this depletion cohort. The increased propensity of HSCT rejection in the Berkeley sickle mice may, in part, be explained by the presence of increased numbers of donor-reactive T cells (5–10-fold compared to C57BL/6 controls) in naive sickle mice, despite their lack of exposure to donor antigens, and their housing in a Specific-Pathogen-Free environment. We speculate that these increased numbers of anti-donor T cells may occur as a result of heightened inflammation in the context of active sickle cell disease, which could lead to increased expansion and persistence of a T cell repertoire containing anti-donor heterologous T cell immunity. This heterologous immunity may have a profound effect on the success of HSCT for sickle cell disease, especially when non-myeloablative regimens are employed.
The Key Question

THE WORLD OF BUSINESS IS full of astonishing stories about companies that led their industry and then stumbled when they failed to respond to competitive threats. When faced with a competitive attack, the executives decided not to defend and then suffered the consequences. For this reason, the key question—whether to defend or not—is critically important.
Carbon Footprint and Related Production Costs of System Components of a Field-Grown Cercis canadensis L. ‘Forest Pansy’ Using Life Cycle Assessment

Life cycle assessment (LCA) was utilized to analyze the global warming potential (GWP), or carbon footprint, and associated costs of the production components of a field-grown, spade-dug, 5 cm (2 in) caliper Cercis canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’ in the Lower Midwest, U.S. A model production system was determined from interviews of nursery managers in the region. Input materials, equipment use and labor were inventoried for each production system component using international standards of LCA. The seed-to-landscape GWP, expressed in kilograms of carbon dioxide emission equivalent (CO2e), was determined to be 13.707. Equipment use constituted the majority (63%) of net CO2-e emissions during production, transport to the customer, and transplanting in the landscape. The model was queried to determine the possible impact of production system modifications on carbon footprint and costs to aid managers in examining their production system. Carbon sequestration of a redbud growing in the landscape over its 40 year lif...
Field Performance of Chip Seals for Pavement Preservation

Over time, new pavements deteriorate due to the effect of traffic loads and the environment. If appropriate treatments are applied during the early stages of deterioration, it is possible to extend...
A Conceptual Model of Information Technology Competence for Public Managers: Designing Relevant MPA Curricula for Effective Public Service

This study aims to conceptualize and propose information technology (IT) competence for training Master of Public Administration (MPA) students to succeed in the production and delivery of public service. Defining and assessing student competence is a central challenge to the relevance and accountability of public administration education. This study draws from the literature of psychology, IT management, technology education, and public administration, as well as from practitioners in the public sector, to develop a construct of IT competence for public managers, including general public managers and public IT managers. This conceptualization regards IT competence as multidimensional, encompassing knowledge, skills, and personal attributes that enable public managers be effective. Moreover, this conceptualization articulates the knowledge, skills, and personal attributes relevant to achieving effectiveness at individual, organizational, and professional levels. Emphasizing the perspective of empl...
Verarbeitung komplexer Programmstrukturen

In diesem Kapitel werden wir zum ersten Mal von Ihnen verlangen, das Sie planmasig an eine Problemlosung mit dem Rechner herangehen. Sie sollen hier einige Programmspezifikationen aufgrund einer allgemeinen Problembeschreibung zusammenfugen.
Social Networks and Media Brands: Exploring the Effect of Media Brands’ Perceived Social Network Usage on Audience Relationship

The proliferation of social media such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube has brought dramatic changes in consumer’s media consumption behavior. With more and more consumers participating in some forms of social media, these platforms have become important means of consumer engagement. From a branding perspective, such a two-way communication mechanism creates viable channels for ongoing dialogues and long-term bonds between companies and customers. Social networks’ branding potential, especially in the context of relationship building, seems to offer traditional media which were handicapped by the one-way communication mechanism an opportunity to connect with audiences more effectively in an increasingly competitive marketplace. This chapter empirically examines the contribution of social networks as a branding tool for media products from the relational perspective. It investigates if the perceived use of social networks by a media brand plays a role in enhancing its brand equity and in consumer’s intention to develop a relationship with the brand. Specifically, the chapter addresses the relationship between consumer’s perceived social network usage by a media brand and the “perceived relationship investment” (PRI) of that brand; association between PRI and consumer-based brand equity (CBBE); the effect of a media brand’s CBBE on an audience’s intention to develop a relationship with that brand; and the relationship between an audience’s PRI of a media brand and his/her intention to build a relationship with that brand.
Procháska, Georg (Jiří)

Georg (Jiři) Prochaska (1749–1820) was born in Moravia, now the Czech Republic. Although studying medicine in Vienna, his talent for drawing was observed. Prochaska remained in Vienna as professor of anatomy and ophthalmology. He performed more than 3000 cataract operations. His most important contribution was the development of the concept of reflex action, although he published on the flow of blood, the structure of muscles and nerves, and other topics. He postulated that two types of nerve fibers exist: one to conduct sensory impulses from the body to the central nervous system and the other to conduct reflected impulses to the muscles and effector organs. He distinguished between the sensorium commune, which served to reflect the afferent nervous signals out to the muscles and effectors, and the seats of intellect and will.
So delicate yet so strong and versatile – the use of paper in objects conservation

ABSTRACTA large variety of acid-free Asian and Western papers offer objects conservators numerous applications in their work. Not only have objects conservators borrowed this extraordinary material – paper – from the field of paper conservation but they have also adopted many of the well-developed methods and techniques of handling and manipulating it in their 3-D treatments. Paper meets all material criteria in modern conservation practice, including reversibility, strength, inertness, long-term stability, minimal change in color over time, and compatibility with the original artwork. Additional attractive characteristics are that it is light weight, non-toxic, hydrophilic, it conforms well to surfaces, and is not affected by the solvents typically used. Also, the cost of paper varies but is not excessively high. Finally, having the option of using paper in sheet, fiber or powder form – either in a dry or wet state – allows for even wider applications. This article is a survey of the wide range of applic...
Insulin PACS a Punch in SIRT1 Activity.

In this issue of Molecular Cell, Krzysiak et al. (2018) describe a mechanism by which insulin signaling represses the NAD+-dependent SIRT1 deacetylase by promoting PACS-2 binding and provide structural clues to understanding how SIRT1 activating compounds (STACs) work.
Outcomes of directional branches using self-expandable or balloon-expandable stent grafts during endovascular repair of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms

Abstract Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate outcomes of directional branches using self-expandable stent grafts (SESGs) or balloon-expandable stent grafts (BESGs) during fenestrated-branched endovascular aneurysm repair of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms. Methods Patients treated by fenestrated-branched endovascular aneurysm repair were enrolled in a prospective study from 2014 to 2018. We included in the analysis patients who had target vessels incorporated by directional branches using either SESG (Fluency [Bard, Covington Ga] or Gore Viabahn [W. L. Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, Ariz]) or BESG (Gore VBX). Target artery instability (TAI) was defined by a composite of any stent stenosis, separation, or type IC or type IIIC endoleak requiring reintervention and stent occlusion, aneurysm rupture, or death due to target artery complication. End points included technical success, target artery patency, freedom from TAI, freedom from type IC or type IIIC endoleak, and freedom from target artery reintervention. Results There were 126 patients (61% male; mean age, 73 ± 8 years) included in the study. A total of 335 renal-mesenteric arteries were targeted by directional branches using SESGs in 62 patients and 176 arteries or BESGs in 54 patients and 159 arteries. Patients in both groups had similar thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm classification and aneurysm and target artery diameter, but SESG patients had significantly (P Conclusions Directional branches were associated with high technical success and low rates of stent occlusion, independent of stent type. However, primary patency, freedom from TAI, and freedom from type IC or type IIIC endoleaks was lower for BESGs compared with SESGs.
New Pnictinogallanes [H2GaE(SiMe3)2]3 (E = P, As)Formation, Structural Characterization, and Thermal Decomposition to Afford Nanocrystalline GaP and GaAs

The new compounds [H2GaE(SiMe3)2]3 (E = P (1), As (2)), the first authenticated examples of a phosphinogallane and an arsinogallane containing the GaH2 moiety, are prepared via efficient dehydrosilylation from the respective combinations of H3Ga·NMe3 and E(SiMe3)3 in diethyl ether or toluene. Compounds 1 and 2 are characterized by elemental analysis, NMR, IR, and mass spectrometry. Single-crystal X-ray structural studies show that the molecular structures of 1 and 2 feature a flattened six-member ring of alternating Ga and E centers. Both compounds are reasonably stable at −30 °C but spontaneously decompose at ambient temperatures, 2 noticeably faster than 1, with the evolution of HSiMe3, H2, and E(SiMe3)3. The pyrolysis of 1 yields nanocrystalline GaP while the pyrolysis of solids from decayed 2 results in nanocrystalline GaAs as determined from XRD studies. Under applied pyrolysis conditions, the thermally accelerated dehydrosilylation of the precursors is accompanied by a side-evolution of CH4 and rete...
GPU acceleration of extreme scale pseudo-spectral simulations of turbulence using asynchronism

This paper presents new advances in GPU-driven Fourier pseudo-spectral numerical algorithms, which allow the simulation of turbulent fluid flow at problem sizes beyond the current state of the art. In contrast to several massively parallel petascale systems, the dense nodes of Summit, Sierra, and expected exascale machines can be exploited with coarser MPI decompositions which result in improved MPI all-to-all scaling. An asynchronous batching strategy, combined with the fast hardware connection between the large CPU memory and the fast GPUs allows effective use of the GPUs on problem sizes which are too large to reside in GPU memory. Communication performance is further improved by a hybrid MPI+OpenMP approach. Favorable performance is obtained up to a 184323 problem size on 3072 nodes of Summit, with a GPU to CPU speedup of 4.7 for a 122883 problem size (the largest problem size previously published in turbulence literature).
Outlooks, Techniques, and Words: Product Design, Practicing Law, and Engaging Students in Legal Practice

This paper is a reflection by a law school teacher and corporate lawyer about learning from the design disciplines. The paper describes how design influences the author’s understanding of and approach to legal documents, his use of visual methods in doing legal work and engaging with students, and concepts and language he uses in talking about legal work and legal practice. The paper suggests that practitioners and teachers need not go all-in on “design thinking” to benefit from design. Instead, they can improve their advice and work-product, and their development support of students and new lawyers, through modest refinements in practice inspired by design mindsets and methods.
Stepwise Activation of Water by Open-Shell Interactions, Cl(H2O)n=4-8,17.

Chemical activation of water by a single chlorine atom was examined computationally for clusters of chlorine radicals and water in a size regime just prior to internal hydration of water/ions, Cl·(H2O)n=4-8,17. This investigation follows a recent analysis of this radical-molecule interaction [Christensen et al. J. Phys. Chem. A 2019, 123, 8657] for n = 1-4, which demonstrated that n = 4 marked a transition in which an oxidized-water structural motif became viable, albeit high in energy. Thousands of unique isomers were computed in the present analysis, which resulted in three structural classes of isomers, including intact hydrated chlorine, hydrogen-transferred (HCl)(OH·)(H2O)n-1, and charge-transferred (Cl-)(H3O+)(OH·)(H2O)n-2 configurations. The electronic structures of these classes were investigated, along with harmonic vibrational signatures that probed the degree of water-network perturbations and generated experimentally verifiable computational predictions. The main outcome of this analysis is that the charge-transferred isomers were stabilized considerably upon increased hydration-leading to an energetic crossover with the hydrogen-transferred forms-but the degree of hydration was surprisingly still not sufficient to achieve crossover between the intact chlorine-water complexes and these charge-separated configurations. Internal hydration of the ions appears to be necessary in order to achieve this separation, which will likely occur at larger cluster sizes.
Building and growing luxury brands: strategies for pursuing growth while maintaining brand coherence

This chapter comprehensively examines research-based brand strategies that can help luxury brands successfully extend and expand. A key take-away is that successful luxury brand growth strategy entails walking the fine line between managing brand coherence and managing brand innovation and growth. The chapter identifies what a luxury brand is from a consumer perspective, and the facets of the luxury brand that need to be carefully managed in order to create the perception of coherence. Next, it reviews the literature on luxury brand growth strategies, namely, brand extensions, line extensions, alliances and acquisitions, and co-branding. It also outlines research insights on when brand dilution is likely to occur, and how to reduce or eliminate brand dilution. Finally, the chapter concludes with innovations in luxury brand growth strategies, with a call for research to understand the scope of these strategies that help luxury brands pursue long-term growth.
Weight loss following bariatric surgery decreases pericardial fat thickness lowering the risk of developing coronary artery disease

Abstract Background Pericardial fat has a local atherosclerotic effect and is associated with both metabolic syndrome (MetS) and coronary artery disease (CAD). Objectives The aim of this study is to report changes in pericardial fat thickness (PFT) after bariatric surgery, and to investigate its significance on the risk of developing coronary artery disease (CAD). Setting Academic institution. Methods We retrospectively measured the linear pericardial thickness from patients’ computed tomography (CT) scans within 5 years preoperatively and compared to any available CT scan within 5 years postoperatively. The PFT was measured at the right ventricular wall, perpendicular to the myocardium, at the level of the sternum. The risk of developing CAD was estimated by calculating the Framingham risk score (FRS). We divided the patients into 2 groups: laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG, Group 1), and laparoscopic gastric Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB, Group 2). Common demographic characteristics and co-morbidities were collected along with the preoperative and postoperative lipid profiles. Results A total of 113 patients met the inclusion criteria, with 64 (56.6%) patients in group 1 and 49 (43.3%) patients in group 2. Group 1 consisted of 83.6% (n = 53) female patients versus 75.5% (n = 37) in group 2. The percent excess body mass index loss (%EBMIL) at 12 months was 74.4 ± 35.8% for group 1 versus 67 ± 30.1% for group 2 (P = .292). Pericardial thickness before surgery was 5.6 ± 1.9 mm and 4.6 ± 1.6 mm after surgery (P = .0001). The risk of CAD in females was 9.1% before and 6.6% after surgery. We found statistically significant linear association between pericardial thickness after surgery and a lower risk of CAD (P = .001). Conclusion Bariatric surgery decreases the PFT lowering risk of developing CAD. Further studies may be needed to better assess these findings.
The Effect of Contract Framing on Budgetary Slack and Performance

We examine the effect of contract framing on subordinates’ propensity to create budgetary slack and subsequent performance. The contract is designed in economically equivalent penalty and bonus forms, with a reporting bonus (penalty) associated with reporting budgeted production accurately and a production bonus (penalty) associated with beating (not meeting) a budget target. By design, this contract creates a direct link between the budgeting component and the effort (performance) component. In such a setting, the effects of contract framing may lead to different behavioral responses than previously examined or predicted. We find that under bonus-framed contracts individuals create budgetary slack by underreporting their productive capabilities. Consistent with prospect theory, we find evidence that subordinates working under penalty-framed contracts over-report their capabilities. This reporting of optimistic slack is an interesting finding. The results suggest that under penalty-framed contracts subordinates are more likely to over-report their capabilities, whereas subordinates under bonus-framed contracts are more likely to under-report their capabilities. The findings demonstrate that penalty contracts impact how individuals report their capabilities, suggesting that penalty contracts may be more advantageous than bonus contracts in some settings.
Understanding the Victorian Unfeminine

My project traces concepts of the unfeminine from Wilkie Collins’s sensation novel The Woman in White (1860) to Victoria Cross’s New Woman fiction in Six Chapters of a Man’s Life (1903). Both texts feature female characters who defy Victorian standards of femininity. Marian Halcombe of The Woman in White is regarded as “ugly,” with “almost a moustache,” yet Walter Hartright (the narrator) admits to the “rare beauty of her form” when he meets her. Marian is also extremely intelligent, using her wits and courage to help protect her half-sister. The unnamed male narrator of “Theodora” from Six Chapters of a Man’s Life meets a similar female character (Theodora), who also has a mustache and looks “like a young fellow of nineteen.” Nonetheless, Theodora is highly educated, even advocating for sex for sex’s sake. Though Theodora is unconventional in her appearance and character, the narrator grows more attracted to her. In defiance of their conventionally unfeminine physical and mental characteristics, both women are regarded as striking by their male narrators. I examine these characters’ unfeminine appearance and heightened intelligence in combination with their radical desirability, suggesting that parallels between Marian and Theodora establish a firm connection between these two Victorian genres as they construct concepts of attraction and the “unfeminine” woman.
IR-Improved DGLAP Theory

We show that it is possible to improve the infrared aspects of the standard treatment of the DGLAP evolution theory to take into account a large class of higher order corrections that significantly improve the precision of the theory for any given level of fixed-order calculation of its respective kernels. We illustrate the size of the effects we resum using the moments of the parton distributions.
Performance Analysis of a Novel Receive Antenna Selection Strategy in AF MIMO Relay Networks

Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), antenna selection, cooperative networks are key components of modern wireless communication systems (5G and beyond). In this paper, I propose a new antenna selection strategy for MIMO relay networks with a half-duplex amplify-and-forward (AF) relay. In such systems, there are three different receive antennas: the receive antennas at the relay and the destination nodes in the first time slot and the receive antenna at the destination node in the second time slot. I distinguish between the receive antennas at the destination in the first and the second time slots to enhance the received signals from both the transmitter and the relay nodes. I also present the theoretical results for the outage probability of the proposed antenna selection strategy along with its closed-form expression for medium-to-high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). I compare the proposed methods in this paper with other similar strategies through simulations.
SERS-Based Ultrasensitive Lateral Flow Assay for Quantitative Sensing of Protein Biomarkers

The remarkable optical properties of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has prompted the design and fabrication of SERS nanoparticles as biosensing and imaging labels. Among a variety of biosensing assay platforms within the growing point of care technology (POCT) field, lateral flow assay (LFA) has gained significant attention because of their simplicity, low cost, and user-friendly assay protocols. Herein, we show the development and performance benchmarking of SERS-based LFA for rapid and quantitative sensing of two important biomarkers: hCG and cTnT. The results suggest the feasibility of this platform for POCT applications.
Why online personalized pricing is unfair

Online retailers are using advances in data collection and computing technologies to “personalize” prices, i.e., offer goods for sale to shoppers at their reservation prices, or the highest price they are willing to pay. In this paper, I offer a criticism of this practice. I begin by putting online personalized pricing in context. It is not something entirely new, but rather a kind of price discrimination, a familiar pricing practice. I then offer a fairness-based argument against it. When an online retailer personalizes prices, it competes unfairly for the social surplus created by a transaction. I defend this argument against objections, and offer a simple remedy: online retailers should either disclose that they are personalizing prices, or stop doing so.
Isatin-linked 4,4-dimethyl-5-methylene-4,5-dihydrothiazole-2-thiols for inhibition of acetylcholinesterase

A series of novel isatin-linked 4,4-dimethyl-5-methylene-4,5-dihydrothiazole-2-thiols (IT2Ts) 1a–1g were designed as acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors capable of interacting with both the catalytic active site (CAS) and peripheral anionic site (PAS) of the enzyme simultaneously. The target IT2Ts were prepared through a short synthesis in moderate yield. The most potent inhibitors of this series 1b and 1c (IC50 = 18.2 and 27.5 μM, respectively) outperformed rivastigmine and were comparable to galantamine, both clinically used AChE inhibitors. Furthermore, 1b displayed non-competitive inhibition patterns in kinetic studies, whereas molecular modeling predicted a simultaneous interaction with both the CAS and PAS. In silico methods predicted several promising drug-like characteristics of 1b. Taken together, these results indicate 1b warrants further investigation as a multitarget-directed ligand for AChE inhibition.
SOR: A Protocol for Requests Dissemination in Online Social Networks

Routing over online social networks (OSN) requires a new routing mechanism that can adhere to individual privacy needs. In this paper, we explore a social online routing protocol (SOR) that can find best paths for request dissemination, using friends’ network with privacy aware route messaging. We use an OMNeT++ simulator to study the proposed SOR at three cognoscenti’ levels over real social circles from Google+ to study their routing efficacy.
Performance Comparison of a fliCh7 Real-Time PCR Assay with an H7 Latex Agglutination Test for Confirmation of the H Type of Escherichia coli O157:H7†

Escherichia coli O157:H7 is a foodborne pathogen that causes hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome. Positive identification of E. coli O157:H7 is made using biochemical tests and specific antisera or latex agglutination reagents for the O157 and H7 antigens. However, under certain conditions, some E. coli O157:H7 isolates can appear to be nonreactive with H7 antisera and may require multiple passages on motility medium to restore H7 antigenicity. In this study, we compared the performance of a real-time PCR test with that of a method using latex agglutination reagents to detect the presence of the fliC(h7) gene or the H7 antigen, respectively, in E. coli O157:H7 isolates. One hundred twenty-six E. coli strains were tested including reference strains and strains isolated from meat. Lyophilized E. coli O157:H7 isolates were rehydrated and were plated on sheep blood agar without passage on motility medium. All strains were analyzed in parallel by a real-time PCR test targeting the fliC(h7) gene and by a latex agglutination test that detects the H7 antigen. The real-time PCR assay showed 100% agreement with the H7 status reported for reference strains and E. coli O157:H7 meat isolates. The latex agglutination test results agreed with the H7 status reported for the E. coli O157:H7 reference strains and non-O157:H7 strains, except for one, E. coli O117:H7; however, 42% (42 of 100) of the E. coli O157:H7 meat isolates tested negative for the H7 antigen by latex agglutination. The real-time fliC(h7) PCR test can be used to confirm E. coli O157:H7 strains that are not expressing the immunoreactive H7 antigen.
Electrochemistry of flavonoids: Relationships between redox potentials, inhibition of mitochondrial respiration, and production of oxygen radicals by flavonoids

We have investigated the redox behavior of a series of structurally related flavonoids employing cyclic voltammetry under physiological conditions. The flavonoids that auto-oxidized and produced oxygen radicals had oxidation potentials (E 1/2) significantly lower [-30 to +60 mV vs (SCE)] than those that did not undergo auto-oxidation (+130 to +340 mV vs SCE). The range of E 1/2 values for the auto-oxidizable flavonoids was comparable to the E 1/2 range reported for the optimum quinone induced production of superoxide (O2 pi) in mitochondrial NADH-CoQ reductase (complex I). The most potent flavonoid inhibitors of mitochondrial succinate-CoQ reductase (complex II) possessed hydroxyl configurations capable of supporting redox reactions. For a series of 3,5,7-trihydroxyflavones that differed by b-ring hydroxylation it was found that decreasing E 1/2 of the flavonoids was associated with decreasing I50 values towards succinoxidase. These findings suggest that the electrochemical properties of the flavonoids may contribute to their biological activity.
Selected Topics in Mathematics

THE HEART of the mathematical experience is, of course, mathematics itself. This is the material in the technical journals, monographs, and, if deemed sufficiently intersting and important, the material that is taught. Whilke it is not the purpose of this book to teach any portion of mathematics in a systematic way, it would be a serious omission if we did not expound a number of individual topics. We have selected six.
Diabetes attenuates urothelial modulation of detrusor contractility and spontaneous activity.

Objectives To investigate the effect of diabetes on urothelial modulation of bladder contractility. Methods Bladder strips (urothelium intact or denuded) were prepared from 8-week-old streptozotocin-induced diabetic (n = 19) and non-diabetic control rats (n = 10). The effect of modulators of MaxiK (iberiotoxin and tetraethylammonium) and Kv7 (XE991 and retigabine) potassium channel activity were investigated for their effects on both carbachol-induced force generation and spontaneous contractile activity. Results In bladder strips from non-diabetic animals, the presence of the urothelium resulted in marked sensitivity to carbachol-induced force generation by modulators of MaxiK and Kv7 channel activity, whereas in the diabetic animal urothelial sensitivity to these agents was significantly diminished. Urothelial-intact bladder strips from non-diabetic animals were more sensitive to modulators of Kv7 activity in reducing the amplitude of spontaneous phasic contractions than urothelial-denuded bladder strips, whereas in diabetic animals the presence or absence of the urothelium did not alter the sensitivity to modulators of Kv7 activity. Spontaneous activity in the presence of tetraethylammonium was not affected by the urothelium in bladder strips from either diabetic or non-diabetic animals. Conclusions The presence of the urothelium in bladders from non-diabetic animals modulates the activity of potassium blockers to affect bladder contractility, whereas in the diabetic bladder this effect is attenuated. These findings could help to explain the lack of success of pharmaceutical treatments targeting potassium channels to treat bladder pathology in patients with diseases imparing urothelial function.
Influence of polymer matrix crystallinity on nanocomposite morphology and properties

Abstract In order to understand more fully how polymer matrix attributes influence polymer nanocomposite properties, nanocomposites containing hydroxyapatite nanoparticles and a poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) matrix were prepared and compared to results for a chemically-similar nanocomposite system with a lesser degree of matrix crystallinity. Experimental results indicated that the higher degree of matrix crystallinity hinders nanoparticle dispersion at loadings above 0.5 wt.% and together these structural factors, high matrix crystallinity and nanoparticle aggregation, produced different mechanical reinforcement behavior below and above the glass transition temperature than has been seen previously in amorphous matrices or matrices with moderate crystallinity levels. Overall, these results suggested that the amorphous character of the polymer does not govern the properties at all crystallinity levels in polymer nanocomposite matrices.
"Big Jiffy": a More Sophisticated Factor Analysis and Rotation Program:

A program is described that answers the intermediate need for a computer procedure that can provide a reasonably sophisticated factor analysis for as many as 500 variables—a program to cover the vast majority of factor analytic requirements with nearly the same degree of ease as that afforded by use of the "little jiffy" programs.
Liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry utilizing ion-molecule reactions and collision-activated dissociation for the identification of N-oxide drug metabolites

Abstract A liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS 3 ) method based on ion-molecule reactions and collision-activated dissociation (CAD) is presented for the identification of analytes with the N-oxide functional group directly in mixtures. Tri(dimethylamino)borane (TDMAB) rapidly and selectively derivatizes protonated N-oxides in a modified commercial linear quadrupole ion trap (LQIT) mass spectrometer to yield a distinct product ion (adduct—(CH 3 ) 2 NH). The LQIT was outfitted with an external reagent-mixing manifold that allows TDMAB to be mixed with the helium buffer gas used in the trap. The derivatized analytes are readily identified on the basis of a shift of 98 Th (Thomson) relative to the m / z value of the protonated analyte. Further probing of the derivatized analytes via isolation followed by CAD can be used to confirm the presence of an N-oxide, and distinguish between aliphatic and aromatic tertiary N-oxides. Since the ion-molecule reaction is fast, these experiments can be accomplished on the same time scale as typical CAD-based MS n experiments, thus maintaining the duty cycle of the instrument for this type of experiment. To demonstrate real world applicability, the method was tested on real active pharmaceutical ingredients and their derivatives.
Beam shaping in laser resonators and coherent laser arrays: an overview and current state of the art

Coherent beam shaping can be performed inside laser resonators by filtering the amplitude or the phase of the circulating wave. Along with providing a designer-shaped output, these methods can improve laser performance by suppressing higher-order modes and extracting maximum gain. Under certain conditions, phase filtering is shown to improve modal discrimination by separating modes into bound (low-loss) modes and unbound (high-loss) modes. Mode shapes in resonator arrays are shown to depend on the architecture of the array. In some cases, these architectures can be designed to improve modal discrimination or increase the tolerance to resonator path-length errors.
Molecular weight of ethyl cellulose by dielectric dispersion of solutions in dioxane

The dielectric dispersion of dilute solutions of ethyl cellulose in dioxane was studied using a “differential” bridge method for the range from 200 cycles to 300 kilocycles. The frequency where the dispersion was 0.50 was recorded as the “critical” frequency. The critical frequency is related to the intrinsic viscosity of the samples as log 100[η] = 2.97 − 0.59 (vc). Since the determination of critical frequency is very rapid this method apparently is satisfactory for molecular weight determinations in the systems studied.
Fullerenes in Allende Meteorite

The detection of fullerenes in deposits from meteor impacts has led to renewed interest in the possibility that fullerenes are present in meteorites. Although fullerenes have not previously been detected in the Murchison and Allende meteorites, the Allende meteorite is known to contain several well-ordered graphite particles which are remarkably similar in size and appearance to the fullerene-related structures carbon onions and nanotubes. We report that fullerenes are in fact present in trace amounts in the Allende meteorite. In addition to fullerenes, we detected many polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the Allende meteorite, consistent with previous reports. In particular, we detected benzofluoranthene and corannulene (C20H10), five-membered ring structures which have been proposed as precursors to the formation of fullerene synthesis, perhaps within circumstellar envelopes or other sites in the interstellar medium.
Simplified Analysis Strategies for Fluid-Structure Interaction in High Speed Turbomachinery

High pressure seals are usually mounted between the rotating and stationary components in high-pressure turbomachinery and often experience intense vibration. These vibrations can interact with the fluid to produce unsteady flows, which can in turn induce structural vibrations that result in machine failure. The reduction of the adverse effects of these vibrations is considered one of the most challenging problems for turbopump design. However, detailed analyses of such fluid-structure interaction problems can be extremely time-consuming and inefficient. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the effectiveness of simplified, lumped-parameter techniques in analyzing and predicting such behavior, as compared to more sophisticated techniques, with the goal of defining the range of validity for such techniques. A fluid-structure driven vibration is evaluated using a lumped parameter analysis for a wide range of parametric configurations and the results are validated and compared using a bench-top laboratory test rig.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Multiple myeloma: evolving genetic events and host interactions

Multiple myeloma is a neoplasm of terminally differentiated B cells (plasma cells) in which chromosome translocations frequently place oncogenes under the control of immunoglobulin enhancers. Unlike most haematopoietic cancers, multiple myeloma often has complex chromosomal abnormalities that are reminiscent of epithelial tumours. What causes full-blown myeloma? And can our molecular understanding of this common haematological malignancy be used to develop effective preventive and treatment strategies?