cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Exact Three-Variable Solutions of the Field Equations of General Relativity.

In order to trace out with more understanding the consequences of general relativity it is advantageous to have exact solutions of Einstein's field equations which show more detail than the familiar solutions with their high symmetry. In the present investigation, based on the method of separation of variables, all solutions of the field equations for empty space have been found which (1) have the "linked pair" form ${g}_{\mathrm{ij}}=\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}{\ensuremath{\delta}}_{\mathrm{ij}}{{A}_{i}}^{2}({x}^{0}, {x}^{1}){{B}_{i}}^{2}({x}^{0}, {x}^{3})$, and which (2) are nondegenerate---so far as could be determined---in the sense that all the ${g}_{\mathrm{ij}}$ cannot be reduced to functions of only two variables. Other solutions have been obtained from the solutions of the above form by interchange of variables. Explicit expressions are given for all twenty nondegenerate solutions, all apparently new. Of degenerate solutions, ten are presented, not all of them new. All thirty solutions are examined with respect to possible physical and geometrical interpretations.
Transformed Social Interaction: Decoupling Representation from Behavior and Form in Collaborative Virtual Environments

Computer-mediated communication systems known as collaborative virtual environments (CVEs) allow geographically separated individuals to interact verbally and nonverbally in a shared virtual space in real time. We discuss a CVE-based research paradigm that transforms (i.e., filters and modifies) nonverbal behaviors during social interaction. Because the technology underlying CVEs allows a strategic decoupling of rendered behavior from the actual behavior of the interactants, conceptual and perceptual constraints inherent in face-to-face interaction need not apply. Decoupling algorithms can enhance or degrade facets of nonverbal behavior within CVEs, such that interactants can reap the benefits of nonverbal enhancement or suffer nonverbal degradation. Concepts underlying transformed social interaction (TSI), the ethics and implications of such a research paradigm, and data from a pilot study examining TSI are discussed.
Optimized NH/sub 3/ annealing Process for high-quality HfSiON gate oxide

Optimization of fabrication process in obtaining high-quality HfSiON gate-oxide metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) by NH/sub 3/ post-deposition anneal (PDA) has been performed. At 600/spl deg/C anneal temperature, a longer anneal duration resulted in reduced leakage current density (J), reduced trapped charges, and lower hysteresis in capacitance-voltage curves, but with a slight increase in effective oxide thickness (EOT). Subsequent interfacial layer growth with longer anneal duration was attributed to the increase in EOT. MOSFET, fabricated by the optimized process of 600/spl deg/C, 40 s NH/sub 3/ PDA, showed superior I/sub d/--V/sub d/ (drain current-drain voltage) and charge-trapping characteristics as compared to control Hf-Silicate.
Suppression of impairment due to intra-channel crosstalk using wavelength selective filter with broadband channel isolation

We quantitatively show suppression of intra-channel crosstalk using wavelength selective filter with broadband channel isolation, and confirm that 24 nodes can be used in a 50 GHz-spaced 44 Gbps transmission system with OSNR penalty of 0.5 dB.
Pancuronium, d-Tubocurarine, and Epinephrine-iriduced Arrhythmias during Halothane Anesthesia in Dogs

The authors studied the effects of pancuronium, 14--200 micrograms/kg, on epinephrine-induced arrhythmias (premature ventricular contractions) in dogs anesthetized with halothane, 1.4 MAC. Neither muscle relaxant significantly affected the arrhythmogenic dose of epinephrine. This finding indicates that the usual guidelines for the administration of epinephrine during halothane anesthesia are not affected by concomitant administration of the two nondepolarizing muscle relaxants studied.
Local β-Adrenergic Stimulation Overcomes Source-Sink Mismatch to Generate Focal Arrhythmia

Rationale: β-Adrenergic receptor stimulation produces sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca 2+ overload and delayed afterdepolarizations in isolated ventricular myocytes. How delayed afterdepolarizations are synchronized to overcome the source-sink mismatch and produce focal arrhythmia in the intact heart remains unknown. Objective: To determine whether local β-adrenergic receptor stimulation produces spatiotemporal synchronization of delayed afterdepolarizations and to examine the effects of tissue geometry and cell-cell coupling on the induction of focal arrhythmia. Methods and Results: Simultaneous optical mapping of transmembrane potential and Ca 2+ transients was performed in normal rabbit hearts during subepicardial injections (50 μL) of norepinephrine (NE) or control (normal Tyrode9s solution). Local NE produced premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) from the injection site that were dose-dependent (low-dose [30–60 μmol/L], 0.45±0.62 PVCs per injection; high-dose [125–250 μmol/L], 1.33±1.46 PVCs per injection; P 2+ delay at the initiation site and were inhibited by either sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca 2+ -ATPase inhibition or reduced perfusate [Ca 2+ ], which indicates a Ca 2+ -mediated mechanism. NE-induced PVCs were more common at right ventricular than at left ventricular sites (1.48±1.50 versus 0.55±0.89, P P 2+ -induced PVCs. Conclusions: These data provide the first experimental demonstration that localized β-adrenergic receptor stimulation produces spatiotemporal synchronization of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca 2+ overload and release in the intact heart and highlight the critical nature of source-sink balance in initiating focal arrhythmias.
Preventing parenteral nutrition liver disease

Parenteral nutrition liver disease (PNLD) develops in 40-60% of infants who require long-term PN for intestinal failure. The clinical spectrum includes hepatic steatosis, cholestasis, cholelithiasis, and hepatic fibrosis. Progression to biliary cirrhosis and the development of portal hypertension and liver failure occurs in a minority who require combined liver and intestinal transplantation. The pathogenesis is multifactorial and is related to prematurity, low birth weight, duration of PN, short bowel syndrome requiring multiple laparotomies and recurrent sepsis. Other important mechanisms include lack of enteral feeding which leads to reduced gut hormone secretion, reduction of bile flow and biliary stasis which leads to the development of cholestasis, biliary sludge and gallstones, which exacerbate hepatic dysfunction, especially in premature neonates with immature hepatic function. The use of lipid emulsions, particularly soy bean emulsions have been associated with hepatic cholestasis in children, although there are little data now to support toxicity from other PN components. Management strategies for the prevention of parenteral nutrition liver disease include consideration of early enteral feeding, a multidisciplinary approach to the management of parenteral nutrition with a specialized nutritional care team and aseptic catheter techniques to reduce sepsis. The use of specialized lipid emulsions such as fish oil emulsions and or SMOF (Soy bean/Medium Chain Triglyceride/Olive Oil/Fish oil) improves established cholestasis and may prevent the onset. Oral administration of ursodeoxycholic acid may improve bile flow and reduce gall bladder stasis, although there is little data to suggest that prophylactic use prevents the onset of PNLD. Survival following either isolated small bowel or combined liver and small bowel transplantation is approximately 50% at 5 years making this an acceptable therapeutic option in children with irreversible liver and intestinal failure.
Middleware und Realisierungsalternativen

Mit der Ausrichtung hin zu elektronischen Geschaftsbeziehungen steht die Automatisierung von Geschaftsprozessen im Vordergrund. Die Vision umfast nicht nur die nahtlose Integration firmeninterner Prozesse und Teilsysteme, sondern speziell auch die Kooperation uber Unternehmensgrenzen hinweg. Anwendungen im Bereich elektronisch realisierter Geschaftsprozesse sind gewohnlich recht komplex.
Analyzing animal movement patterns using potential functions

The advent of GPS technology has made it possible to study human-wildlife interactions on large landscapes and quantify behavioral responses to recreation and other anthropogenic disturbances at increasingly fine scales. Of particular interest are the potential impacts on habitat use patterns, energetics, and cascading impacts on fecundity and other life history traits for key wildlife species that are exposed to human activities. Statistical models quantifying effects of human activity on animal movement on a heterogeneous landscape are essential for understanding these potential impacts. Here we present a statistical framework for analyzing movement data that is based on the concept of a potential surface. The potential surface is motivated by the assumption that animals are moving on a space-time surface with regions or points of attraction or of repulsion. We demonstrate the use of the technique by analyzing movement data from a long-term controlled experiment to evaluate the responses of free ranging Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus elaphus) to anthropogenic disturbances that vary in time and space. Our results demonstrated a strong avoidance of elk to all-terrain vehicles detected up to one km from the disturbance. Elk avoidance of mountain bikers was detected up to 500 m, and avoidance of hikers and horseback riders was detected to 200 m.
AC coupled interconnect for dense 3-D ICs

This paper presents the potential application of AC coupled interconnect (ACCI) for dense three-dimensional (3-D) integrated circuits (ICs). The concept of inductive ACCI for 3-D ICs has been proposed. Combined with the "through vias" technology, inductive ACCI can provide small pitch vertical interconnects, as well as an excellent thermal solution for dense 3-D ICs. Transformer modeling and transceiver circuit design have also been investigated. Simulations predict that, for 20 /spl mu/m thinned die stacks coupled by a 100 /spl mu/m diameter transformer, the transceiver circuit fed with a 5 Gbps data stream consumes 14.5 mW power.
Application of a Digital Computer to the Zeeman Method in Atomic Spectroscopy

The existence of high speed computers with their large capacity memories makes feasible the concept of generating complete sets of derived data in the problem of spectrum classification. This possibility leads to a closer examination of the relative merits of the three types of generating operations as judged according to the probability of generating real data and according to the generated statistical noise level. Examination shows that the treatment of the observed data in terms of the concept of Zeeman tags is by far the most fruitful approach to be taken. A quantitative evaluation of the derived data is also given.A specific set of computer routines designed to do both the computational and bookkeeping operations of the Zeeman method on the Oracle is described.
Structural Precursors to Identity Processes The Role of Proximate Social Structures

This research investigates how participation in college-based science-training programs increases student intention to pursue a scientific career. Using identity theory, we delineate three levels of social structure and conceptualize science-training programs as proximate social structures. Results from a sample of 892 undergraduate science students are supportive of identity theory and indicate that participation in proximate social structures leads to increased commitment to a science identity, increased salience of a science identity, and increased intention to pursue a scientific career. This study contributes to the literature on identity theory by demonstrating how participation in proximate social structures can lead to subsequent identity processes, thus refining the understanding of how society shapes the self and clarifying how social positioning affects choices for behavior. Additionally, the conceptualization of proximate social structures provides an avenue for applications of identity theory...
Housing in the Third World

This brief introduction to the articles in this issue situates the topics being addressed in the context of questions raised by current analyses of and research on housing in less developed countri...
Diffusionless Phase Transformations in Zirconia and Hafnia

A study, by high-temperature diffractometry, of the monoclinic- tetragonal phase changes in pure ZrO/sub 2/ and HfO/sub 2/ disclosed that the hysteresis loops associated with the transformations have similar shapes that are typical of mamy martensitic phase changes, but that the widths of the loops differ greatly for the two materials, being about 200 deg C for zirconia amd only 20 to 30 deg C for hafnia. The temperature-induced transformations are predominantly athermal. The nature of these and similar transformations is discussed. The reversible formation of a cubic form of ZrO/sub 2/ above 2200 deg C was confirmed. (auth)
Computational aerodynamics of baseball, soccer ball and volleyball

Recent advances in the computing power of modern computers have made computational fluid dynamics studies particularly interesting and feasible. We used the computational fluid dynamics method to solve the physical governing equations of the air flow around balls of popular sports in typical game conditions and investigated their aerodynamics and the flight characteristics. The work presented here describes the construction of the computational fluid dynamics models for a baseball, volleyball and two soccer balls, and the use of these models to analyze the effects of spin rate, surface pattern, and size for their respective sports. The computational results show significant correlations between ball spin rate and the aerodynamics forces, including drag and lift, for soccer ball, baseball and volleyball. For the baseball, the lift and lateral forces are shown to have also been influenced by the lace orientation.
The Future of Work: What Does Online Community Have to Do with It?

Amidst constant innovation in information and communication technologies, a new pattern of work is emerging. Hierarchical authority structures are giving way to greater decision-making latitude for individuals and more flexible definitions of job activities. This new style of work presents a challenge to existing organizational forms. In this paper we investigate this concern by contrasting traditional organizational forms against groups that operate as online communities that are characterized by personal motivation and the satisfaction of making one's own decisions. We analyze the work of online communities by discussing three familiar examples. The analysis is guided by four complementary perspectives: economics, organizational structure, management, and knowledge management. We summarize the high-level results of our analysis as three design implications that might be useful for understanding the phenomena and guide the design of online community infrastructure for work activities
Development of a Microsimulation Analysis Tool for Paratransit Patron Accessibility in Small and Medium Communities

Paratransit is a critical form of transportation for mobility-impaired, low-income, and small and medium-sized communities. Paratransit systems face many challenges that restrict how well they can serve their communities, including limited funding, aging fleets, limited to no service standard assessments, and few practical modeling and planning practices. This paper discusses a transferable paratransit microsimulation analysis tool for patron accessibility designed to address these challenges. The tool calculates paratransit patron accessibility (defined as paratransit patrons' perceived ease of access to reach desired activities and destinations) by simulating and measuring daily paratransit patron travel patterns on the basis of service fleet and region information. The tool further allows providers to evaluate patron accessibility for any combination of population groups, travel purposes, and times of day. Transit providers can use the tool to determine how well paratransit patrons are served and the m...
Low-Cost, Thermistor Based Respiration Monitor

Respiration rate is a standard physiological measurement taken for monitoring a patient. Existing respiration monitors used in medical centers are too expensive to be used in low-resource environments. We have developed a low-cost respiratory monitor to address this issue. This device calculates a patient's breathing rate by detecting changes in temperature through a thermistor when the patient breathes in a mask. Features of the device include an alarm through a piezoelectric speaker which sounds when the patient stops breathing and a low-battery indicator signal for when the battery powering the device dips below a threshold voltage. The design and implementation involved several different hardware components, as well as software functions. Our initial prototype of our project accomplished our main objectives, and experimental measurements indicate that the device measures a person's respiration rate with relative accuracy.
Strength and failure of a damaged material

Under complex, dynamic loading conditions, damage can occur within a material. Should this damage not lead to catastrophic failure, the material can continue to sustain further loading. However, little is understood about how to represent the mechanical response of a material that has experienced dynamic loading leading to incipient damage. Here, this effect is examined in copper. Copper is shock loaded to impart an incipient state of damage to the material. Thereafter compression and tensile specimens were sectioned from the dynamically damaged specimen to quantify the subsequent properties of the material in the region of intense incipient damage and in regions far from the damage. It is observed that enhanced yield stresses result from the damaged material even over material, which has simply been shock loaded and not damaged. These results are rationalized in terms of stored plastic work due to the damage process.
Alpha-synuclein Toxicity in the Early Secretory Pathway: How It Drives Neurodegeneration in Parkinsons Disease

Alpha-synuclein is a predominant player in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's Disease. However, despite extensive study for two decades, its physiological and pathological mechanisms remain poorly understood. Alpha-synuclein forms a perplexing web of interactions with lipids, trafficking machinery, and other regulatory factors. One emerging consensus is that synaptic vesicles are likely the functional site for alpha-synuclein, where it appears to facilitate vesicle docking and fusion. On the other hand, the dysfunctions of alpha-synuclein are more dispersed and numerous; when mutated or over-expressed, alpha-synuclein affects several membrane trafficking and stress pathways, including exocytosis, ER-to-Golgi transport, ER stress, Golgi homeostasis, endocytosis, autophagy, oxidative stress, and others. Here we examine recent developments in alpha-synuclein's toxicity in the early secretory pathway placed in the context of emerging themes from other affected pathways to help illuminate its underlying pathogenic mechanisms in neurodegeneration.
A comparison of two methods for earthquake source inversion using strong motion seismograms

In this paper we compare two time-domain inversion methods that have been widely applied to the problem of modeling earthquake rupture using strong-motion seismograms. In the multi-window method, each point on the fault is allowed to rupture multiple times. This allows flexibility in the rupture time and hence the rupture velocity. Variations in the slip-velocity function are accommodated by variations in the slip amplitude in each time-window. The single-window method assumes that each point on the fault ruptures only once, when the rupture front passes. Variations in slip amplitude are allowed and variations in rupture velocity are accommodated by allowing the rupture time to vary. Because the multi-window method allows greater flexibility, it has the potential to describe a wider range of faulting behavior; however, with this increased flexibility comes an increase in the degrees of freedom and the solutions are comparatively less stable. We demonstrate this effect using synthetic data for a test model of the Mw 7.3 1992 Landers, California earthquake, and then apply both inversion methods to the actual recordings. The two approaches yield similar fits to the strong-motion data with different seismic moments indicating that the moment is not well constrained by strong-motion data alone. The slip amplitude distribution is similar using either approach, but important differences exist in the rupture propagation models. The single-window method does a better job of recovering the true seismic moment and the average rupture velocity. The multi-window method is preferable when rise time is strongly variable, but tends to overestimate the seismic moment. Both methods work well when the rise time is constant or short compared to the periods modeled. Neither approach can recover the temporal details of rupture propagation unless the distribution of slip amplitude is constrained by independent data.
Preparation of InN and InN-Based Heterostructures by Molecular Beam Epitaxy

InN is an important III-V compound semiconductor with many potential microelectronic and optoelectronic applications. In this study, we prepared epitaxial InN on (0001) sapphire with an AlN buffer layer by molecular beam epitaxy, and its variation, migration enhanced epitaxy. A series of samples were grown with different substrate temperatures ranging from 360°C to 590°C. The optimum growth temperature for InN was found to be between 450°C and 500°C. We also found that thicker AlN buffer layers result in the best InN quality. With increasing thickness of an AlN buffer layer, the Hall electron mobility of InN increases while the carrier concentration decreases. The surface morphology is also improved this way. Hall mobility greater than 800 cm2/Vs with carrier concentration 2-3×1018 cm−3 at room temperature can be routinely obtained for ∼0.1[.proportional]m thick InN films. Various InN-based heterostructures with AlInN or AlN barrier were fabricated. X-ray diffraction study clearly shows the barrier and InN layers. A 2-dimensional electron gas resulting from polarization induced electrons was observed in capacitance-voltage measurements. Some results on Mg doping of InN will be discussed as well.
Colonoscopy bowel preparation quality improvement for patients with decompensated cirrhosis undergoing evaluation for liver transplantation.

Background/aims Inadequate bowel preparations can necessitate early repeat of colonoscopy and increased healthcare costs. Established risk factors for suboptimal bowel preparation are known, yet data are lacking in the specific subgroup of patients with decompensated cirrhosis. The primary aim of this study was to reduce inadequate bowel preparation rates in patients with decompensated cirrhosis undergoing evaluation for liver transplant via a quality improvement initiative targeting patient education. Methods A total of 121 patients undergoing evaluation at our institution prior to implementation of the quality improvement initiative and 91 patients undergoing evaluation after implementation were included. The initiative was an educational intervention via a 6-minute colonoscopy and split-prep bowel preparation educational video during the initial liver transplantation evaluation visit for all patients with scheduled colonoscopy. Results Inadequate bowel preparation was observed in 36 patients (29.8%) in the pre-intervention period compared to 29 patients (31.9%) in the post-intervention period. This corresponded to a lack of a significant difference in both single-variable analysis and multivariable analysis. Of note, there was a significantly higher rate of inadequate bowel preparation as ascites worsened (P=.028). Conclusion Patient educational video failed to improve bowel preparations in patients undergoing colonoscopy with decompensated cirrhosis.
Statistical Inference in Random Coefficient Regression Models Using Panel Data

In this chapter we modify Rao’s statistical theory to suit our study of non-experimental situations. We restrict ourselves to situations where we have panel data. We specify a regression equation with coefficients random across units but coming from the same multivariate distribution. We develop an estimation procedure which produces at least asymptotically efficient estimators of the parameters of the model.
Species-specific supercoil dynamics of the bacterial nucleoid.

Bacteria organize DNA into self-adherent conglomerates called nucleoids that are replicated, transcribed, and partitioned within the cytoplasm during growth and cell division. Three classes of proteins help condense nucleoids: (1) DNA gyrase generates diffusible negative supercoils that help compact DNA into a dynamic interwound and multiply branched structure; (2) RNA polymerase and abundant small basic nucleoid-associated proteins (NAPs) create constrained supercoils by binding, bending, and forming cooperative protein–DNA complexes; (3) a multi-protein DNA condensin organizes chromosome structure to assist sister chromosome segregation after replication. Most bacteria have four topoisomerases that participate in DNA dynamics during replication and transcription. Gyrase and topoisomerase I (Topo I) are intimately involved in transcription; Topo III and Topo IV play critical roles in decatenating and unknotting DNA during and immediately after replication. RNA polymerase generates positive (+) supercoils downstream and negative (−) supercoils upstream of highly transcribed operons. Supercoil levels vary under fast versus slow growth conditions, but what surprises many investigators is that it also varies significantly between different bacterial species. The MukFEB condensin is dispensable in the high supercoil density (σ) organism Escherichia coli but is essential in Salmonella spp. which has 15 % fewer supercoils. These observations raise two questions: (1) How do different species regulate supercoil density? (2) Why do closely related species evolve different optimal supercoil levels? Control of supercoil density in E. coli and Salmonella is largely determined by differences encoded within the gyrase subunits. Supercoil differences may arise to minimalize toxicity of mobile DNA elements in the genome.
Market-Based Pedagogies

The LEAP, to which Michael refers, is the statewide Louisiana Educational Assessment Program and his claim that their students had “the most growth,” means that their scores on a recent assessment created by the EMPOWER charter management organization (CMO) increased more than the scores at the other eight schools within their network.
Myth, Mystery and the Unanswered Questions

We turn now from the fruits of religion in human life and history to the belief-systems of the different traditions. Here much depends upon what we regard as the epistemological status and function of these beliefs. In this connection we need, I believe, not only a doctrine of religious knowledge but also a doctrine of religious ignorance.
A meta-analysis of the relationship between symptom severity of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and executive function.

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Some studies of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) find executive dysfunction, whereas others do not. We meta-analytically examined the association between executive function and PTSD and used meta-regression to examine the potential moderating effect of PTSD severity on executive function.Methods: We conducted a meta-analysis according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. We identified published peer-reviewed articles containing measures of executive function and PTSD symptom severity in subjects with PTSD compared to trauma-unexposed controls or trauma-exposed controls without PTSD, or both. We calculated an effect size for each study containing at least one measure of executive function and PTSD symptom severity.Results: PTSD subjects for whom the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) score was available had worse executive function compared to both trauma-unexposed controls (g = 0.464, p < .001) and to trauma-exposed controls with...
Drug-drug interactions in patients receiving tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

RationaleTyrosine kinase inhibitors are increasingly used in the treatment of cancer. Drug interactions involving tyrosine kinase inhibitors are commonly encountered in clinical practice. The objec...
Whither Personal Communications

Concern is expressed that ideas and designs abound for personal communications systems (PCS) and equipment, but there is no comprehensive long range plan for a world-wide personal communications architecture. Before arguing about different modulation techniques, security codes, satellite designs, etc. we must realize that the Cheshire Cat was correct-ifwe don’t know where we are going, it doesn’t make much difference which way we go. Now is the time for U.S. academia, government, and industry to unite and develop an integrated PCS architecture that can support government, military (especially tactical communications), and civilian requirements; and focus our energies in the direction of this architecture. If we do not unite our efforts we are going to see personal communications of the future follow the television treceiver, camcorder, tape recorder, children’s electronic toys, etc., overseas. This paper discusses the requirements and limitations of a long range plan for a personal communications system ten to twenty years hence and provides a strategy for the U.S. to maintain the lead in striving toward this goal. This strategy includes cooperation between system and equipment developers, interested technical societies and standards committees, and the US. government (including the FCC and military planners) to develop standards for wireless personal communications in the context of the public switched telephone system.
Some inequalities involving Hadamard-type k-fractional integral operators

In this paper, our main aim is to establish some new fractional integral inequalities involving Hadamard-type k-fractional integral operators recently given by Mubeen et al. Furthermore, the paper discusses some of their relevance with known results. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Low pH Enhances Rooting of Stem Cuttings of Rhododendron in Subirrigation

Abstract Semi-hardwood terminal stem cuttings of Rhododendron L. ‘P.J.M.’, R. ‘Catawbiense Album’ and R. ‘Purple Gem’ were treated with a solution of 0.1% indolebutyric acid and 0.5% napthaleneacetic acid and inserted into perlite for rooting under subirrigation, without overhead mist, at solution pH of 4.5 or 7.5. All cultivars rooted in higher percentages and produced larger root balls at pH 4.5 than at pH 7.5. A second study with softwood stem cuttings of R. ‘P.J.M.’ and both softwood and semi-hardwood stem cuttings of R. ‘Purple Gem’ confirmed these findings and included an additional subirrigation treatment, a sphagnum peat slurry, pH 4.1, which produced nearly identical results to the pH 4.5 treatment.
Deep Learning for Computer Architects

Machine learning, and specifically deep learning, has been hugely disruptive in many fields of computer science. The success of deep learning techniques in solving notoriously difficult classification and regression problems has resulted in their rapid adoption in solving real-world problems. The emergence of deep learning is widely attributed to a virtuous cycle whereby fundamental advancements in training deeper models were enabled by the availability of massive datasets and high-performance computer hardware. This text serves as a primer for computer architects in a new and rapidly evolving field. We review how machine learning has evolved since its inception in the 1960s and track the key developments leading up to the emergence of the powerful deep learning techniques that emerged in the last decade. Next we review representative workloads, including the most commonly used datasets and seminal networks across a variety of domains. In addition to discussing the workloads themselves, we also detail the most popular deep learning tools and show how aspiring practitioners can use the tools with the workloads to characterize and optimize DNNs. The remainder of the book is dedicated to the design and optimization of hardware and architectures for machine learning. As high-performance hardware was so instrumental in the success of machine learning becoming a practical solution, this chapter recounts a variety of optimizations proposed recently to further improve future designs. Finally, we present a review of recent research published in the area as well as a taxonomy to help readers understand how various contributions fall in context.
Case of a Girl with Condom Failure

Indications for use of emergency contraception include unprotected vaginal intercourse as well as missed doses of regular hormonal contraception. Hormonal emergency contraception is most effective when used within the first 24 h after unprotected intercourse. It can, however, be used within 120 h of unprotected intercourse to reduce the risk of pregnancy. Emergency contraception which may be recommended includes the FDA-approved levonorgestrel and ulipristal acetate, off-label use of combination oral contraceptives (“Yuzpe” method), or insertion of a copper IUD. The progestin-only regimens of emergency contraception contain levonorgestrel. The one-step formulation, now used, is 1.5 mg at once. The best option for women with a BMI of over 35—the copper intrauterine device—is the most effective emergency contraception and can be placed up to 120 h after unprotected intercourse and is 99.9% effective. The only true contraindication to emergency contraception in any form is known pregnancy.
The Metacognitive Disambiguation Effect.

ABSTRACTFrom an early age, children show a tendency to map novel labels onto unfamiliar rather than familiar kinds of objects. Accounts of this tendency have not addressed whether children develop ...
The Play in the Joints of the Election Clauses

The Constitution delegates election administration to both the federal government and the state governments. But delineating the boundary between these sovereigns has not been a particularly easy task. The Supreme Court has not been inclined to offer precision regarding the proper scope of authority. This essay examines risk of overlapping roles in the Election Clauses among legislatures and executive officials, as litigation over those proper roles looms. It highlights the uncertainty in two recent Supreme Court opinions, Arizona v. Inter Tribal Council of Arizona and Shelby County v. Holder, and notes that the Court's jurisprudence has left considerable "play in the joints," not necessarily because the Election Clauses are in tension, but because of its unwillingness to explain how matters like voter identification and registration should probably be allocated. It identifies some initial solutions for categorizing certain types of election laws, and emphasizes the deep uncertainty in the existing jurisprudence.A version of this essay was presented on a panel at the Section on Legislation and the Law of the Political Process at the American Association of Law Schools Annual Meeting in 2014.
On the distribution of extended CIR model

Abstract We study the probability distribution of the interest rate in the extended Cox–Ingersoll–Ross model, where all the parameters are time-varying. We show that the distribution can be represented as that of a convergent series of weighted independent central and noncentral chi-square random variables. Simulation algorithms and their applications to finance have been discussed.
Medication Use and Polypharmacy in Older Adults

Urinary system problems related to voiding are very common in older adults. Urinary incontinence is the most common complaint and most troublesome to manage in the older adult. Identifying the type of incontinence is the first step to approaching treatment or management. The symptom of urinary frequency is also problematic particularly when the older adult has limitations in mobility or cognitive deficits. These issues and concerns are often precipitated or exacerbated by common medications that are prescribed by physicians. The purpose of this chapter is to highlight the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic changes that occur with aging, describe the impact of polypharmacy on bladder dysfunction, define the prescribing cascade and its impact on urinary symptoms, and identify the therapeutic classes of medications that can be the most problematic for bladder and voiding problems in the older adult.
Time Reversal of Solutions of Equations Driven by Lévy Processes

Time reversal of solutions of stochastic differential equations driven by Levy processes is shown under suitable hypotheses. Possible weakening of the sufficient conditions for time reversal is briefly discussed.
Coherent Reflection and Transmission by a Randomly Cracked Elastic Slab

The detection of distributed microcracks in metals and of multiple fractures in hydrocarbon reservoirs is of primary importance in the aircraft and oil industries. Often elastic wave methods are used, and detection relies on the choice of an appropriate data processing and interpretation technique.
Reactivity of heterogeneous surfaces: Modeling precursor–surface interaction using absorbing Markov chains

Heterogeneous reactive surfaces involving a spatial distribution of reactive sites are ubiquitous in thin film growth, from defect nucleation to step flow growth. In this work, the interaction of gas phase species with heterogeneous reactive surfaces was explored using a model combining absorbing Markov chains and local balance equations. Through this model, single particle statistics can be extracted of the adsorption–diffusion–desorption/reaction process even beyond the transport-limited regime, where the surface coverage of adsorbates, and hence adsorbate–adsorbate interaction, is not negligible, and local rates can be connected with macroscopic quantities, such as the sticking probability and desorption rates. In the transport-limited regime, a similarity law was identified for the sticking probability for both step flow growth and nucleation on randomly distributed reactive sites in which the sticking probability is a function of the product of the local diffusion and reaction probabilities. Finally, the model can be applied to extract local reactivity maps providing the probability that a particle adsorbing on a given site reacts with the surface. This allows one to explore the development of capture zones and the impact of site-blocking and desorption on the local sticking probabilities.Heterogeneous reactive surfaces involving a spatial distribution of reactive sites are ubiquitous in thin film growth, from defect nucleation to step flow growth. In this work, the interaction of gas phase species with heterogeneous reactive surfaces was explored using a model combining absorbing Markov chains and local balance equations. Through this model, single particle statistics can be extracted of the adsorption–diffusion–desorption/reaction process even beyond the transport-limited regime, where the surface coverage of adsorbates, and hence adsorbate–adsorbate interaction, is not negligible, and local rates can be connected with macroscopic quantities, such as the sticking probability and desorption rates. In the transport-limited regime, a similarity law was identified for the sticking probability for both step flow growth and nucleation on randomly distributed reactive sites in which the sticking probability is a function of the product of the local diffusion and reaction probabilities. Finally,...
Analog Signal Modulation Using an All-Polymer Ring Resonator Modulator

Electro-optic ring resonator modulators (RRMs) are designed and fabricated on an all-polymer platform. A fabrication technique is developed for all-polymer electro-optic modulators based on commercially available polymer materials. Fabricated RRMs are characterized showing Q-factor of ∼44000 and electro-optic coefficient of ∼89 pm/V. Targeting RRM implementations in RF photonic links the nonlinearity of analog signal modulation is characterized in fabricated RRM presenting suppression of second and third harmonics at specific modulation points of the Lorentzian transfer function as predicted by theoretical studies. The third harmonic distortion is suppressed by ∼37 dB, while the fundamental signal decreases by ∼4 dB from maximum modulation index operational point showing the unique capability of RRMs in enhancing microwave photonic links spur-free dynamic ranges in terms of third-order intermodulation distortion.
Nation-State and War

Conscription transformed how wars are fought, making possible far larger armies and bloodier conflicts. Conscription also changed the relationship of citizens to their nation, allowing soldiers and their families to claim civil rights and social benefits and to demand that their sacrifices be recognized and honored, transforming how war dead are memorialized. The history of conscription, which began with the American and French Revolutions, is now ending in the West, with consequences for how wars currently are fought.
Prestroke proteomic changes in cerebral microvessels in stroke-prone, transgenic[hCETP]-Hyperlipidemic, Dahl salt-sensitive hypertensive rats.

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States with high rates of morbidity among survivors. The search to fill the unequivocal need for new therapeutic approaches would benefit from unbiased proteomic analyses of animal models of spontaneous stroke in the prestroke stage. Since brain microvessels play key roles in neurovascular coupling, we investigated prestroke microvascular proteome changes. Proteomic analysis of cerebral cortical microvessels (cMVs) was done by tandem mass spectrometry comparing two prestroke time points. Metaprotein-pathway analyses of proteomic spectral count data were done to identify risk factor-induced changes, followed by QSPEC-analyses of individual protein changes associated with increased stroke susceptibility. We report 26 cMV proteome profiles from male and female stroke-prone and non-stroke-prone rats at 2 months and 4.5 months of age prior to overt stroke events. We identified 1,934 proteins by two or more peptides. Metaprotein pathway analysis detected age-associated changes in energy metabolism and cell-to-microenvironment interactions, as well as sex-specific changes in energy metabolism and endothelial leukocyte transmigration pathways. Stroke susceptibility was associated independently with multiple protein changes associated with ischemia, angiogenesis or involved in blood brain barrier (BBB) integrity. Immunohistochemical analysis confirmed aquaporin-4 and laminin-αl induction in cMVs, representative of proteomic changes with >65 Bayes factor (BF), associated with stroke susceptibility. Altogether, proteomic analysis demonstrates significant molecular changes in ischemic cerebral microvasculature in the prestroke stage, which could contribute to the observed model phenotype of microhemorrhages and postischemic hemorrhagic transformation. These pathways comprise putative targets for translational research of much needed novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for stroke.
Check-Wait-Pounce: Increasing Transactional Data Structure Throughput by Delaying Transactions

Transactional data structures allow data structures to support transactional execution, in which a sequence of operations appears to execute atomically. We consider a paradigm in which a transaction commits its changes to the data structure only if all of its operations succeed; if one operation fails, then the transaction aborts. In this work, we introduce an optimization technique called Check-Wait-Pounce that increases performance by avoiding aborts that occur due to failed operations. Check-Wait-Pounce improves upon existing methodologies by delaying the execution of transactions until they are expected to succeed, using a thread-unsafe representation of the data structure as a heuristic. Our evaluation reveals that Check-Wait-Pounce reduces the number of aborts by an average of 49.0%. Because of this reduction in aborts, the tested transactional linked lists achieve average gains in throughput of 2.5x, while some achieve gains as high as 4x.
Simulating the uncertain environmental impact of freight truck shifting programs

Abstract Shifting freight from regular hours to nighttime has been widely used to relieve traffic congestion and reduce diesel emissions. However, there are also several cities that restrict trucks from operating at night to meet the noise regulation. Uncertainty exists in terms of the environmental impact of these truck shifting programs. On one hand, shifting trucks from peak hours can reduce the total emissions by easing congestion, while the impact of moving truck emissions to nighttime will be interacted with more stable atmospheric boundary layer and lower mixing height, increasing the nighttime concentration. On the other hand, shifting trucks from the night to day avoids the emissions with a stable atmosphere at night, while worsening traffic condition at daytime, and hence increasing the total emissions. The research presents a realistic case study and explores a comparative analysis of PM2.5 concentration originated from a hypothetical freeway corridor and concentrated at a hospital located at 200-m far away from the corridor by implementing four truck strategies applied under various scenarios with traffic demands and heavy-duty trucks (HDTs) proportions. Two meteorological conditions are also considered, with one representing coast region and unstable atmospheric boundary layer, and thus good dispersion condition, and one inland region with a relatively stable atmospheric condition and bad dispersion condition. The results indicate that shifting trucks from peak-period to off-peak period is effective to reduce both emissions and 24-hr average concentrations in scenarios of high traffic demands and high truck proportions, in which the peak period traffic is congested and thus the benefits of reducing congestion and resultant emissions are quite large by altering freight trucks from peak period. It is also observed in the scenarios with lower-traffic demand where the traffic congestion is less severe (in this case, the throughput is less than 75,000 vehicles per day on a three-lane freeway segment, and average speed is higher than 60 km/h), although shifting truck from night to day increase emissions by adding the shifted traffic demand at peak period, it decreases the average concentration by avoiding nighttime emissions. Such a benefit will be further amplified in the meteorological condition of low mixing height at night. Shifting trucks from daytime to nighttime is found to be the strategy that contributes to the highest average PM2.5 concentration, although sometimes the total emissions are minimized.