cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
D-Goldilocks: Automatic Redistribution of Remote Functionalities for Performance and Efficiency

Distributed applications enhance their execution by using remote resources. However, distributed execution incurs communication, synchronization, fault-handling, and security overheads. If these overheads are not offset by the yet larger execution enhancement, distribution becomes counterproductive. For maximum benefits, the distribution's granularity cannot be too fine or too crude; it must be just right. In this paper, we present a novel approach to re-architecting distributed applications, whose distribution granularity has turned ill-conceived. To adjust the distribution of such applications, our approach automatically reshapes their remote invocations to reduce aggregate latency and resource consumption. To that end, our approach insources a remote functionality for local execution, splits it into separate functions to profile their performance, and determines the optimal redistribution based on a cost function. Redistribution strategies combine separate functions into single remotely invocable units. To automate all the required program transformations, our approach introduces a series of domain-specific automatic refactorings. We have concretely realized our approach as an analysis and automatic program transformation infrastructure for the important domain of full-stack JavaScript applications, and evaluated its value, utility, and performance on a series of real-world cross-platform mobile apps. Our evaluation results indicate that our approach can become a useful tool for software developers charged with the challenges of re-architecting distributed applications.
Age-dependent involvement of gut mast cells and histamine in post-stroke inflammation

Risk of stroke-related morbidity and mortality increases significantly with age. Aging is associated with chronic, low-grade inflammation, which is thought to contribute to the poorer outcomes after stroke seen in the elderly. Histamine (HA) is a major molecular mediator of inflammation, and mast cells residing in the gut are a primary source of histamine. Stroke was induced in male C57BL/6 J mice at 3 months (young) and 20 months (aged) of age. Role of histamine after stroke was examined using young (Yg) and aged (Ag) mice; mice underwent MCAO surgery and were euthanized at 6 h, 24 h, and 7 days post-ischemia; sham mice received the same surgery but no MCAO. In this work, we evaluated whether worsened outcomes after experimental stroke in aged mice were associated with age-related changes in mast cells, histamine levels, and histamine receptor expression in the gut, brain, and plasma. We found increased numbers of mast cells in the gut and the brain with aging. Using the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model of ischemic stroke, we demonstrate that stroke leads to increased numbers of gut mast cells and gut histamine receptor expression levels. These gut-centric changes are associated with elevated levels of HA and other pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-6, G-CSF, TNF-α, and IFN-γ in the peripheral circulation. Our data also shows that post-stroke gut inflammation led to a significant reduction of mucin-producing goblet cells and a loss of gut barrier integrity. Lastly, gut inflammation after stroke is associated with changes in the composition of the gut microbiota as early as 24-h post-stroke. An important theme emerging from our results is that acute inflammatory events following ischemic insults in the brain persist longer in the aged mice when compared to younger animals. Taken together, our findings implicate mast cell activation and histamine signaling as a part of peripheral inflammatory response after ischemic stroke, which are profound in aged animals. Interfering with histamine signaling orally might provide translational value to improve stroke outcome.
Clinical analysis of methylmalonic acidmia in 26 cases and literatare review

Objective To explore the clinical characteristics and treatment of methylmalonic acidemia(MMA) in order to improve our understanding of it.Methods We analyzed the clinical manifestations,laboratory examinations and treatments of 26 cases of methylmalonic acidemia in children.Results Twenty-four cases were involved in nervous system.Nine patients were involved in renal system.Eight cases of hematological involved.Liver enzyme elevated in 2 cases as well as the cardiac system were involved in 3 cases.One case was with pneumonia onset.The laboratory findings showed metabolic acidosis in 12 cases,hyperhomocysteinemia in 8 cases and remarkable elevation of urinary methylmalonic acid concentration in all cases.Some abnormalities in globus pallidus and cerebral white matter as well as diffuse cerebral atrophy were noted by the brain CT and MRI in 15 cases.Sixteen children have received therapy of vitamin B12,and supplementation of L-carnitine with restricted-protein diet.The follow-up for a period ranging from 3 months to 1.5 years( mean 8.5 months) of 15 cases with medical therapy showed a favorable outcome of nervous system improvement in 12 cases,however,2 patients died from severe metabolic acidosis.8 patients with renal involvement were normal in urine routine and renal function.Conclusion Methylmalonic acidemia has different clinical features,so early urine organic acids analysis by GC/MS method is essential Long-term and reasonable treatment after diagnosis is an effective way to improve the prognosis. Key words: Methylmalonic acid; Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry; Vitamin B12
Elasto-morphology of P3HT:PCBM bulk heterojunction organic solar cells

Predicting the mechanical properties of organic semiconductors is important when using these materials in flexible electronics applications. For instance, knowledge of the mechanical and thermal stability of thin film organic solar cells (OSCs) is critical for the roll-to-roll production of photovoltaic devices and their use under various operating conditions. Here, we examine the thermal and elasto-mechanical properties of the conjugated donor polymer poly-(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and the interpenetrating mixtures of P3HT and phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl (PCBM) ester bulk heterojunction (BHJ) active layers under the application of unidirectional tensile deformation using coarse-grained molecular dynamics (CGMD) simulations. The predictions are validated against previous experimental reports as well as with earlier modeling results derived using different intermolecular force fields. Our results reveal that PCBM molecules behave as anti-plasticizers when mixed with P3HT and tend to increase the tensile modulus and glass transition temperature, while decreasing the crack-onset strain relative to pure P3HT. The variations in the mechanical properties with the composition of the BHJ active layer suggest that, in the presence of small oligomers as additives in the BHJ, the P3HT:PCBM mixture resists the anti-plasticizing effect of PCBM molecules due to the low tensile modulus of the short polymer chains.
Origins of Batch-to-Batch Variation: Organoindium Reagents from Indium Metal.

Yields of organoindium reagents synthesized from indium metal were previously reported to be highly dependent on metal batch and supplier due to the presence or absence of anticaking agent. Here, s...
Obituary for Roberto J. Groszmann-The Father of Portal Hypertension.

After a year of fellowship in liver disease with Dr. Zimmerman at the Boston VA Hospital (1968-1969) he returned to Washington as a Research Fellow and Instructor in Medicine, Georgetown University, to work with Dr. Cohn (1969-1971). Dr. Cohn was a cardiologist, who was interested in systemic hemodynamics. It is here that Dr. Groszmann recognized that hemodynamic alterations were fundmental to the pathogenesis of cirrhosis. These seminal observations that the splanchnic circulation was hyperdynamic, rather than congestive, gave rise to his paradigm changing publications and set the ground work for subsequenet use of beta-blockers and splanchnic vasoconstrictor therapy leading to his becoming the father of the syndrome of Portal Hypertension (PH).
An adaptive Gaussian mixture method for nonlinear uncertainty propagation in neural networks

Abstract Using neural networks to address data-driven problems often entails dealing with uncertainties. However, the propagation of uncertainty through a network’s nonlinear layers is usually a bottleneck, since the existing techniques designed to transmit Gaussian distributions via moment estimation are not capable of predicting non-Gaussian distributions. In this study, a Gaussian-mixture-based uncertainty propagation scheme is proposed for neural networks. Given that any input uncertainty can be characterized as a Gaussian mixture with a finite number of components, the developed scheme actively examines each mixture component and adaptively split those whose fidelity in representing uncertainty is deteriorated by the network’s nonlinear activation layers. A Kullback–Leibler criterion that directly measures the nonlinearity-induced non-Gaussianity in post-activation distributions is derived to trigger splitting and a set of high-precision Gaussian splitting libraries is established. Four uncertainty propagation examples on dynamic systems and data-driven applications are demonstrated, in all of which the developed scheme exhibited exemplary fidelity and efficiency in predicting the evolution of non-Gaussian distributions through both recurrent and multi-layer neural networks.
Does the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Correlate to Legacy Scores in Measuring Physical Health in Young Total Hip Arthroplasty Patients?

Abstract Background The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) was developed by the National Institutes of Health to collect outcome data in rapid dynamic fashion on electronic platforms. The potential role of PROMIS in monitoring pain and function in young total hip arthroplasty (THA) patients has been under-investigated. The purpose of this study is to investigate correlation between PROMIS Physical Function (PF) and PROMIS Pain Interference (PI) and legacy scores with similar considerations. Methods We identified 298 hips who underwent primary THA over 40 months. Patients without preoperative PROMIS or legacy scores, or >50 years were excluded. Demographic data included age, gender, and body mass index. Outcome data included PF, PI, modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), Western Ontario and McMasters Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) domains, and Short Form 12 components. Floor/ceiling effects were considered to be significant if ≥15% of patients responded with the lowest or highest possible score. Spearman correlation (R) was performed to investigate correlation between legacy scores and PROMIS domains. Results Mean age was 40 years, mean body mass index was 30.1 kg/m2, and 55% were female. None of the patient-reported outcome measures showed any floor/ceiling effects. PI showed moderate correlation to mHHS (R = −0.60), WOMAC Pain (R = −0.62), and WOMAC PF (R = −0.60). PF showed moderate correlation to mHHS (R = 0.66) and WOMAC PF (R = 0.55). Mean PF and PI scores differed significantly from the general population mean of 50 (36.7, 65.4, respectively; both P Conclusion PROMIS is an attractive alternative to legacy scoring measures, showing moderate correlations between PROMIS physical domains and legacy PROMs of WOMAC and mHHS in young patients undergoing THA.
MEMS Photonic Networks For Parallelized Matrix Multiplication Using Wavelength-Division Multiplexing

We study dispersion models and design variations for programmable MEMS photonic networks to analyze scalability of parallel matrix-vector multiplication, which is a core element of commercially viable and energy-efficient photonic neural network accel¬erator chips.
The molecular neurobiology and neuropathology of opioid use disorder

Abstract The number of people diagnosed with opioid use disorder has skyrocketed as a consequence of the opioid epidemic and the increased prescribing of opioid drugs for chronic pain relief. Opioid use disorder is characterized by loss of control of drug taking, continued drug use in the presence of adverse consequences, and repeated relapses to drug taking even after long periods of abstinence. Patients who suffer from opioid use disorder often present with cognitive deficits that are potentially secondary to structural brain abnormalities that vary according to the chemical composition of the abused opioid. This review details the neurobiological effects of oxycodone, morphine, heroin, methadone, and fentanyl on brain neurocircuitries by presenting the acute and chronic effects of these drugs on the human brain. In addition, we review results of neuroimaging in opioid use disorder patients and/or histological studies from brains of patients who had expired after acute intoxication following long-term use of these drugs. Moreover, we include relevant discussions of the neurobiological mechanisms involved in promoting abnormalities in the brains of opioid-exposed patients. Finally, we discuss how novel strategies could be used to provide pharmacological treatment against opioid use disorder.
Simulating the Self-Assembly and Hysteresis Loops of Ferromagnetic Nanoparticles with Sticking of Ligands

The agglomeration of ferromagnetic nanoparticles in a fluid is studied using nanoparticle-level Langevin dynamics simulations. The simulations have interdigitation and bridging between ligand coatings included using a computationally-cheap, phenomenological sticking parameter c. The interactions between ligand coatings are shown in this preliminary study to be important in determining the shapes of agglomerates that form. A critical size for the sticking parameter is estimated analytically and via the simulations and indicates where particle agglomerates transition from well-ordered (c is small) to disordered (c is large) shapes. Results are also presented for the hysteresis loops (magnetization versus applied field) for these particle systems in an oscillating magnetic field appropriate for hyperthermia applications. The results show that the clumping of particles has a significant effect on their macroscopic properties, with important consequences on applications. In particular, the work done by an oscillating field on the system has a nonmonotonic dependence on c.
Constriction of isolated collecting lymphatic vessels in response to acute increases in downstream pressure

Collecting lymphatic vessels generate pressure to transport lymph downstream to the subclavian vein against a significant pressure head. To investigate their response to elevated downstream pressure, collecting lymphatic vessels containing one valve (incomplete lymphangion) or two valves (complete lymphangion) were isolated from the rat mesentery and tied to glass cannulae capable of independent pressure control. Downstream pressure was selectively raised to various levels, either stepwise or ramp-wise, while keeping upstream pressure constant. Diameter and valve positions were tracked under video microscopy, while intralymphangion pressure was measured concurrently with a servo-null micropipette. Surprisingly, a potent lymphatic constriction occurred in response to the downstream pressure gradient due to (1) a pressure-dependent myogenic constriction and (2) a frequency-dependent decrease in diastolic diameter. The myogenic index of the lymphatic constriction (-3.3 ± 0.6, in mmHg) was greater than that of arterioles or collecting lymphatic vessels exposed to uniform increases in pressure (i.e. upstream and downstream pressures raised together). Additionally, the constriction was transmitted to the upstream lymphatic vessel segment even though it was protected from changes in pressure by a closed intraluminal valve; the conducted constriction was blocked by loading only the pressurized half of the vessel with either ML-7 (0.5 mm) to block contraction, or cromakalim (3 μm) to hyperpolarize the downstream muscle layer. Finally, we provide evidence that the lymphatic constriction is important to maintain normal intraluminal valve closure during each contraction cycle in the face of an adverse pressure gradient, which probably protects the lymphatic capillaries from lymph backflow.
Studies of esterase 6 in Drosophila melanogaster—XVI: Synthesis occurs in the male reproductive tract (anterior ejaculatory duct) and is modulated by juvenile hormone

Esterase 6, a carboxylesterase (EC 3.1.1.1.) of Drosophila melanogaster, has been unambiguously shown to be synthesized in the anterior ejaculatory duct of the reproductive tract of adult males. Radiolabelled esterase 6 was immunoprecipitated from homogenates prepared from ducts cultured for 5 hr in an in vitro system containing [3H]leucine. The anti-allatotropin, precocene, was used to treat adult males to determine if juvenile hormone levels affect the activity of esterase 6. In treated males the level of esterase 6 was 37% of the control levels. This system may allow for further exploration of the hormonal regulation of reproductive processes in Drosophila.
Electron Impact Excitation of Fine-Structure Levels in Sulfur-like Fe XI

Collision strengths for electron impact excitation of fine-structure levels in sulfur-like Fe XI are calculated in a semirelativistic R-matrix approach. The 38 fine-structure levels arising from the 20 LS states 3s23p43P,1D,1S; 3s3p53Po,1Po; 3s23p3(4So)3d3Do, 3s23p3(2Po)3d1,3Po,1,3Do,1,3Fo, 3s23p3(2Do)3d1,3So,1,3Po,1,3Do,1,3Fo are included in our calculation. The target levels are represented by configuration interaction wave functions. The relativistic effects are considered in the Breit-Pauli approximation by including one-body mass correction, Darwin term, and spin-orbit terms in the scattering equations. Collision strengths for transitions from the 3s23p43P2,1,0 levels to the fine-structure levels of the 3s23p33d configuration are compared with the distorted-wave results of Bhatia & Doschek at 8.0, 16.0, 24.0 ryd. There are some significant discrepancies between the two calculations, mostly caused by the difference in target wave functions. The collision strengths are integrated over a Maxwellian distribution of electron energies to obtain effective collision strengths over the temperature range from 5 × 105 to 5 × 106 K.
Tangible Steps Toward Tomorrow: Designing a Vision for Early Childhood Education

“The area of early education is experiencing tremendous experimentation and progress, but what has been missing are right brain thinkers. These are individuals whose craft is seeing patterns, making connections, adapting what works in one context to the realities of another context.” - Tony Berkley, Program Director, Youth and Education, The W. K. Kellogg Foundation In 2007 the W. K. Kellogg Foundation engaged the innovation and design firm, IDEO, to design a compelling vision for the future of early childhood education. The foundation was ready for a new perspective on a well-explored topic. IDEO's design thinking approach engaged the foundation and its stakeholders in new ways that promoted feasible, yet innovative, solutions. In this paper we describe the combined use of ethnographic-style research and design thinking in a project addressing a complex, systemic and philanthropic challenge: public education in the United States. We seek to provide the reader with a clear and convincing case study demonstrating the value of ethnography plus design thinking in any business context or social system where many stakeholders need to be brought together to work toward a system wide solution.
Boosting Health Services Research

The United States has mediocre health outcomes, and its health-care system performs abysmally when cost is factored in. In the 2000 World Health Organization (WHO) global ranking on health care, the United States nestled among Costa Rica, Slovenia, and Cuba at 37th ( 1 ). The United States ranked first in one category: expenditure per capita. Its “system attainment and performance” was 72nd, down with Argentina, Bhutan, and Nicaragua. WHO's metrics have been heavily criticized and are at best rough indicators, but it is no secret that U.S. health care is expensive, unfairly distributed, and highly inefficient compared with that of other developed economies. The key question is how to address this problem without gutting the parts of the U.S. health-research infrastructure that are working well. How much of such research should get done and how should it be funded? What agency should do the health services and other kinds of research needed to improve the health-care system? And how should priorities among competing lines of research be decided?
ACCELERATING THROUGH A POTENTIAL LANDSCAPE: A FRACTIONAL DYNAMICS APPROACH TO ENHANCED MOTION IN AN EXTERNAL FORCE FIELD?

We address the question of describing enhanced transport in an external force field close to thermal equilibrium, within the framework of fractional dynamics. We demonstrate that in the overdamped regime inconsistencies arise, in the existence of negative regions of the propagator. Despite of this observation, we claim that this approach might be useful for the long time description of such systems.
Testing and Validation of a Psychophysically Defined Metric of Display Clutter

Combinations of cockpit display features may lead to increased pilot perceptions of clutter. This research sought to capture pilot perceptions of display clutter associated with primary flight display features during a vertical takeoff and landing scenario and to validate a multidimensional measure of clutter previously developed for a fixed-wing environment. Sixteen active fixed-wing pilots were recruited for the study that used a simulator configured as a vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. A factor analysis was used to reduce the number of subdimensions of the clutter measure based on previous ratings data. The simplified measure revealed an increase in the number of active display features to cause an increase in perceived clutter. Displays including synthetic vision system features were perceived as significantly more cluttered than those without. Although a tunnel (highway in the sky) feature also contributed to clutter, pilots achieved higher navigation system failure detection rates when the fe...
Hydrogen Peroxide in Acute Otitis Media in Guinea Pigs

Evidence has emerged that oxygen free radicals contribute to middle-ear mucosa damage in acute otitis media (AOM). Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common pathogen in AOM and produces hydrogen peroxide, a free radical intermediate, as it grows. To better characterize the mechanism of free radical damage in AOM, an experiment was conducted to examine the production of hydrogen peroxide. Thirty-two guinea pigs were injected transtympanically with bacteria in the left (infected) middle ear and sterile saline into the right (control) middle ear. Middle-ear fluid was removed and analyzed for quantity of hydrogen peroxide. Results indicated significantly greater hydrogen peroxide levels in infected versus control middle-ear fluid at 6, 12, and 24 h. Likely sources of hydrogen peroxide include both the neutrophil response to infection and pneumococcal growth and death.
Let's Talk: The Importance of Conversations with Preschoolers

This article discusses the importance of children's participation in conversations and dialogue and the relationship to oral language development. Highlighting the importance of the early years, a brief review of the development of oral language and vocabulary is included. Information on asking good questions and teaching children to listen is presented. Teaching strategies for facilitating children's speaking and listening skills are provided as are suggestions for planning a language-supportive routine and learning environment.
Intracellular hydrogen peroxide and superoxide poison 3-deoxy-D-arabinoheptulosonate 7-phosphate synthase, the first committed enzyme in the aromatic biosynthetic pathway of Escherichia coli

In Escherichia coli, aromatic compound biosynthesis is the process that has shown the greatest sensitivity to hydrogen peroxide stress. This pathway has long been recognized to be sensitive to superoxide as well, but the molecular target was unknown. Feeding experiments indicated that the bottleneck lies early in the pathway, and the suppressive effects of fur mutations and manganese supplementation suggested the involvement of a metalloprotein. The 3-deoxy-d-arabinoheptulosonate 7-phosphate synthase (DAHP synthase) activity catalyzes the first step in the pathway, and it is provided by three isozymes known to rely upon a divalent metal. This activity progressively declined when cells were stressed with either oxidant. The purified enzyme was activated more strongly by ferrous iron than by other metals, and only this metalloform could be inactivated by hydrogen peroxide or superoxide. We infer that iron is the prosthetic metal in vivo. Both oxidants displace the iron atom from the enzyme. In peroxide-stressed cells, the enzyme accumulated as an apoprotein, potentially with an oxidized cysteine residue. In superoxide-stressed cells, the enzyme acquired a nonactivating zinc ion in its active site, an apparent consequence of the repeated ejection of iron. Manganese supplementation protected the activity in both cases, which matches the ability of manganese to metallate the enzyme and to provide substantial oxidant-resistant activity. DAHP synthase thus belongs to a family of mononuclear iron-containing enzymes that are disabled by oxidative stress. To date, all the intracellular injuries caused by physiological doses of these reactive oxygen species have arisen from the oxidation of reduced iron centers.
Disjoining pressures, zeta potentials and surface tensions of aqueous non-ionic surfactant/electrolyte solutions: theory and comparison to experiment

A self-consistent electrostatic theory is presented to predict disjoining pressure isotherms of aqueous thin-liquid films stabilized by non-ionic surfactants and air/water surface tensions and zeta potentials of electrolyte solutions with and without non-ionic surfactant. The proposed model combines specific adsorption of hydroxide ions at the interface with image charge and dispersion forces on ions in the diffuse double layer. The result is a quantitative description of aqueous solution interfaces as a function of surfactant concentration, ionic strength and pH. Disjoining pressure isotherms of thin-liquid films stabilized by non-ionic surfactants and electrophoresis experiments on air bubbles and oil droplets in aqueous solutions demonstrate that hydroxide ions specifically adsorb at air/water and oil/water interfaces. The surface charge increases with pH, decreases with increasing surfactant concentration, increases slightly with ionic strength, and for n-alkyl polyethylene oxide non-ionic surfactants is not significantly affected by surfactant molecular structure. Concentrated electrolyte-solution surface tensions, however, indicate that ions are repelled from the air/water interface by an 'image charge' force, that is a parameterized by the ion valence and the ionic strength of the aqueous solution. Additionally, differences in induced-induced dipole forces on an ion near an interface lead to a van der Waals dispersion interaction force that depends on the ion polarizabilites and the molecular properties of the two surrounding bulk phases. Incorporation of these two additional ion free energies into the Poisson-Boltzmann equation along with a simple model for hydroxide-ion specific adsorption at the air/water interface results in a non-linear second-order ordinary differential equation containing two adjustable parameters. The proposed modified Poisson-Boltzmann (MPB) theory accurately predicts newly measured disjoining pressures of thin-liquid foam films stabilized by polyethylene oxide n-alkyl ether surfactants. With no additional adjustable parameters, zeta potentials of nascent air bubbles in water and surface tensions of aqueous electrolyte solutions are successfully predicted. The new electrostatic model also explains the fascinating existence of a surface tension minimum in dilute electrolyte solutions, known as the Jones-Ray effect.
Cell-free expression of functional Shaker potassium channels

THE functional activity of ion channels and other membrane proteins requires that the proteins be correctly assembled in a transmembrane configuration. Thus, the functional expression of ion channels, neurotransmitter receptors and complex membrane-limited signalling mechanisms from complementary DNA has required the injection of messenger RNA or transfection of DNA into Xenopus oocytes or other target cells that are capable of processing newly translated protein into the surface membrane1–4. These approaches, combined with voltage-clamp analysis of ion channel currents, have been especially powerful in the identification of structure–function relationships in ion channels5–7. But oocytes express endogenous ion channels8,9, neurotransmitter receptors10 and receptor–channel subunits11, complicating the interpretation of results in mRNA-injected eggs. Furthermore, it is difficult to control experimentally the membrane lipids and post-translational modifications that underlie the regulation and modulation of ion channels in intact cells. A cell-free system for ion channel expression is ideal for good experimental control of protein expression and modulatory processes. Here we combine cell-free protein translation, microsomal membrane processing12–14 of nascent channel proteins, and reconstitution of newly synthesized ion channels into planar lipid bilayers15 to synthesize, glycosylate, process into membranes, and record in vitro the activity of functional Shaker potassium channels.
FM threshold extension without feedback

The results of a computer simulation show that post-demodulation processing can be used to yield an FM threshold extension of 1½ to 2dB.
Optimal filters to detect a noisy target in non-overlapping background noise

Two types of filters are proposed to detect a noisy target embedded in non-overlapping background noise by optimizing tow proposed criteria which are used in the filter design and performance assessment. Metric 1 is defined as the ratio of the square of the expected value of the correlation peak amplitude to the expected value of the output signal energy. Metric 2 is defined as the ratio of the square of the expected value of the correlation peak amplitude to the average output signal variance. It is shown that, for the non-overlapping target and scene noise model, the target window and the scene noise window affect the filter functions significantly.
Cannibalism in clumped populations

A simple model for the introduction of a cannibalistic mutant into a noncannibalistic population (or vice versa) is developed for the case where the offspring of an adult are clumped. It is assumed that there is no difference between the cannibals and noncannibals except for eating habits. Conditions on the parameters specifying the population are derived such that noncannibalism is favored over cannibalism when these conditions are satisfied. Specifically, it is shown that noncannibalism is favored in a diffuse, highly clumped population if the probability of encountering one cannibal after another is greater than twice the probability of encountering a cannibal after encountering a noncannibal.
Experiments in the Four-Dimensional Assimilation of Nimbus 4 SIRS Data.

Abstract Temperature data derived from Nimbus 4 SIRS radiance measurements have been used in four-dimensional assimilation experiments with a simple two-level primitive equation model. Data are inserted into a running forecast on an orbit-by-orbit basis. The method of insertion is held fixed but initial conditions and techniques for achieving geostrophic adjustment are varied. It is shown that the real temperature data can be readily assimilated and retained by the model, and that the assimilation is greatly enhanced if a simple wind law initialization is performed at the time of insertion. There is a suggestion that four-dimensional assimilation is a viable operational procedure and a somewhat milder suggestion that it is a more effective way of utilizing asynoptic data than updating procedures currently in practice.
Orbit adjustment of sun-synchronous satellites with electric propulsion.

Satellite orbit adjustment, stationkeeping and attitude control of typical earth- and sun- synchronous satellites by electric propulsion systems
Aquarius third stokes parameter measurements: Initial results

The Aquarius/SAC-D observatory was launched on June 10, 2011 and the Aquarius instrument has been collecting data continuously since late August. One of the unique features of the L-band radiometers comprising Aquarius is the presence of a polarimetric channel to measure the third Stokes parameter. The purpose is to provide a measure of Faraday rotation, which can be important for remote sensing at L-band, especially in the case of remote sensing of salinity which requires high precision. Initial results are presented here showing a reasonable agreement between retrieved and modeled Faraday rotation and also the “noisy” behavior at land-water boundaries and other mixed scenes predicted by theory.
Verbal Attitudes, Overt Acts, and the Influence of Social Constraint in Interracial Behavior

This paper studies racial attitudes as related to an indicated willingness to accept open occupancy in white residential neighborhoods. The study attempts to ascertain whether the predictability of the overt response of a given individual to a publicly salient issue can be increased by knowing the individual's personal attitudinal position toward Negroes in general, and the influence of certain of his significant reference groups with respect to the same issue. Results of a field study show that proportional reductions in error are greater in efforts to predict overt response to the open occupancy issue when both attitudinal position and reference group influence are employed than when either attitude or reference group are employed separately.
Myoclonic seizures following chlorambucil overdose

A 3 1/2-year-old child developed myoclonic seizures following a chlorambucil overdose. Serial electroencephalograms showed paroxysmal discharges that continued several days beyond clinical seizure activity. The use of the electroencephalogram when chlorambucil toxicity is suspected is discussed.
Windstorms in the United States

High winds are one of the nation’s leading damage-producing storm conditions. They do not include winds from tornadoes, winter storms, nor hurricanes, but are strong winds generated by deep low pressure centers, by thunderstorms, or by air flow over mountain ranges. The annual average property and crop losses in the United States from windstorms are $379 million and windstorms during 1959–1997 caused an average of 11 deaths each year. Windstorms range in size from a few hundred to hundreds of thousands square kilometers, being largest in the western United States where 40% of all storms exceed 135,000 km2. In the eastern United States, windstorms occur at a given location, on average, 1.4 times a year, whereas in the western US point averages are 1.9. Midwestern states average between 15 and 20 wind storms annually; states in the east average between 10 and 25 storms per year; and West Coast states average 27–30 storms annually. Storms causing insured property losses >$1 million, labeled catastrophes, during 1952–2006 totaled 176, an annual average of 3.2. Catastrophic windstorm losses were highest in the West and Northwest climate regions, the only form of severe weather in the United States with maximum losses on the West Coast. Most western storms occurred in the winter, a result of Pacific lows, and California has had 31 windstorm catastrophes, more than any other state. The national temporal distribution of catastrophic windstorms during 1952–2006 has a flat trend, but their losses display a distinct upward trend with time, peaking during 1996–2006.
Note---Competitive Price and Positioning Strategies

Brand positioning and brand pricing are important strategic decisions for marketing managers. Such decisions are interrelated and depend upon competitive brand positions and prices. However, any unilateral decisions may encourage repositioning and price adjustment by competitors thus leading to either new market equilibria or a price/positioning “war.” This paper examines such price and positioning decisions in a competitive environment by extending the 'Defender' consumer model to more complex equilibria. We assume that the brands are already in the market and that positions are “sticky” in the sense that brands cannot leapfrog one another. Among the insights for such incumbent brands are: • if prices are symmetric and held constant, firms seek to reposition toward the center of the market, • but price advantages by central firms can mediate that central tendency such that an equilibrium exists with positive profits; • if brand positions are held constant, the Nash equilibria for prices exist and are unique, and • category profits, the sum of brand profits, are maximized for maximum brand differentiation; • for two and three brand markets the subgame perfect Nash equilibrium, where positioning decisions are made with foresight on the price equilibria, causes firms to unilaterally seek maximum brand differentiation; but • for four or more brands greater foresight and/or cooperation appears necessary to reach the point of maximum brand differentiation. These results apply where the Defender consumer model is an exact description of consumer response and where the competitive reaction assumptions hold. In any empirical situation such forces might be softened resulting in differentiated, but not maximally differentiated, brands.
A hyperelliptic realization of the horseshoe and baker maps

We present a generalization of the functional equation for the Weierstrassk -function for hyperelliptic surfaces of infinite genus arising from iteration of the horseshoe and baker maps. The ramified cover of these infinite genus surfaces over the complex plane are associated to a quadratic differential of finite norm with simple poles accumulating to infinity. We study the geometry of its critical trajectories emanating from these poles and their rate of accumulation.
Non-Andersonian conjugate strike-slip faults: Observations, theory, and tectonic implications

Formation of conjugate strike-slip faults is commonly explained by the Anderson fault theory, which predicts a X-shaped conjugate fault pattern with an intersection angle of ~30 degrees between the maximum compressive stress and the faults. However, major conjugate faults in Cenozoic collisional orogens, such as the eastern Alps, western Mongolia, eastern Turkey, northern Iran, northeastern Afghanistan, and central Tibet, contradict the theory in that the conjugate faults exhibit a V-shaped geometry with intersection angles of 60- 75 degrees, which is 30-45 degrees greater than that predicted by the Anderson fault theory. In Tibet and Mongolia, geologic observations can rule out bookshelf faulting, distributed deformation, and temporal changes in stress state as explanations for the abnormal fault patterns. Instead, the GPS-determined velocity field across the conjugate fault zones indicate that the fault formation may have been related to Hagen-Poiseuille flow in map view involving the upper crust and possibly the whole lithosphere based on upper mantle seismicity in southern Tibet and basaltic volcanism in Mongolia. Such flow is associated with two coeval and parallel shear zones having opposite shear sense; each shear zone produce a set of Riedel shears, respectively, and together the Riedel shears exhibit the observed non-Andersonian conjugate strike-slip fault pattern. We speculate that the Hagen-Poiseuille flow across the lithosphere that hosts the conjugate strike-slip zones was produced by basal shear traction related to asthenospheric flow, which moves parallel and away from the indented segment of the collisional fronts. The inferred asthenospheric flow pattern below the conjugate strike-slip fault zones is consistent with the magnitude and orientations of seismic anisotropy observed across the Tibetan and Mongolian conjugate fault zones, suggesting a strong coupling between lithospheric deformation and asthenospheric flow. The laterally moving asthenospheric flow may have been driven by the converging cratons with thick mantle lithosphere. This may have caused the shallow asthenosphere below a region sandwiched between the cratons to be squeezed out laterally.
The impact of whole-brain radiation therapy on the long-term control and morbidity of patients surviving more than one year after gamma knife radiosurgery for brain metastases

Purpose: To better analyze how whole-brain radiotherapy (WBXRT) affects long-term tumor control and toxicity from the initial stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for brain metastases, we studied these outcomes in patients who had survived at least 1 year from SRS. Methods and Materials: We evaluated the results of gamma knife radiosurgery for 160 brain metastases in 110 patients who were followed for a median of 18 months (range, 12–122 months) after SRS. Eighty-two patients had a solitary brain metastasis and 28 patients had multiple metastases. Seventy patients (116 tumors) were treated with initial radiosurgery and WBXRT, whereas 40 patients (44 lesions) initially received radiosurgery alone. Median treatment volume was 1.9 cc in the entire group, 2.3 cc in the WBXRT group, and 1.6 cc in the SRS alone group. Median tumor dose was 16 Gy (range, 12–21 Gy). Results: At 1, 3, and 5 years, local tumor control was 84.1% ± 5.5%, 68.6% ± 8.7%, and 68.6% ± 8.7% with SRS alone compared with 93.1% ± 2.4%, 87.7% ± 4.9%, and 65.7% ± 10.2%. with concurrent WBXRT and SRS ( p = 0.0228, univariate). We found that WBXRT improved local control in patient subsets tumor volume ≥2 cc, peripheral dose ≤16 Gy, single metastases, nonradioresistant tumors, and lung cancer metastases ( p = 0.0069, 0.0080, 0.0083, 0.0184, and 0.0348). Distal intracranial failure developed at 1, 3, and 5 years in 26.0% ± 7.1%, 74.5% ± 9.4%, and 74.5% ± 9.4% with SRS alone compared with 20.7% ± 4.9%, 49.0% ± 8.7%, and 61.8% ± 12.8% with concurrent WBXRT and SRS ( p = 0.0657). We found a trend for improved distal intracranial control with WBXRT for only nonradioresistant tumors ( p = 0.054). Postradiosurgery complications developed in 2.8% ± 1.2% and 10.7% ± 3.5% at 1 and 3–5 years and was unaffected by WBXRT ( p = 0.7721). WBXRT did not improve survival in the entire series ( p = 0.5027) or in any subsets. Conclusions: In this retrospective study of 1-year survivors of SRS for brain metastases, the addition of concurrent WBXRT to SRS was associated with an improved local control rate in patient subsets with tumor volume ≥2 cc, peripheral dose ≤16 Gy, single metastases, nonradioresistant tumors, and specifically lung cancer metastases. A trend was noted for improved distal intracranial control for patients having nonradioresistant tumors. Distant intracranial relapse >1 year posttreatment is a significant problem with or without initial WBXRT.
Parkinson's disease in the district of the Northampton Health Authority, United Kingdom. A study of prevalence and disability

– The study of a population of 208,000 in a Midlands district of England has shown the prevalence of idiopathic Parkinson's disease to be 108.4 per 100,000. This is comparable with past studies in Carlisle, England, Rochester, Minnesota, and South-West Finland. Parkinsonism associated with cerebrovascular disease is evidently recognised and differentiated by general practitioners; post-encephalitic parkinsonism is not encountered and drug-induced parkinsonism is not common in this district. The major functional disability of a carefully assessed randomly selected group was found to relate to walking and hygiene. Nevertheless, the essential physical needs of those with Parkinson's disease appear to be well met in general.
Polygon comparison using a graph representation

All of the information necessary to perform the polygon set operations (union, intersection, and difference) and therefore polygon clipping can be generated by a single application of a process called polygon comparison. This process accepts two or more input polygons and generates one or more polygons as output. These output polygons contain unique homogenous areas, each falling within the domain of one or more input polygons. Each output polygon is classified by the list of input polygons in which its area may be found. The union contour of all input is also generated, completing all of the information necessary to perform the polygon set operations.This paper introduces a polygon comparison algorithm which features reduced complexity due to its use of a graph data representation. The paper briefly introduces some of the possible approaches to the general problem of polygon comparison including the polygon set and clipping problems. The new algorithm is then introduced and explained in detail.The algorithm is sufficiently general to compare sets of concave polygons with holes. More than two polygons can be compared at one time; all information for future comparisons of subsets of the original input polygon sets is available from the results of the initial application of the process.The algorithm represents polygons using a graph of the boundaries of the polygons. These graphs are imbedded in a two dimensional geometric space. The use of the graph representation simplifies the comparison process considerably by eliminating many special cases from explicit consideration.Polygon operations like the ones described above are useful in a variety of application areas, especially those which deal with problems involving two dimensional or projected two dimensional geometric areas. Examples include VLSI circuit design, cartographic and demographic applications, and polygon clipping for graphic applications such as viewport clipping, hidden surface and line removal, detailing, and shadowing.
The mass, gravity field, and ephemeris of Mercury

In the present gravity analysis of Mariner 10/Deep Space Network radio Doppler and range data for Mercury encounters in March 1974 and March 1975, a combined least-squares fit to the Doppler data has determined two second-degree gravity harmonics that are referred to a 2439-km equatorial radius. It is noted that the 1-sigma error limits on the gravity results encompass the possibility that harmonics other than J2 and C22 significantly differ from zero. The Deep Space Network radio range data obtained with Mariner 10 are primarily applicable to such improvements of Mercury's ephemeris as the more precise determination of perihelion precession.
A role for interstitial matrix in tissue tension of alveolar wall.

Abstract Single alveolar walls subjected to lenght-tension studies in saline and Bicine (0.2 M) undergo a progressive decay in tissue tension (TTD). We have examined the effect of different solutions on this TTD and looked for corresponding changes in the ultrastructure. Lung parenchyma was dissected to single alveolar walls (30 × 30 × 150 μm) in phosphate-buffered saline (0.15 M). Transferred to a lenght-tension bath, the tissue was immersed in Bicine, saline, fortified Hank's solution, 0.25% Alcian blue in saline, or a sodium dodecyl sulfate solution, for variable periods. Cycled through a given extension with peak force measured over time, these same tissues were fixed in buffered glutaraldehyde/tannic acid and processed for electron microscopy. Single alveolar walls immersed in saline or Bicine showed a progressive TTD. Vacuoles or spaces appeared in the interstitium which with cellular disorganization progressed with the TTD. Seen within 0.3 h, the changes were well advanced at 0.6 h. In sodium dodecyl sulfate (70 mm), however, there was no TTD and structurally there was no interstitium, with only basement membranes and fibrous proteins remaining. In fortified Hank's solution or 0.25% Alcian blue the interstitial matrix, cell morphology and tissue tension were well perserved for 1 h. This study suggests that leaching of the interstitial matrix occurs in saline or Bicine, and an intact matrix is essential for the preservation of tissue tension.