cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fractional lower-order statistics-based ambiguity functions for differential delay Doppler estimation

The problem of estimation of differential-delay Doppler in an environment in which the signal of interest is embedded in highly impulsive interference is addressed. A signal model is formulated with wide applications in radar, sonar, communications and biomedicine and the construction of a new ambiguity function is proposed which is based on the recently-developed concepts of fractional, lower-order statistics and is, therefore, resistant to the presence of severe outliers in the observed time series. The performance of the proposed differential-delay Doppler estimators is theoretically analysed, verified via Monte Carlo simulation, and compared to the performance of traditional, second-order statistics-based estimators.
A statistical model for foraminiferal paleobathymetry, with application to the middle Miocene of the Hokuroku district, Japan

A paleobathymetric Bayes estimator, based on a uniform prior distribution of foraminiferal species over the depth range from 0 to 5000 m, is developed and calibrated from the occurrence of 35 species of foraminifera from present day sites on the Pacific and Indian Ocean seafloors. The species are grouped into 12 clusters in order to more nearly satisfy the independence assumptions of the model. Objective depth-independent criteria are developed for ruling certain samples inadmissible for estimation. The accuracy of the estimator is assessed by comparing estimated and measured depths for the admissible calibration samples, yielding a mean absolute error of estimation of between 300 and 400 m. The depth estimator is applied to foraminifera-bearing Miocene samples from the Hokuroku district of Japan, where paleobathymetric depths of between 3000 and 4000 m are indicated at the time of massive sulfide ore formation.
Dynamic instabilities in rotating, low-mass protostars during early disk formation

Abstract We have recently constructed evolutionary model sequences for the equilibrium cores of rotating, low-mass protostars during their accretion phase. The cloud that collapses to form the core is assumed to be a pressure-supported, singular isothermal sphere in uniform rotation. The equilibrium core is assumed to be an isentropic, monatomic ideal gas. When T /∥ W ∥ ≥ 0.1, where T is the rotational kinetic energy and W is the gravitational potential energy, these core models represent the early disk formation stage. A linear stability analysis suggests that, for T /∥ W ∥ ≥ 0.13, the star/disk systems are dynamically unstable to nonaxisymmetric disturbances, with the fastest growth predicted for disturbances with four- or fivefold symmetry. By using one of our protostellar core models with T /∥ W ∥ = 0.157 as the initial configuration in a three-dimensional hydrodynamics code, we have confirmed the dynamic instability of numerous multiarmed spiral disturbances. A disturbance with fourfold symmetry has the fastest growth rate and dominates in the linear regime. Swing amplification seems to be the mechanism that drives the dynamic growth. In the nonlinear regime, power shifts to threefold and then to twofold disturbances, but we do not detect any significant transport of mass or angular momentum nor any tendency for the disk to fragment by the end of a calculation spanning six and a half rotations. In one calculation, we also detect dynamic growth of a onefold disturbance. We conclude that fast-growing nonaxisymmetric instabilities set in as soon as Keplerian disks form during star formation, even when the disks have only limited radial extent.
Enhanced ambulatory experience for the clerkship: curriculum innovation at the University of Michigan.

An innovative ambulatory experience was added to the third-year psychiatry clerkship at the University of Michigan in July 1998. The new program was developed to increase ambulatory time to one day per week and to enhance the educational experience. Students actively participated in evaluation of new patients, conducted group interviews of simulated patients, and observed patients’ return visits at the outpatient clinic. Results suggest that more exposure to the ambulatory setting increases medical students’ satisfaction with the psychiatry clerkship. Increased experience in the ambulatory setting is critical for medical student education. The present study demonstrates that substantial commitment of departmental resources and time are required to accomplish this goal.
The Ca2+-sensing receptor couples to Gα12/13 to activate phospholipase D in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells

The Ca2+-sensing receptor (CaR) couples to multiple G proteins involved in distinct signaling pathways: Gαi to inhibit the activity of adenylyl cyclase and activate ERK, Gαq to stimulate phospholip...
Novelty assessment in the brain and long-term memory encoding.

Recent positron emission tomography (PET) studies have identified neuronal components of widespread novelty-assessment networks in the brain. We propose that the efficacy of encoding on-line information into long-term memory depends on the novelty of the information as determined by these networks, and report a test of this “novelty/encoding” hypothesis. Subjects studied a list of words. Half of the words were “familiar” by virtue of their repeated presentation to the subjects before the study of the critical list; the other half were novel, in that they had not previously been encountered in the experiment. The results conformed to the prediction of the novelty/encoding hypothesis: accuracy of explicit (episodic) recognition was higher for novel than for familiar words.
Linac boosters for electrostatic machines

Abstract A survey of linacs which are used as boosters to electrostatic accelerators is presented. Machines both operating and under construction, copper and superconducting, are reviewed. The review includes data on the accelerating structures, performance, rf and control, beam optics, budget, vacuum and cryogenics.
Technical Adequacy and Acceptability of Curriculum-Based Measurement and the Measures of Academic Progress:

Curriculum-based measurement in reading (CBM-R) and the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) are assessment tools widely employed for universal screening in schools. Although a large body of research supports the validity of CBM-R, limited empirical evidence exists supporting the technical adequacy of MAP or the acceptability of either measure for universal screening. Purposes of the current study were to replicate and extend prior research by (a) examining the extent to which CBM-R performance measures more than word reading skills, (b) evaluating the concurrent validity of MAP with CBM-R, (c) determining the potential benefit of administering MAP with CBM-R for universal screening, and (d) examining teachers’ acceptability of MAP and CBM-R. Participants included 802 students in Grades 1 to 5 who were administered three CBM-R probes and the MAP during universal screening and 86 elementary teachers who completed a universal screening assessments survey. Results provide evidence of the concurrent validity o...
Massive air shadow in the abdomen.

A two-month-old male infant presented in surgical emergency of our institution, with complaints of excessive crying, epigastric swelling and non bilious vomiting of one day. There was no history of such events before. On clinical examination, the infant was febrile with a temperature of 100°F, a pulse of 110/min, respiratory rate 30/min and BP within normal range. The epigastrium revealed fullness and tenderness on palpation. Bowel sounds were audible. X-ray abdomen erect was performed with AP and lateral views [Figures ​[Figures11 and ​and22]. Figure 1 Anteroposterior view Figure 2 Lateral view
Universality Limits involving Orthogonal Polynomials on an Arc of the Unit Circle

We establish universality limits for measures on a subarc of the unit circle. Assume that \(\mu \) is a regular measure on such an arc, in the sense of Stahl, Totik, and Ullmann, and is absolutely continuous in an open arc containing some point \(z_{0}={\text{ e }}^{i\theta _{0}}\). Assume, moreover, that \(\mu ^{\prime }\) is positive and continuous at \(z_{0}\). Then universality for \(\mu \) holds at \(z_{0}\), in the sense that the reproducing kernel \(K_{n}\left( z,t\right) \) for \(\mu \) satisfies $$\begin{aligned} \lim _{n\rightarrow \infty }\frac{K_{n}\left( z_{0}\exp \left( \frac{2\pi is}{ n}\right) ,z_{0}\exp \left( \frac{2\pi i\bar{t}}{n}\right) \right) }{ K_{n}\left( z_{0},z_{0}\right) }={\text{ e }}^{i\pi \left( s-t\right) }S\left( \left( s-t\right) T\left( \theta _{0}\right) \right) , \end{aligned}$$ uniformly for \(s,t\) in compact subsets of the plane, where \(S\left( z\right) =\frac{\sin \pi z}{\pi z}\) is the sinc kernel, and \(T/2\pi \) is the equilibrium density for the arc.
The effect of permanganate on the ultraviolet absorption spectra of aromatic amino acids and proteins.

Abstract 1. 1. The effects of permanganate oxidation on the 293° K and 77° K ultraviolet absorption spectra of the aromatic amino acids and crystalline insulin and pepsin have been studied. 2. 2. The susceptibility of tyrosine and tryptophane, and the relative resistance of phenylalanine, to permanganate oxidation have been confirmed. 3. 3. Spectroscopic evidence was obtained for the formation of dopa in solutions of tyrosine, and of dopa groups in solutions of insulin and pepsin, by permanganate treatment. 4. 4. Permanganate induced changes in the fine structure of insulin and pepsin absorption spectra at 77° K are shown to parallel in several respects the spectrum changes in tyrosine and tryptophane similarly treated.
Probes for narcotic receptor mediated phenomena. Part 42: synthesis and in vitro pharmacological characterization of the N-methyl and N-phenethyl analogues of the racemic ortho-c and para-c oxide-bridged phenylmorphans.

Abstract A new synthesis of N-methyl and N-phenethyl substituted ortho-c and para-c oxide-bridged phenylmorphans, using N-benzyl- rather than N-methyl-substituted intermediates, was used and the pharmacological properties of these compounds were determined. The N-phenethyl substituted ortho-c oxide-bridged phenylmorphan(rac-(3R,6aS,11aS)-2-phenethyl-2,3,4,5,6,11a-hexahydro-1H-3,6a-methanobenzofuro[2,3-c]azocin-10-ol (12)) was found to have the highest μ-opioid receptor affinity (Ki = 1.1 nM) of all of the a- through f-oxide-bridged phenylmorphans. Functional data ([35S]GTP-γ-S) showed that the racemate 12 was more than three times more potent than naloxone as an μ-opioid antagonist.
The control of apoptosis in Drosophila

Abstract Although several genes involved in apoptosis have been identified recently, the mechanisms that regulate and execute this process are still not fully understood. Drosophila is providing powerful new approaches for studying both the signalling pathways that activate apoptosis, and the components o f the basic cell death programme. Here, we summarize progress in understanding how distinct signals influence the death o f particular cells in Drosophila, and then review recent results that suggest these act through a single pathway in which the reaper gene product plays a central role.
Radar resolution properties of pulse trains

The concept of pulse compression has stimulated interest in the range and Doppler resolution properties of radar signals, but most of the theoretical investigations to date have been concerned with single pulse signals. The properties of coherent pulse trains, a practically important class of radar signals, have not received adequate treatment in the literature. Little information appears to be available on pulse trains using pulse-to-pulse waveform coding, frequency shifting, or repetition period staggering. The present paper attempts to fill a gap in the radar literature by analyzing the resolution potential of pulse trains. The treatment is limited to the practical class of pulse trains where all component pulses have identical envelopes and bandwidths, but the waveforms under these envelopes, frequency bands and repetition interval are left arbitrary. The results of the study convey an understanding of the effects of pulse train coding and thus give a clear indication of both the potential and the limitations of pulse trains in radar applications.
A characterization of the power of vector machines

A new formal model of register machines is described. Registers contain bit vectorswhich are manipulated using bitwise Boolean operations and shifts. Our main results relate the language recognition power of such vector machines to that of Turing machines. A class of vector machines is exhibited for which time on a vector machine supplies, to within a polynomial, just as much power as space on a Turing machine. Moreover, this is true regardless of whether the machines are deterministic or non-deterministic.
Ability of formyl-methionyl-tRNA to initiate globin synthesis in the presence of double-stranded RNA or in the absence of hemin.

Initiation of protein synthesis by endogenous methionyl-tRNA in rabbit reticulocyte lysates is strongly inhibited when double-stranded RNA is added to, or hemin omitted from, the incubation mixture, but initiation by formyl-methionyl-tRNA is relatively uninhibited.
Depositional and sequence stratigraphic framework of the Lower Cambrian Zabriskie Quartzite: Implications for regional correlations and the Early Cambrian paleogeography of the Death Valley region of California and Nevada

The Lower Cambrian Zabriskie Quartzite in the Death Valley region of California and Nevada records deposition in both nearshore marine and terrestrial environments and represents two genetically distinct depositional units. The lower unit, defined by the Resting Springs Member, is a highstand-systems tract in which sandy braidplain deposits prograded over storm-influenced inner-shelf mudstone and sandstone. The top flooding surface of that systems tract is a sequence boundary (type 2). The upper unit, defined by the Emigrant Pass Member, is the lowermost deposit of a transgressive systems tract in which nearshore marine sediments progressively overstep/onlap the sequence boundary cratonward. It is herein suggested that in the Death Valley area the top of Lower Cambrian Grand Cycle B is coincident with this sequence boundary. This work shows that nonmarine deposition characterized much of the southwestern margin of cratonic North America during Early Cambrian time ( Bonnier-Olenellus zone). The stable tectonic setting and consistently low-latitudinal position of Laurentia during this time preclude tectonism and climactic variation, and associated changes in sediment flux, as principal forcing mechanisms of relative sea-level change. Consequently, eustatic variation was the probable first-order causative mechanism for systems-tract and facies development. The relative sea-level changes indicated in this study can be used to further aid the construction of global sea-level curves.
Effects of a Food Waste-Based Soil Conditioner On Soil Properties and Plant Growth

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a soil conditioner, prepared from food wastes, on soil microbial activity, soil nutrient levels, and melon (Cucumis melo reticulata) growth and yield. Food waste, generated from a residence dining hall, was fermented with and without a microbial inoculant for 20 days. The resulting soil conditioners were incorporated into soil (Mexico silt loam) by tilling to a 15-cm depth using a rotary tiller. Melon seedlings were transplanted three weeks after soil amendment. Soil nutrient levels and microbial activity were monitored periodically during the growing season to detect effects of the soil conditioners on soils and plant growth. Fruit weight per plant was significantly (P≤0.05) increased with the microbially-inoculated soil conditioner compared to the control in both years, but was not different from the non-inoculated soil conditioner in 2000 or the fertilizer treatment in 2001. Soil conditioners produced from food wastes inoculated with selected m...
Functional Anatomy of Whitefly Organs Associated with Squash Leaf Curl Virus (Geminiviridae: Begomovirus) Transmission by the B Biotype of Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

The sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), is a sibling species group that transmits Squash leaf curl virus (SLCV) and other geminiviruses (Geminiviridae, genus Begomovirus) in a circulative and persistent manner. Using in situ hybridization, SLCV was localized in the primary salivary glands, the midgut, and the filter chamber of adults of the B biotype in the group. However, no SLCV particles were localized in the accessory salivary glands. The midgut loop was found to reside, fully or partially, in the abdomen or thorax in >8,000 dissections, indicating that it is capable of moving through the petiole, a constriction between the two body sections. When extended to its anterior-most position in the thorax, the midgut can make direct contact with the salivary glands, but evidence for direct transfer of virions is lacking. However, the widely presumed pathway of viral transport from the gut to the whitefly primary salivary glands can now be broadened to include both the blood and the possibility of direct transfer during contiguity of these two organs. Light microscopical observations indicated that the primary salivary gland consists of a central region flanked by two dark-staining regions, referred to as endcaps. Electron microscopical examination of extirpated and nonextirpated primary salivary glands revealed additional distinct regions and cell types. One such region, located between the central region and an endcap, was correlated directly to the region where virions have previously been immunolocalized.
Epigallocatechin-3-gallate suppresses the global interleukin-1beta-induced inflammatory response in human chondrocytes

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is a bioactive polyphenol of green tea and exerts potent anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting signaling events and gene expression. Interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) is the principal cytokine linked to cartilage degradation in osteoarthritis (OA). The objective of this study was to evaluate the global effect of EGCG on IL-1β-induced expression of proteins associated with OA pathogenesis in human chondrocytes. Primary OA chondrocytes were pretreated with EGCG (10 to 100 uM) and then stimulated with IL-1β (5 ng/ml) for 24 hours. Culture supernatants were incubated with cytokine antibody arrays and immunoreactive proteins (80 proteins) were visualized by enhanced chemiluminiscence. Effect of EGCG on IL-1β-induced expression of 18 selected genes was verified by Real time-PCR and effect on IL-6, IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) production was determined using specific ELISAs. Western immunoblotting was used to analyze the effect of EGCG on the interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 1 (IRAK-1) and TNF receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF-6) proteins in IL-1β-stimulated chondrocytes. The role of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) and mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in the regulation of selected genes and the mechanism involved in EGCG mediated modulation of these genes was determined by using specific inhibitors for NF- κB (MG132) and MAPKs (p38-MAPK, SB202190; JNK-MAPK, SP600125, ERK-MAPK, PD98059). Out of 80 proteins present on the array, constitutive expression of 14% proteins was altered by EGCG treatment. No significant stimulatory effect was observed on the proteins associated with cartilage anabolic response. Stimulation with IL-1β enhanced the expression of 29 proteins. Expression of all 29 proteins up-regulated by IL-1β was found to be suppressed by EGCG. EGCG also inhibited the expression of the signaling intermediate TRAF-6 at 50 and 100 uM concentrations (P < 0.05). Our results identified several new targets of EGCG, including epithelial neutrophil activating peptide-78 (ENA-78), granulocyte macrophage colony stimulation factor (GM-CSF), growth- related oncogene (GRO), GRO-α, IL-6, IL-8, monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), MCP-3, macrophage inflammatory protein-1beta (MIP-1β), granulocyte chemotactic protein-2 (GCP-2), MIP-3alpha, interferon-gamma-inducible protein-10 (IP-10), nucleosome assembly protein-2 (NAP-2) and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF). The inhibitory effects of EGCG were mainly mediated by inhibiting the activation of NF-κB and c-Jun N-terminal Kinase (JNK)-MAPK in human chondrocytes. Our results suggest that the potential of EGCG in OA treatment/prevention may be related to its ability to globally suppress the inflammatory response in human chondrocytes. These results identify additional new targets of EGCG and advocate that EGCG may be a potent chondroprotective agent in OA.
Effect of Single Active-Site Cleft Mutation on Product Specificity in a Thermostable Bacterial Cellulase

Mutation of a single active-site cleft tyrosyl residue to a glycyl residue significantly changes the mixture of products released from phosphoric acid-swollen cellulose (PSC) by EIcd, the catalytic domain of the endoglucanase-I from Acidothermus cellulolyticus. The percentage of glucose in the product stream is almost 40% greater for the Y245G mutant (and for an additional double mutant, Y245G/Q204A) than for the wild type enzyme. Comparisons of results for digestion PSC and of pretreated yellow poplar suggest that the observed shifts in product specificity are connected to the hydrolysis of a more easily digestible fraction of both substrates. A model is presented that relates the changes in product specificity to a mutation-driven shift in indexing of the polymeric substrate along the extended binding-site cleft.
An empirical study of memory sharing in virtual machines

Content-based page sharing is a technique often used in virtualized environments to reduce server memory requirements. Many systems have been proposed to capture the benefits of page sharing. However, there have been few analyses of page sharing in general, both considering its real-world utility and typical sources of sharing potential. We provide insight into this issue through an exploration and analysis of memory traces captured from real user machines and controlled virtual machines. First, we observe that absolute sharing levels (excluding zero pages) generally remain under 15%, contrasting with prior work that has often reported savings of 30% or more. Second, we find that sharing within individual machines often accounts for nearly all (>90%) of the sharing potential within a set of machines, with inter-machine sharing contributing only a small amount. Moreover, even small differences between machines significantly reduce what little inter-machine sharing might otherwise be possible. Third, we find that OS features like address space layout randomization can further diminish sharing potential. These findings both temper expectations of real-world sharing gains and suggest that sharing efforts may be equally effective if employed within the operating system of a single machine, rather than exclusively targeting groups of virtual machines.
Inference of R0 and Transmission Heterogeneity from the Size Distribution of Stuttering Chains

For many infectious disease processes such as emerging zoonoses and vaccine-preventable diseases, and infections occur as self-limited stuttering transmission chains. A mechanistic understanding of transmission is essential for characterizing the risk of emerging diseases and monitoring spatio-temporal dynamics. Thus methods for inferring and the degree of heterogeneity in transmission from stuttering chain data have important applications in disease surveillance and management. Previous researchers have used chain size distributions to infer , but estimation of the degree of individual-level variation in infectiousness (as quantified by the dispersion parameter, ) has typically required contact tracing data. Utilizing branching process theory along with a negative binomial offspring distribution, we demonstrate how maximum likelihood estimation can be applied to chain size data to infer both and the dispersion parameter that characterizes heterogeneity. While the maximum likelihood value for is a simple function of the average chain size, the associated confidence intervals are dependent on the inferred degree of transmission heterogeneity. As demonstrated for monkeypox data from the Democratic Republic of Congo, this impacts when a statistically significant change in is detectable. In addition, by allowing for superspreading events, inference of shifts the threshold above which a transmission chain should be considered anomalously large for a given value of (thus reducing the probability of false alarms about pathogen adaptation). Our analysis of monkeypox also clarifies the various ways that imperfect observation can impact inference of transmission parameters, and highlights the need to quantitatively evaluate whether observation is likely to significantly bias results.
Debris-flow deposition: Effects of pore-fluid pressure and friction concentrated at flow margins

Measurements of pore-fluid pressure and total bed-normal stress at the base of several ~10 m 3 experimental debris flows provide new insight into the process of debris-flow deposition. Pore-fluid pressures nearly sufficient to cause liquefaction were developed and maintained during flow mobilization and acceleration, persisted in debris-flow interiors during flow deceleration and deposition, and dissipated significantly only during postdepositional sediment consolidation. In contrast, leading edges of debris flows exhibited little or no positive pore-fluid pressure. Deposition therefore resulted from grain-contact friction and bed friction concentrated at flow margins. This finding contradicts models that invoke widespread decay of excess pore-fluid pressure, uniform viscoplastic yield strength, or pervasive grain-collision stresses to explain debris-flow deposition. Furthermore, the finding demonstrates that deposit thickness cannot be used to infer the strength of flowing debris.
Detecting objects in image sequences using rule-based control in an active contour model

A method is presented for tracking object boundaries in sequential images using an active contour model, based on fuzzy reasoning rule-based control. Evolution of contour segments is controlled by separate processes based on whether the segment is judged to be inside, outside, or near the boundary of the object, leading to robust boundary detection.
Are There Nutritional and Other Benefits Associated with Family Meals Among At-Risk Youth?

Purpose The literature suggests positive associations between family dinner frequency and dietary practices and psychosocial well-being, and inverse associations between family dinner frequency and overweight status among general adolescent populations. The present study aims to examine these associations among a population of adolescents at-risk of academic failure.
The morphology of galactic rings exterior to evolving bars: test-particle simulations

The morphology of the outer rings of early-type spiral galaxies is compared to integrations of massless collisionless particles initially in nearly circular orbits. Particles are perturbed by a quadrupolar gravitational potential corresponding to a growing and secularly evolving bar. We find that outer rings with R1R2 morphology and pseudo-rings are exhibited by the simulations even though they lack gaseous dissipation. Simulations with stronger bars form pseudo-rings earlier and more quickly than those with weaker bars. We find that the Rl ring, perpendicular to the bar, is fragile and dissolves after a few bar rotation periods if the bar pattern speed increases by more than ∼8 per cent, bar strength increases (by ≥140 per cent) after bar growth or the bar is too strong (Q T > 0.3). If the bar slows down after formation, pseudo-ring morphology persists and the R2 ring perpendicular to the bar is populated due to resonance capture. The R2 ring remains misaligned with the bar and increases in ellipticity as the bar slows down. The R2 ring becomes scalloped and does not resemble any ringed galaxies if the bar slows down more than 3.5 per cent suggesting that bars decrease in strength before they slow down this much. We compare the morphology of our simulations to B-band images of nine ringed galaxies from the Ohio State University Bright Spiral Galaxy Survey, and we find a reasonable match in morphologies to R1R2' pseudo-rings seen within a few bar rotation periods of bar formation. Some of the features previously interpreted in terms of dissipative models may be due to transient structure associated with recent bar growth and evolution.
New radiation hodoscope developments for arms control treaty verification

It is pointed out that new developments in hodoscope radiation detection technology offer a wide range of capabilities for arms control treaty verification (ACTV) applications. This concept uses an array of radiation detectors to image or detect objects inside opaque containments. Hodoscope systems can detect neutrons and/or gamma-rays. The systems can be based on transmission of radiation through the objects, can detect radiation stimulated in the objects, or can detect intrinsic object radiation. Laboratory measurements to demonstrate a range of potential applications have been performed. Gamma-ray transmission hodoscopes can be used to inspect canisters, rail cars, etc. to monitor objects such as rocket motors. The use of relatively weak isotopic radiation sources makes it unnecessary to employ expensive and high-intensity accelerators. The heavy metal of nuclear warheads is characterized by strong gamma-ray absorption, and these materials could be counted by low-resolution tomography. Absorbers located in line with objects will themselves be detected, and sources located in the object region will be subtracted out as background. Intrinsic gamma-ray radiation from warheads can also be detected in a passive-instrument mode. >
Millimeter wave RF front end design using neuro-genetic algorithms

This paper presents neural network and genetic algorithm based modeling and design of millimeter wave RF front end circuits. The neuro-genetic design methodology is composed of two stages. Stage one consists of the development of an accurate neural network model for the microwave filters from the measured data. This model can be used to perform sensitivity analysis and derive response surfaces. In the second stage, the neural network model is used in conjunction with genetic algorithms to synthesize millimeter wave devices with desired electrical specifications. The synthesis methodology uses an accurate model that accounts for the manufacturing variations and parameter indeterminacy issues. Furthermore, the genetic synthesis algorithm uses a priority scheme to account for tradeoffs among various electrical characteristics to provide the best design. This method has been used to synthesize mm-wave low pass and band pass filters. The electrical response obtained from the layout parameters predicted by the method matches the desired electrical characteristics within 5%. The generic nature of the technique suggests potential extension to other mm-wave front ends, such as antennas, diplexers and baluns.
Effect of salt stress on dry matter production and nitrogen uptake by tomatoes

Abstract Dry matter yield and nitrogen (total and 15N) uptake of tomato plants (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill., cv. Columbia) subjected to saline stress by NaCl were studied in a greenhouse. The treatments consisted of low (control), medium (4 bars), and high (8 bars) salinity. The saline treatments were prepared by adding NaCl to culture solutions. The plants were 80 days old at the start of the 15N treatments and each was in a pot containing 1.8 kg of quartz sand. The 15N was provided to plants by adding K15NO3 to the pots and the 15N treatment period continued for 30 days. The plants were harvested at each 5‐day interval during the 15N treatment period. Dry matter production and nitrogen (total and 15N) uptake were significantly lower for the saline treatments as compared with the control. The significant difference in the above factors (dry matter production, total‐N, and 15N content of plants) was first noted on day 15 of the 15N treatment, and this difference continued to the end of the study period....
Crisis MT: Developing A Cookbook for MT in Crisis Situations

In this paper, we propose that MT is an important technology in crisis events, something that can and should be an integral part of a rapid-response infrastructure. By integrating MT services directly into a messaging infrastructure (whatever the type of messages being serviced, e.g., text messages, Twitter feeds, blog postings, etc.), MT can be used to provide first pass translations into a majority language, which can be more effectively triaged and then routed to the appropriate aid agencies. If done right, MT can dramatically increase the speed by which relief can be provided. To ensure that MT is a standard tool in the arsenal of tools needed in crisis events, we propose a preliminary Crisis Cookbook, the contents of which could be translated into the relevant language(s) by volunteers immediately after a crisis event occurs. The resulting data could then be made available to relief groups on the ground, as well as to providers of MT services. We also note that there are significant contributions that our community can make to relief efforts through continued work on our research, especially that research which makes MT more viable for under-resourced languages.
Endoscopic evaluation of the esophagus in infants and children immediately following intraoperative use of transesophageal echocardiography.

Objective Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has evolved as an essential technique for use during pediatric cardiac surgery; however, few studies have evaluated the safety of TEE in children. This series reports endoscopic examination of the esophagus following intraoperative TEE in pediatric patients. Methods Fifty children undergoing congenital heart surgery underwent flexible esophagoscopy that was performed after completion of their heart surgery and after the removal of the transesophageal echo probe. The patients' ages ranged from 4 days to 10 years old, and their weight ranged from 3.0 to 39.8 kg, with a mean weight of 12.6 kg. Results Thirty-two of 50 patients (64%) had abnormal results shown on esophageal examinations; this occurred more frequently in the subset of patients weighing Conclusions Intraoperative TEE in infants and children frequently caused mild mucosal injury. Care must be exercised in the insertion and manipulation of the probes.
HOW TO DETERMINE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT RAIN DELAY TIMES USING LOCAL RAINFALL DATABASES IN ASHEVILLE, NC

Rain delays can prove costly to construction contractors and significantly affect longterm profitability if not carefully considered during the planning stages of a project. This paper includes a short literature review of technology related to predicting construction project rain delays and an analysis of rainfall event probabilities for the Asheville, North Carolina region. An analysis methodology is provided in a step-bystep discussion which illustrates how to determine statistical probabilities of significant rainfall events to forecast construction project delays. Local rainfall data for Asheville, NC is analyzed to determine rainfall frequency to provide an example of the forecasting methodology for the reader.
On Kruskal-Novikov co-ordinate systems

We rederive the transformation from Schwarzschild coordinates to Novikov co-ordinates, which appear to be equivalent to Kruskal co-ordinates. Our derivation takes place in two steps. We first replace the Schwarzschild time co-ordinateT with a new time coordinate τ measured by radially moving geodesic clocks, but keep the Schwarzschild radial co-ordinateR. The transformation fromT to τ results in a nondiagonal metric which is regular at the Schwarzschild radius,R=2M, and geodesics can be followed across the Schwarzschild radius in terms of the new (R, τ) co-ordinates. However, the metric does contain an expected co-ordinate singularity, arising because of the limitation of the reference system that one cannot have a geodesic clock with a turning point smaller than the Schwarzschild radius. Because of this, the co-ordinate system is incomplete in the sense one can find geodesic trajectories that cannot be followed to the intrinsic singularity atR=0. In our second step, the Schwarzschild radial co-ordinateR is replaced with a new spatial co-ordinateRi equal to the maximum Schwarzschild radius of each geodesic clock forming the reference system, a constant uniquely associated with the world-line of each co-ordinate clock. In terms of (Ri, τ) co-ordinates the metric assumes a diagonal form, but still maintains the previous co-ordinate singularity and is still geodesically incomplete. It is shown that the co-ordinate singularity in the metric can be removed by the mathematical procedure of replacing the Schwarzschild valueRi with a derived co-ordinateR* monotonically related toRi byR*=(Ri/2M−1)1/2. Because the metric written in terms of (R*, τ) now contains no appearance of co-ordinate singularities, it is possible to consider lettingR* take on negative values. However, arguments are given for excluding both negative values ofR* and the corresponding left-hand side of a Novikov diagram that would be generated by these negative values. Similar arguments for excluding the left-hand side of Kruskal diagrams are also given.
Introduction to Ecological Worldviews: Aesthetics, Metaphors, and Conservation

Although the scientist has succeeded the shaman and the priest as the custodian of unimpeachable knowledge of an esoteric reality beyond the ken of ordinary mortals, science is a social institution embedded in a larger worldview, from which it draws metaphors that reflect and reinforce that worldview. Thus to turn a critical eye on such scientific metaphors as “exotic,” “alien,” and “invasive” species is vital both to understanding and conserving the natural environment. Seizing on this dialectical relationship between science and worldview, Aldo Leopold essayed to reform the prevailing worldview to reflect the conceptual contours of evolutionary biology and ecology. Although now most renowned for his development of an evolutionary-ecological worldview and “land ethic,” Leopold was an engaged naturalist, deeply involved in conservation policymaking. Likewise, Rachel Carson was more than a critic of DDT and other organochlorine insecticides, she too deserves a place alongside Henry Throeau, John Muir, and Aldo Leopold in the pantheon of environmental philosophy and ethics. While moral values are certainly critical drivers of human behavior in regard to the natural environment, aesthetic values are perhaps even more critical. They have played a central role in the national-park movement, not only in North America but all over the world. Thus careful reflection and realignment of aesthetic values, as well as moral values, within the emerging evolutionary-ecological worldview is vitally important to conservation as the twenty-first century unfolds.
The Mechanical Properties of Homogeneous Glassy Polymer Blends

The mechanical properties of a number of homogeneous glassy polymer blends are reviewed. To a first approximation these properties are additive. In many cases negative deviations in ductility are seen that can be attributed to suppression of glassy state relaxations, which, in turn, are thought to arise from negative volumes and heats of mixing. Two blend systems are known, however, for which the measured properties appear to be additive. Probable requirements for suppressing negative deviations in ductility and the small probability of finding homogeneous glassy systems manifesting positive deviations in ductility are discussed.
The Human Food Safety Evaluation Of New Animal Drugs

pre-approval risk assessment process for new animal drugs is described in this article. The toxicological and residue chemistry data needed by the FDA for the human food safety evaluation of a new animal drug is also discussed.
Self-interest, partisanship, and the conditional influence of taxation on support for war in the USA:

Does the imposition of taxation inevitably erode public support for war? Through a pair of survey experiments we show that whether a war tax decreases public support for military action critically depends on the design of the taxation instrument itself. Broad-based, regressive taxes decrease support for war; progressive taxes targeted on the wealthy do not. We also uncover the mechanisms through which Americans incorporate information about war taxation into their wartime policy preferences. Economic self-interest, alone, cannot explain the individual-level variation in reactions to war taxation. Rather, Americans assess war taxation both through the lens of economic self-interest and by using partisan heuristics. The negative effect of taxation on war support is both conditional on the design of the taxation instrument and variable across segments of the public.
Principal Characteristics of the Power of the International Court to Determine Its Jurisdiction

The foregoing survey emphasizes the fact that in its present wording Article 36(6) of the Statute of the International Court of Justice enunciates a rule of general applicability. As has been declared by the Court itself, the principle would apply even in the absence of that provision which is an evidence, but not the source, of the Court’s competence de la competence.1 The provision has, however, the value of clearly extending this incidental jurisdiction as a statutory power of the Court.2 In practice, objections to jurisdiction may yet exceed the limit of disputing the Court’s substantive jurisdiction to challenge, in the first place, the power of the Court to pronounce on this issue.3 This will be a denial of what a simple objection to substantive jurisdiction normally implies — leaving jurisdictional issues for the Court to decide.4 These two types of objection, one invoking the competence de la competence, the other opposing its exercise, have both enabled the Court to build through the cases the general characteristics of this power. In the light of these characteristics the process of shaping the Court’s jurisdiction in each specific case is being undertaken; hence, the importance of their analysis at this stage of the study.
Perithecium production in Fusarium graminearum populations and lack of correlation with zearalenone production

Fusarium graminearum is composed of two populations. Group 1 is soilborne, causes crown rot of cereals and grasses and rarely produces perithecia. Group 2 is airborne, causes above-ground diseases ...
Initial Size Distributions of Aerosols

The use of digital computer programs to determine the size distribution of an aerosol as a function of time requires knowledge of the initial size distribution. This paper presents the results of a...
The Tension Between Individual and Political Ethics: Morality, Public Policy, and Abortion in the United States

(1996). The Tension Between Individual and Political Ethics: Morality, Public Policy, and Abortion in the United States. The Linacre Quarterly: Vol. 63, No. 3, pp. 14-22.
Preventing Bounce-Backs: More Filled Meds, Less Hurting Heads.

We all want to reduce readmissions. Children hospitalized with asthma account for a significant proportion of hospitalizations and, thus, readmissions. Do our patients take their medications as often as we think? Do they even fill the prescriptions? By increasing prescription fill rate, can we reduce hospital readmissions? #### The study This retrospective cohort analysis of Medicaid claims data included >30 000 children from 12 states who were hospitalized for asthma from 2005 to 2007. The study linked hospitalization for asthma and readmission for asthma with β-agonist medication fill rate, oral steroid fill rate, and inhaled steroid fill rate. Readmission was defined as hospitalization with a primary or secondary diagnosis of asthma within 90 days of discharge. Prescription filling included pharmacy claims 1 day before discharge to 3 days after discharge. The authors hypothesized that filling of β-agonists and oral steroids would be associated with reduction in short-term readmission (≤14 days) and that filling inhaled steroids would reduce readmission at later intervals. #### The key findings Of the >30 000 children hospitalized for asthma, 55% filled a prescribed β-agonist, 57% filled an oral steroid, and 37% filed an inhaled steroid. Readmission occurred for 1.3% of children by 14 days and 6.3% by 90 days. After adjusting for patient and billing factors, filled prescriptions for β-agonists (hazard ratio 0.67, 95% confidence ration …
Axiomatic Design Applied to Play Calling in American Football

Abstract The objective of this paper is to learn if the use of functional metrics and the use of parent-child equations can guide design decompositions for winning games. This study is performed in the context of designing play calling strategies in American football. The top level functional metric for FR0, outscore your opponent, is “point differential”, which is controlled through the child metrics that comprise it. Using an on-line game simulator based on statistics from the 2015 season, in over 96 simulated games, two design solutions are tested statistically against last year's results in the National Football League (NFL). The results show that the solutions based on the application of functional metrics increase the number of wins compared with the actual results from 2015. This suggests that whatever system the NFL coaches were using in 2015 was not the best for winning.
Adolescent and Young Adult Use of Social Media for Health and Its Implications.

Abstract Purpose To determine how adolescents and young adults (AYAs) use social media to share health information and to assess attitudes toward using social media to obtain health information and communicate with medical providers. Methods A cross-sectional study of AYAs, 12 years or older, attending a primary care adolescent and young adult clinic. Participants completed an anonymous survey about health-related social media use, personal health, and communication with their health care team. Results Of the 244 patients approached, 204 enrolled (83.6% participation rate). Almost all (98%) had used social media within the prior month, but only 51.5% had shared health information in these networks. These participants shared about mood (76.2%), wellness (57.1%), and acute medical conditions (41.9%). Those with self-reported poor health were more likely to share health information than other groups. Privacy was the most important factor determining which platform to use. Only 25% thought that social media could provide them with useful health information. Few AYAs connected with their health care team on social media and most did not want to use this method; texting was preferred. Conclusions AYAs maintain their privacy on social media regarding their health. Those with self-perceived poor health are more likely to share health information, potentially biasing online content and impairing the generalizability of social media research. AYAs do not view social media as a useful source of health information, which may limit the utility of public health messages through these platforms, and it may not be adequate for communication between patients and their health care team.
Jackrabbit Age Profiles as an Indicator of Hunting Behavior: An Example from Southern Arizona

Zooarchaeological data can provide invaluable information about prehistoric social, labor, and economic organization. Ungulate age profiles have long been used to answer anthropological questions a...