cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Supreme Court During Crisis: How War Affects Only Non-War Cases

Does the U.S. Supreme Court curtail rights and liberties when the nation's security is under threat? In hundreds of articles and books, and with renewed fervor since September 11, 2001, members of the legal community have warred over this question. Yet, not a single large-scale, quantitative study exists on the subject. Using the best data available on the causes and outcomes of every civil rights and liberties case decided by the Supreme Court over the past six decades and employing methods chosen and tuned especially for this problem, our analyses demonstrate that when crises threaten the nation's security, the justices are substantially more likely to curtail rights and liberties than when peace prevails. Yet paradoxically, and in contradiction to virtually every theory of crisis jurisprudence, war appears to affect only cases that are unrelated to the war. For these cases, the effect of war and other international crises is so substantial, persistent, and consistent that it may surprise even those commentators who long have argued that the Court rallies around the flag in times of crisis. On the other hand, we find no evidence that cases most directly related to the war are affected. We attempt to explain this seemingly paradoxical evidence with one unifying conjecture: Instead of balancing rights and security in high stakes cases directly related to the war, the Justices retreat to ensuring the institutional checks of the democratic branches. Since rights-oriented and process-oriented dimensions seem to operate in different domains and at different times, and often suggest different outcomes, the predictive factors that work for cases unrelated to the war fail for cases related to the war. If this conjecture is correct, federal judges should consider giving less weight to legal principles outside of wartime but established during wartime, and attorneys should see it as their responsibility to distinguish cases along these lines.
Liver functional reserve estimation: state of the art and relevance for local treatments: the Western perspective.

More than 90% of cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) develop as a consequence of underlying liver disease (most commonly viral hepatitis), often resulting in impaired liver function. In such cases, transplantation is an appealing alternative as it can potentially cure both the malignancy and the underlying disease. When transplant is not readily available due to organ scarcity, borderline cases must be considered for resection. The function of the underlying liver can be assessed by the Child Pugh score or by quantitative tests such as indocyanine green (ICG) clearance, metabolism of lidocaine to the metabolite MEG-X, and the arterial body ketone ratio (AKBR); liver biopsy pathology scoring and the platelet count can serve as indicators of fibrosis and portal hypertension. Another important factor to be considered is the risk of tumor recurrence, either because of unrecognized metastasis or due to de-novo tumor formation. Both factors must be considered in weighing resection against nonsurgical alternatives. Preoperative portal vein embolization is a strategy that can evoke regeneration in anticipation of surgery, serving as a “stress test” of the liver’s regenerative capacity.
Practical and theoretical issues in 1993 concerning radiation effects on the growth of normal and neoplastic hematopoietic cells

Radiation has multiple effects on eukaryotic cells, ranging from altered gene expression and cell-cell signaling to induction of programmed cell death (i.e., apoptosis). These changes may lead to neoplastic transformation of the cell and diverse effects on differentiation and growth. The Belarusians were exposed to greater levels of radiation from the Chernobyl nuclear reactor melt-down than any other population. Medical consequences of this exposure are reviewed, focusing on the appearance of thyroid cancer and the possible increased risk of future hematologic malignancies. Since circulating hematopoietic cells must be relaced continually at high rates, the effects of ionizing radiation are reviewed at the cellular level, utilizing the hematopoietic system as a model tissue. An overview of normal hematopoiesis (as understood in 1993) is provided, and the effects of ionizing radiation on hematopoietic stem cell compartments are reviewed. Hematopoietic growth factors (i.e., cytokines) that are associated with the plasma membrane (i.e., membrane-bound cytokines), or that are released as "soluble" molecules into the microenvironment and circulation, may "protect" organisms from radiation injury and may accelerate hematopoietic recovery following radiation exposure. Cloned hematopoietic cytokines, individually or in combination, may be useful in the treatment of radiation accident victims in the future.
Determination of residues in chromogranin A-(16-40) required for inhibition of parathyroid hormone secretion.

Chromogranin A (CGA), which is cosecreted from the parathyroid gland with PTH in response to low extracellular calcium, can be processed to amino-terminal peptides that, in turn, inhibit PTH secretion. The synthetic peptide KCIVEVISDTLSKPSPMPVSKECFE [CGA-(16-40)] is active in inhibiting secretion from freshly isolated or cultured bovine parathyroid cells. Peptide analogs in which alanine is substituted for classes of residues between the two cysteines have been synthesized and tested for biological activity. Substitution of the lysine, serine, or threonine residues by alanines does not greatly diminish biological activity. However, when the prolines are replaced by alanines or when glutamic acid and aspartic acid are replaced by alanines, the peptides do not effectively inhibit PTH secretion. Tests of synthetic peptides in which the individual glutamate or aspartate residues have been replaced showed that glutamate 37, followed by aspartate 24, are more critical for biological activity. Further experiment...
Ground-state correlation energies for two- to ten-electron atomic ions.

Improved estimates of the nonrelativistic stationary nucleus correlation energies of the ground-state atomic ions with three to ten electrons and Z up to 20 are derived by combining experimental data and improved ab initio calculations. Unlike previous work in this area, we focus on the correlation contribution to individual ionization energies, computed by comparing experimental data with relativistic complete-valence-space Hartree-Fock energies.
Thermal conductivity and thermodynamics of majoritic garnets: implications for the transition zone

Abstract Thermal conductivity at room temperature and pressure (k0), and heat capacity and total entropy as functions of temperature are calculated for majorite–pyrope garnets from new and previous infrared reflectivity and Raman scattering data. The thermodynamic properties, including the effect of cation disorder, vary by less than 4% over this binary, whereas k0 changes by >400% due to cation disorder. For mantle garnet compositions (∼70 mol% majorite), k0 is ∼2.3 W/m K, which is ∼25% k0 of ringwoodite, the other major mineral in Earth’s transition zone (TZ). The dynamics of the TZ is governed by its two dominant minerals having disparate values for k and viscosity, which parallels the situation in the lower mantle. If the TZ has substantial (60–70%) proportions of majoritic garnet, as suggested by petrological models, then heat flow therein is inhibited relative to the upper and lower mantles. Sub-adiabatic temperatures are implied, which is consistent with steep velocity gradients in the TZ. Association of low thermal conductivity with high temperatures should contribute to the buoyancy of the TZ layer, weaken it, and promote transformation to garnet: such destablization through positive feedback possibly provides a mechanism for catastrophic overturns of the TZ and upper mantle.
Use of nuclear emulsions as an analyser of proton polarization: Application to the polarization of protons in the photodisintegration of the deuteron

The use of nuclear emulsions as an analyser of proton polarization at an energy of 150 MeV has been studied experimentally by two different methods of scanning. An analyzing power of +0.47±0.08 was obtained for scattering angles of 5°÷20°. As an application of the emulsion method, we measured the excitation function of the reaction γ+d→n+p from 150 to 300 MeV, and the polarization of protons produced by photons ofE γ=(250±40) MeV. The most likely value of the polarization was determined to be +0.27 −0.18 +0.16 at 45° c.m. angle.
Bacterial Hosts for Natural Product Production

Four bacterial hosts are reviewed in the context of either native or heterologous natural product production. E. coli, B. subtilis, pseudomonads, and Streptomyces bacterial systems are presented with each having either a long-standing or more recent application to the production of therapeutic natural compounds. The four natural product classes focused upon include the polyketides, nonribosomal peptides, terpenoids, and flavonoids. From the perspective of both innate and heterologous production potential, each bacterial host is evaluated according to biological properties that would either hinder or facilitate natural product biosynthesis.
Can Social Disorganization or Case Characteristics Explain Sexual Assault Case Clearances

Abstract Understanding factors related to the clearing of criminal cases by law enforcement is an important, but understudied, issue in criminal justice. Through an examination of 2,437 sexual assault cases reported to the Orange County (Florida) Sheriff's Office and Orlando Police Department between 2004 and 2006, this study examines the ability of case and community characteristics to predict the outcome of investigations. Results show that ages of Victims & Offenders are significant predictors of cleared cases, but that measures of community social disorganization are not significantly related to sexual assault investigation outcomes.
Evidence for enhanced bioavailability of trace elements in the marine ecosystem of Deception Island, a volcano in Antarctica

This study assessed whether trace elements present at Deception Island, an active submarine volcano in the Antarctic Peninsula, show enhanced biological availability to the local marine community. Using a weak acid extraction method to dissolve organic material and leach associated but not constitutive trace elements of sediments, fifteen elements were measured from seafloor sediment, seawater particulates, and tissues of benthic (bivalves, brittlestars, sea urchins) and pelagic (demersal and pelagic fishes, krill) organisms collected in the flooded caldera. The highest element concentrations were associated with seafloor sediment, the lowest with seawater particulates and organism tissues. In the case of Ag and Se, concentrations were highest in organism tissue, indicating contamination through the food chain and biomagnification of those elements. The elements Al, Fe, Mn, Sr, Ti, and to a lesser extent Zn, were the most concentrated of the trace elements for all sample types. This indicates that the whole ecosystem of Deception Island is contaminated with trace elements from local geothermal activity, which is also reflected in the pattern of element contamination in organisms. Accordingly, element concentrations were higher in organisms collected at Deception Island compared to those from the neighboring non-active volcanic King George Island, suggesting that volcanic activity enhances bioavailability of trace elements to marine organisms. Trace element concentrations were highest in digestive tissue of organisms, suggesting that elements at Deception Island are incorporated into the marine food web mainly through a dietary route.
The effects of aversive levels of white noise on consummatory behavior

The present study was designed to investigate the effects of aversive levels of white noise on consummatory behavior. Three levels of sound were chosen for study (90, 100, and 110 dB). The results showed that Ss in the sound treatment conditions consumed significantly greater quantities of food on the second sound treatment day than did Ss in the no-sound control condition. In addition, there were no systematic differences in consummatory behavior among the three treatment conditions.
Prostate specific antigen kinetics following robotic stereotactic body radiotherapy for localized prostate cancer

AbstractBackground. Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) has emerged as an effective treatment for localized prostate cancer. However, prostate specific antigen (PSA) kinetics after prostate SBRT have not been well characterized. The purpose of this study was to analyze the trend in PSA decline following robotic SBRT from a prospective cohort of patients.Material and methods. In total 175 patients were treated definitively for localized prostate cancer to a dose of 35–36.25 Gy in 5 fractions using robotic SBRT in the absence of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). PSA and testosterone were collected at regular intervals following treatment and patients were assessed for biochemical failure and benign PSA bounce. A PSA nadir threshold of 0.5 ng/ml was used as a predictor of long-term disease-free survival. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the effect of disease specific covariates on the likelihood of achieving a PSA nadir less than threshold. PSA kinetics were analyzed a multi-component ...
Gestalt psychology and Gestalt therapy

This paper examines the relations between Gestalt psychology and gestalt therapy, as presented in the writings of Fritz Perls, who claims that his perspective derives from Gestalt psychology. Intellectual traditions, philosophical assumptions, and specific theories and concepts are considered. It is concluded that the two approaches have nothing in common.
Effect of estramustine phosphate on plasma testosterone during treatment of carcinoma of prostate.

Abstract Estramustine phosphate administered orally at 900 mg. daily depressed plasma testosterone levels in 10 consecutive patients who had previously been treated with estrogen hormones and/or orchiectomy and who were all in relapse from carcinoma of the prostate. Approximately one half of the patients responded to the treatment clinically. The decrease in plasma testosterone did not correlate with the clinical response. The clinical effect of estramustine phosphate may be due to decreased plasma testosterone levels, inhibition of 5-alpha reductase activity, and a local cytotoxic effect.
Calculation of molecular weights of humic substances from colligative data: Application to aquatic humus and its molecular size fractions

Abstract A rigorous mathematical expression for the dependence of colligative properties on acid dissociation of water soluble humic substances is presented. New data for number average molecular weights of a river derived humic material and its gel permeation Chromatographic fractions are compared with M n values obtained by a reevaluation of previously published experimental observations on soil and water fulvic acids. The results reveal a remarkable similarity of fulvic acids from widely different sources with respect to number-average molecular weight.
Alkali Halide Interfacial Behavior in a Sequence of Charged Slit Pores

In this paper, a variety of alkali halide, aqueous electrolyte solutions in contact with charged, planar-graphite slit-pores are simulated using classical molecular dynamics. Size trends in structu...
Maximizing Autonomy: Reforming Personal Support Laws in Sweden and the United States.

Reforming outmoded systems of guardianship requires that governments assess personal support and related services. U.S. policy-makers and reformers in individual states have begun to question how current guardianship laws may disempower individuals with mental disabilities. This article explores some remarkable legal and public policy innovations in Sweden that replace guardianship with personal support services such as mentors, administrators, “kontakt” persons, and personal assistants. It then examines the impact of Sweden's reforms on the autonomy, independence, and integration of its citizens and discusses possibilities for similar changes worldwide.
Number concentrations of fine and ultrafine particles containing metals

Abstract Typical classification schemes for large data sets of single-particle mass spectra involve statistical or neural network analysis. In this work, a new approach is evaluated in which particle spectra are pre-selected on the basis of an above threshold signal intensity at a specified m/z (mass to charge ratio). This provides a simple way to identify candidate particles that may contain the specific chemical component associated with that m/z. Once selected, the candidate particle spectra are then classified by the fast adaptive resonance algorithm, ART 2-a, to confirm the presence of the targeted component in the particle and to study the intra-particle associations with other chemical components. This approach is used to characterize metals in a 75,000 particle data set obtained in Baltimore, Maryland. Particles containing a specific metal are identified and then used to determine the size distribution, number concentration, time/wind dependencies and intra-particle correlations with other metals. Four representative elements are considered in this study: vanadium, iron, arsenic and lead. Number concentrations of ambient particles containing these elements can exceed 10,000 particles cm−3 at the measurement site. Vanadium, a primary marker for fuel oil combustion, is observed from all wind directions during this time period. Iron and lead are observed from the east–northeast. Most particles from this direction that contain iron also contain lead and most particles that contain lead also contain iron, suggesting a common emission source for the two. Arsenic and lead are observed from the south–southeast. Particles from this direction contain either arsenic or lead but rarely both, suggesting different sources for each element.
Responses of vestibular nucleus neurons to tilt following chronic bilateral removal of vestibular inputs

Recordings were made from the vestibular nuclei of decerebrate cats that had undergone a combined bilateral labyrinthectomy and vestibular neurectomy 49–103 days previously and allowed to recover. Responses of neurons were recorded to tilts in multiple vertical planes at frequencies ranging from 0.05 to 1 Hz and amplitudes up to 15°. Many spontaneously active neurons were present in the vestibular nuclei; the mean firing rate of these cells was 43±5 (SEM) spikes/s. The spontaneous firing of the neurons was irregular: the coefficient of variation was 0.86±0.14. The firing of 27% of the neurons was modulated by tilt. The plane of tilt that elicited the maximal response was typically within 25° of pitch. The response gain was approximately 1 spike/s/° across stimulus frequencies. The response phase was near stimulus position at low frequencies, and lagged position slightly at higher frequencies (average of 35±9° at 0.5 Hz). The source of the inputs eliciting modulation of vestibular nucleus activity during tilt in animals lacking vestibular inputs is unknown, but could include receptors in the trunk or limbs. These findings show that activation of vestibular nucleus neurons during vertical rotations is not exclusively the result of labyrinthine inputs, and suggest that limb and trunk inputs may play an important role in graviception and modulating vestibular-elicited reflexes.
Perception For Rugged Terrain

A three-dimensional perception system for building a geometrical description of rugged terrain environments from range image data is presented with reference to the exploration of the rugged terrain of Mars. An intermediate representation consisting of an elevation map that includes an explicit representation of uncertainty and labeling of the occluded regions is proposed. The locus method used to convert range image to an elevation map is introduced, along with an uncertainty model based on this algorithm. Both the elevation map and the locus method are the basis of a terrain matching algorithm which does not assume any correspondences between range images. The two-stage algorithm consists of a feature-based matching algorithm to compute an initial transform and an iconic terrain matching algorithm to merge multiple range images into a uniform representation. Terrain modeling results on real range images of rugged terrain are presented. The algorithms considered are a fundamental part of the perception system for the Ambler, a legged locomotor.
The autie advantage

Autism has long been defined in terms of its drawbacks. Now it is time to look at the benefits, argues David Wolman
Developing and Implementing Interventions in Community Settings

SUMMARY This paper describes the needs of youth at high risk of future drag use and an intervention approach which responds to those needs by utilizing community settings. The paper begins by discussing the merits of community-based drug abuse prevention. Next, the paper reviews the background and nature of drag use among youth who are at inordinately high risk for using and encountering problems associated with drags. Against that backdrop, the authors offer an approach to intervening with high-risk youth to prevent drug use and its attendant problems. The community-based preventive intervention approach includes relevant theory, applicable principles and specific strategies. Results from community-based prevention interventions are next discussed. Finally, the authors summarize the strengths and limitations of a community-based prevention approach offered to combat problems of drag use among high-risk youth.
The signature-based radiation-scanning approach to standoff detection of improvised explosive devices

The signature-based radiation-scanning technique for detection of improvised explosive devices is described. The technique seeks to detect nitrogen-rich chemical explosives present in a target. The technology compares a set of "signatures" obtained from a test target to a collection of "templates", sets of signatures for a target that contain an explosive in a specific configuration. Interrogation of nitrogen-rich fertilizer samples, which serve as surrogates for explosives, is shown experimentally to be able to discriminate samples of 3.8L and larger.
Content Guidelines for an Undergraduate Human Resources Curriculum: Recommendations from Human Resources Professionals.

In this study, the authors surveyed 445 human resources (HR) professionals to determine their views regarding the HR curriculum content that will lead to graduates' success in entry-level (first-jo...
Interpersonal Influence and the Reporting of a Crime

A study was conducted to examine the relationship between interpersonal influence and bystander intervention in a crime. In this study, the subject witnessed a shoplifting while waiting in a supermarket checkout line. A confederate then tried to influence the subject in one of the five following ways: (1) to notice the incident, (2) to define it as a shoplifting, (3) to define it not as a shoplifting, (4) to report it, (5)not to report it. It was found that the confederate affected both the subject's definition ot the situation and actual behavior.
A Light-weight API for Portable Multicore Programming

Multicore nodes have become ubiquitous in just a few years. At the same time, writing portable parallel software for multicore nodes is extremely challenging. Widely available programming models such as OpenMP and Pthreads are not useful for devices such as graphics cards, and more flexible programming models such as RapidMind are only available commercially. OpenCL represents the first truly portable standard, but its availability is limited. In the presence of such transition, we have developed a minimal application programming interface (API) for multicore nodes that allows us to write portable parallel linear algebra software that can use any of the aforementioned programming models and any future standard models. We utilize C++ template meta-programming to enable users to write parallel kernels that can be executed on a variety of node types, including Cell, GPUs and multicore CPUs. The support for a parallel node is provided by implementing a Node object, according to the requirements specified by the API. This ability to provide custom support for particular node types gives developers a level of control not allowed by the current slate of proprietary parallel programming APIs. We demonstrate implementations of the API for a simple vector dot-product on sequential CPU, multicore CPU and GPU nodes.
Exploring the process of organizing personal information

This paper presents preliminary results from a pilot study for a larger research which explores the process of organizing personal information in digital form from a cognitive sociological perspective. To collect data, a diary study and two post diary semi-structured interviews were conducted. In analyzing data, content analysis of the diary and the interviews were conducted. The initial analysis of the results showed that the process of organizing personal information in digital form consists of five stages which involve different actions, thoughts, decisions and a variety of factors that influence the decisions in each stage. In addition, individuality as well as social foundation impacted on the whole process of organizing personal information. This study deepens our understanding of information organizing behavior by providing an integrated view of the process. In addition, this study lays an empirical foundation for further study of any organizing behavior. It also has a direct contribution to the development and design of various personal information management devices, interfaces and applications that support an individual's organizing information.
A Step Towards Unification of Syntactic and Statistical Pattern Recognition

The problem of pattern recognition is discussed in terms of single-entity representation versus multiple-entity representation. A combined syntactic-semantic approach based on attributed grammars is suggested. Syntax-semantics tradeoff in pattern representation is demonstrated. This approach is intended to be an initial step toward unification of syntactic and statistical approaches to pattern recognition.
Measurement issues with iterated, continuous/interval contingent valuation data

A useful contingent valuation technique for eliciting estimates of welfare during telephone interviews is the iterated willingness-to-pay question. However, this elicitation method raises at least two important measurement issues: choice of estimation technique and starting-point bias. We acknowledge the potential for starting-point bias and: (1) use a randomly chosen starting point which covers the possible range of willingness to pay; and (2) cease the iteration procedure after a range of willingness to pay is determined. With the resulting continuous/interval data we compare WTP estimates using different econometric techniques (least squares, Tobit and interval data regressions) in order to estimate bias-free WTP. We test for starting-point bias and suggest a correction procedure. We conclude by recommending that future telephone applications of the contingent valuation method should consider the use of the iterated, interval willingness-to-pay question.
Simulation Predicts IGFBP2-HIF1α Interaction Drives Glioblastoma Growth

Tremendous strides have been made in improving patients’ survival from cancer with one glaring exception: brain cancer. Glioblastoma is the most common, aggressive and highly malignant type of primary brain tumor. The average overall survival remains less than 1 year. Notably, cancer patients with obesity and diabetes have worse outcomes and accelerated progression of glioblastoma. The root cause of this accelerated progression has been hypothesized to involve the insulin signaling pathway. However, while the process of invasive glioblastoma progression has been extensively studied macroscopically, it has not yet been well characterized with regards to intracellular insulin signaling. In this study we connect for the first time microscale insulin signaling activity with macroscale glioblastoma growth through the use of computational modeling. Results of the model suggest a novel observation: feedback from IGFBP2 to HIF1α is integral to the sustained growth of glioblastoma. Our study suggests that downstream signaling from IGFI to HIF1α, which has been the target of many insulin signaling drugs in clinical trials, plays a smaller role in overall tumor growth. These predictions strongly suggest redirecting the focus of glioma drug candidates on controlling the feedback between IGFBP2 and HIF1α.
Three‐dimensional cross‐well electromagnetic tomography

In this paper we develop a new technique for 3-D crosswell electromagnetic tomography, based on EM borehole survey consisting of a moving vertical magnetic dipole transmitter, located in one or several boreholes, and a tri-axial induction receiver, located in the other boreholes. The method is based on the LQL approximation for forward modeling, which results in a fast inversion scheme. The method incorporates both a smooth regularized inversion, which generates a smooth image of the inverted resistivity, and a focusing regularized inversion, producing a sharp focused image of the geoelectrical target. The practical application of the method to synthetic data demonstrates its ability to recover the resistivity, location, and shape of resistive and conductive rock formations.
An orientation to the concept of minimal breast cancer

Minimal breast cancer is a stage at which the epithelium is fully committed to neoplastic development but at which invasion either has not occurred or is little more than microscopic in extent. It is different from both early breast cancer and occult breast cancer. There is reason to urge delineation of minimal breast cancer as a specific lesion because of the urgency to reduce the mortality of mammary carcinoma. For the detection of noninvasive or minimally invasive breast cancer there is a need for a screening technique. Moreover there is a need for a pronouncement of what constitutes definitive therapy for minimal breast cancer.
Evaluation and treatment of muscle function in athletic injury

Abstract Since athletic injuries are caused by circumstances characteristic of the sport, the patients are subject to recurrent identical trauma. This as well as the need for early return to the athletic activity makes early and complete rehabilitation essential. Weakness and stiffness after injury are among the main causes for reinjury. Therapeutic exercises to restore full function of the injured part are essential for a safe and speedy return to the sport. Treatment of athletic injury, therefore, stresses early—often immediate—mobilization after fracture, sprain and strain. The technic of exercise and local treatment to relieve painful muscle spasm are described. Good physical conditioning and adequate warm-up are the most important measures in the prevention of athletic injury.
Visual analysis for live LIDAR battlefield change detection

We present the framework for a battlefield change detection system that allows military analysts to coordinate and utilize live collection of airborne LIDAR range data in a highly interactive visual interface. The system consists of three major components: The adaptive and self-maintaining model of the battlefield selectively incorporates the minority of new data it deems significant, while discarding the redundant majority. The interactive interface presents the analyst with only the minute portion of the data the system deems relevant, provides tools to facilitate the decision making process, and adjusts its behavior to reflect the analyst's objectives. Finally, the cycle is completed by the generation of a goal map for the LIDAR collection hardware that instructs as to which areas should be sampled next in order to best advance the change detection task. All together, the system empowers analysts with the ability to make sense of a deluge of measurements by extracting the salient features and continually refining its definitions of relevancy.
ZipPy on truffle: a fast and simple implementation of python

Building high-performance virtual machines is a complex and expensive undertaking; many popular languages still have low-performance implementations. We present a new approach to virtual machine (VM) construction that amortizes much of the effort in initial construction by allowing new languages to be implemented with modest additional effort. The approach (named Truffle) relies on tree-rewriting abstract syntax tree (AST) interpretation, together with an optimizing compiler (named Graal) that exploits the structure of the interpreter. The compiler uses speculative assumptions and deoptimization in order to produce efficient machine code. We illustrate the concepts of Truffle by the means of our open-source implementation of Python (named ZipPy). To show that Truffle supports a variety of programming language paradigms, we also present prototype implementations of other languages.
The clinical and molecular significance of C4d staining patterns in renal allografts.

BACKGROUND We investigated the clinical and molecular significance of minimal peritubular capillary (PTC) and isolated glomerular C4d+ staining using microarrays. METHODS Two hundred fifty-five clinically indicated transplant biopsies were included in the analyses. C4d staining was performed on paraffin sections using a polyclonal rabbit anti-C4d antibody. Gene expression profiles in a subset of patients were studied using Affymetrix HuGene 1.0ST arrays. RESULTS Immunohistochemistry for C4d of 255 biopsies showed 51% C4d negative, 4% minimal PTC C4d+, 15% focal or diffuse PTC C4d+, and 31% isolated glomerular C4d+ biopsies. Patients with minimal and focal/diffuse PTC C4d+ staining had higher frequency of donor-specific anti-HLA antibodies (DSA) (67% and 82%) and antibody mediated rejection (AMR) (66% and 89%) when compared with C4d-negative biopsies (25% and 19%, respectively) (P<0.001). The glomerulitis, interstitial inflammation, and peritubular capillaritis scores were also significantly higher in minimal (0.88, 1.25, and 1.5) and focal/diffuse PTC C4d+ biopsies (0.65, 1.41, and 1.5), compared with C4d-negative biopsies (0.25, 079, and 0.34), respectively. There were no differences in the DSA frequency, AMR rate, or Banff scores between isolated glomerular C4d+ and C4d-negative patients. Although both minimal and focal/diffuse C4d+ biopsies showed increased expression of genes related to the immune response, interferon-gamma and rejection-induced, cytotoxic T cell and constitutive macrophage-associated pathogenesis-based transcripts, there was no activation of immune-response-related genes in isolated glomerular C4d+ biopsies. CONCLUSION Minimal PTC C4d+ staining but not isolated glomerular C4d+ staining is associated with AMR, circulating DSAs and immune-response-related gene activation.
Image Repair Campaign Strategies Addressing Race: Paula Deen, Social Media, and Defiance

This multi-method study examines how the use of social media in a crisis campaign involving race-related issues may affect a public figure’s credibility and perceived response appropriateness. First, image repair theory is used to analyze Paula Deen’s image repair campaign in the wake of the National Enquirer’s revelation that she admitted to using the “N-word” during a lawsuit deposition. Our analysis shows her response strategies were unsuccessful because her apology did not center on the allegations, and she was contradictory in her bolstering, minimization, and mortification strategies. We build on the Deen case study results by exploring the effectiveness of tweeted message strategies in a race-related crisis via Twitter. We use a mixed-design experiment examining how public figure type (politician v. TV celebrity) and response strategy (moral defense, performance defense, defiance defense, no defense) affect perceptions of a female public figure’s credibility and perceptions of the appropriateness o...
The solar-cycle-dependent response of the thermosphere to geomagnetic storms

Abstract Geomagnetic storms cause large, global-scale changes in the neutral thermosphere. But both these changes and the mechanisms that produce them are affected strongly by the background “quiet-time” thermospheric conditions. For example, the extent of the area of enhancements in the storm-time O/N2 ratio is much more restricted in winter than in summer. Seasonal changes are not the only variations in the background thermosphere that affect the storm-time response: great changes also occur as a result of the variations of solar EUV radiation over the solar cycle. Thus, the response of the neutral thermosphere to geomagnetic storms should also be expected to vary with the phase of the solar cycle. In this paper, we describe the nature of these varying responses of neutral composition and neutral temperature using runs of the National Center for Atmospheric Research's Thermosphere–Ionosphere–Electrodynamic General Circulation Model. For both solar maximum and minimum conditions, the model runs were initiated with the same background level of geomagnetic forcing (the hemispheric power was 11 GW ). The power was then increased to 50 GW for 12 h to simulate a geomagnetic storm. By keeping the geomagnetic inputs the same, we have been able to isolate the effects of the changes in incoming solar EUV radiation on the storm response for the two extremes of a solar cycle. The following conclusions have been drawn from this study: (1) the regions in which the greatest increases of N2 mass mixing ratio in winter are found to occur at much lower geomagnetic latitudes during solar minimum than during solar maximum; (2) this different distribution of changes occurs because horizontal advection is more important during solar minimum than during solar maximum; (3) horizontal advection is more important during solar minimum both because equatorward winds are stronger, and because the high-latitude air is relatively more enhanced in molecular species than it is during solar maximum; (4) stronger equatorward winds occur during solar minimum because the pressure gradients driven by solar EUV heating are weaker, and thus the pressure gradient set up by high-latitude Joule heating is relatively more important; (5) in contrast to the compositional variations, storm-time temperature increases (numerical values not percentages) are greater during solar maximum than during solar minimum; (6) the initial thermal recovery from storm-time perturbations is faster during solar maximum, but then recovery rates are roughly equivalent after the first 12 h of the recovery period; (7) initial compositional recovery occurs much more rapidly at solar maximum than at solar minimum.
Role of malonyl-CoA in the hypothalamic control of food intake and energy expenditure.

The brain plays an important role in the regulation of energy balance in higher animals. Global energy balance is monitored by sets of neurons in the hypothalamus that respond to peripheral hormonal and afferent neural signals that sense the energy status. Malonyl-CoA, an intermediate in the biosynthesis of fatty acids, appears to function in this hypothalamic energy-sensing system. The steady-state level of malonyl-CoA is determined by its rate of synthesis catalysed by ACC (acetyl-CoA carboxylase) relative to its rate of turnover catalysed by FAS (fatty acid synthase). Changes in the level of malonyl-CoA in the hypothalamus alter the expression/secretion of key hypothalamic orexigenic and anorexigenic neuropeptides that regulate the feeding behaviour and energy expenditure. Inhibitors of FAS, administered i.c.v. (intracerebroventricularly) to lean or obese mice, cause a rapid rise in hypothalamic malonyl-CoA level, suppression of food intake, increased fatty acid oxidation in skeletal muscle and profound weight loss. Stereotactic delivery of a viral MCD (malonyl-CoA decarboxylase) expression vector into the ventral hypothalamus lowers malonyl-CoA levels and reverses the anorectic effect of the FAS inhibitors. Fasting decreases, whereas refeeding increases, hypothalamic malonyl-CoA and alters subsequent feeding behaviour accordingly. The level of malonyl-CoA in the hypothalamus appears to be under the control of 5′-AMP kinase, which phosphorylates and thereby inactivates ACC under conditions of energy surplus. Thus malonyl-CoA appears to link the energy-responsive fatty acid synthesis in the hypothalamus to feeding behaviour and peripheral energy expenditure.
Stimulation of the switch in myometrial activity from contractures to contractions in the pregnant sheep and nonhuman primate.

Summary The process of parturition is regulated by a set of interrelated endocrine, paracrine, and autocrine systems. Many of these systems demonstrate positive feed-forward characteristics. The sequential recruitment of signals that promote the labour process demonstrates that it is not possible to attribute the designation of the factor responsible for the ‘initiation of parturition’ uniquely to any one signalling mechanism. For this reason we prefer to avoid the term initiation of parturition since, mechanistically, each cellular and molecular mechanism that contributes to the process is itself initiated by an earlier process. In a very real sense, the initiation of parturition can be considered to be fertilisation. Therefore we prefer to describe the key mechanisms involved as promoting, rather than initiating, the process of labour and delivery. Despite many interspecies differences, an increase in maternal plasma oestrogen in late gestation appears to play a central role in promotion of parturition. In both sheep and monkeys signals from the fetal hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis increase oestrogen production by the placenta. We propose that the key fetal adrenal product is Cortisol in the sheep and androgen in the monkey. Oestrogen then recruits a range of stimulators, uterotonins, that act on the prepared myometrium to initiate the switch in myometrial activity from contractures to contractions. The various mechanisms central to the process can be considered to be either, or both, activators and/or stimulators of one or more of the key terminal steps involved.
Acoustoelectric effects in superlattices using a separate‐medium structure

The interaction of the surface acoustic wave (SAW) with the GaAs/AlAs superlattice is investigated using a separate‐medium convolver structure. The magnitude and polarity of the acoustoelectric voltages exhibit strong temperature and SAW frequency dependences, a phenomenon that is not observed in homogeneous semiconductors. Possible SAW‐superlattice interaction models that tentatively explain the observed data are discussed.
Midia-educação e pesquisa educativa

This text proposes to define the specificity of research in the realm of Media Education in relation to educational research. To do so, it is based on the epistemological framework presented by Van der Maren (2003) contextualizing it in the interior of international research about the relationship between media and education.
Indicated Mean Effective Pressure Estimator Order Determination and Reduction When Using Estimated Engine Statistics

The indicated mean effective pressure (IMEP) is typically used as an engine running quality metric. IMEP depends on cylinder pressure, which is costly to measure, therefore it is useful to estimate IMEP from currently measured crankshaft encoder data. In this paper, the difficulties in developing an optimal linear estimator from acceleration computed from crankshaft rotational speed and cylinder pressure data are discussed, and strategies are presented to reduce these difficulties. Estimating IMEP from crankshaft data requires the determination of which data to use in the estimator. Without this step, the estimator can become unnecessarily complex due the inclusion of strongly correlated data points in the estimator. A strategy to determine the angular location of the acceleration points to use is presented and is shown to greatly reduce the estimator complexity without significantly affecting estimation error. Additionally, while increasing the estimator order usually decreases the estimation error, it will be shown that increasing the estimator order can actually increase the estimation error. This effect is due to uncertainties in the gains of the estimator. These uncertainties in the gains can result from using limited training data to estimate the statistics necessary to compute the gains or when dealing with a nonstationary system. A method of reducing the effect of these uncertainties by optimizing the estimator order based on the number of available training data cycles is developed and demonstrated.
Similarity of songs within songbird repertoires: Analytic problems

Plusieurs hypotheses supposent que l'existence de differents repertoires sonores constitue une adaptation qui reduit l'habituation a l'ecoute des chants. Cette hypothese predit que les repertoires sonores doivent etre composes de chants dissemblables de sorte que les oiseaux qui ecoutent generalisent peu et s'habituent plus lentement. Cet article discute l'implication de telles hypotheses en particulier en ce qui concerne les modes d'apprentissage des chants chez les oiseaux
Modeling electrostatic force microscopy for conductive and dielectric samples using the boundary element method

Abstract A boundary element formulation is generalized for modeling electrostatic force microscopy (EFM) and related techniques. This formulation is able to predict measurable quantities (e.g., capacitance, force, force gradient) due to probe–sample electrostatic interactions, provided that the relevant sample (conductive or dielectric) properties (surface topography and trapped charge distributions) are prescribed. For a certain voltage bias applied between the EFM probe tip and a sample of interest, the Coulombic force and force gradient can be computed via the Maxwell stress tensor and implicit differentiation, respectively. The numerical scheme can be employed to quantify EFM images and analyze sample surfaces.
Interaction of cationic drugs with liposomes.

Interactions between cationic drugs and anionic liposomes were studied by measuring binding of drugs and the effect of binding on liposome permeability. The measurements were analyzed in the contex...
RADAR, GEOGRAPHIC TOOL1

Examination of representative and recently declassified samples of imagery from the type of radar developed especially for reconnaissance and mapping purposes by the military, the Side-Looking Airborne Radar (“SLAR”), indicates that SLAR images look very much like medium-grade aerial photos and will serve the following types of geographic tasks even better: 1) Tasks which require an overview of subcontinental magnitude. 2) Tasks which require an overview in which careful timing is critical. 3) Tasks which require an overview with maximum economy of time and money.
Eye position and head velocity signals are conveyed to medial rectus motoneurons in the alert cat by the ascending tract of Deiters

Abstract Eye position and head velocity signals are conveyed to medial rectus extraocular motoneurons in the alert cat by the ascending tract of Diiters'. Physiologically and behaviorally identified ascending Deiters' neurons have been injected intra-axonally and their morphology studied.
The excitation spectrum of cyanoacetylene (HC3N) and emission from C3N fragments

Abstract We have measured an ultraviolet action spectrum following excitation of cyanoacetylene between 212 and 264 nm. The low yield emission, principally to the red of 290 nm, is shown to be the product of multiphoton processes. Below 230 nm, secondary photolysis of metastable HC3N ∗ yields electronically excited C3N. Metastable HC3N ∗ can be monitored by separately exciting the metastables at 193 nm and then photodissociatively exciting them at 220 nm. The process leading to emission above 240 nm is more complex involving formation of a stable intermediate followed by its photodissociative excitation.