cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The stress state close to a crack tip shielded by a dislocation array

The dislocation shielding effect in the fracture of many FCC and BCC crystals has been discussed. In general, under a Mode I loading condition, it is suggested that dislocation shielding can result from plastic deformation which then prevents the propagation of a crack. This means that due to the back stresses of shielding the stress singularity at the crack tip may be down to zero or become negligible. Furthermore, previous workers proposed a simplified super-dislocation model to simulate the plastic relaxation at a crack tip. This model has been shown to represent the plasticity near the crack tip similar to the Dugdale model. In this analysis, the interactions between the external applied stresses, the crack and the super-dislocation are based on generalized crystal mechanics. Therefore, it can be applied to anisotropic media as well as isotropic media. Though these models can estimate the crack tip displacement from the balance of shielding back stresses and the external applied loads, they still have not been utilized to predict the stress tensor of the whole field. The authors could find no stress computation presented based upon this approach. In addition, it was of interest to consider an array rather than a single super-dislocation.more » As a result, a modified model was used to evaluate the stress tensor associated with a crack which is shielded by a dislocation array.« less
Intergenerational fertility among Hispanic women: new evidence of immigrant assimilation.

In recent decades, rapid growth of the U.S. Hispanic population has raised concerns about immigrant adaptation, including fertility. Empirical research suggests that Hispanics, especially Mexicans, might not be following the historical European pattern of rapid intergenerational fertility decline (and convergence toward native levels). If confirmed, continued high Hispanic fertility could indicate a broader lack of assimilation into mainstream American society. In this paper, we reexamine the issue of Hispanic and Mexican fertility using an approach that combines biological and immigrant generations to more closely approximate a comparison of immigrant women with those of their daughters’ and granddaughters’ generation. Contrary to cross-sectional results, our new analyses show that Hispanic and Mexican fertility is converging with that of whites, and that it is similarly responsive to period conditions and to women’s level of education. In addition, we employ a mathematical simulation to illustrate the conditions under which cross-sectional analyses can produce misleading results. Finally, we discuss the import of the fertility convergence we document for debates about immigrant assimilation.
Nonnegative Rank Factorization of a Nonnegative Matrix A with A A ≥0

In this article we obtain a nonnegative rank factorization of nonnegative matrices A satisfying one or both of the following conditions: (i) AA † ⩽ 0 (ii) A † A ⩽ 0, thus providing a new set of conditions that guarantee the existence of a nonnegative least-squares solution of a linear system. Indeed, the characterization of such matrices improves some of the previous known conditions for the existence of a nonnegative least-squares solution of a linear system.
A Deep Cabled Observatory: Biology and Physics in the Abyss

The ALOHA Cabled Observatory (ACO) is the deepest operating observatory on the planet, providing power and communications to scientific instruments on the seafloor. In the future, ACO will add water column measurements, from the seafloor to the surface, using moorings and undersea vehicles. Recent results from video monitoring of deep-sea life and from temperature sensors illustrate the benefit of and need for long-term, sustained, continuous sampling in this abyssal context. The observatory is located at Station ALOHA (A Long-Term Oligotrophic Habitat Assessment), 100 kilometers north of Oahu, at 4728-meter water depth (Figure 1, top).
The natural history of radiographically defined vertebrobasilar nonsaccular intracranial aneurysms.

Background: Vertebrobasilar nonsaccular intracranial aneurysms (VBNIA) are characterized by dilatation, elongation, and tortuosity of the vertebrobasilar system. Methods:&l
3D Time‐resolved contrast‐enhanced MR DSA: Advantages and tradeoffs

The 3D TRICKS method for contrast-enhanced, time-resolved MR DSA has been recently described. In this paper, computer simulations are used to investigate the relative frame rate, temporal window, artery-vein temporal separation, contrast-to-noise ratio, and spatial resolution of TRICKS and conventional scans for breath-hold and non-breath-hold applications. For non-breath-hold applications, TRICKS can be configured to provide increased CNR or spatial resolution at an increased frame rate, but with a longer temporal window when compared with a series of conventional scans in which the central portion of k-space is sampled at the same rate as for the TRICKS scans. For breath-hold applications, TRICKS typically provides three images with 75% of the conventional single acquisition spatial resolution and is more tolerant of variations in contrast curve shape within the field of view.
TPLS: A Time and Power Based Localization Scheme for Indoor WLAN Using Sensor Networks

Rapid growth in the number of wireless enabled devices has led to an increased interest in location-aware services. The core support for such services is provided by a location system. In this paper, we present a time and power based localization scheme (TPLS) for indoor wireless local area network (WLAN) using an overlay sensor network. TPLS is based on time difference of arrival (TDoA) and received signal strength (RSS) using radio frequency and ultrasonic signals to measure and detect the range differences from the wireless mobile terminal to three sensor nodes. Mobile terminals can use TPLS to effectively estimate their locations based on the range differences. These range differences are averaged over multiple beacon intervals to counter interference and fading before they are combined to estimate the location of a mobile terminal through trilateration. TPLS requires low computation overhead and no time synchronization, as the location estimation algorithm involves only a simple algebraic operation.
Quantification of DNA methylation in electrofluidics chips (Bio-COBRA)

Alterations of normal gene expression patterns are a hallmark of human cancers. It is now clear that the dysregulation of epigenetic modifications of the DNA and surrounding histones contributes to aberrant gene silencing, thus being major participants not only in the progression but also the initiation of the disease phenotype. The best-studied epigenetic modification is DNA methylation, which converts cytosine to 5-methylcytosine. Aberrant hypermethylation of the promoter is frequently observed in cancer and is generally associated with gene silencing. Currently, accurate and reproducible quantification of DNA methylation remains challenging. Here, we describe Bio-COBRA, a modified protocol for Combined Bisulfite Restriction Analysis (COBRA), that incorporates an electrophoresis step in microfluidics chips. Microfluidics technology involves the handling of small amounts of liquid in miniaturized systems. In the life sciences, microfluidics usually entails the scaling down of at least one application, such as electrophoresis, to chip format, which often results in increased efficiency and reliability. Bio-COBRA provides a platform for the rapid and quantitative assessment of DNA methylation patterns in large sample sets. Its sensitivity and reproducibility also makes it a tool for the analysis of DNA methylation in clinical samples. The Bio-COBRA assay can be performed on 12 samples in less than 1 h. If the protocol is started at the DNA isolation step, however, approximately 48 h would be required to complete the entire procedure.
The relationship between conventional liver tests, quantitative function tests, and histopathology in cirrhosis

Thirty patients with cirrhosis were evaluated with the 2-hr [14C]aminopyrine breath test (score) and with conventional liver tests. Of the 30 patients, 24 also had current liver biopsies. There was a good correlation between necroinflammatory activity in the 24 cirrhotic liver biopsies and the 2-hr aminopyrine scores. All five patients who had at least grade 2 necroinflammatory activity on their biopsy had an abnormal prothrombin time (>3.5 sec above control) and their aminopyrine score was less than 2%. The correlation was good between the 2-hr aminopyrine score and the prothrombin time (seconds over control). No correlation was found between the 2-hr aminopyrine score and either the serum aspartate aminotransferase (SGOT) or any other liver test except for the prothrombin time. It seems that the 2-hr aminopyrine score and prothrombin time are more likely to give a quantitative estimate of total functioning parenchymal mass which is left unaffected by hepatocellular disease in cirrhosis, than the other commonly used liver tests.
Risks of anesthesia or sedation outside the operating room: the role of the anesthesia care provider.

Purpose of reviewOur goal is to review the recent year's novel and relevant literature on the practice of sedation/anesthesia in the nonoperating room setting. Risk factors and outcomes were evaluated related to locations, providers, and anesthetic regimens.Recent findingsAdministration of sedation/
Testing Program for Maintenance of Minimum Standards of Solids-not-fat or Protein in Milk

Abstract Protein in milk from bulk tanks at the time of delivery was measured on three Cornell University farms for 2.5 years. Composite samples, preserved with HgCl 2 , were built and tested for each half-month on each farm. Compositing tended to depress the observed protein content. The standard deviations of protein contents for each half month period were averaged, falling between .059 and .072% protein. The worst single case was .168% protein. These variations were compared to literature analyses, which also provided information on variations in solids-not-fat. Based on the observed variations, a random sampling scheme for assuring a desired minimum of protein in producer milk is described. It provides for equal risks of accepting substandard milk (consumer's risk) or rejecting standard milk (producer's risk). The criteria can be either a minimum average protein content for the half-month or a limitation of the number of days in the half-month that the protein in milk is permitted to be substandard in addition to meeting the minimum average requirement. If a single sample is at least .25% protein over the minimum, it is virtually certain that the true half-month average will exceed the minimum and that each day's protein content is over minimum.
Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)-Gly conversion to TRH in rat ventral prostate is inhibited by castration and aging

TRH levels in rat prostate are very high in the 2-month-old rat and decline at least 90% during the next 2 yr. This decline in prostatic TRH levels with aging may be a significant factor in benign prostatic hypertrophy in man and other animals. Because prostatic TRH correlates positively with serum testosterone and negatively with serum thyroid hormone levels, we have examined the possibility that the age-related decline in prostatic TRH is hormonally regulated. TRH and a TRH precursor peptide, TRH-Gly (pGlu-His-Pro-Gly), were measured in ventral prostates from 2-, 5-, and 18-month-old Fisher 344 male rats using a combination of HPLC and specific RIAs for TRH and TRH-Gly. Similar measurements were made in a group of 2-month-old Sprague-Dawley rats which were castrated, sham castrated, or left untreated for 3 or 7 days before death. Aging and castration resulted in a significant decrease in the absolute TRH concentration as well as the TRH/TRH-Gly ratio, but no significant change was observed in TRH-Gly levels. The serum testosterone concentration did not change with aging, but serum T4 levels fell significantly. Because testosterone levels do not change during the first 18 months of life in most rat strains, and hypothyroidism in young animals is associated with a significant increase in prostate TRH and TRH-Gly levels, we conclude that the aging-related decline in prostate TRH biosynthesis is not the result of a hypogonadal state.
Solid-Liquid Phase Diagrams for Binary Metallic Alloys: Adjustable Interatomic Potentials

We develop an approach to determining Lennard-Jones embedded-atom method potentials for alloys and use these to determine the solid-liquid phase diagrams for binary metallic alloys using Kofke's Gibbs-Duhem integration technique combined with semigrand canonical Monte Carlo simulations. We demonstrate that it is possible to produce a wide range of experimentally observed binary phase diagrams (with no intermetallic phases) by reference to the atomic sizes and cohesive energies of the two elemental materials. In some cases, it is useful to employ a single adjustable parameter to adjust the phase diagram (we provided a good choice for this free parameter). Next, we perform a systematic investigation of the effect of relative atomic sizes and cohesive energies of the elements on the binary phase diagrams. We then show that this approach leads to good agreement with several experimental binary phase diagrams. The main benefit of this approach is not the accurate reproduction of experimental phase diagrams, but rather to provide a method by which material properties can be continuously changed in simulation studies. This is one of the keys to the use of atomistic simulations to understand mechanisms and properties in a manner not available to experiment.
Preliminary Study of a Low Power Plasma Radical Jet Generator for Combustion Systems

A novel radical jet generator (RJG) was developed, whose purpose it is to supply concentrated, relatively low temperature radicals that penetrate into a flammable stream of reactants and trigger or modify a combustion process. The RJG is driven by a plasma whose power is only a fraction of a percent of the total power released in the combustor. In this approach, the plasma induces an incomplete combustion process in a small duct carrying a rich mixture of fuel and air. Results obtained using the developed RJG show that a jet, which consists of partially burnt reactants, some products and is, apparently, rich in radicals produced by the incomplete combustion process triggers extremely steady combustion in a fast moving combustible mixture whose flow rate far exceeds that of the RJG. Importantly, the results show that the jet, rich with radicals, that emerges from the RJG cavity at a temperature well below traditional ignition can ignite a fast moving stream of combustible mixture. Moreover, when injected normal to the main flow, this jet ignites the main stream at a location relatively far from the entrance point of the jet. This makes it possible to keep the combustion process away from solid walls while at the same time eliminating the need for solid flame holders. This in turn, provides an augmenter with reduced I.R signature. Finally, the results show a drastic effect of the RJG upon the flame dynamics in general and combustion instabilities in particular. Flames which displayed large, periodic pressure oscillations became completely stable when the plasma in the RJG was turned on. This suggests a novel use of the RJG to inhibit instabilities in combustors.© 2006 ASME
SHRIF, a general-purpose system for heuristic retrieval of information and facts, applied to medical knowledge processing

Abstract We describe a completed project which, conceptually and technically, is a significant extension of IRUHS (Information Retrieval Using Heuristic Search) described in Findler (1979). SHRIF (System for Heuristic Retrieval of Information and Facts) is an information and fact retrieval system that emulates the natural strength and flexibility of humans in gathering new knowledge, grouping facts that belong together from some point of view, discovering and making use of partial similarities, handling uncertainties and incompletenesses, and making acceptable compromises when total consistency is not available. The system also exhibits user-friendliness in various ways. It receives new or modified data and queries in a high-level, English-like language. Users are not obligated to specify their information needs exactly and completely. They can express the different degrees of importance of the properties they expect the returned objects to have. They also declare their strength of belief that the named properties are indeed shared by the objects in question. The system can respond to less than complete or specific information requests. When the user is not quite satisfied with an answer, the input can be changed so that subsequent responses may be more suitable. A reasonably complex medical knowledge base was used in the development of the project.
Patent Strategy and Management: An Integrative Review and Research Agenda

This review reorganizes and reconceptualizes extant research on patent strategy, which has emerged from diverse roots in economics, law, and management. Accordingly, it is anticipated that this review will help provide structure and direction to what is currently a somewhat disparate and fractured field of study within management. The main proposed framework highlights two important themes within patent strategy research—generic patent strategies and the strategic management of patents. In addition, it is noted that research in each of these themes generally maps onto one or more of three key domains—rights, licensing, or enforcement—within which patent-related strategic actions are typically undertaken. Two summary tables of prior research are provided that juxtapose the three patent strategy domains with different theory lenses adopted in patent strategy research. Finally, the article highlights two promising areas whose connections with patent strategy are beginning to be addressed by research—firms’ o...
Atomic Layer Deposition of Silica and Group IV Metal Oxides Nanolaminates

With alternating exposure of Si (100) substrates to tri (t -butoxy) silanol and anhydrous zirconium nitrate, mixed films of zirconia and silica were deposited at 162°C. The films were atomically smooth and their thickness was uniform across the entire substrate. The maximum growth rate of 12 A/cycle implies deposition of more than one monolayer per cycle. A singular reflection in the low angle X-ray scattering pattern indicates an ordered bi-layer structure. Similar nanolaminate structures were also formed using anhydrous nitrates of hafnium and tin.
Genomic Differences between Smoking and Drinking Patients and Non-smoking and Non-drinking Patients with Oral Tongue Cancer

extend across the midline (LC: HR = 0.17, 95% CI, 0.05-0.60,p = 0.0025), while it was non-significantly worse for patients whose tumor did extend across the midline (LC: HR = 1.43, 95% CI: .66-3.09). The benefit from intra-arterial treatment was due to the 26 patients with a large tumor (.30 ml) not extending across the midline (LC: HR = 0.14, 95% CI: .03-.72, p = 0.0547) while no significant benefit for intra-arterial chemoradiation was observed in the remaining patients. Results: Gene expression profiling analysis was performed. Using a paired t-test, there were a total of 5,767 transcripts with p\= 0.05 in the non-drinking and non-smoking patients, and 4,329 transcripts with p\= 0.05 in the drinking and smoking patients. We found that 7 genes were up-regulated and 6 genes were down-regulated in the drinking and smoking patients only; and that 6 genes were up-regulated and 10 genes were down-regulated in the non-drinking and smoking patients only. The aCGH data showed that 1p32.2-1p36.12; 3q26.31-3q27.2; 3q28; 4p15.33-4p13; 5p15.32-5p15.2; 7p12.1; 9q22.2-9q21.13; 9q34.2; 11q14.1-11q12.2; 16p13.2-16p12.1; 18p11.31; Xq12-Xq21.1 were regions of major difference between drinking/smoking and non-drinking/smok- ing patient samples. Conclusions:Genome-wide alterations are highly heterogeneous and vary significantly between the two patient groups. Thus, it is likely that different key genes and pathways are involved in oral tongue cancers related to tobacco and alcohol use and oral tongue cancers not related to tobacco and alcohol use. However, the results obtained need to be further validated in a larger number of oral tongue cancer samples.
Electrodeposited Iron Group Thin-Film Alloys: Structure-Property Relationships

Various iron group alloys have been electrodeposited and evaluated for properties including corrosion resistance, microstructure, electrical resistivity, magnetoresistance and other magnetic properties. Corrosion resistance depends on deposit composition and microstructure, which are controlled by solution composition and deposition variables. Maximum corrosion resistance was observed for 50Ni50Fe and 70Co30Ni binary alloys. The corrosion resistance of electrodeposited CoFe films was an order of magnitude lower than CoNi and NiFe films. Substantially increased corrosion resistance was obtained by adding Ni to CoFe alloys. However, addition of B only slightly increased corrosion resistance. For electrodeposited NiFe and CoNi thin film alloys, three distinct structural regions were observed: for NiFe alloys, fcc, mixed fcc and bcc, and bcc phases as deposit Fe content increased; for CoNi alloys, fcc, mixed fcc and hcp, and hcp as deposit Co content increased. The smallest grain size was obtained in the mixed phase region of both NiFe and CoNi alloys, For CoFe alloys, a mixed phase region was not observed; only fcc and bcc phases were obtained. Electrodeposited NiFe films from sulfate baths show superior soft magnetic properties including both lower coercivity and higher squareness than from chloride baths. Magnetic saturation (M S ) of electrodeposited NiFe films follow bulk alloys where magnetic saturation increased with increased deposit Fe content.
Baryon wave functions and nucleon decay

Abstract We apply to nucleon decay the knowledge about the short-distance structure of baryon wave functions gleaned from QCD form factor calculations nd the J gY → p p decay rate. We review the uncertainties arising when current algebra and PCAC are used to relate N → l + meson decay rates to 〈0| qqq |N〉 matrix elements. We show that the relevant matrix elements are not directly related to those of the leading twist operators “measured” in conventional high momentum transfer physics, but argue for an indirect based on models that fit both form factor and J Ψ decay data. We use these inputs to calculate the p → e + π 0 decay rate in minimal SU(5) and other grand unified theories (GUTs) for a specified value of the heavy vector boson mass m X . Our results combined with the recent experimental lower limit on this mode indicate that m X > 2 × 10 15 GeV in the minimal SU(5) GUT, and we derive analogous bounds for supersymmetric GUTs. Our calculated lifetime for a given value of m X is considerably shorter than previous estimates made using non-relativistic SU(6) or the bag model, a difference traceable to the different normalizations of 2 and 3 quark wave functions at short distances.
Long-term Use of Low-doses of Dichloroacetate in a Child With Congenital Lactic-acidosis

Dichloroacetate(DCA) has been shown to reduce plasma lactate levels in healthy and diabetic adults as well as in a child with congenital lactate acidosis(CLA).(F.Coude et al.New Engl.J.Med. 299: 1365, 1978).In a 12 year-old boy with CLA, DCA was administered orally during 12 months. The underlying biochemical defect in this patient is still unkown. In cultured fibroblasts, enzymatic activities of pyruvate dehydrogenase(PDH), pyruvate carboxylase, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase were within the normal range. DCA therapy given at a dose as low as 15 mg/kg b.d. every second day, was effective in lowering plasma lactate (7.6 mMol. to 0.9 mMol). In addition growth rate was stimulated (7 cm/year). Routine serial analysis were made throughout the study including blood levels of glucose, lipids, ketones, uric acid, oxalic aciduria, and the search of renal, hepatic, ocular and neural dysfunction. No adverse physical or biological effects associated with DCA therapy were observed. However DCA was not more effective on the gradually deteriorating neurological condition of this child than previous therapeutic attempts with thiamine, biotine, lipoic acid and ketonemic diet. We conclude that the return to normal of lactate levels was probably secondary to the activation of muscular PDH; it is not clear whether the neurological disorder is related to abnormal levels of a metabolite in the plasma.
ENGINEERED LEVEE BREACHES FOR FLOOD MITIGATION

Inland flooding from excessive precipitation and surface runoff remains the cause of extensive damage, loss of property, and human suffering worldwide. In this project, an engineered levee breach was considered as a measure to mitigate floods, and design attributes of the optimal levee breach were examined. The engineered levee breach creates depression waves that destructively interfere with the flood wave to crop peak flood stages. Furthermore, the engineered levee breach permits control over flood stage at a point along a channel where flood stage reduction is most beneficial in terms of hazard mitigation. The roles of flood plain storage, breach size, flood discharge, flood duration, and breach timing in the optimal design of engineered levee breaches were examined using a shallow-water model, and a strategy to design levee breaches is obtained by scaling the model results. It is shown that substantial flood stage reduction can be achieved with an engineered breach. This approach to flood fighting could prove useful in the mitigation of relatively short, extreme floods.
Molecular thermodynamic model for sorption and swelling in glassy polymer−CO2 systems at elevated pressures

A molecular thermodynamic model is presented that can quantitatively predict both gas sorption and polymer swelling in glassy polymer-compressed gas systems. The model is based on a lattice theory of polymer solutions and the concept of order parameters to describe the glass state. Model parameters that characterize molecular interactions between gas molecules and polymer segments are determined by fitting data for gas sorption in the polymer melt, and the order parameters that characterize the glassy polymer are determined from measured gas solubilities at the glass transition
Dynamic Contributions to the DNA Binding Entropy of theEcoRI andEcoRV Restriction Endonucleases

Abstract Molecular Dynamics simulations on DNA- Eco RI and DNA- Eco RV complexes suggest that the DNA within these complexes is significantly more ordered than free DNA. Similarly, both the protein and the DNA are more ordered in the specific (cognate) DNA- Eco RV complex than they are in the non-cognate DNA-protein complex, consistent with recently proposed analogies between protein folding and sequence-specific DNA-protein recognition. Analysis of the trajectories shows that the net entropy gain upon specific binding to be the result of opposing contributions. Solvent release, which increases entropy versus configura tional terms (as measured by the magnitude of the atomic fluctuations), and collective terms from tight coupling between the motions of the protein and the DNA.
Multiple measures of functionality exhibit progressive decline in a parallel, stochastic fashion in Drosophila Sod2 null mutants.

Oxidative damage has been proposed as an important factor in the progression of pathological and non-pathological age-related functional declines. Here, we examine functional deterioration in short-lived flies mutant for the mitochondrial antioxidant Manganese Superoxide Dismutase (Sod2). We find that the decline of several functional measures of aging occurs, in an accelerated fashion, in Sod2 mutants. Olfactory behavior, locomotor ability and cardiac performance were all seen to decline rapidly in Sod2 mutants. On average, functional declines in Sod2 mutants occur in a pattern similar to that seen in late-life Drosophila with a normal complement of Sod2. In longitudinal experiments, however, we find that functional failures occur in every possible sequence in Sod2 mutants. Significantly, failure of these functional measures is not irreversible, as spontaneous functional recovery was sometimes observed. These findings support a model where ROS-related damage strikes at multiple organ systems in parallel, rather than a “chain of dominos” model, in which primary organ failure contributes to the deterioration of further organ systems.
Prostaglandin A2 and 35S uptake in connective tissue

Abstract Rats deficient in essential fatty acids (EFA) incorporated lesser amounts of radioactive sulfate into lung, kidney, spleen, heart, costal cartlidge, long bone and skull bone than did normal control animals. Administration of prostaglandin A2 stimulated 35S uptake by lung, kidney and aorta while 35S levels in costal cartilage, tibial cap and long bone were strikingly reduced. Comments are presented suggesting that this metabolic mechanism may explain, in part, cartilage and bone resorption in areas of inflammation, such as arthritis, both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
Quantifying image similarity using measure of enhancement by entropy

Measurement of image similarity is important for a number of image processing applications. Image similarity assessment is closely related to image quality assessment in that quality is based on the apparent differences between a degraded image and the original, unmodified image. Automated evaluation of image compression systems relies on accurate quality measurement. Current algorithms for measuring similarity include mean squared error (MSE), peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR), and structural similarity (SSIM). They have some limitations: such as consistent, accuracy and incur greater computational cost. In this paper, we show that a modified version of the measurement of enhancement by entropy (EME) can be used as an image similarity measure, and thus an image quality measure. Until now, EME has generally been used to measure the level of enhancement obtained using a given enhancement algorithm and enhancement parameter. The similarity-EME (SEME) is based on the EME for enhancement. We will compare SEME to existing measures over a set of images subjectively judged by humans. Computer simulations have demonstrated its promise through a set of examples, as well as comparison to both subjective ratings and state-of-the-art objective methods on a database of images compressed with JPEG.
A performance evaluation of four parallel join algorithms in a shared-nothing multiprocessor environment

In this paper we analyze and compare four parallel join algorithms. Grace and Hybrid hash represent the class of hash-based join methods, Simple hash represents a looping algorithm with hashing, and our last algorithm is the more traditional sort-merge. The performance of each of the algorithms with different tuple distribution policies, the addition of bit vector filters, varying amounts of main-memory for joining, and non-uniformly distributed join attribute values is studied. The Hybrid hash-join algorithm is found to be superior except when the join attribute values of the inner relation are non-uniformly distributed and memory is limited. In this case, a more conservative algorithm such as the sort-merge algorithm should be used. The Gamma database machine serves as the host for the performance comparison.
A nonlinear time-dependent approach to mode- and route-split

Abstract This study considers the transient behavior of an urban transportation network. In many instances the steady-state solutions to mode- or route-split can not predict important consequences of disturbances on the network. In these dynamic situations, if the demand levels associated with the modes and routes of the system clearly affect parameters such as travel times, a constant averaged cost model is unrealistic. The nonlinear effects of the demand levels on the levels of service are incorporated in the dynamic model developed here. However, its basic mathematical structure is similar to the one formulated by Tomlin with preassigned constant travel time, cost, etc. for the various modes. The predictive ability of the present model seems to be largest where large fluctuations in cost variations are expected or where conditions in one part of the transportation system will have a marked effect on other parts of the system.
Magnetohydrodynamic equilibrium. III - Helically symmetric fields. IV - Nonequilibrium of nonsymmetric hydrodynamic topologies

It is pointed out that plasma confinement in stable equilibrium states constitutes a fundamental and still unresolved question in plasma astrophysics and thermonuclear fusion research. The problem has two parts related to the equilibrium states themselves and their mechanical stability. The question of the existence of general solutions of the field and fluid equations for the steady dynamical interaction of inviscid compressible fluids of high electrical conductivity with magnetic and gravity fields is considered. In the absence of fluid motions, the presented equations become the familiar equations of magnetostatics supplemented by an equation of state. Starting from this simplest case of magnetostatic equilibrium, the investigation proceeds to the more complex case of magnetohydrodynamic equilibrium. Examples of helically symmetric fields are presented to illustrate the use of the formulation for treating the dynamics of helically symmetric hydromagnetic flows.
DYNAMIC DATA FUSION

Information retrieval researchers have long appreciated the value of combining, or fusing, multiple retrieval systems' relevance scores for a set of documents to improve retrieval performance. However, it is only recently that researchers have begun to consider adjusting the score fusion method to the user's topic and initial results. This study explores the value of fusing multiple retrieval systems' scores in a manner that adjusts to: the semantic and syntactic features of the user's natural language query, the various systems' biases toward long or short documents, and the extent to which the scores produced by the multiple systems are statistically independent.
Implicit associative responses and false recognition by young children

Abstract Two experiments concerned with implicit verbal behavior in young children are reported. In Exp. I, 86 elementary school children were presented a word list containing several critical stimulus words (e.g., SCISSORS) that possess strong natural-language associates (e.g., CUT). Next, a recognition list was presented that included (a) the associates of the critical stimulus words, and (b) control words (i.e., words not associated with any words on the learning list). It was assumed that if the experimental words had been elicited as implicit responses by the critical stimulus words, then these experimental words frequently would be falsely recognized as having appeared on the learning list. False recognitions did occur more frequently to experimental than to control words, confirming results obtained with adults by other investigators. Experiment II employed 24 kindergarten and 24 third-grade children. Prior to presentation of the learning list certain of the critical stimulus words from that list were used as stimulus words in PA learning, with nonassociated words used as response terms (e.g., SCISSORS-BATH). Then the learning and recognition lists were presented. No false recognition effect was obtained either for the associates developed during PA learning or for the natural-language associates of the critical stimulus words that had been used in PA learning. However, a reliable false recognition effect was obtained for natural language associates of critical stimulus words that had not been used in PA learning. These results suggest that the PA learning functioned to temporarily extinguish the natural-language associates but did not raise the strength of the “new” responses to the point that they were produced as IARs. Experiment II also examined false recognition as a function of CA, and found this effect reliably greater for the younger than for the older Ss. This finding is discussed with respect to the development of verbally mediated behavior.
Introduction: of texts and classrooms.

This special issue of the Journal of Medical Humanities takes as its motivation the following two assertions: texts matter, and what we do with texts in our classrooms matters. The critical essays and pedagogical examples presented herein testify to the importance of these assertions for medical humanities educators seeking to prepare their students to be engaged participants in the healthcare system. Many of the pieces in this special issue began as conversations during a 3-day seminar at Hiram College’s Center for Literature and Medicine in summer 2011. The Center has hosted such gatherings for over 20 years, bringing together educators, practitioners, artists, and students committed to constructive dialogue and the lively exchange of disciplinary perspectives on topics ranging from narrative bioethics and human enhancement technologies to aging and global healthcare justice. The initial support for these seminars came from a National Endowment for the Humanities grant. That early and crucial funding made it possible to establish Hiram College as a meeting place for the kinds of conversations that took place in 2011. Those conversations grew out of three simple but fundamental questions—Why?, What?, and How?— we posed to seminar participants regarding medical humanities pedagogy generally and the role of texts within this pedagogy more specifically. Over the course of 3 days, we discussed the reasons, materials, and methods central to our roles as educators in medical humanities classrooms. In this issue, we include both theoretical examinations of medical humanities pedagogy—the what—as well as practical demonstrations—the how. During the summer seminar, participants found much value and inspiration in practical pedagogy demonstrations for the ways they focused attention on the payoff—the why—gained by meaningful uses of various kinds of texts across different educational settings. Our hope is that the pieces selected for inclusion in this special issue will prove equally useful for readers in healthcare education. Close reading, as a common approach, unites the diverse genres and settings represented not only in the pedagogical examples but also in the critical essays. As Anne Hudson Jones J Med Humanit (2013) 34:413–414 DOI 10.1007/s10912-013-9254-4
Capacity provisioning and failure recovery in mesh-torus networks with application to satellite constellations

This paper considers the link capacity requirement for a N/spl times/N mesh-torus network under a uniform all-to-all traffic model. Both primary capacity and spare capacity for recovering from link failures are examined. In both cases, we use a novel method of "cuts on a graph" to obtain lower bounds on capacity requirements and subsequently find algorithms for routing and failure recovery that meet these bounds. Finally, we quantify the benefits of path based restoration over that of link based restoration; specifically, we find that the spare capacity requirement for a link based restoration scheme is nearly N times that for a path based scheme.
The symbolic dilemmas of suburban poverty: Challenges and opportunities posed by variations in the contours of suburban poverty

Poverty has increased significantly in U.S. suburbs since the 1990s. What we know about suburban poverty is largely limited to demographic and economic information. Building off the organizational perspective approach, I use in-depth interviews with nonprofit, antipoverty organizations in eight Pennsylvania suburbs to better understand the suburban poverty experience. My focus is on how organizations compete for external resources. By working directly with the poverty problem while also working in broader metropolitan political and economic fields of decision making, this "middle-man" role (Marwell, 2007) gives us insights into contemporary poverty dynamics for suburbs. I find that how suburban organizational leaders perceive the challenges they face, and what strategies they adopt to confront such difficulties, revolves around symbolic dilemmas posed by the history, distribution, and politics of poverty in the suburbs. Symbolic dilemmas cluster around three different situational contexts of poverty in the suburbs. I use this to develop a three-part typology of suburban poverty: symbiotic suburbs, skeletal suburbs, and overshadowed suburbs. This typology has implications for future research and for policymakers interested in developing tools to appropriately address this pressing issue.
Shear wave splitting and the pattern of mantle flow beneath eastern Oregon

a r t i c l e i n f o Article history: The tectonic and geologic setting of eastern Oregon includes the volcanically active High Lava Plains (HLP) province and the accreted terrains of the Blue and Wallowa Mountains and is bounded by the Columbia River ! ood basalts to the north, Basin and Range extension to the south, the Cascade arc to the west, and stable North America to the east. Several models have been proposed to explain the tectonic evolution of eastern Oregon and, in particular, the voluminous volcanic activity in the HLP, but a consensus on which model fully describes the complex range of processes remains elusive. Measurements of the seismic anisotropy that results from active mantle ! ow beneath the region can provide a crucial test of such models. To constrain this anisotropy, here we present new SKS splitting results obtained at approximately 200 broadband seismic stations in eastern Oregon and the surrounding region. Data come from the USArray Transportable Array (TA) and two temporary experiments carried out in the HLP and in the Wallowa Mountains. Our splitting data set includes ~2900 individual splitting measurements from SKS phases recorded between 2006 and 2008. Stations in eastern Oregon exhibit signi" cant shear wave splitting, with average delay times at individual stations between ~0.8 s and ~2.7 s. In the HLP, nearly all observed fast directions are approximately E-W, while to the north in the Blue and Wallowa Mountains there is more variability in the splitting patterns. The average delay time observed at stations located in the heart of the HLP province is ~2 s, well above the global average of ~1 s for continental regions. We infer from the large split times and homogeneous fast directions that there must be signi" cant active ! ow in a roughly E-W direction in the asthenosphere beneath the HLP; this inferred ! ow " eld places a strong constraint on models that seek to explain the young tectonomagmatic activity in the region. In the Wallowa region, the anisotropic signature is more complicated and there may be a signi" cant contribution from fossil fabrics in the crust or mantle lithosphere.
Outcome of adult horses with botulism treated at a veterinary hospital: 92 cases (1989-2013).

Background There are no studies evaluating a large population of adult horses treated for botulism. Reported survival rates in outbreak situations are low; however, many horses in outbreaks do not receive treatment. Hypothesis/Objectives That adult horses treated at a veterinary hospital would have improved survival compared to outbreak situations. Additional aims included identification of predictors of nonsurvival. Animals All horses greater than 6 months of age with a final diagnosis of botulism admitted to a veterinary teaching hospital between 1989 and 2013 were included. Methods Retrospective study. Historical, admission, and hospitalization data were retrieved from medical records and associations between variables and nonsurvival were identified using logistic regression. Two multivariable models were developed pertaining to (1) information available at admission and (2) clinical findings during hospitalization. Results Ninety-two records met inclusion criteria. Retained variables for the two models indicated that higher rectal temperature (OR, 1.94; CI, 1.19–3.17) and dysphagia (OR, 4.04; CI, 1.01–16.17) observed at admission increased the odds of survival, as did treatment with antitoxin (OR, 121.30; CI, 9.94–1,480.65). Horses with abnormal respiratory effort or inability to stand had decreased odds of survival. Overall survival was 48% but was significantly higher (67%, P = .011) for horses that arrived standing, and even higher (95%, P < .001) for horses that remained able to stand throughout hospitalization. Complications occurred in 62% of horses but were not associated with nonsurvival. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Horses that lose the ability to stand have a poor chance of survival. Complications are common in treated horses but do not reduce survival.
COGNITIVE SKILL ACQUISITION

▪ Abstract Cognitive skill acquisition is acquiring the ability to solve problems in intellectual tasks, where success is determined more by subjects' knowledge than by their physical prowess. This review considers research conducted in the past ten years on cognitive skill acquisition. It covers the initial stages of acquiring a single principle or rule, the initial stages of acquiring a collection of interacting pieces of knowledge, and the final stages of acquiring a skill, wherein practice causes increases in speed and accuracy.
Fabrication Variations and Defect Tolerance for Nanomagnet-Based QCA

Tolerating defects and fabrication variations will be critical in any system made with devices that have nanometer feature sizes. This paper considers how fabrication variations and defects might lead to faulty behavior in Magnetic Quantum-dot Cellular Automata (MQCA) circuits and systems. Here, we leverage physical-level simulation to consider how fabrication variations might affect a circuit's logical correctness. We then discuss how we can tolerate fabrication variations at the device, circuit, and architectural level.
A remark on C-compact spaces

It has been observed by a number of researchers that although it is well-known that all continuous functions defined on C-compact spaces are closed functions, this property does not characterize C-compact spaces. In this note we employ the notion of strongly subclosed relations to prove that a space is C-compact if and only if all functions on it with strongly subclosed inverses are closed functions.