cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Leading- and next-to-leading-order semiclassical approximation to the first seven virial coefficients of spin-1/2 fermions across spatial dimensions

Following up on recent calculations, we investigate the leading- and next-to-leading-order semiclassical approximation to the virial coefficients of a two-species fermion system with a contact interaction. Using the analytic result for the second-order virial coefficient as a renormalization condition, we derive expressions for up to the seventh-order virial coefficient $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Delta}}{b}_{7}$. Our results at leading order, though approximate, furnish simple analytic formulas that relate $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Delta}}{b}_{n}$ to $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Delta}}{b}_{2}$ for arbitrary dimension, providing a glimpse into the behavior of the virial expansion across dimensions and coupling strengths. As an application, we calculate the pressure and Tan's contact of the two-dimensional attractive Fermi gas and examine the radius of convergence of the virial expansion as a function of the coupling strength.
Reconfigurable optical interconnections via dynamic computer-generated holograms

A reconfigurable optical interconnection technique via complex amplitude computer generated hologram (CGH) in electrically-addressed spatial light modulators (ESLM) is presented. Several networks including one-to-many (either regular or irregular) and strength-adjustable interconnections can be implemented by the new technique.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
New approaches to mutation rate fold change in Luria-Delbrück fluctuation experiments.

Abstract For nearly eight decades the Luria–Delbruck protocol remains the preferred method for experimentally determining microbial mutation rates. However, earnest development and rigorous applications of statistical methods for mutation rate comparison using fluctuation assay data are a relatively recent phenomenon. While likelihood ratio tests tailored for the fluctuation protocol give investigators appropriate tools, researchers sometimes may prefer to view the comparison of two mutation rates through the lens of the ratio of the two mutation rates. The idea of using the bootstrap technique to construct intervals for mutation rate fold change was proposed nearly a decade ago, but it failed to gain traction partly due to a failure to incorporate likelihood-based estimation. In addition to extending the bootstrap method, this paper proposes two new methods of constructing intervals for mutation rate fold change: a profile likelihood method and a Bayesian method utilizing Monte Carlo Markov chain. All three methods are assessed by large-scale simulations.
The vascular flora of Mettler's Woods, Somerset County, New Jersey

The objective of this study was to collect and identify the plant taxa at the 26 hectare Mettler's Woods during the 2010-2012 growing seasons. We identified 105 species, in 65 genera, and in 47 families. The largest families in the flora were the Poaceae (nine species), and the Cyperaceae (eight species). Carex was the largest genus in the flora with eight species. No rare taxa were observed at the study site. Non-native Microstegium vimineum now dominates the herbaceous understory. Additionally, the death of older trees has created gaps in the forest that has favored nonnative taxa such as Celastrus orbiculatus, Lonicera japonica, and Rosa multiflora.
A three layer spatial-spectral hyperspectral image classification model using guided median filters

Hyperspectral images (HSI) contain rich spectral information from a large portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. Using these images, it is possible to make pixel-level classification as each pixel holds hundreds of features. In this paper, we propose an efficient, three-layer hyperspectral image classification model by utilizing spectral/spatial features. The first layer of the system includes two classifiers that work in parallel. These classifiers generate probability scores that form the "new feature set" of the original dataset. The second layer is an ensemble classifier that combines the new features to generate the initial region classification. The third layer introduces a novel approach for enhancing the initial region classification's accuracy from the second layer by utilizing the spatial characteristics of the dataset. A new proximity-based 2D edge preserving order-statistic filtering called Guided Median Filter (GMF) is introduced with weights assigned to each neighboring pixel. Experimental results show that the proposed system improves our previously published results and reaches over 96% overall accuracy on Indian Pines dataset by exceeding some well-known traditional classifiers. Moreover, our GMF based system produced comparable results with the state-of-the-art neural network based methodologies without complex training stage and lack of interpretability of classification model.
Concurrent Associations between Expressive Language Ability and Independence in Adolescents and Adults with Fragile X Syndrome.

Background. Few individuals with fragile X syndrome (FXS) successfully meet adult normative expectations in education, employment, peer relations, and habitation, although there is within-syndrome variability in this regard. The primary goal of this study was to determine whether expressive language skills contribute to the capacity for independent functioning in adulthood even after controlling for nonverbal cognitive ability. Methods. Participants were 18- to 23-year-olds with FXS. Expressive language was assessed using the psychometrically validated Expressive Language Sampling (ELS) conversation and narration procedures. The language produced was transcribed and analyzed to yield measures of expressive vocabulary, syntax, and intelligibility. Parents concurrently completed questionnaires on the independent functioning of the participants with FXS. Results. All three ELS measures were significantly corelated with multiple measures of independence. The magnitudes of the correlations were reduced when nonverbal IQ was controlled through partial correlation. Nonetheless, many of the partial correlations were medium to large and several were statistically significant. Conclusions. Expressive language skills appear to contribute uniquely to the capacity for independence, although longitudinal data are needed to evaluate the possibility of a bidirectional relationship between these domains. Thus, language intervention may be a prerequisite for preparing youth with FXS for an independent adult life.
Clinical Trials Assessing Hypomethylating Agents Combined with Other Therapies: Causes for Failure and Potential Solutions.

Purpose: Azacitidine and decitabine are hypomethylating agents (HMA), that is, both inhibit and deplete DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1). HMAs are standard single-agent therapies for myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myelogenous leukemias. Several attempts to improve outcomes by combining HMAs with investigational agents, excepting with the BCL2-inhibitor venetoclax, have failed in randomized clinical trial (RCT) evaluations. We extract lessons from decades of clinical trials to thereby inform future work. Experimental Design: Serial single-agent clinical trials were analyzed for mechanism and pathway properties of HMAs underpinning their success, and for rules for dose and schedule selection. RCTs were studied for principles, dos and don9ts for productive combination therapy. Results: Single-agent HMA trial results encourage dose and schedule selection to increase S-phase–dependent DNMT1 targeting, and discourage doses that cause indiscriminate antimetabolite effects/cytotoxicity, because these attrit myelopoiesis reserves needed for clinical response. Treatment-related myelosuppression should prompt dose/frequency reductions of less active investigational agents rather than more active HMA. Administering cytostatic agents concurrently with HMA can antagonize S-phase–dependent DNMT1 targeting. Supportive care that enables on-time administration of S-phase (exposure-time)–dependent HMA could be useful. Agents that manipulate pyrimidine metabolism to increase HMA pro-drug processing into DNMT1-depleting nucleotide, and/or inhibit other epigenetic enzymes implicated in oncogenic silencing of lineage differentiation, could be productive, but doses and schedules should adhere to therapeutic index/molecular–targeted principles already learned. Conclusions: More than 40 years of clinical trial history indicates mechanism, pathway, and therapeutic index properties of HMAs that underpin their almost exclusive success and teaches lessons for selection and design of combinations aiming to build on this treatment foundation.
SLIDE IN THE SIBURUA DAM

A CASE STUDY OF A SMALL SLIDE IN THE DOWNSTREAM SLOPE OF A DAM COMPOSED OF SHALEY CLAY IS PRESENTED. THE SLIDE STARTED DURING STEADY SEEPAGE CONDITIONS UNDER A FULL RESERVIOR. FIELD PORE WATER PRESSURES AND MOVEMENTS WERE RECORDED BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER THE SLIDE. EXTENSIVE LABORATORY TESTS WERE RUN ON UNDISTURBED SAMPLES HAND CUT FROM THE FAILURE ZONE. TOTAL STRESS ANALYSES WERE MADE BASED ON FIELD WATER CONTENTS AND A LABORATORY DEVELOPED RELATIONSHIP OF FAILURE WATER CONTENT VERSUS STRENGTH. EFFECTIVE STRESS ANALYSES WERE MADE BASED ON FIELD PORE PRESSURES AND LABORATORY DETERMINED EFFECTIVE STRESS PARAMETERS. BOTH SETS OF ANALYSES GAVE A COMPUTED FACTOR OF SAFETY OF ABOUT UNITY FOR THE FAILURE CONDITIONS. /ASCE/
Surface Residual Stresses in Ti-6Al-4V Friction Stir Welds: Pre- and Post-Thermal Stress Relief

The purpose of this study was to determine the residual stresses present in titanium friction stir welds and if a post-weld thermal stress relief cycle would be effective in minimizing those weld-induced residual stresses. Surface residual stresses in titanium 6Al-4V alloy friction stir welds were measured in butt joint thicknesses ranging from 3 to 12 mm. The residual stress states were also evaluated after the welds were subjected to a post-weld thermal stress relief cycle of 760 °C for 45 min. High (300-400 MPa) tensile residual stresses were observed in the longitudinal direction prior to stress relief and compressive residual stresses were measured in the transverse direction. After stress relief, the residual stresses were decreased by an order of magnitude to negligible levels.
Eolian Sand Bodies of the World

Publisher Summary This chapter examines the eolian sand bodies of the world. Analyses regarding grain size and sorting distribution at Great Sand Dunes indicate that the higher dunes contain much more fine-grained sand and much less medium-grained sand than do the lower dunes, and, in addition, they are definitely better sorted. Cross-stratification in eolian deposits is the product of several distinct processes of transport. These processes are saltation or ripple migration that include various amounts of surface creep, grainfall (a dropping of grains from sand in suspension), and avalanching either by mass movement or by grain flowage which involves the downhill rolling or sliding of discrete particles. Penecontemporaneous deformational structures including various types of faults and folds, flames, break aparts, and rotated blocks are sufficiently numerous in most eolian deposits to serve as useful tools in determining genesis. These structures are good indicators of the nature of the stress and therefore provide information on the part of a sand body involved. Sufficient observations have been recorded to establish that the lee side (or slipface) of most modern dunes stands at 30° or slightly more and that the length of the foresets developed on it may be 8 or 10 m and often much more.
Disseminated cutaneous myxomas in an adult

New York, NY 10029 A 45-year-old Hispanic man presented with a 4-year history of progressively increasing numbers of skin-colored, nonpruritic papules on the trunk. His past medical history was significant only for hypertension. The patient had no systemic symptoms, and he had no family history of such lesions. Physical examination revealed approximately 100 round, dome-shaped, soft white to skin-colored papules scattered predominantly over the back, chest (Fig. 1), and abdomen; several papules were present on the lower extremities. There was no evidence of mucosal myxomas or mucocutaneous lentigines, ephelides, or nevi. The patient's physical appearance was normal, without evidence of Cushing's syndrome, excessive growth hormone, or any other endocrinopathies. Figure 1. Multiple cutaneous myxomas on the left chest Download figure to PowerPoint Laboratory investigation included the following: an echocardiogram was negative for cardiac myxomas; a chest X-ray was negative; and a stool guaiac was negative for blood. Serum protein electrophoresis was negative for paraproteinemia, and the levels of growth hormone, cortisol, and free testosterone were within normal limits. Baseline complete blood count (CBC), chemistry panel, thyroid function studies, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), antinuclear antibody, and urinalysis were unremarkable. A skin biopsy specimen revealed a large amount of amorphous bluish material separating collagen bundles within the upper and mid-dermis (Figs 2 and 3). Within this material, there were some small spindle-shaped and polygonal cells. An alcian blue stain demonstrated the abundance of dermal mucin. The diagnosis was compatible with cutaneous myxoma. Figure 2. Photomicrograph showing a large amount of amorphous material in the dermis (hematoxylin and eosin, ×400) Download figure to PowerPoint Figure 3. At higher magnification, small spindle-shaped and polygonal cells are seen in a mucinous stroma (hematoxylin and eosin ×40) Download figure to PowerPoint After 3 years of clinical follow-up, the patient has developed no other cutaneous lesions or systemic symptoms. The patient has refused further laboratory studies and echocardiography.
CAN HGB A1c PREDICT A PRE-DIABETIC |[lpar]|DB|[rpar]| STATE IN MOTHERS WITH LGA INFANTS|[quest]|

Hgb A1c can be used to predict pre DB in pregnancy. Hgb A1c were measured in mothers of infants with BW > 3.8 kg &/or hx of maternal DB (Class A or B). All 75 mothers in the study had infants > 2550 gm (3.98+.45 kg). Based on weight & maternal DB, 3 groups were available for comparison (Table 1). Maternal Hgb A1c was measured by 48 hrs of delivery (by chromatography). Historical reported Hb A1c levels for pregnant DB (≥Class B) is 7.96±1.23% & for pregnant controls 5.39±0.31% (Ped.Res.17:200,'83). Results: (1) By ANOVA there was no difference in mean Hgb A1c levels among the 3 study groups with infants > 3.8 Kg. (F2,57=0.45NS), (2) Among DB mothers with NB < 3.8 Kg, there was no difference between the mean Hgb A1c levels of Class A & B. (F1,13=.29,NS), (3) LGA NB (Gr.I) have a significantly high Hb A1c level (similar to DB) compared to historical controls. (F1,68=57.5,p<.005). Increased maternal Hgb A1c with LGA NB can be suggestive of pre-DB state.
Excessive Dynamic Airway Collapse: An Unexpected Contributor to Respiratory Failure in a Surgical Patient

Central airway collapse plays a significant, underrecognized role in respiratory failure after extubation of critically ill patients. Historically, airway collapse has been attributed to tracheomalacia (TM), softening of the cartilage in the trachea and other large airways. More recently, excessive dynamic airway collapse (EDAC) has been described as a distinct process unrelated to a loss of cartilaginous airway support. EDAC is caused by the posterior wall of the trachea bulging forward and causing airway obstruction during exhalation. This process is exaggerated when intrathoracic pressure is increased and results in a clinical picture of coughing, difficulty clearing secretions, dyspnea, and stridor. The increased use of computerized tomography and fiberoptic bronchoscopy has identified varying degrees of EDAC and TM in both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. This has led to renewed consideration of airway collapse and the different processes that contribute to it. Here we describe a 43-year-old morbidly obese patient who failed repeated attempts at extubation after elective hysterectomy. We will discuss the processes of EDAC and TM, describe how this condition contributed to this patient's respiratory failure, and review diagnosis and management options.
Confirmation Bias in Criminal Investigations

Confirmation bias is the tendency to bolster a hypothesis by seeking consistent evidence while disregarding inconsistent evidence. In criminal investigations, preference for hypothesis-consistent information could contribute to false convictions by leading investigators to disregard evidence that challenges their theory of a case. Two studies examine factors that influence confirmation bias in criminal investigations. In study 1, participants (N = 108) who stated hypotheses early in their review of a mock police file showed bias in seeking and interpreting evidence. In study 2 (N = 109), asking participants to consider why a hypothesis might be wrong remedied bias, but asking them to generate additional hypotheses did not. Implications for improving accuracy of investigations and suggestions for future research are discussed.
An Unsupervised Sentiment Classifier on Summarized or Full Reviews

These days web users searching for opinions expressed by others on a particular product or service PS can turn to review repositories, such as Epinions.com or Imdb.com. While these repositories often provide a high quantity of reviews on PS, browsing through archived reviews to locate different opinions expressed on PS is a time-consuming and tedious task, and in most cases, a very labor-intensive process. To simplify the task of identifying reviews expressing positive, negative, and neutral opinions on PS, we introduce a simple, yet effective sentiment classifier, denoted SentiClass, which categorizes reviews on PS using the semantic, syntactic, and sentiment content of the reviews. To speed up the classification process, SentiClass summarizes each review to be classified using eSummar, a single-document, extractive, sentiment summarizer proposed in this paper, based on various sentence scores and anaphora resolution. SentiClass (eSummar, respectively) is domain and structure independent and does not require any training for performing the classification (summarization, respectively) task. Empirical studies conducted on two widely-used datasets, Movie Reviews and Game Reviews, in addition to a collection of Epinions.com reviews, show that SentiClass (i) is highly accurate in classifying summarized or full reviews and (ii) outperforms well-known classifiers in categorizing reviews.
Is female reproductive aging programmed in the womb

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are industrial contaminants and a class of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that are known to interact with the reproductive system (estrogenic and androgenic) as well as other endocrine systems. Our lab and others have shown that perinatal exposure to estrogenic PCBs alters numerous aspects of the reproductive physiology and behavior in adulthood. In our current study published in Endocrinology, we extended this work further into the lifecycle to understand how gestational exposure to EDCs might affect the process of reproductive aging. In females, we found that exposure to a PCB mixture, Aroclor 1221 (A1221), altered the progression of reproductive aging and gene expression profiles in two brain regions important for regulating reproductive physiology and function: the arcuate nucleus (ARC) and median eminence (ME). Fewer effects were found in males and were largely limited to the ARC. Here I expand upon the ideas presented in the original article to discuss how exp...
Upland deforestation triggered an ecosystem state‐shift in a kettle peatland

Summary 1. European settlement of eastern North America resulted in dramatic changes to ecosystems, although the dynamics and underlying causes of these changes are not always obvious. For example, land clearance likely exposed soils to increased wind erosion, potentially impacting downwind ecosystems indirectly through subsequent enhancement of dust deposition. We hypothesized that otherwise undisturbed wetlands were altered through this indirect disturbance mechanism, increasing nutrient availability and initiating a cascade of ecosystem-level changes. 2. We tested this hypothesis in a floating kettle peatland located in north-western Pennsylvania, USA, using an interdisciplinary approach. A series of peat cores were collected along a transect oriented parallel to the dominant wind direction. Palaeoecological techniques were used to identify signatures of upland deforestation and mineral matter deposition within the peat profiles. Elemental analyses were used to reconstruct historic availability of major macronutrients, plant community dynamics were reconstructed using plant macrofossils and tree rings (Pinus strobus) and testate amoebae were used as a proxy for microbial community dynamics. 3. Strong correlations between the concentration of ragweed (Ambrosia) pollen and fine-grained mineral matter linked upland deforestation to enhanced dust deposition on the peatland surface. Elemental analyses indicated that nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium concentrations increased coincident with dust deposition. Plant communities shifted from Sphagnum dominance to vascular-plant dominance coincident with enhanced dust deposition, including increased recruitment of P. strobus onto the peatland. Testate amoeba communities shifted towards those adapted to highly variable microenvironmental conditions and likely reflect broader changes in microbial communities. 4. Synthesis. Upland deforestation by European settlers triggered a cascade of ecological changes on a nutrient-poor peatland by enhancing dust deposition and nutrient delivery on the surface. These results demonstrate that indirect, unintended and often overlooked human disturbances can lead to dramatic structural and functional alterations of carbon-rich wetland ecosystems, highlighting the potential vulnerability of these systems in human-dominated landscapes.
JavaServer Pages (JSP)

JavaServer Pages (JSP) technology is one of several current strategies for providing dynamic content on the World Wide Web. The particular advantages of JSP are that it is nonproprietary and platform independent, freely available, and that it provides a way to separate data and business logic from presentation components in a multitier Web application architecture. Keywords: dynamic content; Java database connectivity (JDBC); Java virtual machine (JVM); reusable distributable objects; servlet; servlet programming interface
Revision of Penile Prosthesis Surgery after Use of Penile Traction Therapy to Increase Erect Penile Length: Case Report and Review of the Literature

ABSTRACT Introduction Erectile dysfunction, a common consequence of radical prostatectomy (RP), can be managed with placement of a penile prosthesis. Patient satisfaction and functional outcomes have been related to penile length after prosthesis placement. Aim We report a case demonstrating the impact of daily penile traction therapy in a patient with a previously placed penile prosthesis with the goal of enabling revision with a longer device. Methods A post‐RP patient who underwent inflatable penile prosthesis placement 6 years ago complained of inability to maintain partner penetration with his device. The patient underwent vacuum erection device therapy twice daily for 10 minutes per session for approximately 1 year as well as 8 hours of penile traction therapy daily for 8 months. A revision implant surgery was subsequently attempted. Main Outcome Measure Patient reported functional outcome. Results Stretched penile length increased 2.3 cm after 6 months of traction therapy. A revision surgery enabled the placement of a prosthesis that was 20% longer in length (15 cm to 18 cm), and erect penile length increased by 4.4 cm. The patient reported that the new prosthesis enabled satisfactory maintenance of partner penetration. Conclusions This case suggests that the use of a penile traction device increases penile corporal length, and thus the length of a penile prosthesis that can be implanted in a patient with an unsatisfactory prosthesis already in place. Importantly, this patient experienced a substantial improvement in erect penile length after surgery. It is unknown whether these results are generalizable, either to all patients with a previously placed prosthesis or pre‐prosthesis patients, representing an opportunity for further investigation. Moskovic DJ, Pastuszak AW, Lipshultz LI, and Khera M. Revision of penile prosthesis surgery after use of penile traction therapy to increase erect penile length: Case report and review of the literature.
Comments on Unmixedness

I would like to present some reacting flow data and the results of computations, both of which illustrate the unmixedness phenomenon. By unmixedness, I mean the condition where eddies of fuel and oxidant have engulfed each other but where the molecular mixing necessary for complete reaction has not taken place. The data and computations, taken from Reference 1, are relevant here in that they illustrate the application of the concentration fluctuation equation previously discussed in the paper by Dr. Spalding. The unmixedness concept is also incorporated in the second-order reacting flow modeling reported on here by Dr. Donaldson.
The Distribution of Revenue-Sharing Funds and Local Public Expenditure Needs:

This paper examines the intrastate distribution of revenue-sharing funds using a cross-section sample of New York communities. The concept of needs is discussed, and a measure of local public expenditure needs is derived from aggregate consumption function theory. This measure of local public expenditure needs is used along with a measure of local fiscal capacity in examining the distribution of revenue-sharing funds. Revenue-sharing funds are found to be positively correlated with estimated expenditure needs but negatively correlated with the “gaps” between expenditure needs and local fiscal resources. It is suggested that the reason for these results is that the revenue-sharing allocation formula does not include an adequate measure of local fiscal capacity.
Inhibition of Mammalian Sterile 20-like Kinase 1 Rescues Cardiomyopathy through Protection from Myocyte Necrosis as well as Apoptosis (LB700)

Inhibition of Mammalian Sterile 20-like Kinase 1 (MST1) is known to have cardioprotective effects by preventing myocyte apoptosis. We examined the effects of MST1 inhibition in β1-adrenergic recept...
Do negative implicit associations indicate negative attitudes? Social explanations moderate whether ostensible “negative” associations are prejudice-based or empathy-based

Abstract The present work challenges the idea that implicit evaluative associations with outgroups necessarily provide information about negative or prejudiced attitudes. We argue that the manner in which one explains outgroup status and action shapes whether one's implicit “negative” associations are prejudice-based or empathy-based. Four studies are consistent with this possibility. Study 1 suggests that whereas implicit “negative” associations are predictive of negative explicit attitudes among those who reject external explanations for African American status and action, such implicit “negativity” predicts positive explicit attitudes among those who endorse external explanations. Study 2 provides experimental evidence that the provision of external explanations results in the formation of implicit “negative” associations that are predictive of compassionate responding. Study 3 provides more direct support for the idea that implicit “negative” associations are empathy-based among external explainers by showing that such “negative” associations are positively correlated with a measure of dispositional empathy-proneness. Finally, Study 4 demonstrates that IAT “negativity” is associated with automatic activation of empathy-related associations among those who strongly endorse external explanations. Discussion centers on the importance of considering factors—such as social explanations—that may moderate whether implicit “negativity” is prejudice-based or empathy-based.
Virus of avian erythromyeloblastic leukosis IV. Sedimentation, density and hydration

Abstract Studies have been made on the sedimentation properties and density of the virus of avian erythromyeloblastic leukosis. The virus occurs in some plasmas from diseased birds in concentrations permitting sedimentation studies of the particles directly in the plasma without prior concentration. Schlieren diagrams obtained by this means revealed well defined though somewhat diffuse sedimenting boundaries. The sedimentation rates observed under these not entirely controlled conditions varied from 496 to 603 s . Measurements on concentrated virus made under standard conditions give the average value of 693 s . The hydrated density of the virus determined by sedimentation in bovine serum albumin was 1.059, and that of the dry density found in analogous experiments with D 2 O was 1.29. Calculation of water content with these data give the values of 80% by volume or 75% by weight. Particle diameter based on the sedimentation data was 144 mμ compared with 100 to 120 mμ found by electron micrography.
Optimum Integration Time for UWB Transmitted Reference and Energy Detector Receivers

Determining the optimum integration interval in transmitted reference (TR) and energy detector receivers in UWB radio is non-trivial. Recently a diffusion channel model was proposed for UWB indoor propagation channels. This paper shows that the choice of the optimum integration time that minimizes the error probability can be obtained from the diffusion model in a computationally inexpensive algorithm. The algorithm can be effectively implemented with analog devices to inform the receiver of the optimum stopping time, without precise information about the channel model parameters. By using the obtained optimum stopping time, superior performance is achieved with respect to a computationally extensive averaged/GLRT analysis.
Achieving zero current for polar wind outflow on open flux tubes subjected to large photoelectron fluxes

In this study we investigate how the condition of zero current on open flux tubes with polar wind outflow, subjected to large photoelectron fluxes, can be achieved. We employ a steady state collisionless semikinetic model to determine the density profiles of O+, H+, thermal electrons and photoelectrons coming from the ionosphere along with H+, ions and electrons coming from the magnetosphere. The model solution attains a potential distribution which both satisfies the condition of charge neutrality and zero current. For the range of parameters considered in this study we find that a 45–60 volt discontinuous potential drop may develop to reflect most of the photoelectrons back toward the ionosphere. This develops because the downward flux of electrons from the magnetosphere to the ionosphere on typical open flux tubes (e.g. the polar rain) appears to be insufficient to balance the photoelectron flux from the ionosphere.
Psychopathic Traits, Empathy, and Aggression are Differentially Related to Cortisol Awakening Response

Psychopathy is thought to be related to a lack of empathy which interferes with conscience development and promotes aggressive behavior. Little research has examined underlying mechanisms contributing to psychopathy, empathy, and aggression, such as an altered Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal axis response system. The current study examined how subscales of psychopathic personality traits, empathy, and aggression are related to the cortisol awakening response (CAR), an index of an individual’s physiological preparedness for the challenges of the upcoming day. A mixed-sex sample of 57 college students was recruited for the study, and HLM analyses tested whether these constructs were related to blunted CAR. Results indicated that Machiavellian Egocentricity, Blame Externalization, and Carefree Nonplanfulness subscales of the Psychopathic Personality Inventory – Short Form were all related to blunted CAR, whereas the Social Potency subscale was significantly related to steeper CAR increase. Further, affective empathy and reactive physical aggression were related to blunted CAR. Findings suggest that CAR provides a novel biological index of psychopathic personality traits, affective empathy, and reactive physical aggression.
Perspective: Brain scans need a rethink

Head movement can bias brain imaging results, undermining a leading theory on the cause of autism, say Ben Deen and Kevin Pelphrey.
Complete allogeneic hematopoietic chimerism achieved by in utero hematopoietic cell transplantation and cotransplantation of LLME-treated, MHC-sensitized donor lymphocytes

Abstract Objective In utero hematopoietic cell transplantation (IUHCT) typically achieves low-level mixed hematopoietic chimerism. However, the goal of IUHCT is to achieve therapeutic levels of chimerism. We hypothesized that prenatal adoptive immunotherapy might achieve high-level donor chimerism after IUHCT. Materials and methods BALB/CE15 fetal mice were transplanted with a mixture of C57BL/6 (B6) T-cell–depleted bone marrow (TCD BM) cells and splenocytes from B6 mice presensitized to BALB/C alloantigen. The splenocytes were preincubated in L-leucyl-L-leucine methyl ester (LLME), to minimize graft vs host disease (GVHD). Recipients were followed after birth for donor cell chimerism and GVHD. Results Full donor hematopoietic chimerism following a single prenatal transplant was achieved in seven transplanted animals. Fully chimeric animals were healthy, without evidence of GVHD, and maintained their engraftment for the duration of the study (48 weeks). However, the addition of presensitized LLME-treated cells decreased survival until weaning relative to TCD BM alone, suggesting that some animals were lost to acute GVHD. Surviving chimeric animals demonstrated increased frequencies of T-regulatory cell populations in their spleen and BM, suggesting that they had successfully suppressed GVHD, allowing survival. Conclusions This study represents “proof in principle” that prenatal immunotherapeutic strategies may achieve complete hematopoietic engraftment across full MHC barriers when combined with IUHCT. However, strategies with greater hematopoietic specificity must be developed prior to consideration of clinical application.
New species of Habracanthus (Acanthaceae) from Mexico

A new species,Habracanthus harleyi from Guerrero, is described, illustrated, and compared with its closest relative,Hansteinia monolopha.
Evolution of digital organisms at high mutation rates leads to survival of the flattest

Darwinian evolution favours genotypes with high replication rates, a process called 'survival of the fittest'. However, knowing the replication rate of each individual genotype may not suffice to predict the eventual survivor, even in an asexual population. According to quasi-species theory, selection favours the cloud of genotypes, interconnected by mutation, whose average replication rate is highest. Here we confirm this prediction using digital organisms that self-replicate, mutate and evolve. Forty pairs of populations were derived from 40 different ancestors in identical selective environments, except that one of each pair experienced a 4-fold higher mutation rate. In 12 cases, the dominant genotype that evolved at the lower mutation rate achieved a replication rate >1.5-fold faster than its counterpart. We allowed each of these disparate pairs to compete across a range of mutation rates. In each case, as mutation rate was increased, the outcome of competition switched to favour the genotype with the lower replication rate. These genotypes, although they occupied lower fitness peaks, were located in flatter regions of the fitness surface and were therefore more robust with respect to mutations.
THE GREENLAND GlLACIAL ANTICYCLONE

Abstract The material contained in this paper is a description of the weather conditions over Greenland based on observations taken by exploring expeditions. It can be summarized as follows: Greenland is overlaid by a fixed glacial anticyclone of great vigor which spreads beyond its borders. Within a central cold region of Greenland is a core of descending air currents from levels above 4000 meters. The central region is sharply delimited on all its margins, which are marked by an abrupt rise of air temperature and by a fall of daily temperature range. The zone surrounding the cold central area of Greenland and extending beyond the glacial margin has at all times outblowing winds supplied from the central area. The winds centrifugal to Greenland vary in force from near-calms to surges with velocities of 100 and more miles per hour. Variations of wind velocity occur with little change in wind direction. For every point on the glacier's surface there is a wind direction which deviates from the downslope dir...
Hormonal interactions in mammalian collagenase regulation: Comparative studies in human skin and rat uterus

The production of collagenase by human skin explants in culture is prevented by 10(-8) M dexamethasone, 5 . 10(-4) M dibutyryl cyclic AMP, or 2.5 . 10(-3) M theophylline. Decreases in collagenase activity are paralleled by reductions in the degradation of explant collagen during the culture period. Progesterone, which effectively inhibits collagenase production in rat uterine explant cultures, has no effect on human skin explants. The inhibition by cyclic AMP is nucleotide specific. When partially inhibitory concentrations of dexamethasone and dibutyryl cyclic AMP, or dexamethasone and theophylline, are added to culture medium together, the resultant inhibition is that predicted by additivity. Synergistic inhibition, as observed in rat uterus between progesterone and dibutyryl cyclic AMP, fails to occur. Dexamethasone inhibits the production of collagenase by cultured explants of rat uterus, with complete inhibition occurring at 10(-7) M steroid. Synergism between glucocorticoids and dibutyryl cyclic AMP or between dexamethasone and progesterone could not be demonstrated in the uterine culture system. These results suggest the existence of three regulatory systems for the control of collagenase production in mammalian tissues, and that cooperativity between systems may occur on a tissue-specific basis.
Multipole expansions of extended sources of elastic deformation

SUMMARY Seismic-moment tensors for composite point sources which consist of coherent and incoherent assemblages of elementary sources are examined. We estimate the sizes of the higher-order source components for several simple deterministic and stochastic models of the source region geometry, as well as for a model of stochastic fault geometry developed earlier by us, to simulate both the tensor and scalar geometrical properties and the temporal properties of complex faults and sources. We study the complexity of earthquake focal zones using expansions of seismic radiation of a finite source in vector spherical harmonics and/or in seismic-moment tensors of a rank higher than two. Five point elementary sources (one second-rank and four fourth-rank) are non-zero for planar earthquake faults; four possible other sources and zero for planar faults. Thus, the presence of seismic radiation from the latter sources can be used as an indicator of the complexity (non-planarity) of the source. If the source zone is almost planar, the number of free parameters contained in these sources can be greatly reduced, and their inversion from earthquake records becomes possible. Three classes of geometrical barriers (disclinations) corresponding to rotations around three nodal axes are identified for this condition. The strength of multipoles can be connected to particular geometric features of heterogeneous faults, i.e. the presence and strength of asperities, segmentation of a fault zone, like en kchelon faulting, hence important tectonic results may be obtained from the inversions. Such a model, which involves barriers, requires a maximum of 20 degrees of freedom for its characterization.
"Normal Democracies" and Improving How They Are Measured: The Case of Russia

Debates over whether Russia is unique or like other countries have a long history. Responding to current work on that question, especially Andrei Shleifer and Daniel Treisman's argument, a political scientist examines ways to identify and specify in regard to what and compared with which other cohorts of states Russia may be considered normal. Three aggregate data sets, from PolityIV, the World Bank Institute's Voice and Accountability project, and Freedom House, along with individuallevel data from the World Values Survey, are used to assess possible links between the nature of the economy and the nature of the political system. The article explores how normal states—in particular, normal democracies—are identified.
β-Thalassemia Intermedia with Exceptionally High Hemoglobin A2: Relationship to Mutations in the β-Gene Promoter

Small deletions of the 5' portion of the beta-globin gene that remove the promoters but stop 3' to the delta-globin gene are recognized as the sole cause of beta-thalassemia with exceptionally high hemoglobin A2 (HbA2) levels. Two patients with beta-thalassemia intermedia and exceptionally high levels of HbA2 (10.4 and 12.0%) were examined. One patient was a combined heterozygote for the -88 C----T and a novel -87 C----A mutation, while the other was homozygous for the -29 A----G beta(+)-thalassemia mutation. The remainder of the beta genes were normal. There was no evidence for deletions involving the 5' portion of the beta gene or the region between the beta and delta genes. Gene mapping studies excluded the possibility of a beta delta-anti-Lepore hemoglobin gene with beta promoters and delta coding sequences. There were no mutations in the promoters of the G gamma or A gamma-globin genes that have been associated with the hereditary persistence of HbF phenotype. The delta-globin gene promoters were normal from codon 17 to position -145 relative to the mRNA capping site. There appears to be considerable heterogeneity of HbA2 and HbF levels in patients who are homozygous or mixed heterozygotes for mutations in the TATA box and other promoter elements of the beta-globin gene. The capacity for proteolysis within the erythrocyte may vary among individuals. The authors hypothesize that in the exceptionally high HbA2 beta-thalassemia intermedia phenotype, proteolysis of superfluous alpha-globin chains is less efficient than in patients with customary levels of HbA2.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Flood Management in California

California's development and success have been shaped by its ability to manage floods. This management has varied over the history of California's economic and political development and continues in various forms today. California will always have flood problems. A range of options are available to aid in flood management problems and have been used over time. These options can be contrasted with flood management elsewhere and the types of options used to manage other types of hazards in California, such as earthquakes, wildfires, and droughts. In the future, flood management in California will require greater reliance on local funding and leadership, reflecting diminished federal and state funding, with more effective state and federal guidance. Effective flood management will also tend to integrate flood management with actions to achieve environmental and other water supply objectives, both to gain revenues from a broader range of beneficiaries as well as to make more efficient use of land and water in a state where both are often scarce.
Specific Heat of a Normal Fermi Liquid. I. Landau-Theory Approach

The contribution of small-momentum-transfer processes to the ${T}^{3} \mathrm{ln}T$ term in the specific heat of a normal Fermi liquid is considered using Landau theory, and is evaluated exactly in terms of Landau parameters. This contribution is shown to be due to a term in the quasiparticle interaction, ${f}_{\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{p}}, \stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{p}}+\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{q}}}$, which varies as ${(\stackrel{^}{p}\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}\stackrel{^}{q})}^{2}$ when $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{q}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}0$; the physical process responsible for this behavior is the repeated scattering of quasiparticle-quasihole pairs. It is well known that for the two-body problem the interaction energy, while not, in general, equal to the real part of the forward-scattering amplitude, may be expressed in terms of the scattering amplitude. We take over the results for the two-body problem and apply them to a quasi-particle-quasihole pair. This gives an expression for ${f}_{\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{p}},\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{p}}+\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{q}}}$ in terms of the quasiparticle-quasihole scattering amplitude, which, since $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{q}}$ is small, may be expressed in terms of Landau parameters. We apply our results to liquid ${\mathrm{He}}^{3}$ at low pressure.
Semiparametric Difference-in-Differences Estimators

The use of natural experiments to evaluate treatment effects in the absence of truly experimental data has gained wide acceptance in empirical research in economics and other social sciences. Simple comparisons of pre-treatment and post-treatment outcomes for those individuals exposed to a treatment are likely to be contaminated by temporal trends in the outcome variable or by the effect of events, other than the treatment, that occurred between both periods. However, when only a fraction of the population is exposed to the treatment, an untreated comparison group can be used to identify temporal variation in the outcome that is not due to treatment exposure. The difference-in-differences (DID) estimator is based on this simple idea. Card and Krueger (1994) assess the employment effects of a raise in the minimum wage in New Jersey using a neighbouring state, Pennsylvania, to identify the variation in employment that New Jersey would have experienced in the absence of a raise in the minimum wage. Other applications of DID include studies of the effects of immigration on native wages and employment (Card, 1990), the effects of temporary disability benefits on time out of work after an injury (Meyer, Viscusi and Durbin, 1995), and the effect of anti-takeover laws on firms' leverage (Garvey and Hanka, 1999). It is well known that the conventional DID estimator is based on strong assumptions.
Salivary duct carcinoma metastatic to inguinal lymph node: a case report of salivary duct carcinoma with distant metastasis diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration.

Salivary duct carcinoma (SDC) is a high-grade malignant tumor exhibiting aggressive growth with early regional and distant metastasis. We report a case of SDC in a 53-yr-old male with distant metastasis to an inguinal lymph node. The diagnosis of the primary tumor as well as the metastatic lesion was accomplished by fine-needle aspiration (FNA). Aggressive clinical management appears to be the main therapeutic option for long-term survival. Therefore, establishing an accurate preoperative diagnosis by FNA can have both clinical and prognostic relevance. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2006;34:41–44. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.