cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Noncoherent Massive MIMO Detection by Expectation Propagation

A channel estimation method was recently proposed for multi-cell massive MIMO systems based on the eigenvalue decomposition of the correlation matrix of the received vectors (EVD-based). This algorithm, however, is sensitive to the size of the antenna array as well as the number of samples used in the evaluation of the correlation matrix. In this paper we present a noncoherent channel estimation and symbol detection scheme for multi-cell massive MIMO systems based on expectation propagation (EP). The proposed algorithm is initialized with the channel estimation result from the EVD-based method. Simulation results show that after a few iterations, the EP-based algorithm significantly outperforms the EVD-based method in both channel estimation and symbol error rate. Moreover, the EP-based algorithm is not sensitive to antenna array size or the inaccuracies of sample correlation matrix.
Pseudoaneurysm formation after valve sparing root replacement in children with Loeys-Dietz syndrome.

BACKGROUND Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS) is an autosomal dominant connective tissue disorder predisposing patients to aneurysm formation and arterial dissection. Aortic root replacement is often performed prophylactically and valve-sparing root replacement (VSRR) has become the procedure of choice. However, in these patients with connective tissue disorders, postoperative pseudoaneurysms may develop. METHODS All children with LDS undergoing VSRR at a single institution were retrospectively reviewed to identify patients who developed postoperative pseudoaneurysms. RESULTS Thirty-one children with LDS underwent VSRR; four of these developed pseudoaneurysms of their synthetic aortic root grafts requiring reoperation. These four children were reviewed to investigate the cause of pseudoaneurysm formation after VSRR. Each had severe subtypes of LDS. Each underwent reoperation for repair of their pseudoaneurysms and were found to have suffered pseudoaneurysms as a result of tearing of sutures from their reimplantation VSRR. CONCLUSIONS Pseudoaneurysms following aortic root replacement with VSRR can occur in children with severe subtypes of LDS. Long-term surveillance is required to detect these potentially life-threatening lesions.
Benzodiazepines and catatonia: A case report.

The case history of a patient with presumed psychogenic catatonia who responded dramatically to two mg of IM lorazepam is presented. This patient, who had been largely mute and immobile for over a week despite neuroleptic therapy, became freely conversant and mobile within 30 minutes of the administration of lorazepam. This response was repeated the next day after the patient had again become mute and immobile. Catatonia and its diverse etiologies are discussed, with an emphasis on its syndromic nature. The literature on the response of catatonia to the benzodiazepines is reviewed and it is suggested that a trial of benzodiazepines may be helpful in both the evaluation and long term management of patients with catatonia.
Stability of Perovskites at the Surface Analytic Level

Organic-inorganic halide perovskites have attracted considerable attention in the past few years because of their remarkable performance in optoelectronic devices. However, long-term stability of the materials and devices remains the biggest challenge for realistic implementation of perovskite solar cells. Although significant efforts have been carried out on the causes of degradation at the device level, few measurements have been made at the surface analytic level to reveal the degradation mechanisms. In this Perspective, we review the effects of environmental factors, such as O2, water, and light, on the perovskite layer by monitoring the intrinsic electronic structure and compositional changes in different exposure tests. This work contributes in developing better understanding of the degradation mechanisms and improving the overall stability of perovskite solar cells.
Quantum-state-controlled reactions between molecular radicals and ions

Chemical reactions between ions and molecular radicals are important in both terrestrial and extraterrestrial environments. However, due to the challenge of creating dense, pure samples of both species, very few studies have been performed in the laboratory. We present the first measurement of a state-controlled reaction between a radical and an ion, where the ${\mathrm{Ca}}^{+}$ cation and the NO radical molecule combine to form ${\mathrm{CaO}}^{+}$ and a nitrogen atom. The charge transfer between ${\mathrm{Ca}}^{+}$ and NO is simultaneously observed. We utilize a linear Paul ion trap coupled to a time-of-flight mass spectrometer to make direct, simultaneous measurements of multiple ionic product channels. We demonstrate control over the reaction rates by tuning of the excited-state population of the laser cooled $^{40}\mathrm{Ca}^{+}$. This control, coupled with a sensitive detection technique, enables precise measurement of the rate constants and branching ratios for this reaction.
NASA Robotic Mining Competition

The skyâ€™s the limit, so the saying goes, yet humankind is trying to make a footprint on our neighbor Mars. Because of Mars distance from Earth, NASA would like to develop a mechanism to help astronauts to collect water crystals found below the sandy Martian regolith. As a result, they task the Robotic Mining Competition (RMC) teams to design a robot that can steer through a simulated Martian terrain, collect gravel (simulated water crystals) located under the regolith material (BP-1), and bring the gravel back to the collection bin. The RMC teams must work cooperatively in order to design and build such a robot, and to out-compete all their competitors. New solutions are being developed from colleges and universities all over the country to discover new mechanisms that can collect water crystals through a mining robot. These students have taken their skills from their schools, their internships, and clubs to apply their theory and design to develop these new mechanisms. From this program, these students created outreach programs to encourage science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to local communities by volunteering through mentorship programs and after-school activities.
Autocratic Ideology as an Obstacle to Liberal Democratic Thought in Post-Soviet Russia

The autocratic nature of Bolshevik ideology gave rise to the mass bloodshed and atrocities of Stalinism. Although the ideology moderated somewhat after Joseph Stalin’s death, it continued to impose severe constraints that blocked the rise of deep-rooted liberal thought in the USSR. After Mikhail Gorbachev launched wide-ranging reforms in the late 1980s that shook the foundations of the Soviet system, many erstwhile staunch adherents of Marxism-Leninism began to have doubts about the legitimacy of what they had believed. The wholesale demise of Communism in Eastern Europe greatly reinforced those doubts, causing many to begin renouncing what they had long believed. But the process was so compact in time that it did not permit the rise of genuine liberal democratic thought as an alternative. The “democratic” thinking that briefly took root in post-Soviet Russia was shallow and did not really fit into the liberal democratic tradition of Locke, Kant, Rousseau, and Mill. But because officials in the new Russian government used the term “democracy,” the very concept became discredited in the eyes of many Russians, who came to associate it with hardship and instability. As a result, Vladimir Putin’s authoritarian retrenchment proceeded with little public opposition and was even widely supported. Because the autocratic nature of Soviet ideology had prevented the emergence of deep-rooted liberal democratic thought, an ideological abyss was left after the demise of the USSR, and Putin stepped in to fill it with his personalistic autocratic rule.
An Experimental Investigation into Plate-to-Roll Patterning with Solid-State Superionic Stamping

Abstract Metallic nanostructures play an important role in micro and nanotechnology, from interconnects in electronics, electrodes in chemical sensors, batteries, plasmonic waveguides, structural color generation in sub-wavelength optics and catalysts in micro-reactor surfaces. Silver, of all the elements, possesses the highest electrical conductivity and (as a result) unique interaction with visible light when patterned at the nanoscale, making it ideal for electronics, optics and chemical sensing applications. Solid-State Superionic Stamping (S4) is an electrochemical nano-imprinting process that is capable of directly patterning silver nanostructures. In this paper, we demonstrate a simple method to scale up S4 patterning of silver using a plate-to-roll format to explore the potential of the S4 technology in a roll-to-roll configuration for high-volume manufacturing. In this format, a roller with a silver-coated polymer film wrapped around it is rolled without slip over a planar, patterned (x)AgI(1-x)AgPO3, x=0.5, stamp while creating an electrochemical cell with the silver film as the anode. This format allows us to explore the advantages of patterning with a moving line contact (as opposed to the large stationary surface contact in the imprinting/stamping format) between the stamp and roller, but without the added complexity of having to make a patterned electrolyte roller. We demonstrate the making of 6x10 mm2 patterned silver surfaces with arrays of 200 nm holes or pillars having an aspect ratio of up to 2. The effects of process parameters including rolling speed, contact pressure, patterning voltage and current on the pattern quality and the stamp surface degradation are studied.
Association of germ-line genetic variation with failure of androgen ablation (AA) in hormone-sensitive advanced prostate cancer.

5082 Background: We evaluated the association of germ-line variation in 10 candidate genes important in prostate cancer biology (NKX3-1, JAK2, SLCO2B1, STAT3, CYP19A1, HSD17B4, TRMT11, PRMT3, HSD17...
Effect of metformin on myotube BCAA catabolism

Metformin has antihyperglycemic properties and is a commonly prescribed drug for type II diabetes mellitus. Metformin functions in part by activating 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase, reducing hepatic gluconeogenesis and blood glucose. Metformin also upregulates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1α (PGC-1α). Several population studies have shown levels of circulating branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) positively correlate with insulin resistance. Because BCAA catabolic enzyme content is regulated by PGC-1α, we hypothesized metformin may alter BCAA catabolism. Therefore, the purpose of this work was to investigate the effect of metformin at varying concentrations on myotube metabolism and related gene and protein expression. C2C12 myotubes were treated with metformin at 30 uM (physiological) or 2 mM (supraphysiological) for up to 24 hours. Metabolic gene expression was measured via quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction, protein expression was measured using Western blot, and mitochondrial and glycolytic metabolism were measured via oxygen consumption and extracellular acidification rate, respectively. Supraphysiological metformin upregulated PGC-1α mRNA expression along with related downstream targets, yet the reduced expression of electron transport chain components as well as basal and peak cell metabolism. Supraphysiological metformin also suppressed branched-chain aminotransferase 2 (BCAT2) and branched-chain-alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase E1a (BCKDHa) mRNA expression as well as BCAT2 protein expression and BCKDHa activity, which was accompanied by decreased Kruppel-like factor 15 protein expression. Physiological levels of metformin suppressed BCKDHa and cytochrome c oxidase mRNA expression at early time points (4-12 hours) but had no effect on any other outcomes. Together these data suggest metformin may suppress BCAA catabolic enzyme expression or activity, possibly reducing levels of circulating gluconeogenic substrates.
“The Care and Feeding of Power Structures”: Reconceptualizing Geospatial Intelligence through the Countermapping Efforts of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee

This article advances three interrelated arguments. First, by focusing on the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee’s (SNCC) Research Department, an undertheorized chapter in the civil rights m...
Microbiome-based interventions: therapeutic strategies in cancer immunotherapy

The composition of the commensal microbiota has recently emerged as a key element influencing the efficacy of cancer treatments. It has become apparent that the interplay between the microbiome and immune system within the host influences the response to immunotherapy, particularly immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. Identifying the key components of the gut microbiota that influence this response is paramount for designing therapeutic interventions to enhance the response to cancer therapy. This review will discuss strategies being considered to modulate the gut microbiota, including fecal microbiota transplantation, administration of defined bacterial isolates as well as bacterial consortia, supplementation with probiotics, and lifestyle modifications such as dietary changes. Understanding the influence of the complex variables of the human microbiota on the effectiveness of cancer therapy will help drive the clinical design of microbial-based interventions in the field of oncology.
Driving After Cannabis Use Among Young Adults in Michigan.

Introduction: Driving after cannabis use is associated with a number of risks. Examination of driving after cannabis use among young adults is particularly important, as young adults have the highe...
Bifurcation analysis of oxidative coupling of methane in monolith, gauze or wire-mesh reactors

Abstract We use a multi-scale multi-mode reduced order model for coupled homogeneous-catalytic reaction systems to present a comprehensive bifurcation (ignition-extinction) analysis of the oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) in monolith, gauze or wire-mesh type reactors. We determine the impact of methane to oxygen ratio in the feed, space time, channel hydraulic radius (or gas phase to catalyst volume ratio), washcoat diffusional limitations, operating pressure and substrate thermal conductivity on the ignition and extinction behavior of the system as a function of the feed temperature. The computations show that for typical operating conditions, the methane conversion and C 2 product selectivity are non-monotonic on the ignited branch and there exists an optimum point of operation away from the extinction point. The predicted methane, oxygen conversions and C 2 selectivity are compared to reported experimental results in the literature. We also present the various species and temperature profiles along the length of the reactor and examine how these profiles are impacted by the substrate conductivity, space time and heat loss. The results obtained for monolith, gauze or wire-mesh reactors are compared to those in packed-bed reactors and suggestions are provided for scale-up and optimization of these reactors for carrying out OCM as well as other catalytic partial oxidations.
Synchronization and chaos in systems of coupled inner-ear hair cells

This paper explores the nonlinear dynamics of coupled inner-ear hair cells in living tissue and show that the onset of chaotic dynamics in the individual oscillators enhances synchronization and signal detection in the coupled system.
Medical student knowledge and concern regarding mental health disclosure requirements in medical licensing.

Abstract Objective Two-thirds of United States medical boards require disclosure of mental health treatment or diagnosis during licensure, with negative influence on physician well-being but unknown impact on medical students. This study sought to understand whether medical students perceive mental health treatment to be a threat to their future medical license. Method Students at an American medical school in a state without disclosure questions completed an anonymous fourteen question survey. Analysis with univariate and multivariate statistics explored knowledge, opinion, and impact of disclosure questions. Results Data was obtained from 327 medical students, a 53% response rate. The majority—91% (299)—were unsure or incorrect as to whether their state licensing board requires mental health disclosure. 33% (86) reported disclosure questions substantially discourage them from seeking mental health treatment. Of the 32% (105) who accessed mental health treatment during medical school, half—52% (74)—would not disclose during licensing. Those who believe that disclosure could impact their license were more likely to be discouraged from seeking care (OR, 5.23 [95% CI, 1.97–15.99]; P = 0.002). Most students—75% (245)—opposed mandatory disclosure. Conclusions Concern about mandatory mental health disclosure discourages medical students from seeking care, despite uncertainty about disclosure questions.
Examining the day-level impact of physical activity on affect during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic: An ecological momentary assessment study

Abstract Engaging in physical activity (PA) may be a promising approach to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions on daily affect. The study used ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to examine the within-subject associations of day-level PA with same-day evening affect. Interactions between daily PA and overall stress related to COVID-19 predicting evening affect were also examined. Adults living in the U.S. (N = 157, Mage = 31.7, 84.1% female) participated in a 28-day smartphone-based EMA study during the early months of the pandemic (April–June 2020). Evening EMA surveys assessed daily PA minutes, momentary positive activated and deactivated affect, and momentary negative activated and deactivated affect. An online questionnaire assessed demographics. Multi-level linear regression models assessed day-level associations between PA and evening affect, controlling for age, sex, income, body mass index, employment status, and morning affect. There were N = 2409 person-days in the analysis. Baseline COVID-19 stress was not associated with daily PA minutes (p = .09) or positive-activated affect (p = .14), but was associated with lower positive-deactivated affect (p .05). During the early months of the pandemic, adults experienced improved evening affect on days when they engaged in more PA. However, data did not show that PA counteracts detrimental effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on evening affect. Public health efforts should strategically promote and address barriers to PA during the pandemic.
Explaining the B anomalies in a Fundamental Composite Higgs Model with Gauged $U(1)_{SM_3-HB}$

A new heavy $Z'$ vector boson provides a possible explanation for the neutral current B anomalies. Various $U(1)'$ gauge groups have been proposed and studied. In this paper, we explore a new type of $U(1)'$ gauge symmetry inspired by fundamental composite Higgs models with hyperfermions. It is also the first attempt to connect such a $Z'$ boson with a solution to the hierarchy problem. The $U(1)'$ symmetry is identified as the quantum number of the difference between the Standard Model fermion number and hyperbaryon number, written as $SM-HB$. This type of $U(1)'$ gauge symmetry is naturally broken in some fundamental composite Higgs models, which leads to a TeV-scale $Z'$ boson. We present a concrete example based on the minimal fundamental composite Higgs model with $SU(4)/Sp(4)$ coset, where the $Z'$ boson is the only state below the compositeness scale beside the composite Higgs. We also show that if the $U(1)'$ symmetry is the third generation specific, written as $SM_3-HB$, the corresponding $Z'$ boson can explain the neutral current B anomalies. The model introduces the composite Higgs and the $Z'$ boson from the same symmetry breaking scale, so Higgs physics and flavor physics are now connected. After considering all the experimental constraints and theoretical preferences, we found that there is still a viable parameter space, which can be probed in the near future.
HAIRY AND ENHANCER OF SPLIT 1 (HES1) IS A PRIMARY EFFECTOR OF NOTCH2 SIGNALING AND INDUCES OSTEOCLAST DIFFERENTIATION AND FUNCTION.

Notch2tm1.1Ecan mice, which harbor a mutation replicating that found in Hajdu-Cheney syndrome, exhibit marked osteopenia because of increased osteoclast number and bone resorption. Hairy and enhancer of split 1 (HES1) is a Notch target gene and a transcriptional modulator that determines osteoclast cell fate decisions. Transcript levels of Hes1 increase in Notch2tm1.1Ecan bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) as they mature into osteoclasts, suggesting a role in osteoclastogenesis. To determine whether HES1 is responsible for the phenotype of Notch2tm1.1Ecan mice and the skeletal manifestations of Hajdu-Cheney syndrome, Hes1 was inactivated in Ctsk-expressing cells from Notch2tm1.1Ecan mice. Ctsk encodes the protease cathepsin K, which is expressed preferentially by osteoclasts. We found that the osteopenia of Notch2tm1.1Ecan mice was ameliorated, and the enhanced osteoclastogenesis was reversed in the context of the Hes1 inactivation. Microcomputed tomography revealed that the downregulation of Hes1 in Ctsk-expressing cells led to increased bone volume/total volume in female mice. In addition, cultures of BMMs from CtskCre/WT;Hes1Δ/Δ mice displayed a decrease in osteoclast number and size and decreased bone-resorbing capacity. Moreover, activation of HES1 in Ctsk-expressing cells led to osteopenia and enhanced osteoclast number, size, and bone resorptive capacity in BMM cultures. Osteoclast phenotypes and RNA-Seq of cells in which HES1 was activated revealed that HES1 modulates cell-cell fusion and bone-resorbing capacity by supporting sealing zone formation. In conclusion, we demonstrate that HES1 is mechanistically relevant to the skeletal manifestation of Notch2tm1.1Ecan mice and is a novel determinant of osteoclast differentiation and function.
Effects of delays on dynamics

Part one of these lectures is devoted to two fixed point theorems motivated by dynamics in delay equations: an assymptotic fixed point theorem which can be applied to determine ω-periodic solutions of an (ω-periodically forced equation and an ejective fixed point theorem which can be applied to the determination of nontrivial periodic solutions of autonomous equations. Part two is devoted to large delays, Hopf bifurcations and fixed points of maps. Part three shows that small delays can destroy stability properties in delay differential equations as well as boundary control of partial differential equatons.
Testability with Unbounded Testing Strategies

Testability and design for testability are widely discussed practical issues in software engineering, especially in protocol engineering. A number of basic testability qualities were defined formally and independently from any special system model. In this paper we refine these notions on the one hand by a containment order on experiments and on the other hand by a formal distinction between bounded and unbounded experimentation. Containment and bounds will be interpreted mainly temporally, but can also more generally be considered as referring to a “width of view”, of which time is only one, though prominent, aspect.
AVAILABLE POTENTIAL ENERGY IN THE MIDDLE ATMOSPHERE AS IT RELATES TO THE SUN-WEATHER EFFECT

We calculate the potential energy available in the middle atmosphere and compare it to the energy needed to account for the Sun-weather effect.
Mechanical abrasion and organic matter processing in an Iowa stream

Rates of organic matter processing are key parameters for studies of stream ecosystem function and stream community ecology. Most studies of organic matter processing in streams use leaves in leafpacks or litterbags, which are immobilized and partly shielded from contact with stones in transport and in the stream bottom. As a result, these studies may underestimate the contribution of mechanical abrasion to overall processing rate (of coarse organic detritus to fine particles). We compared leaf processing rates in litter bags with and without stones (5 cm crushed limestone ballast) in Big Mill Creek, eastern Iowa. In two of three experiments, processing was significantly more advanced in bags with stones than in bags without stones: the fraction of leaf mass reduced to small fragments (1.4–9.5 mm) was 45% and 93% higher in bags with stones. In a fourth experiment, we compared the effects of stones and shredders (Gammarus pseudolimnaeus, at near-natural densities) on fragmentation of leaves in litterbags. This experiment indicated that mechanical and biological agents of processing are roughly equally important in Big Mill Creek. Our results indicate that mechanical abrasion can be an important contributor to organic matter processing in streams. If so, it may be an important source of the finer particles used by collectors. Litterbag and leafpack experiments may underestimate total processing rates and overestimate the relative importance of processing by microbes and invertebrates.
The use of facial modeling and analysis to objectively quantify facial redness.

Summary Background The reproducible evaluation of facial redness is critical to the assessment of erythematotelangiectatic rosacea. Assessments have typically focused on the use of photography with the use of semi-quantitative grading scales based on evaluator rating. However, few studies have utilized computer-based algorithms to evaluate facial redness. Aim The purpose of this clinical study was to assess whether there is correlation between clinical grading of facial redness to the assessment of a quantitative computer-based facial modeling and measurement. Material and Methods In this prospective study, a set of high-resolution facial photographs and cross-polarized subsurface photographs for erythema detection were obtained for 31 study participants. A computer algorithm was then utilized to detect and quantify facial redness in the photographs and compare this to semi-quantitative evaluator-based grading for facial redness. Results There was a strong correlation between computer-based cross-polarized subsurface erythema quantification and clinical grading for redness intensity (Clinical Erythema Assessment), redness distribution, and overall redness severity (Modified Clinical Erythema Assessment). Conclusion Overall, facial redness measurements by facial imaging and computer analysis correlated well to clinical grading scales for both redness intensity and distribution. Future studies should incorporate facial modeling and analysis tools for assessments in clinical studies to introduce greater objectivity and quantitative analysis in facial erythema-based analyses.
A configurable direct-conversion/superheterodyne W-CDMA baseband down-link channel

A configurable baseband downlink (BDL) channel of a W-CDMA analog codec suitable to be used with both direct conversion (DIR) and superheterodyne (SHT) architectures is presented. The BDL is an analog signal processor consisting of on-chip calibrated programmable active-RC filters and oversampled 6-bit analog-to-digital (A/D) pipeline converters, which sufficiently suppress the adjacent channel and other interferers before digital signal processing on an external DSP. A digital-to-analog converter based DC-offset cancellation system allows us to reduce the channel offset down to 0.25 LSB of the BDL channel resolution. The system has been successfully integrated in a double-poly 0.6 /spl mu/m CMOS process. Experimental results show that the designed BDL channel achieves 38.4 dB SNDR, 43 dB SFDR in DIR mode and 38.3 dB SNDR, 42.8 dB SFDR in SHT mode with an overall power consumption of 49 mW (in DIR mode) and 58 mW (in SHT mode) from a single 2.8 V power supply. A low-power consumption mode, which operates on the A/D converters, allows us to further reduce these values down to 41 mW/50 mW (respectively in DIR and SHT mode) without significant detrimental effects to the overall BDL linearity performance.
Comparative amino acid digestibility for broiler chickens and White Pekin ducks

A total of 608 three-week-old male broiler chickens and White Pekin ducks were used in a 5-d trial to compare ileal amino acid (AA) digestibility of soybean meal (SBM) and canola meal (CM) using the regression method. A corn-casein-cornstarch-based diet was mixed to contain 15% CP. Cornstarch was replaced with test ingredient (SBM or CM) to contain 18 or 21% of CP in 4 other diets. A nitrogen-free diet (NFD) was used for standardization of apparent digestibility. Birds received a standard starter diet (23% CP) from d 0 to 14 posthatch and then 6 experimental diets for 5 d. On d 19 posthatch, birds were asphyxiated with CO(2), and digesta from the distal section of ileum was collected. The ileal digestibility of AA from the test ingredients was assessed by multiple linear regression analysis using data on daily apparent ileal digestible AA and total AA intakes. The basal endogenous losses of N and all AA for ducks were significantly higher than those for broilers. For ileal AA digestibility by regression of apparent digestible AA intake against AA intake, there was a higher (P < 0.05) digestibility for Cys and Pro in ducks compared with broilers (P < 0.05). Within species, digestibility was not different between SBM and CM except for Lys of ducks, and Lys and Pro of broilers (P < 0.05). The results of this study showed that ducks have higher basal endogenous AA losses compared with broiler chickens as well as higher ileal Cys and Pro digestibility estimates derived from regression approach, indicating that data obtained from broilers should not be used to formulate diets for ducks.
Lightweight feedback-directed cross-module optimization

Cross-module inter-procedural compiler optimization (IPO) and Feedback-Directed Optimization (FDO) are two important compiler techniques delivering solid performance gains. The combination of IPO and FDO delivers peak performance, but also multiplies both techniques' usability problems. In this paper, we present LIPO, a novel static IPO framework, which integrates IPO and FDO. Compared to existing approaches, LIPO no longer requires writing of the compiler's intermediate representation, eliminates the link-time inter-procedural optimization phase entirely, and minimizes code re-generation overhead, thus improving scalability by an order of magnitude. Compared to an FDO baseline, and without further specific tuning, LIPO improves performance of SPEC2006 INT by 2.5%, and of SPEC2000 INT by 4.4%, with up to 23% for one benchmarks. We confirm our scalability results on a set of large industrial applications, demonstrating 2.9% performance improvements on average. Compile time overhead for full builds is less than 30%, incremental builds take a few seconds on average, and storage requirements increase by only 24%, all compared to the FDO baseline.
Upper mantle structure in the south central Chilean subduction zone (30° to 36°S)

[1] Regional P and S wave travel time data were used to obtain three-dimensional seismic tomography models for Vp, Vs, and Vp/Vs above the subducting slab in central Chile and Argentina. In this region, there is an abrupt change from a normal subduction geometry south of 33°S to a flat subduction geometry to the north. We find low Vp, low Vs, and high Vp/Vs ratios in the southern half of our study area directly beneath the modern active volcanic arc, which we interpret as localized pockets of melt. In the northern half of our study area, above where the subducting Nazca plate flattens at 100 km depth, we find low Vp, high Vs, and low Vp/Vs ratios. These unusual results point to a lack of melt or hydrated mineralogies such as serpentine, both of which are characterized by high Vp/Vs values. The only mantle rocks that have low Vp/Vs and high Vs are Mg-rich compositions, such as dehydrated serpentinite or orthopyroxenite. We suggest that significant portions of the mantle overlying the flat slab consist of orthopyroxenite, formed by a transient fluxing of silica-rich fluids. Such fluids may have come from sediments that were subducted during the initiation of flat subduction at this latitude at ∼10 Ma. This would imply that the hydration of mantle material above a flat slab can be a transient phenomenon, which leaves little residual-free water behind but significantly alters the mantle chemistry.
Testing a cyclical model of communicative openness in relationship development: Two longitudinal studies

This paper reports the results of two longitudinal studies of openness‐closedness cycling in relationship development based upon a model by Altman, Vinsel, and Brown (1981). Study 1 consists of behavioral observations of interactions among acquainting dyads over four weeks. Study 2 consists of self‐reported measures of subjects’ openness, openness of other, communication satisfaction, and relationship satisfaction in intact relationships over ten weeks. Fourier Analyses of the time series were conducted and meta‐analyses were conducted to test the hypotheses. Both studies strongly support a cyclical model. There appear to be short cycles recurring within conversations superimposed over larger cycles across conversations. The results also suggest that people match and time the amplitude and frequency of their own cycling behavior to coincide with that of their partner. Study 2 found that the cycles of perceived openness coincide with fluctuations in communication satisfaction and that deteriorating relatio...
Evolution of some depositional models in late Carboniferous rocks of the Appalachian coal fields

Abstract Models for Carboniferous coal-bearing strata developed early in this century and consisted of vertical columns that described commonly occurring sequences of coal beds and associated rocks. These were followed by other models that expressed patterns of both vertical and lateral variation but, in those, as well as earlier models, depositional interpretation did not extend much beyond a basic marine-nonmarine dichotomy. Subsequently, depositional processes were linked to lithic components and showed that the areal distribution of these components formed a lateral, geomorphically controlled continuum ranging from alluvial plains seaward to barrier islands. Evaluation of this model within a tectonic setting of rapid and differential subsidence produced by growth faulting in the southern part of the Appalachian coal fields has shown that, while depositional processes are substantially the same as those suggested by the model, the form and spatial distribution of resulting lithic components are profoundly affected by movements on contemporaneously active subsurface structures. This leads to the conclusion that previous models are a product of depositional processes strongly controlled by their tectonic setting and that further attempts at model generation will require careful assessment of the relationships of lithic distribution to subsurface structures and amounts of data necessary to recognize them.
Epibranchial placode-derived neurons produce BDNF required for early sensory neuron development

In mice, BDNF provided by the developing taste epithelium is required for gustatory neuron survival following target innervation. However, we find that expression of BDNF, as detected by BDNF-driven β-galactosidase, begins in the cranial ganglia before its expression in the central (hindbrain) or peripheral (taste papillae) targets of these sensory neurons, and before gustatory ganglion cells innervate either target. To test early BDNF function, we examined the ganglia of bdnf null mice before target innervation, and found that while initial neuron survival is unaltered, early neuron development is disrupted. In addition, fate mapping analysis in mice demonstrates that murine cranial ganglia arise from two embryonic populations, i.e., epibranchial placodes and neural crest, as has been described for these ganglia in non-mammalian vertebrates. Only placodal neurons produce BDNF, however, which indicates that prior to innervation, early ganglionic BDNF produced by placode-derived cells promotes gustatory neuron development. Developmental Dynamics 240:309–323, 2011. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
An Examination of Two Brief Stigma Reduction Strategies: Filmed Personal Contact and Hallucination Simulations

Mental illness stigma is quite prevalent with dire consequences. A number of interventions to decrease stigma have been formulated, but have variable effectiveness and limited dissemination. This research examined the impact of two brief interventions: a film depicting individuals with schizophrenia (filmed contact) and a simulation of auditory hallucinations. Participants (N = 143) were randomly assigned to one of three interventions: (1) filmed contact, (2) simulation, or (3) no intervention, and completed two stigma measures prior to, immediately after, and 1 week after the intervention. The filmed contact intervention led to decreases in stigma which persisted across 1 week. However, the simulation led to increases in stigma. The results suggest that a filmed contact intervention may decrease two aspects of mental illness stigma (social distance and negative emotions), which has implications for wide dissemination. The efficacy of a hallucination simulations intervention remains dubious.
Mr. Choco in Love

Mr. Choco is a caricature of a real innkeeper, Jiri Sklenar, from Prostejov, a little town in Czech Republic. Mr. Choco lives wholeheartedly for his customers in his culinary kingdom. Yet a charming lady's tiny order strikes him with a Cupid's dart.
Enacting legislation to restrict youth access to tanning beds: A survey of advocates and sponsoring legislators

Background Passing tanning bed legislation restricting underage use has remained challenging. Objective We sought to determine the resources required to pass tanning bed legislation restricting use to children and identify key barriers to its passage. Methods A total of 15 states sought to pass tanning bed legislation in 2006; in-depth surveys were completed with advocates in 10 states and legislators in 5 states. Results Advocates sought advice from the sponsoring legislator or legislators (n = 9), held discussions with other organizations (n = 8), and used a lobbyist (n = 5). The 3 major barriers were strong lobbying efforts by the tanning bed industry (n = 10), proceedings after the bill was filed (n = 5), and obtaining support from other organizations (n = 4). For legislators, the most significant barrier was making colleagues aware of the health effects of tanning bed use. Limitations Five of 10 legislators and 10 of 15 advocates responded to the survey. Conclusion Barriers to passage of tanning bed legislation can potentially be surmounted with advice to advocates and coordinated efforts by multiple organizations.
Effects of target motion and image on AAA tracking

The optimal control model of human response is applied to study target tracking performance in a AAA system. The effects on tracking error of different target motions. i.e. acceleration profiles, are studied via a covariance propagation modeling approach and via experiment. Different assumptions relative to the adaptive tracking behavior of the human are explored as well as different schemes for inter-axis attention allocation. The effects of visual information inherent in a moving target image (e.g. size, aspect angle, etc.) are explored via comparison of results with a moving image vs. image of fixed size and shape. Experimental tracking results are compared with those predicted by the model.
Neonatal Volkmann Ischemic Contracture: Case Report and Review of Literature

Background Neonatal Volkmann ischemic contracture in newborns is a devastating condition with lifelong consequences. Case Report We report a neonate born with necrotic skin lesions and bullae on right dorsal thenar aspect of hand, who subsequently developed compartment syndrome requiring fasciotomy. Review and Conclusion Necrotic skin lesions with/without swelling, bullae are invariably present at birth in these patients and should be recognized as a sentinel finding of underlying tissue ischemia/compartment syndrome. Early recognition and prompt surgical intervention can be limb saving. A range of radiologic abnormalities and contractures were noted in upto 84% of such patients followed long term. Hence, we recommend close follow-up until occurrence of epiphyseal fusion in these patients.
The effect of ligand scaffold size on the stability of tripodal hydroxypyridonate gadolinium complexes.

The variation of the size of the capping scaffold which connects the hydroxypyridonate (HOPO) binding units in a series of tripodal chelators for gadolinium (Gd) complexes has been investigated. A new analogue of TREN-1-Me-3,2-HOPO (1) (TREN = tri(ethylamine)amine) was synthesized: TREN-Gly-1-Me-3,2-HOPO (2) features a glycine spacer between the TREN cap and HOPO binding unit. TRPN-1-Me-3,2-HOPO (3) has a propylene-bridged cap, as compared to the ethylene bridges within the TREN cap of the parent complex. Thermodynamic equilibrium constants for the acid−base properties of 2 and the Gd3+ complexation strength of 2 and 3 were measured and are compared with that of the parent ligand. The most basic ligand is 2 while 3 is the most acidic. Both 2 and 3 form Gd3+ complexes of similar stability (pGd = 16.7 and 15.6, respectively) and are less stable than the parent complex Gd-1 (pGd = 19.2). Two of the three complexes are more stable than the bis(methylamide)diethylenetriamine pentaacetate complex Gd(DTPA-BMA) ...
Melding ecology, classical weed biocontrol, and plant microbial ecology can inform improved practices in controlling invasive plant species

Abstract Early research leading to the successful biological control of invasive species such as Opuntia spp., and Hypericum perforatum set examples and provided data useful for research programs that would follow. However, this early work failed to become established as a source of applicable principles for later workers in weed biocontrol. Recently, retrospective and parallel studies have been suggested as a means to reengage with earlier work to derive useful ideas and data to enhance future programs in weed biocontrol. Parallel studies by workers in plant community ecology on the nature of feedback elicited by plant species in their invaded and native range have shown the importance of soil microbial communities in effecting feedback. Retrospective reexamination of previous studies would likely provide clues to other insect–plant pathogen interactions in addition to those described by the author and others. The effects of invasive species in profoundly altering soil microbial communities point to the need for further studies on key microbial species contributing to or driving the impact of biocontrol. These collective data suggest that the desired goal of selecting for and utilizing stronger biocontrol agents to reduce nontarget effects and to increase the impact of biological control programs would be best served by prerelease studies that assess the propensity of a candidate agent for direct or indirect interaction with other agents. This could be assessed through the use of survival analysis. Overall, parallel empirical and retrospective studies should be a necessary part of how biological control is practiced.
Sports dermatology "illustrated": why I do it, how I do it, and what about you?

Whether I'm talking to the medical school dean, to prospective residents, or to friends at a dinner party, I hear the same question all the time: “Wow, sports dermatology. I've never heard of that. What is it?” I almost universally begin by noting the genesis of my academic pursuits. As a toddler, the importance of erudite dedication clearly pervaded my daily activities while I “coexperienced” my mother obtaining her master's degree in education. In somewhat stark contrast, I vividly recall my father's diatribes on the importance of athletics. An outstanding and natural athlete by any measure, my father understood the strength of sports. A competitive baseball player who fell short of professional aspirations, in part related to leg velocity, my father encouraged my running long before my fourth birthday. I distinctly recall a regional newspaper's article whose title askedwhat mademe run before I had even entered kindergarten. Sports and academics filled my grammar school, high school, and collegiate days. But at the same time that I ran for years on varsity track and crosscountry and played on select baseball summer teams, I studied hard and garnered the valedictorian spot in my 1600-student high school. I have always struggled to locate the balance between these seemingly mutually exclusive endeavors. It was not until 1991, when I traveled 2 blocks down from my undergraduate collegiate house to my New
A semi-adaptive split-cosine scheme for the sine-Gordon equation

This talk concerns the numerical solution of the nonlinear sine-Gordon equation in rectangular large-area Josephson junctions. An application of the adaptive method of lines leads to a system of second-order nonlinear ordinary differential equations. The system is approximated by a nonlinear recurrence relation. Strang's splitting is then introduced for establishing a highly effective and stable semi-adaptive scheme. The novel new method offers an efficient way in the solitary wave solution approximations. A stability analysis is presented. Straightforward numerical demonstrations on ring solitons up to higher time levels are given. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Ocean Currents along a Nearshore Frontal Zone on the Continental Shelf of the Southeastern United States

Abstract River and estuarine discharges mix to form a frontal zone along a 400 km length of the coast of the south-eastern United States. The frontal width extends from the coast outward 10–20 km. Two ships, anchored across the frontal zone during autumn, obtained simultaneous hourly profiles of currents and density for, five consecutive tidal cycles. The frontal zone contained a baroclinic coastal current flowing southward. The flow was strongly convergent; more water entered on the coastal side than exited on the seaward side. Much of the inflow was apparently turned southward. Thus, the frontal zone acted as a dynamic barrier that inhibited the advection of mixed river discharge farther offshore. A thermal wind relationship suitably predicted vertical shear through the frontal zone. Bottom friction seemed to play only a secondary role. Data suggest that the baroclinic coastal current was modified by the presence of a barotropic current seaward of the frontal zone. The force responsible for the barotrop...
Room-temperature, excitation wavelength-dependent fluorescence at surfaces: a potential method for studying the micro-heterogeneity of surface environments

Abstract The fluorescence maxima at room temperature of 5-dimethylamino-1-naphthalenesulfonamide (dansylamide) groups covalently attached to the surface of silica particles in dry form and slurried in acetonitrile exhibit varying degrees of dependence upon excitation wavelength. This dependence is attributed to the micro-heterogeneity of the surface itself and varying degrees of accessibility of the fluorophore to solvent. The observed effect may prove useful in investigations of surface environment heterogeneity at the molecular level.