cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimizing Grouped Aggregation in Geo-Distributed Streaming Analytics

Large quantities of data are generated continuously over time and from disparate sources such as users, devices, and sensors located around the globe. This results in the need for efficient geo-distributed streaming analytics to extract timely information. A typical analytics service in these settings uses a simple hub-and-spoke model, comprising a single central data warehouse and multiple edges connected by a wide-area network (WAN). A key decision for a geo-distributed streaming service is how much of the computation should be performed at the edge versus the center. In this paper, we examine this question in the context of windowed grouped aggregation, an important and widely used primitive in streaming queries. Our work is focused on designing aggregation algorithms to optimize two key metrics of any geo-distributed streaming analytics service: WAN traffic and staleness (the delay in getting the result). Towards this end, we present a family of optimal offline algorithms that jointly minimize both staleness and traffic. Using this as a foundation, we develop practical online aggregation algorithms based on the observation that grouped aggregation can be modeled as a caching problem where the cache size varies over time. This key insight allows us to exploit well known caching techniques in our design of online aggregation algorithms. We demonstrate the practicality of these algorithms through an implementation in Apache Storm, deployed on the PlanetLab testbed. The results of our experiments, driven by workloads derived from anonymized traces of a popular web analytics service offered by a large commercial CDN, show that our online aggregation algorithms perform close to the optimal algorithms for a variety of system configurations, stream arrival rates, and query types.
Thermal aging of single-layer polymer light-emitting diodes composed of a carbazole and oxadiazole containing copolymer doped with singlet or triplet emitters

Abstract An electron-transporting monomer was synthesized that was structurally and energetically similar to the small molecule 2-biphenyl-4-yl-5-(4- tert -butylphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole (tBu-PBD). The monomer was copolymerized with 2-(9 H -carbazol-9-yl)ethyl 2-methylacrylate and the resulting copolymer was utilized in organic light emitting devices which employed fluorescent coumarin 6 (C6) or phosphorescent tris(2-phenylpyridine)iridium(III) [Ir(ppy) 3 ] emitters. The copolymer devices exhibited a mean luminance of ca. 400 and 3552 cd/m 2 with the C6 and Ir(ppy) 3 emitters, respectively, that was stable with thermal aging at temperatures ranging from 23 °C to 130 °C. Comparable poly(9-vinyl-9 H -carbazole)/tBu-PBD blend devices exhibited more pronounced variations in performance with thermal aging.
Deconstructing the Library: Reconceptualizing Collections, Spaces and Services

ABSTRACT In the digital environment, we still have resources, staff, and facilities that combine in various ways to acquire and provide information. These recombinations challenge traditional definitions of library organization. Students and faculty now have many options for conducting their work, of which the traditional library is only one; the future of libraries—and librarians—will thus be in our ability to differentiate ourselves through unique and value added features. The library is not a single static entity, it is becoming a suite of services through which users locate, use, and (re)create research materials. By analyzing the intersection of factors such as subject, level of user, type of need, and proximity, we can develop a fine-tuned approach and customize services across the spectrum of physical, electronic, human, and material resources.
Activation markers on T cells infiltrating melanoma metastases after therapy with dinitrophenyl-conjugated vaccine.

Treatment of metastatic melanoma patients with an autologous vaccine modified by the hapten, dinitrophenyl (DNP), produces a striking immunological effect: the induction of clinically evident inflammatory responses in metastatic tumors. Histological examination shows these tumors to be infiltrated with T lymphocytes. We studied the expression of activation markers on those cells and compared them with matched peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and with lymphocytes extracted from metastases before treatment with DNP-conjugated vaccine. The median fraction of cells that were T cells in post-vaccine tumors was 41%, as compared with 9% in pre-treatment tumors, and those T cells were predominantly CD8+ (mean CD8/CD4 ratio=5.0). A high proportion of both pre- and posttreatment infiltrating T cells expressed HLA-DR (mean±SE=48%±4%), CD69 (56%±7%), and ganglioside GD3 (68%±5%). This distinguished them from matched PBL in which expression of those markers was significantly lower (HLA-DR=10%±2%; CD69=2%±0.4%; GD3=49%±4%). These changes were not accompanied by increased cell-surface expression of interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptors, either CD25 or p75, which were expressed by 1%–2% and 12% of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL), respectively. The pattern of activation marker expression that we identified appears to be characteristic of tissue T cells with the memory phenotype. The low expression of IL-2 receptors could indicate functional impairment of TIL in situ, perhaps because of inhibitory molecules produced by melanoma cells.
High-resolution ice-thickness mapping in South Greenland

Airborne radar sounding is difficult in South Greenland because of the presence of englacial water, which prevents the signal from reaching the bed. Data coverage remains suboptimal for traditional methods of ice-thickness and bed mapping that rely on geostatistical techniques, such as kriging, because important features are missing. Here we apply two alternative approaches of high- resolution (�300 m) ice-thickness mapping, that are based on the conservation of mass, to two regions of South Greenland: (1) Qooqqup Sermia and Kiattuut Sermiat, and (2) Ikertivaq. These two algorithms solve optimization problems, for which the conservation of mass is either enforced as a hard constraint, or as a soft constraint. For the first region, very few measurements are available but there is no gap in ice motion data, whereas for Ikertivaq, more ice-thickness measurements are available, but there are gaps in ice motion data. We show that mass-conservation algorithms can be used as validation tools for radar sounding. We also show that it is preferable to apply mass conservation as a hard constraint, rather than a soft constraint, as it better preserves elongated features, such as glacial valleys and ridges.
Size-Independent Cylindrical Wheel Resonator

A metallic cavity resonator in the shape of a circular cylinder is considered in the phasor domain. The resonator is filled with an even number of geometrically equal wedge-shaped sectors whose common edge is the cylinder axis. The sectors contain alternating double-positive (DPS) and double-negative (DNG) materials that are isoimpedance and anti-isorefractive to each other. It is shown that resonance occurs always, hence the resonator can be miniaturized.
Letters rhyme: electrophysiological evidence from children and adults

Event-related potentials (ERPs) and behavioral accuracy judgments were recorded in a letter name rhyming paradigm (e.g., A-J versus A-B) with 6- to 8-year-old beginning readers and adults. A typical N450 rhyming effect was evident for both children and adults, with few differences in mean amplitude or peak latency between groups. The size and timing of the electrophysiological effect were not correlated with standardized measures of phonological or reading ability, but accuracy in the ERP task was. Single letters elicit a similar ERP rhyming effect in young children and adults, suggesting the early establishment of neurocognitive systems used in the rhyme task.
Self-Consistent Calculations of Quasiparticle States in Metals and Semiconductors

We solve the Dyson equation for the one-particle Green{close_quote}s function in a periodic solid self-consistently within the shielded-interaction (or GW ) approximation. The effect of self-consistency (propagator renormalization) is found to be substantial. We illustrate this finding via calculations of quasiparticle states in K and Si. In the case of Si we show that the current standard of {ital ab initio} quasiparticle theory, the GW self-energy diagram, fails to account for the observed value of the absolute band gap{emdash}if properly, i.e., self-consistently, evaluated. {copyright} {ital 1998} {ital The American Physical Society }
P and S waveform modeling of continental sub-lithospheric detachment at the eastern edge of the Rio Grande Rift

[1] East of the Rio Grande Rift, tomographic images of teleseismic data have revealed a SE dipping, slab-like structure underneath the western edge of the Great Plains in the southwestern United States. However, finite difference synthetics require an amplified tomographic model to reproduce the waveform distortions as observed in broadband waveform data recorded along the LA RISTRA Transect. In addition to travel time anomalies, Song and Helmberger (2007) demonstrated how to use S waveforms and their amplitude patterns to further constrain the magnitude of the anomalous structure. Their preferred S velocity model suggests that the slab-like structure is about 4% fast, 120 km thick and dipping 70–75° to the SE to about a depth of 600 km. We adapt the preferred S wave model from Song and Helmberger (2007) and scale the P wave model using a suite of scaling factors (SF ≡ dlnVs/dlnVp). We find that synthetics from the P model generated by SF ≈ 1.25 can distort P waveforms and fit the amplitude pattern best. Such a low SF indicates that the slab-like anomaly is not only cold but also compositionally distinct. We make use of SF and the S wave anomaly simultaneously to obtain corresponding Vp/Vs anomaly and infer the origin of the slab-like anomaly. Our result suggests that the observed sub-lithospheric detachment is 310 ± 20°C colder and more depleted than the adjoining mantle asthenosphere by 3 units of Mg# (Mg / (Mg + Fe) × 100). It is negatively buoyant and is geodynamically consistent with the observed foundering of the continental lithosphere at the eastern edge of the Rio Grande Rift. In short, we demonstrate the importance of seismic waveform anomalies in geochemical and geodynamic inferences.
The importance of cognitive architectures: an analysis based on CLARION

Research in computational cognitive modelling investigates the nature of cognition through developing process-based understanding by specifying computational models of mechanisms (including representations) and processes. In this enterprise, a cognitive architecture is a domain-generic computational cognitive model that may be used for a broad multiple-level multiple-domain analysis of behaviour. It embodies generic descriptions of cognition in computer algorithms and programs. Developing cognitive architectures is a difficult but important task. In this paper, discussions of issues and challenges in developing cognitive architectures will be undertaken, and an example cognitive architecture (CLARION) will be described.
Tunable Nanowrinkles on Shape Memory Polymer Sheets

(Figure Presented) Controllable biaxial and uniaxial nanowrinkles (see figure) are fabricated by a simple two-step approach - metal deposition and subsequent heating - based on shape memory polymer (prestressed polystyrene) sheets. The wavelengths of the wrinkles can be tuned by controlling the thickness of deposited metal. The ready integration of the nanowrinkles into microchannels and their effectiveness in surface enhanced sensing is demonstrated. © 2009 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.
Recovery of Feeding and Drinking by Rats after Intraventricular 6-Hydroxydopamine or Lateral Hypothalamic Lesions

Rats given intraventricular injections of 6-hydroxydopamine after pretreatment with pargyline become aphagic and adipsic, and show severe loss of brain catecholamines. Like rats with lateral hypothalamic lesions, these animals gradually recover ingestive behaviors, although catecholamine depletions are permanent. Both groups decrease food and water intakes markedly after the administration of α-methyltyrosine, at doses that do not affect the ingestive behaviors of control rats. Thus, both the loss and recovery of feeding and drinking behaviors may involve central catecholamine-containing neurons.
Cost and Value of Bibliographic Control. A Report of the Heads of Technical Services in Large Research Libraries Interest Group (“Big Heads”), American Library Association Annual Conference, Washington, DC, June 2010

Task Force Chair Erin Stalberg (Head of Metadata and Cataloging at North Carolina State) presented the findings of the Task Force on the Cost/Value Assessment of Bibliographic Control, a group impa...
The Riemann problem for a van der Waals fluid with entropy rate admissibility criterion—Nonisothermal case

where a and b are the characteristic constants of the fluid. Thus when the temperature is sufficiently low, p ' (v) is positive, and thus the system (I.1) is elliptic on a certain interval (c~, fl), while p ' (v) is negative on (b, ~) (liquid phase) as well as on (/~, oo) (vapor phase) on which (1.1) is hyperbolic. The Riemann problem for (I.1) is a special initial-value problem in which the initial data are of the form
Regeneration of Activated Bauxite Used as a Granular Sorbent for Removing Gaseous Alkali Metal Compounds From Hot Flue Gas

Gaseous alkali metal compounds transported form a pressurized fluidized-bed coal combustor (PFBC) to a gas turbine might cause hot corrosion of turbine hardware. Activated bauxite was found to be a very effective granular sorbent for use in granular-bed filters for removing gaseous alkali metal compounds from simulated hot flue gas of PFBC. Also, activated bauxite was demonstrated to be easily and effectively regenerated for reuse by a simple water-leaching process. Experimental results are presented for cyclic experiments showing the regenerability of water-leaching of activated bauxite on which NaCl vapor or KCl vapor was sorbed. Observed physical changes and particle attrition of activated bauxite as a result of regeneration are discussed. The sorption mechanisms of the regenerated activated bauxite are related to the chemical compositions of the leachate.Copyright © 1980 by ASME
15N-labeling to determine chlorophyll synthesis and degradation in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 strains lacking one or both photosystems.

Rates of chlorophyll synthesis and degradation were analyzed in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 wild type and mutants lacking one or both photosystems by labeling cells with ( 15 NH4)2SO4 and Na 15 NO3. Pigments extracted from cells were separated by HPLC and incorporation of the 15 N label into porphyrins was subsequently examined by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The life time (s) of chlorophyll in wild-type Synechocystis grown at a light intensity of 100 Amol photons m � 2 s � 1 was determined to be about 300 h, much longer than the cell doubling time of about 14 h. Slow chlorophyll degradation (s ~200–400 h) was also observed in Photosystem I-less and in Photosystem II-less Synechocystis mutants, whereas in a mutant lacking both Photosystem I and Photosystem II chlorophyll degradation was accelerated 4–5 fold (s ~50 h). Chlorophyllide and pheophorbide were identified as intermediates of chlorophyll degradation in the Photosystem I-less/ Photosystem II-less mutant. In comparison with the wild type, the chlorophyll synthesis rate was five-fold slower in the Photosystem I-less strain and about eight-fold slower in the strain lacking both photosystems, resulting in different chlorophyll levels in the various mutants. The results presented in this paper demonstrate the presence of a regulation that adjusts the rate of chlorophyll synthesis according to the needs of chlorophyll-binding polypeptides associated with the photosystems. D 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Abstract LB-35: ETV6-NTRK3 basal-like breast cancers originating from Wap+ breast cells progress through a premalignant stage enriched in luminal progenitors

Breast cancer will affect one in nine women. ∼10% of breast cancer cases are hereditary, often caused by mutations in tumor suppressors (e.g., BRCA1 and 2). However, the majority of breast cancers are sporadic. Mechanisms of oncogenesis in sporadic breast cancers remain largely unknown, in part due to their cytogenetic complexity. Thus, model systems are needed to define key events leading to their formation. To address this, we previously generated a novel mouse model of human breast cancer based on a spontaneously acquired chromosomal translocation [t(12;15) ETV6-NTRK3 (EN) translocation] uniquely found in human secretory breast carcinoma, a type of basal-like breast cancer. The model is designed to initiate breast cancer from Wap+ (whey acidic protein promoter) cells in virgin mammary glands (MGs) by conditionally expressing the EN fusion oncoprotein from the endogenous Etv6 locus, using the Cre-lox approach. A unique feature of this model is that by including a conditional Cre-reporter (Rosa26-Stop-YFP), we can genetically mark affected cells by YFP when we turn on EN to initiate tumorigenesis. This allows us to track progression of the YFP-marked cells from their normal state to malignancy. We characterized these YFP+ cells at different stages by FACS analysis and by microarray expression profiling (of sorted YFP+ cells), followed by a cross-species comparison with published expression signatures of different subpopulations of cells sorted from normal human breast. We found that most normal Wap+ YFP+ cells in virgin MGs (i.e., normal target cells, Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-35. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-LB-35
An analytical method for the measurement of trace level acidic and basic AMC using liquid-free sample traps

The measurement of parts-per-trillion (ppt) level acidic and basic airborne molecular contamination (AMC) is essential for process protection and yield control in semiconductor photo-lithography and adjacent applications. Real-time monitoring solutions are highly desired, as they provide instantaneous and continuous measurement. However, even the most advanced monitors cannot achieve detection limits in the low parts-per-trillion (ppt) range and many restrictions apply for the detection of acidic AMC. High cost of ownership is another disadvantage. Discontinuous sampling with sample traps is capable of achieving ppt-level measurement, but the currently accepted methods use sample traps filled with de-ionized water (impingers) to capture soluble acidic and basic AMC. Several inherent disadvantages of these methods result in inconsistent data and increased detection limits. Some proprietary solid state solutions have been reported, but involve complex preparation, have high background signals and require 24-72 hour sample duration, or they are protected trade secrets that are not available as an industry standard. To eliminate these disadvantages, we developed a liquid-free sample trap that allows parts-per-quadrillion level (ppq) measurement of acidic and basic AMC within one work shift, typically a 4-6 hour sample period. The traps can easily be manufactured and prepared in small lab operations, are sealed and protected from the outside and operator handling in the field, have months of shelf life and show high capture efficiencies while minimizing reactions and artifacts. Capacity results for the liquid-free base trap using ammonia (NH 3 ) as a test gas yielded more than 200 ppb-h at 100% capture efficiency without any moisture (simulating sampling of CDA or N 2 ) and 350 ppb-h at 40% RH. The capacity results for sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) were highly dependent on moisture content of the sample gas and yielded 5 ppb-h at 90% capture efficiency and 0% RH, but increased exponentially to more than 1200 ppb-h at 40% RH. Performance testing indicates that the liquid-free trap provides both more precise and more accurate results for NH 3 , SO 2 and HF in comparison to standard impinger in lab testing, with a relative standard deviation not exceeding 8% and capture efficiency greater than 95% for all three compounds. Acetic acid was the only compound that shows slightly decreased performance but still maintained a precision and accuracy comparable to the other compounds tested. In-field validation deployment to external and internal customers in parallel with standard wet impingers resulted in less than 10% difference between the traps, providing the necessary evidence that liquid-free traps are suitable for replacement of and better than wet impingers.
Developmental biology of thrombopoietin in the human fetus and neonate.

Aim: To determine whether an imbalance of dendritic cell subsets might contribute to diminished adaptive host responses observed in newborn infants. It was hypothesized that the proportion of lymphoid dendritic cells would be greater than that of myeloid dendritic cells in cord blood. Methods: To investigate this, dendritic cell subsets were evaluated in whole cord blood by flow cytometry. Circulating dendritic cells were also isolated from cord blood based on CD1c and BDCA-2 expression. Myeloid dendritic cells were also obtained by culturing cord and adult blood monocytes. Surface phenotypes of these cells were determined by flow cytometry using monoclonal antibodies directed against lineage, major histocompatibility, adhesion, co-stimulation and cytokine receptor molecules. Antigen-presenting functions of dendritic cell subsets were determined by mixed leukocyte reactions. Results: Circulating myeloid dendritic cells were higher in cord blood than previously reported in adult blood, whereas lymphoid dendritic cell numbers were similar between cord and adult blood. Expression of CD11c, CD45RA and CD45RO did not accurately differentiate between dendritic cell subsets circulating in cord blood. Fresh and culture-derived cord blood myeloid dendritic cells stimulated adult allogeneic leukocyte proliferation, while lymphoid dendritic cells were less effective inducers of an adult allogeneic leukocyte response. Culture-derived dendritic cells induced modest autologous cord blood leukocyte proliferation, but freshly isolated myeloid and lymphoid dendritic cells did not stimulated autologous leukocytes.
The Myth of the Frozen Welfare State and the Dynamics of Contemporary French and German Social-Protection Reform

This article explores the dynamics of French and German welfare-capitalist adjustment since the early 1990s. As opposed to the prevailing thesis that the French and German welfare states are politically and economically ‘frozen’, it contends that both countries have witnessed major political and policy adjustments changes during the past decade. In order to capture the dynamics of these changes, it suggests, we must extend our analysis beyond the welfare state, measured through social spending, to a broader notion of welfare capitalism, including social and labor-market policies and their linkages with the national political economy. The article develops this theoretical argument through a detailed analysis of recent reforms of French and German pensions and labor-market policies, two critical components of the two countries' welfare-capitalist systems.
Religion and Electoral Politics in France: Some Recent Observations

Andre Siegfried once remarked that France was a country where even the absence of faith is in itself a faith.' No greater force has left so indelible a mark on French society and politics than the sweeping secularizing trend set off by the French Revolution and its clerical reaction. It opened up virtually an irreconcilable chasm of clashing religious and secular value systems which affected all segments of the French body politic. In doing so, it produced a traumatization of the French political culture, which has persisted to the present time and shows little evidence of completely releasing its hold on French political life in the foreseeable future-despite claims to the contrary. The overwhelming importance of religion-in this case Roman Catholicismin French political life lies in the fact that it has had such divisive overtones for the French political system, despite the near homogeneity of religious identification. For despite the fact that France is and has been predominantly a Catholic country, whether faithful to the church or not, French Catholics have been bitterly divided since the revolutionary days of 1789 over the proper nexus of church and state.2 One cannot enter into any meaningful discussion of political life in France without in some way taking cognizance of the role of Catholicism in conditioning political attitudes, values, and electoral choice. Unlike Britain across the channel, where religion has had little relevance to contemporary politics, the religious controversy in France has left deep and lasting political scars. While most other stable polities in western Europe achieved a degree of national identity and social integration with a minimum of cultural trauma, the conflicts over religious ideology and political values as they related to national identity and state authority in France were never fully resolved, nor did they succumb to the fate of irrelevance. As Frangois Goguel and others have observed, Frenchmen are prone to think of politics in historical terms, with a stubborn propensity to complicate the present with the past, especially in relation to the conduct of national political life. Past controversies
The Genome Sequence of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae Strain 232, the Agent of Swine Mycoplasmosis

We present the complete genome sequence of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, an important member of the porcine respiratory disease complex. The genome is composed of 892,758 bp and has an average G+C content of 28.6 mol%. There are 692 predicted protein coding sequences, the average protein size is 388 amino acids, and the mean coding density is 91%. Functions have been assigned to 304 (44%) of the predicted protein coding sequences, while 261 (38%) of the proteins are conserved hypothetical proteins and 127 (18%) are unique hypothetical proteins. There is a single 16S-23S rRNA operon, and there are 30 tRNA coding sequences. The cilium adhesin gene has six paralogs in the genome, only one of which contains the cilium binding site. The companion gene, P102, also has six paralogs. Gene families constitute 26.3% of the total coding sequences, and the largest family is the 34-member ABC transporter family. Protein secretion occurs through a truncated pathway consisting of SecA, SecY, SecD, PrsA, DnaK, Tig, and LepA. Some highly conserved eubacterial proteins, such as GroEL and GroES, are notably absent. The DnaK-DnaJ-GrpR complex is intact, providing the only control over protein folding. There are several proteases that might serve as virulence factors, and there are 53 coding sequences with prokaryotic lipoprotein lipid attachment sites. Unlike other mycoplasmas, M. hyopneumoniae contains few genes with tandem repeat sequences that could be involved in phase switching or antigenic variation. Thus, it is not clear how M. hyopneumoniae evades the immune response and establishes a chronic infection.
Effects of Dietary Triolein, Tripalmitin, and L-Phenylalanine on Calcium Absorption in the Rat

SummaryTracer study showed that 25% dietary triolein caused better absorption of calcium than 25% tripalmitin, 80% as compared to 50%. Including 4% L-phenylalanine in the diet, however, did not influence calcium absorption significantly, regardless of the nature of triglyceride.
Ritual as puffery / empiricism as defense: Ways of understanding the political management of reproductive resources

Karen Erickson Paige and Jeffery M. Paige. The Politics of Reproductive Ritual. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1981. xii + 380 pp. $25.00.
Polluting the stream of consciousness: The effect of thought suppression on the mind's environment

When a person tries to suppress a thought, environmental features are often used as distracters. This research examined whether such distracters later become reminders of the unwanted thought when suppression is discontinued — and so incline the individual who remains in the suppression environment to experience a rebound of preoccupation with the unwanted thought. Subjects were asked to think aloud and to signal with a bell ring any thoughts of white bears. They were directed either to think or not to think of white bears in one context (a slide show). When they were then invited to think about white bears in a different slide-show context, no appreciable rebound of white bear thoughts was found in the subjects who had initially suppressed. However, when they were issued the same invitation on return to the initial context, those who had initially suppressed showed a rebound of preoccupation.
Leptospires from water sources at Dixon Springs Agricultural Center.

Fifty-six leptospiral isolations were made from 101 water samples collected from water sources on a 2020 hectares semi-wooded area in southern Illinois. Although four isolates reacted with standard antisera against several pathogenic serotypes, none was able to produce signs in either gerbils or hamsters.
On field mice, butterflies, and tigers: Mark Twain’s ‘Ten Commandments’ and circumstance-based justice

There is a short essay by Mark Twain that has given me much pedagogical mileage whenever I teach about justice. The piece (part fable, part commentary) is from a collection of what one editor calle...
Identification and amplification of microsatellite loci in deep-sea tubeworms of the genus Escarpia (Polychaeta, Siboglinidae)

Deep-sea cold seeps support diverse communities that include vestimentiferan tubeworms of the genus Escarpia. To investigate population structure to understand how deep-sea communities are established, several polymorphic microsatellites were developed using 454 pyrosequencing. Eleven and sixteen loci were identified in Escarpia laminata (n = 129) and Escarpia southwardae (n = 80). Additionally, the amplification of microsatellites is expected to be successful in closely related species and can help resolve their phylogenetic relationships. Nine of the E. laminata loci were amplified across three Escarpia species (n = 229). Four of the twenty-eight loci deviated from Hardy–Weinburg Equilibrium and no linkage disequilibrium was found in the loci tested here.
Memory CD8 T lymphocytes express inhibitory MHC-specific Ly49 receptors

+ T cells express Ly49 molecules. These cells appear to express a normal TCR repertoire, and share several traits with previously activated T cells. Analysis of mutant mouse strains reveals that normal development of these cells depends upon the presence of the transporter associated with antigen presentation (TAP), classical class I molecules, and class II molecules. As a functional consequence of Ly49 expression, we demonstrate that T cell receptor-mediated activation of CD8 + T cells is inhib- ited by Ly49 interactions with cognate class I molecules. We hypothesize that conventional memory CD8 + T cells initiate Ly49 expression as a means of dampening an immune response and/or inhibiting T cell autoreactivity.
Toward Understanding Roles for Education and Training in Improving Green Jobs Skills Development

In the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry, green building practices are migrating from cutting-edge to becoming the “new normal.” The transition from conventional practices to green practices in homebuilding requires firms to acquire new skills and knowledge to meet market demand. While many of the skills required to offer ‘green’ building services are similar to existing skill sets in the AEC industry, the additional complexity causes a significant degree of uncertainty among homebuilding industry professionals AND educational stakeholders. As part of a U.S. Department of Labor green jobs training grant targeted toward regional energy-efficiency building services, the authors developed a research model for better understanding the needs of green building training in Southwest Virginia. The research team chose to assess green jobs through the experiences of those on the front line of these practices, employers and employees of firms in the homebuilding industry, including those in t...
A Parliamentary By-election in Paris

The final results of a hotly contested by-election in Paris were given out on Sunday evening, March 28. Two communist deputies were elected to the Chamber to replace two conservatives by the narrow margin of 1,500 votes in a constituency which contained nearly 200,000 registered electors. This election is important not only because of the wide comment which it caused but also because it illustrates many of the working forces in present-day French politics.
Coprecipitation of cobaltwithnickeldimethylglyoxime

Abstract The coprecipitation of cobalt with nickel precipitated as the dimethylglyoxime complex has been investigated under various conditions. Precipitations were carried out in ammonia and acetate solutions, at 25° and 85°, with slow and rapid addition of the solution of the precipitating agent, and with various digestion times. In each experiment, the amount of cobalt was 612 μg and the amount of nickel was 57.6 mg. Of the methods investigated, minimum coprecipitation was achieved by slow addition of ammonia to the acid nickel, cobalt, and dimethylglyoxime solution followed by a 30-minute digestion, all processes being carried out at 25°.
The odlyzko conjecture and o’hara’s unimodality proof

We observe that Andrew Odlyzko's conjecture that the Maclaurin coefficients of 1/[(1 + q)(I + q + q2) *.* (1 + q + * * * + qk-, )] have alternating signs is an almost immediate consequence of an identity that is implied by Kathy O'Hara's recent magnificent combinatorial proof of the unimodality of the Gaussian coefficients. To a true combinatorialist, a combinatorial result is not properly proved until it receives a direct combinatorial proof. This is why Kathy O'Hara's long-soughtfor constructive proof of the unimodality of the Gaussian polynomials ([4], [5], see also [6]) generated so much excitement in combinatorial circles. However to non-combinatorialists, a direct combinatorial proof is "just another proof." O'Hara's proof is longer than most of the dozen previous proofs, and probably would not add any insight to anyone who is not a genuine combinatorialist. Moreover, it does not seem to be generalizable at first sight. Yet it turned out to imply a deep result (KOH) to which hitherto there was no known proof of any kind. In this note we shall prove and generalize a conjecture of Odlyzko, using O'Hara's result. Odlyzko's results imply that for k sufficiently large, the first k coefficients in 1 (1 -q )k (l + q)( + q + q ) ...( + q + + q k-1) (1-q)(1 q) ...(1 q k) alternate in sign. He conjectured that in fact for every k > 0, all of the coefficients of the above series alternate in sign. We prove the sharper result Theorem 1. For any integer k, ( )[(k+1l)/2] (I -q)(1 q2) ...(l qk has coefficients which alternate in sign. Received by the editors March 28, 1988 and, in revised form, November 28, 1988. 1980 Mathematics Subject Classification (1985 Revision). Primary 05A 17, 05A20, 05A30, 1 OA45. The first author's work was partially supported by NSF grant DMS:8700995. The second author's work was partially supported by NSF grant DMS:8800663. ( 1989 American Mathematical Society 0002-9939/89 $1.00 + $.25 per page
The modulatory action of 5-hydroxytryptamine on sodium efflux: the barnacle muscle fibre as a model system.

1. A study has been made of the action of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) on the radio-sodium efflux from single barnacle muscle fibres. 2. (i) Stimulation of the Na efflux by external application of 5-HT is seen in both unpoisoned and ouabain-poisoned fibres, (ii) Concentrations of 5-HT as low as 10−9 M are effective, (iii) Characteristically, the response to 5-HT is prompt in onset, reaches a peak within 20 min and then decays rather rapidly. 3. Fibres from certain barnacle specimens are sometimes unresponsive to 5-HT. Such fibres, however, can be rendered responsive by preinjecting into them the non-hydrolysable GTP analogue, Gpp(NH)p. 4. The response of the ouabain-insensitive Na efflux to 5-HT depends on external Ca2+ and, to a certain extent, on external Na+. 5. (i) The response to 5-HT is unaffected by prior external application of Ca2+ antagonists, viz. verapamil, Cd2+ and WB-4101. (ii) The calmodulin antagonist, trifluoperazine (10−5 M), completely abolishes the response to 5-HT, even in fibres preinjected with Gpp(NH)p. (iii) Diphenylhydantoin is less effective than trifluoperazine (TFP). 6. Whereas the receptor antagonist methysergide is ineffective, cyproheptadine is very effective. 7. (i) Prior application of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor 1-propyl-3-methyl-7-(5-hydroxyhexyl)-xanthine (PMX) or the inhibitor 1-isoamyl-3-isobutyl-xanthine (IAX) augments the size of the response to 5-HT, but fails to stop the response from decaying, (ii) Augmentation of the response to 5-HT by IAX is seen despite the presence of 10−5M-TFP. 8. Prior injection of Mg2+ or protein kinase inhibitor (PKI) leads to abolition or reduction of the response to 5-HT. 9. These results demonstrate that barnacle fibres are a useful preparation for investigating the natriferic action of 5-HT. They also support the view that the response to 5-HT involves a receptor-adenylate cyclase complex and is the result of activation by newly formed cAMP of cAMP-dependent protein kinase.
An Investigation of the Relationship Between Chinese Exporters and U.S. Importers From China’s Perspective

In marketing relationship literature, the buyer—supplier relationship is often studied from the buyers’ perspective in Western countries. In order to address these two gaps, this study investigated the relationship between Chinese exporters/suppliers and U.S. importers/buyers from the Chinese suppliers’ perspective. Fourteen in-depth interviews were conducted in 2008 and two themes were identified. The first theme, surviving, presented a negative and pessimistic perception between the two parties. The second theme, thriving, presented a positive and optimistic perception. Three conclusions were drawn. First, an x—y diagram presented the overall perceptions of Chinese suppliers on their business relationship with U.S. buyers. Second, this study supported the transition from a power-dominating supplier—buyer relationship to a commitment—trust supplier—buyer relationship in the United States—China trading business. Last, what business partners either side needs to look for when they want to do business with ...
Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterase 1C Promotes Human Arterial Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation

Proliferation of arterial smooth muscle cells (SMCs) is a key event in the formation of advanced atherosclerotic lesions and restenosis after angioplasty. Cyclic nucleotides (cAMP and cGMP) inhibit arterial SMC proliferation, and elevation of cyclic nucleotides reduces neointimal formation after angioplasty in animal models. Degradation of cAMP and cGMP is catalyzed by cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs). One of these, PDE1C, hydrolyzes cAMP and cGMP and is expressed in proliferating human SMCs but is absent in quiescent human aorta. Thus, PDE1C expression is low in cultured human SMCs made quiescent by attaching to fibrillar collagen type I. After release from the fibrillar collagen, PDE1C expression is induced and associated with traverse through S-phase of the cell cycle. Further, PDE1C is expressed in vivo in human fetal aorta containing proliferating SMCs, but not in newborn aorta in which SMC proliferation has ceased. Inhibition of PDE1C in SMCs isolated from normal aorta or from lesions of atherosclerosis using antisense oligonucleotides or a PDE1 inhibitor results in suppression of SMC proliferation. In conclusion, PDE1C expression is a marker of human SMC proliferation ex vivo and in vivo. Inhibition of PDE1C leads to inhibition of human SMC proliferation. Because PDE1C is absent in quiescent SMCs, PDE1C inhibitors may target proliferating SMCs in lesions of atherosclerosis or restenosis.
Automating analog circuit design using constrained optimization techniques

A CAD (computer-aided design) tool that accurately sizes analog circuits in short-channel CMOS processes using SPICE-quality device models and constrained optimization techniques is presented. All knowledge about device behavior is embedded within an encapsulated device evaluator which simplifies the description of the analog circuit that must be provided by an expert designer, and makes that description independent of the specific device type and technology. The use of constrained optimization allows the KCL and KVL constraints that determine the DC operating point of a circuit to be formulated and solved simultaneously with the performance constraints. In addition, the constrained optimization formulation of the analog design problem makes it easy for the user to study tradeoffs in the circuit design space by varying the performance constraints. Simulation results demonstrate the tool's ability to accurately synthesize high-performance two-stage CMOS op amps in 2 mu m and 1.2 mu m CMOS processes. >
Effect of the genetic selection of turkeys for increased body weight and egg production on immune and physiological responses

Abstract Selection of poultry for fast growth rate is often accompanied by a reduction in specific immune responses or increased disease susceptibility. In this study, 17-wk-old male turkeys from each of four closed genetic lines, a randombred control (RBC) line and its subline (F) selected for increased 16-wk BW, and another RBC and its subline (E) selected for increased egg production, were tested for in vivo response to toe web inoculation with phytohemagglutinin-P (PHA-P), in vitro response of lymphocytes in whole blood to PHA-P and concanavalin A (Con A), hemolytic complement activity, differential white blood cell counts, hematology, and serum chemistry values. Fifteen male turkeys from each of two commercial lines, Com A and Com B, were also tested. The large-bodied F line birds had a lower toe web response to PHA-P, lower lymphocyte counts, and lower relative spleen weights than their smaller parent line. Body weights, total erythrocyte counts, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels, and in vitro mitogenic response to PHA-P and Con A were higher in the F line birds. Line E had lower hemolytic complement levels, lower relative spleen and relative bursal weights, and a higher in vitro mitogenic response to PHA-P than its parent line. The Com B line had a lower toe web response to PHA-P, and lower serum levels of gamma-glutamyltransferase and bilirubin than Com A. Line Com B had higher total RBC counts and higher levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) than Com A. These results support the concept that some changes in the cell-mediated immune response, as well as other physiological changes that may potentially affect immune response, appear to accompany selection for faster growth.
Bandwidth efficient coded modulation and its implementation on FPGA

A method of bandwidth efficient coded modulation and its implementation on FPGA is presented. The proposed coding technique parses the input data into two blocks corresponding to ODD parity block and EVEN parity block, calculates and appends the vertical parity from the columns, and transmits the coded blocks across the channel. Horizontal parity bits from the rows are not calculated since they are ODD and EVEN corresponding to the respective blocks. This technique reduces the number of redundant bits and enhances bandwidth efficiency. Simulation results are presented to verify the concept. The method will be experimentally verified in the laboratory by implementing it on a field programmable gate array (FPGA).
A course on probability theory for computer scientists

During the past 20 years, probability theory has become a critical element in the development of many areas in computer science. Commensurately, in this paper, we argue for expanding the coverage of probability in the computing curriculum. Specifically, we present details of a new course we have developed on Probability Theory for Computer Scientists. An analysis of course evaluation data shows that students find the contextualized content of this class more relevant and valuable than general presentations of probability theory. We also discuss different models for expanding the role of probability in different curricular programs that may not have the capacity to teach a full course on the subject.
The Krebs cycle meets the cell cycle: mitochondria and the G1-S transition.

To those of us who grew up in the 1950s, life used to be simple. Weaned on Leave it to Beaver and Ozzie and Harriet, it seemed that everyone had a prespecified job: Dad went to the office, Mom baked cookies, and the kids went to school. Surprisingly, although most cell biologists view themselves as relatively enlightened, many still continue to view the role of the mitochondria within the framework of a very 1950s paradigm. Yes, it is argued, the mitochondria have a job to do in the cell, but that job merely involves generating the ATP required to power various complex cellular processes such as growth and differentiation. Thankfully, this antiquated notion of mitochondria is slowly giving way to a more nuanced, some would say modern, point of view. The latest impetus for this scientific update is provided by the work of Lippincott-Schwartz and her colleagues in this issue of PNAS (1). Their observations demonstrate a fascinating new role for the mitochondria in the G1–S transition. These results suggest that in the complicated and highly choreographed events surrounding cell-cycle progression mitochondria are not simple bystanders but instead full-fledged participants.
Evidence for differential roles for NKG2D receptor signaling in innate host defense against coronavirus-induced neurological and liver disease

Infection of SCID mice with a recombinant murine coronavirus (mouse hepatitis virus [MHV]) expressing the T-cell chemoattractant CXC chemokine ligand 10 (CXCL10) resulted in increased survival and reduced viral burden within the brain and liver compared to those of mice infected with an isogenic control virus (MHV), supporting an important role for CXCL10 in innate immune responses following viral infection. Enhanced protection in MHV-CXCL10-infected mice correlated with increased gamma interferon (IFN-γ) production by infiltrating natural killer (NK) cells within the brain and reduced liver pathology. To explore the underlying mechanisms associated with protection from disease in MHV-CXCL10-infected mice, the functional contributions of the NK cell-activating receptor NKG2D in host defense were examined. The administration of an NKG2D-blocking antibody to MHV-CXCL10-infected mice did not reduce survival, dampen IFN-γ production in the brain, or affect liver pathology. However, NKG2D neutralization increased viral titers within the liver, suggesting a protective role for NKG2D signaling in this organ. These data indicate that (i) CXCL10 enhances innate immune responses, resulting in protection from MHV-induced neurological and liver disease; (ii) elevated NK cell IFN-γ expression in the brain of MHV-CXCL10-infected mice occurs independently of NKG2D; and (iii) NKG2D signaling promotes antiviral activity within the livers of MHV-infected mice that is not dependent on IFN-γ and tumor necrosis factor alpha secretion.