cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rates of fermentative digestion in the howler monkey, Alouatta palliata (primates: Ceboidea)

Abstract 1. 1. Caecal material of wild howler monkeys was analyzed by gas chromatography for evidence of fermentation activity and rates of production and absorption of volatile fatty acids. 2. 2. Results showed a high rate of production of acetic acid and lesser production of propionic, butyric and isobutyric acids. The VFA content of the blood was increased in passage through the caecal vascular system. 3. 3. We estimate that howler monkeys may obtain as much as 31% of their required daily energy from fermentation end products. 4. 4. Energy rich fatty acids may be of particular importance to howlers when they are living on diets high in leaves, which have high cell wall contents and low contents of nonstructural carbohydrates.
Experimental and computational determination of dynamic characteristics of microbeam sensors

MicroElectromechanical Systems (MEMS) are devices fabricated with the techniques of microphotolithography to manufacture miniature actuators and sensors. Dimensions of MEMS devices are typically measured in microns. For a number of reasons, the current demand is to decrease the size of MEMS devices to submicron dimensions. However, the smaller MEMS become, the more challenging it is for engineers to measure with accuracy the static and dynamic characteristics of these devices. In this paper, electro-optic holography (EOH) and computational methods are used to study the resonant vibration behavior of submillimeter- sized cantilevered microbeam sensors. These particular sensors are probe tips made for atomic force microscopes. Important dynamic characteristics of these sensors, which must be verified experimentally, include the frequency of vibration and corresponding mode shapes, the quality factor (Q), the spring stiffness, and the vibrational amplitude. The EOH allows easy determination of these characteristics. Additionally, by performing phase measurements of an EOH image (magnified up to 100X), object displacements are determined. The finite element method (FEM) is used to model cantiliver beam dynamics in order to optimize such parameters as frequency of vibration, Q, spring sriffness, and amplitude of vibration. The FEM results are then compared to the EOH results and show acceptable correlation.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Psychological-Mindedness, Psychological-Construing, and the Judgment of Deception

Summary This study examined the relationships among several measures of psychological thinking which, in a figurative sense, required “reading between the lines of behavior.” Primary measures included psychological-construing (describing another person in psychological terms), the ability to “see through” and explain defense mechanisms, and detecting a bogus thief by means of “suspects” responses to a word association test. Secondary measures were personality-trait measures of psychological-mindedness. Contrary to prediction, the primary measures failed to relate meaningfully to each other. Nor did they correlate with the secondary measures. However, the latter tests were significantly intercorrelated, at least in part because of a common relationship with the tendency to self-ascribe favorable qualities. As a group, the Ss were fairly successful judges at the thief detection task, with nearly 60% performing at a level significantly better than chance. Finally, women surpassed men at the psychological-con...
Thyroid gland: Can a nomogram predict death in patients with thyroid cancer?

Established prognostic scoring systems for thyroid cancer include factors such as age, tumour size and extent, and whether distant metastases are present. A novel nomogram has now been developed that could be used to predict the risk of all-cause mortality in patients with thyroid cancer.
Radiative transition probabilities for Ne-like ions. Consistent quantum mechanical calculations

Abstract It is shown that the calculation of atomic constants by some versions of the multi-configurational method, or its relativistic generalizations, violates the principles of a consistent theory based upon the quantum electrodynamic (QED) approach. The consequences of this violation for the radiative transition probabilities are under investigation. We obtained the probabilities of innershell radiative transitions in Ne-like argon and iron in the lowest approximation of a consistent theory. These results are compared with the corresponding data from some recent publications.
Duvas as a real-time, field-portable wastewater monitor for phenolics

Abstract A real‐time, field‐portable derivative UV‐absorption spectrometer (DUVAS) has been designed, built, and tested as a wastewater monitor. Although emphasis is placed on its use at coal conversion facilities, the monitor has applicability in a variety of industries. The instrument is microcomputer‐controlled, providing a variety of operating modes. Laboratory and field measurements have been conducted using the prototype instrument. Among the Environmental Protection Agency's priority pollutants of environmental concern contained in the water streams produced and/or utilized at various coal conversion and other industrial plants are phenols, cresols, and xylenols. This instrument is useful as a real‐time, field‐portable monitor for phenolics at ppm concentrations.
Polybenzimidazole (PBI) and polyarylate blends

The discovery of new polymeric alloys by blending commercially available polymers is an exciting trend in materials development. The ability to tailor existing materials to a new /unique set of property /performance /price specifications through combinations of materials is the key reason for this growth. Recently, various miscible blends based on Hoechst Celanese's polybenzimidazole ( PBI ) and commercially available polyimides (PI) were di~covered.'-~ Blend miscibility was evidenced in the form of changes in IR spectra, single Tg's, and well-defined single tan 6 relaxations. The intermolecular interaction involving the =NH and carbonyl groups was the major driving force for the miscibility. We therefore conducted a program focused on the fabrication of high-performance blend fibers based on PBI. After a thorough investigation, we found that PBI not only has superior thermal / chemical properties, but also exhibits unique reactivity that enables it to interact with other functionalized polar molecules and to possibly form compatible binary system^.^^^ As a result of PBIs reactivity, the molecular interactions between PBI and polyarylate ( PA) polymers have recently been discovered at Hoechst Celanese Research Division? In this paper we present information regarding the assessment of PBI/PA compatibility, the preparation /characterizations of solution and blend film, as well as the development of PBI/PA fibers.
The 1997 eruption of Okmok Volcano, Alaska: a synthesis of remotely sensed imagery

Abstract Okmok Volcano, in the eastern Aleutian Islands, erupted in February and March of 1997 producing a 6-km-long lava flow and low-level ash plumes. This caldera is one of the most active in the Aleutian Arc, and is now the focus of international multidisciplinary studies. A synthesis of remotely sensed data (AirSAR, derived DEMs, Landsat MSS and ETM+ data, AVHRR, ERS, JERS, Radarsat) has given a sequence of events for the virtually unobserved 1997 eruption. Elevation data from the AirSAR sensor acquired in October 2000 over Okmok were used to create a 5-m resolution DEM mosaic of Okmok Volcano. AVHRR nighttime imagery has been analyzed between February 13 and April 11, 1997. Landsat imagery and SAR data recorded prior to and after the eruption allowed us to accurately determine the extent of the new flow. The flow was first observed on February 13 without precursory thermal anomalies. At this time, the flow was a large single lobe flowing north. According to AVHRR Band 3 and 4 radiance data and ground observations, the first lobe continued growing until mid to late March, while a second, smaller lobe began to form sometime between March 11 and 12. This is based on a jump in the thermal and volumetric flux determined from the imagery, and the physical size of the thermal anomalies. Total radiance values waned after March 26, indicating lava effusion had ended and a cooling crust was growing. The total area (8.9 km 2 ), thickness (up to 50 m) and volume (1.54×10 8 m 3 ) of the new lava flow were determined by combining observations from SAR, Landsat ETM+, and AirSAR DEM data. While the first lobe of the flow ponded in a pre-eruption depression, our data suggest the second lobe was volume-limited. Remote sensing has become an integral part of the Alaska Volcano Observatory’s monitoring and hazard mitigation efforts. Studies like this allow access to remote volcanoes, and provide methods to monitor potentially dangerous ones.
A synthetic model of human beta-thalassemia erythropoiesis using CD34+ cells from healthy adult donors.

Based upon the lack of clinical samples available for research in many laboratories worldwide, a significant gap exists between basic and clinical studies of beta-thalassemia major. To bridge this gap, we developed an artificially engineered model for human beta thalassemia by knocking down beta-globin gene and protein expression in cultured CD34+ cells obtained from healthy adults. Lentiviral-mediated transduction of beta-globin shRNA (beta-KD) caused imbalanced globin chain production. Beta-globin mRNA was reduced by 90% compared to controls, while alpha-globin mRNA levels were maintained. HPLC analyses revealed a 96% reduction in HbA with only a minor increase in HbF. During the terminal phases of differentiation (culture days 14–21), beta-KD cells demonstrated increased levels of insoluble alpha-globin, as well as activated caspase-3. The majority of the beta-KD cells underwent apoptosis around the polychromatophilic stage of maturation. GDF15, a marker of ineffective erythropoiesis in humans with thalassemia, was significantly increased in the culture supernatants from the beta-KD cells. Knockdown of beta-globin expression in cultured primary human erythroblasts provides a robust ex vivo model for beta-thalassemia.
Concomitant management of a large abdominal aortic aneurysm and a giant incarcerated inguinal hernia

The optimal therapeutic approach to a patient who has a large incarcerated inguinal hernia and an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) of significant size is controversial. Here we report a case of a patient who presented with a giant incarcerated inguinal hernia who was found to have an 8-cm AAA. Three surgical options were considered: (1) perform open AAA repair first, followed by hernia repair a few weeks later to allow for recovery, (2) perform hernia repair first followed by AAA repair a few weeks later, or (3) perform both simultaneously as a combination procedure. We successfully performed hernia repair first, followed by open AAA repair as a separate procedure at a later date. We believe that a two-stage approach, performing hernia repair first, is the safest approach to surgical repair of an incarcerated hernia in a patient with an asymptomatic AAA that requires open repair.
Diagnostic challenge posed by the clinical presentation of foot drop in a patient with Hodgkin's lymphoma

We report the case of a 56-year-old male with Hodgkin's disease who was being treated with mechlorethamine, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone (MOPP) and who presented with paresthesias, bilateral leg weakness, and foot drop. MRI revealed a paravertebral abscess with intraspinal extension that was drained and treated with vancomycin. Foot drop was persistent after the treatment. The objective of this case report is to highlight the diagnostic challenge posed by the clinical presentation of foot drop in a medical patient with multiple co-morbidities.
Diurnal patterns of denitrification, oxygen consumption and nitrous oxide production in rivers measured at the whole‐reach scale

SUMMARY 1. Denitrification, net oxygen consumption and net nitrous oxide flux to the atmosphere were measured in three small rivers (discharge approximately 2–27 m 3 s )1 ) at the whole reach scale during Spring and Summer, 2002. Two of these rivers (Iroquois River and Sugar Creek in north-west Indiana – north-east Illinois, U.S.A.) drained agricultural catchments and the other (Millstone River in central New Jersey, U.S.A.) drained a mixed suburban–agricultural catchment. 2. Denitrification, oxygen consumption and N2O flux were measured based on net changes in dissolved gas concentrations (N2 ,O 2, and N2O) during riverine transport, correcting for atmospheric exchange. On each date, measurements were made during both light and dark periods. 3. Denitrification rates in these rivers ranged from 0.31 to 15.91 mmol N m )2 h )1 , and rates within each river reach were consistently higher during the day than during the night. This diurnal pattern could be related to cyclic patterns of nitrification driven by diurnal variations in water column pH and temperature. 4. Oxygen consumption ranged from 2.56 to 241 mmol O2 m )2 h )1 . In contrast to denitrification, net oxygen consumption was generally higher during the night than during the day. 5. River water was consistently supersaturated with N2O, ranging from 102 to 209% saturated. Net flux of N2O to the atmosphere ranged from 0.4 to 60 lmol N m )2 h )1 . Net flux of N2O was generally higher at night than during the day. The high flux of N2O from these rivers strengthens the argument that rivers are an important contributor to anthropogenic emissions of this greenhouse gas.
A new solid oxide fuel cell design based on thin film electrolytes

A novel solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) design that can be fabricated entirely using low-temperature, thin-film processing is described. Potential advantages of the cell are reduced materials costs and improved fuel-cell characteristics. The critical design feature is the use of thin (≈ 50 nm), catalytically-active oxide layers on a 50% at a power density of ≈ 0.5 W/cm2 when operated at 750 °C. The thin film monolithic design will lead readily to the incorporation of the cells into stacks with high power-to-weight and power-to-volume ratios. Methods for cell fabrication are discussed.
Reliability of COP-based postural sway measures and age-related differences

The objectives of this study were to assess the within-day and between-day reliability of several center of pressure (COP)-based measures of postural sway and identify whether there were age-related differences in reliability. Thirty-two healthy individuals (16 younger and 16 older) participated. COP was recorded during quiet upright stance on 4 different days, and a variety of measures determined: mean velocity, median power frequency, RMS distance, sway area, and two fractal measures derived from Hurst rescaled range analysis (HR/S) and detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA). Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and standard error of measurement (SEM) were used to quantify reliability. Mean velocity was the most reliable measure. DFA exponents had relatively better reliability than HR/S exponents. In general, within-day reliability was better than between-day. In comparison with younger participants, older participants exhibited better relative reliability (ICC) for all COP measures and comparable absolute reliability (SEM) except for mean velocity and sway area. These results may be useful in guiding the future selection and interpretation of COP-based measures.
Beauty vs. brains: Early labor market outcomes of high school graduates

This paper examines the wage returns to attractiveness for young high school graduates. Findings show that wage returns to attractiveness are large relative to ability and beauty and ability are complements at high attractiveness ratings but substitutes at low ratings.
First-author conditions: evidence from finance journal coauthorship

We study the trend and the author name-ordering rule in finance publication using the publication records of 21 core finance journals during the period from 1990 to 2004. We empirically model the underlying factors that affect the alphabetical ordering rule among multi-authored finance articles. We find that the choice of alphabetical ordering is based on the quality of the article, institutional heterogeneity, team size and cultural factors. The central argument rests upon the need to signal and the importance of signalling within the context of bargaining behaviour among coauthors. The probability of choosing alphabetical name ordering rule is associated with high article quality, higher ranked institutions, smaller research team and the presence of European authors.
MADIT-II: substudies and their implications.

In MADIT-II, prophylactic ICD therapy was effective in improving survival in patients with prior myocardial infarction and an ejection fraction ≤0.30, and a host of prespecified secondary analyses indicate that life-saving effect of ICD therapy is consistent across all studied subgroups. We have not been able to identify any traditional risk factors that will permit selection of patients who will receive a significantly better effect from the ICD within any subgroup. The ICD provides appropriate therapy for life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias on at least one occasion in over a third of the patients during the first 4 years after device implantation. Computations from the MADIT-II database indicate that 9 patients need to be treated with an ICD to save one life during a 4-year period. The findings from MADIT-II have implications for patients, physicians, and society.
Stand-alone results and applications in multilinear algebra

Finite-dimensional vector spaces V V 2,…V k over a field F give rise to certain "enveloping" product spaces, viz., the tensor product and the Grassmann product An elegant means for defining these products is the use of the Universal Mapping Property in conjunction with the Cartesian product and k-iinear (or k-linear anti-symmetric) functionals. Now, if each Vi enjoys an inner product, then each inherit an inner product. On one hand, we present an over-view of so-called stand-alone (direct) results, i.e., those results concerning the scalar functions (elementary symmetric functions, inner product, determinant): on the other hand, we deal with applications (indirect results) which arise in complexity of computation, operator theory and numerical analysis.
Symmetry-breaking schemes for the Potts model on a Bethe lattice.

We prove that for Q-state ferromagnetic Potts models on Bethe lattices without an external field, the allowed spontaneous-broken-symmetry solutions are those in which the probability of a Potts spin being oriented in a particular one of the Q possible directions can take only two possible values. Hence the Potts spins may have probability p of occupying each of M of the Q states and probability 1-Mp/Q-M of occupying the remaining Q-M states. We further prove that the symmetry-breaking scheme with M=1 has the lowest free energy and in consequence symmetry-breaking schemes with 1<M≤Q/2 describe metastable structures
An integrative review of the current knowledge of cardiovascular disease and associated risk factors in the Old Order Amish.

Purpose: To review the uniqueness of the Amish culture and evaluate the published research on cardiovascular disease and associated risk factors in the Amish. Method: A computerized database search from January 1999 to January 2009 was conducted using the search terms Amish and cardiovascular. Results: The majority of published research is based on the Amish in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania; is genetically based; and did not make recommendations for health care practices in the Amish. Conclusions: Studies that focus on cardiovascular disease in the Amish outside Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and that study cardiovascular health care practices of the Amish are needed to develop culturally specific educational interventions.
Optomechanical Raman-ratio thermometry

The temperature dependence of the asymmetry between Stokes and anti-Stokes Raman scattering can be exploited for self-calibrating, optically based thermometry. In the context of cavity optomechanics, we observe the cavity-enhanced scattering of light interacting with the standing-wave drumhead modes of a ${\mathrm{Si}}_{3}{\mathrm{N}}_{4}$ membrane mechanical resonator. The ratio of the amplitude of Stokes to anti-Stokes scattered light is used to measure temperatures of optically cooled mechanical modes, down to the level of a few vibrational quanta. We demonstrate that the Raman-ratio technique allows the measurement of the physical temperature of our device over a range extending from cryogenic temperatures to within an order of magnitude of room temperature.
Thermoflow multiplicity in a packed‐bed reactor Part I: Adiabatic case

Steady states with different flow rates and temperature profiles may exist in a packed-bed reactor operating under a prescribed pressure drop, due to the coupling among the species, energy, and momentum balances and the change of the physical properties with temperature and pressure. This thermoflow multiplicity may be found even for reactions whose rate is rather insensitive to temperature changes (low activation energy) and may lead to highly undesirable operation of multitube packed-bed reactors. A hierarchy of models based on different assumptions is used to derive criteria for predicting the conditions under which this thermoflow multiplicity may occur.
Insulin Signaling Regulates Mitochondrial Function in Pancreatic β-Cells

Insulin/IGF-I signaling regulates the metabolism of most mammalian tissues including pancreatic islets. To dissect the mechanisms linking insulin signaling with mitochondrial function, we first identified a mitochondria-tethering complex in β-cells that included glucokinase (GK), and the pro-apoptotic protein, BADS. Mitochondria isolated from β-cells derived from β-cell specific insulin receptor knockout (βIRKO) mice exhibited reduced BADS, GK and protein kinase A in the complex, and attenuated function. Similar alterations were evident in islets from patients with type 2 diabetes. Decreased mitochondrial GK activity in βIRKOs could be explained, in part, by reduced expression and altered phosphorylation of BADS. The elevated phosphorylation of p70S6K and JNK1 was likely due to compensatory increase in IGF-1 receptor expression. Re-expression of insulin receptors in βIRKO cells partially restored the stoichiometry of the complex and mitochondrial function. These data indicate that insulin signaling regulates mitochondrial function and have implications for β-cell dysfunction in type 2 diabetes.
Analysis and mitigation of BTI aging in register file: An application driven approach

Abstract Analysis and tackling of time-dependent aging wearout effects are important design objectives in microprocessor designs. Application induced stress, combined with circuit-architectural design styles creates widely diverging wearout characteristics in a processor datapath. Moreover, in a typical case in desktop computing, different applications can interleave. This interleaving can cause destructive interference in stress patterns leading to substantially worse aging effect than an isolated application. We investigate NBTI and PBTI wearout degradation in a register file using a comprehensive circuit-architectural analysis of SRAM cells, and show that recently proposed periodic bit inversion is unable to cope with interleaving application induced stress. We propose two novel micro-architecture techniques to mitigate this limitation. Our techniques reduce the Static Noise Margin (SNM) by 3.6×, while improving the degradation uncertainty by 14× over current state-of-the-art techniques. Our overhead analysis shows that both area and power overheads of our proposed technique can be minimal in the context of the reliability improvement it provides.
Cost-effectiveness of stereotactic radiation, sublobar resection, and lobectomy for early non-small cell lung cancers in older adults

Objectives Stereotactic ablative radiation (SABR) is a promising alternative to lobectomy or sublobar resection for early lung cancer, but the value of SABR in comparison to surgical therapy remains debated. We examined the cost-effectiveness of SABR relative to surgery using SEER-Medicare data.
Effect of background melt flow and interface distortion on the stability of hall-héroult cells

We use the method of linear stability analysis to study the effect of background melt flows and interface deformation on the stability characteristics of Hall-Heroult reduction cells. The linearized perturbation equations are based on a two-dimensional shallow water model. Two kinds of background states are investigated, one with a strong interface deformation and negligible melt flow, and another with strong vortical flows in aluminum and cryolite but a practically flat interface. It is found that the interface deformation with the length scale of the order of the cell size has a strong destabilizing effect. We also confirm earlier predictions that the unstable interfacial wave becomes wall-limited as the electromagnetic instability parameter increases. Introduction. Virtually all the primary aluminum is manufactured in the so-called Hall-Heroult (reduction) process nowadays. The description of the pro- cess can be found elsewhere (see, for example, (1-12)) so only a brief outline is provided here. From the hydrodynamic viewpoint, an idealized Hall-Heroult cell is an approximately rectangular bath filled with a layer of molten aluminum at the bottom and a layer of molten salt cryolite atop of it (see Fig. 1 for an illustration). The aluminum oxide dissolved in the cryolite is reduced to a pure metal under the action of a strong electric current (density sometimes exceeding 10 kA/m 2 ) passing from carbon anodes immersed in the cryolite to carbon cathodes that form the cell bottom. Strong magnetic fields (up to 0.01 T) are generated by currents flowing within the cells and conducting lines in the plant. The system is very shal- low, with typical horizontal dimensions of the cell being 10 m by 3 m and typical thicknesses of the aluminum and cryolite layers being, correspondingly, 20 cm and
A secure architecture design based on application isolation, code minimization and randomization

With fast evolving attacks, using software patches for fixing software bugs is not enough as there are often considerable delays in their application to vulnerable systems and the attackers may find other vulnerabilities to exploit. A secure architecture design that provides robust protection against malware must be guided by strong security design principles. In this work, we propose a system design based on the security principles that aim at achieving isolation, diversification and reducing attack surface. Our design leverages multi-core architecture to enforce physical isolation between application processes so that a malicious or infected application is unable to affect other parts of the system. We use randomization techniques to increase the entropy of the system and thwart various attacks such as code-reuse attacks. Further, we significantly reduce the software attack surface by executing each application on its own customized operating system image that is minimized to only contain the code required by a given application.
Structural Analysis of Base Substitutions in Thermus thermophilus 16S rRNA Conferring Streptomycin Resistance

Streptomycin is a bactericidal antibiotic that induces translational errors. It binds to the 30S ribosomal subunit, interacting with ribosomal protein S12 and with 16S rRNA through contacts with the phosphodiester backbone. To explore the structural basis for streptomycin resistance, we determined the X-ray crystal structures of 30S ribosomal subunits from six streptomycin-resistant mutants of Thermus thermophilus both in the apo form and in complex with streptomycin. Base substitutions at highly conserved residues in the central pseudoknot of 16S rRNA produce novel hydrogen-bonding and base-stacking interactions. These rearrangements in secondary structure produce only minor adjustments in the three-dimensional fold of the pseudoknot. These results illustrate how antibiotic resistance can occur as a result of small changes in binding site conformation.
Opioid actions on rat anterior cingulate cortex neurons in vitro

Intracellular recordings were made from layer V pyramidal neurons in slices of rat anterior cingulate cortex, using electrodes that contained potassium methylsulfate and biocytin. [Met5]enkephalin (300 nM to 30 microM) reversibly reduced the amplitude of EPSPs evoked by stimulation of the subcortical white matter; the half-maximal concentration was about 800 nM. These EPSPs were blocked by (+/-)-2- amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid and 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione. [Met5]enkephalin also reduced the amplitude of bicuculline-sensitive IPSPs evoked by stimulation within layer V; the half-maximal concentration was about 60 nM. Both these actions of [Met5]enkephalin were mimicked by the delta-selective agonist DPDPE (Tyr-D-Pen-Gly-Phe-D- Pen) but not by the mu-selective agonist DAMGO (Tyr-D-Ala-Gly-MePhe-Gly- ol); they were blocked by the delta-selective antagonist naltrindole (apparent dissociation constant of about 0.3 nM) but not by the mu- selective antagonist CTOP (D-Phe-Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Orn-Thr-Pen-Thr-NH2). [Met5]enkephalin did not change the amplitudes of depolarizations evoked by direct application of glutamate or hyperpolarizations evoked by direct application of muscimol (at -55 mV). Fifty percent (22 of 45) of pyramidal cells were hyperpolarized by [Met5]enkephalin; this resulted from an increase in potassium conductance, and it was mimicked by DPDPE and blocked by naltrindole. Five of seven nonpyramidal cells were hyperpolarized by [Met5]enkephalin; this was mimicked by DAMGO and blocked by CTOP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Distributed query optimization: An engineering approach

We present a novel preprocessing technique for distributed query optimization which achieves nearly all of the benefits that full database reduction by semijoin achieves, but for a small fraction of the cost. Most previous researchers have approached the problem of distributed query optimization with the idea of achieving maximum database reduction at any cost. We take an engineering approach — that, past a point of diminishing returns, database reduction is not cost-effective. We introduce a technique called "partial reduction", which uses a sequence of "bucket semijoins" to eliminate nearly all of the irrelevant tuples eliminated by a fully reducing sequence of semijoins. We provide a performance analysis for a simple binary semijoin compared to a bucket semijoin, and show that a bucket semijoin can achieve, say, 90% of the reduction that a semijoin can, but for, say, 10% of the cost. Although we used some simplifying assumptions in our analysis, we argue that relaxing these assumptions does not diminish our results in any way. We discuss the sensitivity of our technique to its parameters, and we show that our results improve for multiple join and inequality join queries.
Presence and Prosthesis: A Response to Nelson and Wright

I appreciate the questions posed by Nelson and Wright, and found the ethnographic material in both articles rich and provocative. Although I am intrigued by their metaphorical use of prosthesis, I believe that this metaphor is ultimately problematic and leads to serious flaws in their arguments. My perspective is from a unique position of both native and ethnographer. I became a below-knee amputee following a car-versus-motorcycle accident in 1988, and will draw upon my "body notes" to discuss my own experiences with amputation and prostheses.' More recently, I have conducted fieldwork in the prosthetics fields of the United States, India, and Cambodia, and this work also informs my thoughts on the topic. In this response, I critique Nelson's and Wright's articles (particularly the former) for using amputees as "the ground"-or silent site of creating discursive frameworks-for their metaphors and their articles. I argue that the authors construct theoretical metaphors of prosthesis and then retroactively define the metaphors in artificial limbs and amputation. They represent artificial limbs and phantom limbs as actors and agents and deploy amputees (who are present in their articles only as stumps and a lack of subjectivity) as the silent, partial basis for the metaphors. Embedded in their parallel between prosthesisas-metaphor and prosthesis-as-artificial limb is the assertion that amputees lack subjectivity or agency and have "stumped identities." Not only is this an inaccurate representation of amputees and other people with impairments, but it also undermines the authors' own project of suggesting prosthesis as an alternative subject position to that of "the ground." The articles seek to represent subaltern subjects-mujer Maya and female maquila workers-as subjects with an active role in their relationships with more powerful bodies but, in the end, they use amputees to reproduce the subaltern subject position.
In Defense of Old Industrial Spaces: Manufacturing, Creativity and Innovation in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

This article argues that the flexibility, creativity, and innovation deemed to be hallmarksof the new ‘creative’ economy are also present in more traditional manufacturingenclaves. Here I use examples drawn from New York City, perhaps the quintessentialglobal city, to demonstrate that our understanding of creativity and innovation needs torecognize a broader spectrum of economic activity encompassing both new andtraditional manufacturing. This case study is an attempt to expand the heteronomy ofcurrent urban policy that promotes gentrification and the wooing of the ‘creative class’as the only method of urban development.
A Dynamic CT Image Reconstruction Method by Inducing Prior Information from PCA Analysis

Under-sampling and insufficient data result in a big challenge in the reconstruction of x-ray computed tomographic (CT) images. In addition, patient's respiratory motion also deteriorates this reconstruction process as it normally leads to blurred outputs. In this work, we propose an iterative method with a combination of total variation (TV) regularization and principle component analysis (PCA) regularization. Partial prior knowledge of the CT images, obtained through PCA analysis of training images is incorporated in the reconstruction process. Numerical experiments are performed in the context of a fan-beam CT reconstruction, which shows advantages of our method over the ones with just TV regularization or just PCA regularization.
DELIVERING THE NEWS WITH BLOGS: THE GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY EXPERIENCE

ABSTRACT To deliver information about library news, services and resources to the science faculty and students at Georgia State University, several librarians developed a blog, Science News http://www.library. gsu.edu/news/science/. Despite the increasing popularity of blogs (or Weblogs), few libraries have taken advantage of what they offer. Blogs can be updated easily, frequently and continuously, making them an appealing alternative to static newsletters. This article summarizes the librarians' rationale for moving to this dynamic format, how the technology was balanced with the needs of the librarians and patrons, and the issues and challenges that are being addressed to ensure that this will be a viable and successful news-delivery system. Some preliminary user statistics have also been gathered and analyzed, offering encouragement that patrons are reading it. The experience with Science News is already serving as the model for the additional subject-specific blogs that have been developed to meet th...
MET: A Critical Player in Tumorigenesis and Therapeutic Target

Since its discovery more than 25 years ago, numerous studies have established that the MET receptor is unique among tyrosine kinases. Signaling through MET is necessary for normal development and for the progression of a wide range of human cancers. MET activation has been shown to drive numerous signaling pathways; however, it is not clear how MET signaling mediates diverse cellular responses such as motility, invasion, growth, and angiogenesis. Great strides have been made in understanding the pleotropic aspects of MET signaling using three-dimensional molecular structures, cell culture systems, human tumors, and animal models. These combined approaches have driven the development of MET-targeted therapeutics that have shown promising results in the clinic. Here we examine the unique features of MET and hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) structure and signaling, mutational activation, genetic mouse models of MET and HGF/SF, and MET-targeted therapeutics.
Rhabdomyolysis in a teenage boy: a case report.

Rhabdomyolysis is a potentially lethal syndrome with a wide range of metabolic and clinical aspects. It is caused by skeletal muscle injury that results in the release of myoglobin and other cellular contents into the circulatory system. 1 Multiple factors predispose someone to this illness. Preventive measures can avoid the onset of this syndrome, and a timely diagnosis and proper management can avert life-threatening complications. This report describes a case of exertional rhabdomyolysis in a patient who sought treatment for bilateral leg pain.
Physiological responses and quality attributes of peaches kept in low oxygen atmospheres

Ke, D., Rodriguez-Sinobas, L. and Kader, A.A., 1991. Physiological responses and quality attributes of peaches kept in low oxygen atmospheres. Scientia Hortic., 47: 295-303. Peach (Prunus persica L., cultivar "Fairtime') fruits were kept in air and in 0.25 or 0.02% 02 at 0 or 5 °C for up to 40 days to study the effects of temperature and insecticidal low 02 atmospheres on their physiological responses and quality attributes. Exposure to low 02 atmospheres for 3 days reduced respiration and ethylene production rates and internal CO2 concentration, but slightly increased resistance to CO2 diffusion. The low 02 treatments delayed incidence and reduced severity of internal breakdown (chilling injury) and decay of the peaches stored at 5°C. Low 02 atmospheres did not significantly influence changes in skin color, flesh firmness, and soluble solids content, but retarded titratable acidity loss and pH rise. Ethanol and acetaldehyde accumulated in peaches kept in 0.02% 02 at 0 or 5°C or in 0.25 02 at 5 °C. The fruits kept in air or 0.25% 02 at 0°C for up to 40 days and those stored in 0.02% 02 at 0°C or in air, 0.25 or 0.02% 02 at 5 °C for up to 14 days had good to excellent taste, but the flavor of the fruits stored at 5 °C for more than 29 days was unacceptable.
Moment generating function approach to performance analysis of extended stochastic Petri nets

A moment generating function approach for performance analysis of extended stochastic Petri nets (ESPN) is proposed. In ESPN, firing delays of transitions can be either deterministic or stochastic with an extended distribution. Transfer functions for transitions are first defined based on moment generating functions of all transitions and then used to evaluate system performance. Three fundamental structures that can be reduced into a single transition are discussed. Two examples are given to illustrate the proposed approach for system performance evaluation. The advantages and limitations of such an approach are discussed, and future research directions are indicated. >
The Conditional Impact of Incumbency on Government Formation

Previous research on coalition politics has found an “incumbency advantage” in government formation, but it has provided no clear explanation as to why this advantage exists. We classify existing theories as either preference-based or institutions-based explanations for why incumbent coalitions might be likely to form again, and we integrate these explanations into a coherent theoretical argument. We also claim that it is possible, to some extent, to distinguish these explanations empirically by taking into account the “historical context” of coalition bargaining. Using a comprehensive new data set on coalition bargaining in Europe, we show that coalitions, in general, are more likely to form if the parties comprising them have worked together in the recent past, and that incumbent coalitions are more likely to re-form if partners have not experienced a severe public conflict while in office together or suffered a recent setback at the polls. The incumbency advantage disappears completely if partners have become mired in conflict or have lost legislative seats (even after accounting for the impact of seat share on coalition size). Moreover, in certain circumstances, institutional rules that grant incumbents an advantage in coalition bargaining greatly enhance their ability to remain in office.
Evaluation of corner detection algorithms

The authors present a systematic procedure for testing corner detection algorithms used in digital image processing. The characteristics of a corner are described by six different attributes: corner angle, corner arm length, corner adjacency, corner sharpness, gray-level distribution, and noise level. Elementary test images are used to test each attribute individually. A previously proposed corner detection algorithm was tested using the proposed method, and the results are presented. >
Anti‐TNF‐Alpha Antibody Induced Interstitial Granulomatous Dermatitis

With the advance of our knowledge and understanding of the molecular basis of the immune system and inflammatory process, biological modulators, such as anti-TNF-alpha antibodies, are increasingly used in the treatment of immune disorders and hematogenous neoplasm. Side effects of those biological modulators, such as leukocytoclastic vasculitis, lichenoid drug reaction, acute folliculitis, and superficial granuloma annulare, have been reported. Recently, we encountered two patients who developed interstitial granulomatous drug reaction while receiving anti-TNF-alpha antibodies. The patients, a 48 year-old male and a 54 year-old female, both have severe rheumatoid arthritis and responded poorly to conventional therapies, received Remicade (Infliximab). Pruritic erythematous skin eruptions developed on the trunk and extremities one month after starting the therapy. The lesions are multiple irritated papules and plaques; some are targetoid, measuring several centimeters, with raised borders. Skin biopsies showed an interstitial granulomatous infiltrate in the mid- and deep dermis. The infiltrate is composed of lymphocytes, histiocytes, multinucleated giant cells, and eosinophils, palisade around degenerating collagen. Pathological diagnosis was drug-induced interstitial granulomatous dermatitis. Discontinuation of Remicade led to resolution of the skin lesions in both patients. To our knowledge, this is the first report of such a drug eruption caused by anti-TNF-alpha antibodies.
Automatic Generation of Behavioral Models from Switch-Level Descriptions

This paper discusses the automatic generation of high-level software models from switch-level circuit descriptions. The proposed algorithms operate directly on the hierarchical description, and incorporate information about the design such as the structure, regularity, functionality, and control signals in the generation process. New algorithms are proposed and have been implemented for combinational modules and bus structures. A significant speedup has been obtained for these modules of a commercially available chip.
Sensor-based organisational design and engineering

We propose a sensor-based organisational design and engineering (ODE) approach that combines behavioural sensor data with other sources of information such as e-mail, surveys and performance data in order to design interventions aimed at improving organisational outcomes. We discuss relevant theory and technology backgrounds and describe the general requirements of a sensor-based organisational design and engineering system. We present an experimental platform that combines sensor measurements, pattern recognition algorithms, statistical analysis, social network analysis and feedback mechanisms to study the relationship between social signalling behaviour and face-to-face (f2f) interaction networks, with job attitudes and performance. We describe three case studies that we have conducted in several organisations using our experimental platform and the methodology that we have followed. The first study looks at e-mail and f2f networks in a marketing division of a bank. The second study analyses the effects of nurses' social behaviour on patients' length of stay in the post-anaesthesia care unit of a hospital. Finally, the third study analyses the effects of retail bank employees' social behaviour on sales performance.
EVALUATION AND TREATMENT OF A PATIENT DIAGNOSED WITH ADHESIVE CAPSULITIS CLASSIFIED AS A DERANGEMENT USING THE MCKENZIE METHOD: A CASE REPORT.

Background/Purpose The McKenzie Method of mechanical diagnosis and therapy (MDT) is supported in the literature as a valid and reliable approach to the management of spine injuries. It can also be applied to the peripheral joints, but has not been explored through research to the same extent. This method sub-classifies an injury based on tissue response to mechanical loading and repeated motion testing, with directional preferences identified in the exam used to guide treatment. The purpose of this case report is to demonstrate the assessment, intervention, and clinical outcomes of a subject classified as having a shoulder derangement syndrome using MDT methodology.
Nomograms for Fetal Cardiac Ventricular Width and Right-to-Left Ventricular Ratio

OBJECTIVES To establish nomograms for right ventricular (RV) and left ventricular (LV) widths and their ratio from 16 to 38 gestational weeks. METHODS We conducted a retrospective evaluation of 1242 fetal echocardiographic examinations with normal findings in a single referral medical center between 2007 and 2013. We excluded all echocardiographic examinations with abnormal findings. The RV and LV widths, measured in end diastole from inner to inner line below the valves' insertion at the 4-chamber view, were obtained. Nomograms for the RV and LV widths and RV/LV ratio from 16 to 38 gestational weeks were constructed by using separate best-fitted regression models for estimation of mean and standard deviation at each gestational age (GA). RESULTS Regression models for the RV and LV widths and RV/LV ratio were best fit by different-degree polynomial regression. The mean RV and LV widths and RV/LV ratio (±2 SD) increased statistically with GA from 16 to 38 weeks: 4.13 (3.00-5.44) to 16.68 (12.98-20.83) mm, 4.21 (3.18-5.49) to 15.17 (11.60-19.56) mm, and 1.03 (0.87-1.23) to 1.06 (0.87-1.30), respectively. Although the width increments in the RV and LV were both statistically and clinically significant, the ratio increment seemed to fall into the error of measurement and thus has no clinical significance. CONCLUSIONS Reference values for cardiac ventricle widths and their ratio throughout gestation were established. The RV/LV ratio increases with GA, although without clinical significance. These reference values will be useful in objective assessment of RV-to-LV disproportion.
Transforming an Indian Manufacturing Company

Rane Brake Linings (RBL) is a manufacturing company, located in India, that epitomizes the dramatic transformation in manufacturing that is currently occurring in the Indian industry. RBL’s journey to win the Deming prize in 2003 required organizational and procedural changes whose impact is seen in the way they deal with both managing supply costs and managing customer service upstream and downstream in the supply chain. Today, RBL is one of thirteen Deming prize winning Indian manufacturing companies. RBL’s transformation, in the Indian context, suggests an approach to develop a globally competitive manufacturing firm by developing superior management processes.