cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
DVS Scheduling for Reducing Both Dynamic and Leakage Energy for (M,K)-Firm Real-Time Systems

While the dynamic voltage scaling (DVS) techniques are efficient in reducing the dynamic energy consumption for the processor, varying voltage alone becomes less effective for the overall power reduction as the leakage power is growing rapidly, i.e., five times per technical generation as predicted. On the other hand, Quality of Service (QoS) is also a primary concern in the development of today’s pervasive computing systems. In this paper, we study the problem of minimizing the overall energy consumption for soft real-time systems while ensuring the QoS-guarantee. In our research, the QoS requirements are deterministically quantified with the (m,k)-constraints, which require that at least m out of any k consecutive jobs of a task meet their deadlines. Two approaches are proposed in this paper. One statically determines the mandatory jobs that have to meet their deadlines in order to satisfy the (m,k)-constraints, and the other one does so dynamically. Moreover, we present efficient scheduling techniques to reduce the overall energy by procrastinating the execution of mandatory jobs and thus to merge the idle intervals. The simulation results demonstrate that our proposed techniques significantly outperformed previous research in both overall and idle energy reduction while providing the (m,k)-guarantee.© 2011 ASME
Guest Editor's editorial: ranking in databases

We are dealing with increasingly large volumes of data as well as more complex and diverse types of data. Examples of such data include log data like transaction logs and web logs, text, image and multimedia data, scientific data and sensor data. There is an increasing need for effective techniques to search, explore and analyze such datasets. Similarity queries and top-k ranking are important paradigms to search and explore such datasets. The purpose of this special issue on ranking in databases is to cover the new directions of research in this area. This issue contains four research papers, which are briefly discussed as follows. The paper “Combining CPU and GPU architectures for fast similarity search” proposes a novel, less-explored but nevertheless important direction to speed up similarity search. While most previous works focus on new indexing techniques, this paper studies how to parallelize similarity search using combination of many-core GPU devices and multicore CPU processors. The paper shows how modern architectures can be used to speed up ranking algorithms. In the paper “On optimality-ratio and coverage in ranking of joined search results”, the authors study a novel ranking problem. Instead of ranking individual items, they consider ranking of combinations of items, e.g., a combination of a hotel and two restaurants. They study the semantics and query processing algorithms in this context. The paper shows the kind of new ranking problems that emerge in these new-age applications. The paper titled “Distributed top-k query processing by exploiting skyline summaries” studies top-k processing in distributed environments. With increasing volumes of data, the data is typically distributed over multiple servers. Processing top-k
Germination dimorphism and developmental flexibility in the ruderal weed Heterotheca grandiflora

Heterotheca grandiflora Nutt. (Asteraceae, tribe Astereae) is one of the few native Californian plant species increasing its range as a weed. The production of dimorphic seed, together with flexible development in either the annual or biennial habit, may contribute to its range expansion. Well dispersed disc achenes germinate rapidly to high percentages while poorly dispersed ray achenes show considerable dormancy, germinating at a much lower rate to lower final percentages. Ray achenes appear more sensitive to environmental factors and have more specific germination requirements than do disc achenes. Thus, germination is distributed in space and time. Plants growing as annuals have one flowering period while those acting as biennials may flower up to three times, although seed production differs greatly among the stages. These factors aid in forming the "general purpose genotype" so frequently encountered in weedy species.
Interactive effects of perceived racism and coping responses predict a school-based assessment of blood pressure in black youth

Background: Research indicates that perceived racism and coping responses are associated with basal blood pressure (BP) levels and BP reactivity in Black adults. No study could be found, however, that has explored the independent and interactive effects of perceived racism and coping responses in a cohort who probably has the greatest risk of developing primary hypertension—Black youth.Purpose: This study examined the relationship of perceived racism and coping responses to a continuous measure of BP and to a categorical measure of BP status (normal vs. high-normal or high).Methods: The convenience sample consisted of 217 Black youth (M age = 11.4 years, SD = 1.3). Participants reported on perceived racism and coping responses (Accepting It, Self-Blame, Taking Action, and Talking to Someone). BP was assessed with an automated monitor in school.Results: Approximately 32% of the sample had average BP levels that were high-normal or high. Hierarchical linear and logistic regression analyses were used to assess the predictive utility of perceived racism and the four coping responses to the continuous and categorical BP assessments. Although perceived racism and the coping response variables did not emerge as significant independent predictors in the linear or logistic regression analyses, perceived racism interacted with Accepting It (p = .009) in the linear regression analysis predicting systolic BP. Follow-up linear regression analyses indicated that perceived racism was not significantly associated with systolic BP among participants low in Accepting It but was inversely related to systolic BP among participants high in Accepting It. Perceived racism also interacted with Accepting It (p = .016) and Talking to Someone (p = .0009) in the logistic regression analysis predicting BP status. Follow-up logistic regression analyses revealed that (a) perceived racism was not significantly associated with BP status among participants low in Accepting It but was inversely related to BP status among participants high in Accepting It, and (b) perceived racism was inversely associated with BP status among participants low in Talking to Someone but was not significantly related to BP status among participants high in Talking to Someone.Conclusions: The contribution of environmental and psychosocial factors to hypertension risk should be considered when exploring correlates of continuous and categorical assessments of BP in Black youth.
An analysis of humor orientation on Facebook: A lens model approach

This is the publisher's version, also available electronically from http://www.degruyter.com/view/j/humr.2014.27.issue-1/humor-2013-0053/humor-2013-0053.xml.
The Ethnographic Autobiography

The author draws upon an earlier article by anthropologist Stanley Brandes to recommend that when the intent and purposes of relating a life story are clearly anthropological, the work be labelled ‘ethnographic autobiography’. An ethnographic autobiography is defined as a life story told to an anthropologist or used in ways that implicate a sociocultural rather than a psychological interpretation.
Solid–liquid phase coexistence of the Lennard-Jones system through phase-switch Monte Carlo simulation

The phase-switch Monte Carlo method of Wilding and Bruce [Phys. Rev. Lett. 85, 5138 (2000)] is extended to enable calculation of solid–liquid phase coexistence for soft potentials. The method directly accesses coexistence information about a system while avoiding simulation of the interfacial region. Order parameters are introduced that allow one to define a path that connects liquid and crystalline phases. Transition matrix methods are employed to bias the sampling such that both phases are sampled in a rapid and efficient manner. Coexistence properties are determined through an analysis of specific volume probability distributions, which are generated naturally during a biased simulation. The approach is demonstrated with the Lennard-Jones system. Finite-size effects are examined and compared to those for the hard sphere system. In addition, two techniques are considered for accounting for long-range interactions. The methodology presented here is general and therefore provides a basis for its application to other soft systems.
In Vitro Evolution of Functional DNA Using Capillary Electrophoresis

Electrophoretic selection with capillary electrophoresis (CE) is used, for the first time, to isolate functional nucleic acid sequences using SELEX (systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment). SELEX uses molecular evolution to select functional sequences (aptamers) from random RNA or DNA libraries. Conventional SELEX is usually performed with affinity chromatography, which may introduce significant bias into the selection step. Important biases include the slow kinetics involved in the elution of strongly bound sequences and performing the selection with the target molecule tethered to the stationary support, not in free solution. In this novel CE-SELEX approach, selection occurs in free solution. The nucleic acid sequences that bind the target undergo a mobility shift, migrating at a different rate, allowing them to be separated from the inactive sequences. Thus, there is no need to wash the active sequences off a column as in conventional SELEX, eliminating any kinetic bias. In this work, the viability of CE-SELEX was demonstrated by performing selections against immunoglobulin E (IgE). Anti-IgE aptamers with dissociation constants as low as 40 nM were obtained in only two rounds of selection.
Aerodynamic decelerators - An engineering review

Nomenclature CD = drag coefficient based on S CDS — drag area of fully inflated parachute, ft2 (CiwS)r == drag area of reefed parachute, ft2 d = constructed parachute diameter across base of conical parachute, ft Di = inflated diameter, f d, ft hr — release altitude, msl, ft j£t = outflow coefficient (approximately 0.6) Ki = inflow coefficient (a value o^f 0.7 is used for a first approximation, and adjusted as determined by experimental data) Lr = circumferential length of reefing line, ft AP = pressure across canopy, lb/ft2 q = dynamic pressure JpF2, lb/ft2 R = radius of canopy during inflation normal to mean local canopy contour, ft Rm = maximum inflated radius of canopy, ft (approximately | of constructed radius) RQ = initial radius of canopy at start of inflation, ft (radius of suspension lugs or pack radius) s = tensile stress, lb/ft2 S = area of base of conical chute, 7rd2/4, ft2 t = thickness of ribbon, ft if = filling time, sec T — ribbon tensile load, Ib V = vehicle velocity, fps Fo = vehicle velocity at start of parachute filling, fps w = ribbon width, ft W = vehicle weight, Ib XG = geometric porosity of canopy p = air density, slugs/ft3
Salvage therapy with mitoxantrone, etoposide and cytarabine in relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia

The survival of patients with relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is poor. We performed a retrospective analysis of 40 patients treated with five days of mitoxantrone 8mg/m(2)/day, etoposide 100mg/m(2)/day, and cytarabine 1000mg/m(2)/day (MEC). The complete remission rate was 30% and median remission duration was 11.2 months. Median overall survival was 6.5 months. In univariate analysis, patients in first relapse had improved overall survival compared to ≥second relapse (p=0.02). Thirty-day mortality rate was 7.5%. In relapsed or refractory ALL, MEC demonstrated moderate activity, but did not improve survival compared to published salvage chemotherapy regimens.
Quantity is only one of the qualities

As our fields have become more sophisticated, complex, and specialized, we deal with ever larger masses of data, and our quantitative results have become more detailed and esoteric, and difficult to interpret. Because our methods are predominantly quantitative, we tend to overlook or underemphasize the qualitative judgments that enter at every stage of our work, and to forget that quantity is only one of the qualities. As in our world today, where we face a flood of factoids and quantitative data stripped of context, and struggle to evaluate it, to give it meaning, and make it into information, so ought we qualitatively to acknowledge and contextualize our research results, not only to make them more relevant, meaningful, and useful to the larger world, but to give our work greater impact and value.
On the Origin of Magnetic Fields in the Quiet Photosphere

We consider the possibility that a substantial fraction of the magnetic field in the quiet photosphere is generated locally by dynamo action associated with the granular and supergranular flows. The argument is based on recent advances in the theory of fast dynamos and is supported by large-scale numerical simulations that show that thermally driven turbulent convection can indeed be an efficient source of small-scale, highly intermittent magnetic fields. Some aspects of the resulting magnetic field, such as its strength and degree of intermittency, are discussed.
Bridging cultural differences in medical practice. The case of discussing negative information with Navajo patients.

BACKGROUND: Cultural differences between doctors and their patients are common and may have important implications for the clinical encounter. For example, some Navajo patients may regard advance care planning discussions to be a violation of their traditional values. OBJECTIVE: To learn from Navajo informants a culturally competent approach for discussing negative information. DESIGN: Focused ethnography. SETTING: Navajo Indian reservation, northeast Arizona. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-four Navajo informants, including patients, traditional healers, and biomedical health care providers. MEASUREMENT: In-depth interviews. MAIN RESULTS: Strategies for discussing negative information were identified and organized into four stages. Assessment of patients is important because some Navajo patients may be troubled by discussing negative information, and others may be unwilling to have such discussions at all. Preparation entails cultivating a trusting relationship with patients, involving family members, warning patients about the nature of the discussion as well as communicating that no harm is intended, and facilitating the involvement of traditional healers. Communication should proceed in a caring, kind, and respectful manner, consistent with the Navajo concept k’e. Reference to a third party is suggested when discussing negative information, as is respecting the power of language in Navajo culture by framing discussions in a positive way. Follow-through involves continuing to care for patients and fostering hope. CONCLUSIONS: In-depth interviews identified many strategies for discussing negative information with Navajo patients. Future research could evaluate these recommendations. The approach described could be used to facilitate the bridging of cultural differences in other settings.
Mass transport analysis for ostwald ripening and related phenomena

Abstract A method is developed for analysing coupled diffusional processes which may occur during solid state reactions. The procedure described here ensures that constraints imposed on the system and the criterion of minimum rate of entropy production are simultaneously satisfied. Composition and volume constraints are considered. The final results of the analysis are compared with previous work in this field.
Electron paramagnetic resonance properties and oxidation-reduction potentials of the molybdenum, flavin, and iron-sulfur centers of chicken liver xanthine dehydrogenase

Abstract The oxidation-reduction potentials of the various prosthetic groups in the native and desulfo forms of chicken liver xanthine dehydrogenase, determined by potentiometric titration in 0.05 m potassium phosphate buffer, pH 7.8, are: Mo(VI)/Mo(V) (native), −357 mV; Mo(VI)/Mo(V) (desulfo), −397 mV; Mo(V)/Mo(IV) (native), −337 mV; Mo(V)/Mo(IV) (desulfo), −433 mV; FAD/FADH · −345 mV; FADH · FADH2, − 377 mV; (Fe/S)Iox/(Fe/S)Ired, −280 mV; (Fe/S)IIox/(Fe/S)IIred, − 275 mV. Titration at pH 6.8 revealed that the Mo and FAD centers but not the Fe/S centers are in prototropic equilibrium. Spectroscopic studies on the native and deflavinated enzymes show that environment of the flavin in xanthine dehydrogenase differs from that in bovine milk xanthine oxidase.
Outdoor Recreational Fires: A Review of 329 Adult and Pediatric Patients

Outdoor recreational fires are a frequent occurrence during the summer months and can be associated with burns resulting in significant morbidity. Both pediatric and adult populations can be affected, and their mechanism of injury is often different. Understanding these mechanisms is important when designing prevention programs. It is the goal of this study to review our experience with outdoor recreational fires. All patients who presented to Spectrum Health Blodgett Regional Burn Unit for burns secondary to an outdoor recreational fire over an 8-year period were reviewed. Demographic data, mechanism of injury, body area involved, TBSA burned, treatments undertaken, and subsequent complications were recorded. Pediatric patients (aged 16 years and younger) were analyzed independently, and risk factors were determined. A total of 329 patients suffered burns secondary to outdoor recreational fires over the length of the study. More than 35% required inpatient treatment, with an average length of stay of 4.8 days. Hands were the most frequently affected body part, with the mean TBSA involved being 3.5%. Ninety-four patients (28.6%) required split-thickness skin grafting. The most common mechanism of injury in both adult and pediatric populations was falling into an ongoing fire. Wound infection was the most common complication. Alcohol intoxication was associated with a higher burn severity and complication rate. Pediatric patients represented 39.8% of the sample. Burns secondary to outdoor recreational fires are associated with significant morbidity. Adult prevention programs should target awareness with respect to alcohol consumption and campfires secondary to the morbidity associated with these injuries. Pediatric patients are particularly susceptible, and parents should remain diligent about campfire safety and be educated about the inherent dangers of both active and extinguished fires.
Rapid dispersal and establishment of a benthic Ponto-Caspian goby in Lake Erie: diel vertical migration of early juvenile round goby

The round goby, Apollonia melanostoma, a molluscivore specialist, was introduced to the Great Lakes in the early 1990s and rapidly expanded its distribution, especially in Lake Erie. Adult round goby morphology suggests low dispersal and migration potential due to the lack of a swim bladder and benthic life style. Given that the larval stage occurs inside the benthic egg, and juveniles have adult morphologies, it has been suspected that dispersal and invasion potential is low for early life stages also. However, we identified early juvenile round gobies in the nocturnal pelagic in Lake Erie and thus we conducted a sampling study to determine the extent to which this life stage uses the nocturnal pelagic. Replicate ichthyoplankton samples were collected at 3-h intervals (1900–0700 h) at three depths (2 m, 5 m, 8 m) in western Lake Erie (water depth = 10 m) in July and August 2002 and June 2006. Early juvenile round gobies (6–23 mm TL) were present almost exclusively in the nocturnal samples (2200 h, 0100 h, 0400 h) with peak densities approaching 60 individuals per 100 m3 of water sampled. Nocturnal density was also significantly greater at 8-m depth versus 2-m and only the smallest fish (6–8 mm TL) migrated to the surface (2-m). Analyses of diet clearly demonstrated that these fish are foraging on plankton at night and thus may not be light limited for foraging in ship ballast tanks. In ships that take on thousands of tonnes of water for ballast, nocturnal ballasting could easily result in transport of thousands of young round gobies at a time. Additionally, within-lake dispersal at this lifestage is likely common and may facilitate downstream passage across barriers designed to limit range expansion.
Perceptions of Race and Race Relations Which Affect African American Identification1

This study examined life experience and demographic variables which impact on racial identification. One hundred and sixty-two African American adults. including 62 males and 100 females, were interviewed to identify and determine the importance of demographic versus life experience variables with respect to the level of African American racial identification. The data were collected utilizing a structured interview protocol and a 31-item racial identification questionnaire. Information on experiences with race relations, income, education. political and social activities. the level and quality of intra-group interaction. and the orientation of subjects on three parameters of racial identification-psychological. physical, and sociocultural—was collected. The results indicate that perceived experiences of racism have an important impact on each parameter of racial identification. Within-group conflict variables have their greatest impact on the physical parameter and within-group interaction has its greatest impact on psychological racial identification.
Nonlinear drift waves and transport in magnetized plasma

Abstract Recent developments in the physics of nonlinear drift waves are presented with special emphasis on the formulation and solutions of reduced hydrodynamic drift wave models. The coherent vortex solutions, the renormalized turbulence theory and the chaotic three-wave interactions are analyzed. The intrinsic stochasticity of the particle motions is analyzed for several types of drift wave systems, and the resulting diffusivities are applied to several tokamaks.
Food insecurity and antiretroviral adherence among HIV positive adults who drink alcohol

Food insecurity is associated with HIV treatment non-adherence and poor health outcomes for people living with HIV/AIDS. Given the poor nutritional status common to people who drink alcohol, food insecurity may be particularly problematic for HIV positive individuals who drink alcohol. To examine food insecurity among HIV positive men and women who drink alcohol and its association with antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence, health outcomes and health service utilization. Adults living with HIV (N = 183) in Atlanta, Georgia who reported alcohol use in the previous week and were receiving ART participated in a 12-month cohort. Participants were recruited from infectious disease clinics and social services to complete computerized interviews, monthly-unannounced pill counts to monitor ART adherence, and daily cell-phone delivered interactive-text assessments for alcohol use. Forty-three percent of participants experienced food insecurity during at least one month of the study period. Food insecurity was independently associated with suboptimal ART adherence and less suppressed HIV viral load over. Individuals who experienced food insecurity also had histories of more medical and psychiatric hospitalizations, and greater mental health problems. Food insecurity is prevalent among alcohol using people receiving ART and food insecurity is associated with treatment non-adherence, poor health outcomes, and increased medical and psychiatric hospitalizations.
A Military History of Modern China: From the Manchu Conquest to Tian'anmen Square – By Peter Worthing

This book joins a number of recent studies in reflecting a growing scholarly interest in warfare in Chinese history. The author explains his work as a study of “the causes, conduct, and consequence...
Epitopic diversity of African swine fever virus

African swine fever (ASF) is caused by an icosahedral cytoplasmic, double stranded DNA virus. In the acute form of the disease, pigs die from disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) with extensive damage of the free and fixed macrophage systems and the reticular epithelial cells of the thymus; mortality is virtually 100%. In recent years, subacute and chronic forms of ASF have become more prevalent in the field, especially in outbreaks occurring outside the continent of Africa, and virus isolated from these outbreaks have often been of lesser virulence. In pigs experimentally infected with such isolates, a number of immunopathological manifestations have been encountered, e.g. hypergammaglobulinemia associated with necrotizing pneumonia, persistent infection in the presence of ASF-specific antibodies, and lack of demonstrable virus neutralizing antibodies. Nevertheless, the immune systems of pigs that have clinically recovered have not been impaired by the infection. We suggest that the heterogeneous composition of the virus population in a given isolate may be one of the causes of the anomalous immune responses. When a number of biological markers, i.e., hemadsorption characteristics, plaque size, infectivity, virulence, antigenic determinants, and genomic structure, were used to characterize the virus clones derived from various ASF virus (ASFV) isolates, considerable heterogeneity was apparent. In the present investigation, 20 monoclonal antibodies (MAb), which specifically identified the 14 kDa viral protein within the cytoplasmic membrane of the infected cells, were used to determine epitopic differences among a number of virus clones derived from various isolates. All of the non-African isolates examined contained two epitopically different groups of virus clones, and the reaction profiles obtained were distinctly different from those obtained with the clones of an African isolate (Tengani). It was concluded that an ASFV isolate is composed of a biologically diverse virus population with distinctly different members which are only identified after cloning.
A fuzzy expert system architecture for capability assessments in skill-based environments

The fast pace at which new technologies and techniques are being developed to improve the design and development of products increases the demand for specialized individual skills in the workforce. As a result of higher demands, candidates with exact required skills to work tasks are usually unavailable. Due to the lack of proper methods to assess personnel capabilities, decision makers are forced to assign resources to tasks based on shallow assessments. To tackle this issue, this research presents a layered expert architecture where subcomponents can be customized to specific industrial settings. A fuzzy logic scheme is described to model personnel capabilities as imprecise parameters, and to consider complete skill sets of resources when evaluating their levels of expertise in a skill. The proposed approach leads to thorough capability assessments, as well as an increased number of capable candidates. A case study is presented to show the implementation of the solution approach.
Eliciting Predictions and Recommendations for Decision Making

When making a decision, a decision maker selects one of several possible actions and hopes to achieve a desirable outcome. To make a better decision, the decision maker often asks experts for advice. In this article, we consider two methods of acquiring advice for decision making. We begin with a method where one or more experts predict the effect of each action and the decision maker then selects an action based on the predictions. We characterize strictlyproper decision making, where experts have an incentive to accurately reveal their beliefs about the outcome of each action. However, strictly proper decision making requires the decision maker use a completely mixed strategy to choose an action. To address this limitation, we consider a second method where the decision maker asks a single expert to recommend an action. We show that it is possible to elicit the decision maker’s most preferred action for a broad class of preferences of the decision maker, including when the decision maker is an expected value maximizer.
Theory of spin-polarized secondary electrons in transition metals.

We show that in contrast to the secondary-electron intensity distribution, the spin polarization, P(E), yields useful information about the electron-electron interaction. The ratio of lifetimes of majority- to minority-spin electrons can be determined directly from the measured values of P(E) by ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\tau}}}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\uparrow}}}$(E) / ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\tau}}}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\downarrow}}}$(E) = 1-${\mathrm{p}}_{\mathrm{B}}$ / 1+${\mathrm{p}}_{\mathrm{b}}$ 1+P(E) / 1-P(E), where ${\mathrm{p}}_{\mathrm{B}}$ is the bulk magnetization.
A new species of the genus Paederia (Rubiaceae) from the Petriky Forest, Taolagnaro, Madagascar

Paederia taolagnarensis Razafimandimbison & C. M. Taylor is described from Petriky, Taolagnaro, Madagascar. This new species is distinguished from other Paederia species of Madagascar by its cymose-paniculate inflorescences that are rather congested, showing "double" scorpioid cyme structure, and its thickened peduncles and pedicels. It grows on stabilized dunes in the Petriky region, Taolagnaro. A description and dichotomous key are provided. REsuME. Paederia taolagnarensis Razafimandimbison & C. M. Taylor a ete decrite de la region de Petriky, Taolagnaro, Madagascar. Cette nouvelle espice est distingu6e des autres Paederia de Madagascar par ses inflorescences en panicule de cyme, qui sont plutbt arrondies et parfois ramifibes dichotomiquement, et ont des pedoncules et p6dicelles epaisses. Elle pousse sur les dunes dans la region de Petriky, Taolagnaro. Sa description et une cle dichotomique ont 6t6 inclues. The genus Paederia L. (Paederieae, Rubiaceae) is represented in Madagascar by about 12 species (Puff, 1991). Ten of these species are endemic to Madagascar, with two also found in the Mascarenes and on the African mainland. In his recent treatment of Paederia of Madagascar, Puff (1991) keyed and provided a morphological description for one specimen that appeared to be a new species, but he did not name this because that specimen had
Low-molecular-weight heparin for thromboprophylaxis in pregnant women with mechanical heart valves

Background. Pregnancy in a woman with a mechanical heart valve is a life-threatening situation. Due to the inability of unfractionated heparin to prevent valvular thromboses, warfarin or other vitamin K antagonists have been the preferred anticoagulants for the mother. They are, however, potentially harmful to the fetus. With the advent of low-molecular-weight heparins, clinicians were hopeful for an alternative that was safe for the fetus, but more effective than unfractionated heparin, which carries a 29–33% risk of life-threatening thromboses and a 7–15% chance of mortality. Unfortunately, fatal thromboses have occurred with low-molecular-weight heparin as well.Methods. We searched the MEDLINE database and other sources to identify cases of the use of low-molecular-weight heparin for thromboprophylaxis in women with mechanical heart valves.Results. We found 73 cases and added three of our own for a total of 76. There were 17 thrombotic events (22%). Thirteen were valve thromboses, two were strokes, and...
Multiple steady states in heterogeneous azeotropic distillation

We study multiple steady states in ternary homogeneous azeotropic distillation. We show that in the case of infinite reflux and an infinite number of trays one can construct bifurcation diagrams on physical grounds with the distillate flow as the bifurcation parameter. Multiple steady states exist when the distillate flow varies nonmonotonically along the continuation path of the bifurcation diagram. We derive a necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of these multiple steady states based on the geometry of the distillation region boundaries. We also locate in the composition triangle the feed compositions that lead to these multiple steady states. We further note that most of these results are independent of the thermodynamic model used. We show that the prediction of the existence of multiple steady states in the case of infinite reflux and an infinite number of trays has relevant implications for columns operating at finite reflux and with a finite number of trays. Using numerically constructed bifurcation diagrams for specific examples, we show that these multiplicities tend to vanish for small columns and/or for low reflux flows. Finally, we comment on the effect of multiplicities on column design and operation for some specific examples
Activation of PKR by RNA misfolding: HDV ribozyme dimers activate PKR

Protein Kinase R (PKR), the double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-activated protein kinase, plays important roles in innate immunity. Previous studies have shown that PKR is activated by long stretches of dsRNA, RNA pseudoknots, and certain single-stranded RNAs; however, regulation of PKR by RNAs with globular tertiary structure has not been reported. In this study, the HDV ribozyme is used as a model of a mostly globular RNA. In addition to a catalytic core, the ribozyme contains a peripheral 13-bp pairing region (P4), which, upon shortening, affects neither the catalytic activity of the ribozyme nor its ability to crystallize. We report that the HDV ribozyme sequence alone can activate PKR. To elucidate the RNA structural basis for this, we prepared a number of HDV variants, including those with shortened or lengthened P4 pairing regions, with the anticipation that lengthening the P4 extension would yield a more potent activator since it would offer more base pairs of dsRNA. Surprisingly, the variant with a shortened P4 was the most potent activator. Through native gel mobility and enzymatic structure mapping experiments we implicate misfolded HDV ribozyme dimers as the PKR-activating species, and show that the shortened P4 leads to enhanced occupancy of the RNA dimer. These observations have implications for how RNA misfolding relates to innate immune response and human disease.
Invasive fungal disease in autosomal-dominant hyper-IgE syndrome.

We demonstrate that autosomal-dominant STAT3-deficient hyper-IgE syndrome confers late-onset susceptibility to molds, especially Aspergillus, despite preserved myeloid functions, in association with previous parenchymal lung damage (bronchiectasis/pneumatoceles). This suggests a critical role for non-hematopoietic processes in innate antifungal immunity in AD-HIES.
PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS OF QUANTITATIVE GENETICS AND PHENOTYPIC PLASTICITY IN AULACOSEIRA SUBARCTICA (BACILLAR‐IOPHYTA)

Several clones of Aulacoseira subarctica were isolated from Yellowstone, Lewis, and East Rosebud Lakes (Montana, Wyoming). Two to four clones from each lake were grown in batch cultures under three light intensities, 2, 11.4 and 115 μE m−2 s−1. Clones were conditioned to their light environment for a three-week period. Inoculants from the conditioned clones taken during log phase of growth, were grown until in log phase, then samples were collected. Five randomly chosen valves for 2 replicates of each clone were examined using a scanning electron microscope and captured on film at a magnification of 20,000x. Each image was digitized and quantitative morphometric characters were measured. A preliminary quantitative genetic analysis was performed on selected characters within each light environment. Plasticity of characters within clones across the three light regimes were also examined. The amount of variability found within characters in A. subarctica will be discussed in terms of environmental, genetic, and microenvironmental sources.
A Graph Cut Approach to Image Segmentation in Tensor Space

This paper proposes a novel method to apply the standard graph cut technique to segmenting multimodal tensor valued images. The Riemannian nature of the tensor space is explicitly taken into account by first mapping the data to a Euclidean space where non-parametric kernel density estimates of the regional distributions may be calculated from user initialized regions. These distributions are then used as regional priors in calculating graph edge weights. Hence this approach utilizes the true variation of the tensor data by respecting its Riemannian structure in calculating distances when forming probability distributions. Further, the non-parametric model generalizes to arbitrary tensor distribution unlike the Gaussian assumption made in previous works. Casting the segmentation problem in a graph cut framework yields a segmentation robust with respect to initialization on the data tested.
Finite element modeling of tissue for optimal ultrasonic transducer array design

Tissue characterization using ultrasound scattering has been routinely used to extract the cellular properties of tissue. Ultrasonic backscattered radio frequency (RF) data is analyzed to provide estimates of the size, shape and concentration of a wide range of tissues. These tissue parameters form a feature space that can be used to discriminate between tissue types as well as indicate the presence of disease. In this work we develop numerical finite element models of tissue by using spectrum analysis to extract the acoustic properties of three distinct tissue-mimicking phantoms. The tissue-mimicking phantoms are constructed using glass microspheres of diameters 15-45 mum, 40-70 mum and 90-150 mum, embedded in a uniform concentration of gelatin derived from porcine skin. Spectrum analysis of the backscattered data from the tissue phantoms yields acoustic properties (of scatterer size, shape and distribution) which are used to create finite element models (FEM) of the tissue phantom. Simulations of acoustic scattering from an FEM phantom consisting 40 mum scatterers located in a transducer resolution cell is performed. Spectral analysis of the backscattered from the FEM phantom yields an estimate of the scatterer size of 36.7 mum giving an accuracy of 91%.
Long Path Absorption Cells For Millimeter Waves

AbstractGasses tend to have low absorption coefficients in the millimeter wavelength region; ab­ sorption cells with path lengths of hundreds of meters are needed for millimeter wave gas- phase spectroscopy. Three types of long-path cell are discussed here: tuned cavities, untuned cavities, and optical multiple-pass cells. The operating principles of each type are described, along with the advantages and limitations of each type when used in the millimeter wavelength region. Several examples of each type of cell are given. An optical analysis of a three-mirror optical multiple-pass cell is performed, for the purpose of optimizing this cell for millimeter wave spectroscopy, with the result that a cell with mirrors one meter in diameter can give a path length of 500 meters while conserving the power from a presently available black body source.IntroductionAbsorption coefficients of gasses tend to be quite low in the millimeter wavelength region; absorption cells with path lengths on the order of 100 to 1000 meters are needed to measure them in controlled, or at least well-specified, conditions. Tuned cavities, untuned cavities, and optical multiple-pass cells are reviewed here, with examples, and the appli­ cability and advantages of each when used in the millimeter region are discussed, and finally, the optimization of the White cell for millimeter-wave spectroscopy is outlined.The tuned cavity absorption cellIn order to use a tuned cavity as an absorption cell, the basic requirements are that the cavity have a high-Q resonant electromagnetic mode at the desired frequency, and that pro­ visions are made for coupling radiation in and out, as well as for admitting the gas sample to be studied. The dependence of the effective path length of a resonant cavity on its Q-value was given
The neuronal MAP kinase cascade : A biochemical signal integration system subserving synaptic plasticity and memory

The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP kinase, MAPK) cascade, as the name implies, was originally discovered as a critical regulator of cell division and differentiation. As further details of this signaling cascade were worked out, it became clear that the MAPK cascade is in fact a prototype for a family of signaling cascades that share the motif of three serially linked kinases regulating each other by sequential phosphorylation. Thus, a revised nomenclature arose that uses the term MAPK to refer to the entire superfamily of signaling cascades (comprising the erks, the JNKs and the p38 stress activated protein kinases), and specifies the prototype MAPK as the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (erk). The two erk MAPK isoforms, p44 MAPK and p42 MAPK, are referred to as erk1 and erk2, respectively. The erks are abundantly expressed in neurons in the mature central nervous system, raising the question of why the prototype molecular regulators of cell division and differentiation are present in these non-dividing, terminally differentiated neurons. This review will describe the beginnings of an answer to this question. Interestingly, the general model has begun to emerge that the erk signaling system has been co-opted in mature neurons to function in synaptic plasticity and memory. Moreover, recent insights have led to the intriguing prospect that these molecules serve as biochemical signal integrators and molecular coincidence detectors for coordinating responses to extracellular signals in neurons. In this review I will first outline the essential components of this signal transduction cascade, and briefly describe recent results implicating the erks in mammalian synaptic plasticity and learning. I will then proceed to outline recent results implicating the erks as molecular signal integrators and, potentially, coincidence detectors. Finally, I will speculate on what the critical downstream effectors of the erks are in neurons, and how they might provide a readout of the integrated signal.
Acetylation-mediated transcriptional activation of the ETS protein ER81 by p300, P/CAF, and HER2/Neu.

The regulated expression of the ETS transcription factor ER81 is a prerequisite for normal development, and its dysregulation contributes to neoplasia. Here, we demonstrate that ER81 is acetylated by two coactivators/acetyltransferases, p300 and p300- and CBP-associated factor (P/CAF) in vitro and in vivo. Whereas p300 acetylates two lysine residues (K33 and K116) within the ER81 N-terminal transactivation domain, P/CAF targets only K116. Acetylation of ER81 not only enhances its ability to transactivate but also increases its DNA binding activity and in vivo half-life. Furthermore, oncogenic HER2/Neu, which induces phosphorylation and thereby activation of ER81, was less able to activate acetylation-deficient ER81 mutants, indicating that both acetyltransferase and protein kinase-specific regulatory mechanisms control ER81 activity. Importantly, HER2/Neu overexpression stimulates the ability of p300 to acetylate ER81, likely by inducing phosphorylation of p300 through the Ras→Raf→mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. This represents a novel mechanism by which oncogenic HER2/Neu, Ras, or Raf may promote tumor formation by enhancing acetylation not only of ER81 but also of other downstream effector transcription factors as well as histones.
KNACTOR: architecture for a learning intelligent agent

KNACTOR (know+actor) is an intelligent agent prototype that learns how to represent and control the state of its dynamic environment. Beginning only with knowledge of its available sensor and actuator values, KNACTOR explores its environment and creates a multilevel environment model consisting of multiple coordinated submodels. The model is developed on a blackboard and is then used to plan actions leading to a goal state which KNACTOR learns to associate with a reward signal applied by the experimenter. Both probabilistic and deterministic techniques are employed, and some of the heuristics have a genetic learning flavor. Multiple models enable the agent to benefit from efficient processing within small state spaces, taking advantage of the conveniences and favorable features of the available representations that are appropriate in different circumstances. >
The Housing Market, Macroeconomic Activity, and Financial Innovation: An Empirical Analysis of U.S. Data

The relationship between macroeconomic activity and residential expenditure over the period 1959:I to 1991:I has been examined. The analysis is conducted using varriance decompostions (VDCs) and historical decompostions (HDs). The VDCs indicate that shocks to the money stock. Output and interest rates have significant impact on residental expenditure. The HDs indicate that shocks to macroeconomic variable are relatively unimportant in the determination of residential expenditure in the period following the extensive fiancial deregulation in the early 1980s.
Molecular Phylogenetics of the Leafy Cactus Genus Pereskia (Cactaceae)

Abstract Members of Pereskia exhibit some presumably plesiomorphic characters for the Cactaceae including shrubby habit, non-succulent or partially succulent leaves, and in some species, nearly superior ovaries. In addition, the members show a transition from perigynous flowers with half-inferior ovaries to those species having true receptacular epigyny (the predominant condition in the Cactaceae). To examine interspecific relationships within Pereskia we utilized cpDNA restriction-site data and sequences from two non-coding regions of the plastid genome—the psbA-trnH intergenic spacer and the rpl16 intron. Maximum parsimony and Bayesian analyses identified three major clades: a clade containing the widespread P. aculeata and the Andean species, a clade containing six species found primarily in southeastern Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina, and Bolivia, and a third clade centered in southern Central America and the Caribbean. The relationship between these three clades and the rest of the Cactaceae re...
Wettability measurement under high P-T conditions using X-ray imaging with application to the brine-supercritical CO2 system

We present a new method for measuring wettability or contact angle of minerals at reservoir pressure-temperature conditions using high-resolution X-ray computed tomography (HRXCT) and radiography. In this method, a capillary or a narrow slot is constructed from a mineral or a rock sample of interest wherein two fluids are allowed to form an interface that is imaged using X-rays. After some validation measurements at room pressure-temperature conditions, we illustrate this method by measuring the contact angle of CO2-brine on quartz, muscovite, shale, borosilicate glass, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE or Teflon), and polyether ether ketone (PEEK) surfaces at 60–71°C and 13.8–22.8 MPa. At reservoir conditions, PTFE and PEEK surfaces were found to be CO2-wet with contact angles of 140° and 127°, respectively. Quartz and muscovite were found to be water-wet with contact angles of 26° and 58°, respectively, under similar conditions. Borosilicate glass-air-brine at room conditions showed strong water-wet characteristics with a contact angle of 9°, whereas borosilicate glass-CO2-brine at 13.8 MPa and 60°C showed a decrease in its water-wetness with contact angle of 54°. This method provides a new application for X-ray imaging and an alternative to other methods.
Prevalent de novo somatic mutations in superantigen genes of mouse mammary tumor viruses in the genome of C57BL/6J mice and its potential implication in the immune system

Background Superantigens (SAgs) of mouse mammary tumor viruses (MMTVs) play a crucial role in T cell selection in the thymus in a T cell receptor (TCR) Vβ-specific manner and SAgs presented by B cells activate T cells in the periphery. The peripheral T cell repertoire is dynamically shaped by the steady induction of T cell tolerance against self antigens throughout the lifespan. We hypothesize that de novo somatic mutation of endogenous MMTV SAgs contributes to the modulation of the peripheral T cell repertoire.