cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Treatment options for severe pulmonary embolism during pregnancy and the postpartum period: a systematic review.

Background Massive pulmonary embolism (PE) during pregnancy or the postpartum period is a rare but dramatic event. Our aim was to systematically review the evidence to guide its management. Methods We searched Pubmed, Embase, conference proceedings and the RIETE registry for published cases of severe (submassive/massive) PE treated with thrombolysis, percutaneous or surgical thrombectomy and/or with ECMO, occurring during pregnancy or within 6 weeks of delivery. Main outcomes were maternal survival and major bleeding, premature delivery, fetal survival and bleeding. Results We found 127 cases of severe PE (at least 83% massive, 23% with cardiac arrest) treated with at least one modality. Among 83 women with thrombolysis, survival was 94% (95%CI 86-98). The risk of major bleeding was 17.5% during pregnancy and 53.9% in the postpartum period, mainly due to severe postpartum hemorrhages. Fetal deaths possibly related to PE or its treatment occurred in 12.0% of cases treated during pregnancy. Among 36 women with surgical thrombectomy, maternal survival and risk of major bleeding were 86.1% (95%CI 71-95) and 20.0%, with fetal deaths possibly related to surgery in 20.0%. About half of severe postpartum PE occurred within 24h of delivery. Conclusions Published cases of thrombolysis for massive PE during pregnancy and the postpartum period suggest a high maternal and fetal survival (94% and 88%). In the postpartum period, given the high risk of major bleeding with thrombolysis in the postpartum period, other therapeutic options (catheter (or surgical) thrombectomy, ECMO) may be considered if available. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Optimal energy and reserve markets participation of flexible loads in an active distribution network

In this paper, we present an optimal operation model for an active distribution utility with inflexible and flexible loads. The proposed model addresses how the flexible loads should be operated to minimize the utility operation cost as well as maintaining the distribution network safe. Moreover, we analyze how the flexible loads can provide the reserve service for the electricity market with highly renewable resources penetration. Assuming T time intervals, we determine the optimal energy and reserve bids to the electricity market that minimize energy procurement cost of the utility and fully comply with the operational standards of the distribution network. From a set of numerical experiments on the 33-bus system, we present the advantages of our proposed model.
Anisotropic Polarization Dependent High Harmonic Generation in the Ferroelectric Crystal BaTiO 3

We generate high-order harmonics from femtosecond mid-IR pulses in ferroelectric BaTiO 3 crystals. We find that odd and even harmonics' intensity and polarization behave differently when rotating the input polarization with respect to the crystal axes.
Long-Term Toxicity after Transarterial Radioembolization with Yttrium-90 Using Resin Microspheres for Neuroendocrine Tumor Liver Metastases.

Abstract Purpose To evaluate long-term effects of yttrium-90 (90Y) transarterial radioembolization (TARE) for unresectable hepatic metastases of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). Materials and Methods Retrospective analysis of 93 patients (47 women, 46 men; mean age 59 y) who underwent resin-based 90Y TARE was performed. Variables associated with overall survival were analyzed using univariate and multivariate models. Changes in serologic values and imaging characteristics were assessed with long-term follow-up. Results Unilobar TARE was performed in 48 patients, and staged bilobar TARE was performed in 45 patients. In multivariate analysis, ascites (P = .002) and extrahepatic metastases (P = .038) at baseline were associated with poor survival. Among 52 patients who had > 1 year of follow-up, significant increases in alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase were observed; however, only 4 patients experienced grade 3 serologic toxicities. Imaging signs of cirrhosis-like morphology and portal hypertension were observed in 15 of 52 patients, more frequently in patients treated with bilobar TARE compared with unilobar TARE. Patients treated with bilobar TARE exhibited significantly increased hepatobiliary enzymes and decreased platelet count. Sustained increases in liver enzymes were observed in patients with > 4 years of follow-up. No radioembolization-related liver failure or grade 4 toxicity was observed. Conclusions 90Y radioembolization using resin microspheres demonstrated a high safety profile for NET liver metastases, with low-grade, although sustained, long-term liver toxicity evident > 4 years after treatment. Bilobar treatment suggested a trend for treatment-related portal hypertension. Ongoing research will help define parameters for optimizing durable safety and efficacy of radioembolization in this setting.
Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and western blotting comparisons of purified myofibrils and whole muscle preparations for evaluating titin and nebulin in postmortem bovine muscle.

Purified myofibril ( M F ) and homogenized whole muscle (WM) samples were prepared from A maturity market steers. Samples were removed at 0, 1, 3, 7, 14, and 28 d postmortem. The MF and WM samples from all steers were analyzed by SDS-PAGE (5% gels) and by Western blot analysis using monoclonal antibodies to titin and nebulin. The rates of degradation of the intact forms of titin and nebulin, with regard to differences dependent on sample type (MF vs WM), were examined. The results showed that there was very little difference in the rate of postmortem degradation of the intact form of titin or of intact nebulin with respect to the two types of samples examined. Analysis of MF and WM preparations revealed that titin and nebulin were progressively degraded, each at its own rate, with nebulin degrading faster, as postmortem storage time increased. Examination of MF and WM samples showed that the intact form of titin (T1) was absent at the same time postmortem in both sample types. Intact nebulin was not detected in MF and WM preparations at the same time postmortem with respect to sample type examined. Our results indicate that either purified MF or WM samples can be used satisfactorily to analyze the rate of degradation of the intact forms of both titin and nebulin.
Socrates’ Exhortation to Follow the Logos

Carey argues that Socrates’ injunction to follow the logos has two distinct, though related implications. The first is well-known: we should subject what is sub-rational in the soul to the rule of reason. The second implication is less well-known, though it becomes obvious on reflection: we can follow the logos only if the logos is, of its own nature, headed somewhere, or at least pointing somewhere. What human reason is headed toward or pointing to is its natural end. Reason is intrinsically teleological. Carey explores the Socratic conception of reason, which is generally the pre-modern conception, as something more than an instrument to be employed solely for the sake of attaining ends, such as longevity and pleasure, that are not specifically rational.
Towards Hybrid Honeynets via Virtual Machine Introspection and Cloning

We present a scalable honeynet system built on Xen using virtual machine introspection and cloning techniques to efficiently and effectively detect intrusions and extract associated malware binaries. By melding forensics tools with live memory introspection, the system is resistant to prior in-guest detection techniques of the monitoring environment and to subversion attacks that may try to hide aspects of an intrusion. By utilizing both copy-on-write disks and memory to create multiple identical high-interaction honeypot clones, the system relaxes the linear scaling of hardware requirements typically associated with scaling such setups. By employing a novel routing approach our system eliminates the need for post-cloning network reconfiguration, allowing the clone honeypots to share IP and MAC addresses while providing concurrent and quarantined access to the network. We deployed our system and tested it with live network traffic, demonstrating its effectiveness and scalability.
Sequence-specific double-strand breakage of DNA by neocarzinostatin involves different chemical mechanisms within a staggered cleavage site.

Direct double-strand breaks in DNA have been implicated in cellular lethality of the antitumor antibiotic neocarzinostatin, but the mechanism of their formation has not been elucidated. Evidence is presented that neocarzinostatin causes sequence-specific direct double-strand breaks whose formation is strongly influenced by the activating thiol. Seven-fold more double-strand breaks result when glutathione rather than 2-mercaptoethanol is used to activate the drug to its putative diradical form, while the sequence specificity of cleavage remains the same. These data explain earlier inconsistencies in the ratios of double-strand to single-strand breaks obtained from in vitro and in vivo studies. Double-strand cleavage sites, occurring predominantly at GT steps, especially AGT.ACT, consist of trinucleotide sequences with a two-nucleotide 3'-stagger of the cleaved residues. The chemical structures of the cleavage sites suggest a model in which a neocarzinostatin-induced double-strand break results from abstraction of a C5' hydrogen atom from the T of ACT and the C4' hydrogen atom of the T of AGT by a single molecule of the diradical form of the drug. Single-strand breaks at these sites occur as separate events with attack at the C5' hydrogens. These findings permit the generalization that single-strand breaks produced by neocarzinostatin show a base preference but no clear sequence specificity, while bistranded lesions are sequence-specific in nature.
Flow cytometry: analysis and sorting of X and Y chromosome-bearing spermatozoa

Preselection of sex requires manipulation of spermatozoa because of the sex-determining role of the X or Y chromosome within the cell. Using flow cytometry (FCM), a relatively new technology, one is able to measure small differences in DNA content among individual cells. Utilization of FCM for the analysis and separation of X and Y chromosome-bearing spermatozoa is based upon labeling of DNA with a DNA-specific fluorescent stain and subsequent excitation of the labeled cell with a laser beam at the appropriate wavelength to give maximum fluorescence. Since the X chromosome is larger and contains at least 3.5% (in most species) more DNA than the Y chromosome, the FCM can differentiate the two sperm populations. Controlling the orientation of spermatozoa passing in front of the laser beam on the FCM is essential for high resolution DNA analysis because the fluorescence emitted is affected by the high refractive index and flat shape of the sperm head. A flow cytometer was modified to overcome optical artifacts caused by changes in orientation as spermatozoa pass the laser beam. This modification has allowed us to determine the ratio of X to Y spermatozoa in ejaculated, epididymal and in cryopreserved spermatozoa from several different species with high precision (CV = < 1.5%). Semen from bulls, ram, boars, chinchillas, turkeys, hamsters, rabbits, and voles has been analyzed. The Chinchilla is an excellent model for sorting X and Y spermatozoa because of the wide difference in DNA content (7.5%). We have developed procedures to separate X and Y Chinchilla spermatozoa populations with a purity approaching 95%.
Team building with Hispanic groups – Some considerations

The present case study describes and seeks to understand a Hispanic group from the orientation of the insider. The use of culture specific information when assessing and intervening with diverse groups can be of assistance to practitioners as they think of approaches to consultation and counselling with clients as well as provide a framework for learning culture specific information and techniques. The case study follows an action research paradigm in the assessment and problem solving pertaining the client's situation. The findings are discussed in the light of multiculturalism.
Perspectives on communication and engagement with regard to collecting biospecimens and family health histories for cancer research in a rural Alaska Native community.

Precision medicine initiatives, such as Cancer Breakthrough 2020, promise to improve cancer outcomes by tailoring treatment to an individual’s genes, environment, and lifestyle. This promise will fall short unless researchers successfully engage diverse communities, including those with histories of medical and research abuse. We examined a rural Alaska Native community’s viewpoints about biospecimen collection and storage; interest and recall in reporting family health history; and interest and engagement in biospecimen collection for conducting a genetic test for cancer. In 2014, four focus groups were held with 28 adult Alaska Native rural community members. Thematic analysis was performed after establishing a coding scheme by team consensus. Study participants shared interest in engaging in genetic cancer research and suggested ways to improve community engagement in research. These included transparency and continuous communication with researchers at all stages of the research, clear communication about the intent of the research, and that research and results take into consideration the community’s needs. These suggestions may be beneficial for future efforts to expand precision medicine research in Alaska Native communities and similar, diverse populations.
Occurrence and Distribution of Plant-Parasitic Nematodes on Muscadine Grapes in Georgia and North Carolina

Muscadine grape, Vitis rotundifolia, is native to the southeastern United States, but Georgia (GA) and North Carolina (NC) are the largest North American producers. Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs)...
SystemVerilog Modeling of SFQ and AQFP Circuits

Exascale computing and its associated increasingly massive amounts of data require increasingly efficient computing platforms; and semiconductor technology is struggling to keep up. Meanwhile, superconducting electronics (SCE) is increasingly gaining interest in both industry and academia as a serious contender to replace silicon for supercomputing. In particular, nonresistively biased single-flux quantum (SFQ) circuits have a theoretical potential of three orders of magnitude reduction in power accompanied with one order of magnitude of higher speed, and adiabatic quantum-flux-parametron (AQFP) circuits possess a theoretical potential of six orders of magnitude reduction in power when compared to the state-of-the-art semiconductor circuits. Unfortunately, the SCE community lacks a reliable design flow. Rather than creating a complete design flow from scratch, it is often more efficient to reuse well-established semiconductor tool flows developed by EDA companies that have benefited from research and development over the past half-century. One of the components of this flow is the hardware description language (HDL) modeling of gates for behavioral and functional simulation of large netlists. The previous HDL models proposed for SCE lack modularity are not compatible with existing CMOS standards, and are overly complex. This article presents SystemVerilog models for SFQ and AQFP gates and the circuits that interface between them. Our models are compatible with standard delay format and commercial simulators. They offer a generalizable modular debugging platform, are elegant and conceptual, and can capture many circuit parameters, environmental effects, and advanced SCE phenomena.
The symmetric genus spectrum of abelian groups

Let S denote the set of positive integers that appear as the symmetric genus of a finite abelian group and let S 0 denote the set of positive integers that appear as the strong symmetric genus of a finite abelian group. The main theorem of this paper is that S = S 0 . As a result, we obtain a set of necessary and sufficient conditions for an integer g to belong to S . This also shows that S has an asymptotic density and that it is approximately 0.3284 .
Long-term effects of web-based pedometer-mediated intervention on COPD exacerbations.

Abstract Background Technology-based physical activity (PA) interventions have been shown to improve daily step counts and health-related quality of life, but their effect on long-term clinical outcomes like acute exacerbations (AEs) is unknown in persons with COPD. Methods U.S. Veterans with stable COPD were randomized (1:1) to either pedometer alone (control) or pedometer plus a website with feedback, goal-setting, disease education, and a community forum (intervention) for 3 months. AEs were assessed every 3 months over a follow-up period of approximately 15 months. Pedometer-assessed daily step counts, health-related quality-of-life (HRQL), and self-efficacy were assessed at baseline, end-of-intervention at 3 months, and during follow-up approximately 6 and 12 months after enrollment. Zero-inflated Poisson models assessed the effect of the intervention on risk for AEs, compared to controls. Generalized linear mixed-effects models for repeated measures examined between-group and within-group changes in daily step count, HRQL, and self-efficacy. Results There were no significant differences in age, FEV1% predicted, baseline daily step count, AEs the year prior to enrollment, or duration of follow-up between the intervention (n = 57) and control (n = 52) groups. The intervention group had a significantly reduced risk of AEs (rate ratio = 0.51, [95%CI 0.31–0.85]), compared to the control group. There were no significant between-group differences in change in average daily step count, HRQL, or self-efficacy at 6 and 12 months after enrollment. Conclusions A 3-month internet-mediated, pedometer-based PA intervention was associated with reduced risk for AEs of COPD over 12–15 months of follow-up. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01772082.
Towards a Bayesian Account of Perceptual Competence

I offer an account of perceptual warrant according to which one’s basic perceptual beliefs are immediately and defeasibly warranted if they are formed on the basis of experiences produced by a competent perceptual system. I claim that sub-personal features of one’s perceptual systems can render one competent to perceptually represent a particular environment. When these conditions are met, one is warranted in forming beliefs on the basis of one’s perceptual experiences. I develop my account of perceptual warrant in the context of a Bayesian theory of perceptual processing.
Factors influencing patient participation in medication counseling at the community pharmacy: A systematic review

Abstract Background Findings document that patient participation in pharmacy encounters is associated with favorable outcomes. However, there is a need to understand factors that may enhance or hinder patient engagement and pharmacist counseling behaviors during their medication discussions. This review aims to: (1) identify barriers and facilitators for patient engagement in pharmacy consultations, (2) explore the relationship between patient factors (such as demographics and communication behavior) and subsequent pharmacist counseling behavior. Methods A systematic review of literature using PRISMA guidelines examined studies published in English addressing influences on patient participation and the relationship between patient factors and pharmacist counseling behavior. Four databases were used - PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Scopus. Findings were framed thematically within the constructs of Street's Linguistic Model of Patient Participation in Care (LM). Findings Fifty studies from 1983 to 2019, including 37 using self-reported data, were identified. Patient involvement in patient-pharmacist communication was influenced by enabling factors such as patient knowledge, communication skills, and pharmacy environment. Predisposing factors for participation ranged from patients' beliefs and past experiences to demographic characteristics such as gender and age. Pharmacists' participative behavior with patients was positively associated with patients’ engagement and perceived patient cues in the conversation. Conclusion This systematic review identified predictors of patients' engagement in pharmacy encounters drawing on LM framework. Various predisposing factors, enabling factors, and pharmacist’ responses impacted patients' willingness to actively participate in medication counseling at community pharmacies. Equally important, studies documented considerable impact by patients on pharmacists' counseling behavior. Pharmacy encounters should no longer be viewed as controlled simply by pharmacists’ expertise and agendas. Patient characteristics and factors such as patient question-asking and expectations also appear to be associated with and influence patient-pharmacist interpersonal communication. Additional research needs to address the identified facilitators and barriers to enhance patient participation and pharmacist counseling behavior.
Abstract 17341: Obesity is Associated With Progressive Heart Failure in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Background: The impact of comorbid disease states and lifestyle on the natural history of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) remains unknown. Objective: Evaluate the association of non...
Paving the Way for Future EEG Studies in Construction: Dependent Component Analysis for Automatic Ocular Artifact Removal from Brainwave Signals

AbstractConstruction workers’ poor mental states can lead to numerous safety and productivity issues. One major trend in construction research is quantitatively evaluating workers’ psychophysiologi...
Strengths-Based Transition Planning: A Positive Approach for Students With Learning Disabilities:

Students with learning disabilities (LD) benefit from individualized transition services that address their strengths and assets. This article provides three steps to facilitate strengths-based tra...
SU-C-304-04: A Compact Modular Computational Platform for Automated On-Board Imager Quality Assurance

Purpose: Traditionally, the assessment of X-ray tube output and detector positioning accuracy of on-board imagers (OBI) has been performed manually and subjectively with rulers and dosimeters, and typically takes hours to complete. In this study, we have designed a compact modular computational platform to automatically analyze OBI images acquired with in-house designed phantoms as an efficient and robust surrogate. Methods: The platform was developed as an integrated and automated image analysis-based platform using MATLAB for easy modification and maintenance. Given a set of images acquired with the in-house designed phantoms, the X-ray output accuracy was examined via cross-validation of the uniqueness and integration minimization of important image quality assessment metrics, while machine geometric and positioning accuracy were validated by utilizing pattern-recognition based image analysis techniques. Results: The platform input was a set of images of an in-house designed phantom. The total processing time is about 1–2 minutes. Based on the data acquired from three Varian Truebeam machines over the course of 3 months, the designed test validation strategy achieved higher accuracy than traditional methods. The kVp output accuracy can be verified within +/−2 kVp, the exposure accuracy within 2%, and exposure linearity with a coefficient of variation (CV) of 0.1.more » Sub-millimeter position accuracy was achieved for the lateral and longitudinal positioning tests, while vertical positioning accuracy within +/−2 mm was achieved. Conclusion: This new platform delivers to the radiotherapy field an automated, efficient, and stable image analysis-based procedure, for the first time, acting as a surrogate for traditional tests for LINAC OBI systems. It has great potential to facilitate OBI quality assurance (QA) with the assistance of advanced image processing techniques. In addition, it provides flexible integration of additional tests for expediting other OBI quality assurance tests, such as 2D/3D image quality, making completely automated QA possible. Research Funding from Varian Medical Systems Inc. . Dr. Sasa Mutic receives compensation for providing patient safety training services from Varian Medical Systems, the sponsor of this study.« less
Continuing issues of collaborative transition planning in the secondary schools

Secondary schools, by law and practice, are given primary responsibility for establishing collaborative efforts to plan and implement transition services_ While design, implementation, and evaluation of transition services have evolved over a decade, this article discusses several critical issues for which continuing efforts are needed_ These issues include the design of an appropriately balanced curriculum, provision of self-determination instruction, involvement of family members, and collaboration within active interagency teams. © 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.
TWO TALES OF A CITY

Since the early 1980s, novels by Indians in English have become the site of a transnational publishing ‘boom’ made possible by the opening of Anglo-American literary markets to non-white writing. This essay begins by illuminating the disconnect between the postcolonial versus transnational framings of Indian English fiction. It shows how this literature has gone from being grounded in the politics of particular places to being framed as a de-territorialized literary flourishing, thereby denuding it of its political relevance in an era of transnational literary production. In an effort to ‘re-territorialize’ the history of and the issues at the heart of Indian writing in English, the essay argues that the social and political contours of English in India have come to be about much more than ‘writing back to empire’ or offering a ‘window to the world’ for Indians looking ‘out’ or westerners looking ‘in’. Instead, through a reading of two canonical Indian English texts about the death of Urdu in Delhi, the e...
T Cell Epitope Mapping of the Smith Antigen Reveals That Highly Conserved Smith Antigen Motifs Are the Dominant Target of T Cell Immunity in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

B cell and T cell immunity to the Smith Ag (Sm) is a characteristic feature of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We have shown that T cell immunity against Sm can be detected in SLE patients, and that T and B cell immunity against Sm are linked in vivo. TCR usage by Sm-reactive T cells is highly restricted and characteristic of an Ag-driven immune response. Sm is a well-characterized complex Ag consisting of proteins B1, B2, D1, D2, D3, E, F, and G. A unique feature of all Sm proteins is the presence of homologous motifs, Sm motif 1 and Sm motif 2. We used limiting dilution cloning and synthetic peptide Ags to characterize the human T cell immune response against Sm in seven SLE patients. We sought to determine the precise antigenic peptides recognized, the common features of antigenic structure recognized, and the evolution of the T cell response against Sm. We found there was a highly restricted set of Sm self-peptides recognized by T cells, with three epitopes on Sm-B and two epitopes on Sm-D. We found that T cell immunity against Sm-B and Sm-D was encoded within the highly conserved Sm motif 1 and Sm motif 2, and that immunity against these epitopes appeared stable. The present study supports the concept that T cell immunity to Sm is an Ag-driven immune response directed against a highly restricted set of self-peptides, encoded within Sm motif 1 and Sm motif 2, that is shared among all Sm proteins.
Validation of a population of patient-specific adult acquired flatfoot deformity models

Adult acquired flatfoot deformity (AAFD) is a degenerative disease resulting in malalignment of the mid- and hindfoot secondary to posterior tibial tendon dysfunction and increasing implication of ligament pathologies. Despite the complex 3D nature of AAFD, 2D radiographs are still employed to diagnose and stage the disease. Computer modeling techniques allow for accurate 3D recreations of musculoskeletal systems for the investigation of biomechanical factors contributing to disease. Following Institutional Review Board approval, the lower limbs of six diagnosed AAFD sufferers were imaged with MRI, photographs, and X-ray. Next, a radiologist graded the MRI attenuation of eight soft-tissues implicated in AAFD. Six patient-specific rigid-body models were then created and loaded according to patient weight, graded soft-tissues, and extrinsic muscles. Model function was validated using clinically relevant kinematic measures in three planes. Agreement varied depending on the measure, with average absolute deviations of <7° for angles and <4 mm for distances. Additionally, the clinically favored AP talonavicular coverage angle, ML talo-1st metatarsal angle, and ML 1st cuneiform height showed strong correlations of R2 = 0.63, 0.75, and 0.85, respectively. Thus, computer modeling offers a promising methodology for the non-invasive investigation of in vivo kinematic behavior in pathologic feet and, once validated, may further be used to investigate biomechanical parameters that are difficult to measure clinically. © 2013 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 31:1861–1868, 2013
The Connection between Rotation and the Winds of Be Stars

It is now clear that Be stars are surrounded by at least two different types of outflowing circumstellar material: a dense, slowly expanding disk, and a fast, but rather tenuous, stellar wind. Given the fact that Be stars are rapid rotators, we should expect that rotation would play a major role in the structure and dynamics of the circumstellar material, creating an outflow which is quite different in the equatorial and polar regions. The observations can be explained, at least qualitatively, by a radiation-driven wind modified by rapid rotation and a weak magnetic field. I will describe how such a wind model is constructed, and how it leads to a wind which is slow and dense in the equatorial regions and fast and tenuous along the poles. I will also describe the limitations of the model and observational evidence which cannot yet be explained by models of this type.
Architectures and Patterns for Developing High-performance, Real-time ORB Endsystems

Abstract Many types of applications can benefit from flexible and open middleware. CORBA is an emerging middleware standard for Object Request Brokers (ORBs) that simplifies the development of distributed applications and services. Experience with CORBA demonstrates that it is suitable for traditional RPC-style applications. However, the lack of performance optimizations and quality of service (QoS) features in conventional CORBA implementations make them unsuited for high-performance and real-time applications. This paper makes four contributions to the design of CORBA ORBs for applications with high-performance and real-time requirements. First, it describes the design of TAO, which is our high-performance, real-time CORBA-compliant ORB. Second, it presents TAO’s real-time scheduling service, which provides QoS guarantees for deterministic real-time CORBA applications. Third, it empirically evaluates the effects of priority inversion and non-determinism in conventional ORBs and shows how these hazards are avoided in TAO. Fourth, it presents a case study of key patterns used to develop TAO and quantifies the impact of applying patterns to reduce the complexity of common ORB tasks.
Answer set programming in 2010: a personal perspective

In this talk, I will offer a brief overview of the foundations of Answer Set Programming (ASP). Using some concrete application examples as a reference, I will try to identify issues that current ASP systems are still facing, and define avenues of research that I believe have the potential to greatly enhance future applicability of ASP technology.
National assessment of early biliary complications following liver transplantation: Incidence and outcomes

Despite improved overall liver transplant outcomes, biliary complications remain a significant cause of morbidity. A national data set linking transplant registry and Medicare claims data for 17,012 liver transplant recipients was used to identify all recipients with a posttransplant biliary diagnosis code within the first 6 months after transplantation. Patients were further categorized as follows: a diagnosis without a procedure, a diagnosis and an associated radiological or endoscopic procedure, or a diagnosis treated with surgery. Overall, 15.0% had a biliary diagnosis, 11.2% required a procedure, and 2.2% had a surgical revision. Factors independently associated with biliary complications included donation after cardiac death (DCD), donor age, recipient age, split grafts, and long cold ischemia times. Graft loss was significantly more common for patients with biliary diagnoses [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 1.89, confidence interval (CI) = 1.63-2.19], interventions (aHR = 2.08, CI = 1.77-2.44), and surgical procedures (aHR = 1.80, CI = 1.31-2.49). Mortality after transplantation was also markedly increased for patients with biliary diagnoses (aHR = 2.18, CI = 1.97-2.40), procedures (aHR = 2.21, CI = 1.99-2.46), and surgeries (aHR = 1.77, CI = 1.41-2.23). In stratified analyses, the impact of early biliary complications was greater for DCD liver recipients, but they remained highly significant for recipients of allografts from brain-dead donors as well. Reducing biliary complications should improve posttransplant survival and reduce graft loss. Liver Transpl 20:446-456, 2014. © 2014 AASLD.
The Evolution of the Galaxy as a Whole

Nearly all of the lectures here are concerned with the physics of the Galaxy as it is now. To describe its evolution we must ask how it was formed, how it has evolved to its present configuration, and what it can be expected to contain and how it will look in perhaps another 1010 years. These are the same questions that have been asked, and fairly satisfactorily answered, for stars over the last thirty years. But the corresponding problem, as it relates to galaxies, is very far from solution.
Using Revenue Sharing to Implement Flexible Prices: Evidence from Movie Exhibition Contracts

Movie exhibition contracts entail revenue-sharing terms that go down with weeks since release. We develop a simple model to show how the form of these contracts can be explained by the distributors’ desire to set flexible prices. We then use detailed data on theater-movie contracts in Spain, where we exploit the information available at the time of contracting for movies previously released in the U.S., and other movie and theater characteristics, to show how the implications of our flexible pricing argument are supported in the data, and differentiate our explanation from prior, more standard risk-sharing and moral-hazard explanations.
Development of in vitro susceptibility testing methods for gemifloxacin (formerly LB20304a or SB-265805), an investigational fluoronaphthyridone.

Abstract Potent investigational fluoroquinolones require convenient, but accurate, diagnostic tests for initially applied clinical trials. For this purpose, gemifloxacin (formerly SB-265805, LB20304a) was tested by the reference dilution tests and standardized disk diffusion methods of the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) to establish interpretive criteria. For rapid-growing pathogens, 986 organisms were tested by broth microdilution MIC, and 5- and 10-μg disk diffusion tests. Correlation (r) between 5- and 10-μg disk zone diameters was 0.99 (y = −0.12 to 0.99x) and the preferred 5-μg disk zone/MIC scattergram produced a regression of y=14.8 to 0.41x (r = 0.93). At potential pharmacodynamics (C max = 1.3 μg/mL for 320 mg dose) validated breakpoints of ≤0.5 μg/mL for susceptible and ≥2 μg/mL for resistant, correlate zones of ≥17 mm and ≤13 mm produced rare serious interpretive errors (0.1%) and 96.7% absolute categorical agreement. For 304 Streptococcus pneumoniae and 305 strains of other streptococci, the same breakpoints produced 100 and 99.1% categorical accuracy even when testing levofloxacin-resistant (MIC, ≥ 4 μg/mL) strains. Interpretive breakpoints were proposed for Hemophilus influenzae (300 strains tested), with complete correlation between tests. Etest (AB BIODISK, Solna, Sweden) was compared in all experiments with the fastidious species and showed a trend toward higher values (twofold). Gemifloxacin in vitro susceptibility test methods seem to be accurate and with very acceptable intermethod agreement, supported by previously reported functional quality control guidelines.
A Local Formulation of the Ensemble Transform (ET) Analysis Perturbation Scheme

Abstract Following ideas from the local ensemble transform Kalman filter, a local formulation of the ensemble transform (ET) analysis perturbation scheme is developed by partitioning the numerical weather prediction model domain into latitude bands or latitude–longitude blocks. In comparison with analysis perturbations from the original “global” ET formulation, analysis perturbations from the “banded” or “block” ET formulations are much more consistent with estimates of analysis error variance. Banded or block ET forecast ensembles also perform better under a variety of verification metrics than do global ET forecast ensembles. Substantial performance gains are observed for both the midlatitudes and the tropics. A local ET is scheduled to be made operational at the Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center.
Looking skyward to study ecosystem carbon dynamics

Between May and October 2011 the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy's Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) program, conducted a field campaign at the ARM Southern Great Plains site in north central Oklahoma to evaluate a new instrument for quantitative image-based monitoring of sky conditions and solar radiation. The High Dynamic Range All-Sky Imaging System (HDR-ASIS) was developed by USGS to support studies of cloud- and aerosol-induced variability in the geometric properties of solar radiation (the sky radiance distribution) and its effects on photosynthesis and uptake of carbon dioxide (CO2) by terrestrial ecosystems. Under a clean, cloudless atmosphere when the Sun is above the horizon, most of the solar radiation reaching an area of the Earth's surface is concentrated in a beam coming directly from the Sun; a relatively small proportion arrives as diffuse radiation from the rest of the sky. Clouds and atmospheric aerosols cause increased scattering of the beam radiation, which increases the proportion of diffuse radiation at the surface.
Relative Storage Qualities of Frozen and Dried Milk

The storage of both fat and milk solids-not-fat in frozen form is commonly practiced by the dairy industry (9). The destabilizing effect of the continued storage at freezing temperatures upon the normal dispersion of the milk solids is one of the factors limiting the applications of this method to the storage of cream and condensed milk. Sugar sometimes is added to the milk solids to prevent churning of the fat and destabilization of the milk casein. In a series of experiments reported by Babcock et al. (1-7), it was brought out that homogenized milk remained normal when frozen and stored at a constant temperature. Extremely low ( -40 ° F.) temperatures were found best. Homogenized milk frozen and stored in the frozen state was found to have the solids more concentrated in the bottom section. Homogenized milk that had been stored frozen was held at usual fluid milk storage temperatures without any more rapid deterioration than would be expected of regular homogenized milk. The addition of sodium citrate to homogenized milk before freezing and storage improved the storage life of the milk, and added ascorbic acid helped preserve the normal flavor of the milk. Homogenized milk was kept as long as 120 hr. before freezing without adversely affecting the keeping quality of the frozen product. These investigators also found that rotating homogenized milk while it was being frozen prevented a segregation of the milk solids but did not improve the keeping quality of the stored milk. In 1944, Doan and Leeder (8) recommended a procedure for preparation of frozen condensed milk. They proposed a preheating temperature of 180 ° F. for 15 min., a 3 to 1 concentration of the milk, homogenization of at least 3000 lb. before condensing, limiting the air incorporation to 20 to 30 per cent when freezing with a continuous freezer, holding at a temperature not higher than -10 ° F. during freezing, storage and dispensing, and reconstitution in 180 ° F. water. These authors claim the frozen condensed milk can be held for 10 to 12 wk. without effect upon the fat or protein if stored at -15 to -20 ° F.
The synthesis of L-()-mycarose and L-()-cladinose

Abstract Synthesis of cladinose from mycarose and synthesis of the same methylated derivative, 3,4-di-O-methylmycarose, from both mycarose and cladinose demonstrated the configurational identity of the two sugars. The synthesis of dl-mycarose and its 3-epimer by methods which reveal their configurations is described. Synthetic racemic mycarose was resolved via its bornanol-10-sulfonates and the active synthetic sugar has been shown to be identical with mycarose from natural sources. The isolation of L-lactic acid from carbon atoms 4, 5 and 6 mycarose proved that mycarose and cladinose belong to the L series of sugars. Mycarose has thus been shown to be 2,6-didesoxy-3-C-methyl-L-ribohexose, and cladinose its 3-methyl ether.
The physics of solitude

Uncertainty: The Life and Science of Werner Heisenberg. By David Cassidy. W. H. Freeman: 1991. Pp.669. £23.95, $29.95.
Transferrin as a model system for method development to study structure, dynamics and interactions of metalloproteins using mass spectrometry

Abstract Background Transferrin (Tf) is a paradigmatic metalloprotein, which has been extensively studied in the past and still is a focal point of numerous investigation efforts owing to its unique role in iron homeostasis and enormous promise as a component of a wide range of therapies. Scope of review Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI MS) is a potent analytical tool that has been used successfully to study various properties of Tf and Tf-based products, ranging from covalent structure and metal binding to conformation and interaction with their physiological partners. Major conclusions Various ESI MS-based techniques produce unique information on Tf properties and behavior that is highly complementary to information provided by other experimental techniques. General significance The experimental ESI MS-based techniques developed for Tf studies are not only useful for understanding of fundamental aspects of the iron-binding properties of this protein and optimizing Tf-based therapeutic products, but can also be applied to study a range of other metalloproteins. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Transferrins: Molecular mechanisms of iron transport and disorders.
Output Guards and Nondeterminism in “Communicating Sequential Processes”

In a recent paper C.A.R. Hoare outlined a language for concurrent programming. Guarded commands and nondeterminism are two features of the language. This paper points out two problems that arise in connection with these features and addresses one of them.
A distributed adaptive steplength stochastic approximation method for monotone stochastic Nash Games

We consider a distributed stochastic approximation (SA) scheme for computing an equilibrium of a stochastic Nash game. Standard SA schemes employ diminishing steplength sequences that are square summable but not summable. Such requirements provide a little or no guidance for how to leverage Lipschitzian and monotonicity properties of the problem and naive choices (such as γk = 1/k) generally do not preform uniformly well on a breadth of problems. While a centralized adaptive stepsize SA scheme is proposed in [1] for the optimization framework, such a scheme provides no freedom for the agents in choosing their own stepsizes. Thus, a direct application of centralized stepsize schemes is impractical in solving Nash games. Furthermore, extensions to game-theoretic regimes where players may independently choose steplength sequences are limited to recent work by Koshal et al. [2]. Motivated by these shortcomings, we present a distributed algorithm in which each player updates his steplength based on the previous steplength and some problem parameters. The steplength rules are derived from minimizing an upper bound of the errors associated with players' decisions. It is shown that these rules generate sequences that converge almost surely to an equilibrium of the stochastic Nash game. Importantly, variants of this rule are suggested where players independently select steplength sequences while abiding by an overall coordination requirement. Preliminary numerical results are seen to be promising.
Genome Landscape and Evolutionary Plasticity of Chromosomes in Malaria Mosquitoes

Background: Nonrandom distribution of rearrangements is a common feature of eukaryotic chromosomes that is not well understood in terms of genome organization and evolution. In the major African malaria vector Anopheles gambiae, polymorphic inversions are highly nonuniformly distributed among five chromosomal arms and are associated with epidemiologically important adaptations. However, it is not clear whether the genomic content of the chromosomal arms is associated with inversion polymorphism and fixation rates. Methodology/Principal Findings: To better understand the evolutionary dynamics of chromosomal inversions, we created a physical map for an Asian malaria mosquito, Anopheles stephensi, and compared it with the genome of An. gambiae .W e also developed and deployed novel Bayesian statistical models to analyze genome landscapes in individual chromosomal arms An. gambiae. Here, we demonstrate that, despite the paucity of inversion polymorphisms on the X chromosome, this chromosome has the fastest rate of inversion fixation and the highest density of transposable elements, simple DNA repeats, and GC content. The highly polymorphic and rapidly evolving autosomal 2R arm had overrepresentation of genes involved in cellular response to stress supporting the role of natural selection in maintaining adaptive polymorphic inversions. In addition, the 2R arm had the highest density of regions involved in segmental duplications that clustered in the breakpoint-rich zone of the arm. In contrast, the slower evolving 2L, 3R, and 3L, arms were enriched with matrixattachment regions that potentially contribute to chromosome stability in the cell nucleus. Conclusions/Significance: These results highlight fundamental differences in evolutionary dynamics of the sex chromosome and autosomes and revealed the strong association between characteristics of the genome landscape and rates of chromosomal evolution. We conclude that a unique combination of various classes of genes and repetitive DNA in each arm, rather than a single type of repetitive element, is likely responsible for arm-specific rates of rearrangements.