cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Performance without pain = productivity: data layout and collective communication in UPC

The next generations of supercomputers are projected to have hundreds of thousands of processors. However, as the numbers of processors grow, the scalability of applications will be the dominant challenge. This forces us to reexamine some of our fundamental ways that we approach the design and use of parallel languages and runtime systems.In this paper we show how the globally shared arrays in a popular Partitioned Global Address Space (PGAS) language, Unified Parallel C (UPC), can be combined with a new collective interface to improve both performance and scalability. This interface allows subsets, or teams, of threads to perform a collective together. As opposed to MPI's communicators, our interface allows set of threads to be placed in teams instantly rather than explicitly constructing communicators, thus allowing for a more dynamic team construction and manipulation.We motivate our ideas with three application kernels: Dense Matrix Multiplication, Dense Cholesky factorization and multidimensional Fourier transforms. We describe how the three aforementioned applications can be succinctly written in UPC thereby aiding productivity. We also show how such an interface allows for scalability by running on up to 16,384 processors on the Blue-Gene/L. In a few lines of UPC code, we wrote a dense matrix multiply routine achieves 28.8 TFlop/s and a 3D FFT that achieves 2.1 TFlop/s. We analyze our performance results through models and show that the machine resources rather than the interfaces themselves limit the performance.
UNCERTAINTY-BASED TRUST ESTIMATION IN A MULTI-VALUED TRUST ENVIRONMENT

Despite the widespread usage of the evaluation mediums for online services by the clients, there is a requirement for a trust evaluation tool that provides the clients with the degree of trustworthiness of the service providers. Such a tool can provide increased familiarity with unknown third party entities, e.g. service providers, especially when those entities neither project completely trustworthy nor totally untrustworthy behaviour. Indeed, developing some metrics for trust evaluation under uncertainty can come handy, e.g., for customers interested in evaluating the trustworthiness of an unknown service provider throughout queries to other customers of unknown reliability. In this research, we propose an evaluation metric to estimate the degree of trustworthiness of an unknown agent, say aD, through the information acquired through a group of agents who have interacted with agent aD. This group of agents is assumed to have an unknown degree of reliability. In order to tackle the uncertainty associated with the trust of these set of unknown agents, we suggest to use possibility distributions. Later, we introduce a new certainty metric to measure the degree of agreement in the information reported by the group of agents in A on agent aD. Fusion rules are then used to measure an estimation of the agent aD’s degree of trustworthiness. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work that estimates trust, out of empirical data, subject to some uncertainty, in a discrete multi-valued trust domain. Finally, numerical experiments are presented to validate the proposed tools and metrics.
Algorithms for dynamic geometric problems over data streams

Computing over data streams is a recent phenomenon that is of growing interest in many areas of computer science, including databases, computer networks and theory of algorithms. In this scenario, it is assumed that the algorithm sees the elements of the input one-by-one in arbitrary order, and needs to compute a certain function of the input. However, it does not have enough memory to store the whole input. Therefore, it must maintain a “sketch” of the data. Designing a sketching method for a given problem is a novel and exciting challenge for algorithm design. The initial research in streaming algorithms has focused on computing simple numerical statistics of the input, like median [23], number of distinct elements [11] or frequency moments [1]. More recently, the researchers showed that one can use those algorithms as subroutines to solve more complex problems (e.g., cf. [13]); see the survey [24] for detailed description of the past and recent developments. Still, the scope of algorithmic problems for which stream algorithms exist is not well understood. It is therefore of importance to identify new classes of problems that can be solved in this restricted settings. In this paper we investigate stream algorithms for dynamic geometric problems. Specifically, we present low-storage data structures that maintain approximate solutions to geometric problems, under insertions and deletions of points (this is called a turnstile model in [24]). From the data stream perspective, the stream consists of m operations, each of them is either Add(p) (that adds p to the current
Design of Rate-Compatible IRA Codes for Capacity-Approaching with Hybrid ARQ

We consider the design of efficient rate-compatible (RC) irregular repeat accumulate (IRA) codes, a subclass of LDPC codes, over a wide code rate range. The goal is to provide a family of RC codes to achieve high throughput in hybrid automatic repeat request (ARQ) scheme for high-speed data packet wireless systems. We focus on a hybrid design method which employs both puncturing and extending. We propose a simple puncturing method based on minimizing the maximal recoverable step of the punctured nodes and a new extending scheme by introducing the degree-1 parity bits for the lower rate codes and obtaining the optimal proportions of extended nodes through density evolution analysis. Simulation results show that our designed RC codes offer good error correction performance over a wide rate range and provide high throughput, especially in the high and low SNR regions.
Impact of Peer Health Coaching on Glycemic Control in Low-Income Patients With Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Trial

PURPOSE Peer health coaches offer a potential model for extending the capacity of primary care practices to provide self-management support for patients with diabetes. We conducted a randomized controlled trial to test whether clinic-based peer health coaching, compared with usual care, improves glycemic control for low-income patients who have poorly controlled diabetes. METHOD We undertook a randomized controlled trial enrolling patients from 6 public health clinics in San Francisco. Twenty-three patients with a glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) level of less than 8.5%, who completed a 36-hour health coach training class, acted as peer coaches. Patients from the same clinics with HbA1C levels of 8.0% or more were recruited and randomized to receive health coaching (n = 148) or usual care (n = 151). The primary outcome was the differ- ence in change in HbA1C levels at 6 months. Secondary outcomes were propor- tion of patients with a decrease in HbA1C level of 1.0% or more and proportion of patients with an HbA1C level of less than 7.5% at 6 months. Data were ana- lyzed using a linear mixed model with and without adjustment for differences in baseline variables. RESULTS At 6 months, HbA1C levels had decreased by 1.07% in the coached group and 0.3% in the usual care group, a difference of 0.77% in favor of coaching (P = .01, adjusted). HbA1C levels decreased 1.0% or more in 49.6% of coached patients vs 31.5% of usual care patients (P = .001, adjusted), and levels at 6 months were less than 7.5% for 22.0% of coached vs 14.9% of usual care patients (P = .04, adjusted). CONCLUSIONS Peer health coaching signifi cantly improved diabetes control in this group of low-income primary care patients.
Image-guided radiotherapy in near real time with intensity-modulated radiotherapy megavoltage treatment beam imaging.

Purpose To utilize image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) in near real time by obtaining and evaluating the online positions of implanted fiducials from continuous electronic portal imaging device (EPID) imaging of prostate intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) delivery. Methods and Materials Upon initial setup using two orthogonal images, the three-dimensional (3D) positions of all implanted fiducial markers are obtained, and their expected two-dimensional (2D) locations in the beam's-eye-view (BEV) projection are calculated for each treatment field. During IMRT beam delivery, EPID images of the megavoltage treatment beam are acquired in cine mode and subsequently analyzed to locate 2D locations of fiducials in the BEV. Simultaneously, 3D positions are estimated according to the current EPID image, information from the setup portal images, and images acquired at other gantry angles (the completed treatment fields). The measured 2D and 3D positions of each fiducial are compared with their expected 2D and 3D setup positions, respectively. Any displacements larger than a predefined tolerance may cause the treatment system to suspend the beam delivery and direct the therapists to reposition the patient. Results Phantom studies indicate that the accuracy of 2D BEV and 3D tracking are better than 1 mm and 1.4 mm, respectively. A total of 7330 images from prostate treatments were acquired and analyzed, showing a maximum 2D displacement of 6.7 mm and a maximum 3D displacement of 6.9 mm over 34 fractions. Conclusions This EPID-based, real-time IGRT method can be implemented on any external beam machine with portal imaging capabilities without purchasing any additional equipment, and there is no extra dose delivered to the patient.
The Incidence of Upper and Lower Extremity Surgery for Rheumatoid Arthritis Among Medicare Beneficiaries

The prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis has risen in recent years, resulting in substantial increases in rheumatoid arthritis-associated disability, cost, and mortality1-3. Furthermore, rheumatoid arthritis is increasingly concentrated among elderly individuals, and nearly 50% of patients who are newly diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis are sixty-five years of age and older4. Although there is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, early treatment with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) can slow disease progression and has rapidly become the standard of care for patients with newly diagnosed disease5. Unlike young individuals, elderly patients with rheumatoid arthritis are less likely to receive treatment with DMARDs6,7, are more likely to suffer from multiple comorbid conditions requiring additional medications, and may be more sensitive to drug interactions and polypharmacy8-10. Additionally, complications from potent immunosuppressive medications may be more difficult for elderly individuals to tolerate; drug metabolism may be markedly different among older individuals11,12. Rheumatoid arthritis-related joint and soft-tissue reconstructive procedures can predictably correct deformity, avoid flexion contraction, alleviate pain, and improve function and quality of life13,14. Furthermore, surgical reconstruction for the upper extremity can often be performed on an outpatient basis under regional anesthetic, minimizing the physiologic stress of surgery. However, surgery is often considered only in the late stage of rheumatoid arthritis for patients who have developed severe pain, joint destruction, or function loss with failure to respond to pharmaceutical therapy13,15,16. Moreover, the patient and provider factors that influence the timing of surgery are not well understood. Given the aging population in the United States, defining the epidemiology of rheumatoid arthritis-related procedures among elderly patients can identify potential areas of unmet need and systematic differences in treatment. In this context, we examined the incidence of upper and lower extremity procedures performed for rheumatoid arthritis-related deformities among a cohort of Medicare beneficiaries in the United States. Our purpose was to define the timing and rates of upper and lower limb reconstructive procedures performed following the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. We hypothesized that overall rates of upper and lower limb reconstruction decline with age and are significantly associated with sociodemographic factors and regional density of specialists.
Postpartum contraceptive preferences of HIV-infected women in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and scheduled cesarean deliveries.

Abstract Background We sought to determine if postpartum tubal ligation among HIV-infected women changed with the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and scheduled cesarean delivery. Methods Retrospective cohort study of HIV-infected women delivered before (Pre-HAART) and after (Post-HAART) the introduction of HAART and scheduled cesarean delivery. Rates of the primary outcome, postpartum tubal ligation (PPTL), were compared by univariable and multivariable analyses. Results We found that 34.5% (60/174) of women in the Post-HAART period chose PPTL, compared to 22.0% (18/82) in the Pre-HAART period [unadjusted OR=1.87 (95% CI 1.02–3.44), p=.04]. When stratified by mode of delivery, rates of PPTL were not significantly different between the two periods. Similarly, in multivariable analysis controlling for confounders, rates of PPTL were not different between the two periods [adjusted OR=1.40 (95% CI=0.66–2.99), p=.39]. Conclusions HIV-infected women on HAART are overall more likely to have PPTL, but cesarean delivery appears to be the facilitator of this choice.
Generalized Stokes parameters of random electromagnetic beams

A generalization of the Stokes parameters of a random electromagnetic beam is introduced. Unlike the usual Stokes parameters, which depend on one spatial variable, the generalized Stokes parameters, depend on two spatial variables. They obey precise laws of propagation, both in free space and in any linear medium, whether deterministic or random. With the help of the generalized Stokes parameters, the changes in the ordinary Stokes parameters upon propagation can be determined. Numerical examples of such changes are presented. The generalized Stokes parameters contain information not only about the polarization properties of the beam but also about its coherence properties. We illustrate this fact by expressing the degree of coherence of the electromagnetic beam in terms of one of the generalized Stokes parameters.
Multicomponent, School-Based Strategies to Prevent HIV Infection and Sexually Transmitted Diseases Among Adolescents: Theory and Research Into Practice

American adolescents are at high risk for infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)—the virus that causes AIDS—and for the acquisition of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Given the ser...
Stride activity level in young and middle-aged adults with hip disorders

ObjectivesTo determine the activity level, represented by total daily strides (TDS), of young and middle-aged adults with hip disorders and asymptomatic controls and to assess the association between TDS and self-report functional measures. Methods: Patients (age 15–50) with deep hip or groin pain (n = 202) and controls (n = 20) wore an accelerometer that recorded TDS. Symptomatic subjects completed self-report questionnaires. Symptomatic subjects were classified into subgroups: femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), isolated labral tear (LT) and osteoarthritis (OA) based on intraoperative findings. Between-group comparisons of TDS were performed and correlations between TDS and questionnaires were determined. Results: Overall, controls recorded greater TDS than symptomatic subjects; however, between-group comparisons showed that FAI and DDH were similar to controls. OA demonstrated fewer TDS than FAI (4327 [2075] vs. 5095 [2354]). In symptomatic subjects, TDS had a ...
Labial Adhesions and Outcomes of Office Management

Abstract Study Objective To evaluate clinical outcomes of labial adhesions (LA) and to examine the association between LA, lichen sclerosus (LS), eczema (ECZ), or asthma. Design Retrospective study. Setting Single pediatric and adolescent gynecology clinic, Houston, Texas. Participants 50 girls diagnosed with LA from 2006-2011. Interventions and Main Outcome Measures Resolution, recurrence, single vs multiple treatments, need for surgery, and conditions such as LS, ECZ, and asthma were reviewed. Results Mean age was 19.6 months (range 0-84 months), and 48% were Caucasian. Most patients were symptomatic (62%) and all 50 patients chose estrogen treatment. The majority (74%) required multiple treatments, as opposed to a single treatment (26%). Patients with multiple treatments were more likely to be severely agglutinated ( P = .05) and to need manual separation after failed topical treatment ( P = .08). The prevalence of asthma, LS, and ECZ was 9.8%, 7.8%, and 3.9% respectively. There was no association between LS, ECZ, or asthma, and number of treatments. Both asthma (N = 3; 8%), and LS (N = 2; 5%) were present among the severe agglutinated group; however, this difference was not statistically significant ( P values .59 and .99). No association with ECZ was seen in either group. Conclusion Severe agglutination tends to be associated with need of multiple treatments and manual separation. A concurrent diagnosis of LS, ECZ, or asthma was not associated with number of treatments but there appears to be a trend towards severity of LA in patients with asthma and LS.
Qualitative models of molecular function: linking genetic polymorphisms of tRNA to their functional sequelae

The exponential growth in the volume of biological information available makes it difficult for researchers to assemble the details into coherent models. Although an accurate model is ideal, full details are not generally available and are gained only incrementally. Therefore, as a first step toward integration of information, we propose a knowledge model for the qualitative representation of the relationships between mutations in genes and their effects at molecular cellular and clinical phenotypic levels. Our framework combines and extends two components: 1) a workflow model that allows hierarchical process and participant specifications; 2) Transparent Access to Multiple Bioinformatics Information Sources and the Unified Medical Language System, which serve as controlled biological and medical terminologies. By mapping our framework to Petri nets, we can perform qualitative simulations to validate models, and aid in predicting system behavior in the presence of dysfunctional components. This can be a step toward accurate quantitative models. Our application domain is the role of transfer ribonucleic acid molecules in protein translation-related disease. As an initial evaluation, we show that Petri nets derived from the historic and current views of the translation process yield different dynamic behavior. Our model is available at http://smi.stanford.edu/projects/helix/pubs/process-model/.
Interpreting budget deficits in Latin America: Methods with application to Argentina

Fiscal policy in Latin American countries is too often evaluated on the basis of raw deficit figures. This study demonstrates how the effects of inflation on the deficit must be removed in order to derive the discretionary component of fiscal policy. Once this correction is made, fiscal policy can be evaluated by testing the movement of the deficit with respect to alternative policy targets. As an illustration, the author employs Argentine data in order to decompose the deficit and determine the degree to which it is a reflection of budget endogeneity versus populism/social conflict. Copyright 1999 by Oxford University Press.
Youth Leadership Development: A National Analysis of FFA Member Role and Activity Context.

A purpose of youth organizations is to develop leadership skills among members through organizational structure and organization sponsored activities. But do they develop those skills? This national, multi-stage study examined the role of youth and the context of their activities in developing leadership in rural FFA chapters. FFA members had a higher level of agreement with statements indicating that activities focused on self-development and the lowest agreement with statements focused on the community. FFA members indicated that in their interactions with adults they were most likely to be treated as partners. It follows that in the role-context matrix, the strongest agreement with statements regarding their interaction with adults and the dimension of leadership development was in developing self in a partnership role with adults. Youth leadership activities should help youth gain skills that help them understand self, interact with others, function effectively in groups, and provide leadership within the community.
Conifer seedling distribution and survival in an alpine-treeline ecotone

The importance of seedling establishment to the position ofalpine-treeline is recognized, yet little is known about factorsaffecting the survival of seedlings of treeline conifers during their initialyears of growth and establishment. This establishment period may have thegreatest mortality of all life stages until death of mature trees by disease orfire. Spatial and temporal patterns in the distribution and survival ofseedlings of Picea engelmannii and Abieslasiocarpa were evaluated over four years in analpine-treeline ecotone of the Snowy Range, Wyoming, USA. Seedlings andsaplings of both species occurred most frequently near islands of adult trees.For P. englemannii, this appeared partly due to decreasedsurvivorship of young seedlings (< 5 cm height) with greaterdistance away from tree islands. Survival of emergents of P.engelmannii was 28% greater on the north compared to southsides of tree islands, 48% lower on south-facing slopes comparedto other aspects, and 70% greater with overhead cover such as treebranches. Survival of emergents was greater in microsites with grass cover(90% survival) compared to without ground cover (44% survival),but lowest in microsites surrounded, but not covered, by grass (19%).From 1994–1999, natural seedling emergence and survival washighest in 1995 (80% survival of 221 P.engelmannii,and 100% of seven A. lasiocarpa, in a sample areaof432 m2), when the smallest mean difference in dailymaximum and minimum temperatures occurred, and lowest in 1994 (30% ofseven P. engelmannii), when above-averagetemperatures were accompanied by low rainfall and clear skies. The growthseasons of 1994 and 1995 had among the lowest and highest precipitation of theprevious 30-year period, respectively. In an artificial seedingexperiment, less than 20% of seedlings of both species survived theirfirst complete year of growth. In the autumn of the second year, almost25% additional mortality was observed in the remaining experimentalseedlings when they were exposed to clear, cold skies without the normalprotection of snowcover. Both spatial and temporal patterns of seedlingsurvivalsuggest that exposure to high sunlight may exacerbate low-temperatureandwater stress in young conifer seedlings, inhibiting their establishment in thisalpine treeline.
Ruminal escape protein supplementation and zeranol implantation effects on performance of steers grazing winter annuals.

Fifty-four crossbred steers (275 kg) were assigned randomly to one of three isoenergetic but not isonitrogenous ruminal escape protein (JT) supplements: high ruminal escape protein m), low ruminal escape protein (LEP), or corn. The supplements contained corn, distillers' dried grains with solubles (DDGS), and fish meal. Supplements were fed at approximately 1.5 kg/d; the HEP and LEP supplements provided .25 and .12 kg more EP per day than corn, respectively. These supplements also supplied .20 and .10 kg more CP per day than corn. Fish meal and DDGS provided 66.7 and 33.3% of the supplemental EP, respectively. One-half of the steers in each supplement treatment were implanted once with 36 mg of zeranol. Steers grazed wheat (Triticum aestivwn L.)-annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) pastures for 73 d (March 1 to May 12). Daily gains (kg/d) increased linearly (P .2) performance during the feedlot phase or carcass characteristics other than increased ribeye area (P .2) between EP treatments. No interactions (P > .2) between EP and zeranol were noted in either the grazing or feedlot phase.
Marital Interaction: Effects on Child Development

The traditional focus of socialization research has been on parent–child interactions, often neglecting broader family influences, such as marital relations. With widespread relations reported between marital conflict and child adjustment, and with the publication of a landmark review by Robert Emery, a concern has arisen about relations between marital conflict and child adjustment. Effects on children are, in part, a function of how marital conflict is defined. Children's adjustment problems are predicted when marital conflict is defined as unresolved discord, particularly when conflicts are intense and include violence. However, when marital conflict is defined broadly as problem solving, both positive and negative effects on children's functioning are found, depending upon how these everyday situations are handled by the parents. Children are affected by marital conflict (a) owing to exposure to these situations, and (b) because of the effects that marital conflict has on children via changes in parenting practices. A current theory is that children's adjustment is negatively affected when marital conflict increases children's emotional insecurity about family functioning.
Analysis of Radioactive Compounds by Gas Chromatography

The use of radioactive tracers, analysis of the radioactive compounds by gas chromatography, and measurement of the radioactivity in the effluent of the GLC column represent a powerful combination of techniques that will facilitate the performance of many kinds of studies. The radioactivity can be measured in a number of ways, each of which was studied, and the experimental conditions necessary for successful operation of each were defined. Among other applications, this methodology can be used to study biosynthetic pathways in vivo and in vitro, as in fatty acid synthesis, to study relative rates of metabolism of groups of compounds, to determine traces of specific compounds in complex mixtures, and to calibrate the gas chromatograph. (auth)
Promoting interaction between organizations of medical librarians and health care professionals.

Les associations des bibliothecaires en sciences sanitaires ont plusieurs possibilites pour se positionner en tant que fournisseurs d'information. Le rapprochement des associations telles que l'ALHeLA (Alabama Health Libraries Association) avec les associations des professionnels de la sante ont permis de montrer que les bibliothecaires peuvent mener a l'information. Cependant l'enquete menee aupres des bibliothecaires montre qu'il existe peu de rapprochements
Marine influence controls plant phenological dynamics in Mediterranean Mexico

Aims To assess the role of moisture in phenological timing in the mediterranean coastal flora of Baja California, and specifically to assess the role of coastal fog and ocean-derived moisture in plant phenology. Moisture seems to be the primary driver of flowering times and durations at the arid end of the mediterranean-climate region, where rainfall is often sporadic (temperature and day length can be expected to play a much lesser role as they are not growth limiting). We aimed to understand: What factors drive climatic variation between sites? Are there general flowering patterns allowing us to identify phenological categories? Do flowering patterns vary in relation to site-specific weather? and most importantly, does maritime influence on weather affect flowering dynamics in coastal mediterranean ecosystems? Methods The southernmost extent of the California Floristic Province (in Baja California, Mexico) is a biological diversity hotspot of high endemism and conservation value, with two steep moisture gradients: rainfall (N–S) and coastal fogs (W–E), providing an ideal study system. We installed five weather stations across the moisture gradients, recording data hourly. We monitored flowering phenology in the square kilometer surrounding each weather station from 2010 to 2013. About 86 plant taxa were monitored across the five sites, every 6–8 weeks. Averaged climatic data is presented with general trends in flowering, and specific flowering syndromes were observed. Data for flowering intensity across the sites was analyzed using a principal components analysis. Important Findings Data analysis demonstrates a general seasonal pattern in flowering times, but distinct differences in local weather and phenology between the five study sites. Three flowering syndromes are revealed in the flora: (i) water responders or spring bloomers, (ii) day-length responders or fall-blooming taxa and (iii) aseasonal bloomers with no seasonal affinity. The two moisture gradients are the strongest drivers of flowering times. Inland sites showed higher phenological variation than coastal sites where seasonality is dampened by ocean-derived moisture, which extends and buffers perennial plant phenology and is a probable driver of local endemism. Phenological controls vary globally with climate and geography; moisture is the primary driver of phenology in mediterranean climates and fog is an important climatic variable in coastal Mexico.
William Novshek on Hugo F. Sonnenschein

I met Hugo when I was in the first year of the economics Ph.D. program at Iowa. The usual instructor for the second semester microeconomics course was on leave and the department had arranged for Hugo, who was at Northwestern, and Rich Kihlstrom, who was at Illinois, to share teaching the course. Each week, one of them would fly in for a day of intensive instruction. It was a memorable course for both the topics and the enthusiasm of the instructors, and it led to my transfer to Northwestern the following fall. After my first year at Northwestern, Hugo moved to Princeton and I followed informally for part of his first summer there and later, after finishing my coursework with a final quarter physically at Northwestern, as a visiting student at Princeton.
Hierarchically structured hematite architectures achieved by growth in a silica hydrogel.

Biomineralization strategies include the use of hydrogels to direct the formation of composite, single-crystal-like structures with unique structure–property profiles. Application of similar synthetic approaches to transition-metal oxides has the promise to yield low-temperature routes to hierarchically structured crystals that are optimized for a range of applications. Here, growth of hematite (α-Fe2O3) within a silica hydrogel resulted in hierarchical, mosaic crystals preferentially expressing catalytically active {110} facets, which are absent in solution-grown controls. Quantitative structural and compositional analysis reveals architectural changes that begin with the incorporation of silicon into the hematite lattice and propagate through to the nanoscale domain structure and assembly, leading to microscale morphologies that show improved photocatalytic performance. This work demonstrates the potential of applying bioinspired crystallization techniques to design functional oxides with multiscale arc...
Phagocytes and Worms: David and Goliath Revisited

Most of our interest in mechanisms of host defense centers on the effector cells, the phagocytes. Bernard Shaw described their interaction with pathogens as one of Metchnikoffs most suggestive biological romances, in which phagocytes attack "disease germs" only when they are buttered with the natural sauce opsonin. This scenario, of course, did not include in the category of disease germs worms ranging in size from millimeters to meters and making up a formidable if not impossible feast. Although we now understand many details of the microbicidal activity of phagocytes against ingestible organisms, we also know that worms present a major obstacle to defense mechanisms.
BRAT-nova: fast and accurate mapping of bisulfite-treated reads.

UNLABELLED In response to increasing amounts of sequencing data, faster and faster aligners need to become available. Here, we introduce BRAT-nova, a completely rewritten and improved implementation of the mapping tool BRAT-BW for bisulfite-treated reads (BS-Seq). BRAT-nova is very fast and accurate. On the human genome, BRAT-nova is 2-7 times faster than state-of-the-art aligners, while maintaining the same percentage of uniquely mapped reads and space usage. On synthetic reads, BRAT-nova is 2-8 times faster than state-of-the-art aligners while maintaining similar mapping accuracy, methylation call accuracy, methylation level accuracy and space efficiency. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION The software is available in the public domain at http://compbio.cs.ucr.edu/brat/ CONTACT elenah@cs.ucr.edu SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Technical Characteristics and Evaluation Index System of Active Distribution Network

As a novel"Source-Net-Load"ternary structure of distribution system,active distribution netw ork( ADN) is the main technical mean to solve the large-scale and high penetration of distributed energy in near future. This paper focused on the overall architecture and key features of ADN,elaborated the technique concepts of ADN and proposed scientific and complete evaluation index system for ADN, including the characteristic indexes of intermittent energy sources gridconnection,ADN control and operation. The quantitative analysis of "reason-process-result"of ADN w as carried out w ith using these indexes,w hich had important guiding significance and reference value to the choice of the technical route and implementing scheme of ADN.
Characteristics of Oestrous and Breeding in Captive Roe Deer

The breeding characteristics of Roe deer Capreolus capreolus bedfordi in captivity were studied in Jilin Agricultural Science Technology College.The result indicated that the Roe deer was short-day breeding and monoestrous animals.The age of sexual maturation was 14±2 months.The buck showed sexual exciting and mating ability during whole breeding season.But the estrous behaviors in doe were not significant.When doe got close to buck actively,it was the best time for mating.Practically,the breeding mode was one buck mating multiple does at the ratio of 1∶4.
Computational Celtic Canvas for Zoomorphs and Knotworks

This paper presents Celtic Canvas -a framework towards computationally generating patterns similar to simple Celtic artwork. As Celtic patterns are highly structured, a robust model of curvature dynamics is introduced in the paper to allow the evolution of space curves as a foundation for line drawing and structural anatomy. Cellular automata integrates several features including -lines and forms, allocation of space, a solution of crossing states, the occlusion processing, depth cues, and line weighing. Lattice gas automata assist in generating varying width patterns. Original digitally available artwork provides shapes and forms as line-art. Our novel contribution is that we are successful in generating examples of knotwork and zoomorphs (animal designs shapes) that mimic the characteristics of the Celtic art forms. Future research areas are also identified.
A mutant of Tetrahymena thermophila with a partial mirror-image duplication of cell surface pattern: II. Nature of genie control

The CU-127 clone of Tetrahymena thermophila , which manifests an unusually high number of ciliary rows plus a second set of abnormal oral structures and of contractile vacuole pores with partial mirror-image reversal of asymmetry (Jerka-Dziadosz & Frankel, 1979), has been subjected to breeding analysis. The progeny ratios obtained in various crosses indicate that the abnormalities of cell-surface asymmetry are brought to expression as a result of the action of a recessive allele at a single gene locus, here named janus . When previously normal cells were made homozygous for the jan allele, the cortical pattern characteristic of the CU-127 clone came rapidly to expression, often without associated change in number of ciliary meridians. Conversely, when cells previously expressing jan re-acquired the wild-type ( jan + ) allele, they returned to the normal pattern of a single normal oral structure and a single normally located set of contractile vacuole pores while still retaining the high ciliary meridian number characteristic of the original CU-127 clone. The capacity for manifestation of the unique asymmetry pattern depends solely on homozygous expression of the janus allele, whereas the stable number of ciliary meridians in janus clones and the degree of expression of secondary OAs is modulated by other factors, probably at least in part genie. These results, taken together with those of the preceding paper, indicate that the janus allele promotes the propagation and/or expression of a condition of reversed asymmetry in a precisely located cell region, and further indicates that the propagation and expression of this condition are largely independent of the number and asymmetry of ciliary meridians.
Towers of Hanoi and London: Reliability and Validity of Two Executive Function Tasks.

The Towers of Hanoi and London are presumed to measure executive functions such as planning and working memory. Both have been used as a putative assessment of frontal lobe function. In this study, both tasks were administered to 61 normal adult participants to test the assumption that the two tasks are measuring the same cognitive processes. The results revealed a significant, but relatively low (.37) correlation between performances on the two tasks. Follow-up analyses indicated that the likely source of the lack of convergence was the unreliability of the Tower of London. Thus, the common assumption that the two tasks are isomorphic must be questioned.
Amino acid transport: microinfusion and micropuncture of Henle's loops and vasa recta

Amino acids appear to be reabsorbed distal to the tips of loops of Henle and may be recycled between loops and vasa recta in rat papilla. These possibilities were examined further by microinfusion and micropuncture of loops of Henle and vasa recta. To obtain information on the specificity of amino acid transport distal to the tips of the loops, ascending limbs were continuously microinfused with radioactively labeled L- and D-alanine, L-glutamate, taurine, and mannitol. About 30% of the L- and D-alanine and L-glutamate but none of the taurine or mannitol appeared to be reabsorbed. These results suggest that an acidic and a neutral amino acid are reabsorbed to a similar extent, that reabsorption is not stereospecific, but that it does not occur indiscriminately for all amino acids or for all molecules of similar size. Continuous microinfusion of ascending vasa recta with radioactively labeled L- and D-alanine suggests that amino acids may be able to move from vasa recta into tubules (apparently loops of Henle) without first entering the systemic circulation. However, micropuncture measurements of concentrations of endogenous amino acids in thin ascending limbs and adjacent descending vasa recta do not demonstrate a gradient for passive movement out of loops.
Enhancing Patient Care and Care Coordination using Event Notification Systems

Event notification systems ENS are being deployed to provide timely alerts to participating providers when their patients are being admitted, discharged or transferred ADT from participating hospitals. Hospitals and health information exchanges HIE are implementing ENS in an effort to reduce costly hospital readmissions and to improve the overall quality of patient care through improved care coordination. Today, there are numerous ENS actively facilitating care coordination across the country. For those participating providers and hospitals, coordination has been significantly improved and hospital readmissions have been reduced. Furthermore, patients and clinicians report improved patient care and care coordination, and report higher levels of patient satisfaction. Despite reported success, the application and implementation of ENS vary across the country. Some of the variability stems from the challenges that are inherent to the design of the ENS. These challenges, discussed herein, require careful consideration in order to fully realize ENS benefits.
Dating of Ross Ice Shelf Cores by Chemical Analysis

Seasonal variations in sodium concentrations have been measured on surface-pit snow samples and on firn and ice core samples from the Ross Ice Shelf, Antarctica. Site locations include J-9 (82° 22’ S., 168° 40’ W.), Roosevelt Island dome (79° 22’ S, 161° 40’ W), C-7-1 (78° 30’ S., 177° 00’ W.), and C-7-3 (78° 20’S., 179° 51’ E.). The predominant source for the Na is sea salt, indicated by greater concentration levels at seaward sites. Al concentrations of the order of only 10–9 g/g show that the input of continental dust is comparable to that at inland Antarctic locations, and that dust contributes only a negligibly small fraction of the Na on the shelf. Maximum Na concentrations occur in the winter or early spring, as is the case for Greenland ice. The annual accumulation-rate at J-9, determined by counting Na concentration peaks with depth, is 90 kg m–2 year–1, in agreement with rates determined radiometrically. Annual cycles in Na concentration are also detectable at depth in the J-9 ice core. It is suggested that Na concentration is a useful diagnostic criterion for distinguishing between East Antarctic ice (10–8 g Na/g), West Antarctic ice (30 × 10–9 g Na/g), and ice that fell as snow on the shelf itself (> 30 × 10–9g Na/g). The transition between snow that is chemically characteristic of the ice-shelf regime to snow of an inland regime is expected to occur near the 500 m elevation contour. This position is up to 200 km inland of the grounding line. A model is presented for the large-scale decrease in Na concentration with distance inland within the ice-shelf regime. Since deeper ice in Ross Ice Shelf cores originated generally further from the ocean, the up-stream origin of shelf ice may be estimated from the chemical profile. The Little America V ice-core chemistry profile shows no discontinuity as would be expected if a recent surge of West Antarctic ice had occurred.
Policy-based monitoring and energy management for NFV Data Centers

Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) Point of Presence (PoP) Data Centers are often constrained by compute and storage capacity and the cost of energy required to operate the data centers. High energy cost is a general concern for NFV operators, and in particular for specific-purpose NFV PoP DCs such as those in mobile core networks. In this context, optimized resource management and workload distribution based on a domain-agnostic policy engine for driving energy efficiency in data centers is proposed. An open stack based solution is proposed to enable policy-based monitoring and energy management. The specified policies are used to enforce soft and hard constraints in the system with periodic event monitoring and dynamic resource management to minimize energy consumption.
Newer Lipid Markers: Apolipoprotein B, LDL Particle Concentration, and Triglyceride-Rich Lipoproteins – When Are They Needed?

Lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is a well-established strategy for cardiovascular risk reduction. Inherently, the focus is on LDL’s cholesterol content rather than its particle concentration. However, a number of studies have demonstrated that measures of particles burden, such as apolipoprotein B (apoB) and LDL particle concentration (LDL-P) can be discordant with LDL-C. When discordant, they appear to more strongly predict cardiovascular events, compared with LDL-C. Triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRL) play a key role in generating small dense LDL particles and are now causally implicated in atherosclerosis. This book chapter reviews the most important information about TRL, apoB, and LDL-P, and discusses relevant scenarios for the clinician where discordance between lipoprotein cholesterol content and lipoprotein particle concentration measurements should be considered.
Thinking in three dimensions: discovering reciprocal signaling between the extracellular matrix and nucleus and the wisdom of microenvironment and tissue architecture

I thought long and hard whether I could avoid talking about family and personal life, and just share the excitement of being a scientist and how science continues to sustain us all. But so many people, especially younger scientists, want to know-and always ask-How did you do it? A woman from Iran, a Middle Eastern country and essentially Muslim, now considered backwards and misguided if not downright scary, traveling very young and alone to the United States, finishing college and graduate school together with having children, first-year graduate school and second-year post doc-years ago, going against a number of entrenched dogmas, and yet succeeding against many odds and obstacles, and all the while on soft money? Below is my personal narrative answering some of these questions.
Bloom dynamics and chemical defenses of benthic cyanobacteria in the Indian River Lagoon, Florida.

Abstract Cyanobacterial blooms are predicted to become more prominent in the future as a result of increasing seawater temperatures and the continued addition of nutrients to coastal waters. Many benthic marine cyanobacteria have potent chemical defenses that protect them from top down pressures and contribute to the persistence of blooms. Blooms of benthic cyanobacteria have been observed along the coast of Florida and within the Indian River Lagoon (IRL), a biodiverse estuary system that spans 250 km along Florida’s east coast. In this study, the cyanobacterial bloom progression at three sites within the central IRL was monitored over the course of two summers. The blooms consisted of four unique cyanobacterial species, including the recently described Okeania erythroflocculosa. The cyanobacteria produced a range of known bioactive compounds including malyngolide, lyngbyoic acid, microcolins A–B, and desacetylmicrocolin B. Ecologically-relevant assays showed that malyngolide inhibited the growth of marine fungi (Dendryphiella salina and Lindra thalassiae); microcolins A–B and desacetylmicrocolin B inhibited feeding by a generalist herbivore, the sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus; and lyngbyoic acid inhibited fungal growth and herbivore feeding. These chemical defenses likely contribute to the persistence of cyanobacterial blooms in the IRL during the summer growing period.