cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimal task scheduling on distributed parallel processors

Abstract We study the optimal scheduling of n jobs, each with a given job dependent number of tasks, on a set of parallel processors, which operate in a distributed fashion (so that task migration is not allowed). The task processing times are independent and identically distributed, and a job is completed only when all of its tasks are completed. The optimal schedule assigns the tasks to the processors so as to minimize the flow time, the sum of the expected completion times of all jobs. While finding such an optimal schedule in general is a difficult combinatorial problem, our focus here is on identifying key structural properties of the optimal schedule, that provides insight and guidelines for task scheduling in parallel processing systems. Specifically, we develop simple, closed-form upper and lower bounds on the optimal flow time, and show that the ratio of the bounds goes to unity as the number of jobs increases. We also show that the optimal schedule has a threshold structure: there exists a threshold n∗ such that once n∗ jobs are scheduled, the remaining n - n ∗ jobs must be scheduled sequentially (i.e., each job with the entirety of its tasks is assigned to one processor only). In the special case of two processors, we further develop a recursive algorithm that generates the complete optimal schedule.
Bowenoid Changes in Kaposi's Sarcoma

background: Previous reports have documented the coexistence of multiple infectious organisms or Kaposi's sarcoma within the same biopsy specimens of mucocutaneous lesions in human immunodeficiency virus-(HIV) infected patients. objective: A 31-year-old black man with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) who had Bowenoid changes and Kaposi's sarcoma within the same cutaneous lesion is described. methods: Microbiologic cultures, microscopic examination, and polymerase chain reaction were performed on a lesional skin biopsy specimen to evaluate for infectious organisms, histopathology, and the presence of human papil-lomavirus (HPV) deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), respectively. results: Bacteria, fungi, and mycobacteria were not detected with special stains and cultures. The histologic findings were consistent with Bowen's disease in the epidermis and patch stage Kaposi's sarcoma in the dermis. There was no polymerase chain reaction product generated from the HPV-specific primers in two individual polymerase chain reaction assays. conclusion: The possibility that coexisting infectious or neoplastic disorders, or both, may be present within a single mucocutaneous lesion should always be considered when evaluating a lesion from an HIV seropositive individual.
Heterogeneity of murine mammary adenocarcinoma cell subpopulations. In vitro and in vivo resistance to macrophage cytotoxicity and its association with metastatic capacity.

Properties of Ts, a long-term tissue culture line of T1699 mammary adenocarcinoma of DBA/2 mice, and two of its sublines – TR2 and TL1–1 – were comparatively studied. Ts tumors produced no spontaneous metastases, nor did i.v. injection of up to 1 × 106 Ts cells produce a lung tumor nodule. Ts cells were susceptible to macrophage cytotoxicity in vitro and i.v. injected cells were rapidly destroyed in the lungs. TL1–1 tumors spontaneously metastasized to the lungs, and i.v. injection of 1 × 103 TL1–1 cells produced approximately 15 lung nodules per animal. TL1–1 cells were least susceptible to both macrophage-mediated cytolysis in vitro and in vivo host antitumor mechanisms. TR2 cells were intermediate with respect to all these properties. Differences in their susceptibility to macrophage cytotoxicity were recognized not only by normal peritoneal macrophages but also by murine macrophage lines. On the other hand, all the subpopulations were uniformily resistance to NK activity in vitro. These findings suggest that resistance of tumor cells in vitro to macrophage cytotoxicity corresponds with their in vivo metastatic potential.
Anti-sexual and anxiogenic behavioral consequences of corticotropin-releasing factor overexpression are centrally mediated

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) acts as a neurotransmitter in brain to promote behavioral responses such as flight and immobility, which have adaptive value in the context of exposure to environmental stressors. CRF also suppresses behavioral repertoires such as mating, which are incompatible with such threat-related coping responses. In this study, we employed transgenic (Tg) mice which overexpress CRF in brain and exhibit a constitutive and persistent phenotype of emotionality in order to determine the consequences of long-term CRF excess on indices of reproductive success, male sexual performance and female sexual receptivity. Sexual performance of CRF Tg males was relatively intact, whereas female receptivity was masked in CRF Tg mice by active rejection of sexually experienced male counterparts. This impairment in social interaction was only partially normalized by the serotonin antagonist, methysergide, which enhanced olfactory exploration of the still non-receptive CRF Tg females. Moreover, the anxiogenic-like character of CRF Tg mice is likely to be centrally mediated, since attenuation of hypercorticosteronemia by adrenalectomy did not alter either impaired sexual receptivity or fear-like behavior in an animal model of anxiety. Thus, overexpression of CRF in the brain results in a variety of adverse consequences including diminished social interactions.
Methodologic issues in the analysis of lung function data

Abstract The forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV 1 ) is routinely used in epidemiologic studies of lung function to assess the presence and severity of obstructive airways disease. Normative prediction equations developed using data from healthy, asymptomatic individuals may then be used both in a clinical setting and to adjust comparisons among risk subgroups for known demographic differences. Unfortunately no concensus has yet developed as to how best to model lung function data. This paper addresses this issue in a systematic manner using data derived from two cohorts followed over a period of 9–11 years. We compare a variety of cross-sectional and longitudinal models for FEV 1 , show how they may be expressed as members of a larger class of general linear models, and discuss goodness-of-fit procedures for comparing them. We found little objective evidence for discriminating among these models; only those fit to FEV 1 /ht 3 performed poorly. We argue on subjective grounds for the use of models based on FEV 1 , as a function of age, height and their interactions.
Membrane Curvature Change Induced by an Antimicrobial Peptide Detected by 31P Exchange NMR

The influence of an antimicrobial peptide, protegrin-1 (PG-1), on the curvature and lateral diffusion coefficient (DL) of phosphocholine bilayers is investigated using one- (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) 31P exchange NMR. The experiments utilize the fact that lipid lateral diffusion over the curved surface of vesicles changes the molecular orientation and thus the 31P chemical shift anisotropy. This reorientation is manifested in 2D spectra as off-diagonal intensities and in 1D stimulated-echo experiments as reduced echo heights. The 2D spectra give information on the reorientation-angle distribution while the decay of the stimulated-echo intensity, which closely tracks the second-order correlation function in our experiments, yields the correlation times of the reorientation. The relationships among the 2D exchange spectra, stimulated-echo intensities, the correlation function, and reorientation-angle distributions are analyzed in detail. In the absence of PG-1, both dilaurylphosphotidylcholine (DLPC) and...
Seismic Demand Evaluation for a 4‐Story Steel Frame Structure Damaged in the Northridge Earthquake

This paper summarizes results and conclusions from a case study concerned with the prediction of seismic demands and correlation of these demands with connection fractures discovered after the Northbridge earthquake. Two adjacent buildings are used for this purpose. One is a 4-storey building that experienced many connection fractures in a N–S perimeter frame. The other is a 2-storey building that did not exhibit visible connection fractures. The discussion focuses on analytical modeling issues and the interpretation of analytical results obtained from eight series of static (pushover) and dynamic (time history and spectral) analysis. The analytical models are different in each analysis series, ranging from a simple elastic centerline analysis model to inelastic models that incorporate the contributions of the floor slab to the lateral strangth and stiffness of moment resisting and simple frames. Two of the models are preliminary attempts to model the post-fracture behavior of one of the frame structures.
Parent and child behavior during immunization

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between a mother's rating of her own and her child's anxiety and their observed behavior during an immunization. Eighty-three preschool children and their mothers were observed in a health screening clinic while the child received an immunization. Each mother was asked to rate how anxious she and her child were immediately prior to the immunization. Both mother and child behaviors were observed and rated using separate 5-point behavior scales. The results of this study indicate that although child behavior during an immunization varied a great deal, most mothers reassured and very few admonished their children during the immunization procedure. Children with extremely reassuring parents fell into 2 distinct groups with half responding distressed and half non-distressed during the immunization. Mothers of these children who rated their children as highly anxious prior to the procedure had children who were most likely to be observed to be distressed during the procedure.
An input-output approach to energy efficiency in the U.S.A. and Japan (1960–1980)

Abstract Input-output tables for the U.S.A. and Japan are used to estimate changes in energy efficiency during the period 1960–1980. We used a method of Pasinetti which takes into account changes in the energy efficiency with which additions to capital stock are produced. Although we find substantial improvements in energy efficiency in both countries after 1970, the pace of improvement slowed in the U.S. after 1975, while rapid improvements continued in Japan. We believe that this gain is due to the continued rapid growth of Japanese investment.
Adhesion formation is reduced after laparoscopic surgery

Background: Adhesion formation after abdominal operations causes significant morbidity. Methods: Adhesion formation in pigs was compared after placement of prosthetic mesh during celiotomy (group 1), laparoscopy with large incision (group 2), and laparoscopy (group 3). After peritoneum was excised, polypropylene mesh was fixed to the abdominal wall, then to the opposite abdominal wall in the preperitoneal space followed by peritoneal closure. Adhesion area, grade, and vascularity were measured. Results: More adhesions (p < 0.02) covered intraperitoneal mesh (7.57 ± 1.89 cm2) than covered reperitonealized mesh (2.16 ± 1.13 cm2), and adhesion grade was significantly greater (p < 0.02). Adhesion areas were significantly greater in groups 1 and 2 than in group 3 (p= 0.001 and 0.03, respectively). Adhesion grade was significantly greater in groups 1 and 2 than in group 3 (p= 0.02 and p= 0.04, respectively). Groups 1 and 2 had more vascular adhesions than group 3 (p < 0.01 and p= 0.02, respectively) Conclusions: A foreign body within the peritoneum stimulates more numerous and denser adhesions. Tissue trauma distant from the site of adhesions increases their formation. A major advantage of laparoscopic surgery is decreased adhesion formation.
Evidence of maternal copper and cadmium transfer in two live-bearing fish species

We studied maternal transfer of an essential metal (copper) and a non-essential one (cadmium) in the live-bearing fishes Heterandria formosa and Gambusia affinis. The goals of this study were: (1) to determine whether metals are transferred from exposed females to their developing offspring; (2) to determine if this transfer differs between two fish species that differ in their degree of maternal provisioning during development; (3) to determine the duration of maternal metal transfer once females are no longer exposed; and (4) to determine whether copper and cadmium are transferred equivalently. We exposed gravid females to background levels (control) or 0.15 µM of metal for 10 days, and then transferred them to clean water. We allowed females to give birth to up to three broods, and then quantified metal levels in offspring born at least 3 days after the transfer. We detected maternal metal transfer for both metals and in both species. Offspring metal levels decreased as females spent more time in clean water. Similarly, metal levels were lower in later broods than in earlier ones. Maternal metal transfer was higher in H. formosa than in G. affinis. Our results constitute the first report of maternal metal transfer in live-bearing fishes, and show that developing embryos acquire both essential and non-essential metals from their mothers in both species. This shows that metal toxicity may be an issue for live-bearing fish in clean environments when the previous generation has encountered metal pollution.
Nucleosome-associated protein kinases in murine erythroleukemia cells.

Abstract Chromatin subunits from murine erythroleukemia cells were prepared by a method which releases actively transcribing genes. Two casein kinase activities (CK1 and CK2) were isolated from these nucleosomes by gel nitration in 0.5 m NaCl. CK1 (Mr ~ 200,000) and CK2 (Mr ~ 35,000) were further purified by phosphocellulose chromatography and characterized with regard to several parameters which may regulate their activity in vivo. CK1 has an NaCl optimum of 0.14 m , utilizes GTP as phosphate donor ~25% as efficiently as ATP, and phosphorylates a discrete group of high molecular weight nonhistone proteins in the unfractionated chromatin starting material. CK2 has an NaCl optimum of 0.24 m , cannot utilize GTP, and modifies a different group of nonhistones. Both kinases are inhibited by concentrations of hemin ( m ) which efficiently induce globin gene expression in erythroleukemia cells. A histone kinase resolved during the gel filtration step is unaffected by hemin. An investigation of the mode of hemin inhibition reveals that CK1 and CK2 interact in different fashions with the inhibitor.
β1 Integrin Expression Pattern in Transitional Urothelium Does Not Allow for Efficient Stem Cell Enrichment as in Other Epithelia

With a lack of distinct stem cell markers, isolation of tissue-specific stem cells for tissue engineering and gene therapy is a great challenge. Beta (beta)(1) integrin expression has been used as a way of enriching for putative epithelial stem cells through rapid adhesion to collagen IV or flow cytometry. This is a first report of enrichment of putative urothelial stem cells using rapid adhesion and flow cytometric methods. We assessed our success by determining the clonogenic and proliferative potential of the isolated cells. We demonstrated that enrichment based on beta(1) integrin expression with flow cytometry yields highly clonogenic and proliferative urothelial cells, whereas the rapid adhesion method is not as efficient, possibly because of the unique nature of urothelium, a transitional epithelium, compared to results reported in stratified and columnar epithelia.
Hybrid silicon evanescent approach to optical interconnects

We discuss the recently developed hybrid silicon evanescent platform (HSEP), and its application as a promis- ing candidate for optical interconnects in silicon. A num- ber of key discrete components and a wafer-scale integra- tion process are reviewed. The motivation behind this work is to realize silicon-based photonic integrated circuits pos- sessing unique advantages of III-V materials and silicon-on- insulator waveguides simultaneously through a complemen- tary metal-oxide semiconductor fabrication process. Elec- trically pumped hybrid silicon distributed feedback and distributed Bragg reflector lasers with integrated hybrid silicon photodetectors are demonstrated coupled to SOI waveguides, serving as the reliable on-chip single-frequency light sources. For the external signal processing, Mach- Zehnder interferometer modulators are demonstrated, show- ing a resistance-capacitance-limited, 3 dB electrical band- width up to 8 GHz and a modulation efficiency of 1.5 V mm. The successful implementation of quantum well intermixing technique opens up the possibility to realize multiple III-V bandgaps in this platform. Sampled grating DBR devices in- tegrated with electroabsorption modulators (EAM) are fab- ricated, where the bandgaps in gain, mirror, and EAM re-
Relationships Between Polymorphism for Mitochondrial Deoxyribonucleic Acid and Yield Traits of Holstein Cows

Two independent data files from the breeding herd of Iowa State University and six North Carolina herds were used to examine relationships between yield traits and mtDNA polymorphism. Maternal lineages were established by tracing ancestry of cows to founder females in the herd book of the Holstein Association. Data from Iowa State University were 1476 records from 602 cows from 29 maternal lineages. The nucleotides of mtDNA encoding rRNA were sequenced. Eleven sites of polymorphism were found. An animal model for gene substitution was used to examine the relationship between sequence differences and yield traits. Traits analyzed were mature equivalent yield of milk, fat, SNF, and milk energy as well as concentrations of fat, SNF, and milk energy. Effects of sequence differences were significant for most traits. Sequence information from the D-loop was available for 12 lineages from North Carolina. The effect of polymorphism at 4 sites was examined using 1472 records from 668 cows. Traits measured were the same, except that protein replaced SNF. No significant relationships existed between any of the traits and D-loop polymorphism, but results suggested that an association might exist between polymorphism and concentrations of milk yield, fat percentage, and energy. Whenever a significant relationship was detected, the effect of mutation (rare genotype) was detrimental.
Concepts, performance review, and prospects of table-top, few-cycle optical parametric chirped-pulse amplification

More than 20 years after the first presentation of optical parametric chirped-pulse amplification (OPCPA), the technology has matured as a powerful technique to produce high-intensity, few-cycle, and ultrashort laser pulses. The output characteristics of these systems cover a wide range of center wavelengths, pulse energies, and average powers. The current record performance of table-top, few-cycle OPCPA systems are 16 TW peak power and 22 W average power, which show that OPCPA is able to directly compete with Ti:sapphire chirped-pulse amplification-based systems as source for intense optical pulses. Here, we review the concepts of OPCPA and present the current state-of-the art performance level for several systems reported in the literature. To date, the performance of these systems is most generally limited by the employed pump laser. Thus, we present a comprehensive review on the recent progress in high-energy, high-average-power, picosecond laser systems, which provide improved performance relative to OPCPA pump lasers employed to date. From here, the impact of these novel pump lasers on table-top, few-cycle OPCPA is detailed and the prospects for next-generation OPCPA systems are discussed.
Historical channel narrowing along the Rio Grande near Albuquerque, New Mexico in response to peak discharge reductions and engineering: magnitude and uncertainty of change from air photo measurements

Over the last century, geomorphic processes along the Middle Rio Grande have been altered by flood control and bank stabilization projects, intensified land and water use, and climate change. In response to potential risks to infrastructure and ecological integrity, recent (1985–2008) adjustment was investigated and historic (1918–1985) changes in Rio Grande channel planform through the Albuquerque, New Mexico, area were reviewed, especially in relation to changes in annual peak discharge and river engineering measures. Using a GIS, channel characteristics were digitized from georeferenced photographs and analyzed with particular attention to quantifying potential measurement error and its propagation. Error associated with average channel widths and channel area ranged between 4 and 13%. For smaller polygons, e.g. islands, error was higher (11 to 40% for width and >200% for area) because width error is large relative to polygon width. Between 1918 and 1963, average channel widths decreased 8 m/yr, from 516 ± 67 m to 176 ± 7 m, mostly due to decreasing peak flows and the implementation of flood control and other engineering measures. From 1985 to 2008, widths decreased 0·7 m/yr, from 176 ± 23 m to 146 ± 5 m, accompanied by an increase in vegetated island area which largely coincided with low flow periods. Narrowing was concentrated at tributary inputs and in the upstream part of the reach, where bedload trapping by Cochiti Dam has caused degradation. Bank protection structures and dense vegetation limit bank erosion in the reach, but erosion is significant where expanding islands, incision, and increased meandering force water against banks. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of Skewness of Initial Choices on the Risky Shift: An Experimental Test with the Use of Consumer Stimuli

Summary.-The hypothesis that the risky shift phenomenon can be accounted for by skewed distributions of the subjects' initial risk-taking choices was investigated with the use of consumer stimuli. Skewness, manipulated in four experimental conditions, significantly affected group decisions and shifts. However, contrary to a majority-rule interpretation, significant cautious shifts did not occur when the distributions were negatively skewed. Despite some criticism to the contrary (e.g., Smith, 1972), research on risk-relevant as well as risk-irrelevant revisions in individual choice due to group interaction-the choice-shift literature-has now progressed to where empirical generalization seems possible. This generalization simply states that the average post-group response will tend to be more extreme in the same direction as the average of the pre-group responses; for a recent review of relevant findings see Myers and Lamm ( 1976). While the evidence produced by the literature on the effects of group discussion on individual choice generally supports a grouppolarization as interpretation, consensus among investigators concerning the specific mechanisms by which these effects are obtained has yet co materialize. The theoretical controversy surrounding choice shifts has focused on three theories: interpersonal comparison, informational influence, and explanations of group decision-rules (Myers & Lamm, 1976). Interpersonal comparison requires that the choice shift be due to normative processes. Subjects have a tendency to present themselves favorably in comparison to relevant others. Exposure to others' positions during group interaction leads an initially moderate subject to abandon his initial choice for one which will make him at least as extreme as most ocher members so as to maintain his image of social desirability. Detailed versions of these approaches appear in Cartwright ( 1971) and Pruitt ( 1971 ) . Informational influence explanations attribute shifts to persuasive arguments chat are generated during group discussion and that favor the initially preferred alternative. The shifts in choice following discussion are suggested to result from persuasive arguments that were only partially available to the average subject prior to discussion. More thorough presentations of informational influence explanations are presented by Vinokur and Burnstein (1974) and Myers and Lamm ( 1976). Explanations by group decision-rules suggest that social-decision schemes for combining individual choices predict shifts. While a variety of possible socialdecision schemes have been outlined by Davis (1973), most prominent has been the suggestion of majority-rule (e.g., Cartwright, 1971; Lamm, Tromms
Cross-layer error resilience for robust systems

A large class of robust electronic systems of the future must be designed to perform correctly despite hardware failures. In contrast, today's mainstream systems typically assume error-free hardware. Classical fault-tolerant computing techniques are too expensive for this purpose. This paper presents an overview of new techniques that can enable a sea change in the design of cost-effective robust systems. These techniques utilize globally-optimized cross-layer approaches, i.e., across device, circuit, architecture, runtime, and application layers, to overcome hardware failures.
Surface processes modifying Martian craters

Abstract Martian craters, even through many times more abundant than thought from initial inspection of Mariner IV photos, are less numerous, shallower, and have gentler slopes than craters on lunar uplands. This implies more effective action on Mars of some exogenous process or processes of erosion or deposition. Of all such processes considered, wind and thermal creep appear the most promising. The possibility of Martian wind action has long been regarded with favor, but a reserved attitude is urged owing to the extremely high velocities seemingly required for significant eolian action on Mars. The temperature regime at the Martian surface is many times more favorable for thermal creep than that of the lunar surface owing to a daily compared to monthly fluctuation. If the surface of Mars is mantled with loose rock debris, such as impact or explosion rubble, thermal creep could well be the major cause of greater crater modification on that planet compared to Moon. Insofar as it and other processes are effective, the need for postulating significant secular changes in the Martian surface environment during the last 2 to 4 billion years becomes less, although such changes are not precluded. Remnants of large craters on the Martian surface may indeed be billions of years old.
New horizons for communications satellites: New technology is directed at alleviating interference and congestion by using higher frequencies and achieving greater capacity per orbital slot

Describes new technology directed at alleviating interference and congestion by using higher frequencies and achieving greater capacity per orbital slot. The treatment covers multiple-access techniques; modulation and coding; frequency reuse; and onboard processing.
Archaerhodopsin voltage imaging: synaptic calcium and BK channels stabilize action potential repolarization at the Drosophila neuromuscular junction.

The strength and dynamics of synaptic transmission are determined, in part, by the presynaptic action potential (AP) waveform at the nerve terminal. The ion channels that shape the synaptic AP waveform remain essentially unknown for all but a few large synapses amenable to electrophysiological interrogation. The Drosophila neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is a powerful system for studying synaptic biology, but it is not amenable to presynaptic electrophysiology. Here, we demonstrate that Archaerhodopsin can be used to quantitatively image AP waveforms at the Drosophila NMJ without disrupting baseline synaptic transmission or neuromuscular development. It is established that Shaker mutations cause a dramatic increase in neurotransmitter release, suggesting that Shaker is predominantly responsible for AP repolarization. Here we demonstrate that this effect is caused by a concomitant loss of both Shaker and slowpoke (slo) channel activity because of the low extracellular calcium concentrations (0.2–0.5 mm) used typically to assess synaptic transmission in Shaker. In contrast, at physiological extracellular calcium (1.5 mm), the role of Shaker during AP repolarization is limited. We then provide evidence that calcium influx through synaptic CaV2.1 channels and subsequent recruitment of Slo channel activity is important, in concert with Shaker, to ensure proper AP repolarization. Finally, we show that Slo assumes a dominant repolarizing role during repetitive nerve stimulation. During repetitive stimulation, Slo effectively compensates for Shaker channel inactivation, stabilizing AP repolarization and limiting neurotransmitter release. Thus, we have defined an essential role for Slo channels during synaptic AP repolarization and have revised our understanding of Shaker channels at this model synapse.
Safety of Exercise Stress Testing in Patients With Abnormal Concentrations of Serum Potassium

The objective of this study was to determine the safety of performing exercise stress testing in patients with abnormal serum potassium concentrations. Data were reviewed from 9,084 patients (mean age 63 ± 12 years) referred for exercise echocardiography who had serum potassium measured
The Habsburg Jaw—Re‐examined

"Habsburg Jaw" is a frequently used eponymous designation for patients with mandibular prognathism, hyperplasia, or overgrowth. The purpose of this study was to evaluate portraits of the Spanish Habsburgs to determine the relative contributions of maxillary deficiency and mandibular prognathism to overall facial appearance. Representative portraits of the Spanish Habsburgs were assessed by 4 investigators for the presence of 11 anatomic features of maxillary deficiency and 7 of mandibular prognathism. Each characteristic was given a binary score of 1 if present and 0 if absent. Thus, the maximum score would be 11 for maxillary deficiency and 7 for mandibular prognathism. A semi-quantitative scale was established to determine the likelihood of each diagnosis: Maxillary deficiency: 0-4.99 (unlikely), 5-7.99 (likely), 8-11 (very likely); mandibular prognathism: 0-2.99 (unlikely), 3-5.99 (likely), 6-7 (very likely). Six of 7 Habsburg rulers were considered either likely or very likely to have maxillary deficiency, whereas 3/7 were assessed as likely and 4 unlikely to have mandibular prognathism. The results of this study suggest that the primary deformity of the "Habsburg Jaw" is maxillary deficiency rather than absolute mandibular prognathism.
The American Heart Association Stroke Outcome Classification

Stroke remains one of the major public health problems in the United States today, with approximately 500 000 new or recurrent cases occurring each year.1 About 4 000 000 persons alive today have survived a stroke and have some neurological deficits. Although the magnitude of healthcare resources used to treat and rehabilitate stroke survivors is considerable, to date a standardized, comprehensive classification system to document the resultant impairments and disability has not been developed. Successful management of any disabling disease, including stroke, should benefit from the use of a classification system to judge the impact of treatment, particularly emerging therapies. Participants in the Methodologic Issues in Stroke Outcome Symposium2 determined that the complex nature of stroke recovery demands clarification of its natural history and classification of the variable patterns of functional recovery. For stroke survivors to receive the best care, a comprehensive stroke outcome classification system is needed to direct appropriate therapeutic interventions.3 Building on the work and recommendations of the Stroke Outcome Symposium, the American Heart Association Classification of Stroke Outcome Task Force has worked to develop a valid and reliable global classification system that accurately summarizes the neurological impairments, disabilities, and handicaps that occur after stroke. The development of a stroke outcome classification system is predicated on the belief that neurological deficits often lead to permanent impairments, disabilities, and compromised quality of life.4 5 6 Although a person’s ability to complete daily functional tasks is thought to be largely dependent on and often limited by the type and degree of impairment, additional factors are often relevant in the ultimate determination of functional outcome.7 8 9 Thus, a classification of stroke outcome should include the broad range of disabilities and impairments as well as the relationship of disability and impairment to independent function. It …
A 23 µA RF-powered transmitter for biomedical applications

We propose a new tag architecture that employs an active transmitter to decouple the frequencies used for power and data telemetry. Receiving power at 918 MHz and transmitting data at 306 MHz eliminates the “self-jamming” problem presented to RFID readers, reducing the complexity of reader design. This scheme allows remote placement of the data receiver and extends the data transmission range. Our transmitter uses subharmonic injection-locking to avoid power hungry LO generation circuitry while eliminating the need for quartz crystals. The tag prototype was fabricated using a 0.13 µm CMOS process, occupying 0.3 mm2 active area. With an on-off keying (OOK) data rate of 4 Mbps, the 23 µA transmitter with an output power of −33 dBm achieves an energy efficiency of 10 pJ/bit, the best reported to date for such systems.
Accommodating population stratification in case-control association analysis: a new test and its application to genome-wide study on rheumatoid arthritis

It is well known that conventional association tests can lead to excessive false positives when there is population stratification. We propose a new test for detecting genetic association with a case-control study design. Unlike some other methods for handling population stratification, we treat the cases as a population and the controls as another one even though each of them may be a mixture of several sub-populations. A likelihood-ratio test is used to test whether the allele frequency of a testing single-nucleotide polymorphism in the case population is the same as that in the control population. This new test is applied to the Genetic Analysis Workshop 16 Problem 1 data on rheumatoid arthritis. Compared with the Pearson chi-square genotype test, the association strength of many single-nucleotide polymorphisms is decreased while the signal at the HLA region on 6p21 is maintained.
“Dewey Defeats Truman” Interpreting Ironic Restatement

When a speaker restates another person’s inaccurate remark, for example, “Sure, Ronald Reagan was president during the 1970’s,” he or she runs a risk of being misunderstood—people might understand the response as verbal irony, but they also could readily interpret it literally. This study investigated an Ironic Implicature Hypothesis that speakers opt for this form of verbal irony because of the unique pragmatic functions it performs. The hypothesis states that speakers use conversational implicature to suggest that erroneous speakers should not have made the mistake in the first place. Ironic restatement was found to indicate a speaker’s belief that another erroneous speaker actually knew the correct statement that was expected (Experiment 1), which, in turn, suggests that the erroneous speaker should not have committed the speech error (Experiment 2). The implications of these findings for theories of verbal irony are discussed.
Altered Gene Activity of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (ErbB-1) in the Hypothalamus of Aging Female Rat Is Linked to Abnormal Estrous Cycles

Activation of the ErbB-1 receptor is necessary for initiating mammalian female puberty by stimulating the release of LH-releasing hormone. It remains unclear whether ErbB-1 is also required in governing reproduction during adulthood and whether altered ErbB-1 signaling is linked to changes in gonadotropin secretion in aging females. The present study examined these issues. RT-PCR was employed to determine changes in ErbB-1 mRNA levels during proestrus in both young adult (YA) and middle-aged (MA) female rats. Before the LH surge, expression levels in the preoptic area of YA rats increased to a maximal value. No such increase in ErbB-1 mRNA was found in MA rats. This difference was confirmed by the analysis of in situ hybridization histochemistry, where a stronger mRNA signal was observed in the preoptic area of YA rats compared with MA females. ErbB-1 protein levels measured by Western blot reflected this difference. A peak level of ErbB-1 mRNA in the median eminence-arcuate nucleus was detected at 0800 h in YA rats, but it was delayed in MA animals. There were intense ErbB-1 mRNA-positive cells in the arcuate nucleus. Pharmacological blockade of ErbB-1 receptor-mediated signal transduction resulted in the disruption of estrous cyclicity in YA rats. These results indicate that ErbB-1 receptors are necessary for maintaining normal estrous cycles. Consequently, age-related alterations in hypothalamic ErbB-1 gene activity may contribute to a delayed preovulatory LH secretion in aging females. Thus, the ErbB-1 signaling system plays an important role in the control of female reproduction during adulthood.
Two-tiered antibody testing for Lyme disease with use of 2 enzyme immunoassays, a whole-cell sonicate enzyme immunoassay followed by a VlsE C6 peptide enzyme immunoassay.

Background Lyme disease (LD) antibody testing currently involves a 2-tiered algorithm with a whole-cell sonicate (WCS) enzyme immunoassay (EIA), followed by IgM/IgG Western immunoblots. A single EIA using the C6 peptide of the Borrelia burgdorferi variable-major protein-like sequence expressed lipoprotein provides similar or better sensitivity but less specificity, compared with standard 2-tiered testing. Here, we investigated an alternative 2-tiered strategy, in which the first step remained a WCS EIA, but immunoblotting was replaced by a C6 EIA. Methods We determined the sensitivity of the 3 testing strategies with use of 91 serum samples from research study patients with LD and 78 serum samples from patients with LD whose samples were submitted to our hospital's clinical laboratory. Specificity was measured using 54 patients with other illnesses and 1246 healthy subjects from areas where the infection is endemic and nonendemic. Results The 2-EIA algorithm in early LD had similar sensitivity as C6 testing alone, and both strategies had better sensitivity than did standard 2-tiered testing (61% and 64%, respectively, vs 48%; P = .03 and P = .008). For late disease, all 3 strategies had 100% sensitivity. The specificity of the 2-EIA algorithm was equal to that of standard 2-tiered testing, and both 2-tiered strategies were more specific than C6 testing alone (for both, 99.5% vs 98.4%; P = .01). The positive predictive value of the 2-EIA algorithm was 70%, compared with 66% for standard 2-tiered testing and 43% for the C6 EIA alone. Conclusions The 2-EIA strategy matched the individual strengths of the C6 EIA and Western blotting, without the drawbacks. The 2 EIAs provided sensitivity comparable to that of the C6 EIA but maintained the specificity of standard 2-tiered testing.
Pulsatile Flow–Induced Angiogenesis

Objective— Angiogenesis plays a key role in the growth and function of normal and pathological tissues. We investigated the effect of pulsatile flow on endothelial cell (EC) in vitro angiogenic activity. Methods and Results— Bovine aortic ECs were exposed to “static” or “flow” (1.2 to 67.0 mL/min, shear stress 1.4 to 19.2 dyne/cm2) conditions for 2 to 24 hours. After exposure, angiogenesis was measured as tubule formation on Matrigel, and EC migration was assessed by filter migration assay. Pulsatile flow increased angiogenesis and EC migration in a temporal and force-dependent manner, with a maximal effect at 16 hours (13.2 dyne/cm2). Pertussis toxin completely inhibited the effect of pulsatile flow on angiogenesis and migration. Transfection of ECs with inhibitory mutants of the α subunit of Gi1 or Gi3, but not Gi2, inhibited the flow-induced angiogenic response by 61±2% and 32±6%, respectively, whereas transfection with constitutively activated mutants of the α subunit of Gi1 or Gi3, but not Gi2, increased the flow-induced response by 202±23% and 70±4%, respectively. In contrast, inhibition of Gβγ by the carboxy terminal fragment of β-adrenergic receptor kinase overexpression increased the flow-induced response by 82±8%. Conclusions— These results suggest that pulsatile flow stimulates angiogenesis and that this effect is mediated by activation of Giα1 or Giα3, but not Gβγ, subunits.
Readn', writ'n, 'rithmetic...and code'n

In so many ways, software-intensive systems touch the lives of every individual, corporation, institution, nation, and contemporary civilization. Nonetheless, the gap between the technological haves and have-nots is growing and the gap between academia and the industries that create these software-intensive systems continues to be much lamented. I enter this presentation as one firmly planted in the pragmatic creation and evolution of such systems, and yet look outside industry for sources of state-changing innovation. In this talk, I'll examine the current state of software-intensive systems in the world, the forces that fall upon such systems and the people who develop, deploy, and operate them, and the means whereby we can keep the pipeline of innovation open and the academia/industry dialog vibrant. Along the way, I'll cover little-discussed topics including the moral dimension of software, the appreciation of beauty in software, and the privilege and responsibility of being a software developer.
A 1.8GHz Digital PLL in 65nm CMOS

A 1.8GHz high-accuracy, ring-oscillator based Digital Phase Lock Loop (DPLL), suitable for Serializer-Deserializer (SERDES) applications like HDMI, eSATA and USB2.0 is presented here. Sigma-Delta (??) dithering followed by passive filtering, along with Temperature Compensation is used to ensure frequency accuracy and low accumulated jitter, over a large temperature range. A re-circulating delay line based Time to Digital Converter (T2D) is used to handle large phase differences between the reference and feedback clocks. The DPLL is built in 65nm technology, and provides up to 1.8GHz output, with a phase noise of –87dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset, and a frequency accuracy of +/-100ppm. It supports input frequencies in the range 0.7MHz to 50MHz, occupies a core area of 0.11 sq mm, and does not require external components.
Anticonvulsant usage is associated with an increased risk of procarbazine hypersensitivity reactions in patients with brain tumors.

Background: Procarbazine usage in brain tumors has a high incidence of hypersensitivity reactions compared with its use in other malignancies. Procarbazine oxidation to a reactive intermediate is enhanced by phenobarbital. Patients with primary brain tumors would have a preferential exposure to anticonvulsants compared to patients with other malignancies. Objective: To determine whether anticonvulsant exposure is associated with procarbazine hypersensitivity reactions in patients with primary brain tumors. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 83 patients with primary brain tumors who were treated with procarbazine between 1981 and 1996 at a university hospital-based regional oncology center. Data were extracted by chart review. The data collected included age, sex, race, tumor type, smoking, alcohol usage, and all concomitant medications, as well as creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin, and anticonvulsant serum levels. Anticonvulsant exposure was determined by the presence of detectable serum levels. Cases of procarbazine hypersensitivity reactions were identified through a review of progress notes. Results: There were 20 patients with procarbazine hypersensitivity reactions. A significant association between the exposure to anticonvulsants and the development of procarbazine hypersensitivity reactions was found (p = 0.05). In addition, there was a significant dose-response association between the development of procarbazine hypersensitivity and the presence of therapeutic anticonvulsant serum levels (p = 0.03). Conclusions: Concomitant exposure to anticonvulsants is associated with procarbazine hypersensitivity reactions, possibly though a reactive intermediate generated by CYP3A isoform induction. All patients in this cohort received enzyme-inducing anticonvulsants. New anticonvulsants devoid of this property are available. These data support trials that use these newer agents for the prophylaxis of seizures in patients with brain tumors who are to receive procarbazine.
Accumulation and availability of copper in citrus grove soils as affected by fungicide application

Purpose Copper is a trace element of environmental concern. Repeated applications of Cu-containing fungicides have resulted in a large scale of Cu contamination in agricultural soils. However, limited information is available regarding Cu accumulation and availability in soils under citrus production in the Indian River Area, South Florida, which has received increasing amounts of Cu fungicides to control canker and other diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate Cu transformation, availability, and mobility in soils as affected by external Cu loading and soil properties. Materials and methods Soil samples (n=18) were collected from representative commercial citrus groves in the Indian River area. These samples were characterized to understand the accumulation, availability to plant, and leaching loss, as influenced by soil properties, agricultural practices, and Cu fungicide inputs. Results and discussion Significant accumulation and increased availability and mobility of Cu occurred in the soils with increasing citrus production period. Soil acidification enhanced Cu leaching in soil profiles. Available Cu estimated by Mehlich-3 or NH4OAc extraction was highly correlated with total recoverable Cu, whereas the relationship between CaCl2-extractable Cu and total recoverable Cu was affected by soil pH, with a greater slope of the relationship curve at soil pH<6.5. Vertical movement of Cu in a soil profile was more pronounced at pH<6.5. A large portion of soil Cu was present as organically bound, ranging from 43% to 62%, which was significantly correlated with both recoverable Cu and Mehlich-3extractable Cu (P<0.001). Conclusions Significant accumulation of Cu occurred in citrus grove soils due to anthropogenic inputs, and the availability and mobility of Cu in the soils were related to Cu accumulation and soil pH. Copper migration from Cucontaminated soils to the environment was reduced when soil pH was 6.5 or higher.
THE ROLE OF DNA DAMAGE IN PM2 VIRAL INACTIVATION BY METHYLENE BLUE PHOTOSENSITIZATION

— This study investigates the importance of DNA damage in viral inactivation by phenothiazines and light. Phenothiazines, including methylene blue (MB), toluidine blue and azure B are of particular interest because of their ability to bind to nucleic acids in vitro. Initial studies employing phages T7, MS2 and PM2 indicated that both DNA and RNA phages as well as enveloped and nonenveloped phages can be inactivated by phenothiazine photosensiti-zation. PM2, which contains a lipid-protein bilayer and supercoiled DNA, was used for the mechanistic studies to model blood-borne viruses. Viral DNA damage was assessed following treatment of phage to known levels of viral inactivation by extracting the DNA and analyzing for both direct and piperidine-catalyzed strand cleavage by gel electrophoresis. DNA strand cleavage was found to be both sensitizer concentration and light dose dependent. Both viral inactivation and DNA damage were found to be oxygen-dependent events. In parallel experiments, strand cleavage of isolated PM2 DNA treated with MB and light was also found to be oxygen dependent, in contrast to some previous reports. Transfection studies, which measure the infectivity of the extracted viral DNA, indicated that DNA from MB-treated phage was just as capable of generating progeny virus as the untreated controls. It was therefore concluded that the observed DNA damage is not correlated with loss of phage infectivity.