cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Framework to Analyze the Performance of Load Balancing Schemes for Ensembles of Stochastic Simulations

Ensembles of simulations are employed to estimate the statistics of possible future states of a system, and are widely used in important applications such as climate change and biological modeling. Ensembles of runs can naturally be executed in parallel. However, when the CPU times of individual simulations vary considerably, a simple strategy of assigning an equal number of tasks per processor can lead to serious work imbalances and low parallel efficiency. This paper presents a new probabilistic framework to analyze the performance of dynamic load balancing algorithms for ensembles of simulations where many tasks are mapped onto each processor, and where the individual compute times vary considerably among tasks. Four load balancing strategies are discussed: most-dividing, all-redistribution, random-polling, and neighbor-redistribution. Simulation results with a stochastic budding yeast cell cycle model are consistent with the theoretical analysis. It is especially significant that there is a provable global decrease in load imbalance for the local rebalancing algorithms due to scalability concerns for the global rebalancing algorithms. The overall simulation time is reduced by up to 25 %, and the total processor idle time by 85 %.
Dynamics of replacement sequences and of crowdions

Abstract The theory of the formation of point defects by ionization in alkali halides has been extended to include the dynamics of the subsequent motion of replacement sequences and of crowdions (H-centers) at low temperatures. Particular attention is paid to the stochastic aspect of the motion of these centers, which appears to play a crucial role in interpreting recent experimental studies of interaction proesses of H-centers with other defects in alkali halides. It turns out that at not too low temperatures the rate controlling reaction is the rotation of the centers. A detailed analysis of the kinetics of the various competing processes is given.
Physics Input from Multiwavelength Observations of AGN

The current status of leptonic jet models for blazars is reviewed. Differences between the quasar and BL-Lac subclasses of blazars may be understood in terms of the dominance of different radiation mechanisms in the gamma-ray regime. Spectral variability patterns of different blazar subclasses appear to be significantly different and require different intrinsic mechanisms causing gamma-ray flares. As examples, recent results of long-term multiwavelength monitoring of PKS 0528+134, 3C 279, and Mrk 501 are interpreted in the framework of leptonic jet models. Short-term variability patterns give important additional clues about the source geometry and the relevant radiation mechanisms in blazars. Challenges for future observational efforts are discussed.
Transformation of shoots into roots in Arabidopsis embryos mutant at the TOPLESS locus.

We describe a novel phenotype in Arabidopsis embryos homozygous for the temperature-sensitive topless-1 mutation. This mutation causes the transformation of the shoot pole into a root. Developing topless embryos fail to express markers for the shoot apical meristem (SHOOT MERISTEMLESS and UNUSUAL FLORAL ORGANS) and the hypocotyl (KNAT1). By contrast, the pattern of expression of root markers is either duplicated (LENNY, J1092) or expanded (SCARECROW). Shifts of developing topless embryos between permissive and restrictive temperatures show that apical fates (cotyledons plus shoot apical meristem) can be transformed to basal fates (root) as late as transition stage. As the apical pole of transition stage embryos shows both morphological and molecular characteristics of shoot development, this demonstrates that the topless 1 mutation is capable of causing structures specified as shoot to be respecified as root. Finally, our experiments fail to show a clear link between auxin signal transduction and topless-1 mutant activity: the development of the apical root in topless mutant individuals is not dependent on the activity of the predicted auxin response factor MONOPTEROS nor is the expression of DR5, a proposed ‘auxin maximum reporter’, expanded in the apical domain of topless embryos.
Clinical benefits of lightweight compression: reduction of venous-related symptoms by ready-to-wear lightweight gradient compression hosiery.

Background.Medical-grade compression of class I (20–30 mmHg) and class II (30–40 mmHg) have been shown to be beneficial against venous hypertension or congestion. Relatively few studies address the effects of ready-to-wear (RTW) lightweight gradient compression pantyhose on venous symptoms.Objective
Potential molecular mechanisms for decreased synaptic glutamate release in dysbindin-1 mutant mice

Behavioral genetic studies of humans have associated variation in the DTNBP1 gene with schizophrenia and its cognitive deficit phenotypes. The protein encoded by DTNBP1, dysbindin-1, is expressed in forebrain neurons where it interacts with proteins mediating vesicular trafficking and exocytosis. It has been shown that loss of dysbindin-1 results in a decrease in glutamate release in the prefrontal cortex; however the mechanisms underlying this decrease are not fully understood. In order to investigate this question, we evaluated dysbindin-1 null mutant mice, using electrophysiological recordings of prefrontal cortical neurons, imaging studies of vesicles, calcium dynamics and Western blot measures of synaptic proteins and Ca(2+) channels. Dysbindin-1 null mice showed a decrease in the ready releasable pool of synaptic vesicles, decreases in quantal size, decreases in the probability of release and deficits in the rate of endo- and exocytosis compared with wild-type controls. Moreover, the dysbindin-1 null mice show decreases in the [Ca(2+)]i,expression of L- and N-type Ca(2+)channels and several proteins involved in synaptic vesicle trafficking and priming. Our results provide new insights into the mechanisms of action of dysbindin-1.
Structural and molecular specificity of antibody responses in mice immune to third stage larvae of Onchocerca volvulus

Immunization of mice with irradiated Onchocerca volvulus infective stage larvae (L3) has been demonstrated to confer protection against challenge infections with these larvae. Additionally, cytokine level measurements and cytokine depletion studies have shown that both IL-4 and IL-5 are important in generating a protective immune response against O. volvulus challenge infections, thus suggesting a dependency of protective immunity on IgG1, IgE and/or eosinophils. In the present study, we examined the humoral responses of immunized mice to O. volvulus L3 antigens. ELISA measurements of total serum antibody levels indicated that IgE was the only antibody isotype elevated in mice immunized with O. volvulus L3. IgM from immunized mice was the only isotype that recognized surface antigens on intact O. volvulus L3. IgG1, IgG3, IgE and IgA recognized internal parasite antigens on O. volvulus L3 frozen sections. Western blot analysis of L3 proteins showed that in serum from mice immunized with O. volvulus L3 IgG1, IgG2a/2b, IgA, and IgE, as well as IgM, recognized unique L3 proteins. Antibodies in serum from L3 immunized mice were able to detect O. volvulus adult antigens in a pattern similar to the recognition found in O. volvulus L3. Some L3 antigens were shared by adults, while other antigens were L3 specific. The ELISA, immunohistochemistry and Western blot findings thus demonstrate a complex pattern of antigen recognition of parasite antigens by antibodies found in mice immune to the L3 of O. volvulus.
Construct implications of including still image or video in computer-based listening tests

Over the past decade, listening comprehension tests have been converting to computer-based tests that include visual input. However, little research is available to suggest how test takers engage with different types of visuals on such tests. The present study compared a series of still images to video in academic computer-based tests to determine how test takers engage with these two test modes. The study, which employed observations, retrospective reports and interviews, used data from university-level non-native speakers of English. The findings suggest that test takers engage differently with these two modes of delivery. Specifically, while test takers engaged minimally and similarly with the still images, there was wide variation in the ways and degree to which they engaged with the video stimulus. Implications of the study are that computer-based tests of listening comprehension could include still images with only minimally altering the construct that is measured by audio-only listening tests, but ...
Potential minimum cost of electricity of superconducting coil tokamak power reactors

The potential minimum cost of electricity (COE) for superconducting tokamak power reactors is estimated by increasing the physics (confinement, beta-limit, bootstrap current fraction) and technology (neutral beam energy, toroidal field, or TF, coil allowable stresses, divertor heat flux, superconducting coil critical field, critical temperature, and quench temperature rise) constraints far beyond those assumed for the ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) until the point of diminishing returns is reached. A version of the TETRA systems code that is calibrated with the ITER design and modified for power reactors is used for the analysis, limiting the study to reactors with the same basic device configuration and costing algorithms as the ITER. A minimum COE is reduced from >200 to about $80 million/kWh when the allowable design constraints are raised to 2 times those of ITER. At 4 times the ITER allowables, a minimum COE of about $60 million/kWh is obtained. The corresponding tokamak has a major radius of approximately 4 m, a plasma current close to 10 MA, an aspect ratio of 4, a confinement H-factor >
Hospital-Reported Medical Errors in Children

Context. Medical errors are an important problem for hospitalized adult inpatients. However, medical errors in children remain comparatively understudied, and published research has been relatively limited. Objectives. To investigate the national rates of hospital-reported medical errors in pediatric inpatients over the period 1988–1997; and to determine the association of patient and hospital characteristics with the occurrence of hospital-reported medical errors in children. Design, Setting, and Patients. A nonconcurrent cohort study of hospitalized nonnewborn pediatric patients in the United States ≤18 years of age. Data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project for the years 1988, 1991, 1994, and 1997 were used for these analyses. Main Outcome Measure. The occurrence of hospital-reported medical errors. Results. The national rate of hospital-reported medical errors in hospitalized children ranged from 1.81 to 2.96 per 100 discharges. These medical error rates were statistically lower in 1988, with the years 1991, 1994, and 1997 not being statistically different from each other. There were no consistent differences in the rates of medical errors when stratified by gender, race, payor status, or median household income of the patient’s zip code across years. There was, however, a statistically significant relationship between higher median household income and increasing medical error rates; this trend was consistent across all 4 years. Similarly, children with special medical needs or dependence on a medical technology also had significantly higher rates of hospital-reported medical errors. Although hospital size did not seem to be related to the rate of medical errors, private for-profit hospitals consistently reported lower rates, whereas urban teaching hospitals in all years but 1997 reported higher rates of medical errors. Conclusions. These data highlight both the strengths and limitations of administrative data in the investigation of medical errors. Substantively, they suggest fruitful areas for additional and more detailed study, notably children with special medical needs.
Differential angle measurements with moire fringes

An optical gauge is described which measures differences in angle between two sensing mirrors. The instrument is capable of measuring angular differences up to about 0.5mrad full scale with an uncertainty of 5µrad. Angular differences as small as 1 or 2 µrad are easily detected. The gauge is insensitive to common rotation of the sensing mirrors up to O.1rad and to tilting of the system under test with respect to the gauge for angles up to 0.05rad.
Finite-element analysis of microstrip systems in the vicinity of a substrate edge and approximate formulas for capacitance

The TEM electrical characteristics of a microstrip system in the vicinity of a dielectric edge are investigated via a series of numerical simulations and empirical formulas based on the simulations derived. A finite-element routine is used as the basis for the simulations that solve the Maxwell equations (/spl nabla//spl middot/D=/spl rho//sub f/) subject to the appropriate electromagnetic boundary conditions. The geometric and electrical parameters used in the simulation are selected to be representative of those found typically in printed circuit board fabrications (microstrip features /spl sim/10-30 mils). An empirical formulation for the capacitance of the microstrip is developed and shown to be in good agreement with the simulations (maximum difference of 1070). The formulation is also compared to measurements. Several plots of the vector electric-field intensity are presented. These plots identify the general structure of the electric-field intensity near the edge of the dielectric; thereby providing the design engineer with insight into the typical field fringing expected. >
Primate social knowledge and the origins of language

Primate vocal communication is very different from human language. Differences are most pronounced in call production. Differences in production have been overemphasized, however, and distracted attention from the information that primates acquire when they hear vocalizations. In perception and cognition, continuities with language are more apparent. We suggest that natural selection has favored nonhuman primates who, upon hearing vocalizations, form mental representations of other individuals, their relationships, and their motives. This social knowledge constitutes a discrete, combinatorial system that shares several features with language. It is probably a general primate characteristic whose appearance pre-dates the evolution of spoken language in our hominid ancestors. The prior evolution of social cognition created individuals who were preadapted to develop language. Several features thought to be unique to language—like discrete combinatorics and the encoding of propositional information—were not introduced by language. They arose, instead, because understanding social life and predicting others’ behavior requires a particular style of thinking.
Modal superposition method for seismic design of non‐linear multistorey structures

An approximate procedure is introduced to analyse non-linear multistorey structures within the framework of the conventional response spectrum method. Its derivation is based on the use of non-linear response spectra and an approximate decomposition of the equation of motion for multi-degree-of-freedom non-linear systems. The decomposition is attained by considering the non-linear terms in this equation of motion as additional external forces and, thus, by interpreting it as the equation of motion of linear systems with the initial properties of the non-linear ones when subjected to a modified set of inertia forces. For simplicity, the procedure is herein limited to elastoplastic systems of the shear-beam type. Its accuracy is evaluated by comparing the approximate and step-by-step integration solutions of systems with three and ten degrees of freedom when subjected to three different earthquake ground motions.
Media cloud: When media revolution meets rise of cloud computing

Media content has become the major traffic of Internet and will keep on increasing rapidly. Various innovative media applications, services, devices have emerged and people tend to consume more media contents. We are meeting a media revolution. But media processing requires great capacity and capability of computing resources. Meanwhile cloud computing has emerged as a prosperous technology and the cloud computing platform has become a fundamental facility providing various services, great computing power, massive storage and bandwidth with modest cost. The integration of cloud computing and media processing is therefore a natural choice for both of them, and hence comes forth the media cloud. In this paper we make a comprehensive overview on the recent media cloud research work. We first discuss the challenges of the media cloud, and then summarize its architecture, the processing, and its storage and delivery mechanisms. As the result, we propose a new architecture for the media cloud. At the end of this paper, we make suggestions on how to build a media cloud and propose several future research topics as the conclusion.
Bradykinin and its receptors in non-mammalian vertebrates.

Abstract The generation of bradykinin (BK) in blood by the action of the kallikrein–kinin system has been studied intensively in mammals but the system has received relatively little attention in non-mammalian vertebrates. The plasma of crocodilians and Testudines (turtles and tortoises) contains all the components of the kallikrein–kinin system found in mammals (prekallikrein activator, prekallikrein, kininogen, and kininases) and activation results in generation of [Thr6]-BK. Plasma of birds and snakes probably lacks a prekallikrein activator analogous to mammalian Factor XII but treatment with exogenous proteases (pig pancreatic kallikrein and/or trypsin) generates [Thr6, Leu8]-BK (chicken), [Ala1, Thr6]-BK (python) and [Val1, Thr6]-BK (colubrid snakes). The skins of certain frogs, particularly of the genus Rana, contain very high concentrations of BK-related peptides but their pathway of biosynthesis involves the action of cellular endoproteinase(s) cleaving at the site of single arginyl residues rather than by the action of the kallikrein–kinin system. Evidence for a prekallikrein activator in fish plasma is lacking but treatment with exogenous proteases generates [Arg0, Trp5, Leu8]-BK (trout and cod), [Trp5]-BK (bowfin and gar), [Met1, Met5]-BK (sturgeon). The cardiovascular actions and effects upon gastrointestinal smooth muscle of these peptides in their species of origin differ markedly. For example, intra-arterial injections of the native BK peptides into unanesthetized fish produce transient hypertension in the cod, complex depressor and pressor responses in the trout and bowfin and hypotension in the sturgeon. Pharmacological studies in snakes and fish and with the recombinantally expressed chicken BK receptor have demonstrated that the BK receptors in the tissues of non-mammalian vertebrates have appreciably different ligand binding properties from the well-characterized mammalian B1 and B2 receptors.
DsdX Is the Second d-Serine Transporter in Uropathogenic Escherichia coli Clinical Isolate CFT073

D-Serine is an amino acid present in mammalian urine that is inhibitory to Escherichia coli strains lacking a functional dsdA gene. Counterintuitively, a dsdA strain of E. coli clinical isolate CFT073 hypercolonizes the bladder and kidneys of mice relative to wild type during a coinfection in the murine model of urinary tract infection. We are interested in the mechanisms for uptake of D-serine in CFT073. D-Serine enters E. coli K-12 via CycA, the D-alanine transporter and D-cycloserine sensitivity locus. CFT073 cycA can grow on minimal medium with D-serine as a sole carbon source. The dsdX gene of the dsdCXA locus is a likely candidate for an additional D-serine transporter based on its predicted amino acid sequence similarity to gluconate transporters. In minimal medium, CFT073 dsdX can grow on D-serine as a sole carbon source; however, CFT073 dsdX cycA cannot. Additionally, CFT073 dsdXA cycA is not sensitive to inhibitory concentrations of D-serine during growth on glycerol and D-serine minimal medium. D-[ 14 C]serine uptake experiments with CFT073 dsdX cycA harboring dsdX or cycA recombinant plasmids confirm that D-serine is able to enter E. coli cells via CycA or DsdX. In whole-cell D-[ 14 C]serine uptake experiments, DsdX has an apparent Km of 58.75 M and a Vmax of 75.96 nmol/min/mg, and CycA has an apparent Km of 82.40 M and a Vmax of 58.90 nmol/min/mg. Only
A routing protocol for power constrained networks with asymmetric links

In many instances, an ad hoc network consists of nodes with different hardware and software capabilities as well as power limitations. This is the case of ad hoc grids where devices such as desktops, laptops, robots, palmtops, sensors, and actuators collaborate to solve computational problems. In such a heterogeneous environment, the nodes have various degrees of mobility and range and the communication links are asymmetric: node i may be able to reach node j, but j may not be able to reach i. A4LP, is a Location-Aware and Power-Aware routing protocol designed primarily for heterogeneous Ad hoc networks with Asymmetric links.
Big data on low power cores: Are low power embedded processors a good fit for the big data workloads?

The traditional low-power embedded processors such as ARM and Atom are entering the high-performance server market. At the same time, big data analytics are emerging and dramatically changing the landscape of data center workloads. Thus, the question of whether low-power embedded architectures are suited to process big data applications efficiently, is becoming important. In this work, through methodical investigation of power, performance measurements and comprehensive system level analysis, we demonstrate that low power embedded architectures can provide significant energy-efficiency for processing big data analytics applications.
The Supreme Court Appointment Process: In Search of Constitutional Roles and Responsibilities

Appointment of a United States Supreme Court Justice is the product of a constitutional power sharing scheme between the executive and legislative branches. The president is empowered to nominate "Judges of the [S]upreme Court." Confirmation, however, is subject to "the Advice and Consent of the Senate." Given the role of seeking out and designating a candidate, the executive branch is an active force in the selection process. The Senate, given largely a veto function, exercises influence to the extent that it may reject a nomination. Disapproval of a nominee, therefore, only occurs if a majority of the Senate becomes sufficiently aroused to mobilize in opposition.Standards for rejecting a nominee are not constitutionally defined. A review of Senate responses to Court nominations reveals considerable variation in pattern and criteria. In its most combative movements, the Senate has spurned multiple nominees for the same seat. At other times, it has deferred to presidential judgment even if not necessarily comfortable with the political philosophy or policy values of the nominee.
Oxidative potential of ambient water-soluble PM 2.5 in the southeastern United States: contrasts in sources and health associations between ascorbic acid (AA) and dithiothreitol (DTT) assays

Abstract. The ability of certain components of particulate matter to induce oxidative stress through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in vivo may be one mechanism accounting for observed linkages between ambient aerosols and adverse health outcomes. A variety of assays have been used to measure this so-called aerosol oxidative potential. We developed a semi-automated system to quantify oxidative potential of filter aqueous extracts utilizing the dithiothreitol (DTT) assay and report here the development of a similar semi-automated system for the ascorbic acid (AA) assay. Approximately 500 PM2.5 filter samples collected in contrasting locations in the southeastern US were analyzed for a host of aerosol species, along with AA and DTT activities. We present a detailed contrast in findings from these two assays. Water-soluble AA activity was higher in summer and fall than in winter, with highest levels near heavily trafficked highways, whereas DTT activity was higher in winter compared to summer and fall and more spatially homogeneous. AA activity was nearly exclusively correlated with water-soluble Cu (r = 0.70–0.94 at most sites), whereas DTT activity was correlated with organic and metal species. Source apportionment models, positive matrix factorization (PMF) and a chemical mass balance method with ensemble-averaged source impact profiles (CMB-E), suggest a strong contribution from traffic emissions and secondary processes (e.g., organic aerosol oxidation or metals mobilization by secondary acids) to both AA and DTT activities in urban Atlanta. In contrast, biomass burning was a large source for DTT activity, but insignificant for AA. AA activity was not correlated with PM2.5 mass, while DTT activity co-varied strongly with mass (r = 0.49–0.86 across sites and seasons). Various linear models were developed to estimate AA and DTT activities for the central Atlanta Jefferson Street site, based on the CMB-E sources. The models were then used to estimate daily oxidative potential at this site over the 1998–2009 period. Time series epidemiological analyses were conducted to assess daily emergency department (ED) visits data for the five-county Atlanta metropolitan area based on the estimated 10-year backcast oxidative potential. Estimated AA activity was not statistically associated with any tested health outcome, while DTT activity was associated with ED visits for both asthma or wheeze and congestive heart failure. The findings point to the importance of both organic components and transition metals from biomass burning and mobile sources to adverse health outcomes in this region.
Evolutionary Optimization of Multiscale Systems within an Integrated Computational Design Environment

As the scale and complexity of engineered systems grows, the effectiveness of traditional engineering tools shrinks. In the new world of complex multiscale systems, integrated computational design environments will be essential tools for engineers to understand and make decisions about the systems they are designing and optimizing. New tools are needed, however, to realize this vision. This work focuses on developing a foundational understanding of a multiscale evolutionary optimization approach by using the Plus One Recall Store (PORS) problem as a generic multiscale test problem. A significant improvement in optimization performance is realized compared to traditional evolutionary optimization approaches on the same problem, and integration of this approach into an integrated computational design environment is discussed.
Thermal Maturation-Induced Variation of P-wave Anisotropy of Organic-Rich Shale

Summary The main purpose of this study is to establish the causeand-effect relationships between geochemical parameters and microstructure/rock physics as organic-rich shales mature. In order to avoid auxiliary effects, e.g., mineralogical variations, we study the evolution of three pairs of horizontal and vertical shale plugs through dry pyrolysis experiments in lieu of samples from a range of in situ thermal maturities. P-wave anisotropy and sample strain data indicate significant development of soft porosity, e.g., micro-cracks, post-pyrolysis. Time-lapse, high-resolution BSE-SEM images complement this analysis through the identification of numerous microcracks within and proximal to kerogen bodies. P-wave anisotropy increases up to 150% at 50 MPa differential pressure after heating to the wet-gas zone, indicating a contribution to the anisotropy in addition to micro-cracking - potentially clay mineral re-orientation or the development of intrinsic anisotropy in the organic content itself.
Applications of nano-indentation methods to estimate nanoscale mechanical properties of shale reservoir rocks

Abstract In order to study the mechanical properties of shale samples from Bakken Formation, nanoindentation method, an imaging technique borrowed from other engineering disciplines, was used. Different types of nanoindentation curves were analyzed and the applicability of the nanoindentation theories to study mechanical properties of shale samples at nanoscale was demonstrated. Elastic modulus and Hardness of different samples were calculated, compared and related to their mineral compositions and microstructures which are detected by 2D XRD and FESEM methods, respectively. Results showed that samples with more clay minerals (mainly composed of illite) and larger pore structures have less Young's modulus. In addition, based on the energy analysis method, the fracture toughness at nanoscale was estimated and its relationships with Young's modulus was quantified. It was observed that fracture toughness increases linearly with Young's modulus. This paper presents the results and main findings of this study.
Localized AL Amyloidosis of the Breast: A Case Series.

Abstract 4906 AL amyloidosis is characterized by widespread, progressive deposition of fibrillar amyloid protein derived from monoclonal immunoglobulin light chains, leading to organ failure and death. This disease is typically systemic, however, it can occur as a localized form. In localized amyloidosis, the deposits occur near the site of synthesis of the precursor protein and in some cases, plasma cells have been demonstrated histologically adjacent to the deposits. For unknown reasons, the tracheobronchial tree is the most common site for localized AL amyloidosis. Localized AL amyloidosis of the breast is a rare entity that has been described in the literature in isolated case reports. It can present as a palpable mass or as calcifications on routine screening mammography. We report here a case series of seven women (median age 63 years, range 46 to75) seen and evaluated at Boston University Medical Center from 1990-2008. We evaluated 1502 new patients with AL amyloidosis in this time period, making the incidence of localized AL amyloidosis of the breast to be 0.5% at a single referral center. All seven patients had abnormal screening mammography with calcifications, and biopsies that revealed Congo red positive amyloid deposits. Histologically, the amyloid deposits appeared as amorphous material in the stroma around the ducts and lobules in most patients; one patient had amyloid deposits in the ducts only, but not in the stroma. None of the patients had clinical or laboratory evidence of other organ involvement, all had negative Congo red staining of an abdominal fat pad aspirate, and all had a negative work up for a plasma cell dyscrasia or circulating paraprotein. The patients were treated with local excision of the regions of calcification or lumpectomy. Three out of seven patients underwent routine follow up within 6-12 months from the time of diagnosis with no evidence of disease recurrence or progression to systemic AL amyloidosis. One out of seven patients had bilateral and recurrent amyloidosis of the breasts and was found to have an associated stage I invasive ductal adenocarcinoma that was treated with lumpectomy and radiation. In summary, breast amyloidosis is rare, is not associated with a systemic plasma cell dyscrasia or amyloidosis in other organs, and can be treated surgically. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
The Power of Gratitude

Organizations should foster a culture of appreciation and gratitude, a skill that anyone can learn and from which everyone will benefit.
The Millibottleneck Theory of Performance Bugs, and Its Experimental Verification

The performance of n-tier web-facing applications often suffer from response time long-tail problem. With relatively low resource utilization (less than 50%) and the majority of requests returning within a few milliseconds, a non-negligible num-ber of normally short requests may take seconds to return. We propose the millibottleneck theory of performance bugs (that lead to long-tail problems). Several case studies have confirmed the millibottlenecks (that last a few tens to hundreds of milliseconds) as causal agents of long requests. A concrete example (garbage collection) illustrates the experimental verification of millibottlenecks. An open source fine-grain monitoring toolkit is being devel-oped to facilitate the experimental research on millibottlenecks.
Hierarchical Influence Mobility

The hierarchical influence mobility model that can take care of many heterogeneous classes of mobile nodes is described. We have explained how the HIMM can be used to model the simultaneous presence and movement of these classes those influence the mobility pattern of their members in a variety of random and deterministic manner s. Moreover, it is also explained that the HIMM framework can be used for wider applications in addition to the MANET .
Cultivating Christians: North American family cultures and religious identity formation

North American Christian families face many challenges as they try to live faithfully in an intercultural, multi-religious, secularising world, particularly with regard to the formation of religiou...
‘That pony is real sexy’: My Little Pony fans, sexual abjection, and the politics of masculinity online:

The cartoon My Little Pony has drawn attention for its audience of young adult men, described as “bronies.” Although popular narratives have emphasized their comparative sexual normalcy, a subset o...
Fox squirrel response to forest restoration treatments in longleaf pine

Restoration of the longleaf pine (Pinus palustris; LLP) ecosystem and its associated fauna is a principal goal of many land-management agencies in the southeastern United States. Prescribed fire and herbicide application are 2 common methods of LLP restoration. We employed a multi-scale approach to investigate how occurrence of fox squirrels (Sciurus niger) was influenced by fire frequency and herbicide application in LLP communities of northern Florida. We sampled 9-point, 4-ha grids of camera traps with 106 grids in fire treatments, 23 herbicide treatment grids, and 27 control grids. We evaluated a priori models for occurrence of fox squirrels at point, 4-ha patch, and home-range scales, and the influence of fire and herbicides on vegetation structure. Fox squirrel occurrence was positively associated with densities of turkey oak (Quercus laevis) at the patch scale, which were significantly less abundant in herbicide-treated areas. Fox squirrel occurrence was negatively correlated with fire interval and positively correlated with oak densities at a localized point scale. Additionally, fox squirrel point occurrences declined over time since the last fire. Fire produced habitat more favorable for fox squirrels than did herbicide treatments.
DISCRIMINATION AND SUICIDAL BEHAVIOR AMONG SEXUAL MINORITY ADULTS IN THE UNITED STATES

Sexual minority (SM) mental health disparities constitute a serious public health concern, and emerging research highlights the role discrimination may have in these health disparities. Among a nationally-representative sample of US adults from the NESARC-III, we conducted time-varying effects models (TVEM) to estimate the age-varying prevalences of suicidal behavior and associations between discrimination and suicidal behavior by sexual identity. Suicidal behavior was reported most often by SM women, followed by SM men, heterosexual women, and heterosexual men. Suicidal behavior was higher among SM adults in their late fifties and early sixties, primarily due to increased prevalence among SM women. The relationship between discrimination and suicidal behavior was only significant in early adulthood. Our findings reveal that older adulthood may be a time of increased risk for suicide for SM women. Future work should explore factors that place older SM women at risk for suicidal behavior.
Mediatized Taiwan Mandarin: Social perceptions and language ideologies

Abstract This study examines the changing perceptions of Taiwan Mandarin (TM) among Chinese mainlanders and how televised media contribute to the formation of language ideology. This study shows that televised media play a role in reinforcing the socio-semiotic link between ideologies and linguistic practice. TM is traditionally associated with chic, urban television celebrities and young cosmopolitan types. However, the results of an online survey measuring language attitudes towards televised TM among young mainlanders indicate that the social prestige of TM may be waning for this demographic. TM is now perceived by many millennials on the mainland as gentle, pretentious and emasculated. The changing attitude among millennials on the Chinese mainland towards TM can be ascribed in part to (1) social and economic changes on the mainland and (2) the way TM is stylized in televised media.
Proceedings of the Second ACM Workshop on Moving Target Defense

It is our great pleasure to welcome you to the 2015 ACM Workshop on Moving Target Defense -- MTD'15. This year's MTD workshop continues its tradition of being the premier forum for presentation of research results and experience reports on leading edge issues of access control, nincluding models, systems, applications, and theory. The mission of the symposium is to share novel access control solutions that fulfill the needs of heterogeneous applications and environments and identify new directions for future research and development. ACRONYM gives researchers and practitioners a unique opportunity to share their perspectives with others interested in the various aspects of access control. The call for papers attracted submissions from Asia, Europe, and United States. Submissions are from both industry and academia. The workshop received 19 submissions. Each submitted paper has at least 3 review comments from TPC members. The program committee reviewed and accepted the following: Full Technical Papers submitted 19, accepted 8 Short Experience Reports submitted 19, accepted 4 We also encourage attendees to attend the keynote and invited talk presentations. These valuable and insightful talks can and will guide us to a better understanding of the future: From Fine Grained Code Diversity to Execute-Only-Memory: The Cat and Mouse Game Between Attackers and Defenders Continues, Michael Franz, (University of California, Irvine) Getting Beyond Tit for Tat: Better Strategies for Moving Target Prototyping and Evaluation, Hamed Okhravi (MIT Lincoln Laboratory))
A rational expectations approach to the modelling of agricultural supply: a case study of Iowa

A dynamic model for agricultural supply where expectation of exogenous variables is assumed to be formed rationally is developed. Farmers are assumed to make choices that maximize the expected present values of their incomes streams subject to dynamic and stochastic technology and their information. Their information is assumed to include the actual distributions of the exogenous variables which includes prices. Hence, farmers decision rules depend, among other things, on the stochastic processes of crop prices;The solution for the dynamic optimization problem gives a set of nonlinear simultaneous equations subject to within and cross equation restrictions. The restrictions are the implications of ration expectation hypothesis;The model is fitted to aggregate time series data on corn and soybean and other related variables from the state of Iowa. The results indicate that there is a dynamic interaction among land allocation, crop yields and crop prices. The restrictions imposed are supported by the data. The results also indicate that corn acreage is more responsive to government price support than to market price.
Standardization of the professional training (education) of the civil servants of Ukraine on the basis of the competent approach

In the article is presented the scientific substantiation of standardization of the professional training (education) of the civil servants on the basis of the competent approach as a fundamental part of modernization of the civil service. The research establishes: among the main components of the modernization of the civil service of Ukraine is the reform of the professional training system for the civil servants, and part of it is the modernization of the professional training (education) of the civil servants; the lack of standardization of the professional training (education) of the civil servants of Ukraine; the need to take into account the experience of the developed countries of the world that standardized both the professional activities and appropriate professional training (education) of the employee based on a competent approach and mutually consistent with these standards.It was established that for the modernization of the system of professional training (education) of the civil servants of Ukraine in the conditions of European integration it is necessary: to clarify in the current legislation of Ukraine the concept of “competence” as a demonstrated ability to apply in practice knowledge and skills (in accordance with the standards of ISO 9001); to specify in the National Classifier (of professions) of Ukraine not only senior positions in the public administration, but also other positions of the civil service; to develop and approve professional standards for all the positions of the civil service of Ukraine; development of standards for higher education within the specialty “281. Public management and administration” based on the professional standards and in accordance with the National Qualifications Framework; clarify and legislatively establish a coherent set of competences to be held by higher education recipients (master, bachelor, junior bachelor) and civil servants in positions of categories “A” and “B” (the degree of higher education not lower than the master’s degree), category “C” (the degree of higher education is not lower than bachelor, junior bachelor).
An Etymological Dog Kennel, or Dog Eat Dog: Icelandic setja upp við dogg, Engl. to lie doggo, Engl. dog, and Engl. it’s raining cats and dogs

There is a rare slangy British English phrase to lie doggo “to lie hid”. The earliest known example is dated in the OED to 1882. Doggo looks like dog + o (with -o, as in weirdo, typo, and so forth), but a formation consisting of an animal name followed by the suffix -o would have no analogs. Some light on the origin of lie doggo may fall from the Modern Icelandic idiom sitja upp við dogg ‘to sit or half-lie, supporting oneself with elbows’. Doggur, known from texts since the eighteenth century, occurs with several other verbs. Also, sitja eins og doggur ‘sit motionless, look distraught’ and vera eins og doggur ‘to be motionless’ exist. Doggur has nothing to do with dogs, because the Scandinavian word for “dog” is hund-. The origin of the English noun dog is obscure, but, contrary to the almost universal opinion, the word is not totally isolated. In some German dialects, the diminutive forms dodel, doggel, and the similar-sounding tiggel ~ teckel occur. Perhaps dog and its continental look-alikes were originally baby words. The same sound complexes as above sometimes mean ‘a cylindrical object’ (such are Icelandic doggur and Middle High German tocke). Two of the basic meanings of those words were probably ‘round stick; doll’. Although the evidence is late, we can risk suggesting that lie doggo also contains the name of some device that was current not too long ago in the European itinerant handymen’s lingua franca. The overall image looks nearly the same as in the phrase dead as a doornail. In English, folk etymology connected doggo with the animal name and misled even professional lexicographers and etymologists. Finally, of some relevance is the English idiom it rains cats and dogs, whose forgotten earliest form was it rains cats and dogs and pitchforks with their points downwards. Apparently, the original idea was that a downpour of sharp objects fell to the ground.
Toward Dynamic Model Association through Semantic Analytics: Approach and Evaluation

Business Architecture (BA) is often used as a blueprint that aligns an enterprise's capabilities and processes with its strategic objectives and structures. Conventionally, the alignment is established manually by subject matter experts through the association between model elements based on their domain knowledge; while the quality of the alignment is high, the effort is costly and time-consuming. To overcome these issues, we propose a novel yet complementary approach wherein associations between model elements are automatically and dynamically established and maintained through semantic analytics, such as natural language understanding and synonym tag generation. In this paper, we describe how the dynamic model association is implemented in IBM's CBM.next project, evaluate initial results from the deployment, and discuss directions for future research.
Effects of recombinant DNA-derived somatotropin and dietary energy intake on development of beef heifers: I. Growth and puberty.

The effects of dietary energy intake and somatotropin (STH) on growth and puberty were studied in 40 Angus heifers. At an average age of 7 mo (208 +/- 8 d), heifers were assigned to four treatment groups: 1) vehicle (V) + high energy (HE; 2.68 Mcal ME/kg DM), 2) recombinant DNA-derived STH (20.6 mg/d; s.c.) + HE, 3) V + low energy (LE; 2.22 Mcal ME/kg DM) or 4) STH + LE. Animals remained on treatments until 15.5 mo of age. Body weights (BW), hip heights (HH) and areas of pelvic openings (PA) were measured every 28 d and backfat thicknesses (BF) were measured every 56 d. Plasma progesterone was measured in blood samples taken three times per week beginning at 9 mo of age to determine age at first ovulation. Heifers fed HE were heavier (P less than .01), gained faster (P less than .01) and had greater BF (P less than .01) than those fed LE. Animals treated with STH gained faster (P less than .01) and were heavier (P less than .05) between 12 and 15 mo of age than V-treated heifers. Heifers treated with STH also had less BF (P less than .05) and a tendency for a greater (P = .08) increase in HH than in V-treated heifers. Somatotropin interacted with energy (P less than .05) and age (P less than .01) to influence PA. Somatotropin increased (P less than .01) PA in heifers fed the HE diet but not in those fed the LE diet.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Review of Queering Education in the Deep South

This is a review of Kamden K. Strunk’s Queering Education in the Deep South. In Queering Education in the Deep South, Strunk provides text from several queer scholars that have conducted qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods research studies to collect the experiences of queer faculty, staff and students within the secondary and postsecondary education system in the American South. This review will discuss the various sections throughout the text that make connections between sociopolitical concerns of the lived experiences of those who identify as LGBTQ or LGBTQ allies. This review also critiques parts of Strunk’s work as it relates to the overall tone of Queering Education in the Deep South. Additionally, this review offers recommendations on parties who would benefit from reading this captivating text in an effort to acknowledge, challenge, and transform the educational policies and practice in the American South pertaining to those who identify as members of the LGBTQ community and LGBTQ allies.
The Voices of Latinx People: Overcoming Problems of Food Insecurity

Latinx are at high risk for food insecurity and face several barriers to accessing nutritious foods. To identify the food relief efforts that would be most beneficial to Latinx, 30 Latinas were int...