cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Energy-Efficient Discrete Signal Processing with Field Programmable Analog Arrays (FPAAs)

Large-scale field programmable analog array (FPAA) devices have made analog and analog-digital signal processing techniques accessible to a much wider community. However, largely due to its severe resource constraints, high noise sensitivity, and enormous design space, reconfigurable analog computing remains a niche in the DSP application space. In this paper, we develop a probabilistic-based methodology for designing and implementing the analog computing engines that specifically target at energy-efficient signal processing systems. We will first demonstrate how to decompose a given DSP application into various functional modules within the framework of probabilistic-based processing. Furthermore, we will show how these individual functional modules can be easily mapped to the limited selection of analog blocks found in an commercially available FPAA device: the PSoC chip platform from Cypress. To keep our study concrete, our implementation example focuses on the 1-D convolution module, a fundamental algorithmic building block in many applications of computer vision and artificial intelligence. In the end, we construct a complete image processing system based on the PSoC chip platform, and use the application of image key point extraction to demonstrate that our proposed approach to reconfigurable analog computing has considerable advantages in hardware usage, energy efficiency, and computing robustness over the traditional DSP approaches.
Monocyte activation by smooth muscle cell-derived matrices

Abstract Mononuclear phagocytes adhere to and penetrate the vessel wall endothelium and contact the subendothelial space prior to the development of the atherosclerotic plaque. In an attempt to model the early events of plaque development we used an elastin-rich, multicomponent, cell-derived matrix from neonatal rat aortic smooth muscle cells as a substratum for monocytes. Using this model, we show that human monocyte morphology and metabolism are markedly altered by the matrix substratum. When a mixed mononuclear cell population is seeded on matrix or plastic, only monocytes adhere to the matrix surface. In contrast, lymphocytes as well as monocytes adhere to the plastic surface. The matrix-adherent monocytes develop large intracellular granules and form extensive clusters of individual cells. Metabolically, these cells develop sodium fluoride resistant non-specific esterase activity and their media contain more growth factor activity and PGE 2 . Although total protein synthesis is equivalent in both cultures, the matrix contact induces an increase in specific proteins in the media. We also show that a purified a-elastin substratum induces some, but not all, of the monocyte changes seen when using the matrix substratum. Using the a-elastin substratum, there is selective adhesion of monocytes and increased growth factor activity, however, the cells are morphologically different from the matrix-adherent cells. Thus, the use of the smooth muscle cell-derived matrix, in conjunction with purified matrix components, serves as a model that can provide insight into the mechanisms of monocyte adhesion and stimulation by the matrix environment that exists in vivo. Such mechanisms may be particularly important in atherogenesis.
Facile labeling of lipoglycans with quantum dots

Bacterial endotoxins or lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are among the most potent activators of the innate immune system, yet mechanisms of their action and in particular the role of glycans remain elusive. Efficient non-invasive labeling strategies are necessary for studying interactions of LPS glycans with biological systems. Here we report a new method for labeling LPS and other lipoglycans with luminescent quantum dots. The labeling is achieved by partitioning of hydrophobic quantum dots into the core of various LPS aggregates without disturbing the native LPS structure. The biofunctionality of the LPS-Qdot conjugates is demonstrated by the labeling of mouse monocytes. This simple method should find broad applicability in studies concerned with visualization of LPS biodistribution and identification of LPS binding agents.
The Universal Parser and interlanguage: domain-specific mental organization in the comprehension of combien interrogatives in English-French interlanguage

From the perspective of Fodor’s (1983) theory of mental organization and Chomsky’s (1995) Minimalist theory of grammar, I consider constraints on the interpretation of French-type and English-type ...
FDA Critical Path Initiatives: Opportunities for Generic Drug Development

FDA’s critical path initiative documents have focused on the challenges involved in the development of new drugs. Some of the focus areas identified apply equally to the production of generic drugs. However, there are scientific challenges unique to the development of generic drugs as well. In May 2007, FDA released a document “Critical Path Opportunities for Generic Drugs” that identified some of the specific challenges in the development of generic drugs. The key steps in generic product development are usually characterization of the reference product, design of a pharmaceutically equivalent and bioequivalent product, design of a consistent manufacturing process and conduct of the pivotal bioequivalence study. There are several areas of opportunity where scientific progress could accelerate the development and approval of generic products and expand the range of products for which generic versions are available, while maintaining high standards for quality, safety, and efficacy. These areas include the use of quality by design to develop bioequivalent products, more efficient bioequivalence methods for systemically acting drugs (expansion of BCS waivers, highly variable drugs), and development of new bioequivalence methods for locally acting drugs.
Relaxation at high-index surfaces studied by atomic-resolution scanning tunneling microscopy: Au(311), (533), and (221) electrochemical interfaces

Abstract Atomic relaxation at the stepped surfaces Au(311), (533), and (221) in aqueous solution is examined by atomic-resolution scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). The former two surfaces yield ordered (1 × 1) domains at electrode potentials corresponding to near-zero or positive electronic charges. Substantial surface relaxation is observed, however, at more negative potentials, featuring displacements of the step edge and neighboring atomic rows. The Au(221) surface exhibits a marked relaxation at positive as well as negative electronic charges. The so-far underutilized value of STM for exploring atomic structure at stepped surfaces is demonstrated by these findings.
Representation of process trends—Part II. The problem of scale and qualitative scaling

Abstract The formal representation of process trends introduced in Part I of this series is completed in this paper through the formal definition and representation of time scales, which allow: (a) the systematic and unambiguous description of trends at any time scale of interest; and (b) the discovery of descriptions at dominant time scales. The representation is based on the concept of “scaling episodes,” which are constructed from the “triangular episodes” introduced in Part I, to describe the distinct events characterizing the time scales of process trends. The “qualitative spectrum of scales” can then be synthesized to reveal the distribution of the underlying physicochemical events occurring at various time scales. Specific procedures are proposed to carry out local or global scaling as well as the transformation of information between different time scales, leading to the construction of the “qualitative structure of scale,” which provides simultaneous descriptions of a trend at all scales. In contrast to the Fourier notion of scale, the time-domain approach proposed in this paper allows interpretations of time scales on the basis of the occurring physicochemical phenomena.
Effect of interleukin-15 on depressed splenic dendritic cell functions following trauma-hemorrhage

Although trauma-hemorrhage (T-H) induces suppressed splenic dendritic cell (DC) maturation and antigen presentation capacity, it remains unclear whether IL-15 modulates splenic DC functions. The ai...
DNA-polyfluorophore chemosensors for environmental remediation: vapor-phase identification of petroleum products in contaminated soil

Contamination of soil and groundwater by petroleum-based products is an extremely widespread and important environmental problem. Here we have tested a simple optical approach for detecting and identifying such industrial contaminants in soil samples, using a set of fluorescent DNA-based chemosensors in pattern-based sensing. We used a set of diverse industrial volatile chemicals to screen and identify a set of five short oligomeric DNA fluorophores on PEG–polystyrene microbeads that could differentiate the entire set after exposure to their vapors in air. We then tested this set of five fluorescent chemosensor compounds for their ability to respond with fluorescence changes when exposed to headgas over soil samples contaminated with one of ten different samples of crude oil, petroleum distillates, fuels, lubricants and additives. Statistical analysis of the quantitative fluorescence change data (as Δ(R,G,B) emission intensities) revealed that these five chemosensors on beads could differentiate all ten product mixtures at 1000 ppm in soil within 30 minutes. Tests of sensitivity with three of the contaminant mixtures showed that they could be detected and differentiated in amounts at least as low as one part per million in soil. The results establish that DNA-polyfluorophores may have practical utility in monitoring the extent and identity of environmental spills and leaks, while they occur and during their remediation.
Local Orbital Forcing of Antarctic Climate Change During the Last Interglacial

During the last interglacial, Antarctic climate changed before that of the Northern Hemisphere. Large local changes in precession forcing could have produced this pattern if there were a rectified response in sea ice cover. Results from a coupled sea ice-ocean general circulation model supported this hypothesis when it was tested for three intervals around the last interglacial. Such a mechanism may play an important role in contributing to phase offsets between Northern and Southern Hemisphere climate change for other time intervals.
The Power of No Words: Implications of Stakes on Assessing Students' Oral Skills Apprehension.

Business undergraduates’ oral communication apprehension (OCA) levels are compared across general oral communication settings as well those including high stakes reflective of the contemporary workplace. Findings indicate business students’ OCA levels significantly increase as oral settings’ demands (e.g., stakes) increase. Along with an explication of how student’s oral communication experiences and OCA levels impact the learning process, these results have implications for how business educators prepare their students for the specific oral communication demands of the workplace.
How significant is persistent chest pain in a young HIV-positive patient during acute inpatient rehabilitation? A case report☆☆☆

Chest pain in a patient with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) has a broad differential diagnosis including, but not limited to, coronary artery disease, gastroesophageal reflux, fungal esophagitis, and musculoskeletal pain. However, spontaneous pneumothorax must also be added to the list of possibilities. Spontaneous pneumothorax occurs 450 times more frequently in patients with AIDS versus the general population and is now the leading cause of nontraumatic pneumothorax in the urban population, to include both those with and without AIDS. Because many patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are young and typically devoid of comorbidity, the presentation of this pulmonary complication may be subtle. HIV-positive patients are receiving rehabilitation services more frequently; therefore, the physiatrist must be aware of the potential for spontaneous pneumothorax to be an etiology of chest pain. We present a case exemplifying the need for rehabilitation professionals to maintain a broad-based approach when caring for patients with HIV and AIDS.
Tobacco-alcohol amblyopia: A proposed biochemical basis for pathogenesis

Abstract Tobacco-alcohol or nutritional amblyopia is a rare disorder of decreased central vision associated with nutritional deficiencies and tobacco smoking. Although folate deficiency is common in patients with tobacco-alcohol amblyopia, the role of folic acid in this disorder has been underplayed. The role of cyanide from tobacco smoke, folate and other dietary deficiencies will be reviewed. A new model of the pathogenesis of tobacco-alcohol amblyopia is proposed based on the presumptive alteration of methionine and S-adenosyl-L-methionine metabolism.
Cap Z, a calcium insensitive capping protein in resting and activated platelets

Abstract Capping of the barbed-ends of actin filaments is an important mechanism for control of the cytoskeleton. In platelets, a valuable model system, it has been thought that gelsolin was the major capping protein. We now report that platelets contain 2 μM Cap Z, a calcium insensitive heterodimeric capping protein; two major and additional minor isoforms of both α and β subunits are present. In lysates from resting platelets 75–80% of the Cap Z sediments with the high speed pellet, but if the platelets are activated with thrombin for 10 s, about 15% of the Cap Z leaves the pellet fraction and is found in the high speed supernatant where it is not bound to actin. This translocation of Cap Z to the supernatant is also observed when resting platelets are lysed into buffer containing 50–100 μM GTPγS and 10 mM EGTA. Our results suggest that release of Cap Z from some actin filaments could generate free filament barbed-ends. An increase in free barbed-ends has been reported in platelet lysates prepared shortly after thrombin activation.
Robotic vehicle uses acoustic array for detection and localization in urban environments

Sophisticated robotic platforms with diverse sensor suites are quickly replacing the eyes and ears of soldiers on the complex battlefield. The Army Research Laboratory (ARL) in Adelphi, Maryland has developed a robot-based acoustic detection system that will detect an impulsive noise event, such as a sniper's weapon firing or door slam, and activate a pan-tilt to orient a visible and infrared camera toward the detected sound. Once the cameras are cued to the target, onboard image processing can then track the target and/or transmit the imagery to a remote operator for navigation, situational awareness, and target detection. Such a vehicle can provide reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition for soldiers, law enforcement, and rescue personnel, and remove these people from hazardous environments. ARL's primary robotic platforms contain 16-in. diameter, eight-element acoustic arrays. Additionally, a 9- in. array is being developed in support of DARPA's Tactical Mobile Robot program. The robots have been tested in both urban and open terrain. The current acoustic processing algorithm has been optimized to detect the muzzle blast from a sniper's weapon, and reject many interfering noise sources such as wind gusts, generators, and self-noise. However, other detection algorithms for speech and vehicle detection/tracking are being developed for implementation on this and smaller robotic platforms. The collaboration between two robots, both with known positions and orientations, can provide useful triangulation information for more precise localization of the acoustic events. These robots can be mobile sensor nodes in a larger, more expansive, sensor network that may include stationary ground sensors, UAVs, and other command and control assets. This report will document the performance of the robot's acoustic localization, describe the algorithm, and outline future work.
Quadratic spline-on-spline

Abstract Recently Dolezal and Tewarson [2], and Papamichael and Soares [3] have considered the cubic spline-on-spline for the purpose of the approximating the derivatives y (2) , y (3) , and y (4) . In this paper their ideas have been extended and the quadratic spline-on-spline has been established for the same purpose. This technique yields better results than the traditional process using a single quadratic spline.
THE INFLUENCE OF EPIDURAL ANAESTHESIA ON CARDIAC EXCITABILITY IN PROFOUND HYPOTHERMIA.

The effect of total sympathetic block by epidural anaesthesia was studied during profound hypothermia It protected against the incidence of ventricular fibrillation over 20° C This protection seemed to be mediated through a steddy equilibrium of the heart rate, duration of QRS, and the length of refractoriness (TRP) The ventricular fibrillatory threshold became lower and equal to the ventricular diastolic threshold in the animals that fibrillated This threshold (VDT) had wide changes m the control group and decreased sharply below 25° C in the experiments in which ventricular fibiillation occurred at higher temperatures However, ventricular diastolic threshold alone does not explain the protection obtained from sympathetic block Sympathetic block protected against reflex factors in induced ventricular fibrillation Total epidural anaesthesia during hypothermia produced marked arterial hypotension
Circadian variation of EEG power spectra in NREM and REM sleep in humans: Dissociation from body temperature

In humans, EEG power spectra in REM and NREM sleep, as well as characteristics of sleep spindles such as their duration, amplitude, frequency and incidence, vary with circadian phase. Recently it has been hypothesized that circadian variations in EEG spectra in humans are caused by variations in brain or body temperature and may not represent phenomena relevant to sleep regulatory processes. To test this directly, a further analysis of EEG power spectra - collected in a forced desynchrony protocol in which sleep episodes were scheduled to a 28-h period while the rhythms of body temperature and plasma melatonin were oscillating at their near 24-h period - was carried out. EEG power spectra were computed for NREM and REM sleep occurring between 90-120 and 270-300 degrees of the circadian melatonin rhythm, i.e. just after the clearance of melatonin from plasma in the 'morning' and just after the 'evening' increase in melatonin secretion. Average body temperatures during scheduled sleep at these two circadian phases were identical (36.72 degrees C). Despite identical body temperatures, the power spectra in NREM sleep were very different at these two circadian phases. EEG activity in the low frequency spindle range was significantly and markedly enhanced after the evening increase in plasma melatonin as compared to the morning phase. For REM sleep, significant differences in power spectra during these two circadian phases, in particular in the alpha range, were also observed. The results confirm that EEG power spectra in NREM and REM sleep vary with circadian phase, suggesting that the direct contribution of temperature to the circadian variation in EEG power spectra is absent or only minor, and are at variance with the hypothesis that circadian variations in EEG power spectra are caused by variations in temperature.
SU‐GG‐I‐48: Performance Evaluation of Three Algorithms for Metal Artifact Reduction in CT Imaging

Purpose: To provide a reference for clinical applications by investigating the performance of three metal artifact reduction (MAR) methods for CTimaging.Method and Materials: The expectation maximization (EM) algorithm, algebraic reconstruction technique (ART), and a MAR method based on filtered back projection (FBP) were tested with Shepp‐Logan phantom in noise free and additive Gaussian noisy environments. A small disk of metal was added to the phantom to simulate the metal effect, and the projection data were obtained by parallel beam projection. In each projection data set, there were 180 views and 367channels. Noise was simulated by adding Gaussian noise (μ = 0.5, σ = 0.5) to the projection data. Computational experiments were performed to demonstrate and compare effectiveness of artifact reduction. Essential characteristics such as reconstruction accuracy, convergence, computational costs, have been evaluated. In addition, the robustness of MAR algorithms to variations of the threshold for detecting metal region in implementation was also investigated. Results: Simulations with Shepp‐Logan phantom in noise free and additive Gaussian noisy environments show that all of these methods can provide high‐quality reconstruction images. In comparison, EM obtains the most accurate reconstruction image and shows highest robustness to parameter variation. In addition, EM converges faster than ART. As for computational costs, FBP removes metal artifacts most efficiently. Conclusion: Simulations have shown that all of three methods can finish artifact reduction task effectively. In comparison, EM can provide most accurate reconstruction image and FBP remove the effect of metal most efficiently. The studies presented herein would provide a reference for clinical use. Future work involves comparison of MAR techniques based on real raw data.
Cherry Picking: Why We Must Not Let Negativity Dominance Affect Our Interactions with Students

This editorial discusses why we must not let negativity dominance affect our interactions with students.
High-growth firms: A new policy paradigm or a need for caution?

UK enterprise policy is going through a period of relative hiatus and reflection, offering an opportune time to consider its possible future direction. One shift in the policy focus could be from an emphasis on start-up to the support of firms with high-growth potential. This short paper suggests some reasons for caution when considering such a refocusing of policy.
Panic disorder in the general medical setting

There is a high prevalence of panic disorder in medical patients, as well as an association between panic disorder and high rates of utilization of medical services and excessive medical costs incurred from extensive medical workups. The association between panic disorder and specific cardiac, gastrointestinal, respiratory, and neurologic symptoms and disorders are described, and psychophysiological models attempting to account for the medical comorbidity associated with panic disorder are addressed. Finally, clinical trials investigating pharmacological and psychological interventions to treat the somatic symptoms with which patients with panic disorder often present are reviewed and critiqued, and productive avenues for further research on panic disorder in medical patients are recommended.
Considerations for practical conductor design of Chevrel phase wires

It is noticed that the application of PbMo/sub 6/S/sub 8/ (PMS) wires for the generation of steady-state magnetic fields in excess of 20 T requires that several conditions be fulfilled in order to be realistic. Practical design considerations for PbMo/sub 6/S/sub 8/ wires are reported. Besides the availability of wires with sufficient lengths and uniform high critical current density J/sub c/, thermal and mechanical stability have to be achieved. The most severe criterion for thermal stability is based on the prevention of flux jumps in the presence of screening currents in the adiabatic limit. This results in filament diameters between 710 mu m and 90 mu m for critical current densities of 5*10/sup 8/ A/m/sup 2/ and 2*10/sup 9/ A/m/sup 2/, respectively. A dynamic stabilization of a PMS wire in an epoxy-impregnated coil is not very efficient. The behavior of the J/sub c/ of PbMo/sub 6/S/sub 8/ wires under tensile and compressive stress is discussed.
Prolactin and Somatomedin in Hypopituitary Patients with “Catch-up” Growth Following Operations for Craniopharyngioma

Four patients had insufficiency of hGH, TSH, ACTH, and ADH following surgery for craniopharyngiomas. Despite hypopituitarism, and without hGH therapy, all showed “catch-up” growth during post-operative follow up. Prolactin, determined by RAI was normal in every patient, and therefore cannot be responsible for the increase in post-operative growth rate. Their prolactin values were similar to those of a large series of children with idiopathic hypopituitarism. In determined by bioassay and was normal. An additional patient who showed a normal growth rate (without “catch-up”) postoperatively also had normal somatomedin in the absence of growth hormone response to provocative tests. While the mechanism for catch-up growth in the patients remains enigmatic, the possibility cannot be excluded that hyperinsulinism could play a role, inasmuch as these patients are generally obese secondary to voracious appetites.
Recursive domains in proteins.

The domain is a fundamental unit of protein structure. Numerous studies have analyzed folding patterns in protein domains of known structure to gain insight into the underlying protein folding process. Are such patterns a haphazard assortment or are they similar to sentences in a language, which can be generated by an underlying grammar? Specifically, can a small number of intuitively sensible rules generate a large class of folds, including feasible new folds? In this paper, we explore the extent to which four simple rules can generate the known all-β folds, using tools from graph theory. As a control, an exhaustive set of β-sandwiches was tested and found to be largely incompatible with such a grammar. The existence of a protein grammar has potential implications for both the mechanism of folding and the evolution of domains.
THE CULTURAL POLITICS OF BODY SIZE

AbstractScholarly interest in body size has increased in concert with recent efforts to shape and assess bodies in particular ways within industrialized social contexts. Attending to both overt and covert references to Eurocentric body projects, this chapter reviews literature in anthropology, sociology, and cultural studies that addresses the cultural politics of body size in various parts of the world. It begins with a discussion of biocultural paradigms, which accept certain biomedical categories even when challenging or reconfiguring their hegemonic power. Next is a survey of works analyzing body size within “non-Western” groups as well as European and North American subgroups. These studies often employ culturally powerful “Western” constructs as foils, an approach that risks cultural othering. The analysis then turns to the extensive literature that unpacks dominant Euro-American body practices and discourses. Here, diverse perspectives on several key concerns in sociocultural anthropology are consi...
THE PLUME PHYSICS BEHIND AEROSPIKE NOZZLE ALTITUDE COMPENSATION AND SLIPSTREAM EFFECT

Aerospike nozzles are currently being designed for the X33 and the Single Stage to Orbit Reusable Launch Vehicle. The aerospike nozzle concept received much attention in its early development. Interest in aerospike nozzles, however, faded in the early 1970's. Hence, most of the engineers and managers in the aerospace industry today have had little exposure to aerospike nozzles. The objective of this paper is to provide an understanding of aerospike plume physics responsible for aerospike performance characteristics. Aerospike plume physics responsible for thrust generation and altitude compensation are explained. The interaction between freestream flow and an aerospike plume, i.e., the slipstream effect is explained.
Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans serotype f O-polysaccharide mediates coaggregation with Fusobacterium nucleatum.

Background/aims: Intergeneric bacterial coaggregation may play an important role in plaque development. Methods: In this study we investigated the coaggregation reaction between two periodontal pathogens, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and Fusobacterium nucleatum. Results: Previous studies showed that A. actinomycetemcomitans serotype b strains coaggregate with F. nucleatum strain PK1594, and that A. actinomycetemcomitans serotype b O-polysaccharide (O-PS) is the receptor responsible for coaggregation between A. actinomycetemcomitans and F. nucleatum. A. actinomycetemcomitans serotype f O-PS has been shown to be structurally and antigenically related to serotype b O-PS. In the present study we show that A. actinomycetemcomitans strain CU1060N, a serotype f strain, also coaggregated with F. nucleatum PK1594. Like coaggregation between serotype b strains and F. nucleatum, coaggregation between CU1060N and F. nucleatum was inhibited by galactose. An O-PS mutant of CU1060N failed to coaggregate with F. nucleatum. Conclusion: We concluded that A. actinomycetemcomitans serotype f O-PS, like serotype b O-PS, mediates coaggregation between A. actinomycetemcomitans and fusobacteria.
DNA Vaccination against Theiler’s Murine Encephalomyelitis Virus Leads to Alterations in Demyelinating Disease

Although the etiology of multiple sclerosis (MS) is not known, several factors play a role in this disease: genetic contributions, immunologic elements, and environmental factors. Viruses and virus infections have been associated with the initiation and/or enhancement of exacerbations in MS. Theiler’s murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) infection of mice is one of the animal models used to mimic MS. In other animal model systems, DNA vaccination has been used to protect animals against a variety of virus infections. To explore the utility of DNA vaccination, we have constructed eukaryotic expression vectors encoding the TMEV capsid proteins VP1, VP2, and VP3. SJL/J mice were vaccinated intramuscularly once, twice, or three times with the different capsid protein cDNAs. This was followed by intracerebral TMEV infection to determine the effects of DNA vaccination on the course of TMEV-induced central nervous system (CNS) demyelinating disease. We found that vaccination of mice three times with cDNA encoding VP2 led to partial protection of mice from CNS demyelinating disease as determined by a decrease in clinical symptoms and histopathology. Vaccination of mice with cDNA encoding VP3 also led to a decrease in clinical symptoms. In contrast, mice vaccinated with cDNA encoding VP1 experienced a more severe disease with an earlier onset of clinical signs and enhanced histopathology compared with control mice. There was no correlation between anti-TMEV antibody titers and disease course. These results indicate that DNA immunization can modify chronic virus-induced demyelinating disease and may eventually lead to potential treatments for illnesses such as MS.
Biting Off Safely More Than You Can Chew: Predictive Analytics for Resource Over-Commit in IaaS Cloud

Cloud service providers are constantly looking for ways to increase revenue and reduce costs either by reducing capacity requirements or by supporting more users without adding capacity. Over-commit of physical resources, without adding more capacity, is one such approach. Workloads that tend to be 'peaky' are especially attractive targets for over-commit since only occasionally such workloads use all the system resources that they are entitled to. Online identification of candidate workloads and quantification of risks are two key issues associated with over-committing resources. In this paper, to estimate the risks associated with over-commit, we describe a mechanism based on the statistical analysis of the aggregate resource usage behavior of a group of workloads. Using CPU usage data collected from an internal private Cloud, we show that our proposed approach is effective and practical.
Analysis of sustainable manufacturing using simulation for integration of production and building service

The desire to be environmentally sustainable gives manufacturers the necessary impetus to implement "green" technology that previously may have been regarded as less important. Traditionally, Energy Management Systems (EMS), which handle energy-related activities within building services, and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), which handle production activities, have been isolated from one another. Clearly, the integration of EMS-MES offers a compelling opportunity to make important energy-efficient contributions toward manufacturing sustainability. Discrete Event Simulation (DES) has been very valuable for manufacturing applications as an efficient analysis tool to aid problem solving and decision-making. This paper analyzes the requirements of EMS-MES system integration within the framework of DES. A case study of the EMS-MES system integration for precision sand casting production will be explored.
Bayesian analysis of canopy transpiration models: A test of posterior parameter means against measurements

Summary Big-leaf models of transpiration are based on the hypothesis that structural heterogeneity within forest canopies can be ignored at stand or larger scales. However, the adoption of big-leaf models is de facto rather than de jure , as forests are never structurally or functionally homogeneous. We tested big-leaf models both with and without modification to include canopy gaps, in a heterogeneous quaking aspen stand having a range of canopy densities. Leaf area index ( L ) and canopy closure were obtained from biometric data, stomatal conductance parameters were obtained from sap flux measurements, while leaf gas exchange data provided photosynthetic parameters. We then rigorously tested model-data consistency by incrementally starving the models of these measured parameters and using Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo simulation to retrieve the withheld parameters. Model acceptability was quantified with Deviance Information Criterion (DIC), which penalized model accuracy by the number of retrieved parameters. Big-leaf models overestimated canopy transpiration with increasing error as canopy density declined, but models that included gaps had minimal error regardless of canopy density. When models used measured L the other parameters were retrieved with minimal bias. This showed that simple canopy models could predict transpiration in data scarce regions where only L was measured. Models that had L withheld had the lowest DIC values suggesting that they were the most acceptable models. However, these models failed to retrieve unbiased parameter estimates indicating a mismatch between model structure and data. By quantifying model structure and data requirements this new approach to evaluating model-data fusion has advanced the understanding of canopy transpiration.
How I treat amyloidosis

Amyloidosis is an uncommon disorder in which proteins change conformation, aggregate, and form fibrils that infiltrate tissues, leading to organ failure and death. The most frequent types are light-chain (AL) derived from monoclonal B-cell disorders producing amyloidogenic immunoglobulin light chains, and the hereditary and "senile systemic" (ATTR) variants from mutant and wild-type transthyretin (TTR). Diagnosis requires tissue biopsy. AL is more frequent and causes more organ disease than ATTR. Although both can cause cardiomyopathy and heart failure, AL progresses more quickly, so survival depends on timely diagnosis. Typing is usually based on clinical and laboratory findings with monoclonal gammopathy evaluation and, if indicated, TTR gene testing. Direct tissue typing is required when one patient has 2 potential amyloid-forming proteins. In coming years, widespread use of definitive proteomics will improve typing. New therapies are in testing for ATTR, whereas those for AL have followed multiple myeloma, leading to improved survival. Challenges of diagnosing and caring for patients with amyloidosis include determination of type, counseling, and delivery of prompt therapy often while managing multisystem disease. Recent advances grew from clinical research and advocacy in many countries, and global husbandry of such efforts will reap future benefits for families and patients with amyloidosis.
A unique case of pronounced neurologic deficit from paraneoplastic syndrome that precedes appearance of mediastinal germinoma by two years

Paraneoplastic neurologic disorder may be the initial manifestation of a tumor, with the diagnosis of malignancy commonlyfound within six months of the onset of neurologic symptoms. This diagnosis is usually made on clinical grounds, as antineuronalantibodies are infrequently positive, though anti-Hu antibodies have been associated commonly with lung cancer. Typically,neurologic manifestations of germinomas include limbic and brainstem encephalitis in association with anti-Ma2 antibodies.To our knowledge, germinomas have not been associated with paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration with anti-Hu antibodypositivity. Here we report a case where neurologic deficits and anti-Hu positivity indicative of a paraneoplastic syndrome precedesthe development of a mediastinal germinoma by two years.
Physical analysis and recalibration of MetOp HIRS using IASI for cloud studies

[1] The HIRS long-wave CO2 channels (702 cm−1, 716.5 cm−1, 731.7 cm−1, and 748.8 cm−1) have been used by scientists for estimating cloud height and amount. However, spectral and radiometric biases in these HIRS channels significantly affect the accuracy and consistency of the level-1b data used. This study utilizes the MetOp IASI measurements to calibrate the long-wave CO2 channels of the HIRS on the same satellite. The radiance bias characteristics are displayed for a sample MetOp orbit. Detailed analysis is performed in an attempt to find the causes of the bias. The analysis consists of three steps. First, a thermal-equilibrium analysis of blackbody using the HIRS window channel reveals the blackbody of MetOp HIRS has a 0.14 K bias. Then, the effective Spectral Response Function (SRF) corrections are estimated for the three long-wave CO2 channels by minimizing the orbital bias variation, which is −0.13 cm−1 for channel 4, 0.09 cm−1 for channel 5, and −0.15 cm−1 for channel 7. Channel brightness temperature dynamic range is found to be important for separating SRF versus nonlinearity effects. Finally, the nonlinearity effect is evaluated and the nonlinearity term is derived to reduce the orbital mean biases toward zero. The improved radiometric and spectral recalibration parameters are validated using 16 months of independent MetOp data, with very positive results, showing consistent performance. It is found that the HIRS biases relative IASI are generally within 0.1 K after the recalibration.
A New Record for the Maximum Length of the American Alligator

Abstract. An unusually large Alligator mississippiensis (American Alligator) was harvested in Alabama in 2014. We report on the animal's length and mass, and document the techniques used to obtain those measurements. We compare our measurements to other extreme lengths and weights reported for the species. We show that the size of the American Alligator is consistent with known allometric relationships of head length, total length, snout—vent length, tail girth, and weight. The specimen's straight-line total length of 450.0 cm (14 ft 9.25 in) makes it the longest officially measured American Alligator for Alabama and arguably the longest credible record for the species. We recommend using standardized techniques, particularly the straight-line total-length measurement, for documenting record-length or near-record-length American Alligators.
Five Strategies Internet Writers Use to "Continue the Conversation".

This article investigates the strategies web-writers develop when their audiences respond to them via textual participation. Focusing on three web-writers who want to “continue the conversation,” this article identifies five major strategies to accomplish this aim: (a) editing after production, (b) quotation, (c) question posing, (d) naming secondary writers, and (e) textual listening. Using the lens of writer-audience tension, I find that due to these web-writers’ perceptions of audience, one that is partially externalized via the website’s template, the term audience itself may not be a discrete concept, but a fluid, evolving, and recursive one, in other words, ongoing. These perceptions of audience reflect the unending nature of online texts and are exemplified by these five strategies.
Time-Accurate Computational Analysis of the Flame Trench

Time accurate simulations are performed to analyze the effects of the exhaust plumes generated by the Space Shuttle’s Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs) on the Mobile Launch Platform (MLP) and flame trench. The subsequent ignition overpressure (IOP) waves are generated by the interaction of the plume with the trench. These IOP waves travel from the flame trench to the launch vehicle, and may cause stability problems during take-off. Computed results for one configuration of the Space Shuttle (STS-1) and three MLP configurations for a single SRB (used to represent Ares-Ix) are compared.
Abstract P3-06-24: Brief exposure to trastuzumab prior to preoperative chemotherapy confirms predictors of response to treatment

Background: HER2-positive (HER2+) breast cancer is biologically heterogeneous; no consistent biomarkers of response to trastuzumab (T) have been identified. Recent data suggest intrinsic subtypes applied to HER2 cohorts are able to predict response to T-based therapy. We designed a multicenter trial (DFCI 03-311) to determine if exposure to T-alone prior to combination T-based chemotherapy (C) could produce predictors of pathologic complete response (pCR). We previously reported that change in AKT and IGF signatures by gene expression could predict pCR. New gene expression pathways (immune and HER2 subtypes) were evaluated. Design : Fresh tumor core biopsies were taken at baseline and 2 weeks after a single dose of T (8mg/m2) from 80 HER2-overexpressing, stage II/III breast cancer patients enrolled on a clinical trial of T>T+C. A total of 122 samples (50 matched pairs and 22 single timepoints) produced useable gene expression data. Nucleic acids were extracted using Qiagen AllPrep and were analyzed with Illumina HT12v3. Data generated was normalized and median subtracted using Illumina9s Genome Studio software; intrinsic subtyping was performed using median-subtracted PAM50 genes; ‘Estimation of STromal and Immune cells in Malignant Tumors using Expression data’ (ESTIMATE) algorithm was used to infer the fraction of stromal and immune cells in tumor samples. Results: ESTIMATE Immune score predicts pCR after one dose of treatment of T compared with patients with stable disease or progression as best response ,(NOR;p=0.01) PAM50 subtyping of baseline samples showed increase in pCR in the HER2-enriched cluster (7/17; 41%) versus the Luminal B (2/14; 14%) and HER2 basal clusters (1/8; 12.5% ; P=0.04). ). Change in subtype between baseline and 2 weeks appeared less common in HER2-Luminal B (4/13; 31%) compared with HER2 enriched (9/16; 56%) or HER2 Basal (5/9; 55%). Of note, HER2-Basal had the highest frequency of NOR (4/13; 31%; P=0.06), despite having greater subtype change than HER2-luminal tumors. Conclusions: Biomarkers of response to T-based regimens are greatly needed as no consistent predictors beyond HER2 are available. This data confirms (Carey et al, ASCO 2014) that the HER2 enriched subtype predicts pCR and (Harris et al, CCR 2007) that HER2 basal tumors are more likely to be non-responders. In this study, one dose of T is necessary to predict pCR using ESTIMATE immune signature. Validation of these findings a large cohort is needed. Citation Format: Aditi Shirish Vadodkar, Vinay Varadan, Kristy Miskimen, VV Bossuyt, MM Abu-khalaf, I Krop, E Winer, LN Harris. Brief exposure to trastuzumab prior to preoperative chemotherapy confirms predictors of response to treatment [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Seventh Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2014 Dec 9-13; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(9 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-06-24.
Male Stress Urinary Incontinence Following Surgical Intervention: Procedures, Technical Modifications, and Patient Considerations

Stress urinary incontinence represents a significant and common complication following urological surgery with a significant impact on patient quality of life. In this chapter, we review stress urinary incontinence rates following several common urological interventions including urethral dilation, direct vision internal urethrotomy, urethroplasty, and several procedures for prostatic obstruction including transurethral incision, transurethral resection, transurethral needle ablation (TUNA), greenlight photovaporization, and holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP). In addition, we also review stress urinary incontinence for prostate cryotherapy and radical retropubic, perineal, laparoscopic, and robotic assisted prostatectomy as well as technical modifications and patient risk factors that may influence postprostatectomy functional outcomes.
Hypothyroidism alters diaphragm muscle development

Sieck, Gary C., Louise E. Wilson, Bruce D. Johnson, and Wen-Zhi Zhan. Hypothyroidism alters diaphragm muscle development.J. Appl. Physiol. 81(5): 1965–1972, 1996.—The impact of hypothyroidism (Hyp)...
Reading Recovery as an Epistemic Community

ABSTRACTThis introduction to the special issue on Reading Recovery situates the enterprise in a broader educational reform context that has placed a priority on developing and fielding large-scale, systemic interventions that support ambitious instructional practice and student outcomes. Within this context, Reading Recovery is examined as an evolving, adaptive epistemic community in which tutors, teachers, leaders, coaches, and developers collaborate to produce, use, and refine the practical knowledge needed to support and sustain success among large numbers of struggling readers. Viewing Reading Recovery as an epistemic community provides a framework for more deeply engaging the articles in this special issue, for reflecting on Reading Recovery's history of success, and for speculating about Reading Recovery's future in rapidly evolving policy and reform contexts.
Anisotropic Diffusion in Mesh-Free Numerical Magnetohydrodynamics

We extend recently developed mesh-free Lagrangian methods for numerical magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) to arbitrary anisotropic diffusion equations, including: passive scalar diffusion, Spitzer–Braginskii conduction and viscosity, cosmic ray diffusion/streaming, anisotropic radiation transport, non-ideal MHD (Ohmic resistivity, ambipolar diffusion, the Hall effect) and turbulent ‘eddy diffusion’. We study these as implemented in the code gizmo for both new meshless finite-volume Godunov schemes (MFM/MFV). We show that the MFM/MFV methods are accurate and stable even with noisy fields and irregular particle arrangements, and recover the correct behaviour even in arbitrarily anisotropic cases. They are competitive with state-of-the-art AMR/moving-mesh methods, and can correctly treat anisotropic diffusion-driven instabilities (e.g. the MTI and HBI, Hall MRI). We also develop a new scheme for stabilizing anisotropic tensor-valued fluxes with high-order gradient estimators and non-linear flux limiters, which is trivially generalized to AMR/moving-mesh codes. We also present applications of some of these improvements for SPH, in the form of a new integral-Godunov SPH formulation that adopts a moving-least squares gradient estimator and introduces a flux-limited Riemann problem between particles.
Molecular alterations in sarcomas

Within the last decade, advances in tumor cytogenetics and molecular biology have led to an explosion of information related to the underlying molecular alterations in sarcomas. Many sarcomas have characteristic genetic findings that shed light on mechanisms of tumorigenesis, serve as diagnostic and
Preparation and Performance of Long Glass Fiber Reinforced POM Composite

Using the melt impregnation device developed at laboratory,long glass fiber reinforced polyoxymethylene(POM) composite was produced,and the mechanical properties,dynamic mechanical properties and morphology of the long glass fiber reinforced POM composite was studied. The results showed that the mechanical properties and dynamic mechanical properties of long glass fiber reinforced POM composite increased with increasing glass fibers content; SEM demonstrated that glass fibers had the good dispersion in the matrix resins.