1,399 research outputs found
Allocation of tasks to specialized processors: A planning approach
This paper addresses the problem of scheduling randomly arriving tasks of different types at a diversified service system. Servers at such a system differ in that each may specialize in one task type, but can also perform others perhaps
less rapidly and adequately than does a specialist. We consider the issue of how much redirection of tasks from specialists
to non-specialists may be desirable in such a system and propose a static model in which tasks are randomly assigned to servers. Two scheduling strategies for individual servers are also considered: one in which each server
performs the tasks assigned to him or her in order of their arrival and the second in which each server schedules his or her workload optimally. The problems for finding the best random assignment probabilities are formulated as mathematical programs. Results from a numerical example provide information that is both informative and useful in decision-making
Laser-microdissection unravels cell-type specific transcription in > arbuscular mycorrhizal roots, including CAAT-box TF gene expression correlating with fungal contact and spread
Arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) are the most widespread symbioses on Earth, promoting nutrient supply of most terrestrial plant species. To unravel gene expression in defined stages of Medicago truncatula root colonization by AM fungi, we here combined genome-wide transcriptome profiling based on whole mycorrhizal roots with real-time RT-PCR experiments that relied on characteristic cell-types obtained via laser-microdissection. Our genome-wide approach delivered a core set of 512 genes significantly activated by the two mycorrhizal fungi Glomus intraradices and Glomus mossae. Focussing on 62 of these genes being related to membrane transport, signaling, and transcriptional regulation, we distinguished whether they are activated in arbuscule-containing or the neighbouring cortical cells harbouring fungal hyphae. In addition, cortical cells from non-mycorrhizal roots served as a reference for gene expression under non-colonized conditions. Our analysis identified 25 novel arbuscule-specific genes and 37 genes expressed both in the arbuscule-containing and the adjacent cortical cells colonized by fungal hyphae. Amongst the AM-induced genes specifying transcriptional regulators were two members encoding CAAT-box binding transcription factors (CBF), designated MtCbf1 and MtCbf2. Promoter analyses demonstrated that both genes were already activated by the first physical contact between the symbionts. Subsequently, and corresponding to our cell-type expression patterns, they were progressively up-regulated in those cortical areas colonized by fungal hyphae, including the arbuscule-containing cells. The encoded CBFs thus represent excellent candidates for regulators that mediate a sequential reprogramming of root tissues during the establishment of an AM symbiosi
Chern-kernels and anomaly cancellation in M-theory
This paper deals with magnetic equations of the type dH=J where the current J
is a delta-function on a brane worldvolume and H a p-form field strength. In
many situations in M-theory this equation needs to be solved for H in terms of
a potential. A standard universality class of solutions, involving
Dirac-branes, gives rise to strong intermediate singularities in H which in
many physically relevant cases lead to inconsistencies. In this paper we
present an alternative universality class of solutions for magnetic equations
in terms of Chern-kernels, and provide relevant applications, among which the
anomaly-free effective action for open M2-branes ending on M5-branes. The
unobservability of the Dirac-brane requires a Dirac quantization condition; we
show that the requirement of ``unobservability'' of the Chern-kernel leads in
M-theory to classical gravitational anomalies which cancel precisely their
quantum counterparts.Comment: LaTex, 39 pages, references and comments adde
Connectivity clues from short-term variability in settlement and geochemical tags of mytilid mussels
The use of geochemical tags in calcified structures of fish and invertebrates is an exciting tool for investigating larval population connectivity. Tag evaluation over relatively short intervals (weeks) may detect environmental and ecological variability at a temporal scale highly relevant to larval transport and settlement. We collected newly settled mussels (Mytilus californianus and M. galloprovincialis) weekly during winter/spring of 2002 along the coast of San Diego, CA, USA, at sites on the exposed coast (SIO) and in a protected coastal bay (HI), to investigate temporal patterns of geochemical tags in mussel shells. Analyses of post-settlement shell via LA-ICP-MS revealed statistically significant temporal variability for all elements we examined (Mg, Mn, Cu, Sr, Cd, Ba, Pb and U). Despite this, our ability to distinguish multielemental signatures between sites was largely conserved. Throughout our 13-week study, SIO and HI mussels could be chemically distinguished from one another in 78-87% of all cases. Settlement varied between 2 and 27 settlers gram-byssus-1week-1 at SIO and HI, and both sites were characterized by 2-3weeks with "high" settlement. Geochemical tags recorded in early larval shell of newly settled mussels differed between "high" and "low" settlement weeks at both sites (MANOVA), driven by Mg and Sr at SIO (p=0.013) and Sr, Cd, Ba and Pb at HI (p<0.001). These data imply that shifts in larval sources or transport corridors were responsible for observed settlement variation, rather than increased larval production. In particular, increased settlement at HI was observed concurrent with the appearance of geochemical tags (e.g., elevated Cd), suggesting that those larvae were retained in upwelled water near the mouth of the bay. Such shifts may reflect short-term changes in connectivity among sites due to altered transport corridors, and influence the demography of local populations
Examining Dissociation in Maltreated Preschool Children
The purpose of this study is to examine dissociation in a population of preschool-age foster children with documented cases of maltreatment. Data were collected from participants in the Early Intervention Foster Care program (EIFC), a randomized efficacy trial based on the empirically evaluated Multidimensional Specialized Foster Care program. Dissociative symptoms were assessed using three subscales of the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) that have been previously published in the trauma literature. Because the three subscales were highly intercorrelated, items were combined for a Exploratory Factor Analysis. Two distinct factors were found that may comprise new subscales assessing dissociative symptomatology and post-traumatic arousal symptomatology. In order to test their predictive validity, analyses compared the foster care sample and a community sample with no known maltreatment history and also compared dissociation across maltreatment categories. Implications for the use of dissociation as an adaptive coping mechanism are discussed
Conductance fluctuations in diffusive rings: Berry phase effects and criteria for adiabaticity
We study Berry phase effects on conductance properties of diffusive
mesoscopic conductors, which are caused by an electron spin moving through an
orientationally inhomogeneous magnetic field. Extending previous work, we start
with an exact, i.e. not assuming adiabaticity, calculation of the universal
conductance fluctuations in a diffusive ring within the weak localization
regime, based on a differential equation which we derive for the diffuson in
the presence of Zeeman coupling to a magnetic field texture. We calculate the
field strength required for adiabaticity and show that this strength is reduced
by the diffusive motion. We demonstrate that not only the phases but also the
amplitudes of the h/2e Aharonov-Bohm oscillations are strongly affected by the
Berry phase. In particular, we show that these amplitudes are completely
suppressed at certain magic tilt angles of the external fields, and thereby
provide a useful criterion for experimental searches. We also discuss Berry
phase-like effects resulting from spin-orbit interaction in diffusive
conductors and derive exact formulas for both magnetoconductance and
conductance fluctuations. We discuss the power spectra of the
magnetoconductance and the conductance fluctuations for inhomogeneous magnetic
fields and for spin-orbit interaction.Comment: 18 pages, 13 figures; minor revisions. To appear in Phys. Rev.
Cell- and Tissue-Specific Transcriptome Analyses of Medicago truncatula Root Nodules
Legumes have the unique ability to host nitrogen-fixing Rhizobium bacteria as symbiosomes inside root nodule cells. To get insight into this key process, which forms the heart of the endosymbiosis, we isolated specific cells/tissues at different stages of symbiosome formation from nodules of the model legume Medicago truncatula using laser-capture microdissection. Next, we determined their associated expression profiles using Affymetrix Medicago GeneChips. Cells were collected from the nodule infection zone divided into a distal (where symbiosome formation and division occur) and proximal region (where symbiosomes are mainly differentiating), as well as infected cells from the fixation zone containing mature nitrogen fixing symbiosomes. As non-infected cells/tissue we included nodule meristem cells and uninfected cells from the fixation zone. Here, we present a comprehensive gene expression map of an indeterminate Medicago nodule and selected genes that show specific enriched expression in the different cells or tissues. Validation of the obtained expression profiles, by comparison to published gene expression profiles and experimental verification, indicates that the data can be used as digital “in situ”. This digital “in situ” offers a genome-wide insight into genes specifically associated with subsequent stages of symbiosome and nodule cell development, and can serve to guide future functional studies
Alterations to nuclear architecture and genome behavior in senescent cells.
The organization of the genome within interphase nuclei, and how it interacts with nuclear structures is important for the regulation of nuclear functions. Many of the studies researching the importance of genome organization and nuclear structure are performed in young, proliferating, and often transformed cells. These studies do not reveal anything about the nucleus or genome in nonproliferating cells, which may be relevant for the regulation of both proliferation and replicative senescence. Here, we provide an overview of what is known about the genome and nuclear structure in senescent cells. We review the evidence that nuclear structures, such as the nuclear lamina, nucleoli, the nuclear matrix, nuclear bodies (such as promyelocytic leukemia bodies), and nuclear morphology all become altered within growth-arrested or senescent cells. Specific alterations to the genome in senescent cells, as compared to young proliferating cells, are described, including aneuploidy, chromatin modifications, chromosome positioning, relocation of heterochromatin, and changes to telomeres
Anomaly free effective action for the elementary M5-brane
We construct an effective action describing an elementary M5-brane
interacting with dynamical eleven-dimensional supergravity, which is free from
gravitational anomalies. The current associated to the elementary brane is
taken as a distribution valued delta-function on the support of the 5-brane
itself. Crucial ingredients of the construction are the consistent inclusion of
the dynamics of the chiral two-form on the 5-brane, and the use of an invariant
Chern-kernel allowing to introduce a D=11 three-form potential which is well
defined on the worldvolume of the 5-brane.Comment: 13 pages, LaTex, no figures, clarifying explanations and ref. adde
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