cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An examination of the ethical discourse of the US public accounting profession from a Foucaultian perspective

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the evolution of the ethical discourse of the US public accounting profession over the last century in relation to Foucault's concept of “codified discourse”. The ethical discourse of the US public accounting profession has evolved from its first code of ethics promulgated in 1917, which focused primarily on protecting the economic interests of the profession, to a position in the most recent promulgation of the code of professional conduct, which contains aspirational elements regarding ethical behavior, but which incorporates few enforceable provisions. It is therefore necessary to look elsewhere for the ethical discourse of the profession, which appears to be located more in the behaviors of accountants practicing in large international public accounting firms, in which the professional accountant becomes molded into an “ethical being” in the Foucaultian sense, as one who is self-regulated and self-formed into an ideal member of the profession. Design/m...
REIT markets and rational speculative bubbles: an empirical investigation

This study uses the momentum threshold autoregressive (MTAR) model and the residuals-augmented Dickey–Fuller (RADF) approach to test for the presence of Evans’ (1991) periodically collapsing bubbles in four real estate investment trusts (REIT) classifications. The RADF test shows evidence of bubbles, but the results of the MTAR test are mixed. The MTAR test shows asymmetric adjustment for each REIT market with the exception of hybrid REITs, but only mortgage REITs show evidence of bubbles, which turn out to be negative meaning the price falls substantially below the level warranted by fundamentals.
Harmonic generation and scaling behavior in sliding-charge-density-wave conductors.

The generation of harmonics of a small ac modulation field is used, in conjunction with the standard current-voltage measurement, to study the depinning behavior in well-characterized and high-purity samples of the charge-density-wave conductor ${\mathrm{NbSe}}_{3}$. The results show that the current carried by the charge density wave obeys a scaling law: ${I}_{\mathrm{CDW}=[(\mathrm{V}\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}{V}_{T})/{V}_{T}{]}^{\ensuremath{\zeta}}}$ with \ensuremath{\zeta}=1.23\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.07. Implications of this result on the various theoretical models of the dynamics of the sliding state are discussed.
Shear-induced boundary film formation from dialkyl sulfides on copper

Abstract The friction of a copper surface, which is exposed to diethyl disulfide (DEDS), dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) or dimethyl trisulfide (DMTS) while rubbing by a tungsten carbide pin, are explored in an ultrahigh vacuum tribometer to investigate the effect of the sulfur-to-carbon stoichiometry on gas-phase lubrication. Surface analyses by Auger spectroscopy of the wear scars after rubbing reveal that the amount of sulfur increases with sulfur content of the gas-phase lubricant, as anticipated. It is found that the friction reduction depends on the normal load, where the friction coefficient tends to decrease more at lower loads, and that the load at which the most friction-reducing tribofilm is formed depends on the stoichiometry of the gas-phase lubricant. DEDS (with a sulfur to carbon ratio of 0.5) only reduces the friction coefficient to a minimum value of ∼0.28 at a normal load of 0.25 N, for DMDS (S/C = 1.0) friction is reduced to ∼0.28 for loads below ∼0.7 N, and DMTS (S/C = 1.5) reduces friction to this value for all loads tested.
Fully-digital oscillatory associative memories enabled by non-volatile logic

Due to its brain-like parallel processing, neurocomputing has been regarded as intriguing alternative to traditional von Neumann architectures for such applications as image processing, pattern recognition, and associative memory. Associative memories based on neurocomputing attempt to mimic the human brain via a parallel network of coupled artificial neurons. Oscillatory neural networks (ONNs) have been proposed for such purposes; however, CMOS-based implementations would be inefficient due to the corresponding circuit complexity of oscillators and phase-locking mechanisms. In addition, programmability of the synaptic weights would require numerous reconfigurable, complex analog circuits that represent an impractical power and area overhead. In this paper we propose a fully-digital ONN architecture that is enabled by non-volatile logic. Using a newly proposed all-magnetic logic family, mLogic, we demonstrate the efficacy of digitizing the oscillators and phase relationships by exploiting the inherent storage. We perform a device-level simulation-based comparison of mLogic and 32nm CMOS for a fully-interconnected 60-neuron system, and show approximately 15× area improvement and 18× power improvement that would be achieved for a large system with 100k neurons.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials of moderate sedation for routine endoscopic procedures.

Background Numerous agents are available for moderate sedation in endoscopy. Objective Our purpose was to compare efficacy, safety, and efficiency of agents used for moderate sedation in EGD or colonoscopy. Design Systematic review of computerized bibliographic databases for randomized trials of moderate sedation that compared 2 active regimens or 1 active regimen with placebo or no sedation. Patients Unselected adults undergoing EGD or colonoscopy with a goal of moderate sedation. Main Outcome Measurements Sedation-related complications, patient assessments (satisfaction, pain, memory, willingness to repeat examination), physician assessments (satisfaction, level of sedation, patient cooperation, examination quality), and procedure-related efficiency outcomes (sedation, procedure, or recovery time). Results Thirty-six studies (N = 3918 patients) were included. Sedation improved patient satisfaction (relative risk [RR] = 2.29, range 1.16-4.53) and willingness to repeat EGD (RR = 1.25, range 1.13-1.38) versus no sedation. Midazolam provided superior patient satisfaction to diazepam (RR = 1.18, range 1.07-1.29) and less frequent memory of EGD (RR = 0.57, range 0.50-0.60) versus diazepam. Adverse events and patient/physician assessments were not significantly different for midazolam (with or without narcotics) versus propofol except for slightly less patient satisfaction (RR = 0.90, range 0.83-0.97) and more frequent memory (RR = 3.00, range 1.25-7.21) with midazolam plus narcotics. Procedure times were similar, but sedation and recovery times were shorter with propofol than midazolam-based regimens. Limitations Marked variability in design, regimens tested, and outcomes assessed; relatively poor methodologic quality (Jadad score ≤3 in 23/36 trials). Conclusions Moderate sedation provides a high level of physician and patient satisfaction and a low risk of serious adverse events with all currently available agents. Midazolam-based regimens have longer sedation and recovery times than does propofol.
Management of bile leaks following laparoscopic cholecystectomy

In a series of 650 consecutive laparoscopic cholecystectomies, nine bile leaks were identified (1.4%). Patients with bile leaks presented clinically at a mean of 4.9 days (range: 3–8 days) after surgery complaining of diffuse abdominal pain, ileus, and nausea. Laboratory values for complete blood counts and liver function tests were all mildly elevated. Definitive diagnosis was made on the basis of abnormal hepatobiliary scintigraphy. Management strategies included laparotomy and drain placement (n=1), laparoscopy and drain placement (n=3), ERCP and drainage (n=4), and CT-guided percutaneous drainage (n=1). When the etiology of the leakage was identified, it was most commonly either dysfunction of the cystic duct clips (n=3) or leakage from a disrupted duct of Luschka (n=2). The source of the remaining leaks (n=4) was never determined. We conclude that bile leaks are an uncommon cause of morbidity following laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Diagnosis can usually be made with nuclear medicine biliary tract scans and a variety of managements alternatives are successful in treating this complication.
Molecular degradation of concentrated polystyrene solutions in a fast transient extensional flow

The extensional degradation of concentrated polymer solutions is studied. Extensional flows are prevalent in the polymer processing industry, but their effect on polymer degradation is often overlooked. Previous research into dilute solution extensional degradation proved that this type of flow is much more effective than shear flow in causing chain scission. This research extends these dilute solution studies into the concentrated regime, where intermolecular entanglements are expected to affect chain scission. A concentrated polystyrene solution is degraded in an opposed pistons device. This device cycles the solution across a sharp contraction, imposing a strong extensional flow. The flow field is modeled to determine the extension rate along the centerline, and the degradation is quantified by measuring the zero shear viscosity and the molecular weight distribution. The results show that degradation is more significant compared to dilute solutions. The zero shear viscosity drops 30% after a single pass across the orifice at high strain rates. As in a dilute solution, the extensional flow leads to preferential cleavage of the high molecular weight chains. All chains longer than a measured critical molecular weight are ruptured. Multiple passes across the orifice increase chain scission, although degradation is the most significant in the first pass through the high strain rate region.
Electrophoretic deposition of Tl-Ba-Ca-Cu-O and Bi2Sr2CaCu2Ox thick films

Abstract Thick films of Bi-2212 and Tl-2212 superconductor were electrophoretically deposited onto Consil substrates. Tl series starting powder containing BaCuO 2 impurity phase resulted in films with higher Tl content. X-ray diffraction showed that Bi-2212 films were well oriented only if melt textured. Melt textured Bi-2212 films were characterized in a TE 011 resonant cavity at 17.46 GHz and compared to a magnetron sputtered Tl-2212 thick film. It was found that the surface resistance and surface reactance of the Bi-2212 were equally sensitive to external DC magnetic fields.
Omdefinerer En Norsk Norge 1 : The Influence of Changing Demographics on Norwegian Schooling for Social Democracy

This article describes how Norwegian compulsory education, both philosophically and practically, reflects the institutionalized democratic values of the larger social and political community of Norway. It examines, through the application of collective and structural lenses of analysis, how shifting demographics in this social and political community are challenging institutionalized values and changing schools. The article draws upon the author's professional and personal experiences as an American Fulbright Scholar in Norway to consider how Norwegian attempts at democratic schooling are becoming increasingly complicated with the arrival of significant numbers of recent immigrants who bring cultural values and norms that do not mirror the beliefs and systems that define the traditional Norwegian national identity.
Defects in wide band gap II-VI crystals

Abstract Defects, in all materials, tend to cause properties which are not ‘desired’. Defects are intensively studied, certainly partly because of intrinsic interest, but probably more so in the hope that by understanding their structure, properties, and/or origin, one can reduce or eliminate them. II-VI materials, and particularly the wide band gap ones, are presently of high interest, and there has been a concomitant extensive study of their defects. One high interest application of widegap materials (defined here, arbitrarily, as those with a band gap greater than 1.5 eV) is in short wavelength optical devices, such as the recently developed blue-green diode laser. At present, ZnSe—and related alloys—are used for this laser, and this material will therefore be emphasized in the present article. A second high interest application of widegap materials is in solar cells, where 1.5 eV provides a good match to the peak of the solar spectrum. The primary II-VI material for this application is CdTe, and this will thus be the second material emphasized in the present article. In the present review of defect properties, we shall consider defects both in terms of their ‘individual’ properties, and in terms of their ‘interactions’; the latter can take place with the material, dopants and/or other defects. Although the distinction between these two aspects may sometimes be blurred, we will use it to provide a convenient framework. The behavior as ‘individuals’ will be emphasized in the first part, which will cover structural and electronic information as deduced from experiment, and from theory. Regarding the interaction part, we shall discuss the pervasive problems of self-compensation and dopant solubility, which are impeding desired doping levels in all the widegap II-VI compounds; it can be noted that it is in this area where defects tend to be far more deleterious in the widegap II-VI materials (and probably widegap materials in general) than they are in the common elemental and III-V materials. C 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.
Quality of life improvements at one, two, and five years after liver transplantation.

We prospectively studied adult liver transplant (OLTX) recipients to evaluate the effect of OLTX on quality of life (QOL). Over an 8-year period, all adult patients undergoing OLTX at our institution were asked to complete a psychological questionnaire that probed broad facets of QOL. Patients seen for their 1, 2, and 5 or more-year post-OLTX visits were also asked to complete the form. Questions were then grouped by categories broadly highlighting self-image (SI), health perception (HP), ability to function (F), and ability to work (W). Questions ranged from demographic and occupational topics to symptom distress/frequency, activities of daily living, and the impact of health on daily life. Numerical scores were assigned to each question, and added to derive scores on SI, HP, and F. Higher scores reflect better QOL. Employment data (W) were also compared, though not amenable to scoring. A total of 573 forms were completed (210 pretransplant, 150 at 1 year, 131 at 2 years, 79 at 5 years). All posttransplant scores were significantly higher than pretransplant ones (P≤.0001, ANOVA). Scores at post-transplant time points were not significantly different from each other. Subscores of SI and HP revealed less symptom frequency and distress following OLTX (P≤.0003) continuing to beyond 5 years. Health limitations on activities decreased both at 1 year post-OLTX and again at 2 years (P≤.0001) and were sustained to beyond 5 years. Fewer people were working for pay at 1 year post-compared with pre-OLTX but pre-OLTX levels of employment had been regained by the second year, continuing to increase to beyond 5 years. OLTX leads to improved QOL by the end of the first post-transplant year, sustained through the 5th posttransplant year and beyond. Self-image, functioning ability, and perception of health status were significantly improved. Ill health interference in daily life continues to decrease as OLTX becomes more remote. Employment suffers early after OLTX but recovers by the second post-OLTX year and continues to increase long-term
A Social Welfare Theory of Trade Unions

There have been recent advances in the understanding of trade unions by modeling union objectives as maximizing a neoclassical utility function. While this literature is most relevant for autonomous and homogeneous local unions, there are also numerous large, heterogeneous trade unions in many countries. This paper illustrates that social choice theory presents a more realistic framework for explicitly modeling the aggregation of potentially diverse preferences within trade unions.
Double-tube enterostomy for temporary small-bowel decompression

Gangrene and severe peritonitis may render primary anastomosis following small-bowel resection inadvisable. To circumvent problems associated with conventional enterostomas, a double-tube enterostomy was employed in four children. Following resection, a large de Pezzer catheter was introduced in the proximal bowel end, which was closed with purse-string sutures. The catheter (but not the bowel) was brought out through a separate stab incision. The distal end was handled in the same fashion, using a smaller tube. The tubes were employed for an average of 21 days, until an enteroenterostomy was considered safe.
RNA sequencing provides evidence for allelism of determinants of the N-, B- or NB-tropism of murine leukemia viruses.

Abstract Previous genetic and biochemical studies identified three large RNAase T1-resistant oligonucleotides, each associated with either the N-, B- or NB-tropism of murine C-type viruses of BALB/c origin. These oligonucleotides were shown to lie in the 5′ third of the oligonucleotide maps of their respective viruses. We sequenced the three oligonucleotides and found that they share a 10 base sequence. Together these observations provide good evidence that the determinants of N-, B- or NB-tropism monitored by the three oligonucleotides are allelic. The oligonucleotides associated with N- and B-tropism differ in sequence at four of sixteen nucleotides, while the B- and NB-tropism-associated oligonucleotides differ in sequence by only one base out of sixteen. These results are consistent with the possibilities that B-tropic viruses may arise from N-tropic viruses by recombination, while NB-tropic viruses may arise from B-tropic virus by mutation. An unexplained finding was that a 10 base sequence present in the oligonucleotide associated with N-tropism is also found in the 3′ third of the genomes of the N-, B- and NB-tropic viruses studied.
Metabolism of [14C]-serotonin in the caudate nucleus, hypothalamus and reticular formation of the rat after ethanol administration

Abstract By means of push-pull perfusions of localized areas in the caudate nucleus, lateral hypothalamus or midbrain reticular formation, the metabolism in vivo of [14C]-5-hydroxytryptamine ([14C]-5-HT) injected intracranially was examined in rats which drank ethanol chronically, rats given ethanol acutely and in controls. A significantly greater conversion of [14C]-5-HT to [14C]-5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid ([14C]-5-HIAA) was observed in the caudate nucleus of the acute ethanol rats as compared to the controls. In the ethanol drinkers, the mean levels of [14C]-5-HT and [14C]-5-HIAA generally fell between those of the control and acute ethanol rats. No large differences were found between the three groups in the production of [14C]-5-hydroxytryptophol ([14C]-5-HTOL) within the localized areas of perfusion. It appears that in some parts of the central nervous system, the presence of ethanol may result in increased degradation of 5-HT to 5-HIAA, but does not result in a greatly increased production of 5-HTOL, as seen in the periphery. These results obtained with the conscious animal further suggest that an interaction exists between 5-HT metabolism and ethanol consumption and provide support for earlier work indicating that the relationships may be different for peripheral systems and the brain.
Citizens by Choice, Voters by Necessity: Patterns in Political Mobilization by Naturalized Latinos

In this article, we compare the 1996 turnout among cohorts of naturalized and native-born Latino citizens, looking for between-group differences endogenous to recent anti-immigrant rhetoric and events in California. We argue that immigrants naturalizing in a politically charged environment represent a self-selected subsample of all voters, identifying individuals who feel strohgly about the political issues at hand, and who seek enfranchisement as an act of political expression. We suggest that newly naturalized citizens living in California made exactly these choices, which differentiate them from native-born citizens, longer-term naturalized citizens, and Latinos in other states. Using the Tomas Rivera Policy Institute's 1997 three-state survey of citizen attitudes, validated using original registrars-of-voters data, we estimate multivariate logit models of individual turnout of Latino citizens in each state for the 1996 national election. The data support our hypotheses. Newly naturalized Latinos in Ca...
Targeting spectral signatures of progressively dysplastic stratified epithelia using angularly variable fiber geometry in reflectance Monte Carlo simulations

A key component of accurate spectroscopic-based cancer diagnostics is the ability to differentiate spectral variations resulting from epithelial tissue dysplasia. Such measurement may be enhanced by discretely probing the optical properties of the epithelial tissue where the morphological and biochemical features vary according to tissue depths. More precisely, layer-specific changes in tissue optical properties correlated to cellular dysplasia can be determined by conventional reflectance spectroscopy when it is coupled with angularly variable fiber geometry. Thus, this study addresses how angularly variable fiber geometry can resolve spatially specific spectral signatures of tissue pathology by interpreting and analyzing the reflectance spectra of increasingly dysplastic epithelial tissue in reflectance-mode Monte Carlo simulation. Specifically, by increasing the obliquity of the collection fibers from 0 to 40 deg in the direction facing toward the illumination fiber, the spectral sensitivity to tissue abnormalities in the epithelial layer is thereby improved, whereas orthogonal fibers are more sensitive to the changes in the stromal layer.
Polymorphism and decomposition of HE single crystals: Insight from static and shock compression experiments

Understanding the reactive behaviour of high explosive (HE) crystals at thermo-mechanical conditions generated by shock-waves is an important step toward understanding shock-wave initiation of these crystals. Despite the significant differences in time scales and loading rates, static high pressure and high temperature (HP-HT) experiments can provide key results regarding structural and chemical processes in HE crystals at pressures and temperatures relevant to shock initiation. Here, we present selected examples for utilizing optical spectroscopy to understand molecular processes in HE crystals at static HP-HT conditions to gain insight into their shock initiation mechanisms. The relevant results obtained from static studies up to 15 GPa and 700 K on polymorphism and decomposition are presented for cyclotrimethylene trinitramine (RDX) and pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN). This work demonstrates that the static HP-HT results in conjunction with shock-wave experiments provide an important approach to elucidate processes related to the initiation of shocked HE crystals, including polymorphic transitions, conformational changes, identification of crystal phases at decomposition, and mechanisms governing shock induced decomposition.
Aerobic and anaerobic metabolism of larval and adult Taenia taeniaeformis. IV. Absorption of glycerol; relations between glycerol absorption and glucose absorption or leakage.

Abstract 1. 1. Both larval and adult Taenia taeniaeformis absorb large amounts of glycerol from the environment. The larvae consume more glycerol aerobically than anaerobically, a difference lacking in the adults. 2. 2. Glycerol in the medium does not prevent glucose leakage completely, but in the larvae an inverse relationship between concentration of environmental glycerol and extent of glucose leakage exists. 3. 3. When immersed in a mixture of glycerol and glucose both larvae and adults consume more of the former than the latter compound. Simultaneous availability of both substrates leads to a greater influx of organic material into the worm bodies than if only one of the compounds is available. There is little, if any, indication of mutual inhibition of absorption. 4. 4. Only few metabolic inhibitors or changes in environmental conditions lead to significant reductions in the rate of glycerol uptake. Most consistent inhibition is observed upon immersion of the worms into a Na + -free Tyrode's solution, but even in this case glycerol absorption is much less inhibited than glucose uptake. Phloridzin which also completely inhibits glucose uptake is entirely without effect on glycerol absorption. 5. 5. Lowering the temperature from 37 ° to 7 °C leads to considerable reduction of glycerol uptake, to increases in the tissue levels of glycerol, to increased glucose leakage, and thus to a decrease in the tissue level of glucose. 6. 6. The glycerol consumption of larval worms is more dependent on the environmental glycerol concentration than that of the adults. 7. 7. It seems probable that at very low environmental concentrations of glycerol absorption involves active transport mechanisms, while at higher concentrations diffusion, probably facilitated diffusion, appears to prevail.
Genetics: Up and down in Down's syndrome

A comparison of identical human twins, only one of whom has Down's syndrome, reveals a genome-wide flattening of gene-expression levels in the affected individual. See Article p.345 Down's syndrome is thought to be caused by gene expression disturbances, so to understand the molecular mechanisms that underlie the phenotype requires an understanding of the transcriptome differences in cells and tissues carrying the total or partial trisomy of chromosome 21 that is typical of the condition. This study of the transcriptome of fetal cells of monozygotic twins discordant for trisomy 21 shows that differential expression between the twins is organized in domains along all chromosomes. These gene expression dysregulation domains are conserved in the mouse model of Down's syndrome and correlate with the lamina-associated domains and replication domains. Although the overall genome topology is not altered in trisomic cells, the authors report modifications of the chromatin environment influencing the overall transcriptome and suggest that the dysregulation domains they identify may therefore contribute to some Down's syndrome phenotypes.
Molecular Structure of Poly(methyl methacrylate) Surface. I. Combination of Interface-Sensitive Infrared–Visible Sum Frequency Generation, Molecular Dynamics Simulations, and ab Initio Calculations

The chemical composition and molecular structure of polymeric surfaces are important in understanding wetting, adhesion, and friction. Here, we combine interface-sensitive sum frequency generation spectroscopy (SFG), all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and ab initio calculations to understand the composition and the orientation of chemical groups on poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) surface as a function of tacticity and temperature. The SFG spectral features for isotactic and syndiotactic PMMA surfaces are similar, and the dominant peak in the spectra corresponds to the ester-methyl groups. The SFG spectra for solid and melt states are very similar for both syndiotactic and isotactic PMMA. In comparison, the MD simulation results show that both the ester-methyl and the α-methyl groups of syndiotactic-PMMA are ordered and tilted toward the surface normal. For the isotactic-PMMA, the α-methyl groups are less ordered compared to their ester-methyl groups. The backbone methylene groups have a broad ...
Rate of patient workups by non-emergency medicine residents in an academic emergency department.

Objective: To quantify the number of patients seen per hour by non–emergency medicine (non–EM) residents in a university hospital ED. Methods: This retrospective observational study was performed in a university hospital ED and level I trauma center. The facility had no EM residency, but was staffed with 24–hour EM faculty coverage. A computerized tracking system was searched for the number of patients seen by each of 93 non–EM residents for 12 nonconsecutive months. The ED schedule for each month was used to calculate the number of hours worked by each resident. From these figures, the number of patients seen per hour by each resident was calculated. Results: The postgraduate years of training of the residents were as follows: 78 (84%) were PGY1, ten (11%) were PGY2, and five (5%) were PGY3. All the residents combined saw a mean 0. 95 ± 0. 20 patients/ hour, with a range from 0. 58 to 1. 75 patients/hour. There was no significant difference between the numbers of patients seen when compared by specialty using the Tukey–Kramer test (α = 0. 05). Conclusion: The rate at which non–EM residents work up patients is consistent with previously reported rates for EM residents.
The Integral Role of the Plastic Surgeon at a Level I Trauma Center; Steven L. Peterson, D.V.M., M.D., and Ernest E. Moore, M.D.

The role of plastic surgery in urban level I trauma centers in the United States has been largely undefined, despite the undeniable historical involvement of plastic surgery in reconstruction of posttraumatic defects. To explore and define this role, case data were prospectively collected during a 29-month period following initiation of a full-time plastic surgery position at an established urban level I trauma center. Referring and/or interacting surgical service, anatomical area of interest, and procedure data were tabulated. A total of 1009 operative reports comprising 1104 procedures were recorded. The most common interacting surgical services were orthopedics and general/trauma surgery; however, interaction occurred with a total of 10 surgical specialties. The upper extremity was the most common anatomical area operated on followed by head and neck, lower extremity, trunk, urogenital, and breast. A wide variety of procedures were performed in each anatomical area, demonstrating the broad scope of reconstructive surgery practiced in a trauma setting. Three hundred and twenty-four procedures involved expertise in microsurgery, flaps, and burn or frostbite care. Additional procedures commonly performed demonstrated considerable overlap with other fields of surgical specialization. This overlap in skills proved advantageous in distribution of facial trauma call and hand surgery coverage. Data presented in this study reinforce the idea that plastic surgery is a specialty defined by concept rather than anatomical area, and also demonstrate a significant role for plastic surgeons in a level I trauma center.
Validity of clinical measures of frontal plane knee alignment: Data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative

Clinicians frequently assess frontal plane knee alignment of patients suspected of having knee osteoarthritis. However, there is little data to indicate whether simple to obtain clinical measures frontal plane alignment indicate the actual bony alignment of the knee or the extent and type of knee osteoarthritis. The purpose of this study was to assess the validity of goniometric measures of frontal plan knee position as a simple clinical tool to assess lower limb alignment and tibiofemoral OA status. Data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative were used to assess concurrent and diagnostic validity of goniometric measures. Data from 142 persons with symptomatic knee OA were used to examine concurrent validity, based on comparison to whole limb radiographs. Diagnostic validity was examined using data from 1390 persons with symptomatic knee OA, based on comparison to tibiofemoral joint space narrowing obtained from standardized radiographs. Associations between goniometric measures and whole limb radiographs were moderate (r = 0.43 for right knee and r = 0.46 for left knee). Goniometric measurements explained approximately 20% of the variation in lower limb alignment as measured by whole limb radiography suggesting that simple clinical measures of lower limb alignment contain too much error for inferring actual lower limb alignment. Diagnostic validity indicated positive likelihood ratios of 3.3 or less for detecting isolated severe medial or lateral joint space narrowing and a high rate of misclassification. Simple clinical assessments of frontal plane lower limb alignment or tibiofemoral OA status, in isolation, contain substantial error and likely do not inform clinical practice.
New algorithms for microarray data analysis

Microarray technologies are generating new data at a breathtaking speed. Because of the sheer size of these data and the technical complexity involved in microarray chip designs, it is a challenge to assess the reliability and the accuracy of these data. In our research using Affymetrix microarrays, many genes of interest are expressed at low levels and are only slightly up- or down-regulated under various biological conditions. By using the software offered by Affymetrix Inc., these genes are mostly called "absent". However, in the original raw data on the chip images, we have found consistent and reproducible patterns regarding those lowly expressed genes. Based on this finding we designed and tested a new algorithm for expression profile evaluation. When applied to our microarray data set, the new method seems to be able to identify genes that are simply called "absent" by Affymetrix's method and actually have reproducible changes in gene expression in duplicate experiments. Furthermore, compared with Affymetrix's algorithm, the new algorithm reports far fewer genes as differentially expressed when comparing two samples that were prepared under identical biological conditions. Thus, the new method is believed to have less false positives and more true positives in recognising differentially expressed genes, a highly desired property for the microarray data analysis.
Estrogen-Induced Aurora Kinase-A (AURKA) Gene Expression is Activated by GATA-3 in Estrogen Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer Cells

Aurora-A is a proto-oncogenic mitotic kinase that is frequently overexpressed in human epithelial malignancies including in breast and ovarian cancers. The mechanism of transcriptional upregulation of Aurora-A in human breast cancer is not yet elucidated. We report herein that Aurora-A transcription is positively regulated by GATA-3 in response to estrogen in estrogen receptor α (ERα)-positive cells. Transient expression of aurora-A promoter deletion mutants in luciferase constructs identified a GATA binding sequence motif as a functional regulatory element in ERα-positive breast cancer cells. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay identified the binding of regulatory proteins to the GATA element. Anti-GATA-3 antibody generated a supershifted complex. Recruitment of GATA-3 to the aurora-A promoter was verified by chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis with GATA-3 antibody. Ectopic expression of GATA-3 resulted in elevated expression of Aurora-A in both ERα-positive and negative cells while siRNA-mediated silencing led to downregulation of endogenous Aurora-A in ERα-positive cells. Estrogen treatment of ERα-positive cells induced increased Aurora-A expression with enhanced recruitment of GATA-3 to the aurora-A promoter. Finally, in the ACI rat model of estrogen-induced breast cancer, known to be associated with elevated Aurora-A expression, we observed increased expression of GATA-3 in preinvasive and invasive mammary epithelial cells exposed to prolonged estrogen treatment and in developing breast tumors. These results demonstrate a direct positive role of estrogen in regulating Aurora-A expression through activation of the ERα-GATA-3 signaling cascade and suggest that this pathway may be critical in the origin of estrogen-stimulated sporadic breast cancer.
The development of LC-MS – the marriage of the bird and the fish

Abstract This is a report on the James L. Waters Symposium at PittCon 2010, which featured four speakers responsible for the development and the commercialization of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). • An early pioneer, William McFadden described the development of the moving belt system in the 1970s. • Marvin Vestal, CEO & CSO of Virgin Instruments, described how he and his team designed and perfected thermospray technology in the 1980s. • Jack Henion, Chairman and CSO of Advion BioSciences, Inc., discussed direct liquid introduction (DLI), atmospheric pressure ionization (API), the development of electrospray and new developments (e.g., bench-top LC-MS systems, nanospray, ion traps and microfluidics). • Tom Covey, a principal scientist at AB SCIEX, used the metaphor of the world histomap to document the history of LC-MS and compare his fellow speakers to famous historical figures.
Unsteady convection in tin in a Bridgman configuration

When a quiescent fluid is heated sufficiently from below, steady convection will begin. Further heating will cause oscillatory and then turbulent flow. Theoretical results predict that the frequency of oscillation will depend on the square root of the Rayleigh number in the fluid. In the current work, liquid tin was heated from below for three aspect ratios, h/R = 3.4, 5.3, and 7.0. The experimental results are curve-fit for the square-root relation and also for a linear relation. The fit of the expression is evaluated using a correlation coefficient. An estimate for the first critical Rayleigh number (onset of steady convection) is obtained for both expressions. These values are compared to previous experimental results.
NEW INTERGENOMIC HYBRIDS AMONG SOME AFRICAN DIPLOID SPECIES OF HIBISCUS SECT. FURCARIA

Chromosome pairing was examined at Metaphase 1 in F1 hybrids between Hibiscus surattensis L. (B genome) and three other diploid species, H. hiernianus Exell, H. mastersianus Hiern, and H. mechowii Garcke. The low level of chromosome association in all three types of hybrids indicated that the pollen parent of each hybrid contributed a genome that was meiotically nonhomologous with B. Earlier studies had shown that H. mastersianus and H. hiernianus have similar genomes that are nonhomologous with the genome of H. mechowii. Thus, these four African diploids with overlapping ranges encompass three different genome groups. Provisional genome designations were assigned as follows: H. hiernianus, Xhie; H. mastersianus, Xmas; H. mechowii, Ymm. Hibiscus sect. Furcaria DC. is primarily an assemblage of allopolyploids (4 x to 10 x ), with representatives on all continents with tropical or subtropical regions. However, nine of the ten known diploids (n = 18) occur in sub-Saharan Africa, where the group presumably originated. One of the nine, H. surattensis L., also ranges across India to Southeast Asia, southern China, the Sund Islands and the Philippines. Another, H. cannabinus L. (kenaf), grows wild in East Africa, but cultivated forms are widespread in Africa and were introduced early into India (Murdock, 1959). The remaining diploids have more limited ranges in
Single-Row Routing with Crossover Bound

Previous studies of the single-row routing problem have been restricted to the minimization of the total number of horizontal tracks needed for the realization of a given set of nets. Therefore, it has been assumed that enough space exists between adjacent nodes to allow for the wiring. Due to this assumption, realizations obtained with previously proposed algorithms may require a large number of vertical tracks between adjacent nodes. In this paper, we study the single-row routing problem when the number of vertical tracks available between adjacent nodes is bounded by a positive integer called the crossover bound. We give some results concerning crossovers and prove that, for any given positive integer K, an instance can be constructed such that the vertical track requirement between adjacent nodes cannot be less than K. We develop a fast algorithm for the case when the number of horizontal tracks available as well as the number of vertical tracks available between adjacent nodes have been preset. We compare the performance of our algorithm to the performance of an algorithm (proposed in [6]) which is fast and does not consider the vertical track constraint. Our experiments show that, in all cases, the realizations found by our algorithm have the same street capacities as those obtained by the algorithm proposed in [6]. However, unlike the realizations found with the algorithm proposed in [6], the ones found by our algorithm have smaller crossover bounds. The computing time of our algorithm is, in general, no worse than the computing time of the algorithm proposed in [6].
Generalized affine lie algebras and the solution of a class of flows associated with the QR eigenvalue algorithm

In [3] the authors show that the QR algorithm to compute the eigenvalues of a matrix is the integer time evaluation of a completely integrable Hamiltonian system. Here the authors show that all the associated commuting integrals generate flows that can be solved explicitly via a factorization procedure on a suitable finite, or infinite-dimensional, Lie algebra.
Effects of Polymer Bridging and Electrostatics on the Rheological Behavior of Aqueous Colloidal Dispersions

Effects of a low molecular weight physically adsorbed polyethylene oxide (PEO) and the range of the electrostatic repulsion on the rheological behavior of silica dispersions (as a model system) has been investigated. Particular attention is given to the evolution of the rheological behavior with increasing the polymer concentration in the system and also effectiveness of the polymer as a dispersant under extreme conditions (high ionic strength). Results indicate that at small separation distances and low polymer coverage, the polymer chains are long enough to adsorb on the surface of two particles simultaneously causing bridging flocculation in the system and hence increasing the viscosity and linear viscoelastic functions of the dispersion. A significant increase was observed in the viscosity of the dispersion at salt concentrations high enough to eliminate electrostatics between the particles. Under these conditions,the viscosity of the system increased significantly when PEO was added to the dispersion showing that at high electrolyte concentrations, a neutral polymer such as PEO is not able to stabilize the system.
Autohesive Strength Development in Polysulfone Resin and Graphite-Polysulfone Composites

The effects of bonding temperature and contact time on autohesive strength development in thermoplastic polysulfone resin and graphite-polysulfone composites were investigated. Two test methods were examined to measure autohesion in the neat resin samples. These included an interfacial tension test and a compact tension fracture toughness test. Autohesive strength development in fiber-reinforced composites was measured using a double cantilever beam interlaminar fracture toughness test. The results of the tests were compared with current diffusion theories explaining crack healing and welding of glassy polymers. Discrepancies between the results of the present investigation and the diffusion theories are discussed.
Induced radioresistance: An aspect of induced repair

Irradiation of Escherichia coli cells with UV or X-rays followed by incubation under conditions in which protein synthesis can occur results in a population of cells that is resistant to X-rays; however, this resistance develops only if the cells are recA+ and lexA+, a fact that associates the phenomenon with induced (S.O.S.) repair. By observing separately the component of a culture that is resistant and the component that retains its normal growth, the fraction of induced and uninduced cells for a dose of UV or X-rays can be estimated. Such estimates show that the dose-response for UV induction of resistant cells agrees with that of the recA gene product. Thus induced radioresistance is considered to be due to the changes in the cell occasioned by the derepression of recA and lexA. These changes are expected to be involved with the synapsis of homologous genomes that is necessary for the use of a second genome to repair damage occurring in both strands of a duplex at the same base, as exemplified by a double-strand break or an interstrand crosslink. This consideration is additionally supported by the increased resistance of cells grown to contain multiple genomes in the same envelope, an increased resistance not found in recA- or lexA- cells. The condition of a completed chromosome is also resistant, again not in recA- or lexA- cells. We suggest that cell killing by X-rays is due to the double-strand breaks which are not repaired by molecular synapsis before the arrival of the replication polymerase at the break.
Student consultants: A key to efficient utilization of computing resources

I need three consultants for every one I have! We've all uttered something like this at some time. Why not use students? They represent a largely untapped resource on most campuses. But not just any students — use students who are trained, confident, well-managed, and backed by a professional staff. Students, consulting effectively with faculty, staff, and other students, can extend your scarce resources while increasing the computing competence of your users.This paper reports how one computer center is increasing its effectiveness in consulting while freeing up permanent staff to deal with other matters, which include converting to a new system, developing an education curriculum, continuing system upgrade, establishing microcomputer labs, and implementing a campus-wide network.This paper covers not only the training methods, the three levels of support, and the management tools used in this program but also the type of response this program has received on campus.
Flow computation on massive grids

As detailed terrain becomes available, GIS applications target larger geographic areas at finer resolutions. Processing the massive data presents significant challenges to GIS systems and demands algorithms that are optimized for both data movement and computation.In this paper we develop effcient algorithms for flow routing on massive terrains, extending our previous work on flow accumulation. Our implementations of these algorithms constitute the first comprehensive terrain flow software system designed and optimized for massive data. We compare the performance of our system, called TERRAFLOW, with that of state of the art commercial and open-source GIS systems. On large terrains, TERRAFLOW outpreforms existing systems by a factor of 2 to 1000, and is capable of solving problems of a scope and scale that are impractical with previous algorithms.
A Grid-Based Coulomb Collision Model for PIC Codes

A new method is presented to model the intermediate regime between collisionless and Coulomb collision dominated plasmas in particle-in-cell codes. Collisional processes between particles of different species are treated through the concept of a grid-based “collision field,” which can be particularly efficient for multi-dimensional applications. In this method, particles are scattered using a force which is determined from the moments of the distribution functions accumulated on the grid. The form of the force is such to reproduce the multi-fluid transport equations through the second (energy) moment. Collisions between particles of the same species require a separate treatment. For this, a Monte Carlo-like scattering method based on the Langevin equation is used. The details of both methods are presented, and their implementation in a new hybrid (particle ion, massless fluid electron) algorithm is described. Aspects of the collision model are illustrated through several one- and two-dimensional test problems as well as examples involving laser produced colliding plasmas.