cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Theory of relaxation and elasticity in polymer glasses

The recently developed activated barrier hopping theory of deeply supercooled polymer melts [K. S. Schweizer and E. J. Saltzman, J. Chem. Phys. 121, 1984 (2004)] is extended to the nonequilibrium glass state. Below the kinetic glass temperature Tg, the exact statistical mechanical relation between the dimensionless amplitude of long wavelength density fluctuations, S0, and the thermodynamic compressibility breaks down. Proper extension of the theory requires knowledge of the nonequilibrium S0 which x-ray scattering experiments find to consist of a material specific and temperature-independent quenched disorder contribution plus a vibrational contribution which varies roughly linearly with temperature. Motivated by these experiments and general landscape concepts, a simple model is proposed for S0(T). Deep in the glass state the form of the temperature dependence of the segmental relaxation time is found to depend sensitively on the magnitude of frozen in density fluctuations. At the (modest) sub-Tg temper...
Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress: Its Role in Disease and Novel Prospects for Therapy

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a multifunctional organelle required for lipid biosynthesis, calcium storage, and protein folding and processing. A number of physiological and pathological conditions, as well as a variety of pharmacological agents, are able to disturb proper ER function and thereby cause ER stress, which severely impairs protein folding and therefore poses the risk of proteotoxicity. Specific triggers for ER stress include, for example, particular intracellular alterations (e.g., calcium or redox imbalances), certain microenvironmental conditions (e.g., hypoglycemia, hypoxia, and acidosis), high-fat and high-sugar diet, a variety of natural compounds (e.g., thapsigargin, tunicamycin, and geldanamycin), and several prescription drugs (e.g., bortezomib/Velcade, celecoxib/Celebrex, and nelfinavir/Viracept). The cell reacts to ER stress by initiating a defensive process, called the unfolded protein response (UPR), which is comprised of cellular mechanisms aimed at adaptation and safeguarding cellular survival or, in cases of excessively severe stress, at initiation of apoptosis and elimination of the faulty cell. In recent years, this dichotomic stress response system has been linked to several human diseases, and efforts are underway to develop approaches to exploit ER stress mechanisms for therapy. For example, obesity and type 2 diabetes have been linked to ER stress-induced failure of insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells, and current research efforts are aimed at developing drugs that ameliorate cellular stress and thereby protect beta cell function. Other studies seek to pharmacologically aggravate chronic ER stress in cancer cells in order to enhance apoptosis and achieve tumor cell death. In the following, these principles will be presented and discussed.
Positive solutions for a second-order, singular semipositone dynamic boundary value problem

We obtain a sufficient condition for the existence of a positive solution for a second-order singular semipositone dynamic boundary value problem by constructing a special cone. As a special case when
Bioassay of circulating murine tumor cells: a comparison between intravenous and intramuscular inoculation on tumor incidence.

A comparison was made between the sensitivity of the intravenous method and the sensitivity of the intramuscular method as means of detecting circulating tumor cells in mice. In 2 of the 3 tumor groups studied, the intravenous method was more sensitive in detecting the presence of circulating tumor cells. The criteria for a good bioassay of circulating tumor cells are sensitivity in detecting small numbers of viable cells, reproducibility in animal host systems, quantitation of the number of cells present, and ease of application. The intravenous method of detection meets these criteria in 2 of 3 tumor groups studied.
Adaptation to International assignments: dimensionality and strategies to facilitate adjustment of expatriate managers in Turkey

Uses data collected from a sample of expatriate managers on assignments in Turkey to attempt to examine the dimensionality of expatriate adjustment. Suggests that the results offer support to earlier findings that expatriate adjustment is a multifaceted construct. Shows that the measure developed to capture the different dimensions demonstrate satisfactory internal consistency reliability and concurrent validity. Discusses strategies to facilitate the adjustment of expatriate managers to their assignments.
TinyGALS: a programming model for event-driven embedded systems

Networked embedded systems such as wireless sensor networks are usually designed to be event-driven so that they are reactive and power efficient. Programming embedded systems with multiple reactive tasks is difficult due to the complex nature of managing the concurrency of execution threads and consistency of shared states. This paper describes a globally asynchronous and locally synchronous model (TinyGALS) for programming event-driven embedded systems. Software components are composed locally through synchronous method calls to form modules, and asynchronous message passing is used between modules to separate the flow of control. In addition, a guarded yet synchronous model (TinyGUYS) is designed to allow thread-safe sharing of global state by multiple modules without explicitly passing messages. This programming model is structured such that all asynchronous message passing code and module triggering mechanisms can be automatically generted from a high-level specification. We have implemented the programming model and code generation facilities on a wireless sensor network platform known as the Berkeley motes. As an example, we have redesigned a multi-hop ad hoc communication protocol using the TinyGALS model.
Can regulatory affairs personnel add value when the goal is increasing speed of drug development

Regulatory affairs professionals must contribute to higher speed drug development. This contribution is essential for competitive reasons and is fully consistent with meeting the needs of the techn...
Plasma immunoreactive β-endorphin and cortisol in the newborn infant after elective caesarean section and after spontaneous labour

The effect of the mode of delivery on the plasma concentration of immunoreactive beta-endorphin (irbeta-E) and cortisol was studied in 27 newborn infants, 10 delivered by caesarean section and 17 by spontaneous vaginal labour. After elective caesarean section, the mean plasma concentration of cortisol rose from 227 +/- 27 nmol/l (S.E.) at birth to 705 +/- 90 nmol/l at the age of 2 h, indicating a significant increase in cortisol secretion, and the mean irbeta-E remained high, being 111 +/- 24 ng/l at birth and 117 +/- 21 ng/l at the age of 2 h. After spontaneous labour, the plasma cortisol level was already high at birth, 735 +/- 78 nmol/l, and remained so to the age of 2 h, 659 +/- 43 nmol/l, whereas the plasma irbeta-E decreased from 181 +/- 29 at birth to 64 +/- 7 ng/l at the age of 2 h. All newborns were in a good condition except one in whom transitory tachypnea developed during the follow-up. In this newborn the plasma level of irbeta-E increased greatly: from 210 ng/l to 705 ng/l. These results show that, irrespective of the route, the delivery is stressfull to the newborn infant. In newborns delivered by caesarean section the stress response comes after birth. Additional stress such as respiratory difficulties seems to increase the secretion of beta-endorphin.
Input models for synthetic optimization problems

We describe and discuss alternative input models for the coefficients in synthetic optimization problems. Synthetic, or randomly generated, problems are often used in computational studies to establish the efficacy of solution methods or to facilitate comparative evaluations of solution methods. The selection of an input model for the coefficients in synthetic optimization problems is important because such a selection may affect the outcome of a computational study. Understanding how an assumed input model affects the characteristics of test problems can assist researchers in their efforts to accurately quantify and interpret the performance of solution methods.
Lexical diversity in the spontaneous speech of children with specific language impairment: application of D.

The lexical diversity of children with specific language impairment (SLI) (ages 3 years 7 months to 7 years 3 months) was compared to that of normally developing same-age peers and younger normally...
The supercurrent and spontaneously broken supersymmetry.

The conserved Noether R current, supersymmetry current, and the energy-momentum tensor are constructed in the Akulov-Volkov model of spontaneously broken supersymmetry. An improved supersymmetry current and energy-momentum tensor are defined, which, along with the chiral R current, form components of the supercurrent. The supersymmetry Wess-Zumino consistency conditions for these component currents are verified.
Effect of surface slip on Stokes flow past a spherical particle in infinite fluid and near a plane wall

The motion of a spherical particle in infinite linear flow and near a plane wall, subject to the slip boundary condition on both the particle surface and the wall, is studied in the limit of zero Reynolds number. In the case of infinite flow, an exact solution is derived using the singularity representation, and analytical expressions for the force, torque, and stresslet are derived in terms of slip coefficients generalizing the Stokes–Basset–Einstein law. The slip velocity reduces the drag force, torque, and the effective viscosity of a dilute suspension. In the case of wall-bounded flow, advantage is taken of the axial symmetry of the boundaries of the flow with respect to the axis that is normal to the wall and passes through the particle center to formulate the problem in terms of a system of one-dimensional integral equations for the first sine and cosine Fourier coefficients of the unknown traction and velocity along the boundary contour in a meridional plane. Numerical solutions furnish accurate predictions for (a) the force and torque exerted on a particle translating parallel to the wall in a quiescent fluid, (b) the force and torque exerted on a particle rotating about an axis that is parallel to the wall in a quiescent fluid, and (c) the translational and angular velocities of a freely suspended particle in simple shear flow parallel to the wall. For certain combinations of the wall and particle slip coefficients, a particle moving under the influence of a tangential force translates parallel to the wall without rotation, and a particle moving under the influence of a tangential torque rotates about an axis that is parallel to the wall without translation. For a particle convected in simple shear flow, minimum translational velocity is observed for no-slip surfaces. However, allowing for slip may either increase or decrease the particle angular velocity, and the dependence on the wall and particle slip coefficients is not necessarily monotonic.
Fabrication of Non-Assembly Mechanisms and Robotic Systems Using Rapid Prototyping

In this paper, the application of Rapid Prototyping in fabricating non-assembly robotic systems and mechanisms is presented. Using two Rapid Prototyping techniques, Stereolithography and Selective Laser Sintering, prototypes of mechanical mobile joints were fabricated. The designs of these component joints were then used to fabricate the articulated structure of experimental prototypes for two robotic systems: (1) a three-legged parallel manipulator, (2) a four degree-of-freedom finger of a five-fingered robotic hand. These complex multi-articulated, multi-link, multi-loop systems have been fabricated in one step, without requiring assembly while maintaining their desired mobility. The feasibility and usefulness of Rapid Prototyping as a method for the fabrication of these non-assembly type mechanisms and robotic systems is the focus of this work.
Evolution of the biomechanical material properties of the femur.

The biomechanical performance of long bones is dictated by four key factors: element size, element shape, loading conditions, and material properties. Our understanding of the latter of these has been mostly limited to eutherian mammals and birds, which show similarity. Whether their possession of comparable material properties reflects common ancestry or independent evolution is uncertain. In the present analysis, we tested the bending strength, modulus, and failure strains of the femur and its pterygiophore homolog in actinpterygian fish. Sixty-nine specimens representing basal character states in seven major vertebrate crown clades were tested. These data were then coupled with avian and mammalian data from the literature and analyzed in an evolutionary context using phylogenetic character analysis. Mean values of 188 MPa for yield strength, 22.4 GPa for Young's modulus, and 8,437 mu epsilon for yield strain were obtained for the long bones. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed comparable values between clades that span a 30,000-fold range of body mass. We conclude that material properties of the first long bones 475 million years ago were conserved throughout evolution. Major locomotory challenges to femora during vertebrate evolution were almost solely accomplished by modifications of element size and shape.
Hydrogenolysis of tetra(allyl)tungsten in the presence of tertiary phosphines: synthesis of tris(dmpm)tungsten (0)

Abstract Reaction of W(η5-C3H5)4 with PMe2Ph and Me2PCH2PMe2 (dmpm) under 1 atm of H2 in toluene at 110–120 °C yielded WH4(PMe2Ph)4 and W(dmpm)3, respectively. Spectroscopic studies on the hydrogenolysis of W(η3-C3HP5)4 in the presence of tertiary phosphines PEt3, PMePh2, and PPh3 were consistent with formation of the tungsten phosphine hydride complexes WH6(PEt3)3, WH4(PMePh2)4 and WH6(PPh3)3. W(η3-C3H5)4 has advantages over similar hydrogenolysis of WMe6 in that W(η3-C3H5)4 is considerably more thermally and air stable. Pyrolysis of WH4(PMePh2)4 at 400 °C under a hydrogen flow yielded a shiny tungsten powder contaminated by hydrocarbon residues.
Corrosion initiation time of steel reinforcement in a chloride environment—A one dimensional solution

A mathematical model is presented for the chloride induced corrosion of reinforcing steel bars (rebars) in concrete. The time for the chloride concentration level to exceed the threshold limit to initiate corrosion on the rebars was calculated using first principles. The model is characterized by the time dependent surface concentration due to adsorption at the surface of the concrete. Although the entire adsorption and diffusion process is complicated, the predictions of the model are consistent with experimental results. The simplifying assumption of a constant diffusion coefficient does not affect the model predictions. A finite difference model was used to study the effect of water and oxygen on chloride diffusivity in concrete.
Tethered Ligand Library for Discovery of Peptide Agonists

We exploited the mechanism underlying thrombin receptor activation to develop a novel screening method to identify peptide agonists. The thrombin receptor is activated by limited proteolysis of its amino-terminal exodomain. Thrombin cleaves this domain to unmask a new amino terminus, which then functions as a tethered peptide agonist, binding intramolecularly to the body of the receptor to trigger signaling. The thrombin receptor's amino-terminal exodomain can also donate the tethered agonist intermolecularly to activate nearby thrombin receptors. We utilized this ability by co-expressing a "tethered ligand library," which displayed the thrombin receptor's amino-terminal exodomain bearing random pentapeptides in place of the native tethered ligand together with target receptors in Xenopus oocytes. Clones that conferred thrombin-dependent signaling by intermolecular ligation of the target receptor were isolated by sib selection. Agonists for the thrombin receptor itself (GFIYF) and for the formyl peptide receptor (MMWLL) were identified. Surprisingly, the latter agonist was quite active at the formyl peptide receptor even without N-formylation, and its formylated form, fMMWLL, was more potent than the classical formyl peptide receptor agonist fMLF. In addition to identifying novel peptide agonists for targets of pharmacological interest, this method might be used to discover agonists for orphan receptors. It also suggests a possible evolutionary path from peptide to protease-activated receptors.
Effect of a Staphylococcin on Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Phage group 2 staphylococcal strain UT0002 contains a large 56S virulence plasmid with genes that code for both exfoliative toxin and a specific staphylococcin termed Bac R(1). Four penicillinase-producing strains and three penicillin-susceptible strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae were killed by Bac R(1). After 30 min of growth of the penicillin-resistant TR1 strain in 62.5 arbitrary units of Bac R(1) per ml, loss of viability was approximately 90%, and, after 5 h, an approximately 99.99% loss of viability was observed. Lysis did not accompany cell death, and 84% of the Bac R(1) added to the growth medium was adsorbed to the gonococcal cells. The extracellular supernatant fluid from a substrain of staphylococcal strain UT0002 cured of the plasmid for Bac R(1) production had no lethal effect on the gonococcal strains. Bac R(1) was also shown to have bactericidal activity against an L-form of N. meningitidis, indicating that the outer envelope of a neisserial cell is not needed for bacteriocin activity. Ten different normal human sera were unable to neutralize Bac R(1) activity. The bacteriocin lacks adsorption specificity. It binds to but does not kill Escherichia coli cells, indicating that the cell envelope of gram-negative organisms can provide protection against the staphylococcin.
Searching for a sense of purpose: the role of parents and effects on self-esteem among female adolescents.

Abstract Achieving a sense of purpose during adolescence is a developmental asset; however, searching for that purpose may be a developmental stressor. Supportive parent–child relationships may help youth during this stressful experience. The present study included 207 female students in the sixth, eighth, and tenth grades from two competitive private schools. Searching for purpose negatively predicted self-esteem. Hierarchical linear regression examined moderating effects of parental trust and alienation on searching for purpose as a predictor of self-esteem. Parental alienation significantly moderated the association between search for purpose and girls' self-esteem; conversely, parental trust did not moderate the association. Results suggest that parent–child relationships characterized by high levels of parental alienation may exacerbate the pernicious effects of search for purpose. Person-based analyses found four clusters corresponding to Foreclosed Purpose, Diffused Purpose, Uncommitted Purpose/Moratorium, and Achieved Purpose. We discuss implications for practice and research based on these results.
VoicePedia: Towards Speech-based Access to Unstructured Information

Currently there are no dialog systems that enable purely voice-based access to the unstructured information on websites such as Wikipedia. Such systems could be revolutionary for non-literate users in the developing world. To investigate interface issues in such a system, we developed VoicePedia, a telephone-based dialog system for searching and browsing Wikipedia. In this paper, we present the system, as well as a user study comparing the use of VoicePedia to SmartPedia, a Smartphone GUI-based alternative. Keyword entry through the voice interface was significantly faster, while search result navigation, and page browsing were significantly slower. Although users preferred the GUI-based interface, task success rates between both systems were comparable – a promising result for regions where Smartphones and data plans are not viable. Index Terms: dialog system, information access
A metric for FDI filter and controller interaction in uncertain dynamical systems

Input-output properties of an integrated FDI filter and controller design for two problem formulations are presented. Test metrics are proposed to assess filter controller interaction in the presence of uncertain dynamics. Within these metrics, influence of a tracking controller on FDI filter performance is discussed. An example of the application of these metrics to independent tracking controller and FDI filter for Boeing 747-100/200 lateral-directional model is presented.
Effect of Poly (Ethylene Glycol) Molecular Weight and Microparticle Size on Oral Insulin Delivery from P(MAA-g-EG) Microparticles

Five years of successful work in our lab have shown that graft copolymer networks of poly(methacrylic acid-g-ethylene) [P(MAA-g-EG)], are very promising candidates for oral drug delivery. In an acidic environment, these copolymers form interpolymer complexes, protecting the active agent from the harsh environment of the gastrointestinal tract. At high pH, these complexes dissociate, causing the polymer to swell and release the drug. Films of P(MAA-g-EG) with a monomer ratio of 1:1 (MAA:EG) were prepared by free radical solution UV-polymerization, washed in order to remove the unreacted monomer, and crushed to form microparticles with different particle size distribution. Previous studies in our lab have focused on using polymer disks in their swelling studies. The swelling properties of polymer disks vs. crushed particles were investigated via equilibrium swelling experiments in this study. Another goal in this study is to compare different PEG chain length (MW-400 and MW-1000) and different particle size (150-212 microns, 90-150 microns and 25-90 microns) in their loading and release behavior. After 6 hours of exposing the polymer with the insulin solution we achieved approximately 90% of insulin loading.
Studies on rate of emulsion polymerization of butadiene-styrene (75:25) as a function of amount and kind of emulsifier used with persulfate as activator. IV. Addition of emulsifier during reaction. Seeding effects†

The effects of some factors on the rate of emulsion polymerization of butadiene-styrene (75:25) in the GR-S recipe at 50°C. are reported. The effects studied are the addition of soap during polymerization and the use of partially polymerized latex as seeder for the polymerization of the other ingredients of the recipe without further addition of soap. The addition of soap during the polymerization causes an acceleration of polymerization even if the amount added is less than that required for the formation of a monomolecular layer of soap on the surface of the polymer particles. This acceleration occurs even at conversions at which all the unreacted monomers are dissolved in the polymer particles. The seeding effect is accounted for on the assumption that after the disappearance of soap micelles, the particles are the only loci of reaction. The magnitude of the seeding effect is determined mainly by the amount of polymer that is added, the size of the polymer particles in the seeder being of secondary significance in determining the rate of polymerization.
Determination of total mercury concentration in aqueous samples with gold nanoparticles

A robust and inexpensive aqueous mercury sensor based on a gold nanoparticle film is described. The film is contained within an exposure chamber which allows for the optimization of the mercury mass transfer. The sensor detects mercury down to ng L−1 concentrations with a linear response. The response to mercury in field and lab-created samples with high levels of other inorganic species is consistent, suggesting that the sensor is selective. The sensor requires no mercury preconcentration or inert gas and is straightforward to operate.
Short-Term Storage of Adult Tamarixia radiata (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) Prior to Field Releases for Biological Control of Asian Citrus Psyllid

Tamarixia radiata is regarded as one of the Asian citrus psyllid’s most important natural enemies, and is thus currently being mass-reared and released by a number of laboratories in North America. It may not always be possible to immediately release newly-emerged adults, in which case it would be advantageous to store the parasitoids under optimal conditions until release. We found that newly-emerged adult T. radiata can be stored at 20 to 30 °C (14 h light photo phase) in vials containing honey with greater than 95% survival for up to 14 days. However, parasitoids stored for 14 days with honey at 25 °C parasitized fewer psyllid nymphs than newly emerged parasitoids. Thus, adult parasitoids can be stored, but they should be released as soon as possible for maximal parasitism. Tamarixia radiata es considerado como uno de los principales enemigos naturales del psilido asiatico de los citricos, y es asi que actualmente se cria en masa y liberado por un numero de laboratorios en Norteamerica. No siempre es posible liberar inmediatamente los adultos recien emergidos, en cuyo caso seria ventajoso el almacenar los parasitoides en condiciones optimas hasta su liberacion. Encontramos que se puede almacenar de 20 a 30°C (fotoperiodo de luz de 14 horas) los adultos de T. radiata recien emergidos en viales que contienen miel con una sobrevivencia de mas del 95% por 14 dias. Sin embargo, los parasitoides almacenados durante 14 dias con la miel a 25° C parasitaban menos niinfas de psilidos que los parasitoides recien emergidos. Por lo tanto, se puede almacenar los parasitoides adultos, pero deben ser liberados tan pronto como sea posible para un parasitismo maximo. View this article in BioOne
Operative cholangiography performed during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Operative cholangiography is an important adjunct to laparoscopic cholecystectomy a recently developed surgical procedure in which cholecystectomy is performed through four abdominal ports under sustained pneumoperitoneum and the direct vision of a video laparoscope. Operative cholangiogram can effectively identify incidental choledocholithiasis or anatomic variation in the biliary system that may significantly influence the surgical approach or postoperative management of the patient. Unique features portrayed on operative cholangiogram in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy include unusual displays of pneumoperitoneum, subcutaneous emphysema, visualization of the unresected gallbladder, and overlying surgical hardware that must remain in the operating field during film exposure.
The impact of traffic patterns on the overhead of reactive routing protocols

This paper presents a mathematical and simulative framework for quantifying the overhead of reactive routing protocols, such as dynamic source routing and ad hoc on-demand distance vector, in wireless variable topology (ad hoc) networks. A model of the routing-layer traffic, in terms of the statistical description of the distance between a source and a destination, is presented. The model is used to study the effect of the traffic on the routing overhead. Two network models are analyzed; a Manhattan grid model for the case of regular node placement, and a Poisson model for the case of random node placement. We focus on situations where the nodes are stationary but unreliable. For each network model, expressions of various components of the routing overhead are derived as a function of the traffic pattern. Results are compared against ns-2 simulations, which corroborate the essential characteristics of the analytical results. One of the key insights that can be drawn from the mathematical results of this paper is that it is possible to design infinitely scalable reactive routing protocols for variable topology networks by judicious engineering of the traffic patterns to satisfy the conditions presented in this paper.
Predation (Including Parasites and Disease) and Herbivory

Organisms are usually both enemies and victims of ecological interactions. Even individuals within ‘top predator’ species often suffer from cannibalism (an ecological ‘self-loop’), parasites, or disease agents. Predators capture, kill and consume their victims. Parasites either live on or within a victim and may kill their host directly or, more typically, reduce the host's growth, survival and/or reproductive potential. Parasitoids function like predators but the act of killing the host is done by offspring which, generally, hatch from an egg on or near a host and then enter the victim and consumes it from inside. Disease agents vary in their effects on victims from hardly noticeable to causing death. Finally, herbivory is that act of an animal consuming part, or the entirety, of a plant. The effect of herbivory on plants may be unquantifiable to resulting in the death of the plant. Key Concepts: Predators capture, kill and consume their prey. Parasitoids lay eggs on or near victims. These eggs hatch and the larvae enter and consume their victims from within. Parasites live on or within their victims and usually reduce the victim's ability to grow, survive and/or reproduce. Disease agents generally reduce victim growth, survival and/or reproductive rates. Herbivory is the act by an animal of consuming plant material which may reduce plant growth, survival and/or reproductive success. Researchers continue to debate the relative importance of top-down effects from enemies on victims and the effects of bottom-up effects of resources in population dynamics. Mathematical and computer models can help us to understand and predict these complex species interactions. Keywords: predation; herbivory; plant–animal interactions; host–pathogen dynamics; models
Strategies for ecological extrapolation

Debra P. C. Peters and Jeffrey E. Herrick, USDA ARS, Jornada Experimental Range, Box 30003, MSC 3JER, NMSU, Las Cruces, NM 88003-0003, USA (debpeter@nmsu.edu). / Dean L. Urban, Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences, Duke Univ., Durham, NC 27708-0328, USA. / Robert H. Gardner, Appalachian Laboratory, Univ. of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Frostburg, MD 21532, USA. / David D. Breshears, Los Alamos National Laboratory Atmosphere, Climate and Environmental Dynamics Group (EES-2) Mail Stop J495, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA.
Use of a Bayesian maximum-likelihood classifier to generate training data for brain–machine interfaces

Brain–machine interface decoding algorithms need to be predicated on assumptions that are easily met outside of an experimental setting to enable a practical clinical device. Given present technological limitations, there is a need for decoding algorithms which (a) are not dependent upon a large number of neurons for control, (b) are adaptable to alternative sources of neuronal input such as local field potentials (LFPs), and (c) require only marginal training data for daily calibrations. Moreover, practical algorithms must recognize when the user is not intending to generate a control output and eliminate poor training data. In this paper, we introduce and evaluate a Bayesian maximum-likelihood estimation strategy to address the issues of isolating quality training data and self-paced control. Six animal subjects demonstrate that a multiple state classification task, loosely based on the standard center-out task, can be accomplished with fewer than five engaged neurons while requiring less than ten trials for algorithm training. In addition, untrained animals quickly obtained accurate device control, utilizing LFPs as well as neurons in cingulate cortex, two non-traditional neural inputs.
Performance comparison of two suboptimum detection procedures in real environment

Two suboptimum detection procedures, one based on the binary matched filtering and the other based on the weighting of partial decisions, were introduced earlier into the literature as very suitable for the cost-effective microprocessor-based implementation of the medium-speed voice-band data modems. Previous analysis of these two detection procedures was limited to the case when only Gaussian noise is present in the communications system. Here, both procedures are treated comparatively under conditions typical of realistic applications. These conditions refer to the cases when Gaussian noise is combined with intersymbol interference or timing jitter. To provide a reference against which the new detection procedures can be evaluated, results known from the literature for the optimal detector are here utilised and are comparatively presented.
The Blurring of Academic, Cultural, and Social Borders for Minority Engineering Students

In 2003 Arizona State University received a five-year block grant from the National Action Council on Minorities in Engineering (NACME). The funding provides scholarships of up to $2,500 for underrepresented students with financial need. Qualified non-minority students have been included in the program during the past two years and are supported by other funding. The new freshmen NACME students are required to take a two-hour course in the fall and meet every other week for an hour during the spring semester. In subsequent semesters, the NACME scholars meet for an hour six times a semester. This paper will report on lessons learned during the three years of the program, on programming improvements (including an academic emphasis), and on the challenges of the program. The paper will also include the students' retention, GPAs, and evaluations of the program. To date, over 60 students have participated in the program. This program helps to blur the academic, cultural, and social borders that minority engineering students often face.
In vivo effects of stromelysin on the composition and physical properties of rabbit articular cartilage in the presence and absence of a synthetic inhibitor.

Objective. To characterize the effects of intra-articular injection of recombinant human stromelysin (SLN) on the matrix composition and physical properties of cartilage from lapine stifle joints and the modulation of these effects by the systemic administration of an N-carboxyalkyl synthetic matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor, L-696,418. Methods. Female 6–8-week-old New Zealand white rabbits received an intraarticular injection of 100 μg activated SLN in 1 stifle joint and buffer in the contralateral control knee; these animals were killed after 1 hour. A separate group of animals received an intravenous injection of either 30 mg/kg L-696,418 or buffer prior to intraarticular injection of SLN. Joints were dissected and analyzed for proteoglycan (PG) loss into joint fluid, tissue biochemical composition, and histology by toluidine blue or anti-VDIPEN antibody staining, or were frozen for physical property analysis. Disks of femoropatellar groove cartilage were harvested from the stifle joint and tested in uniaxially confined compression for determination of electromechanical and mechanical properties. Results. Lapine stifle joints that received injection of SLN without systemic administration of L-696,418 showed a 13-fold increase in loss of PG into synovial fluid. Cartilage from these joints showed significant decreases in streaming potential at 1 Hz and electrokinetic coupling coefficient, but no change in equilibrium modulus, dynamic stiffness, or hydraulic permeability. Systemic treatment with L-696,418 resulted in a significant decrease in loss of PG into joint fluid and elimination of changes in cartilage highfrequency streaming potential and coupling coefficient in joints that were injected with SLN. Conclusion. The 1-hour exposure to SLN in vivo resulted in loss of PG and exposure of the VDIPEN epitope of the aggrecan core protein in the superficial region of the tissue near the articular surface. This highly localized degradation resulted in electromechanical behavior changes, but little or no change occurred in mechanical properties. Systemic administration of L-696,418 significantly decreased loss of PG from cartilage and prevented the highly localized tissue degradation and the resultant changes in electromechanical behavior caused by intraarticular SLN injection.
The Mission of IT in Health Care: Creating a System That Cares

Public concern about the quality and safety of healthcare delivery reached an unparalleled high in the closing days of the 1990s. The patient safety movement that had been growing slowly all decade exploded in November 1999 when the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences released a compelling and controversial report claiming that between 44, 000 and 98, 000 Americans die each year as a result of preventable medical errors [1]. Implicit in the name of the report, To Err Is Human: Building a Safer Health System, was the message that we have only one alternative. No matter how much we strive for perfection, it is our nature as human beings to make mistakes. The only way to eradicate inevitable, understandable human errors is to construct a healthcare environment that systematically eliminates threats to our safety.
Public Pension Fund Activism and Firm Performance

This paper studies the efficacy of pension fund activism and the ability or willingness of these funds to vote with their feet. I examine all firms targeted by nine major funds over a seven year period (1987-1993). Targeting announcements are associated with a small but significant wealth effect for a subset of firms. However, there is no evidence of improvement in the long-term stock price performance of targeted firms. In fact, performance continues to decline even three years after targeting. Moreover, in contrast to other institutions, pension funds do not appear to significantly reduce their holdings in underperforming firms in general, or in firms that they target. Collectively, the results cast doubt on the effectiveness of public pension fund activism as a substitute for an active market for corporate control.
Adrenergic modulation of a spinal sympathetic reflex in the rat.

Patients with spinal cord injury involving transection of the lower cervical or upper thoracic spinal cord can experience an autonomic hyperreflexia characterized by exaggerated blood pressure increases in response to visceral or somatic stimuli such as skin stimulation and urinary bladder or rectal distention. These cardiovascular responses are mediated by activation of spinal sympathetic reflex (SSR) circuits in the segments below the transection that are no longer controlled by their supraspinal inputs. We have examined the SSR in decerebrate, unanesthetized, paralyzed, artificially ventilated rats after acute spinal transection in the sixth cervical segment and have determined its sensitivity to i.v. administration of clonidine and other agents interacting with alpha-2 adrenergic receptors. The SSR amplitude, determined as the area of the averaged excitatory potential evoked on the splanchnic sympathetic nerve by single stimuli (300 microA) applied to the seventh thoracic dorsal root, was reduced to 14% +/- 6% of control with a cumulative dose of clonidine of 27 micrograms/kg. This inhibition was completely reversed by rauwolscine, idazoxan and RX821002, but not by prazosin. Both guanabenz and UK-14304 also reduced the SSR amplitude (9% +/- 3% of control at 0.4 mg/kg and 11% +/- 6% of control at 0.08 mg/kg, respectively). These results indicate that activation of alpha-2 adrenergic receptors, within either the dorsal or intermediolateral horns of the spinal cord or within sympathetic ganglia, can significantly reduce transmission of information through SSR circuits after spinal cord injury.
Cx43-Dependent Skeletal Phenotypes Are Mediated by Interactions between the Hapln1a-ECM and Sema3d during Fin Regeneration

Skeletal development is a tightly regulated process and requires proper communication between the cells for efficient exchange of information. Analysis of fin length mutants has revealed that the gap junction protein Connexin43 (Cx43) coordinates cell proliferation (growth) and joint formation (patterning) during zebrafish caudal fin regeneration. Previous studies have shown that the extra cellular matrix (ECM) protein Hyaluronan and Proteoglycan Link Protein1a (Hapln1a) is molecularly and functionally downstream of Cx43, and that hapln1a knockdown leads to reduction of the glycosaminoglycan hyaluronan. Here we find that the proteoglycan aggrecan is similarly reduced following Hapln1a knockdown. Notably, we demonstrate that both hyaluronan and aggrecan are required for growth and patterning. Moreover, we provide evidence that the Hapln1a-ECM stabilizes the secreted growth factor Semaphorin3d (Sema3d), which has been independently shown to mediate Cx43 dependent phenotypes during regeneration. Double knockdown of hapln1a and sema3d reveal synergistic interactions. Further, hapln1a knockdown phenotypes were rescued by Sema3d overexpression. Therefore, Hapln1a maintains the composition of specific components of the ECM, which appears to be required for the stabilization of at least one growth factor, Sema3d. We propose that the Hapln1a dependent ECM provides the required conditions for Sema3d stabilization and function. Interactions between the ECM and signaling molecules are complex and our study demonstrates the requirement for components of the Hapln1a-ECM for Sema3d signal transduction.
Phase transitions in I2O5 at high pressures: Raman and X-ray diffraction studies

Abstract We have studied the pressure-induced phase transitions of I 2 O 5 in diamond anvil cells using optical spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. X-ray and Raman data indicate that the linear structure of phase I isostructurally transforms into a stacking layer structure of phase II at 5 GPa and, then, into an amorphous network of phase III at 15 GPa. Phase III further transforms into amorphous solid at 23 GPa, which can be recovered at ambient condition. Anisotropic van der Waals interaction between lone pairs of iodines and neighboring molecules drives to the observed phase change with increasing of iodine coordination number.
The Limits to Power without Persuasion

Research on executive action often assumes that presidents face an either/or decision between issuing an administrative order and seeking legislation. This premise, however, ignores differing structural characteristics of administrative and legislative policy vehicles. This article will argue that, rather than see administrative actions as equivalent to legislation, presidents understand the distinct advantages and disadvantages each policy instrument brings and act accordingly. Using data linking executive orders (EOs) and presidential legislative proposals, as well as a case study of the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, we show that when presidents issue more EOs, they do not issue fewer legislative proposals. In fact, presidents sometimes follow up on significant EOs with proposals to enshrine them in statute. Our research supports viewing EOs as a tool in the legislative toolbox rather than a challenge to the legislative process.
C2 Vertebral Fractures in the Medicare Population: Incidence, Outcomes, and Costs.

Background: Cervical 2 (C2) fractures in the elderly are common, and the incidence of these fractures has been increasing. Surgical and nonoperative treatments are associated with high complication and mortality rates, and these rates have not been evaluated at the population level, to our knowledge. The purpose of this study was to use the Medicare claims database to determine trends in treatment, surgical and nonoperative outcomes, and Medicare reimbursement for treatment of these fractures. Methods: We examined the Medicare claims database from 2000 to 2011 to identify patients admitted for the treatment of a C2 fracture. The incidence of fractures and the rates of nonoperative and surgical treatment were determined across the study period. We compared rates of mortality and life-threatening complications between patients treated nonoperatively and surgically. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) payments for the initial admission as well as for subsequent inpatient admissions during the ninety-day post-admission period were compared between treatment groups. We used multivariate analysis to control for differences in patient characteristics between groups. Results: There were 81,596 admissions for C2 fracture identified, and 53,338 met inclusion criteria. The incidence of C2 fractures increased 135% from 2000 to 2011, but the rate of surgical treatment remained constant at 16%. There was significantly lower mortality at thirty days for the surgical group at 8.3% compared with the nonoperative group at 16.2% (p < 0.001) and at one year for the surgical group at 21.7% compared with the nonoperative group at 32.3% (p < 0.001). Life-threatening complications within thirty days of admission were slightly more common in the surgical group at 10.9% compared with the nonoperative group at 9.0% (p < 0.05). Medicare reimbursements for the initial inpatient admission were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in U.S. dollars for the surgical group at $21,487 compared with the nonoperative group at $8469, and this significant difference (p < 0.001) persisted in the ninety-day post-discharge period at $10,487 for the surgical group compared with $8410 for the nonoperative group. Conclusions: Although the incidence of C2 fractures in the Medicare population increased from 2000 to 2011, the rate of surgery stayed relatively constant. After controlling for baseline differences, patients treated with surgery had significantly lower thirty-day and one-year mortality rates compared with patients treated nonoperatively. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
AVO Response to Variable CO2 Saturation: A Rock Properties Sensitivity Study

A global sensitivity analysis was performed to study the ability of an AVO interpretation scheme to discern CO2 saturation levels in a model carbonate reservoir. The importance of various rock properties that would be used as inputs in reservoir characterization were ranked by their importance to the outcome. An extensive rock properties database for a carbonate reservoir containing natural variability was used. Defining and using the intrinsic correlations among petrophysical properties is essential to evaluating whether a particular reservoir is amenable (sensitive) to this AVO characterization method.
Feature extraction in hyperspectral imaging using adaptive feature selection approach

This paper presents the design and implementation of a new adaptive feature selection technique for spectral band selection prior to classification of remotely sensed hyperspectral images. This approach integrates spectral band selection and hyperspectral image classification in an adaptive fashion, with the ultimate goal of improving the analysis and interpretation of hyperspectral imaging. The four components in the proposed adaptive feature selection, including local gradient calculation, reference cluster determination, prototype classes building using a fuzzy classifier, and relevant bands selection are presented in detail. The hyperspectral image data set from the ROSIS (Reflective Optics System Imaging Spectrometer) were used as training and testing data. We tested the effect of the approach on different number of selected spectral bands. The classification accuracy for AFS was illustrated by the ROC curve. In addition, in order to compare the proposed method with other methods, we applied the proposed adaptive feature selection (AFS) approach and the principal component analysis (PCA) method to the GentleBoost classifier using different number of spectral bands after processing the ROSIS Pavia scene. The experimental results demonstrated that the classification accuracies obtained by the AFS method are higher than that of the PCA method. In addition, for each method, the higher the number of spectral bands, the higher the classification accuracy.
A Three-Dimensional Analysis of Swirl Injector Flow Dynamics at Supercritical Conditions

1 Graduate Research Assistant, Georgia Institute of Technology, Email: xwang343@gatech.edu. 2 Mechanical Engineer, GE Global Research Center, Niskayuna, NY, 12309 3,4 Postdoctoral fellow, School of Aerospace Engineering 5 William R. T. Oakes Professor and Chair, School of Aerospace Engineering, Fellow AIAA. 1 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics A Three-Dimensional Analysis of Swirl Injector Flow Dynamics at Supercritical Conditions