cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Time Series: Yale Enrolment

As an example of examination of a time series, let us consider the enrolment of students at Yale University. Information concerning the numbers of students enrolled in the various schools and programs can be obtained for each academic year from 1796/97 onwards. The University was founded in 1701. For most years before 1796 the enrolment is not known directly, though Welch and Camp (1899) made estimates from the numbers of degrees awarded. For present purposes we shall start at 1796, and use the counts of total enrolment listed in Figure B:2, a time series of length 180.
The influence of certain factors on the durability of monolithic linings in steelcasting ladles

The batch composition and technology were developed for monolithic linings for steelcasting ladles. A method of drying the rammed lining of ladles of a capacity up to 180 tons was developed and introduced. In this method the ladle is in the “bottom up” position. The method gives a better lining quality and the drying time is reduced from 16–20 to 10–12 h. The analytical equation is written in the form of the duration and rate of drying as functions of the thickness of the dried part of the lining. An analysis was carried out of the influence of six parameters on the durability of the lining by means of an equation of multiple linear correlation.
Three-dimensional simulation of in vitro angiogenesis: Effects of extracellular matrix structure and density

The process of angiogenesis is regulated by both chemical and mechanical signaling. While the role of chemical factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) during angiogenesis has been extensively studied, the influence of the mechanostructural environment on new vessel generation has received significantly less attention. During angiogenesis, endothelial cells in the existing vasculature detach and migrate out into the surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM), forming tubular structures that eventually mature into new blood vessels. This process is modulated by the structure and composition of the ECM [1]. The ECM is then remodeled by endothelial cells in the elongating neovessel tip, resulting in matrix condensation and changes in fiber orientation [2]. The mechanism as to how angiogenic vasculature and the ECM influence each other is poorly understood.© 2010 ASME
Order Matters: Sequencing Scale-Realistic Versus Simplified Models to Improve Science Learning

Teachers choosing between different models to facilitate students’ understanding of an abstract system must decide whether to adopt a model that is simplified and striking or one that is realistic and complex. Only recently have instructional technologies enabled teachers and learners to change presentations swiftly and to provide for learning based on multiple models, thus giving rise to questions about the order of presentation. Using disjoint individual growth modeling to examine the learning of astronomical concepts using a simulation of the solar system on tablets for 152 high school students (age 15), the authors detect both a model effect and an order effect in the use of the Orrery, a simplified model that exaggerates the scale relationships, and the True-to-scale, a proportional model that more accurately represents the realistic scale relationships. Specifically, earlier exposure to the simplified model resulted in diminution of the conceptual gain from the subsequent realistic model, but the realistic model did not impede learning from the following simplified model.
Hippocampal Sclerosis and Cognitive Dysfunction

Deficits of cognitive function, including language development and learning of complex social skills, typical of mental deficiency and autism, are reported in 4 children with bilateral hippocampal sclerosis and epilepsy followed at Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC.
Proactive Risk Assessments and the Continuity of Business Principles: Perspectives on This Novel, Combined Approach to Develop Guidance for the Permitted Movement of Agricultural Products during a Foot-and-Mouth Disease Outbreak in the United States

Animal diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) have the potential to severely impact food animal production systems. Paradoxically, the collateral damage associated with the outbreak response may create a larger threat to the food supply, social stability, and economic viability of rural communities than the disease itself. When FMD occurs in domestic animals, most developed countries will implement strict movement controls in the area surrounding the infected farm(s). Historically, stopping all animal movements has been considered one of the most effective ways to control FMD and stop disease spread. However, stopping all movements in an area comes at a cost, as there are often uninfected herds and flocks within the control area. The inability to harvest uninfected animals and move their products to processing interrupts the food supply chain and has the potential to result in an enormous waste of safe, nutritious animal products and create animal welfare situations. In addition, these adverse effects may negatively impact agriculture businesses and the related economy. Effective disease control measures and the security of the food supply thus require a balanced approach based on science and practicality. Evaluating the risks associated with the movement of live animals and products before an outbreak happens provides valuable insights for risk management plans. These plans can optimize animal and product movements while preventing disease spread. Food security benefits from emergency response plans that both control the disease and keep our food system functional.
Spin-Wave Spectrum of the Antiferromagnetic Linear Chain

The methods of Bethe and Hulth\'en are used to build spin-wave states for the antiferromagnetic linear chain. These states, of spin 1 and translational quantum number $k$, are eigenstates of the Hamiltonian $H=\ensuremath{\Sigma}{j}^{}{\mathrm{S}}_{j}\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}{\mathrm{S}}_{j+1}$ with periodic boundary conditions. For an infinite chain, their spectrum is ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{k}=(\frac{\ensuremath{\pi}}{2})|sink|$, whereas Anderson's spin-wave theory gives ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{k}=|sink|$. For finite chains it has been verified by numerical computation that these states are the lowest states of given $k$, but no rigorous proof has been given for an infinite chain.
STRUCTURAL VARIATIONS IN CHOLINERGIC LIGANDS

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the structural variations in cholinergic ligands. Comparative pharmacological and biochemical studies of chemically modified analogues of a particular chemical entity have been extensively used as an approach for defining the chemical nature of receptors. Rules relating the conformational and electronic requirements necessary for affinity and efficacy of a molecule in a particular receptor can sometimes be developed. The failure to produce significant structure activity relationships for cholinergic agents stems from a number of factors. The chapter reviews the various observations that have been made to date on the structures of pertinent cholinergic ligands. There is no direct evidence on the structure of a molecule at the active site of a cholinergic receptor. It is, thus, necessary to use circumstantial evidence from molecular orbital calculations, and crystallographic and solution studies to learn about the nature of substrate at a receptor site until direct observations of the receptor–substrate complex can be made.
A role for research: an observation on preventive services for women.

Background The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA) added preventive services for women, recommended by the IOM, to healthcare coverage requirements beginning in August 2011. Purpose The current review provides evidence on the economic impact of services that will be covered under the ACA, focusing on IOM-recommended measures that address women's health. Methods This review analyzed the cost-effectiveness literature related to these services using the Tufts Medical Center Cost-Effectiveness Analysis Registry ( www.cearegistry.org ), which catalogs detailed information on cost-effectiveness studies published in English in the peer-reviewed literature. In order to keep the review relevant to current clinical practice, the analysis was restricted to studies published in 2000–2010. The data search and analysis were performed in 2011. Results Cost-effectiveness studies have evaluated a limited subset of the preventive measures available for women. Further, few cost-effectiveness studies have evaluated the recommended counseling and screening services for women. Of 16 relevant studies found, eight focused on HIV screening, with results varying substantially depending on the specific groups screened and the screening frequency. Conclusions The current review underscores the finding that there is a substantial gap in the health economic literature on preventive care, especially with respect to screening and counseling of women in the primary care setting. There is some evidence that better access to preventive services can be maintained at a reasonable cost to the healthcare system, and that certain services may even lower healthcare costs.
What Should Define Preoperative Anemia in Primary THA

The use of tranexamic acid (TXA) in THA decreases the risk of transfusion after surgery. However, nearly 10% of patients still undergo a transfusion, which has been independently associated with an increased risk of complications. Preoperative anemia has been proven to be a strong predictor of transfusion after THA, but the ideal “cutoff” values in today’s population that maximize sensitivity and specificity to predict transfusion have yet to be established. (1) Which preoperative factors are associated with postoperative transfusion in the setting of TXA use? (2) If preoperative hemoglobin (Hgb) remains associated with transfusion, what are the best-supported preoperative Hgb cutoff values associated with increased transfusion after THA? A retrospective chart analysis was performed from January 1, 2013, to January 1, 2015, on 558 primary THAs that met prespecified inclusion criteria. A multivariable logistic regression analysis model was used to identify independent factors associated with transfusion. Area under the receiver-operator curve (AUC) was used to determine the best-supported preoperative Hgb cut point across all participants, as well as adjusted by sex and TXA use. Overall, 60 patients with a blood transfusion were included and compared with 498 control subjects (11% risk of transfusion). After controlling for potential confounding variables such as age, sex, American Society of Anesthesiologist score, intravenous TXA (IV TXA) use, and preoperative Hgb, we found that patients with lower preoperative Hgb (g/dL per 1-unit decrease, odds ratio [OR], 2.6; 95% CI, 2.0–3.5; p < 0.001), female sex (vs male, OR, 4.2; 95% CI, 1.7–10.3; p = 0.002), and those unable to receive IV TXA (topical TXA/no TXA, OR, 13.5; 95% CI, 6.3–28.6; p < 0.001) were more likely to receive a transfusion. Of these, preoperative Hgb was found to be the variable most highly associated with transfusion (AUC, 0.876). A preoperative Hgb cutoff value of 12.6 g/dL maximized the AUC (0.876) for predicting transfusion across all patients unadjusted for baseline characteristics (sensitivity = 83, specificity = 84) with values of 12.5 g/dL (sensitivity = 85, specificity = 77) and 13.5 g/dL (sensitivity = 92, specificity = 77) for women and men, respectively. The 1968 WHO definitions of anemia (preoperative Hgb < 13 g/dL for men and < 12 g/dL for women) used currently may underestimate patients at risk of transfusion after THA today. Further studies are needed to see if blood conservation referral decreases the risk of transfusion with preoperative treatment of anemia. Level III, therapeutic study.
Development of a novel spectroscopic methodology for the unique determination of bacterial spores

A novel methodology has been developed for the determination (i.e., identification and quantification) of bacterial spores that may be useful in many applications; most notably, development of detection schemes toward potentially harmful biological agents such as Bacillus anthracis. In addition, this method would be useful as an environment warning system where sterility is of importance (i.e., food preparation areas as w ell as invasive and minimally- invasive medical applications). This method is based on the infrared (1500 to 4000-nm) absorption of fatty acids and peptides extracted from the spore. The absorption spectra of several bacteria spore extracts in carbon disulfide solution have been measured. Further, the groups of absorption bands in the this region are unique for each spore, which implies it may be possible to use this technique for their determination. The Bacillus spores studied were chosen because they are taxonomically close to each other as well as to Bacillus antracis. Expectedly, the measured absorption bands are heavily overlapped since the extracted analytes are similar in structure for each Bacillus spore. Additionally, this makes it impossible to use a single wavelength for the determination of any bacterial spore species. However, it may be possible to use the infrared absorption technique in conjunction with the Partial Least Squares (PLS) regression method to develop statistical models for the determination of bacterial spores. Results will be presented concerning sampling, data treatment, and development of PLS models as well as application of these models in the determination of unknown Bacillus bacterial spores.
Elevational Distribution of Temperate Lianas along Trails in Pisgah National Forest

Abstract In several regions of the world, the species richness of lianas (woody vines) has been shown to decrease as elevation increases. Little is known about the relationship between elevation and lianas in temperate forests of eastern North America. We documented the elevational distribution of 4 high-climbing, native lianas in Pisgah National Forest (western North Carolina) by recording the elevations of 427 vine occurrences along 53 km of trails. All 4 taxa occurred at the lowest elevations. Mean elevations of Toxicodendron radicans (Poison Ivy; 873 ± 71 m) Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia Creeper; 895 ± 103 m) and Vitis spp. (wild grape; 962 ±103 m) were similar. Isotrema macrophyllum (Pipevine) had a mean elevation of 1193 ± 194 m and was the only liana occurring >1300 m. Further study is needed in the forest interior and to determine how factors such as soil moisture, forest structure, stem anatomy, spatial relationships with pollinators and seed dispersers, or other factors may influence the...
Perspectives on PKCtheta in T cell activation.

Upon stimulation by environmental signals, T lymphocytes develop an intricate set of signal-dependent responses including remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton, the development of cellular polarity, the initiation of second-messenger cascades, entry into cell cycle, differentiation and effector function. The integration of TCR and costimulatory signaling is critical to the successful initiation of the T cell activation program, and the serine/threonine kinase PKCθ is an important site of signal integration in the process of T cell activation. We provide an overview of T cell signaling, and then go on to assess our understanding of the regulation of PKCθ activity, its target proteins and its role in T cell activation and the production of T cell survival factors such as IL-2.
Tumor in the Anterior Compartment of the Arm

The anterior compartment of the arm consists of three muscles, the biceps brachii, brachialis, and coracobrachialis. The short head of the biceps has as its origin the coracoid process, arising lateral to the origin of the coracobrachialis and joining the long head arising from the supraglenoid tubercle to form the biceps brachii inserting in the radial tuberosity and the bicipital aponeurosis. The brachialis originates from the lower half of the anterior humeral surface and inserts in the ulnar tuberosity. The coracobrachialis originates from the coracoid process medial to the short head of the biceps and inserts in the medial aspect of the middle humerus.
Continuous time models

In its most general form, the optimal control problem is to find a control vector u(t) that will give an extremal value to a performance index J (called the objective function), when the state of the system being controlled is described by an n-dimensional state vector x = (x 1, x 2, … x n) whose components evolve according to the state equations.
Evidence for a Pseudoknot in the 3′ Untranslated Region of the Bovine Coronavirus Genome

A potential pseudoknot was found in the 3′ untranslated region of the bovine coronavirus genome beginning 63 nt downstream from the stop codon of the N gene. Mutation analysis of the pseudoknot in a cloned defective interfering RNA indicated that this structural element is necessary for defective interfering RNA replication.
A Measure of Interdependence: Skill in the Supply Chain:

Economic development strategies often target high-skill and high-wage industries and occupations, but the relationship between skills and wages is uneven and complicated. This study offers a skill-...
Initial Report of a Phase I Study of LY2510924, Idarubicin, and Cytarabine in Relapsed/Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

Background: The CXCR4/SDF-1α signaling axis is critical for homing of stem cells in the bone marrow and activation of downstream pathways involved in cell proliferation and survival. In an AML model, LY2510924, a peptide antagonist of CXCR4, showed significant anti-leukemia activity. Methods: A phase I study was designed to determine the safety and toxicity profile of combination therapy of LY2510924, idarubicin and cytarabine (IA) in relapsed/refractory (R/R) AML. Patients aged 18- 70 years receiving salvage therapy (up to salvage 3) were eligible. LY2510924 is administered daily for 7 days followed by IA starting day 8. Two dose escalation levels (10 and 20 mg) were planned; up to 12 patients were to be enrolled in phase I portion. Results: Eleven patients have been enrolled with a median age of 55 (range, 19-70). Median number of prior therapies was 1 (1-3). Six pts were treated at dose-level ‘0’ (10 mg) and 5 at dose-level ‘1’ (20 mg). Only one patient experiencing a dose limiting toxicity (grade 3 rash and myelosuppression). At the starting dose-level ‘0’, three complete responses (CRs) were observed; at dose-level ‘1’, one achieved CR; the overall response rate was 36% (4 of 11 patients). By flow cytometry, 4 of 9 had ≥ 50% decrease in CXCR4 mean fluorescence intensity, indicating incomplete suppression of CXCR4-receptor occupancy. Conclusions: Combination of LY2510924 with IA is safe in R/R AML pts. Dose-escalation to a 30 mg LY2510924 dose is planned to achieve complete blockade of CXCR4 receptor occupancy, followed by expansion phase at the recommended phase 2 dose-level.
Connectivity and Centrality Characteristics of the Epileptogenic Focus Using Directed Network Analysis

Accurate epileptogenic focus localization is required prior to surgical resection of brain tissue for the treatment of patients with antiepileptic drug-resistant (intractable) epilepsy. This clinical need is only partially fulfilled through a subjective, and at times inconclusive, the evaluation of the recorded electroencephalogram (EEG) at seizures’ onset (the so-called gold standard for focus localization in epilepsy). We herein present a novel method of multivariate analysis of the EEG that appears to be very promising for an objective and robust localization of the epileptogenic focus at seizures’ onset. Using the measure of generalized partial directed coherence, combined with surrogate data analysis, we first estimated from multichannel intracranial EEG the statistically significant causal interactions between brain regions at the onset of 92 clinical seizures from nine patients with temporal lobe intractable epilepsy. From the networks that were formed based on the thus derived interactions, a set of centrality metrics was estimated per network node (brain site). Brain sites located anatomically within the epileptogenic focus were shown to be associated with greater inward centrality values than non-focal brain regions at high frequencies ( $\mathrm {\gamma }$ band), and particular inward centrality metrics accurately localized the focus in all nine patients. In addition to focus localization from seizure (ictal) onset, the developed novel framework for analysis of EEG could be employed to identify the changes of the focal network over time, peri-ictally and interictally, and thus shed light onto the dynamics of ictogenesis, which could then have a significant impact on automated prediction and closed-loop control of seizures by neuromodulation.
Thermal Ablation Simulations of Quartz Materials

A thermal ablation model for glassy materials is proposed. The model includes mass losses from evaporation and condensation as well as from the moving molten layer driven by surface shear force and...
Atomically Dispersed Supported Metal Catalysts: Seeing Is Believing

Catalysts consisting of isolated oxophilic metal atoms bonded to supports are well established in industry. Noble metals isolated on supports are now drawing intense interest – stimulated by atomic-resolution microscopy images revealing the metal atoms and spectroscopic determinations of the catalytic site structures. These catalysts have been made on oxides, zeolites, carbons, and metals. New catalysts with unique properties are being discovered rapidly. Researchers are also gaining deep insights to advance the science and bolster discovery of new catalysts. Catalysts for prospective applications are oxide-supported cationic metals for CO oxidation and C H bond activation, and metal-supported zerovalent metals for C H bond activation and hydrogenations. This field is stimulating not only catalysis science but also surface science, materials synthesis, and electron microscopy.
Worker’s well-being. Evidence from the apparel industry in Mexico

A growing body of research links working environment with employee health and well-being. We argue that greater employee well-being is associated with positive work outcomes, benefits likely vital ...
Interleukin-7 Produced by Antigen Presenting Cells Regulates the Homeostatic Peripheral Expansion of Naive CD4 T Cells.

Abstract Interleukin-7 (IL-7) is the only cytokine demonstrated thus far to directly support the development and maintenance of naive T cells. Interleukin-7 is produced mainly by the stroma of lymphoid organs but also to a lesser extent by antigen presenting cells. Dynamic changes in the relative availability of IL-7 during lymphopenia support T cell homeostatic peripheral expansion (HPE). Whereas HPE is very efficient at reconstituting the pool of mature CD8 T lymphocytes, regeneration of CD4 T lymphocytes via HPE is more problematic and deficits in CD4 T lymphocytes persist for years in humans following lymphodepletion. We demonstrate that in mice, CD4+ T cells undergo substantially diminished HPE compared to CD8+ T cells during lymphopenia. We hypothesized that CD4+ T cells uniquely require both MHC Class II plus IL-7 for survival and expansion during lymphopenia and that the availability of these signals are limited by the availability of IL-7 producing APCs. Consistent with this hypothesis, studies performed in chimeric mice showed that cells derived from APCs, but not stromal cells, provided the endogenous IL-7 that is require for naive CD4+ T cell HPE. Furthermore, whereas systemic exposure to high levels of rhIL-7 did not induce efficient homeostatic peripheral expansion of CD4+ cells, in vivo modulation of Class II expressing cells by flt3 ligand promoted homeostatic expansion of CD4+ T cells. Surprisingly however, we found that APCs respond to elevated systemic IL-7 by diminishing production of IL-7, a loop mediated by IL-7Rα and Stat5. As a result, elevated systemic IL-7 levels present during lymphopenia paradoxically diminish the production of IL-7 by APCs and thereby diminish CD4 HPE. This was directly demonstrated by experiments wherein CD4+ HPE was dramatically augmented in chimeric mice generated such that bone marrow derived cells lacked IL7Rα or Stat5. This work demonstrates a critical role for APC derived IL-7 in CD4+ regeneration and provides a new paradigm for understanding why prolonged CD4+ lymphopenia occurs following T cell depletion in humans.
A Large-Scale Testbed as a Virtual Power Grid: For Closed-Loop Controls in Research and Testing

The electric power grid is undergoing unprecedented modernization toward higher reliability, higher efficiency, and lower cost through the integration of renewable energy, wide-area monitoring, and advanced control technology. This integration is making the transmission grid overwhelmingly complex to understand and model to apply new control or actuation technologies. This calls for a fast-prototyping platform for research and testing under the new transmission technology paradigm. Such a platform should be highly integrated, closed loop, and capable of mimicking a real power grid for testing new controls or algorithms. However, traditional software simulation packages usually perform specific tasks such as dynamic simulation or state estimation but lack the capability of providing an integrated closed-loop platform.
An Exploration of Regional Apparel Production Industry Network Development

The movement of apparel and soft goods manufacturing to overseas resulting in US apparel production industries having limited systems of knowledge transfer and sharing resources in reshoring of production. Network provide a natural organizing concept to examine this problem. This qualitative study involved interviews, observation, and examination of organizational documents for apparel manufacturing investors/owners, production managers and workers, produce development entrepreneurs, key national manufacturing executives, equipment and raw material suppliers, education/training providers, manufacture publishing, community development and leaders in state government, and non profit agencies. Common interest in advancement of reshoring production has generated rural/urban alliances and enhanced well-being.
The Stage of the Estrus Cycle Is Critical for Interpretation of Female Mouse Social Interaction Behavior

Female animals in biomedical research have traditionally been excluded from research studies due to the perceived added complexity caused by the estrus cycle. However, given the importance of sex differences in a variety of neurological disorders, testing female mice is critical to identifying sex-linked effects in diseases. To determine the susceptibility of simple behaviors to hormonal fluctuations in the estrus cycle, we studied the effects of sex and the estrus cycle on a variety of behavioral tasks commonly used in mouse phenotyping laboratories. Male and female C57BL/6J mice were tested in a small battery of short duration tests and, immediately on completion of each test, females were classified using cytology of vaginal lavages as sexually-receptive (proestrus and estrus) or non-receptive (NR; metestrus and diestrus). We showed that there was a significant difference in 3-chamber social interaction (SI) between female mice at different stages of their estrus cycle, with sexually-receptive mice showing no preferential interest in a novel female mouse compared with an empty chamber. NR female mice showed the same level of preference for a novel female mouse as male mice did for a novel male mouse. No differences between or within sexes were found for tests of anxiety elevated plus maze (EPM; Hole board), working memory [Novel object recognition (NOR)], and motor learning (repeated tests on rotarod). We conclude that the stage of the estrus cycle may impact SI between same-sex conspecifics, and does not impact performance in the elevated plus-maze, hole board, NOR, and rotarod.
Coverage for Gender‐Affirming Voice Surgery and Therapy for Transgender Individuals

Objectives/hypothesis To determine insurance coverage for gender-affirming surgery and voice therapy for individuals who seek to align their voice with their gender identity, and to analyze differences based on state-by-state transgender equality. Study design Cross-sectional study. Methods Policies from the top three commercial insurers per state in 2019 were reviewed. Coverage status was determined by web-based search, telephone interviews, and email inquiries. A state-by-state equality score was calculated based on the number of laws and policies relating to the transgender community. Correlation between number of preauthorized procedures and state equality scores was assessed. Results Of the 150 insurance companies reviewed, only four (2.7%) held favorable policies, whereas 113 (75.8%) provided no coverage. Endoscopic surgery, open surgery, individual voice therapy, and group voice therapy interventions were equally excluded (n = 93, 62.4%). Coverage was not correlated with laws driving transgender equality (P = .782). Conclusions Gender-affirming voice interventions are seldom covered by commercial insurance companies. Despite established medical necessity and years of experience in practice, gender-affirming interventions for voice have not yet been fully considered by third-party payors. Further investigation regarding cost-effectiveness and treatment efficacy is warranted to improve insurance coverage of voice-related gender-affirming care. Level of evidence NA Laryngoscope, 131:E896-E902, 2021.
Das Schicksal des Universums

Wird sich das Universum immer weiter ausdehnen oder wird es schlieslich zum Stillstand kommen und anfangen zu kollabieren?
OVERLOAD BEHAVIOR OF COMPOSITE STEEL-CONCRETE BRIDGES

This study is concerned with the overload behavior of composite steel-concrete highway girder bridges. The post-elastic behavior is investigated, and the effect of some design parameters on bridge response is studied. This paper describes a nonlinear finite element analysis procedure permitting the determination of the state of stress and deformation under given levels of overload. The nonlinear behavior of the structure due to the various sources of nonlinearity: crack propagation, concrete yielding and crushing, and yielding of the reinforcing steel and girder steel is reproduced through the use of appropriate constitutive laws. A shear retention factor is introduced to account for aggregate interlock and dowel action. An analysis of the effects of discretization and of some material properties on bridge response in the post-cracking range is included, and numerical examples are presented to confirm the validity of the developed numerical solution procedure.
ChIPping away at potassium channel regulation.

Kv4 subunits form A-type potassium channels. To replicate native currents, these subunits require additional factors, now shown to be a family of calcium-binding proteins.
The Information Content of Brand Attributes

We assess which brand asset metrics provide incremental information content to accounting performance measures in explaining stock return. Our analysis focuses on the five "pillars," i.e., central brand attributes, that form the basis for the newly updated Young and Rubicam Brand Asset Valuator (Y&R BAV) model. Analysis shows that perceived brand Relevance and Energy provide incremental information to accounting measures in explaining stock return. Esteem and Knowledge do not, i.e., their effects are reflected in current-term accounting measures and in brand Relevance and Energy. We find that the financial markets do not view Differentiation as having incremental information content, when, in fact, they should. Changes in Differentiation are indicative of future-term accounting performance, which, in turn, affects stock return. These conclusions are invariant to the use of alternative accounting performance measures, risk adjustments, and to the inclusion of additional brand attributes into the analysis.
Optimal and adaptive design of logical granulometric filters

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the statistical design of filters for sieving granular random sets. The random set consists of a union of disjoint compact grains, and some of the grains are to be passed, while others are to be eliminated. There is a signal random set and a noise random set. Both signal and noise are composed of disjoint grains, and signal and noise are disjoint. In fact, if the random sets originate as binary images, then the captured images may not fit the model; however, upon application of some segmentation algorithm, they fit the model. Given an input set and a structuring element, a deterministic set, a point is in the output of the opening only if there exists a translate of the structuring element that contains the point and is a subset of the input set. Points that do not satisfy this structural criterion are removed from the set. If a grain is not sufficiently large or appropriately shaped to contain translate of the structuring element, then the entire grain is removed.
Hyperostosis cranii ex vacuo in adults: a consequence of brain atrophy from diverse causes.

Hyperostosis cranii ex vacuo is diffuse thickening of the bones of the cranium occurring after successful ventricular shunting in hydrocephalic children, presumably as a compensatory phenomenon. We present three adults with severe brain atrophy and correspondingly severe skull thickening. In each, the cause of cerebral atrophy was well defined, and none had undergone ventricular shunting. In two, brain atrophy resulted from different temporally discrete insults sustained in adult life, ischemic in one and traumatic in the other. In the third case, progressive brain atrophy resulted from a primary neurodegenerative disorder, Hallervordan Spatz disease. Our observations suggest that hyperostosis cranii ex vacuo is a more general phenomenon than has been previously recognized, and point to a relationship between dynamic changes in brain size and skull thickness. We suggest that such relationships should be taken into account in anthropometric evaluation of the skull.
Capital markets and corporate structure: the equity carve-outs of Thermo Electron1I am grateful to Michael Jensen, David Haushalter, John McConnell, Michael Vetsuypens and an anonymous referee for helpful comments. I also wish to thank Thermo Electron Corporation for providing data and Mark Alger for excellent research assistance.1

Abstract This paper examines the innovative corporate structure of Thermo Electron Corporation which holds controlling interests in 11 units taken public in equity carve-outs. Carve-outs subject units of the company to the scrutiny of the capital markets, allow the compensation contracts of unit managers to be based on market performance, and shift capital acquisition and investment decisions from centralized control to unit managers. Thermo carve-outs substantially increase capital and R&D expenditures following carve-outs and generate significant value from their capital investments. Since the first carve-out in 1983, gains to shareholders have been substantially greater than industry and market benchmarks.
A novel software framework for teaching aircraft dynamics and control

Aircraft dynamics and control (ADC) is a core course requirement for an undergraduate program in aeronautical engineering. This article presents an undertaking that reconfigures the instruction of fundamental concepts in ADC by replacing traditional problem-solving approach with a method that relies on a simulation framework comprising of Matlab, USAF DATCOM, and flight simulation software. The typical challenges experienced by students including their inability to visualize complicated, multi-modal aircraft were overcome by the new method thus enhancing the student's learning experience. The implemented approach improved students' motivational belief and its calibration, their use of active learning strategies and actual performance. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 23:63–71, 2015; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/cae; DOI 10.1002/cae.21579
Stress-gradient coupling in glacier flow: II. Longitudinal averaging of the flow response to small perturbations in ice thickness and surface slope

As a result of the coupling effects of longitudinal stress gradients, the perturbations Δu in glacier-flow velocity that result from longitudinally varying perturbations in ice thickness Δh and surface slope Δɑ are determined by a weighted longitudinal average of ФhΔh and Ф_ɑΔɑ, where Фh and Ф_ɑ are "influence coefficients" that control the size of the contributions made by local Δh and Δɑ to the flow increment in the longitudinal average. The values of Ф_h and Ф_ɑ depend on effects of longitudinal stress and velocity gradients in the unperturbed datum state. If the datum state is an inclined slab in simple-shear flow, the longitudinal averaging solution for the flow perturbation is essentially that obtained previously (Kamb and Echelmeyer, 1985) with equivalent values for the longitudinal coupling length l and with Ф_h = n + l and Ф_ɑ + n, where n is the flow-law exponent. Calculation of the influence coefficients from flow data for Blue Glacier, Washington, indicates that in practice Ф_ɑ differs little from n, whereas Ф_h can differ considerably from n + 1. The weighting function in the longitudinal averaging integral, which is the Green's function for the longitudinal coupling equation for flow perturbations, can be approximated by an asymmetric exponential, whose asymmetry depends on two "asymmetry parameters" µ and σ, where µ is the longitudinal gradient of l(= dl/dx). The asymmetric exponential has different coupling lengths l_+ and l_ for the influences from up-stream and from down-stream on a given point of observation. If σ/µ is in the range 1.5-2.2, as expected for flow perturbations in glaciers or ice sheets in which the ice flux is not a strongly varying function of the longitudinal coordinate x, then, when dl/dx > 0, the down-stream coupling length l_+ is longer than the up-stream coupling length l_ and vice versa when dl/dx < 0. Flow thickness- and slope-perturbation data for Blue Glacier, obtained by comparing the glacier in 1957-58 and 1977-78, require longitudinal averaging for reasonable interpretation. Analyzed on the basis of the longitudinal coupling theory, with 4l + 1.6 km up-stream, decreasing toward the terminus, the data indicate n to be about 2.5, if interpreted on the basis of a response factor ψ + 0.85 derived theoretically by Echelmeyer (unpublished) for the flow response to thickness perturbations in a channel of finite width. The data contain an apparent indication that the flow response to slope perturbations is distinctly smaller, in relation to the response to thickness perturbations, than is expected on a theoretical basis (i.e. Ф_ɑ/Ф_h + n/(n + 1) for a slab). This probably indicates that the effective l is longer than can be tested directly with the available data set owing to its limited range in x.
Transpulmonary prostaglandin F2α metabolism in sheep: an in vivo model

We investigated transpulmonary enzymatic conversion of prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF) to the 13,14-dihydro-15-keto metabolite (PGFM) in normal and acutely lung injured sheep. PGF was infused directly into the right ventricle. Sequential, simultaneous blood samples were drawn from the pulmonary artery (PA) and aorta (A). PGF and PGFM plasma concentrations were quantitated by double antibody radioimmunoassay (RIA). The pulmonary conversion rate of PGF in normal lung was established over a wide range of concentrations in intubated, normoxic, and hemodynamically stable sheep. Both zero and first order kinetics were present. PGF had no physiological effects on either pulmonary or systemic hemodynamics at any infusion rate studied. Acute lung injury was produced by intravenous injections of oleic acid into the PA until the resting mean pulmonary artery pressure doubled. Infusions were then repeated and fractional metabolism of PGF across the lung was assessed. PGF, at infusion rates of 2 micrograms/kg/min and 8 micrograms/kg/min, was metabolized greater than 70% respectively. Thus, there was no difference between control or experimental groups in PGF conversion. We conclude that the in vivo sheep lung has an extensive substrate-dependent capacity to metabolize PGF and this mechanism is resistant to severe acute oleic acid lung injury.
Electronic and Chemical Properties of Ce0.8Zr0.2O2(111) Surfaces: Photoemission, XANES, Density-Functional, and NO2 Adsorption Studies

Synchrotron-based high-resolution photoemission, conventional X-ray (Mg Kα) photoemission (XPS), X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (XANES), and first-principles density-functional calculations have been used to study the electronic properties of a Ce0.8Zr0.2O2 mixed-metal oxide. The results of density-functional calculations show that the band gap in bulk Ce0.8Zr0.2O2 is ∼0.6 eV smaller than that in bulk CeO2, with the Zr atoms in the mixed-metal oxide showing smaller positive charges than the cations in ZrO2 or CeO2. When present in a lattice of CeO2, the Zr atoms are forced to adopt larger metal−O distances than in ZrO2, leading to a reduction in the oxidation state of this element. Due to nonequivalent Zr−O distances, at least three different types of oxygen atoms are found in the Ce0.8Zr0.2O2 system. O K-edge XANES spectra for a series of Ce1-xZrxO2 (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 1) compounds show a distinctive line shape for the mixed-metal oxides that cannot be attributed to a sum of CeO2 and ZrO2...
The Chédiak-Higashi syndrome: CT and MR findings

Chediak-Higashi syndrome (CHS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder postulated to result from lack of regulation of fusion of the primary lysosomes. In this report we present the MR and CT features of the brain in a patient with known CHS. These findings include diffuse atrophy of the brain with diffuse periventricular decreased density identified with CT, as well as increased signal on the T2-weighted images and lack of enhancement on the T1-weighted images in the periventricular and corona radiata regions.
Jury theorems with multiple alternatives

I consider a game in which imperfectly informed jurors vote to select one of several possible choices when there is a natural ordering of the possibilities. Each juror votes for the largest alternative the juror would like to implement, and the alternative that is selected is the largest alternative supported by a given number of jurors. For non-unanimous voting rules, the probability of a mistaken judgment goes to zero as the number of jurors goes to infinity. I also give necessary and sufficient conditions to obtain asymptotic efficiency under unanimous voting rules, and show that unanimous rules may lead to a bias in which moderate outcomes are never chosen.
Extended-Infusion versus Standard-Infusion Piperacillin-Tazobactam for Sepsis Syndromes at a Tertiary Medical Center

Piperacillin-tazobactam (PTZ) is frequently used as empirical and targeted therapy for Gram-negative sepsis. Time-dependent killing properties of PTZ support the use of extended-infusion (EI) dosing; however, studies have shown inconsistent benefits of EI PTZ treatment on clinical outcomes. We performed a retrospective cohort study of adult patients who received EI PTZ treatment and historical controls who received standard-infusion (SI) PTZ treatment for presumed sepsis syndromes. Data on mortality rates, clinical outcomes, length of stay (LOS), and disease severity were obtained. A total of 843 patients (662 with EI treatment and 181 with SI treatment) were available for analysis. Baseline characteristics of the two groups were similar, except for fewer female patients receiving EI treatment. No significant differences between the EI and SI groups in inpatient mortality rates (10.9% versus 13.8%; P = 0.282), overall LOS (10 versus 12 days; P = 0.171), intensive care unit (ICU) LOS (7 versus 6 days; P = 0.061), or clinical failure rates (18.4% versus 19.9%; P = 0.756) were observed. However, the duration of PTZ therapy was shorter in the EI group (5 versus 6 days; P < 0.001). Among ICU patients, no significant differences in outcomes between the EI and SI groups were observed. Patients with urinary or intra-abdominal infections had lower mortality and clinical failure rates when receiving EI PTZ treatment. We did not observe significant differences in inpatient mortality rates, overall LOS, ICU LOS, or clinical failure rates between patients receiving EI PTZ treatment and patients receiving SI PTZ treatment. Patients receiving EI PTZ treatment had a shorter duration of PTZ therapy than did patients receiving SI treatment, and EI dosing may provide cost savings to hospitals.
Some sugars and related carbohydrates found in delaware soils

The carbohydrates found after hydrolysis of extracts of soils made using water, aqueous NaOH or Na4P2O7 and 30% ethanol were compared with those found in a direct acid hydrolysate of these soils. The soils used included a Sassafras loam as control, a Sassafras loam amended with lucerne, a Pocomoke sandy loam from a field area, and a Pocomoke sandy loam from a virgin area covered with pines. Some carbohydrates were found in all hydrolysates but the direct acid hydrolysis gave the highest yields. Glucose, galactose, mannose, arabinose, xylose, fucose, rhamnose, 2-O-methyl-D-xylose, 2-O-methyl-D-arabinose, two other methylated sugars and galacturonic and glucuronic acids were among the carbohydrate materials found. Glucosamine, N-acetylglucosamine, inositol and mannitol were other carbohydrate compounds present in the hydrolysates. Quantitative differences were also noted in the amounts of these carbohydrates. In the lucerne-amended soil, the carbohydrate materials measured were about 0–092% compared with 0–078% for the control soil. The Pocomoke field soil contained larger amounts of these materials than did the virgin soil. Differences in quantities of individual sugars in the soils were also found.
Probing polystyrene cationization in matrix-assisted laser/desorption ionization

It has been observed that the use of the salts of transition metals other than silver, copper or palladium as the cationizing agent, often fails to cationize polystyrenes in matrix-assisted laser/desorption ionization (MALDI). This work shows that the ability of MALDI to reduce metals to the oxidation state +1 is critically important to polystyrene cationization. Without this reduction, MALDI tends to fail to form polystyrene–metal cations. In addition, this work demonstrates the importance of the use of a good combination of metal salts and matrix in polystyrene cationization. Finally, the implications of this work in the MALDI time-of-flight analysis of polysty renes are discussed.
Interactive methods for visualizable geometry

Interactive computer graphics can provide new insights into the objects of pure geometry, providing intuitively useful images, and, in some cases, unexpected results. Interactive computer graphics systems have opened a new era in the visualization of pure geometry. We demonstrate the fruitful relationship between mathematics and the discipline of computer graphics, emphasizing those areas of low-dimensional geometry and topology where interactive paradigms are of growing importance. >