cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rank of a quadratic form in an elliptically contoured matrix random variable

Abstract In this paper it is shown that the quadratic form in an elliptically contoured matrix variate has a constant rank and its nonzero eigenvalues are distinct with probability one if the matrix distribution satisfies certain conditions and the matrix defining the quadratic form is symmetric.
Multiple forms of synaptic plasticity triggered by selective suppression of activity in individual neurons

The rules by which neuronal activity causes long-term modification of synapses in the central nervous system are not fully understood. Whereas competitive or correlation-based rules result in local modification of synapses, homeostatic modifications allow neuron-wide changes in synaptic strength, promoting stability. Experimental investigations of these rules at central nervous system synapses have relied generally on manipulating activity in populations of neurons. Here, we investigated the effect of suppressing excitability in single neurons within a network of active hippocampal neurons by overexpressing an inward-rectifier potassium channel. Reducing activity in a neuron before synapse formation leads to a reduction in functional synaptic inputs to that neuron; no such reduction was observed when activity of all neurons was uniformly suppressed. In contrast, suppressing activity in a single neuron after synapses are established results in a homeostatic increase in synaptic input, which restores the activity of the neuron to control levels. Our results highlight the differences between global and selective suppression of activity, as well as those between early and late manipulation of activity.
MOTIVATION AND MANAGEMENT CONTROL SYSTEMS

The importance of motivation in the managerial control process has been well noted in the accounting literature. However, despite its emphasis on motivation, the accounting literature says little about the specific relationships between motivation and accounting control systems. This paper will present an explicit, systematic statement of these relationships by means of a detailed comparison and synthesis of two previously unrelated models. One is a conventional accounting model of control, and the other is a comprehensive behavioral model of motivation. Our aim is to integrate behavioral concepts with accounting applications in order to work towards solutions of important problems involving motivation and management control systems.
Investigating habitat value to inform contaminant remediation options: case study

Habitat valuation methods were implemented to support remedial decisions for aquatic and terrestrial contaminated sites at the East Tennessee Technology Park (ETTP) on the US Department of Energy (DOE) Oak Ridge Reservation in Oak Ridge, TN, USA. The habitat valuation was undertaken for six contaminated sites: Contractor's Spoil Area, K-901-N Disposal Area, K-770 Scrapyard, K-1007-P1 pond, K-901 pond, and the Mitchell Branch stream. Four of these sites are within the industrial use area of ETTP and two are in the Black Oak Ridge Conservation Easement. These sites represent terrestrial and aquatic habitat for vertebrates, terrestrial habitat for plants, and aquatic habitat for benthic invertebrates. Current and potential future, no-action (no remediation) scenarios were evaluated primarily using existing information. Valuation metrics and scoring criteria were developed in a companion paper, this volume. The habitat valuation consists of extensive narratives, as well as scores for aspects of site use value, site rarity, and use value added from spatial context. Metrics for habitat value were expressed with respect to different spatial scales, depending on data availability. There was significant variation in habitat value among the six sites, among measures for different taxa at a single site, between measures of use and rarity at a single site, and among measures for particular taxa at a single site with respect to different spatial scales. Most sites had aspects of low, medium, and high habitat value. Few high scores for current use value were given. These include: wetland plant communities at all aquatic sites, Lepomid sunfish and waterbirds at 1007-P1 pond, and Lepomid sunfish and amphibians at K-901 pond. Aquatic sites create a high-value ecological corridor for waterbirds, and the Contractor's Spoil Area and possibly the K-901-N Disposal Site have areas that are part of a strong terrestrial ecological corridor. The only example of recent observations of rare species at these sites is the gray bat observed at the K-1007-P1 pond. Some aspects of habitat value are expected to improve under no-action scenarios at a few of the sites. Methods are applicable to other contaminated sites where sufficient ecological data are available for the site and region.
1. The Role of Land Markets in Economic Crises

It is widely recognized that the economic crisis of 2009 was caused by unsound lending for real estate. Largely ignored, however, is that this contraction was easily predicted on the basis of a well-established pattern of land speculation, premature subdivision, and excessive building on marginal land that recurs approximately once every 18 years. Capital locked up in projects that are started during a land bubble is effectively lost during the downturn, leaving the nation without sufficient capital to finance ordinary business operations during the recovery period. The best instrument for avoiding this boom-bust cycle is the property tax and, more specifically, the portion that falls on land. We explore here the ways in which the property tax influences the intensity, timing, and location of development. We also examine why frequent and accurate assessment are essential to make the property tax an effective method of preventing speculative real estate bubbles.
The influence of monomer ratios on the properties of copolymers of 3,3′-spirobiphthalide and bisphenol A diglycidyl ether

A spirobislactone, 3,3′-spirobiphthalide (SBP), has been copolymerized with the diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA), and the properties of the products have been evaluated and related to the proportion (1–15%) of SBP monomer used. Polymers were characterized by infrared spectral analysis,13C NMR, thermal analysis, and mechanical testing. Polymers containing SBP have lower glass transition temperatures and higher decomposition temperatures than DGEBA polymers cured with phthalic anhydride (PA). Materials with higher SBP content have higher Talpha values. Mechanical properties of the SBP copolymers are similar to those of DGEBA-PA polymers.
Structural and functional mapping of the thrombin domain involved in the binding to the platelet glycoprotein Ib.

The activation of human platelets by α-thrombin is mediated in part by cleavage of the protease-activated receptor (PAR) 1 and 4 and by the glycoprotein Ibα, (GpIbα), which binds with high affinity to α-thrombin. Recent studies have shown that the thrombin domain referred to as heparin binding site (HBS) is involved in the interaction with the platelet GpIbα. The HBS is rich in basic amino acids. To identify the key amino acid residues involved in the binding to GpIbα, we have performed alanine scanning mutagenesis of the basic HBS R93, R97, R101, R233, K236, K240, R233/K236/Q239, as well as of the neutral Q239 residues, located in different regions of the domain. For comparison, mutation at R67 within the fibrinogen recognition site (FRS) of thrombin was performed as well. Solid-phase binding experiments showed that the Kd of thrombin−GpIb interaction was reduced 22-fold for R93A, 8-fold for R97A, 13-fold for R101A, 29-fold for R233A, 21-fold for K236A, 5-fold for K240A, and 31-fold for the triple mutant...
Robotic Extended Pelvic Lymphadenectomy for Intermediate- and High-Risk Prostate Cancer

Abstract Background Accurate staging of prostate cancer is enhanced by a thorough evaluation of the pelvic lymph nodes. Limited data are available regarding robotic extended pelvic lymphadenectomy (PLA) in this setting. Objective Analyze our experience performing robotic extended PLA. Design, setting, and participants A total of 143 consecutive men with intermediate- or high-risk clinically localized adenocarcinoma of the prostate underwent robotic extended PLA and radical prostatectomy between September 2010 and November 2011 by a single surgeon. Surgical procedure Lymph node packets were sent separately from bilateral common, external, and internal iliacs, obturators, node of Cloquet, and anterior prostatic fat. Measurements Descriptive statistics were used to summarize lymph node yields and positive nodes. Clinical variables were examined in logistic regression models to predict lymph node positivity. Results and limitations Median lymph node yield was 20 (range: 9–65, interquartile range: 15–25). Eighteen patients (13%) were found to have metastatic prostate cancer in the lymph nodes. The mean number of positive nodes found was 2.9 (range: 1–11). In 14 of 18 node-positive patients (78%), the extent of nodal invasion was outside the boundaries of a limited PLA. For four patients with positive nodes (22%), prostate biopsy predicted unilateral disease but PLA revealed contralateral positive lymph nodes. A total of 82% of patients experienced no complications, and most Clavien grade 1–2 complications consisted of anastomotic leakage, urinary retention, ileus, and lymphocele. Only 4% of patients experienced a grade 3 complication. Under multivariate regression analysis, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), clinical stage, and maximum biopsy core tumor volume were identified as significant predictors of finding positive pelvic lymph nodes (area under the curve: 91%). The main limitations include short follow-up and lack of randomization. Conclusions Robotic extended bilateral PLA for prostate cancer up to the common iliac bifurcation increases nodal yield and positive nodal rate and can be performed safely. PSA, clinical stage, and maximum biopsy core volume are predictors for lymph node invasion. Long-term follow-up is needed to evaluate for therapeutic benefit.
Ordered structures in epitaxial nickel silicide films grown on (111) silicon substrates

Abstract The initial stages in the formation of epitaxial nickel silicide films resulting from the interdiffusion of nickel thin films (about 100 nm thick) into (111)-oriented silicon substrates have been studied using transmission electron microscopy. We report herein the formation of three ordered metastable epitaxial nickel silicide phases after short annealing treatments (about 10 min at 825 °C) that have been identified through selected-area electron diffraction, superlattice dark field imaging and X-ray microanalysis. It is argued that the observed metastable ordered phases are derivative structures of the CaF 2 structure and that these structures serve as transition phases for the formation of the cubic NiSi 2 phase.
The Shape of Triton from Limb Profiles

Abstract Limb profiles from Voyager 2 images of Triton show it to be an ellipsoid of axes 1354.6, 1352.8, and 1352.4 km (±0.9 km). Topography on the limbs suggests no large provinces such as “continents” with relief over a kilometer. The shape solution is not accurate enough to constrain Triton's moments of inertia. The apparently relaxed shape is consistent with the youthful geologic features and supports interpretations that atmospheric distortion suggested by occultation data is due to atmospheric phenomena rather than physical body distortions.
Evaluation of Hach Fish Farmer's Water Quality Test Kits for Saline Water

Hach Company Fish Farmer's Water Quality Test Kits (Models FF-2 and FF-1A) were compared with Standard Methods of analysis by determining dissolved oxygen, carbon dioxide, pH, total alkalinity, total hardness, chloride, total ammonia-nitrogen, and nitrite nitrogen in waters of 0, 17, and 30 ppt salinity. Results indicate that the kits generally are reliable for making routine water analyses of saline waters for practical aquacultural applications.
Sodium Bicarbonate Is Beneficial in Patients With Diabetic Ketoacidosis: In Reply

We thank Dr Rosival for his letter, which provides us with an opportunity to address this important issue. It is indisputable that very low plasma pH, especially if persistent, is detrimental to human infants and can alter basic physiologic functions. However, there is no evidence to suggest that administration of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) improves the physiologic status of the infant or leads to improved outcomes. Indeed, there is evidence to the contrary. We do not advocate a …
Indigenizing CBPR: evaluation of a community-based and participatory research process implementation of the Elluam Tungiinun (towards wellness) program in Alaska.

The process that community based participatory research (CBPR) implementation takes in indigenous community contexts has serious implications for health intervention outcomes and sustainability. An evaluation of the Elluam Tungiinun (Towards Wellness) Project aimed to explore the experience of a Yup’ik Alaska Native community engaged within a CBPR process and describe the effects of CBPR process implementation from an indigenous community member perspective. CBPR is acknowledged as an effective strategy for engaging American Indian and Alaska Native communities in research process, but we still know very little about the experience from a local, community member perspective. What are the perceived outcomes of participation in CBPR from a local, community member perspective? Qualitative methods were used to elicit community member perspectives of participation in a CBPR process engaged with one Yup’ik community in southwest Alaska. Results focus on community member perceptions of CBPR implementation, involvement in the process and partnership, ownership of the project with outcomes observed and perceived at the community, family and individual levels, and challenges. A discussion of findings demonstrates how ownership of the intervention arose from a translational and indigenizing process initiated by the community that was supported and enhanced through the implementation of CBPR. Community member perspectives of their participation in the research reveal important process points that stand to contribute meaningfully to implementation science for interventions developed by and for indigenous and other minority and culturally diverse peoples.
Eighteenth-Century Plein-Air Painting and the Sketches of Pierre Henri de Valenciennes

The plein-air sketch gained considerable stature and notoriety in the 18th century, but as it developed in theory, it became confused with another emerging aesthetic category, the vue. This article examines the plein-air sketches of Pierre Henri de Valenciennes in light of this theoretical evidence, as well as the size and content of the pictures themselves. Since the sketches in question were perceived by contemporaries as autonomous works of art, there is reason to believe that some may have been exhibited in the Paris Salons.
Programmable formatting of program text: Experiences drawn from the TAMPR system

The TAMPR System originated as an approach to the problem of automating the routine modifications of Fortran source programs required to adapt them to a variety of uses or environments [1]**. Overall, the system accomplishes such modifications by applying transformations to Fortran programs at the source level. But the process differs markedly, in detail, from string-based editing or macro expansion. Three steps are involved:(1) A Fortran source program is processed by the TAMPR Recognizer, yielding essentially a parse tree called the abstract form.(2) The Transformation Interpreter applies IGT's (Intragrammatical Transformations) to the abstract form as tree operations [2].(3) The abstract form is then reconverted to source program form by the Formatter.By ensuring that the transformations are applied only to the correct syntactic entities and only in the intended contexts, the use of the abstract form greatly simplifies establishing the reliability of the overall process.
Quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis reveals marked overexpression of interleukin-1β, interleukin-10 and interferon-γ mRNA in the lymph nodes of lupus-prone mice

The nature of the stimuli driving autoantibody production in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is unclear, but cytokines are believed to play an important role. Since cytokines primarily appear to act locally at the tissue level, we analysed mRNA expression of several cytokines (IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IFN gamma, TNF alpha, TNF beta and TGF beta 1) in the lymph nodes of lupus-prone mice, in models of early onset disease. We constructed a multispecific competitor fragment that allowed quantification of these cytokine transcripts by competitive PCR assay. The results reveal considerable overexpression of IL-1 beta, IL-10 and IFN gamma transcripts in SLE-prone MRL-lpr/lpr (MRL/l) and BXSB male (BXSBm) mice, but with some strain differences. IFN gamma was most markedly augmented in MRL/l mice (in some cases over 100-fold greater than control mice), IL-1 beta was most severely overexpressed in BXSBm mice while IL-10 was equally increased in both strains. In addition, TGF beta 1 expression was moderately elevated in the lymph nodes of BXSBm (but not MRL/l) mice. We found no abnormality in the expression of the other cytokines. Cytokine transcript levels were only slightly altered at 4 weeks of age, but were elevated from 10 to 22 weeks of age. The latter phase corresponds to a period where lupus-like disease escalates, resulting in frequent mortality. Interestingly, our results do not reveal a clear Th1 or Th2 cytokine expression pattern in these lupus-prone mice. IL-1 beta, IFN gamma and IL-10 are pleiotropic cytokines with pro-inflammatory and B-cell stimulatory effects. These results point to certain cytokines as potential targets for immunotherapy in lupus.
Terahertz nonlinear response in lithium niobate

THz SHG is observed in a patterned MgO:LiNbO3 crystal using crossed THz polariton waves generated by spatiotemporally shaped optical pulses. The experiment foreshadows versatile nonlinear THz spectroscopy with integrated THz field shaping, guidance, and visualization.
Focused scattering of low energy Li+ from Mo(001): Experimental and computer simulation results☆

Abstract The azimuthal dependence of the energy distribution of Li+, specularly scattered from Mo(001), has been obtained for several incident energies Ei. The energy distributions exhibit one or two peaks, which always lie below the kinematical single scattering energy and which have intensity and energy that depend upon the azimuth. Due to trajectory focusing, the intensity is strongly peaked along the [100] azimuth for Ei ≲ 500 eV, but at higher Ei the intensity enhancement is shifted toward the [310] azimuth. Results of computer simulation give reasonable agreement with experimental observations. Analysis of the simulated trajectories allows identification of the scattering mechanisms which contribute to each portion of the spectrum.
Menopause as a measure of population health: an overview.

This paper presents an overview on menopause and post-reproductive health of women as a measure of population health. Several studies are presented that discuss age at menopause and symptom experience at menopause.
The Interdependence of Macro‐ and Microstructure on Internal‐Reforming Performance in Ni‐YSZ SOFC Anode Supports

This paper presents an analysis of the gas-transport and methane internal-reforming characteristics of two commercially developed solid-oxide fuel cell (SOFC) anode supports. The anode supports are fabricated by CoorsTek, Inc. (Golden, CO, USA) and Riso-DTU (Lyngby, Denmark). While both supports are ceramic-metallic composites of yttria-stabilized zirconia and nickel (Ni-YSZ), their morphological structures and thicknesses are quite different. The CoorsTek support is thick and displays an open microstructure, while the Riso-DTU support is fairly thin with a tighter morphology. These micro- and macrostructural differences lead to significant variations in gas transport and methane internal-reforming chemistry within the porous support structures that directly affect cell performance. In this study, anode-support performance is analyzed using the separated anode experiment, a unique tool that decouples anode-support thermal-chemistry processes from electrochemical processes typically underway during SOFC operation. Experimental results are interpreted using a detailed computational model. Gas transport is higher in the CoorsTek support despite being nearly five times thicker than the Riso-DTU support. The methane internal-reforming performance of the Riso-DTU anode, however, speaks to its tighter microstructure and resulting higher catalytic surface area. These results highlight the dependence of support performance on macro- and microstructure in terms of gas transport and internal-reforming chemistry.
Algorithms to calculate the distribution of the longest path length of a stochastic activity network with continuous activity durations

We develop algorithms to calculate the probability distribution of the longest path of an arbitrary stochastic activity network with continuous activity durations by three techniques: recursive Monte Carlo simulation, series-parallel reduction, and conditioning. Examples illustrate the use of the three techniques. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, Vol. 48(3), 143–165 2006
Trustworthy context-dependent services

With the wide popularity of Cloud Computing, Service-oriented Computing is becoming the de-facto approach for the development of distributed systems. This has introduced the issue of trustworthiness with respect to the services being provided. Service Requesters are provided with a wide range of services that they can select from. Usually the service requester compare between these services according to their cost and quality. One essential part of the quality of a service is the trustworthiness properties of such services. Traditional service models focuses on service functionalities and cost when defining services. This paper introduces a new service model that extends traditional service models to support trustworthiness properties.
A Novel Posteromedial Approach for Tibial Inlay PCL Reconstruction in KDIIIM Injuries: Avoiding Prone Patient Positioning

Background Treatment of traumatic knee dislocations remains controversial and challenging. Current techniques for PCL reconstruction utilize either a transtibial approach with potential risk of vascular injury from drilling toward the popliteal artery or a tibial inlay technique with prone patient positioning, which is cumbersome and adds operative time. We therefore developed a surgical technique using a supine posteromedial approach for PCL tibial inlay reconstruction for the treatment of Schenck KDIIIM (ACL/PCL/medial collateral ligament) knee dislocations. In patients undergoing this technique, we evaluated patient-reported outcome scores, ROM, stability, and complications.
A device for the electrostatic precipitation of pollen and fungus spores upon a counting slide.

Abstract 1.1. A portable electrostatic precipitator is described for the volumetric sampling of air-borne pollen and fungus spores by the slide method. 2.2. With essentially the same instrument it is possible to determine the incidence of air-borne bacteria and fungus spores by the culture plate method. 3.3. The electrostatic precipitation method in which special glass slides with conducting surfaces are used with the described instrument offers a convenient, efficient and new approach to certain experimental problems involving air-borne pollen and fungus spores.
Prolonged biologically active transgene expression driven by HSV LAP2 in brain in vivo

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) naturally establishes a life-long latent state in neurons, characterized by the expression of latency-associated transcripts (LATs) in the absence of viral lytic functions, and the latency-associated promoter (LAP2) has been identified as a moveable element responsible for the expression of LATs from latent HSV genomes. Prolonged transgene expression will be required for the treatment of chronic diseases of the CNS using HSV vectors. We therefore examined the ability of LAP2 to drive prolonged expression of a biologically active transgene from latent HSV vector genomes in brain in vivo using the 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) and 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) models of Parkinson disease. A replication-incompetent HSV vector containing the glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) under the control of LAP2 was injected into the substantia nigra and 5 and a half months later 6-OHDA was injected into the striatum. GDNF expression from the vector preserved dopaminergic function measured by histology and behavior 6 months after vector inoculation. Mice inoculated with the LAP2-GDNF replication-incompetent HSV vector followed by 3 months of daily low-dose MPTP injections were substantially protected against the consequences of that treatment measured by weekly behavioral testing and histologic measures at the conclusion of the experiment. These studies using subacute and chronic models of neurodegeneration demonstrate that the HSV LAP2 promoter element provides prolonged expression of relevant amounts of a transgene to produce significant biological effects in brain in vivo over the course of many months.
Interplanetary dust particles near Jupiter

Abstract We calculate the expected counting rate of a flat micrometeoroid detector of finite sensitivity passing in hyperbolic orbit near a planet. We assume that the distribution of particle sizes, s, can be expressed as a power law spectrum of index p, i.e. dN(s) = C s−p ds, and also that the particles encounter the sphere of influence of the planet with a certain speed v∞. The results of the calculations are then compared with the results returned by Pioneer 10 in its flyby of Jupiter. The observed increase in impact rate near Jupiter can be completely explained in terms of gravitational “focusing” of particles which are in heliocentric orbits; i.e., they are not in orbit about Jupiter. The absolute concentration of particles near the orbit of Jupiter is of the same order as at 1 AU: the exact ratio being a function of particle speed and spectral index. Data from one flyby are insufficient to determine a unique value for both the spectral index, p, and the particle velocity, v∞, but limits can be set. For reasonable encounter speeds (corresponding to eccentricities and inclinations of dust particles experienced near the Earth), the particles near Jupiter are characterized by a spectrum of index p ∼ 3. The spectral index which best fits the data increases with increasing encounter speeds.
Active Capture and Folk Computing

The domains of folk computing applications touch on areas of interest to people around the world but are of pressing need to those in the developing world who often lack access to basic services and rights: especially health care, education, nutrition, and protection of human rights. In this paper we describe how a new paradigm for media capture, called Active Capture [35], and toolkit support for creating applications of this type work toward supporting the development of multimedia applications and interfaces for folk computing.
SDN-1/Syndecan Acts in Parallel to the Transmembrane Molecule MIG-13 to Promote Anterior Neuroblast Migration

The Q neuroblasts in Caenorhabditis elegans display left-right asymmetry in their migration, with QR and descendants on the right migrating anteriorly, and QL and descendants on the left migrating posteriorly. Initial QR and QL migration is controlled by the transmembrane receptors UNC-40/DCC, PTP-3/LAR, and the Fat-like cadherin CDH-4. After initial migration, QL responds to an EGL-20/Wnt signal that drives continued posterior migration by activating MAB-5/Hox activity in QL but not QR. QR expresses the transmembrane protein MIG-13, which is repressed by MAB-5 in QL and which drives anterior migration of QR descendants. A screen for new Q descendant AQR and PQR migration mutations identified mig-13 as well as hse-5, the gene encoding the glucuronyl C5-epimerase enzyme, which catalyzes epimerization of glucuronic acid to iduronic acid in the heparan sulfate side chains of heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs). Of five C. elegans HSPGs, we found that only SDN-1/Syndecan affected Q migrations. sdn-1 mutants showed QR descendant AQR anterior migration defects, and weaker QL descendant PQR migration defects. hse-5 affected initial Q migration, whereas sdn-1 did not. sdn-1 and hse-5 acted redundantly in AQR and PQR migration, but not initial Q migration, suggesting the involvement of other HSPGs in Q migration. Cell-specific expression studies indicated that SDN-1 can act in QR to promote anterior migration. Genetic interactions between sdn-1, mig-13, and mab-5 suggest that MIG-13 and SDN-1 act in parallel to promote anterior AQR migration and that SDN-1 also controls posterior migration. Together, our results indicate previously unappreciated complexity in the role of multiple signaling pathways and inherent left-right asymmetry in the control of Q neuroblast descendant migration.
Stem cell microenvironment as a potential therapeutic target

3 ISSN 1746-0751 10.2217/RME.11.104 © 2012 Future Medicine Ltd Regen. Med. (2012) 7(1), 3–5 “...initial efforts of administering stem/progenitor cells to injured tissues have resulted in invaluable information about their fate after transplantation, further investigations must focus on how to harness the full therapeutic potential of stem cells by providing the essential microenvironment at engraftment sites.”
Popliteal vessel injuries: complex anatomy, difficult problems and surgical challenges

The incidence of popliteal vessel injuries is low, even in busy urban trauma centers. As a result of this fact, few trauma centers and trauma surgeons have developed extensive experience in the management of these injuries. Popliteal vessel injuries in both civilian and military arenas incur significant morbidity. These injuries present a difficult challenge, and, although the overall incidence of these injuries remains low, the sequelae can be devastating. Successful outcomes for limb salvage and survival result from early recognition and rapid surgical intervention by a multidisciplinary approach with a great participation of different surgical specialties. From the historical perspective, anatomy, incidence and associated injuries, to the clinical presentation, diagnosis, management, and morbidity and mortality, the aim of this article is to review the various aspects of these complex injuries.
Hexapeptide Derivatives of Glycopeptide Antibiotics: Tools for Mechanism of Action Studies

Hexapeptide (des-N-methylleucyl) derivatives of LY264826 were prepared in order to examine further the role of N-substituted hydrophobic side chains in defining the mechanisms of action of semisynthetic glycopeptide antibiotics. The hexapeptide of LY264826 binds to the cell wall intermediate analog L-Lys-D-Ala-D-Ala with a 100-fold lower affinity than LY264826 and inhibits Micrococcus luteus almost 200-fold more poorly than LY264826 does. Alkylation of the 4-epi-vancosamine moiety of the disaccharide significantly enhanced the antibacterial activity of the hexapeptide. Alkylation did not affect the binding affinity for D-alanyl-D-alanine residues; however, it did enhance dimerization 7,000-fold and enhanced binding to bacterial membrane vesicles noticeably compared with the levels of dimerization and binding for the unsubstituted hexapeptide. The findings from this study complement those presented in an earlier report (N. E. Allen, D. L. LeTourneau, and J. N. Hobbs, Jr., J. Antibiot. 50:677-684, 1997) and are consistent with the conclusion that the enhanced antibacterial activities of semisynthetic glycopeptide antibiotics derive from the ability of the hydrophobic side chain to markedly affect both dimerization and binding to bacterial membranes.
Status Congruence and Cognitive Consistency

A hypothesis proposed by several sociologists (e.g., Benoit-Smullyan, 1944; Lenski, 1954; Parsons, 1949; Weber, 1946) established the basis for an initial theoretical paper that motivated a later series of empirical investigations. This hypothesis did not impress me at the time (1963) as involving a question of justice. We know that people in a given society or group typically have a variety of status attributes that can be and often are ranked. For example, one’s occupation may be ranked in terms of its perceived prestige; likewise, ones income can be ranked, as can one’s education and so forth. The sociological hypothesis of interest was the idea that these multiple systems of ranking tend toward an equilibrium or balance. The concept of status congruence, crystallization, or equilibration was developed to describe this tendency—a tendency for all the status rankings for an individual to be roughly at or about the same rank position.
Properties of some ordinary differential equations related to free boundary problems

Some second order ordinary differential equations of the form ξ 2 ϕ″ + ξ 2 ( N − 1)″′/r + ½(ϕ − ϕ 3 ) + ½ k = 0 are studied. Properties such as existence and monotonicity of solutions are considered for N ≧ 1, ξ > 0 and two sets of boundary conditions. For N = 1, some explicit results are obtained for small ξ. These ODE's arise from a phase field approach to free boundary problems involving a phase transition.
An algebraic model for design space with applications to function module generation

The design space exploration has been a goal of silicon-compilation for quite a while. But the function module generators (for functions such as adder, shifter and multiplier) do not have a concise model for their design space. This limits their ability to explore the design space. Hence they produce a fixed design which in turn hampers the design space exploration ability of the design synthesis environment. The author describes an algebraic model of design space that helps incorporate this flexibility into module generators. >
EDO: Improving Read Performance for Scientific Applications through Elastic Data Organization

Large scale scientific applications are often bottlenecked due to the writing of checkpoint-restart data. Much work has been focused on improving their write performance. With the mounting needs of scientific discovery from these datasets, it is also important to provide good read performance for many common access patterns, which requires effective data organization. To address this issue, we introduce Elastic Data Organization (EDO), which can transparently enable different data organization strategies for scientific applications. Through its flexible data ordering algorithms, EDO harmonizes different access patterns with the underlying file system. Two levels of data ordering are introduced in EDO. One works at the level of data groups (a.k.a process groups). It uses Hilbert Space Filling Curves (SFC) to balance the distribution of data groups across storage targets. Another governs the ordering of data elements within a data group. It divides a data group into sub chunks and strikes a good balance between the size of sub chunks and the number of seek operations. Our experimental results demonstrate that EDO is able to achieve balanced data distribution across all dimensions and improve the read performance of multidimensional datasets in scientific applications.
A 3D Zig-Zag Sublaminate Model for Analysis of Thermal Stresses in Laminated Composite and Sandwich Plates:

A laminated plate theory and 3D finite element model based on first-order zig-zag sublaminate approximations are presented for thermal stress analysis of composite laminates and sandwich plates. The finite element is developed with the topology of an eight-noded brick, allowing the thickness of the plate to be discretized into several elements, or sublaminates, where each sublaminate can contain more than one physical layer. The temperature field is first computed by a thermal model, where the through-thickness distribution of temperature is assumed to vary linearly within each ply, and continuity of transverse flux at ply interfaces is enforced analytically. Similarly, the in-plane displacement fields in each sublaminate are assumed to be piecewise linear functions and vary in a zig-zag fashion through the thickness of the sublaminate. The zig-zag functions are evaluated by enforcing the continuity of transverse shear stresses at layer interfaces. The formulation also enforces continuity of the transvers...
Nested plant/controller optimization with application to combined passive/active automotive suspensions

This paper addresses the coupling between the plant and control optimization problems for a suspension comprising both passive and active components. Suspension dynamics are modeled using a two degree-of-freedom, linear and time-invariant quarter-car model whose ability to capture the influence of the passive stiffness on rattle space depends on the ground disturbance's spectral density. Nested optimization, a strategy that guarantees system optimality, is presented and used to find the optimal suspension system design. The design exhibits superior performance compared to its passive, active and sequentially optimized passive/active counterparts because it accounts for the coupling between the passive and active suspension optimization problems.
Assessing new therapies and their overall impact in myelofibrosis.

Clinical management of myelofibrosis (MF)—whether primary or arising from an antecedent myeloproliferative neoplasm (post-essential thrombocythemia/polycythemia vera MF)—is currently in a period of transition that began with the discovery of the JAK2-V617F mutation 5 years ago. Selective JAK2 inhibitors have been developed, and clinical trials thus far have demonstrated that several of these agents meaningfully reduce MF-associated splenomegaly and constitutional symptoms. JAK2 inhibitors have durable benefits, act across the spectrum of MF subtypes, and provide a level of symptomatic benefit not seen with previous generations of nontargeted therapies. However, the JAK2 inhibitors can cause anemia and/or gastrointestinal disturbance, and their impact on JAK2 allele burden and the natural history is not yet fully defined. Several additional therapies that do not directly target JAK2 (eg, immunomodulatory drugs, histone deacetylase inhibitors, and inhibitors of the mammalian target of rapamycin [mTOR]) may ameliorate MF-associated anemia and morbidity-inducing symptoms. Balancing the potential benefits of these new agents against the risks and benefits of allogeneic stem cell transplantation (which can be curative, but carries a high risk of treatment-associated morbidity and mortality) requires an accurate estimation of the prognosis for an individual patient. Enhanced prognostic modeling systems are helping us to better characterize prognosis in MF patients not only at diagnosis, but also along the dynamic and variable course of the illness. Future advancements in the efficacy of MF-targeted therapy will likely arise from new pathogenetic insights and from combining JAK2 inhibitors with other agents.
Dose-finding in phase I clinical trials based on toxicity probability intervals.

Background Most phase I clinical trials conducted at the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center use the algorithmic 3 + 3 design, despite the availability of more advanced model-based designs such as the continual reassessment method.Purpose Through simple statistical modeling and computing, we develop a dose-finding design that can be easily understood and implemented by non-statisticians.Methods We propose a beta/binomial Bayesian model and a probabilistic up-and-down rule that allow all possible dose-assignment actions to be tabulated in a spreadsheet. We have developed an Excel macro (available at http://odin.mdacc. tmc.edu/~yuanj) that generates trial monitoring tables, which contain the dose-assignment actions corresponding to various toxicity outcomes.Results The new design outperforms the 3 + 3 design and performs comparably to other model-based methods in the literature.Limitations The proposed method assumes that the observed toxicity is a binary variable and that toxicity increases with dose level.Conclu...
Detection of West Nile Viral RNA from an Overwintering Pool of Culex pipens pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae) in New Jersey, 2003

In total, 1,324Culex pipiens pipiens L. female mosquitoes were collected at Ft. Hancock, Monmouth County, New Jersey, from January to March 2001Ð2003. Mosquitoes were held in an insectary at 27C and a photoperiod of 16:8 (L:D) h for 6 to 21 d after which they were tested in 34 pools. West Nile viral RNA was detected in one pool by a TaqMan reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay; however, infectious virus could not be isolated using either Vero cell plaque assay or C6/36 mosquito cells. Twenty females dissected in January and March 2003 conÞrmed ovarian diapause status. We suggest that the mode of infection in this pool of overwintering females may have been due to vertical (transgenerational) transmission.
Big Data, Big Opportunities, and Big Challenges

High-throughput assays have begun to revolutionize modern biology and medicine. The advent of cheap next-generation sequencing (NGS) has made it possible to interrogate cells and human populations as never before. Although this has allowed us to investigate the genetics, gene expression, and impacts of the microbiome, there remain both practical and conceptual challenges. These include data handling, storage, and statistical analysis, as well as an inherent problem of the analysis of heterogeneous cell populations.
Action of Drugs, Nerves and Electric Current in Iris Sphincter

SummaryThe results of electric stimulations of an isolated smooth muscle before and after the successive applications of a choline ester, atropine and epinephrine, seem to lend support to the theory that these drugs and the electric current, in ordinary strengths, act solely on receptive sulbtances for the neural hormones. These findings are in harmony with the chemical theory of nerve transmission, and, taken with the findings of others, suggest that each axone in the body acts by liberating at its endings a specific substance that catalyzes a specific receptive sthtance in the effector or other nerve cell with which they lie in contact, into fractions, one of which directly stimulates or inhibits the effector mechanism, or, in the nerve cell, the impulse mechanism. The experiments of Lanczos2 suggest calcium ions as one of these fractions, those of Brown and Feldberg2 suggest potassium ions as another.
Abstract 922: Disruption of bone morphogenetic protein receptor 2 accelerates mammary carcinoma metastasis to the lung

Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMPs) are members of the Transforming Growth Factor β (TGFβ) superfamily of signaling molecules. BMPs can elicit a wide range of effects in many cell types and have previously been shown to induce growth inhibition in cancers as well as normal epithelia. Recently, it has been demonstrated that BMP4 and BMP7 are overexpressed in human breast cancers and may have both tumor suppressive and promoting effects. We sought to determine whether disruption of the Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptor 2 (BMPR2) would alter mammary tumor progression in mice that express the Polyoma middle T antigen (PyVmT). Mice expressing PyVmT under the mammary specific MMTV promoter were combined with mice that have Doxycycline inducible expression of a dominant negative (DN) BMPR2. We did not observe any differences in tumor latency. However, when we measured pulmonary metastases, we found that mice expressing the BMPR2-DN had a five fold increase in lung metastases. We characterized several cell autonomous changes and found that BMPR2-DN expressing tumor cells had higher rates of proliferation and epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). We also identified unique changes in the tumor microenvironment, which included inflammatory cells and secreted chemokines/ cytokines that accompanied BMPR2-DN expressing tumors. We identified several molecules including ccl-9 (MIP1γ), which was elevated in BMPR2-DN expressing tumors. Ccl-9 has recently been shown to be an important chemokine in the recruitment of myeloid cells that promote metastatic progression. We discovered that tumor cells treated exogenously with BMP4 ligand repressed ccl-9 mRNA and that this repression was limited in cells expressing BMPR2-DN. We conclude that BMPR2 has tumor suppressive function in mammary epithelia and that disruption can accelerate mammary carcinoma metastases via paracrine stimulation of myeloid cells in the tumor microenvironment. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 922. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-922
The Opportunities and Problems of the Two-Year College

(1972). The Opportunities and Problems of the Two-Year College. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 79, No. 4, pp. 385-389.
Explaining variance and identifying predictors of children's communication via a multilevel model of single-case design research.

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to explain the variability in data collected from a single-case design study and to identify predictors of communicative outcomes for children with developmental delays or disabilities (n = 4). Using SAS® University Edition, we fit multilevel models with time nested within children. Children’s initial levels of communication and teachers’ frequency of strategy use when directed at the children predicted children's communicative outcomes. These results indicate that teachers’ implementation of evidence-based communication strategies, when directed toward children with disabilities, and the interaction between their use of the strategies and children's initial levels of communication predict children's communicative outcomes. Implications for research and practice are provided.
Influence of Comprehensive Nursing Intervention on Extremities Function in Community Patients with Convalescent Stroke

Objective To study the influence of comprehensive nursing intervention on extremities function in the community patients with convalescent stroke.Methods A total of 200 community patients with convalescent stroke were equally randomized into the test group and the control group.The control group were given conventional treatment and follow-uped.The control group were given conventional treatment and intervened with comprehensive nursing.Then the therapeutic effects were evaluated on the differences before and after the treatment by brief Fugl-Meyer assessment(FMA) scale and ADL rating scale(FIM).Results After the treatment,the scores of FMA and FIM in all the patients had been improved obviously compared to those before(P0.01).The effect of the test group was superior to that of the control group(P0.01).Conclusion The comprehensive nursing intervention can significantly improve extremities function of the community patients with convalescent stroke.
Kinetics During Coal-based Reduction Process of Fe_2O_3-SiO_2 System

The kinetics during coal-based reduction of Fe 2 O 3-SiO 2 system w as studied isothermally and non-isothermally. The isothermal experiments show ed that reduction degree and reduction rate increased w ith the rise of reduction temperature in a certain range,w hich w as beneficial to the gasification of coal. The coal-based reduction reaction of Fe 2 O 3-SiO 2 system accorded w ith Avrami-Erofeev kinetic model,and the reaction w as controlled by the process of nucleation and development of iron particles. The apparent activation energy and pre-exponential of isothermal coal-based reduction process w ere 235. 33 kJ / mol and 3. 22 × 107min- 1 respectively. The non-isothermal experiments show ed that coal-based reduction reaction started at 400 ℃ and accelerated after 700 ℃ then reached equilibrium eventually. The apparent activation energy and pre-exponential of main reaction stage w ere 238. 66 kJ / mol and 1. 04 × 107min- 1 determined by non-isothermal method.