5,149 research outputs found
Short Proofs for Cut-and-Paste Sorting of Permutations
We consider the problem of determining the maximum number of moves required
to sort a permutation of using cut-and-paste operations, in which a
segment is cut out and then pasted into the remaining string, possibly
reversed. We give short proofs that every permutation of can be
transformed to the identity in at most \flr{2n/3} such moves and that some
permutations require at least \flr{n/2} moves.Comment: 7 pages, 2 figure
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Treatment of Ligament Constructs with Exercise-conditioned Serum: A Translational Tissue Engineering Model.
In vitro experiments are essential to understand biological mechanisms; however, the gap between monolayer tissue culture and human physiology is large, and translation of findings is often poor. Thus, there is ample opportunity for alternative experimental approaches. Here we present an approach in which human cells are isolated from human anterior cruciate ligament tissue remnants, expanded in culture, and used to form engineered ligaments. Exercise alters the biochemical milieu in the blood such that the function of many tissues, organs and bodily processes are improved. In this experiment, ligament construct culture media was supplemented with experimental human serum that has been 'conditioned' by exercise. Thus the intervention is more biologically relevant since an experimental tissue is exposed to the full endogenous biochemical milieu, including binding proteins and adjunct compounds that may be altered in tandem with the activity of an unknown agent of interest. After treatment, engineered ligaments can be analyzed for mechanical function, collagen content, morphology, and cellular biochemistry. Overall, there are four major advantages versus traditional monolayer culture and animal models, of the physiological model of ligament tissue that is presented here. First, ligament constructs are three-dimensional, allowing for mechanical properties (i.e., function) such as ultimate tensile stress, maximal tensile load, and modulus, to be quantified. Second, the enthesis, the interface between boney and sinew elements, can be examined in detail and within functional context. Third, preparing media with post-exercise serum allows for the effects of the exercise-induced biochemical milieu, which is responsible for the wide range of health benefits of exercise, to be investigated in an unbiased manner. Finally, this experimental model advances scientific research in a humane and ethical manner by replacing the use of animals, a core mandate of the National Institutes of Health, the Center for Disease Control, and the Food and Drug Administration
FORMALISM VERSUS REALISM: THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE AND THE CRITICAL DATE FOR ASSESSING JURISDICTION
The 2011 judgment in Georgia v Russian Federation represents an apparent
watershed in the approach of the International Court of Justice in ascertaining the critical date
for assessing jurisdiction. With few historic exceptions, the Court had previously applied a
doctrine of realism that allowed for the resolution of procedural defects between the date of
seisin and the Court’s decision on jurisdiction. In Georgia however, the Court applied a
formalistic approach that assessed competence solely by reference to the date on which the
application was filed, and accordingly declined jurisdiction. This vacillating approach to the
critical date is an example of how the Court exercises interpretative discretion to further its
own procedural objectives through engagement in judicial case selection. This practice will be
criticised on two grounds: first for depriving the Court of opportunities to fulfil its primary
function of developing international law, and second for betraying an institution that has
applied formalism on an ad-hoc basis on political grounds. It will be concluded that the Court’s
broader institutional function would be better served through the adoption of a blanket and
permanent approach of flexible realism in allowing for the post-filing resolution of
jurisdictional defects
An integrative analysis of cancer gene expression studies using Bayesian latent factor modeling
We present an applied study in cancer genomics for integrating data and
inferences from laboratory experiments on cancer cell lines with observational
data obtained from human breast cancer studies. The biological focus is on
improving understanding of transcriptional responses of tumors to changes in
the pH level of the cellular microenvironment. The statistical focus is on
connecting experimentally defined biomarkers of such responses to clinical
outcome in observational studies of breast cancer patients. Our analysis
exemplifies a general strategy for accomplishing this kind of integration
across contexts. The statistical methodologies employed here draw heavily on
Bayesian sparse factor models for identifying, modularizing and correlating
with clinical outcome these signatures of aggregate changes in gene expression.
By projecting patterns of biological response linked to specific experimental
interventions into observational studies where such responses may be evidenced
via variation in gene expression across samples, we are able to define
biomarkers of clinically relevant physiological states and outcomes that are
rooted in the biology of the original experiment. Through this approach we
identify microenvironment-related prognostic factors capable of predicting long
term survival in two independent breast cancer datasets. These results suggest
possible directions for future laboratory studies, as well as indicate the
potential for therapeutic advances though targeted disruption of specific
pathway components.Comment: Published in at http://dx.doi.org/10.1214/09-AOAS261 the Annals of
Applied Statistics (http://www.imstat.org/aoas/) by the Institute of
Mathematical Statistics (http://www.imstat.org
Checkered beetle genus Trichodes Herbst (Coleoptera: Cleridae): a pictorial key to North American taxa with notes on Colorado species, The
February 5, 2014.The Trichodes is a genus of checkered beetles (Cleridae: Clerinae) consisting predominately of predators of hymenopteran larvae and orthopteran egg pods (Foster, 1976). Adult Trichodes are floral visitors, feeding on pollen, mating on flowers, and ovipositing on flowers visited by Apoidea or oviposit directly into nests of ground dwelling bees. Three species inhabiting montane and plateau counties of western Colorado were recorded: T. nutalli, T. ornatus, T. simulator. The genus appears to be absent from the Great Plains Steppe Province of the eastern Colorado. A pictorial key for all North American species of Trichodes and recognized subspecies of T. ornatus is presented. Notes on the biology of three Colorado species are given. Available county records are also noted
AFA-NIET: The Culture of Qualifying and Its Effets on Forensics
It is my concern that we have created a culture that is primarily focused on qualifying for a national tournament rather than on the pursuit of excellence in performance. This culture of qualifying is just like any other culture: it has norms, rules and rituals. It has expected behaviors and offers rewards to those who meet those expectations and punishments to those who don\u27t. When this culture of qualifying replaces or supersedes other missions or goals of forensics competition, the following three problems result
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