cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Seeded Heteroepitaxy and the Overgrowth of InN Films: Nucleation with Lattice Mismatched AIN

The growth and properties of thin films of InN on a variety of substrates nucleated by a 400A layer of AIN have been shown to be dependent on the lattice mismatch (LMM) with the substrate. Examples are drawn from growth of InN thin films by reactive magnetron sputtering on high symmetry faces of a variety of crystalline substrates [(00.1) sapphire, (111) silicon and (111) yttria-stabilized zirconia, and (001) mica] and amorphous fused quartz. Striking is a comparison of the electrical transport properties for nucleated and unnucleated InN films. For example, the ratio of the Hall mobilities for nucleated and unnucleated InN films deposited on (00.1) sapphire (LMM for AIN and InN of 13.0% and 29.0%, respectively) is ∼10 2 , while this ratio for nucleated and unnucleated InN films on (111) zirconia (LMM for AIN and InN of −14.8% and −7.8%, respectively) is ∼10 −2 . While all the factors underlying these results are not necessarily obvious, it is rather apparent that this trend in Hall mobility stems from a contrasting trend in film resistivity at a more nearly constant value for the carrier concentration.
Subelliptic Estimates of Polynomial Differential Operators and Applications to Rigidity of Abelian Actions

We use subelliptic estimates for certain polynomial differential operators to show C∞-regularity of distributions smooth “along” foliations which satisfy a certain nondegeneracy condition and whose sum is totally non-integrable. We use this to extend the cocycle trivialization theorem for Anosov actions of higher rank abelian groups [9] to certain partially hyperbolic actions of Z or R for k ≥ 2. As a consequence, there are only trivial smooth time changes for these actions (up to an automorphism).
Development, Validation, and Limiations of an Expert System for Safety and Health Concerns in Technology Development

Hazardous waste remediation projects, like many other technologies, are experiencing a rapid change in technology triggered by the continuous demand for better, faster, and cheaper cleanup technologies. TEXPERT, a web-based expert system for safety and health, is beginning its third year of development. The goal of the project was to provide appropriate worker safety and health information to technology designers during the design process. A group of ergonomists, safety engineers, and industrial hygienists and a group of computer systems specialists first produced a prototype of an evaluation system for a single, simple technology. Armed with this success and lessons learned, the developers expanded the system to allow evaluation of an almost endless number of technologies. The developers determined that the majority of technologies contain a finite number of components (e.g. compressors, storage tanks, etc.). Rules and knowledge bases were then developed for each component. The components act as building...
Seasonal Variation in the Respiration of Migrant Boll Weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and the Effects of Food and Environmental Conditions on Those Captured in August-September

Boll weevils, Anthonomus grandis grandis Boheman, captured in pheromone traps (8 km from cotton) in August-September were different from those found in cotton fields as reported in other studies and had the characteristics of migrants. Boll weevils captured in October were different from those captured in August–September. Those captured in August-September had a high level of respiration: only 5% used <1 μl oxygen per mg boll weevil per h; after 13 October, ca. 60% used <1 μl oxygen. After 2 weeks of feeding on squares and bolls, boll weevils captured in August–September had the same mean respiratory rate regardless of food, photoperiod, or temperature. Some boll weevils that were fed bolls had respiration rates <1 μl oxygen per mg boll weevil per h; only one group of weevils fed squares had this low rate. Boll weevils that were fed squares for 2 weeks at 21°C with either a photoperiod of 13:11 or 11:13 (L:D), and then survived for 1 month at 13°C and a photoperiod of 11:13, had a significantly higher rate of respiration than boll weevils fed squares at 27°C. In contrast, boll weevils that survived 1 month at 13°C with a photoperiod of 11:13, after being fed bolls for 2 weeks at 21°C with a photoperiod of 13:11, had a significantly lower rate of respiration than those fed bolls at 27°C. All survivors that had fed on bolls had a higher rate of respiration than those fed squares. Newly emerged boll weevils that were fed squares, but not exposed to 13°C, showed an increased rate of respiration. Individual determination of the respiration level may provide a nondestructive method to separate reproductive from potentially diapausing boll weevils.
Role of Methodology in Assessment of Naturally Occurring α-Amylase Inhibitors as Resistance Factors Against Insects

There are two methods of assaying for naturally occurring α-amylase inhibitors. In the first method, (E + I) + S, where E is the enzyme, I is the inhibitor, and S is the substrate, the enzyme and inhibitor are preincubated for a period of time and residual activity is measured by adding substrate (starch). In the second method, (I + S) + E, the inhibitor and substrate are combined and the reaction is started by addition of enzyme. Although the first method can be used to measure the concentration of +-amylase inhibitors in a given plant or plant structure, it may give a somewhat biased view of their in vivo activity. The second assay method may be a much more realistic way to assess the effectiveness of the inhibitors in a feeding insect, because at least in granivorous insects that feed on wheat endosperm, ingestion of starch and the proteinaceous inhibitors probably occurs simultaneously. Consequently, assays were conducted by the second assay procedure with amounts of +-amylase found in guts of the rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L.), and with amounts of +-amylase inhibitors present in wheat endosperm. With these conditions, inhibition of enzyme activity was reduced significantly compared with the nearly complete inhibition possible with preincubation. These findings indicate that in vitro methodology should simulate in vivo conditions as closely as possible to allow a more precise evaluation of the potential of naturally occurring inhibitors as resistance factors against insects.
Dynamics of shielding of a moving charged particle in a confined electron plasma

Dynamics of shielding of a moving charged particle in a confined plasma, which represents a realistic model of an electron beam in accelerators, is studied. This is a longstanding problem in plasma physics with important applications in accelerator physics. However, only solutions for an infinite unrealistic plasma are available. We developed a novel method to solve this problem, which consists of transformation of the Vlasov-Poisson differential equations to an integral equation for the Laplace image of the electron density perturbation created by an external charge. The integral equation is then solved numerically via the piecewise polynomial collocation method and the fast Fourier transform. We present thorough analysis of the results obtained and their physical interpretation.
Supply Chain Enterprises Commerce Search Engine Evaluation based on Fuzzy Mathematics

The evaluation method of supply chain enterprise commerce search engine based on fuzzy mathematics is described,and the different factors which have an effect on performance are listed systematically using examples. The evaluation of the search engines which have been prepared can be made by the fuzzy mathematics. The problem of weighting coefficients can be solved by using the analytical hierarchy process. Thus the importance priority order is established in terms of database structure,searching function,searching effect,searching result display and users' burden of search engines,and the evaluation result is scientific and reasonable. Finally the system software is developed by VC language. Through such a system,enterprises will select the optimal search engines conveniently and quickly,providing a new way for it to save time,improve efficiency and seize commerce chances.
IFN-γ represses ε germline transcription and subsequently down-regulates switch recombination to ε

Cytokines have the ability to regulate the isotypes of antibodies produced during an immune response. For instance, IL-4 has been shown to induce the production of IgE by B cells, while IFN-gamma has been shown to inhibit this induction. Recent work has revealed that IL-4 appears to induce class switching to epsilon through its ability to specifically induce germline epsilon transcripts. Germline epsilon transcription appears to target class-switch recombination to the epsilon locus. However, the mechanism by which IFN-gamma inhibits the IL-4 induction of IgE is unknown. We hypothesized that IFN-gamma and IL-4 may have antagonistic effects on the same stage of B cell differentiation. Northern blotting analyses show that IFN-gamma suppresses the IL-4 induction of germline epsilon transcripts. In transient transfection assays, the IL-4 induction of transcription imparted by the minimal 179 bp germline epsilon promoter is repressed by IFN-gamma. Utilizing a digestion circularization-polymerase chain reaction assay we show that IL-4 induces switch recombination to epsilon, while IFN-gamma suppresses switch recombination to epsilon. These studies support a model that, through their differential effects on a cis-controlling element that regulates germline epsilon transcription, IL-4 and IFN-gamma are able to modulate B cell switch recombination to epsilon in a coordinated manner.
The Electrogenic Na+/HCO3 - Cotransporter, NBC

Electrogenic Na+ /HCO3 - (NBC) function has been characterized in many mammalian tissues including, kidney, pancreas, and brain. Cloning efforts identified a single cDNA, NBC/NBC1, that possesses all the functional attributes of the electrogenic Na+ /HCO3 - cotransporter. This NBC clone is related to the anion exchangers and thus forms a bicarbonate transporter superfamily. Presently two N-terminal and one C-terminal isoforms are known. All three isoforms appear to arise from the same gene and seem to have identical function. NBC antibodies have localized NBC isoforms in kidney, pancreas, brain, small intestine, colon, epididymis, eye, heart, liver, salivary glands, stomach, and testis. Functionally, NBC appears HCO3 - and Na+ selective. NBC stoichiometry in Xenopus oocytes is 1 Na+ : 2 HCO3 - , implicating a possible accessory protein interaction.
A human VE-cadherin-tdTomato and CD43-green fluorescent protein dual reporter cell line for study endothelial to hematopoietic transition.

Abstract Human embryonic stem cell line WA0 1 was genetically modified using zinc-finger nucleases and the PiggyBac/transponson system to introduce a fluorescence reporter for VE-cadherin (VEC; tdTomato) and CD43 (eGFP). Phenotypic and functional assays for pluripotency revealed the modified hES cell reporter lines remained normal. When the cells were differentiated into hematoendothelial lineages, either by directed differentiation or direct reprogramming, flow cytometric and fluorescence microscopy showed that VEC + endothelial cells express tdTomato and CD43 + hematopoietic progenitors express eGFP.
Nonsynostotic Posterior Brachycephaly with Hindbrain Herniation

Background Positional plagiocephaly is the most common cause of cranial asymmetry. The underlying cause of Chiari-1 malformation has many possible theories, and anecdotally some pediatric neurosurgeons have had experience of severe cases of positional brachycephaly with Chiari-1. However, to date, there have been no published cases linking nonsynostotic plagiocephaly with Chiari-1 malformation. Case Description An 18-month-old boy presented with a head injury. On examination he had a Glasgow Coma Score of 15 with no focal neurologic deficits, but he was noted to have marked posterior brachycephaly. A computed tomography scan showed a slim left-sided hemispheric acute subdural hematoma with no mass effect, which was treated conservatively. Of note, all of his cranial vault sutures were open, and a diagnosis of incidental positional plagiocephaly was made. Subsequent magnetic resonance imaging as part of a work-up to exclude nonaccidental injury showed a small posterior fossa with a steep tentorium and herniation of the cerebellar tonsils to the level of the body of the second cervical vertebra. Conclusions Chronic hindbrain herniation is well reported in cases of craniosynostosis, but to our knowledge this is the first published case associated with nonsynostotic deformational plagiocephaly. We hypothesize that severe posterior plagiocephaly can cause disproportion of the posterior fossa: hindbrain volume ratio and acquired chronic cerebellar herniation. Nevertheless, positional plagiocephaly and Chiari-1 are common entities, and it is possible that the dual diagnoses were coincidental in this case. This report serves to raise awareness of a putative causal relationship between positional plagiocephaly, reduced posterior fossa volume, and hindbrain herniation.
Surgical research using national databases

Recent changes in healthcare and advances in technology have increased the use of large-volume national databases in surgical research. These databases have been used to develop perioperative risk stratification tools, assess postoperative complications, calculate costs, and investigate numerous other topics across multiple surgical specialties. The results of these studies contain variable information but are subject to unique limitations. The use of large-volume national databases is increasing in popularity, and thorough understanding of these databases will allow for a more sophisticated and better educated interpretation of studies that utilize such databases. This review will highlight the composition, strengths, and weaknesses of commonly used national databases in surgical research.
Long-Term Results of Single-Agent Thalidomide as Initial Therapy for Asymptomatic (Smoldering or Indolent) Myeloma.

Abstract Background: Patients with early stage myeloma are typically observed without therapy until symptomatic disease occurs. We have reported early results of therapy with single-agent thalidomide as initial therapy for early stage multiple myeloma in an attempt to delay progression to symptomatic disease (Leukemia 2003; 17:775–9). We now report the long-term results of this phase II trial. Methods: Thirty-one patients with smoldering or indolent multiple myeloma were enrolled between April 1999–March 2002. All pts had bone marrow (BM) plasma cells >=10% and measurable disease defined as serum monoclonal (M) protein >=2gm/dL and/or urine M protein >=400mg/24 hours. Two patients were deemed ineligible because they were found to have received prior therapy for myeloma and were excluded from analysis. Thalidomide was initiated at a dose of 200 mg/day and increased as tolerated by 200 mg/day every 2 weeks to a maximum dose of 800 mg/day. The dose of thalidomide was decreased as needed to minimize toxicity. Treatment was continued until disease progression or serious toxicity, except for patients achieving less than a minor response ( Results: Ten patients (34%) had indolent myeloma, including 4 patients with lytic bone lesions, 3 patients with anemia (Hb Conclusions: Thalidomide has activity in asymptomatic myeloma. This approach must be further tested in randomized trials to determine if the survival estimates are superior to observation. Given the activity of thalidomide, trials are also needed with lenalidomide.
Longitudinal Data Models with Fixed and Random Effects

Classical methods of repeated measures analysis of variance and growth curve analysis require balanced data sets. Typically, in repeated measures analysis, a group or groups of subjects are all measured under various treatment conditions (Winer, 1971). The order of the treatments are randomized for each subject, and there should be no missing observations. In growth curve analysis, all subjects are measured at the same times, and, again, there should be no missing data (Grizzle and Allen, 1961).
Fatigue Crack Characterization in Conducting Sheets by Non Contact Stimulation of Resonant Modes

The natural frequencies and modes of vibration of a linearly elastic continuum are a function of the mass and stiffness of the body [1]. As many structural flaws, such as fatigue cracks, corrosion, and disbonds, will affect these attributes, vibrational analysis is a natural method by which to characterize such flaws. Finite element modeling techniques can be used to predict vibrational responses from various structure/defect combinations, so that test parameters can be selectively chosen for the requirements of the investigation. Critical areas can be isolated through the application of appropriate boundary conditions, and test frequencies chosen so as to excite desired eigen-modes.
Direct neurotransmitter activation of voltage-gated potassium channels

Voltage-gated potassium channels KCNQ2-5 generate the M-current, which controls neuronal excitability. KCNQ2-5 subunits each harbor a high-affinity anticonvulsant drug-binding pocket containing an essential tryptophan (W265 in human KCNQ3) conserved for >500 million years, yet lacking a known physiological function. Here, phylogenetic analysis, electrostatic potential mapping, in silico docking, electrophysiology, and radioligand binding assays reveal that the anticonvulsant binding pocket evolved to accommodate endogenous neurotransmitters including γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which directly activates KCNQ5 and KCNQ3 via W265. GABA, and endogenous metabolites β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHB) and γ-amino-β-hydroxybutyric acid (GABOB), competitively and differentially shift the voltage dependence of KCNQ3 activation. Our results uncover a novel paradigm: direct neurotransmitter activation of voltage-gated ion channels, enabling chemosensing of the neurotransmitter/metabolite landscape to regulate channel activity and cellular excitability.
Peers, regulators, and professions: the influence of organizations in health information technology adoption.

According to the U.S. National Research Council, current health information technology (HIT) efforts are insufficient and arguably detrimental to healthcare transformation. Many hospitals have already implemented HIT, and federal stimulus funding will further adoption efforts. Organizations become more similar through the adoption of innovations like HIT, but the effects of the changes do not necessarily improve efficiency. This view from sociology and organizational studies, called institutional isomorphism, suggests that organizations pursue changes endorsed by peers, regulators, and professional societies through mimetic, coercive, and normative mechanisms, respectively, that improve legitimacy, a socially constructed value that determines an organization’s ability to obtain resources and survive. In this paper we examine mimetic, coercive, and normative influences in the adoption of three HIT innovations as well as evidence of resulting inefficiency. Institutional isomorphism provides a useful framework for researchers and practitioners to examine variation in HIT adoption.
Langlands Functoriality Conjecture and Number Theory

We discuss several applications of the recent developments in the Langlands functoriality conjecture such as the automorphy of the symmetric powers of 2-dimensional complex representations of Galois groups of number fields, lattice point problems, Ramanujan– Selberg and Sato–Tate conjectures.We conclude by explaining how these recent developments are established.
Crystallographic and Computational Studies of Non-Covalent Interactions of Molecular Clips with a Series of Small Solvent Molecules

Molecular clips hold the potential of self-association and the ability to form host–guest complexes. Here we describe the synthesis of a 1,2-dimethoxyphenyl terminated glycoluril molecular clip (2) that binds with smaller solvent molecules by π⋯H–C and C=O⋯H–O non-covalent interactions. We obtained single crystals of 2 and 2 + CH2Cl2, CH3OH, CH3CN, and DMF solvents complexed within the clip. These solvents always form two π⋯H–C interactions between the aromatic rings in the clip, and CH3OH formed an additional C=O⋯H–O hydrogen bond with the glycoluril carbonyl group. Based on single crystal data we found that π⋯H–C interactions of 2 + CH2Cl2 are stronger than 2 + CH3CN and 2 + DMF, due to the presence of stronger electron withdrawing groups in CH2Cl2, which lead to a decrease in dihedral angle of two glycoluril aromatic planes. We also investigated the non-covalent interaction energies of these solvent molecules with 2 using computational methods. Several solvent adducts of a glycoluril derivative have been isolated and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, revealing two common pi⋯H–C non-covalent bonds within the molecular clip.
Searching in the Shadows: The Impact of Economic Sanctions on Informal Economies:

To date, most research on the consequences of sanctions has explored how foreign economic pressure influences the formal sector of targeted economies. This study instead focuses on explaining the w...
Entrepreneurship in a Non-Profit Healthcare Organization:

Columbus regional health (CRH), a not-for profit organization located in Columbus, Indiana, evolved from a traditional local hospital to an award-winning regional community health-care provider by ...
Keys to academic success for under-represented minority young investigators: recommendations from the Research in Academic Pediatrics Initiative on Diversity (RAPID) National Advisory Committee.

Although Latinos, African-Americans, and American Indians/Alaska Natives comprise 34% of Americans, these under-represented minorities (URMs) account for only 7% of US medical-school faculty. Even when URMs become faculty, they face many substantial challenges to success. Little has been published, however, on keys to academic success for URM young faculty investigators. The Research in Academic Pediatrics Initiative on Diversity (RAPID) goal is to enhance the professional advancement of URM junior faculty pursuing research careers in general academic pediatrics. One important RAPID component is the annual mentoring/career-development conference, which targets URM residents, fellows, and junior faculty, and has included 62 URM participants since its 2013 inception. A conference highlight is the panel discussion on keys to academic success for URM young investigators, conducted by the RAPID National Advisory Committee, a diverse group of leading senior researchers. The article aim was to provide a guide to academic success for URM young investigators using the 2018 RAPID Conference panel discussion. A modified Delphi technique was used to provide a systematic approach to obtaining answers to six key questions using an expert panel: the single most important key to success for URM young investigators; ensuring optimal mentorship; how to respond when patients/families say, “I don’t want you to see my child because you are ____”; best strategies for maximizing funding success; how to balance serving on time-consuming committees with enough time to advance research/career objectives; and the single thing you wish someone had told you which would have substantially enhanced your success early on. This is the first published practical guide on keys to academic success for URM young investigators. Identified keys to success included having multiple mentors, writing prolifically, being tenaciously persistent, having mentors who are invested in you, dealing with families who do not want you to care for their child because of your race/ethnicity by seeking to understand the reasons and debriefing with colleagues, seeking non-traditional funding streams, balancing committee work with having enough time to advance one’s research and career by using these opportunities to generate scholarly products, and asking for all needed resources when negotiating for new jobs.
Mild Blast-Induced Traumatic Brain Injury Model

Blast injuries from explosive events can be simulated in a laboratory setting through a variety of means. Different elements of blast-induced traumatic brain injuries can be recapitulated in the laboratory setting in tandem or in isolation to investigate a variety of research questions. The research question of interest will dictate choices regarding the modality of blast generation, animal positioning, head fixation, and body protection. Due to the relatively young nature of the field and the various blast injury models, consensus opinions have not been reached with regard to model designs, exposure conditions, and outcome evaluations. This chapter outlines one procedure for administering a diffuse, closed-head mild blast-induced TBI (mild bTBI) to rats via open-ended shock tube and includes discussion on the impact of differing choices with regard to model design, exposure conditions, and outcome evaluations.
Quantum computing for neutrino-nucleus scattering

Neutrino-nucleus cross section uncertainties are expected to be a dominant systematic in future accelerator neutrino experiments. The cross sections are determined by the linear response of the nucleus to the weak interactions of the neutrino, and are dominated by energy and distance scales of the order of the separation between nucleons in the nucleus. These response functions are potentially an important early physics application of quantum computers. Here we present an analysis of the resources required and their expected scaling for scattering cross section calculations. We also examine simple small-scale neutrino-nucleus models on modern quantum hardware. In this paper, we use variational methods to obtain the ground state of a three nucleon system (the triton) and then implement the relevant time evolution. In order to tame the errors in present-day NISQ devices, we explore the use of different error-mitigation techniques to increase the fidelity of the calculations.
Chapter 8 – Utilities

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the importance of various utilities in setting up an industrial plant. Utilities provide the essential elements that support men and machinery in the manufacturing process. Normally, they represent controllable operating expenses. Power, fuel, water, and effluent disposal are standard services provided to manufacturers either by private industry or by government agencies. Most industries seek sites that will provide utilities at an advantageous price. Electric power costs represent an important element of expense to a modern manufacturer. These costs should be carefully investigated during considerations of plant location. Since power requirements vary, plant locators should develop individualized checklists to ensure that all questions are being asked and that there is consistency in the data gathered for those sites being evaluated. Similarly sewage and effluent disposal have become major concerns to national and local governments and, thereby, to industry. Industries that have effluent disposal problems may want to seek a site where this problem can be handled at a controlled cost. When possible, any industry making a major process-equipment investment should consider cost alternatives for becoming partially or fully self-sufficient in utilities.
Understand Slope Limiter - Graphically.

In this article, we illustrate how the concept of slope limiter can be interpreted graphically, i.e., how the slope of reconstructed piecewise linear function is limited by four bounding lines that connect cell-averaged data and its neighboring cell-averaged data. It is then conjectured that the same graphical rule can be generalized from uniform mesh to non-uniform mesh, such that the high-resolution total variance diminishing (TVD) region of slope limiter for non-uniform meshes can be obtained.
Determining the Osmolality Threshold for Sickle Cell Erythrocyte Hemolysis

Background: Fluid intake is critical for metabolic and physiological processes to function properly in a homeostatic environment. When compared to other cells, normal red cells are more resilient to fluctuations in serum osmolality, remaining intact when serum osmolality drops to as low as 190 mOsM from the 270-290 mOsM reference interval. The ability of the membrane to deform/reform under shear confers strong resistance to variations in serum osmolality to red cells. Although normal red cells are resilient, the osmolality threshold for hemolysis of abnormal red cells such as sickle cell blood remains unclear. The major goal of this research was to identify the osmolality threshold for sickle cell hemolysis in comparison to normal red cells. Methods: Red cells were prepared and subjected to a solution of varied osmolality ranging from 290 to 65 mOsm of sodium chloride, as stated in the procedures section. Following incubation, the supernatant and pellets were examined using western blotting techniques for haemoglobin (spectrometry) and glycophorin A (GPA) concentration. Results: While normal red cells have an osmolality threshold of 190 mOsM, sickle erythrocytes have an osmolality threshold of 170-mOsM. Both cells ruptured rapidly -displaying an S-shaped-like “cooperativity” pattern. Complete (100%) hemolysis occurred at \(\le\)150-mOsM. The hemoglobin retained in pellets decreased to ~50% (normal red cells) and ~20% (sickle red cells) when solution osmolality drops to 65-mOsM. Conclusion: Sickle cell erythrocytes are more resilient than normal red cells to serum osmolality changes. This research sheds light on how normal and sickle cell people react to variations in serum osmolality during dehydration and rehydration. Intravenous fluids are routinely used as adjuvant therapy to relieve pain and slow or reverse the sickling process. As a result, regulating electrolytes and fluid volume during acute pain episodes could help African Americans, who are disproportionately affected by sickle cell disease.
How and when does syntax perpetuate stereotypes? Probing the framing effects of subject-complement statements of equality

Although subject-complement statements like “girls are as good as boys at math” appear to express gender equality, people infer a gender difference: the group in the complement position (boys) is j...
Understanding the Order Effect of Online Reviews: A Text Mining Perspective

Online reviews are aimed to help prospective buyers in their decision-making. While prior research has focused on the economic impact of ratings, review volume, helpfulness and sentiments, open research questions remain regarding the evolution of text attributes associated with online reviews. Using a large dataset, we extract sentiment intensity, along with novel attributes – product usage contexts and product features – present in each online review and analyze their pattern over the temporal order of the reviews. Results indicate that sentiment intensity as well as the number of product features and usage contexts diminish with respect to the increase in review order, suggesting that earlier reviews tend to have more information for prospective customers. However, the declining trend of sentiment intensity is less when reviews mention a higher number of product features and usage contexts. These findings contribute to the literature while having key practical implications for e-commerce websites, retailers, and customers.
Perceived Family and Partner Support and the Work-Family Interface: A Meta-analytic Review

This study employed meta-analytic techniques to elucidate the role of perceived partner and family support in four measures of the work-family interface. We extracted 183 effect sizes from 82 samples and a total of N = 36,226 individuals. We found perceived familial (partner and family) support was negatively associated with work-to-family conflict (r = -.099) and family-to-work conflict (r = -.178). It was positively associated with work-to-family enrichment (r = .173) and family-to-work enrichment (r = .378). Various sample-level moderators were investigated through meta regression and subgroup analyses, including whether the support measure was family or partner focused. Perceived family support showed larger magnitude associations with the two conflict outcome variables than partner support, while there were no significant differences between family and partner support and the two enrichment outcomes. The results suggest that familial support is an essential component of successfully minimizing work-family conflict and maximizing work-family enrichment, and that whether the measure of support is partner or family specific may impact the magnitude of results.
SU-E-T-113: An Unified Imaging and Robotic Couch Quality Assurance Procedure and Automation Software

Purpose: To introduce a quality assurance (QA) procedure for the robotic 6DoF couches integrates the couch and imaging components QA procedures into a simple workflow. Method: Current QA procedure for the imaging systems is to carefully align a phantom at isocenter and measure in images acquired using the on-board imaging (OBI) system if the phantom appears aligned with the isocenter. For the robotic couches a complementary procedure offsets a phantom from to measure the couch’s ability to reposition the phantom at isocenter. We propose a two-in –one procedure that starts with a phantom displaced with random positions and orientation and asks the imaging system to align it back at isocenter. Accuracy is measured by comparing the repositioned phantom againts the treatment field. A software module was also implemented to analyze, quantify and report the results. Results: The procedure has been implemented clinically using a SRS calibration phantom (VisionRT, London, UK) and the automated software version that is able to detect errors of less than 0.1 mm or 0.1 degrees. The software detects the markers locations with a combination of contouring and intensity filters to compute the shifts/rotations needed to reposition the phantom to it’s ideal location using a interactive closest point algorithm to match markers segmentations as extracted from imaging with a mesh representation of their expected location according to the phantom specifications. Once the shifts are send to the couch for repositioning, the procedure is repeated to measure the residual error in imaging to measure robotic couch repositioning accuracy and the phantom location against the graticule is verified. Conclusions: A simplified QA procedure and the associated software are presented to streamline the quality assurance of imaging and 6D couch components into a single, easy-to-use procedure.
Some Missing Links

Donald Medley, the keynote speaker for the conference, worries along with us. He warns us of a powerful negative force at work both inside and outside America’s public education system. Its goal is the demise of the system.
The estrogen receptor alpha nuclear localization sequence is critical for fulvestrant-induced degradation of the receptor

Fulvestrant, a selective estrogen receptor down-regulator (SERD) is a pure competitive antagonist of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα). Fulvestrant binds ERα and reduces the receptor's half-life by increasing protein turnover, however, its mechanism of action is not fully understood. In this study, we show that removal of the ERα nuclear localization sequence (ERΔNLS) resulted in a predominantly cytoplasmic ERα that was degraded in response to 17-β-estradiol (E2) but was resistant to degradation by fulvestrant. ERΔNLS bound the ligands and exhibited receptor interaction similar to ERα, indicating that the lack of degradation was not due to disruption of these processes. Forcing ERΔNLS into the nucleus with a heterologous SV40-NLS did not restore degradation, suggesting that the NLS domain itself, and not merely receptor localization, is critical for fulvestrant-induced ERα degradation. Indeed, cloning of the endogenous ERα NLS onto the N-terminus of ERΔNLS significantly restored both its nuclear localization and turnover in response to fulvestrant. Moreover, mutation of the sumoylation targets K266 and K268 within the NLS impaired fulvestrant-induced ERα degradation. In conclusion, our study provides evidence for the unique role of the ERα NLS in fulvestrant-induced degradation of the receptor.
Bisimulation and Model Checking

State space minimization techniques are crucial for combating state explosion. A variety of verification tools use bisimulation minimization to check equivalence between systems, to minimize components before composition, or to reduce a state space prior to model checking. This paper explores the third use in the context of verifying invariant properties. We consider three bisimulation minimization algorithms. From each, we produce an on-the-fly model checker for invariant properties and compare this model checker to a conventional one based on backwards reachability. Our comparisons, both theoretical and experimental, lead us to conclude that bisimulation minimization does not appear to be viable in the context of invariance verification because performing the minimization requires as many, if not more, computational resources as model checking the unminimized system through backwards reachability.
Renormalization group-based subgrid scale turbulence closures

Dynamic renormalization group methods are applied to the derivation of subgrid scale (SGS) closures for high Reynolds number (R) turbulence. The resulting SGS closures are attractive in that they do not require additional ad hoc treatment of wall layers and may be used to derive SGS closures for more complicated physical problems, such as flows with buoyancy effects or chemical reactions, without additional arbitrary modelling parameters. Numerical experiments with these SGS closures for turbulent channel flow at high Reynolds number show that the resulting closures give results that are in reasonable agreement with experiment.
THEORETICAL STUDY OF REACTIONS OF HYPERTHERMAL O( 3 P) WITH PERFLUORINATED HYDROCARBONS

We have studied the reactions of hyperthermal atomic oxygen with perfluorinated hydrocarbons using quantum-mechanical and molecular dynamics methods. Electronic structure calculations reveal that the reaction barriers for all of the primary reaction channels in the O( 3 P) + CF4 and C2F6 systems are larger than those in the analogous reactions with methane and ethane. F abstraction to give OF is not favored due to the large electronegativity of both F and O. The F elimination process, O( 3 P) + CnF2n+2 → F + OCnF2n+1, is possible through a barrier of about 3 eV. This barrier is ∼1.2 eV larger than in the case of O( 3 P) + CnH2n+2 reactions. Direct C-C breakage in perfluorinated hydrocarbons proceeds through a barrier of about 2.5 eV, 1 eV larger than that in unsubstituted alkanes. Molecular dynamics calculations indicate the presence of additional dynamical barriers for reaction. This makes the reactivity of perfluorinated saturated alkanes to be very small even at 5 eV collision energy, in agreement with experiments.
Bronchoalveolar Lavage Cell Immunophenotyping Facilitates Diagnosis of Lung Allograft Rejection

Supplementary methods to identify acute rejection and to distinguish rejection from infection may improve clinical outcomes for lung allograft recipients. We hypothesized that distinct bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cell profiles are associated with rejection and infection. We retrospectively compared 2939 BAL cell counts and immunophenotypes against concomitantly obtained transbronchial biopsies and microbiologic studies. We randomly assigned 317 subjects to a derivation or validation cohort. BAL samples were classified into four groups: infection, rejection grade ≥A1, both or neither. We employed generalized estimating equation and survival modeling to identify clinical predictors of rejection and infection. We found that CD25(+) and natural killer cell percentages identified a twofold increased odds of rejection compared to either the infection or the neither infection nor rejection groups. Also, monocytes, lymphocytes and eosinophil percentages were independently associated with rejection. A four-predictor scoring system had high negative predictive value (96-98%) for grade ≥A2 rejection, predicted future rejection in the validation cohort and predicted increased risk of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome in otherwise benign samples. In conclusion, BAL cell immunophenotyping discriminates between infection and acute rejection and predicts future outcomes in lung transplant recipients. Although it cannot replace histopathology, immunophenotyping may be a clinically useful adjunct.
Poly(I.C)-induced interferons enhance susceptibility of SCID mice to systemic candidiasis.

In the absence of any demonstrable T- or B-cell responses, gnotobiotic CB-17 SCID (severe combined immunodeficient) mice not only show innate resistance to acute systemic (intravenous challenge) candidiasis but also manifest innate resistance to systemic candidiasis of endogenous (gastrointestinal tract) origin. Poly(I. C), a potent inducer of interferons (IFNs) in vivo, enhanced the susceptibility of CB-17 SCID mice to acute systemic candidiasis and to systemic candidiasis of endogenous origin, as demonstrated by increased numbers of viable Candida albicans in internal organs after poly(I. C) treatment. The poly(I. C)-enhanced susceptibility of mice to candidiasis was abrogated by in vivo treatment with antibodies to IFN-alpha, -beta, and -gamma. In vivo depletion of natural killer cells from SCID mice did not significantly enhance their susceptibility to systemic candidiasis or abrogate poly(I. C)-enhanced susceptibility. In vivo and in vitro, treatment with poly(I. C) impaired the candidacidal and phagocytic activity of thioglycollate-elicited macrophages from SCID mice. Antibody to IFN-alpha/beta or IFN-beta alone interfered with the ability of poly(I. C) to impair the candidacidal activity of macrophages from SCID mice in vitro. These data suggest that poly(I. C)-induced interferons can impair the candidacidal activity of macrophages in SCID mice and decrease their innate resistance to acute systemic candidiasis and to systemic candidiasis of endogenous origin.
Contact burns of the hand.

Contact burns of the hand in children present difficult management questions. Because visual inspection of the acute wound often fails to distinguish major burns requiring inpatient treatment from minor burns amenable to outpatient therapy, we sought to identify characteristics of patients that would aid in decision making at the time the burn patient is seen. During the 5-year period, 1980 to 1984, 32 children less than 14 years of age were admitted to our medical center with contact burns of the hand. Patients were divided into two groups: those with major burns requiring greater than or equal to seven days of hospitalization (n = 16) and those with minor burns requiring less than seven days of hospitalization (n = 16). Compared with patients in the minor burn group, patients in the major burn group were hospitalized longer (16.9 v 2.8 days), were more likely to require surgical excision and grafting (63% v 0%), and had more extensive follow-up (5.3 v 2.5 visits). There were no significant differences between the two groups with regard to percentage of area burned, age, sex, primary admission v referral, and cause of burn. These data support the recommendation that all such burns be managed initially on an inpatient basis. Language: en
Activation of tumor cell matrix metalloproteinase-2 by neutrophil proteinases requires expression of membrane-type 1 matrix metalloproteinase☆☆☆

Abstract Background: Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), an enzyme involved in tumor invasion, is secreted as an inactive proenzyme and requires interaction with membrane-type 1 MMP (MT1-MMP) for activation. We have previously demonstrated that polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) release a soluble factor(s) that activates pro-MMP-2. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that PMN-derived proteinases act in concert with MT1-MMP to activate pro-MMP-2. Methods: Human HT-1080 cells transfected with MT1-MMP cDNA (HT-SE) or the corresponding antisense cDNA (HT-AS) or an empty vector (HT-V), which expressed differing levels of MT1-MMP, were incubated with serum-free, human PMN-conditioned medium with or without proteinase inhibitors. The culture supernatants were analyzed by gelatin zymography. Results: HT-1080 cells expressing basal (HT-V) or low levels (HT-AS) of MT1-MMP secreted MMP-2 in proenzyme form (72 kd). HT-1080 cells with high levels of MT1-MMP (HT-SE) secreted proMMP-2 and a 68 kd intermediate activation product. Addition of PMN-conditioned medium to either HT-SE or HT-V clones resulted in dose-dependent generation of active, 62 kd MMP-2. In contrast, when PMN-conditioned medium was added to HT-AS clones, no MMP-2 activation occurred. Conclusions: PMN-derived serine proteinases act in concert with MT1-MMP to activate proMMP-2. This finding indicates a potential role for inflammatory cells in promoting extracellular matrix breakdown during tumor invasion. (Surgery 1998;124:232-8.)
ABR in the diagnosis of vestibular schwannomas: a meta-analysis.

Abstract Purpose The aim of this study is to rigorously evaluate the role of auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing in the diagnosis of vestibular schwannomas (VS). Materials and methods Searches were conducted in multiple online databases, supplemented by hand searches. From the studies chosen for final inclusion, relevant data were extracted and meta-analysis of pooled data was performed. Results 623 studies were identified from which 43 met inclusion criteria for analysis (1978 to 2009) including 3314 patients. Pooled sensitivity for ABR detection of vestibular schwannomas was 93.4% (95% CI 92.6–94.3, P = 0.0000). For tumors less than 1 cm (8 studies, 176 patients) sensitivity was 85.8% (95% CI 80.6–90.1, P = 0.0116). For tumors greater than 1 cm (6 studies, 251 patients) pooled sensitivity was 95.6% (95% CI 93.1–98.2, P = 0.0660). Sensitivity of ABR to detect extracanalicular tumors was higher than for intracanalicular tumors, though pooled data were not statistically valid. Pooled specificity (8 studies, 2432 patients) was 82.0% (95% CI 80.5–83.6, P = 0.0000). Conclusions Although MRI remains the gold standard, emerging trends towards more conservative management coupled with limited financial resources may prompt many clinicians to review the role of ABR testing in screening for retrocochlear pathology. In light of the high sensitivity and specificity of ABR testing for VS, we strongly urge its reconsideration as a useful diagnostic tool for patients with clinically suspected VS.
Deuterium isotope effect in inhibited oxidation of butadiene–styrene rubber

The importance of hydrogen abstraction by peroxy radicals as a mechanism of antioxidant action in rubber has been studied by investigation of a deuterium isotope effect with amine and phenolic inhibitors in the oxidation of butadiene-styrene rubber. Deuterium was substituted for the active hydrogen of N-phenyl-2-naphthylamine and 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol by reacting the antioxidants with methylmagnesium iodide and then with deuterium oxide. The oxidation rates of butadiene–styrene polymer inhibited with 3 parts per hundred of these compounds were measured and compared with the oxidation rates using normal antioxidants. A kinetic isotope effect in the rate of oxidation was observed with both the phenolic inhibitor (kD/kH = 1.3 with not less than 77% substitution) and the amine inhibitor (kD/kH = 1.8 with not less than 60% substitution). The existence of an isotope effect leads to the conclusion that hydrogen donation to a peroxy radical is a controlling step in the mechanism by which these antioxidants function to retard the oxidation of rubber.
Psychoneuroimmunological Issues in Psycho-oncology

(1993). Psychoneuroimmunological Issues in Psycho-oncology. Cancer Investigation: Vol. 11, No. 4, pp. 440-450.