cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Computationally modeling interpersonal trust.

We present a computational model capable of predicting—above human accuracy—the degree of trust a person has toward their novel partner by observing the trust-related nonverbal cues expressed in their social interaction. We summarize our prior work, in which we identify nonverbal cues that signal untrustworthy behavior and also demonstrate the human mind’s readiness to interpret those cues to assess the trustworthiness of a social robot. We demonstrate that domain knowledge gained from our prior work using human-subjects experiments, when incorporated into the feature engineering process, permits a computational model to outperform both human predictions and a baseline model built in naivete' of this domain knowledge. We then present the construction of hidden Markov models to incorporate temporal relationships among the trust-related nonverbal cues. By interpreting the resulting learned structure, we observe that models built to emulate different levels of trust exhibit different sequences of nonverbal cues. From this observation, we derived sequence-based temporal features that further improve the accuracy of our computational model. Our multi-step research process presented in this paper combines the strength of experimental manipulation and machine learning to not only design a computational trust model but also to further our understanding of the dynamics of interpersonal trust.
Gnotobiotic IL-10−/−;NF-κBEGFP Mice Reveal the Critical Role of TLR/NF-κB Signaling in Commensal Bacteria-Induced Colitis

Commensal bacteria and TLR signaling have been associated with the maintenance of intestinal homeostasis in dextran sodium sulfate-induced intestinal injury. The aim of this study was to determine the in vivo role of TLR/NF-κB activation in a model of commensal bacteria-induced T cell-mediated colitis. A NF-κB reporter gene mouse (NF-κBEGFP) (EGFP, enhanced GFP) was crossed to the colitogenic susceptible strain IL-10−/− and derived into germfree conditions using embryo-transfer technology. Germfree IL-10wt/wt;NF-κBEGFP and IL-10−/−;NF-κBEGFP mice (wt, wild type) were dual associated with the nonpathogenic commensal bacteria strains Enterococcus faecalis and Escherichia coli . EGFP was detected using macroimaging, confocal microscopy, and flow cytometry. IL-10−/−;MyD88−/− mice were used to assess E. faecalis/E. coli -induced TLR-dependent signaling and IL-23 gene expression. Dual-associated IL-10−/−;NF-κBEGFP mice developed severe inflammation by 7 wk. Macroscopic analysis showed elevated EGFP expression throughout the colon of bacteria-associated IL-10−/−;NF-κBEGFP mice. Confocal microscopy analysis revealed EGFP-positive enterocytes during the early phase of bacterial colonization (1 wk) in both IL-10wt/wt and IL-10−/− mice, while the signal shifted toward lamina propria T cells, dendritic cells, neutrophils, and macrophages in IL-10−/− mice during colitis (7 wk). The NF-κB inhibitor BAY 11-7085 attenuated E. faecalis / E. coli -induced EGFP expression and development of colitis. Additionally, E. faecalis / E. coli -induced NF-κB signaling and IL-23 gene expression were blocked in bone marrow-derived dendritic cells derived from IL-10−/−;MyD88−/− mice. We conclude that bacteria-induced experimental colitis involves the activation of TLR-induced NF-κB signaling derived mostly from mucosal immune cells. Blocking TLR-induced NF-κB activity may represent an attractive strategy to treat immune-mediated intestinal inflammation.
Characterization of the Effects of an rpoC Mutation That Confers Resistance to the Fst Peptide Toxin-Antitoxin System Toxin

Overexpression of the Fst toxin in Enterococcus faecalis strain OG1X leads to defects in chromosome segregation, cell division and, eventually, membrane integrity. The M7 mutant derivative of OG1X is resistant to most of these effects but shows a slight growth defect in the absence of Fst. Full-genome sequencing revealed two differences between M7 and its OG1X parent. First, OG1X contains a frameshift mutation that inactivates the etaR response regulator gene, while M7 is a wild-type revertant for etaR. Second, the M7 mutant contains a missense mutation in the rpoC gene, which encodes the β′ subunit of RNA polymerase. Mutagenesis experiments revealed that the rpoC mutation was primarily responsible for the resistance phenotype. Microarray analysis revealed that a number of transporters were induced in OG1X when Fst was overexpressed. These transporters were not induced in M7 in response to Fst, and further experiments indicated that this had a direct protective effect on the mutant cells. Therefore, exposure of cells to Fst appears to have a cascading effect, first causing membrane stress and then potentiation of these effects by overexpression of certain transporters.
A Goldfish Notch-3 Homologue Is Expressed in Neurogenic Regions of Embryonic, Adult, and Regenerating Brain and Retina

Members of the Notch gene family are thought to be involved in the regulation of cell fate decisions in a variety of embryonic tissues, particularly in the developing central nervous system (CNS) in Drosophila and vertebrates. In goldfish the CNS continues to develop and add neurons well into adulthood and has the capacity to regenerate new neurons. Using probes derived from Xenopus Notch to screen an adult goldfish retinal cDNA library, followed by 5' RACE, we isolated a partial cDNA for a goldfish Notch homologue, G-Notch. Sequence alignment supported assignment of G-Notch to the Notch-3 class. Northern blot analysis revealed a single transcript of > 8 kb, and RNase protection assays indicated that G-Notch is expressed in eye and brain but not muscle of adult goldfish. The spatiotemporal pattern of expression of G-Notch was defined from early embryonic stages to adulthood by in situ hybridization. Expression in the embryonic CNS was localized to neurogenic regions and was downregulated in differentiated cell populations. In adult goldfish, expression persisted in and adjacent to the germinal zones in the retina and the brain. Weak expression was seen in scattered cells in the inner nuclear layer of the retina, which might include neurogenic stem cells. Following retinal lesions (puncture wounds or laser lesions restricted to photoreceptors in the outer nuclear layer), G-Notch was upregulated in proliferating cell populations throughout the retina, in association with a generalized mitogenic response. In the region of the laser lesion, where earlier studies have demonstrated that photoreceptors are regenerating at 1-3 weeks following the lesion, G-Notch expressing cells were abundant in the outer nuclear layer. These observations suggest that retinal regeneration involves the re-expression of an important developmental signaling molecule in neuroepithelial cells resident in the differentiated retina.
Fluctuation Smoothing Production Control at IBM's 200mm Wafer Fabricator: Extensions, Application and the Multi-Flow Production Index (MFPx)

To increase the flexibility of existing production control algorithms and reduce the variation and mean of fabricator cycle times, a fluctuation smoothing for the variation of cycle time (FSVCT) policy was implemented at IBM's 200mm semiconductor wafer fabrication facility. Extensions allowing for products with different cycle times and enabling the change of cycle time targets during production were developed. The policy was named the multi-flow production index (MFPx), reflective of its capabilities. Increased production agility and a controlled variation of cycle time resulted from the implementation
Reducing leakage power in peripheral circuits of L2 caches

Leakage power has grown significantly and is a major challenge in microprocessor design. Leakage is the dominant power component in second-level (L2) caches. This paper presents two architectural techniques to utilize leakage reduction circuits in L2 caches. They primarily target the leakage in the peripheral circuitry of an L2 cache and as such have to be able to cope with longer delays. One technique exploits the fact that processor activity decreases significantly after an L2 cache miss occurs and saves power during L2 miss service time. Two algorithms, a static one and an adaptive one, are proposed for deciding when to apply this leakage reduction technique. Another technique attempts to keep the peripheral circuits in a lower-power state most of the time. The results for SPEC2K benchmarks show that the first technique can achieve a 18 to 22% reduction in L2 power consumption, on average (and up to 63%), depending on the decision algorithm. The second technique can save 25%, on average (and up to 80%). This comes with a negligible 1 to 2% performance impact, on average, depending on the technique used.
Women’s Exclusion in Farmer Management of Irrigation Systems in Tamil Nadu A Case Study

The Tamil Nadu Farmer Management of Irrigation Systems (TNFMIS) Act (2000) has legalised the participation of registered landowners (men and women) in the management of major and medium irrigation systems in the state. This article analyses the nature and extent of women’s exclusion in the management of a medium irrigation system in this state. The evidence indicates that gender discrimination underlies both land ownership and election strategies to exclude women from participation.
Reversible Halide‐Modulated Nickel–Nickel Bond Cleavage: Metal–Metal Bonds as Design Elements for Molecular Devices

The dinickel chloride affair: In dinuclear nickel(I) complexes supported by a tris(phosphinoaryl)benzene and stabilized by metal–arene interactions, chloride addition causes reversible Ni-Ni bond cleavage that induces 180° rotation around an aryl–aryl bond (see scheme). A dinickel–chloride moiety was found to rotate around the bridging arene by a mechanism involving breaking and forming Ni-P bonds.
Role of Pyk2 in cardiac arrhythmogenesis.

Proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (Pyk2) is a nonreceptor protein kinase regulated by intracellular Ca2+, CaMK, and PKC and can be activated by different stress signals involved in heart failure. Howe...
Mycoplasma-Associated Immunosuppression: Effect on Hemagglutinin Response to Common Antigens in Rabbits

A Mycoplasma-associated immunosuppression of the primary and secondary hemagglutinin response to a common gram-negative antigen of Escherichia coli (014) was demonstrated in the rabbit when preincubated mixtures of common gram-negative antigen and Mycoplasma arthritidis membranes were injected intravenously. A similar immunosuppression was demonstrated only for the secondary hemagglutinin response to a common gram-positive antigen of Staphylococcus aureus when preincubated mixtures of common gram-positive antigen and M. arthritidis membranes were employed as immunizing materials. The immunosuppressive effect occurred with small quantities of M. arthritidis membranes and appeared not to be limited to the host in which arthritogenic properties of the organism were manifested.
Binswanger's Disease: A Complete Translation

This article constitutes a complete translation for the first time of Binswanger's description of the disease given his name, including the gross anatomy, clinical features, the 5-year course of one case, and the differential diagnosis.
Transport and Localization of the DEG/ENaC Ion Channel BNaC1α to Peripheral Mechanosensory Terminals of Dorsal Root Ganglia Neurons

Mammalian brain sodium channel (BNaC, also known as BNC/ASIC) proteins form acid-sensitive and amiloride-blockable sodium channels that are related to putative mechanosensory channels. Certain BNaC isoforms are expressed exclusively in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and have been proposed to form the ion channels mediating tissue acidosis-induced pain. With antibody labeling, we find that the BNaC1α isoform is expressed by most large DRG neurons (low-threshold mechanosensors not involved in acid-induced nociception) and few small nociceptor neurons (which include high-threshold mechanoreceptors). BNaC1α is transported from DRG cell bodies to sensory terminals in the periphery, but not to the spinal cord, and is located specifically at specialized cutaneous mechanosensory terminals, including Meissner, Merkel, penicillate, reticular, lanceolate, and hair follicle palisades as well as some intraepidermal and free myelinated nerve endings. Accordingly, BNaC1α channels might participate in the transduction of touch and painful mechanical stimuli.
Industrial structure and economic stability

Motivated by prior results predicting contrasting linkages between industrial structure and economic stability, we present exploratory empirical evidence on this important issue. Consistent with the turnover hypothesis, we find that employment grew more steadily where business establishments in all sectors were larger, suggesting an offsetting benefit to the first-moment costs of establishment size identified by previous research. Consistent with the job-matching hypothesis, we find that employment grew more steadily where more establishments per capita operated in all sectors. Similar but less consistent results were also found regarding the stability of income growth.
A Technique for Teaching Website Effectiveness in Undergraduate I.S. Classes

Website design practitioners and researchers have proposed criteria for effective website design based on experience and common sense, intuition, rules-of-thumb, and empirical studies of website usability. Typically, published checklists for evaluating websites emphasize design features such as information layout, navigability, and the technical performance of the website. University undergraduate students often first learn seriously about website design in introductory information systems courses. This paper describes a teaching pedagogy to help students learn how to evaluate commercial and organizational websites. The pedagogy emphasizes students developing their own criteria of website effectiveness and information quality, designing their own checklist incorporating those criteria, and then utilizing their checklist to rate websites in several e-commerce domains. The pedagogy emphasizes a mix of theoretical, practical, exercising, and real-world learning approaches.
Progesterone with Vitamin D Affords Better Neuroprotection against Excitotoxicity in Cultured Cortical Neurons than Progesterone Alone

Because the complex heterogeneity of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is believed by many to be a major reason for the failed clinical trials of monotherapies, combining two (or more) drugs with some potentially different mechanisms of action may produce better effects than administering those agents individually. In this study, we investigated whether combinatorial treatment with progesterone (PROG) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) hormone (VDH) would produce better neuroprotection than PROG alone following excitotoxic neuronal injury in vitro. E18 rat primary cortical neurons were pretreated with various concentrations of PROG and VDH separately or in combination for 24 h and then exposed to glutamate (0.5 micromol/L) for the next 24 h. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction assays were used to measure cell death. Both PROG and VDH significantly (P < 0.001) reduced neuronal loss when tested independently. Primary cortical cultures treated with VDH exhibited a U-shaped concentration-response curve. PROG at 20 micromol/L and VDH at 100 nmol/L concentrations were the most neuroprotective. When the drugs were combined, the "best" doses of PROG (20 micromol/L) and VDH (100 nmol/L), used individually, did not show substantial efficacy; rather, the lower dose of VDH (20 nmol/L) was most effective when used in combination with PROG (P < 0.01). We also examined the effect of combinatorial treatment on mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation as a potential neuroprotective mechanism and observed that PROG and VDH activated MAPK alone and in combination. Interestingly, the best combination dose of PROG and VDH (20 micromol/L and 20 nmol/L, respectively), as observed in cell death assays (LDH and MTT), resulted in increased MAPK activation compared with either the most neuroprotective concentration of individual PROG (20 micromol/L) and VDH (100 nmol/L) or the combination of these individual best doses. Such interactions must be considered in planning individualized combinatorial therapies. In conclusion, the findings of the present study can be taken to suggest that VDH warrants study as a potential partner for combination therapy with PROG.
Inhibition of endocrine IGF-1 signaling in normal murine tissues and human tumor xenografts with AMG 479, a fully human anti IGF-1R monoclonal antibody

A67 AMG 479 is a fully human monoclonal antibody against human IGF-1 receptor currently undergoing phase I clinical testing. We show here that AMG 479 also binds murine IGF-1 receptor with subnanomolar affinity, blocks IGF-1 and IGF-2 binding and inhibits IGF induced DNA synthesis and receptor phosphorylation. We have used AMG 479 to examine the effect of IGF-1R blockade on normal mouse tissues. Pharmacological intervention with AMG 479 in athymic nude mice (7-week old) resulted in physiological changes resembling those described following IGF-1 and IGF-1R targeted gene deletion. Treatment with AMG 479 (300 μg/dose, 2x/week, 4 weeks) produced significant increases in serum IGF-1, IGFBP-3 and growth hormone levels. Mice treated with this dose and schedule exhibited weight gain inhibition and reduced glucose tolerance. No binding to the mouse insulin receptor or changes in resting glucose levels were observed. AMG 479 was also shown to bind neutrophils in murine peripheral blood. Interestingly, AMG 479 administration was associated with a reversible, dose-dependent decrease (50%) in absolute neutrophil numbers. AMG 479 exhibited significant antitumor effects against human pancreatic carcinoma xenografts (BxPC-3) in a dose dependent manner. Efficacy against BxPC-3 xenografts was not affected by the elevation of circulating serum IGF-1 in response to treatment since antibody alone was as effective as the combination with somatostatin in arresting BxPC-3 tumor growth. These findings establish AMG 479 as a potent antagonist of IGF-1R function with potential clinical applications in the treatment of human cancers and overgrowth disorders.
Monte Carlo simulation of the effect of miniphantom on in-air output ratio

Purpose: The aim of the study was to quantify the effect of miniphantoms on in-air output ratio measurements, i.e., to determine correction factors for in-air output ratio. Methods: Monte Carlo (MC) simulations were performed to simulate in-air output ratio measurements by using miniphantoms made of various materials (PMMA, graphite, copper, brass, and lead) and with different longitudinal thicknesses or depths (2-30 g/cm{sup 2}) in photon beams of 6 and 15 MV, respectively, and with collimator settings ranging from 3x3 to 40x40 cm{sup 2}. EGSnrc and BEAMnrc (2007) software packages were used. Photon energy spectra corresponding to the collimator settings were obtained from BEAMnrc code simulations on a linear accelerator and were used to quantify the components of in-air output ratio correction factors, i.e., attenuation, mass energy absorption, and phantom scatter correction factors. In-air output ratio correction factors as functions of miniphantom material, miniphantom longitudinal thickness, and collimator setting were calculated and compared to a previous experimental study. Results: The in-air output ratio correction factors increase with collimator opening and miniphantom longitudinal thickness for all the materials and for both energies. At small longitudinal thicknesses, the in-air output ratio correction factors for PMMA and graphite are close to 1. The maximummore » magnitudes of the in-air output ratio correction factors occur at the largest collimator setting (40x40 cm{sup 2}) and the largest miniphantom longitudinal thickness (30 g/cm{sup 2}): 1.008{+-}0.001 for 6 MV and 1.012{+-}0.001 for 15 MV, respectively. The MC simulations of the in-air output ratio correction factor confirm the previous experimental study. Conclusions: The study has verified that a correction factor for in-air output ratio can be obtained as a product of attenuation correction factor, mass energy absorption correction factor, and phantom scatter correction factor. The correction factors obtained in the present study can be used in studies involving in-air output ratio measurements using miniphantoms.« less
What Is Being Iterated? Reflections on Iteration in Information System Engineering Processes

Iteration is a fundamental principle of information system engineering, yet the concept remains under-theorized in the literature. In this chapter we articulate a lens for studying iteration through four types of iterating artifacts: concepts, representations, instantiations, and methodologies, and we apply this lens to a variety of prescriptive approaches to system development. Our review of these approaches suggests that iteration across one artifact or set of artifacts may substitute for iterations across another. We conclude with a reflection on how it is not the presence of iteration that distinguishes between methodologies, as iteration can be assumed in all system development efforts. Rather, the attitude toward iteration that various methodologies imply, and the audience of iterations across specific artifacts that the various approaches prescribe do more to differentiate between methodologies.
Mating Studies of the Pink Bollworm

Mating studies of pink bollworm Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders), were conducted in the laboratory under continuous light. Of 94, pairs caged individually, 74.5% mated. Observations showed that 71.0, 20.0, 7.1, and 1.4% mated 1,2,3, and 7 times, respectively. The mean duration of copulation was 2 hours 54 min with a range from 3 min to 26 hours 50 min. Of the total matings, 41% had occurred by the time moths were 6 days old, and the last mating occurred when moths were 16 days old. The aggregate mating that occurred at 6-hour intervals during a given day, under conditions of continuous light, was as follows: From midnight to 6 AM, 60%; 6 AM to noon, 26%; noon to 6 PM, 3%; and 6 PM to midnight. 11%. Frequency of mating of field-collected females was similar to that observed in the laboratory.
Computation of Equivalent Disturbing Current in UHVDC Power Transmission Lines and Analysis on Its Influencing Factors

Equivalent disturbing current is used as the standard of restricting harmonic current level at DC side in HVDC project.To compute accurate equivalent disturbing current,using 3-pulse model the UHVDC power transmission project was modeled and equivalent disturbing currents under different parameters of DC filtering system were calculated,thus following rules of equivalent disturbing current varying with parameters of component parameters were attained: the equivalent disturbing current decreases with the increase of inductance value of smoothing reactor;it decreases with the increase of neutral-line-to ground capacitance;it decreases with the increase of capacity of HV capacitor of DC filter,and corresponding varying curves were obtained.Besides,the parameters of the filtering system,by which the equivalent disturbing current could meet the requirement of the allowable value,were proposed.
Noncirrhotic portal hypertension: Differing patterns of disease in children and adults

Of 440 patients who underwent operative portal decompression to control variceal hemorrhage, 25 (6%) had histologically verified noncirrhotic portal hypertension (NCPH). A review of these patients identified two distinct patterns of disease. Fourteen children with an average age of 8.5 years were treated with no deaths at operation. Occlusion of the portal vein (PV) was demonstrated preoperatively or intraoperatively in 10 children (71%). Follow-up for 12 to 207 months showed that no children died of a liver-related illness and only one child (7%) developed portal-systemic encephalopathy (PSE). In contrast, 11 adults with an average age of 56 years were treated with an operative mortality rate of 18%. Occlusion of the PV was demonstrated angiographically in four adults (35%). Of nine surviving adults who were followed for 12 to 164 months, five adults (56%) manifested PSE. Intraoperative liver biopsy specimens were analyzed by light microscopy in all cases. With the possible exception of sinusoidal fibrosis and dilatation of intrahepatic portal venous radicles, no histologic discriminators of adult forms versus childhood forms were identified regardless of the status of the PV. We conclude that age stratification in patients with NCPH may provide important prognostic data regarding survival rates and the incidence of PSE after portal-systemic shunting.
Weed control with starch-encapsulated alachlor, metolachlor, and atrazine

Field research was conducted at Rosemount, MN in 1990 and 1991 to determine the effect of starch encapsulation on weed control in corn with alachlor, metolachlor, and atrazine under two weed densities. At low weed densities (122 total plants/m2), giant foxtail and Pennsylvania smartweed control were not different with full rates of herbicide applied in starch encapsulated or commercial formulations. Velvetleaf control was less with starch-encapsulated than commercial formulations regardless of velvetleaf density. At high giant foxtail densities (740 plants/m2), control was not affected by formulation with full rates of alachlor plus atrazine. However, giant foxtail control was less with starch-encapsulated formulations than commercial formulations with 75% rates of alachlor plus atrazine and both 75 and 100% rates of metolachlor plus atrazine. At low weed densities, corn yield was not different with any treatment, except starch-encapsulated metolachlor plus atrazine at 75% rates, compared to the weed-free control. Alachlor plus atrazine at full rates was the only starch-encapsulated treatment to result in corn yield not different from the weed-free control at high weed densities. Conversely, all commercial formulation treatments resulted in corn yields not different from the weed-free control at high weed densities.
Liver Cancer Necessitating Ex Vivo Resection and Reconstruction

With primary and metastatic cancers to the liver, the optimal therapy remains curative surgical resection. Various non-anatomical and anatomical liver resections are common practice, but when tumors are in difficult locations, surgeons may require the use of vascular resection with portal venous or arterial reconstruction to obtain negative resection margins. In situations where tumors involve the inferior vena cava (IVC) or hepatic veins, other techniques may be employed for resection that was developed from liver transplant techniques. Ex vivo resection remains the most dramatic of these complex resection techniques and is used for the most difficult tumors to resect, including malignant disease such as hepatocellular carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma, colorectal metastasis, benign obstructive disease, or echinococcal cysts. Ex vivo resection carries a 10–15% mortality, with a high chance of surgical complications and postoperative liver failure, but offers a potential for cure in otherwise unresectable patients. This chapter outlines the technique of ex vivo resection and highlights two cases where it was used.
Design, control, and testing of a thumb exoskeleton with series elastic actuation:

We present an exoskeleton capable of assisting the human thumb through a large range of motion. Our novel thumb exoskeleton has the following unique features: (i) an underlying kinematic mechanism ...
Legal Issues: The Internet of Drones

Under circumstances that seem reminiscent of the rise of the Internet as a mainstream platform 20 years ago, the rise of recreational and commercial drone use is creating a confused and possibly dangerous tangle of competing interests that the law is having a difficult time keeping up with. The FAA has reported over 600 illegal drone sightings through mid-August of 2015 compared with less than 240 through all of 2014. Pilots of commercial airliners at Newark, Minneapolis, Austin, Tex, and Raleigh-Durham airports have reported sightings and near collisions at altitudes as high as 12,000'. Drones have also been reported to have interfered with firefighting aircraft attacking this summer’s wildfires in California. WiFi and cellular enabled drones (that can be controlled from mobile devices) have been hacked and made to crash. Drone-based photography has raised privacy concerns with reports of drones being attacked or even shot down by property owners and persons being photographed. And questions about the limits of drone use by law enforcement agencies are being raised.
Understanding the complete pathophysiology of chronic mild to moderate neck pain: Implications for the inclusion of a comprehensive sensorimotor evaluation

Background Inconsistencies in the literature concerning the effect of neck pain have led to a lack of understanding concerning the complete pathophysiology of neck pain. While the effect of neck pain on motor function as measured by active range of motion and isometric neck strength is well documented the effect of neck pain on sensory measures such as tactical acuity and neck reposition error (NRE) remain poorly understood. Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate a combined sensorimotor evaluation to explore the potential benefits of incorporating both sensory and motor task into a physical evaluation of neck pain suffers to gain an added knowledge of the complete pathophysiology of their health status. Methods A cross-sectional study that measured neck joint reposition error, tactical acuity, neck isometric strength and range of motion in 40 volunteer participants (22 pain, 18 control). Results A statistically significant increase in NRE in flexion (2.75∘± 1.52∘ vs. 4.53∘± 1.74∘ and in extension (3.78∘± 1.95∘ vs 5.77∘± 2.73∘ in participants suffering from neck pain was observed. Additionally, the dermatome C5 was found to be the most affected. No differences were found in neck strength or neck range of motion between healthy controls and patients with chronic moderate neck pain.
Scalp and Forehead Defects in the Post-Mohs Surgery Patient

Scalp and forehead reconstruction after Mohs micrographic surgery can encompass subcentimeter defects to entire scalp reconstruction. Knowledge of anatomy, flap design, and execution will prepare surgeons who operate in the head and neck area to confidently approach a variety of reconstructive challenges in this area.
Functional Outcomes of Thumb Trapeziometacarpal Arthrodesis With a Locked Plate Versus Ligament Reconstruction and Tendon Interposition.

Purpose To compare standardized functional and patient-reported early outcomes following trapeziometacarpal arthrodesis (TMA) using a locking cage plate construct with trapezial excision, ligament reconstruction, and tendon interposition (LRTI). Methods This prospective cohort enrolled 50 consecutive patients with trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis undergoing TMA or LRTI. Demographic data, objective measurements, Sollerman function testing, and patient-reported outcomes were collected before surgery and at various time intervals up to 12 months after surgery. The study was powered to detect a minimally clinically important difference on the Michigan Hand Questionnaire between groups at 12 months. To account for selection bias, we performed between-group statistical analysis of the magnitude of change from preoperative to postoperative data. All complications were recorded. Results There were no significant differences in the amount of change in grip or pinch strength, patient-reported outcomes, or functional hand testing between TMA and LRTI. The TMA group had significantly increased thumb tip opposition distance. The TMA group was complicated by a 26% overall nonunion rate of which 8% were symptomatic. The LRTI group (Wagner incision) had a significantly increased incidence of superficial branch of the radial nerve paresthesia. The incidence of complications was similar between operative groups, but revision surgery was more common after TMA. Conclusions Compared with LRTI, TMA failed to demonstrate superior improvement in strength, standardized functional performance, or patient-reported function and is associated with an increased likelihood of revision surgery in the first 12 months. Trapeziometacarpal arthrodesis with a locking plate and screw construct does not ensure union, although most radiographic nonunions were asymptomatic. Wagner incisions are associated with a significantly increased incidence of superficial branch of the radial nerve paresthesia compared with dorsal trapeziometacarpal exposure. Type of study/level of evidence Therapeutic II.
Emergent Initiatives and Organizational Adaptation: Evidence from New Services at a Product Firm

How does the firm adapt – via proactive shaping or reactive responding – in a fast-changing environment? The extant literature suggests that the firm requires dynamic capabilities to enable it to s...
The association between regular marijuana use and adult mental health outcomes.

Abstract Objective The present study is a prospective examination of the relationship between regular marijuana use from adolescence through young adulthood and mental health outcomes at age 33. Methods Data came from a gender-balanced, ethnically diverse longitudinal panel of 808 participants from Seattle, Washington. Outcomes included symptom counts for six mental health disorders. Regular marijuana use was tracked during adolescence and young adulthood. Regression analyses controlled for demographics and early environment, behaviors, and individual risk factors. Results Nonusers of marijuana reported fewer symptoms of alcohol use disorder, nicotine dependence, and generalized anxiety disorder than any category of marijuana users. More persistent regular marijuana use in young adulthood was positively related to more symptoms of cannabis use disorder, alcohol use disorder, and nicotine dependence at age 33. Conclusions Findings highlight the importance of avoiding regular marijuana use, especially chronic use in young adulthood. Comprehensive prevention and intervention efforts focusing on marijuana and other substance use might be particularly important in the context of recent legalization of recreational marijuana use in Washington and other U.S. states.
33. The PlanetLab Platform

PlanetLab is an extensively used, global, community-maintained platform for researchers to develop, deploy, and evaluate widely-distributed applications such as Peer-to-Peer systems. Because of PlanetLab’s shared nature, and its unusual design goal of continuous replacement of components by the research community, it can also be viewed somewhat as a Peer-to-Peer system (and an ongoing research project) itself. This chapter describes PlanetLab’s goals and origins, and discusses in detail the design principles that have governed its development and growth so far. It also discusses some of the methodological issues in performing research using a platform like PlanetLab - what can be learned from experimentation on PlanetLab, and what research claims can be validated by the system.
Uranium-zinc system

The phase fields existing in the U-Zn system at 1 and at 5 atm pressure have been determined from X-ray, metallographic, thermal, and vapor pressure data. Only one compound, UZn9, is formed in this system. At 910°C and 1 atm pressure this compound exists in equilibrium with zinc vapor and zinc-rich liquid containing approximately 14.6 wt pct U. The solubility of uranium in zinc decreases to 0.45 wt pct U at 600°C and to 0.025 wt pct at 419°C. The compound forms a eutectic with uranium which contains 42.0±0.5 wt pct U and melts at 944±±5°C. The solid solubility of zinc in uranium is very low and was beyond detection by the experimental methods employed. At 5 atm pressure a liquid immiscibility gap at 1050°C extends from 47 to about 93 wt pct U.
Assessing influences on social vulnerability to wildfire using surveys, spatial data and wildfire simulations

A growing body of research focuses on identifying patterns among human populations most at risk from hazards such as wildfire and the factors that help explain performance of mitigations that can help reduce that risk. Emerging policy surrounding wildfire management emphasizes the need to better understand such social vulnerability-or human populations' potential exposure to and sensitivity from wildfire-related impacts, including their ability to reduce negative impacts from the hazard. Studies of social vulnerability to wildfire often pair secondary demographic data with a variety of vegetation and wildfire simulation models to map potential risk. However, many of the assumptions made by those researchers about the demographic, spatial or perceptual factors that influence social vulnerability to wildfire have not been fully evaluated or tested against objective measures of potential wildfire risk. The research presented here utilizes self-reported surveys, GIS data, and wildfire simulations to test the relationships between select perceptual, demographic, and property characteristics of property owners against empirically simulated metrics for potential wildfire related damages or exposure. We also evaluate how those characteristics relate to property owners' performance of mitigations or support for fire management. Our results suggest that parcel characteristics provide the most significant explanation of variability in wildfire exposure, sensitivity and overall wildfire risk, while the positive relationship between income or property values and components of social vulnerability stands in contrast to typical assumptions from existing literature. Respondents' views about agency or government management helped explain a significant amount of variance in wildfire sensitivity, while the importance of wildfire risk in selecting a residence was an important influence on mitigation action. We use these and other results from our effort to discuss updated considerations for determining social vulnerability to wildfire and articulate alternative means to collect such information.
A validated assay for gamma-H2AX as a pharmacodynamic biomarker of response to DNA damage

4027 Phosphorylated histone H2AX (also called gamma-H2AX) occurs in response to DNA double-strand breaks induced by a variety of genotoxic treatments. The number of resulting microscopic gamma-H2AX foci detected by immunofluorescence has been correlated directly with DNA damage severity and genomic repair. Our primary goal has been to develop and validate gamma-H2AX immunocytochemical assays to monitor response to DNA damage in human blood and tumor biopsies during Phase-0 clinical trials (eIND) conducted at the National Cancer Institute. Breast carcinoma (MCF-7), prostatic carcinoma (PC-3), melanoma (A375 and Colo 829) and monocytic leukemia (THP-1) cell lines were chosen for assay development, test optimization and biomarker quantitation. Slides from PBMC cytospins, cell culture coverslips and tumor touch preps were prepared and processed for the gamma-H2AX focus formation assay. Various doses of ionizing radiation, DNA topoisomerase I (Topo 1) inhibitors including camptothecin and indenoisoquinoline derivatives, as well as combinations of these agents with polyADP-ribose (PAR) polymerase inhibitors were tested in several cancer cell lines by quantifying gamma-H2AX foci. We developed positive and negative controls for the assay as well as quantitative panels for analysis of gamma-H2AX staining. We evaluated other biomarkers of DNA damage including p53BP1, Chk2 and ATM. Multiplexed fluorescent immunoassays for gamma-H2AX and p53BP1 were analyzed after ionizing radiation, treatment with Topo 1 or PARP inhibitors and combinations of these therapies. We found that gamma-H2AX foci were quantitative to DNA damage dosing and detected earlier than other biomarkers. Touch preps of Topotecan-treated nu/nu mouse/Colo 829 xenografts established that H2AX phosphorylation was upregulated within 2 hours of treatments. Assay performance in PBMCs of human bloods and needle biopsies of xenografts supports gamma-H2AX as a robust pharmacodynamic biomarker with substantial potential for clinical monitoring of DNA damage in PBMC and tumor specimens from early clinical trial patients. Funded by NCI Contract N01-CO-12400.
Selective mTORC2 Inhibitor Therapeutically Blocks Breast Cancer Cell Growth and Survival.

Small molecule inhibitors of the mTORC2 kinase (torkinibs) have shown efficacy in early clinical trials. However, the torkinibs under study also inhibit the other mTOR-containing complex mTORC1. While mTORC1/mTORC2 combined inhibition may be beneficial in cancer cells, recent reports describe compensatory cell survival upon mTORC1 inhibition due to loss of negative feedback on PI3K, increased autophagy, and increased macropinocytosis. Genetic models suggest that selective mTORC2 inhibition would be effective in breast cancers, but the lack of selective small molecule inhibitors of mTORC2 have precluded testing of this hypothesis to date. Here we report the engineering of a nanoparticle-based RNAi therapeutic that can effectively silence the mTORC2 obligate cofactor Rictor. Nanoparticle-based Rictor ablation in HER2-amplified breast tumors was achieved following intra-tumoral and intra-venous delivery, decreasing Akt phosphorylation and increasing tumor cell killing. Selective mTORC2 inhibition in vivo, combined with the HER2 inhibitor lapatinib, decreased the growth of HER2-amplified breast cancers to a greater extent than either agent alone, suggesting that mTORC2 promotes lapatinib resistance but is overcome by mTORC2 inhibition. Importantly, selective mTORC2 inhibition was effective in a TNBC model, decreasing Akt phosphorylation and tumor growth, consistent with our findings that RICTOR mRNA correlates with worse outcome in patients with basal-like TNBC. Together, our results offer preclinical validation of a novel RNAi delivery platform for therapeutic gene ablation in breast cancer, and they show that mTORC2-selective targeting is feasible and efficacious in this disease setting.
Multiple Sclerosis and Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis: Immunology

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common neurological disease among young adults that typically presents with relapsing, remitting neurological symptoms. Historically it has been described as a demyelinating disease; however, research has shown that axonal degeneration, in addition to diffuse inflammation in normal-appearing white matter, contribute significantly to its pathology. This article will address MS genetics and immunology, differences between white and gray matter pathology, and the role of advanced imaging techniques. The clinical and pathological hallmarks of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis are also reviewed.
Numerical solutions to a two-dimensional Riemann problem for gas dynamics equations

We consider a Riemann problem for gas dynamics equations in two space dimensions, following the approach by Canic, Keyfitz, Kim and Lieberman for studying shock reflection phenomena. The initial data consists of two sectors and each discontinuity results in a shock followed by a linear wave in the far field. We derive regimes, depending on the initial data, for which regular reflection occurs and we pose local free boundary problems describing the subsonic solution and the position of the reflected shock. Using the CLAWPACK software we compute numerical solutions modeling strong and weak regular reflection, and we confirm preliminary conjectures on the structure of the solutions to the above free boundary problems.
Line mixing in the nu2 band of CO2.

A theoretical description of line mixing in the Q branch of an infrared rotation–vibration band is obtained in the weak coupling approximation. The description is applied to the case of the ν2 band of CO2 near 667 cm−1. Theoretical absorption profiles are given for selected spectral regions corresponding to representative values of the pressure. A comparison is made between the weak coupling results and the results of a forthcoming dynamical calculation of the absorption band shape.
Instagram As a Search Engine: Can Browsers Convert to Shoppers?

The progressive popularity of visual-focused social media such as YouTube and Instagram has developed consumers' use of these channels as information search engines, while common outlets such as AOL, Bing, and Yahoo! become a less attractive approach. This study aims to identify indicators of Instagram's content quality and system quality to develop a research model that depicts consumers' experience of social media as a search engine. We adopt the theory of flow as a theoretical framework, and investigate how consumers' flow experience in information search on Instagram converts browsers into shoppers with intention to purchase. By conducting an online survey, the results of analyzing 200 responses supported that visual aesthetics, textual information, and interactivity influenced flow experience. Thus, findings from this study demonstrated the effectiveness of social media, in particular Instagram, as a search engine, and the importance of flow experience in consumers' conversion into potential shoppers. Theoretical and managerial implications are discussed.
Consent, Representation, and Liberty: America as the Last Medieval Society

This chapter develops in detail the argument that American collonial society possessed two features that sit uncomfortably within the analytical frameworks of modernization: advanced, individualistic, entrepreneurial spirit and old, medieval forms of political representation and decision-making. These two elements combine into a “localist-libertarian” framework that challenges the prevailing ideas of modernization as a uniform development from tribalism, localism, and primitive economy to centralized administrative rule and open, free market economy. The evidence from early America shows a dramatic disjunction between these two aspects of modernization: whereas cultural and economic progress is clear and convincing, political “development” conspicuously lags behind: enterprising, self-confident, individualistic Americans even relapse back into the medieval forms of politics, including predominance of localism, mandatory instructions, frequent elections, bottom-up federalism, and so on. In colonial and early modern America, we can safely assert that modern society exists and flourishes, but not the modern state.
An Optimal Estimation Retrieval Algorithm for Microwave Humidity Sounding Channels with Minimal Scan Position Bias

AbstractA flexible and physical optimal estimation-based inversion algorithm for retrieving atmospheric water vapor and cloud liquid water path from passive microwave radiometers over the global oc...