cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Wet oxidation of model carbohydrate compounds

Abstract The major product formed by wet oxidation of a series of model compounds: d -xylose, d -glucose, d -glucitol, cellulose, and dextran, was formic acid. Its yield varied according to the structure of the carbohydrate, oxygen pressure, temperature, and the presence or absence of ferric sulfate. Acetic acid was also formed; its yield was much less dependent on the structure of the carbohydrate. Other products formed include methanol, acetaldehyde, acetone, and a series of hydroxylated acids.
Ontology-based subgraph querying

Subgraph querying has been applied in a variety of emerging applications. Traditional subgraph querying based on subgraph isomorphism requires identical label matching, which is often too restrictive to capture the matches that are semantically close to the query graphs. This paper extends subgraph querying to identify semantically related matches by leveraging ontology information. (1) We introduce the ontology-based subgraph querying, which revises subgraph isomorphism by mapping a query to semantically related subgraphs in terms of a given ontology graph. We introduce a metric to measure the similarity of the matches. Based on the metric, we introduce an optimization problem to find top K best matches. (2) We provide a filtering-and-verification framework to identify (top-K) matches for ontology-based subgraph queries. The framework efficiently extracts a small subgraph of the data graph from an ontology index, and further computes the matches by only accessing the extracted subgraph. (3) In addition, we show that the ontology index can be efficiently updated upon the changes to the data graphs, enabling the framework to cope with dynamic data graphs. (4) We experimentally verify the effectiveness and efficiency of our framework using both synthetic and real life graphs, comparing with traditional subgraph querying methods.
RT-38MAJOR CRITERIA TO SELECT PATIENTS FOR STEREOTACTIC RADIOSURGERY FOLLOWING RESECTION OF BRAIN METASTASES

PURPOSE: Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) following resection of brain metastases is well-tolerated, provides excellent local control and reserves whole-brain radiation therapy for high volume CNS recurrence. We identified criteria to facilitate appropriate candidate selection for SRS based on CNS recurrence and overall survival (OS). METHODS: From 2002-2010, individuals with a KPS >70 who received SRS to the resection cavity for brain metastases were evaluated. The target encompassed the entire cavity defined on MRI, and was treated using Gamma Knife radiosurgery. Follow-up included clinical exam and MRI at 2-3 month intervals. CNS failure was defined by imaging or pathology. Factors predicted to impact OS and CNS control were assessed using log-rank and Cox-regression analyses. RESULTS: 151 consecutive patients with a median follow-up of 5.3 months were identified. Local control was >90% at 1 year and >80% at 2 years. Median OS was 14.2 months with 19% 5-year survival. Patients without systemic disease and those with single metastasis survived significantly longer. Median time to regional CNS failure was 14.5 months. Systemic disease overwhelmingly predicted regional CNS recurrence. Multivariate analysis showed that absence of systemic disease, a single brain metastasis and age were associated with improved OS and regional CNS control. We identified 3 groups: single brain lesion without systemic disease, >2 brain lesions without systemic disease, and those with systemic disease, that predicted OS and CNS control. Median OS was 16.5, 18.3, and 8.1 months, respectively (p < 0.001) and median time to CNS recurrence was 32.8, 15.7 and 8.7 months, respectively (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This represents the largest study of SRS following resection of brain metastases. Excellent long-term local control, survival and regional CNS control can be achieved in select patients. Major criteria to identify treatment candidates should include systemic disease status as well as number of brain lesions.
Understanding Faking Behavior Through the Lens of Motivation: An Application of VIE Theory

This article proposes a conceptual framework to explain faking behavior on self-report personality inventories. Unlike prior conceptualizations, this framework is simultaneously parsimonious yet inclusive. The theory posits that all determinants of faking behavior occur through valence, instrumentality, expectancy, or ability to fake. We review the faking literature to show how the multitude of factors found to influence faking can be concisely modeled within our framework. We intend for this theory to serve as a guide for future research on faking behavior, and we encourage researchers to explore and adopt the framework in the interest of enabling a more theoretically satisfying approach to the study of faking.
Blockade of endothelial cell protein C receptor augments factor VIIa hemostatic effect in hemophilia treatment.

To the editor: Endothelial cell protein C receptor (EPCR) plays a critical role in downregulating blood coagulation by promoting the activation of anticoagulant protein C by the thrombin:thrombomodulin (TM) complex.[1][1] Recent studies from our laboratory and others showed that prohemostatic
Observation of seeded second harmonic generation in bulk germanosilicate fiber preforms

Simultaneous irradiation of a bulk fiber preform with molar concentrations of 3 pct Ge and 0.5 pct P doped silica core region resulted in self-organized second harmonic generation with an effective chi(2) of about 1.2 x 10 to the -16th m/V. The experiments revealed that the bulk preform requires the same critical IR intensity (10 GW/sq cm) as the drawn fibers to prepare. Attempts to self-prepare the preform field, indicating that self-preparation in fibers is most likely initiated by second harmonic generation associated with the core-cladding interface.
Interference in Protein Assays of Biological Specimens by Vanadyl Compounds

Abstract Vanadyl ribonucleoside and orthovanadate are commonly employed as inhibitors of ribonuclease and protein phosphatase activities, respectively, in a variety of tissue preparations. We have observed that the presence of these agents in the tissue samples interferes in the measurement of their protein content using the Coomassie dye binding procedure. We have demonstrated that this interference in the protein assay can be overcome by including H 2 O 2 at a final concentration of 0.1% in the protein assay medium prior to the addition of the dye reagent. This results in accurate measurements of the protein content in the tissue preparation containing vanadyl ribonucleoside or orthovanadate.
Skin temperatures at the nape in infants at high altitude

Skin temperatures were measured on three Quechua Indian infants resident at 4,000 meters above sea level in Peru. Nape temperatures were warmer than other skin sites, suggesting that the brown adipose tissue associated with non-shivering thermogenesis is metabolically active despite the reduced oxygen availability at high altitude. The question of the role of non-shivering thermogenesis in infant thermoregulation under the covariant stresses of hypoxia and cold is still open.
Existence of least-energy configurations of immiscible fluids

This article shows how to model equilibrium configurations of immiscible fluids using Fleming’s flat chains with coefficients in a group. Existence is proved and regularity is discussed briefly.
Coping Resources, Perfectionism, and Academic Performance among Adolescents.

Research finds that the availability of specific coping resources can alleviate the more harmful effects of stress among adolescents. Although studies have investigated the relationship between coping resources and various outcomes among general samples of youth, no research has focused on adolescents who report high personal standards in comparison to their peers. Research in this area is important considering that such youth often report high stress when attempting to meet their personal standards, particularly as these standards pertain to their academic environment. In this study, 166 youth were administered the Coping Resources Inventory Scales for Educational Enhancement (Curlette et al., 1993) and the Almost Perfect Scale-Revised (Slaney, Rice, Mobley, Trippi, & Ashby, 2001). Self-reported grade-point average (GPA) also was collected. Results found that holding high standards was positively associated with specific coping resources, and that confidence in academic pursuits mediated the relationship between perfectionistic tendencies and GPA. Implications of these findings and suggestions for future research are discussed. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 43: 613–622, 2006.
A method for development of volume tracks in dielectric nuclear track detectors

Abstract For track development in dielectric nuclear track detectors, the etchant must have access to the latent track region 1,2 ). Since etchants do not readily diffuse through the bulk material, only latent tracks that cross the detector surface are developed. This inability to develop volume-tracks, those that do not cross a detector surface, is perhaps the single, most serious shortcoming of these detectors. In this paper, a special technique for the development of volume tracks is presented.
Presence of endometrial epithelial cells in the peritoneal cavity and the mesothelial inflammatory response

Abstract Objective To determine the contribution of endometrial cells in the development of endometriosis. Specifically the response of the mesothelium to endometrial cells in the production of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-8 was studied. Design In vitro study. Setting University Research Laboratory. Patients None. Intervention(s) None. Main outcome measure(s) Cellular MCP-1, IL-6 secretion and MCP-1, and IL-6 and IL-8 messenger RNA expression were evaluated by ELISA and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay. Result(s) The mesothelial cells produced more MCP-1 and IL-6 than endometrial epithelial and stromal cells. Mesothelial cells cultured in the presence of endometrial epithelial cells produced even greater levels of MCP-1 and IL-6 than those cultured in the presence of stromal cells or cultured alone. The MCP-1, IL-6, and IL-8 mRNA expression also increased when mesothelial cells were co-cultured with endometrial epithelial cells. Conclusion(s) The results suggest that endometrial epithelial cells may be important in evoking the inflammatory reaction in the peritoneal cavity during retrograde menstruation and that mesothelial cells may play an important role in the chemotaxis of monocytes and in the inflammatory process during the development of endometriosis.
Moshe Halbertal. Between Torah and Wisdom: Rabbi Mena[hdotu ]em ha-Meiri and the Maimonidean Halakhists of Provence. Jerusalem: Magnes Press, 2000. 239 pp. (Hebrew).

In this exciting book, Professor Moshe Halbertal of the Hebrew University and the Shalom Hartman Institute uncovers with brilliant conceptual clarity the religious world of the philosophically inclined rabbinic scholars of southern France. With impressive erudition, Halbertal surveys most of the relevant thirteenth- and fourteenth-century primary source material, both in print and in manuscript, with an emphasis on the writing and thought of Menaḥem ha-Meiri of Perpignan (d. 1315). Meiri was the leading talmudist of a proud and self-consciously independent southern French Jewish community at the turn of the thirteenth century and the author of an encyclopedic commentary on the Talmud, Bet ha-Beḥirah. Halbertal argues that the history of medieval Jewish thought has been impoverished significantly on account of an inadequate appreciation of the impressive degree to which southern French talmudists, like Meiri, integrated philosophy and halakhah in their writing and thought. In this Halbertal is undoubtedly correct, and his book is therefore an unusually important contribution to Jewish intellectual history. (A conceptual core of Halbertal's work appeared as “R. Menaḥem ha-Me'iri: bein Torah le-Ḥokhmah,” Tarbiz 63 (1995): 63–118, but issues and themes treated there are examined here with much greater scope and depth.)
DeAliaser: alias speculation using atomic region support

Alias analysis is a critical component in many compiler optimizations. A promising approach to reduce the complexity of alias analysis is to use speculation. The approach consists of performing optimizations assuming the alias relationships that are true most of the time, and repairing the code when such relationships are found not to hold through runtime checks.This paper proposes a general alias speculation scheme that leverages upcoming hardware support for transactions with the help of some ISA extensions. The ability of transactions to checkpoint and roll back frees the compiler to pursue aggressive optimizations without having to worry about recovery code. Also, exposing the memory conflict detection hardware in transactions to software allows runtime checking of aliases with little or no overhead. We test the potential of the novel alias speculation approach with Loop Invariant Code Motion (LICM), Global Value Numbering (GVN), and Partial Redundancy Elimination (PRE) optimization passes. On average, they are shown to reduce program execution time by 9% in SPEC FP2006 applications and 3% in SPEC INT2006 applications over the alias analysis of a state-of-the-art compiler.
Stable Disease in Mesothelioma: A Therapeutic Achievement?

As oncologists we acknowledge the occurrence of “meaningful patient benefit” from our interventions, even in the absence of objective tumor response. For example, interruption of disease manifestat...
T cells expressing allograft inflammatory factor 1 display increased chemotaxis and induce a profibrotic phenotype in normal fibroblasts in vitro

Objective Allograft inflammatory factor 1 (AIF-1) was first identified in rat cardiac allografts undergoing chronic rejection. The vasculopathy of chronic allograft rejection is strikingly similar to that seen in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). We previously demonstrated AIF-1 expression in inflammatory cells infiltrating skin and lungs from SSc patients, but its role in SSc pathogenesis is unknown. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of AIF-1 on T cell migration and production of cytokines capable of modulating normal dermal fibroblast functions. Methods Stably transfected Jurkat T cells expressing 2 AIF-1 splicing variants were prepared, and their migration toward fibroblast monolayers assayed in Transwell cultures. Cytokine production was assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and multiplex enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Fibroblast gene expression was quantified by real-time PCR, and collagen production by Western blot analysis of culture media. Results AIF-1 significantly increased Jurkat T cell migration toward fibroblast monolayers. Expression of AIF-1 isoform 2 in Jurkat T cells up-regulated their production of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-17. Conditioned media from AIF-1–expressing clones stimulated synthesis of types I and III collagen and expression of IL-6, transforming growth factor β, endothelin receptor, and α-smooth muscle actin by normal dermal fibroblasts. Conclusion These results suggest that AIF-1 may participate in the early pathogenesis of SSc by promoting tissue T cell infiltration and production of cytokines capable of inducing the expression of a fibrotic phenotype in normal fibroblasts.
Using qualitative measures to improve quality in radiation oncology.

This article introduces the use of qualitative research techniques in the field of radiation oncology with respect to quality improvement initiatives. The qualitative techniques used in this research include field observations and in-depth, one-on-one interviews with radiation therapy technologists. The observations were conducted in a fast-paced academic institution. This high-pressure, high-throughput environment provided an interesting location for observation of behaviors, workflows, and areas of improvement. Qualitative research is a useful platform for formulating questions and addressing the environment on a larger scale. The information resulting from this research led to immediate changes that improved the efficiency and effectiveness of care provided to patients and identified future initiatives to improve patient safety and the timeliness of care provided. Overall, qualitative research proved to be an exceptional resource for identifying and evaluating a clinical department and demonstrated the...
Molecular genetic basis of allelic polymorphism in malate dehydrogenase (mdh) in natural populations of Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica.

Abstract Nucleotide sequences of the mdh gene encoding the metabolic enzyme malate dehydrogenase (MDH) were determined for 44 strains representing the major lineages of Escherichia coli and the eight subspecies of Salmonella enterica. Sequence diversity was four times greater in S. enterica than in E. coli, and in both species the rate of amino acid substitution was lower in the NAD(+)-binding domain than in the catalytic domain. Divergence of the mdh genes of the two species apparently has not involved excess nonsynonymous substitutions resulting from the fixation of adaptive amino acid mutations. Allozyme analysis detected 57% of the distinctive amino acid sequences. Statistical tests of the distribution of polymorphic synonymous nucleotide sites identified four possible intragenic recombination events, one involving a single allele of E. coli and three involving alleles of the three subspecies of S. enterica. But recombination at mdh has not occurred with sufficient frequency to obscure the phylogenetic relationships among strains indicated by multilocus enzyme electrophoresis, total DNA hybridization, and sequence analysis of the gapA and putP genes. These findings provide further evidence that the effective (realized) rates of horizontal transfer and recombination for metabolic enzyme and other housekeeping genes are generally low in these species, in contrast to those for loci encoding or mediating the structure of cell-surface and other macromolecules for which recombinants may be subject to strong balancing, directional, or diversifying selection.
Minimally Oxidized LDL Offsets the Apoptotic Effects of Extensively Oxidized LDL and Free Cholesterol in Macrophages

Objective— Lipid-loaded macrophage-derived foam cells populate atherosclerotic lesions and produce many pro-inflammatory and plaque-destabilizing factors. An excessive accumulation of extensively oxidized low-density lipoprotein (OxLDL) or free cholesterol (FC), both of which are believed to be major lipid components of macrophages in advanced lesions, rapidly induces apoptosis in macrophages. Indeed, there is evidence of macrophage death in lesions, but how the surviving macrophages avoid death induced by OxLDL, FC, and other factors is not known. Methods and Results— Minimally oxidized LDL (mmLDL), which is an early product of progressive LDL oxidation in atherosclerotic lesions, countered OxLDL-induced or FC-induced apoptosis and stimulated macrophage survival both in cell culture and in vivo. DNA fragmentation and caspase-3 activity in OxLDL-treated peritoneal macrophages were significantly reduced by coincubation with mmLDL. In a separate set of experiments, mmLDL significantly reduced annexin V binding to macrophages in which apoptosis was induced by FC loading. In both cellular models, mmLDL activated a pro-survival PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, and PI3K inhibitors, wortmannin and LY294002, eliminated the pro-survival effect of mmLDL. Immunohistochemical examination demonstrated phospho-Akt in murine atherosclerotic lesions. Conclusions— Minimally oxidized LDL, an early form of oxidized LDL in atherosclerotic lesions, may contribute to prolonged survival of macrophage foam cells in lesions via a PI3K/Akt-dependent mechanism.
Phagocytosis of Candida albicans by Human Leukocytes: Opsonic Requirements

The kinetics of phagocytosis of Candida albicans by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes was studied. The basis for these studies was a phagocytic assay with use of C. albicans radiolabeled with [3H]adenine. After incubation of leukocytes with C. albicans, extracellular C. albicans was separated from phagocytes by centrifugation through Ficoll-Hypaque suspensions (specific density, 1.175 g/cm3). Recovery of leukocytes by this technique was greater than or equal to 85%. The initial rate of phagocytosis was more rapid than that previously reported for bacteria. Ethylenediaminetetraacetate, vinblastine, ethylmaleimide, NaF, and ice bath temperature completely inhibited phagocytosis. Colchicine had no effect, and NaN3 was partially inhibitory. Pooled sera possessed low titers (greater than or equal to 1:40) of heat-stable opsonins. The opsonic activity of pooled sera was shown to depend primarily upon complement activated through both the alternative and classical pathways. Decomplemented hyperimmune sera were opsonic at high dilutions (greater than or equal to 1:160), and complement amplified the initial rate of ingestion seen with hyperimmune sera.
Nursing Home Social Services Directors Who Report Thriving at Work

Nationally representative data from a sample (n = 928) of full-time nursing home social services directors were used to investigate whether knowing characteristics of the social environment at work can help to explain which directors report job thriving. Two-thirds of directors reported they were thriving in their jobs. Multiple regression results show that thriving is increased by job autonomy, being treated like an important part of the team, having enough time to identify and meet resident psychosocial needs, not having to do things that others could do, and being clear what the social services role is. Findings suggest that addressing these aspects of the social environment and social services role will likely contribute to increasing a sense of thriving at work among social services staff members.
Variations in Variation and Selection: The Ubiquity of the Variation-and-Selective-Retention Ratchet in Emergent Organizational Complexity

The variation and selection form of explanationcan be prescinded from the evolutionary biologyhome ground in which it was discovered and forwhich it has been most developed. When this isdone, variation and selection explanations arefound to have potential application to a widerange of phenomena, far beyond the classicalbiological ground and the contemporaryextensions into epistemological domains. Itappears as the form of explanation most suitedto phenomena of fit. It is also found toparticipate in multiple interestingrelationships with other forms of explanation. We proceed with an examination of multiplekinds of phenomena, interrelationships withother members of the family of forms ofexplanation, and some novel applications evenwithin the home ground of evolutionary biology.
Composite right/left-handed transmission line metamaterials

Metamaterials are artificial structures that can be designed to exhibit specific electromagnetic properties not commonly found in nature. Recently, metamaterials with simultaneously negative permittivity (/spl epsiv/) and permeability (/spl mu/), more commonly referred to as left-handed (LH) materials, have received substantial attention in the scientific and engineering communities. The unique properties of LHMs have allowed novel applications, concepts, and devices to be developed. In this article, the fundamental electromagnetic properties of LHMs and the physical realization of these materials are reviewed based on a general transmission line (TL) approach. The general TL approach provides insight into the physical phenomena of LHMs and provides an efficient design tool for LH applications. LHMs are considered to be a more general model of composite right/left hand (CRLH) structures, which also include right-handed (RH) effects that occur naturally in practical LHMs. Characterization, design, and implementation of one-dimensional and two-dimensional CRLH TLs are examined. In addition, microwave devices based on CRLH TLs and their applications are presented.
Perceived Parenting Skill Across the Transition to Adoptive Parenthood Among Lesbian, Gay, and Heterosexual Couples

Little research has examined change in perceived parenting skill across the transition to parenthood or predictors of change in perceived skill. The current study used an ecological framework to examine predictors of self-perceived parenting skill among 47 lesbian, 31 gay, and 56 heterosexual couples who were adopting their first child. Findings revealed that, on average, all new parents perceived themselves as becoming more skilled, although gay men increased the most and lesbians the least. Participants who were female, reported fewer depressive symptoms, expected to do more child care, and reported higher job autonomy viewed themselves as more skilled pre-adoption. With regard to change, parents who reported more relational conflict and parents who expected to do more child care experienced lesser increases in perceived skill. These findings suggest that regardless of gender, sexual orientation, and route to parenthood, new parents experience similar, positive changes in perceived skill, thereby broadening our understanding of parenting skill in diverse groups. The findings also highlight the importance of examining how gender, sexual orientation, and the family context may shape perceived skill across the transition to parenthood.
A Population History of North America

Population History of North America. Michael R. Haines and Richard H. Steckel. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2000. 736 pp.
Metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma involving the ovary with elevated serum CA125: A potential diagnostic pitfall

Abstract Objectives. Elevated serum levels of CA125 are observed not only in association with primary ovarian epithelial neoplasms but also in a variety of other clinical settings, including ovarian involvement by metastatic disease. There is considerable overlap in gross and histologic features between primary ovarian tumors and metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma, which can make diagnosis particularly challenging in the setting of an increased CA125 level. The aims of this study were to determine how frequently serum CA125 is elevated in women with ovarian involvement by metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma and to compare the features of cases with and without associated elevations of serum CA125. Methods. Eighty-nine cases of histologically confirmed ovarian involvement by metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma were identified by retrospective review. Clinicopathologic data were analyzed, including preoperative serum CA125 level (available in 42 cases). Features of cases with an associated increase in serum CA125 were compared with those of cases with no such elevation. Results. Twenty-nine patients had an elevated serum CA125 level (>35 U/mL) preoperatively (range 39.0–556.3, median 143.0, mean 199.1). Thirteen patients had a serum CA125 level within the reference range, while forty-seven patients had no preoperative testing for serum CA125. Clinical, gross, and histologic features of cases with an associated increase in serum CA125 were generally similar to those of cases with a non-elevated serum CA125 concentration. In three cases, the tumor was initially diagnosed as an ovarian primary. Conclusions. At least 32.6% of women with ovarian involvement by metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma have an elevated serum CA125 level prior to oophorectomy. Such cases do not differ significantly from cases lacking such an association with respect to a variety of clinicopathologic features. The possibility of metastasis from a colorectal carcinoma merits consideration in the formation of the differential diagnosis for a woman with an adnexal mass and elevated serum CA125, even in the absence of an established history of gastrointestinal malignancy.
The narrowing gender gap in arrests: assessing competing explanations using self‐report, traffic fatality, and official data on drunk driving, 1980–2004

We evaluate two alternative explanations for the converging gender gap in arrest—changes in women's behavior versus changes in mechanisms of social control. Using the offense of drunk driving and three methodologically diverse data sets, we explore trends in the DUI gender gap. We probe for change across various age groups and across measures tapping DUI prevalence and chronicity. Augmented Dickey-Fuller time-series techniques are used to assess changes in the gender gap and levels of drunk driving from 1980 to 2004. Analyses show women of all ages making arrest gains on men—a converging gender gap. In contrast, self-report and traffic data indicate little or no systematic change in the DUI gender gap. Findings support the conclusion that mechanisms of social control have shifted to target female offending patterns disproportionately. Little support exists for the contention that increased strain and liberalized gender roles have altered the gender gap or female drunk-driving patterns.
An experimental study of plasticating in a reciprocating‐screw injection molding machine

Experimental studies were performed with low density polyethylene, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene polymers and on polyvinyl chloride to elucidate the nature of the plasticating process in a reciprocating-screw injection molding machine. Melting data, obtained by use of the “cooling experiment,” and plastic temperature data reveal that the screw recharge process is a transient plasticating extrusion process which gradually approaches the equilibrium extrusion behavior as the screw rotates. If the screw rotation time is a high percentage of the total cycle time, the plasticating behavior is very similar to steady-state extrusion behavior, but if the screw rotation time is a small percentage of the total cycle time, the plasticating behavior is significantly different. Furthermore, better plasticating is obtained by use of a low RPM and high percentage rotation time than by a high RPM and low percentage rotation time.
Reconciling the Two Disciplines of Organisational Science: A Comparison of Findings from Lab and Field Research

A strong preference for field research exists in the organisational sciences. However, it is unclear whether or under what conditions this is warranted. To examine this issue we conducted a second-order meta-analysis of 203 lab-field pairs of meta-analytic effects representing a diverse range of work-related relationships. As expected, results showed a larger effect for lab (r = .25) than for field research (r = .14). However, the correspondence between the rank-order of effect sizes for relationships assessed in lab settings and matched effects assessed in field settings was weaker (r = .61) than previous estimates from related areas of research. Moderators of lab-field effect size magnitude and rank-order correspondence were tested. Effect size magnitudes from the lab and field were most similar when lab studies used correlational designs, when using psychological state and trait (as opposed to demographic or workplace characteristic) variables as predictors, and when assessing attitudinal outcomes. Lab–field rank-order correspondence was strongest when testing psychological state and workplace characteristic predictors and when assessing attitudinal and decisional outcomes. Findings offer recommendations for interpreting primary lab and field effects and inform evaluations of “when” findings from lab and field studies are likely to align.
Dynamics of wood in stream networks of the western Cascades Range, Oregon

We develop and test a conceptual model of wood dynamics in stream networks that considers legacies of forest management practices, floods, and debris flows. We combine an observational study of wood in 25 km of 2nd- through 5th-order streams in a steep, forested watershed of the western Cascade Range of Oregon with whole-network studies of forest cutting, roads, and geomorphic processes over the preceding 50 years. Statistical and simple mass balance analyses show that natural process and forest management effects on wood input, transport processes, and decomposition account for observed patterns of wood in the stream network. Forest practices reduced wood amounts throughout the network; in headwater streams these effects are fixed in stream segments bordered by cuts and roads, but in larger channels they are diffused along the channel by fluvial transport of wood. Landforms and roads limited delivery of wood by debris flows to mainstem channels. Network dynamics studies and watershed management plans should include spatial patterns of debris flow initiation and runout, flood redistribution, and reduction of wood in the network by forest cutting and intentional wood removal from channels on time scales of forest succession and recurrence of major floods. Resume´ : Nous avons developpeet testeun modele conceptuel de la dynamique des bois dans des reseaux de cours d'eau qui tient compte de l'heritage des pratiques d'amenagement forestier, des inondations et du mouvement des debris. Nous combinons une etude basee sur l'observation des bois sur 25 km de cours d'eau de 2 e au 5 e ordre dans un bassin versant
Maximising resource allocation effectiveness for IT security investments

Organisational IT security spending is expected to increase substantially in the next few years. The challenge for IT managers and CIOs continues to grow in terms of allocating IT security investments across competing projects, products, or initiatives. Past approaches suggest use of sorting mechanism based on the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to allocate resources across portfolio of IT security applications. It has also been suggested that using cost-benefit ratio provides a better way to prioritise resource allocations. Using the case of resource allocation for IT security at a large financial institution, we show that optimisation is a better approach than sorting to allocate IT security resources. We also show that cost-benefit ratio is not always the most effective way for evaluating IT security resource allocations. The findings of this study have significant implications for IT security managers who often face the challenge of maintaining balance between IT security budget and addressing maximum number of potential vulnerabilities.
Approximation queries for building energy-aware data warehouses on mobile ad hoc networks

This study proposes the use of approximate queries in order to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of data warehousing systems on mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs). In particular, the approach proposed shifts some computational cost, from the server to the client on the mobile network, thus increasing the power efficiency of the server. The study presents the concept of aggregate query approximation, goodness-of-fit of such approximations, and an evaluation of energy consumption.
Rheological properties of mammalian cell culture suspensions: Hybridoma and HeLa cell lines.

Data on viscous (eta') and elastic (eta'') components of the complex viscosity versus oscillatory angular frequency (0.01 to 4.0 rad/s) with increasing strains were obtained for hybridoma cell (62'D3) and HeLa cell (S3) suspensions in PBS at 0.9 (mL/mL) cell volume fraction using a Weissenberg rheogoniometer equipped with two parallel plate geometry at ambient temperature. Both cell suspensions exhibited shear thinning behavior. From the measured viscoelastic properties, the yield stress was calculated. Hybridoma cell suspension (15 microm as the mean diameter of cells) showed the yield stress at 550 dyne/cm(2) that was 1.8 times higher than the value of HeLa cell suspension (22 microm mean diameter) as measured at the oscillatory angular frequency, 4.0 rad/s. The apparent viscosities of HeLa cell suspension at four concentrations and varying steady shear rate were also determined using the Brookfield rotational viscometer. The yield stress to steady shear test was about 130 dyne/cm(2) for HeLa cell suspension at 0.9 (mL/mL) cell volume fraction. The apparent viscosity was in the range about 1 approximately 1000 Poise depending on the cell concentration and shear rate applied. A modified semiempirical Mooney equation, eta = eta(0) exp[K gamma(.)(-beta)phi(c)(1 - K'' sigmaphi(c) /D)] was derived based on the cell concentration, the cell morphology, and the steady shear rate. The beta, shear rate index, was estimated as 0.159 in the range of shear rate, 0.16 to 22.1 s(-1), for the cell volume fractions from 0.6 to 0.9 (mL/mL). In this study, the methods of determining the shear sensitivity and the viscous and the elastic components of mammalian cell suspensions are described under the steady shear field.
Preferential Escape of Subdominant CD8+ T Cells During Negative Selection Results in an Altered Antiviral T Cell Hierarchy

Negative selection is designed to purge the immune system of high-avidity, self-reactive T cells and thereby protect the host from overt autoimmunity. In this in vivo viral infection model, we show that there is a previously unappreciated dichotomy involved in negative selection in which high-avidity CD8 + T cells specific for a dominant epitope are eliminated, whereas T cells specific for a subdominant epitope on the same protein preferentially escape deletion. Although this resulted in significant skewing of immunodominance and a substantial depletion of the most promiscuous T cells, thymic and/or peripheral deletion of high-avidity CD8 + T cells was not accompanied by any major change in the TCR Vβ gene family usage or an absolute deletion of a single preferred complementarity-determining region 3 length polymorphism. This suggests that negative selection allows high-avidity CD8 + T cells specific for subdominant or cryptic epitopes to persist while effectively deleting high-avidity T cells specific for dominant epitopes. By allowing the escape of subdominant T cells, this process still preserves a relatively broad peripheral TCR repertoire that can actively participate in antiviral and/or autoreactive immune responses.
Personality Traits and South Koreans' Attitudes Toward North Korea:

Recent studies suggest that personality traits affect not only ordinary citizens’ political ideology but also their opinions on specific social or political issues. In line with these studies, this...
The New Literary Scholarship, the Contextual Point of View, and the Use of Special Collections

The title of Bernard Bergonzi’s recent Exploding ElIglish perfectly captures the author’s ambivalence concerning the changes in the study of English literature during the past twenty years; in one sense the field exploded out of the narrow confines of Eng. Lit. and became more stimulating, but in another it exploded self-destructively, like a grenade. Circa 1960, Bergonzi tells us, English was “a genuine humane discipline, self-respecting, enjoyable, expanding, with methods that were established and familiar.”1 Many special collections librarians can share his evident regret for a world in which “the English synthesis”2 was still whole. All too suddenly for many . . .
Collaborative Robotics Projects for Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders

This study examines the levels of social interaction of students with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders during collaborative robotics projects. An alternating treatments design was used to...
Isolated electron injection detectors with high gain and record low dark current at telecom wavelength

We report on recent performance breakthroughs in a novel short-wave infrared linear-mode electron-injection-based detector. Detectors consist of InP material system with a type-II band alignment and provide high internal avalanche-free amplification mechanism. Measurements on devices with 10-μm injector diameter and 30-μm absorber diameter show internal dark current density of about 0.1 nA/cm 2 at 160 K. Compared with our previous reported results, dark current is reduced by two orders of magnitude with no sign of surface leakage limitation down to the lowest measured temperature. Compared with the best-reported linear-mode avalanche photodetector, which is based on HgCdTe, the electron-injection detector shows over three orders of magnitude lower internal dark current density at all measured temperatures. Using a detailed simulation with experimentally measured parameters, dark count rate of 1 Hz at 90% photon detection efficiency at 210 K is anticipated. This is a significantly higher operating temperature compared with superconducting detectors with a similar performance.
High-Order Upwind Methods for Wave Equations on Curvilinear and Overlapping Grids

In this work we discuss a newly developed class of robust and high-order accurate upwind schemes for wave equations in second-order form on curvilinear and overlapping grids. The schemes are based on embedding d’Alembert’s exact solution for a local Riemann-type problem directly into the discretization (Banks and Henshaw, J Comput Phys 231(17):5854–5889, 2012). High-order accuracy is obtained using a single-step space-time scheme. Overlapping grids are used to represent geometric complexity. The method of manufactured solutions is used to demonstrate that the dissipation introduced through upwinding is sufficient to stabilize the wave equation in the presence of overlapping grid interpolation.
Relation between left ventricular systolic resistance and contractile rate processes

To test the hypothesis that left ventricular (LV) systolic resistance is determined by the intrinsic rate processes of the contractile system, we studied 40 spontaneously hypertensive male rats (SHR). Thyroid hormone manipulation was used to alter isomyosin composition and consequently the rate processes of the contractile system. Seven groups of rats were studied: control (SHRC, n = 9); propylthiouracil (PTU) treated for 10 days (SHRP-10, n = 5), 20 days (SHRP-20, n = 5), and 30 days (SHRP-30, n = 6); and thyroxine treated for 5 days (SHRT-05, n = 5), 10 days (SHRT-10, n = 5), and 15 days (SHRT-15, n = 5). In situ (n = 40) and isolated (n = 14; 5 SHRP-30, 5 SHRC, and 4 SHRT-15) heart experiments were performed. In comparison to SHRC, we observed the following: 1) LV pump performance was not different in any of the thyroxine-treated groups, whereas with PTU, pump performance was significantly depressed in rats with greater than 80% slow myosin. 2) Normalized LV peak elastance (Emaxn) was significantly increased in the SHRP-30, whereas it was not altered after thyroxine. These observations were further confirmed in the isolated heart on the basis of peak isovolumetric stress-strain relations. 3) Thyroxine increased and PTU decreased theoretical maximum flow (Qmax; a measure of LV resistance); thus an inverse relation between Qmax and percent slow myosin was observed (r2 = 0.86). 4) The time to peak isovolumetric pressure was increased in SHRP-30 and decreased in SHRT-15. The relaxation process was significantly slower for SHRP-30 group and was unchanged for SHRT-15 group. These observations support our hypothesis that LV systolic resistance quantifies an intrinsic rate-dependent property of the myocardium and that isomyosin composition is one of its determinants. In addition, with changes in isomyosin composition toward predominantly slow myosin, the responses in Emaxn and Qmax are discordant, which may be responsible for the preservation of pump performance. This underscores the importance of quantifying both LV systolic resistance and elastance in the assessment of the functional status of the LV as a mechanical pump.
Quality improvement teams, super-users, and nurse champions: a recipe for meaningful use?

Objective This study assessed whether having an electronic health record (EHR) super-user, nurse champion for meaningful use (MU), and quality improvement (QI) team leading MU implementation is positively associated with MU Stage 1 demonstration. Methods Data on MU demonstration of 596 providers in 37 ambulatory care clinics came from the clinical data warehouse and administrative systems of UNC Health Care. We surveyed the 37 clinics about champions, super-users, and QI teams. We used generalized estimating equation methods with an independence working correlation matrix to account for clustering within clinics and to weight contributions from each clinic according to clinic size. Results Having a QI team lead MU implementation was significantly associated with MU demonstration (odds ratio, OR = 3.57, 95% CI, 1.83-6.96, P < .001, [Table 2][1]). Having neither a nurse champion nor an EHR super-user was significant. Conclusion Our findings support the alignment of MU with QI efforts by having the QI team lead MU implementation. [1]: #T2
Opportunity Recognition: An Exploratory Investigation of a Component of the Entrepreneurial Process in the Context of the Health Care Industry

In this study we build upon a conceptualization of part of the entrepreneurship process that is frequently labeled “entrepreneurial attitude orientation.” This study uses a contextually rich concep...
Improved reproducibility and quality of GvHD biomarker assay: application of multiplex microfluidic channel system.

Improved reproducibility and quality of GvHD biomarker assay: application of multiplex microfluidic channel system
Stroke as Late Sequela of Cranial Irradiation

The development of cerebrovascular disease manifested by strokes or transient ischemic attacks six months to four years after treatment of brain tumors in 11 children is reported from the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA.
Bond stitch on ball for bare copper wire

The integration of multiple functions IC into single package including MCM package, 3D stacking, system in package had became a trend in recent year. In addition, demand of thin packages is rapidly gaining momentum with the emerging of advance handheld consumer products. All of these integrations and developments need BSOB bonding for interconnection purpose. Cu wire with lower cost, better reliability and electrical performance is favored in packaging material selection but BSOB in Cu wire is a rare case and inherent its challenges during implementation. For success Cu BSOB bond, bond pad structure design must be robust enough to withstand two time thermosonic impact, perfect integration between bump & stitch must be in place and ball bond had to be firmly bonded on Ag/PPF surface. Success of characterization will be lifmited if these few factors are not considered. In this study, we will discuss challenges encountered during bare Cu BSOB characterization i.e Cu bump formation stability and consistency, interaction of oxidized bump with 2nd bond stitch on Cu oxide surface by mean of stitch pull strength, cross-section analysis with varies bump staging time, BOAC bond pad structure robustness test without failure at extreme condition, and ball bond integrity on uPPF surface. Complete understanding of multiple interacting factors will promise a robust bonding condition with long term stability.
Hyperthermia and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: Effects on Inflammation and the Cerebral Vasculature.

Abstract Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) or concussion represents the majority of brain trauma in the United States. The pathophysiology of mTBI is complex and may include both focal and diffuse...
Pivot-Based Distributed K-Nearest Neighbor Mining

k-nearest neighbor (kNN) search is a fundamental data mining task critical to many data analytics methods. Yet no effective techniques to date scale kNN search to large datasets. In this work we present PkNN, an exact distributed method that by leveraging modern distributed architectures for the first time scales kNN search to billion point datasets. The key to the PkNN strategy is a multi-round kNN search that exploits pivot-based data partitioning at each stage. This includes an outlier-driven partition adjustment mechanism that effectively minimizes data duplication and achieves a balanced workload across the compute cluster. Aggressive data-driven bounds along with a tiered support assignment strategy ensure correctness while limiting computation costs. Our experimental study on multi-dimensional real-world data demonstrates that PkNN achieves significant speedup over the state-of-the-art and scales effectively in data cardinality. Code and data related to this chapter are available at: http://solar-10.wpi.edu/cakuhlman/PkNN.