cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Immunologic Features of Cornelia de Lange Syndrome

OBJECTIVES: Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) is a genetic syndrome with multisystem abnormalities. Infections are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. The goals of our study were to identify the frequency and types of infections in CdLS and to determine if underlying immunodeficiency contributes to the clinical spectrum of this syndrome. METHODS: We assessed infectious histories in 45 patients with CdLS and evaluated conventional immunologic screening tests in 27 patients. Among these 27 subjects, additional phenotypic enumeration of T-cell subsets, expression of activation markers in T cells, and production of cytokines in response to T-cell stimulants were studied in 12 CdLS subjects compared with 12 normal case control subjects. RESULTS: Recurrent infections were reported at high frequency in CdLS patients and included chronic ear infections (53%), chronic viral respiratory infections (46%), pneumonia (42%), sinus infections (33%), oral candidiasis (13%), sepsis (6%), and bacterial skin infections (4%). Full immune evaluation in 27 subjects led to identification of 9 cases of antibody deficiency syndrome in patients with severe forms of CdLS. Subjects with CdLS had decreased percentages of T regulatory cells and T follicular helper cells compared with normal control subjects ( P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: This study identified for the first time a high frequency of antibody deficiency in CdLS subjects, indicating a critical need for screening and management of immunodeficiency in CdLS patients with a history of well-documented severe or recurrent infections. Furthermore, our results indicate that impaired T-cell populations may be associated with antibody deficiency in CdLS. * Abbreviations: CdLS — : Cornelia de Lange syndrome CVID — : common variable immunodeficiency Ig — : immunoglobulin ITP — : idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura PB — : peripheral blood PBMC — : peripheral blood mononuclear cell SAD — : specific antibody deficiency Tfh — : T follicular helper cell Treg — : T regulatory cell
NEURAL NETWORK APPROACH TO LOCATING ACOUSTIC EMISSION SOURCES IN NON-DESTRUCTIVE EVALUATION

We expand upon the idea of using AE to monitor crack in a system or structure, give further motivation for the NN approach, and describe some details of the NN implementation, training, and application. Also included are experimental results on a steel I beam. We conclude with a summary of the many open issues remaining in traversing from the concept stage of this paper to a practical large scale test or implementation
Type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes mellitus differentially impact placental pathologic characteristics of uteroplacental malperfusion.

Abstract Introduction During a pregnancy complicated by diabetes, the placenta undergoes a number of functional and structural pathologic changes. However, differences across studies may reflect pathophysiologic differences of diabetes types under investigation. Methods We examined placental pathology from women ages 18–40 years with self-identified race/ethnicity; singleton, live births; and type 1 (T1DM; n = 36), type 2 (T2DM; n = 37), or gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM; n = 126). Clinical data were abstracted from medical records. Placental diagnoses were independently re-reviewed by a perinatal pathologist. Multivariable analyses adjusting for race, gestational weight gain, gestational age, and systolic blood pressure were conducted. Results Women with T1DM compared with either T2DM or GDM had higher gestational weight gain (mean ± SD, T1DM vs. T2DM: 28.5 ± 12.4 vs. 20.5 ± 13.4 kg, p = 0.03; or GDM: 21.3 ± 12.7 kg, p = 0.009) and insulin use (T2DM: 100.0% vs. 85.3%, p = 0.02; or GDM: 4.0%, p Discussion Placental vasculopathic abnormalities differ by maternal diabetes type, potentially reflecting underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms. Further research on placental pathology and metabolic derangements is warranted.
A System for Nowcasting Atmospheric Conditions Associated with Jet Engine Power Loss and Damage Due to Ingestion of Ice Particles

Ingestion of ice particles by jet engines is believed to be responsible for multiple engine power-loss and damage events. This phenomenon, referred to as ice particle icing, has occurred during flights of large transport aircraft as well as commuter and business jets. This paper describes efforts to determine a set of meteorological predictors that indicate high ice water content (HIWC) conditions, relate those predictors to quantities available from routine meteorological data, and to develop a nowcasting system that will provide three-dimensional diagnoses and short-term forecasts of the possibility for HIWC conditions. The resulting prototype nowcasting system is demonstrated using a case study over the western tropical Pacific Ocean.
Ontology-driven Rule Generalization and Categorization for Market Data

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is an emerging technique that can significantly enhance supply chain processes and deliver customer service improvements. RFID provides user with efficient tracking on the flow of products throughout the wholesale process. However, the large number of information that has been generated from such a process creates difficulty in extracting and analyzing useful information. In this paper, we propose a method to mine the large data sets that allows smaller and more relevant search space compared to the original data sets. Our work is constructed from the following approaches: ontology-driven rule generalization which concentrates on controlling the level of items, and rule categorization using hierarchical association rule clustering that group the generated rules from the given problem space into hierarchical search space. The detailed steps for rule generalization based on ontologies sire presented, as well as the algorithms for rule categorization using hierarchical association rule clustering is developed. Our experiment proves the feasibility of our work which shows the significant reduction of the search space by decreasing the number of rules to be looked at and increasing the relevance among the rules.
The safety of disulfiram for the treatment of alcohol and cocaine dependence in randomized clinical trials: guidance for clinical practice

Background: Disulfiram has demonstrated efficacy in six randomized clinical trials for the treatment of cocaine dependence, but is rarely used in clinical settings because of safety concerns. Objective: What are the common and serious side effects of disulfiram in cocaine-dependent individuals with and without alcohol dependence in randomized clinical trials? Methods: We located Phase I and II randomized trials that discussed the safety of disulfiram. Results/conclusions: In randomized clinical trials that eliminated subjects with serious cardiovascular, hepatic, and psychiatric disorders, the most frequent side effects of disulfiram over placebo or index groups include headaches, fatigue, sleepiness, and anxiety. Disulfiram in a dose of ≤ 250 mg/day led to only mild interactions with alcohol. When patients are screened for medical and psychiatric stability, and are evaluated for drug interactions, disulfiram has an acceptable side-effect profile for the treatment of cocaine dependence with or without alc...
Mutational Analysis of the vacA Promoter Provides Insight into Gene Transcription in Helicobacter pylori

Analysis of 12 Helicobacter pylori promoters indicates the existence of a consensus -10 hexamer (TAtaaT) but little conservation of -35 sequences. In this study, mutations in either the H. pylori vacA -10 region or the -35 region resulted in decreased vacA transcription and suggested that an extended -10 motif is utilized. Thus, despite the lack of a -35 consensus sequence for H. pylori promoters, the -35 region plays a functional role in vacA transcription.
An asynchronous, variable length two-stage packet switch fabric architecture with look-ahead and load-balance scheduling schemes for optical-label switching networks

This paper proposes and analyzes a two-stage optical switch architecture supporting asynchronous variable length packet switching for optical label switching network applications. The proposed scheduling algorithm combines contention resolution in wavelength, time, and space domains with the input channel look-ahead scheduling scheme and the output channel load-balance scheme. The network-wide simulation results with self-similar traffic show that the new architecture and scheduling algorithm lead to a uniform output wavelength channel utilization and effectively reduce the packet loss rate and the end-to-end jitter compared with the single-stage switch at the expense of an extra look-ahead delay.
Horizontal Transfer of Bacterial Symbionts: Heritability and Fitness Effects in a Novel Aphid Host

Members of several bacterial lineages are known only as symbionts of insects and move among hosts through maternal transmission. Such vertical transfer promotes strong fidelity within these associations, favoring the evolution of microbially mediated effects that improve host fitness. However, phylogenetic evidence indicates occasional horizontal transfer among different insect species, suggesting that some microbial symbionts retain a generalized ability to infect multiple hosts. Here we examine the abilities of three vertically transmitted bacteria from the Gammaproteobacteria to infect and spread within a novel host species, the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum. Using microinjection, we transferred symbionts from three species of natural aphid hosts into a common host background, comparing transmission efficiencies between novel symbionts and those naturally infecting A. pisum. We also examined the fitness effects of two novel symbionts to determine whether they should persist under natural selection acting at the host level. Our results reveal that these heritable bacteria vary in their capacities to utilize A. pisum as a host. One of three novel symbionts failed to undergo efficient maternal transmission in A. pisum, and one of the two efficiently transmitted bacteria depressed aphid growth rates. Although these findings reveal that negative fitness effects and low transmission efficiency can prevent the establishment of a new infection following horizontal transmission, they also indicate that some symbionts can overcome these obstacles, accounting for their widespread distributions across aphids and related insects.
Product engineering for man‐portable power generation based on fuel cells

Microfabricated fuel cell systems are a promising alternative to batteries for man-portable power generation. These devices are potential consumer products that constitute a more or less complex chemical process, and can therefore be considered chemical products. A great variety of potential devices are being considered in various research institutions and thus there is a need for a systematic product design methodology, including comparison of alternatives and examination of the influence of technological parameters. The design of these product/process hybrids is inherently different from macroscale process design because of the differing design specifications, objectives, and constraints, as well as the relative importance of the underlying physico-chemical phenomena. Heat losses substantially influence the process performance, so the processes are highly spatially integrated. Consequently, flowsheet design and layout need to be considered simultaneously. In this paper we present our methodology and perform a number of case studies, including studies of scaling of the processes and effects of layout options and relevant technological parameters. © 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2005
Ecophysiology of riparian cottonwood and willow before, during, and after two years of soil water removal

Riparian cottonwood/willow forest assemblages are highly valued in the southwestern United States for their wildlife habitat, biodiversity, and watershed protection. Yet these forests are under considerable threat from climate change impacts on water resources and land-use activities to support human enterprise. Stream diversions, groundwater pumping, and extended drought have resulted in the decline of cottonwood/willow forests along many riparian corridors in the Southwest and, in many cases, the replacement of these forests with less desirable invasive shrubs and trees. Nevertheless, ecophysiological responses of cottonwood and willow, along with associated ecohydrological feedbacks of soil water depletion, are not well understood. Ecophysiological processes of mature Fremont cottonwood and coyote willow stands were examined over four consecutive growing seasons (2004-2007) near Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. The tree stands occurred near the inlet of a reservoir that was drained in the spring of 2005 and remained empty until mid-summer of 2006, effectively removing the primary water source for most of two growing seasons. Stem sap flux density (Js) in cottonwood was highly correlated with volumetric soil moisture (theta) in the upper 60 cm and decreased sevenfold as soil moisture dropped from 12% to 7% after the reservoir was drained. Conversely, Js in willow was marginally correlated with 0 and decreased by only 25% during the same period. Opposite patterns emerged during the following growing season: willow had a lower whole-plant conductance (kt) in June and higher leaf carbon isotope ratios (delta13C) than cottonwood in August, whereas k(t) and delta13C were otherwise similar between species. Water relations in both species recovered quickly from soil water depletion, with the exception that sapwood area to stem area (As:Ast) was significantly lower in both species after the 2007 growing season compared to 2004. Results suggest that cottonwood has a greater sensitivity to interannual reductions in water availability, while willow is more sensitive to longer periods of soil water depletion. These data shed light on the linkage between soil water deficits and ecophysiological processes of threatened riparian forests given potential land-use and long-term drought impacts on freshwater resources.
Novel interactions between phytoplankton and microzooplankton: their influence on the coupling between growth and grazing rates in the sea

Understanding the processes that regulate phytoplankton biomass and growth rate remains one of the central issues for biological oceanography. While the role of resources in phytoplankton regulation (‘bottom up’ control) has been explored extensively, the role of grazing (‘top down’ control) is less well understood. This paper seeks to apply the approach pioneered by Frost and others, i.e. exploring consequences of individual grazer behavior for whole ecosystems, to questions about microzooplankton–phytoplankton interactions. Given the diversity and paucity of phytoplankton prey in much of the sea, there should be strong pressure for microzooplankton, the primary grazers of most phytoplankton, to evolve strategies that maximize prey encounter and utilization while allowing for survival in times of scarcity. These strategies include higher grazing rates on faster-growing phytoplankton cells, the direct use of light for enhancement of protist digestion rates, nutritional plasticity, rapid population growth combined with formation of resting stages, and defenses against predatory zooplankton. Most of these phenomena should increase community-level coupling (i.e. the degree of instantaneous and time-dependent similarity) between rates of phytoplankton growth and microzooplankton grazing, tending to stabilize planktonic ecosystems. Conversely, phytoplankton, whose mortality in the sea is overwhelmingly due to microzooplankton grazing, should experience strong pressure to evolve grazing resistence. Strategies may include chemical, morphological, and ‘nutrient deficit’ defenses. Successful deployment of these defenses should lead to uncoupling between rates of phytoplankton growth and microzooplankton grazing, promoting instability in ecosystem structure. Understanding the comparative ecosystem dynamics of various ocean regions will require an appreciation of how protist grazer behavior and physiology influence the coupling between rates of phytoplankton growth and microzooplankton grazing.
Fuel Metabolism in Starvation

■ Abstract This article, which is partly biographical and partly scientific, summarizes a life in academic medicine. It relates my progress from benchside to bedside and then to academic and research administration, and concludes with the teaching of human biology to college undergraduates. My experience as an intern (anno 1953) treating a youngster in diabetic ketoacidosis underscored our ignorance of the controls in human fuel metabolism. Circulating free fatty acids were then unknown, insulin could not be measured in biologic fluids, and β-hydroxybutyric acid, which was difficult to measure, was considered by many a metabolic poison. The central role of insulin and the metabolism of free fatty acids, glycerol, glucose, lactate, and pyruvate, combined with indirect calorimetry, needed characterization in a near-steady state, namely prolonged starvation. This is the main topic of this chapter. Due to its use by brain, D-β-hydroxybutyric acid not only has permitted man to survive prolonged starvation, but also may have therapeutic potential owing to its greater efficiency in providing cellular energy in ischemic states such as stroke, myocardial insufficiency, neonatal stress, genetic mitochondrial problems, and physical fatigue.
Spinal pain: When is it time for an intervention?

The number of working-aged persons in the United States who are disabled and unable to lead productive lives has increased dramatically in the past 3 decades,1 swelling the rolls of the Social Security Disability Insurance system to a financial tipping point. As a useful metric to quantify this disability, the US Burden of Disease Collaborators have identified 3 of the top 5 causes of years lived with disability (YLD) in the United States: back, neck, and other musculoskeletal disorders accounted for about 6.2 million YLD in 1990 and 7.9 million YLD in 2010.2 It is critical that neurologists understand the complex tradeoffs of risk and benefit that invariably go along with addressing the pain symptoms that are often at the heart of disability claims. Utilization rates and costs have soared for all types of diagnostic and treatment services for spinal pain, including the interventions discussed in this issue. Growing expectations for pain relief and a diminishing tolerance for activity limitation have not been met with a wave of innovative treatments that either prevent the transition from acute to chronic pain or more effectively treat chronic pain.
Addendum to "WSTF does it all: a multifunctional protein in transcription, repair, and replication".

Since the publication of this review, there have been retractions of papers from the Sikeagi Kato lab cited in this review (http:// retractionwatch.com/category/shigeaki-kato/). The existence of the WINAC complex (and thus its attributed activities) is now in doubt, thus readers should disregard the section of this review that is focused onWINAC. This includes the role ofWINAC in vitamin D receptor (VDR)-dependent gene regulation, H3K14 binding by WSTF, and MAPK phosphorylation of WSTF and subsequent effects on complex formation. The authors of this review were disappointed to learn of these retractions and ask the readers to take note of the other excellent research cited in this review, and to not let themisconduct of one laboratory color their perceptions of other work in this field.
Systematic Autoimmune Diseases

Autoimmunity is defined as an immune response directed against a self-antigen - an antigen of host origin, within host tissue. Autoimmunity encompasses nonpathologic, naturally occurring immune responses, such as cold autoantibodies to red blood cell antigens, as well as pathologic conditions caused by the autoimmune response: i.e., autoimmune disease. Any component of the immune system may be involved in autoimmunity, including the innate immune system, B-cell responses, and T-cell responses.
Phase equilibria in the systems NaFPuF3 and NaFCeF3

Abstract Phase equilibrium relations in the system NaFPuF 3 were determined by thermal analysis and microscopic examination of the slowly-cooled fused mixtures. This system was investigated because of interest in possible use of mixtures in the systems NaFBeF 2 PuF 3 and NaFLiFBeF 2 PuF 3 to fuel a molten fluoride power reactor. Previous studies indicated that the solubility of PuF 3 in such mixtures at proposed reactor operating temperatures is adequate for reactor designs currently under consideration. A similar study of the NaFCeF 3 system carried out in conjunction with the NaFPuF 3 study served to test high-temperature thermal analysis apparatus, discussed in this paper, before it was used with plutonium mixtures in the glove box. It also provided data needed to complete a phase diagram based on earlier studies of the system in this Laboratory. The NaFPuF 3 system was found to have one eutectic composition containing about 24 mole % PuF 3 melting at 727 ± 3°C and one compound, NaF·PuF 3 , melting incongruently at 842 ± 3°C. Similarly, the NaFCeF 3 system was found to have one eutectic composition containing about 28 mole % CeF 3 melting at 726 ± 3°C and one compound, NaF·CeF 3 , melting incongruently at 810 ± 10°C.
Basic Large Sample Theory

We define various quantities, and state results, that are useful in various places in the book. The presentation is informal see, for example, van der Vaart (1998) for more rigour.
Shape optimization of self-avoiding curves

This paper presents a softened notion of proximity (or self-avoidance) for curves. We then derive a sensitivity result, based on shape differential calculus, for the proximity. This is combined with a gradient-based optimization approach to compute three-dimensional, parameterized curves that minimize the sum of an elastic (bending) energy and a proximity energy that maintains self-avoidance by a penalization technique. Minimizers are computed by a sequential-quadratic-programming (SQP) method where the bending energy and proximity energy are approximated by a finite element method.We then apply this method to two problems. First, we simulate adsorbed polymer strands that are constrained to be bound to a surface and be (locally) inextensible. This is a basic model of semi-flexible polymers adsorbed onto a surface (a current topic in material science). Several examples of minimizing curve shapes on a variety of surfaces are shown. An advantage of the method is that it can be much faster than using molecular dynamics for simulating polymer strands on surfaces. Second, we apply our proximity penalization to the computation of ideal knots. We present a heuristic scheme, utilizing the SQP method above, for minimizing rope-length and apply it in the case of the trefoil knot. Applications of this method could be for generating good initial guesses to a more accurate (but expensive) knot-tightening algorithm. A new softened version of proximity (or self-contact) for 1-D curves is proposed.Sensitivity of the proximity, with respect to shape differentiation, is given.A method for finding minimizing curve shapes (that respect self-contact) is given.The method is applied to simulating polymer strands adsorbed onto surfaces.A heuristic method is given for approximating ideal knots.
2012 — A Watershed Election for Health Care

The 2012 election will be the most important in the history of our health care system because it will determine whether the Affordable Care Act is implemented or repealed. The consequences for Americans and their health care will be huge.
Applications of Conformal Mapping to Potential Theory Through Computer Graphics

Many problems in the physical sciences can be described by potential and thus can often be solved through the application of conformal mapping. The primary limitation of this approach, especially i...
Bimodal Polymer Brush Core-Shell Barium Titanate Nanoparticles: A Strategy for High-Permittivity Polymer Nanocomposites

This paper presents a novel strategy to modify the surface chemistry of barium titanate (BaTiO3, BT) with a bimodal population of oligothiophene polymer brushes using step-by-step reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. Compared with a previous strategy based on monomodal surface-tethered brushes, these hybrid nanoparticles, BaTiO3 coated with bimodal oligothiophene polymer brushes, demonstrate extremely good dispersion behaviors as dielectric nanofillers in a matrix of oligothiophene polymers. These nanodielectric composites exhibit greatly improved dielectric performance and maintain linear displacement–polarization (D–E) profiles under high applied electric fields. This promising bimodal strategy could be generalized to a variety of nanoparticles for the development of novel dielectric nanocomposite systems.
Determination method of 75% alcohol commonly used in hospital

Objective To discuss two methods for determination of 75% alcohol concentration as disinfectant commonly used in hospital,study the difference between the results and practical applications of two methods.Methods Gas chromatography and densimeter were used to determine concentration of alcohol directly.Statistical methods were used to analyze data.Results The RSD was 1.09% and the average recovery rate was 99.3% by gas chromatography method.The RSD was 0.06% and the average recovery rate was 101.0% by densimeter method.There was significant difference between two results of determination(t=5.74t0.05(25)=2.06,P0.05).Conclusion The alcohol concentration as disinfectant commonly used in hospital has a wide range(65%-75%).Both methods are suitable for determination of alcohol concentration.Comparing with gas chromatography method,the densimeter method is simple,rapid,and skimp consume,it has good suitable for basic units and hospitals,but its result is not accurate and its precision is poor.
Model and Architecture of Open SaaS Industry Service Platform

In order to satisfy enterprises' multiplex requirements for the extensible and programmable operations of information systems,the conception of open SaaS( software-as-a-service) industry service platform,called as OSISP for short,was put forward by combining the open-system design idea and the SaaS technology. The OSISP can meet the extensible,customized and programmable requirements of different enterprises. The operation architecture of an industry service platform was designed,and the abstraction and formalization of operation roles and the model of operation integration were given.Based on the above works,the system architecture of the OSISP,consisting of a basal layer,a platform layer,a system layer,a user layer,a system management layer and a standard layer,was designed in light of the layered architecture design idea. Through the system design,the OSISP on the platform of an automobile supply chain was used so as to improve the exoteric attribute of information systems and enhance the enthusiasm that enterprises participate in the construction and use of the information systems.
The pathogenesis of infectious mononucleosis.

Despite the preliminary nature of recent scientific discoveries, it is now possible to sketch, in a general way, the interactions of EBV and human lymphocytes.
The effect of T1DL.1RS wheat-rye chromosomal translocation on agronomic performance and end-use quality of soft wheat

The translocation of rye (Secale cereale L.) chromatin 1RS to wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genome has been observed to be beneficial to grain yield, but also has a negative impact on baking quality. In order to gain understanding of the influence of T1DL.1RS genotype on agronomic performance and end- use quality, F2: derived F6 recombinant inbred lines from two crosses: Kanto 107/Gabo(1DL.1RS) and Gabo(1DL.1RS)/Jaypee were tested. Grain yield and test weight of T1DL.1RS from Kanto l07/Gabo(lDL.lRS) were significantly lower than non-1 RS siblings, but no significant differences were observed between T1DL.1RS and non- 1RS from Gabo(1DL.1RS)/Jaypee. The effects of T1DL.1RS for quality traits were undesirable for cookie quality. The relatively smaller variation of quality traits among T1DL.1RS lines revealed the large effects of 1RS for quality traits. The range of baking traits for T1DL.1RS indicated that some of the lines had values near the mean of non-IRS lines in the Kanto 107/Gabo(1DL.1RS) background. The effects of T1DL.1RS on agronomic performance were modified by wheat genetic background, while milling and baking qualities were less affected.
Do learners predict a shift from recency to primacy with delay

The shift from recency to primacy with delay reflects a fundamental observation in the study of memory. As time passes, the accessibility of earlier-learned representations tends to increase relative to the accessibility of later-learned representations. In three experiments involving participants’ memory for text materials, we examined whether participants understood that there might be such a shift with retention interval. In marked contrast to their actual performance, participants predicted recency effects at both shorter and longer retention intervals. Our findings add to the evidence that the storage and retrieval dynamics of the human memory system, though adaptive overall from a statistics-of-use standpoint, are both complex and poorly understood by users of the system.
THE CHEMISTRY OF 1,4-DITHIADIENE AND RELATED COMPOUNDS

Abstract In 1890 Levi 1 reported the synthesis of 1,4-dithiadiene, a substance which he called “biophene”, by condensation of thiodiglycollic acid and phosphorus trisulfide. Levi reported that this product underwent acylation, by reaction with acyl halides in the presence of aluminum chloride, and on the basis of these data concluded that “biophene” is aromatic in character. Although this conclusion would be subject to question on the basis of the limited supporting data, the reported observations are nevertheless most interesting in connection with modern concepts of structure and its relationship to chemical reactivity. It is interesting to note, therefore, that little attention was paid to this ring system until recent years. Considerable information has now been obtained concerning the chemistry of 1,4-dithiadiene and its derivatives, a summary of which constitutes the subject of this review.
A statistical physics implementation of Coase׳s theory of the firm

Abstract We present a stochastic, dynamic model of firm growth that captures the essential features of Coase׳s theory of the firm and reproduces important statistical regularities in firm size and growth. For the model to generate these statistical regularities, the parameters must be tuned so that firms involved in “unrelated” activities evolve. Thus, at the same time that the model predicts the statistical properties of firm growth, it suggests that attempts to validate Coase׳s theory at the level of the individual firm might be futile. The model draws on models of critical phenomena from statistical physics, the motivation being that the observed statistical properties of firm growth are similar to the statistical properties of physical systems near their critical point.
Microbial Pectolytic Enzymes

Pectolytic enzymes are widely distributed in higher plants and microorganisms. They are not found in higher animals but are found in some protozoa, nematodes and insects. In higher plants, they are important during growth, permitting cell elongation. They are also important for softening of some plant tissues during maturation and storage and in the decomposition and recycling of plant materials. Microbial pectolytic enzymes are known to play key roles in plant pathogenicity and in much of fruit and vegetable spoilage involving rotting. Pectolytic enzymes are commercially important in a number of industrial processes including retting of flax and other vegetable fibers, extraction, clarification and depectinization of fruit juices, extraction of vegetable oils and maceration of fruits and vegetables to give unicellular foods. Pectin methylesterase is important in the firming of plant tissue, in the presence of Ca2+.
Asymptotic Properties of Marginal Least-Square Estimator for Ultrahigh-Dimensional Linear Regression Models with Correlated Errors

In this article, we discuss asymptotic properties of marginal least-square estimator for ultrahigh-dimensional linear regression models. We are specifically interested in probabilistic consistency ...
Can a National Network of Undergraduate Research Program Directors Validate a Set of Professional Skills-Building Science Communication Workshops?

This paper reports on the progress of an ongoing strategy for dissemination of a set of science communication workshops targeted to students participating in undergraduate research experiences on university campuses. Previous MRS Proceedings papers by the first author and collaborators focused on (1) the development and validation of the REU Science Communication Workshop (REU SCW) model through iterative practice, research and evaluation between 2005 and 2009, and (2) the 2012 testing of a scaffolded and piggybacked "beyond train-the-trainer” mode of dissemination of the REU SCW model to multiple university campuses, as compared to a highly-validated but less efficient one-to-one transfer process deployed between Boston and Madison between 2010 and 2012. This new paper reports on the follow-up effort to confirm and validate the success of the REU SCW workshop model as implemented at the second-wave of dissemination sites by the new cohort of participating undergraduate research program directors. We analyze data gathered in 2013 and 2014 from the participating students, faculty, and providers. The results indicate that the second-wave providers were able to reproduce the successful results achieved at the origination and first dissemination sites, and that providers and stakeholders at these additional sites value the model enough to continue providing it and in some cases to laterally expand it to other programs on campus. These findings suggest that it is possible to greatly expand the number of undergraduate research experience students receiving quality coaching in professional science communication skills by providing their program directors with a comprehensive professional development experience, employing the scaffolded, piggybacked, “beyond train-the-trainer” professional development model.
Self-Study Interactive Lectures

This paper presents the groundwork development of a computer assisted learning program called SelfStudy Interactive Lectures (SSIL). SSIL is an enriched classroom presentation that uses tra nscriptquality lecture notes and OFFICE programming features to facilitate and empower students’ learning at a greater depth than otherwise obtainable. A major feature of SSIL is its response to variation in students’ abilities to understand complex material, such as accounting. The paper provides an overview of SSIL and discusses the implications for the scope and depth of lecture coverage. As a case study, students in classes using SSIL were surveyed and the results of the surveys are reported in the paper. This is seed research in nature, opening up opportunities for future research into the SSIL methodology’s connection to pedagogical theory and its testing for more general application in other classroom settings.
A Large Area Monolayer WS 2 Laser Based on Surface-Emitting Heterostructure Photonic Crystal Cavities

An optically pumped continuous wave room temperature operation monolayer WS 2 laser is presented. The cavity is formed around Γ point above lightline in a large area heterostructure photonic crystal slab for energy efficient surface emission.
Graphene–Environmental and Sensor Applications

Pollution management has been one of the major global issues being faced by the industrialized economy. In this chapter, applications of graphene-based nanomaterials for water and air remediation via adsorption and the effects of adsorbents on the electronic properties, magnetic properties, and photoconductivity, along with the relevant mechanisms, are discussed. Graphene nanosheets (GNS) and graphene oxides, due to their ease of chemical modification, with the addition of functionalities and stability along with ease of production, have emerged as ideal materials for adsorbents to eliminate heavy metal ions, inorganic ions, as well as organic dyes. Use of graphene as a photocatalyst in water remediation has been discussed. Graphene can help to resolve the challenge of making clean water available for general consumption. These graphene-based novel materials have been found to be suitable for air remediation through the removal of toxic gases, emitted due to the large-scale expansion of industries, including SOx, CO, NH3, and others, which can help to avoid natural calamities on account of global warming. A brief overview of the latest scientific advances in the developments of graphene-based devices to overcome the present shortcomings for fabricating sensors in the field of gas sensing, biosensing, and photonics for image sensing applications, along with their operating principles, is presented.
GOALS OF ARCHAEOLOGY, OVERVIEW

The most fundamental goal of archaeology is the documentation of the physical remains of the human past. Another key goal is placing past humanity in a historical, geographical, and chronological context. The explanation of past variability and change in the human condition is another goal that drives the practice of archaeology. Finally, the preservation and management of the physical remains of the human past and using the archaeological record to plan for a sustainable future constitute other goals of archaeology.
When an Individual Should See a Physician About Sleep

The presentation of abnormal sleep patterns can often be mistaken for common phenomena. This article will review circumstances and presentations that warrant further evaluation by sleep specialists or sleep studies.
The Role of Inspiratory Muscle Training in a Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program

Topics discussed in this article include methods and results of inspiratory muscle training and inspiratory muscle rest. The role of inspiratory muscle training remains controversial. No study has shown conclusively that improving inspiratory muscle strength and endurance will decrease CO2 retention. Likewise, no study has shown that inspiratory muscle training is superior to other treatments in increasing a person’s ability to perform a particular task or activity of daily living. To be recommended to patients on a long-term basis, improvement in inspiratory muscle strength or endurance should be shown to be associated positively with a reduction in a person’s morbidity and mortality or an improvement in their ability to perform activities of daily living or vocational tasks.
Gene-wise resampling outperforms site-wise resampling in phylogenetic coalescence analyses.

Abstract In summary (“two-step”) coalescent analyses of empirical data, researchers typically apply the bootstrap to quantify branch support for clades inferred on the optimal species tree. We tested whether site-wise bootstrap analyses provide consistently more conservative support than gene-wise bootstrap analyses. We did so using data from three empirical phylogenomic studies and employed four coalescent methods (ASTRAL, MP-EST, NJst, and STAR). We demonstrate that application of site-wise bootstrapping generally resulted in gene-trees with substantial additional conflicts relative to the original data and this approach therefore cannot be relied upon to provide conservative support. Instead the site-wise bootstrap can provide high support for apparently incorrect clades. We provide a script ( https://github.com/dbsloan/msc_tree_resampling ) that implements gene-wise resampling, using either the bootstrap or the jackknife, for use with ASTRAL, MP-EST, NJst, and STAR. We demonstrate that the gene-wise bootstrap outperformed the site-wise bootstrap for the primary focal clades for all four coalescent methods that were applied to all three empirical studies. For summary coalescent analyses we suggest that gene-wise resampling support should be favored over gene + site or site-wise resampling when numerous genes are sampled because site-wise resampling causes substantially greater gene-tree-estimation error.
Commensuration effects in layered nanoparticle solids

We have developed a hierarchical nanoparticle transport simulator (hints) and adapted it to study commensuration effects in two classes of nanoparticle (NP) solids: (1) a bilayer NP solid (BNS) with an energy offset and (2) a BNS as part of a field effect transistor (FET). hints integrates the ab initio characterization of single NPs with the phonon-assisted tunneling transition model of the NP-NP transitions into a kinetic Monte Carlo based simulation of the charge transport in NP solids. First, we studied a BNS with an interlayer energy offset $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Delta}}$, possibly caused by a fixed electric field. Our results include the following. First, in the independent energy-offset model, we observed the emergence of commensuration effects when scanning the electron filling factor (FF) across integer values. These commensuration effects were profound as they reduced the mobility by several orders of magnitude. We analyzed these commensuration effects in a five-dimensional parameter space, as a function of the on-site charging energy ${E}_{C}$, energy offset $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Delta}}$, disorder $D$, the electron FF, and temperature ${k}_{B}T$. We demonstrated the complexity of our model by showing that at integer FFs commensuration effects are present in some regions of the parameter space, while they vanish in other regions, thus defining distinct dynamical phases of the model. We determined the phase boundaries between these dynamical phases. Second, using these results as a foundation, we shifted our focus to the experimentally much-studied NP-FETs. NP-FETs are also characterized by an interlayer energy offset $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Delta}}$, which, in contrast to our first model, is set by the gate voltage ${V}_{G}$ and thereby related to the electron FF. We repeated many of our simulations and again demonstrated the emergence of commensuration effects and distinct dynamical phases in these NP-FETs. Notably, the commensuration effects in the NP-FETs showed many similarities to those in the independent energy-offset BNS.
Prevalence and Treatment Outcomes of Hand and Wrist Injuries in Professional Athletes: A Systematic Review

BackgroundInjuries to the hand and wrist constitute up to 25% of all athletic injuries, yet not much information is available on the effects of such injuries on the careers of professional athletes...
A Taxonomy of Testamentary Intent

Testamentary intent is consistently heralded as the cornerstone of a will. Moreover, judges and scholars explain that the decedent’s intent should guide probate courts as they supervise the distribution of the decedent’s estate. But despite the importance of testamentary intent within the law of wills, a clear and consistent testamentary intent doctrine has failed to develop. Courts frequently espouse the significance of testamentary intent without explaining what testamentary intent is, and when they do give more detail regarding the meaning of testamentary intent, their explanations are often vague and at times confusing and contradictory. Likewise, legal scholars have done little to untangle the specifics of testamentary intent.The lack of a clearly defined testamentary intent doctrine has caused both practical misapplication and theoretical misunderstanding of various aspects of the law of wills. The need for a clear understanding of testamentary intent will continue to grow as the law of wills moves away from formalistic approaches to the validation, interpretation, and construction of wills and toward approaches that grant courts greater discretion to decide issues related to the decedent’s intent. Without a firm grasp of testamentary intent, greater judicial discretion could lead to inconsistent and unpredictable outcomes, thereby promoting costly probate litigation.The goal of this Article is therefore to cultivate a better understanding of testamentary intent. It pursues this goal by developing a taxonomy of testamentary intent that clearly distinguishes the primary issues related to the court’s task of fulfilling the intent of the decedent and that identifies the major rules and doctrines that courts should apply when deciding these issues. With this taxonomy in place, a more consistent testamentary intent doctrine might emerge and a deeper understanding of the role of the decedent’s intent within the law of wills can develop.
Education and PracticeUse of prehospital fluids in hypotensive blunt trauma patients

Objective. To compare the outcomes of blunt trauma victims with systolic blood pressure ≤90 mm Hg who received prehospital fluids with the outcomes of those who did not receive prehospital fluids. Methods. This matched-pairs case-control study used records of blunt trauma patients with scene systolic blood pressure ≤90 mm Hg obtained from the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation. Patients who received >500 mL prehospital fluids (n = 75) were matched by Injury Severity Score (ISS) and systolic blood pressure on scene with those who did not receive any prehospital fluids (n = 75). Outcomes compared included change in systolic blood pressure, survival to discharge, and length of hospital stay. Results. Those who received fluids were more likely to have an increase in systolic blood pressure at arrival to the emergency department [odds ratio for fluid use = 2.41; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 1.02, 5.73; p = 0.046]. There was no significant difference in survival to discharge (odds ratio for fluid use = 1.02; 95% CI = 0.40, 2.60; p = 0.969). There was no significant difference in length of hospital stay: 5.4 days (SD = 2.8) for those with fluids; 5.2 days (SD = 2.8) for those with no fluids; difference = 0.2 days; 95% CI = −1.6, 1.8; p = 0.870. Conclusions. This study suggests that prehospital fluid resuscitation of blunt injured trauma patients with systolic blood pressure ≤90 increases systolic blood pressure but has no effect on survival or length of hospital stay. PREHOSPITAL EMERGENCY CARE 2002;6:417-420
The Role of Public Policy in U.S. Private International Law

This book chapter explores the role played by public policy in the private international law of the United States in the twenty-first century. It first discusses the meaning of the term “public policy” and explores the role that concept plays in the choice-of-law and enforcement-of-judgments contexts. It then highlights the role that public policy plays in traditional and modern approaches to choice of law and provides an overview of recent anti-foreign-law legislation enacted by U.S. states. The chapter next offers a detailed discussion of how public policy informs the private international law analysis in seven specific areas — marriage and divorce, lineage and adoption, custody orders, succession, contracts, non-contractual obligations, and corporate law. It concludes by detailing the distinctive features of U.S. practice in this area and by identifying the ways in which this practice differs from that of other nations.