bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Statistical estimation of cluster boundaries in gene expression
profile data
Authors: Horimoto Katsuhisa , Toh Hiroyuki 
Published: July 2002

Abstract
Motivation: Gene expression profile data are rapidly accumulating due to advances in microarray techniques. The abundant data are analyzed by clustering procedures to extract the useful information about the genes inherent in the data. In the clustering analyses, the systematic determination of the boundaries of gene clusters, instead of by visual inspection and biological knowledge, still remains challenging.
Results: We propose a statistical procedure to estimate the number of clusters in the hierarchical clustering of the expression profiles. Following the hierarchical clustering, the statistical property of the profiles at the node in the dendrogram is evaluated by a statistics-based value: the variance inflation factor in the multiple regression analysis. The evaluation leads to an automatic determination of the cluster boundaries without any additional analyses and any biological knowledge of the measured genes. The performance of the present procedure is demonstrated on the profiles of 2467 yeast genes, with very promising results.
Availability: A set of programs will be electronically sent upon request.
Contact: horimoto@post.saga-med.ac.jp; toh@beri.co.jp
* To whom all correspondence should be addressed.
† These authors contributed equally to this work.
Comparison of genomic DNA sequences: solved and unsolved

problems
Authors: Miller Webb 
Published: July 2002

Abstract
Motivation: The DNA sequences of entire genomes are being determined at a rapid rate. Whereas initial genome sequencing efforts were for organisms chosen to be widely spaced in the tree of life, there is a growing emphasis on projects to sequence a species that is sufficiently similar to an already-sequenced species to allow direct comparison of those two DNA sequences. This and other changes in genome sequencing strategies have created a strong need for new methods to compare genomic sequences.
Results: We sketch the current state of software for comparing genomic DNA sequences and outline research directions that we believe are likely to result in important advances in practice.
Contact: webb@cse.psu.edu
A review of the comparative in-vitro activities of 12 antimicrobial agents, with a focus on five new ‘respiratory quinolones’
Authors: Blondeau Joseph M. 
Published: July 2002

Abstract
The efficacies of many antimicrobial agents are being threatened by a global increase in the numbers of resistant bacterial pathogens—microorganisms that were once susceptible to some of these agents. In particular, antimicrobial resistance amongst strains of Haemophilus influenzae,Moraxella catarrhalis and Streptococcus pneumoniae has limited the usefulness of first-line agents in some clinical settings. Quinolones were introduced in the 1980s and represented a significant therapeutic advancement in the treatment of patients with infectious diseases. While these compounds possessed potent in-vitro activities against a wide range of Gram-negative pathogens, their activities against some Gram-positive and ‘ atypical’ pathogens remained borderline. Further advancement in the development of quinolones has overcome some of these problems. The ‘respiratory quinolones’ represent a new generation within this class of molecules and comprise compounds possessing broad spectrum activities against Gram-negative, Gram-positive and atypical pathogens. This review will focus on the in-vitro activities of five new respiratory quinolones (gatifloxacin, grepafloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin and trovafloxacin), ciprofloxacin and six non-quinolone agents (azithromycin, clarithromycin, amoxycillin, co-amoxiclav, cefuroxime and co-trimoxazole) against a range of bacterial and atypical pathogens, including those that are now resistant to several of these compounds.
Herpes zoster—predicting and minimizing the impact of post-herpetic neuralgia
Authors: Johnson Robert W. 
Published: July 2002

Abstract
Herpes zoster results from reactivation of latent varicella-zoster virus in the dorsal root ganglia and is frequently associated with severe pain. Most patients suffer acute pain during the rash phase, and in many, prodromal pain or discomfort also precedes the rash. The pain of herpes zoster gradually resolves with time, but may persist after the acute disease as post-herpetic neuralgia for weeks, months or even years. Post-herpetic neuralgia, the most common complication of herpes zoster, often results in significant morbidity and healthcare resource usage. Early treatment with oral antivirals has been shown to accelerate the resolution of postherpetic neuralgia, with therapeutic effects particularly evident in the over-50 age group, where pain generally persists for longer. Progressively increasing life expectancy of the population translates to increasing numbers of cases of herpes zoster. The socio-economic gains associated with active management, including use of oral antivirals where indicated, to speed resolution of pain and post-herpetic neuralgia, readily justify additional cost.
Teens' Images of Smoking and Smokers
Authors: Luke Douglas , Allen Peg , Arian Gretchen , Crawford Myra , Headen S. , Spigner C. , Tassler P. , Ureda J. 
Published: July 2002

The authors used qualitative and quantitative data to identify and interpret specific images teens have about smoking and smokers. Qualitative data were collected in 1996 from 793 teenagers participating in 125 focus groups at eight different sites across the United States. Most focus groups were homogeneous with respect to gender, ethnicity, and smoking status. Ages ranged from 12 to 18 years, and about half of the participants were female. The majority of participants (62%) were white and African American, the remainder (38%) were Hispanic, American Indian, and Asian/Pacific Islander. Groups were comprised of smoking and nonsmoking teens. Focus group activities were used to elicit image-related discussions about attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions of smoking. Investigators identified seven consistent and distinctive image themes: Appearance (smoking is dirty and unattractive), Activity (nonsmokers have busy, active lives), Drugs and sex (smokers are substance abusers and are sexually active), Rebellion (smokers belong to rebellious groups), Affect (smokers are depressed, angry, and stressed-out), In control (nonsmokers have self-control and are independent), and Pride (nonsmokers are proud of themselves, their families, and their heritage). A large scale, multi-site qualitative research approach can increase understanding of teen smoking. The identification of distinctive images of smoking can help researchers develop more sophisticated models of the processes of teen smoking than currently exist.
Quality of Data in Multiethnic Health Surveys
Authors: Pasick Rena J. , Stewart Susan L. , Bird Joyce A. , D'Onofrio Carol N. 
Published: July 2002

Objective. There has been insufficient research on the influence of ethno-cultural and language differences in public health surveys. Using data from three independent studies, the authors examine methods to assess data quality and to identify causes of problematic survey questions. Methods. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used in this exploratory study, including secondary analyses of data from three baseline surveys (conducted in English, Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Vietnamese). Collection of additional data included interviews with investigators and interviewers; observations of item development; focus groups; think-aloud interviews; a test-retest assessment survey; and a pilot test of alternatively worded questions. Results. The authors identify underlying causes for the 12 most problematic variables in three multiethnic surveys and describe them in terms of ethnic differences in reliability, validity, and cognitive processes (interpretation, memory retrieval, judgment formation, and response editing), and differences with regard to cultural appropriateness and translation problems. Conclusions. Multiple complex elements affect measurement in a multiethnic survey, many of which are neither readily observed nor understood through standard tests of data quality. Multiethnic survey questions are best evaluated using a variety of quantitative and qualitative methods that reveal different types and causes of problems.
The Contributions of Managed Care Plans to Public Health Practice: Evidence from the Nation's Largest Local Health Departments
Authors: Mays Glen P. , Halverson Paul K. , Stevens Rachel 
Published: July 2002

Objective. The authors examine the extent and nature of managed care plans participating in local public health activities. Methods. In 1998, the authors surveyed the directors of all US local health departments serving jurisdictions of at least 100,000 residents to collect information about public health activities performed in their jurisdictions and about organizations participating in the activities. Multivariate logistic and linear regression models were used to examine organizational and market characteristics associated with managed care plan participation in public health activities. Results. Managed care plans were reported to participate in public health activities in 164 (46%) of the jurisdictions surveyed, and to contribute to 13% of the public health activities performed in the average jurisdiction. Plans appeared most likely to participate in public health activities involving the delivery or management of personal health services and the exchange of health-related information. Managed care participation was more likely to occur in jurisdictions with higher HMO penetration, fewer competing plans, and larger proportions of plans enrolling Medicaid recipients. Participation was positively associated with the overall scope and perceived effectiveness of local public health activities. Conclusions. Although plans participate in a narrow range of activities, these contributions may complement the work of public health agencies.
Telehealth: Reaching Out to Newly Injured Spinal Cord Patients
Authors: Phillips V. L. , Vesmarovich Susan , Hauber Roxanne , Wiggers Edith , Egner Amanda 
Published: July 2002

Objectives. The authors present preliminary results on health-related outcomes of a randomized trial of telehealth interventions designed to reduce the incidence of secondary conditions among people with mobility impairment resulting from spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods. Patients with spinal cord injuries were recruited during their initial stay at a rehabilitation facility in Atlanta, They received a video-based intervention for nine weeks, a telephone-based intervention for nine weeks, or standard follow-up care. Participants are followed for at least one year, to monitor days of hospitalization, depressive symptoms, and health-related quality of life. Results. Health-related quality of life was measured using the Quality of Well-Being (QWB) scale. QWB scores (n = 111) did not differ significantly between the three intervention groups at the end of the intervention period. At year one post discharge, however, scores for those completing one year of enrollment (n = 47) were significantly higher for the intervention groups compared to standard care. Mean annual hospital days were 3.00 for the video group, 5.22 for the telephone group, and 7.95 for the standard care group. Conclusions. Preliminary evidence suggests that in-home telephone or video-based interventions do improve health-related outcomes for newly injured SCI patients. Telehealth interventions may be cost-saving if program costs are more than offset by a reduction in rehospitalization costs, but differential advantages of video-based interventions versus telephone alone warrant further examination.
Structure and stability effects of mutations designed to increase the primary sequence symmetry within the core region of a β‐trefoil
Authors: Brych Stephen R. , Blaber Sachiko I. , Logan Timothy M. , Blaber Michael 
Published: July 2002

AbstractHuman acidic fibroblast growth factor (FGF‐1) is a member of the β‐trefoil hyperfamily and exhibits a characteristic threefold symmetry of the tertiary structure. However, evidence of this symmetry is not readily apparent at the level of the primary sequence. This suggests that while selective pressures may exist to retain (or converge upon) a symmetric tertiary structure, other selective pressures have resulted in divergence of the primary sequence during evolution. Using intra‐chain and homologue sequence comparisons for 19 members of this family of proteins, we have designed mutants of FGF‐1 that constrain a subset of core‐packing residues to threefold symmetry at the level of the primary sequence. The consequences of these mutations regarding structure and stability were evaluated using a combination of X‐ray crystallography and differential scanning calorimetry. The mutational effects on structure and stability can be rationalized through the characterization of “microcavities” within the core detected using a 1.0Å probe radius. The results show that the symmetric constraint within the primary sequence is compatible with a well‐packed core and near wild‐type stability. However, despite the general maintenance of overall thermal stability, a noticeable increase in non‐two‐state denaturation follows the increase in primary sequence symmetry. Therefore, properties of folding, rather than stability, may contribute to the selective pressure for asymmetric primary core sequences within symmetric protein architectures.
Efficient Sodium Storage in Selenium Electrodes Achieved by Selenium Doping and Copper Current Collector Induced Displacement Redox Mechanisms
Authors: Meng Weijia , Dang Zhenzhen , Li Diansen , Jiang Lei , Fang Daining 
Published: July 2022

AbstractSelenium (Se), with its high specific volume capacity and high electronic and superior kinetics, is considered a promising electrode material with promising applications. However, the solvation and shuttle effects of polyselenides hinder their further application. The selenium/nitrogen‐doped hollow porous carbon spheres (Se/NHPCs) are obtained using the sacrificial template and in situ gas‐phase selenization methods. The Se species are doped into carbon matrixes in an adjustable amount to form Se‐C(N) bonds during this process. Density functional theory calculations show that the Se‐C(N) bond enhances the charge transfer between Na2Se and carbon matrix and binding energy, which improves rate performance and cycling stability. As expected, Se/NHPCs electrode exhibit high reversible capacity (480 mAh g–1 at 0.5 A g–1 after 200 cycles) and rate performance (311 mAh g–1 at 5 A g–1) as the anode for sodium‐ion batteries. A series of ex situ characterization results show that Cu2Se produced by copper current collector induction is effective in the adsorption of polyselenides while enhancing the electrode conductivity. Since the lattice structures of Cu2Se and Na2Se are similar, this displacement reaction that does not involve lattice reconfiguration provides an effective strategy for the preparation of high‐performance and low‐cost electrode materials.
Superionic Bifunctional Polymer Electrolytes for Solid‐State Energy Storage and Conversion
Authors: Wang Rui‐Yang , Jeong Seungwon , Ham Hyeonseong , Kim Jihoon , Lee Hojun , Son Chang Yun , Park Moon Jeong 
Published: July 2022

AbstractAchieving superionic conductivity from solid‐state polymer electrolytes is an important task in the development of future energy storage and conversion technologies. Herein, a platform for innovative electrolyte technologies based on a bifunctional polymer, poly(3‐hydroxy‐4‐sulfonated styrene) (PS‐3H4S), is presented. By incorporating OH and SO3H functional groups at adjacent positions in the styrene repeating unit, “intra‐monomer” hydrogen bonds are formed to effectively weaken the electrostatic interactions of the SO3− moieties in the polymer matrix with embedded ions, promoting rich structural and dynamic heterogeneity in the PS‐3H4S electrolyte. Upon the incorporation of an ionic liquid, interconnected rod‐like ion channels, which allow the decoupling of ion relaxation from polymer relaxation, are formed in the stiff motif of the polymeric domains passivated by interfacial ionic layers. This results in accelerated proton hopping through the glassy polymer matrix, and proton hopping becomes more pronounced at cryogenic temperatures down to −35 °C. The PS‐3H4S/ionic liquid composite electrolytes exhibit a high ionic conductivity of 10−3 S cm−1 and high storage modulus of ≈100 MPa at 25 °C, and can be successfully applied in soft actuators and lithium‐metal batteries.
Liquid Crystalline Systems from Nature and Interaction of Living Organisms with Liquid Crystals
Authors: Kim Won‐Sik , Im Jun‐Hyung , Kim Hyein , Choi Jin‐Kang , Choi Yena , Kim Young‐Ki 
Published: July 2022

AbstractBiomaterials, which are substances interacting with biological systems, have been extensively explored to understand living organisms and obtain scientific inspiration (such as biomimetics). However, many aspects of biomaterials have yet to be fully understood. Because liquid crystalline phases are ubiquitously found in biomaterials (e.g., cholesterol, amphiphile, DNA, cellulose, bacteria), therefore, a wide range of research has made attempts to approach unresolved issues with the concept of liquid crystals (LCs). This review presents these studies that address the interactive correlation between biomaterials and LCs. Specifically, intrinsic LC behavior of various biomaterials such as DNA, cellulose nanocrystals, and bacteriaare first introduced. Second, the dynamics of bacteria in LC media are addressed, with focus on how bacteria interact with LCs, and how dynamics of bacteria can be controlled by exploiting the characteristics of LCs. Lastly, how the strong correlation between LCs and biomaterials has been leveraged to design a new class of biosensors with additional functionalities (e.g., self‐regulated drug release) that are not available in previous systems is reviewed. Examples addressed in this review convey the message that the intersection between biomaterials and LCs offers deep insights into fundamental understanding of biomaterials, and provides resources for development of transformative technologies.
Polarized Cu–Bi Site Pairs for Non‐Covalent to Covalent Interaction Tuning toward N2 Photoreduction
Authors: Di Jun , Chen Chao , Wu Yao , Zhao Yunxuan , Zhu Chao , Zhang Yi , Wang Changda , Chen Hailong , Xiong Jun , Xu Manzhang , Xia Jiexiang , Zhou Jiadong , Weng Yuxiang , Song Li , Li Shuzhou , Jiang Wei , Liu Zheng 
Published: July 2022

AbstractA universal atomic layer confined doping strategy is developed to prepare Bi24O31Br10 materials incorporating isolated Cu atoms. The local polarization can be created along the CuOBi atomic interface, which enables better electron delocalization for effective N2 activation. The optimized Cu‐Bi24O31Br10 atomic layers show 5.3× and 88.2× improved photocatalytic nitrogen fixation activity than Bi24O31Br10 atomic layer and bulk Bi24O31Br10, respectively, with the NH3 generation rate reaching 291.1 µmol g−1 h−1 in pure water. The polarized Cu–Bi site pairs can increase the non‐covalent interaction between the catalyst's surface and N2 molecules, then further weaken the covalent bond order in NN. As a result, the hydrogenation pathways can be altered from the associative distal pathway for Bi24O31Br10 to the alternating pathway for Cu‐Bi24O31Br10. This strategy provides an accessible pathway for designing polarized metal site pairs or tuning the non‐covalent interaction and covalent bond order.
Solvation‐Driven Actuation of Anion‐Exchange Membranes
Authors: Ulbricht Nicco , Boldini Alain , Bae Chulsung , Wallmersperger Thomas , Porfiri Maurizio 
Published: July 2022

AbstractIon‐exchange membranes, conventionally utilized in separation processes of electrolyte solutions, are electroactive polymers that display a unique coupling between electrochemistry and mechanics. Previous experimental studies have demonstrated the possibility of actuating cation‐exchange membranes in salt solution through the application of a remote external electric field. The use of anion‐exchange membranes as contactless actuators, however, has never been documented and little is known about the physics of their actuation. Here, it is reported for the first time the possibility of contactless actuating anion‐exchange membranes in salt solutions; such an actuation is mediated by the selection of anions in the external salt solution and the membrane. Actuation is attributed to the physical phenomenon of solvation, the interaction between ions and solvent in solution. Contrary to previous studies with cation‐exchange membranes, the results show that anion‐exchange membranes consistently bend toward the anode. The integration of anion‐exchange and cation‐exchange membranes in composites promises innovative programmable contactless actuators, with applications in underwater robotics and biomedical engineering.
An Engineered Nanocomposite Copper Coating with Enhanced Antibacterial Efficacy
Authors: Nakhaie Davood , Williams Teresa C. , Velapatino Billie , Bryce Elizabeth A. , Charles Marthe K. , Asselin Edouard , Clifford Amanda M. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractContaminated surfaces are a major source of nosocomial infection. To reduce microbial bioburden and surface‐based transmission of infectious disease, the use of antibacterial and self‐sanitizing surfaces, such as copper (Cu), is being explored in clinical settings. Cu has long been known to have antimicrobial activity. However, Gram‐positive microorganisms, a class that includes pathogens commonly responsible for hospital‐acquired infection such as Staphylococcus aureus and Clostridioides difficile, are more resilient to its biocidal effect. Inspired by inherently bactericidal nanostructured surfaces found in nature, an improved Cu coating is developed, engineered to contain nanoscale surface features and thus increase its antibacterial activity against a broader range of organisms. In addition, a new method is established for facilitating the rapid and continuous release of biocidal metal ions from the coating, through incorporation of an antibacterial metal salt (ZnCl2) with a lower reduction potential than Cu. Electrophoretic deposition (EPD) is used to fabricate these coatings, which serves as a low‐cost and scalable route for modifying existing conductive surfaces with complex shape. By tuning both the surface morphology and chemistry, a nanocomposite Cu coating is created that decreases the microbial bioburden of Gram‐positive S. aureus by 94% compared to unmodified Cu.