cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Performance-Based Geometric Tolerancing of Compressor Blades

The relationship between statically measured geometric parameters (tolerances) and the aerodynamic performance of an airfoil are investigated in this paper. The goal is to determine which geometric parameters are critical to control during manufacturing, such that a blade will have acceptable aerodynamic performance. A probabilistic model of geometric variability for a three-dimensional blade is derived. Using this geometric model, probabilistic aerodynamic simulations are conducted to analyze the variability in aerodynamic performance. Tolerance optimization is then applied in which tolerance ranges are modified to best sort blades according to some arbitrary performance limit. The optimization is performed for several limits, expressed as a percent of nominal performance, to observe both which parameters best predict performance and the accuracy of that prediction at each limit. Two blade cases are considered, both based on the same compressor blade: the base compressor blade with nominal manufacturing noise; and a probabilistic redesign of the blade geometry designed to minimize the impact of manufacturing noise, also analyzed with nominal manufacturing noise. Results show the best static indicators of meanline performance are parameters concerning the LE of the airfoil, and the effectiveness of these parameters vary greatly depending on the chosen performance limit. In addition, it was shown that the optimized tolerances for the redesigned blade were consistently looser, or less restrictive, than those for the original blade population for a given performance limit. The differences in observed optimized tolerance ranges are small for less restrictive performance limits but at more aggressive performance limits, there is a 20–30% increase in tolerance range for the redesigned blade population.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Self, community and the overcoming of prejudice

Using discussion from Gadamer, Burbules and Rice, and Banks, and practical examples from a multicultural teacher education classroom, this paper examines the effects of community on the construction of identities and on the development and overcoming of prejudice.
Electromyographic changes after carpal tunnel release.

This prospective clinical study was designed to quantitate post-carpal tunnel release electromyographic (EMG) changes in the median nerve, and changes in static two-point discrimination, pinch strength, and grip strength. Carpal tunnel release was performed in 54 hands of 36 patients (average age of patients was 44.6 years). The EMG and clinical studies were completed just before surgery, at 2 weeks, and then at postoperative periods of 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months. The sensory latencies and motor latencies were significantly ( p p p p
Non-hematopoietic expression of IDO is integrally required for inflammatory tumor promotion.

Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) is generally considered to be immunosuppressive but recent findings suggest this characterization oversimplifies its role in disease pathogenesis. Recently, we showed that IDO is essential for tumor outgrowth in the classical two-stage model of inflammatory skin carcinogenesis. Here, we report that IDO loss did not exacerbate classical inflammatory responses. Rather, IDO induction could be elicited by environmental signals and tumor promoters as an integral component of the inflammatory tissue microenvironment even in the absence of cancer. IDO loss had limited impact on tumor outgrowth in carcinogenesis models that lacked an explicit inflammatory tumor promoter. In the context of inflammatory carcinogenesis where IDO was critical to tumor development, the most important source of IDO was radiation-resistant non-hematopoietic cells, consistent with evidence that loss of the IDO regulatory tumor suppressor gene Bin1 in transformed skin cells facilitates IDO-mediated immune escape by a cell autonomous mechanism. Taken together, our results identify IDO as an integral component of ‘cancer-associated’ inflammation that tilts the immune system toward tumor support. More generally, they promote the concept that mediators of immune escape and cancer-associated inflammation may be genetically synonymous.
Effect of Aging on the Protein Requirement of Mature Female Japanese Quail for Egg Production

Abstract Four experiments were conducted to assess the effects of aging on the protein requirement and body composition of adult female Japanese quail in egg production. Birds (130 g average body weight) were individually fed diets containing 12, 14, 16, 18, or 20% protein for 6-week experimental periods commencing at 4, 8, and 12 months of age. Birds were force molted prior to the 8 and 12-months-of-age experiments. Diets were semipurified with the protein supplied by a constant mixture of casein and soybean meal supplemented with arginine and methionine. The least squares requirement estimates at 4 months of age for protein to maximize egg production, egg yield, and egg yield per feed were 15.0, 15.0, and 14.8% dietary protein and 2.30, 2.35, and 2.28 g of protein per day, respectively. At 8 months of age, the requirement estimates for all parameters were over 20% dietary protein and more than 3.29 g of protein per day. At 12 months of age, the requirement estimates were 16.5, 17.0, and 19.5% dietary protein and 2.75, 2.80, and more than 3.25 g of protein per day for egg production, egg yield, and egg yield per feed, respectively. Maximal egg production, egg yield, and egg yield per feed were similar for all three ages. Aging did not affect percentage fat and protein in the body. At 4, 8, and 12 months of age, 14.6, 16.5, and 18.0% dietary protein were necessary to maximize grams of body protein. These results indicate a decreased utilization of dietary protein with increasing age of egg-laying adult female Japanese quail.
Properties of Bayes testing procedures in order restricted inference

Abstract Consider k-independent normal populations with unknown means. Test the null hypothesis that the vector of means lies in a linear subspace (For example, the null could be all parameters are equal.) The alternative is that the vector of means lies in a closed convex cone (but not a linear subspace) whose dual cone is orthogonal to the linear subspace. Cohen et al. (2000, J. Multivariate Anal. 72, 50–77) showed that for many such cones the likelihood ratio test lacked a practical monotonicity property. Its behavior in such cases may be cause for concern. In this paper, we show that many Bayes tests also lack the practical monotonicity property.
Raman microspectroscopy of melanosomes: the effect of long term light irradiation

Melanosomes are long lived organelles in retinal pigment epithelium cells and are primarily responsible for photoprotection. However, with aging or prolong light radiation, the function of melanosomes diminishes, which may be due to photobleaching of melanin pigments present in melanosomes. In this study, melanosomes were isolated from the retinal pigment epithelium cells and exposed to green light (532 nm), and the chemical changes were monitored using Raman microspectroscopy. Photochemical changes were recorded for different power levels and exposure times. The threshold power and the rate for irreversible photobleaching of melanosomes were calculated by fitting the experimental data with a proposed model.
Computer assisted diagnostic (CAD) methods for X-ray imaging and teleradiology

The development and evaluation of a new class of algorithms for computer assisted diagnostic (CAD) methods for segmentation and detection of masses in digitized mammograms is reported. Both non-adaptive and adaptive methods are reported that employ two key novel CAD modules, specifically tailored for digital mammography, namely: (a) a multiorientation directional wavelet transform for removal of directional features and for the direct detection of speculations for spiculated lesions, and (b) a multiresolution wavelet transform for image enhancement to improve the segmentation of suspicious areas. The aim of the work is to provide a brief overview of both the non-adaptive and adaptive methods and comparison of their performance using computer ROC curves. An image data base containing regions of interest (ROI), enclosing all mass types and normal tissues, was used for the relative comparison of the performance, where electronic ground truth was established. The result confirm the importance of using adaptive CAD methods that should potentially allow a more generalized and robust application for larger image data bases, images generated from different sensors, or direct X-ray detection, as required for clinical trials and teleradiology applications.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Disturbance attenuation using a dc motor for radial force actuation in a rotordynamic system

This paper presents a technique for attenuating the external disturbances acting on the rotor of a prototype flywheel energy storage device. The approach uses a three-phase axial flux brushless dc motor to simultaneously produce a torque and a radial force. This is accomplished by using two phases of the motor for torque generation, and one phase to produce the radial force. The paper develops a set of equations that can be used to predict the forces generated by the motor coils. These equations are used to implement a feedback control system to suppress the effects of external excitations. The nonlinear controller requires the velocity measurements and the angular displacement of the flywheel. The controller essentially adds damping to the system, and the constant feedback gains solve an optimization problem that involves a H ∞ bound on the disturbance attenuation. The experimental results clearly demonstrate that the dc motor can be used to suppress unwanted radial vibrations due to external disturbances.
Levofloxacin in vitro activity against bacteremic isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae

Abstract Levofloxacin had excellent activity in vitro against bacteremic isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae with 495 (99.2%) of 499 isolates being susceptible. A total of 38 (97.4%) of 39 isolates with minimal inhibitory concentrations ⩾0.12 μg/ml of penicillin were susceptible to levofloxacin. There was excellent correlation between the disk diffusion and broth microdilution methods for determining susceptibility. Resistant isolates belonged to four different serotypes. There was no increase in proportion of isolates of S. pneumoniae resistant between 1991 and 1994.
Autoradiographic Evaluation of Gingival Response to Injury: VI. Surgical Trauma in Long-Term, Low-Protein-Fed Adult Rats:

Low-protein-fed rats received gingival trauma. Autoradiographic and histologic analysis of the jaws up to six months thereafter revealed little prolonged influence of the variables.
Resting State EEG Multiscale Entropy Dynamics in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Early Alzheimer’s Disease

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a neurological condition related to early stages of dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This study explores non-event-related multiscale entropy (MSE) measures as features for effectively discriminating between normal aging, MCI, and AD participants. Resting EEG records from 48 age-matched participants (mean age 75.7 years) — 15 normal controls (NC), 16 MCI, and 17 early AD — are examined. Multiscale entropy curves are computed for short EEG segments and averaged over the segments. Binary discriminations among the three groups are conducted using support vector machine models. Leave-one-out cross-validation accuracies of 80.7% (p-value <0.0018) for MCI vs. NC, 87.5% (p-value <1.322E−4) for AD vs. NC, and 90.9% (p-value <2.788E−5) for MCI vs. AD are achieved. Results demonstrate influence of cognitive deficits on multiscale entropy dynamics of non-event-related EEG.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Screening Documented Event Monitors in Healthy Premature Infants for Pathologic Apnea and Bradycardia

Screening Documented Event Monitors in Healthy Premature Infants for Pathologic Apnea and Bradycardia
Uncommon roentgen patterns of pulmonary sarcoidosis.

Summary The present report deals with two interesting but less familiar roentgen patterns of pulmonary sarcoidosis, the multinodular and multicystic. The former consists of multiple large nodules simulating those of malignant pulmonary metastases. The multicystic type is probably a complication of the fibrotic stage of sarcoidosis, the cysts representing emphysematous bullae and bronchiectatic cavities. The clinical and roentgen features encountered in a group of five cases presenting the multinodular and nine cases showing the multicystic pattern are described and their importance in differential diagnosis emphasized. Criteria are set forth which should suggest the diagnosis of sarcoidosis in such cases.
Transaxillary subcutaneous endoscopic release of the sternocleidomastoid muscle for treatment of persistent torticollis.

Abstract Purpose Surgical correction of torticollis is occasionally necessary to curtail the facial deformity that can result from this condition. The resultant neck scar can be of suboptimal cosmesis, with consequent psychological distress for the child. We have previously described an endoscopic approach to forehead and brow lesions through scalp incisions. We now describe a transaxillary subcutaneous endoscopic approach to division of the fibrotic sternocleidomastoid muscle. Methods This study involved a retrospective chart review of 3 consecutive outpatient procedures (male-to-female ratio, 1:2; age range, 8 months to 7 years) from March to October of 2005. The 2 older patients had established sternocleidomastoid fibrosis, and 1 had complicated torticollis refractory to medical management. All procedures were performed using standard 3-mm-laparoscopic instrumentation through hidden incisions in the ipsilateral axilla. Outcome measures included need for conversion, operative time, cosmetic outcome, and complications. Results All patients were successfully treated endoscopically. Mean operative time was 50 minutes (range, 45-55 minutes). There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. All families were pleased with the cosmetic outcome. Conclusion This case series demonstrates the simplicity and effectiveness of a transaxillary endoscopic subcutaneous approach to torticollis.
Nasal-type T/NK lymphomas: a clinicopathologic study of 13 cases.

Natural Killer (NK) cell lymphomas, which include the nasal and the "nasal type" varieties, are defined as angiocentric lymphomas in the revised European American Lymphoma (R.E.A.L.) classification. This group of diseases is rare in the United States and Europe but is more common in Asia and Central America. It is associated with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and its response to treatment and prognosis are usually very poor. The aim of this study was to describe our experience with 13 patients with angiocentric lymphomas seen at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center (UTMDACC) over the last 14 years. Thirteen patients with a diagnosis of nasal NK cell lymphoma were treated at UTMDACC from 1987 to 1999. Eleven patients were treated initially with doxorubicin based chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy. One patient received interferon (IFN)-alpha and vitamin A and another methotrexate, vincristine, L-Asparaginase, and radiotherapy. The median age was 44 years (range 15-76); there were four women and nine men. All patients presented with local disease involving the sinonasal region. Typical immunophenotypes expressing CD2+, CD3- and CD56+ surface markers as well as non rearrangement of T-receptors were present in all patients. Eight patients (62%) responded to therapy; six (46%) with complete response (CR) and two (16%) with partial response (PR). Five patients (38%) were alive, four with no evidence of disease (NED) at 1, 2, 3, and 9 years after treatment, and one patient was alive with disease (AWD) at the time of publication. One patient died while in CR from complications from allogeneic bone marrow transplant. Six patients had disease progression to extranodal sites including: testis (2), central nervous system (2), lung (1), bone marrow (2), liver (2), peripheral blood (2), and skin (2). In conclusion, the response to doxorubicin-containing regimens is inferior to that of patients with other non-Hodgkin's lymphomas and similar prognostic factors. Because the disease is associated with EBV virus in 90%-100% of the cases and the prognosis is poor, innovative therapies should be tried including immunotherapy that targets the expression of EBV by the tumor with or without myeloablative procedures.
Left ventricular electromechanical mapping: preliminary evidence of electromechanical changes after successful coronary intervention.

Abstract Background Postinterventional ischemic myocardial dysfunction and its sequelae are still not well understood. Methods and Results To gain further insight into the immediate physiologic consequences of coronary interventions and to better understand the nature of changes that result from such interventions, we analyzed 96 electromechanical maps from 48 patients before and after successful, uncomplicated percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). A NOGA system was used to construct the map of the endocardial surface. Reproducibility was confirmed by constructing 10 additional maps in 5 patients who did not undergo an intervening procedure. Discordant areas were defined as those with preserved unipolar voltage (≥7.5 mV) and diminished linear local shortening (≤12.5%). On the basis of comparison of the variations in the discordance values (%) in the reproducibility group, patients were considered improved (lower values), worsened (higher values), or unchanged. In the reproducibility group, the mean variation in discordance was 2.18% ± 1.26%, whereas in the PCI group, it was 21.97% ± 18.47%. In the PCI group (rotational atherectomy subgroup [n = 10] and stent subgroup [n = 38]), left ventricular discordance values improved in 19 patients (39.6%), worsened in 24 (50%), and remained the same in 5 (10.4%). Of all variables analyzed, only abciximab was significantly associated with postintervention improvement in discordance ( P =.02; odds ratio 0.165, 95% CI 0.03-0.88), regardless of the type of intervention performed ( P =.61), whereas heparin alone was associated with more discordance after intervention (odds ratio 6.07, 95% CI 1.14-32.40). Conclusions We assessed the effect of percutaneous revascularization on myocardium by use of electromechanical data. For the first time, changes in linear local shortening in areas of preserved unipolar voltage were quantified, and worsening after successful Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction grade III coronary interventions was registered. The only variable associated with improvement on electromechanical data after interventions was the use of abciximab. This raises the question of the possible potential of this new diagnostic tool in assessing and quantifying postinterventional microvasculature pathological changes. (Am Heart J 2002;144:693-701.)
Growth monitoring of winter wheat in Beijing area using HJ-1A hyperspectral imagery

Dynamic monitoring crop growth can keep track of the crop growth status, seedlings, soil moisture, nutriture and their changes and then the appropriate management strategies will be taken to ensure timely the normal growth and development. This study represented the potential of satellite hyperspectral imagery to monitor winter wheat biophysical and biochemical characteristics through narrow-band indices in Beijing. Three hyperspectral images (HSI, 100m, 115Bands, 460.04–951.54nm) of Environment and Disaster Monitoring and Forecasting of Small Satellite Constellation A (HJ-1A) were acquired in 5th April, 2009. Canopy spectral reflectance, leaf area index (LAI) and chlorophyll content (CHLa, CHLb) of winter wheat were measured synchronously with HJ1-1A visited. Firstly, the Gaussian function is taken to simulate the response function of HSI, and then the ground hyperspectral data is matched to the HSI channels to get the simulated HSI. Secondly, the correlation relationships between the simulated HSI and its mathematical transforms (derivative HSI, normalized spectral index (NDSI), subtraction index (SSI)) and the observed LAI and CHL were analyzed, respectively, to select the sensitive bands of the LAI and CHL. Finally, the indexes NDSI(748.2,765.11) and SSI(759.39,776.82), which were built with these above sensitive bands, were chosen to estimate LAI and CHL, respectively. On basis of the above analysis, these constructed indexes were applied in observed HSI. The HSI data were processed by radiometric calibration, vertical stripes elimination, atmospheric correction, and geometric correction. And then, mapping the LAI and CHL to quantitatively monitor the crop growth.
Stability and interactions of transverse field structures in optical parametric oscillators near resonance detuning

A Swift–Hohenberg-type equation is considered in two and three dimensions for an optical parametric oscillator near its resonance detuning limit. The stability and behaviour of solutions to this equation are characterized utilizing numerical simulations and linear stability analysis. The stability of one-dimensional solutions extended to higher dimensions is considered as well as localized structures (LS) and fronts. The interactions of the localized structures are responsible for creating a host of stable, self-organizing and nontrivial spatial patterns. One manifestation of the LS leads to the formation of dipoles, dipoles rings and dipole lines. Stable hexagonal patterns are also generated. Extensions to the three-dimensional setting give analogous results to the two-dimensional behaviour. The stable LS are promising candidates as optical bits for photonic applications.
Effect of uncertainties in transport properties on prediction of stagnation-point heat transfer.

Transport property difference effect on flow prediction of blunt body stagnation region heat transfer, noting laminar flow and compressible boundary layer equations
Experimental approach to the characterization of a micromachined continuous-membrane deformable mirror

The purpose of this study was the experimental determination of the type of wave aberration corrected by the micro-machined continuous-membrane deformable mirror from OKO Technologies, and the determination of the limitation in the dynamic range of its correction. We wanted to compare these characteristics with the requirements met in vision science and we wanted to be able to judge the capacity and performance of this deformable mirror for this field of application. To characterize the quality of the static aberration correction of the system, we used phase plates simulating astigmatism and higher order aberrations for an artificial eye consisting of a lens and an USAF resolution target. The pupil size used for the scanning area was 6 mm. The adaptive optics system worked as a closed-loop. Our methodology consisted of measuring the aberrations of these plates and subsequently comparing them with the exact specification given by the manufacturer. In a second time, we corrected the wave front and analyze the quality of the correction by comparing the total root mean square wave front error and the Strehl ratio before and after compensation. We also studied the speed of convergence of the system. We then compared the experimental results with the theoretical simulations of the mirror behavior from other publications.
A mediation framework for multimedia delivery

We present a conceptual mediation framework that features three layers of mediators: presence, integration, and homogenization layers that work together in a peer-to-peer (p2p) manner to facilitate the delivery of multimedia data. On arrival of each request for data from a client, a global-mediator is elected from a group of integration layer mediators to service that request. Using distributed hash table (DHT), the global-mediator dispatches the request to other integrator mediators to track down the data sources. Upon receipt of the results, from the source(s), the global-mediator presents the data to the client via a presence-mediator. The presence-mediator may need to reformat the data to suit the execution context of the client. This mediation process is context-aware, adaptive and dynamically structured. Quality of service (QoS) factors are taken into consideration in the retrieval and presentation of data.
Signal Processing Techniques for Feature Extraction and Classification using Small-Footprint Full-Waveform Airborne LIDAR

Full-waveform digitizer hardware integration within discrete return LIDAR systems provides an enhanced capability to resolve vertical structure within the laser line of sight and potentially classify specific surfaces or objects. However, the subject of waveform signal processing as it applies to surface classification is fairly underdeveloped. This research includes the examination of LIDAR waveform pulse characteristics for known targets and vegetation types. Using these data, a number of signal processing techniques were investigated as precursors to classification engines without prior knowledge of surface slope, or obscuration density. Relevant waveform features were extracted using both Gaussian decomposition method and raw waveform features revealing surface classification distinctions. Preliminary results from this data set indicate that the total integrated waveform energy provides an efficient and rapid methodology for discrimination of vegetation from built surfaces. These results indicate that metrics derived from the full waveforms can be utilized to characterize and classify (to a limited degree) an environment without prior knowledge.
Overdenture sequelae: A nine-month report

Abstract Six patients who were treated with maxillary and/or mandibular overdentures were recalled at specified intervals and observed for a period of 9 months. All these patients received periodontal therapy prior to overdenture fabrication. "Relief" and "no relief" methods of the acrylic resin of the overdenture opposing the abutment roots and supporting tissues were studied. The evaluation of dental and periodontal health was made, and the gingival index, sulcus depth, gingival crevicular fluid flow, width of the attached gingiva, root mobility, and dental caries were recorded. The subgingival microflora was examined at different time intervals to correlate gingival health and microbial ecology with overdenture wear. No statistically significant changes were noted with regard to the sulcus depth and width of the attached gingiva. A statistically significant decrease in the gingival index and the gingival crevicular fluid flow was observed around all the abutment roots, while no mobility of the abutment roots or dental caries were detectable throughout the length of the study. The pretreatment subgingival microflora consisted of a variety of microbial species. Following periodontal therapy and at the time of insertion of the overdentures, only Veillonella , Actinomyces , Bacteroides , and Candida were present. However, at the last recall Bacteroides and Candida were eliminated, while Fusobacterium , Treponema , Selenomonas , and Streptococcus repopulated the gingival crevice. Nevertheless, clinical gingival health was maintained. Additional studies are planned to determine if the total number of organisms rather than the composition of the flora is the important determinant of health or disease of the gingival tissues around the abutment roots supporting overdentures. It can be concluded that irrespective of which abutment management technique is used, the periodontal health of the abutment roots can be successfully maintained by good plaque control by the patient and by frequent professional recall visits. This study is part of a continuing longitudinal study of the effects of overdentures on their supporting tissues.
Multiple-electron transfer in a single step. Design and synthesis of highly charged cation-radical salts.

Macromolecules 1c and 2c bearing multiple redox-active sites are synthesized by an efficient palladium-catalyzed coupling of 2,5-dimethoxytolylmagnesium bromide with readily available hexakis(4-bromophenyl)benzene and tetrakis(4-bromophenyl)methane. These macromolecular electron donors undergo reversible oxidation at a constant potential of 1.15 V vs SCE to yield robust, multiply charged cation radicals that are isolated in pure form using SbCl5 as an oxidant. These nanometer-size cation-radical salts are shown to act as efficient “electron sponges” toward a variety of electron donors.
Clinical trials in patients with biochemically relapsed prostate cancer

In this section there is a wide diversity of mini-reviews, covering several areas of interest for readers. Authors from the USA write about clinical trials in patients with biochemically relapsed prostate cancer, again bridging the divide between medical oncologists and urologists who specialise in urological oncological surgery. The second paper is a joint one from Germany and the USA, bringing the reader up to date with advances in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence. Finally there are two papers from Australia describing the use of positron emission tomography in renal cancer and in prostate cancer.
Targeted Assessment for Prevention of Healthcare-Associated Infections: A New Prioritization Metric.

OBJECTIVE To develop a method for calculating the number of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) that must be prevented to reach a HAI reduction goal and identifying and prioritizing healthcare facilities where the largest reductions can be achieved. SETTING Acute care hospitals that report HAI data to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Healthcare Safety Network. METHODS The cumulative attributable difference (CAD) is calculated by subtracting a numerical prevention target from an observed number of HAIs. The prevention target is the product of the predicted number of HAIs and a standardized infection ratio goal, which represents a HAI reduction goal. The CAD is a numeric value that if positive is the number of infections to prevent to reach the HAI reduction goal. We calculated the CAD for catheter-associated urinary tract infections for each of the 3,639 hospitals that reported such data to National Healthcare Safety Network in 2013 and ranked the hospitals by their CAD values in descending order. RESULTS Of 1,578 hospitals with positive CAD values, preventing 10,040 catheter-associated urinary tract infections at 293 hospitals (19%) with the highest CAD would enable achievement of the national 25% catheter-associated urinary tract infection reduction goal. CONCLUSION The CAD is a new metric that facilitates ranking of facilities, and locations within facilities, to prioritize HAI prevention efforts where the greatest impact can be achieved toward a HAI reduction goal. Infect. Control Hosp. Epidemiol. 2015;36(12):1379–1384
An analysis of experience effects on audit committee members' oversight judgments

Abstract This paper examines whether experience affects audit committee members' oversight judgments. A sample of 87 audit committee members completed an internal control oversight task to evaluate whether experience facilitated comparability with a criterion group of external auditors. The results indicate that both general domain and task specific experience made a significant difference in audit committee members' internal control assessments. Of primary importance, members with experience made internal control judgments more like auditors than did members without experience. Ancillary results reveal that experienced members made more consistent judgments, had higher self-insight, higher consensus, and higher technical content levels for additional items offered than did the members without experience. These findings provide some initial empirical support for suggestions that prior work experience can make a difference in audit committee member oversight and highlight the need for additional research across the diverse range of audit committee tasks.
Socio-technical structures in enterprise systems implementation: evidence from a five year study

How are users involved in enterprise systems implementations? In response, we draw on theories of social structure and use data drawn from a five year study of an enterprise system implementation at a medium-sized university (MSU). The analysis of this data focuses on the differences between formal organizational structures and the social structural network of ties among those involved in the implementation effort. Doing so helps to highlight the changed relationships between users, product developers, third-party consultants and the internal information systems people.
Nucleic acid hybridization in plant virus diagnosis and characterization

Abstract The identification of viruses is important in the prediction of plant diseases in annual crops, the prevention of infection in planting stock, in monitoring disease control methods and in diagnosing disease in plants held in quarantine. Nucleic acid hybridization methods are well suited to such purposes. Their applicability will be extended by developments in membrane materials, probes and non-radioactive reporter groups.
PTEN function, the long and the short of it

Phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN) is a phosphatase that is frequently altered in cancer. PTEN has phosphatase-dependent and -independent roles, and genetic alterations in PTEN lead to deregulation of protein synthesis, the cell cycle, migration, growth, DNA repair, and survival signaling. PTEN localization, stability, conformation, and phosphatase activity are controlled by an array of protein–protein interactions and post-translational modifications. Thus, PTEN-interacting and -modifying proteins have profound effects on the tumor suppressive functions of PTEN. Moreover, recent studies identified mechanisms by which PTEN can exit cells, via either exosomal export or secretion, and act on neighboring cells. This review focuses on modes of PTEN protein regulation and ways in which perturbations in this regulation may lead to disease.
Expression and actions of heme oxygenase in the renal medulla of rats.

Abstract —Recent studies have shown that the heme oxygenase (HO) product, carbon monoxide (CO), induces vasodilation and that inhibition of HO produces a sustained hypertension in rats. Given the importance of renal medullary blood flow (MBF) in the long-term control of arterial blood pressure, we hypothesized that the HO/CO system may play an important role in maintaining the constancy of blood flow to the renal medulla, which in turn contributes to the antihypertensive effects of the renal medulla. To test this hypothesis, we first determined the expression of 2 isoforms of HO (HO-1 and HO-2) in the different kidney regions. By Northern blot analyses, the abundance of both isozyme mRNAs was found highest in the renal inner medulla and lowest in the renal cortex. The transcripts for HO-1 in the renal outer medulla and inner medulla were 2.5 and 3.7 times that expressed in the renal cortex and those for HO-2 in the outer medulla and inner medulla were 1.3 and 1.6 times that expressed in the renal cortex, respectively. Western blot analyses of both enzymes showed the same expression pattern in these kidney regions as the mRNAs. To determine the role that HO plays in the control of renal MBF, we examined the effect of the HO inhibitor zinc deuteroporphyrin 2,4- bis glycol (ZnDPBG) on cortical blood flow and MBF in anesthetized rats. ZnDPBG was given by renal medullary interstitial infusion, and cortical blood flow and MBF were measured by laser Doppler flowmetry. Renal medullary interstitial infusion of ZnDPBG at a dose of 60 nmol/kg per minute produced a 31% decrease in MBF over a period of 60 minutes as measured by laser Doppler flow signal (0.62±0.02 vs 0.43±0.04 V in control vs ZnDPBG). With the use of an in vivo microdialysis technique, ZnDPBG was found to significantly reduce renal medullary cGMP concentrations when infused into the renal medullary interstitial space. These results suggest that both HO-1 and HO-2 are highly expressed in the renal medulla, that HO and its products play an important role in maintaining the constancy of blood flow to the renal medulla, and that cGMP may mediate the vasodilator effect of HO products in the renal medullary circulation.
Molecular Analysis of a Carbohydrate Antigen Involved in the Structure and Function of Zona Pellucida Glycoproteins

A lactosaminoglycan-associated antigen is associated with a carbohydrate moiety of all three zona pellucida (ZP) glycoproteins of pig and rabbit but is absent in the mouse and rat. A monoclonal antibody (PS1) recognizing this determinant was obtained by immunizing mice with a porcine ZP glycoprotein isoform purified by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Conditions known to remove O-linked or sialic acid carbohydrate moieties (alkaline reduction; O-glycanase or neuraminidase enzymatic cleavage) did not remove the carbohydrate epitope. However, treatment with endo-β-glycosidase, endoglycosidase F, or combinations of neuraminidase plus β-galactosidase, totally removed the determinant, indicating that it is associated with a poly-N-acetyllactosaminoglycan structure present on an N-linked oligosaccharide. Molecular morphology studies using immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy techniques demonstrate that the PS1 antigen is localized at the surface of the ZP. Confirmation of this localization was obtained through studies that show that this antibody will inhibit homologous sperm binding to the pig ZP. Additional analyses using modular contrast microscopy and immunocytochemistry demonstrate that this carbohydrate-associated antigen is localized in discrete layers throughout the ZP matrix. These studies are the first to demonstrate the presence of a lactosaminoglycan type carbohydrate moiety in all three ZP proteins using a monoclonal antibody that appears to be involved in sperm recognition and structural organization.
Barium Fluoride Crystals for Future Hadron Colliders

This report summarizes the radiation resistance of the current production BaF 2 crystals. An approach to implement optical bleaching in situ is also presented. By using optical bleaching current production quality BaF 2 crystals could serve as an excellent candidate to construct a precision electromagnetic calorimeter at future hadron colliders.
INFORMATION POTENTIAL: A Concept of the Importance of Information Sources in a Research and Development Environment

Recent research suggests that a few R & D professionals serve as communication nodes for their organizations. A study of these special communicators revealed that they were seen to have more value as information sources to their colleagues. The hypothesis, that individuals with high information source value have exposure to both a greater number of and a greater diversity of information sources, was investigated and was generally supported by research data collected by questionnaire in three separate R & D organizations.
Progress in the biochemistry of nitrogen fixation.

A discussion of progress in the biochemistry of nitrogen fixation is simplified by the thorough reviews which have been given by Professor P. W. Wilson and Professor J. Chatt. Professor Wilson has outlined the history of the subject and has indicated that a great deal of our current knowledge actually was established by the use of intact organisms. Detailed studies of the enzymology of the process were limited by the necessity for using whole cells, but with intact cells the specific inhibitors of nitrogen fixation, the role of ammonia as the key intermediate in nitrogen fixation, the involvement of molecular hydrogen, the physical constants characteristic of nitrogen fixation, the enhancement of the hydrogen exchange reaction by molecular nitrogen, and the demonstration that nitrous oxide can serve as an alternative substrate to N2 all had been established. Little was known about the electron donors in nitrogen fixation, the role of ATP in the process had not been shown, and nothing was known about the composition of the nitrogen fixing enzymes although it was assumed that they contained iron and molybdenum. It was of obvious importance to obtain an active preparation which could fix nitrogen in the absence of intact cells. Much work was directed to this end and instances of positive nitrogen fixation were reported in the literature (Burris 1966). However, the fixation obtained was not very helpful for mechanism studies, because it was inconsistent and poorly controlled. In late 1959 we obtained consistent fixation with cell-free extracts from the blue–green algae (Schneider et al 1960), and at approximately the same time Carnahan, Mortenson, Mower & Castle (1960 a ) obtained good cell-free fixation with extracts from Clostridium pasteurianum . Their preparation was considerably more active and convenient than ours, and so most work with cell-free preparations from blue-green algae was abandoned in favour of work with the anaerobic bacteria. Their process of drying the cells on a rotary vacuum evaporator and supplying very high concentrations of pyruvate as the substrate were critical for achieving active fixation.
One-carbon metabolism and bipolar disorder

Objective:Folate is one of the most widely used nutraceuticals for the treatment of mood disorders. In this article, we review folate metabolism, its relationship with bipolar disorder, and its therapeutic potential.Methods:We searched PubMed and the Cochrane Library for relevant articles up to and including the year 2012. Background information, proposed mechanisms of action, and results from clinical trials were reviewed.Results:Folate is an essential cofactor involved in methylation reactions, which are critical for monoamine synthesis and homocysteine regulation. Folate level is thought to be associated with mood disorders and limited response to antidepressants. Functional deficiency, due to a common genetic variant of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (NAD(P)H) (MTHFR) gene, could also affect the presentation of bipolar disorder. Sodium valproate and lamotrigine, commonly used mood stabilizers for the treatment of bipolar disorder, can potentially interfere with folate and homocysteine metabol...
Sampling Trace‐Level Organic Solutes with Polymeric Tubing Part 2. Dynamic Studies

This is the second part of a study conducted to determine whether polymeric sampling tubing can affect organic analyte concentrations during a sampling event. In this part of the study, the authors looked for sorption and desorption of trichloroethylene (TCE) and leaching of organic constituents in water pumped through five types of polymeric tubing. The materials tested were a rigid fluoropolymer, a flexible fluoropolymer, low-density polyethylene (LDPE), and two plasticized polypropylene tubings. The effects of tubing length and flow rate were examined. The least sorptive tubings, both initially and at equilibrium, were the fluoropolymers. However, in some instances the LDPE tubing had little effect on TCE concentrations. This was when a slow flow rate was used to sample relatively shallow wells (50 feet [15 m] or less) or when a faster flow rate (1 L/min) was used to sample wells that are less than 500 feet (152 m). Further testing is recommended using more sorptive analytes. Using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), the authors were unable to detect any constituents leaching from any of the tubings used in these studies, even when a slow flow rate was used. However, desorption of sorbed analytes is a concern for all the tubingsmore » tested, including the rigid fluoropolymer.« less
Identifying the needs of brain tumor patients and their caregivers

The purpose of this study is to identify the needs of brain tumor patients and their caregivers to provide improved health services to these populations. Two different questionnaires were designed for patients and caregivers. Both questionnaires contained questions pertaining to three realms: disease symptoms/treatment, health care provider, daily living/finances. The caregivers’ questionnaires contained an additional domain on emotional needs. Each question was evaluated for the degree of importance and satisfaction. Exploratory analyses determined whether baseline characteristics affect responder importance or satisfaction. Also, areas of high agreement/disagreement in satisfaction between the participating patient-caregiver pairs were identified. Questions for which >50% of the patients and caregivers thought were “very important” but >30% were dissatisfied include: understanding the cause of brain tumors, dealing with patients’ lower energy, identifying healthful foods and activities for patients, telephone access to health care providers, information on medical insurance coverage, and support from their employer. In the emotional realm, caregivers identified 9 out of 10 items as important but need further improvement. Areas of high disagreement in satisfaction between participating patient-caregiver pairs include: getting help with household chores (P value = 0.006) and finding time for personal needs (P value < 0.001). This study provides insights into areas to improve services for brain tumor patients and their caregivers. The caregivers’ highest amount of burden is placed on their emotional needs, emphasizing the importance of providing appropriate medical and psychosocial support for caregivers to cope with emotional difficulties they face during the patients’ treatment process.
Cast adrift on an island: introduced populations experience an altered balance between selection and drift

0 ST and FST for stripes did not differ from the neutral model. These results suggest that the evolutionary dynamics of this previously adaptive trait have become dominated by random genetic drift following the range expansion.
Leveraging both Data Cache and Scratchpad Memory through Synergetic Data Allocation

Although a data cache provides fast access latency, it degrades the timing predictability of real-time embedded systems due to misses which are difficult to predict. Scratch pad memory is accessed as fast as a data cache, but does not suffer from unpredicted misses thanks to its software-controlled mechanism. This study presents how scratch pad memory reduces data cache pollution and misses for preemptive real-time embedded systems, so that both of the fast memory subsystems can work together with synergy. First, by classifying data cache misses into intrinsic misses and interference misses we reveal previously hidden characteristics of the interactions between data in the cache. Second, we suggest a heuristic method of data allocation to scratch pad memory using the new perspective, which reduces the cache pollution and finally improve the cache performance. Third, we examine these concepts with several tasks running on a real hardware platform and a preemptive real-time operating system. In addition, we perform a supplementary case study which shows how sensitive the data cache is to small changes of data memory layout and its dynamic contents. Our proposed scheme guides us through the synergetic process by using scratch pad memory beyond the sensitive data cache. In our experiments, the proposed data allocation scheme significantly reduces inter-task cache pollution as well as the intrinsic cache misses of the tasks themselves.
The Space between Us and Them: Perceptions of Status Differences

The current study examines perceived status differences among ethnic groups. Consistent with a group dominance perspective, three samples of American university students revealed that perceived ethnic status differences increased to the extent that individuals had low ethnic status, perceived their society to be unfair, and were lower on social dominance orientation. In addition, social dominance orientation moderated the relationship between perceived status differences and perceived societal fairness such that perceived unfairness was associated with perceived status differences only for those low on social dominance orientation. Discussion suggests that variability in perceived status differences stems from group position, and that understanding the origins of individuals’ perceptions of status differences may be a basic and necessary step to improve intergroup relations.