cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Performance Experience on Vocal Music Major's Perception of Musical Tension

Participants (N=20) enrolled in two separate applied studios listened to the same art song during their weekly lesson for six consecutive weeks, using a CRDI dial to measure perceived musical tension as they listened. In addition, members of one studio (n=10) studied and prepared the specific song used during listening tasks. Similar to methods used in previous research in this area, the investigator did not provide a definition of musical tension; all participants were allowed to define this construct in their own manner. Results indicated a high degree of consistency among responses, both in comparisons of overall means of participant groups and in comparisons of week-­‐by-­‐week means within each group. Participants in this study generally perceived tension in a similar manner, and did not seem to demonstrate any significant changes in perception of tension due to performance experience, increased musical knowledge, or repeated hearings of the song.
Clinical results of a phase II study of sorafenib in patients (pts) with non-GIST sarcomas (CTEP study #7060)

10001 Background: Sorafenib, an oral multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor, approved for the treatment of renal carcinoma, inhibits tumor cell proliferation and angiogenesis. We performed a mult...
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Integrating Natural Language Tutoring into an Existing Adaptive Learning System

This paper reports initial results of an evaluation for an ITS that follows service-oriented principles to integrate natural language tutoring into an existing adaptive learning system for mathematics. Self-explanation tutoring dialogs were used to talk students through step-by-step worked solutions to Algebra problems. These worked solutions presented an isomorphic problem to a preceding Algebra problem that the student could not solve in an adaptive learning system. Due to crossover issues between conditions, experimental versus control condition assignment did not show significant differences in learning gains. However, strong dose-dependent learning gains were observed that could not be otherwise explained by either initial mastery or time-on-task.
Expression and Purification of the Intracellular Domain of a Cationic Pentameric Ligand-Gated Ion Channel

Cationic pentameric ligand-gated ion channels (pLGICs) of the Cys-loop superfamily function as receptors for endogenous (e.g. acetylcholine, serotonin) and/or exogenous (e.g. nicotine) ligands. These receptors are the targets for a number of current clinical drugs used to treat nicotine addiction, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, pain perception, anxiety, and depression. In order to develop new, more effective drugs and improve current treatments, research is imperative to identify and characterize the different structural elements that mediate each aspect of receptor function. From an early electron density map of a pLGIC of the Cys-loop superfamily to the most recent high-resolution crystal structures of mammalian Cys-loop receptors, their structural information has revealed that the overall architecture of these pLGICs is highly-conserved. The intracellular domain (ICD) presents the notable exception in that the functions, lengths, amino acids sequences, and likely also structural folds are vastly different between subunits. Based on its diversity, the ICD presents a target for developing subtype-selective drugs with the hope of fewer side effects than current drugs, all of which target the highly-conserved extracellular or transmembrane domains.We developed a protein expression and purification strategy to produce the ICD of a cationic pLGIC in sufficient quantity and quality. Chimeras were generated by adding the ICD of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor to a soluble protein, and conditions for optimal expression in E. coli were identified. A two-step purification process consisting of affinity chromatography followed by size-exclusion chromatography yielded 5 mg of purified protein per liter of bacterial culture. Thus, our results are consistent with the successful large-scale expression and purification of the α7-ICD chimera that is now amenable to structural studies.
AttentiveVideo: quantifying emotional responses to mobile video advertisements

This demo presents AttentiveVideo, a multi-modal video player that can collect and infer viewers’ emotional responses to video advertisements on unmodified smart phones. When a subsidized video advertisement is playing, AttentiveVideo uses on-lens finger gestures for tangible video control, and employs implicit photoplethysmography (PPG) sensing to infer viewers' attention, engagement, and sentimentality toward advertisements. Through a 24-participant pilot study, we found that AttentiveVideo is easy to learn and intuitive to use. More importantly, AttentiveVideo achieved good accuracies on a wide range of emotional measures (best average accuracy = 65.9%, kappa = 0.30 across 9 metrics). Our preliminary result shows the potential of both low-cost collection and deep understanding of emotional responses to mobile video advertisements.
Development of bullous pemphigoid during nivolumab therapy

Immune checkpoint inhibitors are a new class of cancer therapeutics that promote antitumor immune responses. Currently US Food and Drug Administration–approved agents target the coregulatory molecules programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte–associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) and show significant activity in multiple cancer types. These medications can induce a variety of cutaneous eruptions, the full spectrum of which is not yet completely characterized. Here, we report a case of bullous pemphigoid (BP), which began shortly after initiating treatment with the PD-1 inhibitor nivolumab.
Management education within pharmacy curricula: A need for innovation

Abstract Objective To encourage the academy to pursue innovative management education strategies within pharmacy curricula and highlight these experiences in a scholarly dialogue. Summary: Management has often been a dreaded, dry, and often neglected aspect of pharmacy curricula. With the release of Center for Advancement of Pharmacy Education (CAPE) Educational Outcomes 2013 as well as Entry-Level Competencies Needed for Community Pharmacy Practice by National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) Foundation, National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), and Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) in 2012, managerial skills have seen a new emphasis in pharmacy education. Further, management has greater emphasis within ACPE “Standards 2016” through adoption of CAPE Educational Outcomes 2013 into the standards. Previous literature has shown success of innovative learning strategies in management education such as active learning, use of popular television shows, and emotional intelligence. The academy must build a more extensive scholarly body of work highlighting successful educational strategies to engage pharmacy students in an often-dreaded subject through applying the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning.
Qualitative Study of Patients' and Caregivers' Perceptions and Information Preferences About Hospice.

Abstract Objective: The goal of this study is to assess perceptions about hospice among patients with metastatic cancer and their caregivers (i.e., family and/or friends). Design and Setting: We conducted semi-structured interviews with 16 adult patients with a prognosis ≤12 months and 7 of their caregivers. The interviews focused on perceptions, knowledge, and information preferences about hospice. Two raters coded interviews independently (κ > 0.85). We used a framework approach for data analysis. Results: Participants showed variable gaps in understanding about hospice, including who would benefit from hospice care and the extent of services provided. They all perceived that hospice involves a psychological transition to accepting imminent death and often referred to hospice from a relatively cognitive distance, using hypothetical scenarios of others for whom hospice would be more relevant. Participants' attitudes about hospice reflected their concerns about suffering, loss of dignity, and death, as we...
Progenitor Cells and Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Heart Failure.

BackgroundEndogenous regenerative capacity, assessed as circulating progenitor cell (PC) numbers, is an independent predictor of adverse outcomes in patients with cardiovascular disease. However, t...
Towards an Interaction Model for Interactive Narratives

In the discussion of interactive narrative experiences and story-driven games, much of the current work has focused on analyzing and proposing models and frameworks based on narrative theory and ludology. However, the players’ experience and interaction with such narrative structure and content is a topic that is currently understudied in the field. Specifically, questions regarding how the player interacts and perceives the impact of their interaction on the story are currently unanswered. This paper presents a step towards defining an interaction model that can be used to design and compare how a user participates in an interactive narrative.
Conventional and phase contrast x-ray imaging techniques and ultrasound imaging method in breast tumor detection: initial comparison studies using phantom

The objective of this study was to demonstrate the capability of the high-energy in-line phase contrast imaging in detecting the breast tumors which are undetectable by conventional x-ray imaging but detectable by ultrasound. Experimentally, a CIRS multipurpose breast phantom with heterogeneous 50% glandular and 50% adipose breast tissue was imaged by high-energy in-line phase contrast system, conventional x-ray system and ultrasonography machine. The high-energy in-line phase contrast projection was acquired at 120 kVp, 0.3 mAs with the focal spot size of 18.3 μm. The conventional x-ray projection was acquired at 40 kVp, 3.3 mAs with the focal spot size of 22.26 μm. Both of the x-ray imaging acquisitions were conducted with a unique mean glandular dose of 0.08 mGy. As the result, the high-energy in-line phase contrast system was able to detect one lesion-like object which was also detected by the ultrasonography. This object was spherical shape with the length of about 12.28 mm. Also, the conventional x-ray system was not able to detect any objects. This result indicated the advantages provided by high-energy in-line phase contrast over conventional x-ray system in detecting lesion-like object under the same radiation dose. To meet the needs of current clinical strategies for high-density breasts screening, breast phantoms with higher glandular densities will be employed in future studies.
Causal evidence in risk and policy perceptions: Applying the covariation/mechanism framework

Abstract Today's information-rich society demands constant evaluation of cause-effect relationships; behaviors and attitudes ranging from medical choices to voting decisions to policy preferences typically entail some form of causal inference (“Will this policy reduce crime?”, “Will this activity improve my health?”). Cause-effect relationships such as these can be thought of as depending on two qualitatively distinct forms of evidence: covariation-based evidence (e.g., “states with this policy have fewer homicides”) or mechanism-based (e.g., “this policy will reduce crime by discouraging repeat offenses”). Some psychological work has examined how people process these two forms of causal evidence in instances of “everyday” causality (e.g., assessing why a car will not start), but it is not known how these two forms of evidence contribute to causal judgments in matters of public risk or policy. Three studies (n = 715) investigated whether judgments of risk and policy scenarios would be affected by covariation and mechanism evidence and whether the evidence types interacted with one another (as suggested by past studies). Results showed that causal judgments varied linearly with mechanism strength and logarithmically with covariation strength, and that the evidence types produced only additive effects (but no interaction). We discuss the results' implications for risk communication and policy information dissemination.
New advances in amblyopia therapy II: refractive therapies

The treatment of anisometropic or ametropic amblyopia has traditionally enjoyed a high treatment success rate. Early initiation and consistent use of spectacle correction can completely resolve amblyopia in a majority of patients. For those with anisometropic amblyopia that fail to improve with glasses wear alone, patching or atropine penalisation can lead to equalisation of visual acuity. However, successful treatment requires full-time compliance with refractive correction and this can be a challenge for a patient population that often has one eye with good acuity without correction. Other barriers for a select population with high anisometropic or ametropic amblyopia include rejection of glasses for various reasons including discomfort, behavioural or sensory problems, postural issues and visually significant aniseikonia. When consistent wear of optical correction proves difficult and patching/atropine remains a major obstacle, surgical correction of refractive error has proven success in achieving vision improvement. Acting as a means to achieve spectacle independence or reducing the overall needed refractive correction, refractive surgery can offer a unique treatment option for this patient population. Laser surgery, phakic intraocular lenses and clear lens exchange are three approaches to altering the refractive state of the eye. Each has documented success in improving vision, particularly in populations where glasses wear has not been possible. Surgical correction of refractive error has a risk profile greater than that of more traditional therapies. However, its use in a specific population offers the opportunity for improving visual acuity in children who otherwise have poor outcomes with glasses and patching/atropine alone.
Geography, Technology and the Flux of Opportunity: Reassessing the Rise and Decline of British Economic Power

This paper presents an analysis of the rise and decline of British economic predominance which emphasizes the interaction of geography with other economic, technological and political forces amid a context of other actors similarly shaped by such interactions. It argues for this interaction as the driver of Britain's ascent as maritime, trading and colonial power, and its strongly related industrialization, as well as its decreasing competitiveness as other, larger, more competitive states were favored by their own geographical situations, and the opportunities the economic and technological situation afforded.
Nuclear Medicine Board Review: Questions and Answers for Self-Assessment, Fourth Edition

C.R. Goldfarb, M.R. Chamarthy, F. Ongseng, S.R. Parmett, D.L. Bushnell Jr, R. Mirtcheva-Trocheva, U. Sen, and L.S. Zuckier New York, NY: Thieme Publishers, 2018, 373 pages, $69.99, ISBN: 9781626234710 This self-assessment question-and-answer review book provides a systematic review of key nuclear
p73 Is Required for pIgR Expression in the Respiratory Epithelium

Rationale: The polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR) is required for transport of secretory immunoglobulin A across the airway epithelium. Secretory immunoglobulin A helps maintain homeostasis i...
Ballistic excited state dynamics revealed by polarized fs-XANES

Polarized time-resolved X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) is used to characterize the sequential ballistic excited state dynamics of two B12 vitamers: cyanocobalamin and adenosylcobalamin. Excitation at 550 nm and 365 nm is used to resolve axial and equatorial contributions to the excited state dynamics.
Reduced Time to Positive Cutibacterium acnes Culture Utilizing a Novel Incubation Technique: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

IntroductionCutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) is a common pathogen in postoperative shoulder infections. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the time to positive cultures for C. acnes and compar...
On being part of a game

What is it for someone to be part of a game? While significant work has been done on the concept of playing a game, less has been done on the concept of being part of a game. This paper will look a...
Uneven Geographies and Treatment Challenges of People Living with HIV and AIDS: Perspectives from Geography

Approximately 36.7 million people are living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and another 1.8 million are infected every year. As one of the biggest global health challenges, HIV attracts attention from researchers, government and non-government organizations (NGOs), and the pharmaceutical industry to discover better drugs/vaccines, stop the spread of the disease, and promote adherence to treatment. Progress in fighting HIV/AIDS has been geographically uneven with a huge burden on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Antiretroviral drugs (ARV), the only known way to prevent AIDS-related death, can be costly and legally challenging to produce and distribute in LMICs. While cost of treatment has decreased, challenges in countering HIV include access, the quality of care, and prevention. In this chapter, we examine the geographic aspects of HIV, ARV production, and the role of international stakeholders. We argue that inclusive innovation involving multi-stakeholder and multidisciplinary collaboration is critical for halting and reversing the trends.
NEC-like intestinal injury is ameliorated by Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG in parallel with SIGIRR and A20 induction in neonatal mice.

Background Exaggerated Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling and intestinal dysbiosis are key contributors to necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) decreases NEC in preterm infants, but underlying mechanisms of protection remain poorly understood. We hypothesized that LGG alleviates dysbiosis and upregulates TLR inhibitors to protect against TLR-mediated gut injury. Methods Effects of LGG (low- and high-dose) on intestinal pro-inflammatory TLR signaling and injury in neonatal mice subjected to formula feeding (FF) and NEC were determined. 16S sequencing of stool and expression of anti-TLR mediators SIGIRR (single immunoglobulin interleukin-1-related receptor) and A20 were analyzed. Results FF induced mild intestinal injury with increased expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and Kupffer cell (KC) (mouse homolog of IL-8) compared to controls. LGG decreased IL-1β and KC in association with attenuated TLR signaling and increased SIGIRR and A20 expression in a dose-dependent manner. Low- and high-dose LGG had varying effects on gut microbiome despite both doses providing gut protection. Subsequent experiments of LGG on NEC revealed that pro-inflammatory TLR signaling and intestinal injury were also decreased, and SIGIRR and A20 expression increased, in a dose-dependent manner with LGG pre-treatment. Conclusions LGG protects against intestinal TLR-mediated injury by upregulating TLR inhibitors without major changes in gut microbiome composition.
Application of the TensorFlow object detection API to high speed videos of pyrotechnics for velocity calculations

Video analysis of pyrotechnics, or any event, from a high speed camera to obtain velocity data can be a tedious task, even with the help of most traditional software. The video has to be calibrated, the object of interest has to be identified, and the event of interest has to be monitored and analyzed. Even with an experienced user, one data point could take several minutes to obtain and may vary each time the same sample is analyzed. With the help of machine learning, a trained model could accomplish the same task, with identical results, in just seconds. The TensorFlow Object Detection API is an open source framework built on top of TensorFlow that makes it easy to construct, train and deploy object detection models.1 With some additional libraries, such as OpenCV, Pandas, Numpy, and Matplotlib a powerful object tracking, velocity calculating, and path visualization tool could be developed to break the monotony of software assisted, semiautomatic analysis and stride towards full autonomy, freeing up valuable engineering time and providing instant key performance attributes. For the first iteration of this application an object detection model was trained on a very small, annotated data set of pyrotechnics, additional scripts were written to extract velocity data and project a flight path, and the results were compared against the current processing technique. There was a significant decrease in processing time and a minuscule percent difference in the variation of data points.
Splicing Schemes and DNA

Splicing schemes are formal devices which act on sets of strings in a manner that is suggested by the action of sets of restriction enzymes and a ligase on double stranded DNA molecules. Previous work on splicing systems is reviewed and problems are suggested that concern the generative capacities of splicing schemes acting on both linear and circular strings.
Home-based employment: Historical and current considerations

The purposes of this article are threefold. First, there is a brief review of current and historical research on home-based business with special emphasis on female home-based employment and the impact of such employment on family life. Second, a conceptual model for family work activities is advanced. Finally, concepts related to home-based employment that could be used to frame and describe the empirical study are specified.
Chapter 2 – Diagenesis

This chapter begins the discussion of the processes which are responsible for the conversion of organic matter into fuels. The processes discussed in this chapter are collectively known as diagenesis. The reactions occur in the shallow subsurface where the temperature and pressure are near ambient. Many of the processes discussed in this chapter are facilitated by bacteria; consequently diagenesis is sometimes called the biochemical stage of fuel formation. The main products of diagenesis are methane, carbon dioxide, water, and the immediate precursor to fuels, kerogen.
The Rising Tide of Graduate Student Debt: Evidence of Change 2008 to 2012

The price of education continues to rise, and 2012 graduate students borrowed more than $35 billion to finance their education. Using data from the National Study of Postsecondary Student Aid (NPSAS), this study examined changes in graduate education debt from 2008 to 2012. While the greatest percentage increase in debt was for Master’s level students, findings revealed increases in many graduate programs, including Medicine with a 2012 cumulative debt over $143,000. Increasing education debt may discourage students from considering enrollment and/or may motivate degree completers to seek lucrative jobs after graduation simply to pay off loans. Additional implications are discussed.
Analysis and Design of a Robust, Low-Power, Inductively Coupled LSK Data Link

A low-power half-duplex data link transmits data at up to 4 Mb/s over coupled inductors across distances of up to 5 cm. The inductors are part of two resonators which tune a free-running oscillator to one of their natural modes. This gives robustness to changes in coil distance and relative orientation. With load-shift keying (LSK) employed in the remote transponder, the link is modeled analytically to reveal some unexpected properties. A complete design guide aids selection of coil size for range, carrier frequency for data rate, and $Q$ -switching to extend range. Owing to low power circuit design, the remote transponder consumes 0.075 pJ/b in transmit, 5 pJ/b in receive mode.
Varicella zoster immune globulin (human) (VARIZIG) in immunocompromised patients: a subgroup analysis for safety and outcomes from a large, expanded-access program.

Immunocompromised children and adults are at increased risk for severe disease and death following varicella zoster virus infection. Varicella zoster immune globulin (human) (VARIZIG) is recommended for post-exposure prophylaxis to prevent or attenuate varicella infection in high-risk individuals. An open-label, expanded-access program provided VARIZIG to high-risk individuals exposed to varicella or herpes zoster. Immunocompromised participants were stratified by type of immunocompromising condition (“oncologic immunodeficiency”, “primary immunodeficiency”, “solid organ transplant” [SOT], “hematopoietic cell transplant” [HCT], and “other”). Patient characteristics, type of exposure and varicella outcome, and safety data were assessed. This analysis included 40 adults (primary [n = 6] or oncologic [n = 10] immunodeficiencies, history of SOT [n = 5] or HCT [n = 6], and other [n = 13]), and 263 children (primary [n = 13] or oncologic [n = 152] immunodeficiencies, history of SOT [n = 36] or HCT [n = 17], and other [n = 45]). Among adults and children, 48% vs 72% were exposed to varicella, 38% vs 16% were exposed to herpes zoster, and 15% vs 12% had an unspecified exposure. Overall incidence of varicella infection in adults after VARIZIG use was 6%; incidence of varicella infection in children after VARIZIG use was 7%. Similar rates were noted in each subgroup. Most cases of varicella were mild, with two children developing > 100 lesions and no cases of varicella-related pneumonia or encephalitis. Varicella-related hospitalizations occurred primarily in children with oncologic immunodeficiencies. One serious adverse event (serum sickness) was considered related to VARIZIG and occurred in a child with oncologic immunodeficiency. There were no varicella- or VARIZIG-related deaths. These data indicate that VARIZIG may reduce severity of varicella in immunocompromised children and adults. This study was retrospectively registered with the public clinical trial identification NCT00338442 at https://www.clinicaltrials.gov on 20 June 2006.
Partial splenectomy in children: Long-term reoperative outcomes☆.

Abstract Purpose Partial, or subtotal, splenectomy (PS) has become an accepted alternative to total splenectomy (TS) for management of hematologic disorders in children, but little is known about its long-term outcomes. Here, we present our institutional experience with partial splenectomy, to determine rate of subsequent TS or cholecystectomy and identify if any factors affected this need. Methods All patients who underwent partial splenectomy at a single tertiary children's hospital were retrospectively reviewed from 2002 through 2019 after IRB approval. Primary outcome of interest was rate of reoperation to completion splenectomy (CS) and rate of cholecystectomy. Secondary outcome were positive predictor(s) for these subsequent procedures. Results Twenty-four patients underwent PS, at median age 6.0 years, with preoperative spleen size of 12.7 cm by ultrasound. At median follow up time of 8.0 years, 29% of all patients and 24% of hereditary spherocytosis (HS) patients underwent completion splenectomy at median 34 months and 45 months, respectively. Amongst HS patients who did not have a cholecystectomy with or prior to PS, 39% underwent a delayed cholecystectomy following PS. There were no significant differences in age at index procedure, preoperative splenic volume, weight of splenic specimen removed, transfusion requirements, preoperative or postoperative hematologic parameters (including hemoglobin, hematocrit, total bilirubin, and reticulocyte count) amongst patients of all diagnoses and HS only who underwent PS alone compared to those who went on to CS. There were no cases of OPSS or deaths. Conclusion Partial splenectomy is a safe alternative to total splenectomy in children with hematologic disease with theoretical decreased susceptibility to OPSS. However, families should be counseled of a 29% chance of reoperation to completion splenectomy, and, in HS patients, a 39% chance of delayed cholecystectomy if not performed prior to or with PS. Further studies are needed to understand predictors of these outcomes.
Associations between veteran encounters with suicide prevention team and suicide-related outcomes

OBJECTIVE Suicide rates have been of increasing concern across the United States, particularly among military veterans. The Veterans Health Administration has initiated multiple suicide prevention initiatives, but little research has examined the impact of these programs. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that more frequent contact with suicide prevention clinicians would predict lower odds of suicidal behavior. METHOD Retrospective medical record review was performed for 1364 veterans identified as high risk for suicide during 2012-2018. Logistic regression was used to test whether the number of suicide prevention contacts predicted the odds of suicide attempt, any self-directed violence, or reactivation of high-risk status in the next year, accounting for age, sex, length of high-risk episode, and other mental health contacts. RESULTS Each additional suicide prevention coordinator contact was associated with 4%-5% lower odds of suicide attempt, suicidal behavior, and reactivation of high-risk status in the next year (ps < 0.05). For suicide attempt and self-directed violence, associations were stronger when considering only initial high-risk episodes (8%-10% lower odds, ps < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest ongoing support from suicide prevention clinicians can have a significant protective effect. Additional research is needed to identify mechanisms by which this support reduces risk.
Where the Choice of Model Leads Us: An Empirical Comparison of Dyadic Data Analysis Frameworks

Dyadic data require unique approaches due to their innate ‘interdependence’. The Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM; Kenny, J Soc Pers Relat 13: 279–294, 1996) and Common Fate Model (CFM; Kenny and La Voie, J Pers Soc Psychol 48(2): 339–348, 1985) and their extensions are some of the most widely used dyadic data analysis approaches. They have been applied to study various dynamics among dyads, such as couples, twins, and matched pairs (e.g., Maroufizadeh et al., BMC Med Res Methodol 18(1): 1–10, 2018; Moorman, 2016). Whereas the APIM framework specifies explicit and direct paths from members to themselves and their partners, the family of CFM views interdependence as arising from a joint process within each dyad rather than as a sum of individual influences. Despite these conceptual differences, both approaches have been utilized in similar fields of research, and their unique advantages and limitations remain to be understood.
An Exploratory Study of the Influence of External Stakeholders on the Strategic Alignment of IS Projects

Strategic IS alignment has typically been explored from the perspective of the individual business organization. For many organizations however effective strategic information systems alignment does not stop at the boundaries of the business, but rather extends to strategic stakeholder groups in the external environment. This paper, consequently, attempts to develop a theoretical framework that reflects this extended scope for strategic alignment – an IS-business-external stakeholder alignment perspective. To accomplish this, the paper examines and compares how and if IS projects at a local community hospital cater to the needs of its internal and external stakeholders.
Lipids of ocular tissues. I. The phospholipids of mature rabbit and bovine lens.

Abstract The first detailed analysis of mature bovine and rabbit lens phospholipids is reported. 1. 1. The phospholipid class composition of both species is similar. Sphingomyelin, phosphatidylcholine, and phosphatidylethanolamine are the major components, being present in near equal molar concentrations in each species. Lysophosphatidylcholine, lysophosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, and phosphatidylinositol were also identified. 2. 2. Analysis of the fatty acids of the three major phospholipids, plus phosphatidylserine, revealed that each phospholipid class has its own characteristic composition. The same lipid classes from the two animals are similar, but not identical, in fatty acid concentrations. 3. 3. No polyunsaturated fatty acids were found in any of the lipid classes of either species. 4. 4. Mature bovine and rabbit lenticular phosphatidylethanolamine contains 35 and 29 mole% of ethanolamine plasmalogens, respectively. Plasmalogenic aldehydes from both species are made up primarily of analogues of palmitic, stearic, and oleic acids, oleic being the most abundant in each.
The crystallization of calcium carbonate

Abstract The kinetics of crystallization of calcium carbonate (calcite) at 25°C has been examined by following the changes in calcium and hydrogen ion concentration when stable supersaturated solutions are inoculated with calcite seed crystals. The calcite growth follows a rate equation second order with respect to concentration suggesting a surface-controlled process. Calcium ion concentration changes were followed using 45Ca radiotracer and atomic absorption spectroscopy. Heterogeneous exchange of 45Ca between a calcium carbonate solution and calcite seed crystals has also been examined (by a liquid scintillation counting technique) in order to analyze the crystal growth data.
Primary herpetic vulvovaginitis; report of a case; isolation and identification of herpes simplex virus.

A case of primary herpetic vulvovaginitis is reported. This diagnosis was confirmed by isolation of the virus and demonstration of the development of neutralizing antibodies.
Interactions between allelochemicals and the microbial community affect weed suppression following cover crop residue incorporation into soil

The objective of this study is to understand how soil microorganisms interact with cover crop-derived allelochemicals to suppress weed germination and growth following cover crop residue incorporation. We conducted a time series experiment crossing sterilized and non-sterilized soil with four different residue treatments. We measured weed seed germination rates, radicle elongation, and disease incidence in seed germination bioassays. We also monitored cover crop-derived, isoflavone allelochemicals in these bioassays. We partitioned the total weed suppression into three sources: microbe-only inhibition, residue-only inhibition, and the microbe-residue interaction. Microbial activity suppressed weed germination and growth for 30 days, while cover crop-derived allelochemicals provided suppression for a limited time. There was an antagonistic interaction between microbes and allelochemicals. This interaction was strongest for water-soluble allelochemicals, while residue fractions containing intact plant tissues retained greater suppressiveness even in the presence of a live microbial community. Microbial activity can directly suppress weed germination and growth, but microorganisms also indirectly help weeds by degrading cover crop-derived allelochemicals. As a result of these interactions, cover crop-derived weed suppression in agricultural soils shifts from an early allelochemical-dominated phase to a later phase where microbial suppression is more important.
Question 1: Should newborns of mothers with isolated antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen be immunised?

The midwife calls you to assess a newborn in the delivery room. The pregnancy was uneventful, but the mother's serology results show the following: hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) negative, antibodies against hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) negative, but antibodies against hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) positive. You wonder if the baby is at risk for perinatal transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) requiring preventive measures at this time. Does a newborn of a mother with isolated antibodies against hepatitis B core antigen need immunisation (intervention) to prevent perinatal infection with HBV (outcome)? If yes, what type and timing of immunisation? We searched MEDLINE via PubMed (January 1950 to November 2013) for the following terms: “anti-HBc AND vertical transmission”, “anti-HBc AND vaccination AND newborn”, “vaccination AND newborn AND perinatal transmission AND hepatitis B”, “isolated antibody AND hepatitis B AND pregnancy/pregnant”. Two hundred and forty-three abstracts were screened, 11 were considered for full text review. Of those, four were eligible and seven were excluded: four did not address the main question, two provided no follow-up …
The Meaning of the Constitutive Equation

In the biological world, atoms and molecules are organized into cells, tissues, organs, and individual organisms. We are interested in the movement of matter inside and around the organisms. At the atomic and molecular level the movement of matter must be analyzed with quantum, relativistic, and statistical mechanics. At the cellular, tissue, organ, and organism level it is usually sufficient to take Newton’s laws of motion as an axiom. The object of study of this book is at the animal, organ, tissue, and cell level. The smallest volume we shall consider contains a very large number of atoms and molecules. In these systems it is convenient to consider the material as a continuum.
Local form of the radiation condition: application to curved dielectric structures

The form taken by the radiation condition in the local co-ordinate system relevant to a curved radiating structure is not the same as it is at very great distances. It may contain a term that appears as if it were an incoming or growing wave. A detailed analysis has been made of the appropriate form of the condition in the cylindrical and toroidal systems, and has been applied to radiation form curved dielectric slabs and fibres.
Assessment of Environmental Stresses for Enhanced Microalgal Biofuel Production – An Overview

Microalgal biofuels are currently considered to be the most promising alternative to future renewable energy source. Microalgae have great potential to produce various biofuels, including biodiesel, bioethanol, biomethane, and biohydrogen. Cultivation of biofuel-producing microalgae demands favorable environmental conditions, such as suitable light, temperature, nutrients, salinity, and pH. However, these conditions are not always compatible with the conditions beneficial to biofuel production, because biofuel-related compounds (such as lipids and carbohydrates) tend to accumulate under environmental-stress conditions of light, temperature, nutrient, and salt. This paper presents a brief overview of the effects of environmental conditions on production of microalgal biomass and biofuel, with specific emphasis on how to utilize environmental stresses to improve biofuel productivity. The potential avenues of reaping the benefits of enhanced biofuel production by environmental stresses while maintaining high yields of biomass production have been discussed.
Treated wood in livestock facilities: relationships among residues of pentachlorophenol, dioxins, and furans in wood and beef

Wood and other environmental samples were collected from sites that produced beef with higher than average residues of dibenzo-p-dioxin (PCDD) and dibenzofuran (PCDF). Analyses of these samples for PCDD/Fs and pentachlorophenol (PCP) indicated that the high beef residues were associated with PCP-treated wood in the animal facilities. Concentrations of PCDD/Fs in wood as toxic equivalents ranged from 10 to 320,000 pg/g. These concentrations were closely related to the concentrations of PCP, indicating that analysis for PCP provides an economical method to identify wood with high concentrations of PCDD/Fs. Further evidence for the PCP-treated wood as the source of the beef residues is provided by the similarity of the congener profiles in beef from the sites and those profiles predicted from the profiles in wood.
Conservative surgery for breast cancer: Who gets it? Who doesn't?

Abstract Veronese, in a classic paper written almost 2 decades ago, demonstrated that the clinical outcome is similar for tumors smaller than 2 cm with no palpable clinical nodes whether the treatment is by radical mastectomy or wide excision and radiation therapy. Additional randomized clinical trials have confirmed his finding and have also shown that there is no difference in disease-free intervals or overall survival for women with early-stage breast cancer treated by BCS or total mastectomy with radiation. Nevertheless, many women with early breast cancers continue to be subjected to total mastectomies. (Please see the original papers for a comprehensive bibliography). These papers emphasize the need for better technology transfer and stronger cooperation among the oncologic specialties, and the recognition of the economic and cultural factors that affect health care. Treatment of a malignancy today requires more than a quick reference to a textbook because, almost certainly, that source is out-of-date. Most texts require 1 or 2 years to write and another to publish. Accordingly, the average surgical book contains information that is 3 years old when it reaches the market and it quickly fades into oblivion after distribution. Journal articles are somewhat better, but even these take months to write and another 6 months to publish. Furthermore, these sources are often one-sided, emphasizing one approach without the recognition of other therapies, especially those managed by other specialists. So, how should a surgeon manage patients with cancer? First, the surgeon should be well informed through Medline and attendance at national meetings. Second, the surgeon can consult with other specialists who deal with the disease, such as radiotherapists and oncologists. I believe that when a diagnosis of breast cancer is made, these colleagues should be consulted before any further therapy is initiated and that all 3 disciplines should communicate with the patient. Third, whenever possible, patients should be enrolled in prospective trials, not only so we can all learn more but also because participation in such studies ensures access to the most modern care. Finally, cancer surgeons need to be supported by a strong social services infrastructure to provide transportation, meals on wheels, home care, financial support, prostheses, and other needs, not only for the poor but also for many of our patients in the middle class. Cancer surgery is no longer the chase of the cancer cell with a knife but a much more sophisticated discipline that serves as the portal to the best in cancer care.
Technique for Reduction of Coherence Function Bias Error

The bias error in the coherence function is found to arise from the calculation of the square magnitude of the cross-power spectral density when the real and imaginary components are not converged. Therefore, the bias error of the coherence function can be decreased significantly without averaging more data blocks if the variance of the real and imaginary components are reduced by fitting the spectra of these separate components to an appropriate model.
Mass-balance reconstruction of a modern Vertisol : implications for interpreting the geochemistry and burial alteration of paleo-Vertisols

Abstract Utilizing identical sampling and analytical techniques, the morphological and chemical characteristics of a modern Vertisol (Houston Black series, central Texas) can be directly compared with an Upper Mississippian paleo-Vertisol from the Appalachian basin (Pennington Formation, east-central Tennessee). Mass-balance reconstructions suggest retention of primary pedochemical patterns in the paleo-Vertisol, including patterns of soil volume change (strain) and transport functions (translocations) of many major and trace elements. Retention of primary pedochemical patterns suggests that Vertisols constitute nearly closed systems during burial diagenesis. Chemical and mineralogical changes associated with burial diagenesis of the paleo-Vertisol include oxidation of organic carbon (OC), illitization of smectites, dehydration and recrystallization of Fe–Mn oxyhydroxides, and dolomitization of pedogenic calcite. Significant differences in the chemical behavior of gilgai microhigh and microlow pedons in modern Vertisols have implications for interpretation of geochemical data obtained from paleo-Vertisols. Overall wetter soil conditions and variable redox potential under gilgai microlows promote greater depths of leaching and mobility of redox-sensitive trace elements, including Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, and V. Gilgai microhighs behave as evaporative “wicks” that draw moisture and soluble phases towards the soil surface, resulting in precipitation of metal hydrosylate complexes and sulfates (gypsum) at the capillary fringe and shallower depths of leaching and fixation of trace elements. Paleoprecipitation estimates from paleosols, based on the depth to the top of the pedogenic carbonate horizon, should therefore utilize field, petrographic and geochemical data for characterizing maximum depths of leaching, loss or gain of exchangeable bases, and calcification, rather than relying solely upon field data.
Expression and purification of the membrane protein p7 from hepatitis C virus.

A small 63-residue membrane protein, p7, has essential roles in the infectivity of the hepatitis C virus in humans. This hydrophobic membrane protein forms homo-oligomeric ion channels in bilayers, which can be blocked by known channel-blocking compounds. To perform structural studies of p7 by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, it is necessary to produce milligram quantities of isotopically labeled protein; as is the case for most membrane-associated proteins, this is challenging. We describe the successful expression of full-length p7 and two truncated constructs in Escherichia coli using a fusion partner that directs the overexpressed protein to inclusion bodies. Following isolation of the fusion proteins by affinity chromatography, they were chemically cleaved with cyanogen bromide. The p7-polypeptides were purified by size-exclusion chromatography. Solution NMR two-dimensional heteronuclear single quantum coherence spectra of uniformly 15N-labeled p7-polypeptides in 1,2-dihexyl-1-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine isotropic micelles are fully resolved, with a single resonance for each amide site. The solid-state NMR spectra of the same polypeptides in magnetically aligned 14-O-PC/6-O-PC bicelles demonstrate their reconstitution into planar phospholipid bilayers. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 96: 32–40, 2011.
Renal replacement therapy.

Each year in the United States end-stage renal disease develops in almost one person per 10,000 population. Patients with this disease must select a therapy to survive. Such patients have a variety of treatments from which to choose: in-center or home hemodialysis, intermittent peritoneal dialysis at home, continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis, and transplantation from a cadaveric or living related donor. The possibility of a randomized prospective comparison of these treatments seems unlikely, since after receiving a full explanation of the alternatives, few patients would allow their choice to be determined randomly. We must, then, make do with nonprospective, nonrandomized comparisons, . . .
Radiation effects on developing ovulary tissue in orchids

Abstract Orchid ovularies present a system useful for studies, previously lacking, of radiation effects on megasporogenesis. Initial investigations reveal a differential sensitivity of cells. Degeneration of nucellar epidermal cells and chromosome aberrations are prevalent; meiotic delay of the megaspore mother cell occurs. Occasional degeneration of a nucellar row promontory is present in tissue not visibly affected otherwise.