cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Evolution of Network Structure and Media Choice in Operational Emergency Swift Teams: An Exploratory Study

This study looks at swift teams formed with the purpose of recovering from operational emergencies. The problem solving process associated with these teams include an early stage, where the main goal is to restore the process to working conditions, and a later stage, longer in duration, where the root cause of the problem is found and eliminated. Based on field data from 19 swift teams at an industrial operation, it was found that in the evolution from early to later stage, media usage shifts from highly synchronous to asynchronous and the structural characteristics of the teams' collaboration networks mutate as well. These effects are different when comparing high vs. Low performing teams.
Specialized integer factorization

Vanstone and Zuccherato [3] propose a cryptographic system based on an elliptic curve modulo a composite number. We show that the composite numbers so constructed are easily factored, rendering the system insecure.
Corneal epithelial cell attachment with endogenous laminin and fibronectin.

PURPOSE To evaluate the role of endogenously produced laminin and fibronectin as well as the effect of exogenous laminin and fibronectin in the attachment of human corneal epithelial cells in vitro. METHODS Primary cultured human corneal epithelial cells labeled with 3H-thymidine were seeded onto plates coated with laminin or fibronectin, or onto uncoated bacteriologic plates. Attachment of cells was measured in the presence or absence of antisera against laminin or fibronectin, by counting radioactivity. RESULTS Human corneal epithelial cells attached to plates coated with human laminin or human fibronectin in a dose-dependent manner, with 69% and 50% of cells attached to the wells coated with 40 micrograms/ml of laminin and fibronectin, respectively (P < 0.001). The percentage of attachment to uncoated bacteriologic plates increased from 1.2% at 45 min of incubation to 6.7% at 90 min, 22.2% at 3 hr, and 40.1% at 6 hr of incubation. Cycloheximide, a protein synthesis inhibitor, completely inhibited cell attachment. Rabbit antiserum against human fibronectin reduced cell attachment to the uncoated plates to 67% of the control value (P < 0.01), whereas rabbit antiserum against human laminin decreased the attachment to 52% of the control (P < 0.01). A combination of these two antisera reduced cell attachment to 46% of the control (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Endogenous laminin and fibronectin as well as exogenous laminin and fibronectin play significant roles in the attachment of human corneal epithelial cells in culture.
Dog Ownership, Walking Behavior, and Maintained Mobility in Late Life

OBJECTIVES: To examine dog walking among dog owners and the relationship between walking behavior of dog owners and non-dog owners and maintained gait speed over 3 years. DESIGN: Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses of a prospective cohort study. SETTING: Memphis, Tennessee, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. PARTICIPANTS: Two thousand five hundred thirty-three community-dwelling adults aged 71 to 82 at 36 months of the Health, Aging and Body Composition Study. MEASUREMENTS: Dog ownership, reported walking behavior, change in walking behavior, and usual and rapid gait speed over 3 years. RESULTS: Of 394 dog owners, only 36% walked their dogs at least three times per week. Cross-sectionally, dog walkers were more likely to achieve 150 minutes of walking per week and had faster usual and rapid walking speeds (1.20 vs 1.14 m/s and 1.62 vs 1.52 m/s, respectively; P .50). Three years later, subjects who had been dog walkers at baseline were approximately twice as likely as any other group to achieve recommended walking levels, independent of covariates. Dog walkers experienced similar declines in usual and rapid walking speed as non-dog owners who walked at least three times per week but maintained their initial mobility advantage. CONCLUSION: Although dog ownership appears to facilitate walking behavior, only a minority of older dog owners walk their dogs. The mobility advantage of dog ownership was seen only in dog walkers and was similar to that associated with any walking. Given suboptimal walking activity in older adults, examining the degree to which dog ownership promotes walking activity in persons who do little walking on their own appears worth pursuing.
Screening a large reference sample to identify very low frequency sequence variants: comparisons between two genes.

Most human sequence variation is in the form of single-nucleotide polymorphisms1,2,3 (SNPs). It has been proposed that coding-region SNPs (cSNPs) be used for direct association studies to determine the genetic basis of complex traits4,5. The success of such studies depends on the frequency of disease-associated alleles, and their distribution in different ethnic populations6,7. If disease-associated alleles are frequent in most populations, then direct genotyping of candidate variants could show robust associations in manageable study samples6. This approach is less feasible if the genetic risk from a given candidate gene is due to many infrequent alleles. Previous studies of several genes demonstrated that most variants are relatively infrequent2,3 (<0.05). These surveys genotyped small samples (n<75) and thus had limited ability to identify rare alleles. Here we evaluate the prevalence and distribution of such rare alleles by genotyping an ethnically diverse reference sample that is more than six times larger than those used in previous studies8 (n=450). We screened for variants in the complete coding sequence and intron-exon junctions of two candidate genes for neuropsychiatric phenotypes: SLC6A4, encoding the serotonin transporter; and SLC18A2, encoding the vesicular monoamine transporter9,10. Both genes have unique roles in neuronal transmission, and variants in either gene might be associated with neurobehavioral phenotypes11,12,13.
An Examination of the Construct of Homophobia

Abstract Despite mounting debate as to its accuracy, the term homophobia continues to serve as the primary label associated with anti-homosexual responses. Logan's (1996) study demonstrated that homoprejudice is a more valid way to characterize such responses in college students. The purpose of this study was to investigate the nature of anti-homosexual responses in a diverse adult population. Findings indicated support for Logan's hypothesis, demonstrating that anti-homosexual responses are better characterized as a form of prejudice than as a phobia. Further, results also indicated that individuals are less tolerant of gay men than lesbians, and that racial minorities are less tolerant than their white counterparts. The implications of these findings as well as those associated with a change in terminology from homophobia to homoprejudice are discussed. Areas of further research are also identified.
Interaction of closed circular DNA with intercalative dyes. II. The free energy of superhelix formation in SV40 DNA.

Abstract In part I of this series of papers, the binding isotherms of ethidium bromide to closed circular and nicked circular SV40 DNA were determined. It is shown in the present paper that the binding to nicked circular SV40 DNA may be described by an intercalation model in which every region between adjoining base pairs is a potential binding site, with the restriction that no two adjoining sites may be occupied. The corresponding analysis for closed circular SV40 DNA indicates that the binding affinity is strongly dependent upon the fraction of sites occupied. This difference arises from the free energy required to form the superhelical turns which are generated as a result of the unwinding of the duplex upon the binding of the intercalating dye. Statistical mechanical expressions are derived to describe the binding isotherms of ethidium to both nicked circular and closed circular SV40 DNA. The equations for the former include terms to account for the free energy of superhelix formation as a function of the number of superhelical turns. The coefficients which characterize the magnitude of the free-energy were determined by a best least squares fit to the experimental binding isotherms. In the limit as the number of superhelical turns approaches zero, the binding expressions derived here become identical to those derived by Crothers (1968) for linear DNA. The free-energy of superhelix formation is given by the expression ΔG τ RT = 0.88 τ 2 − 0.0038 τ 3 , where τ is the superhelix winding number. In the native molecule, ΔGτ0 = 84 kcal./mole DNA, or 18 cal./mole base pair. This free-energy is available to do work in any process which involves unwinding of the duplex. Conversely, an increase in the superhelix winding requires the expenditure of work.
Evaluation of trends in the use of intensity-modulated radiotherapy for head and neck cancer from 2000 through 2005 socioeconomic disparity and geographic variation in a large population-based cohort

BACKGROUND: The current study was conducted to evaluate trends in utilization of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for head and neck cancer (HNC). METHODS: Identified were 5487 patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) -Medicare linked database with a diagnosis of HNC (aged ≥65 years) between 2000 and 2005, who received any type of radiotherapy (RT). Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the influence of patient, tumor, treatment, and sociodemographic characteristics on receipt of IMRT versus conventional radiotherapy techniques. RESULTS: Overall, 21.3% of patients in the cohort received IMRT as the technique of irradiation. The use of IMRT increased significantly, with 1.3% of patients receiving it in 2000 compared with 46.1% in 2005 (P <.0001 for trend). Patients treated with RT in 2005 were 68 times more likely to receive IMRT than those treated in 2000. There was significant geographic variation observed in use of IMRT, ranging from 11.3% of cases in Kentucky to 40.4% of cases in Hawaii. Patients in the census tracks comprising the lowest quartile for socioeconomic status were 33% less likely to receive IMRT than patients in the highest quartile, even when adjusting for geographic area and year of diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: The use of IMRT has rapidly become widespread for the delivery of RT for patients with HNC. However, there was significant geographic variation noted in the utilization of IMRT. Patients in census tracks comprising the lowest socioeconomic quartile were less likely to receive IMRT than their more affluent counterparts. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
CAN EXPERIMENTS DISTINGUISH BETWEEN RADIATIVE ELECTROWEAK SYMMETRY BREAKING AND CONVENTIONAL BREAKING.

We present a comparative study of radiative electroweak symmetry breaking and conventional standard model breaking, and pose the question whether experiments can distinguish one breaking mode from the other. The importance of the problem lies in the fact that the two breaking modes have very different physical interpretations concerning the mechanism of spontaneous electroweak symmetry breaking and the origin of mass.
Taurine in Retinas of Taurine-deficient Cats and RCS Rats

Cats fed a taurine-free, casein diet develop retinal taurine deficiency and subsequently photoreceptor cell death. (Berson, Hayes, Rabin, Schmidt, and Watson, 1976; Schmidt, Berson and Hayes, 1976; Schmidt, Berson, Watson and Huang, 1977). Supplementation of this diet with methionine, cysteine, inorganic sulfate, vitamin B6, or vitamin B6 plus cysteine did not prevent development of retinal taurine deficiency and retinal malfunction. A synthetic amino acid diet devoid of casein and taurine also resulted in retinal taurine deficiency and retinal malfunction. Only taurine-containing diets (i.e., chow or casein plus taurine) preserved normal retinal taurine concentrations and electroretinogram (ERG) amplitudes. These findings have firmly established a role for exogenous taurine in maintaining normal retinal function in the cat.
A case study on prototyping power management protocols for sensor networks

Power management is an important problem in battery powered sensor networks as the sensors are required to operate for a long time (usually, several weeks to several months). One of the challenges in developing power management protocols for sensor networks is prototyping. Specifically, existing programming platforms for sensor networks (e.g., nesC/TinyOS) use an event-driven programming model and, hence, require the designers to be responsible for stack management, buffer management, flow control, etc. Therefore, the designers simplify prototyping their solutions either by implementing their own discrete event simulators or by modeling them in specialized simulators. To enable the designers to prototype power management protocols in target platform (e.g., nesC/TinyOS), in this paper, we use ProSe, a programming tool for sensor networks. ProSe enables the designers to specify their programs in simple abstract models while hiding low-level challenges of sensor networks and programming-level challenges. As a case study, in this paper, we specify a power management protocol with ProSe, automatically generate the corresponding nesC/TinyOS code, and evaluate its performance. Based on the performance results, we expect that ProSe enables the designers to rapidly prototype, quickly deploy, and easily evaluate their protocols.
Chloroplast DNA Diversity in Populations of Wild and Cultivated Barley

Chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) diversity was found within and among populations (245 accessions total) of wild barley, Hordeum vulgare L. ssp. spontaneum Koch from Israel and Iran. Three polymorphic restriction sites (HindIII, EcoRI, BclI) which define three distinct cpDNA lineages were detected. One lineage is common to populations in the Hule Valley and Kinneret of northern Israel, and in Iran. The second lineage is found predominantly in the Lower Jordan Valley and Negev. The distribution of the third lineage is scattered but widespread throughout Israel. Sixty two accessions of cultivated barleys, H. vulgare L., were found, with two exceptions, to belong to just one cpDNA lineage of wild barley, indicating that the cpDNA of cultivated barley is less variable than its wild ancestor. These results demonstrate the need for assessing intraspecific cpDNA variability prior to choosing single accessions for phylogenetic constructions at the species level and higher.
Dynamic profiling of estrogen receptor and epidermal growth factor signaling in the uteri of genistein- and estrogen-treated rats.

Abstract The pharmacokinetics and time course actions of the soy isoflavone, genistein, and estradiol benzoate (EB) on sex steroid and growth factor signaling were compared in the rat uterus. Following one s.c. injection of 500 mg genistein/kg BW or 500 μg EB/kg BW, AUC for genistein was 20171.8 ng h/ml and was 15.7 ng h/ml for estradiol-17-β. Estrogen receptor-α (ER-α) decreased within 2 h of genistein or EB treatment, returning to basal levels within 24 and 48 h, respectively. In response to genistein and EB, progesterone receptors (PRs) A and B increased between 16 and 24 h, with a significant increase at 24 and 48 h. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression peaked 16 h after genistein or EB treatment, inversely correlating with extracellular regulating kinase (ERK) phosphorylation. These effects were inhibited by antiestrogen pretreatment, demonstrating a requirement for ER. At 16 h, uterine weight, epithelial cell height, and cell proliferation increased. While EGFR levels increased, phosphorylated EGFR was not altered. Reduced phosphorylation of downstream kinases corresponded with decreased stromal phosphorylated-ERK (P-ERK) immunolabeling, suggesting signal attenuation. Dynamic profiling of sex steroid receptors and EGF signaling molecules suggest a similar mechanism of action for genistein and EB in the uterus, albeit at approximately 1000-fold concentration.
The Student Teacher Portfolio as Autobiography: Developing a Professional Identity

In this study, we argue that student teacher portfolios are a viable, effective, and appropriate tool in documenting teacher growth and development and in promoting reflective, thoughtful practice. We show that the concepts of mediation, history, and conscious reflection, embodied in Vygotskian theory, provide a theoretical framework in which to understand and analyze portfolios in professional development programs. Specifically, this study traces the unique paths of two preservice foreign language teachers who, through anchored reflection mediated by the portfolio, constructed a professional identity out of the historical and cultural conditions of their classroom experience. Therefore, portfolios can go beyond a gatekeeping function to a means of informing teacher educators and forming the identities of novice teachers.
Adolescent psychosocial adaptation to inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract An important role of the nurse practitioner in the care of adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease is to assist them to progress through their normal developmental tasks with as little turmoil as possible. The purpose of this article is to plan strategies to help these adolescents deal with body changes resulting from inflammatory bowel disease and the steroids used to treat the disease. Outcome measures relate to maintenance or improvement of self-esteem, development of sexual identity, establishment of independence from family, and the formation of satisfactory peer relationships.
Neuronal habituation in the vestibular nuclei of the cat.

This is a study of the effects of repeated angular acceleration on the activity of vestibular nuclei units in anesthetized and in conscious cats. The experimental animals were subjected to trains of repeated and consecutive constant acceleration-deceleration ramps (4–8°/ sec2). In a few cases nystagmus was recorded along with extracellular unit activity.The effect of stimulus repetition on vestibular neuronal activity consisted of one of the following:1. No change in response.2. Progressive response decline.3. An initial maintenance of a constant response level throughout the first part of the stimulus paradigm, followed by a progressive decline.4. An initial gradual enhancement of response followed by a progressive decline.This classification is based on results of polynomial and non-linear broken-line regression analyses. Categories 3 and 4 were found predominantly in units recorded from conscious cats. The majority of neurons recorded from anesthetized cats that exhibited response changes upon stimulus...
EXCITATION RESONANCES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF METASTABLE ATOMS IN LOW-ENERGY ARGON ION--ATOM COLLISIONS.

Forward scattering of metastable and ground state argon atoms after argon ion-atom charge transferring collisions, discussing excitation resonances
Age of Palos Verdes submarine debris avalanche, southern California

The Palos Verdes debris avalanche is the largest, by volume, late Quaternary mass-wasted deposit recognized from the inner California Borderland basins. Early workers speculated that the sediment failure giving rise to the deposit is young, taking place well after sea level reached its present position. A newly acquired, closely-spaced grid of high-resolution, deep-tow boomer profiles of the debris avalanche shows that the Palos Verdes debris avalanche fills a turbidite leveed channel that extends seaward from San Pedro Sea Valley, with the bulk of the avalanche deposit appearing to result from a single failure on the adjacent slope. Radiocarbon dates from piston-cored sediment samples acquired near the distal edge of the avalanche deposit indicate that the main failure took place about 7500 yr BP.
Dielectric constant–strain coefficient of polystyrene and lucite at 3.2 centimeters

Two experimental procedures have been used to measure the effect of elastic strains on the dielectric constants of polystyrene and Lucite. In the first experiment the dielectric sample was placed in a section of a standard X-band wave guide. Stresses were applied parallel and perpendicular to the electric field. In the second experiment the dielectric sample was placed in a resonant cavity. The cavity was excited in the TE011 mode and the applied stress was perpendicular to the electric vector. The data are presented in terms of a so-called dielectric constant-strain coefficient, β, which is defined as the ratio of the fractional change in the dielectric constant to the compressional strain of the sample. When these values are converted to the customary stress-“optical” coefficients, one obtains C = 6 × 10−12 cm.2/dyne for polystyrene and Lucite.
The cubital tunnel syndrome: Treatment with simple decompression

Twelve patients with progressive cubital tunnel syndrome were treated with simple decompression of the ulnar nerve. The clinical and electrophysiological responses to treatment are described.
Comparison of cardiac catheterization and Doppler echocardiography in the decision to operate in aortic and mitral valve disease

Clinical decisions utilizing either Doppler echocardiographic or cardiac catheterization data were compared in adult patients with isolated or combined aortic and mitral valve disease. A clinical decision to operate, not operate or remain uncertain was made by experienced cardiologists given either Doppler echocardiographic or cardiac catheterization data. A prospective evaluation was performed on 189 consecutive patients (mean age 67 years) with valvular heart disease who were being considered for surgical treatment on the basis of clinical information. All patients underwent cardiac catheterization and detailed Doppler echocardiographic examination. Three sets of two cardiologist decision makers who did not know patient identity were given clinical information in combination with either Doppler echocardiographic or cardiac catheterization data. The combination of Doppler echocardiographic and clinical data was considered inadequate for clinical decision making in 21% of patients with aortic and 5% of patients with mitral valve disease. The combination of cardiac catheterization and clinical data was considered inadequate in 2% of patients with aortic and 2% of patients with mitral valve disease. Among the remaining patients, the cardiologists using echocardiographic or angiographic data were in agreement on the decision to operate or not operate in 113 (76% overall). When the data were analyzed by specific valve lesion, decisions based on Doppler echocardiography or catheterization were in agreement in 92%, 90%, 83% and 69%, respectively, of patients with aortic regurgitation, mitral stenosis, aortic stenosis and mitral regurgitation. Differences in cardiac output determination, estimation of valvular regurgitation and information concerning coronary anatomy were the main reasons for different clinical management decisions. These results suggest that for most adult patients with aortic or mitral valve disease, alone or in combination, Doppler echocardiographic data enable the clinician to make the same decision reached with catheterization data.
Living organism imaging with the adaptive scanning optical microscope (ASOM)

Imaging of small biological specimens and microorganisms that are living and moving is often hampered by a traditional microscope's small field of view at high resolution. This paper discusses a new optical microscope design, called the Adaptive Scanning Optical Microscope (ASOM), which uses a deformable mirror combined with a custom scanner lens to effectively enlarge the field of view. Using a high speed scanning mirror in a post-objective configuration, the ASOM captures a complete image (not a single point) at each scan position and assembles image mosaics on the fly. Consequently, this microscope offers advantages when compared to moving stage based approaches or confocal microscopes. Whereas previous work on imaging motile organisms has primarily focused on tracking only one temporally challenging specimen at a time within a single field of view, this microscope is well suited for tracking multiple moving organisms or monitoring larger organisms at both the full animal and single cell levels simultaneously. In studies requiring manipulation, probing, or sensing, the ability of the microscope to automatically monitor several regions of the specimen without agitating the workspace is particularly advantageous. Using a low cost prototype of the ASOM, we illustrate the basic capabilities of the instrument by imaging multiple living and freely moving Caenorhabditis elegans nematode worms. In addition to transmitted, reflected, and epifluorescent illumination modes, we have also integrated an LED light source that can be rapidly turned on and off in synchronization with the scanning to minimize unnecessary light exposure to the specimens.
Within-brood patterns of paternity and paternal behavior in red-winged blackbirds

We video-taped male and female red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) feeding individual chicks in order to test the hypothesis that food might be differently allocated to within-pair offspring and extra-pair young. We found no evidence that paternity influenced the allocation of food by either males or females. Both males and females fed male offspring significantly more, but there was no tendency for paternity to be skewed by gender. Females fed older offspring significantly more, whereas males did not; extra-pair fertilizations, however, were not associated with lay or hatch order of the chicks. Given that males do not appear to discriminate within-pair from extra-pair offspring directly, these results are consistent with current theory on the effect of paternity on paternal behavior. We discuss briefly some of the possible reasons why discrimination might be lacking in red-winged blackbirds and in other species in which the possibility of discrimination of paternity and allocation of paternal behavior has been studied.
Matching compensation and organizational strategies

This study examines the impact of organizationa l strategies (at both the corporate and business unit level) on pay strategies, and their interactive influence on the effectiveness of the compensation system. The empirical findings are based on the survey responses of 192 human resource management executives in business units of large manufacturing firms. Corporate strategy was a significant predictor of pay package design, pay level relative to the market, and pay administration policies. Business unit strategy was a significant predictor of pay package design and pay level relative to the market. The findings are supportive of congruency notions which suggest that the effectiveness of the compensation system is partly a function of the fit between pay strategies and organizational strategies.
Watching social interactions produces dorsomedial prefrontal and medial parietal BOLD fMRI signal increases compared to a resting baseline

Abstract Some human brain areas are tonically active in a resting state when subjects are not engaged in any overt task. The activity of these areas decreases when subjects are engaged in a wide variety of laboratory tasks designed to study cognitive operations. It has been suggested that these areas, among them the medial parietal (precyneus) and the dorsomedial prefrontal cortices, may support a “default state” of the human brain. Passive visual observation of laboratory stimuli typically yields no change in activity in these default areas compared to rest. Here we report functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data on normal subjects watching realistic movie clips depicting everyday social interactions. In contrast with previous findings on default state brain areas, the observation of the relational segment of the movie clip, during which two persons interact, yielded increased activity in the medial parietal (precuneus) and dorsomedial prefrontal cortices, compared to rest and to observation of the segment of the movie clip depicting a single individual engaged in everyday activities. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of joint increased activity in medial parietal and dorsomedial prefrontal cortices. We suggest that the default state areas may participate in the processing of social relations in concert with regions previously identified as critical for social cognition that were also activated by our stimuli, including the inferior frontal cortex, the superior temporal cortex, and the fusiform gyrus.
Relationships between 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and plasma glucose and lipid levels in pediatric outpatients.

Objective To study the relationships between serum vitamin D levels and plasma glucose or lipid levels in children and adolescents. Study design We conducted a retrospective record review of pediatric outpatients (age, 2-18 years) with simultaneous measurement of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH] D) and fasting plasma glucose (n = 302) or 25(OH) D and a lipid panel (n = 177). Pearson correlation coefficient was used to estimate the correlation between 25(OH) D and logarithmic transformed plasma glucose or lipid levels. Plasma glucose and lipid levels were compared in subjects with 25(OH) D concentrations greater or less than 30 ng/mL. Results 25(OH) D levels were inversely correlated with fasting plasma glucose levels (r = –0.20, P P ≤ .001). The relationship between 25(OH) D levels and fasting glucose and HDL levels did not vary significantly with sex, age, body mass index z-score, or season. Children who were vitamin D insufficient (25[OH] D ≤30 ng/mL) had higher fasting plasma glucose ( P = .002) and lower HDL levels ( P 30 ng/mL). Conclusions Low 25(OH) D levels in children and adolescents are associated with higher plasma glucose and lower HDL concentrations.
The Peer Review Congresses: Improving Peer Review and Biomedical Publication

Original scientific reports in peer-reviewed journals are the cornerstones of new medical knowledge. Yet medical journalism, unlike research, is not a science but rather, like medical practice, a mix of art and science. All journals face the continuing challenges of providing their readers with information they can trust, improving their systems for evaluating manuscripts, and dealing with increasing concerns about financial and intellectual conflicts of interest. Diagnosing the ills of biomedical publications and advancing solutions are the missions of the International Congresses on Peer Review and Biomedical Publication, the seventh and most recent of which was held in Chicago in September 2013, organized by The JAMA Network and the BMJ and once again led by Drummond Rennie, MD.
Analysis of carbohydrate heterogeneity in a glycoprotein using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry.

High-performance liquid chromatography with on-line electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-LC/MS) was investigated for the analysis of carbohydrate heterogeneity using RNase B as a model glycoprotein. Oligosaccharides released from RNase B with endoglycosidase H were reduced and separated on a graphitized carbon column (GCC). GCC-HPLC/MS in the positive-ion mode was successful in the identification of one Man5GlcNAc, three Man6GlcNAc, three Man7GlcNAc, three Man8GlcNAc, one Man9GlcNAc, and an oligosaccharide having six hexose units (Hex) and two N-acetylhexosamine units (HexNAc). The branch structures of the three Man7GlcNAc isomers were determined by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). LC/MS/MS analysis was shown to be useful for the detection and identification of a trace amount of Hex6HexNAc2 alditol as a hybrid-type oligosaccharide. Its structure was confirmed by the combination of LC/MS with enzymatic digestion using beta-galactosidase and N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase. The relative quantities of high-mannose-type oligosaccharides in RNase B detected by ESI-LC/MS are in reasonable agreement with those by UV, high-pH anion-exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection, fluorophore-assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis. Our results indicate that LC/MS and LC/MS/MS can be utilized to elucidate the distribution of oligosaccharides and their structures, which differ in molecular weight, sugar sequence, and branch structure.
Ordinal subspaces of topological spaces

Let X denote a compact dispersed space with characteristic (λ, n). As is well-known, the space Γ(α) consisting of the ordinals not exceeding α with the interval topology has characteristic (λ, n) if and only if ωλ · n ⩽ α < ωλ · (n + 1). It seems natural to regard the ordinal spaces as “minimal” dispersed spaces and to conjecture that X contains a subspace Y homeomorphic to Γ(ωλ · n). It is shown by example that this is not the case. We show that if X is only regular, countably compact, and has characteristic (λ, n) with λ < Ω, then it contains a subspace homeomorphic to Γ(ωλn). However, if X is 0-dimensional, first countable, and has characteristic (λ, n) with λ < Ω, we are able to show that it contains a subspace homeomorphic to Γ(ωλ · n). A negative answer to a question raised by Semadeni is also provided.
Photoalpha reactions below 21.5 MeV with 14N and 16O

Abstract Cross-section measurements integrated to 21.5 MeV have been made for the 14N(γ, α)10B reaction (59 events), the 16O(γ, α)12C reaction (48 events) and the 16O(γ, 4α) reaction (53 events), with the assumption that 10B and 12C were left in their ground states. The values for the single-alpha events are 0.74±0.11 MeV · mb for 14 N and 0.055±0.008 MeV · mb for 16 O . The value for the four-alpha events is 0.124±0.017 MeV · mb. Partial cross-sections for the distinct modes of 16O breakup into two 8Be nuclei both in the ground state, and via the 7.7 MeV state of 12C, are 0.015±0.006 MeV · mb and 0.053±0.011 MeV · mb, respectively. The distribution in angle between the alpha and the photon direction for the 16O(γ, α)12C reaction (12C assumed to be in its ground state) gives an E2 E1 intensity ratio of 0.3 while for the 7.7 MeV state the ratio is 0.2. The smallness of the cross-section for the photodisintegration of 16O yielding an alpha or four alphas, being 0.18±0.02 MeV · mb, agrees with the strongly inhibiting effects of ΔT = ±1 for E1 absorption and for no change in T for alpha decay.
Ripening‐assisted asymmetric spalling of Cu‐Sn compound spheroids in solder joints on Si wafers

In reacting eutectic SnPb solder with Ti/Cu and Cr/Cu/Au thin film metallization on Si wafers, we have observed spalling of Cu6Sn5 spheroids when the solder consumes the Cu. The formation of the spheroids is assisted by the ripening reaction among the compound grains. In addition we have observed an asymmetric spalling phenomenon using a sandwich structure, in which two wafers were soldered face‐to‐face. The spalling occurs predominantly at the interface at the bottom of the solder joint. It suggests that gravity plays a role.
Achieving IT-Business Strategic Alignment via Enterprise-Wide Implementation of Balanced Scorecards

IT-business alignment remains one of the top issues of IS managers. This article presents a case study in which four key elements of IT-business alignment-integrated planning, effective communication, active relationship management, and institutionalized culture of alignment-were enhanced by the enterprise-wide implementation of an established strategic management tool, the balanced scorecard.
Reactions of 6,9-Bis(dimethyl sulfide)- decaborane(14), 6,9-[(CH(3))(2)S](2)B(10)H(12): Mechanistic Considerations.

The deuterium-labeled 6,9-[(CH3)2S]2-2,4-D2B10H10 is formed regiospecifically from 2,4-D2B10H12 and (CH3)2S. Likewise, the deuterium labels are retained in the same relative locations when 6,9-[(CH...
Patient-Centered Evaluation of Outcomes from Rehabilitation for Chronic Disabling Spinal Disorders: The Impact of Personal Goal Achievement on Patient Satisfaction

Abstract Background context The multiplicity of biopsychosocial and economic facets of chronic disabling back and/or neck pain complicates the treatment outcomes measurement. Our previous work showed that personal functional goal achievement contributed more toward patient satisfaction with the outcome than did traditional self-reports of pain and physical function or measured strength, flexibility, and endurance among functional restoration program (FRP) graduates with chronic disabling back and/or neck pain. Purpose The primary goal was to compare the impact on patient satisfaction of pain and functional goal achievement versus self-reports of pain and physical function. Study design This was an observational study of all patients with chronic disabling back and/or neck pain completing an FRP between June 2008 and May 2009. Outcome measures Before the treatment, participants recorded personal 3-month goals for pain, work, recreation, and activities of daily living. At least 3 months later, all graduates were sent a follow-up survey displaying the patient's pretreatment functional goals and eliciting the patient's assessment of functional goal achievement; current pain magnitude, "satisfaction with the overall results for your pain problem;" and responses to the Short Form-36v2 Physical Functioning subscale (PF-10). Methods Pain goal achievement was calculated as the difference between the pretreatment pain goal and follow-up pain magnitude. Linear regression was used to evaluate the association between satisfaction and four variables (follow-up pain; PF-10; pain goal achievement; functional goal achievement), individually and then together in a full model. Results Of the 82 patients surveyed, 62 responded completely. Mean age was 44 years, with 48% female and 35% on worker's compensation. The model R 2 combining all four variables explained 0.6033 of the variance in satisfaction. Each variable by itself was significantly related to patient satisfaction at p 2 ) to the variation in satisfaction were the following: functional goal achievement: 0.0471; PF-10 score: 0.0229; pain magnitude: 0.0178; and pain goal achievement: 0.0020. Conclusions At least 3 months after the treatment, functional goal achievement had by far the greatest impact on patient satisfaction, followed by PF-10 score, pain magnitude, and, finally, pain goal achievement. Functional goal achievement has great potential as a tool for patient-centered treatment decision-making and outcomes measurement for people with chronic disabling back and/or neck pain and their health care providers.
Programming analysis of variance by sequences of operators and isomorphic mappings

A special operator calculus developed by Hartley in 1956 together with a new mapping scheme has been found to be efficient in programming analysis of variance for multifactor experiments. The operator calculus and the mapping scheme are described in detail.
Limited clinical diagnostic specificity of technetium-99m stannous pyrophosphate myocardial imaging in acute myocardial infarction

To test the sensitivity and specificity of technetium-99m stannous pyrophosphate myocardial imaging in the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction, myocardial scintigrams were performed in 115 patients. Positive scintigrams were found in all 48 patients with acute myocardial infarction; uptake was localized in 29 patients with transmural infarction and diffuse in 2 patients with transmural infarction and in the remaining 17 patients with subendocardial myocardial infarction. Positive scintigrams were also found in 31 of 67 patients without clinical evidence of acute myocardial infarction. Diffusely positive scintigrams were found in 3 of 3 patients with unstable angina pectoris, 7 of 30 patients with stable angina pectoris, 4 of 13 patients who had undergone aortocoronary bypass surgery, 4 of 4 patients with congestive cardiomyopathy and 1 patient studied 1 day after direct current cardioversion. Localized uptake of 99m Tc-pyrophosphate was found in 9 of 10 patients with left ventricular aneurysm and in 3 of 13 patients after aortocoronary bypass surgery. All four patients with atypical chest pain and two patients with pericarditis had normal scintigrams. Our data confirm the previously reported sensitivity of 99m Tc-pyrophosphate imaging in detection of acute myocardial infarction but indicate that positive scintigrams are not specific for this entity.
Evaluation of optical and chromatic properties under electrical and thermal coupling in solid state lighting systems

For energy-saving, high efficiency and low pollution, the lighting of LED systems is important for the future of green energy technology industry. The solid state lighting becomes the replacement of traditional lighting, such as, light bulbs and compact fluorescent lamps. Because of the semiconductor characteristics, the luminous efficiency of LEDs is sensitive to the operating temperature. Besides increasing the luminous efficiency, effective controlling electricity and thermal characteristics in the design of LED lighting products is the key point to achieve the best results. LED modules can be combined with multi-grain process or through a combination of multiple LED chips. Accurate analysis of this LED module for the electrical, thermal characteristics and high reliability is the critical knowledge of modular design. In this report, we studied the electrical and thermal coupling phenomenon in solid state lighting systems to analyze their reliability. By experiments and simulations, we obtained the apparent variation of temperature distribution of LED system due to differences of their forward voltages and thermal resistances. These events may reduce their reliability. Besides, the evaluation of optical and chromatic properties was based on the variation of temperature distribution and current of LED system. This is the key technology to predict the optical and chromatic properties of LED system in use.
ROLE OF CHICKEN BREAST MUSCLE PROTEINS IN MEAT EMULSION FORMATION: MYOSIN, ACTIN AND SYNTHETIC ACTOMYOSIN

The chicken breast muscle proteins myosin, actin and synthetic acto-myosin (SAM) were taken to 0.6M NaCl, 20 mM citrate-phosphate buffer, pH 5.5–7.0, and were tested for emulsifying capacity (E.C.) and timed emulsification. The aqueous phase was separated by centrifugation and analyzed quantitatively by SDS gel electrophoresis. Emulsifying capacity values varied inversely with protein concentration and pH, with myosin ≅ SAM (+ ATP)> SAM (− ATP)> actin. However, oil phase volume differences were small, ranging from 86.5–88.7%. The proteins actin and myosin had quite different emulsion-forming properties. Myosin was rapidly removed from solution, forming fine, thick emulsions. Actin was less readily removed from solution, and formed thin, coarse emulsions. When present as actomyosin, actin and myosin behaved like myosin alone. However, when this complex was dissociated by ATP (5 mM), actin and myosin behaved independently of each other. Actin remained in the aqueous phase while myosin was preferentially used in the emulsion.
Nanometer structure and device fabrication

Abstract The technology for fabricating gratings with periods as small as 40 nm is described. Applications of nanometer scale gratings in several devices are described including liquid crystal displays, polarizers, and the permeable base transistor.
Evaluation of a heparin assay method using a fluorogenic synthetic peptide substrate for thrombin

A heparin assay method based on thrombin cleavage of a fluorogenic synthetic peptide has been evaluated in normal subjects, in patients with chronic renal disease on hemodialysis, and in patients with other disorders. The method has satisfactory accuracy, sensitivity, and reproducibility. In contrast to methods commonly used to monitor heparin therapy, it measures heparin directly and is uninfluenced by patient variables such as low antithrombin III. The method may provide valuable information in selected clinical settings such as cardiopulmonary bypass and in patients with chronic renal disease who receive heparin during hemodialysis or prior to surgery.
Variation in Resource Utilization for the Management of Uncomplicated Community-Acquired Pneumonia across Community and Children's Hospitals

Objective To describe patterns of diagnostic testing and antibiotic management of uncomplicated pneumonia in general community hospitals and children's hospitals within hospitals and to determine the association between diagnostic testing and length of hospital stay. Study design We conducted a retrospective cohort study of children 1-17 years of age hospitalized with the diagnosis of pneumonia from 2007 to 2010 to hospitals contributing data to Perspective Database Warehouse, assessing patterns of diagnostic testing and antibiotic management. We constructed logistic regression models of log-transformed length of stay (LOS) and grouped treatment models to ascertain whether performance of blood cultures and viral respiratory testing were associated with LOS. Results A total of 17 299 pneumonia cases occurred at 125 hospitals, with considerable variability in pneumonia management. Only 40 (0.2%) received ampicillin/penicillin G alone or in combination with other antibiotics, and 1318 (7.4%) received macrolide monotherapy as initial antibiotic management. Performance of blood culture and testing for respiratory viruses was associated with a statistically significant longer LOS, but these differences did not persist in grouped treatment models. Conclusions We observed greater rates of diagnostic testing in this cohort of structurally diverse hospitals than previously reported at freestanding children's hospitals, with extremely low rates of narrow-spectrum antibiotic use. Tailored antibiotic stewardship initiatives at these hospitals are needed to achieve adherence to national guideline recommendations.
The Ontogeny of Display Behaviour in Sceloporus undulatus (Sauria: Iguanidae)

A longitudinal study (from neonate to adult) was made of the display behaviour of 36 fence lizards from 8 clutches. A frame-by-frame analysis of 941 video-taped displays revealed that the hatchlings possessed almost all of their adult display patterns by the first two days of life. Of the total variance in the display behaviour, ;’ % or less was attributed to experience. Of the variance among lizards, approximately half came from between clutches and half from between clutchmates. Our data indicate that the visual communication signals (head bob displays) of this vertebrate species are almost totally innate.
Introduction of the sagittal symphysotomy in the treatment of chin deformities

The management of chin problems occasionally presents a surgical problem to the clinician because of certain anatomic and clinical considerations. This article reviews and discusses some of the conventional surgical procedures in treating chin deformities. The new and versatile sagittal symphysotomy is introduced and described. Three case reports are presented.
Direct evidence of the importance of electron-phonon coupling in La2CuO

We present direct evidence of the importance of the electron-phonon interaction in pure ${\mathrm{La}}_{2}$Cu${\mathrm{O}}_{4}$. Photoinduced ir-active vibrational modes (IRAV) and associated bleaching of the ${\mathrm{La}}_{2}$Cu${\mathrm{O}}_{4}$ phonon modes are observed in the spectral range below 700 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$. The observation of photoinduced IRAV modes implies the existence of structural deformation around the photoexcited carriers, indicative of coupling of the photoexcitations to the lattice. We find, in addition, a broad photoinduced absorption which peaks at \ensuremath{\approx}0.5 eV, indicating an electronic transition deep within the energy gap.