cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abordagem do pé pendente nos cuidados de saúde primários: relato de caso

Introduction: Foot drop is defined by the inability to elevate the foot due to diminished strength of the dorsiflexor muscles. To elaborate a treatment plan, it is necessary to determine its etiology. Thus, the family doctor must recognize the situations in which the management of foot drop can be done exclusively in primary health care, differentiating from those that may require observation and assessment in-hospital care. Case description: 71-year-old man with arterial hypertension and dyslipidemia, medicated with indapamide. An appointment with the family doctor referred that, two days ago, had remained seated for two hours with the right leg crossed over the contralateral lower limb. By getting up, the patient noticed right foot numbness and inability to elevate the same foot. At the physical examination, he presented a steppage gait, with right foot drop and decreased sensitivity of the back of the foot. It was requested electromyography, which documented severe axonal damage of the right common peroneal nerve below the fibular neck, compatible with prolonged compression. The patient was submitted to physiotherapy sessions, demonstrating complete clinical resolution of foot drop after three months. Comment: The neuropathy of the common peroneal nerve is the main cause of foot drop and the third most frequent focal neuropathy, after the median nerve and cubital nerve. Compression remains the most frequent etiology. The most affected site is at the level of the fibular neck, manifested by steppage gait, consequent to decreased strength of the dorsiflexor muscles of the foot. Even though the diagnosis is usually clinical, most of the patients require electromyography. The initial treatment tends to be conservative, with a frequent resolution of the complaints in three months. This is a condition that may be uncommon in family medicine’s clinical practice, but its approach could be, many times, managed in primary health care. It is important to know how to reassure the patients about the semiology, therapeutic approach, and prognosis.
Surgical treatment of unilateral renal vascular disease. Prognostic role of vascular changes in bilateral renal biopsies.

Abstract In patients with unilateral renal arterial stenosis no distinction could be made between atherosclerotic or fibrous lesions of the main renal artery on the basis of the presence or severity of intrarenal arteriolar sclerosis. The results of bilateral renal biopsies performed at the time of operation support the concept of the “protected kidney,” in which the prevalence and severity of arteriolar sclerosis is greater in the kidney contralateral to the renal arterial stenosis. The presence or absence of arteriolar sclerosis as determined from bilateral renal biopsies was not sufficiently accurate as a prognostic index to justify the hazards of this procedure for patients being considered for surgical treatment of occlusive renal artery disease.
The Responsibility to Lie and the Obligation to Report

This article is an examination of the moral complexity of the act of whistleblowing in the context of corporate corruption. Whistleblowing may be a morally admirable act underataken by morally ambiguous agents, but can only be fully understood in context. Using German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s essay “What Does It Mean to Tell the Truth?” This essay will examine how the kind of deception sometimes necessary in whistleblowing cases can be testimony to a larger and more profound truth.
The Reliability of Programming Systems

The reliability of a programming system is not only determined by the number of errors to be expected, but also by its behaviour in error situations. An error must be kept local to identify its origin and annul its effects at an tolerable expense. This paper discusses a uniform approach to the limitation of error propagation, the identification of the process in error, and the provision for error recovery.
Color Atlas and Synopsis of Clinical Ophthalmology. Wills Eye Institute, Neuro-Ophthalmology (Wills Eye Institute Atlas Series), 2nd Edition

Neuro-Ophthalmology is the second edition of this paperback text, the first edition having appeared in 2003. Neuro-Ophthalmology is part of the Clinical Atlas and Synopsis of Clinical Ophthalmology...
In-Process Ultrasonic Evaluation of Spot Weld Quality

While spot welding has wide use in the automotive and aerospace industries there is no acceptable nondestructive testing technique for evaluation of its quality. One of the major metallurgical defects of spot welds, the stick weld, cannot be evaluated at all. There is growing interest in the industry to develop simple production-oriented nondestructive techniques for evaluation of spot weld quality.
A reciprocity approach for determining radiation patterns of patch antennas on circularly-cylindrical platforms

There has been rapidly growing interest in conformal patch antennas that can be mounted on arbitrarily curved surfaces. One of the major factors influencing the popularity of these antennas is their potentially useful application in mobile communication systems. This has also fueled a need for more powerful and versatile computational modeling techniques for this class of antennas. We present an efficient method, based on the reciprocity theorem, for calculating the radiation patterns of patch antennas mounted on circularly cylindrical platforms when the current distribution on the patches is available from previous computations. The major advantages of this approach are that it does not require the evaluation of complicated layered media Green's functions for curved geometrics and circumvents the need to calculate time consuming Sommerfeld integrals. The technique also has the highly desirable feature that it is easily generalizable to patch antennas of arbitrary shape.
Language Functions in Preterm Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Preterm children have more language problems than term children. However, it is unknown whether the language problems in these children worsen, are stable, or improve over time. We aimed to determine the developmental course of language function in preterm children in comparison to term children during childhood.
Rock-Joint Micromechanics: Relationship of Roughness to Closure and Wave Propagation

The closure behavior of rock joints is intimately related to joint roughness. Here we utilize a micromechanical approach that explicitly considers asperity interactions on joint surfaces to study the rock-joint closure and wave propagation behavior. Elastic deformations and inelastic frictional sliding are considered at inclined asperity contacts. Rock-joint roughness is modeled through distributions of asperity heights and asperity contact orientations. The micromechanical approach developed in this paper establishes the link between the rock-joint closure behavior, the initial overlap of the joints, the asperity height distribution parameters, and the average asperity slope. The model is verified by comparison with experimental measurements. Subsequently a parametric study is performed. The results show that rock joints with the same roughness can exhibit a range of closure behavior depending upon initial overlap and rock intrinsic friction. Therefore, unique descriptions of rock-joint closure behavior ...
Delocalization of the Fe 3d levels in the quasi-two-dimensional correlated insulator FePS3.

The degree of spatial localization of the Fe 3[ital d] levels in the quasi-two-dimensional correlated insulator iron phosphorus trisulphide (FePS[sub 3]) is probed using resonant and angle-resolved photoemission in the range [ital h][nu]=40[similar to]65 eV. Our results indicate that the 3[ital d] levels in this compound are not as localized as assumed by an existing ionic model. Spectra can be adequately fitted using an atomic multiplet theory for the 3[ital d][sup [ital n][minus]1] final state modified by the presence of an octahedral ligand field. However, a relatively low Racah exchange parameter [ital B]=0.075 eV is deduced and is interpreted in terms of greater hybridization with neighboring sulfur atoms than in iron oxides and halides. Resonant photoemission spectra collected near the iron [ital M] edge yielded excitation spectra composed of three prominent peaks approximately characterized by Fano line shapes. Systematic variation of the Fano asymmetry parameter [ital q] through the 3[ital d] multiplet is attributed to differential hybridization of various Fe 3[ital d] levels with sulfur 3[ital d] orbitals. Finally, we report angle-resolved photoemission results in the mirror symmetry planes, which indicate that some components of the 3[ital d] multiplet are substantially delocalized by band formation parallel to the layers. Wemore » summarize and discuss these results in terms of the covalency of this material.« less
Organizational Philosophies of Japanese companies in the U.S.A

The paper presents data about the Organizational Philosophies of fifty-nine Japanese owned companies in the United States. Harmony emerged as the single most popular element in these Organizational Philosophies. Data about specific concepts of Organizational Philosophy (kaizen, “correct” attitudes) were also obtained. Mechanisms to encourage the adoption and use of Organizational Philosophy were investigated. The evidence suggests that Organizational Philosophy continues to be an important aspect of Japanese companies in the U.S.A., and that American managers of these companies are accepting these Philosophies.
Calibrated path sampling and stepwise bridge sampling

Abstract A computational problem in many fields is to evaluate multiple integrals and expectations simultaneously. Consider probability distributions with unnormalized density functions indexed by parameters on a 2-dimensional grid, and assume that samples are simulated from distributions on a subgrid. Examples of such unnormalized density functions include the observed-data likelihoods in the presence of missing data and the prior times the likelihood in Bayesian inference. There are various methods using a single sample only or multiple samples jointly to compute each integral. Path sampling seems a compromise, using samples along a 1-dimensional path to compute each integral. However, different choices of the path lead to different estimators, which should ideally be identical. We propose calibrated estimators by the method of control variates to exploit such constraints for variance reduction. We also propose biquadratic interpolation to approximate integrals with parameters outside the subgrid, consistently with the calibrated estimators on the subgrid. These methods can be extended to compute differences of expectations through an auxiliary identity for path sampling. Furthermore, we develop stepwise bridge-sampling methods in parallel but complementary to path sampling. In three simulation studies, the proposed methods lead to substantially reduced mean squared errors compared with existing methods.
3D cryo-section/imaging of blood vessel lesions for validation of MRI data

Vascular disease is a leading cause of death and disability in the western world. Diagnosis and staging of atherosclerosis is a challenge, especially with regards to the identification of plaque vulnerability. We are developing imaging methods based upon MRI and intravascular microcoils. In order to rigorously validate our MRI imaging methods and algorithms, we have developed a new cryo-imaging system that allows one to alternately section and image the block face of tissue. We obtain 3D pathology of vessel segments excised from cadaver and we characterize the tissues of atheroma using episcopic autofluorescence and bright field microscopy images. After embedding the vessel, the block is frozen, and block face microscopic images are taken every 200μm with an image resolution of 30μm×30μm. The series of images is then corrected for uneven illumination, serially registered to one another, and the 3D vessel segment is reconstructed. Some sections are recovered and processed with histological staining for validation. Seven tissue types can be readily identified from the cryo-images: necrotic core, calcification, lipid pool, media, adventitia, fibrosis, thrombus, and normal intima. Since the whole vessel segment is available, we could register 3D data to images from MR, or other modalities, for validation. In addition, visualization tools such as multi-planar reformatting 3D rendering can be used to study 3D plaque morphology, in microscopic detail.
The pH dependence of the tetrodotoxin-blockade of the sodium channel and implications for toxin binding.

Abstract On the internally perfused, voltage-clamped squid giant axon, the effect of pH on the potency of tetrodotoxin in blocking the sodium current has been re-examined at pH 7.8 and 8.8. Confirming previous studies, tetrodotoxin is weaker at pH 8.8, when the deprotonated C-10 -OH makes the toxin molecule a zwitterion. In contrast to previous studies, our results, based on full dose-response relations, show that the relative potency at the two pH values appreciably exceeds the ratio of the abundance of the protonated C-10 form. In a medium of lowered ionic strength, tetrodotoxin is weaker, and the relative potency at pH 7.8 and 8.8 approaches the ratio of the relative abundance of the C-10 -OH. The results are believed to support hydrogen bonding at C-10 as a contributing factor in the binding of tetrodotoxin to the membrane receptor.
Heterogeneity of Kallmann's syndrome

Kallmann's syndrome is a rare condition defined as a combination of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and anosmia. The present study shows two genealogical tables. In the first family six male members in four generations had Kallmann's syndrome. All carrier females seemed to have normal fertility and normal olfactory function. X-linked recessive or - less probable - dominant sex linked inheritance was considered to be most probable. Renal malformation was discovered in one and was excluded in two affected members. In the second family only one affected female was discovered. She had a monozygotic twin sister with normal pubertal development, but also total anosmia. Four individuals with anosmia alone were found in this family, but no further cases of hypogonadism. The possibility of an acquired hypothalamic insufficiency on the basis of hereditary anosmia is discussed.
Thermophysical characterization of the seeds of invasive Chinese tallow tree: importance for biofuel production.

The limited supply of traditional fossil based fuels, and increased concern about their environmental impact has driven the interest in the utilization of biomass based energy sources, including those that are underutilized or otherwise nuisance species such as Chinese tallow trees (Triadica sebifera [L.]). This species is a prolific seeds producer, and this paper shows that they contain more than 50% lipids by mass that are suitable for conversion into biodiesel. We present here, for the first time, the seeds’ thermophysical properties important for biofuel production. The seeds were characterized using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and ultimate analysis; their thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, and specific heat were determined. The characterization results were correlated to fatty acid composition and lipid content for whole seeds and individual layers, as well as to the protein, hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin content. The TGA analysis indicate...
Voltage-gated and two-pore-domain potassium channels in murine spiral ganglion neurons.

Abstract The systematically varied firing features of spiral ganglion neurons provide an excellent model system for the exploration of how graded ion channel distributions can be used to organize neuronal firing across a population of neurons. Elucidating the underlying mechanisms that determine neuronal response properties requires a complete understanding of the combination of ion channels, auxiliary proteins, modulators, and second messengers that form this highly organized system in the auditory periphery. Toward this goal, we built upon previous studies of voltage-gated K + -selective ion channels (Kv), and expanded our analysis to K + -selective leak channels (KCNK), which can play a major role in setting the basic firing characteristics of spiral ganglion neurons. To begin a more comprehensive analysis of Kv and KCNK channels, a screening approach was employed. RT-PCR was utilized to examine gene expression, the major results of which were confirmed with immunocytochemistry. Initial studies validated this approach by accurately detecting voltage-dependent K + channels that were documented previously in the spiral ganglion. Furthermore, an additional channel type within the Kv3 family, Kv3.3, was identified and further characterized. The major focus of the study, however, was to systematically examine gene expression levels of the KCNK family of K + -selective leak channels. These channel types determine the resting membrane potential which has a major impact on setting the level of neuronal excitation. TWIK-1, TASK-3, TASK-1, and TREK-1 were expressed in the spiral ganglion; TWIK-1 was specifically localized with immunocytochemistry to the neuronal somata and initial processes of spiral ganglion neurons in vitro .
Influence of passive supplemental damping systems on structural and nonstructural seismic fragilities of a steel building

This paper presents the results of a numerical study on the influence of structural passive supplemental damping systems on structural and nonstructural seismic fragilities of a steel framed building. Hysteretic and viscous bracing systems were used to retrofit a four-storey steel framed building containing generic rigidly anchored and vibration isolated secondary nonstructural components located at various floor levels in the building. The Incremental Dynamic Analysis (IDA) procedure was utilized with an ensemble of 44 scaled historical ground motions to construct structural and nonstructural fragility curves for various performance objectives. The results obtained indicate that both supplemental damping systems improved the seismic behaviour of the original building by increasing the median values of the structural fragility curves and reducing the probabilities of exceedence at the Design Basis Earthquake (DBE) and Maximum Credible Earthquake (MCE) levels. The nonstructural components mounted on vibration isolation systems exhibited reduced seismic fragilities compared to that of rigidly anchored nonstructural components. Retrofitting the building with viscous dampers reduced the seismic fragility of nonstructural components mounted to the roof of the building. Retrofitting the building with hysteretic dampers, on the other hand, was detrimental to the seismic fragility of acceleration sensitive rigidly anchored nonstructural components at the roof level.
Geologic analyses of Shuttle Imaging Radar (SIR-B) data of Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii

Analyses of imaging radar data of volcanic terranes on Earth and Venus have emphasized the need for a clearer understanding of how these data can be most effectively used to accomplish important volcanological goals, including the interpretation of eruptive styles and the characterization of the geologic history of volcanic centers. The second Shuttle Imaging Radar experiment (SIR-B) obtained two digital images over the summit caldera and the Southwest Rift Zone of Kilauea Volcano in 1984. Our geologic analyses of these images indicate that SIR-B data are particularly useful for delineating the distribution and surface textural variations of a9a lava flows, for mapping large-scale topographic features with radar-facing slopes, and for identifying an areally extensive pyroclastic deposit. Analyses of the SIR-B data of Kilauea, however, do not permit unambiguous identification of landforms such as pahoehoe lava flows, cinder cones, and fissures. Although separation of low-return units such as pahoehoe lava flows and adjacent pyroclastic ash is not greatly improved using standard image-enhancement techniques, the texture-analysis technique applied here did facilitate discrimination of such smooth-surfaced volcanic deposits. Although analyses of the SIR-B data permit a generally accurate interpretation of the eruptive history of Kilauea, the inability to distinguish low-return pahoehoe flows results in misinterpretation of several aspects of Kilauea volcanism, suggesting that caution should be exercised in the interpretation of SAR data of volcanic terranes.
Accelerated incident detection across transportation networks using vehicle kinetics and support vector machine in cooperation with infrastructure agents

This study presents a framework for highway incident detection using vehicle kinetics, such as speed profile and lane changing behaviour, as envisioned in the vehicle-infrastructure integration (VII, also known as IntelliDrive) in which vehicles and infrastructure communicate to improve mobility and safety. This framework uses an in-vehicle intelligent module, based on a support vector machine (SVM), to determine the vehicle's travel experiences with autonomously generated kinetics data. Roadside infrastructure agents (also known as RSUs: roadside units) detect the incident by compiling travel experiences from several vehicles and comparing the aggregated results with the pre-selected threshold values. The authors developed this VII-SVM incident detection system on a previously calibrated and validated simulation network in rural Spartanburg, South Carolina and deployed it on an urban freeway network in Baltimore, Maryland to evaluate its transportability. The study found no significant differences in the detection performance between the original network and a new network that the VII-SVM system has not seen before. This demonstrated the feasibility of developing a generic VII-SVM system, applicable across transportation networks.
Sports analytics: Designing a volleyball game analysis decision-support tool using big data

From 2006-2012, George Mason University's (GMU) division I men's and women's volleyball teams were outplayed by their top competitors within their associated conference. Analysis of historic data showed that the GMU's men's and women's volleyball teams have a lower probability of scoring points on average of 0.21 and 0.05 respectively. The win/loss outcome is a function of the combinations of sequences of events caused by team's actions and coach's tactics. The data is so complex that no human can comprehensively conduct the analysis. A Computer-Aided Analysis Tool (CAAT) is needed to analyze the underlying trends contributing to the wins and losses as well as provide a meaningful recommendation to improve the overall team performance in a volleyball game. The CAAT determines the probability of each transition that can occur in a volleyball game, uses an Absorbing Markov Chain to evaluate how events influence the point scoring probability, and runs a Monte Carlo Simulation to analyze how random variations in transition probabilities, caused by extreme conditional scenarios can affect the team performance and end result of a game. Four design alternatives were identified through analysis of historic data and evaluated for improving team performance through specific skill improvement training: 1) Increasing aces; 2) Increasing kills; 3) Increasing blocks; 4) Decreasing errors. A utility analysis was conducted to determine the most effective design alternative to achieve the target level of performance. Based on the utility analysis, the GMU's women's and men's teams must focus on increasing their blocks. Out of 10 blocks, at least 9 should lead to a point for the men and 3 should lead to a point for the women in order to achieve the target level of performance.
Two kinds of rotation: An argument for torsion

There are now many theories of gravity with a torsion field as well as the usual metric field. One of the arguments for allowing torsion is based upon a gauge theory analogy. The purpose of this paper is to clarify exactly which symmetries are being gauged in this process. The principal observation is that special relativity is invariant under two different kinds of Lorentz transformations. The first type rotate the fields and move them from one point to another in space-time. The second type merely rotate the fields at each point without changing their location. To gauge both types of rotations requires a torsion field as well as a metric field.
Impact Response of Titanium and Titanium Boride Monolithic and Functionally Graded Composite Plates

Functionally graded materials have gained significant interest within the research community in recent years. Functionally graded materials are advanced composites in which local material properties are tailored to suit application requirements by altering the volume fraction ratios of two or more constituents. In this article, the behavior of metal-ceramic functionally graded material plates under low-velocity, medium-energy impact loading is considered using experimental and computational techniques. A series of impact tests were conducted on monolithic and functionally graded plates composed of titanium and titanium boride. The tests were performed using a vertical drop test apparatus in which highly controlled impacts of up to 108 J were delivered to the center of the top surface of each plate. The opposing bottom surface of each plate was instrumented with strain gauges wired into a high-speed data acquisition system to collect strain histories throughout the duration of the impact event. A sophisticated finite element model of the test was constructed to simulate the conditions of the experiments. Two distinct material models were used in the finite element analyses to study the monolithic and graded plates. The first model used analytical expressions based on the local volume fractions of the constituents to generate homogenized-material properties for the mixtures of titanium and titanium boride. The second model randomly distributed cells containing titanium elements and titanium boride elements constrained to satisfy local volume fraction ratios in the monolithic and graded specimens. The strain histories from the experiments were compared with the analogous solutions from the finite element model analyses to validate the computational models used in the study. Specifically, analyses with respect to historical trends, maximum strain magnitudes, and strain-rate effects were performed to gain insight into the impact response of the plate structures. The key contribution is validation of functionally graded material models and a computational framework for studying the impact response of functionally graded material plates as a foundation for investigations of more severe impact loads.
Basinwide sedimentation and the continuum of paleoflow in an ancient river system: Kayenta Formation (Lower Jurassic), central portion Colorado Plateau

Abstract Utilizing detailed documentation of alluvial architecture to reconstruct the continuum of paleoflow (perennial, intermittent, ephemeral), a basinwide study of the Kayenta Formation (Lower Jurassic) reveals that the northern half of the basin is characterized by sandy, low-sinuosity fluvial systems which exhibit perennial (Assoc. 1) to intermittent (Assoc. 2) discharge indicators. The rivers had headwaters east of the Uncompahgre Highlands (western Colorado) and flowed southwest across the basin depositing a braidplain of channel sands with well-preserved 3-dimensional macroforms. One significant aspect of the macroform architecture is documentation of macroform climb in both an upstream and downstream direction. The macroforms aggrade vertically by climbing (maximum 10° dip in an upstream direction) and migrating over the backs (upstream ends) of underlying macroforms. The process of macroform climb records a minimum water depth of 8 m and a maximum of 16 m which places the Kayenta perennial waterways (Assoc. 1) within a mesothermal hydrologic regime. The southern portion of the basin contains intermittent (Assoc. 2) to ephemeral (Assoc. 3) fluvial deposits, extensive floodplain preservation and eolian dune and interdune/sandsheet deposition (Assoc. 4). A tributary drainage pattern to the northwest was established by smaller, low- to moderately-sinuous streams. Eolian dune and interdune deposits migrated across this more arid windswept portion of the basin. The range of alluvial architecture present in the Kayenta attests to the diversity that can be found in a small continental sedimentary basin.
Terahertz Laser Vibration−Rotation Tunneling Spectroscopy and Dipole Moment of a Cage Form of the Water Hexamer

Tunable terahertz laser vibration−rotation-tunneling spectroscopy has been employed to characterize the structure and hydrogen bond network rearrangement dynamics of a cage form of the water hexamer having eight hydrogen bonds. The isolated clusters are produced in a pulsed supersonic slit jet. Striking similarities are found between the structure and the average interoxygen distance RO-O (2.82 A) of the hexamer cage and those of the basic unit of ice VI. The hybrid perpendicular band of b- and c-types is observed near 2.491 THz (83.03 cm-1) and rationalized to originate from the torsional motions of the two single-donor single-acceptor monomers about their donor hydrogen bonds, thereby causing changes in the dipole moments from each monomer to be orthogonal to each other as well as to be perpendicular to the approximate symmetry a-axis. Triplet spectral patterns accompanying each rovibrational transition with line spacings of 1.9 MHz and intensity ratios of 9:6:1 are attributed to the degenerate quantum ...
Utilizing the Novel Laser Spallation Technique to Measure Interfacial Strength in Microelectronic Packages

Laser spallation is a high strain rate adhesion measurement technique. Based on the principle of pulsed laser ablation, strain rates of the order of 105 –106 s−1 are achieved with laser spallation. At these strain rates, low strain rate losses such as due to plasticity or viscoelasticity get minimized and so the strength measurement from laser spallation will be close to the intrinsic strength of the interface. In addition, the high strain rates also enable an understanding of “shock” stress conditions. This work focuses on the application of laser spallation to understand two types of interfaces in flip chip microelectronic packages — BGA solder joints and copper-epoxy based dielectrics. The ability of laser spallation to differentiate samples on the basis of their adhesive strength is understood.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
From profiles to patterns and back again: a branch and bound algorithm for finding near optimal motif profiles

An important part of deciphering gene regulatory mechanisms is discovering transcription factor binding sites. In many cases, these sites can be detected because they are often overrepresented in genomic sequences. The detection of the overrepresented signals in sequences, or motif-finding has become a central problem in computational biology. There are two major computational frameworks for attacking the motif finding problem which differ in their representation of the signals. The most popular is the profile or PSSM (Position Specific Scoring Matrix) representation. The goal of these algorithms is to obtain probabilistic representations of the overrepresented signals. Another is the consensus pattern or pattern with mismatches representation which represents a signal as discrete consensus pattern and allows some mismatches to occur in each instance of the pattern. The advantage of profiles is the expressiveness of their representation while the advantage of the consensus pattern approach is the existence of efficient algorithms that guarantee discovery of the best patterns. In this paper we present a unified framework for motif finding which encompasses both the profile representation and the consensus pattern representation. We prove that the problem of discovering the best profiles can be solved by considering a degenerate version of the problem of finding the best consensus patterns. The main advantage of our framework is that it motivates a novel algorithm, MITRA-PSSM, which discovers profiles, yet provides some of the guarantees of discovering the best signals. The algorithm searches for best profiles with respect to information content which is the same criterion of popular algorithms such as MEME and CONSENSUS. MITRA-PSSM is specifically designed for searching for profiles in this framework and introduces a novel notion of scoring consensus patterns, discrete information content. MITRA-PSSM is available for public use via webserver at http://www.calit2.net/compbio/mitra/.
Nitrogen turnover and availability during succession from alder to poplar in Alaskan taiga forests

Abstract Primary succession on the Tanana river floodplain progresses from alder, with C-limited microbes and rapid nitrification, to poplar, with N-limited microbes and little nitrification. To determine the mechanisms controlling this shift, a reciprocal soil transplant experiment was conducted between alder and poplar sites. Mineralization rates (gross and net) and nitrification potentials were measured periodically over 1 year. Nitrification potentials of both soils were higher in the alder site, but transplanted soils showed higher gross rates of N turnover than soils in their native site. Thus, C additions from poplar alleviated C limitation in alder soils, accelerating N turnover, but with a net reduction in N availability to nitrifiers. Transplanting poplar soil to the alder site alleviated N limitation, accelerating N turnover while increasing net N availability. The changes in N cycling between alder and poplar were therefore controlled by changes in N turnover and availability.
E-learning in Hong Kong: comparing learning outcomes in online multimedia and lecture versions of an introductory computing course

This paper evaluates the effectiveness of Web-based, highly interactive, and multimedia-rich e-learning materials by comparing students’ learning outcomes in the lecture and online versions of an introductory computing course. The course versions differed only in that face-to-face lectures were replaced with e-learning modules in the online course; the other course elements (laboratory sessions, use of computer-mediated communications, examinations) were the same. The e-learning trial took place at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, where the first author taught the lecture course to 105 students, and the online course to 180 and 129 students in the following semesters. The lecture and online students achieved comparable factual learning outcomes and the online students outperformed the lecture students in appliedconceptual learning. Findings suggest that the use of carefully designed interactive e-learning modules fosters higher-order learning outcomes.
Mechanism for the Abnormal Energetics of Pressure-Induced Hypertrophy of Cat Myocardium

Depressed myocardial contractility with paradoxically increased oxygen consumption has been demonstrated in previous studies of pressure overload hypertrophy. To determine whether altered mitochondrial respiration participates in the abnormal energetics of this muscle, right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) was produced in 12 cats by pulmonary artery banding. A polarographic muscle bath was used to study eight control and eight RVH papillary muscles, and the respiration of mitochondria isolated from these right ventricles was characterized. RVH muscles demonstrated depressed force-velocity and length-tension curves. The myocardial oxygen consumption per gram of peak active tension was increased from 0.65 ± 0.05 nliters/mg beat-1 (control) to 1.10±0.07 nliters/mg beat-1 (RVH) (P<0.001). Abnormal mitochondrial respiration was shown by an increase in the rate of state 4 oxygen consumption from 12.5±0.8 natoms/mg min-1 (control) to 19.9±0.8 natoms/mg min-1 (RVH) (P < 0.001). The altered oxygen cost of active iso...
A comparison between non-gaussian closure and statistical linearization techniques for random vibration of a nonlinear oscillator

Abstract The non-Gaussian closure technique is applied to a nonlinear single degree of freedom oscillator subjected to a stationary white noise excitation. The nonlinear restoring force in this system is a softening spring with a hyperbolic tangent behavior. This type of nonlinear system has practical applications in package cushioning. The governing differential equation of motion is used to generate relations between stationary response statistics. These relations are then employed to evaluate a corresponding number of unknown coefficients in a non-Gaussian probability distribution function. A truncated Gram-Charlier expansion is chosen for the probability density function. Up to the sixth order moments of the response process are obtained. The probability density functions predicted by this technique are then compared with density functions constructed by exact solution via the Fokker-Plank-Kolmogorov equation. A comparison is also made with the density function evaluated by statistical linearization for this system. Limitations of this non-Gaussian closure method are discussed.
Phorbol ester-induced morphological changes in transformed chick fibroblasts: Evidence for direct catalytic involvement of plasminogen activator

Abstract The tumor promoter phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) induces the production of the serine protease plasminogen activator (PA) in cultures of normal chick embryo fibroblasts (CEF) and synergistically enhances PA production in Rous sarcoma virus-transformed chick embryo fibroblasts (RSVCEF). Following PMA treatment of serum-free RSVCEF cultures, PA induction is accompanied by distinct morphological changes, including enhanced cell clustering and the formation of dense cellular aggregates. These alterations in the morphology of the PMA-treated transformed cells are inhibited by several protease inhibitors, including leupeptin, NPGB, SBTI, benzamidine and DFP, the specific inhibitor of serine enzymes. A number of protease inhibitors are ineffective in preventing the PMA-induced morphological changes; these include inhibitors of trypsin, chymotrypsin, elastase, thrombin and, most importantly, plasmin. The use of a fluorescent substrate to assay PA directly demonstrated that the pattern of inhibition of PA activity correlates exactly with the inhibition of morphological changes. The use of 3 H-DFP to label and characterize serine enzymes in the culture fluid from PMA-treated cells further indicated that PA is the serine protease responsible for the morphological changes. Thus PA itself can catalytically alter cellular behavior in culture independent of plasminogen, until now its only known natural substrate.
Evaluation of extra- and intracellular apparent diffusion coefficient of sodium in rat skeletal muscle: Effects of prolonged ischemia

The mechanism of water and sodium apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) changes in rat skeletal muscle during global ischemia was examined by in vivo 1H and 23Na magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). The ADCs of Na+ and water are expected to have similar characteristics because sodium is present as an aqua-cation in tissue. The shift reagent, TmDOTP5(-), was used to separate intra- and extracellular sodium (Na+i and Na+e, respectively) signals. Water, total tissue sodium (Na+t), Na+i, and Na+e ADCs were measured before and 1, 2, 3, and 4 hr after ischemia. Contrary to the general perception, Na+i and Na+e ADCs were identical before ischemia. Thus, ischemia-induced changes in Na+e ADC cannot be explained by a simple change in the size of relative intracellular or extracellular space. Na+t and Na+e ADCs decreased after 2-4 hr of ischemia, while water and Na+i ADC remained unchanged. The correlation between Na+t and Na+e ADCs was observed because of high Na+e concentration. Similarly, the correlation between water and Na+i ADCs was observed because cells occupy 80% of the tissue space in the skeletal muscle. Ischemia also caused an increase in the Na+i and an equal decrease in Na+e signal intensity due to cessation of Na+/K+-ATPase function.
Entrepreneurial creativity through motivational synergy.

This paper defines and describes entrepreneurial creativity, which is the generation and implementation of novel, appropriate ideas to establish a new venture. Entrepreneurial creativity can be exhibited in established organizations as well as in start-up firms. The central thesis of this paper is that entrepreneurial creativity requires a combination of intrinsic motivation and certain kinds of extrinsic motivation — a motivational synergy that results when strong levels of personal interest and involvement are combined with the promise of rewards that confirm competence, support skill development, and enable future achievement.
Hybridization between Introduced Spotted Bass and Smallmouth Bass in Reservoirs

Abstract Introductions of black basses Micropterus spp. beyond their native ranges have led to hybridization within the genus. In the southeastern USA, the potential for hybridization appears high because species introductions have been common in reservoirs. We determined the extent of hybridization between smallmouth bass M. dolomieu and spotted bass M. punctulatus in reservoirs in which introductions of either species into the native range of the other species had occurred. Three allozyme loci were used to distinguish the two species and their hybrids. Significant hybridization occurred in two of three reservoirs where introductions had been reported. In Lake Chatuge, Georgia–North Carolina, where the Alabama subspecies of spotted bass M. p. henshalli was introduced, 77 of 276 fish had hybrid genotypes, and only 2 fish had genotypes of the native smallmouth bass. In Thurlow Reservoir, Alabama, where smallmouth bass were introduced and Alabama spotted bass were native, 3 of 17 fish had hybrid genotypes. ...
Nitrogen atom insertion into Ir-S and C-S bonds initiated by photolysis of iridium(III)-azido-dithiocarbamato complexes.

Photolysis of acetonitrile solutions of Cp*Ir(R2dtc)(N3) [Cp* = η5-C5Me5, R2dtc = S2CNR2; R = Me (1) or Et (1‘)] at temperatures below 0 °C afford five-coordinate complexes Cp*Ir{NSC(NR2)S} (2 or 2‘), where a nitrogen atom has been inserted into one of the Ir−S bonds. In solution, complex 2 thermally convert to the azaethene-1,2-dithiolate complex, Cp*Ir[SNC(NMe2)S] (3), which could be crystallized as the corresponding dimer, {Cp*Ir[μ-SNC(NMe2)S-κ3S:S,S‘]}2 (4). As a result, a nitrogen atom that originated in the azide ligand is transferred into a C−S bond of the dithiocarbamate.
Precision analysis for standard deviation measurements of immobile single fluorescent molecule images

Standard deviation measurements of intensity profiles of stationary single fluorescent molecules are useful for studying axial localization, molecular orientation, and a fluorescence imaging system's spatial resolution. Here we report on the analysis of the precision of standard deviation measurements of intensity profiles of single fluorescent molecules imaged using an EMCCD camera.We have developed an analytical expression for the standard deviation measurement error of a single image which is a function of the total number of detected photons, the background photon noise, and the camera pixel size. The theoretical results agree well with the experimental, simulation, and numerical integration results. Using this expression, we show that single-molecule standard deviation measurements offer nanometer precision for a large range of experimental parameters.
Who is lying, who is not: An attributional analysis of the effects of nonverbal behavior on judgements of defendant believability

The effects of a defendant's nonverbal behavior and severity of crime on judgements of the defendant's believability were investigated in the present study. Subjects, 131 undergraduates acting as jurors, were exposed to testimony in which the defendant claimed innocence regarding his participation in either a major or a minor crime. In one condition, the defendant displayed nonverbal cues associated with deception, while in another his behavior was made to appear less deceptive. In a third condition, subjects merely read a transcript of the defendant's testimony. As predicted from an attributional theoretical approach, the defendant's nonverbal behavior had a significant effect upon subjects' ratings of the defendant's believability under conditions of a minor crime, but did not influence ratings of believability under the major crime condition.
Adsorption and reaction of 1,3-butadiene on Pt(1 1 1) and Sn/Pt(1 1 1) surface alloys

Abstract Temperature-programmed desorption (TPD), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), and low-energy electron diffraction (LEED) were used to study the chemistry of 1,3-butadiene (H2C CHCH CH2, C4H6) on Pt(1 1 1) and p(2 × 2)-Sn/Pt(1 1 1) and (√3 × √3)R30°-Sn/Pt(1 1 1) surface alloys. All chemisorbed 1,3-butadiene completely dehydrogenated to H2 and surface carbon on Pt(1 1 1). Alloying Sn on Pt(1 1 1) can completely inhibit this decomposition and 1,3-butadiene reversibly adsorbs and desorbs from the two Sn/Pt(1 1 1) alloys under UHV conditions. The desorption activation energy of 1,3-butadiene on the (2 × 2) and (√3 × √3)R30°-Sn/Pt(1 1 1) surface alloys is 88 and 75 kJ/mol, respectively. These values are good estimates of the adsorption energies, and also place lower limits on the activation energy barrier for dissociating vinylic C–H bonds on the (2 × 2) and √3 surface alloys. Even though 1,3-butadiene is much more strongly chemisorbed than 1-butene (H2C CHCH2CH3, C4H8) on the (2 × 2)-Sn/Pt(1 1 1) alloy, 1,3-butadiene is less reactive than 1-butene because there are no allylic β-CH bonds in 1,3-butadiene as there are in 1-butene.
Net biosynthesis of antithrombin III by the isolated rat liver perfused for 12–24 hours compared with rat fibrinogen and α-2 (acute-phase) globulin, antithrombin III is not an acute phase protein

Abstract Antithrombin III-heparin cofactor has been isolated from normal rat plasma, purified to homogeneity on acrylamide gel electrophoresis and used to prepare a monospecific antiserum in rabbits. Measurements of rat antithrombin III were made by a single radial immunodiffusion assay. Net synthesis of antithrombin III was investigated during 12- or 24-h perfusions of the isolated rat liver. In perfusions performed under basal conditions cumulative synthesis of antithrombin-III was observed to occur at a rate sufficient to replace the total circulating plasma antithrombin III in about 6 h. In perfusions performed under full supplementation conditions which greatly enhanced synthesis of fibrinogen and α-2 (acute-phase) globulin (known acute-phase reactant proteins) net synthesis of antithrombin III was not significantly greater than that observed in control perfusions. Although these prolonged perfusion studies conclusively demonstrate net synthesis of antithrombin III by the isolated rat liver, they afford no evidence that this protein is an acute-phase reactant.