cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Data Submission and Quality in Microarray-Based MicroRNA Profiling

BACKGROUND: Public sharing of scientific data has assumed greater importance in the omics era. Transparency is necessary for confirmation and validation, and multiple examiners aid in extracting maximal value from large data sets. Accordingly, database submission and provision of the Minimum Information About a Microarray Experiment (MIAME)[3][1] are required by most journals as a prerequisite for review or acceptance. METHODS: In this study, the level of data submission and MIAME compliance was reviewed for 127 articles that included microarray-based microRNA (miRNA) profiling and were published from July 2011 through April 2012 in the journals that published the largest number of such articles— PLOS ONE , the Journal of Biological Chemistry , Blood , and Oncogene —along with articles from 9 other journals, including Clinical Chemistry , that published smaller numbers of array-based articles. RESULTS: Overall, data submission was reported at publication for <40% of all articles, and almost 75% of articles were MIAME noncompliant. On average, articles that included full data submission scored significantly higher on a quality metric than articles with limited or no data submission, and studies with adequate description of methods disproportionately included larger numbers of experimental repeats. Finally, for several articles that were not MIAME compliant, data reanalysis revealed less than complete support for the published conclusions, in 1 case leading to retraction. CONCLUSIONS: These findings buttress the hypothesis that reluctance to share data is associated with low study quality and suggest that most miRNA array investigations are underpowered and/or potentially compromised by a lack of appropriate reporting and data submission. [1]: #fn-1
Contribution of Hemodynamic Shear Stress Magnitude and Frequency Abnormalities to Calcific Aortic Valve Disease Pathogenesis

Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is an active process presumably triggered by interplays between atherogenic risk factors, molecular signaling networks and hemodynamic cues. While our earlier work demonstrated that progressive alterations in fluid shear stress (FSS) on the fibrosa could trigger valvular inflammation [1], the mechanisms of CAVD pathogenesis secondary to side-specific FSS abnormalities are poorly understood. Supported by our previous studies, we hypothesize that valve leaflets are sensitive to both WSS magnitude and pulsatility and that abnormalities in either promote CAVD development. This study aims at elucidating ex vivo the contribution of isolated and combined alterations in FSS magnitude and pulsatility to valvular calcification.© 2013 ASME
Gestural Workspaces for Computer Interaction: Configuration and Performance

While the hardware challenges facing integration of hand-gestural controls into mainstream computer interfaces appear to be shrinking, design challenges related to the physical and mental burden required of gesture interfaces remain. This study aims to determine the effect of the gestural workspace configuration (vertical, horizontal, and jointspace) and affordance of arm support on speed, accuracy, and performance when performing pointing tasks on a computer. Seventeen participants played a computer card game (Solitaire) and then completed Fitts’ serial clicking tasks to evaluate performance in five gestural workspace configurations implemented using a Microsoft Kinect®. Gestural input configurations were also compared to a traditional mouse input. A traditional mouse performed better than gestural controls in all aspects of performance. Among gestural workspaces, the vertical configuration performed significantly better in throughput and accuracy outcomes. Limitations of the gestural tracking system and...
The isomer shift of elemental iodine under high pressure

Abstract The Mossbauer isomer shift (IS) in elemental 129I was measured as a function of pressure to 30 GPa unsing diamond anvil cells. The IS increases gradually with pressure reaching a value of ΔIS = 0.56(3) mm sec−1 at P > 16 GPa. No discontinuity was observed at P = 21 GPa where a crystallographic phase transition has been reported. Using the experimental V(P) relation, the IS dependence on −lnV was found to be linear to the highest pressure. The dϱ(0) dlnV value for elemental I2 was found to be -6.6(2) a−30. The volume dependence of the p-holes is deduced resulting in a 5s25p4.62 configuration at the highest pressure. The systematics of dϱ(0) dlnV for the 5sp elements from βSn to Xe are discussed.
Identification of higher risk thin melanomas should be based on Breslow depth not Clark level IV

BACKGROUND There is good prognostic correlation for the two microstaging systems, Breslow depth and Clark level, commonly used to stage melanomas. Many investigators have reported that Breslow depth is the superior microstaging method. Although Clark level has been dropped from most of the proposed American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) melanoma staging system, the AJCC system still includes Clark Level IV as a criterion for upstaging thin melanomas. The authors sought to determine whether this is appropriate, based on melanoma patient data in the Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center database. METHODS Of the 8833 patients registered between January 1, 1970 and December 31, 1995, complete data on Breslow depth and Clark level was available for 4560 patients who were without nodal or metastatic disease at presentation. Ten-year survival was measured from the date of excision of the primary tumor until death from melanoma and analyzed using Kaplan–Meier and Cox proportional hazard methodologies. RESULTS When analyzed separately, both increased Breslow thickness and Clark level correlated with shorter survival times. During subgroup analysis, Breslow thickness remained a significant prognostic indicator of survival at Clark Levels III and IV. Conversely, at narrow levels of Breslow thickness (i.e., 0–0.75 mm, > 0.75 –1.0 mm, > 1.0–1.5 mm) survival times were indistinguishable between Clark Levels III and IV. For the broader Breslow thickness interval of 0–1.0 mm, a barely significant difference between Clark Levels III and IV could be obtained. However, for this thickness range, even greater differences in survival could be obtained by merely comparing Breslow subgroups (i.e., ≤ 0.8 mm vs. > 0.8–1.0 mm, ≤ 0.9 mm vs. > 0.9–1.0 mm). CONCLUSION The authors' data suggested that, after controlling for Breslow depth, Clark level was not a good prognostic indicator for survival. If the AJCC's objective is to design a classification system that will reliably predict the higher risk melanomas, then the system should be based on tumor thickness, which is clearly a better prognostic indicator, and should not be modified because of Clark level. Cancer 2001;91:983–91. © 2001 American Cancer Society.
The geographical restructuring of urban hospitals: spatial dimensions of corporate strategy.

Abstract In response to demographic, economic and regulatory change, hospitals in the United States are increasingly adopting the diverse corporate strategies of private firms. The ability of a hospital to adopt these strategies and survive depends greatly on the nature of the hospital institution and the economic potential of its geographical market area. A typology is developed relating institutional strategies such as merger, expansion, diversification and closure to the size of the hospital and the socio-economic status of the neighborhood in which it is located. Data describing the geographical distribution, since 1967, of hospital closures, mergers and facility expansions in New York City are used to examine institutional strategies in relation to the typology. Closure has been most common among small hospitals located in low SES neighborhoods, whereas facility expansion has been most prevalent among large hospitals located in high status neighborhoods. The result is an increased concentration of patient care in large tertiary hospitals. Mergers have provided a means of not only increasing institutional size and rationalizing services, but also of establishing footholds in ‘profitable’ market areas. The final section considers the role of the state in hospital restructuring.
Vaginal cyclicity, sexual receptivity, and eating behavior of the female rat following treatment with chlordecone.

Abstract The effects of 25, 50, or 75 mg/kg chlordecone on vaginal and behavioral estrus were examined following treatment of intact rats during estrus, diestrus 1, or diestrus 2. Chlordecone accelerated vaginal estrus, but sexual behavior was eliminated, delayed, or reduced. Chlordecone treatment led to the presence of vaginal estrus within 2 days, but reduced or eliminated sexual behavior on the evening of predicted proestrus. Of the females that received chlordecone, 20% to 50% showed some behavior on the day after the evening of predicted proestrus and 20% to 35% never showed behavior during the 8-day observation period. Although the lordosis to mount ratio was still reduced, the occurence of behavior a day late suggested that the pesticide had delayed behavioral estrus. Chlordecone also rapidly suppressed food intake and led to a significant decline in body weight; these nutritional factors could have contributed to the disrupted estrous cycle. Some support for this possibility was derived from a reduced sexual receptivity on the evening of proestrus when the caloric intake of untreated female rats was matched to that of the chlordecone treated animals. However, the effects of caloric reduction on proestrous lordosis behavior were less robust than seen following chlordecone. Chlordecone treatment on diestrus 2 reduced the number of progesterone receptors in uterine tissue of females on the predicted day of proestrus. This suggested that the tissue sensitivity to circulating levels of progesterone would be reduced within 2 days after chlordecone treatment. Disruption of the female's reproductive cycle would be expected to follow both the suppression of food intake and the reduced sensitivity to progesterone, so these effects of chlordecone are likely to be of functional consequence to the reproductive deficits following treatment with chlorinated pesticides.
WE‐C‐AUD B‐03: A Comparative Study of a Stochastic Tumor Vasculature Simulation Model

Purpose: Micro vessel density dictated by the oxygen concentration is one of the most important biomarkers used for cancer recurrence. This work aims at simulating a representative map of tumor micro‐vasculature and observes the growth of vasculature with respect to two simulation parameters: oxygen concentration and vessel coverage. Method and Materials: The tissue volume was simulated as a 3‐dimensional matrix in MATLAB. A corresponding matrix containing oxygen concentration data determines the regional micro‐vascular density. The vasculature map was simulated via stochastic modeling governed by the following two factors: (a) A region of higher oxygen concentration indicates a higher capillary concentration; vessels are simulated to grow along increasing oxygen gradients, so that the final vasculature developed has a greater vessel concentration in these regions. (b) The vessels avoid other vessels so that they can effectively cover the tissue volume. The simulations were carried out varying the degree of competition between the two factors. This vasculature simulation model was tested for various oxygen map scenarios and applied to experimental mouse data of known vasculature and oxygenation concentration obtained via hypoxia imaging. Results: While a simulation partial to vessel coverage yielded a vasculature incapable of showing the general trend of oxygen gradients, a simulation partial to oxygen gradients yielded an unrealistic vasculature unable to cover the tissue volume effectively. When balanced, the two factors yielded a vasculature which demonstrated the general trend of oxygen gradients and micro‐vessel density coverage as determined by the oxygenation mask. The model tested against experimental mouse data from micro‐PET/CT images and yielded a suitable comparative vessel structure. Conclusion: A balance between the two driving factors is essential for the growth of a proper microvasculature. The model is a prospective tool for investigating functional dependencies between tumor growth and angiogenesis.
Anteriorly Located Anus: Is Constipation Caused by Abnormal Location of the Anus?

Abstract Anteriorly located anus (ALA) is frequently associated with severe constipation accompanied by defecation pain. Between 1988 and 1994, the authors treated 27 children (26 girls, 1 boy; age range, 0 to 11 years) to surgically correct ALA. The operation was performed according to a uniform protocol to longitudinally divide the internal sphincter muscle from the anal skin level to 2 cm above the dentate line on the posterior wall of the anorectum. For anal reconstruction, any of the conventional procedures was employed. Twenty-two of the 27 patients have had follow-up in our clinic for 12 months to 6 years (mean, 2.75 years). Eighteen are completely free of constipation and defecation pain and have regular spontaneous bowel movements. The other four require occasional use of enemas or laxatives. Anal incontinece did not occur in any patient. The results of this study suggest that abnormal function of the internal sphincter is the most likely cause of constipation or defecation pain in patients with ALA and that internal sphincterotomy is the cornerstone of surgical treatment.
The effects of storage temperature and time on sediment toxicity

The toxicity of an estuarine sediment stored at different temperatures (−22°C, 4°C, and 25°C) was monitored over time (at 0, 2, 4, 7, and 20 weeks) by conducting 96 h suspended particulate phase (SPP) tests with 24- to 48-h-old Mysidopsis bahia. Toxicity generally increased with time for sediments stored at 4°C and −22°C. For both temperature treatments, survival was reduced from 40% at week 0 to <10% at week 12. Survival at 25°C was much more variable, fluctuating between 10% and 90% during the experiment. Reference toxicant tests with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) were conducted throughout the sediment storage experiment. Relative sensitivity to SDS was similar at all time periods except for week 20 where decreased sensitivity was observed. This decreased sensitivity to the reference toxicant corresponded to a significant and uniform increase in survival to all stored sediment samples.
Maternal Sensitivity and Communication Styles Mothers With Depression

Women living in poverty are at increased risk for depression, especially during their childbearing years. Whereas poverty has known adverse effects on children's cognitive, social, and communicatio...
Adaptive refinement for least‐squares finite elements with element‐by‐element conjugate gradient solution

An error analysis and an adaptive refinement scheme are developed for use with a class of least-squares finite element methods. The error indicators for the refinement procedure are based on element residuals which are calculated as part of the least-squares method. The solution scheme used in the supporting numerical studies employs an elment-by-element conjugate gradient algorithm. Consequently, storage and computation are not influenced by nodal numbering.
Induction of CRE-Mediated Gene Expression by Stimuli That Generate Long-Lasting LTP in Area CA1 of the Hippocampus

Abstract Gene expression regulated by the cAMP response element (CRE) has been implicated in synaptic plasticity and long-term memory. It has been proposed that CRE-mediated gene expression is stimulated by signals that induce long-term potentiation (LTP). To test this hypothesis, we made mice transgenic for a CRE-regulated reporter construct. We focused on long-lasting long-term potentiation (L-LTP), because it depends on cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity (PKA) and de novo gene expression. CRE-mediated gene expression was markedly increased after L-LTP, but not after decremental LTP (D-LTP). Furthermore, inhibitors of PKA blocked L-LTP and associated increases in CRE-mediated gene expression. These data demonstrate that the signaling required for the generation of L-LTP but not D-LTP is sufficient to stimulate CRE-mediated transcription in the hippocampus.
Integrating visible, near-infrared and short wave infrared hyperspectral and multispectral thermal imagery for geologic mapping: simulated data

Hyperspectral and thermal infrared (TIR) multispectral remote sensing have great potential for surface geological mapping. This paper investigates the potential impact of combining these data on the comparative accuracy of different classification methods. A series of simulated datasets based on the characteristics of Airborne Visible/InfraRed Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) and MODIS/ASTER Airborne Simulator (MASTER) sensors was created from surface reflectance and emissivity data derived from library spectra of 16 common minerals and rocks occurring in Cuprite, Nevada. System noise, illumination effects, the presence of vegetation, and spectral mixing were added to create the simulated data. Five commonly used classification algorithms, minimum distance, maximum likelihood classification, binary encoding, spectral angle mapper (SAM) and spectral feature fitting (SFF), were applied to all datasets. All the classification methods, excluding binary encoding, achieved nominal to significant improvement in overall accuracy when applied to the combined datasets in comparison to using only the AVIRIS dataset. Furthermore, certain classification methods of the combined datasets show a marked increase in individual rock or mineral class accuracies. Limestone, silicified and muscovite, for instance, show an improvement of almost 30% or greater in either producer's or user's accuracy using the combined datasets with SAM. SFF provides a great improvement in accuracy for limestone, quartz and muscovite. In terms of overall comparative accuracy for the individual and the combined datasets, maximum likelihood classification shows the best performance. For the simulated AVIRIS data, SFF was generally superior to SAM, although the accuracy of SAM applied to the combined datasets was slightly better than that of SFF. SAM applied to the combined datasets increases classification accuracy for some minerals and rocks which do not exhibit distinct absorption feature in the TIR region, while for SFF, only the accuracy of minerals and rocks with characteristic absorption features in the TIR region is improved.
Accumulation of dry matter, nitrogen and phosphorus by cultivated water Hyacinths

Nutrient absorption by controlled populations of Eichhornia crassipes (Mart) Solms (water hyacinth), or other species of aquatic plants, might reduce concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus in eutrophic lakes or in effluents prior to their .release into natural waters (5, 14, 15, 18). Steward (15), assuming dried water hyacinths contained 4% nitrogen and 0.4% phosphorus, suggested that 1 ha of plants in subtropical regions might remove up to 6,000 kg nitrogen and 600 kg phosphorus per year. Boyd (5), using more conservative values for growth and nutrient content, estimated potential annual uptake of nitrogen and phosphorus by water hyacinths in warm climates as 1,980 and 322 kg/ha, respectively. Rogers and Davis (14), after measuring nutrient uptake by E. crassipes in growth chamber experiments, concluded that absorption by 1 ha of water hyacinths would exceed 2,500 kg of nitrogen and 700 kg of phosphorus per year if maximum growth could be sustained. Many aquatic plants, including water hyacinth, have a high protein content (3, 4) and plants removed to reduce nutrient enrichment of natural waters could probably be used as animal feed. In this study, water hyacinths were cultivated in nutrient-enriched water of earthen ponds to determine rates of growth and absorption of nitrogen and phosphorus under conditions similar to those in eutrophic lakes or effluent holding ponds. The effects of water hyacinths on nutrient concentrations in waters and on phytoplank-
Germination response of spores of the pathogenic bacterium Clostridium perfringens and Clostridium difficile to cultured human epithelial cells

Abstract Spores of pathogenic Clostridium perfringens and Clostridium difficile must germinate in the food vehicle and/or host’s intestinal tract to cause disease. In this work, we examined the germination response of spores of C. perfringens and C. difficile upon incubation with cultured human epithelial cell lines (Caco-2, HeLa and HT-29). C. perfringens spores of various sources were able to germinate to different extents; while spores of a non-food-borne isolate germinated very well, spores of food-borne and animal isolates germinated poorly in human epithelial cells. In contrast, no detectable spore germination (i.e., loss of spore heat resistance) was observed upon incubation of C. difficile spores with epithelial cells; instead, there was a significant (p
Non-invasive management of vasovagal syncope

Vasovagal syncope (VVS) is a common disorder of the autonomic nervous system. While recurrent syncope can cause very impaired quality of life, the spells are not generally life-threatening. Both non-pharmacological and pharmacological approaches can be used to treat patients. Conservative management with education, exercise and physical maneuvers, and aggressive volume repletion is adequate for controlling symptoms in most patients. Unfortunately, a minority of patients will continue to have recurrent syncope despite conservative therapy, and they may require medications. These could include vasopressor agents, beta-blockers, or neurohormonal agents. Some patients may require more aggressive device based therapy with pacemakers or radiofrequency ablation, which are emerging therapies for VVS. This paper will review non-procedure based treatments for VVS.
Factor Analysis of Sex-Typed Items from the Bem Sex-Role Inventory: A Multiple Replication across Time

Replications of two factor analyses of the Bern Sex-role Inventory published in the 1970s were conducted for two samples of college students (Ns = 362 and 267). Four factors, which were almost identical to those of the previous analyses, were obtained in each sample. One of the factors essentially represented the sex of the respondent. A second factor, representing an expressive, affective orientation, contained loadings of about half of the feminine sex-typed items. The masculine sex-typed items split into two factors. One stressed dominance, aggressiveness, and leadership while the other stressed independence, individuality, and self-sufficiency. These latter factors were interpreted in relation to two masculine orientations suggested by Bakan in 1966 and Parsons and Bales in 1955.
A Cognitive Therapy Approach to Increasing Father Involvement by Changing Restrictive Masculine Schemas

Abstract Cognitive therapists may be able to help fathers increase their involvement with their children by identifying and changing restrictive masculine schemas that interfere with men's parenting roles. In this paper, we (a) discuss the development of restrictive masculine schemas, (b) explain how these schemas may affect men's involvement in fathering roles, (c) offer a cognitive therapy approach for enhancing father involvement, and (d) illustrate the approach with a case example.
Outcomes after discontinuation of antiepileptic drugs after surgery in patients with low grade brain tumors and meningiomas

Low grade tumors are associated with a high risk of seizures. Prolonged use of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) is associated with morbidity. Determining which patients can safely discontinue AEDs perioperatively is difficult. We examined patients with low grade supratentorial brain tumors to determine characteristics of patients who underwent AED withdrawal. A retrospective chart review was performed in patients who underwent resection between 1/1/2004 and 12/31/2005 at a single center. Data were collected regarding the use of postoperative AEDs, occurrence of postoperative seizures, and patient/tumor characteristics. We examined 169 patients with a median follow-up of 3.1 years. AEDs were withdrawn or never started in 111 patients; post-withdrawal seizures occurred in 11 (9.9%). The rate was similar between meningiomas and primary brain tumors. No independent risk factors for post-withdrawal seizures were found. Of 58 patients whose AEDs were not withdrawn, postoperative seizures occurred in 28 (48%). Predictors of AED continuation included existence of preoperative seizures, temporal tumor location, tumor recurrence, incomplete resection, and male sex. The decision to continue AEDs was predictive for postoperative seizures even after controlling for known risk factors. Although clinicians are able to identify patients at high risk for postoperative seizures, treatment with AEDs is ineffective in many patients.
THE EFFECTS OF AN INJURY PREVENTION PROGRAM ON LIMB DOMINANCE NEUROMECHANICS

Background Despite numerous injury prevention programs (IPP), the incidence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in athletics remains high. Few IPP have quantified biomechanical changes in the dominant and non-dominant leg. Objective To evaluate the effects of an IPP on lower extremity (LE) biomechanics between dominant and non-dominant limb during an unanticipated sidestep cutting task (USCT). Design Quasi-experimental. Setting Collegiate soccer players. Participants 14 athletes (19.1±1.0 years, 1.67±0.05 m, 63.6±6.0 kg) free from any LE injury six months prior to and throughout the study, and with team physician clearance to practice and play participated in the study. Risk factor assessment A 3-D motion-capture system quantified LE biomechanics pre and post IPP during an USCT. Participants completed 3 USCT trials bilaterally. The IPP integrated agility and plyometric drills into normal team training during a 10-week off-season period. The IPP emphasized maximum effort and power while maintaining proper body angles and force attenuation during landing, as well as during acceleration and jumping. Main outcome measurements Hip (HF) and knee flexion (KF) and abduction angles(°) and moments (Nm/kgm) were measured at initial contact [IC] and peak stance [PS]. Repeated measures ANOVAs assessed the effects of training and leg dominance. Results At IC, KF decreased on the dominant side post-IPP (Pre: -26±8, Post: −19±8, p=0.045). Knee adductor moment decreased post-IPP on dominant side (Pre: 0.11±0.11, Post: −0.01±0.10, P=.012), but the non-dominant side increased post-IPP (Pre: 0.04±0.12, Post: 0.09±0.11, P=.012). HF decreased for both sides post-IPP (P=.006), whereas hip flexor moment increased (P=.025). At PS, HF decreased post-IPP (P=.0017) regardless of side. No other differences were noted. Conclusions After a 10-week IPP, participants decreased knee and hip flexion angles regardless of limb dominance. Our participants exhibited similar movement patterns between the dominant and non-dominant leg. Our findings also suggest that when IPP drills focus on power and body posture, its effectiveness to alter neuromechanics relative to non-contact ACL injury risk factors remains questionable and warrants further investigation.
The story so far: molecular regulation of the heme oxygenase-1 gene in renal injury

Heme oxygenases (HOs) catalyze the rate-limiting step in heme degradation, resulting in the formation of iron, carbon monoxide, and biliverdin, the latter of which is subsequently converted to bilirubin by biliverdin reductase. Recent attention has focused on the biological effects of product(s) of this enzymatic reaction, which have important antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective functions. Two major isoforms of the HO enzyme have been described: an inducible isoform, HO-1, and a constitutively expressed isoform, HO-2. A third isoform, HO-3, closely related to HO-2, has also been described. Several stimuli implicated in the pathogenesis of renal injury, such as heme, nitric oxide, growth factors, angiotensin II, cytokines, and nephrotoxins, induce HO-1. Induction of HO-1 occurs as an adaptive and beneficial response to these stimuli, as demonstrated by studies in renal and non-renal disease states. This review will focus on the molecular regulation of the HO-1 gene in renal injury and will highlight the interspecies differences, predominantly between the rodent and human HO-1 genes.
The Bouguer Gravity Anomaly Map of the United States

The U. S. Geological Survey has just announced the publication of the Bouguer Gravity Anomaly Map of the United States. This map, fourteen years in the making was prepared by the writer as Chairman of the AGU Special Committee for the Geophysical and Geological Study of the Continents. The active cooperation of many individuals and groups throughout the country was essential since the number of gravity observations, running into hundreds of thousands of measurements distributed on an eight- to fifteen-mile spacing over much of the country, represents an undertaking beyond the capacity of a single individual or group. The five major sources of data were oil companies, government agencies, private exploration companies, mining companies, and universities. As much of the data was of a proprietary nature, the sponsorship of the AGU was a critical factor in obtaining it from company sources, since management policy does not favor the release of information that has cost the company large sums of money, especially to an individual. Similarly, the role of the AGU cannot be overemphasized in obtaining the active cooperation of government agencies and universities in releasing data prior to publication.
Is change management obsolete

The change management challenge in organizations is overwhelming. The pace, complexity, and scope of change in the environment demands an organization change approach that is pervasive, complex, agile, and integrated. Unfortunately, the change management models, tools, and processes used today were developed during a simpler time and are not generally up to the task. This article proposes a new change theory, one that asks change agents to engage and learn in four areas: awareness, design, tailoring, and monitoring. This new model, demonstrated in a case study of transformation, reflects the demands of today's organization change requirements.
Bacteriorhodopsin-based single- and dual-wavelength interferometry for monitoring crystal growth

Bacteriorhodopsin-based interferometry is a new technique with which high resolution interferograms can be recorded at one or more wavelengths in real time. The erasable nature of bacteriorhodopsin, its panchromatic response to light, and the fact that recording is done on the molecular level, allow for the formation of fringe patterns combining the high resolution of conventional silver halide recording materials with the real time properties of CCD cameras. In this context, we have used bacteriorhodopsin to image changes in the crystal environment at single and dual wavelengths, using a real time sequencing architecture whereby successive exposures of a bR thin film are overlapped to produce a continuous stream of interferometric images. This allows real-time data buffering and immediate, on-line observation of results. In this paper, we present real time single and dual wavelength interferograms of growing KAl(SO4)2 and melting sugar crystals recorded on bacteriorhodopsin thin films. The interferograms were produced with a shuttered cw argon or a pulsed Nd:YAG write laser, and a helium neon read laser, and show enhanced contrast and resolution. The results of this effort clearly demonstrate the superior, real time recording capabilities of bacteriorhodopsin thin films.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Some notes on tables to facilitate fitting SB curves

SUMMARY Construction of tables for fitting SB distributions, usinig four moments, is described. Some extracts from the tables are given.
Intertidal habitat utilization patterns of birds in a Northeast Pacific estuary

A habitat-based framework is a practical method for developing models (or, ecological production functions, EPFs) to describe the spatial distribution of ecosystem services. To generate EPFs for Yaquina estuary, Oregon, USA, we compared bird use patterns among intertidal habitats. Visual censuses were used to quantify abundance of bird groups and general species richness in: Zostera marina (eelgrass), Upogebia (mud shrimp)/mudflat, Neotrypaea (ghost shrimp)/sandflat, Zostera japonica (Japanese eelgrass), and low marsh estuarine habitats. Also assessed were (1) spatial variation within a habitat along the estuary gradient and, (2) temporal variation based on bi-monthly samples over a year at five tidal ranges. Z. marina was an important estuarine habitat based on nearly all metrics of bird use, except for shorebird densities. This suggests that reductions in native eelgrass habitat may reduce the abundance and diversity of birds in Yaquina estuary. Our results suggest that a habitat based assessment approach is generally feasible for developing relative EPFs related to the presence of birds within estuarine systems.
Genome Sequence Analysis of the Emerging Human Pathogenic Acetic Acid Bacterium Granulibacter bethesdensis

Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is an inherited immune deficiency characterized by increased susceptibility to infection with Staphylococcus, certain gram-negative bacteria, and fungi. Granulibacter bethesdensis, a newly described genus and species within the family Acetobacteraceae, was recently isolated from four CGD patients residing in geographically distinct locales who presented with fever and lymphadenitis. We sequenced the genome of the reference strain of Granulibacter bethesdensis, which was isolated from lymph nodes of the original patient. The genome contains 2,708,355 base pairs in a single circular chromosome, in which 2,437 putative open reading frames (ORFs) were identified, 1,470 of which share sequence similarity with ORFs in the nonpathogenic but related Gluconobacter oxydans genome. Included in the 967 ORFs that are unique to G. bethesdensis are ORFs potentially important for virulence, adherence, DNA uptake, and methanol utilization. GC% values and best BLAST analysis suggested that some of these unique ORFs were recently acquired. Comparison of G. bethesdensis to other known CGD pathogens demonstrated conservation of some putative virulence factors, suggesting possible common mechanisms involved in pathogenesis in CGD. Genotyping of the four patient isolates by use of a custom microarray demonstrated genome-wide variations in regions encoding DNA uptake systems and transcriptional regulators and in hypothetical ORFs. G. bethesdensis is a genetically diverse emerging human pathogen that may have recently acquired virulence factors new to this family of organisms.
Remarkable structural variation within fatty acid megasynthases

The crystal structures of two chain-building megasynthases, the fatty acid synthases of mammals and fungi, have recently been reported. Although both are composed of modules derived from the discrete enzymes that catalyze bacterial fatty acid synthesis, the two synthases have dramatically different architectures.
1071 CEFAZOLIN IN CHILDREN WITH RENAL INSUFFICIENCY

Cefazolin has not been studied before in children with renal insufficiency. A single dose of 7 mg/kg was administered to 10 children (1½-16 yr) with varying degrees of renal impairment (Grp I), and to 10 children (7-14 yr) undergoing hemodialysis (Grp II). Serum half-life (T/2) in hours was calculated from disappearance curves and creatinine clearance was obtained (ml/min/1.73 m2). In Grp I one child had a ClCr of 57 ml/min and a T/2 of 4.8 hr. Three children with ClCr of 15-25 ml/min had a T/2 of 19-23 hr. Four children had a ClCr of 8-10 ml/min and had a T/2 of 29-40 hr. Two children with ClCr less than 5 ml/min had T/2 values greater than 58 hr. Normal adults have T/2 of 1.8-1.9 hr. Studies have shown adults with ClCr of 40-60 ml/min to have T/2 of about 5 hrs. Adults with lower ClCr had less prolongation of T/2 than did the children. The drug did not alter the tubular reabsorption of phosphate or the clearance of uric acid. In Grp II the T/2 was 8.25-29.5 hrs. A value of 6.5 hrs. has been reported for adults. The T/2 increased as the efficiency of dialysis, estimated by per cent reduction of BUN and creatinine, fell. T/2 of cefazolin is prolonged in children with renal insufficiency and the degree of prolongation is comparable to adults when the ClCr is only moderately reduced. As the ClCr falls further, the T/2 increases more among the children. T/2 for children on hemodialysis varies with the efficiency of dialysis. Supported in part by NIH grants RR-75 and RR-5624.
Effect of Processing Conditions on the Microstructure and Electromechanical Response of PVDF TrFE CTFE Terpolymers

Effect of annealing time on the micro structure and electromechanical properties PVDF TrFE CTFE terpolymer with 7.8 mol % CTFE was investigated to better understand structure-property relationships in these polymers. DSC results show that the 9 hr-annealing time gives the maximum enthalpy of melting which suggests the crystallinity of the polymer is increased. WAXS results show that annealing increases the proportion of the γ-phase with the ratio of the intensity of γ-phase to α-phase increases with more annealing time. Dielectric spectroscopic study of 9hr-annealed film also suggests that the film shows complete relaxor ferroelectric behavior with a maximum electrostrictive strain up to 4.4 % compared to 4.1 % for the 2.5 hr-annealed film. Finally, annealing time higher than 9 hrs result in a decrease in the electrostrictive strain.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Dynamics of Striate Cortical Activity in the Alert Macaque: I. Incidence and Stimulus-dependence of Gamma-band Neuronal Oscillations

Using single and multiunit recordings in the striate cortex of alert macaque monkeys, we find that gamma-band (20-70 Hz) oscillations in neuronal firing are a prominent feature of V1 neuronal activity. The properties of this rhythmic activity are very similar to those previously observed in the cat. Gamma-band activity is strongly dependent on visual stimulation, largely absent during spontaneous activity and, under the conditions of our experiment, not time-locked to the vertical refresh of the computer monitor (80 Hz) used to present the stimuli. In our sample, 61% of multiunit activity (MUA) and 46% of single-unit activity (SUA) was significantly oscillatory, with mean frequencies of 48+/-9 and 42+/-13 Hz, respectively. Gamma-band activity was most likely to occur when cells were activated by their optimal stimuli, but still occurred, although less often and with lower amplitude, in response to nonoptimal stimuli. The frequency of gamma-band activity also reflected stimulus properties, with drifting gratings evoking higher-frequency oscillations than stationary gratings. As in the cat, the spike trains of single cells showing gamma-band oscillations often displayed a pattern of repetitive burst firing, with intraburst firing rates of 300-800 Hz. The overall similarity of rhythmic neuronal activity in the primary visual cortex of cats and monkeys suggests that the phenomenon is not species-specific. The stimulus-dependence of the rhythmic activity is consistent with a functional role in visual perception.
Bayesian Inference Supports the Use of Bypass Surgery Over Percutaneous Coronary Intervention To Reduce Mortality in Diabetic Patients with Multivessel Coronary Disease

Background : Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery may confer a survival advantage over percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in diabetic patients with multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD), but results of individual studies have been mixed. The primary aim of the current study was to compare mortality rates in diabetic patients with multivessel CAD randomized to either or CABG or PCI at 5 years or longest follow-up. Methods : Using a Bayesian approach, we updated a prior probability distribution elicited from 8 clinical trials ( N =2024) with the likelihood obtained from the Future Revascularization Evaluation in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus: Optimal Management of Multivessel Disease (FREEDOM) ( N =1460) to determine whether clinical trial evidence supports the underlying hypothesis that CABG is superior to PCI for diabetics with multivessel CAD. Results : A conjugate normal model comparing mortality rates favored the use of CABG (posterior mean odds ratio [ OR ] = 0.58, 95% Bayesian credible interval [BCI] = 0.48â€“0.71). Models weighted by the use of drug-eluting stents also favored the use of CABG over PCI ( OR = 0.61, 95% BCI 0.48â€“0.78), as did models weighted by study age ( OR =0.64, 95% BCI 0.52â€“0.80) or use of arterial conduits ( OR =0.64, 95% BCI 0.51â€“0.81). The results were supported by a Bayesian hierarchical meta-analysis using a non-informative prior distribution ( OR =0.55, 95% BCI 0.37â€“0.76). Conclusions : By integrating evidence from various studies, Bayesian methods directly support the underlying hypothesis that revascularization with CABG improves survival compared with PCI in diabetic patients with multivessel CAD.
Comparative Study on the Performance of a Coherency-Based Simple Dynamic Equivalent with the New Inertial Aggregation

Earlier, a simple dynamic equivalent for a power system external area containing a group of coherent generators was proposed in the literature. This equivalent is based on a new concept of decomposition of generators and a two-level generator aggregation. With the knowledge of only the passive network model of the external area and the total inertia constant of all the generators in this area, the parameters of this equivalent are determinable from a set of measurement data taken solely at a set of boundary buses which separates this area from the rest of the system. The proposed equivalent, therefore, does not require any measurement data at the external area generators. This is an important feature of this equivalent. In this paper, the results of a comparative study on the performance of this dynamic equivalent aggregation with the new inertial aggregation in terms of accuracy are presented. The three test systems that were considered in this comparative investigation are the New England 39-bus 10-generator system, the IEEE 162-bus 17-generator system and the IEEE 145-bus 50-generator system.
Spectroscopic identification and measurement of gaseous nitrous acid in dilute auto exhaust

We report here the direct spectroscopic detection of gaseous nitrous acid (HONO) in exhaust emissions from certain light duty motor vehicles (LDMV). Co-pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2), formaldehyde (HCHO), benzaldehyde (C6H5CHO) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) were also readily determined. Nitric oxide (NO) was measured too, but with reduced accuracy. To avoid possible artifactual formation of HONO on the surfaces of conventional dilution and sampling systems (e.g. Federal and California constant volume sampling systems), an instrument was developed consisting of a multiple reflection cell without walls coupled to a u.v. differential optical absorption spectrometer (DOAS), the entire system being placed in the open air ~ 2 m from the tailpipe of the LDMV. At an optical path of 31.2 m, detection limits (in parts per 109, ppb) were: HONO-12; HCHO-78; C6H5CHO-13; NO2-57; and SO2-11. With this instrument, HONO levels observed in diluted exhaust ranged from nondetectable (< 12 ppb) for a 1982 California car with an effective 3-way catalyst (and associated low NOx emissions), to ~ 300 ppb for a heavily used 1974 station wagon having high NOx emissions and run on leaded gasoline. While the number of LDMV tested was too small for statistical treatment, our results show that the older portion of the total LDMV population (i.e. without current emission control devices) may be a significant primary source of gaseous HONO, a key precursor to photochemical air pollution and an inhalable nitrite.
Vaccination with streptococcal extracellular cysteine protease (interleukin-1β convertase) protects mice against challenge with heterologous group A streptococci

Abstract Virtually all clinical isolates of group A streptococci secrete a highly conserved extracellular cysteine protease that cleaves human fibronectin and vitronectin, and converts IL-1β precursor to biologically active IL-1β. Based on the high degree of gene conservation within the species and its role in host pathogenicity, it was postulated that antibodies to the cysteine protease would confer protective immunity against S. pyogenes infection. To test this hypothesis, Swiss CD1 mice were intraperitoneally administered either saline, rabbit IgG, or IgG from rabbits immunized with the protease, and challenged with a highly virulent (minimum lethal dose ∼ 10 cfu) clinical isolate of S. pyogenes expressing a heterologous cysteine protease. The results indicate that mice administered IgG from rabbits immunized with purified cysteine protease had significantly enhanced survival when compared with mice given either non-specific rabbit IgG (log rank test; χ 2 ; p = 0.0195) or saline (log rank test; χ 2 ; p = 0.0002). Moreover, mice actively immunized with the cysteine protease had a significantly longer time to death than the control group (log rank test; χ 2 ; p = 0.0418). The results show that the cysteine protease elicits non-type-specific immunity to challenge with heterologous S. pyogenes .
Exact Recoverability From Dense Corrupted Observations via $\ell _{1}$ -Minimization

This paper confirms a surprising phenomenon first observed by Wright under a different setting: given m highly corrupted measurements y = AΩ·x* + e*, where AΩ· is a submatrix whose rows are selected uniformly at random from rows of an orthogonal matrix A and e* is an unknown sparse error vector whose nonzero entries may be unbounded, we show that with high probability, l1-minimization can recover the sparse signal of interest x* exactly from only m = C μ2k (logn)2, where k is the number of nonzero components of x* and μ = n maxij Aij2, even if a significant fraction of the measurements are corrupted. We further guarantee that stable recovery is possible when measurements are polluted by both gross sparse and small dense errors: y = AΩ·x* + e*+ ν, where ν is the small dense noise with bounded energy. Numerous simulation results under various settings are also presented to verify the validity of the theory as well as to illustrate the promising potential of the proposed framework.
Computer‐aided fixture design verification

Computer‐aided fixture design (CAFD) techniques have been advanced so rapidly that computers can now generate fixture configurations automatically, for both modular fixtures and dedicated fixtures. Computer‐aided fixture design verification (CAFDV) is the techniques for verifying and improving existing fixture designs. It verifies the followings: geometric constraining ability, achieved tolerance, fixturing stability, and fixturing accessibility. Two models – one geometric and one kinematic – are created for the verification.