CyanoCyc cyanobacterial web portal

CyanoCyc is a web portal that integrates an exceptionally rich database collection of information about cyanobacterial genomes with an extensive suite of bioinformatics tools. It was developed to address the needs of the cyanobacterial research and biotechnology communities. The 277 annotated cyanobacterial genomes currently in CyanoCyc are supplemented with computational inferences including predicted metabolic pathways, operons, protein complexes, and orthologs; and with data imported from external databases, such as protein features and Gene Ontology (GO) terms imported from UniProt. Five of the genome databases have undergone manual curation with input from more than a dozen cyanobacteria experts to correct errors and integrate information from more than 1,765 published articles. CyanoCyc has bioinformatics tools that encompass genome, metabolic pathway and regulatory informatics; omics data analysis; and comparative analyses, including visualizations of multiple genomes aligned at orthologous genes, and comparisons of metabolic networks for multiple organisms. CyanoCyc is a high-quality, reliable knowledgebase that accelerates scientists’ work by enabling users to quickly find accurate information using its powerful set of search tools, to understand gene function through expert mini-reviews with citations, to acquire information quickly using its interactive visualization tools, and to inform better decision-making for fundamental and applied research

The Long-Baseline Neutrino Experiment: Exploring Fundamental Symmetries of the Universe

The preponderance of matter over antimatter in the early Universe, the dynamics of the supernova bursts that produced the heavy elements necessary for life and whether protons eventually decay --- these mysteries at the forefront of particle physics and astrophysics are key to understanding the early evolution of our Universe, its current state and its eventual fate. The Long-Baseline Neutrino Experiment (LBNE) represents an extensively developed plan for a world-class experiment dedicated to addressing these questions. LBNE is conceived around three central components: (1) a new, high-intensity neutrino source generated from a megawatt-class proton accelerator at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, (2) a near neutrino detector just downstream of the source, and (3) a massive liquid argon time-projection chamber deployed as a far detector deep underground at the Sanford Underground Research Facility. This facility, located at the site of the former Homestake Mine in Lead, South Dakota, is approximately 1,300 km from the neutrino source at Fermilab -- a distance (baseline) that delivers optimal sensitivity to neutrino charge-parity symmetry violation and mass ordering effects. This ambitious yet cost-effective design incorporates scalability and flexibility and can accommodate a variety of upgrades and contributions. With its exceptional combination of experimental configuration, technical capabilities, and potential for transformative discoveries, LBNE promises to be a vital facility for the field of particle physics worldwide, providing physicists from around the globe with opportunities to collaborate in a twenty to thirty year program of exciting science. In this document we provide a comprehensive overview of LBNE's scientific objectives, its place in the landscape of neutrino physics worldwide, the technologies it will incorporate and the capabilities it will possess.Comment: Major update of previous version. This is the reference document for LBNE science program and current status. Chapters 1, 3, and 9 provide a comprehensive overview of LBNE's scientific objectives, its place in the landscape of neutrino physics worldwide, the technologies it will incorporate and the capabilities it will possess. 288 pages, 116 figure

Expatriate Preparation: A Critical Analysis Of 25 Years Of Cross-Cultural Training Research

Although much research in the 1960s and 1970s was devoted to cross-cultural issues such as expatriate employment, researchers moved away from doing cross-cultural research in order to direct their efforts toward the hot topics of the time. However, the past few decades have seen an exponential increase in the globalization of our economy, and this ever-increasing globalization has made the need for cross-cultural research salient once again. In the past decade alone, there has been an explosion of research examining the components and effectiveness of cross-cultural training (CCT) for expatriate preparation. Thus, the ultimate purpose of this literature review is to present the past 25 years of CCT research relevant to expatriate preparation by examining the following: the need for CCT research, the deficiencies in past research, typical training components, training delivery, theory pertaining to CCT, potential moderators of the relationship between CCT and expatriate performance, the effectiveness of CCT in enhancing expatriate performance, suggestions for future research, and strategies for improving CCT implementation and research. After reviewing the past 25 years of CCT research, it is evident that CCT is effective in facilitating success on expatriate assignments. However, additional empirical research is needed on moderators, expatriate selection, training program supplements, theoretical frameworks, methodological challenges, and the customization of CCT to assignment objectives. © 2006, Sage Publications. All rights reserved

Standardized Physician-Administered Patient-Centered Discharge Protocol Improves Patients' Comprehension

Patients are 30% less likely to be readmitted or visit the emergency department if they have a clear understanding of their discharge instructions. A standardized approach to a hospital discharge plan has not been universally implemented, however. Our goal was to increase patients' comprehension of discharge instructions by implementing a standardized patient-centered discharge planning protocol that uses a physician team member to explain these plans. This was a prospective study that included all of the patients discharged from an inpatient medical teaching service in a community-based hospital during the study period. We used two 4-week periods separated by 4 months in which training and practice with the study intervention took place. Patients' understanding of discharge instructions was assessed via a follow-up telephone call from a physician co-investigator within 1 week of each patient's discharge. Differences in patients' understanding between groups were analyzed. A total of 181 patients were enrolled, with 9 lost to follow-up. After implementation of the discharge planning protocol, a statistically significant improvement in patients' understanding was found in study subjects' knowledge of their diagnosis, the adverse effects of their medications, whom to call after discharge, and follow-up appointments. Institution of a standardized patient-centered discharge planning protocol can improve patients' understanding of several key components of their discharge process, which may lead to improved compliance with instructions and outcomes