cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Original ContributionsHepatitis c virus genotypes and viremia and hepatocellular carcinoma in the united states

OBJECTIVE: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a well recognized cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The pathogenic significance of HCV genotypes in hepatocarcinogenesis is undefined. The aim of this study was to investigate the genotypic distribution and viremic level of HCV in patients with HCV-associated cirrhosis with or without HCC. METHODS: A total of 28 HCV-infected patients with HCC (HCC+) and 38 patients with HCV-associated cirrhosis without HCC (HCC−) were studied. HCV genotype was assessed by the genotype-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method of Okamoto and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of the 5′ untranslated region (5′ UTR). Hepatitis C viremia was quantitated with the branched-chain DNA (bDNA) assay. RESULTS: Using the Okamoto method, we found genotype 1b in 64% of the HCC+ group and 74% of the HCC− group, 36% of the HCC+ group and 16% of the HCC− group were coinfected with a combination of genotype 1b and another genotype. Using the RFLP method, we found genotype 1b in 41% of the HCC+ group and in 24% of the HCC− group. Other genotypes accounted for 18% of the HCC+ group and 55% of the HCC− group; no combination genotypes were identified. Poor concordance occurred between the two genotyping methods. Mean bDNA levels were not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that no particular HCV genotypes were associated with HCC and genotype did not appear to influence the development of HCV-associated HCC.
INDIVIDUAL TAXPAYER RESPONSE TO TAX CUTS 1982-1984 WITH IMPLICATIONS FOR THE REVENUE MAXIMIZING TAX RATE

Abstract This paper measures the response of taxpayers to the U.S. personal rate reductions from 1982 to 1984. A baseline income distribution is created to describe what level and distribution could be expected in the absence of tax changes. Comparison of this baseline with actual tax return data shows that at least one-sixth, and probably one-quarter, of the revenue ascribable to the rate reductions was recouped by changes in taxpayer behavior. The data also show that federal income tax revenue would have been maximized at a tax rate of about 35 percent, and total income tax revenue maximized at a total tax rate of about 40 percent.
Survey on the distribution of Clostridium in infant related products in Liaocheng of Shandong

Objective To understand the Clostridium pollution situation in infant related products, so as to provide a basis for establishing the isolation method of the important Clostridium from the infant population and infant formula, as well as evaluating and analyzing hygienic condition of infant dietary. Methods One county in Liaocheng City was selected as the sampling site, and families who raised infants with breast feeding and mixed feeding were enrolled. The samples of infant products and feces were collected for anaerobion cultivation to identify strains. Results There were 112 strains isolated out of 257 samples with the isolation rate of 43.58% (112/257) . In these strains, Clostridium beijerinckii/Clostridium butyricum accounted for 26.79% (30/112) , Clostridium bifermentans accounted for 21.43% (24/112) , and Clostridium botulinum/Clostridium sporogenes accounted for 16.96% (19/112) . Conclusions The pollution rate of Clostridium in infant food and products is high, and the strains have a wide distribution. It is suggested that a risk assessment should be established to investigate the important Clostridium from infant dietary and environment, in order to provide the basis information for guiding clinical and disease prevention and control. Key words: Clostridium; Food; Products; Environmental samples
Alveolar macrophage-derived extracellular vesicles inhibit endosomal fusion of influenza virus

Alveolar macrophages (AMs) and epithelial cells (ECs) are the lone resident lung cells positioned to respond to pathogens at early stages of infection. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are important vectors of paracrine signaling implicated in a range of (patho)physiologic contexts. Here we demonstrate that AMs, but not ECs, constitutively secrete paracrine activity localized to EVs which inhibits influenza infection of ECs in vitro and in vivo. AMs exposed to cigarette smoke extract lost the inhibitory activity of their secreted EVs. Influenza strains varied in their susceptibility to inhibition by AM-EVs. Only those exhibiting early endosomal escape and high pH of fusion were inhibited via a reduction in endosomal pH. By contrast, strains exhibiting later endosomal escape and lower fusion pH proved resistant to inhibition. These results extend our understanding of how resident AMs participate in host defense and have broader implications in the defense and treatment of pathogens internalized within endosomes.
Using phecode analysis to characterize co-occurring medical conditions in autism spectrum disorder.

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder experience a significant number of co-occurring medical conditions, yet little is known about these conditions beyond prevalence. Using large-scale de-iden...
New photonics education and training program to fulfill the industrial needs in the greater Seattle area

Lake Washington Institute of Technology (LWTech) is a publicly-funded workforce college located in Kirkland, WA. The newest addition to the college’s programs list is a two year (AAS) degree in Lasers and Optical Technology which was recently approved. The program is designed for students who desire an entry-level job as a Photonics System Technician or a Specialist in one of the many Photonics companies located in the Seattle Area. In this paper, the authors outline briefly the new program’s key elements including the motivation behind selecting this project, the degree pathway, methods of instructions, preparation progress, and the current recruitment activities.
Characterization of Adult and Neonatal Articular Cartilage From the Equine Stifle

A significant portion of equine lameness is localized to the stifle joint. Effective cartilage repair strategies are largely lacking, however, recent advances in surgical techniques, biomaterials, and cellular therapeutics have broadened the clinical strategies of cartilage repair. To date, no studies have been performed directly comparing neonatal and adult articular cartilage from the stifle across multiple sites. An understanding of the differences in properties between the therapeutic target cartilage (i.e., adult cartilage) as well as potential donor cartilage (i.e., neonatal cartilage) could aid in selection of optimal harvest sites within a donor joint as well as evaluation of the success of the grafted cells or tissues within the host. Given the dearth of characterization studies of the equine stifle joint, and in particular neonatal stifle cartilage, the goal of this study was to measure properties of both potential source tissue and host tissue. Articular cartilage of the distal femur and patella (P) was assessed in regards to two specific factors, age of the animal and specific site within the joint. Two age groups were considered: neonatal (<1 week) and adult (4-14 years). Cartilage samples were harvested from 17 sites across the distal femur and patella. It was hypothesized that properties would vary significantly between neonatal and adult horses as well as within age groups on a site-by-site basis. Adult thickness varied by site. With the exception of water content, there were no significant biochemical differences among sites within regions of the distal femur (condyles and trochlea) and the patella in either the adult or neonate. Neonatal cartilage had a significantly higher water content than adult. Surprisingly, biochemical measurements of cellularity did not differ significantly between neonatal and adult, however, adult cartilage had greater variance in cellularity than neonatal. Overall, there were no significant differences between neonatal and adult glycosaminoglycan content. Collagen per wet weight was found to be significantly higher in adult cartilage than neonatal when averaged across all levels. In terms of biomechanical properties, aggregate modulus varied significantly across the condyles of adult cartilage but not the neonate. Neonatal cartilage was significantly less permeable, and the Young's modulus of neonatal cartilage was significantly higher than the adult. The tensile strength did not vary in a statistically significant manner between age groups. An understanding of morphological, histological, biochemical, and biomechanical properties enhances the understanding of cartilage tissue physiology and structure-function relationships. This study revealed important differences in biomechanical and biochemical properties among the 17 sites and among the six joint regions, as well as age-related differences between neonatal and adult cartilage. These location and age-related variations are informative toward determining the donor tissue harvest site.
Two new species of Ostropales (Lecanoromycetes) and other significant records of lichenized fungi from southeastern Alaska

Recent field work in the Petersburg Borough of southeastern (SE) Alaska has led to the discovery of two species of lichenized fungi in the Ostropales that are here described as new to science: Jamesiella dacryoidea Fryday, which has green-grey dacryoid thlasidia, and Sagiolechia bairdensis Fryday, which has very small apothecia (<0.2 mm diam.), 3-septate ascospores and a trebouxioid photobiont. A key to the North American species of Sagiolechia and Gyalidea is also provided. In addition, Bryobilimbia ahlesii (Hepp) Fryday, Printzen & S.Ekman is reported for the first time from Alaska, along with records of several other species that have rarely been collected in the state.
Information Processing Using Energy Function Minimization

A good deal of recent research into sensory information processing algorithms has focussed on the so-called energy function minimization, or regularization, approach to inverting the world-image mapping. In this chapter we review the application of this paradigm to early vision and its incorporation within the Bayesian framework. We will concentrate in this section on using this formulation to impose smoothness constraints on the solutions; other constraints can be similarly imposed, as will be described in later sections. A large part of this chapter will be concerned with new approaches to formulating energy function based algorithms using techniques borrowed from statistical mechanics.
Online Behavioral Analysis and Modeling Methodology (OBAMM)

This paper introduces a novel method of tracking user computer behavior to create highly granular profiles of usage patterns. These profiles, then, are used to detect deviations in a users’ online behavior, detecting intrusions, malicious insiders, misallocation of resources, and out-of-band business processes. Successful detection of these behaviors significantly reduces the risk of leaking sensitive data, or inadvertently exposing critical assets.
Optimal location of public facilities: Area dominance approach

Abstract This paper examines the optimal location of public facilities under the influence of the land market. Our approach is based on the concept of area-dominance, which is a spatial analogy to the concept of stochastic-dominance. This concept enables us to conduct a pairwise comparison of possible locations for a public facility. For a certain class of community shapes, it also determines the optimal location of the public facility independently of the utility function, tax rate or externality level
ULTRASONOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF LIPIDURIA IN CLINICALLY NORMAL CATS

Echoes are frequently seen in the urinary bladder of cats during abdominal ultrasound. These have been attributed to hematuria, pyuria, crystalluria, and lipid. However, sonographic findings have not been previously correlated with urinalysis. We prospectively evaluated 40 clinically normal cats via ultrasound, serum chemistry, and urinalysis. Thin layer chromatography was performed on the urine to determine the amount (mg) of lipid subfractions including diacylglycerol, triglyceride, phospholipid, free fatty acid, cholesterol, and cholesterol ester. Ninety percent (36/40) of the cats in our population had sonographic echoes suspended in the urinary bladder, with most having a subjective score of mild echoes (n = 20). None of the sonographic echoes were gravity dependent or caused distal acoustic shadowing, reverberation, or twinkle artifact. Of the cats with sonographic echoes in the urine, 66% (24/36) had no significant findings on urinalysis other than the presence of lipid. The total amount of subjective sonographic echoes was not significantly related to the total amount of fat measured on thin layer chromatography or the number of lipid droplets seen on urinalysis. An increased amount of urine diacylglycerol was significantly associated with clumping of echoes (P = 0.02) and the amount of lipid droplets seen on urinalysis (P = 0.04). An association between increased amounts of urine diacylglycerol and the amount of echoes seen on ultrasound approached significance (P = 0.05). Findings from this study support previously published theories that sonographic echoes within the urinary bladder of clinically normal cats may be due to urine lipid.
Improving care for rural veterans: are high dual users different?

Background Rural veterans face considerable barriers to access to care and are likely to seek health care services outside the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), or dual care. Objective The objective of this study was to examine the characteristics of high users of dual care versus occasional and nonusers of dual care, and the determinants of satisfaction with care received by rural veterans. Design The design was a cross-sectional observational study. Participants Structured telephone interviews of a random sample of veterans residing in rural Nebraska were conducted in 2011. Main Measures Veterans’ frequency of use of dual care and satisfaction with care received were assessed using multinomial and ordinal regression models. Key Results Veterans who have an established relationship with a VHA provider or a personal doctor or nurse at the VHA and those who were more satisfied with VHA quality of care were less likely to be high users of dual care. Veterans who were Medicare beneficiaries, or had private insurance or chronic illnesses, or were confused about where to seek care were more likely to be users of dual care. Veterans who report being confused about where to seek care, and those who perceive lack of coordination between the VHA and non-VHA systems are less satisfied with care received. Conclusions Understanding what motivates veterans to use dual care and influences their satisfaction with care received will enable the VHA to implement policy that improves the quality of care provided to rural veterans.
Specker’s theorem for Nöbeling’s group

Specker proved that the group Z N0 of integer-valued sequences is far from free; all its homomorphisms to Z factor through finite subproducts. Nobeling proved that the subgroup B consisting of the bounded sequences is free and therefore has many homomorphisms to Z. We prove that all reasonable homomorphisms B → z factor through finite subproducts. Among the reasonable homomorphisms are all those that are Borel with respect to a natural topology on B. In the absence of the axiom of choice, it is consistent that all homomorphisms are reasonable and therefore that Specker's theorem applies to B as well as to Z N0 .
CROSS SUBSIDIZATION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS SECTOR WAGES

**: This study has examined wage determination in the presence of cross-subsidization of firms in the telecommunications industry. How variations in cross subsidies received, via the separations mechanism used in the industry, influence some firms to pay a greater level of wages is assessed. The firms studied have been almost the entire population of local exchange carriers in the US telecommunications industry between 1995 and 2000. The analysis has established that firms which are able to obtain greater cross-subsidies, on average, in fact pay higher wages and the elasticity of the relationship is quite high. The study is the first of its kind assessing the relationship between an important regulatory variable that measures a ubiquitous process, such as cross subsidization, and the impact on employee wages.
Electron emission from etched diamond and its structural analysis

Discontinuous diamond films were deposited on silicon by microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition (MPCVD). The diamond films were sharpened by argon ion etching. Field emission turn-on field was drastically lowered after sharpening. Raman spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) were used for structural characterization. Possible mechanisms of field emission from the etched field emitter are discussed.
A parallel solution to robot inverse kinematics

Introduces an algorithm by which the inverse kinematics of a robot manipulator with closed-form solution can be computed in parallel to reduce the computational complexity roughly by a factor of n, the number of joints of the manipulator. The authors study the errors introduced by the algorithm by constructing statistical models of the errors. They evaluate the algorithm on a PUMA 260 manipulator, which has six degrees of freedom with six revolute joints and a reach of approximately 0.5 m. >
Discourse characteristics of closed-head-injured and non-brain-injured adults misclassified by discriminant function analyses

Background: In a previous study, discriminant function analyses (DFA) were employed to determine the accuracy of various story narrative and conversational discourse measures in classifying non-brain-injured (NBI) and closed-head-injured (CHI) adults (Coelho, Youse, Le, & Feinn, 2003). The DFAs correctly predicted group membership with 70–81% accuracy.Aims: The present study re-examined the performance of the CHI and NBI participants who were incorrectly classified in an effort to determine what aspects of their discourse performance contributed to the misclassifications. It was hypothesised that the misclassifications were due to the relatively broad range in performance on the discourse measures, resulting in considerable overlap between the NBI and CHI participants.Methods & Procedures: Scores for the story narrative and conversational discourse measures that made the largest contribution to the correct classification of the two participant groups were re-examined for the CHI and NBI participants who w...
The James Webb Space Telescope Experience: A Lifecycle Approach To Ground Support Equipment

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) developed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), represents a significant undertaking in the study of the early formation of galaxies. Dubbed "NASA's Cosmology Time Machine", JWST is scheduled to launch in 2013. One area Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) has responsibility for is the Integrated Science Instrument Module (ISIM) element of JWST, which will integrate the four infrared Science Instruments (Sis) that are currently under development. This represents a considerable challenge, since the various instrument development teams (IDTs) are geographically located in various facilities across the United States, in Europe, and in Canada. A fundamental issue is to manage the risk associated with coordinating the development of the Sis and their associated engineering products with the eventual integration of these independently developed components into ISIM. To this end, the ISIM Team at GSFC has developed a strategy for providing the IDTs with a common set of ground support equipment (GSE) to facilitate their development efforts. This commonality enables the various IDTs to effortlessly share engineering products within the limits imposed by non-technical (i.e., security) constraints.
Game theoretic analysis of customer subscription decisions in networks with positive externality

In this paper we build a game-theoretic model that captures the strategic behavior of customers facing a service subscription purchasing decision. We focus on a class of products with positive network effects. Customers interact according to a network structure through which the positive externality is conveyed. We use a one-shot simultaneous incomplete information game to model the interaction of customers and provide an equilibrium in which a customer's subscription decision depends on her network centrality. Using Banach Fixed Point Theorem, we prove the existence and the uniqueness of the equilibrium and provide an algorithm to compute the equilibrium. Finally, we apply our results to real network data to illustrate the customers' decisions. We also discuss the convergence of our equilibrium computing algorithm and explain how the steps of algorithm relate to customers' behavior in reaching the equilibrium in reality.
On completeness of RFM solution structures

The R-Function Method (RFM) solution structure is a functional expression that satisfies all given boundary conditions exactly and contains some undetermined functional components. It is complete if there exists a choice of undetermined component that transform the solution structure into an exact solution. Such a structure was used by Kantorovich (Kantorovich and Krylov, 1958) and his students to solve boundary value problems with homogeneous boundary conditions on geometrically simple domains. RFM is based on the theory of R-functions (Rvachev, 1982) that allows construction of a set of functions vanishing on the boundary and can be applied to problems with arbitrarily complex domains and boundary conditions. The resulting solution method is essentially meshfree, in the sense that the spatial discretization no longer needs to conform to the geometry of the domain, and can be completely automated. This paper summarizes the main principles of RFM, proves its completeness, and presents numerical results for several simple test problems.
Stoichiometric model of α-cyclodextrin complex formation

The solubility, spectral, and kinetic methods were used to study complexing between α-cyclodextrin (ligand, L) and 3,5-dimethoxycinnamic acid, benzalacetone, and methyl cinnamate (substrates, S). In aqueous solution at 25° and with an ionic strength of 0.01 M, the following stability constants were found (K11 for SL and K12 for SL2): 3,5-dimethoxycinnamic acid, K11 = 1965 M1 and K12 = 0; benzalacetone, K11 = 105 M−1 and K12 = 15 M−1; and methyl cinnamate, K11 = 1200 M−1 and K12 = 50 M−1. A model of complex formation is proposed that can account for the observed stoichiometry and that yields stability estimates for two isomeric 1:1 complexes in the systems in which a 1:2 complex forms. For cinnamic acid, benzalacetone, and methyl cinnamate, stability constants are inversely correlated with the substrate dipole moment.
Intrinsic isotope effects suggest that the reaction coordinate symmetry for the cytochrome P-450 catalyzed hydroxylation of octane is isozyme independent.

The mechanism of the omega-hydroxylation of octane by three catalytically distinct, purified forms of cytochrome P-450, namely, P-450b, P-450c, and P-450LM2, was investigated by using deuterium isotope effects. The deuterium isotope effects associated with the omega-hydroxylation of octane-1,1,1-2H3, octane-1,8-2H2, and octane-1,1,8,8-2H4 by all three isozymes were determined. From these data the intrinsic isotope effects were calculated and separated into their primary and secondary components. The primary intrinsic isotope effect for the reaction ranged from 7.69 to 9.18 while the secondary intrinsic isotope effect ranged from 1.13 to 1.25. Neither the primary nor secondary isotope effect values were statistically different for any of the isozymes investigated. These data are consistent with a symmetrical transition state for a mechanism involving initial hydrogen atom abstraction followed by hydroxyl radical recombination which is essentially independent of the specific isozyme catalyzing the reaction. It is concluded that (1) in general the porphyrin-(FeO)3+ complex behaves as a source of a triplet-like oxygen atom, (2) the regioselectivity for the site of oxidation is dictated by the apoprotein of the specific isozyme of cytochrome P-450 catalyzing the reaction, and (3) the maximum primary intrinsic isotope effect for any cytochrome P-450 catalyzed oxidation of a carbon center is aboutmore » 9, assuming no tunneling effects.« less
Velocity Matching in BaTiO3 Thin Film Electrooptic Waveguide Modulators

Near velocity-matched coplanar strip electrodes for high-speed BaTiO3 thin film electro-optic modulators are achieved. The velocity mismatch between optical wave and microwave is 2%. Microwave loss and impedance of the electrodes are measured.
Monoterpenes: Their effects on ecosystem nutrient cycling

This article explores the evidence for monoterpenes to alter rates of nutrient cycling, with particular emphasis on the nitrogen (N) cycle, from an ecosystem perspective. The general N cycle is reviewed and particular processes are noted where monoterpenes could exert control. The theoretical and conceptual basis for a proposed mode of action by which monoterpenes effect the processes of N mineralization and nitrification is presented, along with recent developments. It is hypothesized that monoterpenes retained in litter enhance the frequency of fire, which in turn changes many N-cycling processes. Experimental support for these roles is presented that includes effects at the cellular level and progresses through populations and communities (microbial and invertebrate) involved in N mineralization and immobilization processes. Since many inhibitors of ammonium oxidation also inhibit methane oxidation, monoterpenes also may alter processes within the carbon cycle. Finally, areas for future research that appear most promising are suggested.
Presence of cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus in the hemolymph of Heliothis virescens larvae and adults

Abstract It has been established in this work that virus particles are present in hemolymph of Heliothis virescens larvae and adults infected with cytoplasmic-polyhedrosis virus. The results also suggested that developing eggs may be under the influence of hemolymph containing virus particles.
Some Equivalence Results for Load-Independent Exponential Queueing Networks

In this paper we derive a number of results concerning the behavior of closed load-independent exponential queueing networks. It is shown that if the service rate of any station is increased (decreased), then the throughput of the network itself also increases (decreases). This is not true for product form networks in general. In addition, if the service rate at server i is increased then both the mean queue length and mean waiting time at server i decrease while both these quantities increase at all stations j ? i. The opposite effect is observed if the senrvice rate at station i is decreased. The main result of the paper is a proof of the conjective that corresponding to any general closed queueing network consisting of M stations and in which N customers circulate according to the elements of an irreducible stochastic routing matrix Q, there exists a closed load-independent exponential queueing network with the same M, N, and Q such that the mean number of customers at each station in the exponential network is equal to that in the general network. If the network throughput is specified, it is shown that this exponential network iS unique.
Audience Responses to a Risk Communication Message in Four Media Formats

Abstract This study compared consumer reactions to four media formats — video news release, video public service announcement, print news release, and newsprint column — that contained a parallel message about the use of agricultural chemicals in the food supply. Eight message evaluation sessions were held in four regions of the United States with 86 women. Based on their responses to a background questionnaire, the women were distinguished by level of concern for pesticide use and food safety, urban versus rural residence, and farm versus nonfarm employment. While all formats were favorably received, Likert-type scale reactions, cognitive responses, and some focus group comments showed audience preference for the video news release and newsprint column approaches. Consumers who indicated high concern for the pesticide/food safety issue responded more favorably to the two print formats than did less concerned consumers. No such distinctions based on level of concern were found for the two broadcast formats. This work illustrates the dilemma communicators have in educating about controversial risk issues, that is, in creating messages that are considered objective and nonsensational, yet also maintain the interest of readers and viewers. Also, the study provides an example of combining quantitative research designs with qualitative message evaluation focus groups.
Comments on Inferences of Star Formation Histories and Birth Lines

Palla & Stahler have recently argued that star formation in Taurus and other nearby molecular clouds extends over a period of at least 10 Myr, implying quasi-static cloud evolution and star formation. Their conclusions contradict other recent results indicating that molecular clouds are transient objects and star formation proceeds rapidly. The Palla & Stahler picture implies that most molecular clouds should have extremely low rates of star formation and that in such inactive stages, the stellar initial mass function (IMF) should be strongly skewed toward producing stars with masses 1 M☉; neither prediction is supported by observations. I show that the Palla & Stahler conclusions for Taurus depend almost entirely on a small number of stars with masses 1 M☉; the lower mass stars show no evidence for such an extended period of star formation. I further show that most of the stars apparently older than 10 Myr in the direction of Taurus are probably foreground nonmembers. I also present birth line calculations that support the idea that the ages of the stars with masses 1 M☉ have been systematically overestimated because birth line age corrections have been underestimated; such birth lines would eliminate the need to postulate skewed IMFs. The simplest and most robust explanation of current observations characterizing the vast majority of young stars in molecular clouds is that cloud and star formation is rapid and dynamic.
Validity and Reliability of the Reflux Symptom Index (RSI)

Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is present in up to 50% of patients with voice disorders. Currently, there is no validated instrument that documents symptom severity in LPR. We developed the reflux symptom index (RSI), a self-administered nine-item outcomes instrument for LPR. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the RSI. For validity assessment, 25 patients with LPR were evaluated prospectively before and six months after b.i.d. treatment with proton pump inhibitors (PPI). Each patient completed the RSI as well as the 30-item voice handicap index (VHI). For reliability assessment, the study patients were given the RSI on two separate occasions before the initiation of treatment. Normative RSI data were derived from 25 age-matched and gender-matched controls taken from an existing database of asymptomatic individuals without any evidence of LPR. The mean RSI (+/- standard deviation) of patients with LPR improved from 21.2 (+/- 10.7) to 12.8 (+/- 10.0), and the mean VHI improved from 52.2 (+/- 24.7) to 41.5 (+/- 25.0) after 6 months of therapy (p = 0.001 and 0.065, respectively). Of the three VHI subscales (emotional, physical, functional), only the functional subscale improved significantly (p = 0.037). Patients who experienced a five point or better improvement in RSI were 11 times more likely to experience a five-point improvement in VHI (95% confidence interval = 1.7, 76.8). For reliability assessment, the first and second pretreatment RSIs were 19.9 (+/- 11.1) and 20.9 (+/- 9.6), respectively (correlation coefficient = 0.81, p 0.05). The RSI is easily administered, highly reproducible, and exhibits excellent construct and criterion-based validity.
Density Functional Theory Calculations of the Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Parameters for VO2+ Complexes

Density functional theory calculations of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) parameters, such as electronic g tensors and metal hyperfine interaction (A) tensors, have been completed for a series of VO2+ complexes. g tensors were calculated with the zeroth-order regular approximation (ZORA) for relativistic effects as incorporated into the Amsterdam Density Functional (ADF) program. The A tensors were calculated by relativistic and nonrelativistic methods as implemented in ADF and Gaussian98 programs, respectively. The best overall agreement with experimental A values was obtained with the nonrelativistic method and the half-and-half hybrid functionals, such as BHPW91, BHP86, and BHLYP. The isotropic A values (Aiso) calculated nonrelativistically with the BHPW91 functional deviated by about 10% from the experimental Aiso values. The Aiso values calculated with the relativistic effects and pure generalized gradient correction (GGA) functionals, such as BP86, deviated systematically by approximately 40% ...
Resident bacteria in a mixed population of rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) monkeys: a prevalence study

Background Microflora populations residing in oropharyngeal and gastrointestinal sites defend against pathogenic bacterial colonization. Perturbations in these microbial communities may allow opportunistic pathogenic bacteria to establish themselves and cause morbidity and mortality from sepsis particularly after stressful experimental procedures. This study determined the prevalent facultative bacteria in a resident population of Macaca mulatta prior to use in experimentally induced immunosuppressive radiation studies. Methods Standard microbiological methods were used to assess prevalent facultative bacteria in the oropharynx and rectum of 24 male M. mulatta. Results The majority of the bacteria isolated from the oropharyngeal and rectal sites were gram-positive cocci. Species of Staphylococcus and Streptococcus predominated in all samples. Few gram-negative bacteria were isolated. Conclusions Bacteriological assessment is recommended to identify predominant bacterial species to be prepared to provide appropriate antimicrobial therapy in non-human primates that are expected to undergo stressful immunocompromising procedures.
Improving the Prospects of Organizational Change Initiatives

Many people across a variety of disciplines have assumed responsibilities in recent decades for bridging gaps which exist between knowledge producers and knowledge users within organizations. All share a common concern—linkage. Considerable variance characterizes the manner in which these individuals attempt to make things happen within organizations, because neither standardized procedures nor blueprints exist to guide their actions. Two instruments that have been designed to address the erratic and unpredictable linkage practices of these individuals are introduced and discussed. One is a linkage methodology; the other is a survey inventory. Developmental efforts described suggest that both instruments deserve a place in the portfolios of persons responsible for change initiatives within organizations.
CO2/light gas separation performance of cross-linked poly(vinylimidazolium) gel membranes as a function of ionic liquid loading and cross-linker content

Abstract A series of cross-linked poly(vinylimidazolium)-RTIL gel membranes was synthesized and evaluated for room-temperature, ideal CO 2 /N 2 , CO 2 /CH 4 , and CO 2 /H 2 separation performance. The membranes were formed by photo-polymerization of oligo(ethylene glycol)-functionalized cross-linking (i.e., di-functional) and non-cross-linking (i.e., mono-functional) vinylimidazolium RTIL monomers with non-polymerizable, “free RTIL.” The effect of free RTIL ([emim][Tf 2 N]) loading on CO 2 separation performance was evaluated by varying RTIL loading at three levels (45, 65, and 75 wt.%). The effect of cross-linker content on CO 2 separation performance was also evaluated by varying the copolymer composition of cross-linked membranes from 5 to 100 mol% di-functional monomer. The substituent on the mono-functional RTIL monomer was also varied to investigate the effect of substituent structure and chemistry on CO 2 separation performance. CO 2 permeability was dramatically increased with higher loading of free RTIL. Increased RTIL loading had no effect on CO 2 /N 2 or CO 2 /CH 4 permeability selectivity, but significantly improved CO 2 /H 2 permeability selectivity. Reducing the cross-linking monomer concentration generally improved CO 2 permeability. However, anomalous permeability and selectivity behavior was observed below critical concentrations of cross-linker. The effect of the substituent on the mono-functional monomer on CO 2 separation performance was minimal compared to the effects of RTIL loading and copolymer composition.
Excess oxygen of chromia: II. Reaction with diphenylpicrylhydrazine

Oxidation of diphenylpicrylhydrazine (DPPH.H) to diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) is effected by mesoporous chromias with excess oxygen but not by their microporous equivalents, the pores of which are too small to permit entrance and egress of DPPH.H and DPPH. Of the iodometric oxidizing capacity of the macroporous chromias, 30–40% forms DPPH, 10% remains unused and the remainder is consumed in oxidizing DPPH to diamagnetic products. The reaction is nearly complete in one day at 25 °C. Addition of oxygen at this point leads to a substantial rate of catalytic oxidation which continues for days. The catalytic site is probably Cr(V) which is difficultly reducible because of some special structural feature. Mesoporous chromias devoid of excess oxygen upon which oxygen has been adsorbed at −78 °C oxidize DPPH.H to DPPH but they provide little catalytic oxidation. CrO3 on wide-pore silica also oxidizes DPPH.H to DPPH but its catalytic activity is small and dies rapidly. The lower catalytic activity is probably associated with the much higher dispersion of the CrO3SiO2. Studies by EPR of CrO3SiO2 gave results consistent with Cr(V) being the catalytic site. In the reduction of Cr(VI) by DPPH2, Cr(V) is an intermediate which reaches a maximum concentration of at least 9% and then declines.
Pure Collagen Plaques on the Diaphragm and Pleura : Gross, Histologic and Electron Microscopic Observations

Clinical and morphologic observations are described of diaphragmatic and pleural plaques in six patients. The plaques were found by histologic (six patients) and ultrastructural examination (two patients) to consist of pure collagen. Although the exact cause of the plaques is unknown, the frequent finding by other investigators of asbestos bodies in the lungs of patients with these plaques suggests that the two are etiologically related.
Effect Of Variation Of Laser Writer Parameters On Simulated Output Copy

A model is developed to simulate variations which may be introduced when printing images with a laser writing device. The following variations are discussed: beam profile, random intensity variation of the laser, random fluctuations in positioning of beam, and vibrational (sinusoidal) variations in beam positioning.
Mesoscopic Giaever and Josephson junctions

Abstract Quasi-particle wave interference controls both the current-voltage characteristics and the current-phase relation of a superconducting device. To illustrate this point, we show that both the Josephson current-phase relation I ( φ ) = I c sin ( φ ) and the nonlinear current-voltage characteristic known as Giaever tunneling can be understood only through mesoscopic processes occuring at the interface to the superconductor. The critical current through a one-dimensional superconducting wire or point contact, which has order of magnitude e Δ/ h , is a measure of Landau's superfluid depairing velocity Δ/ p F .
Computation and communication refinement for multiprocessor SoC design: A system-level perspective

Continuous advancements in semiconductor technology enable the design of complex systems-on-chips (SoCs) composed of tens or hundreds of IP cores. At the same time, the applications that need to run on such platforms have become increasingly complex and have tight power and performance requirements. Achieving a satisfactory design quality under these circumstances is only possible when both computation and communication refinement are performed efficiently, in an automated and synergistic manner. Consequently, formal and disciplined system-level design methodologies are in great demand for future multiprocessor design. This article provides a broad overview of some fundamental research issues and state-of-the-art solutions concerning both computation and communication aspects of system-level design. The methodology we advocate consists of developing abstract application and platform models, followed by application mapping onto the target platform, and then optimizing the overall system via performance analysis. In addition, a communication refinement step is critical for optimizing the communication infrastructure in this multiprocessor setup. Finally, simulation and prototyping can be used for accurate performance evaluation purposes.
How experienced and novice teachers frame their views of instruction: An analysis of semantic ordered trees

Abstract This investigation explored experienced and novice teachers' reflections about teaching before and after a university curriculum course. A pilot study with 10 experienced middle grades teachers provided the basis for scoring procedures on a semantic ordered tree exercise. Three different groups then completed semantic ordered trees. Seven participants were experienced teachers taking the course as graduate students. Another seven were preservice teachers enrolled in the course as a prerequisite to student teaching. A third group of 7 were undergraduate students who did not take the course. Scores obtained on semantic ordered trees provided the basis for t-test comparisons between groups and between trees completed before and after the course. Interviews and compositions regarding these trees provided the basis for qualitative analyses of responses. Results showed that the experienced teachers constructed semantic ordered trees that were significantly more complex than the novice teachers. The mean scores for the undergraduate groups were similar before the course. Scores for undergraduates participating in the course were significantly higher at the end of the course but the gain scores for the other two groups were not. Scores for the novice group on the post-trees suggested a pattern similar to the experienced group on the pre-tree. In interviews, experienced teachers expressed more student-centered views of teaching than did the novice group. They tended to view more dimensions of their trees as inter-related. The novice group, in contrast, tended to view factors in a more teacher-oriented fashion. In their compositions, members of both groups described a number of ways in which their views had evolved during the course. Results of this analysis further delineate the practical knowledge of teachers and suggest implications for teacher education.
Significant changes in the distribution of histologic types of lung cancer. A review of 4928 cases

The histopathologic data for lung carcinoma were reviewed in 4928 patients between 1964 and 1985. The analysis of this data indicates that lung cancer is increasing in our region. Squamous carcinoma remains the most frequent type in men, followed by adenocarcinoma. Small cell carcinoma is the second most frequent type in women, after adenocarcinoma. Small cell carcinoma has increased over the past years and may become the most common type of lung cancer in women, a development that might result in increased numbers of deaths. Lung cancer data must be carefully analyzed in view of the impact on selection of therapy, patient management, and education.
Affiliative behavior attenuates stress responses of GI tract via up-regulating hypothalamic oxytocin expression

Hypothalamic oxytocin (OXT) has stress-attenuating effects. Social interaction in a positive environment continuously activates OXT release system. We have recently shown that pair housing restores delayed gastric emptying following chronic heterotypic stress, via up-regulation of OXT mRNA expression in rats. We tested the hypothesis that affiliative behavior attenuates stress responses via upregulating OXT expression. Adult male SD rats were divided into two groups: the rat with a stressed partner (RSP) and the rat with a non-stressed partner (RNSP). RSPs were pair housed with a partner that received different types of stress for 7 consecutive days (chronic heterotypic stress). RNSPs were pair housed with a partner who did not receive any stress. After each stress loading, the rats were returned to their home cages and the behaviors of RSPs and RNSPs toward their partners were videotaped. After the study completion, RSPs and RNSPs were loaded with acute restraint stress. Then, gastric emptying and colonic transit were measured. Corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) and OXT expression in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) were evaluated by real time RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. The time of affiliative behaviors toward their partners was increased in RSPs, compared to that of RNSPs. Delayed gastric emptying and accelerated colonic transit induced by acute restraint stress were significantly attenuated in RSPs, compared to RNSPs. CRF expression was reduced, while OXT expression was increased in RSPs in response to acute stress, compared to controls. It is suggested that affiliative behaviors may upregulate hypothalamic OXT expression, which in turn attenuates stress responses.
STUDENT-TAUGHT SEMINAR GROUPS AS AN INSTRUCTIONAL ALTERNATIVE IN HIGHER EDUCATION

1747 students enrolled in student-taught seminars were compared with 2680 students in faculty-taught seminars. Four rating items discriminated between the groups; three items favored the use of student-apprentice teachers.
Frequency of depression and anxiety before and after insertion of a continuous flow left ventricular assist device.

Our objective was to investigate the course of depression and anxiety symptoms in patients treated with continuous flow (CF) left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). Depression and anxiety are associated with poor outcomes in patients with heart failure, yet few studies have examined such symptoms in patients with CF-LVADs. Depression and anxiety were measured as part of routine clinical care in patients who received a CF-LVAD at our institution from October 2009 to April 2012. Sixty-six patients completed the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and 48 of 66 patients also completed the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire-7. Nineteen of 66 patients completed measures before implantation. Patients who completed measures before and after implantation demonstrated significant improvements in depression and anxiety scores. All patients showed significant improvements in depression and anxiety scores from implantation to the first time point after implantation. Pairwise mean comparisons between time intervals after implantation were not significant. In conclusion, depression and anxiety scores improve after CF-LVAD implantation and remain stable up to 1 year. The improvement does not depend on baseline psychotropic medication use and may be related to improved physical health.