cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of Fluorine Stability and Stress in SiOF Films on Film Adhesion

Effects of fluorine stability and stress in SiOF films deposited by high-density plasma process on the generation of blisters were investigated by secondary ion mass spectrometry, thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and four point bending method using Top-SiN/TEOS/SiOF/Bottom-SiN multilayer structure. There are two kinds of fluorine in SiOF films, one is stable fluorine detected by FTIR, and the other is unstable one detected by TDS. Unstable fluorine in SiOF films is easy to diffuse and generates blisters at the interface of Top-SiN/TEOS films. Concentration of unstable fluorine is increased as the O 2 /SiH 4 flow ratio increases and at flow ratios higher than 2.38, blisters are generated. Only the stable fluorine is related with dielectric constant of SiOF film. Hydrogen in gas phase during SiOF-film deposition plays an important role for fluorine stabilization. Compressive stress in SiOF films does not cause blisters.
Male Sex Hormones and Artificial Light as Activators in the Spermatogenesis of Adult Males

Abstract INTRODUCTION OBSERVATIONS of poultry breeders as well as research workers indicate that old males kept under natural conditions usually exhibit a low degree of fertility in early spring. Fertility in young males during the early spring season is usually much superior to that of old males. This condition has brought about the extensive use of young untested males for breeding rather than more valuable old males particularly in early spring. If special treatment and management should produce early spermatogenesis in old males, such methods would be extremely valuable to poultry breeders. Sex hormones have been tested extensively for their effects on the gonads of laboratory animals and upon secondary sex characters. In the fowl effects on the gonads and upon such secondary sex characters as comb development have been studied in relatively young chicks. Available information on how hormones affect the production of functional spermatozoa is very limited. Asmundson and . . .
Understanding Barriers to Evidence-Based Assessment: Clinician Attitudes Toward Standardized Assessment Tools

In an era of evidence-based practice, why are clinicians not typically engaged in evidence-based assessment? To begin to understand this issue, a national multidisciplinary survey was conducted to examine clinician attitudes toward standardized assessment tools. There were 1,442 child clinicians who provided opinions about the psychometric qualities of these tools, their benefit over clinical judgment alone, and their practicality. Doctoral-level clinicians and psychologists expressed more positive ratings in all three domains than master's-level clinicians and nonpsychologists, respectively, although only the disciplinary differences remained significant when predictors were examined simultaneously. All three attitude scales were predictive of standardized assessment tool use, although practical concerns were the strongest and only independent predictor of use.
Through the looking glass: reflections on using undergraduate teaching assistants in CS1

Over the last several years, there have been reports of many institutions using undergraduate students as teaching assistants (UTAs) in the classroom for CS1 as well as other courses in the curriculum. The literature has shown successes over a wide range of class sizes and UTA responsibilities. At University at Buffalo, we have been using undergraduates as teaching assistants in our CS1 course since Spring 2002, and have been impressed with the results. Throughout the deployment of the UTA program, the instructors of CS1 have observed that when UTAs are utilized in the classroom, both the students and the UTAs themselves benefit from their interactions. The UTAs have also become actively involved in providing feedback about the course design and have been suggesting improvements to assignments and in-class examples. They have also been involved in the process to hire new UTAs to replace those that are graduating. We have observed that such interactions have improved the UTAs sense of investment and ownership in the CS1 course.
High voltage electrical discharge reactions of fats and related compounds

Studies are reported on the modification of fats and related compounds by electrical discharge reactions. Several types of fatty compounds were subjected to silent electrical discharge of the ozonizer type of 15,000 volts AC and analyzed by gas-liquid and thin-layer chromatography, infrared spectral and elemental analyses.
Thermodynamics and Dynamics for a Model Potential Energy Landscape

The local minima or inherent structures (IS) and connected first-order saddles (transition states) are obtained with numerical methods for the N = 32 unit density Lennard-Jones system. Thermodynamic properties of the normal and supercooled liquid states are calculated with the energy distribution of the IS (density of states (DOS)), and approximations for the harmonic and anharmonic vibrational free energy. Different definitions of the configurational entropy, Sc, are compared and the Adam−Gibbs relation is found to hold using Sc from the IS formalism. The rearrangement pathways between connected neighbor IS are characterized using different measures that are then interpreted with catastrophe theory and the soft potential model. The barrier height distribution is calculated as a function of IS energy, and its relation to the self-diffusion constant, D, and to supercooled dynamics in general, are discussed.
Development and characterization of a Rift Valley fever virus cell-cell fusion assay using alphavirus replicon vectors

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), a member of the Phlebovirus genus in the Bunyaviridae family, is transmitted by mosquitoes and infects both humans and domestic animals, particularly cattle and sheep. Since primary RVFV strains must be handled in BSL-3+ or BSL-4 facilities, a RVFV cell-cell fusion assay will facilitate the investigation of RVFV glycoprotein function under BSL-2 conditions. As for other members of the Bunyaviridae family, RVFV glycoproteins are targeted to the Golgi, where the virus buds, and are not efficiently delivered to the cell surface. However, overexpression of RVFV glycoproteins using an alphavirus replicon vector resulted in the expression of the glycoproteins on the surface of multiple cell types. Brief treatment of RVFV glycoprotein expressing cells with mildly acidic media (pH 6.2 and below) resulted in rapid and efficient syncytia formation, which we quantified by beta-galactosidase alpha-complementation. Fusion was observed with several cell types, suggesting that the receptor(s) for RVFV is widely expressed or that this acid-dependent virus does not require a specific receptor to mediate cell-cell fusion. Fusion occurred over a broad temperature range, as expected for a virus with both mosquito and mammalian hosts. In contrast to cell fusion mediated by the VSV-G glycoprotein, RVFV glycoprotein-dependent cell fusion could be prevented by treating target cells with trypsin, indicating that one or more proteins (or protein-associated carbohydrate) on the host cell surface are needed to support membrane fusion. The cell-cell fusion assay reported here will make it possible to study the membrane fusion activity of RVFV glycoproteins in a high-throughput format and to screen small molecule inhibitors for the ability to block virus-specific membrane fusion.
The clinical significance of the asymptomatic Hollenhorst plaque

Sixty consecutive patients with visual complaints as the primary symptom of cerebrovascular insufficiency were evaluated with complete cerebral angiography (CCA). Eighteen patients referred for evaluation of asymptomatic Hollenhorst plaques had a 50% incidence of ipsilateral carotid bifurcation disease, but only 16% of these were considered surgically remediable; five of these patients eventually required carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Nine of the 18 patients with asymptomatic Hollenhorst plaques were further evaluated with serial ocular fundus photography: the plaque persisted in all nine patients--in four for more than 6 months and in five for more than 1 year. No patient had transient or fixed retinal or cerebral symptoms. Twenty-six patients with amaurosis fugax showed a 70% incidence of significant bifurcation disease and three had significant intracranial disease; 50% eventually required CEA. Twelve patients with fixed visual deficits (four patients had homonymous hemianopsia, four had retinal artery occlusions, and four had ischemic retinopathies) demonstrated a 100% incidence of bifurcation disease, but in addition 85% had significant intracranial disease; only one of this group had surgically amenable disease. Amaurosis fugax preceded blindness in two patients. Hollenhorst plaque as an isolated phenomenon appears to be a retinal embolic event of uncertain age, with poor predictive power for further embolic events, and not as highly correlated with significant or surgically amenabe carotid bifurcation disease.
Hippocampal function and behavior: spatial discrimination and response inhibition.

Abstract Rats were tested preoperatively and following fimbria-fornix lesions in a spatial memory task on a radial arm maze. With a free choice procedure, fimbria-fornix lesions produced both changes in response patterns and a deficit in spatial discrimination. With a confinement procedure which interrupted the response tendencies seen in the free choice procedure, fimbria-fornix lesions did not produce perseverative response patterns but did produce a failure of spatial discrimination. These results demonstrate that fimbria-fornix lesions alter both motor response patterns and spatial discrimination, but that the two effects occur independently.
Formulas and algorithms for quantum differentiation of quantum Bernstein bases and quantum Bézier curves based on quantum blossoming

Graphical abstractTwo quantum derivative algorithms for cubic q-Bezier curves P(t). Here the product notation u v w represents the q-blossom value p(u, v, w; q). In addition, ? = (1, 0), t = (t, 1), qka = (qka, 1) and qkb = (qkb, 1), for k = 0, 1, 2. The value at each node is computed by multiplying the value on one level lower directly to the left and to the right by the corresponding linear function along the arrow exiting that node and then adding the two products.Display Omitted Highlights? We introduce the homogeneous variants of the quantum blossoms. ? We derive relationships between the homogeneous quantum blossoms and the quantum derivatives. ? We present explicit formulas for the quantum derivatives of the quantum Bern stein bases. ? We generate recursive algorithms for the quantum derivatives of quantum Bezier curves. Using the homogeneous version of the quantum blossom, we derive formulas and algorithms for the quantum derivatives of quantum Bernstein bases and quantum Bezier curves.
The impact of race on criminal justice ideology

The existing literature contains conflicting theoretical positions and empirical evidence on whether race shapes perceptions of the criminal justice system. On the basis of a stratified community sample, the current study assessed these competing views. The data revealed that race was related significantly to criminal justice ideology; African-Americans were found to be more liberal and less conservative than whites. Racial differences persisted, moreover, when controls were introduced for general political ideology, crime experiences, contact with the criminal justice system, and neighborhood conditions.
Distribution of Mercury in Organs of McGraw-Mallard Ducks Given Methyl Mercury Chloride

Abstract Heart, brain, liver, kidney, breast, and thigh tissues of McGraw-Mallard ducks which had been given oral doses of methyl mercury chloride ranging from 0 to 19 mg. MeHg/kg. body weight were analyzed for total mercury by atomic absorption techniques. Kidney and liver accumulated the highest levels of mercury and the rate of increase with increasing levels of MeHg administered was higher than the levels in the other tissues. Mercury levels in breast, thigh, brain, and heart were not significantly different. Regression equations for all six tissue are illustrated.
The clinical relevance of molecular staging for melanoma.

The presence of metastatic disease in the regional nodal basin is the most important prognostic indicator for patients with malignant melanoma. The metastatic status of the sentinel lymph node (SLN), defined as the first node in the basin to drain a primary tumor, has been shown to represent that of the entire basin. Since routine histologic examination of lymph nodes often underestimates the presence of micrometastatic disease, a more sensitive assay for detecting tumor cells is needed. We have previously shown that a molecular assay based on the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was able to define a population of patients at higher risk for both recurrence and death, compared with routine H&E histology. Recently, we have compared “molecular staging” of patients by RT-PCR with conventional S-100 immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining of the SLNs. In these studies, SLN specimens were bivalved, and half of each specimen was examined by routine histology, including both H&E and S-100 IHC. The other half of each specimen was analyzed by a nested RT-PCR assay. H&E histology alone detected metastatic disease in 36 of 233 (16%) patients tested. Serial sectioning and IHC detected micrometastatic disease in another 16 patients, thus increasing the proportion of patients with nodal disease to 22%. RT-PCR detected micrometastatic disease in 114 of 181 patients who were negative by conventional methods, further increasing the proportion of patients with evidence of nodal disease to 70% overall. The clinical significance of these findings is still uncertain. The value of additional therapy (including elective lymph node dissection and interferon therapy) for patients who are positive only by the molecular method is currently being investigated by the national multi-center Sunbelt Melanoma Trial.
Three-dimensional in vivo near-infrared photoacoustic tomography of whole small animal head

A three-dimensional in vivo near-infrared photoacoustic tomography imaging system was newly designed and built to visualize the structure of a whole small animal head. For high sensitivity, a single flat 2.25MHz low frequency transducer, whose active element size is 6mm, was employed. To increase the penetration depth of light, a wavelength of 804nm in the NIR range, which matches the oxy- and deoxy-hemoglobin isosbestic point, was chosen. To avoid strong photoacoustic signal generation from the skin surface, we applied dark field illumination. To illuminate efficiently, we split the laser light into two beams, which were delivered to an animal by two mirrors and were finally homogenized by two ground glasses. To complete the dark field illumination, the transducer was located in the middle of two light sources. Two key devices for the in vivo imaging were rotating devices and animal holders. The rotating devices were composed of two parts, located at the top and bottom, which rotated at the same angular speed. The holders were composed of a head holder and a body holder. Both holders fixed the animal firmly to reduce motion artifacts. This system achieved radial resolution of up to 260μm. We accomplished successful in vivo imaging of arterial and venous vessels deeply, as well as superficially, with the animal head of up to 1.7cm diameter. The technique forms a basis for functional imaging, such as measurement of the oxygen consumption ratio in the brain, which is a vital parameter in a brain disease research.
Nanotube technology for microwave applications

In this paper we present an overview of the high-frequency properties nanotube and nanowire technology for microwave applications. We discuss circuit models of the ac performance of active, ballistic 1d transistor structures, leading to the prediction that THz cutoff frequencies should be possible. Issues of economics and manufacturability, as well as device-to-device variation, constitute a major challenge to be met before the technology is ready for system insertion. Still, speed is one of the promises of nanotechnology, and nanotube and nanowire devices are worth serious consideration for microwave applications.
Evaluation of solitary pulmonary nodule in human immunodeficiency virus infected patients.

BACKGROUND: While the etiologies of solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs) in immunocompetent patients are well established, common etiology, diagnostic techniques, and guidelines to assess SPNs in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have not been established. OBJECTIVE: To define the etiology of SPN in HIV-infected patients and to examine efficacy of diagnostic testing for SPN. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of HIV-infected patients admitted to a designated acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) center. Microbiological and histopathological specimens from sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage, and biopsies were analyzed. Charts were fully analyzed from time of admission until definitive diagnosis or loss to follow-up. RESULTS: During the 10-year observational period, 10 of 5,000 HIV-infected patients admitted to the hospital were diagnosed with SPN via chest radiography or computed tomography (CT). Among these 10 patients, 6 had a definitive diagnosis. Underlying etiologies included infection (5/10) and lung adenocarcinoma (1/10); none were identified in the remaining 4 subjects. Sputum analysis provided no diagnostic value in discovering pathogenesis in any of these cases. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage and transbronchial biopsy were diagnostic in 3 cases, while CT-guided percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy (PTNB) was diagnostic in 2 cases. One patient required open lung biopsy. CONCLUSIONS: Etiologies of SPN in HIV-infected patients are varied and difficult to diagnose. In our study, SPN was attributable to infectious etiology in 50% of cases. Sputum analysis was of no diagnostic value. Biopsy is necessary for definitive diagnosis and treatment.
Biologic effects of introducing additional basic amino acid residues into the hemagglutinin cleavage site of a virulent avian influenza virus

We mutated the virulent avian influenza virus A/turkey/Ontario/7732/66 (H5N9)[Q-R-R-R-K-K-R\G at the hemagglutinin (HA) cleavage site] to create a mutant, R(MO-0), with additional basic residues at this site (Q-R-R-R-R-R-K-K-R\G) by reverse genetics. When tested in chicken embryo fibroblast culture, this mutant showed reduced HA cleavability compared to that of the wild-type virus, but its plaque size was not appreciably altered. Virulence of the R(MO-0) virus in chickens was lower than that of the wild-type virus. These findings indicate that addition of excessive basic residues to an optimal recognition sequence for HA cleavage enzymes at the cleavage site is deleterious for HA cleavability. Previously, we showed that a mutant containing the suboptimal HA cleavage site sequence for cleavage enzyme recognition also had reduced HA cleavability and virulence compared to the wild-type virus. We conclude that the data presented here further substantiate our belief that the level of HA cleavability correlates with the degree of virulence when all other genetic characteristics are considered equal, irrespective of the mechanisms by which HA cleavability is reduced.
DISCRETE COMPOUND POISSON PROCESSES AND TABLES OF THE GEOMETRIC POISSON DISTRIBUTION.

This paper discusses the properties of positive, integer valued compound Poisson processes and compares two members of the family: the geometric Poisson (stuttering Poisson) and the logarithmic Poisson. It is shown that the geometric Poisson process is particularly convenient when the analyst is interested in a simple model for the time between events, as in simulation. On the other hand, the logarithmic Poisson process is more convenient in analytic models in which the state probabilities (probabilities for the number of events in a specified time period) are required. These state probabilities have a negative binomial distribution. The state probabilities of the geometric Poisson process, known as the geometric Poisson distribution, are tabled for 160 sets of parameter values. The values of mean demand range from 0.10 to 10; those for variance to mean ratio from 1.5 to 7. It is observed that the geometric Poisson density is bimodal.
Epigenomics of macrophages

Macrophages play essential roles in tissue homeostasis, pathogen elimination, and tissue repair. A defining characteristic of these cells is their ability to efficiently adapt to a variety of abruptly changing and complex environments. This ability is intrinsically linked to a capacity to quickly alter their transcriptome, and this is tightly associated with the epigenomic organization of these cells and, in particular, their enhancer repertoire. Indeed, enhancers are genomic sites that serve as platforms for the integration of signaling pathways with the mechanisms that regulate mRNA transcription. Notably, transcription is pervasive at active enhancers and enhancer RNAs (eRNAs) are tightly coupled to regulated transcription of protein-coding genes. Furthermore, given that each cell type possesses a defining enhancer repertoire, studies on enhancers provide a powerful method to study how specialization of functions among the diverse macrophage subtypes may arise. Here, we review recent studies providing insights into the distinct mechanisms that contribute to the establishment of enhancers and their role in the regulation of transcription in macrophages.
Changes in impurity radiation during ICRF heating of PLT tokamak plasmas

This paper presents the results of a study of the increase in impurity line radiation in the 15-360 A region during ICRF heating of PLT plasmas, with emphasis on metallic impurity (Ti and Fe) behaviour. Central titanium and iron densities are given for a variety of ICRF heating experiments; total central metallic impurity concentrations of up to about 0.3% of ne(0) are observed at the 2.0 MW RF power level. This study shows that the power radiated by these elements is a small (about 10%) fraction of the total input power to the plasma for the present heating efficiency at 2.0 MW RF power. The impurity line brightnesses scale approximately linearly with RF power up to 2.8 MW. The antenna Faraday shields are shown to be the primary source of metallic impurities during both ICRF heating and Ohmic heating only. The impurity content of discharges heated using a single half-turn antenna and a pair of centre-fed antennas (having the same total surface area but half the poloidal extent of the half-turn antenna) is the same at a relatively low RF power of 350 kW, indicating that the impurity influx does not depend on the poloidal length of the antennas (or that the plasma interacts only with a localized area on the Faraday shields).
Dispositions as Virtues: The Complexity of the Construct

The value of conceptualizing the desirable dispositions of the teacher as virtues is illuminated through distinguishing such dispositions-as-virtues from other dispositions and from personality tra...
A Lower Wall Between Church and State: Vouchers or Charter Schools?

INTRODUCTION Recent developments surrounding public school choice in the United States— namely in the forms of vouchers and charter schools—raise a host of concerns and questions regarding appropriate separations between church and state. Voucher programs that support religious schools and religiously affiliated charter schools point toward the possibility of a lower wall between church and state. In the realm of public education this wall has been constructed fairly rigidly by the courts, especially during the period from 1965 until fairly recently. In this essay I investigate whether the current shift from a higher to a lower wall between church and state is promising or dangerous, and conclude that there are some reasons to view a lowered wall as a positive shift. Finally, I explain how both vouchers and charter schools are policies with potential to fulfill some of the promises of a lowered wall. I argue, however, that charters are a preferable option because they provide more mechanisms for protecting vital public interests in education.
Quantitative Proteomics Demonstrates That the RNA Polymerase II Subunits Rpb4 and Rpb7 Dissociate during Transcriptional Elongation

Eukaryotic RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) is a 12-subunit enzyme that is responsible for the transcription of messenger RNA. Two of the subunits of RNA polymerase II, Rpb4 and Rpb7, have been shown to dissociate from the enzyme under a number of specific laboratory conditions. However, a biological context for the dissociation of Rpb4 and Rpb7 has not been identified. We have found that Rpb4/7 dissociate from RNAPII upon interaction with specific transcriptional elongation-associated proteins that are recruited to the hyperphosphorylated form of the C-terminal domain. However, the dissociation of Rpb4/7 is likely short lived because a significant level of free Rpb4/7 was not detected by quantitative proteomic analyses. In addition, we have found that RNAPII that is isolated through Rpb7 is depleted in serine 2 C-terminal domain phosphorylation. In contrast to previous reports, these data indicate that Rpb4/7 are dispensable during specific stages of transcriptional elongation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Synthesis and characterization of poly(ethylene oxide‐co‐ethylene sulfone)s and their precursors: Poly(ethylene oxide‐co‐ethylene sulfide)s

Three poly(ethylene oxide-co-ethylene sulfide)s with oxygen to sulfur ratios of 2/1, 2/2, and 1/2 were prepared by phase-transfer catalyzed polycondensations of (1) sodium sulfide and 1,2-bis (2-chloroethoxy)ethane, (2) 1,2-ethanedithiol and 1,2-bis(2-chloroethoxy)ethane, and (3) 1,2-ethanedithiol and 2-chloroethyl ether, respectively. A buffered solution with pH between the pKa of the monothiol (RSH) and the pKa2 of the dithiol (HS–R–SH), or H2S, was needed to obtain high molecular weight polymers, which suggests that nucleophiles transfer and react as monoanions rather than dianions. These poly(ethylene oxide-co-ethylene sulfide)s were oxidized completely to poly(ethylene oxide-co-ethylene sulfone)s using 3-chloroperoxybenzoic acid as oxidant. Both the final polymers and the precursors have regular sequenced structures and are semicrystalline. As expected, their glass transition temperatures and melting points increase and solubilities decrease with the decrease of ether oxygen to sulfur ratio. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Variational Principles for Lagrangian Averaged Fluid Dynamics

The Lagrangian average (LA) of the ideal fluid equations preserves their fundamental transport structure. This transport structure is responsible for the Kelvin circulation theorem of the LA flow and, hence, for its potential vorticity convection and helicity conservation. We show that Lagrangian averaging also preserves the Euler–Poincar´ e variational framework that implies the exact ideal fluid equations in the Eulerian representation. This is expressed in the Lagrangian-averaged Euler–Poincar´ e (LAEP) theorem proved here. We illustrate the LAEP theorem by applying it to incompressible ideal fluids to derive the Lagrangian-averaged Euler equations and thereby recover the generalized Lagrangian mean motion equation. Finally, we discuss recent progress in applications of these equations as the basis for new LA closure models of fluid turbulence.
FPD2GB2: Automating a transition from a customized genome browser to GBrowse2

Background We present FPD2GB2, a collection of scripts to automate data migration of a custom genome database and browser to a new implementation. The fungal endophytes genome project (http://www.endophyte.uky.edu/) hosted at the University of Kentucky uses a custom genome browser and database to support several genome sequencing, annotation, and analysis projects. This system is currently based around a locally-developed genome annotation database, visualized using the GBrowse version 1 genome browser together with a large amount of custom code that supports metadata and rendering features not supported by GBrowse 1. Since our initial development of our genome site, a newer version of GBrowse, version 2, has been released. Unlike GBrowse version 1, version 2 supports a very expressive database schema based on the standardized GFF3 format. This schema natively supports the types of data that we currently store in our custom database. In order to simplify maintenance, to ease the upgrade path to future versions of GBrowse, and to improve interoperability with software and websites that support GBrowse and the GFF3 format, we have decided to migrate our custom database to the GFF3 format supported by GBrowse 2. This migration allows us to simplify and in some cases even eliminate much of our custom code. We discuss the challenges presented by such a data migration task, and describe the FPD2GB2 script collection we developed to automate the process.
Gifts from patients.

T.D. is a sixty-three-year-old woman who fell and fractured her wrist. She underwent a closed reduction and application of a short arm cast. Following removal of the cast, she was enrolled in a physical therapy program. She progressed slowly but eventually did well. Upon completion of treatment, she sent two bottles of wine to her physician. Two weeks later, T.D. made several requests of her physician. Despite nearly normal functioning of the wrist, she asked her doctor to prescribe additional physical therapy and to complete forms that would justify additional time off from work. She also asked for letters supporting suspension of her gym membership and alteration of her vacation plans. Patients often demonstrate their gratitude for the medical care that they have received by bringing gifts to the treating physicians. Usually, these tokens are cards, baked goods, articles of clothing, or handcrafted items—modest items given to physicians as gestures from appreciative patients or their families. As the above scenario illustrates, however, gifts can raise ethical issues of which we need to be aware. The potential problems usually involve the nature of the gift and the expectations of the patient. Certain gifts can create problems in and of themselves. Gifts of an exceedingly personal nature are usually inappropriate. Gifts of intimate items may be inconsistent with the maintenance of the doctor-patient relationship. They can certainly make the treating physician feel uncomfortable and interfere with the requisite boundaries of professionalism. Furthermore, the acceptance of such a gift by the physician may signal a departure from professionalism as well as the professional relationship. Similarly, gifts of excessive monetary value or cash gifts are usually improper. These types of gifts can be interpreted as payoffs or “tips” …
Advances in CO2 capture technology—The U.S. Department of Energy's Carbon Sequestration Program ☆

There is growing concern that anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are contribut- ing to global climate change. Therefore, it is critical to develop technologies to mitigate this problem. One very promising approach to reducing CO2 emissions is CO2 capture at a power plant, transport to an injection site, and sequestration for long-term storage in any of a variety of suitable geologic formations. However, if the promise of this approach is to come to fruition, capture costs will have to be reduced. The Department of Energy's Carbon Sequestration Program is actively pursuing this goal. CO2 capture from coal-derived power generation can be achieved by various approaches: post-combustion capture, pre-combus- tion capture, and oxy-combustion. All three of these pathways are under investigation, some at an early stage of development. A wide variety of separation techniques is being pursued, including gas phase separation, absorption into a liquid, and adsorption on a solid, as well as hybrid processes, such as adsorption/membrane systems. Current efforts cover not only improvements to state-of-the-art technologies but also development of several innovative concepts, such as metal organic frameworks, ionic liquids, and enzyme-based systems. This paper discusses the current status of the development of CO2 capture technology.
Impact of human papillomavirus and smoking on survival outcomes after transoral robotic surgery

Background The purpose of this study was to evaluate oncologic outcomes of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treated with transoral robotic surgery (TORS) based on human papillomavirus (HPV) and smoking risk factors. Methods Fifty-five patients with HNSCC treated with TORS, neck dissection, +/- adjuvant chemotherapy, and/or radiation therapy were retrospectively analyzed based on HPV and smoking status. Results Smokers and nonsmokers had locoregional control rates of 96.3% and 94.4% (p = .66) and progression-free survival rates 83% and 94.1% (p = .09), respectively. HPV-negative and HPV-positive patients had locoregional control rates of 87.1% and 100% (p = .03) and progression-free survival rates of 74.2% and 95.2% (p = .01), respectively. Locoregional control rates for HPV-negative smokers, HPV-negative nonsmokers, HPV-positive smokers, and HPV-positive nonsmokers were 90.9%, 80.0%, 100%, and 100% (p = .18), whereas progression-free survival rates were 72.2%, 80.0%, 92.3%, and 100% (p = .04), respectively. Conclusion HPV status may be more important than smoking status in determining the risk of disease recurrence and death in patients treated with TORS. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2015
Acoustic imaging in a shallow ocean with a thin ice cap

This paper considers the determination, from scattered sound, of a distributed inhomogeneity in a shallow, two-dimensional, ocean with a thin ice cap. Assuming that we know the acoustic properties of the ice cap, we determine the unknown inhomogeneity by sending in incident waves from point sources in prescribed locations, and detect the total acoustic field over a line. In this paper we consider the case where the wavenumber, k, is small. Under these circumstances, we obtain a representation for the solution to the direct problem, and prove the uniqueness and existence of the direct scattering problem. The inverse problem is formulated as a regularized minimization problem. Numerical examples illustrating the procedure are presented.
Analysis and design of LDPCCs over Gaussian channels with erasures

The channel model considered is a mixture of Gaussian noise with random erasures. This model, for example, represents a common channel in magnetic recording where thermal asperities in the system are detected and represented to the decoder as erasures.
Control of Transcription Termination by RNA-Binding Proteins

TRANSCRIPTION ME CHANI SMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 895 RNA Polymerase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 895 Trans�ripti�n. I,!itiation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 896 AbortIve ImttatlOn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 897 The Inchworm Model of Transcript Elongation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 897 The Elongation-Termination Decision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 899 A Novel Mechanism of Termination in Plasmid ColEI . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . 902 Transcription Arrest and Resumption of Elongation by Transcript Cleavage . . . . 902 CONTROL OF TRANSCRIPTION TERMINATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 904 Factors Inducing Intrinsic Termination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 904 E . coli Rho Protein: A Global Termination Factor . . . ... . . . ... . ..... . 904 E. coli BglG Protein: A Suppressor of Intrinsic Termination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 907 Suppressors of Rho-Dependent Termination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 908 Phage}.. N and Q Proteins: Antiterminators That Alter RNAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . 908 Phage HK022 Nun Protein: A Factor With Reversible Functions? .. . . . . . . . . 9 1 8 HIV Tat Protein: A Transcription Processivity Factor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 919
5-α-Reductase inhibition and prostate cancer prevention

Studies of prostate biology support the concept that dihydrotestosterone is the principal androgen responsible for normal and hyperplastic growth of the prostate gland. Cancer is a process of malignant transformation evolving over time, involving cellular growth and division. Therefore, an altered endocrine state, such as suppression of dihydrotestosterone activity, may have an impact on prostate cells inhibiting carcinogenic transformation. In vitro and in vivo preclinical observations support this hypothesis. A placebo-controlled randomized trial using finasteride, an inhibitor of the enzyme that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, is planned. The endpoint of this trial will be reduction of prostate cancer incidence.
Communication and Clinical Effectiveness in Rehabilitation

Reynolds F. Philadelphia, PA 19106, Elsevier, 2005, paperback, 264 pp, ISBN: 0-7506-5665-4, $44.95. Although this text applies to all rehabilitation disciplines, the author has succeeded in addressing 2 very important considerations in the practice of physical therapy: (1) the importance of effective communication and (2) the research evidence to support her claims concerning the importance of communication. The author’s background is perfect for writing a text about effective communication. Reynolds teaches in the areas of health and social psychology in occupational therapy and nursing programs and has several publications in the area of chronic illness and quality of life. She also developed …
Synthesis and Characterization of Porphyrin-Based GUMBOS and NanoGUMBOS as Improved Photosensitizers

Porphyrin-based GUMBOS and nanoGUMBOS were synthesized for potential application as improved photosensitizing materials. In this study, porphyrin dyes [meso-tetra(4-carboxyphenyl)porphine (TCPP) and zinc(II) meso-tetra(4-carboxyphenyl)porphine (Zn-TCPP)] were selected as anions, and trihexyltetradecylphosphonium (P66614) was employed as a cation. The resulting [P66614]4[TCPP] and [P66614]4[Zn-TCPP] GUMBOS (group of uniform materials based on organic salts) provided high photostability and excellent thermal stability for these compounds. NanoGUMBOS, i.e., nanomaterials derived from GUMBOS, were synthesized using reprecipitation and ion association methods. The surface charges of these nanoparticles were tuned from positive to negative through use of an ion association synthetic method without the need for additives or stabilizers. When compared to the parent dyes, nanoGUMBOS exhibited excellent photodynamic properties for potential applications as photosensitizers. Evaluation of the electrochemical propert...
Identification of a class of generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (GARCH) models with applications to covariance propagation

Many practical problems require estimating future values of a Positive Definite matrix from past historical data. While several models have been proposed in the literature for propagating past data in this context, the problem of identifying these models from experiments is largely open. The main result of this paper is an efficient convex optimization based algorithm for identifying a class of models (GARCH) commonly used to propagate PSD matrices. A salient feature of the proposed approach is the fact that it minimizes a Riemannian measure of the estimation error, thus leading to better prediction results when compared against more naive algorithms based on minimizing Euclidian distances. These results are illustrated with a practical example arising in computer vision.
Wells, Simbotin, and Gavrila Reply:

A Reply to the Comment by P. Schlagheck, K. Hornberger, and A. Buchleitner. {copyright} {ital 1999} {ital The American Physical Society}
Effect of Carbon Dioxide Gas on Respiration of the Confused Flour Beetle

Concentrations of CO2 gas in the immediate surroundings play an important role in insect respiration by directing the spiracular openings. In fleas, Xenopsylla spp., the addition of 1% CO2 to outside air prolonged the spiracular opening period ca. 50%, and the addition of 2% caused the permanent opening of spiracles (Wigglesworth 1965). Similarly at this laboratory, while working with the effectiveness of different fumigants, we noticed that high CO2 concentration in surrounding atmospheres increased the fumigant toxicity, probably by interfering with normal respiratory behavior and physiology of insects (AliNiazee and Lindgren 1969). Preliminary studies were conducted to determine the rate of respiration of the adult confused flour beetle, Tribolium confusum Jacquelin du Val, in high CO2 atmospheres by measuring their CO2 output in small glass containers.
Effect of promethazine hydrochloride on bone resorption in tissue culture.

AbstractThe effect of promethazine hydrochloride, an established macrophage inhibitor, on bone resorption in tissue culture was examined. At nontoxic concentrations (5–25 μg/ml), promethazine hydrochloride inhibited, in a dose–response fashion, parathyroid extract-stimulated bone resorption and bone resorption in a bone remodeling system. Histological examination of sections prepared from cultured bones treated both with parathyroid extract and promethazine hydrochloride revealed an increase in number of macrophages in promethazine hydrochloride-treated cultures. At higher concentrations of this compound, but still within the same range of generally nontoxic concentrations (5–25 μg/ml), the macrophages appeared to be damaged. It is suggested that promethazine hydrochloride inhibits bone resorption in tissue culture by impairing macrophage function.
Reactogenicity and Immunogenicity of Parenteral Monovalent Influenza A/Victoria/3/75 (H3N2) Virus Vaccine in Healthy Adults

Monovalent influenza A/Victoria/3/75 whole-virus vaccines prepared by Merck Sharp and Dohme (West Point, Pa.) and Merrell-National Laboratories (Cincinnati, Ohio) and split-virus vaccines prepared by Parke, Davis and Company (Detroit, Mich.) and Wyeth Laboratories (Philadelphia, Pa.) containing 200, 400, and 800 chick cell-agglutinating units per dose were compared with a placebo in double-blind trials in which 208 adults participated. Titers of hemagglutination-inhibiting antibody of greater than or equal to 1:20 were found in greater than 80% of the volunteers 21 days after vaccination. Seroconversion, defined as a fourfold or greater increase in antibody titer, occurred more frequently among seronegative volunteers than among seropositive volunteers. The geometric mean titers obtained with the whole-virus or split-virus vaccines were not significantly different. Reaction rates had no relation to seroconversion, nor did seronegative subjects have more reactions than seropositive subjects. Local reactions from all vaccines increased with increasing dose. Significantly more overall reactions, "bothersome" reactions, and febrile reactions occurred in the recipients of whole-virus vaccine. Of nine volunteers who reported temperatures of greater than 100 F, one had received split-virus vaccine, seven had received whole-virus vaccine, and one had received the placebo. Most systemic reactions were mild, and all were self-limited.
Falls prevention education: Interprofessional training to enhance collaborative practice

The gap between the complex health care needs of older adults and the availability of geriatrics-trained health care professionals is widening. Interprofessional education offers an opportunity to engage multiple professions in interactive learning and clinically relevant problem solving to achieve high-quality patient-centered care. This article describes a project that engaged an interprofessional teaching team to support interprofessional practice teams to reduce falls in older adults via implementation of evidence-based practice guidelines. Ninety-five participants from 25 teams were trained on multiple strategies to decrease the risk of falls in older adults. The intervention facilitated increases in knowledge, confidence in skill performance, and team commitment to change practice patterns to support the health and safety of older adults. Findings suggest that community-based practices can successfully support the training of interprofessional teams and that training may lead to improved care processes and outcomes for older adults.
Application of Reducing Resistance Measures for Transmission Line through High Soil Resistivity Area

Through field investigating the tower earth net,the cause of tower with rather high earth resistance in high soil resistivity area,where the Hubei UHV transmission lines passing through,was summarized.The conventional reducing resistance measures with theoretical calculation were studied.The effective reducing resistance measures suitable for the real situation of Hubei high soil resistivity area were put forward.The typical towers were selected to make earth net reducing resistance modification.The modified towers earth net attained the expected goal of reduced resistance.
Emotional and other selected characteristics of cigarette smokers and nonsmokers as related to epidemiological studies of lung cancer and other diseases.

A probability sampling of 4456 adults in Buffalo New York was interviewed to ascertain differences between cigarette smokers and nonsmokers. From the total sample 903 male smokers were matched for age race and social status with a group of 903 male nonsmokers. The comparison showed smokers to differ from nonsmokers in their emotional status. They were hospitalized more often changed jobs and wives more often moved more frequently and participated in more sports than nonsmokers. The parents of nonsmokers wre more likely to be foreign born. Birthplace religion education present marital status and proportion of time spent in urban areas did not distinguish the 2 groups of men. The degree of difference between the 2 groups was not sufficient to explain the high association level between smoking and lung cancer; it may explain the higher incidence of peptic ulcer and coronary heart disease among smokers. Various interpretations of the data showing an association between cigarette smoking and "meurotic" personality trains are discussed. Any conclusion would need further study.
Influence of hypo- or hyperthyroidism on ovarian function in Brahman cows.

Multiparous Brahman cows (n = 21) were randomly assigned during late fall within BW and body condition score (BCS) to receive either 3.0 mL of corn oil (C; n = 7), 3.0 mg/(cow.d) triiodothyronine (T 3 ) s.c. in 3.0 mL of corn oil (HYPER; n = 7), or 4.0 mg/(kg.d) 6-n-propyl-2-thiouracil (PTU; fed with concentrate) plus 3.0 mL/d corn oil (HYPO; n = 7). Water, minerals, and Coastal bermudagrass hay were available free choice, and all cows received 3.2 kg.cow -1 .d -1 of 5:1 corn:soybean meal concentrate. The feeding period extended through three normal estrous cycles. Blood samples were collected weekly during the first and second estrous cycle, or until d 42 for anestrous cows, and daily throughout the third cycle. Also, between d 9 and 14 of the third cycle, or after d 35 in anestrous cows, intensive samples were collected at 2-h intervals for 24 h. Serum T 3 , thyroxine (T 4 ), and progesterone (P 4 ) were measured in weekly and intensive samples, and cortisol, insulin, GH, and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were measured in intensive samples. The altered thyroid status of HYPER and HYPO cows was evident (P .05) the number of follicular waves, diameter of the dominant follicle, diameter of the ovulatory follicle, or P 4 profiles during the third cycle. Insulin and GH concentrations did not differ (P >.05) among treatments in intensive samples, but, mean cortisol was greatest ( P <.02) in HYPER cows. For Brahman cows that maintained normal estrous cycles, induced hyper-or hypothyroid status did not influence ovarian function.