cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Host defense impairments that may lead to respiratory infections.

SUMMARY Host defense mechanisms spaced along the respiratory tree and in the alveolar spaces effectively remove or contend with micro-organisms that enter the airways, so serious lung infections occur rarely in healthy people. Special circumstances, such as virgin exposure to a virulent microbe or a large innoculum of a pathogen, can result in illness, but usually routine surveillance host defenses are protective and suffice to keep colonizing airway flora in check. When pneumonia develops or recurrent sinopulmonary infection exists, however, some element of the normal defense apparatus may have failed or is inadequate. This review highlights several components of the apparatus, that is immunoglobulins IgG and IgA and the interaction of alveolar macrophages and lymphocytes, and examines deficiencies in their function that may result in infection. Along the conducting airways, poor mucociliary clearance and/or deficiencies in certain IgG subclass antibodies or destruction of IgA may predispose to sinopulmonary infections; these may be a manifestation of a hereditary disease. In pneumonia the alveolar macrophage is positioned as the central cell which must respond in several directions. This scavenger phagocyte first intercepts the microbe and either can kill or contain it or must call in some other phagocytic cell or inflammatory mediator(s) for assistance. Opsonic antibodies (IgG) and other nonimmune opsonins (complement and surfactant or fibronectin fragments) facilitate phagocytosis, but an absence of antibody may permit infection to develop with encapsulated bacteria (pneumococcus). Insufficient bone marrow reserves of PMNs or a paucity of chemotactic factors to attract them into the alveoli is a situation that may permit gram-negative bacilli and fungal organisms to flourish. Inability of immune T-lymphocytes to energize macrophages, through soluble cellular mediators that provide cell-mediated immunity and activation, makes containment of certain intracellular microbes impossible for these phagocytes (Legionella or mycobacteria). Likewise, concomitant infection of macrophages with viruses (human immunodeficiency virus, and cytomegalovirus or herpes viruses) plus an excessive T-lymphocyte suppressor cell influence may make P. carinii and common bacterial and fungal organisms difficult to contain in the lungs of AIDS patients. Consideration about what the lung host deficiency might be can make therapy more specific through immunization to develop special antibodies, replacement of certain immunoglobulins (IgG subclasses), or selective administration of cell mediators (gamma-interferon or interleukins).
Investigating the effects of encoder schemes, WFQ & SAD on VoIP QoS

Voice Encoder Schemes, Weighted Fair Queuing (WFQ) and Speech Activity Detection (SAD) techniques affect the overall Quality of Service (QoS) of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services. VoIP is one of the most discussed and rapidly emerging technologies in telecommunication. We are slowly witnessing a change in telephony from Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to IP based VoIP Network. Despite the benefits being enormous, the switch to VoIP hasn’ t been swift, primarily due to various performance (delay, jitter, packet loss, echo etc.) and security issues plaguing the VoIP telephony network. To achieve minimal QoS for telephony, the voice (packets) must be delivered within 150 ms to 200 ms. This paper presents a performance model to quantifying the influence of VoIP which gives an in-depth understanding of how Voice Encoder Schemes, WFQ and SAD influence VoIP QoS from a theoretical and implementation point of views.
The Difficult Airway after Endoscopic Endonasal Skull Base Surgery: A Case Series and Management Algorithm:

ObjectivesTo analyze difficult airway situations affecting patients after endoscopic endonasal surgery (EES) for skull base tumors and to develop an airway management algorithm.Study DesignCase ser...
Optimization of linear stream temperature model parameters in the soil and water assessment tool for the continental United States

Abstract The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) is a watershed model that has been commonly used to simulate hydrological and biogeochemical processes in natural as well as human-modified landscapes. Currently, the SWAT model simulates stream temperature using a sub-model involving linear regression of water temperature on observed air temperature. The use of constant universal regression coefficients in this sub-model, however, significantly limit the model’s ability to estimate temperatures in stream networks throughout the continental United States, especially when water temperatures vary due to a combined effect of climate, topography, land use, and hydrologic processes. We present a methodology to improve SWAT’s default stream temperature sub-model by optimizing geographic-specific values of coefficients in the regression model. Specifically, the coefficients were optimized to better represent observed stream temperature data at 408 stations across the continental United States. Different models were also constructed for each of the four seasons at each of the 408 locations. The spatially and seasonally varying optimized model parameters led to consistent model improvements when compared with observed data for all 408 locations and for all seasons. The median seasonal NSE improved from 0.58 to 0.77 in the Fall, −3.40 to 0.30 in the Winter, 0.26 to 0.67 in the Spring, and −1.01 to 0.36 in the Summer. The simplicity of the proposed approach provides SWAT model practitioners an easy and flexible solution to seasonally and geographically adjust the stream temperature sub-model, and to better represent local conditions.
Real time monitoring of the chemistry of hydroxylamine nitrate and iron as surrogates for nuclear materials processing

The separation of actinides in aqueous solution often involves changes in redox chemistry achieved by reagents such as hydroxylamine nitrate (HAN). Thus, in situ monitoring of the chemistry of HAN ...
Analysis of Nonlinear Free-Response of a Thin Plate Using Finite Elements

AbstractThis paper makes use of the Duffing oscillator equation to represent the dynamic nonlinearity of rectangular plates. The response of the nonlinear oscillation of a beam leads to parameters ...
“Housing First” for Optimal Child Health

* Abbreviation: HUD — : US Department of Housing and Urban Development According to the World Health Organization, health is “a state of physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”1 Healthy children live in families, environments, and communities that provide them with the opportunity to reach their fullest developmental potential.1 In this issue of Pediatrics , Sakai-Bizmark et al2 share results of a large population-based study on asthma hospitalization rates among homeless youth in the state of New York. The investigators reviewed administrative data from 71 837 pediatric asthma hospitalizations over 5 years using the New York Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project’s Statewide Inpatient Database, compiled by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.2 The authors of this study build on previous work by McLean et al3 in 2004 in which the authors reported a 39.8% increase in the prevalence of asthma among homeless children in New York city. Per the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, the national rate of childhood asthma is 8.3%.4 In their work, Sakai-Bizmark et al2 found a 31 times higher rate … Address correspondence to Kerry K. Sease, MD, MPH, Department of Pediatrics, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, 255 Enterprise Blvd, Suite 110, Greenville, SC 29615. E-mail: kerry.sease{at}prismahealth.org
Paleontology and Biochronology of Fossil Localities in the Manonga Valley, Tanzania

Comparisons of the Manonga Valley faunas with those from other East African localities for which radiometric dates have been obtained allow the Manonga Valley sequence to be placed within a broader chronological framework. The results of a biochronological analysis produce consistent estimates of the age range of the sequence, and indicate that the fossiliferous sediments were laid down during the late Miocene and early Pliocene. Nevertheless, it should be noted that there are several constraining factors that limit the degree of precision of such correlations, as follows: (1) There are few late Miocene and early Pliocene sites that have been dated radiometrically, and these are restricted geographically to the East African Rift valley (i.e., the Turkana basin, the Baringo basin, the Samburu Hills, and the Middle Awash Valley); (2) with the exception of Lotha-gam in northern Kenya and Langebaanweg in South Africa, the mammalian faunas from this time period are either poorly known or have not been the subject of detailed study; and (3) few researchers have made detailed firsthand comparisons between late Miocene and early Pliocene faunas from fossil localities in North, East, and South Africa.
High diversity and multiple invasions to North America by fungi grown by the northern-most Trachymyrmex and Mycetomoellerius ant species

Abstract Lower diversity at range margins of expanding populations is thought to reduce host-symbiont specificity of obligate symbioses. Selection for relaxed symbiont recognition systems is thought to occur when most, if not all, symbionts available to a host are genetically similar. This study evaluated whether the genetic diversity of symbiont populations along a range margin (North America) were lower than those of Neotropical populations in fungus gardening ants (subtribe Attina). Using phylogenetic, population-genetic and community-ecology approaches, we tested the hypotheses that North American fungal populations are genetically less diverse than Neotropical populations and whether they exhibit evidence of recent population expansion. Results indicated that fungal diversity is somewhat greater in the Neotropics than North America; however, North American populations are very diverse because all lineages found in the Neotropics are also represented in North America. Moreover, we found evidence of recent population expansion in both the Neotropics and North America.
How Noise Affects Patients in Hospitals

Hospitals are where patients stay to improve their current condition and well-being. However, many studies demonstrate that noise has negative effects on patients during their hospital stays. Resul...
Smiles Signal Surprise in a Social Dilemma

This study examines spontaneous facial expressions in an iterated prisoner's dilemma with financial stakes. Our goal was to identify typical facial expressions associated with key events during the interaction (e.g., cooperation or exploitation) and contrast these reactions with alternative theories of the meaning of facial expressions. Specifically, we examined if expressions reflect individual self-interest (e.g., winning) or social motives (e.g., promoting fairness) and the extent to which surprise might moderate the intensity of facial displays. In contrast to predictions of scientific and folk theories of expression, smiles were the only expressions consistently elicited, regardless of the reward or fairness of outcomes. Further, these smiles serve as a reliable indicator of the surprisingness of the event, but not its pleasure (contradicting research on both the meaning of smiles and indicators of surprise). To our knowledge, this is the first study to indicate that smiles signal surprise.
A Field Evaluation of Construction Workers' Activity, Hydration Status, and Heat Strain in the Extreme Summer Heat of Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES Assess the impact of summer heat exposure (June-September) on residential construction workers in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia by evaluating (i) heart rate (HR) responses, hydration status, and physical workload among workers in indoor and outdoor construction settings, (ii) factors related to physiological responses to work in hot conditions, and (iii) how well wet-bulb globe temperature-based occupational exposure limits (WBGTOELs) predict measures of heat strain. METHODS Twenty-three construction workers (plasterers, tilers, and laborers) contributed 260 person-days of monitoring. Workload energy expenditure, HR, fluid intake, and pre- and postshift urine specific gravity (USG) were measured. Indoor and outdoor heat exposures (WBGT) were measured continuously and a WBGTOEL was calculated. The effects of heat exposure and workload on heart rate reserve (HRR), a measure of cardiovascular strain, were examined with linear mixed models. A metric called 'heat stress exceedance' (HSE) was constructed to summarize whether the environmental heat exposure (WBGT) exceeded the heat stress exposure limit (WBGTOEL). The sensitivity and specificity of the HSE as a predictor of cardiovascular strain (HRR ≥30%) were determined. RESULTS The WBGTOEL was exceeded frequently, on 63 person-days indoors (44%) and 91(78%) outdoors. High-risk HRR occurred on 26 and 36 person-days indoors and outdoors, respectively. The HSE metric showed higher sensitivity for HRR ≥30% outdoors (89%) than indoors (58%) and greater specificity indoors (59%) than outdoors (27%). Workload intensity was generally moderate, with light intensity work more common outdoors. The ability to self-pace work was associated with a lower frequency of HRR ≥30%. USG concentrations indicated that workers began and ended their shifts dehydrated (USG ≥1.020). CONCLUSIONS Construction work where WBGTOEL is commonly exceeded poses health risks. The ability of workers to self-pace may help reduce risks.
Near-Optimal Performance Bounds for Orthogonal and Permutation Group Synchronization via Spectral Methods.

Group synchronization asks to recover group elements from their pairwise measurements. It has found numerous applications across various scientific disciplines. In this work, we focus on orthogonal and permutation group synchronization which are widely used in computer vision such as object matching and Structure from Motion. Among many available approaches, spectral methods have enjoyed great popularity due to its efficiency and convenience. We will study the performance guarantees of spectral methods in solving these two synchronization problems by investigating how well the computed eigenvectors approximate each group element individually. We establish our theory by applying the recent popular~\emph{leave-one-out} technique and derive a~\emph{block-wise} performance bound for the recovery of each group element via eigenvectors. In particular, for orthogonal group synchronization, we obtain a near-optimal performance bound for the group recovery in presence of Gaussian noise. For permutation group synchronization under random corruption, we show that the widely-used two-step procedure (spectral method plus rounding) can recover all the group elements exactly if the SNR (signal-to-noise ratio) is close to the information theoretical limit. Our numerical experiments confirm our theory and indicate a sharp phase transition for the exact group recovery.
Study on Species Structure and Disposition of Urban Street Greening Trees in Jingzhou City

Based on spot checking, the species structure and growth actuality of urban street greening trees in Jingzhou City were studied. The results indicated that urban greening tree species diversity index was on the low side and the scope of shrubby trees being applied was narrow. Moreover,urban landscape was short of distinguishing feature. Finally,strategy of selection and disposition of urban greening trees were put forth.
EEG-Single-Channel Envelope Synchronisation and Classification for Seizure Detection and Prediction

This paper tackles the complex issue of detecting and classifying epileptic seizures whilst maintaining the total calculations at a minimum. Where many systems depend on the coupling between multiple sources, leading to hundreds of combinations of electrodes, our method calculates the instantaneous phase between non-identical upper and lower envelopes of a single-electroencephalography channel reducing the workload to the total number of electrode points. From over 600 h of simulations, our method shows a sensitivity and specificity of 100% for high false-positive rates and 83% and 75%, respectively, for moderate to low false positive rates, which compares well to both single- and multi-channel-based methods. Furthermore, pre-ictal variations in synchronisation were detected in over 90% of patients implying a possible prediction system.
Practice Patterns of Athletic Trainers Regarding the On-Site Management of Patients With Joint Dislocations.

Context As part of clinical practice, athletic trainers (ATs) provide immediate management of patients with acute joint dislocations. Management techniques may include on-site closed joint reduction of the dislocated joint. Although joint reduction is part of the 2020 educational standards, currently practicing ATs may have various levels of exposure, knowledge, and skills. Objective To capture AT self-reported knowledge and practice patterns concerning closed joint reductions. Design Cohort study. Setting Online survey (Qualtrics). Patients or other participants The survey link was emailed to 5000 certified ATs. A total of 772 responses were completed by certified ATs with clinical practice experience (15.4% response rate). Main outcome measure(s) Participants were asked to complete a survey about their practice patterns concerning patients with closed joint reductions, which included questions about the types of closed reductions ATs performed most commonly, the frequency of on-site reduction by ATs, and participants' demographic information. Additionally, the survey addressed the ATs' training and comfort level in performing closed reductions and knowledge of standing orders and the state practice act. Results Ninety percent (n = 694) of ATs reported ever performing a closed reduction (either with or without a physician present), with 10% (n = 78) stating they had never performed a joint reduction. The interphalangeal joint of the finger (73.2% of ATs), shoulder (63.3%), and patella (48.2%) were cited as the 3 most common reductions performed without a physician present. Only 46.5% (n = 359) of ATs indicated receiving training in joint-reduction techniques as part of their precertification athletic training curriculum or program; a greater percentage (64%) said they learned directly from a physician. Fewer than 60% of ATs reported having standing orders related to joint reductions. Conclusions Considering the high percentage of ATs who reported performing closed joint reductions and the low percentage with formal training, further development of joint-reduction training and standing orders is warranted.
Delineating the genetic regulation of cannabinoid biosynthesis during female flower development in Cannabis sativa

Cannabinoids are predominantly produced in the glandular trichomes on cannabis female flowers. There is little known on how cannabinoid biosynthesis is regulated during female flower development. We aim to understand the rate-limiting step(s) in the cannabinoid biosynthetic pathway. We investigated the transcript levels of cannabinoid biosynthetic genes as well as cannabinoid contents during 7 weeks of female flower development. We demonstrated that the enzymatic steps for producing CBG, which involve genes GPPS, PT and OAC, could be rate limit cannabinoid biosynthesis. Our findings further suggest that cannabinoid synthases, CBDAS and THCAS in a hemp and medical marijuana variety respectively, are not critical for cannabinoid biosynthesis. The cannabinoid biosynthetic genes are generally upregulated during flower maturation, which indicate glandular trichome development. MeJA can potentially increase cannabinoid production. We propose that biweekly application of 100 μM MeJA staring from flower initiation would be efficacious for promoting cannabinoid biosynthesis.
Determinants and Measures of Daytime Sleepiness

Excessive sleepiness, a manifestation of a medical or neurologic disorder, sleep disorder, or insufficient nocturnal sleep, can lead to impaired functional ability during waking hours and a tendency for mood disturbances that can include irritability, anxiety, and depressive feelings. Although the clinical history is most important to detect and quantify sleepiness, this should be supplemented by the appropriate use of questionnaires that assess nocturnal sleep, sleepiness, and the timing of sleep, as well as objective tests that include polysomnography or actigraphy, and performance tests to assess functional outcome. The following text reviews some of the more commonly used measures in the assessment of sleepiness.
Understanding the Impact of Inadequate Feedback: A Means to Reduce Law Student Psychological Distress, Increase Motivation, and Improve Learning Outcomes

Although there has been substantial criticism and empirical evidence demonstrating the negative psychological effects of current legal education on law students, there has been little discussion of the steps law schools and law faculty can take to alleviate these effects. This article argues that when law school faculty neglect to make careful and informed choices about the words used in the feedback provided to law students, ignoring the impact of those words on students’ potential for success in law school, law practice and life, we contribute to our students’ psychological distress and decline in motivation and performance - which may well carry forward to the legal profession and justice system. This article uses the lens of self-determination theory to explore a simple and concrete step law school faculty can take to improve students’ outlook and outcomes, by making changes in feedback practices that contribute to the autonomy-thwarting educational environment that is devastating for many students. The article reviews self-determination theory and then examines the effects of self-determined learning on motivation, cognitive functioning and well-being. It identifies and details the characteristics of teaching environments that support self-determined learning and applies these concepts to the context of written feedback statements, by examining some common feedback statements and suggesting strategies for changing those statements to the types of statements that can enhance motivation, and improve cognition, learning outcomes and well-being. The article argues that motivated, happy, healthy and successful law students and lawyers do not have to be the rare exception - and law school faculty can alter feedback practices to help ensure they are not.
A critical look at design guidelines for SOI logic gates

Design guidelines for static and domino SOI CMOS are evaluated. Restructuring the logic to eliminate gates with large fan-ins is almost as beneficial for SOI as for bulk-Si. Published design fixes for eliminating parasitic bipolar induced upset are shown to be imperfect. PHI predischarge is thus proposed as an improved method for eliminating data upset due to both bipolar leakage and charge sharing.
A "Healthy" Color: Information About Healthy Eating Attenuates the "Red Effect".

The influence of the color red on our evaluative processes and psychological, emotional, and cognitive decision making is known as the “red effect.” The present study tested the hypothesis that this “red effect” could be attenuated by information about the healthfulness of an individual’s diet. To test this hypothesis 122 participants rated the attractiveness and healthfulness of a picture of the same female wearing a red or white (neutral color) shirt who was described as eating a healthy or unhealthy food. Results showed that participants did rate the female wearing the red shirt as more attractive (evidence of the “red effect”). However, when the female was described as eating an unhealthy food, the red effect was not significant. These findings suggest that the red effect is robust, but can be attenuated by manipulating the perceptions of health.
Identification of carcinogens by measurement of cell-mediated immunity. II. assay specificity

Abstract Studies utilizing the Fischer F334 inbred rat model were undertaken to define the specificity for antitumor cell-mediated immune (CMI) measurements as determined by lymphoid-cell cytotoxicity to determine whether such values could serve as an analytical reflection for the carcinogenic potential of environmental pollutants. The investigations revealed that specificity was apparently limited to a carcinogenic insult and designated by the embryonic origin of the affected tissue. For example, it was found that animals having X-ray-induced small-bowel, 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-induced colon, and 7,12-dimethylbenz[ a ]anthrazene-induced pancreas adenocarcinomas possessed lymphoid cells cytotoxic to tumor target cells of either the small bowel or pancreas, but were not lytic to tumor tissue of ectoderma or mesodermal origin. Nor was injury inflicted upon normal intestinal, kidney, or tail fibroblastic cells, while significant lysis was seen when normal fetal cells were used as targets. The findings also suggest that the presence of the carcinogen in the assay has little influence upon the CMI values. Thus, the present investigation continues to support the concept that immunological responsiveness may serve as a useful measure for specifically identifying and quantitating effects of environmental carcinogens.
Pastoral Theory and Practice in the Team Approach to Treatment of Scrupulosity as a Component of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

The statistical estimates of the prevalence of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in the general population have increased dramatically in recent years. "Blasphemous" obsessions and religious compulsions dominate the clinical picture of many sufferers of OCD. Freud proposed that religion might be a contributing factor for many patients with mental illness. He hedged, however, that observation--something that many of his followers have not done. Others have noted the pathoplasticity of strict religious upbringing and images of God as vindictive or otherwise harsh. Only recently--since the 1970s--has much clinical attention been focused on this disorder by the other disciplines within the mental health community. The church, however, is ahead of the curve in diagnosis and treatment of scrupulosity. It has long been a concern for pastoral counselors--particularly pre-Vatican II Roman Catholic priests. Pathological religion influences OCD and pastoral counseling, the author proposes, can contributes to recovery.
Analysis of endogenous neuropeptides by reversed-phase high-performance chromatography and mass spectrometry

Abstract Data are presented on the use of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to separate and mass spectrometry (MS) to detect opioid neuropeptides in human tissues and fluids. Reversed phase HPLC (RP-HPLC) has been used in conjunction with a variety of post-column HPLC detector systems, including radioimmunoassay (RIA), radioreceptorassay (RRA), MS, and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Tandem mass spectrometry connects the protonated molecule ion, (M+H) + , of a peptide with a unique amino acid sequence-determining fragment ion, and therefore provides the highest level of molecular specificity for the detection of a peptide. Tandem MS has also been used to quantify opioid peptides in human pituitary tissues.
A security metric for VANET content delivery

Vehicular Ad-hoc Network (VANET) enables wireless communications among vehicles. VANET applications benefit to the society with improved transportation safety and efficiency. However, security issues in delivering contents over infrastructureless wireless communication hinder VANET applications. Though security schemes have been proposed, the public remains skeptical due to the lack of common metrics to measure their effectiveness. This paper proposes an asymmetric profit-loss Markov (APLM) model to measure the integrity level of security schemes for VANET content delivery. Profit defines integrity gain to a system by its devices detecting and disregarding corrupted data fragments. Loss represents negative effect to a system at receiving a corrupted data fragment. Markov chain records change of system behavior that reacts to profit and loss asymmetrically. The advantage of APLM model is its black-box approach that measures the integrity level without the need to examine the implementation details of a particular security scheme, rendering the model feasible for real world applications. Taking into account the special characteristics of integrity schemes in VANET, APLM model is tested on five scenarios. The measuring results demonstrate meaningfulness, repeatability, and feasibility of APLM model. APLM model also supports optimization of security scheme design for VANET content delivery.
Nonfarm employment and the arbitrage pricing theory

Abstract Here we use a nonlinear seemingly unrelated regression technique to demonstrate that nonfarm employment (NFE) is a priced source of risk in financial markets. We also find that NFE affects primarily cyclical industries.
Ambipolar nano-crystalline-silicon TFTs with submicron dimensions and reduced threshold voltage shift

Hydrogenated nano-crystalline-silicon (nc-Si) thin-film transistors (TFTs) are primary candidates for use in neuromorphic circuits and systems [1]. Such devices can be fabricated at low temperatures and over large areas, allowing cheap processing and three-dimensional integration with CMOS structures. The major drawbacks of nc-Si TFTs include low carrier mobility, threshold voltage (V T ) shift under bias stress and lack of p-channel operation due to unintentional n-type doping by oxygen impurity present in the nc-Si layer [2]. We have fabricated nc-Si TFTs that minimize all the above drawbacks, and are thus well suited for use in neuromorphic applications.
Gangrenous Cholecystitis in an Urban VA Hospital

Gangrenous cholecystitis is an advanced form of acute cholecystitis associated with increased morbidity and mortality. We sought to determine the incidence of gangrenous cholecystitis in an urban VA hospital patient population and identify any distinguishing characteristics that may aid in its preoperative diagnosis. We retrospectively reviewed all urgent admissions that underwent cholecystectomy (n = 65) over the past 7 years at the Allen Park VAMC. Using histologic criteria, 17 (26%) of these patients had gangrenous cholecystitis. As a group compared to patients with nongangrenous cholecystitis, patients with gangrenous cholecystitis were statistically older (64 vs 54) and had an elevated WBC (15.4 vs 11.5) and increased serum glucose levels (203 vs 141). Preoperative imaging studies (ultrasound and cholescintigraphy) correctly identified only 31% of the gangrenous cholecystitis patients. We conclude that in an urban VA hospital patient population, the diagnosis of gangrenous cholecystitis cannot be accurately made or ruled out among urgent admissions with acute biliary disease. Considering the high incidence (26%) and difficulty confirming the diagnosis of gangrenous cholecystitis in this setting, we recommend early surgical intervention for this and similar patient populations.
A Welfare-Theoretic Evaluation of Unemployment Insurance

This article applies a new techncque for estimating willingness to pay for non-traded goods to the debate on the appropriate level of unemployment compensation. These estimates suggest that, in a w...
Tyrosine pretreatment reverses hypothermia-induced behavioral depression

Abstract Cold exposure accelerates the firing frequency of norepinephrine (NE) neurons, enhancing NE release and leading to NE depletion in specific regions of the brain. The accelerated firing activates the enzyme tyrosine-hydroxylase, making it more tyrosine sensitive. The reduction of brain NE is accompanied by a behavioral depression on the open field test. Two experiments were performed on adult male rats. First, it was determined whether systematic lowering of core body temperature produced behavioral depression in the swim test. Second, treatment with the NE precursor tyrosine was employed in an attempt to prevent hypothermia-induced behavioral depression. In Experiment 1, two levels of hypothermia were highly effective in producing behavioral depression in rats forced to swim in a narrow cylinder. In experiment 2, treatment with tyrosine (400 mg/kg, IP) thirty minutes prior to the hypothermia procedure completely reversed the behavioral depression found in Experiment 1. Tyrosine administration did not significantly influence the rate of deep body cooling during the hypothermia treatment.
Maximum Distance Throwing Simulation and Analysis

This paper proposes a numerical framework that generates maximum distance throwing motions and the associated dynamic results for a whole-body human mechanism. Multibody dynamic models of actuation, ground reaction force, and balance are incorporated into an optimization formulation. The algorithm outputs include the motion, required actuator torques, release parameters, and object projectile. Realistic human-like motions of maximum distance throwing are generated, which demonstrate valid kinematic and dynamic cause-effect relations. The maximum distance throw is associated with active movement of the arm and torso with larger ranges of motion.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Enhanced cochlear responses after sound exposure

Alternating potentials produced in Hensen's cells of Mongolian gerbils by sinusoidal stimuli were enhanced or depressed after exposure to broad-band sound of moderately high intensity, depending on exposure- and stimulus intensities. Since Hensen's cell responses have been shown to be identical in phase and directly proportional in magnitude to outer hair cell (OHC) responses (Oesterle, E.C., Dallos, P., 1989, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 86 (3), 1013-1032.; Zwislocki, J.J., Slepecky, N.B., Cefaratti, L., Smith, R.L., 1992, Hear. Res. 57, 175-194), it was assumed that these changes were reflections of changes in OHC receptor potentials, which were of main interest. The indirect method of intracellularly recording the Hensen's cell potentials rather than OHC potentials was used to minimize damage to the organ of Corti and reduce technical difficulties associated with repeated recordings from OHCs. Continuous magnitude and phase transfer functions (TFs) were obtained before and after the exposure over a range of sound pressure levels (SPLs) extending from 40-90 dB by using frequency sweeps ranging from 0.125-18 kHz. Cochlear microphonic (CM) TFs were also acquired over the same frequency and intensity ranges for monitoring purposes. The exposure stimuli were set at 80, 86, 90 or 100 dB SPL for periods ranging from 10-40 min. When response enhancement occurred, it was most clearly seen in the peak of the transfer function determined at 90 dB SPL. Enhancement ranged from approximately 12-230% of the original peak. In contrast, control Hensen's cell recordings obtained over periods of up to 130 min revealed great response stability. In all reliable recordings, response enhancement was associated with a phase lead or no phase change. The strongest exposure stimuli tended to produce sensitivity loss accompanied by phase lag at the lower SPLs, in agreement with previous work in this laboratory (Zhang and Zwislocki, 1995). In some preparations, both sensitivity loss at lower SPLs and enhancement at higher SPLs occurred simultaneously, suggesting involvement of two different mechanisms.
Mucosal healing is associated with improved long-term outcome of maintenance therapy with natalizumab in Crohn's disease.

Background Natalizumab is an efficacious agent for induction and maintenance of remission in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) who have failed anti-tumor necrosis factor agents. We aimed to assess the impact of endoscopic severity and mucosal healing on the long-term outcome of natalizumab treatment in CD. Methods We retrospectively assessed endoscopic severity according to the Simple Endoscopic Score for Crohn's Disease in patients with CD who received natalizumab therapy. The degree of endoscopic severity before natalizumab treatment and mucosal healing after treatment and their correlation with long-term outcome were studied. Results Thirty-two patients with CD (15 male, median age 32.5 years) receiving natalizumab underwent at least 1 colonoscopy before or during natalizumab treatment. All patients had previously failed immunomodulator(s), and 31 failed anti-tumor necrosis factor agent(s). Mean duration of natalizumab treatment was 14.1 months. Baseline Simple Endoscopic Score for CD was categorized into quartiles, and those with a greater score were less likely to respond to treatment as assessed by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis (n = 32, log-rank test, P = 0.0055). Mucosal healing (decrease of Simple Endoscopic Score for CD of >70%) was achieved in 11 of 26 patients (42.3%), and this was correlated with an improved long-term outcome (log-rank test, P = 0.0063). Conclusions The degree of endoscopic inflammation correlates to response to natalizumab and maintenance of remission. These findings provide prognostic information for patient management decisions.
Genome-Wide Patterns of Expression in Drosophila Pure Species and Hybrid Males. II. Examination of Multiple-Species Hybridizations, Platforms, and Life Cycle Stages

Species often produce sterile hybrids early in their evolutionary divergence, and some evidence suggests that hybrid sterility may be associated with deviations or disruptions in gene expression. In support of this idea, many studies have shown that a high proportion of male-biased genes are underexpressed, compared with non-sex-biased genes, in sterile F1 male hybrids of Drosophila species. In this study, we examined and compared patterns of misexpression in sterile F1 male hybrids of Drosophila simulans and 2 of its sibling species, Drosophila mauritiana and Drosophila sechellia, at both the larval and adult life stages. We analyzed hybrids using both commercial Drosophila melanogaster microarrays and arrays we developed from reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reactions of spermatogenesis and reproduction-related transcripts from these species (sperm array). Although the majority of misexpressed transcripts were underexpressed, a disproportionate number of the overexpressed transcripts were located on the X chromosome. We detected a high overlap in the genes misexpressed between the 2 species pairs, and our sperm array was better at detecting such misexpression than the D. melanogaster array, suggesting possible weaknesses in the use of an array designed from another species. We found only minimal misexpression in the larval samples with the sperm array, suggesting that disruptions in spermatogenesis occur after this life stage. Further study of these misexpressed loci may allow us to identify precisely where disruptions in the spermatogenesis pathway occur.
Changes in kindergarten: Why here? Why now?☆

Abstract This article identifies and analyzes a number of policy trends in kindergartens in Virginia. Three questions are posed: (1) What is occurring? (2) Why is it occurring? (3) What are the implications for informed and coherent policy? The author analyzes these trends against the larger backdrop of what is occurring across elementary schooling. It is argued that the kindergarten has been absorbed into the elementary school and that contemporary trends are the result of an ongoing and long-lived struggle for control of the elementary curriculum. The positions of two opposing groups, the School Effectiveness Group and the Developmentalists, are examined. It is further argued that present policy lacks a sound empirical and theoretical basis.
Design Considerations For Image Viewstations

There are a number of institutions and equipment manufacturers developing PAC systems or components of such systems. Much effort at our medical center has gone into the development of a workstation for radiologists, and this has been one of the primary devices built by others as well. As a result, diagnostic viewing stations are in operation and their designs are being refined. We have begun to examine the problem posed by the large number of viewing devices which may be required to satisfy the needs of the physicians and clinicians who refer patients to Radiology and want to see the studies which have been performed. Currently, this function is supported by a large number of film viewboxes and alternators both in the Radiology Department and in other hospital locations. It would be prohibitively expensive to replace all such viewing devices with diagnostic workstations, so we have considered the possible alternatives. We call this class of electronic viewing device the image viewstation. The goal of the design of an image viewstation is to satisfy user requirements at reasonable cost. However, we also need to design a device which can be interfaced to a network easily. This has led us to consider systems with both analog and digital image transmission. The former has the advantage of speed, the latter the desired full dynamic range and resolution. To a large extent, the method chosen is network dependent. This paper discusses the designs we have envisioned, the reasons we have chosen them, and how they might be implemented.
Affective Valence, Stimulus Attributes, and P300: Color vs. Black/White and Normal vs. Scrambled Images

Pictures from the International Affective Picture System (IAPS) were selected to manipulate affective valence (unpleasant, neutral, pleasant) while keeping arousal level the same. The pictures were presented in an oddball paradigm, with a visual pattern used as the standard stimulus. Subjects pressed a button whenever a target was detected. Experiment 1 presented normal pictures in color and black/white. Control stimuli were constructed for both the color and black/white conditions by randomly rearranging 1 cm square fragments of each original picture to produce a “scrambled” image. Experiment 2 presented the same normal color pictures with large, medium, and small scrambled condition (2, 1, and 0.5 cm squares). The P300 event-related brain potential demonstrated larger amplitudes over frontal areas for positive compared to negative or neutral images for normal color pictures in both experiments. Attenuated and nonsignificant valence effects were obtained for black/white images. Scrambled stimuli in each study yielded no valence effects but demonstrated typical P300 topography that increased from frontal to parietal areas. The findings suggest that P300 amplitude is sensitive to affective picture valence in the absence of stimulus arousal differences, and that stimulus color contributes to ERP valence effects.
The structure and function of Niemann-Pick C1-like 1 protein.

Purpose of review Intestinal absorption and biliary excretion of cholesterol represent two major pathways by which the body regulates cholesterol homeostasis. Niemann-Pick C1-like 1 (NPC1L1) is a polytopic transmembrane protein containing a sterol-sensing domain of unknown function. In 2004, NPC1L1 was identified to be essential for intestinal cholesterol absorption, a process that is sensitive to a cholesterol absorption inhibitor ezetimibe. This review summarizes recent studies on NPC1L1 function and proposes a model for NPC1L1-dependent cholesterol uptake. Recent findings Cell culture experiments have shown that NPC1L1 mediates cellular uptake of various sterols but seems to have lower affinity to plant sterols than cholesterol. Transgenic animal studies have demonstrated that hepatic NPC1L1 has the potential to regulate biliary cholesterol excretion. Cholesterol and many transcriptional factors appear to regulate NPC1L1 gene expression. NPC1L1 protein is enriched in the apical membrane of polarized cells and its intracellular itineraries are clearly regulated by cholesterol availability. Evidence suggests cholesterol-regulated clathrin-mediated endocytosis is likely the cellular basis for NPC1L1-dependent cholesterol uptake, which may reconcile disagreement regarding NPC1L1 subcellular localization. Summary NPC1L1 may have evolved at two sites (apical membrane of enterocytes and canalicular membrane of hepatocytes) to mediate cholesterol uptake through a clathrin-mediated endocytic process, protecting the body against fecal and biliary loss of cholesterol.
Multiple scattered radiation emerging from Rayleigh and continental haze layers. 1: Radiance, polarization, and neutral points.

The matrix operator method was used to calculate the polarization of radiation scattered on layers of various optical thicknesses, with results compared for Rayleigh scattering and for scattering from a continental haze. In both cases, there are neutral points arising from the zeros of the polarization of single scattered photons at scattering angles of zero and 180 degrees. The angular position of these Rayleigh-like neutral points (RNP) in the sky shows appreciable variation with the optical thickness of the scattering layer for a Rayleigh phase matrix, but only a small variation for haze L phase matrix. Another type of neutral point exists for non-Rayleigh phase functions that is associated with the zeros of the polarization for single scattering which occurs between the end points of the curve. A comparison of radiances calculated from the complete theory of radiative transfer using Stokes vectors with those obtained from the scalar theory shows that differences of the order of 23% may be obtained for Rayleigh scattering, while the largest difference found for a haze L phase function was of the order of 0.1%.
Theoretical investigation of transmission through a Faraday-active Fabry–Perot étalon

The multiple-beam summation method is used to construct a Fabry–Perot-cavity theory that takes into consideration the Faraday rotation effect. The transmission functions and the state of the polarizations are derived and discussed for the resonant and the off-resonant cavity configurations. The transmission function that includes the analyzer is also derived and discussed. The results in resonance configuration agree with the early theoretical and experimental results: mainly that the Faraday rotation can be resonantly enhanced by the Fabry–Perot cavity. In the off-resonance configuration the transmission as a function of the single-trip phase consists of two Airy functions separated by a distance of twice of the single-trip Faraday rotation. In the high reflectivity limit, the light at the peak becomes quasi-circularly polarized. The effect of this resonant structure on the Fabry–Perot cavity as a spectroscopic tool is mentioned.
431 Gastroenterology (GI) Trainees Can Achieve the PIVI Benchmarks for Real-Time Characterization of the Histology of Diminutive (≤ 5mm) Polyps (DP) - a Prospective Study

respectively (P!0.05). The area of the esophageal wall defect was 0.70 0.63cm2 in SEMS group and 0.17 0.16cm2 in PEMS group, respectively (P!0.05). Tumor area under EUS was 4.40 1.47 cm2 in SEMS group and 1.30 1.06cm2 in PEMS group, respectively (P!0.05). Other indices were not significantly different among these two groups. Conclusion: A PEMS can be an alternative tool for advanced esophageal cancer which may inhibit tumor growth by serving a drug sustained-release platform. Clinical trails of this stent are needed in the near future.