cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The emerging role of magnetic resonance angiography in the management of patients with third cranial nerve palsy.

Abstract PURPOSE: To discuss the sensitivity of three-dimensional time-of-flight (3D TOF) magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) for detecting aneurysms causing third cranial nerve palsy and to propose guidelines for the use of MRA in the evaluation of patients with different clinical presentations of oculomotor nerve palsy. METHODS: From a review of the scientific literature, we determined the proportion of aneurysms of various size that cause third nerve palsy, the sensitivity of MRA in detecting aneurysms of these size classes, and the relationship of aneurysmal size to rupture. RESULTS: The data disclose that properly performed and interpreted 3D TOF MRA will overlook only 1.5% of aneurysms producing third cranial nerve palsy that will, if untreated, rupture during the subsequent 8 years. CONCLUSIONS: Magnetic resonance angiography plays an important diagnostic role in the evaluation of patients with isolated third cranial nerve palsy. However, because of the potentially drastic consequences of overlooking an aneurysm, MRA should be the definitive screening test only among patients with a relatively low likelihood of harboring an aneurysm or a relatively high likelihood of suffering a complication from catheter angiography.
Revisiting the gap between stylized and diary estimates of market work time.

Abstract Previous studies find that workers of longer work weeks report more market hours in stylized measure than in time diary, while those of shorter work weeks report fewer hours. Using data from the American Time Use Survey (ATUS) 2003–2007, this paper attempts to explain this dilemma. I argue that market work time is composed of activity time, committed time, and constrained time. Thus, part of the difference found between the two estimates is due to the calculation of the diary estimate. I also argue that the wording of the stylized question is consequential. Some stylized questions (e.g., How many hours per week do you usually work?) might capture the mode, instead of the mean, of work time. Thus, when the distribution of work time is skewed, the mismatch between the two estimates is expected. A sequence-based identification for diary estimate and a non-parametric adjustment for stylized estimate are proposed and empirically examined. The result indicates that both methods significantly reduce the observed gap between the two estimates. I discuss the implications for future time use survey design in the concluding section.
Timing of Computed Tomography and Prediction of Vasospasm after Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

The initial noncontrast computed tomography (CT) study of the head after an aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is used to predict the risk of developing vasospasm. Changes in the extent of subarachnoid blood seen on CT images occur as a function of time after SAH, but there is no consensus on the time interval during which this study needs to be completed. Clinical and radiological information on adult SAH patients were reviewed. Patients were grouped based on the time elapsed from ictus to the initial head CT study. The amount of subarachnoid blood on CT was graded using the Hijdra sum score (HSS) and the modified Fisher scale (MFS). The relationship between the initial CT grading score and the risk of angiographic vasospasm was assessed for each group. A total of 224 consecutive patients were identified (145 females, 65%). Initial CT was performed within 24 h of the event in 163 (Group 1, 73%) and after 24 h in 61 patients (Group 2, 27%). A total of 54 patients (24%) developed angiographic vasospasm. A statistically significant association between the extent of subarachnoid blood and subsequent development of vasospasm was observed only if the initial CT imaging study was performed within 24 h of aneurysmal rupture (P = 0.0001 and 0.02 for HSS and MFS, respectively). We propose that only CT scans obtained within 24 h of a subarachnoid bleeding event should be used to estimate the risk of vasospasm.
Effect of antihypertensive treatment on endothelium-dependent vascular relaxation in patients with essential hypertension

Objectives. This study was designed to determine whether antihypertensive treatment can restore the impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilation of patients with essential hypertension. Background. The endothelium regulates vascular tone through the release of vasoactive agents that act on the underlying vascular smooth muscle. This endothelial function is impaired in certain cardiovascular conditions, including essential hypertension. Methods. The vascular responses to acetylcholine (endothelium-dependent vasodilator, 7.5, 15 and 30 μg/min) and sodium nitroprusside (direct dilator of smooth muscle, 0.8, 1.6, 3.2 μg/min) were studied in 15 patients (11 men and 4 women with a mean age of 54.1 ± 12 years) on two occasions: after withdrawal of medications, when the patients were hypertensive, and during the medical treatment that reduced blood pressure to within normal limits in each patient. The results were compared with those obtained in 15 normal control subjects (10 men and 5 women with a mean age of 52.3 ± 7 years). Drugs were infused into the brachial artery, and forearm blood flow response was measured by strain gauge plethysmography. Results. The blood flow and vascular resistance responses to acetylcholine were significantly reduced in the hypertensive patients (p < 0.0001); maximal forearm flow (ml/min per 100 ml) was 7.0 ± 4 ml in the patients and 16.7 ± 5 in the control subjects (p < 0.005). However, no significant differences bgtweea groups were observed in the responses to sodium nitroprusside. In patients with essential hypertension, the vascular responses to acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside were net modified by medical therapy. Maximal forearm flow with acetylcholine (ml/ min per 100 ml) was 7.2 ± 2 during antihypertensive therapy and 7.0 ± 4 after medication withdrawal. Conclusions. Clinically effective antihypertensive therapy does not restore the impaired endothelium-dependent vascular relaxation of patients with essential hypertension. This indicates that such endothelial dysfunction is either primary or becomes irreversible once the hypertensive process has become established.
Decision dependability and its application to identity management

In this paper we describe decision dependability theory for binary classification problems. Each classification decision is subjected to an informal evaluation of confidence that can be attributed to it. The confidence measure emanates from the strength of evidence which supports the decision. We utilize decision dependability theory in the context of multimodal biometric identity verification systems. The confidence measure is estimated from quality and match scores of biometric samples using subjective Bayesian methodology. We demonstrate how fusion algorithms, such as Bayesian belief networks and likelihood ratio, can be complemented with decision dependability in order to predict classification errors. Furthermore, we illustrate how decision dependability can be used to rectify incorrect decisions.
Investigations of the Mechanism of Gold Nanoparticle Stability and Surface Functionalization in Capillary Electrophoresis

Covalently functionalized gold nanoparticles influence capillary electrophoresis separations of neurotransmitters in a concentration- and surface-chemistry-dependent manner. Gold nanoparticles with either primarily covalently functionalized carboxylic acid (Au@COOH) or amine (Au@NH2) surface groups are characterized using extinction spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and zeta potential measurements. The impact of the presence of nanoparticles and their surface chemistry is investigated, and at least three nanoparticle-specific mechanisms are found to effect separations. First, the degree of nanoparticle−nanoparticle interactions is quantified using a new parameter termed the critical nanoparticle concentration (CNC). CNC is defined as the lowest concentration of nanoparticles that induces predominant nanoparticle aggregation under specific buffer conditions and is determined using dual-wavelength photodiode array detection. Once the CNC has been exceeded, reproducible separations are no longe...
To theme or not to theme: Can theme strength be the music industry's killer app?

Music bundling has been the mainstay of the music industry for decades. Record companies and producers have selected bundles of songs and sold them as albums, their most important revenue source. Digitization and piracy of music have threatened this standard business model with consumers increasingly purchasing music a la carte. In this study, we analyze a strategy for designing successful albums through using new concepts of themed bundling. Thematic bundling can lower consumer search costs and dampen the incentive to pirate music, and can potentially be a win-win strategy for both consumers and music companies. Unlike prior work in economics on bundling which typically seeks to determine the optimal price, bundle size and composition, we focus on a restricted bundling problem, since the price of the bundled product (i.e. an album) is generally set over a narrow range as is the number of items (i.e. songs) in the bundle. Our key results and insights are derived using analytic modeling and extended through numerical analysis. In addition, our key findings are supported by our empirical analysis of music album chart performance.
Little India, Next Exit: Ethnic destinations in the city

■ In Southern California, as in many other metropolitan regions across the US, some places are identified as ethnic destinations: publicly labeled or branded urban spaces designed to highlight an ethnic area to city residents and tourists. This article analyzes the social and political processes that are critical to the ethnic branding of urban places by examining a political dispute in 2003 over the placement of a freeway sign in the City of Artesia, in southeastern Los Angeles County, that would have identified the area as ‘Little India’ to passing motorists. This article shows that ethnic labeling does not arise simply from an area’s demographic composition; ethnic entrepreneurs play an important role. Ethnic tensions, which can emerge when labeling is proposed, can fragment residents and businesses in the locality. If this occurs, the decisions of political actors and their relationships to one another are critical to resolving — or exacerbating — the dispute.
Spatial climatic variation and its control on glacier equilibrium line altitude in Taylor Valley, Antarctica

Abstract The altitude of the equilibrium line (ELA) is an important variable describing a glacier because it helps to define the relation between the local climate and distribution of glacier mass. For the glaciers in the McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica, the ELA rises rapidly with distance from the coast at a rate of about 30 m km−1, which is almost an order of magnitude greater than rates found in temperate glacier regimes. In one of the dry valleys, Taylor Valley, the ELA trend is not smooth but exhibits an abrupt shift of about 700 m yielding a local gradient of about 70 m km−1. The geographic location of the shift coincides with the Nussbaum Riegel, a ridge in the middle of the valley, which apparently exerts a strong control on the climatic pattern in Taylor Valley. To reveal the specific climatic factors responsible for the abrupt shift in ELA, we applied a theoretical analysis of ELA response to step changes in climate. Model results predicted an ELA rise of 729 m, which compares favorably to the observed 700 m change. The two most important climatic factors are differences in precipitation and wind speed. Whereas precipitation is expected to be a major factor determining ELA position for glaciers worldwide, because it determines the rate of mass accumulation, wind speed has not been previously recognized. In polar regions, where melting is typically absent, sublimation is the only significant process by which glaciers lose mass and its rate largely depends on wind speed rather than temperature. These findings highlight the sensitivity of polar glaciers to climatic differences over short distances, which have profound effects on the ELA and, in turn, glacier geometry. This study also points to the importance of understanding spatial differences in climates before piecing together a temporal climatic history based on data derived from different glaciers.
Dynamical properties of spin-orbital chains in a magnetic field

The excitation spectrum of the one-dimensional spin-orbital model in a magnetic field is studied, using a recently developed dynamical density matrix renormalization group technique. The method is employed on chains with up to 80 sites, and examined for test cases such as the spin-1/2 antiferromagnetic Heisenberg chain, where the excitation spectrum is known exactly from the Bethe Ansatz. In the spin-orbital chain, the characteristic dynamical response depends strongly on the model parameters and the applied magnetic field. The coupling between the spin and orbital degrees of freedom is found to influence the incommensuration at finite magnetizations. In the regions of the phase diagram with only massive spin and orbital excitations, a finite field is required to overcome the spin gap. An incommensurate orbital mode is found to become massless in this partially spin-polarized regime, indicating a strong coupling between the two degrees of freedom. In the critical region with three elementary gapless excitations, a prominent particle-hole excitation is observed at higher energies, promoted by the biquadratic term in the model Hamiltonian of the spin-orbital chain.
Transient neonatal acquired von Willebrand syndrome due to transplacental transfer of maternal monoclonal antibodies.

Although typically a disorder of adults, acquired von Willebrand syndrome (AVWS) is increasingly being recognized in the pediatric population in association with congenital cardiac diseases, certain neoplasia, and hypothyroidism. Transplacental transfer of maternal immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies as a cause of neonatal disorders in infants born to mothers with autoimmune conditions has been reported. We describe the diagnosis and peripartum clinical management of AVWS due to monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and the first reported case of transient neonatal AVWS due to transplacental transfer of maternal IgG antibodies. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;53:655–657. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Thermohydraulic performance of air heating solar collectors with variable width, flat absorber plates

The study investigates the more general and fundamental case when variable width absorbers are utilized instead of conventional rectangular plates in collecting incident solar radiation. The geometries considered include trapezoidal and concave parabolic absorbers having the same surface area. The effect of absorber shape on collector thermohydraulic performance has been examined for three common models with air flowing over the flat absorber, or under it, and on both sides of the absorber. The results are compared with those of rectangular absorber models over a wide range of mass flow rate and solar energy flux. Under the same operating conditions, the comparisons indicate that variable width collectors exhibit performance behavior similar to those of the constant width corresponding models, but it is accompanied by a marginal decrease in air temperature rise and collection efficiency along with a slight increase in fan power consumption. The comparisons do, thus, support the idea of employing variable width collectors in solar air heating applications, especially those which have design constraints on the investment costs and on the space available to install air collectors. For such applications, trapezoidal shape collectors are highly recommended.
Dried fruits: excellent in vitro and in vivo antioxidants.

Objective: The goal of this work is to determine the amount and quality of phenol antioxidants in dried fruits and compare them with the corresponding fresh fruits; to compare the nutrients in fresh and dried fruits; to determine if figs are a source of in vivo antioxidants when eaten.Methods: Commercial samples of dried fruits and fresh fruits were compared in the in vitro studies using a colorimetric method to measure phenolic antioxidants. The quality of the antioxidants was measured by inhibition of lower density lipoprotein oxidation. Ten normal free-living subjects were tested in the human study. Fasting subjects were given 40 g of figs with or without a carbonated beverage and the plasma antioxidant capacity was measured for six hours using the trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity assay.Results: Dates have the highest concentration of polyphenols among the dried fruits. Figs and dried plums have the best nutrient score among the dried fruits, and dates among the fresh fruits. Processing to produc...
The procoagulant properties of purified fibrinogen concentrate are enhanced by carbon monoxide releasing molecule-2.

Abstract Introduction Fibrinogen concentrate has been demonstrated to enhance coagulation in vitro and in several clinical settings of coagulopathy. We have recently demonstrated that carbon monoxide releasing molecule-2 (tricarbonyldichlororuthenium (II) dimer; CORM-2) enhances fibrinogen as a substrate for thrombin via an attached heme. The objective of this study was to determine if CORM-2 modified fibrinogen concentrate would enhance coagulation more effectively than CORM-2 naive fibrinogen concentrate. Materials and Methods In the first series of experiments, fibrinogen concentrate (final concentration 300 mg/dl) was exposed to 0, 50 or 100 μM CORM-2 for 5 min at 37 °C prior to being added to citrated, fibrinogen depleted plasma. In another series of experiments, citrated plasma obtained from 12 normal subjects was 50% diluted with crystalloid to which was added fibrinogen concentrate (final concentration 300 mg/dl) exposed to 0 or 100 μM CORM-2. Coagulation was activated with tissue factor (n = 8 per condition). Thrombus growth was monitored with thrombelastography for 15 min. Results and Conclusions CORM-2 modification of fibrinogen concentrate significantly enhanced the velocity of clot formation (30-50%) and strength (15-31%) in fibrinogen deficient plasma. Similarly, while diluted plasma-derived thrombi demonstrated a marked decrease in velocity of formation (54%) and strength (61%), fibrinogen concentrate significantly enhanced velocity (217%) and strength (171%); however, CORM-2 modified fibrinogen concentrate significantly increased velocity (303%) and strength (205%) to a greater extent. Additional in vitro investigation and in vivo preclinical assessments of the hemostatic efficacy of CORM-2 modified fibrinogen concentrate are warranted.
Noise Measurements During High-Frequency Oscillatory and Conventional Mechanical Ventilation

Objective To evaluate the noise levels with high-frequency oscillatory ventilation and conventional mechanical ventilation. Design An observational, prospective study. Setting Pediatric intensive care unit. Subjects The caretakers and environment of the pediatric intensive care unit. Interventions High-frequency oscillatory and conventional mechanical ventilation. Measurements and main results Caretakers evaluated noise using a visual analog scale. Noise was measured with a decibel meter and an octave band frequency filter. There was twice as much noise perceived by the caretakers and as measured on the decibel A scale. All measures showed significantly greater noise, especially at low frequencies, with high-frequency oscillatory ventilation. Conclusions High-frequency oscillatory ventilation exposes the patient to twice as much noise as does the use of conventional mechanical ventilation.
THE CONCEPTUAL LINKS BETWEEN RECREATION SITE DEVELOPMENT AND REGIONAL ECONOMIC IMPACTS

ABSTRACT. Assessing regional economic impacts of recreation trips is important to public agencies' decisions about using recreation as a rural development tool. Minimizing the total cost of recreation trip production implies that households will spatially distribute their purchases of inputs to trip production, including both trip-specific inputs and durable recreation equipment. A recreation site contributes to a region's economic growth through household purchases of trip inputs. The site's cost effects, price information effects, and recreation and retail agglomeration effects cause changes in household recreation purchases and ultimately generate regional economic impacts.
Relationship between UDP-Galactose 4′-Epimerase Activity and Galactose Sensitivity in Yeast

UDP-galactose 4′-epimerase (GALE) catalyzes the final step of the highly conserved Leloir pathway of galactose metabolism. Loss of GALE in humans results in a variant form of the metabolic disorder, galactosemia. Loss of GALE in yeast results in galactose-dependent growth arrest. Although the role of GALE in galactose metabolism has been recognized for decades, the precise relationship between GALE activity and galactose sensitivity has remained unclear. Here we have explored this relationship by asking the following. 1) Is GALE rate-limiting for galactose metabolism in yeast? 2) What is the relationship between GALE activity and galactose-dependent growth arrest in yeast? 3) What is the relationship between GALE activity and the abnormal accumulation of galactose metabolites in yeast? To answer these questions we engineered a strain of yeast in which GALE was doxycycline-repressible and studied these cells under conditions of intermediate GALE expression. Our results demonstrated a smooth linear relationship between galactose metabolism and GALE activity over a range from 0 to ∼5% but a steep threshold relationship between growth rate in galactose and GALE activity over the same range. The relationship between abnormal accumulation of metabolites and GALE activity was also linear over the range from 0 to ∼5%, suggesting that if the abnormal accumulation of metabolites underlies galactose-dependent growth-arrest in GALE-impaired yeast, either the impact of individual metabolites must be synergistic and/or the threshold of sensitivity must be very steep. Together these data reveal important points of similarity and contrast between the roles of GALE and galactose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase in galactose metabolism in yeast and provide a framework for future studies in mammalian systems.
Effect of in utero ethanol exposure on the postnatal ontogeny of insulin-like growth factor-1, and type-1 and type-2 insulin-like growth factor receptors in the rat brain

Abstract There is convincing evidence that alcohol consumption during pregnancy causes major CNS abnormalities; however, the molecular and cellular basis of these dysfunctions is currently not understood. This study examined the effects of prenatal ethanol exposure on the expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 messenger RNA and type-1 and type-2 receptor protein and messenger RNA expression in the developing rat brain. Mothers were maintained on an ethanol containing liquid diet from day 2 of pregnancy through parturition and the offspring were killed at birth, 10, 20 and 40 days of age. Insulin-like growth factor-1 messenger RNA, and insulin-like growth factor receptors demonstrated developmentally dependent expression in specific brain regions throughout the postnatal period of CNS maturation. Insulin-like growth factor-1 gene expression in the brain, as analysed by dot-blot hybridization, was greatest at birth, and decreased 61% in ad libitum and pair-fed animals by 20 days of age. In contrast, ethanol-treated animals exhibited only a 25% decrease in insulin-like growth factor-1 messenger RNA levels during the same period. This delay in insulin-like growth factor-1 messenger RNA maturation may be related to a developmental delay in CNS development in the prenatally ethanol exposed offspring. Prenatal ethanol exposure did not alter the observed localization of insulin-like growth factor-1 messenger RNA. While alterations were observed in long-term insulin-like growth factor-1 messenger RNA regulation, quantitative receptor autoradiography and in situ hybridization demonstrated no alterations in either type-1 or type-2 insulin-like growth factor receptor populations in ethanol-treated animals. Changes in hepatic and plasma insulin-like growth factor-1 and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein regulation have also been observed in these animals, suggesting changes in protein translation and the autocrine/paracrine actions of this peptide. The present study demonstrated that insulin-like growth factor-1 messenger RNA and insulin-like growth factor receptors are regionally expressed during early postnatal development and that ethanol administration influenced the long-term regulation of insulin-like growth factor messenger RNA levels in the brain without affecting either its localization or insulin-like growth factor receptor populations. These results, in combination with previous results from our laboratory on the effects of prenatal ethanol exposure on plasma insulin-like growth factor-1 and insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins, provide additional evidence that even modest levels of prenatal ethanol exposure enhance the possibility of alterations in growth promoting peptides in the fetus and neonate, leading to an increased risk of fetal alcohol effects in the offspring.
Fluid Mechanical Design of a Dry-Cooling System Thermal Storage Reservoir, or Stratification Minimization in Horizontal Channel Flow

The use of a capacative Thermal Storage Reservoir (TSR) initially filled with water as part of a dry cooling system for a central power station is attractive economically if the reservoir can be designed to operate in an approximate ''plug-flow'' mode--discharging cold water to the condenser and filling with hot water from the cooling tower. Such a system would avoid the loss of station capacity associated with dry cooling at high dry-bulb temperatures, and the economic penalties due to such lossess when they coincide with electrical peak demands as is common in the US. The initial employment of this concept is most likely to occur in solar-powered thermal electric power stations in arid climates in view of the likely low thermal efficiency and limited cooling water access of such plants. Buoyant flow stratification hinders attaining this goal since it can cause ''short circuiting'' of the TSR. For adequate flow control, a long narrow reservoir configuration is desirable. In investigating the behavior of such a TSR experimentally, it was found that over the range of cases examined the injection of water into such a reservoir which is initially at different temperature always results in a stratified flow superimposed upon the grossmore » plug flow of the TSR, and it was found that acceptable performance could be obtained inexpensively by placing flow-constricting barriers at regular intervals along the reservoir length. Experimental investigation of barrier design and spacing has permitted definition of a practical prototype TSR design with 85% the capacity of a plug-flow TSR.« less
Effect of prey stage on life-table attributes of a genetically manipulated strain of Metaseiulus occidentalis (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Metaseiulus occidentalis females from the carbaryl-organophosphate-sulfur resistant strain (COS) lived longer (25.3 days versus 19.7 days), had a higher total fecundity (43.8 eggs female−1 versus 33.6 eggs female−1) and a higher daily fecundity rate (2.4 eggs female−1 day−1 versus 2.0 eggs female−1 day−1), and exhibited a higher intrinsic rate of increase (0.243 individuals female−1 day−1 versus 0.182 individuals female−1 day−1) and shorter generation time (13.9 days versus 17.0 days), at 24–28°C, 47–56%rh under continuous fluorescent light, when reared on a diet of 0–48-h-old eggs rather than a diet of mixed actives ofTetranychus pacificus McGregor on bean leaf disks. The sexratio of the progeny was female-biased for both diets, 2.1 females to 1 male forM. occidentalis reared on eggs and 2.0:1 ♀:♂ forM. occidentalis reared on mixed actives, suggesting that diet influences sex-ratio in some unknown way. There was no significant difference in oviposition rates for repeatedly-mated and once-matedM. occidentalis females reared on a diet of younger (0–24-h old) eggs compared to a diet of older (72–96-h old) eggs ofT. pacificus. The COS strain ofM. occidentalis exhibited life-table parameters comparable to the other strains reported in the literature, suggesting that the reproductive attributes of this acarine predator were not reduced as a result of artificial laboratory selection. Diet, a biotic factor, produced substantial differences in life-table parameters, suggesting that this factor can influence conclusions regarding the potential efficacy of biological control agents.
Spatio-temporal querying recurrent multimedia databases using a semantic sequence state graph

We present an indexing method for spatiotemporal data: semantic sequence state graph (S3G). S3G maintains objects with their locations as states and events as transitions. The spatial information is maintained in states while the semantic events result in temporal ordering between the states. If the objects visit the same locations repeatedly, we call such databases as recurrent databases. Our querying interface supports queries based on spatio-temporal logic that includes operators such as ‘next’ and ‘eventually’. The interactive querying interface enables the user to build the query interactively and see the intermediate results of the query.
Correlation of C-reactive protein to severity of symptoms in acute influenza A infection.

Background: Currently there is no objective measure to determine disease severity in patients with acute influenza infection. During acute viral infections, C-reactive protein (CRP) has been shown to be elevated. Aim: To study the relationship between the symptoms of acute influenza A infection and correlate them with the level of inflammation as measured by serum CRP levels. Settings and Design: Prospective study. Materials and Methods: We enrolled a convenience sample of adults presenting to an urban academic emergency department (ED), who had positive Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay detection of the influenza A antigen. The subjects were excluded if they had immunosuppression, liver disease or were currently taking antiviral medication. A previously validated severity of symptom (SOS) score was calculated by asking the participants to record the severity of seven symptoms associated with influenza infection. The subjects had the serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels tested during their ED visit. Statistical Analysis: A linear regression model was used with CRP as a predictor of the SOS score. Pearson's product-moment coefficient was used to measure the dependence between the two quantities. Results: Thirty-two subjects were enrolled from January through March 2009, and of those, eight patients were excluded from the analysis, leaving 24 study subjects: 58% were women, of ages 18 to 63 years, with a mean age of 31 years (95% CI 25, 37). The mean SOS score was 14.1 ranging from 6 to 21 (95% CI 12.6, 26.4). The mean CRP score was 24.6 ranging from 0 to 64.7 (95% CI 15.8, 33.4). The correlation coefficient between the SOS score and CRP levels was r = 0.65 (P=0.00056). Conclusion: The severity of symptoms associated with acute influenza A infection correlateswith the serum CRP levels.
Back Scattering from Water and Land at Centimeter and Millimeter Wavelengths

The back scattering from water and several land terrains has been measured at wavelengths of 3.2 cm, 1.25 cm, and 8.6 mm using vertical polarization only. ?°, the average radar cross section of water or land echo per unit area of the surface, has been plotted as a function of the angle of incidence for the three wavelengths. A family of curves at each of the three wavelengths shows the change in ?° with wind velocity for the water surface. ?° is also shown as a function of the angle of incidence for several land terrains. In general, ?° increases with frequency and also with wind velocity in the case of the water surface.
The origin and structure of the secondary coat of the egg of Drosophila melanogaster

The techniques of light and electron microscopy have been employed in a study of the protective coverings of the egg of Drosophila melanogaster. Data obtained during this investigation suggest the involvement of the follicle cells, in the production of one of these coverings and justify its classification as a secondary coat. The secondary coat of D. melanogaster is highly organized and has been divided into three Zones (I, II, IIII). The follicle cells enveloping the oocyte exhibit two phases of secretory activity each involving hypertrophy of the Golgi complex and rough endoplasmic reticulum, and the production of protein and polysaccharide components. The first phase concerns the elaboration of the material which gives rise to the homogeneous lamina referred to as Zone I. The second results in the release of an electron dense component which becomes organized into two laminae separated by struts or pillars; this construction is referred to as Zone II. At the completion of this secretory phase, the follicle cells assume a squamous morphology and a third Zone, composed of a homogeneous substance, appears between the follicle cells and Zone II.
A multiple-paradigm system for rangeland pest management

Abstract Polycultural agroecosystems, such as rangelands, are too complex and poorly understood to permit precise numerical simulation. Management decisions that depend on behavioral predictions of such ecosystems therefore require a variety of knowledge sources and reasoning techniques. Our approach to designing a computer system that provides advice concerning such ecosystems is to incorporate various reasoning paradigms and apply whatever paradigm is most appropriate to each task arising in the advice process. This approach is based on a particular process description of expert human problem solving that uses four different reasoning paradigms: model-based reasoning (MBR); case-based reasoning (CBR); rule-based reasoning (RBR); and statistical reasoning. The process description is implemented in CAse-based Range Management Adviser (CARMA), a computer system for advising ranchers about the best response to rangeland grasshopper infestations. CARMA attempts to emulate the human ability to integrate multiple knowledge sources and reasoning techniques in a flexible and opportunistic fashion. The goal of this approach is to enable computer systems to optimize the use of the diverse and incomplete knowledge sources and to produce patterns of reasoning that resemble those of human decision-makers.
Protein kinase D complexes with C-Jun N-terminal kinase via activation loop phosphorylation and phosphorylates the C-Jun N-terminus.

Protein kinase D (PKD), a downstream effector of protein kinase C (PKC), is implicated in suppression of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway, however, its mechanism of action is unclear. Transphosphorylation of the PKD activation loop at serines 744/748 by a PKC mediated signal transduction pathway enhances its catalytic activity. Here we show that PKD activation loop phosphorylation at serines 744/748 via PKC, or mutation of these serines to glutamic acid (PKD-S744/748E) also results in complex formation with JNK, indicating that suppression of JNK signaling by PKD involves a direct interaction with JNK. Because catalytically active PKD associates with JNK we determined whether it could phosphorylate the c-Jun N-terminus as a potential mechanism by which it suppresses c-Jun Ser 63 phosphorylation when it complexes with JNK. Purified human PKD and either wild-type PKD from phorbol 12, 13-dibutyrate (PDB)-stimulated cells or unstimulated constitutively active PKD (PKD-S744/748E), phosphorylated the c-Jun N-terminus between amino acids 1–89 at sites distinct from those phosphorylated by JNK. These results demonstrate, for the first time, phosphorylation dependent association of PKD with another signaling molecule and reveal a potential mechanism by which PKD could modulate the ability of JNK to phosphorylate c-Jun by phosphorylating alternative sites in the c-Jun N-terminus when it is complexed with JNK.
Radiation Measurements to 658,300 Km. with Pioneer IV

The flight of deep-space probe Pioneer IV is described, and radiation observations obtained are reported and discussed in comparison with Pioneer II and the first Soviet cosmic rocket results. In particular, the discussion includes: paucity of energetic plasma in interplanetary space March 3-6, 1959, lack of influence of the moon, re-determination of interplanetary cosmicray intensity, effective extent of the geomagnetic field, and the terrestrial ring current of Dolginov and Pushkov. (T.R.H.)
Somatic spines in the supraoptic nucleus of the rat hypothalamus.

Electron microscopic studies of ultrathin serial sections of the perikarya and adjacent neuropil of neurons of the supraoptic nucleus (SON) of the adult male rat revealed varying forms of two types of somatic spines. One type forms synapses with axons passing the cell, the other, without synapses, appears to serve as a buttress or clasp for adjacent neuronal and glial processes. The synapse-bearing spines lack the usual spine apparatus but contain the flocculent substance often seen in spines. The other spines do not exhibit either of these structures. These somatic spines were also seen in Golgi impregnated preparations but the types could not be distinguished. Certain axons synapse either on a somatic spine of the perikarya or penetrate the glial sheath of the neuron and synapse, usually repeatedly, on the soma in an en passant manner.
Fracture initiation and propagation in elastic brittle materials subjected to compressive stress fields — An experimental study

In a s e r i e s of p r e v i o u s p a p e r s [ i , 2 , 3] a t h e o r y h a s b e e n o u t l i n e d f o r the i n i t i a t i o n a n d p r o p a g a t i o n of m a c r o f r a c t u r e in e l a s t i c b r i t t l e m a t e r i a l s s u b j e c t e d to n o n h o m o g e n e o u s c o m p r e s s i v e s t r e s s f i e l d s . In t he p r e s e n t p a p e r t h i s t h e o r y i s e x a m i n e d e x p e r i m e n t a l l y . R e s u l t s s h o w e x c e l l e n t a g r e e m e n t w i t h the p r e d i c t e d f r a c t u r e i n i t i a t i o n l o c a t i o n a n d f o r c e l e v e l s a n d r e a s o n a b l e a g r e e m e n t w i t h t he p r e d i c t e d f r a c t u r e p r o p a g a t i o n .
Evaluation of descending aortic flow volumes and effective orifice area through aortic coarctation by spatiotemporal integration of color Doppler data: An in vitro study

Flow volumes in an in vitro model of the aorta with 3 different degrees of stiffness (stiff, moderately stiff, and compliant) proximal to a coarctation were calculated by using a digital color Doppler echocardiography flow calculation method that semi-automatically integrates spatial and temporal color flow velocity data. These flow volumes were compared with those obtained by the conventional pulsed Doppler method with reference to ultrasonic flowmeter. Flow volumes determined by the automated method agreed well with those obtained by ultrasonic flowmeter, even in this compliant aorta model with vessel size changing with pulsation, whereas the pulsed Doppler method overestimated the reference data, especially for more compliant descending aortic segments. The combination of flow data with continuous wave Doppler allows definition of effective orifice area for coarctation.
Can diffusion-weighted imaging be used to differentiate benign from pathologic fractures? A meta-analysis

Objective Conventional MR sequences are sometimes nonspecific in differentiating benign from pathologic fractures. To address this difficulty, diffusion-weighted images were conjectured to aid in this discrimination with variable results. As each of these studies contained somewhat small numbers of patients, we performed a meta-analysis to determine if this sequence may be used for this important diagnostic problem.
Reference-Based Benefit Design Changes Consumers’ Choices And Employers’ Payments For Ambulatory Surgery

Some employers are using reference-based benefit (RBB) designs, also known as “reference-based pricing,” to encourage patients to select lower-price ambulatory surgery centers instead of expensive hospital outpatient departments. This article analyzes the impact of such benefit designs for cataract removal surgery from the period 2009–13, using data on 2,347 surgical patients covered by the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), in comparison to 14,867 patients enrolled in non-CalPERS Anthem Blue Cross plans, which are not covered by RBB. After adjusting for changes in patient case-mix and other factors, the shift to RBB was associated with an increase in ambulatory surgery center use by 8.6 percentage points compared to trends among Anthem enrollees. Total employer and employee payments per procedure, after adjusting for changes in case-mix severity and market factors, declined by 19.7 percent compared with Anthem enrollees not subject to RBB. Consumer cost-sharing requirements increase...
Chemical characterization of electronic microstructures with sub-100 nm lateral resolution

Abstract Based on results obtained with the high-lateral-resolution scanning ion microprobe at the University of Chicago, the feasibility and limitations of sub-100 nm imaging microanalysis of microcircuits by secondary ion mass spectrometry are illustrated and critically discussed. Within the limits set by the trade-off between lateral resolution and elemental sensitivity, intrinsic of all microanalytical methods, this approach provides unprecedented opportunities for process evaluation. The capabilities of ion-induced secondary electron imaging are also assessed.
Potential Effects of Federal Policy Devolution on Local Housing Expenditures

As 1994 came to a close, the future of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the continued role of the federal government in low-income housing assistance was highly uncertain. The agency was targeted for elimination by congressional leaders, its budget was the object of recission attempts, and agency officials proposed a radical reinvention to alter housing programs and the delivery system for federal housing assistance. Given the likelihood of either more budget cuts (resulting in greater reliance on nonfederal sources offunds) or the devolution of policy responsibility through block grants, there is heightened concern for how local governments allocate housing funds. This article examines housing expenditure strategies of large U.S. cities. The analysis describes factors related to a greater use of nonfederal housing revenues by cities, and examines the impact offunding source on program and beneficiary targeting. The data suggest that reducedfederal spending or a shift to block grants is likely to result in more housing benefits directed to moderate-income households and to homeowners and homebuyers.
EXCITON MIGRATION AND TRAPPING IN PHOTOSYNTHESIS

— Mobile electronic excited states, excitons, undergo random walks through the antenna chlorophyll arrays of photosynthetic organisms. The time interval from exciton creation, by photon absorption, until its first arrival at a reaction center (RC) is called the “first passage time” (FPT) of the random walk. A theory of exciton migration and trapping presented here predicts that the exciton lifetime, as measured from chlorophyll fluorescence decay in chromatophores or P700 complexes, is a linear function of the fractional number of quanta absorbed directly by the antenna, not by the RC. The slope of this line is the FPT, and its intercept is the exciton's lifetime as limited only by photoconversion at the RC. This photoconversion-limited lifetime is simply related to the in situ photoconversion rate constant via two parameters, each of which is experimentally accessible. It is also possible to obtain values of individual FoUrster rate constants, at least approximately, from measurements of exciton lifetime as functions of temperature and excitation wavelength. This new theory, based on lattice random walk models, receives some support from fluorescence measurements done on Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides R26 chromatophores. In its present form the theory is only applicable to one-antenna-component systems, like Rp. sphaeroides R26 or Rhodospirillum rubrum chromatophores or P700 complexes, but should be readily extendible to multi-antenna-component systems including whole chloroplasts.
Laminin stimulates protein tyrosine dephosphorylation in PC12 cells.

Laminin stimulates neurite outgrowth in rat pheochromocytoma cells (PC12 cells). Here, we investigated laminin signal transduction mechanisms by adding the tyrosine kinase/phosphatase modulators, genistein, quercetin, aurin tricarboxylic acid (ATA), and vanadate to PC12 cells. At 10 microM both genistein and quercetin enhanced laminin-mediated neurite outgrowth by 1.7- and 2.3-fold, respectively, while at 10 microM, ATA inhibited laminin-mediated neurite outgrowth by 92%. Vanadate inhibited neurite outgrowth by 63% at 10 microM. Immunoblot analysis revealed four proteins of approximately 240, 22, 110, and 35 kDa, which were dephosphorylated on tyrosine residues in laminin-treated PC12 cells, but not in NIH 3T3 cells. These results demonstrate that laminin-mediated neurite outgrowth involves protein tyrosine dephosphorylation and suggests that this mechanism may have specificity to neuronal cells.
Development of a High Volume Screen to Identify Inhibitors of Endothelial Cell Activation

We have developed a high throughput screen to identify inhibitors of endothelial cell activation using E-selection cell-surface expression as a marker. Endothelial cell activation is an important component of both acute and chronic inflammatory disease. Inhibitors of this process represent potential therapeutic agents. A cell culture system for primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells was generated, including an analysis of donor variability, passage number, seeding density, and cost. The effects of IL-1 beta, TNF alpha, LPS, and an LPS-conditioned plasma product on E-selectin expression were characterized. E-selectin expression on the surface of IL-1-stimulated endothelial cells was quantified with a direct ELISA on fixed cell monolayers. Automation of the ELISA necessitated identification of methods for cell fixation, liquid handling, and compound addition which would maintain the integrity of the cell monolayer. The ELISA is inexpensive, reproducible, and suitable for high throughput primary cell assays, supporting a screening rate of 10,000 compounds/ week. The method is compatible with a broad chemical diversity, and the cellular format provides early information on the cellular uptake and cytotoxicity of compounds. We describe a screening paradigm which allowed us to identify inhibitors of endothelial cell activation and simultaneously discriminate their activity from their cytotoxic effects.
Recent trend reversals in arctic sea ice extents: possible connections to the north Atlantic oscillation

Abstract Decreases in Arctic sea ice extents since late 1978, found through analysis of satellite data, have been widely reported and have added to concerns regarding global warming. This paper reports the results of regression analysis performed on the yearly averaged ice extents for the two time periods 1979–1990 and 1990–1999, and reveals two important findings: (1) for the Arctic as a whole, the decade of the 1990s witnessed a deceleration of the trend toward lesser ice extents; and (2) the sign of the trend reversed from the 1979–1990 period to the 1990–1999 period in seven of the nine regions into which the Arctic ice cover is divided for analysis. The paper explores the possible connection between the spatial patterns of the sea ice trends and their reversals and the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), which reached a peak in its annual index in 1990.