cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Donald P. Ely as a Leader

He was also the founder and long-time director of the ERIC Clearinghouse on Information Resources. He had a career-long interest in establishing philosophical foundations and professional standards for the Educational Technology field–as indicated by his deep involvement in “definition” projects of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) from 1963 through 1994. Ely extended these interests internationally, consulting, teaching, and developing programs in The Netherlands, Chile, Peru, South Africa, Iran, and Indonesia. With his relentlessly positive, pastoral style he mentored generations of Educational Technology scholars and practitioners.
18F-FDOPA PET/CT accurately identifies MEN1-associated pheochromocytoma.

Summary Pheochromocytoma (PHEO) in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is extremely rare. The incidence is reported as less than 2%. We report a case of a 76-year-old male with familial MEN1 who was found to have unilateral PHEO. Although the patient was normotensive and asymptomatic, routine screening imaging with CT demonstrated bilateral adrenal masses. The left adrenal mass grew from 2.5 to 3.9 cm over 4 years with attenuation values of 9 Hounsfield units (HU) pre-contrast and 15 HU post-contrast washout. Laboratory evaluation demonstrated an adrenergic biochemical phenotype. Both 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) PET/CT and 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (123I-mIBG) scintigraphy demonstrated bilateral adrenal uptake. In contrast, 18F-fluorodihydroxyphenylalanine (18F-FDOPA) PET/CT demonstrated unilateral left adrenal uptake (28.7 standardized uptake value (SUV)) and physiologic right adrenal uptake. The patient underwent an uneventful left adrenalectomy with pathology consistent for PHEO. Post-operatively, he had biochemical normalization. A review of the literature suggests that adrenal tumors >2 cm may be at higher risk for pheochromocytoma in patients with MEN1. Despite a lack of symptoms related to catecholamine excess, enlarging adrenal nodules should be biochemically screened for PHEO. 18F-FDOPA PET/CT may be beneficial for localization in these patients. Learning points 18F-FDOPA PET/CT is a beneficial imaging modality for identifying pheochromocytoma in MEN1 patients. Adrenal adenomas should undergo routine biochemical workup for PHEO in MEN1 and can have serious peri-operative complications if not recognized, given that MEN1 patients undergo frequent surgical interventions. MEN1 is implicated in the tumorigenesis of PHEO in this patient.
11 – Modeling (Optional)

Linear models are often useful approximations to nonlinear relationships as long as we restrict our attention to realistic and relatively modest variations in the variables. One alternative to a linear model is a polynomial function; for example, a quadratic equation. Another is a power function; for example, a Cobb–Douglas function. Power functions assume that the elasticity of the dependent variable with respect to an explanatory variable is constant. If variables are related to each other by a power function, then there is a log-linear relationship between them. Growth models use time as an explanatory variable. Continuously compounded growth models are especially useful because they simplify many computations. Another way to introduce time into a model is with a first-order autoregressive equation in which the value of a variable is affected by its value in the immediately preceding period. Autoregressive models may be cyclical or monotonic, stable or unstable.
(Not) Separating Waste: Participant Observation

Waste is what is left of the useful, i.e. the profane, preferably after it has been exhaustively used. What we ideally expect of it is immediate and total vanishing. As long as the leftovers of anything consumed are still there, they are in that state and hold the status of the in-between (see section “In-Between” in Chapter 2). How to treat waste, then? What is considered to be recyclable, what is not, what follows concretely in each instance? As thinking about and actually carrying out recycling prolongs having to deal with rubbish, the problem increases. And typical of any contact with the in-between, the risk of contamination looms, but more importantly, the self that deals with the in-between risks getting lost in it, is threatened by disintegration, amorphousness, indeterminacy and lostness.
Delivering High-Quality Peritoneal Dialysis: What Really Matters?

In much of the world, assessment of the quality of peritoneal dialysis (PD) has focused largely on the measurement of small solute clearance, usually in the form of Kt/Vurea. It must be recognized, however, that the evidence linking patient survival to achieving a given Kt/Vurea is weak at best.
Measuring Edge Sparsity on Large Social Networks

How strong are the connections between individuals? This is a fundamental question in the study of social networks. In this work, we take a topological view rooted in the idea of local sparsity to answer this question on large social networks to which we have only incomplete access. Prior approaches to measuring network structure are not applicable to this setting due to the strict limits on data availability. Therefore, we propose a new metric, the Edgecut Weight, for this task. This metric can be calculated efficiently in an online fashion, and we empirically show that it captures important elements of communities. Further, we demonstrate that the distribution of these weights characterizes connectivity on a network. Subsequently, we estimate the distribution of weights on Twitter and show both a lack of strong connections and a corresponding lack of community structure.
Ornithine-A urea cycle metabolite enhances autophagy and controls Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.

Macrophages are professional phagocytes known to play a vital role in controlling Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection and disease progression. Here we compare Mtb growth in mouse alveolar (AMs), peritoneal (PMs), and liver (Kupffer cells; KCs) macrophages and in bone marrow-derived monocytes (BDMs). KCs restrict Mtb growth more efficiently than all other macrophages and monocytes despite equivalent infections through enhanced autophagy. A metabolomics comparison of Mtb-infected macrophages indicates that ornithine and imidazole are two top-scoring metabolites in Mtb-infected KCs and that acetylcholine is the top-scoring in Mtb-infected AMs. Ornithine, imidazole and atropine (acetylcholine inhibitor) inhibit Mtb growth in AMs. Ornithine enhances AMPK mediated autophagy whereas imidazole directly kills Mtb by reducing cytochrome P450 activity. Intranasal delivery of ornithine or imidazole or the two together restricts Mtb growth. Our study demonstrates that the metabolic differences between Mtb-infected AMs and KCs lead to differences in the restriction of Mtb growth. Kupffer cells are more resistant to M. tuberculosis when compared with alveolar macrophages. Here the authors show that this distinction is caused by the presence of ornithine and imidazole in Kupffer cells and that these metabolites can drive autophagy and M. tuberculosis killing in alveolar macrophages when given intranasally to infected mice.
Beyond 5G: Reliable Extreme Mobility Management

Extreme mobility has become a norm rather than an exception. However, 4G/5G mobility management is not always reliable in extreme mobility, with non-negligible failures and policy conflicts. The root cause is that, existing mobility management is primarily based on wireless signal strength. While reasonable in static and low mobility, it is vulnerable to dramatic wireless dynamics from extreme mobility in triggering, decision, and execution. We devise REM, Reliable Extreme Mobility management for 4G, 5G, and beyond. REM shifts to movement-based mobility management in the delay-Doppler domain. Its signaling overlay relaxes feedback via cross-band estimation, simplifies policies with provable conflict freedom, and stabilizes signaling via scheduling-based OTFS modulation. Our evaluation with operational high-speed rail datasets shows that, REM reduces failures comparable to static and low mobility, with low signaling and latency cost.
Auditory distraction, capacity limitations, and target-distractor relationships under perceptual and cognitive loads

Auditory distraction occurs when unwanted sounds interfere with the perception or processing of target information. Cross-modal paradigms have identified target-distractor similarities, capacity limitations, and type of task load as factors that influence distractibility. Given the scarceness of data specific to the auditory domain, this study investigated contributions from these factors across four listening tasks varying in perceptual (PL) and cognitive load (CL). Thirty adults (M = 23.65 years) participated in all conditions and were divided into high- or low-working memory capacity (WMC) groups following a listening-span task. Targets were spoken-digits (1-through-9) and distractors were either “Standards” (80% of trials) or one of three “Deviants” (noise-bursts, consonants, spoken-digits; 20% of trials). Experiment 1, high-PL, and Experiment 4, high-CL, were the only two conditions yielding effects of WMC and distractors. Under high-PL, high-WMC group reaction times (RTs) were both longer overall (p = 0.026) and in the presence of spoken-digit distractors (p = 0.014). In contrast, under high-CL, low-WMC group RTs were longer overall (p < 0.01) and spoken-digit distractors affected both groups (p < 0.01). Experiments 2 and 3 shared low-PL and CL, resulting in no effects. Patterns suggest that load type for a given listening task drives how capacity limitations and target-distractor similarities impact auditory distractibility.
650 The Association between Sleep and Psychological Distress among New York Healthcare Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Introduction: Healthcare workers (HCWs) treating patients with COVID-19 report high rates of acute stress, depressive and anxiety symptoms. We examined whether sleep disturbances were associated with psychological distress in New York City (NYC) HCWs during the initial peak of COVID-19 in-patient admissions (April 9 - May 11, 2020). Methods: HCWs (physicians, nurses, and advanced practice providers) completed a web-based survey which screened for acute stress (4-item Primary Care PTSD screen), depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-2), and anxiety (2-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale). Past week insomnia symptoms were assessed with a modified item from the Insomnia Severity Index (5-point Likert Scale: none, mild, moderate, severe, very severe). Insomnia was defined as having “moderate, severe, or very severe” symptoms. Short sleep (SS) was defined as self-reported sleep duration <6 hours per day. Poisson regression analyses predicting psychological distress from SS and, separately insomnia. adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, clinical setting (COVID-focused or not COVID-focused), physician vs. nonphysician status, and redeployment status, were performed. Results: Data included 813 HCWs (80.6% female, 59.0% White, 75.6% worked in a COVID-focused setting). Mean sleep duration was 5.79 ± 1.22 hours/night. The prevalence of SS and insomnia were 38.8% and 72.8%;the prevalence of acute stress, depressive symptoms, and anxiety were 57.9%, 33.8% and 48.2%, respectively. Having SS, vs. not was associated with acute stress (adjusted prevalence ratio [PR]: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.07, 1.31), depressive symptoms (PR: 1.65, 95% CI: 1.35, 2.02), and anxiety (PR: 1.51, 95% CI: 1.30, 1.74). Presence of insomnia symptoms vs. “none or mild” was associated with acute stress (PR: 1.92, 95% CI: 1.57, 2.34), depressive symptoms (PR: 3.13, 95% CI: 2.16, 4.52), and anxiety (PR: 2.40, 95% CI: 1.86, 3.11). Conclusion: Among NYC HCWs, sleep disturbances, including SS and insomnia symptoms during COVID-19 are common. In our study, SS and insomnia were associated with acute stress, depressive symptoms, and anxiety in HCWs, however further research on whether a bidirectional relationship exists between sleep and psychological distress during the COVID19 pandemic are still needed.
Acute Resistance Training May Have Lasting Benefit to Middle-Aged Adults.

Age-related declines in physical function can be mitigated with resistance training (RT), but most adults do not regularly exercise. We aimed to identify the magnitude and duration of benefits afte...
Mitochondrial targeted antioxidants, mitoquinone and SKQ1, not vitamin C, mitigate doxorubicin-induced damage in H9c2 myoblast: pretreatment vs. co-treatment.

Preconditioning of the heart ameliorates doxorubicin (Dox)-induced cardiotoxicity. We tested whether pretreating cardiomyocytes by mitochondrial-targeted antioxidants, mitoquinone (MitoQ) or SKQ1, would provide better protection against Dox than co-treatment. We investigated the dose-response relationship of MitoQ, SKQ1, and vitamin C on Dox-induced damage on H9c2 cardiomyoblasts when drugs were given concurrently with Dox (e.g., co-treatment) or 24 h prior to Dox (e.g., pretreatment). Moreover, their effects on intracellular and mitochondrial oxidative stress were evaluated by 2,7-dichlorofluorescin diacetate and MitoSOX, respectively. Dox (0.5–50 μM, n = 6) dose-dependently reduced cell viability. By contrast, co-treatment of MitoQ (0.05–10 μM, n = 6) and SKQ1 (0.05–10 μM, n = 6), but not vitamin C (1–2000 μM, n = 3), significantly improved cell viability only at intermediate doses (0.5–1 μM). MitoQ (1 μM) and SKQ1 (1 μM) significantly increased cell viability to 1.79 ± 0.12 and 1.59 ± 0.08 relative to Dox alone, respectively (both p < 0.05). Interestingly, when given as pretreatment, only higher doses of MitoQ (2.5 μM, n = 9) and SKQ1 (5 μM, n = 7) showed maximal protection and improved cell viability to 2.19 ± 0.13 and 1.65 ± 0.07 relative to Dox alone, respectively (both p < 0.01), which was better than that of co-treatment. Moreover, the protective effects were attributed to the significant reduction in Dox-induced intracellular and mitochondrial oxidative stress. The data suggest that MitoQ and SKQ1, but not vitamin C, mitigated DOX-induced damage. Moreover, MitoQ pretreatment showed significantly higher cardioprotection than its co-treatment and SKQ1, which may be due to its better antioxidant effects.
Finite element modeling of tessellated beams

Abstract Tessellated Structural-Architectural (TeSA) systems are composed of repeated tiles that can interconnect, be designed to have load carrying capacity, and are aesthetically pleasing. TeSA systems may localize damage to few tiles when subjected to extreme loads, may facilitate easier or faster reparability, and contribute to resilience. This research investigates numerical modeling of simply supported TeSA beams. Finite Element (FE) analysis was performed and the results were validated using experiments of TeSA beams made of Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF). The FE analysis incorporated gaps and interaction between tiles. The results showed that contact properties and gap size between tiles affected the calculated load-displacement relationship and strain of the TeSA beam. Contact properties were captured by a pressure-overclosure relationship, which required calibration using the global load-displacement response obtained from testing. Incorporation of geometric nonlinearity did not affect the results significantly. Beams with varying friction coefficient between tiles, load and support bearing width, Poisson's ratio and aspect ratios were analyzed. The results showed that TeSA beams had smaller stiffness than solid beams with similar dimensions. The outcomes of this research provide insights on the behavior and modeling of TeSA structures.
α2 Adrenergic Receptor Trafficking as a Therapeutic Target in Antidepressant Drug Action

Antidepressant drugs remain poorly understood, especially with respect to pharmacological mechanisms of action. This lack of knowledge results from the extreme complexity inherent to psychopharmacology, as well as to a corresponding lack of knowledge regarding depressive disorder pathophysiology. While the final analysis is likely to be multifactorial and heterogeneous, compelling evidence exists for upregulation of brain α2 adrenergic receptors (ARs) in depressed patients. This evidence has sparked a line of research into actions of a particular antidepressant drug class, the tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), as direct ligands at α(2A)ARs. Our findings, as outlined herein, demonstrate that TCAs function as arrestin-biased ligands at α(2A)ARs. Importantly, TCA-induced α(2A)AR/arrestin recruitment leads to receptor endocytosis and downregulation of α(2A)AR expression with prolonged exposure. These findings represent a novel mechanism linking α(2)AR trafficking with antidepressant pharmacology.
Geddanken Experiment for Quark Star Idea, Quantum Wavelength Limit, Minimum Time, and Early Universe Temperature, from First Principles

We initially look at a non singular universe representation as given by Rovelli and Vidotto, in terms of a quantum bounce, via minimum mass quark stars, as a start of how to estimate of entropy and also of the number of operations of an expanding universe. The bench mark used is, to after considering a quark star, to look at the mass of a universe, estimated, and from there, we can obtain the entropy if we look at the Schwartzshield radii of a universe, and then the radii of the universe about 380,000 years after the big bang. In the latter, we show how to get the number of operations as akin to the reasoning used by Seth Lloyd, in 2001, and also from there close with a few comments as to the “naturalness” of heavy Gravity from this formulation of entropy, which is based upon a start of considering what is a Planck star, as far as minimum quantum effects in Black hole physics, and by extension early universe cosmology.
Dynamic Behavior of Supercritically Loaded Struts

Analysis of motion of pin-ended strut subjected to uniform axial force greatly in excess of Euler critical load; effects of shear and rotary inertia; equation for dominant buckling mode is derived, indicating possibility of strut buckling in configurations other than fundamental mode; graphs are presented for determining maximum modal deflection produced by blast type triangular loading of strut.
p53 modulates the activity of the GLI1 oncogene through interactions with the shared coactivator TAF9

The GLI1 oncogene and p53 tumor suppressor gene function in an inhibitory loop that controls stem cell and tumor cell numbers. Since GLI1 and p53 both interact with the coactivator TATA Binding Protein Associated Factor 9 (TAF9), we hypothesized that competition between these transcription factors for TAF9 in cancer cells may contribute to the inhibitory loop and directly affect GLI1 function and cellular phenotype. We showed that TAF9 interacts with the oncogenic GLI family members GLI1 and GLI2 but not GLI3 in cell-free pull-down assays and with GLI1 in rhabdomyosarcoma and osteosarcoma cell lines. Removal of the TAF9-binding acidic alpha helical transactivation domain of GLI1 produced a significant reduction in the ability of GLI1 to transform cells. We then introduced a point mutation into GLI1 (L1052I) that eliminates TAF9 binding and a point mutation into GLI3 (I1510L) that establishes binding. Wild-type and mutant GLI proteins that bind TAF9 showed enhanced transactivating and cell transforming activity compared with those that did not. Therefore, GLI-TAF9 binding appears important for oncogenic activity. We then determined whether wild-type p53 down-regulates GLI function by sequestering TAF9. We showed that p53 binds TAF9 with greater affinity than does GLI1 and that co-expression of p53 with GLI1 or GLI2 down-regulated GLI-induced transactivation, which could be abrogated using mutant forms of GLI1 or p53. This suggests that p53 sequesters TAF9 from GLI1, which may contribute to inhibition of GLI1 activity by p53 and potentially impact therapeutic success of agents targeting GLI-TAF9 interactions in cancer.
The measurement of patient-reported outcomes of refractive surgery: The refractive status and vision profile

Abstract PURPOSE: To develop a questionnaire, the Refractive Status and Vision Profile (RSVP), to assess health-related quality of life associated with refractive error and its correction. METHODS: The published literature on patient report of visual and overall function was reviewed, and the RSVP was self-administered by 550 participants with refractive error. Cross-sectional validation was performed using standard psychometric techniques. The responsiveness of the RSVP to surgical intervention was assessed prospectively in a subset of 176 patients. The principal outcomes measures were scores on the overall RSVP scale (S) and on 8 RSVP subscales (functioning, driving, concern, expectations, symptoms, glare, optical problems, problems with corrective lenses). RESULTS: The RSVP (S) and its subscales demonstrated very good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha, 0.70-0.93). S and several subscale scores were independently associated with satisfaction with vision and were more correlated with satisfaction with vision than with either visual acuity or refractive error. Higher refractive error was associated with lower scores on S and on 5 subscales. In the prospective surgical cohort, 15% of patients had some worsening in their total RSVP score; however, substantial variation was seen in the individual subscales where worsening ranged from 7% (problems with corrective lenses) to 41% (driving). The effect size (measure of responsiveness) of the RSVP and most of its subscales was very high. Approximately 14% of patients had significant worsening in 3 or more subscales, and this outcome was found to be independently associated with being dissatisfied with vision following surgery (OR, 5.84; 95% CI, 1.88, 8.13). CONCLUSIONS: The RSVP has been validated as a questionnaire that measures patient-reported quality of life related to refractive error and its correction. It is responsive to surgical intervention and provides important information regarding patient outcomes not available from standard clinical measurements.
Stent-in-stent technique for removal of embedded partially covered self-expanding metal stents

Removal of embedded partially covered self-expanding metal stents (PCSEMS) is associated with an increased risk of adverse events compared with removal of fully covered self-expanding stents (FCSES) due to tissue ingrowth. Successful removal of embedded PCSEMS has been described by the stent-in-stent (SIS) technique. To report the first US experience from three high-volume quaternary care centers on the safety and efficacy of the SIS technique for removal of embedded PCSEMS. Retrospective study of outcomes for consecutive patients who underwent the SIS for removal of embedded PCSEMS over a 5-year period. Twenty-seven embedded PCSEMS were successfully removed using the SIS technique (100 %) from 25 patients (11 males), median age 65 (range 37–80). All stents were successfully removed in one endoscopic session (no repeat SIS procedures were required for persistently embedded stents). The embedded PCSEMS had been in situ for a median of 76 days (range 26–501). Median SIS dwell time (FCSES in situ of PCSEMS) was 13 days (interquartile range 8–16 days; range 4–212 days). One adverse event (self-limited bleeding) occurred during a median follow-up period of 3 months (range 1–32). No patients died, required surgery, or had long-term disability due to adverse events attributed to the SIS technique. Twelve patients required additional interventions following SIS procedure for persistence or recurrence of the underlying pathology. When performed by experienced endoscopists, safe and effective removal of embedded PCSEMS can be achieved via the SIS technique.
Component technologies for the S-band

Transmission systems operating in the S-band will require the same complement of components as those in the C- and L-bands. The suitability of a variety of component technologies for S-band applications will be considered. This talk will address a variety of the technologies that are presently used for C- and L- band WDM transmission and assess their suitability for S-band applications.
The angiotensinogen gene is expressed in both astrocytes and neurons in murine central nervous system.

Two transgenic mouse models were used to examine the cellular localization of angiotensinogen (AGT) in the brain. The first model was previously described in detail and consists of a human AGT genomic transgene containing all exons and introns of the gene and 1. 2 kb of the 5' flanking DNA. The second model contains a fusion between 1.2 kb of HAGT 5' flanking DNA and the beta-gal reporter gene which exhibits a similar pattern of tissue-specific expression to the HAGT transgene. Expression of both transgenes qualitatively mirrors the expression of endogenous AGT. Double staining of transgenic mouse brain sections with X-gal and GFAP revealed that a majority of beta-gal activity was localized to astrocytes in almost all brain areas. However, both beta-gal activity as identified by X-gal, and HAGT mRNA as detected by in situ hybridization, were also found in neurons in restricted areas of the brain, including the mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus (meV), subfornical organ (SFO) and the external lateral parabrachial nucleus (elPB). The expression of these transgenes provides the first convincing evidence for AGT gene expression in neurons in the brain. We further report by angiotensin II (Ang-II) immunostaining in rat brains after selective lesioning, that Ang-II is likely involved in a neuronal pathway from the PB to the amygdala (Ce). Finally, we performed double-labeling, first by retrograde labeling of HRP injected into the Ce, and then by X-gal on PB neurons in beta-gal transgenic mice, and identified doubly labeled neurons. Based on these results, we propose that AGT is generated in neurons in the elPB, transported to the Ce and converted into Ang-II locally to exert is biological functions.
Ultraviolet spectroscopy of CN− in alkali halides: Dynamics of the metastable triplet state

Abstract An ultraviolet emission spectrum attributed to cyanide ions in alkali halide lattices is excited by VUV irradiation and electron impact, using samples containing isotopically substituted 13 CN − as well as normal 12 CN − . Analysis of the spectrum yields ground state vibrational constants ω e = 2125 cm −1 and ω e χ e = 14.2 cm −1 for 12 CN − in KCl. The excited electronic state lies 5.6 eV above the ground state and has room-temperature decay lifetime of 80 ms in very dilutely doped KCl samples. This value is consistent with expectations for the forbidden triplet-singlet transition, but inconsistent with other studies of this system.
The impact of factor XIII on coagulation kinetics and clot strength determined by thrombelastography.

Fibrinogen has been shown to be responsible for most protein-mediated clot strength via thrombelastography. However, factor XIII (FXIII) activity also plays a prominent role in the development of clot strength. Thus, we hypothesized that changes in FXIII activity would significantly increase clot strength. FXIII (0%, 1%, 6.25%, 12.5%, 25%, 50%, and 100% normal activity) was placed in a fixed volume of citrated FXIII-deficient plasma with 1% tissue factor and calcium chloride and underwent thrombelastography for 10 min. We measured the variables reaction time (R; a measurement of clot initiation), (a measure of the rate of clot formation), amplitude (A; a measure of clot strength), and shear elastic modulus (G; a measure of clot strength). FXIII activity significantly decreased R in a pattern of exponential decay (R 2 0.77; P 0.001). FXIII activity significantly increased, following a sigmoidal pattern (R 2 0.88; P 0.001). Finally, increases in FXIII activity significantly increased A and G in a sigmoidal pattern (R 2 0.89; P 0.001). We concluded that FXIII significantly affects R, alpha, A, and G. Thus, transfusion decision making with protein-mediated thrombelastographic patterns must account for the contribution of both fibrinogen and FXIII. (Anesth Analg 2004;99:120 –3)
Wavelets for uncertainty estimates of propagating shock and detonation waves

The propagation speed of a shock or detonation wave in a shock or detonation tube is usually determined by a time-of-flight method by dividing the distance between two transducers with the propagation time of the disturbance signal. Some arbitrariness is inherent in determining the propagation time by this method. A new method based on Haar and Morlet wavelet transforms is reported. The method was applied to shock and detonation waves representing a step and a decaying spike discontinuity. The wavelet methods can be applied to the step discontinuity provided that the SNR ratio is good. The wavelet methods worked well for a decaying spike in the presence of noise.
Assessing Residual Confounding of the Association between Antipsychotic Medications and Risk of Death using Survey Data

Background: Nonrandomised studies on the causal effects of psychotropic medications may be biased by patient characteristics that are not fully adjusted.
Epinephrine Enhancement of Potassium-stimulated Immunoreactive Insulin Secretion Role of Beta-adrenergic Receptors

Although epinephrine stimulates insulin release by activation of beta-adrenergic receptors, its dominant effect (mediated by stimulation of alpha-adrenergic receptors) is an inhibition of insulin secretion that is powerful enough to suppress the secretory activity of insulin's most potent stimulants. The insulin-secretory response to potassium chloride (KCl) infusion, however, is not suppressed; in fact, in ureter-ligated dogs simultaneously infused with 360 microgram. epinephrine per hour and 2 mEq. KCl per kilogram per hour, insulin release is actually increased about threefold (over controls). Propranolol blockade of beta-adrenergic receptors essentially abolishes the insulin response to KCl infusion, with and without epinephrine. It is unlikely that KCl, like epinephrine, provokes insulin release by direct stimulation of the beta-adrenergic receptors of the beta cells of the pancreatic islets. However, potassium in some way enhances the beta adrenergic (secretory) activity of epinephrine and blunts its usually dominant alpha-adrenergic (inhibitory) effect.
Binary-encounter electrons observed at 0° in collisions of 1-2-MeV/amu H + , C 6+ , N 7+ , O 8+ , and F 9+ ions with H 2 and He targets

The energy distribution of binary-encounter electrons (BEE) produced in collisions of 1--2 MeV/amu H{sup +} and bare C, N, O, and F ions with H{sub 2} and He gas targets is reported at 0{degree} with respect to the beam direction. These electrons result from ionization of the target due to hard collisions with the projectile and can thus be considered to be produced in a process analogous to elastic scattering of a free electron from a highly charged ion. An impulse-approximation (IA) model has been developed to describe this process in which quasifree'' target electrons undergo 180{degree} Rutherford scattering in the projectile frame. The measured BEE double-differential production cross sections for bare ions were well described by this model and were found to scale with {ital Z}{sub {ital p}}{sup 2} and {ital E}{sub {ital p}}{sup {minus}({similar to}2.6--2.7)} where {ital Z}{sub {ital p}} and {ital E}{sub {ital p}} are the charge and energy of the projectile, respectively. An energy shift of the BEE below 4{ital t}, where {ital t} is the cusp electron energy, is observed and is also predicted by the IA treatment. A plane-wave Born approximation (PWBA) calculation for BEE production is also found to be in overall agreementmore » with our data. However, the energy shift of the BEE peak could not be fully accounted for within this PWBA calculation.« less
Prioritization of coastal properties for conservation in New York State

Conservation of coastal lands reduces non-point source pollution loads into oceans and estuaries, retains natural areas and saves ecological communities from disappearance and change. A recent agreement for protection of Long Island Sound waters in New York and Connecticut established 30 environmental and management goals. One of them is establishment of a listing of existing undeveloped properties and their prioritization for natural resource conservation and outdoor recreation. The optimal prioritization approach poses strong constraints and methodological challenges on selection of data for analysis, assignment of a priority score to each property unit and the assessment of this assignment. To be a practical tool, the prioritization model should be reproducible and include a mechanism for evaluation of obtained prioritization scenarios. Presented study uses Geographic Information System (GIS) to assign conservation priority scores to unprotected and undeveloped parcels greater than five acres in size within New York’s Long Island Sound coastal area. The method combines spatial multi-criteria analysis and statistical methods. The results of this project include identification and prioritization of more than 700 undeveloped properties on New York coast. The most important finding of GIS analysis was the discovery of clusters of vacant parcels that together form large areas available for future conservation. These results offer new conservation tools and strategies to coastal managers and government in New York State.
OF SODIUM NITRITE FOR SPINY-CHEEK CRAYFISH (ORCONECTES LIMOSUS RAF.) THE EFFECT OF CHLORIDE CONTENT IN WATER ON THE TOXICITY

Toxicity of sodium nitrite for the spiny-cheek crayfish (Orconectes limosus) was assessed in relation to the concentration of chlorides diluted in water. Results of the tests confirmed a favourable effect of chloride content in water on the tolerance of spiny-cheek crayfish to nitrites. The 96hLC50 value of 4.8 mg l-1 , 17.7 mg l-1 , 34.7 mg l-1 , 50.5 mg l-1 , 74.4 mg l-1 , and 96.6 mg l-1 N-NO2 - found out in individual tests corresponded, respectively to a chloride content of 11, 40, 100, 200, 300 and 400 mg l-1 Cl- in diluting water. Linear relationship of the 96hLC50 values on chloride concentration (y = 0.23 ×+ 7) was proven statistically (R = 0.995).
Sensitization of hydrothermally grown single crystalline TiO2 nanowire array with CdSeS nanocrystals for photovoltaic applications

An oriented array of electron transporting nanowires, grown directly on a transparent conductor constitutes an optimal architecture for efficient photovoltaic applications. In addition, semiconductor nanocrystals can work as efficient light absorbers because of their tunable optical properties. In this paper, we use an oriented array of TiO2 nanowires grown directly on a transparent conductive electrode and subsequently sensitized with colloidally grown CdSeS nanocrystal quantum dots (QDs), using an efficient bi-linker assisted methodology, to demonstrate photovoltaic cells. Upon excitation with light, exciton dissociation takes place at the nanowire-nanocrystal interface, after which, electrons are transported to the fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) electrode via single-crystalline TiO2 nanowire channels. We demonstrate that an ex situ ligand exchange of QDs followed by sensitization on oxygen-plasma treated TiO2 nanowires results in enhanced loading of QDs, as compared to the in situ ligand exchange approach. An array of 1 μm long TiO2 nanowire sensitized with CdSeS nanocrystals exhibits photovoltaic effects with a short-circuit current of 2–3 mA/cm2, an open circuit voltage of 0.6–0.7 V and a fill factor of 52–65%, resulting in devices with efficiencies of up to 0.6%. Open image in new window
Fog composition in the Central Valley of California over three decades

Abstract Numerous fog studies have been conducted in the Central Valley of California since the 1980s, making it one of the most studied locations in the world in terms of fog chemistry. The present work reviews observational fog studies in the area and discusses overall chemical composition as well as spatial variability and temporal variability. Regionally there is a clear gradient in fog occurrence with less fog and lower density (liquid water content, LWC) fog in the southern part of the Valley (Bakersfield) compared to more northern locations like Fresno or Davis. Chemically, fogs in the southern valley have higher solute loadings and lower pH compared to more northern locations (Davis and Fresno). Overall fog chemistry is dominated in the valley by the ammonia–nitric acid–ammonium nitrate system with sulfate being a rather minor component, especially at more northern locations and in more recent years. Fog pH in recent years is consistently higher than 5, showing an absence of acid in fogs in this region. LWC values appear to have decreased over recent years (less dense fogs). An airport visibility assessment of fog frequency reveals that overall dense fogs (visibility of less than 1/4 mile) have decreased by ~ 50% over the last 30 years.
Structure-activity relationships in papain and bromelain ligand interactions

Abstract The parameters Km and kcat were determined for 16 methyl hippurates (CH3OCOCH2NHCOC6H4-X) hydrolyzed by papain. A simple linear relationship is found between log 1 K m and the hydrophobic substituent constant π. It is found that log kcat is parabolically related to π. The results with papain are compared with results obtained by Hawkins and Williams with the enzyme bromelain. The two enzymes behave in a similar fashion.
Influences of the Turbulence Parameterizations on Atmospheric Refractivity Simulation and Forecasting

We report new findings that indicate that the mesoscale simulation and forecasting of atmospheric refractivity are very sensitive to the planetary boundary layer (PBL) scheme, one of the most important physical parameterizations.
The amphibian gray crescent region—A site of developmental information?

Abstract To evaluate the developmental significance of the amphibian gray crescent, vegetal hemispheres of fertilized eggs of Rana pipiens were irradiated with UV at 2537 A. Acephalic or aneural embryos resulted suggesting that gray crescent inductive ability was destroyed. Two questions were asked: (1) Does the syndrome result from nuclei altered by interacting with UV lesions in the gray crescent region? (2) Does UV damage the gray crescent cytoplasm, cortex, or both? To answer the first question, donor nuclei from different regions of irradiated blastulae and gastrulae were transplanted into enucleated eggs. If nuclei are irreversibly damaged by interactions with irradiated cytoplasm and/or cortex, such nuclear transplant embryos should develope abnormally. The results of hundreds of such transplants, however, were negative. Eggs receiving nuclei from irradiated donors developed as well as control transfers, suggesting that nuclei are not modified irreversibly by interactions with irradiated gray crescent cytoplasm and/or cortex. The second question was investigated by injecting isolated germinal vesicles and egg cytoplasm into blastocoeles of irradiated blastulae to reverse the abnormal syndrome. No reversals were obtained with germinal vesicle contents, but injections of marginal zone cytoplasm of fertilized eggs completely reversed the UV effect in 30% of the cases. We conclude that UV destroys a cytoplasmic factor essential to neural induction.
Thermal pretreatment of silica composite filler materials.

Three different silica filler materials were thermally treated in order to effect dehydration, dehydroxylation, and rehydroxylation. Samples were characterized by thermogravimetry (TG), pycnometry, elemental analysis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). For all fillers, our results indicate incremental removal of silanol groups at higher heating temperatures and irreversible dehydroxylation at over 673 K. To remove the organic content and maintain adequate silanol density for subsequent silanization on Stober-type silica, we suggest heating at 673 K followed by overnight boiling in water.
Low quantum-yield molecular fluorescence: excitation energy dependence and fluorescence polarisation in xanthene dyes

Abstract Consecutive two-photon laser excitation has been used to populate elevated singlet states of the xanthene dyes rhodamine 6G and rhodamine B. Fluorescence has been observed from several states in each molecule, terminating in the ground state, in the range 240-400 nm. It is demonstrated that the shape of the spectrum depends on both excitation energy and polarisation, and the hydrocarbon rubrene is used as an example of the excitation intensity dependence of the weak emission spectrum from a fluid solution.
Non-linear stochastic control via stationary response design

This paper presents a strategy for controlling externally excited stochastic systems with uncertain parameters. The control objective is to drive the system response from an arbitrary initial distribution to a prescribed stationary probability density function (PDF). This problem can be interpreted as the stochastic stabilization about a PDF. The control consists of a non-linear feedback part and a switching term inspired by robust sliding control concepts. The control of a one-dimensional stochastic process with a Gaussian target-PDF is used to illustrate the approach. The control performance is evaluated by studying the time evolution of the first and second order moments of the response. The dependence of the response on the number of feedback terms and the rate of convergence to the stationary PDF are studied numerically. Motivated by the fast convergence observed, a feedback controller with time-varying gains is applied to the problem of tracking a moving PDF. Monte Carlo simulations validate very well the control for both stabilization and tracking problems.
Naphazoline-induced Suppression of Aqueous Humor Pressure and Flow: Involvement of Central and Peripheral α2/I1Receptors

Abstract The objective of this study was to examine the ocular hydrodynamic effects of topically and centrally administered naphazoline, alone and following pretreatment with pertussis toxin (PTX) and α 2 /I 1 receptor antagonists. Topically and intracisternally administered naphazoline was examined for its ability to alter intraocular pressure (IOP) of rabbits in the absence and presence of receptor antagonists (rauwolscine, efaroxan) and a G i/o ribosylating agent PTX. In addition, the topical effects of naphazoline on pupil diameter and aqueous humor flow rate were evaluated. Topical unilateral application of naphazoline (7.5, 25 and 75 μ g; 25 μ l) elicited an ipsilateral dose-dependent mydriasis (2, 4 and 5.5 mm) that peaked at 2 hr with a duration of up to 5 hr. The IOP decreases induced by naphazoline were bilateral and dose-dependent (3, 6 and 10 mmHg); the response peaked at 1 hr and lasted for up to 5 hr. Pretreatment with efaroxan (250 μ g) elicited significantly greater antagonism of the ocular hypotensive response to naphazoline than did rauwolscine (250 μ g) suggesting an involvement of imidazoline (I 1 ) receptors. Intracisternal application of naphazoline (3.3 μ g) also produced bilateral reductions (6 mmHg) of IOP that were immediate (10 min post drug) and lasted for approximately 2 hr. In PTX-pretreated (2.5 μ g kg −1 , i.a.) rabbits, the ocular hypotensive effects of naphazoline by both routes (topically and centrally) were attenuated by 50–65%. In addition to producing ocular hypotension, topical application of naphazoline (75 μ g; 25 μ l) caused significant reduction, from 2.8 to 1.5 μ l min −1 , in aqueous humor flow. These in vivo data indicate that, regardless of route of administration, alteration of aqueous humor flow by naphazoline was induced by the activation of α 2 and I 1 receptors. The ocular hypotensive effects produced by central administration did not result in sedation, therefore, there is the suggestion that central α 2 adrenergic receptors were stimulated minimally by naphazoline. Thus, these data suggest that ocular hypotensive effects and suppression of aqueous humor flow rate by naphazoline are mediated, in part, by α 2 and/or central I 1 at both central (brain) and peripheral (eye) sites. Moreover, these data indicate that the receptors are linked to PTX-sensitive G (i/o) proteins.
Cavity-modified spontaneous-emission rates in liquid microdroplets.

We observe significant lifetime modification (both reduction and lengthening) of 610\char21{}620-nm light spontaneously emitted by chelated europium ions in 10-\ensuremath{\mu}m-diam dimethylformamide-alcohol solution droplets. The enhancement or inhibition of the Einstein A coefficient over the familiar free-space value is direct evidence of cavity quantum-electrodynamic effects taking place in microdroplets.
Tritium half-life measured by helium-3 growth

Abstract Determinations of the tritium half life have been made by measuring the rate of 3He buildup in neutron-irradiated natural lithium. The measurement method, which is substantially different from those used previously, consisted of mass spectrometric measurements of the 4He/3He isotopic ratio in samples of lithium metal that had been irradiated in the core of a Triga reactor. Almost all of the 3He in the samples resulted from the decay of tritium produced by the 6Li(n, t)4He and the 7Li(n n′t)4He reactions, both of which yielded equal amounts of tritium and 4He. The helium isotopic ratio measurements, combined with the known decay times between irradiation and analysis, yielded an average tritium half life of 12.38 ± 0.03 mean solar years (1 solar year = 365.2422 days). This value is higher than several earlier half life measurements, but is consistent with a recent determination by the U.S. National Bureau of Standard.
Nasal septoplasty for correction of septal deviation in a foal

Objective— This article reports an alternative to septal resection in nasal septal deviations involving the rostral 7 to 10 cm of the nasal septum. Study Design— Case report. Sample Population— One client-owned foal. Methods— A nasal approach with mucosal elevation was used to gain access to the cartilaginous portion of the nasal septum. Once exposed, a series of parasagittal incisions in the cartilage allowed the septum to be repositioned while providing some intrinsic stabilization. Results— The nasal approach provided good access to the rostral 7 cm of the nasal septum. The technique resulted in minimal hemorrhage from the site. Bleeding was reduced with the use of ephedrine to vasoconstrict the mucosal vessels, and primary closure of the mucosa. Conclusions— Use of an intrinsically stabilized septoplasty should be considered as a means of decreasing the airway obstruction caused by nasal septal deviation in foals while allowing for normal development of facial contour.
The Effect of Legal Thresholds On the Revival of Former Communist Parties in East-Central Europe

Since 1989 six Central and East European countries have held competitive elections under 17 different electoral systems. After some experimentation, the new electoral systems, adopted on the initiative of noncommunist parties, provided for proportional representation, with legal thresholds designed to protect the new parties from smaller, more recent, and more extreme formations. These legal thresholds favored noncommunist parties initially but subsequently appeared to facilitate a return of postcommunist parties to power. A multivariate model of the effect of electoral system thresholds in 13 elections confirms that they contributed to disproportionality but fails to confirm that they consistently favored either former communist or noncommunist parties. Further analysis reveals that legal thresholds have exaggerated the effect of volatility in the electorates on the representation of parties in parliament, causing systems of proportional representation to behave more like single-member plurality systems.