cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization and clinical course of 1000 patients with coronavirus disease 2019 in New York: retrospective case series.

Abstract Objective To characterize patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (covid-19) in a large New York City medical center and describe their clinical course across the emergency department, hospital wards, and intensive care units. Design Retrospective manual medical record review. Setting NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, a quaternary care academic medical center in New York City. Participants The first 1000 consecutive patients with a positive result on the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assay for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) who presented to the emergency department or were admitted to hospital between 1 March and 5 April 2020. Patient data were manually abstracted from electronic medical records. Main outcome measures Characterization of patients, including demographics, presenting symptoms, comorbidities on presentation, hospital course, time to intubation, complications, mortality, and disposition. Results Of the first 1000 patients, 150 presented to the emergency department, 614 were admitted to hospital (not intensive care units), and 236 were admitted or transferred to intensive care units. The most common presenting symptoms were cough (732/1000), fever (728/1000), and dyspnea (631/1000). Patients in hospital, particularly those treated in intensive care units, often had baseline comorbidities including hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. Patients admitted to intensive care units were older, predominantly male (158/236, 66.9%), and had long lengths of stay (median 23 days, interquartile range 12-32 days); 78.0% (184/236) developed acute kidney injury and 35.2% (83/236) needed dialysis. Only 4.4% (6/136) of patients who required mechanical ventilation were first intubated more than 14 days after symptom onset. Time to intubation from symptom onset had a bimodal distribution, with modes at three to four days, and at nine days. As of 30 April, 90 patients remained in hospital and 211 had died in hospital. Conclusions Patients admitted to hospital with covid-19 at this medical center faced major morbidity and mortality, with high rates of acute kidney injury and inpatient dialysis, prolonged intubations, and a bimodal distribution of time to intubation from symptom onset.
They Said It’s “Fake“: Effects of Discounting Cues in Online Comments on Information Quality Judgments and Information Authentication

Using a mixed-design online experiment, this study examined how individuals determine the quality of information they encounter online and engage in information verification and authentication proc...
Teaching "Species"

A clear understanding of the term "species" is fundamental to the subject of evolution. However, introductory textbooks often fail to address this topic until one of the later chapters, after having used the term species in all preceding chapters. Furthermore, definitions of terms critical to a clear understanding of this subject are often vague or absent in chapters on species concepts. We feel the popular notion of a "species problem" has been unnecessarily inflated by this less-than-effective educational approach. Clearly addressing this essential subject at the beginning of a course on evolution will prepare students to learn the details and complexities of evolution. Here we provide the background for an alternative approach to this foundational topic, followed by an outlined lesson plan. We emphasize early introduction of this subject in texts and courses using unambiguous terminology and including the historical development of species concepts.
Acetabular wall deficiency in primary and secondary total hip replacement.

Thirty-eight cases of reconstruction of acetabular wall deficiency in primary and secondary total hip replacement were evaluated according to Merle d’Aubigne-Postel and Gruen’s ratings, after a follow-up of between 1 and 8 years. 16 of them were considered very good, 11 good, 7 fair and 4 poor. The reconstructions were performed by inserting cemented Weller’s or cementless Parhoffer-Monch’s or Mittelmeier’s cups, depending on patients age and the nature of the lesion. In dysplastic hips the bone stock deficiency of the anterior wall and the roof were reconstructed with the use of massive autogenous cortical bone graft fixed with screws. In cases of Otto-Chrobak disease and in protrusions of Austin-Moore’s prostheses, cancellous auto- or allogenous bone grafts healed correctly even after implantation of cemented sockets. The reconstruction of the acetabulum in an intrapelvic protrusion of the endoprosthesis, especially cemented ones, was always technically difficult, threatening the vessels and intrapelvic organs. This operation requires good experience as well as: In old patients, an alternative to full reconstruction is to remove the endoprosthesis and to leave a hanging hip (Girdlestone pseudarthrosis).
Deguelin, an Akt Inhibitor, Suppresses IκBα Kinase Activation Leading to Suppression of NF-κB-Regulated Gene Expression, Potentiation of Apoptosis, and Inhibition of Cellular Invasion

Deguelin, a constituent of the bark of the African plant Mundulea sericea (Leguminosae), exhibits antiproliferative and anticarcinogenic activities through a mechanism that is not well understood. Because various steps in carcinogenesis are regulated by NF-kappaB, we postulated that the activity of deguelin is mediated through this transcription factor. We found that deguelin suppressed NF-kappaB activation induced by carcinogens, tumor promoters, growth factors, and inflammatory stimuli. This suppression was not cell-type specific, because NF-kappaB activation was suppressed in both lymphoid and epithelial cells. Moreover, constitutive NF-kappaB activation was also blocked by deguelin. The suppression of TNF-induced NF-kappaB activation by deguelin occurred through the inhibition of the activation of IkappaBalpha kinase, leading to sequential suppression of IkappaBalpha phosphorylation, IkappaBalpha degradation, p65 phosphorylation, p65 nuclear translocation, and NF-kappaB-dependent reporter gene expression. Deguelin also suppressed the NF-kappaB reporter activity induced by TNFR1, TNFR-associated death domain, TNFR-associated factor 2, and IkappaBalpha kinase, but not that induced by p65. The inhibition of NF-kappaB activation thereby led to the down-regulation of gene products involved in cell survival, proliferation, and invasion. Suppression of these gene products by deguelin enhanced the apoptosis induced by TNF and chemotherapeutic agents and suppressed TNF-induced cellular invasion. Our results demonstrate that deguelin inhibits the NF-kappaB activation pathway, which may explain its role in the suppression of carcinogenesis and cellular proliferation.
Cerebrospinal Fluid Analysis in Multiple Sclerosis

Although the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) may be clinically suspect and the magnetic resonance imaging findings compatible, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis remains mandatory in order to support the diagnosis. This is especially important since our understanding of the defining disease pathogenesis remains incomplete. However, there is no specifically diagnostic CSF test. And until recently, laboratory techniques for CSF analysis had not been rigorously standardized. Unconcentrated CSF without fixative should be used for the determinations of cell count and differential, protein and glucose, lactate, myelin basic protein, and the CSF/serum albumin ratio which is an indicator of blood-CSF barrier disruption. Additionally, CSF immunoglobulin-gamma (IgG) determinations are of major importance and are now included in the MS diagnostic criteria. Testing for oligoclonal IgG bands utilizing isoelectric focusing with IgG immunoblotting, the IgG synthesis rate, and the IgG index should be included. CSF analysis for kappa light chains and IGM may be diagnostically helpful. The search for biomarkers including those possibly present in the CSF which could predict and assess the course as well as response to treatment in a particular MS patient has not yet been successful. CSF immunoglobulin and T-cell/B-cell patterns, soluble HLA class I and II antigens, nitrous oxide metabolites, neurofilament and microtubule components and antibodies, tau protein, 14-3-3-protein, neuronal cell and intercellular adhesion molecules, and chemokines are actively being investigated as MS biomarkers.
Hyperfine Studies of Rare Earth Ions Dilute in Optical Solids

We would like to describe some recent studies of the hyperfine structure (hfs) of Pr3+ dilute in a single crystal of LiYF4. In this work we have observed nqr in an excited state [1], a zero field ground state magnetic resonance line in which resolved structure is due to the magnetic dipole-dipole interaction between the Pr nucleus and neighboring F nuclei, and extra nqr transitions in the presence of an external magnetic field in which both Pr and F nuclei are seen to participate [2,3].
Prognostic factors in colorectal carcinomas arising in adenomas: Implications for lesions removed by endoscopic polypectomy

Abstract Endoscopic polypectomy has become the preferred technique for the removal of most colorectal adenomas. Whether polypectomy alone or segmental colectomy is the appropriate management of the patient whose adenoma contains carcinoma is a controversial issue. We studied 129 colorectal carcinomas that arose in adenomas and in which invasion was no deeper than the submucosa of the underlying colonic wall. The following factors were evaluated: location; gross appearance (sessile versus pedunculated); histologic type of adenoma (tubular, villous, mixed); grade of carcinoma; level of invasion (0—carcinoma confined to the mucosa, 1—head, 2—neck, 3—stalk, 4—submucosa of underlying colonic wall); vascular invasion; and adequacy of excisional margins. Patients were divided into two groups with respect to outcome: adverse (dead from colorectal carcinoma, alive with colorectal carcinoma or positive nodes on colectomy), and favorable (absence of above). Sixty-three patients were treated by polypectomy alone and 66 by colectomy (21 preceded by polypectomy); there were no operative deaths. Mean follow-up was 81 mo. None of 65 patients with carcinoma confined to the mucosa had an adverse outcome, but 8 of 64 patients with invasive carcinoma did. Level 4 invasion (p
Magnetic Study of the His-Purkinje Conduction System in Man

It has recently been suggested that depolarization of the entire His-Purkinje conduction system of the heart produces a characteristic waveform in the surface electrocardiogram. The magnetic probe offers a different and, in some respects, advantageous means of observing such waveforms, and extensive records of the surface magnetic field generated by the human heart have been obtained for four normal subjects. A first-order SQUID gradiometer was employed havinAthe lowest noise level yet reported in any biomagnetic study (6 X 10-15 T/√Hz). Using an on-line computer, 100 beat averages were taken at 49 positions over the chest on a 1 in square grid. The fields observed have a characteristic symmetry and provide support for the suggestion that events associated with depolarization of the conduction system may be observed at the surface of the torso.
Identification of noise sources of forge hammers during production: An application of residual spectrum techniques to transients

Three gravity-drop, four-piece forge hammers are analyzed to determine the principal structural sources of impulsive noise radiation during production forging. A three-input single-output model is used to describe the hammer system, based on “input” signals taken from one column, the anvil and the ram accelerations, and one “output” signal taken from the sound pressure at the operator's position. The frequency response functions between the elemental vibrations and the sound pressure signal are determined from these signals by residual spectrum techniques. For the three hammers studied, the analysis shows that the ram is a major source of acoustic energy radiated to the oeprator's position, while the columns and anvil radiate between 1 and 4 dB less energy. The three-input model is then used to estimate the effect of acoustic shrouds on the sound energy radiation. The results indicate that it may be necessary to treat all the structural elements before significant reductions can be achieved, due mainly to the high degree of interaction between the components. The residual spectrum derived from this model indicates that the three input model may not be totally adequate for all production hammers; it may be necessary to develop higher-input models, with use of data from more transducers located to sense a higher number of contributing vibration modes. However, in this study the three-input model accounted for 73–82% of the sound energy density at the operator's position.
An analogue of t -Designs in the association schemes of alternating bilinear forms

The notion of designs in an association scheme is defined algebraically by Delsarte [4]. It is known that his definition of designs has a geometric interpretation for known (P andQ)-polynomial association schemes except three examples. In this paper we give a geometric interpretation of designs in an association scheme of alternating bilinear forms, which is one of the three.
Implications of What Children Know About Computer Passwords

The purpose of this aricle is to present several implications and recommendations regarding what elementary school children, aged 9–12 years, know about computer passwords and what they know about why computer passwords are important. Student knowledge can then be used to make relevant curriculum decisions based in conjunction with applicable state and national standards. Weak computer password construction, use, and knowledge have been identified as areas of high risk for data security. By identifying what children know about passwords, an appropriate curriculum can be designed to help children develop strong password habits that will minimize unauthorized data access via computer technology. This is especially important because elementary school children today will become industry computer users tomorrow. By instilling appropriate computer password habits in children today, curriculum can be designed to follow them through the education experience and into industry. Relevant standards from the Internati...
Stridor and Dysphagia in Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis (DISH)

As otolaryngologists, we are the first consulted for stridor and dysphagia. One must consider both extrinsic and intrinsic etiologies in the differential diagnosis of these symptoms. We report a series of patients with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) who presented with stridor or dysphagia. We describe the initial presenting symptoms, physical examination/radiographic findings, and discuss the management options. Traditional teaching is that surgery is rarely indicated for DISH of the cervical spine. Recommendations regarding the role of surgery as well as a review of our surgical experience are discussed.
Efficacy of bucindolol in systemic hypertension

Abstract The hemodynamic effects of oral bucindolol, a non-selective β-adrenergic blocking agent with intrinsic sympathomimetic activity and direct vasodilating properties, were studied at rest and during handgrip exercise with a flotation-directed pulmonary artery catheter in 12 patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension. After the initial dose of 150 mg of bucindolol, blood pressure (BP) was significantly reduced and cardiac output was increased (from 5.9 ± 0.8 to 6.8 ±1.6 liters/min) in the supine position and during exercise (p
A minimalist approach to VHDL logic modeling

The VHDL Design Exchange Group (VDEG), which consists of VHDL (VHSIC hardware description language) suppliers and users, was formed to promote the identical operation of VHDL models on different tools. One task of VDEG, which is still ongoing, is to develop a consensus logic model and a method for its use. VDEG and the VDEG's work on this task as of September 1989 are described. The definition of portability used by VDEG and the minimalist approach toward a standard multivalue logic type for modeling favored by the group are examined. The use of the model is discussed. VDEG is developing a library of packages to aid in the construction of portable models; the package containing definitions of types of operations is described in some detail. Two mappings are presented to illustrate the assertion that the portable logic model is easy to map to the logic models in existing tools. Future work is outlined. >
QWIPs DESIGNED FOR HIGH ABSORPTION AND HIGH OPERATING TEMPERATURE

For the majority of applications involving detection of weak signals or thermal imaging, the quantum well infrared photodetector (QWIP) is designed to have the highest possible detectivity and operating temperature. The device parameters, such as the doping density, are chosen accordingly. In a different direction, the intrinsic short carrier lifetime (~ 5 ps) makes QWIPs well suited for high speed and high frequency applications. In such cases, since lasers are normally used, a high dark current can be tolerated. The most important parameter is then the absorption efficiency. For system simplicity and potential wide use, room temperature or near room temperature (reachable by thermo-electric cooling) operations are desirable. This paper discusses the QWIP design for high absorption and elevated temperature operation, and present a systematic experimental study on a set of GaAs/AlGaAs QWIPs with different doping densities. High absorption (~ 100%) and up to room temperature operation are achieved in devices having high doping densities and 100 quantum wells.
Osmotic Potential of Winter Wheat Crowns for Comparing Cultivars Varying in Winterhardiness

(...) Contrast comparisons between two hardy, and two or three less hardy cultivars showed significant differences, at every sampling date with the hardy lines having lower ΨΠ. During one winter the ΨΠ of 24 cultivars whose winter-hardiness had been evaluated over several years in the field was determined on three dates. (...)
Cracking behavior of evaporated amorphous silicon films

Abstract The residual stress in amorphous silicon films deposited by evaporation is investigated with different substrate temperatures. The stress measured from all the films studied in this paper is tensile. The level of stress decreases from 580 MPa to 120 MPa with increasing substrate temperature from 60 °C to 350 °C. When the film becomes thicker, strain increases and cracks are formed for stress relaxation. 10 µm thick amorphous Si films are deposited at 350 °C without cracks. This cracking behavior is theoretically studied and confirmed by experiment.
On the effect of Knudsen-layer formation on studies of vaporization, sputtering, and desorption

Abstract We are here concerned with experiments in which time-of-flight (TOF) measurements are made with particles which are vaporized, sputtered, or desorbed due to a pulsed heat source. If the emitted particle number density is low enough, the particles will disperse collisionlessly. Provided the emission is truly thermal, the velocities will then be described by a “half-range” Maxwellian, i.e. a Maxwellian with only positive velocities normal to the target, for which it is well known that the surface temperature, T s , and the energy, E , defined by the peak position of the TOF spectrum are related by kT s = E /2 . More commonly the emitted particle density is high enough that near-surface collisions occur. For as few as 3 collisions per particle a Knudsen layer forms, i.e. there is a layer within a few mean free paths of the target surface in which the distribution function evolves to a “full-range” Maxwellian in a center-of-mass coordinate system . We show that for on-axis measurements the relation kT s = E /2 is replaced by kT s = E /η K , with η K ranging from 2.52 for a monatomic species to 3.28 for a species with many accessible internal degrees of freedom. Failure to recognize the formation of a Knudsen layer thus leads to a severely overestimated value for T s , at least for an-axis measurements.
Internalization and fusion mechanism of vesicular stomatitis virus and related rhabdoviruses.

Members of the Rhabdoviridae infect a wide variety of animals and plants, and are the causative agents of many important diseases. Rhabdoviruses enter host cells following internalization into endosomes, with the glycoprotein (G protein) mediating both receptor binding to host cells and fusion with the cellular membrane. The recently solved crystal structure of vesicular stomatitis virus G has allowed considerable insight into the mechanism of rhabdovirus entry, in particular the low pH-dependent conformational changes that lead to fusion activation. Rhabdovirus entry shows several distinct features compared with other enveloped viruses; first, the entry process appears to consist of two distinct fusion events, initial fusion into vesicles within endosomes followed by back-fusion into the cytosol; second, the conformational changes in the G protein that lead to fusion activation are reversible; and third, the G protein is structurally distinct from other viral fusion proteins and is not proteolytically cl...
Stability analysis of multichannel linear-predictive systems

In this study we have attempted to investigate the stability problems observed in multichannel multidimensional linear predictive modeling of images. Morf et al.[3] have shown that based on a positive definite autocorrelation matrix, singular values of the matrix H ? ?q + 1.HERM(?q + 1) must lie inside the unit circle for a stable solution, where ?q + 1 is the normalized partial correlation matrix and HERM(.) denotes the Hermitian operator. We have employed this stability method to modify the multichannel Levinson algorithm [1,2] for obtaining stable linear prediction coefficients. Since the procedure involved block-by-block processing of image intensity values, blocks of 32x32 pixels were defined as analysis windows. A two-step stabilization method has been developed for these windows and it is applied to the multichannel multidimensional linear prediction of monochromatic imagery. The first step is based on heuristic notions and employed for obtaining strictly positive definite multichannel autocorrelation matrices R[q]. The second step is based on forcing singular values of H to reside inside the unit circle for satisfying the stability criterion reported in [3].
A Developmental Meta-Analysis of Peer Conflict Resolution.

Abstract A series of meta-analyses examine developmental trends in peer conflict resolution. Peer conflict resolutions are most likely to involve negotiation, with coercion and then disengagement the next most likely strategies. Patterns of conflict resolution differ with age. Coercion is common among children and disengagement is rare. Negotiation is prevalent among adolescents and young adults; the former do not differ in terms of coercion and disengagement, whereas the latter tend to avoid coercion in favor of disengagement. Conflict resolutions also vary as a function of peer relationships, assessment procedures, and reporters. Negotiation prevails in all peer relationships except those with siblings; there is more negotiation among romantic partners than among friends, and more negotiation among friends than among acquaintances. Negotiation is the overwhelming strategy of choice for those presented with hypothetical disputes, but actual conflicts tend to be resolved by coercion. Observers indicate that most conflicts involve coercive resolutions, in contrast to self-reports, which suggest that negotiation prevails. Although conclusions are qualified by the limited number of studies available, follow-up moderator analyses indicate that negotiation increases and coercion declines with age across most peer relationships, assessment procedures, and reporters such that different patterns of conflict resolution during childhood give way to the same relative ordering of strategies during young adulthood.
Objective technique for evaluating painful heel syndrome and its treatment.

The biomechanical evaluation of patients with painful heels has received only limited attention although the potential morbidity and disability associated with such an ailment can be severe. An obj...
Encouraging privacy by design concepts with privacy policy auto-generation in eclipse (page)

Many novice software developers do not have the training, experience or appropriate resources in developing privacy policies for their applications. Anecdotal evidence suggests that some new software developers create original, natural language privacy policies, use existing privacy policies as templates or an external agency (i.e., a legal counsel). This paper presents an overview of the privacy Policy Auto-Generation in Eclipse (PAGE), a work-in-progress that seeks to integrate privacy planning capabilities into the Eclipse integrated development environment (IDE), enabling application developers to create privacy policies as development occurs. This should support privacy by design concepts, enhance team communication through reusability, as well as reduce costs due to errors or extra time in external activities.
UXT (Ubiquitously Expressed Transcript) causes mitochondrial aggregation

Mitochondria are the bioenergetic and metabolic centers in eukaryotic cells and play a central role in apoptosis. Mitochondrial distribution is controlled by the microtubular cytoskeleton. The perinuclear aggregation of mitochondria is one of the characteristics associated with some types of cell death. Control of mitochondrial aggregation particularly related to cell death events is poorly understood. Previously, we identified ubiquitously expressed transcript (UXT) as a potential component of mitochondrial associated LRPPRC, a multidomain organizer that potentially integrates mitochondria and the microtubular cytoskeleton with chromosome remodeling. Here we show that when overexpressed in mammalian cells, green fluorescent protein-tagged UXT (GFP-UXT) exhibits four types of distribution patterns that are proportional to the protein level, and increase with time. UXT initially was dispersed in the extranuclear cytosol, then appeared in punctate cytosolic dots, then an intense perinuclear aggregation that eventually invaded and disrupted the nucleus. The punctate cytosolic aggregates of GFP-UXT coincided with aggregates of mitochondria and LRPPRC. We conclude that increasing concentrations of UXT contributes to progressive aggregation of mitochondria and cell death potentially through association of UXT with LRPPRC.
Effects of microsite, water, weeding, and direct seeding on the regeneration of native and alien species within a Hawaiian dry forest preserve

Abstract Tropical dry forests are among the most endangered ecosystems in the world in general and in Hawaii in particular. To investigate the regeneration ecology of native and alien dry forest species on the island of Hawaii, we used a factorial experiment with microsite (sub-canopy vs. inter-canopy), water (supplemental vs. ambient), and weeding (alien species removed vs. not removed) treatments, and also seeded six native woody species into each plot at the start of the experiment. At the end of the 21-month study, the biomass of the volunteer native and alien species (i.e. unplanted species consisting mainly of relatively fast-growing shrubs) was nearly three and 13 times that of the seeded species, respectively. The biomass of the native volunteers was greater in the inter-canopy plots, greater for the seeded species in the sub-canopy plots, and did not differ significantly within this treatment for the alien species. Few species survived in the ambient water plots, resulting in greater biomass in the watered plots for all species. There were no significant differences in the biomass of the native species within the weeded vs. non-weeded plots; on the contrary, we found consistently positive correlations between the abundance of the seeded species and the volunteer native and alien species. Thus it may be possible to restore Hawaii's degraded dry forests by manipulating these naturally recruiting species to create microsites favorable for the eventual re-establishment of the endangered native canopy tree flora.
The Yersinia Yops inhibit invasion of Listeria, Shigella and Edwardsiella but not Salmonella into epithelial cells

Yersinia virulence is dependent on the expression of plasmid-encoded secreted proteins called Yops. After bacterial adherence to receptors on the mammalian cell membrane, several Yops are transported by a type III secretion pathway into the host cell cytoplasm. Two Yops, YopH and YopE, prevent macrophages from phagocytosing Yersinia by disrupting the host cell cytoskeleton and signal transduction pathways. In contrast to this active inhibition of phagocytosis by Yersinia, other pathogens such as Salmonella, Shigella, Listeria and Edwardsiella actively promote their entry into mammalian cells by binding to specific host surface receptors and exploiting existing cell cytoskeletal and signalling pathways. We have tested whether Yersinia Yops can prevent the uptake of these diverse invasive pathogens. We first infected epithelial cells with Yersinia to permit delivery of Yops and subsequently with an invasive pathogen. We then measured the level of bacterial invasion. Preinfection with Yersinia inhibited invasion of Edwardsiella, Shigella and Listeria, but not Salmonella. Furthermore, we found that either YopE or YopH prevented Listeria invasion, whereas only YopE prevented Edwardsiella and Shigella invasion. We correlated the inhibitory effect of the Yops with the inhibitory action of the cell-signalling inhibitors Wortmannin, LY294002 and NDGA, and concluded that the four invasive pathogenic species enter epithelial cells using at least three distinct host cell pathways. We also speculate that YopE affects the rho pathway.
Effect of saralasin upon plasma catecholamines in hypertensive patients.

Abstract The effect of saralasin, a clinically employed angiotensin antagonist, upon hemodynamics and plasma catecholamine concentration was compared to the infusion of noradrenaline. These studies were carried out to determine if a transient pressor effect frequently observed during saralasin infusion might be mediated by release of catecholamines from the adrenal medulla. After five minutes of saralasin infusion, mean arterial pressure rose significantly, pulse rate fell slightly, and plasma noradrenaline increased by 115 ± 28 pg./ml. Plasma adrenaline was unchanged. After 30 minutes of saralasin infusion, mean arterial pressure was at control levels and plasma catecholamine concentrations were also no different from pre-infusion levels. Infusion of noradrenaline produced a hemodynamic pattern similar to that observed during the first five minutes of saralasin infusion. However, there was a thirteen-fold increase of plasma noradrenaline observed when compared to the first five minutes of saralasin infusion. It was concluded that the transient pressor action of saralasin could not be explained by release of catecholamines from the adrenal medulla. However, the very slight increase in plasma norepinephrine observed during the first five minutes of saralasin infusion may imply altered function of sympathetic neurons.
Fractured cutaneous projections to the granule cell layer of the posterior cerebellar hemisphere of the domestic cat.

Snider 's pioneering studies of tactile responses in the cerebellar cortex of cats and monkeys suggested that posterior regions of the cerebellar hemispheres receive somatotopically organized projections. However, recent studies in rats, using high-density, in depth microelectrode mapping methods, have shown that tactile projections to the granule cell layer of the cerebellar hemispheres are somatotopically disrupted. We reexamined the organization of cutaneous projections to cerebellar hemispheric cortex in cats by using micromapping methods. Natural stimulation of cutaneous surfaces evokes short-latency (mossy-fiber-induced) multiple unit responses in the cerebellar granule cell layer of crus II and paramedian lobule in both ketamine- and barbiturate-anesthetized cats. Facial structures are represented in several of the most caudomedial folia of crus II as well as in three of the rostral folia of the paramedian lobule. In several of these paramedian folia, facial projections are interspersed with projections from the forelimb. Forelimb structures alone are represented in two intermediate folia of the paramedian lobule. No cutaneous projections were found from the trunk or hindlimb. All projections were from ipsilateral receptive fields. In four folia of crus II and six folia of the paramedian lobule, cutaneous projections form a mosaic of patchlike projections. Within single patches, projections are somatotopically organized, but projections to adjacent patches come from noncontiguous body regions. Within a single folium , a particular facial region may be represented in two or three spatially separated patches. Facial patches are small, usually less than 1 mm2. Forelimb patches are usually larger, often extending the full length and breadth of a folial crown. Patches with like receptive fields are not organized in zonal sagittal strips. Rather than being somatotopically organized, cutaneous mossy fiber projections to granule cells in cats, as in rats, reveal a more complex mosaic pattern of organization.
Pericytes: Pluripotent Cells of the Blood Brain Barrier

Pericytes were described nearly 140 years ago by the French scientist Charles-Marie Benjamin Rouget and were referred to as the Rouget cell. The Rouget cell was renamed primarily due to its anatomical location in the endothelium. Pericytes are important cellular constituents of the capillaries and post capillary venules and are located abluminal to the endothelial cells and luminal to parenchymal cells. They deposit elements of the basal lamina and are totally surrounded by this vascular component. Despite many years of investigation since their discovery, the role of this intriguing cell still remains a mystery, in part, due to the difficulty of studying this cell in vivo, due to the difficulty of isolating pure primary pericytes, and due to the lack of a pericyte specific marker. Pericytes are thought to be local regulatory cells and important to the maintenance of homeostasis and hemostasis. In the brain, pericytes are in active communication with the cells of the neurovascular unit and make fine-tuned regulatory adjustments in response to stress stimuli. These adaptations at the vascular level form the basis for functional and phenotypic changes that include differentiation along mesenchymal and neurological lineages, and lend credence to the supposition that pericytes are multipotential stems cells in the adult brain and in other tissues. This review will consider evidence that pericytes are stem cells derived from historical work and from more recent literature, and will attempt to dispel a number of misconceptions about the pericyte that has lead to confusion in the literature. We will also speculate on the importance of pericyte stem cell activity in survival and DNA repair and how dysregulation of pericyte function may lead to disease.
Multilevel Summation Method for Electrostatic Force Evaluation

The multilevel summation method (MSM) offers an efficient algorithm utilizing convolution for evaluating long-range forces arising in molecular dynamics simulations. Shifting the balance of computation and communication, MSM provides key advantages over the ubiquitous particle–mesh Ewald (PME) method, offering better scaling on parallel computers and permitting more modeling flexibility, with support for periodic systems as does PME but also for semiperiodic and nonperiodic systems. The version of MSM available in the simulation program NAMD is described, and its performance and accuracy are compared with the PME method. The accuracy feasible for MSM in practical applications reproduces PME results for water property calculations of density, diffusion constant, dielectric constant, surface tension, radial distribution function, and distance-dependent Kirkwood factor, even though the numerical accuracy of PME is higher than that of MSM. Excellent agreement between MSM and PME is found also for interface po...
Pyrolysis and oxidation of ethyl methyl sulfide in a flow reactor

Abstract The reactions and kinetics of ethyl methyl sulfide (CH 3 CH 2 S CH 3 , abbreviation CCSC), a simulant for the chemical warfare agent sulfur mustard, were studied at temperatures of 630–740 °C, under highly diluted pyrolysis and oxidation conditions at one atmosphere in a turbulent flow reactor. The loss of the ethyl methyl sulfide and the formation of intermediates and products were correlated with time and temperature. Destruction efficiencies of 50% and 99% were observed for pyrolysis and oxidation, respectively, at 740 °C with a residence time of 0.06 s. For pyrolysis, ethylene, ethane, and methane were detected at significant levels. In addition to these species, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and formaldehyde were detected for oxidation. Conversions of ethyl methyl sulfide were observed to be significantly slower than observed previously for diethyl sulfide; explanations for this observation are postulated, based on: (1) lower hydrogen abstraction rates or on (2) lower hydrogen atom production as a result of thermal decomposition pathways. Initial decomposition reactions and production pathways for important species observed in the experiments are discussed on a basis of thermochemistry.
A test of the transition-metal nanocluster formation and stabilization ability of the most common polymeric stabilizer, poly(vinylpyrrolidone), as well as four other polymeric protectants.

Following an introduction to the nanocluster stabilization literature and DLVO (Derjaugin−Landau−Verwey−Overbeek) theory of colloidal stability, the most common steric stabilizer of transition-metal nanoclusters, poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP), has been examined for its efficacy in the formation, stabilization, and subsequent catalytic activity of prototype, test case Ir(0)n nanoclusters. First, the five criteria established previously for ranking nanocluster protectants for their nanocluster formation and stabilization ability were evaluated for 1 monomer equiv of 10000 average molecular weight (MWav) PVP in the absence, and then presence, of the traditionally weakly coordinating anion BF4- as well as the absence and presence of the strongly coordinating, superior anionic stabilizer P2W15Nb3O629-, all in propylene carbonate solvent. It is found that neither 1 equiv of BF4- in propylene carbonate nor 1 monomer equiv of (undried) PVP alone allows for isolable and redissolvable nanoclusters without bulk Ir(0)...
Electrically-pumped, broad-area, single-mode photonic crystal lasers.

Planar broad-area single-mode lasers, with modal widths of the order of tens of microns, are technologically important for high-power applications and improved coupling efficiency into optical fibers. They may also find new areas of applications in on-chip integration with devices that are of similar size scales, such as for spectroscopy in microfluidic chambers or optical signal processing with micro-electromechanical systems. An outstanding challenge is that broad-area lasers often require external means of control, such as injection-locking or a frequency/spatial filter to obtain single-mode operation. In this paper, we propose and demonstrate effective index-guided, large-area, edge-emitting photonic crystal lasers driven by pulsed electrical current injection at the optical telecommunication wavelength of 1550nm. By suitable design of the photonic crystal lattice, our lasers operate in a single mode with a 1/e^2 modal width of 25μm and a length of 600μm.
Modeling of piston trajectory-based HCCI combustion enabled by a free piston engine

Previously, the authors have designed and implemented an active motion control “virtual crankshaft” for a free piston engine, which enables precise piston tracking of desired trajectories. With this mechanism, the volume of the combustion chamber can be regulated, and therefore the pressure, temperature and species concentrations of in-cylinder gas can be adjusted in real-time which affect the combustion process directly. This new degree of freedom enables us to conduct piston trajectory-based combustion control. In this paper, a model of the free piston engine running homogeneous charge compression ignition combustion under various piston trajectories is presented. The various piston trajectories have the ability to change the compression ratio and accommodate different piston motion patterns between the top dead center and the bottom dead center. Six reaction mechanisms are employed in the model in order to demonstrate the multi-fuel combustion ability of the free piston engine, and to describe the chemical kinetics of different fuels under various piston trajectories. Analysis of the simulation results is then presented which reveals the piston trajectory effects on the combustion in terms of in-cylinder gas temperature trace, indicated output work, heat loss and radical species accumulation process.
The escalation of commitment in political decision‐making groups: a social identity approach

Escalation situations are those in which some project or course of action has led to losses, but there is a possibility of achieving better outcomes by investing further time, money, or effort. Although this phenomenon has been studied in individuals, there has been little research which has examined it in groups. It was hypothesized that individuals stronger in social identity would be more likely to escalate their commitment to a failing project. Groups of subjects (half whose members strongly identified and half who weakly identified with their groups) were asked to play the role of a town council whose current objective was to invest money in construction of a playground that was met with many problems. The results showed that groups that were stronger in social identity escalated their commitment to the playground. The implications of the results are discussed, along with future directions for research.
Ionization energy correlations for alkyl-substirured chromophores

A correlation algorithm for ionization potentials of alkylated molecules is presented and tested. This algorithm treats the situation in which the chromophore X is held constant while the substituent S is varied, it provides an expression for the ionization potential as a function of substituent molecular parameters, and it gives a faithful representation of the experiment. A very concise derivation of the correlative equations is also presented. This derivation follows from the imposition of specified model assumptions upon the superposition of Koopmans' theorem and the antisymmetrized molecular spin-orbital approximation.
Analyzing the presence of chirp signals in the electroencephalogram during seizure using the reassignment time-frequency representation and the Hough transform

This paper presents an algorithm to analyze chirp-like signals that occur during seizures. It is based on a reassignment time-frequency representation and image processing technique. Firstly, the reassignment smoothed pseudo Wigner-Ville distribution (RSPWVD) was calculated, and then the Hough transform was executed on the RSPWVD in the time-frequency plane. The algorithm was applied to traditional EEG (electroencephalogram) signals and to the recently proposed Laplacian EEG recorded using tripolar concentric ring electrodes (TCREs), referred to as (tEEG). Preliminary results indicate that this algorithm is well suited for chirp-like activity associated with seizures and that the tEEG gives better performance than the EEG.
Systematic atomic number effects in complexes exhibiting ligand luminescence

Abstract A thorough examination has been made of the room temperature emission properties of a large number of diamagnetic closed shell metal complexes exhibiting luminescence localized in the ligand. The data reported are for 8-quinolinolates and include absorption spectra, emission spectra, excitation spectra, quantum yields and luminescence lifetimes. From these results, pertinent excited state rate constants have been determined and examined for periodic properties. It has been concluded that a heavy atom perturbation of the spin selection rule is systematically affecting the intersystem crossing rate. The application of these results to potential kinetic analyses of metal ion mixtures will be considered.
Amide¿Ligand Hydrogen Bonding in Reverse Micelles

One approach to modeling the second coordination shell of metalloproteins is to pair amide-containing counterions with metal complexes to form hydrogen bonds in the solid state. In a more general approach, we have designed a surfactant counterion that can sustain hydrogen bonding interactions with metal complexes in solution. The surfactant is cationic and incorporates an amide as part of its headgroup to form hydrogen. The surfactant forms hydrogen bonding reverse micelles that accommodate anionic metal complexes in their polar core. In reverse micelles containing an iron(III) hexacyanide complex, spectroscopic evidence suggests that the anion is confined to the polar core region in solution. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction data on the surfactant ferricyanide system reveals a layered structure with interdigitated alkyl chains and an extensive network of hydrogen bonds that link amide groups to the cyanide ligands and to neighboring headgroups.
A 283-to-296GHz VCO with 0.76mW peak output power in 65nm CMOS

Sub-mm-Wave and terahertz frequencies have many applications such as medical imaging, spectroscopy and communication systems. CMOS signal generation at this frequency range is a major challenge due to the limited cut-off frequency of transistors and their low breakdown voltage. A recent work has demonstrated generation of high power at a fixed frequency in the sub-mm-Wave range using a harmonic oscillator [1]. However, for most applications a tunable signal source is necessary. In previous works, frequency multipliers are used as an alternative for tunable power generation above 150GHz [2]. In this work, for the first time we introduce a tunable high-power oscillator at sub-mm-Wave frequencies in low-power (LP) bulk CMOS.
All-optical 2R regenerator of 16-QAM signals

We propose an all-optical regeneration scheme for 16-QAM signal. An incoming signal is 50/50 split into I and Q arms. Each arm contains three phase sensitive amplifiers (PSAs); between the PSAs the signal propagates through highly nonlinear fiber (HNLF) and acquires nonlinear phase shift due to self-phase modulation (SPM). At the end, another 50/50 coupler combines the regenerated I and Q signals. In each arm, the first PSA is used to amplify one quadrature of incoming signal and deamplify the other quadrature in order to squeeze the phase noise. Since data encoded on the deamplified quadrature is also erased by the first PSA, signal in each arm retains only the data on amplified quadrature. After the first PSA, only amplitude noises remain on the two power levels of each signal. The amplitude noise is regenerated by the SPM in the HNLF, followed by the PSA. The SPM converts the amplitude noise to the phase noise and thus causes rotation of the uncertainty (noise) ellipse around the signal phasor in the complex plane. For a proper nonlinear phase shift, the long axis of the noise ellipse can be significantly compressed by the PSA. To suppress the noise on both signal levels with 1:9 power ratio, there are two HNLF+PSA combinations in each arm. Our modeling shows better than 4 dB noise reduction for all constellation points. Moreover, the higher signal levels experience even greater noise suppression, which is beneficial for their nonlinear propagation through the transmission fiber.