cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Performance portable C++ programming with RAJA

With the rapid change of computing architectures, and variety of programming models; the ability to develop performance portable applications has become of great importance. This is particularly true in large production codes where developing and maintaining hardware specific versions is untenable. To simplify the development of performance portable code, we introduce RAJA, our C++ library that allows developers to write single-source applications that can target multiple hardware and programming model back-ends. We provide a thorough introduction to all of RAJA features, and walk through some hands-on examples that will allow attendees to understand how RAJA might benefit their own applications. Attendees should bring a laptop computer to participate in the hands-on exercises. This tutorial will introduce attendees to RAJA, a C++ library for developing performance portable applications. Attendees will learn how to write performance portable code that can execute on a range of programming models (OpenMP, CUDA, Intel TBB, and HCC) and hardware (CPU, GPU, Xeon Phi). Specifically, attendees will learn how to convert existing C++ applications to use RAJA, and how to use RAJA's programming abstractions to expose existing parallelism in their applications without complex algorithm rewrites. We will also cover specific guidelines for using RAJA in a large application, including some common "gotchas" and how to handle memory management. Finally, attendees will learn how to categorize loops to allow for simple and systematic performance tuning on any architecture.
Computational fluid dynamics modeling and laboratory analysis of aerosol particles' capture on thin swirling water film in a Vortecone

Abstract This study was conducted to look at a new use case for the Vortecone scrubber. A Vortecone is an inertial separator that utilizes the momentum of dust particles to promote their capture. The turbulent airflow forces the water supplied at the periphery to deform continuously, resulting in a rapidly swirling film on the Vortecone surface. The heavier dust particles are differentially shed from the bulk airflow towards the vortex chamber surface where they are captured by the running water film. The Vortecone surface serves as the filter element. The authors use computational fluid dynamics to model the multiphase flow and particle transportation inside the Vortecone. Laboratory experiments using coal dust show the Vortecone to capture about 73% and 97% of particles exceeding 2.9μm and 5.9 μm at 0.28 m3/s. The cleaning improves to 89% and 99% at the airflow of 0.38 m3/s .
A network analysis to identify forest merchantability limitations across the United States

Abstract Large-scale silvicultural programs designed to alter forest characteristics to accomplish either financial or ecological goals often involve the extraction of significant volumes. The operational costs, and thus extend over which these programs can be applied, depend in large part on supply chain considerations and the degree to which removals can be merchandized. Forestry supply chain considerations include the spatial allocation of forest products processing facilities, the array of primary forest commodities they consume, and the transportation infrastructure. This study conducts a network analysis utilizing the location of 2543 primary forest product producers in the contiguous United States along with a national road dataset to evaluate hotspots where a better opportunity to merchandise forest products enables flexibility in forest management, and coldspots where alternatives are limited. This study establishes service areas of processing facilities for sawlogs, pulpwood, and biomass at varying haul-times and two scenarios as a function of transportation costs and constructs a Cumulative Merchantability Index (CMI) by summing the Merchantability Index values defining the current market extent. In the Short Haul scenario, 26% (61.71 million hectares) and the Long Haul scenario, 9% (21.32 million hectares) of the forests have low merchantability for all three commodities. Only 3% of forests in Short Haul and 20% forests in the Long Haul scenario have an opportunity to market all three forest commodities. Results are helpful in prioritizing differing management objectives by evaluating the potential cost saving afforded by selling forest commodities.
Advanced Tracking Strategies for Charging Electric Vehicle Batteries

Challenges and opportunities of integrating electric vehicles (EV) with an electric grid have been of great interest for the past few years. In order to integrate with an electric grid, a battery model of the EV should have adequate control mechanisms. In this paper, we consider a nonlinear model of a 2-RC battery. For optimal tracking of a reference terminal voltage, a closed-loop optimal control strategy is obtained by using the State-Dependent Riccati Equation (SDRE) technique with performance index to minimize the quadratic error between the reference and actual trajectories. Simulation results with a lithium-ion (li-ion) battery shows good tracking performance.
1123-P: Stress Cardiac Biomarkers and Adverse Cardiac Outcomes in the CANagliflozin CardioVascular Assessment Study (CANVAS)

SGLT2 inhibitors reduce risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and hospitalization for heart failure (HHF) in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), but mechanisms remain unclear. We examined effects of canagliflozin vs. placebo on 3 prognostic biomarkers in CANVAS, as well as their predictive ability for outcomes of interest. High sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT; Roche Diagnostics), soluble (s)ST2 (Critical Diagnostics), and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 7 (IGFBP7; Roche Diagnostics) were measured in up to 3680 participants at baseline, 1 y, and for hs-cTnT and sST2, 6 y. Conventional statistical methods adjusting relevant covariates were used to relate biomarkers to risk for incident MACE or HHF. Higher concentration of all 3 biomarkers was associated with higher adjusted risk for incident MACE or HHF, with C-index improvements beyond covariates for MACE or HHF (Table). In terms of treatment effect, no biomarkers were differentially altered by 1 y but where data existed, both hs-cTnT (n=915; treatment coefficient [95% CI]: -0.064 [-0.121, -0.007]; p=0.027) and sST2 (n=828, treatment coefficient [95% CI]: -0.129 [-0.248, -0.010]; p=0.033) were reduced significantly at 6 y. Among patients with T2D, concentrations of hs-cTnT, sST2, and IGFBP7 were associated with risk for MACE and HHF. Canagliflozin slowed longer term (6 y) increases in hs-cTnT and sST2. Disclosure N. Sattar: Advisory Panel; Self; Amgen, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Eli Lilly and Company, Novo Nordisk A/S, Pfizer Inc., Sanofi. Research Support; Self; Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. J. Xu: Employee; Self; Janssen Research & Development, LLC. J. Butler: Consultant; Self; Amgen, Array BioPharma, AstraZeneca, Bayer AG, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb, CVRx, G3 Pharmaceuticals, Innolife Co., Ltd., Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Luitpold Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Medtronic, Merck & Co., Inc., Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Relypsa, Inc., VIfor. K.W. Mahaffey: Consultant; Self; Medscape, Mitsubishi, Myokardia, NIH, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, Portola, Radiometer, Regeneron, SmartMedics, Springer Publishing, UCSF. Research Support; Self; Afferent, Amgen, Apple, Inc, AstraZeneca, Cardiva Medical, Inc, Daiichi, Ferring, Google (Verily), Johnson & Johnson, Luitpold, Medtronic, Merck, NIH, Novartis, Sanofi, St. Jude, Tenax. W. Shaw: Employee; Self; Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. N. Rosenthal: None. D.E. Gutstein: Employee; Self; Janssen Research & Development, LLC. M.K. Hansen: Employee; Self; Janssen Research & Development, LLC. J. Januzzi: Consultant; Self; Roche Diagnostic USA. Research Support; Self; Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Funding Janssen Research & Development, LLC
Predictive Analytics for Glaucoma using Data from the All of Us Research Program.

Purpose To (1) use All of Us (AoU) data to validate a previously published single-center model predicting the need for surgery among individuals with glaucoma, (2) train new models using AoU data, and (3) share insights regarding this novel data source for ophthalmic research. Design Development and evaluation of machine learning models. Methods Electronic health record data were extracted from AoU for 1,231 adults diagnosed with primary open-angle glaucoma. The single-center model was applied to AoU data for external validation. AoU data were then used to train new models for predicting the need for glaucoma surgery using multivariable logistic regression, artificial neural networks, and random forests. Five-fold cross-validation was performed. Model performance was evaluated based on area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), accuracy, precision, and recall. Results The mean (standard deviation) age of the AoU cohort was 69.1 (10.5) years, with 57.3% women and 33.5% black, significantly exceeding representation in the single-center cohort (P = .04 and P Conclusions Models trained with national AoU data achieved superior performance compared with using single-center data. Although AoU does not currently include ophthalmic imaging, it offers several strengths over similar big-data sources such as claims data. AoU is a promising new data source for ophthalmic research.
Arabidopsis ABIG1 Functions in Laminar Growth and Polarity Formation through Regulation by REVOLUTA and KANADI

Leaf laminar growth and adaxial-abaxial boundary formation are fundamental outcomes of plant development. Boundary and laminar growth coordinate the further patterning and growth of the leaf, directing the differentiation of cell types within the top and bottom domains and promoting initiation of lateral organs along their adaxial/abaxial axis. Leaf adaxial-abaxial polarity specification and laminar out-growth are regulated by two transcription factors, REVOLUTA (REV) and KANADI (KAN). ABA INSENSITIVE TO GROWTH 1 (ABIG1) is a HOMEODOMAIN-LEUCINE ZIPPER (HD-ZIP) Class II transcription factor and is a direct target of the adaxial-abaxial regulators REV and KAN. To investigate the role of ABIG1 in the leaf development and establishment of polarity, we examined the phenotypes of both gain-of-function and loss-of-function mutants. Through genetic interaction analysis with REV and KAN mutants, we have determined that ABIG1 plays a role in leaf laminar-growth as well as in adaxial-abaxial polarity establishment. Genetic and physical interaction assays showed that ABIG1 interacts with the transcriptional corepressor TOPLESS (TPL). This study provides new evidence that another HD-ZIP II gene, ABIG1, facilitates growth through the corepressor TPL. HighlightABIG1, a HD-ZIP Class II transcription factor, promotes laminar growth and adaxial-abaxial polarity through the regulation of REV and KAN.
Adsorption Kinetics in Nanoscale Porous Coordination Polymers

Nanoscale porous coordination polymers were synthesized using simple wet chemical method. The effect of various polymer surfactants on colloidal stability and shape selectivity was investigated. Our results suggest that the nanoparticles exhibited significantly improved adsorption kinetics compared to bulk crystals due to decreased diffusion path lengths and preferred crystal plane interaction.
The Light Traffic Derivatives in the GI/G/1 Queue

In this paper, we derive an algorithm to calculate the light traffic derivatives of the mean waiting time in the GI/G/1 queue. The algorithm is based on a simple recursive procedure. It is very easy to implement and very fast.
Loss of a phosphorylated form of transcription factor CREB/ATF in poliovirus-infected cells.

Abstract Host cell RNA synthesis is inhibited by poliovirus infection. We have studied the mechanism of poliovirus-induced inhibition of RNA polymerase II-mediated transcription by using the adenovirus early region 3 (E3) promoter. In vitro transcription from the E3 promoter was severely inhibited in extracts prepared from poliovirus-infected HeLa cells. Four regions in the E3 promoter have been shown to serve as binding sites for cellular transcription factors. These regions contain binding sites for transcription factors NF-1 (site IV), AP-1 (site III), CREB/ATF (site II), and the TATA factor (site I). Binding to these four regions was not significantly altered by poliovirus infection as assayed by DNase I footprinting analysis; furthermore, gel retardation assays failed to reveal dramatic differences in the total amount of CREB/ATF-, AP-1-, and NF-1-binding activity present in mock- or poliovirus-infected cell extracts. Gel retardation assays, however, did reveal significant qualitative differences in the DNA-protein complexes formed with a CREB/ATF-binding site in extracts prepared from poliovirus-infected cells as compared to mock-infected cell extracts. Radioimmunoprecipitation reactions performed with antiserum against CREB/ATF revealed a severe reduction in a phosphorylated form of the protein present in poliovirus-infected cell extracts. However, in vitro kinase reactions demonstrated that mock- and poliovirus-infected cell extracts contained similar levels of CREB/ATF. Expression from the E3 promoter was shown to be activated by CREB/ATF in vivo; this induction was dependent upon the phosphorylation of CREB/ATF. Thus, we propose that poliovirus infection inhibits transcription from the E3 promoter, at least in part, through the dephosphorylation of CREB/ATF.
Mechanisms of blindness: animal models provide insight into distinct CRX-associated retinopathies.

Background: The homeodomain transcription factor CRX is a crucial regulator of mammalian photoreceptor gene expression. Mutations in the human CRX gene are associated with dominant inherited retinopathies Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), Cone-Rod Dystrophy (CoRD), and Leber Congenital Amaurosis (LCA), of varying severity. In vitro and in vivo assessment of mutant CRX proteins have revealed pathogenic mechanisms for several mutations, but no comprehensive mutation-disease correlation has yet been reported. Results: Here we describe four different classes of disease-causing CRX mutations, characterized by mutation type, pathogenetic mechanism, and the molecular activity of the mutant protein: (1) hypomorphic missense mutations with reduced DNA binding, (2) antimorphic missense mutations with variable DNA binding, (3) antimorphic frameshift/nonsense mutations with intact DNA binding, and (4) antimorphic frameshift mutations with reduced DNA binding. Mammalian models representing three of these classes have been characterized. Conclusions: Models carrying Class I mutations display a mild dominant retinal phenotype and recessive LCA, while models carrying Class III and IV mutations display characteristically distinct dominant LCA phenotypes. These animal models also reveal unexpected pathogenic mechanisms underlying CRX-associated retinopathies. The complexity of genotype-phenotype correlation for CRX-associated diseases highlights the value of developing comprehensive “true-to-disease” animal models for understanding pathologic mechanisms and testing novel therapeutic approaches. Developmental Dynamics 243:1153–1166, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Humoral Regulation of Red Cell Production

Large amounts of plasma from rabbits, rendered anemic by bleeding, were injected into normal rabbits. A significant rise in the number of reticulocytes was observed in these rabbits. Control rabbits receiving the same amount of plasma from normal donor rabbits failed to show any significant change in the reticulocyte count. A definite increase in red blood cell count, hematocrit and per cent nucleated red cells of the bone marrow was noticed in 2 rabbits receiving repeated injections of plasma from anemic rabbits. It is concluded that plasma from rabbits rendered anemic by bleeding contains a factor capable of stimulating red cell production.
Inhibition of the Synthesis of Simian Virus 40 Antigens in Cells Preinfected with Yaba Tumor Virus

The synthesis of tumor and viral antigens after infection of an established line of cynomolgus monkey kidney cells with simian virus 40 (SV40) was compared in cells previously infected with Yaba virus and in cells not preinfected. SV40 failed to induce synthesis of tumor or viral antigens in cells preinfected with Yaba virus. The inhibitory state in preinfected cells was shown to develop sequentially. Increase in the rate of deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis in the nuclei of preinfected cells occurred after infection with SV40. This rate of increase was significantly lower than that which occurred in SV40-infected cells which had not been preinfected. Cytosine arabinoside did not exert significant effect on the development of the inhibitory effect against SV40 in Yaba virus-infected cells.
1460 MORTALITY OUTCOME IN A TERTIARY NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT UTILIZING NURSE CLINICIANS IN PLACE OF PEDIATRIC HOUSESTAFF

Neonatal nurse clinician programs have been developed in part to meet the needs for clinical management skills and technical expertise usually provided by pediatric house officers. The question as to whether patient care can be effectively delivered by nurses has not been fully answered. Neonatologists became actively involved in neonatal care in South Dakota in 1978. Con-comitantly, a nurse clinician training program was developed which included over 300 hours of didactic teaching, six weeks of applied clincial experience and a 34 week preceptorship in a tertiary nursery. Neonatal clinicians were taught to manage the transport and daily care of seriously ill neonates. The mortality for the unit fell from 20% in 1977 to 5.5% for the 1st 9 months of 1980. In addition, there were no fluctuations in mortality associated with housestaff rotation. Nurse clinicians now perform nearly 60% of all procedures. Neonatologists, in concert with nurse clinicians, can provide care at a level which compares favorably with other tertiary care centers. This care provides a high level of consistency and continuity not obtainable in the usual housestaff program. Neonatal clinicians are an effective alternative for situations in which there are an insufficient number of pediatric house officers.
Gate propagation delay and logic timing of GaAs integrated circuits measured by electro-optic sampling

We report techniques for measuring internal switching delays of GaAs digital integrated circuits by electro-optic sampling. Circuit propagation delays of 15 ps are measured. A new phase modulation technique which allows testing of sequential logic is demonstrated with the measurement of a 2·7 GHz 8-phase clock generator.
Assessment of prostatic protein secretion in tissue recombinants made of urogenital sinus mesenchyme and urothelium from normal or androgen-insensitive mice

Urogenital sinus mesenchyme (UGM) from normal, androgen receptor-positive mice appears to instructively induce prostatic morphology in urinary tract epithelium from both normal and androgen-insensitive (Tfm) mice. This indicates that epithelial androgen receptors are not necessary for prostatic development. However, the secretory function of these tissue recombinants has never been assessed. In this study antisera to androgen-dependent dorsolateral prostate (DLP) secretion were used in immunocytochemistry, Western blotting, and immunoprecipitation techniques to detect the presence of these prostatic proteins in tissue recombinants made with either normal or Tfm epithelium. In a majority of cases, UGM plus normal bladder or urethral epithelium developed into prostatic tissue that produced androgen-dependent DLP proteins. Hence UGM appeared to be capable of instructively inducing a functional prostatic phenotype in these normal heterotypic epithelia. With rare exceptions, tissue recombinants of UGM plus Tfm bladder or urethral epithelium did not produce full prostatic cytodifferentiation or mouse DLP proteins, indicating that epithelial androgen receptors are important for the final stages of morphogenesis and in the initiation of secretory function in the prostate.
Ascorbic Acid Oxidation by Hydrogen Peroxide

The oxidative degradation of ascorbic acid by hydrogen peroxide was examined to determine routes of degradation and identify the initial products which form when ascorbic acid is oxidized. When reacted with hydrogen peroxide, solutions of ascorbic acid and dehydroascorbic acid are both ultimately oxidized to the same species, having a mass spectrum consistent with threonic acid. When the intermediate steps in the oxidation of ascorbic acid are examined in detail, ascorbic acid, dehydroascorbic acid, and solutions containing hydrolyzed dehydroascorbic acid are all oxidized through a six-carbon compound previously proposed to be tetrahydroxydiketohexanoic acid. Both dehydroascorbic acid and hydrolyzed dehydroascorbic acid (diketogulonic acid) are more susceptible to hydrogen peroxide oxidation than ascorbic acid. Based on mass spectral analysis, diketogulonic acid serves as an oxygen sink, implying that it may be a better reducing agent for toxic oxygen species than ascorbic acid. These data indicate that oxidation of ascorbic acid by hydrogen peroxide primarily proceeds through three major six-carbon intermediates, each with distinctive redox properties. The stable metabolite diketogulonic may be a critical antioxidant in ascorbic-acid-containing systems.
The Persistence of Directivity in Small Earthquakes

Abstract We derive a simple inversion of peak ground acceleration (PGA) or peak ground velocity (PGV) for rupture direction and rupture velocity and then test this inversion on the peak motions obtained from seven 3.5≤ M ≤4.1 earthquakes that occurred in two clusters in November 2002 and February 2003 near San Ramon, California. These clusters were located on two orthogonal strike-slip faults so that the events share the same approximate focal mechanism but not the same fault plane. Three earthquakes exhibit strong directivity, but the other four earthquakes exhibit relatively weak directivity. We use the residual PGAs and PGVs from the other six events to determine station corrections for each earthquake. The inferred rupture directions unambiguously identify the fault plane for the three earthquakes with strong directivity and for three of the four earthquakes with weak directivity. The events with strong directivity have fast rupture velocities (0.63 β ≤ v ≤0.87 β ); the events with weak directivity either rupture more slowly (0.17 β ≤ v ≤0.35 β ) or bilaterally. The simple unilateral inversion cannot distinguish between slow and bilateral ruptures: adding a bilateral rupture component degrades the fit of the rupture directions to the fault planes. By comparing PGAs from the events with strong and weak directivity, we show how an up-dip rupture in small events can distort the attenuation of peak ground motion with distance. When we compare the rupture directions of the earthquakes to the location of aftershocks in the two clusters, we find than almost all the aftershocks of the three earthquakes with strong directivity occur within 70° of the direction of rupture.
Total relative displacement of permutations

Abstract Let φ be a permutation of the set {1, 2, 3, …, N}. We call the sum δφ=∑ ||i−j|−|φ(i)−φ(j)|| the total relative displacement (where the sum is over all i, j such that 1⩽i Z with finite domain S⊂ Z .
Degree of simultaneous approximation of bivariate functions by Gordon operators

Abstract We investigate the degree of approximation of bivariate functions on a rectangle by various (discrete) spline-blended operators. Our aim is to give a fuller description than is available in the literature by using mixed moduli of smoothness of higher orders. The crucial tool from the univariate case is a generalization of a theorem of Sharma and Meir on the degree of simultaneous approximation by cubic spline interpolators. The main results for the multivariate case are two theorems expressing certain permanence principles, which explain how the Boolean sums and certain (discrete) blending operators inherit quantitative properties from their univariate building blocks. Various historical remarks and numerous references are included in order to draw the reader's attention to the somewhat diverse history of the subject.
Response initiation delays in Parkinson's disease patients

Abstract Parkinson's disease (PD) patients, elderly, and young subjects generated force pulse at percentages of their maximum. PD patients were substantially slower in initiating an isometric force at each of the target force levels. The reaction delay was localized in the pre-motor component, suggesting that the longer response initiation time observed in PD patients is not associated with excessive delays in motor processes but rather with delays in cognitive processes that precede the response output. Although PD patients were as accurate as elderly and young subjects in producing the required force levels, they showed more irregular force-time patterns.
Mechanistic Study of the Anchoring Behavior of Liquid Crystals Supported on Metal Salts and Their Orientational Responses to Dimethyl Methylphosphonate

This paper reports an investigation of the orientational behavior of films of nematic liquid crystal (LC) 4‘-pentyl-4-biphenyl-carbonitrile (5CB) supported on a variety of metal perchlorate salts and their orientational response to dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP). It is found that 5CB supported on perchlorate salts comprised of metal ions with high electron affinities (>15.64 eV), such as Cu2+, Zn2+, Cd2+, Ni2+, Co2+, La3+, Al3+, Eu3+, and Fe3+, assumes a homeotropic orientation whereas 5CB supported on salts of metal ions with low electron affinities, including Mn2+, Mg2+, Ag+, Cs+, and Na+, assumes a planar or tilted orientation. The role of the nitrile group of 5CB in determining the orientational behavior of the LC via its coordination with the metal ions is supported by polarization-modulation infrared reflection−absorption spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS). A new nitrile stretching peak is measured with Cu2+, Ni2+, and Cd2+ (which cause homeotropic anchoring) but not with Ag+, Na+, and Mg2+ (which cause til...
Media Context, Female Body Size and Perceived Realism

Women with larger body types are underrepresented and presented negatively on television. Two experiments explored the possibility that program context, specifically the roles women play on television, may influence judgments about the realism of various women’s body types. Both experiments, one with 92 undergraduate students at a large university in the northeastern United States, and one with 69 mall patrons in the same area, found that while the body type of an actress had little effect in a domestic setting, larger women were perceived as less realistic and less likely to get a television role in a professional setting. The results have implications for how audiences judge body types and for how audiences make realism judgments.
Virtual Reality: A Survival Guide for the Social Scientist

In this article, we provide the nontechnical reader with a fundamental understanding of the components of virtual reality (VR) and a thorough discussion of the role VR has played in social science. First, we provide a brief overview of the hardware and equipment used to create VR and review common elements found within the virtual environment that may be of interest to social scientists, such as virtual humans and interactive, multisensory feedback. Then, we discuss the role of VR in existing social scientific research. Specifically, we review the literature on the study of VR as an object, wherein we discuss the effects of the technology on human users; VR as an application, wherein we consider real-world applications in areas such as medicine and education; and VR as a method, wherein we provide a comprehensive outline of studies in which VR technologies are used to study phenomena that have traditionally been studied in physical settings, such as nonverbal behavior and social interaction. We then present a content analysis of the literature, tracking the trends for this research over the last two decades. Finally, we present some possibilities for future research for interested social scientists.
Synthesis of the donor-acceptor ligand 2-(4-dimethylaminobenzylidene)-4,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)-4-cyclopenten-1,3-dione (dbpcd) and X-ray diffraction structure of the platinum(II) compound PtCl2(dbpcd)·1.5CH2Cl2

Abstract Knoevenagel condensation of 4-(dimethylamino)benzaldehyde with 4,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)-4-cyclopenten-1,3-dione (bpcd) gives the donor–acceptor ligand 2-(4-dimethylaminobenzylidene)-4,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)-4-cyclopenten-1,3-dione (dbpcd). The reaction of dbpcd with PtCl2(cod) affords the platinum(II) complex PtCl2(dbpcd) in high yield. The free dbpcd ligand and PtCl2(dbpcd) have been isolated and fully characterized in solution by IR and NMR spectroscopies, and the solid-state structure of PtCl2(dbpcd) determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. PtCl2(dbpcd), as the 1.5CH2Cl2 solvate, crystallizes in the triclinic space group P 1 ¯ , a = 11.7412(7) A, b = 12.0486(7) A, c = 14.4781(9) A, α = 82.866(1), β = 75.049(1), γ = 83.905(1), V = 1957.6(2) A3, Z = 2, and Dcalc = 1.678 mg/m3, R = 0.0291 and wR2 = 0.0723 for 8315 reflections with I > 2σ(I). The molecular structure of PtCl2(dbpcd)·1.5CH2Cl2 consists of a square-planar platinum architecture containing two chlorines and the ancillary dbpcd diphosphine ligand. The redox properties of the dbpcd ligand and PtCl2(dbpcd) have been explored by cyclic voltammetry, and these data are discussed with respect to extended Huckel MO calculations.
Effect of catalysts on the reaction between a cycloaliphatic diisocyanate (H‐MDI) and n‐butanol

Kinetics of the reaction between bis(4-isocyanatocyclohexyl)methane, H-MDI, and n-butanol was studied in toluene at 100°C. Effects of various catalysts, such as Hg(CH3COO)2, Zn(CH3COO)2 · 2H2O, SnCl4 · 5H2O, and dibutyltindilaurate on the reaction rate and kinetics were also investigated. Reactions were followed by determining the unreacted isocyanate as a function of reaction time, using the standard dibutylamine back titration method. All catalysts seem to be very effective in increasing of the rate of the reaction compared to the uncatalyzed system. Depending on the initial stoichiometric ratio of (NCO) and (OH) and the concentration of the catalyst used, it seems possible to have preferential catalysis of the primary reaction between (NCO) and (OH) over the side reactions.
The Female Life Course: Life Situations and Perception of Control

The adult life course can be divided into socially defined age status periods differentiated not only by members' chronological age, but also by their experience within the family and work life cycles and degree of socially accorded rights, power, and privilege. The effects of individuals' social age status (adolescence, adulthood, retired adulthood) and gender on subjective perception of control and personal efficacy in familiar life situations from three domains (work, home, school) are examined within a multivariate cohort study. Results indicate that the adults, regardless of gender, perceived the greatest direct personal control or indirect control through the ability to influence powerful others. The adult females perceived a greater degree of influence on powerful others than adolescent or retired females, but the same as males of any status period. The implications of these results for the female life course are discussed. Language: en
The earliest vocabulary of Romani words (c.1515) in the Collectanea of Johannes ex Grafing, a student of Johannes Reuchlin and Conrad Celtis

Thirteen unpublished lines of a Latin-Romani vocabulary in a manuscript in Munich represent the earliest document recording efforts to put words of Romani, 'primarily an oral language' (Matras 2002: 238), into writing. The Benedictine compiler and scribe of the list was familiar with important contemporary German scholars, a fact that may enhance the authenticity of his numerous excerpts and explain the almost scholarly approach to such exotic languages as Romani. It can be assumed that the 'interviewer' got his information in Vienna around 1515, preceding the often adduced vocabularies of Borde (1542), Ewsum (before 1570), Vulcanius (1597), Celebi (1668), and Marsden (1785). He organized the results of his questioning neatly in groups, heavenly bodies, humans and animals, food, and cardinal numerals.
Spacecraft application of subliming materials

Several materials that have considerable mechanical strength at room temperatures and pressures will sublime rapidly in the hard vacuum of space. Three such materials (camphor, naphthalene, and biphenyl) have been studied in considerable detail both in the laboratory and on orbiting satellites. A principle use of these materials is to actuate electrical switches with predetermined time delays after the spacecraft is in orbit. They can also serve as temporary mechanical structures, which sublime away after the spacecraft is launched. A third use is the encapsulation of delicate instruments during the severe vibration and acceleration environment encountered during launch. Once in orbit, the encapsulation material gently sublimes away, leaving the delicate mechanism free to work in the vibrationless, zero-g environment of space Properties of the preceding three materials plus beiizoic acid are given, and various means of implementing these applications are discussed.
Development of a lavage procedure to collect crop secretions from live chickens for studying crop immunity.

The crop (ingluvies), an organ for food storage in most avian species, is located at the base of the oesophagus. Previous work in our laboratory showed that, following infection with Salmonella enteritidis , significant anti- S. enteritidis antibody levels could be found in the crops of these birds. Samples in these previous studies were obtained by flushing the interiors of crops excised from killed birds, which is both labour and animal intensive. A method was sought that allowed multiple sampling of the same birds over time. We found that lavage fluid could be administered directly into the crop down the oesophagus using a narrow-diameter plastic tubing attached to a syringe, and the fluid could then be aspirated back into the syringe. Antibody-containing crop secretions could be collected with minimal discomfort to the test animals. In a study where birds were challenged with S. enteritidis , immunoglobulin A anti- S. enteritidis titres 3 weeks post-challenge were similar in crop samples obtained by l...
Thrombin and topical local anesthetic for postoperative pain management.

PURPOSE Local anesthetic is often used for perioperative pain control. Thrombin serves as a carrying medium for sustained release of antibiotics, chemotherapy, and growth factors. We tested the hypothesis that local anesthetic pain relief can be prolonged with the adjunct use of thrombin. METHODS A prospective single-blinded clinical study was performed. Patients undergoing elective hand surgery inclusive of carpal tunnel release, excision of ganglion cyst, trigger finger release, and excision of mucous cyst under local block were enlisted. Before closure, patients received 1 of the following combinations: (1) control with oral analgesics, (2) 5 mL of 2% xylocaine, (3) 5 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine, (4) 2.5 mL of 2% xylocaine with 2.5 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine (XB), (5) thrombin with 5 mL of 2% xylocaine (XT), (6) thrombin with 5 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine (BT), and (7) thrombin with 2.5 mL of 2% xylocaine and 2.5 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine (XBT). There were 7 patients in each group, and patient demographics were similar between groups. Outcome measures included postanesthesia care unit (PACU) time, pain level, and number of pain pills required. RESULTS Compared with oral analgesics alone, mean (SD) postoperative pain levels were reduced by 33.3% (8.9%) by xylocaine, 69.1% (8.7%) by bupivacaine, and 45.7% (9.4%) by XB. When thrombin was added, pain levels were further reduced by 69.9% by XT (P < 0.001), 23.1% by BT (P = 0.071), and 50.5% by XBT (P < 0.001) compared with their nonthrombin counterparts. In addition, PACU time was decreased by 34.8% by XT (P = 0.003) and 19.7% by XBT (P = 0.013) compared with xylocaine and XB, respectively. However, there was no difference in total pain pills needed between xylocaine, bupivacaine, and XB when administered with and without thrombin. CONCLUSIONS The addition of topical thrombin to local anesthetic at the end of elective hand surgery provides for sustained postoperative pain control. Patients in this study who received thrombin and local anesthetic before wound closure had lower pain levels and were discharged from the PACU sooner than those who received local anesthetic alone. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic level 2.
Anorexia, Physical Function, and Incident Disability Among the Frail Elderly Population: Results From the ilSIRENTE Study

Objective Increasing evidence suggests that anorexia of aging can cause physical and mental impairment. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between anorexia of aging and measures of physical performance, muscle strength, and functional status in older persons aged 80 years or older. Methods Data are from baseline evaluation of 364 subjects enrolled in the ilSIRENTE study. The ilSIRENTE study is a prospective cohort study performed in the mountain community living in the Sirente geographic area (L'Aquila, Abruzzo) in central Italy. Physical performance was assessed using the physical performance battery score (SPPB), which is based on 3 timed tests: 4-meter walking speed, balance, and chair stand tests. Muscle strength was measured by hand grip strength. We defined anorexia as the presence of loss of appetite and/or lower food intake. Analyses of covariance were performed to evaluate the relationship of anorexia with physical function. Results In the unadjusted model, all the physical performance, muscle strength, and functional measures showed significant associations with the presence of anorexia. After adjustment for potential confounders (age, gender, BMI, number of diseases, depression, congestive heart failure, lung diseases) these associations were weaker but still statistically significant (physical performance battery score: subjects without anorexia 6.8, SE 0.2, subjects with anorexia 5.8, SE 0.4, P = .03; 4-meter walking speed: subjects without anorexia 0.5 m/s, SE 0.1, subjects with anorexia 0.3 m/s, SE 0.1, P = 5.001 hand grip strength: subjects without anorexia 30.8 kg, SE 0.7, subjects with anorexia 27.9 kg, SE 1.5, P = .03). Furthermore, relative to participants without anorexia, those subjects with anorexia showed a significantly higher risk of developing disability after 2 years of follow-up (hazard ratio 2.25; 95% confidence intervals 1.15–4.39). Conclusions Anorexia is common among community older subjects in Italy. Our results suggest that among old-old subjects, the presence of anorexia is associated with impaired physical performance and with a significant increased risk of incident disability, irrespective of potential confounders.
Malignant lymphoma, small lymphocytic type: a clinicopathologic study of 84 cases with suggested criteria for intermediate lymphocytic lymphoma.

Clinical and histopathologic findings were reviewed in 84 cases of malignant lymphoma of the small (well differentiated) lymphocytic type. The slides were studied without clinical information, and the following morphologic features were evaluated: pattern of growth, number of large lymphocytes, mitotic rate, degree of capsular involvement, presence of plasma cells and/or plasmacytoid lymphocytes, and presence of residual germinal centers. Subsequently, clinical information was obtained. The minimum follow-up period on living patients was 5 years. The patients were divided into 3 clinical categories: 1) monoclonal gammopathy (MG)-11 cases, 2) chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) without MG-56 cases, and 3) those without MG or CLL at the time of lymph node biopsy-17 cases. The criterion for CLL was an initial absolute lymphocyte count less than 4000/mm3. Four of the patients with MG also had CLL, and 6 of those in the third group later developed CLL, from 1 to 61 months after lymph node biopsy. Generalized lymphadenopathy was the usual presentation in all 3 groups, and bone marrow examination was positive in all but 1 of the 49 cases, representing all 3 groups, in which it was performed. Median survival for the 84 patients was 51 months. The only clinical parameters which showed a significant association with poorer survival were age above 60 and anemia (Hb. conc. less than 11.0). There was no significant relationship between morphologic characteristics and clinical categories other than the association of plasmacytoid cells with MG in 6 cases. A mitotic rate of 30 or more mitoses per 20 high power fields (HPF), found in 5 cases with at least 1 in each clinical category, showed a highly significant association with decreased survival (p = .01). Variations in mitotic rate between 0 and 29 mitoses per 20 HPF and other morphologic parameters did not show a significant relationship with prognosis. It was concluded that malignant lymphoma of the small lymphocytic type is a definite clinicopathologic entity which may or may not exhibit MG or CLL, and it is proposed that the term "intermediate lymphocytic lymphoma" be applied only to those cases showing histopathologic characteristics of small lymphocytic lymphoma and a mitotic rate of 30 or more mitoses per 20 HPF.
Comparison of High-Order Harmonic Generation of Ar Using a Truncated Bessel or a Gaussian Beam

As discussed in Chap. 3, a full quantitative description of high-order harmonic generation (HHG) in a macroscopic medium requires the inclusion of the propagation of fundamental laser field and generated harmonic field. The QRS theory has been successfully incorporated into the well-established macroscopic propagation theory such that simulated HHG spectra can be compared directly with the experimental measurements in Fig. 3.3, where the experimental conditions have been well specified. High harmonics in these studies were generated with multi-cycle (FWHM, \(\sim \)10 optical cycles) laser pulses. And these simulations were based on the assumption that the initial fundamental laser pulse at the entrance of gas medium was a Gaussian beam. Few-cycle laser pulses are also widely used to produce high harmonics, and they are usually obtained by gas-filled hollow-core fiber compression technique [1]. In this method, an incident laser beam can be dominantly coupled into the fundamental EH\(_{11}\) hybrid mode by proper mode matching. At the exit of the fiber a truncated Bessel (TB) beam is produced instead of a Gaussian beam. Nisoli et al. [2] have shown that using a TB beam as the driving laser pulse the spatial properties (divergence and brightness) of high harmonics were greatly improved. To simulate high harmonics generated by few-cycle pulses, the macroscopic propagation code is generalized to include the conditions where the spatial distribution of generating laser pulse is a TB beam.
The effects of forebrain commissurotomies on the rate of learning a dark-light discrimination by cats.

Many studies during the past 10-15 years, particularly by Sperry and his associates 24, have detailed the important role of brain commissures in the interhemispheric transfer of learning and memory. However, the basic physiological function of these interhemispheric connections is not yet well defined. In previous experiments, 'splitbrain' cats failed to transfer interocularly or intermanually specific visual discriminations or tactile conditioned responses and also exhibited prolonged or retarded unilateral learning 15,17. These results were interpreted to indicate that interhemispheric interactions through the forebrain commissures normally facilitate learning and that commissurotomy interrupted these facilitatory interactions or integrations, resulting in prolonged learning. Although these results were observed for cats with intact cerebral hemispheres, facilitatory interactions between the two hemispheres, mediated through the corpus callosum, had been observed previously in studies of Raab and Ades described by Stewart and Ades 26. These investigators reported that ablation of the auditory cortex first in one hemisphere followed later by removal in the second hemisphere resulted in a lesser final postoperative deficit than simultaneous, bilateral lesions. However, this effect was abolished by prior section of the forebrain commissures, suggesting an interhemispheric interaction through these commissures which facilitated functional recovery and relearning after sequential brain lesions. On the other hand, Gazzaniga and Young 9 have shown that 'split-brain' monkeys can respond to more information presented in each half visual field than can unoperated monkeys, suggesting that interhemispheric interactions through the forebrain commissures can inhibit duplicate brain functions developed separately in each hemisphere. Thus, in previous studies, facilitatory or inhibitory interactions through the forebrain commissures during learning have been reported in highly specialized training or testing situations; but
Temperature-dependent expression of measles virus structural proteins in persistently infected cells

Abstract Hamster embryo fibroblasts persistently infected with measles virus (S cells) spontaneously release infectious virus at 33.5° but little infectious virus is released from the cells at 39.5°. Virus released from the cells is not temperature sensitive. Analysis of membrane-free cytoplasmic supernates and membrane fractions from S cells shows that differences exist in the expression of virus structural proteins at the permissive and nonpermissive temperatures. The expression of viral proteins in persistently infected cells grown at either 33.5 or 39.5° differs from that in lytically infected cells. Such differential expression of structural proteins may function in the maintenance of persistent measles infection in S cells.
Preparing Business Students More Effectively for Real-World Communication

This article explores the problems with most business communication courses today—the general lack of real-world applicability in the textbooks and approaches used to teach the subject. Based on ma...
The effect of intrauterine position on the radiosensitivity of rat embryos

Rats were exposed to gamma rays or helium ions on one of days 4 to 9 of gestation. Embryonic survival was recorded as a function of intrauterine position at autopsy on day 20 of gestation. Embryos located at the ovarian and cervical ends of the uterus experienced higher rates of mortality than did their littermates located at the middle of the uterine horn. This effect was observed in litters exposed to both radiation modalities on all days studied. The influence of intrauterine position on embryonic survival was directly proportional to radiation dose and to the number of fetuses occupying the uterus horn. Under the least advantageous conditions (i.e., a crowded uterine horn exposed to a moderately high radiation dose), the cervical embryo's probability of survival was less than half that of the litter as a whole. A disproportionately high rate of embryonic mortality at the cervical position was also observed in litters irradiated under hypoxic conditions, suggesting that the non-random distribution of radiation effect was not the result of variations in oxygen concentration within the uterus. In contrast, there was no indication that intrauterine position influenced the distribution of gross morphologic abnormalities in irradiated litters.