cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
E 2 and E 4 reduced matrix elements of Gd 1 5 4 , 1 5 6 , 1 5 8 , 1 6 0 and Hf 1 7 6 , 1 7 8 , 1 8 0

Coulomb excitation by $^{4}\mathrm{He}$ ions was studied to deduce the electric quadrupole and hexadecapole reduced transition matrix elements of deformed gadolinium and hafnium nuclei. Our values of $〈{0}^{+}\ensuremath{\parallel}M(E2)\ensuremath{\parallel}{2}^{+}〉$ for $^{154,156,158,160}\mathrm{Gd}$ are 1.962(20), 2.136(7), 2.230(12), and 2.269(14) eb. For $^{176,178,180}\mathrm{Hf}$ they are 2.281, 2.204, and 2.176 eb. The values of $〈{0}^{+}\ensuremath{\parallel}M(E4)\ensuremath{\parallel}{4}^{+}〉$ for $^{156,158,160}\mathrm{Gd}$ are 0.42 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.08, $0.34_{}^{+0.20}{}_{\ensuremath{-}0.22}{}^{}$, and $0.35_{}^{+0.09}{}_{\ensuremath{-}0.07}{}^{}$ e${\mathrm{b}}^{2}$. For $^{176,178,180}\mathrm{Hf}$ they are 0.26 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.12, $0.23_{}^{+0.11}{}_{\ensuremath{-}0.20}{}^{}$, and $0.21_{}^{+0.11}{}_{\ensuremath{-}0.16}{}^{}$ e${\mathrm{b}}^{2}$, if positive values are taken, and -0.76 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.15, -0.67 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.20, and -0.65 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.16 e${\mathrm{b}}^{2}$ if they are negative. We compare our measurements with other experimental values and with theoretical predictions of quadrupole and hexadecapole moments.
Anisotropic Fiber-Reinforced Glycosaminoglycan Hydrogels for Heart Valve Tissue Engineering

This study investigates polymer fiber-reinforced protein-polysaccharide-based hydrogels for heart valve tissue engineering applications. Polycaprolactone and gelatin (3:1) blends were jet-spun to fabricate aligned fibers that possessed fiber diameters in the range found in the native heart valve. These fibers were embedded in methacrylated hydrogels made from gelatin, sodium hyaluronate, and chondroitin sulfate to create fiber-reinforced hydrogel composites (HCs). The fiber-reinforced gelatin glycosaminoglycan (GAG)-based HC possessed interconnected porous structures and porosity higher than fiber-only conditions. These fiber-reinforced HCs exhibited compressive modulus and biaxial mechanical behavior comparable to that of native porcine aortic valves. The fiber-reinforced HCs were able to swell higher and degraded less than the hydrogels. Elution studies revealed that less than 20% of incorporated gelatin methacrylate and GAGs were released over 2 weeks, with a steady-state release after the first day. When cultured with porcine valve interstitial cells (VICs), the fiber-reinforced composites were able to maintain higher cell viability compared with fiber-only samples. Quiescent VICs expressed alpha smooth muscle actin and calponin showing an activated phenotype, along with a few cells expressing the proliferation marker Ki67 and negative expression for RUNX2, an osteogenic marker. Our study demonstrated that compared with the hydrogels and fibers alone, combining both components can yield durable, reinforced composites that mimic heart valve mechanical behavior, while maintaining high cell viability and expressing positive activation as well as proliferation markers.
A simple risk-based reimbursement system for kidney transplant.

Transplant centers were challenged by the Executive Order on Advancing Kidney health to increase access to kidney transplant (KTx) by accepting higher risk patients and organs. However, Medicare reimbursement for KTx does not include adjustment for major complicating comorbidities (MCCs) like other transplants. The prevalence of MCCs was assessed for KTx performed from 10/15 to 10/19 at a single academic center, using Medicare ICD10 MCC criteria exclusive of end-stage kidney disease. KTx hospital resource utilization and estimated margin, assuming Medicare reimbursement, were determined for cases with and without MCC. Among 260 KTx recipients, 49 (19%) had an MCC. Patients with MCCs had longer wait times (1121 days vs 703 days, P < .001); however, there were no differences in age, gender, race, or diagnosis. Donor characteristics associated with an MCC included greater cold ischemic time (1042 vs 670 minutes, P < .001) and fewer living donor KTx (9% vs 32%, P < .001). KTx cost, exclusive of organ acquisition, was 31% higher (MCC: $38 293 vs No MCC: $29 132) and estimated margin was markedly lower (-$7750 vs -$1001, P = .001). In conclusion, KTx with qualifying MCCs resulted in significant financial losses and modification of KTx payment methodology to align with other organ transplants is needed.
Defect-induced 4 p -magnetism in layered platinum diselenide

Platinum diselenide (${\mathrm{PtSe}}_{2}$) is a recently-discovered extrinsic magnet, with its magnetism attributed to the presence of Pt vacancies. The host material to these defects itself displays interesting structural and electronic properties, some of which stem from an unusually strong interaction between its layers. To date, it is not clear how the unique intrinsic properties of ${\mathrm{PtSe}}_{2}$ will affect its induced magnetism. In this theoretical work, we show that the defect-induced magnetism in ${\mathrm{PtSe}}_{2}$ thin films is highly sensitive to: (i) defect density, (ii) strain, (iii) layer thickness, and (iv) substrate choice. These different factors dramatically modify all magnetic properties, including the magnitude of local moments, strength of the coupling, and even nature of the coupling between the moments. We further show that the strong interlayer interactions are key to understanding these effects. A better understanding of the various influences on magnetism can enable controllable tuning of the magnetic properties in Pt-based dichalcogenides, which can be used to design novel devices for magnetoelectric and magneto-optic applications.
Autotomy induced effects on the locomotor performance of the ghost crab, Ocypode quadrata

The voluntary amputation of an appendage, or autotomy, is an effective defensive mechanism that allows an animal to escape aggressive interactions. However, animals may suffer long-term costs that can reduce their overall fitness. Atlantic ghost crabs (Ocypode quadrata) are one of the fastest terrestrial invertebrates, and regularly lose one or more limbs in response to an antagonist encounter. When running laterally at fast speeds, they adopt a quadrupedal gait using their 1st and 2nd pair of legs while raising their 4th, and sometimes the 3rd, pair of legs off the ground. This suggests that some limbs may be more important for achieving maximal locomotor performance than others. The goal of this study was to determine whether the loss of certain limbs would affect running performance more than others, and what compensatory strategies were used. Crabs were assigned to four different paired limb removal treatments or the control group and run on an enclosed trackway in their natural habitat. Ghost crabs were found to adjust stride kinematics in response to limb loss. Loss of the 2nd or 3rd limb pairs caused a reduction in running speed by about 25%, suggesting that the remaining intact limbs were unable to compensate for the loss of either limb, either due to lack of propulsive forces produced by these limbs or issues stemming from re-coupling limb arrangements. Loss of any of the other limbs had no detectable effect on running speed. We conclude that compensatory ability varies depending on the limb that is lost.
Lasers, Jammers, Nets, and Eagles: Drone Defense Is Still Illegal

Unmanned aircraft system (“UAS”) technology is advancing rapidly as entry costs continue to plummet, creating an extremely low barrier to entry for those who would use them for good or ill. Consumer off-the-shelf drones equipped with very basic modifications are mission-capable for a wide variety of malicious disruptions, diversions, or attacks. A civilian counter-drone industry is developing to address this threat, but it is hampered in the United States by a simple reality: nearly every means available to defend against a drone-borne attack is illegal on multiple, independent grounds. Some have already deployed this technology on an “ask forgiveness, not permission” basis, hoping that they will be pardoned for breaking these laws if they are ever forced to deploy their systems to avert a crisis. This Wild West approach to counter-unmanned aircraft systems (“C-UAS”) will inevitably produce a sub-optimal result. This article first offers a categorical taxonomy of the C-UAS currently in production and some of the most plausible systems in development. Second, it analyzes the legality of each category, and shows that deploying any of them as a civilian operator would incur potential civil and criminal liability. Third, it will examine some of the recent statutory and regulatory efforts to jump-start this industry, but demonstrate that these efforts fall short of remedying the numerous statutory barriers to legal counter-drone system deployment. Finally, it will offer several potential solutions to this problem, and principles that should guide whichever of those paths federal regulators opt to take. By proactively legalizing limited and responsible C-UAS use, we may yet avoid a crisis and its inevitable backlash.
Resilience, Authenticity, and Digital Heritage Tourism

This book examines the authentication of authenticity in heritage tourism by using a resilient smart systems approach. It discusses the emerging trends in cultural tourism and outlines, in a detailed manner, their significance in negotiating authenticity in tourism experience. Authentication of authenticity is an evolving, less-researched field of inquiry in heritage tourism. This book advances research on this subject by exploring different authentication processes and scrutinizes their resilience in building transformative heritage tourism pathways. It offers a kaleidoscopic view of the manner authenticity has evolved over the last several decades by observing a broad spectrum of cultural expressions. The evolution and meaningfulness of negotiated authenticity is identified and discussed in the context of pre-, intra- and post-pandemic times. This book focuses on the moral and existentialist trajectories or authenticity and the notion of self-authentication. It proposes a smart resilient authentication model to delicately negotiate the objective and self-dimensions of authenticity in transformative times. Furthermore, by sharing examples of best practices, it offers unique insights on how authenticity is authenticated and mediated via digital platforms and artificial intelligence. This book offers novel perspectives on negotiated authenticity and its authentication in heritage tourism and will appeal to both practitioners and students/scholars in Heritage studies; Design and Innovation; Tourism Studies; Geography and Planning across North America, Europe, and East-Asian countries.
Measuring Pharmacogene Variant Function at Scale Using Multiplexed Assays.

As costs of next-generation sequencing decrease, identification of genetic variants has far outpaced our ability to understand their functional consequences. This lack of understanding is a central challenge to a key promise of pharmacogenomics: using genetic information to guide drug selection and dosing. Recently developed multiplexed assays of variant effect enable experimental measurement of the function of thousands of variants simultaneously. Here, we describe multiplexed assays that have been performed on nearly 25,000 variants in eight key pharmacogenes (ADRB2, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, NUDT15, SLCO1B1, TMPT, VKORC1, and the LDLR promoter), discuss advances in experimental design, and explore key challenges that must be overcome to maximize the utility of multiplexed functional data. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Volume 62 is January 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
Batch Belief Trees for Motion Planning Under Uncertainty.

In this work, we develop the Batch Belief Trees (BBT) algorithm for motion planning under motion and sensing uncertainties. The algorithm interleaves between batch sampling, building a graph of nominal trajectories in the state space, and searching over the graph to find belief space motion plans. By searching over the graph, BBT finds sophisticated plans that will visit (and revisit) information-rich regions to reduce uncertainty. One of the key benefits of this algorithm is the modified interplay between exploration and exploitation. Instead of an exhaustive search (exploitation) after one exploration step, the proposed algorithm uses batch samples to explore the state space and also does not require exhaustive search before the next iteration of batch sampling, which adds flexibility. The algorithm finds motion plans that converge to the optimal one as more samples are added to the graph. We test BBT in different planning environments. Our numerical investigation confirms that BBT finds non-trivial motion plans and is faster compared with previous similar methods.
Rhodamine 6G A POTENT INHIBITOR OF MITOCHONDRIAL OXIDATIVE PHOSPHORYLATION

Abstract The lipophilic dye, rhodamine 6G, has been shown to be a potent inhibitor of oxidative phosphorylation, with a Ki of about 3 µm, corresponding to 1.2 nmoles of dye per mg of mitochondrial protein. ATP-supported Ca2+ accumulation was blocked, but not that driven by succinate oxidation. Concentrations of rhodamine 6G above 20 µm slowly uncouple respiration and inhibit respiration-dependent Ca2+ uptake. Neither the dinitrophenol-stimulated ATPase nor uncoupled respiration of intact mitochondria were inhibited by the dye, even at 50 µm. Arsenate-stimulated respiration, on the other hand, was partially blocked by 7.5 µm dye, but energy-linked phosphate accumulation was unaffected. Below 10 µm rhodamine 6G, no mitochondrial swelling, loss of matrix protein, or endogenous K+, Ca2+, or Mg2+, was observed. The dye was bound very tightly to mitochondria, being present at 1.3 and 0.8 nmoles per mg of protein for the inner and outer membranes, respectively. Binding was also monitored by direct measurement of H+ release into the suspending medium in the presence of rhodamine 6G. Some 0.6 to 0.75 mole of H+ was ejected per mole of dye added, of which only about 50% was firmly bound. A red shift occurred on binding, the λmax increasing from 527 to 535 nm. The related compound, rhodamine B, a free acid and uncharged at pH 7, was completely without influence on mitochondrial energy-linked functions. Kinetic studies on the rate of ADP-stimulated H+ uptake in the presence and absence of rhodamine 6G yielded nonlinear, Lineweaver-Burk plots and were of noncompetitive type. The Km for ADP decreased from 56 to 29 µm in the presence of 4 µm rhodamine 6G. When the data is expressed as a Hill plot, straight lines are obtained, with the value of (η), the interaction coefficient, increasing from 1.28 to 1.72 after dye addition. Rhodamine 6G did not inhibit the Mg2+ATPase in sonicated submitochondrial particles, unlike aurovertin. It did, however, block adenine nucleotide binding to intact mitochondria, both for [14C]ATP and [14C]ADP. Inhibition by 10 µm dye for low levels of added nucleotide was identical with that caused by 10 µm atractyloside, but was only very slight at higher nucleotide concentrations (0.2 mm). The results of this study support the conclusion that rhodamine 6G blocks the adenine nucleotide translocase apparently being similar to atractyloside and bongkrekic acid. However, in sharp contrast to these inhibitors, rhodamine 6G did not inhibit the 2,4-dinitrophenol-stimulated ATPase of intact mitochondria. Consequently, uncouplers destroy the dye's ability to interfere with the translocase, and this suggests a lipid binding to be involved in the action of rhodamine 6G.
On the Performance and Scalability of a GPU-Limited Commodity Cluster

Most cluster-based rendering systems require at least one graphics processing unit (GPU) per node. However, there are many cluster systems which contain thin rack-mounted nodes that do not support GPUs. In this paper, we explore the utilization of such a system by combining it with a small commodity off-the-shelf tile rendering cluster. We call this a GPU-limited cluster because only those nodes responsible for rendering a tile contain GPUs. We examine the performance of sort-first, sort-middle, and sort-last approaches on a GPU-limited cluster with a six tile display system. Issues of cluster scalability and efficient utilization of nodes are also discussed.
BASE EXCISION REPAIR OF DNA

The terms base excision repair (BER) and nucleotide excision repair (NER) were first suggested by Duncan et al in 1976 (1), since at that time distinct modes of excision repair appeared distinguishable by a least two criteria.
Key role for myeloid cells: phase II results of anti-G(D2) antibody 3F8 plus granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor for chemoresistant osteomedullary neuroblastoma.

Anti-G(D2) murine antibody 3F8 plus subcutaneously (sc) administered granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) was used against primary refractory neuroblastoma in metastatic osteomedullary sites. Large study size and long follow-up allowed assessment of prognostic factors in a multivariate analysis not reported with other anti-G(D2) antibodies. In a phase II trial, 79 patients without prior progressive disease were treated for persistent osteomedullary neuroblastoma documented by histology and/or metaiodobenzyl-guanidine (MIBG) scan. In the absence of human antimouse antibody, 3F8 + scGM-CSF cycles were repeated up to 24 months. Minimal residual disease (MRD) in bone marrow was measured by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction pre-enrollment and post-cycle #2, before initiation of 13-cis-retinoic acid. Study endpoints were: (i) progression-free survival (PFS) compared with the predecessor trial of 3F8 plus intravenously administered (iv) GM-CSF (26 patients) and (ii) impact of MRD on PFS. Using all 105 patients from the two consecutive 3F8 + GM-CSF trials, prognostic factors were analyzed by multivariate Cox regression model. Complete response rates to 3F8 + scGM-CSF were 87% by histology and 38% by MIBG. Five-year PFS was 24 ± 6%, which was significantly superior to 11 ± 7% with 3F8 + ivGM-CSF (p = 0.002). In the multivariate analysis, significantly better PFS was associated with R/R or H/R FCGR2A polymorphism, sc route of GM-CSF and early MRD response. MYCN amplification was not prognostic. Complement consumption was similar with either route of GM-CSF. Toxicities were manageable, allowing outpatient treatment. 3F8 + scGM-CSF is highly active against chemoresistant osteomedullary neuroblastoma. MRD response may be an indicator of tumor sensitivity to anti-G(D2) immunotherapy. Correlative studies highlight the antineoplastic potency of myeloid effectors.
Proof by Certainty Equivalents That Diversification-Across-Time Does Worse, Risk Corrected, Than Diversification-Throughout-Time

For those with constant relative-risk-aversion, one can calculate an easy and exact measurement of their risk-corrected total return per period by use of an appropriate "power mean". For them, this approach can dramatize the inefficiency of being (say) half the time in each of two independent and identically distributed securities; 100% is then lost of the benefit from being all the time 50-50 in each; actually, being half the time in each is as bad as being all the time in either one, which is equivalent to being completely undiversified. More generally, there is proved here that, for any risk-averse U(W) and time-independent probabilities, optimal diversification within each time period outperforms generically any and all patterns of across-time diversification. The variety of proposed risk-corrected returns can give useful approximations for different classes of investors–widows and orphans, pension fiduciaries, high-flying plungers, and so forth–to replace or extend Markowitz, Sharpe, Treynor, or Modigliani-Modigliani measures of corrected performance.
The effect of infrastructure on invention: Innovative capacity and the dynamics of public construction investment

Abstract The association between public infrastructural investment and invention is explored in this study, analyzing expenditure and patenting trends and cycles over much of the 20th century. First, innovative capacity , an endogenous indicator of US innovation potential based on invention patent output, is conceptualized and discussed. A major shift in invention modes is shown to have occured over seven decades (1920–1989) as corporate, rather than individual, invention became the most important national source of innovative capacity. The support of public infrastructure for invention is then analyzed, considering its most important characteristics and supportive functions, and its expenditure patterns over seven decades. The analysis of the infrastructural investment and the innovative capacity age cycle dynamics reveals a remarkable association between educational infrastructure construction and both aggregate and corporate innovative capacity. Time-series statistical analyses provide further insights on the effects of infrastructural investment on invention, showing that corporate patenting tends to benefit more from public infrastructural construction and that educational infrastructure expenditures provide a stronger association with both aggregate and corporate inventive performance.
Hole superconductivity in MgB2: a high Tc cuprate without Cu

Abstract The theory of hole superconductivity explains high temperature superconductivity in cuprates as driven by pairing of hole carriers in oxygen pπ orbitals in the highly negatively charged Cu–O planes. The pairing mechanism is hole undressing and is Coulomb-interaction driven. We propose that the planes of B atoms in MgB2 are akin to the Cu–O planes without Cu, and that the recently observed high temperature superconductivity in MgB2 arises similarly from undressing of hole carriers in the planar boron px,y orbitals in the negatively charged B− planes. Doping MgB2 with electrons and with holes should mirror the behavior of underdoped and overdoped high Tc cuprates, respectively. We discuss possible ways to achieve higher transition temperatures in boron compounds based on this theory.
Waiting for Alvarado: How Administrative Delay Results in Disparate Outcomes for Immigrant Victims of Gender-Based Violence

Part I of this Article provides an overview of the various administrative and adjudicative entities involved in determining asylum claims to explain the resulting procedural disaster that occurred in the Alvarado case. Part II discusses the reasons why the Proposed Rule stalled within the context of the additional administrative complications resulting from post-September 11 regulations, which adversely impacted domestic violence asylum seekers. Part III discusses the impact of the Proposed Rule on these types of cases over the past ten years and the resulting disparate outcomes. Part IV discusses of the leading, large-scale reform proposals tackling the administrative woes of immigration adjudication and offers alternate, incremental, and therefore more politically viable solutions: finalizing regulations regarding gender-based asylum claims and removing the power to influence immigration policy and procedural from the attorney general's office. These incremental solutions draw on administrative law solutions to repair the immigration system for domestic violence asylum seekers.
Bile acid transport in the anhepatic rat

Abstract Hepatocyte dysfunction eventually results in the loss of canalicular bile formation. Without canalicular flow, intestinal bile acid may originate from plasma by reverse transport. Anhepatic rats with preserved intestinal function permit evaluation of such transport. In the present study, plasma taurocholate clearance was markedly decreased in anhepatic rats. The relative proportion of free cholate increased with time. Peripheral tissues contained virtually only cleared taurocholate, but the intestinal contents were mainly free cholate. This indicates the intestinal contents as the source of the plasma cholate and shows an equilibrium between intestinal and plasma bile acid even without bile flow. The enteral administration of an anion exchange resin to anhepatic rats increased intestinal bile acid recovery and decreased the bile acid recovery in tissue. Plasma bile acid concentration was decreased and fractional loss increased threefold, confirming the anhepatic plasma-intestine bile acid equilibrium. However, the enhanced plasma clearance produced by the resin was
Efficacy of needle-placement technique in radiofrequency ablation for treatment of lumbar facet arthropathy

Many studies have assessed the efficacy of radiofrequency ablation to denervate the facet joint as an interventional means of treating axial low-back pain. In these studies, varying procedural techniques were utilized to ablate the nerves that innervate the facet joints. To date, no comparison studies have been performed to suggest superiority of one technique or even compare the prevalence of side effects and complications.A retrospective chart review was performed on patients who underwent a lumbar facet denervation procedure. Each patient's chart was analyzed for treatment technique (early versus advanced Australian), preprocedural visual numeric scale (VNS) score, postprocedural VNS score, duration of pain relief, and complications.Pre- and postprocedural VNS scores and change in VNS score between the two groups showed no significant differences. Patient-reported benefit and duration of relief was greater in the advanced Australian technique group (P=0.012 and 0.022, respectively). The advanced Australian technique group demonstrated a significantly greater median duration of relief (4 months versus 1.5 months, P=0.022). Male sex and no pain-medication use at baseline were associated with decreased postablation VNS scores, while increasing age and higher preablation VNS scores were associated with increased postablation VNS scores. Despite increasing age being associated with increased postablation VNS scores, age and the advanced Australian technique were found to confer greater patient self-reported treatment benefit.The advanced Australian technique provides a significant benefit over the early Australian technique for the treatment of lumbar facet pain, both in magnitude and duration of pain relief.
Expression of transfected vimentin genes in differentiating murine erythroleukemia cells reveals divergent cis-acting regulation of avian and mammalian vimentin sequences.

We studied the expression of transfected chicken and hamster vimentin genes in murine erythroleukemia (MEL) cells. MEL cells normally repress the levels of endogenous mouse vimentin mRNA during inducer-mediated differentiation, resulting in a subsequent loss of vimentin filaments. Expression of vimentin in differentiating MEL cells reflects the disappearance of vimentin filaments during mammalian erythropoiesis in vivo. In contrast, chicken erythroid cells express high levels of vimentin mRNA and vimentin filaments during terminal differentiation. We demonstrate here that chicken vimentin mRNA levels increase significantly in differentiating transfected MEL cells, whereas similarly transfected hamster vimentin genes are negatively regulated. In conjunction with in vitro nuclear run-on transcription experiments, these results suggest that the difference in vimentin expression in avian and mammalian erythropoiesis is due to a divergence of cis-linked vimentin sequences that are responsible for transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation of vimentin gene expression. Transfected chicken vimentin genes produce functional vimentin protein and stable vimentin filaments during MEL cell differentiation, further demonstrating that the accumulation of vimentin filaments is determined by the abundance of newly synthesized vimentin.
Über die Reduktion von β‐Nitrostyrolen mit Lithiumaluminiumhydrid

Die folgenden β-Phenylathylamine wurden aus den entsprechenden β-Nitrosyrolen durch Reduktion mit LiAlH4 gewonnen: 3,4,5-Trimethoxy - β - phenylathylamin, 2,3,4 - Trimethoxy - β - phenylathylamin, DL-α-Methyl - β-phenylathylamin, 3,4-Methylendioxy - β - phenyathylamin und 3,4-Methylendioxy-5-brom - β - phenylathylamin. Diese einfache Methode zur Darstellung von β-Phenylathylaminen ist den bisher bekannten uberlegen und gibt sehr gute Ausbeuten. Bei der Darstellung des unbekannten 3,4-Methylendioxy-5-brom - β - phenylathylamins konnte gezeigt werden, dass je nach den Versuchsbedingungen das aromatische Brom bei der Reduktion erhalten bleibt oder aber weghydriert wird.
Understanding data through collaboration: Developing collaboration support tools for expert artists and scientists

In science, engineering, business, and even art, innovation and discovery today seem to be predicated by peoples' ability to understand complex data. Visualization is one way to achieve data understanding, and much of my research is focused on learning how to use computer graphics to present complex data to users in such a way that the human visual and cognitive systems can find meaning where automated data mining techniques cannot. One lesson my colleagues and I have learned from the users of our tools is that the interactive visualizations systems we create foster collaboration. This collaboration is repeatedly cited as one of the main benefits of the tools we create, even, to our surprise, when we have not intended for the tools to be used in a collaborative setting. This insight about the way people use data visualizations has inspired us to rethink the role of collaboration in data understanding. It also points to an exciting opportunity to combine research in data visualization with research in collaborative technologies.
Disconjugate adaptation of saccades: contribution of binocular and monocular mechanisms.

Abstract We studied the effects of prism–induced disparity on static and intrasaccadic alignment in six normal human subjects. A ten diopter base–out prism, calling for convergence, was placed in front of the central field of the right eye, so that at the center the eye viewed through the prism; at left and right, outside the prism. During 15 min of training, subjects made repetitive saccades solely in the right field of vision (C-R-C sequence). This paradigm required relative divergence for centrifugal (C-R) saccades and relative convergence for centripetal (R-C) saccades, as well as increase of the amplitude for all saccades made by the right eye. We found that during training, all subjects incorporated the necessary change in alignment into the saccades. After training the resultant intrasaccadic disconjugacy persisted when tested during monocular viewing, indicating that motor learning had occurred. Subjects demonstrated increased divergence for C-R and increased convergence for R-C saccades, in accordance with the change acquired during adaptation to the prism. In addition, five subjects developed increased divergence for C-L saccades, for which they did not train. Smaller and less consistent divergence was also observed for L-C saccades. Changes in intrasaccadic alignment were accompanied by changes in the relative velocities of the two eyes’ saccades and slowing of the peak velocities in both eyes during training. Static alignment showed a general tendency toward convergence that did not parallel the changes in the intrasaccadic alignment, suggesting that saccade adaptation is system–specific. The pattern of transfer of the intrasaccadic disconjugacy to saccades in the untrained field and the changes in the relative speeds of the two eyes cannot be explained by monocular adjustment of the saccades. Our results indicate that both a binocular mechanism—saccade–vergence interaction—and monocular adaptation contribute to disconjugate adaptation of saccades.
SDZ-205,152, a novel dopamine receptor agonist, reduces oral ethanol self-administration in rats

Abstract The effects of SDZ-205,152, a synthetic mixed D1/D2 dopamine receptor agonist, was investigated in rats trained to orally self-administer ethanol (10% w/v) in a free-choice, two-lever operant task. Pretreatment with SDZ-205,152, at doses of 0.5–5.0 mg/kg subcutaneously 30 min prior to limited access to 10% ethanol and water, selectively reduced ethanol-reinforced responding without affecting responses for water. These results demonstrate that ethanol-reinforced responding was attenuated by SDZ-205,152 and suggests that dopamine neural systems may mediate, in part, the reinforcing properties associated with voluntary ethanol self-administration.
Early Readmission of Elderly Patients With Congestive Heart Failure

Repetitive hospitalizations are a major health problem in elderly patients with chronic disease, accounting for up to one fourth of all inpatient Medicare expenditures. Congestive heart failure, one of the most common indications for hospitalization in the elderly, is also associated with a high incidence of early rehospitalization, but variables identifying patients at increased risk and an analysis of potentially remediable factors contributing to readmission have not previously been reported. We prospectively evaluated 161 patients 70 years or older that had been hospitalized with documented congestive heart failure. Hospital mortality was 13% (n = 21). Among patients discharged alive, 66 (47%) were readmitted within 90 days. Recurrent heart failure was the most common cause for readmission, occurring in 38 patients (57%). Other cardiac disorders accounted for five readmissions (8%), and noncardiac illness led to readmission in 21 cases (32%). Factors predictive of an increased probability of readmission included a prior history of heart failure, four or more admissions within the preceding 8 years, and heart failure precipitated by an acute myocardial infarction or uncontrolled hypertension (all P less than .05). Using subjective criteria, 25 first readmissions (38%) were judged possibly preventable, and 10 (15%) were judged probably preventable. Factors contributing to preventable readmissions included noncompliance with medications (15%) or diet (18%), inadequate discharge planning (15%) or follow-up (20%), failed social support system (21%), and failure to seek medical attention promptly when symptoms recurred (20%). Thus, early rehospitalization in elderly patients with congestive heart failure may be preventable in up to 50% of cases, identification of high risk patients is possible shortly after admission, and further study of nonpharmacologic interventions designed to reduce readmission frequency is justified.
Metachromatic reactivity of mammalian submaxillary glands.

Abstract Submaxillary gland metachromatic activity was studied in six different mammals. The results obtained demonstrate that although certain rodent glands (rats and rabbits) contain cytological components which resemble mucous cells, these cells do not show metachromatic activity. In higher mammals (dogs, cows, hogs and humans) the submaxillary gland always exhibited metachromasia. No relationship could be detected between the metachromatic activity of cells and their hydrolytic enzymatic content. These findings underline once more the need for further studies on the structure and function of the submaxillary glands in mammals.
Protection of human upper respiratory tract cell lines against sulphur mustard toxicity by hexamethylenetetramine (HMT)

1. Sulphur mustard ('mustard gas', HD) is a highly toxic chemical warfare agent which affects the skin and respiratory tract. The primary targets of inhaled HD are the epithelia of the upper respiratory tract. Hexamethylenetetramine (HMT) has been shown to protect human lung cells against HD toxicity and has also been shown to be effective in vivo against the chemical warfare agent phosgene. The ability of HMT to protect against the toxicity of HD was investigated in the human upper respiratory tract cell lines BEAS-2B and RPMI 2650. 2. HD was highly toxic to both cell lines, with LC50 values of 15-30 microM. HMT, at a concentration of 10 mM, was shown to protect the cell lines against the toxic effects of 20 microM and 40 microM HD. Results demonstrated that it was necessary for HMT to be in situ at the time of exposure to HD for effective cytoprotection. No protection was seen when cells were treated with HMT following exposure to HD, or where HMT was removed prior to HD exposure. 3. Results suggest that HMT may be effective prophylaxis for exposure to HD by inhalation.
Laser ablation of ring-strained precursor molecules: selective product fragment generation

Molecular beam methods (photoionization, time-of-flight mass spectrometry) have been used to study the neutral products following 355 nm pulsed laser ablation of three ring-strained organic precursors that were deposited on 0.25 in. diameter rods. Consistent with earlier observations on two strained organometallic precursors, the predominant product fragments observed were the ones resulting from breaking the ring-strained bonds. In contrast, similar laser ablation of non-strained precursors resulted in substantial non-specific bond breaking. It appears that laser ablation of appropriate strained precursors may provide a general method for producing pre-selected fragments for further molecular beam study. It is also possible by this approach to develop schemes to collect significant amounts of the stable fragment products.
Assessing specific secondary ICD-9-CM codes as potential predictors of surgical site infections

Background Public reporting and reduced Medicare payments because of health care-associated infections have resulted in the consideration of administrative discharge codes as markers of health care-associated infections. This study aims to determine whether specific secondary ICD-9-CM infection codes linked to cases from a large data set of surgical procedures are predictors of surgical site infections (SSIs). Methods All patients undergoing 1 of 9 surgical procedures from January 1, 2005, through December 31, 2005, at a large academic medical center and who were assigned a secondary ICD-9-CM infection code at discharge were eligible for study inclusion. All cases were reviewed to determine the presence of SSIs. Logistic regression was used to determine which secondary codes were predictors of SSIs. Results Among 75 secondary infection codes applied at discharge to 454 patients, only 1 code (998.59) appeared to be reliably associated with SSIs. Two other general infection codes (996.63 and 996.67) and 1 specific infection code (320.3) may also have utility. Conclusion Administrative coding data do not perform well to identify SSIs. Some general secondary infection codes, however, may have the potential to be utilized in screening algorithms of electronic health data to assist in SSI surveillance.
Carrier to envelope offset coupling via Multiple Quantum Wells

Multiple Quantum Well saturable absorbers in a mode-locked laser induce a coupling of the differential carrier to envelope offset of two intracavity pulse trains, coupling that can be eliminated by designing a non-resonant periodic structure.
Changing the Name of a Major University: A Case Study and How-To Guide

ABSTRACT There is nothing more exciting for a school than taking on a new name that is more reflective of what the institution has become. Many schools have changed names from “College” to “University” or have been renamed for prominent individuals. On August 28, 2005, Southwest Missouri State University officially became Missouri State University. This change was 20 years in the making and did not happen without a tremendous amount of effort on the part of administrators, faculty, students, alumni, and many elected officials at all levels of government. Though seemingly a simple thing, implementing the name change was anything but. This case study explains the steps taken to complete the transition, including the important branding decisions made along the way. It also provides a detailed guideline for other schools facing similar challenges.
A multi-interval Chebyshev collocation approach for the stability of periodic delay systems with discontinuities

This paper investigates the stability of periodic delay systems with non-smooth coefficients using a multi-interval Chebyshev collocation approach (MIC). In this approach, each piecewise continuous interval is expanded in a Chebyshev basis of the first order. The boundaries of these intervals are placed at the points of discontinuity to recover the fast convergence properties of spectral methods. Stability is examined for a set of case studies that contain the complexities of periodic coefficients, delays and discontinuities. The new approach is also compared to the conventional Chebyshev collocation method.
Inhibition of lentivirus replication by aqueous extracts of Prunella vulgaris.

Background Various members of the mint family have been used historically in Chinese and Native American medicine. Many of these same family members, including Prunella vulgaris, have been reported to have anti-viral activities. To further characterize the anti-lentiviral activities of P. vulgaris, water and ethanol extractions were tested for their ability to inhibit equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) replication.
Role of allograft nephrectomy following kidney graft failure: preliminary experience with pre-operative angiographic kidney embolization

Allograft nephrectomy (AN) is not without morbidity following graft failure (GF) in kidney transplantation (KT). Single center retrospective review of all adult patients undergoing AN following KT, including a subset of patients who underwent pre-operative angiographic kidney embolization (PAKE). Over a 104 month period, 853 adult patients underwent deceased donor KT. With a median follow-up of 3.5 years, 174 patients (20.4 %) developed GF and 38/174 (21.8 %) underwent AN. The rate of AN was higher in patients with delayed graft function [DGF, Odds Ratio (OR) 2.15, p = 0.023] and early GF (OR 1.7, p = 0.064). For patients undergoing PAKE (n = 13, mean timing of AN 27.5 months post-KT), the estimated intra-operative blood loss was reduced from a mean of 375 ± 530 to 100 ± 162 ml (p < 0.10), mean peri-operative transfusion requirements were reduced from 3.36 ± 4.8 to 0.23 ± 0.44 units (p < 0.05), and total mean operating time was reduced from 192 ± 114 to 141 ± 38 min (p = NS) compared to 13 control patients undergoing AN in the absence of vascular thrombosis or PAKE. Mean length of hospital stay was decreased from 8.5 ± 9 to 5.5 ± 3 days (p = NS) in patients with PAKE. Surgical complication and infection rates and hospital charges were comparable. Delayed graft function and early GF are associated with a higher rate of AN. PAKE may result in less blood loss, fewer transfusions, reduced operating time, and shorter length of stay, which may translate into reductions in morbidity.
Complementary planar terahertz metamaterials

Planar electric split ring resonator (eSRR) metamaterials and their corresponding inverse structures are designed and characterized computationally and experimentally utilizing finite element modeling and THz time domain spectroscopy. A complementary response is observed in transmission. Specifically, for the eSRRs a decrease in transmission is observed at resonance whereas the inverse structures display an increase in transmission. The frequency dependent effective complex dielectric functions are extracted from the experimental data and, in combination with simulations to determine the surface current density and local electric field,provide considerable insight into the electromagnetic response of our planar metamaterials. These structures may find applications in the construction of various THz filters, transparent THz windows, or THz grid structures ideal for constructing THz switching/modulation devices.
Modeling NIF Experimental Designs with Adaptive Mesh Refinement and Lagrangian Hydrodynamics

Incorporation of adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) into Lagrangian hydrodynamics algorithms allows for the creation of a highly powerful simulation tool effective for complex target designs with three-dimensional structure. We are developing an advanced modeling tool that includes AMR and traditional arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE) techniques. Our goal is the accurate prediction of vaporization, disintegration and fragmentation in National Ignition Facility (NIF) experimental target elements. Although our focus is on minimizing the generation of shrapnel in target designs and protecting the optics, the general techniques are applicable to modern advanced targets that include three-dimensional effects such as those associated with capsule fill tubes. Several essential computations in ordinary radiation hydrodynamics need to be redesigned in order to allow for AMR to work well with ALE, including algorithms associated with radiation transport. Additionally, for our goal of predicting fragmentation, we include elastic/plastic flow into our computations. We discuss the integration of these effects into a new ALE-AMR simulation code. Applications of this newly developed modeling tool as well as traditional ALE simulations in two and three dimensions are applied to NIF early-light target designs.
Eat My Words: Reading Women's Lives Through the Cookbooks They Wrote by Janet Theophano.

(2004). Eat My Words: Reading Women's Lives Through the Cookbooks They Wrote by Janet Theophano. Food, Culture & Society: Vol. 7, No. 1, pp. 159-161.
2D O (2) supergravity revisited

Abstract Motivated by recent progress on non-perturbative 2D quantum gravity, we reconsider the superLiouville action for N = 2 2D supergravity and its properties carefully, thus refining some of the previous treatments. Based on the new results we speculate upon whether it is a sensible theory for any D.
Reconstruction of electron paramagnetic resonance images using iterative methods

Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) allows for the non-invasive imaging of free radicals in biological systems. Although a number of physical factors have hindered the development of EPR as an imaging modality, EPR offers the potential for tissue oxymetry. EPR images are typically reconstructed using a traditional filtered back-projection technique. We are attempting to improve the quality of EPR images by using maximum-entropy based iterative image reconstruction algorithms. Our investigation has so far focused on two methods, the multiplicative algebraic reconstruction technique (MART), and an algorithm that is motivated by interior-point reconstruction. MART is a row-action method that maintains strict equality in the constraints while minimizing the entropy functional. The latter method, which we have named Least-Squares Barrier Entropy (LSBEnt), transforms the constrained problem into an unconstrained problem and maximizes entropy at a prescribed distance from the measured data. EPR studies are frequently characterized by low signal-to-noise ratios and wide line widths. The effect of the backprojection streaking artifact can be quite severe and can seriously compromise a study. We have compared the iterative results with filtered backprojection on two-dimensional (2-D) EPR acquisitions of various phantoms. Encouraging preliminary results have demonstrated that one of the clear advantages of the iterative methods is their lack of streaking artifacts that plague filtered backprojection.