cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Complex-wall effect on propagation characteristics and MIMO capacities for an indoor wireless communication environment

The effects of complex wall structures on the characteristics of fading and the capacity of multi-input multi-output (MIMO) wireless communication systems for some typical indoor propagation environments are investigated. Two cases of wall structures are examined in this paper. In the first case, the walls are considered to be homogenous solid slabs, while, in the second case, the walls are assumed to be of complex structures. A two-dimensional finite difference time domain method is employed to calculate the electric field distributions, and then, the local mean power, the Rician K factor, and the MIMO capacity are calculated and analyzed. It is found that the patterns of the local mean power distributions are different for the two wall-structure cases. As for the small-scale fading, it is shown that the Rician K factors for the two cases may be different by 5 dB. The resulting values of MIMO capacities are also quite different and are less than the ideal cases, where the elements of the transfer (H) matrix are assumed to be zero-mean Gaussians with unit variance. We also investigate the cases where complex walls are replaced by effective slab walls. It is found that complex walls cannot be appropriately characterized by simple effective slab walls as considerable difference exists between the two cases.
Opposite Effects of Pressurized Steady Versus Pulsatile Perfusion on Vascular Endothelial Cell Cytosolic pH: Role of Tyrosine Kinase and Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling

Endothelial cytosolic pH (pH(i)) modulates ion channel function, vascular tone, and cell proliferation. Steady shear induces rapid acidification in bicarbonate buffer. However, in vivo shear is typically pulsatile, potentially altering this response. We tested effects and mechanisms of pH(i) modulation by flow pulsatility, comparing pressurized steady versus pulse-flow responses in bovine aortic endothelial cells cultured within glass capillary tubes. Cells were loaded with the fluorescent pH(i) indicator carboxy seminaphthorhodafluor-1 and perfused with physiological pulsatile pressure and flow generated by a custom servo-control system. Raising mean pressure from 0 to 90 mm Hg at 0.5 mL/min steady flow in bicarbonate buffer induced sustained acidification (-0.33+/-0.09 pH units, P<0.01). A subsequent increase in steady flow resulted in further acidification. In contrast, if mean pressure and flow were unchanged but perfusion made pulsatile, pH(i) rose +0.3+/-0.03 (P<0. 0001) over 30 to 60 minutes. HCO(3)(-) removal and use of acid/base exchange inhibitors 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)amiloride or diisothiocyanato stilbene disulfonic acid identified both extracellular Na(+)-independent Cl(-)-HCO(3)(-) and Na(+)-H(+) exchangers as activated by static pressure, whereas pulsatility activated extracellular Na(+)-dependent Cl(-)-HCO(3)(-) and Na(+)-H(+) exchangers to raise pH(i). Pulse-perfusion alkalinization occurred with or without flow reversal and increased 1.6-fold in Ca(2+)-free buffer. Inhibition of c-Src tyrosine kinase (4-amino-5-[4-chlorophenyl]-7-[t-butyl]pyrazolo [3,4-d]pyrimidine; PP2) or MEK-1 (mitogen-activated protein kinase [MAP]/extracellular signal-regulated kinase [ERK]-1) (PD98059, blocking ERK1/2) blocked or reversed the pulsatile-flow pH(i) change to acidification. In contrast, PP2 had no effect on steady flow acidification, whereas MEK-1 inhibition converted it to alkalinization. Thus, pulsatile and steady flow trigger opposite effects on endothelial pH(i) by differential activation of acid/base exchangers linked to c-Src and MAP kinase phosphorylation, but not to Ca(2+). These data highlight specific signaling responses triggered by phasic shear profiles.
Calculations of Alloy Phases with a Direct Monte-Carlo Method

A method for calculating the boundaries that describe solid-solid phase transformations in the phase diagrams of alloys is described. The method is first-principles in the sense that the only input is the atomic numbers of the constituents. It proceeds from the observation that the crux of the Monte-Carlo method for obtaining the equilibrium distribution of atoms in an alloy is a calculation of the energy required to replace an A atom on site i with a B atom when the configuration of the atoms on the neighboring sites, {kappa}, is specified, {delta}H{sub {kappa}}(A{yields}B) = E{sub B}{kappa} -E{sub A}{kappa}. Normally, this energy difference is obtained by introducing interatomic potentials, v{sub ij}, into an Ising Hamiltonian, but the authors calculate it using the embedded cluster method (ECM). In the ECM an A or B atom is placed at the center of a cluster of atoms with the specified configuration K, and the atoms on all the other sites in the alloy are simulated by the effective scattering matrix obtained from the coherent potential approximation. The interchange energy is calculated directly from the electronic structure of the cluster. The table of {delta}H{sub {kappa}}(A{yields}B)`s for all configurations K and several alloy concentrations is usedmore » in a Monte Carlo calculation that predicts the phase of the alloy at any temperature and concentration. The detailed shape of the miscibility gaps in the palladium-rhodium and copper-nickel alloy systems are shown.« less
Aqueous room-temperature synthesis of Au–Rh, Au–Pt, Pt–Rh, and Pd–Rh alloy nanoparticles: fully tunable compositions within the miscibility gaps

Many binary late transition metal systems have large bulk miscibility gaps, and a variety of synthetic strategies have been developed to generate these non-equilibrium alloys as nanoparticles. While many of these methods strive to co-nucleate both elements by exploiting fast reduction kinetics or co-sequestration within a confined space, we show here that simple room-temperature borohydride co-reduction of appropriate aqueous metal salt solutions yields alloy nanoparticles in the bulk-immiscible Au–Rh, Au–Pt, Pt–Rh, and Pd–Rh systems. The compositions can be tuned across the entire Au1−xRhx, Au1−xPtx, Pt1−xRhx, and Pd1−xRhx solid solutions by varying the ratio of metal salt reagents, and they form in the presence of a variety of molecular and polymeric surface stabilizers. Reaction pathway studies on the model Au–Rh system suggest that the alloy nanoparticles form via a “conversion chemistry” mechanism: Au nanoparticle templates nucleate first, followed by diffusion of Rh to form homogeneous Au–Rh alloy nanoparticles. The alloy nanoparticles tend to be agglomerated, but this can be minimized by forming the nanoparticles directly on catalytically relevant high surface area carbon and biological supports, e.g. Vulcan carbon and wild-type M13 bacteriophage.
Aesthetics and the Practices of Qualitative Inquiry

This article proposes that qualitative, interpretive writing be assessed in terms of its ability to advance the promises of radical democractic racial justice embodied in the post-civil rights, Chicana/Chicano and Black Arts Aesthetic movements. A set of interpretive practices connected to an aesthetics of color is presented.
Plate-to-Plate Fluorous Solid-Phase Extraction for Solution-Phase Parallel Synthesis

A commercially available Argonaut VacMaster-96 plate-to-plate solid-phase extraction (SPE) station equipped with 24 FluoroFlash cartridges is employed for parallel purification of fluorous reaction mixtures. Each cartridge charged with 3 g of fluorous silica gel has the capability to produce up to 100 mg of purified small molecules. The 24-well receiving plate has a standard footprint that can be directly concentrated in a Genevac vacuum centrifuge. Important issues such as sample loading, product cross-contamination, cartridge reuse, and reproducibility are investigated. The SPE system has been demonstrated in the purification of three small libraries that were produced involving amine scavenging reactions with fluorous isatoic anhydride, amide coupling reactions with 2-chloro-4,6-bis[(perfluorohexyl)propyloxy]-1,3,5-triazine (fluorous CDMT), and amide coupling reactions with a newly developed fluorous Mukaiyama condensation reagent.
A Study of the Evolution of Mesoscale Convective Systems Using WSR-88D Data

While mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) are major contributors to severe weather and precipitation in the central United States, details of their evolution are still not fully understood. In particular, recent observational and modeling studies have indicated that many MCSs tend to exhibit an asymmetric precipitation pattern during the mature-to-later stages of their life cycles. However, to what extent and how this evolution occurs in all cases is still a matter of conjecture. The recently established WSR-88D network has afforded the opportunity to investigate the evolution of MCSs in greater detail than has been possible in the past. As a preliminary effort in this direction, 13 MCSs having leading line-trailing stratiform structures that occurred over the lower Midwest during May and June 1995 have been studied. It is found that indeed there does appear to be an evolution of such MCSs toward asymmetry later in their life cycles; however, the nature of the evolution is complex. The trailing stratiform region develops an asymmetric pattern (stratiform precipitation located toward the northern edge of the MCS) well before the system reaches maturity. The convective line also evolves to an asymmetric pattern (the most intense convective cells concentrated along the southern end of the line), but the appearance of asymmetry occurs several hours later than it does in the stratiform component. The limited sample size, however, precludes definitive conclusions about the significance of this timing difference. Contributions to asymmetry by hydrometeor advection in the along-line component of the flow aloft have also been inferred from sounding data. Results indicate that the system-relative, along-line flow in the pre-MCS environment is comparable to and often greater than the cross-line flow. This evidence suggests that both alongline and cross-line, system-relative flows, along with other processes (e.g., Coriolis effects), may contribute to an evolution toward asymmetry.
PHYSICO - CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF MATURE GREEN TOMATOES (LYCOPERSICON ESCULENTUM) COATED WITH PECTIN DURING STORAGE AND RIPENING

A study was undertaken to investigate the effect of pectin as an edible coating on the postharvest quality of mature green tomatoes at 30°C. The tomatoes were dipped in the concentrations of 1, 3 and 5% (w/v) pectin solutions for 5 min and stored at 30 ± 0.2°C. Fruits coated with 3% of pectin showed greater retention of ascorbic acid, titratable acidity and total sugars of 9.96 mg%, 0.41% and 11.2% respectively during storage. The shelf life of the tomatoes coated with 3% pectin solution increased up to 4 weeks without showing signs of decay and quality losses. Key words: Pectin, Physio-chemical quality; Self life; Skin coating; Tomatoes DOI: 10.4038/tare.v12i2.2800 Tropical Agricultural Research & Extension 12(2): 2009 pp.110-112
Meanings of Menopause to Korean Immigrant Women

The meanings of menopause among a vulnerable group of women—low-income Korean immigrant women—were explored using a cross-sectional descriptive research design focusing on how these meanings were constructed with their daily life experiences. Twenty-one peri- or post-menopausal women were recruited using convenience sampling methods; 2-hour in-depth interviews were conducted with audiotaping and field notes, and the data were analyzed using the-matic analysis, including line-by-line coding and categorization. Several themes related to the meanings of menopause emerged. The shock of menarche, various definitions of menopause, the negative view on middle age as falling down the hill, and other transitions the women were experiencing shaped the nature of their responses to menopause. The women were ambivalent about their menopausal transition, welcoming and fearing it. The authors propose that nurses initiate a dialogue about menopause with diverse populations to support the normalization of their menopausal...
The incidence of coring with blunt versus sharp needles

With the advent of safety needles to prevent inadvertent needle sticks in the operating room (OR), a potentially new issue has arisen. These needles may result in coring, or the shaving off of fragments of the rubber stopper, when the needle is pierced through the rubber stopper of the medication vial. These fragments may be left in the vial and then drawn up with the medication and possibly injected into patients. The current study prospectively evaluated the incidence of coring when blunt and sharp needles were used to pierce rubber topped vials. We also evaluated the incidence of coring in empty medication vials with rubber tops. The rubber caps were then pierced with either an18-gauge sharp hypodermic needle or a blunt plastic (safety) needle. Coring occurred in 102 of 250 (40.8%) vials when a blunt needle was used versus 9 of 215 (4.2%) vials with a sharp needle (P < 0.0001). A significant incidence of coring was demonstrated when a blunt plastic safety needle was used. This situation is potentially a patient safety hazard and methods to eliminate this problem are needed.
Salting out of aqueous proteins: Phase equilibria and intermolecular potentials

Salting-out phase equilibria are reported for lysozyme and α-chymotrypsin from concentrated ammonium-sulfate solutions. Supernatant and dense-phase protein concentrations and the resulting protein partition coefficients are given as a function of solution pH and ionic strength. Phase equilibria with a trivalent salt (sodium citrate) confirm that ionic strength, rather than salt concentration, is the appropriate variable describing phase equilibria. The salting-out behavior of a mixture of an aqueous lysozyme and α-chymotrypsin is independent of the presence of the other protein. Parameters for a molecular-thermodynamic description of salting-out behavior are obtained from low-angle laser-light scattering (LALLS). Osmotic second virial coefficients from LALLS are reported over a range of pH for dilute chymotrypsin concentrations in aqueous electrolyte solutions at 0.01 and 1.0 M ionic strengths. Effective Hamaker constants, regressed from experimental osmotic second virial coefficients, are determined for models of the protein – protein potential of mean force. In addition to excluded volume, dispersion, and shielded charge – charge potentials, the description of protein - protein interactions includes attractive charge – dipole and dipole – dipole potentials as well as an osmotic-attraction potential that becomes important at high salt concentrations. Protein dipole – dipole potentials are required to account for the observed pH dependence of osmotic second virial coefficients, especially at low ionic strength.
The Safety and Tolerability of Different Intravenous Administrations of Levetiracetam, Bolus Versus Infusion, in Intensive Care Unit Patients

This study reviews our experience with the safety and tolerability of levetiracetam (LVM) with different methods of intravenous administration in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. We used retrospective chart review to identify 33 ICU patients who received intravenous LVM for treatment of seizures. Collected data included age, gender, diagnosis on admission, dosing regimen, documented seizure activity, adverse reactions, concomitant use of other antiepileptic drugs, and condition on discharge. A total of 33 ICU patients were given intravenous (IV) LVM as add-on treatment to standard regimen for treatment of breakthrough seizures or status epilepticus or given as preventive medication postoperatively. Among these 33 patients, 16 received intravenous LVM as bolus, and 17 received intravenous LVM as continuous infusion. Safety and tolerability of intravenous LVM were evaluated on the basis of the occurrence of adverse or side effects reported in daily progress notes of the physicians and nurses. There were no significant adverse or side effects reported in daily progress notes. The addition of intravenous LVM to the standard regimen for controlling seizures in ICU patients seems feasible and tolerable.
Chronic Kidney Disease Associated With Environmental Toxins and Exposures

People are exposed to various potentially toxic agents and conditions in their natural and occupational environments. These agents may be physical or chemical, may enter the human body through oral, inhalational, or transdermal routes, and may exert effects on all organ systems. Several well-known as well as lesser known associations exist between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and both environmental agents and conditions, such as heavy metals, industrial chemicals, elevated ambient temperatures, and infections. The effects of these agents may be modulated by genetic susceptibility and other comorbid conditions and may lead to the development of acute and CKD. In this article, we present environmental factors that are associated with CKD.
Peer-to-peer architecture case study: Gnutella network

Despite recent excitement generated by the P2P paradigm and despite surprisingly fast deployment of some P2P applications, there are few quantitative evaluations of P2P system behavior. Due to its open architecture and achieved scale, Gnutella is an interesting P2P architecture case study. Gnutella, like most other P2P applications, builds at the application level a virtual network with its own routing mechanisms. The topology of this overlay network and the routing mechanisms used have a significant influence on application properties such as performance, reliability, and scalability. We built a 'crawler' to extract the topology of Gnutella's application level network, we analyze the topology graph and evaluate generated network traffic. We find that although Gnutella is not a pure power-law network, its current configuration has the benefits and drawbacks of a power-law structure. These findings lead us to propose changes to the Gnutella protocol and implementations that bring significant performance and scalability improvements.
Dispersion-induced power penalty in fiber-Bragg-grating WDM filter cascades

In wavelength-division-multiplexed optical networks signals pass through cascades of multiplexing/demultiplexing filters. We present experimental measurements and theoretical modeling of transmission power penalty at 10 Gbps due to dispersion slope of fiber-Bragg-grating and thin-film cascades.
Plantar stresses on the neuropathic foot during barefoot walking.

Background and Purpose: Patients with diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy are at high risk for plantar skin breakdown due to unnoticed plantar stresses during walking. The purpose of this study was to determine differences in stress variables (peak plantar pressure, peak pressure gradient, peak maximal subsurface shear stress, and depth of peak maximal subsurface shear stress) between the forefoot (where most ulcers occur) and the rear foot in subjects with and without diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and a plantar ulcer measured during barefoot walking. Subjects: Twenty-four subjects participated: 12 with diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and a plantar ulcer (DM+PN group) and 12 with no history of diabetes mellitus or peripheral neuropathy (control group). The subjects (11 men, 13 women) had a mean age (±SD) of 54±8 years. Methods: Plantar pressures were measured during barefoot walking using a pressure platform. Stress variables were estimated at the forefoot and the rear foot for all subjects. Results: All stress variables were higher (127%–871%) in the forefoot than in the rear foot, and the peak pressure gradient showed the greatest difference (538%–871%). All stress variables were higher in the forefoot in the DM+PN group compared with the control group (34%–85%), and the peak pressure gradient showed the greatest difference (85%). The depth (X±SD) of peak maximum subsurface shear stress in the forefoot in the DM+PN group was half that in the control group (3.8±2.0 versus 8.0±4.3 mm, respectively). Discussion and Conclusions: These results indicate that stresses are relatively higher and located closer to the skin surface in locations where skin breakdown is most likely to occur. These stress variables may have additional value in predicting skin injury over the traditionally measured peak plantar pressure, but prospective studies using these variables to predict ulcer risk are needed to test this hypothesis.
Autonomous on-wafer sensors for process modeling, diagnosis, and control

This paper explores the feasibility of constructing an autonomous sensor array on a standard silicon wafer. Such a sensor-wafer would include integrated electronics, power, and communications, and would be capable of being placed into a standard production process step, or short sequence of steps. During the processing of the sensor-wafer, various process parameters would be measured and recorded. There are several uses for such a sensor wafer, including equipment characterization and design, process calibration, and equipment qualification and diagnosis. In this paper, various sensor architectures, power supplies, communications methods, and isolation techniques are discussed, and particular choices are made. Several proof-of-concept designs that measure film-thickness and temperature are discussed, and test results are reviewed for each design.
High Peer Popularity Longitudinally Predicts Adolescent Health Risk Behavior, or Does It?: An Examination of Linear and Quadratic Associations

Objective In contrast to prior work, recent theory suggests that high, not low, levels of adolescent peer popularity may be associated with health risk behavior. This study examined (a) whether popularity may be uniquely associated with cigarette use, marijuana use, and sexual risk behavior, beyond the predictive effects of aggression; (b) whether the longitudinal association between popularity and health risk behavior may be curvilinear; and (c) gender moderation. Methods A total of 336 adolescents, initially in 10–11th grades, reported cigarette use, marijuana use, and number of sexual intercourse partners at two time points 18 months apart. Sociometric peer nominations were used to examine popularity and aggression. Results Longitudinal quadratic effects and gender moderation suggest that both high and low levels of popularity predict some, but not all, health risk behaviors. Conclusions New theoretical models can be useful for understanding the complex manner in which health risk behaviors may be reinforced within the peer context.
Effects of training versus non-training in identification of infant cry-signals: a longitudinal study.

The effects of training on the ability to identify 4 infants' cry-signals (birth, hunger, pain, and pleasure) were studied in 60 college students (aged 18 to 30 yr.). Subjects with training scored significantly higher than those without in identifying all but the pleasure cry-signal. In a follow-up retest 10 wk. later, scores for the birth and hunger cry-signals improved significantly (p less than .05) for subjects without training, while scores for subjects with training remained about the same. The suggestion that repeated exposure to cry-signals may serve as training was discussed.
Controlling images parameters in the reconstruction process of digital holograms

Digital holograms recorded with a charge-coupled device array are numerically reconstructed in amplitude and phase through calculation of the Fresnel-Kirchhoff integral. The flexibility offered by the reconstruction process in digital holography allows exploitation of new possibilities of application in microscopy. Through the reconstruction process we will show that it is possible to control image parameters as focus distance, image size, and image resolution. Those explored potentialities open further the novel prospective of application of digital holography in single- and multiwavelengths operation either for display or metrological applications. We demonstrate the concept of controlling parameters in image reconstruction of digital holograms in some real situations for inspecting silicon microelectronic-mechanical systems structures.
The multidimensional Frobenius problem

Consider the problem of determining maximal vectors g such that the Diophantine system Mx = g has no solution. We provide a variety of results to this end: conditions for the existence of g, conditions for the uniqueness of g, bounds on g, determining g explicitly in several important special cases, constructions for g, and a reduction for M.
Treatment options for the recurrent odontogenic keratocyst.

The odontogenic keratocyst (OKC) is a cystic disease with no real metastatic potential. As long as lesion of odontogenic origin that demonstrates the behavioral characteristics of a benign neoplasm and has a propensity to recur after surgical treatment. Studies published over the last three decades have reported recurrence rates after initial treatment with various procedures that ranged from 2.5% to 62.5% [1–21]. Myriad surgical strategies have been proposed to facilitate complete removal of the lesion and minimize recurrent or residual disease [1,4,10,12,18, 22–27]. A greater understanding of the clinical behavior of the OKC has prompted more meticulous surgery with or without peripheral ostectomy, tissue fixation methods, soft tissue excision, radical treatment when necessary, and more conscientious follow-up. The optimum treatment modality has yet to be realized. The aggressive nature of keratocysts has been documented in numerous case reports and is illustrated by cortical erosion [28], soft tissue involvement [29], and extension into the skull base [30,31], orbit [11], and infratemporal fossa [32]. Research has suggested that the OKC should be regarded as a benign cystic neoplasm, and evolving evidence supports this contention [33–36]. It seems that the OKC should be managed with the same respect given to other odontogenic and nonodontogenic jaw tumors. Resection has proved to be the most predictable treatment, but the morbidity associated with reconstructing continuity defects of the mandible or ablative defects of the maxilla seems unwarranted in most instances for a
Diabetes self-care involvement in children, age two to four: case report.

The earliest that a young child with type I diabetes can begin to become ac tively involved in diabetes self-care is probably be tween the ages of 2 and 4 years, when he/she is beginning to follow ...
New species of salamander (Caudata: Plethodontidae: Cryptotriton) from Quebrada Cataguana, Francisco Morazán, Honduras, with comments on the taxonomic status of Cryptotriton wakei

3 Corresponding author Abstract We describe a new species of the plethodontid salamander genus Cryptotriton from Honduras after comparing morpho- logical, molecular, and osteological data from the holotype to that of the other nominal forms of the genus. The new spe- cies differs from all of the known species of Cryptotriton in at least one character from all three datasets. We also suggest placing C. wakei in the synonymy of C. nasalis after examining the morphological and osteological characters of the single known specimen of C. wakei.
Choline Derivatives Involved in Osmotolerance of Penicillium fellutanum

Penicillium fellutanum is osmotolerant and xerotolerant when cultured in a low-phosphate medium containing 3 M NaCl. Glycerol and erythritol accumulated in cultures with NaCl concentrations up to 2 M; glycerol was the only detectable polyol in cultures containing 3 M NaCl. In cultures with 3 M NaCl, the intracellular levels of glycine betaine and choline-O-sulfate were 22- and 2.6-fold greater (70 and 46 mM), respectively, than those of cultures without added NaCl. The levels of glycine betaine and glycerol decreased in mycelia transferred from a medium containing 3 M NaCl into a fresh medium without added NaCl. NaCl at 3 M inhibited mycelial mass accumulation; this inhibition was partially corrected by supplementation of cultures with glycine betaine (2 mM) or choline-O-sulfate (10 mM). The presence of exogenous choline chloride (2 mM) in plate cultures protected the cells from stress from 3 M NaCl. The data suggest that glycine betaine and choline-O-sulfate are secondary osmoprotectants which are effective at the point that the cell is incapable of synthesizing more glycerol.
Cosmological models through spatial Ricci-flow

We consider the synchronization of the Einstein’s flow with the Ricci-flow of the standard spatial slices of the Robertson–Walker space–time and show that associated perfect fluid solution has a quadratic equation of state and is either spherical and collapsing, or hyperbolic and expanding.
The State in Political Science: How We Became What We Study

American political science is a product of the American state. There are political reasons why particular subdisciplines became hegemonic with the emergence of the “Second Republic” after World War II. The three hegemonic subdisciplines of our time are public opinion, public policy, and public choice. Each is a case study of consonance with the thought-ways and methods of a modern bureaucratized government committed to scientific decision making. Following Leviathan too closely results in three principal consequences: (1) failure to catch and evaluate the replacement of law by economics as the language of the state, (2) the loss of passion in political science discourse, and (3) the failure of political science to appreciate the significance of ideological sea changes accompanying regime changes.
A Note on the Millimeter and Submillimeter Wave Dielectric Constant and Loss Tangent Value of Some Common Materials

A tabulation of relative dielectric constant and loss tangent is presented for a number of common materials. Measurements were made by using an interference spectrometer to measure insertion loss and phase shift of dielectric samples.
Mass Spectrophotometric Analysis of Focal Neural Amyloid Deposition Reveals Isolated Non-Mutated ApoA1 Amylodosis (P03.187)

Objective: Amyloidogenic molecules are normally ubiquitous circulating proteins, and the mechanism leading to amyloid transformation in vivo is not well understood. Amyloidomas represent a rare focal mass deposition of amyloid that may occur in peripheral nervous system tissues. We investigate a case of lumbosacral plexus amyloidoma, having unusual composition of amyloid, raising questions of pathogenesis. Background Mass spectrometry analysis defines specific amyloid types, distinguishing AL-amyloidosis from inherited apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1), gelsolin (GEL), and transthyretin (TTR) varieties. Non-mutated ApoA1 and TTR amyloid deposition has been reported in the heart and blood vessels. SAP and ApoE are associated proteins of AL-amyloidosis. AL-light chain amyloidosis has presented with root and plexus amyloidomas having associated localized neurologic deficits. Design/Methods: A 46 yo male presented with insidious right lower extremity weakness with MRI imaging revealing an expansile mass within the lumbosacral roots and plexus including the sciatic nerve. Multiple serum, urine, and bone marrow analyses revealed no evident monoclonal gammopathy or plasma cell dyscrasia. He had no family history suggestive of systemic or neural amyloidosis. Targeted sciatic notch fascicular nerve biopsy with mass spectrometry analysis was performed. Results: The biopsied neural tissue stained positive with Congo red having apple-green birefringence, and immunostains for amyloid type were ambiguous. Laser microdissection mass spectrometry analysis of amyloid deposits demonstrated the predominant protein to be wild type ApoA1. DNA sequencing of the entire reading frame of ApoA1 was normal. Conclusions: Focal neural deposition of non-mutated ApoA1 predominant amyloid may occur. Discovery of unusual amyloid variants may be made possible by mass spectrometry analysis. Disclosure: Dr. Loavenbruck has nothing to disclose. Dr. Chaudhry has received personal compensation for activities with Novartis. Dr. Chaudhry has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity for the Neurologist. Dr. Chaudhry has received royalty payments from Abbott Laboratories, Inc. and Johnson & Johnson. Dr. Zeldenrust has nothing to disclose. Dr. Theis has nothing to disclose. Dr. Klein has received personal compensation for activities with Pfizer Inc as a consultant.
Ramp Angle, Not Plateau Height, Influences Transition Strategies

In a previous study, we found that participants modified how they transitioned onto and off of ramp configurations depending upon the incline. While the transition strategies were originally attributed to ramp angles, it is possible that the plateau influenced the strategies since the final surface height also differed. Ultimately, for the current study, we hypothesized that an individual’s transition strategies would have significant main effects for ramp angle, but not plateau height. Twelve healthy, young adults transitioned onto 3 distinct ramp configurations, a 2.4-m ramp angled at 12.5° ending at a plateau height of 53 cm, a 1.2-m ramp angled at 23.5° ending at a plateau height of 53 cm, and a 2.4-m ramp angled at 23.5° ending at a plateau height of 99.5 cm. Kinematics, kinetics, and muscle activity were measured during the stance phase before contacting the ramp. In support of our hypothesis, impact peak, active peak, and all of the muscle activity variables had a significant main effect for ramp a...
The Influence of Control Valve Action Process on Speed Rise in Turbine Units Load Rejection Tests

In the closing process of control valve for load rejection tests,the steam that continuous inflow turbine and the original in it will continue to expand to cause rotor speed rise.This paper main calculates the maximum speed rise of three 600MW subcritical units based on the data of unit load rejection tests by the means of calculating control valve equivalent closing time,theoretical and experimental results are consistent,and analysis the influence of the control valve closing process on the rotor speed rise.Last discuss the influencing factors of speed rise,It will provide a important reference for load rejection tests and the security and stability of the units.
7 Effects of ankle destabilisation devices in rehabilitation on gait biomechanics in chronic ankle instability patients: a randomised controlled trial

Background Chronic ankle instability (CAI) patients have altered gait patterns characterised by increased ankle inversion motion prior to and following ground contact. Destabilisation devices may improve gait patterns in CAI patients by increasing peroneus longus muscle activity throughout the gait cycle. Objective To determine whether incorporating destabilisation devices (device group) into a 4-week impairment-based rehabilitation program had beneficial effects on gait biomechanics and surface electromyography (sEMG) compared to impairment-based rehabilitation without destabilisation devices in CAI patients. Design Single-blinded randomised controlled trial. Setting Laboratory. Patients Twenty-six CAI patients (age = 21.34 years; sex M = 7, F = 19; height = 168.96 cm, body mass = 70.73 kg) participated. Interventions Patients completed baseline gait trials and were randomised into control or device groups. Both groups completed 4-weeks of rehabilitation with or without devices, then completed post intervention gait trials. Main outcome measurements Ankle, knee, hip sagittal and frontal plane kinematics and kinetics and sEMG activity of the peroneus brevis, peroneus longus, anterior tibialis, and medial gastrocnemius were measured. Data was re-sampled to 100 frames, making each frame represent 1% of the gait cycle where 1% equals initial contact and 100% equals terminal swing. For each measure, group means and 90% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated across all 100 points of the gait cycle. Results The device group increased dorsiflexion motion during mid-late stance (mean difference ± CI;% of cycle: 5.4 ± 2.4o; 45–64%) and had lower normalised sEMG amplitude for the peroneus longus during early stance (2.9 ± 1.4; 4–7%) and mid-swing (1.0 ± 0.5; 73–76%) after rehabilitation. The control group had less peroneus brevis sEMG activity during early stance (3.4 ± 1.3; 4–13%) after rehabilitation. There were no other differences following rehabilitation for either group or when the groups were combined. Conclusion Incorporating destabilisation devices into a 4-week rehabilitation program are effective at increasing dorsiflexion motion during the stance phase of gait. However, impairment-based rehabilitation was not effective at altering frontal plane motion during gait.
Planetary boundary layer and turbulence parameterizations

Introduction We have seen how the various properties of the land surface can influence the fluxes of energy that occur in the atmospheric surface layer. Now that these boundary conditions have been described, the next step is to determine how these energy fluxes influence the evolution of the atmosphere. This influence first occurs within the planetary boundary layer (PBL). The planetary boundary layer is that part of the troposphere which is influenced directly by the presence of the Earth's surface, and responds to surface forcing with a timescale of an hour or less (Stull 1988). Thus, the land surface and the boundary layer are intimately tied together. The PBL can be as shallow as a few tens of meters, and as deep as several kilometers (Fig. 5.1). We previously learned in Chapters 2 and 3 that the values of temperature and specific humidity within the surface layer have a profound effect on the surface sensible and latent heat fluxes, since they are used in determining the potential difference between the soil–vegetation–land surface and the atmosphere. Now it is seen that the boundary layer responds to these fluxes over very short time periods. It also is important to recognize that turbulence, the irregular fluctuations that occur in fluid motions, is the dominant mechanism by which surface forcing is transmitted throughout the boundary layer.
Choice of 17O correction affects clumped isotope (Δ47) values of CO2 measured with mass spectrometry

Rationale The clumped isotope composition of CO2 (Δ47 ) derived from carbonate is widely used as a paleotemperature proxy with broad applications in geoscience. Its accuracy is, however, limited by inter-laboratory discrepancies of reference materials and disagreement among carbonate geothermometer calibrations. Here we show how the correction for the abundance of 17 O influences these discrepancies. Methods We used CO2 -H2 O equilibration at known temperatures and phosphoric acid digested carbonates to generate CO2 samples with a wide range in 13 C and 18 O compositions. All samples were purified using an offline vacuum line. We used a Thermo MAT 253 isotope ratio mass spectrometer with a Faraday collector array for m/z 44-49, to measure δ13 C, δ18 O, δ47 , and Δ47 values. Data were compiled using a traditional correction ('Santrock') for the 17 O interference in m/z 45 as well as a more recently proposed correction ('Brand') for 17 O interference. Two reference frames using CO2 with distinct 13 C compositions were constructed to simulate an inter-laboratory comparison. Results The traditional Santrock 17 O correction leads to a simulated Δ47 inter-laboratory comparison offset of 0.06 ‰, and a 0.1 ‰ Δ47 range in CO2 -H2 O 23°C equilibrations that is dependent on the 13 C composition. The more recent Brand 17 O correction removes these discrepancies. The traditional 17 O correction yields distinct temperature-Δ47 calibration curves for synthetic carbonates precipitated using different methods to degas CO2 , while the more recent 17 O correction collapses all calibration data onto a single curve. Conclusions The 17 O correction strategy employed by CO2 and carbonate clumped-isotope researchers can have a large effect on the accuracy of Δ47 values. Use of the traditional 17 O correction may have caused errors in published studies as large as 0.1 ‰ and may account for Δ47 differences among laboratories and disagreement among previously published carbonate clumped isotope thermometry calibrations. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Oral Busulfan and Cyclophosphamide or IV Busulfan and Fludarabine for Allogeneic HSCT in Hematologic Malignancies

Pharmacokinetic properties of IV busulfan are more predictable than those of oral. While this results in lower toxicity, it is unclear if clinical results are superior. 55 consecutive patients with hematologic malignancies (35 AML/MDS, 10 lymphoma/CLL, 7 CML/MPD, 3 ALL) allografted after oral busulfan (14 mg/kg) with cyclophosphamide (120 mg/kg) (BuCy; n=24; cyclosporine-MTX) or IV busulfan (520 mg/m2) with fludarabine (160 mg/m2) (BuFlu; n=31; tacrolimus-MTX) were studied. The donors were HLA-identical sibs (n=41), 10/10 allele-matched unrelated (n=10), or 9/10 allele-matched individuals (n=4; 2 unrelated). Busulfan levels were not monitored. G/GM-CSF were not given routinely. Supportive care was uniform. 11 patients died of transplant-related causes, 21 relapsed (12 dead), and 32 were alive at the last follow-up (23 in continuous CR). The actuarial 2-y overall (OS) and event-free (EFS) survival was 50% (95% CI: 34–67%) and 34% (95% CI: 19–49%). The following pre-HSCT prognostic factors affected OS adversely in univariate analysis: refractory disease, ECOG performance status (PS) 2/3, elevated LDH, albumin <3, CD34+ cell dose ≤6 × 106/kg, HLA mismatch, and platelets <100 × 109/L. The table shows comparison of the BuCy and BuFlu by patient and donor age, type of donors, and the factors found to influence survival. The two groups were comparable. In a Cox model that included the conditioning regimen and the above variables, low platelets (RR 0.285; P=0.013) and poor PS (RR 0.244; P=0.023) affected OS adversely. EFS was adversely affected by poor PS (RR=0.304; P=0.032), with borderline effect of low platelets (RR=0.451; P=0.062) and refractory disease (RR=0.502; P=0.095). The figure below shows OS by the presence or absence of the 2 adverse variables. The figure below shows OS by the conditioning regimen. These curves have been generated from the Cox model and have been adjusted for the other variables in the model. While the difference is not statistically significant, BuFlu appears superior. However, similarly generated EFS curves for BuCy and BuFlu are superimposable. We conclude that with limited patient numbers and follow-up, BuCy and BuFlu appear identical in efficacy although the appearance of the OS curves suggest that differences may emerge with loner follow-up and bigger patient numbers. ![Figure][1] Figure ![Figure][1] Figure | Characteristic | BuCy | BuFlu | P | |:--------------------------- | ----------- | ----------- | ----- | | Patient age | 44 (27–62) | 40 (20–61) | 0.23 | | Donor age | 46 (25–65) | 39 (25–66) | 0.25 | | MSD | 22/24 (92%) | 19/31 (61%) | 0.013 | | Refractory disease | 12/24 (50%) | 16/31 (52%) | 0.91 | | ECOG PS 2/3 | 6/24 (25%) | 4/31 (13%) | 0.30 | | Elevated LDH | 6/24 (25%) | 4/31 (13%) | 0.30 | | Albumin < 3 | 7/24 (29%) | 8/31 (26%) | 0.78 | | CD34+ cell dose ≤6 × 106/kg | 21/24 (88%) | 21/31 (68%) | 0..12 | | HLA mismatch | 1/24 (4%) | 3/31 (10%) | 0.62 | | Platelets <100 × 109/L | 9/24 (38%) | 14/31 (45%) | 0.57 | [1]: pending:yes
Intergenerational Intervention to Mitigate Children’s Bias Against the Elderly

ABSTRACTThe age-segregated society in which we live fosters ageism and has negative consequences for both young and old. The persistence of ageism may be due to a cultural fear of growing older, or gerontophobia (Bunzel, 1972), and is actively cultivated through various forms of communication and misinformation. Unfortunately, young children are exposed to the damaging effects of ageism through their interactions with an ageist society. Partially in response to this prejudice, intergenerational programs that involve some form of common activity shared in a multigenerational setting have become popular. The current study utilized the Child-Age Implicit Association Test and two measures of explicit bias to determine whether an intergenerational intervention could mitigate negative age biases in elementary school children. Though the program did not seem to reduce bias, it was clear that implicit biases exist and that they seem to be distinct from explicit bias. It is suggested that a different program or di...
Círculos viciosos: migración y violencia en la narrativa y el cine trans-centroamericanos

Migration both within and outside the Central American isthmus has marked the lives of millions of Central Americans in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. This essay analyzes two works representative of the recent narrative subgenre centered on Central American migration: the novel The Tattooed Soldier (1998) by Hector Tobar and the feature film El camino (2007) directed by Ishtar Yasin. It argues that both texts approach the migration of Central American citizens through a narrative strategy identified as “deterritorialized circular violence” in which the initial violence (national, territorialized) migrates with the protagonists of both stories to their recipient countries, transforming along the way into a transnational, deterritorialized phenomenon. Due to the transnational, circular nature of this violence, the characters are not able to escape it and rather end up in worse circumstances after their voyage to their supposed “promised land.” Through this narrativestrategy, The Tattooed Soldier and El camino make powerful commentaries on the way vulnerable Central Americans have become victims of structural, institutionalized violence that extends beyond the national territory—and whose origin and common cause is the socioeconomic inequality and precariousness that impact these individuals before and after becoming migrants.
Implementation of a Precision Pathology Program Focused on Oncology-Based Prognostic and Predictive Outcomes

Personalized or precision medicine as a diagnostic and therapeutic paradigm was introduced some 10-15 years ago, with the advent of biomarker discovery as a mechanism for identifying prognostic and predictive attributes associated with treatment indication and outcome. While the concept is not new, the successful development and implementation of novel 'companion diagnostics', especially in oncology, continues to represent a significant challenge and is currently at the forefront of smart trial design and therapeutic choice. The ability to determine patient selection for a specific therapy has broad implications including better chances for a positive outcome, limited exposure to potentially toxic drugs and improved health economics. Importantly, a significant step in this paradigm is the role of predictive pathology or the accurate assessment of morphology at the microscopic level. In breast cancer, this has been most useful where histologic attributes such as the classification of tubular and cribriform carcinoma dictates surgery while neoadjuvant studies suggest that patients with lobular carcinoma are not likely to benefit from chemotherapy. The next level of 'personalized pathology' at the tissue-cellular level is the use of 'protein biomarker panels' to classify the disease process and ultimately drive tumor characterization and treatment. The following review article will focus on the evolution of predictive pathology from a subjective, 'opinion-based' approach to a quantitative science. In addition, we will discuss the individual components of the precise pathology platform including advanced image analysis, biomarker quantitation with mathematical modeling and the integration with fluid-based (i.e. blood, urine) analytics as drivers of next generation precise patient phenotyping.
Looking Outward: Archival Research as Community Engagement

This article examines archival recovery work as community engagement, illustrating how recovered artifacts can serve as part of the creative process. It also analyzes the potential recovery work as community engagement holds for creating a new form of literacy – communal literacy – through the description of a community-based project centered on recovered archival material from the Nebraska women’s suffrage movement.