cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Improving the speed and accuracy of indoor localization

Advances in technology have enabled a large number of computing devices to communicate wirelessly. In addition, radio waves, which are the primary means of transmitting data in wireless communication, can be used to localize devices in the 2D and 3D space. As a result there has been an increasing number of applications that rely on the availability of device location. Many systems have been developed to provide location estimates indoors, where Global Positioning System (GPS) devices do not work. However, localization indoors faces many challenges. First, a localization system should use as little extra hardware as possible, should work on any wireless device with very little or no modification, and localization latency should be small. Also, wireless signals in-doors suffer from environmental effects like reflection, diffraction and scattering, making signal characterization with respect to location difficult. Moreover, many algorithms require detailed profiling of the environment, making the systems hard to deploy. This thesis addresses some of the aforementioned issues for localization systems that rely on radio properties like Received Signal Strength (RSS). The advantage of these systems is that they reuse the existing communication infrastructure, rather than necessitating the deployment of specialized hardware. Specifically, we improved the latency of a particular localization method that relies on Bayesian Networks (BNs). This method has the advantage of requiring a small size of training data, can localize many devices simultaneously, and some versions of BNs can localize without requiring the knowledge of the locations where signal strength properties are collected. We proposed Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithms and evaluated their performance by introducing a metric which we call relative accuracy. We reduced latency by identifying MCMC methods that improve the relative accuracy to solutions returned by existing statistical packages in as little time as possible. In addition, we parallelized the MCMC process to improve latency when localizing devices whose number is on the order of hundreds. Finally, since wireless transmission is heavily affected by the physical environment indoors, we investigated the impact of using multiple antennas on the performance of various localization algorithms. We showed that deploying low-cost antennas at fixed locations can improve the accuracy and stability of localization algorithms indoors.
See You in Court! How to Avoid IDEA Transition–Related Mediations and Due Process Hearings:

School compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) transition services language requirements in this country has been an issue of concern to parents of students with disa...
Practical applications and learning curve for EUS-guided hepaticoenterostomy: results of a large single-center US retrospective analysis

Background and study aims Endoscopic ultrasound-guided hepaticoenterostomy (EUS-HE) is an effective method of endoscopic biliary drainage in cases where endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography has failed or is deemed impossible. Indications for EUS-HE have expanded, resulting in increased interest by endoscopists to learn the procedure; however, few data exist on breadth of application or experience needed to develop proficiency. We describe utilization of EUS-HE for biliary decompression at a large tertiary referral center along with procedural learning curve. Patients and methods Retrospective evaluation of 60 consecutive patients who underwent attempted EUS-HE by one endoscopist from February 2016 through June 2018. Procedures were divided into chronological and summative experience quartiles. We compared procedural success rate, procedural utilization, and procedure duration over time. Results Sixty patients underwent attempted EUS-HE during the study period: 35 with surgically altered anatomy, 23 with malignant biliary obstruction, 35 outpatients, 35 females; median age, 66 years. The procedure was technically successful in 53 patients. Success rates by summative experience quartile were 80 %, 80 %, 93.3 % and 100 % respectively. Beginning at patient number 40, the remaining cases had a success rate of 100 %. Utilization increased from eight cases in the first chronological quartile to 28 in the fourth. There was no significant reduction in procedure duration over time. Conclusion For an experienced endoscopist, EUS-HE could be performed effectively and safely after the experience of 40 cases. Limitations of this study include a single endoscopist and heterogeneous patient population with variable anatomy that may affect procedural success. Future studies should include data from multiple centers and endoscopists.
Influence of biological sex on social behavior, individual recogntion, and non-associative learning in the adult gray short-tailed opossum (Monodelphis domestica).

Abstract Social behavior is critical for relationship formation and is influenced by myriad environmental and individual factors. Basic and preclinical research typically relies on rodent models to identify the mechanisms that underlie behavior; however, it is important to use non-rodent models as well. A major objective of the present study was to test the hypothesis that biological sex and social experience modulate the expression of social behavior in the adult gray short-tailed opossum (Monodelphis domestica), a non-traditional model. We also investigated the non-associative learning abilities of these animals. Following a period of social isolation, animals of both sexes were paired with a non-familiar, same-sex partner for 10 min on three different occasions, with 24-hour inter-trial intervals. We are the first research group to find significant sex differences in submissive and nonsocial behaviors in Monodelphis. Females displayed significantly higher durations of nonsocial behavior that increased over trials. Males were more aggressive; their latencies to the first attack and submissive behavior decreased over trials whereas these latencies increased for females; males' duration of submissive behavior increased over trials whereas it decreased for females. A different group of subjects habituated in response to repeated presentations to neutral odors and dishabituated in response to novel odors. In addition, both males and females demonstrated the ability to form social memories in a standard individual (social) recognition test. Our results contribute to the characterization of this marsupial species, an important first step in developing it as a model of complex social behaviors.
Randomization Among: The Other Randomization

A valid informed consent process for a randomized controlled trial requires the disclosure to potential participants that they will be randomized to receive the study intervention or a control intervention. This is a case of randomization within a trial, a type of randomization that has received significant attention in research ethics. When institutions recruit large numbers of research participants for multisite clinical trials, a different, hidden form of randomization may occur: randomization among clinical trials. If it is essential to disclose to potential participants randomization within a clinical trial, then it may be the case that randomization among clinical trials recruiting individuals from the same cohort of eligible participants should also be disclosed. This article examines how randomization among clinical trials might take place and the ethical issues such randomization raises about informed consent to research participation.
Immunologic Abnormalities in Depressive Illness

There is now a large body of evidence suggesting strong and complex interactions between the central nervous system and the immune system (Ader, 1981). Lesions in certain areas of the brain are accompanied by specific immune changes (Stein et al., 1976). Several immunologic phenomena are accompanied by increased neuronal firing in specific areas of the brain as well as a disturbance in neuroendocrine regulation (Besedovsky and Sorkin, 1977). Stressed animals exhibit an increased susceptibility to a variety of immune-related disorders such as allergy and cancer (Riley, 1981) as well as impairment in specific immunologic functions such as lymphoblast transformation and granulocyte phagocytosis (Monjan and Collector, 1977).
Biogeochemical controls on biodegradation of buried oil along a coastal headland beach.

Abstract Laboratory experiments investigated oxygen dynamics in buried oiled sands sampled from areas impacted by the Macondo spill. Measured oxygen fluxes in oil deposits that were permeable to tidal water ranged from 10−3 to 10−4 μmol/cm2-sec, orders of magnitude higher than fluxes in non-permeable deposits (10−6 to 10−7 μmol/cm2-sec). Oxygen dynamics were well described by 1-d models that represent increased oxygen consumption in oiled sands. Experiments demonstrated that when oxygen is present and the oil deposit is permeable to tidal water, biodegradation of alkylated phenanthrenes and dibenzothiophenes proceeded over time scales (i.e., weeks) to have a significant impact on the mass and quality of buried oil. For this biodegradation process to proceed, two independent conditions must be met, a source of oxygenated water has to be present (e.g., tidal flushing in the intertidal zone) and the oiled deposit has to be permeable to water (i.e., pores cannot be completely saturated with oil).
A Simple Model of Capacity Contention During New Product Introductions

We consider the problem of determining an optimal release schedule for a production facility as it transitions from producing an older product to a newer one. We use simple queueing ideas to model the impact of the new product introduction on the throughput rate and cycle time of both products. We then incorporate the learning gained from accumulated experience in producing the new product to formulate a deterministic optimization model for release planning during product transitions. Since the model is nonlinear and non-convex we use a genetic algorithm to obtain near-optimal solutions. The structure of the optimal solution provides insights into the relationships between the different costs involved in the model. Computational experiments show that the release planning model produces high-quality solutions in reasonable CPU times, and reflects the behavior of the system realistically. The principal insight is that careful management of releases during product transitions has the potential to mitigate many of the adverse effects frequently observed in practice such as longer cycle times for both old and new products.
7 – Special Topics

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the continuous-flow (CF) centrifugation with isopycnic banding. In continuous-flow zonal centrifugation, one must not only introduce and recover a gradient, but one must also introduce a particle suspension and discharge a spent supernatant at two additional locations, and in directions different from the desired movement of the gradient. The gradient can be designed exactly as that for isopycnic separations. As the radial path is rather short, CF rotors are commonly loaded with step gradients, which then rapidly become smoothed through diffusion. CF zonal centrifugation can also be used for the harvest of large quantities of membrane-bound organelles, such as mitochondria and chloroplasts. The chloroplasts are also resolved into intact and stripped organelles. The chapter discusses the concept of environmental gradients, which was proposed as part of a larger strategy of gradient solubilization. Particles are carried through the density gradient by rate sedimentation. The superimposed environmental gradient is selected to solubilize the particles or components of the particle somewhere within the gradient by depolymerization and extraction.
Does preoperative and intraoperative imaging for anterior vertebral body tethering predict postoperative correction

Anterior vertebral body tethering (AVBT) is an emerging approach for idiopathic scoliosis. However, overcorrection and under-correction are common causes of revision surgery, and intraoperative tensioning of the cord is one key component to achieve appropriate curve correction. We sought to determine whether preoperative flexibility radiographs or intraoperative radiographs would predict correction at first erect imaging for scoliosis patients undergoing anterior vertebral body tethering (AVBT). Single-center retrospective review. Fifty-one patients with a diagnosis of idiopathic scoliosis underwent anterior body tethering. Preoperative flexibility films and intraoperative radiographs were compared to first erect standing radiographs to determine if there was a correlation in Cobb angle. Preoperative major Cobb angle measured 52° ± 9°. Major Cobb angle on bending films was 24° ± 8°. Intraoperative imaging showed correction to a mean of 17° ± 8°. Postoperative first erect standing radiographs showed correction to a mean of 26° ± 10°. The mean difference in major Cobb angle between intraoperative radiograph and a first erect radiograph was 10° ± 4°, whereas the mean difference from preoperative bending radiograph at first erect was 2° ± 7°. Thus, correction on preoperative flexibility films correlated with the first erect radiograph. Preoperative bending radiographs provide a reasonable estimate of postoperative correction for patients undergoing AVBT with tensioning of the cord. Surgeons should expect the major Cobb angle to increase on first erect radiographs compared to intraoperative radiographs. These findings may guide patient selection and assist surgeons in achieving appropriate correction intraoperatively.
Social support and strain and emotional distress among Latinos in the northeastern United States

US Latinos report high levels of emotional distress. Having positive familial and friend social support buffers emotional distress among US Latinos, but thus far no research has been done on social support and ataque de nervios in that population, or on social strain and emotional distress. This paper assesses social support and strain across three relationship types (partner, family, and friends) with three measures of emotional distress (depression, anxiety, and ataque de nervios). The sample for partner, family, and friend support included 508 Latino adults 21 and older. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to assess the association of social support and strain with each outcome. As all social support types increased, the odds of emotional distress symptoms decreased. Conversely, as each unit of partner and family strain increased, the odds of emotional distress symptoms increased. Increased friend strain was associated with greater odds of depressive and anxiety symptoms only. Social support in all three network types (partner, family, and friend) was associated with a decrease in the odds of emotional distress, assessed as symptoms of depression, anxiety, and ataque de nervios.
The Rising Incidence of Penile Prosthesis Surgery as the First Line Surgical Treatment for Peyronie's Disease

AbstractIntroduction:Peyronie’s disease is a potentially debilitating connective tissue disorder of the penis that at times requires surgical intervention. There is a dearth of multi-center or comm...
Spatial and temporal variability of dissolved aluminum and manganese in surface waters of the northern Gulf of Alaska

Abstract The Northern Gulf of Alaska (NGA) shelf is a productive high-latitude environment where nutrient dynamics are greatly impacted by the seasonal variability in freshwater input. Iron is a key nutrient on the NGA shelf that directly modulates primary production, and freshwater is a major input of iron to the NGA shelf. However, variability in the input of dissolved iron from freshwater sources is obscured by high biological uptake and by the concentration of organic ligands, which bind iron and help maintain it in solution. Riverine inputs of other lithogenic elements such as aluminum and manganese are expected to behave quasi-conservatively on the NGA shelf and could help provide insight into the variability of iron input in this region. Here we present the seasonal (spring, summer, and fall) distribution of dissolved aluminum (dAl) and manganese (dMn) observed during 2018 and 2019 in the NGA region. Data were obtained during the NGA Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) site cruises and include several surface transects from Kayak Island to Kodiak Island, vertical profiles at several locations sparsely distributed throughout the shelf, and surface information from a Copper River plume study. We find that seasonal patterns in the surface concentrations of dMn and dAl mirrored annual glacial melt cycles, with the lowest values observed in spring and higher values in summer and fall. Sharp cross-shelf gradients were observed for both metals particularly in summer and fall. Surface concentrations decreased (by 1–2 orders of magnitude) away from the outflow of the Copper River, the major point source of freshwater within the NGA LTER site. Extremely high concentrations in the Copper River plume (≤1395 nM dAl, ≤128 nM dMn) and strong correlations with salinity (p = 7.9E-14 for dAl, 1.4E-14 for dMn) highlight the quasi-conservative nature of these metals within the plume. Enhanced dAl and dMn concentrations within nepheloid layers in subsurface waters indicate regions where a sedimentary source of iron could also be important. Residence times for dAl and dMn in surface waters over the NGA shelf were estimated to be 31 days (dAl) and 42 days (dMn) on average based on summer and fall data from both years.
Unsafe Knowledge

Ernest Sosa has argued that if someone knows that p, then his belief that p is “safe”. and Timothy Williamson has agreed. In this paper I argue that safety, as defined by Sosa, is not a necessary condition on knowledge – that we can have unsafe knowledge. I present Sosa’s definition of safety and a counterexample to it as a necessary condition on knowledge. I also argue that Sosa’s most recent refinements to the notion of safety don’t help him to avoid the counterexample. I consider three replies on behalf of the defender of safety, and find them all wanting. Finally, I offer a tentative diagnosis of my counterexample.
Technical Tips: Performing EEGs and Polysomnograms on Children with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities

Electroencephalograms (EEGs) and polysomnograms (PSGs) are critical and frequently ordered tests in the care of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDD). Performing studies with this population can be very intimidating, given that the referral reasons and seizure types can be unique, and children with NDD may have any combination of behavioral or sensory challenges that can make it difficult to successfully complete a study. This article presents a variety of strategies that can be used to overcome these challenges through good preparation, patience, caregiver involvement, effective behavioral management techniques, and education about the medical aspects of EEG/ PSG in NDD. This Technical Tips article features ideas and experiences from an EEG/PSG technologist, two board-certified child neurologists (one who is further certified in Clinical Neurophysiology, while the other is further certified in Sleep Medicine), and two behaviorally trained pediatric psychologists.
Positional cloning of Lps, and the general role of toll-like receptors in the innate immune response.

INTRODUCTION In the course of evolution, multicellular organisms have developed immune mechanisms that protect them from the predations of unicellular life forms. The most fundamental attribute of any immune system is its ability to distinguish self from non-self. Beyond this, an immune system must be able to recognize a wide diversity of would-be pathogens if it is to be effective. In general, an immune system has a "sensing" (afferent) [...]
Genetic variation and population structure in desert bighorn sheep: Implications for conservation

Bighorn sheep populations experienced a drastic reduction in both distribution and abundance until the advent of modern wildlife management, where improving viability of extant populations and translocating animals into historical habitat range have been the most important management policies. The fact that subspecies relationships among bighorn are ambiguous,together with the importance of selecting appropriate source stock and the expense of translocation projects, makes an understanding of subspecies relationships and genetic variation, within and between populations, important for the management and conservation of this species. In this study, genetic variation in 279 bighorn sheep from 13 study sites in Arizona, California, New Mexico and Alberta, Canada were examined by analyzing ten microsatellite loci to determine interpopulation differentiation and relationships between closely related taxa. All populations contained a substantial amount of genetic variation. Genetic differences between populations were large and roughly proportional to geographic distance. The significance of this to desert subspecies relationships and management is discussed.
Immunocompetence and Allergy

Developed nations are experiencing a marked increase in prevalence of the familial allergic diseases including asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, and allergic gastroenteropathy, which are often called atopic diseases. No satisfactory explanation for this epidemic is known, but it has been proposed that some facets of modern life tend to bias immune responses away from the Th1 cellular immune responses that protect against many infections and toward Th2 responses that favor atopy. There are 2 hypotheses to explain why this epidemic is occurring now. Hypothesis 1 suggests that nutritional patterns have changed or that we are exposed to environmental toxicants that were not previously present. Hypothesis 2 holds that some aspects of modern lifestyles in affluent nations have minimized exposure to infectious agents or to their by-products, such as endotoxin. This feature of contemporary lifestyle, it is suggested, has favored the development of Th2 immune responses to environmental allergens and the development of the attendant atopic diseases. This latter theory has been designated the "hygiene hypothesis." Although there is evidence both for and against both hypotheses, evidence for hypothesis 2 is stronger and more convincing.
Fabrication of three-dimensional millimeter-height structures using direct ultraviolet lithography on liquid-state photoresist for simple and fast manufacturing

A rapid three-dimensional (3-D) ultraviolet (UV) lithography process for the fabrication of millimeter-tall high aspect ratio complex structures is presented. The liquid-state negative-tone photosensitive polyurethane, LF55GN, has been directly photopatterned using multidirectionally projected UV light for 3-D micropattern formation. The proposed lithographic scheme enabled us to overcome the maximum height obtained with a photopatternable epoxy, SU8, which has been conventionally most commonly used for the fabrication of tall and high aspect ratio microstructures. Also, the fabrication process time has been significantly reduced by eliminating photoresist-baking steps. Computer-controlled multidirectional UV lithography has been employed to fabricate 3-D structures, where the UV-exposure substrate is dynamically tilt-rotating during UV exposure to create various 3-D ray traces in the polyurethane layer. LF55GN has been characterized to provide feasible fabrication conditions for the multidirectional UV lithography. Very tall structures including a 6-mm tall triangular slab and a 5-mm tall hexablaze have been successfully fabricated. A 4.5-mm tall air-lifted polymer-core bowtie monopole antenna, which is the tallest monopole structure fabricated by photolithography and subsequent metallization, has been successfully demonstrated. The antenna shows a resonant radiation frequency of 12.34 GHz, a return loss of 36 dB, and a 10 dB bandwidth of 7%.
“Silver Rights” Legislation: An Economic Justice for Low-Income Workers

Although the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and its companion legislation opened up economic opportunities for minorities, women, and other low-income workers, in reality few received meaningful economic benefits from the civil rights approach alone. Data seem to indicate that many of these workers are still lagging behind and facing increased economic insecurity. To rectify the problem, this article calls for adopting “silver rights” legislation for low-income workers in the coming years. “Silver rights” legislation focuses on economic opportunities for low-income workers and proposes establishing a fairer income distribution in the employment setting through (a) redesigning wage structures, (b) health provisions, (c) pension reform, and (d) tax reform.
The Asymptotic Drift-Diffusion Limit of Thermal Neutrons

It is well known that in an infinite, source-free, purely scattering medium with physically realizable cross sections, neutrons attain a Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution characterized by the material temperature. In this work we look at how small variations to these conditions change the behavior of the thermal-neutron distribution in space and energy. Specifically, our analysis examines the influence of small amounts of absorption and a small source as well as temperature variations in the material. We restrict our study to regions away from boundary and initial layers. The result of the asymptotic analysis is that the amplitude of the neutron scalar flux satisfies a drift-diffusion equation in which the diffusion coefficient and drift velocity depend on the first-order anisotropy of the scattering kernel as well as the gradient of the material temperature. Additionally, through first order in the asymptotic expansion the neutron energy distribution is Maxwell-Boltzmann at the local material temperature.
Proteomics: where's Waldo in yeast?

Research in yeast provides the tools and benchmarks for a wide sweep of biology. The latest results reveal the most complete picture yet of the levels and locations of protein production in the organism.
CARDIOVASCULAR ABNORMALITIES IN PATIENTS WITH ANOREXIA NERVOSA

Top of pageAbstract Because the 15% mortality rate in anorexia nervosa may be associated with cardiovascular abnormalities, we studied 8 anorectic patients (pts) ages 16-24 yrs (mean age 18 yrs) with chest x-rays, two dimensional echocardiograms, detailed body composition measurements, bicycle ergometer stress exercise testing, and nuclear angiographic studies of resting and exercise cardiac function. Compared to controls, our pts total weight was reduced 47%, percent fat was 67% below control, and free fat mass was reduced 33%. Chest x-rays revealed a cardiothoracic ratio <0.40 in all pts (mean 0.34). Heart weight in grams as measured by echocardiography was well below the third percentile in all pts: LV mass was <100 grams in all pts. Resting cardiac index was reduced in all pts (mean 2.2 liters/min/m2) with reductions in stroke volumes (mean 56.6 m1/min/m2) and an increase in the cardiac mean transit time. Cardiopulmonary volume - total blood volume ratios were normal, but there was a marked reduction in total blood volume. There was a blunted heart rate and blood pressure response to exercise with a marked reduction in oxygen consumption and total work performance. These changes demonstrate a compensated cardiovascular state in anorectics and suggest continued cardiac monitoring during follow-up to assess the short and long-term effects of decreased cardiac performance.
X-ray absorption spectroscopy of Pyrococcus furiosus rubredoxin

X-ray absorption spectroscopy has been used to probe the frozen solution structure of the metal site in Pyrococcus furiosus rubredoxin in the native, iron- containing protein and in zinc- and mercury-substituted proteins. For all samples studied, the spectra have been interpreted in terms of a single shell of coordinated sul- fur, with approximately tetrahedral coordination. For the native protein we obtain Fe-S bond-lengths of 2.29 and 2.33 A for oxidized and reduced proteins, respec- tively. These values are in excellent agreement with those previously obtained from X-ray crystallography. The metal-substituted rubredoxins possess metal-sulfur bond lengths of 2.34 and 2.54 A for the zinc- and mer- cury-substituted proteins, respectively.
Simple computer code for estimating cosmic-ray shielding by oddly shaped objects

This paper describes computer code for estimating the effect on cosmogenic-nuclide production rates of arbitrarily shaped obstructions that partially or completely attenuate the cosmic ray flux incident on a sample site. This is potentially useful for cosmogenic-nuclide exposure dating of geometrically complex landforms. The code has been validated against analytical formulae applicable to objects with regular geometries. It has not yet been validated against empirical measurements of cosmogenic-nuclide concentrations in samples with the same exposure history but different shielding geometries.
Closure theorems for exponential polynomials

(1976). Closure theorems for exponential polynomials. Applicable Analysis: Vol. 5, No. 4, pp. 277-282.
Internet protocol header compression, robust header compression, and their applicability in the global information grid

IPv6 extends capabilities of legacy IPv4 networks. The advantages of IPv6, however, come at the cost of increased operational overhead. As government networks providing services to the global information grid (GIG) migrate toward an IPv6-based infrastructure, the implications of an expanded packet header must be analyzed. This article describes two IPv6 applicable header compression schemes developed by the IETF, and how networks across the GIG infrastructure can adopt them in an effort to reduce IPv6 expanded overhead requirements.
Seasonal fluctuations in coastal benthic invertebrate assemblages

Abstract Two hundred and eighty-eight quantitative benthic invertebrate samples were collected during four quarterly sampling cruises at two areas off the Delaware coast. Species composition, species dominance (abundance and frequency of occurrence), density, and species evenness were compared. Based on cluster analysis three species-site groups emerged: (1) a high energy shoal assemblage characterized by a year-round suite of haustoriids and a few bivalves, (2) a mixed hard bottom-sand assemblage that featured marked seasonal dominance of Mytilus edulis with a variety of seasonal epifaunal and infaunal species, (3) a medium sand assemblage with a variety of seasonal infaunal species. Similar assemblages have been recognized off New Jersey and New York. Seasonal fluctuations in undisturbed coastal invertebrate assemblages can be so marked that many environmental impact studies are inadequate to assess the effects of human activities.
Numerical simulation of an optical chromatographic separator.

Optical chromatography achieves microscale optical manipulation through the balance of optical and hydrodynamic forces on micron sized particles entrained in microfluidic flow traveling counter to the propagation of a mildly focused laser beam. The optical pressure force on a particle is specific to each particle’s size, shape and refractive index. So far, these properties have been exploited in our lab to concentrate, purify and separate injected samples. But as this method advances into more complex optofluidic systems, a need to better predict behavior is necessary. Here, we present the development and experimental verification of a robust technique to simulate particle trajectories in our optical chromatographic device. We also show how this new tool can be used to gather better qualitative and quantitative understanding in a two component particle separation.
Phase I/II study of melphalan, prednisone and lenalidomide combination for patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who are not candidates for stem cell transplantation

Phase I/II study of melphalan, prednisone and lenalidomide combination for patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who are not candidates for stem cell transplantation
Joule Thomson coefficients of weakly interacting Fermi gases and Bose gases

Abstract The analytical expressions of the Joule–Thomson coefficient (JTC) for an imperfect Fermi gas and a Bose gas are derived by means of thermodynamic theory and “pseudopotential” method, respectively. It is discussed that the influence of the Joule–Thomson effect by repulsive interacting and attractive interacting. We find the following results: (1) For an ideal Fermi gas, the JTC is lower than zero owing to the equivalent repulsive potential arising from the quantum degeneracy at sufficiently low temperature; for repulsive interaction Fermi gases, the JTC is lower than zero at sufficiently low temperature; for attractive interaction Fermi gases, there is an inversion particle density at sufficiently low temperature, when the particle density is not only higher than the inversion density, but also lower than the boundary particle density of the criterion of the stability of the Fermi system, the JTC is higher than zero; when the particle density is lower than the inversion density, the JTC is lower than zero. (2) The JTC for an ideal Bose gas is the limit of the JTC of an imperfect Bose gas when S wave scattering length is zero; for repulsive interaction Bose gases, there is an inversion particle density at certain temperature, when the particle density is lower (higher) than the inversion density, the JTC is positive (negative); for attractive interaction Bose gases, the JTC is always positive.
Urinary morbidity in brachytherapy patients with median lobe hyperplasia

Abstract Purpose: To investigate clinical course of prostate brachytherapy patients with radiographic evidence of median lobe hyperplasia (MLH). Methods and Materials: Fifteen patients with median lobe hyperplasia were identified during our routine brachytherapy practice and implanted between June 1998 and March 2000, representing approximately 6% of the 245 brachytherapy patients treated during that time. Each patient was contacted at the time of this report preparation to update postimplant morbidity information, with follow-up ranging from 6 to 30 months (median: 18 months). Results: Three of the 15 patients developed acute, postimplant urinary retention. The preimplant prostate volume, dMLH, and preimplant AUA scores were similar between patients who did or did not develop prolonged urinary retention. Compared with a control group of 62 control patients treated during a similar time interval at the University of Washington, patients with MLH had significantly higher AUA scores at last follow-up. There was no correlation between the change in AUA scores at last follow-up. Conclusions: Based on the data reported here, we consider MLH to be a weak contraindication to prostate brachytherapy. Considering that even patients with prolonged retention have gradually improved spontaneously, we do not advocate prophylactic prebrachytherapy resection of hypertrophic tissue in MLH patients.
The effect of the addition of methylene blue on the fatigue strength of Simplex P bone-cement.

To aid in cement removal during revision arthroplasty, it has been proposed to add methylene blue to bone cement to provide contrast between the cement and bone. However, it is essential that the fatigue strength of the cement not be reduced by the addition of the methylene blue. The effect of adding 1 mL of an aqueous 1% solution of methylene blue to one pack of Simplex P prepared in the standard fashion (uncentrifuged) was studied. We also measured the fatigue properties of centrifuged Simplex P with three different methylene blue preparations. We studied adding 1 mL of an aqueous 1% solution of methylene blue, 0.5 g of methylene blue powder, and 0.1 mL of a 10% solution of methylene blue per pack of Simplex P bone cement. Adding 1 mL of a 1% methylene blue solution to 40 g of Simplex P without centrifuging the cement after mixing produced a cement with a mean fatigue life comparable to the uncentrifuged Simplex P without the methylene blue. However, the fatigue data scatter was higher for the uncentrifuged methylene blue preparation. The optimum methylene blue impregnated cement preparation was produced by adding 1 mL of a 1% methylene blue solution to 40 g of Simplex P powder, mixing with chilled monomer, and centrifuging for 60 s. Sterile 1 mL vials of 1% methylene blue solution are available in the operating room. Thus the experienced surgeon can use a cement containing color to facilitate distinguishing cement from bone in cases needing revisions without weakening the cement.
Neuroscience, Magic, and Counseling

Recent findings in neuroscience have identified principles, such as attention management and change blindness, which stage magicians exploit to create illusions. Neuroscientists have also revealed how mirror neurons and oxytocin enhance the impact of magic. In other words, magicians are just as much practitioners of sleight of mind as they are of sleight of hand. We explore how magicians take advantage of these neurological processes to trick audiences and how counselors can use the same processes to enhance neuroplasticity. Magicians use techniques to narrow or misdirect attention, but counselors help expand awareness and illuminate what a client previously has dissociated, denied, or inhibited. Consequently, although a magic performance can leave a spectator mystified, counseling can leave a client transformed.
Some factors affecting the design of electric lighting installations for building interiors

The author examines the methods which should be adopted in order to answer the various questions which an engineer should ask himself when designing an electric lighting installation. The paper stresses the importance of careful task analysis in the first instance to determine exactly what is the visual problem for which suitable lighting must be provided, and goes on to discuss methods of lighting, factors affecting illumination requirements, the selection of appropriate lighting fittings and lamps, and the calculations necessary to determine their location and wattage. The paper also deals with probable trends in lighting in the post-war period and the light sources and materials for light control that are likely to influence them.
Replication of the RNA of Bacteriophage f2

Events occurring after infection of bacteria with wild-type and a temperature-sensitive mutant phage indicate that there are two enzymatic activities necessary to replicate phage RNA. One converts single strands into double strands, while the other uses double strands to svnthesize viral RNA. The mutant is deficient in the first activity, probably because the mutation is in the gene specifying the requisite enzyme. On the basis of these and other results, a model is presented for the replication of phage RNA.
Lipoxygenase gene expression is modulated in plants by water deficit, wounding, and methyl jasmonate.

Two classes of lipoxygenase (LOX) cDNAs, designated loxA and loxB, were isolated from soybean. A third lipoxygenase cDNA, loxP1, was isolated from pea. The deduced amino acid sequences of loxA and loxB show 61–74% identity with those of soybean seed LOXs. loxA and loxB mRNAs are abundant in roots and non-growing regions of seedling hypocotyls. Lower levels of these mRNAs are found in hypocotyl growing regions. Exposure of soybean seedlings to water deficit causes a rapid increase in loxA and loxB mRNAs in the elongating hypocotyl region. Similarly, loxP1 mRNA levels increase rapidly when pea plants are wilted. loxA and loxB mRNA levels also increase in wounded soybean leaves, and these mRNAs accumulate in soybean suspension cultures treated with 20 μM methyl jasmonate. These results demonstrate that LOX gene expression is modulated in response to water deficit and wounding and suggest a role for lipoxygenase in plant responses to these stresses.
MU-MIMO system performance analysis in LTE evolution

It has been recognized that a primary method of further enhancing the spectral efficiency of LTE Release-8 is to improve support for multi-user (MU) MIMO transmission in the downlink in an efficient manner. This paper investigates the performance improvements due to the enhanced support of single-cell MUMIMO within the framework of LTE evolution (specifically LTE Release-9 and Release-10 also known as LTE-Advanced) considering a 4Tx-2Rx system. A realistic estimate of achievable MU-MIMO full-buffer throughput performance is provided with respect to variations in the propagation environment, feedback accuracy, antenna polarizations, antenna calibration as well as receiver type. It is observed that a closely spaced uniform linear array (ULA) at the base station and interference rejection capability at the mobile is essential to maximize MU-MIMO gains. Further, channel reciprocity based spatial channel feedback in a TDD scenario can provide significantly higher MU-MIMO throughput compared to codebook based feedback.
Evaluation of the National Land Cover Database for Hydrologic Applications in Urban and Suburban Baltimore, Maryland

We compared the National Land Cover Database (NLCD) 2001 land cover, impervious, and canopy data products to land cover data derived from 0.6-m resolution three-band digital imagery and ancillary data. We conducted this comparison at the 1 km2, 9 km2, and gauged watershed scales within the Baltimore Ecosystem Study to determine the usefulness and limitations of the NLCD in heterogeneous urban to exurban environments for the determination of land-cover information for hydrological applications. Although the NLCD canopy and impervious data are significantly correlated with the high-resolution land-cover dataset, both layers exhibit bias at 70% cover. The ratio of total impervious area and connected impervious area differs along the range of percent imperviousness - at low percent imperviousness, the NLCD is a better predictor of pavement alone, whereas at higher percent imperviousness, buildings and pavement together more resemble NLCD impervious estimates. The land-cover composition and range for each NLCD urban land category (developed open space, low-intensity, medium-intensity, and high-intensity developed) is more variable in areas of low-intensity development. Fine-vegetation land-cover/lawn area is incorporated in a large number of land use categories with no ability to extract this land cover from the NLCD. These findings reveal that the NLCD may yield important biases in urban, suburban, and exurban hydrologic analyses where land cover is characterized by fine-scale spatial heterogeneity.
Geochemical and geophysical prospecting at three multicomponent sites in the Southwestern Lake Erie Basin: A pilot study

Abstract We explore the application of an inexpensive and less-invasive method of discovering community patterning at a series of complex sites in the glacio-lacustrine region of northern Ohio. In this pilot study we employ systematic soil phosphate (SP) and soil magnetic susceptibility (MS) analyses on these three northeast Ohio archaeological sites. This is the first such effort in the Lake Erie Basin to combine SP and MS surveys to understand site activity structure. We investigate activity patterning at three northern Ohio habitation sites: White Fort (33Ln2), a multi-component, Late Prehistoric (Sandusky Tradition) site in Lorain County; Burrell Orchard (33Ln15), a multi-component site with a substantial Late Archaic component in Lorain County; and Heckelman (33Er14), a multi-component Woodland Period enclosure and habitation in Erie County. The analysis of SP was complicated by extremely high values, in one case reaching an apparent saturation point, and complex occupation histories. The combination of both MS and P makes for a robust survey strategy to identify details of activity structure even at places with complex and overlapping use histories. We demonstrate the promise and problems of this analytical technique and shed light on the applicability of this method of prospection to the glacio-lacustrine region of Ohio. Especially when used in a multi-pronged research design, soil analysis is a powerful supplement to traditional techniques that enables whole-site analysis without full excavation.
Magnetic Tape Recording Electrocardiograph

A method of recording the electrocardiogram on magnetic tape is described and possible applications are mentioned.
Wall Street Reaction to Women in IPOs: An Examination of Gender Diversity in Top Management Teams

The authors examine the effect of having women on the top management teams of initial public offering (IPO) firms on the organizations' short- and long-term financial performance. Looking at three ...
Refractory sulfides as IR window materials

The development of sulfide materials as infrared-transmitting optical ceramics is limited by intrinsic optical properties, thermomechanical properties, and considerations of chemical stability. Screening procedures with respect to band gap, electronic absorption, chemical stability, and refractory character reduced the set of all sulfides to about a dozen structural families. Systematic relationships were developed between crystal chemistry and phonon absorption edge, vibrational modes frequencies, and coefficient of thermal expansion which allow possible ranges of properties to be estimated. It is concluded that improved materials are possible but that radically improved new materials are unlikely.
Understanding the High Solubility of CO2 in an Ionic Liquid with the Tetracyanoborate Anion

The ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetracyanoborate, [emim][B(CN)4], shows greater CO2 solubility than several popular ionic liquids (ILs) of different anions including [emim]bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide [emim][Tf2N]. Herein, both classical molecular dynamics simulation and quantum mechanical calculations were used to understand the high solubility of CO2 in the [emim][B(CN)4] IL. We found that the solubility is dictated by the cation–anion interaction, while the CO2–anion interaction plays a secondary role. The atom–atom radial distribution functions (RDFs) between cation and anion show weaker interaction in [emim][B(CN)4] than in [emim][Tf2N]. A good correlation is observed between gas-phase cation–anion interaction energy with CO2 solubility at 1 bar and 298 K, suggesting that weaker cation–anion interaction leads to higher CO2 solubility. MD simulation of CO2 in the ILs showed that CO2 is closer to the anion than to the cation and that it interacts more strongly with [B(CN)4] than with ...
A Collaborative Approach to Fetal Assessment in the Adult Intensive Care Unit

When a pregnant woman is admitted to the adult intensive care unit (ICU), responsibility for fetal assessment must be assumed by a nurse who is competent in interpreting data obtained by auscultation of the fetal heart rate or by the electronic fetal monitor. The fetus is a distinct patient requiring assessments, interventions, and evaluation, including documentation of nursing care provided, similar to any patient in the ICU setting. Most ICU nurses do not have adequate knowledge and clinical experience to assume this responsibility. Therefore, in institutions in which critically ill pregnant women are transferred to the adult ICU, a formal plan should be in place that includes care provided by nurses who are competent in fetal assessment. This article describes a collaborative approach to ensure that fetal assessments are performed by nurses who have the experience and education to do so and includes common terminology used to describe fetal status so that ICU nurses are familiar with the language and appropriate nursing intervention.