cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Second order optimality of stationary bootstrap

Abstract This paper proves the second order correctness of the stationary bootstrap procedure for normalized, multivariate sample mean of weakly dependent observations. Similar results are shown to hold also for more general vector valued statistics based on sample means.
Assessing the trophic ecology of the Coccinellidae: Their roles as predators and as prey

Coccinellidae function in complex food webs as predators, as consumers of non-prey foods, and as prey or hosts of natural enemies. Dietary breadth and its implications remain largely unexplored. Likewise the nature and implications of interactions with other predators in the field are poorly understood. The use of biochemical tools based on nucleic acids, proteins, sugars and other components of coccinellid diets, expands our understanding of their trophic ecology – but only under field conditions in which coccinellids live, reproduce, forage, and consume prey (including intraguild prey), pollen, fungi, nectars, and other foods. We review the various methods which have been applied to the study of trophic relationships involving the Coccinellidae, their advantages and disadvantages, and some salient innovations and results produced by the range of technologies and their combinations. We advocate employing multiple tools to generate a more complete picture of the trophic ecology of a predator. The false perceptions of the strength and direction of trophic linkages that can result from a methodologically narrow approach are well illustrated by the laboratory and field assessments of coccinellids as intraguild predators, a phenomenon that is discussed in detail here. Assessing intraguild predation, and the breadth of prey and non-prey foods of the Coccinellidae, is essential to the understanding of this group, and for their application as biological control agents.
Networking and entrepreneurial ventures

This article examines the relationship between networking and entrepreneurial ventures. Based on the results of two exploratory studies, we reviewed recent literature to summarise the latest research on entrepreneurial use of networking. Based on this review, eight propositions were developed to better articulate alternate approaches to our understanding of the use of networking by entrepreneurs and their benefits. We conclude with a discussion of the research and managerial implications of our findings.
A pilot study of psychodynamic psychotherapy for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse

Clinical samples of child sexual abuse survivors report a variety of psychiatric symptoms and interpersonal difficulties. The treatment outcome literature for this population is often incomplete due to numerous methodological constraints. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an open trial of individual short-term, psychodynamic psychotherapy with a naturalistic sample of adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Sexual abuse survivors demonstrated significant improvement in symptomatic distress, level of functioning and dynamic personality variables according to self-report measures and clinical rating scales. Abuse survivors developed positive therapeutic alliances, which remained high throughout the course of treatment, and comparable to the non-abused clinical sample. Sexual abuse survivors' response to treatment was similar to that of non-abused patients, with the potential for greater change in feelings about the self. These findings demonstrate that psychodynamic psychotherapy may be useful for childhood sexual abuse survivors presenting with depressive symptoms and interpersonal difficulties. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A temporal comparison of sources of variability in farm household income

Based on two time periods (1995 and 1999), this study examines how much of the variability in total farm household income can be attributed to the variability in net farm income and in off‐farm income sources (such as income from off‐farm businesses, wages and salaries, interest and dividends, and other off‐farm income). Comparisons are also made between participants and nonparticipants in federal commodity programs. Using a normalized variance decomposition approach and data from the Agricultural Resource Management Study (ARMS), variability in the total income of participating households is shown to originate primarily from farming. This is particularly true for large or super‐large farms, and for farms not located in the Northeast. The major source of income variability for nonparticipating households is income from off‐farm sources, especially for cash grain or “other livestock” producers, farms in the small or mid‐size range, and farms located in the South.
Image deblurring and near-real-time atmospheric seeing estimation through the employment of convergence of variance

A new image reconstruction algorithm is presented that will remove the effect of atmospheric turbulence on motion compensated frame average images. The primary focus of this research was to develop a blind deconvolution technique that could be employed in a tactical military environment where both time and computational power are limited. Additionally, this technique can be employed to measure atmospheric seeing conditions. In a blind deconvolution fashion, the algorithm simultaneously computes a high resolution image and an average model for the atmospheric blur parameterized by Fried's seeing parameter. The difference in this approach is that it does not assume a prior distribution for the seeing parameter, rather it assesses the convergence of the image's variance as the stopping criteria and identification of the proper seeing parameter from a range of candidate values. Experimental results show that the conver- gence of variance technique allows for estimation of the seeing parameter accurate to within 0.5 cm and often even better depending on the signal to noise ratio. © The Authors. Published by SPIE under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. Distribution or reproduction of this work in whole or in part requires full attribution of the original publication, including its DOI. (DOI: 10.1117/1.JRS.7.073504)
Model-based neural decoding of reaching movements: a maximum likelihood approach

A new paradigm for decoding reaching movements from the signals of an ensemble of individual neurons is presented. This new method not only provides a novel theoretical basis for the task, but also results in a significant decrease in the error of reconstructed hand trajectories. By using a model of movement as a foundation for the decoding system, we show that the number of neurons required for reconstruction of the trajectories of point-to-point reaching movements in two dimensions can be halved. Additionally, using the presented framework, other forms of neural information, specifically neural "plan" activity, can be integrated into the trajectory decoding process. The decoding paradigm presented is tested in simulation using a database of experimentally gathered center-out reaches and corresponding neural data generated from synthetic models.
Electric field imaging pretouch for robotic graspers

This paper proposes the use of electric field sensors to implement "pretouch" for robotic grasping. Weakly electric fish use this perceptual channel, but it has not received much attention in robotics. This paper describes a series of manipulators each of which incorporates electric field sensors in a different fashion. In each case, the paper presents techniques for using the sensors, and experimental data collected. First, a simple dynamic-object avoidance technique is presented. Next, a 1-D alignment task for grasping is described. Then linear and rotary electrode scanning techniques are presented. It is shown that these techniques can distinguish a small object at close range from a large object farther away, a capability that may be important for grasping.
The Role of Subjective Well-Being in Positive Youth Development

Comprehensive perspectives on well-being that include positive aspects of human life such as subjective wellbeing have recently been proposed. Life satisfaction is the cognitive component of subjective well-being and plays an important role in positive development as an indicator, a predictor, a mediator/moderator, and an out-come. Whereas low life satisfaction is associated with psychological, social, and behavior problems, high life satisfaction is related to good adaptation and optimal mental health among youth. Life satisfaction and positive affect mitigate the negative effects of stressful life events and work against the development of psychological and behavioral problems among youth. Supportive parenting, engagement in challenging activities, positive life events, and high-quality interactions with significant others contribute to the development of life satisfaction. Further longitudinal research into the mechanisms of how life satisfaction plays its role in positive youth development is needed t...
Mapping the World, Mapping the Race: The Negro Race History, 1874–1915

Avant la guerre civile aux Etats-Unis, les noirs americains ecrivaient des recits personnels ou en relation avec leur communaute. Ce n'est qu'apres l'emancipation des noirs de l'esclavage dans les Etats du Sud que le genre litteraire de l'histoire raciale s'affirme comme forme populaire de l'expression litteraire noire americaine. Entre 1874 et 1915, plusieurs dizaines d'auteurs s'attachent a l'histoire de la race noire et a son avenir dans un effort de rehabilitation des caracteristiques nobles des noirs. Ces histoires eurent egalement un large impact religieux; en effet, beaucoup d'historiens de la race etaient des ministres ordonnes
The Myriad Strategies for Seeking Control in the Dying Process

Purpose: This study explored the role control plays in the dying process of terminally ill elders by investigating the aspects of the dying process over which they seek to exercise control, the strategies they use, and whether they desire to exercise more control. Design and Methods: In-depth faceto-face interviews were conducted with 84 terminally ill elders receiving hospice care. Directed and conventional content analysis methods were used to identify main themes and patterns. Results: The results revealed that all 84 elders were using at least 1 primary control strategy in their dying process, 83 of whom did so in combination with another primary or compensatory secondary control strategy. Decision making, independence, mental attitude, instrumental activities of daily living, activities of daily living, and relationships were aspects of the dying process over which the respondents sought to exercise control. Over half of the respondents wanted more control; however, they felt their illness prevented it. Implications: The fi ndings highlight the importance of terminally ill elders ’ having opportunities to exercise control in their dying process. Practitioners need to ensure that these opportunities exist and to be aware that elders are adaptive and use multiple strategies in exercising control.
Wave-speed dispersion associated with an attenuation obeying a frequency power law.

An attenuation scaling as a power of frequency, |ω|(β), over an infinite bandwidth is neither analytic nor square-integrable, thus calling into question the application of the Kramers-Kronig dispersion relations for determining the frequency dependence of the associated phase speed. In this paper, three different approaches are developed, all of which return the dispersion formula for the wavenumber, K(ω). The first analysis relies on the properties of generalized functions and the causality requirement that the impulse response, k(t), the inverse Fourier transform of -iK(ω), must vanish for t < 0. Second, a wave equation is introduced that yields the phase-speed dispersion associated with a frequency-power-law attenuation. Finally, it is shown that, with minor modification, the Kramers-Kronig dispersion relations with no subtractions (the Plemelj formulas) do in fact hold for an attenuation scaling as |ω|(β), yielding the same dispersion formula as the other two derivations. From this dispersion formula, admissible values of the exponent β are established. Physically, the inadmissible values of β, which include all the integers, correspond to attenuation-dispersion pairs whose Fourier components cannot combine in such a way as to make the impulse response, k(t), vanish for t < 0. There is no upper or lower limit on the value that β may take.
Synthesis of a new olefin polymerization catalyst supported by an sp3-C donor via insertion of a ligand-appended alkene into the Hf–C bond of a neutral pyridylamidohafnium trimethyl complex

A new living and isoselective propylene polymerization precatalyst was generated via the intramolecular insertion of a ligand-appended vinyl group into the Hf–C bond of a neutral pyridylamidohafnium trimethyl complex.
Differences in marketing strategies and operating efficiencies in surviving and failed organizations

This study explores differences in marketing strategies and operational tactics that characterize surviving and failing organizations. We examine firms that have existed for at least ten years, so ...
A possible definition of a stationary tangent

This paper oers a way to construct a locally optimal stationary approximation for a nonstationary Gaussian process. In cases where this construction leads to a unique stationary approximation we call it a stationary tangent. This is the case with Gaussian processes governed by smooth n-dimensional correlations. We associate these correlations with equivalence classes of curves in R n . These are described in terms of \curvatures" (closely related to the classical curvature functions); they are constant if and only if the correlation is stationary. Thus, the stationary tangent, at t=t0, to a smooth correlation, curve or process, is the one with the same curvatures at t0 (but constant). We show that the curvatures measure the quality of a local stationary approximation and that the tangent is optimal in this regard. These results extend to the smooth innite-dimensional case although, since the equivalence between correlations and curvatures breaks down in the innite-dimensional setting, we cannot, in general, single out a unique tangent. The question of existence and uniqueness of a stationary process with given curvatures is intimately related with the classical moment problem and is studied here by using tools from operator theory. In particular, we nd that there always exists an optimal Gaussian approximation (dened via the curvatures). Finally, by way of discretizing we introduce the notion of -curvatures designed to address non-smooth correlations. c 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. MSC: 60G10; 60G15; 34G10; 47A57
Strategy Maps: Converting Intangible Assets into Tangible Outcomes

The article presents a review of the book “Strategy Maps: Converting Intangible Assets Into Tangible Outcomes,” by Robert S. Kaplan and David P. Norton.
Testing facilitates the regulation of subsequent study time

We examined how testing potentiates self-regulated learning and alleviates the foresight bias—an illusion of competence that arises from information being present during study but absent at test—and whether such benefits can transfer to non-tested material. After studying paired associates that varied in difficulty, participants either restudied or were tested on all the pairs (Experiment 1); were tested on only half of the pairs (Experiment 2); or were tested on half of the pairs and restudied the remaining pairs (Experiments 3 and 4). All items were then restudied at participants’ own pace before a final cued-recall test. In Experiment 1, interim tests enhanced the effectiveness of subsequent study time and alleviated the foresight bias, whereas interim restudying had no such benefits. Experiments 2, 3, and 4 demonstrated that such test-potentiated self-regulated learning can transfer to non-tested items if restudied intermixed with items that were tested. The results demonstrate yet another practical benefit of testing and suggest that retrieval practice can foster metacognitive sophistication among learners, serving as an experiencebased debiasing procedure.
Destruction of a cyropreserved meniscal allograft: A case for acute rejection

A cryopreserved nontissue-antigen-matched medial meniscus was transplanted arthroscopically into the knee of a 33-year-old cyclist. The patient had previously had an open medial menisectomy 19 years earlier and had significant symptoms. Ten weeks postoperatively, the patient underwent a second-look arthroscopy for a persistent effusion. Intraoperative cultures were obtained and all ultimately tested negative. The graft was found to be frayed throughout its length and significantly decreased in size. Its central portion had become detached from the peripheral repair while both the anterior and posterior bone blocks remained intact. Dense, inflammatory, hypertrophic synovium enveloped the entire joint. Histologically, the graft was found to be necrotic and acellular centrally, whereas the periphery was infiltrated with inflammatory leukocytes and giant cells. This histologic appearance is classical for an acute or subacute type rejection of allograft tissue.
Fetal intervention for mass lesions and hydrops improves outcome: a 15-year experience

Abstract Purpose The natural history of certain prenatally diagnosed masses is well known. Large thoracic mass lesions can evolve one of 2 ways, either to regress and cause minimal morbidity, or to progress and enlarge, often resulting in hydropic changes in the fetus. This nonimmune hydrops carries a dismal prognosis, with nearly all fetuses expiring before or shortly after birth. However, hydrops associated with fetal mass lesions can be halted and even reversed with fetal intervention and treatment of the underlying defect. We examined our patients with fetal mass lesions to evaluate survival after intervention. Methods Institutional approval was obtained by the Committee on Human Research. A retrospective review was performed of 294 fetuses evaluated over 15 years with large mass lesions. All patients were evaluated for evidence of fetal hydrops using ultrasound criteria. Patients were divided according to type of intervention. Primary outcome measure was 30-day survival after birth. Results (1)Patients without fetal hydrops did not undergo fetal intervention and survived to 30 days after birth (167/172, 97%). (2)Patients with fetal mass lesions that developed hydrops fared poorly with no intervention (1/33 survival, 3%), whereas fetuses undergoing prenatal intervention fared much better (15/30 open, 50%; 3/10 percutaneous, 30%). (3)Four patients with hydropic congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (n = 3) or pulmonary sequestration (n = 1) received steroids in preparation for surgery but underwent no intervention, and the patients survived the neonatal period. Conclusion Fetuses with prenatal diagnoses of masses not associated with hydrops have excellent prognosis with survival higher than 95%. Nonimmune hydrops associated with prenatal diagnosis of a fetal mass is a devastating complication with less than 5% survival. Open resection of a mass causing hydrops resulted in 50% survival, with reversal of hydrops in a group with near-uniform fatality. Further investigation is warranted regarding the use of minimally invasive prenatal therapies including steroid administration for hydropic fetuses.
A distributed control framework for performance management of virtualized computing environments: some preliminary results

There is growing incentive to reduce the power consumed by data centers. Virtualization is a promising approach to consolidating multiple online services onto a smaller number of computing resources. By dynamically provisioning virtual machines, consolidating the workload, and turning servers on and off as needed, data center operators can maintain desired service-level agreements with end users while achieving higher server utilization and energy efficiency. This paper proposes a distributed cooperative control framework for the power and performance management of virtualized computing environments, and presents some preliminary results aimed at establishing the feasibility of this approach.
Big Data for Development: From Information- to Knowledge Societies

The article uses an established three-dimensional conceptual framework to systematically review literature and empirical evidence related to the prerequisites, opportunities, and threats of Big Data Analysis for international development. On the one hand, the advent of Big Data delivers the cost-effective prospect to improve decision-making in critical development areas such as health care, employment, economic productivity, crime and security, and natural disaster and resource management. This provides a wealth of opportunities for developing countries. On the other hand, all the well-known caveats of the Big Data debate, such as privacy concerns, interoperability challenges, and the almighty power of imperfect algorithms, are aggravated in developing countries by long-standing development challenges like lacking technological infrastructure and economic and human resource scarcity. This has the potential to result in a new kind of digital divide: a divide in data-based knowledge to inform intelligent decision-making. This shows that the exploration of data-based knowledge to improve development is not automatic and requires tailor-made policy choices that help to foster this emerging paradigm.
Characteristics of 13 polymorphic microsatellite markers in the corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Thirteen polymorphic microsatellite loci suitable for population genetic studies of Helicoverpa zea were discovered by screening partial genomic libraries enriched for microsatellite sequences. Insects collected ( N = 96) in Stoneville, Mississippi were used to characterize these markers. The observed and effective number of alleles per locus ranged from two to nine (average 4.46) and from 1.07 to 2.45 (average 1.81), respectively. Fisher exact tests detected significant deviations from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium at three loci, probably due to inbreeding, null alleles, or Wahlund’s effect. Significant genotypic disequilibrium was not detected between any pair of loci.
Rapamycin increases neuroblastoma xenograft and host stromal derived osteoprotegerin inhibiting osteolytic bone disease in a bone metastasis model.

Purpose Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a decoy receptor for the Receptor of NF-κB (RANK) ligand that can inhibit osteoclastogenesis. Previous studies have suggested that Mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) inhibition upregulates OPG production. We tested the hypothesis that the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin could inhibit neuroblastoma bone metastases through its action on OPG.
Prospective study of IgM to Toxoplasma gondii onTechlab Product Insert, 1997 Beckman Coulter’s Access™ immunoassay system and comparison with Zeus ELISA and gull IFA assays

Abstract We compared a new assay for Toxoplasma IgM on the Access™ analyzer (Beckman Coulter, Inc., Chaska, MN, USA), a random access instrument based on the principle of paramagnetic particle enzyme immunoassay with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (Zeus Scientific, Inc., Raritan, NJ, USA) and an immunofluorescent assay (IFA) (Gull Laboratories, Inc., Salt Lake City, UT, USA). Four hundred fresh, unfrozen clinical samples from pregnant women ( n = 154), HIV positive patients ( n = 41), and patients in whom infection with Toxoplasma gondii was suspected ( n = 200) were collected and assayed over a three month period. The specificity of the Access assay was compared to the consensus results. Results that were discrepant between the ELISA and IFA were resolved using a third IFA (Zeus). Once resolved, the specificity for the Access assay, the Zeus ELISA and the Gull IFA were 99.22%, 97.91%, and 99.45%, respectively. We conclude that the Access assay specificity is comparable to consensus results, minimizing false positive results; and because it is a random access instrument, it may be preferable over batch methods.
A Layered Hybrid Perovskite Solar-Cell Absorber with Enhanced Moisture Stability

Two-dimensional hybrid perovskites are used as absorbers in solar cells. Our first-generation devices containing (PEA)2(MA)2[Pb3I10] (1; PEA=C6H5(CH2)2NH3+, MA=CH3NH3+) show an open-circuit voltage of 1.18 V and a power conversion efficiency of 4.73 %. The layered structure allows for high-quality films to be deposited through spin coating and high-temperature annealing is not required for device fabrication. The 3D perovskite (MA)[PbI3] (2) has recently been identified as a promising absorber for solar cells. However, its instability to moisture requires anhydrous processing and operating conditions. Films of 1 are more moisture resistant than films of 2 and devices containing 1 can be fabricated under ambient humidity levels. The larger bandgap of the 2D structure is also suitable as the higher bandgap absorber in a dual-absorber tandem device. Compared to 2, the layered perovskite structure may offer greater tunability at the molecular level for material optimization.
A novel nucleotide insertion in S gene of hepatitis B virus in a chronic carrier

Hepatitis B virus DNA was extracted from serum of a chronic carrier and polymerase chain reaction was performed on S gene. Direct sequencing showed a variant HBsAg with additional 4-amino acid insertion, and clone sequencing confirmed the mixture of variant HBsAg and wildtype HBsAg. Of 16 clones with 12-nucleotide insertion, 15 clones had identical AGAACAACACAA insertion between nucleotide 494 and nucleotide 495, and one clone had GGAACAACTCAA insertion in the same position plus 3-nucleotide deletion from nucleotide 491 to nucleotide 493. S114T, C121Y, T126S/A, Q129K, G130R, T131N, M133T, G145R, N146D substitution and premature stop codon were also found in those clones. However, the origin of HBV with 4-amino acid insertion in HBsAg was unclear.
A measurement-based deployment proposal for IP anycast

Despite its growing use in critical infrastructure services, the performance of IP(v4) Anycast and its interaction with IP routing practices is not well understood. In this paper, we present the results of a detailed measurement study of IP Anycast. Our study uses a two-pronged approach. First, using a variant of known latency estimation techniques, we measure the performance of current commercially operational IP Anycast deployments from a large number (>20,000) of vantage points. Second, we deploy our own small-scale anycast service that allows us to perform controlled tests under different deployment and failure scenarios. To the best of our knowledge, our study represents the first large-scale evaluation of existing anycast services and the first evaluation of the behavior of IP Anycast under failure.We find that: (1) IP Anycast, if deployed in an ad-hoc manner, does not offer good latency-based proximity, (2) IP Anycast, if deployed in an ad-hoc manner, does not provide fast failover to clients, (3) IP Anycast typically offers good affinity to all clients with the exception of those that explicitly load balance traffic across multiple providers, (4) IP Anycast, by itself, is not effective in balancing client load across multiple sites. We thus propose and evaluate practical means by which anycast deployments can achieve good proximity, fast failover and control over the distribution of client load. Overall, our results suggest that an IP Anycast service, if deployed carefully, can offer good proximity, load balance, and failover behavior.
Connectivity based node clustering in decentralized peer-to-peer networks

Connectivity based node clustering has wide ranging applications in decentralized peer-to-peer (P2P) networks such as P2P file sharing systems, mobile ad-hoc networks, P2P sensor networks and so forth. We describe a connectivity-based distributed node clustering scheme (CDC). This scheme presents a scalable and an efficient solution for discovering connectivity based clusters in peer networks. In contrast to centralized graph clustering algorithms, the CDC scheme is completely decentralized and it only assumes the knowledge of neighbor nodes, instead of requiring a global knowledge of the network (graph) to be available. An important feature of the CDC scheme is its ability to cluster the entire network automatically or to discover clusters around a given set of nodes. We provide experimental evaluations of the CDC scheme, addressing its effectiveness in discovering good quality clusters. Our experiments show that utilizing message-based connectivity structure can considerably reduce the messaging cost, and provide better utilization of resources, which in turn improves the quality of service of the applications executing over decentralized peer-to-peer networks.
Direct estimates of downslope deadwood movement over 30 years in a temperature forest illustrate impacts of treefall on forest ecosystem dynamics.

Deadwood plays important roles in forest ecosystems by storing carbon, influencing hydrology, and provisioning countless organisms. Models for these processes often assume that deadwood does not move and ignore redistribution that occurs when trees fall. To evaluate the effects of treefall, we provide the first direct estimates for the magnitude, direction, and drivers of deadwood movement in a long-term oak–hickory forest dynamics plot in Missouri, USA. Among 1871 total pieces of deadwood, logs today pointed downslope more often than branches and occurred at lower elevation than snags. Of these, 477 logs retained tags from which we reconstructed movement using new formulae for reconciling survey coordinates and calculating log shape. Relocated logs occurred at lower elevation than their original rooting location, with the magnitude of the drop dependent on log size, degree of decay, and slope. Although changes in elevation were modest, the log centroids moved up to several meters horizontally. Consequent...
Nutrition in A.R.D.S. and Multiorgan Failure

The optimum nutrition for any individual depends not only upon their body size, sex and age but also upon their underlying metabolic state. This is particularly true for patients needing specialized nutritional support in the hospital. Such patients commonly fall into three categories: the acutely ill or injured patient with accelerated catabolism, the seriously depleted patient, and the patient with compromise of a vital organ system. Patients in each category may suffer from ventilatory loss, if not outright ventilatory failure. The role of nutrition in the management of the patient with loss of ventilatory function has received growing attention in the past decade. No other clinical situation demonstrates more clearly the importance of adjusting the nutritional intake to achieve specific objectives while avoiding the side effects of improper or overenthusiastic nutrition.
Influence of Defects on Current Transport in GaN/InGaN Multiple Quantum Well Light-Emitting Diodes

We have studied the electrical and optical characteristics GaN/InGaN based light-emitting diodes (LEDs) grown on sapphire using metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). Strong correlation has been found between material quality and the mechanism of current transport through the wide-bandgap p-n junction. Tunneling behavior dominates throughout all injection regimes in the devices with high-density defects in the space-charge region, which act as deep-level carrier traps. The approximately current-squared dependence of light output at low currents indicates dominant nonradiative recombination in the active region. However, in a high quality LED diode, tunneling current is only a major contributor at low forward biases. At moderate biases, temperature dependent diffusion-recombination current has been identified as I0 exp(qV/1.6kT). In these devices, nonradiative recombination centers are saturated at current densities as low as 1.4×10-2 A/cm2.
Pharmacology of fluorinated pyrimidines: eniluracil

The pharmacological inactivation of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) represents one strategy to improve 5-FU therapy, which historically has been associated with unpredictable pharmacological behavior and toxicity. This is principally due to high interpatient differences in the activity of DPD, the enzyme that mediates the initial and rate-limiting step in 5-FU catabolism. By inactivating DPD and suppressing the catabolism of 5-FU, eniluracil has dramatically altered the pharmacological profile of 5-FU. The maximum tolerated dose of oral 5-FU given with oral eniluracil (1.0 to 25 mg/m2) is substantially lower than conventional 5-FU doses. In the presence of eniluracil, bioavailability of 5-FU has increased to approximately 100%, the half-life is prolonged to 4 to 6 hours, and systemic clearance is reduced > 20-fold to values comparable the glomerular filtration rate (46 to 58 mL/min/m2). Renal excretion (approximately 45% to 75%), instead of DPD-related catabolism, is the principal route of elimination of oral 5-FU given with eniluracil. Chronic daily administration of oral 5-FU 1.0 mg/m2 twice daily with eniluracil 20 mg twice daily produces 5-FU steady-state concentrations (8-38 ng/mL) similar to those achieved with protracted intravenous administration on clinically relevant dose-schedules. On a daily x 5 regimen, higher 5-FU AUC values are related to neutropenia, whereas elevated 5-FU AUC and steady-state concentrations are related to diarrhea when oral 5-FU is given daily with eniluracil on a chronic schedule. The pharmacokinetic behavior of oral eniluracil is similar to that for oral 5-FU. Administration of eniluracil 10 to 20 mg twice daily completely inactivates DPD activity both in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and in colorectal tumor tissue, and prolonged inhibition of DPD after discontinuation of eniluracil treatment has been noted. In the presence of eniluracil, oral administration of 5-FU is feasible and variation in 5-FU exposure is reduced, with the anticipation of further reduction in variation as dosing guidelines based on renal function are formulated.
Can We Predict Politics? Toward What End?

In 1901, off the Greek island of Antikythera, a ship pulled into a bay to wait out a storm. After the storm was over, its divers discovered an ancient shipwreck containing many valuable antiquities, including jewelry, coins, statues, and pottery. One item was a lump of corroded bronze and wood. Everything was carted off to the National Museum of Archeology in Athens. In 1902, an archeologist noticed that the corroded lump had what appeared to be gears in it. He assumed that it was some sort of astrological clock, but it appeared to be too far advanced given the dating of the other items it was found with, which were initially dated to about 150 BCE, and it was ignored for five decades. Several years later, it was X and γ rayed, resulting in images of eighty-two different fragments of the device. By the end of 2014, it had been established that the mechanism dated back further, to about 250 BCE. Many consider it to be the first computing machine (Freeth et al. 2006). This device was able to calculate and display celestial cycles, including phases of the moon, as well as a solar calendar. Perhaps more importantly, it was able to predict eclipses—seen at the time as omens. In fact, many think of the Antikythera Mechanism as an omen prediction device , with all the other predictions it makes simply by-products of its true purpose. The main purpose of this mechanism was to generate accurate predictions, and whoever used it could do so without a detailed theoretical knowledge of Hipparchosian astronomy as applied to irregular phases of ellipsoid orbits. Thus, it was pure prediction and did not “explain” anything. At the same time, it embodied detailed engineering that was based on a theoretical mechanism that provided exquisite details of … mw160{at}duke.edu
Subwavelength plasmonic absorbers for spectrally selective resonant infrared detectors

This work presents the first resonant infrared (IR) detectors with integrated nanostructured subwavelength plasmonic gratings designed to selectively absorb long wavelength infrared (LWIR) radiation. The resonant detectors are the smallest in size demonstrated so far. The absorbers are optimized for a spectral wavelength of 10.15 μm and experimentally demonstrate an absorbance of 46% with a Full Width at Half Maximum (FWHM) of 1.7 μm. The absorbed thermal energy causes a fast (sub-millisecond) proportional change in the frequency of the resonator. The combination of resonant IR detectors with integrated plasmonic absorbers enables spectrally selective IR detectors. Each detector in the array can be optimized for different wavelengths, thus enabling a multi-spectral array for IR spectroscopy and multispectral thermal imaging. Keywords—micromechanical resonator, IR detector, plasmonics, metamaterial.
The Choice of Topics for Oral Chinese Textbooks

This research explores the best possible choice of topics when we edit the oral Chinese textbooks for foreign learners through an analysis of the foreign learners'topics of lecture.Through an analysis of the statistics,we have summarized their preference of topics as follows: the topics on Chinese society and culture(48.94%),the topics on personal information(14.04%),the universal topics(13.19%),the topics on language(9.79%),the topics on one's own country(8.09%),and the topics on the differences between China and foreign learners'own country(5.96%).The research also summarizes the preference distribution related to their different levels and different nationalities.
A content analysis of electronic health record (EHR) functionality to support tobacco treatment.

Government regulations have created new incentives for health systems to implement changes in electronic health records (EHRs) to reduce tobacco use among patients. The purpose of this study is to conduct a content analysis of EHR modifications aimed at supporting tobacco cessation and to document these modifications using a 5 A's framework (i.e., Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist, Arrange). Fourteen trials were identified that met inclusion criteria. A content analysis of EHR functionality in these trials was conducted by two independent reviewers between February and June 2015. For "Ask," all trials provided for the documentation of smoking status in the EHR. For "Advise," 35.7 % of EHRs provided functionality related to helping a clinician provide advice to quit. For "Assess," more than half (57.1 %) of EHRs included a feature to document a patient's willingness to quit. For "Assist," EHRs offered features for medication prescribing (78.6 %), providing educational materials to patients (57.1 %), referring a patient to the quitline (50.0 %), referring a patient to a tobacco treatment specialist (42.9 %), and documenting the provision of counseling (35.7 %). Finally, for "Arrange," EHRs supported the following up of patients (35.7 %) and allowed tobacco treatment specialists to "pass back" patient notes to primary care providers (28.6 %). Studies that have modified EHRs for tobacco treatment have done so across the steps in the 5 As model, with most modifications occurring to support documenting smoking status (Ask) and assisting with medication prescribing (Assist). As health systems attempt to comply with Meaningful Use regulations, an understanding of the range of EHR modifications to support tobacco treatment is warranted.
Acute Effects with the Exercise Bicycle System: The Physiological Process

The clinical application of FES exercise cycling recently has become commercially available through a company, T.T.I.† This section describes the basic apparatus which may be used for both isokinetic leg training (phase I) and exercise bicycle ergometry (phase II). The clinical procedures for each phase (as currently recommended by the manufacturer) are also presented.
Interferon-α Primed Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes Combined with Interleukin-2 and Interferon-α as Therapy for Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma

AbstractMurine models demonstrate therapeutic synergy for the combination of interleukin-2, interferon-α and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. We treated 11 patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma with a novel regimen consisting of in vivo primed tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, interferon-α and interleukin-2. Patients received interferon-α before radical nephrectomy; in vivo primed tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes were isolated and expanded in vitro. Low dose continuous infusion inter-leukin-2 at a dose of 2 × 106 units per m2 per day was administered for 96 hours during each treatment week and interferon-α was administered as a subcutaneous injection at a dose of 6 × 106 units per m.2 per day on days 1 and 4 of the interleukin-2 infusion. No therapy was given during the last 3 days of a treatment week. One course of therapy consisted of 3 weeks of therapy followed by 3 weeks of rest. Patients were treated until maximal response, disease progression or dose limiting toxicity. A maximum of 6 courses of t...
Best Practices for Collaboration in Research

The purpose of this article was to explain academic collaboration, to describe typical activities that take place with collaborators, and to discuss some problems that could occur. Although research collaboration is usually rewarding, there can problems in communicating, sharing the workload, and assigning the order of authors in the publication of results. Recommendations to avoid conflict include formal and informal agreements and a good system of communication.
Nuclear Cardiology and Exercise Stress Testing

Exercise stress testing and radionuclide myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) are commonly performed in order to provide medical diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD) and to assist with risk stratification and clinical management for patients with established CAD. Exercise stress testing also provides an objective, standardized measure of the patient’s functional capacity, which is important prognostically and also an essential component of any cardiac rehabilitation program.
Uncovering the effect of dominant attributes on community topology: A case of facebook networks

Community structure points to structural patterns and reflects organizational or functional associations of networks. In real networks, each node usually contains multiple attributes representing the node’s characteristics. It is difficult to identify the dominant attributes, which have definitive effects on community formation. In this paper, we obtain the overlapping communities using game-theoretic clustering and focus on identifying the dominant attributes in terms of each community. We uncover the association of attributes to the community topology by defining dominance ratio and applying Pearson correlation. We test our method on Facebook data of 100 universities and colleges in the U.S. The study enables an integrating observation on how the offline lives infer online consequences. The results showed that people in class year 2010 and people studying in the same major tend to form denser and smaller groups on Facebook. Such information helps e-marketing campaigns target right customers based on demographic information and without the knowledge of underlying social networks.
Burden of violent death on years of life lost in Rhode Island, 2006-2013

Introduction Mortality from injuries, particularly violent injuries, is more common among the young. Although traditional epidemiologic measures describe burden of death using rate-related mortalities, this method may not accurately represent burden of premature death. Years of life lost (YLLs) incorporate time discounting and age weighting to more accurately estimate the burden of death. To the authors’ knowledge, there has been no examination of YLLs using the Rhode Island Violent Death Reporting System data. This study’s objective was to assess the burden of violent death in Rhode Island in terms of YLLs. Methods This study used 2006–2013 Rhode Island Violent Death Reporting System data. YLLs as a result of premature violent deaths were assessed overall and by age, sex, race/ethnicity, and manner of death. Data were analyzed in 2015. Results Suicide made the largest contribution to the overall YLLs (61.3%), followed by homicide (24.0%), whereas undetermined intent deaths captured by the system accounted for 14.8% of YLLs. In Rhode Island, people aged 25–44 years had the highest YLLs due to suicide, and Hispanics had the highest YLLs due to homicide/legal intervention. By comparison, using crude mortality rate calculations, people aged 45–64 years had the highest suicide mortality rate and non-Hispanic blacks had the highest homicide mortality rate. Conclusions YLL calculations provide a different picture than crude mortality–based assessments of the population at highest risk for violent death. This study demonstrates the strengths of using YLL to assess the burden of violent death at the state level.
The Effects of Productivity Shocks, Financial Shocks, and Monetary Policy on Exchange Rates: An Application of the Currency Crisis Model and Implications for Emerging Market Crises

ABSTRACTWhat kind of shock affects exchange rate dynamics? How much of an effect does the monetary policy have on exchange rates? To answer these questions empirically based on the currency crisis model, I use panel data on 51 emerging countries from 1980 to 2011, identify shocks, and apply instrumental variable methods. I found that both productivity shocks and shocks to a country’s risk premium affect exchange rates and a 1 percentage point increase in the policy interest rate is associated with a 1 percentage point appreciation of domestic currency. I further apply this method to Asian and Latin-American crises.
Students Collaborating in the Classroom

I focus on the experience of collaborative learning in my biochemistry classroom. Using a theoretical perspective called cultural historical activity theory and the theory of structure | agency (Chapter 3), I examine the students’ constructions of their experiences in terms of the tools, rules, communities, and division of labor as they move toward their objects and on to their outcomes in an activity theory diagram (see Fig. 3.2). The most informative data on collaborative learning include the weekly collaborative reports on the CLS and the final summative evaluation of the ten qualitative questions from the LEQ.
Baryogenesis via dark matter-induced symmetry breaking in the early Universe

Abstract We put forward a new proposal for generating the baryon asymmetry of the universe by making use of the dynamics of a U ( 1 ) scalar field coupled to dark matter. High dark matter densities cause the U ( 1 ) symmetry to break spontaneously so that the field acquires a large vacuum expectation value. The symmetry is restored when the density redshifts below a critical value, resulting in the coherent oscillation of the scalar field. A net B − L number can be generated either via baryon number-conserving couplings to the standard model or through small symmetry-violating operators and the subsequent decay of the scalar condensate.
A total motion release warm-up improves dominant arm shoulder internal and external rotation in baseball players.

Context: Current literature indicates a correlation between decreased total shoulder range of motion (ROM) and internal rotation (IR) of the dominant arm and increased injury risk in throwers. The optimal method for increasing shoulder ROM, improving performance, and preventing injury is unknown. It is also unknown if treating the non‐dominant arm may affect ROM on the dominant side.
Chronic Recurrent Multifocal Osteomyelitis in a 5 Year Old

Abstract Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO) is an autoinflammatory disease that presents with focal bone lesions. CRMO is a diagnosis of exclusion and can be quite challenging to promptly establish an accurate diagnosis. CRMO can present and imitate concerning deteriorating illnesses, such as acute osteomyelitis and neoplasm. A thorough workup is necessary to eliminate any life-threatening illnesses. Having sufficient knowledge about CRMO including prevalence, clinical characteristics, familiarity with image findings on radiography, bone scans, and magnetic resonance imaging, as well as preferred treatment options, will ultimately help provide patients with the best potential outcomes.