cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optical excitation cross section of erbium in GaN.

Epilayers of erbium-doped GaN (GaN:Er) were synthesized by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition, and the optical excitation cross section (σexc) of Er ions in this host material were determined. Photoluminescence (PL) measurements were made using laser diodes at excitation wavelengths of 375 and 405 nm, and the integrated emission intensity at 1.54 μm was measured as a function of excitation photon flux. Together with time-resolved PL measurements, values of σexc of Er ions in GaN:Er were obtained. For excitation at 375 nm, the observed excitation cross section was found to be 4.6×10−17 cm−2, which is approximately three orders of magnitude larger than that using resonant excitation. Based on the present and previous works, the optical excitation cross section σexc of Er ions in GaN:Er as a function the excitation wavelength has been obtained. The large values of σexc with near-band-edge excitation makes GaN:Er attractive for realization of chip-scale photonic devices for optical communications.
Evaluating Assistive Technology in Early Childhood Education: The Use of a Concurrent Time Series Probe Approach

As assistive technology applications are increasingly implemented in early childhood settings for children who are at risk or who have disabilities, it is critical that teachers utilize observational approaches to determine whether targeted assistive technology-supported interventions make a difference in children’s learning. One structured strategy that employs observations and which has powerful child progress monitoring implications is the concurrent time series probe approach. Requiring multiple performance measures of a child engaged in a targeted task over time—both with and without a specific assistive technology device—the concurrent time series probe approach can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of assistive technology tools in supporting skill acquisition in the classroom. This approach is described in the context of a case study, with accompanying explanations of how to interpret data and make decisions regarding the effectiveness of the technology.
The diversity imperative: strategies to address a diverse nursing workforce.

TOPIC. There has been a call to action for the need to create a more diverse nursing workforce. PURPOSE. The purpose of this article is to outline and review strategies that schools of nursing education can use to increase the recruitment, retention, and success of a diverse nursing student body. SOURCES OF INFORMATION. A review of the nursing literature was performed using CINAHL and hand-searching references. Abstracts were reviewed and articles included if the topic of the article referred to strategies to increase the diversity of nursing students. CONCLUSIONS. A variety of strategies are being used to address this issue. A multifaceted approach is recommended.
Molecular surface science of C–H bond activation and polymerization catalysis

Surface science studies of heterogeneous catalysis use model systems ranging from single crystals to monodispersed nanoparticles in the 1–10 nm range. Molecular studies reveal that bond activation (C–H, H–H, C–C, C≡O) occurs at 300 K or below as the active metal sites simultaneously restructure. The strongly adsorbed molecules must be mobile to free up these sites for continued turnover of reaction. Oxide–metal interfaces are also active for catalytic turnover. Examples using C–H and C = O activation are described to demonstrate these properties. Polymerization catalysis demonstrates a strong dependence upon catalyst surface structure, which allows for the selectivity to be tuned by the choice of Ziegler-Natta surface preparation. Novel preparation methods of model catalyst arrays in two and three dimensions are opening the door to a complete understanding of catalytic reaction selectivity.
Proactive R&D management and firm growth: A punctuated equilibrium model

The external environment is characterized by periods of relative stability interspersed with periods of extreme change, implying that high performing firms must practice exploration and exploitation in order to survive and thrive. In this paper, we posit that R&D expenditure volatility indicates the presence of proactive R&D management, and is evidence of a firm moving from exploitation to exploration over time. This is consistent with a punctuated equilibrium model of R&D investment where shocks are induced by reactions to external turbulence. Using an unbalanced panel of almost 11,000 firm-years from 1997 to 2006, we show that greater fluctuations in the firm's R&D expenditure over time are associated with higher firm growth. Developing a contextual view of the relationship between R&D expenditure volatility and firm growth, we find that this relationship is weaker among firms with higher levels of corporate diversification and negative among smaller firms and those in slow clockspeed industries.
Growth models based on first principles or phenomenology

Summary 1Most models of growth are simply mathematical descriptions of growth trajectories. They are evaluated empirically based on goodness of statistical fit. 2Recently we (West et al. 2001) presented a theory of growth based on first principles of energy conservation and allocation. The critical parameters are defined precisely and operationally in terms of measurable fundamental parameters not directly connected to growth, so the mechanistic basis of the model can be evaluated by testing both the assumptions and the predictions. To the extent that available data permit such evaluation, they generally support the model for many classes of organisms including mammals, birds, fish and crustacea. 3Our model provides a basis for understanding the general and fundamental features governing ontogenetic growth. It is intended to explain the major patterns in terms of first principles of energy allocation to production (of new cells) and maintenance (of existing cells) that are applicable to all organisms. While the model is not intended to account for all of the observed variation in growth rates and life histories it does provide a baseline for developing more detailed treatments of ontogenetic growth. 4Ricklefs (2003) has criticized the conceptual foundation of our theory as it applies to birds and asserts that it cannot account for many of their growth and life-history attributes. 5He correctly points to similarities in mathematical form and statistical fit between our growth model and that of von Bertalanffy 1938, but fails to point out the fundamental conceptual differences between the two models. 6With respect to birds, our model suggests a new hypothesis based on water balance, for the difference in growth allometry between altricial and precocial species. In particular we show that ours is the only model discussed by Ricklefs that correctly predicts the absolute value and scaling characteristics of the total energy metabolized by altricial birds from hatching to fledging. 7In contrast, Ricklefs's models are of limited utility since they are primarily designed for birds, and are based on qualitative concepts such as ‘growth potential’ and ‘functionality’ of tissues and therefore do not readily lead to quantitative predictions. 8Our model does not imply that mature or asymptotic size is determined simply by resource supply. It allows for a mature body size that is set by natural selection and that results in a balance of energy allocation between production of new biomass and maintenance of existing biomass.
A comparison of the contributions of common-mode and differential-mode currents in radiated emissions

It is shown that radiated emissions due to common-mode currents on printed circuit board lands can greatly exceed those due to differential-mode currents. It is concluded that predictions of radiated emissions based solely on differential-mode (transmission line) currents can bear little, if any, resemblance to actual measured emissions. Therefore, radiated emission prediction models that use only differential-mode (transmission-line) currents and ignore common-mode (antenna) currents are not adequate for the prediction of radiated emissions from printed circuit boards (as well as cables). >
Monetary policy under alternative bank market structures

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to derive and compare the short-run effects of monetary policy under both perfectly and imperfectly competitive banking markets. Within the context of a general equilibrium framework which emphasizes the demands for and supplies of financial assets, it is demonstrated that the structure of banking markets can have a bearing on the appropriate choice of policy targets and instruments. Specifically, the Federal Funds rate is shown to be a potentially ineffective target/instrument for policy under a competitive banking system, although it can be used to produce conventional short-run effects when banking markets are imperfect. In contrast, the level of currency and unborrowed reserves can be utilized as an effective target/instrument under either form of bank market structure.
RAPID ASSEMBLY OF A WOUND PLUG: STAGE ONE OF A TWO-STAGE WOUND REPAIR MECHANISM IN THE GIANT UNICELLULAR CHLOROPHYTE DASYCLADUS VERMICULARIS (CHLOROPHYCEAE) 1

Upon injury, selected coenocytic algae are capable of forming temporary wound plugs to prevent detrimental cytoplasmic loss. Wound plugs of Dasycladus vermicularis ([Scropoli] Krasser) were harvested 5 min post-injury anddried. The plug material contained 94% water and can be considered a hydrogel. The gel plug extended several millimeters from the cut end. and filled the space inside the cell wall, which resulted from cytoplasmic retraction. Total organic carbon included 55% sugars, 5%-15% protein, and 0.18% lipids. The major sugars were glucose, galactose, mannose, and galacturonic acid. Fluorescein isothiocyanate-lectins specific for these sugars were localized around the plug matrix. Sulfur content calculated as sulfate corresponded to 17% of the carbohydrate by weight, and sulfated material was detected in plugs by Al-cian Blue staining. Formation of the initial plug occurred within 1 min of injury and was not significantly perturbed by the addition of ionic, antioxidant, or chelating agents to the seawater medium. However, addition of exogenous D(+)-galactose and D(+)-glucose prevented formation of the nascent gel plug. Wound plugs that were allowed to form from 10 min up until 24 h post-injury were isolated and incubated with selected biochemical probes to identify the biochemical processes involved in plug formation. The operative strategy in Dasycladus to prevent "cytoplasmic hemorrhage" required availability of sequestered carbohydrate and lectin precursor components throughout the thallus for plug assembly. Once the initial assembly had commenced, additional biochemical interactions were initiated (as a function of time) to promote structural integrity.
Far infrared cyclotron resonance in Hg1−xCdxTe

Abstract Electron cyclotron resonance absorption measurements have been performed in Hg 1− x Cd x Te. The experiments have been done at 4.2°K using the 48 μm emission line from an H 2 O laser. For samples with x ranging from 0.245 to 0.15, the electron effective mass ratio was found to vary approximately as predicted by the k · p theory.
Atrial Fibrillation Ablation in the Era of Cryoballoon and Force-Sensing Catheters: Freeze or Burn?

Atrial fibrillation can adversely affect the quality of life for many patients. Though antiarrhythmic drug therapy remains an option for the treatment of atrial fibrillation, the drugs are associated with numerous side effects. Atrial fibrillation ablation has been shown to be as efficacious as antiarrhythmic drug therapy. The field of atrial fibrillation ablations has evolved over time from utilizing radiofrequency energy to using cryoenergy. Newer technologies are being developed with efforts to improve outcomes in patients undergoing atrial fibrillation ablations. This article will highlight two such technologies: cryoballoon ablation catheters and contact force-sensing catheters. These novel catheters appear to be further revolutionizing this young field in electrophysiology.
Reading Faces for Information about Words and Emotions in Adolescents with Autism.

Abstract Studies of explicit processing of facial expressions by individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have found a variety of deficits and preserved abilities compared to their typically developing (TD) peers. However, little attention has been paid to their implicit processing abilities for emotional facial expressions. The question has also been raised whether preferential attention to the mouth region of a speaker's face by ASD individuals has resulted in a relative lipreading expertise. We present data on implicit processing of pseudo-dynamic facial emotions and visual speech in adolescents with autism. We compared 25 ASD and 25 TD participants on their ability to recreate the sequences of four dynamic emotional facial expressions (happy, sad, disgust, and fear) as well as four spoken words (with, bath, thumb, and watch) using six still images taken from a video sequence. Typical adolescents were significantly better at recreating the dynamic properties of emotional expressions than those of facial speech, while the autism group showed the reverse accuracy pattern. For Experiment 2 we obscured the eye region of the stimuli and found no significant difference between the 22 adolescents with ASD and 22 TD controls. Fearful faces achieved the highest accuracy results among the emotions in both groups.
Benzocyclobutene radical anion II. Ion-pairing effects in potassium-THF and cesium-DME

Abstract Reduction of benzocyclobutene (BCB) using potassium-THF yielded a tight ion pair from −118° to −29°. Reduction with cesium-DME resulted in an unusual change in sign for the metal splitting with a change in temperature. These results are discussed and contrasted to the previously reported reduction of BCB with potassium-DME.
The Basenji-Greyhound dog: antigen-induced changes in lung volumes.

Subdivisions of lung volume, closing volume (CV), pulmonary resistance (RL) and dynamic pulmonary compliance (Cdyn) were measured before and after bronchial challenge with Ascaris suum in seven ascaris-sensitive Basenji-Greyhound (BG) crossbreed dogs. RL increased from a control value of 1.41 ± 0.43 (mean ± SE) cm H2O/L/sec to 21.4 ± 5.15 (P < 0.01) and Cdyn decreased from 163 ± 32 ml/cm H2O to 43 ± 11 (P < 0.01) in the first 15 min following ascaris-antigen aerosol (AAA) challenge. Vital capacity (VC) decreased from 1581 ± 147 ml to 944 ± 86 (P < 0.005) ml and residual volume (RV) increased from 381 ± 63 to 577 ± 68 ml (P < 0.005) following AAA challenge. We conclude that the pulmonary mechanical changes in the BG dog following antigen challenge more closely resemble the changes observed in acute human asthma than do changes occurring in the mongrel dog.
Hopf algebra duality, injective modules and quantum groups

(1994). Hopf algebra duality, injective modules and quantum groups. Communications in Algebra: Vol. 22, No. 12, pp. 4661-4692.
Metabolic bone disease after gastric bypass surgery for obesity.

ABSTRACT Background The popularity of gastric bypass surgery for treatment of morbid obesity has been increasing in recent years. Osteomalacia and osteoporosis are commonly observed in patients who have had partial gastric resections for treatment of peptic ulcer disease. Recently, we encountered four patients with previous gastric bypass surgery who had metabolic bone disease similar to that reported in the older literature in patients who had partial gastrectomies. Methods Review of clinical data of four patients who developed osteomalacia and osteoporosis 9 to 12 years after gastric bypass surgery for morbid obesity. Results All subjects were women, 43 to 58 years old. Three had Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, and the other had a biliopancreatic diversion 9 to 12 years prior to presentation. Weight loss averaged 41.8 kg. Patients reported fatigue, myalgias, and arthralgias. They had symptoms for many months or years before the correct diagnosis was established. All were osteopenic or osteoporotic with hypocalcemia, very low or undetectable 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, secondary hyperparathyroidism, increased 1,25-dihy-droxyvitamin D levels, and increased serum alkaline phosphatase. Conclusions Relatively little has been published in the general medical literature about this postoperative complication of bariatric surgery. Yet, nearly all patients after bariatric surgery will receive their long-term follow-up from a primary care physician. Physicians and patients need to be aware of this complication and take measures to identify and prevent it.
A scaled quantum mechanical force field for the alanine–alanine zwitterions in water based on scale factors for alanine, glycine, N-methylacetamide, acetate, formate, and methylamine

Abstract We present ab initio scale factors and force constants, and vibrational modes assigned to experimental Raman and FTIR spectra of eight isotopomers of the alanine–alanine zwitterion peptide in water, at neutral pH, in extended and helical φ / ψ conformations. Results are shown for the HF/4-31G and density functional theory B3LYP/6-31+G* levels. The HF/4-31G scale factors are for the most part based on previously published scale factors for smaller molecules and from alanine–alanine at pH 1 and 13 (Biopolymers, 58 (2001) 577). Similar results at the B3LYP/6-31+G* level are shown here for smaller molecules: alanine, glycine, N -methylacetamide, acetate, formate, and methylamine, from which the B3LYP/6-31+G* scale factors for alanine–alanine are derived. The helical conformation yields calculated frequencies that are in better agreement with the experiment than are those from the extended conformation. Scale factors are used here as an index of how well each calculated model for the average geometry of alanine–alanine in water corresponds to the experimental data, or to what extent the ‘same’ functional group is different in differently charged molecules. Scale factors for the helical conformation of ala–ala tend to be closer to those from the smaller molecules than are those for the extended geometry. We think this suggests that the helical conformation of this small peptide is preferred in water. As expected, scale factors for several important internal coordinates, the amide C–N stretch (CNs), the in-plane amide N–H in-plane bend (NHib), and others were significantly different from those for ala–ala in acid and base.
Sensing Shear Strains with Electrostriction Effect in Solid Electrorheological Composites

Solid electrorheological (ER) composites are created by applying an electric field to a liquid suspension of isotropic, homogeneously distributed inclusions and cross- linking the obtained transverse isotropic structure. Electrostriction phenomenon in ER composites can be defined as change in dielectric properties with deformation. Solid dielectric material, which consists of inclusions arranged in a chain-like structure and embedded in a matrix phase, demonstrates strong electrostriction response to normal and shear deforma- tions. Such high sensitivity of ER composites to shear electrostriction can be utilized for sensing shear stresses and strains in active damping of vibrations. In this article, we model an electrostriction response and measure electromechanical properties of solid ER composites.
Investigational peptide and peptidomimetic μ and δ opioid receptor agonists in the relief of pain

Introduction: Current methods for treating prolonged and neuropathic pain are inadequate and lead to toxicities that greatly diminish quality of life. Therefore, new approaches to the treatment of pain states are needed to address these problems. Areas covered: The review primarily reviews approaches that have been taken in the peer-reviewed literature of multivalent ligands that interact with both μ and δ opioid receptors as agonists, and in some cases, also with pharmacophores for antagonist ligands that interact with other receptors as antagonists to block pain. Expert opinion: Although there are a number of drugs currently on the market for the treatment of pain; none of them are 100% successful. In the authors' opinion, it is clear that new directions and modalities are needed to better address the treatment of prolonged and neuropathic pain; one drug or class clearly is not the answer for all pain therapy. Undoubtedly, there are many different phenotypes of prolonged and neuropathic pain and this sh...
Structure of maesaquinone

Abstract Structure of a benzoquinone, maesaquinone, isolated from Maesa lanceolata (Myrsinaceae), has been characterized as 2,5-dihydroxy-3-(Z)-10′-pentadecenyl-6-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone (1) by means of spectroscopic method. It has been found to exhibit in vitro cytotoxicity against several solid tumor cells. Structure of a benzoquinone, maesaquinone, isolated from Maesa lanceolata (Myrsinaceae), has been characterized as 2,5-dihydroxy-3-(Z)-10′-pentadecenyl-6-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone by means of spectroscopic method. The 13C NMR spectrum of maesaquinone showed only four higher values of chemical shifts due to the very rapid interconversion between the exchange forms. Maesaquinone has been found to exhibit in vitro cytotoxicity against several solid tumor cells.
On Equatorial Dynamics, Mixed Layer Physics and Sea Surface Temperature

Abstract We describe a new numerical model designed to study the interactions between hydrodynamics and thermodynamics in the upper ocean. The model incorporates both primitive equation dynamics and a parameterization of mixed layer physics. There is a consistent treatment of mixed layer structure for all physical processes. In order to study interplay between dynamics and mixed layer physics in the equatorial ocean, we carried out a series of numerical experiments with simple patterns of wind stress and surface heating. In some cases stratification and/or mixed layer physics were suppressed. On the basis of these experiments we reached the following conclusions: The vertical circulation at the equator is so vigorous that surface heating is essential if stratification is to be maintained for periods longer than a few months. Without stratification to inhibit mixed layer deepening momentum will be mixed uniformly to the main thermocline and the equatorial undercurrent will disappear. Vertical transfers of ...
Provide financial risk management as service

We present an innovative flexible computation support service for financial risk management. Commercial bank faces a higher requirement on quantitative risk management from Basel II accord. In practice, quantitative risk computation needs both the internal and external data, and the risk calculation models and corresponding parameters should be updated for a periods of time. To deal with these challenges, we propose a service oriented architecture based system, where flexible computation support services are provided for financial risk management. We present three main services in details. First, risk calculation service provides mathematical risk models and parameter learning functions. Second, business logic service adopts rule engine technology to integrate expert knowledge and mathematical model. Third, data management service provides the function for collection and management of internal and external data. These services collaborate to provide flexible quantitative risk management functions for commercial banks with a lower cost compared with the effort to develop their own risk management methodologies and systems.
The Effect of Negative Feedback Loops on the Dynamics of Boolean Networks

Feedback loops play an important role in determining the dynamics of biological networks. To study the role of negative feedback loops, this article introduces the notion of distance-to-positive-feedback which, in essence, captures the number of independent negative feedback loops in the network, a property inherent in the network topology. Through a computational study using Boolean networks, it is shown that distance-to-positive-feedback has a strong influence on network dynamics and correlates very well with the number and length of limit cycles in the phase space of the network. To be precise, it is shown that, as the number of independent negative feedback loops increases, the number (length) of limit cycles tends to decrease (increase). These conclusions are consistent with the fact that certain natural biological networks exhibit generally regular behavior and have fewer negative feedback loops than randomized networks with the same number of nodes and same connectivity.
Automated text content identification for document processing using a kernel-based support Vector Selection approach

Automated text analysis and mining tools designed to identify the main topics of texts, chat room discussions, and web postings are an increasingly active research area due to the rapid explosion of Web information. This paper applies the nonlinear kernel-based Feature Vector Selection (FVS) approach followed by a Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) step to categorize unstructured text documents. Results are compared to those obtained using the Latent Semantic Analysis (LSA) approach commonly used in text categorization applications. Overall results, taking into account classification performances and computational load issues, show that the FVS-LDA implemented with a polynomial kernel of degree 1 and an added constant of 1 to be the best classifier for the database considered.
A Linear Programming Approach to Discriminant Analysis with a Reserved-Judgment Region

A linear-programming model is proposed for deriving discriminant rules that allow allocation of entities to a reserved-judgment region. The size of the reserved-judgment region, which can be controlled by varying parameters within the model, dictates the level of aggressiveness (cautiousness) of allocating (misallocating) entities to groups. Results of simulation experiments for various configurations of normal and contaminated normal three-group populations are reported for a variety of parameter selections. Results of cross-validation experiments using real data sets are also reported. Both the simulation and cross-validation experiments include comparison with other discriminant analysis techniques. The results demonstrate that the proposed model is useful for deriving discriminant rules that reduce the chances of misclassification, while maintaining a reasonable level of correct classification.
Capsule Treatments to Enhance Seedling Emergence of Gaura neomexicana ssp. coloradensis

Management of riparian vegetation is difficult because these communities are frequently impacted by herbivores, invasive weeds, and altered hydrologic regimes. Multiple and intertwined factors affecting rare species recruitment are particularly difficult to identify. Gaura neomexicana ssp. coloradensis Munz (Gaura) is a short-lived perennial forb endemic to riparian areas in mixed-grass prairies of Wyoming, Nebraska, and Colorado, U.S.A. It became a federally listed threatened species in October 2000. Because the species is a recruitment-limited monocarpic perennial, we studied the effects of six capsule-collection dates, a 2-month cool-moist stratification, 24-hr leaching, and 24-hr imbibition on Gaura seedling emergence. Seedling emergence did not vary with collection date. Capsules collected from Gaura plants grown at the Bridger Plant Materials Center in Montana exhibited greater emergence than capsules harvested from endemic populations near Cheyenne, Wyoming, suggesting that maternal plant growing conditions impact dormancy. Because cool-moist stratification enhanced seedling emergence of Gaura and leaching did not, sufficient moisture during cool temperatures may be more critical than leaching of germination inhibitors as might occur with normal stream flows. Spring flooding may enhance Gaura recruitment by increasing the availability of riparian sites that are inundated during periods of cool temperatures. If so, hydrologic and climatic regimes must be considered in restoring the unique conditions needed for germination of this rare riparian endemic.
Sensory memory consolidation observed: increased specificity of detail over days.

Abstract Memories are usually multidimensional, including contents such as sensory details, motivational state and emotional overtones. Memory contents generally change over time, most often reported as a loss in the specificity of detail. To study the temporal changes in the sensory contents of associative memory without motivational and emotional contents, we induced memory for acoustic frequency by pairing a tone with stimulation of the cholinergic nucleus basalis. Adult male rats were first tested for behavioral responses (disruption of ongoing respiration) to tones (1–15 kHz), yielding pre-training behavioral frequency generalization gradients (BFGG). They next received three days of training consisting of a conditioned stimulus (CS) tone (8.00 kHz, 70 dB, 2 s) either Paired ( n = 5) or Unpaired ( n = 5) with weak electrical stimulation (∼48 μA) of the nucleus basalis (100 Hz, 0.2 s, co-terminating with CS offset). Testing for behavioral memory was performed by obtaining post-training BFGGs at two intervals, 24 and 96 h after training. At 24 h post-training, the Paired group exhibited associative behavioral memory manifested by significantly larger responses to tone than the Unpaired group. However, they exhibited no specificity in memory for the frequency of the tonal CS, as indexed by a flat BFGG. In contrast, after 96 h post-training the Paired group did exhibit specificity of memory as revealed by tuned BFGGs with a peak at the CS-band of frequencies. This increased detail of memory developed due to a loss of response to lower and higher frequency side-bands, without any change in the absolute magnitude of response to CS-band frequencies. These findings indicate that the sensory contents of associative memory can be revealed to become more specific, through temporal consolidation in the absence of non-sensory factors such as motivation and emotion.
Phase Edge and Extraction: A Tagalog Case Study

In this article, we examine evidence for the phase theory of movement (Chomsky 2000, 2001) in the context of Tagalog, arguing in particular that Tagalog has overt morphology that signals movement of arguments to checkan EPP-feature on the head of the vP phase. We show that this morphology interacts with extraction in ways Chomsky's theory leads us to expect, and we develop a theory of the Tagalog facts that also accounts for the effects of Huang's (1982) Condition on Extraction Domain.
The effect of the web on undergraduate citation behavior 1996-1999

A citation analysis of undergraduate term papers in microeconomics revealed a significant decrease in the frequency of scholarly resources cited between 1996 and 1999. Book citations decreased from 30% to 19%, newspaper citations increased from 7% to 19%, and Web citations increased from 9% to 21%. Web citations checked in 2000 revealed that only 18% of URLs cited in 1996 led to the correct Internet document. For 1999 bibliographies, only 55% of URLs led to the correct document. The authors recommend (1) setting stricter guidelines for acceptable citations in course assignments; (2) creating and maintaining scholarly portals for authoritative Web sites with a commitment to long-term access; and (3) continuing to instruct students how to critically evaluate resources.
Hazard Rate Scaling of the Abandonment Distribution for the GI/M/n + GI Queue in Heavy Traffic

We obtain a heavy traffic limit for the GI/M/n + GI queue, which includes the entire patience time distribution. Our main approach is to scale the hazard rate function of the patience time distribution in such a way that our resulting diffusion approximation contains the entire hazard rate function. We then show through numerical studies that for various performance measures, our approximations tend to outperform those commonly used in practice. The robustness of our results is also demonstrated by applying them to solving constraint satisfaction problems arising in the context of telephone call centers.
SmartHat: A battery-free worker safety device employing passive UHF RFID technology

In many safety-critical applications, battery performance is a significant limiting factor that affects the feasibility of electronic safety devices intended to alert workers to hazardous situations. In particular, battery capacity and lifetime are difficult to predict when safety devices are exposed to extremes of temperature, humidity, shock, and vibration that are common in construction, excavation, drill rigs, and mining work sites. Because battery failure is unacceptable in safety devices, periodic preventative maintenance is required, adding to device cost and labor cost and reducing acceptance of electronic safety devices. Energy harvesting and communications techniques based on passive UHF RFID technology may offer an alternative to battery power for some types of safety alert devices, particularly where hazardous conditions are created by powered heavy equipment. We present a worker safety device designed around a passive UHF RFID platform that derives its operating power from specialized interrogators mounted on heavy equipment. This device is designed to be integrated with plastic hard hats that are commonly used in the construction industry to yield an intelligent hard hat, called a “SmartHat”, that delivers an audible alert directly to workers in proximity to a particular piece of equipment. It is addressible using an ASK interrogator-to-tag link, and backscatters confirmation that an alert has been delivered to the worker. We present the design of the SmartHat tag, including a compact printed-circuit vee style antenna, an RF-to-DC power harvesting circuit, and a microprocessor-driven alert speaker. The tag's average operating power while delivering a pulsed alert is 1.8V at 61μA, or 110μW (−9.6 dBm). Its power-up threshold when not delivering an alert is 1.8 V at ≈ 10μA. We also present a specialized interrogator device operating under FCC Part 18 rules in the 902–928 MHz band that is mounted to a piece of construction equipment to power and communicate with nearby SmartHats. In outdoor testing of the SmartHat tag and its companion interrogator device, +35 dBm transmitter output power feeding a 9dBi Yagi antenna (+44 dBm EIRP) allows for safety alerts to be delivered at distances of up to 16.46 m.
Hdm2 Nuclear Export, Regulated by Insulin-like Growth Factor-I/MAPK/p90Rsk Signaling, Mediates the Transformation of Human Cells

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I receptor activation leads to enhanced proliferation and cell survival via the MAP kinase and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-signaling pathways. Upon stimulation by IGF-I, the Hdm2 oncoprotein is phosphorylated by AKT, leading to its rapid nuclear translocation and subsequent inhibition of p53. We now show that IGF-I stimulation regulates the nuclear export of Hdm2 and p53 via the MAP kinase pathway. Inhibition of p38 MAPK or MEK via pharmacological means or expression of dominant negative proteins inhibited the cytoplasmic accumulation of Hdm2 and increased Hdm2 and p53 protein levels, whereas constitutively active p90Rsk promoted the nuclear export of Hdm2. Expression of constitutively active p90Rsk with E1A, oncogenic H-Ras, and hTERT resulted in the anchorage-independent growth of normal human fibroblasts. Our findings link p90Rsk-mediated modulation of Hdm2 nuclear to cytoplasmic shuttling with the diminished ability of p53 to regulate cell cycle checkpoints that ultimately leads to transformation.
The Hmong in the United States: An Overview for Mental Health Professionals.

Since Laos fell to the communist Pathet Lao, many Hmong people have relocated to the United States. Because of the vast cultural differences, the Hmong have had a notoriously difficult time adjusting to life in the United States. In view of the many problems faced by Hmong Americans, it is likely that many of them will seek or be referred to non-Hmong professionals for various counseling services. This article provides an overview of Hmong culture and a history of their migration to the United States. Specific adjustment and mental health problems are noted and suggestions are provided for designing appropriate counseling interventions for Hmong Americans.
Mujer y nación. Una historia de la educación en Baja California. 1920-1930

Este articulo forma parte de una investigacion en progreso, que tiene el proposito de hacer una reflexion acerca del clima intelectual que prevalecio en Mexico durante el periodo posrevolucionario de 1920 a 1930. El ensayo explora como la influencia de la ideologia nacionalista altero gradualmente los roles de las mujeres mexicanas identificandolas como educadoras de la nacion. Baja California es el centro de atencion del estudio, ya que educadoras como Josefina Rendon Parra (1885-1977) fueron un significante ejemplo para demostrar como la ideologia nacionalista diseno el rol de la mujer en la reconstruccion del pais. La educacion con una dimension espiritual era la puerta clave en la cual las mujeres tenian acceso a la era moderna. Asi mismo podian ser aceptadas como ciudadanas dentro de la sociedad, aunque todavia no tenian el derecho al voto. Finalmente, este estudio sugiere la reconstruccion de la historia a traves de los discursos mitologicos como las leyendas en boga durante la epoca.
Efficient Adaptive Carrier Tracking for Mars to Earth Communications During Entry, Descent and Landing

In the Mars rover missions the signals transmitted back to Earth travel under low SNR conditions in highly non-stationary channels [1, 2]. During the entry, descent and landing phase (EDL), the spacecraft high dynamics yields severe Doppler effects. We propose a robust and low complexity scheme to estimate and track carrier frequency from the received signals at the Earth end. The method employs a hierarchical arrangement of convex linear prediction cells that is dynamically adapted to respond to the channel conditions. The adaptive combination is able to outperform the best individual estimator in the set, leading to a universal scheme for frequency estimation and tracking. In order to compensate the lag error effect, we explore an efficient forward and backward aggregation scheme that improves considerably the frequency RMS error as compared to the original method [3].
School climate factors relating to teacher burnout: A mediator model

Abstract The present study investigated components of school climate (i.e. parent/community relations, administration, student behavioral values) and assessed their influence on the core burnout dimensions of Emotional Exhaustion, Depersonalization, and feelings of low Personal Accomplishment. The study weighed the relative contributions of demographic factors (i.e. gender, age, years of teaching experience), teacher satisfaction, and teacher-rated school climate that predict resultant levels of teacher stress and burnout from 17 rural schools in southeastern Ohio. Results revealed that different aspects of school climate related to each of the three primary burnout dimensions. Further, the inverse relationship between school climate and burnout was mediated by teacher satisfaction levels for both Emotional Exhaustion and Depersonalization dimensions. Results from the present study may be used in the development of future intervention targets for reducing teacher stress and burnout.
Overcoming the solubility limit with solubility-enhancement tags: successful applications in biomolecular NMR studies

Although the rapid progress of NMR technology has significantly expanded the range of NMR-trackable systems, preparation of NMR-suitable samples that are highly soluble and stable remains a bottleneck for studies of many biological systems. The application of solubility-enhancement tags (SETs) has been highly effective in overcoming solubility and sample stability issues and has enabled structural studies of important biological systems previously deemed unapproachable by solution NMR techniques. In this review, we provide a brief survey of the development and successful applications of the SET strategy in biomolecular NMR. We also comment on the criteria for choosing optimal SETs, such as for differently charged target proteins, and recent new developments on NMR-invisible SETs.
Effect of an educational outreach program on prescribing potential drug-drug interactions

BACKGROUND: The topic of improving prescribing practices is a major focus of many national initiatives, not only to enhance the quality of health care but also to reduce medical care costs. Educational outreach (also known as academic detailing) is a type of postgraduate education where trained clinical consultants meet face-to-face with prescribers to provide one-on-one information. Ideally, such visits promote evidence-based knowledge, create trusting relationships, and induce practice change, particularly with regard to prescribing potentially interacting medications. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of an educational outreach program delivered by clinical pharmacists on reducing the rate of prescribing potential drug-drug interactions (DDIs). METHODS: The intervention was a prescriber-directed educational outreach program focused on 25 clinically important DDIs. The effect of the educational outreach was evaluated using a retrospective pre-post study design with a control group was conducted. A tota...
Some algebra and geometry for hierarchical models, applied to diagnostics

Recent advances in computing make it practical to use complex hierarchical models. However, the complexity makes it difficult to see how features of the data determine the fitted model. This paper describes an approach to diagnostics for hierarchical models, specifically linear hierarchical models with additive normal or t-errors. The key is to express hierarchical models in the form of ordinary linear models by adding artificial `cases' to the data set corresponding to the higher levels of the hierarchy. The error term of this linear model is not homoscedastic, but its covariance structure is much simpler than that usually used in variance component or random effects models. The re-expression has several advantages. First, it is extremely general, covering dynamic linear models, random effect and mixed effect models, and pairwise difference models, among others. Second, it makes more explicit the geometry of hierarchical models, by analogy with the geometry of linear models. Third, the analogy with linear models provides a rich source of ideas for diagnostics for all the parts of hierarchical models. This paper gives diagnostics to examine candidate added variables, transformations, collinearity, case influence and residuals.
OF PUNISHMENT AND PARENTHOOD Family-Based Social Control and the Sentencing of Black Drug Offenders

This research addresses the questions: “How do ties to children and other family members influence Black drug offenders' likelihood of incarceration?” and “Is the influence similar for men and women?” Predictions were tested using 1991-1993 data for 2,785 men and 499 women convicted of cocaine offenses. Logistic regression models containing key legal and extralegal characteristics were estimated for men and women combined and separately. Measures of prior conviction and prior drug use were found to be powerful predictors of sentence for both men and women. Findings suggest that judges consider “Does the offender live with a child or a family member?” and, possibly, “Is there a family member readily available to assume child care responsibilities if we incarcerate a mother who lives with a child?” when sentencing women. Among men, legal characteristics such as offense seriousness were more salient.
Reducing DRIE-Induced Trench Effects in SiC Pressure Sensors Using FEA Prediction

Burst force of several 4H-SiC pressure sensor diaphragms fabricated by reactive ion etching (RIE) is measured and coupled with finite-element (FE) analyses to extract a fracture strength of 786 ± 0.3 MPa. The result, which was in relative agreement with previously published values, was applied in various failure prediction models for RIE-induced trench defects that were responsible for the premature failures observed in SiC pressure sensors. The FE model associated with trench-free diaphragms was experimentally validated to prevent such failure, thereby resulting in the expansion of the sensor pressure handling capacity by more than twofold. The RIE fabrication process conditions for this model have been successfully implemented as a standard process. This result was extended further into developing failure prediction models for other observed RIE-induced etch characteristics.
Survival, Integration, and Differentiation of Cardiomyocyte Grafts A Study in Normal and Injured Rat Hearts

Background—Cardiomyocyte grafting augments myocyte numbers in the heart. We investigated (1) how developmental stage influences graft survival; (2) whether acutely necrotic or healing cardiac lesions support grafts; and (3) the differentiation and integration of cardiomyocyte grafts in injured hearts. Methods and Results—Cardiomyocytes from fetal, neonatal, or adult inbred rats were grafted into normal myocardium, acutely cryoinjured myocardium, or granulation tissue (6 days after injury). Adult cardiomyocytes did not survive under any conditions. In contrast, fetal and neonatal cardiomyocytes formed viable grafts under all conditions. Time-course studies with neonatal cardiomyocytes showed that the grafts recapitulated many aspects of normal development. The adherens junction protein N-cadherin was distributed circumferentially at day 1 but began to organize into intercalated disk–like structures by day 6. The gap junction protein connexin43 followed a similar but delayed pattern relative to N-cadherin. ...
Do Bacteria Cause Exacerbations of COPD

Exacerbations of COPD, which include combinations of dyspnea, cough, wheezing, increased sputum production (and a change in its color to green or yellow), are common. The role of bacterial infection in causing these episodes and the value of antibiotic therapy for them are debated. An assessment of the microbiological studies indicates that conventional bacterial respiratory pathogens, such as Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae, are absent in about 50% of attacks. The frequency of isolating these organisms, which often colonize the bronchi of patients in stable condition, does not seem to increase during exacerbations, and their density typically remains unchanged. Serologic studies generally fail to show rises in antibody titers to H influenzae; the only report available demonstrates none to Haemophilus parainfluenzae; and the sole investigation of S pneumoniae is inconclusive. Trials with vaccines against S pneumoniae and H influenzae show no clear benefit in reducing exacerbations. The histologic findings of bronchial biopsies and cytologic studies of sputum show predominantly increased eosinophils, rather than neutrophils, contrary to what is expected with bacterial infections. The randomized, placebo-controlled trials generally show no benefit for antibiotics, but most have studied few patients. A meta-analysis of these demonstrated no clinically significant advantage to antimicrobial therapy. The largest trials suggest that antibiotics confer no advantage for mild episodes; with more severe attacks, in which patients should receive systemic corticosteroids, the addition of antimicrobial therapy is probably not helpful.