cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
What have we learned from large population studies of von Willebrand disease

Von Willebrand factor (VWF) is a critical regulator of hemostatic processes, including collagen binding, platelet adhesion, and platelet aggregation. It also serves as a carrier protein to normalize plasma factor VIII synthesis, release, and survival. While VWF protein measurements by immunoassay are reasonably comparable between institutions, the measurement of VWF ristocetin cofactor activity (VWF:RCo) has significant variability. Other tests of VWF function, including collagen binding or platelet glycoprotein IIb-IIIa binding, are not universally available, yet these functional defects may cause major bleeding even with normal VWF antigen (VWF:Ag) and VWF:RCo assays. This results in both the overdiagnosis and underdiagnosis of VWD. Newer assays of VWF function (using recombinant glycoprotein Ib rather than whole platelets) have been developed that may improve interlaboratory variability. Some of these tests are not uniformly available and may not be licensed in the United States. Large longitudinal studies of VWF in von Willebrand disease (VWD) patients are not available. Patients are sometimes diagnosed with a single diagnostic VWF panel. Plasma VWF levels increase with age, but it is not clear if this results in less bleeding or whether different normal ranges should be used to identify age-related decreases in VWF. In order to quantitatively compare bleeding symptoms in VWD patients and normal individuals, recent studies in the European Union, Canada, United Kingdom, Holland, and the United States have used semiquantitative bleeding assessment tools (BATs). Even with careful centralized testing, including functional assays of VWF, addition of a BAT does not solve all of the problems with VWD diagnosis. No matter where the line is drawn for diagnosis of VWD, VWF is still a continuous variable. Thus, VWD can be a severe hemorrhagic disease requiring frequent treatment or a mild condition that may not be clinically relevant. As will be discussed by Dr. Goodeve in her presentation, genetics has helped us to diagnose type 2 functional variants of VWD but has not been helpful for the many patients who are at the interface of normal and low VWF and carry the possible diagnosis of type 1 VWD. The hematologist's management of patients with reduced levels of VWF still requires both the art and science of clinical medicine.
Bypassing Cultivation To Identify Bacterial Species: Culture-independent genomic approaches identify credibly distinct clusters, avoid cultivation bias, and provide true insights into microbial species

Whether bacterial species exist as a natural unit remains an unresolved issue, one with important practical challenges, including that of correctly identifying microorganisms and diagnosing the causative agents of microbial diseases. The current bacterial species definition is based on genetic and phenotypic distinctiveness of organisms grouped under the same name.
Agriculture for development in sub-Saharan Africa: an update.

Agriculture has multiple functions to fulfill for the development of the sub-Saharan Africa countries. It should be a source of growth and an instrument for poverty reduction and contribute to the provision of environmental services. Yet it is still used far below its potential, with gains in land and labor productivity lagging behind those of other regions. Successful use of agriculture for development will require greater attention from governments and donors, supported by scholarship and learning. The economics profession has an important role to play in helping to re-conceptualize in a new paradigm the role of agriculture for development, to design and evaluate new approaches, to contribute to capacity building, to advise on policy and to mobilize political support.
Modeling Nanoparticle Optics

As we discussed in the preceding Chap. 4, the optimal range of nanoparticle sizes and optimal wavelength of radiation for effective activating/heating of nanoparticles in tumor cells can be calculated on the basis of the Lorenz–Mie diffraction theory at the single-scattering approximation. The Mie formalism requires the use of two dimensionless input parameters: the complex refractive index of the nanoparticle and the surrounding medium at the given wavelength. In this chapter we introduce a computer software and perform Mie simulations of absorption, scattering, and extinction efficiencies of different types of nanoparticles as a function of particle size and the wavelength of radiation in different surrounding biological media. Also, we calculate and then use the differences in optical properties of normal and cancer cell organelles in order to design new cancer detection and treatment methods.
Brain, Behavior, and Evolution

An examination of research on evolution, comparative anatomy, and behavior shows that there is no one-to-one relationship between brain characteristics and behavior. The brain is strictly a biological coordinating organ that functions in interdependence with other biological components. The more complex the brain the more complex the remainder of the organism with which it is integrated and in turn the more complex the behavior that is enabled to develop. Biological factors as necessary and enabling conditions must not be confused with sufficient or determining conditions. The brain or even the entire organism is but one factor in a field of interrelated objects and events that comprise a psychological event. Psychological and cultural development probably select for evolution of greater organismic complexity which enables further psychological and cultural development.
3D printing of high-strength aluminium alloys

Metal-based additive manufacturing, or three-dimensional (3D) printing, is a potentially disruptive technology across multiple industries, including the aerospace, biomedical and automotive industries. Building up metal components layer by layer increases design freedom and manufacturing flexibility, thereby enabling complex geometries, increased product customization and shorter time to market, while eliminating traditional economy-of-scale constraints. However, currently only a few alloys, the most relevant being AlSi10Mg, TiAl6V4, CoCr and Inconel 718, can be reliably printed; the vast majority of the more than 5,500 alloys in use today cannot be additively manufactured because the melting and solidification dynamics during the printing process lead to intolerable microstructures with large columnar grains and periodic cracks. Here we demonstrate that these issues can be resolved by introducing nanoparticles of nucleants that control solidification during additive manufacturing. We selected the nucleants on the basis of crystallographic information and assembled them onto 7075 and 6061 series aluminium alloy powders. After functionalization with the nucleants, we found that these high-strength aluminium alloys, which were previously incompatible with additive manufacturing, could be processed successfully using selective laser melting. Crack-free, equiaxed (that is, with grains roughly equal in length, width and height), fine-grained microstructures were achieved, resulting in material strengths comparable to that of wrought material. Our approach to metal-based additive manufacturing is applicable to a wide range of alloys and can be implemented using a range of additive machines. It thus provides a foundation for broad industrial applicability, including where electron-beam melting or directed-energy-deposition techniques are used instead of selective laser melting, and will enable additive manufacturing of other alloy systems, such as non-weldable nickel superalloys and intermetallics. Furthermore, this technology could be used in conventional processing such as in joining, casting and injection moulding, in which solidification cracking and hot tearing are also common issues.
4.32-pJ/b, Overlap-Free, Feedforward Edge-Combiner-Based Ultra-Wideband Transmitter for High-Channel-Count Neural Recording

We present an ultralow-power, ultra-wideband (UWB) transmitter (TX) in standard 65-nm CMOS processes. The TX consists of feedforward edge combiners and interpolators for ultralow-power operation and reliable pulse generation that is essential in UWB TXs. The implemented circuit avoids pulse overlapping without complicated calibrations and has achieved an energy efficiency of 4.32 pJ/b at 200-Mbps data rate. The TX is suitable for energy-constraint, high-data-rate applications such as wireless telemetry in implantable high-density neural recording interfaces.
Hydrodeoxygenation of pinyon-juniper catalytic pyrolysis oil using red mud-supported nickel catalysts

Abstract Red mud (RM) is an alkaline waste generated in the Bayer process of alumina production. In the present study red mud supported nickel catalysts (Ni/RM) were prepared at different concentrations of nickel (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 65 wt.%) and used to hydrodeoxygenate (HDO) pinyon-juniper (PJ) catalytic pyrolysis oil. Increasing the nickel content improved the activity of Ni/RM catalysts for HDO reactions. Maximum organic liquid yield (68.6%) was obtained when 40%Ni/RM was used. The upgraded oil had oxygen content of 1.35 wt.% and higher heating value of 45.77 MJ/kg compared to 24.88 wt.% and 28.41 MJ/kg, respectively, for the crude oil. For comparison, commercial Ni/SiO2-Al2O3 was also evaluated in HDO experiments. The HDO oil properties obtained using 40%Ni/RM at reaction temperature of 400 °C was similar to that of commercial Ni/SiO2-Al2O3 at reaction temperature of 450 °C. However, the organic liquid yield was much higher for 40%Ni/RM (68.6%) compared to the commercial Ni/SiO2-Al2O3 (41.8%). The commercial Ni/SiO2-Al2O3 produced more gas (27.6%) than the 40%Ni/RM (16.4%) and the coke yields for the commercial catalyst and Ni/RM catalyst were 7.3% and 4.2% respectively. Overall, application of Ni/RM improved HDO reactions and reduced cracking and coke formation compared to commercial Ni/SiO2-Al2O3.
Case studies on interethnic conflict: A theoretical integration

Abstract The present research analyzes qualitative case studies to provide holistic insights into the phenomenon of interethnic conflict. Kim’s (2005) contextual theory of interethnic communication (CTIC) is used as an etic, broad-systems theoretical framework for analyzing a wide range of interdisciplinary case studies focusing on interethnic conflict. The CTIC offers an organizing structure for combining emic and etic approaches to characterize and classify the primary and secondary factors underpinning interethnic conflict into communicator, situation, and environment layers. This paper applies the CTIC to organize a varied and extensive sample of 101 case studies according to conceptual definitions, research methods, language use, type of case study, and previous inclusion in interethnic conflict research. Findings show the primary factors underpinning such conflict (e.g., institutional inequity; relative ingroup strength; environmental stress; power imbalance; and resource scarcity) appear with relative consistency across case studies. More specifically, institutional inequity—functionally operating both within governments and mass media—is identified as perhaps the most critical factor in the generation, maintenance, and exacerbation of interethnic conflict.
Optimizing the LU Factorization for Energy Efficiency on a Many-Core Architecture

Power consumption and energy efficiency have become a major bottleneck in the design of new systems for high performance computing. The path to exa-scale computing requires new strategies that decrease the energy consumption of modern many-core architectures without sacrificing scalability or performance. The development of these strategies demands the use of scalable models for energy consumption and the reorientation of optimization techniques to focus on energy efficiency, evaluating their trade-offs with respect to performance.
Hybrid Online Delivery of a Pharmacy Residency and Fellowship Elective Course.

Objective: To describe and evaluate the transition of a pharmacy residency and fellowship (PRF) elective course to a hybrid online platform. Innovation: In 2016, the 1-credit hour PRF elective was transitioned from a live, synchronous course to a hybrid online platform. Over the course of the semester, students completed eight modules along with assignments that pertained to a different component of PRF. Course grades and evaluations, as well as PRF placement rates, were compared between 2015 (live, synchronous course) and 2016 (hybrid online course). There were no differences in overall course grades or student evaluations of individual relevant course objectives between the two course formats. However, more students rated the course as excellent during the 2015 live, synchronous course. Placement rates were similar between students who took the course in 2015 and 2016. Critical Analysis: Following the transition of a PRF elective to a hybrid online platform, course grades, evaluation of individual relevant course objectives, and PRF placement rates remained similar to previous years. Creative educational venues can help meet the student demand while simultaneously allowing faculty to manage their time. However, instructors should balance this with desire of students to have more face-to-face in class time. Type: Note
Islam and Culture: Dis/junctures in a Modern Conceptual Terrain

Over the last decades, Europe debates on Islam have been framed increasingly through the lens of cultural difference. In this discursive climate, culture constitutes a crucial terrain of investment for European Muslims in their struggle for inclusion and recognition. Based on two different ethnographic research projects among European Muslims, this essay examines two distinct types of culture discourses. One employs an Islam-versus-culture trope that serves to disconnect Islam from certain patriarchal practices perceived to exist within Muslim communities. The other discourse defends the intrinsic and symbiotic link between Islam and culture, especially in order to elevate the place of artistic practices within Muslim communities. To make sense of these seeming contradictions, I explore the multivalent meanings contained in my interlocutors’ uses of the culture concept by tracing the respective genealogies of these meanings. This includes an investigation of culture's conceptual histories, formulated successively by Enlightenment thinkers, Romanticists, and early anthropologists, as well as by Islamic reformers and their more recent successors. My investigation into these conceptual histories exposes broader concerns about individual freedom and agency on the part of cultural theorists, which have furthermore enabled various claims about modernity and backwardness. While European Muslims creatively integrate various articulations of the culture concept into their world-making projects, I argue that the ontological assumptions underpinning the culture concept continue to haunt and render precarious efforts to demonstrate Muslim belonging to Europe via culture.
Does (No) Discovery Lead to (ILL) Delivery? Comparing Transaction Logs to ILL Requests to Determine the Persistence of Library Patrons

This study looks at known-item searches within a university catalog that come up with a “no results” response to see whether patrons will then place an ILL request for that material and how persist...
The Rikers Island Hot Spotters: Defining the Needs of the Most Frequently Incarcerated.

Objectives. We used “hot spotting” to characterize the persons most frequently admitted to the New York City jail system in 2013.Methods. We used our Correctional Health Services electronic health record to identify 800 patients admitted in 2013 who returned most since November 2008. We compared them to a randomly selected control group of 800 others admitted in 2013, by using descriptive statistics and cross-tabulations, including data through December 2014.Results. The frequently incarcerated individuals had a median of 21 incarcerations (median duration 11 days), representing 18 713 admissions and $129 million in custody and health costs versus $38 million for the controls. The frequently incarcerated were significantly older (42 vs 35 years), and more likely to have serious mental illness (19% vs 8.5%) and homelessness (51.5% vs 14.7%) in their record. Significant substance use was highly prevalent (96.9% vs 55.6%). Most top criminal charges (88.7%) for the frequently incarcerated were misdemeanors; a...
Sinonasal mucoepidermoid carcinoma: a review of the National Cancer Database

Background Primary sinonasal mucoepidermoid carcinoma (SN-MEC) is a malignancy arising from seromucinous glands of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. Given its rarity, few large-scale studies have been performed. In this study we describe the incidence and determinants of survival of patients with SN-MEC leveraging the National Cancer Database (NCDB). Methods This was a retrospective, population-based cohort study of patients diagnosed with SN-MEC between 2004 and 2012 within the NCDB. The main outcome measure was overall survival (OS). Results A total of 164 patients were identified. The cohort was composed of 47.6% males. Mean age at diagnosis was 59.7 years. The maxillary sinus was the most common primary site, accounting for 45.7% of cases. Eleven percent of patients presented with nodal disease, whereas 2.1% had distant metastases. Stage IV disease was seen in 30.4% of cases. A total of 79.8% of the patients underwent surgery, 61.0% received radiation therapy, and 15.1% had chemotherapy. OS at 1, 2, and 5 years was 83%, 77.0%, and 57%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, Medicaid insurance status (hazard ratio [HR], 7.29; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.74-30.57), advanced tumor size (HR, 4.94; 95% CI, 1.19-20.5), and advanced nodal disease (N1: HR, 9.48; 95% CI, 1.66-54.23; N2B: HR, 19.3; 95% CI, 1.07-350.64) were associated with worse OS. Conclusion Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is the most common salivary gland malignancy but a rare sinonasal malignancy, with 5-year survival for SN-MEC approximating 50%. A significant proportion of patients present with advanced disease. Both socioeconomic factors and tumor characteristics are associated with survival.
Delayed Cerebral Ischemia of the Corpus Callosum: A Case Report.

Ischemic infarction of the corpus callosum is a rare condition due to its rich vascular supply and therefore has been infrequently reported. Here, we present a case of a patient who developed a delayed infarct of the corpus callosum in the body. The condition was characterized by bilateral lower extremity weakness and visual disturbances following intraventricular hemorrhage managed with ventriculostomy. Understanding the anatomy and function of the corpus callosum is crucial to understanding the etiology of infarctions as well as their clinical significance. It is also essential to distinguish between relatively common post-shunting changes and true infarction and to recognize the limited consequences of corpus callosum infarction. Increased awareness of this rare infarct would help to prevent unnecessary interventions and increase the ability of the physician to provide optimal care for the patient.
Excited S States of Li

Nonrelativistic energies and mass-polarization shifts of excited $S$ states of ${\mathrm{Li}}^{+}$ were calculated with 31- to 70-term Rayleigh-Ritz expansions in coordinates ${r}_{1}$, ${r}_{2}$, ${r}_{12}$. Comparison with experiment, based on very crude estimates of relativistic shifts, indicates agreement within about 1 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$.
Efficient InGaN p-Contacts for deep-UV Light Emitting Diodes

Sub-280nm UV-C LEDs are required for applications in water disinfection, gas sensing and photo-chemistry. The external quantum efficiency for these LEDs is usually low $( [1]. A device challenge is to design an optically transparent p-type layer for hole injection. We have combined Mg-doping and polarization induced p-type doping in graded AlGaN layers for hole generation and injection [2]. To maintain transparency to 280nm photons, the minimum Al-content in the graded AlGaN structure is 65%. Due to the limited availability of large work function metals, forming low-resistance Ohmic contacts to such high Al-content AlGaN layers is not possible. The typical strategy used is to grow heavily Mg-doped GaN on the AlGaN layer for contact formation, and inject holes over the Schottky barrier heterostructure formed by the valence band offset. On the other hand, Mg-doped 18% InGaN layers reach hole densities as high as $3\times 10^{19}\mathrm{cm}^{-3}$ due to lower activation energy than GaN:Mg (~120meV GaN:Mg, ~60meV 18% InGaN:Mg) [3]. Here, we show that using heavily Mg-doped InGaN as a p-type contact layer for deep UV LEDs leads to a very large increase in electroluminescence.
Study protocol of a randomized intervention study to explore effects of a pure physical training and a mind–body exercise on cognitive executive function in independent living adults age 65–85

Decline in cognitive function associated with aging is one of the greatest concerns of older adults and often leads to a significant burden for individuals, families, and the health care system. Executive functions are most susceptible to age-related decline. Despite the well-known benefits of regular exercise on cognitive health, older adults tend to be less physically active than other age groups. Thus, there is a need to identify strategies that attract older adults and can enhance cognitive vitality. This article describes the protocol of a study designed to evaluate whether two interventions, a pure physical exercise and a mind–body exercise, can improve cognitive executive function in independent-living older adults. In addition, the study will explore barriers/facilitators related to adherence. After baseline assessment, participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups (strength training, Awareness Through Movement®, or a control group). Participants of the two active groups will attend the interventions for 12 weeks. The control group continues with the usual everyday life. Assessments will include three measures of executive function of the NIH Toolbox, and are administered at baseline, post-intervention and at 3-month follow-up. The primary outcomes are the changes in cognitive executive function performances. Secondary outcomes include adherence, self-efficacy for exercise, symptoms of depression, mindfulness and enjoyment. Attendance will be used as a measure of adherence. If successful, the interventions could provide low-cost strategies for older adults to maintain cognitive vitality and has the potential to impact current exercise guidelines.
Measurement of the dissociation rates of ion clusters in ionic liquid ion sources

Ionic liquid ion sources utilize electric fields to evaporate and accelerate ions and ion clusters to ∼1 keV energies. Ion clusters may dissociate after evaporation, which is not a well-characterized phenomenon and has relevant consequences in many applications. We measure the dissociation rate-constants of ion clusters for several ionic liquids. It is found that ion cluster dissociation occurs on timescales of the order of 1–5 μs and follows a constant-rate equation in the region outside the ion source. Using the measured rate-constants, we estimate the post-emission ion cluster temperatures. We also qualify the way the electric field enhances the rate-constants. Finally, our work supports the hypothesis that ion clusters with many degrees of freedom have lower dissociation rates.
Shigella flexneri Disruption of Cellular Tension Promotes Intercellular Spread.

Summary During infection, some bacterial pathogens invade the eukaryotic cytosol and spread between cells of an epithelial monolayer. Intercellular spread occurs when these pathogens push against the plasma membrane, forming protrusions that are engulfed by adjacent cells. Here, we show that IpaC, a Shigella flexneri type 3 secretion system protein, binds the host cell-adhesion protein β-catenin and facilitates efficient protrusion formation. S. flexneri producing a point mutant of IpaC that cannot interact with β-catenin is defective in protrusion formation and spread. Spread is restored by chemical reduction of intercellular tension or genetic depletion of β-catenin, and the magnitude of the protrusion defect correlates with membrane tension, indicating that IpaC reduces membrane tension, which facilitates protrusion formation. IpaC stabilizes adherens junctions and does not alter β-catenin localization at the membrane. Thus, Shigella, like other bacterial pathogens, reduces intercellular tension to efficiently spread between cells.
The Role of Microenvironmental Cues and Mechanical Loading Milieus in Breast Cancer Cell Progression and Metastasis

Cancer can disrupt the microenvironments and mechanical homeostatic actions in multiple scales from large tissue modification to altered cellular signaling pathway in mechanotransduction. In this review, we highlight recent progresses in breast cancer cell mechanobiology focusing on cell-microenvironment interaction and mechanical loading regulation of cells. First, the effects of microenvironmental cues on breast cancer cell progression and metastasis will be reviewed with respect to substrate stiffness, chemical/topographic substrate patterning, and 2D vs. 3D cultures. Then, the role of mechanical loading situations such as tensile stretch, compression, and flow-induced shear will be discussed in relation to breast cancer cell mechanobiology and metastasis prevention. Ultimately, the substrate microenvironment and mechanical signal will work together to control cancer cell progression and metastasis. The discussions on breast cancer cell responsiveness to mechanical signals, from static substrate and dynamic loading, and the mechanotransduction pathways involved will facilitate interdisciplinary knowledge transfer, enabling further insights into prognostic markers, mechanically mediated metastasis pathways for therapeutic targets, and model systems required to advance cancer mechanobiology.
Foreign direct investment and collective intellectual property protection in developing countries

Abstract This paper analyzes spillovers associated with intellectual property rights (IPRs) in developing countries, and investigates how these spillovers influence the desirability of IPRs reform. I provide evidence that foreign direct investment (FDI) flows into a developing country are positively associated with IPRs in that country, as well as IPRs in adjacent developing countries. This finding suggests the presence of multilateral effects related to IPRs that existing analyses do not account for. I develop a general equilibrium international product cycle model to accommodate these spillovers, and find that they create an individual incentive to maintain weak IPRs. However, strengthening IPRs through a multilateral agreement improves welfare among all reforming countries. I argue that this finding suggests a novel justification of international IPRs agreements among developing countries; by preventing free-riding behavior, these agreements allow mutual benefit through collective policy action.
Asynchronous throughput-optimal routing in malicious networks

We demonstrate the feasibility of throughput-efficient routing in a highly unreliable network. Modeling a network as a graph with vertices representing nodes and edges representing the links between them, we consider two forms of unreliability: unpredictable edge-failures, and deliberate deviation from protocol specifications by corrupt nodes. The first form of unpredictability represents networks with dynamic topology, whose links may be constantly going up and down; while the second form represents malicious insiders attempting to disrupt communication by deliberately disobeying routing rules in an arbitrary manner, for example by introducing junk messages or deleting or altering messages. We present a robust routing protocol for end-to-end communication that is simultaneously resilient to both forms of unreliability, achieving provably optimal throughput performance.
Managing uncertainty in diagnostic practice

In spite of the large medical literature devoted to a discussion of the topic, uncertainty, particularly in diagnostic practice, is sometimes mishandled by clinicians. This, I will argue, can in turn lead to medical and ethical problems in patient care. Via the analysis of two recent case studies, I will propose an explanation for why this kind of uncertainty is sometimes not appropriately dealt with during the process of differential diagnosis in the clinic. Furthermore, I will also give recommendations for improving diagnostic practice by highlighting some representative elements of diagnostic uncertainty and reminding clinicians to be aware of the tendency to overlook this uncertainty in routine clinical cases.
Rapid BSIM model implementation with VHDL-AMS/Verilog-AMS and MCAST compact model compiler

VHDL-AMS and Verilog-AMS are behavioral languages extended from widely used VHDL/Verilog for analog and mixed-signal applications. By describing models in the behavioral language VHDL-AMS/Verilog-AMS and then compiling them with a model compiler such as MCAST, we have successfully implemented industry-grade device models (including BSIM, BSIMSOI) rapidly and with low cost, which was previously a tough and high cost work. The implementation for the first time demonstrated the capability and advantages of this new method compared to the traditional methods in device modeling.
Resistance to soldering heat by plastic SMD devices

The purpose of this study is to study the effect of longer times and more cycles at wave solder temperatures on the reliability of SOIC packages. The contribution of two different mold compounds is also evaluated. For comparison purposes, vapor phase soldering and convection furnace reflow set-ups were also included even though neither condition is as rigorous as immersion in molten solder.
Methodology Using Nonlinear Regression Models with Kelly Criterion to Determine Optimal ETF Investment Strategies: An Application to the S&P 500 Index

How to allocate the proportion of money to invest into the stock market to earn optimal profit at lower risk? To answer the question, this study uses the Kelly Criterion to help develop a methodology to determine the optimal proportional investment strategies for ETFs, based on the forecasting results of the Generalized Auto Regressive Conditional Heteroskedasticity (GARCH) and the Glosten-Jagannathan-Runkie GARCH (GJR-GARCH) models, which together consider the volatility of fund indices. We use six different GARCH and GJR models to forecast volatilities, and five different estimated long-term returns in Kelly Criterion to calculate final profit; then we determine the profitable investment strategies. The necessary inputs for the GARCH, GJR, and Kelly Criterion are the closing prices of the S&P 500 Index. While we use the closing prices of the S&P 500 Index from 1950 to 2011 as the inputs of the methodology, we analyze mainly the forecasting results from the representative years from 1981 to 2011. The methodology seems to be robust, as optimal investment strategies can be deduced from it.
Modeling Condensation in Shallow Nonprecipitating Convection

AbstractTwo schemes for modeling condensation in warm nonprecipitating clouds are compared. The first one is the efficient bulk condensation scheme where cloudy volumes are always at saturation and cloud water evaporates instantaneously to maintain saturation. The second one is the comprehensive bin condensation scheme that predicts the evolution of the cloud droplet spectrum and allows sub- and supersaturations in cloudy volumes. The emphasis is on the impact of the two schemes on cloud dynamics. Theoretical considerations show that the bulk condensation scheme provides more buoyancy than the bin scheme, but the effect is small, with the potential density temperature difference around 0.1 K for 1% supersaturation. The 1D advection–condensation tests document the high-vertical-resolution requirement for the bin scheme to resolve the cloud-base supersaturation maximum and CCN activation, which is difficult to employ in 3D cloud simulations. Simulations of shallow convection cloud fields are executed applyi...
A priority-based weighted fair queueing scheduler for real-time network

The weighted fair queueing (WFQ) scheduler has received much attention due to its nice properties of bandwidth guarantee and bounded delay. However, the queueing delay bound of a communication session is tightly coupled with the session's allocated share. To receive a low queueing delay, a session must reserve a high share. We study a new fair queueing algorithm called priority-based weighted fair queueing (PWFQ). PWFQ combines a session's allocated share to achieve the bandwidth guarantee and the session's priority to adjust the delay bound inside a sliding window. The new algorithm decouples the delay from the service share so that a session with a low share but a high priority may still receive a small delay. We analyze the worst-case delay bound of PWFQ and propose a simple heuristic algorithm to assign session priorities.
An Intercultural Dialogue between the Muslim Taifa of Denia and the Christian County of Barcelona in the Eleventh Century

Points of dialogue increased across the Muslim–Christian Iberian frontier over the course of the eleventh century. Rulers on both sides pursued policies of active communication, through violent and pacific means. This is especially evident in the relations between Denia and Barcelona. The growing Mediterranean interests of both polities brought them into frequent contact through trade, diplomacy and conflict. In fact, the intercultural entente established between the rulers of Denia and Barcelona allows for a much broader view of Iberian Muslim–Christian relations within the context of the eleventh-century Western Mediterranean.
Staging the Structure of Traumatic Experience in Michel Tremblay’s À toi, pour toujours, ta Marie-Lou

This article examines one of Michel Tremblay’s earliest plays, A toi, pour toujours, ta Marie-Lou, in order to demonstrate how A toi’s unique theatrical structure opens a space for profound reflections on the nature of psychic reality as it coexists beside objective reality. Defying naturalistic tendencies (despite realistic subject matter and linguistic style), Tremblay’s depiction of the family drama of Marie-Louise, Leopold, Manon and Carmen offers a poignant metaphorical representation of the psychic effects of traumatic events. Through a reading of the play’s text and its scenic structure, it analyzes how Tremblay collapses time on stage in order to establish the theatrical space on another plane of “realism,” demonstrating how the structure of the text itself offers a theory for the functioning of trauma.
Experimental characterization of air breakdown plasma utilizing a 1.5MW, 110GHz gyrotron

Summary form only given. We present the latest results of the MIT microwave-frequency air breakdown experiment. The experiment utilizes a 1.5 MW, 110 GHz gyrotron producing 3 μs pulses. The beam is focused to a peak intensity of 5 MW/cm2. At atmospheric pressure, the plasma forms a two-dimensional array of filaments oriented along the electric field lines1, 2. The filaments smoothly transition to a largely structureless plasma at low pressures, e.g. 100 Torr. Recent experimental results include spectroscopic and interferometric measurements of electron number density and plasma temperature. Measurements make use of a high resolution spectrometer and a two-wavelength interferometer operating at 632.8 nm and 532 nm. Electron density and plasma temperature measurements are essential for comparison with numerical simulations of breakdown plasma formation. The status of the experiment will be presented as well as recent experimental results and plans for future work.
Effects of detuning on single-mode laser instabilities

Abstract Linear stability analysis is used to show the effects of detuning on single-mode instabilities in unidirectional ring lasers. We find two regions of single-wavelength instability in homogeneously-broadened lasers. The first is at line center, for which population pulsations are solely responsible, and the second is off line center where the unsaturated medium provides the required gain and anomalous dispersion. Four cases are considered numerically: homogeneous and inhomogeneous broadening each with a single wavelength and with multiwavelengths.
Hepatic Safety of Voriconazole after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Voriconazole is increasingly used in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for prophylaxis and treatment of fungal infections. Hepatic dysfunction is common in patients undergoing HSCT and may have an impact on the clinical decision to institute voriconazole. We conducted a retrospective review of all adult and pediatric HSCT recipients who received >2 consecutive doses of voriconazole between January 2005 and February 2008. Clinical hepatotoxicity was defined as the subjective attribution of liver enzyme elevation (even a mild one) to hepatotoxicity because of voriconazole by the treating physician and leading to discontinuation of voriconazole. Biochemical hepatotoxicity was defined as an elevation in one or more liver enzymes to >3 times the upper limit of normal or >3 times the baseline value if abnormal at baseline. Liver enzymes assessed included aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and total bilirubin. Simple and multiple logistic regressions were used to define the risks for hepatic dysfunction. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to assess the differences in liver function test values before, during, and after the use of voriconazole. Sixty-eight of 200 patients (34%) developed hepatotoxicity while on voriconazole. The median duration of voriconazole therapy was 72 days (range, 1-804 days). Biochemical hepatotoxicity occurred in 51 patients (75%); clinical hepatotoxicity, in 17 patients (25%). Thirty-five (51%) of the patients with hepatotoxicity required discontinuation of therapy. In simple logistic regression, acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was a risk factor for hepatotoxicity, and receipt of a T-cell depleted allograft was protective. In multiple logistic regression, acute GVHD (P = .002) remained significant. There were no cases of liver failure or death attributed to voriconazole. In this cohort of patients undergoing allogeneic HSCT, the rate of hepatotoxicity while on voriconazole was 34%. In general, the hepatic dysfunction was mild and reversible. Voriconazole therapy with monitoring appears to be reasonably safe for use in HSCT recipients at high risk for invasive fungal infections.
Isothermal oxidation behaviour of Nb-W-Cr Alloys

Abstract A study of the effect of Cr content on the microstructure and isothermal oxidation behaviour of four alloys from the Nb–Cr–W system has been performed. Selection of specific alloy compositions has been based on the ternary isothermal sections. Oxidation experiments were conducted in air at 900 and 1300 °C for 24 h under isothermal conditions. Weight gain per unit area as function of the temperature has been used to evaluate the oxidation resistance. The phases present in the alloys and the oxide scales were characterized by XRD, SEM, and EDS. Microstructure consists of Nb solid solution and NbCr2, Laves phase. The oxidation kinetics follows a parabolic behaviour at 1300 °C; the addition of 30% Cr resulted in the significant reduction of the parabolic oxidation rate. At 900 °C, alloys with higher Cr content exhibit higher oxidation rates in comparison to alloys with lower Cr content. The oxidation products are a mixture of CrNbO4 and Nb2O5 and the amount of each oxide present in the mixture is related to the intermetallic phase content and the oxidation temperature. The characterization results delineate the effect of the Cr content on the oxidation mechanisms of these alloys that represent a promising base for high-temperature alloy development.
HIGH-POWER PULSED DIODE LASER FOR AUTOMOTIVE SCANNING RADAR SENSOR

High performance pulsed AlGaAs/GaAs wide stripe diode laser has been developed for the automotive distance-measuring scanning radar sensor. The laser diode is required high output power of 15 W and a long time reliability in spite of being used in a harsh environment such as wide temperature range, mechanical vibrations at the front bumper and so on. The device is designed by employing a multiple quantum well structure as an active layer for high output power with low drive current and high temperature operations. Moreover we reduce catastrophic optical damage power level and control the beam divergence angle by introducing optimized optical waveguide layers. In the chips bonding part, we developed a new thin film Au-Sn-Ni solder system. The bonding temperature can be lowered by using this system, whereby the thermal damage to the laser diode can be reduced. Furthermore, highly stable bonding is carried out by improving wetting ability in this system. We have achieved more than 22 W light output power at 20A pulse current under room temperature and more than 16 W light output power under 90 degrees Celsius. High reliability over 10,000 hours is performed for automotive use under pulsed operation at 90 degrees Celsius, 50 ns pulse width, 8 kHz frequency and 15 W light output power.
Synthetic dyes based on environmental considerations. Part 2: Iron complexes formazan dyes☆

Abstract This paper is concerned with the synthesis and evaluation of some 1:2 iron complexed formazan dyes for use on wool and nylon. The chemical structures of these new dyes were confirmed with the aid of negative ion FAB mass spectrometry, a technique which also proved instrumental in establishing the nature of the products obtained when unsymmetrical 1:2 iron complexed formazan dyes were synthetic targets. It is clear from the fastness properties obtained that certain of the title compounds could have utility in applications requiring high hightfastness.
Spatial and temporal changes in runoff caused by climate change in a complex large river basin in Oregon.

Summary We estimated potential changes in annual, seasonal, and high and low runoff and associated uncertainty in the 218 sub-basins of the Willamette River basin of Oregon for the 2040s and the 2080s. The US Geological Survey’s Precipitation–Runoff Modeling System (PRMS) was calibrated and validated for representative river basins between 1973 and 2006. A regionalization method and GIS analysis determined the PRMS model parameters for ungauged basins. We used a combination of eight general circulation models (GCMs) and two emission scenarios downscaled to 1/16° resolution to estimate spatial and temporal changes in future runoff at a sub-basin scale. The seasonal variability of runoff is projected to increase consistently with increases in winter flow and decreases in summer flow. These trends are amplified under the A1B emission scenario by the end of the 21st century with increases in top 5% flow and decreases in 7-day low flow. The ratio of snow water equivalent to precipitation declined consistently throughout the basins extending into the Cascade Range. The center timing of runoff, the day when half of the water-year flow has passed, is projected to occur earlier in the water year. Snowmelt-dominated basins exhibit large reductions in summer flow in response to increased temperature, while rainfall-dominated basins show large increases in winter flow in response to precipitation change. The spatial and temporal variability of runoff may increase in the future, but the direction and magnitude of these changes depend on sub-basin characteristics such as elevation and geology. Streams flowing from High Cascade basins that contain a large component of groundwater are projected to sustain summer flows, although the uncertainty associated with future projections is high. The main source of uncertainty stems from GCM structure rather than emission scenarios or hydrologic model parameters, but the hydrologic model parameter uncertainty for projecting summer runoff and 7-day low flow is relatively high for Western Cascade basins.
Using Total Quality Principles for Strategic Planning and Curriculum Revision

This paper describes the long-term strategic planning process of the College of Engineering at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, a process that began in the Fall of 1992 and continues today. The chronology of activities comprising this process, as well as the output of the process thus far, are presented in enough detail that they may serve as a blue print for others. First, we discuss some of the forces driving the college's educational reform efforts, especially those related to the use of TQM as the vehicle for change. Throughout the case study, we point out how (and why) certain Total Quality principles, including customer relationships, shared vision, assessment and continuous improvement, and sub-systems alignment, became integral parts of the strategic planning process.
Chlortetracycline and Demeclocycline Inhibit Calpains and Protect Mouse Neurons against Glutamate Toxicity and Cerebral Ischemia

Minocycline is a potent neuroprotective tetracycline in animal models of cerebral ischemia. We examined the protective properties of chlortetracycline (CTC) and demeclocycline (DMC) and showed that these two tetracyclines were also potent neuroprotective against glutamate-induced neuronal death in vitro and cerebral ischemia in vivo. However, CTC and DMC appeared to confer neuroprotection through a unique mechanism compared with minocycline. Rather than inhibiting microglial activation and caspase, CTC and DMC suppressed calpain activities. In addition, CTC and DMC only weakly antagonized N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor activities causing 16 and 14%, respectively, inhibition of NMDA-induced whole cell currents and partially blocked NMDA-induced Ca2+ influx, commonly regarded as the major trigger of neuronal death. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that the two compounds selectively inhibited the activities of calpain I and II activated following glutamate treatment and cerebral ischemia. In contrast, minocycline did not significantly inhibit calpain activity. Taken together, these results suggested that CTC and DMC provide neuroprotection through suppression of a rise in intracellular Ca2+ and inhibition of calpains.
Sound Propagation in Gas Mixtures

An earlier treatment of the propagation of sound in mixtures of two gases is generalized and simplified somewhat. The essential point of the theory is the consideration of the internal energy variations by the assignment of fictitious internal state temperatures which, in the simplest case assumed here, are taken to be constant for each of the component gases. The long wave-length velocity expression is directly interpretable as a Laplace formula for a gas of mean reciprocal mass and averaged specific heat. From a more general point of view the velocity of propagation of infinitesimal waves is always given by the Laplace result provided a frequency variation of specific heats be recognized. Explicit mention is made of the detailed effect of viscosity and the two conductivities. Experimental data support theory.