cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Selective Spectrum Analysis for Analog Measurements

This paper proposes selective spectrum analysis (SSA) technique that uses two multiplier/accumulators to estimate the spectrum. It requires much less area overhead than Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) and offers better performance in terms of area overhead, dynamic range, and accuracy than analog spectrum estimation techniques. As a result, SSA is a good output response analyzer (ORA) implementation for mixed-signal Built-In Self-Test (BIST). The SSA technique downconverts the device under test output at the interested frequency to dc by multiplication and filters out the undesired ac components through accumulation. But the ac components cannot be completely removed and introduce calculation errors. While these errors can be minimized by controlling the accumulation time, the rate of convergence is low such that long test time is required to achieve reasonable accuracy. An alternate approach is to choose integer multiple periods (IMPs) of the frequency under analysis to stop the accumulation. Performance of the SSA-based ORA is analyzed in a systematic way and it is shown that the proposed IMP circuits can further improve the efficiency of the ORA in terms of test time, area overhead, and measurement accuracy. Experimental results are presented for simulation as well as implementations of the SSA technique in field-programmable gate arrays and standard cell application specific integrated circuits.
THE AMBIGUITY AVERSION LITERATURE: A CRITICAL ASSESSMENT

We provide a critical assessment of the ambiguity aversion literature, which we characterize in terms of the view that Ellsberg choices are rational responses to ambiguity, to be explained by relaxing Savage’s Sure-Thing principle and adding an ambiguity-aversion postulate. First, admitting Ellsberg choices as rational leads to behaviour, such as sensitivity to irrelevant sunk cost, or aversion to information, which most economists would consider absurd or irrational. Second, we argue that the mathematical objects referred to as ‘‘beliefs’’ in the ambiguity aversion literature have little to do with how an economist or game theorist understands and uses the concept. This is because of the lack of a useful notion of updating. Third, the anomaly of the Ellsberg choices can be explained simply and without tampering with the foundations of choice theory. These choices can arise when decision makers form heuristics that serve them well in real-life situations where odds are manipulable, and misapply them to experimental settings.
Estimating LASSO Risk and Noise Level

We study the fundamental problems of variance and risk estimation in high dimensional statistical modeling. In particular, we consider the problem of learning a coefficient vector θ0 ∈ ℝp from noisy linear observations y = Xθ0 + w ∈ ℝn (p > n) and the popular estimation procedure of solving the l1-penalized least squares objective known as the LASSO or Basis Pursuit DeNoising (BPDN). In this context, we develop new estimators for the l2 estimation risk $\|\hat{\theta}-\theta_0\|_2$ and the variance of the noise when distributions of θ0 and w are unknown. These can be used to select the regularization parameter optimally. Our approach combines Stein's unbiased risk estimate [Ste81] and the recent results of [BM12a][BM12b] on the analysis of approximate message passing and the risk of LASSO. We establish high-dimensional consistency of our estimators for sequences of matrices X of increasing dimensions, with independent Gaussian entries. We establish validity for a broader class of Gaussian designs, conditional on a certain conjecture from statistical physics. To the best of our knowledge, this result is the first that provides an asymptotically consistent risk estimator for the LASSO solely based on data. In addition, we demonstrate through simulations that our variance estimation outperforms several existing methods in the literature.
Interrelationships between generalized Tikhonov regularization, generalized net analyte signal, and generalized least squares for desensitizing a multivariate calibration to interferences

Orthogonal pre-processing (orthogonal projection) of spectral data is a common approach to generate analyte-specific information for use in multivariate calibration. The goal of this pre-processing is to remove from each spectrum the respective sample interferent contributions (spectral interferences from overlap, scatter, noise, etc.). Two approaches to accomplish orthogonal pre-processing are net analyte signal (NAS) and generalized least squares (GLS). Developed in this paper is the mathematical relationship between NAS and GLS. It is also realized that orthogonal NAS pre-processing can remove too much analyte signal and that the degree of interferent correction can be regulated. Similar to GLS, the degree of correction is accomplished by using a regularization (tuning) parameter to form generalized NAS (GNAS). Also developed in this paper is an alternative to GNAS and GLS based on generalized Tikhonov regularization (GTR). The mathematical relationships between GTR, GNAS, and GLS are derived. A result is the ability to express the model vector as the sum of two contributions: the orthogonal NAS contribution and a non-NAS contribution from the interferent components. Thus, rather than the usual situation of sequentially pre-processing data by either GNAS or GLS followed by model building with the pre-processed data, the methods of GTR, GNAS, and GLS are expressed as direct computations of model vectors allowing concurrent pre-processing and model building to occur. Simultaneous pre-processing and model forming are shown to be natural to the GTR process. Two near-infrared spectroscopic data sets are studied to compare the theoretical relationships between GTR, GNAS, and GLS. One data set covers basic calibration, and the other data set is for calibration maintenance. Filter factor representation is key to developing the interprocess relationships. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
43.1: A Novel Multi‐level Memory in Pixel Technology for Ultra Low Power LTPS TFT‐LCD

A Novel multi-level memory in pixel technology is proposed for ultra low power TFT-LCD, which can realize the multi-color using the analog voltage grey-scale method. This technology is successfully implemented into the transflective 4 grey-scale (64 colors), 3.17 inch HVGA panel with low power of 300uW and high quality of image.
Estimation of leaf area index over agricultural areas from polarimetric SAR images

Leaf area index (LAI) is an important quantity governing the physical and biological processes of plant canopies. The conventional definition of LAI with respect to radiation interception is the total one-sided green leaf area per unit ground surface area. The interest in monitoring the global vegetation condition has stimulated the measurement of this parameter over various vegetation types. Historically, optical remote sensing instruments have been used to estimate LAI by deriving the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), which is the ratio of the difference and the sum of the near-infrared and red radiation. Because the active microwave remote sensing of vegetation is sensitive to the canopy water content and geometry has also been suggested as a potential technique for measuring LAI. The authors examine the relationship of the radar backscatter data and LAI for various agricultural crops through modeling and measurements. The JPL AIRSAR system aboard the NASA DC-8 aircraft has been used to collect data over an agricultural area in the region of Davis, California. The main crops in this area consist of wheat, alfalfa, sugarbeet, tomato, and corn. The vegetation structural parameters, LAI (with LAI-2000), wet and dry biomass, soil surface roughness, and soil moisture have been collected during the AIRSAR overpass. A discrete backscatter model for vegetation canopies based on the distorted Born approximation (DBA) has been used to show the relationship of the polarimetric backscattering coefficient with LAI at L-band and C-band. By using the parameters derived from the in situ measurements, the radar backscatter data have been simulated. The effect of the crop type in the backscatter data is generalized in order to develop a semi-empirical model to estimate the LAI from SAR images. >
Multicommodity max-flow min-cut theorems and their use in designing approximation algorithms

In this paper, we establish max-flow min-cut theorems for several important classes of multicommodity flow problems. In particular, we show that for any n-node multicommodity flow problem with uniform demands, the max-flow for the problem is within an O(log n) factor of the upper bound implied by the min-cut. The result (which is existentially optimal) establishes an important analogue of the famous 1-commodity max-flow min-cut theorem for problems with multiple commodities. The result also has substantial applications to the field of approximation algorithms. For example, we use the flow result to design the first polynomial-time (polylog n-times-optimal) approximation algorithms for well-known NP-hard optimization problems such as graph partitioning, min-cut linear arrangement, crossing number, VLSI layout, and minimum feedback arc set. Applications of the flow results to path routing problems, network reconfiguration, communication in distributed networks, scientific computing and rapidly mixing Markov chains are also described in the paper. Categories and Subject Descriptors: F.2.2 (Analysis of Algorithms and Problem Complexity):
Isolation of protoplasts from the placental cells of Lycopersicum pimpinellifolium Mill

Living protoplasts were isolated from the interplacental regions of Lycopersicum pimpinellifolium berries by the removal of the walls from cells in tissue slices treated for 1–2 h with 10 % pectinase in 0.5 M sucrose solution. Protoplasts thus isolated, then washed and transferred to microculture chambers for observation were invariably spherical. Each protoplast contains a nucleus, a number of chloroplasts of variable shape and a vacuole with smaller vacuoles contained therein. Phase contrast optics reveal cytoplasmic granules, the size of mitochondria, which serve to indicate such dynamic processes as cyclosis. Treatment with ox bile salt and sodium lauryl sulphate cause rapid disruption of the protoplasts producing subprotoplasts and isolated tonoplasts and serves to confirm the absence of rigid cell walls.
Absence of Prostatic Growth in Large Cohort of Adult Female Patients with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

Purpose: In girls with congenital adrenal hyperplasia the degree to which excess androgen exposure leads to the development of prostatic tissue is largely uncharacterized, except in rare case reports of prostatic growth and adenocarcinoma. Such growth yields concern for future malignant degeneration.Materials and Methods: Chart review identified 43 adult women with congenital adrenal hyperplasia who had been longitudinally followed from birth, of whom 11 were available for history and physical examination, laboratory testing for androgen metabolites, and pelvic magnetic resonance imaging.Results: Periurethral thickening was noted on digital rectal examination in 1 patient with increased 17-hydroxyprogesterone and tissue analogous to prostatic tissue was impalpable in the remaining 10. Prostate specific antigen was 0.2 ng/ml in another patient with notably increased testosterone, androstenedione, dihydrotestosterone and 17-hydroxyprogesterone, and was less than 0.1 ng/ml in the remaining patients. Magnetic...
An Integrated Health Protection/Promotion Program Supporting Participatory Ergonomics and Salutogenic Approaches in the Design of Workplace Interventions

Since its founding in 2006, the Center for the Promotion of Health in the New England Workplace (CPH-NEW) has conducted evidence-based field research to determine how organizations can establish sustainable programs for planning and implementing integrated health promotion and health protection interventions with high levels of employee engagement. Salutogenic strengths of CPH-NEW’s recommended programmatic approach are highlighted in this chapter, including how a small group of front-line employees work as a team to identify and prioritize health/safety issues/concerns, use participatory ergonomics to design and plan workplace interventions, and collaborate with management during intervention implementation and evaluation. A structured toolkit-based approach for designing workplace interventions is described in some detail to show how salutogenic principles and approaches can be systematically incorporated during intervention planning as part of a continuous salutogenic change process for healthy organizations. Research challenges associated with evaluating program effectiveness and sustainability are also discussed.
Frequency Selective Hybrid Precoding for Limited Feedback Millimeter Wave Systems

Hybrid analog/digital precoding offers a compromise between hardware complexity and system performance in millimeter wave (mmWave) systems. This type of precoding allows mmWave systems to leverage large antenna array gains that are necessary for sufficient link margin, while permitting low cost and power consumption hardware. Most prior work has focused on hybrid precoding for narrow-band mmWave systems, with perfect or estimated channel knowledge at the transmitter. MmWave systems, however, will likely operate on wideband channels with frequency selectivity. Therefore, this paper considers wideband mmWave systems with a limited feedback channel between the transmitter and receiver. First, the optimal hybrid precoding design for a given RF codebook is derived. This provides a benchmark for any other heuristic algorithm and gives useful insights into codebook designs. Second, efficient hybrid analog/digital codebooks are developed for spatial multiplexing in wideband mmWave systems. Finally, a low-complexity yet near-optimal greedy frequency selective hybrid precoding algorithm is proposed based on Gram–Schmidt orthogonalization. Simulation results show that the developed hybrid codebooks and precoder designs achieve very-good performance compared with the unconstrained solutions while requiring much less complexity.
Managing service quality in high customer contact B2B services across domestic and international markets

Abstract This research aims to examine the nature of the moderating influence of empowerment on the effect of service training and internal marketing on service quality in a high customer contact B2B setting, and to investigate the differential effects of internal marketing, service training, and empowerment on service quality across domestic and international operations. Data from 880 customer-contact employees show several direct and interaction effects. Our analysis shows that the three focal variables, internal marketing, service training and empowerment positively relate to service quality. Our results support a positive moderating influence of empowerment on the relationship between internal marketing and service quality, and between service training and service quality. Finally, our hypotheses for the moderating influence of type of service operations (domestic/international) on the effect of internal marketing and service training on service quality were also supported. Our results suggest that offering service employees the skills, ability and power to do their job is essential in both domestic and international operations, and also helps maximize the effects of a firm's internal marketing efforts and service training. Overall, the findings inform managers as to how their employee focused strategies for service quality can be managed effectively across domestic and international markets.
Measure Guideline: Wall Air Sealing and Insulation Methods in Existing Homes An Overview of Opportunity and Process

This guide provides renovators and retrofit contractors an overview of considerations when including wall air sealing and insulation in an energy retrofit project. It also outlines the potential project risks, various materials for insulating, possible field inspections needed, installation procedures, as well as the benefits and drawbacks. The purpose of this document is to provide the outline of the overview and process of insulating and air sealing walls so that home retrofit professionals can identify approaches to air sealing and insulation measures.
Grasshoppers: Effect of CO2 Anesthesia12

Carbon dioxide is a useful anesthetic for immobilizing insects in the laboratory, but several studies have demonstrated effects beyond anesthesia. It was found to enhance the activity of some fumigants (AliNiazee and Lindgren 1969). Also, 20 min of exposure to CO2 anesthesia was found to have significant deleterious effects on some subsequent biological activities of adult codling moths, Laspeyresia pomonella (L.) (White et al. 1970), as did 30 min of exposure (but not 15 min) on adult Mediterranean fruit flies, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Hooper 1970). Therefore, several tests were conducted with grasshoppers at the Bozeman laboratory to determine any possible interaction between CO2 anesthesia and malathion and the effect of CO2 anesthesia on growth and development. Malathion is currently used as the check in screening new insecticides at this laboratory.
The influence of the type of crop residue on soil organic carbon fractions: An 11-year field study of rice-based cropping systems in southeast China

Abstract Retaining crop residue is an important agronomic practice in sustainable agriculture, particularly to maintain soil organic carbon (SOC). To evaluate the effect of the retention of different types of crop residues on SOC and labile fractions, a long-term rice-based crop rotation experiment was established with five different winter cropping practices: (1) rice-fallow (RF), (2) rice–wheat (RW), (3) rice–potato with rice straw mulch (RP), (4) rice–green manure (Chinese milk vetch; RG), and (5) rice–oilseed rape (RO). The results showed that the annual rice yields in the RP, RO, RG, and RW treatments were not significantly different from each other, but 13.3%, 10.2%, 10.3%, and 8.4% higher, respectively, than in the RF treatment. Furthermore, the soil properties in the RP system improved significantly compared with those at the initiation of the study, with increases of 14.7% in total N, 17.5% in total P, 77.2% in available K, and 13.9% in SOC content. Considering the slight rice yield increase and superiority in the annual net income, the RP treatment seems to be a promising rotation system to meet the sustainability requirements for the agro-ecosystem. The responses of the labile SOC fractions (i.e., microbial biomass C (MBC), dissolved organic C (DOC), hot-water extractable C (HWC), permanganate-oxidizable C (KMnO4-C), and particulate organic C in the 0–20 cm layer) to the crop rotation systems with the retention of different crop residues over the period of 11 years were specific to the types of the rotation system and closely related to the soil fertility properties. The RP treatment had comparatively higher content of DOC, HWC, MBC, and KMnO4-C than the other treatments in both 0–10 cm and 10–20 cm depths. The RW treatment had higher KMnO4-C content but lower MBC and POC content than the other treatments. The RO treatment had lower MBC content compared to the other treatments, while the opposite results were found in the RG treatment. Furthermore, the DOC content was improved by the winter crop growth. The changes in labile SOC might be attributable to the types of residues retained.
Trajectories of Lower Extremity Physical Performance: Effects on Fractures and Mortality in Older Women

Background Prior studies have only considered one measurement of physical performance in its relationship to fractures and mortality. A single measurement is susceptible to large within-person changes over time, and thus, may not capture the true association between physical performance and the outcomes of interest. Methods Using data from the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures, we followed 7,015 women enrolled prior to age 80 years who had outcome information beyond this age. Trajectories of walking speed (m/s) and chair stand speed (stands/s) were estimated up to the last visit prior to age 80 years using mixed-effects linear regression. Physical performance at age 80 (PF_age80) was assessed at the last visit prior to age 80 years. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using Cox proportional hazards regression and multivariate models adjusted for all other covariates. Results Greatest walking speed decline and chair stand speed decline were both associated with higher risk of hip fracture (HR: 1.28; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.58 and HR: 1.26; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.54, respectively), but not nonspine fractures. Greatest walking speed decline and chair stand speed decline were both associated with a significant 29% (95% CI: 17-42%) and 27% (95% CI: 15-39%) increased risk of mortality, respectively. Conclusions Greatest declines in walking speed and chair stand speed were both associated with an increased risk of hip fracture and mortality independent of PF_age80 and other important confounders. Both physical performance change and the single physical performance measurement should be considered in the etiology of hip fracture and mortality.
Housing Disinvestment and Crime in a Phoenix Suburb: Exploring the Differential Effects of Investors and Owner-Occupants:

External investment in neighborhoods can inhibit crime. However, during the housing crisis, many investors were foreclosed upon, triggering large-scale community disinvestment. Yet the impact of th...
Saints of the Indus: The Rise of Islam in South Asia's Borderlands

This paper summarises an argument I make at much greater length in the forthcoming fourth volume of my book Al-Hind: The Making of the Indo-Islamic World. For more detail and extensive footnotes and references I refer to the longer version. The aim of this summary is to provide an outline of a new account of the rise of Islam in Sindh and more broadly the Indus borderlands — the latter comprise Sindh, Baluchistan, the Afghan tribal areas and the Kabul wilayat, Kafiristan (the later Nuristan), the western Panjab, and, to the east and south of the northernmost curve of the Indus river, the Kashmir valley and its surrounding mountain zone. With the exception of about half of the Afghan tribal lands which are part of Afghanistan and the valley of Kashmir which is part of India today, this area is broadly coterminous with Pakistan minus Lahore.
On the Reform Orientation of Public Sport Services in China from the Public Value Perspective

In this paper,we conducted in-depth discussion on the reform orientation of public sport services in China using documents,logical analysis and other methods.The study aims to effectively integrate the latest theories on public administration–theories on public value management with the reform of public sport services in China so as to seek theoretical and practical support for the reform orientation.On the basis of making comments on the connotation of public value and its theoretical proposition,we analyzed the cruxes to the absence of public values in the three aspects of public sports service process,service results,trust and legitimacy.Based on the initiatives of the Western countries in response to the"legalization crisis"in public services,we put forward the suggestions on reform of public sport services in China from the four directions of value orientation,administrative system,performance assessment and network platform.The research value lies in guiding the social community to form a correct understanding of the democratic and public nature,efficiency,trust and legitimacy of pubic sport services so as to promote sustainable development of public sport services.
Neuropsychological Function in Mild Sleep-Disordered Breathing

Although a broad range of neuropsychological deficits has been reported in patients with severe sleep disordered breathing (SDB), little is known about the impact of mild SDB on neuropsychological performance. In this study, we compared neuropsychological test performance in two groups of carefully screened volunteers who differed clearly according to the respiratory disturbance index (RDI). Controls (n = 20) were identified on the basis of an RDI < 5; cases (n = 32) had an RDI in the range of 10-30. Cases and controls were well matched with regard to IQ, age, and sex. Cases had significantly more self-reported snorting and apneas and a higher body mass index than controls but did not differ according to sleepiness as measured by either the multiple sleep latency test or the Epworth sleepiness scale. An extensive battery of neuropsychological and performance tests was administered after an overnight sleep study. Cases performed significantly more poorly on a visual vigilance task (perceptual sensitivity, d': 2.24 +/- 0.64 vs. 2.70 +/- 0.53, p = 0.01, for cases and controls, respectively) and a test of working memory, the Wechsler adult intelligence scale-revised digits backwards test (6.12 +/- 2.20 vs. 7.55 +/- 2.22, p = 0.02), than controls. The groups did not differ in their performance on other tests of memory, information processing, and executive functioning. In summary, subjects with mild SDB may manifest a vigilance deficit in the absence of substantial sleepiness. Subjects with a mildly elevated RDI (10-30) without sleepiness do not appear to suffer appreciable deficits in more complex neuropsychological processes (e.g. executive functions).
Protein resistance efficacy of PEO-silane amphiphiles: Dependence on PEO-segment length and concentration.

Abstract In contrast to modification with conventional PEO-silanes (i.e. no siloxane tether), silicones with dramatically enhanced protein resistance have been previously achieved via bulk-modification with poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-silane amphiphiles α-(EtO) 3 Si(CH 2 ) 2 -oligodimethylsiloxane 13 - block -PEO n -OCH 3 when n = 8 and 16 but not when n = 3. In this work, their efficacy was evaluated in terms of optimal PEO-segment length and minimum concentration required in silicone. For each PEO-silane amphiphile ( n = 3, 8, and 16), five concentrations (5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 μmol per 1 g silicone) were evaluated. Efficacy was quantified in terms of the modified silicones’ abilities to undergo rapid, water-driven surface restructuring to form hydrophilic surfaces as well as resistance to fibrinogen adsorption. Only n = 8 and 16 were effective, with a lower minimum concentration in silicone required for n = 8 (10 μmol per 1 g silicone) versus n = 16 (25 μmol per 1 g silicone). Statement of Significance Silicone is commonly used for implantable medical devices, but its hydrophobic surface promotes protein adsorption which leads to thrombosis and infection. Typical methods to incorporate poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) into silicones have not been effective due to the poor migration of PEO to the surface-biological interface. In this work, PEO-silane amphiphiles – comprised of a siloxane tether ( m = 13) and variable PEO segment lengths ( n = 3, 8, 16) – were blended into silicone to improve its protein resistance. The efficacy of the amphiphiles was determined to be dependent on PEO length. With the intermediate PEO length ( n = 8), water-driven surface restructuring and resulting protein resistance was achieved with a concentration of only 1.7 wt%.
Evaluating the efficacy of distributed detention structures to reduce downstream flooding under variable rainfall, antecedent soil, and structural storage conditions

Abstract This research systematically analyzed the influence of antecedent soil wetness, rainfall depth, and the subsequent impact on peak flows in a 45 km 2 watershed. Peak flows increased with increasing antecedent wetness and rainfall depth, with the highest peak flows occurring under intense precipitation on wet soils. Flood mitigation structures were included and investigated under full and empty initial storage conditions. Peak flows were reduced at the outlet of the watershed by 3–17%. The highest peak flow reductions occurred in scenarios with dry soil, empty project storage, and low rainfall depths. These analyses showed that with increased rainfall depth, antecedent moisture conditions became increasingly less impactful. Scaling invariance of peak discharges were shown to hold true within this basin and were fit through ordinary least squares regression for each design scenario. Scale-invariance relationships were extrapolated beyond the outlet of the analyzed basin to the point of intersection of with and without structure scenarios. In each scenario extrapolated peak discharge benefits depreciated at a drainage area of approximately 100 km 2 . The associated drainage area translated to roughly 2 km downstream of the Beaver Creek watershed outlet. This work provides an example of internal watershed benefits of structural flood mitigation efforts, and the impact the may exert outside of the basin. Additionally, the influence of $1.8 million in flood reduction tools was not sufficient to routinely address downstream flood concerns, shedding light on the additional investment required to alter peak flows in large basins.
Using Fluorescence-Activated Flow Cytometry to Determine Reactive Oxygen Species Formation and Membrane Lipid Peroxidation in Viable Boar Spermatozoa

Fluorescence-activated flow cytometry analyses were developed for determination of reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and membrane lipid peroxidation in live spermatozoa loaded with, respectively, hydroethidine (HE) or the lipophilic probe 4,4-difluoro-5-(4-phenyl-1,3-butadienyl)-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene-3-undecanoic acid, C(11)BODIPY(581/591) (BODIPY). ROS was detected by red fluorescence emission from oxidization of HE and membrane lipid peroxidation was detected by green fluorescence emission from oxidation of BODIPY in individual live sperm. Of the reactive oxygen species generators tested, BODIPY oxidation was specific for FeSo4/ascorbate (FeAc), because menadione and H(2)O(2) had little or no effect. The oxidization of hydroethidine to ethidium was specific for menadione and H(2)O(2); FeAc had no effect. The incidence of basal or spontaneous ROS formation and membrane lipid peroxidation were low in boar sperm (<1% of live sperm) in fresh semen or after low temperature storage; however the sperm were quite susceptible to treatment-induced ROS formation and membrane lipid peroxidation.
The measurand: The problem of frequency

The conceptual entity that metrologists term the measurand is a model selected to represent the physical entity being measured. In a world of digital measurements, it should be defined first mathematically, and only then put into words. Human linguistic processes lack the precision required when all we do is use labels. In this paper, reactive power and frequency are used as examples. The act of measurement finds the values of the coefficients of the model. In other words, it solves an equation. In a digital instrument, information about the quality of the fit between the physical entity being measured and the conceptual model is often available. In essence the instrument can comment on the selection of the model. This comment should be reported as part of the statement of the result of the measurement, along with the declared value and the uncertainty.
A comprehensive analysis of brachytherapy clinical trials over the past 15 years.

Abstract Purpose Clinical trials (CTs) involving brachytherapy (BT) are crucial in establishing the role of BT in the evolving landscape of cancer treatment. An analysis of BT trials is warranted to understand the factors driving their success and the future direction of the field. Methods and Materials We queried the clinicaltrials.gov website using the search terms: Radiation Therapy, Brachytherapy, and associated terms. This yielded 10,417 CTs between 2000 and 2015. Trials not using BT were excluded; yielding 319 CTs. Characteristics of individual CTs were obtained. Least squared linear regression, χ2 analysis, and logistic regression were used to evaluate trial characteristics. Results The majority of the CTs were phase II (37%), involving interstitial BT (45%), and treating the prostate (36%). Nongovernmental institutions (NGIs) have funded the greatest number of CTs. New CTs involving radiotherapy of all types showed increase over time (p Conclusions Trials examining radiotherapy have increased, whereas trials incorporating BT have remained unchanged. Collaboration between industry and NGIs was associated with a greater likelihood for successful trial completion. The role of BT can be better realized with greater incorporation into CTs.
“A plague of wild boars”: A New History of Pigs and People in Late 20th Century Europe

This paper looks at an ungulate irruption of wild boars that occurred in the German Democratic Republic (GDR) in the 1970s and 1980s. It argues that this hybrid phenomenon resulted from the confluence of three historically specific, intertwined factors in late 20th century Europe: first, East Germany's embrace of development ideology to remake their farms and forests; second, the simultaneous introduction of a specifically East German conservation program; and third, a new era in the longue duree of human–pig relationships. This ungulate irruption was particular to the GDR and the central European landscape of the Cold War, and only becomes visible through careful attention to the historical context and the materiality of pigs (Sus scrofa). For this reason it is possible to call these pigs new creatures of development. More broadly this paper asks both historians and social scientists to account for the temporal and spatial context when analyzing hybrid phenomena, while also raising important questions about the meaning and application of the neologism Anthropocene.
Time-varying SMART design and data analysis methods for evaluating adaptive intervention effects.

In a standard two-stage SMART design, the intermediate response to the first-stage intervention is measured at a fixed time point for all participants. Subsequently, responders and non-responders are re-randomized and the final outcome of interest is measured at the end of the study. To reduce the side effects and costs associated with first-stage interventions in a SMART design, we proposed a novel time-varying SMART design in which individuals are re-randomized to the second-stage interventions as soon as a pre-fixed intermediate response is observed. With this strategy, the duration of the first-stage intervention will vary. We developed a time-varying mixed effects model and a joint model that allows for modeling the outcomes of interest (intermediate and final) and the random durations of the first-stage interventions simultaneously. The joint model borrows strength from the survival sub-model in which the duration of the first-stage intervention (i.e., time to response to the first-stage intervention) is modeled. We performed a simulation study to evaluate the statistical properties of these models. Our simulation results showed that the two modeling approaches were both able to provide good estimations of the means of the final outcomes of all the embedded interventions in a SMART. However, the joint modeling approach was more accurate for estimating the coefficients of first-stage interventions and time of the intervention. We conclude that the joint modeling approach provides more accurate parameter estimates and a higher estimated coverage probability than the single time-varying mixed effects model, and we recommend the joint model for analyzing data generated from time-varying SMART designs. In addition, we showed that the proposed time-varying SMART design is cost-efficient and equally effective in selecting the optimal embedded adaptive intervention as the standard SMART design.
FB-OFDM: A novel multicarrier scheme for 5G

In this paper, a novel multicarrier waveform called filter bank OFDM (FB-OFDM) is proposed for use in 5G. FB-OFDM adopts complex modulation and filtering on subcarrier level. It is compatible to CP-OFDM utilized by LTE and its transceiver can be implemented by simple polyphase filter. Moreover, FB-OFDM system can support asynchrony between subcarriers and choose pulse function adaptively under different scenarios. A pulse function that has good locality in both time and frequency domain is also constructed based on root raised cosine function. Simulation results are provided to validate the performance of FB-OFDM and the proposed pulse function.
The Slain Wood: Papermaking and Its Environmental Consequences in the American South

The Slain Wood: Papermaking and Its Environmental Consequences in the American South. William Boyd. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2015. xvii and 350 pp., maps, diagrams, notes, ess...
Recent advances in the science and engineering of organic light-emitting diodes(Conference Presentation)

In this talk, we will discuss recent advances in the science and engineering of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). First, we will focus on materials in which light emission involves the process of thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF). In these materials, triplet excited states can convert into optically emissive singlet excited states by reverse intersystem crossing, allowing for nearly 100% internal quantum efficiency. This process can be used to design a new class of materials that are all organic, offering a lower cost alternative to conventional electrophosphorescent materials that contain heavy and expensive elements such as Pt and Ir. We will discuss molecular design strategies and present examples of materials that can be used as emitters or hosts in the emissive layer. In a second part of this talk, we will review recent progress in fabricating OLEDs on shape memory polymer substrates (SMPs). SMPs are mechanically active, smart materials that can exhibit a significant drop in modulus once an external stimulus such as temperature is applied. In their rubbery state upon heating, the SMP can be easily deformed by external stresses into a temporary geometric configuration that can be retained even after the stress is removed by cooling the SMP to below the glass transition temperature. Reheating the SMP causes strain relaxation within the polymer network and induces recovery of its original shape. We will discuss how these unique mechanical properties can also be extended to a new class of OLEDs.
Negotiating identities and communities: Unheard voices of Korean immigrant parents and young children

This study examines social narratives of Korean immigrant families with their young children focusing on how Korean immigrant families describe themselves based on their ethnic community experiences. This study helps uncover their dynamic identities as a Korean, which cannot be bound by a single level of racial identity development. The findings indicate that the parents repeatedly expressed strong resistance against certain stereotypes attributed to their ethnic group, problematizing such stereotypes and critically consciously setting themselves apart, different from the label of “Typical Korean,” whereas the children showed a firm and positive perspective toward their ethnic and sociocultural identity as either Korean or Korean American. Findings suggest that immigrant parents may pay more careful attention building strong and healthy communities where children can develop a positive sense of identity. This study also sheds light on diverse aspects that have not yet been emphasized in the research on ho...
Dual-polarization airborne lidar for freshwater fisheries management and research

The design of a compact, dual-polarization, nonscanning lidar system intended to fly in a small, single-engine aircraft for airborne study of freshwater marine ecosystems and mapping of fish schools in mountain lakes is discussed. Design trade-offs are presented with special attention paid to selecting the field of view and telescope aperture diameter. Example results and a comparison with a similar existing lidar system are presented.
Transitioning from intravenous to subcutaneous insulin in the medical intensive care unit.

Abstract Background There is a paucity of studies on transitions from IV insulin infusion (IVII) to subcutaneous (SC) insulin in the medical ICU (MICU). Methods We conducted a retrospective study of patients admitted to the Cleveland Clinic MICU from June 2013 to January 2014 who received IVII. We compared blood glucose (BG) control between 3 cohorts based on timing of basal insulin dose: (1) NB (no basal), (2) IB (incorrect basal), (3) CB (correct basal) at 5 time points post-IVII discontinuation (1, 4, 8, 12, and 24 h). Insulin doses used for transitioning were compared with 80% of estimated 24 h IVII total. Analysis was done using chi-square, ANOVA and t-tests. Results There were 269 patients (NB 166, IB 45, CB 58), 55% male with a mean age 58 ± 16 years. 103 patients (38%) had a transition attempted (IB 21%, CB 17%). The NB cohort had better BG than the IB cohort at all time points (p 180 mg/dL at 4/5 time intervals. However, the dose of basal insulin used was less than 80% of estimated 24 h IVII total (IB 21.4 vs 49.6U, CB 25 vs 57.1U). Despite this, 15% of patients in the IB cohort and 24% of patients in the CB had hypoglycemic events. Conclusion The low rates of IV to SC insulin transitions raises the question of challenges to transitions.
Significant burden of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease with advanced fibrosis in the US: a cross-sectional analysis of 2011-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

SummaryBackground Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a leading cause of chronic liver disease in the US. Understanding the epidemiology of NAFLD, with specific focus on individuals with hepatic fibrosis is important to guide healthcare resource planning. Aim To evaluate prevalence and predictors of hepatic fibrosis among US adults with NAFLD. Methods We performed a cross-sectional study using data from the updated 2011-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a national, stratified, multistage sampling survey of non-institutionalised US adults age ≥ 20. METAVIR F2 or greater fibrosis among individuals with NAFLD was assessed using AST to Platelet Ratio Index (APRI) score > 0.7. METAVIR F3 or greater fibrosis was assessed using NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS) > 0.676 and FIB-4 score > 3.25. Multivariate logistic regression models evaluated for predictors of fibrosis among individuals with NAFLD. Results Overall prevalence of NAFLD among US adults was 21.9% (95% CI 20.6-23.3), representing 51.6 million adults. Among individuals with NAFLD, we observed a 23.8% prevalence of ≥F2 fibrosis, representing 12.2 million individuals, and we observed a 2.3%-9.7% prevalence of ≥F3 fibrosis, representing as many as 5.0 million adults. On multivariate regression analyses, increasing age, obesity and concurrent diabetes mellitus were associated with increased risk of ≥F3 fibrosis. Conclusions NAFLD represents a major healthcare burden among US adults with as many as 5 million adults estimated to have NAFLD with ≥F3 fibrosis. Age and the components of the metabolic syndrome are independently associated with higher risk of fibrosis.
Evidence of an Improper Displacive Phase Transition in Cd 2 Re 2 O 7 via Time-Resolved Coherent Phonon Spectroscopy

We have used a combination of ultrafast coherent phonon spectroscopy, ultrafast thermometry, and time-dependent Landau theory to study the inversion symmetry breaking phase transition at T_c=200 K in the strongly spin-orbit coupled correlated metal Cd_2Re_2O_7. We establish that the structural distortion at T_c is a secondary effect through the absence of any softening of its associated phonon mode, which supports a purely electronically driven mechanism. However, the phonon lifetime exhibits an anomalously strong temperature dependence that decreases linearly to zero near T_c. We show that this behavior naturally explains the spurious appearance of phonon softening in previous Raman spectroscopy experiments and should be a prevalent feature of correlated electron systems with linearly coupled order parameters.
Evaluating Approaches to Measuring Ocular Pain in Bovine Calves with Corneal Scarification and IBK-Associated Corneal Ulcerations

The objective of this experiment was to describe the magnitude and variation of measures of ocular pain in cattle experiencing corneal scarification and corneal ulcerations associated with experimentally induced IBK. In our study, pressure algometry may be appropriate to quantify ocular pain in calves. This information will enable appropriate design of studies for assessing the extent of ocular pain associated with ophthalmic abnormalities in cattle and efficacy of pain mitigation strategies.
Management of complications from 820 temporal bone fractures.

Objective: To review the incidence of complications resulting from temporal bone fractures and analyze the outcomes from surgical and nonsurgical management. Study Design: A retrospective review of 699 patients with 820 temporal bone fractures occurring over a 5-year period. Setting: A single level I trauma center. Patients: All patients with clinical or radiologic evidence of a temporal bone fracture. Results: A total of 820 fractured temporal bones resulted in 58 facial nerve injuries, 122 CSF fistulae, and 15 cases of meningitis. The two most important prognostic factors in recovery of facial paralysis were severity and delay of onset. All patients with incomplete paralysis recovered. All but one of the delayed onset palsies had good recovery of function. A total of 40% of patients with immediate onset complete paralysis had poor recovery of function. Ninety-five of the 122 CSF fistulae closed spontaneously within 1 week. CSF fistulae persisting for >7 days had a significantly increased risk of developing meningitis (23%) compared with patients whose fistulae closed within 7 days (3%) (p = 0.001). Another important risk factor for the development of meningitis was concurrent infection. Conclusions: Facial function following temporal bone fractures should be evaluated in the emergency room. If facial motion is noted at any time after the injury, surgical intervention is rarely indicated. Prophylactic antibiotics should be considered in temporal bone fractures when CSF fistulae are present. Surgical closure of a CSF fistula is indicated if it persists for >7-10 days.
Do Vaccines Cause Serum Sickness

Vaccines currently routinely recommended to the general population in the U.S. have not been shown to cause serum sickness.
Impact of Enforcement on Healthcare Billing Fraud: Evidence from the United States

Each state’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) prosecutes billing fraud cases against individual healthcare providers who fraudulently bill Medicaid for services provided. Once an individual is convicted of billing fraud, the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services may exclude the individual from billing any federal government healthcare program, including Medicaid. Excluded individuals are added to a public list of exclusions, which restricts their ability to practice professionally. Prompted by criminology research into the impact of policing resources, we test whether these government enforcement initiatives against fraud serve as a deterrent to would-be fraudulent billers. We document that key enforcement proxies, the staffing level and budget of an MFCU, are positively associated with the yearly number of exclusions added at the state level. Our results are consistent with the exclusion list not being a deterrent but provide support for MFCUs’ fraud detection efforts. This paper provides industry-specific fraud insights for auditors and other individuals involved in public policy, specifically Medicaid, and introduces a novel dataset to the accounting fraud research literature.