bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mechanistic Study of Classical Translocation-Dead SpoIIIE36 Reveals the Functional Importance of the Hinge within the SpoIIIE Motor
Authors: Besprozvannaya Marina , Pivorunas Valerie L. , Burton Briana M.
Published: April 2014

SpoIIIE/FtsK ATPases are central players in bacterial chromosome segregation. It remains unclear how these DNA translocases harness chemical energy (ATP turnover) to perform mechanical work (DNA movement).
Bacillus subtilis
sporulation provides a dramatic example of intercompartmental DNA transport, in which SpoIIIE moves 70% of the chromosome across the division plane. To understand the mechanistic requirements for DNA translocation, we investigated the DNA translocation defect of a classical nontranslocating allele,
spoIIIE36
. We found that the translocation phenotype is caused by a single substitution, a change of valine to methionine at position 429 (V429M), within the motor of SpoIIIE. This substitution is located at the base of a hinge between the RecA-like β domain and the α domain, which is a domain unique to the SpoIIIE/FtsK family and currently has no known function. V429M interferes with both protein-DNA interactions and oligomer assembly. These mechanistic defects disrupt coordination between ATP turnover and DNA interaction, effectively uncoupling ATP hydrolysis from DNA movement. Our data provide the first functional evidence for the importance of the hinge in DNA translocation.
Amyand's hernia with a periappendicular abscess
Authors: Oremule Babatunde , Ashrafi Mohammed Hayat
Published: April 2014

We present a rare case of a perforated vermiform appendix presenting as a strangulated inguinal hernia. An 89-year-old man presented to the surgical assessment unit with a 1-week history of progressively worsening abdominal pain, fever and a tender mass in the right iliac fossa. A diagnosis of strangulated inguinal hernia was made. Intraoperatively, a perforated appendix and a pus-filled sac were found. An appendicectomy and a Bassini repair of the hernia were performed with a satisfactory postoperative outcome. In the majority of cases Amyand's hernia is an intraoperative finding and its management depends on the extent of appediceal disease. In cases of perforated appendix with periappendiceal abscess within the hernial sac, an appedicectomy with Bassini's repair is recommended.
An inability to learn to read caused by shaken baby syndrome
Authors: Bevilacqua Leonardo , Kuczynski Adam , James-Galton Merle , Leff Alex P
Published: April 2014

We report a 12-year-old boy who suffered from shaken baby syndrome at the age of 4 months and has been unable to learn to read even high-frequency, three-letter words, despite slow but accurate letter naming. He had a right homonymous hemianopia and evidence of impaired higher visual function, but not at a severe enough level to account for his inability to read. Speech production and reception of language were impaired for his age but at least of an order of magnitude better than his reading performance. MRI scanning revealed focal damage to the dorsal and ventral reading pathways. This case challenges the Kennard principle, a widely accepted assumption which claims that the earlier a brain injury occurs, the better the recovery. It also adds to the growing literature suggesting that early damage to multiple parts of the language learning network can result in relatively selective impairments later in life.
Escherichia colipositive infratentorial subdural empyema secondary to mastoiditis and underlying cholesteatoma
Authors: Mirza Omar , Varadarajan Vinay , Youshani Amir Saam , Willatt David J
Published: April 2014

Infratentorial subdural empyema is a neurosurgical emergency that is associated with an alarmingly high morbidity and mortality if appropriate management is delayed. It is an important differential to consider when confronted with a patient with a reduced Glasgow Coma Scale, focal neurology and symptoms of raised intracranial pressure in the presence of a head and neck infection. It is also important that the primary team managing these patients is aware of the many pathogens that may be involved, includingEscherichia coli.Early recognition, prompt diagnosis, timely involvement of the appropriate multidisciplinary teams, including neurosurgery, otorhinolaryngology, radiology and microbiology should be sought, and urgent intervention are imperative in avoiding a fatal outcome. This article presents a case ofE coli-positive infratentorial subdural empyema secondary to mastoiditis due to underlying cholesteatoma, and a review of the pertinent literature.
The art of being healthy: a qualitative study to develop a thematic framework for understanding the relationship between health and the arts
Authors: Davies Christina R , Knuiman Matthew , Wright Peter , Rosenberg Michael
Published: April 2014

Objective

In recent years the health–arts nexus has received increasing attention; however, the relationship is not well understood and the extent of possible positive, negative and unintended outcomes is unknown. Guided by the biopsychosocial model of health and theories of social epidemiology, the aim of this study was to develop a framework pertaining to the relationship between arts engagement and population health that included outcomes, confounders and effect modifiers. A health–arts framework is of value to researchers seeking to build the evidence base; health professionals interested in understanding the health–arts relationship, especially those who use social prescribing for health promotion or to complement treatments; in teaching medical, nursing and health-science students about arts outcomes, as well as artists and health professionals in the development of policy and programmes.

Design

A qualitative study was conducted. Semistructured interviews were analysed thematically.

Setting

Western Australia.

Participants

33 Western Australian adults (18+ years). Participants were randomly selected from a pool of general population nominees who engaged in the arts for enjoyment, entertainment or as a hobby (response rate=100%).

Results

A thematic analysis was conducted using QSR-NVivo10. The resulting framework contained seven outcome themes and 63 subthemes. Three themes specifically related to health, that is, mental, social and physical health, while economic, knowledge, art and identity outcomes were classified as health determinants. Within each theme, positive, negative and unintended outcomes (subthemes) were identified and categorised as relating to the individual and/or to the community. A list of confounding and/or effect modifying factors, related to both the arts and health, was identified.

Conclusions

Given the increasing pressure on health resources, the arts have the potential to assist in the promotion of health and healing. This framework expands on current knowledge, further defines the health–arts relationship and is a step towards the conceptualisation of a causal health–arts model.
Weight a minute - iatrogenic paracetamol toxicity is preventable by utilisation of well-designed drug charts
Authors: Khan Amad , Flavin Kathryn , Tsang Jason
Published: April 2014

Iatrogenic Paracetamol toxicity is a potentially life-threatening yet avoidable cause of acute liver failure. Unfortunately, several cases have recently been reported nationally (1,2). The impetus behind our project was a recent case of iatrogenic Paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity within our trust, a London-based District General Hospital. According to the British National Formulary, for adults weighing 10-50kg the intravenous (IV) dose is 15mg/kg every 4-6hours (max. 60mg/kg daily), not the usual 1 gram QDS oral dose which is applied irrespective of weight (3). We audited 100 adult patients in April 2013 and re-audited in July 2013. Both of the randomly selected samples consisted of an equal number of surgical and medical patients, with an equal gender ratio. Data of interest included whether patients were on IV Paracetamol, appropriately dosed; if and when patients had been weighed during admission; and whether the WHO pain ladder of analgesia was followed. Identified shortcomings included patient weight on admission not being recorded, and IV Paracetamol dose adjustment not being made in patients <50kg. 3 months were spent raising awareness of the importance to record patient weights and to dose-adjust IV Paracetamol when indicated. Patients weighed on admission improved from 37% to 68% (p<0.0001) and those on the inappropriate dose of Paracetamol fell from 18 (25% of the patients on Paracetamol) to 5 (5.75% of the patients on Paracetamol) p=0.0013. There was a marked improvement in the number of patients with the weight written on their drug chart from 27% to 53% post-intervention. (p=0.0003) In conclusion, every patient should be weighed on admission. In order to prevent potential hepatotoxicity, staff should document patient weights on the drug charts and be aware of the fact that patients who weigh <50 kg should be on a 15 mg/kg/dose of IV Paracetamol, not 1 gram QDS.
Reaction of ruthenium(II) complexes with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•) and hydroxyl radicals
Authors: Metzker Gustavo , de Aguiar Inara , Souza Maykon Lima , Cardoso Daniel Rodrigues , Franco Douglas Wagner
Published: April 2014

The reaction of the complexes trans-[RuII(NO+)(NH3)4L] and [RuII(NO+)HEDTA] with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•) and hydroxyl (OH•) radicals has been investigated at 25.0 ± 0.1 °C using spectroscopic (UV-vis and electron paramagnetic resonance) and electrochemical techniques (differential pulse voltammetry and cyclic voltammetry). The redox potential of RuIII/RuIIfor the ruthenium nitrosyl complexes was determined and is in the range of +2.2 V (L = HEDTA) to +2.6 V (L = isn) versus the normal hydrogen electrode . The trans-[RuII(NO+)(NH3)4L]3+and [RuII(NO+)HEDTA] complexes do not react with the DPPH•radical in aqueous solution at pH = 3.0. However, the corresponding aquo species, trans-[RuII(H2O)(NH3)4L]2+and [RuII(H2O)HEDTA]+, respectively, react quantitatively, resulting in metal center oxidation. The trans-[RuII(NO+)(NH3)4L]3+and [RuII(NO+)HEDTA] complexes react with OH•through a complicated pathway that leads to metal center oxidation followed by a series of secondary reactions. In addition to acting as NO donors, after their reduction, these ruthenium(II) nitrosyl complexes exhibit, through their generated aquo species, a radical scavenging ability, which is important for better understanding the already proven biological activity of these ruthenium nitrosyls in vivo.
Reproductive life-history strategies in lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) from the Laurentian Great Lakes
Authors: Muir Andrew M. , Arts Michael T. , Koops Marten A. , Johnson Timothy B. , Krueger Charles C. , Sutton Trent M.
Published: April 2014

Recent food-web changes in the Laurentian Great Lakes are affecting energy and nutrient allocation to lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) with potential downstream effects on egg condition and recruitment. We tested whether egg condition was conserved or varied with maternal condition in eight stocks from Lakes Erie, Michigan, and Superior. Egg condition was conserved across stocks based on (i) a lack of correlation between females and eggs for total lipid, DHA, and other essential fatty acids; (ii) higher levels of energy and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) in eggs compared with females; and (iii) no among-stock differences for those same variables in eggs. Females from northern Lake Michigan generally made the greatest trade-offs between egg size and fecundity. Highly fecund females provisioned less lipid, but more n-3 LC-PUFA to their eggs. A lack of stock-level patterns in energy and nutrient allocation suggests that trade-offs occur at the level of individual females and that females in poor condition make greater trade-offs among egg size and fecundity, total lipids, and n-3 LC-PUFA than females in good condition.
Projecting cold-water fish habitat in lakes of the glacial lakes region under changing land use and climate regimes
Authors: Herb William R. , Johnson Lucinda B. , Jacobson Peter C. , Stefan Heinz G.
Published: April 2014

Cold-water habitat in lakes is projected to decrease under future climate scenarios, and existing trends suggest such declines are already impacting cold-water fish populations. Herein, we predict the effects of future climate and land use change on cold-water fish habitat in the glacial lakes of the upper midwestern US. Ecoregion-specific, regional regression models were developed to predict annual phosphorus loading rates to lakes based on land use and hydrology and coupled to a previously developed fish habitat model. Outputs from one land use change model and three global climate models were then used to project future cold-water habitat. Significant decreases in cold-water habitat quality were projected in all four ecoregions of the study region, with increases in air temperature generally having greater impacts on habitat than land use changes. Projected localized increases in urbanization and corn acreage were found to degrade cold-water habitat for a subset of lakes in all ecoregions. For cisco (Coregonus artedi), the most thermally tolerant of the four species considered, it was found that most of the highest quality (tier 1) refuge lakes will shift to lower quality (tier 2) lakes with adequate habitat, and about half of the tier 2 lakes will shift to tier 3 (non-refuge) lakes with marginal habitat.
Elicitation of urban forest values from residents of Winnipeg, Canada
Authors: Sinclair A. John , Diduck Jaclyn , Duinker Peter N.
Published: April 2014

Trees play pivotal roles in urban ecosystems through reducing temperature, increasing humidity, reducing wind speed, absorbing air pollutants, and reducing carbon dioxide, among other benefits. The urban forest will become increasingly influential through the 21st century. Urban development, however, alters the relationships and interactions between humans and trees, making their management complex. The values held by urbanites about trees in their towns and cities are critical to socially responsive urban forest management. The purpose of our research, therefore, was to determine how residents of the city of Winnipeg value their urban forests. Our data were collected through site tours, participant journals, photo-elicitation, and interviews. The results indicate that the people of Winnipeg feel strongly about trees, and their urban forest values are most often associated with the naturalness of the urban forest as experienced through recreational activities.
Water table response to harvesting and simulated emerald ash borer mortality in black ash wetlands in Minnesota, USA
Authors: Slesak Robert A. , Lenhart Christian F. , Brooks Kenneth N. , D’Amato Anthony W. , Palik Brian J.
Published: April 2014

Black ash wetlands are seriously threatened because of the invasive emerald ash borer (EAB). Wetland hydrology is likely to be modified following ash mortality, but the magnitude of hydrological impact following loss via EAB and alternative mitigation harvests is not clear. Our objective was to assess the water table response to simulated EAB and harvesting to determine if management actions will be needed to maintain ecosystem functions following EAB infestation. We applied four replicated treatments to 1.6 ha plots as follows: (1) control, (2) girdling of all black ash trees to simulate loss via EAB mortality, (3) group selection harvests (20% of stand in 0.04 ha gaps), and (4) clear-cut harvest. Water table (WT) elevations were monitored for 1 year pre-treatment and two years post-treatment. Clear-cutting delayed WT drawdown in both years of the study, and the WT was significantly higher than the control treatment, predominantly when WT depth was below 30 cm. The effect of the group selection treatment on WT response was muted compared to clear-cutting and also limited to periods when the WT depth was below 30 cm. These responses were attributed to establishment of shallow-rooted vegetation in cut areas, which would have limited influence on WT dynamics as depth increased. There was little effect of girdling on the WT in the first year post-treatment, but effects on the WT were very similar to clear-cutting in the second year and more pronounced when the WT was within 30 cm of the soil surface. These effects were attributed to reduced transpiration coupled with the presence of a partial canopy following girdling, which would have reduced vegetation establishment and evaporation compared to clear-cutting. Given the large influence of WT depth on vegetation dynamics and associated feedbacks to altered hydrology, these early results indicate a greater risk of ecosystem alteration following EAB mortality compared to clear-cut harvesting. Depending on local hydrologic regime, variation in precipitation patterns, and time for complete canopy loss, it may be necessary for managers to implement active mitigation strategies (e.g., group selection coupled with planting of alternative species) prior to EAB infestation to maintain ecosystem processes in these forested wetland systems.
Preparation condition and recombination rates at radiative defects in a-Si:H
Authors: Ogihara Chisato , Shintoku Yuta , Yamaguchi Kei , Morigaki Kazuo
Published: April 2014

Recombination rates at radiative defects in the hydrogenated amorphous silicon films prepared at various preparation conditions, estimated from intensities and characteristic lifetimes of defect photoluminescence, have been investigated. The temperature variations of the radiative recombination rate are discussed in terms of a model in which the increase of the radiative recombination rate is attributed to the thermal excitation of the holes from deep and strongly localised tail states to shallow and more extended tail states. The temperature variations of nonradiative recombination rate are discussed in terms of a theory for the case of strong electron–phonon coupling.
Fabrication of high gauge factor piezoresistive nanocrystalline Si film using aluminum-induced crystallization of HWCVD deposited a-Si:H
Authors: Pandey Vivek , Sanagavarapu Lavanya , Dusane Rajiv O.
Published: April 2014

Aluminum-induced crystallization (AIC) has been used to achieve device quality nc-Si thin films, at annealing temperatures ranging from 300 to 450 °C, exhibiting electronic properties favourable for piezoresistive microelectromechanical systems sensor application. The nc-Si films obtained by AIC at an annealing temperature of 400 °C showed hole concentration of the order of 1018 cm−3 and the Hall mobility was measured to be 13.5 cm2V−1s−1. The films were subjected to piezoresistive gauge factor measurement and a gauge factor of 43 was recorded in the longitudinal mode under a sample scheme of constant force over the entire sample area, which is the highest reported to date for thin film nc-Si.
High sensitivity photodetector made of amorphous selenium and diamond cold cathode
Authors: Masuzawa T. , Saito I. , Onishi M. , Ebisudani T. , Koh A.T.T. , Chua D.H.C. , Yamada T. , Ogawa S. , Takakuwa Y. , Shimosawa T. , Okano K.
Published: April 2014

In the present study, high-sensitivity photodetection has been demonstrated using an amorphous selenium (a-Se) based photodetector driven by nitrogen-doped diamond cold cathode. The emission current – applied voltage characteristics are compared between different lighting conditions, and their sensitivities are evaluated in terms of nominal quantum efficiency. The estimated nominal quantum efficiency was 10–40 for visible and up to 1000 for ultraviolet, proving a successful photodetection utilizing carrier multiplication in a-Se.
Energy loss of a heavy particle near a three-dimensional charged hairy black hole
Authors: Naji J. , Heydari S. , Amjadi A.
Published: April 2014

In this paper, we consider a charged black hole in three dimensions with a scalar charge and discuss energy loss of a heavy particle moving near the black hole horizon. This analysis is useful when anti-de Sitter space – conformal field theory correspondence is applied. We find that an electric charge of a black hole increases the drag force but a scalar charge decreases it.
PARENT QUERIES OVER DYNAMIC BALANCED PARENTHESIS STRINGS
Authors: LAGOGIANNIS GEORGE
Published: April 2014

We maintain a balanced parenthesis string under insertions and deletions of parenthesis-pairs in such a way that we can efficiently answer parent queries, i.e., given a parenthesis-pair, we want to find the pair that immediately encloses it. Each parenthesis symbol is attached on a node, and we have n such nodes drawn on a straight line. We achieve O(logn/loglogn) worst-case time per operation on a Pointer Machine, matching the known lower bound on the problem. By transferring our solution to a RAM, we are able to achieve [Formula: see text] worst case time per update, assuming that we know in advance that the parenthesis-pair to be inserted does not destroy the balance of the parenthesis string.
Cosmology in multiply warped braneworld scenario
Authors: Banerjee Narayan , Lahiri Sayantani , SenGupta Soumitra
Published: April 2014

Hubble expansion in warped braneworld model is addressed in the presence of more than one warped extra dimensions. Some distinct phenomenological signatures of such model has already been discussed in the context of collider-based experiments as well as to explain the fermion mass hierarchy in the Standard Model of elementary particles. In this paper, we explore some cosmological implications of such a model. It is shown that while the expansion depends on all the moduli, an exponential nature of the expansion of the scale factor emerges as a generic feature which is independent of the number of extra dimensions but depends only on the bulk cosmological constant and brane pressure. A generalized expression for the effective 3-brane cosmological constant in such model has been derived. This generalizes the well-known fine tuning/detuning between the bulk cosmological constant and brane tension to obtain the desired cosmological constant on the brane. The warped factor corresponding to the higher-dimensional cosmological scenario is determined and the issue of gauge hierarchy problem is discussed.
Teleparallel Poincaré cosmology and ΛCDM model
Authors: Lu Wenjie , Lee Wolung , Ng Kin-Wang
Published: April 2014

We apply the teleparallelism condition to the Poincaré gauge theory (PGT) of gravity. The resultant teleparallelized cosmology is completely equivalent to the Friedmann cosmology derived from Einstein's general theory of relativity. The torsion is shown to play the role of the cosmological constant driving the cosmic acceleration. We then extend such theory to include the effect of spin and explore the possibility of accounting for the current accelerating universe by a spinning dark energy.
MONOLAYER CHARACTERISTICS OF CHITOSAN ASSEMBLED IN LANGMUIR FILMS MIXED WITH ARACHIDIC ACID
Authors: NATH JAYASREE , NATH RANENDU KUMAR , CHAKRABORTY ADRITA , HUSAIN SYED ARSHAD
Published: April 2014

In this paper, we report our investigation on the monolayer characteristics of a nontoxic, biocompatible, and biodegradable polymer chitosan (CHS) using Langmuir–Blodgett technique. It has been observed that pure CHS do not form stable monolayer. However, when CHS is mixed with arachidic acid (AA), stable self supporting monolayer is formed at air–water interface. This also can be transferred onto solid substrate. CHS–AA mixed monolayer is extremely stable with variation of pH. Atomic force microscopy study confirms the formation of stable uniform CHS–AA films onto solid support.
PathCase-SB
Authors: Qi X. , Coskun S. A. , Cakmak A. , Cheng E. , Cicek E. A. , Das M. , Yang L. , Jadeja R. , Syed S. , Dash R. K. , Lai N. , Özsoyoǧlu G. , Özsoyoǧlu Z. M.
Published: April 2014

Integration of metabolic pathways resources and metabolic network models, and deploying new tools on the integrated platform is useful for systems biology research on understanding the regulation of metabolic networks. PathCase-SB is such an integrative a web-based application, providing a database-enabled framework and tools towards effective and efficient systems biology model development for mechanistic simulations of biological systems. Current PathCase-SB user interfaces include browser, querying, visualization, provenance, simulation and model composition interfaces. PathCase-SB is built, released, and already being used by researchers across the globe.
Do usability evaluators do what we think usability evaluators do?
Authors: Friess Erin
Published: April 2014

In this paper, I review the findings of ongoing research in usability and user experience analysis. In particular, I first discuss how real designers and usability evaluators in their own workplaces use findings from usability testing to drive design decisions within a decision-making space. Second, I investigate how designers and evaluators consciously or unconsciously alter raw usability findings when they develop their recommendations. Finally, I explore what these findings might mean for usability education. Ultimately, I ask if these usability evaluators and designers do what we think usability evaluators and designers should be doing.
Sound usability?
Authors: Bowie Jennifer L.
Published: April 2014

In this paper, I explore usability for podcasts. I begin with a definition of podcasting. Next, I discuss usability for podcasts, focusing on eight key areas. From here, I build seven usability heuristics for podcasts. With the usability heuristics, I examine the anatomy of podcast, providing 127 podcast usability guidelines. I conclude with a discussion of future research needs.
Exploratory analysis of human microbiome by linear and nonlinear methods
Authors: Jiang Xingpeng , Hu Xiaohua , Xu Weiwei , He Tingting
Published: April 2014

There is a growing recognition that the human microbiome - microbes living in intimate association with us - forms a vital part of our biology, and plays an important role in both health and sickness. A huge amount of data are being generated about these communities, much through metagenomics methods, which sequence DNA without directly identifying which organisms they come from. These data pose a tremendous opportunity for understanding, and a tremendous computational and theoretical challenge. In this paper, we compare several linear and nonlinear methods to explore human microbiome.
Big data, situated people
Authors: McNely Brian
Published: April 2014

In his 2005 book
Ambient Findability
, Peter Morville argued that what we find changes who we become. In 2012 and beyond---in an information environment of filter bubbles, contextual advertising, and friend-of-friend chains that push ordinary folks well beyond the Dunbar number---perhaps Morville is in need of some updating: what
finds us
changes who we become.
Characterizing the analog-like and digital-like attributes of interactive systems
Authors: Valino Koh Jeffrey Tzu Kwan , Zhu Kening , Karunanayaka Kasun , Polydorou Doros , Peiris Roshan Lalintha , Nakatsu Ryohei
Published: April 2014

In this paper we analyze the works of the Keio-NUS CUTE Center at the National University of Singapore in order to uncover the dispositions of "analogness" and "digitalness" in regards to the relationship between users and interfaces. By comparing concepts of embodiment from a philosophical perspective, paired with the computer science treatment of analog and digital data, we derive a contingent definition for analog-like and digital-like interaction. With case studies as reference, we outline a continuum to describe types of interfaces based on these dispositions, which could then be further analyzed using characteristics for designing analog-like, digital-like or hybrid-like interactive systems. We then propose a new methodology for designing novel interactive systems that are analog in nature, called interactive analog media (IAM) and finally describe a prototype system called Linetic, which exemplifies some of the characteristics described in this paper.
Building collaborative technology learning environments
Authors: Janz Kenneth , Graetz Ken , Kjorlien Chad
Published: April 2014

The rapid advance of technology has enabled students to use powerful technology both inside and outside of the classroom. A major issue facing higher education is whether students truly know how to use this technology, can our learning spaces support it, and can it be integrated with other technologies to extend students' capabilities?

This paper focuses on the how Winona State University went about improving learning spaces on campus. It includes six major sections. First, the development of the e-Warrior: Digital Life and Learning Program and Technology Master Plan provided the foundation. Second, quantifying the quality of classroom spaces on campus through the development of an online database and a campus report card provided a common point of reference. Third, faculty members engaged in the design of new learning spaces on campus to align design with pedagogy. Fourth, new technologies supported the online delivery of what used to be classroom lecture, paving the way for classroom flipping. Fifth, the intersection between formal and informal learning spaces played a role in instruction. Sixth, WSU developed two new flipped classrooms; the Math Achievement Center and Visual Media Studio. The Math Achievement Center and Visual Media Studio are collaborative classrooms designed by faculty that demonstrate the potential of mobile computing integration. Finally, recommendations for improving learning spaces found on any campus are offered. This paper provides a replicable roadmap for developing collaborative technology learning environments and highlights the many successes and challenges you may experience along the way.
Crafting great user experiences
Authors: Bertino Nic , Corrales Andrew , Chen Allan
Published: April 2014

As a user of products and technology, one often experiences a wide range of emotions: happiness, frustration, gratitude, irritation, excitement, and apathy amongst others. Yet, as designers and deliverers of these tools and services, the human factor is often neglected with dire consequences. Deadlines and budgets become more important than analyzing the needs and behaviors of the user, unlinking the resource from its consumer. This degrades the perception of the offering and can be irreversible (and potentially fatal) to the reputation of software companies, IT departments, and hardware manufacturers. Despite the failings of many companies that have neglected the human element - companies that lacked empathy for their users - products continue to be delivered that are unintuitive, over designed, or inefficient.

A great product or offering considers the user's experience (UX) when interacting with the service. The product is efficient and intuitive, while being transparent in presentation. UX is generally associated with software, but experiences are designed outside of computing as well. An often-polarizing example is customer service; customers remember great customer service experiences as much as they remember poor experiences. Technology often enhances the user experience, but the experience itself is not confined to interactions with specific tools. Training IT help desk staff on how to interact with customers may not be something traditionally thought of as a UX initiative, but this is one small part of the experience that is designed for individuals having issues with their devices.

At Santa Clara Law, the Law Technology and Academic Computing (LTAC) group has improved efficiency, customer satisfaction, and saved time by considering UX principles early and often. Decisions once made with dangerous assumptions on the user's behalf are now considered with comprehensive data collected from a variety of different sources. Listening to what users are saying also helps LTAC adapt to the users' changing needs and continually enhance offerings.
It's not about usability
Authors: Richardson Kevin H.
Published: April 2014

Traditional usability firms (or usability groups within large companies) tend to focus on evaluation, and their design process typically ends at the Discover phase. For organizations (or individuals) that tout themselves as "User Experience", the goal is to have the research and data dictate design, going so far as to have the research person creating wireframes - defining screen layout, interaction models and information architecture. After all, isn't a research-based interface what we're after?
Computational regulatory network construction from microRNA and transcription factor perspectives
Authors: Rhee Sungmin , Park Jinwoo , Kim Sun
Published: April 2014

As more genomic and epigenomic data becomes available, it has become possible to construct biological networks from the omics data. Among the biological networks, understanding gene regulatory mechanisms is a very important research problem that can reveal condition-specific, e.g., disease-specific, gene regulatory mechanisms. In this paper, we review the current development in the study of constructing gene regulatory networks from microRNA and transcription factor (TF) perspectives. TFs and microRNAs play crucial role in gene regulatory networks since they regulate tens to hundreds of genes, which can be seen naturally as hubs in the network. This review consists of three parts. The first part summarizes recent works on TF regulatory network reconstruction in two sections, one on TF network reconstruction using time series gene expression data and the other on TF network construction by incorporating prior knowledge. The second part is about microRNA network construction in two sections, one on methods based on seed sequence matching and the other on the integrated analysis of gene and microRNA expression data sets. The last part summarizes recent works on the integration of both TF and microRNA with target genes, which is a much more challenging research problem.
Multi-Label Classification Based on Multi-Objective Optimization
Authors: Shi Chuan , Kong Xiangnan , Fu Di , Yu Philip S. , Wu Bin
Published: April 2014

Multi-label classification refers to the task of predicting potentially multiple labels for a given instance. Conventional multi-label classification approaches focus on single objective setting, where the learning algorithm optimizes over a single performance criterion (e.g.,
Ranking Loss
) or a heuristic function. The basic assumption is that the optimization over one single objective can improve the overall performance of multi-label classification and meet the requirements of various applications. However, in many real applications, an optimal multi-label classifier may need to consider the trade-offs among multiple inconsistent objectives, such as minimizing
Hamming Loss
while maximizing
Micro F1
. In this article, we study the problem of
multi-objective multi-label classification
and propose a novel solution (called M
oml
) to optimize over multiple objectives simultaneously. Note that optimization objectives may be inconsistent, even conflicting, thus one cannot identify a single solution that is optimal on all objectives. Our M
oml
algorithm finds a set of
non-dominated solutions
which are optimal according to different trade-offs among multiple objectives. So users can flexibly construct various predictive models from the solution set, which provides more meaningful classification results in different application scenarios. Empirical studies on real-world tasks demonstrate that the M
oml
can effectively boost the overall performance of multi-label classification by optimizing over multiple objectives simultaneously.
Produsers and end users
Authors: Arduser Lora
Published: April 2014

When I bought my first Mac I was frustrated by the lack of instructional documentation in my shiny new box. I found myself regularly going online to look for help in the form of PDFs or videos. A company professionally produced these instructional "texts". Enter the webcam, the iPhone, and a host of websites to upload user-generated content, and we increasingly see end users becoming produsers, individuals whom produce as well as consume information.
Open research questions for academics and industry professionals
Authors: Andersen Rebekka , Benavente Sid , Clark Dave , Hart-Davidson William , Rude Carolyn , Hackos JoAnn
Published: April 2014

To identify some of the research questions and needs of most importance to industry professionals and academics, we conducted a Technical Communication Industry Research Survey that posed a common set of questions about research. Here we report the results, which suggest some differing priorities for academics and industry professionals, but also some shared priorities that might help guide disciplinary research, including content strategy, user behavior, metrics/measurements, and process/practices.
Connecting digital cancer model repositories with markup
Authors: Johnson David , McKeever Steve , Deisboeck Thomas S. , Wang Zhihui
Published: April 2014

The cancer research community requires a standardized way of describing mathematical and computational models to enable interoperation between systems, repositories, and between the models themselves. In this paper we describe a new markup language, TumorML, for describing computational models that fall within the domain of cancer. TumorML is an XML-based markup language that wraps existing cancer model implementations with metadata for model curation, parametric interface description, implementation description, and compound model linking.

In this paper we first introduce the rationale for a new markup language for computational cancer model description based on our experiences and requirements from the European Commission's 'Transatlantic Tumor Model Repositories' project. The aim of the project is to develop a European-based digital cancer model repository to link and interoperate with a similar established repository based in the United States. TumorML was developed to enable this interoperation between repositories. We introduce the language and describe the main features of the specification and go on to describe a real application of TumorML where a molecular pathway model has been packaged using the new markup language.
Icon design to improve communication of health information to older adults
Authors: Kascak Ljilja , Rebola Claudia B. , Braunstein Richard , Sanford Jon A.
Published: April 2014

This paper describes the studies undertaken in order to improve and simplify communication of health information for a Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) devices, specifically the BL Healthcare Access Tablet, to older adults. Current icon and information design of the RPM devices are not well designed to reflect the needs, experiences and limitations of the older adults. In addition to this, compliance with self-management schedules is often poor due to complex and unclear instructions and information design. The issue of compliance, with the need for effective communication between chronic disease patients and healthcare professionals emphasize the need for the appropriate information design and communication technology. Communication of health information was improved from the perspective of the user experience (UX) design and information design. For the purpose of addressing the UX redesign, usability studies were conducted, followed by the information redesign and icons design. Although medical peripherals, such as an electronic thermometer, are required to measure the patient information, a mobile or tablet application can easily be used to record, send and view this data. A concept for the RPM mobile application is developed, that could be used on existing tablets and smartphones, thus eliminating the need for the current costly hardware.
Cloud security
Authors: Nanavati Mihir , Colp Patrick , Aiello Bill , Warfield Andrew
Published: April 2014

Users' trust in cloud systems is undermined by the lack of transparency in existing security policies.
Why Bitcoin has value
Authors: Van Alstyne Marshall
Published: April 2014

Evaluating the evolving controversial digital currency.
A primer on provenance
Authors: Carata Lucian , Akoush Sherif , Balakrishnan Nikilesh , Bytheway Thomas , Sohan Ripduman , Seltzer Margo , Hopper Andy
Published: April 2014

Better understanding data requires tracking its history and context.
Technology and communication design
Authors: Lauer Claire
Published: April 2014

As I prepare to teach the latest iteration of my course in Visualizing Information, I am struck by how quickly visualization software and techniques are advancing. As an academic, whose primary job is as a researcher and teacher, my relationship with technology is rooted at the crossroads of excitement and dread; of just catching up and being perpetually behind. I feel excitement that advancements in web functionality and design, visualization techniques, and other technology-enabled practices are finally happening and can benefit my work and the work of my students. Conversely I am filled with dread that I rarely feel fully in-the-know, much less at the bleeding edge of these developments because my job doesn't necessarily reward that kind of knowledge. As a graduate student in the fall of 2000 (Is that really 14 years ago?) I earned a webmaster certification and followed that by helping in the redesign of several websites at my university. A decade later, as an assistant professor on the tenure clock, I was composing an academic webtext and I found myself needing the help of an undergraduate student to teach me how to integrate something called jQuery into my HTML5. I was dismayed over how rusty my skills had become once my tenure responsibilities had taken over.
Forked Over
Authors: Neville-Neil George
Published: April 2014

How can one make reasonable packages based on open-source software when most open-source projects simply advise you to take the latest bits on GitHub or SourceForge? We could fork the code, as GitHub encourages us to do, and then make our own releases, but that puts the release-engineering work that we would expect from the project onto us.
Blood Substitutes
Authors: Palmer Andre F. , Intaglietta Marcos
Published: April 2014

The toxic side effects of early generations of red blood cell substitutes have stimulated development of more safe and efficacious high-molecular-weight polymerized hemoglobins, poly(ethylene glycol)-conjugated hemoglobins, and vesicle-encapsulated hemoglobins. Unfortunately, the high colloid osmotic pressure and blood plasma viscosity of these new-generation materials limit their application to blood concentrations that, in general, are not sufficient for full restoration of oxygen-carrying and -delivery capacity. However, these materials may serve as oxygen therapeutics for treating tissues affected by ischemia and trauma, particularly when the therapeutics are coformulated with antioxidants. These new oxygen therapeutics also possess additional beneficial effects owing to their optimal plasma expansion properties, which induce systemic supraperfusion that increases endothelial nitric oxide production and improves tissue washout of metabolic wastes, further contributing to their therapeutic role.
Metals in Protein–Protein Interfaces
Authors: Song Woon Ju , Sontz Pamela A. , Ambroggio Xavier I. , Tezcan F. Akif
Published: April 2014

From the catalytic reactions that sustain the global oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon cycles to the stabilization of DNA processing proteins, transition metal ions and metallocofactors play key roles in biology. Although the exquisite interplay between metal ions and protein scaffolds has been studied extensively, the fact that the biological roles of the metals often stem from their placement in the interfaces between proteins and protein subunits is not always recognized. Interfacial metal ions stabilize permanent or transient protein–protein interactions, enable protein complexes involved in cellular signaling to adopt distinct conformations in response to environmental stimuli, and catalyze challenging chemical reactions that are uniquely performed by multisubunit protein complexes. This review provides a structural survey of transition metal ions and metallocofactors found in protein–protein interfaces, along with a series of selected examples that illustrate their diverse biological utility and significance.
Autophagy and Its Normal and Pathogenic States in the Brain
Authors: Yamamoto Ai , Yue Zhenyu
Published: April 2014

Autophagy is a conserved catabolic process that delivers the cytosol and cytosolic constituents to the lysosome. Its fundamental role is to maintain cellular homeostasis and to protect cells from varying insults, including misfolded proteins and damaged organelles. Beyond these roles, the highly specialized cells of the brain have further adapted autophagic pathways to suit their distinct needs. In this review, we briefly summarize our current understanding of the different forms of autophagy and then offer a closer look at how these pathways impact neuronal and glial functions. The emerging evidence indicates that not only are autophagy pathways essential for neural health, but they have a direct impact on developmental and neurodegenerative processes. Taken together, as we unravel the complex roles autophagy pathways play, we will gain the necessary insight to modify these pathways to protect the human brain and treat neurodegenerative diseases.
The Economics of Voluntary Versus Mandatory Labels
Authors: Roe Brian E. , Teisl Mario F. , Deans Corin R.
Published: April 2014

Labels address a market failure—asymmetric information—through costly expenditures borne by consumers, firms, and taxpayers. In this review, we explore when mandatory and voluntary labeling policies may be socially optimal. Although the analysis ostensibly revolves around simple comparisons of labeling costs and the subsequent benefits from improved information symmetry, more symmetric information may alter social welfare in other ways, e.g., by altering the production of externalities, the exercise of market power, or expenditures on rent-seeking activities. We review work that contributes to a more complete analysis of the relative merits of mandatory and voluntary labeling; that assesses the distribution of welfare effects across affected groups; and that discusses political economy issues, particularly in the context of voluntary labels in international trade. We summarize key patterns of results concerning the relative desirability of mandatory and voluntary labels and discuss likely future directions in this evolving literature.
Political Parties and the Sociological Imagination: Past, Present, and Future Directions
Authors: Mudge Stephanie L. , Chen Anthony S.
Published: April 2014

The classical sociology of parties was born alongside parties themselves. It explored their dynamic interrelationships with states and society, as well as the tensions inherent in the fact that parties are simultaneously representatives and power seekers. Despite these rich foundations, from the 1960s the sociological approach came to be narrowly identified with a one-dimensional conception of parties, and political sociologists focused their attention elsewhere. This review contributes to efforts that began in the 1990s to reclaim the political party as a full-fledged sociological object. To this end, we track the hourglass-shaped trajectory of the sociology of parties: from broad Marxian and Weberian roots, to narrowing and near-eclipse after the 1960s, to a reemergence that reclaims the breadth of the classical traditions. We conclude by suggesting six lines of inquiry that we believe would be fruitful, emphasizing both classical concerns that deserve more attention and innovative approaches that point in novel directions.