bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of Compliant Multistable Mechanisms Through Use of a Single Bistable Mechanism
Authors: Chen Guimin , Gou Yanjie , Zhang Aimei
Published: August 2011

A compliant multistable mechanism is capable of steadily staying at multiple distinct positions without power input. Many applications including switches, valves, relays, positioners, and reconfigurable robots may benefit from multistability. In this paper, two new approaches for synthesizing compliant multistable mechanisms are proposed, which enable designers to achieve multistability through the use of a single bistable mechanism. The synthesis approaches are described and illustrated by several design examples. Compound use of both approaches is also discussed. The design potential of the synthesis approaches is demonstrated by the successful operation of several instantiations of designs that exhibit three, four, five, and nine stable equilibrium positions, respectively. The equations for determining the actuation force required to move a multistable mechanism are provided. The synthesis approaches enable us to design a compliant mechanism with a desired number of stable positions.
Rare Copy Number Variation Discovery and Cross-Disorder Comparisons Identify Risk Genes for ADHD
Authors: Lionel Anath C. , Crosbie Jennifer , Barbosa Nicole , Goodale Tara , Thiruvahindrapuram Bhooma , Rickaby Jessica , Gazzellone Matthew , Carson Andrew R. , Howe Jennifer L. , Wang Zhuozhi , Wei John , Stewart Alexandre F. R. , Roberts Robert , McPherson Ruth , Fiebig Andreas , Franke Andre , Schreiber Stefan , Zwaigenbaum Lonnie , Fernandez Bridget A. , Roberts Wendy , Arnold Paul D. , Szatmari Peter , Marshall Christian R. , Schachar Russell , Scherer Stephen W.
Published: August 2011

A high-resolution analysis of copy number variation in patients with ADHD reveals new gene associations, few de novo mutations, and overlap with genes implicated in other disorders such as autism.
T Cells with Chimeric Antigen Receptors Have Potent Antitumor Effects and Can Establish Memory in Patients with Advanced Leukemia
Authors: Kalos Michael , Levine Bruce L. , Porter David L. , Katz Sharyn , Grupp Stephan A. , Bagg Adam , June Carl H.
Published: August 2011

Adoptively transferred gene-modified T cells expand in vivo, eliminate leukemic cells, and form functional memory cells in patients.
The Root of All “Bad” Cholesterol
Authors: Nielson Carrie M.
Published: August 2011

Rare and population-specific variants in LDL cholesterol genes explain double the heritability over common tagging variants.
Stabilizing the Kidney’s Skeleton
Authors: Niewold Timothy B.
Published: August 2011

Coding-change variants in the
MYO1E
gene disrupt podocyte function and cause focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.
Nonlytic Exocytosis of Cryptococcus neoformans from Macrophages OccursIn Vivoand Is Influenced by Phagosomal pH
Authors: Nicola André Moraes , Robertson Emma J. , Albuquerque Patrícia , Derengowski Lorena da Silveira , Casadevall Arturo
Published: August 2011

A unique aspect of the interaction of the fungusCryptococcus neoformanswith macrophages is the phenomenon of nonlytic exocytosis, also referred to as “vomocytosis” or phagosome extrusion/expulsion, which involves the escape of fungal cells from the phagocyte with the survival of both cell types. This phenomenon has been observed onlyin vitrousing subjective and time-consuming microscopic techniques. In spite of recent advances in our knowledge about its mechanisms, a major question still remaining is whether this phenomenon also occursin vivo. In this study, we describe a novel flow cytometric method that resulted in a substantial gain in throughput for studying phagocytosis and nonlytic exocytosisin vitroand used it to explore the occurrence of this phenomenon in a mouse model of infection. Furthermore, we tested the hypothesis that host cell phagosomal pH affected nonlytic exocytosis. The addition of the weak bases ammonium chloride and chloroquine resulted in a significant increase of nonlytic exocytosis events, whereas the vacuolar ATPase inhibitor bafilomycin A1 had the opposite effect. Although all three agents are known to neutralize phagosomal acidity, their disparate effects suggest that phagosomal pH is an important and complex variable in this process. Our experiments established that nonlytic exocytosis occurredin vivowith a frequency that is possibly much higher than that observedin vitro. These results in turn suggest that nonlytic exocytosis has a potential role in the pathogenesis of cryptococcosis.

IMPORTANCECryptococcus neoformanscauses disease in people with immune deficiencies such as AIDS. Upon infection,C. neoformanscells are ingested by macrophage immune cells, which provide a niche for survival and replication. After ingestion, macrophages can expel the fungi without causing harm to either cell type, a process named nonlytic exocytosis. To dissect this phenomenon, we evaluated its dependence on the pH inside the macrophage and addressed its occurrence during infection of mice. We developed new techniques using flow cytometry to measureC. neoformansinternalization by and nonlytic exocytosis from macrophages. Neutralizing the phagosome acidity changed the rate of nonlytic exocytosis: activity increased with the weak bases chloroquine and ammonium chloride, whereas the vacuolar ATPase inhibitor bafilomycin A1 caused it to decrease. Experiments in mice suggested that nonlytic exocytosis occurred during infection withC. neoformans. These results shed new light on the interaction betweenC. neoformansand host macrophages.
Pharmacokinetic research in children: an analysis of registered records of clinical trials
Authors: Viergever Roderik F , Rademaker Carin M A , Ghersi Davina
Published: August 2011

Background

Reported off-label/unlicensed prescribing rates in children range from 11% to 80%. Research into pharmacokinetic profiles of children's medicines is essential in the creation of more knowledge on the safety and efficacy of medicines in children. This study investigated how often pharmacokinetic data are collected in clinical trials of medicines in children by analysing registered records of clinical trials.

Methods

The registered records of all clinical trials in children that were recruiting on 22 May 2009 were identified on the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform using a Clinical Trials in Children search filter. The records of trials in children below 12 years of age, in which the intervention was one or more medicines, were assessed for evidence that pharmacokinetic data would be collected.

Results

Of 1081 eligible trial records, 257 (24%) declared that pharmacokinetic data would be collected. Of these trials, 199 (77%) recruited in Northern America; recruitment in all other regions was below 20%. Trials recruited most often in children over 2 years of age (74%), and least often in newborn infants (32%). Most trials researched medicines in the field of cancer (29%). Trials investigated one-third of the medicines that were indicated as a priority for pharmacokinetic research by the European Medicines Agency.

Conclusions

There is a need for increased knowledge of the pharmacokinetic profiles of children's medicines. The amount of currently ongoing pharmacokinetic research does not seem to address adequately the lack of knowledge in this area. This study sets a baseline for monitoring of future progress on the amount of ongoing pharmacokinetic research in children.
Exploring health professionals' views regarding the optimum physical environment for palliative and end of life care in the acute hospital setting: a qualitative study: Table 1
Authors: Gardiner Clare , Brereton Louise , Gott Merryn , Ingleton Christine , Barnes Sarah
Published: August 2011

Background

Limited evidence exists relating to key elements of the optimum physical hospital environment for patients receiving palliative and end of life care in acute hospitals. The aim of this study was to explore the perspectives of health professionals regarding the optimum physical environment for palliative and end of life care in the acute hospital setting.

Methods

Qualitative focus group study with 24 health professionals from an acute hospital, a community hospital and a hospice.

Findings Participants agreed that provision of appropriate privacy options was key to achieving an optimum physical environment. However, there was little consensus as to whether single room accommodation or multi-bed accommodation was the most appropriate. A comfortable and homely environment is important, but difficult to achieve in a clinically focused environment. The hospital environment may also be suboptimal for staff provision of care. The environmental needs of families should be considered alongside the needs of patients.

Conclusion

Many deficiencies exist in physical hospital environments for patients at the end of life. However, changes to the hospital environment are limited by resource restrictions, increasing rules and regulations, and a focus on clinical aspects of care. Further research is needed to establish patient and family views about the optimum physical hospital environment, to explore ways in which an appropriate environment can be most effectively achieved and to ensure engagement with planners, designers and stakeholders when commissioning new hospitals or renovating existing facilities.
On triparenting. Is having three committed parents better than having only two?
Authors: Cutas Daniela
Published: August 2011

Although research indicates that single parenting is not by itself worse for children than their being brought up by both their parents, there are reasons why it is better for children to have more than one committed parent. If having two committed parents is better, everything else being equal, than having just one, I argue that it might be even better for children to have three committed parents. There might, in addition, be further reasons why allowing triparenting would benefit children and adults, at least in some cases. Whether or not triparentingison the whole preferable to bi- or monoparenting, it does have certain advantages (as well as shortcomings) which, at the very least, warrant its inclusion in debates over the sorts of family structures we should allow in our societies, and how many people should be accepted in them. This paper has the modest aim of scratching the surface of this wider topic by challenging the necessity of themax-two-parentsframework.
The reciprocal relationships between changes in adolescent perceived prevalence of smoking in movies and progression of smoking status
Authors: Choi Kelvin , Forster Jean , Erickson Darin , Lazovich DeAnn , Southwell Brian G
Published: August 2011

Background

Smoking in movies is associated with adolescent smoking worldwide. To date, studies of the association mostly are restricted to the exposure to smoking images viewed by 9–15-year-olds. The association among older adolescents is rarely examined. In addition, the reciprocal effect of smoking behaviour on subsequent reported exposure to smoking in movies has not been reported.

Methods

Data were from the Minnesota Adolescent Community Cohort Study collected every 6 months from 2000 to 2007 when participants were between the ages of 12 and 18 (n=4745). We estimated the prospective effect of the perceived prevalence of smoking in movies (four levels, from never to most of the time) on smoking stage (SS) measured 6 months later (six stages, from never-smoker to established smoker) and the reciprocal prospective association between the two factors. Estimates were adjusted for demographic factors.

Results

The perceived prevalence of smoking in movies measured between ages 13½ and 15½ consistently predicted subsequent SS. The association was inconsistent after the age of 15½. SS did not consistently predict subsequent perception of the prevalence of smoking in movies.

Conclusions

Perceived exposure to movie smoking primarily influenced teenagers' smoking behaviour at younger ages. If future studies confirm this finding, developing and evaluating interventions to improve young teenagers' resistance to these images may complement policies to reduce smoking in movies to reduce prevalence of adolescent smoking.
β-Glucosidases from a new Aspergillus species can substitute commercial β-glucosidases for saccharification of lignocellulosic biomass
Authors: Sørensen Annette , Lübeck Peter Stephensen , Lübeck Mette , Teller Philip Johan , Ahring Birgitte Kiær
Published: August 2011

β-Glucosidase activity plays an essential role for efficient and complete hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass. Direct use of fungal fermentation broths can be cost saving relative to using commercial enzymes for production of biofuels and bioproducts. Through a fungal screening program for β-glucosidase activity, strain AP (CBS 127449, Aspergillus saccharolyticus ) showed 10 times greater β-glucosidase activity than the average of all other fungi screened, with Aspergillus niger showing second greatest activity. The potential of a fermentation broth of strain AP was compared with the commercial β-glucosidase-containing enzyme preparations Novozym 188 and Cellic CTec. The fermentation broth was found to be a valid substitute for Novozym 188 in cellobiose hydrolysis. The Michaelis–Menten kinetics affinity constant as well as performance in cellobiose hydrolysis with regard to product inhibition were found to be the same for Novozym 188 and the broth of strain AP. Compared with Novozym 188, the fermentation broth had higher specific activity (11.3 U/mg total protein compared with 7.5 U/mg total protein) and also increased thermostability, identified by the thermal activity number of 66.8 vs. 63.4 °C for Novozym 188. The significant thermostability of strain AP β-glucosidases was further confirmed when compared with Cellic CTec. The β-glucosidases of strain AP were able to degrade cellodextrins with an exo-acting approach and could hydrolyse pretreated bagasse to monomeric sugars when combined with Celluclast 1.5L. The fungus therefore showed great potential as an onsite producer for β-glucosidase activity.
BALANCED DENSE POLYNOMIAL MULTIPLICATION ON MULTI-CORES
Authors: MORENO MAZA MARC , XIE YUZHEN
Published: August 2011

In symbolic computation, polynomial multiplication is a fundamental operation akin to matrix multiplication in numerical computation. We present efficient implementation strategies for FFT-based dense polynomial multiplication targeting multi-cores. We show that balanced input data can maximize parallel speedup and minimize cache complexity for bivariate multiplication. However, unbalanced input data, which are common in symbolic computation, are challenging. We provide efficient techniques, that we call contraction and extension, to reduce multivariate (and univariate) multiplication to balanced bivariate multiplication. Our implementation in Cilk++ demonstrates good speedup on multi-cores.
RANDOM ATTRACTORS OF STOCHASTIC REACTION–DIFFUSION EQUATIONS ON VARIABLE DOMAINS
Authors: CRAUEL H. , KLOEDEN P. E. , YANG MEIHUA
Published: August 2011

It is shown that a stochastic partial differential equation of the reaction–diffusion type on time-varying domains obtained by a temporally continuous dependent spatially diffeomorphic transformation of a reference domain, which is bounded with a smooth boundary, generates a "partial-random" dynamical system, which has a pathwise nonautonomous pullback attractor.
EXPONENTIAL GROWTH RATE FOR DERIVATIVES OF STOCHASTIC FLOWS
Authors: VAN BARGEN HOLGER , SCHEUTZOW MICHAEL , WASSERROTH SIMON
Published: August 2011

We show that for a large class of stochastic flows the spatial derivative grows at most exponentially fast even if one takes the supremum over a bounded set of initial points. We derive explicit bounds on the growth rates that depend on the local characteristics of the flow and the box dimension of the set.
RANDOM DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS WITH RANDOM DELAYS
Authors: GARRIDO-ATIENZA M. J. , OGROWSKY A. , SCHMALFUSS B.
Published: August 2011

We investigate a random differential equation with random delay. First the non-autonomous case is considered. We show the existence and uniqueness of a solution that generates a cocycle. In particular, the existence of an attractor is proved. Secondly we look at the random case. We pay special attention to the measurability. This allows us to prove that the solution to the random differential equation generates a random dynamical system. The existence result of the attractor can be carried over to the random case.
SYNCHRONIZATION AND TRANSPORT IN AN OSCILLATING PERIODIC POTENTIAL
Authors: MÜLLER FELIX , ROMANCZUK PAWEL , SCHIMANSKY-GEIER LUTZ
Published: August 2011

We study the motion of overdamped Brownian particles in a periodic potential with a temporally oscillating amplitude. First we investigate diffusive motion in the untitled potential. Furthermore, if a constant force is applied, the oscillating potential induces a synchronized motion. The deterministic dynamics becomes in resonance with the potential oscillations. This dynamics gives rise to a transport with extremely low dispersion. We distinguish slow and fast oscillatory driving and give analytical expressions for the mean velocity and effective diffusion.
ANOTHER APPROACH TO SOME ROUGH AND STOCHASTIC PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
Authors: TEICHMANN JOSEF
Published: August 2011

In this paper, we introduce a new approach to rough and stochastic partial differential equations (RPDEs and SPDEs): we consider general Banach spaces as state spaces and — for the sake of simplicity — finite dimensional sources of noise, either rough or stochastic. By means of a time-dependent transformation of state space and rough path theory, we are able to construct unique solutions of the respective R- and SPDEs. As a consequence of our construction, we can apply the pool of results of rough path theory, in particular we can obtain strong and weak numerical schemes of high order converging to the solution process.
APPLICATIONS OF MULTI-PARAMETER MARTINGALES IN FOURIER ANALYSIS
Authors: WEISZ FERENC
Published: August 2011

With the help of the theory of multi-parameter martingales we prove almost everywhere convergence of the Fejér means of two-dimensional Walsh–Fourier series of f ∈ L log L.
THINKING AND SLACKING OR DOING AND FEELING? GENDER AND THE INTERPLAY OF COGNITION AND AFFECT IN NEW VENTURE PLANNING
Authors: ARMSTRONG CRAIG E.
Published: August 2011

Studies of the relationship between gender and entrepreneurship have shown that men are significantly more likely to start a new business than women. Because an individual's entrepreneurial intentions are shaped by the perceived feasibility and desirability of an entrepreneurial opportunity, these results have generally emphasized how men perceive themselves as more capable of pursuing entrepreneurial opportunities than women. In this study, men have a higher level of self-efficacy than do women regarding entrepreneurial abilities. At the same time, the higher levels of involvement in business planning processes caused women to have a higher sense of ownership in the plan than did men. This sense of ownership is positively and significantly related to the perceived likelihood of success of the new venture. The findings of this study suggest women adopt certain roles and affects in the development of entrepreneurial opportunities that provide alternative explanations to the beliefs-attitudes-intentions-behavior model of intentionality. The roles and affects women adopt during new venture planning may give them superior insights into the likelihood of success of the new venture.
Synthesis and crystal structure of a novel phthalocyanine-calixarene conjugate
Authors: Bezzu C. Grazia , Helliwell Madeleine , Kariuki Benson M. , McKeown Neil B.
Published: August 2011

We report the synthesis and crystal structure of a novel phthalocyanine-calixarene conjugate (Pc-Calix) derived from a calixarene-based phthalonitrile (Pn-Calix). Crystal structures confirm the retention of the full cone configuration of the calixarene unit, which is thus suitable for the binding of appropriate chemical species. This new conjugate may find application as a molecular sensor in which the calixarene acts as the binding site and the perturbations of the optical properties of the phthalocyanine reports the presence of the binding species.
Editorial
Authors: Gruner Stefan
Published: August 2011

This editorial message describes further details about the history and the circumstances of this special section of the Software Engineering Notes on the topic of combining formal methods with agile methods in the context of our contemporary software development methodologies.
Estimation of generic reusability for object-oriented software
Authors: Gandhi Parul , Bhatia Pradeep Kumar
Published: August 2011

Inheritance and templates are key concepts in object-oriented programming (OOP), and are essential for achieving reusability and extendibility. The aim of this paper is to explore traditional Halstead's metrics and use them to propose more software metrics related to generic method and attributes in an object-oriented software. These metrics measure quantitative generic construct with inheritance in an object-oriented code. Two metrics GRr (Generic Reusability Ratio) and ERr (Effort Ratio) are proposed in this paper. First metric GRr (Generic Reusability Ratio) measures impact of template in program volume and second metric ERr (Effort Ratio) measures impact of template in development effort. These metrics will be a tool for estimating and evaluating costs of program design and program tests as well as program complexity.
Software testing process
Authors: Khan R. A. , Choudhary R. K.
Published: August 2011

Early identification of defects and prevention of defects migration are key goals of the testing process. It is highly desirable to optimize the test activities for a fast time-to-market while delivering a product that meets quality expectation. Software engineering research has led to a raft of systematic testing activities applicable during the development life cycle. Software test process elaborates various testing activities and describes which activity is to be carried out when. Given the need and significance of phased approach of testing, this paper proposes a prescriptive framework elaborating testing activities to be carried out while integrating it within the development life cycle.
An empirical assessment of metrics suite of AOSD in open source projects
Authors: Kumar Pankaj , Dutta Kamlesh
Published: August 2011

NOTE FROM ACM: It has been determined that this paper plagiarized earlier works. Therefore ACM has shut off access to this paper.

The paper by Pankaj Kumar and Kamlesh Dutta plagiarizes the following work: Marc Eaddy, Vibhav Garg, Alfred Aho, Nachiappan Nagappan, Kaitlin Duck Sherwood, "On the Relationship between Crosscutting Concerns and Defects: An Empirical Investigation"
found here
.

For further information, contact the
ACM Director of Publications.
Supporting agile development by facilitating natural user interaction with executable formal specifications
Authors: Nummenmaa Timo , Tiensuu Aleksi , Berki Eleni , Mikkonen Tommi , Kuittinen Jussi , Kultima Annakaisa
Published: August 2011

Agile development benefits from fast feedback from various stakeholders. If implemented in a suitable way, formal methods can enhance the agile development process. With an executable formal specification, it is possible to analyse and simulate the behaviour of the target system before it is being built. However, for the users' and developers' natural participation in the development process, it is necessary to use a real end-user interface and bind it to the execution environment being used in the simulations and animations. This requires, though, that the execution model used to simulate the specification is appropriately changed to facilitate the use of these user interfaces. The authors present a formal and flexible method to facilitate natural user interaction with executable specifications through end-user interfaces. This can be considered as an agile and formal way which provides continuous testable software components through frequently communicated stakeholders' views. The method is based on a modification of the execution of the DisCo system, a software for creating and animating formal specifications. Usage of the method is demonstrated through an exploratory study of a game application.
A few useful considerations in the development of intra-day trading software
Authors: Sharma Arun , Gupta Samarth
Published: August 2011

Trading has evolved from being merely an "open outcry" to becoming tech-savvy and computer intensive. With the stock exchanges computerizing the trading procedures and the traders following suit there was a need felt to upgrade the trading systems in sync with the innovational changes in technology like ECN (Electronic Communication Network) and SOES (Short Order Execution System). In their quest for maximizing gains while reducing risk and brokerage, trading companies fell over the idea of using computers for latency based arbitrage in an intra-day trading setup. It became quite empirical that better machinery meant more profits.

The present paper realizes that for a vendor to develop the most efficient intra-day trading systems, it is necessary to incorporate various software standards that are otherwise of very little concern in other domains. This paper focuses on how the Indian software industry can put their clients at an advantage by adopting certain strategies which are a general feature of their western counterparts. Hence it is attempted to compare how the Indian trading software lag behind the internationally accepted software and how these shortcomings can be overcome.
On the communication problem between domain engineering and application engineering
Authors: Thurimella Anil Kumar
Published: August 2011

Software Product Line Engineering enables customization and reuse during the development of software intensive systems. A typical product line process consists of a domain engineering process and several application engineering processes. We use two different heuristics to characterize artifact redundancies in a product line system: 1) artifacts should not be developed redundantly across domain engineering and application engineering and 2) no two application engineering teams should develop same artifacts redundantly. To provide a formal basis for the heuristics, we derive consistency equations by using mathematical notations of sets. We also use these consistency equations to describe artifact redundancies that occur due to conflicts-of-interests between domain engineering and application engineering. In particular, conflicts-of interests during product line scoping, product instantiation and product line evolution are covered. Furthermore, based on a literature review, we elicit several requirements to address the conflicts-of-interests and artifact redundancies.
VAST 2011 workshop summary
Authors: Perrouin Gilles , Metzger Andreas , Heymans Patrick , Le Traon Yves
Published: August 2011

The purpose of this article is to report about the first international workshop on Variability-intensive Systems Testing, Validation & Verification (VAST) which was held as part of the IEEE International Conference on Software Testing, Verification & Validation in Berlin on March 21st, 2011.
Creating the spectacle
Authors: Benford Steve , Crabtree Andy , Flintham Martin , Greenhalgh Chris , Koleva Boriana , Adams Matt , Tandavanitj Nick , Farr Ju Row , Giannachi Gabriella , Lindt Irma
Published: August 2011

An ethnographic study reveals how professional artists created a spectator interface for the interactive game Day of the Figurines, designing the size, shape, height and materials of two tabletop interfaces before carefully arranging them in a local setting. We also show how participants experienced this interface. We consider how the artists worked with a multi-scale notion of interactional trajectory that combined trajectories through individual displays, trajectories through a local ecology of displays, and trajectories through an entire experience. Our findings shed light on discussions within HCI concerning interaction with tangible and tabletop displays, spectator interfaces, ecologies of displays, and trajectories through cultural experiences.
XICE windowing toolkit
Authors: Arthur Richard , Olsen Dan R.
Published: August 2011

Users are increasingly nomadic, carrying computing power with them. To gain rich input and output, users could annex displays and input devices when available, but annexing via VGA cable is insufficient. This article introduces XICE, which uses wireless networks to connect portable devices to display servers. Network connections eliminate cables, allow multiple people to share a display, and ease input annexation. XICE mitigates potentially malicious input, and facilitates comfortable viewing on a variety of displays via view-independent coordinates. The XICE-distributed graphics model greatly reduces portable device CPU usage and extends portable device battery life.
The relationship of action research to human-computer interaction
Authors: Hayes Gillian R.
Published: August 2011

Alongside the growing interest within HCI, and arguably computing more generally, in conducting research that has substantial societal benefits, there is a need for new ways to think about and to articulate the challenges of these engaged research projects as well as their results. Action Research (AR) is a class of methods and approaches for conducting democratic and collaborative research with community partners. AR has evolved over the last several decades and offers HCI researchers theoretical lenses, methodological approaches, and pragmatic guidance for conducting socially relevant, collaborative, and engaged research. In this article, I describe the historical context and origins of AR, the scientifically rigorous practice of conducting and evaluating AR projects, and the ways in which AR might meaningfully be applied to HCI research.
Two-handed marking menus for multitouch devices
Authors: Kin Kenrick , Hartmann Björn , Agrawala Maneesh
Published: August 2011

We investigate multistroke marking menus for multitouch devices and we show that using two hands can improve performance. We present two new two-handed multistroke marking menu variants in which users either draw strokes with both hands simultaneously or alternate strokes between hands. In a pair of studies we find that using two hands simultaneously is faster than using a single, dominant-handed marking menu by 10--15%. Alternating strokes between hands doubles the number of accessible menu items for the same number of strokes, and is similar in performance to using a one-handed marking menu. We also examine how stroke direction affects performance. When using thumbs on an iPod Touch, drawing strokes upwards and inwards is faster than other directions. For two-handed simultaneous menus, stroke pairs that are bilaterally symmetric or share the same direction are fastest. We conclude with design guidelines and sample applications to aid multitouch application developers interested in using one- and two-handed marking menus.
INSPIRED High School Computing Academies
Authors: Doerschuk Peggy , Liu Jiangjiang , Mann Judith
Published: August 2011

If we are to attract more women and minorities to computing we must engage students at an early age. As part of its mission to increase participation of women and underrepresented minorities in computing, the Increasing Student Participation in Research Development Program (INSPIRED) conducts computing academies for high school students. The academies are designed to increase students’ knowledge of and interest in computing and to encourage females and minorities to participate in computing. INSPIRED academies differ from others in several ways. They are relatively easy to organize and require relatively few resources; they focus on computing concepts and object-oriented programming; they expose students to successful female and minority computer scientists; and they actively engage university students from underrepresented groups to organize, coordinate, teach, and help assess the academies. This not only provides role models for the high school students but also helps engage the university students and promote their professional development. Our assessment results show that high school student participants have gained significant knowledge and interest in computing through participation in the academies. This article describes the organization, coordination, content, and assessment of the academies, along with suggestions for those who would like to design academies like these. It also discusses how to prepare university students for their roles in the academies and how their participation has helped in their professional development. It includes pointers to sites from which the instructional and assessment materials can be downloaded for those who wish to replicate or adapt these materials.
Engaging Women in Computer Science and Engineering
Authors: Kim Karen A. , Fann Amy J. , Misa-Escalante Kimberly O.
Published: August 2011

Building on research that identifies and addresses issues of women’s underrepresentation in computing, this article describes promising practices in undergraduate research experiences that promote women’s long-term interest in computer science and engineering. Specifically, this article explores whether and how REU programs include programmatic elements designed to promote gender equity and identifies specific mechanisms that are seen as effective in supporting women in REU programs and in encouraging them to persist in computer science and engineering fields. The findings are drawn from a comprehensive study that includes a national survey of REU programs, follow-up interviews with REU program directors from across the country, and an in-depth evaluation of one REU program over four years.
Community Discovery via Metagraph Factorization
Authors: Lin Yu-Ru , Sun Jimeng , Sundaram Hari , Kelliher Aisling , Castro Paul , Konuru Ravi
Published: August 2011

This work aims at discovering community structure in rich media social networks through analysis of time-varying, multirelational data. Community structure represents the latent social context of user actions. It has important applications such as search and recommendation. The problem is particularly useful in the enterprise domain, where extracting emergent community structure on enterprise social media can help in forming new collaborative teams, in expertise discovery, and in the long term reorganization of enterprises based on collaboration patterns. There are several unique challenges: (a) In social media, the context of user actions is constantly changing and coevolving; hence the social context contains time-evolving multidimensional relations. (b) The social context is determined by the available system features and is unique in each social media platform; hence the analysis of such data needs to flexibly incorporate various system features. In this article we propose MetaFac (MetaGraph Factorization), a framework that extracts community structures from dynamic, multidimensional social contexts and interactions. Our work has three key contributions: (1) metagraph, a novel relational hypergraph representation for modeling multirelational and multidimensional social data; (2) an efficient multirelational factorization method for community extraction on a given metagraph; (3) an online method to handle time-varying relations through incremental metagraph factorization. Extensive experiments on real-world social data collected from an enterprise and the public Digg social media Web site suggest that our technique is scalable and is able to extract meaningful communities from social media contexts. We illustrate the usefulness of our framework through two prediction tasks: (1) in the enterprise dataset, the task is to predict users’ future interests on tag usage, and (2) in the Digg dataset, the task is to predict users’ future interests in voting and commenting on Digg stories. Our prediction significantly outperforms baseline methods (including aspect model and tensor analysis), indicating the promising direction of using metagraphs for handling time-varying social relational contexts.
MOOCs: Massive Open Online Courses or Massive and Often Obtuse Courses?
Authors: Chamberlin Lisa , Parish Tracy
Published: August 2011

Free and open often come to mind when discussing social learning. But what about the disconnect that can occur in the online learning environment? With Massive Open Online Courses being heralded as the next big thing by instructors, the learner's perspective has been overlooked. Presented are the pros and cons of MOOCs from the point of view of the student learner.
The Oxford Union Debate on Informal Learning, Style or Substance?
Authors: Greengard Samuel
Published: August 2011

Last fall, a panel of eLearn heavy hitters were invited by the Oxford Union to debate whether informal learning is fad or foundational. Presented is a recap of the lively event.
Symbolic definite (and indefinite) integration
Authors: Lichtblau Daniel
Published: August 2011

The computation of definite integrals presents one with a variety of choices. There are various methods such as Newton-Leibniz or Slater's convolution method. There are questions such as whether to split or merge sums, how to search for singularities on the path of integration, when to issue conditional results, how to assess (possibly conditional) convergence, and more. These various considerations moreover interact with one another in a multitude of ways. Herein we discuss these various issues and illustrate with examples.
Boolean Gröbner bases in SAT solving
Authors: Zengler Christoph , Küchlin Wolfgang
Published: August 2011

We want to incorporate the reasoning power of Boolean Gröbner bases into modern SAT solvers. There are many starting points where to plug in the Gröbner bases engine in the SAT solving process. As a first step we chose the learning part where new consequences (lemmas) of the original formula are deduced. This paper shows first promising results, also published at the CASC 2010 in Armenia [1].
Mobile computing
Authors: Satyanarayanan Mahadev
Published: August 2011

In the inaugural issue of MC2R in April 1997 [24], I highlighted the seminal influence of mobility in computing. At that time, the goal of "information at your fingertips anywhere, anytime" was only a dream. Today, through relentless pursuit of innovations in wireless technology, energy-efficient portable hardware and adaptive software, we have largely attained this goal. Ubiquitous email and Web access is a reality that is experienced by millions of users worldwide through their Blackberries, iPhones, iPads, Windows Phone devices, and Android-based devices. Mobile Web-based services and location-aware advertising opportunities have emerged, triggering large commercial investments. Mobile computing has arrived as a lucrative business proposition.

Looking ahead, what are the dreams that will inspire our future efforts in mobile computing? We begin this paper by considering some imaginary mobile computing scenarios from the future. We then extract the deep assumptions implicit in these scenarios, and use them to speculate on the future trajectory of mobile computing.
Recruited vs. nonrecruited molecular signatures of brown, “brite,” and white adipose tissues
Authors: Waldén Tomas B. , Hansen Ida R. , Timmons James A. , Cannon Barbara , Nedergaard Jan
Published: August 2011

Mainly from cell culture studies, a series of genes that have been suggested to be characteristic of different types of adipocytes have been identified. Here we have examined gene expression patterns in nine defined adipose depots: interscapular BAT, cervical BAT, axillary BAT, mediastinic BAT, cardiac WAT, inguinal WAT, retroperitoneal WAT, mesenteric WAT, and epididymal WAT. We found that each depot displayed a distinct gene expression fingerprint but that three major types of depots were identifiable: the brown, the brite, and the white. Although differences in gene expression pattern were generally quantitative, some gene markers showed, even in vivo, remarkable depot specificities: Zic1 for the classical BAT depots, Hoxc9 for the brite depots, Hoxc8 for the brite and white in contrast to the brown, and Tcf21 for the white depots. The effect of physiologically induced recruitment of thermogenic function (cold acclimation) on the expression pattern of the genes was quantified; in general, the depot pattern dominated over the recruitment effects. The significance of the gene expression patterns for classifying the depots and for understanding the developmental background of the depots is discussed, as are the possible regulatory functions of the genes.
Cool-1/βPIX functions as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor in the cycling of Cdc42 to regulate insulin secretion
Authors: Kepner Erica M. , Yoder Stephanie M. , Oh Eunjin , Kalwat Michael A. , Wang Zhanxiang , Quilliam Lawrence A. , Thurmond Debbie C.
Published: August 2011

Second-phase insulin release requires the sustained mobilization of insulin granules from internal storage pools to the cell surface for fusion with the plasma membrane. However, the detailed mechanisms underlying this process remain largely unknown. GTP-loading of the small GTPase Cdc42 is the first glucose-specific activation step in the process, although how glucose triggers Cdc42 activation is entirely unknown. In a directed candidate screen for guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs), which directly activate small GTPases, Cool-1/βPix was identified in pancreatic islet beta cells. In support of its role as the beta cell Cdc42 GEF, βPix coimmunoprecipitated with Cdc42 in human islets and MIN6 beta cells in a glucose-dependent manner, peaking just prior to Cdc42 activation. Furthermore, RNAi-mediated βPix reduction by 50% corresponded to full ablation of glucose-induced Cdc42 activation and significant attenuation of basal and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Of the two Cdc42 guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitor (GDI) proteins identified in beta cells, βPix competed selectively with caveolin-1 (Cav-1) but not RhoGDI in coimmunoprecipitation and GST-Cdc42-GDP interaction assays. However, a phospho-deficient Cav-1-Y14F mutant failed to compete with βPix; Cav-1Tyr14 is an established phosphorylation site for Src kinase. Taken together, these data support a new model, wherein glucose stimulates Cav-1 and induces its dissociation from Cdc42, possibly via Src kinase activation to phosphorylate Cav-1Tyr14, to promote Cdc42-βPix binding and Cdc42 activation, and to trigger downstream signaling and ultimately sustain insulin release.
Proteomic identification of secreted proteins from human skeletal muscle cells and expression in response to strength training
Authors: Norheim Frode , Raastad Truls , Thiede Bernd , Rustan Arild C. , Drevon Christian A. , Haugen Fred
Published: August 2011

Regular physical activity protects against several types of diseases. This may involve altered secretion of signaling proteins from skeletal muscle. Our aim was to identify the most abundantly secreted proteins in cultures of human skeletal muscle cells and to monitor their expression in muscles of strength-training individuals. A total of 236 proteins were detected by proteome analysis in medium conditioned by cultured human myotubes, which was narrowed down to identification of 18 classically secreted proteins expressed in skeletal muscle, using the SignalP 3.0 and Human Genome Expression Profile databases together with a published mRNA-based reconstruction of the human skeletal muscle secretome. For 17 of the secreted proteins, expression was confirmed at the mRNA level in cultured human myotubes as well as in biopsies of human skeletal muscles. RT-PCR analyses showed that 15 of the secreted muscle proteins had significantly enhanced mRNA expression in m. vastus lateralis and/or m. trapezius after 11 wk of strength training among healthy volunteers. For example, secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine, a secretory protein in the membrane fraction of skeletal muscle fibers, was increased 3- and 10-fold in m. vastus lateralis and m. trapezius, respectively. Identification of proteins secreted by skeletal muscle cells in vitro facilitated the discovery of novel responses in skeletal muscles of strength-training individuals.
Network bursts in hippocampal microcultures are terminated by exhaustion of vesicle pools
Authors: Cohen Dror , Segal Menahem
Published: August 2011

Synchronized network activity is an essential attribute of the brain. Yet the cellular mechanisms that determine the duration of network bursts are not fully understood. In the present study, synchronized network bursts were evoked by triggering an action potential in a single neuron in otherwise silent microcultures consisting of 4–30 hippocampal neurons. The evoked burst duration, ∼2 s, depended on the recovery time after a previous burst. While interburst intervals of 35 s enabled full-length bursts, they were shortened by half at 5-s intervals. This reduction in burst duration could not be attributed to postsynaptic parameters such as glutamate receptor desensitization, accumulating afterhyperpolarization, inhibitory tone, or sodium channel inactivation. Reducing extracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]o) relieved the effect of short intervals on burst duration, while depletion of synaptic vesicles with α-latrotoxin gradually eliminated network bursts. Finally, a transient exposure to high [K+]o slowed down the recovery time following a burst discharge. We conclude that the limiting factor regulating burst duration is most likely the depletion of presynaptic resources.
Tissue and circulating expression of IL-1 family members following heat stroke
Authors: Helwig Bryan G. , Leon Lisa R.
Published: August 2011

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is thought to have a significant role in the pathophysiology of heat stroke (HS), although little is known regarding the actions or expression patterns of the IL-1 family. This study tested the hypotheses that following HS IL-1 family gene expression is dynamic, while loss of IL-1 signaling enhances recovery. IL-1 family expression was determined in plasma, spleen, and liver from C57BL/6J mice ( n = 24 control, n = 20 HS) at maximum core temperature (Tc,Max), hypothermia, and 24 h post-HS (24 h). Soluble IL-1 receptor subtype I (sIL-1RI) protein expression peaked at 24 h (14,659.01 ± 2,016.28 pg/ml, P < 0.05), while sIL-1RII peaked at hypothermia (19,099.30 ± 1,177.07 pg/ml). IL-1α gene expression in the spleen (ninefold) and liver (fourfold) along with IL-1RI (threefold spleen and fivefold liver) were maximal at hypothermia. Spleen IL-1β gene expression peaked at Tc,Max(fourfold) but at hypothermia (fourfold) in liver. Gene expression of the IL-1 family member IL-18 peaked (2.5-fold) at Tc,Maxbut was similar at all other time points. Subsequent studies revealed that despite accruing a greater heating area (298 ± 16 vs. 247 ± 13°C·min, P < 0.05), IL-1RI knockout (KO) mice ( n = 14) showed an attenuated hypothermia depth (28.5 ± 0.2 vs. 27.3 ± 0.5°C, P < 0.05) and duration (675 ± 82 vs. 1,283 ± 390 min, P < 0.05) with a higher 24 h Tc(36.9 vs. 34.1°C, P < 0.05) compared with C57BL/6J mice ( n = 8). The current results demonstrate that following HS IL-1 family gene expression is altered and IL-1RI KO mice display Tcresponses consistent with a more rapid recovery.