bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Team Projects in Computing Education
Authors: Börstler Jürgen , Hilburn Thomas B.
Published: March 2016

Team projects are a way to expose students to conflicting project objectives, and “[t]here should be a strong real-world element … to ensure that the experience is realistic” [ACM/IEEE-CS 2015b]. Team projects provide an opportunity for students to put their education into practice and prepare them for their professional careers. The aim of this special issue, and the previous one, is to collect and share evidence about the state of practice of team projects in computing education and to help educators in designing and running team projects. The articles presented in the present issue cover the following topics: real projects for real clients, open source projects, multidisciplinary team projects, student and team assessment, and cognitive and psychological aspects of team projects.
Efficient Multichannel Communications in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Wu Yafeng , Liu Kin Sum , Stankovic John A. , He Tian , Lin Shan
Published: March 2016

This article demonstrates how to use multiple channels to improve communication performance in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs). We first investigate multichannel realities in WSNs through intensive empirical experiments with Micaz motes. Our study shows that current multichannel protocols are not suitable for WSNs because of the small number of available channels and unavoidable time errors found in real networks. With these observations, we propose a novel tree-based, multichannel scheme for data collection applications, which allocates channels to disjoint trees and exploits parallel transmissions among trees. In order to minimize interference within trees, we define a new channel assignment problem that is proven NP-complete. Then, we propose a greedy channel allocation algorithm that outperforms other schemes in dense networks with a small number of channels. We implement our protocol, called the Tree-based, Multichannel Protocol (TMCP), in a real testbed. To adjust to networks with link quality heterogeneity, an extension of TMCP is also proposed. Through both simulation and real experiments, we show that TMCP can significantly improve network throughput and reduce packet losses. More important, evaluation results show that TMCP better accommodates multichannel realities found in WSNs than other multichannel protocols.
Near-Optimal Deterministic Steiner Tree Maintenance in Sensor Networks
Authors: Sharma Gokarna , Busch Costas
Published: March 2016

We consider the group-communication maintenance problem between a set of
k
mobile agents that are tracked by a static sensor network. We develop a scalable deterministic distributed algorithm for maintaining a Steiner tree of the agents so that group communication between them can be provided with the minimum total cost possible. The main idea is that our algorithm maintains a virtual tree of mobile agents that can be immediately converted to an actual Steiner tree at all times. Our algorithm achieves the Steiner tree with total length at most
O
(log
k
) times the length of the optimal Steiner tree in the constant-doubling graph model. The total communication cost (the number of messages) to maintain the Steiner tree is only
O
(min{log
n
, log
D
}) times the optimal communication cost, where
n
and
D
, respectively, are the number of nodes and the diameter of the constant-doubling network. We also develop improved algorithms for the mobile
k
-center, sparse-aggregation, and distributed-matching problems. Experimental evaluation results show the benefits of our algorithms compared to previous algorithms. These four problems are NP-hard and, to the best of our knowledge, our algorithms are the first near-optimal deterministic algorithms for maintaining approximate solutions to these important network problems with low maintenance costs in a distributed setting.
Forensic Analysis of Linear and Nonlinear Image Filtering Using Quantization Noise
Authors: Ravi Hareesh , Subramanyam A. V. , Emmanuel Sabu
Published: March 2016

The availability of intelligent image editing techniques and antiforensic algorithms, make it convenient to manipulate an image and to hide the artifacts that it might have produced in the process. Real world forgeries are generally followed by the application of enhancement techniques such as filtering and/or conversion of the image format to suppress the forgery artifacts. Though several techniques evolved in the direction of detecting some of these manipulations, additional operations like recompression, nonlinear filtering, and other antiforensic methods during forgery are not deeply investigated. Toward this, we propose a robust method to detect whether a given image has undergone filtering (linear or nonlinear) based enhancement, possibly followed by format conversion after forgery. In the proposed method, JPEG quantization noise is obtained using natural image prior and quantization noise models. Transition probability features extracted from the quantization noise are used for machine learning based detection and classification. We test the effectiveness of the algorithm in classifying the class of the filter applied and the efficacy in detecting filtering in low resolution images. Experiments are performed to compare the performance of the proposed technique with state-of-the-art forensic filtering detection algorithms. It is found that the proposed technique is superior in most of the cases. Also, experiments against popular antiforensic algorithms show the counter antiforensic robustness of the proposed technique.
Secure Nonlocal Denoising in Outsourced Images
Authors: Hu Xianjun , Zhang Weiming , Li Ke , Hu Honggang , Yu Nenghai
Published: March 2016

Signal processing in the encrypted domain becomes a desired technique to protect privacy of outsourced data in cloud. In this article, we propose a double-cipher scheme to implement nonlocal means (NLM) denoising in encrypted images. In this scheme, one ciphertext is generated by the Paillier scheme, which enables the mean filter, and the other is obtained by a privacy-preserving transform, which enables the nonlocal search. By the privacy-preserving transform, the cloud server can search the similar pixel blocks in the ciphertexts with the same speed as in the plaintexts; thus, the proposed method can be executed fast. To enhance the security, we randomly permutate both ciphertexts. To reduce the denoising complexity caused by random permutation, a random NLM method is exploited in the encrypted domain. The experimental results show that the quality of denoised images in the encrypted domain is comparable to that obtained in the plain domain.
Depth Personalization and Streaming of Stereoscopic Sports Videos
Authors: Calagari Kiana , Elgamal Tarek , Diab Khaled , Templin Krzysztof , Didyk Piotr , Matusik Wojciech , Hefeeda Mohamed
Published: March 2016

Current three-dimensional displays cannot fully reproduce all depth cues used by a human observer in the real world. Instead, they create only an illusion of looking at a three-dimensional scene. This leads to a number of challenges during the content creation process. To assure correct depth reproduction and visual comfort, either the acquisition setup has to be carefully controlled or additional postprocessing techniques have to be applied. Furthermore, these manipulations need to account for a particular setup that is used to present the content, for example, viewing distance or screen size. This creates additional challenges in the context of personal use when stereoscopic content is shown on TV sets, desktop monitors, or mobile devices. We address this problem by presenting a new system for streaming stereoscopic content. Its key feature is a computationally efficient depth adjustment technique which can automatically optimize viewing experience for videos of field sports such as soccer, football, and tennis. Additionally, the method enables depth personalization to allow users to adjust the amount of depth according to their preferences. Our stereoscopic video streaming system was implemented, deployed, and tested with real users.
Enhanced Reweighted MRFs for Efficient Fashion Image Parsing
Authors: Wu Qiong , Boulanger Pierre
Published: March 2016

Previous image parsing methods usually model the problem in a conditional random field which describes a statistical model learned from a training dataset and then processes a query image using the conditional probability. However, for clothing images, fashion items have a large variety of layering and configuration, and it is hard to learn a certain statistical model of features that apply to general cases. In this article, we take fashion images as an example to show how Markov Random Fields (MRFs) can outperform Conditional Random Fields when the application does not follow a certain statistical model learned from the training data set. We propose a new method for automatically parsing fashion images in high processing efficiency with significantly less training time by applying a modification of MRFs, named reweighted MRF (RW-MRF), which resolves the problem of over smoothing infrequent labels. We further enhance RW-MRF with occlusion prior and background prior to resolve two other common problems in clothing parsing, occlusion, and background spill. Our experimental results indicate that our proposed clothing parsing method significantly improves processing time and training time over state-of-the-art methods, while ensuring comparable parsing accuracy and improving label recall rate.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Mucinous Appendiceal Neoplasm Presented as Acute Appendicitis
Authors: Kehagias Ioannis , Zygomalas Apollon , Markopoulos Georgios , Papandreou Thanasis , Kraniotis Pantelis
Published: March 2016

Appendiceal mucocele is a rare cause of acute abdomen. Mucinous appendiceal neoplasms represent 0.2–0.7% of all appendix specimens. The aim of this study is to report a case of a mucinous appendiceal neoplasm presented as acute appendicitis, discussing the clinical and surgical approach in the emergency setting. A 72-year-old female patient was admitted to the emergency department with a clinical examination indicative of acute abdomen. The patient underwent abdominal computed tomography scan which revealed a cystic lesion in the right iliac fossa measuring 8.3 × 5.2 × 4.1 cm, with calcified walls, and a mean density indicative of high protein content. The patient was taken to the operating room and a right hemicolectomy was performed. The postoperative course was unremarkable. The histopathological examination revealed a low-grade mucinous appendiceal neoplasm with negative regional lymph nodes. Ultrasound and CT are useful in diagnosing appendiceal mucocele and synchronous cancers in the emergency setting. The initial operation should include appendectomy and resection of the appendicular mesenteric fat along with any fluid collection for cytologic examination. During urgent appendectomy it is important to consider every mucocele as malignant in order to avoid iatrogenic perforation causing pseudomyxoma peritonei. Although laparotomy is recommended, the laparoscopic approach is not contraindicated.
An Enhanced Plane Wave Expansion Method to Solve Piezoelectric Phononic Crystal with Resonant Shunting Circuits
Authors: Lian Ziyang , Jiang Shan , Hu Hongping , Dai Longxiang , Chen Xuedong , Jiang Wei
Published: March 2016

An enhanced plane wave expansion (PWE) method is proposed to solve piezoelectric phononic crystal (PPC) connected with resonant shunting circuits (PPC-C), which is named as PWE-PPC-C. The resonant shunting circuits can not only bring about the locally resonant (LR) band gap for the PPC-C but also conveniently tune frequency and bandwidth of band gaps through adjusting circuit parameters. However, thus far, more than one-dimensional PPC-C has been studied just by Finite Element method. Compared with other methods, the PWE has great advantages in solving more than one-dimensional PC as well as various lattice types. Nevertheless, the conventional PWE cannot accurately solve coupling between the structure and resonant shunting circuits of the PPC-C since only taking one-way coupling from displacements to electrical parameters into consideration. A two-dimensional PPC-C model of orthorhombic lattice is established to demonstrate the whole solving process of PWE-PPC-C. The PWE-PPC-C method is validated by Transfer Matrix method as well as Finite Element method. The dependence of band gaps on circuit parameters has been investigated in detail by PWE-PPC-C. Its advantage in solving various lattice types is further illustrated by calculating the PPC-C of triangular and hexagonal lattices, respectively.
EBRP: An Energy-Efficient and Buffer-Aware Routing Protocol for Mobile Crowdsensing Network
Authors: Ma Huahong , Zheng Guoqiang , Wu Honghai , Ji Baofeng , Li Jishun
Published: March 2016

Data collection with high efficiency is a key problem for the completion of crowdsensing tasks in Mobile Crowdsensing Networks. Much work has been done on the opportunistic routing problem, but they usually just focused on the sociality of node, and the attributes of node itself have always been ignored, such as energy and buffer, which are particularly important for the persistent crowdsensing tasks. In this paper, we now modify the spectral clustering algorithm and propose a novel and more practical routing protocol for MCSN, named EBRP, in which the sociality of node and the dynamic changes of the attributes of node itself are all fully considered when the relay nodes are selected. To evaluate the performance of our routing protocol, we have done extensive simulations and much analysis based on three real-life mobility traces. The results show that our EBRP can greatly outperform the existing protocols in terms of delivery ratio, cost, and node survival ratio.
Immune Response Induced by an Immunodominant 60 kDa Glycoprotein of the Cell Wall ofSporothrix schenckiiin Two Mice Strains with Experimental Sporotrichosis
Authors: Alba-Fierro Carlos A. , Pérez-Torres Armando , Toriello Conchita , Pulido-Camarillo Evelyn , López-Romero Everardo , Romo-Lozano Yolanda , Gutiérrez-Sánchez Gerardo , Ruiz-Baca Estela
Published: March 2016

Cell wall (CW) components of fungusSporothrix schenckiiare the major inductors antigens of immune responses. The immunodominant 60 kDa glycoprotein (gp60) has been shown to be associated with the virulence of this fungus but its role in experimental sporotrichosis is unknown. In this work, the immunological effects of CW-purified gp60 were investigated in a model of experimental subcutaneous sporotrichosis in normal and gp60-preimmunized C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice strains which were then infected withS. schenckiiconidia. Results showed that both mice strains use different cytokine profiles in order to fightS. schenckiiinfection; C57BL/6 mice seem to use a Th17 response while BALB/c mice tend to depend on a Th1 profile. Preimmunization with gp60 showed a downregulatory effect on the immune response since cytokines levels were diminished in both strains. There were no significant differences in the magnitude of dorsoplantar inflammation between gp60-preimmunized and nonimmunized mice of both strains. However, skin lesions due to the infection in gp60-preimmunized mice were more severe in BALB/c than in C57BL/6 mice, suggesting that the antigen exerts a higher downregulatory effect on the Th1 response.
SUMOylation of DISC1: A Potential Role in Neural Progenitor Proliferation in the Developing Cortex
Authors: Tankou Stephanie , Ishii Kazuhiro , Elliott Christina , Yalla Krishna C. , Day Jon P. , Furukori Keiko , Kubo Ken-ichiro , Brandon Nicholas J. , Tang Qiyi , Hayward Gary , Nakajima Kazunori , Houslay Miles D. , Kamiya Atsushi , Baillie George S. , Ishizuka Koko , Sawa Akira
Published: March 2016

DISC1 is a multifunctional, intracellular scaffold protein. At the cellular level, DISC1 plays a pivotal role in neural progenitor proliferation, migration, and synaptic maturation. Perturbation of the biological pathways involving DISC1 is known to lead to behavioral changes in rodents, which supports a clinical report of a Scottish pedigree in which the majority of family members with disruption of the DISC1 gene manifest depression, schizophrenia, and related mental conditions. The discrepancy between modest evidence in genetics and strong biological support for the role of DISC1 in mental conditions suggests a working hypothesis that regulation of DISC1 at the protein level, such as posttranslational modification, may play a role in the pathology of mental conditions. In this study, we report on the SUMOylation of DISC1. This posttranslational modification occurs on lysine residues where the small ubiquitin-related modifier (SUMO) and its homologs are conjugated to a large number of cellular proteins, which in turn regulates their subcellular distribution and protein stability. By using in silico, biochemical, and cell-biological approaches, we now demonstrate that human DISC1 is SUMOylated at one specific lysine 643 (K643). We also show that this residue is crucial for proper neural progenitor proliferation in the developing cortex.
Soy Consumption with Risk of Coronary Heart Disease and Stroke: A Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies
Authors: Lou Danfei , Li Yuehua , Yan Guoliang , Bu Jianhong , Wang Haihui
Published: March 2016

Background: The association of soy product consumption with the relative risk of cardiovascular disease remains controversial. This meta-analysis aimed at investigating whether an association exists between soy consumption and the risk of stroke and coronary heart disease (CHD) in observational studies. Methods: A systematic search of the PubMed and EMBASE databases was performed for case-control and cohort studies that assessed soy consumption and the risk of stroke and CHD. Summary relative risks (SRRs) and 95% CIs were combined by using a random-effects model. Results: Of a total of 1,266 abstracts, 5 prospective cohort and 6 case-control studies met our inclusion criteria, and comprised 4,954 stroke and 7,616 CHD events. Based on the high vs. low analyses, combining cohort studies showed no association between soy intake and risk of stroke (SRR 0.92; 95% CI 0.70-1.10; Pheterogeneity = 0.236; I2 = 29.4%) or CHD (SRR 0.97; 95% CI 0.74-1.27; Pheterogeneity = 0.020; I2 = 62.7%), although a significantly inverse association between soy intake and the risk of stroke (SRR 0.54; 95% CI 0.34-0.87; Pheterogeneity = 0.001; I2 = 79.3%) and CHD (SRR 0.66; 95% CI 0.56-0.77; Pheterogeneity = 0.421; I2 = 0) was observed in case-control studies. No association between soy isoflavone intake and the risk of stroke and CHD was identified. Conclusion: There was limited evidence to indicate that soy consumption was inversely associated with the risk of stroke and CHD, although further studies, with prospective designs that use validated questionnaires and control for important confounders, are warranted.
Combined Angiotensin Receptor Antagonism and Neprilysin Inhibition
Authors: Hubers Scott A. , Brown Nancy J.
Published: March 2016

Heart failure affects ≈5.7 million people in the United States alone. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, β-blockers, and aldosterone antagonists have improved mortality in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction, but mortality remains high. In July 2015, the US Food and Drug Administration approved the first of a new class of drugs for the treatment of heart failure: Valsartan/sacubitril (formerly known as LCZ696 and currently marketed by Novartis as Entresto) combines the angiotensin receptor blocker valsartan and the neprilysin inhibitor prodrug sacubitril in a 1:1 ratio in a sodium supramolecular complex. Sacubitril is converted by esterases to LBQ657, which inhibits neprilysin, the enzyme responsible for the degradation of the natriuretic peptides and many other vasoactive peptides. Thus, this combined angiotensin receptor antagonist and neprilysin inhibitor addresses 2 of the pathophysiological mechanisms of heart failure: activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and decreased sensitivity to natriuretic peptides. In the Prospective Comparison of ARNI With ACEI to Determine Impact on Global Mortality and Morbidity in Heart Failure (PARADIGM-HF) trial, valsartan/sacubitril significantly reduced mortality and hospitalization for heart failure, as well as blood pressure, compared with enalapril in patients with heart failure, reduced ejection fraction, and an elevated circulating level of brain natriuretic peptide or N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide. Ongoing clinical trials are evaluating the role of valsartan/sacubitril in the treatment of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and hypertension. We review here the mechanisms of action of valsartan/sacubitril, the pharmacological properties of the drug, and its efficacy and safety in the treatment of heart failure and hypertension.
Human-Animal Studies, G.H. Mead, and the Question of Animal Minds
Authors: Gallagher† Timothy J.
Published: March 2016

In the field of human-animal studies (has), also known as anthrozoology, the question of nonhuman animal minds is central. During the first three decades of the 20th century, the social psychological G.H. Mead was among the first to take an explicitly contemporary approach to the question of mind in nature. Mead’s approach to the question of the nature of mind is consistent with contemporary science. His approach was characterized by empiricism, interdisciplinarity, comparative behavior and anatomy, and evolutionary theory. For Mead, symbolic language was required for mind as he defined it. This stipulation has been called into question by scholars today. The evidence for the nature of animal minds today suggests that a symbolic language is not required for conscious awareness, deliberation, and decision making. Nonetheless, Mead has an historical relevance to the field ofhasfor both the breadth of his work on the nature of consciousness, his contemporary approach, and the fact that some of his insights could be useful to contemporary scholars who are exploring the nature of mind, both human and nonhuman.
Revision of Eugenia and Syzygium (Myrtaceae) from the Comoros archipelago
Authors: BYNG JAMES W. , BARTHELAT FABIEN , SNOW NEIL , BERNARDINI BENEDETTA
Published: March 2016

A taxonomic revision of all native Myrtaceae genera (Eugenia and Syzygium) of the Comoros is presented based on herbarium specimens and molecular and palynological evidence. Eight native species are recognised, seven of which are endemic to the archipelago. We describe the following five new native species: Eugenia choungiensis, E. pascaliana, Syzygium comorense, S. labatii, and S. tringiense. Eugenia anjouanensis is reduced to synonymy under E. comorensis. Lobed stigmas are reported for the first time in Eugenia and only the second time in Myrtaceae. Androdioecy is reported in Eugenia for the first time outside of continental Africa, and its reproductive system is discussed in light of our findings. Preliminary conservation assessments for each native species are calculated according to IUCN Red List criteria, with the majority being threatened with extinction. Recent fieldwork coupled with widespread habitat conversion in the vicinity of the only known specimen suggests strongly that S. humblotii is now extinct.
Jamesdicksonia anadelphiae-trichaetae (Georgefischeriales) and Sporisorium anadelphiae-trichaetae (Ustilaginales), new species on Anadelphia trichaeta (Poaceae) from Guinea
Authors: DENCHEV TEODOR T. , DENCHEV CVETOMIR M.
Published: March 2016

Two new smut fungi on Anadelphia trichaeta, namely Jamesdicksonia anadelphiae-trichaetae and Sporisorium anadelphiae-trichaetae, are described and illustrated from Guinea. Jamesdicksonia anadelphiae-trichaetae differs from J. anadelphiae, infecting Anadelphia pumila in Guinea, by having larger spores (up to 26.5 μm long), thicker spore walls (up to 9.0 μm thick), and erumpent sori. Sporisorium anadelphiae-trichaetae differs from S. monocymbii, infecting Monocymbium ceresiiforme in Sierra Leone, by having spore walls with more prominent ornamentation (spines up to 0.7 μm high) and larger spores. A key to the smut fungi on Anadelphia and related genera is provided.
Reply to “Comments on ‘MSE minus CAPE is the True Conserved Variable for an Adiabatically Lifted Parcel’”
Authors: Romps David M.
Published: March 2016

A standard convention in moist thermodynamics, adopted by D. M. Romps and others, is to set the specific energy and entropy of dry air and liquid water to zero at the triple-point temperature and pressure. P. Marquet claims that this convention leads to physically incorrect results. To support this claim, Marquet presents numerical calculations of a lifted parcel. It is shown here that the claim is false and that the numerical calculations of Marquet are in error. In the context of a simple two-phase thermodynamic system, an analysis is presented here of the freedoms one has to choose additive constants in the definitions of energy and entropy. Many other misconceptions are corrected as well.
Turbulent Diffusivity under High Winds from Acoustic Measurements of Bubbles
Authors: Wang D. W. , Wijesekera H. W. , Jarosz E. , Teague W. J. , Pegau W. S.
Published: March 2016

Breaking surface waves generate layers of bubble clouds as air parcels entrain into the upper ocean through the action of turbulent motions. The turbulent diffusivity in the bubble cloud layer is investigated by combining measurements of surface winds, waves, bubble acoustic backscatter, currents, and hydrography. These measurements were made at water depths of 60–90 m on the shelf of the Gulf of Alaska near Kayak Island during late December 2012, a period when the ocean was experiencing winds and significant wave heights up to 22 m s−1 and 9 m, respectively. Vertical profiles of acoustic backscatter decayed exponentially from the wave surface with e-folding lengths of about 0.6 to 6 m, while the bubble penetration depths were about 3 to 30 m. Both e-folding lengths and bubble depths were highly correlated with surface wind and wave conditions. The turbulent diffusion coefficients, inferred from e-folding length and bubble depth, varied from about 0.01 to 0.4 m2 s−1. Analysis suggests that the turbulent diffusivity in the bubble layer can be parameterized as a function of the cube of the wind friction velocity with a proportionality coefficient that depends weakly on wave age. Furthermore, in the bubble layer, on average, the shear production of the turbulent kinetic energy estimated by the diffusion coefficients is a similar order of magnitude as the dissipation rate predicted by the wall boundary layer theory.
On the Impact of Tropical Cyclones on Rossby Wave Packets: A Climatological Perspective
Authors: Quinting Julian F. , Jones Sarah C.
Published: March 2016

Many studies have highlighted the importance of recurving tropical cyclones (TCs) in triggering Rossby waves. This study investigates the impact of western North Pacific (WNP), south Indian Ocean, and North Atlantic recurving TCs on the amplitude and frequency of synoptic-scale Rossby wave packets (RWPs) over a 30-yr period. The results indicate a significant increase of RWP frequency downstream of WNP and south Indian Ocean TCs. A statistically significant RWP amplitude anomaly downstream of these TCs suggests that RWPs, which are associated with TCs, are stronger than those that generally occur in midlatitudes. North Atlantic TCs do not seem to be associated with a statistically significant increase in RWP frequency and amplitude downstream.

Processes that contribute to Rossby wave amplification are identified by creating composites for WNP TCs with and without downstream development. Potential vorticity, eddy kinetic energy, and quasigeostrophic forcing diagnostics highlight dynamical mechanisms that contribute to the synergistic interaction between the TC and the midlatitude flow. The existence of an upstream Rossby wave favors a downstream development. Diabatically enhanced upper-level divergent flow that can be attributed to the nonlinear interaction between the TC and the midlatitude flow impedes the eastward propagation of the upstream trough, amplifies the downstream ridge, and intensifies the jet. The amplified midlatitude flow provides upper-level forcing, which helps to maintain the predominantly diabatically driven divergent flow.

Forecast uncertainties that are related to these complex TC–midlatitude flow interactions may spread into downstream regions. A climatological analysis of ensemble reforecast data emphasizes the importance of TC–midlatitude flow interactions and Rossby wave amplification on downstream predictability.
Communicating Increased Risk: An Empirical Investigation of the National Weather Service’s Impact-Based Warnings
Authors: Casteel Mark A.
Published: March 2016

In 2014, following a Central Region pilot assessment, the National Weather Service implemented large-scale use of an experimental product of enhanced severe weather warnings known as impact-based warnings (IBWs). The overarching goal of these IBWs is to improve the threat warning process and motivate appropriate responses by using event tags and additional text that provides more specificity about the magnitude of the storm and its potential consequences. These IBWs are designed to be used by individuals in the field to make more effective decisions. Although qualitative research has shown overall satisfaction with IBWs (Harrison et al. 2014; Losego et al. 2013), little published experimental research has been conducted on these new enhanced warnings. The research reported here therefore empirically investigates the effectiveness of the new IBW experimental product. In three experiments, participants adopted the role of a plant manager and read both IBWs and non-IBWs. At three different decision points, participants made decisions about shutting down the plant and having employees shelter in place. The results of all three experiments show that the IBWs produced higher likelihoods of closing the plant and sheltering in place, but only after the additional IBW text (providing information about the hazard, source, and impact) was presented. Interestingly, participant background knowledge of tornadoes and severe weather had little impact on their shelter in place decisions. The results support the conclusion that the additional enhanced text in IBWs promotes a higher stated likelihood of sheltering in place, at least as measured by behavioral intentions.
Bourdieu’s Algerian crossroads
Authors: Peters Gabriel
Published: March 2016

The books reviewed in this essay are made up of well-chosen selections of Bourdieu’s textual and photographic portrayals of Algerian society in the late 1950s. As such, they respond to a renewed scholarly interest in his decisive years of ‘ethnosociological’ apprenticeship. This essay explores, first, how Bourdieu’s experiences in war-torn Algeria have influenced the theoretical and methodological tenets of his mature sociology. Second, it shows that Bourdieu’s early writings on the historical disruptions he witnessed there display themes and perspectives that depart from the most common images of his work. The practical assent to domination characteristic of ‘symbolic violence’ gives way to open resistance, the ‘ontological complicity’ between subjective dispositions and objective circumstances gives way to their historical mismatch, and the principled suspicion towards lay agents’ representations gives way to a high analytical reliance on long personal testimonies. Connecting these aspects of Bourdieu’s sociological investigations to his use of photography, the third section of the essay surveys the multiple functions that the practice of taking pictures performed in his ethnographic forays into Algerian communities. Finally, the essay presents Bourdieu’s connection between motifs of ‘modernization theory’ and theories of (neo)colonialism as one of the first syntheses in his intellectual career.
Screening Electroencephalograms in Autism Spectrum Disorders: Evidence-Based Guideline
Authors: Kagan-Kushnir Tamarah , Roberts S. Wendy , Snead O. Carter
Published: March 2016

The purpose of this study was to establish guidelines for the use of screening electroencephalograms (EEGs) in autism spectrum disorders to identify subclinical epileptiform activity. MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched for relevant articles. The evidence was reviewed using the methodology of the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care. A priori criteria were established for article selection and for grading the quality and strength of the evidence. Seizures are common, occurring in 20 to 30% of patients based on the majority of studies. Epileptiform EEG abnormalities are present in 10.3% to 72.4% of patients and subclinical abnormalities in 6.1% to 31%. Evidence for the effectiveness of anticonvulsants and corticosteroids in reducing seizures and/or autistic symptoms is based primarily on case series and case reports, with only one published randomized trial. There is currently insufficient evidence to recommend for or against the use of screening EEGs in autistic patients. Given the frequency of seizure disorders in this patient population, a high index of clinical suspicion should be maintained for subtle symptoms of seizures. ( J Child Neurol 2005;20:197—206).
Clinical Experience With Zonisamide Monotherapy and Adjunctive Therapy in Children With Epilepsy at a Tertiary Care Referral Center
Authors: Kim Howard L. , Aldridge Jessica , Rho Jong M.
Published: March 2016

We evaluated our clinical experience with zonisamide, a broad-spectrum antiepileptic drug, in a group of children with predominantly medically refractory epilepsy. A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients at our tertiary referral center following Institutional Review Board approval. Observers documented reports of seizure frequency, and seizure types were identified either clinically or by prior video-electroencephalography monitoring. We identified 68 patients (age range 1.9—18.1 years [median 6.9 years]; male to female ratio 1.3:1) treated with zonisamide for 0.7 to 28.9 months; at the last visit, 22% and 78% were on monotherapy and adjunctive therapy, respectively. The median duration of treatment and maintenance dose at the end of the follow-up were 11.2 months and 8.0 mg/kg/day, respectively. Seizure types included generalized (primary generalized tonic-clonic, myoclonic, tonic, atonic, absence) and partial (simple, complex, and secondarily generalized tonic-clonic seizures); 10 (15%) patients had both partial and generalized seizures. Sixteen (25.8%) patients were seizure free, although five of them were already in remission prior to starting zonisamide. Thirteen (21.0%) patients had a ≥ 50% seizure reduction, 10 (16.1%) patients had a < 50% seizure reduction, 14 (22.6%) had no improvement in baseline seizures, and 9 (14.5%) reported having increased seizures. The latter were mostly associated with dosage alterations in concomitant antiepileptic drugs. Common side effects were central nervous system related, including behavioral or psychiatric (23.5%), cognitive dysfunction (12.0%), and sedation (10.3%). Eleven (16.2%) patients ultimately discontinued zonisamide, but only five were strictly due to side effects. Zonisamide is clinically effective against multiple seizure types in a significant proportion of children with epilepsy across a broad age range. Drug discontinuation as a result of side effects is uncommon. ( J Child Neurol 2005;20:212—219).
Relationship Satisfaction Across European Cultures
Authors: Rohmann Elke , Führer Andrea , Bierhoff Hans-Werner
Published: March 2016

This study examines the connection of love styles with relationship satisfaction on the basis of cross-cultural research, including Bosnia, Germany, Romania, Russia, and German immigrants from Russia and Turkey. Love styles include romantic love, friendship love, game-playing love, possessive love, altruistic love, and pragmatic love. The validation of the measurement model across cultural groups was successful because partial measurement invariance was secured, which allows for the application of correlation, regression, and path analysis. Results indicate that the effects of love styles on relationship satisfaction were consistent across cultures with the exception of game-playing love that negatively predicted relationship satisfaction for Germans, Romanians, and Turkish migrants but not for Bosnians, Russians, and Russian migrants. In addition, cultural variation occurred with respect to the strength of the associations. The implications of these findings are discussed in relation to universality and cultural relativity. In general, the effect of love styles on well-being turned out to be manifold.
Sleep disordered breathing at the extremes of age: the elderly
Authors: McMillan Alison , Morrell Mary J.
Published: March 2016

Key points

Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) is common and its prevalence increases with age. Despite this high prevalence, SDB is frequently unrecognised and undiagnosed in older people.

There is accumulating evidence that SDB in older people is associated with worsening cardio- cerebrovascular, cognitive and functional outcomes.

There is now good evidence to support the use of continuous positive airway pressure therapy in older patients with symptomatic SDB.

Educational aims

To highlight the prevalence and presentation of sleep disordered breathing (SDB) in older people.

To inform readers about the risk factors for SDB in older people.

To explore the impact of SDB in older people.

To introduce current evidence based treatment options for SDB in older people.

Sleep disordered breathing (SBD) increases in prevalence as we age, most likely due to physiological and physical changes that occur with ageing. Additionally, SDB is associated with comorbidity and its subsequent polypharmacy, which may increase with increasing age. Finally, the increased prevalence of SDB is intrinsically linked to the obesity epidemic. SDB is associated with serious outcomes in younger people and, likewise, older people. Thus, identification, diagnosis and treatment of SDB is important irrelevant of age. This article reviews the age-related changes contributing to SDB, the epidemiology and the risk factors for SDB in older people, the association of SDB with adverse outcomes, and diagnostic and treatment options for this population.
Transcription factor motif quality assessment requires systematic comparative analysis
Authors: Kibet Caleb Kipkurui , Machanick Philip
Published: March 2016

Transcription factor (TF) binding site prediction remains a challenge in gene regulatory research due to degeneracy and potential variability in binding sites in the genome. Dozens of algorithms designed to learn binding models (motifs) have generated many motifs available in research papers with a subset making it to databases like JASPAR, UniPROBE and Transfac. The presence of many versions of motifs from the various databases for a single TF and the lack of a standardized assessment technique makes it difficult for biologists to make an appropriate choice of binding model and for algorithm developers to benchmark, test and improve on their models. In this study, we review and evaluate the approaches in use, highlight differences and demonstrate the difficulty of defining a standardized motif assessment approach. We review scoring functions, motif length, test data and the type of performance metrics used in prior studies as some of the factors that influence the outcome of a motif assessment. We show that the scoring functions and statistics used in motif assessment influence ranking of motifs in a TF-specific manner. We also show that TF binding specificity can vary by source of genomic binding data. We also demonstrate that information content of a motif is not in isolation a measure of motif quality but is influenced by TF binding behaviour. We conclude that there is a need for an easy-to-use tool that presents all available evidence for a comparative analysis.
On Algorithms of Graphical Plotting of Geodesic Line on a Ruled Surface
Authors: Умбетов  , Umbetov Nurlan , Джанабаев  , Dzhanabaev Zh.
Published: March 2016

Geodesic lines find interesting applications when solving many tasks of fundamental sciences (mathematicians, physics, etc.) and engineering practice. In differential geometry geodesic lines are characteristic lines for determination of internal properties of surface. However, the construction of geodesic line on a surface presents certain complications, mainly solved by the methods of calculating mathematics and descriptive geometry. In this article the development of a simple and comfortable algorithm of construction of geodesic line is considered on linear surfaces. In general case, the spatial model of algorithm of construction of geodesic line on a ruled surface is expressed in the following: a ruled surface we replace with averged surface, and at any side of the viewed verge, the intersection point of the geodesic with the rib of fracture (line of bending of dihedral angle) will be determined as the intersection of contiguous generatrix with the surface of cone of rotation – the congruence of directions of geodesic laying with the top at initial point, axis of rotation, incident to the considered generatrix, and the corner at the top of cone, equal to the doubled corner between the axis of rotation and direction of the geodesic laying. Next, as an initial parameters the contiguous with reviewed generatrix are accepted, determined higher point, lying on it, and the direction of geodesic is a corner between a segment obtained from geodesic and contiguous generatrix. Thus, repeatedly reiterating the described cycle, we will get the multitude number of points, making the required geodesic line.
Ensuring the Quality of Subject Teaching for Students at the Technical University
Authors: Столбова  , Stolbova I.
Published: March 2016

Article contains the analysis of modern approaches to quality management of subject training, and also gives the main mechanisms providing quality of graphic training of students in the Perm Polytechnic University. The work purpose is to present model of quality management of graphic preparation and to show process model of carrying out monitoring of the reached educational results. The adaptive model with negative feedback is offered as model of management of subject preparation. The process model of through monitoring of educational results of subject training promotes improvement of quality of training of the student since allows to trace deviations from the predicted intermediate results of education and to correct an educational trajectory of the student by means of negative feedback. The effective mechanisms providing quality of graphic preparation at university are given in article. Experience of its realization was repeatedly discussed on pages of the Internet edition of the QGP conferences, other editions and got approval of the geometric and graphic community of Russia and the neighboring countries. The annual Internet conferences which are carried out since 2010 initiated by the Perm national research polytechnic university and "Design, Graphics and Descriptive Geometry" chair are innovative and extremely effective mechanism of integration of interaction of teachers of the geometric — graphic disciplines. They are aimed at improvement of quality of graphic training of students of technical universities and promote permission of the collected problems of engineering education of Russia. This project showed the viability, gained fame and support in the environment of geometric and graphic community. The article is of interest to teachers of university chairs who teach disciplines in a competence-based format and solve a problem to optimize educational process, increasing quality of subject training at deficiency of a number of hours in the curriculum. We hope that the described experience of ensuring quality of graphic preparation will be useful to readers.
Evgeniy Alekcandrovich Glazunov. To the 125th Anniversary from the Birthday
Authors: Горнов  , Gornov A.
Published: March 2016

This year marks 85 years of the National Research University “Moscow Power Engineering Institute” (National Research University "MPEI”). The department of engineering drawing was the first among other departments in the MEI, for which it is also the anniversary year. The organizer and the first head of this department from 1930 to 1962 was Eugeniy A. Glazunov - a prominent scientist and educator, engineer and organizer, who celebrates 125 years. At the beginning of 1930 the Department of Electrical Engineering Higher Technical School, which earlier E.A. Glazunov graduated, has been transformed into the Moscow Higher School of Energy, which became soon the Moscow Energy Institute. Eugeniy Glazunov was appointed to the head of the department of descriptive geometry and drawing in MPEI. (Some time this department was called "Technical graphics"). His name is undeservedly rarely mentioned in textbooks and other literature in applied geometry and graphics. But Eugeniy Glazunov was very authoritative in the circle geometry and graphics, and among the heads of departments he was one of the initiators and leaders of the Moscow seminar on descriptive geometry, who published his works, and the head of the department, who generously shared teaching materials with his related institution. But E.A. Glazunov had relatively few publications compared with present time. But there were very capital works. One of them was written in conjunction with the N.F. Chetverukhin and is called "Axonometry." But it was not only an outstanding organizer and teacher, but also a magnitude engineer — designer and practitioner in the field of electrical engineering. He was a team-mate, who developed and marketed the first installation, substation and network of well-known Russian electrification plan — the plan for electrification. Based on his experience and under his leadership tasks on the engineering drawing based on electrical products and parts were improved, and drawing ceased to be exclusively machine-building. His merits in the development of engineering education and his geometry and graphic component were so significant that he was awarded the title of professorship of Higher Attestation Commission without doctoral dissertation. He was also one of the highest awards of that time, the Order of Lenin (1951).