cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A NEW STUDY ON RELIABILITY-BASED DESIGN OPTIMIZATION

This paper presents a general approach for probabilistic constraint evaluation in the reliability-based design optimization (RBDO). Different perspectives of the general approach are consistent in prescribing the probabilistic constraint, where the conventional reliability index approach (RIA) and the proposed performance measure approach (PMA) are identified as two special cases. PMA is shown to be inherently robust and more efficient in evaluating inactive probabilistic constraints, while RIA is more efficient for violated probabilistic constraints. Moreover, RBDO often yields a higher rate of convergence by using PMA, while RIA yields,singularity in some cases.
Quantization for Maximin ARE in Distributed Estimation

We consider the design of optimal quantizers for the distributed estimation of a deterministic parameter. In particular, we design deterministic scalar quantizers to maximize the minimum asymptotic relative efficiency (ARE) between quantized and unquantized ML estimators. We first design identical quantizers using the class of score-function quantizers (SFQ). We show that the structure of SFQs generally depend on the parameter value, but can be expressed as thresholds on the sufficient statistic for a large class of distributions. We provide a convergent iterative algorithm to obtain the best SFQ that maximizes the minimum ARE for distributions of that class. We compare the performance of the optimal SFQ with a general quantizer designed without making any restrictions on the structure. This general quantizer is hard to implement due to lack of structure, but is optimal if the iterative design algorithm does not encounter local minima. Through numerical simulations, we illustrate that the two quantizers designed are identical. In other words, the optimal quantizer structure is that of an SFQ. For a distributed estimation setup, designing identical quantizers is shown to be suboptimal. We, therefore, propose a joint multiple quantizer design algorithm based on a person-by-person optimization technique employing the SFQ structure. Using numerical examples, we illustrate the gain in performance due to designing nonidentical quantizers.
Classroom and support innovation using IP video and data collaboration techniques

Distance education strives to provide a rich, near-classroom experience to non-classroom students. Studies of the many facets of distance education have become increasingly common [21][2][22], and within recent years many universities have experimented with various formats in an effort to determine their effectiveness. Some studies have developed frameworks for discussion of appropriate tools and techniques [10], while others have provided us with more detailed guides for implementation and evaluation.[7].Today most distance education techniques tend to be asynchronous. The idea behind course management systems, archived resources, discussion lists and the like is to provide an environment in which the distant student can gain an education on an "any time, any place" basis. Live streaming video and video on demand techniques can play an important role in this process. Of important note, many of the tools are also applicable in traditional settings.There are also an increasing number of tools and techniques designed to support distributed learning activities in real time (synchronous) settings. Certainly the past evolution of telephony-based support services has proved to be a harbinger of the importance of synchronous techniques -- so much so that the use of Web meeting spaces, video over Internet protocol (hereafter referred to as 'IP'), and networked collaboration tools have begun to evolve noticeably. Data collaboration tools may be among the most important of these. As above, many of these techniques are also applicable in traditional settings.Little summative work appears to have been done regarding the role these technologies play in teaching and learning innovation. This paper includes a discussion of the nature of innovation, along with a comparison of synchronous and asynchronous techniques within the context of disruptive technologies; a framework that can be used for synchronous/asynchronous comparative analyses; and the results of the experiences of the authors as they applied these technologies to classroom settings.
Multiple long-term, experimentally-evolved populations of Escherichia coli acquire dependence upon citrate as an iron chelator for optimal growth on glucose

Background: Specialization for ecological niches is a balance of evolutionary adaptation and its accompanying tradeoffs. Here we focus on the Lenski Long-Term Evolution Experiment, which has maintained cultures of Escherichia coli in the same defined seasonal environment for 50,000 generations. Over this time, much adaptation and specialization to the environment has occurred. The presence of citrate in the growth media selected one lineage to gain the novel ability to utilize citrate as a carbon source after 31,000 generations. Here we test whether other strains have specialized to rely on citrate after 50,000 generations. Results: We show that in addition to the citrate-catabolizing strain, three other lineages evolving in parallel have acquired a dependence on citrate for optimal growth on glucose. None of these strains were stimulated indirectly by the sodium present in disodium citrate, nor exhibited even partial utilization of citrate as a carbon source. Instead, all three of these citrate-stimulated populations appear to rely on it as a chelator of iron. Conclusions: The strains we examine here have evolved specialization to their environment through apparent loss of function. Our results are most consistent with the accumulation of mutations in iron transport genes that were obviated by abundant citrate. The results present another example where a subtle decision in the design of an evolution experiment led to unexpected evolutionary outcomes.
Structure of the paramyxovirus parainfluenza virus 5 nucleoprotein–RNA complex

Parainfluenza virus 5 (PIV5) is a member of the Paramyxoviridae family of membrane-enveloped viruses with a negative-sense RNA genome that is packaged and protected by long filamentous nucleocapsid-helix structures (RNPs). These RNPs, consisting of ∼2,600 protomers of nucleocapsid (N) protein, form the template for viral transcription and replication. We have determined the 3D X-ray crystal structure of the nucleoprotein (N)-RNA complex from PIV5 to 3.11-A resolution. The structure reveals a 13-mer nucleocapsid ring whose diameter, cavity, and pitch/height dimensions agree with EM data from early studies on the Paramyxovirinae subfamily of native RNPs, indicating that it closely represents one-turn in the building block of the RNP helices. The PIV5-N nucleocapsid ring encapsidates a nuclease resistant 78-nt RNA strand in its positively charged groove formed between the N-terminal (NTD) and C-terminal (CTD) domains of its successive N protomers. Six nucleotides precisely are associated with each N protomer, with alternating three-base-in three-base-out conformation. The binding of six nucleotides per protomer is consistent with the “rule of six” that governs the genome packaging of the Paramyxovirinae subfamily of viruses. PIV5-N protomer subdomains are very similar in structure to the previously solved Nipah-N structure, but with a difference in the angle between NTD/CTD at the RNA hinge region. Based on the Nipah-N structure we modeled a PIV5-N open conformation in which the CTD rotates away from the RNA strand into the inner spacious nucleocapsid-ring cavity. This rotation would expose the RNA for the viral polymerase activity without major disruption of the nucleocapsid structure.
A low power merge cell processor for real-time spike sorting in implantable neural prostheses

Extremely low power consumption is the critical constraint for designing implantable neural decoders that interface directly with the nervous system. Typically a system with such strict constraints is implemented as an ASIC; however, the rapid progress in the field mandates a more flexible solution. In this paper we introduce a new general architecture, the Merge Framework, and its low power implementation for real-time spike sorting in cortical control applications, that offers a flexible and powerful programming model with near ASIC power efficiency.
CMEA's International Investment Bank and the Crisis of Developed Socialism

In 1971 the Soviet bloc's Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (CMEA) created the International Investment Bank (IIB). The IIB was part of a broader effort to adopt market-based reforms in all the East-bloc economies. The bank was designed to promote competition for loans and rigorous vetting of projects, ostensibly resulting in greater CMEA integration and production that met world standards of quality. But this scenario ultimately did not pan out. Instead, the IIB became a mere conduit for Western finance, focusing not on high technology but on natural resource extraction, particularly the construction of the Soyuz natural gas pipeline. More fundamentally, the IIB could not function properly without market-determined prices and convertible currencies. Although economic authorities in the Soviet bloc fully recognized the constraints on the IIB, they were unwilling to abandon fundamental principles of the Soviet economic system.
A brighter side of ROS revealed by selective activation of β-adrenergic receptor subtypes

Because of the high metabolic demands on the heart, oxidative phosphorylation predominates over the less efficient process of anaerobic glycolysis for energy production. Under basal conditions, ∼10% of the body's total oxygen supply is consumed by the heart (O’Rourke et al. 2005). This already staggering requirement rapidly increases during stress. Hence, oxygen bioavailability is a critical determinant of cardiomyocyte function and survival in health and disease. In this issue of The Journal of Physiology, Li et al. (Li et al. 2010) dissect the molecular mechanisms and cell signalling pathways underlying β-adrenergic receptor (AR)-mediated modulation of intracellular oxygen levels during the ‘fight-or-flight’ response. Specifically, these authors demonstrate that β2- and not β1-AR activation acutely increases intracellular oxygen levels through an inhibitory G protein (Gi) pathway, which is dependent on reactive oxygen species (ROS) also generated through this pathway. Indeed, the findings of Li et al. (2010) have far-reaching implications for our understanding of mechanisms underlying a wide variety of stress-related cardiovascular disorders, and can help explain the benefits and pitfalls associated with current therapies for these disorders.
Heterogeneous Packaging of Organic Electro-Optic Modulators With RF Substrates

As organic-based electro-optic (EO) modulators continually improve toward meeting the high performance required by new and developing photonic technologies, the challenge of compact and low loss packaging needs to be addressed.Because organic-based EO modulators and RF circuitry are traditionally built on different substrates homogeneous integration would require developing new designs and fabrication processes. In addition, the organic-based EO modulators most often implement microstrip transmission lines for optimal poling and modulation field overlap meaning the ground plane is encapsulated and unavailable for direct contact. In this letter, a heterogeneous RF packaging scheme featuring a wire bond transition between a ceramic feed coplanar waveguide and a thin-film polymer microstrip is presented. The transition introduces less than 1 dB of RF loss at 50 GHz and was demonstrated on an organic-based EO phase modulator which generated optical sidebands out to 40 GHz.
Cognitive Factors in Auditory Performance : Context, Speed of Processing, and Constraints of Memory

This paper describes several techniques used to explore the role of cognitive factors in auditory performance in elderly adults. Two factors, cognitive slowing and age-related memory constraints, receive special attention . Assessing listeners' ability to report the content of timecompressed speech shows elderly adults to be especially vulnerable to rapid speech input. Such effects, however, are ameliorated by effective use of linguistic knowledge, which, unlike processing speed, remains relatively stable in adult aging. A second technique is described in which intelligibility is tested for words excerpted from fluent speech, first presented in isolation and then with varying amounts of preceding or following context from the original utterances. Memory constraints are shown to have a significant effect on elderly listeners' ability to use linguistic context that follows an acoustically ambiguous region for a retrospective analysis of what had been heard. Thus, cognitive factors can both enhance and limit auditory performance in elderly listeners .
Traumatic abdominal wall hernia: A case report and literature review

Introduction Traumatic abdominal wall hernia is a rare but serious diagnosis resulting from blunt abdominal trauma. The clinical diagnosis is not usually straightforward and the hernia is often discovered at the time of the surgical exploration for intra-abdominal injuries or by imaging studies.
The Biomet Comprehensive© Reverse Total Shoulder System Design Considerations and Surgical Techniques

The Biomet Comprehensive® Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty (RSA) is newer designed third-generation reverse prosthesis. Based on the concept originally developed by Grammont, the Biomet Comprehensive® RSA utilizes initial design of the reverse ball-and-socket implant while adding some newly developed technologic changes in order to avoid specific complications such as scapular notching or baseplate failure. One of these important advances in design, the Versa-Dial® glenosphere, allows for an infinite number of offset combinations in all direction on the glenoid side. When this technology is used in combination with two available sized baseplates, which have improved fixation features, it allows the surgeon to place the implant in the best bone stock and in the best possible position to prevent complications. In addition, the Biomet Comprehensive® Shoulder is based upon the concept of an universal humeral stem component platform system, which allows any humeral stem type or size to be used in this RSA system. It also makes conversion of an anatomic shoulder arthroplasty or fracture hemiarthroplasty (HA) to RSA much easier. This chapter will present the design considerations and biomechanical rationales of the Biomet Comprehensive® RSA. The surgical procedure is presented in details in order to clearly define the different technical steps for successful prosthesis implantation. Finally, newer concepts of implant placement and fixation will be discussed as our efforts to improve this technology continue.
Two-stage screening for early dementia in primary care

ABSTRACTObjective: The objective was to compare two screening strategies for dementia in an urban primary care clinic, serving a low-education, minority community composed largely of Latino and African American patients. Method: Two hundred and fifty-seven patients underwent two-stage patient-based screening (PBS) and informant-based screening (IBS) followed by a diagnostic evaluation. In the first stage, PBS included brief tests of episodic memory (Memory Impairment Screen), semantic memory (Animal Fluency), and executive function (Reciting Months Backwards). For IBS, the first stage consisted of the short Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly, administered to a family member or friend. Patients who screened positive in the first stage of either strategy underwent testing with the picture version of the Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test with Immediate Recall to identify memory impairment. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were computed for va...
Evolution of Photosynthesis

This chapter discusses photochemical reactions and their evolution. Photosynthesis depends on the photochemical reactivity of chlorophyll. Plants and other photosynthetic organisms convert about 10 11 tons of carbon from carbon dioxide into organic compounds annually. All photosynthetic organisms that belong to the eubacterial and eukaryotic kingdoms take advantage of the photochemical reactivity of chlorophyll or bacteriochlorophyll. The electrons in a molecule are held in a set of molecular orbitals, each of which is associated with a definite energy. The chlorophyll that undergoes photo-oxidation is bound to a protein in a complex called a reaction center. Reaction centers of purple bacteria generally contain three polypeptides with molecular weights of approximately 28,000, 31,000, and 34,000. Electrons move from p870 to bacteriopheophytin and then to quinine. Cyclic electron-transport chain moves protons across the membrane. The reactive chlorophyll or bacteriochlorophyll molecules of P700, P680, or P870 make up only a small fraction of the total pigment in photosynthetic membranes. Photosynthesis arose early in evolution and is still widespread among eubacteria. The 16S-rRNA sequences indicate that various photosynthetic species are related more closely to nonphotosynthetic species of the same phylum than they are to the photosynthetic organisms of other phyla that have similar photosynthetic systems. Photosynthetic systems ultimately turned their attention to water as a source of electrons. Primitive photosynthesizers probably used reductants such as Fe (0H 2 ), hydrogen, hydrogen sulfide, and other reduced sulfur compounds where they were abundant. PS-1 reaction centers may have evolved from the antenna complexes of PS-2 reaction centers. Chlorophyll and bacteriochlorophyll become strong reductants when excited by light.
Innovation as a High Conceptual ([es] La Innovación Como Máxima Conceptual)

English Abstract: Everyone has a cliche about what innovation is , I almost dare say that more than half of the readers know or think they know what is innovation but have serious difficulties if they decide to write a definition or explain it to others.By introducing innovation as an element dynamics in organizations , traditionally , often wrongly , a classic methodology for knowledge acquisition is used, a rigid organizational structure of the innovation is articulated and usually is a pyramidal structure. For example, if we want to innovate in how to sell or the way we develop software , for example, is targeted to bring or have the best experts working in the organization (or that we hire externally).In other words , it is believed that to innovate , we have the most renowned experts working for us , limiting the generation of ideas and thus innovation , the universe of experts. Innovation is much more than this and broader and more complex concept than we can imagine.This paper is to propose the reader a way to understand the dimension of innovation and generating capacity to reason and understand the subjectSpanish Abstract: Todos tenemos un cliche de innovacion, casi me atrevo a decir que mas de la mitad de los lectores saben o creen saber lo que es la innovacion pero tendran serias dificultades si deciden escribir una definicion o dar una explicacion a otros.En la introduccion de la innovacion como elemento dinamizador de las organizaciones, tradicionalmente y muchas veces de manera equivocada, se emplea una metodologia clasica de apropiacion de conocimiento, se articula una estructura organizativa de la innovacion rigida y por lo general piramidal. Asi, por ejemplo, si queremos innovar ventas o en desarrollo de software por ejemplo, se fija como objetivo traer o disponer de los mejores expertos trabajando en la organizacion (o que externalicemos su contratacion). Dicho de otra forma, se cree que para innovar, deberemos tener los mas renombrados expertos trabajando para nosotros, limitando la generacion de ideas y por ende de innovacion, al universo de los expertos. Innovar es mucho mas que esto y mas amplio y complejo el concepto de lo que podemos imaginar.De esto se trata este documento, comprender la dimension de la innovacion y generar las capacidades de discernimiento en el lector para comprender el tema.
Many-body computations by stochastic sampling in Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov space

We describe the computational ingredients for an approach to treat interacting fermion systems with pairing fields, based on path integrals in the space of Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov (HFB) wave functions. The path integrals can be evaluated by Monte Carlo, via random walks of HFB wave functions whose orbitals evolve stochastically. The approach combines the advantage of HFB theory in paired fermion systems and many-body quantum Monte Carlo techniques. The properties of HFB states, written in the form of either product states or Thouless states, are discussed. The states preserve forms when propagated by generalized one-body operators. They can be stabilized for numerical iteration. Overlaps and one-body Green's functions between two such states can be computed. A constrained-path or phaseless approximation can be applied to the random walks of the HFB states if a sign problem or phase problem is present. The method is illustrated with an exact numerical projection in the Kitaev model, and in the Hubbard model with attractive interaction under an external pairing field.
Impact of Workload and Renewable Prediction on the Value of Geographical Workload Management

There has been increasing demand for energy sustainable and low-cost operation in cloud computing. This paper proposes dynamic Geographical Load Balancing and energy buffering management (GLB) to achieve these goals which (i) shifts workload (particularly peak workload demand) toward Data centers that offer low utility rate or green energy at a time, and (ii) banks excess green and low-cost energy to shift peak workload demand away from high utility rate. Such a scheme needs to be aware of the workload intensity and the available renewable power of the cloud in future (over a relatively long prediction window such as a day). Existing solutions mainly focus on developing algorithms and demonstrating the cost efficiency of GLB, disregarding the prediction accuracy of the workload and the renewable power. However, erroneous information decreases the efficiency of GLB. This paper studies the performance of the online GLB solution when using time-series based prediction techniques (e.g., ARIMA ) for the workload and the renewable power (i.e., solar and wind). The results of the simulation study using realistic traces highlight that GLB with and without prediction error is effective in reducing average energy cost and increasing sustainability of data centers. Further, GLB is shown to be significantly effective in shaving peak power draw from the grid (e.g., reducing peak power upto 100%), however the erroneous information due to the prediction error adversely affects its performance. Furthermore, the simulation study indicates that the optimal mix of the renewable power (i.e., wind and solar) to be leveraged by GLB, is achieved when data centers are powered from both the solar and the wind power.
Transition to Residency: Using Specialty-Specific Clinical Tracks and Advanced Competencies to Prepare Medical Students for Internship

Recent discussions have sparked a debate about the purpose and function of the fourth year of medical school and the transition from undergraduate to graduate medical education. Our institution recently reformed our medical school curriculum into a three-part, competency-based curriculum that spans for 4 years, called Lead, Serve, Inspire (LSI). We present a novel way to structure the fourth year of medical school to better prepare our students for the next phase of their education in two ways, the development of Clinical Tracks and Advanced Competencies. The Clinical Tracks form individualized specialty-specific educational plans for students, preparing them to obtain the skills needed to be proficient interns in the specialty in which they hope to match. The Advanced Competencies are experiences that offer enhanced content that map to one of the Core Educational Objectives of the College of Medicine. They are often interdisciplinary and generalizable to multiple practice areas in both clinical and non-clinical activities. Ultimately, the goal of this revision is to create a competency-based, specialty-specific curriculum during the fourth year that will allow students to obtain the skills needed to function as interns on the first day of their postgraduate year 1 (PGY-1) of residency.
Drunken Membranes: Short-Chain Alcohols Alter Fusion of Liposomes to Planar Lipid Bilayers.

Although the effects of ethanol on protein receptors and lipid membranes have been studied extensively, ethanol’s effect on vesicles fusing to lipid bilayers is not known. To determine the effect of alcohols on fusion rates, we utilized the nystatin/ergosterol fusion assay to measure fusion of liposomes to a planar lipid bilayer (BLM). The addition of ethanol excited fusion when applied on the cis (vesicle) side, and inhibited fusion on the trans side. Other short-chain alcohols followed a similar pattern. In general, the inhibitory effect of alcohols (trans) occurs at lower doses than the excitatory (cis) effect, with a decrease of 29% in fusion rates at the legal driving limit of 0.08% (w/v) ethanol (IC50 = 0.2% v/v, 34 mM). Similar inhibitory effects were observed with methanol, propanol, and butanol, with ethanol being the most potent. Significant variability was observed with different alcohols when applied to the cis side. Ethanol and propanol enhanced fusion, butanol also enhanced fusion but was less potent, and low doses of methanol mildly inhibited fusion. The inhibition by trans addition of alcohols implies that they alter the planar membrane structure and thereby increase the activation energy required for fusion, likely through an increase in membrane fluidity. The cis data are likely a combination of the above effect and a proportionally greater lowering of the vesicle lysis tension and hydration repulsive pressure that combine to enhance fusion. Alternate hypotheses are also discussed. The inhibitory effect of ethanol on liposome-membrane fusion is large enough to provide a possible biophysical explanation of compromised neuronal behavior.
Modeling Stratigraphic Architecture Using Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Photogrammetry: Examples From the Miocene East Coast Basin, New Zealand

Abstract: The ability to view and characterize outcrops that are difficult to study from the ground is greatly improved by aerial investigation. We describe the application of flying a small, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to collect photographic data for modeling rock outcrops and creating detailed digital terrain models (DTMs), which can be used for multi-scale digital feature mapping in true three-dimensional (3-D) space. Georeferenced digital outcrops can complement field measurements, as well as enhance classroom to field learning experiences for undergraduate education. High-resolution photographs, acquired at various elevations and azimuths by a small UAV, are used to convert stratigraphic features to 3-D digital representations with spatial accuracy approaching 1 cm. Complex topography, recorded in 2-D image sequences, is rendered digitally in 3-D surface models using Structure from Motion (SfM) photogrammetry. The resulting DTMs are populated with the high-resolution photographs for stratigraphic interpretation at the centimeter scale. The method of imaging and modeling outcrops is demonstrated in the Miocene East Coast Basin, New Zealand, where steep, coastal cliff exposures of continental-slope deposits and extensive, wave-cut platform exposures of steeply dipping, deep-water basin deposits offer exceptional opportunities to investigate depositional processes and the resulting stratigraphic architecture. Our approach makes it possible to characterize deposits that are exposed in inaccessible, 150-m-high, vertical sea cliffs and along 2000 m of wave-cut platforms, and to quantify their geometric variability. Results yield a spatial and temporal understanding of two depositional systems at a scale that was previously unattainable by conventional field techniques.
Abstract P035: The Nucleolar Protein Nucleophosmin Regulates Mitosis Progression in Cardiac Progenitor Cells

Besides its notorious function during ribosome biogenesis, emerging evidence suggests a central role for the nucleolus in controlling many other important cellular processes such as stress response, proliferation and mitosis. Here we show that the nucleolar protein Nucleophosmin (NPM) is necessary for the correct progression of mitosis in primary cultures of cardiac progenitor cells (CPCs). Methods: CPCs were cultured on Permanox chamber slides at high confluence and fixed with 4% PFA. CPCs were blocked in cytokinesis with 2μ M cytochalasin B (CytB) for 18 hours. Silencing of NPM (ShNPM) or scramble (ShSc) was performed by specific shRNA expressing lenti viral vectors. Confocal microscopy, co-immunoprecipitation and proximity ligation assay (PLA), FACS analysis and Cyquant assay were employed to study protein localization and interaction, cell death and proliferation respectively. Results: ShNPM infected CPCs showed reduced proliferation with no apparent cell death compared to scramble. Cells in prometa and metaphase significantly increased after NPM knock down. ShNPM-CPC showed 50% decrease in the number of cells that complete mitosis as assessed by counting binucleated cells after CytB treatment. NPM localized in the nucleolus during interphase as assessed by co-staining with nucleostemin (NS), a highly expressed nucleolar protein. NS and NPM decorate the chromosome periphery from prometaphase to anaphase and return to the newly forming nucleolus at the end of telophase. The phosphorylated form of NPM at threonine 199 (pNPM) was found to co-localize with spindle components such us NUMA and α-tubulin specifically at methaphase. NPM was also found to co-precipitate and directly interact with α-tubulin as shown by in-situ protein interaction assay (PLA) in the cytoplasm during interphase and at the centrosome and spindle during mitosis. Conclusion: This is the first study to detail the role of nucleolar proteins during CPCs mitosis. Our findings demonstrate a central role for NPM during metaphase transition, possibly thorough interaction with components of the spindle and in particular with α-tubulin.
Graphical Authentication Resistance to Over-the-Shoulder-Attacks

Graphical passwords offer advantages for memorability over conventional alphanumeric passwords, but in some cases they have been vulnerable to over-the-shoulder-attacks (OSA). Thus, many second-generation graphic based schemes are specifically designed to be resistant to OSA. This is often achieved by not having users select targets directly, but by adding cognitive operations to create seemingly random response patterns. This study takes the first step to directly compare three prototypical graphical password schemes to determine their relative resistance to OSAs employing a within-subjects design. We found that schemes requiring cognitive operations in response to target patterns were superior to direct selection of targets. Convex Hull Click was most secure, followed by What You See is What You Enter, while Use Your Illusion showed high vulnerability to OSA. In addition, we discuss a diversity of previous measurements, which are meant to examine security strength of new approaches. We highlight the need for standard OSA resistance measures depending on threat model needs.
Order Matters: Children's Evaluation of Underinformative Teachers Depends on Context

The ability to evaluate “sins of omission”—true but pragmatically misleading, underinformative pedagogy—is critical for learning. This study reveals a developmental change in children's evaluation of underinformative teachers and investigates the nature of their limitations. Participants rated a fully informative teacher and an underinformative teacher in two different orders. Six- and 7-year-olds (N = 28) successfully distinguished the teachers regardless of the order (Experiment 1), whereas 4- and 5-year-olds (N = 82) succeeded only when the fully informative teacher came first (Experiments 2 and 3). After seeing both teachers, 4-year-olds (N = 32) successfully preferred the fully informative teacher (Experiment 4). These results are discussed in light of developmental work in pragmatic implicature, suggesting that young children might struggle with spontaneously generating relevant alternatives for evaluating underinformative pedagogy.
Revisiting reuse for approximate query processing

Visual data exploration tools allow users to quickly gather insights from new datasets. As dataset sizes continue to increase, though, new techniques will be necessary to maintain the interactivity guarantees that these tools require. Approximate query processing (AQP) attempts to tackle this problem and allows systems to return query results at "human speed." However, existing AQP techniques start to break down when confronted with ad hoc queries that target the tails of the distribution.We therefore present an AQP formulation that can provide low-error approximate results at interactive speeds, even for queries over rare subpopulations. In particular, our formulation treats query results as random variables in order to leverage the ample opportunities for result reuse inherent in interactive data exploration. As part of our approach, we apply a variety of optimization techniques that are based on probability theory, including new query rewrite rules and index structures. We implemented these techniques in a prototype system and show that they can achieve interactivity where alternative approaches cannot.
A National Analysis of Shackling Laws and Policies as They Relate to Pregnant Incarcerated Women

Pregnant incarcerated women pose unique challenges in jails and prisons. Many states still require or permit the shackling of pregnant incarcerated women throughout the pregnancy and during labor, ...
Exploring Consumer Spending When Redeeming Online Daily Coupons: An Abstract

Online daily coupons (ODCs) (e.g., Groupon) offer a large discount with a long redemption period when consumers prepay for given products or services. While these popular coupons present exciting new opportunities, retailers must understand how different factors under their control may impact consumers’ spending at redemption. Building on anchoring and adjustment effect and semantic cue concreteness, the present research investigates the impacts of the coupon structure (e.g., acquisition cost and face value), the specificity of the coupon deal, and the specificity of the product or service information on consumers’ spending at redemption. The results from four experiments demonstrate that consumers tend to adjust their spending according to the coupon face value rather than the coupon acquisition cost. Furthermore, the specificity of the deal information on the voucher during the acquisition increases consumers’ spending. Finally, the specificity of the product information during the redemption escalates total spending, especially when the hedonic consumption goals are primed.
Relationship between panic attacks and health locus of control.

BACKGROUND Health locus of control has significant implications for treatment response, compliance, patient education, and health maintenance. Because of the association between locus of control and anxiety, this study was conducted to determine the health locus of control (HLOC) in patients with panic attacks, changes in HLOC through treatment of panic attacks, and the relationship between HLOC and phobic avoidance. METHODS The HLOC and panic screening questionnaires were administered to 50 patients complaining of a panic-related symptom or condition known to be associated with panic, and to 119 randomly selected patients. Nineteen patients with panic attacks were later reevaluated to determine if there had been a change in locus of control. RESULTS Stepwise multiple regression demonstrated that panic attacks, educational level, and being divorced significantly predicted HLOC (F = 5.66, P less than or equal to .0001). An analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) showed that resolution of panic attacks was associated with a greater decrease in the HLOC score (F = 4.68, P less than or equal to .05). Phobic avoidance was also associated with greater levels of externality (r = .48, P less than or equal to .05) and correlated with HLOC in response to treatment. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests there is a significant relationship between HLOC and panic attacks, and between HLOC and phobic avoidance. Panic resolution is associated with a decrease in externality. Measurement of HLOC may be helpful in assessing the treatment response of patients who have panic attacks.
The Role of Insulin Resistance and Signaling in Dementia

Abstract A growing body of evidence suggests that there is significant overlap in risk, comorbidity, and putative pathophysiological mechanisms across type 2 diabetes (T2D) and dementia owing to Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this chapter, we (1) describe the actions of insulin in the brain and body, (2) introduce the concept of insulin resistance and offer a definition of brain insulin resistance that may occur in both T2D and AD, (3) highlight key research data supporting the association of these two disease conditions (as well as incongruous data suggesting that they may be independent), and (4) propose questions that must be answered to resolve inconsistencies and expand our knowledge of the effects of extrinsic (systemic) and intrinsic insulin resistance in the brain. Ultimately, our understanding of the pathophysiological links between T2D and AD will yield dividends in terms of our ability to prevent and treat both conditions.
Detecting unauthorized activities using a sensor network

Sensing devices can be deployed to form a network for monitoring a region of interest. This chapter investigates the detection of a target in the region being monitored by using collaborative target detection algorithms among the sensors. The objective is to develop a low cost sensor deployment strategy to meet a performance criteria. A path exposure metric is proposed to measure the goodness of deployment. Exposure can be defined and efficiently computed for various target activities, targets traveling at variable speed and in the presence of obstacles in the region.Using exposure to evaluate the detection performance, the problem of random sensor deployment is formulated. The problem defines cost functions that take into account the cost of single sensors and the cost of deployment. A sequential sensor deployment approach is then developed. The chapter illustrates that the overall cost of deployment can be minimized to achieve a desired detection performance by appropriately choosing the number of sensors deployed in each step of the sequential deployment strategy.
Genetic Population Structure of Mule Deer Odocoileus Hemionus Across Montana

We conducted a genetic assessment of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) population structure across Montana in an effort to understand dispersal routes across the landscape. To assess genetic structure we genotyped 14 microsatellite loci in 359 individuals sampled primarily within Montana. Smaller samples were included from Wyoming, Colorado and Utah in order to provide a regional context for the levels of population structure observed within Montana. Additionally, we sequenced the control region of the mitochondrial genome of 76 individuals subsampled from our original samples across Montana. To avoid potential influences of a priori population designations, individual based analyses were used to test relatedness across the landscape. Weak isolation by distance characterized mule deer individuals across this region. In addition, we did not detect any evidence of spatial autocorrelation in discrete distance classes as small as 10 km. Female mule deer had higher average individual pairwise genetic distances than males, indicating the presence of a contemporary male bias in dispersal rates. Mitochondrial DNA indicated the potential for either reduced overall or female-specific dispersal between a subset of the sampling regions within Montana. Finally, we were unable to detect a genetic signature of past translocations of mule deer across Montana. Taken together these results indicate that within this landscape mule deer populations are characterized by high levels of connectivity and experience few, if any, barriers to dispersal.
Electronic and Transport Properties of Granular Materials

After a brief introduction to motivate the use of statistical methods for calculating the macroscopic properties of inhomogeneous materials, we derive the effective medium approximation (EMA) for random resistor networks. We then compare the results of the EMA with accurate numerical simulations, establishing the surprisingly large range of validity for the EMA. We next show that the EMA can be embedded within an exact multiple scattering formalism which leads naturally to extensions of the EMA which substantially improve its accuracy. We then discuss the EMA for continuous random media and examine the effects of spatial correlations on the results. Finally, we briefly review the results of the EMA for physical properties other than the electrical conductivity.
Dose of UV light required to inactivate Listeria monocytogenes in distilled water, fresh brine, and spent brine.

The purpose of this research was to establish the dose of UV light (253.7 nm) needed to inactivate Listeria monocytogenes in distilled water, fresh brine (9% NaCl), spent brine, and diluted (5, 35, and 55%) spent brine, using uridine as a chemical actinometer. Strains N1-227 (isolated from hot dog batter), N3-031 (isolated from turkey franks), and R2-499 (isolated from meat) were mixed in equal proportions and suspended in each solution prepared so as to contain 10 ―4 M uridine. Samples were irradiated in sterile quartz cells for 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30 min. Inactivation was evaluated by serially diluting samples in 0.1 % peptone, by surface plating in duplicate onto modified Oxford agar and Trypticase soy agar with yeast extract, and by enrichment in brain heart infusion broth, followed by incubation at 37°C for 24 to 48 h. For dose measurements, the absorbance (262 nm) was measured before and after imadiation. Differences were observed in population estimates depending on the solution (P ≤ 0.05). Reductions were as follows from greatest to least: water > fresh brine > 5% spent brine > 35% spent brine > 55% spent brine > undiluted spent brine. UV light did not significantly reduce populations suspended in spent brine solutions. L. monocytogenes decreased to below the detection limit (1 log CFU/ml) at doses greater than 33.2 mJ/cm 2 in water and at doses greater than 10.3 mJ/cm 2 in fresh brine. Knowledge of UV dosing required to control L. monocytogenes in brines similar to those used for ready-to-eat meat processing will aid manufacturers in establishing appropriate food safety interventions for these products.
A Morphological Neural Network Approach to Information Retrieval.

We investigate the use of a morphological neural network to improve the performance of information retrieval systems. A morphological neural network is a neural network based on lattice algebra that is capable of solving decision boundary problems. The morphological neural network structure is one that theoretically can be easily applied to information retrieval. In this paper we propose a new information retrieval system based on morphological neural networks and present experimental results comparing it against other proven models.
How Should Clinicians Engage With Online Health Information

Many adults, physicians, and medical students search the internet for health information. Open access has many benefits, but the variable quality of internet health information-ranging from evidence based to false-raises ethical concerns. Using Wikipedia as a case study, this article argues that everyone engaging with internet health information has ethical responsibilities. Those hosting and writing for health websites should ensure that information is evidence based, accurate, up to date, and readable and be transparent about conflicts of interest. Health care professionals, including medical students, have both ethical responsibilities to help patients avoid false or misleading health information and practical opportunities to improve the quality of internet health information. All users of such information-professionals and patients alike-should develop critical appraisal skills and apply them to internet health information to distinguish the good from the junk.
Institutions, Growth, and Inequality in Ancient Greece

The characterization of the world of the ancient Greek city states as relatively poor and economically static has been refuted by recent advances in Greek economic history. The Greek world grew dramatically, compared to other premodern societies, both in population and per capita consumption from the age of Homer to that of Aristotle. By the fourth century BCE the city-state ecology was densely populated, and median consumption was well above bare subsistence. Athenian income inequality can be roughly measured using income and population estimates from late fourth century BCE. This paper argues that, at least in Athens, economic growth was accompanied by historically low levels of income inequality. Both economic growth and low inequality are explained by the development of citizen-centered political institutions. Growth, inequality, and institutions were important parts of the historical context in which Plato and Aristotle wrote. Attending to that context may elucidate some aspects of Greek political philosophy.
Exploiting Correlations in Request Streams: A Case for Hybrid Caching in Cache Networks

With the increasing popularity of cache networks, in recent years, multiple static and dynamic caching strategies have been proposed that seek to improve user-level performance. Most existing caching strategies rely heavily on assumptions such as content popularity following a well-known Zipfian distribution and request streams following an Independent Reference Model (IRM). In this paper, we consider multiple real-world user request stream traces to investigate the validity of these assumptions and observe that they do not hold true. We conduct a detailed factor analysis and observe that violation of the IRM assumption significantly impacts the performance of caching strategies. We identify the interplay between the skewness of the content popularity distribution and the request stream correlation among unpopular content as the key factor impacting performance. We identify that in the high popularity skewness-low correlation regime, static caching outperforms dynamic caching, while the reverse is true in the low popularity skewness-high correlation regime. For the high popularity skewness-high correlation regime, static and dynamic caching provide similar performance. For this scenario, we propose Hybrid Caching that effectively combines static and dynamic caching strategies. The main idea is to split the cache into two parts—a static cache that statically caches content based on popularity and a dynamic cache that exploits the correlation in request streams. We conduct experiments on multiple real-world networks (e.g., WIDE, GEANT, GARR) and demonstrate that Hybrid Caching outperforms static or dynamic caching alone in the high popularity skewness-high correlation regime.