cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Framework for detecting hazardous events

Using video analysis for detecting hazardous events such as fire/smoke activity, impending threats, or suspicious behaviors has spurred new research for security concerns. To make such detection reliable, researchers must overcome difficulties such as classification by the importance of consequences, imbalances of positive and negative data, environmental factors, and variation in camera capabilities. This paper puts forward a general framework for hazardous event detection which includes spatial-temporal feature extraction, statistical-based classification for biased data and calibration for environmental change. At the current stage of development, the framework can work effectively for detecting hazardous events like fire/smoke from video sequences.
The analysis of digoxin preparations

Methods are proposed for the analysis of crystalline powders, tablets, injections, and elixirs containing digoxin. The glycoside is assayed by means of an improved m -dini-trobenzene reagent, and its purity is determined by chromatographic and colorimetric tests.
Factors Influencing Integrated Project Delivery in Publicly Owned Construction Projects: An Information Modelling Perspective

Abstract The objective of this paper is to underline the factors influencing the implementation of integrated project delivery (IPD) in public sector construction projects. These factors are broadly classified under legal, organizational and technological categories. Further the role of information modeling to foster the integration in project delivery is discussed. Focus is placed on the aspects/characteristics of information modeling that can contribute to implementation of integrated project delivery. Traditional project delivery methods have been found by researchers as inefficient and litigious. As a result, the construction industry is in a critical need of alternative delivery methods.IPD has emerged as a solution, although its implementation is not without challenges. Therefore factors influencing its implementation should be identified as a step towards its probable use in the future for public-sector construction projects. Owners, particularly the public ones, are apprehensive due to various factors. The purpose of this paper is to investigate these factors and suggest an information modeling approach to overcome the impediments.
Genomic exclusion in Tetrahymena thermophila: A cytogenetic and cytofluorimetric study

Genomic exclusion is an aberrant form of conjugation of Tetrahymena thermophila in which the genome of a defective conjugant is excluded from the genotype of the exconjugant progeny. This paper is concerned with the cytogenetic and nucleocytoplasmic events of genomic exclusion in senescent clones A*III and C*. In crosses between A*III or C* and strain B, functional, haploid gametic nuclei are formed only in the strain B cell. In some instances one of the gametic nuclei divides prior to transfer of the migratory gametic nucleus, and both products then undergo DNA synthesis. Two alternative cytogenetic pathways are followed after transfer of the migratory nucleus. In the first, the conjugants separate without further micronuclear divisions. This pathway was most common in A*III genomic exclusion. In exconjugants the former gametic nuclei undergo both DNA synthesis and (presumably) intranuclear separation of centromeres to restore micronuclear diploidy. The old macronucleus of each exconjugant is retained without autolysis. This class of exconjugant survives and contributes genes to future sexual progeny. In the second cytogenetic pathway the gametic nuclei divide and macronuclear anlagen are formed, as in normal conjugation. This pathway was more common in C* genomic exclusion. The initial DNA content of the anlagen ranges from haploid to diploid. Following two to three rounds of DNA synthesis, further macronuclear development ceases and the anlagen appear to undergo autolysis. The old macronucleus condenses and also undergoes autolysis, as in normal conjugation. Except for rare C* exconjugants, in which macronuclear development is completed, anlagen-bearing genomic exclusion exconjugants die. Death may be caused by aneuploidy, errors in the timing or receptivity to signals for autolysis, or the inability of anlagen-bearing exconjugants to feed. Anlagenbearing conjugants are frequently abnormal with respect to the number of anlagen and micronuclei. Most of the anomalies can be explained by postulating errors in the timing of both developmental signals and nuclear divisions. Rare conjugants in which gametic nuclei divide but do not give rise to macronuclear anlagen are also observed. In these instances, the old macronuclei condense and undergo autolysis. Destruction of the old macronucleus therefore is independent of the presence of macronuclear anlagen and requires cell pairing in order to be initiated.
Therapeutic intrauterine insemination (TII)--controversial treatment for infertility.

The literature on therapeutic intrauterine insemination (TII) is confused because of lack of homogeneity in case selection, differences in executing the procedural steps, and the manner of evaluating and reporting results. This review compares results from Norfolk with those in the English literature. Special emphasis has been placed on separately analyzing each step of the procedure and presenting results of different authors in a comparable fashion.Including all etiologic factors and types of cycles, the term pregnancy rate per cycle was 3% for Norfolk, 2.6% to 6.2% elsewhere. Patients receiving TII in stimulated cycles did significantly better than those receiving TII in natural cycles, in terms of total pregnancy rate per cycle (p = 0.002). In male factor infertility, term pregnancy rate per cycle was 1.1% in Norfolk, 4.7% to 6.2% elsewhere (perhaps because of stricter criteria in Norfolk). In cervical factor infertility, term pregnancy rate per cycle was 4.5% in Norfolk, 2.7% to 11% for others. For u...
Consequences of fiducial marker error on three-dimensional computer animation of the temporomandibular joint

Jaw motion has been used to diagnose jaw pain patients, and we have developed a 3D computer animation technique to study jaw motion. A customized dental clutch was worn during motion, and its consistent and rigid placement was a concern. The experimental protocol involved mandibular movements (vertical opening) and MR imaging. The clutch contained three motion markers used to collect kinematic data and four MR markers used as fiducial markers in the MR images. Fiducial marker misplacement was mimicked by analytically perturbing the position of the MR markers +/- 2, +/- 4, and +/- 6 degrees in the three anatomical planes. The percent difference between the original and perturbed MR marker position was calculated for kinematic parameters. The maximum difference across all perturbations for axial rotation, coronal rotation, sagittal rotation, axial translation, coronal translation, and sagittal translation were 176.85%, 191.84%, 0.64%, 9.76%, 80.75%, and 8.30%, respectively, for perturbing all MR markers, and 86.47%, 93.44%, 0.23%, 7.08%, 42.64%, and 13.64%, respectively, for perturbing one MR marker. The parameters representing movement in the sagittal plane, the dominant plane in vertical opening, were determined to be reasonably robust, while secondary movements in the axial and coronal planes were not considered robust.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Design and verification of a coordination protocol for cooperating systems

This paper proposes an approach to producing a verified design of a complex intelligent system. The system is modeled using a hierarchical structure based on a coordination protocol. The coordination protocol and the system architecture are described using a state machine representation. The Clarke-McMillan Symbolic Model Checker based on branching time temporal logic is used to verify some of the desired formal properties of the protocol such as completeness, boundedness and termination. This work shows that the model checker helps to bring the automatic verification of complex intelligent systems closer to a practical proposition.
On the origin of anisotropic lithiation in crystalline silicon over germanium: A first principles study

Abstract Silicon (Si) and germanium (Ge) are both recognized as a promising anode material for high-energy lithium-ion batteries. Si is abundant and best known for its superior gravimetric energy storage capacity, while Ge exhibits faster charge/discharge rates and better capacity retention. Recently, it was discovered that Si lithiation exhibits strong orientation dependence while Ge lithiation proceeds isotropically, although they have the same crystalline structure. To better understand the underlying reasons behind these distinctive differences, we examine and compare the lithiation behaviors at the Li4Si/c-Si(1 1 0) and Li4Ge/c-Ge(1 1 0) model systems using ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. In comparison to lithiated c-Si, where a sharp amorphous–crystalline interface remains and advances rather slowly, lithiated c-Ge tends to loose its crystallinity rapidly, resulting in a graded lithiation front of fast propagation speed. Analysis of the elastic responses and dynamics of the host Si and Ge lattices clearly demonstrate that from the beginning of the lithiation process, Ge lattice responds with more significant weakening as compared to the rigid Si lattice. Moreover, the more flexible Ge lattice is found to undergo facile atomic rearrangements during lithiation, overshadowing the original crystallographic characteristic. These unique properties of Ge thereby contribute synergistically to the rapid and isotropic lithiation.
The Criminal Offending–Self-Esteem Nexus Which Version of the Self-Esteem Theory Is Supported?

Traditionalists regard crime to be associated with low self-esteem. A second body of literature suggests a rival hypothesis supporting a relationship between crime and high self-esteem. A multivariate model explored this nexus by examining the impact of demographic characteristics, criminal history, personality traits, and participation in prison programming on self-esteem levels of 134 inmates in two medium-security prisons. Results support the relationship between crime and low self-esteem, with state-raised convicts reporting lower self-esteem levels. In addition, inmates who are emotionally stable, who are less open to novel experiences, and who have participated in counseling or education during incarceration manifest higher self-esteem.
The effect of race on the CYP3A-mediated metabolism of vincristine in pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia:

ObjectiveThe purpose of this preliminary study was to compare racial background and CYP3A distribution in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients as it relates to vincristine-related neurotoxicity.MethodsPatients with B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated at Children’s Hospital of Michigan were eligible to participate in this study. Determination of the CYP3A variant for each patient was done using Qiagen DNA Blood Mini Kit and polymerase chain reaction amplification. Patients were monitored during their leukemia treatment course for vincristine-related neurotoxicity.ResultsFifty-four patients were enrolled. Twenty-nine Caucasian patients (81%) and 13 African-American patients (77%) experienced neurotoxicity. CYP3A genotyping was done for 52 patients. Two African-American and two Caucasian patients were homozygous A/A for the CYP3A5*3 polymorphism. Three of these patients (75%) experienced grade 2 neuropathy. Two Caucasian patients and one African-American patient were heterozygous A/G....
Multivariate statistical analysis of audit trails for host-based intrusion detection

Intrusion detection complements prevention mechanisms, such as firewalls, cryptography, and authentication, to capture intrusions into an information system while they are acting on the information system. Our study investigates a multivariate quality control technique to detect intrusions by building a long-term profile of normal activities in information systems (norm profile) and using the norm profile to detect anomalies. The multivariate quality control technique is based on Hotelling's T/sup 2/ test that detects both counterrelationship anomalies and mean-shift anomalies. The performance of the Hotelling's T/sup 2/ test is examined on two sets of computer audit data: a small data set and a large multiday data set. Both data sets contain sessions of normal and intrusive activities. For the small data set, the Hotelling's T/sup 2/ test signals all the intrusion sessions and produces no false alarms for the normal sessions. For the large data set, the Hotelling's T/sup 2/ test signals 92 percent of the intrusion sessions while producing no false alarms for the normal sessions. The performance of the Hotelling's T/sup 2/ test is also compared with the performance of a more scalable multivariate technique-a chi-squared distance test.
Management of Ampullary Carcinoid Tumors with Pancreaticoduodenectomy

A 66 year old female was found to have an ampullary mass on endoscopic examination. A pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed and the pathology was consistent with carcinoid tumor. Carcinoid tumors of the ampulla of Vater are rare tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, accounting for 0.3-1% of gastrointestinal carcinoids. Management of ampullary carcinoid tumor with pancreaticoduodenectomy is in accordance with current recommendations.
Molasses for ethanol: the economic and environmental impacts of a new pathway for the lifecycle greenhouse gas analysis of sugarcane ethanol

Many biofuel standards, including California’s recently adopted low carbon fuel standard, consider just one feedstock from one supplying country for the production of sugarcane ethanol: fresh mill-pressed cane juice from a Brazilian factory. While cane juice is the dominant feedstock for ethanol in most Brazilian factories, a large number of producers in Indonesia, India, and the Caribbean, and a significant number in Brazil, manufacture most of their ethanol from molasses, a low value co-product of raw sugar. Several producers in these countries have the capacity to export ethanol to California, but the GREET (from: greenhouse gas, regulated emissions and energy use in transportation) model, which is the LCA (lifecycle assessment) model of choice for most biofuel regulators including California, does not currently include this production pathway. We develop a modification to GREET to account for this pathway. We use the upstream and process lifecycle results from the existing GREET model for Brazilian ethanol to derive lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions for ethanol manufactured from any combination of molasses and fresh cane juice. We find that ethanol manufactured with only molasses as a feedstock with all other processes and inputs identical to those of the average Brazilian mill has a lifecycle GHG (greenhouse gas) rating of 15.1 gCO 2 -eq MJ −1 ,w hich is significantly lower than the current California-GREET assigned rating of 26.6 gCO 2 -eq MJ −1 . Our model can be applied at any level of granulation from the individual factory to an industry-wide average. We examine some ways in which current sugarcane producers could inaccurately claim this molasses credit. We discuss methods for addressing this in regulation.
Influence of race, gender, and socioeconomic status on binge eating frequency in a population-based sample

Objective: This study investigates race and gender differences in the demographic and socioeconomic determinants of frequency of binge eating using a population-based sample. Method: An analysis of self-reported data on 573 women and 360 men (range, 18–97 years) from a cross-sectional, multistage area probability sample of individuals aged 18 years and older residing in the Detroit metropolitan area conducted in 1995. Results: For women, the frequency of binge eating is negatively associated with age and family income, and positively associated with being married,
Phosphate control in end-stage renal disease: barriers and opportunities

Hyperphosphatemia is a nearly universal complication of end-stage renal disease that is widely recognized as one of the most important and most challenging clinical targets to meet in the care of dialysis patients. Left untreated, it can lead to bone pain, pruritus and worsening secondary hyperparathyroidism. Data from observational studies demonstrate that an elevated serum phosphorus level is an independent risk factor for mortality, and that treatment with phosphate binders is independently associated with improved survival. Experimental studies provide support for the epidemiologic findings: phosphate excess promotes vascular calcification, induces endothelial dysfunction and may contribute to other emerging chronic kidney disease-specific mechanisms of cardiovascular toxicity. On the basis of this evidence, clinical practice guidelines recommend specific targets for serum phosphorus levels in the dialysis population. The purpose of this review is to summarize common challenges in meeting these targets and to identify potential opportunities for improvement.
Impact of blood glucose monitoring affect on family conflict and glycemic control in adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

Abstract Background This longitudinal study examined whether diabetes-specific family conflict and glycemic control were impacted/explained by negative affective responses to blood glucose checks (Negative BGM Affect). Method Adolescents (N = 150, ages 13–18 years) with type 1 diabetes, and their caregivers, completed measures of Negative BGM Affect, diabetes-specific family conflict, and glycemic control (i.e., hemoglobin A1c) at baseline, 6-, and 12-months. Results Caregiver Negative BGM Affect predicted higher A1c values at 12 months. Diabetes-specific family conflict mediated and explained 39% of the Negative BGM Affect-A1c relationship. Conflict around direct management tasks mediated the caregiver Negative BGM Affect-A1c relationship for adolescents (30.6% of variance). The impact of Negative BGM Affect on diabetes-specific family conflict is more pervasive for caregivers (direct and indirect diabetes management tasks) than adolescents (direct diabetes management tasks only). Conclusions Caregiver Negative BGM Affect is an important contributor to A1c via diabetes-specific family conflict. Identifying and intervening with families who endorse high levels of Negative BGM Affect may prevent diabetes-specific family conflict, thereby minimizing the impact of family conflict on glycemic control. Brief clinic-based interventions to address Negative BGM Affect can be incorporated into clinical practice to prevent long-term negative impact on glycemic control.
Understanding why the volume of suboxic waters does not increase over centuries of global warming in an Earth System Model

Abstract. Global warming is expected to reduce oxygen solubility and vertical exchange in the ocean, changes which would be expected to result in an increase in the volume of hypoxic waters. A simulation made with a full Earth System model with dynamical atmosphere, ocean, sea ice and biogeochemical cycling (the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory's Earth System Model 2.1) shows that this holds true if the condition for hypoxia is set relatively high. However, the volume of the most hypoxic (i.e., suboxic) waters does not increase under global warming, as these waters actually become more oxygenated. We show that the rise in dissolved oxygen in the tropical Pacific is associated with a drop in ventilation time. A term-by-term analysis within the least oxygenated waters shows an increased supply of dissolved oxygen due to lateral diffusion compensating an increase in remineralization within these highly hypoxic waters. This lateral diffusive flux is the result of an increase of ventilation along the Chilean coast, as a drying of the region under global warming opens up a region of wintertime convection in our model. The results highlight the potential sensitivity of suboxic waters to changes in subtropical ventilation as well as the importance of constraining lateral eddy transport of dissolved oxygen in such waters.
Ultra wideband textile antenna development for indoor localization

Accurately defined textile antennas have been developed using a laser machine with high precision cutting capabilities. The textile antennas are comprised of a conductive fabric layer that is laser defined and can be easily incorporated into uniforms and garments using a simple iron-on process. We have developed and present a monopole antenna design geared towards UWB applications. This antenna design offers conformal, bendable, and washable properties. Measured return loss and radiation patterns agree well with our simulation. We show that these UWB textile antennas can be applied to localization systems and can provide accurate estimation of wearer's location geared towards natural disaster recovery applications.
Scattered radiation from linear accelerator and cobalt-60 collimator jaws

Abstract Purpose: Solid state diodes and/or thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) are often used to measure scattered radiation doses to critical organs immediately adjacent to radiation field sites. The energy-dependent response of these commonly used in vivo dosimeters sometimes makes the interpretation of measured values uncertain. This study investigates scattered radiation arising from the collimator jaws of linear accelerators and the treatment head of a cobalt-60 teletherapy unit. Methods and Materials: A thin window Markus-type parallel-plate ionization chamber placed in a polystyrene phantom was employed to document the magnitude, energy composition, and sources of scattered radiation at surfaces near radiation fields. Measurements were taken both with and without additional phantom material covering the ionization chamber, as well as with various distances between the ionization chamber and edges of the radiation fields tested. Results: Data was collected, analyzed and compared for treatment units produced by different manufacturers. It was found that the magnitude of scattered radiation to surfaces immediately adjacent to radiation fields ranged from 1 % to 15% of the maximum dose along the beam central axis. These values showed a strong dependence upon distance from the edge of the radiation field, beam energy, collimator setting (field size), and the presence of externally mounted accessories. Teletherapy unit differences due to manufacturing firm origins were found to only slightly affect scattered radiation magnitude, while the orientation of upper and lower collimator jaws had absolutely no effect. Conclusions: Percent depth dose curves of scattered radiation were obtained and analyzed. The shapes of these depth dose curves suggest the presence of complex energy spectra from secondary electrons and scattered x-rays. Because of the presence of these complex energy spectra in areas immediately adjacent to radiation fields, caution should be observed when interpreting patient doses near radiation fields, if dose values have been measured in vivo using thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) or solid state diodes. Many of these on-patient dosimetry devices are strongly energy dependent and may demonstrate large over- or under-responses in areas dominated by scattered radiation. The results of this study, thus, suggest that ionization chambers are preferred for determination of scattered radiation doses in such regions.
ON EXTREME SPATIAL VARIATIONS OF SURFACE SLOPE FOR A SPILLING BREAKING WATER WAVE

Abstract The steep and complex crest structure of a spilling breaking wave was studied in the laboratory by repeated slope measurements at a fixed observation point of a sequence of virtually identical breaking waves. These waves were generated using a repeatable converging wave packet with maximum frequency of 1 Hz. A fixed laser beam was directed vertically downward from the air into the water, and the location of the refracted beam was measured with a photodiode array to provide the water surface slope as the wave passed the laser beam. A maximum slope of 74° was consistently measured just forward of the breaking wave crest with the crest region itself showing less repeatability, which was probably due to parasitic capillary waves. Before reaching its maximum, the slope reveals a two-stage spatial variation. A moderate rate of increase was first observed between 0° and 44°, then the wave slope increased sharply to 74°; the horizontal translation of the crest corresponding to the interval for the slope ...
Long-term survival analysis after laparoscopic radical nephrectomy

ABSTRACTPurpose: This report assesses the long-term oncological efficacy of laparoscopic radical nephrectomy compared with open radical nephrectomy in patients with clinically localized renal cell carcinoma.Materials and Methods: We analyzed the data from 121 patients who underwent radical nephrectomy between 1991 and 1999 for clinical tumor stage T1/2 N0M0. The medical records of all patients were retrospectively reviewed with emphasis on tumor recurrence and survival. Statistical comparison was performed using Kaplan-Meier analysis.Results: The median followup was 73 months for the laparoscopic group and 80 months for the open group. Of the 67 patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery, 53 survived without any recurrence of disease, 2 are currently alive with metastasis, 2 died of metastatic disease in months 12 and 17, and 10 patients died without any disease recurrence. Laparoscopic port site metastasis did not develop in any patients. Of the 54 who underwent open surgery, 34 survived without any rec...
Effect of flow on prostaglandin E/sub 2/ production and inositol trisphosphate levels in cultured osteoblasts

In order to determine what effects flow has on prostaglandin production, prostaglandin E/sub 2/ levels were analyzed in perfusing media. To examine the effect of flow on cultured osteoblasts, intracellular concentrations of inositol trisphosphate were measured. It is shown that prostaglandin E/sub 2/ production is increased in cells exposed to either steady or pulsatile flow. Flow-caused oscillations were observed in the intracellular levels of inositol trisphosphate. These responses are both shear and time dependent. >
Heifer development systems: dry-lot feeding compared with grazing dormant winter forage.

Two hundred ninety-nine Angus-based, nulliparous heifers (253 ± 2 kg initial BW) from 3 production years were utilized to compare traditional postweaning dry lot (DL) development with a more extensive winter grazing system utilizing a combination of corn residue and winter range (EXT). Heifers developed in the DL were offered a common diet after the weaning period for 208 d in yr 1, 194 d in yr 2, and 150 d in yr 3 until breeding. Heifers developed in EXT grazed corn residue for 135 d in yr 1, 106 d in yr 2, and 91 d in yr 3, and then fed in the DL until breeding (yr 1) or grazed dormant winter grass for approximately 60 d before being fed in the DL (yr 2 and 3). All 3 years, heifers were estrus synchronized, with timed AI performed in yr 1. In yr 2 and 3, estrus was detected and those detected in estrus were artificially inseminated approximately 12 h later. Heifers were exposed to bulls 10 d after the last AI for 60 d while grazing summer pasture. During the winter grazing period, EXT heifers gained less (P = 0.01) BW than DL heifers and EXT heifers had lighter (P = 0.02) BW at breeding. Fewer (P 0.10) percentage of calving in the first 21 d, calf birth date, and calf birth BW, or dystocia score. Pregnancy rate after the second breeding season was not different (P = 0.56) between treatments. Heifer development using extended winter grazing reduced (P < 0.01) the cost of producing a pregnant heifer by $45 compared with DL.
Impact of digital image manipulation in cytology.

Abstract Context.—Digital images have become an important component of cytology practice. They are used in telecytology, automated screening, educational material, and Web sites and have potential for use in proficiency testing. However, there has been no formal evaluation to date to determine if digital image manipulation (intentional or unintentional) can affect their interpretation. Objective.—To investigate whether alteration of digital cytology images affects diagnosis. Design.—Acquired digital images of ThinPrep Papanicolaou test slides were manipulated (rotated 90;dg and brightness, contrast, red-green-blue color, and luminosity adjusted) using Photoshop. A test composed of these altered images, along with their original (unaltered) image and exact duplicates was given to 22 cytologists (13 cytotechnologists, 8 cytopathologists, and 1 fellow). All images were rated as negative, atypical (atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance), low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, high-grade squ...
Increasing the Accuracy of Blood Glucose Values Using Visually-read Chemstrips:

Four insulin-dependent diabetic adults were exposed to a feedback program designed to improve accu racy of blood glucose values obtained by patients using visually interpreted Chemstrips. Three of the four subjects demonstrated a dramatic increase in agreement between visually deter mined and reflectance photometer de termined blood glucose values follow ing exposure to the feedback treat ment. The implications of these find ings are discussed.
Oral language skills of Spanish-speaking English language learners: The impact of high-quality native language exposure

This study examined the relation between young English language learners’ (ELL) native oral language skills and their language input in transitional bilingual education kindergarten classrooms. Spanish-speaking ELLs’ (n = 101) Spanish expressive language skills were assessed using the memory for sentences and picture vocabulary subtests of the Woodcock Language Proficiency Battery—Revised. Samples of transitional bilingual education teachers’ (n = 21) speech were recorded and coded for syntactic complexity and vocabulary usage. Results revealed considerable variation in ELLs’ language scores, with overall performance below the normative sample. There was also wide variation in teachers’ speech across classrooms. Hierarchical linear modeling revealed that gains in ELLs’ expressive language skills were positively related to the diversity of teachers’ vocabulary and teachers’ syntactic complexity. These findings suggest that the quality of teachers’ language input, not just the quantity of their input, plays a significant role in the language learning trajectories of ELLs.
Learning with relaxed supervision

For weakly-supervised problems with deterministic constraints between the latent variables and observed output, learning necessitates performing inference over latent variables conditioned on the output, which can be intractable no matter how simple the model family is. Even finding a single latent variable setting that satisfies the constraints could be difficult; for instance, the observed output may be the result of a latent database query or graphics program which must be inferred. Here, the difficulty lies in not the model but the supervision, and poor approximations at this stage could lead to following the wrong learning signal entirely. In this paper, we develop a rigorous approach to relaxing the supervision, which yields asymptotically consistent parameter estimates despite altering the supervision. Our approach parameterizes a family of increasingly accurate relaxations, and jointly optimizes both the model and relaxation parameters, while formulating constraints between these parameters to ensure efficient inference. These efficiency constraints allow us to learn in otherwise intractable settings, while asymptotic consistency ensures that we always follow a valid learning signal.
The Illness Essay

ABSTRACTMontaigne invented the essay genre in response to a near-fatal injury. He produced a flexible, wandering form that was especially well suited to confronting illness, injury, and mortality. Literary critics, however, have focused attention on illness memoirs to the exclusion of the illness essay. Given the publication of a number of extraordinary book-length illness essays in 2013–2014, among them Leslie Jamison's The Empathy Exams, Eula Biss's On Immunity: An Inoculation, and Rebecca Solnit's The Faraway Nearby, critics should pay attention to the illness essay. Following Montaigne, these essayists examine the workings of the writers’ minds, explore tangents, and make unexpected connections. At the same time, they take advantage of the hybrid essay, blending memoir, contemporary journalism, and cultural criticism. Their projects overlap in notable ways. They all contemplate how people conceive of their own suffering and the suffering of others. And at the core of their work is a shared interest in...
SKILLED PERFORMANCE ON SOFTWARE AS A FUNCTION OF DOMAIN EXPERTISE AND PROGRAM ORGANIZATION

As part of a study on the recall of skilled and novice programmers, 23 subjects each viewed a 25-line BASIC program organized in one of three ways, executable order, random chunks, and random lines. Subjects performed a perceptual task in which they recopied a 25-line BASIC program on an answer sheet while the program remained in plain view, and a memory task, in which they recalled the BASIC program after a 4-min. exposure to it. For the perceptual task, the number of glances and amount of time per glance between the answer sheet and stimulus material were used as indices of recall. For the memory task, the number of lines recalled as a function of program organization and level of programming skill measured performance. Analysis indicated that skilled programmers encoded more lines of a program per glance and also spent less time examining each line of code than novices when the program was presented in executable order or random chunks. Further, skilled programmers recalled more lines of code than novices when the program was presented in executable order or random chunks but not in random lines. Implication of the results for the design of human-computer interfaces is discussed.
Spanwise Variation of Stall Flutter on a Flexible NACA 0018 Finite SpanWing

Experiments were conducted on a flexible, finite-span cyber-physical wing model to study the structural kinematics and flow field development around a wing undergoing stall flutter. The wing model was designed to allow for twisting deformations, while minimizing bending deflections across the span. The physical deformation of the wing surface was mapped using a stereo vision motion tracking system. Specifically, the structural kinematics were captured and analyzed at 38%, 58%, 78%, and 98% span. From these measurements, the wing motion is shown to consist of a principally torsional (pitching) oscillation primarily composed of the first mode for a cantilevered beam in vibration. The periodic development of the flow field was isolated from phase-averaged stereoscopic particle image velocimetry (SPIV) measurements. The SPIV imaging planes were captured at various spanwise positions along the wing, traversing from 58% to 92% span, to quantify the three-dimensionality of the flow field. At large twist angles (αtip > 20) a localized region of flow separation was observed, with its peak centered at 75% span. The region of separation was seen to initiate at the trailing edge and grew progressively in strength and spatial extent as the local wing pitch angle increased. However at the largest pitch angles, a leading edge vortex was not observed shedding from the wing surface unlike similar work focusing on stall flutter of rigid body wings.
Adaptive Selling: Conceptualization, Measurement, and Nomological Validity:

A 16-item scale is developed to measure the degree to which salespeople practice adaptive selling—the degree to which they alter their sales presentation across and during customer interactions in ...
Research Methods in Healthcare Epidemiology and Antimicrobial Stewardship: Randomized Controlled Trials.

Randomized controlled trials (RCT) produce the strongest level of clinical evidence when comparing interventions. RCTs are technically difficult, costly, and require specific considerations including the use of patient- and cluster-level randomization and outcome selection. In this methods paper, we focus on key considerations for RCT methods in healthcare epidemiology and antimicrobial stewardship (HEA37:629-634.
Femoral nerve complications after pelvic surgery; a report of six cases.

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to report 6 cases of femoral or anterior crural nerve injury observed following abdominal hysterectomy. These cases, essentially identical, form an entity rarely mentioned in the medical literature. The three nerves most commonly injured during anesthesia are the radial nerve, the common peroneal nerve, and the ulnar nerve, the mechanism being direct pressure on a nerve trunk at a point where it lies on a bony prominence. Nerve injury has been observed as secondary to infection, to various unknown toxic factors, and to anesthesia, both general and spinal. The cases to be presented below do not seem to fall into any of these groups.
Von Mises-Fisher Clustering Models

This paper proposes a suite of models for clustering high-dimensional data on a unit sphere based on von Mises-Fisher (vMF) distribution and for discovering more intuitive clusters than existing approaches. The proposed models include a) A Bayesian formulation of vMF mixture that enables information sharing among clusters, b) a Hierarchical vMF mixture that provides multiscale shrinkage and tree structured view of the data and c) a Temporal vMF mixture that captures evolution of clusters in temporal data. For posterior inference, we develop fast variational methods as well as collapsed Gibbs sampling techniques for all three models. Our experiments on six datasets provide strong empirical support in favour of vMF based clustering models over other popular tools such as K-means, Multinomial Mixtures and Latent Dirichlet Allocation
Poor reproductive response of anestrous Suffolk ewes to ram exposure is not due to failure to secrete luteinizing hormone acutely.

Twenty Polypay-sired ewes (Group P) and 14 Suffolk ewes (Group S) were bled at 48-h intervals for 10 d beginning on April 6, 1989, and the serum was assayed for progesterone to determine which ewes were anestrous; 9/20 Group P ewes were anestrous, compared with 14/14 Group S ewes (P less than .001). Catheters were placed into the jugular vein of anestrous ewes from both breed groups (eight of Group P, seven of Group S), and samples of serum were collected at 12-min intervals for 4 h. Then, the ewes were exposed to mature, intact rams, and additional samples were taken at 12-min intervals for 4 h after ram exposure. The serum was later analyzed to determine the secretion of LH in response to ram introduction. After the acute bleeding period, all Group P and Group S ewes were commingled and exposed to a ram continuously for 42 d. Samples of serum were collected thrice weekly and analyzed for progesterone to monitor ovulatory response to ram introduction through the 42-d period. In addition, breeding activity and lambing data were recorded. When all Group P ewes were compared to Group S ewes, a greater proportion (P less than .001) of Group P ewes were mated (20/20 vs 3/13; one Group S ewe died during the 42-d mating period) by the end of the 42-d period and more (P less than .001) ewes lambed in the fall (17/20 Group P vs 2/13 Group S).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Complications of the Ileal Pouch

In patients with ulcerative colitis or familial adenomatous polyposis, ileal pouch surgery is the preferred method for restoring continuity after total proctocolectomy. Pouch-related complications can impact quality of life, require multiple repeat interventions, and risk pouch failure. Modifying patients’ risk factors and considering the range of pouch-specific complications before, during, and after pouch surgery can potentially reduce the risk of these adverse events and improve overall outcomes.
Alpha Coma in the EEG

Recorded EEG rhythms within the alpha-frequency band, paradoxically resembling waking patterns but in apparently comatose patients, a pattern termed alpha coma, have been reviewed over a 10 yr period in the Division of Electroencephalography, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA.
Communicating openness in deliberation

ABSTRACTNormative and practical accounts of deliberative democracy cite open-mindedness as a key feature of good deliberation. Yet scholars have often focused on attitude change or self-report measures to empirically demonstrate openness. This paper draws on grounded practical theory to understand openness as a discursive stance in public deliberation. Openness is used to address four practical problems encountered in deliberation: disagreement, opinion formation, dysfunctional community problem-solving, and deliberative sense making. Indicating openness and expressing attitude change are different discursive practices. Expecting participants to refrain from forming opinions before deliberation may be naive. Instead, participants’ eagerness to make sense of deliberation by invoking shared understanding and openness should be used to develop meta-consensus.
STI Si damage defect reduction by HDP profile optimizations

Unique defect related to the tighter process margins on STI HDP process was investigated. The root cause was Si surface damage due to smaller top width of HDP. The defect was improved by HDP deposition process optimization derived relationship between ion incident angle and sputtering rate during deposition process. It was elucidated that HDP process is important for not only gap filling capability but also HDP physical profile control to obtain robustness process establishment.
Abstract 040: Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists After Hospitalization of Patients With Heart Failure With a Reduced Ejection Fraction

Background: Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) are an important component of guideline-directed therapy for patients with heart failure with a reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) but are u...
The Interaction of Emotional Valence and Arousal on Attentional Breadth and Creative Task Performance

Within the literature, there are two opposing views regarding the influencing role of emotions on the creative process. The most commonly held view contends that positive emotions enhance creativity and negative emotions stifle it; yet, some studies show an opposite trend. These contradictory findings can be explained by examining two aspects of the emotions: attention and creativity relationship. First, emotional valence and arousal levels interact to affect attention. Second, creativity is not a unitary cognitive process and some stages rely more on focused attention but others are aided by diffused or broad attention. To test this proposition, two experiments were conducted. In Experiment 1, valence (positive vs. negative) and arousal (high vs. low) were manipulated and participants completed a series of attention and creativity tasks. Experiment 2 employed similar emotion induction procedure, but a different set of creative problems was used. The results of both experiments were consistent with the pr...
Thermal windows and metabolic performance curves in a developing Antarctic fish

For ectotherms, temperature modifies the rate of physiological function across a temperature tolerance window depending on thermal history, ontogeny, and evolutionary history. Some adult Antarctic fishes, with comparatively narrow thermal windows, exhibit thermal plasticity in standard metabolic rate; however, little is known about the shape or breadth of thermal performance curves of earlier life stages of Antarctic fishes. We tested the effects of acute warming (- 1 to 8 °C) and temperature acclimation (2 weeks at - 1, 2, 4 °C) on survival and standard metabolic rate in early embryos of the dragonfish Gymnodraco acuticeps from McMurdo Sound, Ross Island, Antarctica. Contrary to predictions, embryos acclimated to warmer temperatures did not experience greater mortality and nearly all embryos survived acute warming to 8 °C. Metabolic performance curve height and shape were both significantly altered after 2 weeks of development at - 1 °C, with further increase in curve height, but not alteration of shape, with warm temperature acclimation. Overall metabolic rate temperature sensitivity (Q 10) from - 1 to 8 °C varied from 2.6 to 3.6, with the greatest thermal sensitivity exhibited by embryos at earlier developmental stages. Interclutch variation in metabolic rates, mass, and development of simultaneously collected embryos was also documented. Taken together, metabolic performance curves provide insight into the costs of early development under warming temperatures, with the potential for thermal sensitivity to be modified by dragonfish phenology and magnitude of seasonal changes in temperature.
Ethnic Disparities in Endothelial Function and Its Cardiometabolic Correlates: The Pathobiology of Prediabetes in A Biracial Cohort Study.

Background: Endothelial function (EF) reflects the balance between vasodilatory and vasoconstrictive factors produced by (or acting on) the innermost lining of blood vessels. Endothelial dysfunction, an imbalance between these factors that favors vasoconstriction, has been associated with increased risk for cardiovascular (CV) disease. However, the influence of race/ethnicity and glycemic status on the association between EF and CV risk factors remain to be clarified. Subjects and Methods: We assessed EF in relation to glycemia and cardiometabolic profile in African American (AA) and European American (EA) offspring of parents with type 2 diabetes (T2D), who are participants in the prospective Pathobiology and Reversibility of Prediabetes in a Biracial Cohort (PROP-ABC) study. Assessments at enrollment included a 75-g OGTT, blood pressure, anthropometry, body composition (DEXA), and lipid profile. Other assessments were insulin sensitivity and resting energy expenditure (REE). Endothelial function was measured using flow-mediated vasodilation (EndoPAT 2000) and expressed as reactive hyperemia index (RHI). Results: We studied 190 subjects (100 AA, 90 C), mean age (± SD) 53.1 ± 9.1yrs and BMI 30.6 ± 6.8 kg/m2. Based on OGTT data, 96 subjects (52 AA, 44 EA) had prediabetes and 94 subjects were normoglycemic (48 AA and 46 EA). The RHI was lower in AA than EA (2.17 ± 0.55 vs 2.36 ± 0.72, P=0.05) and in prediabetic than normoglycemic subjects (2.14 ± 0.62 vs. 2.38 ± 0.65, P=0.013). Using RHI≤1.68 as diagnostic cut-off, 19% of participants with prediabetes and 10% of normoglycemic participants had endothelial dysfunction (P= 0.04). In univariate models, RHI was positively associated with age and HDL cholesterol levels, and inversely associated with adiposity, diastolic blood pressure, and 2hr plasma glucose. The association between RHI and adiposity was stronger in men than women. The associations between RHI and age, glucose and HDL cholesterol displayed marked ethnic disparities. Conclusions: In our biracial cohort comprising offspring of parents with T2D, prediabetes increased the risk of endothelial dysfunction. However, the association between EF and cardiometabolic risk factors was significantly modified by ethnicity and gender. Our findings support current understanding of endothelial dysfunction as an early sensitive indicator of cardiometabolic risk. Keywords: Prediabetes, Endothelial