cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Developing online materials to facilitate an inverted classroom approach

The shift to a global economy, the move to lean management structures, and the need to serve an increasingly diverse learning community requires a transformative curriculum that not only recognizes alternative modes of intellectual inquiry but also helps students develop the complex thinking skills required to help industries be successful in today's global market place. While this is the promise of higher education, a substantial body of research indicates that cognitive growth remains elusive for most universities and for most disciplines, including engineering. In this paper, we discuss a framework for facilitating open ended problem solving through the use of an inverted classroom. A basic premise of the inverted classroom model is that richer open-ended problem solving experiences can be conducted within the classroom environment. Required readings and preparatory work through online interactive materials provide one opportunity for intellectual diversity and allow lectures to be replaced with more engaged pedagogies that require problems to be viewed from multiple perspectives. An example format and preliminary data for a course in cost estimating is presented.
Osteoconductive and Osteoinductive Properties of Zeolite MFI Coatings on Titanium Alloys

The use of zeolite MFI-coated titanium alloy for bone cell growth and new bone formation in vitro is investigated. The corrosion-resistant MFI coating is shown to be osteoconductive and to promote proliferation of human fetal osteoblasts (hFOBs) as compared to bare titanium alloy, Ti6Al4V. The zeolite crystal microstructure appears to facilitate osteoblast adhesion and induces osteointegration, as evaluated with microscopy. In addition, the zeolite promotes the differentiation of hFOBs into mature osteoblasts, as well as the production of a mineralized matrix at earlier times in culture compared to Ti6Al4V, indicating higher osteoinductive properties of the MFI coating than titanium alone. A significant increase in the expression of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP-2) gene is measured in hFOBs cultured on zeolite coatings compared to bare Ti6Al4V. This is the first report on highly corrosion-resistant zeolite MFI coatings on Ti6A14V alloys with the potential to be used as a material of improved osteointegration appropriate for bone tissue regeneration.
Achieving reliability growth on real-time systems

This paper addresses the principles used to predict and attain reliability growth on real-time systems. System reliability modeling techniques that include software reliability, maintenance effectiveness, and failure recovery are discussed in detail. Several software reliability growth models are discussed with emphasis on measured reliability growth of fielded software. The impact of maintenance effectiveness, which is a measure of the maintainer's skill and training levels, is shown. The need to develop and measure the robustness of failure recovery algorithms is emphasized in this paper. All of these factors are combined with the failure and repair characteristics of hardware to create comprehensive reliability growth models for real-time systems. Through the authors' research, they have determined that effective failure recovery algorithms are the key to attaining highly reliable systems. Without them, redundant computer systems that run banking and air traffic control systems will come crashing down with possibly disastrous results. The modeling and measurement techniques discussed in this paper provide the reliability practitioner with the methods to predict and achieve reliability growth resulting from improved software reliability and recovery algorithms. A fault tolerant system's ability to recover from hardware and software failures is gauged by a parameter called coverage. Coverage is the conditional probability of recovery given that a failure has occurred. Because of its huge impact on system reliability, the measurement of coverage is emphasized. >
Frequency-selective MEMS for miniaturized low-power communication devices

With Q's in the tens to hundreds of thousands, micromachined vibrating resonators are proposed as integrated circuit-compatible tanks for use in the low phase-noise oscillators and highly selective filters of communications subsystems. To date, LF oscillators have been fully integrated using merged CMOS/microstructure technologies, and bandpass filters consisting of spring-coupled micromechanical resonators have been demonstrated in a frequency range from HF to VHF. In particular, two-resonator micromechanical bandpass filters have been demonstrated with frequencies up to 35 MHz, percent bandwidths on the order of 0.2%, and insertion losses less than 2 dB. Higher order three-resonator filters with frequencies near 455 kHz have also been achieved, with equally impressive insertion losses for 0.09% bandwidths, and with more than 64 dB of passband rejection. Additionally, free-beam single-pole resonators have recently been realized with frequencies up to 92 MHz and Q's around 8000. Evidence suggests that the ultimate frequency range of this high-Q tank technology depends upon material limitations, as well as design constraints, in particular, to the degree of electromechanical coupling achievable in microscale resonators.
A Study of Empathy in Young Greek and U.S. Children

To gauge the effect that different attitudes and child-rearing practices may have on the development of empathy, the responses to the Feshbach and Roe Affective Situational Test for Empathy of 64 Athenian children were compared to those obtained earlier from 46 children in Los Angeles. Athenian girls were more empathic than Athenian boys, whereas no such difference was detected in the Los Angeles children. Children in both environments responded more empathically to stories depicting children whose sex was the same as the subject's sex. Also, the children in Los Angeles scored higher in empathy than the children in Athens. These differences are attributed to different patterns of discipline and sex-role expectations.
Synthesis and optimization procedures for fully and easily testable sequential machines

A synthesis procedure is described that produces an optimized fully and easily testable logic implementation of a sequential machine from a state transition graph description of the machine. This logic-level implementation is guaranteed to be testable for all single stuck-at faults in the combinational logic. No access to the memory elements is required. The test sequences for these faults can be obtained using combinational test generation techniques alone. It is shown that an intimate relationship exists between state assignment and the testability of a sequential machine. A technique is also presented of don't-care minimization and added observability which ensures fully testable machines. >
Decentralized chance-constrained finite-horizon optimal control for multi-agent systems

This paper considers finite-horizon optimal control for multi-agent systems subject to additive Gaussian-distributed stochastic disturbance and a chance constraint. The problem is particularly difficult when agents are coupled through a joint chance constraint, which limits the probability of constraint violation by any of the agents in the system. Although prior approaches [1][2] can solve such a problem in a centralized manner, scalability is an issue. We propose a dual decomposition-based algorithm, namely Market-based Iterative Risk Allocation (MIRA), that solves the multi-agent problem in a decentralized manner. The algorithm addresses the issue of scalability by letting each agent optimize its own control input given a fixed value of a dual variable, which is shared among agents. A central module optimizes the dual variable by solving a root-finding problem iteratively. MIRA gives exactly the same optimal solution as the centralized optimization approach since it reproduces the KKT conditions of the centralized approach. Although the algorithm has a centralized part, it typically uses less than 0.1% of the total computation time. Our approach is analogous to a price adjustment process in a competitive market called tâtonnement or Walrasian auction: each agent optimizes its demand for risk at a given price, while the central module (or the market) optimizes the price of risk, which corresponds to the dual variable. We give a proof of the existence and optimality of the solution of our decentralized problem formulation, as well as a theoretical guarantee that MIRA can find the solution. The empirical results demonstrate a significant improvement in scalability.
Relational database systems with zero information loss

Transaction time is used for time stamping object values to record their database history and formulate a zero information loss model for database transactions. The model consists of three components, a data history store, an update store, and a query store. In such a model, the effect of a past transaction (a query or an update) can be determined at any time. Additionally, the update and query stores make it possible to reconstruct the circumstances of updates and the information divulged in queries. Such a model is suitable for the design of secure, easy-to-audit database systems. >
Patterns and Predictors of Chemotherapy Use for Resected Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Background Chemotherapy combined with surgical resection improves survival in patients with stage II to IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and may benefit selected patients with stage IB disease. We sought to evaluate chemotherapy use in resected stage IB to IIIA NSCLC over time and to identify predictors of perioperative chemotherapy administration. Methods Patients with resected stage IB to IIIA NSCLC were identified from the National Cancer Data Base (2002 to 2011). Administration of chemotherapy was assessed over time. Hierarchical regression models were developed to assess patient, hospital, and tumor-level characteristics predicting perioperative chemotherapy administration. Results In 55,016 stage IB patients, chemotherapy use significantly increased between 2002 and 2011 from 5.3% to 15.1% ( p p p Conclusions The use of chemotherapy has significantly increased in patients with resected stage IB to IIIA NSCLC. Although clinicians have increasingly adopted evidence-based recommendations, significant treatment gaps persist and represent areas for quality improvement.
Task-driven camera operations for robotic exploration

Human judgment is an integral part of the teleoperation process that is often heavily influenced by a single video feed returned from the remote environment. Poor camera placement, narrow field of view, and other camera properties can significantly impair the operator's perceptual link to the environment, inviting cognitive mistakes and general disorientation. These faults may be enhanced or muted, depending on the camera mountings and control opportunities that are at the disposal of the operator. These issues form the basis for two user studies that assess the effectiveness of existing and potential teleoperation controls. Findings suggest that providing a camera that is controlled independently from the orientation of the vehicle may yield significant benefits. Moreover, there is evidence to support the use of separate cameras for different navigational subtasks. Third, the use of multiple cameras can also be used to provide assistance without encroaching on the operator's desired threshold for control.
Abundance and origins of plasma lipids in sexually maturing female coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch (Walbaum) in culture

Coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch are semelparous spawners with highly synchronized oocyte growth. Plasma was collected from maturing female fish and plasma lipids were quantified by lipoprotein class. Stable 13C isotopes were employed to investigate the origins of plasma lipids. Plasma lipoproteins were partitioned into the very low density (VLDL), low density (LDL), high density (HDL) and very high density (VHDL) lipoprotein classes. Lipids from all lipoprotein classes increased between the lipid droplet and early vitellogenesis stages of oocyte growth and VHDL lipids continued to increase through mid vitellogenesis (P < 0.05). During vitellogenesis, total plasma lipid concentrations were similar to the sum of lipoprotein lipids (P = 0.51). Plasma vitellogenin determined by an ELISA method was very well correlated with VHDL lipid during vitellogenesis (R2 = 0.91, n = 15). In general, the δ13C values of plasma lipids reflected that of feed (exogenous) and muscle (endogenous) lipids when feed and muscle δ13C values were similar, and were intermediate when differences existed between the two lipid sources. With one exception, the δ13C values of lipids from all lipoprotein classes within a plasma sample were similar. Results indicate that during sexual maturity, lipids from all plasma lipoprotein classes originate from a common pool of exogenous and endogenous lipids.
I. Effect of Stretch in Slashing

Research on warp sizing was conducted by the Textile Research Institute over a period of several years, the earlier research on the warp sizing of filament rayon having been reported in TEXTILE RES...
An optimal algorithm for the derivation of shape from shadows

The authors study the problem of recovering a surface slice from the shadows it casts on itself when lighted by the sun at various times of the day. The problem is formulated and solved in a Hilbert space setting. The spine algorithm interpolating the data that result from the shadows is constructed. This algorithm is optimal in terms of the approximation error and has low cost. The authors implement the optimal error algorithm and show a series of test runs. Another modified version of the algorithm that improves the cost considerably is also shown. This version is suited for parallel computation with further reductions in the cost of the solution. >
The weak convergence of the empirical process with random sample size

In many applied probability models, one is concerned with a sequence {Xn: n > 1} of independent random variables (r.v.'s) with a common distribution function (d.f.), F say. When making statistical inferences within such a model, one frequently must do so on the basis of observations X1, X2,…, XN where the sample size N is a r.v. For example, N might be the number of observations that it was possible to take within a given period of time or within a fixed cost of experimentation. In cases such as these it is not uncommon for statisticians to use fixed-sample-size techniques, even though the random sample size, N, is not independent of the sample. It is therefore important to investigate the operating characteristics of these techniques under random sample sizes. Much work has been done since 1952 on this problem for techniques based on the sum, X1 + … + XN (see, for example, the references in (3)). Also, for techniques based on max(X1, X2, …, XN), results have been obtained independently by Barndorff-Nielsen(2) and Lamperti(9).
Modeling TCP behavior in a differentiated services network

The differentiated services architecture has been proposed for providing different levels of services and has received wide attention. A packet in a diff-serv domain is classified into a class of service according to its contract profile and treated differently by its class. While many studies have addressed issues on the diff-serv architecture (e.g., dropper, marker, classifier and shaper), there have been few attempts to analytically understand a flow's behavior in a diff-serv network. We propose simple models of TCP behavior in a diff-serv network. Our models quantitatively characterize TCP throughput as functions of the contract rate, the packet-drop rate and the round-trip time in either two-drop precedence or three-drop precedence network. We also extend our models to aggregated flows. The models are validated through a number of simulations.
Describing Seasonal Phenology of the Leafminer Phyllocnistis citrella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) with Pheromone Lures: Controlling for Lure Degradation

Abstract Traps baited with pheromone lures were deployed in a Florida citrus grove at various dates over the course of 1 year to describe the seasonal flight phenology of the leafminer Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton. To compensate for lure degradation, a correction factor was applied based on a regression model of relative lure efficiency, expressed as a percent of the catch of a freshly deployed lure as a function of the number of days each set of lures was deployed. The regression of percent trap catch vs. number of days deployed yielded a quadratic expression that predicts 50% loss of lure attractiveness at 50 d after lure deployment and 90% loss at 137 d. The data transformed for lure degradation revealed 4 apparent population density peaks including 2 minor peaks with highest mean trap catch in early Apr and late Oct, and 2 major peaks with highest mean trap catch on 31 May and 1 Aug. A very small number of moths were collected on control traps without a lure. However, the pattern of trap catch on u...
On-Demand: When Work Intrudes upon Employees’ Personal Time—Does Gender Matter?

Sophisticated communicative technologies coupled with today’s flexible jobs allow most employees in the United States to work anywhere at any time. Although many employees may desire and highly value this flexibility, some may unwillingly work during their personal time due to expectations to be “on-demand” (i.e., available 24/7) to their employers, co-workers, and clients. Executives, managers, and professionals (EMP) in particular may feel compelled to be “on-demand.” EMPs are not only heavily invested in their vital organizational roles, but they also bear substantial responsibility and face intense work pressures, especially those working in time-demanding organizations. I argue that the “on-demand” experiences of men and women in EMP roles are more similar than different. Not only are both male and female EMPs equally exposed to economic, organizational, and job-related pressures, but both male and female EMPs tend to hold egalitarian attitudes toward gender roles, heavily use CT for their jobs after work hours, and highly value their jobs. These attributes make EMPs more willing and able to be on-demand, regardless of their gender. Given that a lack of detachment from work during off-hours may negatively impact employees’ health, employers are called upon to help their employees manage their on-demands jobs.
How knowledge of adverse childhood experiences can help pediatricians prevent mental health problems.

INTRODUCTION The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of the perspectives of low-income, minority primary caregivers to inform the design of pediatric interventions to prevent mental health problems. METHOD The authors conducted a follow-up study of female primary caretakers of children ages 4-5 years old in an urban northeastern pediatric practice, including 5 mothers of children with low Child Adverse Childhood Experiences (C-ACE) scores and 13 mothers of children with high C-ACE scores. RESULTS Participation in early speech therapy, preschool programs, or mental health treatment was less likely for children with high C-ACE scores. Mothers of children with behavior problems expressed the most interest in developmental behavioral evaluations, parenting interventions, and mental health treatment. Information about nutrition and exercise options was of interest to mothers from low and high C-ACE groups. DISCUSSION Results suggest that screening for C-ACE along with developmental and behavioral screening may help pediatric health care providers to identify children who are both at greatest risk for mental health problems and in need of help in accessing services. Incorporation of nutrition and exercise components into mental health interventions may increase enrollment and retention, as may targeting mental health interventions and referrals to parents with child behavior concerns. (PsycINFO Database Record
DARWIN V2 - A DISTRIBUTED ANALYTICAL SYSTEM FOR AERONAUTICAL TESTS

NASA Ames Research Center has built a distributed information infrastructure to redefine classic aeronautics data management and wind- tunnel test analyses. The system, called DARWIN, combines custom and commercial software and hardware to create a remote analysis and management system. With DARWIN, aeronautics test results are produced and made available to industry and researchers quickly, inexpensively, and at high fidelity. This paper will provide details of the next generation DARWIN systems and implementations, networks, software developments, and future plans.
Diffuse Light Scattering as a Probe of Buried Interface Reactions

We report the application of diffuse light scattering to study buried interface reactions. As a model system we discuss the annealing of thin Cu/Al bilayers. Samples were prepared by evaporating Cu/Al and Al/Cu bilayers onto SiO 2 covered Si wafers at room temperature. The Cu-Al thickness ratio was chosen to yield an average composition of CuAIt. When bilayers are annealed at 200–250°C the scattering intensity increases by about a factor of five above the as-deposited samples. We believe that this increase is partially due to the non-uniform reaction at the Cu/Al interface and partially to the mottled surface formed when leading growing parts of the reaction layer reach the surface. The relative contribution from this scattering mechanism is discussed quantitatively. For higher annealing temperature(300–350°C) the scattered light intensity falls again almost to the original level, suggesting that the Al/Cu reaction is complete and that the surface is homogeneous and smooth. For higher temperature anneals (400–500°C) the scattering once again increases, mainly due to the natural monotonic increase in surface roughness when metals are annealed. Control samples of the pure metal on Si0 2 show only the high temperature roughening effect.
Are Voluntarily Unlisted Telephone Subscribers Really Different

Telephone surveys are widely employed because of their speed and low cost, but the problem of whether listed telephone subscribers are representative of unlisted subscribers is an aggravating one to researchers. If unlisted subscribers are different, what differences are significant? Surprisingly, the literature sheds little light on this question, and researchers are forced to assume that differences, if any, are not significant. In 1965 Kildegaard reported that the "differences between telephone and total populations are becoming less distinct.. ." but also opined that there were differences dependent upon geographic region, income, age of household head, and urban/nonurban residence [2]. Such difficulties may be compounded if, in fact, there are also differences between characteristics of listed and unlisted subscribers. Some researchers indicate that the size of the unlisted subscriber universe is not inconsequential. Cooper reported in a study of greater Cincinnati that nine percent had requested unlisted numbers [1]. In the present study, conducted during the first quarter of a telephone directory year, approximately 13% of the subscribers requested that their numbers be unlisted.
Descriptive and injunctive social norms' interactive role in gambling behavior.

Social norms have a fundamental impact on behavior, yet little research has examined social norms regarding gambling and no research has examined possible interaction effects. The current study examined the interaction between perceived approval of gambling by others (i.e., injunctive norms) and perceived prevalence of gambling by others (i.e., descriptive norms) on the respondent’s gambling frequency and problems, in a sample of relatively frequent gamblers. The current study examined 2 distinct reference groups: 1 close in proximity (i.e., family and friends) and 1 distally located (i.e., other students). The sample consisted of 252 undergraduates who gambled at least twice a month. Two interactions were observed on gambling frequency based on the proximity of the reference groups; however, only descriptive norms significantly predicted gambling problems. When the reference group was closer in proximity, the positive relationship between perceptions of family and friends’ gambling frequency and the individual’s own gambling was stronger for individuals who believed that their friends and family members highly approved of gambling. When the reference group was distally located, differences in respondents’ gambling frequency emerged only in contexts in which they perceived other students to gamble infrequently. Specifically, when respondents perceived that other students’ gambled infrequently and disapproved of gambling, respondents gambled the most frequently. The results suggest that individuals are influenced by their perceptions of others’ attitudes and behaviors, regardless of proximity, and that these perceptions of others’ behavior are strongly associated with gambling problems.
Interprofessional education in an enrichment programme for prospective health sciences students

Effective and meaningful interprofessional education opportunities for prospective health sciences students are important to prepare students for the work environment they will encounter after training. This article briefly describes the Summer Academic Enrichment Program, a programme for students pursuing entry to dentistry, medicine, pharmacy, and physical therapy schools. The programme evaluation includes investigation of the programme's effectiveness to impact attitudes towards interprofessional teams and collaboration. The Attitudes Toward Health Care Teams Scale and the Revised Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale were administered at the beginning and the end of the programme. Statistical analysis of pre-assessment subscale scores indicated that pre-pharmacy students reported significantly more positive attitudes towards team value than pre-dental students at the beginning of the programme, with post-assessment results indicating that these differences had been eliminated. Additionally, all students demonstrated significantly more positive attitudes towards interprofessional teams during the post-assessment.
Chlamydial genital infections: a growing problem.

As a cause of urethritis, acute epididymitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and their complications, Chlamydia trachomatis is rapidly outstripping N. gonorrhoeae. Signs and symptoms of chlamydial infections resemble those of gonorrhea, and colnfection is common, but treatment maybe appropriate for gonococci but not chlamydiae. Guidelines are offered for diagnosis and effective treatment.
Sensorimotor gating in healthy adults tested over a 15 year period.

Abstract Background Prepulse inhibition (PPI) of startle, an operational measure of sensorimotor gating, is used to study normal and pathological brain function. From 2001 to 2016, we screened healthy subjects (HS) to establish their suitability for tests of drug effects on PPI. Because of the size and systematic characterization of this sample across variables of relevance to PPI, we now report these screening results. Methods Acoustic startle and PPI were assessed in HS to identify those eligible for studies of drug effects on PPI from 2001 to 2016, yielding 457 “eligible” subjects. Results Data confirmed the consistency of PPI across this 15-year period, and supported the role of several variables previously reported to moderate either startle or PPI. Conclusions Startle and PPI are robust physiological measures that are predictably moderated by specific physiological variables in healthy adults. As such, these measures serve as robust markers of neurobiological processes in healthy and patient populations.
Reflections of a Jewish, Lesbian Author

In this essay, Jewish lesbian author Leslea Newman speaks of the importance of finding one's own identity reflected in works of literature, citing examples of her own work, and recommending the writings of other Jewish lesbian authors of merit.
Resumption of physical activity within 7 days of a concussion was associated with lower rates of persistent postconcussive symptoms (PPCS)

A planned secondary analysis of a prospective, multicentre cohort study. ### Setting Nine emergency departments (ED) within the Pediatric Emergency Research Canada Network. Aged between 5.00 and 17.99 years and diagnosed with a concussion following a traumatic head injury in the preceding 48 hours. Return to physical activity within 7 days postinjury (ranging from light exercise to a full return to competitive sports). No physical activity within 7 days postinjury. Propensity scores were derived to account for potential confounding baseline characteristics. Patients in each intervention group were matched 1:1 in random order based on the propensity scores. Age, sex, duration of prior concussion, duration of loss of consciousness, presence of symptoms on the initial concussion evaluation, personal/family history of migraine, learning/developmental disorder, …
A learning apprentice system for VLSI design

Learning Apprentice Systems are interactive knowledge-based consultant systems that directly confront the knowledge-acquisition bottleneck by learning from their users. This paper discusses the notion of Learning Apprentice Systems in general, and summarizes our efforts to develop a specific Learning Apprentice in the domain of VLSI design.
Primer on Special Education

Children who have required intervention in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for prematurity, low birth weight, or medical conditions may require long-term services to optimize their success when they become school age. The specific type and level of intervention may vary across development. The purpose of this chapter is to provide a review of the types of services available to children throughout their school experience. Every child with a disability is entitled to a free and appropriate education (FAPE) under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) from birth to age 21. Additionally, there are safeguards through Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (Section 504) of 1973, which is a civil rights law protecting the discrimination on the basis of a disability in organizations that benefit from federal funding (e.g., schools). Modifications under IDEA and Section 504 will be reviewed.
Use and Risk Perception of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems and Tobacco in Pregnancy

Abstract Introduction Given the rapid rise in availability and use, understanding the perception of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) products in pregnant women is vital. As more women of reproductive age use these products, it is likely that their use during pregnancy is also increasing. This study investigated the use of ENDS and tobacco cigarettes, along with knowledge and perceptions of associated health risks in pregnant women. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted at a university-based obstetrical clinic. A 32-item self-administered survey was used to collect participants' knowledge, use, and risk perceptions of ENDS and tobacco smoking. Bivariate associations of demographics and ENDS user status were explored using Chi-square or Fisher's exact tests. Average differences in agreement with perception statements across ENDS user status were tested using ANOVA with Tukey's tests for multiple comparisons. Results Of 382 participants, 57.9% were 21-29 years old and 60.1% had some college or higher education. 30.3% reported using both ENDS and tobacco cigarettes and 11.9% were current ENDS users. The majority of participants had adequate knowledge about the facts and safety of ENDS and there was no difference across three ENDS user status groups. ENDS users perceived significantly lower risk of ENDS and higher benefit of using ENDS to aid quitting tobacco smoking, compared to non-ENDS users. The majority of participants reported that their healthcare providers less frequently assessed ENDS use during their prenatal visits, compared to tobacco cigarette use. Conclusions There is critical need for healthcare providers to increase the screening for ENDS use during pregnancy and promote awareness of risks and benefits of ENDS in pregnant women.
Avoiding unnecessary deaths: Drag-Back, a deadlock avoidance model

Real world distributed database systems must be ready to handle with thousands of concurrent transactions, if not more. Current concurrency control mechanisms such as Wait-Die and Wound-Wait can deal with deadlocks, but not always do so efficiently. In a system that uses serialization isolation, it is common to see these mechanisms rolling back whole transactions to prevent or avoid deadlocks. If transactions are very large, this potentially results in much wasted I/O operations. We propose a different approach to avoid deadlocks limiting the number of wasted resources by implementing Drag-Back, a model that introduces the concept of partial rollbacks of transactions without compromising their ACID properties.
Human Hibernation and Space Travel

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on human hibernation and space travel. The concept of placing humans into an artificially induced state of hibernation has been introduced in many conferences and discussions dealing with space travel. This chapter discusses human hibernation in the light of the present state of knowledge of natural mammalian hibernation and focuses on the importance of various benefits of hibernation for use in space travel. Considering the advances made in the biomedical sciences, such as deciphering the genetic code and effecting organ transplants, the experimental induction of some form of hibernation in man—once its mechanisms are understood—do not seem improbable. The advantages of using hibernation for space travel are the following: (1) reduction in weight of life support systems; (2) reduction in aging; (3) protection from dysbarism, thermal stress, trauma, bacteremia, and radiation; and (4) release from psychological stresses such as boredom anxiety, irritability, sleep disturbances, depression, and hostility. Hibernation is a natural physiological process that has evolved as an aid to survival. A normal reduction in body temperature termed true hibernation, torpor, or lethargy, involving a decrease of a few or many degrees, appears in several orders of the class Mammalia.
Bending of Thin Plates

In the preceding chapter, a thin elastic plate loaded in the plane of the plate was analyzed. The resulting deformations are confined to the plane of the plate in accordance with the plane strain assumption.
Electron Microscopy and High-Pressure Freezing of Arabidopsis

In this chapter, we will discuss methods and protocols for high-pressure freezing (HPF) and freeze substitution (FS) to examine Arabidopsis tissues by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). By use of HPF in combination with FS, it is possible to obtain Arabidopsis samples that are far better preserved for both ultrastructural analysis and immunogold labeling than by conventional chemical fixation. Like other cryofixation methods, ice crystal growth is still a problem in HPF if samples are too thick (> 200 μm) or if their water content is too high. Furthermore, damage done to cells/tissues prior to freezing cannot be "reverted" by HPF. In general, FS of plant tissues is more difficult than that of nonplant tissues because plant cell walls impede removal of water from the enclosed cells as well as from the walls themselves. To overcome these challenges, we describe the details of a HPF, FS, and resin-embedding protocol for Arabidopsis tissues here. In addition, the generation of ribbons of serial sections from Arabidopsis TEM blocks, three-dimensional (3D) analysis of organelle shapes and distribution within the tissue, and immunogold labeling are also explained. The Arabidopsis research community has developed many research tools to investigate gene functions such as knockout mutant lines, antibodies, and transgenic lines expressing epitope-tagged proteins. The TEM techniques explained here have been combined with these tools to elucidate how a particular gene of interest functions in the Arabidopsis cell.
Transparent Language for Learning Chinese

Producer details Transparent Language, Inc. 13 Murphy Drive Nashua, NH 03062 Tel: 1-603-262-6300 info@transparent.com http://www.transparent.com
Patient and Provider Perspectives on a Decision Aid for Familial Hypercholesterolemia

Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an inherited disorder associated with increased cardiovascular risk that requires patients to make multiple impactful decisions regarding the management of their condition. Patient decision aids (PDAs) can facilitate shared decision-making (SDM) and enable patients to make choices that are concordant with their goals and values. To inform the development of a PDA for patients with FH, we employed a qualitative inductive approach and focus group discussions with patients, physicians, and genetic counselors. We explored and analyzed the perceptions and understanding of these stakeholders related to a PDA for FH and identified important concepts to include in the PDA. Categories emerging from focus group discussions included: (a) perceptions of a PDA related to FH; (b) discussion about the content of a PDA related to FH; and (c) SDM. In general, stakeholders were in favor of developing tools which can inform and individualize discussion about genetic testing and treatment options for FH. Physicians valued a tool that facilitates knowledge transfer to FH patients. Patients desired a tool to help them understand the genetic aspects of and treatment options related to FH. Genetic counselors emphasized the inclusion of visual aids to support discussion with patients. Potential barriers to and facilitators of PDA implementation were identified. The input of various stakeholders will inform the development of a prototype tool that will be iteratively tested before implementation in the clinical setting.
Deep Convolutional Bidirectional LSTM Recurrent Neural Network for Epileptic Seizure Detection

Recording the brain electrical activities using Electroencephalogram (EEG) has become the most widely applied tool by physicians for the diagnosis of neurological disorders. In this paper, we propose an automatic epileptic seizure detection system based on raw EEG signals recordings. The proposed system uses a one-dimensional convolutional neural network (CNN) as a preprocessing front-end and a bidirectional long short-term memory (Bi-LSTM) recurrent neural network as a back-end. The system works efficiently on classifying raw EEG signals without the overhead of features extraction. Classification between normal and ictal cases has achieved a 100% accuracy. Using a simple data augmentation technique for the dataset, the classification result between the normal, interictal and ictal cases accomplished a 98.89% average overall accuracy. The evaluation of the proposed system is conducted using k-fold cross-validation to ensure its robustness.
Hydration motifs of ammonium bisulfate clusters of relevance to atmospheric new particle formation

Clusters of ammonia or amines and sulfuric acid are predicted to drive the formation of new particles from atmospheric trace gases, but the role of water in this process, or even the extent of hydration of the clusters, is not well known. We present vibrational spectra of exactly mass-selected clusters of ammonia or dimethylamine and sulfuric acid with zero to four water molecules bound. These hydrated clusters are synthesized by storing initially-dry clusters in an ion trap held at 180 K with a small partial pressure of water vapor. Analysis of the spectra shows that hydration occurs first at the ammonium NH groups, rather than the bisulfate OH or between the conjugate acids and bases, and that binding to the bisulfate OH only becomes favorable if an additional hydrogen bond acceptor is in the vicinity. These spectra are compared to quantum chemical predictions to evaluate the specific structural motifs present. Broadly speaking, they reveal classes of isomers with similar overall binding motifs but different specific arrangements of water within these motifs. The structures determined for each ensuing hydrate can be explained by addition of one water to the next lower hydrate, without the need for significant rearrangement of the cluster or hydrate structures. Taken together, these observations suggest that multiple hydration isomers may play a role in atmospheric conditions, but substantial barriers to water rearrangement may direct the mechanism of sequential hydration, and entropic contributions to the heats of formation may play an important role in models of new particle formation.
Typology of Technology-Supported Dementia Care Interventions From an In-Home Telehealth Trial:

Identifying the needs of dementia caregivers is critical for supporting dementia home care. This study identified a typology of expert interventions delivered to dementia caregivers during an innovative telehealth trial that used in-home video recordings to directly observe care challenges. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze narrative notes describing interventions that were developed based on video data submitted by 33 caregiver-care recipient dyads. Two major themes emerged: education and skills for dementia care and caregiver support. Ten subthemes included education and skills related to: behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, disease expectations, safety, activities of daily living, medical care optimization, and medication utilization and caregiver support related to: respite, positive reinforcement, social and financial support, and self-care. Families providing in-home dementia care experience a wide range of care challenges. By using video data, dementia care experts were able to witness and evaluate challenging care situations and provide individualized feedback.
Mathematical art and artistic mathematics

The purpose of this note is to describe the mathematics that emanates from the construction of an origami box. We first construct a simple origami box from two rectangular sheets and then discuss s...
Electronic health record associated stress: A survey study of adult congenital heart disease specialists.

Background Physician burnout has many undesirable consequences, including negative impact on patient care delivery and physician career satisfaction. Electronic health records (EHRs) may exacerbate burnout by increasing physician workload. Objective To determine burnout in adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) specialists by assessing stress associated with EHRs. Design Electronic survey study of ACHD providers. Setting Canada and United States. Participants Three hundred eighty-three ACHD specialists listed on the Adult Congenital Heart Association directory between February and April 2017. Outcome measures Burnout was measured using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) to understand factors contributing to work life and EHR satisfaction. Chi-square and Wilcoxon Rank Sum tests were used for statistical analysis. Results Of the 383 invited participants, 110 (28.7%) completed surveys with the majority (n = 88, 80.7%) reporting from an academic medical center. Burnout was defined as high scores on the emotional exhaustion and/or depersonalization MBI subscales. When comparing the 40% (n = 44) that met criteria for burnout with those that did not, there was strong disagreement that a reasonable amount of time is spent on clerical tasks related to direct (P = .0043) or indirect (P = .0004) patient care. There was strong disagreement that EHRs increased efficiency (P = .006) or the patient portal improved patient care (P = .0215). Finally, physicians who met criteria for burnout had lower personal accomplishment scores (P = .0355). Conclusions Our results suggest time spent on EHRs creates clerical burden exacerbating ACHD physician burnout. The high levels of emotional exhaustion may decrease quality of ACHD care by directing focus away from physician-patient interaction. Health care systems must develop best practice for EHR design and implementation to optimize patient advocacy and care, and decrease physician burnout.
Obesity, kidney dysfunction and hypertension: mechanistic links.

Excessive adiposity raises blood pressure and accounts for 65–75% of primary hypertension, which is a major driver of cardiovascular and kidney diseases. In obesity, abnormal kidney function and associated increases in tubular sodium reabsorption initiate hypertension, which is often mild before the development of target organ injury. Factors that contribute to increased sodium reabsorption in obesity include kidney compression by visceral, perirenal and renal sinus fat; increased renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA); increased levels of anti-natriuretic hormones, such as angiotensin II and aldosterone; and adipokines, particularly leptin. The renal and neurohormonal pathways of obesity and hypertension are intertwined. For example, leptin increases RSNA by stimulating the central nervous system proopiomelanocortin–melanocortin 4 receptor pathway, and kidney compression and RSNA contribute to renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system activation. Glucocorticoids and/or oxidative stress may also contribute to mineralocorticoid receptor activation in obesity. Prolonged obesity and progressive renal injury often lead to the development of treatment-resistant hypertension. Patient management therefore often requires multiple antihypertensive drugs and concurrent treatment of dyslipidaemia, insulin resistance, diabetes and inflammation. If more effective strategies for the prevention and control of obesity are not developed, cardiorenal, metabolic and other obesity-associated diseases could overwhelm health-care systems in the future. Hypertension is one of the most common comorbid conditions that is associated with obesity. Here, the authors discuss the complex interactions between renal, hormonal and nervous system factors that link excess adiposity with elevated blood pressure.
Estimating the impacts of transit signal priority on intersection operations: A moving bottleneck approach

Abstract Transit Signal Priority (TSP) is a commonly used strategy to improve bus operations at signalized intersections. However, the impacts of TSP in mixed traffic environments has not been analytically studied. This is a challenging problem since car queues can slow down buses, while slow-moving buses can create bottlenecks for cars in mixed traffic. Furthermore, it is typically assumed that TSP is activated using bus information obtained from a fixed detector. The benefits of TSP to buses could be improved by using information from connected buses or even connected cars. To tackle these challenges, this paper models buses as moving bottlenecks, incorporating it into a kinematic wave theory (KWT) model. A dynamic programming (DP) algorithm is developed to evaluate the changes in delays to buses and cars caused by TSP using KWT and queuing theories considering the bus as a moving bottleneck. The proposed algorithm is utilized for sensitivity tests to determine the changes to car and bus delays as a result of TSP implementation as a function of the bus detector location, bus stop location and dwell duration, the existence of a downstream bottleneck, and bus detection technology. The detector location sensitivity analysis reveals that there exists an optimal (and different) bus detector location associated with each demand. The bus stop location and bus dwell duration sensitivity tests show that TSP implementation can reduce system-wide (i.e., total car and bus) delays. However, in general, it is found that the presence of a downstream bottleneck can diminish the benefits of providing TSP. Finally, different bus detection technologies are tested to quantify the benefits of using connected buses or connected cars for TSP provision in terms of car and bus delay savings. As a result of this test, it is found that connected cars can significantly improve both car and bus delays if used for TSP provision.