cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Convex set estimation from support line measurements and applications to target reconstruction from laser radar data

This paper extends techniques of convex set reconstruction from support line measurements, assesses their performance with respect to various parameters, and applies these to laser radar data. Specifically, the techniques are applied to both range-resolved and Doppler-resolved data, which provide one and two support line measurements, respectively. The resulting reconstructions provide size and shape estimates of the targets under observation. While such information can be obtained by other means (e.g., from reconstructed images using tomography), the present methods yield this information more directly. Furthermore, estimates obtained using these methods are more robust to noisy and/or sparse measurement data and are much more robust to data suffering from registration errors. Finally, the present methods are used to improve tomographic images in the presence of registration errors.
Precarious Work in Japan: Old Forms, New Risks?

AbstractThis paper scrutinises the growing trends and tendencies toward nonstandard employment in Japan to understand the making of new risk profiles. Since the first signs of new risk profiles emerged prior to the bursting of the economic bubble, an analysis should not, as many have done, isolate the 1990s. Yet, few noticed that the growth of nonstandard employment had preceded the reversal of economic fortunes. Often, characterisation of the Japanese model extrapolated from relatively secure positions of one labour market segment in the highly regulated, coordinated governance institutions. For this reason, extant models have failed to anticipate growing risks in society as a whole. A review of employment regulation highlights the function of legal reforms in the making of new risk profiles. State-based regulations allowed for and codified unequal treatment of part-time and temporary work. As a result, nonstandard employment emerged as a distinct status with few of the benefits or the social protections...
Consistent and Non Degenerate Model Specification Tests Against Smooth Transition and Neural Network Alternatives.

Nous developpons un test de specification pour un modele de regression qui dirige une puissance maximale vers des formes fonctionnelles a transition douce et qui est convergent contre toute deviation par rapport a l'hypothese nulle. Nous precisions egalement la degeneration asymptotique des tests parametriques convergents de formes fonctionnelles: un test d'un processus autoregressif lineaire contre une alternative STAR n'est jamais degenere. De plus, un test d'une fonction exponentielle STAR possede une puissance entierement associee au choix du seuil. Dans une simulation ou tous les parametres sont choisis aleatoirement, le test propose possede une puissance presque identique a celle d'un test le plus puissant pour de vrais processus de type STAR, reseaux de neurones et SETAR, et domine tous les tests usuels. Nous appliquons ce test a des donnees americaines de niveaude production, de monnaie, de prix et de taux d'interets.
Management of Lp(a)

Editor–in–Chief, The Journal of Clinical Lipidology, Charles Howard Candler Professor of Internal Medicine Emeritus, Emory University School of Medicine, 1670 Clairmount Road, Atlanta, GA 30033, USA (Dr. Brown); Chief, Section of Atherosclerosis and Vascular Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine and Director, Center for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention, Co–Director Lipid Metabolism and Atherosclerosis Clinic, Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA (Dr. Ballantyne); Associate Professor Baylor College of Medicine, and Center for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention, Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center, Houston, TX, USA (Dr. Jones); and Research Professor of Medicine Director, Northwest Lipid Metabolism and Diabetes Research Laboratories, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA (Dr. Marcovina)
Interaction Orientation and Firm Performance

Abstract Marketing managers are being required to demonstrate the profitability of their marketing actions down to the level of their individual customers and on an ongoing basis. At the same time, customers expect firms to increasingly customize their products and services to meet their demands. Firms still need to produce superior products, sell smarter, and understand the markets as a whole, but the ability of firms to orient themselves to interact successfully with their individual customers will differentiate them in the future. Advances in technology have resulted in increasing opportunities for interactions between firms and customers, between customers, and between firms. An interaction orientation reflects a firm's ability to interact with its individual customers and to take advantage of information obtained from them through successive interactions to achieve profitable customer relationships. First, the authors identify the components of interaction orientation: (1) customer concept, (2) inter...
Philosophy Dissertation Bibliographies and Citations in Serials Evaluation

Serial and journal collections can be effectively evaluated through citation studies of dissertation bibliographies. The entire run of philosophy dissertations accepted at Purdue University from 1970-1988 was examined for serials and journals listed in their bibliographies. A composite profile of bibliographic support for serials and journals in dissertation research in philosophy at Purdue University was checked against the serial and journal Holdings. This simple procedure is both effective and easily performed for any research collection in the humanities. Both librarian and subject scholar can benefit in implementing this procedure in collection evaluation.
Cellulose Biosynthesis: Current Views and Evolving Concepts

.-, Aims To outline the current state of knowledge and discuss the evolution of various viewpoints put forth to explain the mechanism of cellu lose biosynt·hesis. (. Scope Lnderstanding the mechanism of cellulose biosynthesis is one of the major challenges in plant biology. The simplicity in the chemical structure of cellulose belies the complexities that are associated with the synthesis and assembly of this polysaccharide. ,\'ssembly of cellulose microfibrils in most organisms is visuallzed as a multi-srcp process invol ving a number of proteins with the key protein being the cellulose synthase catalytic sub-unit. Although genes encoding this protein have been identifiedin almost all cellulose synthesizing organisms, it has been a challenge in general, and more specifically in vascular plants. to demonstratc cellulose synthase activity in vilro. Th.: assembly of glucan chains into cellulose microfibrils of specific dimcnsions, viewed as a spontaneous process, necessitates the assembly 01 synthesjzing sites unique to most groups of organisms. The steps of polymerization (requiring the specific arrangement and activity of the cellulose synthase catalytic sub-units) and crystallization (directed self-assembly of glucan chains) are cenainly interlinked in the formation of cellulose microfibrils. Mutants affected in cellulose biosynthesis have been identified in vascular plants. Studies on these mutants and herbicide­ treated plants suggest an interesting Ilnk between the steps of polymerization and crystallization during cellulose biosynthesis. ~ Conclusions With the identification of a largenumber of genes encoding cellulose synthases and cellulose synrhase-like proteins in vascular plants and the supposed role of a number of other proteins in cellulose bio­ synthesis. a complete understanding of this process will necessitate a wider variety of research tools and approaches than was thought to be required a few years back.
Consequences of base time for redundant signals experiments

We report analytical and computational investigations into the effects of base time on the diagnosticity of two popular theoretical tools in the redundant signals literature: (1) the race model inequality and (2) the capacity coefficient. We show analytically and without distributional assumptions that the presence of base time decreases the sensitivity of both of these measures to model violations. We further use simulations to investigate the statistical power model selection tools based on the race model inequality, both with and without base time. Base time decreases statistical power, and biases the race model test toward conservatism. The magnitude of this biasing effect increases as we increase the proportion of total reaction time variance contributed by base time. We marshal empirical evidence to suggest that the proportion of reaction time variance contributed by base time is relatively small, and that the effects of base time on the diagnosticity of our model-selection tools are therefore likely to be minor. However, uncertainty remains concerning the magnitude and even the definition of base time. Experimentalists should continue to be alert to situations in which base time may contribute a large proportion of the total reaction time variance.
Shocking facets in interface growth

Abstract We find that a certain class of geometric models of crystal growth predicts the formation of an expanding facet with a discontinuous edge adjacent to rough orientations—a shocking facet. However, we show that although such structures are observed experimentally, aspects of their long-time evolution are not entirely captured by the same class of geometric models that predict their formation. We suggest a simplified description of interfacial evolution that reproduces the experimentally observed behavior.
The Effects of Social-Comparison Versus Mastery Praise on Children’s Intrinsic Motivation

Two studies examined the effects of social-comparison versus mastery praise on 4th- and 5th-grade children’s intrinsic motivation. Children received a high score and either social-comparison praise, mastery praise, or no praise for working on a set of novel puzzles. They then worked on a different task and were given either ambiguous feedback (Study 1) or positive feedback (Study 2) before completing measures of intrinsic motivation. Mastery praise enhanced intrinsic motivation and social-comparison praise curtailed it when uncertainty about children’s subsequent performance was introduced (Study 1) and, for girls, even in situations of continued success (Study 2). Social-comparison praise also tended to discourage children from seeking subsequent self-evaluative normative information. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Tri-axial high-g CMOS-MEMS capacitive accelerometer array

A chip-scale tri-axial CMOS-MEMS high-g accelerometer is demonstrated. The accelerometer uses an array of cantilever structures, electrically connected in parallel for capacitive sensing. The measured sensitivity is 3.02 muV/g for in-plane motion and 9.91 muV/g for out-of- plane motion. CMOS-MEMS integration allows the sensor to be lower in weight and volume than existing non-integrated piezoresistive and piezoelectric high-g accelerometers.
An X-band MESFET grid oscillator with gate feedback

A design for a quasi-optical MESFET power-combining array that utilizes gate feedback is presented. This circuit is different from previous MESFET grids that utilized packaged devices and source feedback to produce an oscillator at 5 GHz. The present configuration allows the drain and source leads to couple directly to the radiated field. Simulations indicate that this configuration can be used to build a high-frequency oscillator. A transmission-line model for the grid is presented and used to design a 25-element grid for operation at 10 GHz. Measurements show that the grid delivers an effective radiated power of 2.4 W at 10.9 GHz. >
Mast Cells as Effectors in Atherosclerosis

The mast cell is a potent immune cell known for its functions in host defense responses and diseases, such as asthma and allergies. In the past years, accumulating evidence established the contribution of the mast cell to cardiovascular diseases as well, in particular, by its effects on atherosclerotic plaque progression and destabilization. Through its release not only of mediators, such as the mast cell–specific proteases chymase and tryptase, but also of growth factors, histamine, and chemokines, activated mast cells can have detrimental effects on its immediate surroundings in the vessel wall. This results in matrix degradation, apoptosis, and enhanced recruitment of inflammatory cells, thereby actively contributing to cardiovascular diseases. In this review, we will discuss the current knowledge on mast cell function in cardiovascular diseases and speculate on potential novel therapeutic strategies to prevent acute cardiovascular syndromes via targeting of mast cells.
IRI data ingestion and ionospheric tomography

Abstract We present a method by which we combine IRI-95 predictions of electron density with ionospheric tomography data to provide an improved electron density estimate. We discuss the observation that IRI-95 produced ionospheres have a topside description which is too thick when compared to CIT reconstructions. A technique for ionospheric data ingestion is discussed. The algorithm is capable of ingesting GPS, CIT, ionosonde, and ISR data. The method is extensible to other types of data as long as a characterization of the errors can be obtained. We also discuss the study of latitudinal and longitudinal correlation in the ionosphere. Results of this correlation are shown for mid-latitude ionospheres over the Western US.
Progress report on PALE

Paleoclimates of Arctic Lakes and Estuaries (PALE) is one of two paleoenvironmental research programs in the overall structure of Arctic System Science (ARCSS), a global change program centered in the Division of Polar Programs of the National Science Foundation. The objectives of PALE are to describe circumarctic patterns of paleoclimatic variations for three time periods (150,000 BP-present, 20,000 BP-present, and 2000 BP-present), based on proxy indicators preserved in circumpolar lake and estuarine sediments; and to identify regional and global processes controlling the observed paleoclimatic changes. A discussion of PALE was published in Eos (July 1991), and NSF issued a call for proposals that same month, with six new proposals now funded. Several of these studies will investigate new ways of determining climatic signals in arctic lake sediments or developing methods for improving chronologies.
DYSAUTONOMIC AND REFLEX SYNCOPE SYNDROMES

The past decade has seen a tremendous advancement in knowledge of neurally mediated hypotensive disorders as a cause of recurrent unexplained syncope. The use of head-upright tilt-table testing has provided clinicians not only with a diagnostic modality for these disorders, but also with a controlled setting whereby the pathophysiologic alterations that accompany syncope can be carefully measured and recorded. During the course of these investigations, it has become apparent that classic neurocardiogenic (or vasovagal) syncope is only one of the hypotensive disorders that cause the loss of consciousness provoked with tilt-table testing. 9 At the same time, it has been observed that neurocardiogenic syncope can be provoked by stimuli other than orthostatic stress. This article gives a brief overview of these two groups of disorders that may also result in recurrent fainting: dysautonomic syncope and reflex syncope.
Performance evaluation of rate-based join window sizing for asynchronous data streams

Our work is motivated by the large number of data stream sources that define mesoscale meteorology where asynchronous streams are commonplace. Techniques for performing filtering, aggregation, and transformation on multiple streams must be effective for the case of asynchronous streams. Rate Sizing algorithm (RS-Algo) links the number of events waiting to participate in a join to the rate of the streams responsible for their delivery. In this poster, we show the results of performance evaluation of the RS-Algo. The gains in memory utilization are largest under asynchronous streams.
Prevention of Radiation-Induced Oral Cavity Mucositis by Plasmid/Liposome Delivery of the Human Manganese Superoxide Dismutase (SOD2) Transgene

Abstract Guo, H., Seixas-Silva, Jr., J. A., Epperly, M. W., Gretton, J. E., Shin, D. M., Bar-Sagi, D., Archer, H. and Greenberger, J. S. Prevention of Radiation-Induced Oral Cavity Mucositis by Plasmid/Liposome Delivery of the Human Manganese Superoxide Dismutase (SOD2) Transgene. Radiat. Res. 159, 361–370 (2003). Oral cavity mucositis is a major toxicity of radiation therapy for head and neck cancer. In the present mouse model studies, we evaluated intraoral administration of SOD2-PL complexes 24 h before single-fraction 30-Gy irradiation for the prevention of oral cavity mucositis. Expression of the human SOD2 transgene in the oral cavity of C3H/HeNsd mice was demonstrated by nested reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Mice treated intraorally with bacterial β-galactosidase gene-plasmid/liposome (LacZ-PL) or hemagglutinin (HA)-manganese superoxide dismutase-plasmid/liposome (HA-SOD2-PL) demonstrated LacZ or HA-SOD2 expression, respectively, 24 h after injection. In a second strain o...
New ordinal names established by changes to the botanical code

At the 2011 Nomenclature Session held during the XVIII International Botanical Congress in Melbourne, Australia, it was decided that names above the rank of family treated under Art. 16.1 of the new International code of nomenclature for algae, fungi and plants , which came into effect on 30 July 2011, were not to be based on an included family but merely upon “a name of an included genus.” As a result a large number of effectively published suprafamilial names were validated for which the following are noted at this time. While the majority of these ordinal names are not in current use, a few are, namely Nepenthales, Osmundales, Polypodiales, Roridulales, Tamaricales, Taxales and Tropaeolales (Christenhusz et al. 2011a, 2011b, Reveal 2011; but see Reveal 2010 for all ordinal names published to that date, or for an up-to-date listing see www.plantsystematics.org/reveal/pbio/fam/allspgnames.html).
Study on the effect of noise on workers' blood lipid level

Objective To understand the effect of noise on workers' blood lipid level. Methods 232 of a Petrochemical Industry Co. exposed to noise outside the operating personnel were chosen as the noise exposure group, 294 of the company who were not exposed to noise inside the operating personnel were chosen as the control group. Their blood lipid levels were statistically analyzed with the t test and X2 test. Results The TG level of lipid composition in the noise exposure group was significantly different compared with that of the control group(t=-2.79, P0.01). The CHO levels between the two groups were not significantly different(P0.05). The abnormal rate of TG in the noise exposure group was significantly different compared with that of the control group(t=3.97, P0.05), while the abnormal rates of CHO between the two groups were not significantly different(P0.05). Conclusion The effect of noise on human blood lipid level still needs further research and discussion.
The Urodynamic Aspects of the Guillain-BarrÉ Syndrome

AbstractA total of 7 patients with the Guillain-Barre syndrome and voiding dysfunction, large post-voiding residuals or urinary retention underwent urodynamic evaluation. Of the patients 4 had detrusor areflexia with a positive bethanechol supersensitivity test, including 3 with electromyographic evidence suggestive of neuropathy. This is the expected pattern in the Guillain-Barre syndrome. However, 3 patients had detrusor hyperreflexia with appropriate sphincteric relaxation, which was associated with Babinskys sign in 2. The presence of detrusor hyperreflexia suggests the possibility of Guillain-Barre pathological conditions involving the central nervous system, although the Guillain-Barre syndrome typically is a disease of the peripheral nervous system. Long-term urodynamic studies may help clarify such issues in future patients.
Status of Descurainia torulosa (Brassicaceae)

Descurainia torulosa was established in 1983 based on material collected in northwestern Wyoming. The species is now known from 2 disjunct populations in southwestern Wyoming, and recent collections have expanded the known distribution within the northern portion of its range. The north-south disjunct distribution and apparent habitat differences have stimulated questions concerning the degree of relatedness between the disjunct elements to the point that the southern populations have been suggested to be a distinct taxon. Recognition of D. torulosa as a distinct species has also been questioned. This paper is based on field examination of D. torulosa populations, study of all known D. torulosa herbarium specimens, and analysis of nucleotide sequence from the internal transcribed spacer regions 1 and 2 of nuclear ribosomal DNA (ITS-1 & 2) from population exemplars. Cladistic analysis of the sequence data support our conclusion, based on morphological analysis. Northern and southern populations of D. torulosa are conspecific. Western North American Descurainia is in need of modern, critical taxonomic revision.
Fiscal health of hospitals in a decade of Medicare.

The accompanying article is testimony that was presented by Dr. Long before the Subcommittee on Health of the Committee on Ways and Means of the U.S. House of Representatives on February 27, 1991. The testimony was presented in conjunction with the subcommittee's hearing on Hospital Payment under Medicare in conjunction with receiving ProPAC's Seventh Annual Report to Congress.
Magnetic Assembly and Cross-Linking of Nanoparticles for Releasable Magnetic Microstructures

This article describes a versatile method to fabricate magnetic microstructures with complex two-dimensional geometric shapes using magnetically assembled iron oxide (Fe3O4) and cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) nanoparticles. Magnetic pole patterns are imprinted into magnetizable media, onto which magnetic nanoparticles are assembled from a colloidal suspension into defined shapes via the shaped magnetic field gradients. The kinetics of this assembly process are studied by evaluation of the microstructure features (e.g., line width and height) as a function of time, particle type, and volume fraction. After assembly, the iron oxide particles are cross-linked in situ and subsequently released by dissolving a sacrificial layer. The free-floating magnetic structures are shown to retain their patterned shape during manipulation with external magnetic fields.
The Effects of Nature on Learning in Games

This paper investigates the effects of adding Nature to a stochastic fictitious play model of learning in a static Cournot duopoly game. Nature represents any random state variable that may affect players' payoffs. Novel software is developed for analyzing the dynamics of logistic smooth fictitious play and is used to analyze a Cournot duopoly under no Nature and under Markov Nature. One key result is that in both the no Nature and the Markov Nature cases, there is an overconfidence premium: the worse off a player initially expects her opponent to be, the better off she herself will eventually be. A second result is that when Nature is Markov, neither play nor payoffs converge, but they each eventually enter respective ergodic sets.
An iterative multi-user detector for coded mutually orthogonal complementary sets with space-time coding

We propose an iterative multi-user detector scheme that exploits the properties of mutually orthogonal (MO) complementary sets and space-time codes for multi-user communications with spatial diversity and minimal bandwidth expansion. The properties of the MO sequences are used to distinguish between the desired user and the interferers, all of which are using multiple transmit antennas. We achieve a high order of diversity in flat Rayleigh fading channels and the ability to cancel multi-user interference. The performance of the system in the presence of multiple users is shown, both analytically and by simulation, to be comparable to the single user case.
Combined Immunodeficiency Caused by a Transactive Regulatory Mutation: A New Mutational Class

Our laboratory research has focused on the genes, gene regulation, protein structure, and function of HLA, the human major histocompatibility complex (MHC) of humans. In this paper I will focus on our work on HLA gene regulation and its defects as newly recognized causes of combined immunodeficiency. The HLA complex is a cluster of genes located on the short arm of chromosome six. HLA class II genes code for the heterodimeric cell surface glycoproteins HLA-DR, -DQ and -DP; both the heavy (A) and light (B) chain genes of class II molecules are in the MHC cluster. HLA class II molecules are expressed on B cells, activated T cells, macrophages, and some epithelial and other cells. In some cells, the levels of class II expression are coordinately increased by γ-interferon, IL-4, or tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Class II molecules function by binding peptides derived from degraded exogenous protein antigens; the generation by cells of immunogenic peptides from soluble exogenous proteins is known as antigen processing. The resulting peptide class II complex “presents antigen to” (ie, activates) specific helper or suppressor T cells by binding to a peptide-and HLA class II antigen-specific T cell receptor, expressed clonally. The ability of HLA molecules to bind given peptides is allele specific; the high degree of polymorphism in these genes therefore results in genetic differences in the capacity to mount immune responses to particular immunogens. In addition, certain HLA alleles are strong susceptibility factors for particular auto-immune diseases.
Hospital Readmission Following Thoracic Surgery

Hospital readmission costs the health care system in excess of 1 billion dollars a year. The Hospital Readmission Reduction Program was instituted as part of the Affordable Care Act in 2012 and penalizes hospitals with high rates of readmission. Strategies exist to minimize hospital readmissions and should be implemented by thoracic surgeons.
Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System Classification of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Implications for Clinical Management

As the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) continues to increase worldwide, the role imaging plays in management continues to gain clinical importance. Multiple entry points exist for patients in the scheme of diagnosis and treatment of HCC and non-HCC malignancies. Further complicating this scheme is the lack of standardization in the language used for diagnostic imaging and management recommendations. The Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) was created to improve communication between clinicians and management teams. LI-RADS serves to standardize reports, improving physician satisfaction and aiding in management decisions across the continuum of care of these patients. Furthermore, LI-RADS provides technical specifications across multiple imaging modalities for screening and follow-up examinations, with the end goal of curing the disease or prolonging survival. In this review, the LI-RADS algorithm will be expanded upon, as well as its utility for various treatment options using the standardized LI-RADS lexicon. Additionally, pitfalls and non-HCC malignancies will also be addressed with resultant improvement in reproducibility of radiology reports that guide therapeutic management.
Natural Language Processing for Asthma Ascertainment in Different Practice Settings.

Background We developed and validated NLP-PAC, a natural language processing (NLP) algorithm based on predetermined asthma criteria (PAC) for asthma ascertainment using electronic health records at Mayo Clinic. Objective To adapt NLP-PAC in a different health care setting, Sanford Children Hospital, by assessing its external validity. Methods The study was designed as a retrospective cohort study that used a random sample of 2011-2012 Sanford Birth cohort (n = 595). Manual chart review was performed on the cohort for asthma ascertainment on the basis of the PAC. We then used half of the cohort as a training cohort (n = 298) and the other half as a blind test cohort to evaluate the adapted NLP-PAC algorithm. Association of known asthma-related risk factors with the Sanford-NLP algorithm–driven asthma ascertainment was tested. Results Among the eligible test cohort (n = 297), 160 (53%) were males, 268 (90%) white, and the median age was 2.3 years (range, 1.5-3.1 years). NLP-PAC, after adaptation, and the human abstractor identified 74 (25%) and 72 (24%) subjects, respectively, with 66 subjects identified by both approaches. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for the NLP algorithm in predicting asthma status were 92%, 96%, 89%, and 97%, respectively. The known risk factors for asthma identified by NLP (eg, smoking history) were similar to the ones identified by manual chart review. Conclusions Successful implementation of NLP-PAC for asthma ascertainment in 2 different practice settings demonstrates the feasibility of automated asthma ascertainment leveraging electronic health record data with a potential to enable large-scale, multisite asthma studies to improve asthma care and research.
Structural and Functional Connectivity of the Claustrum in the Human Brain

The connectivity of the claustrum has been extensively studied in animals, but there is very limited knowledge on the structural connectivity of the human claustrum. Fiber microdissection techniques in post- mortem brains allow for an initial approximation to the complex architecture of the fiber tract systems closely related to the human claustrum. High-definition fiber tractography (HDFT) is an optimized diffusion MRI technique that overcomes many of the limitations of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Our HDFT studies have shown that the claustrum is connected to both primary motor and sensory areas, but the predominant connectivity is with associative cortical areas, such as the superior frontal gyrus or supplementary motor region and posterior parietal cortex. This structural connectivity pattern supports the notion of claustrum involvement in multimodal integration of sensory and motor information. Further studies combining HDFT with functional MRI are needed to elucidate the functional role of the human claustrum.
Neo-Confucianism, experimental philosophy and the trouble with intuitive methods

ABSTRACTThe proper role of intuitions in philosophy has been debated throughout its history, and especially since the turn of the twenty-first century. The context of this recent debate within analytic philosophy has been the heightened interest in (and use of) intuitions as data points that need to be accommodated or explained away by philosophical theories. This, in turn, has given rise to a sceptical movement called experimental philosophy, whose advocates seek to understand the nature and reliability of such intuitions (along with related judgements and behaviour). Yet such scepticism of intuition or introspective methods can be found in earlier periods and across philosophical traditions. Indeed, the Neo-Confucian philosophers of the Song and Ming dynasties (ca. tenth to seventeenth centuries CE) seem to exemplify this very tension, as they can be divided into an intuitionistic school on the one hand and an investigative school on the other. In this paper, I argue that, notwithstanding some obvious d...
Perspectives on Electronic Informed Consent From Patients Underrepresented in Research in the United States: A Focus Group Study

Digital informed consent may better inform individuals about health research and increase participation. In the United States and elsewhere, minorities and rural populations are underrepresented in health research and may benefit from well-designed electronic informed consent (eIC). Seven focus groups were conducted with 50 Caucasian, African American, and rural patients in the United States. Participants were asked their preferences for a paper versus electronic informed consent document. Participants found the e-version easier to use, more interesting, and better for understanding. Minority participants emphasized limited access, computer literacy, and trust barriers to eIC. Rural participants were concerned about accessibility, connectivity, privacy, and confidentiality. People see value in electronic consenting. Researchers should consider barriers to eIC among underrepresented populations before recruitment.
The Stress Field Around Two Parallel Cracks in a Finite Geometry: A Hybrid Study Combining High-density Geometric Moire and Photoelasticity with the Westergaard Approach and Local Collocation Methods

Finite geometry problems, in which two or more cracks are in close proximity so that their stress fields interact, are generally found to be substantially more challenging than problems involving single or isolated cracks. The present study how, combining optical techniques such as photoelasticity with high density geometric moire, a method of modelling single cracks with similar loadings and geometries, and an elasticity technique well-suited to problems with multiple boundaries, produces an overall solution for the stress field around multiple crack tips in finite geometries.
Spermatic Granuloma: The Complication of Vasectomy

Spermatic granuloma is known to be the most common postoperative complication of vasectomy whether done to prevent epididymitis or for sterilization. However it is seldom diagnosed. Results from studying 66 cases of histologically confirmed spermatic granulomas occurring from 3 weeks to 25 years after vasectomy are presented. Spermatic granuloma takes place in 15% of the vasectomy cases. It is an inflammatory reaction to the extravasation of sperm either from the vas or within the epididymis. Granuloma of the vas occurs when the proximal end of the vas is inadequately obstructed. It is particularly common when ligatures are used. Granuloma of the epididymis is seen less frequently but may occur from even slight trauma to the epididymiss. Pain sometimes severe often requires that the granuloma be excised but a symptomatic granuloma may also subside spontaneously. The granuloma may be completely asymptomatic a common finding at vasovasostomy. Spermatic granuloma is the means by which spontaneous reanastomosis of the vas occurs. Conversely it may cause obstruction and thereby prevent successful vasosvasostomy. Autoimmunity to spermatozoa may also result from a granuloma.
Brief Report: Cross-Modal Capture: Preliminary Evidence of Inefficient Filtering in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

This study investigates how task-irrelevant auditory information is processed in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Eighteen children with ASD and 19 age- and IQ-matched typically developing (TD) children were presented with semantically-congruent and incongruent picture-sound pairs, and in separate tasks were instructed to attend to only visual or both audio-visual sensory channels. Preliminary results showed that when required to attend to both modalities, both groups were equally slowed for semantically-incongruent compared to congruent pairs. However, when asked to attend to only visual information, children with ASD were disproportionally slowed by incongruent auditory information, suggesting that they may have more difficulty filtering task-irrelevant cross-modal information. Correlational analyses showed that this inefficient cross-modal attentional filtering was related to greater sociocommunicative impairment.
The Primary Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease

Primary prevention of coronary heart disease—not secondary prevention after the damage has been done—must be our first objective. Today, some of the knowledge and the means to accomplish this are at hand. The priorities are discussed in this article.
The Effect of Ethnicity on Multicultural Competence

The contribution of ethnicity to counseling students’ multicultural counseling competence (MCC) was revisited and expanded upon by examining differences among and between European American, African...
Bio-inspired uncooled multi-spectral infrared imaging with mK range temperature resolution (Conference Presentation)

Present infrared (IR) detection techniques are limited due to the absence of spectroscopic or “color” detection/imaging abilities. At present all cooled and uncooled MWIR and LWIR detectors are being “bucket” detectors generate integrated spectral images in the binary color format (choices of any two pseudo colors). To date very little research work has been performed on frequency selective detection. On the other hand if we see natural world we find many animals that can see over multiple spectral bands in the visible as well as in the infrared domain. Mantis shrimp eye is an example of a complex eye which is comprised of an elegant 12 channel spectrum sampler that spans the range 300-750 nm, with spectral bandwidth of around 40 nm. These are among the sharpest spectral sensitivities in the animal kingdom. The key aspect of their eye is “biological light funnel” apparatus which collect light over a wide angle with near perfect efficiency. Another biological masterpiece is pit vipers that have heat-sensitive membranes that can detect the difference in temperature between a moving prey—such as a running mouse—and its surroundings on the scale of milli Kelvins. Their infrared eye (“the pit”) has unique abilities to scatter visible light away and transmit only a band of infrared light which reduces background noise substantially. The grand challenge: Can we create an artificial eye/imaging system which has spectral resolving power like Mantis shrimp but viper like detection ability in the infrared domain? The talk will focus on the multi-spectral sensing/imaging that will provide unique intelligence in terms of spectrally resolved IR signature and/or “color” IR images. The novel printing/imprinting techniques enable development of large area, low cost IR detectors which can be mounted on various platforms efficiently with low SWaP requirements.
Analysis of the effect of explosion grounding electrode on grounding resistance reduction

Developing cracks in the soil by means of explosions in the holes, as is called the explosion grounding electrode in this study, is a very effective way to reduce the grounding resistance in the area with high resistivity soil. In this study, the influence of the grounding grid scale and the arrangement of the grounding electrode on reducing the grounding resistance of three-dimensional grounding grid with explosion grounding electrode are studied. There is a strong shielding effect between the explosion grounding electrodes. When the distance between the explosion grounding poles is short, the effectiveness of reducing the grounding resistance by using the long explosion grounding electrode is obviously restrained. The distance between the explosion grounding electrodes should be more than half the length of the electrodes.
A Federated Authorization Framework for Distributed Personal Data and Digital Identity

The digital identity problem is a complex one in large part because it involves personal data, the algorithms which compute reputations on the data and the management of the identifiers that are linked to personal data. The reality of today is that personal data of an individual is distributed throughout the Internet, in both private and public institutions, and increasingly also on the user's devices. In order to empower individuals to have a say in who has access to their personal data and to enable individuals to make use of their data for their own purposes, a coherent and scalable access authorization architecture is required. Such an architecture must allow different data holders, data providers and user-content generators to respond to an individual's wishes with regards to consent in a federated fashion. This federation must allow an individual to easily manage access policies and provide consent as required by current and forthcoming data privacy regulations. This paper describes the User Managed Access (UMA) architecture and protocols that provide the foundation for scalable access authorization.
Understanding Mental Ill-health as Psychosocial Disability: Implications for Assistive Technology

Psychosocial disability involves actual or perceived impairment due to a diversity of mental, emotional, or cognitive experiences. While assistive technology for psychosocial disabilities has been understudied in communities such as ASSETS, advances in computing have opened up a number of new avenues for assisting those with psychosocial disabilities beyond the clinic. However, these tools continue to emerge primarily within the framework of "treatment," emphasizing resolution or improvement of mental health symptoms. This work considers what it means to adopt a social model lens from disability studies and incorporate the expertise of assistive technology researchers in relation to mental health. Our investigation draws on interviews conducted with 18 individuals who have complex health needs that include mental health symptoms. This work highlights the potential role for assistive technology in supporting psychosocial disability outside of a clinical or medical framework.
Genetic Engineering of T Cells for Immune Tolerance.

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a role in the induction and maintenance of tolerance, as well as in modulating aberrant immune responses. While expanded Tregs have been used in clinical trials, they are polyclonal and the frequency of specific Tregs is very low. To overcome this issue, we have endeavored to “specify” Tregs by engineering them to express receptors that can recognize a given antigen and applied this protocol in autoimmunity, hemophilia and allergy. Thus, we have used retroviral transduction of a specific T cell receptor, single-chain variable fragments (Fvs), or antigen domains in Tregs to achieve this goal. This review summarizes our steps to achieve the ultimate goal of modulating human diseases.
Use of Information Technology for Medication Management in Residential Care Facilities: Correlates of Facility Characteristics

The effectiveness of information technology in resolving medication problems has been well documented. Long-term care settings such as residential care facilities (RCFs) may see the benefits of using such technologies in addressing the problem of medication errors among their resident population, who are usually older and have numerous chronic conditions. The aim of this study was two-fold: to examine the extent of use of Electronic Medication Management (EMM) in RCFs and to analyze the organizational factors associated with the use of EMM functionalities in RCFs. Data on RCFs were obtained from the 2010 National Survey of Residential Care Facilities. The association between facility, director and staff, and resident characteristics of RCFs and adoption of four EMM functionalities was assessed through multivariate logistic regression. The four EMM functionalities included were maintaining lists of medications, ordering for prescriptions, maintaining active medication allergy lists, and warning of drug interactions or contraindications. About 12 % of the RCFs adopted all four EMM functionalities. Additionally, maintaining lists of medications had the highest adoption rate (34.5 %), followed by maintaining active medication allergy lists (31.6 %), ordering for prescriptions (19.7 %), and warning of drug interactions or contraindications (17.9 %). Facility size and ownership status were significantly associated with adoption of all four EMM functionalities. Medicaid certification status, facility director's age, education and license status, and the use of personal care aides in the RCF were significantly associated with the adoption of some of the EMM functionalities. EMM is expected to improve the quality of care and patient safety in long-term care facilities including RCFs. The extent of adoption of the four EMM functionalities is relatively low in RCFs. Some RCFs may strategize to use these functionalities to cater to the increasing demands from the market and also to provide better quality of care.
Ectopic Pregnancy: Diagnosis and Management

Ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized ovum implants outside of the uterine cavity. In the United States, the estimated prevalence of ectopic pregnancy is 1% to 2%, and ruptured ectopic pregnancy accounts for 2.7% of pregnancy-related deaths. Risk factors include a history of pelvic inflammatory disease, cigarette smoking, fallopian tube surgery, previous ectopic pregnancy, and infertility. Ectopic pregnancy should be considered in any patient presenting early in pregnancy with vaginal bleeding or lower abdominal pain in whom intrauterine pregnancy has not yet been established. The definitive diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy can be made with ultrasound visualization of a yolk sac and/or embryo in the adnexa. However, most ectopic pregnancies do not reach this stage. More often, patient symptoms combined with serial ultrasonography and trends in beta human chorionic gonadotropin levels are used to make the diagnosis. Pregnancy of unknown location refers to a transient state in which a pregnancy test is positive but ultrasonography shows neither intrauterine nor ectopic pregnancy. Serial beta human chorionic gonadotropin levels, serial ultrasonography, and, at times, uterine aspiration can be used to arrive at a definitive diagnosis. Treatment of diagnosed ectopic pregnancy includes medical management with intramuscular methotrexate, surgical management via salpingostomy or salpingectomy, and, in rare cases, expectant management. A patient with diagnosed ectopic pregnancy should be immediately transferred for surgery if she has peritoneal signs or hemodynamic instability, if the initial beta human chorionic gonadotropin level is high, if fetal cardiac activity is detected outside of the uterus on ultrasonography, or if there is a contraindication to medical management.
Technology Evaluation and Assessment Criteria for Health Apps (TEACH-Apps): Pilot Study.

Background: Despite the emergence of app evaluation tools, there remains no well-defined process receptive to diverse local needs, rigorous standards, and current content. The need for such a process to assist in the implementation of app evaluation across all medical fields is evident. Such a process has the potential to increase stakeholder engagement and catalyze interest and engagement with present-day app evaluation models. Objective: This study aimed to develop and pilot test the Technology Evaluation and Assessment Criteria for Health apps (TEACH-apps). Methods: Tailoring a well-known implementation framework, Replicating Effective Programs, we present a new process to approach the challenges faced in implementing app evaluation tools today. As a culmination of our experience implementing this process and feedback from stakeholders, we present the four-part process to aid the implementation of mobile health technology. This paper outlines the theory, evidence, and initial versions of the process. Results: The TEACH-apps process is designed to be broadly usable and widely applicable across all fields of health. The process comprises four parts: (1) preconditions (eg, gathering apps and considering local needs), (2) preimplementation (eg, customizing criteria and offering digital skills training), (3) implementation (eg, evaluating apps and creating educational handouts), and (4) maintenance and evolution (eg, repeating the process every 90 days and updating content). TEACH-apps has been tested internally at our hospital, and there is growing interest in partnering health care facilities to test the system at their sites. Conclusions: This implementation framework introduces a process that equips stakeholders, clinicians, and users with the foundational tools to make informed decisions around app use and increase app evaluation engagement. The application of this process may lead to the selection of more culturally appropriate and clinically relevant tools in health care.