cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Control System Selection: A Measure of Control Quality Loss in Analytical Control

Abstract A question that often process control engineers face is for what class of processes one should use model predictive control that requires solving numerically a constrained optimization problem repeatedly on-line. The alternative is to use analytical control, such as P, PI, PID and differential geometric control, which do not require the on-line optimization. In other words, for what class of processes can analytical control provide control quality close to the optimal control quality that model predictive control (MPC) can provide? Here an analytical controller is defined as the one whose implementation does not require solving a constrained optimization problem numerically. This work presents a measure that allows one to quantify the degradation in closed-loop performance when one implements analytical control instead of MPC. A special case of the measure is used to derive a simple test that can be used to check if a given process with active input constraints can be controlled satisfactorily by analytical control. It is shown that processes with active input constraints and directionality benefit greatly from MPC. In other words, for input-constrained processes whose nonsingular characteristic (decoupling) matrix is independent of manipulated inputs and can be made diagonal by row or column re arrangements, control quality provided by analytical control can be adequate. The measure is used to see if four input-constrained process examples can be controlled satisfactorily by analytical control. Closed-loop responses are shown to confirm the usefulness of the measure.
Direct-to-consumer advertising effects on nurse–patient relationship, authority, and prescribing appropriateness

Background:Discussing direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription drugs during a visit could affect prescribing practices and provider–patient relationship.Research objectives:The study examines advanced practice nurse prescribers’ perceptions of direct-to-consumer advertising and its effects on nurse–patient relationship, prescriptive authority, and appropriateness of patient clinical requests.Research design:A cross-sectional survey design was implemented.Participants and research context:The random sample consisted of 316 nurses (27.17% response rate) in one of the Midwestern states in the United States. Pearson’s chi-square analysis and multiple/multinomial logistic regression analyses were used.Ethical considerations:Permission to conduct the study was obtained from the university’s Institutional Review Board. Participation was voluntary, and measures were taken to protect the anonymity and confidentiality of consenting participants.Findings:Most nurses (69%) believed that patients were “poor or v...
Outpatient ACL Surgery: Is It Safe?

Several factors have played a prominent role in the successful transition from inpatient to outpatient ACL reconstruction over the past 25 years, including (1) advances in surgical technique (two-incision arthroscopic to single-incision endoscopic); (2) improved understanding of perioperative complications such as pain and nausea; (3) decreased or similar rates of postoperative arthrofibrosis, hemarthrosis, and deep venous thrombosis; (4) increased patient satisfaction; and (5) significant cost savings. Today, outpatient ACL surgery is a routine, safe, and cost-effective experience.
Latent variable structure and measurement invariance of a modified early literacy assessment

ABSTRACTThis study reports the dimensionality and measurement invariance of a modified version of the Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening for Preschoolers (PALS PreK). Practical constraints o...
EphA2 gene targeting using neutral liposomal small interfering RNA (EPHARNA) delivery: A phase I clinical trial.

TPS2604Background: EphA2 is a member of the largest subfamily of receptor tyrosine kinases, with over 14 receptors and 8 ligands. EphA2 overexpression is common in many human cancers, including lun...
A qualitative approach to multiple fault isolation in continuous systems

The multiple fault diagnosis problem is important, since the single fault assumption can lead to incorrect or failed diagnoses when multiple faults occur. It is challenging for continuous systems, because faults can mask or compensate each other's effects, and the solution space grows exponentially with the number of possible faults. We present a qualitative approach to multiple fault isolation in dynamic systems based on analysis of fault transient behavior. Our approach uses the observed measurement deviations and their temporal orderings to generate multiple fault hypotheses. The approach has polynomial space requirements and prunes diagnoses, resulting in an efficient online fault isolation scheme.
Combining immune check-point blockade and cryoablation in an immunocompetent hormone sensitive murine model of prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer related death in men. Immune check point blocking antibodies have revolutionized treatment of multiple solid tumors, but results in prostate cancer remain marginal. Previous reports have suggested that local therapies, in particular cryoablation might increase tumor immunogenicity. In this work, we examine potential synergism between tumor cryoabalation and check point blocking antibodies. FVB/NJ mice were injected subcutaneously into each flank with either 1 × 106 or 0.2 × 106 isogenic hormone sensitive Myc-Cap cells to establish synchronous grafts. Mice were treated with four intraperitoneal injections of anti-PD-1 (10 mg/kg), anti-CTLA-4 (1 mg/kg), or isotype control antibody with or without adjuvant cryoablation of the larger tumor graft and with or without neo-adjuvant androgen deprivation with degarelix (ADT). Mouse survival and growth rates of tumor grafts were measured. The immune dependency of observed oncological effects was evaluated by T cell depletion experiments. Treatment with anti-CTLA-4 antibody and cryoablation delayed the growth of the distant tumor by 14.8 days (p = 0.0006) and decreased the mortality rate by factor of 4 (p = 0.0003) when compared to cryoablation alone. This synergy was found to be dependent on CD3+ and CD8+ cells. Combining PD-1 blockade with cryoablation did not show a benefit over use of either treatment alone. Addition of ADT to anti-PD1 therapy and cryoablation doubled the time to accelerated growth in the untreated tumors (p = 0.0021) and extended survival when compared to cryoablation combined with ADT in 25% of the mice. Effects of combining anti-PD1 with ADT and cryoablation on mouse survival were obviated by T cell depletion. Trimodal therapy consisting of androgen deprivation, cryoablation and PD-1 blockade, as well as the combination of cryoablation and low dose anti-CTLA-4 blockade showed that local therapies with cryoablation could be considered to augment the effects of checkpoint blockade in prostate cancer.
Preventive maintenance for cloud-based software systems subject to non-constant failure rates

Online applications, such as e-commerce, have made a huge impact in our daily life. With the rapid shift of online applications to cloud-based platforms in recent years, it becomes very important to maintain the high Quality of Service (QoS) for cloud-based software systems in order to support successful businesses. Since hardware reliability has been well understood and is typically guaranteed by the cloud providers, software failures have now become the major factor of system failures in cloud-based software systems. Correctly measuring the reliability and availability of a cloud-based software system is critical for making preventive maintenance schedules. In this paper, we address software-aging related bugs or faults that may lead to performance degradation or increased failure rates of system components. Based on our previous work, we study how to derive preventive maintenance schedules for cloud-based software systems subject to non-constant failure rates. We adopt the Weibull distribution to model an increasing failure rate for software components with software-aging issues. Finally, we use a case study to show that our analytical approach can effectively support development of software rejuvenation schedules for preventive maintenance of cloud-based software systems.
The Natural Products Chemistry of Cyanobacteria

The natural products of cyanobacteria are some of the most structurally intriguing and biologically active products in the natural world. They are largely formed by combining polyketide and amino acid building blocks to produce a wide array of different lipopeptides. However, there are some intriguing metabolites produced by these organisms of a purely fatty acid, terpene, carbohydrate, peptide, or polyketide nature as well. We initiate this chapter by a global tallying of the marine genera and species of cyanobacteria that have yielded secondary metabolites as well as their molecular weight distribution. Next, we discuss our analysis of all cyanobacterial metabolites, of both marine and freshwater origins, in terms of their fundamental class of natural product, their component pieces with special focus on amino acids, and the degree and nature of secondary tailoring reactions (e.g., glycosylation, halogenation, and methylation). Following this overview of the metabolic trends of cyanobacterial natural products, we discuss specific examples in the various structural classes. Our goal in this later section of the chapter is to showcase and discuss the structures, biosynthesis, and biological properties of prominent representative compounds, which illustrate the trends discussed in the preceding overview section.
Office Automation, Clerical Workers, and Labor Relations in the Insurance Industry

As “a major white-collar industry which pioneered in the application of office automation”1 in the early 1950s, the insurance industry altered the conditions of office work and the relations between clerical workers and management. A growing disjunction between office clerical workers and management in the insurance industry has accompanied office automation during the post-World War II era. As management automates the office to raise worker productivity and rationalize the clerical labor process2—that is, to formalize, standardize and quantify the control of labor—clerical workers, most of whom are women, increasingly express concern over employment conditions- and sex discrimination. Moreover, women clerical workers are beginning to unionize and affiliate with working women’s organizations, prompting management to introduce a human relations, social psychological managerial philosophy in order to preempt collective action of clerical workers. The disjunction, then, concerns the implementation of office automation, employment conditions and the divergent methods clerical labor and management have developed for management-labor discourse. In a context of occupational sex segregation, the disjunction is occurring simultaneously along class (management and labor) and gender lines.
Effects of Media Alcohol Messages on Adolescent Audiences.

Research into the effects of the media on teenage alcohol consumption has concentrated on positive portrayals of beer drinking in advertising, depiction of alcohol in movies and television programs, and public service announcements that warn against abuse and drunk driving. After examining each of these areas, the author focuses on the future role of messages related to alcohol consumption. Language: en
Cytokinin signal transduction through Ca2+ in mosses.

The importance of Ca2+ in a wide variety of physiological processes in both animal and plant cells has been emphasized for many years. For instance Ca2+ has been proposed as a major regulator of signal transduction in plant cells in response to various external stimuli such as hormones, light, or gravity (see Hepler and Wayne, 1985; Poovaiah and Reddy, 1987; Boss and Morre, 1989; Saunders, 1990a). Although cAMP, a well documented second messenger in animal systems, has also been detected in plants, the significance of cAMP in any cellular processes in higher plants has yet to be elucidated. Thus Ca2+ alone has been proposed to be the major mediator of various physiological responses in plant cells, such as polarized growth, mitosis, cytoplasmic streaming, cell elongation, and cell differentiation. Plant cells contain all the elements for a Ca2+-based messenger system that could couple the external stimuli of hormones to their physiological response. These include a highly regulated and low cytoplasmic [Ca2+], plasma membrane and endomembrane Ca2+ pumps and channels, and spatially-controlled Ca2+-dependent regulatory proteins and kinases (Boss and Morre, 1989). However much of the evidence for Ca2+ as a second messenger in plants is fragmentary and circumstantial. The use of Ca2+ sensitive fluorescent indicators such as indo-1 and the Ca2+-selective vibrating probe allows plant biologists to directly measure changes in intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]) and Ca2+ fluxes at the plasma membrane. Detection of an increase in [Ca2+];is an essential first step in establishing that an environmental stimulus is directly correlated with activation of a Ca2+ second messenger system.
Sweeter than wine?: The use of the grape in early western Asia

Emotional news for lovers of a dry white wine. The blissful Hippocrene was composed from wild grapes from the sixth millennium BC in the lands of its natural habitat. But, as the author shows, the cultivation, domestication and selective breeding of the grape following in the Late Neolithic to Early Bronze Age was aimed primarily at the enjoyment of its sweetness.
Coupling light into silicon waveguides using surface plasmon polaritons

In this work, we demonstrated a new method for coupling light, using prism with a small index of refraction and surface plasmon polaritons (SPP), into a crystalline silicon (Si) waveguides and performed simulation work using Lumerical FDTD Solutions. The designed structure is comprised of a dielectric prism, air-gap, metal (Ag) film, Si and silicon dioxide (SiO2). The system follows the Otto configuration for the excitation of SPP which includes a fused silica prism and a 100 nm layer of silver metal sputtered on top of SiO2 with an air-gap between the prism and the metal film. A 0.75×100 μm (height×width) silicon waveguide with tapered coupler is located on the same buried oxide along the silver layer for optical input channel. A p-polarized (TM mode) light with an incident angle of 44° at the wavelength of 1550 nm is incident at the interface of the fused silica/air-gap to excite the SPP. The 2D simulation shows a coupling efficiency of 54% which reveals the potential for application of this I/O coupling method in silicon photonics. For proof of concept, we fabricated and characterized the materials layout described above on an SOI substrate. For the Si structure, a tapered coupler and waveguide is fabricated using a XeF2 dry-etch and lift-off for the metal structure. Also, the experimental setup is suggested to locate the prism on the right position of the wafer and measure the output light from the waveguide by butt coupling.
Cellular Origins of Barrett's Esophagus: the Search Continues.

The cellular origins of Barrett’s esophagus remain elusive. In this review, we discuss the potential cellular mechanisms behind squamous to columnar metaplasia as well as the limitations of these proposed mechanisms. Several theories have been proposed, including the reprogramming of native squamous cells, repopulation from submucosal glands, contributions from circulating bone marrow-derived cells, and direct extension of gastric cells. Most recent data support an innate progenitor cell unique to the squamocolumnar junction that can expand into metaplastic glands. Active investigation to clarify each of these potential cells of origin is being pursued, but ultimately each could contribute to the pathogenesis of Barrett’s esophagus depending on the clinical context. Nonetheless, identifying cells of origin is critical to understand the molecular mechanisms behind Barrett’s esophagus and developing strategies to better treat (and possibly prevent) this increasingly significant premalignant disease.
The primary unfolded protein response transducer endoplasmic reticulum-to-nucleus signaling 1 is downregulated in livers of human nonalcoholic steatohepatitis patients

Background: The Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) is an elegant signaling pathway from the Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) to protect cells from stress caused by accumulation of unfolded or misfolded proteins in the ER lumen. ER-to-Nucleus Signaling 1 (IRE1, also called ERN1), an ER-localized protein kinase and endoribonuclease (RNase), is the most conserved transducer of the UPR signaling pathway. In this study, we investigated expression levels of IRE1 in the livers of human non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) patients. Methods: We analyzed the expression profiles of the primary UPR transducer IRE1 in the livers of human NASH patients based on the microarray gene expression datasets obtained from public domain. Results: Our analyses indicated that expression levels of IRE1 were decreased in the livers of human obese patients with NASH, compared to those of obese patients without NASH. Conclusions: Our analysis result is consistent with the role of IRE1-mediated UPR in preserving cellular homeostasis and functions and in protecting organisms from injuries. This study provides important information in regard to the activation and functional involvement of the UPR signaling pathway in human NASH.
Enhancing collaboration between ecologists and computer scientists: lessons learned and recommendations forward

In the era of big data, ecologists are increasingly relying on computational approaches and tools to answer existing questions and pose new research questions. These include both software applications (e.g., simulation models, databases and machine learning algorithms) and hardware systems (e.g., wireless sensor networks, supercomputing, drones and satellites), motivating the need for greater collaboration between computer scientists and ecologists. Here, we outline some synergistic opportunities for scientists in both disciplines that can be gained by building collaborations between the computer science and ecology research communities, with a focus on the benefits to ecology specifically. We also identify past contributions of computer science to ecology, including high‐frequency environmental sensor technology, advanced supercomputing capacity for ecological modeling, databases for long‐term and high‐frequency datasets, and software programs for ecological analyses, to anticipate future potential contributions. These examples highlight the power and potential for further integration of computer science technology and ideas into the ecological research community. Finally, we translate our own experiences working together as a team of computer scientists and ecologists over the past decade into a conceptual framework with recommendations for supporting productive collaborations at the interface of the two disciplines. We specifically focus on how to apply best practices of team science for bridging computer science and ecology, which we advocate will substantially benefit ecology long‐term.
Long Non-coding RNA Expression in Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinomas

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) participate in transcription and in epigenetic or post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. They also have roles in epithelial to mesenchymal transition and in carcinogenesis. Because lncRNAs may also have a role in thyroid cancer progression, we examined a group of thyroid tumors which included papillary thyroid carcinomas and anaplastic thyroid carcinomas to determine the specific lncRNAs that were upregulated during thyroid tumor progression. An RT2 Profiler PCR Array Human Cancer Pathway Finder consisting of 84 lncRNAs (Qiagen) and fresh tissues of normal thyroid, PTCs, and ATCs with gene expression profiling was used to determine genes upregulated and downregulated in ATCs. Two of the most highly upregulated genes, prostate cancer antigen 3 (PCA3) and HOX antisense intergenic RNA myeloid 1 (HOTAIRM1 or HAM-1), were selected for further studies using a thyroid tissue microarray(TMA) with formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues of normal thyroid (NT, n = 10), nodular goiters (NG, n = 10), follicular adenoma (FA, n = 32), follicular carcinoma (FCA, n = 28), papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC, n = 28), follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (FVPTC, n = 28), and anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC, n = 10). TMA sections were analyzed by in situ hybridization (ISH) using RNAscope technology. The results of ISH analyses were imaged with Vectra imaging technology and quantified with Nuance® and inForm® software. The TMA analysis was validated by qRT-PCR using FFPE tissues for RNA preparation. Cultured thyroid carcinoma cell lines (n = 7) were also used to analyze for lncRNAs by qRT-PCR. The results showed 11 lncRNAs upregulated and 7 downregulated lncRNAs more than twofold in the ATCS compared with PTCs. Two of the upregulated lncRNAs, PCA3 and HAM-1, were analyzed on a thyroid carcinoma TMA. There was increased expression of both lncRNAs in ATCs and PTCs compared with NT after TMA analysis. qRT-PCR analyses showed increased expression of both lncRNAs in ATCs compared with NT and PTCs. Analyses of these lncRNAs from cultured thyroid carcinoma cell lines by qRT-PCR showed the highest levels of lncRNA expression in ATCs. TGF-β treatment of cultured PTC and ATC cells for 21 days led to increased expression of PCA3 lncRNA in both cell lines by day 14. These results show that the lncRNAs PCA3 and HAM-1 are upregulated during thyroid tumor development and progression and may function as oncogenes during tumor progression.
AdaBoost with Neural Networks for Yield and Protein Prediction in Precision Agriculture

Adaptive Boosting, or AdaBoost, is an algorithm aimed at improving the performance of ensembles of weak learners by weighing the data itself as well as the learners. Two versions of AdaBoost—AdaBoost-R2 and AdaBoost R∆—are applied in this project, as well as a third novel algorithm combining ideas of these two methods, to the problem of predicting crop yield and protein content in support of precision agriculture. All three algorithms use Feedforward Neural Networks (FFNN) trained with backpropagation as the weak model. Data from four different fields were gathered as a result of on-farm experiments of different nitrogen rate applications using randomly stratified trials based on previous years’ yield and protein. The three AdaBoost algorithms are compared to a simple FFNN with a single hidden layer. The results confirm previous findings in different fields, where ensemble methods outperform single models. The results are improved by 3 to 10 units for yield prediction, and by a small percentage for protein prediction.
White Coats for Black Lives: The Time Has Come for Action.

This commentary discusses actions academic medical centers and their leaders should take toward eradicating racism at their institutions. Transforming academic culture is essential to the care of B...
US university workers fight a return to campus as COVID-19 cases grow.

Faculty members, graduate students and other campus staff file lawsuits and protest against unsafe conditions as institutions reopen. Faculty and grad students protest against unsafe conditions as institutions reopen.
Clinical and Radiological Dissociation in Massive Barium Aspiration.

Barium studies are commonly used to rule out gastrointestinal (GI) pathologies and sometimes they are associated with complications such as barium aspiration with heterogeneity in clinical features ranging from mild to severe symptoms. We present a case of large volume barium aspiration in a 73-year-old male with past medical history of dysphagia diagnosed with diffuse esophageal spasm. Barium is an inert material commonly used for GI tract study. Although complications associated with barium studies are rare, aspiration of barium can have dramatic findings resulting in mild to severe symptoms. Clinically patient had very minimal symptoms but radiographic studies appeared dramatic. Therefore, a clinical and radiographic paradox must be kept in mind when evaluating patients and reviewing large volume barium aspiration imaging. Our case remained asymptomatic and had no respiratory complaints, nor did he develop any respiratory distress post barium aspiration.
A New Heterogeneous Multidimensional Unfolding Procedure

A variety of joint space multidimensional scaling (MDS) methods have been utilized for the spatial analysis of two- or three-way dominance data involving subjects’ preferences, choices, considerations, intentions, etc. so as to provide a parsimonious spatial depiction of the underlying relevant dimensions, attributes, stimuli, and/or subjects’ utility structures in the same joint space representation. We demonstrate that care must be taken with respect to a key assumption in existent joint space MDS models such that all estimated dimensions are utilized by each and every subject in the sample, as this assumption can lead to serious distortions with respect to the derived joint spaces. We develop a new Bayesian dimension selection methodology for the multidimensional unfolding model which accommodates heterogeneity with respect to such dimensional utilization at the individual subject level for the analysis of two or three-way dominance data. A consumer psychology application regarding the preference for Over-the-Counter (OTC) analgesics is provided. We conclude by discussing the practical implications of the results, as well as directions for future research.
Understanding the Oral and Written Translanguaging Practices of Emergent Bilinguals: Insights from Korean Heritage Language Classrooms in the US

Detailing qualitative research undertaken with elementary-grade children in a Korean heritage language school in the U.S., this text provides unique insight into the translanguaging practices and preferences of young, emergent bilinguals in a minority language group. Understanding the Oral and Written Translanguaging Practices of Emergent Bilinguals examines the role of sociocultural influences on emergent bilinguals’ language use and development. Particular attention is paid to the role of immigrant parental involvement and engagement in their bilingual children’s language learning and academic performance. Presenting data from classroom audio-recordings, writing, and drawing samples, as well as semi-structured interviews with children and parents, the book identifies important implications for the education of emergent bilinguals to better support their overall language and literacy development. This text will primarily be of interest to doctoral students, researchers, and scholars with an interest in bilingual education, biliteracy, and early literacy development more broadly. Those interested in applied linguistics, the Korean language, and multicultural education will also benefit from this volume.
HIV-Infection and Cocaine Use Regulate Semen Extracellular Vesicles Proteome and miRNAome in a Manner that Mediates Strategic Monocyte Haptotaxis Governed by mIR-128 Network

Background: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are mediators of horizontal transfer of bioactive molecules between cells and regulators of cell-cell interaction. EV-mediated cell-cell interactions play roles in physiological and pathophysiological conditions. However, the effect of pathogens and cocaine use on EV composition and function are not fully understood. Methods: We obtained 64 seminal plasma specimens from HIV-1-uninfected (HIV—and HIV-1-infected (HIV+) participants who used cocaine (COC—) or did not use cocaine (COC+). The participants were divided into 4 clinical groups (16 per group) denoted as HIV–COC–, HIV–COC+, HIV+COC–, and HIV+COC+ were used. The seminal plasma was used to isolate EVs (SEVs) by differential centrifugation and PPLC-based size exclusion chromatography (SEC) as previously described. We used the SEV to study how HIV infection and cocaine regulate the repertoire and functions of EV-associated proteins, miRNA, and their interactome. After paired proteomics and small RNA-Sequencing (sRNA-Seq) analyses, we employed an in vitro two-dimensional-substrate single cell haptotaxis assay for quantitative assessment of the effect of different SEV on monocyte haptotaxis. Finally, we functionalized SEV with exogenous miR-128 to directly address the role of SEV-associated miR-128 on monocyte haptotaxis. Findings: Systems biology and multi-omics analysis showed that HIV infection (HIV+) and cocaine (COC) use (COC+) promote the release of SEV with dysregulated extracellular proteome (exProtein), miRNAome (exmiR), and exmiR networks. Integrating SEV proteome and miRNAome revealed a significant decrease in the enrichment of disease-associated, brain-enriched, and HIV-associated miR-128-3p (miR-128) in HIV+COC+ SEV along with a concomitant increase in miR-128 targets—PEAK1 and RND3/RhoE. Two-dimensional-substrate single cell haptotaxis showed that in the presence of HIV+COC+ SEVs, contact guidance provided by the extracellular matrix (ECM, collagen type 1) network facilitated far-ranging haptotactic cues that guided monocytes over longer distances. Functionalizing SEVs with miR-128 mimic revealed that the strategic changes in monocyte haptotaxis are in large part the result of SEV-associated miR-128. Interpretation: Compositionally and functionally distinct HIV+COC+ and HIV–COC– SEVs and their exmiR networks may provide cells relevant but divergent haptotactic guidance in the absence of chemotactic cues, under both physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Funding Statement: This work was supported by grants from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), grants DA042348, DA050169 and DA053643 to C.M.O. Declaration of Interests: None to declare. Ethics Approval Statement: This study was conducted according to University regulations approved by Stony Brook University Institutional Review Boards (IRB # 201608703) using de-identified human specimens obtained through the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS).
What a SHAME: Smart Assistant Voice Command Fingerprinting Utilizing Deep Learning

It is estimated that by the year 2024, the total number of systems equipped with voice assistant software will exceed 8.4 billion devices globally. While these devices provide convenience to consumers, they suffer from a myriad of security issues. This paper highlights the serious privacy threats exposed by information leakage in a smart assistant's encrypted network traffic metadata. To investigate this issue, we have collected a new dataset composed of dynamic and static commands posed to an Amazon Echo Dot using data collection and cleaning scripts we developed. Furthermore, we propose the Smart Home Assistant Malicious Ensemble model (SHAME) as the new state-of-the-art Voice Command Fingerprinting classifier. When evaluated against several datasets, our attack correctly classifies encrypted voice commands with up to 99.81% accuracy on Google Home traffic and 95.2% accuracy on Amazon Echo Dot traffic. These findings show that security measures must be taken to stop internet service providers, nation-states, and network eavesdroppers from monitoring our intimate conversations.
Dual Strategy Active Learning

Active Learning methods rely on static strategies for sampling unlabeled point(s). These strategies range from uncertainty sampling and density estimation to multi-factor methods with learn-once-use-always model parameters. This paper proposes a dynamic approach, called DUAL, where the strategy selection parameters are adaptively updated based on estimated future residual error reduction after each actively sampled point. The objective of dual is to outperform static strategies over a large operating range: from very few to very many labeled points. Empirical results over six datasets demonstrate that DUAL outperforms several state-of-the-art methods on most datasets.
Death, badness, and the impossibility of experience

Some have argued (following Epicurus) that death cannot be a bad thing for an individual who dies. They contend that nothing can be a bad for an individual unless the individual is able to experience it as bad. I argue against this “Epicurean” view, offering examples of things that an individual cannot experience as bad but are nevertheless bad for the individual. Further, I argue that death is relevantly similar.
A Bayesian Approach to Sequential Optimization based on Computer Experiments

Computer experiments are used frequently for the study and improvement of a process under study. Optimizing such process based on a computer model is costly, so an approximation of the computer model, or metamodel, is used. Efficient global optimization (EGO) is a sequential optimization method for computer experiments based on a Gaussian process model approximation to the computer model response. A long-standing problem in EGO is that it does not consider the uncertainty in the parameter estimates of the Gaussian process. Treating these estimates as if they are the true parameters leads to an improper assessment of the precision of the approximation, a precision that is crucial to assess not only in optimization but in metamodeling in general. One way to account for these uncertainties is to use bootstrapping, studied by previous authors. Alternatively, some other authors have mentioned how a Bayesian approach may be the best way to incorporate the parameter uncertainty in the optimization, but no fully Bayesian approach for EGO has been implemented in practice. In this paper, we present a fully Bayesian implementation of the EGO method. The proposed Bayesian EGO algorithm is validated through simulation of noisy nonlinear functions and compared with the standard EGO method and the bootstrapped EGO. We also apply the Bayesian EGO algorithm to the optimization of a stochastic computer model. It is shown how a Bayesian approach to EGO allows one to optimize any function of the posterior predictive density. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Impact of nosocomial infections in trauma: does age make a difference?

Background: The effect of age and infection on outcome after trauma is unknown. We evaluated the incidence and impact that nosocomial infection (NI) and age have on morbidity and mortality. Several risk factors were identified and analyzed for correlation with infection. Methods: Prospective data were collected on patients admitted for ≥ 3 days over a 2-year period. Each patient was followed by an infectious disease specialist throughout their hospitalization. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines were used to diagnose infection. Results: Of the 3,254 patients admitted, 88% were < 65 and 12% were ≥ 65 years of age. Injury Severity Score was not significantly different (older vs. younger). Five hundred one (17.4%) of the younger patients developed an NI with a significantly higher hospital length of stay (LOS), intensive care unit (ICU) LOS, and mortality compared with the noninfected group. One hundred forty-seven (39%) of the older group developed an NI and also had significant increases in hospital LOS, ICU LOS, and mortality. Older infected patients had the highest hospital LOS, ICU LOS, and mortality. The greatest relative risk of mortality was demonstrated with the combination of increased age and NI. Once infected, however, younger patients with penetrating trauma had a greater relative risk of mortality in the group-specific comparison. Many risk factors were associated with infection. Only chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in elderly trauma patients was a significant independent risk factor for infection. Conclusion: NI significantly increases hospital LOS, ICU LOS, and mortality after injury. Age increases risk of infection matched for injury severity, with a significantly higher hospital LOS, ICU LOS, and mortality. Once infected, however, younger patients with penetrating trauma have the greatest risk of mortality. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in elderly trauma patients was found to be an independent predictor of infection.
Sequential Hormonal Therapy for Metastatic Breast Cancer after Adjuvant Tamoxifen or Anastrozole

The use of adjuvant endocrine therapy in the treatment of hormone receptor-positive, early breast cancer has become important in both pre- and postmenopausal women. Tamoxifen has been the principal adjuvant hormonal therapy in pre- and postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer for nearly 20 years. Recent data in premenopausal women suggest benefit from ovarian ablation with or without tamoxifen. Early results from the 'Arimidex', Tamoxifen, Alone or in Combination (ATAC) trial have demonstrated that the third-generation, selective aromatase inhibitor (AI) anastrozole ('Arimidex') is a suitable alternative adjuvant therapy for postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive disease. After recurrence or relapse on adjuvant endocrine therapy, responses to the sequential use of additional endocrine agents are common. The increase in the number of options now available for adjuvant therapy will have important implications for the selection of the optimal sequence of endocrine agents in the treatment of recurrent breast cancer. Menopausal status is an important factor in determining the endocrine therapy that a patient receives. For premenopausal women, tamoxifen and/or a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist such as goserelin ('Zoladex') are both options for adjuvant endocrine treatment. After progression on adjuvant and first-line tamoxifen, ovarian ablation is an appropriate second-line therapy. For premenopausal women who have undergone ovarian ablation, the use of third-line therapy with an AI becomes possible. For postmenopausal women, a wide choice of endocrine treatment options is available and an optimal sequence has yet to be determined. Options for first-line therapy of metastatic disease include an AI for women who have received adjuvant tamoxifen or tamoxifen for patients who have received adjuvant anastrozole. In addition, data suggest that fulvestrant ('Faslodex'), a novel estrogen receptor (ER) antagonist that downregulates the ER protein and has no known agonist effects, is a promising therapeutic option that has shown efficacy in the treatment of postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer. Other agents that may be used in the sequence include the steroidal AI exemestane and the progestin megestrol acetate. The widening range of adjuvant endocrine options therefore represents an opportunity to prolong patient benefits in the treatment of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, and will require the further refinement of the optimal sequence of endocrine agents for the treatment of recurrent breast cancer.
A comprehensive assessment of the impacts of contaminants on fish from an urban waterway

Abstract The Hylebos Waterway, in central Puget Sound in the state of Washington, is severely contaminated by a variety of organic and inorganic contaminants. Studies in the 1970s had shown that flatfish residing in the Hylebos Waterway had increased prevalences of several types of toxicopathic liver disease, including neoplasms. In 1994, studies were initiated to: (i) determine if contaminant source control had resulted in improvements in habitat quality, as determined by prevalences of liver disease in flatfish; (ii) encompass the assessment of reproductive function in flatfish; and (iii) determine whether and to what degree there might be contaminant exposure of juvenile salmonids which migrate through this waterway. The findings show that there have been no appreciable changes in disease prevalences or apparent contaminant exposure of flatfish from this site since the 1970s. Moreover, female flatfish from the Hylebos Waterway are showing evidence of precocious sexual maturation in young animals, and inhibited gonadal development in older fish. The results also showed that two species of juvenile salmon sampled from this site are being exposed to a wide range of chemical contaminants, and the levels of exposure are comparable to levels which have previously been shown to cause impaired growth, immunosuppression, and increased mortality following pathogen exposure. These studies, which were done to provide a scientific and legal basis for cleaning up and restoring this degraded habitat, provide an example of how studies of pollutant responses in marine organisms (PRIMO) are being applied to societal and resource manager needs.
System structure for parallel logic programming

Abstract A system structure supporting parallel processing in general and parallel logic programming and expert system applications in particular is described. It is not based on special hardware but has rather been designed as an evolutionary extension to most existing machine architectures. It is aimed at parallel processing support for e.g. PROLOG as well as for expert system (shells) implemented in a general purpose language. A layered structure consisting of an extended machine interface and a macro language is chosen to support a range of various applications.
Recognizing articulated objects in SAR images

Abstract This paper presents the first sucessful approach for recognizing articulated vehicles in real synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images. This approach is based on invariant properties of the objects. Using SAR scattering center locations and magnitudes as features, the invariance of these features with articulation (e.g. turret rotation of a tank) is shown for XPATCH-generated synthetic SAR signatures and actual signatures from the MSTAR (public) data. Although related to geometric hashing, our recognition approach is specifically designed for SAR, taking into account the great azimuthal variation and moderate articulation invariance of SAR signatures. We present a basic recognition system for the XPATCH data, using scatterer relative locations, and an improved recognition system, using scatterer locations and magnitudes, that achieves excellent results with the more limited articulation invariance encountered with the real SAR targets in the MSTAR data. The articulation invariant properties of the objects are used to characterize recognition system performance in terms of probability of correct identification as a function of percent invariance with articulation.
Parental investment, adult sex ratios, and sexual selection in a socially monogamous seabird

Although most birds are monogamous, theory predicts that greater female parental investment and female-biased adult sex ratios will lower the polygyny threshold. This should result in polygynous mating, unless obligate biparental care or the spatial and temporal distribution of fertilizable females constrains a male’s ability to take advantage of a lowered polygyny threshold. Here we present data on the extent of male sexually dimorphic plumage, adult sex ratios and breeding season synchrony in three populations of a socially monogamous seabird, the brown booby Sula leucogaster. For one of these populations, San Pedro Martir Island, we also present data on differences in male and female parental investment, mortality and probability of pairing. The extent of plumage dimorphism varied among populations. Sex ratios were female biased in all populations. On San Pedro Martir Island, parental investment was female biased, females failed more often than males to find a mate, but there was no polygyny. We suggest that on San Pedro Martir: (1) a period of obligate biparental care coupled with a relatively synchronous breeding season constrained the ability of males to take advantage of a high environmental polygamy potential and (2) the resulting socially monogamous mating system, in combination with the female-biased adult sex ratio, caused females to be limited by the availability of males despite their greater parental investment.
A new role for the cellular PABP repressor Paip2 as an innate restriction factor capable of limiting productive cytomegalovirus replication

The capacity of polyadenylate-binding protein PABPC1 (PABP1) to stimulate translation is regulated by its repressor, Paip2. Paradoxically, while PABP accumulation promotes human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) protein synthesis, we show that this is accompanied by an analogous increase in the abundance of Paip2 and EDD1, an E3 ubiquitin ligase that destabilizes Paip2. Coordinate control of PABP1, Paip2, and EDD1 required the virus-encoded UL38 mTORC1 activator and resulted in augmented Paip2 synthesis, stability, and association with PABP1. Paip2 synthesis also increased following serum stimulation of uninfected normal fibroblasts, suggesting that this coregulation may play a role in how uninfected cells respond to stress. Significantly, Paip2 accumulation was dependent on PABP accrual, as preventing PABP1 accumulation suppressed viral replication and inhibited the corresponding Paip2 increase. Furthermore, depleting Paip2 restored the ability of infected cells to assemble the translation initiation factor eIF4F, promoting viral protein synthesis and replication without increasing PABP1. This establishes a new role for the cellular PABP1 inhibitor Paip2 as an innate defense that restricts viral protein synthesis and replication. Moreover, it illustrates how a stress-induced rise in PABP1 triggered by virus infection can counter and surpass a corresponding increase in Paip2 abundance and stability.
New perspectives for consumer electronics

Thank you, and good evening, ladies and gentlemen. You have had a long day, have participated in considerable good fellowship, have had a large meal, and, I suspect, are all ready to doze in front of your TV set. So, let's tune in the show on channel 1980. The commercials are intriguing. For instance, the XYZ Electronic Service Company is plugging its complete inventory of replacement modules for home electronic appliances and its 24-hour centralized automatic sensing system. They guarantee to have replacement modules installed in any appliance the same day the original failed without your having to take any action-and in many cases without your knowing anything was ever wrong.
Inverted appendiceal stumps simulating large pedunculated polyps on screening CT colonography

1All authors: Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin Medical School, E3/311 Clinical Science Center, 600 Highland Ave., Madison, WI 53792-3252. Address correspondence to P. J. Pickhardt. he finding of a polypoid or mass lesion at the cecal tip after an appendectomy has been previously described at optical colonoscopy and barium enema examination. We present two cases where an appendiceal stump simulated a large pedunculated polyp in asymptomatic adults undergoing CT colonography (CTC) for screening. In a patient with a prior appendectomy, the specific location and appearance of this entity at CTC may be sufficient for diagnosis, but the possibility of a significant neoplasm may be difficult to exclude in some cases.