cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A magnetic field-based appliance metering system

Understanding where electricity is being used in buildings is an important tool for Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) used in building energy conservation and efficiency. Current approaches for appliance-level energy metering typically require the installation of plug-through power meters, which is often difficult and costly for devices with inaccessible wires or outlets, or appliances that draw large amounts of current. In this paper, we present an energy measurement system that estimates the energy consumption of individual appliances using a wireless sensor network consisting of contactless electromagnetic field (EMF) sensors deployed near each appliance, and a whole-house power meter. We present the design of a battery-operated EMF sensor, which can detect appliance state transitions within close proximity based on magnetic and electric field fluctuations. Each detector wirelessly transmits state change events to a circuit-panel energy meter, in a time-synchronized fashion, so that the overall power measurements can be used to estimate appliance-level energy usage. Our EMF sensors are able to detect significant power state changes from a few inches away, thus making it possible to externally monitor in-wall wiring to devices. We experimentally evaluate our proposed EMF sensor, three-phase power meter and communication protocol in a residential building collecting data for over a week. The system is able to detect appliance state transitions with an accuracy of 95.8% and estimate the overall energy with an accuracy of 98.1 %.
Predictable safety in the control of high consequence systems

Many industries transmit large amounts of energy under the control of safety critical systems. Inadvertent release of energy by such systems can result in negative high consequences. This paper describes a principle-based strategy for preventing inadvertent release due to normal operational stresses or abnormal (e.g., accident) stresses. The safety principles, developed by Sandia National Laboratories for imbedding detonation safety in nuclear weapons, include isolation, inoperability and incompatibility. These principles are defined in the paper. They are illustrated and contrasted to conventional practice via the application to a gas furnace control system.
Consequences of success: do more teeth translate into more disease and utilization?

OBJECTIVES Increased tooth retention coupled with increased numbers of older adults means that the actual number of teeth at risk to dental disease will increase sharply. Whether this increase in the number of teeth will translate into more disease and utilization in unknown. The purpose of this study was to test this "more teeth, therefore more dental disease" theory using cross-sectional data. METHODS In-home personal interview and oral examination data were obtained on a probability sample of elders aged 70 years and older living in the six New England states using the Medicare beneficiary list as a sampling frame. Data on dental utilization, number of teeth, dental caries, and periodontal disease were included in the current analysis. RESULTS Analysis of variance on subjects with 1-10 (Group 1), 11-24 (Group 2), and 25-32 (Group 3) teeth show that the extent of bleeding on probing, pocket depth, and loss of attachment all increase as numbers of teeth increase. Similarly, a greater number of restored coronal and root surfaces were found in Group 3 relative to the other two groups. Mean numbers of decayed and filled coronal surfaces were 8.4 in Group 1.33.0 in Group 2, and 50.3 in Group 3. In contrast, unrestored coronal and root surface were significantly higher in Group 1 (mean root DS = 1.3) than Group 3 (mean root DS = 0.3). Utilization patterns of those with successful aging dentitions (Group 3) show that they are visiting dentists more frequently than the compromised group (Group 1). CONCLUSIONS These cross-sectional data obtained from a probability sample of New England elders show that subjects who retained higher numbers of teeth have more periodontal disease and dental caries experience, and visit the dentist more frequently.
Periods in the Adult Development of the Faculty Member

A life-span developmental theory of the evolution of the individual life structure through age-linked eras and periods2 is applied to the lives of faculty members. Two fictional cases of professors who do not wish to do academic work of any kind- one at the beginning of his career, the other near the end-are analyzed. It is argued that the meaning of the professor's work-his or her teaching, research, administration, and relations with students, younger faculty, peers, and superordinates- is a function of the developmental period the faculty member is in, as well as of the cumulative effects of previous -developmental success and failure in adulthood. To understand the demise of the motivation to work requires us to understand the professor's original career dream, his or her experiences, or lack of them, with mentors, as well as the current developmental tasks with which the professor struggles.
Monitoring superficial peroneal nerve somatosensory evoked potential during L4-5 lumbar root decompression.

Abstract Background context Posttibial nerve somatosensory evoked potential (PTN-SSEP) often fails to detect individual nerve root dysfunction, whereas dermatomal somatosensory evoked potential (DSSEP) can be difficult to obtain in anesthetized patients. Purpose The main aim of this study is to investigate whether the superficial peroneal nerve SSEP (SPN-SSEP), a cutaneous nerve SSEP derived from L4-5 roots, can be relied on as an intraoperative neurophysiological assessment for L4-5 roots. Study design/setting Retrospective review of consecutive case series. Patient sample Thirty-five consecutive patients who underwent lumbar root microdecompression were reviewed. The control group consisted of 11 patients who underwent anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). Outcome measures Intraoperative SSEP measures defined outcome measures. Methods Data from 35 patients undergoing SPN-SSEP, PTN-SSEP, and sural nerve SSEP (SN-SSEP) monitoring during lumbar surgeries were analyzed and compared with the control group of patients underwent ACDF surgery. Results Cortical SPN-SSEP could be readily recorded in more than 90% patients from both groups. The waveforms of SPN-SSEP were about 30% smaller than PTN-SSEP, but very similar to SN-SSEP. Importantly, SPN-SSEP was capable of detecting intraoperative L4-5 root dysfunction without the corresponding PTN-SSEP or SN-SSEP alterations. Overall, SPN-SSEP displayed twofold greater sensitivity over PTN-SSEP or SN-SSEP. Conclusions SPN-SSEP was a more sensitive measure for intraoperative L4-5 nerve root dysfunction in comparison with PTN-SSEP and SN-SSEP.
Identifying surface structural changes in layered Li-excess nickel manganese oxides in high voltage lithium ion batteries: A joint experimental and theoretical study

High voltage cathode materials Li-excess layered oxide compounds Li[NixLi1/3−2x/3Mn2/3−x/3]O2 (0 < x < 1/2) are investigated in a joint study combining both computational and experimental methods. The bulk and surface structures of pristine and cycled samples of Li[Ni1/5Li1/5Mn3/5]O2 are characterized by synchrotron X-Ray diffraction together with aberration corrected Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (a-S/TEM). Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy (EELS) is carried out to investigate the surface changes of the samples before/after electrochemical cycling. Combining first principles computational investigation with our experimental observations, a detailed lithium de-intercalation mechanism is proposed for this family of Li-excess layered oxides. The most striking characteristics in these high voltage high energy density cathode materials are 1) formation of tetrahedral lithium ions at voltage less than 4.45 V and 2) the transition metal (TM) ions migration leading to phase transformation on the surface of the materials. We show clear evidence of a new spinel-like solid phase formed on the surface of the electrode materials after high-voltage cycling. It is proposed that such surface phase transformation is one of the factors contributing to the first cycle irreversible capacity and the main reason for the intrinsic poor rate capability of these materials.
Fear of academic success in adolescent girls.

How are we fallen! fallen by mistaken rules, And Education's more than Nature's fools; Debarred from all improvements of the mind, And to be dull, expected and designed; And if some one would soar above the rest, With warmer fancy, and ambition pressed, So strong the opposing faction still appears, The hopes to thrive can ne'er outweigh the fears. ANNE FINCH, COUNTESS OF WINCHELSEA (1666-1720) [see Woolf, 1957]
The ARG1-LIKE2 gene of Arabidopsis functions in a gravity signal transduction pathway that is genetically distinct from the PGM pathway

The arl2 mutants of Arabidopsis display altered root and hypocotyl gravitropism, whereas their inflorescence stems are fully gravitropic. Interestingly, mutant roots respond like the wild type to phytohormones and an inhibitor of polar auxin transport. Also, their cap columella cells accumulate starch similarly to wild-type cells, and mutant hypocotyls display strong phototropic responses to lateral light stimulation. The ARL2 gene encodes a DnaJ-like protein similar to ARG1, another protein previously implicated in gravity signal transduction in Arabidopsis seedlings. ARL2 is expressed at low levels in all organs of seedlings and plants. arl2-1 arg1-2 double mutant roots display kinetics of gravitropism similar to those of single mutants. However, double mutants carrying both arl2-1 and pgm-1 (a mutation in the starch-biosynthetic gene PHOSPHOGLUCOMUTASE) at the homozygous state display a more pronounced root gravitropic defect than the single mutants. On the other hand, seedlings with a null mutation in ARL1, a paralog of ARG1 and ARL2, behave similarly to the wild type in gravitropism and other related assays. Taken together, the results suggest that ARG1 and ARL2 function in the same gravity signal transduction pathway in the hypocotyl and root of Arabidopsis seedlings, distinct from the pathway involving PGM.
Use of alligator hole abundance and occupancy rate as indicators for restoration of a human-altered wetland

Use of indicator species as a measure of ecosystem conditions is an established science application in environmental management. Because of its role in shaping wetland systems, the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) is one of the ecological indicators for wetland restoration in south Florida, USA. We conducted landscape-level aerial surveys of alligator holes in two different habitats in a wetland where anthropogenic modification of surface hydrology has altered the natural system. Alligator holes were scarcer in an area where modified hydrology caused draining and frequent dry-downs compared to another area that maintains a functional wetland system. Lower abundance of alligator holes indicates lack of alligator activities, lower overall species diversity, and lack of dry-season aquatic refugia for other organisms. The occupancy rate of alligator holes was lower than the current restoration target for the Everglades, and was variable by size class with large size-class alligators predominantly occupying alligator holes. This may indicate unequal size-class distribution, different habitat selection by size classes, or possibly a lack of recruitment. Our study provides pre-restoration baseline information about one indicator species for the Everglades. Success of the restoration can be assessed via effective synthesis of information derived by collective research efforts on the entire suite of selected ecological indicators.
Characterization of interferon gamma receptors on osteoclasts: effect of interferon gamma on osteoclastic superoxide generation.

Osteoclasts are the primary cells responsible for bone resorption. Osteoclast formation and bone resorption activities involve processes tightly controlled by a network of cytokines. The presence of interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) receptors on osteoclasts is a necessary prerequisite for IFN-gamma to directly affect osteoclastic activity. To date, the presence of the IFN-gamma receptor on osteoclasts has not been established. This study provides evidence that osteoclasts express the IFN-gamma receptor. Specific binding of IFN-gamma to the osteoclastic receptor stimulates osteoclastic superoxide generation. The p91 and p47 components of the NADPH oxidase increase after IFN-gamma stimulation and may account for the enhanced superoxide generation. Antisense experiments targeting p91 and p47 subunits abrogate the increased osteoclastic superoxide production stimulated by IFN-gamma. Thus, superoxide generation by osteoclasts is stimulated by activation of a functional IFN-gamma receptor on the osteoclast.
An assessment of the robustness of gauge repeatability and reproducibility analysis in automotive components

Measurement system analysis is a vital component of many continuous improvement initiatives. In the manufacturing industry, variation in a measurement system is a key characteristic to be assessed and improved upon. Measurement systems are commonly evaluated by performing a gauge repeatability and reproducibility (gauge RR average and range, and two-way analysis of variance were applied to data taken from four real case studies from the automotive industry (a stabilizer clamp bracket, a coated steel sheet, a steel sheet body panel, and a brake disc). Possible differences in gauge R&R characteristics were compared, and residual diagnosis was used to discern violations in two-way ANOVA. To develop a robust road map for gauge R&R analysis, interactions between gauge R&R parameters, residual diag...
Conceptual analysis and special-interest science: toxicology and the case of Edward Calabrese

One way to do socially relevant investigations of science is through conceptual analysis of scientific terms used in special-interest science (SIS). SIS is science having welfare-related consequences and funded by special interests, e.g., tobacco companies, in order to establish predetermined conclusions. For instance, because the chemical industry seeks deregulation of toxic emissions and avoiding costly cleanups, it funds SIS that supports the concept of “hormesis” (according to which low doses of toxins/carcinogens have beneficial effects). Analyzing the hormesis concept of its main defender, chemical-industry-funded Edward Calabrese, the paper shows Calabrese and others fail to distinguish three different hormesis concepts, H, HG, and HD. H requires toxin-induced, short-term beneficial effects for only one biological endpoint, while HG requires toxin-induced, net-beneficial effects for all endpoints/responses/subjects/ages/conditions. HD requires using the risk-assessment/regulatory default rule that all low-dose toxic exposures are net-beneficial, thus allowable. Clarifying these concepts, the paper argues for five main claims. (1) Claims positing H are trivially true but irrelevant to regulations. (2) Claims positing HG are relevant to regulation but scientifically false. (3) Claims positing HD are relevant to regulation but ethically/scientifically questionable. (4) Although no hormesis concept (H, HG, or HD) has both scientific validity and regulatory relevance, Calabrese and others obscure this fact through repeated equivocation, begging the question, and data-trimming. Consequently (5) their errors provide some undeserved rhetorical plausibility for deregulating low-dose toxins.
Site and disease selection for hyperthermia clinical trials

Significant progress has been made in the past 20 years in understanding the biological basis of hyperthermia-induced cytotoxicity, thermoenhancement of radiation therapy and chemotherapy, and in the development of clinically applicable microwave, radiofrequency, ultrasound and thermometry equipment. Numerous uncontrolled trials have suggested strongly that hyperthermia in conjunction with radiation therapy or chemotherapy may contribute to improved local control rates for recurrent or metastatic cancer without excessive morbidity. Carefully designed and well-controlled site and disease-specific prospective randomized trials with standardized hyperthermia and radiation therapy techniques, adequate thermometry, precise end points for tumour control and normal tissue toxicity are now essential to establish the role of hyperthermia in cancer management. Criteria for tumour site selection will be explored for trials employing radiation therapy and local-regional hyperthermia. Examples of sites selected will be presented which represent areas that can, with current technology, usually be adequately heated, and in which significant patient benefit may result from improved local-regional control.
An Automated Parallel Image Registration Technique Based on the Correlation of Wavelet Features

With the increasing importance of multiple multiplatform remote sensing missions, fast and automatic integration of digital data from disparate sources has become critical to the success of these endeavors. Our work utilizes maxima of wavelet coefficients to form the basic features of a correlation-based automatic registration algorithm. Our wavelet-based registration algorithm is tested successfully with data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) and the Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM), which differ by translation and/or rotation. By the choice of high-frequency wavelet features, this method is similar to an edge-based correlation method, but by exploiting the multiresolution nature of a wavelet decomposition, our method achieves higher computational speeds for comparable accuracies. This algorithm has been implemented on a single-instruction multiple-data (SIMD) massively parallel computer, the MasPar MP-2, as well as on the CrayT3D, the Cray T3E, and a Beowulf cluster of Pentium workstations.
Display and Analysis of SPECT Myocardial Perfusion Images

The display and nomenclature of nuclear cardiology images have been standardized. The analysis of nuclear cardiology images should follow a systematic approach and sequence as outlined in the Imaging Guidelines for Nuclear Cardiology Procedures, Part 2 (1) (on line: http://www.asnc.org; menu: library and resources: guidelines and standards).
Schaffer v. Weast The Supreme Court on the Burden of Persuasion When Challenging IEPs

On November 14, 2005, the U.S. Supreme Court announced its decision in Schaffer v. Weast. This special education decision concerned which party bears the burden of persuasion when parents challenge a school district's Individualized Education Program (IEP) in a due process hearing. In this article, we define burden of persuasion and explain its application in Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)–related cases prior to Schaffer; we discuss the relevant history of the case; we summarize the facts and analyze the reasoning of the majority, concurring, and dissenting opinions in the Supreme Court's decision; and we address the implications of the Schaffer decision for special educators and for the parents and children served by the IDEA.
Skene's gland cyst excision.

We review our experience with long-term outcome after Skene’s gland cyst excision. After receiving institutional review board approval, we reviewed a surgical database of all procedures performed by two surgeons at one institution for Skene’s gland cyst excision. Parameters evaluated include presenting symptoms, preoperative evaluation, excision site, perioperative complications, and clinical outcomes. The technique of surgical excision is presented in the accompanying video, and includes cystoscopy, dissection of cyst wall from the floor of the urethra, complete removal of the cyst wall, and primary vaginal-wall closure. From 2001 to 2013, ten women underwent Skene’s gland cyst excision. Mean follow-up was 3.5 years (range 3–96 months). Presenting symptoms were dyspareunia (4), urinary tract infections (4), vaginal mass (1), and voiding dysfunction (1). Five patients had more than one presenting symptom. To exclude urethral diverticulum, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was done in all patients and a voiding cystourethrogram in five. No perioperative complications were reported. A distal meatoplasty was done in two women. No recurrence occurred. Eight of ten women who were sexually active remained sexually active postoperatively. Excision of Skene’s gland cyst is a safe procedure with acceptable long-term functional outcomes.
Metabolic Cardiomyopathy of Childhood

The cardiomyopathies are a group of disorders characterized by an intrinsic decrease in myocardial contractility. As long as stroke volume is maintained, congestive heart failure does not occur. However, when stroke volume falls, congestive heart failure ensues.1,2
Is Warfare the Right Frame for the Cyber Debate

Nation-states are struggling to formulate cyberpolicy, especially against foreign-based intrusions and attacks on domestic computer systems. These incidents are often framed in the context of cyberwarfare, which naturally implies that military organizations should respond to these incidents. This chapter will discuss why cyberwarfare is ethically difficult and why, until responsible cyberpolicy is developed, we may plausibly reframe the problem not as warfare but as private defense, i.e., self-defense by private parties, especially commercial companies, as distinct from a nation-state’s right to self-defense. The distinction between private defense and national defense is relevant, since victims of cyberattacks have been primarily industry targets and not so much government targets, at least with respect to measurable harm. And we focus on foreign-based cyberattacks since, unlike domestic-based attacks that are usually considered to be mere crimes and therefore a matter for domestic law enforcement, foreign-based attacks tend to raise special alarms and panic about more sinister motives. More than a mere criminal act, a foreign cyberattack is often perceived as an aggression so serious that it may plausibly count as an act of war, or casus belli, and so we are quick to invoke national security. But insofar as the state is currently not protecting industry from such cyberattacks—in part because it is difficult to arrive at a sound cyberpolicy—we should consider interim solutions outside the military framework.
Rethinking Reputation in an Automated Age

Defamation is the legal remedy for damage to reputation. Automated systems can take action against humans that includes damage to their honor and dignity, as in the “No Fly” example, or damage to their market reputation. The damage can occur to an individual’s reputation with society as a whole or to an individual’s reputation with the automated system itself. The variety of reputation interests affected by the operation of automated systems is large, and to perform its reputation-protective function in an increasingly automated society, defamation law must expand to recognize that a publication to an automated system can serve as the basis for legal action.
An Experimental Analysis of Needs in Ultimatum Bargaining

We tested the proposition that perceived need plays an important role in judgments about what is fair and thus what happens in ultimatum bargaining (Guth, Schmittberger, & Schwarze, 1982). In the ultimatum paradigm, there are 2 players, a proposer and a responder, and the issue is how to divide a fixed resource (here, a pool of 19 lottery tickets). The proposer makes one offer, and the responder accepts it or rejects it. If it is rejected, both players get 0. The rational model says proposers should offer 1, and responders should accept it; but data from many studies suggest otherwise, that people are concerned with fairness. In Experiment 1, participants were proposers, and we experimentally varied what the responder supposedly needed (just 1, or 9, or 18, or there was no mention of what the responder needed). The data are dramatic: The perceived need of the responder had a large impact. When the responder was seen as needing just 1, proposers generally offered 1. When the responder was seen as needing 18, the proposers generally offered 18. Equally dramatic results were obtained in Experiment 2, where participants were in the responder role and received a pathetic offer of 1 out of 19 lottery tickets. When they were led to think that the proposer needed 18, 77% of the participants accepted this pathetic offer of 1 lottery ticket. Thus, a need can be the reference point for assessing the fairness or unfairness of a situation and can impact behavior. These findings provide insight into how perceived need can influence justice judgments and the likelihood of agreement in negotiation. The data also suggest some practical advice: to have the best chance of having your offer accepted in negotiation, you should clearly articulate your needs.
Accounting for Inequality: Questioning Piketty on National Income Accounts and the Capital-Labor Split

Piketty’s study of capital and inequality, especially the distribution of the national income through a “capital-labor split,” is examined and compared with a model developed from data sets from the U.S. Department of Commerce. Piketty’s inclusion of executive supersalaries as labor income is questioned as over-estimating labor’s share of national income distribution and labor’s role as a causal factor in the intensification of inequality.
Overcoming Objectification: A Carnal Ethics

Objectification is a foundational concept in feminist theory, used to analyze such disparate social phenomena as sex work, representation of women's bodies, and sexual harassment. However, there has been an increasing trend among scholars of rejecting and re-evaluating the philosophical assumptions which underpin it. In this work, Cahill suggests an abandonment of the notion of objectification, on the basis of its dependence on a Kantian ideal of personhood. Such an ideal fails to recognize sufficiently the role the body plays in personhood, and thus results in an implicit vilification of the body and sexuality. The problem with the phenomena associated with objectification is not that they render women objects, and therefore not-persons, but rather that they construct feminine subjectivity and sexuality as wholly derivative of masculine subjectivity and sexuality. Women, in other words, are not objectified as much as they are derivatized, turned into a mere reflection or projection of the other. Cahill argues for an ethics of materiality based upon a recognition of difference, thus working toward an ethics of sexuality that is decidedly ­and simultaneously ­incarnate and intersubjective.
Simple Methods and Simulation for Elimination of ECG Baseline Excursion

Objective To correct the baseline excursion of ECG in the cardiovascular diagnosis.Methods Simulation analysis by Matlab was realized for median filtering,high-pass filtering and integer coefficient filtering of ECG signals.Results After processing ECG signals with baseline excursion in MIT/BIH database,median filtering worked well in general,highpass filtering raised smooth ST segment obviously,and integer coefficient filter behaved well for the elimination of baseline excursion with delay in the initial stage.Conclusion The three methods,including median filtering,high-pass filtering and integer coefficient filtering,are simple and easy to realize and can retain the important information of ECG.
Determination of multi-residues of 19 organophosphorus pesticides in vegetables by capillary gas chromatography

Objective: To establish a method for simultaneous determination of 19 organophosphorus pesticides in vegetables by capillary gas chromatography.Methods: The sample was homogenated and extracted by acetonitrile,and dehydrated by anhydrous sodium,purified by solid phase extraction,the sample solution was dried by nitrogen gas,the residue was dissolved in acetone and analyzed by capillary gas chromatography with DB-1701 and pulse flame photometric detector for qualification and quantification.Results: The pesticides were separated from each other very well.Good linearities were obtained.The detection limits were from 0.00018 mg/kg to 0.017 mg/kg.The average recovery rates were from 60% to 120% with relative standard derivations of 2% to 6%.Conclusion: This method is simple,rapid,accurate and reliable.It can be applied to determine the multi-residues of organophosphorus pesticide in vegetables.
COMPRESSION OF POWER SYSTEM DISTURBANCE SIGNALS BASED ON LEAST MAXIMUM METHOD

Through the analysis of local time-frequency characteristics of power system disturbance signals, the least maximum method is presented for the threshold selection in the signal compression. The local time-frequency characteristics of the signals will not be lost when the threshold is selected and the detailed versions of signal decomposition are compressed. Some factors such as decomposition level and frequency-band overlap which influence the compressed results notably are researched and corresponding effective solution is proposed. The testing results show that good compression effect can be implemented by presented method, under the condition that the characteristic information is not lost and the fundamental frequency component is not distorted good compression result can be obtained, so the presented method is effective for the compression of disturbance signals in power system.
Epidemiological characteristics of 402 cases of influenza A(H1N1)infection

Objective To study the epidemiological characteristics of 402 cases with influenza A(H1N1)infection in Futian Shenzhen,to provide the scientific evidence for control and prevention of influenza A(H1N1). Method The epidemiological characteristics of 402 cases with influenza A(H1N1) reported in Futian Shenzhen were descriptively analyzed, including the distribution of age, sex and occupation. Results Of all the cases with influenza A(H1N1) in Futian Shenzhen,male cases accounting for 58.71% and female cases accounting for 41.29%./90.55% of the cases concentrated in the age range of 0 to 30 years old.Most of the cases fell into the age group of 11-20 years old, accounting for 41.79%.The occupational proportion showed that the majority of the cases were students,accounting for 64.18% of the total. Conclusions The students were accounted for 64.18% of the total cases, and therefore they were the risk population for influenza A (H1N1). Prevention and control of influenza A (H1N1) should be focused on schools.
Early Breast Cancer Detection with Digital Mammograms Using Haar-like Features and AdaBoost Algorithm

The current computer-aided detection (CAD) methods are not sufficiently accurate in detecting masses, especially in dense breasts and/or small masses (typically at their early stages). A small mass may not be perceived when it is small and/or homogeneous with surrounding tissues. Possible reasons for the limited performance of existing CAD methods are lack of multiscale analysis and unification of variant masses. The speed of CAD analysis is important for field applications. We propose a new CAD model for mass detection, which extracts simple Haar-like features for fast detection, uses AdaBoost approach for feature selection and classifier training, applies cascading classifiers for reduction of false positives, and utilizes multiscale detection for variant sizes of masses. In addition to Haar features, local binary pattern (LBP) and histograms of oriented gradient (HOG) are extracted and applied to mass detection. The performance of a CAD system can be measured with true positive rate (TPR) and false positives per image (FPI). We are collecting our own digital mammograms for the proposed research. The proposed CAD model will be initially demonstrated with mass detection including architecture distortion.
Synthesis of ExnBox Cyclophanes

A rapid and efficient synthesis of the extended bipyridinium-based class of cyclophanes—that is, ExnBox4+ (n = 0–3), where n is the number of p-phenylene rings inserted between the pyridinium rings—is demonstrated, resulting in much higher yields of products along with a reduced output of oligomeric byproducts. Although each cyclophane can be synthesized readily without the use of a precise stoichiometric amount of template, ExBox4+ can be prepared in 66% yield (following crystallization) using six equivalents of pyrene in a template-directed protocol. This new methodology has been employed to synthesize, in modest yield, a nearly 2.5 nm long cyclophane consisting of 12 aromatic rings.
Acquiring a laboratory computer system. Self evaluation and systems analysis.

The analysis that precedes the acquisition of a laboratory information system (LIS) moves back and forth between laboratory requirements and the capabilities of the LIS. More and more members of the laboratory staff become involved in the process as background information is gathered, and this involvement can help to uncover feelings of resistance or fear concerning the new technology.
“You Are Building on Something”: Exploring Agency and Belonging Among African American Young Adults

This chapter examines the ideas, experiences, and relationships that shaped six African American young adults’ beliefs that they should and could effect change, or make a difference, in their neighborhood and city. These young adults—three males and three females—participated in a youth development program as teenagers in a large Midwestern city in the United States. From their experiences in this program, they learned to critically examine their worlds and to develop and carry out plans to improve their community, particularly by impacting the lives of youth; they also held deep commitments to be change-agents, and they developed strong leadership skills. The young adults articulated agency rooted in a layered sense of belonging: in an African American counternarrative of courage and struggle and in their relationships and shared commitments with elders and with peers in the youth development program. Framed by the concepts of transformative and coalitional agency the study findings illuminate how their agency resides in connectedness and a sense of belonging.
People, Passions, Problems: The Role of Creative Exemplars in Teaching for Creativity

The goal of educating for creativity must be active understanding rather than passive knowing. To understand is to have the capability to re-create, which trains the ability also to create. The ability to create requires problem-finding as well as problem-solving. It requires practice. Best practice involves the emulation of creative people and the variety of strategies they use to discover challenges and solve them. Certain contradictions, however, divide the classroom from “real-world” creativity: the emphasis on problem-solving rather than problem-raising, on objective expertise rather than subjective synthesis of skill and knowledge, on finding the solution rather than paths to multiple solutions. These contradictions may be overcome when curricula center on exemplary people who make a difference, on their passion for challenging problems, on the practices and processes with which they focus learning and invention. The more and more diverse models students learn to emulate, the greater their probability of making the leap from re-creating to creating for themselves.
Bile Acids and Intestinal Pathophysiology

Despite our increased knowledge of the synthesis, secretion and enterohepatic circulation of bile salts, several aspects of the effects of these sterol metabolites on the physiology of the intestine itself have not been emphasized and are poorly understood. This becomes of greater significance when we consider that bile acids, particularly chenodeoxycholic acid and ursodeoxycholic acids, are employed for gallstone therapy; there are several dietary influences on the enterohepatic circulation of bile acids and on bile acid excretion (e.g. fats and dietary fibers); increased colonic bile acid concentrations have been implicated in the promotion of colorectal cancer; and there appears to be an inverse relationship between cholesterolemia and colon cancer.
A window into living with an undiagnosed disease: illness narratives from the Undiagnosed Diseases Network

Patients’ stories of their illnesses help bridge the divide between patients and providers, facilitating more humane medical care. Illness narratives have been classified into three types: restitution (expectation of recovery), chaos (suffering and loss), and quest (unexpected positive effect from illness). Undiagnosed patients have unique illness experiences and obtaining their narratives would provide insights into the medical and emotional impact of living with an undiagnosed illness. Adults and children with undiagnosed diseases apply to be evaluated by the Undiagnosed Diseases Network (UDN). Written illness narratives from 40 UDN applicants, including 20 adult probands who applied for themselves and 20 parents who applied for their children, were analyzed for: 1) narrative content and 2) narrative type. Narrative content: could be grouped into three themes: 1) Expectations of the UDN: the majority felt they had no further healthcare options and hoped the UDN would provide them with a diagnosis, with the adults expecting to return to their previously healthy life and the parents wanting information to manage their child’s healthcare. 2) Personal medical information: the narratives reported worsening of symptoms and some offered opinions regarding the cause of their illness. The proband narratives had few objective findings, while parental narratives had detailed objective information. 3) Experiences related to living with their undiagnosed illness: frustration at being undiagnosed was expressed. The adults felt they had to provide validation of their symptoms to providers, given the lack of objective findings. The parents worried that something relevant to their child’s management was being overlooked. Narrative type: All the narratives were of the chaos type, but for different reasons, with the probands describing loss and suffering and the parents expressing fear for their child’s future. The parental narratives also had elements of restitution and quest, with acceptance of “a new normal”, and an emphasis on the positive aspects of their child’s illness which was absent from the probands. These narratives illustrate the chaos that coexists with being undiagnosed. The differences between the proband and parental narratives suggest that these two groups have different needs that need to be considered during their evaluation and management.
DEVELOPMENT OF MATHEMATIC LEARNING QUALITY THROUGH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PROBLEM BASED LEARNING MODEL BY USING STRUCTURED SCAFFOLDING TO GRADE VIII-1 STUDENT AT SMPN 3 MAKASSAR

This research is a classroom action research that aims to improve the quality of learning mathematics through problem based learning model application using scaffolding structured learner VIII-1 SMP Negeri 3 Makassar. What is meant in this case is (i) To improve the quality of mathematics learning process through the implementation of problem based learning models using structured learner scaffolding VIII-1 SMP Negeri 3 Makassar; (Ii) To improve the quality of learning mathematics through problem based learning model application using scaffolding structured learner VIII-1 SMP Negeri 3 Makassar. Data collection techniques used through observation sheets, learning achievement test and questionnaire responses of learners. Provision of actions conducted in two cycles. Data analysis was done by the analysis of quantitative and qualitative data. The results of this study indicate that (i) adoption of a model problem based learning by using scaffolding structure can improve the quality of the learning process of mathematics learners VIII-1 SMP Negeri 3 Makassar with the achievement of the following indicators: (1) Increased percentage of activity learners from before implementation to the first cycle of 71.25% is in the category fairly and to the second cycle of 83.25% are in either category; (2) The increase in the change of attitude of learners prior to the implementation of the first cycle with a score of 2.41 are in good category and to the second cycle with a score of 3.43 in the category very well. (Ii) adoption of a model problem based learning by using scaffolding structure can improve the quality of mathematics learning on the learner VIII-1 SMP Negeri 3 Makassar are already shown by the increasing mathematics achievement of students before action to the first cycle with the percentage of completeness in the classical amounted 38.46% are in the poor category with an average score of 69.92 learners ideal score of 100 and is in a category simply by standard deviation of 15.10 to the second cycle with the classical completeness percentage of 79.49% in the good category with an average score of 78.77 learners ideal score of 100 and are in categories with a standard deviation of 11.78
Earth Scientists Shake Things up on Titan

Two recent projects have used the Cray XK7 Titan supercomputer at the US Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory to study Earth’s dynamics, specifically seismology-related studies. Using Titan, one team of researchers modeled Earth’s interior using earthquake data, while a second team developed physics-based earthquake simulations for disaster management applications. Together, the projects demonstrate how leadership-class supercomputing provides context to scientific discussions and informs decision making among civic leaders.
Theoretical application of short-lag spatial coherence to photoacoustic imaging

Short-Lag Spatial Coherence (SLSC) is a beam-forming technique that was initially developed for ultrasound imaging, then applied to photoacoustic imaging with considerable improvements in contrast and signal-to-noise ratios, when compared to traditional delay-and-sum beamforming. However, these applications suffer from the lack of a well validated theory to support its implementation. We are developing spatial coherence theory for SLSC beamforming of photoacoustic images to better understand the breadth of potential applications and their associated limitations. The objective of this work is to further explore this theory and validate it, primarily with experimental data. A spatial coherence equation was derived based on the van Cittert-Zernike theorem and a linear system that describes the photoacoustic imaging process. This equation was evaluated to generate spatial covariance curves and SLSC lateral profiles for targets of diameters 1.3 to 10 mm. Theoretical profiles were compared to experimental data. The theoretical photoacoustic spatial covariance curves exhibited strong similarity to experimental data, although we observe differences outside of the short-lag region and in the noise floor of SLSC profiles. We show that we can model different absorber sizes and that the incident laser profile influences the spatial coherence curve, resulting SLSC profiles, and the associated SLSC image contrast.
Marks, Images, and Rules: Concepts and Transcendental Idealism

In previous projects I have found keeping an eye on differences between the general theory of concepts1 developed by Kant in the first Critique and those developed by his rationalist (typified by Leibniz) and empiricist (typified by Hume) predecessors to be a fruitful approach for both understanding some difficult texts in the first Critique and for clarifying how Kant has the resources to resolve some classic problems from early modern philosophy.
The Fine Structure of Nonatherosclerotic Intimal Thickening, of Developing, and of Regressing Atherosclerotic Lesions at the Bifurcation of the Left Coronary Artery

Ischemic heart disease is the major cause of death in the United States (1). Majority opinion holds that the underlying cause is obstruction of the coronary artery lumen by an atherosclerotic lesion with or without a superimposed thrombus (2). In coronary arteries, atherosclerotic lesions predominate at the bifurcation of the main stem of the left coronary artery and in the anterior descending branch just beyond (3,4). Stenosis by atherosclerotic plaques (5) and occlusion by plaques or thrombi (6–8) occur most frequently in the same areas.
Stimulation of megakaryocytopoiesis in mice by human recombinant interleukin-6.

The in vivo effects of purified human recombinant interleukin-6 (IL-6) on murine megakaryocytopoiesis were examined. IL-6 was administered subcutaneously to Swiss Webster mice, followed by evaluation of bone marrow megakaryocyte ploidy, size and frequency, and median platelet volume 24, 48, and 72 hours after the initiation of IL-6 administration. In addition, bone marrow megakaryocyte morphology was examined using electron microscopy at 72 hours. IL-6 (10,000 U per subcutaneous injection) was administered three times during the first 24 hours, three times during the second 24 hours, and twice during the last 24-hour period. IL-6 bioactivity (10 U/ng) was determined using the IL-6-dependent murine hybridoma cell line B9. Megakaryocyte ploidy distribution, measured by two-color flow cytometry, demonstrated a shift in the modal ploidy class from 16N to 32N and a significant increase in the relative frequency of 64N megakaryocytes 48 and 72 hours (but not 24 hours) after initiation of IL-6 administration (cumulative doses of 60,000 and 80,000 U at 48 and 72 hours, respectively). In addition, ploidy levels were increased in animals that received a cumulative IL-6 dose of only 40,000 U (evaluated after 72 hours). The size of recognizable bone marrow megakaryocytes, determined by the cross-sectional areas of plastic embedded bone marrow megakaryocytes, was increased at the 48-hour (60,000 U IL-6) and 72-hour (80,000 U IL-6) time points. Megakaryocyte frequency, measured by flow cytometry, was unaffected at all time points and doses of IL-6. Median platelet volume, measured by electrical impedance, was not consistently altered by administration of IL-6. Electron microscopic examination of bone marrow megakaryocytes showed an increase in the proportion of megakaryocytes with a wide, peripheral, organelle-deficient zone from 20% +/- 9% (SD) in control animals to 50% +/- 7% (SD) (P less than .02) in animals that received IL-6. No changes were observed in the distribution of the demarcation membranes. IL-6 is a potent stimulator of murine megakaryocytopoiesis, in vivo, and appears to act early in megakaryocyte differentiation.
Acute pain alters P-glycoprotein-containing protein complexes in rat cerebral microvessels: Implications for P-glycoprotein trafficking

P-glycoprotein (PgP) is the major drug efflux pump in human cerebral microvessels. PgP prevents pathogens, toxins and therapeutic drugs from entering the CNS. Understanding the molecular regulation...