cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Changes of Subseasonal Variability Associated with El Niño

Abstract This paper is concerned with assessing the impact of the El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on atmospheric variability on synoptic, intraseasonal, monthly, and seasonal timescales. Global reanalysis data as well as atmospheric general circulation model (AGCM) simulations are used for this purpose. For the observational analysis, 53 yr of NCEP reanalyses are stratified into El Nino, La Nina, and neutral winters [Jan–Feb–Mar (JFM)]. The AGCM analysis is based on three sets of 180 seasonal integrations made with prescribed global sea surface temperatures corresponding to an observed El Nino event (JFM 1987), an observed La Nina event (JFM 1989), and climatological mean JFM conditions. These ensembles are large enough to estimate the ENSO-induced changes of variability even in regions not usually associated with an ENSO effect. The focus is on the anomalous variability of precipitation and 500-mb heights. The most important result from this analysis is that the patterns of the anomalous extratropica...
Heterogeneous Oxygen-Containing Species Formed via Oxygen or Water Dissociative Adsorption onto a Gallium Phosphide Surface

Interactions of O2 or H2O with a GaP(111) surface were investigated over wide ranges of pressure and temperature using near-ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. We demonstrated the formation of several oxygen-containing species from the dissociative adsorption of gas-phase molecules onto GaP(111). Chemical evolutions were determined at the gas/semiconductor interfaces based on changes in the high-resolution photoelectron spectra, which allowed us to identify the final products formed either directly or through intermediate species. We then used the Ga 2p3/2 spectra to create maps of the relative abundances of surface oxides and hydroxyl groups present under various experimental conditions. In the case of the O2/GaP(111) interface, we detected Ga–P bonds, and various oxygen-containing species, i.e., Ga2O, Ga2O3, and GaPOm. In the case of the H2O/GaP(111) interface, in addition to the detection of Ga–P bonds, species were formed with a different extent of oxidation and hydroxylation, On–Ga–(OH)3−n, via a Ga2O-like intermediate species. In both cases, the co-existence of multiple species represented as (GaPO)A or (GaPOH)B, was displayed under specific conditions.
The Roles of Privacy Assurance, Network Effects, and Information Cascades in the Adoption of and Willingness to Pay for Location-Based Services with Mobile Applications

Location-based services (LBS) are increasingly combined with new forms of mobile and ubiquitous based computing such as music players, cameras, email and internet access, and thousands of other mobile applications (a.k.a., “apps”). LBS features present both new and interesting benefits as well as new forms of privacy risk. Recent headlines have brought attention to the enormous privacy information available to mobile application developers and providers such as Apple and Google. As risks and benefits increase in LBS apps, it is unknown how users tradeoff between these converged risks and benefits — particularly in the market for mobile apps. This paper uses a unique theoretical model based on privacy calculus and network theory to empirically examine the effects of the risk/benefits tradeoff on the adoption of new and emerging forms of LBS apps. Through two experiments involving 1588 mobile application users, we examine how institutional privacy assurances — including app quality and network size — influence users' perceptions of location privacy risk and app benefits, in turn, affects their adoption intentions and willingness-to-pay. This research contributes to theory by demonstrating how network size affects not only perceived benefits, but also the perceived risks of IS in the absence of perfect information. Concerning practice, we provide evidence that (1) LBS privacy risk is of great concern to consumers, (2) that privacy assurance is particularly important when an app’s network size is low or if its quality cannot be verified, and (3) and improved standards for institutional privacy assurance at the app level could provide greater value/profit to consumers/providers.
Generic Manufacturers’ Labeling Catch-22

In Wyeth v. Levine, the Supreme Court eliminated brand-name manufacturers’ ability to use the preemption defense against state law failure to warn claims involving allegedly misbranded pharmaceutical drugs. Since that time, a heated debate has ensued among federal courts and legal scholars regarding that holding’s effect on generic manufacturers. Lost amid these judicial opinions and scholarly articles, however, is a more fundamental inquiry. Regardless of whether preemption is a viable defense, what type of legal and regulatory framework is needed to ensure generic manufacturers possess the necessary tools to fulfill their responsibility of providing consumers and the medical community with current and accurate labeling instructions for their products? This Article proposes such a framework.
The Production and Exchange of Marine Shell Prestige Goods

Marine shell ornaments have several characteristics that make them significant for archaeological analysis. Made from a raw material valued by cultures throughout the world and imbued with water, life, health, and fertility symbolism, shell objects have functioned as prestige goods. Shell prestige goods circulated between individuals, groups, and societies and materialized interpersonal relationships, making them valuable for archaeologists shifting focus from objects to the people in past societies. Shell ornaments had multiple roles, including ornamentation, wealth, marking status, and as ritual paraphernalia, and had varying symbolic associations even within a society. The rich ethnographic literature on shell use provides a source for archaeological model building. Marine shell artifacts often moved between societies and across long distances, offering a way for archaeologists to explore regional relationships and the interactions between ancient societies. To do this requires using several scales of analysis to investigate archaeological residues of a system that includes marine shell ornaments, the social organization of their production and exchange, and the people who made, displayed, and circulated them.
Mechanical Property Control of Mechanically Alloyed Aluminum

The unique, ultra-fine microstructure that evolves during mechanical alloying directly effects alloy design and processing practices. Designers can take advantage of the enhanced strength that arises from the fine grain to produce lighter, more effective alloys for various applications. Forming conditions must be precisely controlled if the fine microstructure is to remain stable, so new thermomechanical processing practices must be developed as well.
A COMPREHENSIVE SAFETY ANALYSIS OF 6026 PATIENTS FROM PHASE 2 AND 3 SHORT AND LONG TERM CLINICAL TRIALS WITH EVOLOCUMAB (AMG 145)

Over the last 3 years, SC administered evolocumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody to PCSK9, has been shown to robustly reduce LDL-C and be well tolerated. We now report the pooled safety analysis with evolocumab in patients participating in phase 2 or 3 randomized and placebo/comparator-
Hyperkalemia: current concepts and emerging therapeutic options

H yperkalemia has long constituted one of the electrolyte abnormalities of interest to clinicians and physiologists, and it represents one of the most important acute electrolyte abnormalities due to its potential for causing life-threatening arrhythmias. Hyperkalemia remains a vexing and challenging problem for clinicians, particularly in the management of patients with chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease, especially congestive heart failure. In the past 2 decades, themedical community has witnessed a major increase in its understanding of the physiology of renal potassium handling and the relatively unappreciated role of extrarenal and gut sensors in modulating renal potassium handling. This increased understanding has enhanced the diagnosis of dyskalemias. In recent years, increasing investigative attention has focused on novel physiological paradigms that increase not only the complexity but also the precision of homeostasis. These fundamental investigative breakthroughs have been coupled with a reassessment of the expanding spectrum of clinical disorders that predispose to the development of hyperkalemia. The overriding importance of renin– angiotensin–aldosterone system inhibitors (RAASis) as risk factors of hyperkalemia has been increasingly appreciated. A careful reading of the articles of this supplement should provide clinicians with the information needed to more rationally manage the clinical disorders of dyskalemia with an emphasis on hyperkalemia. The contributors to this supplement were asked to review critically the available literature dealing with specific facets of the normal physiology of renal potassium handling and derangements of renal modulation of potassium that result in diverse dyskalemic disorders. The first article, by Csaba Kovesdy, MD, surveys the epidemiology of hyperkalemia. He examines the currently known incidence and
Characteristics of COPD Patients Using United States Emergency Care or Hospitalization

Rationale: Several chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) studies have evaluated risk factors for emergency department (ED) visits or hospitalizations, and found insufficient data available about social and demographic factors that drive these behaviors. This U.S. study was designed to describe the characteristics of COPD patients with ED visits or a hospitalization and to investigate how often common COPD comorbidities are present in these individuals. Methods: Data for 7180 COPD patients regarding demographic factors, comorbidities, smoking status, and ED visits or hospitalization was obtained from the 2012 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey. Logistic regression analysis was used to adjust demographic factors and smoking status to model the correlation between patients with ED visits or hospitalizations and morbidities generating odds ratios (OR) and confidence intervals (CI). Results: Among diagnosed COPD patients in the BRFSS, 16.5% had ED visits or hospitalization in the previous year. These individuals were younger, had a lower socio-economic status (lower education, lower income, and more often unemployed) and 23.4% of the individuals could not visit a doctor because of the financial difficulties compared to 16.7% who had no visit (p<0.0001 for all comparisons). The prevalence of comorbidities was higher in those with ED visits or hospitalization compared to those without. Conclusion: In a population representative of COPD patients, lower socio-economic status and higher comorbidities are associated with ED visits or hospitalization. Studies are needed to further elucidate the complex relationship between COPD, comorbidities, and ED visits or hospitalization.
Superficial Analysis of the Multi-media Data Compressing Technique

The digital multi-media is using more and more big storage space and this make it difficult in storing and exchanging data.This article introduces the classification,standard of the compress Algorithms of multi-media data and indicates the application scope of the different compress method.The article provides some good advice for the multi-media data user.
Optimal control of queueing systems with non-collaborating servers

We study the dynamic server allocation problem for tandem queueing systems with an equal number of stations and servers. The servers are flexible, yet non-collaborative, so that at most one server can work at a station at any time. The objective is to maximize the long-run average throughput. We show that if each server is the fastest at one station, then a dedicated server assignment policy is optimal for systems of arbitrary size and with general service requirement distributions. Otherwise, the optimal policy is more complex as servers must divide their time between stations. For Markovian systems with two stations and two servers, we characterize the optimal policy completely. For larger Markovian systems, we use our results for two-station systems to propose four heuristic server assignment policies and provide computational results that show that our heuristics are near-optimal. We also compare collaborative and non-collaborative settings to evaluate the benefits of dynamic server allocation, as opposed to collaboration, in systems with flexible servers. We conclude that the loss in the long-run average throughput due to lack of collaboration is mitigated by the similarity of the tasks in the system, and cross-training can still be beneficial in non-collaborative systems.
Plan and activity recognition from a topic modeling perspective

We examine new ways to perform plan recognition (PR) using natural language processing (NLP) techniques. PR often focuses on the structural relationships between consecutive observations and ordered activities that comprise plans. However, NLP commonly treats text as a bag-of-words, omitting such structural relationships and using topic models to break down the distribution of concepts discussed in documents. In this paper, we examine an analogous treatment of plans as distributions of activities. We explore the application of Latent Dirichlet Allocation topic models to human skeletal data of plan execution traces obtained from a RGB-D sensor. This investigation focuses on representing the data as text and interpreting learned activities as a form of activity recognition (AR). Additionally, we explain how the system may perform PR. The initial empirical results suggest that such NLP methods can be useful in complex PR and AR tasks.
A systematic design method and verification for a zero-ripple interface for PV/Battery-to-grid applications

A systematic method of designing a zero-ripple Cuk converter for PV/Battery-to-grid applications is presented in this paper. The integrated magnetic core design uses an intuitive flux-reluctance model to arrive at the Area Product for this kind of structure. Unlike the earlier designs for this converter, it provides a completely analytical approach to design this converter for a range of specifications. The target application is grid interface of PV or battery. The validity of the proposed method is confirmed using finite element analyses (both 2-D and 3-D), circuit simulations in pspice as well as preliminary experimental validation.
Haunting and the ‘Psychic Ether’ Hypothesis — I

When you did me the very great honour of inviting me to be your President, I am afraid I did not reflect sufficiently upon the obligations of the office. The long series of exceedingly distinguished men who have held this position before me have set a standard to which I cannot hope to attain. Moreover, though I have had the good fortune to be a member of the Society for several years, I must confess that my knowledge of Psychical Research has been derived almost entirely from reading, and hardly at all from personal investigation. Nor has my reading been very extensive. As a professional philosopher, I am naturally interested in a subject which seems likely to throw entirely new light upon the nature of human personality and its position in the Universe. (Indeed I believe it may do more: I believe that in time it may transform the whole intellectual outlook upon which our present civilisation is based.) But I cannot claim any wide or detailed knowledge of the results hitherto achieved. So if I venture to make some suggestions which have a bearing upon the future development of the subject, you must understand that I speak as an onlooker — an outsider if you like — and you must forgive the combination of ignorance and temerity which I shall probably display.
A Study of Cultural Differences in Global Corporate Web Sites

With the advent of the Internet and related networking and communication technologies, many have speculated that the ubiquitous nature of these technologies has a homogenizing effect and contributes to cultural convergence. Others would argue that as the rest of the world embraces the Internet, American influence will decline and the Internet will turn into a multi-cultural community as rich as the diversity of the world. In a landmark study, Hofstede (7) found that national cultures differ along several dimensions. He believed that national cultural values and differences have existed for a long period of time and are stable. Subsequent research has both confirmed and challenged the validity of Hofstede's conclusions for the long term.This paper investigates whether or not differences in national culture are evident in the web sites of global corporations or if national cultures, as reflected through these web sites, have converged.
Costly Values: Values-Based Justifications Exacerbate the Consequences of Policy Disagreements for Politician Support

Politicians regularly communicate their policy positions to the public. These statements are rarely a simple description of the politician’s stance on an issue. Rather, legislators typically offer both a positional cue informing the public of what position they take and a policy justification stating why they take that position. In this study we use two survey experiments to explore the extent to which evidence and values-based justifications alter the dynamics of spatial voting on an issue of importance in contemporary American politics, the debate over the appropriate income tax rates for wealthy individuals. We find that values-based justifications backfire and decrease a candidate’s support among voters who oppose their policy stance. We also show that, in general, employing a justification does not increase a candidate’s support.
HIDDEN TAX PREFERENCES AND THE REAL COSTS OF TUITION TAX CREDITS

A hidden tax preference arises when religiously affiliated schools are financed by tax-deductible charitable contributions in lieu of tuition. This article explores the implicit contracts between parents and schools and examines potential free-rider problems. Revised estimates of the fiscal costs of a federal tuition tax credit are presented as well. Finally, the article shows how the existence of this preference makes the case for a federal tuition tax credit relatively stronger.
Genotype, environment, seeding rate, and top-dressed nitrogen effects on end-use quality of modern Nebraska winter wheat.

BACKGROUND Fine-tuning production inputs such as seeding rate, nitrogen (N), and genotypes may improve end-use quality of hard red winter wheat (Triticum aestivium L.) when growing conditions are unpredictable. Studies were conducted at the Agronomy Research Farm (ARF; Lincoln) and the High Plains Agricultural Laboratory (HPAL; Sidney) in 2014 and 2015 in Nebraska, USA to determine the effects of genotype (6), environment (4), seeding rate (3), and flag leaf top-dressed N (0 and 34 kg N ha−1) on the end-use quality of winter wheat. RESULTS End-use quality traits were influenced by environment, genotype, seeding rate, top-dressed N, and their interactions. Mixograph parameters had a strong correlation with grain volume weight and flour yield. Doubling the recommended seeding rate and N at the flag leaf stage increased grain protein content by 8.1% in 2014 and 1.5% in 2015 at ARF and 4.2% in 2014 and 8.4% in 2015 at HPAL. CONCLUSION The key finding of this research is that increasing seeding rates up to double the current recommendations with N at the flag leaf stage improved most of the end-use quality traits. This will have a significant effect on the premium for protein a farmer could receive when marketing wheat.
Conclusion from the Editors

The final chapter brings together the global perspectives on quality of life and community well being to inspire and prompt future research and applied work in these fields.
Prospective changes in neural alcohol cue reactivity in at-risk adolescents

Adolescence represents an ideal time for elucidating the etiology of cue reactivity profiles. This study examined the influence of three risk factors consistently associated with heavy adolescent drinking on alcohol cue reactivity. Youth were first assessed while still naive to alcohol (12–14 years old) and followed after transitioning into alcohol use (17–21 years old). The effects of family history of substance use disorder, sex, and history of early of dating (i.e., before 14 years of age) on BOLD response contrast to alcohol picture cues were examined in a linear mixed model, controlling for age and alcohol use patterns at follow-up. Activation to alcohol picture cues differed as a function of risk factor and time. At baseline, family history positive youth showed greater activation to alcohol cues than family history negative peers in the right middle occipital and anterior cingulate gyri. Youth with a history of early-dating showed greater activation to alcohol cues, compared to non-early daters, in the left anterior cingulate/white matter region. Girls showed greater activation to alcohol than boys at baseline in left middle frontal gyrus. At follow-up, after drinking started, patterns reversed for each risk factor. These results indicate that even prior to initiating alcohol use, adolescents showed differences in activation to alcohol cues based on their family history, dating history, and sex.
Peripherally Acting μ-Opioid Receptor Antagonists for the Treatment of Opioid-Related Side Effects: Mechanism of Action and Clinical Implications.

Opioid receptors are distributed throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems and on many nonneuronal cells. Therefore, opioid administration induces effects beyond analgesia. In the enter...
Finger (Phalangeal) Dislocations

Proximal interphalangeal and distal interphalangeal joint dislocations are relatively common injuries of the hand. When untreated or under-treated, these dislocations can result in permanent deformities of the digit such as swan neck and boutonniere deformities. Treatment can range from nonoperative splinting or taping to various open procedures.
Understanding the Long-term Evolution of CVs and LMXBs: Principles and Problems

We introduce the standard model for formation and evolution of CVs, and show how observed collective properties compare with theoretically predicted population models. A short overview relates LMXBs to CVs.
Servizi di assistenza telefonica diretta in caso di crisi: Cosa fare e cosa evitare

E quasi impossibile riuscire a capire la vasta gamma di risposte emotive che possono scaturire da un individuo in una situazione di crisi; molte persone, inoltre, hanno difficolta a trovare un modo per esprimere a parole quello che provano. Le linee telefoniche di assistenza diretta in caso di crisi (crisis hotlines) forniscono supporto 24 ore su 24, 7 giorni alla settimana; informazioni riguardo ad una linea telefonica locale di questo tipo o ad un centro territoriale che si occupa di crisi possono essere garantite a chi e in questa condizione sia dalla polizia, sia da un operatore; in totale, questi servizi di riferimento sono, negli Stati Uniti, piu di 30.000 (Levinson, 2003). Walters e Finn (1995) hanno identificato e discusso gli obiettivi di 13 tipologie diverse di programmi di assistenza telefonica in caso di crisi per gruppi speciali e ad alto rischio: linee telefoniche di assistenza per informazioni di tipo lavorativo orientate alla carriera; linee telefoniche di assistenza per dipendenti; linee telefoniche di assistenza per informazioni e riferimenti in chi si occupa di pazienti affetti da demenza; linee telefoniche di assistenza per bambini; linee telefoniche gestite dai media; linee di emergenza della polizia; linee telefoniche di assistenza per abuso di sostanze; linee telefoniche di assistenza per la prevenzione del suicidio; linee telefoniche di assistenza per adolescenti; programmi di rassicurazione telefonica per anziani; supporto telefonico per agorafobia; linee telefoniche di consulenza a livello universitario; disponibilita 24 ore su 24 per “terapia telefonica” con uno dei 300 terapisti familiari autorizzati, psicologi, o assistenti sociali, a seconda della chiamata.
A Novel Methanol-detection-method for the Aging Prediction of Paper Insulation in Power Transformer

Paper insulation in transformers plays an important role in the operation of the power grid. At present, the aging evaluation and fault detection of transformers are mainly conducted by means of polymerization degree, CO/CO 2 , furfural. However, they have no sensitive response in the early aging of paper insulation. In this paper, methanol was chosen as an indicator to evaluate the aging of transformers. An evaluation method based on the measurement of methanol concentration was proposed. After the extraction from transformer oils, methanol was oxidized by potassium permanganate acid solution. Chromotropic acid solution was then chosen to react with the oxidation products (formaldehyde) to form a purple compound, after which methanol content was measured by the absorbance method. The mathematical correlation of methanol content and degree of polymerization (DP) was then established, and it could be used to predict the aging of paper insulation and the remaining life of the transformers.
Study of Sidewalk Autonomous Delivery Robots and Their Potential Impacts on Freight Efficiency and Travel

Road autonomous mobile robots have attracted the attention of delivery companies and policy makers owing to their potential to reduce costs and increase urban freight efficiency. Established delive...
Effects of celecoxib, polyphenon E and rosiglitazone on hydroxybutyl(butyl)-nitrosamine (OH-BBN) –induced urinary bladder cancers in female Fischer-344 rats.

3132 Treatment of rodents with OH-BBN results in the formation of a high percentage of urinary bladder cancers with mixed transitional cell and squamous cell components. In this study, rats were treated with OH-BBN (150 mg/gavage) twice a week for eight weeks. One week following the last dose of OH-BBN, animals were administered the chemopreventive agents either by gavage or diet containing the indicated dose levels for 27 weeks. Celecoxib was mixed directly in the diet, while rosiglitazone (in PEG 400: 0.5% carboxymethylcellulose; 50:50) and polyphenon E (in saline) were given daily (7x/week) by gavage. Rats administered OH-BBN only developed 20 large urinary bladder cancers among 35 treated rats. Interestingly, all 34 rats administered rosiglitazone (50 mg/Kg BW/day), a known PPAR gamma agonist, developed large palpable cancers resulting in early sacrifice of many of the rats. This suggests that rosiglitazone may be a tumor promoter in this model. Rats treated with polyphenon E (100 and 250 mg/Kg BW/day) yielded a dose dependent decrease in large tumors to 14/35 and 6/34 rats, respectively; implying significant chemopreventive activity. Rats treated with celecoxib in the diet (63, 250 or 1000 mg/kg diet) yielded a dose dependent decrease in the number of large tumors of 8, 4 and 2, respectively. When celecoxib (1000 mg/kg diet) was added beginning at 22 weeks following the first dose of OH-BBN and 14 weeks prior to the time of final sacrifice, the final number of tumors was still decreased from 20/35 (control diet) to 6/35 (late celecoxib). These studies show that celecoxib is effective over a wide range of doses, and even when given later during tumor progression. Further studies examining other histological lesions (e.g., hyperplasias, papillomas,and microscopic cancers) will be presented. (Supported by NCI-N01-CN-15128).
Supporting transgender and gender non-conforming kids: a review of transgender children and youth

The Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) has been conducting a school climate survey since 1999 that has been used to argue for more inclusion of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transge...
Lycopene Inhibits Smoke-Induced Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Lung Carcinogenesis by Modulating Reverse Cholesterol Transport in Ferrets

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer share the same etiologic factor, cigarette smoking. Higher consumption of dietary lycopene has been associated with lower risks of COPD and lung cancer in smokers. We investigated whether lycopene feeding protects against COPD and lung cancer in ferrets, a nonrodent model that closely mimics cigarette smoke (CS)-induced chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and lung tumorigenesis in human. We also explored whether the protective effect of lycopene is associated with restoring reverse cholesterol transport (RCT), a key driver in persistent inflammation with CS exposure. Ferrets (4 groups, n = 12-16/group) were exposed to a combination of tobacco carcinogen (NNK) and CS with or without consuming lycopene at low and high doses (equivalent to ∼30 and ∼90 mg lycopene/day in human, respectively) for 22 weeks. Results showed that dietary lycopene at a high dose significantly inhibited NNK/CS-induced chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and preneoplastic lesions, including squamous metaplasia and atypical adenomatous hyperplasia, as compared with the NNK/CS alone (P < 0.05). Lycopene feeding also tended to decrease the lung neoplastic lesions. Furthermore, lycopene feeding significantly inhibited NNK/CS-induced accumulation of total cholesterol, and increased mRNA expression of critical genes related to the RCT (PPARα, LXRα, and ATP-binding cassette transporters ABCA1 and ABCG1) in the lungs, which were downregulated by the NNK/CS exposure. The present study has provided the first evidence linking a protective role of dietary lycopene against COPD and preneoplastic lesions to RCT-mediated cholesterol accumulation in lungs.
Opening World Regional Geography: A Case Study

A growing body of research has demonstrated that open educational resources (OER) provide an opportunity for improvements in learning outcomes compared to traditional texts. This project builds on the Open Education Group’s COUP framework to explore student and faculty use and perceptions of an open education World Regional Geography textbook. World Regional Geography is a lower-level course that is typically taught using traditional methods and with an emphasis on breadth over depth. As this case study explores, however, the creation and use of OER has provided an opportunity to completely reconfigure the course using a flipped classroom approach. Further, this study finds a statistically significant difference in student perception of OER before and after using the open course textbook, a significant difference in how often students read the book, and an overall positive response from students. Shifting to an open textbook has thus transformed and revitalized the class both from a student and an instructor perspective.
A Customizable Dynamic Scenario Modeling and Data Generation Platform for Autonomous Driving.

Safely interacting with humans is a significant challenge for autonomous driving. The performance of this interaction depends on machine learning-based modules of an autopilot, such as perception, behavior prediction, and planning. These modules require training datasets with high-quality labels and a diverse range of realistic dynamic behaviors. Consequently, training such modules to handle rare scenarios is difficult because they are, by definition, rarely represented in real-world datasets. Hence, there is a practical need to augment datasets with synthetic data covering these rare scenarios. In this paper, we present a platform to model dynamic and interactive scenarios, generate the scenarios in simulation with different modalities of labeled sensor data, and collect this information for data augmentation. To our knowledge, this is the first integrated platform for these tasks specialized to the autonomous driving domain.
Improving follow up of anemia screening laboratory results at pediatrics visit

BACKGROUND: Anemia in early childhood can cause significant adverse effects on development and behavior. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends universal screening for anemia at a 1-year-old and 2-year-old well-child visit, with additional screening when risk factors are present for anemia. However, studies suggest few infants with anemia receive proper follow-up of laboratory results and monitoring after screening. Though the electronic healthcare record (EHR) has helped to identify some errors, many laboratory results are missed and never addressed. This quality improvement project …
Methodological improvements to a Procedure for Rapidly Establishing Steady‐State Behavior

We performed three experiments to improve the quality and retention of data obtained from a Procedure for Rapidly Establishing Steady-State Behavior (PRESS-B; Klapes et al., 2020). In Experiment 1, 120 participants worked on nine concurrent random-interval random-interval (conc RI RI) schedules and were assigned to four conditions of varying changeover delay (COD) length. The 0.5-s COD condition group exhibited the fewest instances of exclusive reinforcer acquisition. Importantly, this group did not differ in generalized matching law (GML) fit quality from the other groups. In Experiment 2, 60 participants worked on nine conc RI RI schedules with a wider range of scheduled reinforcement rate ratios than was used in Experiment 1. Participants showed dramatic reductions in exclusive reinforcer acquisition. Experiment 3 entailed a replication of Experiment 2 wherein blackout periods were implemented between the schedule presentations and each schedule remained in operation until at least one reinforcer was acquired on each alternative. GML fit quality was slightly more consistent in Experiment 3 than in the previous experiments. Thus, these results suggest that future PRESS-B studies should implement a shorter COD, a wider and richer scheduled reinforcement rate ratio range, and brief blackouts between schedule presentations for optimal data quality and retention.
Characterization of the 13 cytopathic BVDV strains from mucosal disease cases from a single herd

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is a positive single-stranded RNA virus belonging to the Pestivirus genus of the Flaviviridae family. BVDV has a wide host range that includes most ruminants. Noncytopathic (ncp) BVDV may establish lifelong persistent infections in calves following infection of the fetus between 40 and 120 days of gestation. Cytopathic (cp) BVDV strains arise from ncp strains via mutations. The most common cp mutations are insertions of RNA derived from either host or a duplication of viral sequences into the region of the genome coding for the NS2/3 protein. Superinfection of a persistently infected animal with a cp virus can give rise to mucosal disease (MD), a condition that is invariably fatal.
Gendered Deference: Perceptions of Authority and Competence among Latina/o Physicians in Medical Institutions:

Prior studies note that gender- and race-based discrimination routinely inhibit women’s advancement in medical fields. Yet few studies have examined how gendered displays of deference and demeanor ...
Using Check-In/Check-Out in Vocational Training for Young Adults With Intellectual Disability:

Few transition studies have involved training supervisors on interacting and relaying feedback to individuals with intellectual disability during vocational training. We used a multiple baseline ac...
Pre-Hospital 12-Lead Electrocardiography Programs: A Call for Implementation by Emergency Medical Services Systems Providing Advanced Life Support—National Heart Attack Alert Program (NHAAP) Coordinating Committee; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI); National Institutes of Health

Emergency medical services (EMS) providers who administer advanced life support should include diagnostic 12-lead electrocardiography programs as one of their services. Evidence demonstrates that this technology can be readily used by EMS providers to identify patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) before a patient's arrival at a hospital emergency department. Earlier identification of STEMI patients leads to faster artery-opening treatment with fibrinolytic agents, either in the pre-hospital setting or at the hospital. Alternatively, a reperfusion strategy using percutaneous coronary intervention can be facilitated by use of pre-hospital 12-lead electrocardiography (P12ECG). Analysis of the cost of providing this service to the community must include consideration of the demonstrated benefits of more rapid treatment of patients with STEMI and the resulting time savings advantage shown to accompany the use of P12ECG programs.
RETNA: from requirements to testing in a natural way

Most problems in building and refining a system can be traced back to errors in requirements. Poorly organized requirements, most often in natural language are among the major causes of failures of software projects. In this paper, we present a requirements analysis tool called RETNA and the technology behind it. RETNA accepts natural language requirements, classifies them, interacts with the user to refine them, automatically translates natural language requirements to a logical format so that they can be validated and finally generates test cases from the requirements.
Towards k-nearest neighbor search in time-dependent spatial network databases

The class of k Nearest Neighbor (kNN) queries in spatial networks is extensively studied in the context of numerous applications. In this paper, for the first time we study a generalized form of this problem, called the Time-Dependent k Nearest Neighbor problem (TD-kNN) with which edge-weights are time variable. All existing approaches for kNN search assume that the weight (e.g., travel-time) of each edge of the spatial network is constant. However, in real-world edge-weights are time-dependent (i.e., the arrival-time to an edge determines the actual travel-time on that edge) and vary significantly in short durations. We study the applicability of two baseline solutions for TD-kNN and compare their efficiency via extensive experimental evaluations with real-world data-sets, including a variety of large spatial networks with real traffic-data recordings.
21 Characterization of Natural Communities of Halophilic Microorganisms

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the application of methods for the detection and identification and potential metabolic activity of whole communities of halophiles from hypersaline environments, specifically the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) procedure for amplification of 16S rRNA (ribosomal ribo nucleic acid) genes, the subsequent fingerprinting, cloning, sequencing, and analysis, and the metabolic technique of BIOLOG. Molecular fingerprinting of microbial communities is a relatively easy and accurate technique to estimate the complexity and dynamics of microbes in any environment since many organisms resist cultivation. Recent advances in molecular techniques, such as length heterogeneity (LH)-PCR and RNA hybridization have enabled the identification of uncultivated taxa and provided insights into the expression of key functional genes in the environment and the microbial dynamics in those environments. For sequencing magnetic bead procedure or the Sephadex method are used for purification of the PCR products.
Compound semiconductor alloys

Examples of various types of band structure encountered in II–VI and III–V alloys and in alloys of mixtures of the two are presented and discussed in terms of the present theoretical understanding of alloy band structure. The optical measurement techniques, that have been most useful in the study of alloys are reviewed. The reasons for the special problems encountered in exploratory alloy studies, namely small samples and graded alloy composition, are discussed. Finally, examples are given of the application of III–V alloys in devices.
Ephraim Amu's "Bonwere Kenteŋwene": a celebration of Ghanaian traditional knowledge, wisdom, and artistry

By analyzing Amu’s “Bonwere Kenteŋwene” (trans. “Bonwere Kente Weaving”), an art song for voice and piano, this article explores some of these paradigm-shifting processes. They include Amu’s creation of the song’s text as a narrative on an imaginary journey that foregrounds forms of traditional knowledge and their producers, the quest and advocacy for indigenous African knowledge, weaving of the kente cloth, the process of making a new song, construction of Ghanaian identity through composing an art song, and dissemination of knowledge involved in his process and production of a composition. I examine the major factors that informed Amu’s inspiration, ingenuity, and agency that provoked this art song. These include translation of the generative power of one type of expressive art form into another expressive art form, his selectivity of pre-compositional resources, and his underpinning creative philosophy.
Streamlining checkout experience: a case study of iterative design of a China e-commerce site

This paper describes a case study, in which PayPal China improved the user experience by streamlining its checkout experience. This project applied User-Centered Design methodologies and involved cross-functional and international collaborations within the company. The outcome of the project drastically improved user satisfaction.
In Face on Facebook: Brooklyn's Drag Community and Sociotechnical Practices of Online Communication

Recently, Brooklyn has seen an explosion of drag culture, with dozens of performers taking the stage in any given week. Social media plays a vital role for members of this community, simultaneously allowing self-promotion and community solidarity. Drawing on focus group interviews, we analyze the communication practices of Brooklyn's drag performers, examining both the advantages and drawbacks of social media platforms. Using conceptual frameworks of faceted identity and relational labor, our discussion focuses on affordances and constraints of multifaceted identity in online contexts and theories of seamful design. We contend that by analyzing online communication practices of drag performers, it becomes possible to identify gaps between embedded ideologies of mainstream social media technologies and the localized values of outsider communities.
A review of the role of robotics in bariatric surgery.

The epidemic of obesity continues to be a major health issue. It is now almost uniform that surgical procedures for weight loss are performed with minimally invasive techniques. This article reviews the literature regarding obesity-related health issues, in particular risk of malignancy, and the application of robotic technology in weight loss surgical procedures. With increasing literature and technology in surgical robotics, its application in the field of bariatric surgery continues to evolve. J. Surg. Oncol. 2015; 112:279–283. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
QUANTUM EFFECTS ON FOUR-DIMENSIONAL SPACE-TIME SYMMETRIES

It is shown that, in gauge theories of chiral Weyl fermions, quantum effects can induce breakdowns of relativistic space-time symmetries in four dimensions. These so-called ''anomalies'' are caused by U(1) gauge fields, and in combination with gravitational field; non-Abelian gauge fields have no effect. In the standard Glashow-Weinberg-Salam SU(2) x U(1) model, the U(1) charges of the chiral fermions are such that, within each family, these relativistic anomalies cancel out for leptons and quarks separately.
Semantic role labeling of nominalized predicates in Chinese

Recent work on semantic role labeling (SRL) has focused almost exclusively on the analysis of the predicate-argument structure of verbs, largely due to the lack of human-annotated resources for other types of predicates that can serve as training and test data for the semantic role labeling systems. However, it is well-known that verbs are not the only type of predicates that can take arguments. Most notably, nouns that are nominalized forms of verbs and relational nouns generally are also considered to have their own predicate-argument structure. In this paper we report results of SRL experiments on nominalized predicates in Chinese, using a newly completed corpus, the Chinese Nombank. We also discuss the impact of using publicly available manually annotated verb data to improve the SRL accuracy of nouns, exploiting a widely-held assumption that verbs and their nominalizations share the same predicate-argument structure. Finally, we discuss the results of applying reranking techniques to improve SRL accuracy for nominalized predicates, which showed insignificant improvement.
Synchronization of estrus using CIDR, FGA or MAP intravaginal pessaries during the breeding season in Nubian goats

Abstract During the breeding season (Autumn) 60 Nubian does were allocated to groups for estrous synchronization, using intravaginal pessaries impregnated with fluorgestone acetate (FGA; n =20), medroxyprogesterone acetate (MAP; n =20) or controlled internal drug release devices (CIDR; n =20). All intravaginal progestagens were administered for a period of 13 days. At pessary removal all does were injected with 5 mg prostaglandin F-20α. Estrous detection was done using two vasectomized bucks. Goats were intra-cervically inseminated with fresh, diluted and cooled semen at 12 and 24 h after onset of estrus. Estrous response for all treatments groups was 100%. The onset of estrus for the CIDR, FGA and MAP groups was (mean±S.D.) 40.2±10.5, 32.9±9.7 and 48.8±12.0 h, respectively. Onset of estrus was shortest in the FGA group (32.9±9.7), compared to the MAP ( P P P
Towards automated image understanding

In this paper, we discuss an approach to the pattern synthesis and analysis of biological shapes which show a lot of variability, but at the same time also show a characteristic structure. This structure is captured by way of ‘shape classes' which are constructed via a deformable template. Examples of pattern analysis in both two and three dimensions are presented. We define what we call intrinsic and extrinsic understanding of images and apply this to the detection of abnormalities.
Tests of conventional and microchannel plate photomultipliers as components of a scintillation time-of-flight system

Abstract We have tested a prototype time-of-flight counter for the CLEO II experiment. Time resolution of 110 ps was achieved using conventional phototubes. Several phototubes are compared against one another, and we also present results from a different design incorporating microchannel plate phototubes. Our results suggest that for the conventional phototubes the time resolution is largely due to statistical fluctuations in the electrons produced at the photocathode.