cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Successful removal of Chlamydia pneumoniae from plateletpheresis products collected using automated leukoreduction hemapheresis techniques.

Chlamydia pneumoniae (Cp) is an obligate intracellular pathogen associated with a variety of maladies. Best known for its involvement in community-acquired pneumonia outbreaks; the potential role of Cp in diverse illnesses is a topic of increasing interest and investigation. Previous studies suggested that white blood cells from normal blood donors harboring this agent may be eliminated through leukoreduction by filtration. Here we examine the ability and efficacy of apheresis-related leukoreduction for its effect on the carriage and potential infectivity of these organisms in the preparation of platelet products. Matched pre-apheresis peripheral blood (PB) samples and product samples obtained from healthy plateletpheresis donors were analyzed for the presence and potential infectivity of Cp organisms by direct smear inspection and tissue culture techniques. Antibody seroreactivity directed towards the organism was assessed using a solid phase immunoassay. Forty-eight percent of the donor blood samples exhibited elevated anti-Cp antibody titers (≥200). Specimens from 31 (27%) and 34 (30%) of 115 plateletpheresis donors were positive for the presence of Cp organisms in their pre-apheresis PB samples when analyzed by direct smear examination and culture, respectively. Examination of the 115 post-leukodepleted plateletpheresis product samples revealed only two (1.7%) and one (0.009%) product(s) to be smear-positive and culture-positive, respectively. Certain plateletpheresis donors may harbor infectious Cp organisms in circulating WBC. Collections from such donors of apheresis platelet products using standard apheresis leukoreduction strategies appear successful in markedly decreasing or eliminating the organisms found in the final products. J Clin Apheresis 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A comparison of award‐winning radio commercials and their day‐to‐day counterparts

What are some of the differences between award‐winning radio commercials and those that are judged by those in the trade not to be worthy of an award such as the “CLIO” of the American TV and Radio Commercials Festival? Should music and sound effects be used? What are some of the objectively measured stylistic devices used in the text of each spot? How “listenable” are they? In the following article, research into these matters leads to a number of “do's” and “don'ts"—and a warning that winning awards may not be nearly as important as selling goods and services. Drs. Norman Felsenthal (Ph.D., University of Iowa) and G. Wayne Shamo (Ph.D., Southern Illinois University) are assistant professors in the Department of Communication at Purdue University; Mr. John R. Bittner is a graduate assistant and doctoral candidate in the same department, and news director of WAZY, Lafayette, Indiana.
Comparison of image acquisition and radiologist interpretation times in a diagnostic mammography center.

Rationale and Objectives The purpose of this study was to determine the acquisition and interpretation times of screen-film mammography and soft-copy digital mammography in a diagnostic mammography center. Materials and Methods The study was conducted in three phases for patients presenting for clinical diagnostic workup to a mammography clinic. In the first phase, technologist acquisition and processing times and radiologist interpretation time were measured for patients imaged with a screen-film mammographic system. During the second phase of the study, times were measured for patients imaged with a direct radiographic digital mammographic system, with interpretation performed on a soft-copy display system. During the third phase, 3 months after installation of the soft-copy display system, times were measured again for patients imaged on the same direct radiographic digital mammographic system, with interpretation with the same soft-copy system. The same four experienced breast imaging radiologists and seven technologists participated in all phases of the study. All data were entered into a database, and statistical analysis was conducted using weighted linear models and logarithmic transformation. Results Times were obtained for 295 patients. There were 100 patients each for phases 1 and 2 and 95 patients for phase 3. Diagnostic mammographic acquisition times with processing were 13.02 min/case for screen film (phase 1), 8.16 min/case for digital (phase 2), and 10.66 min/case for digital (phase 3) (P Conclusions Digital mammography significantly shortened the acquisition time for diagnostic mammography. There was no significant difference in interpretation time compared to screen-film mammography in a diagnostic mammography setting.
Casting out Demons: Sanitizing Training Data for Anomaly Sensors

The efficacy of anomaly detection (AD) sensors depends heavily on the quality of the data used to train them. Artificial or contrived training data may not provide a realistic view of the deployment environment. Most realistic data sets are dirty; that is, they contain a number of attacks or anomalous events. The size of these high-quality training data sets makes manual removal or labeling of attack data infeasible. As a result, sensors trained on this data can miss attacks and their variations. We propose extending the training phase of AD sensors (in a manner agnostic to the underlying AD algorithm) to include a sanitization phase. This phase generates multiple models conditioned on small slices of the training data. We use these "micro- models" to produce provisional labels for each training input, and we combine the micro-models in a voting scheme to determine which parts of the training data may represent attacks. Our results suggest that this phase automatically and significantly improves the quality of unlabeled training data by making it as "attack-free" and "regular" as possible in the absence of absolute ground truth. We also show how a collaborative approach that combines models from different networks or domains can further refine the sanitization process to thwart targeted training or mimicry attacks against a single site.
Room-temperature CW operation of 980nm air-gap VCSELs

We demonstrate electrically pumped 980 nm VCSELs with GaAs/air-gap DBRs. The devices exhibit threshold current density as low as 620A/cm2 at room temperatures with CW excitation.
The capture of electrons into stable betatron orbits

Abstract Numerical calculations of the single particle trajectories of low energy electrons during the start-up phase of the operation of a betatron have been performed. The conditions necessary for capture into a stable orbit have been examined; these have included the effect of the initial position of the electron, the depth of the vector potential well, the rate of rise and the strength of the betatron field, and the allowable initial velocity of the particle. It is shown, for example, that for a betatron having a 5 cm orbit radius, a peak magnetic field of 5 W/m 2 , a 1 μsec rise time and a 1 percent vector potential well-depth, essentially all electrons having energies up to 10 eV will be captured. However, for substantially weaker or for more slowly rising magnetic fields, capture depends strongly on the initial particle energy, and on the depth of the vector potential well.
Flexible user interface for decision support systems

Interface flexibility, in terms of both the language system and problem processor response mechanism, depends on the nature of the development tool. A technique is presented for constructing both generic and customized interfaces in the context of an environment-type development tool. A language is introduced for representing an internal layer of knowledge as well as mappings to various generic and/or customized presentation modes of an external layer of knowledge representation and processing. The CML language integrates useful features found in a variety of other languages within a strongly typed context. >
Adenosine uptake sites in brain: regional distribution of putative subtypes in relationship to adenosine A1-receptors

Adenosine uptake sites have been characterized and localized in guinea pig and pointer dog brain by in vitro autoradiography, using as probes 3H-nitrobenzylthioinosine (3H-NBI) and the recently available 3H-dipyridamole (3H-DPR). In guinea pig brain and, to a lesser extent, in pointer dog brain, 3H-DPR was found to label more high-affinity binding sites than 3H-NBI and NBI inhibited 3H-DPR binding having pseudo-Hill coefficients smaller than 0.5. 3H-DPR and 3H-NBI labeled brain structures with different intensities in guinea pig brain, as was revealed by quantitative analysis. While the intensity of 3H-DPR binding varied about 4-fold in neuron-containing structures, 8-fold differences were observed for 3H-NBI binding with phylo- and ontogenetically older brain areas such as hypothalamus and various brain stem structures showing relatively higher densities. These findings raise the interesting possibility of adenosine uptake site heterogeneity (NBI-sensitive and insensitive) in guinea pig brain, complementing the well-established adenosine receptor heterogeneity (A1 and A2). As adenosine's neurodepressant effects are believed to be mainly mediated by adenosine A1-receptors, these were localized using 3H-cyclohexyl-adenosine (3H-CHA) as a ligand probe. In guinea pig brain, the highest receptor densities were seen in hippocampus and claustrum, while only relatively low levels were found in hypothalamus and various brain stem structures. As was previously described for rat brain, major discrepancies in the regional distribution of adenosine A1-receptors and adenosine uptake sites, as labeled by 3H-NBI, were seen in guinea pig brain. These discrepancies were only partly abolished (e.g., in cerebellum) by the use of 3H-DPR as an additional ligand probe for adenosine uptake sites. Adenosine uptake site heterogeneity, therefore, probably does not explain the previously described discrepancies in rodent brain between the distribution of adenosine A1-receptors and uptake sites. Because of the low affinity of 3H-DPR for adenosine uptake sites in rat and mouse brain, these species could not be investigated with this new radioligand probe. In pointer dog brain, as compared to guinea pig brain, a more similar distribution pattern of adenosine A1-receptors and adenosine uptake sites in the brain structures investigated (e.g., hippocampus) could be observed. The situation in guinea pig brain can, therefore, not be universalized to other species.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Decoding cognitive control in human parietal cortex

Efficient execution of perceptual-motor tasks requires rapid voluntary reconfiguration of cognitive task sets as circumstances unfold. Such acts of cognitive control, which are thought to rely on a network of cortical regions in prefrontal and posterior parietal cortex, include voluntary shifts of attention among perceptual inputs or among memory representations, or switches between categorization or stimulus-response mapping rules. A critical unanswered question is whether task set shifts in these different domains are controlled by a common, domain-independent mechanism or by separate, domain-specific mechanisms. Recent studies have implicated a common region of medial superior parietal lobule (mSPL) as a domain-independent source of cognitive control during shifts between perceptual, mnemonic, and rule representations. Here, we use fMRI and event-related multivoxel pattern classification to show that spatial patterns of brain activity within mSPL reliably express which of several domains of cognitive control is at play on a moment-by-moment basis. Critically, these spatiotemporal brain patterns are stable over time within subjects tested several months apart and across a variety of tasks, including shifting visuospatial attention, switching categorization rules, and shifting attention in working memory.
Reliable voiced/Unvoiced decision

A speech processing system has been developed which is capable of providing an accurate indication of whether or not a given speech segment is voiced or unvoiced. In comparison to other existing techniques, this one avails itself for easy implementation, and it offers a realiable voiced/unvoiced (V/UV) decision even in the presence of some competing speech and noise sources. In addition, the V/UV decision is achieved in real time with time delays of \leq 4 ms going from voiced to unvoiced speech, and \leq 2 ms going from unvoiced to voiced speech.
Relationship between Number of Muscles, Behavioral Repertoire Size, and Encephalization in Mammals

Behavior for mammals is built out of multiple muscles acting in a coordinated fashion. Prima facie, there are three principal ways to increase an animal's behavioral repertoire size. The first is to, for each new behavior type, create a set of new muscle types (e.g. triceps, sartorius, etc.) with new functions specifically devoted to the implementation of that behavior type. If this were the case, then although each behavior is built out of many muscles, behavior is not built in a combinatorial fashion out of muscles. The second is similar to the first in that new behavior types are implemented via new muscle types, but, instead, muscles are used in a combinatorial fashion, so that it is the combination of the new muscle type with existing muscle types that makes the new behavior type possible. This is analogous to the addition of new words in a language. The third way behavioral complexity may be scaled up is to increase the complexity of behavioral expressions themselves (rather than increasing the number of muscles types), namely by having more muscles involved in an average behavior. This is analogous to uttering longer sentences in a language. My main task in this paper is to examine which of these ways underlies the increase of behavioral complexity among mammals. Behavioral repertoire sizes from the ethology literature were accumulated for mammals from two dozen species across eight orders, and the number of muscle types was estimated from atlases of anatomy across eight mammalian orders. The manner in which behavioral complexity actually increases among mammals appears to favor the second possibility mentioned above: greater behavioral complexity is achieved primarily by increasing the number of muscle types, and by using muscles in a combinatorial fashion. The theoretical framework I describe allows us to interpret the manner in which the number of muscle types scales with behavioral repertoire size, and I conclude that the number of degrees of freedom in the construction of behavioral expressions is on the order of three, which is probably due to neurobiological limitations in forming behaviors. The ontogeny of behavior in rat is also discussed within this framework. Finally, I show that there is a strong positive relationship between behavioral repertoire size and encephalization among mammals.
Preoperative stress testing: new guidelines

To date, there are no well controlled trials in the literature that demonstrate an outcome benefit using stress testing as a screening procedure before noncardiac surgery. Perioperative beta-blockade significantly decreases morbidity and mortality, and thus reduces any potential benefit stress testing may have in identifying patients who may advance to more invasive treatment. Preoperative percutaneous coronary intervention has unproven perioperative benefit, and coronary artery bypass graft carries risks that often offset the risk of noncardiac surgery. Unless an outcome benefit from cardiac testing and procedures can be demonstrated in a properly designed trial, their use should generally be restricted to situations in which symptoms or other cardiac findings warrant cardiac evaluation and treatment, regardless of upcoming surgery.
Scheduling Divisible Loads on Bus Networks with Arbitrary Processor Release Time and Start-Up Costs: XRMI

We present a novel algorithm to schedule divisible loads using multi-round installment load distribution. This algorithm considers additional real-world factors, such as task initialization overhead and arbitrary processor release times. We analyze this algorithm's properties and demonstrate its behaviors through multiple illustrative examples. The analysis provides both a deeper understanding of the divisible load scheduling difficulties when considering more real-world factors and allows us to design more efficient algorithms. We show that this algorithm generate better solutions for practical applications.
What does knowledge representation have to say to artificial intelligence

In recent years, the subarea of Knowledge Representation and Reasoning (KR) has become more and more of a discipline unto itself, focusing on artificial problems while other areas of AI have tended to develop their own representations and algorithms. There are signs that this is changing, however. This talk will explore what the current state of KR has to offer to AI.
A Cross-Layer Design for the Performance Improvement of Real-Time Video Transmission of Secondary Users Over Cognitive Radio Networks

Cognitive radio (CR) has been proposed as a promising solution to improve connectivity, self-adaptability, and efficiency of spectrum usage. When used in video applications, user-perceived video quality experienced by secondary users is a very important performance metric to evaluate the effectiveness of CR technologies. However, most of the current research only considers spectrum utilization and effectiveness at medium access control (MAC) and physical layers, ignoring the system performance of the upper layers. Therefore, in this paper, we aim to improve the user experience of secondary users for wireless video services over CR networks. We propose a quality-driven cross-layer optimized system to maximize the expected user-perceived video quality at the receiver end under the constraint of packet delay bound. By formulating network functions such as encoder behavior, cognitive MAC scheduling, transmission, as well as modulation and coding into a distortion-delay optimization framework, important system parameters residing in different network layers are jointly optimized in a systematic way to achieve the best user-perceived video quality for secondary users in CR networks. Furthermore, the proposed problem is formulated into a MIN-MAX problem, and solved by using dynamic programming. The performance enhancement of the proposed system is evaluated through extensive experiments based on H.264/AVC.
An adaptive checker for the fully differential analog code

This paper discusses the design of an adaptive checker for concurrent error detection in fully differential analog circuits. The checker monitors the fully differential analog code, which states that, in nominal operation, the common mode signal of any symmetric node pair remains within a narrow band around the quiescent DC bias. The checker measures the common mode voltage and reports an error whenever the measured value exceeds a threshold. Its key feature is that this comparison threshold is dynamically adjusted in order to lower the probability of false alarms. The design was fabricated in a 0.5-/spl mu/m CMOS technology. The chip test results prove the feasibility of the adaptive thresholding concept.
Sympathetic Connections between Qualitative Methods and Health Research

This article argues that shifting paradigms for health promotion research would result in a better fit between research intents and social and behavioral phenomena. Further, it argues that the constructivist paradigm exhibits great utility, power, and synergism with emerging concepts in health research. Such inquiry also provides for grounded theory and more stakeholder-based policy analyses and evaluation studies. For the purposes of health promotion, qualitative and constructivist research provides a model superior to conventional research.
A phase I study of muscadine grape skin extract in men with biochemically recurrent prostate cancer: Safety, tolerability, and dose determination.

BACKGROUND New therapies are being explored as therapeutic options for men with biochemically recurrent prostate cancer (BRPC) who wish to defer androgen deprivation therapy. MPX is pulverized muscadine grape (Vitis rotundifolia) skin that contains ellagic acid, quercetin, and resveratrol and demonstrates preclinical activity against prostate cancer cells in vitro. METHODS In the phase I portion of this phase I/II study, non-metastatic BRPC patients were assigned to increasing doses of MPX (Muscadine Naturals. Inc., Clemmons, NC) in cohorts of two patients, with six patients at the highest dose, using a modified continual reassessment method. Initial dose selection was based on preclinical data showing the equivalent of 500 to 4,000 mg of MPX to be safe in mouse models. The primary endpoint was the recommended phase II dosing regimen. RESULTS The cohort (n = 14, 71% Caucasian, 29% black) had a median follow-up of 19.2 (6.2–29.7) months, median age of 61 years, and median Gleason score of 7. Four patients had possibly related gastrointestinal symptoms, including grade 1 flatulence, grade 1 soft stools, and grade 1 eructation. No other related adverse events were reported and one patient reported improvement of chronic constipation. Six of 14 patients came off study for disease progression (five metastatic, one rising PSA) after exposure for a median of 15 months. One patient came off for myasthenia gravis that was unrelated to treatment. Seven patients remain on study. The lack of dose-limiting toxicities led to the selection of 4,000 mg/d as the highest dose for further study. Median within-patient PSADT increased by 5.3 months (non-significant, P = 0.17). No patients experienced a maintained decline in serum PSA from baseline. CONCLUSION These data suggest that 4,000 mg of MPX is safe, and exploratory review of a lengthening in PSADT of a median of 5.3 months supports further exploration of MPX. Both low-dose (500 mg) and high-dose (4,000 mg) MPX are being further investigated in a randomized, multicenter, placebo-controlled, dose-evaluating phase II trial. Prostate 75:1518–1525, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Comparison of the 1978 and 1984 Forms of the Wide Range Achievement Test with the Wais-R for Rehabilitation Agency Adults

This study compares standard scores from norms of the 1984 Wide Range Achievement Test-Revised, and the 1978 form for 30 clients of the California Department of Rehabilitation; standard scores for both are compared with WAIS-R VIQ, PIQ and FSIQ. Age range is 18.33 years, to 60.08 years, (M = 30.08, SD = 9.58 years). 1978 WRAT mean scores were: Reading 87.20, Spelling 84.10, Arithmetic 84.20. The 1984 WRAT-R mean scores were: Reading 75.47, Spelling 74.50, and Arithmetic 75.57. Mean WAIS-R IQ scores were: VIQ = 82.07, PIQ = 87.73, FSIQ = 83.23. Mean score differences between 1978 and 1984 forms were all significant at p = .001. Comparison of all WRAT scores and WAIS-R IQ's shows lesser mean score difference of 1978 WRAT to WAIS-R. Choice of WRAT form found to have impact on diagnostic conclusions when evaluating adults for learning disability.
Programmable sampled data filter with low sensitivity implementation

In this paper a CMOS custom Integrated Circuit featuring a multi-stage Universal Switched-Capacitor (SC) filter is introduced. The network is based on the Generalized Immittance Converter (GIG) configuration, known for its excellent passive and active sensitivities. CMOS switches were used for elements relocation and are digitally controlled to select and realize different filter topologies. Switches were also used to control banks of binary-weighted capacitors that determine the filter center frequency, quality factor as well as its order. The bilinear transformation were utilized in the SC implementation of the filter resistive elements. Extra care was considered in the design procedure to minimize the effect of stray capacitors on the network transfer functions. The result was a general purpose digitally programmable multi-stage network that can equally compete with the best available stray insensitive filter. The design also inherit the low active and passive sensitivities the GIC enjoys.
Theoretical Energy Density of Li–Air Batteries

A model for predication of the gravimetric and volumetric energy densities of Li-air batteries using aqueous electrolytes is developed. The theoretical gravimetric/volumetric capacities and energy densities are calculated based on the minimum weight of the electrolyte and volume of air electrode needed for completion of the electrochemical reaction with Li metal as an anode electrode. It was determined that both theoretical gravimetric/volumetric capacities and energy densities are dependent on the porosity of the air electrode. For instance, at a porosity of 70%, the maximum theoretical cell capacities are 435 mAh/g and 509 mAh/cm 3 in basic electrolyte, and 378 mAh/g and 452 mAh/cm 3 in acidic electrolyte. The maximum theoretical cell energy densities are 1300 Wh/kg and 1520 Wh/L in basic electrolyte, and 1400 Wh/kg and 1680 Wh/L in acidic electrolyte. The significant deduction of cell capacity from specific capacity of Li metal is due to the bulky weight requirement from the electrolyte and air electrode materials. In contrast, the Li-air battery using a nonaqueous electrolyte does not consume electrolyte during the discharge process and has high cell energy density. For Li-air batteries using both aqueous and nonaqueous electrolytes, the weight increases by 8-13% and the volume decreases by 8-20% after the cell is fully discharged.
Altered N-glycosylation modulates TgrB1- and TgrC1-mediated development but not allorecognition in Dictyostelium

Cell surface adhesion receptors play diverse functions in multicellular development. In Dictyostelium, two immunoglobulin-like adhesion proteins, TgrB1 and TgrC1, are essential components with dual roles in morphogenesis and allorecognition during development. TgrB1 and TgrC1 form a heterophilic adhesion complex during cell contact and mediate intercellular communication. The underlying signaling pathways, however, have not been characterized. Here, we report on a mutation that suppresses the tgrB-tgrC1-defective developmental arrest. The mutated gene alg9 encodes a putative mannosyl transferase that participates in N-linked protein glycosylation. We show that alteration in N-linked glycosylation, caused by an alg9 mutation with a plasmid insertion (alg9(ins)) or tunicamycin treatment, can partially suppress the developmental phenotypes caused by tgrC1 deletion or replacement with an incompatible allele. The alg9(ins) mutation also preferentially primed cells toward a stalk-cell fate. Despite its effect on development, we found that altered N-linked glycosylation had no discernable effect on TgrB1-TgrC1-mediated allorecognition. Our results show that N-linked protein glycosylation can modulate developmental processes without disturbing cell-cell recognition, suggesting that tgrB1 and tgrC1 have distinct effects in the two processes.
Learning by Demonstration Technology for Military Planning and Decision Making: A Deployment Story

Learning by demonstration technology has long held the promise to empower non-programmers to customize and extend software. We describe the deployment of a learning by demonstration capability to support user creation of automated procedures in a collaborative planning environment that is used widely by the U.S. Army. This technology, which has been in operational use since the summer of 2010, has helped to reduce user workloads by automating repetitive and time-consuming tasks. The technology has also provided the unexpected benefit of enabling standardization of products and processes. ﻿
Linkage to Primary Care for Persons First Receiving Injectable Naltrexone During Inpatient Opioid Detoxification

Abstract Introduction Opioid use disorders commonly require ongoing medication-assisted treatment to reduce relapse following discharge from inpatient detoxification programs. Naltrexone, an opioid antagonist, is an increasingly popular treatment option in its once-monthly injectable form (XR-NTX). The aim of this study was to examine the follow-up rates of persons who received an initial injection during inpatient detoxification and scheduled for receipt of a first outpatient injection in the primary care setting. Methods We reviewed the electronic health records of 62 consecutive opioid dependent adults who received an initial injection of XR-NTX during extended inpatient detoxification at Stanley Street Treatment and Resources (SSTAR) in Fall River, Massachusetts, from March 2013 to August 2015, and were referred to the adjacent SSTAR primary care health center for their second injection 1 month later. Demographic information, drug use and opioid treatment history, and aftercare planning were assessed. Results Participants averaged 32.4 (± 7.8) years of age, 90.3% were non-Latino Caucasian, 35.5% were homeless, 21.3% reported a drug overdose in the last year, and 53.2% had been in detoxification within the last year. Of the 62 participants referred to primary care, 34 (54.8%) followed up to receive their second XR-NTX injection. Twenty of these persons received at least a third XR-NTX injection. No demographic, treatment history, substance use behaviors, or aftercare plan variables were associated with receipt of a second injection (p Conclusion Predicting, and therefore improving, XR-NTX continuation during the transition from inpatient detoxification to primary care may be difficult in this population.
Early illness detection in elderly using sensor networks: A review of the TigerPlace experience

Many older adults in the US prefer to live independently for as long as they are able, despite the onset of conditions such as frailty and dementia. Elderly patients are particularly at-risk for late assessment of health changes due to factors such as their impression that such changes are simply a normal part of aging or their reluctance to admit to a problem. In-home sensors networks have emerged in the last ten years as a possible solution for early illness detection. Many projects have demonstrated the utility of inhome sensors for monitoring elderly but also have shown the necessity of developing new pattern recognition algorithms able to handle large amounts of diverse data. In TigerPlace, an aging in place facility from Columbia, MO, we created a unique living laboratory by deploying in-home sensors together with an electronic health record (EHR) system developed in-house that integrates clinical and sensor data. In-home monitoring devices such as infrared motion detectors, Kinect depth cameras, Doppler radars and bed sensors capture information related to the behavior of the residents from the monitored apartment and assist the clinical personnel in medical decision making. In this paper we present a review of our early illness detection (EID) and recognition (EIR) methodologies experimented in TigerPlace, together with results and lessons learned.
Dynamic scheduling for delay guarantees for heterogeneous cognitive radio users

We study an uplink multi secondary user (SU) system having statistical delay constraints, and an average interference constraint to the primary user (PU). SUs with heterogeneous interference channel statistics, to the PU, experience heterogeneous delay performances since SUs causing low interference are scheduled more frequently than those causing high interference. We propose a scheduling algorithm that can provide arbitrary average delay guarantees to SUs irrespective of their statistical channel qualities. We derive the algorithm using the Lyapunov technique and show that it yields bounded queues and satisfy the interference constraints. Using simulations, we show its superiority over the Max-Weight algorithm.
Longitudinal analysis of the shape changes of the knee in patients with anterior cruciate ligament injuries

s / Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 22 (2014) S57–S489 S248 bearing femur and tibia. For the medial and lateral analysis, division was per the MRI Osteoarthritis Knee Score (MOAKS) (a line extending cranially/caudally from the lateral edge of the femoral notch, and for the patella to a point just lateral to thepatellar apex). (Fig.1) Pain.Weused the WOMAC pain sub-scale and defined the primary outcome of knee pain dichotomously as moderate to severe pain (scores 2–4) on any of the 3 weight-bearing (WB)WOMAC pain questions (pain onwalking, climbing stairs, standing), acquired at the same baseline OAI visit as the MRI scans. Individual questions and the composite WB pain score were tested for their associationwithBML volumeusing theWilcoxon rank sum test. Chisquare tests were used to compare the medial and lateral PFJ for the number of subjects (%) with BML, and BML volume (Wilcoxon rank sum). Results: The samplewas 84%white, 52%male andwere 90% K–L grade 2 and 3. Subjects with weight-bearing knee pain had greater median BML volume than those without weight-bearing knee pain for the weightbearing femur, trochlea femoris and patella, PFJ, but not the tibia. In the examination of each specific weight-bearing item, we found an association with greater BML volume and pain during stair-climbing for both the femur, tibia, tibiofemoral and patellofemoral joints, with the difference the greatest in the patellofemoral joint (Table 1).With respect to the distribution of BMLs in the PFJ, prevalence was slightly higher medially, and median BML size was larger (Table 2). Conclusion: This cross-sectional study in a sample of baseline OAI subjects provides evidence for a strong relationship between stair-climbing pain and BML volume in knee OA, particularly in the PFJ. Further, PFJ BML volume is at least as prevalent medially as laterally. PFJ BML volume may help explainmedial PFJ pain andhave implications for the role of PFJ inOA and be a potential treatment target. Further work on the longitudinal relationship between PFJ BML volume and pain is underway. Fig. 1. a Patellar subregions M-medial L-lateral; 1b – division between trochlea and WB femur.
Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: Levodopa

Levodopa was the first and most successful breakthrough in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD). It is estimated that PD affects approximately 1 million people in the United States alone. Although PD was discovered in 1817, prior to levodopa’s discovery there was not an effective treatment for managing its symptoms. In 1961, Hornykiewicz pioneered the use of levodopa to enhance dopamine levels in the striatum, significantly improving symptoms in many patients. With the addition of carbidopa in 1974, the frequency of gastrointestinal adverse drug reactions (ADRs) was significantly reduced, leading to the modern treatment of PD. Although levodopa treatment is more than 50 years old, it remains the “gold standard” for PD treatment. This Review describes in detail the synthesis, metabolism, pharmacology, ADRs, and importance of levodopa therapy to neuroscience in the past and present.
Party and Bureaucracy: The Influence of Intermediary Groups on Urban Public Service Delivery

Geographically based intermediary groups in cities, primarily the political party structure and community groups, can potentially affect the distribution of public services to neighborhoods in three ways. First, they can stimulate citizen demands for services, which urban bureaucracies transform into outputs; more demands yield more services. Second, urban service agencies may grant special consideration to demands mediated by the intermediary structures, producing more output per demand for mediated demands. Finally, parties and groups may intervene in neighborhoods to co-produce services, gaining more impact from agency efforts than in neighborhoods not represented by strong intermediary structures.Using data on citizen complaints, agency outputs and service impacts in neighborhoods, this study of building code enforcement in Chicago finds that the party structure is efficacious at all three stages of the service provision process, but that groups are not effective at any stage.
Democratic Theory and the Athenian Public Sphere

Classical Athens has left to political theorists a dual legacy: a crucial historical case of democratic practice, and a rich tradition of political reflection. A growing number of scholars have placed the relationship between these two legacies at the center of their research. I argue that these scholars collectively offer us a model of a broad, engaged, Athenian public sphere. Yet I also caution that we should avoid overly harmonizing pictures of what that public sphere was like. I focus in particular on two prominent claims in the literature: that Socratic philosophy can be read as an expansion of Athenian accountability practices, and that ancient dramatists, philosophers, and historians were alike engaged in a project to educate citizen judgment. I argue that both claims threaten to obscure arguments over the appropriate role of the judgment of the demos in democratic politics.
Plasticity and stressor specificity of osmotic and heat shock responses of Gillichthys mirabilis gill cells

Short-term effects of osmotic and heat shock on proteins of Gillichthys mirabilis gill cells were analyzed. The protein synthesis rate (PSR) of gill cells was influenced by hyperosmotic shock (335-...
Promoting Health for All Kansans Through Mass Media: Lessons Learned From a Pilot Assessment of Student Ebola Perceptions.

OBJECTIVE We aimed to assess student knowledge of Ebola virus disease (EVD) and opinions about media coverage of EVD. METHODS We conducted a pilot study with a cross-sectional survey and a convenience sample. RESULTS Sixty-five college students participated in the survey and reported a low level of basic knowledge of EVD, high health literacy levels, and Internet and health professionals as sources for health information. CONCLUSION This pilot study was an important first step to understanding students' knowledge of Ebola, common sources of health information, and health literacy levels. Results from this study highlight the need to improve health communication training and further evaluate the quality of health information dissemination via all communication sources. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2016;10:641-643).
Assessment of post-Hurricane Katrina recovery in poultry slaughter establishments

Control of bacterial contamination during poultry slaughter can be compromised by natural disaster. In October 2005, disaster recovery was evaluated in 11 broiler slaughter establishments 1 month after operations were disrupted by Hurricane Katrina. A questionnaire was administered to characterize the establishment's operational disruption. Carcass rinses were collected at the early and late stage of the slaughter process (rehang and postchill). Counts for generic Escherichia coli were determined for all rinses. Salmonella culture and serotyping were performed on postchill samples. Historical U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service data on the presence of Salmonella also were examined. The mean duration of disruption was 6.3 days (range, 3 to 9 days). Loss of utilities (electricity and water) was the cause of prolonged recoveries. Most establishments (64%) did not exceed the m performance criteria threshold for generic E. coli (>2 log or 100 CFU/ml) during the recovery period. The mean reduction in E. coli counts between rehang and postchill was 2.3 log or 200 CFU/ml (range, 0.9 to 3.1 log CFU/ ml). Rinse samples from 5 of 11 establishments were positive for Salmonella. Of 12 Salmonella isolates that were recovered, eight were Salmonella Kentucky. Salmonella Heidelberg and Salmonella Thompson were recovered from one establishment, and two isolates of Salmonella Typhimurium were isolated from another. This study provided empirical reassurance that the establishments' processes controlled bacterial contamination. Data on reductions in E. coli counts during poultry slaughter may help establishments control microbial contamination. Other data (e.g., Salmonella and Campylobacter enumeration) may also have merit for this purpose.
The longitudinal influences of peers, parents, motivation, and mathematics course-taking on high school math achievement

Abstract Little is known about how parent expectations and math motivation work in concert with math course taking to promote math achievement. This longitudinal structural equation modeling (SEM) study examined expectancy-value and self-determination theory motivation constructs and math development among a nationally representative sample of U.S. high school students. The role of mathematics course-taking was also examined. As predicted, parent expectations, student expectations, and peer interest predicted math intrinsic motivation in 9th grade, which predicted student mathematics achievement in 11th grade, even when controlling for SES, race/ethnicity, gender and prior math achievement. Intrinsic motivation for math and parent expectations also predicted taking higher-level math courses (e.g., trigonometry or calculus) over the next 2.5 years, which predicted further math achievement. Parent expectations were a stronger predictor than student expectations of intrinsic motivation for math, course taking, and achievement. Implications for math achievement interventions are discussed.
A stereo model based on the mechanisms of human binocular vision

In computer vision, the idea of using stereo cameras for depth perception has been motivated by the fact that in human vision one perception can arise from two retinal images as a result of a process called 'fusion'. Nevertheless, most of the stereo algorithms are generally concerned with finding a solution to obtaining depth and three-dimensional shape irrespective of its relevance to the human system. Recent progress in the study of the brain mechanisms of vision has opened new vistas in computer vision research. This paper investigates this knowledge base and its applicability to improving the technique of computer stereo vision. In this regard, (1) a stereo vision model in conjunction with evidences from neurophysiology of the human binocular system is established herein; (2) a computationally efficient algorithm to implement this model is developed. This algorithm has been tested on both computer generated and real scene images. The results from all directional sub-images are combined to obtain a complete description of the target surface from disparity measurement.
Three axis capacitive touch sensor for clinical breast examination training

This paper presents a flexible, three-axis, rapidly prototyped capacitive touch sensor that utilizes a patterned elastomeric dielectric layer. The sensor was fabricated from a copper clad kapton laminate and is capable of resolving normal pressure and tracking directional motion. In a mock clinical breast examination (CBE) setup, we used a breast model to demonstrate that the sensor, when placed under the model, could track a normal force of about 18N applied to the test area, as well as the trajectory of the force as it was moved around the breast model. This data, along with the accompanying variation in signal patterns, can be utilized to quantify the CBE conducted by an expert physician, which in turn can be a training tool for residents and other physicians.
Phenomenology of the CKM matrix

The way in which an exact determination of the CKM matrix elements tests the Standard Model is demonstrated by a two‐generation example. The determination of matrix elements from meson semileptonic decays is explained, with an emphasis on the respective reliability of quark level and meson level calculations. The assumptions invovled in the use of loop processes are described. Finally, the state of the art of our knowledge of the CKM matrix is presented.
Tests of Respiratory Muscle Function

Respiratory muscle strength and endurance should be assessed when dyspnea, respiratory failure, or poor performance on routine pulmonary function tests are unexplained. Respiratory muscle strength can be measured non-invasively from maximal mouth pressures, but measurement of transdiaphragmatic pressure refines the assessment. The maximal voluntary ventilation test is the only simple index of ventilatory or respiratory muscle endurance. Other tests for endurance and fatigue are more difficult, but some newer techniques may be applicable to the clinical laboratory. Some patients who exhibit tachypnea, marked use of neck inspiratory muscles, and chest-abdomen asynchrony may be developing respiratory muscle fatigue.
Recent advances in health monitoring of civil structures

This paper presents a review of recent advances made in vibration-based Structural Health Monitoring (SHM), using the responses of the structure to an excitation. The review is divided into parameter and feature estimation, based on linear structural behavior, SHM taking into account the nonlinear structural behavior, sensor layout and data collection strategies and integration of SHM, with the vibration control of structures, wireless monitoring, and application of LIDAR.
Preparing Students for Future Learning with Mixed Reality Interfaces

In this chapter, I explore how new learning environments, such as mixed reality interfaces (i.e., interfaces that combine physical and virtual information), can prepare students for future learning. I describe four controlled experiments that I have conducted over the years where students learned complex concepts in STEM and where a Tangible User Interface created a “Time for Telling”. This is followed by a summary the findings, a discussion of the possible mechanisms for the effect found in those studies, and a suggestion of design guidelines for creating this type of constructivist activities. I conclude by discussing the potential of mixed reality interfaces for preparing students for future learning.
The Importance of Bearing Witness

This essay considers the notion of bearing witness as an analytical path for assessing and applying the legacy of Havel’s essay The Power of the Powerless. Havel’s account of disempowerment is connected to the role of ideology in creating the “environment of power” as a tool that enables participation in one’s own disempowerment. Havel dissects the process of becoming powerless and then reconstructs empowerment by reflecting on the journey of the archetypal post-totalitarian subject, the greengrocer. In Popescu’s view, reconstruction is based on the mechanism of bearing witness to one’s own presence in the world and its constitutive effects on the lives of others. To bear witness requires a search for evidence of the ontological match between world, self, and human meaning. In this context, acts of dissenters are the exemplary manifestation of a potentiality that seems to reside in us all. Dissenters bear witness to alternatives—reflecting what Havel considers a baseline of humanity: the natural multiplic...