cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Active Learning as Non-Convex Optimization

We propose a new view of active learning algorithms as optimization. We show that many online active learning algorithms can be viewed as stochastic gradient descent on non-convex objective functions. Variations of some of these algorithms and objective functions have been previously proposed without noting this connection. We also point out a connection between the standard min-margin offline active learning algorithm and non-convex losses. Finally, we discuss and show empirically how viewing active learning as non-convex loss minimization helps explain two previously observed phenomena: certain active learning algorithms achieve better generalization error than passive learning algorithms on certain data sets (Schohn and Cohn, 2000; Bordes et al., 2005) and on other data sets many active learning algorithms are prone to local minima (Sch¨ utze et al., 2006). 1 Background We address the active learning problem in this paper. We assume data points X 2 R d and labels Y 2 fi1;1g are drawn from some fixed unknown distribution p(x;y). We wish to choose the classifier f 2 F that minimizes the expected loss EX;Y [l(Y;f;X)] where l is a loss function. In general, the size of F may be uncountable. In standard passive supervised learning we approximately minimize this expected loss by minimizing instead the loss on a set or stream of i.i.d. labeled training examples (xi;yi) » p(x;y). In active learning, we also have access to i.i.d. xi, but we selectively query the labels yi for the examples. In
Phalangeal bone ultrasound is of limited value in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Objective. In children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), alterations of the skeletal system have been described. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate a phalangeal bone ultrasound device in the assessment of the skeletal status in children with active JIA. Methods. In 49 children with oligoarticular, polyarticular or systemic JIA, the speed of an ultrasound signal (Ad-SOS) through the phalanges of the dominant hand was measured using the Igea 1200. Results. Children in all subgroups were significantly smaller than those in the reference population, but there were no significant deficits in Ad-SOS. The finger width was reduced only in patients with polyarticular JIA. The Ad-SOS correlated highly with height, but no correlation between the finger width and Ad-SOS, and no correlation between the standard deviation scores of body height and Ad-SOS were seen. Conclusions. Phalangeal ultrasound is strongly dependent on body and therefore bone size, but other parameters of bone and soft tissues influence the measurements as well. It is not possible to differentiate as to which extent the various components of bone and soft tissue influence the measurement results. Ultrasound might therefore be of limited value in the assessment or screening of the skeletal system in children with JIA.
Lexical–Semantic Organization in Bilingual Children: Evidence From a Repeated Word Association Task

Purpose This study examined lexical–semantic organization of bilingual children in their 2 languages and in relation to monolingual age-mates. Method Twelve Mandarin–English bilingual and 12 Englis...
Patients with irritable bowel syndrome-diarrhea have lower disease-specific quality of life than irritable bowel syndrome-constipation.

AIM: To determine effect of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) subtype on IBS-specific quality of life (QOL) questionnaire and its subscales. METHODS: We studied IBS patients visiting our functional gastroenterology disorder clinic at a tertiary care center of Unites States. IBS and IBS subtype were diagnosed using Rome-III questionnaire. QOL was assessed using IBS-QOL questionnaire. IBS-QOL assesses quality of life along eight subscales: dysphoria, interference with activities, body image, health worry, food avoidance, social reactions, sexual health, and effect on relationships. IBS-QOL and its subscales were both scored on a range of 0-100 with higher scores suggestive of better QOL. Results of overall IBS-QOL scores and subscale scores are expressed as means with 95%CI. We compared mean IBS-QOL score and its subscales among various IBS-subtypes. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the mean difference between more than two groups after controlling for age and gender. A post-hoc analysis using Bonferroni correction was used only when P value for ANOVA was less than 0.05. RESULTS: Of 542 patients screened, 243 had IBS as per Rome-III criteria. IBS-mixed (IBS-M) was the most common IBS subtype (121 patients, 49.8%) followed by IBS- diarrhea (IBS-D) (56 patients, 23.1%), IBS-constipation (IBS-C) (54 patients, 22.2%) and IBS-unspecified (IBS-U) (12 patients, 4.9%). Overall IBS-QOL scores were significantly different among various IBS-subtypes (P = 0.01). IBS-QOL of patients with IBS-D (61.6, 95%CI: 54.0-69.1) and IBS-M (63.0, 95%CI: 58.1-68.0) was significantly lower than patients with IBS-C (74.5, 95%CI: 66.9-82.1) (P = 0.03 and 0.02 respectively). IBS-D patients scored significantly lower than IBS-C on food avoidance (45.0, 95%CI: 34.8-55.2 vs 61.1, 95%CI: 50.8-71.3, P = 0.04) and interference with activity (59.6, 95%CI: 51.4-67.7 vs 82.3, 95%CI: 74.1-90.6, P < 0.001). IBS-M patients had more interference in their activities (61.6, 95%CI: 56.3-66.9 vs 82.3, 95%CI: 74.1-90.6, P = 0.001) and greater impact on their relationships (73.3, 95%CI: 68.4-78.2 vs 84.7, 95%CI: 77.2-92.2, P = 0.02) than IBS-C patients. Patients with IBS-M also scored significantly lower than IBS-C on food avoidance (47.2, 95%CI: 40.7-53.7 vs 61.1, 95%CI: 50.8-71.3, P = 0.04) and social reaction (66.1, 95%CI: 61.1-71.1 vs 80.0, 95%CI: 72.1-87.7, P = 0.005). CONCLUSION: IBS-D and IBS-M patients have lower IBS-QOL than IBS-C patients. Clinicians should recognize food avoidance, effects on daily activities and relationship problems in these patients.
An empirical Bayes change-point model for identifying 3' and 5' alternative splicing by next-generation RNA sequencing.

MOTIVATION Next-generation RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) has been widely used to investigate alternative isoform regulations. Among them, alternative 3 ': splice site (SS) and 5 ': SS account for more than 30% of all alternative splicing (AS) events in higher eukaryotes. Recent studies have revealed that they play important roles in building complex organisms and have a critical impact on biological functions which could cause disease. Quite a few analytical methods have been developed to facilitate alternative 3 ': SS and 5 ': SS studies using RNA-seq data. However, these methods have various limitations and their performances may be further improved. RESULTS We propose an empirical Bayes change-point model to identify alternative 3 ': SS and 5 ': SS. Compared with previous methods, our approach has several unique merits. First of all, our model does not rely on annotation information. Instead, it provides for the first time a systematic framework to integrate various information when available, in particular the useful junction read information, in order to obtain better performance. Second, we utilize an empirical Bayes model to efficiently pool information across genes to improve detection efficiency. Third, we provide a flexible testing framework in which the user can choose to address different levels of questions, namely, whether alternative 3 ': SS or 5 ': SS happens, and/or where it happens. Simulation studies and real data application have demonstrated that our method is powerful and accurate. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION The software is implemented in Java and can be freely downloaded from http://ebchangepoint.sourceforge.net/ CONTACT zhiwei@njit.edu.
A Study on the Electrodeposition and Silicidation of Nickel-Cobalt Alloys for Silicon Photovoltaic Cell Metallization

Metallization of silicon solar cells using electroplating is of interest recently as a cheaper replacement of silver screen printing. Light assisted electroplating of Nickel-Cobalt (NiCo) alloys were studied on crystalline silicon (Si) solar cells in this paper. The effect of illumination was investigated in conjunction with the light absorption properties of the plating solution, emission spectrum of the light source as well as the plating current. A solution dependent threshold light intensity was observed, beyond which the solar cells were under reverse bias during electroplating. The detailed compositional depth profiles of the silicide layer were studied along the silicidation reaction using microscopic energy dispersive X-ray spectrum (EDS). A significant improvement in the performance degradation at high temperature thermal stress was observed for solar cells metalized with the ternary silicide. © The Author(s) 2015. Published by ECS. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives 4.0 License (CC BY-NC-ND, http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/), which permits non-commercial reuse, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is not changed in any way and is properly cited. For permission for commercial reuse, please email: oa@electrochem.org. [DOI: 10.1149/2.0191602jss] All rights reserved.
Position Tracking Control for a Simulated Miniature Helicopter

It is a challenge to design a full flight envelope controller for a miniature helicopter due to the nonlinear, under-actuated, and highly coupled nature of its dynamics. This paper presents a multi-timescale robust controller for a simulated miniature aerobatic helicopter in the tracking of complex paths without gain scheduling techniques. Because of the underactuated nature, the dynamics is modeled in a three-timescale and eleven degrees of freedom model that includes translational, rotational, and flapping motions. The faster modes are controlled using an asymptotically stable and robust nonlinear controller, proven based upon the concepts of input-output feedback linearization and sliding manifold. The uniqueness of the controller presented in this paper is its ability to track position through a full flight envelope while maintaining robustness with respect to as many as forty-five parametric uncertainties and an ambient wind gust.
Is “Art” a Useless Concept?

In the field of aesthetics, it would appear that one of the most fundamental tasks ought to be to analyze the concept of art itself. However, philosophers have struggled deeply to formulate a coherent and workable definition of what exactly “art” is. In this paper, I examine two of what I consider to be the most successful attempts, namely, the institutional theory of art and the cluster concept. In my analysis, I seek to demonstrate that even these relatively strong definitions are still riddled with problems: they fail to go much beyond our intuitions of what works we consider art, and thereby offer little of the practical guidance and normative rigor we expect of philosophical theories. I thus conclude that while entirely excising the term “art” from our evaluative vocabulary is impractical, we may want to abandon the expectation that it carries significant substantive meaning.
Hepatitis B virus genotypes and epidemiological investigating in Quanzhou

Objective:To explore the epidemiological characteristics of HBV genotypes and its relationship with HBVDNA,HBeAg positive rate relationship.Methods:Multi-stage stratified random sampling method to collect the serum of chronic HBV infection,Fluorescence quantitative PCR method for quantification of hepatitis B virus DNA and genotype determination and use SPSS8.0 statistical software for analysis.Results:In Quanzhou region,the distribution of HBV genotypes were B-52.36%,C-type 46.06%,and B/C hybrid 1.58%.B-The average age of 28.99 years in patients,C-type chronic hepatitis B patients with average age of 31.28,C genotype B than genotype,but the difference was not statistically significant.Gender composition of the B-type than in men than women,C-type women than men,they have significant differences.HBeAg-positive persons,B and C respectively,these two kinds of genotypes accounted for 55.64% and 47.86%;HBVDNA a high load of genotype B(48.72%) than C genotype(23.08%).Conclusion:Quanzhou HBVDNA positive in HBV carriers with B,C-type main,B-type accounts for superiority,there is a small amount of B and C genotypes of mixed infection.
Physical growth and development: current concepts.

SUMMARY The process we call puberty is complex and still poorly understood. Some of the hormonal effects have been discussed, but much work remains before the specific mechanisms are defined. Genetic and nutritional influences affect puberty and further complicate the study of this population. Knowledge of the developmental sequence and SMR scale is useful in clinical practice. Understanding the changes that an adolescent is experiencing will help in the early diagnosis of abnormalities in growth and development. This knowledge will also serve as a guide in providing useful anticipatory guidance.
Identification and biosynthesis of fibrinogen in human uterine cervix carcinoma cells

Fibrinogen has been detected in ME-180 human uterine cervix carcinoma cells, and synthesis of fibrinogen by ME-180 cells has been measured using [35S] L-methionine incorporation. Expression of mRNA for the B beta-chain of the fibrinogen in ME-180 cells has been identified by PCR-assisted mRNA amplification. The A alpha-, B beta-, and gamma-chains of fibrinogen synthesized by ME-180 cells were chemically and immunologically identical to those of plasma fibrinogen. These findings suggest that fibrinogen is present and synthesized in ME-180 human uterine cervix carcinoma cells, and that fibrinogen plays a role in these malignant tumor cells.
The effects of license plate-based driving restrictions on air quality: Theory and empirical evidence

Abstract A typical driving restriction prohibits drivers from using their vehicles on given weekdays, based on the last digits of their vehicles’ license plates. A number of cities in developing countries have used license plate-based driving restrictions as a policy for reducing urban air pollution and traffic congestion. This paper develops a theoretical model of the effects of license plate-based driving restrictions on air quality that combines an economic model with information about the sources and atmospheric chemistry of different air pollutants. We then draw upon suggestive empirical evidence from license plate-based driving restrictions implemented in Bogota, Colombia. Consistent with our theory model, we find suggestive empirical evidence that under certain circumstances, due to substitution, the purchase of a second car, the use of alternative modes of transportation, and/or atmospheric chemistry, it is possible for license plate-based driving restrictions to increase air pollution. Also consistent with our theory, we find that license plate-based driving restrictions may have different effects on different air pollutants, reflecting heterogeneity in the sources and atmospheric chemistry of the pollutants. In particular, owing to atmospheric chemistry, it is possible for a license plate-based driving restriction to cause a significant decrease in NO and a significant increase in NO2, NOx, and O3.
Functional Outcomes of Operative Management of Scapula Fractures in a Geriatric Cohort

Objectives To analyze functional outcomes, motion, and strength in patients 65 years of age and older who underwent operative management of a scapula fracture. Design Retrospective review of prospective database. Setting A single level-1 teaching trauma center. Patients/participants Two hundred fifty patients with scapula fractures were operated between January 2002 and March 2014. A review identified 16 geriatric patients 65 years of age and older. Intervention All patients underwent operative treatment of a scapular fracture. Main outcome measurements Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH), Short-Form Health Survey versions 1 and 2 (SF-36), Range of Motion (ROM), and Strength assessment at final follow-up 1 year or greater. Results Outcomes were attained on 15/16 patients at a mean follow-up of 40 months (range = 12-114). All fractures were united. Three patients experienced minor perioperative complications (temporary delirium in 2 patients, urinary tract infection in 1). One patient required subsequent removal of an intraarticular screw, and 1 patient required resection of heterotopic ossification and requested implant removal. The mean ROM expressed as a percent of contralateral ROM ranged from 78% to 96%. The mean strength expressed as a percent of contralateral strength ranged from 76% to 92%. The mean DASH score was 8.4. SF-36 scores were comparable with the normal population. All patients returned to activities. Conclusions Operative treatment for displaced fractures in patients 65 years of age and older is safe and can yield good functional results and return to function. Level of evidence Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Sparse Bayesian learning boosted by partial erroneous support knowledge

Recovery of sparse signals with unknown clustering pattern in the case of having partial erroneous prior knowledge on the supports of the signal is considered. In this case, we provide a modified sparse Bayesian learning model to incorporate prior knowledge and simultaneously learn the unknown clustering pattern. For this purpose, we add one more layer to support-aided sparse Bayesian learning algorithm (SA-SBL). This layer adds a prior on the shape parameters of Gamma distributions, those modeled to account for the precision of the solution elements. We make the shape parameters depend on the total variations on the estimated supports of the solution. Based on the simulation results, we show that the proposed algorithm is able to modify its erroneous prior knowledge on the supports of the solution and learn the clustering pattern of the true signal by filtering out the incorrect supports from the estimated support set.
Return of D4 Dopamine Receptor Antagonists in Drug Discovery.

The dopamine D4 receptor garnered a great deal of interest in the early 1990s when studies showed the atypical antipsychotic clozapine possessed higher affinity for D4, relative to other dopamine receptor subtypes, and that this activity might underlie the unique clinical efficacy of clozapine. Unfortunately, D4 antagonists that were developed for schizophrenia failed in the clinic. Thus, D4 fell out of favor as a therapeutic target, and work in this area was silent for decades. Recently, D4 ligands with improved selectivity for D4 against not only D1–3,5 but also other biogenic amine targets have emerged, and D4 is once again in the spotlight as a novel target for both addiction and Parkinson’s disease (PD), as well as other emerging diseases. This report will review the historical data for D4, review the known D4 ligands, and then highlight new data supporting a role for D4 inhibition in addiction, PD, and cancer.
How Can Pharmacists Support STI Prevention and Treatment Among Female Adolescents and Young Adults

Sexual and reproductive health is a critical focus area for adolescents and young adults (AYAs). Of the 20 million newly diagnosed Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) annually, nearly half of them are contracted by young people between the ages of 15 to 24. It has become increasingly necessary to improve awareness and prevention of STIs during adolescent years. The knowledge gained through appropriately relevant sexual and reproductive health education may persist as adolescents transition into adulthood. Community pharmacists interact with AYAs frequently and are therefore well positioned to engage this vulnerable population in conversations about their sexual and reproductive health through use innovative and interactive technologies. For instance, mobile applications are easily accessible to AYAs and can allow pharmacists to disseminate relevant medication information to smartphone users that download adolescent-tailored mobile applications. Although many medication adherence apps are currently available on the market, none of these apps are tailored towards sexual reproductive health information for female AYAs. A mobile-based program designed to provide a pharmacist-guided sexual and reproductive health education to female AYAs may help to address the lapses in current adolescent-aged school health classes. In the future, usage of this intervention would improve the accuracy and comprehension of female adolescents and young adults’ awareness and knowledge of their sexual and reproductive health. As a result, further research should be conducted to develop mobile applications conducive to adolescent and young adults to address sexual and reproductive health issues. Conflict of Interest We declare no conflicts of interest or financial interests that the authors or members of their immediate families have in any product or service discussed in the manuscript, including grants (pending or received), employment, gifts, stock holdings or options, honoraria, consultancies, expert testimony, patents and royalties. Type: Idea Paper
Abstract 314: Allogeneic Cortical Bone Stem Cells Preserve Cardiac Structure and Function by Inhibition of Cell Death and Enhancing Angiogenesis in the Swine Heart After Myocardial Infarction

Introduction: Novel therapies are needed to improve cardiac function after MI; one strategy is to replace lost myocardium. Despite the success of bone marrow- and cardiac- stem cell clinical trials, we’re still searching for the optimal stem cell type most suitable for cardiac regeneration. Previously, we described a novel cell population derived from the cortical bone (CBSCs) which repaired the heart post MI via transdifferentiation and paracrine signaling mechanisms in a mouse model. In the present study, we evaluate the translational potential of allogeneic CBSCs in swine MI model. Hypothesis: Intramyocardial injection of CBSCs into the MI border zone immediately after reperfusion will preserve cardiac structure and pump function by enhancing endogenous repair through secretion of paracrine factors. Methods & Results: Female Gottingen minipigs received MI via occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) for 90 minutes, followed by reperfusion. Animals received either 20 million CBSCs (via 10 intramyocardial injections) or saline injections. Cardiac structure and function was evaluated using echocardiography at baseline and 4 weeks post-MI. During the 4 weeks after MI there was depression if pump function in saline treated group (EF: 69.27% ± 1.92 [baseline] to 46.305% ± 3.53 [4 weeks post MI] p ) and dilation of the LV (EDV: 39.01 ml ± 3.47 [baseline] to 51.5 ml ± 5.67 [4 weeks post MI] and ESV was 13.71 ml ± 2.47 to 27.72 ml ± 3.86 ( p= 0.0136 ). The MI + CBSC group had no significant change in ventricular pump function from baseline to 4 weeks post-MI; while demonstrating preservation of cardiac structure indicating a decrease in ventricular remodeling/scar formation. A decrease in TUNEL+ cells and an increase in angiogenesis was also observed in CBSC’s treated animals. Conclusion: CBSC’s appear to reduce infarct expansion by reducing post MI myocyte death and by increasing angiogenesis. These data show that administration of CBSCs immediately after reperfusion of an infarcted region of the heart can reduce adverse cardiac remodeling and improve cardiac function.
Ultra-Stable RF signal generator using beat-notes output of DBR based multi-modes lasers

Low phase noise signal generated in a small structure is required for communication and high resolution imaging. A DBR based multi-mode laser is combined with mode-locking method to build frequency stabilized and tunable RF signal generator. The number of the output modes from each laser is adjusted using reflecting bandwidth of distributed Bragg reflector and electro-absorption (EA) modulator for amplitude control, while the phase section in integrated laser system provides frequency tuning. Mode-locking of 60 laser modes results in a highly frequency stable 10 GHz RF beat-notes with a calculated phase noise of −150 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz offset frequency.
‘Ethnic capital’ and ‘flexible citizenship’ in unfavourable legal contexts: stepwise migration of the Korean Chinese within and beyond northeast Asia

This article examines how migrants mobilise ethnicity for migration purposes by drawing on the migration trajectories of ethnic Korean migrants from northeast China (Korean Chinese) – through vario...
Resilience linked to personality dimensions, alexithymia and affective symptoms in motor functional neurological disorders.

Abstract Objective Reduced resilience, a construct associated with maladaptive stress coping and a predisposing vulnerability for Functional Neurological Disorders (FND), has been under-studied compared to other neuropsychiatric factors in FND. This prospective case-control study investigated self-reported resilience in patients with FND compared to controls and examined relationships between resilience and affective symptoms, personality traits, alexithymia, health status and adverse life event burden. Methods 50 individuals with motor FND and 47 healthy controls participated. A univariate test followed by a logistic regression analysis investigated group-level differences in Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) scores. For within-group analyses performed separately in patients with FND and controls, univariate screening tests followed by multivariate linear regression analyses examined factors associated with self-reported resilience. Results Adjusting for age, gender, education status, ethnicity and lifetime adverse event burden, patients with FND reported reduced resilience compared to controls. Within-group analyses in patients with FND showed that individual-differences in mental health, extraversion, conscientiousness, and openness positively correlated with CD-RISC scores; post-traumatic stress disorder symptom severity, depression, anxiety, alexithymia and neuroticism scores negatively correlated with CD-RISC scores. Extraversion independently predicted resilience scores in patients with FND. In control subjects, univariate associations were appreciated between CD-RISC scores and gender, personality traits, anxiety, alexithymia and physical health; conscientiousness independently predicted resilience in controls. Conclusion Patients with FND reported reduced resilience, and CD-RISC scores covaried with other important predisposing vulnerabilities for the development of FND. Future research should investigate if the CD-RISC is predictive of clinical outcomes in patients with FND.
Design and Analysis of Secure and Dependable Automotive CPS: A Steer-by-Wire Case Study

The next generation of automobiles (also known as cybercars) will increasingly incorporate electronic control units (ECUs) in novel automotive control applications. Recent work has demonstrated the vulnerability of modern car control systems to security attacks that directly impacts the cybercar's physical safety and dependability. In this paper, we provide an integrated approach for the design of secure and dependable automotive cyber-physical systems (CPS) using a case study: a steer-by-wire (SBW) application over controller area network (CAN). The challenge is to embed both security and dependability over CAN while ensuring that the real-time constraints of the automotive CPS are not violated. Our approach enables early design feasibility analysis of automotive CPS by embedding essential security primitives (i.e., confidentiality, integrity, and authentication) over CAN subject to the real-time constraints imposed by the desired quality of service and behavioral reliability. Our method leverages multicore ECUs for providing fault tolerance by redundant multi-threading (RMT) and also further enhances RMT for quick error detection and correction. We quantify the error resilience of our approach and evaluate the interplay of performance, fault tolerance, security, and scalability for our SBW case study.
The Extension of Einstein Manifolds

Of the many mathematical problems connected with general relativity, the extension problem has been chosen for discussion in this chapter, because it is concerned with the global geometrical and topological properties of Einstein manifolds, and those properties seem to me to constitute the most basically mathematical aspect of the theory. Although no use is made of formulas or results outside the preceding chapters of this book, the present chapter will probably be intelligible only to readers with some knowledge of relativity. In particular, the first two sections do not pretend to be in any sense a derivation of the principles of relativity, but merely a discussion of them.
Co-Word Analysis

In formulating and executing broad spectrum research policy, it is important to understand how research thrusts have interrelated and evolved over time, how they are projected to evolve, and how different types of interventions from sponsors and policymakers can affect the evolution and impact of research. While a panel of experts could provide an acceptable view of the trends and interrelationships within a narrowly-defined research area, identification of the connectivity of a broad range of areas is well beyond the expertise of any one panel of experts, and perhaps beyond a group of panels. An integration of topics and trends requires supplementation to the standard peer or analyst group evaluation. Much recent effort has been focused on development of more objective quantitative approaches for analyzing and integrating written and survey information to supplement analysts or groups of peers in understanding research trends.
Joe Camel Versus Uncle Sam: The Constitutionality of Graphic Cigarette Warning Labels

According to the Surgeon General, tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States. Smoking-related diseases kill 443,000 Americans each year, more than are killed by HIV, illegal drug use, alcohol use, motor vehicle injuries, suicides, and murders combined. To address this public health threat, Congress enacted the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (TCA) in 2009, which gave the federal government unprecedented power to regulate the tobacco industry. Among its provisions, the TCA requires the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to select images that depict smoking’s deleterious effects and compels tobacco companies to display the images, accompanied by a textual warning, on half of the front and rear panels of every cigarette package. This new graphic format — the first alteration of cigarette package warnings in over twenty-five years — represents a significant and aggressive change in the way that the government communicates the dangers of smoking to the public.To prevent the introduction of these new labels into the marketplace, the tobacco industry has filed suit alleging that the graphic warnings infringe on its First Amendment right to refrain from speaking. The two circuit courts that have considered this issue are divided sharply over the labels’ constitutionality and the appropriate framework for assessing them. This Note examines this legal fissure and argues that the warnings should be examined under the strict scrutiny standard of judicial review. Ultimately, this Note contends that the labels do not pass muster under this intense level of scrutiny and are thus unconstitutional compulsions of speech.
Chapter 2 – Transformations of Nanomaterials in the Environment

Nanomaterials (NMs) will undergo a variety of transformations in the natural environment that can significantly change their transport behavior, ultimate fate, and toxicity. Chemical transformations include oxidation–reduction reactions, ligation, and dissolution (which are often associated with a redox reaction). Physical transformations include aggregation or disaggregation and adsorption of naturally occurring macromolecules. Biological interactions and biouptake of NMs can result in further physicochemical transformations. The current state of knowledge on the effects of these transformations on NM properties and hence their behavior, persistence, and risk in the environment is presented. The implications of these transformations for detection and characterization of NMs in biological and environmental matrices are also discussed. Finally, challenges for risk assessment of NMs due to their environmental transformations are identified.
DialCrowd: A toolkit for easy dialog system assessment

When creating a dialog system, developers need to test each version to ensure that it is performing correctly. Recently the trend has been to test on large datasets or to ask many users to try out a system. Crowdsourcing has solved the issue of finding users, but it presents new challenges such as how to use a crowdsourcing platform and what type of test is appropriate. DialCrowd has been designed to make system assessment easier and to ensure the quality of the result. This paper describes DialCrowd, what specific needs it fulfills and how it works. It then relates a test of DialCrowd by a group of dialog system developer.
Oh, Joong-Hwan. Immigration and Social Capital in the Age of Social Media: American Social Institutions and a Korean-American Women’s Online Community. Lanham: Lexington Books, 2016. 244 pp. $90 (paperback). ISBN-13: 978-1498519267.

Immigration and Social Capital in the Age of Social Media: American Social Institutions and a Korean-American Women’s Online Community analyzes how Korean immigrants and sojourners use social media...
24/7/365 Neuroradiologist Coverage Improves Resident Perception of Educational Experience, Referring Physician Satisfaction, and Turnaround Time.

Abstract Purpose To quantitatively and qualitatively assess the impact of attending neuroradiology coverage on radiology resident perceptions of the on-call experience, referring physician satisfaction, and final report turnaround times. Materials and Methods 24/7/365 attending neuroradiologist coverage began in October 2016 at our institution. In March 2017, an online survey of referring physicians, (emergency medicine, neurosurgery, and stroke neurology) and radiology residents was administered at a large academic medical center. Referring physicians were queried regarding their perceptions of patient care, report accuracy, timeliness, and availability of attending radiologists before and after the implementation of overnight neuroradiology coverage. Radiology residents were asked about their level of independence, workload, and education while on-call. Turnaround time (TAT) was measured over a 5-month period before and after the implementation of overnight neuroradiology coverage. Results A total of 28 of 64 referring physicians surveyed responded, for a response rate of 67%. Specifically, 19 of 23 second (junior resident on-call) and third year radiology residents (senior resident on-call) replied, 4 of 4 stroke neurology fellows replied, 8 of 21 neurosurgery residents, and 16 of 39 emergency medicine residents replied. Ninety-five percent of radiology residents stated they had adequate independence on call, 100% felt they have enough faculty support while on call, and 84% reported that overnight attending coverage has improved the educational value of their on-call experience. Residents who were present both before and after the implementation of TAT metrics thought their education, and independence had been positively affected. After overnight neuroradiology coverage, 85% of emergency physicians perceived improved accuracy of reports, 69% noted improved timeliness, and 77% found that attending radiologists were more accessible for consultation. The surveyed stroke neurology fellows and neurosurgery residents reported positive perception of the TAT, report quality, and availability of accessibility of attending radiologist. Conclusions In concordance with prior results, overnight attending coverage significantly reduced turnaround time. As expected, referring physicians report increased satisfaction with overnight attending coverage, particularly with respect to patient care and report accuracy. In contrast to some prior studies, radiology residents reported both improved educational value of the on-call shifts and preserved independence. This may be due to the tasking the overnight neuroradiology attending with dual goals of optimized TAT, and trainee growth. Unique implementation including subspecialty trained attendings may facilitate radiology resident independence and educational experience with improved finalized report turnaround.
Reconsidering data in learning analytics: opportunities for critical research using a documentation studies framework

In this article, we argue that the contributions of documentation studies can provide a useful framework for analyzing the datafication of students due to emerging learning analytics (LA) practices...
An optimization model for siting and sizing of vehicle-to-grid facilities in a microgrid

Abstract In this paper, we propose a new optimization model for investment planning for Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology in a microgrid. The V2G technology allows the microgrid to take advantage of temporal arbitrage in the electricity market, and hence, improve economic viability of electric vehicles. We present both a mathematical model and a custom solution methodology for this problem. The proposed stochastic model is a very large-scale mixed-integer nonlinear programming problem, and thereby, we develop an algorithm that provides high-quality solutions. A case study for 14-node and 37-node microgrid test systems for a planning horizon of five years is presented, and a thorough sensitivity analysis for effects of uncertainty, investors preferred payback period, market price fluctuations and electric vehicles arrival and departure rates is discussed. The simulation results show that investing in the V2G technology can considerably improve the long-term economics of the microgrid, but the obtained profit and the payback period can vary from one plan to another.
Impact of oxygen plasma treatment on carrier transport and molecular adsorption in graphene

Impact of plasma treatment on graphene's transport properties and interaction with gas molecules has been investigated with Raman, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Hall measurements. Experimental results indicate the formation of nanocrystalline domains and the enhanced fraction of adsorbed oxygen following oxygen plasma treatment, which correlates with a significant reduction in carrier mobility and an increase in carrier density. The oxygen plasma treated graphene was found to exhibit much stronger sensitivity toward NH3 molecules both in terms of magnitude and response rate, attributable to increased domain edges and oxygen adsorption related enhancement in p-type doping. The carrier mobility in plasma exposed graphene was modeled considering both ionized impurity and short-range scattering, which matched well with the experimentally observed mobility.
Copts, the State and the 1949–1950 al-Majlis al-Millī Electoral Crisis: Articulating Community in a Time of Anxiety

In October 1949, the Coptic Communal Council, al-Majlis al-Millī, failed to run elections as scheduled in the midst of conflict with the clergy. The following April, the Egyptian government interve...
The Evolution of the KANADI Gene Family and Leaf Development in Lycophytes and Ferns

Leaves constitute the main photosynthetic plant organ and even though their importance is not debated, the origin and development of leaves still is. The leaf developmental network has been elucidated for angiosperms, from genes controlling leaf initiation, to leaf polarity and shape. There are four KANADI (KAN) paralogs in Arabidopsis thaliana needed for organ polarity with KAN1 and KAN2 specifying abaxial leaf identity. Yet, studies of this gene lineage outside angiosperms are required to better understand the evolutionary patterns of leaf development and the role of KAN homologs. We studied the evolution of KAN genes across vascular plants and their expression by in situ hybridization in the fern, Equisetum hyemale and the lycophyte Selaginella moellendorffii. Our results show that the expression of KAN genes in leaves is similar between ferns and angiosperms. However, the expression patterns observed in the lycophyte S. moellendorffii are significantly different compared to all other vascular plants, suggesting that the KAN function in leaf polarity is likely only conserved across ferns, gymnosperms, and angiosperms. This study indicates that mechanisms for leaf development are different in lycophytes compared to other vascular plants.
Knowledge and Skills Acquisition by Plastic Surgery Residents through Digital Simulation Training: A Prospective, Randomized, Blinded Trial.

BACKGROUND Simulation is a standard component of residency training in many surgical subspecialties, yet its impact on knowledge and skills acquisition in plastic surgery training remains poorly defined. The authors evaluated the potential benefits of simulation-based cleft surgery learning in plastic surgery resident education through a prospective, randomized, blinded trial. METHODS Thirteen plastic surgery residents were randomized to a digital simulator or textbook demonstrating unilateral cleft lip repair. The following parameters were evaluated before and after randomization: knowledge of surgical steps, procedural confidence, markings performance on a three-dimensional stone model, and surgical performance using a hands-on/high-fidelity three-dimensional haptic model. Participant satisfaction with either educational tool was also assessed. Two expert reviewers blindly graded markings and surgical performance. Intraclass correlation coefficients were calculated. Wilcoxon signed rank and Mann-Whitney U tests were used. RESULTS Interrater reliability was strong for preintervention and postintervention grading of markings [preintervention intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.97 (p < 0.001); postintervention intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.96 (p < 0.001)] and surgical [preintervention intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.83 (p = 0.002); postintervention intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.81 (p = 0.004)] performance. Postintervention surgical knowledge (40.3 ± 4.4 versus 33.5 ± 3.7; p = 0.03), procedural confidence (24.0 ± 7.0 versus 14.7 ± 2.3; p = 0.03), markings performance (8.0 ± 2.5 versus 2.9 ± 3.1; p = 0.03), and surgical performance (12.3 ± 2.5 versus 8.2 ± 2.3; p = 0.04) significantly improved in the digital simulation group compared with before intervention, but not in the textbook group. All participants were more satisfied with the digital simulator as an educational tool (27.7 ± 2.5 versus 14.4 ± 4.4; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION The authors present evidence suggesting that digital cognitive simulators lead to significant improvement in surgical knowledge, procedural confidence, markings performance, and surgical performance.
Calcium-channel blockers and the elderly

Calcium-channel blockers may well be the drugs of choice for treating angina, hypertension, and supraventricular arrhythmia in the elderly. They are effective, have no serious side effects, and when wisely matched to the patient, are very well tolerated. Most calcium-channel blockers can be administered once or twice daily. A choice of four is available; only verapamil and diltiazem hydrochloride are useful for supraventricular arrhythmia. All four, however, are effective for the treatment of hypertension and angina. Expanding uses of calcium-channel blockers include peripheral vascular disease and migraine. There may be a theoretical advantage in humans from the point of view of the anti-atherosclerosis demonstrated in animals.
Impact of Informative Context’s Meaning Consistency During Incidental Vocabulary Acquisition

The authors examined the influence of context meaning consistency on incidental vocabulary acquisition during reading. Context meaning consistency refers to informational context that reflected the same meaning (i.e., consistent) or different meanings (i.e., inconsistent) across two self-paced reading sessions for a given item (both sessions on the same day). The first sentence of each sentence-pair item contained informational context, and the second sentence contained a target word (novel target or known control). Acquisition was assessed via surprise memory tests given right after the reading sessions (immediate) and again approximately a week later (delayed). Inconsistent context was generally associated with inflated reading times and less recall than consistent context, and retention was particularly low when the first encounter with the novel target was during the second reading session. Self-paced reading times were also particularly inflated in the second reading session for items in which readers encountered the novel word version of the target for the first time (i.e., known control encountered during the first reading session instead). Acquisition was facilitated most for novel targets that were presented during both reading sessions in consistent meaning context, but suffered the most in the case of consistent context and the novel target initially encountered in the second session. When presented with different meanings for the same novel target across self-paced reading sessions (inconsistent context condition), the intended meaning for the initial presentation was more likely to remain in memory.
Predicting a comprehensive operationalization of eating disorder recovery: Examining self-concept, personality, and negative affect.

Objective Our goal was to examine potential predictors of a comprehensive operationalization of eating disorder recovery, characterized by physical, behavioral, and cognitive recovery, focusing on constructs related to self-concept, personality, and negative affect. Method Participants were women with a history of an eating disorder who provided data via survey and interview at two time points separated by about 7-8 years and who met criteria for an eating disorder diagnosis at baseline (N = 36). Results Logistic regression models revealed that self-esteem was a significant predictor of recovery status (OR = 1.12, p = .039) such that individuals with higher self-esteem at baseline demonstrated significantly greater odds of being in full recovery at follow-up. However, when self-esteem was considered in a set along with baseline imposter phenomenon and anxiety, no single construct emerged as a significant unique predictor of recovery in logistic regression analyses. Discussion These results highlight the potential importance of self-esteem in relation to recovery, with clinical implications related to bolstering self-esteem as part of eating disorder treatment. Future research should continue to explore predictors using a comprehensive operationalization of eating disorder recovery in larger, more diverse samples to optimally identify factors associated with achieving recovery.
A maximum entropy principle approach to a joint probability model for sequences with known neighbor and next neighbor pair probabilities

Abstract A Markov chain can be used to model a joint probability density of a sequence, p R 1 R 2 . . . R N x 1 , x 2 , . . x N , from neighbor pair probability data: p R n R n + 1 x n | x n + 1 n = 1 , 2 , . . . N - 1 , the R n ′ s specifying the type of random variable, x n . A Maximum Entropy Principle (MEP) is used to show that, with knowledge of only these neighbor pair probabilities, the Markov chain maximizes entropy. To introduce more information, it would be useful to consider triplet probabilities, but data limitations may preclude this approach. Instead, the joint probability density function is modeled with neighbor and next neighbor pair probabilities. Optimized triplet probabilities are obtained from these probabilities, again using a MEP method, and an augmented Markov chain is constructed from them. This joint probability density function is the MEP joint probability density function with known neighbor and next neighbor pair probabilities. Based on this information, we construct various length Markov and augmented Markov chains to produce diverging patterns of chain probabilities.