cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Trading Off a Vulnerability: Does Software Obfuscation Increase the Risk of ROP Attacks

Software obfuscation is a commonly used technique to protect software, especially against reverse-engineering attacks. It is a form of security through obscurity and is commonly used for intellectual property and Digital Rights Management protection. However, this increase of security may come at the expense of increased vulnerabilities in another direction, hitherto unsuspected. In this paper, we propose and investigate the hypothesis that some of the most popular obfuscation techniques, including changing the control flow graph and substituting simpler instruction sequences with complex instructions, may make the obfuscated binary more vulnerable to Return-Oriented Programming (ROP) based attacks. ROP is a comparatively recent technique used to exploit buffer-overflow vulnerabilities. We analyze the ROP gadgets present in both obfuscated and un-obfuscated versions of well known binaries.We show that the number of ROP gadgets in a binary significantly increase after certain obfuscations, and it can potentially make ROP-based exploits easier.
Fashion Design Students as "Thrift Mavens": An Interpretive Approach to How Fashion Design Students Can Influence Thrift Shopping

Customers’ desire to shop thrift struggle with knowing where to find the best selection of products and thrift stores generally have minimal budgets for advertising (Christiansen & Snepenger, 2005). To aid in these challenges, Christiansen and Snepenger (2005) identified the existence of a “thrift maven” as someone who encourages thrift shopping by passing on information of the thrift markets to other individuals. In this study, we explored any “thrift mavens” among fashion design students and their post purchase word-of-mouth behaviors regarding their thrift items and retailers.
A Power Model for Register-Sharing Structures

Register files (RF) are known to consume about 20% of the power inside a processor. Embedded systems, due to area and timing constraints, generally have small register files, which can cause significant register pressure. This work explores how having a map-table or a map-vector can decrease the power dissipation in the processor. The distribution of register writes and sharing of commonly occurring values such as ‘0’ is investigated. It is shown that systems with small register files obtain a greater power reduction than larger register files when these sharing structures are used. Finally, the proposed power model comes within 95% accuracy when compared using benchmarks on a synthesized Verilog softcore processor.
Abstract 266: Truncated Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3β Increases Mitochondrial Fragmentation, Reactive Oxygen Species generation, and Cell Injury

Introduction: Oxidative stress during ischemia reperfusion (IR) injury remains a major obstacle during percutaneous coronary intervention after acute myocardial infarction. It often leads to an increased susceptibility for mitochondria permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening leading to cell death and worsened contractile recovery. Glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β) is proposed as one of the key molecules that regulate mitochondrial dysfunction and injury during IR. Oxidative stress increases activation of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) and subsequent cleavage (amino acids 1-34) of GSK-3s to form a constitutively-active truncated form. However, the molecular mechanism underlying how GSK-3β activity controls mitochondrial form/function under oxidative stress condition is not fully understood. Hypothesis: Oxidative stress induces GSK-3s to form a constitutively-active truncated form through MMP2-mediated cleavage, which leads to increased susceptibility of mPTP opening and activation of cell death signaling. Methods: Using overexpression of full length and truncated GSK-3β fused to GFP in H9C2 cells we determined the effects of GSK-3β on mitochondrial morphology and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation using confocal microscopy. Activation of cell death signaling was evaluated by cytochrome c release, caspase activation, and GSK-3β activity using Western blotting. Results: Non-transfected and full-length GSK-3s had comparable mitochondrial networking and morphology whereas cells overexpressing truncated GSK-3s showed distinct mitochondrial fragmentation and swelling. Similarly, the non-transfected and full-length GSK-3s overexpressing cells had equivalent levels of ROS whereas the truncated-GSK-3s overexpressing cells had markedly increased levels of basal ROS that was further enhanced with transient H2O2 treatment. Cells overexpressing truncated GSK-3s had an increased susceptibility to mPTP opening as measured by cytochrome C release to the cytoplasm when challenged with H2O2. Conclusion: Truncation of GSK-3s induces increased mitochondrial ROS formation as well as mitochondrial fragmentation that is indicative of mitochondrial damage and an increased susceptibility to mPTP opening.
Contribution of Stress to Cocaine Addiction

Anecdotal and epidemiological reports, as well as findings from clinical and preclinical animal laboratory studies, point to stress as a significant contributor to cocaine addiction. Considering its unavoidable, unpredictable, and often uncontrollable nature, the influence of stress on cocaine addiction is highly problematic for its effective management. Here we review evidence suggesting that stress has a pathogenic and deleterious role in cocaine addiction. After summarizing the clinical findings supporting a role for stress in cocaine addiction, the results of preclinical studies suggesting that stress can accelerate the acquisition of cocaine self-administration, promote escalating patterns of drug use, and contribute to reinstatement of cocaine seeking in relapse models are summarized. Additionally, experimental results demonstrating that excessive cocaine can fundamentally change how cocaine addicts respond to stressful stimuli in a manner that heightens susceptibility to stress-related drug use are described. Finally, the potential treatment opportunities stemming from our understanding of how stress contributes to cocaine addiction are discussed.
Time and frequency dispersion characteristics of the UAS wireless channel in residential and mountainous desert terrains

The increasing availability of low cost, commercial off-the-shelf unmanned aerial systems (UAS) technology has made it more accessible for researchers to investigate air-to-ground wireless communications channel phenomenology. Furthermore, using software defined radio (SDR) transceivers as the UAS communications platform provides the flexibility for researchers to characterize the air-to-ground channel across multiple frequency bands. In this paper we investigate the time and frequency dispersion characteristics of UAS air-to-ground wireless channel at C band (5.8 GHz), with signal bandwidth of 20 MHz, using empirical measurements collected in outdoor residential and mountainous desert terrains. We characterize the time and frequency dispersion of the UAS air-to-ground channel by evaluating the root mean square (RMS) delay and Doppler spread. For the residential environment, the median RMS delay spread was approximately 0.03μs. For the mountainous desert environment, the median RMS delay spread was approximately 0.06μs.
Printing of Small Molecular Medicines From the Vapor Phase

There is growing need to develop efficient methods for early-stage drug discovery, continuous manufacturing of drug delivery vehicles, and ultra-precise dosing of high potency drugs. Here we demonstrate the use of solvent-free organic vapor jet printing to deposit nanostructured films of small molecular pharmaceutical ingredients, including caffeine, paracetamol, ibuprofen, tamoxifen, BAY 11-7082 and fluorescein, with accuracy on the scale of micrograms per square centimeter, onto glass, Tegaderm, Listerine tabs, and stainless steel microneedles. The printed films exhibit similar crystallographic order and chemistry as the original powders; controlled, order-of-magnitude enhancements of dissolution rate are observed relative to powder-form particles. In vitro treatment of breast and ovarian cancer cell cultures in aqueous media by tamoxifen and BAY 11-7082 films shows similar behavior to drugs pre-dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide. The demonstrated precise printing of medicines as films, without the use of solvents, can accelerate drug screening and enable continuous manufacturing, while enhancing dosage accuracy. Traditional approaches used in the pharmaceutical industry are not precise or versatile enough for customized medicine formulation and manufacture. Here the authors produce a method to form coatings, with accurate dosages, as well as a means of closely controlling dissolution kinetics.
Postaccident Heat Removal—Part I: Heat Transfer Within an Internally Heated, Nonboiling Liquid Layer

Correlations of experimental data on heat transfer from nonboiling, horizontal fluid layers with internal heat generation have been cast into a form suitable for analysis of postaccident heat remov...
Sep70/Pepsin expression in hypopharynx combined with hypopharyngeal multichannel intraluminal impedance increases diagnostic sensitivity of laryngopharyngeal reflux.

Improved methods of diagnosis of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) would enable surgeons to better identify patients who may benefit from antireflux surgery (ARS). The objective of the present study was to assess if hypopharyngeal Pepsin and Sep70 expression combined with hypopharyngeal multichannel intraluminal impedance (HMII) has the potential to increase diagnostic sensitivity of LPR. This study was performed on patients who underwent unsedated transnasal endoscopy with hypopharyngeal biopsy and 24-h HMII to determine abnormal proximal exposure (APE) and DeMeester score (DMS) from 2013 to 2016. Pepsin and Sep70 protein expression was assessed by Western blots of biopsy specimens. The outcomes of ARS were assessed using reflux symptom index (RSI). HMII APE classification, Sep 70, and Pepsin protein levels were compared in normative and symptomatic LPR patients and further analyzed alongside quality of life changes following ARS. Of 30 subjects enrolled, 23 were excluded for abnormal HMII results or endoscopic evidence of esophagitis. Seven subjects and 105 patients were included in the normative and symptomatic groups, respectively. Compared to the normative group, only Pepsin expression was significantly higher in the symptomatic group [APE+/LPR+ (p = 0.000), APE+/LPR− (p = 0.001), and APE− (p = 0.047)]. Further, the ratio of Sep70/Pepsin was significantly lower in the symptomatic group [APE+/LPR+ (p = 0.008), APE+/LPR− (p = 0.000), and APE− (p = 0.050)], and a cutoff ratio for a diagnosis of LPR was established as < 158. Of 105 symptomatic patients, 48 patients underwent ARS. Of these, 17 patients had complete pre- and post-RSI questionnaires. LPR symptoms improved in 15 (88%), of whom 2 were APE− but met criteria for a diagnosis of LPR based on the Sep70/Pepsin cutoff. The identified Sep70/Pepsin ratio may serve as a reliable biomarker for the diagnosis of LPR. As a result, this may help identify additional patients who have a false-negative HMII result due to the 24-h testing window.
“Es como una Familia”: Bridging Emotional Support With Academic and Professional Development Through the Acquisition of Capital in Latinx Student Organizations:

This study explored the ways Latinx-based organizations assist students in navigating college and career preparation. Data consist of in-depth interviews with 17 first-generation Latinx students at...
CT MYOCARDIAL PERFUSION IMAGING FAILS TO IMPROVE DIAGNOSTIC ACCURACY OF CT CORONARY ANGIOGRAPHY TO DETERMINE STENT PATENCY

The diagnostic accuracy of CT angiography (CTA) for assessing coronary stent patency is modest. CT myocardial stress perfusion imaging (CTP) is an evolving technique that may enhance the diagnostic accuracy of cardiac CT to evaluate coronary stents. We tested this hypothesis using data from the
Using Lexical Analysis to Predict Lewis Acid-Base Model Use in Responses to an Acid-Base Proton-Transfer Reaction.

The Lewis acid–base model is key to identifying and explaining the formation and breaking of bonds in a large number of reaction mechanisms taught in the sophomore-level year-long organic chemistry course. Understanding the model is, thus, essential to success in organic chemistry coursework. Concept-inventories exist to identify misunderstandings and misconceptions of acid–base theories; open-ended problems, though, have been shown to provide a more nuanced and holistic understanding of how students use acid–base models to explain reactions. The time necessary to score such problems, however, limits their use, especially in large student enrollment courses. Given the efficacy of open-ended problems, there is occasion for the development of methods to efficiently and effectively analyze open-ended assessment responses. In this study, we establish the importance of assessing “use of the Lewis acid–base model to explain a chemical reaction” by determining the association of model use with summative examinat...
Genetic and Social Group Influences on Postcranial Morphology in Rhesus Macaques of Cayo Santiago

Recent studies have renewed discussions concerning the importance of quantitative genetic studies of natural populations for the understanding of evolutionary ­dynamics, including the effects of natural selection, migration, inbreeding depression, and genetic drift (Moore and Kukuk 2002; Kruuk 2004; Kruuk and Hill 2008; Pemberton 2008). Evolution requires genetic variation and covariation among traits, and natural selection on phenotypes (Lande 1979). Such studies require individual identification of relatively large numbers of individuals of known genetic relationship. While individuals of a single generation may be studied, such as siblings or half-siblings, inclusion of multiple generations and multiple types of relationships provides additional information. Population structure, mating patterns, and individual behaviors may significantly influence patterns of genetic variance and covariance and therefore the “raw material” of evolution.
Abstract LB-353: Spatiotemporal quantification of tumor-associated tertiary lymphoid structures in murine lung adenocarcinoma

In many human cancer types (i.e., lung, breast, melanoma), infiltrating immune cells are found in complex, lymph node (LN)-like structures known as the tumor-associated tertiary lymphoid structures (TA-TLSs). TA-TLSs are associated with longer patient survival and perform critical functions of LNs such as facilitating recruitment of T cells into the tumor microenvironment, mediating interactions between T cells and tumor-antigen presenting dendritic cells (DCs), and enabling local activation of T cells. Furthermore, using a genetically engineered mouse model (GEMM) of lung adenocarcinoma, we have previously shown that TA-TLSs form as tumors develop and that therapeutically depleting regulatory T cells (Tregs) from TA-TLSs elicits the anti-tumor immune response and results in tumor destruction. Hence, a powerful anti-tumor immune response can be both stimulated and suppressed in TA-TLSs, suggesting that therapeutically targeting the formation and maintenance of TA-TLSs would result in strong anti-tumor outcomes. Understanding how TLS formation is altered by experimental manipulation requires quantitative spatial and temporal analysis of the location, number, and size of TLSs in the tumor-bearing lung. Visualizing the presence of TA-TLSs throughout a tumor-bearing lung lobe presents several technical challenges, thus we have developed a high throughput immunofluorescence (IF) analysis pipeline for visualization and quantification of TA-TLSs in our model. This streamlined process requires 1-2 weeks per lung lobe. We are analyzing tertiary lymphoid structures in influenza-infected mice as a comparison to tumor-associated TLSs. Here, we hypothesize that there are key differences in the location and composition of influenza associated TLSs and TA-TLSs, which will provide substantial mechanistic insight into the biology and formation of TLSs. Using this spatiotemporal quantification technique, detailed interrogation of TLSs in lung adenocarcinoma will provide cellular and molecular targets for therapeutic modulation of TA-TLSs. Furthermore, this method can be expanded and adapted for the study of TA-TLSs in other disease models. Citation Format: Mursal Nader, Nikhil S. Joshi. Spatiotemporal quantification of tumor-associated tertiary lymphoid structures in murine lung adenocarcinoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-353.
Hate Speech on Campus: What Public Universities Can and Should Do to Counter Weaponized Intolerance

Democratic societies tolerate intolerance, but that obligation finds its limit when the security of its citizens is jeopardized or its institutions of liberty are imperiled. Similarly, universities tolerate intolerance, but that obligation finds its limit when threatened by weaponized intolerance advocates who disenfranchise and denigrate community members and imperil academic norms and professional standards of conduct. Then, just as democratic societies must protect their threatened citizens and safeguard their imperiled institutions of liberty, so universities must protect their threatened community members and safeguard their imperiled norms and standards. I argue for these conclusions by establishing a conflict between what the First Amendment legally permits university community members to express and what the norms of the university and the professional standards that structure academic freedom require from university community members. I argue that given the First Amendment, universities are legally obliged to tolerate even weaponized intolerance in campus public forums even if not in the classroom. I then recommend three responses to weaponized intolerance on campus that are consistent with the First Amendment: denunciation and protest, provision of safe space, and affirmation of academic values, norms, and standards. I reject three frequently encountered responses to weaponized intolerance as inconsistent with the First Amendment: heckler’s vetoes, student speech codes, and speaker bans. And I argue that one response—disruptive protest that falls short of a heckler’s veto—is legally permissible for students and faculty members but is ruled out for faculty members by academic norms and professional standards.
Robust aerodynamic shape optimization—From a circle to an airfoil

Abstract Aerodynamic design optimization currently lacks robustness with respect to the starting design and requires trial and error in the flow solver and optimization algorithm settings to get a converged optimal design. We address need issue by developing ways to overcome robustness issues arising from shape parametrization, mesh deformation, and flow solver convergence. Our approach is demonstrated on the Aerodynamic Design Optimization Discussion Group (ADODG) airfoil optimization benchmarks to show the factors that dominate the robustness and efficiency. In the ADODG NACA 0012 benchmark, we address the additional issue of non-unique solutions. In the ADODG RAE 2822 case, we address solver failure due to shock waves, separation, and gradient accuracies due to the frozen turbulence model. Finally, we create a new, challenging aerodynamic shape optimization case that starts with a circle to test the robustness of our aerodynamic shape optimization framework. We use both fixed and adaptive parametrization methods to tackle this problem and show how we can exploit the advantages of adaptive parametrization methods to improve both robustness and efficiency. The combination of flow solver robustness, precision of gradient information, robust mesh deformation, and adaptive parametrization brings us closer to a “push-button” solution for airfoil design.
Real-Time Quantification of Network Growth of Epoxy/Diamine Thermosets as a Function of Cure protocol

AbstractTraditionally, understanding of thermoset cure has been limited to the analysis of a single degree of cure value obtained via techniques such as dynamic scanning calorimetry. Such analyses limit the scope of understanding of network development during cure. The continued development of rapid cure matrix chemistries necessitates the advancement of analytical techniques capable of quantifying how thermal cure profiles influence crosslinked network architectures throughout cure. In this work, the formation of epoxy/diamine networks was studied, in real time, throughout cure with Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy in the near infrared region (NIR). The NIR technique allows for direct quantification of all functional groups directly involved in the cure of aerospace matrices. This work establishes a means to view a complete picture of the development of epoxy/diamine networks throughout cure, which allows for a more complete understanding of the effect of cure protocol on final network structure.
Biodegradation of 2-chlorobenzoate by recombinant Burkholderia cepacia expressing Vitreoscilla hemoglobin under variable levels of oxygen availability.

The influence of bacterial hemoglobin, VHb, on dechlorinationand degradation of 2-chlorobenzoate (2-CBA) by recombinantBurkholderia sp. under variable oxygen availability with an initial dissolved oxygenconcentration of 0.27 mM-0.72 mM was investigated in batch and continuous culture. Abilityto express VHb was provided to recombinant Burkholderia by transformationwith the VHb gene, vgb, on plasmid pSC160. 100% of 0.5 mM CBA was degraded incultures with 85% and 70% of total volume as headspace air in closed reactorsby both wild type and recombinant Burkholderia. The recombinant cultures were able todechlorinate and degrade 100% of the 2-CBA in less than 48 hours at 30 °Ccompared to more than 120 hours for wild type cultures. The rate and extent of CBAdegradation by recombinant cultures with 40% of total volume as headspace air was higher than thoseachieved by wild type cells at the end of the 168 hours of incubation period, 98and 73%, respectively. The chloride released: CBA degraded molar ratio for cultures with 40%of total volume headspace air was nearly stoichiometric (molar ratio = 1.0) for recombinantstrains, whereas it was non-stoichiometric (molar ratio = 0.24)for wild type cells. The results suggest a suicidal meta-pathway for wild type cells and a complete dechlorinationand degradation pathway for recombinant cells under hypoxic conditions.The degradation and dechlorination ability of both types of cells was alsoinvestigated in continuous reactor studies by varying the dilution rate under hypoxicconditions. Regarding potential of the recombinant strain for 2-CBA degradation in eitheropen ecosystems or closed bioreactor bioremediation systems, the stability of the plasmidcontaining vgb in the recombinant cells was also studied; the plasmid was100% stable at 0.025 h-1 dilution rate (∼1.7 d hydraulic retention time),even after one month.
399 VISUALIZING THE MOLECULAR BASIS OF BLOOD COAGULATION.

Purpose of Study Cardiovascular disease remains the #1 cause of mortality in the United States, affecting 71 million Americans in 2006 and costing $403.1 billion in direct and indirect costs. An initiator of hemostasis/thrombosis is tissue factor (TF), a constitutively expressed protein on the plasma membrane of cells that do not usually encounter blood. In the event of vascular injury, blood is exposed to TF-expressing tissues, which initiate the coagulation cascade and ultimately lead to the deposition of fibrin. Interestingly, TF antigens have been detected in whole blood in the absence of endothelial injury. These findings challenge the conventional mechanism of TF as the coagulation initiator. However, this is resolved by the hypothesis that TF exists in two enzymatic states based on the biochemical environment. Methods Investigating the purported dual state of TF, as well as blood coagulation kinetics, has relied on the development of novel technologies. Intravital microscopy, which combines confocal and bright-field microscopy, allows real-time visualization of thrombogenesis in vivo. Following laser-induced endothelial injury, circulating fluorescent antibodies allow for quantifiable detection and interaction of multiple coagulant molecules. Another novel technique aimed at identifying the activity state of TF is also being actively developed. The proposed redox-based, disulfide switch on TF9s surface can be detected by covalently attaching fluorescent maleimide derivatives to superficial sulfhydryl groups. This technique has been demonstrated in vitro and, once mature, will provide a fluorescence or mass spectrometry-based method for determining the enzymatic state of TF in vivo. Results Intravital microscopy has allowed real-time, in vivo imaging of thrombogenesis. Many of the major proteins traditionally involved in blood coagulation have been fluorescently labeled and imaged during blood clot formation. As a result, a library of quantitative measurements is being created, cataloging the biomolecular roles of coagulant proteins. Methods to determine the cryptic versus coagulant conformation of TF in vivo are ongoing but show promise in vitro with an albumin standard protein. Conclusion Understanding the molecular basis of hemostasis and thrombosis is a goal that is both achievable and medically relevant. New technologies to visualize and quantify thrombogenesis are providing valuable methods for biomedical discovery.
Is the thought-action repertoire a viable intervention target in substance use populations?

Abstract Objective This study examined if general population findings of positive correlations between happiness and breadth of thought-action repertoire (TAR) hold in substance use populations, and tests if the TAR is a modifiable intervention target. Methods Using data from a randomized online survey on 468 adults in recovery from problematic substance use, we compared 5 happiness exercises to two control exercises on participants' post-exercise TAR, as measured by Frederickson's Modified Open-Ended Twenty Statements Test (MOETST) and coded specifically for action tendencies. Results A negative binomial regression model indicated that momentary happiness reported before exercise completion was significantly and positively related to the breadth of action tendency repertoires (exp(b) = 1.05, exp(95% CI) [1.01, 1.09], p = 0.012). Two of five happiness exercises were associated with higher action tendency scores compared to the “Three Hard Things” control condition (“Savoring”: exp(b) [95% CI]: 1.51 [1.10, 2.09], X2(df = 1) = 6.36, adj. p = 0.038; “Rose, Thorn, Bud”: 1.50 [1.09, 2.06], X2(df = 1) = 6.19, adj. p = 0.038). None were significantly different from a neutral control. Effects were not significant for MOETST raw scores. Conclusions Results indicate that momentary happiness is associated with broadened action tendencies among individuals in recovery. Brief, self-administered happiness exercises can successfully broaden this aspect of the thought-action repertoire in this population.
Simulated diffusion weighted images based on model-predicted tumor growth

Non-invasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the primary imaging modality for visualizing brain tumor growth and treatment response. While standard MRIs are central to clinical decision making, advanced quantitative imaging sequences like diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) are increasingly relied on. Deciding the best way to interpret DWIs, particularly in the context of treatment, is still an area of intense research. With DWI being indicative of tissue structure, it is important to establish the link between DWI and brain tumor mathematical growth models, which could help researchers and clinicians better understand the tumor’s microenvironmental landscape. Our goal was to demonstrate the potential for creating a DWI patient-specific untreated virtual imaging control (UVICs), which represents an individual tumor’s untreated growth and could be compared with actual patient DWIs. We generated a DWI UVIC by combining a patient-specific mathematical model of tumor growth with a multi-compartmental MRI signal equation. GBM growth was mathematically modeled using the Proliferation-Invasion-Hypoxia-Necrosis-Angiogenesis-Edema (PIHNA-E) model, which simulated tumor as being comprised of multiple cellular phenotypes interacting with vasculature, angiogenic factors, and extracellular fluid. The model’s output consisted of spatial volume fraction maps for each microenvironmental species. The volume fraction maps and corresponding T2 and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values from literature were incorporated into a multi-compartmental signal equation to simulate DWI images. Simulated DWIs were created at multiple b-values and then used to calculate ADC maps. We found that the regional ADC values of simulated tumors were comparable to literature values.
An Empty Frame: Thinking about Art Crime- 'Palm Tree Justice for Derelict Guards'

The thieves used a box cutter to slice the canvas from its frame and leave the museum. Not only were the guards tired or praying, but there may have been only ten other visitors at the museum that day. Other security measures also failed. The alarms at the museum were not working, and only seven of a total of 43 security cameras were working.
Learning Representations from Audio-Visual Spatial Alignment

We introduce a novel self-supervised pretext task for learning representations from audio-visual content. Prior work on audio-visual representation learning leverages correspondences at the video level. Approaches based on audio-visual correspondence (AVC) predict whether audio and video clips originate from the same or different video instances. Audio-visual temporal synchronization (AVTS) further discriminates negative pairs originated from the same video instance but at different moments in time. While these approaches learn high-quality representations for downstream tasks such as action recognition, their training objectives disregard spatial cues naturally occurring in audio and visual signals. To learn from these spatial cues, we tasked a network to perform contrastive audio-visual spatial alignment of 360{\deg} video and spatial audio. The ability to perform spatial alignment is enhanced by reasoning over the full spatial content of the 360{\deg} video using a transformer architecture to combine representations from multiple viewpoints. The advantages of the proposed pretext task are demonstrated on a variety of audio and visual downstream tasks, including audio-visual correspondence, spatial alignment, action recognition, and video semantic segmentation.
Improving Dimensional Change Card Sort Performance of Preschoolers With Developmental Language Disorder: Effects of Two Task Variations

Purpose This research note addresses whether task administration variations can improve Dimensional Change Card Sort (DCCS) performance in preschoolers with developmental language disorder (DLD). M...
Leveraging Course Quality Checklist to Improve Online Courses

Designing high quality, interactive online courses in a technologically rich environment can be a daunting task even for experienced faculty. This process becomes more difficult when faculty are teaching multiple classes, juggling service and research/creative scholarship. In order to help faculty focus on key aspects of online teaching and course design, we developed a checklist with links to institutional resources which help faculty meet several best practices for online teaching. Use of checklists and rubrics to meet quality assurance standards is common (e.g. - OLC OSCQR Course Design Review Scorecard, 2018; Quality Matters Higher Education Rubric, 2018), however they vary significantly with the time required to review a course (Baldwin, Ching, & Hsu, 2018). Our goal was to create a checklist that helps faculty design basic elements of the course and expedite the self-review process. Given the current COVID-19 situation, when instructors were suddenly asked to teach remotely, this Course Quality Checklist will help faculty self-review their existing or new online course via multiple lenses such as course orientation, policies, organization, alignment, as well as Universal Design for Learning and interaction. Faculty may use this checklist to create a clear and consistent structure within their course. The checklist also links to several online, just-in-time resources (e.g. course templates, design and pedagogy training, and standards for interaction and accessibility). This will ensure they meet essential standards, save time, reduce cognitive load, and meet specific compliance requirements.
Weld strength and heat-affected zone size in friction welded NFA and CostE

Friction welding (FW) enables joining of dissimilar metals parts up to the limits of their strength. CostE and NFA are two high-temperature steel alloys used in land-based power generation. These a...
There's a Pattern Here: The Case to Integrate Environmental Security into Homeland Security Strategy

The time is long overdue to acknowledge that global climate and resource stresses, e n c o m p a s s e d b y t h e c o n c e p t o f environmental security (ES), are an increasingly important part of “homeland” security (HS) study and practice, by even the m o s t r e s t r i c t e d d e f i n i t i o n s o f H S . Environmental security issues will affect global economic and political stability, US national interests, and the risk of war and terrorism. Just as homeland security encompasses many complex issues and interconnected subfields, environmental security (ES) is interdisciplinary by nature. In essence, ES is an emergent discipline b o r r o w i n g f r o m a c o m b i n a t i o n o f environmental studies – which decades ago integrated environmental science with public policy – and the broader observations of how environmental change, extreme weather events and resource scarcity issues impact domestic and international security. In a two-part argument, we first observe the growing environmental and resourcerelated security threats at every level of analysis, from global to individual levels as consequences of warming-induced climate alterations. Next, given the significant impacts on local, regional, and international geopolitical stability, we discuss why environmental security threats must be incorporated into both homeland and national security strategic planning. Developing a theory of environmental security seems central to a more complete understanding of homeland security and a more modern concept of national security. “Make no mistake: without concerted action, the very future of our planet is in peril. ...” “Lack of action on climate change threatens to make the world our children inherit a completely different world than we are living in today...” “Climate change is one of the single biggest challenges facing development. ...Unless we take action on climate change, future generations will be roasted, toasted, fried and grilled.”1
Community action research: an introduction.

(2006). Community Action Research. Journal of Prevention & Intervention in the Community: Vol. 32, No. 1-2, pp. 1-3.
Neuroprotectin D1 Modulates the Induction of Pro-Inflammatory Signaling and Promotes Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cell Survival DuringOxidative Stress

Retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells are the most restrictive layer of the three components of the outer Blood-Retina Barrier, preventing the passage of biomolecules in relation to size and charge and thus preserving a controlled environment for the photoreceptors. The retinal pigment epithelium is a tight structure that, when disrupted as a cause or consequence of pathological conditions, deeply affects the neural retina. Since adult human RPE cells are not replicative cells, their preservation is of major interest for the biomedical field due to their loss in many retino-degenerative pathologies. There are several triggers that elicit reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation in normal and pathological circumstances. When the production of these species overwhelms the scavenging and detoxifying systems, their activity results in programmed cell death. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an essential lipid that is conspicuously accumulated in photoreceptors and RPE cells in the retina. DHA and its oxygenation product, neuroprotectin D1 (NPD1), are major players in the protection of these cells and the retina. NPD1 promotes the synthesis of anti-apoptotic proteins of certain members of the Bcl-2 family and blocks the expression of pro-inflammatory proteins like cyclooxygenase-2.
Transport theory for convoy electrons and Rydberg electrons in solids

We give a theoretical overview of the dynamical evolution of excited states near threshold in highly charged ions transversing thin solid targets. We present first results of a classical transport theory for electrons under the influence of both the strong Coulomb field of the projectile and stochastic scattering processes in the solid. The phase-space master equation is studied by solving the associated Langevin equation and using Monte-Carlo sampling methods. Connection is made with the theory of stochastic discrete mappings in nonlinear dynamics. Results on transport properties of convoy electrons through solids, the anomalous attenuation length, Coulomb focussing, defocussing and trapping effects are discussed.
Effects of Media Criticism on Gatekeeping Trust and Implications for Agenda Setting

This study explores causes and consequences of gatekeeping trust, a new media trust construct defined as trust that the news media selects stories based on judgments of the importance of problems. If this form of trust—rooted in a misunderstanding of news story selection practices—is what drives agenda setting effects, these effects can be seen as a miscommunication between the media and the public, and perhaps a correctable one. An experiment manipulating exposure to and expression of media criticism finds gatekeeping trustcanbereducedwithoutalsoaffectingmoredesirableformsofmediatrust.Gatekeeping trustisalsotheonlymediatrustconstructtopositivelypredictanindicatorofagendacueing and negatively predict an indicator of agenda reasoning. This study explores causes and consequences of gatekeeping trust, a new media trust construct defined as trust that the news media selects stories based on judgments of the relative importance of social problems. Gatekeeping trust is a particularly problematic form of media trust because it suggests ignorance of factors other than problemimportancethatinfluencenewsstoryselection.Researchonnewsproduction and gatekeeping has delineated many such factors (Atwood, 1970; Atwood & Grotta, 1973; Brown, 1979; Price & Tewksbury, 1997; Shoemaker & Vos, 2009; Tuchman, 1978).Insummary,newsworkersprimarilyassessnewsworthinessintheirdailywork in terms specific to individual news events instead of any underlying social problems (Lester, 1980; Shoemaker & Vos, 2009), and are strongly influenced by an event’s news values such as timeliness, novelty, conflict, and drama (Price & Tewksbury, 1997),allofwhichcanbeindependentfromorevenoppositetosystematicjudgments of problem importance.
Reasonable Disagreement and Rational Group Inquiry

According to one widely held view, a belief is fully justified only if it holds up against the strongest available counterarguments, and we can be appropriately confident that it does hold up only if there is free and open critical discussion of those beliefs between us and our epistemic peers. In this paper I argue that this common picture of ideal rational group inquiry interacts with epistemic problems concerning reasonable disagreement in a way that makes those problems particularly difficult to resolve. By focusing on this idealized context, we get a clearer picture of the epistemic principles at issue. In the end, I argue that the best way to resolve the resulting epistemic conflicts is by appeal to the underdetermination of theory by evidence together with a principle of epistemic conservatism.
Bandwidth exchange as an incentive for relaying

Relay cooperation has been recognized as an important mechanism to enhance connectivity and throughput in multi-hop wireless networks, especially under varying channel conditions. One major problem of relay cooperation is that relaying always incurs energy and possibly delay costs. To a rational and selfish node these costs are worth incurring only if it receives at least comparable returns in the long term. In light of this, we propose a new incentive mechanism called bandwidth exchange (BE) where a node can delegate a portion of its bandwidth to another node in exchange for relay cooperation. In this paper we specifically study BE in the simple form of exchanging orthogonal frequency bands to provide incentives for relaying in a wireless network. Other forms of exchanging bandwidth such as delegation of time-slots or using spreading codes of different lengths are also possible. Using a Nash Bargaining framework, we explore the advantage of BE in both static and fading channels.
The role of fiberoptic endoscopy in the evaluation and management of long gap isolated esophageal atresia

Accurate measurement of gap length is useful for operative planning in cases of esophageal atresia (EA) without distal fistula. This paper demonstrates how fiberoptic endoscopy of the distal esophagus enables measurement of the gap in the case of isolated EA, and compares other commonly practiced techniques.
Partial Collapse of John Purdue Block, a Historic Brick Masonry Structure

AbstractThis paper discusses the partial collapse of John Purdue Block, a historic masonry structure in Lafayette, Indiana. The collapse occurred while the structure was being renovated and modified to prepare it for a new occupancy and usage. Prior to the start of the project, masonry strengths were not assessed or even estimated, and the primary structural elements were not analyzed for the proposed changes in loading and geometry. Relatively modest loads on the masonry walls and columns, coupled with a long-term performance without distress, may have provided a false sense of confidence that the structure could safely withstand comparatively minor changes in geometry and loading. Subsequent testing and analysis revealed the cause of the failure to be localized compressive stresses that exceeded the ultimate capacity of the brick masonry.
Decision tree and texture analysis for mapping debris-covered glaciers in the Kangchenjunga area, eastern Himalaya

In this study we use visible, short-wave infrared and thermal Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) data validated with high-resolution Quickbird (QB) and Worldview2 (WV2) for mapping debris cover in the eastern Himalaya using two independent approaches: (a) a decision tree algorithm, and (b) texture analysis. The decision tree algorithm was based on multi-spectral and topographic variables, such as band ratios, surface reflectance, kinetic temperature from ASTER bands 10 and 12, slope angle, and elevation. The decision tree algorithm resulted in 64 km2 classified as debris-covered ice, which represents 11% of the glacierized area. Overall, for ten glacier tongues in the Kangchenjunga area, there was an area difference of 16.2 km2 (25%) between the ASTER and the QB areas, with mapping errors mainly due to clouds and shadows. Texture analysis techniques included co-occurrence measures, geostatistics and filtering in spatial/frequency domain. Debris cover had the highest variance of all terrain classes, highest entropy and lowest homogeneity compared to the other classes, for example a mean variance of 15.27 compared to 0 for clouds and 0.06 for clean ice. Results of the texture image for debris-covered areas were comparable with those from the decision tree algorithm, with 8% area difference between the two techniques.
Hormonal and immunological mechanisms mediating sex differences in parasite infection

SUMMARY The prevalence and intensity of infections caused by protozoa, nematodes, trematodes, cestodes, and arthropods is higher in males than females. The primary thesis of this review is that immunological differences exist between the sexes that may underlie increased parasitism in males compared to females. Several field and laboratory studies link sex differences in immune function with circulating steroid hormones; thus, the roles of sex steroids, including testosterone, oestradiol, and progesterone, as well as glucocorticoids will be discussed. Not only can host hormones affect responses to infection, but parasites can both produce and alter hormone concentrations in their hosts. The extent to which changes in endocrine–immune interactions following infection are mediated by the host or the parasite will be considered. Although males are more susceptible than females to many parasites, there are parasites for which males are more resistant than females and endocrine–immune interactions may underlie this sex reversal. Finally, although immunological differences exist between the sexes, genetic and behavioural differences may explain some variability in response to infection and will be explored as alternative hypotheses for how differences between the sexes contribute to dimorphic responses to parasites.
Hallucinatory-Delusional Verbalizations: Modification in a Chronic Schizophrenic by Self-Control and Cognitive Restructuring

Hallucinatory-delusional verbalizations in a 40-year-old schizophrentic female were temporarily reduced by social interference and by self-control instructions. When instructed to self-control or not as she elected, the patient continued to emit a high frequency of hallucinatory-delusional verbalizations. During these phases of treatment no change in target behaviors was observed in the patient's behavior on the ward. Following two verbal therapy sessions in which attempts were made to change the hypothetical intrinsic valence of the hallucinatory-delusional behavior from positive to negative, a marked deceleration of these target behaviors occurred.
Episodic ages of Greenstones: A key to mantle dynamics?

Two greenstone age minima at 2.5-2.2 Ga and 1.65-1.35 Ga may correlate with ages of supercontinents when a greater proportion of greenstones were recycled into the mantle by subduction. From the age distributions of greenstones and juvenile continental crust, earth history can be divided into three stages : I) >2.8 Ga, when greenstones and microcontinents formed and collided continuously, although probably not forming a supercontinent until about 3 Ga ; II) 2.8-1.3 Ga, where a clear episodisity is apparent in greenstone eruption and collision ages, and where two greenstone age minima coincide in age with supercontinents ; and III) <1.3 Ga, when greenstones and continents appear to have formed and collided continuously, perhaps in response to significant overlap in the times of dispersal and assembly of supercontinents. Greenstone age peaks 2.7, 1.9 and 1.3 Ga may reflect catastrophic overturn of the mantle initiated by episodes of sinking of cold lithospheric slabs through the 660-km discontinuity to the D layer initiating an episode of major mantle plume activity. Continuous production and preservation of greenstones in the last 1.3 Gy is consistent with seismic tomography data, which suggest a steady sinking of slabs into the lower mantle.
A review of phase-conjugate solid-state lasers

Phase conjugation by stimulated Brillouin scattering represents a fundamentally promising approach for achieving power scaling of solid-state lasers. Following a summary of the power scaling problem and an overview of phase conjugation concepts, a review is presented of the application of phase conjugation to solid-state lasers. The author describes power scaling using demonstrated techniques for compensating static and thermally induced aberrations and depolarizations, as well as energy scaling by coherent coupling of multiple-gain media. Applications to diode-pumped lasers are discussed, as is a novel approach for power scaling of diode lasers themselves. Future research directions are indicated regarding conjugation fidelity at increasingly higher energies or with short-pulse and/or broadband lasers. >