cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the efficiency of parallel backtracking

Analytical models and experimental results concerning the average case behavior of parallel backtracking are presented. Two types of backtrack search algorithms are considered: simple backtracking, which does not use heuristics to order and prune search, and heuristic backtracking, which does. Analytical models are used to compare the average number of nodes visited in sequential and parallel search for each case. For simple backtracking, it is shown that the average speedup obtained is linear when the distribution of solutions is uniform and superlinear when the distribution of solutions is nonuniform. For heuristic backtracking, the average speedup obtained is at least linear, and the speedup obtained on a subset of instances is superlinear. Experimental results for many synthetic and practical problems run on various parallel machines that validate the theoretical analysis are presented. >
A Meta-Analysis on the Effects of Service-Learning on the Social, Personal, and Cognitive Outcomes of Learning

Service-learning is an experience-based approach to education and learning that has a set of diverse learning outcomes. Because of the uniqueness of its pedagogical approach and breadth of potential learning outcomes, management and business scholars have recognized its value. Much theory and supporting research has been generated on the effect of service-learning on college and university students. Through meta-analytic techniques, we found support for the hypotheses that service-learning has a positive effect on understanding of social issues (Est. .34); personal insight (Est. .28); and cognitive development (Est. .52). We also found significant moderating evidence for research design, type of reflection, type of measurement, and the service experience as optional or required. We conclude with a discussion of the theoretical and practical implications of these findings along with suggestions for future research.
Periodic Breathing in Preterm Infants: Incidence and Characteristics

The prevalence and characteristics of periodic breathing in preterm infants were measured by 24-hour impedance pneumograms in 66 preterm infants before discharge from the nursery. Four periodic breathing parameters (percentage of periodic breathing per quiet time, number of episodes of periodic breathing per 100 minutes of quiet time, mean duration of periodic breathing, and longest episode of periodic breathing) were compared to data available from healthy term infants and from term infants who subsequently died of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Periodic breathing was found in all preterm infants studied and mean periodic breathing parameter values (12.0%, 8.6 episodes, 1.2 minutes, and 7.3 minutes, respectively) in our preterm population were substantially higher than values from healthy term infants and SIDS victims. Most periodic breathing parameters decreased significantly in infants studied at 39 to 41 weeks' postconceptional age compared with earlier postconceptional age groups. No relationship was found between central apneas of greater than or equal to 15 seconds' duration and postconceptional age or any periodic breathing parameter. Periodic breathing is a common respiratory pattern in preterm infants that is usually not of pathologic significance. Associations between elevated levels of periodic breathing and respiratory dysfunction or SIDS should be made with caution.
Standardizing Laying Contests

Abstract The matter of bringing about greater uniformity in the rules and regulations of the several egg laying contests being conducted in this country is one to which the writer has given considerable thought. The Poultry Division of the University of California has been actively interested in the three contests in California and the writer formulated the rules for the first contest at Santa Cruz after which the rules for the Petaluma and Pomona contest were patterned. The most serious differences in the rules of our contests are the number of birds per entry, the number kept together in a pen and the use of alternates. The California contests early abandoned the use of alternates because : 1. If the alternates were trapnested as well as the contest flock, the substitution of an alternate and its entire trapnest record for that of the bird it replaced would usually alter the standing . . .
A comparison of age, size, and health of House Finches captured with two trapping methods

House Finches are being increasingly studied because of their variation in male plumage, evolving migration, and susceptibility to mycoplasmal conjunctivitis. Researchers traditionally use two methods for capturing House Finches: a walk-in hardware mesh cage around a bird feeder and mist nets placed next to lure feeders. However, because one method relies on birds' willingness to enter a foreign structure to obtain food, while the other captures them while flying, these methods may not sample the same subset of the House Finch population. This possibility could have serious consequences for studies of plumage coloration, where sex and age ratios are important; for studies of migration, where measures of wing lengths reflect migratory ability; and for studies of mycoplasmal infections, where disease state and measures of health are important. I used data from a long-term monitoring project of House Finches that employs both capture techniques to test if any attributes of House Finches differed between mist-netted and cage-trapped birds. Of 1173 House Finch captures over 3 yr, I found no trap-related difference in the proportion of birds with conjunctivitis, nor in the proportions of males or in the ratios of molting versus non-molting birds. There was also no difference in House Finch tarsus lengths or weights between capture methods. However, a larger proportion of young birds were captured in cage traps, and wing lengths were greater in birds captured with mist nets. I conclude that in general, cage traps and mist nets sample similar subsets of House Finches, but that researchers should view their trapping data with these inherent age and size biases in mind.
Cytoplasmic dynein’s mitotic spindle pole localization requires a functional anaphase-promoting complex, γ-tubulin, and NUDF/LIS1 in Aspergillus nidulans

In Aspergillus nidulans, cytoplasmic dynein and NUDF/LIS1 are found at the spindle poles during mitosis, but they seem to be targeted to this location via different mechanisms. The spindle pole localization of cytoplasmic dynein requires the function of the anaphase-promoting complex (APC), whereas that of NUDF does not. Moreover, although NUDF’s localization to the spindle poles does not require a fully functional dynein motor, the function of NUDF is important for cytoplasmic dynein’s targeting to the spindle poles. Interestingly, a -tubulin mutation, mipAR63, nearly eliminates the localization of cytoplasmic dynein to the spindle poles, but it has no apparent effect on NUDF’s spindle pole localization. Live cell analysis of the mipAR63 mutant revealed a defect in chromosome separation accompanied by unscheduled spindle elongation before the completion of anaphase A, suggesting that -tubulin may recruit regulatory proteins to the spindle poles for mitotic progression. In A. nidulans, dynein is not apparently required for mitotic progression. In the presence of a low amount of benomyl, a microtubule-depolymerizing agent, however, a dynein mutant diploid strain exhibits a more pronounced chromosome loss phenotype than the control, indicating that cytoplasmic dynein plays a role in chromosome segregation.
Projections From Auditory Cortex to the Cochlear Nucleus in Rats: Synapses on Granule Cell Dendrites

Previous work has demonstrated that layer V pyramidal cells of primary auditory cortex project directly to the cochlear nucleus. The postsynaptic targets of these centrifugal projections, however, are not known. For the present study, biotinylated dextran amine, an anterograde tracer, was injected into the auditory cortex of rats, and labeled terminals were examined with light and electron microscopy. Labeled corticobulbar axons and terminals in the cochlear nucleus are found almost exclusively in the granule cell domain, and the terminals appear as boutons (1-2 pm in diameter) or as small mossy fiber endings (2-5 km in diameter). These cortical endings contain round synaptic vesicles and form asymmetric synapses on hairy dendritic profiles, from which thin (0.1 pm in diameter), nonsynaptic “hairs” protrude deep into the labeled endings. These postsynaptic dendrites, which are typical of granule cells, surround and receive synapses from large, unlabeled mossy fiber endings containing round synaptic vesicles and are also postsynaptic to unlabeled axon terminals containing pleomorphic synaptic vesicles. No labeled fibers were observed synapsing on profiles that did not fit the characteristics of granule cell dendrites. We describe a circuit in the auditory system by which ascending information in the cochlear nucleus can be modified directly by descending cortical influences. o 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc. Indexing terms: centrifugal projections, electron microscopy, hearing, ultrastructure
Force reflection, shared control, and time delay in telemanipulation

Time delays of between 2 ms and 4096 ms were introduced between master and slave manipulators in advanced 6-DOF (degrees-of-freedom) force-reflecting telemanipulation system. The effects of the imposed delay were quantified in terms of completion time (CT) and sum-of-squared-force (SOSF) with six test operators and two modes of control: kinesthetic force feedback (KFF) and shared compliant control (SCC). KFF applies forces and torques proportional to those sensed by the slave robot to the human operator through the master. SCC uses the force/torque information entirely at the slave side to implement a variation on impedance control in parallel with the operator's position commands. Experiments measured effects of human operator grasp variation on stability of contact with KFF. CT and SOSF performance in a peg-in-hole task decreased linearly with imposed time delay using KFF, and decreased at a lower rate with SCC. SCC enabled task performance for 2 and 4 second delays, critical values for low-earth-orbit applications. >
Technology Use Among Adults Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing: A National Survey

As society becomes increasingly more dependent on technol-ogy, information regarding the use, preference, and accessibility of commonly used devices and services among individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) is crucial. Developing tech-nologies that are functional and appropriately accessible allows persons who are DHH to fully participate in society, education, and business while also providing opportunities for personal and professional advancement. Although a few international studies have addressed the technology use of individuals who are DHH, none exist that focus on the needs, preferences, and accessibility of current Internet- and mobile-based technologies. Consequently, a national survey was conducted in the United States to determine the preference, frequency of use, and acces-sibility of various technologies (hardware, software, websites) by adults who are DHH and living in the United States. Findings indicate frequent use of smartphones and personal computers, specifically for text-based communication and web surfing, and little use of Teletypewriter/Telecommunications Device for the Deaf. Website feature preferences include pictures and text, and captions over signed translations. Some results varied by demographics.
Recent problems in electromigration testing

Electromigration testing requires specialized structures for interconnections which use Al(Cu) shunted by refractory layers and terminated with tungsten-filled vias or contacts. Phenomena which may need to be taken into account include temperature gradients, reservoirs, via delamination and extrusions. Six examples of test structures which gave unanticipated results as a consequence of these behaviors are discussed.
Evaluation of interference during collaborative document development

A problem with collaborative development of documents is that people can interfere with each other's work. If unresolved, this interference can result in an incorrect document. An evaluation scenario using the development of a database design is proposed as a good context for evaluation of collaborative systems for the development of both text and diagram documents. Several metrics and measures are described for quantifying the occurrence of interference. In particular, five survey questions were added to a standard usability instrument to address interference and protection.
Adjuvant Strategies for Resectable Pancreatic Cancer: Have We Made Progress?

Substantial controversy remains regarding the optimal adjuvant treatment for patients with resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Despite improvements in radiation techniques, systemic therapies, and incorporation of targeted agents, the 5-year survival rates for early stage patients remains less than 25% and the optimal adjuvant treatment approach remains unclear. Here we summarize the data presented at the 2012 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium regarding controversial issues surrounding the role, timing, and selection of patients for adjuvant chemoradiation strategies following curative resection for pancreatic adenocarcinoma. (Abstracts #301, #333, and #206).
Ethnicity, Culture, and Disaster Response: Identifying and Explaining Ethnic Differences in PTSD Six Months After Hurricane Andrew

Abstract A sample of 404 residents of southern Florida were interviewed in their own homes six months after Hurricane Andrew. The sample was composed of equal numbers of hispanics, non-Hispanic blacks, and Caucasians. Most Latinos (n = 97) elected to complete the interview in Spanish; all other interviews were conducted in English. Ethnic groups differed strongly in the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Caucasian disaster victims showed the lowest rate (15%), Spanish-preferring Latinos showed the highest rate (38%), and African-Americans showed a rate (23%) between these two extremes. Additional analyses attempted to explain these symptom differences in terms of differential exposure and differential vulnerability to trauma. Both explanations had merit but neither completely accounted for observed ethnic differences. Cultural-specific responses to Hurricane Andrew suggest the need to view psychological symptoms in light of the possible adaptive nature of the behaviors due to political, s...
Entailment: An Effective Metric for Comparing and Evaluating Hierarchical and Non-hierarchical Annotation Schemes

Hierarchical or nested annotation of linguistic data often co-exists with simpler non-hierarchical or flat counterparts, a classic example being that of annotations used for parsing and chunking. In this work, we propose a general strategy for comparing across these two schemes of annotation using the concept of entailment that formalizes a correspondence between them. We use crowdsourcing to obtain query and sentence chunking and show that entailment can not only be used as an effective evaluation metric to assess the quality of annotations, but it can also be employed to filter out noisy annotations.
A virtual reality approach for minimizing information loss in multi-user, scalable environments

The authors of this work propose a virtual reality approach that overcomes two fundamental challenges experienced in physical learning environments; i) variations in audial quality, and ii) variations in visual quality, in an effort to achieve individual customization of information content. In physical brick and mortar environments, the dissemination of information is influenced by the medium that the information travels through, which is typically distorted by line of sight constraints and constraints that distort sound waves. The fundamental research question is how to achieve consistent quality of information being disseminated, as the number of audience members increases? There exists a knowledge gap relating to the creation of a scalable, networked, system for enabling real time, information exchange. The authors propose a virtual reality approach to address these limitations of physical learning spaces that minimizes the variability in audial and visual information dissemination. A real time, networked architecture is proposed that enables multiple individuals to simultaneously experience the same quality of audial and visual information, based on the optimal geospatial position for audial and visual exposure determined. A case study is introduced that first quantifies simulations of the audial and visual information loss experienced by audience members receiving information at different geospatial locations in a brick and mortar environment. This information loss is compared against the proposed virtual reality architecture that minimizes the variation in information dissemination. The authors demonstrate that the proposed solution is an improved, scalable multi-user system, unlike brick and mortar environments that are constrained by size and geospatial positioning.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
A High Rate of Parasitization by Brachymeria intermedia (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae) on the Gypsy Moth

Brachymeria intermedia (Nees) was recently (Leonard 1966) found established in the gypsy moth, Porthetria dispar (L.), in North America. It is a native of the Palaearctic regions (Howard and Fiske 1911) and apparently thrives best in the warmer Mediterranean countries. The failure of earlier introductions of B. intermedia to establish (Burgess and Crossman 1929) was ascribed to the cold New England winter by Dowden (1935).
Impulsivity, Stimulant Abuse, and Dopamine Receptor Signaling

The nonmedical use of amphetamine-type stimulants is a worldwide problem, with substantial medical and social consequences. Nonetheless, the identification of a pharmacological treatment for amphetamine use disorder remains elusive. Stimulant users exhibit neurochemical evidence of dopamine-system dysfunction as well as impulsive behaviors that may interfere with the success of treatments for their addiction. This review focuses on the potential role of dopaminergic neurotransmission in impulsivity, both in healthy individuals and chronic stimulant users who meet criteria for methamphetamine dependence. Presented are findings related to the potential contributions of signaling through dopamine D1- and D2-type receptors to self-control impulsivity in methamphetamine- dependent users. The information available points to signaling through striatal D2-type dopamine receptors as a potential therapeutic target for stimulant use disorders, but medications that target D2-type dopamine receptors have not been successful in treating stimulant-use disorders, possibly because D2-type receptors are downregulated. Other means to augment D2-type receptor signaling are therefore under consideration, and one promising approach is the addition of exercise training as an adjunct to behavioral treatment for addiction.
The cell cycle- and insulin-signaling-inhibiting miRNA expression pattern of very small embryonic-like stem cells contributes to their quiescent state.

Murine Oct4+, very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs), are a quiescent stem cell population that requires a supportive co-culture layer to proliferate and/or to differentiate in vitro. Gene expression studies have revealed that the quiescence of these cells is due to changes in expression of parentally imprinted genes, including genes involved in cell cycle regulation and insulin and insulin-like growth factor signaling (IIS). To investigate the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in VSEL quiescence, we performed miRNA studies in highly purified VSELs and observed a unique miRNA expression pattern in these cells. Specifically, we observed significant differences in the expression of certain miRNA species (relative to a reference cell population), including (i) miRNA-25_1 and miRNA-19 b, whose downregulation has the effect of upregulating cell cycle checkpoint genes and (ii) miRNA-675-3 p and miRNA-675-5 p, miRNA-292-5 p, miRNA-184, and miRNA-125 b, whose upregulation attenuates IIS. These observations are imp...
Band structure engineered Germanium-Tin (GeSn) p-channel tunnel transistors

In this work, we perform a detailed materials and device design evaluation for p-channel homo-junction and hetero-junction Tunnel FETs in Ge and GeSn material system. We start with atomistic level materials simulation using first principles density functional theory (DFT) and extend it to device level TCAD simulation. We show clearly the impact of tuning Sn composition to engineer the band structure and control the relative contribution of the direct and phonon assisted indirect band-to-band tunneling to design and demonstrate p-channel Tunnel FET in the Group IV system that are competitive with their III-V compound semiconductor counterparts.
Case Studies in Neurocritical Care

The practice of neurocritical care encompasses multiple acute neurologic and neurosurgical diseases and requires detailed knowledge of neurology and critical care. This article presents 5 cases that illustrate just some of the conditions encountered in the daily practice of neurocritical care and exemplify some of the common diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic challenges facing the neurointensivist. Life-threatening medical complications after severe acute ischemic stroke, seizures and extreme agitation from autoimmune encephalitis, refractory seizures after subdural hemorrhage, neurologic and systemic complications related to aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, and status epilepticus after cardiac arrest are discussed in this article.
TUGs into VUGs and Friendly BUGs: Transforming the Gracilis Territory into the Best Secondary Breast Reconstructive Option.

Background:The best secondary option for autologous breast reconstruction remains controversial. Limitations of the gracilis myocutaneous flap, including volume, skin paddle reliability, and donor morbidity, have been addressed by several modifications, hereby expanding its role in the decision tree
Pursuing Excellence in Healthcare Delivery: American Neurosurgery

The field of healthcare delivery is a large one, and neurosurgical health services research can be said to have only just begun. This chapter briefly addresses 3 components of excellence in health care delivery-quality, access, and cost-from a neurosurgical perspective.
Pulsed light inactivation of murine norovirus, Tulane virus, Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella in suspension and on berry surfaces

Pulsed light (PL) inactivation of two human norovirus (HuNoV) surrogates, murine norovirus (MNV-1) and Tulane virus (TV), and two bacterial pathogens, Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella, were evaluated. The viruses and bacteria were suspended in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) to final populations of ∼6 log PFU/mL and ∼6 log CFU/mL, respectively. Both viral and bacterial suspensions were then irradiated by PL for different durations and the reductions of each microorganisms were determined. MNV-1 and TV were significantly (P < 0.05) more resistant to PL treatment than Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7 in PBS suspension. MNV-1, Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7 were also inoculated on strawberries and blueberries and the PL inactivation of each microorganism was determined. Lower inactivation of each microorganism was achieved on berry surfaces than in PBS suspension. This study shows that PL can induce rapid inactivation of MNV-1, TV, Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7 in clear suspension with viruses more resistant to PL treatment than bacteria. The efficacy of PL treatment is substantially influenced by food surface structure.
Do a native and two exotic grasses respond differently in soils conditioned by native vegetation versus an exotic grass

Abstract Invasion by the exotic annual grass Bromus tectorum often increases soil nutrient availability. It is unclear, however, if other grasses benefit from this higher nutrient status. Soil from three sites in the northern Great Basin U.S.A. conditioned by B. tectorum invasion (BTCS=B. tectorum conditioned soil), paired with adjacent areas conditioned by native vegetation (NCS=native conditioned soil), were freshly-collected. Replicates were sown to B. tectorum, Elymus wawawaiensis (native perennial grass), and Agropyron cristatum (exotic perennial grass) and grown for 70 days. Above-ground biomass of the exotics B. tectorum and A. cristatum averaged over 2 times greater in BTCS relative to their growth in NCS. Above-ground biomass of the native E. wawawaiensis was statistically similar whether grown in BTCS or NCS. Overall, plants grown in BTCS had statistically similar tissue N and significantly greater tissue P concentrations compared to plants grown in NCS. The native perennial grass had significantly more negative ∂15N values when grown in BTCS relative to NCS suggesting it is accessing isotopically different N sources between the two substrates that B. tectorum or A. cristatum do not sense. Post-harvest soil mineral N was significantly greater for BTCS compared with NCS. Grown in BTCS, both exotic grasses significantly reduced soil mineral N relative to unplanted controls, but the native grass did not. The variable with the strongest explanatory power for above-ground plant mass was % utilization of the pre-plant soil pool of bicarbonate-extractable P. For the two exotics tested, BTCS is a superior growth medium than NCS. The native E. wawawaiensis may not benefit from growth in BTCS because it has slower nutrient uptake kinetics and growth to efficiently utilize greater N and P availability.
Differential Role of the Transcription Factor ZBP-89 in Hemangioblast Fate Determination: ZBP-89 Is a Direct Regulator of SCL.

Several molecular pathways have been identified that regulate distinct stages in the developmental progression from mesoderm to the formation of the hematopoietic and vascular lineages. Our previous work indicated that ectopic expression of the zinc finger transcription factor ZBP-89 promotes hematopoietic lineage development and represses endothelial cell lineage differentiation from hemangioblasts in murine embryonic stem cells. Here we evaluated the functional consequences of stable knockdown of ZBP-89 in embryonic stem cells (ESC) on hematopoietic and vascular development. Stable knock down of ZBP-89 in ESC significantly decreased the number of Blast Colony Forming Cells (BL-CFC) hemangioblasts, as well as primitive and definitive hematopoietic progenitor colonies BFU-E, GM-CFU, G-CFU, M-CFU and GEMM-CFU in vitro. In contrast, sprouting angiogenesis was markedly increased in EB cultures. Flow cytometric analysis of the lineages derived from ZBP-89 deficient EB cultures showed that the early (C-kit+Sca-1+) and definitive (CD45+) hematopoietic stem cells populations were reduced, but the endothelial cell population (CD31+ VE-Cadherin+) was increased. RT-PCR analysis of EB cultures revealed a direct correlation between the expression levels of ZBP-89 and hematopoietic markers (including SCL and Runx1) but an inverse correlation with the vascular marker CD31, with no change in Oct4 expression level. To investigate the mechanism underlying the role of ZBP-89 in hematopoiesis, the effect of ZBP-89 on expression of SCL, a master regulator of hematopoiesis, was examined. The murine SCL promoter transduced into the ZBP-89-expressing MEL cell line drove luciferase gene expression. ZBP-89 knockdown in MEL cells markedly reduced SCL expression. ChIP analysis showed that endogenous ZBP-89 protein bound directly to the murine SCL promoter in MEL cells. Thus ZBP-89 plays a central role in fate determination of hemangioblasts; its induction suppresses angiogenesis but enhances differentiation of hemangioblasts along the hematopoietic pathway, an effect mediated through the regulated expression of SCL.
The Safe Hand: Liquidity, Money, and Financial Innovation

The financial crisis of 2007–2008 has invigorated a debate over the role placed by “safe assets” in the financial system. “Safe assets” refer to a class of financial instruments whose properties and contexts allow them to be considered riskless, in the sense that their owners have no need or obligation to acquire information about them. Safe assets arise out of innovations in financial technologies that construct safety so as to allow certain assets to play important roles in the financial system. This chapter seeks to provide perspective on the safe assets debate by examining the relationship between safety and liquidity. Combined, information technology, financial innovation, and unintended regulatory consequences contribute to the automation of ever riskier financial speculation threatening financial safety and liquidity.
Cometabolic degradation of blended biodiesel by Moniliella wahieum Y12T and Byssochlamys nivea M1

Abstract Two fungi from the genus Moniliella and Byssochlamys were isolated and identified from a water contaminated B20 biodiesel blend. The Moniliella and Byssochlamys isolates were able to metabolize both biodiesel and petroleum diesel individually. Further investigations with Moniliella wahieum Y12 T grown using blended fuels as the carbon substrate show that the degradation of ULSD was enhanced by 33.3% when blended with 5% biodiesel. This amount decreased to 11.1% when blended with 20% biodiesel. This is the first report describing an enhanced ULSD degradation rate that was increased through a cometabolic processes induced by biodiesel using Moniliella wahieum Y12 T .
Property Rights Regimes, Technological Innovation, and Foreign Direct Investment

We argue that democratic institutions influence property rights in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) by providing: (1) a coherent logic to the property rights regime that is created in a state and (2) a legitimate way to manage conflicts that arise in dynamic economies. We expect that the marginal effect of property rights in attracting FDI has increased over time with the rate of technological dynamism. We test this using a non-nested multilevel modeling strategy with random coefficients on data from 1970 to 2009. Our results demonstrate that the effect of property rights on attracting FDI is contingent on democratic institutions and that this effect becomes more pronounced over time. This effect holds for both developing and developed countries across all regions.
Data flow synchronization of a real-time fusion system to detect and recognize smart TV gestures

This paper presents the data flow synchronization aspects of running a fusion system on a modern laptop in real-time. The fusion system uses two differing modality sensors of a Kinect depth camera and a wearable inertial sensor to detect and recognize a number of actions of interest from continuous action streams. This system is utilized to detect and recognize smart TV gestures when they are performed in a random and continuous manner among various actions of non-interest. It is shown that the processing times associated with the components of the developed fusion system lead to the real-time operation of the system on modern laptops.
Forecast Terminology: Composition and Interpretation of Public Weather Forecasts,

Worded forecasts, which generally consist of both verbal and numerical expressions, play an important role in the communication of weather information to the general public. However, relatively few studies of the composition and interpretation of such forecasts have been conducted. Moreover, the studies that have been undertaken to date indicate that many expressions currently used in public forecasts are subject to wide ranges of interpretation (and to misinterpretation) and that the ability of individuals to recall the content of worded forecasts is quite limited. This paper focuses on forecast terminology and the understanding of such terminology in the context of short-range public weather forecasts. The results of previous studies of forecast terminology (and related issues) are summarized with respect to six basic aspects or facets of worded forecasts. These facets include: 1) events (the values of the meteorological variables): 2) terminology (the words used to describe the events); 3) words versus...
Reader response: Pilocytic astrocytoma with anaplasia arising from the optic chiasm in a very elderly patient

As alluded to by the authors of this NeuroImage,1 few studies have investigated pilocytic astrocytoma (PA) in adults, given the rarity of these tumors. One study suggested anaplastic PAs have a more aggressive clinical course when compared to juvenile PA with a higher incidence of tumor recurrence (from 30% to 42%) and progression.2 Specifically, PA with anaplastic features are more aggressive and associated with decreased survival when compared with typical PA.3 No standard of care exists for treatment of PA, especially in the elderly. Anti-angiogenic treatment, such as bevacizumab (a humanized monoclonal antibody directed against vascular endothelial growth factor), should be considered in patients with recurrent or unresectable PA. The highly vascular nature of these tumors suggests they may be uniquely responsive to bevacizumab and may have a similar response as seen in glioblastoma, including decreased permeability of vasculature and decreased perilesional edema.4 Case series demonstrated clinical and radiographic improvement as well as disease control with the use of bevacizumab.5
“Now you’re connected”: Carceral visuality and police power on MobilePatrol:

Police increasingly rely on new media software for public communication and policing operations. One such software is MobilePatrol: Public Safety App, a free to use mobile phone application markete...
Revitalizing CS hardware curricula: object oriented hardware design

This paper describes a plan to integrate current digital hardware design technology into the computer science hardware curriculum. The project will approach digital hardware design from a perspective familiar to computer science students. Techniques featuring Object Oriented Design (OOD), Object Oriented Programming (OOP), code reuse, rapid prototyping, project centered learning, and visualization will be used to facilitate learning computer hardware and embedded systems. In particular, we plan to introduce digital systems design from a programming perspective using the VHSIC Hardware Description Language (VHDL) language, Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), and modern development environments.
Natural Language Processing in Health Care and Biomedicine

After reading this chapter, you should know the answers to these questions: Why is natural language processing important? What are the potential uses for natural language processing (NLP) in the biomedical and health domains? What forms of knowledge are used in NLP? What are the principal techniques of NLP? What are challenges for NLP in the clinical, biological, and health consumer domains?
Biological Control Agents for Plant Pathogens

Biological control of plant pathogens is fundamentally a matter of ecological management of a community of organisms, as is all biological control. In the case of plant pathogens, however, there are two distinctions from biological control of organisms such as insects and plants. First, the ecological management occurs at the microbial level, typically in microcosms of the ecosystem such as leaf and root surfaces (Andrews 1992). Second, biological control agents include competitors, as well as parasites. While hyperparasites of plant pathogens and natural enemies of nematodes function in much the same way as do natural enemies (parasitoids) in arthropod systems (by destroying the pest organisms), competitors function by occupying and using resources in a nonpathogenic manner and in so doing exclude pathogenic organisms from colonizing plant tissues. Microbes which negatively affect pathogenic organisms are referred to as antagonists.
Xenobiotic-Induced Peroxisome Proliferation: Role of Tissue Specificity and Species Differences in Response in the Evaluation of the Implications for Human Health

Significant increases in the number of peroxisomes and in the activity of H2O2 generating peroxisomal fatty acid β-oxidation enzyme system occur in liver parenchymal cells of mice, rats and certain other species exposed to several structurally dissimilar hypolipidemic drugs and certain phthalateester plasticizers. These agents, referred to as peroxisome proliferators, are considered as novel hepatocarcinogenic agents in view of their non-mutagenic and non-genotoxic nature. The lack of mutagenicity of these agents combined with consistent coupling of proliferation of H2O2 generating peroxisomes led to the hypothesis that persistent proliferation of peroxisomes serves as an endogenous initiator of neoplastic transformation by inducing oxidative stress. The mechanism by which oxidative stress leads to neoplastic transformation is, however, not clear. This postulated link between peroxisome proliferation and carcinogenicity implies that tumors should develop only in organs displaying profound peroxisome proliferation. Current evidence indicates that maximal peroxisome proliferation is a tissue-specific phenomenon, restricted largely to the hepatocyte. This tissue-specific biological response suggests that interaction of these structurally dissimilar xenobiotics with a receptor(s) might be the mechanism responsible for peroxisome proliferation and the selective increase in the rate of transcription of peroxisomal fatty acid β-oxidation enzyme genes without significantly affecting the transcriptional rate of peroxisomal marker enzyme catalase gene. Identification and molecular characterization of peroxisome proliferator specific receptor(s) and elucidation of the mechanisms responsible for the differences in interspecies responses will be necessary for the evaluation of the implications for human health, since the carcinogenicity is not directly attributable to the chemical but to the adaptive responses of the host.
Maternal alcohol and adrenalectomy:: Asynchrony of stress response and forced swim behavior

Fetal alcohol-exposed (FAE) rats exhibit heightened hormonal and behavioral stress responses, strikingly similar to those caused by exposure to elevated maternal corticosterone (CORT). Since alcohol increases maternal CORT, this study examined the effect of maternal adrenalectomy (ADX) on the CORT stress response and forced swim test (FST) behavior of the adult FAE offspring. Maternal ADX alone dramatically enhanced the CORT stress response of the offspring of pair-fed (PF) mothers but had no effect on the exaggerated CORT response to restraint stress observed in the FAE female. In contrast, maternal ADX reversed the increased immobility of FAE offspring in the FST of depressive behavior. These findings provide original evidence that stress hyper-reactivity and depressive behavior in the FAE offspring are mediated by separate developmental mechanisms.
Disturbances of Pain Perception in Irritable Bowel Syndrome

The irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders seen by physicians in the primary care setting, and is responsible for up to 40% of referrals to gastroenterologists (Drossman, Whitehead, & Camilleri, 1997). Although not a life-threatening illness, it can be disabling for the patient and quality of life is significantly impaired. Over the past 20 years, the focus of the diagnosis and treatment has shifted from the standpoint of IBS as a motility disorder to the more accepted view of IBS as a disorder of visceral hypersensitivity. Patients with this gastrointestinal disorder have been shown to have visceral hypersensitivity or decreased pain thresholds to distension of the gut, which is now considered a biological marker for IBS (Mertz, Naliboff, Munakata, Niazi, & Mayer, 1995). Patients with IBS also present with many extra intestinal symptoms such as backaches, migraine headaches, and muscle pain, all of which are consistent with a central hyperalgesic state (Mayer & Gebhart, 1994). Recent studies suggest that patients with IBS may have cutaneous hyperalgesia similar to that seen in patients with other chronic pain disorders such as fibromyalgia (Verne, Robinson, & Price, 2001). The latter two findings suggest that abnormalities of central nociceptive processing are also present in the irritable bowel syndrome.
MITRE's Qanda at TREC 15.

Introduction Qanda is MITRE’s TREC-style question answering system. In recent years, we have been able to apply only a small effort to the TREC QA activity, approximately six person-weeks this year. (Accordingly, much of this discussion is plagiarized from prior system descriptions.) We made a number of small improvements to the system this year, including expanding our use of Wordnet. The system’s information retrieval wrapper now performs iterative query relaxation in order to improve document retrieval. We also experimented with an ad hoc means of “boosting” the maximum entropy model used to score candidate answers in order to improve its ranking ability.
Thermoformed Liquid Crystal Polymer Packages for Magnetoelastic Frame-Suspended Resonators

This paper describes a micromolding and bonding process for liquid crystal polymer (LCP) packages for miniaturized magnetoelastic resonators. Millimeter-scale magnetoelastic resonators are known to be attractive for tagging applications. To allow deployment in high pressure liquid phase environments, a suitable packaging approach is needed. In this paper, LCP, which is transparent to electromagnetic fields and also chemically resistant, is investigated for packaging. The package, consisting of two hemispherical shells, has an outer diameter of 2.45 mm. The shells are thermoformed with the use of three micro-electrodischarge machined stainless steel molds. Both shells have features to support the frame of the magnetoelastic resonator, ensuring that the active portion of the resonator can vibrate with minimal interaction with the package. A comparison between the response of packaged and unpackaged resonators demonstrates that the packaging does not affect the signal amplitude or resonant frequency of the resonators. The average shear force that the package can endure is 61.1 N. The package prevents the ingress of liquids and allows sensor operation at hydrostatic pressures in excess of 1000 psi (6.9 MPa). [2018-0287]
Searching for the optimal positive end-expiratory pressure for lung protective ventilation.

Purpose of reviewThe optimal strategy for setting positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) has not been established. This review examines different approaches for setting PEEP to achieve lung-protective ventilation.Recent findingsPEEP titration strategies commonly focus either on achieving adequate a
Mentoring in Lower-Level Engineering Courses

Online mentoring using innovative new technologies for teaching and learning is increasingly attractive to help students at long distance or with intricate schedules. The need for online mentoring at many higher education institutions is becoming greater every day due to challenges students go through related to traveling to school or schedules that conflict with the traditional face-to-face mentoring and office hours. Online peer mentoring with trained mentors could be a convenient option to help students at different campuses or at different universities and/or community colleges. In this paper, procedures and steps required for peer mentors for face-to-face and online mentoring scenarios are presented based on an initial pilot study. Online peer mentoring was implemented in a low-level engineering course (e.g. engineering mechanics). In addition, in this study online mentoring is explored through a study to determine best practices, local student perceptions and preferences, and to identify required additional implementation steps. For example, student opinions were collected to recognize student preferences among face-to-face or online mentoring at our multi-campus minority serving institution. With the new generation of minority engineering students taking classes in different campuses, it was expected that there would be an increasing preference for online mentoring. However, current student opinions have indicated that they prefer face-to-face mentoring, but also suggesting that in some circumstances, online mentoring is convenient and cost effective. Either way, mentees expect the mentors to be supportive, well-knowledgeable, skilled, and preferably with previous mentoring experience in person, online, or both. Furthermore, to prepare good mentoring sessions, student mentors must work with the professors to ensure students have assignments to complete, and that mentoring is available at convenient hours. This is an ongoing project that will continue its development and its implementation in the following semesters.
Complex Food Recognition using Hyper-Spectral Imagery

Developing a rapid and low-cost approach for automated food recognition is a necessity for applications such as dietary assessment to determine the caloric and nutritional food intake for short-term rehab and elderly care centers are very critical for the health care system. The main step in dietary assessment is not only to identify (classify) different components of the food but also to identify food cooked by different processes. Many researchers have focused their efforts on developing image-based learning techniques of food classification. Hyperspectral Imagery (HSI) allows for examining the spectral response of foods over a larger frequency spectrum. This paper presents the use of hyperspectral images for the detection of different foods in a meal. The hyperspectral data of food have been collected under a controlled illumination environment and food classified using SVM (Support Vector Machine) and Logistic Regression classifiers. We compare RGB and hyperspectral data classification on a set of common foods and present results.
All for One and One Delivery Room Approach for All

Multiple births are increasing in frequency related to advanced maternal age and fertility treatments, and they have an increased risk for congenital anomalies compared to singleton births. However, twins have the same congenital anomalies <15% of the time. Thus, having multiple births with discordant anomalies is a growing challenge for neonatologists. Although external anomalies can often be spotted quickly at delivery or sex differences between multiples can rapidly identify those with internal anomalies described on prenatal ultrasound, we present a case of male multiples, who would optimally receive different initial resuscitation strategies on the basis of the presence or absence of an internal anomaly. The similar size of 4 extremely preterm quadruplets raises concern for whether accurate, immediate identification of 1 neonate with a congenital diaphragmatic hernia will be reliable in the delivery room. Clinicians discuss the ethical considerations of an "all for one" approach to this resuscitation.