cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Computer vision in undergraduate education: modern embedded computing

Computer vision has historically been taught as a graduate subject since few examples of the discipline were being practiced in mainstream engineering. In recent years, the incorporation of multimedia into embedded devices has drawn some vision topics into mainstream attention. Examples of consumer products include digital video recorders, cellular phones, and automobile collision-avoidance systems. This paper describes the development of an undergraduate course that incorporates some vision topics into the larger context of embedded computing. Traditional topics, such as processor types, dynamic power management, and real-time scheduling, are taught alongside relevant vision topics, such as codecs, concurrent interfaces, and multimedia signal acquisition, storage, and rendering. In lab work, the students program hardware to operate as a digital video camera. While the primary goal for the course is to teach embedded computing, a secondary goal for the course is to entice students into graduate study in computer vision. However, a major developmental point was to justify the vision content in the context of how it serves the needs of students not opting for graduate study, as well as how the course would impact students working in other related graduate research areas.
DESPAIR, DISTRUST AND DISSATISFACTION AMONG BLACKS AND WOMEN, 1973–1987

Discontent among American blacks and women is examined with indicators of the anomia of despair and distrust, and of job and financial dissatisfaction. Nine years of General Social Survey data covering 1973 through 1987 show that blacks’ discontent exceeds whites’ in most instances examined; and black women more frequently show significantly higher discontent than other race/gender groups. Also, blacks’ discontent more often exceeds whites’ among persons high in SES than among those low in SES. But gender main effects are almost nonexistent; and white women almost never show more discontent than other race/gender groups. This unexpected finding may be related to white women's greater identification with race than gender and their perception of general but not personal discrimination. Failure of the gender/discontent relationships to differ with the American president in office may have a similar explanation. But, as expected, racial differences in discontent tended to be higher during the Nixon/Ford and Reagan administrations than Carter's.
Chronic Metoclopramide Therapy for Diabetic Gastroparesis

OBJECTIVETo review the safety and efficacy of chronic metoclopramide for diabetic gastroparesis.DATA SOURCESMedical literature was accessed through MEDLINE (1965 to October 2002) and PubMed (1965 to October 2002). Key search terms included metoclopramide; diabetic gastroparesis; and dyskinesia, drug induced.DATA SYNTHESISMetoclopramide is often used for diabetic gastroparesis, despite the risk of tardive dyskinesia. Published information is limited regarding long-term efficacy and toxicity of metoclopramide. The literature was assessed concerning these topics.CONCLUSIONSLimited data do not provide sufficient evidence to conclude whether metoclopramide is efficacious for chronic use. Routine monitoring may mitigate the risk associated with metoclopramide therapy.
Polar Sampling Theorems Of Use In Optics

We present a number of new polar sampling theorems of use in optics. The theorems are useful in image data compression, image coding, and tomography. We illustrate their applica-tion in several instances.© (1982) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Cor triloculare biatriatum with pulmonary stenosis and normally related great vessels

Abstract A study of 3 necropsy-proved cases of single ventricle (cor triloculare biatriatum) with pulmonary stenosis and normally related great vessels is reported. Clinically, 2 of these cases were considered to be examples of the tetralogy of Fallot. In the third case, a right-to-left shunt at atrial level caused by tricuspid stenosis led to a diagnosis of tricuspid atresia. Analysis of the electrocardiograms, which were available in 2 of the cases, revealed no leads that could be classed as specific for single ventricle with normally related great vessels. This study indicates the difficulty in distinguishing cor triloculare biatriatum with pulmonary stenosis and normally related great vessels from the tetralogy of Fallot and, at times, from tricuspid atresia.
Comments: the characteristics and purpose of resident scholarship.

Experts may present a variety of arguments to justify scholarship requirements. Yet all would agree on the central tenet that successful scholarship breeds successful physicians. In that spirit, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education should revise common resident scholarship requirements to establish a set of criteria defining scholarship, which would allow a broad range of activities while providing boundaries for learners and educators to reference. Although Glassick's criteria1 address overarching features of all scholarship, we suggest a modification of those criteria to more specifically address the critical features of scholarship for residents. The table summarizes 5 essential elements of scholarship that are of educational value for residents. Resident scholarship should begin with a focused, scholarly question, followed by a systematic search for existing knowledge on the topic. This should include a thorough search of the medical literature but may also include consultations with experts or collaboration with a medical librarian. The data-gathering process may differ depending on the type of scholarly project. Data may be from clinical or laboratory research projects, it may include published studies, or it could be expert opinion about a specific clinical conundrum. The resident will then analyze the accumulated data and synthesize an answer to the original question. Finally, no scholarship is complete until it is presented to peers in an appropriate, high-quality format. TABLE The 5 Characteristics of Scholarship That Are Educationally Valuable for Residents Although these criteria can be applied to Boyer's 4 types of scholarship2 (the scholarship of teaching was added to the table for illustration), we suggest that resident scholarship should focus on the scholarship of discovery. Discovery is the foundation on which the other types of scholarship is built. By participating in the scholarship of discovery, residents learn the necessary skills to critically read medical literature, determine the relevance of new knowledge, and appropriately apply that knowledge. Not only does a resident project need to meet the scholarship requirements but the end result of the resident's participation should also make him or her a better physician. The purpose of resident scholarship is, first and foremost, to teach the skills of critical analysis and application of medical evidence to patient care. A resident who only gathers data through a short survey fielded to a group of ambulatory patients has participated in research but has not learned skills that make him or her a better clinician. We encourage collaboration among residents to spread the work and encourage conversations about the process. However, overdilution of the experience should be avoided. Each resident must be an active member of the scholarly team and come away a better clinician. For resident scholarship to achieve its goal, each resident must gain tacit understanding of most, if not all, of the elements of scholarship.
Composition Structure of Burning Sprays of Jet a Fuel and its Emulsions With Water

This paper presents the axial and radial concentration profiles of various species (O2, N2, CO2, H2O, NO, NOx, and Cn Hm) in the burning sprays of Jet A fuel, its blend with 1 percent surfactant, and its emulsions with 1 percent surfactant and different water contents (5, 10, and 20 percent by volume). The composition structure of the flame studied is in conformity with the temperature, particulate concentration, and radiation profiles studied earlier. The results show that the increase of water content of emulsions decreases fuel pyrolysis and oxides of nitrogen, whereas the surfactant alone does not markedly affect the flame structure.Copyright © 1980 by ASME
Efficient representation, stratification, and compression of variational CSM library waveforms using robust principle component analysis

In deep sub-micron technology, accurate modeling of output waveforms of library cells under different input slew and load capacitance values is crucial for precise timing and noise analysis of VLSI circuits. Construction of a compact and efficient model of such waveforms becomes even more challenging when manufacturing process and environmental variations are considered. This paper introduces a rigorous and robust foundation to mathematically model output waveforms under sources of variability and to compress the library data. The proposed approach is suitable for today's current source model (CSM) based ASIC libraries. It employs an orthonormal transformation to represent the output waveforms as a linear combination of some appropriately-derived basis waveforms. More significantly Robust Principle Component Analysis (RPCA) is used to stratify the library waveforms into a small number of groups for which different sets of principle components are calculated. This stratification results in a very high compression ratio for the variational CSM library while meeting a maximum error tolerance. Interpolation and further compression is obtained by representing the coefficients as signomial functions of various parameters, e.g., input slew, load capacitance, supply voltage, and temperature. We propose a procedure to calculate the coefficients and power of the signomial functions. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed variational CSM modeling framework and the stratification-based compression approach.
Self-Monitoring of On-Task Behavior by Adolescents with Learning Disabilities

The results of five single-subject studies showed that adolescents with learning disabilities can successfully implement self-monitoring procedures in special and regular education settings and correspondingly improve their on-task behavior. Graduate students in special education implemented the procedures with junior-high and high-school students with learning disabilities. Improvements were seen regardless of whether the classmates' percentage of on-task behavior was as high as or as low as the subject's on-task behavior. In some of the studies, reinforcement was coupled with self-monitoring; however, results indicated that both can be effectively faded and withdrawn without affecting students' on-task behavior.
Power, gender, and sexual behavior

Relationships among power, gender, and sexual behavior were investigated through a questionnaire completed by 191 college undergraduates. Results indicated that the relationship between power and sexual behavior depended on the type of sexual behavior and how power was measured. Power measured by dominance as a sexual motive was associated with sexual behavior across gender. Power measured by submission as a sexual motive was associated with engaging in usual sexual behavior for women and with abstaining from it for men. The power of both partners in the relationship and power as a sexual motive were associated with engaging in unusual sexual behavior for both men and women. Partners ‘ relative power was unrelated to sexual behavior. Results point to the value of employing multiple measures of power in research on romantic relationships and sexual behavior. Findings supported, and were discussed in terms of, the matching hypothesis, equity theory, and men's (compared to women ‘s) greater willingness to en...
Coiled-Coil Nanomechanics and Uncoiling and Unfolding of the Superhelix and α-Helices of Myosin

The nanomechanical properties of the coiled-coils of myosin are fundamentally important in understanding muscle assembly and contraction. Force spectra of single molecules of double-headed myosin, single-headed myosin, and coiled-coil tail fragments were acquired with an atomic force microscope and displayed characteristic triphasic force-distance responses to stretch: a rise phase (R) and a plateau phase (P) and an exponential phase (E). The R and P phases arise mainly from the stretching of the coiled-coils, with the hinge region being the main contributor to the rise phase at low force. Only the E phase was analyzable by the worm-like chain model of polymer elasticity. Restrained molecular mechanics simulations on an existing x-ray structure of scallop S2 yielded force spectra with either two or three phases, depending on the mode of stretch. It revealed that coiled-coil chains separate completely near the end of the P phase and the stretching of the unfolded chains gives rise to the E phase. Extensive conformational searching yielded a P phase force near 40 pN that agreed well with the experi- mental value. We suggest that the flexible and elastic S2 region, particularly the hinge region, may undergo force-induced unfolding and extend reversibly during actomyosin powerstroke.
Statistics Poker: Reinforcing Basic Statistical Concepts

Summary Learning basic statistical concepts does not need to be tedious or dry; it can be fun and interesting through cooperative learning in the small-group activity of Statistics Poker. This article describes a teaching approach for reinforcing basic statistical concepts that can help students who have high anxiety and makes learning and reinforcing these concepts more interesting and fun.
A Comparison of Endoscopic Ultrasound Guided Fine Needle Aspiration (EUS-FNA) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) in Preoperative Diagnosis of Pancreatic Duct Adenocarcinoma

Introduction: Colloid carcinoma (CC) is a rare invasive carcinoma of the pancreas believed to arise from intestinal type intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN). The cytologic features of CC are not well described because previous cytology descriptions of invasive carcinomas arising from IPMN do not consistently subtype the invasive carcinoma. Furthermore, current diagnostic criteria may not have been used to diagnose the histologic correlates for prior descriptions of CC. We describe fine needle aspiration (FNA) findings for CC using histologically confirmed cases meeting current diagnostic criteria. Materials and Methods: We searched our archive for ultrasound-guided FNAs of the pancreas with histologic correlation showing CC defined by containing >80% extracellular mucin and reviewed corresponding cytology and histology. The following morphologic parameters were evaluated: cellularity, quantity and quality of mucin, cytoarchitecture, cell size, shape, and nuclear features. Results: Six FNA cases from resected CCs were identified. In 4/6 patients an associated IPMN of predominantly intestinal type was identified with the CC component comprising <10-100% of the lesions. Two cases were entirely CC, but one was not entirely submitted for histology and IPMN could not be excluded. By cyto-histo correlation we determined that 4/6 of FNAs contained CC while 2 cases showed discrepant features suggesting sampling error. The 4 FNAs containing CC uniformly showed: low cellularity (tumor cells comprised <20% of smeared material), abundant thick/glassy mucin, degenerating inflammatory cells in mucin, mild nuclear membrane abnormalities, and disordered honeycomb sheets of mucinous cells. All 4 CC FNAs were originally diagnosed as “suspicious for mucinous neoplasm.” Conclusion: The cytologic features of CC are similar to IPMN and may be subject to under-diagnosis due to the well-differentiated cytologic appearance, low cellularity, and thick obscuring mucin.
Cotton producers' choice of marketing techniques

A survey of cotton producers was conducted in Mississippi and Texas. The econometric model consists of a multinomial logit model of cotton producers' choice of marketing techniques. The results indicate that cotton acres positively influence pooling and negatively influence cash sales. Producers willing to incur higher transaction costs in market information systems and training tend to choose futures/options contracts and forward pricing. It was found that risk-averse producers tend not to choose pooling contracts. On the other hand, producers who seek abnormal gains through speculation tend to choose pooling contracts. Finally, producers who perceive markets as being price-efficient prefer cash sales. [EconLit citation: Q130.] © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Agribusiness 20: 465–479, 2004.
Efficacy and safety implications of molecular constructs of biological agents for rheumatoid arthritis

Introduction: Targeted biologic immunomodulatory therapies have had a major impact in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α inhibition, B-cell depletion, interference in T-cell costimulation and interleukin (IL)-1 and IL-6 inhibition. Along with the recognition of the importance of early, aggressive disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) grounded in the use of methotrexate, the introduction of biologic DMARDs (bDMARDs) has provided significantly improved outcomes in patients with RA with a goal of true remission, or at least a state of very low disease activity, now possible in many. There are a number of methods to inhibit cytokines, cellular receptors and pathways of signal transduction that have been used thus far and are in development. In some cases, the method of target inhibition and differences in molecular construct has impacted efficacy and/or safety; whereas, in other cases, similar safety and/or efficacy signals across compounds have demonstrated ...
Modeling, measurement and mitigation of crosstalk noise coupling in 3D-ICs

Faraday cages have traditionally been used to provide isolation from electromagnetic fields. In this paper, we describe the use of Faraday cages for reducing crosstalk in 3D ICs. We validate our methodology with a combination of simulation and measurements from fabricated prototype designs. Measurement and simulation results show that the crosstalk between the transmitter and receiver reduces by about 75 dB up to 10 GHz by using a Faraday cage in combination with tier-to-tier isolation, which is one of best performance reported so far. We further develop a lumped equivalent model for crosstalk with and without a Faraday cage. There is good agreement between measurement, 3D electromagnetic simulation and lumped circuit simulation.
Third Update to the Order 7 de Bruijn Weight Class Distribution

Order n de Bruijn sequences are the period 2n binary sequences from n-stage feedback shift registers. The de Bruijn sequences have good randomness and complexity properties. The number of de Bruijn sequences in a weight class of the order n generating functions is unknown for all but the smallest n. This paper posts the final results for weight class 47 and intermediate results for weight class 21 of the order 7 de Bruijn sequences.
Genome-Wide Location Analysis by Pull Down of In Vivo Biotinylated Transcription Factors

Recent development of methods for genome-wide identification of transcription factor binding sites by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) has led to novel insights into transcriptional regulation and greater understanding of the function of individual transcription factors. ChIP requires highly specific antibody against the transcriptional regulator of interest, and availability of suitable antibodies is a significant impediment to broader application of this approach. This limitation can be circumvented by tagging the transcriptional regulator of interest with a short bio epitope which is specifically biotinylated by the E. coli enzyme BirA. The biotinylated transcription factor can then be selectively pulled down on streptavidin beads under stringent conditions. This unit provides a detailed protocol for genome-wide location analysis of in vivo biotinylated transcription factors by streptavidin pull-down followed by high-throughput sequencing (bioChIP-seq).
Adenosine-induced pulmonary vein ectopy as a predictor of recurrent atrial fibrillation after pulmonary vein isolation.

Background— Adenosine can unmask dormant pulmonary vein (PV) conduction after PV isolation. Adenosine can also induce ectopy in electrically silent PVs after isolation, possibly via activation of autonomic triggers. We sought to identify the implications of adenosine-induced PV ectopy for atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after PV isolation. Methods and Results— A total of 152 patients (age, 60±11 years; 63% paroxysmal AF) undergoing PV isolation for AF were studied. After each PV was isolated, adenosine was administered and the presence of adenosine-induced PV reconnection and PV ectopy were recorded. Dormant conduction was targeted with additional ablation. Adenosine-induced PV ectopy was seen in 45 (30%) patients, and dormant conduction was seen in 44 (29%) patients. After a median follow-up of 374 days, 48 (32%) patients had recurrent AF after a single ablation procedure. Rates of freedom from AF among patients with adenosine-induced PV ectopy were significantly lower than patients without adenosine-induced PV ectopy (63% versus 76% at 1 year; log rank, 0.014). Rates of freedom from AF among patients with dormant conduction were also lower than patients without dormant conduction (64% versus 76% at 1 year; log rank, 0.062). With multivariate analysis, adenosine-induced PV ectopy was found to be the only independent predictor of AF after PV isolation (hazard ratio, 1.90; 95% confidence interval, 1.06–3.40; P =0.032). Conclusions— Adenosine-induced PV ectopy is a predictor of recurrent AF after PV isolation and may be a marker of increased susceptibility to autonomic triggers of AF.
Place-Based Differences in the Commission of Recurrent Animal Cruelty

Despite the recent surge in research linking animal and human acts of violence, relatively few studies have been conducted examining animal cruelty itself. Although several researchers have begun to identify some of the correlates of animal cruelty, few have attempted to understand how differences in the backgrounds of rural and urban residents have led to their abuse of animals. Using survey data from 180 inmates, this study examines how demographic characteristics, exposure to animal cruelty in childhood, and the target animal's relationship with the abuser have contributed to the frequency of acts of animal cruelty in urban- and rural-based settings. Unlike their urban counterparts, rural respondents who engaged in recurrent animal cruelty were more likely to have witnessed family members and/or friends abuse an animal. Moreover, rural respondents who engaged in recurrent animal cruelty abused pet and stray animals, whereas recurrent animal abusers who grew up in urban areas tended to abuse pets only. These findings suggest possible place-based differences in the etiology of recurrent animal cruelty.
Jerky/Earthbound facilitates cell‐specific Wnt/Wingless signalling by modulating β‐catenin–TCF activity

Wnt/Wingless signal transduction directs fundamental developmental processes, and upon hyperactivation triggers colorectal adenoma/carcinoma formation. Responses to Wnt stimulation are cell specific and diverse; yet, how cell context modulates Wnt signalling outcome remains obscure. In a Drosophila genetic screen for components that promote Wingless signalling, we identified Earthbound 1 (Ebd1), a novel member in a protein family containing Centromere Binding Protein B (CENPB)-type DNA binding domains. Ebd1 is expressed in only a subset of Wingless responsive cell types, and is required for only a limited number of Wingless-dependent processes. In addition, Ebd1 shares sequence similarity and can be functionally replaced with the human CENPB domain protein Jerky, previously implicated in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy development. Both Jerky and Ebd1 interact directly with the Wnt/Wingless pathway transcriptional co-activators β-catenin/Armadillo and T-cell factor (TCF). In colon carcinoma cells, Jerky facilitates Wnt signalling by promoting association of β-catenin with TCF and recruitment of β-catenin to chromatin. These findings indicate that tissue-restricted transcriptional co-activators facilitate cell-specific Wnt/Wingless signalling responses by modulating β-catenin–TCF activity.
INTRACELLULAR CALCIUM RELEASE AND CARDIAC DISEASE

Intracellular calcium release channels are present on sarcoplasmic and endoplasmic reticuli (SR, ER) of all cell types. There are two classes of these channels: ryanodine receptors (RyR) and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3R). RyRs are required for excitation-contraction (EC) coupling in striated (cardiac and skeletal) muscles. RyRs are made up of macromolecular signaling complexes that contain large cytoplasmic domains, which serve as scaffolds for proteins that regulate the function of the channel. These regulatory proteins include calstabin1/calstabin2 (FKBP12/FKBP12.6), a 12/12.6 kDa subunit that stabilizes the closed state of the channel and prevents aberrant calcium leak from the SR. Kinases and phosphatases are targeted to RyR2 channels and modulate RyR2 function in response to extracellular signals. In the classic fight or flight stress response, phosphorylation of RyR channels by protein kinase A reduces the affinity for calstabin and activates the channels leading to increased SR calcium release. In heart failure, a cardiac insult causes a mismatch between blood supply and metabolic demands of organs. The chronically activated fight or flight response leads to leaky channels, altered calcium signaling, and contractile dysfunction and cardiac arrhythmias.
Determining scale and sea state from water video

In most image processing and computer vision applications, real-world scale can only be determined when calibration information is available. Dynamic scenes further complicate most situations. However, some types of dynamic scenes provide useful information that can be used to recover real-world scale. In this paper, we focus on ocean scenes and propose a method for finding sizes in real-world units and the sea state from an uncalibrated camera. Fourier transforms in the space and time dimensions yield spatial and temporal frequency spectra. For water waves, the dispersion relation defines a square relationship between the wavelength and period of a wave. Our method applies this dispersion relation to recover the real-world scale of an ocean sequence. The sea state-including the peak wavelength and period, the wind speed that generated the waves, and the wave heights-is also determined from the frequency spectrum of the sequence combined with stochastic oceanography models. The process is demonstrated on synthetic and real sequences, validating the results with known scene geometry. This has wide applications in port monitoring and coastal surveillance.
New BNL 3D-Trench electrode Si detectors for radiation hard detectors for sLHC and for X-ray applications

Abstract A new international-patent-pending (PCT/US2010/52887) detector type, named here as 3D-Trench electrode Si detectors, is proposed in this work. In this new 3D electrode configuration, one or both types of electrodes are etched as trenches deep into the Si (fully penetrating with SOI or supporting wafer, or non-fully penetrating into 50–90% of the thickness), instead of columns as in the conventional (“standard”) 3D electrode Si detectors. With trench etched electrodes, the electric field in the new 3D electrode detectors are well defined without low or zero field regions. Except near both surfaces of the detector, the electric field in the concentric type 3D-Trench electrode Si detectors is nearly radial with little or no angular dependence in the circular and hexangular (concentric-type) pixel cell geometries. In the case of parallel plate 3D trench pixels, the field is nearly linear (like the planar 2D electrode detectors), with simple and well-defined boundary conditions. Since each pixel cell in a 3D-Trench electrode detector is isolated from others by highly doped trenches, it is an electrically independent cell. Therefore, an alternative name “Independent Coaxial Detector Array”, or ICDA, is assigned to an array of 3D-Trench electrode detectors. The electric field in the detector can be reduced by a factor of nearly 10 with an optimal 3D-Trench configuration where the junction is on the surrounding trench side. The full depletion voltage in this optimal configuration can be up to 7 times less than that of a conventional 3D detector, and even a factor of two less than that of a 2D planar detector with a thickness the same as the electrode spacing in the 3D-Trench electrode detector. In the case of non-fully penetrating trench electrodes, the processing is true one-sided with backside being unprocessed. The charge loss due to the dead space associated with the trenches is insignificant as compared to that due to radiation-induced trapping in sLHC environment. Since the large electrode spacing (up to 500 μm) can be realized in the 3D-Trench electrode detector due to their advantage of greatly reduced full depletion voltage, detectors with large pixel cells (therefore small dead volume) can be made for applications in photon science (e.g. X-ray).
Development of comprehensive accuracy assessment indexes for building footprint extraction

Presents a suite of indexes for comprehensively evaluating the results of automated building extraction. The indexes described include detection rate, correctness, matched overlay, area omission error, area commission error, root mean square error, corner difference, area difference, perimeter difference, and shape similarity. These proposed unbiased quality measures should enable the accuracy assessment of the building extraction process to address extraction issues such as completeness, geometric accuracy, and building shape similarity.
Fitting It All In: The Interplay of Parental Employment and School Engagement

Although incompatibilities between work and home life are well studied, less is understood about the implications of parents’ employment for another key role: being a “school-engaged parent.” In this paper we examine how employed parents of elementary school students understand expectations for school engagement, and how employment supports and constraints shape that engagement. Using in-depth interviews with 17 employed mothers in a mid-size Midwestern city – recruited from surveys of a racially and socioeconomically mixed sample of 95 parents – we find a shared emphasis on doing “something” rather than “nothing” to be engaged, variation in access to job supports that can facilitate school engagement (such as paid time off and work time and place flexibility), and tradeoffs to using those supports. The research findings advance a line of inquiry in work-life research on the “third role” of community engagement, here the case of parents’ engagement in their children’s schools. Our findings suggest that relegating all non-work, non-home/family activities and roles to a general category of “life” obscures potentially unique opportunities and challenges that different community engagement roles may present. School engagement emerges here as a pressing if variable feature of parents’ daily lives across the occupational and socioeconomic spectrums, one that both influences and is in many ways constructed by their employment conditions.
How does this message make you feel? A study of user perspectives on software update/warning message design

Software update messages are commonly used to inform users about software updates, recent bug fixes, and various system vulnerabilities, and to suggest recommended actions (e.g., updating software). While various design features (e.g., update options, message layout, update message presentation) of these messages can influence the actions taken by users, no prior study can be found that investigated users opinions regarding various design alternatives. To address this void, this paper focuses on identifying software update message design features (e.g., layout, color, content) that may affect users positively or negatively. Toward that, we conducted a user study where users are shown 13 software update messages along with 1 virus warning message. We collect responses from 155 users through an online survey. Participants gave a total of 809 positive comments and 866 negative comments along with ranking of each image in terms of perceived importance, noticeability, annoyance and confusion. As many of the comments are repetitive and often contain multiple themes, we manually analyzed and performed a bottom-up, inductive coding to identify and refine the underlying themes. Over multiple iterations, positive comments were grouped into 52 categories which were subsequently grouped under four themes. Similarly, negative comments were first grouped into 38 categories which were subsequently grouped under four themes. Based on our analysis, we present the list of design features that are found to be highly correlated to confusion, annoyance, noticeability, and importance, either positively or negatively.
Consistency of Bayes factors under hyper g-priors with growing model size

Abstract In this paper, we examine Bayes factor consistency in the context of Bayesian variable selection for normal linear regression models. We take a hierarchical Bayesian approach using a hyper- g prior (Liang et al. (2008) JASA). There are two regimes for computing Bayes factors, which differ in the choice of the base model. For both these regimes, we study conditions under which Bayes factors are consistent when the number of all the potential regressors grows with sample size n . This situation is not fully understood in the current literature, but has gained increasing importance recently. In the present case, Bayes factors are not analytically tractable and are calculated via Laplace approximation. A rigorous justification for these high-dimensional Laplace approximations is also provided.
Of Pandas and Punctuation

This article sets forth a number of free sources that can be used to improve grammar and composition skills.
Curved Beam Stiffness Coefficients

A three-dimensional stiffness coefficient matrix for constant cross section curved beams is derived. This matrix relates the beam end point rotations and translations to the internal moments, torques, shears, and axial forces. The stiffness matrix is transformed into a three-dimensional spatial coordinate system by means of a coordinate transformation matrix. The transformation matrix is derived by rotating the orthogonal coordinate axis through three consecutive rotations. Finally an example problem, simulating a spherical dome is worked to demonstrate the application of the curved beam stiffness matrix coefficients.
Development of an AI-Based Optimization System for Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Artificial intelligence (AI) is that branch of computer science that attempts to understand and model intelligent behavior with the aid of computers. In general these attempts to have machines emulate intelligent behavior fall far short of the competence of humans. However, in the area of expert systems, computer programs have been developed that can achieve human performance, and in limited aspects even exceed it.
The structure of the wall of the hepatic sinusoids in the electron microscope

1. The endothelial lining of the hepatic sinusoids was found to be predominantly continuous. The pictures illustrating the detachment of endothelial cells suggested that the lining is capable of closing temporary openings. Thus small gaps frequently seen in the lining may not be permanent holes during life. 2. The perisinusoidal space which until recently was considered to be a “potential” space, was shown in the electron micrographs as an actual space kept open by both the hepatic microvilli and the intralobular reticular fibers. 3. The intralobular fibers were found to vary in respect to their microfibrils from those composed of 500 to 600 A thick microfibrils to others with microtibrils of 200 A diameter and less. In view of this variation it seemed to be probable that in the adult liver (of rat and mouse) new reticular fibers continue to be formed. Indication of fibroblastic activity could be found in endothelial cells. 4. The hepatic microvilli either showed free endings or were closely attached to the endothelial lining. It was therefore suggested that certain substances may be taken up by the hepatic cells directly from the bloodstream via endothelium and attached villi, while other materials pass through the perisinusoidal space. 5. The question of the existence and of the structure of a basement membrane in the hepatic sinusoidal wall was taken up. The absence of a separate structure in the electron micrographs which could be identified as basement membrane, the results of staining the perisinusoidal space with the PAS-reaction and general histological considerations lead to the conclusion that the perisinusoidal space contains in addition to microvilli and fibers a continuous ground substance and should be therefore considered as a whole the equivalent of a basement membrane.
Plastic Paint as a Marker for Mites

One of the problems encountered in investigations of the life cycles of mites is the recognition of the different nymphal stages to determine their number and duration. The presence of a newly cast skin is a definite indicator of a recent molt; however, the cast skin is often difficult to find, especially if some food material or debris is present in the rearing container.
Development of an Online Raman Analysis Technique for Monitoring the Production of Biofuels

In this study, the feasibility of Raman spectroscopy for studying the transesterification of canola oil with dimethyl carbonate to biofuel using triazabicyclodecene modified Mg–Al layered double hydroxide as a catalyst was investigated. The conversion of the oil was monitored at certain intervals over 1 h. The height of the C═C stretching mode of unsaturated fatty acids of the oil at 1655 cm–1 was measured to determine the conversion of the oil. Deconvolution algorithms were developed to differentiate between the peaks and optimize the spectra for quantitative analysis using Gaussian distribution. The developed Raman spectroscopy method was validated by gas chromatography analysis of the reaction.
Historical Foundations and Definitional Issues

The conceptualization of learning disabilities has progressed from attempts to identify a single underlying cause to attempts to implicate multiple, perhaps interactive, factors. This trend, clearly evident in the ongoing development of its definitions, acknowledges the heterogeneous nature of learning disabilities. Research endeavors also have emerged to address this claim from theoretical and applied perspectives. The conceptualization of learning disabilities as a heterogeneous group of disorders has received support from the field of neuropsychology (e.g., Rourke, 1985), as well as from other related fields such as neurology and neuropathology. As is discussed in Chapter 2, contemporary neurodevelopmental theory implicates a variety of functional systems in the learning process and disturbances thereof.
Clinical Value of Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Antibody in the Diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis

[Objective]To study the clinical value of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide(anti-CCP) antibody in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.[Methods]Serum samples 50 RA patients,20 patients with other rheumatic diseases and 20 healthy people were collected;ELISA was applied to detect the CCP antibody;latex agglutination method was used to determine RF(IgM).[Results]The diagnostic sensitivity of anti-CCP was 84.00% with specificity of 97.50% in RA;positive and negative predictive values were 97.67% and 82.98% respectively while positive and negative likelihood ratios were 33.60 and 0.16 respectively,the difference was significant(P0.01);when the two antibodies were used together,specificity reached to nearly 100%.[Conclusion]Anti-CCP antibody has an excellent testing sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis,even more specific than IgM RF;the specificity can be greatly improved by combining the two detection methods.
Performance Modeling and Design of Computer Systems: Networks with Time-Sharing (PS) Servers (BCMP)

In Chapter 21, we saw one application for phase-type (PH) distributions: If we need to analyze a system whose workload involves distributions that are non-Exponential (e.g., high-variability workloads), then we can use a PH distribution to at least match 2 or 3 moments of that workload distribution. This allows us to represent the system via a Markov chain, which we can often solve via matrix-analytic methods. In this chapter we see another application of PH distributions. Here, we are interested in analyzing networks of Processor-Sharing (time-sharing) servers (a.k.a. PS servers). It will turn out that networks of PS servers exhibit product form solutions, even under general service times. This is in contrast to networks of FCFS servers, which require Exponential service times. Our proof of this PS result will rely on phase-type distributions. This result is part of the famous BCMP theorem [16]. Review of Product Form Networks So far we have seen that all of the following networks have product form: Open Jackson networks: These assume probabilistic routing, FCFS servers with Exponential service rates, Poisson arrivals, and unbounded queues. Open classed Jackson networks: These are Jackson networks, where the outside arrival rates and routing probabilities can depend on the “class” of the job. Closed Jackson networks Closed classed Jackson networks We have also seen (see Exercise 19.3) that Jackson networks with load-dependent service rates have product form. Here the service rate can depend on the number of jobs at the server. This is useful for modeling the effects of parallel processing.
Dielectric properties of various ranks of coal

The application of microwaves has a demonstrated potential for the ultimate removal of water from fine coal. The electromagnetic energy absorption in coal during microwave drying is controlled by several factors, with dielectric properties being among the most important. In this paper, the measured dielectric properties of various ranks of coal are presented as a function of frequency and moisture content. A knowledge of the dielectric properties is essential in estimating the electromagnetic energy absorption in coal during microwave heating.
Strategies to Overcome Bypass Mechanisms Mediating Clinical Resistance to EGFR Tyrosine Kinase Inhibition in Lung Cancer

The vast majority of patients with metastatic lung cancers who initially benefit from EGFR-targeted therapies eventually develop resistance. An increasing understanding of the number and complexity of resistance mechanisms highlights the challenge of treating tumors resistant to EGFR inhibitors. Resistance mechanisms include new, second-site mutations within EGFR (e.g., T790M and C797S), upregulation of MET kinase, upregulation of insulin growth factor receptor (IGFR), HER2 amplification, increased expression of AXL, BIM modulation, NF-κB activation, histologic switch to small-cell cancer, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, PDL1 expression with subsequent immune tolerance, and release of cytokines such as TGFβ and IL6. Herein, we review the growing body of knowledge regarding EGFR bypass pathways, and the development of new drugs and combination treatment strategies to overcome resistance. Mol Cancer Ther; 16(2); 265-72. ©2017 AACR.
As if Beaches and Theme Parks Were Not Enough: Mediated Social Construction of Craft Beer Tourism in Tampa Bay

The Tampa Bay region is a hotbed for craft beer. Occupied by 50 breweries, mostly opened in a five-year span, this chapter explores how a region visited for its beaches and theme parks became a tourist destination for craft beer. Content analysis of brewery and tourism organization websites, a new university brewing curriculum, and mass media stories identify a mediated support system that co-constructs a positive narrative of craft beer. Using social construction theory, this chapter explains and outlines how public and private institutional messages worked in lockstep to create the region as a destination beer market. Tampa Bay exemplifies a blend of creative and relational tourism that maintains local identity while constructing craft beer as the region’s next thriving form of tourism.
Cryogenic programming

The past twenty years has witnessed an incredible growth in computer computing capability. Indeed, the million-fold increase in multiplication speeds alone have made possible the efficient solution to seemingly impossible problems. A quite theoretical question is that of determining the limit, if one exists, of possible hardware performance. A realistic response is how to extend it.
Patchwork Leviathan: How Pockets of Bureaucratic Governance Flourish within Institutionally Diverse Developing States:

Within seemingly weak states, exceptionally effective subunits lie hidden. These high-performing niches exhibit organizational characteristics distinct from poor-performing peer organizations, but ...
Epigenetic silencing of MLH1 in endometrial cancers is associated with larger tumor volume, increased rate of lymph node positivity and reduced recurrence-free survival

Abstract Objectives To determine the relationship between mismatch repair (MMR) classification and clinicopathologic features including tumor volume, and explore outcomes by MMR class in a contemporary cohort. Methods Single institution cohort evaluating MMR classification for endometrial cancers (EC). MMR immunohistochemistry (IHC)±microsatellite instability (MSI) testing and reflex MLH1 methylation testing was performed. Tumors with MMR abnormalities by IHC or MSI and MLH1 methylation were classified as epigenetic MMR deficiency while those without MLH1 methylation were classified as probable MMR mutations. Clinicopathologic characteristics were analyzed. Results 466 endometrial cancers were classified; 75% as MMR proficient, 20% epigenetic MMR defects, and 5% as probable MMR mutations. Epigenetic MMR defects were associated with advanced stage, higher grade, presence of lymphovascular space invasion, and older age. MMR class was significantly associated with tumor volume, an association not previously reported. The epigenetic MMR defect tumors median volume was 10,220mm 3 compared to 3321mm 3 and 2,846mm 3 , for MMR proficient and probable MMR mutations respectively ( P Conclusions MMR testing that includes MLH1 methylation analysis defines a subset of tumors that have worse prognostic features and reduced RFS.