cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cast Aside: Journalists’ perceptions of citizen journalists’ content during the Boston marathon bombings

This paper examines the role of user-generated content in a traditional news organization during the coverage of the Boston marathon bombings. In-depth interviews were conducted with the journalists who made up the interactive team at the Boston Globe. The interactive team was in charge of the live blog during the week-long coverage of the marathon bombings. The study identifies the perceptions journalists hold of user-generated content during crisis reporting and the impact user-generated content had during the tense coverage. The findings suggest that user-generated content has a good way to go before being considered an integral part of breaking news content.
Evaluating the Impact of Different Types of stabilized Bases on the Overall Performance of Flexible Pavements

AbstractThis study was initiated with the aim of evaluating the impact of stabilised and untreated base layers on the performance (i.e. fatigue and rutting) of flexible pavements. Four field sections constructed using stabilised base layers (i.e. bituminous (asphalt emulsion), calcium chloride (CaCl2), Portland cement and geogrid stabilised base layers) and a control section constructed using untreated recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) aggregates were analysed in this study. Falling weight deflectometer tests were conducted on all field sections and the collected data was used to back-calculate the elastic moduli for all layers. The influence of the stabilised bases and the untreated (RAP) base on the mechanical responses (stresses and strains) of the overall pavement structure was also evaluated by conducting layered elastic analyses. In addition, pavement ME design simulations were conducted to determine which of the four stabilised base types enhanced the overall predicted performance of flexible pavemen...
Kinetic Monte Carlo modeling on organic solar cells: Domain size, donor-acceptor ratio and thickness

Abstract Organic solar cells have received a lot of attention in the last few decades. Extensive experimental work has been conducted to improve organic solar cell performance. However, a much more realistic and accurate model needs to be developed that can simulate and predict photovoltaic performance for organic solar cells. In this work, a Kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) model was developed to simulate the morphological variation of organic solar cells and its effects on photovoltaic parameters. This model is currently based on P3HT: PCBM system and can be easily extended to any low bandgap polymer solar cells. The novelty and advancement of this work is that this new KMC simulation model can simulate three different parameters including domain size, donor-acceptor ratio and active layer thickness in the same model and predict the efficiency of organic solar cells on the variation of these parameters. This simulation model has been validated by photovoltaic performance from fabricated devices. The optimized parameters of simulation and fabrication are correlated and the simulation results are in agreement with the experimental results. With the assistance from this model, researchers may be able to simplify the complex fabrication processing by identifying optimal conditions such as domain size, donor-acceptor ratio and active layer thickness via this new simulation model.
Colonization, localization, and inflammation: the roles of H. pylori chemotaxis in vivo

Helicobacter pylori is a Gram-negative bacterium that infects half of the world's population, causing gastritis, peptic ulcers, and gastric cancer. To establish chronic stomach infection, H. pylori utilizes chemotaxis, driven by a conserved signal transduction system. Chemotaxis allows H. pylori to sense an array of environmental and bacterial signals within the stomach, guiding its motility towards its preferred niche within the gastric mucosa and glands. Fine-tuned localization, regulated by the chemotaxis system, enables robust colonization during the acute stage of infection. During chronic infection, chemotaxis helps maintain bacterial populations and modulates the host immune response. Given its importance in host colonization and disease, chemotaxis is an attractive target for future treatments against H. pylori infections.
Comparative Assessment of Small and Large Intestine Biopsies for Ex Vivo HIV-1 Pathogenesis Studies

Ex vivo mucosal explants have become a mainstay of HIV-1 studies using human tissue. In this study, we examine the baseline phenotypic and virologic differences between biopsies derived from the small intestine (SI) and large intestine (LI) for use in ex vivo explant studies. To do this, we collected endoscopic mucosal biopsies from both SI and LI from the same healthy, HIV-seronegative participants. Mucosal mononuclear cell phenotypes and quantity were compared using flow cytometry. Comparative HIV-1 infectibility of the explants was assessed using an ex vivo explant HIV-1 infection assay. We found that all biopsies had similar numbers of T cells per biopsy. While the percentage of CD4+ T cells from SI biopsies expressed significantly more activation markers (CD38, HLA-DR) and HIV coreceptors (CXCR4, CCR5), the absolute numbers of activated CD4+ T cells were similar between both sites. LI explants, however, supported more efficient HIV-1 infection, as evidenced by earlier rise in p24 accumulation and greater percent of infected explants at limiting infectious doses. These results suggest that explants from LI biopsies support more efficient HIV-1 infection than SI biopsies, despite similar numbers of available, activated HIV-1 target cells. These findings highlight important differences in LI and SI explants, which must be considered in designing and interpreting ex vivo HIV-1 infection studies, and suggest that factors within the tissue other than target cell number and activation state may play a role in regulating HIV-1 infection.
The MBE growth of arbitrarily thick SrTiO3/LaAlO3 quantum well heterostructures for use in next-generation optoelectronic devices

While the SrTiO3/LaAlO3 (STO/LAO) materials system has been widely studied in the hopes of integrating it into transition metal oxide (TMO) electronic devices, recent reports have focused on its optical properties. Electronic confinement in STO quantum wells (QWs) and the optical modulation of confined charge carriers have recently been demonstrated, suggesting the feasibility of producing TMO-based QW optoelectronic devices. However, before these devices can be realized, it is necessary to develop the capability to grow such structures arbitrarily thick while maintaining high crystalline quality. We report on the fabrication of STO/LAO QW heterostructures and demonstrate via reflection high-energy electron diffraction, X-ray diffraction, reciprocal space mapping, and X-ray reflectivity measurements that these heterostructures can be grown arbitrarily thick while maintaining a high crystalline quality and uniform periodicity, in contrast to previous reports. While we focus primarily on the STO/LAO system in this report, we believe the growth and design principles contained herein can inform the growth of a multitude of different TMO QW heterostructures, paving the way for the next generation of TMO-based QW optoelectronic devices.
Open Problem: The Measure for the Functional Integral

The (det Gadv)−1/2 measure in the path integral for quantum mechanics is precisely what is needed to get the Van Vleck-Morette determinant in the WKB approximation (1-loop). In field theory it cancels contributions from arcs at infinity in the Wick rotation procedure for 1-loop graphs, thus justifying the Euclidean evaluation of Feynman graphs. Question: Is there a choice of measure that will cancel contributions from arcs at infinity to all loop orders?
Prevalence and Correlates of Hypersomnolence Symptoms in US Teens.

Objective Recent attention to pervasive sleep deficits in US adolescents has focused on sleep patterns and insomnia, but there are limited data on the prevalence and correlates of hypersomnolence symptoms. Method The sample included 6,483 adolescents 13 to 18 years of age who were interviewed directly and had parent reports in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication Adolescent Supplement (NCS-A), a nationally representative sample of US youth. Information on sleep patterns/symptoms that were collected in the interview was used to determine the population prevalence of DSM-5 criterion A–defined hypersomnolence and component symptoms. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine associations between sleepiness and sub-symptoms of hypersomnolence with weekday/weekend bedtime, sleep duration, mental disorders, and psychotropic medication use. Results Of the sample, 41.5% reported feeling sleepy during the daytime and 11.7% met criteria for hypersomnolence. The prevalence of hypersomnolence varied depending on age (p Conclusion Of adolescents with adequate sleep duration, 11.7% still reported symptoms of hypersomnolence. The strong association between hypersomnolence and insomnia suggests that sleep disorders in adolescents can fluctuate between over- and under-sleeping. Potential mechanisms underpinning the strong associations between sleep disturbances and mental disorders should be further pursued and could provide insight into prevention efforts.
Matching Our Mission: A Strategic Plan to Create a Diverse Family Medicine Residency.

Background and objectives Increasing the number of underrepresented minority (URM) physicians improves access and quality of care. URMs are more likely to practice primary care and work in underserved communities. The racial and ethnic diversity of family physicians lags behind the general population. To create a more diverse residency, the Boston Medical Center Family Medicine Residency Program (BMCFMRP) developed, implemented, and evaluated a strategic plan for diversity recruitment. Methods In academic year (AY) 2014-2015, we set goals to increase the number of URM applicants and the percentage of matched URMs. From 2014-2017, we implemented an intervention focused on: (1) increasing outreach to URM candidates, (2) revising interviews to minimize bias, and (3) analyzing recruitment data. Results From 2014-2017, the total number of URM applicants increased by 80% (61 to 110). Evaluating recruitment trends from 2010-2017, there was a statistically significant increase (Pl0.001) in the percentage of URM applicants from 13.3% (29 of 218 total applicants) to 19.9% (110 of 402). There was also a significant increase (P=0.029) in the percentage of matched URMs. Before the intervention, the percentage ranged from 0% to 20% (2011: 0% [n=0/6], 2014: 0% [n=0/10], 2013: 20% [n=2/10]). During the intervention, the percentage ranged from 25% to 50% (2017: 25% [n=3/12], 2016: 50% [n=6/12]). Conclusions The implementation of a strategic plan for diversity recruitment increased the number of URM applicants and the percentage of URMs matching into the BMCFMRP. Additional research is needed to determine if these strategies produce similar results in residency programs at other institutions and in other medical specialties.
Superior clavicle drilling points and fluoroscopic inclination for anatomic coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction: a cadaveric study

This study aims to investigate the superior clavicle cortex drilling points and fluoroscopic inclination angles for anatomic tunnel drilling in coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction. Twelve cadaveric shoulders with a mean age of 55.9 ± 6.2 years were investigated. Two 2.0 mm Kirschner wires were inserted penetrating the footprint centers of conoid and trapezoid both on the clavicle and coracoid. The location of the Kirschner wires on the superior clavicle cortex was measured. Fluoroscopy was used to obtain three views of shoulder: an anteroposterior, lateral, and cortical ring sign view. Reproducible angles were then recorded. The Kirschner wire penetrating the conoid was located 40.0 ± 3.9 mm from the distal end and 18.1 ± 3.0 mm from the anterior edge of the clavicle. For the trapezoid, the Kirschner wire was located 19.1 ± 3.6 mm from the distal end and 9.9 ± 3.9 mm from the anterior edge. On the anteroposterior view, the conoid was 11.1° ± 10.1° medially and trapezoid was 26.8° ± 11.8° laterally tilted to the glenohumeral joint line. On the lateral view, the conoid was 42.8° ± 15.1° and trapezoid was 15.5° ± 12.0° superiorly tilted to the scapular spine. On the cortical ring sign view, the conoid was 50.8° ± 12.9° and trapezoid was 14.2 °± 11.0° superiorly tilted to the scapular spine. The superior clavicle cortex drilling points and fluoroscopic inclination angles for anatomic tunnel drilling in coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction were demonstrated. Arthroscopy-assisted anatomic coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction has increased in popularity, and these findings may facilitate a more anatomic approach to coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction.
Radiomics features to identify distinct subtypes of triple-negative breast cancers.

3069Background: We sought to gain new insight into triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), an aggressive, clinically distinct subgroup of breast cancers, by applying a sequence of computational appro...
FPGA Software QoR Benchmarking Methodology Study

QoR (Quality of Result) benchmarking is the most important topic of FPGA Software, Resource utilization, timing performance, memory utilization and runtime are the key indexes of QoR benchmarking for Software release. Among those indexes, timing performance is the most important index for FPGA core engine. How to generate reliable and effective QoR data mainly rely on QoR benchmark method. This paper is to present QoR benchmarking methodology including the analysis of which factors impact QoR results, how to reduce the uncertain factor to produce reliable and comparable QoR benchmarking data, and how to deliver QoR result based on statistical data for current software release comparing to prior release.
Year-round plasma steroid hormone profiles and the reproductive ecology of gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) at the southernmost edge of their range

Abstract Populations of wide ranging ectotherms often exhibit variation in traits that are influenced by local environmental conditions. Although the gopher tortoise, Gopherus polyphemus , is well studied in pine flatwoods habitats across their range, little attention has been given to coastal populations existing in the southern extreme portion of the range. We examined the reproductive physiology of a coastal dune population in southwest Florida to determine if reproductive cycles vary across populations. Here we present the first year-round sex hormone profiles for a wild population of gopher tortoises. Male testosterone concentrations varied across the year ( F 11,54 = 2.52, P = 0.015) with elevated values from September to December and minimal levels from April to July, with the exception of a secondary peak during the month of June. Female testosterone and estradiol concentrations varied across the sampling period (T: F 11,66 = 8.54, P F 11,66 = 4.57, P F 11,64 = 3.29, P = 0.002) and increased in late fall with a peak in March. These data suggest this population has an extended breeding season from fall through spring with mating likely occurring from September through March, and nesting in winter through spring. This pattern is similar to reproductive patterns described for tropical and sub-tropical chelonians but differs from that of gopher tortoise populations in northern portions of the range where hibernation may last for five months and a single clutch of eggs are deposited in late spring.
Radiation Effect on Learning Behavior in Memristor-Based Neuromorphic Circuit

In this work, a memristor-based spiking neural network with a many-to-one feed-forward topology is designed for spatio-temporal pattern learning (25-pixel character ‘B’). A TiO 2 non-linear drift behavioral memristor model is used for simulation of a neuromorphic circuit with 25 pre- and 1 post-synaptic neuron. The memristor model mimics synaptic behavior and is modified to include effects of radiation interactions on memristor. Simulated irradiation of the memristors during the learning process alters their state, and the effect on circuit learning behavior is observed. The network uses spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) learning implemented using biphasic neuron action potentials. It is found that although radiation changes the synaptic weights, the network is able to recover and relearn the pattern after radiation ceases. Recovery time is proportional to flux, intensity, and duration of the radiation. If the network is exposed to radiation events of low intensity and flux even for an indefinite period (as observed in space), it may be able to retain its pattern recognition capabilities.
Model Reduction Tools For Phenomenological Modeling of Input-Controlled Biological Circuits

We present a Python-based software package to automatically obtain phenomenological models of input-controlled synthetic biological circuits that guide the design using chemical reaction-level descriptive models. From the parts and mechanism description of a synthetic biological circuit, it is easy to obtain a chemical reaction model of the circuit under the assumptions of mass-action kinetics using various existing tools. However, using these models to guide design decisions during an experiment is difficult due to a large number of reaction rate parameters and species in the model. Hence, phenomenological models are often developed that describe the effective relationships among the circuit inputs, outputs, and only the key states and parameters. In this paper, we present an algorithm to obtain these phenomenological models in an automated manner using a Python package for circuits with inputs that control the desired outputs. This model reduction approach combines the common assumptions of time-scale separation, conservation laws, and species9 abundance to obtain the reduced models that can be used for design of synthetic biological circuits. We consider an example of a simple gene expression circuit and another example of a layered genetic feedback control circuit to demonstrate the use of the model reduction procedure.
COST-EFFECTIVENESS FOR RETURN-TO-PLAY (RTP) PROGRAMS AFTER ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTION:

Background:Rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a common injury in young athletes. Safe return-to-play (RTP, i.e. sports competition) is important to patient satisfaction, and appropr...
Predictors of Contrast Volume in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

Background Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CIAKI) is a frequent and serious complication of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). The most important procedural risk factor for CIAKI is contrast volume. Objectives Because contrast volume is a modifiable factor that directly predicts CIAKI, we sought to identify predictors of increased contrast volume in TAVR patients. Identification of such predictors may allow both prediction and mitigation of CIAKI risk following TAVR. Method We retrospectively analyzed data from consecutive patients not on hemodialysis who underwent successful TAVR at a single US center from 2013 to 2018. Using multivariable linear regression modelling, we assessed the relationships between contrast volumes and 49 patient and procedural factors hypothesized to be potential predictors. Results In 295 patients, we identified 17 factors that independently predicted contrast volume, 10 of which contributed 90% of the complete model's r2 value. Procedure year (suggesting a learning curve), aortic insufficiency, radiation dose, prior AVR, and previous pacemaker placement were statistically the most significant predictors of CIAKI. TAVR device and diabetes were notably not predictors. Conclusions To predict and reduce contrast use in TAVR, patients at risk for increased contrast volume may be identified using the predictors elucidated in this study. For such patients, strategies for contrast reduction and renal protection may be employed.
Loved and lost or never loved at all? Lifelong marital histories and their links with subjective well-being

Marriage has been linked to higher well-being. However, previous research has generally examined marital status at one point in time or over a relatively short window of time. In order to determine...
Qualitative analysis of faculty opinions on and perceptions of research impact metrics

We present a qualitative analysis of the results of a survey of faculty and researchers at a large Midwestern R1 university around their understanding of and attitudes toward scholarly metrics. The survey included opportunities for participants to provide free-text responses regarding their use of metrics and concerns they have about the use of metrics for assessment. Participants indicated they understand metrics and use them in a variety of ways, but they have concerns about administrators’ potentially inappropriate use of metrics in assessment. Participants expressed a desire to be involved in decision making around the use of metrics in evaluation processes. With the end goal of improving our library’s research impact–related services to better support faculty and researchers across campus, this exploratory qualitative analysis offers a more nuanced understanding of the current landscape of opinion around research impact metrics. To develop tools and services that actually address faculty and researcher needs, librarians must develop a comprehensive understanding of their interests and concerns around metrics.
The Philosopher’s Medicine Of The Mind: Kant’s Account Of Mental Illness And The Normativity Of Thinking

Kant’s conception of mental illness is unlikely to satisfy contemporary readers. His classifications of mental illness are often fluid and ambiguous, and he seems to attribute to human beings at least some responsibility for preventing mental illness. In spite of these apparent disadvantages, Thomason argues that Kant’s account of mental illness can be illuminating to his views about the normative dimensions of human cognition. In contrast to current understandings of mental illness, Kant’s account is “non-pathological.” That is, most mental illnesses are for Kant continuous with normally functioning cognition. Someone with a healthy reason can easily fall into mental illness and someone with mental illness can (perhaps not as easily) re-establish healthy reason. By accepting a non-pathological definition of mental illness, it follows for Kant that humans have more agency and responsibility regarding their mental health than current views allow, which explains why several of his writings aim to prescribe a “diet of the mind” (2, 271). Contrary to popular readings of Kant as a champion of reason’s power, Kant’s conception of mental illness shows that he recognizes how fragile human reason can be.
The Ethics of Gender Narratives for United States Corporate Boards

Across the globe, cities, states, and countries are moving towards improving gender diversity in corporate boardrooms. In 2003, Norway became the first developed country to institute a gender quota for corporate boards of directors, and other countries have followed suit. As the ratio of women to men residing in urban areas continues to rise, organizations like the United Nations have recognized women empowerment as a necessary goal. However, despite global efforts to increase gender equity, the United States still lags behind other countries in legislating to increase the number of women serving on its corporate boards. This Article argues that gender narratives are important in corporate boardrooms from the perspective of ethical and narrative inclusivity. It also proposes that increasing gender equity on corporate boards should not be viewed as a “quota” or “target” but rather as an “impact” that benefits corporations, their constituents, and society at large.
The relationship between self-diffusion activation energy and Soret coefficient in binary liquid mixtures

Abstract The Soret effect is an observed phenomenon in which an applied temperature gradient will induce a concentration gradient in multicomponent mixtures. The Soret coefficient is the ratio of thermally driven diffusion to mutual diffusion driven by concentration gradients. It is measured at steady state when the two driving forces are balanced, i.e. the net flux is zero. This study is designed to explore the potential relationship between the activation energy of self-diffusion of the individual components of a binary mixture and the mixture’s resulting Soret coefficient. This study found a trend of increasingly negative Soret coefficients as the difference in the mole-fraction-weighted self-diffusion activation energies of the components increased.
PROTON--PROTON BREMSSTRAHLUNG CALCULATIONS.

The pole contribution to the proton-proton bremsstrahlung cross section is shown to give the cross section exactly to order ${K}^{0}$, where $K$ is the photon momentum, in the gauge in which the photon polarization ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}^{\ensuremath{\mu}}$ has ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}^{0}=0$ in the center-of-mass system. To this order there are no off-energy-shell (OES) contributions. Calculations are presented using the pole contribution only to test the sensitivity of the cross section to the OES effects, which come from higher-order terms in $K$. The quasiphases which describe the OES behavior of the $\mathrm{pp}$ scattering amplitude are parametrized, and the sensitivity of the cross section is studied in terms of this parametrization. The results are compared with calculations based on the Hamada-Johnston potential and with the results of other authors. It is found that for favorable geometries above 50 MeV the variation in this cross section for different OES behavior is sufficient to be measured. This sensitivity comes largely from terms in the magnetic interaction and the tensor and spin-orbit part of the $\mathrm{pp}$ interaction.
Cochrane Review Summary on "Vitamin D Supplementation for the Treatment of COVID-19: A Living Systematic Review".

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) can cause an exaggerated inflammatory response, damage to blood vessels, and a hyper-coagulable state, which can contribute to the formation of blood clots, impaired ...
Steuerungssysteme für Klärungsanlagen

Der Betrieb einer Klaranlage bedarf haufig einer sachkundigeren Fuhrung als es bei einem industriellen Prozes notwendig ist, da grose zeitliche Schwankungen in Menge und Zusammensetzung des Abwassers vorkommen. Wenn man jedoch Klaranlagen mit Anlagen fur industrielle Verfahren vergleicht, so sind sie in bezug auf die Betriebsfuhrung meist in einem primitiven Zustande. Offenkundige Fehlschlage, wie z. B. eine Blahschlammbildung oder das Sauerwerden von Faulraumen, kommen recht haufig vor. Wesentliche Anderungen des Wirkungsgrades von Anlagen sind keine Seltenheit, und zwar nicht nur bei verschiedenen Anlagen, sondern bei ein- und derselben Anlage von Tag zu Tag und von Stunde zu Stunde. Es ist nicht ungewohnlich, das der Wirkungsgrad des BSBs — Abbaues zwischen 60% und 95% schwankt. Thoman1 hat anhand der statistisch ausgewerteten Ablaufqualitat von acht Anlagen gezeigt, das solche Schwankungen eine deutliche Auswirkung auf die Wassergute des Vorfluters haben konnen.
“Yes, but this Other One Looks Better/Works Better”: How do Consumers Respond to Trade-offs Between Sustainability and Other Valued Attributes?

Consumers are increasingly facing product evaluation and choice situations that include information about product sustainability, i.e., information about a product’s relative environmental and social impact. In many cases, consumers have to make decisions that involve a trade-off between product sustainability and other valued product attributes. Similarly, product and marketing managers need to make decisions that reflect how consumers will respond to different trade-off scenarios. In the current research, we study consumer responses across two different possible trade-off scenarios: one in which consumers face a trade-off between product sustainability and hedonic value, and another in which they must trade-off between product sustainability and utilitarian value. Our results suggest that, overall, consumers are more likely to trade-off hedonic value (e.g., esthetics) for sustainability than to trade-off utilitarian value (e.g., functional performance) for sustainability. In Studies 1A and 1B, we presented participants with a product choice task and also measured their anticipatory emotions as they contemplated their options. The results suggest that given a trade-off, consumers are more likely to choose a sustainable product when they have to trade-off hedonic value than when they have to trade-off utilitarian value. Further, these studies provide some insight into the emotions underlying this effect. In Study 2, we use a different consumer response measure, relative purchase likelihood, and investigate the effect of trade-off type across categories that vary in the degree to which hedonic and utilitarian attributes are perceived to be important (referred to as ‘product type’). Our results suggest that the effect of trade-off type still holds, yet is moderated by product type such that consumers’ greater willingness to trade-off hedonic value (vs. utilitarian value) for sustainability is attenuated as the relative importance of hedonic (vs. utilitarian) attributes increases. In addition to building on our theoretical understanding of decision making given trade-offs with moral attributes, this research is also intended to support managers as they define and choose among various strategic, product development, and marketing promotion options.
Detection and tracking of large number of targets in wide area surveillance

In this paper, we tackle the problem of object detection and tracking in a new and challenging domain of wide area surveillance. This problem poses several challenges: large camera motion, strong parallax, large number of moving objects, small number of pixels on target, single channel data and low framerate of video. We propose a method that overcomes these challenges and evaluate it on CLIF dataset. We use median background modeling which requires few frames to obtain a workable model. We remove false detections due to parallax and registration errors using gradient information of the background image. In order to keep complexity of the tracking problem manageable, we divide the scene into grid cells, solve the tracking problem optimally within each cell using bipartite graph matching and then link tracks across cells. Besides tractability, grid cells allow us to define a set of local scene constraints such as road orientation and object context. We use these constraints as part of cost function to solve the tracking problem which allows us to track fast-moving objects in low framerate videos. In addition to that, we manually generated groundtruth for four sequences and performed quantitative evaluation of the proposed algorithm.
CHOICE OF SPEED IN DRIVING THROUGH CURVES AS A FUNCTION OF ADVISORY SPEED AND CURVE SIGNS

Fifty drivers drove through 162 curves on Ohio rural highways. They drove faster and produced more lateral acceleration when (a) a curve sign was present and (B) an advisory speed sign was present than under the opposite conditions. Drivers exceeded advisory speeds of 15 to 35 miles per hour, but did not exceed advisory and 45 and 50. (A)
Abstract 19813: Sleep Disturbance, Heart Failure, and Cognitive Function in Older Individuals: The Aging Demographics, and Memory Study (ADAMS)

Introduction: Approximately 50% of heart failure (HF) patients experience cognitive decline. In the general population, sleep disturbance is associated with cognitive decline. Sleep disturbance may alter the cellular or chemical homeostasis triggering cognitive decline. Up to 70% of individuals with HF report sleep disturbance. Although the etiology of cognitive decline in HF is unknown, sleep fragmentation and short sleep duration from sleep disturbance may partially explain cognitive decline among individuals with HF. This study investigates the possible mediating role of sleep disturbance on the relationship between HF and cognition. Methods: This cross-sectional study examined 856 older adults’ (mean age: 81.6 years, SD: 7.1, male: 355 (41%), Caucasian: 658 (77 %), HF: 100 (11.7%)) data from Aging, Demographics, and Memory Study. To explore the possibility of meditating effects of sleep disturbance on relationship between HF and cognition, we used a structural equation model. Cognition was measured by neuropyshological tests. Sleep disturbance was determined if a subject was positive on one of the following three questions: 1) “Do you have problem falling asleep?”, 2) “Do you wake frequently during sleep?”, and 3) “Do you wake up too early?” Results: Individuals with HF were likely to have a higher degree of sleep disturbance (β=0.229,p=0.003). Sleep disturbance was a significant predictor of cognitive decline (β=-6.52,p=0.028). However, there was no significant mediating effect of sleep disturbance on the relationship between HF and cognition (β=-0.011,p=0.978) after controlling for age, sex, and comorbidities. Conclusion: Findings from this study suggest that HF can exacerbate sleep disturbance and sleep disturbance can deteriorate cognition. However, the mediating role of sleep disturbance on the relationship between HF and cognitive decline remains questionable. Future studies using objective measures and longitudinal design would enhance our knowledge related to the relationship between heart failure, sleep disturbance, and cognition.
Social construction theory

Social construction theory is an interdisciplinary discourse. Human reality is greatly influenced, understood, and experienced through cultural and social norms. This constructed reality generally sets parameters on notions of biology, gender, and sexuality. Dichotomous variables such as sex/gender, domestic/public, heterosexual/homosexual were initially proposed to help deconstruct the realities behind social constructs. Further studies showed that even constructionist binaries and essentialisms suffered from the social bias they claimed to challenge. Attention to context, deconstructions of identity, and understandings of intersections of social characteristics such as race and class now characterize the social constructionist approach. This entry examines contributions from sociologists, anthropologists, psychologists and psychiatrists, philosophers, historians, and biologists. Keywords: cultural construction; feminist theory; gender; sexuality; social construction
Academic achievement of adolescents born with extremely low birth weight.

Aim: To assess academic achievement, rates of learning disabilities (LD) and special education in extremely low birth weight (ELBW <1 kg) adolescents relative to normal birth weight (NBW) controls and to identify cognitive weaknesses. Methods: Compared 181 ELBW adolescents born from 1992 to 1995 (mean age 14.8 years, mean BW 809 g, mean GA 26.4 weeks) and 115 NBW term controls. Measures included tests of IQ, reading and math achievement and executive function. Analyses included ANCOVA and logistic and linear regression. Covariates were sex, race and socioeconomic status. Results: Extremely low birth weight adolescents had significantly lower scores on tests of IQ (87.1 vs. 96.4), achievement (88.6 vs. 95.5 reading; 81.3 vs. 93.2 math) and executive function than the NBW group (all p-values <0.001). ELBW also had higher rates of math LD, 51(50%) vs. 26 (28%), OR (95% CI) = 3.10 (1.65, 5.84), p < 0.001, and need for special education, 88 (49%) vs. 11(10%), OR (95% CI) = 11.78 (5.67, 24.47), p < 0.001. Measures of executive function were related to math independent of IQ. Conclusions: Extremely low birth weight adolescents born in the 1990s have poorer achievement and higher rates of math LD than NBW peers. The findings suggest a need for more intensive interventions addressing the specific cognitive vulnerabilities in this population.
The Active Site in Nanoparticle Gold Catalysis

The catalysts currently used in automobile exhausts are inactive below 200ÂoC, so that most vehicle pollution occurs just after start-up. Low-temperature gold-based catalysts, in which gold nanoparticles are dispersed on an oxide support, provide a potential solution. In his Perspective, Campbell discusses new work by Chen and Goodman that takes an important step toward characterizing the active site of these gold-based catalysts.
On the neural computation of utility: implications from studies of brain stimulation reward

1. Like other vertebrates, from goldfish to humans, rats will work in order to deliver electrical stimulation to certain brain sites. Although the stimulation produces no evident physiological benefit, it is sought out avidly, as if it were a biologically significant resource. Thus, it has long been thought that the rewarding stimulation activates neural circuitry involved in the evaluation and selection of goals. 2. Computing the utility of goal objects involves a tightly integrated set of perceptual, cognitive, and motivational mechanisms. I argue that rewarding electrical brain stimulation engages only a subset of these mechanisms. If so, comparison of the ways in which the utility of electrical brain stimulation and natural reinforcers are computed may highlight operating principles and isolate components of the computational mechanisms. 3. In the view proposed here, information about goal objects and consummatory acts is processed, in parallel, in three different channels. 3.1. Perceptual processing indicates what and where the goal object is. 3.2. A stopwatch-like interval timer predicts when or how often the goal object will be available. 3.3. Under the influence of information about the current physiological state, an evaluative channel returns a subjective weighting of strength variables such as the concentration of a sucrose solution or the temperature of an air current. 3.4. The output of these channels is recorded in multidimensional records that include 3.4.1. information of perceptual origin about amount and kind (e.g., food, water,or salt) 3.4.2. information from the timer about rate and delay 3.4.3. a subjective assessment of intensity provided by the evaluative channel 4. This chapter addresses the relationships between brain stimulation reward (BSR), the perceptual, interval timing, and evaluative channels, and the variants of utility proposed by Kahneman and his coworkers on the basis of their studies of evaluation and choice in human subjects. 4.1. It is argued that the output of the evaluative channel can be manifested in experience as pleasure or suffering but that awareness is not necessary in order for this signal to influence action. 5. The neural signal injected by rewarding electrical stimulation is portrayed as providing meaningful information about rate, delay and intensity but not about amount or kind. This proposal is used to account for 5.1. competition and summation between BSR and natural rewards 5.2. differential effects of physiological feedback on the utility of BSR and natural rewards 5.3. matching of behavioral allocation to the relative rates and intensities of BSR 5.4. differences in the elasticity of demand for BSR and food in a closed economy 5.5. the high substitutability of BSR for food and water in an open economy 6. The powerful aftereffect of BSR that potentiates efforts to obtain additional stimulation is related to expectancy.
Theory and acoustic experiments of nondiffracting X-waves (medical US imaging application)

Families of nondiffracting solutions of the isotropic-homogeneous wave equation have been discovered recently by the authors. These families of solutions contain some of the nondiffracting beams known previously, such as the plane wave, Durnin's nondiffracting beams, etc. One subset of the new families of nondiffracting solutions represents waves of X-like shape in a plane through the axis of the waves, which the authors termed X-waves. The theoretical implications of one family of the nondiffracting solutions are reported, and the nondiffracting X-waves with finite apertures are simulated using the Rayleigh-Sommerfeld formulation of diffraction. An acoustic superposition experiment of the nondiffracting X-waves in water was performed to test the theory, and the experiment agrees closely with the theory. >
Beads and Bead Makers: Gender, Material Culture and Meaning

Beads and Bead Makers: Gender, Material Culture and Meaning. Lidia D. Sciama and Joanne B. Eicher. eds. New York; Berg Publishers, 1998. 317 pp.
An Approach to the Control of Bed Occupancy in a General Hospital

An examination of the problems of controlling bed occupancy in a General Hospital suggests that many common assumptions may need to be revised. The errors of forecast of admissions and discharges observed in a series of experiments were such that control actions would need to be effective within two days to obtain current levels of occupancy. This probably rules out admissions of waiting list patients as a control variable except in the form of cancellation of admissions already arranged. The errors of forecasting emergency admissions tended to be less than those of forecasting discharges, while it appeared possible that simple statistical forecasts of discharges were more accurate than doctors' forecasts. The short term nature of the control problem is such that it is difficult to understand how high occupancy is achieved.
SU‐FF‐T‐279: IMRT Plans Can Be Simplified Using One‐Step Optimization

Purpose: To compare the effectiveness of one‐step optimization (DMPO) to traditional two‐step optimization for IMRT planning for prostate cancer, and to test the feasibility of simplified IMRT plans for reduction of delivery time and background dose without significant degradations in plan quality. Method and Materials: Clinical plans for five patients were created using DMPO with the maximum number of segments set at 40. Three additional plans were created using a leaf sequence converter with the same planning objectives. The number of levels was set to 10, 5 and 3 with corresponding number of extracts set at 5, 3 and 2, resulting in plans with decreasing numbers of segments. All plans were normalized so 95% of each target volume (prostate, lymph nodes and seminal vesicles) met the prescribed dose. Plan quality was assessed based on tumor coverage, defined endpoints for sensitive structures, plan dose conformality and dose homogeneity. Results: The DMPO plans resulted in the lowest average number of segments at 38.8, compared to 160.4, 77.2 and 45.4 for the two‐step plans, and also had the highest overall plan quality. The DMPO plans resulted in the lowest D5 and D20 to the bladder, the lowest D20 to the rectum and the lowest V45 to the small bowel. In addition, the DMPO plans had the lowest number of monitor units at 745.8, compared to 910.6, 893.6, and 823.2 MU respectively for the two‐step plans. The DMPO plans had an average homogeneity index of 89%, compared to 90%, 88% and 83%, and a conformal index of 2.9 compared to 2.8, 3.9 and 4.8. Conclusion: One‐step optimization is an efficient and effective way to create simplified IMRTtreatment plans. For prostate cancer patients treated with IMRT, clinical requirements can be met with 40 or fewer segments using DMPO.
Differential polarization imaging. III. Theory confirmation. Patterns of polymerization of hemoglobin S in red blood sickle cells

In this paper we test the predictions of the differential polarization imaging theory developed in the previous two papers. A characterization of the patterns of polymerization of hemoglobin in red blood cells from patients with sickle cell anemia is presented. This system was chosen because it is relatively easy to handle and because previous studies have been done on it. A differential polarization microscope designed and built in our laboratory was used to carry out this study. This microscope uses an image dissector camera, a photoelastic modulator, and a phase-lock amplifier. This design represents a substantial modification with respect to the instrumentation used in the previous results communicated on this system. Therefore, the results presented here also permit us to confirm the validity of our conclusions. On the basis of the differential polarization images obtained, models of the patterns of polymerization of the hemoglobin S inside the sickle cells are proposed and their M12 and regular images are calculated by the theory. Good agreement between those models and the experimental systems is found, as well as with the results previously reported.
Uncertainties in the measurement of gauge blocks by interferometry

The uncertainties in the measurement of gauge blocks by interferometry based on the official publication of the ISO 'Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement', are evaluated. The effects caused by a variety of factors such as laser frequency, refractive index of air, temperature and wringing film thickness are analyzed. The evaluation results how that for steel gauge blocks of grade 00, the expanded uncertainty is 0.04 micrometers + 14 X 10-7L where L is the length of the gauge block. The reported uncertainty is based on a standard uncertainty multiplied by a coverage factor of k equals 1.96, which provides a level of confidence of 95 percent.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Pi overlapping ring systems contained in a homogeneous assay: a novel homogeneous assay for antigens

A novel immunoassay, Pi overlapping ring systems contained in a homogeneous assay (PORSCHA), is described. This assay relies upon the change in fluorescent spectral properties that pyrene and its derivatives show with varying concentration. Because antibodies and other biomolecules can bind two molecules simultaneously, they can change the local concentration of the molecules that they bind. This concentration change may be detected spectrally as a change in the fluorescence emission wavelength of an appropriately labeled biomolecule. Several tests of PORSCHA have been performed which demonstrate this principle. For example: with streptavidin as the binding biomolecule and a biotin labeled pyrene derivative, the production of the excimer emitting at 470 nm is observed. Without the streptavidin present, only the monomer emitting at 378 and 390 nm is observed. The ratio of monomer to excimer provides the concentration of unlabeled biotin in the sample. Approximately 1 ng/mL of biotin may be detected with this system using a 50 (mu) l sample (2 X 10-16 moles biotin). The principles behind PORSCHA, the results with the streptavidin/biotin system are discussed and extensions of the PORSCHA concept to antibodies as the binding partner and DNA in homogeneous assays are suggested.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.