cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels

Voltage-gated calcium (Ca(2+)) channels are key transducers of membrane potential changes into intracellular Ca(2+) transients that initiate many physiological events. There are ten members of the voltage-gated Ca(2+) channel family in mammals, and they serve distinct roles in cellular signal transduction. The Ca(V)1 subfamily initiates contraction, secretion, regulation of gene expression, integration of synaptic input in neurons, and synaptic transmission at ribbon synapses in specialized sensory cells. The Ca(V)2 subfamily is primarily responsible for initiation of synaptic transmission at fast synapses. The Ca(V)3 subfamily is important for repetitive firing of action potentials in rhythmically firing cells such as cardiac myocytes and thalamic neurons. This article presents the molecular relationships and physiological functions of these Ca(2+) channel proteins and provides information on their molecular, genetic, physiological, and pharmacological properties.
Discriminative validity of the WRAML with ADHD and LD children

The Wide Range Assessment of Memory and Learning (WRAML; Sheslow & Adams, 1990) is a nationally standardized instrument designed to assess memory and learning skills in children and adolescents. This study assessed the relationship of WRAML scores to WISC-III and WJ-R results in three groups: (a) LD children with reading difficulties, (b) ADHD children, and (c) nonhandicapped referred children. Total sample size was 120. Discriminant function analysis demonstrated that the WRAML provided little distinguishing information for ADHD and LD children. Likewise, the usefulness of the Learning subtests is questionable. It is suggested that inclusion of working memory tasks that require reconfiguration of material, problem solving, and more complexity may be more beneficial in identifying processing weaknesses with suspected ADHD and LD youngsters. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Supplemental carnitine and exercise

Carnitine is an endogenous compound with well-established roles in intermediary metabolism. An obligate for optimal mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation, it is a critical source of energy and also protects the cell from acyl-CoA accretion through the generation of acylcarnitines. Carnitine homeostasis is affected by exercise in a well-defined manner because of the interaction of the carnitine-acylcarnitine pool with key metabolic pathways. Carnitine supplementation has been hypothesized to improve exercise performance in healthy humans through various mechanisms, including enhanced muscle fatty acid oxidation, altered glucose homeostasis, enhanced acylcarnitine production, modification of training responses, and altered muscle fatigue resistance. Available experimental clinical studies designed to assess the effect of carnitine on exercise metabolism or performance in healthy humans do not permit definitive conclusions to be drawn. In the aggregate, however, these studies suggest that carnitine supplementation does not improve maximal oxygen uptake or metabolic status during exercise in healthy humans. Carnitine administration for </=1 mo in humans increases plasma carnitine concentrations but does not increase muscle carnitine content. Additional clinical trials integrating physiologic, biochemical, and pharmacologic assessments are needed to definitively clarify any effects of carnitine on exercise performance in healthy persons.
Arbitrary bit permutations in one or two cycles

Symmetric-key block ciphers encrypt data, providing data confidentiality over the public Internet. For interoperability reasons, it is desirable to support a variety of symmetric-key ciphers efficiently. We show the basic operations performed by a variety of symmetric-key cryptography algorithms. Of these basic operations, only bit permutation is very slow using existing processors, followed by integer multiplication. New instructions have been proposed recently to accelerate bit permutations in general-purpose processors, reducing the instructions needed to achieve an arbitrary n-bit permutation from O(n) to O(log(n)). However, the serial data-dependency between these log(n) permutation instructions prevents them from being executed in fewer than log(n) cycles, even on superscalar processors. Since application specific instruction processors (ASIPs) have fewer constraints on maintaining standard processor datapath and control conventions, can we achieve even faster permutations? We propose six alternative ASIP approaches to achieve arbitrary 64 bit permutations in one or two cycles, using new BFLY and IBFLY instructions. This reduction to one or two cycles is achieved without increasing the cycle time. We compare the latencies of different permutation units in a technology independent way to estimate cycle time impact. We also compare the alternative ASIP architectures and their efficiency in performing arbitrary 64 bit permutations.
An improved MMSE-based MIMO detection using low-complexity constellation search

The maximum likelihood (ML) detection for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system achieves the optimal performances at the cost of high computational complexities, while the linear detectors attain low complexities with degraded performances. In this paper, we propose two low-complexity detection schemes based on the minimum-mean-square-error (MMSE) detection for MIMO systems. Using on the MMSE-detected data as the starting point, the first scheme searches the constellation subspace using the ML criterion. To further reduce the complexity, the second scheme selects the constellation subspace for search using the reformulated ML criterion. Simulation results show the substantial performance improvements compared to the MMSE detection, with only slightly increased complexities.
Computational advances towards linking BOLD and behavior

Traditionally, fMRI studies have focused on analyzing the mean response amplitude within a cortical area. However, the mean response is blind to many important patterns of cortical modulation, which severely limits the formulation and evaluation of linking hypotheses between neural activity, BOLD responses, and behavior. More recently, multivariate pattern classification analysis (MVPA) has been applied to fMRI data to evaluate the information content of spatially distributed activation patterns. This approach has been remarkably successful at detecting the presence of specific information in targeted brain regions, and provides an extremely flexible means of extracting that information without a precise generative model for the underlying neural activity. However, this flexibility comes at a cost: since MVPA relies on pooling information across voxels that are selective for many different stimulus attributes, it is difficult to infer how specific sub-sets of tuned neurons are modulated by an experimental manipulation. In contrast, recently developed encoding models can produce more precise estimates of feature-selective tuning functions, and can support the creation of explicit linking hypotheses between neural activity and behavior. Although these encoding models depend on strong - and often untested - assumptions about the response properties of underlying neural generators, they also provide a unique opportunity to evaluate population-level computational theories of perception and cognition that have previously been difficult to assess using either single-unit recording or conventional neuroimaging techniques.
Complex permittivity and permeability measurements of ferrimagnets at millimeter waves with high power sources

We present complex dielectric permittivity and magnetic permeability characteristics of strontium and nickel ferrite ceramics in Q-, V-, and W-band frequency range. The measurements have been done using broad-band quasi-optical millimeter wave spectrometer with backward-wave oscillator as a high power source of coherent radiation. Dielectric and magnetic parameters of the ferrite ceramic materials have been calculated by employing the best fit of the theoretical curves to the experimental transmittance spectra.
Effect of temperature on protein synthesis and leucine transport by yeast mitochondria.

Protein synthesis in yeast mitochondria shows biphasic Arrhenius plots both in vivo and in vitro, with a twofold increase in the activation energy below the transition temperature suggesting a functional association between mitochondrial protein synthesis and the inner membrane. Analysis by gel electrophoresis of mitochondrial translation products labeled in vivo showed that the same proteins are synthesized and then inserted into the membrane above and below the transition temperature of the membrane.The rate of leucine uptake into mitochondria was decreased at least fivefold in the presence of chloramphenicol, suggesting that leucine is used mainly for protein synthesis. In the absence of chloramphenicol, the rate of leucine uptake was always slightly higher but comparable to the incorporation rate of leucine into protein at all temperatures studied, suggesting that the transport of leucine into mitochondria is not rate-limiting for protein synthesis. The ionophore valinomycin or the uncoupler carbonyl ...
A novel reflector surface distortion compensating technique using a sub-reflectarray

In this paper, the concept of a novel reflector surface distortion compensating approach using a sub-reflectarray is introduced.
Bilateral aortic origins of the vertebral arteries with right vertebral artery arising distal to left subclavian artery: case report

Abstract Background Bilateral aortic origins of the vertebral arteries are a rare anatomic variant, with fewer than 20 cases reported in the literature. This particular variant has only been reported twice. Case Description A 35-year-old woman presented to the emergency department after trauma to the head and a witnessed convulsion. Subsequent workup included MRI/MRA, which resulted in identification of the anomaly. Conclusion The clinical importance of aortic arch anomalies lies in that it may be a source of misinterpretation, as one may conclude occlusion of the vertebral artery if the aberrant origin is not included in the MRA or CTA imaging parameters. Therefore, it is important to scan through the entire aortic arch to just below the level of the ligamentum arteriosum when performing these noninvasive modalities. In addition, vertebral arteries arising from the aortic arch have an increased risk of dissection.
Complications resulting from spurious fields produced by a microwave applicator used for hyperthermia.

Abstract Microwave hyperthermia applicators are generally characterized at two or three frequencies. These frequencies usually are at the extremes of the applicator's operating range. However, such applicators are often used at arbitrary frequencies within their range. The most common reason for choice of frequency is to achieve acceptable coupling in the clinical configuration with a given patient. Occasionally a spurious transmission pattern will result from the frequency chosen that can lead to undetected high power densities well away from the target volume. In the present report, such a situation is discussed. The transmission pattern resembled “horns” reported at the field edge of certain accelerators. This pattern resulted in the inability to heat the target volume and the production of thermal blisters outside that volume. Such an occurrence underscores the need to characterize the transmission characteristics of a microwave hyperthermia applicator at all the frequencies used.
Cybersecurity and Cloud Computing in the Health Care and Energy Sectors: Perception and Reality of Risk Management

The Silicon Flatirons Center convened 43 leaders from the legal, academic, and business community (collectively, “the Roundtable”) on January 10, 2013. The Roundtable discussed the risks of cloud computing and how businesses generally, and the health care and energy sectors specifically, can manage these risks. The main objectives of the Roundtable included identifying legal and regulatory risks involved in adopting cloud technology, identifying potential pitfalls, and identifying management and governance solutions that can increase data security and privacy while improving organizations’ end products.
Resonance theory of the crossover from Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer superfluidity to Bose-Einstein condensation in a dilute Fermi gas

We present a description of the behavior of a superfluid gas of fermions in the presence of a Feshbach resonance over the complete range of magnetic field detunings. Starting from a resonance Hamiltonian, we exploit a functional method to describe the continuous behavior from Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer to Bose-Einstein condensation type superfluidity. Our results show an ability for a resonance system to exhibit a high critical temperature comparable to the Fermi temperature. The results are derived in a manner that is shown to be consistent with the underlying microscopic scattering physics.
Prescription of psychiatric medications and polypharmacy in the LAMS cohort

ObjectiveThis study evaluated demographic and clinical correlates and predictors of polypharmacy at baseline assessment in the Longitudinal Assessment of Manic Symptoms (LAMS) sample, a cohort of children age six to 12 years at their first outpatient mental health visit at university-affiliated clinics.MethodsUse of medications in four classes (mood stabilizers, antidepressants, antipsychotics, and stimulants) was assessed, and the Service Assessment for Children and Adolescents classified lifetime and current use of various services. Analyses examined correlates of the number of medications prescribed and odds of polypharmacy, defined as use of two or more concurrent medications.ResultsIn the total sample, 201 of 698 participants (29%) were prescribed two or more medications. These participants had lower Children’s Global Assessment Scale scores, more comorbid disorders, and higher baseline parent-reported mood symptoms than those prescribed no or one medication. White youths were three times as likely a...
Linking public housing, employment, and disability benefits for working-age people with disabilities

Since the 1990s, US housing policy has emphasized increasing the economic self-sufficiency of assisted households. However, an estimated 41% of working-age public housing tenants have a disability, and many participate in multiple public benefit programs. We explore this policy dilemma by asking: (1) do levels of employment vary between people with disabilities who are and who are not residing in public housing, and (2) do the types of disabilities vary by those who are and who are not residing in public housing? We also consider whether or not answers vary based on household receipt of public disability benefits. Results from the Current Population Survey suggest that working-age people with disabilities who live in public housing but do not receive disability program benefits are significantly less likely to be employed than disabled non-beneficiaries who do not reside in public housing. No differences in employment levels are noted between Social Security disability program participants who do and do n...
Iterative Robust Stabilization Algorithm for Periodic Orbits of Hybrid Dynamical Systems: Application to Bipedal Running

Abstract This paper presents a systematic numerical algorithm to design optimal Hoo continuous-time controllers to robustly stabilize periodic orbits for hybrid dynamical systems in the presence of discrete-time uncertainties. A parameterized set of closed-loop hybrid systems is assumed for which there exists a common periodic orbit. The algorithm is created based on an iterative sequence of optimization problems involving Bilinear and Linear Matrix Inequalities (BMIs and LMIs). At each iteration, the optimal %oo problem is translated into a BMI optimization problem which can be easily solved using available software packages. Some sufficient conditions for the convergence of the iterative algorithm are presented. The power of the algorithm is then demonstrated in designing robust stabilizing virtual constraints for running of a highly underactuated bipedal robot with 7 degrees of underactuation in the presence of impact model uncertainties.
User's Willingness to Pay on Social Network Sites

A user's willingness to pay (WTP) on social network site (SNS) has received a great deal of attentions from academics and practitioners. The current study separates the willingness into WTP for SNS...
Direct observation of narrow mid-infrared plasmon linewidths of single metal oxide nanocrystals

Infrared-responsive doped metal oxide nanocrystals are an emerging class of plasmonic materials whose localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPR) can be resonant with molecular vibrations. This presents a distinctive opportunity to manipulate light-matter interactions to redirect chemical or spectroscopic outcomes through the strong local electric fields they generate. Here we report a technique for measuring single nanocrystal absorption spectra of doped metal oxide nanocrystals, revealing significant spectral inhomogeneity in their mid-infrared LSPRs. Our analysis suggests dopant incorporation is heterogeneous beyond expectation based on a statistical distribution of dopants. The broad ensemble linewidths typically observed in these materials result primarily from sample heterogeneity and not from strong electronic damping associated with lossy plasmonic materials. In fact, single nanocrystal spectra reveal linewidths as narrow as 600 cm(-1) in aluminium-doped zinc oxide, a value less than half the ensemble linewidth and markedly less than homogeneous linewidths of gold nanospheres.
GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF QUANTUM MECHANICS

We have seen in the previous chapter how useful wave mechanics can be in solving physical problems. But wave mechanics has several limitations. It describes physical states by means of wave functions, which are functions of the positions of the particles of the system, but why should we single out position as the fundamental physical observable? For instance, we might want to describe states in terms of probability amplitudes for particles to have certain values of the momentum or energy rather than the position. A more fundamental limitation: There are attributes of physical systems that cannot be described at all in terms of the positions and momenta of a set of particles. One of these attributes is spin , which will be the subject of Chapter 4. Another is the value of the electric or magnetic field at some point in space, treated in Chapter 11. This chapter will describe the principles of quantum mechanics in a formalism which is essentially the “transformation theory” of Dirac, mentioned briefly in Section 1.4. This formalism generalizes both the wave mechanics of Schrodinger and the matrix mechanics of Heisenberg, and is sufficiently comprehensive to apply to any sort of physical system. States The first postulate of quantum mechanics is that physical states can be represented as vectors in a sort of abstract space known as Hilbert space . Before getting into Hilbert space, I need to say a bit about vectors in general. In kindergarten we learn that vectors are quantities with both magnitude and direction. Later, when we study analytic geometry, we learn instead to describe a vector in d dimensions as a string of d numbers, the components of the vector. This latter approach lends itself well to calculation, but in some respects the kindergarten version is better, because it allows us to describe relations among vectors without specifying a coordinate system. For instance, a statement that one vector is parallel to a second vector, or perpendicular to a third, has nothing to do with how we choose our coordinate system.
Evidence for a systematic offset of $-$0.25~mas in the Gaia DR1 parallaxes

We test the parallaxes reported in the Gaia first data release using the sample of eclipsing binaries with accurate, empirical distances from Stassun \& Torres (2016). We find an average offset of $-$0.25$\pm$0.05 mas in the sense of the Gaia parallaxes being too small (i.e., the distances too long). The offset does not depend strongly on obvious parameters such as color or brightness. However, we find with high confidence that the offset may depend on ecliptic latitude: the mean offset is $-$0.38$\pm$0.06 mas in the ecliptic north and $-$0.05$\pm$0.09 mas in the ecliptic south. The ecliptic latitude dependence may also be represented by the linear relation, $\Delta\pi \approx -0.22(\pm0.05) -0.003(\pm0.001)\times\beta$ mas ($\beta$ in degrees). Finally, there is a possible dependence of the parallax offset on distance, with the offset becoming negligible for $\pi\lesssim 1$ mas; we discuss whether this could be caused by a systematic error in the eclipsing binary distance scale, and reject this interpretation as unlikely.
An in Situ Generated Palladium on Aluminum Oxide: Applications in Gram-Scale Matsuda–Heck Reactions

In situ generated palladium on aluminum oxide provides an active catalytic system for Matsuda-Heck reactions in gram-scale. The novel catalyst proceeded through a significantly higher catalytic activity compared to the classical Pd/C system. Based on the high catalytic activity the first α,β,β-triarylation of methyl acrylate in good yields could be provided in one-step.
Optimal hedging in the US natural gas market: The effect of maturity and cointegration

Abstract We use the US natural gas market as the rich experimental context to test multiple features of hedging performances. First, we compare the hedging effectiveness of a single futures contract (i.e. Henry Hub) used for hedging six different physical price positions. Second, we examine the performance of hedging, when one uses a futures contract with time-to-maturity beyond the hedging horizon (i.e. a non-matching hedging strategy). Finally, we quantify the effect of accounting for cointegration and also the time varying volatility in the calculation of optimal hedge ratios. As a robustness check we conduct our analysis using both ex-ante (out of sample) and ex-post (in sample) methods. Our findings suggest that using longer maturity contracts may improve the hedging effectiveness. We also find that accounting for cointegration and time varying prices has minimal effect on the hedge ratio and hedging effectiveness for almost all physical prices. Our findings can inform businesses exposed to commodity price risks in on making better risk-management decisions.
Monitoring land use/land cover change, urban growth dynamics and landscape pattern analysis in five fastest urbanized cities in Bangladesh

Abstract With little known and explored urban morphology in the fastest growing countries like Bangladesh in South Asia, this study aims at exploring urban spatial signature and explaining spatiotemporal land use and land cover patterns in the five cities (Rajshahi, Rangpur, Sylhet, Khulna, and Barisal) in Bangladesh. Using time series Landsat imagery, socioeconomic data and, other geospatial information with ecological analysis tools, this study quantifies and characterize the spatial-temporal landscape patterns and urban growth trajectory across the five selected sites. The spatial representation of these five sites demonstrates a continuous increase in urban/built-up areas replacing arable agricultural land, waterbodies, vegetation cover and wetlands, which thereby substantially altering the structure and function of the ecosystem surrounding the cities. Built up areas, representing impervious surface as observed from land cover maps in these five cities, are expanding quickly. The total built-up cover within the five cities grew from 2356 ha in 1973 to 13,435 ha in 2014 with a net increase of approximately 468%, while vegetation cover and crops field within same time period declined at 27.77% and 61.91%, respectively. This dramatic urban/built-up expansion has resulted in an increasingly faster alteration in the landscape composition causing to structural complexity at both class level and landscape level. Such rapid and unplanned urban expansion further has brought an overwhelming challenge to planners and policy makers, and has put a strain on local authorities to properly manage and utilize its limited land-based resources due to lack of time series geospatial information. The resulting thematic map and spatial information from this study is, therefore, to facilitate an understanding of urban growth dynamics and land cover change pattern in the five cities in Bangladesh. The result further can aid planners, stakeholders, and other interested groups to make the best possible choices regarding limited land-based resources to achieve an economically prosperous and environmentally sustainable future.
Uses of Psychophysiology in the Assessment and Treatment of Sexual Dysfunction

Clinical interviews and self-report questionnaires, the focus of the two preceding chapters, both involve the patient’s subjective psychological report. In contrast, this chapter reports on objective physiological measurement of sexual arousal, through Plethysmographic measurement of genital blood flow. The potential utility of this psychophysiological measure in both research and treatment is examined in this chapter, and some cautionary remarks about potential misuse of such psychophysiological data are offered.
Addition Reactions with Formation of Carbon–Nitrogen Bonds

This review is written to cover the needs of synthetic chemists with interests in oxidizing alkenes by addition of nitrogenous substituents. Whilst some aspects have been covered in previous reviews (noted in the text), most notably in the Tetrahedron Report No. 144, ‘Amination of Alkenes’1 and prior reviews on aziridines and nitrenes, the present review is the first compilation of references to the whole range of these particular bond-forming processes. A review by Whitham provides a useful general introduction to reaction mechanisms of additions to alkenes in greater detail than can be covered here.2 The ‘oxidation’ requirement excludes from the scope the additions of N + H and most additions of N + Metal or N + C. Hence, unmodified Michael and Ritter reactions are excluded. These topics are mostly covered in Volume 4 of the present series.
Increasing consumer demand for tobacco treatments: Ten design recommendations for clinicians and healthcare systems.

Abstract Health professionals play an important role in addressing patient tobacco use in clinical settings. While there is clear evidence that identifying tobacco use and assisting smokers in quitting affects outcomes, challenges to improve routine, clinician-delivered tobacco intervention persist. The Consumer Demand Initiative has identified simple design principles to increase consumers' use of proven tobacco treatments. Applying these design strategies to activities across the healthcare system, we articulate ten recommendations that can be implemented in the context of most clinical systems where most clinicians work. The recommendations are: (1) reframe the definition of success, (2) portray proven treatments as the best care, (3) redesign the 5A's of tobacco intervention, (4) be ready to deliver the right treatment at the right time, (5) move tobacco from the social history to the problem list, (6) use words as therapy and language that makes sense, (7) fit tobacco treatment into clinical team workflows, (8) embed tobacco treatment into health information technology, (9) make every encounter an opportunity to intervene, and (10) end social disparities for tobacco users. Clinical systems need to change to improve tobacco treatment implementation. The consumer- and clinician-centered recommendations provide a roadmap that focuses on increasing clinician performance through greater understanding of the clinician's role in helping tobacco users, highlighting the value of evidence-based tobacco treatments, employing shared decision-making skills, and integrating routine tobacco treatment into clinical system routines.
Efficient Integration of Sufficient Dimension Reduction and Prediction in Discriminant Analysis

Sufficient dimension reduction (SDR) methods are popular model-free tools for preprocessing and data visualization in regression problems where the number of variables is large. Unfortunately, redu...
Simulation in Vascular Surgery

Increasingly stringent restrictions of duty hours for residents have led to decreasing experience with complex open vascular interventions; simulation is a promising avenue for both skills training and skill assessment. Various different forms of simulation are now available including benchtop models, animal models, cadavers, and high-fidelity simulators. This chapter reviews the available modalities, the evidence supporting their use in both open and endovascular surgical training, components of a successful simulation training program, and the application of simulation training in the context of two academic centers – LSU and OHSU.
Self-Induced Parametric Amplification in the Disk Resonant Gyroscope

This paper discusses experimental investigation to the observation of nonlinear mode coupling in the disk resonant gyroscope (DRG) and demonstrating 20x improvement in scale factor sensitivity and 10x improvement in bias instability, demonstrated on a single device.
The neurovascular response is attenuated by focused ultrasound-mediated disruption of the blood-brain barrier

Abstract Focused ultrasound (FUS)-induced disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a non-invasive method to target drug delivery to specific brain areas that is now entering into the clinic. Recent studies have shown that the method has several secondary effects on local physiology and brain function beyond making the vasculature permeable to normally non-BBB penetrant molecules. This study uses functional MRI methods to investigate how FUS BBB opening alters the neurovascular response in the rat brain. Nine rats underwent actual and sham FUS induced BBB opening targeted to the right somatosensory cortex (SI) followed by four runs of bilateral electrical hind paw stimulus-evoked fMRI. The neurovascular response was quantified using measurements of the blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal and cerebral blood flow (CBF). An additional three rats underwent the same FUS-BBB opening followed by stimulus-evoked fMRI with high resolution BOLD imaging and BOLD imaging of a carbogen-breathing gas challenge. BOLD and CBF measurements at two different stimulus durations demonstrate that the neurovascular response to the stimulus is attenuated in both amplitude and duration in the region targeted for FUS-BBB opening. The carbogen results show that the attenuation in response amplitude, but not duration, is still present when the signaling mechanism originates from changes in blood oxygenation instead of stimulus-induced neuronal activity. There is some evidence of non-local effects, including a possible global decrease in baseline CBF. All effects are resolved by 24 h after FUS-BBB opening. Taken together, these results suggest that FUS-BBB opening alters that state of local brain neurovascular physiology in such a way that hinders its ability to respond to demands for increased blood flow to the region. The mechanisms for this effect need to be elucidated.
Good, Better, Best: Textual Distractors Generation for Multi-Choice VQA via Policy Gradient.

An increasing amount of studies have investigated the decision-making process of VQA models. Many of these studies focus on the reason behind the correct answer chosen by a model. Yet, the reason why the distracting answer chose by a model has rarely been studied. To this end, we introduce a novel task called \textit{textual Distractors Generation for VQA} (DG-VQA) that explaining the decision boundaries of existing VQA models. The goal of DG-VQA is to generate the most confusing set of textual distractors in multi-choice VQA tasks which expose the vulnerability of existing models (i.e. to generate distractors that lure existing models to fail). We show that DG-VQA can be formulated as a Markov Decision Process, and present a reinforcement learning solution to come up with distractors in an unsupervised manner. The solution addresses the lack of large annotated corpus issues in previous distractor generation methods. Our proposed model receives reward signals from fully-trained multi-choice VQA models and updates its parameters via policy gradient. The empirical results show that the generated textual distractors can successfully attack several popular VQA models with an average $20\%$ accuracy drop from $64\%$. Furthermore, we conduct adversarial training to improve the robustness of VQA models by incorporating the generated distractors. Empirical results validate the effectiveness of adversarial training by showing a performance improvement of $27\%$ for the multi-choice VQA task.
Occupational Influences and Strategies

Though the words job, occupation, and career are often used interchangeably, for the purpose of this chapter, occupation is viewed as a job that pertains to a person’s career or calling. For many individuals, the job they hold may be one of the key areas from which they derive social identity (Becker & Strauss, 2017). For some, there is a greater degree of choice with work identity than many other areas of identity such as race, nationality, and gender. However, not all people have the same freedom or opportunity to choose careers and may find themselves in a particular job based on convenience or necessity. Whether a job is chosen as the result of careful planning and assessment, because of inherent calling, or simply accepted because it pays the bills, some positions more naturally lend themselves to faith and work integration (FWI) than others. Therefore, job characteristics or occupational factors can play a significant role in determining whether and how much an individual integrates faith in the workplace. For this second sphere in our Faith and Work Integration Spheres of Influence model (FWSI), the various occupational factors that can facilitate or present challenges for FWI are discussed. Also included is the particular role of leadership because it cuts across most occupational categories, has been studied in areas related to FWI, and has the capacity to impact others’ FWI. This chapter also discusses the help Christian career guidance can provide to navigate the FWI challenges and opportunities presented by occupation. The role of occupational factors within the FWSI is depicted in Fig. 10.1.
Control Synthesis for Cyber-Physical Systems to Satisfy Metric Interval Temporal Logic Objectives under Timing and Actuator Attacks*

This paper studies the synthesis of controllers for cyber-physical systems (CPSs) that are required to carry out complex tasks that are time-sensitive, in the presence of an adversary. The task is specified as a formula in metric interval temporal logic (MITL). The adversary is assumed to have the ability to tamper with the control input to the CPS and also manipulate timing information perceived by the CPS. In order to model the interaction between the CPS and the adversary, and also the effect of these two classes of attacks, we define an entity called a durational stochastic game (DSG). DSGs probabilistically capture transitions between states in the environment, and also the time taken for these transitions. With the policy of the defender represented as a finite state controller (FSC), we present a value-iteration based algorithm that computes an FSC that maximizes the probability of satisfying the MITL specification under the two classes of attacks. A numerical case-study on a signalized traffic network is presented to illustrate our results.
Bad Action Being Moral Due to Necessary Evil

In the course of the life of a human being, he or she engages in the myriad of actions. Some of which are voluntary in nature. Among them some are evaluated to be moral and the others immoral. Generally we use moral action and just action synonymously. And we also use immoral action and unjust action synonymously. Normally we connect good action with morality and bad action with immorality as if they are necessarily connected. In this paper I want to challenge the necessary connection between the good action with morality and the bad action with immorality. In order to do that I am arguing that bad actions can also be moral. And it can happen due to necessary evil.
Can Reading Personalized Storybooks to Children Increase Their Prosocial Behavior

This study examined whether the nominal personalization of a storybook about sharing impacted preschool-aged children’s perceived similarity with the main character or their likelihood of comprehending the moral lesson and applying it to their own behavior. Children were read either a personalized story about sharing, a non-personalized story about sharing, or a control story not about sharing. Perceived similarity with the main character was measured by participants’ self-references produced during a story retelling task, comprehension was measured through retelling and open-ended questions, and participants’ prosocial behavior was measured with a sticker sharing task both prior to and following the story reading. The amount of spontaneous speech produced by the participant during the storybook reading was also measured to gauge whether children’s engagement with and understanding of the story was affected by storybook type. Results showed that nominally personalized books did not encourage greater comprehension or more sharing behavior than the other two types of books, though both stories with a sharing moral did elicit more detailed retellings than the control story. These results suggest that books with nominal personalization do not necessarily help children understand the moral of a story and apply it to their own lives. Limitations to these findings and avenues for future research on the degree and type of personalization that may be effective for promoting prosocial behaviors in preschoolers are discussed.
Towards Activity-Centered Gamification Design

Gamitication is increasingly advocated as a solution to motivational challenges across learning activities. However, given a particular learning activity, the question of how to choose relevant motivational affordances and how to incorporate them within the activity in order to evoke the desired motivational effect remains an open problem. To address this gap, we propose an activity-centered design framework for gamifying learning activities. The framework is driven by the motivational factors associated with the activity to be gamitied and implies identifying potential motivators and demotivators with the intent to guide the selection of relevant motivational affordances. The purpose is to enable a gameful experience by choosing motivational affordances that are in congruence with the motivators while curbing the effect of demotivators. The application of the framework is illustrated by a case study complemented by an empirical evaluation.
The Pleiotropic Intricacies of Hedgehog Signaling: From Craniofacial Patterning to Carcinogenesis:

Hedgehog signaling was discovered more than 40 years ago in experiments demonstrating that it is a fundamental mediator of limb development. Since that time, it has been shown to be important in de...
Symptom attribution to a medically unexplained syndrome is associated with greater perceived severity and bothersomeness of symptoms in US military veterans.

Objective Medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) are prevalent among veteran and non-veteran populations. Current biopsychosocial theory implicates a multitude of factors in MUS development and perpetuation. The current study tests whether physical symptom attribution to MUS is associated with perceived symptom severity and bothersomeness and thereby might function to perpetuate MUS, as suggested by existing theory. Design and main outcome measures Military combat veterans (n = 243) answered postal-mail questions about their physical symptoms, severity of experienced symptoms, and attributions of these symptoms to MUS (e.g. Gulf War Illness) versus non-MUS conditions. Results Independent t-tests showed support for the first hypothesis-that those who experience the symptom and attribute it to MUS will perceive it to be more severe and bothersome than those who experience the symptom but do not attribute it to MUS. Paired-sample t-tests showed support for the second hypothesis-that experienced symptoms attributed to MUS by an individual will be perceived as more severe and bothersome than experienced symptoms the individual does not attribute to MUS. Conclusions Results highlight a potential role of symptom attribution in MUS perpetuation, through greater perceived severity and bothersomeness of MUS-attributed symptoms. Possible intervention targets may include behavior ramifications, such as coping strategies; more research is needed.
Cytomegalovirus Infection Impairs the Mobilization of Tissue-Resident Innate Lymphoid Cells into the Peripheral Blood Compartment in Response to Acute Exercise.

Circulating immune cell numbers and phenotypes are impacted by high-intensity acute bouts of exercise and infection history with the latent herpesviruses cytomegalovirus (CMV). In particular, CMV infection history impairs the exercise-induced mobilization of cytotoxic innate lymphoid cells 1 (ILC1) cells, also known as NK cells, in the blood. However, it remains unknown whether exercise and CMV infection modulate the mobilization of traditionally tissue-resident non-cytotoxic ILCs into the peripheral blood compartment. To address this question, 22 healthy individuals with or without CMV (20–35 years—45% CMVpos) completed 30 min of cycling at 70% VO2 max, and detailed phenotypic analysis of circulating ILCs was performed at rest and immediately post-exercise. We show for the first time that a bout of high-intensity exercise is associated with an influx of ILCs that are traditionally regarded as tissue-resident. In addition, this is the first study to highlight that latent CMV infection blunts the exercise-response of total ILCs and progenitor ILCs (ILCPs). These promising data suggest that acute exercise facilitates the circulation of certain ILC subsets, further advocating for the improvements in health seen with exercise by enhancing cellular mobilization and immunosurveillance, while also highlighting the indirect deleterious effects of CMV infection in healthy adults.
Classifying sources of hazard

The chapter focuses on sources of hazard: static and dynamic, open and closed, and mini; small; and large, elaborating on conditions that make a location hazardous and specifying the levels of safety and hazard in a hazardous location. . For a location to become hazardous, it is necessary that a flammable gas or vapor is present in the air in sufficient quantities and that it mixes with the air in a ratio that allows the flammable gas or vapor mixture to explode when ignited. To correctly evaluate the safety of the National Electricity Code (NEC) Class I location, it is necessary to understand the nature of the safety and hazard that exists in Class I locations. The chapter illustrates requirements for classifying NEC class I, division 1 and division 2 locations—such as, increasing wear, early ignition, insufficient ventilation, failure of electrical equipment, adjacent location, etc. However, safety and hazard are not related to each other. It is not necessarily true that maximum hazard reduces the safety to a lower level and vice versa. Safety is based on the efficiency of the electrical equipment in the location. A location is considered safe when arcs or sparks from the electrical equipment are not capable of igniting a flammable substance in the atmosphere.
Recursion and Probability

We discuss recent work on the algorithmic analysis of systems involving recursion and probability. Recursive Markov chains extend ordinary finite state Markov chains with the ability to invoke other Markov chains in a potentially recursive manner. They offer a natural abstract model of probabilistic programs with procedures, and generalize other classical well-studied stochastic models, eg. Multi-type Branching Processes and Stochastic Context-free Grammars. Recursive Markov Decision Processes and Recursive Stochastic Games similarly extend ordinary finite Markov decision processes and stochastic games, and they are natural models for recursive systems involving both probabilistic and nonprobabilistic actions. In a series of recent papers with Kousha Etessami (U. of Edinburgh), we have introduced these models and studied central algorithmic problems regarding questions of termination, reachability, and analysis of the properties of their executions. In this talk we will present some of the basic theory and algorithms.
Higher Derivative Gravitation in Superstrings

A discussion of the number of degrees of freedom, and their dynamical properties, in higher derivative gravitational theories is presented. It is shown that non-vanishing (Cmnpq) 2 terms arise in N=1, D=4 superstring Lagrangians due to one-loop radiative corrections with light field internal lines.
Ritual exchange and the fourth obligation: ancient Maya food offering and the flexible materiality of ritual

Employing Mauss's notion of the fourth obligation, giving to the gods, this article develops a formulation of ritual exchange to examine the interactive nature of ritual practice. As a modality of interaction, ritual exchange is contingent upon enduring normative beliefs, such as perceived obligations to spiritual entities, and the social positions of ritual practitioners. Consequently, ritual exchange evinces not only the material and immaterial nature of sacred beliefs but also the potential flexibility and fungibility of social interaction. By considering a relatively under-utilized form of data to study past ritual, archaeobotanical remains, we employ this perspective to explore the ancient Maya practice of offering foods in several caves in western Belize. These data exhibit complex configurations of commonality and variability, suggesting the potential flexibility and latent fungibility of ritual exchange. Resume En recourant a la quatrieme obligation selon Mauss (l'offrande aux dieux), l'auteur elabore une formulation des echanges rituels afin d'examiner la nature interactive de la pratique rituelle. En tant que modalite d'interaction, l'echange rituel depend de la perennite de croyances normatives, telles que les obligations percues envers les entites du monde des esprits et le statut social des officiants. En consequence, l'echange rituel evince non seulement la nature materielle et immaterielle des croyances sacrees, mais aussi la flexibilite et la fonctionnalite potentielles des interactions sociales. En examinant les vestiges archeobotaniques, donnees relativement mal utilisees pour etudier les rituels passes, nous appliquons ce point de vue a l'etude des pratiques des anciens Mayas qui deposaient des offrandes de nourriture dans des grottes de l'Ouest du Belize. Ces donnees font apparaitre des configurations complexes de points communs et de variabilite, qui suggerent une flexibilite potentielle et une fonctionnalite latente des echanges rituels.
Learning a quality-based ranking for feature point trajectories

Long term motion analysis poses many standing challenges that need to be addressed for advancing this field. One of these challenges is finding algorithms that correctly handle occlusion and can detect when a pixel trajectory needs to be stopped. Very few optical algorithms provide an occlusion map and are appropriate for this task. Another challenge is finding a framework for the accurate evaluation of the motion field produced by an algorithm. This work makes two contributions in these directions. First, it presents a RMSE based error measure for evaluating feature tracking algorithms on sequences with rigid motion under the affine camera model. The proposed measure was observed to be consistent with the relative ranking of a number of optical flow algorithms on the Middlebury dataset. Second, it introduces a feature tracking algorithm based on RankBoost that automatically prunes bad trajectories obtained by an optical flow algorithm. The proposed feature tracking algorithm is observed to outperform many feature trackers based on optical flow using both the proposed measure and an indirect measure based on motion segmentation.