cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
US Strategic and Economic Cooperation in an Early Stage of a Hypothetical Korean Reunification: Opportunities and Constraints (통일 한국 초기단계에서 미국의 대한반도 경제협력: 기회와 제약)

English Abstract: Our assignment in this paper is to consider the question of “management under temporary separation and international cooperation after Korean unification”: more specifically, to examine “U.S. strategy for economic cooperation with unified Korea, particularly with a focus on investment in North Korea” (and, to the extent feasible, the) “prospects of changes in East Asian value chain after Korean unification: from the U.S.’s perspective”. The basic assumptions about the nature of the hypothetical future re-unification for this exercise are laid out as follows: Of the many scenarios of Korea’s unification, this research project will focus on the “compromising scenario” which is a scenario that has achieved political unification through governmental negotiations but have not yet begun full-fledged economic integration. Economic integration in this case will be a gradual process. This scenario involves one political and economic system (market capitalism), but will have two separate economic units (North and South) which eventually is expected to reach full integration. Initially there will be integration of the commodities market and capital market (1ststage) then there will be labor market integration (2nd stage), then adaptation of a common currency (3rd stage), which will gradually reach full integration into a single market. This project will focus on the 1st stage of this process, where we assume an integration of the commodities and capital market, but not yet labor market integration or a unified currency. In this paper we will propose an alternative method for attempting to quantify economic performance for the DPRK - and by extension, for a future northern Korea in a re-unified peninsula. This is based upon an approach of modeling economic performance on the basis of international data-files which do include estimates of North Korean socioeconomic conditions. This approach seems to produce generally robust results, and affords a novel method for estimating possible macroeconomic performance and international trade and financial performance for a northern Korea in a re-unified peninsula. Developing this model and presenting its results is the main contribution of this paper... (The rest is omitted.) Korean Abstract: 이 연구의 목적은 "한반도 통일 후 한시적 분리와 국제 협력하의 관리체제"라는 문제를 고찰하는 것이다. 더 구체적으로는 통일 한반도와의 경제적 협력을 위한 전략, 특히 북한 투자와 (가능하다면) "통일 이후의 동아시아 가치사슬의 변화 전망:미국의 시각"에 초점을 맞추고자 한다. 이 연구를 위해 설정한 통일 시나리오의 성격에 대한 기본 가정은 다음과 같다.이 연구에서는 한국의 통일 시나리오 중 하나인 정부 협상을 통해 정치적 통일은 이루었지만 본격적인 경제 통합을 시작하지 않은 시나리오인 '타협 시나리오'에 초점을 맞춘다. 이 경우 경제 통합은 점진적인 과정이 될 것이다. 이 시나리오는 하나의 정치 및 경제 시스템(시장자본주의)을 포함하지만, 궁극적으로 완전한 통합에 도달할 것으로 예상되는 두 개의 별도 경제 단위(남과 북)를 가정한다. 처음에는 상품시장과 자본시장의 통합(1단계)이 있을 것이며, 다음으로 노동시장의 통합(2단계)이 있을 것이고 점차적으로 단일 시장으로 완전히 통합될 공통 통화(3단계)의 단계가 있을 예정이다... (이하 생략)
Generalized mixture representations and combinations for additive fuzzy systems

A generalized probability mixture density governs all additive fuzzy systems. These systems sum fired if-then rules to compute an output. Their mixture structure leads to new Bayes theorems and new ways to combine or fuse fuzzy systems. Additive fuzzy rule-base systems can uniformly approximate continuous functions while their Watkins representations can exactly represent bounded real vector functions with just two rules per vector component. A new separation theorem shows how to combine both such fuzzy systems into a common rule base. A Bayes theorem specifies which rules or which of the combined fuzzy systems fired to produce an observed output from a given input. We prove that two mixed Gaussian densities with Watkins coefficients define a mixture density whose first moment equals any bounded real function. A new learning law can tune the system's mixture density with training data. The additive fuzzy system's finite rule base passes over to a rule continuum. Monte Carlo sampling can then compute fuzzy-system outputs by mixture-based sampling from the virtual rule continuum.
Chicken thigh microvascular training model improves resident surgical skills

Objectives Microsurgical techniques are essential for vessel anastomosis in free flap reconstructive surgery. However, teaching these skills intraoperatively is difficult. The chicken thigh microvascular model is a high-fidelity model that has been previously validated to differentiate between skill levels of surgeons. This study aims to determine if this model objectively improves microsurgical skills. Study Design Validation study Methods Thirteen residents were given a tutorial on microvascular anastomosis and asked to perform anastomoses on the microvascular model. Anastomoses were video-recorded and the time required for trainees to complete the first stitch of their first anastomosis was compared to the time required for the first stitch of their last anastomosis. Comparison of first and last stitch times was completed using a paired student t-test. All participants completed a survey regarding their experience with the simulator. Results There was a statistically significant decrease between the time required for the first stitch (235 s, 95%CI 198–272 s) compared to last stitch (120 s, 95%CI 92–149 s), and an average 48.7% (115 s) decrease in time (p < 0.001). Junior (PGY 2/3) and senior (PGY 4/5) residents had similar decreases in time, 49.1% and 48.21%, respectively. One hundred percent of residents felt they improved during the session and 92% of residents agreed or strongly agreed that their final stitch was better than their last stitch. All residents agreed or strongly agreed that the simulation is realistic, effective in teaching the procedure, and would translate to improved intraoperative performance. Conclusions The chicken thigh model demonstrates objective improvements in resident microvascular surgical skills. Level of Evidence NA
On the Shapes of Interstellar Grains: Modeling Extinction and Polarization by Spheroids and Continuous Distributions of Ellipsoids

Although interstellar grains are known to be aspherical, their actual shapes remain poorly constrained. We assess whether three continuous distributions of ellipsoidal shapes from the literature are suitable for describing the shapes of interstellar grains. Randomly-selected shapes from each distribution are shown as illustrations. The often-used Bohren-Huffman CDE includes a very large fraction of extreme shapes: fully 10% of random draws have axial ratio $a_3/a_1 > 19.7$, and 5% have $a_3/a_1 > 33$. The CDE2 distribution includes a much smaller fraction of extreme shapes, and appears to be more realistic. For each of the three CDEs considered, we derive shape-averaged cross sections for extinction and polarization in the Rayleigh limit. Finally, we describe a method for "synthesizing" a dielectric function for an assumed shape or shape distribution if the actual absorption cross sections per grain volume in the Rayleigh limit are known from observations. This synthetic dielectric function predicts the wavelength dependence of polarization, which can then be compared to observations to constrain the grain shape.
Impact of long-range electrostatic and dispersive interactions on theoretical predictions of adsorption and catalysis in zeolites

Abstract In this paper, we review the importance of long-range zeolite framework interactions in theoretical predictions for a variety of zeolite-catalyzed processes, and we show why such interactions must be determined accurately in order to reproduce experimentally measured adsorption and activation energies. We begin with an overview of the different strategies that have been used to account for long-range coulombic and dispersive interactions of zeolite framework atoms with species adsorbed at an active site. These methods include full periodic-DFT calculations and multi-layer hybrid techniques. Electrostatic interactions are observed to have a more significant impact than dispersive interactions on the geometries of ion-pair transition states and adsorbed species. Stabilization of the TS relative to reactant complexes is also dictated by electrostatic interactions. Dispersion effects are found to significantly stabilize both transition and reactant states for adsorbed species, especially those which have dimensions that provide good fits within the zeolite pore or cavity. We also show that the relevance of particular active site configurations can be missed, if the effects of long-range interactions are neglected. As a case in point, we demonstrate that a site previously considered inactive for ethane dehydrogenation, [GaH2]+ may in fact be more active than previously thought, when the impact of long-range interactions on the predicted activation energy is taken into account. Finally, the use of hybrid quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics approaches on extended, finite zeolite clusters has emerged as an accurate, highly cost-effective, and versatile alternative towards overcoming some of the present-day limitations of periodic calculations.
Fusion prostate biopsy outperforms 12-core systematic prostate biopsy in patients with prior negative systematic biopsy: A multi-institutional analysis.

Abstract Introduction and objectives Patients with persistently elevated prostate specific antigen (PSA) and prior negative 12-core TRUS prostate biopsy (or biopsies) (systematic biopsy—SBx) are a diagnostic challenge. Repeat SBx or saturation biopsy in this cohort has been shown to have an even lower yield. The aim of our study is to compare the prostate cancer yield of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) fusion biopsy (FBx) to SBx in a multi-institutional cohort comprised of patients with prior negative biopsies. Methods A multi-institutional review was performed on patients with a history of one or more prior negative SBx who underwent multiparametric MRI (mpMRI), followed by FBx and SBx in the same session. Imaging protocol was standardized across institutions and institutional genitourinary radiologists and pathologists reviewed mpMRI and pathology, respectively. Gleason score (GS) distribution and risk classifications were recorded. Prostate cancer with GS ≥3 + 4 was defined as clinically significant (CS). Univariate and multivariable logistic regression was done to identify predictors of cancer detection on SBx and FBx. Results Seven-hundred seventy-nine patients from four institutions were included in the study. Median age and prostate specific antigen (IQR) were 63.1 (58.5–68.0) years and 8.5 (5.9–13.1) ng/dl, respectively. Median number of prior negative biopsies (range) was 2.0 (1–16). The cancer detection rate (CDR) in the cohort was 346/779 patients (44.4%). Total CS CDR was 30.7% (239/779 patients), with FBx detecting 26.3% (205/779) of patients with CS disease and SBx diagnosing an additional 4.4% (34/779) of patients (P 6) (one negative biopsy 11.5% vs. 3.6%, 2–3 negative biopsy 10.3% vs. 5.3%, 4 or more negative biopsies 19.1% vs. 1.1%). On multivariable analysis, the number of prior negative biopsies was a significant negative predictor of CS CDR on SBx (P = 0.006), but not on FBx (P = 0.151). Conclusions Using a large multi-institutional cohort, we were able to demonstrate that FBx outperformed SBx in patients with prior negative systematic biopsy. This was due, in part, to the decreasing CS CDR by SBx with increased number of prior biopsies. The yield of FBx stayed constant and did not decrease with increased number of prior negative biopsies. Therefore, repeat SBx alone in patients with multiple prior negative biopsies will be hindered by lower yield and FBx should be utilized concurrently in these patients.
Modeling and simulation of a re-entrant manufacturing system using Colored Petri Nets

This paper describes the use of Colored Petri Nets (CPNs) in the simulation and analysis of re-entrant manufacturing systems with inspections. Inspection stations in a manufacturing system are designed to enhance product quality and process performance. An example is the semiconductor manufacturing process, especially the wafer fabrication line. We consider a model in which there are three possible outcomes at the end of each inspection: accept, reject, or re-enter the system at a previous stage. The performance measures of interest are cycle time, queue length at each buffer, and utilization of each work cell. We use CPN Tools, a graphical software tool and interface used to create, edit, simulate, and analyze CPN models. In this paper we give a brief overview of CPNs and the advantages of using them in the modeling of manufacturing systems. We also present the execution of the CPN model and analysis of a representative system.
De-indirection for flash-based SSDs with nameless writes

We present Nameless Writes, a new device interface that removes the need for indirection in modern solid-state storage devices (SSDs). Nameless writes allow the device to choose the location of a write; only then is the client informed of the name (i.e., address) where the block now resides. Doing so allows the device to control block-allocation decisions, thus enabling it to execute critical tasks such as garbage collection and wear leveling, while removing the need for large and costly indirection tables. We demonstrate the effectiveness of nameless writes by porting the Linux ext3 file system to use an emulated nameless-writing device and show that doing so both reduces space and time overheads, thus making for simpler, less costly, and higher-performance SSD-based storage.
Do Vaccines Cause Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)

Vaccines currently routinely recommended to the general population in the U.S. have not been shown to cause fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).
Neoliberalism’s Assault on Women’s Citizenship: The Case of Nuisance Laws and Intimate Partner Violence in the United States

Nuisance laws in the U.S. fine or evict people for calling 911 repeatedly, and are often enforced against battered women. Using interviews with primarily poor battered women of color, I show how nu...
A novel calcium-ion solid polymer electrolyte based on crosslinked poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate

Abstract A solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) for calcium-ion conduction was produced and characterized. Poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate was photocrosslinked under blue light in the presence of calcium salt to form a stable network with high thermal stability and promising conductivity. An ionic conductivity of 3.4 × 10−4 S/cm at 110 °C and 3.0 × 10−6 S/cm at room temperature was achieved, which is similar to early-stage lithium SPEs. The electrolytes evaluated under thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) remained stable up to temperatures of approximately 140 °C. XRD confirmed no salt precipitation within the polymer matrix, and Raman analysis indicated the complexation of the calcium ions to the PEGDA network. This study is a contribution towards suitable polymer electrolytes for solid-state calcium-ion batteries.
Abstract # 3160 Effects of two-week smartphone-based mindfulness training on markers of inflammation: A randomized controlled trial

Mindfulness interventions, which train people to monitor present-moment experience with a lens of acceptance, are inconsistently associated with reductions in systemic inflammation. Here, we examine the impact of brief mindfulness training on circulating CRP and IL-6, explore treatment response in subgroups at risk for heightened inflammation, and test acceptance training as a mechanism of these effects. 153 stressed community adults were randomly assigned to one of three 14-lesson smartphone-based interventions: (1) training in both monitoring and acceptance (MA), (2) training in monitoring only (MO), or (3) active control training. Dried blood spots collected at pre- and post-intervention were assayed for CRP and IL-6. Contrary to predictions, there were no significant pre- to post-intervention changes in CRP or IL-6 across or between groups. In exploratory subgroup analyses, MA training reduced CRP among both midlife (40–65 years; N = 41) and overweight participants (BMI > = 25; N = 64). Specifically, among midlife participants, MA reduced CRP compared to control (p = .01, d = 0.47) but not MO (p = .57, d = 0.08). Among overweight participants, MA reduced CRP compared to both MO (p =.04, d = 0.24) and control (p = .01, d = 0.35). There were no condition differences in these subgroups on changes in IL-6. Overall, two-week mindfulness training did not reduce markers of inflammation in a stressed but otherwise healthy population. Exploratory analyses suggest that this brief mindfulness intervention may reduce CRP in high-risk subgroups, and that acceptance is key for these effects.
Periodic Character of Solutions of First Order Nonlinear Difference Equations

This chapter’s aims are to determine the necessary and sufficient criteria for the existence of periodic solutions, patterns of periodic solutions, and the existence of eventually periodic solutions of the first order nonlinear difference equations. We emerge with three examples of first order nonlinear difference equations that exhibit periodic solutions and eventually periodic solutions:
Relationship between Asphalt Binder Parameters and Asphalt Mixture Rutting

The selection and specification of asphalt binder is one of the factors that ultimately affect the long-term performance of asphalt pavements. Many agencies currently follow AASHTO M320 for their b...
Nucleon Decay in GUT and Non-GUT SUSY Models

I first emphasize the importance of searching for nucleon decay in the context of supersymmetric models. The status of minimal SUSY SU(5) model is reviewed, which can be definitively ruled out by a combination of superKamiokande and LEP-2 experiments. Non-minimal models may provide some suppression in the nucleon decay rates, but there is still a good chance for superKamiokande. I point out that the operators suppressed even by the Planck-scale are too large. We need a suppression mechanism for the operators at the level of $10^{-7}$, and the mechanism, I argue, may well be a flavor symmetry. A particular example predicts $p \rightarrow K^0 e^+$ to be the dominant mode which does not arise in GUT models.
Variability of Pain Outcomes and Physical Activity Among a Diverse Sample of Older Men: Is It More Than Just Race?:

There is a compendium of data documenting the increasing number of older adults. This suggests the continued need to understand identified health outcomes across domains of pain and physical activi...
Validation of the Philadelphia Mindfulness Scale on experienced meditators and nonmeditators.

OBJECTIVE The Philadelphia Mindfulness Scale's (PHLMS) psychometric properties, theoretical assumptions, convergent validity, and relationships to symptom, happiness and social desirability measures were investigated in novel samples. METHODS Internet-recruited general public samples of experienced meditators (n = 67, 21 male, 46 female, average age 50) and nonmeditators (n = 61, 28 male, 32 female, and 1 transgender; average age 41.9) were used. RESULTS Meditators scored higher than nonmeditators on both PHLMS Acceptance, t(126) = 2.77, p < .01, d = 0.49, and Awareness t(126) = 4.18, p < .01, d = 0.74. Higher PHLMS Acceptance subscale scores were associated with decreased scores on all symptom measures in nonmeditators, but only in select measures among meditators. Generally, PHLMS Awareness subscale scores were not related to symptoms. Awareness interacted with meditator status on outcome measures. CONCLUSIONS PHLMS may be used in the general public and experienced meditator populations. Mindfulness facets become intercorrelated in experienced meditators.
Stable to Improved Neurocognitive Outcomes in Children, Adolescents & Young Adults with High-Risk Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) Who Have Undergone Familial Haploidentical (FHI) Stem Cell Transplantation: A Prospective Study from Pre HSCT Period to 2 Years Post HSCT (IND 14359)

Introduction The cognitive and neurological impairments associated with SCD that are due to cerebral vascular injury have been well documented (DeBaun et al, Blood, 2012). Brain abnormalities are evident on neuroimaging and cognitive domains in the areas of attention, memory, processing speed, executive functioning, and lower general intellectual functioning. Processing speed in particular is a vulnerable domain, with deficits mediating difficulties across other domains and is independently decreased in SCD patients unrelated to overt or silent infarctions (Stotesbury et al, Neurology, 2018). Van der Land et al suggests that there is a relationship between white matter tissue integrity and cognitive morbidity in SCD patients (British Journal of Hematology, 2015). Previous studies following reduced toxicity conditioning and matched sibling BMT in patients with SCD have demonstrated stable to improved CNS functioning (Walters et al, 2010, Biol BMT; Bhatia et al, BMT, 2014). Objectives We aimed to determine changes in neuroimaging and neurocognitive sequelae in individuals with high-risk SCD prior to and following myeloimmunoablative conditioning (MIAC) and FHI AlloSCT utilizing CD34 enrichment and T cell addback. Methods Haploidentical stem cell transplant with MIAC with CD34 enrichment was performed as previously described by Cairo et al (JAMA Peds, 2019). Participants had a baseline, 1 year and 2 year MRI that were reviewed by blinded central neuroimaging, neurocognitive screener (DIVERGT, Krull, et al) and an abbreviated, standardized neurocognitive test battery (IQ, memory, attention, language, motor, processing speed) over three time points (baseline, Day +365 and Day +730). Neurocognitive domain scores were calculated for each area of functioning in patients at each timepoint. Results Nineteen SCD patients were enrolled and received transplant (12 males, 7 females, mean age, 13.5, range 3-21). At baseline, seven patients had evidence of an overt stroke and four patients had evidence of a silent infarct. At 1 and 2 years post-transplant, there were no new overt and/or silent infarcts, and no new cerebral vasculopathy. Intellectual functioning, memory, language and attention/executive function remained stable to improved at year one and two, respectively (Table 1). Most importantly, processing speed was significantly improved at 2 years versus baseline (p Conclusions These preliminary studies suggest that MIAC followed by FHI AlloSCT utilizing CD34 enrichment and CD3 addback is protective against further CNS injury. Early HSCT has the potential to decrease or prevent cognitive decline and even improve neurocognitive functioning in high risk SCD recipients (supported by R01FD004090).
Association between care delivery interventions to enhance access and patients' perceived access in the Comprehensive Primary Care Initiative

The Comprehensive Primary Care (CPC) initiative was an alternative payment model implemented from 2012 to 2016 to strengthen primary care by enhancing core functions, including access to care. The association between interventions to enhance access and patients' perception of access is unknown. We performed a cross-sectional analysis of CPC practice surveys and CAHPS patient survey responses pertaining to access and timeliness in 2016. There were regional differences in both patients' perceptions of access and interventions to enhance access, but no association between interventions and patients' perceptions. Practices with fewer clinicians and whose patients had fewer chronic conditions had better perceived access.
Maturation of the Blood-Brain and Blood-CSF Barriers

It is important to elucidate in a Symposium on the Effects of Drugs on the Developing Brain the routes and mechanisms by which drugs that act on the brain enter and leave this organ. Many factors determine the concentration of drugs in the brain and it is the purpose of this paper to describe what these factors are and what changes occur during maturation. Thus, the volume of distribution of a drug, its pKa, the properties of the cerebral capillary endothelial cells that constitute the “blood-brain barrier”, the rate of cerebrospinal fluid flow, and the properties of the systems that transport drugs across the choroid plexus are all important factors to be discussed. The developing animal is ideal for studying the “blood-brain barrier” because large changes take place in a short period of time. Thus, the brain of rats is mature by 21 days of age, although certain events (for example, myelination and glial growth) take place over a longer period of time. (For discussions of the ontegeny of the blood-brain barrier, see Davson, 1973 and Saunders and Bradbury, 1973).
Scrub sink contamination and transmission to operating room personnel.

Abstract Background Multiple studies have established the contamination of hospital sinks and transmission to hospital personnel. Few studies have assessed the contamination and transmission of microorganisms from the faucets of operating bay scrub sinks to operating room (OR) personnel, a potential route of infection for patients. Objective The objective of this study is to investigate if there is pathogenic contamination of scrub sinks and possible transmission of those pathogens to the hands of operating room personnel after preoperative hand disinfection. Methods Swabs were taken from the hands of 50 operating room personnel and faucets of 24 scrubs sinks at two different hospital sites and were cultured. Hands were swabbed after completing a surgical hand scrub. Results were reported in colony-forming units per millimeter (CFU/mL). Results There was significant scrub sink contamination with primarily Gram-negative organisms, such as Delftia acidovorans and Sphingomonas paucimobilis. There was no overlap in bacterial species between the cultures from hands and scrub sinks. Cultures from both the sinks and hands of operating room personnel from one site had significantly higher bacterial growth compared to the other (p Discussion The data showed significant contamination on the faucets of operating bay scrub sinks. However, there was no observed transmission of pathogens from the scrub sinks to operating room personnel due to lack of overlap in bacterial species. Routine hygienic maintenance of scrub sinks is recommended.
Sex differences in risk of Alzheimer's disease in adults with Down syndrome

Introduction Adults with Down syndrome (DS) older than 40 have Alzheimer's disease (AD) neuropathology and high risk for dementia, but little is known about the relationship of sex to AD risk in this population. Methods Using nonparametric methods and Cox proportional hazards models we analyzed differences in incidence of dementia, by sex, presence of an apolipoprotein E (APOE) e4 or e2 allele, and dementia duration and decline in 246 adults over 40 with DS. Results There was no significant sex difference in risk of AD or rate of cognitive decline. APOE e4 allele significantly increased risk of AD irrespective of sex. No significant interactions were found between sex and APOE status on AD risk. Among those who died, dementia duration was significantly longer in women. Discussion This study showed no effect of sex nor interaction between sex and APOE for risk of AD in adults with DS; however, women had longer dementia duration.
Venetoclax for the treatment of elderly or chemotherapy-ineligible patients with acute myeloid leukemia: a step in the right direction or a game changer?

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive malignancy with poor prognosis and high rates of relapse, especially in elderly patients who are ineligible to receive intensive chemotherapy. Venetocl...
ATHLETIC IDENTITY IN YOUTH ATHLETES: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW:

Background:Athletic identity (AI) is an important part of the sporting culture that ties in multiple components of how an individual relates to their sport. Adult-based research has described posit...
First record of Ptychotrygon rugosum (Case, Schwimmer, Borodin, and Leggett, 2001) (Batomorphii, Sclerorhynchiformes, Ptychotrygonidae) in the United States Atlantic Coastal Plain

During the summer of 2001, the U.S. Geological Survey drilled a core hole to a depth of 422 m at the Fort Fisher Historic Site (33°58'24"N, 77°55'01"W) located in Kure Beach, North Carolina (Fig. 1...
Some Rhetoric of Environmental Equity and Economic Efficiency

Our society’s environmental discourse is entwined with notions of economic efficiency and equity associated with the impacts of regulation, preservation, and restoration. Society’s conceptions of economic efficiency, especially the effects of both negative and positive externalities, form much of the substance of this rhetoric. This rhetoric also includes the distributional effects of these externalities. This chapter reviews some of this neoclassical economic rhetoric. It also addresses the issue of government market power as it affects the provision of environmental amenities, particularly in the context of society’s demands for inclusive reasoned discourse in consideration of environmental projects.
Peek into the Future Camera-based Occupant Sensing in Configurable Cabins for Autonomous Vehicles

The development of fully autonomous vehicles (AVs) can potentially eliminate drivers and introduce unprecedented seating design. However, highly flexible seat configurations may lead to occupants' unconventional poses and actions. Understanding occupant behaviors and prioritize safety features become eye-catching topics in the AV research frontier. Visual sensors have the advantages of cost-efficiency and high-fidelity imaging and become more widely applied for in-car sensing purposes. Occlusion is one big concern for this type of system in crowded car cabins. It is important but largely unknown about how a visual-sensing framework will look like to support 2-D and 3-D human pose tracking towards highly configurable seats. As one of the first studies to touch this topic, we peek into the future camera-based sensing framework via a simulation experiment. Constructed representative car-cabin, seat layouts, and occupant sizes, camera coverage from different angles and positions is simulated and calculated. The comprehensive coverage data are synthesized through an optimization process to determine the camera layout and overall occupant coverage. The results show the needs and design of a different number of cameras to fully or partially cover all the occupants with changeable configurations of up to six seats.
Research for Young Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders Evidence of Social and Ecological Validity

The social and ecological validity of a body of research may impact the degree to which interventions will be used outside of research contexts. The purpose of this review was to determine the extent to which social and ecological validity were demonstrated for interventions designed to increase social skills for young children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Results indicated that although the percentage of studies including social validity assessment has remained stable over the 20-year review period, subjective assessments of social validity have increased and objective assessments have decreased. Acceptability was measured more often than feasibility or importance. Approximately half of the studies included indigenous implementers, typical social partners, or typical settings. Suggestions include additional research on the validity of measures, explicit reporting by researchers, and the use of multiple, objective, and psychometrically sound social validity assessments.
TASK Technical Report

This report reviews the development, piloting, and preliminary results from the large-scale field trial of the TASK Instrument (see cpre.org/task). In the first section, we review the need for an assessment of teachers’ capacity for learning trajectory-oriented instruction and the theoretical foundations that inform our work. We then describe the instrument and its development. Next, we detail the scoring process and the training of raters. The final section contains the analysis of the large-scale field trial conducted in 2012–13. We conclude with some directions for future work with this instrument. Disciplines Curriculum and Instruction | Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research | Teacher Education and Professional Development Comments View on the CPRE website. This working paper is available at ScholarlyCommons: http://repository.upenn.edu/cpre_workingpapers/9
Phase characteristics of a spherical particle passing through the crossed region of two coherent beams

Light with periodic intensity is scattered when a spherical particle passes through the crossover region of two coherent laser beams. Photodetection of this light produces a periodic signal of varying amplitude. The phase of the signal varies with the particle diameter and reflective index, the beam-crossing angle and wavelength, and the position and size of the scattered-light-collecting lens. Here, the phase variation with respect to the particle absorptive index of refraction, collecting-lens size, and beam-crossing angle is calculated using Mie scattering theory and reflection theory. Variations in the phase of the Doppler signal relative to the pedestal signal are analyzed over the particle-diameter range 0.1 to 18 mu m. The two theories show good agreement in phase predictions, especially for large absorptive indices and for small collection lenses. Both theories predict phase to be inversely proportional to the beam-crossing angle. It is concluded that the reflection-theory prediction of relationships between the incident beam-crossing angle and phase is accurate even for transparent particles when smaller collecting lenses are used. >
Antibodies against enteric bacteria in brown bullhead catfish (Ictalurus nebulosus, LeSueur) inhabiting contaminated waters.

Brown bullhead catfish were collected from sewage- and acid mine waste-polluted waters in an attempt to detect antibodies against human enteric bacteria in their sera and to investigate the association of antibody response with environmental conditions. Agglutination antigens prepared from isolates obtained from water collected at the same locations as the fish habitats were used to demonstrate such antibodies. The results showed large percentages of reactive sera for common isolates such as Escherichia coli and Enterobacter cloacae as well as lesser incidences of antibodies to other, less common isolates. In general, fish with the highest titers were collected from habitats with higher coliform counts. Acid mine drainage reduced the total coliform counts, but did not appear to affect the titers of sera from fish collected from water so affected. It was concluded that the bottom-feeding catfish might be a better subject for the study of fish as an ecological indicator of fecal pollution in acid-polluted waters.
Heuristic Evaluation of Mission-Critical Software Using a Large Team

Heuristic evaluation is a common technique for assessing usability, but is most often conducted using a team of 3-5 individuals. Our project involved a team of 16 stakeholders assessing usability of a mission-critical decision support system for the US military. Data collected from so many evaluators could easily become overwhelming, so we devised a method to first filter evaluations based on agreement between evaluators, and then further prioritize findings based on their individual Frequency, Impact, and Severity scores. We termed our methodology the `Integrated Stakeholder Usability Evaluation Process,' and believe it will be useful for other researchers conducting similar research involving heuristic evaluations with large groups.
INDUCTION AND REPRESSION OF l-ARABINOSE ISOMERASE IN PEDIOCOCCUS PENTOSACEUS

Dobrogosz, Walter J. (University of Illinois, Urbana) and Ralph D. DeMoss. Induction and repression of l-arabinose isomerase in Pediococcus pentosaceus. J. Bacteriol. 85:1350–1355. 1963.—The inducible l-arabinose isomerase of Pediococcus pentosaceus can be rapidly and conveniently measured in whole-cell preparations by use of a standard colorimetric procedure originally developed for studies with cell-free enzyme preparations. The enzyme is measured by its ability to catalyze the isomerization of l-arabinose to l-ribulose. Whole cells suspended in a suitable buffer and pretreated with toluene were shown to exhibit this isomerase activity at a level comparable with that observed in cell-free enzyme preparations. Conditions for optimal induction of l-arabinose isomerase are described. In addition, it was determined that the formation of this enzyme is subject to repression by glucose, i.e., via catabolite repression.
Biodegradation Kinetics of Phenanthrene Partitioned into the Micellar Phase of Nonionic Surfactants

Surfactants above their critical micelle concentration can solubilize hydrophobic contaminants into their micelles. This process enhances the apparent solubility of contaminants such as hydrocarbon...
Sex Differences in Privacy Preferences

A Privacy Questionnaire was administered to 118 male and 142 female college students to determine differences in the patterns of privacy preferences between the sexes. The questionnaire contained f...
Framework to Co-register Longitudinal Virtual Histology-Intravascular Ultrasound Data in the Circumferential Direction

Considerable efforts have been directed at identifying prognostic markers for rapidly progressing coronary atherosclerotic lesions that may advance into a high-risk (vulnerable) state. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) has become a valuable clinical tool to study the natural history of coronary artery disease (CAD). While prospectively IVUS studies have provided tremendous insight on CAD progression, and its association with independent markers (e.g., wall shear stress), they are limited by the inability to examine the focal association between spatially heterogeneous variables (in both circumferential and axial directions). Herein, we present a framework to automatically co-register longitudinal (in-time) virtual histology-intravascular ultrasound (VH-IVUS) imaging data in the circumferential direction (i.e., rotate follow-up image so circumferential basis coincides with corresponding baseline image). Multivariate normalized cross correlation was performed on paired images (n = 636) from five patients using three independent VH-IVUS defined parameters: artery thickness, VH-IVUS defined plaque constituents, and VH-IVUS perivascular imaging data. Results exhibited high correlation between co-registration rotation angles determined automatically versus manually by an expert reader (r2 = 0.90). Furthermore, no significant difference between automatic and manual co-registration angles was observed (91.31 ±1.04° and 91.07 ±1.04°, respectively; p = 0.48) and Bland-Altman analysis yielded excellent agreement (bias = 0.24°, 95% CI +/- 16.33°). In conclusion, we have developed, verified, and validated an algorithm that automatically co-registers VH-IVUS imaging data that will allow for the focal examination of CAD progression.
WE-D-17A-04: Magnetically Focused Proton Irradiation of Small Volume Targets

Purpose: To explore the advantages of magnetic focusing for small volume proton irradiations and the potential clinical benefits for radiosurgery targets. The primary goal is to create narrow elongated proton beams of elliptical cross section with superior dose delivery characteristics compared to current delivery modalities (eg, collimated beams). In addition, more general beam shapes are also under investigation. Methods: Two prototype magnets consisting of 24 segments of samarium-cobalt (Sm2Co17) permanent magnetic material adhered into hollow cylinders were manufactured for testing. A single focusing magnet was placed on a positioning track on our Gantry 1 treatment table and 15 mm diameter proton beams with energies and modulation relevant to clinical radiosurgery applications (127 to 186 MeV, and 0 to 30 mm modulation) were delivered to a terminal water tank. Beam dose distributions were measured using a PTW diode detector and Gafchromic EBT2 film. Longitudinal and transverse dose profiles were analyzed and compared to data from Monte Carlo simulations analogous to the experimental setup. Results: The narrow elongated focused beam spots showed high elliptical symmetry indicating high magnet quality. In addition, when compared to unfocused beams, peak-to-entrance depth dose ratios were 11 to 14% larger (depending on presence or extent of modulation),more » and minor axis penumbras were 11 to 20% smaller (again depending on modulation) for focused beams. These results suggest that the use of rare earth magnet assemblies is practical and could improve dose-sparing of normal tissue and organs at risk while delivering enhanced dose to small proton radiosurgery targets. Conclusion: Quadrapole rare earth magnetic assemblies are a promising and inexpensive method to counteract particle out scatter that tends to degrade the peak to entrance performance of small field proton beams. Knowledge gained from current experiments will inform the design of a prototype treatment nozzle that incorporates similar focusing magnets. This project was sponsored in part by funding from the Department of Defense (DOD# W81XWH-BAA-10-1)« less
Thermal Characterization of Coal Ash Powders: Heat Capacities and Minimum Sintering Temperatures

Ashed mineral matter from ground coals were prepared by combustion at 973 K. Five coal samples ranging in rank from lignitic to high-volatile bituminous coals were used as starting materials. The heat capacities of the coal ash materials were measured between 140 K and 900 K by differential scanning calorimetry. The minimum sintering temperatures of each of the ash powders were determined using a high temperature dilatometer.
Origin of superconductivity in boron-doped silicon carbide from first principles

We investigate the origin of superconductivity in boron-doped silicon carbide using a first-principles approach. The strength of the electron-phonon coupling calculated for cubic SiC at the experimental doping level suggests that the superconductivity observed in this material is phonon mediated. Analysis of the $2H\text{-SiC}$, $4H\text{-SiC}$, $6H\text{-SiC}$, and $3C\text{-SiC}$ polytypes indicates that superconductivity depends on the stacking of the Si and C layers and that the cubic polytype will exhibit the highest transition temperature. In contrast to the cases of silicon and diamond, acoustic phonons are found to play a major role in the superconductivity of silicon carbide.
Experimental basis of cord blood transplantation

Efforts are needed to enhance the efficacy of cord blood (CB) transplantation. Laboratory information set the stage for the first and subsequent CB transplants, and will be instrumental in continuing to advance the field. This paper offers a brief understanding of the current state of hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) and hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) biology, a look back at laboratory studies leading to the first CB transplants, and a discussion of the possible means to enhance CB transplantation. Results show that physical recovery of greater numbers of HPCs is possible after CB is collected by perfusing the placenta, but how realistic this procedure is for collection of CB to be banked is open to question. We also show that the chemokine stromal cell-derived factor-1/CXCL12 can enhance the ex vivo expansion of CB HPCs beyond that of the combination of SCF, Flt3-ligand and TPO. Advances in cytokine and stromal cell biology, and in intracellular signals mediating the effects of cytokines/stromal cells should be considered in the context of future efforts to enhance functional activities of donor CB HSCs and HPCs and the microenvironmental niche of the recipient, which is required for acceptance and nurturing these HSCs/HPCs.
Probabilistic-fuzzy health risk modeling

Health risk analysis of multi-pathway exposure to contaminated water involves the use of mechanistic models that include many uncertain and highly variable parameters. Currently, the uncertainties in these models are treated using statistical approaches. However, not all uncertainties in data or model parameters are due to randomness. Other sources of imprecision that may lead to uncertainty include scarce or incomplete data, measurement error, data obtained from expert judgment, or subjective interpretation of available information. These kinds of uncertainties and also the non-random uncertainty cannot be treated solely by statistical methods. In this paper we propose the use of fuzzy set theory together with probability theory to incorporate uncertainties into the health risk analysis. We identify this approach as probabilistic-fuzzy risk assessment (PFRA). Based on the form of available information, fuzzy set theory, probability theory, or a combination of both can be used to incorporate parameter uncertainty and variability into mechanistic risk assessment models. In this study, tap water concentration is used as the source of contamination in the human exposure model. Ingestion, inhalation and dermal contact are considered as multiple exposure pathways. The tap water concentration of the contaminant and cancer potency factors for ingestion, inhalation and dermal contact are treated as fuzzy variables while the remaining model parameters are treated using probability density functions. Combined utilization of fuzzy and random variables produces membership functions of risk to individuals at different fractiles of risk as well as probability distributions of risk for various alpha-cut levels of the membership function. The proposed method provides a robust approach in evaluating human health risk to exposure when there is both uncertainty and variability in model parameters. PFRA allows utilization of certain types of information which have not been used directly in existing risk assessment methods.
Glaucoma surgery: taking the sub-conjunctival route

We are currently in the midst of a surge in interest in glaucoma surgery. Novel pathways for reducing intraocular pressure (IOP) have been tried with various levels of success over the last few years. While the trabecular bypass and suprachoroidal approaches have captured much of the attention, filtering aqueous into the sub-conjunctival space remains the gold standard for lowering IOP. This review attempts to focus on current research in surgical methods to enhance filtration by potentially improving on tried and tested methods like the trabeculectomy, deep sclerectomy, and tube surgeries.
Densitometric And Geometric Continuity Properties Of Coronary Arteries In Angiograms

The morphology of the coronary arteries in single-view angiograms is studied on the basis of densitometric and geometric continuity properties along the vessel segment. The vessel contour is automatically identified by use of a sequential tracking algorithm. The tracking algorithm is based on the assumption of geometric continuation and similarity between the current and the next incremental section along the vessel. A mathematical description of the vessel contour that comprises the lumen width, direction, and intensity as functions of distance along the vessel centerline is generated. The accuracy of the contour representation is quantitatively verified with a synthetic vessel image. The algorithm is applied to the analysis of human coronary cineangiograms and digital subtraction angiograms. Fourier analysis is performed to determine the spatial frequency characteristics of the vessel contour functions. It is shown that, for a vessel of average 9 pixels in lumen width, 90% signal energy of the contour functions is within the spatial frequency range of 0 - 0.09 pixel-1. The result of this study should be useful in analyzing coronary arterial abnormalities and tortuosity. The methodology should also be applicable to vessel contour representation and vessel image compression.