cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Proceedings of the Tenth Annual ACM/IEEE International Conference on Human-Robot Interaction

We welcome you to the Tenth Annual ACM/IEEE International Conference on Human-Robot Interaction (HRI 2015). The HRI Conference is highly selective and aims to showcase the very best interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research in human-robot interaction with roots in robotics, social psychology, cognitive science, human-computer interaction, human factors, artificial intelligence, design, engineering, and etc. Robotics has become increasingly multidisciplinary in order to realize realizing capable and collaborative robot systems that are used and validated in both laboratory and real-world settings. We therefore invite broad participation and encourage discussion and sharing of ideas across a diverse audience. This year's overall conference theme, titled "Broadening HRI: Enabling Technologies, Designs, Methods, and Knowledge," highlights the different types of contributions made by our multidisciplinary community centered around developing robotic systems that operate, collaborate with, learn from, and meet the needs of the human users. Acknowledgment and encouragement of this diversity was supported in the peer-review process by establishing five subcommittees, "Studies of HRI," "Enabling Technologies, "Enabling Designs," "Enabling Methods," and "Enabling Knowledge," each with a chair and dedicated program committee members. Together with the subcommittee chairs, we established and applied different set of review criteria for each of the five contribution types in order to represent the diversity of contributions in the conference program. HRI is a highly selective conference, and this year was no exception. The conference attracted 169 submissions from Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and North America. Full Papers were aligned with a subcommittee, who managed the thorough review and discussion of the papers following a double-blind process. The process utilized a rebuttal phase, a shepherding mechanism, and a worldwide team of interdisciplinary reviewers. At the end of the process, the program committee selected 43 (25%) of the submissions. Due to the joint sponsorship of ACM and IEEE, papers are archived in both the ACM Digital Library and IEEE Xplore. Accompanying the full papers are the Late Breaking Reports, Videos, and Demos. Out of 102 submissions, 92 (90%) Late Breaking Reports were accepted and are presented at the conference poster sessions. Sixteen (84%) short videos were accepted for presentation during a dedicated video session from among 19 submissions. The program also includes nine demos of robot systems for all participants to interact with during the conference. The invited panel session, titled "Human-Robot Interaction: Law on the home front" will discuss contemporary and emerging issues in HRI. Rounding out the program are three keynote speakers who are inspiring leaders of the field and will discuss topics relevant to HRI: Dr. Antonio Bicchi, Dr. Takeo Igarashi, and Daniel H. Wilson.
Conclusion: The Global Green Paradigm Shift

Abstract This book is about what communities and cities need to do about becoming smart, green, and healthy (SGH). All of this is about and defines what “sustainability” is and needs to be soon in order to preserve our climate for our families and future generations. Climate change is real. There is no need to debate or even question the science that proves it. What has to happen now are the plans, implementation, and costs for reversing the climate to restore our earth. Although some people (even in this book) refer to that as “resilience,” it is much more. The world should not just resist and even adapt to climate change. That sort of reminds me of the dramatic film about “Mars” that came out in 2016. The NASA survivor had to find ways to live with no food, energy, or even way to recycle his own waste. Yet he survived until he was rescued. That is the situation that we all (humans and animals) are in today. The key is to enact (as in the cases from the book) everything from interactionism between and among people to government policies, technologies, and finance for a circular economy that recycles and saves what we have for the future. The world can no longer dump its waste—anywhere and everywhere. Change is needed now, as seen in this book, for SGH communities.
A Test-Driven Approach for Security Designs of Automated Vehicles

The testing of cyber-physical systems such as automated vehicles (AV) is difficult as engineers face challenges from both cybersecurity and safety domains that start to converge. For cybersecurity, conducting vulnerability testing even before mitigation designs are fixed requires the predication and modeling of adversaries' malicious behaviors. For safety, complete testing at system-level is time-consuming and also infeasible due to the large combination of operational domains. To help engineers design cost-effective mitigation solutions, this paper presents a framework for constructing testing scenarios driven by cyber threats that can be evaluated early in the design process. The testing results can inform the design of mitigation strategies and help engineers in constructing security requirements such that the large solution space will converge more quickly on effective designs. We also illustrate how to build visualization tools to support this process.
Cost-Effectiveness Analysis in Pediatric Imaging: The Evidence (or Lack Thereof) Thus Far

Abstract Objective To systematically review all published cost-effectiveness analyses (CEAs) of imaging technologies in children. Methods We identified all CEAs involving fetal and pediatric imaging included in a publicly available repository of CEAs published since 1976. Information on publication characteristics, methods, costs, quality of life weights, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) was recorded for each article. Results Of 480 diagnostic CEAs, only 10 focused on fetal and pediatric imaging. The 10 studies reported 43 quality of life weights based on previously published adult data (n = 20, 46.5%); pregnant women perspective (n = 11, 25.6%), and treating physician perspective (n = 12, 27.9%). None of the studies elicited quality of life weights from children nor took into consideration the postnatal impact of disease on family’s quality of life. All studies used a health care payer perspective without incorporating patients’ incurred cost such as loss wages or travel related cost. Of 37 ICERs, 7 (18.9%) were cost saving and 6 (16.2%) were more expensive and less effective. The remaining ICERs ranged from $1,400 per quality-adjusted life-year (MRI versus ultrasound in newborns with moderate risk of occult spinal dysraphism) to $10,000,000 per quality-adjusted life-year (CT versus no imaging in children at low risk for craniosynostosis). Conclusion There is a striking paucity of cost-effectiveness studies evaluating imaging technologies in children. Existing studies do not incorporate the patient and family perspectives regarding utilities (eg, impact of child’s disease on families’ quality of life) or cost (eg, loss wages, travel, time off). Future studies should elicit and incorporate the impact of disease on families to better reflect real-world scenarios.
Magnetic fields: biomass potential of Spirulina sp. for food supplement.

This study evaluated the influence of the magnetic field on the chemical composition of Spirulina sp. LEB 18 and its digestibility and protein solubility. The highest protein digestibility of biomass was obtained at 30 °C and with 2.5 g L−1 NaNO3 (78.4%) in the medium, and the highest solubility was found in the cultivated biomass exposed to 60 mT, 30 °C and 2.5 g L−1 NaNO3 (89%, pH 6). MF application did not modify the protein concentration of biomass, but reduced the carbohydrate concentration by 69.1%, showing that the biomass obtained in the culture submitted to MF may be used as an ingredient in the development of protein supplements.
Corrosion interactions between stainless steel and lead vanado-iodoapatite nuclear waste form part I

This study explores the corrosion interactions between a metallic canister material, stainless steel (SS) 316, and an I-bearing ceramic waste form, lead vanado-iodoapatite (I-APT, Pb9.85(VO4)6I1.7), in a chloride solution. Crevice corrosion of the SS in close proximity to the I-APT resulted in the development of an aggressive environment at the interface of the two materials, which was acidic and enriched in Cl− anions. I-APT also corroded in the crevice region, primarily through ion-exchange between the I− ions from the I-APT matrix and anions from the environment. The enrichment of Cl− anions within the occluded crevice space as the result of SS crevice corrosion enhanced the corrosion of I-APT. The release of iodine from this apatite waste form could be accelerated owing to this mechanism. This is evidenced by a depletion of iodine from the I-APT matrix and a large amount of Cl-bearing precipitates on the surfaces of both SS and I-APT. On the other hand, the corrosion of I-APT leads to the precipitation of a V- and Pb-rich layer, which inhibits the localized corrosion of SS to an extent. This study advances the understanding of the near-field corrosion interactions between metallic canisters and ceramic waste forms.
Monitoring results of Kaschin-Beck disease of children in ABa Prefecture Sichuan Province between 2007 and 2011： a field investigation

Objective To evaluate the status of Kaschin-Beck disease (KBD) in ABa Prefecture Sichuan Province,and to properly assess the effects of comprehensive prevention and control measures,and to provide a scientific basis for exploring effective prevention and control measure.Methods According to the "Master Plan for Aba Poverty Alleviation and Development and Pilot Study of Integrated Control of KBD" and based on the 2007 statewide survey on KBD,58 KBD survey sites were stratified based on the disease situation of mild,moderate and severe state to survey the dynamic change of KBD.Children aged 6-13 with KBD were examined clinically and right hand anteroposterior X-ray was taken each year.Results A total of 20 054 children aged 6 to 13 were clinically examined in five years,18 were identified as degree I or higher patients with KBD from 2007 to 2008.No patient was found between 2009 and 2011,and the clinical detection rate declined from 0.27％(12/4 463)to zero.A total of 14 189 right hand anteroposterior X-ray films were checked,and positive X-ray films were 180; X-ray positive rate declined from 3.43％(33/962) in 2007 to 0.56％(24/4 273) in 2011.Conclusion After four years of comprehensive prevention,children KBD has been effectively controlled,and the comprehensive prevention and control measures have achieved remarkable results. Key words: Kaschin-Beck disease; Children; X-ray; Data collection
Activation of mitochondria is an acute Akt-dependent response during osteogenic differentiation

Abstract Osteogenic differentiation, the process by which bone marrow mesenchymal stem/stromal (a.k.a. skeletal stem) cells and osteoprogenitors form osteoblasts, is a critical event for bone formation during development, fracture repair, and tissue maintenance. Extra- and intracellular signaling pathways triggering osteogenic differentiation are relatively well known; however, the ensuing change in cell energy metabolism is less clearly defined. Here we tested the effect of osteogenic media containing ascorbate and β-glycerol phosphate, or various osteogenic hormones and growth factors on energy metabolism in long bone (ST2)- and calvarial bone (MC3T3-E1)-derived osteoprogenitors. We show that osteogenic media, and differentiation factors, Wnt3a and BMP2, stimulate mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) with little effect on glycolysis. The activation of OxPhos occurs acutely, suggesting a metabolic signaling change rather than protein expression change. To this end, we found that the observed mitochondrial activation is Akt-dependent. Akt is activated by osteogenic media, Wnt3a, and BMP2, leading to increased phosphorylation of various mitochondrial Akt targets, a phenomenon known to stimulate OxPhos. In sum, our data provide comprehensive analysis of cellular bioenergetics during osteoinduction in cells of two different origins (mesenchyme vs neural crest) and identify Wnt3a and BMP2 as physiological stimulators of mitochondrial respiration via Akt activation.
Socioeconomic Factors Account for Variability in Language Skills in Preschoolers with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

OBJECTIVE Although no longer required for a diagnosis, language delays are extremely common in children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Factors associated with socioeconomic status (SES) have broad-reaching impact on language development in early childhood. Despite recent advances in characterizing autism in early childhood, the relationship between SES and language development in ASD has not received much attention. THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS STUDY WAS to examine whether toddlers and preschoolers with ASD from low-resource families are more likely to experience language delays above and beyond those associated with autism itself. METHODS Developmental and diagnostic assessments including the Mullen Scales of Early Learning, the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition, and the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales were obtained from 62 young children with ASD and 45 typically developing children aged 15 to 64 months. Sociodemographic information including household income, maternal education, and racial/ethnic identity was obtained from caregivers. Multiple regression models were used to test for associations between socioeconomic indices and language scores. RESULTS Maternal education accounted for variability in expressive language (EL) and receptive language (RL), with lower SES indices associated with lower language skills, and more so in children with ASD. CONCLUSION These results demonstrate that variability in EL and RL skills in young children with autism can be accounted for by socioeconomic variables. These findings highlight the necessity for targeted intervention and effective implementation strategies for children with ASD from low-resource households and communities and for policies designed to improve learning opportunities and access to services for these young children and their families.
Association between inhaler technique and confidence among hospitalized children with asthma.

Abstract Objective Proper use of respiratory inhalers is crucial to asthma self-management and associated with improved outcomes. Previous studies conducted in outpatient and community settings show parents and children are overconfident in children's ability to use inhalers properly, which may lead healthcare providers to not teach or review inhaler technique. This study examined whether children and parents' confidence were associated with proper inhaler technique among children hospitalized with asthma. Methods Children between 5 and 10 years old hospitalized with asthma at an urban academic medical center demonstrated inhaler technique using metered dose inhalers and spacers. Technique was scored based on a validated 12-step scale. Confidence was measured using three items assessing 1. Knowledge to use inhaler, 2. Skills to use inhaler, and 3. Ability to independently use inhaler. These items were five-point scales and analyzed as binary variables. Independent t-tests were used to measure associations between confidence and number of steps performed correctly. Results None of the confidence items, when asked to parents or children (n = 70), were associated with the number of steps performed correctly. Further, while the majority of children and parents (59–70%) were confident based on each item, the mean number of steps correctly completed was 6.4 out of 12. Conclusions Children and parents' confidence in children's knowledge, skills, and ability to independently use an inhaler were all poor proxies for proper inhaler technique. Inpatient healthcare professionals should objectively evaluate technique and teach proper inhaler use to all children with asthma to optimize outcomes.
The System CaCl2–H2O: Thermodynamic Modeling and Flow Calorimetry Experiments at Elevated Temperatures and Pressures

Produced water from oil and natural gas production is challenging to treat due to its high salinity. Such brines are often a mixture of various mono- and divalent-cation salts, and elevated pressur...
A Quality Improvement Pilot of Pharmacist-Led Identification of an Inpatient Population for Opioid Stewardship and Pain Management.

The Joint Commission standards now include identification and monitoring patients at high-risk for adverse outcomes of opioid use. Our institution does not have a method to identify at-risk patient...
Tubulin Acetylation Promotes Penetrative Capacity of Cells Undergoing Radial Intercalation

The post-translational modification of tubulin provides a wide diversity of differential functions to microtubule networks. Here we address the role of tubulin acetylation on the penetrative capacity of cells undergoing radial intercalation in the skin of Xenopus embryos. Radial intercalation is the process by which cells move apically and penetrate the epithelial barrier via inserting into the outer epithelium. As such there are two opposing forces that regulate the ability of cells to intercalate: the restrictive forces of the epithelial barrier versus the penetrative forces of the intercalating cell. By positively and negatively modulating tubulin acetylation specifically in the intercalating cells, the timing of intercalation can be altered such that cells with more acetylated microtubules penetrate the epithelium faster. Moreover, the Xenopus epithelium is a complex array of variable types of vertices and we find that intercalating cells preferentially penetrate at higher order "rosette" vertices as opposed to the more prevalent tricellular vertices. We observed differential timing in the ability of cells to penetrate different types of vertices, indicating lower order vertices represent more restrictive sites of insertion. Interestingly, we are able to shift the accessibility of early intercalating cells towards the more restrictive tricellular junctions by modulating the level of tubulin acetylation and the subsequent penetrative capacity of intercalating cells. Overall our data implicate tubulin acetylation in driving tissue penetration of intercalating cells.
CAMul: Calibrated and Accurate Multi-view Time-Series Forecasting.

Probabilistic time-series forecasting enables reliable decision making across many domains. Most forecasting problems have diverse sources of data containing multiple modalities and structures. Leveraging information as well as uncertainty from these data sources for well-calibrated and accurate forecasts is an important challenging problem. Most previous work on multi-modal learning and forecasting simply aggregate intermediate representations from each data view by simple methods of summation or concatenation and do not explicitly model uncertainty for each data-view. We propose a general probabilistic multi-view forecasting framework CAMul, that can learn representations and uncertainty from diverse data sources. It integrates the knowledge and uncertainty from each data view in a dynamic context-specific manner assigning more importance to useful views to model a well-calibrated forecast distribution. We use CAMul for multiple domains with varied sources and modalities and show that CAMul outperforms other state-of-art probabilistic forecasting models by over 25\% in accuracy and calibration.
Commentary: Designing Science Instructional Materials that Contribute to More Just, Equitable, and Culturally Thriving Learning and Teaching in Science Education

The Framework for K-12 Science Education (National Research Council, 2012) and the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS Lead States, 2013) represent a vision of equity for science and engineerin...
Quantifying Publication Rates and Time to Publication for American Urological Association Podium Presentations.

PURPOSE The American Urological Association (AUA) Annual Meeting serves as the premier platform for presenting unpublished research in urology. Among selected abstracts, podium presentations represent the most impactful submissions. While podium presentations receive a large audience through conference attendance and social media posts, it is unclear how often they manifest as publications in peer-reviewed journals. MATERIALS AND METHODS Podium presentations from the 2017 AUA Annual Meeting were reviewed. Abstracts were assessed for publication between January 1, 2015 and May 31, 2020 allowing for a 3-year window of publication and accounting for publications prior to the submission deadline. Abstract authors were individually searched with key terms being added sequentially until <30 results were generated in PubMed®. Abstracts were deemed published if at least 1 author and 1 conclusion matched a manuscript. Publication rate, time to publication, and 2019 journal impact factor were collected. Statistical analysis was performed by linear and logistic regression. RESULTS Of 872 podium presentations, 453 (51.9%) were published within 3 years. Median time from submission to publication was 12.5 months (IQR: 7.5-20.5). The number of articles published at 1, 2 and 3 years from submission was 203, 368 and 430, respectively. The median journal impact factor of publications was 3.2 (IQR: 2.0-5.8). Oncology studies (OR=1.21 [95% CI: 0.91-1.60], p=0.186) had similar rates of publication compared to non-oncology studies. CONCLUSIONS While AUA podium presentations disseminate valuable data, approximately half were not published in peer-reviewed journals within 3 years. Therefore, care must be taken when promoting findings or adopting new practices based on these presentations alone.
Creating and integrating a new patient experience leadership role: A consultative approach for partnering with executive and clinical leaders

Many healthcare organizations are creating new leadership roles to add su patient experience improvement efforts. The patient experience field is emerging, however, so there are many questions about this role’s function and how best to structure it in the organization for maximal ef This article explores the benefits of a consultative approach for improving the patient experience. Previous research on management consulting and the integration of new roles in established organizations is briefly reviewed. Mayo Clinic Arizona’s (MCA) comprehensive, "7-prong" service model is revisited. Developed and implemented in 2008, the model is predicated on consultative relationships with executive and clinical leaders, is driven by data and accountability, and has demonstrated efficacy in improving the patient experience in specialty and primary care settings. Seven widely accepted service quality principles comprise the model: (1) multiple data sources to drive improvement; (2) accountability for service quality; (3) service cons education and training; (6) ongoing monitoring and control; and (7) recognition and reward. The focus of this article is Prong 3, service consultation. MCA’s consultative approach t experience leader is discussed, responsibilities are defined, qualifications are suggested, and key affiliations for integrat this new leadership role are proposed.
Fabrication of the Alcator C-MOD ohmic heating coil and coaxial bus

Several items of importance emerged in the fabrication of the Alcator C-MOD OH (ohmic heating) coil system and the OH coax. The yield strength of the full hard OH conductor did not consist of the scarf joints. Using Kapton tape as insulation for large conductors makes winding the coil easier because of its strength, elongation, and insulation properties. Of note was the technique of winding on Teflon-coated steel strips and then removing the strips after winding and potting to create a freely moving assembly trapped on the TF core. The cutting of the v-slot in the conductor at terminal plate to equalize the load distribution was also of significance, as was the excellent high-voltage insulation provided by vacuum bagging and making parts from B-stage epoxy/glass in an autoclave. Bending a large diameter solid coax 90 degrees while maintaining its electrical integrity was also noteworthy. >
HDACs and the senescent phenotype of WI-38 cells

Normal cells possess a limited proliferative life span after which they enter a state of irreversible growth arrest. This process, known as replicative senescence, is accompanied by changes in gene expression that give rise to a variety of senescence-associated phenotypes. It has been suggested that these gene expression changes result in part from alterations in the histone acetylation machinery. Here we examine the influence of HDAC inhibitors on the expression of senescent markers in pre- and post-senescent WI-38 cells. Pre- and post-senescent WI-38 cells were treated with the HDAC inhibitors butyrate or trichostatin A (TSA). Following HDAC inhibitor treatment, pre-senescent cells increased p21WAF1 and β-galactosidase expression, assumed a flattened senescence-associated morphology, and maintained a lower level of proteasome activity. These alterations also occurred during normal replicative senescence of WI-38 cells, but were not accentuated further by HDAC inhibitors. We also found that HDAC1 levels decline during normal replicative senescence. Our findings indicate that HDACs impact numerous phenotypic changes associated with cellular senescence. Reduced HDAC1 expression levels in senescent cells may be an important event in mediating the transition to a senescent phenotype.
Pilot multimodal twin imaging study of generalized anxiety disorder.

Background Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a common, chronic condition that is relatively understudied compared to other psychiatric syndromes. Neuroimaging studies have begun to implicate particular neural structures and circuitry in its pathophysiology; however, no genetically-informative research has examined the potential sources of reported brain differences.
A Process-Algebraic Language for Probabilistic I/O Automata

We present a process-algebraic language for Probabilistic I/O Automata (PIOA). To ensure that PIOA specifications given in our language satisfy the “input-enabled” property, which requires that all input actions be enabled in every state of a PIOA, we augment the language with a set of type inference rules. We also equip our language with a formal operational semantics defined by a set of transition rules. We present a number of results whose thrust is to establish that the typing and transition rules are sensible and interact properly. The central connection between types and transition systems is that if a term is well-typed, then in fact the associated transition system is input-enabled. We also consider two notions of equivalence for our language, weighted bisimulation equivalence and PIOA behavioral equivalence. We show that both equivalences are substitutive with respect to the operators of the language, and note that weighted bisimulation equivalence is a strict refinement of behavioral equivalence.
Feedback from the experts: a study of foster mothers

Robert B. Hampson, Ph.D., is Assis tant Professor, Department of Psychol ogy, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas. Joseph B. Tavormina, Ph.D., deceased, was Associate Profes sor, Department of Psychology, Uni versity of Virginia, Charlottesville. Dr. Hampson would like to express appreciation to Jennifer Browne for assistance in coding the written data. Nearly 500,000 children in the parents, caseworkers, and agencies, United States reside in foster homes.1 lead to less than positive outcomes for Thus, foster parents currently provide foster children. In fact, one study ac a family setting and socialization for a tually found harmful psychological ef substantial proportion of the children fects: one-third of fifty-four children in the nation. Consequently, to maxifollowed for three years in foster care mize the quality of care for these childeteriorated psychologically to the dren, it is essential that professionals point of requiring hospitalization.8 listen to the concerns of foster parents Typically, however, the onus for the about the foster care system. general ineffectiveness of foster care is Being a foster parent is not an easy placed upon the foster parents, job. The children entrusted to foster
Maximum imaging depth improvement with third-harmonic generation microscopy in turbid tissues

Vocal fold scarring is one of the major cause of voice disorders yet there is no reliable treatment. We hypothesized to solve this problem by creating sub-epithelial voids to localize biomaterials to restore the pliability of scarred vocal folds. In order to guide this precise surgery, there is a need for performing deep tissue imaging. Here, we present an ex-vivo study to investigate maximum imaging depth improvement of third-harmonic generation (THG) microscopy in a turbid tissue. We observed 2.5 times improvement with THG microscopy at 1552 nm wavelength compared to two-photon microscopy at 776 nm.
CFD mesh generation for biological flows: Geometry reconstruction using diagnostic images

A new thrust in the use of CFD techniques for simulation of biological flows has necessitated the demand for robust grid generation techniques to characterize the complex geometries. While the techniques of image manipulation required are simple, most researchers in this field use proprietary 3rd party software for image manipulation and grid generation. In the current study, we propose a simple MATLAB based grid generation techniques suitable for CFD studies of external and internal biological flows such as blood flow and respiration and flows around the human body. As an example, the flow inside two specific intracranial aneurysms is modeled by generating CFD grids from 3D rotational angiography images. Specific issues of modeling, such as boundary conditions and location of flow inlets and outlets, in relation to the reconstructed geometry are discussed. The reconstructed arterial geometry including the aneurysm matches the visual representation generated by the angiogram software (Leonardo software). The calculated CFD flow patterns also show a good correlation to the flow visualization presented by the Leonardo software. Areas of high pressure and wall shear stress are identified. The same technique is also used to generate the CFD grid of a human trachea to study the particle dispersion patterns during a human cough cycle. The fluid is modeled using an actual human cough signal with the particles simulating the influenza virus. The flow pattern out of the mouth along with the dispersion pattern of the particles is validated against similar human experimental studies to track the spread of the disease through cough. Work is also currently underway to use the present grid generation program to construct a superficial mesh of the human body from MRI/CAT scan images of cadavers. The goal is to build an accurate and scalable model of the human body surface with articulate joints which can be posed in any environment to model the air flow patterns around the body.
SDN based unified control architecture

We discuss the motivations and progress made towards the development of a unified control architecture based on Software Defined Networking (SDN) for packet and circuit switched networks.
Motives for Martyrdom: Al-Qaida, Salafi Jihad, and the Spread of Suicide Attacks

Suicide missions made their modern debut in 1981. In recent years, however, they have witnessed an unprecedented increase according to several indicators, including number of attacks, number of organizations conducting these attacks, number of countries targeted, and number of victims. Existing explanations, including the occupation and outbidding theses, cannot account for the dramatic increase and spread of suicide attacks. A combination of quantitative and qualitative methods, including analysis of a data set of 1,857 suicide attacks from December 1981 through March 2008, suggests that two interrelated factors have contributed to the “globalization of martyrdom”: al-Qaida's evolution into a global terrorist actor and the growing appeal of its guiding ideology, Salafi jihad. As localized patterns of suicide missions have given way to more globalized patterns, states must rethink their counterterrorism strategies. At the same time, because Salafi jihadist groups tend to target Muslims, moderate Muslims a...
Freezing temperature effect on survival of Puccinia graminis subsp. graminicola in Festuca arundinacea and Lolium perenne

The Willamette Valley in Oregon is a major seed production area for cool-season grasses. Puccinia graminis subsp. graminicola survives over winter on its hosts as uredinial infections and causes epidemics of stem rust, the area's major disease on perennial ryegrass and tall fescue. To determine the possible importance of freezing temperature on rust survival, infected plants taken from the field were subjected to controlled freezing across a range of temperatures representative of those that can occur in the region. After treatment, plants were placed in a warm greenhouse, and the number of actively sporulating pustules was recorded at 3-day intervals for 21 days. The pathogen responded similarly to freezing treatments whether in perennial ryegrass or tall fescue. Compared with the nontreated standard, there was no significant reduction in pustule number after exposure to -3 or -6°C. Exposure of infected plants to -10°C caused a 75 to 90% reduction in rust survival, and exposure to -13°C killed all rust infections in tall fescue and over 99% in perennial ryegrass. The decline in rust survival with temperature was slightly steeper for perennial ryegrass than for tall fescue. A higher absolute number of infections in perennial ryegrass than in tall fescue resulted in higher numbers of surviving infections on perennial ryegrass. Survival of rust infections appeared to be primarily a function of host tissue survival. Between 1960 and 1997, years with winter temperatures as low as -10 or -13°C have occurred in the Willamette Valley with frequencies of approximately 39 and 8%, respectively. We conclude that year-to-year variation in winter temperature could have a significant effect on the survival of the grass stem rust pathogen.
iPhone® applications as versatile video tracking tools to analyze behavior in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Zebrafish (Danio rerio) are emerging as a promising model organism for experimental studies relevant to biological psychiatry. The objective of this study was to develop a novel video-based movement tracking and analysis system to quantify behavioral changes following psychoactive drug exposure in zebrafish. We assessed the effects of withdrawal from chronic ethanol exposure, and subsequent administration of fluoxetine (Prozac®), buspirone (Buspar®), and diazepam (Valium) using two behavioral paradigms; the Novel Tank Diving Test and the Light/Dark Choice Assay. A video tracking system was developed using two Apple® applications (Apps) to quantify these behaviors. Data from zebrafish exposed to the above treatments are presented in this paper not only to exemplify behavioral alterations associated with chronic exposure, but also more importantly, to validate the video tracking system. Following withdrawal from chronic ethanol exposure, zebrafish exhibited dose/time-dependent anxiogenic effects; including reduced exploration and freezing behavior in the Novel Tank Diving Test, and preference for the dark area for the Light/Dark Choice Assay. In contrast, the above drug treatments had significant anxiolytic effects. We have developed a simple and cost-effective method of measuring zebrafish behavioral responses. The iPhone® Apps outlined in this study offer numerous flexible methods of data acquisition; namely, ease of identification and tracking of multiple animals, tools for visualization of the tracks, and calculation of a range of analysis parameters. Furthermore, the limited amount of time required for interpretation of the video data makes this a powerful high-throughput tool with potential applications for pre-clinical drug development.
Design and characterization of a traceable protein kinase Cα

Protein kinase Cα (PKCα) is a critical component of pathways that govern cancer-related phenotypes such as invasion and proliferation. Proteins that serve as immediate substrates for PKCα offer potential targets for anticancer drug design. To identify specific substrates, a mutant of PKCα (M417A) was constructed at the ATP binding site such that it could bind a sterically large ATP analogue derivatized through the N6 amino group of adenosine ([γ-32P]-N6-phenyl-ATP). Because this analogue could be utilized by the mutant kinase but not by wild-type PKCα (or presumably other protein kinase) to phosphorylate peptide or protein substrates, 32P-labeled products were the direct result of the mutant PKCα. Kinetic analysis with [γ-32P]-N6-phenyl-ATP revealed that the mutant retained undiminished affinity for the peptide substrate (Km = 12.4 μM) and a Vmax value (10.3 pmol/min) that was only 3-fold lower than that exhibited by the wild-type enzyme with natural ATP. However, with [γ-32P]ATP, the mutant had a somewha...
Fatty acid composition of dall sheep bone marrow

Abstract 1. 1. The fatty acid composition of Dall sheep (Ovis dalli) front leg bone marrow decreased in saturation distally with the major changes occurring in the radius. 2. 2. Oleic acid (C18:1) increased from 44% in the upper humerus to 70% in the phalanges while palmitic (C16) and stearic (C18) acids decreased from 19 and 18% to 13 and 5% respectively over the length of the leg.
Analysis of the pure-play technique in the hospitality industry.

Abstract Methods for estimating a firm's capitalization rate, such as the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) which depend on published beta, are difficult to apply to divisions of parent companies and private companies. The pure-play technique provides a method for estimating beta for such companies and divisions. This paper tested the applicability of this technique to subsidiaries of multi-division hospitality firms. The results do not support the use of the pure-play technique to estimate betas for divisions and subsidiaries of hospitality firms.
Effect of thin absorber on fission-fragment detector calibration

Abstract The silicon surface-barrier detector calibration technique developed by Schmitt, which relates fission-fragment energy to pulse height, is shown to correct for energy loss of a fragment passing through a thin absorber.
Tutorial: Security and Synchronization in Named Data Networking (NDN)

This full day tutorial on synchronization and security in Named Data Networking (NDN) will share important architectural concepts we are exploring in these areas, the software we have built to perform these tasks, and remaining open issues. In particular, it will emphasize how the existing open source toolset provides a platform for exploring the open research questions.
Evolution of enzymes in a series is driven by dissimilar functional demands

That distinct enzyme activities in an unbranched metabolic pathway are evolutionarily tuned to a single functional requirement is a pervasive assumption. Here we test this assumption by examining the activities of two consecutively acting enzymes in human erythrocytes with an approach to quantitative evolutionary design that avoids the above-mentioned assumption. We previously found that avoidance of NADPH depletion during the pulses of oxidative load to which erythrocytes are normally exposed is the main functional requirement mediating selection for high glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity. In the present study, we find that, in contrast, the maintenance of oxidized glutathione at low concentrations is the main functional requirement mediating selection for high glutathione reductase activity. The results in this case show that, contrary to the assumption of a single functional requirement, natural selection for the normal activities of the distinct enzymes in the pathway is mediated by different requirements. On the other hand, the results agree with the more general principles that underlie our approach. Namely, that (i) the values of biochemical parameters evolve so as to fulfill the various performance requirements that are relevant to achieve high fitness, and (ii) these performance requirements can be inferred from quantitative systems theory considerations, informed by knowledge of specific aspects of the biochemistry, physiology, genetics, and ecology of the organism.
Resampling-based calculation of the information matrix for general identification problems

The asymptotic normality of maximum likelihood and other general estimation schemes provide a powerful method for determining statistical uncertainty bounds for the resulting estimates. This asymptotic normality result depends critically on the inverse Fisher information matrix as an approximation to the covariance matrix. Unfortunately, the Fisher information matrix is difficult to obtain in a large fraction of practical problems. The paper presents a relatively simple method for computing the Fisher information matrix based on a combination of Hessian matrix estimation and a computer-based resampling technique for averaging the Hessians. The Hessian estimation can be performed using either loss function values alone or, if available, values for the gradient of the loss function. The approach is demonstrated on a mid-sized estimation problem.
Olfactory evaluation of Andrena host nest suitability by kleptoparasitic Nomada bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea)

Abstract Kleptoparasitic Nomada bees (‘cuckoo bees’) are guided by olfactory cues in their local topographic orientation to Andrena host nests. Decisions regarding (1) the availability and suitability of a partly provisioned nest cell, (2) the threat of maternal host presence, and (3) prior visitation by another kleptoparasite, are all assessed olfactorily by the Nomada female while she is safely poised at the entrance to the host's ground nest. The influences of visual, tactile, acoustical and other sensory clues were controlled experimentally by presenting stimuli in artificial host nests. The nest approach behaviours of the kleptoparasites are comparable to non-parasitic bees. Although the host and parasite encounter the same odour cues for individual nest orientation, striking differences in their subsequent approach behaviours apparently result from the degree to which each generalizes the olfactory information available.
Renormalizable weak and electromagnetic interactions and new-quantum-number phenomena

Renormalization gauge-field models of weak and electromagnetic interactions which include the V + A charmed current are constructed and their significance is discussed. It is shown, in particular, that except in Harari's six-quark model the introduction of heavy leptons is necessary for renormalizability in the one- or three-charmed-quark schemes. (AIP)
AN EXAMINATION OF STRATEGIES FOR GAINING CONVERGENT VALIDITY IN NATURAL EXPERIMENTS D.A.R.E. as an Illustrative Case Study

Widely disseminated programs often fail to include experimental or quasi-experimental evaluation designs to test effectiveness. This article presents several data-analyzing strategies that may help evaluators assess program effectiveness under the conditions of natural experiments. The suggested methodology is to perform multiple independent analyses to demonstrate the degree of convergence or divergence on outcomes of the D.A.R.E (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) prevention program. When used in combination, multiple analyses strengthen the estimate of program effect by minimizing potentially spurious results that may emerge due to a particular analytic strategy.
Thermal field in a water body for solar energy storage and extraction due to a buoyant two-dimensional surface water jet

Abstract An experimental study on the thermal field arising in an enclosed water body being employed for energy storage, as sensible heat, due to a horizontally discharged, heated, water jet is carried out. Two-dimenional surface discharges are considered, with an outflow located at the far end of a water body, which is simulated in the laboratory by a tank of rectangular cross section. Energy loss occurs at the sides and at the top of the water body largely by convective transport and at the bottom by conduction to the ground. The study initially considers the transient behavior of the water body due to the input of thermal energy. A rapid transient, followed by a very gradual variation to an essentially steady-state temperature distribution, is observed. Experimental results are obtained in this steady regime for a water body of large extent, simulated by allowing a gradual outflow far from the inflow. The effects of the inflow conditions, aspect ration, and the position of the outflow on the resulting thermal stratification are then studied in detail. Several interesting trends are observed and related to the basic mechanisms that arise in such energy storage systems. These flows are of interest in the storage and the extraction of energy, as sensible heat, in systems such as salt-gradient solar ponds. The thermal field is important in the design of such storage systems, particularly with respect to the selection of inlet conditions and the location of the outflow.
Penetrance and expressivity of MSH6 germline mutations in seven kindreds not ascertained by family history.

Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) is caused by inherited mutations in DNA mismatch-repair genes, most commonly MLH1 or MSH2. The role MSH6 plays in inherited cancer susceptibility is less well defined. The aim of this study was to investigate the penetrance and expressivity of MSH6 mutations in kindreds ascertained through endometrial cancer probands unselected for family history. Detailed pedigrees were constructed for six MSH6 mutation carriers. All reported cancers and precancers were confirmed, and tissues were obtained when available. Tumors were analyzed for microsatellite instability (MSI) and for expression of MSH2, MLH1, and MSH6. MSH6 mutation status was determined for 59 family members. Of these 59 individuals, 19 (32%) had confirmed cancers and precancers. There was an excess of mutation carriers among the 19 affected family members (11 [58%] of 19) compared with those among the 40 unaffecteds (8 [20%] of 40, P=.0065, odds ratio = 5.5, 95% CI = 1.66–18.19). In four of the seven tumors analyzed from mutation carriers other than the probands, MSI and/or MMR protein expression was consistent with the involvement of MSH6. Overall estimated penetrance of the MHS6 mutations was 57.7%. Of the tumors in mutation carriers, 78% were part of the extended HNPCC spectrum. This study demonstrates that MSH6 germline mutations are, indeed, associated with increased cancer risk and that the penetrance of mutations may be higher than appreciated elsewhere. A combination of MSI and immunohistochemistry analyses may be helpful in screening for MSH6 mutation carriers.