cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The prevalence of functional limitations and disability in older persons in the US: data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III.

OBJECTIVE: To provide estimates by sex and age and by sex and race/ethnicity of the proportion of older Americans who have difficulty with functional limitations and daily activities. SETTING: The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) 1988–1994. DESIGN: A cross-sectional nationally representative survey. PARTICIPANTS: All persons aged 60 and older who completed a household interview (N = 6866) during NHANES III (conducted 1988–1994). MEASUREMENTS: The self-reported physical and functional disability questions from NHANES III included: lower-extremity function, instrumental activities of daily living, basic activities of daily living, needing help with personal and routine daily activities, and use of assistive devices for walking. RESULTS: Non-Hispanic black and Mexican-American men and women generally reported significantly (P < .01) more disability than did non-Hispanic white men and women. Disability was greater for minority women than for men. For both men and women, the prevalence in disability increased significantly (P < .01) with age for each measure. CONCLUSIONS: These sex-age and sex-race/ethnicity national estimates of disability indicate that minority women may represent a vulnerable subpopulation.
Automatic identification of points of interest in global navigation satellite system data: a spatial temporal approach

Past research in travel surveys has shown that a GPS mobile phone-based survey is a useful tool for collecting information about individuals. While a passive travel survey collection is preferred to an active travel survey method, passive collection remains a challenge due to a lack of high accuracy algorithms to automatically identify trip starts and trip ends. This paper presents Automatic Spatial Temporal Identification of Points of Interest (ASTIPI), an unsupervised spatial temporal algorithm to identify POIs. ASTIPI utilizes the temporal and spatial properties of the dataset to obtain a high accuracy of POI identification, even on a reduced GPS dataset that uses techniques to conserve battery life on mobile devices. While reducing outliers within POIs, ASTIPI also has a linear running time and maintains the temporal orders of the location data so that arrival and departure information can be easily extracted and thus, users' trips can be quickly identified. Using real data from mobile devices, evaluations of ASTIPI and other existing algorithms are performed, showing that ASTIPI obtains the highest accuracy of POI identification with an average accuracy of 88% when performing on full datasets generated using the GPS Auto-Sleep module and an average accuracy of 59% when performing on reduced datasets generated using both the GPS Auto-Sleep module and the Critical Points algorithm.
Use of INAA, PGAA, and RNAA to determine 30 elements for certification of an SRM: Tomato Leaves, 157a

Analyses for certification have been made for the determination of 30 elements in the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Tomato Leaves renewal reference material, SRM 1573a. Three of the analytical techniques used were instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), radiochemical neutron activation analysis (RNAA), and prompt gamma activation analysis (PGAA). These techniques provided data on 19 elements by INAA, 10 elements by PGAA, and 7 elements by RNAA, with some overlap between techniques. For example, INAA was able to obtain overall analytical uncerainties (at the 95% confidence level) averaging ±2.2% for major and minor constituents (Ca, Mg, K), ±3.3% for constituents from 1 to 1000 μg/g (Na, Fe, Al, Mn, Ba, Zn, Rb, La, Cr), and ±6.4% for elements between 10 and 1000 ng/g (Co, V, Se, Th, Sc, Sb), using sample dry weights of approximately 150 mg. These analyses represent the most extensive use to date of nuclear analytical techniques in the certification of a trace element SRM at NIST.
CAN A NEUTRINO DOMINATED UNIVERSE BE REJECTED

The conservative hypothesis that the Universe is dominated by nonbaryonic matter made up of particles that have already been observed in the laboratory is not tenable within a standard big-bang cosmology if all neutrino species are stable. It can be salvaged only if one neutrino species has a mass in the range 0.1–250 MeV and decays on a short mass-dependent time scale, while a second species has a mass in the range 10–50 eV and is stable.
Characteristics of the thick, compound refractive lens

A compound refractive lens (CRL), consisting of a series of N closely spaced lens elements each of which contributes a small fraction of the total focusing, can be used to focus x rays or neutrons. The thickness of a CRL can be comparable to its focal length, whereupon a thick-lens analysis must be performed. In contrast with the conventional optical lens, where the ray inside the lens follows a straight line, the ray inside the CRL is continually changing direction because of the multiple refracting surfaces. Thus the matrix representation for the thick CRL is quite different from that for the thick optical lens. Principal planes can be defined such that the thick-lens matrix can be converted to that of a thin lens. For a thick lens the focal length is greater than for a thin lens with the same lens curvature, but this lengthening effect is less for the CRL than for the conventional optical lens.
Wide-bandwidth, meandering vibration energy harvester with distributed circuit board inertial mass

Abstract A wide-bandwidth, meandering piezoelectric vibration energy harvester is presented for the first time utilizing the sensor node electronics as a distributed inertial mass. The energy harvester achieves an experimental maximum power output of 198 μW when excited with a peak acceleration of 0.2 g (where 1 g is 9.8 m/s 2 ) at 35 Hz. The output power remains higher than half of the maximum power (99 μW) for the frequency band from 34.4 to 42 Hz, achieving a half-power fractional bandwidth of 19.9%, an increase of 4× compared to typical single-mode energy harvesters. The output power remains above 20 μW from 29.5 to 48 Hz, achieving a 20-μW fractional bandwidth of 48%. This is the highest reported fractional bandwidth for this low 0.2 g acceleration level. The distributed inertial mass in combination with the meandering harvester's close natural frequency spacing is what enables the wide bandwidth. The energy harvester is demonstrated to autonomously operate a sensor node to sense and transmit temperature through a 434 MHz on–off-keying wireless transmitter while the electronics are used as the inertial distributed mass.
Skeletal muscle necrosis following membrane-active drugs plus serotonin.

Abstract Administration of imipramine plus serotonin (5-HT) to rats has been proposed as an animal model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. We studied the skeletal muscle necrosis produced in male rats given 5-HT after pretreatment with imipramine, other tricyclic antidepressants, or antihistamines, which like the tricyclic antidepressants, can block neuronal reuptake of 5-HT. Following one of these agents plus 5-HT, 20 mg/kg subcutaneously (s.c.), necrosis was more severe in the soleus muscle than the quadriceps. There was no significant difference in the incidence of necrosis in the soleus and quadriceps muscles following one of these agents plus 5-HT, 100 mg/kg, intraperitoneally (i.p.). After one of these agents plus 5-HT i.p., but not 5-HT s.c., extensive necrosis was significantly more frequent and severe in the quadriceps muscle than after 5-HT s.c. Chlorpheniramine (CP) plus 5-HT, 2.5 mg/kg intravenously, produced less muscle necrosis than CP plus 5-HT s.c. or i.p. The necrosis produced by CP plus 5-HT s.c. was comparable ipsilateral and contralateral to the injection site. The necrosis following CP plus 5-HT i.p. was maximal at 24 hr and remained fairly constant until 5 days. Regeneration was prominent by 7 days. The muscle necrosis produced by CP plus 5-HT is blocked by some 5-HT blockers, e.g., methiotepin and methysergide. It is also partially blocked by denervation. The capacity of tricyclic antidepressants and antihistamines to block neuronal 5-HT reuptake tended to be negatively correlated with the capacity to potentiate the muscle necrosis they produced with 5-HT, which suggests that blockade of 5-HT uptake is not the mechanism of the pathology produced by the combined treatment. The tricyclic antidepressants and the antihistamines are “membrane stabilizers-labilizers”. Other drugs which are “membrane stabilizers-labilizers” such as trihexyphenidyl and procaine also promoted skeletal muscle necrosis when given prior to 5-HT. It is proposed that the effects of imipramine plus 5-HT on skeletal muscle are not due to the blockade of neuronal uptake of 5-HT and subsequent vascular-induced ischemia, but reflect direct toxic effects of these agents on skeletal muscle.
Low-dispersion polarization gate frequency-resolved optical gating for measuring high-power <30-fs pulses

SHG FROG has an ambiguity in the direction of time and restrictions on the thickness of the nonlinear crystal due to phase matching for the large bandwidths needed to support such short pulses. In large amplified systems, a polarisation gate (PG) FROG would be much more desirable. The shot-to-shot stability of these systems makes single shot measurements necessary, which puts a premium on having a nonlinear medium with high optical quality.
Coordinated ordering decisions for short life cycle products with uncertainty in delivery time and demand

Abstract We consider a two-party system, in which the buyer orders a product from the supplier, whose delivery time is uncertain. The buyer is faced with random demand over a selling period of fixed length. The supplier aims to deliver the product at the start of the selling period, and if the delivery is late the buyer is compensated by the supplier. Our focus is on assessing the value and limitations of supplier–buyer coordination in coping with the uncertainty both in demand and delivery time.
Public Welfare and Economic Growth

Adam Smith's focus on the needs and wants of the general consumer is only conceivable in a context in which the value of labour has increased much faster than the value of everything else. History suggests that this happens best in a context of public infrastructure investment and human capital cultivation. An economics that accounted for the overlooked contributions of care work to the production of the labour force; that recognised the output benefits of publically funded networks of social services; that valued time spent outside of paid work at more than the zero estimate that current GDP calculations assume; that supported spending on well-crafted infrastructure investments; and that valued for its own sake the quality of life available to all; would go a long way toward realising the hopeful vision that Adam Smith first articulated at the dawn of the age of modern economic growth.
Interference microscopes for tribology and corrosion quantification

Interference microscopes remain one of the most accurate, repeatable, and versatile metrology systems for precision surface measurements. Such systems successfully measure material in both research labs and production lines in micro-optics, MEMS, data storage, medical device, and precision machining industries to sub-nanometer vertical resolution. Increasingly, however, these systems are finding uses outside of traditional surface-measurement applications, including film thickness determination, environmental responses of material, and determination of behavior under actuation. Most recently, these systems are enabling users to examine behavior of materials over varying time-scales as they are used in cutting or grinding operations or where the material is merely in continual contact with another such as in medical implants. In particular, quantification of wear of surfaces with varying coatings and under different conditions is of increasing value as tolerances decrease and consistency in final products is more valuable. Also, response of materials in corrosive environments allows users to quantify the gains of varying surface treatments against the cost of those treatments. Such quantification requires novel hardware and software for the system to ensure results are fast, accurate, and relevant. In this paper we explore three typical applications in tribology and corrosion. Deterioration of the cutting surfaces on a multi-blade razor is explored, with quantification of key surface features. Next, wear of several differently coated drill bits under similar use conditions is examined. Thirdly, in situ measurement of corrosion of several metal surfaces in harsh environmental conditions is performed. These case studies highlight how standard interference microscopes are evolving to serve novel industrial applications.
Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm: the internist as diagnostician.

Abstract purpose: To define the clinical features and assess the frequency and causes of missed diagnoses of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in patients initially presenting to internists. patients: All identified patients with ruptured AAA presenting to internists during a 7 1/2-year period at a large academic medical center. methods: Chart review. results: We identified 23 patients with a ruptured AAA presenting to internists. Most had abdominal pain and tenderness, back or flank pain, and leukocytosis, whereas anemia and profound hypotension (systolic blood pressure below 90 mm Hg) were uncommon at presentation. In 14 cases (61%), the diagnosis of ruptured AAA was initially missed. Nine patients had an interval of 24 hours or more between presentation to the internist and surgery or death. The diagnosis was not made until after shock developed in nine patients who were hemodynamically stable at presentation. Of 17 patients who underwent surgery, 7 of 8 with preoperative shock died, compared with 2 deaths in 9 patients (p conclusions: In patients with ruptured AAA who present to internists, the diagnosis is often delayed or missed and this appears to adversely effect survival. Internists should familiarize themselves with the presentation and management of ruptured AAA.
Separable programming/duality approach to solving the multi-product Newsboy/Gardener Problem with linear constraints

Abstract The Gardener Problem is an extension of the multi-product Newsboy Problem with constraints. It deals with situations where not only the demand is random but also the yield (the supply). Separable programming and duality approaches are utilized to solve the constrained Newsboy/Gardener Problem. The solution methodologies are developed for the common probability distribution functions for the demand, and uniform distribution for the supply, rendering exact and approximate solutions to the problem. Numerical examples are given and when applicable, the performance of the developed approach is compared to those of existing works in this arena. The results reveal that the developed solution methods efficiently converge to the optimal or near optimum solutions. Also, a salient feature of the proposed methodologies is that they can utilize readily available commercial software to solve the considered problems. This feature facilitates the portability of the developed models to the classroom environment.
Mens Sana in Corpore Sano? Body and Mind in Ancient Greece

The popular noations that the ancient Greek athlete was more 'well rounded' than ours is wholly false, nor was there every any Greek ideal to achieve or pursue both intellectual and bodily excellence. Earlier Greeks judged excellence in either category invaluable, but an increasiingly vocal minority of intellectuals, apparently jealous of the athletes' great rewards, denigrated athletes and bodily achievement. Mind, they said, was superior to body. By later antiquity, some authors even asserted that athletes were as stupid as animals, and their achievements no greater. Christianity welcomed the philosophers' depreciation of the body, and mediaeval ascetism carried it to the extremes that de Coubertin and others called "hatred of the flesh." The latter part of the paper explains how the rebirth of athletics dealt with these matters, and how false notions of the Greeks entered popular belief.
Modification of Milk Proteins by Psychrotrophic Bacteria

Abstract Skim milk and casein were inoculated with psychrotrophic bacteria and held 5 days at 7C. Samples then were removed and examined by anion exchange chromatography with diethylaminoethylcellulose in Tris-citrate-urea or phosphate buffer and stepwise addition of sodium chloride. Results of tests on cultured skim milk and casein, when compared to controls, revealed an increase in number of nitrogenous compounds that were eluted from the column before casein and a decrease in the amount of β - and α s -casein. Chromatograms of control and cultured whey proteins were similar, indicating that these proteins were unaffected by the psychrotrophic bacteria.
Watermelon and ragweed share allergens

A biotin-avidin amplified ELISA was used to measure antigen-specific IgE for ragweed, representative members of the gourd family (watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, zucchini, and cucumber), and banana in the sera of 192 allergic patients, each with an IgE greater than or equal to 180 microns/ml. Sixty-three percent (120/192) of the sera contained antiragweed IgE, and of these patients, 28% to 50% contained IgE specific for any single gourd family member. In contrast, no greater than 11% of the sera positive for a given gourd or banana were negative for ragweed. Correlations between ragweed and gourd-specific IgE levels were significant (p less than 0.001), and correlation coefficients between any two gourds exceeded 0.79. In an ELISA system, the extracts of watermelon and ragweed inhibited each other in a dose-dependent manner; the resulting nonparallel inhibition curves indicate that some, but not all, of the allergens in the two extracts are cross-reactive. Isoelectric focusing of watermelon and ragweed extracts in narrow range gel (pH 4 to 6) followed by immunoblotting demonstrated six watermelon allergen bands with isoelectric points identical to those of ragweed allergens. Several remaining bands in the two extracts had differing isoelectric points, however. Six of 26 patients interviewed with watermelon-specific IgE reported developing oropharyngeal symptoms (itching and/or swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat) after ingesting at least one of the study foods, whereas only one of 25 patients interviewed without detectable watermelon-specific IgE reported similar symptoms (p = 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
P3.074 Men’s Preferences For STD Screening Programs: Initial Prevalence of STD in the Study Population

Background STD control efforts in the US and western Europe have had less than desirable impact, in part due to an inability to reach populations of men at risk for these diseases. We are currently conducting a study of programme options, including self-collection of specimens and community based access to test kits, that would increase men’s utilisation of screening services. Methods Using peer-incentivized referral, a type of snowball sampling, beginning with men attending an STD clinic in the US, we are interviewing men in the community to determine the optimal combination of programme features that would encourage asymptomatic STD screening. To demonstrate the relevance of these men’s opinions in terms of reaching a high prevalence group, they were tested for STDs at the time of their interview. Urine samples were collected and rectal sampling was offered to all men. STD testing was performed using nucleic acid amplification testing. Results To date, 25 men from the community have been enrolled and interviewed. 40% of participants were black, 40% were white, and 20% were Hispanic. The median age of participants is 24. Urine samples were available for testing from all 25 men and rectal samples were available from 5 men. 4 (16%) men tested positive for a STD: 2 (8%) men tested positive for chlamydia and 2 (8%) men tested positive for trichomonas. No gonococcal infections were detected. None of the rectal samples had a positive result. Conclusion While these results represent pilot data, the study is ongoing and given the nature of snowball sampling, the sample size will expand rapidly. Early prevalence rates are higher than have been reported in nationally representative surveys in the US. This suggests that we are recruiting from a population of interest to gather opinions about preferred screening options.
Role of CYP450 in Antiplatelet Therapy: Considerations for Patients at Risk for Further Cardiovascular or Cerebrovascular Problems

Objective:To determine how interactions with cytochrome P450 (CYP450) isoenzyme pathways may influence the selection of antiplatelet therapy in patients with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease.Data Sources:A MEDLINE search (1966-September 2012) was performed using the following MeSH search terms: clopidogrel, prasugrel, ticagrelor, aspirin, dipyridamole, drug interactions, polymorphism, cytochrome P450, platelets, platelet reactivity testing, and platelet function. In addition, reference citations were reviewed.Study Selection and Data Extraction:Selected studies analyzed the effects of CYP450 isoenzymes on the efficacy of antiplatelet therapy and potential drug-drug interactions.Data Synthesis:Antiplatelet therapy is pivotal in reducing the risk of acute coronary syndromes. Thienopyridines are commonly prescribed for antiplatelet drug therapy; however, a multitude of factors can influence their efficacy, given that thienopyridines require activation through CYP450 isoenzymes. Genetic polymorphism...
Distribution and residue determination of [3H]zearalenone in broilers.

Abstract [ 3 H]Zearalenone was intubated into the crops of 7-week-old broiler chickens, and its distribution was monitored at 0, 0.5, 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48 hr. Metabolic products were measured by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy and radioimmunoassay. The average recovery of administered radioactivity was 83%. Of the edible tissue, the greatest accumulation of radioactivity occurred in the liver 0.5 hr (0.94%) after administration after which it fell off quickly so that by 48 hr only a trace (0.07%) of radioactivity was found. Muscle, abdominal fat, skin, and heart contained only trace quantities of radioactivity. The bile and gall bladder (4.2%) and excreta (87%) contained the major portion of radioactivity. The excreta was the major avenue of elimination. Total zearalenone and α- and β-zearalenols found in the excreta at 0.5 hr after administration were 0.5 to 3.86 ppm, 8.8 to 2.5 ppm at 4 hr, 12.5 to 121 ppm at 8 hr, 10.1 to 82.7 ppm at 12 hr, 1.6 to 122 ppm at 24 hr, and 39 to 43.5 ppm at 48 hr. The concentration in the muscle ranged from 23 to 25 ppb at 0.5 hr to 4 ppb at 48 hr; the maximum residue found was 111 ppb. The muscle contained only zearalenone and no zearalenol. Zearalenone and α- and β-zearalenols were found in the liver with concentrations ranging between 57 and 1103 ppb when measured by RIA and 17.3 and 2543 ppb when measured by GC-MS. The identity of all metabolites was confirmed by mass spectroscopy. The data suggest little danger from residue in the edible portions. Moreover, analysis of the feces can be used as an indicator of intoxication.
Comparison of WIC benefit redemptions in Michigan indicates higher utilization among Arab American families.

Abstract Objective To assess Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefit use across Arab American, Hispanic, and non-Arab/non-Hispanic families participating in the Michigan WIC program using point-of-sale Electronic Benefits Transfer data. Design Cross-sectional analysis using administrative data obtained from the Michigan WIC program, which collects Arab American ethnicity in addition to Hispanic ethnicity and race. Setting Michigan. Participants Families participating in the Michigan WIC program in March, 2012 (n = 152,989). Main Outcome Measure Families redeeming all WIC benefits. Analysis Bivariate frequencies and multivariate logistic regression model identified characteristics of families associated with full redemption of WIC food benefits. Results About 12% of WIC families fully redeemed their benefits in March, 2012. Compared with non-Arab/non-Hispanic families, Arab American WIC families were significantly more likely to use all of their monthly WIC benefits, even after controlling for family characteristics (adjusted odds ratio, 3.6; 95% confidence interval, 3.4–3.8). Rates of redemption for Hispanic families, however, were the same as for non-Arab/non-Hispanic families (adjusted odds ratio, 1.0; 95% confidence interval, 0.9–1.0). Conclusions and Implications State WIC programs moving toward implementation of Electronic Benefits Transfer should consider ways to enhance systems that would allow for more opportunities to conduct targeted analyses of benefit use across participant subpopulations. Findings point to low overall WIC benefit use. Additional research is needed to explore methods to increase benefit use among all WIC populations, including whether specific factors may contribute to higher redemptions among ethnic minorities, and whether they can be translated to other subpopulations.
Calculation of stress-induced polarization of F-center luminescence for a vibronic model of the relaxed excited state

The polarization of $F$-center luminescence caused by an applied stress is calculated from a direct numerical diagonalization of the matrix of the interaction Hamiltonian that includes the stress splitting of the electronic states for the simplest vibronic model of the relaxed excited state consistent with cubic symmetry. In this model the $2s$ electronic state is coupled to $2p$ by a triply degenerate odd-parity vibrational mode of frequency $\ensuremath{\omega}$, and the $2s$ state is taken to lie below $2p$ by an energy $|{E}_{\mathrm{sp}}|=\ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\hbar}\ensuremath{\omega}$. The polarization is found in general to increase from its value at 0 K as the temperature rises, reach a maximum, and then fall, eventually approaching a limiting rate of decrease that is independent of $\ensuremath{\Delta}$ and of the vibronic coupling strength. For $\ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\lesssim}2$ this variation with temperature is found to be too large to be consistent with the experimental observation by Hetrick and Compton for KCl, NaCl, RbCl, and NaF that the polarization is effectively independent of temperature below 140 K. The conclusion from our work that we must have $\ensuremath{\Delta}g2$ for these materials agrees with an earlier estimate for KCl from magnetic-polarization data but is not in agreement with other published estimates based on the temperature dependence of the radiative lifetime and of the Stark polarization. The implications of these results are discussed.
Object-Oriented Heterogeneous Database for Materials Science

As a part of the scientific database research underway at the Oregon Graduate Institute, we are collaborating with materials scientists in the research and development of an extensible modeling and computation environment for materials science. Materials scientists are prolific users of computers for scientific research. Modeling techniques and algorithms are well known and refined, and computerized databases of chemical and physical property data abound. However, applications are typically developed in isolation, using information models specifically tailored for the needs of each application. Furthermore, available computerized databases in the form of CDs and on-line information services are still accessed manually by the scientist in an off-line fashion. Thus researchers are repeatedly constructing and populating new custom databases for each application. The goal of our research is to bridge this gulf between applications and sources of data. We believe that object-oriented technology in general and data-bases in particular, provide powerful tools for transparently bridging the gap between programs and data. An object-oriented database that not only manages data generated by user applications, but also provides access to relevant external data sources can be used to bridge this gap. An object-oriented database for materials science data is described that brings together data from heterogeneous non-object-oriented sources and formats, and presents the user with a single, uniform object-oriented schema that transparently integrates these diverse databases. A unique multilevel architecture is presented that provides a mechanism for efficiently accessing both heterogeneous external data sources and new data stored within the database.
Sex differences in the educational and occupational aspirations of rural youth

Abstract Rural girls (N = 926) and boys (N = 861) in grades 10, 11, and 12 answered questions concerning educational and occupational aspirations. The young women showed significantly higher educational aspiration, the same or higher occupational aspiration, and equal ranges of job choice. The results are discussed with respect to previous findings, and to status attainment models.
Towards a vision-based system exploring 3D driver posture dynamics for driver assistance: Issues and possibilities

Driver's body posture in 3D contains information potentially related to driver intent, driver affective state, and driver distraction. In this paper, we discuss issues and possibilities in developing a vision-based, markerless system to systematically explore the role of 3D driver posture dynamics for driver assistance. At high level, two main emphases in the proposed system are: (i) The coordination between real world driving testbed and simulation environment and (ii) The usefulness of driver posture dynamics is studied not only as an individual cue but also in relation with other contextual information (e.g. head dynamics, facial features, and vehicle dynamics). Some initial results in our experiment following these guidelines show the feasibility and promise of extracting and using 3D driver posture dynamics for driver assistance.
Conquering big data with spark and BDAS

Today, big and small organizations alike collect huge amounts of data, and they do so with one goal in mind: extract "value" through sophisticated exploratory analysis, and use it as the basis to make decisions as varied as personalized treatment and ad targeting. Unfortunately, existing data analytics tools are slow in answering queries, as they typically require to sift through huge amounts of data stored on disk, and are even less suitable for complex computations, such as machine learning algorithms. These limitations leave the potential of extracting value of big data unfulfilled.To address this challenge, we are developing Berkeley Data Analytics Stack (BDAS), an open source data analytics stack that provides interactive response times for complex computations on massive data. To achieve this goal, BDAS supports efficient, large-scale in-memory data processing, and allows users and applications to trade between query accuracy, time, and cost. In this talk, I'll present the architecture, challenges, results, and our experience with developing BDAS, with a focus on Apache Spark, an in-memory cluster computing engine that provides support for a variety of workloads, including batch, streaming, and iterative computations. In a relatively short time, Spark has become the most active big data project in the open source community, and is already being used by over one hundred of companies and research institutions.
Activation of the Unfolded Protein Response in Infarcted Mouse Heart and Hypoxic Cultured Cardiac Myocytes

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stresses that reduce ER protein folding activate the unfolded protein response (UPR). One effector of the UPR is the transcription factor X-box binding protein-1 (XBP1), which is expressed on ER stress-mediated splicing of the XBP1 mRNA. XBP1 induces certain ER-targeted proteins, eg, glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), that help resolve the ER stress and foster cell survival. In this study, we determined whether hypoxia can activate the UPR in the cardiac context. Neonatal rat ventricular myocyte cultures subjected to hypoxia (16 hours) exhibited increased XBP1 mRNA splicing, XBP1 protein expression, GRP78 promoter activation, and GRP78 protein levels; however, the levels of these UPR markers declined during reoxygenation, suggesting that the UPR is activated during hypoxia but not during reoxygenation. When cells were infected with a recombinant adenovirus (AdV) encoding dominant-negative XBP1 (AdV-XBP1dn), UPR markers were reduced; however, hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced apoptosis increased. Confocal immunocytofluorescence demonstrated that hypoxia induced GRP78 in neonatal rat and isolated adult mouse ventricular myocytes. Moreover, mouse hearts subjected to in vivo myocardial infarction exhibited increased GRP78 expression in cardiac myocytes near the infarct, but not in healthy cells distal to the infarct. These results indicate that hypoxia activates the UPR in cardiac myocytes and that XBP1-inducible proteins may contribute to protecting the myocardium during hypoxic stress.
Development of Particle Concentration Distributions and Burn Rate Gradients upon Shear-Induced Particle Migration during Processing of Energetic Suspensions

Shear-induced particle migration is an important issue to be addressed during the processing of concentrated suspensions, which constitute various energetic formulations consisting of polymeric binders with a relatively high concentration of rigid energetic particles. Upon shear-induced particle migration during manufacturing, concentration gradients of the rigid particles are developed that lead to burn rate gradients to alter the overall burn rate behavior of the energetic grains. Here it is demonstrated that changes in the burn rates would occur both in drag and pressure-driven processing flows under conditions in which the particle radius over the gap of the processing geometry is appreciable. Typical results are provided.
Solar wind and extreme ultraviolet modulation of the lunar ionosphere/exosphere

The ALSEP/SIDE detectors routinely monitor the dayside lunar ionosphere. Variations in the ionosphere are found to correlate with both the 2800 MHz radio index which can be related to solar EUV and with the solar wind proton flux. For the solar wind, the ionospheric variation is proportionately greater than that of the solar wind. This suggests an amplification effect on the lunar atmosphere due perhaps to sputtering of the surface or, less probably, an inordinate enhancement of noble gases in the solar wind. The surface neutral number density is calculated under the assumption of neon gas. During a quiet solar wind this number agrees with or is slightly above that expected for neon accreted from the solar wind. During an enhanced solar wind the neutral number density is much higher.
Epstein-barr virus induces global changes in cellular mRNA isoform usage that are important for the maintenance of latency

Oncogenic viruses promote cell proliferation through the dramatic reorganization of host transcriptomes. In addition to regulating mRNA abundance, changes in mRNA isoform usage can have a profound impact on the protein output of the transcriptome. Using Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) transformation of primary B cells, we have studied the ability of an oncogenic virus to alter the mRNA isoform profile of its host. Using the algorithm called SplicerEX with two complementary Affymetrix microarray platforms, we uncovered 433 mRNA isoform changes regulated by EBV during B-cell transformation. These changes were largely orthogonal with the 2,163 mRNA abundance changes observed during transformation, such that less than one-third of mRNAs changing at the level of isoform also changed in overall abundance. While we observed no preference for a mechanistic class of mRNA isoform change, we detected a significant shortening of 3' untranslated regions and exclusion of cassette exons in EBV-transformed cells relative to uninfected B cells. Gene ontology analysis of the mRNA isoform changes revealed significant enrichment in nucleic acid binding proteins. We validated several of these isoform changes and were intrigued by those in two mRNAs encoding the proteins XBP1 and TCF4, which have both been shown to bind and activate the promoter of the major EBV lytic trans-activator BZLF1. Our studies indicate that EBV latent infection promotes the usage of mRNA isoforms of XBP1 and TCF4 that restrict BZLF1 activation. Therefore, characterization of global changes in mRNA isoform usage during EBV infection identifies a new mechanism for the maintenance of latent infection.
Attention is captured by distractors that uniquely correspond to controlled objects: An analysis of movement trajectories

When reaching for a particular target, movements tend to deviate toward distractors. Previously, we have shown that cursor movements deviate to a greater degree toward distractors when the distractor color corresponds to that of the cursor and the target color does not, even when this relationship is task-irrelevant (Miles & Proctor, 2011). In the present study, we investigated whether this correspondence effect is due to attention capture or to the activation of responses based on the task response rules associated with the colors of the distractor and target (viz. a flanker effect). Participants moved a central rectangular cursor to an upper left or upper right location, depending on the cursor color. The colors of the target (correct response side) and distractor (incorrect response side) were independent from one another and were either corresponding or noncorresponding with respect to the cursor color. In Experiment 1, reaction times were delayed when the distractor color corresponded to that of the cursor, but only when the target color did not correspond to the cursor color. No color correspondence effect was found for movement trajectories or movement times. However, in Experiment 2, when responses were time-pressured, initial movements toward the distractor were much more common when the distractor color exclusively corresponded to the cursor color. On the basis of these results, we argue that attention capture best explains the increased tendency to move a controlled object to a distractor that uniquely shares its features.
Toward a General Model for Evaluating the Relative Performance of Computer Systems

Current models for evaluating the relative performance of computer systems are shown to be special cases of a more general formulation. Using this new model, mini- supercomputers and massively parallel machines are compared to selected supercomputer configurations. These results indicate that multiprocessor supercom puters offer performance superior to that of any of the alternatives currently available.
Supporting High School Graduation Aspirations among Latino Middle School Students

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions Latino eighth grade students have of school and schooling factors as they transition to high school and the factors that may influence their selfperceived likelihood of graduating from high school. Middle schools are poised to help Latino students prepare themselves for a smoother adjustment to high school academic life and reinforce the enthusiasm with which they anticipate the transition. Adopting the additive model of acculturation as its theoretical framework—with the belief that acculturation is a more inclusive approach than classic assimilation for linguistic minority students—this study investigated what factors may best predict eighth graders’ confidence regarding high school completion. Data were collected from 74 Latino eighth grade public school students in a state in the southeastern region of the United States. Findings from the study showed that eighth grade Latino students, particularly female students, are eager and exci...
Controlling the Coverage of Grid Information Dissemination Protocols

Grid information dissemination protocols distribute information about the dynamic state of computational resources throughout interconnected wide area grids. Performance metrics for these protocols include the overhead of information packets, and the accuracy of the information at the time it is used to schedule applications. Our previous work advocated non-uniform protocols to keep dissemination local to the information source, as a method of keeping overhead manageable while achieving adequate freshness and accuracy. This paper considers the problem of providing better control over the dissemination of information and influencing the "coverage footprint" that defines where the information reaches within the grid. The paper describes work that investigates the coverage characteristics of existing protocols and refines and combines them into hybrid protocols that are more controllable. We consider this work to be a necessary step toward adaptive dissemination protocols that would be able to react to the state of grid resources to change dynamically how and where information is disseminated. This in turn increases the effectiveness of grid schedulers under various load levels and distributions
A Review of the Role of Psychiatrists and Pediatricians in Outpatient Treatment of Adolescents with Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa

Eating disorders frequently have their onset in adolescence. This is problematic as Anorexia Nervosa (AN), Bulimia Nervosa (BN), and Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS) often present with serious psychiatric and medical sequelae that can affect an adolescents physical and emotional development. It is well documented that complications from eating disorders in adolescence can result in long-term health consequences, rendering effective psychiatric and medical treatments a necessity. To combat the medical consequences associated with eating disorders in adolescents, pediatricians must identify, treat, and monitor medical complications. Pediatricians are also responsible for assessing the need for hospitalization due to medical instability. Some advances have been made regarding psychopharmacological treatments for eating disorders. For example, antidepressant medications, such as SSRIs, have demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of adults with BN. The true effectiveness of these medications in adolescent populations remains unknown. A multidisciplinary team approach is a common treatment model in outpatient practice, but further research is required to investigate how to facilitate the collaboration of psychiatric and medical professionals. The majority of psychiatric and medical trials for eating disorder patients have involved adult participants, and most studies have investigated either psychiatric or medical treatments for eating disorders. In this review, we will add to the current literature by focusing on both psychiatric and medical treatments for eating disorders, with particular emphasis on studies conducted with adolescents.
Primer on pramlintide, an amylin analog.

PurposePramlintide is an injectable synthetic analog of human amylin. It is indicated for patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who are taking mealtime insulin but have been unable to achieve desired glucose targets. Pramlintide decreases postprandial glucose by lowering inappropriate postmeal glucagon secretion, slowing gastric emptying, and increasing satiety. As such, pramlintide targets several of the defects commonly seen in patients with diabetes. Given the unique characteristics of this agent in the treatment of diabetes, a practical guide to its use is presented.ConclusionPramlintide treats diabetes with a novel mechanism of action, offering the potential for improved postprandial control and weight loss for patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Providers and diabetes educators should be familiar with the utility of the medication as well as its potential limitations in order to fully educate patients and maximize treatment options for patients with diabetes.
Planar circular loop antennas with self-biased magnetic film loading

This paper presents a circular loop antenna with self-biased magnetic film loading. The proposed circular loop antenna is realized by cascading a microstrip loop and a tuning stub. The self-biased magnetic films were used as a practical means to tune the working frequency of the antenna. Three different cases of antennas with films loading were designed and analyzed. Antennas with self-biased magnetic films loading working at 1.7 GHz with a tuning range of 50%~400% of the antenna bandwidth were achieved.
The Importance Of Cultural Diversity In The Educational Environment Scale (ICDEE): Development And Testing

College campuses are part of a dynamic and culturally diverse marketplace. As that diversity continues to grow and become an increasingly important component of students= educational environment, university officials need to further their understanding of the students= perspective of cultural diversity on campus. The primary objective in this study was the development and empirical testing of a multiitem paper-and-pencil scale called the Importance of Cultural Diversity in the Educational Environment Scale (ICDEE). Findings showed that the ICDEE demonstrated adequate internal reliability. Implications of the results and administrative applications of the scale in assessment efforts are discussed and avenues for future research are presented. Let us not be blind to our differences B but let us also direct attention to our common interests and the means by which those differences can be resolved. And if we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity B John F. Kennedy, 1963
Revisiting the Visual Artists Rights Act of 1990: A Follow-up Survey about Awareness and Waiver

This article presents previously unreleased empirical data about the Visual Artists Rights Act of 1990 (VARA) from an exhaustive survey that the author conducted in 2003. The article first examines the background of VARA by surveying case law and news accounts. The article then reports and analyzes the results of the 2003 survey. The article argues that the results from the 2003 survey reveal that little has changed since the Copyright Office's 1995 survey. VARA still seems to be obscure. The article then offers recommendations to copyright law practitioners and Congress regarding VARA.
TEACHING AN ALGEBRAIC EQUATION TO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH MODERATE TO SEVERE INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY

OF THESIS TEACHING AN ALGEBRAIC EQUATION TO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH MODERATE TO SEVERE INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of using the system of least prompts and concrete representations to teach students with moderate and severe disabilities (MSD) to solve simple linear equations. A multiple-probe (days) across participants, single case research design was used to evaluate the effectiveness of task analytic instruction along with concrete representation on teaching students with MSD to solve algebraic equations. The results showed the system of least prompts and concrete representations were effective in teaching students with MSD to solve simple linear equations.