cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ANALYSIS OF CRUSHING OF GRANULAR MATERIAL UNDER ISOTROPIC AND BIAXIAL STRESS CONDITIONS

ABSTRACT Granular materials forming part of natural slopes, embankments, subgrades of foundations and pavement structures are subjected to both static and dynamic loads during their engineering lives. As a result of these loads, particle crushing occurs. The present study focuses on the evolution of crushing in a simulated granular material subjected to different combinations of biaxial stresses. It was found that the Discrete Element Method (DEM) can be used to visualize and understand the evolution of crushing experienced by a granular material under these conditions. Even though DEM does not normally consider particle breakage, it is possible to simulate crushing by replacing one particle that has failed in tension with a combination of many particles of different sizes. The results from the developed simulations indicated that the samples tended to achieve a fractal distribution of particle sizes, although at the end of the simulations these distributions were still being dominated by the size of the original particles. Changes in other properties of the simulated granular material such as the void ratio and the shear strength were also recorded and analyzed. It was found that the internal friction angle decreased as a result of particle crushing.
What can computational modeling offer for studying the Ca2+ dysregulation in Alzheimer's disease: current research and future directions.

Ca2+ dysregulation is an early event observed in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients preceding the presence of its clinical symptoms. Dysregulation of neuronal Ca2+ will cause synaptic loss and neuronal death, eventually leading to memory impairments and cognitive decline. Treatments targeting Ca2+ signaling pathways are potential therapeutic strategies against AD. The complicated interactions make it challenging and expensive to study the underlying mechanisms as to how Ca2+ signaling contributes to the pathogenesis of AD. Computational modeling offers new opportunities to study the signaling pathway and test proposed mechanisms. In this mini-review, we present some computational approaches that have been used to study Ca2+ dysregulation of AD by simulating Ca2+ signaling at various levels. We also pointed out the future directions that computational modeling can be done in studying the Ca2+ dysregulation in AD.
Mathematical Modeling and Analyses of Interspike-Intervals of Spontaneous Activity in Afferent Neurons of the Zebrafish Lateral Line

Without stimuli, hair cells spontaneously release neurotransmitter leading to spontaneous generation of action potentials (spikes) in innervating afferent neurons. We analyzed spontaneous spike patterns recorded from the lateral line of zebrafish and found that distributions of interspike intervals (ISIs) either have an exponential shape or an “L” shape that is characterized by a sharp decay but wide tail. ISI data were fitted to renewal-process models that accounted for the neuron refractory periods and hair-cell synaptic release. Modeling the timing of synaptic release using a mixture of two exponential distributions yielded the best fit for our ISI data. Additionally, lateral line ISIs displayed positive serial correlation and appeared to exhibit switching between faster and slower modes of spike generation. This pattern contrasts with previous findings from the auditory system where ISIs tended to have negative serial correlation due to synaptic depletion. We propose that afferent neuron innervation with multiple and heterogenous hair-cells synapses, each influenced by changes in calcium domains, can serve as a mechanism for the random switching behavior. Overall, our analyses provide evidence of how physiological similarities and differences between synapses and innervation patterns in the auditory, vestibular, and lateral line systems can lead to variations in spontaneous activity.
Characterizing acoustic environments using spherical loudspeaker and microphone arrays

Room acoustic parameters, including the reverberation time (T60) and the direct-to-reverberant ratio (DRR), quantitatively describe the behaviour of an acoustic environment. These parameters are typically derived from an acoustic impulse response (AIR) obtained using an omnidirectional sound source and an omnidirectional receiver. However, the acoustic interaction between a source with a complex radiation pattern, for example, a human talker, and a receiver with a complex directivity pattern, for example, a human listener, cannot be accurately described by an omnidirectional AIR or the acoustic parameters derived from it. Here, we propose characterizing acoustic environments while taking the source and receiver directionality into account. A spherical loudspeaker array allows modelling a source with an arbitrary radiation pattern. Analogously, a spherical microphone can be used to describe a receiver with an arbitrary directivity pattern. By combining spherical loudspeaker and microphone arrays, a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) AIR of an acoustic environment can be measured to simulate sources and receivers with arbitrary directivities and estimate acoustic parameters accordingly.
Impact of Interface Quality on the Strength of Volume Plasmon Polaritons in Semiconductor Hyperbolic Metamaterials

Semiconductor hyperbolic metamaterials (HMMs) are designer materials that can support the propagation of large wavevector light through volume plasmon polariton (VPP) modes. We investigated the impact of interface quality on the strength and quality factor of these VPP modes using Fourier Infrared Spectroscopy.
Are CT Scans Overutilized in the Workup of Vertebral Compression Fractures

Study design This was a retrospective chart review. Objectives Computed tomography (CT) does not aid in determination of compression fracture chronicity and contributes to higher cost and radiation exposure. An examination of extraneous imaging will help to guide appropriate workup. Summary of background data Cost for osteoporotic fracture treatment has been estimated at $17 billion annually; future costs are anticipated to increase by at least 50%. Materials and methods A chart review evaluated patients who received kyphoplasty or vertebroplasty as part of compression fracture treatment. The primary end point of the study was analysis of unnecessary imaging obtained during workup. The secondary outcome was excess radiation exposure incurred from unneeded imaging studies. Results There were 104 instances (40.2% of n=259 workups) where patients underwent only magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or bone scan after radiographs. There were 28 instances (10.8%) where patients underwent only radiographs with a comparison study. There were a total of 76 instances (29.3%) where patients underwent extraneous CT scans and 13 instances (5%) where patients underwent both MRI and bone scan, causing an average of 979.4 mGy cm additional radiation exposure. Conclusions We recommend an algorithm that favors radiographs with comparison study or acquiring either MRI or bone scan to determine acuity. If these are available, CT scan becomes unnecessary and incurs increased costs and radiation exposure.
Utility of 3-Week Follow-Up of Upper Gastrointestinal Study in Asymptomatic Patients Following Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy.

Abstract Rationale and Objectives One day following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), routine practice has historically dictated that an upper gastrointestinal (UGI) study be performed to assess for staple line leak, clinically significant stenosis, or other complications requiring surgical revision. Recent literature has cast doubt on the utility of performing an UGI immediately following surgery due to its poor sensitivity in detecting leaks and hence referrals for this post-operative study have decreased. However, routine practice at our institution is to perform an UGI study at three weeks following LSG to assess for late complications despite a similar lack of evidence supporting the yield of this exam. The purpose of our study is to assess the utility and cost effectiveness of UGI exams in asymptomatic patients three weeks following LSG. Methods and Materials A retrospective chart review of patients who underwent LSG for obesity performed at our institution between January 2014 and October 2018 and subsequently had an UGI within two-four weeks following the surgery was conducted. Results A total of seventy three asymptomatic patients underwent an UGI study, of which no clinically significant stricture, leak or other complications were identified. Of the fifteen patients who were symptomatic between two-four weeks after surgery, twelve (80%) were found to have complications ranging from staple line leak or gastric narrowing. Conclusions The utility of UGI following LSG in the absence of symptoms is doubtful. Additionally, the added cost and radiation does not add value to the patient's care. We recommend UGI study utilization when there is a clinical suspicion for a complication.
The risk for malignancy using the Milan salivary gland classification categories: A 5-year retrospective review.

Aims: Since the six-tier Milan salivary gland classification has been introduced, there are very limited studies in literature reporting the risk stratification of the Milan classification. Methods: We retrospectively classified a total of 285 salivary gland cytology cases into Milan reporting categories; there were 23 (8.1%) nondiagnostic, 48 (16.8%) nonneoplastic, 19 (6.7%) atypia of undetermined significance (AUS), 138 (48.4%) benign neoplasm, 13 (4.6%) neoplasm of uncertain malignant potential (NUMP), 8 (2.8%) suspicious for malignancy, and 36 (12.6%) malignant. Almost 110 cases (38.6%) had surgical follow-up resections. Results: The overall risk for malignancy (ROM) was 12.5% for AUS, 3.2% for benign neoplasm, 72.7% for NUMP, and 100% for the suspicious for malignancy and malignant. The ROM for nondiagnostic and nonneoplastic categories was not representative due to limited follow-up resections. The salivary cytology had sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 93.0%, 100%, 100%, and 46.2% for neoplasm and 82.3%, 95.8%, 90.3%, and 92.0% for malignant. Conclusion: Our study supports the adaptation of the six-tier Milan classification for reporting salivary gland cytology, as well as emphasizing the utility of the NUMP category.
Trends in Alcohol Use Behaviors by Sexual Identity and Behavior Among High School Students, 2007-2017.

Abstract Purpose Certain groups, particularly sexual minority youth, demonstrate notable disparities in alcohol use risk. Assessing trends in alcohol use behaviors by sexual orientation over time is therefore important to the epidemiologic study of adolescent health equity. Methods We analyzed age at first drink, lifetime drinking behavior, current drinking, and binge drinking in a large, national sample of high school youth across six time points, beginning in 2007 and biennially through 2017. We assessed trends by sex, sexual identity, and sexual behavior, controlling for race/ethnicity and age. Results Our results demonstrated that, although overall alcohol use is decreasing among youth, disparities between heterosexual and sexual minority youth remain significant. The largest decreases were seen in current alcohol use among lesbian youth, which fell from a prevalence of 56.1% in 2007 to 38.9% in 2017, and among bisexual females (64.3% in 2007 to 41.1% in 2017). Despite this, alcohol use behaviors were still elevated among lesbian and bisexual female youth compared with heterosexual sex-matched counterparts. Heterosexual-identified male students saw significant decreases in alcohol use, whereas most alcohol use behaviors among sexual minority males decreased but not to a statistically significant degree, with the exception of binge drinking among those who identified as gay (2007: 36.0% to 2017: 12.6%) and bisexual (2007: 24.7% to 2017: 11.6%). Results by sexual behavior are presented within. Conclusions Sexual minority youth continued to demonstrate markedly high prevalence of alcohol use behaviors compared with heterosexual peers across all time points. Downward trends in alcohol use may thus mask serious population health risks if not adequately explored. Research and health promotion efforts must consider sexual minority orientation to avoid incomplete or inaccurate representation of findings.
‘In Search of Mammon’s Treasure Trove’: Hemendrakumar Roy’s Use of Travel in Children’s Adventure Literature:

Travel plays a critical role in twentieth-century Bengali adventure literature for adolescent males. Armchair journeys through the Empire and beyond let that audience discover the world: a panoply ...
Age-Related Differences in the Noninvasive Evaluation for Possible Coronary Artery Disease: Insights From the Prospective Multicenter Imaging Study for Evaluation of Chest Pain (PROMISE) Trial.

Importance Although cardiovascular (CV) disease represents the leading cause of morbidity and mortality that increases with age, the best noninvasive test to identify older patients at risk for CV events remains unknown. Objective To determine whether the prognostic utility of anatomic vs functional testing varies based on patient age. Design, Setting, and Participants Prespecified analysis of the Prospective Multicenter Imaging Study for Evaluation of Chest Pain (PROMISE) study, which used a pragmatic comparative effectiveness design. Participants were enrolled from 193 sites across North America and comprised outpatients without known coronary artery disease (CAD) but with symptoms suggestive of CAD. Data were analyzed between October 2018 and April 2019. Interventions Randomization to noninvasive testing with coronary computed tomographic angiography or functional testing. Main Outcomes and Measures The composite of CV death/myocardial infarction (MI) over a median follow-up of 25 months. Results Among 10 003 PROMISE patients, we included the 8966 who received the noninvasive test to which they were randomized and had interpretable results; 6378 (71.1%) were younger than 65 years, 2062 (23.0%) were between ages 65 and 74 years, and 526 (5.9%) were 75 years and older. More than half of participants were women (4720 of 8966 [52.6%]). Only a minority of patients were of nonwhite race/ethnicity, a proportion that was lower among the older age groups (1071 of 6378 [16.8%] for Conclusions and Relevance Older patients with stable symptoms suggestive of CAD are more likely to have a positive noninvasive test result and more coronary artery calcium. However, only a positive functional test result was associated with risk of CV death/MI. Age-specific approaches to noninvasive evaluation of CAD should be further examined. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier:NCT01174550
Feature driven learning framework for cybersecurity event detection

Cybersecurity event detection is a crucial problem for mitigating effects on various aspects of society. Social media has become a notable source of indicators for detection of diverse events. Though previous social media based strategies for cyber-security event detection focus on mining certain event-related words, the dynamic and evolving nature of online discourse limits the performance of these approaches. Further, because these are typically unsupervised or weakly supervised learning strategies, they do not perform well in an environment of biased samples, noisy context, and informal language which is routine for online, user-generated content. This paper takes a supervised learning approach by proposing a novel multi-task learning based model. Our model can handle diverse structures in feature space by learning models for different types of potential high-profile targets simultaneously. For parameter optimization, we develop an efficient algorithm based on the alternating direction method of multipliers. Through extensive experiments on a real world Twitter dataset, we demonstrate that our approach consistently outperforms existing methods at encoding and identifying cyber-security incidents.
Advertising by Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys after BAPCPA

Section 528 of the Bankruptcy Code ("Code"), added to the Code by the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 ("BAPCPA"), requires that debt relief agencies disclose specified information in certain advertising directed to the general public. Many consumer bankruptcy attorneys have not yet attempted to comply with the advertising disclosure requirements in their Yellow Pages advertising or on their web sites and some attempts to comply fall short of the statutory requirements either for lack of required language or for failure to disclose the required information conspicuously. This article summarizes data in support of these conclusions, gathered from a review of advertising by consumer bankruptcy attorneys in fifty-one AT & T Yellow Pages directories published online after the April 2005 enactment of BAPCPA and from a review of some web sites to which some of those advertisements referred. This article also provides examples of complying, possibly complying, and non-complying advertisements, speculates about the possible reasons for non-compliance, discusses the possible consequences of non-compliance, and highlights some of the legal and practical issues posed by application of the statutory requirements to Yellow Pages and web site advertising. This article will first appear in the 2007 edition of Norton Annual Survey of Bankruptcy Law, published by Thomson/West, and this abstract is reproduced with the consent of the copyright holder, West Services, Inc.
An active recursive state estimation framework for brain-interfaced typing systems

Typing systems driven by noninvasive electroencephalogram (EEG)-based brain–computer interfaces (BCIs) can help people with severe communication disorders (including locked-in state) communicate. T...
Carotid Ultrasound to Predict Fluid Responsiveness: A Systematic Review.

Objectives To perform a systematic review of the accuracy of carotid ultrasound measures in determining volume responsiveness in adults. Methods We conducted a systematic review of Ovid MEDLINE and Scopus from conception until January 1, 2019. Two independent reviewers used an iterative process to identify relevant articles and abstract information from them. The quality and risk of bias were assessed with the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies version 2 tool. Results We identified 17 relevant articles with 956 patients. The 2 most frequently cited carotid measures of fluid responsiveness were corrected flow time and peak velocity or change in peak velocity with respiration (ΔCDPV). Accordingly, the diagnostic characteristics of corrected flow time in these studies varied widely, with sensitivities from 60% to 73%, specificities from 82% to 92%, and areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves from 0.75 to 0.88. Optimal cutoff values for ΔCDPV ranged from 9.1% to 14%, with areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves from 0.81 to 0.91, sensitivities from 73% to 86%, and specificities from 78% to 86%. Other measures, such as carotid blood flow and carotid diameter, had limited data to support their use. Heterogeneity of the studies prohibited a meta-analysis. Most studies had a moderate risk of bias and high applicability. Conclusions Preliminary research suggests that carotid ultrasound measures may be useful adjunct measures of fluid status; however, they should not be interpreted as absolute and should be placed in a clinical context. The most well-defined and supported measure currently is ΔCDPV, with cutoffs from 9% to 14%. Corrected flow time shows promise, because of heterogeneity of how this value is measured, an optimal cutoff has not been established.
Global and Diverse Markers: Challenges and Opportunities That Await Us in 2045:

The Post-World War II era, Journalism Quarterly pedagogical research interests, and a 21st century drive to be global and rigorous helped define the emergence of Journalism and Mass Communication E...
Extraction of Instantaneous Frequencies and Amplitudes in Nonstationary Time-Series Data

Time-series analysis is critical for a diversity of applications in science and engineering. By leveraging the strengths of modern gradient descent algorithms, the Fourier transform, multi-resolution analysis, and Bayesian spectral analysis, we propose a data-driven approach to time-frequency analysis that circumvents many of the shortcomings of classic approaches, including the extraction of nonstationary signals with discontinuities in their behavior. The method introduced is equivalent to a nonstationary Fourier mode decomposition (NFMD) for nonstationary and nonlinear temporal signals, allowing for the accurate identification of instantaneous frequencies and their amplitudes. The method is demonstrated on a diversity of time-series data, including on data from cantilever-based electrostatic force microscopy to quantify the time-dependent evolution of charging dynamics at the nanoscale.
Ingroup Projection in American Politics: An Obstacle to Bipartisanship:

One potential obstacle to cooperation between political parties is ingroup projection, the tendency for members of subgroups to define superordinate groups based on characteristics of their own ing...
A Multi-Level Framework for Understanding Knowledge Sharing in Transnational Immigrant Networks

This chapter presents a three-year, community-based health study of Boston Brazilian and Dominican transnational immigrants. A multi-level framework is used to understand the network factors that may impact how social, cultural, and health knowledge is shared between immigrants and immigrants and host society members. Results show that Brazilians in this study tended to have more heterogeneous networks, reported more close relationships with non-Brazilians, and more contact with non-Brazilians around health-seeking, as compared to Dominicans. Differences are discussed and framed in relation to macro-level structures, including racial hierarchies, transnationalism, and immigration laws. As such, we conclude with a discussion of how immigrant health is impacted at the intersections of immigration policy and health policy.
Transgenerational Family Therapies

Particularly relevant for working with the postmodern family, transgenerational practice provides a fulcrum for enhancing family cohesion, identity, and well-being. This comprehensive volume elucidates the historical and theoretical roots of the four major models of these time-sensitive approaches a
Fractional Matrix Calculus and the Distribution of Multivariate Tests

Fractional matrix operator methods are introduced as a new tool of distribution theory for use in multivariate analysis and econometrics. Earlier work by the author on this operational calculus is reviewed and to illustrate the use of these methods we give an exact distribution theory for a general class of tests in the multivariate linear model. This distribution theory unifies and generalizes previously known results, including those for the standard F statistic in linear regression, for Hotelling’s T 2 test and for Hotelling’s generalized T 0 2 test. We also provide a simple and novel derivation of conventional asymptotic theory as a specialization of exact theory. This approach is extended to generate general formulae for higher order asymptotic expansions. Thus, the results of the paper provide a meaningful unification of conventional asymptotics, higher order asymptotic expansions and exact finite sample distribution theory in this context.
Efficient, Authenticated, and Fault-Tolerant Key Agreement for Dynamic Peer Groups

We present an efficient authenticated and fault-tolerant protocol (AFTD) for tree-based key agreement. Our approach is driven by the insight that when a Diffie-Hellman blinded key is updated, in a tree-based method, it suffices to send the update to a small subset of the group, instead of entire group, as current methods require. Our scheme distributes each updated public key to a relatively small subgroup, called its trust set, greatly improving performance. Moreover, we use a threshold secret sharing method to distribute the function of the trusted authority across trust sets, thereby guaranteeing key authentication, enhancing fault-tolerance, and protecting our protocol from impersonation attacks. Our performance analysis suggests that our scheme significantly reduces the communication overhead and storage requirement.
Cherian's bivariate Gamma distribution as a model for drought data

Los modelos para sequia son de importancia fundamental para las ciencias agricolas. En esta nota se describe una aplicacion a la sequia derivando la distribucion exacta de W=X/(X+Y) y las propiedades de momentos correspondientes cuando X y Y siguen la distribucion gama bivariada de Cherian. Se emplean los datos de sequia del Estado de Nebraska.
‘We Will Re-Member Them’: Muslims in the Great War Semi-Centenary

In August 1964, the semi-centenary of the First World War's onset coincided with uncertainty about Britain's future: decolonization had resulted in a diminished role in the international sphere, and migration had begun to alter the dominant ethnic and religious character of the metropolis. Britons increasingly confronted the question of what it meant to belong to the postcolonial nation. In this context, First World War commemorations served a twofold purpose: first, they revised prior representations of colonial subjects in the war, in light of contemporary realities; and second, they served as an outlet for imperial nostalgia. This article considers the relationship between race, nation, and collective memory by analysing representations of Muslim colonial subjects in the 1964 BBC documentary, The Great War. A content analysis aims to explain how Britain's evolving collective memory reveals its dominant national identity and, by extension, its willingness to accommodate postcolonial newcomers.
Assessing the risk of ovarian malignancy algorithm for the conservative management of women with a pelvic mass

Objective To evaluate the use of as an aid in the identification of women who can safely undergo conservative, non-surgical management.
Wireless data networks: issues beyond the link layer

Summary form only given. The emergence of the WWW and the underlying Internet forever changed the way in which hundreds of millions of people access information and conduct online transactions. However, for the large part, this access requires fairly traditional computers and wired network access. Wireless network access and non-traditional handheld computing devices have the potential to increase both the reach and the impact of the WWW, and the online information access model, by an order of magnitude or more. Together, wireless networks and mobile computing will help in realizing the dream of truly ubiquitous access to the information superhighway. Of course, there are many technical problems standing in the way of this vision, and this paper will discuss some of these problems. While many of the difficult problems are indeed unique to the lower layers of the wireless link, such as modulation, MAC protocols, etc., we will focus on a separate set of issues. The problems we will focus on start from the well known one of extending IP routing to wireless hosts, and then go on to look at congestion control protocols such as TCP. We then will examine the emerging area of service discovery protocols and finally go on to describe a content adaptation framework that acts as an impedance matcher between the high-speed wired data world and the lower-speed wireless world. The questions that need to be asked in all these domains is whether standard Internet protocols apply well to the wireless data world, do they need to be extended or should they be replaced? Different researchers have taken different positions in the past, and we will explore when these different positions make sense.
Effect of thermal residual stresses on the apparent interfacial fracture toughness of polymer/metal interface

In this study, the apparent fracture toughness of the interfaces of several epoxy-based polymeric adhesives and metal (aluminum) substrate is experimentally measured. Double layer specimens with initial interfacial cracks are made for four-point bending tests. Thermal residual stresses exist on the interface due to the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) mismatch between the underfill and aluminum. Silica fillers are used to modify the CTE of the epoxy-based adhesives so that various levels of interface thermal residual stresses are achieved. Finite element analysis is also performed to quantify the effects of CTE mismatch as well as the elastic mismatch across the interface. It is found that the apparent interfacial toughness is significantly affected by the thermal residual stress, while the effect of elastic mismatch is negligible. In general thermal residual stress undermines the resistance to an interfacial crack. In some cases the residual stress is sufficient to result in adhesive and/or cohesive failure.
Nematicides enhance growth and yield of rotylenchulus reniformis resistant cotton genotypes.

Rotylenchulus reniformis resistant LONREN-13FM966 breeding lines developed at Auburn University have demonstrated that the nematode resistance is accompanied by severe stunting, limited growth, and low yields. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of applying nematicides to selected LONREN breeding lines on R. reniformis nematode populations, plant stunting, and yield. Four resistant breeding lines from the LONREN-13FM966 cross, one susceptible line from the LONREN- 13FM966 cross, as well as LONREN-1, BARBREN-713, and the susceptible cultivar DP393 were evaluated with and without nematicides in the presence of R. reniformis. In the greenhouse, nematicides increased plant height across all genotypes compared with no nematicide. Rotylenchulus reniformis populations were 50% lower in the resistant lines compared with the susceptible lines at 45 days after planting (DAP). In microplot and field trials, the phenotypic stunting of all genotypes was reduced by aldicarb with increases in plant heights at 30 and 75 DAP. Increases in yields were evident across all genotypes treated with aldicarb. In all three trial environments, BARBREN-713 outperformed the LONREN-derived lines as well as ‘DP393’ in seed cotton yields, while having significantly lower R. reniformis egg densities than the susceptible genotypes.
Exploring Memory Hierarchy to Improve Scientific Data Read Performance

Improving read performance is one of the major challenges with speeding up scientific data analytic applications. Utilizing the memory hierarchy is one major line of researches to address the read performance bottleneck. Related methods usually combine solide-state-drives(SSDs) with dynamic random-access memory(DRAM) and/or parallel file system(PFS) to mitigate the speed and space gap between DRAM and PFS. However, these methods are unable to handle key performance issues plaguing SSDs, namely read contention that may cause up to 50% performance reduction. In this paper, we propose a framework that exploits the memory hierarchy resource to address the read contention issues involved with SSDs. The framework employs a general purpose online read algorithm that able to detect and utilize memory hierarchy resource to relieve the problem. To maintain a near optimal operating environment for SSDs, the framework is able to orchastrate data chunks across different memory layers to facilitate the read algorithm. Compared to existing tools, our framework achieves up to 50% read performance improvement when tested on datasets from real-world scientific simulations.
Jove: java as it happens

Dynamic software visualization is designed to provide programmers with insights as to what the program is doing. Most current dynamic visualizations either use program traces to show information about prior runs, slow the program down substantially, show only minimal information, or force the programmer to indicate when to turn visualizations on or off. We have developed a dynamic Java visualizer that provides a statement-level view of a Java program in action with low enough overhead so that it can be used almost all the time by programmers to understand what their program is doing while it is doing it.
Engineering and physiological considerations of direct capacitor-discharge ventricular defibrillation.

The amount of energy, current and charge per gram of heart were determined on a series of 36 dogs. The data, which are examined on the basis of current duration (time constant), show that the three criteria are different. The optimum duration range using energy as a criterion is 0·03–3 ms. Minimum peak current was required with a 4 ms duration capacitor discharge pulse. There was no optimum duration for minimum charge. It was found that although short-duration current (0·02–3·0 ms) produced defibrillation, the high current required impaired the contractility of the ventricles. From this study, the optimum range of capacitor-discharge current for defibrillation is 0·3–4 ms. Estimates are presented on the amounts of energy, current and charge to defibrillate the ventricles of large animals.
Ultrasonic decrosslinking of crosslinked high-density polyethylene: Effect of screw design

The effect of screw design on decrosslinking of the crosslinked high-density polyethylene (XHDPE) by means of ultrasonic twin-screw extruder with two screw configurations is investigated. Die pressure and ultrasonic power consumption during extrusion are recorded. Swelling characteristics, rheological properties, thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and tensile properties are used to investigate the structure–property relationship of decrosslinked XHDPE. It is found that the screw configuration with conveying elements and reverse conveying elements (decrosslinking screws) is an effective means to reduce the gel fraction and crosslink density of decrosslinked XHDPE and significantly improve its processibility. Rheological properties of decrosslinked XHDPE are correlated with structural changes occurring during ultrasonic decrosslinking. The presence of the highly branched sol in decrosslinked XHDPE is revealed through measurements of the activation energy for flow. Comparison of morphologies of the lamellar structure of HDPE, XHDPE, and decrosslinked XHDPE reveals that the presence of the crosslink network inhibits the lamella growth. Significant improvements in the mechanical performance of decrosslinked XHDPE are obtained by using decrosslinking screws. The molecular structure and morphology of the lamellar structure of decrosslinked XHDPE are used to explain the processing–solid-state property relationship. The measured results on the gel fraction and crosslink density are compared with those of numerical simulations. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40680.
Studying Young People's New Media Use: Methodological Shifts and Educational Innovations.

A lack of good information about what youth are doing with new media stimulates fears and hopes about the relationship between young people and digital technologies. This article focuses on new modes of inquiry into youth new media use, highlighting the challenges, complexities, and opportunities inherent in studying young people's digital cultures. It outlines methodological issues unique to studies of youth and new media, such as accessing populations of respondents, benefits and drawbacks to online qualitative research, and challenges in capturing a snapshot of young people's actual, not self-reported, media practices. This type of qualitative research on youth media cultures and practices can guide educators who are developing pedagogy and policy that integrate young people's mediated practices into the educational process.
Effect of the Charge Balance on High-Efficiency Blue-Phosphorescent Organic Light-Emitting Diodes

The charge balance in blue-phosphorescent devices was studied using single-carrier devices, and the results show that the transport is highly hole dominant. The effect of the charge balance on the device performance was further demonstrated using different electron-transport materials with different electron mobilities. By optimization of the charge balance, a maximum current efficiency of 60 Cd A(-1) at a luminance of 500 cd m(-2) was achieved.
DESIGN OF A CLINICAL COMPUTER DATABASE FOR A NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT (NICU)

Hospitalization in a NICU averages 1 mo. but may extend to 8-9 mos. Voluminous amounts of data makes it difficult to systematically study disease processes with the conventional medical record. A computer system is being developed to aid in the analysis of the incidence, course, interrelationships and demographic features of the various newborn illnesses seen in a referral NICU averaging 600 admissions/year. How does this computer system provide information about newborn problems which would otherwise be difficult to acquire? Each infant's database is divided into 4 categories: 1) Admission history and physical exam 2) In-hospltal clinical events 3) Laboratory data 4) Outpatient follow-up. Complete information from each category is entered into separate computer files. Information is assessed via bit-mapped (inverted) files which allow acquisition of single or multiple pieces of data common to some subset of the total of patients. Laboratory data collected on a daily basis is available for analysis as an interface with clinical data. These file structures favor rapid searches of the entire database but will still permit display of all or part of an individual patient's complex hospital course. The major advantage of this system is that it permits the user to explore rapidly a large number of possibly significant relationships in a large population of newborn infants.
Low-temperature process for very high aspect ratio silicon microstructures using SOG etch mask

We present a low temperature single mask process for the fabrication of submicron very high aspect ratio silicon microstructures using a novel SOG (Spin On Glass) scheme for the RIE etch mask. SOG for the planarization of trenches in VLSI processing is extended to produce high aspect ratio oxide etch mask for the dry RIE etching of single crystal silicon. This work extends the height of silicon microstructures from what is currently achievable (10 - 20 microns) to over 50 microns, creating ultra high aspect ratio (greater than 50:1) structures.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The relationship between temperature, growth rate, and duration of planktonic life for larvae of the gastropod Crepidula fornicata (L.)

Abstract To determine if a relationship exists between rate of development and ability to delay metamorphosis, larvae of the prosobranch gastropod Crepidula fornicata (L.) were reared at 18 and 24°C in the absence of metamorphosis-inducing cues. Average growth rates were determined directly by periodically subsampling and measuring larvae at both temperatures. Individual growth rates were estimated from size at, and date of, spontaneous metamorphosis. Larvae generally grew more quickly at the higher temperature, in terms of shell length, tissue dry weight, and protein content. Regardless of temperature, most (>95%) larvae eventually metamorphosed spontaneously in clean glass dishes. Rapid growth was associated with an apparently shorter pre-competent period and earlier spontaneous metamorphosis, reflecting increased rates of differentiation. These results suggest a developmental mechanism through which selective pressures may operate to determine dispersal potential in this, and perhaps other species. Specifically, pre-competent and delay periods may be altered through selection for different rates of development. Demonstration of such a mechanism may ultimately increase our ability to predict the potential duration of planktonic existence of planktotrophic marine invertebrate larvae under a variety of environmental circumstances.
Cumulative effect of vagus nerve stimulators on intractable seizures observed over a period of 3years.

Abstract Objective The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of vagus nerve stimulator (VNS) therapy and identify factors associated with reduction of seizures. The VNS is an accepted therapeutic option for patients with refractory partial epilepsy. There are, however, limited data regarding efficacy in any specific group of patients with epilepsy. Methods This is a retrospective review of patients with epilepsy on VNS therapy initiated between January 2000 and December 2007 at a university medical center. Information collected included demographics, epilepsy type and duration, antiepileptic drug usage, stimulation parameters, and seizure frequency at baseline, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years after VNS therapy initiation. Seizure frequency at different follow-up intervals was compared with baseline frequency. Patients were stratified into three subsets based on VNS response. Relationships between VNS response and factors including demographics, location of seizure focus, type or duration of epilepsy, and VNS settings were examined as a whole as well as in subsets. Results Fifty-four patients were implanted with VNSs over a period of 7 years. Four patients were excluded. A total of 50 patients (31 men, 19 women) with mean age 39 years and on VNS therapy were included in this study. Average duration of VNS therapy was 4.5 years. Baseline average frequency was 10 seizures per month. Significant decreases in median seizure frequency were noted at 3 months (P Conclusions Significant reductions in seizure frequency were noted with VNS therapy over a 3-year follow-up period with a possible cumulative effect. Lateralization or localization of epileptic focus or epilepsy subtype did not correlate with response to VNSs.
Introduction to LG hypergames for practical wargaming

Our LG-based overall model of a battlespace stems from a new concept of the LG hypergames. A hypergame is a collection of several inter-linked concurrent abstract board games (ABG). It may include a number of military ABG with different boards of various space-time resolutions. A move in one of the ABG may change the state of the rest of the ABG included in the hypergame. For example, the WWII Normandy Invasion hypergame includes three ABG: Allies' troop-ships invasion through the English Channel, Battle on the Normandy beaches, and Allied Air Force missions to cut German supply routs. In addition, an LG hypergame may include non-military games, such as transportation, politics, or economy. In particular, the Normandy hypergame includes two such ABG, German railway supply and German economy. Multiple ABG included in the hypergame are separate games bounded by their boards and pieces, though linked through the mappings. However, LG zones may stretch through these boundaries to cover several ABG. They allow us to generate global strategies, which include multiple local strategies for separate ABG. As a result, the LG strategies for the players in a hypergame fully account for drastic mutual influence of multiple subgames included in the hypergame.
Networked Collaborative Learning in the Study of Modern History and Literature

Many teachers adopt networked collaborative learning strategies even though these approaches systematically increase the time needed to deal with a given subject. “But who's making them do it?”. Probably there has to be a return on investment, in terms of time and obviously in terms of educational results, which justifies that commitment. After surveying the particular features of two experimental projects based on networked collaborative learning, the paper will then offer a series of thoughts triggered by observation of the results and the dynamics generated by this specific approach. The purpose of these thoughts is to identify some key factors that make it possible to measure the real added value produced by network collaboration in terms of the acquisition of skills, knowledge, methods and attitudes that go beyond the “mere” learning of contents (however fundamental this may be). And it is precisely on the basis of these considerations that teachers usually answer the above question, explaining “who (or what) made them do it!”.
The Economic Sustainability of Certified Coffee: Recent Evidence from Mexico and Peru

Consumers increasingly act on preferences for a more just and sustainable world by purchasing certified agricultural products. Using survey data from coffee growers in Mexico and Peru, we explore the economic sustainability of certified coffee, looking at conventional, Fair Trade/organic, and Rainforest Alliance certified growers. The analysis reveals that yields rather than price premiums are most important for increasing net cash returns for coffee growing households. Given the link between net returns and producer participation in certified coffee schemes, the findings suggest that certification norms that permit improving yields are essential for improving grower welfare and attracting and maintaining growers.
Highway Infrastructure Health Monitoring Using Micro-Electromechanical Sensors and Systems (MEMS)

AbstractThe development of novel “smart” structures by embedding sensing capabilities directly into the construction material during the manufacturing and deployment process has attracted significant attention in autonomous structural health monitoring (SHM). Micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) provide vast improvements over existing sensing methods in the context of SHM of highway infrastructure systems, including improved system reliability, improved longevity and enhanced system performance, improved safety against natural hazards and vibrations, and a reduction in life cycle cost in both operating and maintaining the infrastructure. Advancements in MEMS technology and wireless sensor networks provide opportunities for long-term, continuous, real-time structural health monitoring of pavements and bridges at low cost within the context of sustainable infrastructure systems. Based on a comprehensive review of literature and vendor survey, the latest information available on off-the-shelf MEMS devices,...
Bedtime fading in the treatment of pediatric insomnia

In this paper, the sleep-wake cycles of two children with severe sleep problems were regulated by delaying bedtimes, thus increasing the probability of short latency to sleep onset. A fading procedure was then utilized to advance the bedtimes and gradually increase duration of sleep. Several treatments had previously been attempted with both of these patients without success. The advantages of this treatment over other interventions for pediatric sleep disorders are discussed.
Neurological impairment in maltreated children

The neurological competency of maltreated children was assessed by comparing physically abused children not known to have sustained serious head trauma, neglected children, and normally raised children from the same socioeconomic milieu. Each child underwent physical and neurological examinations including EEGs, supplemented by perceptual-motor tests devised to detect subtle evidence of neurological dysfunction. Obstetrical and developmental histories, as well as intelligence test protocols, were available. Blind ratings by a pediatric neurologist using all available information revealed significantly more impairment in the maltreated groups with more than 50% of the abused children in the moderate or severely impaired category. The complex relationship between the maltreating environment and neurological disorders in these populations is discussed including the need to routinely search for evidence of subtle neurological impairment when maltreatment is known or suspected.