cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Automated Surveillance of Unattended Bags for Complex Situations

Unattended bags continues to be a threat for important places like government buildings, airports, subways, and secured areas as they have become key targets for terrorist attacks. Video surveillance has always been a vital component of security systems. Normally, these video recordings are checked only after a criminal activity is performed for obtaining evidences. In this research, an automated video surveillance system is proposed that identifies an unattended bag, generates an alarm signal and displays the image of the person who carried this bag into the scene. This solution improves the security effectiveness, while reducing the number of people needed to monitor video screens. This system also eliminates incorrect detections of other strangers walking near the bag or sitting near the bag for a short amount of time.
The performance potential of multiple functional unit processors

In this paper, we look at the interaction of pipelining and multiple functional units in single processor machines. When implementing a high performance machine, a number of hardware techniques maybe used to improve the performance of the final system. Our goal is to gain an understanding of how each of these techniques contribute to performance improvement. As a basis for our studies we use a CRAY-like processor model and the issue rate (instructions per clock cycle) as the performance measure. We then systematically augment this base, non-pipelined, machine with more and more hardware features and evaluate the performance impact of each feature. We find, for example, that in non-vector machines, pipelining multiple function units does not provide significant performance improvements. Dataflow limits are then derived for our benchmark programs to determine the performance potential of each benchmark. In addition, other limits are computed which apply more realistic constraints on a computation. Based on these more realistic limits, we determine it is worthwhile to investigate the performance improvements that can be achieved from issuing multiple instructions each clock cycle. Several hardware approaches are evaluated for issuing multiple instructions each clock cycle.
Transitions into and out of light and intermittent smoking during emerging adulthood

INTRODUCTION The purpose of this study was to examine transitions in smoking from adolescence into emerging adulthood and to identify factors that might influence these transitions, specifically, movement into and out of light and intermittent smoking. METHODS This study used Markov models to examine movement across three stages of smoking (nonsmoking, light and intermittent smoking, and heavy smoking) from adolescence into emerging adulthood. Biannual data were collected from 990 young men and women from the 12th grade until 2 years after high school. RESULTS At each timepoint, most youth were nonsmokers. Those who were heavy smokers in 12th grade had a 79% chance of also being heavy smokers 2 years after high school. Between 17% and 21% of participants were light and intermittent smokers at each timepoint, and the likelihood of remaining so at the next timepoint ranged from 56% to 72%. Less than one-half of the 12th-grade light and intermittent smokers were light and intermittent smokers 2 years later, and 3% of the sample were light and intermittent smokers across all assessments. Prevalence and transition rates did not differ by gender. College attendees reported less smoking than nonattendees before and after their transition to college, and attendees compared with nonattendees who smoked were less likely to transition from light and intermittent to heavy smoking and remain heavy smokers. Binge drinking was significantly related to 12th-grade smoking stage and to transitions from nonsmoking to smoking. Overall, few emerging adults maintained light and intermittent smoking consistently over time. DISCUSSION Light and intermittent smoking during emerging adulthood may not be the same phenomenon as light and intermittent smoking in adulthood.
Computer Society Awards Honor Top Researchers

Topics covered include Computer Society awards given to top researchers, the Computer Society members elevated to IEEE Fellow status in 2009, and recent recipients of the CSDA and CSDP certifications.
Inter-Relationship Between Electrocardiographic Left Ventricular Hypertrophy and QT Prolongation as Predictors of Increased Risk of Mortality in the General Population

Background— Prolonged-QT commonly coexists in the ECG with left ventricular hypertrophy (ECG-LVH). However, it is unclear whether to what extent QT prolongation coexisting with ECG-LVH can explain the prognostic significance of ECG-LVH, and whether prolonged-QT coexisting with ECG-LVH should be considered as an innocent consequence of ECG-LVH. Methods and Results— The study population consisted of 7506 participants (mean age, 59.4±13.3 years; 49% whites; and 47% men) from the US Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. ECG-LVH was defined by Cornell voltage criteria. Prolonged heart-rate–adjusted QT (prolonged-QTa) was defined as QTa≥460 ms in women or 450 ms in men. Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to calculate the hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals for the risk of all-cause mortality for various combinations of ECG-LVH and prolonged-QTa. ECG-LVH was present in 4.2% (N=312) of the participants, of whom 16.4% had prolonged-QTa. In a multivariable-adjusted model and compared with the group without ECG-LVH or prolonged-QTa, mortality risk was highest in the group with concomitant ECG-LVH and prolonged-QTa (hazard ratio, 1.63; 95% confidence interval, 1.12–2.36), followed by isolated ECG-LVH (1.48; 1.24–1.77), and then isolated prolonged-QTa (1.27; 1.12–1.46). In models with similar adjustment where ECG-LVH and prolonged-QTa were entered as 2 separate variables and subsequently additionally adjusted for each other, the mortality risk was essentially unchanged for both variables. Conclusions— Although prolonged-QT commonly coexists with LVH, both are independent markers of poor prognosis. Concomitant presence of prolonged-QT and ECG-LVH carries a higher risk than either predictor alone.
Behavioral and physiological findings of gender differences in global-local visual processing.

Hemispheric asymmetries in global-local visual processing are well-established, as are gender differences in cognition. Although hemispheric asymmetry presumably underlies gender differences in cognition, the literature on gender differences in global-local processing is sparse. We employed event related brain potential (ERP) recordings during performance of a global-local reaction time task to compare hemispheric asymmetries and processing biases in adult men (n = 15) and women (n = 15). Women responded more quickly to local targets while men did not differentially respond to hierarchical stimuli. ERP data indicated that women had P100 responses that were selectively lateralized to the left hemisphere in response to local targets and N150 responses that were smaller for global targets. They also had P300 responses that were greater following local stimuli. The physiological data demonstrate that male-female performance differences arise from biologically based differences in hemispheric asymmetry. Findings are discussed in the context of existing literature regarding gender differences, hemispheric specialization, and the role of stimulus characteristics.
β-Catenin mutations and protein accumulation in all hepatoblastomas examined from B6C3F1 mice treated with anthraquinone or oxazepam

The molecular pathogenesis of hepatoblastomas in the B6C3F1 mouse is unclear but may involve alterations in the β-catenin/Wnt signaling pathway as was recently described for chemically induced hepatocellular neoplasms and human liver cancers. The objective of this study was to characterize the mutation frequency and spectrum of β-catenin mutations and the intracellular localization of β-catenin protein accumulation in chemically induced hepatoblastomas. In this study, β-catenin mutations were identified in all 19 anthraquinone-induced hepatoblastomas and all 8 oxazepam-induced hepatoblastomas examined. Although several hepatoblastomas had multiple deletion and/or point mutations, the pattern of mutations in the hepatoblastomas did not differ from that identified in hepatocellular neoplasms. In a majority of the hepatoblastomas (six of seven) examined by immunohistochemical methods, both nuclear and cytoplasmic localization of β-catenin protein were detected, whereas in hepatocellular adenomas, carcinomas, and normal liver only membrane staining was observed. Our data suggest that β-catenin mutations and the subsequent translocation of β-catenin protein from the cell membrane to the cytoplasm and nucleus may be critical steps in providing hepatocellular proliferative lesions with the growth advantage to progress to hepatoblastomas.
Characterization of Tilt Boundaries by Ultra High Resolution Electron Microscopy

A high resolution electron microscope study of grain boundary structures in Au thin films has been undertaken from both a theoretical and experimental point of view. The criteria necessary to interpret images of tilt boundaries at the atomic level, which include electron optical and specimen effects, have been considered for both 200kV and the newer 400kV medium voltage microscopes. So far, the theoretical work has concentrated on two different [001] tilt bounda-ries where a resolution of 2.03A is required to visualize bulk lattice structures on either side of the interface. Both a high angle boundary, (210) σ=5, and a low angle boundary, (910) σ=41, have been considered. Computational results using multislice dynamical diffraction and image simulations of relaxed bounda-ries viewed edge-on and with small amounts of beam and/or specimen inclina-tion have been obtained. It will be shown that some structural information concerning grain boundary dislocations can be observed at 200kV. However, many difficulties occur in the exact identification of the interface structure viewed experimentally for both [001] and [011] boundaries since the resolution required is near the performance limit of a 200kV microscope. The simulated results at 400kV indicate a considerable improvement will be realized in obtain-ing atomic structure information at the interface.
GaAs/AlAs quantum wells for electro-absorption modulators

Summary form only given. The authors demonstrate both theoretically and experimentally that the quantum-confined Stark effect leads to larger absorption changes in GaAs/AlAs quantum wells compared to the conventional GaAs/AlGaAs material due to the higher Gamma confinement. The lower indirect valleys in the AlAs do not degrade the performance, and the exciton resonance is maintained at higher energy shifts. The improvement in exciton oscillator strength is 14% at zero bias and nearly 50% at 70-meV shift. The larger exciton strength at high fields has important applications for optical modulators and switches that operate at the long-wavelength side of the zero bias exciton. >
EFFECT OF THYROID ACTIVITY UPON METABOLIC RESPONSE TO DINITRO-ORTHO-CRESOL1

THIOURACIL, thiourea and similar compounds have been shown to lower the metabolism of experimental animals, probably by depressing the ability of the thyroid gland to elaborate its hormone (Franklin, Chaikoff and Lerner, 1944; Salter and McKay, 1944; Astwood, Bissell and Hughes, 1945). However, the animal rendered hypothyroid by these drugs still is able to give an essentially normal calorigenic response to thyroxin or desiccated thyroid substance (Dempsey and Astwood, 1943; Reineke, Mixner and Turner, 1945; Meyer and Ransom, 1945; Barker, 1945). It was thought of value to study the effect of dinitro-ortho-cresol (DNC) in thiouracil-treated rats, inasmuch as the dinitrophenols have been considered to exert their metabolism-stimulating effects directly upon the peripheral tissues (Magne, Mayer and Plantefol, 1932; Tainter and Cutting, 1933).
Bevacizumab as front-line treatment for newly diagnosed epithelial cancer

Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death due to gynecological tumors. Despite the progress made during the last two decades in the surgery and chemotherapy of ovarian cancer, more than 70% of patients with advanced ovarian cancer will recur and die. Improvements in this field are coming from a better knowledge of the biology and the development of new-targeted agents. Bevacizumab, is a monoclonal antibody against VEGF that has shown activity as a monotherapy in recurrent ovarian cancer. The addition of bevacizumab to the front-line therapy of ovarian cancer has produced a benefit in progression-free survival in two randomized Phase III trials. This benefit seems to be greater in patients with more advanced disease. However, several questions remain to be clarified in the future, specially the optimal patient selection based on predictive biomarkers and the duration of therapy. Nevertheless, for the first time, the addition of a biologically targeted agent has shown an improvement in progression-free survival in the front-line treatment of advanced ovarian cancer and it is a proof of concept of the potential value of antiangiogenic therapy in ovarian cancer.
Combining Genetics and Cell Biology to Crack the Code of Plant Cell Calcium Signaling

Plant hormones, light receptors, pathogens, and abiotic signals trigger elevations in the cytosolic calcium concentration, which mediate physiological and developmental responses. Recent studies are reviewed here that reveal how specific genetic mutations impair or modify stimulus-induced calcium elevations in plant cells. These studies provide genetic evidence for the importance of calcium as a second messenger in plant signal transduction. A fundamental question arises: How can different stimuli use the same second messenger, calcium, to mediate different responses? Recent research and models are reviewed that suggest that several important mechanisms contribute to specificity in calcium signaling in plant cells. These mechanisms include (i) activation of different calcium channels in the plasma membrane and organellar membranes, (ii) stimulus-specific calcium oscillation parameters, (iii) cell type-specific responses, and (iv) intracellular localization of calcium gradients and calcium elevations in plant cells.
Inferentialist Philosophy of Language and the Historiography of Philosophy

This article considers the implications of inferentialist philosophy of language for debates in the historiography of philosophy. My intention is to mediate and refine the polemics between contextualist historians and ‘analytic’ or presentist historians. I claim that much of Robert Brandom's nuanced defence of presentism can be accepted and even adopted by contextualists, so that inferentialism turns out to provide an important justification for orthodox history of philosophy. In the concluding sections I argue that the application of Brandom's theory has important limits, and that some polemics by contextualists against presentists are therefore justified.
Experimental studies of physical factors affecting seston transport in streams1

We conducted three series of experiments in laboratory and natural streams to evaluate effects of various physical factors on seston (particulate organic matter) retention, entrainment, and transport. Results of laboratory experiments showed that substrate characteristics were important in determining retention of all sizes of seston. Retention increased with roughness and substrate complexity. During simulated storms in laboratory streams, seston concentrations were not generally correlated with discharge. However, we found strong correlation between seston concentration and the rate of increase in discharge during rising hydrographs, and, after peak discharge, seston concentration dropped exponentially independent of discharge. Simulated storms conducted in a natural stream channel supported those findings. Results of these experiments and published field studies suggest that existing sediment transport models have little application to seston transport in small streams primarily because of limited availability of seston. During baseflow, seston transport depends on the rate of biological particle generation and retention characteristics of the streambed. Seston transport during storms depends on the rate of increase in discharge, streambed retention, and the availability of particulate organic material on the streambed.
DICHOTOMOUS KEYS TO THE KOPPEN SYSTEM

(1961). DICHOTOMOUS KEYS TO THE KOPPEN SYSTEM. The Professional Geographer: Vol. 13, No. 5, pp. 25-31.
Salt-doped block copolymers: ion distribution, domain spacing and effective χ parameter

We develop a self-consistent field theory for salt-doped diblock copolymers, such as polyethylene oxide (PEO)–polystyrene with added lithium salts. We account for the inhomogeneous distribution of Li+ ions bound to the ion-dissolving block, the preferential solvation energy of anions in the different block domains, the translational entropy of anions, the ion-pair equilibrium between polymer-bound Li+ and anion, and changes in the χ parameter due to the bound ions. We show that the preferential solvation energy of anions provides a large driving force for microphase separation. Our theory is able to explain many features observed in experiments, particularly the systematic dependence in the effective χ-parameter on the radius of the anions, the observed linear dependence in the effective χ on salt concentration, and increase in the domain spacing of the lamellar phase due to the addition of lithium salts. We also examine the relationship between two definitions of the effective χ parameter, one based on the domain spacing of the ordered phase and the other based on the structure factor in the disordered phase. We argue that the latter is a more fundamental measure of the effective interaction between the two blocks. We show that the ion distribution and the electrostatic potential profile depend strongly on the dielectric contrast between the two blocks and on the ability of the Li+ to redistribute along the backbone of the ion-dissolving block.
Windsor and its Progeny

This article discusses the various approaches that the Court might have taken with respect to the constitutionality of same-sex marriage bans after having issued Windsor, concluding that the most likely result would not greatly change family law but would provide great benefits to same-sex couples and their children.
Next-Wave Organizing and the Transition to a New Paradigm of Labor Law

No single model of independent worker organization appears destined to replace industrial unionism as the dominant paradigm. The models that have been proposed - worker associations, community unions, and occupational unions - may all play important roles in a labor resurgence. Each responds to the needs of important worker constituencies. None by itself, however, seems capable of dealing with the most influential and powerful employers. In fact, Wal-Mart - the apparent template corporation of the twenty-first century - carries forward many of the enterprise characteristics that sustained industrial unionism during the twentieth century, including centralized authority, limited geographic mobility, huge numbers of employees, and downward pressure on labor costs. Most likely, then, a revived labor movement will include industrial unions, as well as a variety of different organizational forms adapted to different economic sectors and geographic regions.This variety fits the current industrial paradigm of flexible production. If employers are to have flexibility in organizing production, then workers must have the organizational flexibility necessary to respond. The corresponding legal paradigm is freedom of association, the core principle of which is that workers, and not employers or government, should determine the form of worker organization. The article describes the historical antecedents of this paradigm and specifies its basic elements.In today's political environment, the notion that we could move to a regime of freedom of association might seem unrealistic. But similarly daunting conditions prevailed before each previous advance in workers' rights. Everything we know about labor movement growth indicates that it comes in unpredictable upsurges. At those junctures, workers and unions exercise their freedom of association, breaking through the constraints of anti-labor laws. Hitherto, unrealistic legislative proposals suddenly become feasible. A new paradigm centered on the freedom of association can both justify the inevitable clash with contemporary law, and provide a program for labor law reform in the era of flexible production.
Analytical and clinical validation of an LC-MS/MS method for urine leukotriene E4: A marker of systemic mastocytosis.

Abstract Objectives Systemic mastocytosis (SM) is a disorder characterized by the excessive accumulation of clonally derived mast cells in various tissues. When triggered, mast cells release large amounts of histamine, prostaglandins and leukotrienes. Leukotriene E4 (LTE4) is the primary stable metabolite of total cysteinyl leukotrienes. We hypothesized that secretion of LTE4 would be increased in SM and could be used alone or in combination with current urinary biomarkers to optimize screening for SM. Design and methods LTE4 was measured by liquid chromatography followed by tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). Analytical assay validation was performed using residual urine specimens. LTE4 results were normalized to urine creatinine for clinical use. Reference interval was established using a healthy volunteer cohort. Clinical sensitivity and specificity for SM detection were determined by measuring urinary biomarkers (LTE4, N-methyl histamine [NMH] and 11β-prostaglandin F2α [BPG]) in a cohort of 409 patients referred to allergy specialists, 66 (16%) of which were diagnosed with SM. Results Urinary LTE4 measurement was accurate, precise and linear across a range of 31–3020 pg/mL. The 95th percentile of the reference interval population was 1000 ng/mL) and 71% for NMH (> 200 ng/mL). Incorporating all three urinary metabolites improved the SM diagnostic sensitivity to 97%, with minimal change in specificity. Conclusions We have developed a sensitive and precise LC–MS/MS assay for quantitation of LTE4 in urine. Incorporating LTE4 into a panel including BPG and NMH provides a much-needed screening tool for a complicated disease with non-specific symptoms and invasive confirmatory testing.
Estimating Population Risk for Coastal Disasters Using Spatial Models with Global Data

Coastal areas present high risk in case of tsunami, hurricanes or floods due to the higher population densities. Traditional physical models or risk maps provide limited help since disaster spatial extent can not be available immediately for the emergency management. This impairs postdisaster response; more fatalities can be expected due to the uneven distribution of medical supplies, food or equipment. Geographic Information Systems analysis with global datasets on terrain and population provides new venue for the post-disaster response in the form of immediate (within 24 – 96 hours) model of affected population and geographical extent of disaster. Presented case study shows such example for the Northern Sumatra affected by tsunami of 2004. The results of presented modeling were compared with population data collected from the posttsunami field survey. Obtained regression is statistically meaningful (R2 =0.58) and indicates that presented methodology can be a useful tool during the post-disaster management.
Swimming Performance of Estuarine and Inland Largemouth Bass at Varying Salinities

Organisms that live in coastal estuaries often experience significant seasonal and annual fluctuations in salinity that they must either endure or move to avoid. Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides is a freshwater fish that lives in coastal estuaries and does not migrate/move to avoid seasonal salinity increases. Additionally, estuarine Largemouth Bass exhibit growth rates, condition factors, and life history strategies that differ from their inland counterparts. These differences suggest the potential for physiological adaptations to tolerate and even thrive in estuarine environments. We compared swimming performance (quantified as critical swimming speed, Ucrit) of Largemouth Bass (280–404 mm total length) from an Alabama estuarine population versus an inland population at 0, 4, 8, and 12 ppt salinities to test for physiological performance-based adaptation to tolerate elevated salinities. Ucrit values did not differ between inland and estuarine Largemouth Bass nor were there any salinity effects. Although inland and estuarine Largemouth Bass may possess different physiological mechanisms for tolerating salinity, those mechanisms did not affect swimming performance.
The distribution of the sojourn time for the Brownian

The solutions of various problems in the theories of queuing processes, branching processes, random graphs and others require the determination of the distribution of the sojourn time (occupation time) for the Brownian excursion. However, no standard method is available to solve this problem. In this paper we approximate the Brownian excursion by a suitably chosen random walk process and determine the moments of the sojourn time explicitly. By using a limiting approach, we obtain the corresponding moments for the Brownian excursion. The moments uniquely determine the distribution, enabling us to derive an explicit formula.
Three Dimensional Comparison of Interventional MR Radiofrequency Ablation Images with Tissue Response

Solid tumors are being treated using radio-frequency (RF) ablation under interventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guidance. We are investigating the ability of MR to monitor ablation treatments by comparing MR images of thermal lesions to histologically assayed tissue damage. We developed a methodology using a three dimensional computer registration. An open MRI system was used to guide an electrode into five rabbit thighs and acquire MR volumes post ablation. After MR and histology images were registered with an accuracy of 1.32 ± 0.39 mm (mean ± SD), a boundary of necrosis identified in histology was compared with the outer boundary of the hyperintense rim in MR images. For 14 T2-weighted MR images, the absolute distance between boundaries was 0.96 ± 0.34 mm (mean ± SD). Since the small discrepancy between boundaries is comparable to our registration accuracy, the boundaries probably match exactly. Similar correlations to histology were obtained with a deformable model segmentation method. This is good evidence that during treatments, MR images can localize the necrotic region.
Animals, the Constitution and Private Law

A constitution, whether written or unwritten, defines the basic rights and obligations as between the government and the individual human citizen, while private law defines the rights and obligations among human persons. Thus, these two sources of law are to protect human interests directly. As a result, animals, if present, almost always are present as objects — the property of their human owners or part of the “common” held for the benefit of humans — rather than subjects — referenced in their own right. To date, these sources of law provide little opportunity for robust protection of animals’ interests, with a few notable exceptions. However, we will see that the manner in which these two sources of law are addressing animals has begun to change. Both the constitutional law and the private law are beginning to recognize the inherent interests of animals as sentient beings, and with time may do more to promote the animals’ own individual interests independent of their owners.
Drug Discovery Technologies: Current and Future Trends

Drug discovery is one of the most challenging applied sciences due to the complexity of disease biology and the requirement to simultaneously optimize compound potency, selectivity, pharmacokinetics, physical properties, and safety in order to deliver an effective therapeutic agent. Recent technological advances hold great promise in reducing some of these challenges and delivering new therapeutic modalities that complement traditional small-molecule drugs and biological agents.
Expander graphs

In this thesis, we investigate the expansion properties of regular graphs. By definition, an $(\alpha,\beta,k,n)$-expander is a k-regular graph where any subset of size at most $\alpha n$ is adjacent to at least $\beta n$ vertices. We improve the lower bound on the expansion of Ramanujan graphs to approximately k/2. Moreover, we construct a family of k-regular graphs with asymptotically optimal second eigenvalue and linear expansion equal to k/2. The bound k/2 coincides with an important combinatorial property: if a subset has expansion greater than k/2, a constant fraction of its nodes have unique neighbors. We also show that the provable expansion (in polynomial time) of random k-regular graphs is at least $k/2 - O(k\sp{3/4}$log$\sp{1/2}k).$ We also analyze the relation between the second eigenvalue and other combinatorial properties, such as average degree of induced subgraphs and diameter. In the first case, we show an upper bound of roughly $1 + \sqrt{k-1}$ on the average degree of linear-sized induced subgraphs of Ramanujan graphs. In the second case, we show that the classical bound 2log$\sb{k-1}\ n$ cannot be improved using the spectral method. We also study the relation between the diameter, girth, and subsequent eigenvalues of a graph. As a byproduct of our techniques, we establish improved bounds on random walks on expanders. We also obtain explicit constructions of selection networks of asymptotic size 3n log$\sb2\ n.$ This compares positively with the previous bound 6n log$\sb2\ n.$ We show that Ramanujan graphs of degree at least 7 are extrovert graphs. This improves the previously known bound 15. From any family of k-regular graphs, we show how to construct a family of $k(k - 1)$-regular non-Ramanujan graphs with linear expansion at least $k(k - 1)/2.$ We also give bounds on the chromatic polynomial and the number of acyclic orientations of a graph. The number of acyclic orientations arises in various decision and sorting problems, and is equal to the absolute value of the chromatic polynomial evaluated at $-$1. We show that the number of acyclic orientations of graphs with girth at least 5 is larger than what was previously known. (Copies available exclusively from MIT Libraries, Rm. 14-0551, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307. Ph. 617-253-5668; Fax 617-253-1690.)
A materialized-view based technique to optimize progressive queries via dependency analysis

Progressive queries (PQ) are a new type of query emerging from numerous contemporary database applications, including e-commerce, social network, business intelligence, and decision support. Such a PQ is formulated in several steps via a set of inter-related step-queries (SQ). How to optimize such PQs represents a new challenge in the development of a database management system. In our previous work, we introduced a materialized-view based technique to process a special type of PQ, called monotonic linear PQs. In this paper, we present a new materialized-view based technique to efficiently process generic PQs. This technique allows an SQ in a given PQ to utilize the results of previous SQs not only from the same PQ but also from other in-process and completed PQs. Due to the storage constraint, it is impossible to retain the results of all the SQs of a completed PQ. Hence, a crucial issue is how to select popular SQs from completed PQs to keep their results as materialized views for optimizing future PQs. To tackle this issue, we introduce a multiple query dependency graph (MQDG) to capture the data source dependency relationships among SQs from multiple PQs. We then present a model to estimate the benefit of an SQ in the MQDG and discuss a procedure to choose critical SQs in the MQDG for materializing their results. The strategies for constructing the MQDG and maintaining the set of materialized views are also suggested. Experimental results demonstrate that our technique is quite promising in efficiently processing PQs.
Advancing Alzheimer's research: A review of big data promises

Abstract Objective To review the current state of science using big data to advance Alzheimer’s disease (AD) research and practice. In particular, we analyzed the types of research foci addressed, corresponding methods employed and study findings reported using big data in AD. Method Systematic review was conducted for articles published in PubMed from January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2015. Keywords with AD and big data analytics were used for literature retrieval. Articles were reviewed and included if they met the eligibility criteria. Results Thirty-eight articles were included in this review. They can be categorized into seven research foci: diagnosing AD or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) (n = 10), predicting MCI to AD conversion (n = 13), stratifying risks for AD (n = 5), mining the literature for knowledge discovery (n = 4), predicting AD progression (n = 2), describing clinical care for persons with AD (n = 3), and understanding the relationship between cognition and AD (n = 3). The most commonly used datasets are AD Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) (n = 16), electronic health records (EHR) (n = 11), MEDLINE (n = 3), and other research datasets (n = 8). Logistic regression (n = 9) and support vector machine (n = 8) are the most used methods for data analysis. Conclusion Big data are increasingly used to address AD-related research questions. While existing research datasets are frequently used, other datasets such as EHR data provide a unique, yet under-utilized opportunity for advancing AD research.
Peptide Sequence Analysis by Tandem Mass Spectrometry

In the last chapter, we considered protein identification with an m/z measurement of the tryptic peptide VGAHAGEYGAEALER from human hemoglobin alpha. When we searched a human/mouse protein sequence database, we found two “perfect” hits for this peptide, both of which had m/z 1529.7384 for the [M+H]+ ion. Both corresponded to hemoglobin alpha peptides that are highly conserved between mice and men: The human: VGAHAGEYGAEALER The mouse: IGGHGAEYGAEALER
Multilayered Meanings in Health Decision Making: A Terror Management Health Model Analysis

This chapter uses the terror management health model to consider how individuals’ multilayered systems of meaning can affect health behaviors and decision making. Building on terror management theory, the present analysis suggests terror management efforts rely on the maintenance of a microsystem of meaning (organizing one’s world into a coherent, predictable place) and a macrosystem of meaning (organizing one’s actions within that world into an abstract system of values and beliefs). With the micro-level forming the bedrock of meaningful behavior, we focus on two major ways that relatively macro-level construals of meaning can influence health. First, conscious awareness of death can motivate decisions based on macro-level perceptions of health-oriented outcomes. Second, nonconscious awareness of death can motivate decisions based on macro-level perceptions of self-oriented outcomes. Throughout, we consider how these processes might be harnessed to contribute to healthy behaviors and decisions.
Three-dimensional, polarization-sensitive, spectroscopic photon localization microscopy for parallel single-molecules imaging and tracking (Conference Presentation)

The spectroscopic information and the corresponding polarization states of a single-molecule emission possess wealth molecule-specific signatures that can be used to reveal the unique molecular electronic state, conformation, and its interactions with the host media. However, existing spectroscopic methods and advanced image analysis techniques, which can potentially provide quantitative analytical tools for the study of cellular dynamics, are yet limited by the diffraction limit. Therefore, developing a nanoscopic imaging platform for simultaneous acquisition of multiple molecular specific properties is highly desirable. Here we report a three-dimensional (3D), polarization-sensitive, spectroscopic photon localization microscopy (3D-Polar-SPLM) that simultaneously captures nanoscopic location of individual fluorescent emitters and their corresponding optical spectra and polarization states. To evaluate the capability of the imaging system, we imaged model system consisting quantum rods (QRs). Using 3D-Polar-SPLM, we spatially localized individual QRs with a lateral localization precision of 8 nm and an axial localization precision of 35 nm. In addition, we achieved a spectral resolution of 2 nm and a polarization angle measuring precision of 8 degrees. The spectral profile of the fluorescence emission provided a particle-specific signature for identifying individual QRs among the heterogeneous population, which significantly improved the fidelity in parallel 3D tracking of multiple QRs at a temporal resolution of 10 ms. Except its versatility, 3D-Polar-SPLM further provides advantageous in practical applications since it only employs a single light-path and therefore, is compatible with existing PALM/STORM, potentially bringing immediate impact to the broader research community, across physics, chemistry, material science and biology.
Hepcidin and Anemia in Surgical Critical Care: A Prospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE Because anemia of inflammation is common in ICU patients and hepcidin is the key regulator of iron homeostasis, we examined time-dependent changes in hepcidin, erythropoietin, iron, and inflammatory markers in surgical ICU patients with anemia. DESIGN Prospective single-center clinical noninterventional study. SETTING Surgical ICUs; U.S. university hospital. PATIENTS One hundred surgical adult ICU patients. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Time-dependent changes in serum hepcidin, hematologic, and erythropoietic studies were performed on ICU admission and at serial time-points through day 28, and correlated with hematologic and iron parameters and inflammatory response. Median serum hepcidin levels were significantly increased at ICU admission and decreased over time (144-36 ng/mL; p < 0.0001). Despite increased reticulocyte counts (1.3-2.9%), mean serum erythropoietin levels remained low (29-44 mU/mL) and hemoglobin did not significantly change. Hepcidin was positively correlated with RBC transfusion, C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, ferritin, and negatively correlated with iron, total iron binding capacity, transferrin, and reticulocyte response. Hepcidin did not correlate with tumor necrosis factor-α serum concentrations. Regression analyses confirmed that ferritin, C-reactive protein, and reticulocyte number were predictive of same-day hepcidin; hepcidin and C-reactive protein were predictive of same-day reticulocyte count. CONCLUSIONS Hepcidin serum concentrations are markedly increased on ICU admission, and decrease significantly over the course of the ICU stay (28 d). Decreased hepcidin concentrations are associated with increased reticulocyte response and decreased inflammatory response reflected by decreased interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein concentrations, but not with anemia resolution.
A WEAK FLATTENING CRITERION FOR COMPACTA IN 4-SPACE

This chapter presents a weak flattening criterion for compacta in 4-space. It presents a theorem that states that if X, Y ⊂ E 4 are compacts such that Sd (X) ≤ 1, Sd (Y) ≤ 1 and each has the disk pushing property. Then Sh (X)=Sh(Y) if and only if E 4 –X is homeomorphic with E 4 –Y. If X ⊂ E 4 is compact, then the following are equivalent: X has arbitrarily small PL neighborhoods with 1-spines; and Sd (X) ≤ 1 and X has the disk pushing property.
Neurobiology: Language By, In, Through and Across the Brain

Language has come to be commonly understood as something accomplished by the brain. Much scientific investigation has consequently focused in looking for language in the brain. Although it may sound intuitive, this approach suggests that language is an object located inside another object. This spatial metaphor has generated important insights into the brain sites important for language, from nineteenth century studies of brain-damaged patients to more recent and refined evidence from brain imaging.
On Reissner's Equations for Sandwich Plates

The domain of applicability of Reissner's sandwich plate equations is examined by means of a reduction from a higher-order approximation.
Speech Processing in Healthcare: Can We Integrate?

Abstract This chapter focuses on the way speech recognition, processing, and synthesis help in the healthcare. The chapter begins with the basic idea of speech recognition in the domain, and it particularly focuses on a complete healthcare project so as to obtain a clear understanding of the value of speech processing. The chapter also provides detailed information about how speech synthesis affects healthcare and its business model.
Impaired Recovery from Influenza A/X-31(H3N2) Infection in Mice with 8-Lipoxygenase Deficiency.

Lipoxygenase-derived lipid mediators can modulate inflammation and are stimulated in response to influenza infections. We report an effect of 8-lipoxygenase (ALOX8) on the recovery of mice after infection with Influenza virus X31. We compared the responses of 3- and 6-month-old mice with a deletion of ALOX8 (ALOX8−/−) to influenza infections with those of age-matched littermate wild-type mice (ALOX8+/+). The duration of illness was similar in 3-month-old ALOX8−/− and ALOX8+/+ mice. However, the 6-month-old ALOX8−/− mice showed a prolonged state of illness compared with ALOX8+/+ mice, as evidenced by reduced body temperatures, reduced locomotor activities, and delayed weight recovery. Although residual viral RNA in the lungs at day 10 post-inoculation was significantly influenced by the age of the ALOX8−/− mice, there were no significant differences between ALOX8−/− and ALOX8+/+ mice within the same age groups. The levels of cytokines interleukin 6 (IL-6) and keratinocyte chemoattractant (KC) differed significantly between 6-month-old ALOX8−/− and ALOX8+/+ mice 10 days after viral inoculation. Our data suggest that ALOX8 deficiency in mice leads to impaired recovery from influenza infection in an age-dependent manner.
Computed Tomography Data to Generate a Reproducible, Anatomically Accurate Hemilaryngeal Model

Objective The study aims to demonstrate the reproducibility and feasibility of creating a hemilaryngeal model with a medialized vocal fold (VF) using 3-dimensional (3D) modeling techniques in both healthy larynges and those affected by cancer. Study design Three-dimensional modeling of human larynges. Setting Tertiary academic referral center and regenerative medicine laboratory. Subjects and methods Computed tomography (CT) scans from 10 healthy control and 10 patients with laryngeal cancer were segmented and imported into 3D modeling software. The larynx was cut sagittally to create a hemilaryngeal model and the vocal fold medialized. Measurements were taken from the CT and 3D model data and compared. Results All control modeling data closely matched the CT data and were not statistically different from each other. There was a significant correlation between subglottic anteroposterior diameter and VF length (r2 = 0.78, P = .0008), and it may be a valuable tool to infer true VF dimension in cases where disruption has occurred. The modeling data from patients with cancer did not show statistical difference to the control data, showing that accurate modeling can also be achieved in patients with laryngeal cancer. Conclusion CT scan-based 3D modeling of the larynx and VF is possible and reproducible. The results closely match those previously reported in the literature and can also be replicated in cases with laryngeal cancer. This study paves the way for future de novo fabricated laryngeal scaffolds that can be synthesized using 3D printers and tailored to meet surgical demands.
Nurse practitioner's independent prescriptive authority and opioids abuse

This paper investigates the impact of legislative changes allowing nurse practitioners to prescribe schedule II controlled substances independently. We find that this legal environment is associated with an increase in treatment admissions for opioid misuse and a decrease in opioid related mortality only when Mandatory Prescription Drugs Monitoring Programs are in place.
Introductory: An Overview

This chapter is a brief overview of the basic theses of the book. It points to the ideas of epistemic responsibility and intellectual virtue as they are presupposed or implied by the Qur’ānic verses. It is noted that analysis of the concept of ignorance and taqwā brings out the centrality of intellectual conscientiousness for the Qur’ānic view of knowledge. The epistemic state of understanding is similarly linked with taqwā or epistemic conscientiousness. Finally wisdom is said to result from the reflection of holistic understanding upon itself for sharpening intellectual and moral conscience or taqwā.
AlPO4 in Silica Glass Optical Fibers: Deduction of Additional Material Properties

A silica clad optical fiber with a core comprised of SiO 2 , P 2 O 5 , Al 2 O 3 , and AlPO 4 is analyzed in order to determine the impact of AlPO 4 when added to silica. A chromatic dispersion curve is presented, from which the nonlinear refractive index is estimated to be similar to that of silica. When doped into SiO 2 , AlPO 4 decreases the thermo-optic coefficient (slightly), decreases the acoustic velocity, broadens the Brillouin spectral width through increased viscoelastic damping, and reduces the strength of the dependence of Brillouin frequency on temperature. Findings herein indicate that AlPO 4 has a near-zero value of p 12 . It also is found that the fiber does not have complete AlPO 4 formation, with some P 2 O 5 formation in Al 2 O 3 -rich regions of the fiber. Given the relevance of AlPO 4 to high power active fiber technology, the presented data can be used for designing fibers with enhanced performance characteristics, such as those with elevated threshold for the onset of stimulated Brillouin scattering.
Apolipoprotein E ε4 allele effects on longitudinal cognitive trajectories are sex and age dependent.

Abstract Introduction Questions remain about whether apolipoprotein E (APOE)-e4 effects on cognitive decline are similar in men and women and how APOE-e4 and age interact to influence decline in different cognitive domains. Methods In sex-stratified analyses, baseline age-dependent associations between APOE-e4 status and longitudinal cognitive trajectories were examined in cognitively normal Caucasian older adults (631 men, 561 women, baseline age range: 50–93, 6733 assessments). Results In men, older baseline age was associated with greater effects of APOE-e4 on longitudinal decline in memory and executive function, detectible from baseline age of 64 and 68, respectively. In women, older baseline age was associated with greater APOE-e4 effects on longitudinal decline in attention, detectible at baseline age of 66. No significant APOE-e4 effects were found for language, visual-spatial ability, or processing speed. Discussion Results highlight the importance of considering sex and age when assessing APOE-e4–associated vulnerability to cognitive decline.