Analytic Methods for Optimizing Realtime Crowdsourcing

Realtime crowdsourcing research has demonstrated that it is possible to recruit paid crowds within seconds by managing a small, fast-reacting worker pool. Realtime crowds enable crowd-powered systems that respond at interactive speeds: for example, cameras, robots and instant opinion polls. So far, these techniques have mainly been proof-of-concept prototypes: research has not yet attempted to understand how they might work at large scale or optimize their cost/performance trade-offs. In this paper, we use queueing theory to analyze the retainer model for realtime crowdsourcing, in particular its expected wait time and cost to requesters. We provide an algorithm that allows requesters to minimize their cost subject to performance requirements. We then propose and analyze three techniques to improve performance: push notifications, shared retainer pools, and precruitment, which involves recalling retainer workers before a task actually arrives. An experimental validation finds that precruited workers begin a task 500 milliseconds after it is posted, delivering results below the one-second cognitive threshold for an end-user to stay in flow.Comment: Presented at Collective Intelligence conference, 201

N′-Cyclo­dodecyl­idene­pyridine-4-carbohydrazide

The title compound, C18H27N3O, is a derivative of the anti­tuberculosis drug isoniazid (systematic name: pyridine-4-carbohydrazidei). The crystal structure consists of repeating C(4) chains along the b axis, formed by N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds with adjacent amide functional groups that are related by a b-glide plane. The cyclo­dodecyl ring has the same approximately ‘square’ conformation, as seen in the parent hydro­carbon cyclo­dodecane

N′-Cyclo­pentyl­idene­pyridine-4-carbo­hydrazide

The title compound, C11H13N3O, is a derivative of the anti­tuberculosis drug isoniazid [systematic name: pyridine-4-carbohydrazide]. The crystal structure consists of repeating hydrogen-bonded chains parallel to the b axis. Adjacent mol­ecules in the chains are linked by bifurcated N—H⋯(O,N) hydrogen bonds, which form an R 1 2(5) ring motif

Strengthening Nutrition via Agricultural Research Center Activities

Statement and brief paper by Joel Bernstein of USAID on the impact of IARC programs on human nutrition. Suggests nutritional content of foods as a criterion for prioritizing research. Agenda item presented at TAC Seventh Meeting, February 1974

Crowds in two seconds: Enabling realtime crowd-powered interfaces

Interactive systems must respond to user input within seconds. Therefore, to create realtime crowd-powered interfaces, we need to dramatically lower crowd latency. In this paper, we introduce the use of synchronous crowds for on-demand, realtime crowdsourcing. With synchronous crowds, systems can dynamically adapt tasks by leveraging the fact that workers are present at the same time. We develop techniques that recruit synchronous crowds in two seconds and use them to execute complex search tasks in ten seconds. The first technique, the retainer model, pays workers a small wage to wait and respond quickly when asked. We offer empirically derived guidelines for a retainer system that is low-cost and produces on-demand crowds in two seconds. Our second technique, rapid refinement, observes early signs of agreement in synchronous crowds and dynamically narrows the search space to focus on promising directions. This approach produces results that, on average, are of more reliable quality and arrive faster than the fastest crowd member working alone. To explore benefits and limitations of these techniques for interaction, we present three applications: Adrenaline, a crowd-powered camera where workers quickly filter a short video down to the best single moment for a photo; and Puppeteer and A|B, which examine creative generation tasks, communication with workers, and low-latency voting

Form II of adipic acid–nicotinohydrazide (1/2)

The crystal structure of the title co-crystal, 2C6H7N3O·C6H10O4, is a second polymorph, designated form II, of the co-crystal formed between the two mol­ecules [Lemmerer et al. (2011 ▶). CrystEngComm, 13, 55–59]. The asymmetric unit comprises one mol­ecule of nicotinic acid hydrazide, and one half-mol­ecule of adipic acid (the entire mol­ecule is completed by the application of a centre of inversion). In the crystal, mol­ecules assemble into a three-dimensional network of hydrogen bonds, formed by three N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds and one O—H⋯N hydrogen bond. The O—H⋯N hydrogen bond formed between the carboxyl group and the pyridine ring is supported by a C—H⋯O hydrogen bond

Genetic polymorphisms in chronic hyperplastic sinusitis with nasal polyposis

Objectives/Hypothesis: Although many proinflammatory cytokines have been identified in nasal polyp tissue, the initial trigger that causes this inflammation characterized by edema, lymphocytosis, and eosinophilia, is still unknown. The purpose of the present study is to identify the presence of genetic polymorphisms in proinflammatory, anti-inflammatory, and chemokine genes that might contribute to genetic susceptibility to chronic hyperplastic sinusitis with nasal polyposis (CHSwNP). Study Design: Case control study. Methods: Buccal swabs were taken from the left and right oral mucosal surfaces from 179 patients with CHSwNP and 153 nonpolyposis controls with the Purgene DNA purification protocol (Gentra). Genotyping assays for cytokine gene loci were performed on 14 cytokine genes using the iPlex Gold and the Mass Array Compact system (Sequenom, San Diego, CA). Tests of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium proportions were performed separately in the cases and controls. Tests for evidence of association between alleles at each single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and case-control status were performed using unconditional logistic regression. Results: The frequency of the A allele in a SNP located in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-Α (rs1800629) is significantly different in patients with nasal polyposis versus controls without nasal polyposis, 18.6% and 11.5%, respectively with an individuals' odds of susceptibility to nasal polyps increasing almost two-fold (odds ratio, 1.86; confidence interval, 1.4–3.09) given at least one copy of the A allele at this SNP. All other cytokine gene polymorphisms of both inflammatory, anti-inflammatory, and chemokine genes were not statistically different between the two groups. Conclusions: TNF-Α-308, a SNP in the promoter region of this cytokine gene is associated with increased odds of developing nasal polyposis. TNF-Α is a potent immuno-mediator and proinflammatory cytokine that has been implicated in the pathogenesis of a large number of human diseases. The location of this gene on the short arm of chromosome 6, with the major histocompatibility complex genes and complement, has raised the probability that polymorphism within this locus may contribute to a genetic association of this region of the genome with a wide variety of infectious and autoimmune diseases. Laryngoscope, 2009Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/63071/1/20239_ftp.pd