Open World Assistive Grasping Using Laser Selection

Many people with motor disabilities are unable to complete activities of daily living (ADLs) without assistance. This paper describes a complete robotic system developed to provide mobile grasping assistance for ADLs. The system is comprised of a robot arm from a Rethink Robotics Baxter robot mounted to an assistive mobility device, a control system for that arm, and a user interface with a variety of access methods for selecting desired objects. The system uses grasp detection to allow previously unseen objects to be picked up by the system. The grasp detection algorithms also allow for objects to be grasped in cluttered environments. We evaluate our system in a number of experiments on a large variety of objects. Overall, we achieve an object selection success rate of 88% and a grasp detection success rate of 90% in a non-mobile scenario, and success rates of 89% and 72% in a mobile scenario

Fidelity and diagnostic species concepts in vegetation classification in the Rocky Mountains, northern Utah, USA

The concepts of diagnostic species and fidelity have been used frequently in European phytosociology but rarely in North American vegetation classification. We developed a classification of the vegetation of a mountainous area of northern Utah and compared the diagnostic species approach with the indicator-species approach of habitat type classification sensu Daubenmire prevailing in the U.S. Interior West. A total of 157 forest and nonforested plots were described by vascular plants and basic environmental factors. Clustering with RandomForest classification and ordination reduced the original number of plots to 26 meaningful vegetation units. Of these 26 units, 22 were strong, having four or more faithful species. Four units were weak, having less than three faithful species. We identified species diagnostic of particular vegetation units that are potentially useful for recognition of these units in the field. We proposed vegetation types at the level of vegetation alliances and associations, and correlated them with environmental factors. We found our vegetation units to be more strongly associated with the underlying environment than major habitat types sensu Daubenmire. Our approach to classification has the potential to directly link vegetation with the physical environment and could be the basis for a substantial improvement of vegetation classification in the central Rocky Mountains

MOBSTER – III. HD 62658: a magnetic Bp star in an eclipsing binary with a non-magnetic ‘identical twin’

HD 62658 (B9p V) is a little-studied chemically peculiar star. Light curves obtained by the Kilodegree Extremely Little Telescope (KELT) and Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) show clear eclipses with a period of about 4.75 d, as well as out-of-eclipse brightness modulation with the same 4.75 d period, consistent with synchronized rotational modulation of surface chemical spots. High-resolution ESPaDOnS circular spectropolarimetry shows a clear Zeeman signature in the line profile of the primary; there is no indication of a magnetic field in the secondary. PHOEBE modelling of the light curve and radial velocities indicates that the two components have almost identical masses of about 3 M_⊙. The primary’s longitudinal magnetic field〈B_z〉 varies between about +100 and −250 G, suggesting a surface magnetic dipole strength B_d = 850 G. Bayesian analysis of the Stokes V profiles indicates B_d = 650 G for the primary and B_d < 110 G for the secondary. The primary’s line profiles are highly variable, consistent with the hypothesis that the out-of-eclipse brightness modulation is a consequence of rotational modulation of that star’s chemical spots. We also detect a residual signal in the light curve after removal of the orbital and rotational modulations, which might be pulsational in origin; this could be consistent with the weak line profile variability of the secondary. This system represents an excellent opportunity to examine the consequences of magnetic fields for stellar structure via comparison of two stars that are essentially identical with the exception that one is magnetic. The existence of such a system furthermore suggests that purely environmental explanations for the origin of fossil magnetic fields are incomplete

Inhibition of Bromodomain Proteins in Treatment of Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma

Only ~50% of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), the most common and aggressive subtype of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, enter long-term remission after standard chemotherapy, and patients who do not respond to treatment have few options. Therefore, there is a critical need for effective and targeted therapeutics for DLBCL. Recent studies highlight the incidence of increased c-MYC protein in DLBCL and the correlation between high levels of c-MYC and poor survival prognosis of DLBCL patients, suggesting that c-MYC is a compelling therapeutic target for DLBCL therapy. The small molecule JQ1 suppresses c-MYC expression through inhibition of the BET family of bromodomain proteins. We show that JQ1 efficiently inhibited cell proliferation of human DLBCL cells regardless of their molecular subtypes, suggesting a broad effect of JQ1 in DLBCL. After JQ1 treatment, initial G1 arrest in DLBCL cells was followed by either apoptosis or senescence. In DLBCL cells treated with JQ1, we found that c-MYC expression was suppressed in the context of the natural, chromosomally-translocated or an amplified gene locus. Furthermore, JQ1 treatment significantly suppressed growth of DLBCL cells engrafted subcutaneously and improved survival of mice engrafted with DLBCL cells intraperitoneally. These results demonstrate that inhibition of the BET family of bromodomain proteins, and consequently c-MYC, has the potential clinical utility in DLBCL treatment

The Effect of Simulation based Training on Medical Students’ Perceptions, Knowledge, and Skill at Baseline and 6 month Follow up

The principal goal of most simulation-based learning is enhanced clinical skill, with the desired outcome being skill retention and improved performance over time. While evide nce supports simulation based training at the clerkship, graduate, and post graduate level, the evidence supporting its long term benefit at the pre clerkship level is less well established. Using quantitative methods, this research assessed the effect of skill based clinical simulation training on all second year medical students’ enrolled in two simulation courses at the University of Michigan during the 2013 2014 academic year (n=39). Pre course, post course, and 6 month follow up questionnaires were adm inistered, and analysis of variance was used to assess change in students\u27 knowledge, self reported confidence, and competency. Students in Course 1 (n=12) completed a post course and 6 month follow up skills test, and results were compared to faculty cont rols. Differences between groups were assessed using t tests. Odds ratios were calculated.Knowledge improved from pre course to post course; the gain was retained at follow up only for students in Course 1. Students perceived the courses as improving know ledge, confidence, and skill, though scores were significantly lower at follow up. For the subset of students participating in the skills test, the time to complete central line and thoracentesis at follow up did not significantly differ from post course; however, an increase was observed for lumbar puncture. Compared to faculty, students took significantly more time to complete the central line procedure. Outcomes for needle redirects and correct sequencing were mixed, with most procedures showing no signi ficant difference between measurement periods. Assessing students’ skill and the maintenance of that skill over time using objective and empirically derived measures can be challenging. The evaluation strategy described herein could be adapted to many proc edures commonly practiced within primary care and other medical specialties. Brief exposure to clinical simulation early in medical training and prior to clerkships can have a positive and lasting effecton medical students’ knowledge, confidence, and skil l for selected procedures

A complex social-ecological disaster: Environmentally induced forced migration

In the 21st century, global issues are increasingly characterized by inter-connectedness and complexity. Global environmental change, and climate change in particular, has become a powerful driver and catalyst of forced migration and internal displacement of people. Environmental migrants may far outnumber any other group of displaced people and refugees in the years to come. Deeper scientific integration, especially across the social sciences, is a prerequisite to tackle this issue

The public health response during and after the Lac-Mégantic train derailment tragedy: a case study

On July 6th 2013, a train derailment occurred in the small town of Lac-Mégantic, Quebec, Canada, causing a major human and environmental disaster. In this case study, we comprehensively describe and analyze actions taken by the Public Health Department of the Eastern Townships, in close collaboration with community-based organizations, during both the impact phase emergency response and the post-impact recovery operations that continued for months. Due to the complexity of the event, public health actions needed to be broadly diversified. Preventive measures targeted chemical, physical, biological, and psychosocial hazards in the short-, medium- and long-term. Our analyses yielded valuable lessons that will improve and inform our response to future events while serving as a basis for developing a conceptual framework for public health emergency preparedness

The Iowa Homemaker vol.4, no.1

Table of Contents The Why of College Training for Motherhood by Lula R. Lancaster, page 3 Does Your Education Stop When You See a French Menu Card? by Katherine Goeppinger, page 4 April Showers by Ada Hayden, page 5 Better Homes by James Ford, page 6 All Is Not Silk That Rustles by Hazel B. McKibben, page 6 Make Your Own Bias Tape by Helen M. Green, page 7 Rejuvenating Our Homes by Lulu Robinson, page 8 Moronitis by H. B. Hawthorn, page 9 Unit Kitchens by Florence Busse, page 10 The Physically Fit Family by Grace Heidbreder, page 11 Early Spring Markets by Marvel Secor, page 11 Who’s There and Where by Dryden Quist, page 12 Editorial, page 13 The Eternal Question, page 14 Homemaker as Citizen, page 15 That Something Different by Rhea Fern Shultz, page 1