AI meets authoring: User models for untelligent multimedia

Authoring is a complex, knowledge-intensive activity which until recently has been performed exclusively by humans. New computer-based techniques have added horsepower rather than intelligence to traditional approaches, and have not addressed their principal limitations, chief of which is the inability to tailor presentations to individual users at run-time.We believe a model of the user is needed to support this kind of run-time determination of formand content. We describe our approach to the acquisition, representation and exploitation of user models: themost plausible user model is the result of an abductiverecognition process and it incorporates assumptions about the user which are then used to constrain thedesign by abduction of the best presentation. Both recognition and design processes are performed at run-time. We describe a prototypical implementation designed to demonstrate these ideas in the domain of video authoring.Our approach to authoring is intended to apply across multiple media; we have demonstrated these ideas with video because authoring in the video medium with traditional approaches inherits and exacerbates the problems from traditional media, and because the popularity of video as an authoring medium continues to grow.     

Two-Particle Dispersion in Superfluid Turbulence

Recent experiments have shown that superfluid turbulence is similar to ordinary classical turbulence with respect to temporal decay and energy spectra. Since superfluid vorticity is concentrated to thin filaments, superfluid turbulence is geometrically very different from ordinary turbulence, in which eddies can be of any size and strength. In order to explore differences and similarities between the two forms of turbulence, we investigate and compare two-particle dispersion, a property which quantifies the degree of divergence of turbulent flow trajectories.     

Effect of alloy composition and surface pretreatment on the durability of adhesive-bonded aluminium alloy joints

Boeing wedge test data which indicate the influences of six surface pretreatments and four alloy compositions on the durability of adhesively bonded joints are reported. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy data which indicate the effects of the same surface pretreatments and alloy compositions on the chemical compositions of the adherend surfaces are summarized. Possible correlations between the durability and X PS data are discussed. Three different methods of modifying the chromic acid anodize (Def 151) treatment of clad alloy adherends, in order to improve durability, are described and discussed.     

Effect of Antimicrobial Use in Agricultural Animals on Drug-resistant Foodborne Campylobacteriosis in Humans: A Systematic Literature Review

Controversy continues concerning antimicrobial use in food animals and its relationship to drug-resistant infections in humans. We systematically reviewed published literature for evidence of a relationship between antimicrobial use in agricultural animals and drug-resistant foodborne campylobacteriosis in humans. Based on publications from the United States (U.S.), Canada and Denmark from 2010 to July 2014, 195 articles were retained for abstract review, 50 met study criteria for full article review with 36 retained for which data are presented. Two publications reported increase in macrolide resistance of Campylobacter coli isolated from feces of swine receiving macrolides in feed, and one of these described similar findings for tetracyclines and fluoroquinolones. A study in growing turkeys demonstrated increased macrolide resistance associated with therapeutic dosing with Tylan® in drinking water. One publication linked tetracycline-resistant C. jejuni clone SA in raw cow's milk to a foodborne outbreak in humans. No studies that identified farm antimicrobial use also traced antimicrobial-resistant Campylobacter from farm to fork. Recent literature confirms that on farm antibiotic selection pressure can increase colonization of animals with drug-resistant Campylobacter spp. but is inadequately detailed to establish a causal relationship between use of antimicrobials in agricultural animals and prevalence of drug-resistant foodborne campylobacteriosis in humans.