cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pressure-dependent Seismic Velocities Based On Unified Asperity-deformation Model

Seismic velocities of rocks depend strongly on confining pressure, a behavior often explained by changes in the compliances of cracks within the rock. It is important to have an accurate model relating confining pressure and seismic velocities for applications such as time-lapse reservoir characterization. Previously developed solutions include a variety of models. One approach is to represent the cracks as ellipsoidal voids (penny-shaped cracks) with varying aspect ratios, and effective medium theories based on this approach describe the pressure-dependence of the elastic velocities using a distribution of aspect ratios closing at different pressures. Another approach is to characterize the cracks as rough surfaces, and it is the increase in asperity contact area with higher pressures that causes the increase in velocity instead of closure of pennyshaped cracks. We propose a new model that combines an existing theoretical framework that represents the compliance associated with cracks or grain surfaces in a rock in terms of crack density tensors (Sayers, 2002) with new and revised analytic solutions for the pressure-dependence of the compliance of rough surfaces (asperity-deformation models). Specifically, previous results are available for the normal compliance BN of a fracture surface, and we derive a new model for the tangential compliance BT. These asperity-deformation models represent the surfaces with a power-law distribution of asperity heights, and using these compliances in the crack density tensors naturally leads to simple expressions for Pand S-wave velocities with seven unknown parameters. We apply joint least squares inversion of Pand S-wave velocity laboratory data to show that the model fits data very well.
Pseiidosibling Species in the Genus Peltodytes (Coleoptera: Haliplidae)

The eastern North American species of Peltodytes sometimes resemble each other very closely in color pattern, and are frequently confused in collections. The resemblances are presumably due in part to environmental conditions affecting the development of pigment, but may be influenced by other factors. It is suggested that the bright patterns may be warning coloration, and that mimicry could be involved. P. dunavani , P. bradleyi , and P. dietrichi are described from the eastern United States; P. darlingtoni , from Cuba, is apparently the first member of the genus recorded from the West Indies.
CT Diagnosis of Mediastinal and Retroperitoneal Ganglioneuroma in Children

Objective To study the CT appearances of mediastinal and retroperitoneal ganglioneuroma in children.Methods CT findings in 16 patients with ganglioneuroma confirmed by pathology were retrospectively analysed.All of them underwent unenhanced CT scan,and 11 of them underwent enhanced CT scan.Results The tumors localized at mediastinum in 6 cases and retroperitoneum in 10 cases(adrenal gland in 3 cases,extra-adrenal retroperitoneum in 7 cases).CT scans showed a well-circumscribed oval masses in 14 cases,and triangle masses in 2 cases.The masses had a mild degree of lobulation in 4 cases.The lesions were homogeneous with attenuation less than that of muscle in all cases on nonenhanced CT images.In 6 patients with mediastinal ganglioneuroma,the masses ranged in size from 2 cm×3 cm×3 cm to 4 cm×6 cm×6 cm,and in 12 patients with retroperitoneal ganglioneuroma,the masses ranged in size from 4 cm×5 cm×6 cm to 7 cm×10 cm×10 cm.In 11 cases underwent enhanced CT scan,4 cases showed no enhancement,5 cases showed mild homogeneous enhancement with attenuation less than that of muscle,and 2 cases demonstrated moderate homogeneous enhancement with attenuation equal to that of muscle.Conclusion Oval and hypodense homogeneous masses with mild homogeneous enhancement are the most common features of mediastinal and retroperitoneal ganglioneuroma in children.Diagnosis of ganglioneuroma should be considered when typical CT imaging findings are present.
Newborn Resuscitation Training in Resource-Limited Settings: A Systematic Literature Review

CONTEXT: Birth asphyxia contributes substantially to neonatal mortality in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The effects of training birth attendants in neonatal resuscitation (NR) on mortality are limited by falloff of skills and knowledge over time and transference of learned skills into clinical practice. OBJECTIVE: This review examined acquisition and retention of NR knowledge and skills by birth attendants in LMICs and the effectiveness of interventions to improve them. DATA SOURCES: Medline, Cochrane, Embase, CINAHL, Bireme, and African Index Medicus databases were searched. We reviewed Web pages and reports from non–peer-reviewed (or “gray”) literature sources addressing NR training in LMICs. STUDY SELECTION: Articles on acquisition and retention of NR knowledge and skills, and interventions to improve them, were limited to LMICs. RESULTS: The initial search identified 767 articles, of which 45 met all inclusion criteria. Of these, 31 articles analyzed acquisition of knowledge and skills, and 19 analyzed retention. Most studies found high acquisition rates, although birth attendants struggled to learn bag-mask ventilation. Although significant falloff of knowledge and skills occurred after training, refresher training seemed to improve retention. Results of the gray literature analysis suggest that formal, structured practice sessions improve retention. LIMITATIONS: This review did not analyze training’s direct impact on mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge and skills falloff is a significant barrier to the success of NR training programs and possibly to reducing newborn mortality in LMICs. Refresher training and structured practice show significant promise. Additional research is needed to implement and assess retention improvement strategies in classroom and clinical settings.
A profile of specific psychotherapeutic actions for borderline psychopathology. Psychotherapeutic psychoanalysis.

To enlarge our treatment armamentarium, new treatment approaches are presented to address major disturbances in the mind that previously have not been adequately handled. These new psychotherapeutic skills are linked conceptually to new paradigms that widen the therapeutic scope. It is suggested that a new name be given to these new approaches for developmental arrests to contrast it with psychoanalysis proper and psychoanalytic psychotherapy. The new name would be psychotherapeutic psychoanalysis, and it would exist along an overall continuum with psychoanalysis proper and psychoanalytic psychotherapy.
Multi-year persistence of the 2014/15 North Pacific marine heatwave

Between the winters of 2013/14 and 2014/15 during the strong North American drought, the northeast Pacific experienced the largest marine heatwave ever recorded. Here we combine observations with an ensemble of climate model simulations to show that teleconnections between the North Pacific and the weak 2014/2015 El Nino linked the atmospheric forcing patterns of this event. These teleconnection dynamics from the extratropics to the tropics during winter 2013/14, and then back to the extratropics during winter 2014/15, are a key source of multi-year persistence of the North Pacific atmosphere. The corresponding ocean anomalies map onto known patterns of North Pacific decadal variability, specifically the North Pacific Gyre Oscillation (NPGO) in 2014 and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) in 2015. A large ensemble of climate model simulations predicts that the winter variance of the NPGO- and PDO-like patterns increases under greenhouse forcing, consistent with other studies suggesting an increase in the atmospheric extremes that lead to drought over North America. In 2014–2015 the northeast Pacific Ocean experienced a strong marine heatwave. This study shows teleconnections to the tropical Pacific and the weak El Nino were key sources in the atmospheric forcing and persistence of the event.
Pain and Functional Status in Patients With Ventricular Assist Devices.

Context Ventricular assist devices (VADs) have been shown to improve survival and overall quality of life, but there are limited data on pain control and functional status in this patient population.
The witching hour and other plays

This new collection of four plays by Nina Sadur is a welcome addition to the fields of both Russian literature and theatre. It includes some of Sadur’s best-known works as well as some lesser-known...
False-positive results in diagnostic immunohistochemistry are related to horseradish peroxidase conjugates in commercially available assays ☆

False-positive results in diagnostic immunopathology can lead to unnecessary treatments. The purpose of this study was to do a side-by-side comparison of 10 different antibodies commonly used in the clinical laboratory altering only the horseradish peroxidase (HRP) conjugate. The automated Leica BOND-MAX platform was used to study serial sections from 203 tissues including controls compared in a blinded fashion using the HRP conjugates from Leica (Refine HRP), Ventana Medical Systems (Ultraview HRP), and Enzo Life Sciences (Polyview HRP). False-positive results, defined as signal from cases known to not contain the target, were noted in 23 (13%) of 171 cases with the Leica HRP, 62 (36%) of 171 cases with the Ventana HRP, and no cases with the Enzo HRP. Each data set was performed simultaneously allocating 1 tray for each of the 3 different HRP conjugates. HER2/neu analysis from triple-negative breast cancers were scored as positive by immunohistochemistry in 6 (24%) of 25 cases using either the Refine or Ultraview HRP and in 0 of 25 cases with the Enzo conjugate. It is concluded that false-positive results in a wide spectrum of diagnostic immunopathology tests can occur from 13% to 36% of cases with commonly used commercial assays based on the HRP conjugate.
Leptin, adiponectin, and ghrelin responses to endurance exercise in different ambient conditions

ABSTRACTExcessive positive energy balance is a major factor leading to obesity. The ability to alter the appetite-regulating hormones leptin, adiponectin, and ghrelin may help decrease excessive energy intake. Exercise and exposure to extreme temperatures can independently affect these appetite-regulating hormones. PURPOSE: To determine the effect of exercising in different environmental conditions on the circulating concentrations of leptin, adiponectin, and ghrelin. METHODS: Eleven recreationally-trained male participants completed 3 separate 1 h cycling bouts at 60% Wmax in hot, cold, and room temperature conditions (33°C, 7°C, 20°C), followed by a 3 h recovery at room temperature. Blood was drawn pre-exercise, post-exercise, and 3 h post-exercise. Hematocrit and hemoglobin were measured to account for change in plasma volume. RESULTS: Leptin concentrations were lower at post and 3 h post-exercise compared with pre-exercise, with and without correction for plasma volume shifts, regardless of temperatur...
Abstract 8: Reprogramming of Adult Mammalian Cardiomyocytes Towards Proliferation and Regeneration Through Comparative Analyses of Epicardial and Myocardial Cells

Heart development and regeneration require an elegant balance of cell proliferation and differentiation. In both adult zebrafish and neonatal mouse cardiac regeneration, new cardiomyocytes are shown to originate from pre-existing cardiomyocytes through de-differentiation of mature cells to the immature progenitor cell state, with developmental gene program reactivation and cell cycle reentry. Interestingly, after adult mammalian cardiac injury, both cardiac muscle cells and the epicardial cells that envelope the heart reinitiate developmental gene programs. However, adult epicardial cells are able to proliferate following injury but adult cardiomyocytes are not capable. We investigated the genetic circuitry of mouse epicardial cells and myocardial cells in different developmental stages and in response to injury. Such comparative analyses revealed a group of ~50 candidate genes that may be responsible for the permanent cell cycle arrest of cardiomyocytes. We generated adenoviruses that express these candidate genes individually, and demonstrated that the mixed viral pool possessed a robust activity to promote proliferation of adult mouse cardiomyocytes. Our comparative approach and functional screens may lead to identification of the dormant genetic circuitry in adult mammalian heart that can be reactivated to drive robust cardiomyocyte proliferation and regeneration.
9 Children/young people taking long-term medicines – a survey of the experiences of community pharmacists

Aim To identify the experiences of community pharmacists in caring for children/young people, or their parents/carers, taking long-term medicines. Method A pre-piloted 13 point semi-structured survey, participant information leaflet, consent form and pre-paid return envelope were posted to all 354 community pharmacists who had dispensed a prescription from a single specialist paediatric hospital during November and December 2015. Community pharmacy addresses were obtained from the National Health Service Business Services Authority ePACT system. Telephone follow-up of non-responders and, if necessary, a repeat mailing was made from 3 weeks after the original return by date. Participants were asked about their experiences of undertaking a medication review with either children/young people or their parents/carers, medication-related problems presenting to them, adherence, information needs of patients/carers and what issues were reported to them from this group. The data were analysed using SPSS version 22 and NVivo version 10. Results A response rate of 76/354 (21.5%) was achieved. Eighteen (23.7%) respondents had undertaken a Medicines Use Review (MUR),122 (28.9%) a New Medicines Service (NMS)2 review and 16 (21.1%) had undertaken another type of medication review in a child/young person. Respondents reported that patients or their carers had presented to them with adherence issues including stopping the medicine (24, 31.6%) and changing the dose (28, 36.8%) without informing the prescriber. Patients or their carers had requested information from them about the indication (59, 77.6%), dose regime (63, 82.9%), administration (64, 84.2%) and adverse effects (58, 76.6%). Respondents also reported patients/carers experiencing difficulties obtaining further supplies of a medicine from their community pharmacy (47, 61.8%) and patients’ general practitioners declining to prescribe a medicine recommended by the patient’s hospital-based specialist (27, 35.5%). Conclusion This study has demonstrated that children, and their carers, taking long-term medicines experience a range of issues that they present to community pharmacists. Many of these issues would fall within the purview of currently funded medication review services namely the NMS and MUR.1,2 However, the proportion of pharmacists in this study undertaking formal medication review with children or their parents/carers was low. Further work is required to demonstrate the outcomes that such a review could have in this cohort of patients. References Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee. MURs: The basics. What is the medicines use review and prescription intervention service? [Internet] 2016. Available from: MURs: The basics http://psnc.org.uk/services-commissioning/advanced-services/murs/murs-the-basics/ [Available: 19 May 2016]. Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee. New Medicines Service (NMS) [Internet] 2016. http://psnc.org.uk/services-commissioning/advanced-services/nms/ [Available: 19 May 2016].
Northeastern European Bronze Age

The climate of northeastern Europe was apparently somewhat dryer and cooler than today. Pollen analysis suggests that deforestation was widespread, most likely at the hands of humans clearing land for agriculture.
Classical Logic—Syntax

The formulation of a higher-order logic allows some freedom—there are certain places where choices can be made. Several of these choices produce equivalent results. Before getting to the formal machinery, I informally set out my decisions on these matters. Other treatments may make different choices, but ultimately it is largely a matter of convenience that is involved.
Soil properties and sediment accretion modulate methane fluxes from restored wetlands.

Wetlands are the largest source of methane (CH4 ) globally, yet our understanding of how process-level controls scale to ecosystem fluxes remains limited. It is particularly uncertain how variable soil properties influence ecosystem CH4 emissions on annual time scales. We measured ecosystem carbon dioxide (CO2 ) and CH4 fluxes by eddy covariance from two wetlands recently restored on peat and alluvium soils within the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta of California. Annual CH4 fluxes from the alluvium wetland were significantly lower than the peat site for multiple years following restoration, but these differences were not explained by variation in dominant climate drivers or productivity across wetlands. Soil iron (Fe) concentrations were significantly higher in alluvium soils, and alluvium CH4 fluxes were decoupled from plant processes compared with the peat site, as expected when Fe reduction inhibits CH4 production in the rhizosphere. Soil carbon content and CO2 uptake rates did not vary across wetlands and, thus, could also be ruled out as drivers of initial CH4 flux differences. Differences in wetland CH4 fluxes across soil types were transient; alluvium wetland fluxes were similar to peat wetland fluxes 3 years after restoration. Changing alluvium CH4 emissions with time could not be explained by an empirical model based on dominant CH4 flux biophysical drivers, suggesting that other factors, not measured by our eddy covariance towers, were responsible for these changes. Recently accreted alluvium soils were less acidic and contained more reduced Fe compared with the pre-restoration parent soils, suggesting that CH4 emissions increased as conditions became more favorable to methanogenesis within wetland sediments. This study suggests that alluvium soil properties, likely Fe content, are capable of inhibiting ecosystem-scale wetland CH4 flux, but these effects appear to be transient without continued input of alluvium to wetland sediments.
Dental Morphological Variation in Asian and Asian-Derived Populations

The use of dental morphology to estimate ancestry has become more prevalent within forensic anthropology, and several new methods have been published (e.g., Edgar 2005, 2013; Irish 2015; Scott et al. 2018). While these methods represent great advances, they are lacking in modern Asian reference samples. As such, they may be unable to adequately differentiate Asian individuals from those who express similar dental morphology (i.e., Hispanics and Native Americans). This study explores dental morphological population variation of various skeletal samples in an effort to suggest areas of improvement for methods of ancestry estimation.Biological distance analyses were conducted on dental morphological data from a Mexican skeletal collection housed at the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico in Mexico City (n = 88), Hispanic dental casts housed at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque (n = 71), a Japanese skeletal sample at Chiba University in Chiba, Japan (n = 96), and a comparative global data set collected by T. Hanihara. Clear patterns emerge that align with the Sinodont/Sundadont dental variation, where Native American samples cluster with East Asian samples (Sinodont) and Southeast Asian groups cluster with Melanesia, Papua New Guinea, and Australia (Sundadont). The two Hispanic samples are found to be distinct from these Asian samples and cluster with Macro-European and West African samples. These results highlight the complexity of Asian and Asian-derived populations and underscore the need for appropriate references samples in method creation.
Targeting alpha synuclein and amyloid beta by a multifunctional, brain-penetrant dopamine D2/D3 agonist D-520: Potential therapeutic application in Parkinson's disease with dementia.

A significant number of people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) develop dementia in addition to cognitive dysfunction and are diagnosed as PD with dementia (PDD). This is characterized by cortical and limbic alpha synuclein (α-syn) accumulation, and high levels of diffuse amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques in the striatum and neocortical areas. In this regard, we evaluated the effect of a brain-penetrant, novel multifunctional dopamine D2/D3 agonist, D-520 on the inhibition of Aβ aggregation and disintegration of α-syn and Aβ aggregates in vitro using purified proteins and in a cell culture model that produces intracellular Aβ-induced toxicity. We further evaluated the effect of D-520 in a Drosophila model of Aβ1-42 toxicity. We report that D-520 inhibits the formation of Aβ aggregates in vitro and promotes the disaggregation of both α-syn and Aβ aggregates. Finally, in an in vivo Drosophila model of Aβ1-42 dependent toxicity, D-520 exhibited efficacy by rescuing fly eyes from retinal degeneration caused by Aβ toxicity. Our data indicate the potential therapeutic applicability of D-520 in addressing motor dysfunction and neuroprotection in PD and PDD, as well as attenuating dementia in people with PDD.
State labor sponsorship: The role of nation state regulation in undermining migrant employment standards:

Temporary worker programs are on the rise both across the globe and particularly within the United States. Established research focuses upon the impact of immigration policies as well as outcomes f...
Unsteady flow in a flattened tube

Abstract The study of the flow in a tube flattened by parallel plates is important in the transport of fluids in laterally restricted conduits. The unsteady (starting and oscillatory) flows are solved using the method of eigenfunction superposition. The necessary eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of the Helmholtz equation are determined, for the first time, by accurate one-region or two-region point match collocations. The starting times for the starting transient depends on the aspect ratio of the duct. For oscillatory flows, the velocity maximum shifts towards the walls at higher normalized frequencies.
Integrating “Exercise Is Medicine” into primary care workflow: a study protocol

As a major contributor to the burden of most chronic diseases, insufficient physical activity (PA) creates a significant financial burden on the health care system. Numerous interventions effectively increase PA, but few are integrated into primary care clinic workflows. Exercise Is Medicine (EIM) is a global health initiative committed to the belief that PA is integral to the prevention and treatment of diseases and should be routinely assessed as a vital sign and treated in the health care setting. This paper describes an in-progress embedded quality improvement (QI) project that integrates EIM into routine clinical practice. A combination of implementation science (IS) and QI models are used to adapt, implement, and evaluate the integration of EIM into six primary care clinics. The Practical, Robust Implementation and Sustainability Model (PRISM) guided preimplementation evaluation and adaptation of EIM protocol, materials, and delivery strategies. The learning evaluation QI model is used to design, test, refine, and implement EIM using rapid, 3 month Plan-Do-Study-Act microcycles. Learning meetings are used to obtain feedback and optimize workflow. The Stirman Framework is used to document adaptations to the program throughout implementation. Reach, adoption, implementation, effectiveness, and maintenance outcomes embedded within PRISM will guide the program evaluation to determine sustainability and scalability. Using an innovative approach of combining IS and QI methods to improve the identification of primary care patients with insufficient PA to increase their activity levels has great population health potential. Our work will inform the best approaches for EIM integration in primary care.
Application of Dynamic Linear Models to Random Allocation Clinical Trials with Covariates

A recent method using Dynamic Linear Models to improve preferred treatment allocation budget in random allocation models was proposed by Lee, Boone, et al (2020). However this model failed to include the impact covariates such as smoking, gender, etc, had on model performance. The current paper addresses random allocation to treatments using the DLM in Bayesian Adaptive Allocation Models with a single covariate. We show a reduced treatment allocation budget along with a reduced time to locate preferred treatment. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis is performed on mean and variance parameters and a power analysis is conducted using Bayes Factor. This power analysis is used to determine the proportion of unallocated patient budgets above a specified cutoff value. Additionally a sensitivity analysis is conducted on covariate coefficients.
Grapevine virus E Detected in Ohio Vineyards

Summary Wine grape production in Ohio is challenging due to unpredictable winter temperatures, late and/or early frosts, a short growing season and a plethora of diseases that can reduce yield and grape quality. Around the world, studies have shown that the impact of viral diseases in vineyards can result in a significant reduction in economic returns due to reduced yield or diminished fruit quality. From 2012 to 2016, surveys for major viruses in commercial wine grapes were conducted in order to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the prevalence of viral diseases in Ohio vineyards. To date, these surveys have shown that Grape leafrollassociated viruses 2 (GLRaV-2) and 3 (GLRaV-3) and Grapevine red blotch virus (GRBV) are present in commercial vines across the state (1, 2). In this study we report that Grapevine virus E (GVE) is also present in Ohio grapevines, further increasing our knowledge of the types of grapevine viruses present in the state.
Aggression, Escalation, and Other Latent Themes in Legal Intervention Deaths of Non-Hispanic Black and White Men: Results From the 2003‒2017 National Violent Death Reporting System

Objectives. To investigate racial/ethnic differences in legal intervention‒related deaths using state-of-the-art topic modeling of law enforcement and coroner text summaries drawn from the 2003–201...
The aging slow wave: a shifting amalgam of distinct slow wave and spindle coupling subtypes define slow wave sleep across the human lifespan

Study objectives Slow wave and spindle coupling supports memory consolidation, and loss of coupling is linked with cognitive decline and neurodegeneration. Coupling is proposed to be a possible biomarker of neurological disease, yet little is known about the different subtypes of coupling that normally occur throughout human development and aging. Here we identify distinct subtypes of spindles within slow wave upstates and describe their relationships with sleep stage across the human lifespan. Methods Coupling within a cross-sectional cohort of 582 subjects was quantified from stages N2 and N3 sleep across ages 6-88 years old. Results were analyzed across the study population via mixed model regression. Within a subset of subjects, we further utilized coupling to identify discrete subtypes of slow waves by their coupled spindles. Results Two different subtypes of spindles were identified during the upstates of (distinct) slow waves: an "early-fast" spindle, more common in stage N2 sleep, and a "late-fast" spindle, more common in stage N3. We further found stages N2 and N3 sleep contain a mixture of discrete subtypes of slow waves, each identified by their unique coupled-spindle timing and frequency. The relative contribution of coupling subtypes shifts across the human lifespan, and a deeper sleep phenotype prevails with increasing age. Conclusions Distinct subtypes of slow waves and coupled spindles form the composite of slow wave sleep. Our findings support a model of sleep-dependent synaptic regulation via discrete slow wave/spindle coupling subtypes and advance a conceptual framework for the development of coupling-based biomarkers in age-associated neurological disease.
Is it Curriculum Renewal or Syllabus Revision

Academic autonomy at higher educational institutions means freedom with responsibility. It is a conscious choice and not a compulsion and imposition on the teachers and the taught. Consequently, it deserves to be celebrated rather than complained against. Freedom means unlimited opportunities that are uniquely available to the stakeholders (students and faculty) in framing their curriculum, and this exercise entails commitment and responsibility. It is an important, intellectual exercise in which both students and teachers enjoy equality though the latter have the advantage of epistemological superiority over the former by virtue of experience. On the other hand, teachers in autonomous institutions are not specially trained to function as academics who enjoy academic freedom and social responsibility. One of their responsibilities is to engage students in curriculum renewal through appropriate training. For instance, the American College is the first autonomous institution to make student representatives in as early as 1978 as members of decision making bodies like Department meetings or the Boards of Studies or the Academic Council where important decisions about curriculum are initiated, discussed and finalized. Still, such representation is not enough since it only amounts to tokenism.
Beyond $L_p$ clipping: Equalization-based Psychoacoustic Attacks against ASRs

Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) systems convert speech into text and can be placed into two broad categories: traditional and fully end-to-end. Both types have been shown to be vulnerable to adversarial audio examples that sound benign to the human ear but force the ASR to produce malicious transcriptions. Of these attacks, only the "psychoacoustic" attacks can create examples with relatively imperceptible perturbations, as they leverage the knowledge of the human auditory system. Unfortunately, existing psychoacoustic attacks can only be applied against traditional models, and are obsolete against the newer, fully end-to-end ASRs. In this paper, we propose an equalization-based psychoacoustic attack that can exploit both traditional and fully end-to-end ASRs. We successfully demonstrate our attack against real-world ASRs that include DeepSpeech and Wav2Letter. Moreover, we employ a user study to verify that our method creates low audible distortion. Specifically, 80 of the 100 participants voted in favor of all our attack audio samples as less noisier than the existing state-of-the-art attack. Through this, we demonstrate both types of existing ASR pipelines can be exploited with minimum degradation to attack audio quality.
Machine Learning on Encrypted Data: Hardware to the Rescue

Machine Learning on encrypted data is a yet-to-be-addressed challenge. Several recent key advances across different layers of the system, from cryptography and mathematics to logic synthesis and hardware are paving the way for practical realization of privacy preserving computing for certain target applications. This talk highlights the crucial role of hardware and advances in computing architecture in supporting the recent progresses in the field. I outline the main technologies and mixed computing models. I particularly center my talk on the recent progress in synthesis of Garbled Circuits that provide a leap in scalable realization of machine learning on encrypted data. I explore how hardware could pave the way for navigating the complex space of privacy-preserving computing in general, and enabling scalable future mixed protocol solutions. I conclude by briefly discussing the challenges and opportunities moving forward.
The Triumph of the Personal: American Fundamentalism Comes of Age

What are we to make of the New Christian Right’s loss of political influence and the rise of the Tea Party and libertarianism more broadly? Rather than imagine a coalition of resentment as does William E. Connolly, this paper argues that several key religious ideas of protestant fundamentalism have become secularized and now function as a political theology that privileges the personal and marginalizes the public arena. American fundamentalism shares several characteristics with protestant fundamentalism—even as it represents what might be called a migration of the holy.
Electrochemical impedance techniques in corrosion science

A review is presented of the use of impedance techniques in corrosion science. Emphasis is placed on defining the type of data that is required in corrosion studies, and then comparing different methods for generating therequired information by electrochemical impedance methods. The performance characteristics of the various techniques, including cost, are critically compared to assist readers in selecting the most appropriate system for their needs.
Political Shirking, Opponent Quality, and Electoral Support

Several recent papers in the public choice literaturesuggest that legislators shirk, or vote in a mannercontrary to constituent interest. This paper exploresthe relationship between senatorial shirking andelectoral consequences. I model political shirking,opponent quality and election outcomes assimultaneous, and find significant evidence of arelationship between shirking over the senatorial termand electoral outcomes. However, I find that voterspunish recent shirking much more than they punishearly-term shirking, and that senators apparently actconsistently with this relationship.
Smallpox and biological warfare: a disease revisited

This is the second article in a series of papers addressing issues related to biological warfare and bioterrorism. As outlined in the historical review of biological warfare (1), smallpox is one of the most devastating diseases that could potentially be used as a biological weapon. In fact, smallpox was for many centuries devastating to mankind. However, the remarkable efforts of the World Health Organization led to its eradication in 1977. With the developments in more recent years, the threat of biological and chemical warfare has reemerged. In particular, the events surrounding the attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, as well as the recent developments in Afghanistan and the Middle East, have shown that the threat of biological weapons is real and present in today's time. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta has classified various organisms and diseases that could potentially be used as biological weapons. These diseases are grouped in three categories according to their possibility of use and their impact on public health (Table ​(Table11). Smallpox is listed in group A, indicating that it is easily disseminated and transmitted from person to person and results in high mortality rates. Table 1 Bioterrorism agents/diseases as classified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention In this article, I outline the epidemiology, microbiology, and clinical features of a disease not known to many people in the 21st century. The recommendations and conclusions are based on extensive research and the summary statement of the Working Group on Civilian Biodefense. Those recommendations presented herein represent the best professional judgment of the working group at the time the data were published. The conclusions and recommendations need to be regularly reassessed as new information becomes available.
Reference vanadium alloy V-4Cr-4Ti for fusion application

Vanadium alloys exhibit important advantages as a candidate structural material for fusion first-wall/blanket applications. These advantages include high temperature and high wall load capability, favorable safety and environmental features, resistance to irradiation damage, and alloys of interest are readily fabricable. A substantial data base has been developed on laboratory-scale heats of V-Ti, V-Cr-Ti and V-Ti-Si alloys before and after irradiation. Investigations in recent years have focused primarily on compositions of V-(0--15)Cr-(0--20)Ti (0--1)Si. Results from these investigations have provided a basis for identifying a V-4Cr-4Ti alloy as the US reference vanadium alloy for further development. Major results obtained on one production-scale heat and three laboratory heats with compositions of V-(4--5)Cr-(4--5)Ti are presented in this paper. Properties measured were input properties, tensile properties, creep, and radiation effects.
Spatial variability in soil nitrogen dynamics after prescribed burning in Ohio mixed-oak forests

This study describes the results of the application of a single dormant season prescribed fire to two southern Ohio forest sites for the purposes of restoring the ecosystem functional properties that existed in these sites prior to major human intervention (clearcutting, fire suppression, and atmospheric deposition). Each forest site was composed of three contiguous watershed units, two of which were burned in April of 1996. The forest sites differed in soil pH and available litter mass prior to the fires, and in both sites pH and available inorganic N varied among landscape positions such that inorganic C increased with increasing longterm soil moisture potential (measured as the GIS-derived Integrated Moisture Index [IMI] developed for this region). The fire temperatures at 10 cm above the litter surface were generally 150–300 °C, and 29–80% of the litter was consumed, depending on site and landscape position. Soil solution total inorganic N (TIN) present one month after the fires did not differ significantly from that present prior to the fires in either burned or unburned watersheds, but was consistently greater in mesic landscape positions than in more xeric ones. N mineralization potential and organic C content varied both among fires and landscape positions. At the site which burned at higher intensity, soil N mineralization and TIN were both decreased by fire. At the less intensely burned site, fire resulted in increased TIN in the soils from the more xeric landscape position, and greater soil organic C in soils from the intermediate soil moisture areas. Path analysis produced models for fire-induced changes in C and N dynamics capable of explaining 26–69% of the observed variation using combinations of landscape and fire behavior. Losses of N to volatilization from these single fires were generally < 1 kg N/ha, and thus could not be expected to ameliorate the effects of atmospheric N deposition in these sites.
Analysis of drinking water near and far from thermal springs using instrumental neutron activation analysis

Abstract This project investigated what effect, if any, there was on drinking water near and far from radioactive thermal springs. The focus was to analyze several drinking water samples for trace elements, especially those of nutritional and toxic value. Elements of interest included selenium (Se), vanadium (V), arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd). Samples from nine different springs were collected from an island in the eastern Aegean Sea in Greece, Ikaria, which is known for its radioactive therapeutic baths. The liquid samples were irradiated and counted after 3 days and 15 days using the instrumental neutron activation analysis technique. Analysis of the samples revealed typical elements found in natural water: sodium (Na), bromine (Br), potassium (K). In addition, some of the samples indicated ultra traces of uranium (U). These amounts, were attributed to natural radiation found in typical geological formations. Results indicated that there were no statistically significant traces of the elements of interest in the water samples.
Learning to prevent failure states for a dynamically balancing robot

To achieve robust autonomy, robots must avoid getting stuck in states from which they cannot recover without external aid. While this is the role of the robot's control algorithms, these are often imperfect. We examine how to detect failures by observing the robot's internal sensors over time. For such cases, triggering a response when detecting the onset of a failure can increase the operational range of the robot. Concretely, we explore the use of supervised learning techniques to create a classifier that can detect a potential failure and trigger a response for a dynamically balancing robot. We present a fully implemented system, where the results clearly demonstrate an improved safety margin for the robot.
Conquest: CONcurrent QUEries over Space and Time

The need and opportunity to effciently find patterns and features in the vast and growing scientific data sets of today is apparent. In this paper, we present an extensible and distributed query processing system called Conquest (CONcurrent QUEries over Space and Time) which delivers high performance for non-traditional database query applications. Conquest is composed of three components: query management subsystem, query execution engine and user-interface subsystem. Both operation and data parallelism are supported for high-performance query execution. Scientists can arbitrarily introduce their familiar well-known raster and vector geometry data types to the Conquest data model as well as particular algorithms - so-called operators - for specific applications. Tools are available to help support these new data types and operators so that a developer can focus on programming his/her core logic of algorithms without paying a penalty to deal with the novel execution environment's features.
Ventricular Function Before and After Surgery for Isolated and Combined Regurgitation in the Young.

Background Chronic mitral and aortic regurgitation (MR and AR) are associated with progressive contractile dysfunction. In the young, the risk of left ventricle (LV) dysfunction after operation for isolated and combined AR and MR is poorly defined. We aimed to compare LV mechanics in children and young adults with isolated and combined AR and MR, and identify risk factors for LV dysfunction after valve surgery. Methods Echocardiograms from children and young adults undergoing surgery for isolated severe AR (group I, n = 14), MR (group II, n = 21), or combined AR and MR (group III, n = 13), before and up to 18 months after surgery were compared with a normal population (n = 89). Normalized measures of LV geometry and mechanics were expressed as z scores. Results Before surgery all groups had LV dilatation, while groups I and III had afterload elevation and LV dysfunction. After operation LV dysfunction was more common in group III than in groups I and II (11 [84.5%] vs 5 [35.7%] vs 12 [57.1%], p = 0.04). The preoperative end-systolic volume z score predicted LV dysfunction after surgery in group I and II patients ( p = 0.047, area under the curve=0.75) but not in group III, where moderate LV dysfunction was related to the preoperative stress velocity index (−2.6 with vs –1.1 without, p = 0.04). Conclusions Left ventricular mechanics in combined AR and MR closely resemble those of AR. End-systolic volume predicts postoperative LV dysfunction in patients with isolated valve regurgitation, while those with combined disease were at high risk of postoperative LV dysfunction.
Fungal prosthetic valve endocarditis: Mayo Clinic experience with a clinicopathological analysis

Fungal prosthetic valve endocarditis is a rare but devastating disease. To better characterise this syndrome, we retrospectively reviewed 21 cases of fungal prosthetic valve endocarditis seen at Mayo Clinic over the past 40 years. The average patient age was 65 years with a 2 : 1 male predominance. Twelve of 21 cases (57%) occurred within 1 year of prosthetic valve placement. The aortic valve was most commonly affected, and the most common aetiological agent was Candida species, followed by Histoplasma capsulatum. Although 20 of 21 patients (95%) were immunocompetent, they had other risk factors for fungal infection. Patients typically presented with systemic signs and symptoms of infection, and cardiac imaging was abnormal in 68% of cases. Pathological evaluation of valve material was of high yield, with organisms identified in 92% of cases who underwent valve replacement surgery or had an autopsy performed. Prosthetic valve fungal endocarditis was associated with a high morbidity and mortality, with 67% of patients experiencing complications and 57% of patients dying of infection-related disease. Hopefully, with the prompt institution of early medical therapy, surgical intervention and lifelong oral antifungal suppressive therapy, cure rates will continue to improve.
Patterns of Forage Production on the Great Plains

Chapter 2 proposed that more heterogeneous hunting societies on the Plains should be found in regions in which ungulates occur in larger, more widely separated herds that are less mobile and whose movements are relatively regular within a season and repetitive from year to year. To test this proposition for the recent bison-hunting societies on the Plains, it is necessary to consider the nature and degree of variation in the determinants of bison adaptations there. As Chapter 4 shows, patterns of forage production are the most important of these determinants, and forage production is largely controlled in turn by climatic factors. This chapter therefore considers the differences in modern climate across the Plains and demonstrates the effect of these differences on forage production.
Drug approval challenges in the age of personalized cancer treatment

Cancer treatment is in evolution from nonspecific cytotoxic drugs that damage both tumor and normal cells to more targeted agents and immunotherapy approaches that target unique molecular features of cancer cells or that modulate the tumor immune response to produce greater effectiveness with less toxicity. The development and use of such approaches in biomarker-defined populations enables a more personalized approach to cancer treatment than previously possible and potentially improves the effectiveness, reduces the toxicity and lowers the cost of cancer care although significant barriers remain to realizing the vision of personalized cancer treatment.
For-the-record aesthetics and Robert Johnson's blues style as a product of recorded culture

Robert Johnson (1911–1938) is the most venerated of all pre-war blues musicians; the veneration borders on hagiography. Recently published revisionist literature has constructed a sociologically realistic portrayal of a professional musician working among other musicians for a contemporary audience in a specific historical context. This has left unexplained, however, the veneration granted to his music by the audience for his records from the 1960s to today. This paper presents the case that these two bodies of fact can be connected and the one serve as an explanation for the other. As Robert Johnson learned his craft from records and radio, and polished his songs to be recorded, he effectively developed a ‘for-the-record’ aesthetic that made his music sound different to that of his Delta contemporaries and many others who used musical techniques honed in performance for an audience. Decades later, when a ‘for-the-record’ aesthetic was the taken-for-granted standard in popular musical culture, Robert Johnson's records sounded better than those of his contemporaries, and the audience from the 1960s to today has had a reason to think that he and his music were special.