cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Flock Size and Position Effects on Vigilance, Aggression, and Prey Capture in the European Starling

We studied autumn foraging flocks of European Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) foraging on grass lawns to determine how flock size (up to ca. 250 individuals) and position within the flock (edge vs. center) affect the birds' foraging behavior. The birds fed exclusively by probing their bills into the ground, gaping, and extracting beetle larvae or earthworms, which were directly observed by us. Neither flock size nor position affected the rate of prey capture. Edge birds, however, spent more time vigilant and probed less than center birds. Rates ofagonistic interactions did not differ between flock positions; therefore, the percentage of time actually spent foraging (i.e., walking, searching, and probing) was lower for edge birds due to their higher level of vigilance. The only behaviors affected by flock size were percentage of time spent vigilant and percentage of time spent foraging, but only for edge birds in flocks of 520 individuals. The rate of agonistic interactions did not increase with increasing flock size for edge or center birds. Probe rate was not correlated with prey capture rate, placing caution on indiscriminate use of probe (or peck) rate as an index of prey capture rate. The likely nature of the dispersion pattern of the starling's prey is discussed in relation to our results.
Hadden, Jennifer. 2015. Networks in Contention: The Divisive Power of Climate Change. Cambridge, MA: Cambridge University Press.

The 2009 UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen was marked by an unprecedented level of contentious action by civil society activists. Conference organizers consequently increased restrictions on all civil society participation. This frustrated activists who favored working within the UN process to influence global climate policy. Jennifer Hadden’s Networks in Contention examines the internal politics of the transnational climate change network, both before and during the Copenhagen conference, to understand why Copenhagen was so contentious, why some organizations adopted contention and others did not, and how changes in the network and members’ tactics influenced climate politics. The book contributes to the ample literature on transnational activist networks by opening the proverbial “black box” of the transnational climate change network and revealing its internal struggles, divisions, and decisionmaking processes. Hadden’s central argument is that the structure of transnational networks (i.e., the relations among network members) influences the way the networks perform, and therefore their ability to influence policy. When it comes to explaining organizational decisions, she argues that “network ties can be more important than [organizational] attributes” (p. 87). Such ties can even mediate the incentives produced by political opportunity structures. This observation does not mean that political opportunity structures and organizational attributes are irrelevant. Hadden credits changing political opportunities with the dramatic increase in the number and diversity of civil society groups working on climate change at the 2009 Copenhagen conference. Particularly important was the addition of organizations from the global justice movement, which had a long history with contentious action. Hadden’s main focus, however, is on how these changes affected the structure of the transnational climate change network and the implications for civil society organizations’ ability to influence global climate policy. One might expect the additional resources and expertise brought by new civil society participants to translate into increased influence. Hadden skillfully uses social network analysis to explain why the increase in network size nevertheless decreased the climate change network’s overall connectivity, and thus members’ ability to impact climate change policy. The cliques that formed rarely
Effects of Supersonic Jet Conditions on Broadband Shock-Associated Noise

This paper describes an experimental study of the effects of jet heating on broadband shockassociated noise (BBSAN). Far field noise measurements are made for three nozzle geometries – a convergent nozzle, and smooth convergent-divergent nozzles with design Mach numbers 1.5 and 1.76. The effect of jet heating is simulated with the use of helium-air mixtures. It is shown that the effects of simulated heating on the BBSAN give good agreement with measurements in jets using heated air. Measurements for unheated jets are presented and are consistent with previous BBSAN experiments. The noise measurements are supplemented with schlieren flow visualizations that show that the appearance of a Mach disk in the shock cell structure is consistent with the saturation of the BBSAN levels for both highly under- and over-expanded jets. The effects of jet heating are then described for the design Mach number 1.5 nozzle operating at four Mach numbers – two over-expanded (1 .2,1.4) j M = and two under-expanded (1 .7,1.9) j M = . Total temperatures in the range 1.0 to 2.2 are considered in increments of 0.2. These values are chosen to supplement existing measurements at higher total temperature ratios and to examine the effects of low levels of heating. It is shown that the peak BBSAN rapidly approaches a saturation value in all cases. In the under-expanded cases, the peak BBSAN level decreases with increasing total temperature ratio and the reverse is true for the over-expanded cases. However, these changes are always small, having maximum values of 4 ± dB. The Strouhal number of the primary BBSAN peak also varies only slightly, being within 20% of the unheated jet value. Again, there is a measureable difference between the under-and over-expanded cases with the peak frequency increasing in the former case and falling in the latter. It is also shown that the characteristic spectral shape of BBSAN is very similar for all the cases considered (with and without heating), and is described very well by the theory developed by Tam [13,14]. The variation of the peak frequency, peak sound pressure level and spectral width with jet Mach number and total temperature ratio are described. This is used as the basis for a proposed empirical prediction model for BBSAN.
Study on water-dissolvant of 0.05% chlorine fluoride ether mosquito coil

Objective In order to be low energy expenditure,pollution and volley,water was used as dissolvant in the technology of mosquito coil.Methods Water was used as dissolvant for mosquito coil.Biological assay and poisonousness were tested.Results A aqueous-emulsion of 15% chlorine fluoride ether was used to make 0.05% mosquito coil wit 90% kerosene being saved.The average KT50was 2.73 min to Culex pipiens pallens.The 1 h knockdown rate was 100%.Conclusion The using of water dissolvant cut down the use of 90% kerosene and volley of CO2.It can also reduce enterprise costs,achieve low energy consumption,low pollution and low emission.
Determination of phthalate acid esters compound in laboratory water by GC-MS

Objective To establish a method for determination phthalate acid esters in laboratory water by GC-MS. Methods 20. 0 ml water samples were taken in 25. 0 ml colorimetric tube; the sample solution was well mixed after addition of0. 1 ml D4-DEHP( 10. 0 mg / L) internal standard solution and then the sample solution was purified by silica / PSA column( The silica gel column was activated with 5. 0 ml dichloromethane,5. 0 ml acetonitrile and 5. 0 ml water column in advance with acetonitrile eluting silica gel column and collection of elution solution. The elution solution was nearly dried with N2 flow to50 ℃ water bath and finally diluted to 1. 0 ml with hexane and determined by GC-MS coupling instrument and quantified with internal standard. Results Under the experimental conditions,the chromatographic separation of 16 kinds of phthalate esters,the linear equation and the method of linear equation correlation and precision of the method were good and can meet the requirement of the test. The correlation coefficient was among 0. 998 9-0. 999 8,and the spiking recovery rates were among 81. 8%-104. 0%,and the RSD was 3. 1%-10. 1%( n = 6). Conclusion This method is convenient,fast and sensitive. It is suitable for the determination of phthalate esters compounds in water,and it has a certain significance to select laboratory water for the determination of phthalate esters compounds.
Electrical current through individual pairs of phosphorus donor atoms and silicon dangling bonds.

Nuclear spins of phosphorus [P] donor atoms in crystalline silicon are among the most coherent qubits found in nature. For their utilization in scalable quantum computers, distinct donor electron wavefunctions must be controlled and probed through electrical coupling by application of either highly localized electric fields or spin-selective currents. Due to the strong modulation of the P-donor wavefunction by the silicon lattice, such electrical coupling requires atomic spatial accuracy. Here, the spatially controlled application of electrical current through individual pairs of phosphorus donor electron states in crystalline silicon and silicon dangling bond states at the crystalline silicon (100) surface is demonstrated using a high‐resolution scanning probe microscope operated under ultra‐high vacuum and at a temperature of 4.3K. The observed pairs of electron states display qualitatively reproducible current-voltage characteristics with a monotonous increase and intermediate current plateaus.
Talking to the Peace Commissioners: The Treaty of Medicine Lodge, 1867

With the Civil War won, the United States turned to rebuilding the defeated states in the South and to resolving the Indian question in the West. The government aimed ultimately to concentrate the Indians of the plains on two large reservations: one south of Kansas and the other north of Nebraska. Not only would this clear a corridor for American expansion across the central plains, but it would also begin the process of eradicating the Plains Indians’ way of life, something the government regarded as essential to lasting peace. The United States intended to achieve these ends by peaceful negotiation if possible, and by force if necessary. As a result, federal Indian policy toward Plains Indians vacillated between peace and war, even though the ultimate objective — the dispossession and acculturation of the Indians — was basically the same. Plains Indians fought to defend both their lands and their way of life.
Repurposing platinum-based chemotherapies for multi-modal treatment of glioblastoma

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a fatal brain cancer for which new treatment options are sorely needed. Platinum-based drugs have been investigated extensively for GBM treatment but few have shown significant efficacy without major central nervous system (CNS) and systemic toxicities. The relative success of platinum drugs for treatment of non-CNS cancers indicates great therapeutic potential when effectively delivered to the tumor region(s). New insights into the broad anticancer effects of platinum drugs, particularly immunomodulatory effects, and innovative delivery strategies that can maximize these multi-modal effects and minimize toxicities may promote the re-purposing of this chemotherapeutic drug class for GBM treatment.
The Rome I Regulation Rules on Party Autonomy for Choice of Law: A U.S. Perspective

This chapter was presented at a conference in Dublin on the (then) new Rome I Regulation of the European Union in the fall of 2009. It contrasts the Rome I rules on party autonomy with those in the United States. In particular, it considers the rules in the Rome I Regulation that ostensibly protect consumers by discouraging party agreement on a pre-dispute basis to the law governing a consumer contract. These rules are compared with the absence of private international law restrictions on choice of forum and choice of law in the United States, even in consumer contracts. The result in Europe is the “protection” of the right of the consumer to his or her home law, but often with the resulting reduction of consumer choice and increase of consumer cost. In the United States, cases have instead provided more of an economic analysis, often tying a consumer to the merchant’s choice of law (and choice of forum), but resulting in increased access to goods and services at what is generally a lower cost. Both systems “protect” consumers, they just choose to protect different consumer interests.
Consumable selection for arc welding between Stainless Steel 410 and Inconel 718

Abstract Dissimilar welding was achieved between martensitic stainless steel type AISI 410 and Inconel 718 using Cold Wire Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (CW-GTAW). Two types of consumables namely 718-410 and 82-410 were selected for this study. In both weldments, the microstructure investigation showed fully austenitic weldments with formation of secondary phases. Secondary phases were present in the heat affected zone (HAZ) of 718, and an unmixed melted zone (UMMZ) was observed on the 410 interface. The hardness of the secondary phases and UMMZ were determined using nano-indentation, and results revealed higher hardness in these regions compared to the weld zone (WZ) matrix. The UMMZ was removed by arc current enhancement. Mechanical examinations indicated that secondary phases and UMMZ did not significantly affect tensile strength and resistance to plastic deformation. However, investigation revealed that secondary phases can have a detrimental effect on ductility. Filler wire 82-410 demonstrated improved mechanical properties compared to filler 718-410 at room temperature and resulted in a stronger weld compared to 410 base metal (BM).
Remote Sensing of Oil In and Under Ice in a Climate-Controlled Test Basin

Abstract (2017-111) The ability to rapidly detect and delineate an oil spill in an Arctic environment is critical for efficient and effective response. The International Association of Oil and Gas ...
Neisseria gonorrhoeae host-adaptation and pathogenesis

The host-adapted human pathogenNeisseria gonorrhoeaeis the causative agent of gonorrhoea. In this Review, Quillin and Seifert provide an overview of the bacterial factors that are important for the different stages of pathogenesis, including transmission, colonization and immune evasion, and discuss the problem of antibiotic resistance. The host-adapted human pathogen Neisseria gonorrhoeae is the causative agent of gonorrhoea. Consistent with its proposed evolution from an ancestral commensal bacterium, N. gonorrhoeae has retained features that are common in commensals, but it has also developed unique features that are crucial to its pathogenesis. The continued worldwide incidence of gonorrhoeal infection, coupled with the rising resistance to antimicrobials and the difficulties in controlling the disease in developing countries, highlights the need to better understand the molecular basis of N. gonorrhoeae infection. This knowledge will facilitate disease prevention, surveillance and control, improve diagnostics and may help to facilitate the development of effective vaccines or new therapeutics. In this Review, we discuss sex-related symptomatic gonorrhoeal disease and provide an overview of the bacterial factors that are important for the different stages of pathogenesis, including transmission, colonization and immune evasion, and we discuss the problem of antibiotic resistance.
Clinical significance of tumor mitotic rate and lack of epidermal attachment in melanoma of the head and neck.

BACKGROUND The primary purpose of this study was to identify the prognostic role of primary dermal melanoma and tumor mitotic rate in melanomas of the head and neck. METHODS A retrospective review of the histopathologic, clinical, and demographic data of 256 patients was performed to investigate the impact of primary dermal melanoma and tumor mitotic rate on sentinel lymph node positivity, recurrence, and 5-year overall and disease-free survival. RESULTS Increased tumor mitotic rate, but not primary dermal melanoma, is a significant predictor of sentinel lymph node positivity and higher likelihood of recurrence. Survival analysis demonstrated that both increased tumor mitotic rate and primary dermal melanoma decreased the 5-year overall and disease-free survival rates of patients with head and neck melanoma lesions. CONCLUSION Tumor mitotic rate and primary dermal melanoma may have prognostic significance for both overall and disease-free survival in patients with head and neck melanoma. A larger prospective study is warranted to further elucidate prognostic factors for melanoma in the head and neck region.
Natural history of echocardiographic abnormalities in mucopolysaccharidosis III.

Abstract Background Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) type III, Sanfilippo Syndrome, is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder. MPS I and II patients often develop cardiac involvement leading to early mortality, however there are limited data in MPS III. The objective of this study is to describe cardiac abnormalities in a large group of MPS III patients followed in a longitudinal natural history study designed to determine outcome measures for gene transfer trials. Methods A single center study of MPS III patients who were enrolled in the Nationwide Children's Hospital natural history study in 2014. Two cardiologists reviewed all patient echocardiograms for anatomic, valvular, and functional abnormalities. Valve abnormalities were defined as abnormal morphology, trivial mitral regurgitation (MR) with abnormal morphology or at least mild MR, and any aortic regurgitation (AR). Abnormal left ventricular (LV) function was defined as ejection fraction Results Twenty-five patients, 15 Type A and 10 Type B MPS III, underwent 45 echocardiograms. Fifteen patients (60%) demonstrated an abnormal echocardiographic finding with age at first abnormal echocardiogram within the study being 6.8 ± 2.8 years. Left-sided valve abnormalities were common over time: 7 mitral valve thickening, 2 mitral valve prolapse, 16 MR (8 mild, 8 trivial), 3 aortic valve thickening, and 9 AR (7 mild, 2 trivial). Two patients had asymmetric LV septal hypertrophy. No valvular stenosis or ventricular function abnormalities were noted. Incidental findings included: mild aortic root dilation (2), bicommissural aortic valve (1), and mild tricuspid regurgitation (3). Conclusions Individuals with Sanfilippo A and B demonstrate a natural history of cardiac involvement with valvular abnormalities most common. In short-term follow up, patients demonstrated only mild progression of abnormalities, none requiring intervention. Valvular disease prevalence is similar to MPS I and II, but appears less severe. These findings raise no specific concerns for gene transfer trials in patients in this age range.
Chemical Screening Using Cell-Free Xenopus Egg Extract

Most drug screening methods use purified proteins, cultured cells, and/or small model organisms such as Xenopus, zebrafish, flies, or nematodes. These systems have proven successes in drug discovery, but they also have weaknesses. Although purified cellular components allow for identification of compounds with activity against specific targets, such systems lack the complex biological interactions present in cellular and organismal screens. In vivo systems overcome these weaknesses, but the lack of cellular permeability, efflux by cellular pumps, and/or toxicity can be major limitations. Xenopus laevis egg extract, a concentrated and biologically active cytosol, can potentially overcome these weaknesses. Drug interactions occur in a near-physiological milieu, thereby functioning in a "truer" endogenous manner than purified components. Also, Xenopus egg extract is a cell-free system that lacks intact plasma membranes that could restrict drug access to potential targets. Finally, Xenopus egg extract is readily manipulated at the protein level: Proteins are easily depleted or added to the system, an important feature for analyzing drug effects in disease states. Thus, Xenopus egg extract offers an attractive media for screening drugs that merges strengths of both in vitro and in vivo systems.
Assessing the stability of Cd, Mn, Pb, Se, and total Hg in whole human blood by ICP-DRC-MS as a function of temperature and time.

Abstract Background Comprehensive information on the effect of time and temperature storage on the measurement of elements in human, whole blood (WB) by inductively coupled plasma-dynamic reaction cell-mass spectrometry (ICP-DRC-MS) is lacking, particularly for Mn and Se. Methods Human WB was spiked at 3 concentration levels, dispensed, and then stored at 5 different temperatures: -70 °C, −20 °C, 4 °C, 23 °C, and 37 °C. At 3 and 5 weeks, and at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 36 months, samples were analyzed for Pb, Cd, Mn, Se and total Hg, using ICP-DRC-MS. We used a multiple linear regression model including time and temperature as covariates to fit the data with the measurement value as the outcome. We used an equivalence test using ratios to determine if results from the test storage conditions, warmer temperature and longer time, were comparable to the reference storage condition of 3 weeks storage time at −70 °C. Results Model estimates for all elements in human WB samples stored in polypropylene cryovials at −70 °C were equivalent to estimates from samples stored at 37 °C for up to 2 months, 23 °C up to 10 months, and −20 °C and 4 °C for up to 36 months. Model estimates for samples stored for 3 weeks at −70 °C were equivalent to estimates from samples stored for 2 months at −20 °C, 4 °C, 23 °C and 37 °C; 10 months at −20 °C, 4 °C, and 23 °C; and 36 months at −20 °C and 4 °C. This equivalence was true for all elements and pools except for the low concentration blood pool for Cd. Conclusions Storage temperatures of −20 °C and 4 °C are equivalent to −70 °C for stability of Cd, Mn, Pb, Se, and Hg in human whole blood for at least 36 months when blood is stored in sealed polypropylene vials. Increasing the sample storage temperature from −70 °C to −20 °C or 4 °C can lead to large energy savings. The best analytical results are obtained when storage time at higher temperature conditions (e.g. 23 °C and 37 °C) is minimized because recovery of Se and Hg is reduced. Blood samples stored in polypropylene cryovials also lose volume over time and develop clots at higher temperature conditions (e.g., 23 °C and 37 °C), making them unacceptable for elemental testing after 10 months and 2 months, respectively.
Synuclein Structure and Function in Parkinson’s Disease

The protein alpha-synuclein is implicated in the etiology of both sporadic and hereditary Parkinson’s disease. Structural studies of both the intrinsically disordered free state of the protein and of more ordered states, adopted when alpha-synuclein self assembles into fibrils or binds to lipid membranes or detergent micelles, have begun to provide insights into factors that likely influence both the pathological aggregation of the protein and its normal functions. Residual secondary structure and transient long-range interactions within the free state can be detected and may influence alpha-synuclein aggregation pathways. Structure within the amyloid fibril form of alpha-synuclein can also provide clues regarding the assembly pathways of the protein. Alpha-synuclein folds upon binding to lipid membranes and the experimentally determined topology of the bound protein likely mediates its physiological functions. The influence of disease-linked mutations on the structural properties of the free, fibrillar, and bound states has also been evaluated in order to examine the basis for altered aggregation kinetics and possible functional impairments of the mutant proteins. Comparative structural studies of the other human synuclein family members, β-synuclein and γ-synuclein have also been performed to clarify features that differentiate them from alpha-synuclein in both pathological and functional contexts. This chapter provides an up to date review of structural studies of the human synuclein family and of the implications of these studies for understanding synuclein pathways in biology and disease.
Functional Cell Layout Methods

In this chapter, we discuss one-dimensional functional cell design in depth and present a detailed survey and evaluation of all important prior methods for generating layouts in this style.
Tracking variable sedimentation rates and astronomical forcing in Phanerozoic paleoclimate proxy series with evolutionary correlation coefficients and hypothesis testing

Abstract This paper addresses two fundamental issues in cyclostratigraphy and paleoclimatology: identification of astronomical forcing in sequences of stratigraphic cycles, and accurate evaluation of variable sedimentation rates. The technique presented here considers these issues part of an inverse problem and estimates the product-moment correlation coefficient between the power spectra of astronomical solutions and paleoclimate proxy series across a range of test sedimentation rates. The number of contributing astronomical parameters in the estimate is also considered. Our estimation procedure tests the hypothesis that astronomical forcing had a significant impact on proxy records. The null hypothesis of no astronomical forcing is evaluated using a Monte Carlo simulation approach. The test is applied using a sliding stratigraphic window to track variable sedimentation rates along the paleoclimate proxy series, in a procedure termed “eCOCO” (evolutionary correlation coefficient) analysis. Representative models with constant and variable sedimentation rates, and pure noise and mixed signal and noise series are evaluated to demonstrate the robustness of the approach. The method is then applied to Cenozoic, Mesozoic and Paleozoic paleoclimate series. The Cenozoic case study focuses on a high-resolution Paleocene–Eocene iron concentration series from ODP Site 1262 (Leg 208) covering the Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum and Eocene Thermal Maximum 2 events. The eCOCO time-calibrated iron series confirms previous findings of a role for long-term astronomical forcing of these Eocene events. The Mesozoic case study applies eCOCO to the classic Late Triassic Newark depth rank series of eastern North America. The estimated high-resolution sedimentation rate map in this case demonstrates a causal link between variations in depositional environment and sedimentation rate. Finally, the Paleozoic case study supports the cyclostratigraphic interpretation of a Devonian magnetic susceptibility series at La Thure, Belgium and provides new insights into changes of the depositional setting at this location. Taken together, eCOCO is a powerful tool for simultaneously evaluating sedimentation rates and astronomical forcing for paleoclimate series throughout the Phanerozoic.
Intelligent defense using pretense against targeted attacks in cloud platforms

Abstract Cloud-hosted services are being increasingly used in online businesses in e.g., retail, healthcare, manufacturing, entertainment due to benefits such as scalability and reliability. These benefits are fueled by innovations in orchestration of cloud platforms that make them programmable as Software Defined everything Infrastructures (SDxI). At the same time, sophisticated targeted attacks such as Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) and Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) are growing on an unprecedented scale threatening the availability of online businesses. In this paper, we present a novel defense system called Dolus to mitigate the impact of targeted attacks launched against high-value services hosted in SDxI-based cloud platforms. Our Dolus system is able to initiate a ‘pretense’ in a scalable and collaborative manner to deter the attacker based on threat intelligence obtained from attack feature analysis. Using foundations from pretense theory in child play, Dolus takes advantage of elastic capacity provisioning via ‘quarantine virtual machines’ and SDxI policy co-ordination across multiple network domains to deceive the attacker by creating a false sense of success. We evaluate the efficacy of Dolus using a GENI Cloud testbed and demonstrate its real-time capabilities to: (a) detect DDoS and APT attacks and redirect attack traffic to quarantine resources to engage the attacker under pretense, (b) coordinate SDxI policies to possibly block attacks closer to the attack source(s).
A global comparison of community-based responses to natural hazards

Abstract. Community-based disaster preparedness is an important component of disaster management. Knowledge of interventions that communities utilize in response to hazards is important to develop local-level capacity and increase community resilience. This paper systematically examines empirical information about local-level responses to hazards based on peer-reviewed, published case studies. We developed a data set based on 188 articles providing information from 318 communities from all regions of the world. We classified response examples to address four key questions: (i) what kinds of responses are used by communities all over the world? (ii) Do communities in different parts of the world use different kinds of responses? (iii) Are communities using hazard-specific responses? (iv) Are communities using a multi-hazard approach? We found that within an extensive literature on hazards, there is relatively little empirical information about community-based responses to hazards. Across the world, responses aiming at securing basic human needs are the most frequently reported kinds of responses. Although the notion of community-based disaster preparedness is gaining importance, very few examples of responses that draw on the social fabric of communities are reported. Specific regions of the world are lacking in their use of certain hazard responses classes. Although an all-hazard approach for disaster preparedness is increasingly recommended, there is a lack of multi-hazard response approaches on the local level.
The contribution of maternal characteristics and cesarean delivery to an increasing trend of severe maternal morbidity.

Severe maternal morbidity – life-threatening childbirth complications – has more than doubled in the United States over the past 15 years, affecting more than 50,000 women (1.4% of deliveries) annually. During this time period, maternal age, obesity, comorbidities, and cesarean delivery also increased and may be related to the rise in severe maternal morbidity. We sought to evaluate: (1) the association of advanced maternal age, pre-pregnancy obesity, pre-pregnancy comorbidities, and cesarean delivery with severe maternal morbidity, and (2) whether changes in the prevalence of these risk factors affected the trend of severe maternal morbidity. This population-based cohort study used linked birth record and patient discharge data from live births in California during 2007–2014 (n = 3,556,206). We used multivariable logistic regression models to assess the association of advanced maternal age (≥35 years), pre-pregnancy obesity (body mass index ≥30 kg/m2), pre-pregnancy comorbidity (index of 12 conditions), and cesarean delivery with severe maternal morbidity prevalence and trends. Severe maternal morbidity was identified by an index of 18 diagnosis and procedure indicators. We estimated odds ratios, predicted prevalence, and population attributable risk percentages. The prevalence of severe maternal morbidity increased by 65% during 2007–2014. Advanced maternal age, pre-pregnancy obesity, and pre-pregnancy comorbidity also increased during this period, but cesarean delivery did not. None of these risk factors affected the increasing trend of severe maternal morbidity. However, the pre-pregnancy risk factors together were estimated to contribute to 13% (95% confidence interval: 12, 14%) of severe maternal morbidity cases in the study population overall, and cesarean delivery was estimated to contribute to 37% (95% confidence interval: 36, 38%) of cases. Pre-pregnancy health and cesarean delivery are important risk factors for severe maternal morbidity but do not explain an increasing trend of severe maternal morbidity in California during 2007–2014. Investigation of other potential contributors is needed in order to identify ways to reverse the trend of severe maternal morbidity.
Ion transport and association study of glyme-based electrolytes with lithium and sodium salts

Abstract Glyme solvents are a promising avenue of research in novel electrolytes, due to their thermal and chemical stability, large electrochemical window, and tunable properties. This work investigates the transport properties of LiPF6 and NaPF6 salts in Monoglyme (G1), Diglyme (G2), and Tetraglyme (G4). Self-Diffusion coefficients, and degrees of ion association were found through spectroscopic techniques. Raman and Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy exhibited an absorbance peak at 740 cm−1, corresponding to the a1g mode; known to signify the presence of solvent-separated and contact ion pairs. The increased intensity of this peak for G1 compared to G4 suggests that the electrolyte exhibits stronger association with decreasing solvent size. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Diffusometry measurements yield self-diffusion coefficients for 7Li, 23Na, and 19F across all samples to be on the order of 10−9 m2s−1 in G1, to 10−11 m2s−1 in G4. Comparison of conductivities calculated from the measured diffusivities and the Nernst-Einstein equation with conductivity measurements deduced from Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) determined the ion association degree; the electrolytes were shown to exhibit stronger ion pairing with increased temperature which is attributed to a decrease in the dielectric constant of the solvents with increasing temperature. Additionally, the ion association was shown to decrease with increasing solvent molecular size, consistent with FTIR findings.
Modification of the acute otitis media symptom severity scale.

Abstract Objective To modify a parent-reported scale we developed to follow symptoms of young children with acute otitis media (AOM-SOS) with the aim of improving its psychometric properties. Study design We modified version 4.0 of the scale by increasing the number of response options from 3 to 6. We compared the distribution of scores, internal reliability, construct validity, and responsiveness of versions 4.0 and 5.0 in children diagnosed with acute otitis media (AOM) in 2 studies. For Version 5.0, we also estimated the minimal important difference (MID) and assessed its construct validity. Results 291 and 70 children were enrolled in the studies evaluating version 4.0 and 5.0, respectively. Version 5.0 had fewer items at the ceiling and better psychometric properties (responsiveness, internal reliability, and test-retest reliability). Changes in the score for Version 5.0 corresponded to changes in clinical status. Factor analysis supported a one-factor solution. Children whose parents reported only a small degree of improvement on the diary (compared to the day before) had a mean decrease in AOM-SOS score of approximately 20%. This value can be used as the MID for this version of the scale. Conclusions Modification of the AOM-SOS improved its psychometric properties. Data presented here support the use of Version 5.0 of the AOM-SOS as a measure of change in symptom burden in clinical trials of children with acute otitis media.
An exploration of gradient-based features for buried threat detection using a handheld ground penetrating radar

In this work we consider the problem of developing algorithms for the automatic detection of buried threats in handheld Ground Penetrating Radar (HH-GPR) data. The development of algorithms for HH-GPR is relatively nascent compared to larger downward-looking GPR (DL-GPR) systems. A large number of buried threat detection (BTD) algorithms have been developed for DL-GPR systems. Given the similarities between DL-GPR data and HHGPR data, effective BTD algorithm designs may be similar for both modalities. In this work we explore the application of successful class of DL-GPR-based algorithms to HH-GPR data. In particular, we consider the class of algorithms that are based upon gradient-based features, such as histogram-of-oriented gradients (HOG) and edge histogram descriptors. We apply a generic gradient-based feature with a support vector machine to a large dataset of HH-GPR data with known buried threat locations. We measure the detection performance of the algorithm as we vary several important design parameters of the feature, and identify those designs that yield the best performance. The results suggest that the design of the gradient histogram (GH) feature has a substantial impact on its performance. We find that a tuned GH algorithm yields substantially-better performance, but ultimately performs similarly to the energy-based detector. This suggests that GH-based features may not be beneficial for HH-GPR data, or that further innovation will be needed to achieve benefits.
Using Hyperspectral UAS Imagery to Monitor Invasive Plant Phenology

UAS based sensors provide safe on demand deployment of small hyperspectral imaging systems. Using this technology to monitor invasive plant spread and phenology will enable resource managers to respond quickly and effectively.
Development and validation of an ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method to determine the bioavailability of warfarin and its major metabolite 7-hydroxy warfarin in rats dosed with oral formulations containing different polymorphic forms.

A simple, sensitive and rapid ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for the quantification of warfarin and 7-hydroxy warfarin in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. Animals were administered a single dose of warfarin sodium formulations (crystalline and amorphous) at 12 mg/kg via oral gavage and blood was drawn over a 96-h time course. Sample process recoveries, matrix effect and analyte stability were determined. The linearity for warfarin and 7-hydroxy warfarin was from 5 to 2000 ng/mL in blank SD rat plasma. Correlation coefficients (r2 ) for standard calibration curves were >.98 and analytes quantified within ±15% of target at all calibrator concentrations. The average percent accuracy and precision for intra- and inter-day were 93.7%-113.8% and ≤12.1%, respectively, for warfarin and 7-hydroxy warfarin, across the quality control standards (5, 10, 500, 1800 and 2000 ng/mL). Acceptable analytical recovery (>55%) was achieved with process efficiencies >41.5% and matrix effects <139.9% over the analytical range. Both analytes were stable in stock solution, autosampler, benchtop and three cycles of freeze-thaw with percent accuracy ≥90.2% and precision (percent relative standard deviation) ≤14%. The validated method was successfully applied to a pre-clinical bioavailability study of crystalline and amorphous warfarin sodium formulations in SD rats.
Endovascular Repair of Ruptured Ascending Aorta Secondary to Embolized Transcatheter Aortic Valve.

Since its approval by the United States Food and Drug Administration in 2011, transcatheter aortic valve replacement has revolutionized the treatment of aortic valvular disease with a rapid increase in use. Potentially fatal aortic complications are rare, occurring in 0.2% to 1.1% of cases—all reported in the early perioperative period. We present a case of a late ascending aortic pseudoaneurysm with rupture secondary to erosion by an embolized transcatheter aortic valve occurring 6 years after implantation. The patient was successfully treated with a commercially available, off-the-shelf aortic endograft.
Base transport factor and frequency response of transistor lasers

We report on a charge control analysis that relates the characteristic time constants of a three-port laser made of a quantum-well (QW) heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) to the electronic gain of the device. For this purpose, we take into account the linear variation of the base transport factor α with the HBT base current. Our approach enables us to obtain QW capture time, base recombination lifetime, and base transit time in terms of the experimental values of base current and of the transistor laser (TL) design parameters such as base width, QW width, and QW location. Whereas the base recombination lifetime is calculated to be a fraction of a nanosecond, the QW capture time is found to be of the order of a picosecond or less. The time constants obtained from our model are used to successfully reproduce the TL experimental optical frequency response.
ac susceptibility and grain-boundary pinning strengths in YBa2Cu3O7- delta and YBa2Cu2.985Ag0.015O7- delta.

Estimation of the relative flux-pinning strengths of the matrix and the grain boundaries in polycrystalline oxide superconductors contributes to the understanding of their superconducting properties. Such understanding is further enhanced if measurements can be compared with those from materials with lattice substitution and doped grain boundaries. The ac susceptibilities of polycrystalline ${\mathrm{YBa}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}$${\mathrm{O}}_{7\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\delta}}}$ and ${\mathrm{YBa}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Cu}}_{2.985}$${\mathrm{Ag}}_{0.015}$${\mathrm{O}}_{7\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\delta}}}$ were measured as functions of temperature, ac-magnetic-field strength, and frequency. The presence of two loss peaks in the imaginary part of the susceptibility, \ensuremath{\chi}'', was confirmed by comparison of ac and dc measurements obtained on materials with different microstructures. One peak in \ensuremath{\chi}'' was found to be associated with the matrix transition and the other, at lower temperatures, with weak-link behavior at grain boundaries. The model by K.-H. M\"uller for the field dependence of the peaks was used to estimate and compare the pinning-force densities in the matrix and at weak links for both pure and Ag-substituted ${\mathrm{YBa}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}$${\mathrm{O}}_{7\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\delta}}}$. In the temperature range (75--90 K) and field range (1--10 Oe, rms) studied, similar pinning forces, 6\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{8}$ T A ${\mathrm{m}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}2}$, for the matrix of the two materials were found, but the pinning-force densities at the weak links were higher for the Ag-substituted material by a factor of 1.5, i.e., ${10}^{4}$ T A ${\mathrm{m}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}2}$ for ${\mathrm{YBa}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Cu}}_{2.985}$${\mathrm{Ag}}_{0.015}$${\mathrm{O}}_{7\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\delta}}}$ as compared to 6\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{3}$ T A ${\mathrm{m}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}2}$ for ${\mathrm{YBa}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}$${\mathrm{O}}_{7\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\delta}}}$.
Dosage response of rye genes in a wheat background : 2. Secalin genes on 1RS.

A series of hexaploid wheat lines containing zero, two or four doses of rye chromosome arm 1RS was used to investigate the response to changes in dosage by the rye genes when in a wheat background. The quantity of protein produced by the secalin protein genes contained on 1RS was directly related to the number of copies of 1RS present in the line. No response could be detected by representative wheat proteins suggesting that the increase in secalin protein observed was due to an increase in mRNA produced when four copies of the secalin gene was present. These results suggest that increasing the dosage of alien genes introgressed into wheat may be a useful tool for enhancing their expression.
Rigorous analysis of magnetostrictive constitutive models (Conference Presentation)

By providing a fast and accurate constitutive model suitable for use in finite element analysis, a key barrier inhibiting the development of magnetostrictive technologies will be lowered. A magnetostrictive constitutive model must calculate the nonlinear magnetization and magnetostriction of a material in response to magnetic and mechanical loads. This presentation will analyze the accuracy and computational complexity of three different integration methods performing these calculations: Riemann sums, Clenshaw-Curtis (CCQ) quadrature, and Laplace’s Method. We will show how using Laplace’s method provides an accurate and computationally efficient calculation of nonlinear magnetization, magnetostriction, and material properties for use in a FEA program.
Reliability and validity of Chinese Version of Perinatal Grief Scale among abnormal pregnant women

Objective To analyze the reliability and validity of Chinese Version of Perinatal Grief Scale (PGS) in abnormal pregnant women. Methods After translating the original scale, we applied the back translation and cultural adaptation. Totals of 170 prenatal loss women were surveyed to analyze the item and exploratory factors. Another 110 cases were surveyed to do confirmatory factor analysis and reliability analysis. Results Except for the fifth item, the remaining 32 items and the correlation coefficient of total scale were higher (r=0.307-0.659). Two factors were extracted from exploratory factors analysis, accounting for a cumulative variance contribution rate of 60.82%. The results of confirmatory factor analysis were χ2/df=2.21, RMSEA=0.058, NFI=0.910, GFI=0.900, CFI=0.920. Conclusions The Chinese Version of PGS had good reliability and validity, and it is suitable for psychological assessment of abnormal pregnant women. Key words: Abnormal pregnancy; Perinatal grief scale; Reliability; Validity
Scalable Multichip Packaging With Integrated Antenna Array for a 73-GHz Transceiver IC

The multichip packaging of an $E$ -band (71–76 GHz) millimeter-wave (mmWave) phased-array transceiver with an integrated $4 \times 4$ antenna array is described. Each unit is populated with four identical 2.1 mm $\times2.4$ mm transceiver dies assembled on the bottom side of an 8.01 mm $\times7.51$ mm substrate sized so that multiple units may be placed on a PCB to form a larger array while maintaining constant antenna pitch. Key features of the packaging solution include integrated stacked-patch antennas with measured $\vert S_{11}\vert $ less than −10 dB, die-to-antenna connection with simulated insertion loss less than 0.7 dB, on-package analog baseband splitters with 1-GHz bandwidth, and high-performance through-PCB cooling of the die, which are mounted to the bottom of the package.
A community context for aggression? Multi-species audience effects on territorial aggression in two species of Paridae.

Territorial aggression in birds is widely observed and is commonly linked to sex, age, body size, physiology, seasonal cues, food resource, urbanization, and a variety of social contexts including conspecific audience effects. However, little is known about the heterospecific audience effects on territorial aggression.Here, we address an emerging idea that heterospecific audience effects may be pervasive influences in the social lives of free-living birds. We tested the hypothesis that the composition, number, and relative body size of heterospecific audiences observing an aggressive contest will influence the response probability and intensity of aggression displayed.We subjected two Paridae species, tufted titmouse (TUTI, Baeolophus bicolor) and Carolina chickadee (CACH, Poecile carolinensis), to playbacks of aggressive calls during a breeding season in north-central Florida. At widely spaced playback sites (N = 134) in woodland habitats, we characterized the makeup of heterospecific audiences, aggression type (intra vs. interspecific territoriality), local population density, and various environmental factors (tree density, wind speed, and noise level) that are likely to influence territorial aggression.We found that the presence of heterospecific audiences increased TUTI aggression levels and that both parids were more likely to respond to playback stimuli when their audiences had higher heterospecific diversity (more heterospecific individuals and species). We also found TUTI were more likely to respond when CACH were present but not vice versa.In conclusion, we found evidence that heterospecific audiences significantly influenced the metrics of territorial aggression of free-living animals and we suggest that the definition of audience effects on the behavior of free-living animals be expanded to incorporate heterospecific audiences.