cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evolutionary diversification and geographical isolation in Dubautia laxa (Asteraceae), a widespread member of the Hawaiian silversword alliance.

† Background and Aims The Hawaiian silversword alliance (Asteraceae) is one the best examples of a plant adaptive radiation, exhibiting extensive morphological and ecological diversity. No research within this group has addressed the role of geographical isolation, independent of ecological adaptation, in contributing to taxonomic diversity. The aims of this study were to examine genetic differentiation among subspecies of Dubautia laxa (Asteraceae) to determine if allopatric or sympatric populations and subspecies form distinct genetic clusters to understand better the role of geography in diversification within the alliance. † Methods Dubautia laxa is a widespread member of the Hawaiian silversword alliance, occurring on four of the five major islands of the Hawaiian archipelago, with four subspecies recognized on the basis of morphological, ecological and geographical variation. Nuclear microsatellites and plastid DNA sequence data were examined. Data were analysed using maximum-likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic methodologies to identify unique evolutionary lineages. † Key Results Plastid DNA sequence data resolved two highly divergent lineages, recognized as the Laxa and Hirsuta groups, that are more similar to other members of the Hawaiian silversword alliance than they are to each other. The Laxa group is basal to the young island species of Dubautia, whereas the Hirsuta group forms a clade with the old island lineages of Dubautia and with Argyroxiphium. The divergence between the plastid groups is supported by Bayesian microsatellite clustering analyses, but the degree of nuclear differentiation is not as great. Clear genetic differentiation is only observed between allopatric populations, both within and among islands. † Conclusions These results indicate that geographical separation has aided diversification in D. laxa, whereas ecologically associated morphological differences are not associated with neutral genetic differentiation. This suggests that, despite the stunning ecological adaptation observed, geography has also played an important role in the Hawaiian silversword alliance plant adaptive radiation.
Can There Be a Democratic Jurisprudence

General jurisprudence purports to consider law in general. But to break out of the arid abstractions of analytic legal philosophy, it may be worth also giving some jurisprudential consideration to the distinctive features of law in the context of a particular kind of political system. This paper considers the jurisprudence of law in a modern democracy. It explores a suggestion (made by Ronald Dworkin and others) that legal positivism might be a theory particularly apt for a democracy. And it explores the meaning and significance for democratic political theory of ideas like the generality of law, the separation of law and morality, the sources thesis, and law's public orientation. At the very end, the paper also considers Jean-Jacques Rousseau's view that the word "law" should be confined to measures that are applicable to all, made by all, and enacted in the spirit of a general will.
Simulation of the Electrically Stimulated Cochlear Neuron: Modeling Adaptation to Trains of Electric Pulses

The Hodgkin-Huxley (HH) model does not simulate the significant changes in auditory nerve fiber (ANF) responses to sustained stimulation that are associated with neural adaptation. Given that the electric stimuli used by cochlear prostheses can result in adapted responses, a computational model incorporating an adaptation process is warranted if such models are to remain relevant and contribute to related research efforts. In this paper, we describe the development of a modified HH single-node model that includes potassium ion (K+) concentration changes in response to each action potential. This activity-related change results in an altered resting potential, and hence, excitability. Our implementation of K+-related changes uses a phenomenological approach based upon K+ accumulation and dissipation time constants. Modeled spike times were computed using repeated presentations of modeled pulse-train stimuli. Spike-rate adaptation was characterized by rate decrements and time constants and compared against ANF data from animal experiments. Responses to relatively low (250 pulse/s) and high rate (5000 pulse/s) trains were evaluated and the novel adaptation model results were compared against model results obtained without the adaptation mechanism. In addition to spike-rate changes, jitter and spike intervals were evaluated and found to change with the addition of modeled adaptation. These results provide one means of incorporating a heretofore neglected (although important) aspect of ANF responses to electric stimuli. Future studies could include evaluation of alternative versions of the adaptation model elements and broadening the model to simulate a complete axon, and eventually, a spatially realistic model of the electrically stimulated nerve within extracochlear tissues.
Association of Externalizing Behavior Disorder Symptoms and Injury Among Fifth Graders

Abstract Objective Injury is the leading cause of death among American youth, killing more 11-year-olds than all other causes combined. Children with symptoms of externalizing behavior disorders such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and conduct disorder (CD) may have increased risk. Our aims were to determine: (1) whether increasing symptoms of ADHD and CD associate positively with injuries among a community sample of fifth graders; and (2) whether symptoms of ADHD and CD have a multiplicative rather than additive association with injuries among the sample. Methods Data were collected from 4745 fifth graders and their primary caregivers participating in Healthy Passages, a multisite, community-based study of pediatric health risk behaviors and health outcomes. The primary outcome was injury frequency. Primary independent variables were ADHD and CD symptoms. Additional covariates included gender, race/ethnicity, and household income. Ordinal logistic regression examined correlates of injury frequency. The interaction between ADHD and CD symptoms also was examined. Results In bivariate analyses, the odds of injury increased as ADHD symptoms (odds ratio [OR] 1.29; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.18–1.41) and CD symptoms (OR 1.18; 95% CI 1.07–1.31) increased. However, in multivariate analysis, only ADHD symptoms were significantly associated with injury (OR 1.22; 95% CI 1.10–1.35). There was no statistically significant interaction between ADHD and CD symptoms. Conclusions ADHD symptoms are associated with increased odds of injury in fifth graders. Findings have implications for potential injury prevention strategies for mental health practitioners (for example, cognitive training with at-risk youth), pediatricians (ADHD screening), and parents (improved supervision).
Transient simulation of on-chip transmission lines via exact pole extraction

An accurate and efficient solution for the transient response at the far end of a transmission line is proposed in this paper. Unlike approximating the poles by truncating the transfer function or matching moments, the exact poles of an interconnect system are analytically extracted. Excellent match is observed between the proposed method and Spectre simulations. With two pairs of poles, the average error for the 50% delay is 1%. Higher accuracy can be obtained with additional pairs of poles. The computational complexity of the model is proportional to the number of pole pairs.
Path planning for an intelligent robot by the extended VGraph algorithm

In many path-planning algorithms, attempts are made to optimize the path between the start and the goal in terms of Euclidean distance. Since the moving object is shrunk to a point in the configuration space, the findpath problem can be formulated as a graph-searching problem. This is known as the VGraph algorithm. However, its first drawback is related to the rotation of a moving object. This drawback has been solved by using the sliced projection method. The VGraph algorithm has serious drawbacks when the obstacles are three-dimensional. The extended VGraph algorithm is proposed to solve the drawbacks of the VGraph algorithm by using the recursive compensation algorithm. The latter is to find the collision-free shortest path in 3 D without increasing the complexity of the VGraph, and it is shown to converge the shortest path in 3 D. It is noted that, simplifying the VGraph, the extended VGraph algorithm can save not only the memory space to represent the VGraph but also the graph-searching time. >
In Vitro Degradation and Conversion of Melt‐Derived Microfibrous Borate (13‐93B3) Bioactive Glass Doped with Metal Ions

Microfibrous melt-derived bioactive glasses based on a borate 13-93B3 composition are showing a considerable capacity to heal chronic soft tissue wounds in humans and animals. Metal ion dopants in borate 13-93B3 microfibers can be beneficial for healing soft tissue wounds and bone defects but their role and delivery have received little attention. In this study, the effect of selected metal ion dopants on the degradation and conversion of 13-93B3 microfibers in simulated body fluid at 37°C was investigated. Two groups of microfibers (diameter = 0.2–3 μm) composed of 13-93B3 glass (composition 6 Na2O, 12 K2O, 5 MgO, 20 CaO, 4 P2O5, 53 B2O3, wt%) doped with (1) CuO (0.4 wt%) + ZnO (1.0 wt%); and (2) CuO (0.4 wt%) + ZnO (1.0 wt%) + Fe2O3 (0.4 wt%) + SrO (2.0 wt%) were studied. The metal ion dopants had little effect on the degradation of the parent 13-93B3 glass microfibers and their conversion to an amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) product but they inhibited the crystallization of the ACP to HA. The release of Cu and Sr ions from the glass into the medium was considerably higher than Zn and Fe ions which were retained mainly in the ACP or HA product. These results are pertinent to the design of borate bioactive glasses for optimum healing of soft tissue wounds and bone.
Emerging Ideas Shared Decision Making in Patients with Osteoarthritis of the Hip and Knee

Background Despite the widely reported success of total joint arthroplasty (TJA) in reducing pain and improving quality of life and function for patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis, rates of TJA use vary widely throughout the United States, with broad disparities based on geographic, racial, and socioeconomic factors. Shared decision-making approaches, which require an exchange of information between patients and their physicians, can be helpful in improving patient satisfaction with their treatment decision and appropriate use of TJA.
Improved thermoelectric properties in heavily doped FeGa3

FeGa3, a hybridization gap semiconductor, has been substituted with an n-type dopant Ge to form a series of compositions FeGa3−xGex. Electrical and thermal transport properties of these compositions have been studied. Change in carrier density (n) is evident from the Hall measurements. The carrier density (n) can be as high as ∼1021 cm−3 in these compositions. In order to study the role of heavy doping on the thermoelectric properties of FeGa3, an alloy series Fe1−yCoyGa3−xGex has also been synthesized with higher concentrations of Ge (x = 0.1–0.35) and Co (y = 0.1–0.5). From resistivity and Seebeck coefficient measurements, it appears that heavy doping is accomplished by the simultaneous substitutions of Ge and Co. The systematic change in both resistivity (ρ) and Seebeck coefficient (α) is possibly due to change in the carrier density (n). The power factor (PF) α2/ρ improves steadily with increasing carrier density and the best PF ∼1.1 mW/m K2 is observed for the heavily doped compositions at 875 K. In ...
A Review of The RDA Workbook: Learning the Basics of Resource Description and Access

THE RDA WORKBOOK: LEARNING THE BASICS OF RESOURCE DESCRIPTION AND ACCESS, edited by Margaret Mering. Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited, 2014. xviii, 190 p. illus. + CD-ROM. ISBN 978-1-61069-48...
Black-Tailed and White-Tailed Jackrabbits in the American West: History, Ecology, Ecological Significance, and Survey Methods

Abstract. Across the western United States, Leporidae are the most important prey item in the diet of Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos). Leporids inhabiting the western United States include black-tailed (Lepus californicus) and white-tailed jackrabbits (Lepus townsendii) and various species of cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus spp.). Jackrabbits (Lepus spp.) are particularly important components of the ecological and economic landscape of western North America because their abundance influences the reproductive success and population trends of predators such as coyotes (Canis latrans), bobcats (Lynx rufus), and a number of raptor species. Here, we review literature pertaining to black-tailed and white-tailed jackrabbits comprising over 170 published journal articles, notes, technical reports, conference proceedings, academic theses and dissertations, and other sources dating from the late 19th century to the present. Our goal is to present information to assist those in research and management, particularly ...
Segment Management to Delay Goodwill Write-downs

Managers can use the flexibility inherent in the accounting standards for segment reporting to delay or avoid goodwill write-downs. Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level and the accounting standards define reporting units as operating segments or components of operating segments. Since operating segments are defined according to the management approach, or how the chief operating decision maker chooses to view the firm's operations, a firm can manage its segment boundaries to allocate acquired goodwill in a way that delays or avoids impairments. We find that in acquisition years, firms with higher book-to-market ratios are more likely to increase the number of reported segments, and that these high book-to-market, segment-increasing firms are associated with delayed goodwill impairments.
Mathematical Talent: Discovery, Description, and Development (MT:D3)

The quotation is from chapter 1 of this rather uneven symposium volume, and was written by Julian C. Stanley, professor of psychology at Johns Hopkins University and director of the study of mathematical precocity which is the subject of this book. With chapters by several of his associates in the study, and two chapters of more independent commentary, the text adds up to a defense of the quoted proposition, and a certain amount of evidence concerning Prof Stanley's proposed cure for what is a disease afflicting roughly 10,000 American youngsters in the age group studied. Out of 450 self-selected contestants in a Baltimore County mathematics competition in 1972, the 35 "topscorers" on the SAT mathematics test
Fatty Cirrhosis in the Rat. X. Effect of Sex.

SummaryCholine-deficient female rats responded in a very similar way as the males did. They appeared to be less susceptible to the ill effects of choline deficiency and fared better than the males.
Mid-infrared Plasmons in Graphene Nanostructures

We demonstrate mid-infrared (4-15 µm) plasmons in graphene nanostructures with dimensions as small as 50 nm. We reveal damping channels via graphene intrinsic optical phonons, scattering from the edges, and coupling to the substrate. Article not available.
Amphimedosides A-C: synthesis, chemoselective glycosylation, and biological evaluation.

The amphimedosides, discovered in 2006, are the first examples of naturally occurring glycosylated alkoxyamines. We report syntheses of amphimedosides A–C that feature a stereoselective oxyamine neoglycosylation and found that these alkaloids display modest cytotoxicity toward seven diverse human cancer cell lines, exhibiting IC50 values ranging from 3.0 μM to greater than 100 μM.
The Intestinal Pathogen Detection Methods Optimization and Evaluation for Employing Physical Examination

Objective Practitioners examination intestinal pathogen detection method to optimize and improve the screening rate,shorten the detection time.Method Application of SS,TSI on XLD,TSI and MIU in culture medium for 4280 anal swab test screening.Result SS suspicious colonies suspicious rate was 19.70%,XLD s suspected colonies suspicious rate of 14.65%,SS suspicious colonies excluded in TSI was 61.21%;TSI,MIU excluded exclusion rate was 80.43% suspicious colonies,XLD TSI exclusion rate was 58.05%;TSI,MIU exclude exclusion rate was 78.95%.Conclusion XLD,TSI and MIU medium to use superior tract pathogen detection in SS TSI combination,can increase the screening rate and shorten the testing time,improve work efficiency.
JNM Supplement on Molecular Radiotherapy

TO THE EDITOR: We are using PET with 11C-WAY 100635 and 11C-raclopride (sequentially) to measure brain serotonin-1A and dopamine-2 receptor binding, respectively, in depressed and nondepressed postpartum research subjects. We received permission from our Institutional Review Board and Radioactive
CHD risk factors: a Framingham study update

Recent findings in this classic epidemiologic study underscore the point: coronary heart disease is distinctly multifactorial. Potential for acquiring the disease is determined by blood lipids, blood pressure, ECG findings, and other factors that tend to cluster and interact. For prevention and treatment, the composite risk has to be addressed.
Ventricular septal defect from blunt cardiac injury: A case report and meta-analysis of 64 patients from 61 reviews

A 36-year-old male motorcyclist involved in a motor vehicle accident (MVA) with loss of consciousness and sustained multiple orthopedic injuries and a traumatic ventricular septal defect (VSD) which was hemodynamically stable. He then underwent emergency orthopedic surgery and was discharged after 5 weeks to rehabilitation. Subsequently, 6 months later, he underwent an elective repair of a 1.5 cm apical septal defect with uneventful recovery. A meta-analysis of 61 other reports of traumatic VSD revealed MVA as the most common etiology in 57.8%, predominantly males in 85.5% and younger age group <30 years in 87.5%. The midmuscular septum was involved in 43.6%, and patch closure was used in the majority of patients performed through a right or left ventriculotomy. Operative mortality was zero with elective versus 27.3% for emergency repairs, which also had a 27.3% VSD recurrence. 28.6% of the patients required concomitant cardiac surgical procedures while two patients (4.1%) both with perimembranous VSD required a permanent pacemaker. Less invasive transcatheter closure was successfully deployed in three patients without any complications, and it is an alternative in patients with a suitable anatomy and no associated cardiac injuries requiring surgery. Conservative therapy as a mainstay of treatment should be reserved for asymptomatic small defects with hemodynamically insignificant shunts.
Causal Mediation Analysis Using Structure Equation Models

Structural equation modeling (SEM) is an extremely flexible, powerful technique for causal mediation analysis. In this chapter we discuss advantages to using the SEM framework in the context of causal mediation analysis. SEM is designed, in part, to test these more complicated mediation models in a single analysis. Thus the approach allows for ease of interpretation and estimation, while simplifying testing of mediation hypotheses. SEM can be used when extending a mediation process to multiple independent variables, mediators or outcomes, including latent constructs and performing longitudinal data analyses. In this chapter we also discuss SEM model fit information about the consistency of the hypothesized mediational model to the data. Standard causal inference assumptions used when deriving causal indirect effects can be applied in the SEM framework for inference with non-continuous outcomes and mediators.
Hoping Against Hope: The Possibility of the Impossible

Voice of Skepticism: Let us be clear. Today, the situation is hopeless. There are no grounds for hope. Voice of Hope: The future is always better. Skepticism: How can you say anything so ridiculous...
Nesting Biology of the Solitary Bee Epicharis albofasciata (Apoidea: Apidae: Centridini)

ABSTRACT This paper describes the extensive nesting site and the nesting behavior of a large population of the solitary, ground-nesting bee Epicharis (Epicharoides) albofasciata Smith, found in Trinidad in association with its cleptoparasite Mesoplia (Mesoplia) rufipes (Perty). In addition to describing nests and their cells, it provides information about provisioning, egg deposition, and larval eclosion.
Effect of Cyclic Pre-deformation on Uniaxial Tensile Behavior of Cu-16 at. pct Al Alloy with Low Stacking Fault Energy

To explore the effect of cyclic pre-deformation on static mechanical behavior of materials with different stacking fault energies (SFEs), polycrystalline Cu-16 at. pct Al alloy with a low SFE is selected as the target material in the present work, and the strengthening micro-mechanisms induced by cyclic pre-deformation are compared with the previous studies on pure Al with a high SFE and Cu with an intermediate SFE. The results show that the movement of dislocations exhibits a high slip planarity during cyclic pre-deformation at different total strain amplitudes Δe t/2, and some nano-sized deformation twins are formed after subsequent tension. The cyclic pre-deformation at an appropriate Δe t/2 of 1.0 × 10−3 promotes a significant increase in ultimate tensile strength σ UTS nearly without loss of tensile ductility, which primarily stems from the introduction of many mobile planar slip dislocations by cyclic pre-deformation as well as the formation of nano-sized deformation twins during subsequent tension. Based on the comparison of the strengthening micro-mechanisms induced by cyclic pre-deformation in Al, Cu, and Cu-16 at. pct Al alloy, it is deduced that a low-cycle cyclic pre-deformation at an appropriate condition is expected to cause a better strengthening effect on the static tensile properties of low SFE metals.
Serotonin in migraine: theories, animal models and emerging therapies.

A role for serotonin in migraine has been supported by changes in circulating levels of serotonin and its metabolites during the phases of a migraine attack, along with the ability of serotonin-releasing agents to induce migraine-like symptoms. The development of serotonin receptor agonists with efficacy in the clinic for the alleviation of migraine pain further implicates serotonin as a key molecule in migraine.
Successful Prediction of a Left Nonrecurrent Laryngeal Nerve in a Patient With Right-Sided Aorta and Aberrant Left Subclavian Artery.

Background:Left nonrecurrent laryngeal nerve (LNRLN) is an extremely rare anatomic variant. The development of such anatomic variation requires the regression of both the fourth (aortic arch) and sixth (ductus arteriosus, DA) arches on the left side. Preoperative prediction of this variant is difficult but might reduce risk of nerve injury.Methods:A 34-year-old female was indicated for thyroidectomy for a 2.4 cm follicular neoplasm and Graves’ disease. Due to a positive medical history of 22q11.2 microdeletion and unexplained left vocal cord paralysis, a preoperative chest computed tomography (CT) scan was obtained and revealed a right-sided aorta (RSA) and aberrant left subclavian artery (ALSA) without Kommerell’s diverticulum. A left-sided NRLN was then highly suspected.Results:Thyroidectomy was performed under general anesthesia with the utilization of intraoperative laryngeal nerve monitoring. A LNRLN was confirmed intraoperatively.Conclusions:Right-sided aorta and ALSA indicate embryologic regression...
Allograft Reconstruction in Malignant Bone Tumors: Indications and Limits

Advances in imaging studies and the growing effectiveness of chemotherapy have enabled musculoskeletal tumor surgeons to narrow their margins and employ limb-salvage surgery as the preferred method for managing bone sarcoma. The reconstructive options available to orthopedic oncologists range from allograft transplantation to endoprosthetic reconstruction to a combination of both. Bone allograft transplantation offers a biologic reconstruction that can restore bone stock and joint kinematics, while sparing the opposing articular surface. This chapter will discuss the limitations, complications, survival rates, and indications for using bone allografts.
Porous star-star polyelectrolyte multilayers for protein binding

Abstract This work employs layer-by-layer adsorption of star-poly[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] (star-PDMAEMA) and star-poly(acrylic acid) (star-PAA) to create porous coatings that bind the equivalent of many monolayers of lysozyme. AFM images of (star-PDMAEMA/star-PAA)n films on gold-coated wafers reveal pore diameters ranging from 100–550 nm, depending on the number of arms in the polymer and the number of bilayers, n, in the films. (Star-PDMAEMA/star-PAA)n coatings on Au-coated wafers bind the equivalent of up to 150 nm of lysozyme, and binding is greater for films containing star-PAA with 3, rather than 4, arms. Deposition of star-PAA/star-PDMAEMA films in porous hydroxylated nylon gives membranes that bind proteins via ion-exchange interactions. Such membranes capture as much as 120 mg of lysozyme per cm3 of membrane (equilibrium binding capacity), which is more than twice the capacity of commercial ion-exchange membranes, but films are unstable at neutral and high pH.
Child Marriage: A Silent Health and Human Rights Issue

Marriages in which a child under the age of 18 years is involved occur worldwide, but are mainly seen in South Asia, Africa, and Latin America. A human rights violation, child marriage directly impacts girls’ education, health, psychologic well-being, and the health of their offspring. It increases the risk for depression, sexually transmitted infection, cervical cancer, malaria, obstetric fistulas, and maternal mortality. Their offspring are at an increased risk for premature birth and, subsequently, neonatal or infant death. The tradition, driven by poverty, is perpetuated to ensure girls’ financial futures and to reinforce social ties. One of the most effective methods of reducing child marriage and its health consequences is mandating that girls stay in school.
Current Measurements and Mathematical Modeling in Southern Puget Sound

Field observations and mathematical modeling were conducted in order to understand the circulation patterns in Nisqually Reach, Southern Puget Sound. Eight continuously recording current meters at four sites and a two-dimensional finite element model were used. Analysis of the current data showed the currents to consist of a first principal component which was essentially parallel to the channel walls. This component was primarily tidal, although both high and low frequency content was apparent. The high frequency content was attributed to fairly small-scale turbulence. The low frequency currents exhibited fluctuations on the order of several days, with the power spectra showing a secondary peak at 2.5 days. These low frequency fluctuations are probably due to wind effects, occurring both locally and non-locally. Typical circulation patterns predicted by the mathematical model are presented. The model reasonably reproduces the tidal currents but not the high and low frequency content. Other limitations of the model are discussed in light of the analysis of the current meter data.
Dealing with uncertainties in cad-based assembly motion planning

A common problem in robotic assembly is that of mating tightly fitting parts when the locations and the dimensions of the parts are somewhat uncertain. It is neeessary to be able to reason about these uncertainties in conjunction with the geometry of the parts involved in order to develop motion plans for assembly operations. In this paper we will present a method for the treatment of three types of uncertainties usually prevalent in robotic assembly systems: uncertainties in the initial locations of parts, uncertainties in the control of the robot used to assemble these parts and uncertainties in the dimensions of these parts. The method we will present, used by a CAD-based planning system we have developed, discovers which portions of an assembly operation must be carried out using force/torque guided motions because the composite uncertainties exceed the clearance during these portions of the operation. The method further suggests the type of force/torque guided motions that need to be used for these portions. With this knowledge our planning system formulates motion plans for assembly operations. Plans for a variety of assemblies have been produced by our planning system and have been experimentally verified on both a Cincinnati Mi lacron T3 -726 robot and a Puma 762 robot.
Resistance of Syringa vulgaris Cultivars to Pseudomonas syringae Infection

Pseudomonas syringae infections are a continuing problem in Pacific Northwest nurseries. Although copper and streptomycin sulfate sprays have been used in the past to control disease, the bacteria are becoming resistant to both materials. Identifying resistant plant material is another method of reducing P. Syringae infections. A combination of four pathogens was used to test 22 different Syringa vulgaris cultivars in vitro. Resistance was tested by dipping one-week post-transfer plantiets into a 106 cfu ml-1 cell suspension of four pathogenic P. Syringae strains and observing symptom development over a period of 14 days at 25°C. A second group of inocuiated plantiets of the same cultivar were subjected to -12°C for 18 min before placing them at 25°C. The method of scoring resistance to infection was based on three criteria: 1) onset of necrosis, 2) number of plants affected, and 3) spread of symptoms within the plants. Resistance was recorded on a scale of 0 -100, with a score of 100 being the most susceptible. Those cultivars showing the greatest resistance (0 - 45 points) were Glory, Lavender Lady, and City of Woodland. Those that were the most susceptible (80 - 100 points) included President Poincare, Mrs, Klager, and Michael Buchner.
Data concordance between ESRD Medical Evidence Report and Medicare claims: is there any improvement?

Background Medicare is one of the world's largest health insurance programs. It provides health insurance to nearly 44 million beneficiaries whose entitlements are based on age, disability, or end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Data of these ESRD beneficiaries are collected in the US Renal Data System (USRDS), which includes comorbidity information entered at the time of dialysis initiation (medical evidence data), and are used to shape health care policy. One limitation of USRDS data is the lack of validation of these medical evidence comorbidities against other comorbidity data sources, such as medical claims data. Methods We examined the potential for discordance between USRDS Medical Evidence and medical claims data for 11 comorbid conditions amongst Medicare beneficiaries in 2011-2013 via sensitivity, specificity, kappa and hierarchical logistic regression. Results Among 61,280 patients, most comorbid conditions recorded on the Medical Evidence forms showed high specificity (>0.9), compared to prior medical claims as reference standard. However, both sensitivity and kappa statistics varied greatly and tended to be low (most <0.5). Only diabetes appeared accurate, whereas tobacco use and drug dependence showed the poorest quality (sensitivity and kappa <0.1). Institutionalization and patient region of residency were associated with data discordance for six and five comorbidities out of 11, respectively, after conservative adjustment of multiple testing. Discordance appeared to be non-informative for congestive heart failure but was most varied for drug dependence. Conclusions We conclude that there is no improvement in comorbidity data quality in incident ESRD patients over the last two decades. Since these data are used in case-mix adjustment for outcome and quality of care metrics, the findings in this study should press regulators to implement measures to improve the accuracy of comorbidity data collection.
Cross-Layer Retrofitting of UAVs Against Cyber-Physical Attacks

As a rapidly growing cyber-physical platform, unmanned aerial vehicles are facing more security threats as their capabilities and applications continue to expand. Adversaries with detailed knowledge about the vehicle could orchestrate sophisticated attacks that are not easily detected or handled by the vehicle's control system. In this work, we purpose a generic security framework, termed BlueBox, capable of detecting and handling a variety of cyber-physical attacks. To demonstrate an application of BlueBox in practice, we retrofitted an off-the-shelf quadcopter. A series of attacks were then launched by embedding malicious code in the control software and by altering the vehicle's hardware with the specific targeting of sensors, controller, motors, vehicle dynamics, and operating system. Experimental results verified that BlueBox was capable of both detecting a variety of cyber-physical attacks, while also providing the means in which to recover from such attacks.
Technical Feasibility and Clinical Effectiveness of Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Creation in Pediatric and Adolescent Patients.

Abstract Purpose To examine the technical feasibility and clinical efficacy of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation in children and adolescents. Materials and Methods Retrospective review was performed of 59 patients (mean age 12.6 y [range, 1.5–20 y], mean weight 47.5 kg [range, 11.4–112.2 kg], mean Model for End-stage Liver Disease/Pediatric End-stage Liver Disease score 12.5 [range, 6–33]) who underwent 61 TIPS attempts at 3 tertiary children’s hospitals from 2001 to 2017 for acute esophageal or gastroesophageal variceal bleeding, primary and secondary prevention of variceal bleeding, and refractory ascites. Pediatric liver disease etiologies included biliary atresia, cystic fibrosis, and ductal plate anomalies. Technical, hemodynamic, and clinical success and patency rates were reported at 1, 6, 12, and 24 months. Statistical analysis evaluated reasons for clinical failure. Kaplan-Meier analysis measured clinical success, patency, and transplant-free survival. Results Technical success was 93.4% (57/61) in 59 consecutive patients. Most common TIPS indications were treating and preventing esophageal and gastroesophageal variceal bleeding (57/59; 96.6%). Hemodynamic success was 94% (47/50). Clinical success was 80.7% (45/56). Two-year clinical success for acute variceal bleeding and ascites was 94.1% and 100%, respectively. Overall patency at 1, 6, 12, and 24 months was 98.0%, 97.8%, 94.3%, and 91.3%. Two-year transplant-free survival was 88.8%. Overall and major complication rates were 21.2% (13/61) and 8.2% (5/61), with 3 mortalities. Gradient reduction Conclusions TIPS creation in pediatric patients is technically feasible and clinically efficacious for treatment and prevention of esophageal and gastroesophageal variceal hemorrhage. High 2-year clinical success, patency, and survival rates should encourage providers to consider portosystemic shunts as a bridge to liver transplantation.
viCyber: An Intelligent Curriculum Design Tool for Cybersecurity Education

Unauthorized access to confidential information with malicious intent has become a growing challenge to individuals, businesses and governments. Recent media reports of attempted foreign interference in the domestic politics highlights the threat to data security from both within as well as outside the country. Adequate protection of information systems urgently requires a cybersecurity-educated workforce trained using a curriculum that covers the essential skills required for different cybersecurity work roles. The demand for effective cybersecurity education has led to efforts at the national level like the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) framework to guide cybersecurity curriculum design. However, the many-to-may relationships among components of the NICE framework makes it difficult for anyone but experienced cybersecurity experts to design courses or training programs. The much needed rapid expansion of cybersecurity education depends on the ability of educators to understand and reflect in their curriculum frameworks like NICE. This poster presentation describes the design and use of viCyber, an intelligent cybersecurity course design tool, currently under development with support from the National Security Agency. The goal of this tool is to guide inexperienced instructors through the curriculum design process and provide an evaluation of their design with suggestions for possible improvements. viCyber is available as a web-based tool for trial and evaluation by the cybersecurity education community. It is hoped that the dissemination of information through this presentation will help make educators aware of this publicly available web-based tool and elicit valuable feedback from cybersecurity educators.
Simulation and experimental validation of high-resolution test objects for evaluating a next-generation digital breast tomosynthesis prototype

Star pattern test objects are used to evaluate the high-contrast performance of imaging systems. These objects were used to investigate alternative scanning geometries for a prototype next-generation tomosynthesis (NGT) system. The NGT system has 2D planar source motion and linear detector motion, and is capable of myriad acquisition geometries. We designed a virtual star pattern with a voxel size of 5𝜇m, and used it to evaluate the spatial resolution performance of the NGT system for three different acquisition geometries. The Open Virtual Clinical Trials (OpenVCT) framework was used to simulate virtual star patterns for acquisition geometries of the NGT system. Simulated x-ray projections of the virtual phantom were used to create super-sampled 3D image reconstructions. Using the same acquisition geometries on the NGT system, a physical star pattern was imaged to create experimental 3D image reconstructions. The simulated and physical data were compared qualitatively by visual inspection, and quantitatively using an in-house metric. This metric computes the Fourier transform radially for one quadrant of the star pattern to discern the limit of spatial resolution (LSR) and the existence of aliasing. The results exhibit the same characteristics in terms of super-resolution and Moire patterns (arising from aliasing) with visual inspection. The simulated LSR for the 12 conditions analyzed are all within 3% of the physical data. Aliasing was determined to be present in the same simulated image reconstructions as the experimental complements. Super-resolution is observed for two of the three NGT acquisition geometries in the experimental and simulated images.
Scale-invariance of soil moisture variability and its implications for the frequency-size distribution of landslides

Power spectral analyses of soil moisture variability are carried out from scales of 100 m to 10 km on the microwave remotely-sensed data from the Washita experimental watershed during 1992. The power spectrum S(k) has an approximately power-law dependence on wave number k with exponent -1.8. This behavior is consistent with the behavior of a stochastic differential equation for soil moisture at a point. This behavior has important consequences for the frequency-size distribution of landslides. We present the cumulative frequency-size distributions of landslides induced by precipitation in Japan and Bolivia as well as landslides triggered by the 1994 Northridge, California earthquake. Large landslides in these regions, despite being triggered by different mechanisms, have a cumulative frequency-size distribution with a power-law dependence on area with an exponent ranging from -1.5 to -2. We use a soil moisture field with the above statistics in conjunction with a slope stability analysis to model the frequency-size distribution of landslides. In our model landslides occur when a threshold shear stress dependent on cohesion, pore pressure, internal friction and slope angle is exceeded. This implies a threshold dependence on soil moisture and slope angle since these factors are primarily dependent on soil moisture. Abstract continued in paper.
How increased atmospheric carbon dioxide and ‘The Law of the Minimum’ are contributing to environmental obesity

Abstract Justus von Liebig observed that one could greatly increase agricultural yields by adding relatively small quantities of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) to soils. This finding led to the most recent agricultural revolution. But because most plants and microbes can be non-homeostatic with respect to their biomass elemental composition, adding nutrients can lead to disproportional increases in some macro-elements in organisms, while micronutrient content decreases. Increased CO2 in the atmosphere is an important driver of climate change, but it is also an important driver of changing biomass content and ecosystem stoichiometry. Increased CO2 has contributed to excess carbon in biomass and ecosystems, a state which could be contributing to changes in metabolism which I liken to metabolic diseases and ‘environmental obesity’. Here I defined environmental obesity as excess C accumulation relative to other elements in the environment. A warming climate is certainly motivation enough for humans to do whatever is necessary to decrease use of fossil fuels. However, increased carbon has detrimental health outcomes through effects on our food in natural and agricultural systems and suggests that CO2 is not ‘just an environmental problem’, but also a human health problem.
Assessing the Curative and Protective Impacts of Select Fungicides for Control of Powdery Mildew of Wheat

Powdery mildew, caused by the obligate fungal pathogen Blumeria graminis, has been increasing in incidence and severity on wheat in the Chesapeake Bay region of the mid-Atlantic United States. Although fungicides are used for in-season management of powdery mildew, no studies to date have assessed the ability of these products to control disease after pathogen arrival/infection (curative activity) and the duration of disease control provided after fungicide application (protective activity) under controlled conditions. Five commercially available fungicide products, including Caramba, Stratego YLD, Priaxor, Prosaro, and Trivapro, were applied at either 3 or 5 days after inoculation with B. graminis spores to assess curative activity. In a separate study, protective activity for these fungicides was assessed by applying fungicides and inoculating with B. graminis spores the same day and 21 and 42 days after fungicide application. All fungicides reduced powdery mildew severity on foliage compared with nontreated controls. Priaxor provided 11 to 18% less activity than other fungicides when applied curatively. All products provided protective control up to 42 days after inoculation, with Stratego YLD and Priaxor providing the greatest level of control at 68 and 56%, respectively. Our data indicate that different fungicides can have subtle differences in overall efficacy profiles that may translate to improved control or an extended control window in some situations, but all tested products provide very good to excellent control of powdery mildew on wheat.
Supportive Caseworkers, School Engagement, & Posttraumatic Symptoms Among Youth in Foster Care

The current study used a resilience framework to describe youth experiences with their caseworkers, examine the association of youth–caseworker relationship quality with school engagement, and to examine the differential impact of youth–caseworker relationships on youth school engagement by level of youth risk (i.e. posttraumatic symptoms). Secondary data collected from youth in foster care were analyzed via descriptive statistics, correlations, and linear regression with moderation. On average, youth reported relatively high relationship quality with caseworkers. There was substantial variation and developmental differences in youth–caseworker relationship quality. Additionally, current findings suggest that positive youth–caseworker relationships can bolster school engagement. Finally, the study provided support for differential impact theory whereby the influence of youth–caseworker relationships on youth school engagement was stronger for youth with fewer posttraumatic symptoms. Implications for research, intervention efforts, policy, and practice in child welfare, education, and mental health are discussed.
High-power single-mode triple-ridge waveguide semiconductor laser based on supersymmetry

To achieve a high-power single-transverse mode laser, we here propose a supersymmetry-based triple-ridge waveguide semiconductor laser structure, which is composed of an electrically pumped main broad-ridge waveguide located in the middle and a pair of lossy auxiliary partner waveguides. The auxiliary partner waveguides are designed to provide dissipative modes that can phase match and couple with the higher-order modes in the main waveguide. By appropriately manipulating the gain–loss discrimination of the modes in the laser cavity, one can effectively suppress all the undesired higher-order transverse modes while keeping the fundamental one almost unaffected, thereby ensuring stable single-mode operation with a larger emitting aperture and accordingly a higher output power than a conventional single-transverse-mode ridge waveguide diode laser.
Parallel Self Optimizing Control Framework for Digital Twin Enabled Smart Control Engineering

This paper presents a parallel Self Optimizing Control (SOC) framework that combines parallel intelligence, Digital Twin, and derivative-free optimization to enable smart capabilities in classic process control. The parallel SOC framework supports the interaction between the physical system and its Digital Twin via Simultaneous Perturbation Stochastic Approximation (SPSA) derivative-free optimization algorithm. The framework is tested using the Digital Twin of a thermoelectric heating system. Obtained results show that using parallel intelligence with Digital Twin and SPSA optimization method, the SOC can improve the system performance by introducing a developmental behavior on the classic process control system.
Doubly Asymptotic Expansions

In the preceding chapter the concept of “doubly asymptotic expansions” was introduced through an important special case. Whenever in the applications of the asymptotic theory one has to characterize functions of x and ∈ by their behavior near x = ∞ in some unbounded region of the x-plane, the knowledge of doubly asymptotic expansions is extremely helpful. Unfortunately, all known results of some generality in this direction require that the coefficients of the differential equation to be solved be polynomials in x. The matter has been explored in a number of papers by Leung, listed in the bibliography. The presentation here is based on Leung’s work.
Processing and electrochemical performance of manganese-doped lanthanum-strontium chromite in oxidizing and reducing atmospheres

Abstract This study reports the role of oxygen partial pressure (PO2) on the microstructural changes and compound formation during the exposure of (La0.75Sr0.25)0.95Cr0.7Mn0.3O3 (LSCM73) to 1400 °C to emulate oxygen transport membrane device fabrication. Results of electrochemical testing of LSCM73+8YSZ//8YSZ//LSCM73+8YSZ symmetrical cells, is also reported at 950 °C with time for 80 h in oxidizing (air) and reducing atmospheres (Ar-3%H2–3%H2O). Our results from elevated temperature exposure studies show a decrease in the density during exposure to reducing atmospheres due to the absence of liquid phase assisted sintering and inability to form SrCrO4. Formation of rhombohedral structure and MnCr2O4 spinel phase is evident in air whereas Mn3O4 phase formation occurs along with lattice transformation to cubic structure at lower PO2. Our experimental results are in agreement with LSCM73 phase diagram constructed using Thermo-Calc. Stable electrochemical performance is obtained in air and in reducing atmosphere, non-ohmic resistance increases with time which is attributed to Sr-segregation on LSCM73 surface and interaction between LSCM/8YSZ. No delamination of the electrode layer is observed in both oxidizing and reducing atmosphere.