cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the Reliability of Credential Hardening through Keystroke Dynamics

Most computer systems rely on usernames and passwords as a mechanism for authentication and access control. These credential sets offer weak protection to a broad scope of applications with differing levels of sensitivity. Traditional physiological biometric systems such as fingerprint, face, and iris recognition are not readily deployable in remote authentication schemes. Keystroke dynamics provide the ability to combine the ease of use of username / password schemes with the increased trustworthiness associated with biometrics. Our research extends previous work on keystroke dynamics by incorporating shift-key patterns. The system is capable of operating at various points on a traditional ROC curve depending on application specific security needs. A 1%False Accept Rate is attainable at a 14% False Reject Rate. An Equal Error Rate of 5%is suitable for systems requiring a relatively low security. As a username password authentication scheme, our approach decreases the system penetration rate associated with compromised passwords by 95%-99%. Said performance measures can be further improved through optimization of the classification algorithm on a user specific basis.
Mutual influence in shared decision making: a collaborative study of patients and physicians.

Objective To explore how patients and physicians describe attitudes and behaviours that facilitate shared decision making. Background Studies have described physician behaviours in shared decision making, explored decision aids for informing patients and queried whether patients and physicians want to share decisions. Little attention has been paid to patients behaviors that facilitate shared decision making or to the influence of patients and physicians on each other during this process. Methods Qualitative analysis of data from four research work groups, each composed of patients with chronic conditions and primary care physicians. Results Eighty-five patients and physicians identified six categories of paired physician ⁄ patient themes, including act in a relational way; explore ⁄ express patients feelings and preferences; discuss information and options; seek information, support and advice; share control and negotiate a decision; and patients act on their own behalf and physicians act on behalf of the patient. Similar attitudes and behaviours were described for both patients and physicians. Participants described a dynamic process in which patients and physicians influence each other throughout shared decision making. Conclusions This study is unique in that clinicians and patients collaboratively defined and described attitudes and behaviours that facilitate shared decision making and expand previous descriptions, particularly of patient attitudes and behaviours that facilitate shared decision making. Study participants described relational, contextual and affective behaviours and attitudes for both patients and physicians, and explicitly discussed sharing control and negotiation. The complementary, interactive behaviours described in the themes for both patients and physicians illustrate mutual influence of patients and physicians on each other.
Structural dynamics and topology of phospholamban in oriented lipid bilayers using multidimensional solid-state NMR.

Phospholamban (PLN), a single-pass membrane protein, regulates heart muscle contraction and relaxation by reversible inhibition of the sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca-ATPase (SERCA). Studies in detergent micelles and oriented lipid bilayers have shown that in its monomeric form PLN adopts a dynamic L shape (bent or T state) that is in conformational equilibrium with a more dynamic R state. In this paper, we use solid-state NMR on both uniformly and selectively labeled PLN to refine our initial studies, describing the topology and dynamics of PLN in oriented lipid bilayers. Two-dimensional PISEMA (polarization inversion spin exchange at the magic angle) experiments carried out in DOPC/DOPE mixed lipid bilayers reveal a tilt angle of the transmembrane domain with respect to the static magnetic field, of 21 ( 2° and, at the same time, map the rotation angle of the transmembrane domain with respect to the bilayer. PISEMA spectra obtained with selectively labeled samples show that the cytoplasmic domain of PLN is helical and makes an angle of 93 ( 6° with respect to the bilayer normal. In addition, using samples tilted by 90°, we find that the transmembrane domain of PLN undergoes fast long-axial rotational diffusion about the bilayer normal with the cytoplasmic domain undergoing this motion and other complex dynamics, scaling the values of chemical shift anisotropy. While this dynamic was anticipated by previous solution NMR relaxation studies in micelles, these measurements in the anisotropic lipid environment reveal new dynamic and conformational features encoded in the free protein that might be crucial for SERCA recognition and subsequent inhibition.
Xylanase treatment of plant cells induces glycosylation and fatty acylation of phytosterols

Treatment of tobacco suspension cells (Nicotiana tabacum cv. KY 14) with a purified β-1,4-endoxylanase from Trichoderma viride [1 μg enzyme (ml cells)−1] caused a 13-fold increase in the levels of acylated sterol glycosides and elicited the synthesis of phytoalexins. A commercial preparation of xylanase from Trichoderma viride caused an identical shift in sterols. In contrast, a commerical xylanase from Aureobasidium pullaulans had no effect on the levels of acylated sterol glycosides, but did elevate the levels of sterol esters. Treatment of the cells with Cu2+ or Ag+ also evoked a severalfold increase in the levels of acylated sterol glycosides. Analysis of the various sterol lipid classes revealed that the large xylanase-induced increase in acylated sterol glycosides occurred at the expense of sterol esters, free sterols and sterol glycosides. Further analyses revealed that the most abundant phytosterol in each of the four classes of sterol lipids was β-sitosterol. Linoleic acid was the most abundant fatty acid in the sterol esters, and palmitic and linoleic acids were the most abundant fatty acids in the acylated sterol glycosides. Glucose was the only sugar moiety in the sterol glycoside and acvlated sterol glycosides. Glucose was the only sugar moiety in the sterol glycoside and acylated sterol glycoside fractions. The results of the present study demonstrate that xylanase from Trichoderma viride induces a dramatic shift in the level of acylated sterol glycosides, indicating that endoxylanase was probably the active component in the cellulase enzyme preparations used in our previous study.
NONUNIQUENESS OF BV SOLUTIONS OF QUASILINEAR HYPERBOLIC SYSTEMS

We construct examples of one-dimensional quasilinear hyperbolic systems for which the constant state and Riemann problem are unstable under O(1) perturbations in the space BV. We generate a system and solution consisting of three compressions which focus at the same point, resulting in a nonlinear interaction from which no waves emerge. Since this solution is time-reversible, this leads to nontrivial solutions of the system with constant initial data. These solutions are classical in the sense that they do not contain shocks and are discontinuous only at the origin. We then find some elementary necessary conditions for a system in conservative form to exhibit this type of behavior.
Phospho‐olivines as Positive‐Electrode Materials for Rechargeable Lithium Batteries

Reversible extraction of lithium from LiFePO 4 (triphylite) and insertion of lithium into FePO 4 at 3.5 V vs. lithium at 0.05 mA/cm 2 shows this material to be an excellent candidate for the cathode of a low-power, rechargeable lithium battery that is inexpensive, nontoxic, and environmentally benign. Electrochemical extraction was limited to ∼0.6 Li/formula unit; but even with this restriction the specific capacity is 100 to 110 mAh/g. Complete extraction of lithium was performed chemically; it gave a new phase, FePO 4 , isostructural with heterosite, Fe 0.65 Mn 0.35 PO 4 . The FePO 4 framework of the ordered olivine LiFePO 4 is retained with minor displacive adjustments. Nevertheless the insertion/extraction reaction proceeds via a two-phase process, and a reversible loss in capacity with increasing current density appears to be associated with a diffusion-limited transfer of lithium across the two-phase interface. Electrochemical extraction of lithium from isostructural LiMPO 4 (M = Mn, Co, or Ni) with an LiClO 4 electrolyte was not possible; but successful extraction of lithium from LiFe 1-x Mn x PO 4 was accomplished with maximum oxidation of the Mn 3+ /Mn 2+ occurring at x = 0.5. The Fe 3+ /Fe 2+ couple was oxidized first at 3.5 V followed by oxidation of the Mn 3+ /Mn 2+ couple at 4.1 V vs. lithium. The Fe 3+ -O-Mn 2+ interactions appear to destabilize the Mn 2+ level and stabilize the Fe 2+ level so as to make the Mn 3+ /Mn 2+ energy accessible.
IMAGING DIAGNOSIS—SYNOVIAL MYXOMA OF LUMBAR VERTEBRAE ARTICULAR PROCESS JOINT

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and histopathology were used to diagnose an articular process synovial myxoma in a dog. On MR images, the tumor was characterized by distortion of the left L1-L2 articular process, widening of the articular process joint, and the presence of a mass contiguous with the synovium of the articular process that displaced the spinal cord. The tumor was T2-hyperintense, T1-hypointense, relative to muscle, and had mild contrast enhancement. The MR features of articular process synovial myxoma may be distinct from other diseases of the articular process joint.
High spatial resolution decade-time scale land cover change at multiple locations in the Beringian Arctic (1948–2000s)

Analysis of time series imagery from satellite and aircraft platforms is useful for detecting land cover change at plot to regional scales. In this study, we created multi-temporal high spatial resolution land cover maps for seven locations in the Beringian Arctic and assessed the change in land cover over time. Land cover classifications were site specific and mostly aligned with a soil moisture gradient. Time series varied between 60 and 21 years. Four of the five landscapes studied in Alaska underwent an expansion of drier land cover classes while the two landscapes studies in Chukotka, Russia showed an expansion of wetter land cover types. While a range of land cover types was present across the landscapes studied, the extent of shrubs (in Chukotka) and open water (in Alaska) increased in all landscapes where these land cover types were present. The results support trends documented for regional change in NDVI (a measure of vegetation greenness and productivity) as well as a host of other long term, experimental and modeling studies. Using historic change trends for each land cover type at each landscape, we use a simple probabilistic vegetation model to establish hypotheses of future change trajectories for different land cover types at each of the landscapes investigated. This study is a contribution to the International Polar Year Back to the Future project (IPY-BTF).
Quantification of dislocation nucleation stress in TiN through high-resolution in situ indentation experiments and first principles calculations.

Through in situ indentation of TiN in a high-resolution transmission electron microscope, the nucleation of full as well as partial dislocations has been observed from {001} and {111} surfaces, respectively. The critical elastic strains associated with the nucleation of the dislocations were analyzed from the recorded atomic displacements, and the nucleation stresses corresponding to the measured critical strains were computed using density functional theory. The resolved shear stress was estimated to be 13.8 GPa for the partial dislocation 1/6 {111} and 6.7 GPa for the full dislocation ½ {110}. Such an approach of quantifying nucleation stresses for defects via in situ high-resolution experiment coupled with density functional theory calculation may be applied to other unit processes.
Ridges in Euclidean Geometry

We now take a closer look at the definition for local extrema of a function f ∈ C2(ℝ n , ℝ). Ridges will be a generalization of local maxima whereby the test for maximality of f(x) is made in a restricted neighborhood of x. A similar concept of courses generalizes local minima, but since local minima of f are local maxima of —f, it is sufficient to study only the concept of ridge.
FLORA AND VEGETATION OF CONEFLOWER GLACIAL DRIFT HILL PRAIRIE NATURAL AREA, MOULTRIE COUNTY, ILLINOIS

Abstract The vascular flora of Coneflower Glacial Drift Hill Prairie Natural Area in Moultrie County, east-central Illinois, was studied during the growing seasons of 2002 and 2003. The prairie is located on a steep SW-facing hillside of the Cerro Gordo Glacial Moraine, overlooking the Kaskaskia River Valley and Lake Shelbyville. The flora was documented by general reconnaissance, and the structure of the vegetation was sampled in September 2003 using 0.25 m2 plots placed along two transects. The site supported 164 vascular plant species (including one named hybrid). The native grasses with the highest importance values were Andropogon gerardii (big bluestem) and Schizachyrium scoparium (little bluestem). Important forbs included Euphorbia corollata (flowering spurge), Helianthus divaricatus (woodland sunflower), Ratibida pinnata (drooping coneflower), and Comandra umbellata (false toadflax). Exotic species were represented by 28 taxa, 16.4% of the flora. The community had a Floristic Quality Index of 38....
Soil Properties and Soil Nitrogen Dynamics of Prairie-like Forest Openings and Surrounding Forests in Kentucky's Knobs Region

Herbaceous communities located within forest openings increase plant species diversity of forests in the Knobs Region of Kentucky. Although these grass-dominated communities are protected and managed for rare plant species conservation, it is unclear how soil conditions may delineate the grassland-forest boundary. We compared soil chemical and physical properties and soil nitrogen pools and transformations of three forest openings with those in the surrounding forest and the wooded edge separating the grassland and forest communities. Soil pH, extractable cations, bulk density and silt content were higher in openings compared to forest soils and extractable phosphorus was lower. In forest-opening grasslands, total soil nitrogen and the availability and production of plant-available N were 25 to 50% of levels in adjacent forest. Soils of the woody edge were similar to the surrounding forest. Our results suggest that the presence of these calcareous glade openings is highly correlated with edaphic conditions, so that efforts to expand rare plant habitat may be constrained by the distinct soils of these forest openings.
Veneration via Art: Images of Divine Kingship in the Chapel at Versailles

Louis XIV’s magnificent palace chapel at Versailles, dedicated in June of 1710, was the major artistic religious statement of his reign (1643–1715). Because public displays of the king’s piety reinforced his authority to rule by divine right, the chapel had political as well as religious importance. Lacking an on-site venerated holy place, Louis XIV and his advisors drew on memory and long-established French conventions to create a completely new monument to express claims of absolute monarchy with Christian subject matter and to provide a worthy setting for official ceremonies and royal worship. Within the chapel are David, Constantine, Charlemagne and St. Louis, four holy kings often linked with Louis XIV and the French monarchy in the seventeenth century. Since the Bourbon kings claimed special relationships with God, the Virgin, the Holy Spirit and Christ, all are prominently featured in the chapel. Juxtaposing such subjects to the living king in his chapel projected political messages beyond those of the Catholic cult. This paper focuses on two of these subjects-St. Louis and Christ-to demonstrate how selected Christian themes illustrated general concepts of sacred kingship and symbolised specific events of Louis’ reign for the glorification and veneration of the monarchy.
Costs of Medical Treatment: Comment

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) provides an approximation to the money income adjustment necessary to maintain an individual at a constant level of utility. Anne Scitovsky, in comparing the costs of treating certain medical problems in 1964-65 with those in 1951-52, arrives at results conceptually superior to those currently employed for the CPI, since the latter are based on prices of medical inputs such as hospital care and physicians' rates while Scitovsky concentrates on the price of medical output. She argues that, for purposes of the cost of living index, quality changes in treatment should be ignored on the ground that while "the fact that the present treatment is better will increase his welfare, it still leaves him with the problem of how to pay for it." In summary, it is the contention of this comment that in constructing the price index of medical services, an approach more comprehensive than Scitovsky's has to be adopted. The cost of an illness will fall drastically if the illness is not allowed to develop and this genuine fall in medical cost should be included in constructing the index.
Commentary: Mental Health and Immigrant Detainees in the United States

In this commentary, we reflect on Korngold and colleagues' comprehensive review of the legal challenges encountered by mentally ill immigrant detainees in the United States. Specifically, we further review the competency question as it relates to detainees, as well as recent developments in the legal system. We expand the discussion to general treatment and care of mentally ill detainees in United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities. In addition, we provide an allegory to the juvenile justice system and discuss cultural considerations. We conclude by highlighting the significant implications changes in the immigration justice system may have for forensic examiners and competency evaluations.
Drought, pollen and nectar availability, and pollination success

Authors may post their articles to their personal or home institution’s website or institutional repository and may make and distribute photocopies of such articles.
MORBID THOUGHTS AND SUICIDAL IDEATION IN IRAQ WAR VETERANS: THE ROLE OF DIRECT AND INDIRECT KILLING IN COMBAT.

BACKGROUND: Although research has identified numerous risk factors for military suicide, the contribution of combat exposure to suicide risk has not been clearly established. Previous studies finding no association of suicidality with combat exposure have employed overgeneral measures of exposure, which do not differentiate among the varieties of combat experiences. This study disaggregated the forms of combat exposure to assess the contribution of combat-related killing to morbid thoughts and suicidal ideation (MTSI) in National Guard troops deployed to Iraq. METHODS: We conducted parallel analyses of two related samples: a cross-sectional sample (n = 1,665) having postdeployment interview data only and a longitudinal subsample (n = 922) having pre- and postdeployment data. We used multiple logistic regression to examine the role of killing-related exposures, after controlling for general combat and other suicide risks, and examined interactions between killing and other suicide vulnerability factors. RESULTS: Killing-related exposure approximately doubled the risk of MTSI in the cross-sectional multivariate model (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] = 1.87; CI = 1.26-2.78) and the longitudinal model (AOR = 2.02; CI = 1.06-3.85), which also controlled for predeployment risks. Killing exposures further increased the MTSI risk associated with other suicide vulnerability factors, including depression (AOR = 14.89 for depression and killing vs. AOR = 9.92 for depression alone), alcohol dependence (AOR = 5.63 for alcohol and killing vs. 1.91 for alcohol alone), and readjustment stress (AOR = 4.90 for stress and killing vs. 1.48 for stress alone). General combat exposure had no comparable effects. CONCLUSIONS: The findings underscore a need for assessment and treatment protocols that address the psychological effects of killing-related and other potentially "morally injurious" experiences among combat soldiers.Published 2016. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. Language: en
Advancing Black Male Success Understanding the Contributions of Urban Black Colleges and Universities

To understand the context of urban Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and their role in educating Black males, we conducted a literature review examining the academic contribution...
Transcription Factors in Development of the Cerebral Cortex

The molecular mechanisms that control development of the cerebral cortex are now beginning to be delineated. In particular, a variety of transcription factors have recently been identified that are expressed in the cortex. The factors that have been characterized have overlapping distributions, so it is likely that they form a network that controls the development of the laminar architecture of the cortex and the differentiation of the many types of cortical neurons. The Neuroscientist 2:7–11, 1996
Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET)-Based Analysis of Lipoplexes

We describe three applications of FRET technique to analyze structural and thermodynamic properties of cationic lipids and their complexes with DNA: (1) Lipid mixing assay to determine the degree to which individual vesicles undergo fusion upon complex formation. (2) DNA binding assay to obtain cationic lipid-DNA binding curves for thermodynamic analysis or binding stoichiometry characterization. (3) DNA spacing assay to determine changes in DNA packing in the multilamellar lipoplex particle.
Contribution of endogenous vasoactive compounds to renal vascular resistance in neonatal chronic partial ureteral obstruction.

AbstractTo evaluate the relative contribution of endogenous vasoactive compounds to maintenance of increased renal vascular resistance in neonatal obstructive nephropathy, cardiac output and renal blood flow were measured using radioactive microspheres in 25 ± 3 day-old guinea pigs subjected to unilateral partial ureteral constriction within the first two days of life. Mass and renal blood flow of the obstructed kidney were significantly lower than those of the contralateral kidney. Following a control period, thromboxane synthesis was blocked by infusion of OKY-046, after which prostaglandin synthesis was inhibited by indomethacin. In a separate group of animals, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, MK-422, was infused before or after administration of OKY-046. While neither OKY-046 nor indomethacin had a consistent effect on vascular resistance, infusion of MK-422 resulted in selective reduction of renal vascular resistance of the obstructed kidney compared to resistance in the intact kidney and oth...
Genome Editing Toolbox

Abstract Nucleases capable of making targeted breaks in genomic DNA are a core technology required for genome engineering, an emerging field of technology for making precise alterations in cellular genomes. Over the past ten years, four major platforms have emerged for generation of nucleases able to make targeted DNA breaks with a high degree of efficiency and specificity: homing endonucleases, zinc finger nucleases, transcription activator-like (TAL) effector nucleases, and RNA-guided nucleases. This talk will cover the biochemistry and platform-specific attributes of each type of nuclease, along with evolution/improvements in nucleases and related technologies and aspects of the practical implementation of nuclease technology for gene knockout and gene repair in primary hematopoietic cells. Disclosures Scharenberg: Pregenen Inc.: Equity Ownership, Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees; Cellectis therapeutics: Consultancy.
Implant sequence effects in intact male Holstein veal calves : Carcass characteristics

Seven sequences of growth promotant implants were used in intact male Holstein veal calves (n = 443). Implants were administered on d 0 (within 4 d after arrival at the veal barn), 42, and 84. The implants used were placebo (0), Z (36 mg zeranol), ET (20 mg estradiol, 200 mg testosterone), EP/2 (10 mg estradiol, 100 mg progesterone), EP (20 mg estradiol, 200 mg progesterone), and EBA (24 mg estradiol, 120 mg trenbolone acetate). The following sequences were compared: 0-0-0 (negative control), 0-ET-ET, Z-ET-ET, 0-EP-EP, Z-EP-EP, 0-EP/2-EBA, and Z-0-EBA. Sequences 0-EP-EP, Z-EP-EP, and 0-EP/2-EBA increased (P .05) in percentage of carcass weight accounted for by the fore vs rear halves of carcasses, suggesting there was no difference in the distribution of weight. Although there were differences in longissimus area, the results were not consistent, except that there was a trend for longissimus area to be increased by the use of estrogenic-androgenic implants (ET and EBA). There were no differences among implant sequences for carcass conformation, fat cover, muscle texture, marbling/ feathering, muscle color, or muscle chemical composition. Of four implant sequences (0-0-0, 0-ET-ET, 0-EP-EP, and 0-EP/2-EBA) tested for differences in Warner-Bratzler shear force tenderness, the latter two sequences averaged higher (P <.05) for shear force than did the negative control. These results suggest that aggressive implant strategies in young, intact Holstein bull calves (raised as veal) have minimal effects on carcass characteristics.
Assessing positive attitudes toward older and younger adults

ABSTRACTMeaningful intergenerational interactions between older and younger adults are rare outside of family relationships. Interventions to increase positive intergenerational interactions are growing, but finding appropriate measures of attitudes toward both younger and older age groups is difficult. Many measures assessing attitudes toward older adults can remind participants of negative stereotypes of aging and are rarely used to assess attitudes toward younger adults. We adapted Pittinsky, Rosenthal, and Montoya’s allophilia measure to assess attitudes toward younger (18–25 years old) and older (over age 65) adults. In the first study, 94 traditional college age and 52 older adults rated older and younger adults. The allophilia measure distinguished between younger and older adults’ attitudes toward each age group. In the second study, we compared the age-related allophilia measures with seven traditional measures of attitudes toward older adults. Forty-seven traditional college age students complet...
Slice profile and B1 corrections in 2D magnetic resonance fingerprinting

PURPOSE The goal of this study is to characterize and improve the accuracy of 2D magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) scans in the presence of slice profile (SP) and B1 imperfections, which are two main factors that affect quantitative results in MRF. METHODS The SP and B1 imperfections are characterized and corrected separately. The SP effect is corrected by simulating the radiofrequency pulse in the dictionary, and the B1 is corrected by acquiring a B1 map using the Bloch-Siegert method before each scan. The accuracy, precision, and repeatability of the proposed method are evaluated in phantom studies. The effects of both SP and B1 imperfections are also illustrated and corrected in the in vivo studies. RESULTS The SP and B1 corrections improve the accuracy of the T1 and T2 values, independent of the shape of the radiofrequency pulse. The T1 and T2 values obtained from different excitation patterns become more consistent after corrections, which leads to an improvement of the robustness of the MRF design. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates that MRF is sensitive to both SP and B1 effects, and that corrections can be made to improve the accuracy of MRF with only a 2-s increase in acquisition time. Magn Reson Med 78:1781-1789, 2017. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Pulmonary outcomes following specialized respiratory management for acute cervical spinal cord injury: a retrospective analysis

Retrospective analysis. To identify multivariate interactions of respiratory function that are sensitive to spinal cord injury level and pharmacological treatment to promote strategies that increase successful liberation from mechanical ventilation. United States regional spinal cord injury (SCI) treatment center. Retrospective chart review of patients consecutively admitted to Santa Clara Valley Medical Center between May 2013 and December 2014 for ventilator weaning with C1–C5 American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) A or B SCI, <3 months from injury and who had a tracheostomy in place. A nonlinear, categorical principal component analysis (NL-PCA) was performed to test the multivariate interaction of respiratory outcomes from patients (N=36) being weaned off ventilator support after acute SCI with (N=15) or without (N=21) theophylline treatment. In total, 36 patients met inclusion criteria (2 C1, 5 C2, 11 C3, 14 C4 and 4 C5). The NL-PCA returned three independent components that accounted for 95% of the variance in the data set. Multivariate general linear models hypothesis tests revealed a significant syndromic interaction between theophylline treatment and SCI level (Wilks' Lambda, P=0.028, F (12,64)=2.116, η2=0.256, 1−β=0.838), with post hoc testing demonstrating a significant interaction on PC1, explained by a positive correlation between improved forced vital capacity and time it took to reach 16 h of ventilator-free breathing. Thirty-three patients (92%) achieved 16 h of ventilator-free breathing (VFB) and 30 patients (83%) achieved 24 h of VFB. We suspect that some portion of the high success rate of ventilator weaning may be attributable to theophylline use in higher cervical SCI, in addition to our aggressive regimen of high volume ventilation, medication optimization and pulmonary toilet (positive pressure treatments and mechanical insufflation–exsufflation).
Leak-Driven Law

Over the past decade, a number of well-publicized data leaks have revealed the secret offshore holdings of high-net-worth individuals and multinational taxpayers, leading to a sea change in cross-border tax enforcement. Spurred by leaked data, tax authorities have prosecuted offshore tax cheats, attempted to recoup lost revenues, enacted new laws, and signed international agreements that promote “sunshine” and exchange of financial information between countries. The conventional wisdom is that data leaks enable tax authorities to detect and punish offshore tax evasion more effectively, and that leaks are therefore socially beneficial from an economic welfare perspective. This Article argues, however, that the conventional wisdom is too simplistic. In certain circumstances, leak-driven lawmaking may in fact produce negative social welfare outcomes. Agenda-setting behaviors of leakers and media organizations, inefficiencies in data transmission, suboptimally designed legislation, and unanticipated behavioral responses by enforcement-elastic taxpayers are all factors that may reduce social welfare in the aftermath of a tax leak. This Article examines the potential welfare outcomes of leak-driven lawmaking and identifies predictable drivers that may affect those outcomes. It provides suggestions and cautions for making tax law, after a leak, in order to best tap into the benefits of leaks while managing their pitfalls.
Robotic Ileal Interposition for Radiation-induced Ureteral Stricture Disease.

Objective To present a novel surgical concept using preoperative imaging to estimate length needed for ileal segment. This enables robotic ileal interposition to be completed with only 1 position change during surgery. Materials and Methods The index patient is a 69-year-old woman with a history of stage IIIB cervical cancer treated with chemotherapy and radiation 5 years prior to presentation. The patient subsequently developed a long segment stricture of the left ureter, which had been managed with ureteral stents. The patient decided to proceed with robotic ileal ureter for management of her ureteral stricture disease. We used preoperative computed tomography scan measurements to estimate length needed for ileal segment. This eliminated the need for multiple position changes during surgery. Results The patient tolerated the procedure well. Estimated blood loss was 50 cc. Kidney ultrasound at 1 month post-op revealed no hydronephrosis. Renal scan at 12 months post-op revealed stable function at 32% and no evidence of obstruction. The patient reports she is doing well and is pain free at this time. Conclusion Robotic ileal interposition is a technically feasible procedure with good functional outcomes. By using preoperative imaging to estimate length needed for ileal segment, only 1 position change is needed during surgery.
Demyelinating Diseases - I

The oligodendrocyte, predominantly found in the white matter of the brain, is the cell responsible for the production of myelin. As a general rule, demyelinating diseases result from either attacks on this cell or failure of the cell to regenerate under normal conditions. Consequently, a focal or diffuse loss of myelin occurs. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the prototypical white matter disease. Many other diseases may mimic its appearance on imaging studies. While not an exhaustive list, this review highlights the important imaging manifestations of these demyelinating diseases that allow more specific diagnosis.
Text density and display bandwidth: evaluating scalability by model and experiment

The applications of 3D Virtual Environments are taking giant leaps with more sophisticated 3D user interfaces and immersive technologies. Interactive 3D and Virtual Reality platforms present a great opportunity for data analytics and can represent large amounts of data to help humans in decision making and insight. For any of the above to be effective, it is essential to understand the characteristics of these interfaces in displaying different types of content. Text is an essential and widespread content and legibility acts as an important criterion to determine the style, size and quantity of the text to be displayed. This study evaluates the maximum amount of text per visual angle, that is, the maximum density of text that will be legible in a virtual environment displayed on different platforms. We used Extensible 3D (X3D) to provide the portable (cross-platform) stimuli. The results presented here are based on a user study conducted in DeepSix (a tiled LCD display with 5750×2400 resolution) and the Hypercube (an immersive CAVE-style active stereo projection system with three walls and floor at 2560×2560 pixels active stereo per wall). We found that more legible text can be displayed on an immersive projection due to its larger Field of Regard; in the immersive case, stereo versus monoscopic rendering did not have a significant effect on legibility.
Henry James Sr.: Nineteenth Century Theologian

High praise for Henry James Sr. came only from the few that understood his philosophy and theology. James was more often described as an undisciplined, radical, iconoclastic, new age nabob, or as the poet Ellery Channing imparted, "a little fat, rosy Swedenborgian amateur with the look of a broker, & the brains & heart of a Pascal." Thoreau, although a visitor to James's home, barely elevated the discussion, chronicling James as a man who "utters quasi philanthropic dogmas in metaphysical dress." Looking through the inerrant eyes of history, and understanding the enormous social and religious changes that James participated in during the 1830-50s, it is easier to recognize James as the enigmatic genius worthy of his small renaissance. Once credited only for being the father of two of America's great minds at the tum of the twentieth century, there is now an effort among scholarly circles to reassess James's work as a theologian and writer. James the theologian was prototypical of much religious thought in America today, as his son's work as a philosopher was prototypical of much philosophical thought in America today. 2
The Role of Nonprofits in Meeting the Housing Challenge in the United States

Housing owned by nonprofit housing organizations comprises one of the two components of the U.S.’s social housing sector, the other being public housing. After providing relevant background about affordable rental housing programs in the United States (including federal, state, and local strategies); the overall size of the U.S. social housing sector; and the level of direct and indirect subsidies for housing, the article focuses on the key challenges facing the nonprofit housing sector. Details also are provided about the difficulties involved in navigating the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program for both nonprofit and for-profit developers. The final section offers suggestions for how nonprofits could be better supported through a series of ‘nonprofit-centric’ public policies and programs. Despite the ongoing need for more federal involvement in affordable housing, and the important role that nonprofit housing organizations are able to play, the current political situation in the United States means t...
Using Systems Thinking in the Design, Implementation, and Evaluation of Complex Educational Innovations, With Examples From the InTeGrate Project

ABSTRACT Many geoscience education initiatives now involve cross-departmental or multi-institutional programs. However, the geoscientists who lead such programs typically have little experience or training in program design, leadership, or evaluation. In this commentary, we make the case that geoscientists taking on these ambitious leadership roles can draw on a set of understandings and skills that they already have: the tools and habits of mind of systems thinking. Using examples from the InTeGrate program, we suggest ways to envision, shape, and monitor an educational intervention by thinking of oneself as building and improving a complex system with constituent subsystems. Suggestions for the design phase include the following: Decide on an essential suite of subsystems and plan for them to interact in mutually beneficial ways. Consider using a set of semi-autonomous parallel subsystems that will allow for replication with adaptation as experience accrues. Plan for nonlinear causality chains in which ...
Endoluminal Gastric Procedures for Obesity and Metabolic Diseases

Worldwide obesity has more than doubled since 1980, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Today, more than one-third (36.5%) of adults in the United States are obese, posing a serious health problem in this country. Laparoscopic bariatric surgery has been well described as an effective surgical procedure in achieving weight loss and improving obesity-related comorbidities but carries a moderate morbidity risk and minimal risk of mortality. As a result, there is a growing demand for less invasive surgical procedures that can assist in weight loss with lower risk profiles such as endoluminal bariatric procedures. Endoluminal gastric bariatric procedures have the potential to be a promising alternative to laparoscopic bariatric surgery as a primary treatment modality, bridge to surgical therapy, or revisional procedures for previous surgical interventions as they may offer quicker recovery, lower morbidity and mortality, and possibly a more cost-effective means of achieving meaningful weight loss. The aim of this chapter is to review the currently available transoral approaches to weight loss, with a focus on those applied in human trials.
How does inclusion of weather forecasting impact in-season crop model predictions?

Abstract Accurately forecasting crop yield in advance of harvest could greatly benefit decision makers when making management decisions. However, few evaluations have been conducted to determine the impact of including weather forecasts, as opposed to using historical weather data (commonly used) in crop models. We tested a combination of short-term weather forecasts from the Weather Research and Forecasting Model (WRF) to predict in season weather variables, such as, maximum and minimum temperature, precipitation, and radiation at four different forecast lengths (14 days, 7 days, 3 days, and 0 days). This forecasted weather data along with the current and historic (previous 35 years) data were combined to drive Agricultural Production Systems sIMulator (APSIM) in-season corn [Zea mays L] and soybean [Glycine max] grain yield and phenology forecasts for 16 field trials in Iowa, USA. The overall goal was to determine how the inclusion of weather forecasting impacts in-season crop model predictions. We had two objectives 1) determine the impact of weather forecast length on WRF accuracy, and 2) quantify the impact of weather forecasts accuracy on APSIM prediction accuracy. We found that the most accurate weather forecast length varied greatly among the 16 treatments (2 years × 2 sites × 2 crops × 2 management practices), but that the 0 day and 3 day forecasts were, on average, the most accurate when compared to the other forecast lengths. Overall, the accuracy of the in-season crop yield forecast was inversely proportional to forecast length (p = 0.026), but there was variation among treatments. The accuracy of the in-season flowering and maturity forecasts were not significantly affected by inclusion of weather forecast length (p = 0.065). The 14 day forecast provided enough lead time to improve flowering prediction in 8 out of the 16 treatments. The fact that maximum temperature was the most accurate predicted variable by WRF was the reason for improvements in flowering predictions. Our results suggest that a weather forecast from WRF was not better than historical weather for yield prediction.
Effects of Storage and Extrusion on Sample Properties

The shear strength of specimens obtained with thin-walled tubes decreased as a result of long-term storage. The preconsolidation pressure of stored tube samples also followed a similar trend. Specimens obtained from hand-cut blocks did not show a decrease in strength or preconsolidation pressure with time. Samples stored by wrapping in plastic film and aluminum foil were found to be preserved as well as those stored after coating with paraffin. Stresses applied to samples for extruding from thin-walled tubes were found to be in excess of the shear strength of the soils. X-ray radiographs of specimens obtained with thin-walled tubes showed excessive disturbances caused by sampling and extrusion.
Current concepts in the pathogenesis and treatment of ischemic mitral regurgitation

Under normal conditions, mitral valve competence is maintained by a complex interaction of the five components of mitral valve function: the ventricular wall, the fibrous annulus, the papillary muscles, the chordae tendineae, and the valve leaflets. Derangements in any single component can produce valve dysfunction, but in ischemic incompetence, the primary defect is infarction of the ventricular wall and papillary muscles. With increasing interest in valvular reconstruction in ischemic mitral regurgitation, a detailed knowledge of mitral valve anatomy has become essential.
Hippocampal subfield CA2+3 exhibits accelerated aging in Alcohol Use Disorder: A preliminary study

The profile of brain structural dysmorphology of individuals with Alcohol Use Disorders (AUD) involves disruption of the limbic system. In vivo imaging studies report hippocampal volume loss in AUD relative to controls, but only recently has it been possible to articulate different regions of this complex structure. Volumetric analysis of hippocampal regions rather than total hippocampal volume may augment differentiation of disease processes. For example, damage to hippocampal subfield cornu ammonis 1 (CA1) is often reported in Alzheimer's disease (AD), whereas deficits in CA4/dentate gyrus are described in response to stress and trauma. Two previous studies explored the effects of chronic alcohol use on hippocampal subfields: one reported smaller volume of the CA2+3 in alcohol-dependent subjects relative to controls, associated with years of alcohol consumption; the other, smaller volumes of presubiculum, subiculum, and fimbria in alcohol-dependent relative to control men. The current study, conducted in 24 adults with DSM5-diagnosed AUD (7 women, 53.7 ± 8.8) and 20 controls (7 women, 54.1 ± 9.3), is the first to use FreeSurfer 6.0, which provides state-of-the art hippocampal parcellation, to explore the sensitivity of hippocampal sufields to alcoholism. T1- and T2- images were collected on a GE MR750 system with a 32-channel Nova head coil. FreeSurfer 6.0 hippocampal subfield analysis produced 12 subfields: parasubiculum; presubiculum; subiculum; CA1; CA2+3; CA4; GC-ML-DG (Granule Cell (GC) and Molecular Layer (ML) of the Dentate Gyrus (DG)); molecular layer; hippocampus-amygdala-transition-area (HATA); fimbria; hippocampal tail; hippocampal fissure; and whole volume for left and right hippocampi. A comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests comprising attention, memory and learning, visuospatial abilities, and executive functions was administered. Multiple regression analyses of raw volumetric data for each subfields by group, age, sex, hemisphere, and supratentorial volume (svol) showed significant effects of svol (p < .04) on nearly all structures (excluding tail and fissure). Volumes corrected for svol showed effects of age (fimbria, fissure) and group (subiculum, CA1, CA4, GC-ML-DG, HATA, fimbria); CA2+3 showed a diagnosis-by-age interaction indicating older AUD individuals had a smaller volume than would be expected for their age. There were no selective relations between hippocampal subfields and performance on neuropsychological tests, likely due to lack of statistical power. The current results concur with the previous study identifying CA2+3 as sensitive to alcoholism, extend them by identifying an alcoholism-age interaction, and suggest an imaging phenotype distinguishing AUD from AD and stress/trauma.