26419 research outputs found
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Marcie Flinchum Atkins
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01 - Microsatellite-based population genetic analysis of Amblyomma maculatum in SE Virginia
No full textThe Gulf Coast tick, Amblyomma maculatum, is expanding northwards along the US East Coast, with recent introductions in New York and Connecticut. The expansion of A. maculatum is medically relevant because it is a principal vector of Rickettsia parkeri, the causative agent of human R. parkeri rickettsiosis, which exhibits similar but less severe symptoms than Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Newly established populations of A. maculatum have higher prevalence of R. parkeri than those in the historical range, potentially increasing human risk. Gulf Coast ticks move across the landscape via their hosts, which include birds and small mammals for juvenile stages, and large animals for adults; however, the hosts primarily responsible for dispersal are largely unknown. Positive correlation of genetic to spatial distance may suggest short distance dispersal (e.g. via small mammals), whereas no correlation may suggest long distance dispersal (e.g. via migratory birds). Here we apply high-resolution microsatellite markers to examine relatedness of tick populations in southeastern Virginia. Global FST indicated significant structure among sampled populations [FST 0.036; 95%CI (0.27-0.43)]. This finding should be treated with caution, as there was reduced heterozygosity across all subpopulations [FIT 0.14; (0.03-0.24)], suggesting nonrandom mating and deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Pairwise FST indicated small but significant differences in genetic structure among the majority of sample sites. These findings indicate genetic differences among closely separated populations, suggesting long-distance dispersal and supporting previous results of mitochondrial DNA-based studies in this system
Unraveling Visible Spectra of S-Type Stars: The f\u3csup\u3e3\u3c/sup\u3eΔ–a\u3csup\u3e3\u3c/sup\u3eΔ (α System) and e\u3csup\u3e3\u3c/sup\u3eΠ–a\u3csup\u3e3\u3c/sup\u3eΔ (β System) Band Systems of ZrO
Get PDFZrO has many low-lying states, and its spectra are essential for the characterization of S-type stars. A high-resolution emission spectrum recorded with a Fourier transform spectrometer at the National Solar Observatory is used for the analysis. The 0–0 and 1–0 bands of the f³Δ-a³Δ system (α system) and the 0–0 band of the e³Π-a³Δ system (β system) have been rotationally analyzed using the modern spectral fitting program PGOPHER. New ab initio calculations of transition dipole moments have been performed to determine the band strengths. These band strengths are used to produce line lists that are suitable for the simulation of stellar spectra
Multi-Robot Task Allocation Using Global Games with Negative Feedback: The Colony Maintenance Problem
No full textIn this article we address the multi-robot task allocation problem, where robots must cooperatively assign themselves to accomplish a set of tasks in their environment. We consider the colony maintenance problem as an example, where a team of robots are tasked with continuously maintaining the energy supply of a central colony. We model this as a global game, where each robot measures the energy level of the colony, and the current number of assigned robots, to determine whether or not to forage for energy sources. The key to our approach is introducing a negative feedback term into the robots\u27 utility, which also eliminates the trivial solution where foraging or not foraging are strictly dominant strategies. We compare our approach qualitatively to existing global games, where a positive positive feedback term admits threshold-based decision making, and encourages many robots to forage simultaneously. We show how positive feedback can lead to a cascading failure in the presence of a human who recruits robots, and we demonstrate the resilience of our approach in simulation
Confidentiality in Addiction Treatment: Navigating 42 CFR Part 2 Within Human Services
Get PDFRecent federal legislation, including the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAE) and the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), has placed greater emphasis on quality integrated health care, with a focus on access, treatment options, and evidence-based practices. Changes to Federal 42 CFR privacy protections also impact individuals seeking substance use disorder treatment, either as a primary diagnosis or comorbidity. Human service professionals, as generalists in the behavioral health field, provide vital treatment, recovery, and prevention services for individuals with substance use and addictive disorders. This paper explores the implications of these legislative changes, particularly regarding privacy protections and information exchange, with practical recommendations for human services practice. Additionally, the paper discusses the educational implications for improving curriculum and training to ensure human service professionals are equipped to navigate these evolving legislative landscapes
Security Enhancement in AAV Swarms: A Case Study Using Federated Learning and SHAP Analysis
Get PDFAs cyber-physical systems (CPSs) increasingly integrate physical and digital realms, securing critical infrastructure, such as the Port of Virginia, becomes paramount. Among CPSs, Autonomous Aerial Vehicles (AAVs) are vital for monitoring, communication, and supporting the command and control through remote reconnaissance and surveillance missions. These AAV applications often require coordination, planning, and runtime reconfiguration, traditionally managed by human decision-makers. However, this approach has limitations, as extensively documented in the literature. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a pivotal tool to address these limitations, enhancing risk mitigation and informed decision-making. This research proposes a machine learning (ML) based security mechanism, leveraging federated learning and FedAvg for weight averaging, combined with SHAP analysis to identify key contributing features. This AI-based system requires less human intervention and is more effective in detecting novel attacks than traditional intrusion detection systems (IDS). Using the IEEE DataPort AAV Attack Dataset, this study aims to develop a robust distributed ML security solution for AAV swarms, significantly advancing the cybersecurity landscape for CPSs
Exploring Research and Tools in AI Security: A Systematic Mapping Study
Get PDFWith the pervasive integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in various facets of modern technology, the importance of AI security has been thrust into the spotlight. The field is rapidly evolving, with new challenges and solutions emerging at a swift pace. However, the breadth and depth of AI security research have not been comprehensively mapped in recent times, presenting a crucial need for an extensive review and synthesis of existing literature. Given the increasing reliance on AI in critical domains such as healthcare, finance, and national security, ensuring the resilience and trustworthiness of these systems is imperative. This survey fulfills the pressing need for a structured and comprehensive overview of the current research landscape, enabling researchers to address emerging threats and vulnerabilities effectively. This paper presents a systematic mapping study (SMS), aimed at identifying and classifying the prevailing research topics, tools, and frameworks in the field of AI security. A total of 123 studies were meticulously selected and analyzed, leading to the identification of key metrics, tools, standards, and research themes that are currently shaping the landscape of AI security research. This effort not only aids in distilling the collective wisdom of the research community but also sets a firm foundation for future work in this critical area. The findings from this SMS will serve as an invaluable guide for researchers and practitioners alike, enabling them to navigate the complexities of AI security and fostering the development of innovative, robust security solutions. This study also highlights significant gaps in the current literature, thereby outlining potential directions for new research initiatives
Using Gamification to Teach Cybersecurity in a Social Science Course: An Experience Paper
No full textMeta-reviews of gamification suggest that gamifying course instruction can positively impact learners\u27 behaviors and attitudes, leading to improved learning outcomes. However, there is a lack of literature relaying concrete experiences with developing and deploying gamified content. This experience paper contributes to filling that gap by describing the deployment of gamified instruction to students enrolled in a mid-level university social science course. These experiences are organized around four more or less chronological questions the project team needed to answer: (1) why gamify – or what is the rationale for undertaking such an endeavor, (2) what content should be gamified, (3) what design should the gamified content take, and (4) what technologies should be used to develop and deploy the content? We conclude by discussing the importance of grounding gamification in theory and the utility of the hub and spoke design framework used by the project team
Flexible Hybrid Self-Powered Piezo-Triboelectric Nanogenerator Based on BTO-PVDF/PDMS Nanocomposites for Human Machine Interaction
Get PDFAs flexible and wearable electronics play more and more important role in smart watches, smart glass and virtual reality, and the power supply to the wearable electronics have been revealed more attentions for long-term usage and continuous healthy monitoring. To overcome the challenge, flexible self-powered BTO-PVDF/PDMS piezoelectric-triboelectric electric hybrid generators (BPP-HNG) are developed to human gesture monitoring and human machine interaction (HMI) application without external power supply. BPP-HNG based on BTO-PVDF and PDMS films are prepared by sol-gel and spin-coating method. When the BTO content is 20 wt.%, BPP-HNG exhibits better electrical performance with an output voltage of 20.51 V. A real-time gesture monitoring system is designed and developed to human machine interaction, which is able to control the motion of robot finger through BPP-HNG. BPP-HNG could monitor and recognize various gestures in real time, enabling synchronization between the human hand and the robot\u27s hand. With the convergence of AI technology and big data, BPP-HNG based HMI technology is expected to realize the potential of smarter and more intuitive interactions
A Theoretical Framework for Examination of Context in Complex System Governance
Get PDF“A complex system’s identity and viability are directly related and affected by its context. It is important to identify, monitor, and manage (or mitigate risk) system contextual elements” (Keating C. B. et al., 2022, p. 209). Despite this importance, there is very limited research and literature on complex systems context. This research seeks to expand our understanding of complex system context and improve our ability to govern complex technology development programs effectively. The ability to analyze complex systems and their problems is necessary for this improvement.
A “clear understanding of the specific complex system context is fundamental to the process of understanding and analyzing complex systems and complex system problems” (Crownover, 2005, p. ii) Crownover’s Complex System Contextual Framework (CSCF) is the first and only framework of context that provides a characterization of context relative to a complex system. However, until now, the CSCF has not been used in an operational setting for analysis. This research addresses this gap through exploration of the use of CSCF to analyze a complex technology development program with two sub-systems or projects, one successful and one failed.
A rigorous research methodology, employing Case Study analysis, most closely related to Yin’s Embedded, Single-Case Design (Yin, 2018), was used for this exploration. Specifically, the method was used to answer two research questions:
1. How can the CSCF be adapted for analysis of complex systems?
2. What results from the application of the CSCF in an operational setting?
The research methodology evolved into an inductive method and framework that provided an understanding of complex system context, contextual relationships, and influence on the complex system. CSCF was successfully adapted as a framework and augmented with a methodology to conduct analysis. It shows the usefulness of the framework for analysis and provides visibility for others to continue refining and exploring its usefulness for other areas of complex system governance. This framework and method not only evolve our systems engineering knowledge but provides a foundation for the development of tools to govern context and its influence on the complex system of interest