Analyzing Global Cyber Attack Correlates Through an Open Database

As humanity becomes more reliant on digital storage and communication for every aspect of life, cyber attacks pose a growing threat. However, cyber attacks are generally understood as individual incidents reported in technological circles, sometimes tied to a particular vulnerability. They are not generally understood through the macroscopic lens of statistical analysis spanning years over several countries and sectors, leaving researchers largely ignorant of the larger trends and correlates between attacks. This is large part due to the lack of a coherent and open database of prominent attacks. Most data about cyber attacks has been captured using a repository of common vulnerabilities and exposures (CVE’s), and \honey pots , unsecured internet-connected devices which record attacks as they occur against them. These approaches help in the process of identifying vulnerabilities, but they do not capture the real world impact these attacks achieve. Therefore, in this thesis I create a database of 4,000 cyber attacks using a semi-open data source, and perform analytical queries on it to gather insights into how cyber attack volume varies among countries and sectors, and the correlates of cyber attack victims. From here, it is also possible to relate socio-economic data such as GDP and World Happiness Index to cyber attack volume. The end result is an open database of cyber attacks that allows researchers to understand the larger underlying forces which propel cyber attacks

Review of Orthoplastic Techniques for Lower Extremity Reconstruction: Part One

Orthoplastic techniques are effective tools for limb salvage in the lower extremity. In order to apply proper techniques successfully, a surgeon must be aware of all the different types of flaps available. Proper pre-operative evaluation and patient selection are also important factors. The following review covers six papers that give surgeons a strong foundation in the anatomical basis and surgical technique of intrinsic muscle flaps and other fasciocutaneous or adipofascial flaps of the foot. These flaps, along with split thickness skin grafts, external fixation, and dermal regenerative templates, quickly close soft tissue deficits in the foot and ankle that often lead to infection and amputation. Successfully treating soft tissue defects of the foot and ankle extend life, preserve limbs, and increase function for patients

Journal Club Review of Diabetic Foot Infections

The general purpose of this journal club is to review foundational articles in the diagnostic and surgical treatment of diabetic foot infections and osteomyelitis. These articles help form the basis for clinical decision making and best treatment practices involving outpatient and inpatient care for diabetic foot infections

Control of Germline Stem Cell Division Frequency – A Novel, Developmentally Regulated Role for Epidermal Growth Factor Signaling

Exploring adult stem cell dynamics in normal and disease states is crucial to both better understanding their in vivo role and better realizing their therapeutic potential. Here we address the division frequency of Germline Stem Cells (GSCs) in testes of Drosophila melanogaster. We show that GSC division frequency is under genetic control of the highly conserved Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) signaling pathway. When EGF signaling was attenuated, we detected a two-fold increase in the percentage of GSCs in mitotic division compared to GSCs in control animals. Ex vivo and in vivo experiments using a marker for cells in S-phase of the cell cycle showed that the GSCs in EGF mutant testes divide faster than GSCs in control testes. The increased mitotic activity of GSCs in EGF mutants was rescued by restoring EGF signaling in the GSCs, and reproduced in testes from animals with soma-depleted EGF-Receptor (EGFR). Interestingly, EGF attenuation specifically increased the GSC division frequency in adult testes, but not in larval testes. Furthermore, GSCs in testes with tumors resulting from the perturbation of other conserved signaling pathways divided at normal frequencies. We conclude that EGF signaling from the GSCs to the CySCs normally regulates GSC division frequency. The EGF signaling pathway is bifurcated and acts differently in adult compared to larval testes. In addition, regulation of GSC division frequency is a specific role for EGF signaling as it is not affected in all tumor models. These data advance our understanding concerning stem cell dynamics in normal tissues and in a tumor model

Use and benefits associated with state marketing programs

Many states devote to state-based marketing programs with goals of increasing demand for local products. Utilizing data from a survey of northeastern U.S. producers, we evaluate producer and farm characteristics that affect awareness and participation in state-based marketing programs. Increased sales were the main reason for program participation by producers. Main nonuser barriers to Buy Local participation is small production and believing there is no benefit in the program for both Buy Local and Farmers’ Market participation. Furthermore, agricultural activities as well as farm characteristics are significant determinants of marketing program participation. Notably, business type and type of operation were consistently significant indicators of awareness and participation across marketing program. States that are wanting to increase local food consumption need to increase awareness of these programs, clarify the benefit to the farmers, and be more targeted to the farmers that the program may benefit

Kepler-1656b: a Dense Sub-Saturn With an Extreme Eccentricity

Kepler-1656b is a 5 $R_E$ planet with an orbital period of 32 days initially detected by the prime Kepler mission. We obtained precision radial velocities of Kepler-1656 with Keck/HIRES in order to confirm the planet and to characterize its mass and orbital eccentricity. With a mass of $48 \pm 4 M_E$, Kepler-1656b is more massive than most planets of comparable size. Its high mass implies that a significant fraction, roughly 80%, of the planet's total mass is in high density material such as rock/iron, with the remaining mass in a low density H/He envelope. The planet also has a high eccentricity of $0.84 \pm 0.01$, the largest measured eccentricity for any planet less than 100 $M_E$. The planet's high density and high eccentricity may be the result of one or more scattering and merger events during or after the dispersal of the protoplanetary disk.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figures, published in The Astronomical Journa

"Hey, I'm having these experiences" : Tumblr use and young people's queer (dis)connections

This article explores LGBTIQ+ young people’s use of Tumblr—a social media platform often associated with queer youth cultures. Drawing on data from surveys (N = 1,304) and interviews (N = 23) with LGBTIQ+ young people in Australia, we argue that existing notions of “queer community” through digital media participation do not neatly align with young people’s Tumblr practices. Our participants use Tumblr for connecting with others, yet these connections can be indirect, short term, and anonymous. Connections are often felt and practiced without directly communicating with other users, and many participants described their connections to the Tumblr platform itself as intense, pivotal to learning about genders and sexualities, and sometimes “toxic.” We suggest that Tumblr use intensities reflect many young people’s (dis)connections to queer life. Participant accounts of Tumblr use for identity, well-being, and (dis)connection practices can usefully inform health, education, and community workers engaging with LGBTIQ+ young people

Higher quality quit-date goal setting enhances quit attempts among quitline callers

INTRODUCTION At tobacco quitlines, coaching and cessation medications are commonly structured around setting a date for making a quit attempt. However, limited literature evaluating this practice suggests that callers do not routinely set quit-date goals. High quality goal setting may increase the frequency of caller quit attempts. In this study, we examine the quality of quit-date goal setting and its association with in-program quit attempts and the timing of callers' first quit attempt. METHODS Using call recordings, we scored the quality of quit-date goal setting among 90 callers enrolled at Arizona Smokers' Helpline between August and December 2017. The primary exposure was quality of quit-date goal setting assessed using the Lorencatto et al. rating scale. Coding reliability was assessed using Cohen's kappa. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the association between quality of goal setting and in-program quit attempts (>24 h tobacco free). RESULTS The mean quality goal setting score was 3.1 (range: -3 to 7). Sixty-nine callers (77%) set a quit date and 39 (43%) made a quit attempt. Compared to callers who experienced low-quality goal setting, the adjusted odds of in-program quitting for high quality goal setting was AOR=3.98 (95% CI: 1.55-10.20) and for making a quit attempt within two weeks OR=6.23 (95% CI: 1.52-25.49). CONCLUSIONS Quit-date goal setting is an important element of quitline services and callers benefit from high quality quit-date goal setting. Quitlines should establish quality improvement measures to ensure that coaches are trained to provide high quality quit-date goal setting opportunities to all callers.Arizona Department of Health Services [ADHS11-007339, ADHS16-106672, ADHS13-026130:5]; NIH-NCI Cancer Center [P30 CA023074]Open access journalThis item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]